{"id": "pubmed23n0021_0", "title": "[New problems and results in behavior therapy].", "content": "What is presently observed is not only a rapid increase in the number of publications, but also a major change in the theoretical principles of behavior therapy. The former onesidedness of a form of behavior therapy theoretically substantiated by classical conditioning only may be regarded as having been completely overcome. For example, this is evident from new approaches to behavior diagnosis as an essential prerequisite of differentiated therapy planning. Recent concepts of the theoretical substantiation of the effectiveness of behavior therapy lead to an increasing consideration of both cognitive and motivational aspects and also take into account the complexity of the patient's social relations. This, in turn, results in the availability of a wide range of indication-specific methods of behavior therapy.", "contents": "[New problems and results in behavior therapy]. What is presently observed is not only a rapid increase in the number of publications, but also a major change in the theoretical principles of behavior therapy. The former onesidedness of a form of behavior therapy theoretically substantiated by classical conditioning only may be regarded as having been completely overcome. For example, this is evident from new approaches to behavior diagnosis as an essential prerequisite of differentiated therapy planning. Recent concepts of the theoretical substantiation of the effectiveness of behavior therapy lead to an increasing consideration of both cognitive and motivational aspects and also take into account the complexity of the patient's social relations. This, in turn, results in the availability of a wide range of indication-specific methods of behavior therapy.", "PMID": 609646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1", "title": "[Theory and method of self-assertion training].", "content": "Lack of assertiveness is considered, in the sense of the theoretical concept of Ullrich de Muynck and Ullrich, to be due to such components as 1. abnormal attitude toward oneself, 2. fear of criticism and failure, and 3. inadequately developed social skills; after this, the term 'assertiveness' is defined. Previous therapeutical approaches to the remedying of unassertiveness and the underlying theoretical assumptions are critically examined and discussed with particular reference to their effectiveness. These include the training programs developed by Salter and Wolpe which are characterized by certain onesidedness as well as the concept of Ullrich de Muynck and Ullrich, which has a sound theoretical basis and a rather differentiated or specialized structure. Reference is also made to the author's own research projects.", "contents": "[Theory and method of self-assertion training]. Lack of assertiveness is considered, in the sense of the theoretical concept of Ullrich de Muynck and Ullrich, to be due to such components as 1. abnormal attitude toward oneself, 2. fear of criticism and failure, and 3. inadequately developed social skills; after this, the term 'assertiveness' is defined. Previous therapeutical approaches to the remedying of unassertiveness and the underlying theoretical assumptions are critically examined and discussed with particular reference to their effectiveness. These include the training programs developed by Salter and Wolpe which are characterized by certain onesidedness as well as the concept of Ullrich de Muynck and Ullrich, which has a sound theoretical basis and a rather differentiated or specialized structure. Reference is also made to the author's own research projects.", "PMID": 609647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2", "title": "[Behavior therapeutically oriented correction of under-achievement in students].", "content": "Two methods of correction by behavior therapy of psychogenic disorders manifesting themselves in a decrease of the proficiency level of students are presented: Individual behavior guidance and a group training course. The objective of the two methods is to familiarize students with the techniques of behavior analysis, stimulus control, and self-invigoration in order to gradually develop an adequate proficiency-oriented behavior. The purpose of the training course is to enable students to acquire, under the direction of a therapist, skill in the use of effective methods of working. Various forms of verification and relaxation during breaks are used to insure successful correction of such disorders.", "contents": "[Behavior therapeutically oriented correction of under-achievement in students]. Two methods of correction by behavior therapy of psychogenic disorders manifesting themselves in a decrease of the proficiency level of students are presented: Individual behavior guidance and a group training course. The objective of the two methods is to familiarize students with the techniques of behavior analysis, stimulus control, and self-invigoration in order to gradually develop an adequate proficiency-oriented behavior. The purpose of the training course is to enable students to acquire, under the direction of a therapist, skill in the use of effective methods of working. Various forms of verification and relaxation during breaks are used to insure successful correction of such disorders.", "PMID": 609648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3", "title": "[Behavior therapy in sexual deviation].", "content": "The author, after discussing theoretical aspects of the development and treatment of sexual deviations, describes methods of behavior therapy which when used in combination and by experienced clinicians will yield promising results. In addition, a number of cases are reported, and these indicate some special problems associated with the therapy of sexual deviations.", "contents": "[Behavior therapy in sexual deviation]. The author, after discussing theoretical aspects of the development and treatment of sexual deviations, describes methods of behavior therapy which when used in combination and by experienced clinicians will yield promising results. In addition, a number of cases are reported, and these indicate some special problems associated with the therapy of sexual deviations.", "PMID": 609649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4", "title": "[Apparative aversive therapy in combination with verbal suggestions in special obsessional syndromes (initial investigation)].", "content": "The author restricts the use of aversion therapy by means of deliberate production of pain to obsessional, especially therapy-resistant disturbances of a permanent nature, with consideration being, of course, given to ethical factors. Experiences worthy of generalization are derived from methodically varied courses of treatment, bringing out suggestive moments subliminally involved in any therapeutical situation and also specifically used by the therapist. In addition, the author emphasizes the need for simultaneously developing, besides aversion therapy, positive attitudes and behavior patterns.", "contents": "[Apparative aversive therapy in combination with verbal suggestions in special obsessional syndromes (initial investigation)]. The author restricts the use of aversion therapy by means of deliberate production of pain to obsessional, especially therapy-resistant disturbances of a permanent nature, with consideration being, of course, given to ethical factors. Experiences worthy of generalization are derived from methodically varied courses of treatment, bringing out suggestive moments subliminally involved in any therapeutical situation and also specifically used by the therapist. In addition, the author emphasizes the need for simultaneously developing, besides aversion therapy, positive attitudes and behavior patterns.", "PMID": 609650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5", "title": "[Possibilities of behavior therapy in childhood].", "content": "The author, after discussing methods of conditioning and their theoretical substantiation, describes the behavior disorders, forms of malconduct, and development disorders where methods of behavior therapy have so far been made successful use of. Possibilities of, and technical problems associated with, the treatment of nocturnal enuresis are discussed in addition to methods of treatment of autistic, electively mutistic, and stuttering children. Also discussed in this paper are methods of behavior therapy of states of anxiety, phobias, and hypermotor conditions as well as the instruction of educators in the use methods developed on the lines of behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is characterized as a form of psychotherapy which cannot replace general pedagogic influences.", "contents": "[Possibilities of behavior therapy in childhood]. The author, after discussing methods of conditioning and their theoretical substantiation, describes the behavior disorders, forms of malconduct, and development disorders where methods of behavior therapy have so far been made successful use of. Possibilities of, and technical problems associated with, the treatment of nocturnal enuresis are discussed in addition to methods of treatment of autistic, electively mutistic, and stuttering children. Also discussed in this paper are methods of behavior therapy of states of anxiety, phobias, and hypermotor conditions as well as the instruction of educators in the use methods developed on the lines of behavior therapy. Behavior therapy is characterized as a form of psychotherapy which cannot replace general pedagogic influences.", "PMID": 609651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6", "title": "[Apparative therapy of enuresis nocturna, experience and problems].", "content": "Eleven patients aged 5 7/12 to 15 9/12 years were treated with the \"pillow wakener\" (a device developed by the author and his associates) within the framework of an exploratory study of apparatus-assisted treatment of bed-wetting. The critical analysis of this device and form of therapy has as its objective to encourage investigators to make further studies in the field of treatment of bed-wetting. Particular difficulties such as technical deficiencies, the need for the interruption stimulus immediately following the activity of the bladder the problem of deep sleep, etc. are pointed out.", "contents": "[Apparative therapy of enuresis nocturna, experience and problems]. Eleven patients aged 5 7/12 to 15 9/12 years were treated with the \"pillow wakener\" (a device developed by the author and his associates) within the framework of an exploratory study of apparatus-assisted treatment of bed-wetting. The critical analysis of this device and form of therapy has as its objective to encourage investigators to make further studies in the field of treatment of bed-wetting. Particular difficulties such as technical deficiencies, the need for the interruption stimulus immediately following the activity of the bladder the problem of deep sleep, etc. are pointed out.", "PMID": 609652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7", "title": "[Experiences with behavior therapeutically oriented instruction to educators of mentally handicapped children].", "content": "The paper describes the use of techniques of behavior therapy in the education, both at home and in day-core clinics for unschoolable, but group-educatable children. These may be used for the correction of undesirable behavior and the development of certain skills, but cannot be considered to be exclusive means of a normal process of education.", "contents": "[Experiences with behavior therapeutically oriented instruction to educators of mentally handicapped children]. The paper describes the use of techniques of behavior therapy in the education, both at home and in day-core clinics for unschoolable, but group-educatable children. These may be used for the correction of undesirable behavior and the development of certain skills, but cannot be considered to be exclusive means of a normal process of education.", "PMID": 609653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8", "title": "[The formation of self-help groups. A report for participants and experts (author's transl)].", "content": "The report begins with a short summary of the various types and forms of self-help groups and their distribution. The usual requirements of a self-help group are briefly discussed. This is followed by basic information on the importance of group self-therapy. Expectations, initial steps, the question of whether guidance is necessary, and the organization of a general meeting are dealt with in the next section. Then the internal resistance on the part of experts and participants toward self-help groups, and hence their new relationship, is discussed. Finally, a suggestion is made concerning those persons for whom self-help groups might be helpful.", "contents": "[The formation of self-help groups. A report for participants and experts (author's transl)]. The report begins with a short summary of the various types and forms of self-help groups and their distribution. The usual requirements of a self-help group are briefly discussed. This is followed by basic information on the importance of group self-therapy. Expectations, initial steps, the question of whether guidance is necessary, and the organization of a general meeting are dealt with in the next section. Then the internal resistance on the part of experts and participants toward self-help groups, and hence their new relationship, is discussed. Finally, a suggestion is made concerning those persons for whom self-help groups might be helpful.", "PMID": 609663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9", "title": "[Communal psychiatry: psychiatric treatment center, M\u00f6nchengladbach (author's transl)].", "content": "In a town area of 140 000 inhabitants an organized psychiatric treatment and welfare unit with an out-patient department and complementary services has been built up based on a day-and-night clinic dating from 1969 and a clinic which opened in December 1972. In co-operation with other persons and institutions working in the psychosocial field it cares for mentally ill adults of the region, including addicts and mentally ill aged persons. The stages of development, the present-day structure and functioning of the system are described; in particular, problems are discussed which arise from the shifting of treatment, aid and care from the intramural to the extramural sector as a result of the consistent application of the communal aid concept.", "contents": "[Communal psychiatry: psychiatric treatment center, M\u00f6nchengladbach (author's transl)]. In a town area of 140 000 inhabitants an organized psychiatric treatment and welfare unit with an out-patient department and complementary services has been built up based on a day-and-night clinic dating from 1969 and a clinic which opened in December 1972. In co-operation with other persons and institutions working in the psychosocial field it cares for mentally ill adults of the region, including addicts and mentally ill aged persons. The stages of development, the present-day structure and functioning of the system are described; in particular, problems are discussed which arise from the shifting of treatment, aid and care from the intramural to the extramural sector as a result of the consistent application of the communal aid concept.", "PMID": 609664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10", "title": "[Musicotherapy--possible uses in social psychiatry (author's transl)].", "content": "The importance of musicotherapy as a type of treatment within the framework of psychiatry is examined. Musicotherapy, as used in the treatment of schizophrenia, is considered to be a communicative therapy with a tendency to regression. A plan for treating psychotics with a non-verbal and a verbal track is outlined. The special approach to patients offered via musicotherapy is seen as follows. The terapist-patient relationship is established on a preverbal communicative level in a zone which is free from anxiety. The shelter afforded by a common musical experience enables self-regulation of the balance between symbiosis and separation, and hence the development of a therapist-patient relationship. The feedback provided by establishing structured objects represents an integration aid for the self and the ego of the patient. Therapy practised as active group musicotherapy forms part of a social field within the group.", "contents": "[Musicotherapy--possible uses in social psychiatry (author's transl)]. The importance of musicotherapy as a type of treatment within the framework of psychiatry is examined. Musicotherapy, as used in the treatment of schizophrenia, is considered to be a communicative therapy with a tendency to regression. A plan for treating psychotics with a non-verbal and a verbal track is outlined. The special approach to patients offered via musicotherapy is seen as follows. The terapist-patient relationship is established on a preverbal communicative level in a zone which is free from anxiety. The shelter afforded by a common musical experience enables self-regulation of the balance between symbiosis and separation, and hence the development of a therapist-patient relationship. The feedback provided by establishing structured objects represents an integration aid for the self and the ego of the patient. Therapy practised as active group musicotherapy forms part of a social field within the group.", "PMID": 609665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11", "title": "[Effects of psychiatric treatment in the view of psychiatric inpatients (author's transl)].", "content": "The opinions of four psychiatric diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, depression, addiction, neuroses) concerning 11 methods of treatment are compared. In the effects of treatment there were as well similarities as differences specific for each of the above groups. Surprisingly similar to a corresponding American investigation, the traditional concept of treatment therapist and drug is considered the most effective.", "contents": "[Effects of psychiatric treatment in the view of psychiatric inpatients (author's transl)]. The opinions of four psychiatric diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, depression, addiction, neuroses) concerning 11 methods of treatment are compared. In the effects of treatment there were as well similarities as differences specific for each of the above groups. Surprisingly similar to a corresponding American investigation, the traditional concept of treatment therapist and drug is considered the most effective.", "PMID": 609666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12", "title": "[Ideas on the part of patients and doctors regarding the adequacy of psychiatric inpatient and outpatient treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "One fixed day the doctors of a Psychiatric University Clinic were asked what form of therapy would be best for each of their inpatients (n = 164), and whether these patients could leave the inpatient treatment in case the desired ambulant therapy institutions existed. Half a year after this inquiry questionnaires were sent to the patients, and 104 replies were received. The opinions of the patients which treatment would have bee best for them were compared the doctors' judgements. Both, doctors and patients wanted more ambulant therapy opportunities than existed. There was little unity between doctors and patients about the question with patient would profit from what sort of therapy. We assume that a deciding factor in this disagreement between doctors and patients is the doctor-patient-relationship.", "contents": "[Ideas on the part of patients and doctors regarding the adequacy of psychiatric inpatient and outpatient treatment (author's transl)]. One fixed day the doctors of a Psychiatric University Clinic were asked what form of therapy would be best for each of their inpatients (n = 164), and whether these patients could leave the inpatient treatment in case the desired ambulant therapy institutions existed. Half a year after this inquiry questionnaires were sent to the patients, and 104 replies were received. The opinions of the patients which treatment would have bee best for them were compared the doctors' judgements. Both, doctors and patients wanted more ambulant therapy opportunities than existed. There was little unity between doctors and patients about the question with patient would profit from what sort of therapy. We assume that a deciding factor in this disagreement between doctors and patients is the doctor-patient-relationship.", "PMID": 609667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_13", "title": "[Taking the state examination while under psychiatric treatment casuistic sketch of a pedagogic intervention (author's transl)].", "content": "The preparation of a young candidate for several state examinations which she took during the aftermath of a psychotic episode is described casuistically. Her case once again raises the question of how a psychosocial system working on the therapeutic community principle can reconcile an individual aid program with precisely this community principle and the rejection of unjustified privileges for selected patients.", "contents": "[Taking the state examination while under psychiatric treatment casuistic sketch of a pedagogic intervention (author's transl)]. The preparation of a young candidate for several state examinations which she took during the aftermath of a psychotic episode is described casuistically. Her case once again raises the question of how a psychosocial system working on the therapeutic community principle can reconcile an individual aid program with precisely this community principle and the rejection of unjustified privileges for selected patients.", "PMID": 609668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_14", "title": "[Proliferation kinetic examinations on an experimental renal tumour with high portion of hypoxic tumour cells (author's transl)].", "content": "By autoradiographic examination by means of pulse labelling with 3H-thymidine cell cycle times were determined in solid Ehrlich carcinomas (early carcinomas) in order to obtain comparative values for irradiated tumours. The subcells of the initially labelled cells near the capillaries were found to distribute themselves in the course of 48 h over the whole tumour and to emigrate to hypoxic tumour areas.", "contents": "[Proliferation kinetic examinations on an experimental renal tumour with high portion of hypoxic tumour cells (author's transl)]. By autoradiographic examination by means of pulse labelling with 3H-thymidine cell cycle times were determined in solid Ehrlich carcinomas (early carcinomas) in order to obtain comparative values for irradiated tumours. The subcells of the initially labelled cells near the capillaries were found to distribute themselves in the course of 48 h over the whole tumour and to emigrate to hypoxic tumour areas.", "PMID": 609736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_15", "title": "[Crisis intervention among adolescents. A social model in Vienna].", "content": "An institute for adolescents can meet the specific adolescent crises in all their manifold manifestations. The crisis intervention model in the form of a youth centre for information and counselling as described here has the task of giving information and advice anonymously and free of charge in a way appropriate for young people, while being nonbureaucratic and not under the direct influence of the civil authorities. The work methods of the Info-Centre in Vienna are described.", "contents": "[Crisis intervention among adolescents. A social model in Vienna]. An institute for adolescents can meet the specific adolescent crises in all their manifold manifestations. The crisis intervention model in the form of a youth centre for information and counselling as described here has the task of giving information and advice anonymously and free of charge in a way appropriate for young people, while being nonbureaucratic and not under the direct influence of the civil authorities. The work methods of the Info-Centre in Vienna are described.", "PMID": 609763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_16", "title": "[Teamwork in juvenile social work as an instrument in crisis intervention].", "content": "The changing emphasis in psychiatric care demands the use of new strategies and the development of sociopsychiatric institutions. The term 'crisis intervention' is suitable in this respect insofar as it also includes the aspects of prevention and follow-up care. An attempt at the development of a model for multiprofessional teamwork in juvenile social work is outlined under the aspect of sectorised sociopsychiatric care. The exhaustion of the basically available possibilities is at the moment limited due to structural difficulties.", "contents": "[Teamwork in juvenile social work as an instrument in crisis intervention]. The changing emphasis in psychiatric care demands the use of new strategies and the development of sociopsychiatric institutions. The term 'crisis intervention' is suitable in this respect insofar as it also includes the aspects of prevention and follow-up care. An attempt at the development of a model for multiprofessional teamwork in juvenile social work is outlined under the aspect of sectorised sociopsychiatric care. The exhaustion of the basically available possibilities is at the moment limited due to structural difficulties.", "PMID": 609764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_17", "title": "[Psychiatric crisis intervention. Oranizational and administrative services in the Governmental health service].", "content": "After describing the principles and structure of the psychiatric services in Bulgaria, the author goes in more detail into the organizational and administrative conditions of psychiatric crisis intervention. It is emphasized that the main basis for psychiatric crisis intervention must be the psychiatric out-patient service which includes and coordinates all service branches and works together with the non-psychiatric services. The author stresses two channels of information about crises: 'passive', when psychiatric services receive information from the family or non-psychiatric agencies associated with crisis interventions (e.g. general medical agencies, councelling centres, administrative authorities, etc.); 'active', if the dispensary itself collects information as e.g. by regular observation of registered patients, by psychiatric or general medical field investigation as may be carried out by the Prevention Department, etc.). A few ideas are also offered concerning the organization of a subsystem for crisis intervention within the entire psychiatric service delivery system.", "contents": "[Psychiatric crisis intervention. Oranizational and administrative services in the Governmental health service]. After describing the principles and structure of the psychiatric services in Bulgaria, the author goes in more detail into the organizational and administrative conditions of psychiatric crisis intervention. It is emphasized that the main basis for psychiatric crisis intervention must be the psychiatric out-patient service which includes and coordinates all service branches and works together with the non-psychiatric services. The author stresses two channels of information about crises: 'passive', when psychiatric services receive information from the family or non-psychiatric agencies associated with crisis interventions (e.g. general medical agencies, councelling centres, administrative authorities, etc.); 'active', if the dispensary itself collects information as e.g. by regular observation of registered patients, by psychiatric or general medical field investigation as may be carried out by the Prevention Department, etc.). A few ideas are also offered concerning the organization of a subsystem for crisis intervention within the entire psychiatric service delivery system.", "PMID": 609768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_18", "title": "[The concept of crisis. Historical roots and actual problems of the concept of crisis].", "content": "An analysis of the concept of crisis cannot ignore that it is often used in a highly suggestive way, nor should it neglect to look at its historical roots. The psychosocial crisis concept as it is used in psychiatry, psychotherapy, social work, etc. has two historic roots: one root lies in the medical-natural-sciences tradition; the other in the dramaturgical i.e. healing tradition, and they both flow together in the concept as commonly used. At present, there are numerous crisis definitions each of which emphasizes a different aspect. Greater precision, models and operational definitions are indispensable for exact research. Crisis precipitation, disposition (crisis proneness) of the system, environment and reaction of the system are discussed as separate aspects of a crisis. Finally, the innovative and constructive role is stressed which the crisis concept plays in research and practice.", "contents": "[The concept of crisis. Historical roots and actual problems of the concept of crisis]. An analysis of the concept of crisis cannot ignore that it is often used in a highly suggestive way, nor should it neglect to look at its historical roots. The psychosocial crisis concept as it is used in psychiatry, psychotherapy, social work, etc. has two historic roots: one root lies in the medical-natural-sciences tradition; the other in the dramaturgical i.e. healing tradition, and they both flow together in the concept as commonly used. At present, there are numerous crisis definitions each of which emphasizes a different aspect. Greater precision, models and operational definitions are indispensable for exact research. Crisis precipitation, disposition (crisis proneness) of the system, environment and reaction of the system are discussed as separate aspects of a crisis. Finally, the innovative and constructive role is stressed which the crisis concept plays in research and practice.", "PMID": 609769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_19", "title": "[Crisis intervention technic].", "content": "Based on the various principles of crisis intervention, a model of it is designed which divides it into four phases: (1) beginning of intervention (established of a relationship, assessment of the client's condition, estimate of the gravity of the problem, and design of the plan of action along the lines of minimal difference); (2) actual intervention; (3) conclusion of the crisis intervention, and (4) follow-up. This system conveys a good insight into the activities of a crisis centre, and it can contribute to the diffcult and up to now unsolved problem of how such institutions can be evaluated.", "contents": "[Crisis intervention technic]. Based on the various principles of crisis intervention, a model of it is designed which divides it into four phases: (1) beginning of intervention (established of a relationship, assessment of the client's condition, estimate of the gravity of the problem, and design of the plan of action along the lines of minimal difference); (2) actual intervention; (3) conclusion of the crisis intervention, and (4) follow-up. This system conveys a good insight into the activities of a crisis centre, and it can contribute to the diffcult and up to now unsolved problem of how such institutions can be evaluated.", "PMID": 609770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_20", "title": "[Reflections on the therapeutic possibilities of a technic of provoked crisis].", "content": "The author demonstrates the therapeutic possibilities of a technique of 'provoked crisis' on the ground of theoretical models and practical examples. Such a technique seems mainly indicated in situations of chronified and stagnant equilibrium in individual patients, families or groups, which cannot be changed by stepwise proceedings.", "contents": "[Reflections on the therapeutic possibilities of a technic of provoked crisis]. The author demonstrates the therapeutic possibilities of a technique of 'provoked crisis' on the ground of theoretical models and practical examples. Such a technique seems mainly indicated in situations of chronified and stagnant equilibrium in individual patients, families or groups, which cannot be changed by stepwise proceedings.", "PMID": 609771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_21", "title": "Morphologic analysis of the \"spina mentalis\" in adult mandibles of Brazilian whites and negroes.", "content": "This study was carried out to verify the morphology of the spina mentalis. We observed 275 human adult mandibles of both sexes and ethnic groups. An analysis of the results allows the following conclusions: 1. The spina mentalis exists in 90.04% +/- 1.8 of the mandibles of Whites and Negroes; 2. The typical form with four tubercles, as described by some authors, is rarely found; 3. In most cases it characterized by the presence of two upper tubercles (27.27% +/- 7.2); two superior tubercles and one inferior (24.72% +/- 6.7), and one elongated median tubercle (24.0% +/- 6.6); 4. The forms and volumes of the tubercles are very irregular and seem not to depend on age, sex or ethnic group; 5. The spina was absent in 9.8% +/- 3.2 of the cases, especially in mandibles of White teethless individuals; 6. An hypertrophic spina mentalis, generally formed at the expenses of the upper tubercle, is observed in only 1.45% +/- 0.5 of the cases.", "contents": "Morphologic analysis of the \"spina mentalis\" in adult mandibles of Brazilian whites and negroes. This study was carried out to verify the morphology of the spina mentalis. We observed 275 human adult mandibles of both sexes and ethnic groups. An analysis of the results allows the following conclusions: 1. The spina mentalis exists in 90.04% +/- 1.8 of the mandibles of Whites and Negroes; 2. The typical form with four tubercles, as described by some authors, is rarely found; 3. In most cases it characterized by the presence of two upper tubercles (27.27% +/- 7.2); two superior tubercles and one inferior (24.72% +/- 6.7), and one elongated median tubercle (24.0% +/- 6.6); 4. The forms and volumes of the tubercles are very irregular and seem not to depend on age, sex or ethnic group; 5. The spina was absent in 9.8% +/- 3.2 of the cases, especially in mandibles of White teethless individuals; 6. An hypertrophic spina mentalis, generally formed at the expenses of the upper tubercle, is observed in only 1.45% +/- 0.5 of the cases.", "PMID": 609772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_22", "title": "Psychopharmacological properties of the viminol-p-hydroxybenzoate.", "content": "The authors studied the viminol-p-hydroxybenzoate (RN: Dividol) through some psychopharmacological tests, making its comparison with neuroleptic and narcotic drugs, with the principal aim of determining if its analgesic action is correlated with a narcotic or psychotropic activity or both of them. The results are discussed.", "contents": "Psychopharmacological properties of the viminol-p-hydroxybenzoate. The authors studied the viminol-p-hydroxybenzoate (RN: Dividol) through some psychopharmacological tests, making its comparison with neuroleptic and narcotic drugs, with the principal aim of determining if its analgesic action is correlated with a narcotic or psychotropic activity or both of them. The results are discussed.", "PMID": 609773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_23", "title": "[Experimental venous thrombosis in guinea pigs: effect of heparin and drugs affecting platelet function (author's transl)].", "content": "Thrombosis was induced in the jugular vein of guinea pigs by damage of the epithelium with a sclerosing solution. The effect of heparin, Dextran 70, acetylsalicylic acid, dypriridamole and phenilbutazone in preventing the development of the thrombus was investigated. Only heparin in high doses showed this effect.", "contents": "[Experimental venous thrombosis in guinea pigs: effect of heparin and drugs affecting platelet function (author's transl)]. Thrombosis was induced in the jugular vein of guinea pigs by damage of the epithelium with a sclerosing solution. The effect of heparin, Dextran 70, acetylsalicylic acid, dypriridamole and phenilbutazone in preventing the development of the thrombus was investigated. Only heparin in high doses showed this effect.", "PMID": 609774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_24", "title": "[Chemical composition of Brazilian marihuana samples and the importance of several constituents to the pharmacological activity of the plant].", "content": "The gas chromatographic analysis of marihuana samples seized by the S\u00e3o Paulo State Police showed high levels of delta9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) the most active of cannabis constituents. The cannabiol (CBN) levels were also high and probably able of interfering with delta9-THC actions in some samples. The cannabidiol (CBD) and delta8-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta8THC) levels were generally low. When compared to marihuanas used in other countries the amount of delta9-THC in our samples was in average higher. When the pharmacological activity of one of those marihuana extracts, called natural extract containing a high delta9-THC to the others cannabinoid ratio (CBD, CBN and delta8-THC) was compared to a synthetic extract with the same proportions of those cannabinoids, the activity was not identical in all animals tests used. The possibility of others substances present in the plant, besides those cannabinoids listed before, of interfering with the plant's pharmacological activity is discussed.", "contents": "[Chemical composition of Brazilian marihuana samples and the importance of several constituents to the pharmacological activity of the plant]. The gas chromatographic analysis of marihuana samples seized by the S\u00e3o Paulo State Police showed high levels of delta9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) the most active of cannabis constituents. The cannabiol (CBN) levels were also high and probably able of interfering with delta9-THC actions in some samples. The cannabidiol (CBD) and delta8-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta8THC) levels were generally low. When compared to marihuanas used in other countries the amount of delta9-THC in our samples was in average higher. When the pharmacological activity of one of those marihuana extracts, called natural extract containing a high delta9-THC to the others cannabinoid ratio (CBD, CBN and delta8-THC) was compared to a synthetic extract with the same proportions of those cannabinoids, the activity was not identical in all animals tests used. The possibility of others substances present in the plant, besides those cannabinoids listed before, of interfering with the plant's pharmacological activity is discussed.", "PMID": 609775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_25", "title": "[Stabilizing action of verapamil \"in vivo\" upon the membrane of heart lysosomes (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of the verapamil upon the stability of the membranes of lysosomes isolated from rabbit hearts was studied by means of the acid phosphatase activity, the mapping enzyme of the cytoplasmic organelles. A dose of 2.5 mg of verapamil was injected endovenously in each animal. After homogenization of a sample taken from the lower end of the heart, the lysosomes were isolated by fractionated centrifugation and refrigerated at 2 degrees C. The lysosomal activity of non treated animals was 43.1 +/- 8.9x10(-1)mU/mg. The activity of lysosomes isolated from verapamil treated animals without previous treatment \"in vitro\" with digitonin was 8.7 +/- 1.6x10(-1)mU/mg and the activity of those with previous treatment of digitonin was 9.1 +/- 2.1x10(-1)mU/mg. The activity of lysosomes isolated from the control group and treated \"in vitro\" by digitonin was 193.9 +/- 40.5x10(-10)mU/mg. Consequently, the verapamil proved to have a strong capacity of protection of the lysosome membranes when \"in vivo\".", "contents": "[Stabilizing action of verapamil \"in vivo\" upon the membrane of heart lysosomes (author's transl)]. The effect of the verapamil upon the stability of the membranes of lysosomes isolated from rabbit hearts was studied by means of the acid phosphatase activity, the mapping enzyme of the cytoplasmic organelles. A dose of 2.5 mg of verapamil was injected endovenously in each animal. After homogenization of a sample taken from the lower end of the heart, the lysosomes were isolated by fractionated centrifugation and refrigerated at 2 degrees C. The lysosomal activity of non treated animals was 43.1 +/- 8.9x10(-1)mU/mg. The activity of lysosomes isolated from verapamil treated animals without previous treatment \"in vitro\" with digitonin was 8.7 +/- 1.6x10(-1)mU/mg and the activity of those with previous treatment of digitonin was 9.1 +/- 2.1x10(-1)mU/mg. The activity of lysosomes isolated from the control group and treated \"in vitro\" by digitonin was 193.9 +/- 40.5x10(-10)mU/mg. Consequently, the verapamil proved to have a strong capacity of protection of the lysosome membranes when \"in vivo\".", "PMID": 609776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_26", "title": "Influence of acute hypophysectomy on the natriuresis of dogs submitted to expansion of the extracellular fluid volume.", "content": "Three days after creating an access to the turcica on the sphenoid bone, twelve anesthetized mongrel dogs, after control collections, were submitted to extracellular volume expansion with saline. Thereafter, maintained constant the rate of saline infusion, the dura-mater covering the pituitary gland was incised in all dogs, the hypohysis being removed in seven and remaining untouched in the other five dogs. Pharmacological doses of pitressin, glycocorticoids and mineralocorticoids were administered to all dogs. It was shown, for the same filtered sodium load(p is greater than 0.05), that hypophysectomy produces a significant reduction (p is less than 0.05) in urinary sodium excretion previously elevated by the extracellular volume expansion, while durostomy only, without removal of th hypophysis, did not change (p is greater than 0.05) the rate of sodium excretion. Thus, the pituitary gland could be considered as contributing to natriuresis during extracellular volume expansion, all other factors related to this expansion remaining constant in both, hypophysectomized and sham operated dogs.", "contents": "Influence of acute hypophysectomy on the natriuresis of dogs submitted to expansion of the extracellular fluid volume. Three days after creating an access to the turcica on the sphenoid bone, twelve anesthetized mongrel dogs, after control collections, were submitted to extracellular volume expansion with saline. Thereafter, maintained constant the rate of saline infusion, the dura-mater covering the pituitary gland was incised in all dogs, the hypohysis being removed in seven and remaining untouched in the other five dogs. Pharmacological doses of pitressin, glycocorticoids and mineralocorticoids were administered to all dogs. It was shown, for the same filtered sodium load(p is greater than 0.05), that hypophysectomy produces a significant reduction (p is less than 0.05) in urinary sodium excretion previously elevated by the extracellular volume expansion, while durostomy only, without removal of th hypophysis, did not change (p is greater than 0.05) the rate of sodium excretion. Thus, the pituitary gland could be considered as contributing to natriuresis during extracellular volume expansion, all other factors related to this expansion remaining constant in both, hypophysectomized and sham operated dogs.", "PMID": 609777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_27", "title": "[The influence of mail service on the incidence of absentees in a children health care center (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors have made a research on the influence of mailing letters on keeping up the returns in an ambulatory of health care service. The purpose of the paper was to seek a way to improve the return rate, which is usually low, and brings up difficulties to structure adequately a staff. One hundred children who had failed to come to their last appointment were studied and divided in two groups: 50 children to whose responsible were sent letters setting up a new appointment were included in group I; group II served as a control group. Out of the 97 absentees, 36 children (37.1%) returned. Their return was spontaneous in 22 cases (22.7%)--12 children of group I and 10 of group II. 14 mothers returned on the date set up by mail. Out of the 47 mailed letters, 20 (42.5%) were sent back by the post office. The authors have concluded that mailing letters was an effective method to decrease the number of children who miss their follow-up in ambulatory of health care service.", "contents": "[The influence of mail service on the incidence of absentees in a children health care center (author's transl)]. The authors have made a research on the influence of mailing letters on keeping up the returns in an ambulatory of health care service. The purpose of the paper was to seek a way to improve the return rate, which is usually low, and brings up difficulties to structure adequately a staff. One hundred children who had failed to come to their last appointment were studied and divided in two groups: 50 children to whose responsible were sent letters setting up a new appointment were included in group I; group II served as a control group. Out of the 97 absentees, 36 children (37.1%) returned. Their return was spontaneous in 22 cases (22.7%)--12 children of group I and 10 of group II. 14 mothers returned on the date set up by mail. Out of the 47 mailed letters, 20 (42.5%) were sent back by the post office. The authors have concluded that mailing letters was an effective method to decrease the number of children who miss their follow-up in ambulatory of health care service.", "PMID": 609778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_28", "title": "Communication by harmonization of electric organ discharge frequencies by Eigenmannia virescens (Sternopygidae, Pisces).", "content": "Spectrum analysis of the combined electric organ discharges of confined, interacting Eigenmannia virescens individuals indicated 1) the relative frequency position of each individual in the group's \"chord\" was invariably conserved, i.e. the fish do not cross each other in frequency; 2) the ratios of 2:3 and 3:4 between the frequencies of two individuals were conserved over intervals of many days; 3) changes in group size induced frequency shifts that were often quite dramatic. It is suggested that this \"chord\" may function in the communication of information regarding a group's spatial position and its social rank relations.", "contents": "Communication by harmonization of electric organ discharge frequencies by Eigenmannia virescens (Sternopygidae, Pisces). Spectrum analysis of the combined electric organ discharges of confined, interacting Eigenmannia virescens individuals indicated 1) the relative frequency position of each individual in the group's \"chord\" was invariably conserved, i.e. the fish do not cross each other in frequency; 2) the ratios of 2:3 and 3:4 between the frequencies of two individuals were conserved over intervals of many days; 3) changes in group size induced frequency shifts that were often quite dramatic. It is suggested that this \"chord\" may function in the communication of information regarding a group's spatial position and its social rank relations.", "PMID": 609781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_29", "title": "Encephalization and quantitative brain composition in bats in relation to their life-habits.", "content": "A quantitative analysis of the brains of 43 bat species is presented. Eleven brain components were studied. The species were arranged according to seven distinct dietary groups and it was found that the relative development of the principal components is related to those groups. The importance of neocorticalization as a reflection of evolution of all the bats in contrast to specialization in some species is stressed. This work gives a clearer view of Chiropteran progressiveness or primitiveness: the insectivorous forms occupy the least advanced, although most specialized, level; the vampires, the carnivorous species and the flying foxes are at the top of the scale. The importance of behaviour and the relative development of the central nervous system in the hierarchial classification of mammals is stressed.", "contents": "Encephalization and quantitative brain composition in bats in relation to their life-habits. A quantitative analysis of the brains of 43 bat species is presented. Eleven brain components were studied. The species were arranged according to seven distinct dietary groups and it was found that the relative development of the principal components is related to those groups. The importance of neocorticalization as a reflection of evolution of all the bats in contrast to specialization in some species is stressed. This work gives a clearer view of Chiropteran progressiveness or primitiveness: the insectivorous forms occupy the least advanced, although most specialized, level; the vampires, the carnivorous species and the flying foxes are at the top of the scale. The importance of behaviour and the relative development of the central nervous system in the hierarchial classification of mammals is stressed.", "PMID": 609782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_30", "title": "Perspectives in sensory-ecological studies of higher vertebrates.", "content": "It is firstly recalled that, among Vertebrates, in peripheral sense-organs on the one hand, in encephalic relays and terminals on the other hand, not only the types but also the numbers of neurons, are determining factors for the kinds of relations that exist between organisms and environments. It is thus necessary to consider the quantitative developments of relay-stations and the volumes of brain-components when studying such relations. The very concept of sense-organ may even have to be broadened, because it should include central transmission structures along with peripheral starting points. It is stressed that progresses achieved by Vertebrates in the course of their history by quantitative increases of either terminals or relays should be labeled either as specializations or as evolutions, for these two concepts must not be confused.", "contents": "Perspectives in sensory-ecological studies of higher vertebrates. It is firstly recalled that, among Vertebrates, in peripheral sense-organs on the one hand, in encephalic relays and terminals on the other hand, not only the types but also the numbers of neurons, are determining factors for the kinds of relations that exist between organisms and environments. It is thus necessary to consider the quantitative developments of relay-stations and the volumes of brain-components when studying such relations. The very concept of sense-organ may even have to be broadened, because it should include central transmission structures along with peripheral starting points. It is stressed that progresses achieved by Vertebrates in the course of their history by quantitative increases of either terminals or relays should be labeled either as specializations or as evolutions, for these two concepts must not be confused.", "PMID": 609783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_31", "title": "[Resistance of earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Allolobophora turgida to the fungicide captan 50 W.P].", "content": "Two species of earthworms were kept in Muck, Chicot and Ste-Sophie soils treated with captan 50 W.P. solutions of 700, 1 400 and 2 800 ppm. After a 42-day treatment period, L. terrestris had a 95% survival and A. turgida 100% survival. Using a gas chromatograph method, no captan was detected in tissue extracts of exposed earthworms. Based on the survival rate and the undetected presence of captan in earthworm tissues, we concluded that soil residues of this product are unlikely to be harmful to the animal's ecology.", "contents": "[Resistance of earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Allolobophora turgida to the fungicide captan 50 W.P]. Two species of earthworms were kept in Muck, Chicot and Ste-Sophie soils treated with captan 50 W.P. solutions of 700, 1 400 and 2 800 ppm. After a 42-day treatment period, L. terrestris had a 95% survival and A. turgida 100% survival. Using a gas chromatograph method, no captan was detected in tissue extracts of exposed earthworms. Based on the survival rate and the undetected presence of captan in earthworm tissues, we concluded that soil residues of this product are unlikely to be harmful to the animal's ecology.", "PMID": 609784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_32", "title": "Diameters of bronchi at asymmetrical divisions.", "content": "The weight, and hence volume, of a cast of the bronchial tree of a sheep distal to any point was found to be a function of the diameter of the bronchus at that point. This result has been used to derive a relationship between the diameter of a bronchus and the diameters of its branches which is applicable to different types of branching and is consistent with principles of minimum energy loss within the bronchial tree.", "contents": "Diameters of bronchi at asymmetrical divisions. The weight, and hence volume, of a cast of the bronchial tree of a sheep distal to any point was found to be a function of the diameter of the bronchus at that point. This result has been used to derive a relationship between the diameter of a bronchus and the diameters of its branches which is applicable to different types of branching and is consistent with principles of minimum energy loss within the bronchial tree.", "PMID": 609847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_33", "title": "Cardiorespiratory effects of temperature in the turtle, Pseudemys floridana.", "content": "Weight specific VO2 of resting Pseudemys floridana at body temperatures (BT) between 12 to 38 C was studied in relationship to VE, VT, f, pulmonary and systemic blood flow, and blood PO2, PCO2, pH and O2 content. The slope of the curve for VO2 against body mass was similar to that for mammals and differed from that of lizards. VE increased with BT while VE/VO2 fell, resulting in an elevation of arterial PCO2 and a decline in arterial pH of 0.013 unit/degrees C [HCO-3] and total CO2 remained constant. Increments in VE were achieved by decreasing apneic time and increasing VT up to VT of 18 ml.kg-1 when further rise in VE was exclusively on account of breathing frequency. Mean pulmonary and arterial blood flows were incremented in direct proportion to VO2, and no net intracardiac shunts was demonstrable. Ventilation-perfusion ratio fell with BT while EO2 increased. Arterial hemoglobin saturation varied inversely with BT while the arteriovenous O2 difference remained constant. EO2 was found to be highly dependent on the constant blood convection requirement as VE/VO2 fell. At similar BT, VE/VO2 was similar to that for man while Qpul/VO2 was in inverse proportion to maximum O2 capacity of the blood for the two species.", "contents": "Cardiorespiratory effects of temperature in the turtle, Pseudemys floridana. Weight specific VO2 of resting Pseudemys floridana at body temperatures (BT) between 12 to 38 C was studied in relationship to VE, VT, f, pulmonary and systemic blood flow, and blood PO2, PCO2, pH and O2 content. The slope of the curve for VO2 against body mass was similar to that for mammals and differed from that of lizards. VE increased with BT while VE/VO2 fell, resulting in an elevation of arterial PCO2 and a decline in arterial pH of 0.013 unit/degrees C [HCO-3] and total CO2 remained constant. Increments in VE were achieved by decreasing apneic time and increasing VT up to VT of 18 ml.kg-1 when further rise in VE was exclusively on account of breathing frequency. Mean pulmonary and arterial blood flows were incremented in direct proportion to VO2, and no net intracardiac shunts was demonstrable. Ventilation-perfusion ratio fell with BT while EO2 increased. Arterial hemoglobin saturation varied inversely with BT while the arteriovenous O2 difference remained constant. EO2 was found to be highly dependent on the constant blood convection requirement as VE/VO2 fell. At similar BT, VE/VO2 was similar to that for man while Qpul/VO2 was in inverse proportion to maximum O2 capacity of the blood for the two species.", "PMID": 609848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_34", "title": "Oxidative cost to ventilation in a turtle, Pseudemys floridana.", "content": "Estimates of oxidative cost of ventilation for Pseudemys floridana were obtained by comparison of mean resting VO2 with that obtained while artificially ventilating the lungs with a constant air flow in excess of the normal VE, a circumstance during which the animals remained apneic due to reduction in alveolar PCO2. At a body temperature of 22 degrees C, the oxidative cost attributable to ventilation was 0.0047 ml O2/ml gas ventilated, a value about 10 times that of man. This cost of ventilation is then related to values of VO2 and VE at various body temperatures. The oxidative cost of ventilation, expressed as a percentage of resting VO2, is given by the equation: cost = 0.47 VE/VO2. Relative cost declines with body temperature since VE/VO2 (resting) declines according to the equation: VE(BTPS)/VO2 = -0.017 BT -0.025 log Wt + 2.01 where units are in ml, kg and min. At body temperatures of 10 and 37 C relative costs were 30 and 10% VO2, respectively. While the inverse relation between VE/VO2 and body temperature has important implications for regulation of arterial pH through influencing arterial PCO2, it has the additional meaning of reducing the relative oxidative cost of ventilation as VO2 increases.", "contents": "Oxidative cost to ventilation in a turtle, Pseudemys floridana. Estimates of oxidative cost of ventilation for Pseudemys floridana were obtained by comparison of mean resting VO2 with that obtained while artificially ventilating the lungs with a constant air flow in excess of the normal VE, a circumstance during which the animals remained apneic due to reduction in alveolar PCO2. At a body temperature of 22 degrees C, the oxidative cost attributable to ventilation was 0.0047 ml O2/ml gas ventilated, a value about 10 times that of man. This cost of ventilation is then related to values of VO2 and VE at various body temperatures. The oxidative cost of ventilation, expressed as a percentage of resting VO2, is given by the equation: cost = 0.47 VE/VO2. Relative cost declines with body temperature since VE/VO2 (resting) declines according to the equation: VE(BTPS)/VO2 = -0.017 BT -0.025 log Wt + 2.01 where units are in ml, kg and min. At body temperatures of 10 and 37 C relative costs were 30 and 10% VO2, respectively. While the inverse relation between VE/VO2 and body temperature has important implications for regulation of arterial pH through influencing arterial PCO2, it has the additional meaning of reducing the relative oxidative cost of ventilation as VO2 increases.", "PMID": 609849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_35", "title": "Chemoreceptor influence on pulmonary blood flow during unilateral hypoxia in dogs.", "content": "Dogs anesthetized with 30 mg/kg pentobarbital were artificially respired after differential cannulation of the main stem bronchi. Following median sternotomy, blood flow was monitored by electromagnetic flow probes on the left pulmonary artery (QL) and on the pulmonary trunk or aorta, QT. Following 10 min of bilateral 100% O2, QL was 42.5 +/- 7% of QT. When 6% O2, was substituted as the gas mixture inspired by the left lung while the right lung remained on 100% O2, PaO2 was above 70 mm Hg and QL fell to 24.5 +/- 5% of QT. Room air was then used to ventilate the right lung while the left lung remained on 6% O2. This caused PaO2 to fall to 42.3 +/- 3 MM Hg and QL to rise to 38.3 +/- 6% QT. This increase in blood flow to the unilaterally hypoxic lung during systemic hypoxemia did not occur in dogs after peripheral chemoreceptor denervation. Therefore, interference with the local response to alveolar hypoxia during systemic hypoxemia appears to be mediated by the arterial chemoreceptors.", "contents": "Chemoreceptor influence on pulmonary blood flow during unilateral hypoxia in dogs. Dogs anesthetized with 30 mg/kg pentobarbital were artificially respired after differential cannulation of the main stem bronchi. Following median sternotomy, blood flow was monitored by electromagnetic flow probes on the left pulmonary artery (QL) and on the pulmonary trunk or aorta, QT. Following 10 min of bilateral 100% O2, QL was 42.5 +/- 7% of QT. When 6% O2, was substituted as the gas mixture inspired by the left lung while the right lung remained on 100% O2, PaO2 was above 70 mm Hg and QL fell to 24.5 +/- 5% of QT. Room air was then used to ventilate the right lung while the left lung remained on 6% O2. This caused PaO2 to fall to 42.3 +/- 3 MM Hg and QL to rise to 38.3 +/- 6% QT. This increase in blood flow to the unilaterally hypoxic lung during systemic hypoxemia did not occur in dogs after peripheral chemoreceptor denervation. Therefore, interference with the local response to alveolar hypoxia during systemic hypoxemia appears to be mediated by the arterial chemoreceptors.", "PMID": 609850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_36", "title": "Behavior of slowly adapting stretch receptors in the extrathoracic trachea of the dog.", "content": "We have studied the response of 40 slowly adapting stretch receptors located in the extrathoracic trachea to maintained positive and negative pressures together with their behavior during the breathing cycle and inspiratory efforts against closed airways in anesthetized dogs. Like the other tracheal stretch receptors they are located in the smooth muscle of the posterior wall and are stimulated either by inflation or deflation. Most of these receptors are active at zero transmural pressure and increase their response with positive pressure; with negative pressure their resting discharge decreases at first (-5 to -10 cm H2O) and then increases, but it is generally lower than that of the corresponding positive pressure value. As predicted by their static response, the activity of these receptors decreases during inspiration and increases during expiration and therefore it is out of phase with the discharge of the other airway stretch receptors. Their activity is related to the corresponding transmural pressure and therefore to airflow and upper airway resistance. During inspiratory efforts against the closed airways their activity decreases, unlike that of the intrathoracic airway receptors, which retain essentially their FRC activity.", "contents": "Behavior of slowly adapting stretch receptors in the extrathoracic trachea of the dog. We have studied the response of 40 slowly adapting stretch receptors located in the extrathoracic trachea to maintained positive and negative pressures together with their behavior during the breathing cycle and inspiratory efforts against closed airways in anesthetized dogs. Like the other tracheal stretch receptors they are located in the smooth muscle of the posterior wall and are stimulated either by inflation or deflation. Most of these receptors are active at zero transmural pressure and increase their response with positive pressure; with negative pressure their resting discharge decreases at first (-5 to -10 cm H2O) and then increases, but it is generally lower than that of the corresponding positive pressure value. As predicted by their static response, the activity of these receptors decreases during inspiration and increases during expiration and therefore it is out of phase with the discharge of the other airway stretch receptors. Their activity is related to the corresponding transmural pressure and therefore to airflow and upper airway resistance. During inspiratory efforts against the closed airways their activity decreases, unlike that of the intrathoracic airway receptors, which retain essentially their FRC activity.", "PMID": 609851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_37", "title": "Post-hypercapnia recovery in the dog: arterial blood acid-base equilibrium and glycolysis.", "content": "Changes in acid-base equilibrium and blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations were studied during recovery (breathing room air) after three days hypercapnia (FICO2 = 0.10) in awake dogs. Fast return to FICO2 = 0 produced a slight alkalosis in arterial blood and an increase in lactate and pyruvate concentrations which seemed to be maximum at the 15th minute. These changes were inhibited by previous injection of acetazolamide (50 mg/kg body weight). During progressive return to FICO2 = 0, over 1 hour, the peak value of blood lactate and pyruvate was delayed until the end of that hour, at the same time as a slight blood alkalosis appeared. These phenomen are most probably explained by a stimulation, due to alkalosis, of glycolysis at the level of phosphofructokinase.", "contents": "Post-hypercapnia recovery in the dog: arterial blood acid-base equilibrium and glycolysis. Changes in acid-base equilibrium and blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations were studied during recovery (breathing room air) after three days hypercapnia (FICO2 = 0.10) in awake dogs. Fast return to FICO2 = 0 produced a slight alkalosis in arterial blood and an increase in lactate and pyruvate concentrations which seemed to be maximum at the 15th minute. These changes were inhibited by previous injection of acetazolamide (50 mg/kg body weight). During progressive return to FICO2 = 0, over 1 hour, the peak value of blood lactate and pyruvate was delayed until the end of that hour, at the same time as a slight blood alkalosis appeared. These phenomen are most probably explained by a stimulation, due to alkalosis, of glycolysis at the level of phosphofructokinase.", "PMID": 609852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_38", "title": "[HL-A and periodic disease].", "content": "In the department of Professor Dausset 41 cases of periodic disease referred by 7 clinics in Paris were examined. Two studies were carried out. A series of 31 not related patients was testes with 30 locus A and B antigen and the frequencies observed were compared with the frequencies in a French and Yemenite Jew population. No statistically valid increase of an HLA gene indicative of a relationship between periodic disease and HLA was found. In 5 cases of amyloidosis HLA A 28 was present and it is possible that this gene is related to the amyloid complication. A family study on 12 families, 7 of which included at least 2 affected children, confirmed the recessive hereditary character of the disease, but not in relation to the HLA system. A parallel clinical study was made, which corroborated the previous studies as regards the frequency of clinical signs. The therapeutic study proved the value of long-term colchicin treatment with or without antihistaminics. The frequency of pain and abdominal crises was reduced, but there was little effect on the articular manifestations.", "contents": "[HL-A and periodic disease]. In the department of Professor Dausset 41 cases of periodic disease referred by 7 clinics in Paris were examined. Two studies were carried out. A series of 31 not related patients was testes with 30 locus A and B antigen and the frequencies observed were compared with the frequencies in a French and Yemenite Jew population. No statistically valid increase of an HLA gene indicative of a relationship between periodic disease and HLA was found. In 5 cases of amyloidosis HLA A 28 was present and it is possible that this gene is related to the amyloid complication. A family study on 12 families, 7 of which included at least 2 affected children, confirmed the recessive hereditary character of the disease, but not in relation to the HLA system. A parallel clinical study was made, which corroborated the previous studies as regards the frequency of clinical signs. The therapeutic study proved the value of long-term colchicin treatment with or without antihistaminics. The frequency of pain and abdominal crises was reduced, but there was little effect on the articular manifestations.", "PMID": 609874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_39", "title": "[Radioimmunologic determination of plasma parathormone in hypercalcemia caused by cancer with osseous metastases].", "content": "The plasma parathormone was measured by radioimmunological determination in 23 cases of cancer with bone metastases, 8 of mammary origin. In 11 cases the plasma parathormone (iPTH) was less than 4 ng/ml (lower normal limit), as might be expected in view of the hypercalcemia. In 12 cases the iPTH was higher than 4 ng/ml, in 8 of these higher than 8 ng/ml (upper normal limit). These results are suggestive of the role of a substance analogous to parathormone in the genesis of the hypercalcaemia and peritumoral bone resorption of bone metastases of solid tumors.", "contents": "[Radioimmunologic determination of plasma parathormone in hypercalcemia caused by cancer with osseous metastases]. The plasma parathormone was measured by radioimmunological determination in 23 cases of cancer with bone metastases, 8 of mammary origin. In 11 cases the plasma parathormone (iPTH) was less than 4 ng/ml (lower normal limit), as might be expected in view of the hypercalcemia. In 12 cases the iPTH was higher than 4 ng/ml, in 8 of these higher than 8 ng/ml (upper normal limit). These results are suggestive of the role of a substance analogous to parathormone in the genesis of the hypercalcaemia and peritumoral bone resorption of bone metastases of solid tumors.", "PMID": 609875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_40", "title": "[Post-meningococcal rheumatism (apropos of 3 cases)].", "content": "A report is given on 3 cases of arthritis after cerebrospinal meningitis caused by B meningococci, with a relapsing course in 1 case. The observations are compared with the literature and the characteristics of articular manifestations of meningococcal infections are outlined. Three types are distinguished. Type I is characterized by banal arthralgias masked by the symptoms of meningitis. Type II encompasses septic arthritides preceding or concurring with the meningitis and like the latter sensitive to antibiotics. Type III includes postmeningococcal arthritides with sterile articular fluid refractory to antibiotics and showing a spectacular reaction to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. These arthritides constitute a true infective rheumatism, post-meningococcal rheumatism, and should be related to other post-meningococcal manifestations such as pericarditis, myocarditis, cutaneous and ocular changes. All these manifestations are attributed to the production of immune complexes. Postmeningococcal arthritides, whose characteristics are described, may occur after septic meningococcal arthritis or appear as such. The distinction of postmeningococcal rheumatism where only anti-inflammatory treatment is effective might lead to the question whether certain postgonococcal arthritides refractory to antibiotics and responding to anti-inflammatory drugs are not provoked by an immuno-allergic mechanism leading to postgonococcal rheumatism -a nosological entity that has been abandoned possibly too fully and definitively.", "contents": "[Post-meningococcal rheumatism (apropos of 3 cases)]. A report is given on 3 cases of arthritis after cerebrospinal meningitis caused by B meningococci, with a relapsing course in 1 case. The observations are compared with the literature and the characteristics of articular manifestations of meningococcal infections are outlined. Three types are distinguished. Type I is characterized by banal arthralgias masked by the symptoms of meningitis. Type II encompasses septic arthritides preceding or concurring with the meningitis and like the latter sensitive to antibiotics. Type III includes postmeningococcal arthritides with sterile articular fluid refractory to antibiotics and showing a spectacular reaction to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. These arthritides constitute a true infective rheumatism, post-meningococcal rheumatism, and should be related to other post-meningococcal manifestations such as pericarditis, myocarditis, cutaneous and ocular changes. All these manifestations are attributed to the production of immune complexes. Postmeningococcal arthritides, whose characteristics are described, may occur after septic meningococcal arthritis or appear as such. The distinction of postmeningococcal rheumatism where only anti-inflammatory treatment is effective might lead to the question whether certain postgonococcal arthritides refractory to antibiotics and responding to anti-inflammatory drugs are not provoked by an immuno-allergic mechanism leading to postgonococcal rheumatism -a nosological entity that has been abandoned possibly too fully and definitively.", "PMID": 609876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_41", "title": "[Study of optimal posology of penicillamine in the treatment of common rheumatoid polyarthritis (apropos of a personal series of 200 cases)].", "content": "A comparison of two series of patients with rhe,matic polyarthritis, the one (n = 140) treated with dosage equal to or higher than 900 mg, the other (n = 60) with dosage between 600 and 750 mg, did not reveal significant difference in clinical and biological efficacy. The number of side-effects was not significantly reduced by lower dosage, except for digestive tract disorders. A reduction of dosage does, therefore, not permit less strict supervision and monitoring for side-effects of treatment.", "contents": "[Study of optimal posology of penicillamine in the treatment of common rheumatoid polyarthritis (apropos of a personal series of 200 cases)]. A comparison of two series of patients with rhe,matic polyarthritis, the one (n = 140) treated with dosage equal to or higher than 900 mg, the other (n = 60) with dosage between 600 and 750 mg, did not reveal significant difference in clinical and biological efficacy. The number of side-effects was not significantly reduced by lower dosage, except for digestive tract disorders. A reduction of dosage does, therefore, not permit less strict supervision and monitoring for side-effects of treatment.", "PMID": 609877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_42", "title": "[Physiopathology of articular chondrocalcinosis].", "content": "The physiopathological mechanisms leading to precipitation of pyrophosphate in the articular cartilage remain unclear. Numerous findings suggest an error in pyrophosphate metabolism: excessive production or defective degradation, a primary modification of the fundamental substance leading to crystallization, a chondrocyte dysfunction being a possible cause of these two anomalies. The relationships between deposition of calcium pyrophosphate and changes in the subchondral osseous plaque common to several metabolic diseases are even more mysterious.", "contents": "[Physiopathology of articular chondrocalcinosis]. The physiopathological mechanisms leading to precipitation of pyrophosphate in the articular cartilage remain unclear. Numerous findings suggest an error in pyrophosphate metabolism: excessive production or defective degradation, a primary modification of the fundamental substance leading to crystallization, a chondrocyte dysfunction being a possible cause of these two anomalies. The relationships between deposition of calcium pyrophosphate and changes in the subchondral osseous plaque common to several metabolic diseases are even more mysterious.", "PMID": 609878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_43", "title": "[Synovectomy in the treatment of acute arthritis caused by Micrococcus pyogenes].", "content": "In addition to antibiotic therapy associated with immobilization in a plaster cast, effective in the majority of cases of acute arthritis caused by St. pyogenes and resection-arthrodesis which is necessary in the stage of osteoarthritis, synovectomy occupies an intermediate position. During a period--possibly not a short one--when the lesions are still purely synovial and do not regress under medical treatment, their ablation permits recovery from the infection with restoration of the functional activity of the joint. The experience is based on 26 observations (19 knees, 3 hips, 2 shoulders, 1 thumb, 1 metacarpo-phalangeal lesion). In 2/3 of cases these arthritides were iatrogenic (13 after cortisone infiltration, 4 postoperative, 1 haematogenic from i.v. catheterization). Synovectomy should be complete; haemostasis must be rigorous; an aspiration drain is left in place for 5 or 6 days; additional immobilization in plaster is not obligatory; antibiotic treatment is continued until the BSR has returned to normal. As regards control of the infection, this was obtained in 19 of 26 operations. As regards function, in 10 of these cases the results were very good, in 7 good (slight persistent restriction of movement), in only 2 cases the results were unsatisfactory. The factors that appear to affect the results are on the one hand rigorous technique and on the other sufficiently early operation before the lesions have become too fully established. However, a study of arthritides after cortisone infiltration of previously affected joints has shown that even relatively late operation can lead to satisfactory results (9 of 13).", "contents": "[Synovectomy in the treatment of acute arthritis caused by Micrococcus pyogenes]. In addition to antibiotic therapy associated with immobilization in a plaster cast, effective in the majority of cases of acute arthritis caused by St. pyogenes and resection-arthrodesis which is necessary in the stage of osteoarthritis, synovectomy occupies an intermediate position. During a period--possibly not a short one--when the lesions are still purely synovial and do not regress under medical treatment, their ablation permits recovery from the infection with restoration of the functional activity of the joint. The experience is based on 26 observations (19 knees, 3 hips, 2 shoulders, 1 thumb, 1 metacarpo-phalangeal lesion). In 2/3 of cases these arthritides were iatrogenic (13 after cortisone infiltration, 4 postoperative, 1 haematogenic from i.v. catheterization). Synovectomy should be complete; haemostasis must be rigorous; an aspiration drain is left in place for 5 or 6 days; additional immobilization in plaster is not obligatory; antibiotic treatment is continued until the BSR has returned to normal. As regards control of the infection, this was obtained in 19 of 26 operations. As regards function, in 10 of these cases the results were very good, in 7 good (slight persistent restriction of movement), in only 2 cases the results were unsatisfactory. The factors that appear to affect the results are on the one hand rigorous technique and on the other sufficiently early operation before the lesions have become too fully established. However, a study of arthritides after cortisone infiltration of previously affected joints has shown that even relatively late operation can lead to satisfactory results (9 of 13).", "PMID": 609879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_44", "title": "Satisfaction with fitted hearing aids. II. An investigation into the influence of psycho-social factors.", "content": "In the first article an analysis of technical information about hearing aid satisfaction, obtained by a questionnaire, was presented. To obtain complementary information, interviews were held with patients who showed a low satisfaction. This has led to an inventory of the factors in the psycho-social field of importance in the process of rehabilitation. The questionnaire has been modified and 165 hearing aid patients have been evaluated with this updated questionnaire. Analysis of the information obtained shows that the answers given intercorrelate well. It may be surmised that the approach is based on a sort of \"attitude\" incorporated in the given score and defining the hearing aid satsifaction. The audiometric features of the patients intercorrelate as well. It is surprising that the correlation between the audiometric features and the satisfaction with the aid is low, and this is discussed. The question arises as to what degree the routine audiometric tests reveal the relevant features and the impaired hearing. Where it seems to be impossible to use the available audiometric features for making a prediction about the satisfaction, the conclusion is drawn that full attention must be given to training in the use of the hearing aid.", "contents": "Satisfaction with fitted hearing aids. II. An investigation into the influence of psycho-social factors. In the first article an analysis of technical information about hearing aid satisfaction, obtained by a questionnaire, was presented. To obtain complementary information, interviews were held with patients who showed a low satisfaction. This has led to an inventory of the factors in the psycho-social field of importance in the process of rehabilitation. The questionnaire has been modified and 165 hearing aid patients have been evaluated with this updated questionnaire. Analysis of the information obtained shows that the answers given intercorrelate well. It may be surmised that the approach is based on a sort of \"attitude\" incorporated in the given score and defining the hearing aid satsifaction. The audiometric features of the patients intercorrelate as well. It is surprising that the correlation between the audiometric features and the satisfaction with the aid is low, and this is discussed. The question arises as to what degree the routine audiometric tests reveal the relevant features and the impaired hearing. Where it seems to be impossible to use the available audiometric features for making a prediction about the satisfaction, the conclusion is drawn that full attention must be given to training in the use of the hearing aid.", "PMID": 609888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_45", "title": "Tympanometry in three-year-old children. I. A regional prevalence study on the distribution of tympanometric results in a non-selected population of 3-year-old children.", "content": "Epidemiological data on middle-ear pathology during pre-school age are lacking the striking frequency of middle-ear symptoms in this age group. To evaluate the applicability of the impedance test in the younger age groups and to make an epidemiological study of the distribution of tympanogram types in a normal group of pre-school children, an attempt was made to examine all 523 3-year-olds in a limited geographic area. 1005 ears in 504 children (96.4% of those invited) were fully investigated with tympanometry and otoscopy with Siegle's speculum within 4 weeks. 62.8% of the ears showed type A tympanometric curves, 9.8% type B and 27.4% type C. Bilateral type A tympanometric curves were found in 276 children (55.4%). The prevalence of abnormal tympanometry proved to be unexpectedly high in both sexes. This finding is discussed. Even with the use of conventional technique and standard equipment, the 3-year-old clientele presented no testing problems.", "contents": "Tympanometry in three-year-old children. I. A regional prevalence study on the distribution of tympanometric results in a non-selected population of 3-year-old children. Epidemiological data on middle-ear pathology during pre-school age are lacking the striking frequency of middle-ear symptoms in this age group. To evaluate the applicability of the impedance test in the younger age groups and to make an epidemiological study of the distribution of tympanogram types in a normal group of pre-school children, an attempt was made to examine all 523 3-year-olds in a limited geographic area. 1005 ears in 504 children (96.4% of those invited) were fully investigated with tympanometry and otoscopy with Siegle's speculum within 4 weeks. 62.8% of the ears showed type A tympanometric curves, 9.8% type B and 27.4% type C. Bilateral type A tympanometric curves were found in 276 children (55.4%). The prevalence of abnormal tympanometry proved to be unexpectedly high in both sexes. This finding is discussed. Even with the use of conventional technique and standard equipment, the 3-year-old clientele presented no testing problems.", "PMID": 609889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_46", "title": "The effect of onset, offset and rise-decay times of tone bursts on brain stem response.", "content": "Auditory-evoked brain stem responses (BSRs) were recorded from the scalp in 4 cats and 10 human subjects. Auditory stimuli consisted of 1 kHz tone bursts and their duration, intensity and rise--decay time were varied. The BSR evoked by the tone bursts consisted of on- and off-responses. The off-responses showed different intensity--amplitude and different intensity--latency functions from the on-responses. In the feline subjects, an increase in rise time as an input resulted in an increase in the number of recorded sharp waves of the on-responses, indicating that several cycles of tone bursts during the rise time take part in generating on-responses. In both the feline and human subjects, BSRs were evoked by tone bursts with a rise time of as long as 10 msec; an increase in the rise time resulted in an increased latency and broadened waveforms of the on-responses. These demonstrated properties of BSR may provide useful information in determining input parameters, such as rise--decay time, appropriate for audiometric assessment.", "contents": "The effect of onset, offset and rise-decay times of tone bursts on brain stem response. Auditory-evoked brain stem responses (BSRs) were recorded from the scalp in 4 cats and 10 human subjects. Auditory stimuli consisted of 1 kHz tone bursts and their duration, intensity and rise--decay time were varied. The BSR evoked by the tone bursts consisted of on- and off-responses. The off-responses showed different intensity--amplitude and different intensity--latency functions from the on-responses. In the feline subjects, an increase in rise time as an input resulted in an increase in the number of recorded sharp waves of the on-responses, indicating that several cycles of tone bursts during the rise time take part in generating on-responses. In both the feline and human subjects, BSRs were evoked by tone bursts with a rise time of as long as 10 msec; an increase in the rise time resulted in an increased latency and broadened waveforms of the on-responses. These demonstrated properties of BSR may provide useful information in determining input parameters, such as rise--decay time, appropriate for audiometric assessment.", "PMID": 609890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_47", "title": "The value of some suprathreshold auditory measures.", "content": "Factors, both acoustic and non-acoustic, which may influence the Most Comfortable Loudness Level, the Uncomfortable Loudness Level, the Acoustic Reflex Threshold and the Threshold of Overload are reviewed. A direct experimental comparison of these measures was made with respect to their absolute values and the between- and within-subject variances. The Most Comfortable Loudness Level was found to have the greatest within- and between-subject variability. The Uncomfortable Loudness Level, although having high between-subject variability, did not have significantly greater within-subject variability than the Acoustic Reflex Threshold. The significance of these results is discussed.", "contents": "The value of some suprathreshold auditory measures. Factors, both acoustic and non-acoustic, which may influence the Most Comfortable Loudness Level, the Uncomfortable Loudness Level, the Acoustic Reflex Threshold and the Threshold of Overload are reviewed. A direct experimental comparison of these measures was made with respect to their absolute values and the between- and within-subject variances. The Most Comfortable Loudness Level was found to have the greatest within- and between-subject variability. The Uncomfortable Loudness Level, although having high between-subject variability, did not have significantly greater within-subject variability than the Acoustic Reflex Threshold. The significance of these results is discussed.", "PMID": 609891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_48", "title": "Cardiac output and regional blood flow in untreated and triglycylvasopressin-treated burned mice.", "content": "Cardiac output and regional blood flow to different organs were determined at one hour and at 24 hours after burn in untreated mice and in mice treated with triglycylvasopressin (TGLVP). A decrease in cardiac output was found in all animals at one hour after burn. At 24 hours cardiac output was decreased in the burned untreated group, while cardiac output of TGLVP-treated animals did not differ from that of unburned animals. Organ blood flow was decreased in all animals at one hour after burn. Such a decrease was seen in the untreated group also at 24 hours after burn, while organ blood flow in the TGLVP-treated group had returned to preburn values.", "contents": "Cardiac output and regional blood flow in untreated and triglycylvasopressin-treated burned mice. Cardiac output and regional blood flow to different organs were determined at one hour and at 24 hours after burn in untreated mice and in mice treated with triglycylvasopressin (TGLVP). A decrease in cardiac output was found in all animals at one hour after burn. At 24 hours cardiac output was decreased in the burned untreated group, while cardiac output of TGLVP-treated animals did not differ from that of unburned animals. Organ blood flow was decreased in all animals at one hour after burn. Such a decrease was seen in the untreated group also at 24 hours after burn, while organ blood flow in the TGLVP-treated group had returned to preburn values.", "PMID": 609893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_49", "title": "On aetiological factors in hypospadias.", "content": "An analysis of genetic and non-genetic factors which might be of importance for the aetiology of hypospadias was performed in a clinical and in a registered material comprising altogether 893 hypospadiacs. Of 213 index patients in the clinical material, the probable aetiology was known in 11: in 3 patients chromosomal aberrations, in 2 well-defined syndromes with a known genetic background, in one maternal diabetes, in 2 maternal rubella, and 2 of the hypospadiacs were born after the mothers' use of anticonvulsant drugs and one after the mother's use of thalidomide. Other hypospadiacs were identified in 28 of the families of the remaining 202 index patients. As regards inheritance, 10 cases of hypospadias associated with clinodactyly were found in one family and this suggests an autosomal dominant gene as the cause of hypospadias. In the great majority (174/213) of index patients neither genetic nor non-genetic factors could be demonstrated but a significant cyclic trend for the month of birth and the month of the last menstrual period was found.", "contents": "On aetiological factors in hypospadias. An analysis of genetic and non-genetic factors which might be of importance for the aetiology of hypospadias was performed in a clinical and in a registered material comprising altogether 893 hypospadiacs. Of 213 index patients in the clinical material, the probable aetiology was known in 11: in 3 patients chromosomal aberrations, in 2 well-defined syndromes with a known genetic background, in one maternal diabetes, in 2 maternal rubella, and 2 of the hypospadiacs were born after the mothers' use of anticonvulsant drugs and one after the mother's use of thalidomide. Other hypospadiacs were identified in 28 of the families of the remaining 202 index patients. As regards inheritance, 10 cases of hypospadias associated with clinodactyly were found in one family and this suggests an autosomal dominant gene as the cause of hypospadias. In the great majority (174/213) of index patients neither genetic nor non-genetic factors could be demonstrated but a significant cyclic trend for the month of birth and the month of the last menstrual period was found.", "PMID": 609894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_50", "title": "Malignant melanoma of the skin in children registered in the Swedish cancer registry during 1959-1971.", "content": "A clinical follow-up and histopathological reexamination of 26 cases originally diagnosed as malignant melanoma in children under 14 years of age registered in the Swedish Cancer Registry during 1959-1971 has been undertaken. Only one met current criteria of a malignant melanoma. This tumour occurred in a giant naevus in a 3-year-old girl, who died with widespread metastatic melanoma within a year. The other cases were reclassified as melanocytoma of Spitz, cellular blue naevus, compound naevus and neurofibroma. The results confirm that malignant melanoma is a rare tumour in prepubertal children. The risk for histophatological overdiagnosis is much higher in children (95%), than in adults (4%).", "contents": "Malignant melanoma of the skin in children registered in the Swedish cancer registry during 1959-1971. A clinical follow-up and histopathological reexamination of 26 cases originally diagnosed as malignant melanoma in children under 14 years of age registered in the Swedish Cancer Registry during 1959-1971 has been undertaken. Only one met current criteria of a malignant melanoma. This tumour occurred in a giant naevus in a 3-year-old girl, who died with widespread metastatic melanoma within a year. The other cases were reclassified as melanocytoma of Spitz, cellular blue naevus, compound naevus and neurofibroma. The results confirm that malignant melanoma is a rare tumour in prepubertal children. The risk for histophatological overdiagnosis is much higher in children (95%), than in adults (4%).", "PMID": 609895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_51", "title": "Treatment of burns with zinc-tape. A study of local absorption of zinc in humans.", "content": "A report is given on local wound treatment in humans with adhesive zinc-tape. Measurements of the zinc content of the tape before and after treatment and in wound secretion and serum demonstrate that zinc is most likely absorbed into the granulation tissue and serum. The possible advantages of local absorption of zinc are discussed. The evaporative water losses through the tape have also been recorded. The fresh zinc-tape is almost impermeable to water. After 24 hours of burn treatment the evaporative water loss through the tape is similar to the water loss through a homograft.", "contents": "Treatment of burns with zinc-tape. A study of local absorption of zinc in humans. A report is given on local wound treatment in humans with adhesive zinc-tape. Measurements of the zinc content of the tape before and after treatment and in wound secretion and serum demonstrate that zinc is most likely absorbed into the granulation tissue and serum. The possible advantages of local absorption of zinc are discussed. The evaporative water losses through the tape have also been recorded. The fresh zinc-tape is almost impermeable to water. After 24 hours of burn treatment the evaporative water loss through the tape is similar to the water loss through a homograft.", "PMID": 609898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_52", "title": "The incidence of malignant transformation in giant pigmented nevi.", "content": "151 patients with benign giant pigmented nevi registered in the Danish Health system during the 60-year period 1915-75 were retrieved via the national register. A questionnaire was sent to all surviving patients asking for information about their health and especially whether they had had any treatment or had observed any changes in the nevus. All of the patients replied to the questionnaire. No patients had been cured from malignancy or were alive with known malignancy. Three patients had died from malignant melanoma during the period of observation. These case histories are reported. It is calculated that 4.6% of the patients with congenital giant nevi should be expected to develop malignant melanoma provided the incidence is the same in all age groups. Some uncertainty remains on account of the limited number of cases and an unsettled question about a higher incidence in childhood.", "contents": "The incidence of malignant transformation in giant pigmented nevi. 151 patients with benign giant pigmented nevi registered in the Danish Health system during the 60-year period 1915-75 were retrieved via the national register. A questionnaire was sent to all surviving patients asking for information about their health and especially whether they had had any treatment or had observed any changes in the nevus. All of the patients replied to the questionnaire. No patients had been cured from malignancy or were alive with known malignancy. Three patients had died from malignant melanoma during the period of observation. These case histories are reported. It is calculated that 4.6% of the patients with congenital giant nevi should be expected to develop malignant melanoma provided the incidence is the same in all age groups. Some uncertainty remains on account of the limited number of cases and an unsettled question about a higher incidence in childhood.", "PMID": 609899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_53", "title": "Permeability of intraneural microvessels and perineurium following acute, graded experimental nerve compression.", "content": "Experimental compression lesions of peripheral nerves were induced by applying pressure direct to exposed rabbit nerve trunks. A specifically designed compression chamber was used, enabling application of graded pressures (50--600 mmHg) to the nerves for various periods of time (15 min to 6 hours). After releasing the pressure, analyses were performed concerning the intraneural microvascular permeability and the barrier function of the perineurium. The method used was fluorescence microscopic tracing of intravenously injected or locally applied albumin labelled with Evans blue. The results indicate that a slight trauma to a nerve (e.g. 50 mmHg during 2 hours) induced an epineurial oedema by increasing the permeability of the epineurial vessels, which were more susceptible to compression trauma than the endoneurial vessels. Compression at higher pressure levels or of prolonged duration caused injury also to the endoneurial vessels, leading to intrafascicular oedema formation, which generally was most prominent at the edges of the compressed nerve segment. The perineurial barrier was remarkably resistant to compression trauma. Possible pathophysiological effects of various degrees of post-traumatic intraneural oedema formation are discussed.", "contents": "Permeability of intraneural microvessels and perineurium following acute, graded experimental nerve compression. Experimental compression lesions of peripheral nerves were induced by applying pressure direct to exposed rabbit nerve trunks. A specifically designed compression chamber was used, enabling application of graded pressures (50--600 mmHg) to the nerves for various periods of time (15 min to 6 hours). After releasing the pressure, analyses were performed concerning the intraneural microvascular permeability and the barrier function of the perineurium. The method used was fluorescence microscopic tracing of intravenously injected or locally applied albumin labelled with Evans blue. The results indicate that a slight trauma to a nerve (e.g. 50 mmHg during 2 hours) induced an epineurial oedema by increasing the permeability of the epineurial vessels, which were more susceptible to compression trauma than the endoneurial vessels. Compression at higher pressure levels or of prolonged duration caused injury also to the endoneurial vessels, leading to intrafascicular oedema formation, which generally was most prominent at the edges of the compressed nerve segment. The perineurial barrier was remarkably resistant to compression trauma. Possible pathophysiological effects of various degrees of post-traumatic intraneural oedema formation are discussed.", "PMID": 609900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_54", "title": "Replacement of carpal bones with exact-fitting silicone rubber implants. An experimental study.", "content": "In a pilot study in dogs, carpal bones were removed and replaced with silicone rubber implants fashioned to fit exactly into the space left by the excision. The implants were fabricated from Dow Corning MDX-4-4210 and Silastic 399 Medical Grade Elastomers. Bone cement was used for the cast and the mould was made of alginate or plaster of Paris. It was intended to replace the bone in a one-stage procedure. MDX-4-4210 was found unsuitable because adequate cure could only be achieved in about 5 hours, even when accelerated with external heating. Silastic 399 cured rapidly and was ideal for the experiment. Implants of exact fitting were fabricated, sterilized and inserted within 1--2 hours. 6 dogs were used and the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 7 months. The results were good in 5 and unsatisfactory in 1 dog because of postoperative infection. The method presented permits exact reproduction of the excised part, which guarantees an accurate fitting and consequently reduced risk of implant rotation and migration.", "contents": "Replacement of carpal bones with exact-fitting silicone rubber implants. An experimental study. In a pilot study in dogs, carpal bones were removed and replaced with silicone rubber implants fashioned to fit exactly into the space left by the excision. The implants were fabricated from Dow Corning MDX-4-4210 and Silastic 399 Medical Grade Elastomers. Bone cement was used for the cast and the mould was made of alginate or plaster of Paris. It was intended to replace the bone in a one-stage procedure. MDX-4-4210 was found unsuitable because adequate cure could only be achieved in about 5 hours, even when accelerated with external heating. Silastic 399 cured rapidly and was ideal for the experiment. Implants of exact fitting were fabricated, sterilized and inserted within 1--2 hours. 6 dogs were used and the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 7 months. The results were good in 5 and unsatisfactory in 1 dog because of postoperative infection. The method presented permits exact reproduction of the excised part, which guarantees an accurate fitting and consequently reduced risk of implant rotation and migration.", "PMID": 609901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_55", "title": "The vascularization and structure of the human digital tendon sheath as related to flexor tendon function. An angiographic and histological study.", "content": "The gliding surfaces of the flexor tendons and the tendon sheath are delicate structures of the complex digital flexor system. Beside the fibrous parts, the tendon sheath also exhibits membranous synovial components, which represent a dialysing membrane producing a plasma ultrafiltrate--the synovial fluid. In this study, interest was focused on the vascularization of the synovial sheath. By a microangiographic method it was demonstrated that this membrane is richly vascularized and that the vascular plexus is in continuity on the outside of the fibrous pulleys. The friction surfaces of the system--the inside of the pulleys and the surface of the flexor tendons--are devoid of vessels, and here a differentiation into chondrocyte-like cells is observed. It is suggested that these tissue areas, in analogy to joint cartilage, are nourished by diffusion from the synovial fluid, and that the flexor system can be regarded as a specialized joint, sliding longitudinally and exhibiting an extremely large range of motion.", "contents": "The vascularization and structure of the human digital tendon sheath as related to flexor tendon function. An angiographic and histological study. The gliding surfaces of the flexor tendons and the tendon sheath are delicate structures of the complex digital flexor system. Beside the fibrous parts, the tendon sheath also exhibits membranous synovial components, which represent a dialysing membrane producing a plasma ultrafiltrate--the synovial fluid. In this study, interest was focused on the vascularization of the synovial sheath. By a microangiographic method it was demonstrated that this membrane is richly vascularized and that the vascular plexus is in continuity on the outside of the fibrous pulleys. The friction surfaces of the system--the inside of the pulleys and the surface of the flexor tendons--are devoid of vessels, and here a differentiation into chondrocyte-like cells is observed. It is suggested that these tissue areas, in analogy to joint cartilage, are nourished by diffusion from the synovial fluid, and that the flexor system can be regarded as a specialized joint, sliding longitudinally and exhibiting an extremely large range of motion.", "PMID": 609902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_56", "title": "Experimental restoration of the digital synovial sheath.", "content": "The digital synovial sheath constitutes an important component of the delicate mechanism of flexor tendon nutrition and gliding function, In the present study the true nature of the inner cell layers of secondary healed defects in the tendon sheath as well as of free tendon sheath autografts were studied. Leghorn chickens were used as experimental animals and the gradual development of the pseudosheath as well as the healing of sheath autografts were studied both macroscopically and histologically including transmission electron miscroscopy. Synovial regeneration by extension from intact parts of the sheath was never observed and the pseudosheath formed around silastic rods consisted of granulation tissue with fibroblasts and macrophages. The free tendon sheath autografts demonstrated a normal process of healing at the edges of the defect. Synovial regeneration appeared to be that of metaplasia and proliferation of fibroblasts and macrophages. This phenomenon was demonstrable both in the secondary healed defects and more convincingly in the sheath autografts. Further, the silastic rod was found to induce foreign body reaction in the healing synovium. It is concluded that grafting of autologous tendon sheath tissue seems to be a promising method for restoration of defects in the digital tendon sheath.", "contents": "Experimental restoration of the digital synovial sheath. The digital synovial sheath constitutes an important component of the delicate mechanism of flexor tendon nutrition and gliding function, In the present study the true nature of the inner cell layers of secondary healed defects in the tendon sheath as well as of free tendon sheath autografts were studied. Leghorn chickens were used as experimental animals and the gradual development of the pseudosheath as well as the healing of sheath autografts were studied both macroscopically and histologically including transmission electron miscroscopy. Synovial regeneration by extension from intact parts of the sheath was never observed and the pseudosheath formed around silastic rods consisted of granulation tissue with fibroblasts and macrophages. The free tendon sheath autografts demonstrated a normal process of healing at the edges of the defect. Synovial regeneration appeared to be that of metaplasia and proliferation of fibroblasts and macrophages. This phenomenon was demonstrable both in the secondary healed defects and more convincingly in the sheath autografts. Further, the silastic rod was found to induce foreign body reaction in the healing synovium. It is concluded that grafting of autologous tendon sheath tissue seems to be a promising method for restoration of defects in the digital tendon sheath.", "PMID": 609904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_57", "title": "Postanesthetic ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.", "content": "In the present study 19 patients with postanesthetic ulnar nerve lesions treated during the period 1973--76 are reviewed. The lesions were localized to the cubital tunnel region and appeared subsequent to recent, otherwise uncomplicated operative procedures commonly performed under general anesthesia. Mechanical factors caused by malpositioning of the arm during the course of anesthesia and operation resulted in direct, compressive nerve injury. Hypermobility of the nerve was found to be a predisposing local factor. The roentgenologic configuration of the postcondylar groove showed considerable variability and did not correlate with the location of injury. The potential risk positions with the arm in either prolonged extreme elbow flexion or with applied surface pressure over the cubital tunnel region must be avoided in placing the patient on the operating table.", "contents": "Postanesthetic ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. In the present study 19 patients with postanesthetic ulnar nerve lesions treated during the period 1973--76 are reviewed. The lesions were localized to the cubital tunnel region and appeared subsequent to recent, otherwise uncomplicated operative procedures commonly performed under general anesthesia. Mechanical factors caused by malpositioning of the arm during the course of anesthesia and operation resulted in direct, compressive nerve injury. Hypermobility of the nerve was found to be a predisposing local factor. The roentgenologic configuration of the postcondylar groove showed considerable variability and did not correlate with the location of injury. The potential risk positions with the arm in either prolonged extreme elbow flexion or with applied surface pressure over the cubital tunnel region must be avoided in placing the patient on the operating table.", "PMID": 609906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_58", "title": "A modified McCash operation for Dupuytren's contracture.", "content": "The open palm technique for Dupuytren's contracture in connection with a midlateral ulnar incision on the fifth finger was used in selected cases of severe contracture with skin shrinkage (13% of all cases during a 2 1/2 year period). Special attention was drawn to the \"cornerflap\" of the incision, but no vascular problems were found. All wounds closed spontaneously in 3--6 weeks. The finger release was as good as in other series of patients with similar severity of the disease. We propose this technique only in cases with severe contracture and in good physical and mental condition.", "contents": "A modified McCash operation for Dupuytren's contracture. The open palm technique for Dupuytren's contracture in connection with a midlateral ulnar incision on the fifth finger was used in selected cases of severe contracture with skin shrinkage (13% of all cases during a 2 1/2 year period). Special attention was drawn to the \"cornerflap\" of the incision, but no vascular problems were found. All wounds closed spontaneously in 3--6 weeks. The finger release was as good as in other series of patients with similar severity of the disease. We propose this technique only in cases with severe contracture and in good physical and mental condition.", "PMID": 609907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_59", "title": "Resection arthroplasty of the metacarpophalangeal joint a.m. Tupper using interposition of the volar plate.", "content": "Tupper's resection arthroplasty with interposition of the volar plate was performed 75 severely destroyed metacarpophalangeal joints in 22 patients during the period 1970--74. The average passive mobility obtained was 63 degrees. The operative technique and complications are described, and the obvious advantages of the method are emphasized. This procedure is one part of a more comprehensive reconstruction whose functional result is influenced by the overall condition and balance of the hand.", "contents": "Resection arthroplasty of the metacarpophalangeal joint a.m. Tupper using interposition of the volar plate. Tupper's resection arthroplasty with interposition of the volar plate was performed 75 severely destroyed metacarpophalangeal joints in 22 patients during the period 1970--74. The average passive mobility obtained was 63 degrees. The operative technique and complications are described, and the obvious advantages of the method are emphasized. This procedure is one part of a more comprehensive reconstruction whose functional result is influenced by the overall condition and balance of the hand.", "PMID": 609908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_60", "title": "Symptomatic chondrocalcinosis at the wrist.", "content": "Twenty-two patients with chondrocalcinosis in the wrists were treated for symptoms of pseudogout. All but 3 had signs of degenerative arthropathy; 2 patients also had chondrocalcinosis of other joints in the hand. The degree of chondrocalcinosis and the grade of arthrosis varied but there was no certain correlation between the two. Attacks of arthritis were the clinical features in 13 cases. The usual treatment was immmobilization and administration of phenylbutazone.", "contents": "Symptomatic chondrocalcinosis at the wrist. Twenty-two patients with chondrocalcinosis in the wrists were treated for symptoms of pseudogout. All but 3 had signs of degenerative arthropathy; 2 patients also had chondrocalcinosis of other joints in the hand. The degree of chondrocalcinosis and the grade of arthrosis varied but there was no certain correlation between the two. Attacks of arthritis were the clinical features in 13 cases. The usual treatment was immmobilization and administration of phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 609909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_61", "title": "Reimplantation of an amputated hand. Long-term follow-up report.", "content": "A case of nearly total amputation of the right hand is described. The hand was reimplanted with initially good result. A final evaluation of the hand was attempted 6 years following the accident. It is concluded that the unsatisfactory nerve regeneration renders the final result a function failure. However, the psychological and cosmetic effect of a real hand may justify the reimplantation.", "contents": "Reimplantation of an amputated hand. Long-term follow-up report. A case of nearly total amputation of the right hand is described. The hand was reimplanted with initially good result. A final evaluation of the hand was attempted 6 years following the accident. It is concluded that the unsatisfactory nerve regeneration renders the final result a function failure. However, the psychological and cosmetic effect of a real hand may justify the reimplantation.", "PMID": 609910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_62", "title": "Ulnar tunnel syndrome caused by anomalous muscles. Case report.", "content": "Two cases of ulnar tunnel syndrome at the wrist are described. In both cases an anomalous hypothenar muscle, flexor digiti minimi brevis accessorius, was in part the causative factor. Contributing to the symptoms of nerve compression was swelling associated with rheumatoid disease and Colles' fracture, respectively. Decompression of the nerve including subtotal removal of the anomalous muscle effected complete recovery. Its phylogeny, morphology and clinical significance are discussed in relation to previously described anomalies of the hypothenar muscles.", "contents": "Ulnar tunnel syndrome caused by anomalous muscles. Case report. Two cases of ulnar tunnel syndrome at the wrist are described. In both cases an anomalous hypothenar muscle, flexor digiti minimi brevis accessorius, was in part the causative factor. Contributing to the symptoms of nerve compression was swelling associated with rheumatoid disease and Colles' fracture, respectively. Decompression of the nerve including subtotal removal of the anomalous muscle effected complete recovery. Its phylogeny, morphology and clinical significance are discussed in relation to previously described anomalies of the hypothenar muscles.", "PMID": 609911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_63", "title": "[Effective energy values of 90 degree scattered photons during urological and bronchial fluoroscopy].", "content": "During fluoroscopic bladder and bronchial examinations the radiation workers concerned are exposed to 90 degrees--scattered photons. The effective energy expressed in mm AI was measured for these photons exited at tube potentials in the 60--100 kV RANGE. An increase also depends on whether the measurements are made in the direction of the long axis or the short axis of the phantom. These findings are contrary to the recommendations stipulated in the code of practice SABS 07-1972.", "contents": "[Effective energy values of 90 degree scattered photons during urological and bronchial fluoroscopy]. During fluoroscopic bladder and bronchial examinations the radiation workers concerned are exposed to 90 degrees--scattered photons. The effective energy expressed in mm AI was measured for these photons exited at tube potentials in the 60--100 kV RANGE. An increase also depends on whether the measurements are made in the direction of the long axis or the short axis of the phantom. These findings are contrary to the recommendations stipulated in the code of practice SABS 07-1972.", "PMID": 609958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_64", "title": "Treatment-orientated classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage.", "content": "The prognosis of patients with cerebral aneurysms has improved greatly with modern management, notably hypotensive and steroid therapy and microneurosurgical techniques. A new classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage is discussed to clarify the early management of patients and their referral to specialized units for intensive medical care and curative surgery.", "contents": "Treatment-orientated classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage. The prognosis of patients with cerebral aneurysms has improved greatly with modern management, notably hypotensive and steroid therapy and microneurosurgical techniques. A new classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage is discussed to clarify the early management of patients and their referral to specialized units for intensive medical care and curative surgery.", "PMID": 609959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_65", "title": "[Mumps meningitis--bromine-82 partition test and cerebrospinal fluid glucose].", "content": "A case of mumps meningitis is reported where a low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose level, a positive bromine-82 partition test and the fact that the patient's sister had recently had tuberculous meningitis complicated the diagnosis. Mumps meningitis may be associated with low CSF glucose levels. Patients with viral meningitis usually have normal CSF glucose levels, and, during a recent study, false-positive results of 82Br partition tests were not found. Mumps meningitis, however, proves to be an important exception.", "contents": "[Mumps meningitis--bromine-82 partition test and cerebrospinal fluid glucose]. A case of mumps meningitis is reported where a low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose level, a positive bromine-82 partition test and the fact that the patient's sister had recently had tuberculous meningitis complicated the diagnosis. Mumps meningitis may be associated with low CSF glucose levels. Patients with viral meningitis usually have normal CSF glucose levels, and, during a recent study, false-positive results of 82Br partition tests were not found. Mumps meningitis, however, proves to be an important exception.", "PMID": 609960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_66", "title": "Casualty evacuation in the Rhodesian terrorist war.", "content": "The involvement of the Rhodesian Medical Association in providing medical services to both the troops and the African clinics because of the terrorist war is described. Experiences in the handling and evacuation of casualties by air or road are described, and immediate emergency measures are mentioned. Measures taken to meet a possible escalation of the conflict are reported.", "contents": "Casualty evacuation in the Rhodesian terrorist war. The involvement of the Rhodesian Medical Association in providing medical services to both the troops and the African clinics because of the terrorist war is described. Experiences in the handling and evacuation of casualties by air or road are described, and immediate emergency measures are mentioned. Measures taken to meet a possible escalation of the conflict are reported.", "PMID": 609961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_67", "title": "Rubella--a reappraisal.", "content": "Rubella infection is reviewed and new information about congenital infection, possible sources of infection in pregnant women and the optimum ages and population groups for rubella vaccination is considered. Investigations required to confirm a suspected and possibly 'silent' infection during pregnancy are outlined.", "contents": "Rubella--a reappraisal. Rubella infection is reviewed and new information about congenital infection, possible sources of infection in pregnant women and the optimum ages and population groups for rubella vaccination is considered. Investigations required to confirm a suspected and possibly 'silent' infection during pregnancy are outlined.", "PMID": 609965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_68", "title": "The epidemiology of rubella in Cape Town.", "content": "This preliminary study indicates that a high proportion of adult females in Cape Town are immune to rubella, and that, unlike the situation in the UK, natural rubella infections are common before 4 years of age. At least 10 children with the congenital rubella syndrome have been seen in the Cape Town group of teaching hospitals in a 5 1/2-year period since October 1971. Continuous serological surveillance is essential in order to implement the most effective programme of immunization in any particular area and also to be able to determine whether the vaccine is successfully preventing the birth of children with congenital rubella infection.", "contents": "The epidemiology of rubella in Cape Town. This preliminary study indicates that a high proportion of adult females in Cape Town are immune to rubella, and that, unlike the situation in the UK, natural rubella infections are common before 4 years of age. At least 10 children with the congenital rubella syndrome have been seen in the Cape Town group of teaching hospitals in a 5 1/2-year period since October 1971. Continuous serological surveillance is essential in order to implement the most effective programme of immunization in any particular area and also to be able to determine whether the vaccine is successfully preventing the birth of children with congenital rubella infection.", "PMID": 609966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_69", "title": "Nursing staff stress in an intensive care unit.", "content": "The stresses associated with nursing in an intensive care unit were assessed. A comparison was drawn between a group of Black and a group of White nurses. Proposals aimed at reducing the observed stress patterns are suggested.", "contents": "Nursing staff stress in an intensive care unit. The stresses associated with nursing in an intensive care unit were assessed. A comparison was drawn between a group of Black and a group of White nurses. Proposals aimed at reducing the observed stress patterns are suggested.", "PMID": 609967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_70", "title": "[Causes of burn injuries in children].", "content": "In this article the causes of burn injuries in a series of 236 children admitted to the burns unit of Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital are investigated. Special reference is made to housing conditions as a contributing factor. The findings suggest that overcrowding and inadequate bathing and cooking facilities are conditions permeating almost all other contributory factors. More pertinent preventative measures are recommended.", "contents": "[Causes of burn injuries in children]. In this article the causes of burn injuries in a series of 236 children admitted to the burns unit of Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital are investigated. Special reference is made to housing conditions as a contributing factor. The findings suggest that overcrowding and inadequate bathing and cooking facilities are conditions permeating almost all other contributory factors. More pertinent preventative measures are recommended.", "PMID": 609968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_71", "title": "The effect of frequency tolerance on audiometer accuracy.", "content": "Investigations into the methods used to calibrate audiometers reveal that the 6 000 Hz frequency is particularly liable to yield inconsistent results when calibrated in the usual way. It is shown that the TDH39 telephone receiver which is usually calibrated on a 9A coupler in accordance with the International Standards Organization recommendation R389 will depend to a considerable extent on the precise frequency used and may differ by as much as 7 db when the frequency is varied but still retained within the specified tolerance limits. A new telephone receiver, the TDH50, is much less sensitive to frequency variation. It is shown that this receiver should be calibrated with the same threshold figures as the TDH39.", "contents": "The effect of frequency tolerance on audiometer accuracy. Investigations into the methods used to calibrate audiometers reveal that the 6 000 Hz frequency is particularly liable to yield inconsistent results when calibrated in the usual way. It is shown that the TDH39 telephone receiver which is usually calibrated on a 9A coupler in accordance with the International Standards Organization recommendation R389 will depend to a considerable extent on the precise frequency used and may differ by as much as 7 db when the frequency is varied but still retained within the specified tolerance limits. A new telephone receiver, the TDH50, is much less sensitive to frequency variation. It is shown that this receiver should be calibrated with the same threshold figures as the TDH39.", "PMID": 609969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_72", "title": "Report on a free sterilization service in Natal.", "content": "In this article the results of a pilot project (carried out at King George V Hospital, Durban, and later extended to include all Natal Provincial Administration hospitals) offering free sterilization to persons who attend family planning clinics are reported. A mini laparotomy technique which requires little operative skill, minimizes operative trauma and requires only 24 hours postoperative hospitalization is described.", "contents": "Report on a free sterilization service in Natal. In this article the results of a pilot project (carried out at King George V Hospital, Durban, and later extended to include all Natal Provincial Administration hospitals) offering free sterilization to persons who attend family planning clinics are reported. A mini laparotomy technique which requires little operative skill, minimizes operative trauma and requires only 24 hours postoperative hospitalization is described.", "PMID": 609970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_73", "title": "Pancreatic ascites: report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of pancreatic ascites are reported in which endoscopic retrograde and operative pancreatography were used to demonstrate the source of leakage from the duct system. Both patients were successfully treated by surgery. The management of patients with pancreatic ascites is discussed.", "contents": "Pancreatic ascites: report of two cases. Two cases of pancreatic ascites are reported in which endoscopic retrograde and operative pancreatography were used to demonstrate the source of leakage from the duct system. Both patients were successfully treated by surgery. The management of patients with pancreatic ascites is discussed.", "PMID": 609971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_74", "title": "Register of cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Southern Africa.", "content": "An analysis of cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Southern Africa to the end of 1976 is presented. In the 2 years since the last report in 1975, 15 new cases have been added to the register. Seven patients from the Cape Province were investigated in Groote Schuur and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospitals in Cape Town and a recent postal survey revealed 6 cases in the Transvaal and 1 each from South West Africa and Rhodesia. This analysis indicates that the high incidence and temporal clustering of cases in the Cape Province is continuing, and that the relatively constant annual number of cases in the Transvaal and the apparent absence of the disease in Natal and the Orange Free State are being maintained.", "contents": "Register of cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Southern Africa. An analysis of cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Southern Africa to the end of 1976 is presented. In the 2 years since the last report in 1975, 15 new cases have been added to the register. Seven patients from the Cape Province were investigated in Groote Schuur and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospitals in Cape Town and a recent postal survey revealed 6 cases in the Transvaal and 1 each from South West Africa and Rhodesia. This analysis indicates that the high incidence and temporal clustering of cases in the Cape Province is continuing, and that the relatively constant annual number of cases in the Transvaal and the apparent absence of the disease in Natal and the Orange Free State are being maintained.", "PMID": 609976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_75", "title": "Serum lysozyme in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Serum lysozyme (muramidase) concentrations were determined in 55 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 6 with miscellaneous bowel disease, 40 with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in 20 normal subjects. The mean (+/- SE) lysozyme concentration for each group was as follows: controls 6,95 +/- 0,36 microgram/ml; ulcerative colitis 9,61 +/- 1,02 microgram/ml; inactive Crohn's disease 7,61 +/- 0,53 microgram/ml; active Crohn's disease 20,77 +/- 2,17 microgram/ml; sputum-negative tuberculosis 13,05 +/- 1,06 microgram/ml; and sputum-positive tuberculosis 20,35 +/- 2,08 microgram/ml. The mean enzyme levels were significantly higher in patients with Crohn's disease than in those with ulcerative colitis (P less than 0,05) or in normal controls (P less than 0,01). Our findings suggest that serum lysozyme levels may be useful in differentiating active Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis, but the results overlap somewhat. However, the enzyme level may be a useful index of disease activity in following up patients with Crohn's disease. As tuberculosis is endemic in this country it must first be excluded, because patients with pulmonary tuberculosis have similarly high levels of serum lysozyme.", "contents": "Serum lysozyme in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Serum lysozyme (muramidase) concentrations were determined in 55 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 6 with miscellaneous bowel disease, 40 with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in 20 normal subjects. The mean (+/- SE) lysozyme concentration for each group was as follows: controls 6,95 +/- 0,36 microgram/ml; ulcerative colitis 9,61 +/- 1,02 microgram/ml; inactive Crohn's disease 7,61 +/- 0,53 microgram/ml; active Crohn's disease 20,77 +/- 2,17 microgram/ml; sputum-negative tuberculosis 13,05 +/- 1,06 microgram/ml; and sputum-positive tuberculosis 20,35 +/- 2,08 microgram/ml. The mean enzyme levels were significantly higher in patients with Crohn's disease than in those with ulcerative colitis (P less than 0,05) or in normal controls (P less than 0,01). Our findings suggest that serum lysozyme levels may be useful in differentiating active Crohn's disease from ulcerative colitis, but the results overlap somewhat. However, the enzyme level may be a useful index of disease activity in following up patients with Crohn's disease. As tuberculosis is endemic in this country it must first be excluded, because patients with pulmonary tuberculosis have similarly high levels of serum lysozyme.", "PMID": 609977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_76", "title": "Skinfold thickness measurements in assessment of nutritional status of Indian and White schoolchildren.", "content": "A statistical comparison is presented between height, weight, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness for age of Indian and White schoolchildren. It was found that (i) although a high degree of correlation existed between height and weight for age of White children, this was not true for Indian children; (ii) for both White and Indian children of both sexes inconsistent variations occurred between both height and weight and skinfold thickness; (iii) despite extremely low heights and weights observed for Indian children, which could be interpreted as depicting chronic undernutrition, the skinfold thicknesses of the latter children were close to normal as judged by conventional standards: the subscapular skinfold thicknesses in Indian girls actually exceeded the conventionally accepted normal standard values. It is concluded that in the indirect assessment of nutritional status of Indian subjects, anthropometric variables should be used with caution. Finally, it is proposed that further anthropometric and individual energy balance studies be conducted on a cross-section of various socio-economic, age and sex groups of the Indian population in an attempt to establish the basis for the described anomalies.", "contents": "Skinfold thickness measurements in assessment of nutritional status of Indian and White schoolchildren. A statistical comparison is presented between height, weight, and subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness for age of Indian and White schoolchildren. It was found that (i) although a high degree of correlation existed between height and weight for age of White children, this was not true for Indian children; (ii) for both White and Indian children of both sexes inconsistent variations occurred between both height and weight and skinfold thickness; (iii) despite extremely low heights and weights observed for Indian children, which could be interpreted as depicting chronic undernutrition, the skinfold thicknesses of the latter children were close to normal as judged by conventional standards: the subscapular skinfold thicknesses in Indian girls actually exceeded the conventionally accepted normal standard values. It is concluded that in the indirect assessment of nutritional status of Indian subjects, anthropometric variables should be used with caution. Finally, it is proposed that further anthropometric and individual energy balance studies be conducted on a cross-section of various socio-economic, age and sex groups of the Indian population in an attempt to establish the basis for the described anomalies.", "PMID": 609978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_77", "title": "Gram-negative bacillary infections in cancer patients.", "content": "The majority of infectious complications in cancer patients are caused by Gram-negative bacilli. The most common organisms are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sites of infection are related to the patients' underlying malignancies, but pneumonia and septicaemia occur most often. Important newer antibiotics for the therapy of these infections are aminoglycosides and semisynthetic penicillins. It is advisable to utilize combinations of antibiotics for serious infections in cancer patients, and therapy should be instituted promptly at the onset of infection.", "contents": "Gram-negative bacillary infections in cancer patients. The majority of infectious complications in cancer patients are caused by Gram-negative bacilli. The most common organisms are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sites of infection are related to the patients' underlying malignancies, but pneumonia and septicaemia occur most often. Important newer antibiotics for the therapy of these infections are aminoglycosides and semisynthetic penicillins. It is advisable to utilize combinations of antibiotics for serious infections in cancer patients, and therapy should be instituted promptly at the onset of infection.", "PMID": 609979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_78", "title": "Ultrastructure of duodenal epithelial cells in patients with active duodenal ulcers and after treatment with cimetidine.", "content": "Comparative ultrastructural studies were conducted on biopsy specimens taken under direct vision by endoscopy from the normal duodenum, from the edge of deep and flat duodenal ulcers, and from areas 1 cm away from such ulcers. In addition, the ultrastructure of biopsy tissue from the scar of ulcers which healed after 6 weeks' therapy with the histaminastructural studies of tissue form the edge of both flat and deep duodenal ulcers showed gross pathological changes, particularly with regard to microvilli. Cells from the edge of deep ulcers showed increased secretory activity. Epithelial tissue 1 cm from flat duodenal ulcers exhibited ultrastructural changes far more severe than cells 1 cm from deep duodenal ulcers. The epithelial tissue from the scar area after 6 weeks' treatment appeared capable of regaining a fully functional role, although it was not normal in all specimens.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of duodenal epithelial cells in patients with active duodenal ulcers and after treatment with cimetidine. Comparative ultrastructural studies were conducted on biopsy specimens taken under direct vision by endoscopy from the normal duodenum, from the edge of deep and flat duodenal ulcers, and from areas 1 cm away from such ulcers. In addition, the ultrastructure of biopsy tissue from the scar of ulcers which healed after 6 weeks' therapy with the histaminastructural studies of tissue form the edge of both flat and deep duodenal ulcers showed gross pathological changes, particularly with regard to microvilli. Cells from the edge of deep ulcers showed increased secretory activity. Epithelial tissue 1 cm from flat duodenal ulcers exhibited ultrastructural changes far more severe than cells 1 cm from deep duodenal ulcers. The epithelial tissue from the scar area after 6 weeks' treatment appeared capable of regaining a fully functional role, although it was not normal in all specimens.", "PMID": 609983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_79", "title": "The paediatric primary health care nurse project in Soweto.", "content": "The in-service training of paediatric primary health care nurses at Baragwanath Hospital, and the implementation of this project with health care teams in the Soweto clinics, is discussed. Appropriately trained members of the community can provide better comprehensive primary care, and optimal use is made of available manpower. Similar schemes in other parts of the world are briefly considered.", "contents": "The paediatric primary health care nurse project in Soweto. The in-service training of paediatric primary health care nurses at Baragwanath Hospital, and the implementation of this project with health care teams in the Soweto clinics, is discussed. Appropriately trained members of the community can provide better comprehensive primary care, and optimal use is made of available manpower. Similar schemes in other parts of the world are briefly considered.", "PMID": 609984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_80", "title": "Management of meconium ileus by resection and end-to-end anastomosis.", "content": "Six patients with meconium ileus, in whom bowel resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed, are presented. Meconium ileus may be simple or complicated. The simple form may be treated by Gastrografin enema. Surgery is indicated if conservative treatment fails and for patients with a complicated obstruction. Provided the bowel is disobstructed and carefully resected, end-to-end anastomosis is preferable. Confirmation of the diagnosis by careful histological examination of the resected bowel is urged.", "contents": "Management of meconium ileus by resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Six patients with meconium ileus, in whom bowel resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed, are presented. Meconium ileus may be simple or complicated. The simple form may be treated by Gastrografin enema. Surgery is indicated if conservative treatment fails and for patients with a complicated obstruction. Provided the bowel is disobstructed and carefully resected, end-to-end anastomosis is preferable. Confirmation of the diagnosis by careful histological examination of the resected bowel is urged.", "PMID": 609986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_81", "title": "The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the fetal heart.", "content": "Fetal heart rate was monitored by continuous cardiotocography in 67 patients who were subjected to standard epidural block. In 43% of cases a deterioration in the fetal heart rate pattern was observed. The abnormal heart rate usually responded to conservative treatment. In 3 cases caesarean section was necessary. The deterioration of the fetal heart rate was usually associated with maternal hypotension.", "contents": "The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the fetal heart. Fetal heart rate was monitored by continuous cardiotocography in 67 patients who were subjected to standard epidural block. In 43% of cases a deterioration in the fetal heart rate pattern was observed. The abnormal heart rate usually responded to conservative treatment. In 3 cases caesarean section was necessary. The deterioration of the fetal heart rate was usually associated with maternal hypotension.", "PMID": 609993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_82", "title": "Spontaneous abortion in perspective. A 7-year study.", "content": "Ten per cent of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion. Only by thorough history taking, physical examination and selected biochemical and biological investigations can potential causes of abortion be recognized and treated. The lesser known factors concerned with abortion are emphasized, and the role played by human chorionic gonadotrophin therapy in selected cases is considered.", "contents": "Spontaneous abortion in perspective. A 7-year study. Ten per cent of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion. Only by thorough history taking, physical examination and selected biochemical and biological investigations can potential causes of abortion be recognized and treated. The lesser known factors concerned with abortion are emphasized, and the role played by human chorionic gonadotrophin therapy in selected cases is considered.", "PMID": 609994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_83", "title": "Recurrent postmenopausal bleeding.", "content": "Thirty-four patients with recurrent postmenopausal bleeding are reviewed. All had previously undergone dilatation and curettage after a first episode of postmenopausal bleeding, and no pathological cause had been found. When they presented with recurrence of bleeding, 32 of the 34 patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-o\u00f6phorectomy and the excised organs were submitted for histological examination. In 2 patients clinical cervical carcinoma was found and they received radiotherapy. Hysterectomy was warranted in 5 patients with endometrial glandular hyperplasia and in 2 with uterine fibroids. Fibroids which distort the uterine cavity can result in an inadequate curettage. In 2 patients, failure to take adequate endocervical cytology smears resulted in a pre-operative diagnosis of endocervical carcinoma being missed. In recurrent postmenopausal bleeding, the taking of an adequate cervical smear and repear dilation and curettage are indicated as initial procedures. In obese patients, in whom palpable ovarian tumours may be overlooked, and in those with distortion of the endometrial cavity due to fibroids, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-o\u00f6phorectomy is preferable, because underlying genital cancer can be missed in these cases.", "contents": "Recurrent postmenopausal bleeding. Thirty-four patients with recurrent postmenopausal bleeding are reviewed. All had previously undergone dilatation and curettage after a first episode of postmenopausal bleeding, and no pathological cause had been found. When they presented with recurrence of bleeding, 32 of the 34 patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-o\u00f6phorectomy and the excised organs were submitted for histological examination. In 2 patients clinical cervical carcinoma was found and they received radiotherapy. Hysterectomy was warranted in 5 patients with endometrial glandular hyperplasia and in 2 with uterine fibroids. Fibroids which distort the uterine cavity can result in an inadequate curettage. In 2 patients, failure to take adequate endocervical cytology smears resulted in a pre-operative diagnosis of endocervical carcinoma being missed. In recurrent postmenopausal bleeding, the taking of an adequate cervical smear and repear dilation and curettage are indicated as initial procedures. In obese patients, in whom palpable ovarian tumours may be overlooked, and in those with distortion of the endometrial cavity due to fibroids, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-o\u00f6phorectomy is preferable, because underlying genital cancer can be missed in these cases.", "PMID": 609995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_84", "title": "Cancer of the ovary.", "content": "One hundred and forty-two cases of ovarian cancer seen at the Johannesburg General Hospital are reviewed. The poor prognosis associated with this disease is directly related to the fact that at the time of presentation the cancer had spread beyond the confines of the ovary. Results of therapy are poor, with no major impact recorded on survival rates for many years. Therapeutic possibilities are reviewed. When the disease is in stage I and the tumour is completely removed by surgery, the use of postoperative chemotherapy is suggested as a possible means of preventing recurrence or to destroy unrecognized areas of microscopical spread.", "contents": "Cancer of the ovary. One hundred and forty-two cases of ovarian cancer seen at the Johannesburg General Hospital are reviewed. The poor prognosis associated with this disease is directly related to the fact that at the time of presentation the cancer had spread beyond the confines of the ovary. Results of therapy are poor, with no major impact recorded on survival rates for many years. Therapeutic possibilities are reviewed. When the disease is in stage I and the tumour is completely removed by surgery, the use of postoperative chemotherapy is suggested as a possible means of preventing recurrence or to destroy unrecognized areas of microscopical spread.", "PMID": 609996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_85", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst of the ovary. A case report.", "content": "A case of advanced squamous cell carcinoma arising in a benign cystic teratoma is presented. The carcinoma occurred in a 48-year-old Black patient who died from widespread disease within 5 months of diagnosis. Carcinomatous change in a dermoid cyst is an uncommon occurrence, with a poor prognosis.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dermoid cyst of the ovary. A case report. A case of advanced squamous cell carcinoma arising in a benign cystic teratoma is presented. The carcinoma occurred in a 48-year-old Black patient who died from widespread disease within 5 months of diagnosis. Carcinomatous change in a dermoid cyst is an uncommon occurrence, with a poor prognosis.", "PMID": 609997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_86", "title": "Primary ovarian pregnancy and the intra-uterine contraceptive device. Report of two cases.", "content": "Two patients with unequivocal primary ovarian pregnancies are presented, one with an intra-uterine contraceptive device in situ. The increased prevalence of primary ovarian pregnancies, as revealed in the English literature, and the increasing association of extra-uterine pregnancies with intra-uterine contraceptive devices in situ, are discussed.", "contents": "Primary ovarian pregnancy and the intra-uterine contraceptive device. Report of two cases. Two patients with unequivocal primary ovarian pregnancies are presented, one with an intra-uterine contraceptive device in situ. The increased prevalence of primary ovarian pregnancies, as revealed in the English literature, and the increasing association of extra-uterine pregnancies with intra-uterine contraceptive devices in situ, are discussed.", "PMID": 609998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_87", "title": "Haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta. A case report.", "content": "A case of haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta occurring at approximately 22 weeks' gestation is presented. The diagnosis and treatment are discussed.", "contents": "Haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta. A case report. A case of haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta occurring at approximately 22 weeks' gestation is presented. The diagnosis and treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 609999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_88", "title": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: I. Organization and innervation of electric cells. Fine structure of nicotinic receptor-channel molecules revealed by transmission microscopy.", "content": "The ventral, postsynaptic membranes of the electroplaques of Narcine were examined for structures corresponding in location, numbers, position and form with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-channel molecules. Electron micrographs of conventionally fixed material showed that the thickened outer lamina of these membranes contained about 6100 stained structures/micron 2; and calculations from this packing density and the estimated area of postsynaptic membranes/g tissue yielded a total number of structures within a factor of two of the number of receptor molecules/g determined from the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin. Examination of tissue prepared with a tannic acid/glutaraldehyde fixative revealed that the structures were uniform in character, cylindrical in shape, transmembrane in position, and that each contained a central core. Their diameter matched that of isolated receptor molecules, and their size can account for most of the receptor protein. We conclude that these receptor molecules are largely intramembranous, cylindrical and exhibit transmembrane pores.", "contents": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: I. Organization and innervation of electric cells. Fine structure of nicotinic receptor-channel molecules revealed by transmission microscopy. The ventral, postsynaptic membranes of the electroplaques of Narcine were examined for structures corresponding in location, numbers, position and form with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-channel molecules. Electron micrographs of conventionally fixed material showed that the thickened outer lamina of these membranes contained about 6100 stained structures/micron 2; and calculations from this packing density and the estimated area of postsynaptic membranes/g tissue yielded a total number of structures within a factor of two of the number of receptor molecules/g determined from the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin. Examination of tissue prepared with a tannic acid/glutaraldehyde fixative revealed that the structures were uniform in character, cylindrical in shape, transmembrane in position, and that each contained a central core. Their diameter matched that of isolated receptor molecules, and their size can account for most of the receptor protein. We conclude that these receptor molecules are largely intramembranous, cylindrical and exhibit transmembrane pores.", "PMID": 610001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_89", "title": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: II. A freeze-fracture study of nicotinic receptor molecules.", "content": "The ventral, postsynaptic membranes of the electroplaques of Narcine were found to containe intramembranous particles similar in location, packing density (about 5700/micron 2), transmembrane position and end appearance to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-channel molecules. In fixed tissue the particles were limited to the cytoplasmic lamina, while in unfixed tissue an equivalent number were found symmetrically in both laminae. Four populations of particle diameters were observed in each unfixed lamina, even though other morphological evidence indicates the presence of large number of molecules of uniform structure, and biochemical studies of isolated postsynaptic membranes indicate that at least 70% of the membrane protein is receptor-channel protein. Intramembranous particles in dorsal, non-innervated electroplaque membranes, presumably representing Na+, K+-associated ATPase and other channel proteins, were found to have similar characteristics to particles in ventral membranes. Receptor-channel molecules cannot, therefore, be distinguished from other intrinsic membrane proteins by freeze-replication alone.", "contents": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: II. A freeze-fracture study of nicotinic receptor molecules. The ventral, postsynaptic membranes of the electroplaques of Narcine were found to containe intramembranous particles similar in location, packing density (about 5700/micron 2), transmembrane position and end appearance to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-channel molecules. In fixed tissue the particles were limited to the cytoplasmic lamina, while in unfixed tissue an equivalent number were found symmetrically in both laminae. Four populations of particle diameters were observed in each unfixed lamina, even though other morphological evidence indicates the presence of large number of molecules of uniform structure, and biochemical studies of isolated postsynaptic membranes indicate that at least 70% of the membrane protein is receptor-channel protein. Intramembranous particles in dorsal, non-innervated electroplaque membranes, presumably representing Na+, K+-associated ATPase and other channel proteins, were found to have similar characteristics to particles in ventral membranes. Receptor-channel molecules cannot, therefore, be distinguished from other intrinsic membrane proteins by freeze-replication alone.", "PMID": 610002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_90", "title": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: III. Isolation and characterization.", "content": "Postsnyaptic membranes in homogenates of the electric tissue of Narcine were identified by labelling nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the membranes with radioactive alpha-bungarotoxin. Various media and centrifugation conditions were examined in an attempt to obtain highly purified postsynaptic membranes. The main criterion for purification was approach towards the specific activity of the pure receptor protein, 9--10 nmol toxin-sites/mg protein. Isolation of tissue microsomes with Tris buffer, EDTA and the protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), conditions which preserve the receptor molecules optimally, yielded about 50% of the tissue toxin-sites, 5% of the protein, 4% of the ATPase and less than 2% of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further separation of vesiculated membranes in continuous density gradients of sucrose showed that the major contaminants of postsynaptic membrane vesicles were damaged mitochondria and tubular vesicles of dorsal electroplaque membranes rich in ATPase. Mitochondria were effectively removed from homogenates by 'differential' centrifugation, and ATPase-rich vesicles could be largely removed by causing their agglutination with calcium ions, or by controlled proteolysis in the absence of PMSF. Partially purified postsynaptic membranes were obtained having about 7 nmol toxin-sites/mg membrane protein. Further purification appears possible by affinity techniques.", "contents": "Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: III. Isolation and characterization. Postsnyaptic membranes in homogenates of the electric tissue of Narcine were identified by labelling nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the membranes with radioactive alpha-bungarotoxin. Various media and centrifugation conditions were examined in an attempt to obtain highly purified postsynaptic membranes. The main criterion for purification was approach towards the specific activity of the pure receptor protein, 9--10 nmol toxin-sites/mg protein. Isolation of tissue microsomes with Tris buffer, EDTA and the protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), conditions which preserve the receptor molecules optimally, yielded about 50% of the tissue toxin-sites, 5% of the protein, 4% of the ATPase and less than 2% of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further separation of vesiculated membranes in continuous density gradients of sucrose showed that the major contaminants of postsynaptic membrane vesicles were damaged mitochondria and tubular vesicles of dorsal electroplaque membranes rich in ATPase. Mitochondria were effectively removed from homogenates by 'differential' centrifugation, and ATPase-rich vesicles could be largely removed by causing their agglutination with calcium ions, or by controlled proteolysis in the absence of PMSF. Partially purified postsynaptic membranes were obtained having about 7 nmol toxin-sites/mg membrane protein. Further purification appears possible by affinity techniques.", "PMID": 610003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_91", "title": "Ultrastructure of the protocerebral neurosecretory cells of larval Galleria mellonella, in situ and after culture of the brain in vitro.", "content": "Three major groups of neurosecretory cells are described in the larval brain of Galleria mellonella at two different times during the last larval instar and in larval brains after 72 hr of culture in vitro. The medial group in vivo consists of four distinct neurosecretory cell types, based on characteristic size and morphology, while the posterior and lateral groups each contain a single distinct type of neurosecretory cell. Morphological differences between the same neurosecretory cells at the different times during the last instar are most apparent in the lateral L-1 cells and in the medial M-2 cells, where pleiomorphism is particularly evident in the size, density and accumulations of neurosecretory granules. The only neurosecretory cells in which apparent synthesis of neurosecretory granules is still observed after culture of the brain in vitro are the medial M-2 cells. The other neurosecretory cell types show no accumulation of neurosecretory granules nor new synthesis of neurosecretory material, but are similar to neurosecretory cells in the brain in vivo in all other respects. The morphology of the neurosecretory cells in the larval brain in vivo and in vitro is discussed in relation to their appearance at the light microscopic level and to a known neurohormonal function of the brain which is maintained during 72 hr in vitro.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the protocerebral neurosecretory cells of larval Galleria mellonella, in situ and after culture of the brain in vitro. Three major groups of neurosecretory cells are described in the larval brain of Galleria mellonella at two different times during the last larval instar and in larval brains after 72 hr of culture in vitro. The medial group in vivo consists of four distinct neurosecretory cell types, based on characteristic size and morphology, while the posterior and lateral groups each contain a single distinct type of neurosecretory cell. Morphological differences between the same neurosecretory cells at the different times during the last instar are most apparent in the lateral L-1 cells and in the medial M-2 cells, where pleiomorphism is particularly evident in the size, density and accumulations of neurosecretory granules. The only neurosecretory cells in which apparent synthesis of neurosecretory granules is still observed after culture of the brain in vitro are the medial M-2 cells. The other neurosecretory cell types show no accumulation of neurosecretory granules nor new synthesis of neurosecretory material, but are similar to neurosecretory cells in the brain in vivo in all other respects. The morphology of the neurosecretory cells in the larval brain in vivo and in vitro is discussed in relation to their appearance at the light microscopic level and to a known neurohormonal function of the brain which is maintained during 72 hr in vitro.", "PMID": 610004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_92", "title": "Structural changes in light- and dark-adapted compound eyes of the Australian earwig Labidura riparia truncata (Dermaptera).", "content": "The apposition acone eye of Labidura is relatively small--550-600 facets--with a thick corneal lens and shallow retina. The retina cell columns are each formed of six peripheral cells plus two central cells, a partially fused rhabdom, and dense pigment in two or three cell types. Upon adaptation from light to dark, the most striking photomechanical response is a proximal broadening of the cone cells, which results in a 38-fold increase in cross-sectional area of the aperture. While longitudinal rhabdom movement is small, microvillar diameters swell in response to light and contract in the dark. Irregularities of facet pattern and shape, and in ommatidial alignment were found, particularly towards eye margins. Three types of interommatidial sense organs on the eye surface are described, one of which has not been previously reported. An argument is presented to explain how the field of view and sensitivity are both apparently decreased in the acone eye by exposure to light.", "contents": "Structural changes in light- and dark-adapted compound eyes of the Australian earwig Labidura riparia truncata (Dermaptera). The apposition acone eye of Labidura is relatively small--550-600 facets--with a thick corneal lens and shallow retina. The retina cell columns are each formed of six peripheral cells plus two central cells, a partially fused rhabdom, and dense pigment in two or three cell types. Upon adaptation from light to dark, the most striking photomechanical response is a proximal broadening of the cone cells, which results in a 38-fold increase in cross-sectional area of the aperture. While longitudinal rhabdom movement is small, microvillar diameters swell in response to light and contract in the dark. Irregularities of facet pattern and shape, and in ommatidial alignment were found, particularly towards eye margins. Three types of interommatidial sense organs on the eye surface are described, one of which has not been previously reported. An argument is presented to explain how the field of view and sensitivity are both apparently decreased in the acone eye by exposure to light.", "PMID": 610005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_93", "title": "The ultrastructure of the posterior midgut caecum of Pachygrapsus crassipes (Decapoda, Brachyura) adapted to low salinity.", "content": "The effects of salinity adaptation and of composition and tonicity of fixatives upon the ultrastructure of the posterior midgut caecum (PMC) of Pachygrapsus crassipes have been studied. The PMC epithelium consists of a single layer of columnar cells with a microvillous border. The apical cytoplasm contains numerous mitochondria, lysosomes, and much smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are situated in the perinuclear cytoplasm. This epithelium resembles other transporting epithelia in that the basal cytoplasm has an extensive system of branched tubules formed from invaginations of the lateral and basal plasma membrane. Numerous mitochondria are associated with the basal tubular system. To determine the possible contribution of the PMC to the osmoregulatory ability of Pachygrapsus, the ultrastructure of the PMC from animals adapted to 40, 50, and 100 and 150% sea water was investigated. Enlargement of basal tubules and intercellular spaces at low salinity, suggestive of fluid-transport activity, was found to be an artifact of fixation. The most consistent response when animals were acclimated to dilute salinities was that some basal mitochondria assume a more complex shape, usually appearing as rings in cross sections of the caecum. A hypothesis concerning the functional significance of these mitochondria is proposed.", "contents": "The ultrastructure of the posterior midgut caecum of Pachygrapsus crassipes (Decapoda, Brachyura) adapted to low salinity. The effects of salinity adaptation and of composition and tonicity of fixatives upon the ultrastructure of the posterior midgut caecum (PMC) of Pachygrapsus crassipes have been studied. The PMC epithelium consists of a single layer of columnar cells with a microvillous border. The apical cytoplasm contains numerous mitochondria, lysosomes, and much smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are situated in the perinuclear cytoplasm. This epithelium resembles other transporting epithelia in that the basal cytoplasm has an extensive system of branched tubules formed from invaginations of the lateral and basal plasma membrane. Numerous mitochondria are associated with the basal tubular system. To determine the possible contribution of the PMC to the osmoregulatory ability of Pachygrapsus, the ultrastructure of the PMC from animals adapted to 40, 50, and 100 and 150% sea water was investigated. Enlargement of basal tubules and intercellular spaces at low salinity, suggestive of fluid-transport activity, was found to be an artifact of fixation. The most consistent response when animals were acclimated to dilute salinities was that some basal mitochondria assume a more complex shape, usually appearing as rings in cross sections of the caecum. A hypothesis concerning the functional significance of these mitochondria is proposed.", "PMID": 610006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_94", "title": "Cytodifferentiation in the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor. III. Fine structure of the spermathecal accessory gland in the pupa.", "content": "To establish indices for studying the hormonal control of differentiation of the accessory reproductive glands of insects, the ultrastructural development of the spermathecal accessory gland (SAG) of female mealworm beetles has been analyzed. Over the 9 days between adult and pupal ecdysis, the SAG transforms from a stubby sac of columnar epithelium into an elongate cylindrical gland, lined with cuticle, and containing several distinct types of differentiated cells. The first phase of pupal differentiation is one of cell division and overall gland morphogenesis which lasts 3--4 days; at its close, two populations of cells can be distinguished. One of these populations will produce the cuticular ductules while the other will yield the three-cell secretory units or organules. In the second phase which lasts 2 days, the three cells of each organule become wrapped around one another and then the innermost puts out a pseudocilium and retracts within the next ensheathing cell. In the third phase which lasts 4 days, the cuticles of the axial duct, of the efferent ductule, of the vestibule upon which the ductules converge, and of the end apparatus, are deposited. The ciliary process degenerates, and after ecdysis, the secretory cells undergo peak differentiation.", "contents": "Cytodifferentiation in the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor. III. Fine structure of the spermathecal accessory gland in the pupa. To establish indices for studying the hormonal control of differentiation of the accessory reproductive glands of insects, the ultrastructural development of the spermathecal accessory gland (SAG) of female mealworm beetles has been analyzed. Over the 9 days between adult and pupal ecdysis, the SAG transforms from a stubby sac of columnar epithelium into an elongate cylindrical gland, lined with cuticle, and containing several distinct types of differentiated cells. The first phase of pupal differentiation is one of cell division and overall gland morphogenesis which lasts 3--4 days; at its close, two populations of cells can be distinguished. One of these populations will produce the cuticular ductules while the other will yield the three-cell secretory units or organules. In the second phase which lasts 2 days, the three cells of each organule become wrapped around one another and then the innermost puts out a pseudocilium and retracts within the next ensheathing cell. In the third phase which lasts 4 days, the cuticles of the axial duct, of the efferent ductule, of the vestibule upon which the ductules converge, and of the end apparatus, are deposited. The ciliary process degenerates, and after ecdysis, the secretory cells undergo peak differentiation.", "PMID": 610008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_95", "title": "Gill receptor arrays in the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).", "content": "The branchial warts on the endopodites of the gills are covered with goblet-shaped cuticular appendages, whose internal structure shows them to be chemoreceptors. The innervated goblets have a cuticular tubule that connects an external pore through their hollow interior with the epidermal sensillum. Associated sensory neurons give rise to small axons that pass through a synaptic plexus below the epidermis. The sense organs seem specialized for sampling the exhalent water current.", "contents": "Gill receptor arrays in the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus). The branchial warts on the endopodites of the gills are covered with goblet-shaped cuticular appendages, whose internal structure shows them to be chemoreceptors. The innervated goblets have a cuticular tubule that connects an external pore through their hollow interior with the epidermal sensillum. Associated sensory neurons give rise to small axons that pass through a synaptic plexus below the epidermis. The sense organs seem specialized for sampling the exhalent water current.", "PMID": 610009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_96", "title": "Geographical pathology of cancer of the uterine cervix.", "content": "The availability of age-standardized cancer incidences for different parts of the world has enabled a thorough and meaningful analysis of the geographical distribution of cancer of the uterine cervix. The high morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer reported for most European countries and North America at the beginning of this century has, in recent years, been superseded by those for Asian, African, Latin American and Caribbean countries with the provision of additional data. Striking differences in cervical cancer incidences have been observed among various ethnic groups in Africa which seem to reflect variations in the intensity of certain environmental influences. Cervix cancer is uncommon in the white population of North America and Europe with the exception of West Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Yugoslavia. In the United States, the highest incidence occurs in Puerto Rican women of New York City and the Latin population of the South. The very low incidence in Jewish women is virtually the same in New York City as in Israel. This world-wide survey has shown that poor sexual hygiene rather than lack of male circumcision per se is a more important aetiological factor in cervical cancer.", "contents": "Geographical pathology of cancer of the uterine cervix. The availability of age-standardized cancer incidences for different parts of the world has enabled a thorough and meaningful analysis of the geographical distribution of cancer of the uterine cervix. The high morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer reported for most European countries and North America at the beginning of this century has, in recent years, been superseded by those for Asian, African, Latin American and Caribbean countries with the provision of additional data. Striking differences in cervical cancer incidences have been observed among various ethnic groups in Africa which seem to reflect variations in the intensity of certain environmental influences. Cervix cancer is uncommon in the white population of North America and Europe with the exception of West Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Yugoslavia. In the United States, the highest incidence occurs in Puerto Rican women of New York City and the Latin population of the South. The very low incidence in Jewish women is virtually the same in New York City as in Israel. This world-wide survey has shown that poor sexual hygiene rather than lack of male circumcision per se is a more important aetiological factor in cervical cancer.", "PMID": 610015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_97", "title": "Oesophageal carcinoma in India. Some epidemiologic and morphologic considerations.", "content": "Oesophageal carcinoma constituted 2.39% of all malignancies, and 17.11% of gastrointestinal tract malignancies, over a period of 12 years, in Sir Sunder Lal Hospital population in Varanasi. The highest frequency occurred in the sixth decade. The male:female ratio was 2.2:1, this ratio tended to diminish with age. Out of 202 cases the middle third of the oesophagus was involved in 104, the lower third in 72 and the upper third in 26 cases. Although squamous cell carcinoma was by far the most frequent histologic type (193 cases), genuine primary oesophageal adenocarcinoma did occur in 3, and the tumour was completely anaplastic in the remaining 6 cases. The prognostic bearing of certain morphologic features has been discussed. Oesophageal carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and a common tumour in elderly Indian men and women.", "contents": "Oesophageal carcinoma in India. Some epidemiologic and morphologic considerations. Oesophageal carcinoma constituted 2.39% of all malignancies, and 17.11% of gastrointestinal tract malignancies, over a period of 12 years, in Sir Sunder Lal Hospital population in Varanasi. The highest frequency occurred in the sixth decade. The male:female ratio was 2.2:1, this ratio tended to diminish with age. Out of 202 cases the middle third of the oesophagus was involved in 104, the lower third in 72 and the upper third in 26 cases. Although squamous cell carcinoma was by far the most frequent histologic type (193 cases), genuine primary oesophageal adenocarcinoma did occur in 3, and the tumour was completely anaplastic in the remaining 6 cases. The prognostic bearing of certain morphologic features has been discussed. Oesophageal carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and a common tumour in elderly Indian men and women.", "PMID": 610016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_98", "title": "Anaemia of pregnancy in Kathmandu, Nepal. A clinical appraisal of statistical predictions of anaemia in a population.", "content": "A detailed clinical study of 151 women in the third trimester of pregnancy in Kathmandu, Nepal (altitude 1450 m), indicates a previously reported statistical approach via mass screening of a population without regard to potential haematologic abnormalities appears valid in establishing (a) the lower limit of a normal hemoglobin (Hb) level in pregnancy, (b) the approximate percent of the population which is anaemic, and (c) the distribution of anaemic values. The existing WHO criterion regarding low normal Hb levels in pregnancy was misleading when used to diagnose the most common cause of anaemia. It was found that a pregnant woman with a Hb of 9.0 g% could conceivably not be anaemic at this altitude.", "contents": "Anaemia of pregnancy in Kathmandu, Nepal. A clinical appraisal of statistical predictions of anaemia in a population. A detailed clinical study of 151 women in the third trimester of pregnancy in Kathmandu, Nepal (altitude 1450 m), indicates a previously reported statistical approach via mass screening of a population without regard to potential haematologic abnormalities appears valid in establishing (a) the lower limit of a normal hemoglobin (Hb) level in pregnancy, (b) the approximate percent of the population which is anaemic, and (c) the distribution of anaemic values. The existing WHO criterion regarding low normal Hb levels in pregnancy was misleading when used to diagnose the most common cause of anaemia. It was found that a pregnant woman with a Hb of 9.0 g% could conceivably not be anaemic at this altitude.", "PMID": 610017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_99", "title": "Anaemia in non-sickling Nigerian children around Enugu.", "content": "Severe anaemia often assumes emergency dimensions in West Africa. Previous studies in Nigeria and Ghana incriminate malaria as the main single cause of anaemia in early infancy. This prospective study was conducted to verify this for the Enugu region. The series included 50 anaemic patients aged between 4 months and 10 years admitted to the children's ward. Our results rank poor nutrition much more then malaria among the causes in children under 2 years of age. Hookworm infestation may be a more common cause in children over 2 years.", "contents": "Anaemia in non-sickling Nigerian children around Enugu. Severe anaemia often assumes emergency dimensions in West Africa. Previous studies in Nigeria and Ghana incriminate malaria as the main single cause of anaemia in early infancy. This prospective study was conducted to verify this for the Enugu region. The series included 50 anaemic patients aged between 4 months and 10 years admitted to the children's ward. Our results rank poor nutrition much more then malaria among the causes in children under 2 years of age. Hookworm infestation may be a more common cause in children over 2 years.", "PMID": 610018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_100", "title": "Blood pressure survey of Zambian primigravidae.", "content": "The systolic and diastolic blood pressures during pregnancy of 146 Zambian primigravidae between the ages of 15 and 19 were recorded. A control group consisted of non-pregnant school girls of similar ages. Upon comparison of the compiled data, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the primigravidae were found to be significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant school girls. Differences in social circumstances, body weight and the pregnancy itself may explain these results. During the third trimester of the pregnancies the systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not rise. Factors that can contribute to the prevalence of pre-eclampsia are discussed. The prevalence of pre-eclampsia in Nchelenge District, Zambia, seemed to be relatively low.", "contents": "Blood pressure survey of Zambian primigravidae. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures during pregnancy of 146 Zambian primigravidae between the ages of 15 and 19 were recorded. A control group consisted of non-pregnant school girls of similar ages. Upon comparison of the compiled data, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the primigravidae were found to be significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant school girls. Differences in social circumstances, body weight and the pregnancy itself may explain these results. During the third trimester of the pregnancies the systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not rise. Factors that can contribute to the prevalence of pre-eclampsia are discussed. The prevalence of pre-eclampsia in Nchelenge District, Zambia, seemed to be relatively low.", "PMID": 610019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_101", "title": "Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) subtypes in Uganda. A preliminary report.", "content": "Hepatitis B surface antigen positive sera for 34 African residents in Uganda were analysed for antigenic determinants and ethnic groups. Twenty four of the subjects belonged to Bantu ethnic groups and the rest to non-Bantu ethnic groups. Nineteen of the Bantu had antigenic subtype adw and only one of the non-Bantu had subtype adw. The association between subtypes and ethnic groups was found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.01). The results in this preliminary report agree with reports from West Africa of a high preponderance of hepatitis B surface antigenic subtype ayw among the non-Bantu West Africans.", "contents": "Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) subtypes in Uganda. A preliminary report. Hepatitis B surface antigen positive sera for 34 African residents in Uganda were analysed for antigenic determinants and ethnic groups. Twenty four of the subjects belonged to Bantu ethnic groups and the rest to non-Bantu ethnic groups. Nineteen of the Bantu had antigenic subtype adw and only one of the non-Bantu had subtype adw. The association between subtypes and ethnic groups was found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.01). The results in this preliminary report agree with reports from West Africa of a high preponderance of hepatitis B surface antigenic subtype ayw among the non-Bantu West Africans.", "PMID": 610020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_102", "title": "Painful ophthalmoplegia.", "content": "A syndrome of acute periorbital pain, followed by the onset of ophthalmoplegia, has, in recent years, been recognised as a distinct entity. Six patients conforming to this clinical picture are presented from Zambia, and the characteristics of the syndrome is described. Attention is drawn to the existence of the condition in Arica and to its dramatic improvement with systemic steroid treatment. Particularly in those areas with limited investigatory facilities, the use of steroids can constitute a therapeutic test.", "contents": "Painful ophthalmoplegia. A syndrome of acute periorbital pain, followed by the onset of ophthalmoplegia, has, in recent years, been recognised as a distinct entity. Six patients conforming to this clinical picture are presented from Zambia, and the characteristics of the syndrome is described. Attention is drawn to the existence of the condition in Arica and to its dramatic improvement with systemic steroid treatment. Particularly in those areas with limited investigatory facilities, the use of steroids can constitute a therapeutic test.", "PMID": 610021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_103", "title": "Protecting the Nigerian child against the common communicable diseases.", "content": "A pilot survey was done on a sample of 141 women in Lagos to find out the influence of their social, economic and educational background on the level of immunization of their children against the common childhood infections. The level of immunization was generally low, the lowest being for poliomyelitis (28%). The following factors are important for improvement in the level of immunization of the children: a reduction in the number of attendances required to a minimum, easy availability, accessibility and acceptability of health services, raising the educational level of the people and their socio-economic status, and ensuring maximum utilization of health services by health education of the people.", "contents": "Protecting the Nigerian child against the common communicable diseases. A pilot survey was done on a sample of 141 women in Lagos to find out the influence of their social, economic and educational background on the level of immunization of their children against the common childhood infections. The level of immunization was generally low, the lowest being for poliomyelitis (28%). The following factors are important for improvement in the level of immunization of the children: a reduction in the number of attendances required to a minimum, easy availability, accessibility and acceptability of health services, raising the educational level of the people and their socio-economic status, and ensuring maximum utilization of health services by health education of the people.", "PMID": 610022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_104", "title": "Evaluation of the indirect haemagglutination and intradermal tests on hydatid and nonhydatid cases.", "content": "Evaluation of the immediate intradermal (ID) test showed a direct relationship between nitrogen concentration and sensitivity. Antigens of low nitrogen concentration were less reactive but more specific. Intradermal antigens prepared from Echinococcus multilocularis can be used in Isfahan, Iran, for the diagnosis of E. granulosus in man. The ID delayed reaction was observed in a few patients who had positive immediate skin tests. Because of its high sensitivity, the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test was preferred for the serologic diagnosis of echinococcosis. Based on the results outlined in their study the IHA test appears to offer good sensitivity, and the ID, with an antigen of low nitrogen concentration, good specificity.", "contents": "Evaluation of the indirect haemagglutination and intradermal tests on hydatid and nonhydatid cases. Evaluation of the immediate intradermal (ID) test showed a direct relationship between nitrogen concentration and sensitivity. Antigens of low nitrogen concentration were less reactive but more specific. Intradermal antigens prepared from Echinococcus multilocularis can be used in Isfahan, Iran, for the diagnosis of E. granulosus in man. The ID delayed reaction was observed in a few patients who had positive immediate skin tests. Because of its high sensitivity, the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test was preferred for the serologic diagnosis of echinococcosis. Based on the results outlined in their study the IHA test appears to offer good sensitivity, and the ID, with an antigen of low nitrogen concentration, good specificity.", "PMID": 610023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_105", "title": "Haematobium schistosomiasis among seminomadic and agricultural Afar in Ethiopia.", "content": "Parasitological and malacological surveys were made in the Afar tribal area on the flood plains of the Awash River. S. haematobium--infections are most prevalent among seminomadic Afar living around the swamps and lakes in the middle part of the Awash Valley. Infection rates between 6 and 52% were found among seminomadic Afar and between 0 and 27% in agricultural groups. The highly localised distribution of vesical schistosomiasis is maintained by the distribution of the swamps, lakes and the human population and by migration patterns. On the marshy plain near Gewani significantly higher infection rates occur among Afar females than males. This is apparently due to sex differences in water contact patterns.", "contents": "Haematobium schistosomiasis among seminomadic and agricultural Afar in Ethiopia. Parasitological and malacological surveys were made in the Afar tribal area on the flood plains of the Awash River. S. haematobium--infections are most prevalent among seminomadic Afar living around the swamps and lakes in the middle part of the Awash Valley. Infection rates between 6 and 52% were found among seminomadic Afar and between 0 and 27% in agricultural groups. The highly localised distribution of vesical schistosomiasis is maintained by the distribution of the swamps, lakes and the human population and by migration patterns. On the marshy plain near Gewani significantly higher infection rates occur among Afar females than males. This is apparently due to sex differences in water contact patterns.", "PMID": 610024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_106", "title": "Mortality and other parameters of concomitant infections in albino mice: the Schistosoma-Toxoplasma model.", "content": "Inocula of S. mansoni and T. gondii well tolerated by albino mice when given singly, were given concomitantly to groups of animals. Few notable effects were observed when toxoplasmosis preceded schistosomiasis, but the S. mansoni leads to T. gondii model, with an interval of 59 days between infections, led to massive mortality, great weight loss and a striking splenomegaly. These findings are very similar to data from previous work on the S. mansoni leads to Trypanosoma cruzi model. The authors believe that other examples of such a type of potentialization should be searched for in human schistosomiasis also.", "contents": "Mortality and other parameters of concomitant infections in albino mice: the Schistosoma-Toxoplasma model. Inocula of S. mansoni and T. gondii well tolerated by albino mice when given singly, were given concomitantly to groups of animals. Few notable effects were observed when toxoplasmosis preceded schistosomiasis, but the S. mansoni leads to T. gondii model, with an interval of 59 days between infections, led to massive mortality, great weight loss and a striking splenomegaly. These findings are very similar to data from previous work on the S. mansoni leads to Trypanosoma cruzi model. The authors believe that other examples of such a type of potentialization should be searched for in human schistosomiasis also.", "PMID": 610025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_107", "title": "The predatory activity of Lebistes reticulatus (Peters, 1859) on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia in laboratory experiments.", "content": "Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the role of the guppy, Lebistes reticulatus (Peters, 1859), as an active predator on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. When five guppies were introduced into 3.5 liters of water containing 500 and 1200 miracidia on two corresponding tests, a dramatic reduction in number of miracidia was observed. In one experiment, no miracidia could be found after 60 minutes of exposure. The infection rates of vector snails, Biomphalaria glabrata, exposed to approximately 3000 miracidia in the presence of guppies were also greatly reduced. The results obtained suggest that L. reticulatus is a probable predator of S. mansoni miracidia and may, under field conditions, play an important role as a limiting or interfering factor in the transmission of S. mansoni.", "contents": "The predatory activity of Lebistes reticulatus (Peters, 1859) on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia in laboratory experiments. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the role of the guppy, Lebistes reticulatus (Peters, 1859), as an active predator on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. When five guppies were introduced into 3.5 liters of water containing 500 and 1200 miracidia on two corresponding tests, a dramatic reduction in number of miracidia was observed. In one experiment, no miracidia could be found after 60 minutes of exposure. The infection rates of vector snails, Biomphalaria glabrata, exposed to approximately 3000 miracidia in the presence of guppies were also greatly reduced. The results obtained suggest that L. reticulatus is a probable predator of S. mansoni miracidia and may, under field conditions, play an important role as a limiting or interfering factor in the transmission of S. mansoni.", "PMID": 610026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_108", "title": "The prevalence of hookworm and of S. haematobium in rural Zambia.", "content": "The prevalence of hookworm and of S. haematobium in a representative sample of the rural population of seven provinces of Zambia was assessed during a National Nutrition Status Survey. A total of 7212 people of all age and sex groups were examined for hookworm, of whom 4920 (68%) provided a stool sample and of these 48.6% were positive. Regional figures ranged between 11.4% and 77.1%. No differentiation between species of hookworm was attempted nor was it possible to assess the worm load of the individuals surveyed. Hookworm is highly endemic within the rural areas and this is discussed in relation to its known effects on the general health of the population studied during the survey, and the impact of hookworm infestation on morbidity.", "contents": "The prevalence of hookworm and of S. haematobium in rural Zambia. The prevalence of hookworm and of S. haematobium in a representative sample of the rural population of seven provinces of Zambia was assessed during a National Nutrition Status Survey. A total of 7212 people of all age and sex groups were examined for hookworm, of whom 4920 (68%) provided a stool sample and of these 48.6% were positive. Regional figures ranged between 11.4% and 77.1%. No differentiation between species of hookworm was attempted nor was it possible to assess the worm load of the individuals surveyed. Hookworm is highly endemic within the rural areas and this is discussed in relation to its known effects on the general health of the population studied during the survey, and the impact of hookworm infestation on morbidity.", "PMID": 610027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_109", "title": "Beetle-eating: a Malaysia folk medical practice and its public health implications.", "content": "A reported practice of live beetle ingestion in Southeast Asia was investigated among urban Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results of four casefindings are: (1) this practice may not be confined to West Malaysia, (2) it occurs among Chinese and Malays, (3) the original use of the beetles as an aphrodisiac has been modified to include treatment of a wide variety of ailments and diseases and (4) the practice is relatively uncommon among urban Chinese. It was also found through experimental studies that ingestion of the live beetles (Palembus dermestoides) represented a potential public health hazard in that the beetles were able to serve as a host for the human-infecting tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta (Sullivan et al., 1977).", "contents": "Beetle-eating: a Malaysia folk medical practice and its public health implications. A reported practice of live beetle ingestion in Southeast Asia was investigated among urban Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results of four casefindings are: (1) this practice may not be confined to West Malaysia, (2) it occurs among Chinese and Malays, (3) the original use of the beetles as an aphrodisiac has been modified to include treatment of a wide variety of ailments and diseases and (4) the practice is relatively uncommon among urban Chinese. It was also found through experimental studies that ingestion of the live beetles (Palembus dermestoides) represented a potential public health hazard in that the beetles were able to serve as a host for the human-infecting tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta (Sullivan et al., 1977).", "PMID": 610028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_110", "title": "Agents affecting health of mother and child in a rural area of Kenya. III. The epidemiology of measles.", "content": "Between April 1974 and March 1976 surveillance of measles has been conducted by 12 fieldworkers making fortnightly home visits among a total population of 24,000 living in nearly 4000 households scattered in variable density throughout an area of 87 sq km in the northern division of the Machakos district, Kenya. The diagnosis of measles was verified by one of the project's physicians according to standardized procedures and was, whenever possible, supported by virus isolation and serum antibody level determination. Because not all reported patients were actually seen during the period of clinical manifestations, the diagnosis remained doubtful in a number of cases. Incidence and mortality figures have been estimated with 95% confidence limits based on the assumption that doubtful cases represent a probability of measles of .33 and probable cases a probability of .67. The estimated attack rate for the susceptible population 0-15 years of age was 13.5%. When related to all children--susceptible or not--the attack rate was highest in the 1-2 years age group (11%). Almost 15% of cases occurred below the age of one year, 1% below 6 months of age and 6% between 6 and 8 months. The estimated case fatality rate was 6.5%, fatality being highest between 1 and 2 years of age. For the age group 0-15 years measles accounted for 16.7% of all deaths. The estimated death rate per 100,000 total population was 113. The epidemiological pattern of measles suggests continuous re-introduction of the measles virus in a dispersed population causing micro-outbreaks of the disease in geographically widely separated spots throughout the year which tends to keep the proportion of susceptibles down and the attack rate during a protracted epidemic relatively low.", "contents": "Agents affecting health of mother and child in a rural area of Kenya. III. The epidemiology of measles. Between April 1974 and March 1976 surveillance of measles has been conducted by 12 fieldworkers making fortnightly home visits among a total population of 24,000 living in nearly 4000 households scattered in variable density throughout an area of 87 sq km in the northern division of the Machakos district, Kenya. The diagnosis of measles was verified by one of the project's physicians according to standardized procedures and was, whenever possible, supported by virus isolation and serum antibody level determination. Because not all reported patients were actually seen during the period of clinical manifestations, the diagnosis remained doubtful in a number of cases. Incidence and mortality figures have been estimated with 95% confidence limits based on the assumption that doubtful cases represent a probability of measles of .33 and probable cases a probability of .67. The estimated attack rate for the susceptible population 0-15 years of age was 13.5%. When related to all children--susceptible or not--the attack rate was highest in the 1-2 years age group (11%). Almost 15% of cases occurred below the age of one year, 1% below 6 months of age and 6% between 6 and 8 months. The estimated case fatality rate was 6.5%, fatality being highest between 1 and 2 years of age. For the age group 0-15 years measles accounted for 16.7% of all deaths. The estimated death rate per 100,000 total population was 113. The epidemiological pattern of measles suggests continuous re-introduction of the measles virus in a dispersed population causing micro-outbreaks of the disease in geographically widely separated spots throughout the year which tends to keep the proportion of susceptibles down and the attack rate during a protracted epidemic relatively low.", "PMID": 610029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_111", "title": "Providing maternal and child care in rural Malaysia.", "content": "Since Independence, gained in 1957, major changes have occurred in the rural areas of Malaysia not least amongst which has been the provision of maternal and child care services to hitherto neglected areas. In the first part of this paper, the demographic and disease patterns are described. The second part outlines the general development efforts and describes in greater detail the rural health services that have been organized in Malaysia. In the concluding section, changes in mortality and morbidity are examined.", "contents": "Providing maternal and child care in rural Malaysia. Since Independence, gained in 1957, major changes have occurred in the rural areas of Malaysia not least amongst which has been the provision of maternal and child care services to hitherto neglected areas. In the first part of this paper, the demographic and disease patterns are described. The second part outlines the general development efforts and describes in greater detail the rural health services that have been organized in Malaysia. In the concluding section, changes in mortality and morbidity are examined.", "PMID": 610030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_112", "title": "Simplified Technique for Ureteroneocystostomy: A modification of Politano-Leadbetter operation.", "content": "The Politano and Leadbetter antireflux ureteroneocystostomy is the most accepted method for ureteral reimplantation. A modification of this procedure is suggested. The main differences are the way the submucosal tunnel is prepared, the resection and spatulating of the terminal ureter and a new concept of suturing the ureter to the bladder mucosa.", "contents": "Simplified Technique for Ureteroneocystostomy: A modification of Politano-Leadbetter operation. The Politano and Leadbetter antireflux ureteroneocystostomy is the most accepted method for ureteral reimplantation. A modification of this procedure is suggested. The main differences are the way the submucosal tunnel is prepared, the resection and spatulating of the terminal ureter and a new concept of suturing the ureter to the bladder mucosa.", "PMID": 610031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_113", "title": "[Occurrence of fetorenal antigens in renal adenocarcinoma].", "content": "An antigen sharing common antigenic determinants with Australia-Antigen was found in the renal excretory ducts of human fetuses. Moreover, in the sera from patients suffering from kidney tumours, antibodies against Australia-Antigens should be found. This has not been proven by us, nor has the presence of this kind of fetorenal antigen in the tissues of 25 renal carcinomas been found using a very sensitive radioimmunoassay. Therefore, the search for an Australia-Antigen-like antibody or antigen cannot be used as a tumour test nor has the theory of the carcinogenesis yet been questioned.", "contents": "[Occurrence of fetorenal antigens in renal adenocarcinoma]. An antigen sharing common antigenic determinants with Australia-Antigen was found in the renal excretory ducts of human fetuses. Moreover, in the sera from patients suffering from kidney tumours, antibodies against Australia-Antigens should be found. This has not been proven by us, nor has the presence of this kind of fetorenal antigen in the tissues of 25 renal carcinomas been found using a very sensitive radioimmunoassay. Therefore, the search for an Australia-Antigen-like antibody or antigen cannot be used as a tumour test nor has the theory of the carcinogenesis yet been questioned.", "PMID": 610032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_114", "title": "Flavoxate hydrochloride in the treatment of detrusor instability.", "content": "42 patients with 'unstable bladder' were treated with flavoxate hydrochloride. A previous treatment with parasympathicolytic drugs (propantheline bromide and/or emepronium bromide) was unsuccessful. The instability of the detrusor was proven by a urodynamical investigation. Flavoxate hydrochloride is a papaverine-like smooth muscle relaxant. The results and the complications of the treatment are discussed.", "contents": "Flavoxate hydrochloride in the treatment of detrusor instability. 42 patients with 'unstable bladder' were treated with flavoxate hydrochloride. A previous treatment with parasympathicolytic drugs (propantheline bromide and/or emepronium bromide) was unsuccessful. The instability of the detrusor was proven by a urodynamical investigation. Flavoxate hydrochloride is a papaverine-like smooth muscle relaxant. The results and the complications of the treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 610033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_115", "title": "Alterations of serum lactic dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme V fraction levels following hyperglycemic condition in patients with geitourinary neoplasms.", "content": "In patients with various genitourinary neoplasms, except in those with untreated bladder carcinoma, changes of SLDH and SLDH-V fraction levels owing to hyperglycemic conditions were statistically not significant to the pretreatment levels. In patients with untreated bladder carcinoma, the levels after 48 h were statistically significantly lower than the pretreatment levels. However, these decreases disappeared after radical treatment. In patients having abnormally high pretreatment levels, the frequency of cases which decreased to more than 20% of their pretreatment levels was 47% for SLDH and 60% for SLDH-V. This test was useful not only as a diagnostic tool, but also as a means of predicting therapeutic results.", "contents": "Alterations of serum lactic dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme V fraction levels following hyperglycemic condition in patients with geitourinary neoplasms. In patients with various genitourinary neoplasms, except in those with untreated bladder carcinoma, changes of SLDH and SLDH-V fraction levels owing to hyperglycemic conditions were statistically not significant to the pretreatment levels. In patients with untreated bladder carcinoma, the levels after 48 h were statistically significantly lower than the pretreatment levels. However, these decreases disappeared after radical treatment. In patients having abnormally high pretreatment levels, the frequency of cases which decreased to more than 20% of their pretreatment levels was 47% for SLDH and 60% for SLDH-V. This test was useful not only as a diagnostic tool, but also as a means of predicting therapeutic results.", "PMID": 610034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_116", "title": "Mucosal sensory threshold of urinary bladder and urethra measured electrically.", "content": "Urodynamic investigation consists of evaluation of detrusor stretch responses, muscle strength and motor activities. The electrosensitivity test is the only method to evaluate mucosal sensory threshold of exteroceptive receptors in urinary bladder and posterior urethra thus checking integrity of sensory reflex arcs. A constant current square wave pulse of 0.5 msec duration and 10 msec interval is used with increasing amplitude from 0 to 25 mA until the patient registers sensation. Skin electrosensitivity is tested to start with, then perception threshold of urinary bladder and posterior urethra is recorded. Sensory deficits after segmental sacral nerve lesions or after peripheral nerve injuries postoperatively can be quantitated in terms of milliamperes. The urgency syndrome in adult women is characterized by a low perception threshold in the posterior urethra (below 1 mA) while the bladder electrosensitivity is within normal range (3--10 mA).", "contents": "Mucosal sensory threshold of urinary bladder and urethra measured electrically. Urodynamic investigation consists of evaluation of detrusor stretch responses, muscle strength and motor activities. The electrosensitivity test is the only method to evaluate mucosal sensory threshold of exteroceptive receptors in urinary bladder and posterior urethra thus checking integrity of sensory reflex arcs. A constant current square wave pulse of 0.5 msec duration and 10 msec interval is used with increasing amplitude from 0 to 25 mA until the patient registers sensation. Skin electrosensitivity is tested to start with, then perception threshold of urinary bladder and posterior urethra is recorded. Sensory deficits after segmental sacral nerve lesions or after peripheral nerve injuries postoperatively can be quantitated in terms of milliamperes. The urgency syndrome in adult women is characterized by a low perception threshold in the posterior urethra (below 1 mA) while the bladder electrosensitivity is within normal range (3--10 mA).", "PMID": 610035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_117", "title": "[Thawing of bovine seminal fluid].", "content": "Comparative experiments were carried out at 39 degrees C and at 70 degrees C in water bath for the thawing of seminal fluid frozen in straws. The motility of spermatozoa was followed up as well as the absolute survival rate after thawing. By means of a thermocuple the temperature rise was traced as occurring in independence on the weather. The results spoke in favour of the regime at 70 degrees C for 7 sec. They were statistically significant (p less than 0.001). At 39 degrees C motility of spermatozoa was 36.26 per cent, and the absolute value of survival rate--353.85 min. (at 70 degrees C--45.47 per cent, and 376.85 min respectively). It is suggested to use the regime at 70 degrees C in an automatic apparatus, which is now being tested by the author.", "contents": "[Thawing of bovine seminal fluid]. Comparative experiments were carried out at 39 degrees C and at 70 degrees C in water bath for the thawing of seminal fluid frozen in straws. The motility of spermatozoa was followed up as well as the absolute survival rate after thawing. By means of a thermocuple the temperature rise was traced as occurring in independence on the weather. The results spoke in favour of the regime at 70 degrees C for 7 sec. They were statistically significant (p less than 0.001). At 39 degrees C motility of spermatozoa was 36.26 per cent, and the absolute value of survival rate--353.85 min. (at 70 degrees C--45.47 per cent, and 376.85 min respectively). It is suggested to use the regime at 70 degrees C in an automatic apparatus, which is now being tested by the author.", "PMID": 610040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_118", "title": "[Differentiation of non-specific positive brucellosis reactions using an antigen stained with rose bengal].", "content": "A Brucella buffered antigen, stained with Bengal rose by a method of the authors, was obtained. It showed a high distinguishing capacity with regard to the nonspecific agglutinations after Huddleson and Wright at a negative complement-fixation test for brucellosis with sera from cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. Such differentiation, however, proved to be incomplete and for sera of different animals varied within the range of 34 to 0.0 per cent.", "contents": "[Differentiation of non-specific positive brucellosis reactions using an antigen stained with rose bengal]. A Brucella buffered antigen, stained with Bengal rose by a method of the authors, was obtained. It showed a high distinguishing capacity with regard to the nonspecific agglutinations after Huddleson and Wright at a negative complement-fixation test for brucellosis with sera from cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. Such differentiation, however, proved to be incomplete and for sera of different animals varied within the range of 34 to 0.0 per cent.", "PMID": 610041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_119", "title": "[Isolation of R-phase strains of S. senftenberg form fish meal].", "content": "Studied are being a total of 40 strains of S. senftenberg, which at the time of isolation proved to be in R-phase z43, with an antigenic formula 3,19:z43:--. Splitting of the normal S-phase gst is possible at reseeding the cultures from 5 to 10 times in semisolid 0.7 per cent agar, adding no H-antiserum. This is essential for all diagnostic laboratories as not all of them have at their disposal a monofactor antiserum z43 (the production of which is rather difficult and expensive) for inhibiting the respective R-phase.", "contents": "[Isolation of R-phase strains of S. senftenberg form fish meal]. Studied are being a total of 40 strains of S. senftenberg, which at the time of isolation proved to be in R-phase z43, with an antigenic formula 3,19:z43:--. Splitting of the normal S-phase gst is possible at reseeding the cultures from 5 to 10 times in semisolid 0.7 per cent agar, adding no H-antiserum. This is essential for all diagnostic laboratories as not all of them have at their disposal a monofactor antiserum z43 (the production of which is rather difficult and expensive) for inhibiting the respective R-phase.", "PMID": 610042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_120", "title": "[Veterinary health examination of the microclimate of the cow complex in the Vidin district].", "content": "Studied was the dynamics of the microclimate at the cow complexes in the district of Vidin, where cows are raised of the Dutch Black Pied, Bulgarian Simmental, and Bulgarian Red cattle breeds. The temperature and relative humidity dynamics of the air was followed up as well as the values of ammonia gas and carbon dioxide, the microbial contamination, the coefficient of natural illumination, and the level of noise. The effectiveness of the ventilation system was assessed by direct and indirect criteria as suggested by the authors. The veterinary and sanitary evaluation by individual elements of the microclimate is carried out on the basis of normative documents in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, USSR, and GDR.", "contents": "[Veterinary health examination of the microclimate of the cow complex in the Vidin district]. Studied was the dynamics of the microclimate at the cow complexes in the district of Vidin, where cows are raised of the Dutch Black Pied, Bulgarian Simmental, and Bulgarian Red cattle breeds. The temperature and relative humidity dynamics of the air was followed up as well as the values of ammonia gas and carbon dioxide, the microbial contamination, the coefficient of natural illumination, and the level of noise. The effectiveness of the ventilation system was assessed by direct and indirect criteria as suggested by the authors. The veterinary and sanitary evaluation by individual elements of the microclimate is carried out on the basis of normative documents in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, USSR, and GDR.", "PMID": 610043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_121", "title": "[Effect of the temperature-humidity regime during broiler raising on serum proteins and amino acids].", "content": "The study on the effect of the temperature and moisture regime on the serum proteins and amino acids in broiler chickens has revealed that under the conditions of relatively lower temperatures and higher relative moisture levels the total protein, the albumin, and the gamma-globulin fraction show higher contents. Noticeable are also some changes in the content of the bound amino acids (tyrosin, alfa- and beta-alanine, aspartic acid, and glycin) in the blood sera that are likewise depending on the temperature and moisture regime. The total amount of amino acids and the free forms of arginine and lysine are at higher levels in the broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent. With the remaining free and bound amino acids in the blood serum there are no differences in broilers raised at various temperature and moisture regimes. The body weight of broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent is higher, while the consumption of forage for kilogram weight gain is lower as compared to that with birds raised at higher temperature and lower relative humidity (35--45 and 50 per cent).", "contents": "[Effect of the temperature-humidity regime during broiler raising on serum proteins and amino acids]. The study on the effect of the temperature and moisture regime on the serum proteins and amino acids in broiler chickens has revealed that under the conditions of relatively lower temperatures and higher relative moisture levels the total protein, the albumin, and the gamma-globulin fraction show higher contents. Noticeable are also some changes in the content of the bound amino acids (tyrosin, alfa- and beta-alanine, aspartic acid, and glycin) in the blood sera that are likewise depending on the temperature and moisture regime. The total amount of amino acids and the free forms of arginine and lysine are at higher levels in the broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent. With the remaining free and bound amino acids in the blood serum there are no differences in broilers raised at various temperature and moisture regimes. The body weight of broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent is higher, while the consumption of forage for kilogram weight gain is lower as compared to that with birds raised at higher temperature and lower relative humidity (35--45 and 50 per cent).", "PMID": 610044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_122", "title": "[Absorption and retention of ampicillin in calves and sheep].", "content": "Ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate were used in the experiments as an active substance at the rate of 800 IU/mg. Ampicillin-sodium was applied in the form of 5 per cent solution, and ampicillin-trihydrate--in the form of a 5 per cent water suspension prepared extempore prior to their administration. Both forms of ampicillin were used once, muscularly, at rates of 0.01 and 0.025 g/kg body weight with calves and sheep. The results of these comparative studies showed that the levels of the serum concentrations of ampicillin and the time of their deposition in both species of animals correlated with the dose, the chemical composition, and the species of animal. The period of retaining the antibiotic in the blood varied in calves and in sheep. Parallel to these studies the excretion of ampicillin from the body was also followed up--in the ewes' milk at muscular administration, rated 0.025 g/kg body weight. It was found that ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate quickly penetrate in the udder, and are observed in the milk at the 30th minute (0.25 microgram--0.38 microgram/cm3).", "contents": "[Absorption and retention of ampicillin in calves and sheep]. Ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate were used in the experiments as an active substance at the rate of 800 IU/mg. Ampicillin-sodium was applied in the form of 5 per cent solution, and ampicillin-trihydrate--in the form of a 5 per cent water suspension prepared extempore prior to their administration. Both forms of ampicillin were used once, muscularly, at rates of 0.01 and 0.025 g/kg body weight with calves and sheep. The results of these comparative studies showed that the levels of the serum concentrations of ampicillin and the time of their deposition in both species of animals correlated with the dose, the chemical composition, and the species of animal. The period of retaining the antibiotic in the blood varied in calves and in sheep. Parallel to these studies the excretion of ampicillin from the body was also followed up--in the ewes' milk at muscular administration, rated 0.025 g/kg body weight. It was found that ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate quickly penetrate in the udder, and are observed in the milk at the 30th minute (0.25 microgram--0.38 microgram/cm3).", "PMID": 610045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_123", "title": "[Effect of the preparation hydroprot on immunogenesis in birds with Newcastle disease].", "content": "Investigations were carried out on the immunogenesis and the serum-protein profile in the treatment of broilers with the protein hydrolysate Hydroprot as well as with Newcastle disease vaccine. The treatment with Hydroprot led to a lower average geometric titer of antibodies--6.4 on the 14th, 6.9 on the 24th, and 6.6 on the 39th day following immunization. Characteristic changes in the serum-protein profile were established--decrease in the total serum-protein, increase in the globulins and particularly in the fractions the peak level of which corresponded to the period of most strongly expressed immunity. The results obtained were associated with the involvement of amino acid synthesis in the immunologic process. They showed that under the effect of the preparation applied there set in enhanced immunogenesis as an expression of changed immune responsiveness.", "contents": "[Effect of the preparation hydroprot on immunogenesis in birds with Newcastle disease]. Investigations were carried out on the immunogenesis and the serum-protein profile in the treatment of broilers with the protein hydrolysate Hydroprot as well as with Newcastle disease vaccine. The treatment with Hydroprot led to a lower average geometric titer of antibodies--6.4 on the 14th, 6.9 on the 24th, and 6.6 on the 39th day following immunization. Characteristic changes in the serum-protein profile were established--decrease in the total serum-protein, increase in the globulins and particularly in the fractions the peak level of which corresponded to the period of most strongly expressed immunity. The results obtained were associated with the involvement of amino acid synthesis in the immunologic process. They showed that under the effect of the preparation applied there set in enhanced immunogenesis as an expression of changed immune responsiveness.", "PMID": 610046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_124", "title": "[Plaque activity of vaccinal and epizootic Newcastle virus].", "content": "The plaque technique is applied to the type differentiation of the Newcastle disease viruses, 0.5 per cent agarose being used as a nutritive overlayer. The epizootic Newcastle disease strains are characterized by a heterogenic plaque population in which the large plaques are prevalent, averaging 3--4 mm, with an irregular round form, an unclearly delineated diffuse edge, and a red center. The vaccinal strains (B1 and K) yield a homogeneous small-plaque population, the plaques themselves being 1--2 mm large, with a regular round shape, a well delineated edge, and a bright center.", "contents": "[Plaque activity of vaccinal and epizootic Newcastle virus]. The plaque technique is applied to the type differentiation of the Newcastle disease viruses, 0.5 per cent agarose being used as a nutritive overlayer. The epizootic Newcastle disease strains are characterized by a heterogenic plaque population in which the large plaques are prevalent, averaging 3--4 mm, with an irregular round form, an unclearly delineated diffuse edge, and a red center. The vaccinal strains (B1 and K) yield a homogeneous small-plaque population, the plaques themselves being 1--2 mm large, with a regular round shape, a well delineated edge, and a bright center.", "PMID": 610047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_125", "title": "Hepatic disposition of tilorone hydrochloride in the rat.", "content": "1. The hepatic disposition of tilorone HCl, an antiviral and antitumour agent, was studied in male Wistar rats after intraduodenal administration. 2. A concentrative transfer into the liver occurred, the liver/portal blood concentration ratio being 120 or higher. The relationship between dose and hepatic concentration was linear. 3. Biliary excretion of tilorone was low and dose-related; whole blood concentration was also dose-related. 4. Neither hepatic concentration nor biliary excretion exhibited saturation over the dosage studied (6--174 mg/kg). The hepatic 'depot' of tilorone lacked the characteristics of a true 'first-pass' effect.", "contents": "Hepatic disposition of tilorone hydrochloride in the rat. 1. The hepatic disposition of tilorone HCl, an antiviral and antitumour agent, was studied in male Wistar rats after intraduodenal administration. 2. A concentrative transfer into the liver occurred, the liver/portal blood concentration ratio being 120 or higher. The relationship between dose and hepatic concentration was linear. 3. Biliary excretion of tilorone was low and dose-related; whole blood concentration was also dose-related. 4. Neither hepatic concentration nor biliary excretion exhibited saturation over the dosage studied (6--174 mg/kg). The hepatic 'depot' of tilorone lacked the characteristics of a true 'first-pass' effect.", "PMID": 610051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_126", "title": "The metabolic fate of prazosin.", "content": "1. [2-14C]Prazosin is rapidly distributed into tissues of the dog including heart, lung and vascular tissues. 2. Urinary excretion by rats and dogs is low, biliary secretion being the major route of elimination. 3. Biotransformation of prazosin in the rat and dog occurs primarily by 6- or 7-O-dealkylation and subsequent glucuronide formation, and to a lesser extent via N-dealkylation. 4. Preliminary metabolic studies in man indicate a pattern of metabolites similar to that observed in dogs and rats.", "contents": "The metabolic fate of prazosin. 1. [2-14C]Prazosin is rapidly distributed into tissues of the dog including heart, lung and vascular tissues. 2. Urinary excretion by rats and dogs is low, biliary secretion being the major route of elimination. 3. Biotransformation of prazosin in the rat and dog occurs primarily by 6- or 7-O-dealkylation and subsequent glucuronide formation, and to a lesser extent via N-dealkylation. 4. Preliminary metabolic studies in man indicate a pattern of metabolites similar to that observed in dogs and rats.", "PMID": 610052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_127", "title": "Cyclic metabolites of etidocaine in humans.", "content": "1. Three cyclic metabolites of etidocaine excreted in urine of man have been investigated by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 2. These metabolites have been identified as 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-ethyl-2-imidazolin-5-one and 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-diethyl-2-imidazoline-5-one. 3. Formation in vivo of two of the metabolites is proposed to proceed via carbinolamine intermediates.", "contents": "Cyclic metabolites of etidocaine in humans. 1. Three cyclic metabolites of etidocaine excreted in urine of man have been investigated by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 2. These metabolites have been identified as 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-ethyl-2-imidazolin-5-one and 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-diethyl-2-imidazoline-5-one. 3. Formation in vivo of two of the metabolites is proposed to proceed via carbinolamine intermediates.", "PMID": 610053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_128", "title": "Reduction of levopropoxyphene N-oxide to propoxyphene by dogs in vivo and rat liver microsomal fraction in vitro.", "content": "1. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given orally to dogs, reduction occurred in vivo resulting in substantial plasma levels of l-propoxyphene. 2. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given intravenously, near peak plasma levels of propoxyphene occurred in 10 minutes. This suggests that reduction is occurring at least in part in mammalian tissue rather than in gut flora. 3. Levopropoxyphene oxide was also readily reduced anaerobically in a rat liver microsomal fraction. 4. Results from this study explain our early observation that while l-propoxyphene-N-oxide is demethylated in vivo, demethylation does not occur in vitro when the oxide is incubated in air with liver homogenate. Thus demethylation of the oxide can occur only after reduction of the oxide to the tertiary amine. While reduction occurs readily in vivo it is completely inhibited by oxygen present in the usual microsomal incubation. 5. These studies further confirm that the N-oxide is not an intermediate in the demethylation of propoxyphene.", "contents": "Reduction of levopropoxyphene N-oxide to propoxyphene by dogs in vivo and rat liver microsomal fraction in vitro. 1. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given orally to dogs, reduction occurred in vivo resulting in substantial plasma levels of l-propoxyphene. 2. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given intravenously, near peak plasma levels of propoxyphene occurred in 10 minutes. This suggests that reduction is occurring at least in part in mammalian tissue rather than in gut flora. 3. Levopropoxyphene oxide was also readily reduced anaerobically in a rat liver microsomal fraction. 4. Results from this study explain our early observation that while l-propoxyphene-N-oxide is demethylated in vivo, demethylation does not occur in vitro when the oxide is incubated in air with liver homogenate. Thus demethylation of the oxide can occur only after reduction of the oxide to the tertiary amine. While reduction occurs readily in vivo it is completely inhibited by oxygen present in the usual microsomal incubation. 5. These studies further confirm that the N-oxide is not an intermediate in the demethylation of propoxyphene.", "PMID": 610054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_129", "title": "The failure of the 1976 swine influenza immunization program.", "content": "The program to immunize 210 million Americans against swine flu failed. It set back the Federal government's relations with state health agencies, private physicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the insurance industry. It increased mistrust of immunization programs and of government health programs in general.The well-intentioned plan had far-reaching consequences because its scope and the speed with which it was implemented were overreactions to the threat. Its size magnified every one of its faults, legal, medical and political. Organizational and scientific capacity were less than expected. Local health agencies could not administer the program with the inadequate funds from HEW and pharmaceutical companies could not produce a safe, effective children's vaccine.Because of the urgency given the program, Congress neglected the opposition of consumer advocates and state health officials, and did not spend time trying to include immunization against childhood disease in the swine flu program.The failure illustrates the dangers of hasty decisions, of considering only direct medical costs and benefits and not social and political effects on health policy, of launching a public health program whose scientific basis is weak and whose administrative requirements are untested.", "contents": "The failure of the 1976 swine influenza immunization program. The program to immunize 210 million Americans against swine flu failed. It set back the Federal government's relations with state health agencies, private physicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the insurance industry. It increased mistrust of immunization programs and of government health programs in general.The well-intentioned plan had far-reaching consequences because its scope and the speed with which it was implemented were overreactions to the threat. Its size magnified every one of its faults, legal, medical and political. Organizational and scientific capacity were less than expected. Local health agencies could not administer the program with the inadequate funds from HEW and pharmaceutical companies could not produce a safe, effective children's vaccine.Because of the urgency given the program, Congress neglected the opposition of consumer advocates and state health officials, and did not spend time trying to include immunization against childhood disease in the swine flu program.The failure illustrates the dangers of hasty decisions, of considering only direct medical costs and benefits and not social and political effects on health policy, of launching a public health program whose scientific basis is weak and whose administrative requirements are untested.", "PMID": 610056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_130", "title": "Effect of a new fluorochrome on pre- and post-UV treatment of Taphrina maculans Butler.", "content": "Taphrin maculans BUTLER incites leaf spots disease in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants. The pathogen forms two types of colonies namely, salmon-red and and creamy-white in the artificial medium when isolated from a single infection spot. Both strains resemble yeasts in morphology. The two strains were subjected to UV irradiation. The salmon-red one showed higher resistance to UV than the white one, presumably due to the presence of a red pigment in the former. When spores of the salmon-red strain were pre-treated with a new fluorochrome HOECHST 33258 the survival decreased. Decreased survival of the salmon-red strain was also observed during post-treatment which is probably due to the combined effect of UV and dye. The creamy-white strain differs from the salmon-red one in UV sensitivity, and also during combined treatment with UV and dye. During pre-treatment the organism shows more survival than during post-treatment with the fluorochrome. This differential response is discussed in the light of repair mechanisms involved in the organism.", "contents": "Effect of a new fluorochrome on pre- and post-UV treatment of Taphrina maculans Butler. Taphrin maculans BUTLER incites leaf spots disease in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants. The pathogen forms two types of colonies namely, salmon-red and and creamy-white in the artificial medium when isolated from a single infection spot. Both strains resemble yeasts in morphology. The two strains were subjected to UV irradiation. The salmon-red one showed higher resistance to UV than the white one, presumably due to the presence of a red pigment in the former. When spores of the salmon-red strain were pre-treated with a new fluorochrome HOECHST 33258 the survival decreased. Decreased survival of the salmon-red strain was also observed during post-treatment which is probably due to the combined effect of UV and dye. The creamy-white strain differs from the salmon-red one in UV sensitivity, and also during combined treatment with UV and dye. During pre-treatment the organism shows more survival than during post-treatment with the fluorochrome. This differential response is discussed in the light of repair mechanisms involved in the organism.", "PMID": 610063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_131", "title": "Growth on an arteriovenous malformation: a case report.", "content": "A case of an intracerebral arteriovenous malformation that grew is presented. On the initial arteriogram only one early filling vein was seen in the region where a large arteriovenous malformation was present eight years later. The patient's headaches were relieved by antihypertensive medications. The authors speculate that distension of the AVM caused the headaches.", "contents": "Growth on an arteriovenous malformation: a case report. A case of an intracerebral arteriovenous malformation that grew is presented. On the initial arteriogram only one early filling vein was seen in the region where a large arteriovenous malformation was present eight years later. The patient's headaches were relieved by antihypertensive medications. The authors speculate that distension of the AVM caused the headaches.", "PMID": 610058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_132", "title": "[Uptake of zinc by synchronous cells of Chlorella fusca].", "content": "The uptake of labelled zinc into the interior of synchronous Chlorella fusca was measured at 30 degrees C in minimal and optimal conditions (dark/nitrogen or light/air, respectively). No saturation with Zn was reached during 10 hours. Uptake strongly depended on the stage of the cells during the development cycle. The rates of uptake per unit cell number, per unit cell volume and also per unit cell surface, reach maxima be forecell division, and thereafter strongly decrease. Clearly the transport system is built up during cell growth. The similarity of the dependence of the rates of uptake in minimal and optimal conditions on the stage of development suggests identity of the transport systems.", "contents": "[Uptake of zinc by synchronous cells of Chlorella fusca]. The uptake of labelled zinc into the interior of synchronous Chlorella fusca was measured at 30 degrees C in minimal and optimal conditions (dark/nitrogen or light/air, respectively). No saturation with Zn was reached during 10 hours. Uptake strongly depended on the stage of the cells during the development cycle. The rates of uptake per unit cell number, per unit cell volume and also per unit cell surface, reach maxima be forecell division, and thereafter strongly decrease. Clearly the transport system is built up during cell growth. The similarity of the dependence of the rates of uptake in minimal and optimal conditions on the stage of development suggests identity of the transport systems.", "PMID": 610064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_133", "title": "Pulmonary granulomas in a patient on MER therapy.", "content": "A patient with metastatic melanoma developed symmetric miliary infiltrates of the lungs while receiving injections of MER into tumor containing lymph nodes of the groin. Open lung biopsy identified the pulmonary lesions as caseating epithelioid granulomas. After cessation of MER therapy, the pulmonary lesions regressed spontaneously. The possible etiology of this so-far-unreported complication of MER therapy was briefly discussed.", "contents": "Pulmonary granulomas in a patient on MER therapy. A patient with metastatic melanoma developed symmetric miliary infiltrates of the lungs while receiving injections of MER into tumor containing lymph nodes of the groin. Open lung biopsy identified the pulmonary lesions as caseating epithelioid granulomas. After cessation of MER therapy, the pulmonary lesions regressed spontaneously. The possible etiology of this so-far-unreported complication of MER therapy was briefly discussed.", "PMID": 610059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_134", "title": "The Yale Affiliated Hospital Program in Internal Medicine. I. Organization, goals and plans.", "content": "In July, 1975, the Departments of Internal Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and eight community hospitals in southern and western Connecticut formed the Yale Affiliated Hospital Program (YAHP) in Internal Medicine. The YAHP provides a planned and focused program of continuing education for medical staff and housestaff at the affiliated hospitals. Six formats for the over 1,000 rounds, lectures, and conferences given annually are used. The members of the YAHP also cooperate in housestaff and faculty recruiting, evaluation of quality of care and evaluation of the process of continuing medical education itself. This report summarizes the organization, goals and future plans of the YAHP.", "contents": "The Yale Affiliated Hospital Program in Internal Medicine. I. Organization, goals and plans. In July, 1975, the Departments of Internal Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and eight community hospitals in southern and western Connecticut formed the Yale Affiliated Hospital Program (YAHP) in Internal Medicine. The YAHP provides a planned and focused program of continuing education for medical staff and housestaff at the affiliated hospitals. Six formats for the over 1,000 rounds, lectures, and conferences given annually are used. The members of the YAHP also cooperate in housestaff and faculty recruiting, evaluation of quality of care and evaluation of the process of continuing medical education itself. This report summarizes the organization, goals and future plans of the YAHP.", "PMID": 610055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_135", "title": "Ecology of Staphylococcus aureus: characterization of strains from chicken.", "content": "The majority of S. aureus strains isolated from beak-swabs and pathological processes in chicken shows coagulation of human plasma (not of bovine plasma), crystal violet-type A, hemolysine-type A, formation of fibrinolysin, not formation of DNase and reactions with the experimental phage A1591. Because of the absence of DNase-formation and the reaction-specificity for phage A1591 we propose to designate these strains as host-specific variety gallinae of S. aureus. The strains from chicken are compared with strains of human, bovine, and ovine origin. An ecological study in a chicken farm has shown that S. aureus strains from chicken are not found in man and vice versa.", "contents": "Ecology of Staphylococcus aureus: characterization of strains from chicken. The majority of S. aureus strains isolated from beak-swabs and pathological processes in chicken shows coagulation of human plasma (not of bovine plasma), crystal violet-type A, hemolysine-type A, formation of fibrinolysin, not formation of DNase and reactions with the experimental phage A1591. Because of the absence of DNase-formation and the reaction-specificity for phage A1591 we propose to designate these strains as host-specific variety gallinae of S. aureus. The strains from chicken are compared with strains of human, bovine, and ovine origin. An ecological study in a chicken farm has shown that S. aureus strains from chicken are not found in man and vice versa.", "PMID": 610065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_136", "title": "Epididymal sarcoidosis: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.", "content": "Two cases of epididymal sarcoidosis, presenting as scrotal masses, are described. Biopsies of the epididymis and scalene nodes established the diagnosis. The literature of epididymal sarcoid and its differential diagnosis is discussed.", "contents": "Epididymal sarcoidosis: a report of two cases and a review of the literature. Two cases of epididymal sarcoidosis, presenting as scrotal masses, are described. Biopsies of the epididymis and scalene nodes established the diagnosis. The literature of epididymal sarcoid and its differential diagnosis is discussed.", "PMID": 610060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_137", "title": "[On the relations between overweight and age (author's transl)].", "content": "There are reported new results on pathogenesis, etiology, and classification of adiposity under consideration of the age. The examinations show, that the postulated hyperphagia of the adipose person cannot be demonstrated so simply, therefore it is necessary to make longitudinal studies in further researches in this field. There are given simple directive rules for classification of the adipose persons to overcome the common uncertainly in this regard. New studies on the motivation of adipose persons for visiting a adiposity dispensary show an age dependence, in which in younger persons mostly esthetic causes, in the elderly sanitary causes are important.", "contents": "[On the relations between overweight and age (author's transl)]. There are reported new results on pathogenesis, etiology, and classification of adiposity under consideration of the age. The examinations show, that the postulated hyperphagia of the adipose person cannot be demonstrated so simply, therefore it is necessary to make longitudinal studies in further researches in this field. There are given simple directive rules for classification of the adipose persons to overcome the common uncertainly in this regard. New studies on the motivation of adipose persons for visiting a adiposity dispensary show an age dependence, in which in younger persons mostly esthetic causes, in the elderly sanitary causes are important.", "PMID": 610067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_138", "title": "[Gout in the age (author's transl)].", "content": "The importance of the gout is growing in the GDR as its frequency has been increasing since the sixties. The gout is a disease of metabolism with the following accompanying phenomena: renal lesion in gout, hypertension, cardiac diseases and peripheral arterial diseases. Besides, there are proved relations between hyperuricemia and obesity, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus as well as steatosis hepatis. In describing the nature of the gout the peculiarities of age are stressed. The treatment of the gout depends on the clinical state.", "contents": "[Gout in the age (author's transl)]. The importance of the gout is growing in the GDR as its frequency has been increasing since the sixties. The gout is a disease of metabolism with the following accompanying phenomena: renal lesion in gout, hypertension, cardiac diseases and peripheral arterial diseases. Besides, there are proved relations between hyperuricemia and obesity, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus as well as steatosis hepatis. In describing the nature of the gout the peculiarities of age are stressed. The treatment of the gout depends on the clinical state.", "PMID": 610069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_139", "title": "[Involutive specialities of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism (author's transl)].", "content": "The involutive restriction of the renal, pulmonary, endocrine and buffer mechanisms also diminished the range of efficacy and possibility for adaptation of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism of old people. Under geriatric aspects many causes for the endangering of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism and the therapeutic consequiences are discussed. It is founded that in old patients the quicker metabolism imbalance means a stronger threat of life that the disease itself. Often the consideration of this problem in much cases of diseases can save the life of the old patient.", "contents": "[Involutive specialities of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism (author's transl)]. The involutive restriction of the renal, pulmonary, endocrine and buffer mechanisms also diminished the range of efficacy and possibility for adaptation of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism of old people. Under geriatric aspects many causes for the endangering of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism and the therapeutic consequiences are discussed. It is founded that in old patients the quicker metabolism imbalance means a stronger threat of life that the disease itself. Often the consideration of this problem in much cases of diseases can save the life of the old patient.", "PMID": 610071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_140", "title": "[Rational physiotherapy in geriatrics (author's transl)].", "content": "According to the economical principle to obtain the highest advantage with the minimalst engagement for the society we passed over in geriatrics from the individual physiotherapy to the therapy in the group, which was very successful in our institution. Four important groups of diseases of the second part of the life have been taken into consideration: Patients with chronic bronchitis, with movement-diseases of the shoulder, the sameone of the hips and the knees and with arterial obturative disease of the extremities.", "contents": "[Rational physiotherapy in geriatrics (author's transl)]. According to the economical principle to obtain the highest advantage with the minimalst engagement for the society we passed over in geriatrics from the individual physiotherapy to the therapy in the group, which was very successful in our institution. Four important groups of diseases of the second part of the life have been taken into consideration: Patients with chronic bronchitis, with movement-diseases of the shoulder, the sameone of the hips and the knees and with arterial obturative disease of the extremities.", "PMID": 610072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_141", "title": "[Age index and an interpretation of survivorship curves (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical investigations showed that the age dependences of physiological functions do not show -- as generally assumed -- a linear increase with age, but an exponential one. Considering this result one can easily interpret the survivorship curve of a population (Gompertz plot). The only thing that is required is that the probability of death (death rate) is proportional to a function of ageing given by mu(t) = mu0 exp (alpha t). Considering survivorship curves resulting from annual death statistics and fitting them by suitable parameters, then the resulting alpha-values are in agreement with clinical data.", "contents": "[Age index and an interpretation of survivorship curves (author's transl)]. Clinical investigations showed that the age dependences of physiological functions do not show -- as generally assumed -- a linear increase with age, but an exponential one. Considering this result one can easily interpret the survivorship curve of a population (Gompertz plot). The only thing that is required is that the probability of death (death rate) is proportional to a function of ageing given by mu(t) = mu0 exp (alpha t). Considering survivorship curves resulting from annual death statistics and fitting them by suitable parameters, then the resulting alpha-values are in agreement with clinical data.", "PMID": 610074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_142", "title": "[Vascular reconstructive procedures in patients with chronic occlusive arterial diseases and diabetes mellitus (author's transl)].", "content": "97 diabetic patients of 734 patients with a chronic occlusive arterial disease were observed in the years from 1968 to 1974. It was established the operability of arterial occlusions are influenced by heaviness, duration and setting in the diabetes mellitus only a little. The indication to operate is determined by the three-points-regulation at the diabetic patients, too. Vascular reconstructive procedures were only possible at each of a second or third patient independent of diabetes mellitus. 28 vascular reconstructive procedures in the femoro-popliteal reach were made at 22 diabetic patients. The results were successful in more about than 80 per cent by explorations from 1 to 5 years after operations.", "contents": "[Vascular reconstructive procedures in patients with chronic occlusive arterial diseases and diabetes mellitus (author's transl)]. 97 diabetic patients of 734 patients with a chronic occlusive arterial disease were observed in the years from 1968 to 1974. It was established the operability of arterial occlusions are influenced by heaviness, duration and setting in the diabetes mellitus only a little. The indication to operate is determined by the three-points-regulation at the diabetic patients, too. Vascular reconstructive procedures were only possible at each of a second or third patient independent of diabetes mellitus. 28 vascular reconstructive procedures in the femoro-popliteal reach were made at 22 diabetic patients. The results were successful in more about than 80 per cent by explorations from 1 to 5 years after operations.", "PMID": 610075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_143", "title": "[Systolic periods in dependence of age].", "content": "In 278 healthy probands in the age of 23 to 80 years were measured the systolic periods and examined in dependence of age. There are found the following results: 1. from the youngest to the oldest group there is a small, statistically not significant increase of the middle systolic period. 2. the presphygmic phase (PEP) and the frequence-corrected interval (PEPI) show a small increase of the middle values in the first four age steps. Only after the age of 60 years is a clear increase of PEP and PEPI. 3. the expulsion time (LVET) and the expulsion index (LVETI) show in an increasing tendency of the mean values no significant difference of the mean value in the age groups. 4. the quotient LVET/PEP follows the course of PEP and PEPI. There is supposed, that the clear statistically significant increase of the mean value of the presphygmic phase and the presphygmic index after the age of 60 years cannot not be reduced to a \"physiologic age insufficiency of the heart\", but its cause is founded in asymptomatic courses of the coronary heart disease or other defined heart diseases.", "contents": "[Systolic periods in dependence of age]. In 278 healthy probands in the age of 23 to 80 years were measured the systolic periods and examined in dependence of age. There are found the following results: 1. from the youngest to the oldest group there is a small, statistically not significant increase of the middle systolic period. 2. the presphygmic phase (PEP) and the frequence-corrected interval (PEPI) show a small increase of the middle values in the first four age steps. Only after the age of 60 years is a clear increase of PEP and PEPI. 3. the expulsion time (LVET) and the expulsion index (LVETI) show in an increasing tendency of the mean values no significant difference of the mean value in the age groups. 4. the quotient LVET/PEP follows the course of PEP and PEPI. There is supposed, that the clear statistically significant increase of the mean value of the presphygmic phase and the presphygmic index after the age of 60 years cannot not be reduced to a \"physiologic age insufficiency of the heart\", but its cause is founded in asymptomatic courses of the coronary heart disease or other defined heart diseases.", "PMID": 610078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_144", "title": "[Position and problems is morphological characterizing of aged cells and organs (author's transl)].", "content": "Cellular changes in the process of aging are non-specific. A combination of nuclear inclusions, invaginations of the nuclear membrane, a reduction of the number of mitochondria with a simultaneous increase in size to the point of development of megamitochondria, a disorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease of its surface density, an increase of the lysosomal volume share and a lipofucin accumulation indicates the existance of an aged cell. On the macroscopical and microscopical levels a diagnosis on the age of an organ is impossible.", "contents": "[Position and problems is morphological characterizing of aged cells and organs (author's transl)]. Cellular changes in the process of aging are non-specific. A combination of nuclear inclusions, invaginations of the nuclear membrane, a reduction of the number of mitochondria with a simultaneous increase in size to the point of development of megamitochondria, a disorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease of its surface density, an increase of the lysosomal volume share and a lipofucin accumulation indicates the existance of an aged cell. On the macroscopical and microscopical levels a diagnosis on the age of an organ is impossible.", "PMID": 610079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_145", "title": "[On moleculare biology of ageing. 10th communication. Enzyme level, age (author's transl)].", "content": "The intracellular enzyme level is a function of both the rate of synthesis and the rate of degradation. During aging the levels of a number of enzymes in various animal organs have been found to change; some increase, others decrease. These age dependent changes in enzyme levels may be the result of an alteration in either the rate of enzyme synthesis, or of enzyme degradation or both. The degradation rate constants and the half-life times of citrate cleavage enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are uneffected by age, whereas the enzyme levels decrease. Thus the decreased enzyme levels in the liver of old rats can be ascribed to a diminished rate of enzyme synthesis. The half-life time of malic enzyme decreases in dependence of age and the increased enzyme degradation contributes to the diminished enzyme level in the liver old rats.", "contents": "[On moleculare biology of ageing. 10th communication. Enzyme level, age (author's transl)]. The intracellular enzyme level is a function of both the rate of synthesis and the rate of degradation. During aging the levels of a number of enzymes in various animal organs have been found to change; some increase, others decrease. These age dependent changes in enzyme levels may be the result of an alteration in either the rate of enzyme synthesis, or of enzyme degradation or both. The degradation rate constants and the half-life times of citrate cleavage enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are uneffected by age, whereas the enzyme levels decrease. Thus the decreased enzyme levels in the liver of old rats can be ascribed to a diminished rate of enzyme synthesis. The half-life time of malic enzyme decreases in dependence of age and the increased enzyme degradation contributes to the diminished enzyme level in the liver old rats.", "PMID": 610080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_146", "title": "[On molecular biology of ageing. 12th communication. Glutathione, SH-reagents, metabolism (author's transl)].", "content": "1. The significantion of the regulative function of SH-groups in ageing is described comprehensively 2. The redox state of glutathione changes in ageing 3. The activity of SH-enzymes is decreased in old tissues. They are reactivated in vivo and in vitro 4. The decreased protein synthesis in the liver of old rats is stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol.", "contents": "[On molecular biology of ageing. 12th communication. Glutathione, SH-reagents, metabolism (author's transl)]. 1. The significantion of the regulative function of SH-groups in ageing is described comprehensively 2. The redox state of glutathione changes in ageing 3. The activity of SH-enzymes is decreased in old tissues. They are reactivated in vivo and in vitro 4. The decreased protein synthesis in the liver of old rats is stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol.", "PMID": 610081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_147", "title": "[On moleculare biology of ageing. 13th communication. Proteins, age (author's transl)].", "content": "Qualitative changes of proteins in old age are described in relation to the hypothesis of Orgel. A faulty protein structure may be caused by 1. faults in the genetic informations 2. faults of the transcription 3. faults in the translation 4. posttranslational changes.", "contents": "[On moleculare biology of ageing. 13th communication. Proteins, age (author's transl)]. Qualitative changes of proteins in old age are described in relation to the hypothesis of Orgel. A faulty protein structure may be caused by 1. faults in the genetic informations 2. faults of the transcription 3. faults in the translation 4. posttranslational changes.", "PMID": 610082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_148", "title": "[Influence of corticosteroid-therapy on the course of sarcoidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "The examinations relate to 206 patients suffering from a bioptically confirmed sarcoidosis, observed during 1959-1974. The observation period amounted to 2-15 years. The indications of the corticosteroid-therapy ran as follows: 1. in cases of a lymph node sarcoidosis without respiratory disorders, after a 2 years' observation without a regression. 2. in cases with pulmonary alterations already after 3-6 months without a regression. 3. in all cases of an extended pulmonary sarcoidosis. In the first group the sarcoidosis developed spontaneously in 65.2%, after a treatment in 15.7%. In 19.1% there was an unfavourable course, even in treated cases (2.2%). In the second group there was a spontaneous regression in 35.5%, after a treatment in 57%. In 10% the sarcoidosis changed over into the chronic form. The treatment failed in about 3%. In the third group we did not observe any spontaneous regression, after the corticosteroid-therapy a regression appeared in 35.7%. The condition remained unchanged in 64.3%. Totally there was a spontaneous regressions in 44.2% of the patients. Good results after the corticosteroid-therapy were attained in 36.4%, and the rest of about 20% developed to irreversible forms of the disease.", "contents": "[Influence of corticosteroid-therapy on the course of sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. The examinations relate to 206 patients suffering from a bioptically confirmed sarcoidosis, observed during 1959-1974. The observation period amounted to 2-15 years. The indications of the corticosteroid-therapy ran as follows: 1. in cases of a lymph node sarcoidosis without respiratory disorders, after a 2 years' observation without a regression. 2. in cases with pulmonary alterations already after 3-6 months without a regression. 3. in all cases of an extended pulmonary sarcoidosis. In the first group the sarcoidosis developed spontaneously in 65.2%, after a treatment in 15.7%. In 19.1% there was an unfavourable course, even in treated cases (2.2%). In the second group there was a spontaneous regression in 35.5%, after a treatment in 57%. In 10% the sarcoidosis changed over into the chronic form. The treatment failed in about 3%. In the third group we did not observe any spontaneous regression, after the corticosteroid-therapy a regression appeared in 35.7%. The condition remained unchanged in 64.3%. Totally there was a spontaneous regressions in 44.2% of the patients. Good results after the corticosteroid-therapy were attained in 36.4%, and the rest of about 20% developed to irreversible forms of the disease.", "PMID": 610093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_149", "title": "[The prognosis of intrathoracic sarcoidosis on the basis of the clinical picture and the histological feature in the mediastinal lymph nodes (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical course of (pulmonary) sarcoidosis is difficultly foreseeable with regard to the fate of a given patient. There are some clinical features to get a probably good or probably poor prognosis, but there are only a few presumptions about the correlation between the histologic patterns with the clinical course. Lymph nodes were removed by mediastinoscopy. The authors have the intention with the aid of the histologic picture in these lymph nodes to examine, if 1. micro-cellular reactions and pure epithelioid-cell granulomas may have a better prognosis than 2. central necrosis, hyalinization, and fibrosis, whereas 3. the number of giant cells seems to be without prognostic significance.", "contents": "[The prognosis of intrathoracic sarcoidosis on the basis of the clinical picture and the histological feature in the mediastinal lymph nodes (author's transl)]. The clinical course of (pulmonary) sarcoidosis is difficultly foreseeable with regard to the fate of a given patient. There are some clinical features to get a probably good or probably poor prognosis, but there are only a few presumptions about the correlation between the histologic patterns with the clinical course. Lymph nodes were removed by mediastinoscopy. The authors have the intention with the aid of the histologic picture in these lymph nodes to examine, if 1. micro-cellular reactions and pure epithelioid-cell granulomas may have a better prognosis than 2. central necrosis, hyalinization, and fibrosis, whereas 3. the number of giant cells seems to be without prognostic significance.", "PMID": 610094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_150", "title": "Long-term follow-up in sarcoidosis in Japan.", "content": "The clinical course of 775 sarcoidosis cases in Japan collected by the Japan Sarcoidosis Committee was followed up in the 6th month, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th year and over after the first discovery. The means follow-up period was 5.5 years. The accumulated rates of disappearance of BHL, lung, eye, and whole sarcoidosis lesions calculated by life-table method were 63%, 56%, 59% and 48% respectively at the 1st year, 75% 67%, 71% and 59% respectively at the 2nd year, 79%, 71%, 76% and 64% respectively at the 3rd year, 82%, 74%, 81% and 67% respectively at the 4th-6th year. Judging from the accumulated rates mentioned above, the speakers defined the course of the disease as \"good\" when the whole sarcoidosis lesions cleared within 2 years. It was revealed that out of 25 factors examined, factors such as \"age under 29\", \"no eye lesions\" and \"without complaints\" at the time of first discovery, were significantly useful for pre-dieting the \"good\" results. The disappearance of BHL within 6 months was one of the most important indices predicting the \"good\" outcome of sarcoidosis.", "contents": "Long-term follow-up in sarcoidosis in Japan. The clinical course of 775 sarcoidosis cases in Japan collected by the Japan Sarcoidosis Committee was followed up in the 6th month, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th year and over after the first discovery. The means follow-up period was 5.5 years. The accumulated rates of disappearance of BHL, lung, eye, and whole sarcoidosis lesions calculated by life-table method were 63%, 56%, 59% and 48% respectively at the 1st year, 75% 67%, 71% and 59% respectively at the 2nd year, 79%, 71%, 76% and 64% respectively at the 3rd year, 82%, 74%, 81% and 67% respectively at the 4th-6th year. Judging from the accumulated rates mentioned above, the speakers defined the course of the disease as \"good\" when the whole sarcoidosis lesions cleared within 2 years. It was revealed that out of 25 factors examined, factors such as \"age under 29\", \"no eye lesions\" and \"without complaints\" at the time of first discovery, were significantly useful for pre-dieting the \"good\" results. The disappearance of BHL within 6 months was one of the most important indices predicting the \"good\" outcome of sarcoidosis.", "PMID": 610095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_151", "title": "Prognostic significance of lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis.", "content": "Since BOTTGER (1966, 1969) AND HOFFBRAND (1968) had described the absolute lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis as a sign of immune deficiency there were several authors who tried to elucidate different problems of sarcoidosis (RACOVEANU et al. 1970, STOJAN et al. 1971, OSODA et al. 1972). One of these problems is the effort to correlate absolute lymphopenia to prognostic parameters. Three controlled therapeutic trials were performed and compared: 59 cases with clinically and histologically proven sarcoidosis with spontaneous regression and 180 cases with different regimens of prednisolone: --a steady increase of the absolute number of lymphocytes in cases without and with treatment is a prognostically good sign, --no increase or even decrease is a poor sign, -- a very low and unchanged number is worst. This seems to confirm--among other things--that course and prognosis of sarcoidosis really may not be affected by time-limited corticotherapy.", "contents": "Prognostic significance of lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Since BOTTGER (1966, 1969) AND HOFFBRAND (1968) had described the absolute lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis as a sign of immune deficiency there were several authors who tried to elucidate different problems of sarcoidosis (RACOVEANU et al. 1970, STOJAN et al. 1971, OSODA et al. 1972). One of these problems is the effort to correlate absolute lymphopenia to prognostic parameters. Three controlled therapeutic trials were performed and compared: 59 cases with clinically and histologically proven sarcoidosis with spontaneous regression and 180 cases with different regimens of prednisolone: --a steady increase of the absolute number of lymphocytes in cases without and with treatment is a prognostically good sign, --no increase or even decrease is a poor sign, -- a very low and unchanged number is worst. This seems to confirm--among other things--that course and prognosis of sarcoidosis really may not be affected by time-limited corticotherapy.", "PMID": 610096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_152", "title": "[Levamisol and cell-mediated immunity in sarcoidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "In patients with clinically and histologically confirmed sarcoidosis the question was investigated whether Levamisol shows any therapeutical effectively on this disease. With application of Levamisol neither the deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in vivo (PPD and streptokinase) nor the in-vitro tests (blast-transformation of lymphocytes, E-rosettes) was influenced.", "contents": "[Levamisol and cell-mediated immunity in sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. In patients with clinically and histologically confirmed sarcoidosis the question was investigated whether Levamisol shows any therapeutical effectively on this disease. With application of Levamisol neither the deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in vivo (PPD and streptokinase) nor the in-vitro tests (blast-transformation of lymphocytes, E-rosettes) was influenced.", "PMID": 610098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_153", "title": "[Frequency and characters of familial pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "A report is given on familial sarcoidosis in four cases. These 4 cases comprise one brother-sister and one mother-son relationship. Brother and sister were young persons in the acute stage (L\u00f6fgren-syndrome). In the other two cases diffuse fibroses accompanied by severe functional disturbances were to be observed. In both relationships clinical and radiological picture, course of the illness and response to the treatment were similar: favourable in the first, unfavourable in the second relationship. The frequency of familial occurrence is said to be 3.7% of all sarcoidosis cases.", "contents": "[Frequency and characters of familial pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. A report is given on familial sarcoidosis in four cases. These 4 cases comprise one brother-sister and one mother-son relationship. Brother and sister were young persons in the acute stage (L\u00f6fgren-syndrome). In the other two cases diffuse fibroses accompanied by severe functional disturbances were to be observed. In both relationships clinical and radiological picture, course of the illness and response to the treatment were similar: favourable in the first, unfavourable in the second relationship. The frequency of familial occurrence is said to be 3.7% of all sarcoidosis cases.", "PMID": 610099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_154", "title": "Hypercalciuria in sarcoidosis.", "content": "In 18 cases of sarcoidosis, 11 presented with hypercalciuria. Absorptive hypercalciuria was usually involved, but 2 patients had probably a calcium renal leak. Therapy with sodium cellulose phosphate was usually effective in lowering the amount of urine calcium, but thiazides had to be used concomitantly in three cases.", "contents": "Hypercalciuria in sarcoidosis. In 18 cases of sarcoidosis, 11 presented with hypercalciuria. Absorptive hypercalciuria was usually involved, but 2 patients had probably a calcium renal leak. Therapy with sodium cellulose phosphate was usually effective in lowering the amount of urine calcium, but thiazides had to be used concomitantly in three cases.", "PMID": 610100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_155", "title": "Lymphoblast transformation studies in sarcoidosis.", "content": "Tissue culture studies of lymphnode lymphocytes, obtained from Sarcoidosis patients revealed lymphoblast transformation (morphologically observed) after incubation with Kveim antigen. Simultaneously we could obtain peripherical blood-lymphocytes from some patients. Lymphocytes from both compartments showed a positive correlated blasttransformation. Spontaneous blasttransformation was observed in cultures supplemented with fetal calf serum, however, this phenomenon was not observed in cultures with human AB serum. The results, together with the discrepance of spontaneous lymphoblast transformation will be discussed.", "contents": "Lymphoblast transformation studies in sarcoidosis. Tissue culture studies of lymphnode lymphocytes, obtained from Sarcoidosis patients revealed lymphoblast transformation (morphologically observed) after incubation with Kveim antigen. Simultaneously we could obtain peripherical blood-lymphocytes from some patients. Lymphocytes from both compartments showed a positive correlated blasttransformation. Spontaneous blasttransformation was observed in cultures supplemented with fetal calf serum, however, this phenomenon was not observed in cultures with human AB serum. The results, together with the discrepance of spontaneous lymphoblast transformation will be discussed.", "PMID": 610102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_156", "title": "[Some particularities in diagnostic, clinical picture, and therapy of pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Serological reactions (indirect hemagglutination and complement-fixing reaction) are used for differentiation of pulmonary sarcoidosis from tuberculosis. Antituberculous antibodies were found in tuberculosis in 83%, in sarcoidosis only in 22%. Pulmonary sarcoidosis is found more often in females than males (60:40). It is most frequent between 20 to 40 years (82%). Stadium I was present in 76.5%. Stadium II in 14.7% and Stadium III in 8.8% of all cases. Extrapulmonary lesions were observed in 8% of all cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 93%. Mediastinoscopy proved to be the best method for bioptic examination (100%). The clinical signs are discussed.", "contents": "[Some particularities in diagnostic, clinical picture, and therapy of pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. Serological reactions (indirect hemagglutination and complement-fixing reaction) are used for differentiation of pulmonary sarcoidosis from tuberculosis. Antituberculous antibodies were found in tuberculosis in 83%, in sarcoidosis only in 22%. Pulmonary sarcoidosis is found more often in females than males (60:40). It is most frequent between 20 to 40 years (82%). Stadium I was present in 76.5%. Stadium II in 14.7% and Stadium III in 8.8% of all cases. Extrapulmonary lesions were observed in 8% of all cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 93%. Mediastinoscopy proved to be the best method for bioptic examination (100%). The clinical signs are discussed.", "PMID": 610106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_157", "title": "[Sarcoidosis in children and adolescents (author's transl)].", "content": "Among 400 patients with sarcoidosis in Moscow 8.5% (34) were found among children and adolescents. Predominance of females, observed among adults could not be found in children and adolescents (27 males, 7 females). Most cases were stadium I (21); stad. II 11, stad. III 2. In patients with stadium I and II extrapulmonary lesions were rather frequent (1/3 of all cases). Clinical picture, X-ray findings and symptoms are discussed. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 29 of 34 patients.", "contents": "[Sarcoidosis in children and adolescents (author's transl)]. Among 400 patients with sarcoidosis in Moscow 8.5% (34) were found among children and adolescents. Predominance of females, observed among adults could not be found in children and adolescents (27 males, 7 females). Most cases were stadium I (21); stad. II 11, stad. III 2. In patients with stadium I and II extrapulmonary lesions were rather frequent (1/3 of all cases). Clinical picture, X-ray findings and symptoms are discussed. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 29 of 34 patients.", "PMID": 610107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_158", "title": "[Study of sick behavior as a basis for the planning of health education].", "content": "A model of illness behaviour has to take into account different factors of the social milieu, of social learning and personality. Many research projects have been done to develop concepts explaining different aspects of illness behaviour. These concepts can serve as intervening variables in our model. This comprehensive model of illness behaviour is used for the planification of an epidemiologic study with school children. The results will serve as a base for planning comprehensive programs in health education.", "contents": "[Study of sick behavior as a basis for the planning of health education]. A model of illness behaviour has to take into account different factors of the social milieu, of social learning and personality. Many research projects have been done to develop concepts explaining different aspects of illness behaviour. These concepts can serve as intervening variables in our model. This comprehensive model of illness behaviour is used for the planification of an epidemiologic study with school children. The results will serve as a base for planning comprehensive programs in health education.", "PMID": 610207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_159", "title": "[Drug education as part of health education].", "content": "Health education is considered as regulating health behavior. This forms a part of general behavior based on socio-cultural norms. For this reason, when defining their aims, health education programs must take the socio-cultural environment into account. There are three main parts to health education considered as a whole: somatic hygiene, psychological hygiene and social hygiene. As an example, the case of drug education demonstrates that any health education program must be devised with its contents specifically selected and the program must take into account, to different degrees, all three aspects of health education. Formal criteria and criteria regarding the contents for a drug education program are indicated, based on the idea that all persuasive transmission of information must be based on three fundamental steps: 1st sensitization, 2nd information and 3rd motivation.", "contents": "[Drug education as part of health education]. Health education is considered as regulating health behavior. This forms a part of general behavior based on socio-cultural norms. For this reason, when defining their aims, health education programs must take the socio-cultural environment into account. There are three main parts to health education considered as a whole: somatic hygiene, psychological hygiene and social hygiene. As an example, the case of drug education demonstrates that any health education program must be devised with its contents specifically selected and the program must take into account, to different degrees, all three aspects of health education. Formal criteria and criteria regarding the contents for a drug education program are indicated, based on the idea that all persuasive transmission of information must be based on three fundamental steps: 1st sensitization, 2nd information and 3rd motivation.", "PMID": 610208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_160", "title": "[Basis for health education programs on smoking and alcoholism: similarities and contrasts].", "content": "An attempt is made to state the socio-cultural context, the biomedical aspects, general and specific educational objectives, and educational contents of school health education programmes on alcoholism and smoking respectively, and to compare these with each other by juxtaposition in a tabular presentation.", "contents": "[Basis for health education programs on smoking and alcoholism: similarities and contrasts]. An attempt is made to state the socio-cultural context, the biomedical aspects, general and specific educational objectives, and educational contents of school health education programmes on alcoholism and smoking respectively, and to compare these with each other by juxtaposition in a tabular presentation.", "PMID": 610209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_161", "title": "[Evaluation of an educational program on smoking, alcohol and drug abuse].", "content": "The learning program with the title \"Consuming critically\" has the objective to influence the learner so that he will completely abstain from smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages and the abuse of medication or at least reduce the respective consumption. A reduction in consumption or a reduction in the predisposition to consume for those who were none-consumers was considered the criteria for a successful utilization of the program. The program was evaluated with a representative sample including all types of schools at the 8th grade in the Basle Schools. By a standardized questionnaire behaviour and attitudes were measured. Regarding the smoking of cigarettes changes in the desired direction could be shown in both behaviour and attitude. No effect could be proven as to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. A significant positive change in the attitude towards the proper use of medication could be demonstrated while the corresponding consumption pattern remained unchanged.", "contents": "[Evaluation of an educational program on smoking, alcohol and drug abuse]. The learning program with the title \"Consuming critically\" has the objective to influence the learner so that he will completely abstain from smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages and the abuse of medication or at least reduce the respective consumption. A reduction in consumption or a reduction in the predisposition to consume for those who were none-consumers was considered the criteria for a successful utilization of the program. The program was evaluated with a representative sample including all types of schools at the 8th grade in the Basle Schools. By a standardized questionnaire behaviour and attitudes were measured. Regarding the smoking of cigarettes changes in the desired direction could be shown in both behaviour and attitude. No effect could be proven as to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. A significant positive change in the attitude towards the proper use of medication could be demonstrated while the corresponding consumption pattern remained unchanged.", "PMID": 610210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_162", "title": "[Evaluation of the effect of health education in adolescents].", "content": "In several studies we examined the influence of a short-term (over two hours), medium-term (over one year) and long-term (over three year) health education program in young people in Switzerland. We found, that long-term intervention showed better results, such as in changing the smoking behavior than short-term programs.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the effect of health education in adolescents]. In several studies we examined the influence of a short-term (over two hours), medium-term (over one year) and long-term (over three year) health education program in young people in Switzerland. We found, that long-term intervention showed better results, such as in changing the smoking behavior than short-term programs.", "PMID": 610211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_163", "title": "Echolocation performance of the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus).", "content": "The neotropical vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) echolocate using ultrasonic pulses like those of the Latin American phyllostomatid bats. In this paper the orally produced echolocation sounds of Desmodus are analysed and the performance of the echolocation system is studied in two-choice training experiments on two vampire bats. Ability to detect objects is relatively limited; both animals were capable of discerning the presence of a 1 cm wide metal strip at a distance of 50 cm, but they failed with 0.5 cm wide strips. The ultrasonic pulses produced at a distance of 50 cm appear to sample an area with a diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 cm (i.e., the solid angle tested with each pulse is 3 degrees to 3 degrees 40' in extent).", "contents": "Echolocation performance of the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). The neotropical vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) echolocate using ultrasonic pulses like those of the Latin American phyllostomatid bats. In this paper the orally produced echolocation sounds of Desmodus are analysed and the performance of the echolocation system is studied in two-choice training experiments on two vampire bats. Ability to detect objects is relatively limited; both animals were capable of discerning the presence of a 1 cm wide metal strip at a distance of 50 cm, but they failed with 0.5 cm wide strips. The ultrasonic pulses produced at a distance of 50 cm appear to sample an area with a diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 cm (i.e., the solid angle tested with each pulse is 3 degrees to 3 degrees 40' in extent).", "PMID": 610226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_164", "title": "Studies on protein production by yeasts. III. Effects of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus.", "content": "The four strains of yeasts that gave good growth in molasses medium, short generation time, and high protein content were selected for further studies in a trial for increasing their yield and protein content. Therefore, the effect of different levels of ammonium sulphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the growth and protein synthesis of the strains was investigated, using molasses as a source of carbon. The results revealed that the most suitable concentrations of ammonium sulphate in the propagation medium lie between 0.40 to 0.55% for the production of high yield and protein content of strains S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104), C. utilis (F. 86), C. tropicalis (F. 35), and H. anomala (Gr. 5). The optimum concentration of potassium dihydrogen phosphate lies between 0.2 to 0.3% for the same strains. S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104) seemed to be the most efficient strain that gave the best growth, high percentage of protein, and essential amino acids in molasses medium.", "contents": "Studies on protein production by yeasts. III. Effects of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The four strains of yeasts that gave good growth in molasses medium, short generation time, and high protein content were selected for further studies in a trial for increasing their yield and protein content. Therefore, the effect of different levels of ammonium sulphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the growth and protein synthesis of the strains was investigated, using molasses as a source of carbon. The results revealed that the most suitable concentrations of ammonium sulphate in the propagation medium lie between 0.40 to 0.55% for the production of high yield and protein content of strains S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104), C. utilis (F. 86), C. tropicalis (F. 35), and H. anomala (Gr. 5). The optimum concentration of potassium dihydrogen phosphate lies between 0.2 to 0.3% for the same strains. S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104) seemed to be the most efficient strain that gave the best growth, high percentage of protein, and essential amino acids in molasses medium.", "PMID": 610227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_165", "title": "Studies on protein production by yeasts. IV. Incremental feeding modulus.", "content": "S. cerevisiae Gr. 104 which seemed to be the most efficient strain in protein production, was used for investigating its optimum incremental feeding modulus that gives the highest economical yield. Therefore, different hourly rates of incremental feeding, ranging from 1.14 to 1.22, were used and the yeast yield for each rate was determined. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory fermentor vessel of 5 liter capacity, using molasses, ammonium sulphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as feeding substances with optimum pH, temperature, and effective aeration. The optimum incremental feeding for this strain (which is the rate of molasses feeding corresponding to the exponential growth rate) was found to be 1.18. At this rate the best economical use of the substrate was obtained with the production of yield, close to the theoretically calculated yield.", "contents": "Studies on protein production by yeasts. IV. Incremental feeding modulus. S. cerevisiae Gr. 104 which seemed to be the most efficient strain in protein production, was used for investigating its optimum incremental feeding modulus that gives the highest economical yield. Therefore, different hourly rates of incremental feeding, ranging from 1.14 to 1.22, were used and the yeast yield for each rate was determined. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory fermentor vessel of 5 liter capacity, using molasses, ammonium sulphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as feeding substances with optimum pH, temperature, and effective aeration. The optimum incremental feeding for this strain (which is the rate of molasses feeding corresponding to the exponential growth rate) was found to be 1.18. At this rate the best economical use of the substrate was obtained with the production of yield, close to the theoretically calculated yield.", "PMID": 610228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_166", "title": "Effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases formed in photochemically synthesized micro-structure, called \"Jeewanu\".", "content": "The effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases, found in photochemically synthesized micro-structures (called \"jeewanu\"), was investigated. Antibiotics have significant effects on the formation of photochemically synthesized micro-structures. Thus, tetracycline inhibits the formation of these micro-structures considerably and consequently the formation of nucleic acid bases in these micro-structures is hindered.", "contents": "Effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases formed in photochemically synthesized micro-structure, called \"Jeewanu\". The effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases, found in photochemically synthesized micro-structures (called \"jeewanu\"), was investigated. Antibiotics have significant effects on the formation of photochemically synthesized micro-structures. Thus, tetracycline inhibits the formation of these micro-structures considerably and consequently the formation of nucleic acid bases in these micro-structures is hindered.", "PMID": 610229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_167", "title": "Ethylene production during seed germination of some plants.", "content": "The volatile and gaseous exudates emanating during seed germination of cotton, maize, and broad bean were analyzed chromatographically for ethylene production. The amount of ethylene produced could be arranged in the following descending order: cotton, maize, broad bean. Ethylene production decreases with the increase in the germinating seed age.", "contents": "Ethylene production during seed germination of some plants. The volatile and gaseous exudates emanating during seed germination of cotton, maize, and broad bean were analyzed chromatographically for ethylene production. The amount of ethylene produced could be arranged in the following descending order: cotton, maize, broad bean. Ethylene production decreases with the increase in the germinating seed age.", "PMID": 610230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_168", "title": "Virus diseases of berry crops in the Soviet Far East I. Identification of some mechanically transmitted viruses, detected in Primorye Territory.", "content": "In Primorye Territory, USSR, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-I), arabis mosaic virus (AMV), raspberry, ringspot virus (RRSV), and tomato ringspot virus (TRSV) were identified on berry crops (currant, raspberry, honeysuckel). With respect to indicator plants and physico-chemical and serological properties, the isolates obtained do not differ from other isolates of these viruses, reported on berry crops in Europe and North America.", "contents": "Virus diseases of berry crops in the Soviet Far East I. Identification of some mechanically transmitted viruses, detected in Primorye Territory. In Primorye Territory, USSR, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-I), arabis mosaic virus (AMV), raspberry, ringspot virus (RRSV), and tomato ringspot virus (TRSV) were identified on berry crops (currant, raspberry, honeysuckel). With respect to indicator plants and physico-chemical and serological properties, the isolates obtained do not differ from other isolates of these viruses, reported on berry crops in Europe and North America.", "PMID": 610231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_169", "title": "[Electron microscope studies on spread of Fusarium sulphureum Schlecht. in potato tuber tissue (author's transl)].", "content": "An electron microscope study has shown that the spread of Fusarium sulphureum through potato tuber tissue occurs not only intracellular but also intercellular. The spread of hyphae effected both mechanical and enzymatical. The study of cells neighbouring hyphae shows degeneration of protoplasm. Intercellular spaces of infected tissue are filled with a dark substance. It seems that these substances are fragments of cell walls which are macerated by Fusarium enzymes.", "contents": "[Electron microscope studies on spread of Fusarium sulphureum Schlecht. in potato tuber tissue (author's transl)]. An electron microscope study has shown that the spread of Fusarium sulphureum through potato tuber tissue occurs not only intracellular but also intercellular. The spread of hyphae effected both mechanical and enzymatical. The study of cells neighbouring hyphae shows degeneration of protoplasm. Intercellular spaces of infected tissue are filled with a dark substance. It seems that these substances are fragments of cell walls which are macerated by Fusarium enzymes.", "PMID": 610232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_170", "title": "Effect of different concentrations of dl-isoleucine, dl-valine, and dl-alanine on growth and sporulation in Fusarium oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H.", "content": "D1-alanine and dl-valine, when added as an extra nitrogen for fortifying the already present inorganic nitrogen source, actually acted as growth retardant for F. oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H. Sporulation of microconidia was indifferently affected by these two amino acids. DI-valine stimulated microconidial formation in young cultures only. In both young and old cultures the lowest concentration of dl-valine depressed macronidial sporulation. In old cultures the lowest concentration of valine stimulated chlamydospore differentiation rapidly, higher concentrations being less effective. D1-alanine, as an additional nitrogen source, depressed both macro- and microconidal sporulation. It did not even invigorate chlamydospore formation. D1-isoleucine, on the other hand, belongs to the category of growth promoters and profuse and stimulative sporulators of macro- and microconidia. This pathogen needs very specific and preferential doses of the three amino acids, if these are used as a booster in addition to the already present nitrogen source. The response, both in terms of mycelial growth and sporulation of the three spore forms, was also conditioned by the age of the culture.", "contents": "Effect of different concentrations of dl-isoleucine, dl-valine, and dl-alanine on growth and sporulation in Fusarium oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H. D1-alanine and dl-valine, when added as an extra nitrogen for fortifying the already present inorganic nitrogen source, actually acted as growth retardant for F. oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H. Sporulation of microconidia was indifferently affected by these two amino acids. DI-valine stimulated microconidial formation in young cultures only. In both young and old cultures the lowest concentration of dl-valine depressed macronidial sporulation. In old cultures the lowest concentration of valine stimulated chlamydospore differentiation rapidly, higher concentrations being less effective. D1-alanine, as an additional nitrogen source, depressed both macro- and microconidal sporulation. It did not even invigorate chlamydospore formation. D1-isoleucine, on the other hand, belongs to the category of growth promoters and profuse and stimulative sporulators of macro- and microconidia. This pathogen needs very specific and preferential doses of the three amino acids, if these are used as a booster in addition to the already present nitrogen source. The response, both in terms of mycelial growth and sporulation of the three spore forms, was also conditioned by the age of the culture.", "PMID": 610233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_171", "title": "[Experiences with centralized care for pregnant diabetic women--results of the 1976 treatment period].", "content": "73 diabetic pregnant were controled and treated in our clinic 1976, there was a perinatale mortality of 2,7%. The great part of EPH--gestosis and infections of the urinary system and more operative deliveries show of a higher risk already in the stage of latent diabetes. By screening methodes for diabetics during pregnancy and by intensive control in the first trimester it will be possible to obtain better results in the future.", "contents": "[Experiences with centralized care for pregnant diabetic women--results of the 1976 treatment period]. 73 diabetic pregnant were controled and treated in our clinic 1976, there was a perinatale mortality of 2,7%. The great part of EPH--gestosis and infections of the urinary system and more operative deliveries show of a higher risk already in the stage of latent diabetes. By screening methodes for diabetics during pregnancy and by intensive control in the first trimester it will be possible to obtain better results in the future.", "PMID": 610234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_172", "title": "[Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women during labor].", "content": "In the period between 1973 and 1976, in order to prevent neonatal RDS, 24 insulin-dependent diabetic mothers were given Dexamethason before delivery. The treated group was compared with a control group comprising 26 women of the same gesational age, severity of diabetes and mode of delivery. Neonatal care was similar in both groups. In the group where steroid prophylaxis was applied, decrease of RDS morbidity and mortality was observed. The authors accentuate that Dexamethason given to the mother may have an unfavourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to perform 4-hour determinations of blood sugar, urinary sugar and acetone and accordingly, modification of therapy.", "contents": "[Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women during labor]. In the period between 1973 and 1976, in order to prevent neonatal RDS, 24 insulin-dependent diabetic mothers were given Dexamethason before delivery. The treated group was compared with a control group comprising 26 women of the same gesational age, severity of diabetes and mode of delivery. Neonatal care was similar in both groups. In the group where steroid prophylaxis was applied, decrease of RDS morbidity and mortality was observed. The authors accentuate that Dexamethason given to the mother may have an unfavourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to perform 4-hour determinations of blood sugar, urinary sugar and acetone and accordingly, modification of therapy.", "PMID": 610235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_173", "title": "[Assessment of liver function using indocyanine green (Ujoviridin) during normal pregnancy, during labor and in puerperium].", "content": "Indocyaningreen (ICG) was given for the characterize of the excretion function of the liver during the course of normal pregnancy, sub partu and post partum. Studies were performed in 168 primi- and multigravidas with normal medical and obstetric histories (mean age of 23,5 years). 0,5 mg ICG/kg body mass were injected intravenously as a bolus. 18 healthy nonpregnant women served as controls (mean age of 24,2 years). In the I. and II. trimester of pregnancy the elimination of ICG was not decreased in comparison to the controls (3,64 +/- 0,86). The increased retention of ICG in the 40th week of pregnancy (4,67 +/- 0,41) and during labor (7,02 +/- 2,32) are caused through the physiological alterations of pregnancy. No placental transfer of the dye could be detected by simultaneous measurement of ICG in the maternal and fetal cord blood. During the post partum period the elimination of ICG will be normal. ICG is recommend instead of Bromsulfaleine (BSP) for the estimation of excretion function of the liver during pregnancy and childbed.", "contents": "[Assessment of liver function using indocyanine green (Ujoviridin) during normal pregnancy, during labor and in puerperium]. Indocyaningreen (ICG) was given for the characterize of the excretion function of the liver during the course of normal pregnancy, sub partu and post partum. Studies were performed in 168 primi- and multigravidas with normal medical and obstetric histories (mean age of 23,5 years). 0,5 mg ICG/kg body mass were injected intravenously as a bolus. 18 healthy nonpregnant women served as controls (mean age of 24,2 years). In the I. and II. trimester of pregnancy the elimination of ICG was not decreased in comparison to the controls (3,64 +/- 0,86). The increased retention of ICG in the 40th week of pregnancy (4,67 +/- 0,41) and during labor (7,02 +/- 2,32) are caused through the physiological alterations of pregnancy. No placental transfer of the dye could be detected by simultaneous measurement of ICG in the maternal and fetal cord blood. During the post partum period the elimination of ICG will be normal. ICG is recommend instead of Bromsulfaleine (BSP) for the estimation of excretion function of the liver during pregnancy and childbed.", "PMID": 610236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_174", "title": "[Behavior of various energy-metabolism enzymes in the maternal venous and umbilical cord blood during labor complicated by threatened intrauterine asphyxia].", "content": "The activity of some enzymes of indirect metabolic rate in maternal and umbilical blood were measured in the cases of normal and complicated by the severe intrauterine foetal asphyxia labours. It is concluded that the severe foetal asphyxia caused by the umbilical conflict is reflecting in the changed levels of the majority of examined enzymes in the umbilical blood.", "contents": "[Behavior of various energy-metabolism enzymes in the maternal venous and umbilical cord blood during labor complicated by threatened intrauterine asphyxia]. The activity of some enzymes of indirect metabolic rate in maternal and umbilical blood were measured in the cases of normal and complicated by the severe intrauterine foetal asphyxia labours. It is concluded that the severe foetal asphyxia caused by the umbilical conflict is reflecting in the changed levels of the majority of examined enzymes in the umbilical blood.", "PMID": 610237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_175", "title": "[Studies on the modification of puerperal lactation using methylergobrevin].", "content": "During the first 6 days after delivery the daily amount of mild secretion was measured in 300 nursing puerperae who had been treated with 0,2 mg of Methylergobrevin per day in combination with 100 IU Oxytocin. The milk let-down was compared with that of 300 untreated puerperae nursing under the same conditions. A significantly smaller milk let-down was found in treated old primiparae over 30 years, multiparae between 19-30 years and puerperae after premature delivery. In puerperae desiring to nurse their babies the routine post-partum treatment with Methylergobrevin should always be combined with Oxytocin. In women who had a premature delivery and in old primiparae a postpartum treatment with Methylergobrevin should be avoided.", "contents": "[Studies on the modification of puerperal lactation using methylergobrevin]. During the first 6 days after delivery the daily amount of mild secretion was measured in 300 nursing puerperae who had been treated with 0,2 mg of Methylergobrevin per day in combination with 100 IU Oxytocin. The milk let-down was compared with that of 300 untreated puerperae nursing under the same conditions. A significantly smaller milk let-down was found in treated old primiparae over 30 years, multiparae between 19-30 years and puerperae after premature delivery. In puerperae desiring to nurse their babies the routine post-partum treatment with Methylergobrevin should always be combined with Oxytocin. In women who had a premature delivery and in old primiparae a postpartum treatment with Methylergobrevin should be avoided.", "PMID": 610238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_176", "title": "[Total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in the parotid saliva of pregnant women].", "content": "The content of total protein and immunglobulins in the parotid saliva and blood serum of pregnant women and healthy test persons has been determined by the biuret method and radial immunofiffusion. It was stated that total protein and IgG in the parotid saliva were higher in pregnant women than in healthy test persons, whereas the IgA-levels don't show any differences. IgM was not measurable in the parotid saliva. There was no relationship between saliva and serum immunglobulins. During the pregnancy show the parotid glands another typ of reaction than nonpregnant women.", "contents": "[Total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in the parotid saliva of pregnant women]. The content of total protein and immunglobulins in the parotid saliva and blood serum of pregnant women and healthy test persons has been determined by the biuret method and radial immunofiffusion. It was stated that total protein and IgG in the parotid saliva were higher in pregnant women than in healthy test persons, whereas the IgA-levels don't show any differences. IgM was not measurable in the parotid saliva. There was no relationship between saliva and serum immunglobulins. During the pregnancy show the parotid glands another typ of reaction than nonpregnant women.", "PMID": 610239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_177", "title": "[Breech presentations in 1957-1961 and 1967-1975 at the Landesfrauenklinik Magdeburg].", "content": "Breech presentation is classed as an abnormality because of the high associated perinatal mortality and morbidity rates and the slightly increased maternal morbidity. A review of 14 years' experience with breech delivery was undertaken to ascertain patterns of care. During this period there were 33 183 births and there were 1271 cases of breech presentation. The method of delivery in the 1271 cases included 91,5 per cent vaginal deliveries and 8,5 per cent cesarean sections. There was an increase to 15,3 per cent during the last 2 years of the review. This review indicates a decline in perinatal mortality rate from 20,3 to 5,4 per cent (unselected). Breech presentation is often associated with premature labor. Premature labor represents the significant clinical problem by contributing to perinatal morbidity and death.", "contents": "[Breech presentations in 1957-1961 and 1967-1975 at the Landesfrauenklinik Magdeburg]. Breech presentation is classed as an abnormality because of the high associated perinatal mortality and morbidity rates and the slightly increased maternal morbidity. A review of 14 years' experience with breech delivery was undertaken to ascertain patterns of care. During this period there were 33 183 births and there were 1271 cases of breech presentation. The method of delivery in the 1271 cases included 91,5 per cent vaginal deliveries and 8,5 per cent cesarean sections. There was an increase to 15,3 per cent during the last 2 years of the review. This review indicates a decline in perinatal mortality rate from 20,3 to 5,4 per cent (unselected). Breech presentation is often associated with premature labor. Premature labor represents the significant clinical problem by contributing to perinatal morbidity and death.", "PMID": 610240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_178", "title": "[Cerebral damage following breech presentation].", "content": "445 single babies were born from breech presentation at the Obstetric Department of the Medical Faculty in Plzen in the years 1962 to 1966. The perinatal mortality was 71,9%. Intracranial bleeding was the most frequent cause of death. All survived children were examined by the pediatric neurologist and psychologist at the age of 9 to 13 years. 4,24% have suffered from cerebral palsy, 3,0% from epilepsy and 22,8% from minimal brain damage. Having analysed the methods of conducting the deliveries we found out that the best prognosis for survival as well as for psychomotoric development in breech presentation have the babies delivered by elective Caesarean section.", "contents": "[Cerebral damage following breech presentation]. 445 single babies were born from breech presentation at the Obstetric Department of the Medical Faculty in Plzen in the years 1962 to 1966. The perinatal mortality was 71,9%. Intracranial bleeding was the most frequent cause of death. All survived children were examined by the pediatric neurologist and psychologist at the age of 9 to 13 years. 4,24% have suffered from cerebral palsy, 3,0% from epilepsy and 22,8% from minimal brain damage. Having analysed the methods of conducting the deliveries we found out that the best prognosis for survival as well as for psychomotoric development in breech presentation have the babies delivered by elective Caesarean section.", "PMID": 610241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_179", "title": "[Value of testicular biopsy in the diagnosis of sterility].", "content": "Male infertility is a far more prevalent problem than is perhaps generally realized. The evaluation of testicular biopsies allows various clinical syndromes of hypogonadism to be identified and a rational basis for therapy to be established. The morphological-anatomical classification of male infertility paralleling the clinical-biochemical classification divides the different varieties of male infertility into three categories: those due to pretesticular, testicular, and posttesticular causes. Testicular biopsy is an important method in the diagnosis and management of male infertility. The procedure is simple and safe in competent hands and yields information obtainable in no other way. The increasing use of this procedure permitts a rational classification of the testicular lesions responsible for infertility and provides an intelligent basis for the institution of corrective measures or the withholding of therapy in cases in which the biopsy indicates a hopeless prognosis for fertility.", "contents": "[Value of testicular biopsy in the diagnosis of sterility]. Male infertility is a far more prevalent problem than is perhaps generally realized. The evaluation of testicular biopsies allows various clinical syndromes of hypogonadism to be identified and a rational basis for therapy to be established. The morphological-anatomical classification of male infertility paralleling the clinical-biochemical classification divides the different varieties of male infertility into three categories: those due to pretesticular, testicular, and posttesticular causes. Testicular biopsy is an important method in the diagnosis and management of male infertility. The procedure is simple and safe in competent hands and yields information obtainable in no other way. The increasing use of this procedure permitts a rational classification of the testicular lesions responsible for infertility and provides an intelligent basis for the institution of corrective measures or the withholding of therapy in cases in which the biopsy indicates a hopeless prognosis for fertility.", "PMID": 610243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_180", "title": "Serological specificities of polysaccharides from four Salmonellae sharing \"O\" factor 8.", "content": "S. virginia (8) and S. newport (6.8) induced in sera of hyper-immunized rabbits antibodies which precipitated the respective homologous and heterologous polysaccharides as well as the polysaccharides from S. blockley (6.8) and from S. emek (8.20) by homogeneous lines of, apparent, serological identity. S. blockley, sharing with S. newport the same \"O\" factors, induced however two antipolysaccharides of which only one was identical with that of S. virginia. Different proteinic carriers were found to be responsible for the two induced antipolysaccharides. S. emek (820) induced antipolysaccharide antibodies which displayed a reaction of partial identity with the heterologous polysaccharides, in contrast to the serological homogeneity of precipitation, shown by the S. emek polysaccharide against the heterologous sera. The existence of a more complex structure of the S. emek polysaccharide, of which a small determinant is in common with the heterologous polysaccharides and is associated with a common proteinic carrier explains these different reactions.", "contents": "Serological specificities of polysaccharides from four Salmonellae sharing \"O\" factor 8. S. virginia (8) and S. newport (6.8) induced in sera of hyper-immunized rabbits antibodies which precipitated the respective homologous and heterologous polysaccharides as well as the polysaccharides from S. blockley (6.8) and from S. emek (8.20) by homogeneous lines of, apparent, serological identity. S. blockley, sharing with S. newport the same \"O\" factors, induced however two antipolysaccharides of which only one was identical with that of S. virginia. Different proteinic carriers were found to be responsible for the two induced antipolysaccharides. S. emek (820) induced antipolysaccharide antibodies which displayed a reaction of partial identity with the heterologous polysaccharides, in contrast to the serological homogeneity of precipitation, shown by the S. emek polysaccharide against the heterologous sera. The existence of a more complex structure of the S. emek polysaccharide, of which a small determinant is in common with the heterologous polysaccharides and is associated with a common proteinic carrier explains these different reactions.", "PMID": 610246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_181", "title": "[Further studies of salmonella findings in reptiles. IV. Communication (author's transl)].", "content": "All together 139 snakes - 134 Coluber jugularis, 3 Natrix natrix and 2 Natrix tessellata were examined for the presence of Salmonella and Arizona bacteriae. From the 139 specimens examined 112 proved to be Salmonella positive. 30 Salmonella respectively Arizona serotypes were isolated, there from 3 new Arizona types were found: Ar. 10a, 10c:27-21, Ar. 10a, 10c:23-31 and Ar. 16:23-31. 41 specimens contained single serotypes, while 51 were double infected, 12 specimens harbored 3 different serotypes of Salmonella, 6 specimens contained four and 2 contained five different serotypes. The result of these examinations present once more the variety of Salmonella species in reptiles.", "contents": "[Further studies of salmonella findings in reptiles. IV. Communication (author's transl)]. All together 139 snakes - 134 Coluber jugularis, 3 Natrix natrix and 2 Natrix tessellata were examined for the presence of Salmonella and Arizona bacteriae. From the 139 specimens examined 112 proved to be Salmonella positive. 30 Salmonella respectively Arizona serotypes were isolated, there from 3 new Arizona types were found: Ar. 10a, 10c:27-21, Ar. 10a, 10c:23-31 and Ar. 16:23-31. 41 specimens contained single serotypes, while 51 were double infected, 12 specimens harbored 3 different serotypes of Salmonella, 6 specimens contained four and 2 contained five different serotypes. The result of these examinations present once more the variety of Salmonella species in reptiles.", "PMID": 610247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_182", "title": "[The methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test): a simplified method for the identification of Pseudomonas species (author's transl)].", "content": "The identification of Pseudomonas species in practice can be improved by testing the utilization of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon. The introduction of this kind of technique into routine laboratory work requires a simplification of the test system. In order to meet these requirements the methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test) had been developed. In this test discs loaded with different organic compounds are introduced into suspensions of the strain examined as single source of carbon. Before to these bacterial suspensions a mineral salts solution containing methyleneblue as a redox indicator had been added. With the help of this method the utilization of a large number of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon can be tested in a way which is neither laborious nor time consuming. The disc once prepared can be stored for some time, single strains can be tested without any difficulty as they are isolated during routine laboratory work.", "contents": "[The methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test): a simplified method for the identification of Pseudomonas species (author's transl)]. The identification of Pseudomonas species in practice can be improved by testing the utilization of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon. The introduction of this kind of technique into routine laboratory work requires a simplification of the test system. In order to meet these requirements the methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test) had been developed. In this test discs loaded with different organic compounds are introduced into suspensions of the strain examined as single source of carbon. Before to these bacterial suspensions a mineral salts solution containing methyleneblue as a redox indicator had been added. With the help of this method the utilization of a large number of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon can be tested in a way which is neither laborious nor time consuming. The disc once prepared can be stored for some time, single strains can be tested without any difficulty as they are isolated during routine laboratory work.", "PMID": 610248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_183", "title": "[Trendobservation of beneficial effects of vaccinations (author's transl)].", "content": "The beneficial effects of vaccinations may be calculated by means of special formulas: (formulas: see text). In these formulas R means the risks of the disease with regard to special complications, r the comparable risk of vaccination, p the protection rate and t the duration of protection. A vaccination is beneficial, if N and Q greater than 1 and D greater than 0. Vaccinations which show low levels for N, Q and D must be reevaluated constantly by means of the above mentioned formulas. This control may be performed also by calculation of the border - risk Rlim = r/p.t and the epidemiologic trend. In case of whooping-cough according to the risk given by the WHO vaccination loses its beneficial effect at the end of 1976 and cannot be recommended therefore for general performance in middle Europe. On the other hand BCG-vaccination will have a beneficial effect for about another 30 years on a very low level. However, the beneficial effect is much more expressed, if the prevention of leucemic deaths, as quoted by Davignon and Rosenthal, is taken for granted.", "contents": "[Trendobservation of beneficial effects of vaccinations (author's transl)]. The beneficial effects of vaccinations may be calculated by means of special formulas: (formulas: see text). In these formulas R means the risks of the disease with regard to special complications, r the comparable risk of vaccination, p the protection rate and t the duration of protection. A vaccination is beneficial, if N and Q greater than 1 and D greater than 0. Vaccinations which show low levels for N, Q and D must be reevaluated constantly by means of the above mentioned formulas. This control may be performed also by calculation of the border - risk Rlim = r/p.t and the epidemiologic trend. In case of whooping-cough according to the risk given by the WHO vaccination loses its beneficial effect at the end of 1976 and cannot be recommended therefore for general performance in middle Europe. On the other hand BCG-vaccination will have a beneficial effect for about another 30 years on a very low level. However, the beneficial effect is much more expressed, if the prevention of leucemic deaths, as quoted by Davignon and Rosenthal, is taken for granted.", "PMID": 610249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_184", "title": "[Hygienic and bacteriological comparative studies in 50 hospitals. VI. The efficacy of a hospital-hygienic instruction regarding 6 hospitals].", "content": "The efficacy of hospital hygienic measures was checked in six hospitals. The programme was started by determining the effective state. Subsequently a two-day extension course for the training and instruction of the responsible personnel in charge (physicians, nurses and administrative staff) in the essential problems of hospital hygiene was held. The next measure consisted in giving advice in the preparation of hygiene plans which had to make allowance for the prevailing personal and constructional situation as well as for the hospital equipment. The hygiene plans represented the written concept of the measures to be implemented. Then enquiries, local inspections as well as hygienic-bacteriological ambient analyses were carried out to determine the hygienic situation in the hospital after adoption of the measures and the findings were compared with the situation preceding the initiation of the hygienic programme. The results show that the proposed improvements were mostly realised as far as such administrative measures as the procurement of disinfectant dispensers, throwaway towels and suitable disinfectants were concerned. The instructions given for the implementation of suitable methods of application were complied with to a lesser extent. Moreover, considerable improvements were achieved with regard to the operation and efficiency of the sterilizers. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that suitable measures largely reduce the extensive gaps in information on the part of the staff on hospital hygiene and that the resulting intensification of efforts can greatly contribute towards an improvement of the overall hygiene in hospitals.", "contents": "[Hygienic and bacteriological comparative studies in 50 hospitals. VI. The efficacy of a hospital-hygienic instruction regarding 6 hospitals]. The efficacy of hospital hygienic measures was checked in six hospitals. The programme was started by determining the effective state. Subsequently a two-day extension course for the training and instruction of the responsible personnel in charge (physicians, nurses and administrative staff) in the essential problems of hospital hygiene was held. The next measure consisted in giving advice in the preparation of hygiene plans which had to make allowance for the prevailing personal and constructional situation as well as for the hospital equipment. The hygiene plans represented the written concept of the measures to be implemented. Then enquiries, local inspections as well as hygienic-bacteriological ambient analyses were carried out to determine the hygienic situation in the hospital after adoption of the measures and the findings were compared with the situation preceding the initiation of the hygienic programme. The results show that the proposed improvements were mostly realised as far as such administrative measures as the procurement of disinfectant dispensers, throwaway towels and suitable disinfectants were concerned. The instructions given for the implementation of suitable methods of application were complied with to a lesser extent. Moreover, considerable improvements were achieved with regard to the operation and efficiency of the sterilizers. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that suitable measures largely reduce the extensive gaps in information on the part of the staff on hospital hygiene and that the resulting intensification of efforts can greatly contribute towards an improvement of the overall hygiene in hospitals.", "PMID": 610250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_185", "title": "[On the integral determination of the fluoride immission by means of the lead dioxid cylinder method (author's transl)].", "content": "The observation that PbO2 absorbs besides SO2 other, gaseous pollutants such as HF suggested to extend the lead dioxid cylinder method by means of the fluoride electrode on the determination of the fluoride immission. The results of 656 measurements were used to establish \"fluoride-maps\" of the federal countries Salzburg and K\u00e4rnten.", "contents": "[On the integral determination of the fluoride immission by means of the lead dioxid cylinder method (author's transl)]. The observation that PbO2 absorbs besides SO2 other, gaseous pollutants such as HF suggested to extend the lead dioxid cylinder method by means of the fluoride electrode on the determination of the fluoride immission. The results of 656 measurements were used to establish \"fluoride-maps\" of the federal countries Salzburg and K\u00e4rnten.", "PMID": 610252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_186", "title": "[Equipment to find odour compounds, produced by bacteria in drinking water. I. Comparison of a bacteria produced odour compound with a chemical reference substance and a simple method for getting and concentrating biogenic odour compounds (author's transl)].", "content": "An increase in using surface water and bank filtration processes as raw water for drinking water production sometimes gave rise to problems of bad taste and odour. Some of these odourous compounds may be produced by bacteria, especially Streptomyces species. They are able to pass active carbon filters and therefore are a problem as well in raw water as in treated water. Biogenic odourous compounds often are soluble in water, that means they are present without being fixed to the bacteria cell. Human nose is able to percieve even dilutions of about 10(-9). If a bacterial produced substance is compared with an equal smelling chemical substance such as Isoborneol, also diltuions of 10(-9) may be smelt. Gas-chromatography only detects concentrations up to 10(-5), so the nose is much more efficient.", "contents": "[Equipment to find odour compounds, produced by bacteria in drinking water. I. Comparison of a bacteria produced odour compound with a chemical reference substance and a simple method for getting and concentrating biogenic odour compounds (author's transl)]. An increase in using surface water and bank filtration processes as raw water for drinking water production sometimes gave rise to problems of bad taste and odour. Some of these odourous compounds may be produced by bacteria, especially Streptomyces species. They are able to pass active carbon filters and therefore are a problem as well in raw water as in treated water. Biogenic odourous compounds often are soluble in water, that means they are present without being fixed to the bacteria cell. Human nose is able to percieve even dilutions of about 10(-9). If a bacterial produced substance is compared with an equal smelling chemical substance such as Isoborneol, also diltuions of 10(-9) may be smelt. Gas-chromatography only detects concentrations up to 10(-5), so the nose is much more efficient.", "PMID": 610253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_187", "title": "[Studies on inactivation of viruses in drinking and surface water. A contribution to the decontamination of water by field methods (author's transl)].", "content": "The suitability for field use of heating up to 80 degrees C and adding six different virucidal chemicals for decontamination of drinking and surface water was investigated using the viruses of Polio (vaccine strain), ECBO, Reo, bovine Parvo, HCC, Pseudorabies, ND and Vaccinia. The Parvovirus (concentration 10(5) TCID50/ml) heated to 80 degrees C could not be inactivated completely in drinking water within one hour; the Reovirus could after one hour only at 60 degrees C. The other viruses used lost their infectivity at 56 degrees C within 60 minutes or at 60 degrees C within 20 minutes respectively. Heating therefore seems to be too circumstantial a method for viral decontamination of water and unreliable under field conditions. As to the chemical water additives tested, chloramine-T, hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxide proved to be unsuitable in spite of virucidal activity. The amount of their concentration necessary for reliable virus inactivation makes the water unfit for drinking. Iodine, a calcium hypochlorite sample and potassium permanganate were useful. Because of its constant reaction in drinking water together with additional advantages, iodination of water would seem to be the best method at present for viral water decontamination usable under field conditions.", "contents": "[Studies on inactivation of viruses in drinking and surface water. A contribution to the decontamination of water by field methods (author's transl)]. The suitability for field use of heating up to 80 degrees C and adding six different virucidal chemicals for decontamination of drinking and surface water was investigated using the viruses of Polio (vaccine strain), ECBO, Reo, bovine Parvo, HCC, Pseudorabies, ND and Vaccinia. The Parvovirus (concentration 10(5) TCID50/ml) heated to 80 degrees C could not be inactivated completely in drinking water within one hour; the Reovirus could after one hour only at 60 degrees C. The other viruses used lost their infectivity at 56 degrees C within 60 minutes or at 60 degrees C within 20 minutes respectively. Heating therefore seems to be too circumstantial a method for viral decontamination of water and unreliable under field conditions. As to the chemical water additives tested, chloramine-T, hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxide proved to be unsuitable in spite of virucidal activity. The amount of their concentration necessary for reliable virus inactivation makes the water unfit for drinking. Iodine, a calcium hypochlorite sample and potassium permanganate were useful. Because of its constant reaction in drinking water together with additional advantages, iodination of water would seem to be the best method at present for viral water decontamination usable under field conditions.", "PMID": 610255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_188", "title": "[Epidemiological studies after an outbreak of meningitis (author's transl)].", "content": "The outbreak of meningitis during the period from the end of August to the beginning of October 1974 in Kiel affected 45 children, particularly those in the age group between 4 and 9 years. An potential causative agents ECHO viri were identified in 15/45 cases and Coxsackie B viri in 2/45 cases. The patients presented the typical meningitic symptoms (fever, headache, stiffness of the neck). In all cases the disease ran a benign course. - Epidemiologically, it was possible to trace 32/45 cases back to three locally demarcated groups with demonstrable possibilities of contact for the diseased children (family, playground, kindergarden and school). The remaining 13/45 cases occurred isolated over the urban area without any visible connection. - This outbreak of meningitis must be regarded as an accumulation of illnesses resulting from contact infections by enteroviri and lacking or deficient disinfection. Besides the rather limited measures adopted to prevent the spread of such an infection, the correct psychological management of the population especially by the health authorities is of great importance in such epidemics.", "contents": "[Epidemiological studies after an outbreak of meningitis (author's transl)]. The outbreak of meningitis during the period from the end of August to the beginning of October 1974 in Kiel affected 45 children, particularly those in the age group between 4 and 9 years. An potential causative agents ECHO viri were identified in 15/45 cases and Coxsackie B viri in 2/45 cases. The patients presented the typical meningitic symptoms (fever, headache, stiffness of the neck). In all cases the disease ran a benign course. - Epidemiologically, it was possible to trace 32/45 cases back to three locally demarcated groups with demonstrable possibilities of contact for the diseased children (family, playground, kindergarden and school). The remaining 13/45 cases occurred isolated over the urban area without any visible connection. - This outbreak of meningitis must be regarded as an accumulation of illnesses resulting from contact infections by enteroviri and lacking or deficient disinfection. Besides the rather limited measures adopted to prevent the spread of such an infection, the correct psychological management of the population especially by the health authorities is of great importance in such epidemics.", "PMID": 610256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_189", "title": "[Activities of lactate dehydrogenase, acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with craniocerebral injuries].", "content": "LDH, ACHE, and CHE are determined in liquor and serum of 31 patients with commontio cerebri and 20 patients with contusio cerebri and the values are compared with a reference range found in 25 test persons. Functional cerebral lesion causes an increase in LDH in the cerebrospinal fluid. After cerebral contusions, the behaviour of LDH is uncharacteristic whereas ACHE and CHE show a distinct decrease in activity. When considering the individual values, a considerable scattering is found, so that the clinical applicability of the method for a differentiation of functional and primary-morphological brain lesions remains doubtful.", "contents": "[Activities of lactate dehydrogenase, acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with craniocerebral injuries]. LDH, ACHE, and CHE are determined in liquor and serum of 31 patients with commontio cerebri and 20 patients with contusio cerebri and the values are compared with a reference range found in 25 test persons. Functional cerebral lesion causes an increase in LDH in the cerebrospinal fluid. After cerebral contusions, the behaviour of LDH is uncharacteristic whereas ACHE and CHE show a distinct decrease in activity. When considering the individual values, a considerable scattering is found, so that the clinical applicability of the method for a differentiation of functional and primary-morphological brain lesions remains doubtful.", "PMID": 610257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_190", "title": "[Resection of cerebellar gliomas in childhood].", "content": "The linear incision of the cerebellum for the exposure of cerebellar tumours is considered to be insufficient, both with regard to access, survey and intraoperative traumatisation and the postoperative development. As vascular anastomoses in the pia mater are very strong and sufficient, resections of the cerebellar tissue are carried out above the tumour. The nucleus dentatus was examined in its extent on the specimen, especially with respect to its displacement by tumours. Median tumours push it laterally and rotate it, hemispherical tumours lead to the opposite effect. Malignant gliomas infiltrate it. Resection is carried out in the lobuli semilunaris inf. et biventer, in the vermis, in the upper and later sections of pyramis and partly in the medial hemisphere regions. Experiences were gained in 50 children; in all cases the tumour could be removed completely.", "contents": "[Resection of cerebellar gliomas in childhood]. The linear incision of the cerebellum for the exposure of cerebellar tumours is considered to be insufficient, both with regard to access, survey and intraoperative traumatisation and the postoperative development. As vascular anastomoses in the pia mater are very strong and sufficient, resections of the cerebellar tissue are carried out above the tumour. The nucleus dentatus was examined in its extent on the specimen, especially with respect to its displacement by tumours. Median tumours push it laterally and rotate it, hemispherical tumours lead to the opposite effect. Malignant gliomas infiltrate it. Resection is carried out in the lobuli semilunaris inf. et biventer, in the vermis, in the upper and later sections of pyramis and partly in the medial hemisphere regions. Experiences were gained in 50 children; in all cases the tumour could be removed completely.", "PMID": 610258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_191", "title": "The microglia in brain granulomatoses. Histo-enzymological study.", "content": "The microglial participation in the different granulomatous processes was studied by silver impregnation techniques and histoenzymological methods. In florid granulomatous areas two types of metallophilic cells were detected, corresponding to the common macrophages and perhaps to the ameboid modification of the microglia. Hydrolytic enzyme preparations showed a pattern of distribution and intensity similar to that of the impregnated cells. Only in the adjacent nervous parenchyma the different methods evidenced the presence of hyperplastic ramified microglia associated with reactive astrocytes.", "contents": "The microglia in brain granulomatoses. Histo-enzymological study. The microglial participation in the different granulomatous processes was studied by silver impregnation techniques and histoenzymological methods. In florid granulomatous areas two types of metallophilic cells were detected, corresponding to the common macrophages and perhaps to the ameboid modification of the microglia. Hydrolytic enzyme preparations showed a pattern of distribution and intensity similar to that of the impregnated cells. Only in the adjacent nervous parenchyma the different methods evidenced the presence of hyperplastic ramified microglia associated with reactive astrocytes.", "PMID": 610259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_192", "title": "[Computer model of the bladder].", "content": "The function of the urinary bladder in the spinal segments S2-3 is a relatively simple regulatory system. This fact has enabled us to devise an adapted block scheme and to describe mathematically existing interrelations of its individual components. Thus, an abstract model of the function of the urinary bladder has been developed which was realised on a BASIC-programmed computer. The results obtained with this model simulate the function of filling and emptying of the urinary bladder and permit to understand the details of the function of the nervous system controlling the urinary bladder at this level.", "contents": "[Computer model of the bladder]. The function of the urinary bladder in the spinal segments S2-3 is a relatively simple regulatory system. This fact has enabled us to devise an adapted block scheme and to describe mathematically existing interrelations of its individual components. Thus, an abstract model of the function of the urinary bladder has been developed which was realised on a BASIC-programmed computer. The results obtained with this model simulate the function of filling and emptying of the urinary bladder and permit to understand the details of the function of the nervous system controlling the urinary bladder at this level.", "PMID": 610260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_193", "title": "Unusual extension of an epidermoid cyst.", "content": "Report on an epidermoid which extended from the frontal via the temporal region to the brain stem and the left cerebellar hemisphere and had consumed the brain substance. A cerebellar pressure cone was found on the right-hand side. The case history covered a period of ten years (psychic symptoms, pressure signs, nystagmus, ptosis, hypacusis on the left side and central facial paresis on the right). The angiogram showed an extensive region with an abundance of vessels, especially in the temporal and infratentorial regions. Calibre reduction of the external carotid. No operation because of extremely bad condition. The postmortem findings confirmed the mainly basally developed epidermoidoma.", "contents": "Unusual extension of an epidermoid cyst. Report on an epidermoid which extended from the frontal via the temporal region to the brain stem and the left cerebellar hemisphere and had consumed the brain substance. A cerebellar pressure cone was found on the right-hand side. The case history covered a period of ten years (psychic symptoms, pressure signs, nystagmus, ptosis, hypacusis on the left side and central facial paresis on the right). The angiogram showed an extensive region with an abundance of vessels, especially in the temporal and infratentorial regions. Calibre reduction of the external carotid. No operation because of extremely bad condition. The postmortem findings confirmed the mainly basally developed epidermoidoma.", "PMID": 610261} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_194", "title": "[Indication for surgery in recurrent glioma of the brain].", "content": "In this paper, some aspects are discussed which are of importance for the indication for an operation because of gliomatous cerebral tumours. Among these, there are, for example, the histopathological findings, the patient's age, the period of anamnesis, and the time interval between the first operation and the recurrence, the degree of radical surgery for the removal of the tumour and the postoperative course as well as location and extension of the process. Problems of instrumental diagnosis of relapsing cerebral gliomas are briefly discussed. In conclusion, the paper gives a critical analysis of the results obtained in the surgery of glioma relapses.", "contents": "[Indication for surgery in recurrent glioma of the brain]. In this paper, some aspects are discussed which are of importance for the indication for an operation because of gliomatous cerebral tumours. Among these, there are, for example, the histopathological findings, the patient's age, the period of anamnesis, and the time interval between the first operation and the recurrence, the degree of radical surgery for the removal of the tumour and the postoperative course as well as location and extension of the process. Problems of instrumental diagnosis of relapsing cerebral gliomas are briefly discussed. In conclusion, the paper gives a critical analysis of the results obtained in the surgery of glioma relapses.", "PMID": 610263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_195", "title": "[Spinal tumors in infancy and childhood].", "content": "In the period from 1954 to 1976, 80 children were operated on in the Neurosurgical Clinic Budapest because of spinal tumours (40,7% extradural, 24.7% intradural-extramedullary, 34.6% intramedullary). 6 neurofibromas, 17 gliomas, 17 sarcomas, 12 dermoids, 6 osteoclastomas, 6 cysts, 3 haemangiomas, 2 teratomas, 2 lipomas, 1 chordoma and others. Spinal tumours in children are, expressed in percentage figures, much rarer than in adults. Diagnosed were mainly: No learning of walking, changes in the form of the vertebral column, bone changes in the X-ray picture, myelographs with air, xenon, myodil. In case of malignant tumours, chemotherapy was used additionally. Malignant intramedullar tumors were only subjected to decompression. In all other cases, operation was as radical as possible, in recent years microsurgically. Early lethality 3, tumour lethality 12 children. An important requirement is the wearing of a corset in order to diminish distortion of the vertebral column.", "contents": "[Spinal tumors in infancy and childhood]. In the period from 1954 to 1976, 80 children were operated on in the Neurosurgical Clinic Budapest because of spinal tumours (40,7% extradural, 24.7% intradural-extramedullary, 34.6% intramedullary). 6 neurofibromas, 17 gliomas, 17 sarcomas, 12 dermoids, 6 osteoclastomas, 6 cysts, 3 haemangiomas, 2 teratomas, 2 lipomas, 1 chordoma and others. Spinal tumours in children are, expressed in percentage figures, much rarer than in adults. Diagnosed were mainly: No learning of walking, changes in the form of the vertebral column, bone changes in the X-ray picture, myelographs with air, xenon, myodil. In case of malignant tumours, chemotherapy was used additionally. Malignant intramedullar tumors were only subjected to decompression. In all other cases, operation was as radical as possible, in recent years microsurgically. Early lethality 3, tumour lethality 12 children. An important requirement is the wearing of a corset in order to diminish distortion of the vertebral column.", "PMID": 610264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_196", "title": "Precursors of cytoplasmic RNA in avian cell nucleus.", "content": "In nucleus of chick embryo four pre-rRNA of molecular weight of 3.43, 2.93, 2.36 and 1.87 X 10(6) were found in addition to the heterogeneous population of \"giant\" RNA molecules larger than 4.5 X 10(6) daltons, partially polyadenylated, with few methyl groups and numerous double-stranded regions.", "contents": "Precursors of cytoplasmic RNA in avian cell nucleus. In nucleus of chick embryo four pre-rRNA of molecular weight of 3.43, 2.93, 2.36 and 1.87 X 10(6) were found in addition to the heterogeneous population of \"giant\" RNA molecules larger than 4.5 X 10(6) daltons, partially polyadenylated, with few methyl groups and numerous double-stranded regions.", "PMID": 610278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_197", "title": "Amino acid sequence of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule. A new fluorescent reagent for protein sequence analysis.", "content": "The amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from the performic acid-oxidized trypsin inhibitor were determined. The degradation was performed with a new reagent, 3-isothiocyanato-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostilbene, and compared with the dansyl-Edman technique. The amino acid sequence of the trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule was found to be the same as that of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine pancreas, established by Kress & Laskowski (J. Biol. Chem. 1967, 242, 4925-4928).", "contents": "Amino acid sequence of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule. A new fluorescent reagent for protein sequence analysis. The amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from the performic acid-oxidized trypsin inhibitor were determined. The degradation was performed with a new reagent, 3-isothiocyanato-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostilbene, and compared with the dansyl-Edman technique. The amino acid sequence of the trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule was found to be the same as that of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine pancreas, established by Kress & Laskowski (J. Biol. Chem. 1967, 242, 4925-4928).", "PMID": 610279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_198", "title": "Effect of some glycolytic intermediates and palmitoyl-CoA on alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in mitochondria isolated from liver of triiodothyronine-treated rats.", "content": "alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.5) in mitochondria from liver of the triiodothyronine-treated rats is competitively inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate, the apparent Ki values for phosphoenolpyruvate being 0.76 mM at pH 7.0, 1.7 mM at pH 7.4 and 3.5 mM at pH 7.7. The apparent Ki values for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate are also pH-dependent. Other glycolytic intermediates, such as 2-phosphoglycerate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, pyruvate, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate did not alter significantly alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity. Palmitoyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme, with Ki value of about 30 micron.", "contents": "Effect of some glycolytic intermediates and palmitoyl-CoA on alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in mitochondria isolated from liver of triiodothyronine-treated rats. alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.5) in mitochondria from liver of the triiodothyronine-treated rats is competitively inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate, the apparent Ki values for phosphoenolpyruvate being 0.76 mM at pH 7.0, 1.7 mM at pH 7.4 and 3.5 mM at pH 7.7. The apparent Ki values for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate are also pH-dependent. Other glycolytic intermediates, such as 2-phosphoglycerate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, pyruvate, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate did not alter significantly alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity. Palmitoyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme, with Ki value of about 30 micron.", "PMID": 610280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_199", "title": "Purification and some properties of a nuclease from rye germ nuclei.", "content": "1. An endonuclease has been isolated from the nuclei of rye (Secale cereale L) germ and partially purified. The enzyme shows optimum activity over the pH range 5.4-7.4 towards both DNA and RNA, and has no phosphomonoesterase or phosphodiesterase activity. 2. DNA is degraded by the rye germ nuclease to oligonucleotides of similar size, and RNA to oligonucleotides and mononucleotides containing a C-terminal 5'-phosphate group. 3. The rate of hydrolysis of nuclear acids by the enzyme decreases in the following order: native DNA greater than denatured DNA greater than RNA. Synthetic polynucleotides are hydrolysed at a rate decreasing in the order: poly(A) greater than poly(U) greater than poly(C) greater than poly(G).", "contents": "Purification and some properties of a nuclease from rye germ nuclei. 1. An endonuclease has been isolated from the nuclei of rye (Secale cereale L) germ and partially purified. The enzyme shows optimum activity over the pH range 5.4-7.4 towards both DNA and RNA, and has no phosphomonoesterase or phosphodiesterase activity. 2. DNA is degraded by the rye germ nuclease to oligonucleotides of similar size, and RNA to oligonucleotides and mononucleotides containing a C-terminal 5'-phosphate group. 3. The rate of hydrolysis of nuclear acids by the enzyme decreases in the following order: native DNA greater than denatured DNA greater than RNA. Synthetic polynucleotides are hydrolysed at a rate decreasing in the order: poly(A) greater than poly(U) greater than poly(C) greater than poly(G).", "PMID": 610281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_200", "title": "Leucine transfer RNA from barley. Characterization and purification of isoaccepting species.", "content": "Barley embryo leucine tRNA separated on reversed-phase chromatography-5 (RPC-5) into 5 fractions, whereas tRNA isolated from barley seedlings grown both in the light and in the dark, contained 4 species of tRNALeu. Species 2 and 3 were predominant; their relative ratio changed depending upon the growth conditions of the seedlings. Fractionation of crude barley tRNA successively on BD-cellulose, RPC-5 and Sepharose 4B enabled preparative isolation and purification of four leucine isoaccepting tRNAs. The species isolated differed in their main nucleotide composition, melting profiles and MgCl2 titration curves.", "contents": "Leucine transfer RNA from barley. Characterization and purification of isoaccepting species. Barley embryo leucine tRNA separated on reversed-phase chromatography-5 (RPC-5) into 5 fractions, whereas tRNA isolated from barley seedlings grown both in the light and in the dark, contained 4 species of tRNALeu. Species 2 and 3 were predominant; their relative ratio changed depending upon the growth conditions of the seedlings. Fractionation of crude barley tRNA successively on BD-cellulose, RPC-5 and Sepharose 4B enabled preparative isolation and purification of four leucine isoaccepting tRNAs. The species isolated differed in their main nucleotide composition, melting profiles and MgCl2 titration curves.", "PMID": 610282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_201", "title": "The reaction of N-bromosuccinimide with enolase.", "content": "Ten tryptophan residues per one protein molecule were found to be present in the enolase from human and swine muscle. In Tris buffer, N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) inactivated the enolases after oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues. The presence of 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) partially protected the activity, and in the presence of 2-PGA together with Mg2+ full protection was observed. In phosphate buffer, only 6 tryptophan residues could be oxidized, but the enzyme was fully inactivated. 2-PGA made possible the oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues, concomitant with full inactivation. In either case, Mg2+ had no effect. The Km values and pH optima were the same for the native and partially NBS-modified enolases.", "contents": "The reaction of N-bromosuccinimide with enolase. Ten tryptophan residues per one protein molecule were found to be present in the enolase from human and swine muscle. In Tris buffer, N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) inactivated the enolases after oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues. The presence of 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) partially protected the activity, and in the presence of 2-PGA together with Mg2+ full protection was observed. In phosphate buffer, only 6 tryptophan residues could be oxidized, but the enzyme was fully inactivated. 2-PGA made possible the oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues, concomitant with full inactivation. In either case, Mg2+ had no effect. The Km values and pH optima were the same for the native and partially NBS-modified enolases.", "PMID": 610283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_202", "title": "Hemodynamic changes in burned mice treated with triglycylvasopressin.", "content": "Cardiac output distribution, blood pressure and flow in a carotid artery catheter during the first five days after a standardized 15% third degree burn were studied in groups of mice treated with triglycylvasopressin, and in groups used as controls. All animals received isotonic saline solution amounting to 20% of the body weight twice daily, and the treated groups received in addition triglycylvasopressin (TGLVP), a vasopressin analogue with prolonged effect, 100 microgram/kg body weight twice daily. Cardiac output distribution was determined by the 86Rubidium-technique, and showed in burned animals a decreasing fraction to kidneys and small bowel as well as an increased share to the carcass during the experimental period. These changes were partly counteracted by TGLVP-treatment. Flow in the carotid artery catheter in the treated group far exceeded that in the controls, which might be explained by a lower viscosity of the blood in the treated group.", "contents": "Hemodynamic changes in burned mice treated with triglycylvasopressin. Cardiac output distribution, blood pressure and flow in a carotid artery catheter during the first five days after a standardized 15% third degree burn were studied in groups of mice treated with triglycylvasopressin, and in groups used as controls. All animals received isotonic saline solution amounting to 20% of the body weight twice daily, and the treated groups received in addition triglycylvasopressin (TGLVP), a vasopressin analogue with prolonged effect, 100 microgram/kg body weight twice daily. Cardiac output distribution was determined by the 86Rubidium-technique, and showed in burned animals a decreasing fraction to kidneys and small bowel as well as an increased share to the carcass during the experimental period. These changes were partly counteracted by TGLVP-treatment. Flow in the carotid artery catheter in the treated group far exceeded that in the controls, which might be explained by a lower viscosity of the blood in the treated group.", "PMID": 610284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_203", "title": "Earlier and concurrent morbidity of patients with acute lower leg thrombosis.", "content": "The morbidity of 143 patients aged 15-55 years suffering from lower leg thrombosis had been analysed and compared with that of a control material. Ninety-two per cent of the patients suffering from thrombosis had earlier undergone some form of medical care at the hospital. The corresponding figure for the control material was 56%. Of the patients, 6% had a malignant disease, 24% were postoperative, 8% had trauma or fracture of the thrombotic leg, 18% had defects in the fibrinolytic system (58% of those in whom the fibrinolytic defence mechanism was studied), 20% were alcoholics or drug addicts, 15% (31% of the females) had used oral contraceptives, 15% had had an earlier thrombosis of the leg, and 8% of the patients had been in bed with some innocuous disease. It was concluded that a thrombosis often arises in patients with a high earlier morbidity and that most often two or more different conditions may predispose the patients to the disease.", "contents": "Earlier and concurrent morbidity of patients with acute lower leg thrombosis. The morbidity of 143 patients aged 15-55 years suffering from lower leg thrombosis had been analysed and compared with that of a control material. Ninety-two per cent of the patients suffering from thrombosis had earlier undergone some form of medical care at the hospital. The corresponding figure for the control material was 56%. Of the patients, 6% had a malignant disease, 24% were postoperative, 8% had trauma or fracture of the thrombotic leg, 18% had defects in the fibrinolytic system (58% of those in whom the fibrinolytic defence mechanism was studied), 20% were alcoholics or drug addicts, 15% (31% of the females) had used oral contraceptives, 15% had had an earlier thrombosis of the leg, and 8% of the patients had been in bed with some innocuous disease. It was concluded that a thrombosis often arises in patients with a high earlier morbidity and that most often two or more different conditions may predispose the patients to the disease.", "PMID": 610285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_204", "title": "Infection complications after thrombectomy in deep venous thrombosis.", "content": "In acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis thrombectomy with a temporary AV-fistula is an alternative treatment to induced fibrinolysis and anticoagulation. Reviewing our results we have found an extremely high incidence of wound infections. In 36 patients thrombectomy with temporary AV-fistula has been performed. 31% of these had a postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 25 days compared to 10 days for the non-infected patients. In 26 patients a second, elective operation with closure of the AV-fistula was performed. 15% of these patients developed postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 18 days compared to 5 days for the non-infected patients.", "contents": "Infection complications after thrombectomy in deep venous thrombosis. In acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis thrombectomy with a temporary AV-fistula is an alternative treatment to induced fibrinolysis and anticoagulation. Reviewing our results we have found an extremely high incidence of wound infections. In 36 patients thrombectomy with temporary AV-fistula has been performed. 31% of these had a postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 25 days compared to 10 days for the non-infected patients. In 26 patients a second, elective operation with closure of the AV-fistula was performed. 15% of these patients developed postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 18 days compared to 5 days for the non-infected patients.", "PMID": 610286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_205", "title": "Liver affection associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection.", "content": "During the last ten years, several clinical manifestations of Yersinia enterocolitica infection have been reported. Surgeons are especially aware of \"the right iliac fossa syndrome\", caused by mesenterial lymphadenitis and terminal ileitis. We suggest that Yersinia enterocolitica may also cause a clinical condition easily misinterpreted as cholecystitis, and accompanied by slightly elevated serum levels of ASAT, LD, AP and bilirubin. Apparently, this condition may run a chronic relapsing course. A report is given of two cases of liver affection associated wtih positive Y. ent. antibody titre. Case 1 would illustrate the chronic relapsing liver affection with stationary titre. In Case 2 an acute Au-negative hepatitis is accompanied by significant rise and fall in titre.", "contents": "Liver affection associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection. During the last ten years, several clinical manifestations of Yersinia enterocolitica infection have been reported. Surgeons are especially aware of \"the right iliac fossa syndrome\", caused by mesenterial lymphadenitis and terminal ileitis. We suggest that Yersinia enterocolitica may also cause a clinical condition easily misinterpreted as cholecystitis, and accompanied by slightly elevated serum levels of ASAT, LD, AP and bilirubin. Apparently, this condition may run a chronic relapsing course. A report is given of two cases of liver affection associated wtih positive Y. ent. antibody titre. Case 1 would illustrate the chronic relapsing liver affection with stationary titre. In Case 2 an acute Au-negative hepatitis is accompanied by significant rise and fall in titre.", "PMID": 610287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_206", "title": "Clinical results and recurrences 1-4 years after parietal cell vagotomy in duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "168 patients with duodenal or prepyloric ulcer, treated with parietal cell vagotomy (PCV), were followed up one to four years after operation. 67% of the patients had more than 5 years' history of ulcer disease and in 44% preoperative bleeding or perforation could be confirmed. According to the modified Visick classification the clinical results were considered excellent or very good in 71%, with a marked tendency to better results for those surgeons with the greatest experience in performing parietal cell vagotomy. The result was considered unsatisfactory in 25 patients (15%) and this was in all cases due to reoperation and/or recurrent ulcer. There was no postoperative mortality and a low frequency of postoperative complications. Dumping was found in only one patient and mild diarrhoea in two. At follow-up, 16 patients (9.5%) had had a proven and 8 (4.5%) a suspected recurrent ulcer and 3 had gastric retention without recurrence. The recurrence rate was very high for those patients operated during the first year after the introduction of PCV, but then decreased significantly. 18 patients required reoperation. Antrectomy or truncal vagotomy with drainage is considered the method of choice for patients with an incomplete PCV and recurrent ulcer.", "contents": "Clinical results and recurrences 1-4 years after parietal cell vagotomy in duodenal ulcer patients. 168 patients with duodenal or prepyloric ulcer, treated with parietal cell vagotomy (PCV), were followed up one to four years after operation. 67% of the patients had more than 5 years' history of ulcer disease and in 44% preoperative bleeding or perforation could be confirmed. According to the modified Visick classification the clinical results were considered excellent or very good in 71%, with a marked tendency to better results for those surgeons with the greatest experience in performing parietal cell vagotomy. The result was considered unsatisfactory in 25 patients (15%) and this was in all cases due to reoperation and/or recurrent ulcer. There was no postoperative mortality and a low frequency of postoperative complications. Dumping was found in only one patient and mild diarrhoea in two. At follow-up, 16 patients (9.5%) had had a proven and 8 (4.5%) a suspected recurrent ulcer and 3 had gastric retention without recurrence. The recurrence rate was very high for those patients operated during the first year after the introduction of PCV, but then decreased significantly. 18 patients required reoperation. Antrectomy or truncal vagotomy with drainage is considered the method of choice for patients with an incomplete PCV and recurrent ulcer.", "PMID": 610288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_207", "title": "Bile peritonitis due to spontaneous perforation of the common hepatic duct. Report of a case.", "content": "A 55-year-old female, previously cholecystectomized, was admitted to hospital with signs of severe acute abdomen. At laparotomy, bile peritonitis was found, but the site of leakage could not be discovered. The biliary tree was otherwise normal and without stones. The treatment was confined to drainage of the common bile duct by inserting a T-tube. In spite of intensive postoperative care the patient died. Autopsy showed a perforation opening in the common hepatic duct on the posterior wall and a solitary stone was detected in the adjacent retroperitoneal tissue. The mechanism to this rare condition is discussed and a review of earlier similar cases is given. The benefit of routine cholegraphy in order to avoid retained stones is briefly mentioned.", "contents": "Bile peritonitis due to spontaneous perforation of the common hepatic duct. Report of a case. A 55-year-old female, previously cholecystectomized, was admitted to hospital with signs of severe acute abdomen. At laparotomy, bile peritonitis was found, but the site of leakage could not be discovered. The biliary tree was otherwise normal and without stones. The treatment was confined to drainage of the common bile duct by inserting a T-tube. In spite of intensive postoperative care the patient died. Autopsy showed a perforation opening in the common hepatic duct on the posterior wall and a solitary stone was detected in the adjacent retroperitoneal tissue. The mechanism to this rare condition is discussed and a review of earlier similar cases is given. The benefit of routine cholegraphy in order to avoid retained stones is briefly mentioned.", "PMID": 610291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_208", "title": "XO/XY mosaicism with non fluorescent Y chromosome: clinical, cytogenetic and endocrinological studies on a female subject.", "content": "Cytogenetic, clinical and endocrinological studies were performed on a phenotypically female subject who had a XO/XY mosaicism. This patient had a primary amenorrhea. A disgenic testis on the left side and a primordial ovary on the right one was showed by laparotomy performed in this subject in the prepubertal age. The Y chromosome had not any fluorescence and was shorter than normal one. The basal plasma levels of various hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary stimulation tests were similar to other subjects with gonadal disgenesis. However a low response of growth hormone to insulin tolerance test, showed in this case, suggest the necessity to early supply a sufficient replacement of therapy.", "contents": "XO/XY mosaicism with non fluorescent Y chromosome: clinical, cytogenetic and endocrinological studies on a female subject. Cytogenetic, clinical and endocrinological studies were performed on a phenotypically female subject who had a XO/XY mosaicism. This patient had a primary amenorrhea. A disgenic testis on the left side and a primordial ovary on the right one was showed by laparotomy performed in this subject in the prepubertal age. The Y chromosome had not any fluorescence and was shorter than normal one. The basal plasma levels of various hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary stimulation tests were similar to other subjects with gonadal disgenesis. However a low response of growth hormone to insulin tolerance test, showed in this case, suggest the necessity to early supply a sufficient replacement of therapy.", "PMID": 610313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_209", "title": "Hypogonadal men treated with oral testosterone undecanoate.", "content": "Three hypogonadal male subjects with very low plasma testosterone levels were given testosterone undecanoate orally (120 mg daily for 3 weeks) as a replacement therapy. Normal adult male testosterone plasma values were rapidly reached and attained throughout the therapy. Similar elevations of plasma androstenedione were noted. A reduction in sex hormone binding globulin following the therapy was observed. Satisfactory clinical responses were reported by the patients. We thank Organon Laboratories Ltd. for supplying TU and financial help with this project.", "contents": "Hypogonadal men treated with oral testosterone undecanoate. Three hypogonadal male subjects with very low plasma testosterone levels were given testosterone undecanoate orally (120 mg daily for 3 weeks) as a replacement therapy. Normal adult male testosterone plasma values were rapidly reached and attained throughout the therapy. Similar elevations of plasma androstenedione were noted. A reduction in sex hormone binding globulin following the therapy was observed. Satisfactory clinical responses were reported by the patients. We thank Organon Laboratories Ltd. for supplying TU and financial help with this project.", "PMID": 610314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_210", "title": "Endocrine modifications in women with premature menopause.", "content": "The Authors have found 9 cases of premature menopause out of a total of 159 observations of gynecological disfunctional disorders for a 3 year period. The functional investigation has been carried out by radioimmunoassay for PRL, FSH, LH, 17beta-estradiol, progesterone and, in those cases in which it was possible, the spontaneous pulsatility of PRL and gonadotropins has also been studied. The basal PRL was found always in normal range and the pulsatility was sufficiently flat. On the other hand a pool of gonadotropins can still be released by 100 microgram of LH-RH i.v. in spite of high basal levels of pituitary gonadotropins. The pulsatility, especially for FSH, appears like to those of postmenopausal women. 17beta-estradiol and progesterone were at low levels and could not be alterated by HMG-HCG tests. As a conclusion the Authors think that the evaluation of the above reported parameters is an unfailing diagnostic precision in many cases of secondary protovarian amenorrhea for a premature menopause syndrome.", "contents": "Endocrine modifications in women with premature menopause. The Authors have found 9 cases of premature menopause out of a total of 159 observations of gynecological disfunctional disorders for a 3 year period. The functional investigation has been carried out by radioimmunoassay for PRL, FSH, LH, 17beta-estradiol, progesterone and, in those cases in which it was possible, the spontaneous pulsatility of PRL and gonadotropins has also been studied. The basal PRL was found always in normal range and the pulsatility was sufficiently flat. On the other hand a pool of gonadotropins can still be released by 100 microgram of LH-RH i.v. in spite of high basal levels of pituitary gonadotropins. The pulsatility, especially for FSH, appears like to those of postmenopausal women. 17beta-estradiol and progesterone were at low levels and could not be alterated by HMG-HCG tests. As a conclusion the Authors think that the evaluation of the above reported parameters is an unfailing diagnostic precision in many cases of secondary protovarian amenorrhea for a premature menopause syndrome.", "PMID": 610316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_211", "title": "[Comparative study of bone mineral densities in the human skeleton].", "content": "The different mineral densities and their distribution within human bone of the iliac crest, the femoral and the humeral head are analysed by microradiography with computerized photometry. 10 male and 11 female corpses between the age of 17 to 80, show that the results obtained depended upon age, sex and upon the site of the bone biopsy. Bcause of the small number of cases in this preliminary investigation, careful interpretation of these differences is mandatory. The advantages of this method are discussed.", "contents": "[Comparative study of bone mineral densities in the human skeleton]. The different mineral densities and their distribution within human bone of the iliac crest, the femoral and the humeral head are analysed by microradiography with computerized photometry. 10 male and 11 female corpses between the age of 17 to 80, show that the results obtained depended upon age, sex and upon the site of the bone biopsy. Bcause of the small number of cases in this preliminary investigation, careful interpretation of these differences is mandatory. The advantages of this method are discussed.", "PMID": 610336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_212", "title": "[Value of photon-absorption densitometry for the assessment of bone density].", "content": "Senile osteroporosis itself is asymptomatic unless pain is induced by the static insufficiency of the skeleton, in long lasting disease. Conventional procedures for early diagnosis and control of patients are invasive and therefore not suitable for routine purposes. The efficiency of sodium fluoride for the treatment of senile osteoporosis after a minimum of 12 months has been established by invasive methods. It is the purpose of this study, to examine the value of photoabsorption-densitometry with double-isotope-method (125-J, 241-Am) for the evaluation of a therapeutic effect in this disorder. 7 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of senile osteoporosis (6 female, 1 male patient with ages of 56 to 87 years) underwent regular follow-up examinations for one year while on a regimen of 25mg. sodium fluoride, as retard, twice daily. The bone mineral content registered 1 cm. proximal of the proc. styloideus ulnaris (representative for the trabecular bone) and 8 cm proximal from the proc. styloideus ulnaris of the right forearm (representative for cortical bone) was not statistically different from the measurements registered prior to the study. However, the bone mineral content registered in both regions increased significantly, after 12 months treatment (p less than 0.05). This indicates that the assessment of bone mineral content by photonabsorptiondensitometry is a valuable method for therapeutic control of this disorder. The method is recommended as a routine procedure for the early diagnosis and for follow up of sodium fluoride therapy geriatric patients.", "contents": "[Value of photon-absorption densitometry for the assessment of bone density]. Senile osteroporosis itself is asymptomatic unless pain is induced by the static insufficiency of the skeleton, in long lasting disease. Conventional procedures for early diagnosis and control of patients are invasive and therefore not suitable for routine purposes. The efficiency of sodium fluoride for the treatment of senile osteoporosis after a minimum of 12 months has been established by invasive methods. It is the purpose of this study, to examine the value of photoabsorption-densitometry with double-isotope-method (125-J, 241-Am) for the evaluation of a therapeutic effect in this disorder. 7 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of senile osteoporosis (6 female, 1 male patient with ages of 56 to 87 years) underwent regular follow-up examinations for one year while on a regimen of 25mg. sodium fluoride, as retard, twice daily. The bone mineral content registered 1 cm. proximal of the proc. styloideus ulnaris (representative for the trabecular bone) and 8 cm proximal from the proc. styloideus ulnaris of the right forearm (representative for cortical bone) was not statistically different from the measurements registered prior to the study. However, the bone mineral content registered in both regions increased significantly, after 12 months treatment (p less than 0.05). This indicates that the assessment of bone mineral content by photonabsorptiondensitometry is a valuable method for therapeutic control of this disorder. The method is recommended as a routine procedure for the early diagnosis and for follow up of sodium fluoride therapy geriatric patients.", "PMID": 610337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_213", "title": "[Ultrastructure of bone-tissue cells].", "content": "The ultrastructure of bone cells is delineated by investigation of bone tissue in young mice. The characteristic cytoplasmicstic pattern of osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts is described. The morphologic findings are discussed with respect to the function of these cells.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of bone-tissue cells]. The ultrastructure of bone cells is delineated by investigation of bone tissue in young mice. The characteristic cytoplasmicstic pattern of osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts is described. The morphologic findings are discussed with respect to the function of these cells.", "PMID": 610338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_214", "title": "[Cloverleaf skull and other malformations of the skull. Pathology and clinical aspect].", "content": "Malformations of different parts of the cartilage results in achondrogenesis II, thanatophoric dwarfism and in metatropic dwarfism. Whether the base of the skull or the cranial-distal skeleton are affected, both together or separately, depends upon the localization of the defect within the cartilage. The different types of the cloverleaf syndrome are characterised by a defect of vessels and cartilage that affect the chondrocranium and the cranial-distal skeleton in different grades. The mal-development of the vessel-system is particularly marked in the upper back of the calotte.", "contents": "[Cloverleaf skull and other malformations of the skull. Pathology and clinical aspect]. Malformations of different parts of the cartilage results in achondrogenesis II, thanatophoric dwarfism and in metatropic dwarfism. Whether the base of the skull or the cranial-distal skeleton are affected, both together or separately, depends upon the localization of the defect within the cartilage. The different types of the cloverleaf syndrome are characterised by a defect of vessels and cartilage that affect the chondrocranium and the cranial-distal skeleton in different grades. The mal-development of the vessel-system is particularly marked in the upper back of the calotte.", "PMID": 610339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_215", "title": "[Diagnostic procedure in osteodystrophia deformans Paget].", "content": "Simultaneous scintigraphic and X-ray examination has been evaluated in 30 patients with Paget's disease for estimation of extension and activity of the disease. Scintigraphy produces a comprehensive picture of the pathophysiologic condition. When compared with X-rays the procedure is more economic with regards to cost, time and radiation dosage. Therefore, the use of radioisotopes for evaluation of the skeleton is strongly recommended for follow-up examination in Paget's disease.", "contents": "[Diagnostic procedure in osteodystrophia deformans Paget]. Simultaneous scintigraphic and X-ray examination has been evaluated in 30 patients with Paget's disease for estimation of extension and activity of the disease. Scintigraphy produces a comprehensive picture of the pathophysiologic condition. When compared with X-rays the procedure is more economic with regards to cost, time and radiation dosage. Therefore, the use of radioisotopes for evaluation of the skeleton is strongly recommended for follow-up examination in Paget's disease.", "PMID": 610340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_216", "title": "[Histomorphometric studies on the influence of long-term calcitonin therapy on osteodystrophia deformans Paget].", "content": "Bone alterations in Paget's disease, have been studied by histomorphometrical evaluation iliac creat bone biopsies before and after long-term treatment with human ans salmon calcitonin. Therapeutic effect was controlled from 12, up to 48 months. All-together 28 bone biopsies were taken from 9 patients (aged 46 to 71 years) with Paget's disease of their os ileum. The biopsies were prepared for histological examination without previous decalcification, cut, stained and quantitatively analysed at the light microscopic level. By means of a point counting method we determined the parameters of bone structure, bone formation and bone resorption. Before therapy was started, trabecular bone alterations could be observed which were typical for Paget's disease of bone as there were bulky trabeculare, increased remodelling surfaces and giant osteoclasts. Following treatment with calcitonin a dramatic reduction of bone remodelling surfaces and a normalization of bone structure occurs. Considering our previous electon microscopy findings, a reduction of the number of osteoclasts as well as their nuclear content, might be explained by an inhibitory effect of calcitonin on cell fusion of osteoclastic precursor cells. In 2 cases, an interruption or hormonal treatment of 5 to 12 months, presented no risk of losing the therapeutic effect.", "contents": "[Histomorphometric studies on the influence of long-term calcitonin therapy on osteodystrophia deformans Paget]. Bone alterations in Paget's disease, have been studied by histomorphometrical evaluation iliac creat bone biopsies before and after long-term treatment with human ans salmon calcitonin. Therapeutic effect was controlled from 12, up to 48 months. All-together 28 bone biopsies were taken from 9 patients (aged 46 to 71 years) with Paget's disease of their os ileum. The biopsies were prepared for histological examination without previous decalcification, cut, stained and quantitatively analysed at the light microscopic level. By means of a point counting method we determined the parameters of bone structure, bone formation and bone resorption. Before therapy was started, trabecular bone alterations could be observed which were typical for Paget's disease of bone as there were bulky trabeculare, increased remodelling surfaces and giant osteoclasts. Following treatment with calcitonin a dramatic reduction of bone remodelling surfaces and a normalization of bone structure occurs. Considering our previous electon microscopy findings, a reduction of the number of osteoclasts as well as their nuclear content, might be explained by an inhibitory effect of calcitonin on cell fusion of osteoclastic precursor cells. In 2 cases, an interruption or hormonal treatment of 5 to 12 months, presented no risk of losing the therapeutic effect.", "PMID": 610341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_217", "title": "[On anxiety and anguish (author's transl)].", "content": "Psychopharmacology has confirmed psychiatry as a medical science; methodological rigor of the exact sciences is essential to psychopharmacological research. It does not however question speculative thought which remains one of the strong sources of psychiatry. The identification of new drugs with their elective properties and their unexpected action on psychopathology imposes a reappraisal of psychiatric concepts. This is true for some narrow concepts such as anxiety and anguish, which only exist in the French. The French psychiatry also determined its clinical limits at the beginning of this century, and it seems to lose it from time to time. Like any emotion, the anxious matrix is one non distinguishable from the unity of the existence. A phenomenological approach permits to confirm the intuition of language in showing that the living experience of anguish is different from the one of anxiety.", "contents": "[On anxiety and anguish (author's transl)]. Psychopharmacology has confirmed psychiatry as a medical science; methodological rigor of the exact sciences is essential to psychopharmacological research. It does not however question speculative thought which remains one of the strong sources of psychiatry. The identification of new drugs with their elective properties and their unexpected action on psychopathology imposes a reappraisal of psychiatric concepts. This is true for some narrow concepts such as anxiety and anguish, which only exist in the French. The French psychiatry also determined its clinical limits at the beginning of this century, and it seems to lose it from time to time. Like any emotion, the anxious matrix is one non distinguishable from the unity of the existence. A phenomenological approach permits to confirm the intuition of language in showing that the living experience of anguish is different from the one of anxiety.", "PMID": 610347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_218", "title": "[An introductive approach to linguistics (author's transl)].", "content": "The author proposes an information on the semiological approach to language starting from the systemic perspective (later to be said structuralist) which has been introduced by the Saussure. A group of notions can be delineated, which are distributed in binomial oppositions: language and verb, synchronia and diachronia, meaning and signified (which define the linguistic sign, which arbitrary character is being discussed) and other oppositions. The descriptive study of linguistic units of the chain concerns phonetics and phonology. The regulations for constructing a coherent message concern grammar (or syntax), where the traditional, normative approach is in opposition with actual research, descriptive and structural: distributionnal grammar, transforming, categorial, functional. The application of new linguistic methods to human sciences is very promising and opens the way of an interesting meditation on human condition.", "contents": "[An introductive approach to linguistics (author's transl)]. The author proposes an information on the semiological approach to language starting from the systemic perspective (later to be said structuralist) which has been introduced by the Saussure. A group of notions can be delineated, which are distributed in binomial oppositions: language and verb, synchronia and diachronia, meaning and signified (which define the linguistic sign, which arbitrary character is being discussed) and other oppositions. The descriptive study of linguistic units of the chain concerns phonetics and phonology. The regulations for constructing a coherent message concern grammar (or syntax), where the traditional, normative approach is in opposition with actual research, descriptive and structural: distributionnal grammar, transforming, categorial, functional. The application of new linguistic methods to human sciences is very promising and opens the way of an interesting meditation on human condition.", "PMID": 610348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_219", "title": "[Approach to the personality of the coronary patients with a new modifyed MMPI scale (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to set up an instrument for psychologically differentiate normal from coronary subjects, the analysis of 550 items of the MMPI in 40 normal and 40 coronary subjects has been performed. This has allowed to elaborate a questionnaire of 69 items, the Polyvar, and two new MMPI scales, which try to focus on the way conflictual affects are being expressed by coronary patients. Applied to new populations, these two instruments permit to significantly differentiate normal from coronary subjects. The last are characterized by a trouble in the existence and a rigid denial of any weakness. They look like individuals who can not satisfy their fundamental pulsions without risking to confront other requests, and through this, they generate anxiety and guilt.", "contents": "[Approach to the personality of the coronary patients with a new modifyed MMPI scale (author's transl)]. In order to set up an instrument for psychologically differentiate normal from coronary subjects, the analysis of 550 items of the MMPI in 40 normal and 40 coronary subjects has been performed. This has allowed to elaborate a questionnaire of 69 items, the Polyvar, and two new MMPI scales, which try to focus on the way conflictual affects are being expressed by coronary patients. Applied to new populations, these two instruments permit to significantly differentiate normal from coronary subjects. The last are characterized by a trouble in the existence and a rigid denial of any weakness. They look like individuals who can not satisfy their fundamental pulsions without risking to confront other requests, and through this, they generate anxiety and guilt.", "PMID": 610350} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_220", "title": "Electroencephalographic findings in children with primary duodenal ulcer.", "content": "The authors compared the EEG records of 18 children with radiologically confirmed primary duodenal ulcers to those of 15 controls. Ten patients had abnormal EEGs in contradistinction to six of the controls' EEGs and the group of patients had more marked EEG abnormalities. The findings appear to support the notion that neurophysiological factors are related to the pathogenesis of primary duodenal ulcer in childhood. However, the small sample and the fact that the two groups were not clearly differentiated with respect to the severity of EEG abnormalities call for caution in the interpretation of the findings.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic findings in children with primary duodenal ulcer. The authors compared the EEG records of 18 children with radiologically confirmed primary duodenal ulcers to those of 15 controls. Ten patients had abnormal EEGs in contradistinction to six of the controls' EEGs and the group of patients had more marked EEG abnormalities. The findings appear to support the notion that neurophysiological factors are related to the pathogenesis of primary duodenal ulcer in childhood. However, the small sample and the fact that the two groups were not clearly differentiated with respect to the severity of EEG abnormalities call for caution in the interpretation of the findings.", "PMID": 610349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_221", "title": "[Subjective importance and affective organization of body concepts after myocardial infarction (author's transl)].", "content": "Subjective importance and affective organization of fifty body concepts have been evaluated in sixty myocardial patients and sixty healthy subjects. Myocardial patients attribute more importance to their articulations and perceive their bodies as an instrument for action rather than as a locus of emotion and pleasure. This observation is discussed in relation with the hypothesis of \"pens\u00e9e op\u00e9ratoire\".", "contents": "[Subjective importance and affective organization of body concepts after myocardial infarction (author's transl)]. Subjective importance and affective organization of fifty body concepts have been evaluated in sixty myocardial patients and sixty healthy subjects. Myocardial patients attribute more importance to their articulations and perceive their bodies as an instrument for action rather than as a locus of emotion and pleasure. This observation is discussed in relation with the hypothesis of \"pens\u00e9e op\u00e9ratoire\".", "PMID": 610351} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_222", "title": "[Couple heterosexual dysfunction in relation to homosexual latency (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical experience of couple and sexological consultations indicates that some symptoms find in the heterosexual couple are the expression of a nevrotic solution of latent homosexual tendencies. This means that homosexual tendencies are repressed, or actualized through an imaginary elaboration or a symbolic one, by staying unconscious or manifesting through acting in a state of obnubilation. These different situations are illustrated by sexual dysfunctions (some forms of impotence and frigidity), hostile rejection and homosexual panic, jalousy, triolism and alcoholic aspects. This brief analysis is concluded by some reflexions from the clinical, social, couple and individual points of view.", "contents": "[Couple heterosexual dysfunction in relation to homosexual latency (author's transl)]. Clinical experience of couple and sexological consultations indicates that some symptoms find in the heterosexual couple are the expression of a nevrotic solution of latent homosexual tendencies. This means that homosexual tendencies are repressed, or actualized through an imaginary elaboration or a symbolic one, by staying unconscious or manifesting through acting in a state of obnubilation. These different situations are illustrated by sexual dysfunctions (some forms of impotence and frigidity), hostile rejection and homosexual panic, jalousy, triolism and alcoholic aspects. This brief analysis is concluded by some reflexions from the clinical, social, couple and individual points of view.", "PMID": 610352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_223", "title": "[Depressive symptomatology and culture: a comparative study (author's transl)].", "content": "After a brief introduction reminding classical affirmations on the rarety of depression in black Africa and more recent one, recognizing its presence and frequency, the authors, using the Hamilton Rating Scale, attempt to identify the specific characters of depression in patients from Senegal and Madrid. Aside from symptoms non dependent on the cultural milieu, others are closely linked to it, such as paranoid symptoms in black Africa.", "contents": "[Depressive symptomatology and culture: a comparative study (author's transl)]. After a brief introduction reminding classical affirmations on the rarety of depression in black Africa and more recent one, recognizing its presence and frequency, the authors, using the Hamilton Rating Scale, attempt to identify the specific characters of depression in patients from Senegal and Madrid. Aside from symptoms non dependent on the cultural milieu, others are closely linked to it, such as paranoid symptoms in black Africa.", "PMID": 610353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_224", "title": "Treating severe maladjustment with pipamperone (Dipiperon).", "content": "Individually adapted doses of pipamperone 80-360 mg/day were given for 4 weeks to 25 hospitalized patients (22-72 years) with behaviour disorders due to marked social maladjustment. At the end of the study, nine out of 17 items of a behavior rating scale were significantly improved. Overall progress was good to very good in 15 cases, moderate and insufficient in five each. Pipamperone treatment was considered superior to previous medication in 13 out of 15 patients who had previously been receiving other drugs. The only important side-effects was dryness of the mouth, which was reported by five patients. In four epileptic patients, the course of the underlying disease was not adversely affected.", "contents": "Treating severe maladjustment with pipamperone (Dipiperon). Individually adapted doses of pipamperone 80-360 mg/day were given for 4 weeks to 25 hospitalized patients (22-72 years) with behaviour disorders due to marked social maladjustment. At the end of the study, nine out of 17 items of a behavior rating scale were significantly improved. Overall progress was good to very good in 15 cases, moderate and insufficient in five each. Pipamperone treatment was considered superior to previous medication in 13 out of 15 patients who had previously been receiving other drugs. The only important side-effects was dryness of the mouth, which was reported by five patients. In four epileptic patients, the course of the underlying disease was not adversely affected.", "PMID": 610354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_225", "title": "[Factors affecting the qualitative and quantitative composition of the acari fauna of house dust. III. Seasons].", "content": "The seasonal variations in the number of mites present in the house dust of six homes in Barcelona were studied. The samples were taken at monthly intervals between September 1972 and January 1974. Tables I and II show the total number of mites and the number of Pyroglyphidae present in each of the samples. Table III shows the monthly average of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (R.H.). Graphing the average of mites present in the monthly samples and comparing them to the graph of the atmospheric R.H. an almost perfect correlation of the atmospheric R.H. with the number of mites was observed (Graph 1). The statistical analysis of the results shows the existence of a highly significant correlation (alpha less than 0.001) between the average of the atmospheric R.H. of a given month and the decimal logarithm of the number of mites present in the house dust the following month (Tables IV and V; Graphs 4 and 5). The following results can be pointed out: a) The quality of mites in the house dust of Barcelona changes considerably during the year. b) The quantity is greatest during spring and autumn. c) The annual variation differs from year to year. In conclusion, it is shown that the seasonal variations in the quantity of mites present in the house dust of Barcelona are proportional to the variations in atmospheric R.H.", "contents": "[Factors affecting the qualitative and quantitative composition of the acari fauna of house dust. III. Seasons]. The seasonal variations in the number of mites present in the house dust of six homes in Barcelona were studied. The samples were taken at monthly intervals between September 1972 and January 1974. Tables I and II show the total number of mites and the number of Pyroglyphidae present in each of the samples. Table III shows the monthly average of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (R.H.). Graphing the average of mites present in the monthly samples and comparing them to the graph of the atmospheric R.H. an almost perfect correlation of the atmospheric R.H. with the number of mites was observed (Graph 1). The statistical analysis of the results shows the existence of a highly significant correlation (alpha less than 0.001) between the average of the atmospheric R.H. of a given month and the decimal logarithm of the number of mites present in the house dust the following month (Tables IV and V; Graphs 4 and 5). The following results can be pointed out: a) The quality of mites in the house dust of Barcelona changes considerably during the year. b) The quantity is greatest during spring and autumn. c) The annual variation differs from year to year. In conclusion, it is shown that the seasonal variations in the quantity of mites present in the house dust of Barcelona are proportional to the variations in atmospheric R.H.", "PMID": 610408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_226", "title": "IgE concentration in asthmatic children. Relation to other immunoglobulins, histamine-latex reaction, eosinophilia and skin reactivity.", "content": "Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured in 31 children with bronchial asthma and in 55 healthy children. Among the asthmatic children, 70% had elevated IgE levels, 83% had a low titre of histamine-latex agglutination and 80% had blood eosinophilia over 3%. All asthmatic children showed hypersensitivity to one or more allergens; the highest incidence of hypersensitivity was to house dust (38% of asthmatic children), followed by pollens (25%) and vegetable fibers (19%). No relation was observed between serum IgE concentration and the intensity of cutaneous reaction or the number of sensitizing allergens. No significant difference was observed in serum IgE concentration in asthmatic children submitted hyposensitization therapy compared with those who had not received such treatment. It is concluded that IgE determination may be valuable for differential diagnosis between allergic and non allergic asthma and that IgE measurement should be considered as a complementary test in the investigation of allergy.", "contents": "IgE concentration in asthmatic children. Relation to other immunoglobulins, histamine-latex reaction, eosinophilia and skin reactivity. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured in 31 children with bronchial asthma and in 55 healthy children. Among the asthmatic children, 70% had elevated IgE levels, 83% had a low titre of histamine-latex agglutination and 80% had blood eosinophilia over 3%. All asthmatic children showed hypersensitivity to one or more allergens; the highest incidence of hypersensitivity was to house dust (38% of asthmatic children), followed by pollens (25%) and vegetable fibers (19%). No relation was observed between serum IgE concentration and the intensity of cutaneous reaction or the number of sensitizing allergens. No significant difference was observed in serum IgE concentration in asthmatic children submitted hyposensitization therapy compared with those who had not received such treatment. It is concluded that IgE determination may be valuable for differential diagnosis between allergic and non allergic asthma and that IgE measurement should be considered as a complementary test in the investigation of allergy.", "PMID": 610409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_227", "title": "The immunological response to tobacco antigens in the smoker. I. Specific precipitins against tobacco antigens in the serum of healthy cigarette smokers.", "content": "A study on the presence of specific precipitins against tobacco antigens was done in a population of 361 healthy cigrette smokers and in a group of 60 healthy non-smokers. The tests were made by the gel diffusion technique of Ouchterlony using tobacco extract prepared by the Coca method. A positive precipitation reaction was observed in 11.8 per cent of the smokers' sera examined but never in the non-smokers group. The reaction occurred in subjects of both sexes and was neither dependent upon how long they had smoked nor on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. In the authors' opinion, the formation of precipitins against tobacco antigens may be the result of a sensitivity reaction. It is therefore possible that in predisposed individuals immune complexes of precipitins and tobacco antigens may be formed. They could be responsible for some cardiovascular disorders occuring in smokers. In order to confirm such a hypothesis, a study was carried out recently by the authors on a large group of patients suffering from coronary disease.", "contents": "The immunological response to tobacco antigens in the smoker. I. Specific precipitins against tobacco antigens in the serum of healthy cigarette smokers. A study on the presence of specific precipitins against tobacco antigens was done in a population of 361 healthy cigrette smokers and in a group of 60 healthy non-smokers. The tests were made by the gel diffusion technique of Ouchterlony using tobacco extract prepared by the Coca method. A positive precipitation reaction was observed in 11.8 per cent of the smokers' sera examined but never in the non-smokers group. The reaction occurred in subjects of both sexes and was neither dependent upon how long they had smoked nor on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. In the authors' opinion, the formation of precipitins against tobacco antigens may be the result of a sensitivity reaction. It is therefore possible that in predisposed individuals immune complexes of precipitins and tobacco antigens may be formed. They could be responsible for some cardiovascular disorders occuring in smokers. In order to confirm such a hypothesis, a study was carried out recently by the authors on a large group of patients suffering from coronary disease.", "PMID": 610410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_228", "title": "Immunological features of tuberculosis.", "content": "Some aspects of cell-mediated immunity were explored in a population of 51 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with 30 apparently healthy volunteers randomly taken from the Mexican general population. Evaluation included DNCB sensitization, PPD skin test, determination of LIF, E and EAC-rosette formation and the ability of lymphocytes to survive in culture through periods of up to 48 hours. The results for the in vivo assays showed significant differences between the compared populations since the frequency of a positive PPD skin test was higher in the patients (p = 0.0000004) but only 60.8% of them responded to DNBC (p = 0.006). It was expected that there would be some impairment in the production of LIF and in the number of E-rosettes, however, this did not occur. Survival of lymphocytes in culture demonstrated an altered population of cells, probably weak even before blood samples were taken, in the tuberculosis group (p = 0.05). Furthermore, cell mortality was very notable in patients with cavitated and infiltrative lesions, after 48 hours culture (p = 0.015 and 0.02 respectively) suggesting the presence of a population of cells unable to function optimally.", "contents": "Immunological features of tuberculosis. Some aspects of cell-mediated immunity were explored in a population of 51 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with 30 apparently healthy volunteers randomly taken from the Mexican general population. Evaluation included DNCB sensitization, PPD skin test, determination of LIF, E and EAC-rosette formation and the ability of lymphocytes to survive in culture through periods of up to 48 hours. The results for the in vivo assays showed significant differences between the compared populations since the frequency of a positive PPD skin test was higher in the patients (p = 0.0000004) but only 60.8% of them responded to DNBC (p = 0.006). It was expected that there would be some impairment in the production of LIF and in the number of E-rosettes, however, this did not occur. Survival of lymphocytes in culture demonstrated an altered population of cells, probably weak even before blood samples were taken, in the tuberculosis group (p = 0.05). Furthermore, cell mortality was very notable in patients with cavitated and infiltrative lesions, after 48 hours culture (p = 0.015 and 0.02 respectively) suggesting the presence of a population of cells unable to function optimally.", "PMID": 610411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_229", "title": "Selective IgA deficiency. Immunologic and cytogenetic studies.", "content": "24 cases of selective IgA deficiency were found among 2,650 children studied in an immuno-Allergy service. The population studied must therefore be considered highly selected. The Amman and Hong criteria were used as a basis for diagnosis (Table 1). Even though they are currently being revised, they are still on some practical value. Statistically, the incidence of selective IgA deficiency in this study is higher (0.905%) than in other publications. Respiratory symptoms were the most important. Only one case presented digestive symptoms (resembling coeliac disease), and no cases with autoimmune disease were found, although the possibility of its occurrence later on cannot be dismissed. A cytogentic analysis was performed in 8 cases and interesting results were found. Five cases showed an increase in heterochromatic material in the paracentric region (1qh+, 2qh+, 16qh+ and Yqh+). These polymorphic variations are present in the general population without any apparent clinical significance, even though their presence in several clinical has been described. However, in this study the frequency seems higher than in the general population. In 2,051 cases studied for other reasons, the frequency of occurrence of polymorphic traits was 3.12%, while in the cases studied by us the incidence amounted to 62.5%, a highly significant proportion. Our data do not try to establish a relationship between the chromosomal alterations and the etiology of the IgA deficiency, even through some relationship may in the future be found to exist.", "contents": "Selective IgA deficiency. Immunologic and cytogenetic studies. 24 cases of selective IgA deficiency were found among 2,650 children studied in an immuno-Allergy service. The population studied must therefore be considered highly selected. The Amman and Hong criteria were used as a basis for diagnosis (Table 1). Even though they are currently being revised, they are still on some practical value. Statistically, the incidence of selective IgA deficiency in this study is higher (0.905%) than in other publications. Respiratory symptoms were the most important. Only one case presented digestive symptoms (resembling coeliac disease), and no cases with autoimmune disease were found, although the possibility of its occurrence later on cannot be dismissed. A cytogentic analysis was performed in 8 cases and interesting results were found. Five cases showed an increase in heterochromatic material in the paracentric region (1qh+, 2qh+, 16qh+ and Yqh+). These polymorphic variations are present in the general population without any apparent clinical significance, even though their presence in several clinical has been described. However, in this study the frequency seems higher than in the general population. In 2,051 cases studied for other reasons, the frequency of occurrence of polymorphic traits was 3.12%, while in the cases studied by us the incidence amounted to 62.5%, a highly significant proportion. Our data do not try to establish a relationship between the chromosomal alterations and the etiology of the IgA deficiency, even through some relationship may in the future be found to exist.", "PMID": 610412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_230", "title": "Ticarcillin: a collaborative in vitro comparison with carbenicillin against over 9,000 clinical bacterial isolates.", "content": "The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ticarcillin and carbenicillin were determined for 9,236 clinical bacterial isolates by the broth microdilution method at four participating laboratories. Ticarcillin showed significantly increased activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (P less than .001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P less than .001) and Aeromonas hydrophilia (P less than .005) when compared to carbenicillin, but no signifcant differences were observed against other gram-negative organisms. Ticarcillin was consistently less active against the gram-positive cocci, and these differences were significant for Staphylococcus aureus (P less than .001), Streptococcus agalactiae (P less than .001), Staphylococcus epidermidis (P less than .001) and Streptococcus viridans (P less than .005). Significant regional and institutional differences in susceptibility to the two drugs were observed for several species, including common nosocomial pathogens such as S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.", "contents": "Ticarcillin: a collaborative in vitro comparison with carbenicillin against over 9,000 clinical bacterial isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ticarcillin and carbenicillin were determined for 9,236 clinical bacterial isolates by the broth microdilution method at four participating laboratories. Ticarcillin showed significantly increased activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (P less than .001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P less than .001) and Aeromonas hydrophilia (P less than .005) when compared to carbenicillin, but no signifcant differences were observed against other gram-negative organisms. Ticarcillin was consistently less active against the gram-positive cocci, and these differences were significant for Staphylococcus aureus (P less than .001), Streptococcus agalactiae (P less than .001), Staphylococcus epidermidis (P less than .001) and Streptococcus viridans (P less than .005). Significant regional and institutional differences in susceptibility to the two drugs were observed for several species, including common nosocomial pathogens such as S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.", "PMID": 610415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_231", "title": "Harmonic dwarfism, lymphopenia, deficit of IgA and IgE in a 6-year old boy.", "content": "A six-year old boy who had suffered from the age of two with chronic diarrhea has been found to be severely retarded in statural growth. Examinations discovered marked lymphopenia with a T lymphocyte defect accompanied by absent IgA and IgE. In contrast with other cases described in literature, in this case the immunodeficiency was not accompanied by bone or cartilage alterations. The only factor apparently responsible for his lack of growth was the malabsorption.", "contents": "Harmonic dwarfism, lymphopenia, deficit of IgA and IgE in a 6-year old boy. A six-year old boy who had suffered from the age of two with chronic diarrhea has been found to be severely retarded in statural growth. Examinations discovered marked lymphopenia with a T lymphocyte defect accompanied by absent IgA and IgE. In contrast with other cases described in literature, in this case the immunodeficiency was not accompanied by bone or cartilage alterations. The only factor apparently responsible for his lack of growth was the malabsorption.", "PMID": 610413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_232", "title": "An etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis); an electron microscopic study.", "content": "Renal tissues were studied using electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) from three patients who were found to have chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) by light microscopy (LM). By LM, 90% of the glomeruli in two patients and all glomeruli in one patient were normal. By EM, glomerular capillaries in all patients revealed generalized fusion of epithelial foot processes. In two patients, IFM for immunoglobulins, third component of complement and fibrinogen were negative. These two patients received corticosteroids for 6 to 12 weeks. In one, proteinuria markedly decreased (from 17.9 to 1.1 gm) in four weeks and in the other follow-up studies of renal histology revealed normal glomeruli and partial restoration of foot processes by LM and EM respectively. Thus, this study offers evidence for lipoid nephrosis (or minimal lesion disease) as an etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis). The impaired renal function in these patients is attributed to tubulo-interstitial disease rather than glomerular pathology. It remains to be determined whether the two disparate pathological conditions have coexisted or chronic interstitial nephritis had led to the appearance of lipoid nephrosis through an unidentified mechanism.", "contents": "An etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis); an electron microscopic study. Renal tissues were studied using electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) from three patients who were found to have chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) by light microscopy (LM). By LM, 90% of the glomeruli in two patients and all glomeruli in one patient were normal. By EM, glomerular capillaries in all patients revealed generalized fusion of epithelial foot processes. In two patients, IFM for immunoglobulins, third component of complement and fibrinogen were negative. These two patients received corticosteroids for 6 to 12 weeks. In one, proteinuria markedly decreased (from 17.9 to 1.1 gm) in four weeks and in the other follow-up studies of renal histology revealed normal glomeruli and partial restoration of foot processes by LM and EM respectively. Thus, this study offers evidence for lipoid nephrosis (or minimal lesion disease) as an etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis). The impaired renal function in these patients is attributed to tubulo-interstitial disease rather than glomerular pathology. It remains to be determined whether the two disparate pathological conditions have coexisted or chronic interstitial nephritis had led to the appearance of lipoid nephrosis through an unidentified mechanism.", "PMID": 610418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_233", "title": "Mucolipidosis I--a sialidosis.", "content": "Mucolipidosis I is characterized by Hurler-like features and skeletal dysplasia with a cherry-red macular spot and signs of neurodegeneration involving neuronal cells and myelin. Excessive amounts of sialic acid-containing compounds were found in cultured fibroblasts, leukocytes, and urine of a patient with a clinical phenotype of mucolipidosis I. In cultured fibroblasts, profoundly diminished activity of an alpha-N-acetylneuraminidase (sialidase) was found. Mucolipidosis I thus appears to be a distinct disorder of complex carbohydrate catabolism caused by the genetic deficiency of a neuraminidase.", "contents": "Mucolipidosis I--a sialidosis. Mucolipidosis I is characterized by Hurler-like features and skeletal dysplasia with a cherry-red macular spot and signs of neurodegeneration involving neuronal cells and myelin. Excessive amounts of sialic acid-containing compounds were found in cultured fibroblasts, leukocytes, and urine of a patient with a clinical phenotype of mucolipidosis I. In cultured fibroblasts, profoundly diminished activity of an alpha-N-acetylneuraminidase (sialidase) was found. Mucolipidosis I thus appears to be a distinct disorder of complex carbohydrate catabolism caused by the genetic deficiency of a neuraminidase.", "PMID": 610423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_234", "title": "Inverted tandem (\"mirror\") duplications in human chromosomes: -nv dup 8p, 4q, 22q.", "content": "We have studied 4 patients with inverted tandem duplications of parts of chromosomes, a hitherto rarely identified form of a structural rearrangement involving a single chromosome in man. In patients 1 and 2, the duplication involved parts of the short arm of chromosome 8 (regions 8p12 leads to 8p23 and 8p21 leads to 8p23, respectively). Both patients manifested certain characteristics of the mosaic trisomy 8 syndrome. Elevated levels of glutathione reductase (GSR) in their erythrocytes supported the interpretation of a partial duplication of chromosome 8 and indicated a regional localization for the GSR gene locus. In Partient 3, the distal half of the long arm of chromosome 4 was duplicated (region 4q23 leads to 4q35). Clinical evidence supported this interpretation, as Patient 3 resembled phenotypically the 13 reported cases with duplication of the distal 4q. The cytogenetic findings in Patient 4 suggested a possibly inverted duplication of 22q. The clinical correlation was less convincing due to the lack of a well-defined phenotype for trisomy 22. These chromosome aberrations had occurred de novo in all 4 cases. Although they involved different chromosomal regions, they might well have arisen by the same mechanism. Possible modes of origin that are discussed in detail include unequal exchange between homologous chromosomes, between chromatids of 1 chromosome or between strands of 1 DNA duplex.", "contents": "Inverted tandem (\"mirror\") duplications in human chromosomes: -nv dup 8p, 4q, 22q. We have studied 4 patients with inverted tandem duplications of parts of chromosomes, a hitherto rarely identified form of a structural rearrangement involving a single chromosome in man. In patients 1 and 2, the duplication involved parts of the short arm of chromosome 8 (regions 8p12 leads to 8p23 and 8p21 leads to 8p23, respectively). Both patients manifested certain characteristics of the mosaic trisomy 8 syndrome. Elevated levels of glutathione reductase (GSR) in their erythrocytes supported the interpretation of a partial duplication of chromosome 8 and indicated a regional localization for the GSR gene locus. In Partient 3, the distal half of the long arm of chromosome 4 was duplicated (region 4q23 leads to 4q35). Clinical evidence supported this interpretation, as Patient 3 resembled phenotypically the 13 reported cases with duplication of the distal 4q. The cytogenetic findings in Patient 4 suggested a possibly inverted duplication of 22q. The clinical correlation was less convincing due to the lack of a well-defined phenotype for trisomy 22. These chromosome aberrations had occurred de novo in all 4 cases. Although they involved different chromosomal regions, they might well have arisen by the same mechanism. Possible modes of origin that are discussed in detail include unequal exchange between homologous chromosomes, between chromatids of 1 chromosome or between strands of 1 DNA duplex.", "PMID": 610424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_235", "title": "Diagnosis and successful management of septal myocardial abscess: a complication of bacterial endocarditis.", "content": "A case of acute enterococcal aortic valve endocarditis is presented in which the complication of a septal myocardial abscess was diagnosed clinically and successfully treated surgically. This represents the first instant, to our knowledge, in which the preoperative diagnosis of a myocardial abscess served as the indication for emergency cardiac surgical intervention in active endocarditis with successful outcome. The diagnostic parameters permitting clinical recognition of a myocardial abscess include the development of advancing degrees of atrioventricular and bundle branch block, and the finding of pericarditis or pericardial effusion in aortic valvular infections. Two additional findings were noted in the present case: echocardiographic evidence of septal thickening, and loss of septal Q waves on the electrocardiogram. Since myocardial abscesses do not respond to medical therapy, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and frequent echocardiographic determinations are recommended in cases of active aortic valve endocarditis to permit early diagnosis and surgical management of this complication.", "contents": "Diagnosis and successful management of septal myocardial abscess: a complication of bacterial endocarditis. A case of acute enterococcal aortic valve endocarditis is presented in which the complication of a septal myocardial abscess was diagnosed clinically and successfully treated surgically. This represents the first instant, to our knowledge, in which the preoperative diagnosis of a myocardial abscess served as the indication for emergency cardiac surgical intervention in active endocarditis with successful outcome. The diagnostic parameters permitting clinical recognition of a myocardial abscess include the development of advancing degrees of atrioventricular and bundle branch block, and the finding of pericarditis or pericardial effusion in aortic valvular infections. Two additional findings were noted in the present case: echocardiographic evidence of septal thickening, and loss of septal Q waves on the electrocardiogram. Since myocardial abscesses do not respond to medical therapy, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and frequent echocardiographic determinations are recommended in cases of active aortic valve endocarditis to permit early diagnosis and surgical management of this complication.", "PMID": 610417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_236", "title": "Renal cell carcinoma: analysis of 31 cases with assessment of endocrine therapy.", "content": "Thirty-one patients with locally extensive and metastatic renal cell carcinoma were observed over an eight year period. At onset of the disease, symptoms due to metastatic deposits were the most frequent mode of presentation, followed by manifestation of local tumor growth (hematuria, flank pain or palpable mass) and paraneoplastic syndromes. Hormonal therapy with testosterone propionate, a progestational agent or both was assessed in 21 cases. Five instances of tumor regression, two involving recalcification of lytic osseous metastases, were documented. Endocrine studies to elucidate possible mechanisms of hormonal effectiveness were carried out in seven cases. Median survival from diagnosis was ten months. Following the rapid early mortality, a very gradual decrease in survival occurred, with 25% alive at ten years. Factors influencing survival include the duration of the interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and appearance of metastases and the association of certain paraneoplastic syndromes.", "contents": "Renal cell carcinoma: analysis of 31 cases with assessment of endocrine therapy. Thirty-one patients with locally extensive and metastatic renal cell carcinoma were observed over an eight year period. At onset of the disease, symptoms due to metastatic deposits were the most frequent mode of presentation, followed by manifestation of local tumor growth (hematuria, flank pain or palpable mass) and paraneoplastic syndromes. Hormonal therapy with testosterone propionate, a progestational agent or both was assessed in 21 cases. Five instances of tumor regression, two involving recalcification of lytic osseous metastases, were documented. Endocrine studies to elucidate possible mechanisms of hormonal effectiveness were carried out in seven cases. Median survival from diagnosis was ten months. Following the rapid early mortality, a very gradual decrease in survival occurred, with 25% alive at ten years. Factors influencing survival include the duration of the interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and appearance of metastases and the association of certain paraneoplastic syndromes.", "PMID": 610416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_237", "title": "Isolated acid neuraminidase deficiency: a distinct lysosomal storage disease.", "content": "An 8-month-old female presented with coarse facies and hepatosplenomegaly at birth. Growth proceeded at an accelerated rate and mental development was normal. A pattern of dysostosis multiplex developed radiographically. Cytoplasmic inclusions consistent with lysosomal storage disease were demonstrated by electron microscopy in bone marrow, liver, and cartilage cells and in cultured skin fibroblasts. Assays of the fibroblasts revealed a specific deficiency of acid neuraminidase and 6-fold increase in intracellular bound sialic acid. An unidentified macromolecular compound rich in sialic acid was excreted in excessive amounts in the urine. The phenotype suggests defective degradation primarily of glycoproteins and possibly to a lesser extent of keratan sulfate and gangliosides.", "contents": "Isolated acid neuraminidase deficiency: a distinct lysosomal storage disease. An 8-month-old female presented with coarse facies and hepatosplenomegaly at birth. Growth proceeded at an accelerated rate and mental development was normal. A pattern of dysostosis multiplex developed radiographically. Cytoplasmic inclusions consistent with lysosomal storage disease were demonstrated by electron microscopy in bone marrow, liver, and cartilage cells and in cultured skin fibroblasts. Assays of the fibroblasts revealed a specific deficiency of acid neuraminidase and 6-fold increase in intracellular bound sialic acid. An unidentified macromolecular compound rich in sialic acid was excreted in excessive amounts in the urine. The phenotype suggests defective degradation primarily of glycoproteins and possibly to a lesser extent of keratan sulfate and gangliosides.", "PMID": 610425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_238", "title": "A case of 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency with symptoms mimicking testicular feminization.", "content": "A case of 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency mimicking testicular feminization is reported. Different from the complete form of testicular feminization in which androgens are normal or elevated and end-organ insensitivity to androgens is supposed, this case had a negligible amount of androgens and responded to the injection of testosterone propionate with a positive nitrogen and phosphate balance.", "contents": "A case of 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency with symptoms mimicking testicular feminization. A case of 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency mimicking testicular feminization is reported. Different from the complete form of testicular feminization in which androgens are normal or elevated and end-organ insensitivity to androgens is supposed, this case had a negligible amount of androgens and responded to the injection of testosterone propionate with a positive nitrogen and phosphate balance.", "PMID": 610421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_239", "title": "Familial occurrence of the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome and persistent fontanel.", "content": "We describe a family in which 3 sisters gave birth to 8 infants with the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome. The clinical manifestations in all the affected individuals included macroglossia, macrosomia and omphalocele, while their mothers all were entirely normal. Pedigree analysis suggests that familial occurrence of the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome may be due to delayed mutation.", "contents": "Familial occurrence of the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome and persistent fontanel. We describe a family in which 3 sisters gave birth to 8 infants with the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome. The clinical manifestations in all the affected individuals included macroglossia, macrosomia and omphalocele, while their mothers all were entirely normal. Pedigree analysis suggests that familial occurrence of the Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome may be due to delayed mutation.", "PMID": 610426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_240", "title": "Acromesomelic dwarfism: manifestations in childhood.", "content": "Acromesomelic dwarfism is a distinct condition characterized by short stature of the short limb type, with the hands and feet showing the most obvious deviations from normal. The forearm bones are usually disproportionately shorter than the other long tubular bones of the limbs. The intelligence is normal. Available data suggest autosomal recessive transmission. Characteristic clinical and radiographic features permit establishment of a confident diagnosis in the first year of life.", "contents": "Acromesomelic dwarfism: manifestations in childhood. Acromesomelic dwarfism is a distinct condition characterized by short stature of the short limb type, with the hands and feet showing the most obvious deviations from normal. The forearm bones are usually disproportionately shorter than the other long tubular bones of the limbs. The intelligence is normal. Available data suggest autosomal recessive transmission. Characteristic clinical and radiographic features permit establishment of a confident diagnosis in the first year of life.", "PMID": 610427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_241", "title": "Pleural effusion: a rare manifestation of acute pulmonary blastomycosis.", "content": "A 47-year-old woman presented with cough, pleuritic chest pain and fever of three weeks duration. Although the patient lived in an area where blastomycosis is endemic, this diagnosis was not initially considered owing to the presence of consolidation and a large pleural effusion on the initial chest roentgenogram. Cultures of sputa, bronchial washings and pleural fluid documented the presence of pleuropulmonary infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis. Therapy with amphotericin B was associated with rapid clinical, roentgenographic and bacteriologic resolution of both pleural and parenchymal lung disease.", "contents": "Pleural effusion: a rare manifestation of acute pulmonary blastomycosis. A 47-year-old woman presented with cough, pleuritic chest pain and fever of three weeks duration. Although the patient lived in an area where blastomycosis is endemic, this diagnosis was not initially considered owing to the presence of consolidation and a large pleural effusion on the initial chest roentgenogram. Cultures of sputa, bronchial washings and pleural fluid documented the presence of pleuropulmonary infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis. Therapy with amphotericin B was associated with rapid clinical, roentgenographic and bacteriologic resolution of both pleural and parenchymal lung disease.", "PMID": 610419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_242", "title": "Anatomical analysis of the developmental effects of aneuploidy in man--the 18-trisomy syndrome: I. Anomalies of the head and neck.", "content": "This paper describes the anatomical variations observed in the head and neck in eight infants with the 18-trisomy syndrome that were dissected and studied in detail. Of the usual muscles of facial expression, occipitofrontalis and the auricular and nasal muscles were hypolastic in all eight bodies and each subject showed extensive fusion of the muscles around the corner of the mouth. In each body there was a supernumerary muscle band that extended from the region near the corner of the mouth to the occipital attachment of trapezius. The otomandibular region in each body showed a variable spectrum of muscular, skeletal, arterial, and salivary gland variations bilaterally. Three of the bodies had infrahyoid muscle variations. The sum of these observations provides a more complete delineation of the variations that occur in the 18-trisomy syndrome. Tentative pathogenetic hypotheses for several of the defects are discussed, based on observations from human descriptive embryology. Poswillo's teratological model [1973] implicating hemorrhaging as a causal mechanism in human first and second branchial arch malformations is suggested as a possible mechanism to explain the bilateral otomandibular defects.", "contents": "Anatomical analysis of the developmental effects of aneuploidy in man--the 18-trisomy syndrome: I. Anomalies of the head and neck. This paper describes the anatomical variations observed in the head and neck in eight infants with the 18-trisomy syndrome that were dissected and studied in detail. Of the usual muscles of facial expression, occipitofrontalis and the auricular and nasal muscles were hypolastic in all eight bodies and each subject showed extensive fusion of the muscles around the corner of the mouth. In each body there was a supernumerary muscle band that extended from the region near the corner of the mouth to the occipital attachment of trapezius. The otomandibular region in each body showed a variable spectrum of muscular, skeletal, arterial, and salivary gland variations bilaterally. Three of the bodies had infrahyoid muscle variations. The sum of these observations provides a more complete delineation of the variations that occur in the 18-trisomy syndrome. Tentative pathogenetic hypotheses for several of the defects are discussed, based on observations from human descriptive embryology. Poswillo's teratological model [1973] implicating hemorrhaging as a causal mechanism in human first and second branchial arch malformations is suggested as a possible mechanism to explain the bilateral otomandibular defects.", "PMID": 610429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_243", "title": "Metastatic myocardial abscess due to group F streptococci.", "content": "Remote myocardial infarction in a 60-year-old, blind diabetic man, was complicated by suppuration within the old fibrotic area by a group F streptococcus. Osteomyelitis of the fifth (right) metatarsal bone served as the primary focus. A review of the literature uncovered no findings which could help to predict the onset of abscess formation within a myocardial infarction. Although this complication occurs rarely, the entity should be kept in mind in patients with infarcts and a remote source of infection.", "contents": "Metastatic myocardial abscess due to group F streptococci. Remote myocardial infarction in a 60-year-old, blind diabetic man, was complicated by suppuration within the old fibrotic area by a group F streptococcus. Osteomyelitis of the fifth (right) metatarsal bone served as the primary focus. A review of the literature uncovered no findings which could help to predict the onset of abscess formation within a myocardial infarction. Although this complication occurs rarely, the entity should be kept in mind in patients with infarcts and a remote source of infection.", "PMID": 610420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_244", "title": "Pericentric inversion of chromosome 14 and the risk of partial duplication of 14q (14q31 leads to 14qter).", "content": "Cytogenetic analysis after conventional staining and Q-banding demonstrated a pericentric inversion of chromosome 14 in the mother of a child with a mental retardation/multiple congenital abnormality syndrome and an abnormal chromosome 14. The proposita's partial duplication for the distal segment of 14q is apprently the result of crossing over within the inverted segment during meiosis. An attempt is made at assessing the risk that a carrier of the described pericentric inversion faces of having an abnormal child. The estimate of the risk depends on two factors: 1) the probability of a crossover occurring within the inverted segment during meiosis, and 2) the probability of a child with either of the two possible unbalanced recombinant chromosomes being born alive. An explanation is offered as to why some pericentric inversions confer a signifcant risk while others are so benign and occur with such a high frequency that they can be considered normal chromosomal variants, rather than chromosome aberrations.", "contents": "Pericentric inversion of chromosome 14 and the risk of partial duplication of 14q (14q31 leads to 14qter). Cytogenetic analysis after conventional staining and Q-banding demonstrated a pericentric inversion of chromosome 14 in the mother of a child with a mental retardation/multiple congenital abnormality syndrome and an abnormal chromosome 14. The proposita's partial duplication for the distal segment of 14q is apprently the result of crossing over within the inverted segment during meiosis. An attempt is made at assessing the risk that a carrier of the described pericentric inversion faces of having an abnormal child. The estimate of the risk depends on two factors: 1) the probability of a crossover occurring within the inverted segment during meiosis, and 2) the probability of a child with either of the two possible unbalanced recombinant chromosomes being born alive. An explanation is offered as to why some pericentric inversions confer a signifcant risk while others are so benign and occur with such a high frequency that they can be considered normal chromosomal variants, rather than chromosome aberrations.", "PMID": 610431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_245", "title": "Prenatal diagnosis of renal anomalies.", "content": "Within the past 24 months, we have performed prenatal diagnostic studies in 4 pregnancies known to be at risk for well-described genetic syndrome involving renal abnormalities, ie, Meckel syndrome, Roberts syndrome, and bilateral renal agenesis. The diagnostic techniques utilized were ultrasonographic scanning (B-mode and grey scale), biochemical assays, and radiographic evaluation. The ultrasound finding common to the 3 affected cases was extreme oligohydramnios, which we considered indirect evidence that renal anomalies were present. The ultrasound scans of the fetuses affected with Meckel and Roberts syndrome demonstrated anechoic cystic spaces in the abdomen, representing the enlarged dysplastic cystic kidneys. An encephalocele was well demonstrated by B-mode scan in the fetus with Meckel syndrome. The absence of normal limbs in the Roberts syndrome was evident on serial grey scale scans of the fetus. Biochemical and radiographic studies provided results consistent with the suspected diagnoses. The importance of providing genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to families at risk is emphasized.", "contents": "Prenatal diagnosis of renal anomalies. Within the past 24 months, we have performed prenatal diagnostic studies in 4 pregnancies known to be at risk for well-described genetic syndrome involving renal abnormalities, ie, Meckel syndrome, Roberts syndrome, and bilateral renal agenesis. The diagnostic techniques utilized were ultrasonographic scanning (B-mode and grey scale), biochemical assays, and radiographic evaluation. The ultrasound finding common to the 3 affected cases was extreme oligohydramnios, which we considered indirect evidence that renal anomalies were present. The ultrasound scans of the fetuses affected with Meckel and Roberts syndrome demonstrated anechoic cystic spaces in the abdomen, representing the enlarged dysplastic cystic kidneys. An encephalocele was well demonstrated by B-mode scan in the fetus with Meckel syndrome. The absence of normal limbs in the Roberts syndrome was evident on serial grey scale scans of the fetus. Biochemical and radiographic studies provided results consistent with the suspected diagnoses. The importance of providing genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to families at risk is emphasized.", "PMID": 610432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_246", "title": "A national optometric-student attitudinal survey.", "content": "This paper contains the results of a survey of 1549 optometry students who responded to a questionnaire that was sent to all optometry schools and colleges in the United States. The results reflect student attitudes and opinions about such issues as commercial optometry, malpractice suits, price advertising of glasses and professional services, and the cost of professional education. In addition, the survey results disclose the reasons students enter the profession, their anticipated modes of practice and their expected incomes. We believe that the issues encompassed in this survey will affect the future practice of optometry.", "contents": "A national optometric-student attitudinal survey. This paper contains the results of a survey of 1549 optometry students who responded to a questionnaire that was sent to all optometry schools and colleges in the United States. The results reflect student attitudes and opinions about such issues as commercial optometry, malpractice suits, price advertising of glasses and professional services, and the cost of professional education. In addition, the survey results disclose the reasons students enter the profession, their anticipated modes of practice and their expected incomes. We believe that the issues encompassed in this survey will affect the future practice of optometry.", "PMID": 610433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_247", "title": "A field expander for patients with retinitis pigmentosa: a clinical study.", "content": "An inexpensive, commercially available optical device was tested on 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa to determine its value as a field expander for scanning and as an aid to mobility. Visual acuity and visual fields were measured with and without the expander, and the patients' subjective responses were monitored by a questionnaire that was administered at regular intervals during a 2- to 4-week period between test sessions. Six of the 10 subjects considered the device helpful in at least 1 important visual task and planned to continue using it.", "contents": "A field expander for patients with retinitis pigmentosa: a clinical study. An inexpensive, commercially available optical device was tested on 10 patients with retinitis pigmentosa to determine its value as a field expander for scanning and as an aid to mobility. Visual acuity and visual fields were measured with and without the expander, and the patients' subjective responses were monitored by a questionnaire that was administered at regular intervals during a 2- to 4-week period between test sessions. Six of the 10 subjects considered the device helpful in at least 1 important visual task and planned to continue using it.", "PMID": 610434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_248", "title": "Reliability of visual acuity measures of amblyopic eyes.", "content": "Ten amblyopes had their visual acuity measured once a week for 6 weeks using a Snellen chart (whole chart and single line) and a newly developed E chart was designed specifically for testing the acuity of amblyopes. For each test at each trial, the subject's acuity responses were graphically plotted and were fitted by a least-squares straight line to the central-most data. The reliability (repeatability) of the 50% threshold acuity was compared for the 3 acuity tests. The new E chart was the most reliable and the Snellen single-line test was the least reliable. These results have complications for quantifying acuity improvement during and following amblyopia therapy. The slope of the fitted acuity line may have value in assessing the prognosis for treatment.", "contents": "Reliability of visual acuity measures of amblyopic eyes. Ten amblyopes had their visual acuity measured once a week for 6 weeks using a Snellen chart (whole chart and single line) and a newly developed E chart was designed specifically for testing the acuity of amblyopes. For each test at each trial, the subject's acuity responses were graphically plotted and were fitted by a least-squares straight line to the central-most data. The reliability (repeatability) of the 50% threshold acuity was compared for the 3 acuity tests. The new E chart was the most reliable and the Snellen single-line test was the least reliable. These results have complications for quantifying acuity improvement during and following amblyopia therapy. The slope of the fitted acuity line may have value in assessing the prognosis for treatment.", "PMID": 610435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_249", "title": "Prevalence of glaucoma in optometric patients under 40 years of age.", "content": "A survey of 3,494 patients under 40, who were examined in an urban optometric center, showed that 0.4% of the sample had glaucoma and an additional 0.2% had suspected glaucoma. The clinical implications of glaucoma in persons under 40 are discussed.", "contents": "Prevalence of glaucoma in optometric patients under 40 years of age. A survey of 3,494 patients under 40, who were examined in an urban optometric center, showed that 0.4% of the sample had glaucoma and an additional 0.2% had suspected glaucoma. The clinical implications of glaucoma in persons under 40 are discussed.", "PMID": 610436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_250", "title": "Simplified analysis of meridional refraction data.", "content": "An eye may be refracted by making independent measurements of spectacle correction in 3 or more preselected meridians. This paper presents a method for calculating sphere power, cylinder power, and axis, from meridional data taken in evenly spaced axes (such as 45, 90, 135, and 180 deg). The formulas given are equivalent in accuracy to a method previously published and are simpler to apply. Meridional techniques can simplify the patient's task in a subjective refraction and are therefore more suitable for automation than the traditional subjective techniques using crossed cylinders. Methods that might usefully be coupled with this technique include laser and stenopaic slit refraction and streak retinoscopy.", "contents": "Simplified analysis of meridional refraction data. An eye may be refracted by making independent measurements of spectacle correction in 3 or more preselected meridians. This paper presents a method for calculating sphere power, cylinder power, and axis, from meridional data taken in evenly spaced axes (such as 45, 90, 135, and 180 deg). The formulas given are equivalent in accuracy to a method previously published and are simpler to apply. Meridional techniques can simplify the patient's task in a subjective refraction and are therefore more suitable for automation than the traditional subjective techniques using crossed cylinders. Methods that might usefully be coupled with this technique include laser and stenopaic slit refraction and streak retinoscopy.", "PMID": 610437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_251", "title": "Asymmetry of central and peripheral corneal astigmatism measured by photokeratoscopy. 1976 Neumeller Award Paper.", "content": "The radii of curvature of 10 astigmatic corneas (1.125 to 3.625 D) were measured by photokeratoscopy in 4 semimeridians: 2 axis semimeridians and 2 power semimeridians. Most of the angular separations between adjacent semimeridians differed from 90 deg by more than 2.5 deg; the separations ranged from 55 to 120 deg. Corneal astigmatism, as specified by the difference in curvature between adjacent axis and power semimeridians at corresponding distances from the corneal apex, was also highly asymmetric with decreasing astigmatism in the corneal periphery. An interesting revelation was the interchange of the axis and power semimeridians in the periphery of 3 subjects' corneas.", "contents": "Asymmetry of central and peripheral corneal astigmatism measured by photokeratoscopy. 1976 Neumeller Award Paper. The radii of curvature of 10 astigmatic corneas (1.125 to 3.625 D) were measured by photokeratoscopy in 4 semimeridians: 2 axis semimeridians and 2 power semimeridians. Most of the angular separations between adjacent semimeridians differed from 90 deg by more than 2.5 deg; the separations ranged from 55 to 120 deg. Corneal astigmatism, as specified by the difference in curvature between adjacent axis and power semimeridians at corresponding distances from the corneal apex, was also highly asymmetric with decreasing astigmatism in the corneal periphery. An interesting revelation was the interchange of the axis and power semimeridians in the periphery of 3 subjects' corneas.", "PMID": 610438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_252", "title": "Standardization of the Bausch & Lomb Autoplot tangent screen.", "content": "A method is described of modifying the Bausch & Lomb Autoplot to obtain background and test target luminances of 10.02 cd/m2 and 32.8 cd/m2, respectively. Together with the use of a 2-mm target, these test conditions closely correspond to those of the Goldmann perimeter. These conditions can be maintained to provide more standardized perimetry than is currently available with the Autoplot.", "contents": "Standardization of the Bausch & Lomb Autoplot tangent screen. A method is described of modifying the Bausch & Lomb Autoplot to obtain background and test target luminances of 10.02 cd/m2 and 32.8 cd/m2, respectively. Together with the use of a 2-mm target, these test conditions closely correspond to those of the Goldmann perimeter. These conditions can be maintained to provide more standardized perimetry than is currently available with the Autoplot.", "PMID": 610439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_253", "title": "Astigmatism after contact lens wear.", "content": "With-the-rule astigmatism increased by more than 3 D in 2 habitual long-term wearers of contact lenses after they abruptly stopped wearing their lenses. Reducing wearing time gradually over a 2- to 3-month period caused less than 1 D increase in with-the-rule astigmatism in 2 other long-term wearers. All 4 persons had worn polymethylmethacrylate contact lenses for 12 or more years.", "contents": "Astigmatism after contact lens wear. With-the-rule astigmatism increased by more than 3 D in 2 habitual long-term wearers of contact lenses after they abruptly stopped wearing their lenses. Reducing wearing time gradually over a 2- to 3-month period caused less than 1 D increase in with-the-rule astigmatism in 2 other long-term wearers. All 4 persons had worn polymethylmethacrylate contact lenses for 12 or more years.", "PMID": 610440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_254", "title": "Use of \"black light\" in assesing pupillary responses.", "content": "A modification of the conventional technique of pupillary analysis that maximizes the ability of the clinician to interpret papillary abnormalities, especially in aging patients, is presented. The technique, which utilizes the principle of lenticular fluorescence from \"black-light\" (ultraviolet) stimulation, employs equipment that is readily available to clinicians.", "contents": "Use of \"black light\" in assesing pupillary responses. A modification of the conventional technique of pupillary analysis that maximizes the ability of the clinician to interpret papillary abnormalities, especially in aging patients, is presented. The technique, which utilizes the principle of lenticular fluorescence from \"black-light\" (ultraviolet) stimulation, employs equipment that is readily available to clinicians.", "PMID": 610441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_255", "title": "The visual world behind the head.", "content": "After a 5-minute inspection of 7 objects laid out on a shelf, subjects were seated with the objects behind them and answered questions about the locations and orientations of objects by throwing a switch left or right. The \"visual image\" subjects were told to imagine that the objects were still in front of them and to respond accordingly. The \"real space\" (RS) subjects were told to respond in terms of the positions of the objects in real space behind them. Thus correct responses (left vs. right) were completely opposite for the 2 groups. A control group responded while facing a curtain concealing the objects. The task was harder, by time and error criteria, for group RS than for the other 2 groups, but not dramatically so. All RS subjects denied using a response-reversal strategy. Some reported translating the objects from back to front and thus responding as to a mirror-image of the array. When this evasion was discouraged, RS subjects typically reported responding in terms of visual images located behind them and viewed as if by \"eyes in the back of the head.\" The paradox of a visual image that corresponds to no possible visual input is discussed.", "contents": "The visual world behind the head. After a 5-minute inspection of 7 objects laid out on a shelf, subjects were seated with the objects behind them and answered questions about the locations and orientations of objects by throwing a switch left or right. The \"visual image\" subjects were told to imagine that the objects were still in front of them and to respond accordingly. The \"real space\" (RS) subjects were told to respond in terms of the positions of the objects in real space behind them. Thus correct responses (left vs. right) were completely opposite for the 2 groups. A control group responded while facing a curtain concealing the objects. The task was harder, by time and error criteria, for group RS than for the other 2 groups, but not dramatically so. All RS subjects denied using a response-reversal strategy. Some reported translating the objects from back to front and thus responding as to a mirror-image of the array. When this evasion was discouraged, RS subjects typically reported responding in terms of visual images located behind them and viewed as if by \"eyes in the back of the head.\" The paradox of a visual image that corresponds to no possible visual input is discussed.", "PMID": 610446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_256", "title": "Contextual effects in duration experience.", "content": "The role of contextual factors on duration estimates was investigated, employing 6 time intervals ranging from 15 to 35 sec (demarcated by the onset and termination of a display panel of lights). When compared with earlier research, the results suggest that duration estimates are affected by the context of the stimulus intervals with regard to other stimuli in the series. Specifically, those stimuli that were overestimated when they were the shortest members of the series were underestimated when they were the longest intervals of the stimulus series. In addition, a lengthening effect was observed: duration estimates increased over blocks of trials for all stimulus intervals.", "contents": "Contextual effects in duration experience. The role of contextual factors on duration estimates was investigated, employing 6 time intervals ranging from 15 to 35 sec (demarcated by the onset and termination of a display panel of lights). When compared with earlier research, the results suggest that duration estimates are affected by the context of the stimulus intervals with regard to other stimuli in the series. Specifically, those stimuli that were overestimated when they were the shortest members of the series were underestimated when they were the longest intervals of the stimulus series. In addition, a lengthening effect was observed: duration estimates increased over blocks of trials for all stimulus intervals.", "PMID": 610447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_257", "title": "The case for misapplied constancy scaling: depth associations elicited by illusion configurations.", "content": "It has been suggested that many visual-geometric illusions arise from inappropriate evocation of size-constancy by depth cues implicit in illusion configurations. Observers gave free association responses while viewing illusion figures. Analysis of these responses provides weak but consistent evidence for the elicitation of depth in the Sander parallelogram, Mueller-Lyer, Zoellner, and Ehrenfels variant of the Ponzo illusion. No evidence for depth is found in the normal form of the Ponzo, Poggendorff, and horizontal-vertical illusions, and the evidence is ambiguous in the Orbison configurations. These results indicate that depth processing may be evoked by some, but not all, classical illusion forms.", "contents": "The case for misapplied constancy scaling: depth associations elicited by illusion configurations. It has been suggested that many visual-geometric illusions arise from inappropriate evocation of size-constancy by depth cues implicit in illusion configurations. Observers gave free association responses while viewing illusion figures. Analysis of these responses provides weak but consistent evidence for the elicitation of depth in the Sander parallelogram, Mueller-Lyer, Zoellner, and Ehrenfels variant of the Ponzo illusion. No evidence for depth is found in the normal form of the Ponzo, Poggendorff, and horizontal-vertical illusions, and the evidence is ambiguous in the Orbison configurations. These results indicate that depth processing may be evoked by some, but not all, classical illusion forms.", "PMID": 610448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_258", "title": "An illusion of auditory saltation similar to the cutaneous \"rabbit\".", "content": "Trains of brief clicks produced successively at 3 points in a horizontal array were not localized accurately. Observers reported clicks occurring in succession across the spaces between sources as well as at the sources themselves. The illusion is functionally related to interstimulus interval, number of clicks per speaker, and regularity of pulsing. It appears similar to Geldard and Sherrick's cutaneous \"rabbit\" illusion.", "contents": "An illusion of auditory saltation similar to the cutaneous \"rabbit\". Trains of brief clicks produced successively at 3 points in a horizontal array were not localized accurately. Observers reported clicks occurring in succession across the spaces between sources as well as at the sources themselves. The illusion is functionally related to interstimulus interval, number of clicks per speaker, and regularity of pulsing. It appears similar to Geldard and Sherrick's cutaneous \"rabbit\" illusion.", "PMID": 610449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_259", "title": "Competition between memory and perceptual tasks involving physically similar stimuli.", "content": "Performance on a perceptual recognition task and a concurrently performed short-term memory (STM) task was studied. The stimuli used in the STM task were either visually similar, acoustically similar, or dissimilar to the stimuli in the perceptual task. The results demonstrated that any type of concurrent list memorization has a detrimental effect upon perceptual performance, but this effect is magnified if the stimuli used in the 2 tasks are visually similar. Acoustic similarity had no effect. The results document the fact that distinct tasks interfere, when the tasks compete for a limited total processing capacity, or when the tasks demand the same visual coding program.", "contents": "Competition between memory and perceptual tasks involving physically similar stimuli. Performance on a perceptual recognition task and a concurrently performed short-term memory (STM) task was studied. The stimuli used in the STM task were either visually similar, acoustically similar, or dissimilar to the stimuli in the perceptual task. The results demonstrated that any type of concurrent list memorization has a detrimental effect upon perceptual performance, but this effect is magnified if the stimuli used in the 2 tasks are visually similar. Acoustic similarity had no effect. The results document the fact that distinct tasks interfere, when the tasks compete for a limited total processing capacity, or when the tasks demand the same visual coding program.", "PMID": 610450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_260", "title": "[Injury from the deceleration and acceleration of human skulls (author's transl)].", "content": "Diametral injuries of the skull accidental force may be accepted as an effect of summation of osseous and cerebral oscillations which cause a gradient of pressure inside the skull. The cavitations of liquor between cerebrum and skull are of no influence neither in a positive nor a negative direction in transmission of the vibration. Situated in an area which is not effected by the oscillation the hypophysis is protected against trauma. The causes for the contre-coup is to be seen in the anatomical and morphological specificity of the skull following Newton's axioms. Several concepts of the contra-coup are discussed.", "contents": "[Injury from the deceleration and acceleration of human skulls (author's transl)]. Diametral injuries of the skull accidental force may be accepted as an effect of summation of osseous and cerebral oscillations which cause a gradient of pressure inside the skull. The cavitations of liquor between cerebrum and skull are of no influence neither in a positive nor a negative direction in transmission of the vibration. Situated in an area which is not effected by the oscillation the hypophysis is protected against trauma. The causes for the contre-coup is to be seen in the anatomical and morphological specificity of the skull following Newton's axioms. Several concepts of the contra-coup are discussed.", "PMID": 610481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_261", "title": "Density of goblet cells on normal adult nasal turbinates.", "content": "On the basis of 10 middle and 10 inferior turbinates from autopsies on normal adults, a quantitative study of the goblet cells was performed, using the whole-mount method. There was quite some increase in density into the posterior direction, with a generally higher density on the inferior than on the middle turbinate. The results are related to the current of air in the nose.", "contents": "Density of goblet cells on normal adult nasal turbinates. On the basis of 10 middle and 10 inferior turbinates from autopsies on normal adults, a quantitative study of the goblet cells was performed, using the whole-mount method. There was quite some increase in density into the posterior direction, with a generally higher density on the inferior than on the middle turbinate. The results are related to the current of air in the nose.", "PMID": 610482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_262", "title": "Morphological and histochemical studies of the mandibular salivary glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).", "content": "The morphology, and nerve and blood supply of the mandibular salivary glands of the one-humped camel were studied in detail. The intraglandular portion of the duct system was also examined. The micromorphological and histochemical studies showed that the mandibular glands are of the tubuloacinar type. The secretory cells are of two types; (1) Mucous cells grouped into secretory tubules and acini, and (2) seromucoid cells grouped into acini and demilunes. These demilunes are associated with the mucous acini. The interlobular excretory ducts and the mandibular duct contain globlet cells between their lining epithelium.", "contents": "Morphological and histochemical studies of the mandibular salivary glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). The morphology, and nerve and blood supply of the mandibular salivary glands of the one-humped camel were studied in detail. The intraglandular portion of the duct system was also examined. The micromorphological and histochemical studies showed that the mandibular glands are of the tubuloacinar type. The secretory cells are of two types; (1) Mucous cells grouped into secretory tubules and acini, and (2) seromucoid cells grouped into acini and demilunes. These demilunes are associated with the mucous acini. The interlobular excretory ducts and the mandibular duct contain globlet cells between their lining epithelium.", "PMID": 610483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_263", "title": "[Interruption of the vegetative innervation of the teeth of dogs and its effect on the organs of chewing (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of our investigations, therefore, demonstrate that after a resection of part of N. vagosympathicus peripheral to the ganglion nodosum on the right side two of the test dogs showed changes in the bite and in the position of teeth, a fan-shaped position of the incisors and canines, prognathism of the jaw including protrusion and changes in the parodont with some incisors becoming loose. All test animals showed distinctly marked dystrophic changes and weak signs of regeneration of Truncus vagosympathicus and the branches of N. trigeminus. The changes in the branches of N. trigeminus can be explained by the intrusion of sympathicus cells in the reflex arcs of the cerebral nerves and in their paths in the central nervous system. In this way the sensory nerves are joined to the afferent fibres of the vegetative nervous system, which affect the organic supply through the vasomotor nerves.", "contents": "[Interruption of the vegetative innervation of the teeth of dogs and its effect on the organs of chewing (author's transl)]. The results of our investigations, therefore, demonstrate that after a resection of part of N. vagosympathicus peripheral to the ganglion nodosum on the right side two of the test dogs showed changes in the bite and in the position of teeth, a fan-shaped position of the incisors and canines, prognathism of the jaw including protrusion and changes in the parodont with some incisors becoming loose. All test animals showed distinctly marked dystrophic changes and weak signs of regeneration of Truncus vagosympathicus and the branches of N. trigeminus. The changes in the branches of N. trigeminus can be explained by the intrusion of sympathicus cells in the reflex arcs of the cerebral nerves and in their paths in the central nervous system. In this way the sensory nerves are joined to the afferent fibres of the vegetative nervous system, which affect the organic supply through the vasomotor nerves.", "PMID": 610484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_264", "title": "[Eruption and shedding of the teeth in the beaver, Castor fiber albicus (author's transl)].", "content": "46 skulls of Castor fiber albicus aged from 0 to 2 years were studied morphologically and radiographically with regard to eruption and shedding of the teeth. According to the characteristics of the dentition the age of immature beavers until to 1 1/2 years can be determined with an error of about 4 weeks. Later the development of the roots and the apposition of cementum are to consider additionally.", "contents": "[Eruption and shedding of the teeth in the beaver, Castor fiber albicus (author's transl)]. 46 skulls of Castor fiber albicus aged from 0 to 2 years were studied morphologically and radiographically with regard to eruption and shedding of the teeth. According to the characteristics of the dentition the age of immature beavers until to 1 1/2 years can be determined with an error of about 4 weeks. Later the development of the roots and the apposition of cementum are to consider additionally.", "PMID": 610485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_265", "title": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory and vascular system of the teleost Labeo rohita (Ham.).", "content": "The paired nucleus preopticus (NPO) lying on either side of the III ventricle gives rise to the left and right main neurosecretory tracts which proceed posteroventrally towards the pituitary and give rise to several finer axons which ramify the infundibular floor adjacent to the pituitary. The bulk of the neurosecretory tracts enter the pars intermedia and few finer ones are seen among the pars distalis. The ventromedian component of the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) is aldehyde fuchsin (AF) positive whereas the anterolateral neurons are AF negative. The internal carotid artery gives rise to the hypophysial and ventral hypothalamic arteries. The ventral hypothalamic artery gives rise to the primary capillary plexus at the infundibular floor region adjacent to the pituitary stalk. Portal vessels formed from this plexus largely irrigate the adenohypophysis. The hypophysial artery enters the neurohypophysis and gives rise to typical teleostean type neuradenointerface vasculature. Morphological contact between the neurosecretory axons and primary capillary plexus at the floor of the infundibulum suggests the possibility of at least some active principles entering the blood vessels. Structurally L. rohita exhibited both tetrapodean and teleostean type of hypothalamo-hypophysial vasculature. Morphological evidences suggest a direct neuroglandular and an indirect neurovasculoglandular pathways of hypothalamic control of hypophysis in L. rohita.", "contents": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory and vascular system of the teleost Labeo rohita (Ham.). The paired nucleus preopticus (NPO) lying on either side of the III ventricle gives rise to the left and right main neurosecretory tracts which proceed posteroventrally towards the pituitary and give rise to several finer axons which ramify the infundibular floor adjacent to the pituitary. The bulk of the neurosecretory tracts enter the pars intermedia and few finer ones are seen among the pars distalis. The ventromedian component of the nucleus lateralis tuberis (NLT) is aldehyde fuchsin (AF) positive whereas the anterolateral neurons are AF negative. The internal carotid artery gives rise to the hypophysial and ventral hypothalamic arteries. The ventral hypothalamic artery gives rise to the primary capillary plexus at the infundibular floor region adjacent to the pituitary stalk. Portal vessels formed from this plexus largely irrigate the adenohypophysis. The hypophysial artery enters the neurohypophysis and gives rise to typical teleostean type neuradenointerface vasculature. Morphological contact between the neurosecretory axons and primary capillary plexus at the floor of the infundibulum suggests the possibility of at least some active principles entering the blood vessels. Structurally L. rohita exhibited both tetrapodean and teleostean type of hypothalamo-hypophysial vasculature. Morphological evidences suggest a direct neuroglandular and an indirect neurovasculoglandular pathways of hypothalamic control of hypophysis in L. rohita.", "PMID": 610488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_266", "title": "[Semantics of psychopathological statements. I. Tetraglossia and affective function of the language].", "content": "The semantics of clinical statements in psychopathology will be studied in two parts. Here, the affective function and the vernacular element are analysed in the light of their relationship to the other aspects of the language, i.e. the vehicular, referential and mythical aspects. This tetraglossy is in the context of two neuroses whose outbreak involves linguistic phenomena. The symptoms and utterances form semiotic statements linked up by the perlocutory acts of the utterance which in the psychopathological process closely associate vehicular function and affects in a field of belief consistent with their clinical expression.", "contents": "[Semantics of psychopathological statements. I. Tetraglossia and affective function of the language]. The semantics of clinical statements in psychopathology will be studied in two parts. Here, the affective function and the vernacular element are analysed in the light of their relationship to the other aspects of the language, i.e. the vehicular, referential and mythical aspects. This tetraglossy is in the context of two neuroses whose outbreak involves linguistic phenomena. The symptoms and utterances form semiotic statements linked up by the perlocutory acts of the utterance which in the psychopathological process closely associate vehicular function and affects in a field of belief consistent with their clinical expression.", "PMID": 610490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_267", "title": "[Sociability of the need of human interactions].", "content": "In the following article, the originates, forms, abnormalities, pathology, variations of social inter-relations, variations in different social situations, are examined. It emphasizes in general the relationship between patient and doctor, and in particular that of the psychiatrist and his patient.", "contents": "[Sociability of the need of human interactions]. In the following article, the originates, forms, abnormalities, pathology, variations of social inter-relations, variations in different social situations, are examined. It emphasizes in general the relationship between patient and doctor, and in particular that of the psychiatrist and his patient.", "PMID": 610491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_268", "title": "[For a clinical approach to impulsion phobias].", "content": "Having first recalled the problems involved in classifying impulsion phobias, (problems which have been experienced in the course of all the work done on this subject), the authors report, from a strictly clinical viewpoint, on a series of studies of patients whose problems are very different but who all show the symptoms of impulsion phobia. They next setout a phenomenological approach to the problem, with emphasis on the products of the patient's imagination, his passive fascination with the image of a terrifying act constituting the object of the phobia, the external world in relation to the subject, and the ambiguity of dependance on others which is mirrored by aggressiveness. Lastly, the subject's entire existence is put symbolically at stake, and the phobia is seen to spring from his narcissistic relationship with the external world at a deeper level than that of any oedipian relationships. The first stage in the treatment is, indeed, to build up this narcissistic relationship, and later treatment will be varied according to the patient's fundamental needs.", "contents": "[For a clinical approach to impulsion phobias]. Having first recalled the problems involved in classifying impulsion phobias, (problems which have been experienced in the course of all the work done on this subject), the authors report, from a strictly clinical viewpoint, on a series of studies of patients whose problems are very different but who all show the symptoms of impulsion phobia. They next setout a phenomenological approach to the problem, with emphasis on the products of the patient's imagination, his passive fascination with the image of a terrifying act constituting the object of the phobia, the external world in relation to the subject, and the ambiguity of dependance on others which is mirrored by aggressiveness. Lastly, the subject's entire existence is put symbolically at stake, and the phobia is seen to spring from his narcissistic relationship with the external world at a deeper level than that of any oedipian relationships. The first stage in the treatment is, indeed, to build up this narcissistic relationship, and later treatment will be varied according to the patient's fundamental needs.", "PMID": 610492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_269", "title": "[Severe mental disorders after prolonged post-traumatic coma].", "content": "Using observation in a number of patients with severe closed head injuries followed by prolonged coma and of which three are reported in detail, the authors present an analysis of the resulting psychiatric problems. After a brief review of the literature they suggest a central psychopathological \"core\" common to such head injuries beneath their seemingly diverse symptomatology. This \"core\" seems to be built up around the following disturbances: 1) Memory disorders; 2) Perceptual problems and difficulties with the association of ideas; 3) Excessive tiredness and concomitant reduction in the powers of concentration.", "contents": "[Severe mental disorders after prolonged post-traumatic coma]. Using observation in a number of patients with severe closed head injuries followed by prolonged coma and of which three are reported in detail, the authors present an analysis of the resulting psychiatric problems. After a brief review of the literature they suggest a central psychopathological \"core\" common to such head injuries beneath their seemingly diverse symptomatology. This \"core\" seems to be built up around the following disturbances: 1) Memory disorders; 2) Perceptual problems and difficulties with the association of ideas; 3) Excessive tiredness and concomitant reduction in the powers of concentration.", "PMID": 610493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_270", "title": "Physical studies of a Staphylococcus aureus plasmid mediating resistance to streptogramins, lincosamins and aminoglycosides.", "content": "Previous studies have demonstrated that resistance to three groups of drugs (streptogramins, lincosamins and aminoglycosides) was plasmid borne in a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. This plasmid, referred to as pIP524, was transferred in mixed culture or transduced into a plasmid-free host and analyzed for size, molecular weight and replication control. Plasmid pIP524 is a new member of the class of \"large\" plasmids (8.5 micrometer) isolated from S. aureus and represents up to 7% of total DNA. Some evidence indicates that the number of copies of pIP524 and of plasmids of the same size--penicillinase plasmids--are similar (up to 10 per cell).", "contents": "Physical studies of a Staphylococcus aureus plasmid mediating resistance to streptogramins, lincosamins and aminoglycosides. Previous studies have demonstrated that resistance to three groups of drugs (streptogramins, lincosamins and aminoglycosides) was plasmid borne in a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. This plasmid, referred to as pIP524, was transferred in mixed culture or transduced into a plasmid-free host and analyzed for size, molecular weight and replication control. Plasmid pIP524 is a new member of the class of \"large\" plasmids (8.5 micrometer) isolated from S. aureus and represents up to 7% of total DNA. Some evidence indicates that the number of copies of pIP524 and of plasmids of the same size--penicillinase plasmids--are similar (up to 10 per cell).", "PMID": 610499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_271", "title": "[Serological analysis of coagulase-negative staphylococci: study of characteristic agglutinogens in type strains of the nine species individualized by Schleifer and Kloos (author's transl)].", "content": "The occurrence of characteristic agglutinogens has been searched for in the type strains of the following species: Staphylococcus xylosus, S. cohnii, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis and S. simulans. Serotyping of these nine strains and study of their antisera have been carried out with formalin-treated and autoclaved bacteria. It has been shown that the characteristic agglutinogens of S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus were respectively identical to the agglutinogens previously described in the coagulase-negative type strain 52.186 and in the S. aureus type strain 18. Characteristic agglutinogens have been found in each of the other seven type strains. Agglutinogens found in S. xylosus and S. saprophyticus are thermolabile, the corresponding absorbed sera reacting only with the formalin-treated homologous strain. Concerning S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. hominis and S. simulans, their absorbed sera reacting both with formalin-treated and autoclaved homologous strains, the observed reactions can be accounted either by one thermostable agglutinogen or by two characteristic agglutinogens, one thermostable, the other thermolabile. In S. warneri, only one thermostable agglutinogen has been characterized, the specificity of the reaction observed between the absorbed S. warneri antiserum and the homologous formalin-treated strain having to be confirmed. The use for serotyping of absorbed sera prepared against the type strains of the species S. xylosus, S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. hominis and S. simulans should permit to improve the individualization of coagulase-negative staphylococci.", "contents": "[Serological analysis of coagulase-negative staphylococci: study of characteristic agglutinogens in type strains of the nine species individualized by Schleifer and Kloos (author's transl)]. The occurrence of characteristic agglutinogens has been searched for in the type strains of the following species: Staphylococcus xylosus, S. cohnii, S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis and S. simulans. Serotyping of these nine strains and study of their antisera have been carried out with formalin-treated and autoclaved bacteria. It has been shown that the characteristic agglutinogens of S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus were respectively identical to the agglutinogens previously described in the coagulase-negative type strain 52.186 and in the S. aureus type strain 18. Characteristic agglutinogens have been found in each of the other seven type strains. Agglutinogens found in S. xylosus and S. saprophyticus are thermolabile, the corresponding absorbed sera reacting only with the formalin-treated homologous strain. Concerning S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. hominis and S. simulans, their absorbed sera reacting both with formalin-treated and autoclaved homologous strains, the observed reactions can be accounted either by one thermostable agglutinogen or by two characteristic agglutinogens, one thermostable, the other thermolabile. In S. warneri, only one thermostable agglutinogen has been characterized, the specificity of the reaction observed between the absorbed S. warneri antiserum and the homologous formalin-treated strain having to be confirmed. The use for serotyping of absorbed sera prepared against the type strains of the species S. xylosus, S. cohnii, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus, S. warneri, S. hominis and S. simulans should permit to improve the individualization of coagulase-negative staphylococci.", "PMID": 610502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_272", "title": "[Solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies of rubella virus (author's transl)].", "content": "A sensitive solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay for the detection of rubella virus specific IgG and IgM antibodies has been developed. Wells of polystyrene trays were sensitized with purified rubella antigen. A substrate employed in enzyme-histochemistry, which gives a stable staining, was used to allow direct determination of titre values. One hundred and thirty-five human sera were tested. Antibodies titres, detected using this glucose oxidase immunoassay, correlated well with those obtained using a virus haemagglutination inhibition test. With this procedure sera can be tested without any pretreatment and evaluated within one day. Moreover, TIE is more sensitive and specific antibodies are detected earlier.", "contents": "[Solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies of rubella virus (author's transl)]. A sensitive solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay for the detection of rubella virus specific IgG and IgM antibodies has been developed. Wells of polystyrene trays were sensitized with purified rubella antigen. A substrate employed in enzyme-histochemistry, which gives a stable staining, was used to allow direct determination of titre values. One hundred and thirty-five human sera were tested. Antibodies titres, detected using this glucose oxidase immunoassay, correlated well with those obtained using a virus haemagglutination inhibition test. With this procedure sera can be tested without any pretreatment and evaluated within one day. Moreover, TIE is more sensitive and specific antibodies are detected earlier.", "PMID": 610503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_273", "title": "[A simple lesion-free drop of the chorio-allantoic membrane of the chick embryo (author's transl)].", "content": "In the embryonated 4-5 days old chicken egg incubated in the normal vertical position, only the blunt top end, a small part of the egg surface, is covered by the embryo. Soon after rotation of the egg to the reverted vertical position with the blunt end down, the egg shell is pierced and the artificial air space is formed on the pointed end which is far from the region occupied by the embryo. Thus any possibility of lesion is avoided.", "contents": "[A simple lesion-free drop of the chorio-allantoic membrane of the chick embryo (author's transl)]. In the embryonated 4-5 days old chicken egg incubated in the normal vertical position, only the blunt top end, a small part of the egg surface, is covered by the embryo. Soon after rotation of the egg to the reverted vertical position with the blunt end down, the egg shell is pierced and the artificial air space is formed on the pointed end which is far from the region occupied by the embryo. Thus any possibility of lesion is avoided.", "PMID": 610504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_274", "title": "[Haemagglutinin from rabies viruses (author's transl)].", "content": "Rabies virus haemagglutinin has not hitherto been obtained to our knowledge, from brain material of infected animals. A slight modification of the arbovirus technique and the use of trypsin treatment can reveal a good haemagglutinin from fixed and street strain from infected brains.", "contents": "[Haemagglutinin from rabies viruses (author's transl)]. Rabies virus haemagglutinin has not hitherto been obtained to our knowledge, from brain material of infected animals. A slight modification of the arbovirus technique and the use of trypsin treatment can reveal a good haemagglutinin from fixed and street strain from infected brains.", "PMID": 610505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_275", "title": "[Acquired fibro-keratoma. Report of 8 cases].", "content": "The acquired fibro-keratoma is a benign fibro-epithelial tumor of acquired nature. I was set apart as a distinct entity in 1968 by Bart et al. who named it \"acquired digital fibro-keratoma\". It is predominantly, although not exclusively, located on the fingers and toes, near the phalangeal joints. The authors report 8 personal cases and make a short general review of the disease. The lesion is slightly prominent, well defined and surrounded by a hyperkeratotic collar. It protrudes on the surface of the skin much like a hernia. Histologically, it is a dermo-epidermal tumor. There is a proliferation of connective tissue under the papillomatous, hyperacanthotic and orthokeratotic epidermis. The mature collagen bundles, voluminous fibroblasts and numerous enlarged capillaries are parallel to the vertical axis of the tumor. The acquired fibrokeratoma must be differentiated from other cutaneous tumors, particularly fibromas and Ko\u00ebnen's tumors. The etiology is unknown. However, it was found in some cases that a trauma had contributed to the development of the tumor. The only possible treatment is surgical excision.", "contents": "[Acquired fibro-keratoma. Report of 8 cases]. The acquired fibro-keratoma is a benign fibro-epithelial tumor of acquired nature. I was set apart as a distinct entity in 1968 by Bart et al. who named it \"acquired digital fibro-keratoma\". It is predominantly, although not exclusively, located on the fingers and toes, near the phalangeal joints. The authors report 8 personal cases and make a short general review of the disease. The lesion is slightly prominent, well defined and surrounded by a hyperkeratotic collar. It protrudes on the surface of the skin much like a hernia. Histologically, it is a dermo-epidermal tumor. There is a proliferation of connective tissue under the papillomatous, hyperacanthotic and orthokeratotic epidermis. The mature collagen bundles, voluminous fibroblasts and numerous enlarged capillaries are parallel to the vertical axis of the tumor. The acquired fibrokeratoma must be differentiated from other cutaneous tumors, particularly fibromas and Ko\u00ebnen's tumors. The etiology is unknown. However, it was found in some cases that a trauma had contributed to the development of the tumor. The only possible treatment is surgical excision.", "PMID": 610514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_276", "title": "[Shulman's syndrome: fasciitis with eosinophilia, pseudoscleroderma with eosinophilia].", "content": "The authors report two cases of the Shulman's syndrome. Twenty one cases of this new entity are found in the literature. The main signs are the acute painful onset after an unusual physical exertion, the development of fasciitis, and (or) myositis, and (or) scleroderma of limbs, the absence of Raynaud's phenomenon, visceral involvement, constant eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia; the prognosis is good with an improvement sometimes spontaneous or coincident with prednisone therapy. One of the observations is interesting by the association with Gougerot-Sjogren's syndrome, and a familial case of morphea. The prognosis in this case is mediocre: failure of corticotherapy, and incomplete remission with cyclophosphamide.", "contents": "[Shulman's syndrome: fasciitis with eosinophilia, pseudoscleroderma with eosinophilia]. The authors report two cases of the Shulman's syndrome. Twenty one cases of this new entity are found in the literature. The main signs are the acute painful onset after an unusual physical exertion, the development of fasciitis, and (or) myositis, and (or) scleroderma of limbs, the absence of Raynaud's phenomenon, visceral involvement, constant eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia; the prognosis is good with an improvement sometimes spontaneous or coincident with prednisone therapy. One of the observations is interesting by the association with Gougerot-Sjogren's syndrome, and a familial case of morphea. The prognosis in this case is mediocre: failure of corticotherapy, and incomplete remission with cyclophosphamide.", "PMID": 610515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_277", "title": "[Multiple kerato-acanthomas and visceral carcinomas: Torre's syndrome].", "content": "Women 63-between 1949 and 1970 has shown 11 K. A., 1 Bowen's diseas of the vulva, a carcinoma of the rectum (together with a carcinoma of the anus). This last association allows to integrate this observation to Torre's syndrome. No return of the K. A. since the removal of the carcinomas (1970) which have not actually come out again.", "contents": "[Multiple kerato-acanthomas and visceral carcinomas: Torre's syndrome]. Women 63-between 1949 and 1970 has shown 11 K. A., 1 Bowen's diseas of the vulva, a carcinoma of the rectum (together with a carcinoma of the anus). This last association allows to integrate this observation to Torre's syndrome. No return of the K. A. since the removal of the carcinomas (1970) which have not actually come out again.", "PMID": 610516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_278", "title": "[Onychopathy of mushroom-growers].", "content": "Particular nail damage appeared in patients working on mushroom beds. In five cases, all similar, the recent use of plastic bags containing the growing medium, seems to be the origin of this onychopathy. Onycholysis with latero-distal \"usure des ongles\", koilonychia, longitudinal splitting with sometimes splinter haemorrhages are the most specific changes. Chemical damage by phytosanitary products or fungi infection have no significant part in these abnormalities; their cause is traumatic, representing occupational stigmata mark, and results from repeated rubbing of the nails in workers lifting up heavy plastic bags.", "contents": "[Onychopathy of mushroom-growers]. Particular nail damage appeared in patients working on mushroom beds. In five cases, all similar, the recent use of plastic bags containing the growing medium, seems to be the origin of this onychopathy. Onycholysis with latero-distal \"usure des ongles\", koilonychia, longitudinal splitting with sometimes splinter haemorrhages are the most specific changes. Chemical damage by phytosanitary products or fungi infection have no significant part in these abnormalities; their cause is traumatic, representing occupational stigmata mark, and results from repeated rubbing of the nails in workers lifting up heavy plastic bags.", "PMID": 610517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_279", "title": "[Pyoderma gangrenosum: Clofazimine therapy].", "content": "Two patients with pyoderma gangrenosum have responded remarkably well to treatment with Clofazimine (Lampr\u00e8ne). The first patient, a 68-year old women suffered from pyoderma gangrenosum of the buttock and left leg and on the incision scar for cancer of the breast. Laboratory findings showed monoclonal dysglobulinemia (alpha 2-kappa 2). A daily dose of 300 mg of Clofazimine resulted in complete healing with ten days. The second patient was a 24-year old women suffering from ulcerative colitis and a rapidly progressing pyoderma gangrenosum of the left leg. The lesions was completely healed after two weeks of Clofazimine therapy. The dosage was 200 mg daily and was increased to 400 mg daily. Our cases showed decreased cellular immunity and their phagocytic activity was variable.", "contents": "[Pyoderma gangrenosum: Clofazimine therapy]. Two patients with pyoderma gangrenosum have responded remarkably well to treatment with Clofazimine (Lampr\u00e8ne). The first patient, a 68-year old women suffered from pyoderma gangrenosum of the buttock and left leg and on the incision scar for cancer of the breast. Laboratory findings showed monoclonal dysglobulinemia (alpha 2-kappa 2). A daily dose of 300 mg of Clofazimine resulted in complete healing with ten days. The second patient was a 24-year old women suffering from ulcerative colitis and a rapidly progressing pyoderma gangrenosum of the left leg. The lesions was completely healed after two weeks of Clofazimine therapy. The dosage was 200 mg daily and was increased to 400 mg daily. Our cases showed decreased cellular immunity and their phagocytic activity was variable.", "PMID": 610518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_280", "title": "[Arterial damage and the renin-angiotensin system in essential hypertension. Study of 63 cases].", "content": "Brunner, Laragh et al. have suggested that essential hypertensives with low plasma renin activity (PRA) are at lower risk of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accidents than those with high or normal PRA levels. In this paper we report on 63 patients with essential hypertension in whom the relation between PRA and the ocurrence of cardiovascular events was studied. The patients were categorized in high (11%), normal (70%) or low (19%) PRA subgroups, according to their 24-hour sodium excretion. Coronary angiogram was performed in 24 subjects. The three subgroups showed no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol levels, smoking habits or obesity. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was similar in patients with high or low PRA levels (28.5% and 33.3% respectively). In those hypertensives in whom coronary angiogram was done, coronary lesions were observed in 80% of the low renin subjects and in 37.5% of those patients with normal PRA. Therefore, no relation between PRA levels and vascular complications was observed in this series of patients. It is conclude that patients with essential hypertension must be treated as soon and effectively as possible regardless of their PRA value.", "contents": "[Arterial damage and the renin-angiotensin system in essential hypertension. Study of 63 cases]. Brunner, Laragh et al. have suggested that essential hypertensives with low plasma renin activity (PRA) are at lower risk of myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accidents than those with high or normal PRA levels. In this paper we report on 63 patients with essential hypertension in whom the relation between PRA and the ocurrence of cardiovascular events was studied. The patients were categorized in high (11%), normal (70%) or low (19%) PRA subgroups, according to their 24-hour sodium excretion. Coronary angiogram was performed in 24 subjects. The three subgroups showed no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol levels, smoking habits or obesity. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was similar in patients with high or low PRA levels (28.5% and 33.3% respectively). In those hypertensives in whom coronary angiogram was done, coronary lesions were observed in 80% of the low renin subjects and in 37.5% of those patients with normal PRA. Therefore, no relation between PRA levels and vascular complications was observed in this series of patients. It is conclude that patients with essential hypertension must be treated as soon and effectively as possible regardless of their PRA value.", "PMID": 610633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_281", "title": "The acute effects of cigarette smoking on left ventricular function.", "content": "Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor of coronary artery disease. Frequent repetition of an acute effect on the heart caused by cigarette smoking has been suggested as the etiology because of the increased incidence of myocardial infarction in cigarette smokers which drops to the incidence in non-smokers after cessation of smoking. This study of cardiac patients during cardiac catheterization evaluates the acute effect of the ordinary cigarette, smoked in the individuals own manner, on parameters of cardiac pump and muscle performance. The accuracy of measurements was enhanced by employing high-fidelity pressure signals, signal averaging, and computer analysis of the data. The results of the present study suggest that when cardiac patients smoke 1 cigarette of their own brand in their accustomed manner, no deleterious effects on pump performance, ventricular contraction or relaxation and blood pressure are evident.", "contents": "The acute effects of cigarette smoking on left ventricular function. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor of coronary artery disease. Frequent repetition of an acute effect on the heart caused by cigarette smoking has been suggested as the etiology because of the increased incidence of myocardial infarction in cigarette smokers which drops to the incidence in non-smokers after cessation of smoking. This study of cardiac patients during cardiac catheterization evaluates the acute effect of the ordinary cigarette, smoked in the individuals own manner, on parameters of cardiac pump and muscle performance. The accuracy of measurements was enhanced by employing high-fidelity pressure signals, signal averaging, and computer analysis of the data. The results of the present study suggest that when cardiac patients smoke 1 cigarette of their own brand in their accustomed manner, no deleterious effects on pump performance, ventricular contraction or relaxation and blood pressure are evident.", "PMID": 610635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_282", "title": "[Electrophysiological studies in permanent atrial paralysis].", "content": "Permanent atrial paralysis is a very rare entity characterized by absence of electrical and mechanical activity of the atria which persists for months or years. We present a patient with congestive cardiomyopathy and chronic atrial paralysis. The phonomechanocardiographic study confirmed the absence of mechanical contraction of the atrium and did not show atrial electrical activity in the superficial electrocardiogram nor in the intracavitary tracing. In the electrophysiological study of the biopsy of the atrial myocardium an unexcitable tissue was found with an important diastolic despolarization of 30 mv. The histologic and ultrastructural studies showed nonspecific changes, with the replacement of the myocardial cells by fibrous tissue.", "contents": "[Electrophysiological studies in permanent atrial paralysis]. Permanent atrial paralysis is a very rare entity characterized by absence of electrical and mechanical activity of the atria which persists for months or years. We present a patient with congestive cardiomyopathy and chronic atrial paralysis. The phonomechanocardiographic study confirmed the absence of mechanical contraction of the atrium and did not show atrial electrical activity in the superficial electrocardiogram nor in the intracavitary tracing. In the electrophysiological study of the biopsy of the atrial myocardium an unexcitable tissue was found with an important diastolic despolarization of 30 mv. The histologic and ultrastructural studies showed nonspecific changes, with the replacement of the myocardial cells by fibrous tissue.", "PMID": 610636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_283", "title": "[The normal pulmonary angiogram].", "content": "The experience obtained from the study of 151 normal pulmonary angiograms is presented. It was found, that is possible to identify most if not all the segmental arteries in the anteroposterior view, but the lateral view let identify the segmental arteries that arise perpendicular to the frontalplane. The role of the byplane pulmonary angiography in order to identify the segmental pulmonary arteries is emphasized. Must of the normal variation patterns of the segmental pulmonary arteries were found and only two differents patterns were seen, type IV in the right upper lobe and probably type II for the left lower lobe. It was also found that the arterial patterns of the middle lobe and right lower lobe were observed in different percentages that would be expected.", "contents": "[The normal pulmonary angiogram]. The experience obtained from the study of 151 normal pulmonary angiograms is presented. It was found, that is possible to identify most if not all the segmental arteries in the anteroposterior view, but the lateral view let identify the segmental arteries that arise perpendicular to the frontalplane. The role of the byplane pulmonary angiography in order to identify the segmental pulmonary arteries is emphasized. Must of the normal variation patterns of the segmental pulmonary arteries were found and only two differents patterns were seen, type IV in the right upper lobe and probably type II for the left lower lobe. It was also found that the arterial patterns of the middle lobe and right lower lobe were observed in different percentages that would be expected.", "PMID": 610637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_284", "title": "[Experimental study of a new circular semiprosthesis for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement].", "content": "The experimental behaviour of a new semiprosthesis for mitral and tricuspid ring plasty is studied. The tolerance of the materials of which the ring is composed was realized by inserting it into the right atrium with hypothermia and occlusion of the cavas, in dogs which were permitted to live 6 months. It was shown that the ring was covered by a very thin, white membrane, with uniform characteristics and strongly attached. The histologic and the ultrastructural study with the electronic microscope, showed proliferation of conjunctive tissue with abundant collaginous fibers. The free border of this covering presented endotheliazation with flat endothelial cells. The prosthetic material behaves as an inert body when there is no evidence of lymphocytes or polymorfonuclears.", "contents": "[Experimental study of a new circular semiprosthesis for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement]. The experimental behaviour of a new semiprosthesis for mitral and tricuspid ring plasty is studied. The tolerance of the materials of which the ring is composed was realized by inserting it into the right atrium with hypothermia and occlusion of the cavas, in dogs which were permitted to live 6 months. It was shown that the ring was covered by a very thin, white membrane, with uniform characteristics and strongly attached. The histologic and the ultrastructural study with the electronic microscope, showed proliferation of conjunctive tissue with abundant collaginous fibers. The free border of this covering presented endotheliazation with flat endothelial cells. The prosthetic material behaves as an inert body when there is no evidence of lymphocytes or polymorfonuclears.", "PMID": 610640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_285", "title": "[Beneficial effect of morphine on the threshold of electrical fibrillation of the ventricle. Experimental study].", "content": "The action of 2-3 mg/kg of morphine on the threshold of electrical fibrillation of the ventricle (TVF) in anesthetized dogs has been studied. The basal TVF was 10.5 +/- 4.9 mA, increased to 20.2 +/- 7.7 mA (P 0.005) with the administration of this drug. Comparatively, the effect of morphine on the TVF is similar to that of propranolol and bretilium and more effective than procainamide. The mechanism by which it acts is not well known. Perhaps it is due to a homogenization of refractory periods in the ventricle as well as a possible morphine-catacholamine interaction. Morphine in dosis of 2-3 mg/kg could occupy a place among the antiarrhythmic drugs of choice with antifibrillatory action, with important usefulness in the field of anestesiology of cardiopaths.", "contents": "[Beneficial effect of morphine on the threshold of electrical fibrillation of the ventricle. Experimental study]. The action of 2-3 mg/kg of morphine on the threshold of electrical fibrillation of the ventricle (TVF) in anesthetized dogs has been studied. The basal TVF was 10.5 +/- 4.9 mA, increased to 20.2 +/- 7.7 mA (P 0.005) with the administration of this drug. Comparatively, the effect of morphine on the TVF is similar to that of propranolol and bretilium and more effective than procainamide. The mechanism by which it acts is not well known. Perhaps it is due to a homogenization of refractory periods in the ventricle as well as a possible morphine-catacholamine interaction. Morphine in dosis of 2-3 mg/kg could occupy a place among the antiarrhythmic drugs of choice with antifibrillatory action, with important usefulness in the field of anestesiology of cardiopaths.", "PMID": 610639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_286", "title": "[Cerebral abscess due to abnormal caval return].", "content": "A case of abnormal venous return is reported. It was discovered during investigation of a cerebral abscess. There was a persisting and unique left superior vena cava, draining in the left atrium. No other cardiac malformation was present. This abnormality is rare as only 2 other cases have been reported. It should be suspected in children presenting with cyanosis, clubbing of the fingers and left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography.", "contents": "[Cerebral abscess due to abnormal caval return]. A case of abnormal venous return is reported. It was discovered during investigation of a cerebral abscess. There was a persisting and unique left superior vena cava, draining in the left atrium. No other cardiac malformation was present. This abnormality is rare as only 2 other cases have been reported. It should be suspected in children presenting with cyanosis, clubbing of the fingers and left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography.", "PMID": 610654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_287", "title": "[Hypoplasia of the left side of the heart in two brothers].", "content": "Amongst the malformations which constitute the hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the coexistence of mitral and aortic valve atresia should be considered a separate entity. The analysis of cases reported in the literature does not reveal a male preponderance nor is the family picture characteristic of a genetic autosomal recessive disorder.", "contents": "[Hypoplasia of the left side of the heart in two brothers]. Amongst the malformations which constitute the hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the coexistence of mitral and aortic valve atresia should be considered a separate entity. The analysis of cases reported in the literature does not reveal a male preponderance nor is the family picture characteristic of a genetic autosomal recessive disorder.", "PMID": 610655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_288", "title": "[Pediatric home care services in Belgium].", "content": "In 1970 a home care service for children was started by the committee for public assistance in Brussells with medical supervision from the department of paediatrics of the University. The main features are as follows: - It is exclusively paediatric and its aims are to shorten or avoid hospital admissions, or to provide medico-social support especially for the underpriveledged. - The medical supervision is undertaken by the family doctor (15% of cases) or by the physician in charge of the home care service with the help of specialists in the department of paediatrics in necessary. - Social workers, nurses and physiotherapists look after social problems, give nursing care and appropriate treatment. - The service has its own secretaries.", "contents": "[Pediatric home care services in Belgium]. In 1970 a home care service for children was started by the committee for public assistance in Brussells with medical supervision from the department of paediatrics of the University. The main features are as follows: - It is exclusively paediatric and its aims are to shorten or avoid hospital admissions, or to provide medico-social support especially for the underpriveledged. - The medical supervision is undertaken by the family doctor (15% of cases) or by the physician in charge of the home care service with the help of specialists in the department of paediatrics in necessary. - Social workers, nurses and physiotherapists look after social problems, give nursing care and appropriate treatment. - The service has its own secretaries.", "PMID": 610657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_289", "title": "[Prognosis for infants treated in pediatric intensive care units].", "content": "The first part of the inquiry reported herein is dealing with the diagnostic distribution and the death-rate of a population of 1,607 newborns, admitted for vital distress and treated in an intensive care unit for children from 1969 to 1972. Global death-rate reached 30%. 49% of the patients were admitted for different neonatal respiratory diseases: they were responsible for 31% of the deaths. Perinatal cerebral suffering was the principal cause for admission for 15% of the newborns: with a 40% death-rate, it was responsible for 20% of deaths. However, from 1969 to 1972, global death-rate was constantly decreasing, from 36 to 24%. This improvement concerns especially the respiratory diseases and the perinatal cerebral suffering.", "contents": "[Prognosis for infants treated in pediatric intensive care units]. The first part of the inquiry reported herein is dealing with the diagnostic distribution and the death-rate of a population of 1,607 newborns, admitted for vital distress and treated in an intensive care unit for children from 1969 to 1972. Global death-rate reached 30%. 49% of the patients were admitted for different neonatal respiratory diseases: they were responsible for 31% of the deaths. Perinatal cerebral suffering was the principal cause for admission for 15% of the newborns: with a 40% death-rate, it was responsible for 20% of deaths. However, from 1969 to 1972, global death-rate was constantly decreasing, from 36 to 24%. This improvement concerns especially the respiratory diseases and the perinatal cerebral suffering.", "PMID": 610659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_290", "title": "[Study of the classification of chondrodysplasias with mesomelic predominance].", "content": "Chondrodysplasiae with mesomelic predominance, that is with an elective defect of the middle segment of the limbs, constitute a complex group. The authors pronose to divide it into two types according to the presence or the absence of lesions in bones of the hand. The chondrodysplasiae without impairment of hands and feet include dyschondrosteosis, the type with cubitus and fibula hypoplasia described by Langer, Reinhardt and Pfeiffer's type with dominant transmissions, as well as the types with a relative elongation of fibula. The group of dysplasias in which hands and feet are concerned includes the dyschondrosteosis with shortness of hand, the acromesomelic dwarfism with impairment of phalanxes, described by Campailla and Martinelli, Nivegelt's syndrome, and the dwarfism with disorder in the vertebral segmentation, described by Robinow.", "contents": "[Study of the classification of chondrodysplasias with mesomelic predominance]. Chondrodysplasiae with mesomelic predominance, that is with an elective defect of the middle segment of the limbs, constitute a complex group. The authors pronose to divide it into two types according to the presence or the absence of lesions in bones of the hand. The chondrodysplasiae without impairment of hands and feet include dyschondrosteosis, the type with cubitus and fibula hypoplasia described by Langer, Reinhardt and Pfeiffer's type with dominant transmissions, as well as the types with a relative elongation of fibula. The group of dysplasias in which hands and feet are concerned includes the dyschondrosteosis with shortness of hand, the acromesomelic dwarfism with impairment of phalanxes, described by Campailla and Martinelli, Nivegelt's syndrome, and the dwarfism with disorder in the vertebral segmentation, described by Robinow.", "PMID": 610660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_291", "title": "[Weights and heights of newborn infants with hypothyroidism].", "content": "Among 166 congenitally hypothyroid children, 30% had a birth weight over the 90 degrees percentile of normal newborns, and 17% of those born after a full-term gestation weight 4000 g or more. The birth length was known in 84 cases and was not different from normal standards. An excess of birth weight relatively to birth length must suggest, among other factors, the possibility of congenital hypothyroidism.", "contents": "[Weights and heights of newborn infants with hypothyroidism]. Among 166 congenitally hypothyroid children, 30% had a birth weight over the 90 degrees percentile of normal newborns, and 17% of those born after a full-term gestation weight 4000 g or more. The birth length was known in 84 cases and was not different from normal standards. An excess of birth weight relatively to birth length must suggest, among other factors, the possibility of congenital hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 610661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_292", "title": "[Treatment of ADP responsive diabetes insipidus in children with DDAVP (1-desamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin)].", "content": "Twenty children with diabetes inspidus, 19 children and adolescents and one baby of 2 months, were treated with DDAVP. The drug was very effective, the average urine volume being 1.7 L/24 hours. The control of the diuresis in the baby was very satisfactory. There were no secondary effects and the only episode of water intoxication occurred in a girl with corticosteroid deficiency which was not well controlled. The effects of this drug are discussed in the light of the biochemistry and pharmacology and the activity compared with that of Lysine vasopressin (LVP). Plasma levels of DDAVP and LVP showed that DDAVP persists for longer which may explain its greater potency and duration of action.", "contents": "[Treatment of ADP responsive diabetes insipidus in children with DDAVP (1-desamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin)]. Twenty children with diabetes inspidus, 19 children and adolescents and one baby of 2 months, were treated with DDAVP. The drug was very effective, the average urine volume being 1.7 L/24 hours. The control of the diuresis in the baby was very satisfactory. There were no secondary effects and the only episode of water intoxication occurred in a girl with corticosteroid deficiency which was not well controlled. The effects of this drug are discussed in the light of the biochemistry and pharmacology and the activity compared with that of Lysine vasopressin (LVP). Plasma levels of DDAVP and LVP showed that DDAVP persists for longer which may explain its greater potency and duration of action.", "PMID": 610662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_293", "title": "[Clouston's ectodermal dysplasia. A case report with biochemical study of keratin].", "content": "One familial case of ectodermal dysplasia of the Clouston's type is reported. The clinical picture consisted of hypotrichosis and dysonychia with normal sweating. The disease follows dominant autosomal transmission. Histologically, keratin was slightly abnormal. The biochemical study of keratin of hair and nails showed diminished cysteine.", "contents": "[Clouston's ectodermal dysplasia. A case report with biochemical study of keratin]. One familial case of ectodermal dysplasia of the Clouston's type is reported. The clinical picture consisted of hypotrichosis and dysonychia with normal sweating. The disease follows dominant autosomal transmission. Histologically, keratin was slightly abnormal. The biochemical study of keratin of hair and nails showed diminished cysteine.", "PMID": 610663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_294", "title": "[Tomodensitometry of hydatid brain cysts in a child].", "content": "A case of an eleven year old boy with an intracranial hydadid cyst is reported. The characteristics of computerised tomography of the skull are described, and differential diagnosis of other cystic space occupying lesions of the brain as seen on computerised tomography is discussed.", "contents": "[Tomodensitometry of hydatid brain cysts in a child]. A case of an eleven year old boy with an intracranial hydadid cyst is reported. The characteristics of computerised tomography of the skull are described, and differential diagnosis of other cystic space occupying lesions of the brain as seen on computerised tomography is discussed.", "PMID": 610664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_295", "title": "[beta-glucuronidase activity in human tumors of the lung and of the mammary gland (author's transl)].", "content": "The intratumoral activity of beta-Glucuronidase (total and free) was determined in surgical specimens of malignant tumors of the lung (N equal to 20) and of the breast (N equal to 15) from patients. A free beta-Glucuronidase-activity from about 90 mU per g tissue was found but there was no difference between both tumor types, and the beta-Glucuronidase-activity, as it seems, is not dependent on histological characteristics of the tumors. The findings are discussed under the view of the key function of the lysosomal enzymes in the concept of the \"Cancer-Multistep-Therapy\" by M. von Ardenne.", "contents": "[beta-glucuronidase activity in human tumors of the lung and of the mammary gland (author's transl)]. The intratumoral activity of beta-Glucuronidase (total and free) was determined in surgical specimens of malignant tumors of the lung (N equal to 20) and of the breast (N equal to 15) from patients. A free beta-Glucuronidase-activity from about 90 mU per g tissue was found but there was no difference between both tumor types, and the beta-Glucuronidase-activity, as it seems, is not dependent on histological characteristics of the tumors. The findings are discussed under the view of the key function of the lysosomal enzymes in the concept of the \"Cancer-Multistep-Therapy\" by M. von Ardenne.", "PMID": 610668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_296", "title": "[Cancer risk in different types of gallstones (author's transl)].", "content": "Among 22,868 autopsied adults were 7,411 cases with cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy. In the cancerous gallbladders pigment-stones, pure crystalline cholesterol stones and lobulates stones were seldom found but multiple faceted stones and solitary combined stones are more frequent. If the partial volume of gallstones increased, there were more cases with cholecystitis or later carcinoma. Nevertheless in males with all forms of gallstones, carcinoma of the lung, the stomach, the colon and rectum and the prostatic gland were more frequent then carcinoma of the gallbladder. Only in female with multiple faceted stones and solitary combined stones, carcinoma of the gallbladder was the most frequent cancer. The \"St\u00f6rfeld\" of the gallbladder with stones is more important for the localisation of a later carcinoma in female then for men. If the gallbladder with stones should be resected in good time, the patient is protected of the risk of cancer of gallbladder, but the percentage of all cancers among inoperated cases with gallstones is not higher than among cases with previons cholecystectomy. Instead of carcinoma of the gallbladder other cancers develop after cholecystectomy.", "contents": "[Cancer risk in different types of gallstones (author's transl)]. Among 22,868 autopsied adults were 7,411 cases with cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy. In the cancerous gallbladders pigment-stones, pure crystalline cholesterol stones and lobulates stones were seldom found but multiple faceted stones and solitary combined stones are more frequent. If the partial volume of gallstones increased, there were more cases with cholecystitis or later carcinoma. Nevertheless in males with all forms of gallstones, carcinoma of the lung, the stomach, the colon and rectum and the prostatic gland were more frequent then carcinoma of the gallbladder. Only in female with multiple faceted stones and solitary combined stones, carcinoma of the gallbladder was the most frequent cancer. The \"St\u00f6rfeld\" of the gallbladder with stones is more important for the localisation of a later carcinoma in female then for men. If the gallbladder with stones should be resected in good time, the patient is protected of the risk of cancer of gallbladder, but the percentage of all cancers among inoperated cases with gallstones is not higher than among cases with previons cholecystectomy. Instead of carcinoma of the gallbladder other cancers develop after cholecystectomy.", "PMID": 610669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_297", "title": "[Significance of cytology in diagnostics of non-malignant lesions of gastric mucosa (author's transl)].", "content": "The cytology of the stomach aims at detecting the carcinoma. For the obtaining of cell material today mainly endoscopically well-aimed techniques are applied. In other words: The diagnostic results decisively depend on the abilities of the endoscopist who has to discover a suspect region in the stomach and to take off the material in a well-aimed way. Under these aspects and prerequisites, in fact, any type of stomach cancer can be cytologically diagnosed. For the differentiation between tumourous cells and non-tumorous cells the changes of the gastric mucosa with non-malignant diseases are important (chronic gastritis, ulcer, erosion) for the cytologist. Often, with stomach cancer the stomach cell findings resemble those arrived at with non-malignant stomach diseases. Characteristic cytological findings with gastritis, ulcer and erosions are demonstrated. The clinical diagnostics of these diseases is the task of endoscopy and biopsy. The problem of the so-called false positive cell findings is discussed. Ways towards a quantitative diagnostics are being opened by cytophotometric methods. The author states first experience of his own gathered by applying the DNA-determination in individual cells and in the flow-through method.", "contents": "[Significance of cytology in diagnostics of non-malignant lesions of gastric mucosa (author's transl)]. The cytology of the stomach aims at detecting the carcinoma. For the obtaining of cell material today mainly endoscopically well-aimed techniques are applied. In other words: The diagnostic results decisively depend on the abilities of the endoscopist who has to discover a suspect region in the stomach and to take off the material in a well-aimed way. Under these aspects and prerequisites, in fact, any type of stomach cancer can be cytologically diagnosed. For the differentiation between tumourous cells and non-tumorous cells the changes of the gastric mucosa with non-malignant diseases are important (chronic gastritis, ulcer, erosion) for the cytologist. Often, with stomach cancer the stomach cell findings resemble those arrived at with non-malignant stomach diseases. Characteristic cytological findings with gastritis, ulcer and erosions are demonstrated. The clinical diagnostics of these diseases is the task of endoscopy and biopsy. The problem of the so-called false positive cell findings is discussed. Ways towards a quantitative diagnostics are being opened by cytophotometric methods. The author states first experience of his own gathered by applying the DNA-determination in individual cells and in the flow-through method.", "PMID": 610673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_298", "title": "[Circadian changes in serum prolactin in a group of apparently healthy subjects].", "content": "Serum immunoreactive prolactin was evaluated in 16 female and 5 male apparently healthy subjects aged 21-76 yr. After a period of synchronisation, with sleep from 22 to 5 and standardized meals at 8-8.30, 12-12.30, 17.30-18, venous blood samples were taken at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24. The radioimmunological data were processed using an ordinary chronogram technique and quantified by mean cosinor method. A significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm was noted, with an acrophase at 1.45, amplitude of 2.17 and Mesor 6.89. Chronobiological studies are thus needed to determine the best normal temporal values of prolactin when setting control standards in pathological situations.", "contents": "[Circadian changes in serum prolactin in a group of apparently healthy subjects]. Serum immunoreactive prolactin was evaluated in 16 female and 5 male apparently healthy subjects aged 21-76 yr. After a period of synchronisation, with sleep from 22 to 5 and standardized meals at 8-8.30, 12-12.30, 17.30-18, venous blood samples were taken at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24. The radioimmunological data were processed using an ordinary chronogram technique and quantified by mean cosinor method. A significant (p less than 0.05) circadian rhythm was noted, with an acrophase at 1.45, amplitude of 2.17 and Mesor 6.89. Chronobiological studies are thus needed to determine the best normal temporal values of prolactin when setting control standards in pathological situations.", "PMID": 610688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_299", "title": "[Theories concerning viruses and neoplasms].", "content": "The causes of neoplasia are discussed with particular reference to viruses. Stress is laid on some differences between the mainly cytolytic action of viruses in man and their possible cancerigenic power. It is felt that neoplasia arises from a variety of aetiologies, mostly of an irritative nature, coupled with a single, final pathogenetic mechanism linked to chromosome changes that do not result in the death of the cell.", "contents": "[Theories concerning viruses and neoplasms]. The causes of neoplasia are discussed with particular reference to viruses. Stress is laid on some differences between the mainly cytolytic action of viruses in man and their possible cancerigenic power. It is felt that neoplasia arises from a variety of aetiologies, mostly of an irritative nature, coupled with a single, final pathogenetic mechanism linked to chromosome changes that do not result in the death of the cell.", "PMID": 610689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_300", "title": "[Stimulating action of hematoporphyrin on motor coordination and resistance to fatigue in rats].", "content": "The pharmacological activity of hematoporphyrin has been studied on two experimental models which are able to monitor the motor coordination in the rat, namely the natatory exhaustion and the Rota-Rod tests. A dose related effect of hematoporphyrin in increasing resistane to motor fatigue has been observed in the Rota-Rod between 2-8 mg/kg i.p. Higher doses of hematoporphyrin seem to be less effective (difasic effect). In both tests hematoporphyrin was able to potentiate the stimulating effect of d-amphetamine (6 mg/kg s.c.). The potentiation appeared to be dose related between 2 and 8 mg/kg in the Rota Rod and between 2 and 16 mg/kg in the natatory test.", "contents": "[Stimulating action of hematoporphyrin on motor coordination and resistance to fatigue in rats]. The pharmacological activity of hematoporphyrin has been studied on two experimental models which are able to monitor the motor coordination in the rat, namely the natatory exhaustion and the Rota-Rod tests. A dose related effect of hematoporphyrin in increasing resistane to motor fatigue has been observed in the Rota-Rod between 2-8 mg/kg i.p. Higher doses of hematoporphyrin seem to be less effective (difasic effect). In both tests hematoporphyrin was able to potentiate the stimulating effect of d-amphetamine (6 mg/kg s.c.). The potentiation appeared to be dose related between 2 and 8 mg/kg in the Rota Rod and between 2 and 16 mg/kg in the natatory test.", "PMID": 610690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_301", "title": "[Psoriatic polyarthritis in childhood. Clinico-nosological study].", "content": "The nosological independence of psoriatic arthritis is discussed in the light of the literature. The clinical and laboratory pictures of infantile psoriasis and PCP are described. Three cases of infantile psoriatic polyarthritis are presented and attention is drawn to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition in children. Longitudinal assessment of the possibility of early onset on the part of forms becoming evident during adulthood is envisaged.", "contents": "[Psoriatic polyarthritis in childhood. Clinico-nosological study]. The nosological independence of psoriatic arthritis is discussed in the light of the literature. The clinical and laboratory pictures of infantile psoriasis and PCP are described. Three cases of infantile psoriatic polyarthritis are presented and attention is drawn to the difficulty of diagnosing this condition in children. Longitudinal assessment of the possibility of early onset on the part of forms becoming evident during adulthood is envisaged.", "PMID": 610691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_302", "title": "[Epidemiology of the most widespread bacterial infections and current trends in use of antibiotics].", "content": "The last decade has seen a greater use of broad spectrum antibiotics at the expense of those with limited spectrum. With this in mind, the trends in the commonest bacterial, respiratory, gastroenteric and urinary infections from 1963 to 1974 have been analysed with a view to identify correlations between epidemiology and trends in antibotic consumption. The epidemiological investigation was carried out on the INAM health institution assisted population, i.e. on a sample of more than thirty million subjects throughout the country. Diseases with prevalently Gram-positive aetiology (acute and chronic infections of the respiratory tract) and those with prevalently Gram-negative aetiology (infections of the urinary tract) were examined and the data obtained processed statistically. It is personally considered that study of this pathology over the last decade is not enough to explain the tendency to make use almost exclusively of broad spectrum antibiotics and the serious clinical, epidemiological and social implications deriving from the dissemination of multiresistant bacterial strains.", "contents": "[Epidemiology of the most widespread bacterial infections and current trends in use of antibiotics]. The last decade has seen a greater use of broad spectrum antibiotics at the expense of those with limited spectrum. With this in mind, the trends in the commonest bacterial, respiratory, gastroenteric and urinary infections from 1963 to 1974 have been analysed with a view to identify correlations between epidemiology and trends in antibotic consumption. The epidemiological investigation was carried out on the INAM health institution assisted population, i.e. on a sample of more than thirty million subjects throughout the country. Diseases with prevalently Gram-positive aetiology (acute and chronic infections of the respiratory tract) and those with prevalently Gram-negative aetiology (infections of the urinary tract) were examined and the data obtained processed statistically. It is personally considered that study of this pathology over the last decade is not enough to explain the tendency to make use almost exclusively of broad spectrum antibiotics and the serious clinical, epidemiological and social implications deriving from the dissemination of multiresistant bacterial strains.", "PMID": 610693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_303", "title": "Proteins of the hard keratins of echidna, hedgehog, rabbit, ox and man.", "content": "In the accompanying paper it has been shown that two major groups of proteins (low-sulphur and high-sulphur) of ovine wool, horn, and hoof contain similar components although the overall proportions of the groups of proteins and the relative proportions of components within the groups may show significant differences. In the present paper it has been shown for five other species (echidna, hedgehog, rabbit, ox and man) that the hard keratins produced by one animal contain the same groups of protein components but in different relative proportions. The wide apparent differences in the type and relative proportions of the the low-sulphur components which comprise the major constituent proteins of the microfibrils suggest that microfibrils can tolerate a considerable variation in the constituent proteins and still produce functional structures. The low-sulphur protein components are sufficiently well resolved by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to make this procedure potentially useful for animal identification and classification.", "contents": "Proteins of the hard keratins of echidna, hedgehog, rabbit, ox and man. In the accompanying paper it has been shown that two major groups of proteins (low-sulphur and high-sulphur) of ovine wool, horn, and hoof contain similar components although the overall proportions of the groups of proteins and the relative proportions of components within the groups may show significant differences. In the present paper it has been shown for five other species (echidna, hedgehog, rabbit, ox and man) that the hard keratins produced by one animal contain the same groups of protein components but in different relative proportions. The wide apparent differences in the type and relative proportions of the the low-sulphur components which comprise the major constituent proteins of the microfibrils suggest that microfibrils can tolerate a considerable variation in the constituent proteins and still produce functional structures. The low-sulphur protein components are sufficiently well resolved by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to make this procedure potentially useful for animal identification and classification.", "PMID": 610700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_304", "title": "A chymotrypsin inhibitor from the parastitic nematode, Oesophagostomum radiatum.", "content": "An inhibitor of alpha-chymotrypsin was isolated from O. radiatum by affinity chromatography, as well as by ion-exchange and molecular sieve chromatography. The inhibitor was associated with the cuticle or musculature of the parasite. It completely inhibited the esterolytic activity of chymotrypsin. Molecular sieve chromatography gave an apparent molecular weight of 9700 for the inhibitor alone and 32000 for the complex with chymotrypsin. This suggests reaction in a 1:1 molar ratio. The inhibitor reacted with diisopropyl phosphoryl-chymotrypsin weakly, if at all. Measurement of the dissociation constants for the enzyme-inhibitor complexes gave values of 2.2x10(-9) M for the product of affinity chromatography but less than 2x10(-10) M for all other preparations. Possible explanations of this are discussed.", "contents": "A chymotrypsin inhibitor from the parastitic nematode, Oesophagostomum radiatum. An inhibitor of alpha-chymotrypsin was isolated from O. radiatum by affinity chromatography, as well as by ion-exchange and molecular sieve chromatography. The inhibitor was associated with the cuticle or musculature of the parasite. It completely inhibited the esterolytic activity of chymotrypsin. Molecular sieve chromatography gave an apparent molecular weight of 9700 for the inhibitor alone and 32000 for the complex with chymotrypsin. This suggests reaction in a 1:1 molar ratio. The inhibitor reacted with diisopropyl phosphoryl-chymotrypsin weakly, if at all. Measurement of the dissociation constants for the enzyme-inhibitor complexes gave values of 2.2x10(-9) M for the product of affinity chromatography but less than 2x10(-10) M for all other preparations. Possible explanations of this are discussed.", "PMID": 610701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_305", "title": "[Topical treatment of some dystrophic and inflammatory lesions of the skin and soft tissues].", "content": "An investigation has been carried out on lysozyme cleasing antiphlogistic granulogenic activity when topically applied to various lesions such as varicous ulcers, bed sores, herpetic infections or actinic ulcerative processes. 38 patients who had undergone surgery and were affected with these lesions, were treated with lysozyme ointment applied twice daily for 15 days. Parameters for evaluating the therapeutic effect of the drug were, besides the typical subjective symptomatology, planimetry of the lesions, hyperemia and perilesional erythema. At the end of the investigation it was observed that lysozyme applications had favourable restorative effects and, in the case of herpetic lesions, complete resolution was achieved. Tolerance was satisfactory, although in 2 cases treatment had to be precautionarily discontinued having the subject complained of reacutization of pruritus.", "contents": "[Topical treatment of some dystrophic and inflammatory lesions of the skin and soft tissues]. An investigation has been carried out on lysozyme cleasing antiphlogistic granulogenic activity when topically applied to various lesions such as varicous ulcers, bed sores, herpetic infections or actinic ulcerative processes. 38 patients who had undergone surgery and were affected with these lesions, were treated with lysozyme ointment applied twice daily for 15 days. Parameters for evaluating the therapeutic effect of the drug were, besides the typical subjective symptomatology, planimetry of the lesions, hyperemia and perilesional erythema. At the end of the investigation it was observed that lysozyme applications had favourable restorative effects and, in the case of herpetic lesions, complete resolution was achieved. Tolerance was satisfactory, although in 2 cases treatment had to be precautionarily discontinued having the subject complained of reacutization of pruritus.", "PMID": 610695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_306", "title": "[Use of salbutamol in cough sedation in pediatrics].", "content": "Salbutamol (in syrup form) has been used as a cough sedative in a paediatric series (children from 1 1/2 months to 12 yr) of bronchial and bronchopulmonary forms of varying gravity. The hypothesis is put forward that the sedation achieved is connected to the drug's action on the spastic component.", "contents": "[Use of salbutamol in cough sedation in pediatrics]. Salbutamol (in syrup form) has been used as a cough sedative in a paediatric series (children from 1 1/2 months to 12 yr) of bronchial and bronchopulmonary forms of varying gravity. The hypothesis is put forward that the sedation achieved is connected to the drug's action on the spastic component.", "PMID": 610696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_307", "title": "[Bipedal lymphography in mediastino-pulmonary sarcoidosis. Report concerning 9 cases].", "content": "The relevant literature is briefly reviewed and lymphographic data obtained from 9 patients admitted to the S. L. Gonzaga Hospital are examined. In all cases, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis had been given prior to lymphography and confirmed histologically. This small series helps to show the extent of lymph node lesions in sarcoidosis and the more commonly observed adenographic features.", "contents": "[Bipedal lymphography in mediastino-pulmonary sarcoidosis. Report concerning 9 cases]. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed and lymphographic data obtained from 9 patients admitted to the S. L. Gonzaga Hospital are examined. In all cases, the diagnosis of sarcoidosis had been given prior to lymphography and confirmed histologically. This small series helps to show the extent of lymph node lesions in sarcoidosis and the more commonly observed adenographic features.", "PMID": 610698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_308", "title": "[Tetanus prevention in burn patients].", "content": "The pathogenesis of tetanus as a complication of burn wounds is discussed briefly. The two most important moments in local tetanus prophylaxis are careful cleaning and the removal of necrotic tissue. Passive prophylaxis with hyperimmune human globulin is useful but the aim is to extend active immunoprophylaxis to the entire population, since tetanus can present with only slight wounds or shollow burns.", "contents": "[Tetanus prevention in burn patients]. The pathogenesis of tetanus as a complication of burn wounds is discussed briefly. The two most important moments in local tetanus prophylaxis are careful cleaning and the removal of necrotic tissue. Passive prophylaxis with hyperimmune human globulin is useful but the aim is to extend active immunoprophylaxis to the entire population, since tetanus can present with only slight wounds or shollow burns.", "PMID": 610694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_309", "title": "Studies on the tubular ferritin-uptake in the kidneys of Goldblatt-hypertensive rats.", "content": "Ferritin deposition in the tubular epithelial cells developing after intravenous ferritin injection was investigated in the kidneys of 25 Goldblatt hypertensive rats and of 10 normotensive controls. The phenomenon was detected only in the hypertensive animals. Light microscopic and planimetric data indicate an increased permeability of the glomerular filter and contradict a degenerative damage of the tubular epithelial cells as a primary cause. Ferritin after having crossed the glomerular filter is partly reabsorbed by the tubular epithelium and partly excreted by the urine. The high iron content of the urine and the ferritin detected electrophoretically in it also proves this explanation.", "contents": "Studies on the tubular ferritin-uptake in the kidneys of Goldblatt-hypertensive rats. Ferritin deposition in the tubular epithelial cells developing after intravenous ferritin injection was investigated in the kidneys of 25 Goldblatt hypertensive rats and of 10 normotensive controls. The phenomenon was detected only in the hypertensive animals. Light microscopic and planimetric data indicate an increased permeability of the glomerular filter and contradict a degenerative damage of the tubular epithelial cells as a primary cause. Ferritin after having crossed the glomerular filter is partly reabsorbed by the tubular epithelium and partly excreted by the urine. The high iron content of the urine and the ferritin detected electrophoretically in it also proves this explanation.", "PMID": 610706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_310", "title": "On the lysosomal function of juxtaglomerular granules.", "content": "The presence of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase in juxtaglomerular cell granules (JGG) as well as the uptake and concentration of certain low molecular weight dyes by these granules have repeatedly suggested that they are akin to lysosomes. In the present experiments, rats were injected with three substances of widely different molecular weight and physicochemical properties--sucrose, iron sorbitol-citric acid complex (Jectofer) and horseradish peroxidase--that are well known to selectively concentrate in renal tubular cell lysosomes. None of these substances was found to enter the JGG to any significant degree, although both sucrose and Jectofer were evident in juxtaglomerular cells. Contrary to previous reports, thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) particles were not detected in the JGG after parenteral injection. These results indicate that JGG do not possess any significant lysosomal function and raise the question of the role of hydrolytic enzymes in the physiology of these granules.", "contents": "On the lysosomal function of juxtaglomerular granules. The presence of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and aryl sulfatase in juxtaglomerular cell granules (JGG) as well as the uptake and concentration of certain low molecular weight dyes by these granules have repeatedly suggested that they are akin to lysosomes. In the present experiments, rats were injected with three substances of widely different molecular weight and physicochemical properties--sucrose, iron sorbitol-citric acid complex (Jectofer) and horseradish peroxidase--that are well known to selectively concentrate in renal tubular cell lysosomes. None of these substances was found to enter the JGG to any significant degree, although both sucrose and Jectofer were evident in juxtaglomerular cells. Contrary to previous reports, thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) particles were not detected in the JGG after parenteral injection. These results indicate that JGG do not possess any significant lysosomal function and raise the question of the role of hydrolytic enzymes in the physiology of these granules.", "PMID": 610707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_311", "title": "Effect of hemoglobin loads on the function and morphology of ischemic kidneys in the rat.", "content": "Male Wistar rats were used to investigate the effects of stromafree hemoglobin (200 mg Hb/100 g body weights, i.v. as a 16.4% solution) on kidney function and morphology. Ischemia of the kidney was induced by bilateral clamping of the renal pedicle. The most severe disturbances of kidney function occurred in kidneys damaged by ischemia during the peak of Hb excretion; endogenous creatinine clearance decreased to 5% of control values, serum creatinine concentration rose 6 times as high as control values, and Hb excretion in the urine was reduced. Kidney damage after Hb loading and ischemia was more severe than damage caused by ischemia alone. These results demonstrate that the vulnerability of kidneys to damage by ischemia is increased by Hb loading.", "contents": "Effect of hemoglobin loads on the function and morphology of ischemic kidneys in the rat. Male Wistar rats were used to investigate the effects of stromafree hemoglobin (200 mg Hb/100 g body weights, i.v. as a 16.4% solution) on kidney function and morphology. Ischemia of the kidney was induced by bilateral clamping of the renal pedicle. The most severe disturbances of kidney function occurred in kidneys damaged by ischemia during the peak of Hb excretion; endogenous creatinine clearance decreased to 5% of control values, serum creatinine concentration rose 6 times as high as control values, and Hb excretion in the urine was reduced. Kidney damage after Hb loading and ischemia was more severe than damage caused by ischemia alone. These results demonstrate that the vulnerability of kidneys to damage by ischemia is increased by Hb loading.", "PMID": 610708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_312", "title": "The technique of death masks making.", "content": "In taking death-masks two different techniques are used. In the technique using a plaster matrix the plaster mash is brought on the face. When the plaster-cast has dried it is filled with plaster mash. Later the matrix is removed in order to lay open the mask. In the technique using a plastic matrix the plastic powder Palgat is brought on the face after mixing it rapidly with icewater until it appears pappy. After that a layer of several centimeters of plaster mash follows in order to stabilize the delicate plastic matrix. Likewise the matrix is filled with plaster mash. The mask can be furnished with a collar and a fixation and the surface can be prepared. The skin relief of the face is reproduced finer using the cast of a plastic matrix.", "contents": "The technique of death masks making. In taking death-masks two different techniques are used. In the technique using a plaster matrix the plaster mash is brought on the face. When the plaster-cast has dried it is filled with plaster mash. Later the matrix is removed in order to lay open the mask. In the technique using a plastic matrix the plastic powder Palgat is brought on the face after mixing it rapidly with icewater until it appears pappy. After that a layer of several centimeters of plaster mash follows in order to stabilize the delicate plastic matrix. Likewise the matrix is filled with plaster mash. The mask can be furnished with a collar and a fixation and the surface can be prepared. The skin relief of the face is reproduced finer using the cast of a plastic matrix.", "PMID": 610710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_313", "title": "[Metameters for the statistical treatment of data expressed in percentage values].", "content": "Medical or biochemical data are often expressed as percentages or proportions. Since the sampling error of percentage values does not usually follow a normal (Laplace-Gauss) model, statistical significance tests may give unsatisfactory results, when applied to the original data; however, the fitting to a normal distribution can be improved by choosing suitable metameters. The Author proposes the transformation of percentages to a hyperbolic function zp, based on Fisher's z, which is almost normally distributed. The performances of this transformation are checked, with special reference to medical laboratory problems.", "contents": "[Metameters for the statistical treatment of data expressed in percentage values]. Medical or biochemical data are often expressed as percentages or proportions. Since the sampling error of percentage values does not usually follow a normal (Laplace-Gauss) model, statistical significance tests may give unsatisfactory results, when applied to the original data; however, the fitting to a normal distribution can be improved by choosing suitable metameters. The Author proposes the transformation of percentages to a hyperbolic function zp, based on Fisher's z, which is almost normally distributed. The performances of this transformation are checked, with special reference to medical laboratory problems.", "PMID": 610711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_314", "title": "[Fractionated low dose radiotherapy].", "content": "20 cases of head and neck cancer underwent radiotherapy at low dose rate (2 rad/min) in a clinical trial. Final results were unsatisfactory in terms of both survival and complications. A radiobiological analysis of the high rate of complications is made.", "contents": "[Fractionated low dose radiotherapy]. 20 cases of head and neck cancer underwent radiotherapy at low dose rate (2 rad/min) in a clinical trial. Final results were unsatisfactory in terms of both survival and complications. A radiobiological analysis of the high rate of complications is made.", "PMID": 610712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_315", "title": "[Valvular insufficiency after venous thrombosis. Experimental study].", "content": "Venous thrombosis can produce lesions of valvular cusps which are generally ascribe to the phase of thrombus organization. Valvular lesions hold a very important role in the genesis of the post phlebitic chronic venous insufficiency. Experimental thrombosis had been induced in dogs with electrical stimulation of femoral veins to study morphological aspects of valvular cusps in various evolutive phases of thrombosis. Results emphasize too early onset and quick evolution of valvular damage. It can contribute to explain frequent failures of attempted therapy about prevention of post phlebitic syndromes.", "contents": "[Valvular insufficiency after venous thrombosis. Experimental study]. Venous thrombosis can produce lesions of valvular cusps which are generally ascribe to the phase of thrombus organization. Valvular lesions hold a very important role in the genesis of the post phlebitic chronic venous insufficiency. Experimental thrombosis had been induced in dogs with electrical stimulation of femoral veins to study morphological aspects of valvular cusps in various evolutive phases of thrombosis. Results emphasize too early onset and quick evolution of valvular damage. It can contribute to explain frequent failures of attempted therapy about prevention of post phlebitic syndromes.", "PMID": 610713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_316", "title": "[Prenatal biophysical monitoring: stress tests].", "content": "Intrapartum fetal monitoring has provided a method by which the clinician can more accurately determine the status of the fetus during labor. More recently, investigations have been directed toward antepartum FHR monitoring studies to determine fetal well-being prior to the onset of labor. In this study, the results of \"stress\" monitoring are presented. The Authors have used three types of stress-tests: 1) oxytocin stress test 2) step-test 3) Oxygen stress test. The positive tests appears to correlate meaningfully with intrauterine compromise and neonatal status.", "contents": "[Prenatal biophysical monitoring: stress tests]. Intrapartum fetal monitoring has provided a method by which the clinician can more accurately determine the status of the fetus during labor. More recently, investigations have been directed toward antepartum FHR monitoring studies to determine fetal well-being prior to the onset of labor. In this study, the results of \"stress\" monitoring are presented. The Authors have used three types of stress-tests: 1) oxytocin stress test 2) step-test 3) Oxygen stress test. The positive tests appears to correlate meaningfully with intrauterine compromise and neonatal status.", "PMID": 610714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_317", "title": "[Aldosterone-Na-K interactions after operations with extracorporeal circulation].", "content": "The Authors, valuing the interrelationships with aldosterone and idrosalin retention and potassium depletion after E.C.C., study all the factors affecting the loss of potassium particularly the secondary iperaldosteronism. The preoperatory heart failure, duration of the E.C.C. and low cardiac output increase the secundary iperaldosteronism. They also say that the plasmatic potassium concentration is not a good index of body potassium depletion, and there is a good ratio between urinary log. Na/k and aldosteronic activity; at the end the Authors say that there needs several potassium administration.", "contents": "[Aldosterone-Na-K interactions after operations with extracorporeal circulation]. The Authors, valuing the interrelationships with aldosterone and idrosalin retention and potassium depletion after E.C.C., study all the factors affecting the loss of potassium particularly the secondary iperaldosteronism. The preoperatory heart failure, duration of the E.C.C. and low cardiac output increase the secundary iperaldosteronism. They also say that the plasmatic potassium concentration is not a good index of body potassium depletion, and there is a good ratio between urinary log. Na/k and aldosteronic activity; at the end the Authors say that there needs several potassium administration.", "PMID": 610715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_318", "title": "[Preliminary experiences with the use of cimetidine in the treatment of acute hemorrhages in the upper gastrointestinal tract].", "content": "On the basis of favorable results recently reported in literature with cimetidine in the prevention and therapy of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages, the Authors have treated a patient with severe haemorrhage from acute gastric ulcer arised after jejunum-ileal massive resection for mesenteric infarction. Result was very good, with stop of haemorrhage and quickly healing of the lesion. This clinical report is of interest particularly in view of high mortality of postoperative haemorrhagic acute gastropaties with therapeutic means, medical or surgical, just now available. At last the particular physiopathological aspects of the case suggested some considerations about mechanisms of action of the Cimetidine.", "contents": "[Preliminary experiences with the use of cimetidine in the treatment of acute hemorrhages in the upper gastrointestinal tract]. On the basis of favorable results recently reported in literature with cimetidine in the prevention and therapy of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages, the Authors have treated a patient with severe haemorrhage from acute gastric ulcer arised after jejunum-ileal massive resection for mesenteric infarction. Result was very good, with stop of haemorrhage and quickly healing of the lesion. This clinical report is of interest particularly in view of high mortality of postoperative haemorrhagic acute gastropaties with therapeutic means, medical or surgical, just now available. At last the particular physiopathological aspects of the case suggested some considerations about mechanisms of action of the Cimetidine.", "PMID": 610716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_319", "title": "[Clinico-statistical data on 1,478 cases of burns admitted to the Burn Center of the Plastic Surgery Institute of the University of Parma in the 10-year period of 1967-76].", "content": "After having shortly illustrated the work's purpose, the Authors start to examine the statistics obtained in a research developed on 1,478 burned patients admitted at the burn center of the Institute of Plastic Surgery of Parma's University from 1967 to 1976. By and by are taken into consideration the statistics concerning age, sex, work, the percentage of burned body surface, the burn's causes, the mortality due to burns and the time spent in hospital. The most important data are those that come out from the comparison of the data that the N.B.I.E. considers optimal for a burn center, and those of the Burn Center of Parma, that have resulted practically the same. At the end of the work are related some considerations concerning the necessity of a bigger prevention of the illness and of collaboration with the other italian Burn Centers.", "contents": "[Clinico-statistical data on 1,478 cases of burns admitted to the Burn Center of the Plastic Surgery Institute of the University of Parma in the 10-year period of 1967-76]. After having shortly illustrated the work's purpose, the Authors start to examine the statistics obtained in a research developed on 1,478 burned patients admitted at the burn center of the Institute of Plastic Surgery of Parma's University from 1967 to 1976. By and by are taken into consideration the statistics concerning age, sex, work, the percentage of burned body surface, the burn's causes, the mortality due to burns and the time spent in hospital. The most important data are those that come out from the comparison of the data that the N.B.I.E. considers optimal for a burn center, and those of the Burn Center of Parma, that have resulted practically the same. At the end of the work are related some considerations concerning the necessity of a bigger prevention of the illness and of collaboration with the other italian Burn Centers.", "PMID": 610718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_320", "title": "Postnatal changes in plasma and renal renin of the rat.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) of infant rats is high until some time between the 3rd and 4th week after birth. Mothers, however, return PRA to normal by 2 weeks post partum. The rate of disappearance endogenous PRA of nephrectomized rats is slower in those animals having gigh PRA than in mature rats. Disappearance curves of endogenous PRA of mothers post partum is also the same as that of normal mature females. Part of the high PRA of the neonate can thereby be the related to the lower rate of destruction. Total kidney renin content increases with age. Renal renin activity (RRA) is low only during the 1st postnatal week when expressed in terms of whole kidney weight and compared to later postnatal times. Although there are some slight differences in the means in older animals, none are statistically significant.", "contents": "Postnatal changes in plasma and renal renin of the rat. Plasma renin activity (PRA) of infant rats is high until some time between the 3rd and 4th week after birth. Mothers, however, return PRA to normal by 2 weeks post partum. The rate of disappearance endogenous PRA of nephrectomized rats is slower in those animals having gigh PRA than in mature rats. Disappearance curves of endogenous PRA of mothers post partum is also the same as that of normal mature females. Part of the high PRA of the neonate can thereby be the related to the lower rate of destruction. Total kidney renin content increases with age. Renal renin activity (RRA) is low only during the 1st postnatal week when expressed in terms of whole kidney weight and compared to later postnatal times. Although there are some slight differences in the means in older animals, none are statistically significant.", "PMID": 610760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_321", "title": "Ontogeny of human lysozyme. Distribution in fetal tissues.", "content": "Using the immunoperoxidase method, major changes in the distribution of lysozyme (LZM) were found to occur during fetal development. At 10 weeks of gestation LZM was detected for the first time in the proximal tubules of the kidney. This generally coincides with the reported appearance of LZM in fetal blood and amniotic fluid. The enzyme was observed in lung macrophages and in mononuclear cells of the lamina propria of the small intestine in fetuses 12 and 16 weeks old, respectively. At about 18--20 weeks, LZM-positive mononuclear cells were detected in other tissues tested, such as liver, spleen and thymus. Paneth cells were found to be specifically stained at about 20 weeks of gestation. The timing of the appearance of LZM in the various tissues is discussed in relation to the functional maturation of each organ and the ontogeny of this enzyme in other species.", "contents": "Ontogeny of human lysozyme. Distribution in fetal tissues. Using the immunoperoxidase method, major changes in the distribution of lysozyme (LZM) were found to occur during fetal development. At 10 weeks of gestation LZM was detected for the first time in the proximal tubules of the kidney. This generally coincides with the reported appearance of LZM in fetal blood and amniotic fluid. The enzyme was observed in lung macrophages and in mononuclear cells of the lamina propria of the small intestine in fetuses 12 and 16 weeks old, respectively. At about 18--20 weeks, LZM-positive mononuclear cells were detected in other tissues tested, such as liver, spleen and thymus. Paneth cells were found to be specifically stained at about 20 weeks of gestation. The timing of the appearance of LZM in the various tissues is discussed in relation to the functional maturation of each organ and the ontogeny of this enzyme in other species.", "PMID": 610761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_322", "title": "Variations of the intraesophageal pressure with maturation in the postnatal piglet.", "content": "Variations in intraesophageal pressure (Pes) to 5-min exposures of 100% O2, 10% O2, and 6% CO2 were studied in successive days during the first 2 months of 8 piglets. Pressure measurements were integrated over time to obtain mean pressure changes for each minute. Initial exposure to 100% O2 decreased the mean pressure in all piglets followed by an increase over the next 4 test minutes. 5 of 8 piglets demonstrated maximum increases (25--55% above control) at 5 days and between 15 and 22 days; 3 piglets only at 5 days. Initial exposure to 10% O2 increased the pressure in all piglets followed by a decrease pressure (-10%) in the next 4 min when the piglets were less than 22 days, and an increase (15--70%) when above this age. Exposure to 6% CO2 increased the pressure throughout the 5-min test period with the maximum increase (140--160%) at the earliest ages tested of 5 days.", "contents": "Variations of the intraesophageal pressure with maturation in the postnatal piglet. Variations in intraesophageal pressure (Pes) to 5-min exposures of 100% O2, 10% O2, and 6% CO2 were studied in successive days during the first 2 months of 8 piglets. Pressure measurements were integrated over time to obtain mean pressure changes for each minute. Initial exposure to 100% O2 decreased the mean pressure in all piglets followed by an increase over the next 4 test minutes. 5 of 8 piglets demonstrated maximum increases (25--55% above control) at 5 days and between 15 and 22 days; 3 piglets only at 5 days. Initial exposure to 10% O2 increased the pressure in all piglets followed by a decrease pressure (-10%) in the next 4 min when the piglets were less than 22 days, and an increase (15--70%) when above this age. Exposure to 6% CO2 increased the pressure throughout the 5-min test period with the maximum increase (140--160%) at the earliest ages tested of 5 days.", "PMID": 610762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_323", "title": "Transport of uric acid and hypoxanthine across the isolated guinea pig placenta.", "content": "Transport of uric acid and hypoxanthine across the isolated guinea pig placenta is investigated quantitatively. The clearances measured are independent of concentration. It is shown that the uric acid transport is not greatly influenced by variations in flow, so it is concluded that the uric acid transport is membrane limited. The clearance of hypoxanthine is even less than the uric acid clearance, so hypoxanthine transport is also membrane limited. Xanthine oxidase is shown to be present in the uterine tissues, and an apparent Km and a maximum velocity have been determined.", "contents": "Transport of uric acid and hypoxanthine across the isolated guinea pig placenta. Transport of uric acid and hypoxanthine across the isolated guinea pig placenta is investigated quantitatively. The clearances measured are independent of concentration. It is shown that the uric acid transport is not greatly influenced by variations in flow, so it is concluded that the uric acid transport is membrane limited. The clearance of hypoxanthine is even less than the uric acid clearance, so hypoxanthine transport is also membrane limited. Xanthine oxidase is shown to be present in the uterine tissues, and an apparent Km and a maximum velocity have been determined.", "PMID": 610763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_324", "title": "Effect of premature weaning to different diets on the subsequent response to a dietary change.", "content": "Rats were weaned prematurely (day 18 postnatally) to a high-fat, high-carbohydrate or Purina Chow diet until aged 30 days. They were then fed the Purina Chow diet until aged 43 or 68 days. For a further 2 days they then received a high-fat diet. They were compared with rats weaned on day 30 to the Purina Chow diet. Adipose tissue of rats weaned prematurely to the high-carbohydrate diet or Purina Chow showed higher activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthetase than the same tissue from normally weaned rats or rats fed the high-fat diet from 18 to day 30. Prematurely weaned rats also have a higher level of blood cholesterol on day 45 after 2 days on the high-fat diet.", "contents": "Effect of premature weaning to different diets on the subsequent response to a dietary change. Rats were weaned prematurely (day 18 postnatally) to a high-fat, high-carbohydrate or Purina Chow diet until aged 30 days. They were then fed the Purina Chow diet until aged 43 or 68 days. For a further 2 days they then received a high-fat diet. They were compared with rats weaned on day 30 to the Purina Chow diet. Adipose tissue of rats weaned prematurely to the high-carbohydrate diet or Purina Chow showed higher activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthetase than the same tissue from normally weaned rats or rats fed the high-fat diet from 18 to day 30. Prematurely weaned rats also have a higher level of blood cholesterol on day 45 after 2 days on the high-fat diet.", "PMID": 610764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_325", "title": "Distribution of label in maternal plasma, placenta, fetal plasma and tissues after injection of 14C-palmitate into the circulation of 21- and 28-day-pregnant rabbits.", "content": "Tissue and plasma samples were obtained from fetuses removed 1--20 min after injection of 14C-palmitate into the doe at day 21 or day 28 of gestation. Specific activity of maternal plasma free fatty acids (FFA) was higher, but that of fetal plasma FFA lower in 21- than 28-day-pregnant rabbits. In 21-day fetuses, total radioactivity in the liver never exceeded that in the placenta; in 28-day fetuses, the liver radioactivity exceeded that in the placenta after 3 min. Total radioactivity in the fetal brown adipose tissue (BAT) never exceeded that in the placental. Most of the placental radioactivity was initially in the FFA, but at later time intervals the majority of the label was in the phospholipids. The fetal liver and BAT rapidly esterified label into triglycerides. It is concluded that transport of FFA across the placenta is greater at 28 days than at 21 days gestation. The evidence suggests that a pool of placental FFA, which equilibrates rapidly with the maternal plasma FFA, is a possible source of fetal plasma FFA. The rapidity and quantity of label appearing in the fetal liver suggest that fatty acids may first be processed by the liver before transport to extrahepatic tissues.", "contents": "Distribution of label in maternal plasma, placenta, fetal plasma and tissues after injection of 14C-palmitate into the circulation of 21- and 28-day-pregnant rabbits. Tissue and plasma samples were obtained from fetuses removed 1--20 min after injection of 14C-palmitate into the doe at day 21 or day 28 of gestation. Specific activity of maternal plasma free fatty acids (FFA) was higher, but that of fetal plasma FFA lower in 21- than 28-day-pregnant rabbits. In 21-day fetuses, total radioactivity in the liver never exceeded that in the placenta; in 28-day fetuses, the liver radioactivity exceeded that in the placenta after 3 min. Total radioactivity in the fetal brown adipose tissue (BAT) never exceeded that in the placental. Most of the placental radioactivity was initially in the FFA, but at later time intervals the majority of the label was in the phospholipids. The fetal liver and BAT rapidly esterified label into triglycerides. It is concluded that transport of FFA across the placenta is greater at 28 days than at 21 days gestation. The evidence suggests that a pool of placental FFA, which equilibrates rapidly with the maternal plasma FFA, is a possible source of fetal plasma FFA. The rapidity and quantity of label appearing in the fetal liver suggest that fatty acids may first be processed by the liver before transport to extrahepatic tissues.", "PMID": 610765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_326", "title": "Effects of maternal dodecanoic or lauric acid (C12:0) feeding on milk fatty acid secretion and lipogenesis in the suckling rat.", "content": "Lauric acid feeding induced large alterations in mammary gland fatty acid secretion. It was highly incorported in milk triglycerides, suggesting that mammary gland was not able to efficiently regulate the qualitative aspects of medium-chain fatty acid secretion. These modifications in milk fatty acid secretion did not alter pup growth, lipogenesis balance or the classic parameters of the pup liver during the suckling period. Nevertheless, maternal lauric acid feeding induced important alterations in the qualitative aspects of pup lipogenesis before weaning.", "contents": "Effects of maternal dodecanoic or lauric acid (C12:0) feeding on milk fatty acid secretion and lipogenesis in the suckling rat. Lauric acid feeding induced large alterations in mammary gland fatty acid secretion. It was highly incorported in milk triglycerides, suggesting that mammary gland was not able to efficiently regulate the qualitative aspects of medium-chain fatty acid secretion. These modifications in milk fatty acid secretion did not alter pup growth, lipogenesis balance or the classic parameters of the pup liver during the suckling period. Nevertheless, maternal lauric acid feeding induced important alterations in the qualitative aspects of pup lipogenesis before weaning.", "PMID": 610766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_327", "title": "Effect of postnatal age and clinical status of newborn infants on bilirubin-binding capacity.", "content": "Serial determinations of bilirubin-binding capacity were performed in 61 newborn infants during the first 10 days of life. 27 infants were classified as term (gestational age greater than or equal to 36 weeks) and 34 as preterm (gestational age less than or equal to 33 weeks); 34 were classified as 'sick' and 27 as 'well'. Bilirubin-binding capacity was measured by Sephadex gel filtration. In relation to postnatal age, total bilirubin-binding capacity (TBBC) remained stable in well term and preterm infants, decreased slightly in sick preterm infants, and decreased significantly in sick term infants. TBBC, serum albumin, and molr binding ratio (B/A) were significantly higher in well than in sick infants in both term and preterm groups; there were no significant differences between sick term and sick preterm infants. Clinical recovery in 16 infants was associated with a significant rise in TBBC and in B/A. The data suggest that in healthy infants, the serum bilirubin-binding capacity remains relatively unchanged during the first 10 days of life. Clinically ill infants show wide patient-to-patient variability in TBBC. Because of the tendency of TBBC to decrease with postnatal age in sick infants, repeated determinations of TBBC may be indicated for the management of sick jaudiced newborns.", "contents": "Effect of postnatal age and clinical status of newborn infants on bilirubin-binding capacity. Serial determinations of bilirubin-binding capacity were performed in 61 newborn infants during the first 10 days of life. 27 infants were classified as term (gestational age greater than or equal to 36 weeks) and 34 as preterm (gestational age less than or equal to 33 weeks); 34 were classified as 'sick' and 27 as 'well'. Bilirubin-binding capacity was measured by Sephadex gel filtration. In relation to postnatal age, total bilirubin-binding capacity (TBBC) remained stable in well term and preterm infants, decreased slightly in sick preterm infants, and decreased significantly in sick term infants. TBBC, serum albumin, and molr binding ratio (B/A) were significantly higher in well than in sick infants in both term and preterm groups; there were no significant differences between sick term and sick preterm infants. Clinical recovery in 16 infants was associated with a significant rise in TBBC and in B/A. The data suggest that in healthy infants, the serum bilirubin-binding capacity remains relatively unchanged during the first 10 days of life. Clinically ill infants show wide patient-to-patient variability in TBBC. Because of the tendency of TBBC to decrease with postnatal age in sick infants, repeated determinations of TBBC may be indicated for the management of sick jaudiced newborns.", "PMID": 610767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_328", "title": "Effects of testosterone and estradiol on ratios of adult to fetal hemoglobin in cell cultures of human fetal liver.", "content": "The effects of testosterone and 17beta-estradiol on the synthesis of fetal and adult hemoglobins have been studied using a short-term primary cell culture system of human fetal liver at midgestation. There was a significant 23% increase in incorporation of 59Fe into adult hemoglobin relative to the total after the addition of 5 X 10(-8)M testosterone. 17beta-Estradiol (10(-6)M) lowered the incorporation of 59Fe by 21%. beta-Globin chain synthesis, measured as 3H- or 14C-leucine incorporation into globin chains, was identical in control and testosterone-treated cells and only slightly lower when 17beta-estradiol was added. For this reason the observed changes in adult hemoglobin resulting from the action of testosterone and 17beta-estradiol are caused by an indirect effect either in the final hemoglobin assembly or by small changes in the gamma/alpha-chain ratio which may be undetected by the methodology used.", "contents": "Effects of testosterone and estradiol on ratios of adult to fetal hemoglobin in cell cultures of human fetal liver. The effects of testosterone and 17beta-estradiol on the synthesis of fetal and adult hemoglobins have been studied using a short-term primary cell culture system of human fetal liver at midgestation. There was a significant 23% increase in incorporation of 59Fe into adult hemoglobin relative to the total after the addition of 5 X 10(-8)M testosterone. 17beta-Estradiol (10(-6)M) lowered the incorporation of 59Fe by 21%. beta-Globin chain synthesis, measured as 3H- or 14C-leucine incorporation into globin chains, was identical in control and testosterone-treated cells and only slightly lower when 17beta-estradiol was added. For this reason the observed changes in adult hemoglobin resulting from the action of testosterone and 17beta-estradiol are caused by an indirect effect either in the final hemoglobin assembly or by small changes in the gamma/alpha-chain ratio which may be undetected by the methodology used.", "PMID": 610768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_329", "title": "F2alpha prostaglandin levels in mothers and infants of different gestational periods.", "content": "53 mother-neonate couples, of different gestational ages, were studied for PGF2alpha levels in the mother's blood at the beginning of the first stage of labor and in the umbilical cord blood. PGF2alpha levels were found to be increased in all neonates compared to their mothers and in the blood of the mothers of prematures compared to the mothers of the post-mature babies. No correlation could be found between the gestational age of the neonate and the umbilical cord levels of PGF2alpha.", "contents": "F2alpha prostaglandin levels in mothers and infants of different gestational periods. 53 mother-neonate couples, of different gestational ages, were studied for PGF2alpha levels in the mother's blood at the beginning of the first stage of labor and in the umbilical cord blood. PGF2alpha levels were found to be increased in all neonates compared to their mothers and in the blood of the mothers of prematures compared to the mothers of the post-mature babies. No correlation could be found between the gestational age of the neonate and the umbilical cord levels of PGF2alpha.", "PMID": 610769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_330", "title": "Optimum temperature requirements for cutaneous oxygen measuremtns (cpO2); a comparative study of 44 and 43 degrees C.", "content": "Simultaneous measurements of cutaneous pO2 with oxygen skin sensors heated to 44 and 43 degrees C have been performed in 9 newborns in respiratory distress. 25 simultaneous measurements of paO2, cpO2 (44 degrees C) and cpO2 (43 degrees C) and 150 h of simultaneous recordings at these two different temperatures were compared. The agreement with arterial pO2 values was found to be superior at the higher sensor temperature. At 43 degrees C, the cpO2 is much lower than at 44 degrees C and lower than the arterial values. Although the risk of thermally induced lesions during prolonged use is higher at 44 degrees C, it is advisable to use this temperature for monitoring critically ill infants. Burns can be avoided by frequently changing the measuring site.", "contents": "Optimum temperature requirements for cutaneous oxygen measuremtns (cpO2); a comparative study of 44 and 43 degrees C. Simultaneous measurements of cutaneous pO2 with oxygen skin sensors heated to 44 and 43 degrees C have been performed in 9 newborns in respiratory distress. 25 simultaneous measurements of paO2, cpO2 (44 degrees C) and cpO2 (43 degrees C) and 150 h of simultaneous recordings at these two different temperatures were compared. The agreement with arterial pO2 values was found to be superior at the higher sensor temperature. At 43 degrees C, the cpO2 is much lower than at 44 degrees C and lower than the arterial values. Although the risk of thermally induced lesions during prolonged use is higher at 44 degrees C, it is advisable to use this temperature for monitoring critically ill infants. Burns can be avoided by frequently changing the measuring site.", "PMID": 610770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_331", "title": "Skin sensors for continuous oxygen monitoring of newborns.", "content": "Since the introduction of the technique of cutaneous1 pO2 measurement by directly heated oxygen sensors in 1972, the clinical applications and limitations of this new method have been extensively investigated. The method has proven to be of particular value in monitoring of high risk newborns as it affords the possibility of continuously monitoring clinically significant changes in the oxygenation state of the newborn. In this paper, methodological criteria for the assessment of the reliability of cutaneous pO2 monitoring are discussed. Particular consideration is given to the oxygen and temperature profiles in the vicinity of the skin sensor and to the response time of the sensor. In view of the fact that the cutaneous pO2 reflects the oxygen partial pressure at the level of arterialized cutaneous tissue, the method has limitations if it is used as an indirect determinant of arterial pO2.", "contents": "Skin sensors for continuous oxygen monitoring of newborns. Since the introduction of the technique of cutaneous1 pO2 measurement by directly heated oxygen sensors in 1972, the clinical applications and limitations of this new method have been extensively investigated. The method has proven to be of particular value in monitoring of high risk newborns as it affords the possibility of continuously monitoring clinically significant changes in the oxygenation state of the newborn. In this paper, methodological criteria for the assessment of the reliability of cutaneous pO2 monitoring are discussed. Particular consideration is given to the oxygen and temperature profiles in the vicinity of the skin sensor and to the response time of the sensor. In view of the fact that the cutaneous pO2 reflects the oxygen partial pressure at the level of arterialized cutaneous tissue, the method has limitations if it is used as an indirect determinant of arterial pO2.", "PMID": 610772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_332", "title": "Relation of transcutaneous to arterial pO2 in hypoxaemia, normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia. Investigations in adults with normal circulation and in patients with circulatory insufficiency.", "content": "The transcutaneous oxygen tension was monitored continuously by a heated cutaneous polarographic electrode in 7 adult intensive care patients, 12 patients without circulatory insufficiency, and 5 healthy volunteers, Arterial pO2 values were varied from hypoxaemia to normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia by variations of the inspired oxygen concentration. In normal volunteers and in patients without circulatory failure, transcutaneous pO2 indicated on an average about 81-92% of the arterial pO2 in normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia with a correlation coefficient of 0.97. In hypoxaemia there was an over-proportional decrease of the transcutaneous pO2 to a mean value of 44% fo the arterial pO2. In one case the transcutaneous pO2 reproducibly dropped to zero at paO2 values of 41 respectively 38 mm Hg (5.5 respectively 5.1 kPa). In intensive care patients the transcutaneous pO2 values were considerably lower than the paO2 values. There was no constant transcutaneous to arterial pO2 ration in most of the intensive care patients at different pO2 levels. In adults without disturbance of peripheral perfusion paO2 can be predicted with satisfactory accuracy from transcutaneous pO2 values in normoxaemia and in hyperoxaemia. In hypoxaemia and in circulatory insufficiency, the transcutaneous pO2 is only an indicator of the trend of the arterial pO2. Under these conditions it does not allow a quantitative estimate of paO2 changes.", "contents": "Relation of transcutaneous to arterial pO2 in hypoxaemia, normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia. Investigations in adults with normal circulation and in patients with circulatory insufficiency. The transcutaneous oxygen tension was monitored continuously by a heated cutaneous polarographic electrode in 7 adult intensive care patients, 12 patients without circulatory insufficiency, and 5 healthy volunteers, Arterial pO2 values were varied from hypoxaemia to normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia by variations of the inspired oxygen concentration. In normal volunteers and in patients without circulatory failure, transcutaneous pO2 indicated on an average about 81-92% of the arterial pO2 in normoxaemia and hyperoxaemia with a correlation coefficient of 0.97. In hypoxaemia there was an over-proportional decrease of the transcutaneous pO2 to a mean value of 44% fo the arterial pO2. In one case the transcutaneous pO2 reproducibly dropped to zero at paO2 values of 41 respectively 38 mm Hg (5.5 respectively 5.1 kPa). In intensive care patients the transcutaneous pO2 values were considerably lower than the paO2 values. There was no constant transcutaneous to arterial pO2 ration in most of the intensive care patients at different pO2 levels. In adults without disturbance of peripheral perfusion paO2 can be predicted with satisfactory accuracy from transcutaneous pO2 values in normoxaemia and in hyperoxaemia. In hypoxaemia and in circulatory insufficiency, the transcutaneous pO2 is only an indicator of the trend of the arterial pO2. Under these conditions it does not allow a quantitative estimate of paO2 changes.", "PMID": 610773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_333", "title": "Transcutaneous pO2 of volunteers during hyperbaric oxygenation.", "content": "Continuous transcutaneous pO2 measurements (tcPO2 measurements) were performed in healthy volunteers who were breathing air and oxygen under hyperbaric conditions (max. 4 ata). The results show a close correlation of PO2 values measured by the noninvasive method, in blood from discret arterial punctures, chamber PO2, respectively, the PO2 of the inspiratory gas mixture which was checked up to maximal values of 2,200 mm Hg. The PO2 in the arterial blood samples was measured immediately after the puncture insight the hyperbaric chamber using a specially designed through electrode.", "contents": "Transcutaneous pO2 of volunteers during hyperbaric oxygenation. Continuous transcutaneous pO2 measurements (tcPO2 measurements) were performed in healthy volunteers who were breathing air and oxygen under hyperbaric conditions (max. 4 ata). The results show a close correlation of PO2 values measured by the noninvasive method, in blood from discret arterial punctures, chamber PO2, respectively, the PO2 of the inspiratory gas mixture which was checked up to maximal values of 2,200 mm Hg. The PO2 in the arterial blood samples was measured immediately after the puncture insight the hyperbaric chamber using a specially designed through electrode.", "PMID": 610774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_334", "title": "The adult Chiari malformation.", "content": "The adult or type 1 Chiari malformation is a hindbrain anomaly in which the cerebellar tonsils, but not the vermis, are chronically dispalced into the foramen magnum (1). Syringomyelia or syringobulbia are frequently associated with the anomaly (2-4). Seventeen cases of surgically verified adult Chiari malformations with or without a syrinx were recently diagnosed at the Neuropsychiatric Institute. University of California at Los Angeles. A review of these patients confirmed this anomaly has protean manifestations. Recognition of paroxysmal complaints induced by a variation of the Valslava maneuver, especially in the presence of nystagmus, might lead to early neurodiagnostic procedures and surgical intervention, with reduced morbidity.", "contents": "The adult Chiari malformation. The adult or type 1 Chiari malformation is a hindbrain anomaly in which the cerebellar tonsils, but not the vermis, are chronically dispalced into the foramen magnum (1). Syringomyelia or syringobulbia are frequently associated with the anomaly (2-4). Seventeen cases of surgically verified adult Chiari malformations with or without a syrinx were recently diagnosed at the Neuropsychiatric Institute. University of California at Los Angeles. A review of these patients confirmed this anomaly has protean manifestations. Recognition of paroxysmal complaints induced by a variation of the Valslava maneuver, especially in the presence of nystagmus, might lead to early neurodiagnostic procedures and surgical intervention, with reduced morbidity.", "PMID": 610783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_335", "title": "Genetic analysis of the nephrogenic diabetes insipidus defect in SWV mice.", "content": "Females of the SWV mouse strain had an age-dependent nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The distribution of water intakes in the F1, F2 and backcross to each parental strain indicated that at least the polydipsia was determined by a few major dominant genes; rather than by a polygenic system. The Smirnof and chi square analyses revealed more than one major gene was involved. A hypothesis was presented that there are two dominant genes (one fully dominant and one codominant) which may be linked. The expression of these major genes was influenced multiplicatively by environmental factors and the water intakes approached a continuous distribution. The defect was sex influenced: SWV males had only a very mild urine concentrating defect but the reciprocal crosses showed no X-linkage. The kidney weight of the SWV females correlated significantly (P less than 0.05) with the polydipsia in the F1, BC SWV and F2 progeny and the use of both traits provided a qualitative measure for classification. The polydipsia and enlarged kidneys probably represent pleiotropy.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of the nephrogenic diabetes insipidus defect in SWV mice. Females of the SWV mouse strain had an age-dependent nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The distribution of water intakes in the F1, F2 and backcross to each parental strain indicated that at least the polydipsia was determined by a few major dominant genes; rather than by a polygenic system. The Smirnof and chi square analyses revealed more than one major gene was involved. A hypothesis was presented that there are two dominant genes (one fully dominant and one codominant) which may be linked. The expression of these major genes was influenced multiplicatively by environmental factors and the water intakes approached a continuous distribution. The defect was sex influenced: SWV males had only a very mild urine concentrating defect but the reciprocal crosses showed no X-linkage. The kidney weight of the SWV females correlated significantly (P less than 0.05) with the polydipsia in the F1, BC SWV and F2 progeny and the use of both traits provided a qualitative measure for classification. The polydipsia and enlarged kidneys probably represent pleiotropy.", "PMID": 610840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_336", "title": "Relationship between cell proliferation, chromatin template activity and accumulation of nuclear proteins.", "content": "Trypsinization of confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells causes an extensive loss of nuclear proteins. The loss of nuclear proteins is restored only several hours after the cells have been replated at a lower density in 10% serum. When trypsinized fibroblasts are replated at a lower density in 10% serum, there is also a sustained progressive leading to DNA synthesis and cell division. If 0.3% serum is used instead of 10%, there is a modest increase in nuclear template activity, but not accumulation of nuclear proteins and no DNA synthesis or cell division.", "contents": "Relationship between cell proliferation, chromatin template activity and accumulation of nuclear proteins. Trypsinization of confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells causes an extensive loss of nuclear proteins. The loss of nuclear proteins is restored only several hours after the cells have been replated at a lower density in 10% serum. When trypsinized fibroblasts are replated at a lower density in 10% serum, there is also a sustained progressive leading to DNA synthesis and cell division. If 0.3% serum is used instead of 10%, there is a modest increase in nuclear template activity, but not accumulation of nuclear proteins and no DNA synthesis or cell division.", "PMID": 610865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_337", "title": "Temperature sensitivity of the erythrocyte membrane potential as determined by cyanine dye fluorescence.", "content": "We have used the cyanine dye fluorescence technique to measure the membrane potential of human erythrocytes as a function of temperature. With erythrocytes starved of glucose, there is an abrupt decrease in membrane potential centered at 38 degrees which is reversible up to 41 degrees, and irreversible at higher temperatures. With erythrocytes supplemented with glucose, the thermally induced transition is centered at 41 degrees and is reversible up to the highest temperature measured, 45 degrees. These results extend previous spectroscopic studies with erythrocyte membranes which demonstrated a thermally induced transition in protein tertiary or quaternary structure that is irreversible above 42 degrees.", "contents": "Temperature sensitivity of the erythrocyte membrane potential as determined by cyanine dye fluorescence. We have used the cyanine dye fluorescence technique to measure the membrane potential of human erythrocytes as a function of temperature. With erythrocytes starved of glucose, there is an abrupt decrease in membrane potential centered at 38 degrees which is reversible up to 41 degrees, and irreversible at higher temperatures. With erythrocytes supplemented with glucose, the thermally induced transition is centered at 41 degrees and is reversible up to the highest temperature measured, 45 degrees. These results extend previous spectroscopic studies with erythrocyte membranes which demonstrated a thermally induced transition in protein tertiary or quaternary structure that is irreversible above 42 degrees.", "PMID": 610867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_338", "title": "Dibucaine-induced synchronous mucocyst secretion in Tetrahymena.", "content": "Synchronous secretion of all available mature mucocysts was induced in late log phase cultures of Tetrahymena thermophilia (B III) by the local anaesthetic dibucaine. No assembled fusion rosettes were seen within the plasma membrane after release until 2-3 hrs of regrowth, thus proving that the rosettes are not permanent sites within the plasma membrane but have to be reassembled each time for a new fusion event to occur. Concomitant with the reappearance of assembled fusion rosettes, the cell cytoplasm fills up with precursors of new mucocysts thus linking the two events together.", "contents": "Dibucaine-induced synchronous mucocyst secretion in Tetrahymena. Synchronous secretion of all available mature mucocysts was induced in late log phase cultures of Tetrahymena thermophilia (B III) by the local anaesthetic dibucaine. No assembled fusion rosettes were seen within the plasma membrane after release until 2-3 hrs of regrowth, thus proving that the rosettes are not permanent sites within the plasma membrane but have to be reassembled each time for a new fusion event to occur. Concomitant with the reappearance of assembled fusion rosettes, the cell cytoplasm fills up with precursors of new mucocysts thus linking the two events together.", "PMID": 610868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_339", "title": "Alkaline phosphatase in mitochondria.", "content": "In electron microscope cytochemical studies alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the mitochondria of all liver cells and associated with the plasma membrane of the cells of bile canaliculi. The mitochondrial activity was partially inhibited by L-phenylalanine and Levamisole but the plasma membrane associated activity was completely inhibited by Levamisole. Biochemical assays have shown that a significant amount of the total mouse liver alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the mitochondria fraction. Starch gel electrophoresis showed that this mitochondrial alkaline phosphatase had a characteristic isoenzyme pattern, consisting of 3 distinct bands which were not retarded by neuraminidase treatment. The enzyme in the mitochondria-free supernatant showed one wide band which was retarded by neuraminidase.", "contents": "Alkaline phosphatase in mitochondria. In electron microscope cytochemical studies alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the mitochondria of all liver cells and associated with the plasma membrane of the cells of bile canaliculi. The mitochondrial activity was partially inhibited by L-phenylalanine and Levamisole but the plasma membrane associated activity was completely inhibited by Levamisole. Biochemical assays have shown that a significant amount of the total mouse liver alkaline phosphatase activity was present in the mitochondria fraction. Starch gel electrophoresis showed that this mitochondrial alkaline phosphatase had a characteristic isoenzyme pattern, consisting of 3 distinct bands which were not retarded by neuraminidase treatment. The enzyme in the mitochondria-free supernatant showed one wide band which was retarded by neuraminidase.", "PMID": 610869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_340", "title": "Binding of alpha-bungarotoxin and cholinergic ligands to acetylcholine receptors in the membrane of skeletal muscle.", "content": "A membrane fraction enriched in acetylcholine receptors was prepared from denervated cat leg muscles. 97% of the alpha-bungarotoxin-binding sites in the dispersed membranes are sensitive to nicotinic cholinergic ligands. In intact msucle, 90% are. A filtration assay of the binding to the membranes of tritiated alpha-bungarotoxin, as retarded by these ligands, provides a convenient system for the determination of affinities of ligands for the muscle receptor in its membrane-bound state. Affinities were found thus for 6 nicotinic ligands. An allosteric system, rather than desensitisation, may explain the high affinities observed for certain ligands.", "contents": "Binding of alpha-bungarotoxin and cholinergic ligands to acetylcholine receptors in the membrane of skeletal muscle. A membrane fraction enriched in acetylcholine receptors was prepared from denervated cat leg muscles. 97% of the alpha-bungarotoxin-binding sites in the dispersed membranes are sensitive to nicotinic cholinergic ligands. In intact msucle, 90% are. A filtration assay of the binding to the membranes of tritiated alpha-bungarotoxin, as retarded by these ligands, provides a convenient system for the determination of affinities of ligands for the muscle receptor in its membrane-bound state. Affinities were found thus for 6 nicotinic ligands. An allosteric system, rather than desensitisation, may explain the high affinities observed for certain ligands.", "PMID": 610870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_341", "title": "Isolation of single stranded transcription sites from human nuclear DNA.", "content": "Single stranded DNA (ss-DNA) isolated from nuclear DNA of human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD line) cells amounts to 2% of total DNA. As compared with native double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA), ss-DNA has a lower mean sedimentation coefficient, higher buoyant density, contains fewer repeated DNA sequences and a greater proportion of it can be hybridized to human RNAs (up to 35% and less than 8% for ds-DNA). The hybridization kinetics determined by S1 nuclease digestion and verified by other methods (hydroxylapatite chromatography, density gradient centrifugation and thermal melting) indicate that ss-DNA corresponds to a great number and variety of transcripts. These data are discussed as evidence for DNA strand dissociation in the course of gene activity.", "contents": "Isolation of single stranded transcription sites from human nuclear DNA. Single stranded DNA (ss-DNA) isolated from nuclear DNA of human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD line) cells amounts to 2% of total DNA. As compared with native double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA), ss-DNA has a lower mean sedimentation coefficient, higher buoyant density, contains fewer repeated DNA sequences and a greater proportion of it can be hybridized to human RNAs (up to 35% and less than 8% for ds-DNA). The hybridization kinetics determined by S1 nuclease digestion and verified by other methods (hydroxylapatite chromatography, density gradient centrifugation and thermal melting) indicate that ss-DNA corresponds to a great number and variety of transcripts. These data are discussed as evidence for DNA strand dissociation in the course of gene activity.", "PMID": 610871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_342", "title": "DNA distribution and intrachromosomal organization of moderately repetitive sequences.", "content": "The DNA content of individual subregions along the 4th chromosome of Drosophila hydei has been measured. 51% of the subregions have a DNA content averaging 0.7-0.8 pg; 31% a mean DNA content of 0.25-0.35 pg and 18% a mean DNA content of 1.7 pg. Moreover the structural chromosomal distribution of moderately repetitive DNA is not random since the specific activity of the chromosomal segments in terms of those sequences is not the same. 9% of the subregions are very poor in repetitive sequences and 18% rich in repetitive DNA while being very poor in DNA.", "contents": "DNA distribution and intrachromosomal organization of moderately repetitive sequences. The DNA content of individual subregions along the 4th chromosome of Drosophila hydei has been measured. 51% of the subregions have a DNA content averaging 0.7-0.8 pg; 31% a mean DNA content of 0.25-0.35 pg and 18% a mean DNA content of 1.7 pg. Moreover the structural chromosomal distribution of moderately repetitive DNA is not random since the specific activity of the chromosomal segments in terms of those sequences is not the same. 9% of the subregions are very poor in repetitive sequences and 18% rich in repetitive DNA while being very poor in DNA.", "PMID": 610873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_343", "title": "The effect of temperature during trypsin treatment on viability and multiplication potential of single normal human and chicken fibroblasts.", "content": "Both the number of colonies formed from single cells and their average size are affected by the temperature at which nontransformed human and chicken fibroblasts are harvested from monolayer cultures. At constant levels of trypsin activity, treatment of cells at temperatures less than 15 degrees C during all steps from monolayer to subsequent culture markedly improves viability and multiplication potential of single cells.", "contents": "The effect of temperature during trypsin treatment on viability and multiplication potential of single normal human and chicken fibroblasts. Both the number of colonies formed from single cells and their average size are affected by the temperature at which nontransformed human and chicken fibroblasts are harvested from monolayer cultures. At constant levels of trypsin activity, treatment of cells at temperatures less than 15 degrees C during all steps from monolayer to subsequent culture markedly improves viability and multiplication potential of single cells.", "PMID": 610874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_344", "title": "Cytoplasmic annulate lamellae and intranuclear membranes in human spermatids and sperm.", "content": "In human spermatide cytoplasmic annulate lamellae and intranuclear lamellae were found. In the cytoplasm, the annulate lamellae may vary from 3 to 11 layers of cisternal structures. There is evidence that the annulate lamellae are formed from the outer nuclear envelope. The intranuclear membranes are often seen directly connected to the inner nuclear membrane. These morphologic findings suggest that annulate lamellae may be involved in the transfer of genetic material from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic annulate lamellae and intranuclear membranes in human spermatids and sperm. In human spermatide cytoplasmic annulate lamellae and intranuclear lamellae were found. In the cytoplasm, the annulate lamellae may vary from 3 to 11 layers of cisternal structures. There is evidence that the annulate lamellae are formed from the outer nuclear envelope. The intranuclear membranes are often seen directly connected to the inner nuclear membrane. These morphologic findings suggest that annulate lamellae may be involved in the transfer of genetic material from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.", "PMID": 610875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_345", "title": "The effect of dimethyl sulphoxide on electron transport in chloroplasts.", "content": "The effect of DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide) on electron transport in chloroplast membranes has been studied. It has been found that concentrations of DMSO up to 20% (v/v) do not inhibit electron transport in freshly isolated chloroplasts, but that higher concentrations start to cause inhibition. However, in chloroplasts that have been aged for 8 to 24 hours by storage at 4 degrees C, the addition of DMSO at concentrations up to 20% causes stimulation of electron transport. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of dimethyl sulphoxide on electron transport in chloroplasts. The effect of DMSO (dimethyl sulphoxide) on electron transport in chloroplast membranes has been studied. It has been found that concentrations of DMSO up to 20% (v/v) do not inhibit electron transport in freshly isolated chloroplasts, but that higher concentrations start to cause inhibition. However, in chloroplasts that have been aged for 8 to 24 hours by storage at 4 degrees C, the addition of DMSO at concentrations up to 20% causes stimulation of electron transport. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.", "PMID": 610876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_346", "title": "Glucose consumption and lactate production in normal and fluoride adapted LS cells.", "content": "The established cell line LS (mouse fibroblasts) has been adapted to grow at otherwise toxic concentrations of fluoride. Different substrains of adapted LS cells consumed less glucose and converted less of the glucose to lactate than the unadapted cells. Differences were also found in the two parameters dependent on the number of generations grown in the presence of fluoride. The more generations with fluoride, the less lactate was produced and the less glucose consumed.", "contents": "Glucose consumption and lactate production in normal and fluoride adapted LS cells. The established cell line LS (mouse fibroblasts) has been adapted to grow at otherwise toxic concentrations of fluoride. Different substrains of adapted LS cells consumed less glucose and converted less of the glucose to lactate than the unadapted cells. Differences were also found in the two parameters dependent on the number of generations grown in the presence of fluoride. The more generations with fluoride, the less lactate was produced and the less glucose consumed.", "PMID": 610877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_347", "title": "Nuclear actin: an apparent association with condensed chromatin.", "content": "In Amoeba proteus the concentration of actin is the same in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Certain characteristics, e.g., the ready loss of actin from isolated nuclei, suggest that the association with nuclei is normally not a tight one. Here we report, however, that when nuclei are isolated several hours after mitotic amebas are placed in actinomycin D (which allows normal progression of mitosis), the nuclei retain substantial amounts of actin. Since this finding correlates with other observations that the chromatin of such cells is extensively condensed, we suggest that a relationship may exist between actin and chromatin condensation.", "contents": "Nuclear actin: an apparent association with condensed chromatin. In Amoeba proteus the concentration of actin is the same in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Certain characteristics, e.g., the ready loss of actin from isolated nuclei, suggest that the association with nuclei is normally not a tight one. Here we report, however, that when nuclei are isolated several hours after mitotic amebas are placed in actinomycin D (which allows normal progression of mitosis), the nuclei retain substantial amounts of actin. Since this finding correlates with other observations that the chromatin of such cells is extensively condensed, we suggest that a relationship may exist between actin and chromatin condensation.", "PMID": 610879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_348", "title": "Electron microscopic localization of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase binding sites on DNA using enzyme immobilized on colloidal gold.", "content": "DNA dependent RNA polymerase has been coupled to gold granules of 60 A. The gold-polymerase complex (Au-P) has been demonstrated to bind to chick oviduct DNA and be capable of transcription as monitored by both biochemical activity and electron microscopy. Binding of Au-P to DNA is competable with free polymerase.", "contents": "Electron microscopic localization of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase binding sites on DNA using enzyme immobilized on colloidal gold. DNA dependent RNA polymerase has been coupled to gold granules of 60 A. The gold-polymerase complex (Au-P) has been demonstrated to bind to chick oviduct DNA and be capable of transcription as monitored by both biochemical activity and electron microscopy. Binding of Au-P to DNA is competable with free polymerase.", "PMID": 610880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_349", "title": "Ram sperm mitochondrial DNA.", "content": "Circular DNA was isolated from mitochondrial fractions of ram spermatozoa by SDS treatment followed by convex sucrose gradient centrifugation. The DNA had a contour length of 5.0 micron. Its buoyant density was 1.6983 g cm-3, which was smaller than two nuclear DNA components with buoyant densities of 1.6999 and 1.7156 g cm-3, found in ram spermatozoa. The Tm of the mitochondrial DNA was 69.7 degrees C. The mole fraction G+C calculated from the buoyant density and melting temperature was 39.1% and 38.6%, respectively.", "contents": "Ram sperm mitochondrial DNA. Circular DNA was isolated from mitochondrial fractions of ram spermatozoa by SDS treatment followed by convex sucrose gradient centrifugation. The DNA had a contour length of 5.0 micron. Its buoyant density was 1.6983 g cm-3, which was smaller than two nuclear DNA components with buoyant densities of 1.6999 and 1.7156 g cm-3, found in ram spermatozoa. The Tm of the mitochondrial DNA was 69.7 degrees C. The mole fraction G+C calculated from the buoyant density and melting temperature was 39.1% and 38.6%, respectively.", "PMID": 610881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_350", "title": "Protein biosynthesis by rat gastric mucosal cells in suspension.", "content": "Suspensions of cells freshly isolated from rat gastric mucosa by the pronase technique did not synthesize protein unless washed. Synthetic activity proceeded for at least 3h in washed cells, but unless three or four washing cycles were given the synthesized protein was subsequently degraded. Supplementation of the incubation medium with 3% w/v bovine serum albumin markedly increased synthetic activity. Special consideration was given to the control of artifacts caused by bacterial activity, oxygen deficiency and adsorption of radioleucine.", "contents": "Protein biosynthesis by rat gastric mucosal cells in suspension. Suspensions of cells freshly isolated from rat gastric mucosa by the pronase technique did not synthesize protein unless washed. Synthetic activity proceeded for at least 3h in washed cells, but unless three or four washing cycles were given the synthesized protein was subsequently degraded. Supplementation of the incubation medium with 3% w/v bovine serum albumin markedly increased synthetic activity. Special consideration was given to the control of artifacts caused by bacterial activity, oxygen deficiency and adsorption of radioleucine.", "PMID": 610882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_351", "title": "A method for the isolation of Chinese hamster cell variants with an altered ability to utilise carbohydrates.", "content": "Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) are able to utilise only a few carbohydrates for growth such as glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose. They do not grow on ribose, lactose, sucrose, glycerol, lactate, pyruvate, citrate, succinate, fumarate or malate nor on glycogenic or ketogenic amino acids. After mutagenesis and selection in glucose free medium supplemented with various, individual, growth substrates, we have isolated single-cell derived clones which are now able to grow on one of the following energy source: ribose, lactose, sucrose or lactate.", "contents": "A method for the isolation of Chinese hamster cell variants with an altered ability to utilise carbohydrates. Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) are able to utilise only a few carbohydrates for growth such as glucose, mannose, fructose and galactose. They do not grow on ribose, lactose, sucrose, glycerol, lactate, pyruvate, citrate, succinate, fumarate or malate nor on glycogenic or ketogenic amino acids. After mutagenesis and selection in glucose free medium supplemented with various, individual, growth substrates, we have isolated single-cell derived clones which are now able to grow on one of the following energy source: ribose, lactose, sucrose or lactate.", "PMID": 610884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_352", "title": "Properties of carbohydrate utilising variants of Chinese hamster cells.", "content": "Variants of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) have been isolated which can grow on one of the following carbohydrates: lactose, sucrose, ribose or lactate. The ribose+ clones grow at the same rate on glucose as the parental cells whereas the others grow more slowly. With the exception of one ribose+ clone all excrete lactic acid while growing on glucose; none excrete significant amounts of lactic acid while growing on the alternative energy source. Wild-type cells and the variants accumulate radioactively labelled glucose and the corresponding radio-actively labelled alternative energy source to the same extent. The ribose+ variant that does not accumulate lactate while growing on glucose is also exceptional in its inability to utilise mannose.", "contents": "Properties of carbohydrate utilising variants of Chinese hamster cells. Variants of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) have been isolated which can grow on one of the following carbohydrates: lactose, sucrose, ribose or lactate. The ribose+ clones grow at the same rate on glucose as the parental cells whereas the others grow more slowly. With the exception of one ribose+ clone all excrete lactic acid while growing on glucose; none excrete significant amounts of lactic acid while growing on the alternative energy source. Wild-type cells and the variants accumulate radioactively labelled glucose and the corresponding radio-actively labelled alternative energy source to the same extent. The ribose+ variant that does not accumulate lactate while growing on glucose is also exceptional in its inability to utilise mannose.", "PMID": 610885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_353", "title": "The histidine analogue L-histidinol arrests the growth of BALB/3T3 cells in G0.", "content": "The histidine analogue L-histidinol inhibits the growth of Balb/3T3 cells in a dose-dependent manner and concentrations of 1 or 2 mM cause a total but completely reversible growth arrest. Growth resumption which follows removal of the analogue shows kinetics and requirements indistinguishable from those of quiescent cells stimulated to proliferate by fresh serum. Cells which have progressed beyond the G1/S boundary appear to complete the cell cycle in the presence of L-histidinol and become arrested in the subsequent G1 or G0.", "contents": "The histidine analogue L-histidinol arrests the growth of BALB/3T3 cells in G0. The histidine analogue L-histidinol inhibits the growth of Balb/3T3 cells in a dose-dependent manner and concentrations of 1 or 2 mM cause a total but completely reversible growth arrest. Growth resumption which follows removal of the analogue shows kinetics and requirements indistinguishable from those of quiescent cells stimulated to proliferate by fresh serum. Cells which have progressed beyond the G1/S boundary appear to complete the cell cycle in the presence of L-histidinol and become arrested in the subsequent G1 or G0.", "PMID": 610886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_354", "title": "[Our experience in esophago-colonic plastic surgery for esophageal stenosis caused by caustics].", "content": "The Authors report their experience (16 cases) in esophago-colon plastic surgery for esophageal stenosis from caustics and emphasize the advantages presented by the colon as a substitute for the esophagus, as compared with the stomach and jejunum. Although the results were equally satisfactory irrespective of the selected segment of colon, the Authors indicate their present preference for the left colon because of some technical aspects making the operation easier and more reliable.", "contents": "[Our experience in esophago-colonic plastic surgery for esophageal stenosis caused by caustics]. The Authors report their experience (16 cases) in esophago-colon plastic surgery for esophageal stenosis from caustics and emphasize the advantages presented by the colon as a substitute for the esophagus, as compared with the stomach and jejunum. Although the results were equally satisfactory irrespective of the selected segment of colon, the Authors indicate their present preference for the left colon because of some technical aspects making the operation easier and more reliable.", "PMID": 610941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_355", "title": "[13 cases of double neoplastic localizations, 1 involving the esophagus].", "content": "During the course of nine years 494 patients suffering from oesophageal cancer have come under our observation, including 13 cases characterised by the phenomenon of double neoplastic localisation. In some cases, in view of the histological identity of the two neoplasias, remote endocanicular colonisation may be presumed, while in other cases the rise of the tumour \"disease\" may be correlated with the action of carcinogenetic agents on sites of lesser resistance in organisms whose immunitary defences have been decreased in relation to neoblastogenesis. This is supported by the increase in the incidence of malignant neoplasias in patients subjected to immuno-suppressive treatment.", "contents": "[13 cases of double neoplastic localizations, 1 involving the esophagus]. During the course of nine years 494 patients suffering from oesophageal cancer have come under our observation, including 13 cases characterised by the phenomenon of double neoplastic localisation. In some cases, in view of the histological identity of the two neoplasias, remote endocanicular colonisation may be presumed, while in other cases the rise of the tumour \"disease\" may be correlated with the action of carcinogenetic agents on sites of lesser resistance in organisms whose immunitary defences have been decreased in relation to neoblastogenesis. This is supported by the increase in the incidence of malignant neoplasias in patients subjected to immuno-suppressive treatment.", "PMID": 610942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_356", "title": "[Early diagnostic laparotomy in patients with multiple injuries (apropos of 125 cases)].", "content": "Hundred twenty five patients with multiple areas of injury requiring surgical repair outside of the abdomen too were subjected to laparotomy. In patients with multiple areas of trauma the abdomen is almost always suspect. The proliferation of diagnostic tools to detect intraperitoneal damage have, in some ways, helped phisicians decide as to laparotomy. However, when multiple injuries are present, particularly of the central nervous system, classical findings of peritoneal damage are difficult to elicit. A diagnostic laparotomy does not add significantly to the overall morbidity or mortality, for that we think is still a place for diagnostic laparotomy in patients with multiple trauma.", "contents": "[Early diagnostic laparotomy in patients with multiple injuries (apropos of 125 cases)]. Hundred twenty five patients with multiple areas of injury requiring surgical repair outside of the abdomen too were subjected to laparotomy. In patients with multiple areas of trauma the abdomen is almost always suspect. The proliferation of diagnostic tools to detect intraperitoneal damage have, in some ways, helped phisicians decide as to laparotomy. However, when multiple injuries are present, particularly of the central nervous system, classical findings of peritoneal damage are difficult to elicit. A diagnostic laparotomy does not add significantly to the overall morbidity or mortality, for that we think is still a place for diagnostic laparotomy in patients with multiple trauma.", "PMID": 610944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_357", "title": "[Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in pediatric surgery].", "content": "Diagnostic peritoneal lavage has been evaluated in 44 pediatric cases, suspected of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. This test was proved to be a useful, safe, and highly accurate procedure for early diagnosis of intraperitoneal hemmorhage also in pediatric surgery.", "contents": "[Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in pediatric surgery]. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage has been evaluated in 44 pediatric cases, suspected of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. This test was proved to be a useful, safe, and highly accurate procedure for early diagnosis of intraperitoneal hemmorhage also in pediatric surgery.", "PMID": 610947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_358", "title": "[The prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer: statistical study in relation to age, histotype, tumor stage, and immunological reactivity].", "content": "This paper analyses the prognostic factors in cancer of the oesophagus in relation to site, histological type, age, and the patient's immunitary reactivity evaluated histologically in the lymphonodes and the tumoral tissue itself, and the invasion or otherwise of the loco-regional lymphonodes. The survival curves are calculated by the actuarial method. In particular, it was seen that patients with absence of peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate and depletion of the loco-regional lymphonodes present a survival curve stopping at the second year after the operation, whereas reactive patients survive beyond that date in 29% of cases. It may therefore be asserted that the presence of lymphocytic infiltrate in the tumour and of lymphonodal reactivity are a pointer to an attitude of defence of the organism, and the importance of the study of these factors as prognostic criterion in patients subjected to resection of the oesophageal tumour clearly emerges.", "contents": "[The prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer: statistical study in relation to age, histotype, tumor stage, and immunological reactivity]. This paper analyses the prognostic factors in cancer of the oesophagus in relation to site, histological type, age, and the patient's immunitary reactivity evaluated histologically in the lymphonodes and the tumoral tissue itself, and the invasion or otherwise of the loco-regional lymphonodes. The survival curves are calculated by the actuarial method. In particular, it was seen that patients with absence of peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate and depletion of the loco-regional lymphonodes present a survival curve stopping at the second year after the operation, whereas reactive patients survive beyond that date in 29% of cases. It may therefore be asserted that the presence of lymphocytic infiltrate in the tumour and of lymphonodal reactivity are a pointer to an attitude of defence of the organism, and the importance of the study of these factors as prognostic criterion in patients subjected to resection of the oesophageal tumour clearly emerges.", "PMID": 610951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_359", "title": "Fast detoxification of heroin addicts by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) in combination with naloxone.", "content": "Detoxification can be accomplished more rapidly by first \"flushing\" the opiates from the receptor sites. Naloxone, a short acting antagonist displaces opiates from the receptor sites and such displacement precipitates an abstinence syndrome. Recently, a method of using acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) in combination with naloxone for fast detoxification was reported. This technique was applied to 50 cases of heroin addicts. Forty-one were detoxified. There were nine failures. Of the 41 cases, 18 patients were sent to rehabilitation centres and did not experience abstinence symptoms. Six were sent out of Hong Kong where heroin is not available, and two others did not go to a rehabilitation centre but still abstained. The other 15 were presumed to be on the drug. It is advocated that AES increases endorphin and relieves abstinence syndrome, but also at the same time inhibits the autonomic nervous system, mainly the parasympathetic nervous system. The technique does not stop the craving, therefore after detoxification, the patients should be sent for psycho-social rehabilitation, or alternatively be put on long acting antagonist.", "contents": "Fast detoxification of heroin addicts by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) in combination with naloxone. Detoxification can be accomplished more rapidly by first \"flushing\" the opiates from the receptor sites. Naloxone, a short acting antagonist displaces opiates from the receptor sites and such displacement precipitates an abstinence syndrome. Recently, a method of using acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) in combination with naloxone for fast detoxification was reported. This technique was applied to 50 cases of heroin addicts. Forty-one were detoxified. There were nine failures. Of the 41 cases, 18 patients were sent to rehabilitation centres and did not experience abstinence symptoms. Six were sent out of Hong Kong where heroin is not available, and two others did not go to a rehabilitation centre but still abstained. The other 15 were presumed to be on the drug. It is advocated that AES increases endorphin and relieves abstinence syndrome, but also at the same time inhibits the autonomic nervous system, mainly the parasympathetic nervous system. The technique does not stop the craving, therefore after detoxification, the patients should be sent for psycho-social rehabilitation, or alternatively be put on long acting antagonist.", "PMID": 610976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_360", "title": "Acupuncture in bronchial asthma: bodyplethysmographic measurements of acute bronchospasmolytic effects.", "content": "In 12 patients with bronchial asthma the effects of acupuncture (45 tests altogether) on airway resistance have been investigated. In 9 patients there was a significant decrease of airway resistance 10 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the end of acupuncture. The lowest level for airway resistance (70.1% of control value) was reached during the first hour after acupuncture. The possibility of a merely suggestive effect could be excluded, because \"placebo-acupunctures\" did not change airway resistance significantly. The comparison with a parasympatholytic acting drug as a metered aerosol (Atrovent) demonstrated that acupuncture had a somewhat weaker bronchospasmolytic effect. Three patients did not show any reaction after repeated acupunctures.", "contents": "Acupuncture in bronchial asthma: bodyplethysmographic measurements of acute bronchospasmolytic effects. In 12 patients with bronchial asthma the effects of acupuncture (45 tests altogether) on airway resistance have been investigated. In 9 patients there was a significant decrease of airway resistance 10 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the end of acupuncture. The lowest level for airway resistance (70.1% of control value) was reached during the first hour after acupuncture. The possibility of a merely suggestive effect could be excluded, because \"placebo-acupunctures\" did not change airway resistance significantly. The comparison with a parasympatholytic acting drug as a metered aerosol (Atrovent) demonstrated that acupuncture had a somewhat weaker bronchospasmolytic effect. Three patients did not show any reaction after repeated acupunctures.", "PMID": 610977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_361", "title": "Laplace plane analysis of impedance between acupuncture points H-3 and H-4.", "content": "The frequency dependence of the skin impedance between two acupuncture points (H-3 and H-4) was determined by Laplace plane analysis of the time domain response to an input voltage perturbation. Both the resistance and capacitance between the acupuncture points differed significantly from the corresponding controls, thus supporting the interpretation of the acupuncture system as an information transfer network.", "contents": "Laplace plane analysis of impedance between acupuncture points H-3 and H-4. The frequency dependence of the skin impedance between two acupuncture points (H-3 and H-4) was determined by Laplace plane analysis of the time domain response to an input voltage perturbation. Both the resistance and capacitance between the acupuncture points differed significantly from the corresponding controls, thus supporting the interpretation of the acupuncture system as an information transfer network.", "PMID": 610979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_362", "title": "Clinical significance of ventricular dyskinesis in acute myocardial infarction assessed by apexcardiography.", "content": "Apexcardiograms [ACG] recorded in 64 patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction disclosed in 36 cases [56.2%] paradoxal systolic precordial pulsation considered as an expression of ventricular dyskinesis [VD]. The functional significance of VD was assessed by the left ventricle systolic time intervals. There was a significant shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and a significant increase in the pre-ejection period (PEP) and of PEP/LVET ratio in patients with VD. The heart/chest ratio was greater in patients with VD but the difference was not statistically significant. The condition of the heart after the acute phase of myocardial infarction was much better in patients without VD or with transient VD in than in those with permanent VD. 91.3% of the patients with permanent VD presented heart failure and belonged to the functional class III-IV. These findings indicate that patients presenting ACG-assessed VD have frequently an altered cardiac performance and a worse long-term prognosis.", "contents": "Clinical significance of ventricular dyskinesis in acute myocardial infarction assessed by apexcardiography. Apexcardiograms [ACG] recorded in 64 patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction disclosed in 36 cases [56.2%] paradoxal systolic precordial pulsation considered as an expression of ventricular dyskinesis [VD]. The functional significance of VD was assessed by the left ventricle systolic time intervals. There was a significant shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and a significant increase in the pre-ejection period (PEP) and of PEP/LVET ratio in patients with VD. The heart/chest ratio was greater in patients with VD but the difference was not statistically significant. The condition of the heart after the acute phase of myocardial infarction was much better in patients without VD or with transient VD in than in those with permanent VD. 91.3% of the patients with permanent VD presented heart failure and belonged to the functional class III-IV. These findings indicate that patients presenting ACG-assessed VD have frequently an altered cardiac performance and a worse long-term prognosis.", "PMID": 610991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_363", "title": "Apexcardiography in the diagnosis of haemodynamic disturbances in patients with congenital heart disease.", "content": "The dependence of the changes in the right and left ventricular apexcardiograms on the character and degree of haemodynamic disturbances was studied in 190 patients with congenital heart diseases. The findings were compared with the results of catheterization studies of the heart cavities. It was found that changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram were independent of the nosological nature of the heart defect, and were equal in the right and left ventricles. The character of changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram depends on the type of clinical ventricular overload, and the degree of changes depends on the severity of haemodynamic disturbances.", "contents": "Apexcardiography in the diagnosis of haemodynamic disturbances in patients with congenital heart disease. The dependence of the changes in the right and left ventricular apexcardiograms on the character and degree of haemodynamic disturbances was studied in 190 patients with congenital heart diseases. The findings were compared with the results of catheterization studies of the heart cavities. It was found that changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram were independent of the nosological nature of the heart defect, and were equal in the right and left ventricles. The character of changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram depends on the type of clinical ventricular overload, and the degree of changes depends on the severity of haemodynamic disturbances.", "PMID": 610992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_364", "title": "A comparison between cardiac pacing and exercise tests in patients with angina pectoris.", "content": "In 21 patients with ischaemic heart disease, the values of the anginal threshold were investigated during cardiac pacing and an exercise test. It was found that in the pacing test, ischemia could be expected to appear at a heart rate by 30% faster than that in ischaemia induced by exercise. If ischaemia was successfully induced in both tests, the threshold values of the time-tension indexes were equal, whereas the value of the pressure-time per minute index was 20% higher in exercise-induced ischaemia. In patients with hypokinetic circulation, during pacing the pressure-time per minute index first increased and then paradoxically decreased; this reaction can help find out patients with haemodynamic signs of heart failure.", "contents": "A comparison between cardiac pacing and exercise tests in patients with angina pectoris. In 21 patients with ischaemic heart disease, the values of the anginal threshold were investigated during cardiac pacing and an exercise test. It was found that in the pacing test, ischemia could be expected to appear at a heart rate by 30% faster than that in ischaemia induced by exercise. If ischaemia was successfully induced in both tests, the threshold values of the time-tension indexes were equal, whereas the value of the pressure-time per minute index was 20% higher in exercise-induced ischaemia. In patients with hypokinetic circulation, during pacing the pressure-time per minute index first increased and then paradoxically decreased; this reaction can help find out patients with haemodynamic signs of heart failure.", "PMID": 610993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_365", "title": "Angina pectoris and middle-aged man.", "content": "The incidence of some risk factors of ischaemic heart disease in men aged 40-55 years is compared with the presence and absence of angina pectoris (AP). Patients with positive AP had significantly higher values of the blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, and ponderal index. The frequency of probably pathological and possibly ischaemic changes was likewise significantly higher in the group with AP. Intermittent claudication was more frequent in this group as well. No significant difference in consumption of cigarettes was found between the two groups.", "contents": "Angina pectoris and middle-aged man. The incidence of some risk factors of ischaemic heart disease in men aged 40-55 years is compared with the presence and absence of angina pectoris (AP). Patients with positive AP had significantly higher values of the blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, and ponderal index. The frequency of probably pathological and possibly ischaemic changes was likewise significantly higher in the group with AP. Intermittent claudication was more frequent in this group as well. No significant difference in consumption of cigarettes was found between the two groups.", "PMID": 610994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_366", "title": "Further studies on the effect of meals on electrocardiographic pattern in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease (angima pectoris) and normal electrocardiogram at rest.", "content": "The study included 380 subjects divided into 3 groups. Group I comprised 148 patients with angina pectoris and normal resting ECG. Group II included 172 patients with angina pectoris and ECG changes (52 with changes of the ST-T at rest, 120 patients after myocardial infarction). Group III [control] comprised 60 young healthy volunteers aged 21--24 years. In all subjects the ECG was recorded in the morning before breakfast, and then 30 and 60 min. after breakfast. On the following day, Master's test I was performed in group I and III and when its result was negative, Master's test II was carried out. In patients of group I, ST-T changes developed after meals in 113 cases (76.4%) and after Master's tests in 118 cases [79.7%]. In group II, ST-T changes became more intense in 97 [56.3%]. In the control group, ECG changes developed after meals in one case [1.6%] and after Master's tests in two [3.2%]. It is concluded that ECG examination after meals may be a valuable diagnositc test of ischaemic heart disease in patients with normal resting ECG in the period without anginal attacks when contraindications to Master's tests are present.", "contents": "Further studies on the effect of meals on electrocardiographic pattern in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease (angima pectoris) and normal electrocardiogram at rest. The study included 380 subjects divided into 3 groups. Group I comprised 148 patients with angina pectoris and normal resting ECG. Group II included 172 patients with angina pectoris and ECG changes (52 with changes of the ST-T at rest, 120 patients after myocardial infarction). Group III [control] comprised 60 young healthy volunteers aged 21--24 years. In all subjects the ECG was recorded in the morning before breakfast, and then 30 and 60 min. after breakfast. On the following day, Master's test I was performed in group I and III and when its result was negative, Master's test II was carried out. In patients of group I, ST-T changes developed after meals in 113 cases (76.4%) and after Master's tests in 118 cases [79.7%]. In group II, ST-T changes became more intense in 97 [56.3%]. In the control group, ECG changes developed after meals in one case [1.6%] and after Master's tests in two [3.2%]. It is concluded that ECG examination after meals may be a valuable diagnositc test of ischaemic heart disease in patients with normal resting ECG in the period without anginal attacks when contraindications to Master's tests are present.", "PMID": 610995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_367", "title": "The effect of lung resection on some blood circulation factors in children.", "content": "Eighteen children (8 boys, 10 girls) aged 6-16 years were examined. In all of them the basic diagnosis was bronchiectasia. Catheterization of the lesser circulation global spirometric examination, and perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99mTc both before and 2--4 years after lung resection were performed. Operations performed: 14 cases of lobectomy, one of bilobectomy, three of pneumonectomy. In all of the 14 children after lobectomy the pulmonary arterial pressure remained normal even during exercise. In contrast to this, in the three children after pneumonectomy and in the one boy after bilobectomy the mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceeded 20 mmHg at rest or after exercise. The total pulmonary resistance, converted per square metre of body surface, was--with a single exception [4.7 units before surgery]--within normal limits; after minor resections it rather tended to decrease, whereas in two of four children after major resections it slightly increased. Postoperative perfusion lung scintigram revealed a worsening in comparison with the preoperative finding in practically all of the children. This worsening can be ascribed not only to the restriction of lung tissue, but also to a compensatory emphysema of the remaining parenchyma. In patients with bronchiectasia, extensive resections have uncertain long-term prognosis.", "contents": "The effect of lung resection on some blood circulation factors in children. Eighteen children (8 boys, 10 girls) aged 6-16 years were examined. In all of them the basic diagnosis was bronchiectasia. Catheterization of the lesser circulation global spirometric examination, and perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99mTc both before and 2--4 years after lung resection were performed. Operations performed: 14 cases of lobectomy, one of bilobectomy, three of pneumonectomy. In all of the 14 children after lobectomy the pulmonary arterial pressure remained normal even during exercise. In contrast to this, in the three children after pneumonectomy and in the one boy after bilobectomy the mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceeded 20 mmHg at rest or after exercise. The total pulmonary resistance, converted per square metre of body surface, was--with a single exception [4.7 units before surgery]--within normal limits; after minor resections it rather tended to decrease, whereas in two of four children after major resections it slightly increased. Postoperative perfusion lung scintigram revealed a worsening in comparison with the preoperative finding in practically all of the children. This worsening can be ascribed not only to the restriction of lung tissue, but also to a compensatory emphysema of the remaining parenchyma. In patients with bronchiectasia, extensive resections have uncertain long-term prognosis.", "PMID": 610996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_368", "title": "Alterations of systemic haemodynamics in experimental renovascular hypertension in dogs of different ages.", "content": "Renovascular hypertension [bilateral simultaneous stenosis of renal arteries] was produced in 35 dogs of different ages [18--22 days, 2--3 months, 3--5 years]. On days 3 and 14 of renal ischaemia, the alterations were investigated that had occurred in the arterial pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral vascular resistance [TPVR], left ventricular work, and other haemodynamic indicators. It was found that the more marked elevation of arterial pressure in puppies was connected not only with increased TPVR, but also with enhanced cardiac output and stroke volume, whereas in mature animals at increased TPVR the cardiac output and stroke volume were reduced. The authors ascribe the differences in haemodynamic changes to age-dependent differences in intracardiac compensation, autonomous regulation of heart function, and the functional state of the renin-angiotensin system.", "contents": "Alterations of systemic haemodynamics in experimental renovascular hypertension in dogs of different ages. Renovascular hypertension [bilateral simultaneous stenosis of renal arteries] was produced in 35 dogs of different ages [18--22 days, 2--3 months, 3--5 years]. On days 3 and 14 of renal ischaemia, the alterations were investigated that had occurred in the arterial pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral vascular resistance [TPVR], left ventricular work, and other haemodynamic indicators. It was found that the more marked elevation of arterial pressure in puppies was connected not only with increased TPVR, but also with enhanced cardiac output and stroke volume, whereas in mature animals at increased TPVR the cardiac output and stroke volume were reduced. The authors ascribe the differences in haemodynamic changes to age-dependent differences in intracardiac compensation, autonomous regulation of heart function, and the functional state of the renin-angiotensin system.", "PMID": 610997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_369", "title": "Myocardial changes after chronic immunization of guinea pigs with diphtheria--tetanus--pertussis (DTP) vaccine.", "content": "Fifteen guinea pigs were immunized with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine once a week throughout the period of 10 months. The control group included 5 guinea pigs. ECG tracings were recorded every second week in both groups of animals. ST-T changes were the most important findings. Sometimes the ECG resembled the picture found in endocardial fibroelastosis in children. ECG abnormalities appeared 3 months after the beginning of the experiment, and were frequently variable. Less pronounced ST-T changes were found also in control animals, but they disappeared after the administration of Inderal. The histological pictures revealed a thickening of the endocardium and degenerative changes of the ganglion cells of the atria; these changes did not always correlate with electrocardiographic tracing.", "contents": "Myocardial changes after chronic immunization of guinea pigs with diphtheria--tetanus--pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Fifteen guinea pigs were immunized with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine once a week throughout the period of 10 months. The control group included 5 guinea pigs. ECG tracings were recorded every second week in both groups of animals. ST-T changes were the most important findings. Sometimes the ECG resembled the picture found in endocardial fibroelastosis in children. ECG abnormalities appeared 3 months after the beginning of the experiment, and were frequently variable. Less pronounced ST-T changes were found also in control animals, but they disappeared after the administration of Inderal. The histological pictures revealed a thickening of the endocardium and degenerative changes of the ganglion cells of the atria; these changes did not always correlate with electrocardiographic tracing.", "PMID": 610998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_370", "title": "Abnormal chromosomes and number 1 heterochromatin variants revealed in C-banded preparations from 13 bladder carcinomas.", "content": "The chromosomes of 13 carcinomas of the bladder were studied in C- and G-banded preparations. Heteromorphism for the amount of centromeric heteromorphism on the no. 1 chromosomes was apparent in eight tumours, and in three of these the heteromorphism was also found in the patient's normal cells. In four tumours, there were pericentric inversions of the heterochromatic regions of one or more no. 1 chromosomes. Major structural changes involving no. 1 chromosomes appeared to have occurred in at least seven of the tumours. In addition to the high incidence of heterochromatin variants (known or presumed to be constitutional phenomena), and major structural changes involving the no. 1 chromosomes, a further feature, common to four tumours, was the presence of a heterochromatic minute.", "contents": "Abnormal chromosomes and number 1 heterochromatin variants revealed in C-banded preparations from 13 bladder carcinomas. The chromosomes of 13 carcinomas of the bladder were studied in C- and G-banded preparations. Heteromorphism for the amount of centromeric heteromorphism on the no. 1 chromosomes was apparent in eight tumours, and in three of these the heteromorphism was also found in the patient's normal cells. In four tumours, there were pericentric inversions of the heterochromatic regions of one or more no. 1 chromosomes. Major structural changes involving no. 1 chromosomes appeared to have occurred in at least seven of the tumours. In addition to the high incidence of heterochromatin variants (known or presumed to be constitutional phenomena), and major structural changes involving the no. 1 chromosomes, a further feature, common to four tumours, was the presence of a heterochromatic minute.", "PMID": 610999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_371", "title": "Effects of starvation on vacuolar apparatus of cardiac muscle tissue determined by electron microscopy, marker-enzyme assays and electrolyte studies.", "content": "The effects of a six day starvation regimen on rats' hearts were studied by electron microscopy in combination with marker-enzyme assays of density-sedimentation (rho-S) zonal centrifugation fractions, and with Na+, K+ and Ca++ determinations of sera and heart homogenates. The evidence suggested that massive intracellular cardiac destruction occurred by two pathways. One pathway was seen by electron micrography in which proliferation of lysosomal populations was demonstrated. The finding was confirmed biochemically by increased activities of lysosomal acid hydrolases, particularly cathepsin D. The second pathway was deduced from biochemical and electrolytic data. It was believed to have been initiated by cellular K+ retention, which provided the acid milieu required for intracellular Ca++ retention. It is postulated that the resulting increase in Ca++ activated the loosely-bound membrane neutral (pH 7.4), and alkaline (pH 8.5) proteases, causing subcellular autolysis, particularly involving mitochondria, myofibrils and sarcoplasmic reticulum.", "contents": "Effects of starvation on vacuolar apparatus of cardiac muscle tissue determined by electron microscopy, marker-enzyme assays and electrolyte studies. The effects of a six day starvation regimen on rats' hearts were studied by electron microscopy in combination with marker-enzyme assays of density-sedimentation (rho-S) zonal centrifugation fractions, and with Na+, K+ and Ca++ determinations of sera and heart homogenates. The evidence suggested that massive intracellular cardiac destruction occurred by two pathways. One pathway was seen by electron micrography in which proliferation of lysosomal populations was demonstrated. The finding was confirmed biochemically by increased activities of lysosomal acid hydrolases, particularly cathepsin D. The second pathway was deduced from biochemical and electrolytic data. It was believed to have been initiated by cellular K+ retention, which provided the acid milieu required for intracellular Ca++ retention. It is postulated that the resulting increase in Ca++ activated the loosely-bound membrane neutral (pH 7.4), and alkaline (pH 8.5) proteases, causing subcellular autolysis, particularly involving mitochondria, myofibrils and sarcoplasmic reticulum.", "PMID": 611000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_372", "title": "A chromosome survey of five species of Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).", "content": "Chromosome numbers and sex-determining mechanisms of five species of Cassida beetles from different Spanish sources are given. C. deflorata Suffr. and C. flaveola Thunb. show a 8(11) + Xyp formula, C. vibex L. 9(11) + Xyp, and C. margaritacea Schall. and C. viridis L., 14(11) + Xyp. These chromosomal findings are in agreement with the current morphological systematics of Cassida. The karyotypes of C. deflorata, C. vibex and C. viridis are constituted by metacentric chromosomes mostly, but there are clear differences in the total complement lengths between the three species. The possible tendencies in the chromosomal evolution of Cassidinae beetles are also discussed assuming a primitive karyotype of 18 chromosomes.", "contents": "A chromosome survey of five species of Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Chromosome numbers and sex-determining mechanisms of five species of Cassida beetles from different Spanish sources are given. C. deflorata Suffr. and C. flaveola Thunb. show a 8(11) + Xyp formula, C. vibex L. 9(11) + Xyp, and C. margaritacea Schall. and C. viridis L., 14(11) + Xyp. These chromosomal findings are in agreement with the current morphological systematics of Cassida. The karyotypes of C. deflorata, C. vibex and C. viridis are constituted by metacentric chromosomes mostly, but there are clear differences in the total complement lengths between the three species. The possible tendencies in the chromosomal evolution of Cassidinae beetles are also discussed assuming a primitive karyotype of 18 chromosomes.", "PMID": 611001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_373", "title": "The mitogenic response of cryopreserved human lymphocytes in a microculture system.", "content": "Fresh blood lymphocytes from nine health donors have been compared with samples from the same donors, recovered after period of 2 to 21 months storage in liquid nitrogen, for the capacity to respond to a range of mitogens in vitro. A microculture assay was used, requireing aliquots of only 25,000 cells. The mean levels of 14C-thymidine uptake for fresh and frozen samples were closely comparable when the cells had been stimulated by PHA, Pokeweed or mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells. Lymphocytes from six East African donors, frozen by a very simple technique, were recovered after 3 or more years storage in liquid nitrogen. Five of the samples were in good condition as judged by cell viability and the capacity to form spontaneous 'E' rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. These five samples also responded extremely well to PHA, PWM and mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells using the microculture assay. This study extends the range of applications of cell banks in which small aliquots of blood lymphocytes are stored in liquid nitrogen for periods of several years.", "contents": "The mitogenic response of cryopreserved human lymphocytes in a microculture system. Fresh blood lymphocytes from nine health donors have been compared with samples from the same donors, recovered after period of 2 to 21 months storage in liquid nitrogen, for the capacity to respond to a range of mitogens in vitro. A microculture assay was used, requireing aliquots of only 25,000 cells. The mean levels of 14C-thymidine uptake for fresh and frozen samples were closely comparable when the cells had been stimulated by PHA, Pokeweed or mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells. Lymphocytes from six East African donors, frozen by a very simple technique, were recovered after 3 or more years storage in liquid nitrogen. Five of the samples were in good condition as judged by cell viability and the capacity to form spontaneous 'E' rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. These five samples also responded extremely well to PHA, PWM and mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells using the microculture assay. This study extends the range of applications of cell banks in which small aliquots of blood lymphocytes are stored in liquid nitrogen for periods of several years.", "PMID": 611002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_374", "title": "Random arrangement of mitotic chromosomes in radial metaphases of the Indian muntjac.", "content": "The positioning of metaphase chromosomes of the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in the radial metaphase array was investigated using two methods for examining cells. Large numbers of radial metaphase figures were obtained by mitotic shake-off. Treatment with hypotonic solution, fixation, and spreading onto glass slides did not disrupt the radial metaphase configuration of a proportion of the cells. Analysis of 567 cells for the arrangement of six of the seven muntjac chromosomes revealed a random positioning of each chromosomes within the radial array. These results were corroborated by results obtained from 101 living cells oriented with microneedles to enable examination of radial metaphases with phase-contrast microscopy.", "contents": "Random arrangement of mitotic chromosomes in radial metaphases of the Indian muntjac. The positioning of metaphase chromosomes of the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in the radial metaphase array was investigated using two methods for examining cells. Large numbers of radial metaphase figures were obtained by mitotic shake-off. Treatment with hypotonic solution, fixation, and spreading onto glass slides did not disrupt the radial metaphase configuration of a proportion of the cells. Analysis of 567 cells for the arrangement of six of the seven muntjac chromosomes revealed a random positioning of each chromosomes within the radial array. These results were corroborated by results obtained from 101 living cells oriented with microneedles to enable examination of radial metaphases with phase-contrast microscopy.", "PMID": 611003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_375", "title": "The karyotype of the tetraploid species Xenopus vestitus Laurent (Anura: pipidae).", "content": "Xenopus vestitus possesses 72 chromosomes, wherease in the majority of known Xenopus species there are 2n = 36. During meiosis, 36 bivalents are usually observed at metaphase I and 36 chromosomes at metaphase II. Arranged according to size and centromere position, the chromosomes form the same basic morphologic groups typical of the genus Xenopus. However, the groups are composed of quartets of four similar chromosomes instead of diploid pairs of homologs. The exception to this arrangement involves chromosomes bearing secondary constrictions, which in X. vestitus are represented by two different pairs of homologs, one of which shows, in 39% of the observed mitoses, somatic association and is, therefore, considered to carry the nucleolar organizer. X. vestitus represents either a case of ancient autotetraploidy or, more likely, one of allotetraploidy of more modern origin.", "contents": "The karyotype of the tetraploid species Xenopus vestitus Laurent (Anura: pipidae). Xenopus vestitus possesses 72 chromosomes, wherease in the majority of known Xenopus species there are 2n = 36. During meiosis, 36 bivalents are usually observed at metaphase I and 36 chromosomes at metaphase II. Arranged according to size and centromere position, the chromosomes form the same basic morphologic groups typical of the genus Xenopus. However, the groups are composed of quartets of four similar chromosomes instead of diploid pairs of homologs. The exception to this arrangement involves chromosomes bearing secondary constrictions, which in X. vestitus are represented by two different pairs of homologs, one of which shows, in 39% of the observed mitoses, somatic association and is, therefore, considered to carry the nucleolar organizer. X. vestitus represents either a case of ancient autotetraploidy or, more likely, one of allotetraploidy of more modern origin.", "PMID": 611004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_376", "title": "Complementation between senescent human diploid cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line.", "content": "Active thymidine incorporation was observed in both parental nuclei in heterokaryons derived via polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of postreplicative \"senescent\" human diploid fibroblast-like cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line (3T3der-4E). Some increase of the 3H-thymidine labeling index was also apparent in infused 3T3der-4E cells so-cultivated with senescent cells, consistent with metabolic cooperation. While no human metaphases could be detected in control hybrid preparations, hybrid metaphase figures containing essentially the entire human complement were demonstrated in the fused cultures as early as 24 h after fusion; the morphology of the human chromosome (bi-armed) suggested that the senescent human cells were stimulated to reinitiate replicative DNA synthesis rather than repair.", "contents": "Complementation between senescent human diploid cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line. Active thymidine incorporation was observed in both parental nuclei in heterokaryons derived via polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of postreplicative \"senescent\" human diploid fibroblast-like cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line (3T3der-4E). Some increase of the 3H-thymidine labeling index was also apparent in infused 3T3der-4E cells so-cultivated with senescent cells, consistent with metabolic cooperation. While no human metaphases could be detected in control hybrid preparations, hybrid metaphase figures containing essentially the entire human complement were demonstrated in the fused cultures as early as 24 h after fusion; the morphology of the human chromosome (bi-armed) suggested that the senescent human cells were stimulated to reinitiate replicative DNA synthesis rather than repair.", "PMID": 611005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_377", "title": "[Tardive Dyskinesia induced by neuroleptics: a survey of 3140 patients in a psychiatric hospital].", "content": "Tardive dyskinesia constitute the most serious complications of long term treatment with neuroleptics. In this study e,140 patients (1,568 men, 1,572 women) were examined in 4 psychiatric hospitals. 258 (8.2%) patients were found to present such a syndrom. The frequency of tardive dyskinesia was higher among female patients (167 women; 10.6%) than among male patients (91; 5.8%). On the average dyskinetic women were older than men (64.9 versus 54 years old). In 59.3% of the cases, dyskinesia was limited to an oro-facial symptomatology, but in 40.6% of the cases, this was associated with a choreo-atheto\u00efd syndrom. Most of these patients were chronic patients. On the average they had been in hospital for 20 years, and had received neuroleptic treatment for 15 years. In half of the patients, the treatment was undergone for schizophrenia and chronic delusion. Other syndroms encountered were mental retardation, dementia, affective disorders, epilepsy, alcoholism, character disorders, etc... The frequency of tardive dyskinesia that we observed is certainly a minimum since there exits a number of transient pathological forms. We discuss a few aspects of treatments of tardive dyskinesia with neuroleptics, lithium, diethylaminoethanol, choline... we insist particularly on the problem of prevention. In patients treated with neuroleptics, tardive dyskinesea might be stopped at an early stage: secondary prevention, consisting in an early detection of the first symptoms of lingual or facial dyskinesia, should lead, if possible, to the withdrawal of the treatment. Primary prevention appears to be very important: the risk of drug-induced dyskinesia appears to be higher among people above 50 of age, and neuroleptic treatment should be administered only for the most serious forms of mental illnesses.", "contents": "[Tardive Dyskinesia induced by neuroleptics: a survey of 3140 patients in a psychiatric hospital]. Tardive dyskinesia constitute the most serious complications of long term treatment with neuroleptics. In this study e,140 patients (1,568 men, 1,572 women) were examined in 4 psychiatric hospitals. 258 (8.2%) patients were found to present such a syndrom. The frequency of tardive dyskinesia was higher among female patients (167 women; 10.6%) than among male patients (91; 5.8%). On the average dyskinetic women were older than men (64.9 versus 54 years old). In 59.3% of the cases, dyskinesia was limited to an oro-facial symptomatology, but in 40.6% of the cases, this was associated with a choreo-atheto\u00efd syndrom. Most of these patients were chronic patients. On the average they had been in hospital for 20 years, and had received neuroleptic treatment for 15 years. In half of the patients, the treatment was undergone for schizophrenia and chronic delusion. Other syndroms encountered were mental retardation, dementia, affective disorders, epilepsy, alcoholism, character disorders, etc... The frequency of tardive dyskinesia that we observed is certainly a minimum since there exits a number of transient pathological forms. We discuss a few aspects of treatments of tardive dyskinesia with neuroleptics, lithium, diethylaminoethanol, choline... we insist particularly on the problem of prevention. In patients treated with neuroleptics, tardive dyskinesea might be stopped at an early stage: secondary prevention, consisting in an early detection of the first symptoms of lingual or facial dyskinesia, should lead, if possible, to the withdrawal of the treatment. Primary prevention appears to be very important: the risk of drug-induced dyskinesia appears to be higher among people above 50 of age, and neuroleptic treatment should be administered only for the most serious forms of mental illnesses.", "PMID": 611013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_378", "title": "[Toxic syndrome induced by neuroleptics: report of 7 cases].", "content": "Seven cases of malignant syndrom due to neuroleptic drugs are reported, three of them in patients receiving long-acting medication. The authors point out the seriousness of such accidents, two of seven cases leading to death. Clinical features consist mainly of hyperthermia which can be erroneously attributed to infectious disease. Muscular hypertonicity is often associated with hyperthermia. Tetanus was evoked for two patients. In the absence of satisfactory physiopathologic explanation, treatment is merely symptomatic, based on intensive care. So far, this type of accident has been little known; it was important to focus our attention on it.", "contents": "[Toxic syndrome induced by neuroleptics: report of 7 cases]. Seven cases of malignant syndrom due to neuroleptic drugs are reported, three of them in patients receiving long-acting medication. The authors point out the seriousness of such accidents, two of seven cases leading to death. Clinical features consist mainly of hyperthermia which can be erroneously attributed to infectious disease. Muscular hypertonicity is often associated with hyperthermia. Tetanus was evoked for two patients. In the absence of satisfactory physiopathologic explanation, treatment is merely symptomatic, based on intensive care. So far, this type of accident has been little known; it was important to focus our attention on it.", "PMID": 611014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_379", "title": "[\"Heat stroke\" and/or \"Malin's syndrome\" in a patient treated with fluphenazine decanoate].", "content": "The role of the \"heat stroke\" is discussed on account of an observation of hyperthermia (42 degrees C or 107.6 Farenheit) that occured with a patient under fluphenazine decanoate, during the summer 1976 heat wave. Contrary to the American descriptions of heat strokes, the patient kept his perspiring ability. Moreover, there was no hypertonic extrapyramidal syndrome, but hypotonia instead. It is to be noted that the preliminary treatment by the corresponding standard neuroleptic (fluphenazine chlorhydrate) did not prevent that hyperthermia whose evolution was rapidly favorable.", "contents": "[\"Heat stroke\" and/or \"Malin's syndrome\" in a patient treated with fluphenazine decanoate]. The role of the \"heat stroke\" is discussed on account of an observation of hyperthermia (42 degrees C or 107.6 Farenheit) that occured with a patient under fluphenazine decanoate, during the summer 1976 heat wave. Contrary to the American descriptions of heat strokes, the patient kept his perspiring ability. Moreover, there was no hypertonic extrapyramidal syndrome, but hypotonia instead. It is to be noted that the preliminary treatment by the corresponding standard neuroleptic (fluphenazine chlorhydrate) did not prevent that hyperthermia whose evolution was rapidly favorable.", "PMID": 611015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_380", "title": "[Modern concepts of \"cerebrovascular dementia\"].", "content": "The incidence of both atherosclerosis and demential increases with age and therefore the terms \"cerebral atherosclerosis\" or \"cerebro-vascular dementia\" are commonly used for any mental deterioration in elderly persons. These names depend on the proposition of a gradual narrowing of cerebral arteries as an inevitable accompaniement of ageing which ends in dementia through a progressive reduction of cerebral blood flow. This apparently reasonnable hypothesis has now been shown to be wrong. ;t has been established that first, senile dementia is not due to cerebral atherosclerosis in spite of the frequent coexistence of degenerative and vascular lesions; and secondly, true cerebro vascular dementia results from the destruction of brain tissue following cerebral infarction; hence the proper term is \"multi-infarct dementia\". This neuronal destruction leads to decrease in cerebral metabolism and blood flow and to intellectual deterioration. The diagnostic criteria are therefore those of cerebral infarcts i.e: arterial hypertension and/or signs of atherosclerosis, sudden onset and/or stepwise progression, and focal neurological signs. If one follow those criteria, multi-infarct dementia accounts for only about 10% of all dementias; if one does not, the diagnosis will continue to be made to the exclusion of other potentially curable causes of dementias. Five clinico-pathological forms can be distinguished according to the size, number and site of the infarcts: lacunar state, large multiple infarcts, watershed infarction, single infarct and Binswanger's encephalopathy. This distinction is always arbitrary because the association of lacunes and large infarcts is very common in multi-infarct dementia. The almost invariable failure of all therapeutic measures once multi-infarct dementia has been established stresses the importance of prevention. This depends on prevention of cerebral infarcts, i.e. on the correction of risk factors amongst which arterial hypertension is by far, the most important. Some cases benefit also from carotid surgery, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs but antihypertensive drugs are the most essential part. It is very likely that if all cases of arterial hypertension are properly treated, the incidence of multi-infarct dementia will decrease greatly.", "contents": "[Modern concepts of \"cerebrovascular dementia\"]. The incidence of both atherosclerosis and demential increases with age and therefore the terms \"cerebral atherosclerosis\" or \"cerebro-vascular dementia\" are commonly used for any mental deterioration in elderly persons. These names depend on the proposition of a gradual narrowing of cerebral arteries as an inevitable accompaniement of ageing which ends in dementia through a progressive reduction of cerebral blood flow. This apparently reasonnable hypothesis has now been shown to be wrong. ;t has been established that first, senile dementia is not due to cerebral atherosclerosis in spite of the frequent coexistence of degenerative and vascular lesions; and secondly, true cerebro vascular dementia results from the destruction of brain tissue following cerebral infarction; hence the proper term is \"multi-infarct dementia\". This neuronal destruction leads to decrease in cerebral metabolism and blood flow and to intellectual deterioration. The diagnostic criteria are therefore those of cerebral infarcts i.e: arterial hypertension and/or signs of atherosclerosis, sudden onset and/or stepwise progression, and focal neurological signs. If one follow those criteria, multi-infarct dementia accounts for only about 10% of all dementias; if one does not, the diagnosis will continue to be made to the exclusion of other potentially curable causes of dementias. Five clinico-pathological forms can be distinguished according to the size, number and site of the infarcts: lacunar state, large multiple infarcts, watershed infarction, single infarct and Binswanger's encephalopathy. This distinction is always arbitrary because the association of lacunes and large infarcts is very common in multi-infarct dementia. The almost invariable failure of all therapeutic measures once multi-infarct dementia has been established stresses the importance of prevention. This depends on prevention of cerebral infarcts, i.e. on the correction of risk factors amongst which arterial hypertension is by far, the most important. Some cases benefit also from carotid surgery, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs but antihypertensive drugs are the most essential part. It is very likely that if all cases of arterial hypertension are properly treated, the incidence of multi-infarct dementia will decrease greatly.", "PMID": 611016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_381", "title": "Phylogeny of immunoglobulin structure and function; characterization of the cysteine-containing peptide involved in the pentamerization of shark IgM.", "content": "Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) immunoglobulins were studied in an attempt to further define the relationship between the naturally occurring monomeric 7S and the pentameric 19S forms of extracellular IgM. A peptide containing the cysteine involved in the formation of intersubunit disulfide bonds linking 7S monomers into pentamers was isolated from the H chain of the 19S molecule and characterized. A similar peptide was also isolated from the H chain of the naturally occurring 7S molecule. These observations serve to substantiate previous claims that the two shark proteins belong to the same immunoglobulin class.", "contents": "Phylogeny of immunoglobulin structure and function; characterization of the cysteine-containing peptide involved in the pentamerization of shark IgM. Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) immunoglobulins were studied in an attempt to further define the relationship between the naturally occurring monomeric 7S and the pentameric 19S forms of extracellular IgM. A peptide containing the cysteine involved in the formation of intersubunit disulfide bonds linking 7S monomers into pentamers was isolated from the H chain of the 19S molecule and characterized. A similar peptide was also isolated from the H chain of the naturally occurring 7S molecule. These observations serve to substantiate previous claims that the two shark proteins belong to the same immunoglobulin class.", "PMID": 611021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_382", "title": "Regulatory effect of temperature and antigen upon immunity in ectothermic vertebrates. II. Primary enhancement of anti-hapten antibody response at high and low temperatures.", "content": "Enhancement of primary anti-hapten antibody response was more efficient when carp were preimmunized with modified carrier, rather than with its native form, especially when they were challenged with a slightly substituted penicilloyl-BSA conjugate (Pen5 BSA). No significant enhancement was obtained when the fish were challenged with a heavy conjugate (Pen30 BSA). When fish kept at optimal temperature were preinjected with the modified carriers, rising titers of anti-hapten antibodies were obtained even when the fish were transferred to low temperature just before being challenged with Pen5 BSA. It was concluded that modified carriers are more efficient in enhancing the anti-hapten antibody response and light conjugates are needed to make the cell cooperation possible. It was also suggested that when helper memory cell maturation was allowed to develop at optimal conditions, both cell cooperation and antibody synthesis could occur at low temperatures.", "contents": "Regulatory effect of temperature and antigen upon immunity in ectothermic vertebrates. II. Primary enhancement of anti-hapten antibody response at high and low temperatures. Enhancement of primary anti-hapten antibody response was more efficient when carp were preimmunized with modified carrier, rather than with its native form, especially when they were challenged with a slightly substituted penicilloyl-BSA conjugate (Pen5 BSA). No significant enhancement was obtained when the fish were challenged with a heavy conjugate (Pen30 BSA). When fish kept at optimal temperature were preinjected with the modified carriers, rising titers of anti-hapten antibodies were obtained even when the fish were transferred to low temperature just before being challenged with Pen5 BSA. It was concluded that modified carriers are more efficient in enhancing the anti-hapten antibody response and light conjugates are needed to make the cell cooperation possible. It was also suggested that when helper memory cell maturation was allowed to develop at optimal conditions, both cell cooperation and antibody synthesis could occur at low temperatures.", "PMID": 611022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_383", "title": "Toward stationary populations and beyond.", "content": "The world's rate of population growth is declining. Most industrialized societies have achieved or are moving rapidly toward stationary populations, but while birth rates are also declining in many developing countries, continued growth must be expected because of the large proportions of young people in these populations. New evidence of exceptions to the classical demographic transition theory indicate that declining fertility is compatible with high mortality or low socioeconomic development if acceptable means of fertility control are readily available. \"Fertility silhouettes\" showing differing age-specific fertility rates indicate that present family planning programs have had a demographic impact. A review of the economic and ecologic consequences of rapid population growth justifies the conclusion that considerable effort will be required to again bring the world's population into balance with these systems. The author outlines priorities for this effort, with emphasis on the need to devise acceptable means of fertility control that will not tax the frail health care infrastructures of developing countries.", "contents": "Toward stationary populations and beyond. The world's rate of population growth is declining. Most industrialized societies have achieved or are moving rapidly toward stationary populations, but while birth rates are also declining in many developing countries, continued growth must be expected because of the large proportions of young people in these populations. New evidence of exceptions to the classical demographic transition theory indicate that declining fertility is compatible with high mortality or low socioeconomic development if acceptable means of fertility control are readily available. \"Fertility silhouettes\" showing differing age-specific fertility rates indicate that present family planning programs have had a demographic impact. A review of the economic and ecologic consequences of rapid population growth justifies the conclusion that considerable effort will be required to again bring the world's population into balance with these systems. The author outlines priorities for this effort, with emphasis on the need to devise acceptable means of fertility control that will not tax the frail health care infrastructures of developing countries.", "PMID": 611023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_384", "title": "Clinical and hormonal response of patients with galactorrhea syndrome treated with bromergocryptine.", "content": "Tne patients with galactorrhea syndrome were treated with two different daily dosages (5 mg and 7.5 mg) of Bromergocryptine. The 5 mg daily dosage often did not produce the desired hormonal and clinical response. Five patients were treated with this regimen for 38 to 90 days, with treatment extending over more than one menstrual cycle. However, the 7.5 mg daily dosage resulted in complete cessation of galactorrhea in all patients, restoration of menstrual cycles in five patients, and pregnancies in four patients. Disappearance of lactation proved to be a very good indicator of the general responsiveness of patients. Nausea, vomiting, and occasional dizziness were side effects of the drug. The case histories and hormonal findings of four typical patients are reported.", "contents": "Clinical and hormonal response of patients with galactorrhea syndrome treated with bromergocryptine. Tne patients with galactorrhea syndrome were treated with two different daily dosages (5 mg and 7.5 mg) of Bromergocryptine. The 5 mg daily dosage often did not produce the desired hormonal and clinical response. Five patients were treated with this regimen for 38 to 90 days, with treatment extending over more than one menstrual cycle. However, the 7.5 mg daily dosage resulted in complete cessation of galactorrhea in all patients, restoration of menstrual cycles in five patients, and pregnancies in four patients. Disappearance of lactation proved to be a very good indicator of the general responsiveness of patients. Nausea, vomiting, and occasional dizziness were side effects of the drug. The case histories and hormonal findings of four typical patients are reported.", "PMID": 611024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_385", "title": "Investigation of amenorrhea with a simplified clomiphene test.", "content": "To simplify the clinical evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function, a 5-day treatment regimen of 100 mg clomiphene administered daily was tested on a group of 30 amenorrheic women (4 with primary amnenorrhea and 26 with secondary amenorrhea). Vaginal smears and serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estradiol-17beta and progesterone levels were obtained prior to treatment and 5 and 12 days after treatment ended. According to her response to clomiphene, each patient was assigned to one of the four response categories established by Kjeld et al. (6). Based on clinical findings and changes in serum hormone levels, the patients' responses to clomiphene were categorized as \"normal\" (the patient ovulated), \"partial\" (the patient experienced menstrual bleeding without ovulation), \"minimal\" (rise in estradiol without menses), and \"nil\". Of the parameters studied, the patient's serum estradiol level was the most sensitive index of her response to clomiphene.", "contents": "Investigation of amenorrhea with a simplified clomiphene test. To simplify the clinical evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function, a 5-day treatment regimen of 100 mg clomiphene administered daily was tested on a group of 30 amenorrheic women (4 with primary amnenorrhea and 26 with secondary amenorrhea). Vaginal smears and serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estradiol-17beta and progesterone levels were obtained prior to treatment and 5 and 12 days after treatment ended. According to her response to clomiphene, each patient was assigned to one of the four response categories established by Kjeld et al. (6). Based on clinical findings and changes in serum hormone levels, the patients' responses to clomiphene were categorized as \"normal\" (the patient ovulated), \"partial\" (the patient experienced menstrual bleeding without ovulation), \"minimal\" (rise in estradiol without menses), and \"nil\". Of the parameters studied, the patient's serum estradiol level was the most sensitive index of her response to clomiphene.", "PMID": 611027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_386", "title": "The pregnant couple.", "content": "Although the husband's reactions to and feelings about his wife's pregnancy are frequently overlooked, his wife is always concerned about his perception of her. She often feels unattractive and is most interested in how satisfied her husband is with her pregnant body. The present study attempts to determine whether the husband or wife viewed the wife's body more positively, whether the husbands and wives could accurately predict each other's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body, and whether husbands' and wives' attitudes about important perinatal issues differed significantly. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance, comparing the husbands' and wives' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body. The body cathexis scale was used to measure such satisfaction and Osgood's semantic differential measured attitudes toward \"pregnancy\", \"spouse\", \"unborn baby\", and \"labor and delivery\". Findings show that husbands were more satisfied with their wives' pregnant bodies than the wives themselves were. The wives were not able to predict their husbands' levels of satisfaction, although the men accurately predicted their wives' responses. Husbands also tended to hold more positive attitudes toward perinatal issues.", "contents": "The pregnant couple. Although the husband's reactions to and feelings about his wife's pregnancy are frequently overlooked, his wife is always concerned about his perception of her. She often feels unattractive and is most interested in how satisfied her husband is with her pregnant body. The present study attempts to determine whether the husband or wife viewed the wife's body more positively, whether the husbands and wives could accurately predict each other's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body, and whether husbands' and wives' attitudes about important perinatal issues differed significantly. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance, comparing the husbands' and wives' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body. The body cathexis scale was used to measure such satisfaction and Osgood's semantic differential measured attitudes toward \"pregnancy\", \"spouse\", \"unborn baby\", and \"labor and delivery\". Findings show that husbands were more satisfied with their wives' pregnant bodies than the wives themselves were. The wives were not able to predict their husbands' levels of satisfaction, although the men accurately predicted their wives' responses. Husbands also tended to hold more positive attitudes toward perinatal issues.", "PMID": 611028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_387", "title": "Topical uterine anesthesia: a preliminary report.", "content": "The instillation of 1 to 6 ml of 1% lidocaine was evaluated as a topical anesthetic method of reducing pain associated with uterine manipulations during gynecologic procedures. A plastic acorn cannula connected to a metal adapter and syringe was used to administer the topical anesthetic in 146 intrauterine device insertions, 16 cervical dilatations, and 18 dilatation and curettage procedures. Most patients reported satisfactory relief of pain. No complications were attributed to the topical anesthetic.", "contents": "Topical uterine anesthesia: a preliminary report. The instillation of 1 to 6 ml of 1% lidocaine was evaluated as a topical anesthetic method of reducing pain associated with uterine manipulations during gynecologic procedures. A plastic acorn cannula connected to a metal adapter and syringe was used to administer the topical anesthetic in 146 intrauterine device insertions, 16 cervical dilatations, and 18 dilatation and curettage procedures. Most patients reported satisfactory relief of pain. No complications were attributed to the topical anesthetic.", "PMID": 611029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_388", "title": "Contraceptive practice after women have undergone \"spontaneous\" abortion in Indonesia and Sudan.", "content": "Studies of hospitalized \"spontaneous\" abortion patients in two Muslim countries (Indonesia and Sudan) revealed the need for contraception in this group of married women and indicated the potential role of maternity hospitals in providing them with contraceptive counseling. It could not be determined which of the abortions were induced outside the hospital and which were truly spontaneous. Of the 893 women treated at the Djakarta Hospital, 15.3% used contraceptives during the month of conception of the index abortion, compared to 10.0% of the 2 759 patients in Khartoum. After hospitalization for completion of the abortion, the rates of contraceptive use increased by more than one third in both cities. The highest rates of increase in contraceptive use after abortion were noted among poorly educated women, women with large families, and women with abortions diagnosed as septic. Among the nonseptic patients at all hospitals, those experiencing complications associated with the abortion reported a slightly higher rate of postabortion contraceptive use. In hospitals where contraceptive counseling was provided, there was a proportional increase in postabortion use of contraceptives by the study population.", "contents": "Contraceptive practice after women have undergone \"spontaneous\" abortion in Indonesia and Sudan. Studies of hospitalized \"spontaneous\" abortion patients in two Muslim countries (Indonesia and Sudan) revealed the need for contraception in this group of married women and indicated the potential role of maternity hospitals in providing them with contraceptive counseling. It could not be determined which of the abortions were induced outside the hospital and which were truly spontaneous. Of the 893 women treated at the Djakarta Hospital, 15.3% used contraceptives during the month of conception of the index abortion, compared to 10.0% of the 2 759 patients in Khartoum. After hospitalization for completion of the abortion, the rates of contraceptive use increased by more than one third in both cities. The highest rates of increase in contraceptive use after abortion were noted among poorly educated women, women with large families, and women with abortions diagnosed as septic. Among the nonseptic patients at all hospitals, those experiencing complications associated with the abortion reported a slightly higher rate of postabortion contraceptive use. In hospitals where contraceptive counseling was provided, there was a proportional increase in postabortion use of contraceptives by the study population.", "PMID": 611030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_389", "title": "Sociocultural factors associated with cervical cancer in Bendel State, Nigeria.", "content": "This is an analysis of data on 50 patients treated for cervical cancer at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, from March 1973 to December 1976. The data were collected through a questionnaire designed to obtained information concerning various sociocultural factors about cervical cancer patients. Study results showed that 80% of the patients had no formal education and came from lower socioeconomic groups. Most of the patients (88%) married before the age of 20, and 76% reported frequent coitus. The patients were high-parity women; but high parity is also typical of the general female population. Since the culture demands that the male population be circumcised, a low incidence of cervical cancer might be expected. The occurrence of 65 cases of cancer of the cervix out of a total of 15 049 hospital gynecologic cases examined during the study period is possible evidence of such a low incidence in this population.", "contents": "Sociocultural factors associated with cervical cancer in Bendel State, Nigeria. This is an analysis of data on 50 patients treated for cervical cancer at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, from March 1973 to December 1976. The data were collected through a questionnaire designed to obtained information concerning various sociocultural factors about cervical cancer patients. Study results showed that 80% of the patients had no formal education and came from lower socioeconomic groups. Most of the patients (88%) married before the age of 20, and 76% reported frequent coitus. The patients were high-parity women; but high parity is also typical of the general female population. Since the culture demands that the male population be circumcised, a low incidence of cervical cancer might be expected. The occurrence of 65 cases of cancer of the cervix out of a total of 15 049 hospital gynecologic cases examined during the study period is possible evidence of such a low incidence in this population.", "PMID": 611032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_390", "title": "The value of bed rest in twin pregnancies.", "content": "The effect of bed rest on the duration of pregnancy, the birth weight of newborns, the frequency of premature birth, and perinatal mortality was examined in 491 twin pregnancies. Cases were divided into two groups - women hospitalized from the 24th-26th week of pregnancy until delivery (rested group, 242 patients) and outpatients (unrested group, 249 patients). The premature birth rate was considerably less for patients in the rested group: in this group 41.0% of the newborns were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 42.9% of them weighed less than 2 500 g, whereas in the unrested group 75.0% were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 77.2% weighed less than 2 500 g. In addition, the perinatal mortality rates observed in the two groups were significantly different. Based on these findings, we conclude that the high premature birth rates and subsequent high perinatal mortality may be considerably reduced if twin pregnancies are diagnosed early and patients are hospitalized from the 26th week until delivery.", "contents": "The value of bed rest in twin pregnancies. The effect of bed rest on the duration of pregnancy, the birth weight of newborns, the frequency of premature birth, and perinatal mortality was examined in 491 twin pregnancies. Cases were divided into two groups - women hospitalized from the 24th-26th week of pregnancy until delivery (rested group, 242 patients) and outpatients (unrested group, 249 patients). The premature birth rate was considerably less for patients in the rested group: in this group 41.0% of the newborns were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 42.9% of them weighed less than 2 500 g, whereas in the unrested group 75.0% were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 77.2% weighed less than 2 500 g. In addition, the perinatal mortality rates observed in the two groups were significantly different. Based on these findings, we conclude that the high premature birth rates and subsequent high perinatal mortality may be considerably reduced if twin pregnancies are diagnosed early and patients are hospitalized from the 26th week until delivery.", "PMID": 611033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_391", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, with extension in an in situ fashion into the endometrium.", "content": "A 55-year-old, white, multiparous woman had an invasive, endocervical, squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor had spread superficially into the entire endometrial cavity. The lesion abruptly terminated at the squamocolumnar junction, and the exocervix was free of invasion. Apparently, the cervical, malignant, squamous epithelium had spread upward in a superficial fashion and had mechanically replaced the columnar epithelium.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, with extension in an in situ fashion into the endometrium. A 55-year-old, white, multiparous woman had an invasive, endocervical, squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor had spread superficially into the entire endometrial cavity. The lesion abruptly terminated at the squamocolumnar junction, and the exocervix was free of invasion. Apparently, the cervical, malignant, squamous epithelium had spread upward in a superficial fashion and had mechanically replaced the columnar epithelium.", "PMID": 611034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_392", "title": "Postoperative staging of vulvar carcinoma: a retrospective study.", "content": "The clinical staging of malignant disease is necessary before initiating nonsurgical therapy. Unfortunately, such staging does not help answer critical questions about the course and natural history of the cancerous process. Answers to these questions are crucial to the planning of future therapeutic programs. A postoperative staging system, amenable to computer analysis, that can be retrospectively applied to a large series of invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva is presented. A review of the experience of a large oncologic service at the University of Buenos Aires, which used this new classification system, shows the system's applicability. Such a system could, in time, provide answers to many questions concerning invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.", "contents": "Postoperative staging of vulvar carcinoma: a retrospective study. The clinical staging of malignant disease is necessary before initiating nonsurgical therapy. Unfortunately, such staging does not help answer critical questions about the course and natural history of the cancerous process. Answers to these questions are crucial to the planning of future therapeutic programs. A postoperative staging system, amenable to computer analysis, that can be retrospectively applied to a large series of invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva is presented. A review of the experience of a large oncologic service at the University of Buenos Aires, which used this new classification system, shows the system's applicability. Such a system could, in time, provide answers to many questions concerning invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.", "PMID": 611035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_393", "title": "[Change in the microchromosome number in the process of macrochromosome spiralization in Gallus domesticus].", "content": "A correlation of mitotic spiralization of macrochromosomes with a change in the number of microchromosomes is detected. A wave character of microchromosomes variability during spiralization of macrochromosomes is suggested to be due to reversible despiralization of microchromosomes, which is probably a result of the colchicin treatment. Metaphase plates where the range of chromosome 1 length is from 10.5 to 12mu are recommended to calculate the number of microchromosomes.", "contents": "[Change in the microchromosome number in the process of macrochromosome spiralization in Gallus domesticus]. A correlation of mitotic spiralization of macrochromosomes with a change in the number of microchromosomes is detected. A wave character of microchromosomes variability during spiralization of macrochromosomes is suggested to be due to reversible despiralization of microchromosomes, which is probably a result of the colchicin treatment. Metaphase plates where the range of chromosome 1 length is from 10.5 to 12mu are recommended to calculate the number of microchromosomes.", "PMID": 611041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_394", "title": "[Genetic polymorphism of poultry blood serum esterases in relation to resistance to bacterial infections].", "content": "The experiments were carried out on White Leghorn, White Rock and Cornish chickens during the 1974--1975 season. The aim of the investigation was to study polymorphism of blood esterases in chickens in relation to their resistance to Salmonella pullorum and S. gallinarum. The data obtained indicate the following: 1) an additional, inheritant alyesterase fraction (A1) Appears in blood serum of resistant chickens after their contamination with Salmonella; 2) most chickens, which are resistant to Salmonella, have heterozygous genotype for blood serum cholinesterase.", "contents": "[Genetic polymorphism of poultry blood serum esterases in relation to resistance to bacterial infections]. The experiments were carried out on White Leghorn, White Rock and Cornish chickens during the 1974--1975 season. The aim of the investigation was to study polymorphism of blood esterases in chickens in relation to their resistance to Salmonella pullorum and S. gallinarum. The data obtained indicate the following: 1) an additional, inheritant alyesterase fraction (A1) Appears in blood serum of resistant chickens after their contamination with Salmonella; 2) most chickens, which are resistant to Salmonella, have heterozygous genotype for blood serum cholinesterase.", "PMID": 611042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_395", "title": "[Mutants of Pichia guilliermondii yeasts with multiple sensitivity to antibiotics and antimetabolites. I. The selection and properties of the mutants].", "content": "Riboflavin deficient mutant Pichia guilliermondii MS1 which requires approximately 1000-fold lower concentration of exogenous vitamin B2 for growth when compared with a non-adapted riboflavin deficient mutants of this species was isolated by means of of UV-irradiation. The growth of the mutant was strongly inhibited by actinomycin D and L-canavanine. The revertant MS8 and MS14 which synthesized riboflavin were selected from the strain MS1. These revertants posses a multiple sensitivity to actinomycin D, rifamycin, euflavine, mitomycin C, antimycin A, 8-azaadenine, 8-azaguanine, L-canavanine and 7-methyl-8-trifluoromethyl-10-(1'-D-ribityl)isoalloxazine. The ability to utilized glycerol and ethanol as a sole carbon source for growth was impaired in these mutants. The mutants which can utilize glycerol were isolated from the strain MS14. Such mutants were resistant to actonomycin D. Mutation (s) which determines a multiple sensitivity and inability to utilized glycerol was recessive.", "contents": "[Mutants of Pichia guilliermondii yeasts with multiple sensitivity to antibiotics and antimetabolites. I. The selection and properties of the mutants]. Riboflavin deficient mutant Pichia guilliermondii MS1 which requires approximately 1000-fold lower concentration of exogenous vitamin B2 for growth when compared with a non-adapted riboflavin deficient mutants of this species was isolated by means of of UV-irradiation. The growth of the mutant was strongly inhibited by actinomycin D and L-canavanine. The revertant MS8 and MS14 which synthesized riboflavin were selected from the strain MS1. These revertants posses a multiple sensitivity to actinomycin D, rifamycin, euflavine, mitomycin C, antimycin A, 8-azaadenine, 8-azaguanine, L-canavanine and 7-methyl-8-trifluoromethyl-10-(1'-D-ribityl)isoalloxazine. The ability to utilized glycerol and ethanol as a sole carbon source for growth was impaired in these mutants. The mutants which can utilize glycerol were isolated from the strain MS14. Such mutants were resistant to actonomycin D. Mutation (s) which determines a multiple sensitivity and inability to utilized glycerol was recessive.", "PMID": 611044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_396", "title": "[Genetic structure of 2 isolated populations of native inhabitants of Sibiria (Northern Altaics) according to the results of a study of blood groups and isoenzymes].", "content": "The article comprises the results of the investigation of the frequencies of alleles of 9 gene loci controlling the blood groups, isoenzymes in populations and subpopulations of Cumandinians and Chelkanians. The presence of alleles A2 r(cde) and K at low concentrations was discovered in both groups. The method of genetic distances was used for the investigation of the inter- and intragroup divergence. With respect to certain loci a considerable variation of allelic frequencies from village to village was established.", "contents": "[Genetic structure of 2 isolated populations of native inhabitants of Sibiria (Northern Altaics) according to the results of a study of blood groups and isoenzymes]. The article comprises the results of the investigation of the frequencies of alleles of 9 gene loci controlling the blood groups, isoenzymes in populations and subpopulations of Cumandinians and Chelkanians. The presence of alleles A2 r(cde) and K at low concentrations was discovered in both groups. The method of genetic distances was used for the investigation of the inter- and intragroup divergence. With respect to certain loci a considerable variation of allelic frequencies from village to village was established.", "PMID": 611045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_397", "title": "The anticoagulant effect of heparin + antithrombin III using purified fibrinogen as substrate.", "content": "The anticoagulant effect of heparin in test systems composed of purified factors [antithrombin III (AT-III), fibrinogen and thrombin] was studied. As expected, the sensitivity to heparin depended on the concentrations of AT-III and thrombin, whereas the fibrinogen level was less decisive. In addition, qualitative differences proved important. Thus, the sensitivity to heparin was greater with crude bovine thrombin than with highly purified thrombin from the same species. Further, the sensitivity to heparin increased following removal of cold-insoluble material from the fibrinogen preparation. Finally, during storage of purified AT-III at +4 degrees C for more than 4 weeks, the sensitivity to heparin decreased more rapidly than expected from the amidolytic AT-III assays. Smaller amounts of heparin were required to give a prolonged thrombin clotting time than in whole plasma, indicating that components of normal platelet-poor plasma (besides AT-III and fibrinogen) interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin. The present test systems may prove suitable for the detection and evaluation of factors of importance for the so-called heparin tolerance.", "contents": "The anticoagulant effect of heparin + antithrombin III using purified fibrinogen as substrate. The anticoagulant effect of heparin in test systems composed of purified factors [antithrombin III (AT-III), fibrinogen and thrombin] was studied. As expected, the sensitivity to heparin depended on the concentrations of AT-III and thrombin, whereas the fibrinogen level was less decisive. In addition, qualitative differences proved important. Thus, the sensitivity to heparin was greater with crude bovine thrombin than with highly purified thrombin from the same species. Further, the sensitivity to heparin increased following removal of cold-insoluble material from the fibrinogen preparation. Finally, during storage of purified AT-III at +4 degrees C for more than 4 weeks, the sensitivity to heparin decreased more rapidly than expected from the amidolytic AT-III assays. Smaller amounts of heparin were required to give a prolonged thrombin clotting time than in whole plasma, indicating that components of normal platelet-poor plasma (besides AT-III and fibrinogen) interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin. The present test systems may prove suitable for the detection and evaluation of factors of importance for the so-called heparin tolerance.", "PMID": 611046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_398", "title": "The antiheparin effect of alpha1-acid glycoprotein and platelet material, evaluated by the heparin thrombin clotting time.", "content": "The effect on the heparin thrombin clotting time (HTCT) of a so-called acute phase protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, was studied in test systems consisting of purified fibrinogen, antithrombin III, heparin and thrombin, and compared to the effect of platelet material (crude platelet factor 4). In these test systems a physiological concentration of alpha1-acid glycoprotein (1 g/l) inhibited heparin more effectively than did soluble platelet material from 200 X 10(9) platelets/l. The present observations suggest that alpha1-acid glycoprotein is of great significance for the so-called heparin tolerance, whereas platelet material proved less important.", "contents": "The antiheparin effect of alpha1-acid glycoprotein and platelet material, evaluated by the heparin thrombin clotting time. The effect on the heparin thrombin clotting time (HTCT) of a so-called acute phase protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, was studied in test systems consisting of purified fibrinogen, antithrombin III, heparin and thrombin, and compared to the effect of platelet material (crude platelet factor 4). In these test systems a physiological concentration of alpha1-acid glycoprotein (1 g/l) inhibited heparin more effectively than did soluble platelet material from 200 X 10(9) platelets/l. The present observations suggest that alpha1-acid glycoprotein is of great significance for the so-called heparin tolerance, whereas platelet material proved less important.", "PMID": 611047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_399", "title": "Elimination of inhibition in euglobulin fibrinolysis by use of flufenamate: involvement of C1-inactivator.", "content": "The fibrinolytic activity of euglobulin fractions prepared from human morning plasma and assayed on fibrin plates is strongly inhibited by the C1-inactivator present in the fractions. Flufenamate, a potent representative of the group of synthetic thrombolytic agents, eliminates this inhibition in euglobulin fractions. This elimination is an apparently irreversible reaction dependent on concentration, time and temperature. The fibrinolytic enhancing effect of flufenamate in euglobulin fractions correlated well with a similar effect of added C1s, which neutralized the C1-inactivator. The effect of flufenamate was slightly greater than that of added C1s, suggesting an additional effect of the flufenamate. The activity enhancing effect of the flufenamate at the lower molarities could be separated from an activity decreasing effect at the higher molarities. A simple technique by which inhibitory effects in euglobulin fibrinolysis are selectively eliminated is described.", "contents": "Elimination of inhibition in euglobulin fibrinolysis by use of flufenamate: involvement of C1-inactivator. The fibrinolytic activity of euglobulin fractions prepared from human morning plasma and assayed on fibrin plates is strongly inhibited by the C1-inactivator present in the fractions. Flufenamate, a potent representative of the group of synthetic thrombolytic agents, eliminates this inhibition in euglobulin fractions. This elimination is an apparently irreversible reaction dependent on concentration, time and temperature. The fibrinolytic enhancing effect of flufenamate in euglobulin fractions correlated well with a similar effect of added C1s, which neutralized the C1-inactivator. The effect of flufenamate was slightly greater than that of added C1s, suggesting an additional effect of the flufenamate. The activity enhancing effect of the flufenamate at the lower molarities could be separated from an activity decreasing effect at the higher molarities. A simple technique by which inhibitory effects in euglobulin fibrinolysis are selectively eliminated is described.", "PMID": 611048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_400", "title": "Heparin-induced release of plasminogen activator.", "content": "The influence of heparin and heparinoids on the release of plasminogen activator was studied in the isolated perfused pig ear. Heparin enhances the release of the tissue activator of fibrinolysis in a dose-dependent manner within the range of 0.05-1.0 IU/ml perfusion fluid. The release is also caused by sulfated polyanions at concentration of 10 microgram/ml.", "contents": "Heparin-induced release of plasminogen activator. The influence of heparin and heparinoids on the release of plasminogen activator was studied in the isolated perfused pig ear. Heparin enhances the release of the tissue activator of fibrinolysis in a dose-dependent manner within the range of 0.05-1.0 IU/ml perfusion fluid. The release is also caused by sulfated polyanions at concentration of 10 microgram/ml.", "PMID": 611049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_401", "title": "[Effect of estrogen on interconversion of prostaglandin F and E in rat uterus (author's transl)].", "content": "To determine estrogen action in PG metabolism in rat uterus, effect of the hormone on the uptake and interconversion of PGF and E was studied using 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2. The following results were obtained: Uptake of 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2 was increased at 6 hours after estrogen injection. The conversion into PGF and PGE group from 3H-PGE2 and 3H-PGF2alpha, respectively, was observed in rat uterus, but the hormone action on the interconversion of PG was apparently different between PGF2alpha and PGE2. The conversion of 3H-PGF2alpha into PGE group was increased with the lapse of time after estrogen injection. However, estrogen action on the conversion of 3H-PGE2 into PGF group was not so remarkable as that of 3H-PGF2alpha. Effects of indomethacin in vivo and in vitro on the metabolism of PGF2alpha increased by estrogen were also examined. Estrogen action on the uptake of PGF group was inhibited by indomethacin injection, but the conversion into PGE was not influenced by this compound.", "contents": "[Effect of estrogen on interconversion of prostaglandin F and E in rat uterus (author's transl)]. To determine estrogen action in PG metabolism in rat uterus, effect of the hormone on the uptake and interconversion of PGF and E was studied using 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2. The following results were obtained: Uptake of 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2 was increased at 6 hours after estrogen injection. The conversion into PGF and PGE group from 3H-PGE2 and 3H-PGF2alpha, respectively, was observed in rat uterus, but the hormone action on the interconversion of PG was apparently different between PGF2alpha and PGE2. The conversion of 3H-PGF2alpha into PGE group was increased with the lapse of time after estrogen injection. However, estrogen action on the conversion of 3H-PGE2 into PGF group was not so remarkable as that of 3H-PGF2alpha. Effects of indomethacin in vivo and in vitro on the metabolism of PGF2alpha increased by estrogen were also examined. Estrogen action on the uptake of PGF group was inhibited by indomethacin injection, but the conversion into PGE was not influenced by this compound.", "PMID": 611065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_402", "title": "[Studies on arsenic metabolism (XX). Arsenic accumulation in the organs and excretion into the feces and urine of rats chronically poisoned with arsenic (author's transl)].", "content": "Male and female rats (60 approximately 80 g) of Wistar strain were randomly divided into two groups and were given milk and cereal diets, respectively. Each group was further divided into two groups; one was given the diet containing 100ppm of arsenic trioxide and the other a diet containing \"arsenic compound\" (100ppm as arsenic trioxide). Each group included five rats of both sexes. A 6-month feeding of the test diet was followed by provision of a normal diet. The accumulated arsenic was excreted almost 100% from the brain and 20 approximately 30% from organs such as kidney, liver, spleen and lung. The arsenic level persisted in tissues in animals on the cereal diet, as compared with those fed the milk diet. There was no significant difference in the accumulation and excretion of arsenic between the groups given arsenic trioxide or \"arsenic compound\".", "contents": "[Studies on arsenic metabolism (XX). Arsenic accumulation in the organs and excretion into the feces and urine of rats chronically poisoned with arsenic (author's transl)]. Male and female rats (60 approximately 80 g) of Wistar strain were randomly divided into two groups and were given milk and cereal diets, respectively. Each group was further divided into two groups; one was given the diet containing 100ppm of arsenic trioxide and the other a diet containing \"arsenic compound\" (100ppm as arsenic trioxide). Each group included five rats of both sexes. A 6-month feeding of the test diet was followed by provision of a normal diet. The accumulated arsenic was excreted almost 100% from the brain and 20 approximately 30% from organs such as kidney, liver, spleen and lung. The arsenic level persisted in tissues in animals on the cereal diet, as compared with those fed the milk diet. There was no significant difference in the accumulation and excretion of arsenic between the groups given arsenic trioxide or \"arsenic compound\".", "PMID": 611066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_403", "title": "[Influence of hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil on the contractile response of isolated rabbit left atria and aortae to calcium (author's transl)].", "content": "In isolated rabbit left atria driven electrically at a frequency of 30/min, the contraction was abolished by increasing external K+ concentrations from 5.4 to 22mM. Addition of isoproterenol (10(-6)M) restored the atrial contraction and the magnitude of contractions increased by raising external concentrations of Ca++ to 4.4 and 6.6. mM. Hexobendine attenuated the magnitude of contractions restored by isoproterenol and excess Ca++ in a dose-dependent manner, as did prenylamine and verapamil. Hexobendine did not significantly influence the membrane depolarization induced by excess K+ and there was no evidence of a beta-adrenergic blocking action. In helical strips of rabbit aortae exposed to Ca++-free media and depolarized by excess K+, the addition of Ca++ caused a marked contraction. Hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil caused a dose-related attenuation of the Ca++-induced contraction. Relative potencies of the inhibition by hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil were 1:16.5:100. Inhibitory effects of these drugs were partially antagonized by excess Ca++. Greater attenuation of the contractile response to 25 mM K+ than the response to 2 X 10(-6)M noradrenaline was observed in preparations treated with hexobendine. It may be concluded that interference with the influx of Ca++ across cell membrane in atrial muscles and aortic smooth muscles participates in the inhibition of contractility by hexobendine.", "contents": "[Influence of hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil on the contractile response of isolated rabbit left atria and aortae to calcium (author's transl)]. In isolated rabbit left atria driven electrically at a frequency of 30/min, the contraction was abolished by increasing external K+ concentrations from 5.4 to 22mM. Addition of isoproterenol (10(-6)M) restored the atrial contraction and the magnitude of contractions increased by raising external concentrations of Ca++ to 4.4 and 6.6. mM. Hexobendine attenuated the magnitude of contractions restored by isoproterenol and excess Ca++ in a dose-dependent manner, as did prenylamine and verapamil. Hexobendine did not significantly influence the membrane depolarization induced by excess K+ and there was no evidence of a beta-adrenergic blocking action. In helical strips of rabbit aortae exposed to Ca++-free media and depolarized by excess K+, the addition of Ca++ caused a marked contraction. Hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil caused a dose-related attenuation of the Ca++-induced contraction. Relative potencies of the inhibition by hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil were 1:16.5:100. Inhibitory effects of these drugs were partially antagonized by excess Ca++. Greater attenuation of the contractile response to 25 mM K+ than the response to 2 X 10(-6)M noradrenaline was observed in preparations treated with hexobendine. It may be concluded that interference with the influx of Ca++ across cell membrane in atrial muscles and aortic smooth muscles participates in the inhibition of contractility by hexobendine.", "PMID": 611068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_404", "title": "[Effects of capsaicin on spontaneous unit discharges in medial thalamic single neurons of cats (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of capsaicin was studied in gallamine triethiodide immobilized adult cats. Single neurons were recorded from the medial thalamus with a stainless steel microelectrode. Out of 21 neurons recorded in this experiment, 10 were responsive to both nociceptive (pinch) and non-nociceptive (hair bending and/or tapping) stimuli. Six neurons were responsive to only non-nociceptive stimuli and 5 were not responsive to these stimuli. Out of 10 neurons responding to both nociceptive and non-nociceptive stimuli, 9 were responsive to both bradykinin (3 microgram) and capsaicin (3 microgram). Out of 6 neurons responding to only non-nociceptive stimuli, 5 were not responsive to either bradykinin and capsaicin. All neurons responding to bradykinin were also responsive to capsaicin. The latency for bradykinin and capsaicin was 7.64 +/- 1.12 sec and 0.97 +/- 0.07 sec, respectively. The increased in firing frequency produced by capsaicin was depressed by morphine. However, these depressant effects of morphine on single unit activity were antagonized by naloxone.", "contents": "[Effects of capsaicin on spontaneous unit discharges in medial thalamic single neurons of cats (author's transl)]. The effect of capsaicin was studied in gallamine triethiodide immobilized adult cats. Single neurons were recorded from the medial thalamus with a stainless steel microelectrode. Out of 21 neurons recorded in this experiment, 10 were responsive to both nociceptive (pinch) and non-nociceptive (hair bending and/or tapping) stimuli. Six neurons were responsive to only non-nociceptive stimuli and 5 were not responsive to these stimuli. Out of 10 neurons responding to both nociceptive and non-nociceptive stimuli, 9 were responsive to both bradykinin (3 microgram) and capsaicin (3 microgram). Out of 6 neurons responding to only non-nociceptive stimuli, 5 were not responsive to either bradykinin and capsaicin. All neurons responding to bradykinin were also responsive to capsaicin. The latency for bradykinin and capsaicin was 7.64 +/- 1.12 sec and 0.97 +/- 0.07 sec, respectively. The increased in firing frequency produced by capsaicin was depressed by morphine. However, these depressant effects of morphine on single unit activity were antagonized by naloxone.", "PMID": 611069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_405", "title": "[Effects of difenamizole on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement (author's transl)].", "content": "The anti-nociceptive dose of difenamizole, morphine, aminopyrine and aspirin was studied for effects on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement. Male, albino rats were trained to press a lever for food pellets on a fixed-ratio (FR) 10 and 30 schedule of reinforcement or a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) schedule. Difenamizole (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a dose-related decrease in the response under FR-10 schedule. The response rate decrease observed under the FR-10 schedule was similar to that resulting from the oral administration of 400 mg/kg of aminopyrine. Response in the FR-30 schedule was not affected by any dose of difenamizole (100 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and aminopyrine (200 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.). In the response maintained by the DRL schedule, the overall response rate and the mean interresponse time were not altered significantly by most doses of difenamizole, aminopyrine and aspirin given, however, food reinforcement was decreased significantly with ingestion of these drugs. Morphine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) shortened the mean interresponse time and increased the response in DRL schedule. These results suggest that the central action of difenamizole is similar to that produced by aminopyrine, but not that produced by morphine.", "contents": "[Effects of difenamizole on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement (author's transl)]. The anti-nociceptive dose of difenamizole, morphine, aminopyrine and aspirin was studied for effects on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement. Male, albino rats were trained to press a lever for food pellets on a fixed-ratio (FR) 10 and 30 schedule of reinforcement or a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) schedule. Difenamizole (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a dose-related decrease in the response under FR-10 schedule. The response rate decrease observed under the FR-10 schedule was similar to that resulting from the oral administration of 400 mg/kg of aminopyrine. Response in the FR-30 schedule was not affected by any dose of difenamizole (100 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and aminopyrine (200 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.). In the response maintained by the DRL schedule, the overall response rate and the mean interresponse time were not altered significantly by most doses of difenamizole, aminopyrine and aspirin given, however, food reinforcement was decreased significantly with ingestion of these drugs. Morphine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) shortened the mean interresponse time and increased the response in DRL schedule. These results suggest that the central action of difenamizole is similar to that produced by aminopyrine, but not that produced by morphine.", "PMID": 611070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_406", "title": "A surgical case of Grawitz's tumour of cystous appearance.", "content": "A surgical case of coexisting renal cyst and tumour is reported, diagnosis having been made preoperatively with the aid of two recent diagnostic procedures. Electron microscopic study of the surgical specimen revealed virus-like intranuclear particles in the malignant tissue.", "contents": "A surgical case of Grawitz's tumour of cystous appearance. A surgical case of coexisting renal cyst and tumour is reported, diagnosis having been made preoperatively with the aid of two recent diagnostic procedures. Electron microscopic study of the surgical specimen revealed virus-like intranuclear particles in the malignant tissue.", "PMID": 611120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_407", "title": "Cystosigmoidostomy: indications and results.", "content": "The author reports on 15 patients with bladder-sigma anastomosis. The postoperative complications and late results up to a period of 10 years are discussed. Irreparable urethral strictures and bladder exstrophies are indications for this operation. It is only with reserve than it can be recommended for contracted bladder. According to the authors' experience and information by others, pyelonephritis and electrolyte disturbances seem to be rare complications. Because of the small number of cases a definite judgement of the method and its long-term consequences for the urinary system is not possible yet.", "contents": "Cystosigmoidostomy: indications and results. The author reports on 15 patients with bladder-sigma anastomosis. The postoperative complications and late results up to a period of 10 years are discussed. Irreparable urethral strictures and bladder exstrophies are indications for this operation. It is only with reserve than it can be recommended for contracted bladder. According to the authors' experience and information by others, pyelonephritis and electrolyte disturbances seem to be rare complications. Because of the small number of cases a definite judgement of the method and its long-term consequences for the urinary system is not possible yet.", "PMID": 611121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_408", "title": "Traumatic rupture of the corpora cavernosa.", "content": "Treatment of penile fracture, due to the low number of cases, still lacks adequate documentation. The authors present two cases of such pathology, which were treated conservatively, and presented penile deformities in the late follow up. Both conservative and surgical management are discussed; since surgery in these cases has low mortality and clinical treatment can be followed by various sequelae, the authors favour the former, stressing that it is mandatory in cases with urinary obstruction, progressive infiltration of cutaneous laceration.", "contents": "Traumatic rupture of the corpora cavernosa. Treatment of penile fracture, due to the low number of cases, still lacks adequate documentation. The authors present two cases of such pathology, which were treated conservatively, and presented penile deformities in the late follow up. Both conservative and surgical management are discussed; since surgery in these cases has low mortality and clinical treatment can be followed by various sequelae, the authors favour the former, stressing that it is mandatory in cases with urinary obstruction, progressive infiltration of cutaneous laceration.", "PMID": 611123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_409", "title": "Evaluation of the impairment of spermatogenesis in varicocele through semen analysis and testicular biopsy.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with varicocele and 26 normal men were analysed according to the seminal ejaculate and testicular biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups based on the criteria of sperm normality and abnormality, respectively. Hypospermatogenesis with both normal and abnormal seminal fluid occurred in the varicocele patients, but no statistical differences could be established when compared with each other. We concluded that testicular biopsy is not useful in the evaluation of patients with varicocele.", "contents": "Evaluation of the impairment of spermatogenesis in varicocele through semen analysis and testicular biopsy. Twenty-four patients with varicocele and 26 normal men were analysed according to the seminal ejaculate and testicular biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups based on the criteria of sperm normality and abnormality, respectively. Hypospermatogenesis with both normal and abnormal seminal fluid occurred in the varicocele patients, but no statistical differences could be established when compared with each other. We concluded that testicular biopsy is not useful in the evaluation of patients with varicocele.", "PMID": 611124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_410", "title": "The incidence of immunoglobulin-A deposits in glomerular diseases and its morphological examination: nephropathy with mesangial IgA dense deposits.", "content": "The presence of IgA with IgG, C', IgM and fibrin in 365 renal biopsy specimens has been studied by the immunohistological method. Glomerular IgA deposits were found in 38 cases (10.4%). The patients were divided into two groups according to the localization of IgA: 13 cases (3.56%) belonged to the first group, in which IgA showed diffuse mesangial localization. Light microscopic examination showed various stages of proliferative glomerulonephritis. These cases corresponded to the nephropathy described by Berger. In 25 cases (6.85%), belonging to the second group, the glomerular localization of IgA was found to be segmental and peripheral, appeared always in patches and was present with various histological alterations. Differentiation of the two kinds of alteration is possible primarily on the basis of the immunohistological pattern, but light microscopic and electron microscopic examination might also be helpful.", "contents": "The incidence of immunoglobulin-A deposits in glomerular diseases and its morphological examination: nephropathy with mesangial IgA dense deposits. The presence of IgA with IgG, C', IgM and fibrin in 365 renal biopsy specimens has been studied by the immunohistological method. Glomerular IgA deposits were found in 38 cases (10.4%). The patients were divided into two groups according to the localization of IgA: 13 cases (3.56%) belonged to the first group, in which IgA showed diffuse mesangial localization. Light microscopic examination showed various stages of proliferative glomerulonephritis. These cases corresponded to the nephropathy described by Berger. In 25 cases (6.85%), belonging to the second group, the glomerular localization of IgA was found to be segmental and peripheral, appeared always in patches and was present with various histological alterations. Differentiation of the two kinds of alteration is possible primarily on the basis of the immunohistological pattern, but light microscopic and electron microscopic examination might also be helpful.", "PMID": 611125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_411", "title": "Extrarenal effects of furosemide on distribution of salt and water: an indirect mechanism of the drug's action?", "content": "The relatively scanty literature on the extrarenal effect of furosemide upon the distribution of salt and water in the body is reviewed. The collected data seem to indicate that corticosteroids participate in the natriuretic mechanism of this drug's action.", "contents": "Extrarenal effects of furosemide on distribution of salt and water: an indirect mechanism of the drug's action? The relatively scanty literature on the extrarenal effect of furosemide upon the distribution of salt and water in the body is reviewed. The collected data seem to indicate that corticosteroids participate in the natriuretic mechanism of this drug's action.", "PMID": 611126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_412", "title": "Hygienic safety measures in the light of observations in a haemodialysis unit.", "content": "A report on the sanitary situation of the Haemodialysis Unit, Department of Urology, University Medical School, P\u00e9cs, is given and the preventive measures securing the sanitary standards valid for the specialized units are set out in detail. The desiderata for the sanitary safety of haemodialysis units are summed up.", "contents": "Hygienic safety measures in the light of observations in a haemodialysis unit. A report on the sanitary situation of the Haemodialysis Unit, Department of Urology, University Medical School, P\u00e9cs, is given and the preventive measures securing the sanitary standards valid for the specialized units are set out in detail. The desiderata for the sanitary safety of haemodialysis units are summed up.", "PMID": 611127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_413", "title": "Preliminary report on a joint U.S.-Yugoslavia five-year comprehensive health education research project carried out in Yugoslavia.", "content": "A five-year effort has been planned to test the efficacy of health education integrated in primary care services for a rural area. Impacts on health care provider and study population behavior have been hypothesized. The evaluation design includes one study and one control health care district with pre- and post-program surveys conducted in each area. The study will be completed in 1978. Baseline and longitudinal results are reported. Specific change objectives have been achieved in early cancer detection and in maternal and child health.", "contents": "Preliminary report on a joint U.S.-Yugoslavia five-year comprehensive health education research project carried out in Yugoslavia. A five-year effort has been planned to test the efficacy of health education integrated in primary care services for a rural area. Impacts on health care provider and study population behavior have been hypothesized. The evaluation design includes one study and one control health care district with pre- and post-program surveys conducted in each area. The study will be completed in 1978. Baseline and longitudinal results are reported. Specific change objectives have been achieved in early cancer detection and in maternal and child health.", "PMID": 611128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_414", "title": "The use of cable television as a tool in health education of the elderly: screening.", "content": "A cable television channel was used to inform residents in a housing project for the elderly about a series of preventive health services. Screening and referral services for common health problems were offered to this group. The televised communications included a series of brief, informal advertising-style and direct teaching-style messages developed for each of five screening areas. An evaluation found that the televised messages had both direct and indirect effects on participation in the screening programs; overall attendance was about 8% of the estimated potential attendance. Knowledge and health attitude effects of the messages were also assessed.", "contents": "The use of cable television as a tool in health education of the elderly: screening. A cable television channel was used to inform residents in a housing project for the elderly about a series of preventive health services. Screening and referral services for common health problems were offered to this group. The televised communications included a series of brief, informal advertising-style and direct teaching-style messages developed for each of five screening areas. An evaluation found that the televised messages had both direct and indirect effects on participation in the screening programs; overall attendance was about 8% of the estimated potential attendance. Knowledge and health attitude effects of the messages were also assessed.", "PMID": 611129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_415", "title": "Delayed union in metatarsal osteotomies.", "content": "After surgery or traumatic injury, bone defects may heal slowly or they may completely fail to heal. In most cases, these delayed unions and nounions results from lack of proper immobilization. Motion at the site of an injury interferes with proper organization of the hematoma or causes the fragments to separate or become displaced.", "contents": "Delayed union in metatarsal osteotomies. After surgery or traumatic injury, bone defects may heal slowly or they may completely fail to heal. In most cases, these delayed unions and nounions results from lack of proper immobilization. Motion at the site of an injury interferes with proper organization of the hematoma or causes the fragments to separate or become displaced.", "PMID": 611135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_416", "title": "Bone block procedures for dropfoot.", "content": "The Gill bone block procedure is valuable in the treatment of dropfoot as it may eliminate the need for a dropfoot brace. Also, it may reduce the frequency of tripping and falling by providing a better gait pattern, and if the deformity is not too severe, additional surgery may not be necessary.", "contents": "Bone block procedures for dropfoot. The Gill bone block procedure is valuable in the treatment of dropfoot as it may eliminate the need for a dropfoot brace. Also, it may reduce the frequency of tripping and falling by providing a better gait pattern, and if the deformity is not too severe, additional surgery may not be necessary.", "PMID": 611136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_417", "title": "Tarsal coalition: review and preliminary conclusions.", "content": "Tarsal coalition is a relatively rare anomaly, and the degree of fusion between two or more tarsal bones varies. The coalition may be osseous, cartilaginous or fibrous, and it may be complete or incomplete. It usually results in rigid planovalgus deformity of the foot and may be associated with secondary spasm of the peroneal muscle group. With few exceptions, complete stabilization by arthrodesis is the treatment of choice.", "contents": "Tarsal coalition: review and preliminary conclusions. Tarsal coalition is a relatively rare anomaly, and the degree of fusion between two or more tarsal bones varies. The coalition may be osseous, cartilaginous or fibrous, and it may be complete or incomplete. It usually results in rigid planovalgus deformity of the foot and may be associated with secondary spasm of the peroneal muscle group. With few exceptions, complete stabilization by arthrodesis is the treatment of choice.", "PMID": 611137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_418", "title": "Fibular sesamoidectomy: an illustrated surgical technique.", "content": "The fibular sesamoidectomy, used frequently in a modified McBride bunionectomy for hallux valgus surgical correction, is a difficult procedure to perform. The authors hope that the descriptive drawings and the technique as described in this article will help to simplify the procedure.", "contents": "Fibular sesamoidectomy: an illustrated surgical technique. The fibular sesamoidectomy, used frequently in a modified McBride bunionectomy for hallux valgus surgical correction, is a difficult procedure to perform. The authors hope that the descriptive drawings and the technique as described in this article will help to simplify the procedure.", "PMID": 611139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_419", "title": "Delayed reduction of a dislocation at Lisfranc's joint: a case report.", "content": "An unusual case report of a chronic lateral dislocation at Lisfranc's joint has been presented. Immediate reduction was not performed due to inadequate diagnosis. An involvement of a peripheral neuropathy further marked the patient's symptoms. A delayed surgical reduction and arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joints were performed. The degree of dislocation and concomitant osseous changes that occurred over a prolonged period of time prevented excellent alignment of part of the tarsometatarsal articulations. However, a functional and asymptomatic foot was restored.", "contents": "Delayed reduction of a dislocation at Lisfranc's joint: a case report. An unusual case report of a chronic lateral dislocation at Lisfranc's joint has been presented. Immediate reduction was not performed due to inadequate diagnosis. An involvement of a peripheral neuropathy further marked the patient's symptoms. A delayed surgical reduction and arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joints were performed. The degree of dislocation and concomitant osseous changes that occurred over a prolonged period of time prevented excellent alignment of part of the tarsometatarsal articulations. However, a functional and asymptomatic foot was restored.", "PMID": 611142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_420", "title": "Postnatal development of the mouse cerebral neocortex. I. Quantitative cytoarchitectonics of some motor and sensory areas.", "content": "Quantitative data have been obtained (numbers of neurons and glial cells in a cube of 0.000 25 mm3, thicknesses of cortical layers, nuclear diameters of neurons) on Cresyl Violet stained sections from the six cortical layers of the Swiss Albinos mouse brain through the postnatal development at 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 days. 1) Normative data of the cortical cell population are now available from motor areas 4 and 10 and sensory areas 3 and 2 according to KRIEG (1946). The evolution of the neuronal densities through time was obtained and was taken as a criterion of maturation for the different layers in the studied cortical areas. 2) Areas 4, 10, 3 and 2 have been described histologically at all the mentioned ages. 3) The nuclear diameter of the neurons increases in all the layers between 5 and 10 days and less between 10 and 30 days. It remains stable from 30 days on. 4) At adult age the sensory areas 3 and 2 show a greater thickness of the group of supragranular layers II, III and IV than of the infragranular layers V and VI together. Layer V shows the same thickness in areas 2, 3 and 4. The same is true for layer VI in the same areas. In area 10 layers V and VI are thicker than in areas 2, 3 and 4. At younger ages (5 and 10 days) the relative thicknesses of the different layers are of the same order but each layer is thinner. 5) The neuronal density shows the same type of development in the four studied areas. Maturation in terms of decrease of neuronal densities is very rapid between 5 and 10 days and slows down till 30 days with speeds depending on the layers. Layers I, V and VI show faster and earlier maturation than layers II, III and IV. 6) The glial density is mostly stable through the development. This does not mean that there is no glial proliferation. 7) The delineation between the different areas according to KRIEG's (1946) atals and/or CAVINESS's (1975) publication are discussed taking into account our quantitative data.", "contents": "Postnatal development of the mouse cerebral neocortex. I. Quantitative cytoarchitectonics of some motor and sensory areas. Quantitative data have been obtained (numbers of neurons and glial cells in a cube of 0.000 25 mm3, thicknesses of cortical layers, nuclear diameters of neurons) on Cresyl Violet stained sections from the six cortical layers of the Swiss Albinos mouse brain through the postnatal development at 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 days. 1) Normative data of the cortical cell population are now available from motor areas 4 and 10 and sensory areas 3 and 2 according to KRIEG (1946). The evolution of the neuronal densities through time was obtained and was taken as a criterion of maturation for the different layers in the studied cortical areas. 2) Areas 4, 10, 3 and 2 have been described histologically at all the mentioned ages. 3) The nuclear diameter of the neurons increases in all the layers between 5 and 10 days and less between 10 and 30 days. It remains stable from 30 days on. 4) At adult age the sensory areas 3 and 2 show a greater thickness of the group of supragranular layers II, III and IV than of the infragranular layers V and VI together. Layer V shows the same thickness in areas 2, 3 and 4. The same is true for layer VI in the same areas. In area 10 layers V and VI are thicker than in areas 2, 3 and 4. At younger ages (5 and 10 days) the relative thicknesses of the different layers are of the same order but each layer is thinner. 5) The neuronal density shows the same type of development in the four studied areas. Maturation in terms of decrease of neuronal densities is very rapid between 5 and 10 days and slows down till 30 days with speeds depending on the layers. Layers I, V and VI show faster and earlier maturation than layers II, III and IV. 6) The glial density is mostly stable through the development. This does not mean that there is no glial proliferation. 7) The delineation between the different areas according to KRIEG's (1946) atals and/or CAVINESS's (1975) publication are discussed taking into account our quantitative data.", "PMID": 611144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_421", "title": "Comparative morphology of the visual system of some Japanese species of Soricoidea (Superfamily) in relation to leif habits.", "content": "In some species of Japanese Soricoidea, Sorex shinto, Mogera wogura wogura, Mogera wogura kobeae, Dymecodon pilirostris, and Urotrichus talpoides, the cytoarchitecture of the eyeball and its accessory organs, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus, the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the visual cortex were investigated in correlation with life habits. In Sorex, living preominantly on the ground, there is a duct-like palpebral fissure, and most of the parts of the visual system are well developed in adaptation to its life habits. In the almost completely fossorial moles, no palpebral fissure is recognized, and the visual system is less developed owing to adaptation to their habits. In the semifossorial shrew-moles. Dymecodon and Urotrichus, the features of the eyeball and the visual system in the brain are intermediate between those of the Sorex and Mogera group. Furthermore, taking account of the visual system of certain species from other orders, it is assumed that the cytoarchitecture of the visual system is dependent more upon the ecological niche than on systematics.", "contents": "Comparative morphology of the visual system of some Japanese species of Soricoidea (Superfamily) in relation to leif habits. In some species of Japanese Soricoidea, Sorex shinto, Mogera wogura wogura, Mogera wogura kobeae, Dymecodon pilirostris, and Urotrichus talpoides, the cytoarchitecture of the eyeball and its accessory organs, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus, the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the visual cortex were investigated in correlation with life habits. In Sorex, living preominantly on the ground, there is a duct-like palpebral fissure, and most of the parts of the visual system are well developed in adaptation to its life habits. In the almost completely fossorial moles, no palpebral fissure is recognized, and the visual system is less developed owing to adaptation to their habits. In the semifossorial shrew-moles. Dymecodon and Urotrichus, the features of the eyeball and the visual system in the brain are intermediate between those of the Sorex and Mogera group. Furthermore, taking account of the visual system of certain species from other orders, it is assumed that the cytoarchitecture of the visual system is dependent more upon the ecological niche than on systematics.", "PMID": 611147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_422", "title": "Biological and biochemical characterization of a latent subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus infection in tissue culture.", "content": "The present investigation describes the biological and biochemical properties of a persistent SSPE virus infection. Persistently infected cells were derived by cocultivation of infected brain cells and uninfected Vero cells, and cultures were maintained by normal subculturing methods. No infectious virus was ever released from these cultures, and all attempts to induce infectious virus release were unsuccessful. Biological assays showed that infected cells contained nucleocapsid and salt-dependent hemagglutinin antigens, whereas the normal hemagglutinin appeared not to be present. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated the presence of both intranuclear and cytoplasmic nucleocapsids together with the release of virus particles (defective?) from the cell membrane. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that approximately 90% of the intracellular genomic RNA was defective or subgenomic although a small quantity of infectious genomes was present. It is proposed that the large quantities of defective genomes in the infected cells are the major factor in the maintenance of this persistent infection.", "contents": "Biological and biochemical characterization of a latent subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus infection in tissue culture. The present investigation describes the biological and biochemical properties of a persistent SSPE virus infection. Persistently infected cells were derived by cocultivation of infected brain cells and uninfected Vero cells, and cultures were maintained by normal subculturing methods. No infectious virus was ever released from these cultures, and all attempts to induce infectious virus release were unsuccessful. Biological assays showed that infected cells contained nucleocapsid and salt-dependent hemagglutinin antigens, whereas the normal hemagglutinin appeared not to be present. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated the presence of both intranuclear and cytoplasmic nucleocapsids together with the release of virus particles (defective?) from the cell membrane. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that approximately 90% of the intracellular genomic RNA was defective or subgenomic although a small quantity of infectious genomes was present. It is proposed that the large quantities of defective genomes in the infected cells are the major factor in the maintenance of this persistent infection.", "PMID": 611155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_423", "title": "Ascorbic acid: effects on ricin intoxicated HeLa cells.", "content": "Ascorbic acid in concentrations of 100 microgram/ml of culture medium protects HeLa cells against the protein synthesis inhibition activity of ricin, a phytotoxin isolated from castor beans.", "contents": "Ascorbic acid: effects on ricin intoxicated HeLa cells. Ascorbic acid in concentrations of 100 microgram/ml of culture medium protects HeLa cells against the protein synthesis inhibition activity of ricin, a phytotoxin isolated from castor beans.", "PMID": 611156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_424", "title": "Niacin and pantothenic acid excretions of humans fed a low-methionine, plant-based diet.", "content": "The addition of a vitamin to a diet of humans has been shown to increase the excretion of that vitamin. The effects of an increase of one vitamin on another have not been investigated. The objective of the current project was to compare the effects of two supplementation patterns on the niacin and pantothenic acid excretion values of humans consuming a peanut butter-based diet. Two groups each received one of two supplementation regimens. One group received niacin, a multi-vitamin, or no supplement. One group received methionine alone, pantothenic acid alone or methionine plus pantothenic acid. The addition of either vitamin resulted in increased excretion of that vitamin. Urinary niacin excretion of the group that received pantothenic acid and/or methionine was greater than that observed with a multi-vitamin or no supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion was suppressed when niacin was a supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion of the methionine supplement group was greater than the excretion of the groups which received either niacin or multi-vitamin supplements. These data suggest some possible dangers in indiscriminate supplementation of food products.", "contents": "Niacin and pantothenic acid excretions of humans fed a low-methionine, plant-based diet. The addition of a vitamin to a diet of humans has been shown to increase the excretion of that vitamin. The effects of an increase of one vitamin on another have not been investigated. The objective of the current project was to compare the effects of two supplementation patterns on the niacin and pantothenic acid excretion values of humans consuming a peanut butter-based diet. Two groups each received one of two supplementation regimens. One group received niacin, a multi-vitamin, or no supplement. One group received methionine alone, pantothenic acid alone or methionine plus pantothenic acid. The addition of either vitamin resulted in increased excretion of that vitamin. Urinary niacin excretion of the group that received pantothenic acid and/or methionine was greater than that observed with a multi-vitamin or no supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion was suppressed when niacin was a supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion of the methionine supplement group was greater than the excretion of the groups which received either niacin or multi-vitamin supplements. These data suggest some possible dangers in indiscriminate supplementation of food products.", "PMID": 611157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_425", "title": "Effects of thiamine administration on blood lactic and concentration and mineral metabolism in sheep.", "content": "The object of the present experiment is to determine the effect of thiamine administration on lactic acid concentration in blood plasma and the mineral metabolism in sheep given low and high concentrate rations. A high concentrate ration containing 90% concentrate and 10% roughage was fed to one group of sheep and a low concentrate ration containing 60% concentrate was given to the other group. Thiamine was intramuscularly injected into every sheep at a level of 50 mg of thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide per day. No great difference was found in the plasma lactic acid concentration between the animals fed the low and high concentrate rations, and those between the control and thiamine injection periods. Thiamine injection appeared to increase urine and fecal magnesium excretion and significantly decreased magnesium balance (p less than 0.05). It may be conceivable that endogenous magnesium excretion is enhanced by thiamine administration in sheep.", "contents": "Effects of thiamine administration on blood lactic and concentration and mineral metabolism in sheep. The object of the present experiment is to determine the effect of thiamine administration on lactic acid concentration in blood plasma and the mineral metabolism in sheep given low and high concentrate rations. A high concentrate ration containing 90% concentrate and 10% roughage was fed to one group of sheep and a low concentrate ration containing 60% concentrate was given to the other group. Thiamine was intramuscularly injected into every sheep at a level of 50 mg of thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide per day. No great difference was found in the plasma lactic acid concentration between the animals fed the low and high concentrate rations, and those between the control and thiamine injection periods. Thiamine injection appeared to increase urine and fecal magnesium excretion and significantly decreased magnesium balance (p less than 0.05). It may be conceivable that endogenous magnesium excretion is enhanced by thiamine administration in sheep.", "PMID": 611158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_426", "title": "The isolation and characterization of a lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).", "content": "A lethal protein with hemagglutinating activity but without trypsin inhibitory activity was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultiva, and Kintoki and proved homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodesyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 104, 000 by ultracentrifugal analysis and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecule dissociates into three identical subunits in the presence of 8 M urea or 0.1% sodium dodesyl sulfate. The amino acid composition was characterized by the high content of aspartic acid and the complete absence of methionine and cystine. The carbohydrate content was 8.1%; 5.0% mannose and 3.1% glucosamine. The addition of the lethal protein to a basal diet (0.4%) resulted in the intensive depression of the growth and finally in the death of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of 250 microgram per g body weight of mouse brought about an acute toxicity which caused death of all the injected mice.", "contents": "The isolation and characterization of a lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). A lethal protein with hemagglutinating activity but without trypsin inhibitory activity was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultiva, and Kintoki and proved homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodesyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 104, 000 by ultracentrifugal analysis and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecule dissociates into three identical subunits in the presence of 8 M urea or 0.1% sodium dodesyl sulfate. The amino acid composition was characterized by the high content of aspartic acid and the complete absence of methionine and cystine. The carbohydrate content was 8.1%; 5.0% mannose and 3.1% glucosamine. The addition of the lethal protein to a basal diet (0.4%) resulted in the intensive depression of the growth and finally in the death of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of 250 microgram per g body weight of mouse brought about an acute toxicity which caused death of all the injected mice.", "PMID": 611161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_427", "title": "Monitoring of transcutaneous PO2 in the fetus and mother during normal labor.", "content": "Transcutaneous PO2 (tcPO2) measurement is a non-invasive method which gives continuous information about central PO2. The method has previously been testes primarily on newborns and adults, and reports on the applicability of the method on the fetus during labor are still scanty and restricted to case reports. This paper reports on a systematic study of intrapartum fetal and maternal tcPO2-monitoring. The material is comprised of 19 parturients, the majority being nulliparae. All fetal presentations were vertex. The tcPO2 recordings averaged one hour in duration (Tab. I). FHR was recorded simultaneously. In 12 cases the electrode was affixed with glue, and in 7 cases a suction device was used for fixation. The electrode was attached when the cervix was dilated 4 to 6 cm. The mean tcPO2 was 20 mm Hg in the beginning of the registration, and showed a small decline in level throughout labor reaching 14 mmHg at the end of the registration period (Fig. 5). These values are in good agreement with those found by other authors in previous investigations. In some of the present cases, very low tcPO2 values were recorded. The relevance of these low tcPO2 values is unclear, and it is impossible to determine to what extent these tracings have true physiological relevance versus might be due to technical factors.", "contents": "Monitoring of transcutaneous PO2 in the fetus and mother during normal labor. Transcutaneous PO2 (tcPO2) measurement is a non-invasive method which gives continuous information about central PO2. The method has previously been testes primarily on newborns and adults, and reports on the applicability of the method on the fetus during labor are still scanty and restricted to case reports. This paper reports on a systematic study of intrapartum fetal and maternal tcPO2-monitoring. The material is comprised of 19 parturients, the majority being nulliparae. All fetal presentations were vertex. The tcPO2 recordings averaged one hour in duration (Tab. I). FHR was recorded simultaneously. In 12 cases the electrode was affixed with glue, and in 7 cases a suction device was used for fixation. The electrode was attached when the cervix was dilated 4 to 6 cm. The mean tcPO2 was 20 mm Hg in the beginning of the registration, and showed a small decline in level throughout labor reaching 14 mmHg at the end of the registration period (Fig. 5). These values are in good agreement with those found by other authors in previous investigations. In some of the present cases, very low tcPO2 values were recorded. The relevance of these low tcPO2 values is unclear, and it is impossible to determine to what extent these tracings have true physiological relevance versus might be due to technical factors.", "PMID": 611165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_428", "title": "The pattern of bronchial asthma in benin in the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria.", "content": "This paper describes a prospective study of 78 Nigerian patients with asthma from the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria. The work extended over 3 years, the patients attending a special asthma clinic for investigation and management. The acute asthmatic disease was fairly severe but permanent respiratory crippling and chronic bronchitis appeared relatively uncommon, possibly because of a low prevalence of cigarette smoking and minimal atmospheric pollution. Most factors precipitating attacks were apparently nonallergic. The house mite appeared the most common allergic factor by skin testing. Problems of treatment are discussed and comparisons made with other accounts from Africa and the UK.", "contents": "The pattern of bronchial asthma in benin in the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria. This paper describes a prospective study of 78 Nigerian patients with asthma from the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria. The work extended over 3 years, the patients attending a special asthma clinic for investigation and management. The acute asthmatic disease was fairly severe but permanent respiratory crippling and chronic bronchitis appeared relatively uncommon, possibly because of a low prevalence of cigarette smoking and minimal atmospheric pollution. Most factors precipitating attacks were apparently nonallergic. The house mite appeared the most common allergic factor by skin testing. Problems of treatment are discussed and comparisons made with other accounts from Africa and the UK.", "PMID": 611168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_429", "title": "Non-rachitic deformities of the knees in Nigerian children.", "content": "Non-rachitic lesions of the knee are a common condition found in Nigerian children, the aetiology of which is unknown. 67 patients were studied, 24 had genu valgum, 28 genu varum and 15 with varo-valgum. Possible aetiology has been discussed and the following hypotheses have been put forward. The early weight bearing of the immature bones of the lower limbs has uneven pressure effects on the growth plate and also the laxity of the knee ligaments produces abnormal posture. The abnormal posture during growth and pressure effect of a tight band around the knee when the child is carried on the back predisposes to genu varum and valgum. Dietetic abnormalities may also be one of the factors but these have not been elucidated. Lastly, the tendency of the condition to occur in the African race raises the possibility of genetic factors.", "contents": "Non-rachitic deformities of the knees in Nigerian children. Non-rachitic lesions of the knee are a common condition found in Nigerian children, the aetiology of which is unknown. 67 patients were studied, 24 had genu valgum, 28 genu varum and 15 with varo-valgum. Possible aetiology has been discussed and the following hypotheses have been put forward. The early weight bearing of the immature bones of the lower limbs has uneven pressure effects on the growth plate and also the laxity of the knee ligaments produces abnormal posture. The abnormal posture during growth and pressure effect of a tight band around the knee when the child is carried on the back predisposes to genu varum and valgum. Dietetic abnormalities may also be one of the factors but these have not been elucidated. Lastly, the tendency of the condition to occur in the African race raises the possibility of genetic factors.", "PMID": 611169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_430", "title": "Fatal coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in a Nigerian case report with necropsy findings.", "content": "This report describes the clinical and necropsy findings in a fatal case of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease with thrombosis occurring in a Nigerian. This entity is very rarely seen in indigenous Africans, except in the setting of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or high socioeconomic status.", "contents": "Fatal coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in a Nigerian case report with necropsy findings. This report describes the clinical and necropsy findings in a fatal case of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease with thrombosis occurring in a Nigerian. This entity is very rarely seen in indigenous Africans, except in the setting of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or high socioeconomic status.", "PMID": 611170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_431", "title": "Development of bilirubin metabolism and transport in the neonate.", "content": "Comprehensive physiologic study of the developmental processes of bilirubin metabolism and transport reveal a complex interaction of various steps. Phase I Physiologic Jaundice results from the simultaneous increase in bilirubin load presented to the liver and decrease in bilirubin conjugating capacity. Phase II appears to result from a mild decrease in hepatic uptake capacity, coupled with the continuing increase in bilirubin load. Since these results are based upon studies of newborn rhesus monkeys, confirmatory studies in human neonates are required. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of these observations relates to the concept of a developmentally determined delicate imbalance between two functions. It is unlikely that pharmacologic agents could radically alter a single function. Therefore, it is perhaps more realistic to think that drug treatments which only slightly alter two functions simultaneously but in the appropriate directions could more effectively reduce the risk of toxicity. Thus, a mild increase in bilirubin conjugation coupled with a small but significant decrease in bilirubin load could markedly alleviate the severity of physiologic jaundice.", "contents": "Development of bilirubin metabolism and transport in the neonate. Comprehensive physiologic study of the developmental processes of bilirubin metabolism and transport reveal a complex interaction of various steps. Phase I Physiologic Jaundice results from the simultaneous increase in bilirubin load presented to the liver and decrease in bilirubin conjugating capacity. Phase II appears to result from a mild decrease in hepatic uptake capacity, coupled with the continuing increase in bilirubin load. Since these results are based upon studies of newborn rhesus monkeys, confirmatory studies in human neonates are required. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of these observations relates to the concept of a developmentally determined delicate imbalance between two functions. It is unlikely that pharmacologic agents could radically alter a single function. Therefore, it is perhaps more realistic to think that drug treatments which only slightly alter two functions simultaneously but in the appropriate directions could more effectively reduce the risk of toxicity. Thus, a mild increase in bilirubin conjugation coupled with a small but significant decrease in bilirubin load could markedly alleviate the severity of physiologic jaundice.", "PMID": 611338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_432", "title": "[Electron microscopy features of renal changes in chronic lead poisoning (author's transl)].", "content": "The Authors report the results of a renal morphological study carried out on eight patients with chronic lead poisoning. The ultrastructural analysis showed changes, mainly involving the proximal tubules, as follows: 1) degenerative pattern (swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum and scanty microvilli); 2) signs of metabolic hyperactivity (intranuclear granular inclusions, odd shaped nuclei); 3) regenerative pattern (poorly differentiated cells with few microvilli, shallow infoldings of basal cell membranes). In the glomeruli the most characteristic finding was a mesangial reaction. The basement membrane, in some cases, appeared to be thickened and the visceral epithelial cells hypertrophic. Interstitial fibrosis was present, as well as, occasionally, a certain degree of arteriolar hyperplasia. These data appear to confirm that chronic lead nephropathy has an extremely slow evolution.", "contents": "[Electron microscopy features of renal changes in chronic lead poisoning (author's transl)]. The Authors report the results of a renal morphological study carried out on eight patients with chronic lead poisoning. The ultrastructural analysis showed changes, mainly involving the proximal tubules, as follows: 1) degenerative pattern (swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum and scanty microvilli); 2) signs of metabolic hyperactivity (intranuclear granular inclusions, odd shaped nuclei); 3) regenerative pattern (poorly differentiated cells with few microvilli, shallow infoldings of basal cell membranes). In the glomeruli the most characteristic finding was a mesangial reaction. The basement membrane, in some cases, appeared to be thickened and the visceral epithelial cells hypertrophic. Interstitial fibrosis was present, as well as, occasionally, a certain degree of arteriolar hyperplasia. These data appear to confirm that chronic lead nephropathy has an extremely slow evolution.", "PMID": 611361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_433", "title": "[The significance of acetylcholine test in occupational allergic asthma (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors studied the spirometric changes following acetylcholine inhalation in a group of subjects with history of paroxysmal dyspnea--apparently related to their working activity--and, at the same time, with negative skin tests. Acetylcholine inhalation test proved to be positive in 80% of the cases, showing an increased bronchial reactivity and therefore a tendency to functional bronchostenosis. The high percentage of positive responses in the suspect cases, the lack of side effects and the negative results in control subjects, recommend the acetylcholine inhalation test as a suitable ancillary diagnostic procedure in suspect cases of occupational allergic asthma.", "contents": "[The significance of acetylcholine test in occupational allergic asthma (author's transl)]. The authors studied the spirometric changes following acetylcholine inhalation in a group of subjects with history of paroxysmal dyspnea--apparently related to their working activity--and, at the same time, with negative skin tests. Acetylcholine inhalation test proved to be positive in 80% of the cases, showing an increased bronchial reactivity and therefore a tendency to functional bronchostenosis. The high percentage of positive responses in the suspect cases, the lack of side effects and the negative results in control subjects, recommend the acetylcholine inhalation test as a suitable ancillary diagnostic procedure in suspect cases of occupational allergic asthma.", "PMID": 611362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_434", "title": "Improved reversed passive hemagglutination for simple and rapid detection of staphycococcal enterotoxins A approximately E in food.", "content": "Detection and identification of staphylococcal enterotoxins in food or culture filtrates were performed using the reversed passive hemagglutination (RPHA) technique, with formalized sheep red blood cells (FSRBC) sensitized with immunologlobulins of anti-A, B, C, D, and E rabbit hyperimmune sera fractionated by affinity chromatography. The FSRBC sensitized with anti-A approximately E immunoglobulins showed a high level of reactivity and specificity in RPHA, against homologous types of purified enterotoxins and culture filtrates of toxin-producing strains. No non-specific reactions with various ingredients in foods nor cross-reactions among enterotoxin types were observed. The minimum amount of enterotoxins in foods detected by RPHA was calculated to be 0.01 micorgram/g without concentration, and the recovery rate of experimentally added toxins was calculated to be about 80%. Under routine laboratory practice, detection and identification of enterotoxins from incriminated foods of five food poisoning outbreaks were performed by RPHA within 3 hr after reception of the specimens. Among them, three were determined to be enterotoxin A food poisoning, one to be toxin C and the rest to be intoxication of A and D. The concentrations of the toxins was between 0.014 and 3.65 microgram per gram of food.", "contents": "Improved reversed passive hemagglutination for simple and rapid detection of staphycococcal enterotoxins A approximately E in food. Detection and identification of staphylococcal enterotoxins in food or culture filtrates were performed using the reversed passive hemagglutination (RPHA) technique, with formalized sheep red blood cells (FSRBC) sensitized with immunologlobulins of anti-A, B, C, D, and E rabbit hyperimmune sera fractionated by affinity chromatography. The FSRBC sensitized with anti-A approximately E immunoglobulins showed a high level of reactivity and specificity in RPHA, against homologous types of purified enterotoxins and culture filtrates of toxin-producing strains. No non-specific reactions with various ingredients in foods nor cross-reactions among enterotoxin types were observed. The minimum amount of enterotoxins in foods detected by RPHA was calculated to be 0.01 micorgram/g without concentration, and the recovery rate of experimentally added toxins was calculated to be about 80%. Under routine laboratory practice, detection and identification of enterotoxins from incriminated foods of five food poisoning outbreaks were performed by RPHA within 3 hr after reception of the specimens. Among them, three were determined to be enterotoxin A food poisoning, one to be toxin C and the rest to be intoxication of A and D. The concentrations of the toxins was between 0.014 and 3.65 microgram per gram of food.", "PMID": 611363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_435", "title": "Convulsions in the first three years of life.", "content": "A prospective study of convulsions in 5803 consecutive newborn infants from an Australian city is described; 535 children were lost to study, leaving 90.9% of the original sample. Of the remaining 5268, 325 had at least one convulsive episode during the first three years of life--an incidence of 61.7 per thousand. Convulsions following breath-holding attacks were experienced by 8.1 per thousand, while a further 4.0 per thousand had simple breath-holding attacks associated with transient loss of consciousness, but no convulsion. Convulsions associated with fever were experienced by 39.9 per thousand. In addition, 8.2 per thousand had idiopathic convulsions, 2.8 per thousand had neonatal convulsions and 2.7 per thousand had convulsions of mixed aetiology. Factors relating to the convulsion are described in detail. Pregnancy and birth data are compared with those of a control group taken from the study.", "contents": "Convulsions in the first three years of life. A prospective study of convulsions in 5803 consecutive newborn infants from an Australian city is described; 535 children were lost to study, leaving 90.9% of the original sample. Of the remaining 5268, 325 had at least one convulsive episode during the first three years of life--an incidence of 61.7 per thousand. Convulsions following breath-holding attacks were experienced by 8.1 per thousand, while a further 4.0 per thousand had simple breath-holding attacks associated with transient loss of consciousness, but no convulsion. Convulsions associated with fever were experienced by 39.9 per thousand. In addition, 8.2 per thousand had idiopathic convulsions, 2.8 per thousand had neonatal convulsions and 2.7 per thousand had convulsions of mixed aetiology. Factors relating to the convulsion are described in detail. Pregnancy and birth data are compared with those of a control group taken from the study.", "PMID": 611368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_436", "title": "Current status of echography (ultrasound).", "content": "Ultrasonic demonstration of the anatomy and pathology of solid and fluid-filled organs and structures of the upper abdomen, the retroperitoneum and the pelvis is now well established, as is its use for examination of the thyroid gland, breast, the orbit, the heart, the scrotum and soft tissue masses. Aspiration of cytological and histological material for tissue diagnosis and other purposes is performed in a number of centres. Echography and computed tomography of the abdomen are complementary and there is a trend towards combined units so that each service may be used more efficiently.", "contents": "Current status of echography (ultrasound). Ultrasonic demonstration of the anatomy and pathology of solid and fluid-filled organs and structures of the upper abdomen, the retroperitoneum and the pelvis is now well established, as is its use for examination of the thyroid gland, breast, the orbit, the heart, the scrotum and soft tissue masses. Aspiration of cytological and histological material for tissue diagnosis and other purposes is performed in a number of centres. Echography and computed tomography of the abdomen are complementary and there is a trend towards combined units so that each service may be used more efficiently.", "PMID": 611369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_437", "title": "Naturally acquired immunity to influenza type A: a further prospective study.", "content": "During the 1976 influenza epidemic, the incidence and severity of attack by A/Victoria/3/75 strain were studied in 312 participants who were divided into two groups: in Group 1 were 216 participants who had a history of laboratory-proven infection by one of the earlier strains of Hong Kong subtype; in Group 2 were 96 participants who had no known history of such prior infection. No participant in either group received influenza vaccine. The efficacy of clinical immunity, acquired as a result of prior infection by an earlier Hong Kong subtype strain, was judged by comparing the findings in Group 1 and Group 2. Incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection was found to be 27% in Group 2 (26 cases confirmed) and 10.6% in Group 1 (23 cases confirmed). Among Group 1 members, the incidence was highest in those with the longest interval since prior Hong Kong subtype infection. Severe influenzal illness was seen in 14 of the 26 proven cases in Group 2, and in only three of the 23 proven cases in Group 1. The prior infection in these three had been by A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain in 1969-1970. Thus in Group 1, severe influenzal illness was not observed until six years or more had passed since prior infection (and three episodes of antigenic drift had intervened). Results suggested that low serum antibody levels may be unreliable as indicators of clinical immunity. Preepidemic sera of 99 members of Group 1 and 82 members of Group 2 showed no HAI antibody to A/Victoria/3/75 (titre less than 8), but the incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection among these individuals was lower in Group 1 (19%) than in Group 2 (30.5%).", "contents": "Naturally acquired immunity to influenza type A: a further prospective study. During the 1976 influenza epidemic, the incidence and severity of attack by A/Victoria/3/75 strain were studied in 312 participants who were divided into two groups: in Group 1 were 216 participants who had a history of laboratory-proven infection by one of the earlier strains of Hong Kong subtype; in Group 2 were 96 participants who had no known history of such prior infection. No participant in either group received influenza vaccine. The efficacy of clinical immunity, acquired as a result of prior infection by an earlier Hong Kong subtype strain, was judged by comparing the findings in Group 1 and Group 2. Incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection was found to be 27% in Group 2 (26 cases confirmed) and 10.6% in Group 1 (23 cases confirmed). Among Group 1 members, the incidence was highest in those with the longest interval since prior Hong Kong subtype infection. Severe influenzal illness was seen in 14 of the 26 proven cases in Group 2, and in only three of the 23 proven cases in Group 1. The prior infection in these three had been by A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain in 1969-1970. Thus in Group 1, severe influenzal illness was not observed until six years or more had passed since prior infection (and three episodes of antigenic drift had intervened). Results suggested that low serum antibody levels may be unreliable as indicators of clinical immunity. Preepidemic sera of 99 members of Group 1 and 82 members of Group 2 showed no HAI antibody to A/Victoria/3/75 (titre less than 8), but the incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection among these individuals was lower in Group 1 (19%) than in Group 2 (30.5%).", "PMID": 611373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_438", "title": "Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in papua nuiginians--a reappraisal.", "content": "Studies of 11 Papua Nuiginians with recurrent muscular paralysis are presented. The clinical pattern, the geographical clustering, the lack of relation with dietary change, and the normal aldosterone levels in two patients support the view that it is a variant of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.", "contents": "Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in papua nuiginians--a reappraisal. Studies of 11 Papua Nuiginians with recurrent muscular paralysis are presented. The clinical pattern, the geographical clustering, the lack of relation with dietary change, and the normal aldosterone levels in two patients support the view that it is a variant of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.", "PMID": 611374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_439", "title": "Fatal accidents to children: implications for prevention.", "content": "Effects to prevent childhood accidents should be directed at the causes of serious injury and death, rather than at the causes of the vast number of emergency department trivial injuries. This paper analyses fatal accidents, and suggests areas in which efforts at prevention may be effective. It emphasizes the importance of motor car accidents, and drowning accidents in childhood.", "contents": "Fatal accidents to children: implications for prevention. Effects to prevent childhood accidents should be directed at the causes of serious injury and death, rather than at the causes of the vast number of emergency department trivial injuries. This paper analyses fatal accidents, and suggests areas in which efforts at prevention may be effective. It emphasizes the importance of motor car accidents, and drowning accidents in childhood.", "PMID": 611375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_440", "title": "Drowning in Australia: a national appraisal with particular reference to children.", "content": "National statistics of drowning (accidental and submersion) for Australia, by State, age and sex have been compiled. The national rate is 3.29 per 100 000 which compares well with that from other countries of similar latitude. The national childhood drowning rate (age group of 0 to 14 years) is 5.19 per 100 000; the rate for the 0 to four years age group ranges from almost zero in the Australian Capital Territory to 15.69 in Queensland. In all States, a drowning rate for preschool children is at least four times that of school children. Preschool versus total drowning ratios have been calculated, by State; the rank order of this data (those of Victoria are highest at 4.65) is further evidence that climatic factors alone are not necessarily major predisposing causes leading to high drowning statistics of preschool children observed in other series.", "contents": "Drowning in Australia: a national appraisal with particular reference to children. National statistics of drowning (accidental and submersion) for Australia, by State, age and sex have been compiled. The national rate is 3.29 per 100 000 which compares well with that from other countries of similar latitude. The national childhood drowning rate (age group of 0 to 14 years) is 5.19 per 100 000; the rate for the 0 to four years age group ranges from almost zero in the Australian Capital Territory to 15.69 in Queensland. In all States, a drowning rate for preschool children is at least four times that of school children. Preschool versus total drowning ratios have been calculated, by State; the rank order of this data (those of Victoria are highest at 4.65) is further evidence that climatic factors alone are not necessarily major predisposing causes leading to high drowning statistics of preschool children observed in other series.", "PMID": 611376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_441", "title": "Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography: analysis of the normal pancreatogram, and changes which are associated with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.", "content": "The dimensions of the normal pancreatogram were determined by studies in 30 adults without demonstrable pancreatic disease. The main pancreatic duct had a mean maximum diameter of 3.1 mm, 2.4 mm and 1.4 mm in the head, body and tail of the pancreas respectively; diameters at the upper limit of normal were 4 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm in these three regions; Changes in the main pancreatic duct were categorized, and the relative frequency of these changes was determined in 45 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 14 patients with pancreatic cancer; Obstruction of the main duct was usually associated with cancer, whereas dilatation throughout the duct was only observed in chronic pancreatitis, Segmental stricture was common in both diseases, but analysis of the corresponding cholangiogram permitted differentiation in some patients. Gross distortion of the duct system occurred only in chronic pancreatitis, and was frequently associated with calcification which was seen on plain abdominal X-ray film. The main pancreatic duct showed no abnormalities in five patients (11%) with chronic pancreatitis, and one patient (7%) with cancer. Analysis of changes in the main pancreatic duct usually permitted differentiation of chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.", "contents": "Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography: analysis of the normal pancreatogram, and changes which are associated with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The dimensions of the normal pancreatogram were determined by studies in 30 adults without demonstrable pancreatic disease. The main pancreatic duct had a mean maximum diameter of 3.1 mm, 2.4 mm and 1.4 mm in the head, body and tail of the pancreas respectively; diameters at the upper limit of normal were 4 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm in these three regions; Changes in the main pancreatic duct were categorized, and the relative frequency of these changes was determined in 45 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 14 patients with pancreatic cancer; Obstruction of the main duct was usually associated with cancer, whereas dilatation throughout the duct was only observed in chronic pancreatitis, Segmental stricture was common in both diseases, but analysis of the corresponding cholangiogram permitted differentiation in some patients. Gross distortion of the duct system occurred only in chronic pancreatitis, and was frequently associated with calcification which was seen on plain abdominal X-ray film. The main pancreatic duct showed no abnormalities in five patients (11%) with chronic pancreatitis, and one patient (7%) with cancer. Analysis of changes in the main pancreatic duct usually permitted differentiation of chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.", "PMID": 611384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_442", "title": "Academic performance of medical students: data from the intake of 1968.", "content": "A study of the performance of the first Wyndham Scheme students in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales was undertaken. Forty-five percent of the cohort of 237 graduated in the minimum time, and 76% eventually graduated in succeeding years. Of the 130 entrants with Higher School Certificate (HSC) aggregates of 500+, 60% graduated in minimum time; in the case of the 107 entrants with HSC aggregates of less than 500, the figure was 28%. There was an extremely high correlation rate (r = 0.98) between HSC aggregate and success in the course at the first attempt. There was no significant difference between the minimum time or eventual graduation rates of males (211) and females (26), despite the fact that females had a significantly higher performance in the HSC; There was no improvement in the numbers graduating in the minimum time compared with the first intake of medical students at the University of New South Wales, or the last \"pre-Wyndham\" intake. A comment about wastage rates is made and suggestions for remedying the situation are put forth.", "contents": "Academic performance of medical students: data from the intake of 1968. A study of the performance of the first Wyndham Scheme students in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales was undertaken. Forty-five percent of the cohort of 237 graduated in the minimum time, and 76% eventually graduated in succeeding years. Of the 130 entrants with Higher School Certificate (HSC) aggregates of 500+, 60% graduated in minimum time; in the case of the 107 entrants with HSC aggregates of less than 500, the figure was 28%. There was an extremely high correlation rate (r = 0.98) between HSC aggregate and success in the course at the first attempt. There was no significant difference between the minimum time or eventual graduation rates of males (211) and females (26), despite the fact that females had a significantly higher performance in the HSC; There was no improvement in the numbers graduating in the minimum time compared with the first intake of medical students at the University of New South Wales, or the last \"pre-Wyndham\" intake. A comment about wastage rates is made and suggestions for remedying the situation are put forth.", "PMID": 611385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_443", "title": "Successful removal of retained bile duct stones by endoscopic sphincterotomy.", "content": "Two cases are reported in which endoscopic sphincterotomy was successful in allowing passage of stones retained in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy, performed in one case three weeks and in the other 14 years before.", "contents": "Successful removal of retained bile duct stones by endoscopic sphincterotomy. Two cases are reported in which endoscopic sphincterotomy was successful in allowing passage of stones retained in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy, performed in one case three weeks and in the other 14 years before.", "PMID": 611386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_444", "title": "We are losing our brothers: Sorcery and alcohol in an Aboriginal community.", "content": "The concerns and fears of the people of an Aboriginal community which follow the premature death of any of its members are discussed. These concerns centre on the competing possibilities that the death has been caused either by sorcery or by chronic and heavy consumption of alcohol. The expressed needs of the people with respect to communication with medical staff both during illness and after a death are presented and are explored in the light of the quest of one of us (D.M., a senior community member) for information about the causes of the deaths of several men of the community.", "contents": "We are losing our brothers: Sorcery and alcohol in an Aboriginal community. The concerns and fears of the people of an Aboriginal community which follow the premature death of any of its members are discussed. These concerns centre on the competing possibilities that the death has been caused either by sorcery or by chronic and heavy consumption of alcohol. The expressed needs of the people with respect to communication with medical staff both during illness and after a death are presented and are explored in the light of the quest of one of us (D.M., a senior community member) for information about the causes of the deaths of several men of the community.", "PMID": 611391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_445", "title": "Gastroenteritis in Alice Springs.", "content": "One hundred and thirty admissions to Alice Springs Hospital of full-blood Aboriginal children with acute gastroenteritis during a six-months period in 1975-1976 were examined retrospectively. Sixty-two (48%) of the children were malnourished, including seven (5.4%) who were marasmic. An accelerated weight gain was demonstrated during the recovery phase, averaging 418% of that expected for age. Hypokalaemia occurred in 77 of 117 children (66%); it was severe (serum potassium levels being less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/l.) in 15 (13%), and did not correlate with dehydration as assessed by initial weight gain, or with nutritional status. Hyponatraemia occurred in 32 of 123 children (26%) and was severe (serum sodium levels being less than or equal to 130 mmol/l.) in 11 (9%). Hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin levels below 35 g/l.) and anaemia (haemoglobin values below 10 g/100 ml) occurred in 15% and 22% respectively. Potential faecal pathogens were isolated during 80 of the 130 admissions (62%). Multiple pathogens were common. Interrelationships of nutrition, infection and immune response are discussed, and measures for reducing morbidity and mortality are outlined.", "contents": "Gastroenteritis in Alice Springs. One hundred and thirty admissions to Alice Springs Hospital of full-blood Aboriginal children with acute gastroenteritis during a six-months period in 1975-1976 were examined retrospectively. Sixty-two (48%) of the children were malnourished, including seven (5.4%) who were marasmic. An accelerated weight gain was demonstrated during the recovery phase, averaging 418% of that expected for age. Hypokalaemia occurred in 77 of 117 children (66%); it was severe (serum potassium levels being less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/l.) in 15 (13%), and did not correlate with dehydration as assessed by initial weight gain, or with nutritional status. Hyponatraemia occurred in 32 of 123 children (26%) and was severe (serum sodium levels being less than or equal to 130 mmol/l.) in 11 (9%). Hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin levels below 35 g/l.) and anaemia (haemoglobin values below 10 g/100 ml) occurred in 15% and 22% respectively. Potential faecal pathogens were isolated during 80 of the 130 admissions (62%). Multiple pathogens were common. Interrelationships of nutrition, infection and immune response are discussed, and measures for reducing morbidity and mortality are outlined.", "PMID": 611393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_446", "title": "Prognostic factors in colon carcinoma: correlation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and tumor histopathology.", "content": "Preoperative serum CEA values showed prognostic usefulness and correlated with established histopathologic prognostic parameters. CEA levels provide an additional useful prognostic index of a complex immunopathologic process. The best prognostic appraisal of the individual patient can be achieved by a complete assessment of all participating factors.", "contents": "Prognostic factors in colon carcinoma: correlation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and tumor histopathology. Preoperative serum CEA values showed prognostic usefulness and correlated with established histopathologic prognostic parameters. CEA levels provide an additional useful prognostic index of a complex immunopathologic process. The best prognostic appraisal of the individual patient can be achieved by a complete assessment of all participating factors.", "PMID": 611410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_447", "title": "Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract.", "content": "Lymphomas occurring primarily in the alimentary tract present in the same way as carcinomas. Because they have a much better prognosis than carcinoma, especially in the case of gastrict lymphomas, it is important that they be diagnosed. For this reason, laparotomy if necessary should be undertaken in order to establish a histologic diagnosis of all alimentary neoplasms. With modern equipment, however, it is often possible to obtain enough tissue for diagnosis by endoscopic means. The ideal treatment is surgery, but if there is doubt about the completeness of excision or if there are involved lymphnodes, postoperative radiotherapy is desirable. The types of primary alimentary lymphoma are similar to those occurring in lymphnodes, and they may be follicular (nodular) or diffuse. Hodgkin's disease is less common than the other lymphomas and has a somewhat worse prognosis. The main prognostic features of alimentary lymphomas are type of lymphoma and degree of differentiation. Follicular lymphomas have a better prognosis than diffuse lymphomas and well differentiated lymphocytic lesions have a better prognosis than large cell poorly differentiated tumors. Lymphnode involvement has no significance in the overall survival rates.", "contents": "Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphomas occurring primarily in the alimentary tract present in the same way as carcinomas. Because they have a much better prognosis than carcinoma, especially in the case of gastrict lymphomas, it is important that they be diagnosed. For this reason, laparotomy if necessary should be undertaken in order to establish a histologic diagnosis of all alimentary neoplasms. With modern equipment, however, it is often possible to obtain enough tissue for diagnosis by endoscopic means. The ideal treatment is surgery, but if there is doubt about the completeness of excision or if there are involved lymphnodes, postoperative radiotherapy is desirable. The types of primary alimentary lymphoma are similar to those occurring in lymphnodes, and they may be follicular (nodular) or diffuse. Hodgkin's disease is less common than the other lymphomas and has a somewhat worse prognosis. The main prognostic features of alimentary lymphomas are type of lymphoma and degree of differentiation. Follicular lymphomas have a better prognosis than diffuse lymphomas and well differentiated lymphocytic lesions have a better prognosis than large cell poorly differentiated tumors. Lymphnode involvement has no significance in the overall survival rates.", "PMID": 611413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_448", "title": "Colo-rectal biopsy in inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is viewed as all-inclusive, covering the full panoply of intestinal disorders in which inflammatory changes are a prominent feature, including those of infectious, toxic, and intrinsic origin as well as the idiopathic entities ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This chapter describes and discusses those aspects of colo-rectal biopsy in IBD which can help pathologists make optimal interpretations. The areas covered are: 1) methods used to prepare biopsy specimens for study, 2) normal histologic findings and common artefacts, 3) basic pathologic changes occurring in IBD, 4) a general approach to differential diagnosis in IBD, and 5) discussion of the various individual forms of IBD. The importance of full and reliable information exchange between the endoscopist and pathologist is stressed. Special attention is given to features in biopsy specimens which help in differentiating between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Other entities discussed are bacterial dysenteries; gonococcal proctitis; tuberculosis; Whipple's disease; amebiasis; balantidiasis; schistosomiasis; cryptosporidiosis; lymphopathia venereum; cytomegalovirus infection; histoplasmosis; antibiotic colitis; IBD due to cytotoxic drugs (5-FU), heavy metals, and foodstuffs; irradiation colitis; ischemic colitis; solitary ulcer syndrome; diverticulitis; and colitis secondary to obstruction. The term pseudomembranous enterocolitis is also considered.", "contents": "Colo-rectal biopsy in inflammatory bowel disease. The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is viewed as all-inclusive, covering the full panoply of intestinal disorders in which inflammatory changes are a prominent feature, including those of infectious, toxic, and intrinsic origin as well as the idiopathic entities ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This chapter describes and discusses those aspects of colo-rectal biopsy in IBD which can help pathologists make optimal interpretations. The areas covered are: 1) methods used to prepare biopsy specimens for study, 2) normal histologic findings and common artefacts, 3) basic pathologic changes occurring in IBD, 4) a general approach to differential diagnosis in IBD, and 5) discussion of the various individual forms of IBD. The importance of full and reliable information exchange between the endoscopist and pathologist is stressed. Special attention is given to features in biopsy specimens which help in differentiating between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Other entities discussed are bacterial dysenteries; gonococcal proctitis; tuberculosis; Whipple's disease; amebiasis; balantidiasis; schistosomiasis; cryptosporidiosis; lymphopathia venereum; cytomegalovirus infection; histoplasmosis; antibiotic colitis; IBD due to cytotoxic drugs (5-FU), heavy metals, and foodstuffs; irradiation colitis; ischemic colitis; solitary ulcer syndrome; diverticulitis; and colitis secondary to obstruction. The term pseudomembranous enterocolitis is also considered.", "PMID": 611415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_449", "title": "[Use of wheat rich in protein for broiler feeding. 4. Nutrient and amino acid content of the consumable part].", "content": "After having finished a broiler-feeding experiment with wheat rich in protein under industry-like conditions eight by eight male and female animals from four groups were selected on their 56th day of life and experimentally cut up. Crude fat, crude protein, and amino acids contents were determined in the consumable parts (meat, gizzard, heart, liver, abdominal fat). The control group got the conventional broiler feed only. The protein fodder parts were reduced in the three experimental rations taking into account the covering of the needs of lysine and sulphur containing amino acids, by which two experimental rations were supplemented with 0.05% L-Lysine and 0.0% DL-methionine and 0.25% L-lysine and 0.15% DL-methionine respectively. It cound be established that except the lower dry matter content of the consumable parts of female broiler in the control group there were no significant differences through the influence of the rations. Furthermore no influence could be established of the high part of wheat rich in protein and the supplements of amino acids on the composition of the muscle protein.", "contents": "[Use of wheat rich in protein for broiler feeding. 4. Nutrient and amino acid content of the consumable part]. After having finished a broiler-feeding experiment with wheat rich in protein under industry-like conditions eight by eight male and female animals from four groups were selected on their 56th day of life and experimentally cut up. Crude fat, crude protein, and amino acids contents were determined in the consumable parts (meat, gizzard, heart, liver, abdominal fat). The control group got the conventional broiler feed only. The protein fodder parts were reduced in the three experimental rations taking into account the covering of the needs of lysine and sulphur containing amino acids, by which two experimental rations were supplemented with 0.05% L-Lysine and 0.0% DL-methionine and 0.25% L-lysine and 0.15% DL-methionine respectively. It cound be established that except the lower dry matter content of the consumable parts of female broiler in the control group there were no significant differences through the influence of the rations. Furthermore no influence could be established of the high part of wheat rich in protein and the supplements of amino acids on the composition of the muscle protein.", "PMID": 611419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_450", "title": "[Total body analysis of rats with special regard to fat determination. Possibility of determining fat and proteins by calculation].", "content": "The authors present a method for the whole body analysis of rats which combines the animal body preparation according to Mickelsen with the lipid analysis according to Folch; the liquid analysis has been somewhat modified. In this way and by the non-gutting of the animals, the determination of the body fat becomes less laborious. The body fat content can also be calculated from the water content. The body water content was determined gravimetrically. The body protein content was determined according to Kjeldahl; the protein content may also be calculated from the fat and water contents if an error range of +1% is acceptable.", "contents": "[Total body analysis of rats with special regard to fat determination. Possibility of determining fat and proteins by calculation]. The authors present a method for the whole body analysis of rats which combines the animal body preparation according to Mickelsen with the lipid analysis according to Folch; the liquid analysis has been somewhat modified. In this way and by the non-gutting of the animals, the determination of the body fat becomes less laborious. The body fat content can also be calculated from the water content. The body water content was determined gravimetrically. The body protein content was determined according to Kjeldahl; the protein content may also be calculated from the fat and water contents if an error range of +1% is acceptable.", "PMID": 611420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_451", "title": "[Routine colorimetric method for the quantitative microanalysis of free alpha-amino nitrogen in protein hydrolysates].", "content": "The determination of alpha-amino nitrogen (alpha-AN) is performed via the formation of amino acid copper complexes and subsequent colorimetric estimation of the dissolved copper as copper diethyldithiocarbamate. The continuous colour reaction by means of an auto-analyzer increases the reliability of the measured values (variation coefficient = 1.7%) compared to the laborious manual method. The stability of the amino acid copper complexes and of copper diethyldithiocarbamate was verified and possible interferences with the colour reaction were discussed. Ammonia does not interfere with the determination of alpha-AN in protein hydrolysates, whereas traces of detergent residues bias the measured values.", "contents": "[Routine colorimetric method for the quantitative microanalysis of free alpha-amino nitrogen in protein hydrolysates]. The determination of alpha-amino nitrogen (alpha-AN) is performed via the formation of amino acid copper complexes and subsequent colorimetric estimation of the dissolved copper as copper diethyldithiocarbamate. The continuous colour reaction by means of an auto-analyzer increases the reliability of the measured values (variation coefficient = 1.7%) compared to the laborious manual method. The stability of the amino acid copper complexes and of copper diethyldithiocarbamate was verified and possible interferences with the colour reaction were discussed. Ammonia does not interfere with the determination of alpha-AN in protein hydrolysates, whereas traces of detergent residues bias the measured values.", "PMID": 611421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_452", "title": "[Content of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in smoked foods in the German Democratic Republic and the Hungarian People's Republic].", "content": "In the GDR, industrially smoked foods contain on an average 0.43 microgram Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)/kg; products smoked according to trade rules, 0.76 microgram/kg; home-smoked products, 0.74 microgram/kg. The mean BaP content of smoked meat and sausage products in the GDR is 0.55 microgram/kg. Smoked fishes (without skin) contained on an average 1.39 microgram BaP/kg. The following average values were found in the Hungarian People's Republic: 0.6 microgram/kg (industrially smoked), 0.74 microgram/kg (home-smoked), 0.7 microgram/kg (total mean). Smoked cheese contained on an average 0.85 microgram/kg. The average BaP value of home-smoked (softwood) products of a Slovene ethnic group in the Hungarian People's Republic is 4.16 microgram/kg; the population of this region shows a considerably increased rate of stomach cancer. Apart from this particular case, the techniques used in both countries permit to obtain smoked meat and sausage products and smoked cheese with BaP contents less than 1 microgram/kg.", "contents": "[Content of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in smoked foods in the German Democratic Republic and the Hungarian People's Republic]. In the GDR, industrially smoked foods contain on an average 0.43 microgram Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)/kg; products smoked according to trade rules, 0.76 microgram/kg; home-smoked products, 0.74 microgram/kg. The mean BaP content of smoked meat and sausage products in the GDR is 0.55 microgram/kg. Smoked fishes (without skin) contained on an average 1.39 microgram BaP/kg. The following average values were found in the Hungarian People's Republic: 0.6 microgram/kg (industrially smoked), 0.74 microgram/kg (home-smoked), 0.7 microgram/kg (total mean). Smoked cheese contained on an average 0.85 microgram/kg. The average BaP value of home-smoked (softwood) products of a Slovene ethnic group in the Hungarian People's Republic is 4.16 microgram/kg; the population of this region shows a considerably increased rate of stomach cancer. Apart from this particular case, the techniques used in both countries permit to obtain smoked meat and sausage products and smoked cheese with BaP contents less than 1 microgram/kg.", "PMID": 611422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_453", "title": "Chance and the origin of life.", "content": "Random chemical reactions in the Earth's primitive hydrosphere could have generated no more than 200 bits of information, whereas the first Darwinian organism must have encoded about a million bits, and therefore could not have arisen by chance. This information gap is bridged by separating reproduction from organism, and postulating a reproductive chemical community that would generate information by proto-Darwinian evolution. The information content of the initial community could have been as low as 160 bits, and its evolution might have led to the first Darwinian cell.", "contents": "Chance and the origin of life. Random chemical reactions in the Earth's primitive hydrosphere could have generated no more than 200 bits of information, whereas the first Darwinian organism must have encoded about a million bits, and therefore could not have arisen by chance. This information gap is bridged by separating reproduction from organism, and postulating a reproductive chemical community that would generate information by proto-Darwinian evolution. The information content of the initial community could have been as low as 160 bits, and its evolution might have led to the first Darwinian cell.", "PMID": 611423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_454", "title": "The polymerization of alpha-aminopropionitrile.", "content": "The mixture of alpha-aminopropionitrile and alpha, alpha'-iminodipropionitrile polymerized to solidify almost at the temperature near 0 degrees C during 8 years. The conversions based on decreasing of those reactants were 61 and 98% at 4 and 8 years, respectively. The fractionation of 4 and 8 years product using Sephadex G 10 yielded their predominant amounts in the oligomer and polymer section, respectively. The oligomer section product of 8 years product was analyzed by means of ion exchange chromatography and its trimethylsilyl derivative was also analyzed by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. These results identified dialanine and trialanine and their amides and nitriles.", "contents": "The polymerization of alpha-aminopropionitrile. The mixture of alpha-aminopropionitrile and alpha, alpha'-iminodipropionitrile polymerized to solidify almost at the temperature near 0 degrees C during 8 years. The conversions based on decreasing of those reactants were 61 and 98% at 4 and 8 years, respectively. The fractionation of 4 and 8 years product using Sephadex G 10 yielded their predominant amounts in the oligomer and polymer section, respectively. The oligomer section product of 8 years product was analyzed by means of ion exchange chromatography and its trimethylsilyl derivative was also analyzed by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. These results identified dialanine and trialanine and their amides and nitriles.", "PMID": 611425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_455", "title": "The synthesis and chromatography of peptine nitriles.", "content": "Di- and tripeptide nitriles, glycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-AAN), diglycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-Gly-AAN), alany-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-APN), and dialanyl-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-Ala-APN) were synthesized first. These peptide nitriles and related peptides and peptide amides were analyzed by means of ion-exchange chromatography. The every two diastereomers of dialanine, dialanine amide, and Ala-APN were separated into two peaks by using a pH 3.25 buffer as an eluent. The four isomers of trialanine, trialanine amide, and Ala--Ala APN gave four, two, and one peak, respectively under the same conditions. The trimethylsilyl derivatives of alanyl peptides and related compounds were analyzed by means of gas chromatogrpahy combined with mass-spectrometry. The parent (M+ and/or M+-15) and other mass numbers observed in their mass-spectra supported the introduction of various numbers of trimethylsilyl groups.", "contents": "The synthesis and chromatography of peptine nitriles. Di- and tripeptide nitriles, glycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-AAN), diglycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-Gly-AAN), alany-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-APN), and dialanyl-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-Ala-APN) were synthesized first. These peptide nitriles and related peptides and peptide amides were analyzed by means of ion-exchange chromatography. The every two diastereomers of dialanine, dialanine amide, and Ala-APN were separated into two peaks by using a pH 3.25 buffer as an eluent. The four isomers of trialanine, trialanine amide, and Ala--Ala APN gave four, two, and one peak, respectively under the same conditions. The trimethylsilyl derivatives of alanyl peptides and related compounds were analyzed by means of gas chromatogrpahy combined with mass-spectrometry. The parent (M+ and/or M+-15) and other mass numbers observed in their mass-spectra supported the introduction of various numbers of trimethylsilyl groups.", "PMID": 611426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_456", "title": "The asymmetric adsorption of alpha-aminopropionitrile on D-quartz.", "content": "alpha-Aminopropionitrile was adsorbed on the powdered D-quartz, recovered as N-trifluoro-acetylalanyl-(+)-secondarybutyl ester, and analyzed by means of gas chromatography. The asymmetric result supporting the preferential adsorption of L-antipode was obtained and its significance in chemical evolution has been discussed.", "contents": "The asymmetric adsorption of alpha-aminopropionitrile on D-quartz. alpha-Aminopropionitrile was adsorbed on the powdered D-quartz, recovered as N-trifluoro-acetylalanyl-(+)-secondarybutyl ester, and analyzed by means of gas chromatography. The asymmetric result supporting the preferential adsorption of L-antipode was obtained and its significance in chemical evolution has been discussed.", "PMID": 611427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_457", "title": "Evidence for amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. I. Aqueous solutions of HCN, NH4CN, and NaCN.", "content": "Dilute, 02-free aqueous cyanides were exposed to multikilorad doses of a radioactive cobalt source. After the removal of unreacted cyanides and of volatile radiolytic products, the residue was hydrolyzed and the resulting material analyzed for amino acids. The results show the presence of five protein amino acids and five amino acids which do not occur in natural proteins. The amino acids of enantiomeric derivatives separated on an optically active column, appeared to consist of approximately equal amounts of D and L isomers. Radiation-chemical yields of amino acids were determined at various radiation doses. The results obtained support the previous findings that the free-radical initiated process is the source of oligomers which on hydrolysis release the amino acids.", "contents": "Evidence for amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. I. Aqueous solutions of HCN, NH4CN, and NaCN. Dilute, 02-free aqueous cyanides were exposed to multikilorad doses of a radioactive cobalt source. After the removal of unreacted cyanides and of volatile radiolytic products, the residue was hydrolyzed and the resulting material analyzed for amino acids. The results show the presence of five protein amino acids and five amino acids which do not occur in natural proteins. The amino acids of enantiomeric derivatives separated on an optically active column, appeared to consist of approximately equal amounts of D and L isomers. Radiation-chemical yields of amino acids were determined at various radiation doses. The results obtained support the previous findings that the free-radical initiated process is the source of oligomers which on hydrolysis release the amino acids.", "PMID": 611429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_458", "title": "Evidence of amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. II. Aqueous solutions of CH3CN and C2H5CN.", "content": "It has been shown that the action of ionizing radiations on dilute, oxygen-free, aqueous solutions of acetonitrile and propionitrile leads to the formation of oligomers, which upon hydrolyses release amino acids. The presence of nine amino acids, the same as those found in irradiated aqueous cyanides, has been established. those amino acids with asymmetric carbon atoms separated by GC method, appeared to consist of nearly equal amounts of D and L isomers. Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in hydrolysates of acetonitrile, while alanine appears in the samples of propionitrile. A comparison of all amino acids, identified in hydrolysates of various cyanides and nitriles, suggests that it is the cyano group, and a free-radical initiated mechanism, that is primarily involved in these radiation-chemical changes of potential interest to prebiotic chemistry.", "contents": "Evidence of amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. II. Aqueous solutions of CH3CN and C2H5CN. It has been shown that the action of ionizing radiations on dilute, oxygen-free, aqueous solutions of acetonitrile and propionitrile leads to the formation of oligomers, which upon hydrolyses release amino acids. The presence of nine amino acids, the same as those found in irradiated aqueous cyanides, has been established. those amino acids with asymmetric carbon atoms separated by GC method, appeared to consist of nearly equal amounts of D and L isomers. Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in hydrolysates of acetonitrile, while alanine appears in the samples of propionitrile. A comparison of all amino acids, identified in hydrolysates of various cyanides and nitriles, suggests that it is the cyano group, and a free-radical initiated mechanism, that is primarily involved in these radiation-chemical changes of potential interest to prebiotic chemistry.", "PMID": 611430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_459", "title": "Porphyrins and phycobilins in Precambrian rocks.", "content": "Samples of Precambrian rocks (1.7-2.6 billion years, U.S.S.R.) contain metalloporphyrins and linear tetrapyrrole pigment similar to phycobilin 655 from modern blue-green algae Microystis (according to data of phosphorescence spectroscopy). The detection of ancient phycobilin makes it possible to relate the data on pigment paleobiochemistry with the evolution of photosynthetic system.", "contents": "Porphyrins and phycobilins in Precambrian rocks. Samples of Precambrian rocks (1.7-2.6 billion years, U.S.S.R.) contain metalloporphyrins and linear tetrapyrrole pigment similar to phycobilin 655 from modern blue-green algae Microystis (according to data of phosphorescence spectroscopy). The detection of ancient phycobilin makes it possible to relate the data on pigment paleobiochemistry with the evolution of photosynthetic system.", "PMID": 611431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_460", "title": "[Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary diseases in adults].", "content": "Forty four observations of patients with chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary affections were gathered over 6 years. All exploration tests for an obstructive etiology were negative. All these patients had a hiatal hernia by sliding with gastro-oesophageal reflux. In 27 patients the repeated pulmonary accidents, the importance of oesophageal symptomatology prompted a treatment of the hiatal hernia. In all these patients every pulmonary symptoms disappeared. In assessing some acute or chronic pulmonary affections, when etiology cannot by traced, besides considering anatomical, clinical and histological data, radiological and endoscopic examination should be undertaken to find gastro-oesophageal reflux.", "contents": "[Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary diseases in adults]. Forty four observations of patients with chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary affections were gathered over 6 years. All exploration tests for an obstructive etiology were negative. All these patients had a hiatal hernia by sliding with gastro-oesophageal reflux. In 27 patients the repeated pulmonary accidents, the importance of oesophageal symptomatology prompted a treatment of the hiatal hernia. In all these patients every pulmonary symptoms disappeared. In assessing some acute or chronic pulmonary affections, when etiology cannot by traced, besides considering anatomical, clinical and histological data, radiological and endoscopic examination should be undertaken to find gastro-oesophageal reflux.", "PMID": 611478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_461", "title": "[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations and gastroesophageal reflux].", "content": "In 196 cases of gastro-oesophageal reflux, simple or connected to a hiatal hernia or to a cardio-tuberous misplacement, the respiratory signs that are found in 1 patient out of 4, are analyzed. The nocturnal fits of coughing (39 cases, 20% of the reflux) is the most frequent sign of laryngo-tracheal aspiration of stomach content. This symptom of great diagnostic value, though neglected, should be looked for systematically. Other troubles are less frequent: bouts of recurring broncho-pulmonary infections, asthma attack, Mendelson's syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis. In absence of a patent cause, the symptoms should lead to suspect a reflux of stomach content in the airways. Similarly to oesophagitis, respiratory signs represent a complication sometimes serious, of gastro-oesophageal reflux, needing more frequently a surgical treatment of hiatal herniae or of the cardiac inefficiency.", "contents": "[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations and gastroesophageal reflux]. In 196 cases of gastro-oesophageal reflux, simple or connected to a hiatal hernia or to a cardio-tuberous misplacement, the respiratory signs that are found in 1 patient out of 4, are analyzed. The nocturnal fits of coughing (39 cases, 20% of the reflux) is the most frequent sign of laryngo-tracheal aspiration of stomach content. This symptom of great diagnostic value, though neglected, should be looked for systematically. Other troubles are less frequent: bouts of recurring broncho-pulmonary infections, asthma attack, Mendelson's syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis. In absence of a patent cause, the symptoms should lead to suspect a reflux of stomach content in the airways. Similarly to oesophagitis, respiratory signs represent a complication sometimes serious, of gastro-oesophageal reflux, needing more frequently a surgical treatment of hiatal herniae or of the cardiac inefficiency.", "PMID": 611479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_462", "title": "[Recurrent bronchopneumopathies caused by gastroesophageal reflux in children. Clinical, x-ray and histologic studies of 36 cases].", "content": "The respiratory symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which sometimes includes massive and fatal inhalation, are well-known in infants. In older children the digestive signs are not clinically evident and the reflux mainly, if not exclusively, can be translated by recurring respiratory symptoms. The series of 36 cases presented in this work concerns children between 3 months and 15 years old, for whom the first signs were respiratory, with often a silent gastro-oesophageal reflux for several months, and even several years in some cases. The physiopathology of the respiratory symptoms concerns principally the repeated alimentary aspiration and/or gastric content during nocturnal decubitus. The pulmonary lesions caused by the reflux can be either localized, with atelectasis, obstructive emphysema or bronchiectasis, or generalized with granulomatous reactions around the food particles. Other respiratory conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can be also associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The diagnostic criteria are discussed.", "contents": "[Recurrent bronchopneumopathies caused by gastroesophageal reflux in children. Clinical, x-ray and histologic studies of 36 cases]. The respiratory symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which sometimes includes massive and fatal inhalation, are well-known in infants. In older children the digestive signs are not clinically evident and the reflux mainly, if not exclusively, can be translated by recurring respiratory symptoms. The series of 36 cases presented in this work concerns children between 3 months and 15 years old, for whom the first signs were respiratory, with often a silent gastro-oesophageal reflux for several months, and even several years in some cases. The physiopathology of the respiratory symptoms concerns principally the repeated alimentary aspiration and/or gastric content during nocturnal decubitus. The pulmonary lesions caused by the reflux can be either localized, with atelectasis, obstructive emphysema or bronchiectasis, or generalized with granulomatous reactions around the food particles. Other respiratory conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can be also associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The diagnostic criteria are discussed.", "PMID": 611480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_463", "title": "[Posttraumatic real and false Mendelson's syndromes].", "content": "Six observations of post-traumatic acute respiratory insufficiency of alveolar origin are reported briefly. Three of them have been attributed to a Mendelson's syndrome. This authors showed that diagnosing these lung diseases by acid inhalation is particularly difficult in casualties. It is a diagnosis by elimination which no certainty can prop. These post-traumatic Mendelson's syndrome are serious and difficult to prevent. In the three cases reported two accidents occurred during or immediately after an intubation. The systematic use of an efficient anti-acid could be recommended in all serious casualities.", "contents": "[Posttraumatic real and false Mendelson's syndromes]. Six observations of post-traumatic acute respiratory insufficiency of alveolar origin are reported briefly. Three of them have been attributed to a Mendelson's syndrome. This authors showed that diagnosing these lung diseases by acid inhalation is particularly difficult in casualties. It is a diagnosis by elimination which no certainty can prop. These post-traumatic Mendelson's syndrome are serious and difficult to prevent. In the three cases reported two accidents occurred during or immediately after an intubation. The systematic use of an efficient anti-acid could be recommended in all serious casualities.", "PMID": 611483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_464", "title": "[Functional sequelae of Mendelson's syndrome. Myth or reality?].", "content": "Twenty patients having previously had a Mendelson's syndrome were subjected to a respiratory functional test. A syndrome of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (DIPF) was found only in 3 cases examined shortly after the pneumopathy. In one of these cases, another examination done later showed signs of regressing fibrosis. The authors concluded that if a functional syndrome of DIPF occurred immediately after a Mendelson's pneumopathy, it eventually disappeared in the long term in most cases.", "contents": "[Functional sequelae of Mendelson's syndrome. Myth or reality?]. Twenty patients having previously had a Mendelson's syndrome were subjected to a respiratory functional test. A syndrome of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (DIPF) was found only in 3 cases examined shortly after the pneumopathy. In one of these cases, another examination done later showed signs of regressing fibrosis. The authors concluded that if a functional syndrome of DIPF occurred immediately after a Mendelson's pneumopathy, it eventually disappeared in the long term in most cases.", "PMID": 611484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_465", "title": "[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations during non-fistulized esophageal lesions].", "content": "Because of inspiration into the tracheo-bronchial aireays, regurgitation from purely oesophageal diseases can provoke various respiratory affections: acute broncho-pulmonary blocking broncho-pneumonia, pulmonary suppuration, night cough, fits of nocturnal suffocation, chronic bronchitis sometimes hemoptic. A mega oesophagus, a diverticulum, stenosis or oesophagus cancer are at the origin. Oesophago-bronchial fistulae are excluded. The decrease of the glottal guarde remains to be explained because it usually protects the trachea from such mishaps (part played by decubitus, sleep, secretions stagnating in the pharynx).", "contents": "[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations during non-fistulized esophageal lesions]. Because of inspiration into the tracheo-bronchial aireays, regurgitation from purely oesophageal diseases can provoke various respiratory affections: acute broncho-pulmonary blocking broncho-pneumonia, pulmonary suppuration, night cough, fits of nocturnal suffocation, chronic bronchitis sometimes hemoptic. A mega oesophagus, a diverticulum, stenosis or oesophagus cancer are at the origin. Oesophago-bronchial fistulae are excluded. The decrease of the glottal guarde remains to be explained because it usually protects the trachea from such mishaps (part played by decubitus, sleep, secretions stagnating in the pharynx).", "PMID": 611485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_466", "title": "Haptoglobins in some Galliformes birds.", "content": "In several groups of galliform birds (chicken, turkey, pheasant and guinea fowl) the presence and function of plasma haptoglobin (Hp) have been studied. Paper, acetate and starch-gel electrophoresis were carried out and two benzidine stain regions were observed when haemoglobin (Hb) was added to normal plasma (Hb-Hp complex and methemalbumin) besides the free Hb when the binding capacity of these proteins were surpassed. The disappearance of the administered Hb-59Fe was exponential which is evidence of the existence of two different rates. Liver, bone marrow and kidney are the main organs related to the 59Fe uptake. These results on Hp in galliforms and the metabolism of the Hb are concordant with the data in the literature on mammals. This suggests the same common physiological role for Hp.", "contents": "Haptoglobins in some Galliformes birds. In several groups of galliform birds (chicken, turkey, pheasant and guinea fowl) the presence and function of plasma haptoglobin (Hp) have been studied. Paper, acetate and starch-gel electrophoresis were carried out and two benzidine stain regions were observed when haemoglobin (Hb) was added to normal plasma (Hb-Hp complex and methemalbumin) besides the free Hb when the binding capacity of these proteins were surpassed. The disappearance of the administered Hb-59Fe was exponential which is evidence of the existence of two different rates. Liver, bone marrow and kidney are the main organs related to the 59Fe uptake. These results on Hp in galliforms and the metabolism of the Hb are concordant with the data in the literature on mammals. This suggests the same common physiological role for Hp.", "PMID": 611487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_467", "title": "Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 3. Effects on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition during the first 20 weeks of lay.", "content": "One hundred and twenty six commercial White Leghorn pullets were housed in cages at 23 weeks of age and fed two laying diets that in energy and fat content. Changes in hepatic \"citrate-cleavage\" and \"malic\" enzyme activity and changes in liver and body chemical composition were measured each week during the first 20 weeks of lay. Average daily caloric intake was greater for the birds fed the high energy laying diets even though these birds consumed 11% less feed. While energy content of the laying diet failed (P = 0.05) to affect body weight gains, liver weight, liver fat content and hepatic enzyme activity, significant (P = 0.05) increases in abdominal fat pad weight and total body fat content were noted. The findings of significant alterations in total carcass composition in birds receiving the high energy laying diet support the conclusion that energy content of the layer diet will influence the carcass composition of modern day egg producing strains.", "contents": "Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 3. Effects on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition during the first 20 weeks of lay. One hundred and twenty six commercial White Leghorn pullets were housed in cages at 23 weeks of age and fed two laying diets that in energy and fat content. Changes in hepatic \"citrate-cleavage\" and \"malic\" enzyme activity and changes in liver and body chemical composition were measured each week during the first 20 weeks of lay. Average daily caloric intake was greater for the birds fed the high energy laying diets even though these birds consumed 11% less feed. While energy content of the laying diet failed (P = 0.05) to affect body weight gains, liver weight, liver fat content and hepatic enzyme activity, significant (P = 0.05) increases in abdominal fat pad weight and total body fat content were noted. The findings of significant alterations in total carcass composition in birds receiving the high energy laying diet support the conclusion that energy content of the layer diet will influence the carcass composition of modern day egg producing strains.", "PMID": 611488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_468", "title": "Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 4. Effect on growth, hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition of White Leghorn pullets from hatch to 20 weeks of age.", "content": "Nine starting and rearing diets (three energy levels each with three fat levels) were fed to commercial White Leghorn chicks from hatch to 20 weeks of age. As noted in the earlier papers of this series, pullets fed the high energy rearing diets showed significant (P = 0.05) reductions in feed intake, however, average daily caloric intake was greater (P = 0.05) for pullets consuming the low energy rearing diets. Fat content of the diet had not influence on either daily feed (g.) or caloric (kcal.) intake. Energy content of the diets failed (P = 0.05) to affect parameters related to body growth and development, hepatic citrate-cleavage and \"malic\" enzyme activity and liver or body composition. Fat content of the diet depressed hepatic enzyme activity while no effect was noted on body weight, liver weight or body composition. The onset of sexual maturity altered lipid metabolism in the developing pullets. Significant (P = 0.05) energy level by fat level interactions were noted in only two of the 20 parameters studied in this experiment. In vitro assay of hepatic citrate-cleavage and \"malic\" enzyme activity proved to be of little value in predicting hepatic lipogenic activity and subsequent effects on liver and total body composition.", "contents": "Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 4. Effect on growth, hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition of White Leghorn pullets from hatch to 20 weeks of age. Nine starting and rearing diets (three energy levels each with three fat levels) were fed to commercial White Leghorn chicks from hatch to 20 weeks of age. As noted in the earlier papers of this series, pullets fed the high energy rearing diets showed significant (P = 0.05) reductions in feed intake, however, average daily caloric intake was greater (P = 0.05) for pullets consuming the low energy rearing diets. Fat content of the diet had not influence on either daily feed (g.) or caloric (kcal.) intake. Energy content of the diets failed (P = 0.05) to affect parameters related to body growth and development, hepatic citrate-cleavage and \"malic\" enzyme activity and liver or body composition. Fat content of the diet depressed hepatic enzyme activity while no effect was noted on body weight, liver weight or body composition. The onset of sexual maturity altered lipid metabolism in the developing pullets. Significant (P = 0.05) energy level by fat level interactions were noted in only two of the 20 parameters studied in this experiment. In vitro assay of hepatic citrate-cleavage and \"malic\" enzyme activity proved to be of little value in predicting hepatic lipogenic activity and subsequent effects on liver and total body composition.", "PMID": 611489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_469", "title": "The immunoglobulins of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Isolation and characterization of IgG, IgM and IgA in body fluids, eggs and intraocular tissues.", "content": "The distribution of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in turkey serum, bile, egg white, egg yolk, intestinal secretions, and some intraocular tissues has been studied. Just as in the chicken and the pigeon, IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the serum and IgA in egg white, intestinal secretions and bile. In addition, IgM was detected in serum and egg white, and IgG in egg yolk, iris, vitreous body, and aqueous humor. The discussion deals with the importance of using purified immunoglobulin fractions and heavy-chain-specific antisera in disease studies in the turkey, specially in the case of infectious diseases which lead to the occurrence of \"rheumatoid factors\".", "contents": "The immunoglobulins of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Isolation and characterization of IgG, IgM and IgA in body fluids, eggs and intraocular tissues. The distribution of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in turkey serum, bile, egg white, egg yolk, intestinal secretions, and some intraocular tissues has been studied. Just as in the chicken and the pigeon, IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the serum and IgA in egg white, intestinal secretions and bile. In addition, IgM was detected in serum and egg white, and IgG in egg yolk, iris, vitreous body, and aqueous humor. The discussion deals with the importance of using purified immunoglobulin fractions and heavy-chain-specific antisera in disease studies in the turkey, specially in the case of infectious diseases which lead to the occurrence of \"rheumatoid factors\".", "PMID": 611490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_470", "title": "The folacin requirements of broiler chicks and quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).", "content": "Six experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary composition on the folacin requirement of broiler chicks and to determine the folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail. The folacin requirement of both chicks and quail could not be determined when an isolated soybean protein based diet containing 0.44 mg. folacin per kilogram was used. Dietary composition affects folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks. Three values for the folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks were determined when three different basal diets were fed. With a low-glycine, casein based diet, growth was limited more by glycine than folic acid which improved growth only at 1.69 mg./kg. When 0.7% glycine was added to this casein diet, the folacin requirement was determined to be between 0.34 and 0.49 mg./kg. diet. However, with a casein-gelatin based diet, the folacin requirement was found to be between 0.12 and 0.27 mg./kg diet. Folacin deficiency in growing Japanese quail caused poor feathering, high mortality, leg weakness and cervical paralysis. A curly-toe system was observed in coturnix chicks fed low levels of folacin and might also be a consequence of folacin deficiency. The folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail was found to be 0.30 to 0.36 mg./kg. diet when a casein-gelatin based diet was fed.", "contents": "The folacin requirements of broiler chicks and quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Six experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary composition on the folacin requirement of broiler chicks and to determine the folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail. The folacin requirement of both chicks and quail could not be determined when an isolated soybean protein based diet containing 0.44 mg. folacin per kilogram was used. Dietary composition affects folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks. Three values for the folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks were determined when three different basal diets were fed. With a low-glycine, casein based diet, growth was limited more by glycine than folic acid which improved growth only at 1.69 mg./kg. When 0.7% glycine was added to this casein diet, the folacin requirement was determined to be between 0.34 and 0.49 mg./kg. diet. However, with a casein-gelatin based diet, the folacin requirement was found to be between 0.12 and 0.27 mg./kg diet. Folacin deficiency in growing Japanese quail caused poor feathering, high mortality, leg weakness and cervical paralysis. A curly-toe system was observed in coturnix chicks fed low levels of folacin and might also be a consequence of folacin deficiency. The folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail was found to be 0.30 to 0.36 mg./kg. diet when a casein-gelatin based diet was fed.", "PMID": 611491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_471", "title": "The selenium requirements of the hen and effects of a deficiency.", "content": "Hens were fed a diet low in selenium made up mostly of corn and torula yeast. Egg production and hatchability increased significantly when selenium was supplemented, while the percentage of infertile eggs and early dead embryos decreased. Anemia also resulted from the deficiency. A total of .05 mg. selenium per kg. (.04 from the basal diet plus .01 supplemental) was adequate to prevent signs of deficiency in a diet which contained no supplemental vitamin E or antioxidant. In a second experiment the anemia was classified as macrocytic.", "contents": "The selenium requirements of the hen and effects of a deficiency. Hens were fed a diet low in selenium made up mostly of corn and torula yeast. Egg production and hatchability increased significantly when selenium was supplemented, while the percentage of infertile eggs and early dead embryos decreased. Anemia also resulted from the deficiency. A total of .05 mg. selenium per kg. (.04 from the basal diet plus .01 supplemental) was adequate to prevent signs of deficiency in a diet which contained no supplemental vitamin E or antioxidant. In a second experiment the anemia was classified as macrocytic.", "PMID": 611492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_472", "title": "Activities of pyruvate and prionyl Coenzyme A carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency.", "content": "Activities of pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency were investigated. In normal growing chickens, liver and kidney pyruvate carboxylase activity was high and varied with age. The activity in heart and brain was low and remained relatively constant throughout the experimental period. Propionyl CoA carboxylase activity in kidney and heart appeared to increase with age but remained unchanged in liver and brain. Biotin deficiency progressively decreased both pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase activities in liver, kidney, heart and brain. Most marked effects were observed in liver and kidney.", "contents": "Activities of pyruvate and prionyl Coenzyme A carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency. Activities of pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency were investigated. In normal growing chickens, liver and kidney pyruvate carboxylase activity was high and varied with age. The activity in heart and brain was low and remained relatively constant throughout the experimental period. Propionyl CoA carboxylase activity in kidney and heart appeared to increase with age but remained unchanged in liver and brain. Biotin deficiency progressively decreased both pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase activities in liver, kidney, heart and brain. Most marked effects were observed in liver and kidney.", "PMID": 611493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_473", "title": "Productive performance and liver lesions in two strains of laying hens receiving two rapeseed meals.", "content": "A comparative study was conducted to determine the effect of two varieties of rapeseed meal at 10 and 20% levels in the diet on the productive performance, organ weights and liver lesions of two commercial strains of laying hens. The double-low (Brassica napus 1788) rapeseed meal appeared to be superior to Span meal (Brassica campestris) at the 10% level in maintaining egg production, feed efficiency, thyroid weight and body weight gain. However at the 20% level the productive performance was decreased in all the hens except the thyroid weights in the double-low group. Mortality caused by haemorrhagic liver syndrome was significantly higher among birds fed rapeseed meals than in the controls and was higher in the Span-fed groups than in those receiving the double-low variety. The two strains of birds showed no difference in mortality due to haemorrhagic liver syndrome. It was suggested that the lower level of glucosinolates in the double-low variety was responsible for the superiority of this meal over the Span meal.", "contents": "Productive performance and liver lesions in two strains of laying hens receiving two rapeseed meals. A comparative study was conducted to determine the effect of two varieties of rapeseed meal at 10 and 20% levels in the diet on the productive performance, organ weights and liver lesions of two commercial strains of laying hens. The double-low (Brassica napus 1788) rapeseed meal appeared to be superior to Span meal (Brassica campestris) at the 10% level in maintaining egg production, feed efficiency, thyroid weight and body weight gain. However at the 20% level the productive performance was decreased in all the hens except the thyroid weights in the double-low group. Mortality caused by haemorrhagic liver syndrome was significantly higher among birds fed rapeseed meals than in the controls and was higher in the Span-fed groups than in those receiving the double-low variety. The two strains of birds showed no difference in mortality due to haemorrhagic liver syndrome. It was suggested that the lower level of glucosinolates in the double-low variety was responsible for the superiority of this meal over the Span meal.", "PMID": 611494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_474", "title": "Efficacy of lincomycin feed medication for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler-type chickens.", "content": "Necrotic enteritis was reproduced in two trials, conducted in a penned research-type broiler facility, by growing broiler-type chickens on litter obtained from a commercial poultry house which had experienced a chronic necrotic enteritis mortality problem. In each trial, various concentrations of lincomycin in feed were evaluated for effectiveness in controlling necrotic enteritis. Lincomycin was evaluated at concentrations of 2 to 100 g./ton in Trial 1 and at concentrations of 2 and 4 g./ton in Trial 2. In each trial, non-lincomycin medicated control groups were also included. Each trial included six treatment groups each consisting of four 60-bird replicates. The coccidiostat used in all groups in Trial 1 and in four of the six treatment groups of Trial 2 was the same as had been used on the farm which the litter had been obtained. No other medications were used in any groups. Clinical coccidiosis due to Eimeria brunetti and E. maxima was prevalent in both trials. Birds receiving lincomycin at a concentration of 2 g./ton, or higher, showed a significant reduction in mortality from necrotic enteritis when compared to birds in coccidiostat-control pens not receiving lincomycin medication. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the litter in all pens and from the livers of birds dying from necrotic enteritis.", "contents": "Efficacy of lincomycin feed medication for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler-type chickens. Necrotic enteritis was reproduced in two trials, conducted in a penned research-type broiler facility, by growing broiler-type chickens on litter obtained from a commercial poultry house which had experienced a chronic necrotic enteritis mortality problem. In each trial, various concentrations of lincomycin in feed were evaluated for effectiveness in controlling necrotic enteritis. Lincomycin was evaluated at concentrations of 2 to 100 g./ton in Trial 1 and at concentrations of 2 and 4 g./ton in Trial 2. In each trial, non-lincomycin medicated control groups were also included. Each trial included six treatment groups each consisting of four 60-bird replicates. The coccidiostat used in all groups in Trial 1 and in four of the six treatment groups of Trial 2 was the same as had been used on the farm which the litter had been obtained. No other medications were used in any groups. Clinical coccidiosis due to Eimeria brunetti and E. maxima was prevalent in both trials. Birds receiving lincomycin at a concentration of 2 g./ton, or higher, showed a significant reduction in mortality from necrotic enteritis when compared to birds in coccidiostat-control pens not receiving lincomycin medication. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the litter in all pens and from the livers of birds dying from necrotic enteritis.", "PMID": 611495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_475", "title": "Esterase isozymes of the hen's oviduct.", "content": "Esterase isozymes of magnum, isthmus and uterus of three strains of Single Comb White Leghorn hens were examined by zone electrophoresis on starch gels. Although three regions (I, II and III) of esterase activity were observed, the electrophoretic system was optimized to characterize the pattern of up to five zones of esterase activity that were identified in Region I. These esterases were classified as aliesterases based on reactions in the presence of various substrates and inhibitors. No genetic polymorphisms were observed for these isozymes. However, two of these isozymes were perceived to have an electrophoretic mobility slightly faster in patterns of the magnum of layers than in the isthmus, uterus, and magnum of non-layers. It was shown that egg albumen was present in relatively high quantities in the magnum of layers and that egg albumen, when added to supernatant preparations of isthmus, uterus and magnum of non-layers, caused the faster electrophoretic mobility of these two esterase isozymes. No relation between specific gravity of eggs laid by hens and presence of various Region I esterase isozymes could be detected.", "contents": "Esterase isozymes of the hen's oviduct. Esterase isozymes of magnum, isthmus and uterus of three strains of Single Comb White Leghorn hens were examined by zone electrophoresis on starch gels. Although three regions (I, II and III) of esterase activity were observed, the electrophoretic system was optimized to characterize the pattern of up to five zones of esterase activity that were identified in Region I. These esterases were classified as aliesterases based on reactions in the presence of various substrates and inhibitors. No genetic polymorphisms were observed for these isozymes. However, two of these isozymes were perceived to have an electrophoretic mobility slightly faster in patterns of the magnum of layers than in the isthmus, uterus, and magnum of non-layers. It was shown that egg albumen was present in relatively high quantities in the magnum of layers and that egg albumen, when added to supernatant preparations of isthmus, uterus and magnum of non-layers, caused the faster electrophoretic mobility of these two esterase isozymes. No relation between specific gravity of eggs laid by hens and presence of various Region I esterase isozymes could be detected.", "PMID": 611496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_476", "title": "A feather abnormality in chicks fed diets deficient in certain amino acids.", "content": "A feather abnormality was observed in chicks during bio-assay investigations with eleven essential amino acids. As dietary valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine levels decreased, a similar progressive feather abnormality became apparent. The outstanding feature of the feather abnormality was the concave structure of the feathers as they bent upward from the body. This structure gave the feathers a ragged appearance. The feather abnormality is described and illustrated. The percentage of dietary amino acids used were: valine, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, and 0.70; leucine, 0.60, 0.68, 0.76, and 0.82; isoleucine, 0.32, 0.38, 0.44, and 0.50; glycine, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45; or phenylalanine and tyrosine, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80. Chicks fed the highest level of valine (0.50%), histidine (0.15%) or methionine to cystine ratio of 1:1 (0.30%) had normal feathers. In contrast, chicks fed the highest levels of either leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine had abnormal feathers.", "contents": "A feather abnormality in chicks fed diets deficient in certain amino acids. A feather abnormality was observed in chicks during bio-assay investigations with eleven essential amino acids. As dietary valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine levels decreased, a similar progressive feather abnormality became apparent. The outstanding feature of the feather abnormality was the concave structure of the feathers as they bent upward from the body. This structure gave the feathers a ragged appearance. The feather abnormality is described and illustrated. The percentage of dietary amino acids used were: valine, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, and 0.70; leucine, 0.60, 0.68, 0.76, and 0.82; isoleucine, 0.32, 0.38, 0.44, and 0.50; glycine, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45; or phenylalanine and tyrosine, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80. Chicks fed the highest level of valine (0.50%), histidine (0.15%) or methionine to cystine ratio of 1:1 (0.30%) had normal feathers. In contrast, chicks fed the highest levels of either leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine had abnormal feathers.", "PMID": 611497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_477", "title": "Rapid accumulation of cholesterol in serum, liver and aorta of Japanese quail.", "content": "Five-week-old, male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad lib. access to either a glucose-soybean meal diet with 10% fat and 1% cholesterol (inducer) diet, or a corn-soybean meal (control) diet for 10 weeks. At the beginning of the experiment, and at two week intervals thereafter, quail from each treatment were killed, and the cholesterol concentrations of serum, aorta, and liver, as well as the extent of lipid accumulation in the intima of the aortas were determined. The cholesterol concentration of the serum, aorta, and liver of the control birds remained constant throughout the experiment, while the cholesterol concentration of these organs from birds fed the inducer diet were markedly elevated. At the conclusion of the experiment, the cholesterol concentrations of the serum and liver of birds fed the inducer diet were 6.7 and 14.4 times greater, respectively, than those from the control-fed birds. Approximately 45% of the aortas from the birds fed the inducer diet exhibited moderate to severe (greater than 25% of surface area covered) lipid accumulations at 10 weeks. The rate of cholesterol accumulation appeared to be more rapid than has been reported previously for this species.", "contents": "Rapid accumulation of cholesterol in serum, liver and aorta of Japanese quail. Five-week-old, male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad lib. access to either a glucose-soybean meal diet with 10% fat and 1% cholesterol (inducer) diet, or a corn-soybean meal (control) diet for 10 weeks. At the beginning of the experiment, and at two week intervals thereafter, quail from each treatment were killed, and the cholesterol concentrations of serum, aorta, and liver, as well as the extent of lipid accumulation in the intima of the aortas were determined. The cholesterol concentration of the serum, aorta, and liver of the control birds remained constant throughout the experiment, while the cholesterol concentration of these organs from birds fed the inducer diet were markedly elevated. At the conclusion of the experiment, the cholesterol concentrations of the serum and liver of birds fed the inducer diet were 6.7 and 14.4 times greater, respectively, than those from the control-fed birds. Approximately 45% of the aortas from the birds fed the inducer diet exhibited moderate to severe (greater than 25% of surface area covered) lipid accumulations at 10 weeks. The rate of cholesterol accumulation appeared to be more rapid than has been reported previously for this species.", "PMID": 611498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_478", "title": "Influence of wet litter and supplemental biotin on foot pad dermatitis in turkey poults.", "content": "Two experiments were conducted with day-old Broad Breasted white turkey male poults to determine whether wet litter and supplemental biotin would influence the severity of foot pad dermatitis. Poults grown on wet litter had a significantly increased incidence of foot pad dermatitis. The addition of biotin to the corn-soy diet resulted in a decreased severity of foot pad dermatitis in poults maintained on dry litter; however, it did not influence the severity of the lesions when poults were maintained on wet litter. Histological examination of the foot pad tissue indicated that poults which received the control diet were deficient in biotin.", "contents": "Influence of wet litter and supplemental biotin on foot pad dermatitis in turkey poults. Two experiments were conducted with day-old Broad Breasted white turkey male poults to determine whether wet litter and supplemental biotin would influence the severity of foot pad dermatitis. Poults grown on wet litter had a significantly increased incidence of foot pad dermatitis. The addition of biotin to the corn-soy diet resulted in a decreased severity of foot pad dermatitis in poults maintained on dry litter; however, it did not influence the severity of the lesions when poults were maintained on wet litter. Histological examination of the foot pad tissue indicated that poults which received the control diet were deficient in biotin.", "PMID": 611499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_479", "title": "Anticoccidial and tolerance studies in the chicken with two 6-amino-9-(substituted benzyl)purines.", "content": "Initial assays of 6-amino-9-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl) purine (MK-302) and 6-amino-9-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)purine (coded L-628,914) showed potential as anticoccidial agents on the basis of broad-spectrum activity and safety. In battery efficacy studies, dietary levels of 60 to 70 p.p.m. and above MK-302 and 45 to 60 p.p.m. L-628,914 proved to have excellent broad-spectrum anticoccidial activity in chickens given heavy exposure to virulent field isolates of coccidia. Eight-week floor-pen tolerance trials showed that the maximum tolerated diet concentration (MTC) of MK-302 was approximately 95 p.p.m. while the MTC of L-628,914 was approximately 60 p.p.m. Dietary relationships (p.p.m. MK-302:p.p.m. L-628,914 for equivalent effects) derived from the efficacy and tolerance results were 1.2:1 and 1.6:1 respectively and clearly demonstrated a higher therapeutic ratio for MK-302.", "contents": "Anticoccidial and tolerance studies in the chicken with two 6-amino-9-(substituted benzyl)purines. Initial assays of 6-amino-9-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl) purine (MK-302) and 6-amino-9-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)purine (coded L-628,914) showed potential as anticoccidial agents on the basis of broad-spectrum activity and safety. In battery efficacy studies, dietary levels of 60 to 70 p.p.m. and above MK-302 and 45 to 60 p.p.m. L-628,914 proved to have excellent broad-spectrum anticoccidial activity in chickens given heavy exposure to virulent field isolates of coccidia. Eight-week floor-pen tolerance trials showed that the maximum tolerated diet concentration (MTC) of MK-302 was approximately 95 p.p.m. while the MTC of L-628,914 was approximately 60 p.p.m. Dietary relationships (p.p.m. MK-302:p.p.m. L-628,914 for equivalent effects) derived from the efficacy and tolerance results were 1.2:1 and 1.6:1 respectively and clearly demonstrated a higher therapeutic ratio for MK-302.", "PMID": 611501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_480", "title": "Spontaneous contractions of the reproductive tract in laying and nonlaying hens.", "content": "The amplitude and frequency of contraction of muscle strips from the uterus, isthmus, and magnum from both laying and nonlaying hens were measured in vitro. The muscle strips from laying hens exhibited a greater amplitude of contraction (P less than .05) than the nonlayer; frequency was not significantly different between the two groups. In a comparison of organ sections tested, significant differences in amplitude, but not frequency of contraction were found. In the laying hen the magnum had the highest amplitude of contraction (2.59 mm.) followed by the uterus (1.63 mm.), and isthmus (.81 mm.).", "contents": "Spontaneous contractions of the reproductive tract in laying and nonlaying hens. The amplitude and frequency of contraction of muscle strips from the uterus, isthmus, and magnum from both laying and nonlaying hens were measured in vitro. The muscle strips from laying hens exhibited a greater amplitude of contraction (P less than .05) than the nonlayer; frequency was not significantly different between the two groups. In a comparison of organ sections tested, significant differences in amplitude, but not frequency of contraction were found. In the laying hen the magnum had the highest amplitude of contraction (2.59 mm.) followed by the uterus (1.63 mm.), and isthmus (.81 mm.).", "PMID": 611504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_481", "title": "Erratic timing of ovulation in caged turkey hens.", "content": "Three types of erratic timing of ovulation, including ovulation of 2 eggs in 20-24 hr., 2 eggs in 4-12 hr. and 4 eggs in 12 hr. were detected by necropsy of caged turkey hens.", "contents": "Erratic timing of ovulation in caged turkey hens. Three types of erratic timing of ovulation, including ovulation of 2 eggs in 20-24 hr., 2 eggs in 4-12 hr. and 4 eggs in 12 hr. were detected by necropsy of caged turkey hens.", "PMID": 611505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_482", "title": "Diet composition and cholesteremia in Japanese quail.", "content": "Male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad libitum access to one of four diets: a corn-soybean meal control, control plus 1% cholesterol, a glucose-soybean meal with 10% fat plus 1% cholesterol (inducer) or inducer minus 1% cholesterol for an initial 12 weeks beginning at 22 weeks of age. Serum and liver cholesterol concentrations of quail fed the 1% cholesterol supplemented diets averaged respectively, 5.3 and 10.3 times higher than those from quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol. There were no significant differences in serum and liver cholesterol concentrations between groups of quail fed control diet versus inducer minus 1% cholesterol diet or between quail fed inducer diet versus control plus 1% cholesterol diet. During a second 12-week period, the quail previously fed the diets containing cholesterol were given the respective control diets. The serum and liver cholesterol concentrations returned to values comparable to those of quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol throughout the experiment.", "contents": "Diet composition and cholesteremia in Japanese quail. Male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad libitum access to one of four diets: a corn-soybean meal control, control plus 1% cholesterol, a glucose-soybean meal with 10% fat plus 1% cholesterol (inducer) or inducer minus 1% cholesterol for an initial 12 weeks beginning at 22 weeks of age. Serum and liver cholesterol concentrations of quail fed the 1% cholesterol supplemented diets averaged respectively, 5.3 and 10.3 times higher than those from quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol. There were no significant differences in serum and liver cholesterol concentrations between groups of quail fed control diet versus inducer minus 1% cholesterol diet or between quail fed inducer diet versus control plus 1% cholesterol diet. During a second 12-week period, the quail previously fed the diets containing cholesterol were given the respective control diets. The serum and liver cholesterol concentrations returned to values comparable to those of quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol throughout the experiment.", "PMID": 611506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_483", "title": "[Etiological diagnosis of epilepsy: value of computerized axial tomography (C.A.T.) (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors appraise the value of CAT in the study of epilepsy from their personal experience and from the few published works that are available. The CAT confirms and supports a large number of already acquired facts:--the almost complete absence of cerebral lesions in \"functional\" epilepsies (primary generalized epilepsies and benign childhood epilepsy with rolandic paroxysms);--the large number of abnormalities in the secondary generalized epilepsies (West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) where the majority of patients present a bilateral fronto-temporal atrophy;--the high percentage of cerebral lesions in partial epilepsies. In this case, the CAT is especially notable in revealing etiologies in 63 p. 100 of cases. They include: tumors, abcesses, empyemas, angiomas, cerebral infarctions, cerebral atrophies, post-traumatic lesions, etc... From this study, it can be concluded that positive diagnosis of epilepsy is still made on the basis of clinical and electroencephalographic data, with the CAT used to facilitate the etiological diagnosis.", "contents": "[Etiological diagnosis of epilepsy: value of computerized axial tomography (C.A.T.) (author's transl)]. The authors appraise the value of CAT in the study of epilepsy from their personal experience and from the few published works that are available. The CAT confirms and supports a large number of already acquired facts:--the almost complete absence of cerebral lesions in \"functional\" epilepsies (primary generalized epilepsies and benign childhood epilepsy with rolandic paroxysms);--the large number of abnormalities in the secondary generalized epilepsies (West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) where the majority of patients present a bilateral fronto-temporal atrophy;--the high percentage of cerebral lesions in partial epilepsies. In this case, the CAT is especially notable in revealing etiologies in 63 p. 100 of cases. They include: tumors, abcesses, empyemas, angiomas, cerebral infarctions, cerebral atrophies, post-traumatic lesions, etc... From this study, it can be concluded that positive diagnosis of epilepsy is still made on the basis of clinical and electroencephalographic data, with the CAT used to facilitate the etiological diagnosis.", "PMID": 611591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_484", "title": "[\"Spike focus\" during the evolution of febrile convulsion: an electrophysiological and clinical study of 35 patients (author's transl)].", "content": "Out of 500 patients with febrile convulsions, 41 were found to have a spike focus on E.E.G., 35 of these were then followed up. The clinical features of the seizure in these 35 children did not differ from the group in general. The initial focus was practically always unilateral, except for one case with an asynchronous bioccipital focus. The most frequent site was occipital (43 p. 100). Migration of the focus was relatively rare. In 35 patients the focus disappeared, in 45 p. 100 within a year and in 88 p. 100 within 3 years. Following the disappearance of the focus, generalised sharp wave activity was seen in 30 p. 100 cases, all 35 children being under treatment. All the seizures with the exception of two children who have become epileptic were benign rendering long term anticonvulsant therapy unnecessary.", "contents": "[\"Spike focus\" during the evolution of febrile convulsion: an electrophysiological and clinical study of 35 patients (author's transl)]. Out of 500 patients with febrile convulsions, 41 were found to have a spike focus on E.E.G., 35 of these were then followed up. The clinical features of the seizure in these 35 children did not differ from the group in general. The initial focus was practically always unilateral, except for one case with an asynchronous bioccipital focus. The most frequent site was occipital (43 p. 100). Migration of the focus was relatively rare. In 35 patients the focus disappeared, in 45 p. 100 within a year and in 88 p. 100 within 3 years. Following the disappearance of the focus, generalised sharp wave activity was seen in 30 p. 100 cases, all 35 children being under treatment. All the seizures with the exception of two children who have become epileptic were benign rendering long term anticonvulsant therapy unnecessary.", "PMID": 611592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_485", "title": "[Electrophysiological observations on seizure activity provoked by an intracarotid injection of Naftidrofuryl (author's transl)].", "content": "Three seconds after 0.08 g of Naftidrofuryl administered through the right carotid artery during an operation for carotid stenosis a right temporal sharp wave discharge occurred followed by diffuse polyspike activity occurring every 3to4 seconds with concomitant myoclonus. Rare episodes of this type are recorded in the literature when it has been used in neuroradiology. The authors state this agent should be forbidden by intracarotid injection.", "contents": "[Electrophysiological observations on seizure activity provoked by an intracarotid injection of Naftidrofuryl (author's transl)]. Three seconds after 0.08 g of Naftidrofuryl administered through the right carotid artery during an operation for carotid stenosis a right temporal sharp wave discharge occurred followed by diffuse polyspike activity occurring every 3to4 seconds with concomitant myoclonus. Rare episodes of this type are recorded in the literature when it has been used in neuroradiology. The authors state this agent should be forbidden by intracarotid injection.", "PMID": 611593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_486", "title": "[A polygraphic, haemodynamic and metabolic study of 2 cases of the \"locked-in\" syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "The sleep-waking pattern, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism have been studied in 2 cases of the \"locked-in\" syndrome, one traumatic, the other vascular in origin. Studies were performed in the third week in the first case and the seventh in the second. A lesion of the ventral pons was suggested clinically and neuroradiologically. The waking EEG was composed of alpha and theta activity. Different stages of slow wave sleep were diminished in quantity (NREM) as was paradoxical sleep (REM). The basal cerebral blood flow (CBF) was increased by 30 p. 100 compared to normals. Cerebral oxygen consumption was normal. The cerebral hyperaemia was evenly distributed and was associated with a failure of autoregulation. The vascular response to CO2 was normal, however. The E.E.G. findings, haemodynamic and metabolic studies confirmed a pontine lesion as the cause of the \"locked-in\" syndrome in contrast to akinetic mutism where the lesion is in the mid-brain.", "contents": "[A polygraphic, haemodynamic and metabolic study of 2 cases of the \"locked-in\" syndrome (author's transl)]. The sleep-waking pattern, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism have been studied in 2 cases of the \"locked-in\" syndrome, one traumatic, the other vascular in origin. Studies were performed in the third week in the first case and the seventh in the second. A lesion of the ventral pons was suggested clinically and neuroradiologically. The waking EEG was composed of alpha and theta activity. Different stages of slow wave sleep were diminished in quantity (NREM) as was paradoxical sleep (REM). The basal cerebral blood flow (CBF) was increased by 30 p. 100 compared to normals. Cerebral oxygen consumption was normal. The cerebral hyperaemia was evenly distributed and was associated with a failure of autoregulation. The vascular response to CO2 was normal, however. The E.E.G. findings, haemodynamic and metabolic studies confirmed a pontine lesion as the cause of the \"locked-in\" syndrome in contrast to akinetic mutism where the lesion is in the mid-brain.", "PMID": 611595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_487", "title": "[Rolandic activity and its asymmetry during sleep in the child (author's transl)].", "content": "Asymmetrical electrical activity was noted during sleep in normal children both during \"mixed patterns\" of sleep and during paradoxical sleep. This phenomenon is particularly striking between the ages of 3 and 5 years.", "contents": "[Rolandic activity and its asymmetry during sleep in the child (author's transl)]. Asymmetrical electrical activity was noted during sleep in normal children both during \"mixed patterns\" of sleep and during paradoxical sleep. This phenomenon is particularly striking between the ages of 3 and 5 years.", "PMID": 611594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_488", "title": "[Reye's syndrome a clinical and electrophysiological study of four patients (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors studied four children with Reye's syndrome aged 16 months, 6 years, 8 years and 11 years respectively with severe liver failure and progressive coma. The laboratory investigations in all of them showed a marked elevation of serum transaminases, hyperammoniaemia and a prolongation of the prothrombin time. The electroencephalograms showed a grossly abnormal picture with generalised continuous delta activity. Three children survived with return to normal of the liver function tests whilst the fourth child died. In the last two patients an electroencephalogram carried out every six hours has enabled certain prognostic features to be determined. Improvement in the E.E.G. correlates closely with clinical improvement and vice versa. The authors also advocate serial E.E.G. recordings in Reye's syndrome. The role of hyperammonaemia in the genesis of encephalopathy and the electroencephalographic changed is discussed. The role played by raised intracranial pressure is stressed and the importance of controlling it in order to prevent further damage and improve the prognosis of this serious illness.", "contents": "[Reye's syndrome a clinical and electrophysiological study of four patients (author's transl)]. The authors studied four children with Reye's syndrome aged 16 months, 6 years, 8 years and 11 years respectively with severe liver failure and progressive coma. The laboratory investigations in all of them showed a marked elevation of serum transaminases, hyperammoniaemia and a prolongation of the prothrombin time. The electroencephalograms showed a grossly abnormal picture with generalised continuous delta activity. Three children survived with return to normal of the liver function tests whilst the fourth child died. In the last two patients an electroencephalogram carried out every six hours has enabled certain prognostic features to be determined. Improvement in the E.E.G. correlates closely with clinical improvement and vice versa. The authors also advocate serial E.E.G. recordings in Reye's syndrome. The role of hyperammonaemia in the genesis of encephalopathy and the electroencephalographic changed is discussed. The role played by raised intracranial pressure is stressed and the importance of controlling it in order to prevent further damage and improve the prognosis of this serious illness.", "PMID": 611596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_489", "title": "[The value and reliability of auditory evoked potentials in the detection of deafness in early childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors have carried out a study on 472 subjects using auditory evoked response techniques in the evaluation of hearing difficulties and deafness in the child. They were able to demonstrate excellent correlation between the technique used and the clinical data and its additional prognostic value. Furthermore because of its safety and its ability to assess high tones it can be recommended whenever a hearing deficit is suspected in the neonate or toddler.", "contents": "[The value and reliability of auditory evoked potentials in the detection of deafness in early childhood (author's transl)]. The authors have carried out a study on 472 subjects using auditory evoked response techniques in the evaluation of hearing difficulties and deafness in the child. They were able to demonstrate excellent correlation between the technique used and the clinical data and its additional prognostic value. Furthermore because of its safety and its ability to assess high tones it can be recommended whenever a hearing deficit is suspected in the neonate or toddler.", "PMID": 611597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_490", "title": "[The value of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials in agenesis of the corpus callosum (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors describe the homolateral somesthetic evoked responses in 8 cases of agenesis of the corpus callosum. They stress the differences compared to normals in the same way that contralateral somesthetic evoked responses differ. The authors consider the possibility of an independent cortical generator responsible for this response and suggest that systematic recording of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials might be of considerable value in early diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum.", "contents": "[The value of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials in agenesis of the corpus callosum (author's transl)]. The authors describe the homolateral somesthetic evoked responses in 8 cases of agenesis of the corpus callosum. They stress the differences compared to normals in the same way that contralateral somesthetic evoked responses differ. The authors consider the possibility of an independent cortical generator responsible for this response and suggest that systematic recording of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials might be of considerable value in early diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum.", "PMID": 611598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_491", "title": "[Considerations relating to the choice of criteria of automatic detection in tele-E.E.G (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors retrace their pragmatic approach, by stages, to analysis the \"unsorted\" signal of cerebral activity, transmitted by telemetry. They use the selective properties of frequency filters associated with energy level thresholds, in order to obtain discrimination of the events appearing in the E.E.G. They emphasise the learning of objective reading, in its electrical composition, of the E.E.G. signal, and the need for good function of the telemeasure systems which transmit the information. The final stage involves a discriminator of paroxysmal electrical activity, programmable in its selective functions and in its association logic, essential for analysis by calculator, for statistical studies and in order to detect any electro-clinical correlation.", "contents": "[Considerations relating to the choice of criteria of automatic detection in tele-E.E.G (author's transl)]. The authors retrace their pragmatic approach, by stages, to analysis the \"unsorted\" signal of cerebral activity, transmitted by telemetry. They use the selective properties of frequency filters associated with energy level thresholds, in order to obtain discrimination of the events appearing in the E.E.G. They emphasise the learning of objective reading, in its electrical composition, of the E.E.G. signal, and the need for good function of the telemeasure systems which transmit the information. The final stage involves a discriminator of paroxysmal electrical activity, programmable in its selective functions and in its association logic, essential for analysis by calculator, for statistical studies and in order to detect any electro-clinical correlation.", "PMID": 611601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_492", "title": "[A comparative study of standard electroencephalographic techniques and telemetry (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors have used radio-telemetry to perform long duration studies and to study the variations in cerebral electrical activity. They presented a quantitative study of the distribution of paroxysmal activity in the epileptic, based on an experimental observation and confirmed as a result of the methods used. They were able to show a relationship between the severity and temporal distribution of paroxysmal activity which was confirmed statistically. Further observations were made on the distribution and onset of epileptic discharges but more detailed analysis is required before general electrophysiological conclusions can be made.", "contents": "[A comparative study of standard electroencephalographic techniques and telemetry (author's transl)]. The authors have used radio-telemetry to perform long duration studies and to study the variations in cerebral electrical activity. They presented a quantitative study of the distribution of paroxysmal activity in the epileptic, based on an experimental observation and confirmed as a result of the methods used. They were able to show a relationship between the severity and temporal distribution of paroxysmal activity which was confirmed statistically. Further observations were made on the distribution and onset of epileptic discharges but more detailed analysis is required before general electrophysiological conclusions can be made.", "PMID": 611600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_493", "title": "[A method for recording auditory evoked brain stem responses for use with objective audiometry and in neurology (author's transl)].", "content": "After defining the auditory evoked brain stem responses, the authors discuss the importance of the recording conditions and their influence on the recorded response. The choice of leads, frequency of stimulus repetition and strength of stimulus are all modifying factors. In objective audiometry it seemed preeferable to choose the technical conditions which would highlight wave V, which is identifiable even with stimuli close to threshold. The experimental conditions must be different for neurological investigation because one requires to visualise all the waves constituting the response.", "contents": "[A method for recording auditory evoked brain stem responses for use with objective audiometry and in neurology (author's transl)]. After defining the auditory evoked brain stem responses, the authors discuss the importance of the recording conditions and their influence on the recorded response. The choice of leads, frequency of stimulus repetition and strength of stimulus are all modifying factors. In objective audiometry it seemed preeferable to choose the technical conditions which would highlight wave V, which is identifiable even with stimuli close to threshold. The experimental conditions must be different for neurological investigation because one requires to visualise all the waves constituting the response.", "PMID": 611599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_494", "title": "Synthesis and characteristics of the specific monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate and their taurine or glycine conjugates.", "content": "The isomeric monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate, and their taurine or glycine conjugates, were synthesized and characterized. Reaction with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine for 2 minutes mainly afforded the 3-monosulfates. To prepare the 7- or the 12-monosulfates, the 3-hydroxyl group was protected by carbethoxylation prior to sulfation of the 7- or 12-hydroxyl group for 24 h to 5 days; after sulfation, the protecting 3-carbethoxy function was removed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The crude bile salt monosulfates were purified by chromatography on silica gel and on Sephadex LH-20 and were crystallized from methanolethanol-ethyl acetate. The results of elemental analysis demonstrated that the compounds were disodium dihydroxy bile salt monosulfates. Thin layer chromatography of the sulfates, and gas-liquid chromatography after oxidation and solvolysis, showed that the substances were pure and that the sulfate group was at the expected position.", "contents": "Synthesis and characteristics of the specific monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate and their taurine or glycine conjugates. The isomeric monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate, and their taurine or glycine conjugates, were synthesized and characterized. Reaction with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine for 2 minutes mainly afforded the 3-monosulfates. To prepare the 7- or the 12-monosulfates, the 3-hydroxyl group was protected by carbethoxylation prior to sulfation of the 7- or 12-hydroxyl group for 24 h to 5 days; after sulfation, the protecting 3-carbethoxy function was removed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The crude bile salt monosulfates were purified by chromatography on silica gel and on Sephadex LH-20 and were crystallized from methanolethanol-ethyl acetate. The results of elemental analysis demonstrated that the compounds were disodium dihydroxy bile salt monosulfates. Thin layer chromatography of the sulfates, and gas-liquid chromatography after oxidation and solvolysis, showed that the substances were pure and that the sulfate group was at the expected position.", "PMID": 611627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_495", "title": "Characteristics of androgen binding in rat adrenal tissue using [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) as tracer.", "content": "A high level of binding of [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881 = 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) was found in cytosol prepared from adrenals of castrated male rats. Binding of [3H]R1881 was of high affinity (DK = 6.2 nM) and highly specific for androgens. The [3H]R1881 complex migrates at 7-9S on sucrose gradients in low ionic strength buffer and at 4-5S in buffer containing 0.4M KC1. All binding studies have been performed in parallel with rat ventral prostate and adrenal cytosol. The present data suggest the presence of an androgen binding component in rat adrenal tissue.", "contents": "Characteristics of androgen binding in rat adrenal tissue using [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) as tracer. A high level of binding of [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881 = 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) was found in cytosol prepared from adrenals of castrated male rats. Binding of [3H]R1881 was of high affinity (DK = 6.2 nM) and highly specific for androgens. The [3H]R1881 complex migrates at 7-9S on sucrose gradients in low ionic strength buffer and at 4-5S in buffer containing 0.4M KC1. All binding studies have been performed in parallel with rat ventral prostate and adrenal cytosol. The present data suggest the presence of an androgen binding component in rat adrenal tissue.", "PMID": 611628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_496", "title": "Tritiated 9alpha-fluorocortisol metabolism and binding in rat kidney.", "content": "Metabolism of 9alpha-fluorocortisol (9alpha-F) has been studied in rat kidney slices, homogenate, and in the isolated perfused kidney. These studies show that the rate of 9alpha-F metabolism varies depending upon the experimental conditions. The major metabolite formed, identified by mass spectrometry, is 20(xi)-dihydro-9alpha-fluorocortisol. The kidney slice experiments show that only 3H-9alpha-F and none of the metabolites bind to cytosolic receptors. In competition experiments performed with tritiated and unlabeled 9alpha-fluorocortisol, aldosterone (A), dexamethasone (DM) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA), 9alpha-F was found to bind to mineralocorticoid receptors with a lower affinity than A but also to glucocorticoid receptors with a higher affinity than A. The Scatchard plot analysis indicated that 3H-9alpha-F is characterized by KD : 8.6 X 10(-9)M and N : 1.9 x 10(-13)moles/mg of protein. In conclusion it is felt that 9alpha-F would not be a better \"marker\" than aldosterone for the renal mineralocorticoid receptors.", "contents": "Tritiated 9alpha-fluorocortisol metabolism and binding in rat kidney. Metabolism of 9alpha-fluorocortisol (9alpha-F) has been studied in rat kidney slices, homogenate, and in the isolated perfused kidney. These studies show that the rate of 9alpha-F metabolism varies depending upon the experimental conditions. The major metabolite formed, identified by mass spectrometry, is 20(xi)-dihydro-9alpha-fluorocortisol. The kidney slice experiments show that only 3H-9alpha-F and none of the metabolites bind to cytosolic receptors. In competition experiments performed with tritiated and unlabeled 9alpha-fluorocortisol, aldosterone (A), dexamethasone (DM) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA), 9alpha-F was found to bind to mineralocorticoid receptors with a lower affinity than A but also to glucocorticoid receptors with a higher affinity than A. The Scatchard plot analysis indicated that 3H-9alpha-F is characterized by KD : 8.6 X 10(-9)M and N : 1.9 x 10(-13)moles/mg of protein. In conclusion it is felt that 9alpha-F would not be a better \"marker\" than aldosterone for the renal mineralocorticoid receptors.", "PMID": 611629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_497", "title": "Cortisol metabolism and excretion in the isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "The isolated perfused rat kidney allows a simultaneous kinetic study of both the renal metabolism and the urinary excretion of cortisol and its metabolites in the rat. In this system, cortisol was completely metabolized within 120 minutes. The main renal metabolites of cortisol (cortisone, 20 reduced cortisol and 20 reduced cortisone) were found in the recirculating perfusate and in urine. The formation of these metabolites was quantitatively evaluated and compared to a theoretical model.", "contents": "Cortisol metabolism and excretion in the isolated perfused rat kidney. The isolated perfused rat kidney allows a simultaneous kinetic study of both the renal metabolism and the urinary excretion of cortisol and its metabolites in the rat. In this system, cortisol was completely metabolized within 120 minutes. The main renal metabolites of cortisol (cortisone, 20 reduced cortisol and 20 reduced cortisone) were found in the recirculating perfusate and in urine. The formation of these metabolites was quantitatively evaluated and compared to a theoretical model.", "PMID": 611630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_498", "title": "Preparation of radioactive iodinated cholylhistamine for use in the radioimmunoassay of cholic acid.", "content": "A major handicap in the development of simple and accurate radioimmunoassay procedures for bile acids has been the lack of a radioactive standard of high specific activity. To provide such a compound, we first synthesized cholylhistamine using the carbodiimide reaction. The hypothesized structure was confirmed by elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography, infrared and mass spectral analysis. The cholylhistamine was then iodinated with 125I, using the choloramine-T method. The 125I-cholylhistamine was bound by antisera raised against a cholic acid-bovine serum albumin conjugate. This procedure should prove useful in preparing radioactive conjugates for all of the bile acids.", "contents": "Preparation of radioactive iodinated cholylhistamine for use in the radioimmunoassay of cholic acid. A major handicap in the development of simple and accurate radioimmunoassay procedures for bile acids has been the lack of a radioactive standard of high specific activity. To provide such a compound, we first synthesized cholylhistamine using the carbodiimide reaction. The hypothesized structure was confirmed by elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography, infrared and mass spectral analysis. The cholylhistamine was then iodinated with 125I, using the choloramine-T method. The 125I-cholylhistamine was bound by antisera raised against a cholic acid-bovine serum albumin conjugate. This procedure should prove useful in preparing radioactive conjugates for all of the bile acids.", "PMID": 611631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_499", "title": "Suppression of testosterone production by ethyl alcohol. Possible mode of action.", "content": "Intragastric administration of ethyl alcohol (1.24 g/kg body weight) to adult male mice caused a drastic decrease in the concentration of testosterone (T) in peripheral plasma. The depression of plasma T levels was significant at 30, 60 and 90 minutes after alcohol administration, but by 120 min, the normal T levels were re-established. This transient decrease in peripheral T levels was probably due to a reduction in testicular T production, because at 1 hr after alcohol administration, the concentration of T in the testis was also significantly depressed. The ability of the testes of alcohol-treated mice to produce T in response to gonadotropic stimulation in vitro was not affected. Addition of 5, 10, 20 or 50 microliter of alcohol per ml of the medium used for the incubation of decapsulated testes had no significant effect on the accumulation of T, but similar doses of acetaldehyde caused a pronounced inhibition of T production. The decrease in plasma T levels observed after administration of ethyl alcohol in vivo may be related to a direct inhibition of testicular T production by acetaldehyde derived from the metabolism of alcohol.", "contents": "Suppression of testosterone production by ethyl alcohol. Possible mode of action. Intragastric administration of ethyl alcohol (1.24 g/kg body weight) to adult male mice caused a drastic decrease in the concentration of testosterone (T) in peripheral plasma. The depression of plasma T levels was significant at 30, 60 and 90 minutes after alcohol administration, but by 120 min, the normal T levels were re-established. This transient decrease in peripheral T levels was probably due to a reduction in testicular T production, because at 1 hr after alcohol administration, the concentration of T in the testis was also significantly depressed. The ability of the testes of alcohol-treated mice to produce T in response to gonadotropic stimulation in vitro was not affected. Addition of 5, 10, 20 or 50 microliter of alcohol per ml of the medium used for the incubation of decapsulated testes had no significant effect on the accumulation of T, but similar doses of acetaldehyde caused a pronounced inhibition of T production. The decrease in plasma T levels observed after administration of ethyl alcohol in vivo may be related to a direct inhibition of testicular T production by acetaldehyde derived from the metabolism of alcohol.", "PMID": 611632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_500", "title": "An exchange assay for estrogen receptors in cell nuclei of the adult rat brain.", "content": "A nuclear exchange assay was developed for brain estrogen receptors. The assay employs an extraction procedure which solubilizes essentially all of the estradiol from brain cell nuclei: purified cell nuclei are evenly dispersed in a hypotonic buffer prior to the addition of an equal volume of 0.8M KC1. Experiments with an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol established that this procedure extracts even normally salt-resistant binding. For exchange, aliquots of the extract are incubated with 3H-estradiol or 3h-estradiol plus 100-fold excess unlabeled estradiol. Bound 3H-estradiol is separated from free 3H-estradiol on Sephdex LH-20 columns. Loss of estradiol binding activity can occur with brain nuclear extracts under conditions required for exchange. This loss of binding is inhibited by the addition of bacitracin to the incubation buffer. The exchange is complete within 5 hrs at 25 degrees C and specific binding activity is stable for at least 16 hrs. The assay was validated by comparing levels of macromolecular-bound radioactivity after an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol and levels determined by exchange after an injection of unlabeled estradiol. Scatchard analysis confirmed the high affinity nature of the binding measured by exchange.", "contents": "An exchange assay for estrogen receptors in cell nuclei of the adult rat brain. A nuclear exchange assay was developed for brain estrogen receptors. The assay employs an extraction procedure which solubilizes essentially all of the estradiol from brain cell nuclei: purified cell nuclei are evenly dispersed in a hypotonic buffer prior to the addition of an equal volume of 0.8M KC1. Experiments with an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol established that this procedure extracts even normally salt-resistant binding. For exchange, aliquots of the extract are incubated with 3H-estradiol or 3h-estradiol plus 100-fold excess unlabeled estradiol. Bound 3H-estradiol is separated from free 3H-estradiol on Sephdex LH-20 columns. Loss of estradiol binding activity can occur with brain nuclear extracts under conditions required for exchange. This loss of binding is inhibited by the addition of bacitracin to the incubation buffer. The exchange is complete within 5 hrs at 25 degrees C and specific binding activity is stable for at least 16 hrs. The assay was validated by comparing levels of macromolecular-bound radioactivity after an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol and levels determined by exchange after an injection of unlabeled estradiol. Scatchard analysis confirmed the high affinity nature of the binding measured by exchange.", "PMID": 611633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_501", "title": "Radioimmunoassays for androsterone, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol.", "content": "Androsterone (3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one), 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol were conjugated at C-16 through sulfur to bovine and human serum albumin. Rabbits injected with these conjugates produced antibodies suitable for radioimmunoassays of these hormone metabolites. Samples were purified on Sephadex LH-20 columns. Levels of these steroids were measured in a rat blood serum pool and in ovarian tissue extract pools.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassays for androsterone, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol. Androsterone (3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one), 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol were conjugated at C-16 through sulfur to bovine and human serum albumin. Rabbits injected with these conjugates produced antibodies suitable for radioimmunoassays of these hormone metabolites. Samples were purified on Sephadex LH-20 columns. Levels of these steroids were measured in a rat blood serum pool and in ovarian tissue extract pools.", "PMID": 611634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_502", "title": "A simple procedure for solubilizing 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from microsomes of rat adrenals and testis interstitial cells.", "content": "A simple procedure is described for solubilizing microsomal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). Microsomes from rat adrenals or from testicular interstitial cells were incubated for 1 or 2 h at 0 C in a buffer containing NaCl followed by overnight storage at -20 C. Maximum solubilization of 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one-HSD (androstane-3beta-HSD) was obtained by incubating adrenal microsomes with 1 M NaCl and interstitial cell microsomes with 2 M NaCl. Incubation with NaCl for 1 or 2 h resulted in maximum solubilization; incubation with NaCl for 4, 8 or 24 h did not change the amount of enzyme solubilized. From adrenal microsomes incubated with 1 M NaCl, up to 80% (105.7 millimicron/mg microsomes) of the total androstane-3beta-HSD activity was recovered in the supernatant following centrifugation at 130,000 x g for 1 h. The maximum amount of androstane-3beta-HSD solubilized from interstitial cell microsomes was 56% (29.5 millimicron/mg microsomes) at 2 M NaCl. The \"solubilized\" androstane-3beta-HSD was retarded when chromatographed on a Sephadex G-200 column and it did not pellet out when centrifuged at 130,000 x g for 15 h. KCL appeared to be equally effective in solubilizing androstane-3beta-HSD from microsomes. Other steroid dehydrogenase activities such as pregnanolone-HSD and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one-HSD were also found in the 130,000 x g supernatant.", "contents": "A simple procedure for solubilizing 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from microsomes of rat adrenals and testis interstitial cells. A simple procedure is described for solubilizing microsomal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). Microsomes from rat adrenals or from testicular interstitial cells were incubated for 1 or 2 h at 0 C in a buffer containing NaCl followed by overnight storage at -20 C. Maximum solubilization of 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one-HSD (androstane-3beta-HSD) was obtained by incubating adrenal microsomes with 1 M NaCl and interstitial cell microsomes with 2 M NaCl. Incubation with NaCl for 1 or 2 h resulted in maximum solubilization; incubation with NaCl for 4, 8 or 24 h did not change the amount of enzyme solubilized. From adrenal microsomes incubated with 1 M NaCl, up to 80% (105.7 millimicron/mg microsomes) of the total androstane-3beta-HSD activity was recovered in the supernatant following centrifugation at 130,000 x g for 1 h. The maximum amount of androstane-3beta-HSD solubilized from interstitial cell microsomes was 56% (29.5 millimicron/mg microsomes) at 2 M NaCl. The \"solubilized\" androstane-3beta-HSD was retarded when chromatographed on a Sephadex G-200 column and it did not pellet out when centrifuged at 130,000 x g for 15 h. KCL appeared to be equally effective in solubilizing androstane-3beta-HSD from microsomes. Other steroid dehydrogenase activities such as pregnanolone-HSD and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one-HSD were also found in the 130,000 x g supernatant.", "PMID": 611635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_503", "title": "Evidence of androgen and estrogen receptors in the preen gland of male ducks.", "content": "Androgen receptors have been found in duck preen glands by using dextran-coated charcoal adsorption. They bound DHT with high affinity (KD = 0.2 nM), limited capacity (45 fmoles/mgP) and good specificity. They sedimented at 8 S in a sucrose gradient and were destroyed by pronase digestion and heating. An estrogen receptor having different binding specificity was also demonstrated. On the basis of a marked annual cycle of gonadal activity in ducks, this system appears appropriate for studying the regulation of sex steroid hormone receptors.", "contents": "Evidence of androgen and estrogen receptors in the preen gland of male ducks. Androgen receptors have been found in duck preen glands by using dextran-coated charcoal adsorption. They bound DHT with high affinity (KD = 0.2 nM), limited capacity (45 fmoles/mgP) and good specificity. They sedimented at 8 S in a sucrose gradient and were destroyed by pronase digestion and heating. An estrogen receptor having different binding specificity was also demonstrated. On the basis of a marked annual cycle of gonadal activity in ducks, this system appears appropriate for studying the regulation of sex steroid hormone receptors.", "PMID": 611636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_504", "title": "Synthesis of 21-amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal.", "content": "21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal was obtained in good yield by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of 21-azido-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. The azido bisethylene ketal was synthesized by the sequence: deoxycorticosterone leads to deoxycorticosterone 21-p-toluene-sulfanate leads to 21-azidoprogesterone leads to 21-azido-5-pregnene-3, 20-dione bisethylene ketal. The structure of the title compound was confirmed by its conversion to the known 21-acetylaminoprogesterone. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal is a stable aminosteroid which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of C-21 nitrogen derivatives of progesterone.", "contents": "Synthesis of 21-amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal was obtained in good yield by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of 21-azido-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. The azido bisethylene ketal was synthesized by the sequence: deoxycorticosterone leads to deoxycorticosterone 21-p-toluene-sulfanate leads to 21-azidoprogesterone leads to 21-azido-5-pregnene-3, 20-dione bisethylene ketal. The structure of the title compound was confirmed by its conversion to the known 21-acetylaminoprogesterone. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal is a stable aminosteroid which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of C-21 nitrogen derivatives of progesterone.", "PMID": 611637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_505", "title": "In vitro steroid metabolic studies in human testes. II: Metabolism of cholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone by testes of an estrogen-treated man.", "content": "The effect of long-term in vivo estrogen treatment on in vitro steroidogenesis by the testes of a young man was investigated. In vitro incubation of testicular tissue of this man with 3H-pregnenolone, 3H-progesterone, 3H-androstenedione and 3H-testosterone demonstrated suppression of 17-hydroxylase activity, with little or no effect of the treatment on delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, 5alpha-reductase and aromatase. Increased 20alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity was observed. Determination of intratesticular steroid concentrations led to similar conclusions.", "contents": "In vitro steroid metabolic studies in human testes. II: Metabolism of cholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone by testes of an estrogen-treated man. The effect of long-term in vivo estrogen treatment on in vitro steroidogenesis by the testes of a young man was investigated. In vitro incubation of testicular tissue of this man with 3H-pregnenolone, 3H-progesterone, 3H-androstenedione and 3H-testosterone demonstrated suppression of 17-hydroxylase activity, with little or no effect of the treatment on delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, 5alpha-reductase and aromatase. Increased 20alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity was observed. Determination of intratesticular steroid concentrations led to similar conclusions.", "PMID": 611638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_506", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of 6beta-hydroxycortisol in human plasma and urine.", "content": "A sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay for urine and plasma 6beta-hydroxycortisol has been developed. Antiserum showing high specificity against 6beta-hydroxycortisol was produced in rabbits immunized with 6beta-hydroxycortisol 21-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin. The sensitivity of the assay was 25 pg on a diluted sample equivalent to 1 microliter of urine, and on 50 microliter of plasma after separation by celite chromatography. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for urine were 4.8 and 6.7% and those for plasma were 4.2 and 12.1%. Concentrations were determined in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, in patients treated with dilantin, in neonates, and in infants aged 5-12 months.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of 6beta-hydroxycortisol in human plasma and urine. A sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay for urine and plasma 6beta-hydroxycortisol has been developed. Antiserum showing high specificity against 6beta-hydroxycortisol was produced in rabbits immunized with 6beta-hydroxycortisol 21-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin. The sensitivity of the assay was 25 pg on a diluted sample equivalent to 1 microliter of urine, and on 50 microliter of plasma after separation by celite chromatography. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for urine were 4.8 and 6.7% and those for plasma were 4.2 and 12.1%. Concentrations were determined in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, in patients treated with dilantin, in neonates, and in infants aged 5-12 months.", "PMID": 611639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_507", "title": "Characterization of the cytoplasmic androgen receptor of rat seminal vesicle.", "content": "Postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) (1) has been prepared from the homogenate of rat seminal vesicles and the characteristics of the binding reaction of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the cytoplasmic androgen receptor have been studied using a charcoal adsorption procedure. At 0 degrees C apparent equilibrium of binding is reached between 60 and 90 min of incubation but no exchange of bound (3H)DHT can be observed in the presence of a 100-fold excess of unlabelled DHT. Saturation analysis shows a single class of independent binding sites for DHT with an apparent dissociation constant of 1 nM at 0 degrees C and 2 nM at 25 degrees C. Concentration of binding sites is in the range of 25-80 fmoles/mg protein. When not occupied by DHT the receptor molecules are inactivated spontaneously following first order reaction kinetics. A rate constant of 0.27 hours-1 at 0 degrees C was determined for the inactivation reaction. In the (3H)DHT-binding reaction testosterone and 19-nortestosterone are even more efficient competitors than unlabelled DHT, while hydrocortisone does not compete at all. On the other hand significant binding of (3H) testosterone could not be demonstrated. The (3H)DHT-receptor complex is precipitated from the cytosol by 0 to 33% saturation of ammonium sulphate and sediments as a single, 3.1 S peak in sucrose gradients prepared in 0.4 M NaCl.", "contents": "Characterization of the cytoplasmic androgen receptor of rat seminal vesicle. Postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) (1) has been prepared from the homogenate of rat seminal vesicles and the characteristics of the binding reaction of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the cytoplasmic androgen receptor have been studied using a charcoal adsorption procedure. At 0 degrees C apparent equilibrium of binding is reached between 60 and 90 min of incubation but no exchange of bound (3H)DHT can be observed in the presence of a 100-fold excess of unlabelled DHT. Saturation analysis shows a single class of independent binding sites for DHT with an apparent dissociation constant of 1 nM at 0 degrees C and 2 nM at 25 degrees C. Concentration of binding sites is in the range of 25-80 fmoles/mg protein. When not occupied by DHT the receptor molecules are inactivated spontaneously following first order reaction kinetics. A rate constant of 0.27 hours-1 at 0 degrees C was determined for the inactivation reaction. In the (3H)DHT-binding reaction testosterone and 19-nortestosterone are even more efficient competitors than unlabelled DHT, while hydrocortisone does not compete at all. On the other hand significant binding of (3H) testosterone could not be demonstrated. The (3H)DHT-receptor complex is precipitated from the cytosol by 0 to 33% saturation of ammonium sulphate and sediments as a single, 3.1 S peak in sucrose gradients prepared in 0.4 M NaCl.", "PMID": 611640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_508", "title": "24-Nor-5beta-chol-22-enes derived from the major bile acids by oxidative decarboxylation.", "content": "The preparation of 24-nor-5beta-chol-22-enes from formyloxy-5beta-cholanic acids by oxidative decarboxylation with lead tetraacetate is described. NMR data is presented with other physical constants for the norcholenes derived from cholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, hyodeoxycholic, and deoxycholic acids. The facile synthesis of these norcholenes demonstrates the applicability of the formyloxy protecting group to oxidative decarboxylations in the bile acid series.", "contents": "24-Nor-5beta-chol-22-enes derived from the major bile acids by oxidative decarboxylation. The preparation of 24-nor-5beta-chol-22-enes from formyloxy-5beta-cholanic acids by oxidative decarboxylation with lead tetraacetate is described. NMR data is presented with other physical constants for the norcholenes derived from cholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, hyodeoxycholic, and deoxycholic acids. The facile synthesis of these norcholenes demonstrates the applicability of the formyloxy protecting group to oxidative decarboxylations in the bile acid series.", "PMID": 611641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_509", "title": "Synthesis of desmosterol and epidesmosterol from hyodeoxycholic acid.", "content": "A new synthesis of desmosterol was described using hyodeoxycholic acid (3alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid) as a starting material. Epidesmosterol (3alpha-hydroxycholesta-5,24-diene) was also synthesized for the first time from the same starting material.", "contents": "Synthesis of desmosterol and epidesmosterol from hyodeoxycholic acid. A new synthesis of desmosterol was described using hyodeoxycholic acid (3alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid) as a starting material. Epidesmosterol (3alpha-hydroxycholesta-5,24-diene) was also synthesized for the first time from the same starting material.", "PMID": 611642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_510", "title": "Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development: 2. Identification of 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid (an intermediate in alternate pathway of bile acid synthesis) in newborn and fetal guinea pig.", "content": "3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was found in the bile and feces of newborn and fetal guinea pigs. The identity of this compound was confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This finding suggests that the formation of chenodeoxycholic acid through 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid is intermediate in the early life of guinea pigs. Thus, it provides a useful model for studying the details of regulatory factors and significance of this pathway. This study also revealed that, unlike the adult guinea pig, the newborn guinea pig has significant amounts of glycine conjugates of bile acid.", "contents": "Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development: 2. Identification of 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid (an intermediate in alternate pathway of bile acid synthesis) in newborn and fetal guinea pig. 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was found in the bile and feces of newborn and fetal guinea pigs. The identity of this compound was confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This finding suggests that the formation of chenodeoxycholic acid through 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid is intermediate in the early life of guinea pigs. Thus, it provides a useful model for studying the details of regulatory factors and significance of this pathway. This study also revealed that, unlike the adult guinea pig, the newborn guinea pig has significant amounts of glycine conjugates of bile acid.", "PMID": 611644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_511", "title": "Effect on pregnancy and plasma progesterone of exogenous steroid maintenance in ovariectomised pregnant rabbits.", "content": "Pregnancy was maintained in ovariectomised does with 1 to 4 mg/day of exogenous progesterone with or without 0.2 microgram/day of estradiol. Progesterone doses were designed to give similar plasma progesterone levels in treated groups to those found in normal pregnancy, and were measured and compared with normals since this comparison does not appear to have been published previously. In normal pregnancy mean progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 7 and then plateaued at 14 ng/ml between day 10 and 20 before falling to very low levels at parturition. In treated groups progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 6 and remained between 10 and 13 ng/ml until day 20 before declining. The difference between treated and control plasma progesterone plateau levels was tested using the t-test and was found not be significant. The differences in progesterone levels between treated groups with or without estradiol, whether pregnant or not, were also not significant. Mean litter sizes (alive or dead) were not significantly different. However, fetal viability in the group maintained on progesterone alone was significantly lower than in the normal controls.", "contents": "Effect on pregnancy and plasma progesterone of exogenous steroid maintenance in ovariectomised pregnant rabbits. Pregnancy was maintained in ovariectomised does with 1 to 4 mg/day of exogenous progesterone with or without 0.2 microgram/day of estradiol. Progesterone doses were designed to give similar plasma progesterone levels in treated groups to those found in normal pregnancy, and were measured and compared with normals since this comparison does not appear to have been published previously. In normal pregnancy mean progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 7 and then plateaued at 14 ng/ml between day 10 and 20 before falling to very low levels at parturition. In treated groups progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 6 and remained between 10 and 13 ng/ml until day 20 before declining. The difference between treated and control plasma progesterone plateau levels was tested using the t-test and was found not be significant. The differences in progesterone levels between treated groups with or without estradiol, whether pregnant or not, were also not significant. Mean litter sizes (alive or dead) were not significantly different. However, fetal viability in the group maintained on progesterone alone was significantly lower than in the normal controls.", "PMID": 611645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_512", "title": "Nucleotide sequence of a human gene coding for a polypeptide hormone.", "content": "In summary, a general approach is presented to purify and sequence DNA fragments of a specific gene starting with a heterogeneous mixture of mRNAs. The methodology has been applied to the determination of the DNA sequence of a portion of the gene for human chorionic somatomammotropin. Most of the possible translation codons of the genetic code were found to be used. Some selectivity in the codon choices was found, and this may be important for RNA or gene regulation or structure. The stop codon UAG was found and a second stop codon in the same reading frame was found nine bases farther down. Finally, a \"palindrome\" sequence was detected in the 3' noncoding region.", "contents": "Nucleotide sequence of a human gene coding for a polypeptide hormone. In summary, a general approach is presented to purify and sequence DNA fragments of a specific gene starting with a heterogeneous mixture of mRNAs. The methodology has been applied to the determination of the DNA sequence of a portion of the gene for human chorionic somatomammotropin. Most of the possible translation codons of the genetic code were found to be used. Some selectivity in the codon choices was found, and this may be important for RNA or gene regulation or structure. The stop codon UAG was found and a second stop codon in the same reading frame was found nine bases farther down. Finally, a \"palindrome\" sequence was detected in the 3' noncoding region.", "PMID": 611657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_513", "title": "The hypereosinophilic syndrome: dramatic response to therapeutic intervention.", "content": "The Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) is a disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis characterized by blood and bone marrow eosinophilia associated with infiltration of eosinophils into tissues and multi-system organ dysfunction. Patients with HES historically have very significant morbidity and a high mortality of 77% at 3 years. This study is a prospective (9 years) and retrospective (24 years) analysis of the therapy and prognosis of 26 patients with HES. Five patients (19%) showed no evidence of progressive organ system dysfunction and were given no therapy; all have done well. Sixteen patients with progressive organ dysfunction were treated with corticosteroids; 6 of the 16 (38%) had a good response and required no further therapy. Six of 8 patients who were corticosteroid unresponsive and had serious prognostic signs had excellent responses to hydroxyurea therapy, while 2 patients showed partial responses. Employing the above regimen, we have demonstrated that our 26 patients (including 12 with poor prognostic indicators) have a marked increase in survival (3 year mortality 4%) when compared with the historical control.", "contents": "The hypereosinophilic syndrome: dramatic response to therapeutic intervention. The Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) is a disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis characterized by blood and bone marrow eosinophilia associated with infiltration of eosinophils into tissues and multi-system organ dysfunction. Patients with HES historically have very significant morbidity and a high mortality of 77% at 3 years. This study is a prospective (9 years) and retrospective (24 years) analysis of the therapy and prognosis of 26 patients with HES. Five patients (19%) showed no evidence of progressive organ system dysfunction and were given no therapy; all have done well. Sixteen patients with progressive organ dysfunction were treated with corticosteroids; 6 of the 16 (38%) had a good response and required no further therapy. Six of 8 patients who were corticosteroid unresponsive and had serious prognostic signs had excellent responses to hydroxyurea therapy, while 2 patients showed partial responses. Employing the above regimen, we have demonstrated that our 26 patients (including 12 with poor prognostic indicators) have a marked increase in survival (3 year mortality 4%) when compared with the historical control.", "PMID": 611659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_514", "title": "Use of propranolol in the treatment of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension.", "content": "Five patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension who had physiologic and biochemical evidence of severe autonomic dysfunction were included in the study. They all exhibited markedly reduced plasma catecholamines and plasma renin activity in both recumbent and upright positions and had marked hypersensitivity to the pressor effects of infused norepinephrine. Treatment with propanolol administered intravenously (1-5 mg) produced increases in supine and upright blood pressure in 4 of the 5 individuals with rises ranging from 11/6 to 22/11 mmHg. Chronic oral administration of propranolol (40-160 mg/day) also elevated the blood pressures of these individuals with increases in the order of 20-35/15-25 mmg being observed. In 1 patient, marked hypertension was induced by propranolol and the drug had to be withdrawn. It otherwise was well tolerated and no important side effects were observed. Treatment has been continued in 3 individuals for 6-13 months with persistence of the pressor effect, although there appears to have been some decrease in the degree of response with time. Hemodynamic measurements in 1 of the patients demonstrated an increase in total peripheral resistance and essentially no change in cardiac output following propranolol therapy. The studies suggest that propranolol is a useful drug in selected patients with severe idiopathic orthostatic hypotension.", "contents": "Use of propranolol in the treatment of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Five patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension who had physiologic and biochemical evidence of severe autonomic dysfunction were included in the study. They all exhibited markedly reduced plasma catecholamines and plasma renin activity in both recumbent and upright positions and had marked hypersensitivity to the pressor effects of infused norepinephrine. Treatment with propanolol administered intravenously (1-5 mg) produced increases in supine and upright blood pressure in 4 of the 5 individuals with rises ranging from 11/6 to 22/11 mmHg. Chronic oral administration of propranolol (40-160 mg/day) also elevated the blood pressures of these individuals with increases in the order of 20-35/15-25 mmg being observed. In 1 patient, marked hypertension was induced by propranolol and the drug had to be withdrawn. It otherwise was well tolerated and no important side effects were observed. Treatment has been continued in 3 individuals for 6-13 months with persistence of the pressor effect, although there appears to have been some decrease in the degree of response with time. Hemodynamic measurements in 1 of the patients demonstrated an increase in total peripheral resistance and essentially no change in cardiac output following propranolol therapy. The studies suggest that propranolol is a useful drug in selected patients with severe idiopathic orthostatic hypotension.", "PMID": 611664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_515", "title": "Treatment of breast cancer with antiestrogen: approach to medical hypophysectomy?", "content": "Tamoxifen (ICI 46474), an antiestrogen, was given to 89 selected patients with stage IV breast cancer at a dose of 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Forty-seven percent of the patients had objective tumor regression averaging 11+ months with 25 of 42 women still in remission. In the first 39 patients where the minimum follow-up period is 16 months the average duration of remission is more than 15 months with 8 of 19 patients still in remission. These results are approaching those of surgical hypophysectomy, where, in our experience the average remission lasts about 18 months. Thus, Tamoxifen is a highly effective antitumor agent and is probably the initial treatment of choice for women with hormone responsive breast cancer. Antiestrogen induced objective remissions in 5 of 19 patients who had previously responded to surgical hypophysectomy, and 5 additional patients showed no progression of disease lasting 15+ months. Estradiol and estrone were detectable in the serum of these patients whereas, prolactin and growth hormone were not detectable. Thus, antiestrogen can induce remissions in some patients in the absence of the pituitary gland, and this constitutes additional palliation and provides evidence that estrogens can directly stimulate tumor growth. Four of 7 patients who obtained remissions from Tamoxifen obtained further improvement from hypophysectomy, and 1 of 8 patients who failed to benefit from antiestrogen improved after hypophysectomy. These results suggest that prolactin and growth hormone may also play a role in stimulating tumor growth in some patients.", "contents": "Treatment of breast cancer with antiestrogen: approach to medical hypophysectomy? Tamoxifen (ICI 46474), an antiestrogen, was given to 89 selected patients with stage IV breast cancer at a dose of 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Forty-seven percent of the patients had objective tumor regression averaging 11+ months with 25 of 42 women still in remission. In the first 39 patients where the minimum follow-up period is 16 months the average duration of remission is more than 15 months with 8 of 19 patients still in remission. These results are approaching those of surgical hypophysectomy, where, in our experience the average remission lasts about 18 months. Thus, Tamoxifen is a highly effective antitumor agent and is probably the initial treatment of choice for women with hormone responsive breast cancer. Antiestrogen induced objective remissions in 5 of 19 patients who had previously responded to surgical hypophysectomy, and 5 additional patients showed no progression of disease lasting 15+ months. Estradiol and estrone were detectable in the serum of these patients whereas, prolactin and growth hormone were not detectable. Thus, antiestrogen can induce remissions in some patients in the absence of the pituitary gland, and this constitutes additional palliation and provides evidence that estrogens can directly stimulate tumor growth. Four of 7 patients who obtained remissions from Tamoxifen obtained further improvement from hypophysectomy, and 1 of 8 patients who failed to benefit from antiestrogen improved after hypophysectomy. These results suggest that prolactin and growth hormone may also play a role in stimulating tumor growth in some patients.", "PMID": 611666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_516", "title": "Histochemistry of cystic ovaries found during an abattoir survey.", "content": "Histochemical methods have been used to measure delta5-3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) activity in order to establish sites and degree of steroid hormone synthesis in cystic ovaries, corpora lutea and uteri. When granulosa cell layers were present they showed enzymic activity indicating their ability to produce steroids. When both were absent no activity could be seen. Corpora lutea either from ovaries associated with an ovarian cyst or from normally cyclic cows showed varying degrees of activity. When the corpuluteum was immature, activity was low, when mature it was very high and when regressing the activity was declining. No activity was seen in uteri.", "contents": "Histochemistry of cystic ovaries found during an abattoir survey. Histochemical methods have been used to measure delta5-3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) activity in order to establish sites and degree of steroid hormone synthesis in cystic ovaries, corpora lutea and uteri. When granulosa cell layers were present they showed enzymic activity indicating their ability to produce steroids. When both were absent no activity could be seen. Corpora lutea either from ovaries associated with an ovarian cyst or from normally cyclic cows showed varying degrees of activity. When the corpuluteum was immature, activity was low, when mature it was very high and when regressing the activity was declining. No activity was seen in uteri.", "PMID": 611670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_517", "title": "Enzootic calcinosis in sheep and C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid.", "content": "In nine sheep belonging to the same flock, C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid, associated with calcinosis of the soft tissues is reported. The C-cells hyperplasia was probably due to excessive feeding with poultry waste, rich in calcium. The soft tissue mineralisation was a result of hypersecretion of calcitonin, a blood calcium-lowering hormone of the C-cells.", "contents": "Enzootic calcinosis in sheep and C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid. In nine sheep belonging to the same flock, C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid, associated with calcinosis of the soft tissues is reported. The C-cells hyperplasia was probably due to excessive feeding with poultry waste, rich in calcium. The soft tissue mineralisation was a result of hypersecretion of calcitonin, a blood calcium-lowering hormone of the C-cells.", "PMID": 611671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_518", "title": "[Nucleus striae terminalis in the brain of adult man. Pigment architectionical study].", "content": "In the present article the shape and extension of the nucleus striae terminalis in the human adult brain is described. By means of selective staining of intracellular lipofuscin granules with aldehydefuchsin it is possible to examine the three dimensional shape of the griseum in complete series of 800 micrometer thick slices. The cells of the necleus striae terminalis accompany the stria terminalis along its whole course between the anterior commissure and the corpus amygdaloideum. The paraseptal part of the nucleus is divided into a pars externa and a pars interna. Along the thalamic course of the stria fibers, however, a variably shaped pars medialis can be separated from a pars paracaudata reaching the corpus amygdaloideum as an unbroken cellular column. Possible connections between stria terminalis and its bednucleus are discussed.", "contents": "[Nucleus striae terminalis in the brain of adult man. Pigment architectionical study]. In the present article the shape and extension of the nucleus striae terminalis in the human adult brain is described. By means of selective staining of intracellular lipofuscin granules with aldehydefuchsin it is possible to examine the three dimensional shape of the griseum in complete series of 800 micrometer thick slices. The cells of the necleus striae terminalis accompany the stria terminalis along its whole course between the anterior commissure and the corpus amygdaloideum. The paraseptal part of the nucleus is divided into a pars externa and a pars interna. Along the thalamic course of the stria fibers, however, a variably shaped pars medialis can be separated from a pars paracaudata reaching the corpus amygdaloideum as an unbroken cellular column. Possible connections between stria terminalis and its bednucleus are discussed.", "PMID": 611691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_519", "title": "Neuro-histochemical study of the tongue of Gallus domesticus (White Leghorn).", "content": "An investigation was undertaken to study the neuro-histochemistry of tonue of Gallus domesticus (white Leghorn) by cholinesterase technique under maintained pH of 5.2, temperature 40 degrees C and incubation period 20 h, and Ungewitter's silver impregnation method. Fungiform (8--16 in number), filiform (5--16 in number), circumvallate and foliate (numerous) were recorded profusely innervated in the various regions of the tongue. Neuro-muscular spindles related either with the non-myelinated, myelinated nerve fibres or with the ganglia via pre- or postganglionic nerve fibre showed cholinesterase (AChE) positive activity in the form of dark brown patches. Neural network over the glands, formed the basket envelope likestructures. Glands showed positive cholinesterase (AChE) reaction on the periphery. Dot-like nerve endings were connected with the neural terminal network in the foliate papillae region and motor end plate like endings on blood vessel, were occasionally recorded. Parasympathetic ganglia of various shape and sizes, arranged in chain-like fashion were observed in the connective tissue space between the fungiform and circumvallate papillae and foliate papillae region. The pre- and postganglionic fibres of these ganglia were related with the anteriorly and posteriorly located papillae via the neural terminal network. Cholinesterase (AChE) activity was marked either in the centre, of the fungiform or on the periphery of the filiform, circumvallate and foliate papillae.", "contents": "Neuro-histochemical study of the tongue of Gallus domesticus (White Leghorn). An investigation was undertaken to study the neuro-histochemistry of tonue of Gallus domesticus (white Leghorn) by cholinesterase technique under maintained pH of 5.2, temperature 40 degrees C and incubation period 20 h, and Ungewitter's silver impregnation method. Fungiform (8--16 in number), filiform (5--16 in number), circumvallate and foliate (numerous) were recorded profusely innervated in the various regions of the tongue. Neuro-muscular spindles related either with the non-myelinated, myelinated nerve fibres or with the ganglia via pre- or postganglionic nerve fibre showed cholinesterase (AChE) positive activity in the form of dark brown patches. Neural network over the glands, formed the basket envelope likestructures. Glands showed positive cholinesterase (AChE) reaction on the periphery. Dot-like nerve endings were connected with the neural terminal network in the foliate papillae region and motor end plate like endings on blood vessel, were occasionally recorded. Parasympathetic ganglia of various shape and sizes, arranged in chain-like fashion were observed in the connective tissue space between the fungiform and circumvallate papillae and foliate papillae region. The pre- and postganglionic fibres of these ganglia were related with the anteriorly and posteriorly located papillae via the neural terminal network. Cholinesterase (AChE) activity was marked either in the centre, of the fungiform or on the periphery of the filiform, circumvallate and foliate papillae.", "PMID": 611692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_520", "title": "Structure and metamorphic changes in the brain of the lemon butterfly Papilio demoleus L. (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).", "content": "The morphology of the larval and adult brain of Papilio demoleus, and changes in the cell population and neuropile morphology during the pupal period have been described. The larval brain has more simple fibre areas than that of the adult. Dividing neuroblasts have been found which form the adult neurones. The larval brain contains the three neuromeres (proto-, deuto-, and tritocerebrum). The protocerebrum has well developed corpora pedunculata, a central body, a pons cerebralis and developing optic centres. The corpora ventralia are joined with each other by paired ventral commissures (single in adult). The deutocerebrum is simple and small, the antennal centres are small and simple (ef. adult). The glomerular tritocerebrum is posteroventral to the deutocerebrum, and fibres from the former travel to the crura cerebri. The cortex of the brain consists of four types of glial cells and of association cells, and large and medium sized motor neurones. The number of mitoses is greatest in the larval and prepupal stages; in the pupa it decreases gradually and in late stages it does not occur. Histolysis and pyknosis begin in the prepupa and decrease considerably in the late pupa. The entire neural lamella is broken down in the early pupa. Numerous haemocytes penetrate the laminae of the neural lambella and envelop the entire brain. In the adult, behind the well-developed central body is an ellipsoid body. The medulla interna is divided into two smaller lobes and the deutocerebral lobes are differentiated into cortical and medullary zones. Chiasmata between optic centres are also formed during the pupal period.", "contents": "Structure and metamorphic changes in the brain of the lemon butterfly Papilio demoleus L. (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). The morphology of the larval and adult brain of Papilio demoleus, and changes in the cell population and neuropile morphology during the pupal period have been described. The larval brain has more simple fibre areas than that of the adult. Dividing neuroblasts have been found which form the adult neurones. The larval brain contains the three neuromeres (proto-, deuto-, and tritocerebrum). The protocerebrum has well developed corpora pedunculata, a central body, a pons cerebralis and developing optic centres. The corpora ventralia are joined with each other by paired ventral commissures (single in adult). The deutocerebrum is simple and small, the antennal centres are small and simple (ef. adult). The glomerular tritocerebrum is posteroventral to the deutocerebrum, and fibres from the former travel to the crura cerebri. The cortex of the brain consists of four types of glial cells and of association cells, and large and medium sized motor neurones. The number of mitoses is greatest in the larval and prepupal stages; in the pupa it decreases gradually and in late stages it does not occur. Histolysis and pyknosis begin in the prepupa and decrease considerably in the late pupa. The entire neural lamella is broken down in the early pupa. Numerous haemocytes penetrate the laminae of the neural lambella and envelop the entire brain. In the adult, behind the well-developed central body is an ellipsoid body. The medulla interna is divided into two smaller lobes and the deutocerebral lobes are differentiated into cortical and medullary zones. Chiasmata between optic centres are also formed during the pupal period.", "PMID": 611693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_521", "title": "Histochemical study on the nerve endings in the lung of Rattus rattus rufescens and Francolinus pondicerianus.", "content": "Presence and the relation of the nerve endings with associated structures in the lund of Rattus rattus rufescens (Indian black rat) and Francolinus pondicerianus (grey partridge or safed teeter) has been studied by cholinesterase technique. Dot, plate, and Vater pacini Corpuscles like nerve endings in the lung of Rattus and dot, and bulb like nerve endings with axis cylinder covered with myelinated sheath in the lung of Francolinus were recorded. The nerve endings were AChE-positive.", "contents": "Histochemical study on the nerve endings in the lung of Rattus rattus rufescens and Francolinus pondicerianus. Presence and the relation of the nerve endings with associated structures in the lund of Rattus rattus rufescens (Indian black rat) and Francolinus pondicerianus (grey partridge or safed teeter) has been studied by cholinesterase technique. Dot, plate, and Vater pacini Corpuscles like nerve endings in the lung of Rattus and dot, and bulb like nerve endings with axis cylinder covered with myelinated sheath in the lung of Francolinus were recorded. The nerve endings were AChE-positive.", "PMID": 611695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_522", "title": "[Vascularization of plexus myentericus (Auerbach) in the large intestine of the cat].", "content": "1. Coincidental preparation of the intramuscular vascular bed and the plexus myentericus (Auerbach) of the cat's large intestine by India-ink method and silverimpregnation allowed to demonstrate independent vascularisation of ganglia and nerve-branches of the plexus Auerbach. 2. Each ganglion is surrounded by a capillary network widely independently existing of the intramuscular capillary bed. The preferred innervated terminal arterioles and especially the sphincteric capillaries opening into the periganglionic capillary network and the numerous arterio-venous short-circuits in its marginal area suggest to conclude a differentiated regulation of blood supply.", "contents": "[Vascularization of plexus myentericus (Auerbach) in the large intestine of the cat]. 1. Coincidental preparation of the intramuscular vascular bed and the plexus myentericus (Auerbach) of the cat's large intestine by India-ink method and silverimpregnation allowed to demonstrate independent vascularisation of ganglia and nerve-branches of the plexus Auerbach. 2. Each ganglion is surrounded by a capillary network widely independently existing of the intramuscular capillary bed. The preferred innervated terminal arterioles and especially the sphincteric capillaries opening into the periganglionic capillary network and the numerous arterio-venous short-circuits in its marginal area suggest to conclude a differentiated regulation of blood supply.", "PMID": 611696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_523", "title": "The kidney of Spinachia spinachia (L.) Flem. (Gasterosteidae, pisces) 1. Investigations of juvenile sticklebacks: anatomy, circulation and fine structure.", "content": "The opisthonephric kidney of juvenile fifteen spined stickleback (Spinachia spinachia (L.)) has been studied by light and electron microscopical investigation. The renal portal system and microcirculation has been demonstrated by casts of coloured plastic Microfil. Glomeruli are well vascularized as revealed by perfusion fixation. They contribute to the formation of urine in collaboration with a proximal tubule segment I that shows resorptive capacity. Epithelial cells of the proximal tubule segment II, which make up the bulk of the nephronic tubular mass are supposed to constitute very active secretory elements. The possible role of mucus secretion in the collecting duct-urinary duct system is discussed. Juxtaglomerulcar cells have been seen in various stages of secretion.", "contents": "The kidney of Spinachia spinachia (L.) Flem. (Gasterosteidae, pisces) 1. Investigations of juvenile sticklebacks: anatomy, circulation and fine structure. The opisthonephric kidney of juvenile fifteen spined stickleback (Spinachia spinachia (L.)) has been studied by light and electron microscopical investigation. The renal portal system and microcirculation has been demonstrated by casts of coloured plastic Microfil. Glomeruli are well vascularized as revealed by perfusion fixation. They contribute to the formation of urine in collaboration with a proximal tubule segment I that shows resorptive capacity. Epithelial cells of the proximal tubule segment II, which make up the bulk of the nephronic tubular mass are supposed to constitute very active secretory elements. The possible role of mucus secretion in the collecting duct-urinary duct system is discussed. Juxtaglomerulcar cells have been seen in various stages of secretion.", "PMID": 611697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_524", "title": "Morphological and histological studies on the neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Wlk. (Fulgoridae: Hemoptera).", "content": "Neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla, has been studied by employing PAVB and AF techniques in situ and on sections. There are four groups of NS cells in the brain, a medial of 14--17 cells, lateral and an antero-ventral of 2 cells each and a latero-ventral of a single cell. The cells are of A and B types: tinctorially the A-cells are further subdivided into A1, A2 and A3 subtypes. Suboesophageal and thoracic ganglions have 2 groups of 2 and 3 cells, each of A and B types. Axons of the cells of cerebral groups converge to form a common pathway which emerge from the protocerebrum as NCC. NSM transports both inter and intracellularly. In CC stained colloids accumulate at the commissuris, the gland has two--A and B--types of intrinsic cells. CA is devoid of NSM. Though considerably small in size and have new NS cells, its NS pathways are easily demonstrated in situ. It is emphasized that size and number of neurosecretory axons is not a limitation of the in situ technique but the demonstration of the tract depends upon the physiological state of the animal at the time of fixation.", "contents": "Morphological and histological studies on the neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Wlk. (Fulgoridae: Hemoptera). Neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla, has been studied by employing PAVB and AF techniques in situ and on sections. There are four groups of NS cells in the brain, a medial of 14--17 cells, lateral and an antero-ventral of 2 cells each and a latero-ventral of a single cell. The cells are of A and B types: tinctorially the A-cells are further subdivided into A1, A2 and A3 subtypes. Suboesophageal and thoracic ganglions have 2 groups of 2 and 3 cells, each of A and B types. Axons of the cells of cerebral groups converge to form a common pathway which emerge from the protocerebrum as NCC. NSM transports both inter and intracellularly. In CC stained colloids accumulate at the commissuris, the gland has two--A and B--types of intrinsic cells. CA is devoid of NSM. Though considerably small in size and have new NS cells, its NS pathways are easily demonstrated in situ. It is emphasized that size and number of neurosecretory axons is not a limitation of the in situ technique but the demonstration of the tract depends upon the physiological state of the animal at the time of fixation.", "PMID": 611698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_525", "title": "[X-ray small angle scattering and x-ray wide angle scattering of single nucleosomes. Preliminary results].", "content": "The X-ray scattering diagram from single chromatin subunit particles is registered within a scattering vector intervall from s = 0 to s = 1 1/A. Preliminary results concerning the dimensions and the structure of the nucleosome core particle are communicated.", "contents": "[X-ray small angle scattering and x-ray wide angle scattering of single nucleosomes. Preliminary results]. The X-ray scattering diagram from single chromatin subunit particles is registered within a scattering vector intervall from s = 0 to s = 1 1/A. Preliminary results concerning the dimensions and the structure of the nucleosome core particle are communicated.", "PMID": 612085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_526", "title": "[Isolation, crystallization and partial characterization of a cationic protease from thermoactinomyces vulgaris].", "content": "A simple method was developed for the isolation of the cationic endopeptidase from a crude extract prepared from the culture medium of Thermoactinomy ces vulgaris, consisting in chromatography on Sephadex G 75 and subsequent separation on CM-Sephadex in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8, using a NaCl-gradient (0 - 0,2 M). This procedure results in a 4,2 fold increase of the elastolytic activity (substrate: N-acetyl-(L-ala)3methyl ester) of the enzyme. It moves as a single band in SDS-gel electrophoresis and crystallizes as needles up to 0,2 mm in length after standing at 5 degrees C in 50 mM Tris/HCl (pH 8,3).", "contents": "[Isolation, crystallization and partial characterization of a cationic protease from thermoactinomyces vulgaris]. A simple method was developed for the isolation of the cationic endopeptidase from a crude extract prepared from the culture medium of Thermoactinomy ces vulgaris, consisting in chromatography on Sephadex G 75 and subsequent separation on CM-Sephadex in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8, using a NaCl-gradient (0 - 0,2 M). This procedure results in a 4,2 fold increase of the elastolytic activity (substrate: N-acetyl-(L-ala)3methyl ester) of the enzyme. It moves as a single band in SDS-gel electrophoresis and crystallizes as needles up to 0,2 mm in length after standing at 5 degrees C in 50 mM Tris/HCl (pH 8,3).", "PMID": 612086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_527", "title": "[Synthesis and properties of carrier-fixed enzymes. VIII. Kinetic studies of the binding velocity of enzymes to macroporous carriers].", "content": "The kinetics of binding the enzymes glucose oxidase, trypsin, and peroxidase and also bovine gamma-globulin to the macroporous carriers dialdehyde cellulose, diazotized amino polystyrene, acrolein-acrylamide copolymer, and isothiocyanate groups carrying CPG-glass was studied. It was found empirically that the increase in protein content and--if there occurred no inactivation of enzyme during binding reaction--of enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex with the reaction time can be described by saturation curves (first order hyperbolas), which represent straight lines after suitable transformation. Thereby it is possible to calculate protein content or specific activity of the enzyme-carrier complex for any moment during binding reaction. From intercepts of the obtained straight lines with the ordinate and with the abscissa, respectively, one can determine the maximum binding capacity and the maximum specific activity and from their slope the reaction rate can be obtained. If there result no straight lines for plotting enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex against binding time after transformation, then this is an indication for partial inactivation of the free or already insolubilized enzyme. From kinetic measurements it is concluded that in all cases studied by use the preceding stage in chemical fixation of the enzyme to carrier is an adsorption equilibrium. Limitation of reaction rate by diffusion as in loading an ion exchanger could not be observed.", "contents": "[Synthesis and properties of carrier-fixed enzymes. VIII. Kinetic studies of the binding velocity of enzymes to macroporous carriers]. The kinetics of binding the enzymes glucose oxidase, trypsin, and peroxidase and also bovine gamma-globulin to the macroporous carriers dialdehyde cellulose, diazotized amino polystyrene, acrolein-acrylamide copolymer, and isothiocyanate groups carrying CPG-glass was studied. It was found empirically that the increase in protein content and--if there occurred no inactivation of enzyme during binding reaction--of enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex with the reaction time can be described by saturation curves (first order hyperbolas), which represent straight lines after suitable transformation. Thereby it is possible to calculate protein content or specific activity of the enzyme-carrier complex for any moment during binding reaction. From intercepts of the obtained straight lines with the ordinate and with the abscissa, respectively, one can determine the maximum binding capacity and the maximum specific activity and from their slope the reaction rate can be obtained. If there result no straight lines for plotting enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex against binding time after transformation, then this is an indication for partial inactivation of the free or already insolubilized enzyme. From kinetic measurements it is concluded that in all cases studied by use the preceding stage in chemical fixation of the enzyme to carrier is an adsorption equilibrium. Limitation of reaction rate by diffusion as in loading an ion exchanger could not be observed.", "PMID": 612087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_528", "title": "Metabolim of blood-borne lactate in rat brain in vivo.", "content": "L-Lactate uniformly labelled with 14C was administered to rats as a single intravenous injection. In experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux into total forebrain, the tissue was obtained by a freeze-clamping technique; in experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux in discrete brain areas the tissue was coagulated by microwave irradiation of the head. In the acid extract of brain tissue the contents and radioactivities of lactate, glucose and cycle amino acids were measured. The following results were obtained: 1. Labelled lactate in plasma equilibrates rapidly with lactate in a small pool in brain tissue. This accessible pool comprises one quarter of total brain lactate. Its size varies in brain regions being largest in cortex and smallest in pons and medulla. 2. Approximately one half of plasma-borne lactate in brain is used metabolically as is seen from the incorporation of lactate carbon in amino acids. The regional activity of lactate metabolism correlates with the local size of the accessible lactate pool. 3. The rates of lactate flux in total forebrain were approximated, the invasion of lactate from plasma to brain tissue to 0.4 mumol, the metabolisms of plasma-borne lactate to 0.2 mumol per g brain tissue min-1. 4. The labelling pattern of cycle amino acids is intermediate between the pattern from [14C]-glucose and [14c]-bicarbonate as precursors. This gives evidence for the influx of part of lactate into the \"small\" compartment of the citrate cycle along the CO2 fixation route with a predominant accumulation of lactate carbon in aspartate and glutamine.", "contents": "Metabolim of blood-borne lactate in rat brain in vivo. L-Lactate uniformly labelled with 14C was administered to rats as a single intravenous injection. In experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux into total forebrain, the tissue was obtained by a freeze-clamping technique; in experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux in discrete brain areas the tissue was coagulated by microwave irradiation of the head. In the acid extract of brain tissue the contents and radioactivities of lactate, glucose and cycle amino acids were measured. The following results were obtained: 1. Labelled lactate in plasma equilibrates rapidly with lactate in a small pool in brain tissue. This accessible pool comprises one quarter of total brain lactate. Its size varies in brain regions being largest in cortex and smallest in pons and medulla. 2. Approximately one half of plasma-borne lactate in brain is used metabolically as is seen from the incorporation of lactate carbon in amino acids. The regional activity of lactate metabolism correlates with the local size of the accessible lactate pool. 3. The rates of lactate flux in total forebrain were approximated, the invasion of lactate from plasma to brain tissue to 0.4 mumol, the metabolisms of plasma-borne lactate to 0.2 mumol per g brain tissue min-1. 4. The labelling pattern of cycle amino acids is intermediate between the pattern from [14C]-glucose and [14c]-bicarbonate as precursors. This gives evidence for the influx of part of lactate into the \"small\" compartment of the citrate cycle along the CO2 fixation route with a predominant accumulation of lactate carbon in aspartate and glutamine.", "PMID": 612088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_529", "title": "[Influence of lithium on the in vitro deiodination of L-thyroxine in the rat liver].", "content": "Male Wistar rats were used to study by in vitro experiments the influence of lithium (0.55 g lithium carbonate per kg of dry food for 8 weeks) on the activity of plasma deiodase of liver for thyroxine. Lithium treatment caused a statistically significant decrease of thyroxine deiodination.", "contents": "[Influence of lithium on the in vitro deiodination of L-thyroxine in the rat liver]. Male Wistar rats were used to study by in vitro experiments the influence of lithium (0.55 g lithium carbonate per kg of dry food for 8 weeks) on the activity of plasma deiodase of liver for thyroxine. Lithium treatment caused a statistically significant decrease of thyroxine deiodination.", "PMID": 612089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_530", "title": "[Modification of efferent vagal effects on the isolated atrium by increased extracellular K+ concentrations].", "content": "Isolated vagal-innervated rabbit atria are electrically driven. Alterations of action potential, contraction, and electrotropic and inotropic vagal effects are investigated during variations of the external potassium concentration. Action potential area and contraction amplitude decrease by increasing external potassium concentration. If the potassium concentration is higher than 11 mM, the action potential disappears. At 24 mM potassium concentration the contraction amplitude of the driven atrium is reduced to 2%. Adrenaline (2.10(-5) g/ml) causes a restitution of the action potential and the contraction. With increasing potassium concentration the inotropic and the electrotropic vagal effectivity increases also. The vagal effects at the adrenaline restituted action potentials and contractions (15 mM potassium, 2.10(-5) g/ml adrenaline) are also higher than in normal solutions. The relations of electromechanical coupling are altered by potassium variation at the same coupling curve. With increasing potassium concentration the reproducibility of the vagal effects decreases.", "contents": "[Modification of efferent vagal effects on the isolated atrium by increased extracellular K+ concentrations]. Isolated vagal-innervated rabbit atria are electrically driven. Alterations of action potential, contraction, and electrotropic and inotropic vagal effects are investigated during variations of the external potassium concentration. Action potential area and contraction amplitude decrease by increasing external potassium concentration. If the potassium concentration is higher than 11 mM, the action potential disappears. At 24 mM potassium concentration the contraction amplitude of the driven atrium is reduced to 2%. Adrenaline (2.10(-5) g/ml) causes a restitution of the action potential and the contraction. With increasing potassium concentration the inotropic and the electrotropic vagal effectivity increases also. The vagal effects at the adrenaline restituted action potentials and contractions (15 mM potassium, 2.10(-5) g/ml adrenaline) are also higher than in normal solutions. The relations of electromechanical coupling are altered by potassium variation at the same coupling curve. With increasing potassium concentration the reproducibility of the vagal effects decreases.", "PMID": 612090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_531", "title": "[Effect of free fatty acids on the heart: effects of nonanoic acid on contractility and postextrasystolic potentiation in the rat papillary muscle].", "content": "1. Nonanoic acid causes a depression in the contractile force of rat papillary muscles working isometrically. The effect depends on both the concentration of the fatty acid (0.1-1 mM) and the time of exposure (2-12 min), and shows a nearly complete reversibility. 2. Vmax-values derived from the force-velocity relation as well as the index of relation suggested by Meerson do not change in muscles exposed to nonanoic acid. During paired pulse stimulation with a 400 ms-delay of the second impulse, both the postextrasystolic potentiation and the time to reach a new steady level in the contraction amplitude are significantly increased. The speed of restituting the contraction after a twitch (resitution) is descreased. 4. The results suggest that the action site of nonanoic acid may be the excitation-contraction coupling system (including the action potential) rather than the contractile element or the relaxation of the muscle.", "contents": "[Effect of free fatty acids on the heart: effects of nonanoic acid on contractility and postextrasystolic potentiation in the rat papillary muscle]. 1. Nonanoic acid causes a depression in the contractile force of rat papillary muscles working isometrically. The effect depends on both the concentration of the fatty acid (0.1-1 mM) and the time of exposure (2-12 min), and shows a nearly complete reversibility. 2. Vmax-values derived from the force-velocity relation as well as the index of relation suggested by Meerson do not change in muscles exposed to nonanoic acid. During paired pulse stimulation with a 400 ms-delay of the second impulse, both the postextrasystolic potentiation and the time to reach a new steady level in the contraction amplitude are significantly increased. The speed of restituting the contraction after a twitch (resitution) is descreased. 4. The results suggest that the action site of nonanoic acid may be the excitation-contraction coupling system (including the action potential) rather than the contractile element or the relaxation of the muscle.", "PMID": 612091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_532", "title": "[Participation of hippocampal neurons on the stages of feeding behavior].", "content": "Activity of 65 hippocampal single units was recorded during an instrumental feeding behaviour in three rabbits. Different neurons fire or change their spontaneous activity in one or more behavioural acts, which constitute the consecutive behaviour. In one or the other behavioural act single unit discharges occur both after and before some intermediate results. Participation of hippocampus in organization of the consecutive behaviour is discussed.", "contents": "[Participation of hippocampal neurons on the stages of feeding behavior]. Activity of 65 hippocampal single units was recorded during an instrumental feeding behaviour in three rabbits. Different neurons fire or change their spontaneous activity in one or more behavioural acts, which constitute the consecutive behaviour. In one or the other behavioural act single unit discharges occur both after and before some intermediate results. Participation of hippocampus in organization of the consecutive behaviour is discussed.", "PMID": 612092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_533", "title": "Estrogenic and antifertility effect of cyproterone acetate in female gerbils, meriones hurriane Jerdon.", "content": "Effects of cyproterone acetate, a steroidal synthetic compound, on the reproductive organs of female gerbils have been investigated. This agent causes reduction of ovarian weights indicative of suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins. Estrogenic nature of cyproterone acetate was investigated in intact and ovariectomized gerbils taking uterine weight, vaginal keratinization and glycogen contents are parameters of estrogenic action. Cyproterone acetate in ovariectomized gerbils induced vaginal keratinization, increase in uterine weight, protein, RNA, glycogen and sialic acid contents of uterus, thus indicating an estrogenic activity. The histological and biochemical parameters lead to the conclusion that cyproterone acetate possesses estrogenic properties.", "contents": "Estrogenic and antifertility effect of cyproterone acetate in female gerbils, meriones hurriane Jerdon. Effects of cyproterone acetate, a steroidal synthetic compound, on the reproductive organs of female gerbils have been investigated. This agent causes reduction of ovarian weights indicative of suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins. Estrogenic nature of cyproterone acetate was investigated in intact and ovariectomized gerbils taking uterine weight, vaginal keratinization and glycogen contents are parameters of estrogenic action. Cyproterone acetate in ovariectomized gerbils induced vaginal keratinization, increase in uterine weight, protein, RNA, glycogen and sialic acid contents of uterus, thus indicating an estrogenic activity. The histological and biochemical parameters lead to the conclusion that cyproterone acetate possesses estrogenic properties.", "PMID": 612093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_534", "title": "[Cell surface immunoglobulin of carp lymphocytes (Cyprinus carpio L.)].", "content": "Molecular size and polypeptide chain composition of cell membrane immunoglobulin (mIg) on lymphocytes of carp were studied using lactopreoxidase-catalysed surface radioiodination and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Carp lymphocytes prepared from pronephros, blood and thymus carry mIgM in relatively high quantity. That means about 5-10% of the radiolabelled macromolecular cell surface material precipitates as IgM. Cell surface IgM on carp lymphocytes is present as monomeric IgM (m.w. 220000-260000) and HL subunit (m.w. 110000). There are differences among molecular weights of mIg monomers of pronephric lymphocytes (m.w. 220000) and thymocytes (m.w. 260000), whereas blood lymphocytes show both components. Following reduction and alkylation H and L chains were observed. Additional thymocytic mIg possesses two unidentified components with m.w. 35000-40000 and 110000.", "contents": "[Cell surface immunoglobulin of carp lymphocytes (Cyprinus carpio L.)]. Molecular size and polypeptide chain composition of cell membrane immunoglobulin (mIg) on lymphocytes of carp were studied using lactopreoxidase-catalysed surface radioiodination and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Carp lymphocytes prepared from pronephros, blood and thymus carry mIgM in relatively high quantity. That means about 5-10% of the radiolabelled macromolecular cell surface material precipitates as IgM. Cell surface IgM on carp lymphocytes is present as monomeric IgM (m.w. 220000-260000) and HL subunit (m.w. 110000). There are differences among molecular weights of mIg monomers of pronephric lymphocytes (m.w. 220000) and thymocytes (m.w. 260000), whereas blood lymphocytes show both components. Following reduction and alkylation H and L chains were observed. Additional thymocytic mIg possesses two unidentified components with m.w. 35000-40000 and 110000.", "PMID": 612094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_535", "title": "[Oxytocinergic exohypothalamic connections to the medulla oblongata in the pigeon and rat].", "content": "The neurosecretory hypothalamo-hindbrain connection of lower vertebrates is also present in the pigeon and the rat. By means of the immunohistochemical technique and the pseudoisocyanine technique these fibres could be seen following known pathways through the mesencephalic reticular formation to the hindbrain. Here the fibres enter the region of the dorsal columns nuclei. The neurophysine vesicles demonstrable electronmicroscopically in these fibres are identical with the well known neurophysine vesicles which are present in the neurohypophysis of the investigated species. The content of the vesicles is indeed neurophysine as proved with the method by NAUMANN and STERBA [1]. The terminals of the fibres form neuro-neuronal synapses.", "contents": "[Oxytocinergic exohypothalamic connections to the medulla oblongata in the pigeon and rat]. The neurosecretory hypothalamo-hindbrain connection of lower vertebrates is also present in the pigeon and the rat. By means of the immunohistochemical technique and the pseudoisocyanine technique these fibres could be seen following known pathways through the mesencephalic reticular formation to the hindbrain. Here the fibres enter the region of the dorsal columns nuclei. The neurophysine vesicles demonstrable electronmicroscopically in these fibres are identical with the well known neurophysine vesicles which are present in the neurohypophysis of the investigated species. The content of the vesicles is indeed neurophysine as proved with the method by NAUMANN and STERBA [1]. The terminals of the fibres form neuro-neuronal synapses.", "PMID": 612096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_536", "title": "The antiarrhythmic effect of prostaglandin E2 on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias.", "content": "The antiarrhythmic effect of PGE2 as compared with the adrenergic beta-receptor blocking substance propranolol and the unspecific antiarrhythmic agent ajmaline was examanined on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias of the guinea-pig after preliminary sensibilisation by means of chloroform. Prophylactic administration of the tested substances resulted in a decrease in severity of arrhythmia by 91% after propranolol, by 37% after PGE2 and by 34% after ajmaline. Onset and duration of the arrhythmia were affected only to a negligible degree. The possible mode of action is still under discussion.", "contents": "The antiarrhythmic effect of prostaglandin E2 on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic effect of PGE2 as compared with the adrenergic beta-receptor blocking substance propranolol and the unspecific antiarrhythmic agent ajmaline was examanined on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias of the guinea-pig after preliminary sensibilisation by means of chloroform. Prophylactic administration of the tested substances resulted in a decrease in severity of arrhythmia by 91% after propranolol, by 37% after PGE2 and by 34% after ajmaline. Onset and duration of the arrhythmia were affected only to a negligible degree. The possible mode of action is still under discussion.", "PMID": 612098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_537", "title": "Affinity chromatography of serum proteins using immobilized lectin from Vicia faba.", "content": "When human serum is applied to a column of Sepharose-insolubilized lectin from Vicia faba, some serum proteins are bound which can be eluted by means of 0.1 M glucose solution. These proteins are parts of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM, and the alpha2-macroglobulin. These particular types of serum protein are bound specifically, due perhaps to some structural variation in the carbohydrate moieties they contain.", "contents": "Affinity chromatography of serum proteins using immobilized lectin from Vicia faba. When human serum is applied to a column of Sepharose-insolubilized lectin from Vicia faba, some serum proteins are bound which can be eluted by means of 0.1 M glucose solution. These proteins are parts of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM, and the alpha2-macroglobulin. These particular types of serum protein are bound specifically, due perhaps to some structural variation in the carbohydrate moieties they contain.", "PMID": 612099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_538", "title": "Total intravenous anesthesia with etomidate. III. Some observations in adults.", "content": "An investigation was undertaken to determine the dosage of etomidate required to maintain sleep in adults undergoing surgery under regional local anesthesia. Premedication of diazepam 10 mg and atropine 0.5 mg was given, and sleep was induced and maintained by intermittent intravenous injections of etomidate 0.1/mg/kg, given whenever the patient would open his eyes on request. A mean overall dose of etomidate 17.4 microgram/kg/min. was required to maintain sleep, but great individual variation occurred, with older patients requiring less drug. The investigation was discontinued after 18 patients because of the frequency and intensity of side-effects, particularly pain and myoclonia, which caused the technique to be abandoned in two cases. It is considered unlikely that etomidate will prove to be the hypnotic of choice for a totally intravenous anesthetic technique in adults because of the high incidence of myoclonia after prolonged administration. In several patients uncontrollable muscle movements persisted for many minutes after complete recovery of consciousness.", "contents": "Total intravenous anesthesia with etomidate. III. Some observations in adults. An investigation was undertaken to determine the dosage of etomidate required to maintain sleep in adults undergoing surgery under regional local anesthesia. Premedication of diazepam 10 mg and atropine 0.5 mg was given, and sleep was induced and maintained by intermittent intravenous injections of etomidate 0.1/mg/kg, given whenever the patient would open his eyes on request. A mean overall dose of etomidate 17.4 microgram/kg/min. was required to maintain sleep, but great individual variation occurred, with older patients requiring less drug. The investigation was discontinued after 18 patients because of the frequency and intensity of side-effects, particularly pain and myoclonia, which caused the technique to be abandoned in two cases. It is considered unlikely that etomidate will prove to be the hypnotic of choice for a totally intravenous anesthetic technique in adults because of the high incidence of myoclonia after prolonged administration. In several patients uncontrollable muscle movements persisted for many minutes after complete recovery of consciousness.", "PMID": 612112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_539", "title": "Technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.", "content": "This article reports a technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy, according to the method of Sluder-Ballanger. For induction of the anesthesia the children receive: ketamine (1 to 1.5 mg/kg), succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). They are intubated through the nose and then ventilated by a mixture of N2O and O2 (50% - 50%). For the intervention they are brought in sitting position. The authors discuss the advantages of this technique as much from the anesthetic as from the surgical point of view.", "contents": "Technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This article reports a technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy, according to the method of Sluder-Ballanger. For induction of the anesthesia the children receive: ketamine (1 to 1.5 mg/kg), succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). They are intubated through the nose and then ventilated by a mixture of N2O and O2 (50% - 50%). For the intervention they are brought in sitting position. The authors discuss the advantages of this technique as much from the anesthetic as from the surgical point of view.", "PMID": 612114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_540", "title": "Pseudocholinesterase changes in anesthesia using pancuronium.", "content": "Pseudocholinesterase activity was investigated in three groups of unselected patients. A slight rise of the enzyme was found during surgery under local anesthesia with lidocaine. In general anesthesia with thiopentone and halothane, the pseudocholinesterase activity diminished. The inhibition was more pronounced when pancuronium had been injected. From these data one may conclude that pancuronium must be carefully given in patients with low level of pseudocholinesterase when other drugs inhibiting the enzyme activity, like succinylcholine, procaine and propanidid, are used.", "contents": "Pseudocholinesterase changes in anesthesia using pancuronium. Pseudocholinesterase activity was investigated in three groups of unselected patients. A slight rise of the enzyme was found during surgery under local anesthesia with lidocaine. In general anesthesia with thiopentone and halothane, the pseudocholinesterase activity diminished. The inhibition was more pronounced when pancuronium had been injected. From these data one may conclude that pancuronium must be carefully given in patients with low level of pseudocholinesterase when other drugs inhibiting the enzyme activity, like succinylcholine, procaine and propanidid, are used.", "PMID": 612115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_541", "title": "Influence of indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) at different Ca++ concentrations (experiments on guinea-pig ileum).", "content": "The direct effect of the prostaglandine synthetase inhibitors indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of PGF2alpha at different Ca++ concentrations (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mM) in the Krebs solution was studied on isolated segments of guinea-pig ileum. It is established that after contact with indomethacin (3 X 10(-5) M) for 1-5 min the contractile effect of PGF2alpha (1 X 10(-7) M) decreases by 20-60%. Higher Ca++ content in the Krebs solution weakens the direct inhibitory effect of indomethacin. Unlike indomethacin, aspirin has no significant direct effect on prostaglandine contractions. Increase of Ca++ in the Krebs solution by 1 mM in itself does not change significantly the effect of PGF2alpha. Having in mind analogous results obtained in previous experiments with PGE1, it is concluded that indomethacin but not aspirin exercises a direct antagonistic action to the contractile effects of PGF2alpha and PGE1 on the guinea-pig ileum. The degree of this antagonistic action is in a definite dependence on the concentration of extracellular Ca++. Discussing the possible mechanisms of direct inhibitory action of indomethacin on the PGE1 and PGF2alpha effects on guinea-pig ileum, assumptions are made concerning the effect of indomethacin on the utilization of external Ca++ and the noncompetitive antagonistic action of indomethacin as a result of the interaction with allosteric (allotopic) sites of the prostaglandine receptor system.", "contents": "Influence of indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) at different Ca++ concentrations (experiments on guinea-pig ileum). The direct effect of the prostaglandine synthetase inhibitors indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of PGF2alpha at different Ca++ concentrations (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mM) in the Krebs solution was studied on isolated segments of guinea-pig ileum. It is established that after contact with indomethacin (3 X 10(-5) M) for 1-5 min the contractile effect of PGF2alpha (1 X 10(-7) M) decreases by 20-60%. Higher Ca++ content in the Krebs solution weakens the direct inhibitory effect of indomethacin. Unlike indomethacin, aspirin has no significant direct effect on prostaglandine contractions. Increase of Ca++ in the Krebs solution by 1 mM in itself does not change significantly the effect of PGF2alpha. Having in mind analogous results obtained in previous experiments with PGE1, it is concluded that indomethacin but not aspirin exercises a direct antagonistic action to the contractile effects of PGF2alpha and PGE1 on the guinea-pig ileum. The degree of this antagonistic action is in a definite dependence on the concentration of extracellular Ca++. Discussing the possible mechanisms of direct inhibitory action of indomethacin on the PGE1 and PGF2alpha effects on guinea-pig ileum, assumptions are made concerning the effect of indomethacin on the utilization of external Ca++ and the noncompetitive antagonistic action of indomethacin as a result of the interaction with allosteric (allotopic) sites of the prostaglandine receptor system.", "PMID": 612125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_542", "title": "Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. I. Changes in the neurones.", "content": "The neurones in substantia nigra of albino rats were studied at ultrastructural level after chronic intraperitoneal administration of dl-amphetamine (5 mg/kg) for 90 days. Neurones with proliferated cytoplasmic organelles (granulated and smooth endoplasmic reticulum) were observed, as well as a tendency towards increase in the number of dense core vesicles. Very often it was possible to observe neurones with disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles, with drastic decrease and disappearance of the dense core vesicles and simultaneous rise in the number and hypertrophy of the complex vesicles. Although less frequently, there also occur profiles with increased electron density and swelling of the astroglial growths in the adjacent neuropile.", "contents": "Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. I. Changes in the neurones. The neurones in substantia nigra of albino rats were studied at ultrastructural level after chronic intraperitoneal administration of dl-amphetamine (5 mg/kg) for 90 days. Neurones with proliferated cytoplasmic organelles (granulated and smooth endoplasmic reticulum) were observed, as well as a tendency towards increase in the number of dense core vesicles. Very often it was possible to observe neurones with disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles, with drastic decrease and disappearance of the dense core vesicles and simultaneous rise in the number and hypertrophy of the complex vesicles. Although less frequently, there also occur profiles with increased electron density and swelling of the astroglial growths in the adjacent neuropile.", "PMID": 612126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_543", "title": "Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. II. Changes in the glial cells and blood vessels.", "content": "The changes in the glial cells and blood vessels of substantia nigra of albino rats were examined at ultrastrucural level after chronic treatment with amphetamine. The animals were injected daily with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine i.p. for 90 days. Astroglial and oligodendroglial cells are richer in cytoplasmic organelles. Much more frequently strocytes appear to be satellites of the nerve cells. Dense lamellar myelin-like bodies may be seen in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes. Endothelial cells and pericytes have more pinocytous vesicles, osmiophilic granules and mitochondria. Large dense bodies with homogeneous structure fill the cytoplasm of part of the pericytes. The present article discusses the changes observed.", "contents": "Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. II. Changes in the glial cells and blood vessels. The changes in the glial cells and blood vessels of substantia nigra of albino rats were examined at ultrastrucural level after chronic treatment with amphetamine. The animals were injected daily with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine i.p. for 90 days. Astroglial and oligodendroglial cells are richer in cytoplasmic organelles. Much more frequently strocytes appear to be satellites of the nerve cells. Dense lamellar myelin-like bodies may be seen in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes. Endothelial cells and pericytes have more pinocytous vesicles, osmiophilic granules and mitochondria. Large dense bodies with homogeneous structure fill the cytoplasm of part of the pericytes. The present article discusses the changes observed.", "PMID": 612128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_544", "title": "Effect of chronic copper loading on the functions of rat liver mitochondria.", "content": "Male albino rats were kept on copper-enriched diet for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Experiments were made to study the electron transported, oxidative phosphorylation and the activity of some respiratory enzymes (rotenone-insensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase, NAD. H-DCPIP-reductase, succinate-cytochrome c(DCPIP)-reductase and succinate dehydrogenase) depending on the duration of copper sulphate treatment and hepatic copper level. Copper content is found to rise as early as the 2nd week, after which it remains relatively constant. Oxygen consumption in State 3 decreases strongly during the 2nd week and remains low throughout the period studied. Oxygen consumption in State 4 also decreases in the 2nd week, after which it rises and reaches the values of the control animals. The enzyme activities studied are also strongly inhibited (32-57%) after a 14-day treatment, later they are recovered gradually, reaching 50-79% of the control values. The probable compensatory mechanism of copper metabolism in the liver and the participation of thiol groups in it are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of chronic copper loading on the functions of rat liver mitochondria. Male albino rats were kept on copper-enriched diet for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Experiments were made to study the electron transported, oxidative phosphorylation and the activity of some respiratory enzymes (rotenone-insensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase, NAD. H-DCPIP-reductase, succinate-cytochrome c(DCPIP)-reductase and succinate dehydrogenase) depending on the duration of copper sulphate treatment and hepatic copper level. Copper content is found to rise as early as the 2nd week, after which it remains relatively constant. Oxygen consumption in State 3 decreases strongly during the 2nd week and remains low throughout the period studied. Oxygen consumption in State 4 also decreases in the 2nd week, after which it rises and reaches the values of the control animals. The enzyme activities studied are also strongly inhibited (32-57%) after a 14-day treatment, later they are recovered gradually, reaching 50-79% of the control values. The probable compensatory mechanism of copper metabolism in the liver and the participation of thiol groups in it are discussed.", "PMID": 612129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_545", "title": "Effect of single exhaustive swimming on mitochondrial enzyme activities in rat myocardium.", "content": "The present work is a continuation of our studies on mitochondrial functions and enzyme activities after acute exhaustive swimming in liver and myocardium. In rat heart mitochondria the activities of SDH, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase (DNP-stimulated) increase after swimming and remain at that level until the end of the 22-hour rest period studied. The enzyme complexes--rotenone-sensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase and succinate-cytochrome c-reductase--decrease their activities in both experimental groups. The reduced activity of these two enzymes is determined by changes in this part of the respiratory chain which occur after the incorporation of DCPIP in the oxidation-reduction processes. The marker enzyme of the outer mitochondrial membranes--rotenone-insensitive NAD.H-cytochrome c-reductase--reveals unchanged activity after swimming and a 22-hour period of rest. The different changes in the activities of enzymes with different localization and organization in heart mitochondria are explained by disorganization of the inner membranes after exhaustive swimming, which could induce both activation of some enzymes and inhibition of others. The effect of certain factors during muscle exercise which could cause the established structural and functional changes in the mitochondria is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of single exhaustive swimming on mitochondrial enzyme activities in rat myocardium. The present work is a continuation of our studies on mitochondrial functions and enzyme activities after acute exhaustive swimming in liver and myocardium. In rat heart mitochondria the activities of SDH, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase (DNP-stimulated) increase after swimming and remain at that level until the end of the 22-hour rest period studied. The enzyme complexes--rotenone-sensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase and succinate-cytochrome c-reductase--decrease their activities in both experimental groups. The reduced activity of these two enzymes is determined by changes in this part of the respiratory chain which occur after the incorporation of DCPIP in the oxidation-reduction processes. The marker enzyme of the outer mitochondrial membranes--rotenone-insensitive NAD.H-cytochrome c-reductase--reveals unchanged activity after swimming and a 22-hour period of rest. The different changes in the activities of enzymes with different localization and organization in heart mitochondria are explained by disorganization of the inner membranes after exhaustive swimming, which could induce both activation of some enzymes and inhibition of others. The effect of certain factors during muscle exercise which could cause the established structural and functional changes in the mitochondria is discussed.", "PMID": 612130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_546", "title": "Interactions between unloading reflex and voluntary muscle activity under different instructions.", "content": "Changes in the instantaneous firing frequency of a separate motor unit (MU) in the unloading reflex and voluntary movement according to instruction, triggered by external mechanical disturbance in the position of the arm, were studied. The activity of m. biceps brachii and m. pronator teres was recorded using surface bipolar electrodes with small area and small interelectrode distance. The correct position of the electrode with respect to the MU was controlled vectorelectromyographically. The probabilities of the appearance of an impulse in successive 10 ms intervals before and after the unloading were determined. The effect of the voluntary movement performed by the subject according to instruction on the reflex response is demonstrated, as well as the opposite effect, i.e. of the type of the external disturbing action on the voluntary movement. Certain problems related to the transcortical reflex response are discussed. It is assumed that some maxima in the summated electromyogram (EMG) which correspond in time to transcortical reflex influences are not due to a higher excitability of the alpha-motoneurones, but they are obtained by grouping of the impulses of many activated tonic MUs whose activity is recorded by recording the summated EMG.", "contents": "Interactions between unloading reflex and voluntary muscle activity under different instructions. Changes in the instantaneous firing frequency of a separate motor unit (MU) in the unloading reflex and voluntary movement according to instruction, triggered by external mechanical disturbance in the position of the arm, were studied. The activity of m. biceps brachii and m. pronator teres was recorded using surface bipolar electrodes with small area and small interelectrode distance. The correct position of the electrode with respect to the MU was controlled vectorelectromyographically. The probabilities of the appearance of an impulse in successive 10 ms intervals before and after the unloading were determined. The effect of the voluntary movement performed by the subject according to instruction on the reflex response is demonstrated, as well as the opposite effect, i.e. of the type of the external disturbing action on the voluntary movement. Certain problems related to the transcortical reflex response are discussed. It is assumed that some maxima in the summated electromyogram (EMG) which correspond in time to transcortical reflex influences are not due to a higher excitability of the alpha-motoneurones, but they are obtained by grouping of the impulses of many activated tonic MUs whose activity is recorded by recording the summated EMG.", "PMID": 612131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_547", "title": "Estimation of short time intervals under different experimental conditions.", "content": "A complex experiment is carried out in order to study the human ability to estimate and reproduce short time intervals in the 100-1000 ms range presented with light stimuli. The estimation task consists in verbal nomination of the time intervals presented to the subject in random order after preliminary training. In the production task the subject is expected to press a telegraph key simultaneously with the end of the light interval presented the duration of which is announced to him in advance. In the reproduction task the subject is to press the key a given time after the onset of the stimulus which duration is of 2 sec. The results show that in spite of the relatively good achievements in tasks involving verbal estimation of the duration of the intervals, the reproduction tasks are performed with systematic errors. In the production task the mean values of the response times decrease upon increasing of the required interval, while in the reproduction task they increase parallel with the increase of the required interval. Consequently, one and the same short time interval is perceived differently depending on the task to be performed, namely: verbal nomination, coincidence between hand movement and the end of the interval, or reproduction after verbal nomination.", "contents": "Estimation of short time intervals under different experimental conditions. A complex experiment is carried out in order to study the human ability to estimate and reproduce short time intervals in the 100-1000 ms range presented with light stimuli. The estimation task consists in verbal nomination of the time intervals presented to the subject in random order after preliminary training. In the production task the subject is expected to press a telegraph key simultaneously with the end of the light interval presented the duration of which is announced to him in advance. In the reproduction task the subject is to press the key a given time after the onset of the stimulus which duration is of 2 sec. The results show that in spite of the relatively good achievements in tasks involving verbal estimation of the duration of the intervals, the reproduction tasks are performed with systematic errors. In the production task the mean values of the response times decrease upon increasing of the required interval, while in the reproduction task they increase parallel with the increase of the required interval. Consequently, one and the same short time interval is perceived differently depending on the task to be performed, namely: verbal nomination, coincidence between hand movement and the end of the interval, or reproduction after verbal nomination.", "PMID": 612132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_548", "title": "Estimation of time intervals--elements of an array of three intervals.", "content": "The article reports the results of experiments on human ability to estimate time intervals separately or in groups of two intervals as elements of a three-interval array presented by two light signals separated by a dark interval. The first light interval is shown to be systematically overestimated compared with the second one. Moreover, the subjects usually ascribe a constant value to the dark interval. The double interval (light + dark or dark + light) proves to be underestimated compared with the case when estimation of the same intervals was required without estimation of a third interval. The additional task changes the estimations of the subjects. It may be claimed that the complexity of the problem is connected with definite changes in the average estimations of the subjects.", "contents": "Estimation of time intervals--elements of an array of three intervals. The article reports the results of experiments on human ability to estimate time intervals separately or in groups of two intervals as elements of a three-interval array presented by two light signals separated by a dark interval. The first light interval is shown to be systematically overestimated compared with the second one. Moreover, the subjects usually ascribe a constant value to the dark interval. The double interval (light + dark or dark + light) proves to be underestimated compared with the case when estimation of the same intervals was required without estimation of a third interval. The additional task changes the estimations of the subjects. It may be claimed that the complexity of the problem is connected with definite changes in the average estimations of the subjects.", "PMID": 612133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_549", "title": "The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water-deprived rats.", "content": "The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water deprived rats. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 497-504. Rats received one infusion of 200 microgram 6-hydroxydopamine with 25 microgram of ascorbic acid into the lateral cerebral ventricle. After 57 days some rats were deprived of water for 4, 8 or 12 days. Then, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Oxytocin was determined in extracts from the posterior pituitary lobe and hypothalamus by the method of Van Dongen and Hays, while the vasopressin content was determined by the method of Dekanski. It was found that 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the cerebral ventricles causes a rise in oxytocin content in the hypothalamus and prevents its fall during--4--12 days of dehydration.", "contents": "The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water-deprived rats. The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water deprived rats. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 497-504. Rats received one infusion of 200 microgram 6-hydroxydopamine with 25 microgram of ascorbic acid into the lateral cerebral ventricle. After 57 days some rats were deprived of water for 4, 8 or 12 days. Then, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Oxytocin was determined in extracts from the posterior pituitary lobe and hypothalamus by the method of Van Dongen and Hays, while the vasopressin content was determined by the method of Dekanski. It was found that 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the cerebral ventricles causes a rise in oxytocin content in the hypothalamus and prevents its fall during--4--12 days of dehydration.", "PMID": 612134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_550", "title": "Lipid composition of gastric jiuce in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test.", "content": "Lipid composition of gastric juice in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 511-514. The authors studied the changes in lipid concentration of gastric juice under conditions of basic secretion (15 subjects), maximum secretion after pentagastrin stimulation (12 subjects) and during intensified histamine test (15 subjects). It was found that gastric juice contains similar lipid components to the blood plasma, however, their concentrations significantly lower. After histamine stimulation and even more after pentagastrin stimulation, concentration of some lipid fractions increases. The increase in glyceride and cholesterol ester concentrations in the gastric juice under conditions of maximum secretion may be due to the increase of lipid components originating from the blood plasma.", "contents": "Lipid composition of gastric jiuce in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test. Lipid composition of gastric juice in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 511-514. The authors studied the changes in lipid concentration of gastric juice under conditions of basic secretion (15 subjects), maximum secretion after pentagastrin stimulation (12 subjects) and during intensified histamine test (15 subjects). It was found that gastric juice contains similar lipid components to the blood plasma, however, their concentrations significantly lower. After histamine stimulation and even more after pentagastrin stimulation, concentration of some lipid fractions increases. The increase in glyceride and cholesterol ester concentrations in the gastric juice under conditions of maximum secretion may be due to the increase of lipid components originating from the blood plasma.", "PMID": 612135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_551", "title": "The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat.", "content": "The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 529-540. Intramuscular administration of etorphine in immobilizing doses (0.008 mg/kg) was followed by a rise in dopamine concentration in the examined motor structures of the central nervous system (striopallidum, pons, cerebellum, lumbosacral intumescence of the spinal cord). Only in the motor centres of the frontal cortex dropamine concentration was decreased. At the time etorphine decreased the concentration of noradrenaline in striopallidum and raised it in the other examined structures of the central nervous system. A correlation was found between the concentrations of both substances, especially in the frontal motor centres and striopallidum. Post etorphine accumulation of dopamine in the striopallidum (for 6.369 to 11.322 mcg/g of fresh tissue) with simultaneous inhibition of motor activity of the animals suggests that etorphine inhibits the release of dopamine from the presynaptic elements in the motor centres of the central nervous system in rats. This leads to a decreased dopamine action on its receptors. Some post etorphine behavioral changes (rigidity, spastic flexion, muscle tremor) support this hypothesis.", "contents": "The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat. The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 529-540. Intramuscular administration of etorphine in immobilizing doses (0.008 mg/kg) was followed by a rise in dopamine concentration in the examined motor structures of the central nervous system (striopallidum, pons, cerebellum, lumbosacral intumescence of the spinal cord). Only in the motor centres of the frontal cortex dropamine concentration was decreased. At the time etorphine decreased the concentration of noradrenaline in striopallidum and raised it in the other examined structures of the central nervous system. A correlation was found between the concentrations of both substances, especially in the frontal motor centres and striopallidum. Post etorphine accumulation of dopamine in the striopallidum (for 6.369 to 11.322 mcg/g of fresh tissue) with simultaneous inhibition of motor activity of the animals suggests that etorphine inhibits the release of dopamine from the presynaptic elements in the motor centres of the central nervous system in rats. This leads to a decreased dopamine action on its receptors. Some post etorphine behavioral changes (rigidity, spastic flexion, muscle tremor) support this hypothesis.", "PMID": 612138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_552", "title": "The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues.", "content": "The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 541-551. In the present experiments the effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the respiration rate of homogenates of kidney, liver, brain, myocardium and skeletal muscle was investigated in the rabbit. Using the Warburg's method of respirometry it was found that cysteine added to the incubation medium modifies oxygen uptake by the above-mentioned tissue homogenates and that this reaction depends both on the kind of tissue and cysteine concentration in the medium. Addition of cysteine to the incubation medium in the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml exerted only slight, insignificant influence on the tissue respiration but in the concentration of 0.4 mg/ml it increased the respiration rate in homogenates of kidney (by 30%), liver (by 55%) and skeletal muscle (by 59%). Cysteine added in the concentration of 0.8 mg/ml increased the respiration rate of all the examined tissue homogenates. The strongest effect of cysteine in this concentration was found in the liver and skeletal muscle homogenates (an increase in O2 uptake by 88% and 89% respectively) and the lowest in the myocardium (by 53%). Under control conditions (without cysteine) kidney homogenates had the highest oxygen consumption and skeletal muscle ones the lowest.", "contents": "The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues. The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 541-551. In the present experiments the effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the respiration rate of homogenates of kidney, liver, brain, myocardium and skeletal muscle was investigated in the rabbit. Using the Warburg's method of respirometry it was found that cysteine added to the incubation medium modifies oxygen uptake by the above-mentioned tissue homogenates and that this reaction depends both on the kind of tissue and cysteine concentration in the medium. Addition of cysteine to the incubation medium in the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml exerted only slight, insignificant influence on the tissue respiration but in the concentration of 0.4 mg/ml it increased the respiration rate in homogenates of kidney (by 30%), liver (by 55%) and skeletal muscle (by 59%). Cysteine added in the concentration of 0.8 mg/ml increased the respiration rate of all the examined tissue homogenates. The strongest effect of cysteine in this concentration was found in the liver and skeletal muscle homogenates (an increase in O2 uptake by 88% and 89% respectively) and the lowest in the myocardium (by 53%). Under control conditions (without cysteine) kidney homogenates had the highest oxygen consumption and skeletal muscle ones the lowest.", "PMID": 612139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_553", "title": "Concentration of free amino acids in the blood and liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits.", "content": "Concentration of free amino acids in the plasma, erythrocytes and the liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits was different in various species. The differences concerned mainly glutamine, glutamic acid, proline, alanine, glycine. The participation of endogenic amino acids in gluconeogenesis and the nitrogen recycle was discussed considering the characteristics of their metabolism in ruminants.", "contents": "Concentration of free amino acids in the blood and liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits. Concentration of free amino acids in the plasma, erythrocytes and the liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits was different in various species. The differences concerned mainly glutamine, glutamic acid, proline, alanine, glycine. The participation of endogenic amino acids in gluconeogenesis and the nitrogen recycle was discussed considering the characteristics of their metabolism in ruminants.", "PMID": 612140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_554", "title": "The role of adrenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig.", "content": "The role of adenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 521-528. The choldeochoduodenal junction in the Vietnamese pig is functionally and anatomically a part of duodenal wall. In view of this, investigations were carried out for establishing the role of adrenergic receptors in the development of motor function of this part of the intestinal tract. The experiments were performed on domestic Vietnamese pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) and they showed that after stimulation of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors the motor activity of the duodenal muscular coat and the choledochoduodenal junction is inhibited. The obtained results suggest similar reactions of the adrenergic receptors in both examined parts of the intestinal tract in the pig.", "contents": "The role of adrenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig. The role of adenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 521-528. The choldeochoduodenal junction in the Vietnamese pig is functionally and anatomically a part of duodenal wall. In view of this, investigations were carried out for establishing the role of adrenergic receptors in the development of motor function of this part of the intestinal tract. The experiments were performed on domestic Vietnamese pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) and they showed that after stimulation of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors the motor activity of the duodenal muscular coat and the choledochoduodenal junction is inhibited. The obtained results suggest similar reactions of the adrenergic receptors in both examined parts of the intestinal tract in the pig.", "PMID": 612137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_555", "title": "Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion.", "content": "Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 515-520. The influence of inhibitors of histamine metabolism on histamine (H) and Nalpha Nalpha-dimethylhistamine (NDMH) stimulated gastric secretion was studied in guinea-pigs and cats. Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO): N-oxide diacetylaminopyridine (AAP) and N-oxide 2 aminopyridine (AP) increased HCI secretion in the gastric juice after H and NDMH. Inhibitors of N-methyl transferase: amodiaquine (A) and quinacrine (Q) increased HC1 secretion in the gastric juice after H but not after NDMH. The lack of action of A and Q on NDMH-stimulated gastric secretion suggests, that in guinea-pig and cat NDMH is not methylated additionally at the imidazole ring and therefore, it is a stronger gastric secretagogue than histamine itself.", "contents": "Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion. Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 515-520. The influence of inhibitors of histamine metabolism on histamine (H) and Nalpha Nalpha-dimethylhistamine (NDMH) stimulated gastric secretion was studied in guinea-pigs and cats. Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO): N-oxide diacetylaminopyridine (AAP) and N-oxide 2 aminopyridine (AP) increased HCI secretion in the gastric juice after H and NDMH. Inhibitors of N-methyl transferase: amodiaquine (A) and quinacrine (Q) increased HC1 secretion in the gastric juice after H but not after NDMH. The lack of action of A and Q on NDMH-stimulated gastric secretion suggests, that in guinea-pig and cat NDMH is not methylated additionally at the imidazole ring and therefore, it is a stronger gastric secretagogue than histamine itself.", "PMID": 612136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_556", "title": "Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens.", "content": "Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 575-583. In the investigations carried out on 128 White Rock chicken the metabolic level was determined under standard conditions in chickens characterising by different growth rate resulted from different feeding levels. It was shown that the feeding level of growing chicken has an essential influence on the character of the regression between the metabolic level and body weight. It was also found that this regression is not necessarily ot the character of Kleiber's function H = aWb. The differences in the metabolic level between the chickens maintained on different feeding levels did not disappear even after 4 days of starvation. In the light of the obtained results and recent investigations by other authors the usefulness of the so-called metabolic unit of the body size based on W0.75 in context to growing animals within one species has bee criticized.", "contents": "Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens. Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 575-583. In the investigations carried out on 128 White Rock chicken the metabolic level was determined under standard conditions in chickens characterising by different growth rate resulted from different feeding levels. It was shown that the feeding level of growing chicken has an essential influence on the character of the regression between the metabolic level and body weight. It was also found that this regression is not necessarily ot the character of Kleiber's function H = aWb. The differences in the metabolic level between the chickens maintained on different feeding levels did not disappear even after 4 days of starvation. In the light of the obtained results and recent investigations by other authors the usefulness of the so-called metabolic unit of the body size based on W0.75 in context to growing animals within one species has bee criticized.", "PMID": 612142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_557", "title": "Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium.", "content": "Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 589-594. The serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase in relation to doses of lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium, administered intravenously as chlorides, was investigated. A directly proportional relationship was found between the doses of these compounds and the serum enzyme level in rats. The lowest doses at which a rise in the serum OCT level occured were determined. They were: lanthanum - 0.75 mg/kg of body weight, cerium - 1.5 mg/kg, and praseodymium - 3 mh/kg. A decreasing toxicity of these elements with increasing value of atomic number was observed.", "contents": "Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium. Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 589-594. The serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase in relation to doses of lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium, administered intravenously as chlorides, was investigated. A directly proportional relationship was found between the doses of these compounds and the serum enzyme level in rats. The lowest doses at which a rise in the serum OCT level occured were determined. They were: lanthanum - 0.75 mg/kg of body weight, cerium - 1.5 mg/kg, and praseodymium - 3 mh/kg. A decreasing toxicity of these elements with increasing value of atomic number was observed.", "PMID": 612143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_558", "title": "Studies on the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development.", "content": "Studies of the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 559-573. Changes in the content of nitrogen, ether extract, water and ash in the body of rats were examined from the 1st to the 265th day of their life under conditions optimal for maximal growth and development. The investigations were carried out on 203 male Wistar rats kept on a standard diet containing about 20% of protein and 3.2 kcal ME/g. The diet was available ad libitum. After a period of fasting the animals were sacrificed at definite time intervals, their bodies were autoclaved and homogenized. The results of chemical analyses were processed statistically using logarithmic values and linear regression equations for all components in relation to the total (shrunk) and fat-free body mass, and for the relationship between the different components. The results obtained indicate that the values of all components related to the total or fat-free body mass show a curvilinear course of changes, which can be described with the power function Y = axb.", "contents": "Studies on the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development. Studies of the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 559-573. Changes in the content of nitrogen, ether extract, water and ash in the body of rats were examined from the 1st to the 265th day of their life under conditions optimal for maximal growth and development. The investigations were carried out on 203 male Wistar rats kept on a standard diet containing about 20% of protein and 3.2 kcal ME/g. The diet was available ad libitum. After a period of fasting the animals were sacrificed at definite time intervals, their bodies were autoclaved and homogenized. The results of chemical analyses were processed statistically using logarithmic values and linear regression equations for all components in relation to the total (shrunk) and fat-free body mass, and for the relationship between the different components. The results obtained indicate that the values of all components related to the total or fat-free body mass show a curvilinear course of changes, which can be described with the power function Y = axb.", "PMID": 612141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_559", "title": "The ependyma of the ventriculus mesencephali in the rat.", "content": "The ventriculus mesencephali in the rat proceeds in the colliculi posterior region from the mesencephalic aqueduct in the dorsal direction. The ependymal lining is formed by flat, cuboid and cylindrical cells. The cylindrical cells, which occur in all parts of the ventriculus mesencephali, are the most numerous. The cuboid cells are localized mainly in the anterior part, the flat ones in the posterior part of the ventriculus mesencephali. Some cuboid and cylindrical cells have short basal processes. Among the ependymal cells, there are cells with long basal processes. The ependyma is at sites interrupted by flocks of ependymal cells. On the cell surface, there area cilia, microvilli and protoplasmic extrusions. The cell nuclei are spherical to oval. Supraependymally, there are homogeneous globules and intraventricular fibres. The histological variability of ependymal cells may point to the active participation of these cells in functional processes, even within such a small part of the ventricle system as the ventriculus mesencephali.", "contents": "The ependyma of the ventriculus mesencephali in the rat. The ventriculus mesencephali in the rat proceeds in the colliculi posterior region from the mesencephalic aqueduct in the dorsal direction. The ependymal lining is formed by flat, cuboid and cylindrical cells. The cylindrical cells, which occur in all parts of the ventriculus mesencephali, are the most numerous. The cuboid cells are localized mainly in the anterior part, the flat ones in the posterior part of the ventriculus mesencephali. Some cuboid and cylindrical cells have short basal processes. Among the ependymal cells, there are cells with long basal processes. The ependyma is at sites interrupted by flocks of ependymal cells. On the cell surface, there area cilia, microvilli and protoplasmic extrusions. The cell nuclei are spherical to oval. Supraependymally, there are homogeneous globules and intraventricular fibres. The histological variability of ependymal cells may point to the active participation of these cells in functional processes, even within such a small part of the ventricle system as the ventriculus mesencephali.", "PMID": 612165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_560", "title": "Scanning electron microscopic examination of in vitro cultured cells by different methods.", "content": "1. The morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cells were prepared for examination by three different procedures: two involved fixation, the third only drying in vacuum. 2. To check the efficiency of the methods of preparation, three non-endothelial cell lines were processes similarly and examined for SEM morphology. 3. The images of the cell surfaces were found to differ depending on the method of preparation and the value of the methodical approach clearly varied with the type of the cell. It is concluded that for studying cell morphology by SEM the method of preparation should carefully be selected.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopic examination of in vitro cultured cells by different methods. 1. The morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cells were prepared for examination by three different procedures: two involved fixation, the third only drying in vacuum. 2. To check the efficiency of the methods of preparation, three non-endothelial cell lines were processes similarly and examined for SEM morphology. 3. The images of the cell surfaces were found to differ depending on the method of preparation and the value of the methodical approach clearly varied with the type of the cell. It is concluded that for studying cell morphology by SEM the method of preparation should carefully be selected.", "PMID": 612166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_561", "title": "Cell types of the pars distalis: seasonal changes in secretory activity and effect of steroids on spermatogenesis in Rana hexadactyla.", "content": "Cytomorphological features and tinctorial affinities of the adenohypophyseal gonadotrophs have been studied in stained preparations of the pituitary of adult male frogs Rana hexadactyla Lesson, at monthly intervals during a calendar year. All the five morphologically distinct cell types showed a progressive increase in size from August of February, followed by a decrease from March to July. Extrusion of the synthetized product occurred in the summer and during this period production was low. Injection of steroids viz. stilboestrol, testosterone, oestradiol, doca and cortisol, interfered with the elaboration and secretion of gonadotropins, the adenohypophyseal feedback mechanism, and the sensitivity of the germinal epithelium. Changes in gonadotropins secretion and their impact on the testis are discussed.", "contents": "Cell types of the pars distalis: seasonal changes in secretory activity and effect of steroids on spermatogenesis in Rana hexadactyla. Cytomorphological features and tinctorial affinities of the adenohypophyseal gonadotrophs have been studied in stained preparations of the pituitary of adult male frogs Rana hexadactyla Lesson, at monthly intervals during a calendar year. All the five morphologically distinct cell types showed a progressive increase in size from August of February, followed by a decrease from March to July. Extrusion of the synthetized product occurred in the summer and during this period production was low. Injection of steroids viz. stilboestrol, testosterone, oestradiol, doca and cortisol, interfered with the elaboration and secretion of gonadotropins, the adenohypophyseal feedback mechanism, and the sensitivity of the germinal epithelium. Changes in gonadotropins secretion and their impact on the testis are discussed.", "PMID": 612167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_562", "title": "Evidence of the heterogeneity of mast cell population based on their biogenic amine content.", "content": "The heterogeneity of the mast cells localized in various organs has been demonstrated by histochemical determination in their indole amine and histamine content. The strongest amine reaction was found in the mast cells in the mesenterium and peritoneal fluid where their maturation occurs. The reaction of the subcutaneous connective tissue is weaker; in the thyroid gland the reaction is weak as well as diffuse. In the thymus the mast cells localized along the vessels give a strong histamine reaction. The experiments support previously published data concerning the heterogeneity of mast cell populations.", "contents": "Evidence of the heterogeneity of mast cell population based on their biogenic amine content. The heterogeneity of the mast cells localized in various organs has been demonstrated by histochemical determination in their indole amine and histamine content. The strongest amine reaction was found in the mast cells in the mesenterium and peritoneal fluid where their maturation occurs. The reaction of the subcutaneous connective tissue is weaker; in the thyroid gland the reaction is weak as well as diffuse. In the thymus the mast cells localized along the vessels give a strong histamine reaction. The experiments support previously published data concerning the heterogeneity of mast cell populations.", "PMID": 612168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_563", "title": "A heroin \"epidemic\" in Asia.", "content": "Heroin \"epidemics\" have been reported in North America but not in Asia. Following passage of an anti-opium law in Laos, heroin use suddenly began in one area during 1972. Initially heroin use prevailed among indigenous Asian addicts, mostly older addicts who gradually switched from opium to heroin. In addition, there evolved a new group of indigenous addicts: young, single, unemployed males in urban areas whose first narcotic drug was heroin. After the appearance of heroin in Laos, increasing numbers of younger Americans and Europeans were soon attracted to heroin use in Laos.", "contents": "A heroin \"epidemic\" in Asia. Heroin \"epidemics\" have been reported in North America but not in Asia. Following passage of an anti-opium law in Laos, heroin use suddenly began in one area during 1972. Initially heroin use prevailed among indigenous Asian addicts, mostly older addicts who gradually switched from opium to heroin. In addition, there evolved a new group of indigenous addicts: young, single, unemployed males in urban areas whose first narcotic drug was heroin. After the appearance of heroin in Laos, increasing numbers of younger Americans and Europeans were soon attracted to heroin use in Laos.", "PMID": 612184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_564", "title": "Changes in alcoholic beverage sales after reductions in the legal drinking age.", "content": "This study reports changes in the sales of beer, wine, and spirits in 25 states which lowered legal drinking ages and adjacent states which did not. Most of the states which changed drinking ages had an increase in beer sales whereas the unchanged ones did not. The increase for beer in the changed over the not changed states was 5.7%. The differences for wine and spirits are not statistically significant. The variations in changes from one state to another are considerable. Analyses of the effects of new age laws on traffic accidents should take account of changes in sales and other preventive efforts occurring simultaneously. Whether the increases will be permanent is uncertain.", "contents": "Changes in alcoholic beverage sales after reductions in the legal drinking age. This study reports changes in the sales of beer, wine, and spirits in 25 states which lowered legal drinking ages and adjacent states which did not. Most of the states which changed drinking ages had an increase in beer sales whereas the unchanged ones did not. The increase for beer in the changed over the not changed states was 5.7%. The differences for wine and spirits are not statistically significant. The variations in changes from one state to another are considerable. Analyses of the effects of new age laws on traffic accidents should take account of changes in sales and other preventive efforts occurring simultaneously. Whether the increases will be permanent is uncertain.", "PMID": 612185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_565", "title": "First drinking experiences and present drinking patterns: a male-female comparison.", "content": "The authors predicted that sex roles in America would contribute to variation between male and female alcoholics in first drinking experiences and current drinking patterns. Moderate support for this hypothesis was observed. Though first drinking experiences were found to be very similar for males and females, females reported a significantly longer period of time between their first and second drinks of an alcoholic beverage. Females were significantly more likely to have consumed their first alcoholic beverage with family members, while males more commonly were with friends. Beer was the most frequently consumed beverage of the first drinking occasion for both sexes; the second most popular beverage among men was whiskey, while women chose mixed drinks. Regarding current drinking patterns, men drank significantly more often than women. The differences pertaining to general drinking pattern (drinking daily, several times a week, or on weekends, or engaging in binge drinking) approached significance.", "contents": "First drinking experiences and present drinking patterns: a male-female comparison. The authors predicted that sex roles in America would contribute to variation between male and female alcoholics in first drinking experiences and current drinking patterns. Moderate support for this hypothesis was observed. Though first drinking experiences were found to be very similar for males and females, females reported a significantly longer period of time between their first and second drinks of an alcoholic beverage. Females were significantly more likely to have consumed their first alcoholic beverage with family members, while males more commonly were with friends. Beer was the most frequently consumed beverage of the first drinking occasion for both sexes; the second most popular beverage among men was whiskey, while women chose mixed drinks. Regarding current drinking patterns, men drank significantly more often than women. The differences pertaining to general drinking pattern (drinking daily, several times a week, or on weekends, or engaging in binge drinking) approached significance.", "PMID": 612186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_566", "title": "Use of difenoximide (SC-26100) for narcotic detoxification: a preliminary tolerance and efficacy study.", "content": "Difenoximide (SC-26100) is closely related to the antidiarrheal agent, diphenoxylate, which is a chemical congener of meperidine. It has been shown to have a greater ability than methadone to suppress opiate withdrawal in addicted mice, and it has produced less physical dependence than morphine and methadone in laboratory animals. In this study difenoximide was administered to nine active heroin addicts. A dose of 4 mg administered 4 times per day for 3 days effectively suppressed opiate withdrawal, while a dose of 8 mg produced symptoms resembling those of narcotic excess in subjects who had recently self-administered heroin. No side effect were observed at the therapeutic dosage level, and the drug was well accepted by subjects. Difenoximide was shown to be a potentially useful narcotic treatment agent in this impatient study.", "contents": "Use of difenoximide (SC-26100) for narcotic detoxification: a preliminary tolerance and efficacy study. Difenoximide (SC-26100) is closely related to the antidiarrheal agent, diphenoxylate, which is a chemical congener of meperidine. It has been shown to have a greater ability than methadone to suppress opiate withdrawal in addicted mice, and it has produced less physical dependence than morphine and methadone in laboratory animals. In this study difenoximide was administered to nine active heroin addicts. A dose of 4 mg administered 4 times per day for 3 days effectively suppressed opiate withdrawal, while a dose of 8 mg produced symptoms resembling those of narcotic excess in subjects who had recently self-administered heroin. No side effect were observed at the therapeutic dosage level, and the drug was well accepted by subjects. Difenoximide was shown to be a potentially useful narcotic treatment agent in this impatient study.", "PMID": 612187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_567", "title": "Tracking procedures in follow-up studies of drug abusers.", "content": "One of the problems that researchers frequently confront is the tracking and locating of research subjects. \"Deviant\" populations may present special difficulties in this regard. The experiences of a trained field survey unit doing drug-related research are examined. The tracking procedures which they developed are systematically presented. While the substantive focus is on doing research among drug abusers, many of the stated procedures are applicable to research on other deviant groups and, indeed, to all social groups.", "contents": "Tracking procedures in follow-up studies of drug abusers. One of the problems that researchers frequently confront is the tracking and locating of research subjects. \"Deviant\" populations may present special difficulties in this regard. The experiences of a trained field survey unit doing drug-related research are examined. The tracking procedures which they developed are systematically presented. While the substantive focus is on doing research among drug abusers, many of the stated procedures are applicable to research on other deviant groups and, indeed, to all social groups.", "PMID": 612188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_568", "title": "An outpatient drug program for adolescent students: preliminary evaluation.", "content": "Adolescent students with drug problems were rostered by their schools at the program facility one-half day per week. Treatment was aimed at increasing communicativeness through art, video, music, group therapy, and individual counseling when appropriate. After 4 months, school personnel, students, and treatment staff indicated that drug taking had decreased and general adjustment improved. Statistically, the treatment group (N = 42) improved significantly more than a control group (N = 37) in school attendance. They also tended to do better in academic, behavior, and work habit grades although these differences did not reach statical significance. Further similar early intervention studies are warranted.", "contents": "An outpatient drug program for adolescent students: preliminary evaluation. Adolescent students with drug problems were rostered by their schools at the program facility one-half day per week. Treatment was aimed at increasing communicativeness through art, video, music, group therapy, and individual counseling when appropriate. After 4 months, school personnel, students, and treatment staff indicated that drug taking had decreased and general adjustment improved. Statistically, the treatment group (N = 42) improved significantly more than a control group (N = 37) in school attendance. They also tended to do better in academic, behavior, and work habit grades although these differences did not reach statical significance. Further similar early intervention studies are warranted.", "PMID": 612189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_569", "title": "Drug information source credibility among junior and senior high school youths.", "content": "Analysis was made of data gathered in a winter 1974/75 survey of 7th through 12the grade youngsters attending public schools in New York State to learn the credibility of various sources of information on drugs. The results showed important relationships to hold between the youth's involvement with substances and their belief in the media and nonmedia information sources that were probed.", "contents": "Drug information source credibility among junior and senior high school youths. Analysis was made of data gathered in a winter 1974/75 survey of 7th through 12the grade youngsters attending public schools in New York State to learn the credibility of various sources of information on drugs. The results showed important relationships to hold between the youth's involvement with substances and their belief in the media and nonmedia information sources that were probed.", "PMID": 612190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_570", "title": "Alcohol and marijuana consumption among undergraduate polydrug users.", "content": "Of 365 undergraduates surveyed, 42% admitted to polydrug use. The rank order of drugs used was: alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, hallucinogens, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and inhalants. Forty-four percent used one drug combination, 25% used 2 to 3 combinations, 17% used 4 to 7 combinations, with 14% using 8 to 14 combinations. Nealry 85% used alcohol plus marijuana, with nearly one-third combining alcohol or marijuana with barbiturates, hallucinogens, or amphetamines. Alcohol appeared to be first drug used; however, it was not abandoned when marijuana use began-both drugs simply used concurrently, and new drugs were incorporated into the existing patterns of drug use. Interpretations of polydrug use are limited by difficulties in assessing drug use, as well as inconsistencies in the chemical composition of illicit drugs.", "contents": "Alcohol and marijuana consumption among undergraduate polydrug users. Of 365 undergraduates surveyed, 42% admitted to polydrug use. The rank order of drugs used was: alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, hallucinogens, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and inhalants. Forty-four percent used one drug combination, 25% used 2 to 3 combinations, 17% used 4 to 7 combinations, with 14% using 8 to 14 combinations. Nealry 85% used alcohol plus marijuana, with nearly one-third combining alcohol or marijuana with barbiturates, hallucinogens, or amphetamines. Alcohol appeared to be first drug used; however, it was not abandoned when marijuana use began-both drugs simply used concurrently, and new drugs were incorporated into the existing patterns of drug use. Interpretations of polydrug use are limited by difficulties in assessing drug use, as well as inconsistencies in the chemical composition of illicit drugs.", "PMID": 612191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_571", "title": "Toward classifying psychoactive chemical use.", "content": "A classification scheme is proposed based on description of consequences of psychoactive chemical use. It is an alternative to current labels (e.g., alcoholic, drug abuser, chemically dependent) which are often controversial or pejorative, as well as being imprecise and limited to pathology. The categories are: Helpful, Low Risk Potential Harm, High Risk Potential Harm, and Harmful. These are briefly defined and illustrative examples are cited. The appropriate treatment responses for the four categories are, respectively: Encouragement, Accurate Information, Persuasive Education, and Active Intervention. The basic rationale and procedure for each is discussed. The system incorporates prevention as well as remediation.", "contents": "Toward classifying psychoactive chemical use. A classification scheme is proposed based on description of consequences of psychoactive chemical use. It is an alternative to current labels (e.g., alcoholic, drug abuser, chemically dependent) which are often controversial or pejorative, as well as being imprecise and limited to pathology. The categories are: Helpful, Low Risk Potential Harm, High Risk Potential Harm, and Harmful. These are briefly defined and illustrative examples are cited. The appropriate treatment responses for the four categories are, respectively: Encouragement, Accurate Information, Persuasive Education, and Active Intervention. The basic rationale and procedure for each is discussed. The system incorporates prevention as well as remediation.", "PMID": 612192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_572", "title": "Driving records before and during methadone maintenance.", "content": "We compared the motor vehicle driving records of 104 former heroin users during 1 year of heroin use before admission to methadone maintenance with their records during 1 year after admission while they were maintained on methadone. We found a statistically significant increase in convictions for speeding from the year on heroin to the year on methadone, but no significant change in convictions for negligent collision, other moving violations, driving without a license, and in accidents. The results suggest that heroin users have slightly better driving records on heroin than they do on methadone, possibly because on heroin they drive with special care to avoid arrest. The frequency with which our subjects were involved in accidents did not differ significantly from that of all Texas licensed drivers. On the basis of this study we recommend no restriction of the driving privilege of persons maintained on methadone.", "contents": "Driving records before and during methadone maintenance. We compared the motor vehicle driving records of 104 former heroin users during 1 year of heroin use before admission to methadone maintenance with their records during 1 year after admission while they were maintained on methadone. We found a statistically significant increase in convictions for speeding from the year on heroin to the year on methadone, but no significant change in convictions for negligent collision, other moving violations, driving without a license, and in accidents. The results suggest that heroin users have slightly better driving records on heroin than they do on methadone, possibly because on heroin they drive with special care to avoid arrest. The frequency with which our subjects were involved in accidents did not differ significantly from that of all Texas licensed drivers. On the basis of this study we recommend no restriction of the driving privilege of persons maintained on methadone.", "PMID": 612193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_573", "title": "The therapeutic community: multivariate prediction of retention.", "content": "Multiple regression procedures were employed to study the profile of resident time in program, demographic, sociobackground, and psychological variables in relationship to retention. The sample consisted of 809 Phoenix House residents who were primarily male (81.4%) and Black (64.9%). A psychological battery was administered on a cross-sectional basis. The multiple R of .44 and R2 of .19 were large for this type of research. Time in program accounted for over half the variance explained. Ten other measures contributed significantly to the explained variance. Residents who dropped out were less likely to be Blacks and more often came from lower SES families but with less family deviance; they made fewer prior attempts at giving up drugs and had lower education levels. Psychologically, they were generally more defensive and disturbed.", "contents": "The therapeutic community: multivariate prediction of retention. Multiple regression procedures were employed to study the profile of resident time in program, demographic, sociobackground, and psychological variables in relationship to retention. The sample consisted of 809 Phoenix House residents who were primarily male (81.4%) and Black (64.9%). A psychological battery was administered on a cross-sectional basis. The multiple R of .44 and R2 of .19 were large for this type of research. Time in program accounted for over half the variance explained. Ten other measures contributed significantly to the explained variance. Residents who dropped out were less likely to be Blacks and more often came from lower SES families but with less family deviance; they made fewer prior attempts at giving up drugs and had lower education levels. Psychologically, they were generally more defensive and disturbed.", "PMID": 612194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_574", "title": "A survey of substances use among junior and senior high school students in New York state, Winter 1974-75.", "content": "A survey designed to assess drug and alcohol use among the 1,600,000 students in Grades 7 through 12 who attend New York State public schools was administered in 10i schools during the winter of 1974-75. Findings indicate that over 80% of the students have used alcohol and that almost one-third of the students have used marijuana at least once. In addition, 60% of the marijuana users have used no other substance, with the possible exception of alcohol. Also, if a student has used a substance, he is likely to have used it within the last 6 months. Finally, multiple substance use is not predominant among marijuana users, but is predominant among users of other substances.", "contents": "A survey of substances use among junior and senior high school students in New York state, Winter 1974-75. A survey designed to assess drug and alcohol use among the 1,600,000 students in Grades 7 through 12 who attend New York State public schools was administered in 10i schools during the winter of 1974-75. Findings indicate that over 80% of the students have used alcohol and that almost one-third of the students have used marijuana at least once. In addition, 60% of the marijuana users have used no other substance, with the possible exception of alcohol. Also, if a student has used a substance, he is likely to have used it within the last 6 months. Finally, multiple substance use is not predominant among marijuana users, but is predominant among users of other substances.", "PMID": 612195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_575", "title": "A follow-up of admissions to the California Civil Addict Program.", "content": "A follow-up interview study of early admissions to the California Civil Addict Program found that those continuing in the program performed substantially better during the commitment period than did a comparable group discharged shortly after admission. To a lesser extent, the program also appeared to have had some impact subsequent to discharge. Those program discharges defined as successes tended to do relatively well until the time of interview. Comparisons under the strict (pre-1970) and more lenient regimens showed roughly comparable behavior, but the availability of methadone maintenance was also a significant factor in reducing heroin use during the latter period.", "contents": "A follow-up of admissions to the California Civil Addict Program. A follow-up interview study of early admissions to the California Civil Addict Program found that those continuing in the program performed substantially better during the commitment period than did a comparable group discharged shortly after admission. To a lesser extent, the program also appeared to have had some impact subsequent to discharge. Those program discharges defined as successes tended to do relatively well until the time of interview. Comparisons under the strict (pre-1970) and more lenient regimens showed roughly comparable behavior, but the availability of methadone maintenance was also a significant factor in reducing heroin use during the latter period.", "PMID": 612196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_576", "title": "A comparison of recidivism rates for alcoholic detox residents referred to hospitals, halway houses, and outpatient facilities.", "content": "Recidivism rates were studied for alcoholics referred to treatment facilities from a detoxication center. The aims were to examine (1) the proportions of clients who arrived, (2) whether similar clients were referred to different facilities, and (3) whether different facilities had different recovery rates. Only a minority improved in terms of recidivism. There were no differences for those referred to halfway houses, hospitals, and nonresidential programs. Those who arrived for treatment or completed it did not have higher improvement rates than those who did not.", "contents": "A comparison of recidivism rates for alcoholic detox residents referred to hospitals, halway houses, and outpatient facilities. Recidivism rates were studied for alcoholics referred to treatment facilities from a detoxication center. The aims were to examine (1) the proportions of clients who arrived, (2) whether similar clients were referred to different facilities, and (3) whether different facilities had different recovery rates. Only a minority improved in terms of recidivism. There were no differences for those referred to halfway houses, hospitals, and nonresidential programs. Those who arrived for treatment or completed it did not have higher improvement rates than those who did not.", "PMID": 612197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_577", "title": "Follow-up evaluation of drug abuse treatment.", "content": "Several fundamental issues in the design and planning of a follow-up evaluation are introduced. Many factors, including the design of the questionnaire, relationship to the subject, and confidentiality policies, determine both the rate and validity of the responses. Utilizing the described planning the supervision, staff time can be minimized, and estimates are given for both mailed and personal interviews. A variety of specific tracking techniques is outlined which facilitate the location of subjects who cannot be found at formerly listed addresses.", "contents": "Follow-up evaluation of drug abuse treatment. Several fundamental issues in the design and planning of a follow-up evaluation are introduced. Many factors, including the design of the questionnaire, relationship to the subject, and confidentiality policies, determine both the rate and validity of the responses. Utilizing the described planning the supervision, staff time can be minimized, and estimates are given for both mailed and personal interviews. A variety of specific tracking techniques is outlined which facilitate the location of subjects who cannot be found at formerly listed addresses.", "PMID": 612198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_578", "title": "The effect of marijuana on small group process.", "content": "In a research group setting, marijuana increased social-emotional interpersonal communication and decreased task-oriented behavior. Following a frustration stimulus, groups of marijuana smokers appeared nonintoxicated and showed improvement in consensus problem solving. Interpersonal behavior with marijuana may depend in part, on the presence or absence of demand characteristics for task performance. Creativity in group problem solving was not improved by marijuana.", "contents": "The effect of marijuana on small group process. In a research group setting, marijuana increased social-emotional interpersonal communication and decreased task-oriented behavior. Following a frustration stimulus, groups of marijuana smokers appeared nonintoxicated and showed improvement in consensus problem solving. Interpersonal behavior with marijuana may depend in part, on the presence or absence of demand characteristics for task performance. Creativity in group problem solving was not improved by marijuana.", "PMID": 612199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_579", "title": "The use of an alcoholism screening test to identify the potential for alcoholism in persons on methadone maintenance.", "content": "Alcoholism has become a problem of increasing prominence in persons enrolled in methadone maintenance programs. Since early identification of the potential problem drinker may result in successful intervention, a method to screen individuals applying for admission to methadone maintenance who have a proclivity toward alcoholism would be of great value. A modified self-administered alcoholism screening test (SAAST), previously confirmed to identify \"hidden alcoholics\" in a general nonnarcotic-using population, was utilized as a screening device in three groups of narcotic-dependent persons on methadone maintenance: 30 individuals who had a known problem with alcoholism, 30 individuals without any history or signs of alcoholism over an extended time period, and 80 persons entering methadone maintenance who initially denied any problems with excessive drinking. The ability of the modified SAAST to separate the alcoholic from the nonalcoholic narcotic addict was confirmed (p less than 0.001). This test was also found to have considerable predictive value in determining those individuals initially denying a history of excessive alcohol intake who become problem drinkers.", "contents": "The use of an alcoholism screening test to identify the potential for alcoholism in persons on methadone maintenance. Alcoholism has become a problem of increasing prominence in persons enrolled in methadone maintenance programs. Since early identification of the potential problem drinker may result in successful intervention, a method to screen individuals applying for admission to methadone maintenance who have a proclivity toward alcoholism would be of great value. A modified self-administered alcoholism screening test (SAAST), previously confirmed to identify \"hidden alcoholics\" in a general nonnarcotic-using population, was utilized as a screening device in three groups of narcotic-dependent persons on methadone maintenance: 30 individuals who had a known problem with alcoholism, 30 individuals without any history or signs of alcoholism over an extended time period, and 80 persons entering methadone maintenance who initially denied any problems with excessive drinking. The ability of the modified SAAST to separate the alcoholic from the nonalcoholic narcotic addict was confirmed (p less than 0.001). This test was also found to have considerable predictive value in determining those individuals initially denying a history of excessive alcohol intake who become problem drinkers.", "PMID": 612200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_580", "title": "The reluctance to combine.", "content": "The shifting of substance abuse in this country away from a pattern of single substance dependence toward multiple substance abuse has been accompanied by renewed interest in the possibilities of so-called combined treatment and its ideological base, a generic conceptualization that encompasses and integrates into a unitary theory all types of substance abuse. This view maintains that many of the differences separating alcoholic persons from other substance abusers have more to do with factors like age, ethnic, social and cultural background--and prejudice--than with real differences in the addictive processes or therapeutic needs. Some careful studies of combined treatment have found it no less effective than substance segregated treatment. Some persons are helped, others are not. Until we have reliable ways to select out those who would benefit form combined treatment from those who would not, the method remains experimental, not yet to be advocated for mass use. What is needed at once is a generic concept of substance abuse. This would prepare the way for planning, legislation, program organization, national data systems, and research that could be designed for the most effective response to today's needs and problems. An especially pressing need is for generic training and credentialling of workers in the alcohol and drug fields. As the many questions raised by a generic viewpoint are considered, one can observe that much of the resistance to this concept among professionals is attributable to fear of the unfamiliar, protection of vested interest, misapprehension about consequences and, not least, prejudice reflecting the stereotyped ideas of the general population.", "contents": "The reluctance to combine. The shifting of substance abuse in this country away from a pattern of single substance dependence toward multiple substance abuse has been accompanied by renewed interest in the possibilities of so-called combined treatment and its ideological base, a generic conceptualization that encompasses and integrates into a unitary theory all types of substance abuse. This view maintains that many of the differences separating alcoholic persons from other substance abusers have more to do with factors like age, ethnic, social and cultural background--and prejudice--than with real differences in the addictive processes or therapeutic needs. Some careful studies of combined treatment have found it no less effective than substance segregated treatment. Some persons are helped, others are not. Until we have reliable ways to select out those who would benefit form combined treatment from those who would not, the method remains experimental, not yet to be advocated for mass use. What is needed at once is a generic concept of substance abuse. This would prepare the way for planning, legislation, program organization, national data systems, and research that could be designed for the most effective response to today's needs and problems. An especially pressing need is for generic training and credentialling of workers in the alcohol and drug fields. As the many questions raised by a generic viewpoint are considered, one can observe that much of the resistance to this concept among professionals is attributable to fear of the unfamiliar, protection of vested interest, misapprehension about consequences and, not least, prejudice reflecting the stereotyped ideas of the general population.", "PMID": 612202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_581", "title": "Experimental heroin users: an epidemiologic and psychosocial approach.", "content": "An interview study was conducted on a sample of experimental heroin users involved in an adolescent heroin epidemic. Results showed that heroin use patterns varied, with high users stabilizing at a low frequency of use over a long period of time. Results also showed that experimental users were more likely to occur in the late phase of a local heroin outbreak. Psychosocial data indicated that high users differed from low users in that they had less supportive family experiences, more experience with the criminal justice system, and less positive feelings about self and future.", "contents": "Experimental heroin users: an epidemiologic and psychosocial approach. An interview study was conducted on a sample of experimental heroin users involved in an adolescent heroin epidemic. Results showed that heroin use patterns varied, with high users stabilizing at a low frequency of use over a long period of time. Results also showed that experimental users were more likely to occur in the late phase of a local heroin outbreak. Psychosocial data indicated that high users differed from low users in that they had less supportive family experiences, more experience with the criminal justice system, and less positive feelings about self and future.", "PMID": 612203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_582", "title": "The characteristics of Cuban Immigrant inhalant abusers.", "content": "The characteristics of Cuban immigrant inhalant abusers admitted to the Spanish Family Guidance Clinic during a 1-year period were studied. Not surprisingly, this group was found to be similar to inhalant abusers in the national picture. The inhalers in this study were all males, mostly very young, from very low socioeconomic levels, largely from disrupted family backgrounds and disrupted neighborhoods. They showed poor school and/or employment performance, serious anti-social behavior, and occasional hallucinatory experiences. This group of inhalers was found to be multiple substance abusers and more likely to be characterized by a pattern of polydrug abuse than by their abuse of inhalants per se. This finding confirms a general national trend toward the abuse of multiple rather than single substances. A comparison of inhalers with a carefully chosen control group of clients admitted into the Clinic during the same period of time, matched by nationality, sex, and age, indicates that the two groups are similar in important ways. Both groups present general profiles of acting out adolescents, and tend to come from low socioeconomic, disrupted families and poor neighborhoods.", "contents": "The characteristics of Cuban Immigrant inhalant abusers. The characteristics of Cuban immigrant inhalant abusers admitted to the Spanish Family Guidance Clinic during a 1-year period were studied. Not surprisingly, this group was found to be similar to inhalant abusers in the national picture. The inhalers in this study were all males, mostly very young, from very low socioeconomic levels, largely from disrupted family backgrounds and disrupted neighborhoods. They showed poor school and/or employment performance, serious anti-social behavior, and occasional hallucinatory experiences. This group of inhalers was found to be multiple substance abusers and more likely to be characterized by a pattern of polydrug abuse than by their abuse of inhalants per se. This finding confirms a general national trend toward the abuse of multiple rather than single substances. A comparison of inhalers with a carefully chosen control group of clients admitted into the Clinic during the same period of time, matched by nationality, sex, and age, indicates that the two groups are similar in important ways. Both groups present general profiles of acting out adolescents, and tend to come from low socioeconomic, disrupted families and poor neighborhoods.", "PMID": 612204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_583", "title": "Risk-taking related to drug use: an application of the shift-to-risk design.", "content": "The utility of the shift-to-risk design for studying the influence of peer groups on drug taking was investigated. Two studies using this design with drug content were conducted, varying the level of information provided about a drug. Subjects were from two college classes consisting of 26 and 28 students. Results indicated that the specification of possible harmful drug effects which are somewhat minimal lead to a significantly greater willingness to recommend trying the drug. In addition, a tendency for a shift-to-caution was found. It was concluded that the shift-to-risk designwas useful for studying decision-making regarding drug use, and that both users and nonusers of drugs should be included in future research.", "contents": "Risk-taking related to drug use: an application of the shift-to-risk design. The utility of the shift-to-risk design for studying the influence of peer groups on drug taking was investigated. Two studies using this design with drug content were conducted, varying the level of information provided about a drug. Subjects were from two college classes consisting of 26 and 28 students. Results indicated that the specification of possible harmful drug effects which are somewhat minimal lead to a significantly greater willingness to recommend trying the drug. In addition, a tendency for a shift-to-caution was found. It was concluded that the shift-to-risk designwas useful for studying decision-making regarding drug use, and that both users and nonusers of drugs should be included in future research.", "PMID": 612205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_584", "title": "Personality characteristics of students who became heavy drug users: an MMPI study of an avant-garde.", "content": "A psychometric study assessed the possibility of a preexisting personality configuration in students who became heavy drug users. We compared the MMPI profiles of 33 Carnegie Institute of Technology students who became heavy users of marijuana and hallucinogenic drugs and 33 peer control subjects. All subjects had been given the MMPI as entering freshmen in the years 1962-1965. The preuser sample constituted an avant-garde of drug-oriented counterculture in this setting. Profiles for both groups were well within normal limits yet unique in respective configurations. Preusers appeared to be socially skillful, adventorous, impulsive, and resistant to authority, while control subjects seemed less socially skilled, reserved, compulsive, and compliant. Significant scale differences appeared on Hy, Pd, and Ma, all being higher for preusers, and Es which favored the controls.", "contents": "Personality characteristics of students who became heavy drug users: an MMPI study of an avant-garde. A psychometric study assessed the possibility of a preexisting personality configuration in students who became heavy drug users. We compared the MMPI profiles of 33 Carnegie Institute of Technology students who became heavy users of marijuana and hallucinogenic drugs and 33 peer control subjects. All subjects had been given the MMPI as entering freshmen in the years 1962-1965. The preuser sample constituted an avant-garde of drug-oriented counterculture in this setting. Profiles for both groups were well within normal limits yet unique in respective configurations. Preusers appeared to be socially skillful, adventorous, impulsive, and resistant to authority, while control subjects seemed less socially skilled, reserved, compulsive, and compliant. Significant scale differences appeared on Hy, Pd, and Ma, all being higher for preusers, and Es which favored the controls.", "PMID": 612206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_585", "title": "Trends in drug use and crime and their relationship in an arrested population.", "content": "Trends in drug use and criminal charges of 44,223 consecutive admissions to the District of Columbia Superior Court lock-up between December 1971 and April 1975 were analyzed. While the number of persons arrested and admitted to the lock-up remained relatively constant during this time, drug use as measured by positive urinalysis declined substantially in 1973 and remained at a lower level through 1975. Heroin use showed a decline similar to the overall trends in 1973, but began to increase in mid-1974. Arrestees who were drug positive were generally less likely to be charged with major crimes of violence than those who were drug negative. Exceptions to this pattern as well as trends in drug use and crime in the arrested population are discussed.", "contents": "Trends in drug use and crime and their relationship in an arrested population. Trends in drug use and criminal charges of 44,223 consecutive admissions to the District of Columbia Superior Court lock-up between December 1971 and April 1975 were analyzed. While the number of persons arrested and admitted to the lock-up remained relatively constant during this time, drug use as measured by positive urinalysis declined substantially in 1973 and remained at a lower level through 1975. Heroin use showed a decline similar to the overall trends in 1973, but began to increase in mid-1974. Arrestees who were drug positive were generally less likely to be charged with major crimes of violence than those who were drug negative. Exceptions to this pattern as well as trends in drug use and crime in the arrested population are discussed.", "PMID": 612207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_586", "title": "Colonoscopic polypectomy.", "content": "A total of 87 polyps were treated during 62 colonoscopic examinations on 60 patients; 69 polyps were resected and 18 were fulgurated with the hot-biopsy forceps. Fifteen patients were under 13 years old, and the average age was 38 years. Twelve patients had more than one polyp. There were no complications and the method could be carried out in all patients, whenever it was indicated. Sixteen polyps were hamartomas, 13 shistosomatic, six hyperplastic, two lymphoid and 36 adenomas. Among these adenomas, six showed evidence of foci carcinoma, one in situ and five, invasive. Surgical resection was indicated in only one patient with sessile polyp with invasive focus of carcinoma. No metastasis was detected whatsoever.", "contents": "Colonoscopic polypectomy. A total of 87 polyps were treated during 62 colonoscopic examinations on 60 patients; 69 polyps were resected and 18 were fulgurated with the hot-biopsy forceps. Fifteen patients were under 13 years old, and the average age was 38 years. Twelve patients had more than one polyp. There were no complications and the method could be carried out in all patients, whenever it was indicated. Sixteen polyps were hamartomas, 13 shistosomatic, six hyperplastic, two lymphoid and 36 adenomas. Among these adenomas, six showed evidence of foci carcinoma, one in situ and five, invasive. Surgical resection was indicated in only one patient with sessile polyp with invasive focus of carcinoma. No metastasis was detected whatsoever.", "PMID": 612208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_587", "title": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Evaluation based on experience with 805 examinations.", "content": "ERCP was evaluated on the basis of 805 examinations. Visualization of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct was possible in 44%, of the common bile duct in 22% and of the pancreatic duct alone in 24.6% of the cases. The ductal systems were not opacified in 9.4% but the failure rate decreased from 18.2% to 5.4% within increasing experience. Pathological changes were found in both ducts in 2%, in the common bile duct in 42.2% and the pancreatic duct in 11.4% of the cases. Diagnostic information was supplied by ERCP in 84.4% of the cases. Complications developed in four cases (acute pancreatitis in three and cholangitis in one). There was no mortality in the entire series. It is concluded that ERCP is a valuable diagnostic method that is frequently successful and reasonably safe.", "contents": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Evaluation based on experience with 805 examinations. ERCP was evaluated on the basis of 805 examinations. Visualization of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct was possible in 44%, of the common bile duct in 22% and of the pancreatic duct alone in 24.6% of the cases. The ductal systems were not opacified in 9.4% but the failure rate decreased from 18.2% to 5.4% within increasing experience. Pathological changes were found in both ducts in 2%, in the common bile duct in 42.2% and the pancreatic duct in 11.4% of the cases. Diagnostic information was supplied by ERCP in 84.4% of the cases. Complications developed in four cases (acute pancreatitis in three and cholangitis in one). There was no mortality in the entire series. It is concluded that ERCP is a valuable diagnostic method that is frequently successful and reasonably safe.", "PMID": 612209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_588", "title": "Ulcerative esophagitis and colitis in a pediatric pantient with Behcet's syndrome. Response to steroid therapy.", "content": "The gastrointestinal manifestations of Behcet's syndrome including colitis and esophageal ulceration have been recognized in recent years. In the present case, a girl with Behcet's syndrome was followed since age 11 for oral, vaginal, perianal ulcers and neurological involvement. At age 16 she developed esophageal ulceration and colitis, was treated with steroids and improved. Endoscopic and radiographic findings are presented, previously reported cases are reviewed and treatment is discussed.", "contents": "Ulcerative esophagitis and colitis in a pediatric pantient with Behcet's syndrome. Response to steroid therapy. The gastrointestinal manifestations of Behcet's syndrome including colitis and esophageal ulceration have been recognized in recent years. In the present case, a girl with Behcet's syndrome was followed since age 11 for oral, vaginal, perianal ulcers and neurological involvement. At age 16 she developed esophageal ulceration and colitis, was treated with steroids and improved. Endoscopic and radiographic findings are presented, previously reported cases are reviewed and treatment is discussed.", "PMID": 612210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_589", "title": "Effect of antrectomy and vagisecretion on gastric acid output and gastrin secretion.", "content": "In three dogs with denervated Heidenhain pouches, ingestion of cooked beef liver caused increased acid output and gastrin secretion. After antrectomy and gastrojejunal anastomosis, ingestion of the liver did not increase serum gastrin levels throughout the experiment. Acid output, however, although markedly reduced, was elevated over basal levels during the last three hours of the four-hour experiment. Total abdominal vagotomy did not alter gastrin secretion but further inhibited acid output in response to the test meal. These results indicate that in the dog intestinal gastrin is not released in response to a beef liver meal. Acid output postantrectomy, although reduced, does respond to the meal and is further decreased after vagotomy. A hormonal mechanism other than the release of intestinal gastrin is responsible for the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion.", "contents": "Effect of antrectomy and vagisecretion on gastric acid output and gastrin secretion. In three dogs with denervated Heidenhain pouches, ingestion of cooked beef liver caused increased acid output and gastrin secretion. After antrectomy and gastrojejunal anastomosis, ingestion of the liver did not increase serum gastrin levels throughout the experiment. Acid output, however, although markedly reduced, was elevated over basal levels during the last three hours of the four-hour experiment. Total abdominal vagotomy did not alter gastrin secretion but further inhibited acid output in response to the test meal. These results indicate that in the dog intestinal gastrin is not released in response to a beef liver meal. Acid output postantrectomy, although reduced, does respond to the meal and is further decreased after vagotomy. A hormonal mechanism other than the release of intestinal gastrin is responsible for the intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion.", "PMID": 612211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_590", "title": "Multiple sclerosis and malabsorption.", "content": "Malabsorption tests were studied in 52 patients with multiple sclerosis. The stools were examined microscopically for fat and undigested meat fibers and were found to be abnormal in 41.6 and 40.9% respectively. Abnormally low five hour excretion of d-xylose was demonstrated in 26.6% cases. Malabsorption of Vitamin B12 was found in 11.9% cases. The jejunal mucosa was examined histologically and by tissue immune technic including viral studies. Histology showed normal mucosa in all except seven patients in whom an increased inflammatory infiltrate was present. Fluorescent antibody studies revealed the presence of measles virus antigen in all patients and immunofluorescent studies showed a variable degree of immune reaction in the majority of cases. The significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis is discussed.", "contents": "Multiple sclerosis and malabsorption. Malabsorption tests were studied in 52 patients with multiple sclerosis. The stools were examined microscopically for fat and undigested meat fibers and were found to be abnormal in 41.6 and 40.9% respectively. Abnormally low five hour excretion of d-xylose was demonstrated in 26.6% cases. Malabsorption of Vitamin B12 was found in 11.9% cases. The jejunal mucosa was examined histologically and by tissue immune technic including viral studies. Histology showed normal mucosa in all except seven patients in whom an increased inflammatory infiltrate was present. Fluorescent antibody studies revealed the presence of measles virus antigen in all patients and immunofluorescent studies showed a variable degree of immune reaction in the majority of cases. The significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis is discussed.", "PMID": 612212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_591", "title": "Scleroderma and intestinal perforation.", "content": "We report four cases of scleroderma and intestinal perforation. There were three instances of colonic perforations, two associated with fecal impaction and stercoral ulceration and one with evidence of vasculitis. The fourth patient was an unusual instance of spontaneous perforation of the small intestine in scleroderma.", "contents": "Scleroderma and intestinal perforation. We report four cases of scleroderma and intestinal perforation. There were three instances of colonic perforations, two associated with fecal impaction and stercoral ulceration and one with evidence of vasculitis. The fourth patient was an unusual instance of spontaneous perforation of the small intestine in scleroderma.", "PMID": 612213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_592", "title": "Tumor-associated hyperamylasemia.", "content": "Studies were made in eight patients with hyperamylasemia associated with cancer of the lung, pancreas or colon. Isoamylase analysis, conducted in seven of the eight patients revealed that the dominant isoamylase component was S-type in three and P-type in three; in one patient both isoamylases were elevated about equally. Examination of the serum or urine of the same seven patients for subcomponent isoamylase disclosed the presence in two of the seven of an unusual isoamylase designated \"Y-type\". This subcomponent isoamylase was also found in some samples of human milk, but not in normal persons or in patients with a variety of disorders other than cancer. The significance of hyperamylasemia occurring in association with cancers, the factors responsible for the variability in isoamylase pattern in those with hyperamylasemia, and the relationship, if any, of the \"Y\" isoamylase form to cellular growth and replication are all presently obscure and remain to be elucidated.", "contents": "Tumor-associated hyperamylasemia. Studies were made in eight patients with hyperamylasemia associated with cancer of the lung, pancreas or colon. Isoamylase analysis, conducted in seven of the eight patients revealed that the dominant isoamylase component was S-type in three and P-type in three; in one patient both isoamylases were elevated about equally. Examination of the serum or urine of the same seven patients for subcomponent isoamylase disclosed the presence in two of the seven of an unusual isoamylase designated \"Y-type\". This subcomponent isoamylase was also found in some samples of human milk, but not in normal persons or in patients with a variety of disorders other than cancer. The significance of hyperamylasemia occurring in association with cancers, the factors responsible for the variability in isoamylase pattern in those with hyperamylasemia, and the relationship, if any, of the \"Y\" isoamylase form to cellular growth and replication are all presently obscure and remain to be elucidated.", "PMID": 612214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_593", "title": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and needle biopsy in the differential diagnosis of obstruction of bile flow.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with clinical evidence of obstructive jaundice were examined by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and needle biopsy (NB) of liver. The presence of extrahepatic bile duct obstruction was confirmed by surgery in 21 cases. PTC and the combination of both methods were superior to NB alone in the differential diagnosis between extra- and intrahepatic biliary obstruction. Sampling bias added to the difficulties of NB in distinguishing beween these two types of obstruction. The combination of both precedures proved most useful in three cases with intrahepatic obstruction, in which the patients were spared unnecessary surgery. In five cases the NB provided additional information about the nature of the tumor metastases and gave suport to the clinicians in their therapeutic approach.", "contents": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and needle biopsy in the differential diagnosis of obstruction of bile flow. Twenty-four patients with clinical evidence of obstructive jaundice were examined by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and needle biopsy (NB) of liver. The presence of extrahepatic bile duct obstruction was confirmed by surgery in 21 cases. PTC and the combination of both methods were superior to NB alone in the differential diagnosis between extra- and intrahepatic biliary obstruction. Sampling bias added to the difficulties of NB in distinguishing beween these two types of obstruction. The combination of both precedures proved most useful in three cases with intrahepatic obstruction, in which the patients were spared unnecessary surgery. In five cases the NB provided additional information about the nature of the tumor metastases and gave suport to the clinicians in their therapeutic approach.", "PMID": 612215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_594", "title": "Gastritis varioliformis. Chronic erosive gastritis with protein-losing gastropathy.", "content": "A patient with chronic erosive gastritis and protein-losing gastropathy is reported. Presentation was with weight loss and abdominal discomfort. There were endoscopic and radiological features of erosive gastritis. Radioactive chromium studies confirmed that the low serum albumin was associated with fecal protein loss. No improvement occurred with bed rest or Caved S but coincided with DeNol therapy.", "contents": "Gastritis varioliformis. Chronic erosive gastritis with protein-losing gastropathy. A patient with chronic erosive gastritis and protein-losing gastropathy is reported. Presentation was with weight loss and abdominal discomfort. There were endoscopic and radiological features of erosive gastritis. Radioactive chromium studies confirmed that the low serum albumin was associated with fecal protein loss. No improvement occurred with bed rest or Caved S but coincided with DeNol therapy.", "PMID": 612216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_595", "title": "Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites and colon involvement.", "content": "The case of a 39-year old white man with eosinophilic gastroenteritis is presented. The major clinical features were gastric outlet obstruction, diarrhea and massive ascites. At surgery, significant involvement of the entire gastrointestinal tract from the gastric antrum to the sigmoid colon was found. Histologic documentation of colon involvement was obtained. The response to corticosteroids was prompt and sustained. At present, he is maintained on an alternating day schedule of steroid administration.", "contents": "Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites and colon involvement. The case of a 39-year old white man with eosinophilic gastroenteritis is presented. The major clinical features were gastric outlet obstruction, diarrhea and massive ascites. At surgery, significant involvement of the entire gastrointestinal tract from the gastric antrum to the sigmoid colon was found. Histologic documentation of colon involvement was obtained. The response to corticosteroids was prompt and sustained. At present, he is maintained on an alternating day schedule of steroid administration.", "PMID": 612217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_596", "title": "The radiology corner. Neonatal small left colon syndrome.", "content": "The signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the newborn infant often present a difficult diagnostic problem. Plain films often fail to differentiate small from large bowel obstruction. Contrast studies may be decisive and indicate the site of obstruction and its etiology. This is especially important in nonsurgical conditions as the following case of the \"neonatal small left colon syndrome\" illustrates.", "contents": "The radiology corner. Neonatal small left colon syndrome. The signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the newborn infant often present a difficult diagnostic problem. Plain films often fail to differentiate small from large bowel obstruction. Contrast studies may be decisive and indicate the site of obstruction and its etiology. This is especially important in nonsurgical conditions as the following case of the \"neonatal small left colon syndrome\" illustrates.", "PMID": 612218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_597", "title": "In acute pancreatitis the decrease of villous activity, the damage of the intestinal mucosa might be induced by agents produced during pancreatitis or by trypsin.", "content": "If injected into the blood circulation, pancreatitic abdominal exudate significantly reduces villous activity and blood pressure. A relationship can be established between the log of the exudate doses and their effects.", "contents": "In acute pancreatitis the decrease of villous activity, the damage of the intestinal mucosa might be induced by agents produced during pancreatitis or by trypsin. If injected into the blood circulation, pancreatitic abdominal exudate significantly reduces villous activity and blood pressure. A relationship can be established between the log of the exudate doses and their effects.", "PMID": 612219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_598", "title": "Measured and laboratory-stated parameters of hydrophilic contact lenses.", "content": "One hundred thirty-one new hydrophilic lenses made by 3 manufacturers were randomly selected from an optometry clinic for measurement and inspection. Approximately 60% of the base-curve specifications fell within the following ranges for the measured dimensions: Bausch & Lomb Soflens contact lenses, less than 0.150 mm; Milton Roy Naturvue lenses, less than 0.375 mm; Soft Lens Inc. Hydrocurve, less than 0.225 mm. More than 65% of the lenses supplied by all the manufactures were within 0.25 D of the power specification. About two-thirds or more of all lenses had a central thickness and overall diameter within 0.04 mm and 0.40 mm, respectively, of the manufacturers' specifications, although there were notable differences among manufacturers. Most of these new lenses exhibited surface scratches and other surface defects, and many lenses had edge defects.", "contents": "Measured and laboratory-stated parameters of hydrophilic contact lenses. One hundred thirty-one new hydrophilic lenses made by 3 manufacturers were randomly selected from an optometry clinic for measurement and inspection. Approximately 60% of the base-curve specifications fell within the following ranges for the measured dimensions: Bausch & Lomb Soflens contact lenses, less than 0.150 mm; Milton Roy Naturvue lenses, less than 0.375 mm; Soft Lens Inc. Hydrocurve, less than 0.225 mm. More than 65% of the lenses supplied by all the manufactures were within 0.25 D of the power specification. About two-thirds or more of all lenses had a central thickness and overall diameter within 0.04 mm and 0.40 mm, respectively, of the manufacturers' specifications, although there were notable differences among manufacturers. Most of these new lenses exhibited surface scratches and other surface defects, and many lenses had edge defects.", "PMID": 612220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_599", "title": "Stereoacuity in mentally retarded and intellectually normal adolescents.", "content": "Stereoacuity was measured in 30 intellectually normal and 30 mentally retarded adolescents, matched for age and sex, using the Titmus stereo test to provide nasalward and temporalward target disparities. The intellectually normal group had significantly better stereoacuity for both types of disparity. No statistically significant differences between nasal and temporal disparities were found within groups. A learning effect is shown for the mentally retarded.", "contents": "Stereoacuity in mentally retarded and intellectually normal adolescents. Stereoacuity was measured in 30 intellectually normal and 30 mentally retarded adolescents, matched for age and sex, using the Titmus stereo test to provide nasalward and temporalward target disparities. The intellectually normal group had significantly better stereoacuity for both types of disparity. No statistically significant differences between nasal and temporal disparities were found within groups. A learning effect is shown for the mentally retarded.", "PMID": 612221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_600", "title": "Dimensional stability of several hard contact lens materials.", "content": "Hard contact lenses of identical specification, but manufactured from different materials, were immersed in water for up to 168 hours. The back central optic radius of each lens was periodically measured. The magnitude and time course of curvature change during hydration were found to vary with the material.", "contents": "Dimensional stability of several hard contact lens materials. Hard contact lenses of identical specification, but manufactured from different materials, were immersed in water for up to 168 hours. The back central optic radius of each lens was periodically measured. The magnitude and time course of curvature change during hydration were found to vary with the material.", "PMID": 612222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_601", "title": "Applanation tonometer correlations.", "content": "The Goldmann, Mackay-Marg, and Non-contact tonometers were compared on 25 subjects to establish correlations between measurements of intraocular pressure by these instruments. Topical anesthetic was used for the Goldmann and Mackay-Marg readings only. Correlations were high: between the Goldmann and the Non-contact, +0.93; between the Mackay-Marg and the Non-contact, +0.81; and between the Goldmann and the Mackay-Marg, +0.87.", "contents": "Applanation tonometer correlations. The Goldmann, Mackay-Marg, and Non-contact tonometers were compared on 25 subjects to establish correlations between measurements of intraocular pressure by these instruments. Topical anesthetic was used for the Goldmann and Mackay-Marg readings only. Correlations were high: between the Goldmann and the Non-contact, +0.93; between the Mackay-Marg and the Non-contact, +0.81; and between the Goldmann and the Mackay-Marg, +0.87.", "PMID": 612223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_602", "title": "Red (rust) spots in hydrogel contact lenses.", "content": "The red spot phenomenon was investigated by examining sagittal sections of corroded ferrous particles embedded in the matrix of hydrogel contact lenses and also by analyzing the incidence of this contamination. The incidence of the red spot phenomenon was found to be 4.4% and was unrelated to the method of manufacture or whether the lens was new or used. The ferrous particles are of probable exogenous origin, introduced by environmental or aqueous debris, and the subsequent corrosion is accelerated by heat disinfection.", "contents": "Red (rust) spots in hydrogel contact lenses. The red spot phenomenon was investigated by examining sagittal sections of corroded ferrous particles embedded in the matrix of hydrogel contact lenses and also by analyzing the incidence of this contamination. The incidence of the red spot phenomenon was found to be 4.4% and was unrelated to the method of manufacture or whether the lens was new or used. The ferrous particles are of probable exogenous origin, introduced by environmental or aqueous debris, and the subsequent corrosion is accelerated by heat disinfection.", "PMID": 612224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_603", "title": "Reaction time to scotopic flashes of light.", "content": "Reaction time (RT) to scotopic flashes of light presented at various locations along the horizontal meridian near the fovea was measured. RT progressively decreased from a maximum near the fovea to a near-asymptotic value at an eccentricity of 12 deg in both the nasal and the temporal retina.", "contents": "Reaction time to scotopic flashes of light. Reaction time (RT) to scotopic flashes of light presented at various locations along the horizontal meridian near the fovea was measured. RT progressively decreased from a maximum near the fovea to a near-asymptotic value at an eccentricity of 12 deg in both the nasal and the temporal retina.", "PMID": 612225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_604", "title": "A marble used as a low-vision reading aid: a case report.", "content": "An unusual low-vision remedy was encountered in which a simple dime-store marble was used in near vision tasks. Although the marble was found satisfactory as a low-vision aid, the patient could be better assisted with a commercially available magnifier of lesser dioptric power. This case serves to demonstrate a patient's ingenuity in independently solving his own low vision problem.", "contents": "A marble used as a low-vision reading aid: a case report. An unusual low-vision remedy was encountered in which a simple dime-store marble was used in near vision tasks. Although the marble was found satisfactory as a low-vision aid, the patient could be better assisted with a commercially available magnifier of lesser dioptric power. This case serves to demonstrate a patient's ingenuity in independently solving his own low vision problem.", "PMID": 612226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_605", "title": "An optometry course on quality assurance.", "content": "The Pennsylvania College of Optometry, in response to an increasing demand for accountability from many segments of society, has initiated a course for first-year students on quality assurance. The course covers the concept of peer review, the principles of evaluating optometric care, the rationale of ambulatory records, and the concepts of optometric diagnosing and problem solving. We believe that the need to expose optometric students to basic quality-assurance principles will increase with future third-party payment programs and consumer-rights movements.", "contents": "An optometry course on quality assurance. The Pennsylvania College of Optometry, in response to an increasing demand for accountability from many segments of society, has initiated a course for first-year students on quality assurance. The course covers the concept of peer review, the principles of evaluating optometric care, the rationale of ambulatory records, and the concepts of optometric diagnosing and problem solving. We believe that the need to expose optometric students to basic quality-assurance principles will increase with future third-party payment programs and consumer-rights movements.", "PMID": 612227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_606", "title": "Transient endothelial changes soon after wearing soft contact lenses.", "content": "Changes in the appearance of the corneal endothelial mosaic have been observed within minutes after insertion of soft contact lenses in unadapted patients. The changes consist of increased separation between cells and circumscribed black zones (endothelial \"blebs\") obscuring or displacing the mosaic.", "contents": "Transient endothelial changes soon after wearing soft contact lenses. Changes in the appearance of the corneal endothelial mosaic have been observed within minutes after insertion of soft contact lenses in unadapted patients. The changes consist of increased separation between cells and circumscribed black zones (endothelial \"blebs\") obscuring or displacing the mosaic.", "PMID": 612228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_607", "title": "[Hodgkin's disease with epithelioid cells. Study of 56 cases having undergone an exploratory laparotomy].", "content": "Histological examination of the various specimens taken during an exploratory laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease revealed the presence of epithelioid cells in 56 cases out of a total of 235 patients (i.e. 23.8 p. 100). These cells were disseminated throughout the lymphoid tissue or grouped in clumps, in plaques or, more rarely, as true follicles. They were found either in contact with Hodgkin's lesions or at a distance in organs free of disease. They were found in Lukes-Rye histological types 1, 2 and, above all, 3. Their significance remains unknown. The most likely hypotheses would appear to be those of a response to the accumulation of substances to be eliminated (tumour antigens?) or those of a disorder in cellular immunity.", "contents": "[Hodgkin's disease with epithelioid cells. Study of 56 cases having undergone an exploratory laparotomy]. Histological examination of the various specimens taken during an exploratory laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease revealed the presence of epithelioid cells in 56 cases out of a total of 235 patients (i.e. 23.8 p. 100). These cells were disseminated throughout the lymphoid tissue or grouped in clumps, in plaques or, more rarely, as true follicles. They were found either in contact with Hodgkin's lesions or at a distance in organs free of disease. They were found in Lukes-Rye histological types 1, 2 and, above all, 3. Their significance remains unknown. The most likely hypotheses would appear to be those of a response to the accumulation of substances to be eliminated (tumour antigens?) or those of a disorder in cellular immunity.", "PMID": 612236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_608", "title": "[Woringer-Kolopp syndrome. Histological and ultrastructural study of a case].", "content": "The authors report a case of Woringer-Kolopp syndrome. This was a rare form with multiple cutaneous features with a typical clinical and histological appearance. Ultrastructural study revealed the presence of granules with an opaque centre in the cytoplasm of the abnormal cells, and the close relationship of the latter with neurites. On the basis of these characteristics, they may be likened to the Merkel cells of the epidermis. Thus Woringer-Kolopp disease could be related to the proliferation of Merkel cells.", "contents": "[Woringer-Kolopp syndrome. Histological and ultrastructural study of a case]. The authors report a case of Woringer-Kolopp syndrome. This was a rare form with multiple cutaneous features with a typical clinical and histological appearance. Ultrastructural study revealed the presence of granules with an opaque centre in the cytoplasm of the abnormal cells, and the close relationship of the latter with neurites. On the basis of these characteristics, they may be likened to the Merkel cells of the epidermis. Thus Woringer-Kolopp disease could be related to the proliferation of Merkel cells.", "PMID": 612237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_609", "title": "[Mullerian adenosarcoma and uterine adenofibroma].", "content": "Description of a case of a mixed Mullerian tumour of the body of the uterus, with histologically benign epithelial and connective components, developing in a 72-year-old woman. A cervical recurrence and perineal metastasis were solely leiomyomatous in terms of their structure and were associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis and pulmonary involvement. Death occurred three years after subtotal hysterectomy and five years after the first clinical manifestations.", "contents": "[Mullerian adenosarcoma and uterine adenofibroma]. Description of a case of a mixed Mullerian tumour of the body of the uterus, with histologically benign epithelial and connective components, developing in a 72-year-old woman. A cervical recurrence and perineal metastasis were solely leiomyomatous in terms of their structure and were associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis and pulmonary involvement. Death occurred three years after subtotal hysterectomy and five years after the first clinical manifestations.", "PMID": 612238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_610", "title": "[Cerebral fat emboli. Apropos of a case of a peroperative complication associated with the use of a bone cement in orthopedic surgery].", "content": "A case of a per-operative complication associated with the use of a bone cement in orthopaedic surgery is reported. Pathological study revealed the presence of massive fat emboli : pulmonary and cerebral. There were recent infarcts throughout the cerebral cortex, unrelated to arterial topography. The physiopathology of these unusual cerebral lesions ;n association with fat emboli is discussed. They would appear to be related to the particularly abundant and voluminous nature of the fat emboli.", "contents": "[Cerebral fat emboli. Apropos of a case of a peroperative complication associated with the use of a bone cement in orthopedic surgery]. A case of a per-operative complication associated with the use of a bone cement in orthopaedic surgery is reported. Pathological study revealed the presence of massive fat emboli : pulmonary and cerebral. There were recent infarcts throughout the cerebral cortex, unrelated to arterial topography. The physiopathology of these unusual cerebral lesions ;n association with fat emboli is discussed. They would appear to be related to the particularly abundant and voluminous nature of the fat emboli.", "PMID": 612239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_611", "title": "[Idiopathic liquefying panniculitis with fatal outcome].", "content": "A 34 year's old female patient died of nodular liquefying panniculitis after a six months evolution. The only systemic lesions found at post mortem histological examination were an involvement of both pleural cavities with an oily fluid. This seemed to have been the cause of death. This symptomatology was not observed in any of the 26 fatal cases of Weber-Christian disease published in the literature among which 11 cases with no other lesions than adipous tissue lesions, 6 cases where death was related to secondary effects of panniculitis and 9 cases where death was related in intercurrent diseases.", "contents": "[Idiopathic liquefying panniculitis with fatal outcome]. A 34 year's old female patient died of nodular liquefying panniculitis after a six months evolution. The only systemic lesions found at post mortem histological examination were an involvement of both pleural cavities with an oily fluid. This seemed to have been the cause of death. This symptomatology was not observed in any of the 26 fatal cases of Weber-Christian disease published in the literature among which 11 cases with no other lesions than adipous tissue lesions, 6 cases where death was related to secondary effects of panniculitis and 9 cases where death was related in intercurrent diseases.", "PMID": 612252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_612", "title": "[Kog\u00f6j's spongiform pustule; ultrastructural results].", "content": "The authors demonstrate, with the help of electron microscopy, the location of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils and of the keratinocytes in the Kog\u00f6j's pustule. Unlike to the classical ideas, the polymorphonuclear neutrophils are not located in the epidermal cells but in the intercellular spaces. The lesions of keratinocytes, the content of the spaces and the histogenesis have been studied. The results of this study are compared to thoses formed in the literature.", "contents": "[Kog\u00f6j's spongiform pustule; ultrastructural results]. The authors demonstrate, with the help of electron microscopy, the location of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils and of the keratinocytes in the Kog\u00f6j's pustule. Unlike to the classical ideas, the polymorphonuclear neutrophils are not located in the epidermal cells but in the intercellular spaces. The lesions of keratinocytes, the content of the spaces and the histogenesis have been studied. The results of this study are compared to thoses formed in the literature.", "PMID": 612253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_613", "title": "[An case of acute diffuse seleroderma in an infant].", "content": "The authors report a case of diffuse scleroderma in a 15 months old infant. Dermatologic (clinical and pathological) findings are quite typical of the disease. On the other hand, in this case some particularities were observed: the age of the infant (second published case beginning before the age of two); the presence of a durable eosinophilia, the absence of visceral lesions and of biological abnormaliteis (of auto-immune nature specially), the evolution towards athrepsica and death within one year. Thus, because of these particularities, the diagnosis of scleroderma remains questionable and the diagnosis of progeria has been considered. The affection appeared in the course of a hepatitis leaving a hepatic fibrosis without inflammatory signs; no conclusion can be drawn about the relations between the hepatic affection and the fatal dermatologic disease.", "contents": "[An case of acute diffuse seleroderma in an infant]. The authors report a case of diffuse scleroderma in a 15 months old infant. Dermatologic (clinical and pathological) findings are quite typical of the disease. On the other hand, in this case some particularities were observed: the age of the infant (second published case beginning before the age of two); the presence of a durable eosinophilia, the absence of visceral lesions and of biological abnormaliteis (of auto-immune nature specially), the evolution towards athrepsica and death within one year. Thus, because of these particularities, the diagnosis of scleroderma remains questionable and the diagnosis of progeria has been considered. The affection appeared in the course of a hepatitis leaving a hepatic fibrosis without inflammatory signs; no conclusion can be drawn about the relations between the hepatic affection and the fatal dermatologic disease.", "PMID": 612254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_614", "title": "[Lichen aureus or lichen purpuricus; about 5 cases; ultrastructural study].", "content": "Clinical, histological and ultrastructural features in five cases of lichen aureus are descirbed. This rare condition with ages ranging here from 6 to 31 consists of a pigmented papular and purpuric eruption. Unilaterally, trunk or limb may be involved, in a possible systematized distribution. The microscopic picture is characterized by a dense histiocytic and lymphocytic infiltration in the upper part of the dermis; extravasation of erythrocytes and iron pigment in the histiocytes are often noticed. In fine structure most cells of the dermal infiltrate are histiocytes (or macrophages) with numerous worm-like structures and even typical Langerhans granules in three cases; histiocytic cells; histiocytes are frequently seen in apposition to lymphocytes. In all these cases, no sign of histiocytosis X is found. Classification of lichen aureus in the group of idiopathic pigmented purpuric eruption is proposed.", "contents": "[Lichen aureus or lichen purpuricus; about 5 cases; ultrastructural study]. Clinical, histological and ultrastructural features in five cases of lichen aureus are descirbed. This rare condition with ages ranging here from 6 to 31 consists of a pigmented papular and purpuric eruption. Unilaterally, trunk or limb may be involved, in a possible systematized distribution. The microscopic picture is characterized by a dense histiocytic and lymphocytic infiltration in the upper part of the dermis; extravasation of erythrocytes and iron pigment in the histiocytes are often noticed. In fine structure most cells of the dermal infiltrate are histiocytes (or macrophages) with numerous worm-like structures and even typical Langerhans granules in three cases; histiocytic cells; histiocytes are frequently seen in apposition to lymphocytes. In all these cases, no sign of histiocytosis X is found. Classification of lichen aureus in the group of idiopathic pigmented purpuric eruption is proposed.", "PMID": 612255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_615", "title": "[Acrodermatitis enteropathica; zinc sulfate therapy].", "content": "We present the case of two siblings with acrodermatitis enteropathica. Zinc levels were low. Oral administration of 100 mg of zinc sulfate allowed total regression of all signs. When zinc therapy was interrupted, the manifestations reappeared and disappeared again when treatment was resumed. A defect of genetic origin in digestive zinc absorption is suggested. Mohnahan's advocated zinc treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica in 1973; it is a non-toxic treatment, which is always active and be considered as a diagnostic test.", "contents": "[Acrodermatitis enteropathica; zinc sulfate therapy]. We present the case of two siblings with acrodermatitis enteropathica. Zinc levels were low. Oral administration of 100 mg of zinc sulfate allowed total regression of all signs. When zinc therapy was interrupted, the manifestations reappeared and disappeared again when treatment was resumed. A defect of genetic origin in digestive zinc absorption is suggested. Mohnahan's advocated zinc treatment of acrodermatitis enteropathica in 1973; it is a non-toxic treatment, which is always active and be considered as a diagnostic test.", "PMID": 612256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_616", "title": "[Gold therapy in pemphigus].", "content": "According to works of Penneys and Eaglstein on the management of pemphigus with gold compounds, the authors report one observation of chronic pemphigus, in which steroid therapy caused severe psychiatric disorders. The use of gold compounds permitted reduction of the dose of steroids and control of the pemphigus.", "contents": "[Gold therapy in pemphigus]. According to works of Penneys and Eaglstein on the management of pemphigus with gold compounds, the authors report one observation of chronic pemphigus, in which steroid therapy caused severe psychiatric disorders. The use of gold compounds permitted reduction of the dose of steroids and control of the pemphigus.", "PMID": 612262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_617", "title": "[Oestriol effect upon prolactinaemia in postmenopausal women (author's transl)].", "content": "Six postmenopausal women were treated at two ocasions with an oral dose of, respectively, 2 mg and 6 mg oestriol per day for 14 days; at least one month interval separated the two treatment periods. Blood was collected for prolactin measurement (homologous human radioimmunoassay) every other day during each treatment period as well as during a 14 days control period in the same subjects. Mean prolactin level during oestriol administration, regardless of the dose, was statistically not significantly different from that observed during the control period.", "contents": "[Oestriol effect upon prolactinaemia in postmenopausal women (author's transl)]. Six postmenopausal women were treated at two ocasions with an oral dose of, respectively, 2 mg and 6 mg oestriol per day for 14 days; at least one month interval separated the two treatment periods. Blood was collected for prolactin measurement (homologous human radioimmunoassay) every other day during each treatment period as well as during a 14 days control period in the same subjects. Mean prolactin level during oestriol administration, regardless of the dose, was statistically not significantly different from that observed during the control period.", "PMID": 612263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_618", "title": "[Experimental data on estradiol 3,17-diethers (author's transl)].", "content": "Estradiol ethers reveal a biological activity in female rats which decreases according to the length of the side chain at position 3. Further, percutaneous injections have an activity which is 6 to 30 times greater that subcutaneous ones. This suggests that de-etherification could occur, leading to estradiol. After percutaneous administration of tritiated promestriene (3-propyl ether, 17-methyl ether estradiol) and estradiol, a comparison of the uptake on the uterus and of uterotrophic effects as well as an analysis of radioactivity taken up indicates that a cleavage of both ether groups of promestriene occurs leading to estradiol. This de-etherification takes place in the liver, as demonstrated by perfused liver experiments. With promestriene, antagonist activity is shown on the seborrheic androgen-stimulated rat and on 5-alpha-reductase activity in vitro and in vivo.", "contents": "[Experimental data on estradiol 3,17-diethers (author's transl)]. Estradiol ethers reveal a biological activity in female rats which decreases according to the length of the side chain at position 3. Further, percutaneous injections have an activity which is 6 to 30 times greater that subcutaneous ones. This suggests that de-etherification could occur, leading to estradiol. After percutaneous administration of tritiated promestriene (3-propyl ether, 17-methyl ether estradiol) and estradiol, a comparison of the uptake on the uterus and of uterotrophic effects as well as an analysis of radioactivity taken up indicates that a cleavage of both ether groups of promestriene occurs leading to estradiol. This de-etherification takes place in the liver, as demonstrated by perfused liver experiments. With promestriene, antagonist activity is shown on the seborrheic androgen-stimulated rat and on 5-alpha-reductase activity in vitro and in vivo.", "PMID": 612264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_619", "title": "[The steroidogenic sites in the Peking, Barbary and hybrids (Peking male X Barbary female) ducks: histochemistry, ultrastructure, biochemical complements (author's transl)].", "content": "The follicular theca steroid cells are much more numerous in the Peking female than in the Barbary female. Biochemical analyses show that the transfromation percentage of pregnenolone in progesterone is higher in the first than in the second (73% greater than 52%); in the same way, we dose more plasmatic oestradiol in the Piking than in the Barbary female (160 pg/ml greater than 69 pg/ml). In the hybrid female, resulting from the crossing of Peking male X Barbary female, many steroid cells are destroyed during the aging process; the transformation percentage in then 14,50% (30% in the young females) and the seric concentration is 7 pg/ml (59 pg/ml in the young females).", "contents": "[The steroidogenic sites in the Peking, Barbary and hybrids (Peking male X Barbary female) ducks: histochemistry, ultrastructure, biochemical complements (author's transl)]. The follicular theca steroid cells are much more numerous in the Peking female than in the Barbary female. Biochemical analyses show that the transfromation percentage of pregnenolone in progesterone is higher in the first than in the second (73% greater than 52%); in the same way, we dose more plasmatic oestradiol in the Piking than in the Barbary female (160 pg/ml greater than 69 pg/ml). In the hybrid female, resulting from the crossing of Peking male X Barbary female, many steroid cells are destroyed during the aging process; the transformation percentage in then 14,50% (30% in the young females) and the seric concentration is 7 pg/ml (59 pg/ml in the young females).", "PMID": 612266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_620", "title": "[Estrogen receptors and nuclear translocation in C3H independent mouse mammary tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "In C3H independent mouse mammary tumors, estrogen receptors were characterized and analyzed using dextrancoated charcoal, protamine sulfate and hydroxyapatite assays. The mean concentration of cytosol receptors was of 18.5 +/- 3.5 femtomoles per mg of protein stating that C3H tumor was a \"receptor-positive\" tumor. The cytosol estrogen-receptor complexes were translocated in vivo to the nucleus thus suggesting that the hormone-independency of the C3H tumor should be searched in later steps of the estradiol mechanism of action.", "contents": "[Estrogen receptors and nuclear translocation in C3H independent mouse mammary tumors (author's transl)]. In C3H independent mouse mammary tumors, estrogen receptors were characterized and analyzed using dextrancoated charcoal, protamine sulfate and hydroxyapatite assays. The mean concentration of cytosol receptors was of 18.5 +/- 3.5 femtomoles per mg of protein stating that C3H tumor was a \"receptor-positive\" tumor. The cytosol estrogen-receptor complexes were translocated in vivo to the nucleus thus suggesting that the hormone-independency of the C3H tumor should be searched in later steps of the estradiol mechanism of action.", "PMID": 612267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_621", "title": "[Neuroendocrine investigation of the follicular phase: spontaneous and after estrogen stimulation (author's transl)].", "content": "Estrogen stimulation on days 7, 8, 9 of the menstrual cycle induces disturbances of the usual clinical and hormonal patterns. Alpha rythm (8-12 Hz) variation curve, studied by mathematical analysis, is modified, and delayed ovulation happened at its nadir. It is concluded that EEG appears as a tool for clinical neuroendocrine correlations and that this preliminary study may indicate that this estrogen positive feedback is received at the neurovegetative level.", "contents": "[Neuroendocrine investigation of the follicular phase: spontaneous and after estrogen stimulation (author's transl)]. Estrogen stimulation on days 7, 8, 9 of the menstrual cycle induces disturbances of the usual clinical and hormonal patterns. Alpha rythm (8-12 Hz) variation curve, studied by mathematical analysis, is modified, and delayed ovulation happened at its nadir. It is concluded that EEG appears as a tool for clinical neuroendocrine correlations and that this preliminary study may indicate that this estrogen positive feedback is received at the neurovegetative level.", "PMID": 612268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_622", "title": "[Comparison of effects of ingestion of Si on the content of Ca and Mg of different tissues of female rats normal or receiving oral oestrogen-gestogens (author's transl)].", "content": "In the adult normal the ingestion of silicon modifies the concentration of Ca and Mg of plasma and tissues most often opposite ways according to the mineral (silicate Na) or organic form (SMTO) of the administration. In the female adult under oestroprogestative traitment the organic Si is more active than the silicate to suppress the calcico-magnesic modifications caused by both oestroprogestatives (Norethisterone, Mestranol).", "contents": "[Comparison of effects of ingestion of Si on the content of Ca and Mg of different tissues of female rats normal or receiving oral oestrogen-gestogens (author's transl)]. In the adult normal the ingestion of silicon modifies the concentration of Ca and Mg of plasma and tissues most often opposite ways according to the mineral (silicate Na) or organic form (SMTO) of the administration. In the female adult under oestroprogestative traitment the organic Si is more active than the silicate to suppress the calcico-magnesic modifications caused by both oestroprogestatives (Norethisterone, Mestranol).", "PMID": 612269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_623", "title": "[In vitro studies of the effect of temperature on insulin secretion in the rat, the active and the lethargic hedgehog (author's transl)].", "content": "The study of insulin secretion by the technic of perifusion of pieces of pancreas at increasing temperature allowed us to point out that the pancreas of the lethargic hedgehog is more sensitive to temperature than that of the active hedgehog or that of the Rat.", "contents": "[In vitro studies of the effect of temperature on insulin secretion in the rat, the active and the lethargic hedgehog (author's transl)]. The study of insulin secretion by the technic of perifusion of pieces of pancreas at increasing temperature allowed us to point out that the pancreas of the lethargic hedgehog is more sensitive to temperature than that of the active hedgehog or that of the Rat.", "PMID": 612270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_624", "title": "[Exchangeable electrolytes, glycoregulation and growth hormone in one case of Bartter's syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "Total body water (T.B.W), extra-cellular fluid volume (E.C.F.), exchangeable sodium (NaE) and potassium (KE) were measured in one typical case of Bartter's syndrome with growth retardation. Intracellular potassium depletion was associated with a slight impaired carbohydrate tolerance and with decreased growth hormone response to arginine infusion and insulin-induced hypoglycemia. These observations demonstrate that impairement of growth hormone responses to stimulation occur in Bartter's syndrome with potassium depletion.", "contents": "[Exchangeable electrolytes, glycoregulation and growth hormone in one case of Bartter's syndrome (author's transl)]. Total body water (T.B.W), extra-cellular fluid volume (E.C.F.), exchangeable sodium (NaE) and potassium (KE) were measured in one typical case of Bartter's syndrome with growth retardation. Intracellular potassium depletion was associated with a slight impaired carbohydrate tolerance and with decreased growth hormone response to arginine infusion and insulin-induced hypoglycemia. These observations demonstrate that impairement of growth hormone responses to stimulation occur in Bartter's syndrome with potassium depletion.", "PMID": 612271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_625", "title": "[Human fetal antehypophysis in vitro. II. Immunocytological study and radioimmunoassay of LH and FSH (author's transl)].", "content": "Human fetal antehypophysis (16 males, 16 females and 4 unknown sex) were cultivated during several weeks. By immunocytochemistry LH gonadotroph cells were determined with anti-hTSH and anti-pLH serum. The release in vitro of LH and FSH was studied by radioimmunoassay. At the first medium change, the quantity of LH and FSH release was related to the gestational age and sex. A rapid decline of both LH and FSH occured over the 10 first days. There after, a basal release of LH was maintained during several months; the release of FSH was generally maintained at the lower limit of the assay. After 1 month in vitro, the level of LH could not be related to the sex. Release of LH was stimulated by synthetic LRF. A significant increase was observed independently of the sex and age of the fetuses studied.", "contents": "[Human fetal antehypophysis in vitro. II. Immunocytological study and radioimmunoassay of LH and FSH (author's transl)]. Human fetal antehypophysis (16 males, 16 females and 4 unknown sex) were cultivated during several weeks. By immunocytochemistry LH gonadotroph cells were determined with anti-hTSH and anti-pLH serum. The release in vitro of LH and FSH was studied by radioimmunoassay. At the first medium change, the quantity of LH and FSH release was related to the gestational age and sex. A rapid decline of both LH and FSH occured over the 10 first days. There after, a basal release of LH was maintained during several months; the release of FSH was generally maintained at the lower limit of the assay. After 1 month in vitro, the level of LH could not be related to the sex. Release of LH was stimulated by synthetic LRF. A significant increase was observed independently of the sex and age of the fetuses studied.", "PMID": 612272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_626", "title": "[Apparent internal male pseudo-hermaphroditism. Gynecomastia. Negative gonad surgical research. Caryotype 46, XX. Presence of H-Y antigen (author's transl)].", "content": "Boy 15. Aspect of delayed puberty with empty scrotum and gynecomastia. Caryotype 46, XX. Presence of H.Y. Antigen. Plasmatic testosterone 1 020 pg/ml. Normal plasmatic FSH and LH. Hypotrophic uterus and tubes. No gonad found. Small right epididymis. Complete virilization by testosterone.", "contents": "[Apparent internal male pseudo-hermaphroditism. Gynecomastia. Negative gonad surgical research. Caryotype 46, XX. Presence of H-Y antigen (author's transl)]. Boy 15. Aspect of delayed puberty with empty scrotum and gynecomastia. Caryotype 46, XX. Presence of H.Y. Antigen. Plasmatic testosterone 1 020 pg/ml. Normal plasmatic FSH and LH. Hypotrophic uterus and tubes. No gonad found. Small right epididymis. Complete virilization by testosterone.", "PMID": 612273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_627", "title": "[Study on deshydrogenases implicated in control of farnesol and juvenile hormone metabolisms in Pieris brassicae (author's transl)].", "content": "Activity of ODH is high during larval development on pars intercerebralis which is releasing its allatotropic neurosecretion towards 4 th day of 5 th instar under photophase 16 h. ADH is inhibited during the same period and then activated at the time of spinning when the level of JH I and II is falling; by oxidization of JH I and JH II, possibly JH III is produced.", "contents": "[Study on deshydrogenases implicated in control of farnesol and juvenile hormone metabolisms in Pieris brassicae (author's transl)]. Activity of ODH is high during larval development on pars intercerebralis which is releasing its allatotropic neurosecretion towards 4 th day of 5 th instar under photophase 16 h. ADH is inhibited during the same period and then activated at the time of spinning when the level of JH I and II is falling; by oxidization of JH I and JH II, possibly JH III is produced.", "PMID": 612274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_628", "title": "[Hormonal control of the ovarian cycle in Labidura riparia (author's transl)].", "content": "The ovaries in female Labidura riparia undergo cyclical development. They require approximately 10 days to complete one vitellogenesis. During this period the Insect eats and and also mates. About 7 to 9 follicles in each ovariole are loaded progressively with vitellus and secrete a chorion. Before each oviposition degenerative phenomena appears in immature follicles. The ovaries remain at a less developed stage during the 10 days of maternal eggs cares. The follicles at the base of each ovariole degenerate. The cerebral neurosecretory centers and the corpus allatum are active during each vitellogenesis and inactive during each period when follicles degenerate and when the female cares her eggs. An experimental study shows that neurosecretory centers control the activity of the corpus allatum which itself influences the evolution of the vitellogenesis.", "contents": "[Hormonal control of the ovarian cycle in Labidura riparia (author's transl)]. The ovaries in female Labidura riparia undergo cyclical development. They require approximately 10 days to complete one vitellogenesis. During this period the Insect eats and and also mates. About 7 to 9 follicles in each ovariole are loaded progressively with vitellus and secrete a chorion. Before each oviposition degenerative phenomena appears in immature follicles. The ovaries remain at a less developed stage during the 10 days of maternal eggs cares. The follicles at the base of each ovariole degenerate. The cerebral neurosecretory centers and the corpus allatum are active during each vitellogenesis and inactive during each period when follicles degenerate and when the female cares her eggs. An experimental study shows that neurosecretory centers control the activity of the corpus allatum which itself influences the evolution of the vitellogenesis.", "PMID": 612275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_629", "title": "Comparative studies on activities of gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and amikacin (BB-K8) against Pseudomonas sp.", "content": "Activities of gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and amikacin against 561 strains of Pseudomonas sp. bacilli were evaluated. Tobramycin was from two to eight times more active against Pseudomonas sp. than gentamicin. No strains resistant to amikacin were encountered. Correlation between the size of the growth inhibition zone and minimal inhibitory concentration was determined as regression lines for all the tested antibiotics. Sisomicin and tobramycin showed lowest correlation, and gentamicin and amikacin good correlation.", "contents": "Comparative studies on activities of gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and amikacin (BB-K8) against Pseudomonas sp. Activities of gentamicin, sisomicin, tobramycin and amikacin against 561 strains of Pseudomonas sp. bacilli were evaluated. Tobramycin was from two to eight times more active against Pseudomonas sp. than gentamicin. No strains resistant to amikacin were encountered. Correlation between the size of the growth inhibition zone and minimal inhibitory concentration was determined as regression lines for all the tested antibiotics. Sisomicin and tobramycin showed lowest correlation, and gentamicin and amikacin good correlation.", "PMID": 612299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_630", "title": "The effect of cytostatic drugs on collagen metabolism in guinea pigs.", "content": "Azathiprine (0.25 mg/100 g body wt.) and cyclophosphamide (0.2 mg/100 g body wt.) were administered to guinea pigs, orally every day during 4 weeks. Azathioprine caused a decrease in total collagen content in skin, liver and bone and decreased hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine concentration in blood serum, and urinary excretion of collagen catabolites. No effect of cyclophosphamide on total collagen in skin and liver was observed. An increase in collagen content in bone in cyclophosphamide-treated guinea pigs was found. A decrease of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine in blood serum and urine was observed after cyclophosphamide treatment. The results support the view that cytostatic drugs inhibit collagen metabolism, and azathioprine significantly affects collagen biosynthesis, and cyclophosphamide influences inhibition of catabolic processes of collagen.", "contents": "The effect of cytostatic drugs on collagen metabolism in guinea pigs. Azathiprine (0.25 mg/100 g body wt.) and cyclophosphamide (0.2 mg/100 g body wt.) were administered to guinea pigs, orally every day during 4 weeks. Azathioprine caused a decrease in total collagen content in skin, liver and bone and decreased hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine concentration in blood serum, and urinary excretion of collagen catabolites. No effect of cyclophosphamide on total collagen in skin and liver was observed. An increase in collagen content in bone in cyclophosphamide-treated guinea pigs was found. A decrease of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine in blood serum and urine was observed after cyclophosphamide treatment. The results support the view that cytostatic drugs inhibit collagen metabolism, and azathioprine significantly affects collagen biosynthesis, and cyclophosphamide influences inhibition of catabolic processes of collagen.", "PMID": 612300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_631", "title": "Histopathological changes in experimental drug-induced collagen disease-like syndrome.", "content": "Prolonged administration of 1-hydrazinophthalazine (hydralazine) to guinea pigs stimulated the development of collagen disease-like syndrome. Inflammatory changes were found in the heart, kidneys and skin.", "contents": "Histopathological changes in experimental drug-induced collagen disease-like syndrome. Prolonged administration of 1-hydrazinophthalazine (hydralazine) to guinea pigs stimulated the development of collagen disease-like syndrome. Inflammatory changes were found in the heart, kidneys and skin.", "PMID": 612301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_632", "title": "The influence of imipramine on the circulatory system and some other parameters of arterial hypertension.", "content": "Imipramine in doses of 0.35-0.45 mg/kg body weight usually induces a drop in arterial blood pressure; the drop is statistically significant in patients with essential hypertension. In these patients, a significant increase in excretion of catecholamines in urine was observed when compared with a control group. In both groups no changes in heart action were found.", "contents": "The influence of imipramine on the circulatory system and some other parameters of arterial hypertension. Imipramine in doses of 0.35-0.45 mg/kg body weight usually induces a drop in arterial blood pressure; the drop is statistically significant in patients with essential hypertension. In these patients, a significant increase in excretion of catecholamines in urine was observed when compared with a control group. In both groups no changes in heart action were found.", "PMID": 612303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_633", "title": "The influence of chlorpromazine, diazepam and imipramine on the central action of ethanol.", "content": "In experiments with white rats, chlorpromazine, diazepam and imirpramine injected intraperitoneally in the dose of 20 mg/kg and imipramine and diazepam in the dose of 50 mg/kg did not enhance the acute toxicity of ethanol expressed as LD50. Only chlorpromazine in the dose of 50 mg/kg i.p. increased toxicity of ethanol. However, the aforementioned drugs intensified the central action of ethanol by prolonging (except imipramine) duration of narcotic sleep and motor incoordination, and potential ethanol-induced hypothermia.", "contents": "The influence of chlorpromazine, diazepam and imipramine on the central action of ethanol. In experiments with white rats, chlorpromazine, diazepam and imirpramine injected intraperitoneally in the dose of 20 mg/kg and imipramine and diazepam in the dose of 50 mg/kg did not enhance the acute toxicity of ethanol expressed as LD50. Only chlorpromazine in the dose of 50 mg/kg i.p. increased toxicity of ethanol. However, the aforementioned drugs intensified the central action of ethanol by prolonging (except imipramine) duration of narcotic sleep and motor incoordination, and potential ethanol-induced hypothermia.", "PMID": 612304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_634", "title": "Studies on derivatives of phenyltetrahydrofuranone-2-carboxylic acids. VI. Derivatives of beta-phenyltetrahydrofuranone-2-beta-carboxylic acid.", "content": "Proceeding with the studies on derivatives of pheyl-tetrahydrofuranone-2-carboxylic acids the authors have stated that the reaction of hydroxymethylation of ethyl ester of beta-phenyl-beta-cyanopropionic acid I gives transitionally beta-phenyl-beta-cyano-beta-hydroxymethylpropionic acid II which, after a long time, transforms into an amide of beta-phenyl-tetrahydrofuranone-2-beta-carboxylic acid (III). Amide III is tranformed, through acid IV, into acid chloride V that gives a number of derivatives: amide III, substituted amides (VI-IX), methyl ester X, ureide XI, and aminomethylamides (XII, XIII). The chemical structure of these compounds has been confirmed by elemental analysis and IR and PMR spectra. The compounds newly obtained were invested pharmacologically. It has been found that some of the derivatives (III, VI, VII, VIII, XII, XIII) exert a depressing action on the central nervous system.", "contents": "Studies on derivatives of phenyltetrahydrofuranone-2-carboxylic acids. VI. Derivatives of beta-phenyltetrahydrofuranone-2-beta-carboxylic acid. Proceeding with the studies on derivatives of pheyl-tetrahydrofuranone-2-carboxylic acids the authors have stated that the reaction of hydroxymethylation of ethyl ester of beta-phenyl-beta-cyanopropionic acid I gives transitionally beta-phenyl-beta-cyano-beta-hydroxymethylpropionic acid II which, after a long time, transforms into an amide of beta-phenyl-tetrahydrofuranone-2-beta-carboxylic acid (III). Amide III is tranformed, through acid IV, into acid chloride V that gives a number of derivatives: amide III, substituted amides (VI-IX), methyl ester X, ureide XI, and aminomethylamides (XII, XIII). The chemical structure of these compounds has been confirmed by elemental analysis and IR and PMR spectra. The compounds newly obtained were invested pharmacologically. It has been found that some of the derivatives (III, VI, VII, VIII, XII, XIII) exert a depressing action on the central nervous system.", "PMID": 612305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_635", "title": "Changes in chondroitin sulfate concentration in rabbit blood plasma depending on the method of its administration.", "content": "Glycosaminoglycans were determined in the blood plasma of rabbits as a function of time after intravenous, intramuscular and intragastric administration of chondroitin sulfate preparation. After intravenous administration two phases of chondoitin sulfate elimination from the blood with T1/2 131-135 min and 8.5-9.5 min, respectively were observed. The level of the blood plasma glycosaminoglycans did not increase after intragastric introduction of the chondroitin sulfate preparation. Excretion of glycoaminoglycans in the urine was also determined.", "contents": "Changes in chondroitin sulfate concentration in rabbit blood plasma depending on the method of its administration. Glycosaminoglycans were determined in the blood plasma of rabbits as a function of time after intravenous, intramuscular and intragastric administration of chondroitin sulfate preparation. After intravenous administration two phases of chondoitin sulfate elimination from the blood with T1/2 131-135 min and 8.5-9.5 min, respectively were observed. The level of the blood plasma glycosaminoglycans did not increase after intragastric introduction of the chondroitin sulfate preparation. Excretion of glycoaminoglycans in the urine was also determined.", "PMID": 612307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_636", "title": "The identification of Babesia equi in Australia.", "content": "A Babesia parasite, isolated from the blood of a horse at Bowral, New South Wales, was identified on the basis of its morphological features, host specificity and serological reactions, as Babesia equi (Laveran 1901). The case was originally reported by Churchill and Best (1976, Aust. vet. J. 52: 487) and is the first record of equine babesiosis in Australia. In preliminary studies, the organism produced only a mild disease in an intact horse, but caused the typical clinical syndrome of acute babesiosis in a splenectomised horse, which died 19 days after the intravenous inoculation of the parasites.", "contents": "The identification of Babesia equi in Australia. A Babesia parasite, isolated from the blood of a horse at Bowral, New South Wales, was identified on the basis of its morphological features, host specificity and serological reactions, as Babesia equi (Laveran 1901). The case was originally reported by Churchill and Best (1976, Aust. vet. J. 52: 487) and is the first record of equine babesiosis in Australia. In preliminary studies, the organism produced only a mild disease in an intact horse, but caused the typical clinical syndrome of acute babesiosis in a splenectomised horse, which died 19 days after the intravenous inoculation of the parasites.", "PMID": 612315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_637", "title": "A dual vaccine for the immunisation of cattle against vibriosis.", "content": "Single subcutaneous injections of a mineral oil adjuvant vaccine containing 20 mg dry weight of Campylobacter fetus subsp fetus biotype venerealis cells and 20 mg dry weight of C. fetus subsp fetus biotype intermedius cells per 5 mil dose protected 2- and 3-year-old heifers and 3- and 4-year-old cows against genital infection with either organism.", "contents": "A dual vaccine for the immunisation of cattle against vibriosis. Single subcutaneous injections of a mineral oil adjuvant vaccine containing 20 mg dry weight of Campylobacter fetus subsp fetus biotype venerealis cells and 20 mg dry weight of C. fetus subsp fetus biotype intermedius cells per 5 mil dose protected 2- and 3-year-old heifers and 3- and 4-year-old cows against genital infection with either organism.", "PMID": 612316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_638", "title": "Bovine vibriosis vaccination: immunity conferred by a single biotype.", "content": "An adjuvant vaccine was prepared from an Australian isolate of Campy-lobacter fetus subsp fetus biotype intermedius and injected into 23 virgin Guernsey heifers. Ten nonvaccinated animals served as controls. When challenged by the intravaginal route with a culture of either the homologous strain or biotype venerealis, weekly swabs from the anterior vagina continued to yield either biotype in 8 of 10 nonvaccinates at 6 weeks as compared with 3 of 23 vaccinates. Serology in vaccinated heifers and rabbits showed that the vaccine produced high titres of antibody against both homologous and heterologous strains.", "contents": "Bovine vibriosis vaccination: immunity conferred by a single biotype. An adjuvant vaccine was prepared from an Australian isolate of Campy-lobacter fetus subsp fetus biotype intermedius and injected into 23 virgin Guernsey heifers. Ten nonvaccinated animals served as controls. When challenged by the intravaginal route with a culture of either the homologous strain or biotype venerealis, weekly swabs from the anterior vagina continued to yield either biotype in 8 of 10 nonvaccinates at 6 weeks as compared with 3 of 23 vaccinates. Serology in vaccinated heifers and rabbits showed that the vaccine produced high titres of antibody against both homologous and heterologous strains.", "PMID": 612317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_639", "title": "Comparison of three sampling methods for the diagnosis of genital vibriosis in the bull.", "content": "Three different methods of collecting preputial material for bacteriological examination were compared using 3 bulls infected with Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus. The first method utilised a specially designed instrument to scrape the preputial and penile mucosa, int he second method plastic pipettes were used to aspirate material and the third method involved washing the preputial cavity with sterile peptone water. Bacteriological examination of the samples showed conclusively that scraping was the method of choice because more C. fetus positive samples were identified and there was less interference from contaminating organisms.", "contents": "Comparison of three sampling methods for the diagnosis of genital vibriosis in the bull. Three different methods of collecting preputial material for bacteriological examination were compared using 3 bulls infected with Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus. The first method utilised a specially designed instrument to scrape the preputial and penile mucosa, int he second method plastic pipettes were used to aspirate material and the third method involved washing the preputial cavity with sterile peptone water. Bacteriological examination of the samples showed conclusively that scraping was the method of choice because more C. fetus positive samples were identified and there was less interference from contaminating organisms.", "PMID": 612318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_640", "title": "Treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes.", "content": "The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.", "contents": "Treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in buffaloes. The surgical treatment of diaphragmatic hernia attempted on 19 lactating buffaloes is described. Thirteen cases recovered uneventfully, 1 recovered after developing brisket oedema and 5 died, 3 during surgery and 2 postoperatively. The desired depth of anaesthesia was achieved by the administration of 6% chloral hydrate followed by 5% thiopentone sodium. A postxiphoid approach and the use of a continuous lock stitch suture were preferred to repair the vent in the diaphragm. Pre- and post-operative use of hydrocortisones and fluids and sufficient tissue oxygenation by controlled positive pressure respiration are believed to be keys to the success of the treatment adopted.", "PMID": 612319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_641", "title": "The effect of testosterone and an anti-oestrogen on hypertrophy of bulbourethral glands of wethers grazing oestrogenic pastures.", "content": "Testosterone implants (70 mg), but not an oral anti-oestrogen, prevented hypertrophy of the bulbourethral glands of wethers grazing oestrogenic pastures for 18 weeks.", "contents": "The effect of testosterone and an anti-oestrogen on hypertrophy of bulbourethral glands of wethers grazing oestrogenic pastures. Testosterone implants (70 mg), but not an oral anti-oestrogen, prevented hypertrophy of the bulbourethral glands of wethers grazing oestrogenic pastures for 18 weeks.", "PMID": 612320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_642", "title": "The effect of Eperythrozoon ovis infection on the glucose level and some acid-base factors in the venous blood of sheep.", "content": "Eperythrozoon ovis infected sheep have low venous blood glucose levels and correspondingly increased blood lactic acid levels as compared with control sheep. Acid-base studies showed that these changes were accompanied by significant falls in venous pH, and standard bicarbonate as well as a negative base excess. All these changes were considered to result from the increased alvcolytic activity of infected erythrocytes. The acidosis and hypoglycaemia associated with E. ovis infection, while not having any apparent effect on young, well-fed sheep, could be potentially serious in pregnant ewes and in sheep on a low plane of nutrition.", "contents": "The effect of Eperythrozoon ovis infection on the glucose level and some acid-base factors in the venous blood of sheep. Eperythrozoon ovis infected sheep have low venous blood glucose levels and correspondingly increased blood lactic acid levels as compared with control sheep. Acid-base studies showed that these changes were accompanied by significant falls in venous pH, and standard bicarbonate as well as a negative base excess. All these changes were considered to result from the increased alvcolytic activity of infected erythrocytes. The acidosis and hypoglycaemia associated with E. ovis infection, while not having any apparent effect on young, well-fed sheep, could be potentially serious in pregnant ewes and in sheep on a low plane of nutrition.", "PMID": 612321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_643", "title": "White muscle disease of sheep and associated tissue selenium levels in Western Australia.", "content": "White Muscle Disease of sheep occurs in Western Australia as distinct syndromes in lambs and weaner sheep. Mean liver selenium concentrations of lambs and weaners with WMD and unaffected by WMD were 0.19 and 0.46 ppm, and 0.20 and 0.41 ppm (dry weight) respectively. There was considerable overlap between levels suggesting that selenium status was not the only factor involved in the development of WMD.", "contents": "White muscle disease of sheep and associated tissue selenium levels in Western Australia. White Muscle Disease of sheep occurs in Western Australia as distinct syndromes in lambs and weaner sheep. Mean liver selenium concentrations of lambs and weaners with WMD and unaffected by WMD were 0.19 and 0.46 ppm, and 0.20 and 0.41 ppm (dry weight) respectively. There was considerable overlap between levels suggesting that selenium status was not the only factor involved in the development of WMD.", "PMID": 612322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_644", "title": "The use of simulation modelling in the management of brucellosis eradication.", "content": "Problems faced by Government veterinarians in the planning and implemention of the national bovine brucellosis eradication campaign are described. These problems stem from the uncertainty associated with the epidemiology of the disease and its initial status in eradication areas. They are compounded by contraints on abattoir capacity, finance and time. A computer stimulation model is discussed which is designed to assist campaign organisers to cope with these problems. Inputs related to expected test and slaughter rates, district disease prevalence and proposed campaign intensity are entered into the model. Output from the model inlcudes distributions giving predicted testing workloads, cattle slaughtered and disease status over the course of the campaign. The operation of the model is illustrated using data from the Bangalow district of New South Wales.", "contents": "The use of simulation modelling in the management of brucellosis eradication. Problems faced by Government veterinarians in the planning and implemention of the national bovine brucellosis eradication campaign are described. These problems stem from the uncertainty associated with the epidemiology of the disease and its initial status in eradication areas. They are compounded by contraints on abattoir capacity, finance and time. A computer stimulation model is discussed which is designed to assist campaign organisers to cope with these problems. Inputs related to expected test and slaughter rates, district disease prevalence and proposed campaign intensity are entered into the model. Output from the model inlcudes distributions giving predicted testing workloads, cattle slaughtered and disease status over the course of the campaign. The operation of the model is illustrated using data from the Bangalow district of New South Wales.", "PMID": 612323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_645", "title": "Intra-ocular pressure during retrobulbar injection.", "content": "It was found that the use of retrobulbar injections can cause quite large transient rises in intra-ocular pressure which can be significantly reduced by using local anaesthetic in the injected saline, and by injecting in small steps, typically 0.2 to 0.3 mls/kg body weight at 1 minute intervals for a total of not more than ten steps. After a moderate retrobulbar injection, the intra-ocular pressure was found to return to near normal in a few minutes, but with some decrease in anterior chamber volume.", "contents": "Intra-ocular pressure during retrobulbar injection. It was found that the use of retrobulbar injections can cause quite large transient rises in intra-ocular pressure which can be significantly reduced by using local anaesthetic in the injected saline, and by injecting in small steps, typically 0.2 to 0.3 mls/kg body weight at 1 minute intervals for a total of not more than ten steps. After a moderate retrobulbar injection, the intra-ocular pressure was found to return to near normal in a few minutes, but with some decrease in anterior chamber volume.", "PMID": 612324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_646", "title": "An outbreak of anal fibropapillomatosis in cows following rectal examinations.", "content": "An outbreak of fibropapillomatosis following rectal examination for pregnancy and involving the anus and to a lesser extent the rectum in a herd of beef heifers in western Victoria is described. Almost half the herd were involved at one time; most lesions regressed with the following 16 weeks. Lesions varied from 0.2 mm diameter polyps up to large multiple lesions up to 7 x 5 x 2 cm with a broad base. The presence of lesions did not affect the body condition or health of the animals.", "contents": "An outbreak of anal fibropapillomatosis in cows following rectal examinations. An outbreak of fibropapillomatosis following rectal examination for pregnancy and involving the anus and to a lesser extent the rectum in a herd of beef heifers in western Victoria is described. Almost half the herd were involved at one time; most lesions regressed with the following 16 weeks. Lesions varied from 0.2 mm diameter polyps up to large multiple lesions up to 7 x 5 x 2 cm with a broad base. The presence of lesions did not affect the body condition or health of the animals.", "PMID": 612325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_647", "title": "Ataxia and urinary incontinence in cattle grazing sorghum.", "content": "After grazing forage sorghum and grain sorghum regrowth, 54 of 330 breeding cows became ataxic and developed urinary incontinence. Three cows became recumbent, 2 of which died and the third was killed and autopsied. Wallerian degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord, cerebellar peduncles and cerebellum was seen histologically. Other affected animals began to recover on removal from the crop, complete clinical recovery taking from a few days to over a month. About 5% of affected cows develped purulent cystitis.", "contents": "Ataxia and urinary incontinence in cattle grazing sorghum. After grazing forage sorghum and grain sorghum regrowth, 54 of 330 breeding cows became ataxic and developed urinary incontinence. Three cows became recumbent, 2 of which died and the third was killed and autopsied. Wallerian degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord, cerebellar peduncles and cerebellum was seen histologically. Other affected animals began to recover on removal from the crop, complete clinical recovery taking from a few days to over a month. About 5% of affected cows develped purulent cystitis.", "PMID": 612326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_648", "title": "Gnathostomiasis in three cats.", "content": "A fatal infection with Gnathostoma spinigerum causing a perforated stomach is described in a 3-year-old cat. In a second debilitated case a small serosal perforation was found on a gastric lesion, while a third cat in good condition is described with a well developed stomach lesion but without perforation. Histopathological changes in the stomach were found in the submucosa and consisted of marked proliferation of fibrous tissue containing foci of inflammatory cells, necrotic tracts and a cavity in which the adult nematodes were found.", "contents": "Gnathostomiasis in three cats. A fatal infection with Gnathostoma spinigerum causing a perforated stomach is described in a 3-year-old cat. In a second debilitated case a small serosal perforation was found on a gastric lesion, while a third cat in good condition is described with a well developed stomach lesion but without perforation. Histopathological changes in the stomach were found in the submucosa and consisted of marked proliferation of fibrous tissue containing foci of inflammatory cells, necrotic tracts and a cavity in which the adult nematodes were found.", "PMID": 612327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_649", "title": "Some toxicity aspects of dichlorvos flea collars in cats.", "content": "The effects of the application of a single dichlorvos flea collar containing 500 mg of the insecticide were observed in 23 growing cats for periods of from 1 to 15 weeks. No overt signs of toxicity occurred and weight gain in young growing animals was not significantly affected. Whole blood cholinesterase was reduced within the first week of application of the collar and remained below pretreatment levels for 5 to 8 weeks before returning to normal presumably as the insecticide concentration in the resin was progressively reduced. Signs of systemic organophosphate toxicity did occur within 1 week of the application of three collars to each of two cats kept in the same cage. This suggested that the likelihood of toxicity occurring in cats following the use of dichlorvos flea collars depended mainly on the degree of exposure to the insecticide. Considering recent reports in the literature it was proposed that the environmental conditions of temperature (11 degrees to 23 degrees C) and relative humidity (50 to 65%) under which the experiments were carried out would have promoted a relatively low atmospheric concentration of dichlorvos in the near environment of the test animals and hence generally prevented occurrence of clinical signs. Under most conditions of keeping domestic cats in Australia the use of a single dischlorvos flea collar should therefore be without any untoward effect although some initial and transient inhibition of whole blood and nervous tissue cholinesterases would be expected.", "contents": "Some toxicity aspects of dichlorvos flea collars in cats. The effects of the application of a single dichlorvos flea collar containing 500 mg of the insecticide were observed in 23 growing cats for periods of from 1 to 15 weeks. No overt signs of toxicity occurred and weight gain in young growing animals was not significantly affected. Whole blood cholinesterase was reduced within the first week of application of the collar and remained below pretreatment levels for 5 to 8 weeks before returning to normal presumably as the insecticide concentration in the resin was progressively reduced. Signs of systemic organophosphate toxicity did occur within 1 week of the application of three collars to each of two cats kept in the same cage. This suggested that the likelihood of toxicity occurring in cats following the use of dichlorvos flea collars depended mainly on the degree of exposure to the insecticide. Considering recent reports in the literature it was proposed that the environmental conditions of temperature (11 degrees to 23 degrees C) and relative humidity (50 to 65%) under which the experiments were carried out would have promoted a relatively low atmospheric concentration of dichlorvos in the near environment of the test animals and hence generally prevented occurrence of clinical signs. Under most conditions of keeping domestic cats in Australia the use of a single dischlorvos flea collar should therefore be without any untoward effect although some initial and transient inhibition of whole blood and nervous tissue cholinesterases would be expected.", "PMID": 612329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_650", "title": "Ecology of mycoplasmas in clinically healthy cats.", "content": "Mycoplasmas were isolated from various sites and organs of a series of 319 clinically healthy cats. They include M. felis, M. gateae, M. Arginini, A. laidlawii, feline ureaplasmas, M. pulmonis, M. arthritidis, and M. gallisepticum. In addition, there were 10 strains of mycoplasmas which could not be identified with the specific antiserums by growth inhibition tests. Antibody against M. felis was demonstrated by haemagglutination-inhibition and complement-fixation tests in cats which were over 6 months of age. However, no such antibody against M. felis was detected in animals which were less than 6 months old. No antibody against A. laidlawii, M. gateae, M. arginini and feline ureaplasmas was demonstrated by the same serological methods. The significance of these mycoplasmas in cats is described.", "contents": "Ecology of mycoplasmas in clinically healthy cats. Mycoplasmas were isolated from various sites and organs of a series of 319 clinically healthy cats. They include M. felis, M. gateae, M. Arginini, A. laidlawii, feline ureaplasmas, M. pulmonis, M. arthritidis, and M. gallisepticum. In addition, there were 10 strains of mycoplasmas which could not be identified with the specific antiserums by growth inhibition tests. Antibody against M. felis was demonstrated by haemagglutination-inhibition and complement-fixation tests in cats which were over 6 months of age. However, no such antibody against M. felis was detected in animals which were less than 6 months old. No antibody against A. laidlawii, M. gateae, M. arginini and feline ureaplasmas was demonstrated by the same serological methods. The significance of these mycoplasmas in cats is described.", "PMID": 612330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_651", "title": "The plasma zinc concentration of nonpregnant, pregnant and parturient Hereford cattle.", "content": "Studies were made on several groups of Hereford cattle to determine the plasma zinc concentration at various phases of their reproductive life. In nonpregnant heifers a major cause of variation was due to differences between individual animals. Seasonal changes were also evident but little difference was noted in the zinc levels of cattle sampled at particular stages of the oestrous cycle or over a 24-hour period. Following conception, the plasma zinc levels remained relatively constant until late in pregnancy when a decline occurred. A more marked decline occurred during the periparturient period although the trends observed differed between animals that calved normally and those that suffered from dystocia. Samples obtained from calves approximately 24 hours after delivery contained zinc at concentrations of more than double that recorded for their dams.", "contents": "The plasma zinc concentration of nonpregnant, pregnant and parturient Hereford cattle. Studies were made on several groups of Hereford cattle to determine the plasma zinc concentration at various phases of their reproductive life. In nonpregnant heifers a major cause of variation was due to differences between individual animals. Seasonal changes were also evident but little difference was noted in the zinc levels of cattle sampled at particular stages of the oestrous cycle or over a 24-hour period. Following conception, the plasma zinc levels remained relatively constant until late in pregnancy when a decline occurred. A more marked decline occurred during the periparturient period although the trends observed differed between animals that calved normally and those that suffered from dystocia. Samples obtained from calves approximately 24 hours after delivery contained zinc at concentrations of more than double that recorded for their dams.", "PMID": 612331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_652", "title": "Management factors and grass tetany in dairy cattle.", "content": "The relationship between intensity of production and the occurrence of hypomagnesaemia and grass tetany in dairy cattle was investigated from 1966-1970 at the Ellinbank Dairy Research Station, Warragul, Victoria. Hypomagnesaemia and/or grass tetany occurred in cows grazing at both high (3.2 cows/hectare) and low (2.2 cows/hectare) stocking rates over the four-year period. Pasture Mg concentrations remained relatively high (0.2% dry matter) throughout this period, except in the low stocking rate pastures in one year, 1967. It is concluded that hypomagnesaemia and grass tetany was precipitated by a combination of low dry matter intake in winter and the effects of a gradual increase of K concentration in autumn and winter pastures, following the heavy application of K fertilizer. Under these conditions, MgO supplementation was inadequate to prevent grass tetany occurring in some animals.", "contents": "Management factors and grass tetany in dairy cattle. The relationship between intensity of production and the occurrence of hypomagnesaemia and grass tetany in dairy cattle was investigated from 1966-1970 at the Ellinbank Dairy Research Station, Warragul, Victoria. Hypomagnesaemia and/or grass tetany occurred in cows grazing at both high (3.2 cows/hectare) and low (2.2 cows/hectare) stocking rates over the four-year period. Pasture Mg concentrations remained relatively high (0.2% dry matter) throughout this period, except in the low stocking rate pastures in one year, 1967. It is concluded that hypomagnesaemia and grass tetany was precipitated by a combination of low dry matter intake in winter and the effects of a gradual increase of K concentration in autumn and winter pastures, following the heavy application of K fertilizer. Under these conditions, MgO supplementation was inadequate to prevent grass tetany occurring in some animals.", "PMID": 612332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_653", "title": "The New South Wales mastitis control program. 1. Field aspects and their effect on clinical and subclinical mastitis.", "content": "A mastitis control program based on teat dipping and dry cow therapy was evaluated in 35 herds over a 3 year period. The incidence of subclinical mastitis as detected by the Rapid Mastitis Test (RMT) fell from 34% to 12% quarters positive, a reduction of 65%. Clinical mastitis was reduced from 37 clinical cases per 100 cows in the first 3 month period to 12 clinical cases per 100 cows in the last 3 month period, a reduction of 68%. Variations in response to the program in the reduction of subclinical and clinical mastitis are discussed and the results compared with similar trials conducted overseas. The Modified Whiteside Test was used on bulk milk samples from the control herds and these results were significantly correlated with the prevalence of subclinical mastitis assessed by RMT individual quarters.", "contents": "The New South Wales mastitis control program. 1. Field aspects and their effect on clinical and subclinical mastitis. A mastitis control program based on teat dipping and dry cow therapy was evaluated in 35 herds over a 3 year period. The incidence of subclinical mastitis as detected by the Rapid Mastitis Test (RMT) fell from 34% to 12% quarters positive, a reduction of 65%. Clinical mastitis was reduced from 37 clinical cases per 100 cows in the first 3 month period to 12 clinical cases per 100 cows in the last 3 month period, a reduction of 68%. Variations in response to the program in the reduction of subclinical and clinical mastitis are discussed and the results compared with similar trials conducted overseas. The Modified Whiteside Test was used on bulk milk samples from the control herds and these results were significantly correlated with the prevalence of subclinical mastitis assessed by RMT individual quarters.", "PMID": 612333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_654", "title": "Observation on the bacterial population of the os cervix of the ewe before and after embryo death.", "content": "Bacterial samples were isolated from the os cervix of mature Merino ewes during a normal oestrous cycle and after colchicine treatment which killed the 25-day old embryos. The population of bacteria was small during the oestrous cycle and consisted of Achromobacter spp. Alcaligenes spp, Corynebacterium spp, Bacillus spp and Escherichia coli. There was a significant increase in the numbers of bacteria isolated and a change in the proportions of the bacteria isolated from ewes after embryo death. Much greater numbers of potentially pathogenic organisms, including Pasteurella multocida, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus spp and Streptococcus spp were isolated after embryos were killed. It is suggested that persistence of potential pathogens in the vagina may impair fertility in ewes at the first oestrus after embryo death.", "contents": "Observation on the bacterial population of the os cervix of the ewe before and after embryo death. Bacterial samples were isolated from the os cervix of mature Merino ewes during a normal oestrous cycle and after colchicine treatment which killed the 25-day old embryos. The population of bacteria was small during the oestrous cycle and consisted of Achromobacter spp. Alcaligenes spp, Corynebacterium spp, Bacillus spp and Escherichia coli. There was a significant increase in the numbers of bacteria isolated and a change in the proportions of the bacteria isolated from ewes after embryo death. Much greater numbers of potentially pathogenic organisms, including Pasteurella multocida, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus spp and Streptococcus spp were isolated after embryos were killed. It is suggested that persistence of potential pathogens in the vagina may impair fertility in ewes at the first oestrus after embryo death.", "PMID": 612334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_655", "title": "Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a racehorse.", "content": "A 4-year-old thoroughbred stallion with a history of loss of racing form was studied over a period of approximately 7 months. At the initial examination he showed positive T waves in 1 chest lead and wandering of the pacemaker. This was followed by an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which disappeared spontaneously and was replaced by significant T wave changes in all the chest leads. During a period when these changes persisted, there was progressive lengthening of the P wave and the P-R interval. Because the last ECG showed evidence of intra-atrial block, first degree A-V block and T wave changes, the owner was advised that a fluctuating myocarditis was affecting the horse's performance and it was retired to stud. This appears to be the first report of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in Australia, and it demonstrates the value of regular follow-up examinations in horses with initial electrocardiographs showing only minor departures from normal. The case also suggests that when sharp reversals of racing form occur, the possibility of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation being the cause should be kept in mind.", "contents": "Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a racehorse. A 4-year-old thoroughbred stallion with a history of loss of racing form was studied over a period of approximately 7 months. At the initial examination he showed positive T waves in 1 chest lead and wandering of the pacemaker. This was followed by an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which disappeared spontaneously and was replaced by significant T wave changes in all the chest leads. During a period when these changes persisted, there was progressive lengthening of the P wave and the P-R interval. Because the last ECG showed evidence of intra-atrial block, first degree A-V block and T wave changes, the owner was advised that a fluctuating myocarditis was affecting the horse's performance and it was retired to stud. This appears to be the first report of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in Australia, and it demonstrates the value of regular follow-up examinations in horses with initial electrocardiographs showing only minor departures from normal. The case also suggests that when sharp reversals of racing form occur, the possibility of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation being the cause should be kept in mind.", "PMID": 612335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_656", "title": "Realtion of heart rate control to heartbeat perception.", "content": "The relation of heartbeat perception to voluntary control of heart rate (HR) and to learning of enhanced HR control during feedback was studied in three experiments. In Experiment I heartbeat perception was unrelated to voluntary control of HR but was negatively correlated with HR learning. Experiments II and III showed that heartbeat perception was unrelated to either initial voluntary control or learning and suggested that sampling error accounted for the negative correlation in Experiment I. Experiment I also demonstrated that learned increases in HR are retained for at least 10 weeks following feedback training. Autonomic Perception Questionnaire scores were not predictive of voluntary HR control or learning.", "contents": "Realtion of heart rate control to heartbeat perception. The relation of heartbeat perception to voluntary control of heart rate (HR) and to learning of enhanced HR control during feedback was studied in three experiments. In Experiment I heartbeat perception was unrelated to voluntary control of HR but was negatively correlated with HR learning. Experiments II and III showed that heartbeat perception was unrelated to either initial voluntary control or learning and suggested that sampling error accounted for the negative correlation in Experiment I. Experiment I also demonstrated that learned increases in HR are retained for at least 10 weeks following feedback training. Autonomic Perception Questionnaire scores were not predictive of voluntary HR control or learning.", "PMID": 612350} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_657", "title": "Effects of biofeedback on the discrimination of electrodermal activity.", "content": "Twenty-four subjects were tested on their ability to discriminate between the presence and absence of negative skin potential responses before and after training to control skin potential. Training consisted of 52 discrete 30-second trials during which subjects were asked either to increase or to inhibit palmar sweating. Subjects in groups N and P were provided with analogue feedback on their skin potential activity. Group N was correctly informed that increases in sweating were indicated by increases in the negativity of skin potential; group P was misinformed that these were indicated by increases in the positivity of skin potential. Subjects in the control (C) group received no feedback. Reliable evidence of discrimination was obtained only in groups N and P, following training. However, reliable evidence of control was obtained only in group N. Thus, training to control skin potential led to an ability to identify afferentation associated with the more common (i.e., negative) skin potential responses, even though biofeedback training appeared unsuccessful in the case of group P. These findings are discussed in the context of \"discrimination\" or \"awareness\" accounts of the process of acquiring control of internal response.", "contents": "Effects of biofeedback on the discrimination of electrodermal activity. Twenty-four subjects were tested on their ability to discriminate between the presence and absence of negative skin potential responses before and after training to control skin potential. Training consisted of 52 discrete 30-second trials during which subjects were asked either to increase or to inhibit palmar sweating. Subjects in groups N and P were provided with analogue feedback on their skin potential activity. Group N was correctly informed that increases in sweating were indicated by increases in the negativity of skin potential; group P was misinformed that these were indicated by increases in the positivity of skin potential. Subjects in the control (C) group received no feedback. Reliable evidence of discrimination was obtained only in groups N and P, following training. However, reliable evidence of control was obtained only in group N. Thus, training to control skin potential led to an ability to identify afferentation associated with the more common (i.e., negative) skin potential responses, even though biofeedback training appeared unsuccessful in the case of group P. These findings are discussed in the context of \"discrimination\" or \"awareness\" accounts of the process of acquiring control of internal response.", "PMID": 612352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_658", "title": "Fine body movement during autogenic training. Longitudinal and short-term changes.", "content": "A sensitive electronic device (static sensograph) was used to record fine body movement in two similar groups of normal high school girls at intervals over a few months. One group received weekly instructions in the technique of autogenic training (AT) and was urged to practice it daily, whereas the other (control group) received no such instrutions. In the AT group mean body movement (eyes closed, sitting position) decreased with every session. At 3 and 4.5 months after training was begun (session 3 and 4, respectively) mean body movement of this group was significantly lower than in the first session, before training was begun. In the fourth (but not earlier) sessions the AT group also showed a significant decrease in mean body movement during AT compared with the periods immediately preceding and following it. In contrast, the control gorup showed no significant differences in means between any sessions or periods within a session. The results suggest that fine body movement as measured by a static sensograph is a useful parameter for studying AT and probably other relaxation procedures.", "contents": "Fine body movement during autogenic training. Longitudinal and short-term changes. A sensitive electronic device (static sensograph) was used to record fine body movement in two similar groups of normal high school girls at intervals over a few months. One group received weekly instructions in the technique of autogenic training (AT) and was urged to practice it daily, whereas the other (control group) received no such instrutions. In the AT group mean body movement (eyes closed, sitting position) decreased with every session. At 3 and 4.5 months after training was begun (session 3 and 4, respectively) mean body movement of this group was significantly lower than in the first session, before training was begun. In the fourth (but not earlier) sessions the AT group also showed a significant decrease in mean body movement during AT compared with the periods immediately preceding and following it. In contrast, the control gorup showed no significant differences in means between any sessions or periods within a session. The results suggest that fine body movement as measured by a static sensograph is a useful parameter for studying AT and probably other relaxation procedures.", "PMID": 612353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_659", "title": "The effects of the distribution of training on learning feedback-assisted cardiac acceleration.", "content": "In order to test a hypothesis derived from a motor skills learning model of cardiac acceleration control, groups of subjects were given biofeedback training for four sessions to learn cardiac acceleration under four different training schedules: (1) all sessions in one day, (2) daily sessions, (3) sessions every other day, and (4) weekly sessions. Ability to accelerate heart rate both with and without feedback was determined at each session. Also ability to accelerate heart rate without feedback was determined 1 week after the last training session as a measure of retention. Although there was highly significant (p less than.0001) evidence of heart rate control both with and without feedback, there were no differences in degree of control attributable to distribution of training sessions. There was, however, a trend (p less than .10) for subjects trained under the most distributed training schedule (weekly) to show more retention than subjects trained under a less distributed schedule (daily).", "contents": "The effects of the distribution of training on learning feedback-assisted cardiac acceleration. In order to test a hypothesis derived from a motor skills learning model of cardiac acceleration control, groups of subjects were given biofeedback training for four sessions to learn cardiac acceleration under four different training schedules: (1) all sessions in one day, (2) daily sessions, (3) sessions every other day, and (4) weekly sessions. Ability to accelerate heart rate both with and without feedback was determined at each session. Also ability to accelerate heart rate without feedback was determined 1 week after the last training session as a measure of retention. Although there was highly significant (p less than.0001) evidence of heart rate control both with and without feedback, there were no differences in degree of control attributable to distribution of training sessions. There was, however, a trend (p less than .10) for subjects trained under the most distributed training schedule (weekly) to show more retention than subjects trained under a less distributed schedule (daily).", "PMID": 612354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_660", "title": "Blood pressure tracking systems and their application to biofeedback.", "content": "Two automatic electronic systems for tracking diastolic or systolic blood pressure (BP) and their use in biofeedback experiments are described. Both systems are based on the use of an arm cuff and the recording of Korotkoff sounds with a microphone. An electronic control system receives input from the microphone and provides output to several solenoid valves that control compressed airflow to the cuff. For one of the tracking systems we devised, the cuff is alternately inflated for 45 sec and deflated for 45 sec. During inflation, small increments and decrements in cuff pressure, based on the occurrence of Korotkoff sounds, are used to track BP. The other tracking system is slower but provides more continuous measurements: The cuff is alternately inflated to approximately the BP level for 5 sec and then deflated for 5 sec. During each inflation, the number of Korotkoff sounds is recorded by the system and according to this number, the amount of inflation on the next trial is automatically adjusted so that the cuff pressure follows BP. Both systems have been used successfully in biofeedback applications.", "contents": "Blood pressure tracking systems and their application to biofeedback. Two automatic electronic systems for tracking diastolic or systolic blood pressure (BP) and their use in biofeedback experiments are described. Both systems are based on the use of an arm cuff and the recording of Korotkoff sounds with a microphone. An electronic control system receives input from the microphone and provides output to several solenoid valves that control compressed airflow to the cuff. For one of the tracking systems we devised, the cuff is alternately inflated for 45 sec and deflated for 45 sec. During inflation, small increments and decrements in cuff pressure, based on the occurrence of Korotkoff sounds, are used to track BP. The other tracking system is slower but provides more continuous measurements: The cuff is alternately inflated to approximately the BP level for 5 sec and then deflated for 5 sec. During each inflation, the number of Korotkoff sounds is recorded by the system and according to this number, the amount of inflation on the next trial is automatically adjusted so that the cuff pressure follows BP. Both systems have been used successfully in biofeedback applications.", "PMID": 612355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_661", "title": "CT evidence of grey matter calcification secondary to radiation therapy.", "content": "There are four previously reported cases of post-irradiation calcification in the basal ganglia as demonstrated on the conventional skull roentgenograms. We have described two additional cases with grey matter calcification, which were demonstrated 10 and 14 yr after radiation therapy for an optic glioma and a medulloblastoma, respectively. The calcification was clearly demonstrated on CT scan, although it was not apparent on the skull roentgenogram. The extract pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. It appears, however, to be related to radiation vasculitis of the small vessels of the brain with resultant hyalinization and calcification. A long-term follow up study would be necessary to evaluate the significance and implication of post-irradiation calcification of the grey matter. CT is the most sensitive method of demonstrating the intracranial calcification in vivo.", "contents": "CT evidence of grey matter calcification secondary to radiation therapy. There are four previously reported cases of post-irradiation calcification in the basal ganglia as demonstrated on the conventional skull roentgenograms. We have described two additional cases with grey matter calcification, which were demonstrated 10 and 14 yr after radiation therapy for an optic glioma and a medulloblastoma, respectively. The calcification was clearly demonstrated on CT scan, although it was not apparent on the skull roentgenogram. The extract pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. It appears, however, to be related to radiation vasculitis of the small vessels of the brain with resultant hyalinization and calcification. A long-term follow up study would be necessary to evaluate the significance and implication of post-irradiation calcification of the grey matter. CT is the most sensitive method of demonstrating the intracranial calcification in vivo.", "PMID": 612395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_662", "title": "The value of computed tomography in the radiotherapeutic management of juxtasellar tumors.", "content": "Computerized tomography has proven to be extremely useful for accurate tumor localization and precise assessment of tumor extent in the juxtasellar region. A reconstruction and display system with ACTA scanner provides three-dimensional images from the serial two-dimensional sections. With this method, one can determine the volume and actual contour of the tumor. Using the ACTA scanner, both transaxial and coronal sections of the tumor can be precisely portrayed with accurate dimensions. With the aid of CT treatment planning, we have been successfully treating such radiocurable tumors as pituitary adenomas, germinomas, craniopharyngiomas and optic gliomas.", "contents": "The value of computed tomography in the radiotherapeutic management of juxtasellar tumors. Computerized tomography has proven to be extremely useful for accurate tumor localization and precise assessment of tumor extent in the juxtasellar region. A reconstruction and display system with ACTA scanner provides three-dimensional images from the serial two-dimensional sections. With this method, one can determine the volume and actual contour of the tumor. Using the ACTA scanner, both transaxial and coronal sections of the tumor can be precisely portrayed with accurate dimensions. With the aid of CT treatment planning, we have been successfully treating such radiocurable tumors as pituitary adenomas, germinomas, craniopharyngiomas and optic gliomas.", "PMID": 612396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_663", "title": "A forthcoming cross-sectional atlas correlating CT scans with anatomical structures.", "content": "With the development of the whole-body CAT (computerized axial tomographic) scanner, a need has arisen for a cross-sectional anatomy book that correlates acutal CT scans with detailed anatomical structures. This article describes a forthcoming cross-sectional atlas using CT scans of normal living human volunteers. After a preliminary discussion of such considerations as some fundamental differences between cross-sectional anatomy and conventional anatomy and the relationship between cross-sectional anatomy and computerized tomography, there is an explanation of the textual format. This section includes a description of the presentations on the pages, the use of color in the scans, and the use of certain advanced features of the ACTA-Scanner, the scanner used for the atlas. The final part of the article illustrates sample scans and a diagram from the forthcoming test.", "contents": "A forthcoming cross-sectional atlas correlating CT scans with anatomical structures. With the development of the whole-body CAT (computerized axial tomographic) scanner, a need has arisen for a cross-sectional anatomy book that correlates acutal CT scans with detailed anatomical structures. This article describes a forthcoming cross-sectional atlas using CT scans of normal living human volunteers. After a preliminary discussion of such considerations as some fundamental differences between cross-sectional anatomy and conventional anatomy and the relationship between cross-sectional anatomy and computerized tomography, there is an explanation of the textual format. This section includes a description of the presentations on the pages, the use of color in the scans, and the use of certain advanced features of the ACTA-Scanner, the scanner used for the atlas. The final part of the article illustrates sample scans and a diagram from the forthcoming test.", "PMID": 612398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_664", "title": "Radiological methods of studying the orbit.", "content": "The orbit is a challenge diagnostically to the ophthalmologist and the radiologist because of its small size and enclosed nature. As a result, a variety of radiological tests have been devised to study the orbit, although no one test is entirely definitive. Conventional X-rays, the use of ultrasound techniques, and the injection of contrast into either the orbit per se or the vasculature of the orbit are extremely useful. However, none of these techniques can produce clear, cross-sectional and unsuperimposed images, such as those obtained from computed tomography. The use of color-coding is useful in enhancing even high quality gray-scale scans. Above all, the technique of computed tomography offers the advantages of noninvasive study.", "contents": "Radiological methods of studying the orbit. The orbit is a challenge diagnostically to the ophthalmologist and the radiologist because of its small size and enclosed nature. As a result, a variety of radiological tests have been devised to study the orbit, although no one test is entirely definitive. Conventional X-rays, the use of ultrasound techniques, and the injection of contrast into either the orbit per se or the vasculature of the orbit are extremely useful. However, none of these techniques can produce clear, cross-sectional and unsuperimposed images, such as those obtained from computed tomography. The use of color-coding is useful in enhancing even high quality gray-scale scans. Above all, the technique of computed tomography offers the advantages of noninvasive study.", "PMID": 612400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_665", "title": "ACTA scanning in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms.", "content": "The presently available diagnostic methods for abdominal aortic aneurysms are reviewed. The application of ACTA scanning for this diagnosis in 35 patients is described. In all cases the presence of an aortic aneurysm was confirmed, even when calcification of its wall was absent. Contrast enhancement demonstrated that aortic lumen not otherwise visualized. In some instances the iliac arteries were clearly seen and more readily so when calcified. Estimates of aneurysm size were compared with measurements taken at surgery with a relatively close correlation. This technique seems to be useful in the differential diagnosis with tortuous abdominal aorta or as a screening procedure. Patients with minimal ectasia of the aorta can be followed by scanning. The planned addition of shorter scanning times and sagital scans with allow the fast evaluation of the longitudinal dimension of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is difficult to obtain with the present technique.", "contents": "ACTA scanning in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The presently available diagnostic methods for abdominal aortic aneurysms are reviewed. The application of ACTA scanning for this diagnosis in 35 patients is described. In all cases the presence of an aortic aneurysm was confirmed, even when calcification of its wall was absent. Contrast enhancement demonstrated that aortic lumen not otherwise visualized. In some instances the iliac arteries were clearly seen and more readily so when calcified. Estimates of aneurysm size were compared with measurements taken at surgery with a relatively close correlation. This technique seems to be useful in the differential diagnosis with tortuous abdominal aorta or as a screening procedure. Patients with minimal ectasia of the aorta can be followed by scanning. The planned addition of shorter scanning times and sagital scans with allow the fast evaluation of the longitudinal dimension of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is difficult to obtain with the present technique.", "PMID": 612401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_666", "title": "The diagnosis of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: the contribution of computed tomography.", "content": "Sixty-eight cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were reviewed and the CT scans studied. The CT scan was accurate in localizing and measuring intracerebral hemorrhage. There were three cases of pontine hemorrhage which did not appear on the CT scan. Hemorrhages at other sites were always seen on the CT scan. The size of putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage as calculated from CT scan allowed accurate prognosis to be made at the onset. CT scanning has become the diagnostic test or first choice when intracerebral hemorrhage is suspected.", "contents": "The diagnosis of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: the contribution of computed tomography. Sixty-eight cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were reviewed and the CT scans studied. The CT scan was accurate in localizing and measuring intracerebral hemorrhage. There were three cases of pontine hemorrhage which did not appear on the CT scan. Hemorrhages at other sites were always seen on the CT scan. The size of putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage as calculated from CT scan allowed accurate prognosis to be made at the onset. CT scanning has become the diagnostic test or first choice when intracerebral hemorrhage is suspected.", "PMID": 612402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_667", "title": "Computed tomography of cerebral infarction: hemorrhagic, contrast enhancement, and time of appearance.", "content": "Large confluent petechial hemorrhages and/or hemorrhage within infarct may be seen on CT scan. Small petechial hemorrhages are not resolved by current equipment and techniques. Elevation of absorption values of an infarct following contrast media primarily occurs in the first month after onset, and may be occasionally confused with a tumor. Sequential CT changes in infarcts correlate well with established pathologic changes. Cerebral infarction may be seen on CT scan in some cases as early as 24--48 hr after its onset.", "contents": "Computed tomography of cerebral infarction: hemorrhagic, contrast enhancement, and time of appearance. Large confluent petechial hemorrhages and/or hemorrhage within infarct may be seen on CT scan. Small petechial hemorrhages are not resolved by current equipment and techniques. Elevation of absorption values of an infarct following contrast media primarily occurs in the first month after onset, and may be occasionally confused with a tumor. Sequential CT changes in infarcts correlate well with established pathologic changes. Cerebral infarction may be seen on CT scan in some cases as early as 24--48 hr after its onset.", "PMID": 612403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_668", "title": "Cerebral metastasis--a study of computerized tomography.", "content": "Sixty-eight cases of metastases affecting 34 patients were studied by computerized tomography (CT) before and after the injection of an iodinated contrast medium. CT data provided a diagnosis in most cases. After injection of the contrast medium, a ring aspect was found in half the cases. This morphological feature is a sign of blood-brain barrier impairment crossed by the contrast medium. The low density area inside the ring is not caused by central necrosis, nor is it caused by too little contrast medium. The increase in density is a sign of extra-vascular loss of iodinated molecules in the peritumoral cerebral tissue. Performance of CT should be improved using specific tracers of the tumoral cells.", "contents": "Cerebral metastasis--a study of computerized tomography. Sixty-eight cases of metastases affecting 34 patients were studied by computerized tomography (CT) before and after the injection of an iodinated contrast medium. CT data provided a diagnosis in most cases. After injection of the contrast medium, a ring aspect was found in half the cases. This morphological feature is a sign of blood-brain barrier impairment crossed by the contrast medium. The low density area inside the ring is not caused by central necrosis, nor is it caused by too little contrast medium. The increase in density is a sign of extra-vascular loss of iodinated molecules in the peritumoral cerebral tissue. Performance of CT should be improved using specific tracers of the tumoral cells.", "PMID": 612404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_669", "title": "Children at risk: performance of three-year-olds and their mentally ill and well mothers on an interaction task.", "content": "Fifteen mothers previously hospitalized for mental illness (psychosis) and 15 well mothers were observed with their 3-year-old children. While mentally ill mothers expressed less positive affect than well mothers, there were no other respects in which the two groups of mothers and their children differed. There were differences in the pattern of intercorrelations among these interaction variables between the two groups, which appear to reflect differences in the degree of flexibility between mothers in the two groups.", "contents": "Children at risk: performance of three-year-olds and their mentally ill and well mothers on an interaction task. Fifteen mothers previously hospitalized for mental illness (psychosis) and 15 well mothers were observed with their 3-year-old children. While mentally ill mothers expressed less positive affect than well mothers, there were no other respects in which the two groups of mothers and their children differed. There were differences in the pattern of intercorrelations among these interaction variables between the two groups, which appear to reflect differences in the degree of flexibility between mothers in the two groups.", "PMID": 612405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_670", "title": "Some milestones in premature infants at 6 to 24 months.", "content": "The onset of 12 milestones that occur from 6 to 24 months of age was studied in premature and full-term infants. The milestones are: sitting, crawling, teething, walking, pursuit of a hidden sound-making object, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, \"no\" gesture, words, phrases, speech \"no,\" and speech \"yes.\" It was hypothesized that premature infants would show delay in acquiring milestones related to time separated from mother. Compared to full-terms, the prematures had no significant difference in the means for the onset of the milestones except for: sitting, crawling and walking related to maternal separation; and crawling and teething, related to birth weight.", "contents": "Some milestones in premature infants at 6 to 24 months. The onset of 12 milestones that occur from 6 to 24 months of age was studied in premature and full-term infants. The milestones are: sitting, crawling, teething, walking, pursuit of a hidden sound-making object, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, \"no\" gesture, words, phrases, speech \"no,\" and speech \"yes.\" It was hypothesized that premature infants would show delay in acquiring milestones related to time separated from mother. Compared to full-terms, the prematures had no significant difference in the means for the onset of the milestones except for: sitting, crawling and walking related to maternal separation; and crawling and teething, related to birth weight.", "PMID": 612407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_671", "title": "Children's response to their true and distorted mirror images.", "content": "In order to study the development of body image, 16 children aged 2 months to 8 years were tested to determine their levels of cognitive development on the basis of Piaget's theory, and their responses to their true and distorted mirror images. The study indicates a definite characteristic response by children according to their levels of cognitive development. This corresponds to infantile anxieties appropriate to the psychoanalytic theory of object relationships. The theoretical and clinical implications of the study are discussed.", "contents": "Children's response to their true and distorted mirror images. In order to study the development of body image, 16 children aged 2 months to 8 years were tested to determine their levels of cognitive development on the basis of Piaget's theory, and their responses to their true and distorted mirror images. The study indicates a definite characteristic response by children according to their levels of cognitive development. This corresponds to infantile anxieties appropriate to the psychoanalytic theory of object relationships. The theoretical and clinical implications of the study are discussed.", "PMID": 612408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_672", "title": "Capillary filtration coefficient in the canine hindpaw at different levels of venous pressure.", "content": "Capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) was determined in 12 dog's hindpaw preparations following elevation of venous pressure. From the quotient of slow component tissue volume change divided by the change in capillary pressure, the CFC averaged 0.027, 0.028 and 0.038 ml/min/mm Hg/100 gm respectively with an elevation of venous pressure from 0 to 15, 30 and 45 mm Hg. As compared with the previous determinations of CFC in the other tissues, the CFC of canine hindpaw was approximately in the same order of magnitude as that of the hindlimb, and was much less than those of the lung, intestine and heart. At venous pressure below 30 mm Hg, the CFC did not alter significantly with the level of venous pressure. This finding indicated that neither \"stretched pore phenomenon\" nor myogenic sphincter constriction occurred in response to a moderate increase in intramural pressure. The slight increase in CFC when venous pressure was elevated to 45 mm Hg suggested slight change in capillary permeability at high venous pressure, presumably due to the presence of stretched pore phenomenon.", "contents": "Capillary filtration coefficient in the canine hindpaw at different levels of venous pressure. Capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) was determined in 12 dog's hindpaw preparations following elevation of venous pressure. From the quotient of slow component tissue volume change divided by the change in capillary pressure, the CFC averaged 0.027, 0.028 and 0.038 ml/min/mm Hg/100 gm respectively with an elevation of venous pressure from 0 to 15, 30 and 45 mm Hg. As compared with the previous determinations of CFC in the other tissues, the CFC of canine hindpaw was approximately in the same order of magnitude as that of the hindlimb, and was much less than those of the lung, intestine and heart. At venous pressure below 30 mm Hg, the CFC did not alter significantly with the level of venous pressure. This finding indicated that neither \"stretched pore phenomenon\" nor myogenic sphincter constriction occurred in response to a moderate increase in intramural pressure. The slight increase in CFC when venous pressure was elevated to 45 mm Hg suggested slight change in capillary permeability at high venous pressure, presumably due to the presence of stretched pore phenomenon.", "PMID": 612409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_673", "title": "Myocardial lesions produced by external heat or cold exposure in rats.", "content": "Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were kept at the ambient temperatures of 8, 24 and 32 degrees C respectively for 3 to 7 days. These animals maintained their rectal temperatures within normal limits. However, the animals of either the heat-stressed or the cold-stressed group yielded not only the functional but also the organic effects to their hearts when compared to those of the control group (24 degrees C exposure). Heat exposure produced a lower heart rate and higher cutaneous temperature, while cold exposure produced a higher heart rate and a lower cutaneous temperature. In addition, the ECG recordings showed a predominant S wave and probably a depressed S-T segment in response to either heat or cold exposure. At the end of either 3-day or the 7-day thermal exposure, the animals were subjected to decapitation. Their hearts were sampled for both light and electron microscopic examinations. It was found that the heat-stressed animals shared with the cold-stressed animals a common picture of the myocardial changes. The subcellular changes in the myocardium in response to external heat or cold were characterized by the mitochondrial hypertrophy, the intracellular edema, the destruction of myofibrils, the dilatation of the intercalated discs, and some abnormalities in their capillaries. The data demonstrate that a short term (3 to 7 days) of moderate heat (32 degrees C) or cold (8 degrees C) exposure produces myocardial lesions in rats, although they maintain their body temperatures within normal limits.", "contents": "Myocardial lesions produced by external heat or cold exposure in rats. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were kept at the ambient temperatures of 8, 24 and 32 degrees C respectively for 3 to 7 days. These animals maintained their rectal temperatures within normal limits. However, the animals of either the heat-stressed or the cold-stressed group yielded not only the functional but also the organic effects to their hearts when compared to those of the control group (24 degrees C exposure). Heat exposure produced a lower heart rate and higher cutaneous temperature, while cold exposure produced a higher heart rate and a lower cutaneous temperature. In addition, the ECG recordings showed a predominant S wave and probably a depressed S-T segment in response to either heat or cold exposure. At the end of either 3-day or the 7-day thermal exposure, the animals were subjected to decapitation. Their hearts were sampled for both light and electron microscopic examinations. It was found that the heat-stressed animals shared with the cold-stressed animals a common picture of the myocardial changes. The subcellular changes in the myocardium in response to external heat or cold were characterized by the mitochondrial hypertrophy, the intracellular edema, the destruction of myofibrils, the dilatation of the intercalated discs, and some abnormalities in their capillaries. The data demonstrate that a short term (3 to 7 days) of moderate heat (32 degrees C) or cold (8 degrees C) exposure produces myocardial lesions in rats, although they maintain their body temperatures within normal limits.", "PMID": 612410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_674", "title": "Shock avoidance in rats with unilateral lesions in the lateral hypothalamus.", "content": "Male albino rats bearing unilateral lateral hypothalamic lesions on either side were tested to acquire active shock avoidance in a two-way shuttle box. The retention of this task learned prior to the surgery was also studied. It was found that the unilateral hypothalamic lesion impaired both performance and no difference between sides was observed.", "contents": "Shock avoidance in rats with unilateral lesions in the lateral hypothalamus. Male albino rats bearing unilateral lateral hypothalamic lesions on either side were tested to acquire active shock avoidance in a two-way shuttle box. The retention of this task learned prior to the surgery was also studied. It was found that the unilateral hypothalamic lesion impaired both performance and no difference between sides was observed.", "PMID": 612412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_675", "title": "Effect of GABA on the electrical potentials across the mouse small intestine.", "content": "The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on transmural potential difference (PD) and radioactive chloride fluxes (J) across the mouse small intestine were studied. It was found that GABA decreased the PD and increased the J in both mucosal-to-serosal and serosal-to-mucosal directions (JMS and JSM) only at a concentration of or higher than 50 mM. The PD was increased by the presence of 10 mM glucose or glycine in bathing solutions. The PD was also decreased by increasing the osmolarity of the bathing solutions with increasing concentration of GABA, mannitol, sucrose, or glucose. Our results suggested that the hyperosmotic effect causes the decrease of PD and the increase of J across the mouse small intestine by GABA.", "contents": "Effect of GABA on the electrical potentials across the mouse small intestine. The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on transmural potential difference (PD) and radioactive chloride fluxes (J) across the mouse small intestine were studied. It was found that GABA decreased the PD and increased the J in both mucosal-to-serosal and serosal-to-mucosal directions (JMS and JSM) only at a concentration of or higher than 50 mM. The PD was increased by the presence of 10 mM glucose or glycine in bathing solutions. The PD was also decreased by increasing the osmolarity of the bathing solutions with increasing concentration of GABA, mannitol, sucrose, or glucose. Our results suggested that the hyperosmotic effect causes the decrease of PD and the increase of J across the mouse small intestine by GABA.", "PMID": 612413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_676", "title": "Recent findings on the carcinogenicity of chlorinated olefins.", "content": "Data are presented on factors affecting the carcinogenic effects of chlorinated olefins, such as molecular structure, concentration, length of treatment, route of administration and animal species, strain, sex, and age. The observations are based upon carcinogenicity experimental bioassays of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride. Early results, which appear to show that some of these factors (particularly species, strain, and sex) act by affecting the metabolism of the tested compounds, are presented, and the need for metabolic characterization of experimental animals in chemical carcinogenesis is stressed.", "contents": "Recent findings on the carcinogenicity of chlorinated olefins. Data are presented on factors affecting the carcinogenic effects of chlorinated olefins, such as molecular structure, concentration, length of treatment, route of administration and animal species, strain, sex, and age. The observations are based upon carcinogenicity experimental bioassays of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride. Early results, which appear to show that some of these factors (particularly species, strain, and sex) act by affecting the metabolism of the tested compounds, are presented, and the need for metabolic characterization of experimental animals in chemical carcinogenesis is stressed.", "PMID": 612433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_677", "title": "Irreversible binding of chlorinated ethylenes to macromolecules.", "content": "Rats have been exposed in a closed system to the chlorinated ethylenes vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene and to carbon tetrachloride as a reference compound. Data of uptake of the compounds, of urinary excretion of metabolites, and of exhalation after exposure show that the chlorinated ethylenes are metabolized much faster than carbon tetrachloride, probably due to their common ethylene structure. To eliminate differences in uptake, calculation of metabolites of the three compounds in tissues was based on the amount actually taken up by the animals. Vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride showed irreversible binding of metabolites to tissue proteins, mainly of the liver. Irreversible protein binding of either of these compounds ranged within the same order of magnitude, if related to the amount of compound which had been taken up. Also, no differences in the relative portion of irreversibly bound metabolites were found after exposure to different atmospheric concentrations of the three compounds. As already shown for vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene is metabolized in vitro by rat liver microsomes in presence of NADPH-regenerating system to intermediates that irreversibly bind to proteins. Albumin (bovine and rabbit) was a preferred target for binding. In contrast to vinyl chloride, significant irreversible binding of trichloroethylene metabolites also occurred to non-SH-proteins (gamma-globulin, concanavalin A) and to polylysine. Hence it should be inferred that, unlike vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene metabolites not only bind to sulfhydryl groups but also, to a lesser extent, to free amino groups of proteins.", "contents": "Irreversible binding of chlorinated ethylenes to macromolecules. Rats have been exposed in a closed system to the chlorinated ethylenes vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene and to carbon tetrachloride as a reference compound. Data of uptake of the compounds, of urinary excretion of metabolites, and of exhalation after exposure show that the chlorinated ethylenes are metabolized much faster than carbon tetrachloride, probably due to their common ethylene structure. To eliminate differences in uptake, calculation of metabolites of the three compounds in tissues was based on the amount actually taken up by the animals. Vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride showed irreversible binding of metabolites to tissue proteins, mainly of the liver. Irreversible protein binding of either of these compounds ranged within the same order of magnitude, if related to the amount of compound which had been taken up. Also, no differences in the relative portion of irreversibly bound metabolites were found after exposure to different atmospheric concentrations of the three compounds. As already shown for vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene is metabolized in vitro by rat liver microsomes in presence of NADPH-regenerating system to intermediates that irreversibly bind to proteins. Albumin (bovine and rabbit) was a preferred target for binding. In contrast to vinyl chloride, significant irreversible binding of trichloroethylene metabolites also occurred to non-SH-proteins (gamma-globulin, concanavalin A) and to polylysine. Hence it should be inferred that, unlike vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene metabolites not only bind to sulfhydryl groups but also, to a lesser extent, to free amino groups of proteins.", "PMID": 612434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_678", "title": "1,1-Dichloroethylene hepatotoxicity: proposed mechanism of action and distribution and binding of 14C radioactivity following inhalation exposure in rats.", "content": "1,1-Dichloroethylene is reported to produce renal tumors in male mice. It is an hepatotoxin in fasted rats after inhalation. We found that trichloropropane epoxide, an inhibitor of epoxide hydrase, enhances hepatic injury as measured by serum sorbitol dehydrogenase elevation. A significant elevation of hepatic citric acid concentration was seen in fasted but not fed rats. We hypothesized that mitochondrial injury was associated with inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and postulated that monochloroacetic acid was a toxic metabolite of 1,1-DCE. Fluoroacetic acid and chloroacetic acid were similar in their ability to inhibit oxygen uptake when pyruvic and malic acids were substrates in isolated mitochondria supplemented with adenosine diphosphate. In experiments where 1,1-DCE metabolism was estimated, no difference between the rate of uptake in a 2-hr period was detected between fed and fasted animals. Urinary output of radioactivity at 26 hr for fed and fasted rats was similar. Water-soluble (i.e. TCA-soluble) 1,1-DCE metabolites were found in tissues of fasted rats in excess of that seen in fed rats. The kidney had the largest concentration of total metabolites. Tissue-bound, or TCA-insoluble, radioactivity was associated with the mitrochondrial and microsomal fraction of fasted rats in excess of that seen in fed rats. The disappearance of TCA-insoluble radioactivity from the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions was comparable in rate between fed and fasted rats respectively. These results suggest that 1,1-DCE is metabolized quite rapidly in the organism to TCA-soluble components which are excreted by the kidneys. Metabolites of 1,1-DCE may enter the metabolic pool, since a reasonably short turnover of (14)C-labeled, bound material was observed. The metabolite of 1,1-DCE appears to inhibit the mitochondria so that citric acid accumulates. This may occur by a process of lethal synthesis.", "contents": "1,1-Dichloroethylene hepatotoxicity: proposed mechanism of action and distribution and binding of 14C radioactivity following inhalation exposure in rats. 1,1-Dichloroethylene is reported to produce renal tumors in male mice. It is an hepatotoxin in fasted rats after inhalation. We found that trichloropropane epoxide, an inhibitor of epoxide hydrase, enhances hepatic injury as measured by serum sorbitol dehydrogenase elevation. A significant elevation of hepatic citric acid concentration was seen in fasted but not fed rats. We hypothesized that mitochondrial injury was associated with inhibition of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and postulated that monochloroacetic acid was a toxic metabolite of 1,1-DCE. Fluoroacetic acid and chloroacetic acid were similar in their ability to inhibit oxygen uptake when pyruvic and malic acids were substrates in isolated mitochondria supplemented with adenosine diphosphate. In experiments where 1,1-DCE metabolism was estimated, no difference between the rate of uptake in a 2-hr period was detected between fed and fasted animals. Urinary output of radioactivity at 26 hr for fed and fasted rats was similar. Water-soluble (i.e. TCA-soluble) 1,1-DCE metabolites were found in tissues of fasted rats in excess of that seen in fed rats. The kidney had the largest concentration of total metabolites. Tissue-bound, or TCA-insoluble, radioactivity was associated with the mitrochondrial and microsomal fraction of fasted rats in excess of that seen in fed rats. The disappearance of TCA-insoluble radioactivity from the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions was comparable in rate between fed and fasted rats respectively. These results suggest that 1,1-DCE is metabolized quite rapidly in the organism to TCA-soluble components which are excreted by the kidneys. Metabolites of 1,1-DCE may enter the metabolic pool, since a reasonably short turnover of (14)C-labeled, bound material was observed. The metabolite of 1,1-DCE appears to inhibit the mitochondria so that citric acid accumulates. This may occur by a process of lethal synthesis.", "PMID": 612435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_679", "title": "Dechloriation mechanisms of chlorinated olefins.", "content": "The dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbons has been examined in detail. The reaction is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 and occurs optimally in the presence of oxygen although some dechlorination may occur under anaerobic conditions. Halothane has been shown to undergo an oxidative dechlorination and a reductive defluorination. Enzymatic attack of chlorinated olefins and hydrocarbons is not on the carbon--halogen bond. Oxidative dechlorination of hydrocarbons is apparently initiated by an attack on the carbon atom and the halogen is then released from the oxidized carbon. The chlorinated olefins, on the other hand, are not easily dechlorinated enzymatically. The chlorines migrate readily across the double bond, therefore, cyclic chloronium ions must occur as intermediates. It is not clear at this time if epoxides are also intermediates in this conversion.", "contents": "Dechloriation mechanisms of chlorinated olefins. The dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbons has been examined in detail. The reaction is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 and occurs optimally in the presence of oxygen although some dechlorination may occur under anaerobic conditions. Halothane has been shown to undergo an oxidative dechlorination and a reductive defluorination. Enzymatic attack of chlorinated olefins and hydrocarbons is not on the carbon--halogen bond. Oxidative dechlorination of hydrocarbons is apparently initiated by an attack on the carbon atom and the halogen is then released from the oxidized carbon. The chlorinated olefins, on the other hand, are not easily dechlorinated enzymatically. The chlorines migrate readily across the double bond, therefore, cyclic chloronium ions must occur as intermediates. It is not clear at this time if epoxides are also intermediates in this conversion.", "PMID": 612436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_680", "title": "Effect of various treatments on toxicity of inhaled vinylidene chloride.", "content": "The toxicity of vinylidene chloride (VDC) was studied in mice and rats exposed to various concentrations of the vapors for 23 hr/day. In addition, the ability of various treatments to alter parameters of toxicity was evaluated. Mice were more sensitive than rats both to the acute lethal and hepatotoxic effects of VDC. Disulfiram treatment reduced the acute lethal and hepatotoxic effects of inhaled VDC and reduced the levels of covalent bound radioactivity in the liver and kidney after the intraperitoneal administration of 14C-VDC. Treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate and thiram also protected mice from the acute lethal effects of VDC.", "contents": "Effect of various treatments on toxicity of inhaled vinylidene chloride. The toxicity of vinylidene chloride (VDC) was studied in mice and rats exposed to various concentrations of the vapors for 23 hr/day. In addition, the ability of various treatments to alter parameters of toxicity was evaluated. Mice were more sensitive than rats both to the acute lethal and hepatotoxic effects of VDC. Disulfiram treatment reduced the acute lethal and hepatotoxic effects of inhaled VDC and reduced the levels of covalent bound radioactivity in the liver and kidney after the intraperitoneal administration of 14C-VDC. Treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate and thiram also protected mice from the acute lethal effects of VDC.", "PMID": 612437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_681", "title": "Damage to hepatic cellular membranes by chlorinated olefins with emphasis on synergism and antagonism.", "content": "The fundamental reactivity or stability of the chloroethylene molecules affects their hepatotoxic potential. Extent and symmetry of the chlorine substitution, which alters electron delocalization, charge polarization, and solubility, affect biologic response. The most nonsymmetrically depolarized chloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) is the most hepatotoxic and causes a unique pattern of hepatocellular injury involving mitochondria, plasma membranes, and chromatin. The injury caused by the other chloroethylenes examined appears to profoundly affect the structural integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum with toxic potential in the order: trichloroethylene (TRI) greater than vinyl chloride (VCM) greater than perchloroethylene (PER). Pretreatments which increased cytochrome P-450 contents, thus presumably augmenting metabolic activation to a reactive intermediate such as an epoxide, enhanced or were synergistic to the hepatotoxic potential of TRI, VCM and PER but were protective or antagonistic to 1,1-DCE hepatotoxicity. Biologic response to 1,1-DCE may be expressed by a different metabolic pathway. Glutathione appears to be involved in the biologic response to all nonsymmetric chloroethylenes and toact as an antagonist against injury. Marked differences in the patterns of injury and the biologic responses suggest that more than one mechanism is involved in the production of injury by chloroethylenes.", "contents": "Damage to hepatic cellular membranes by chlorinated olefins with emphasis on synergism and antagonism. The fundamental reactivity or stability of the chloroethylene molecules affects their hepatotoxic potential. Extent and symmetry of the chlorine substitution, which alters electron delocalization, charge polarization, and solubility, affect biologic response. The most nonsymmetrically depolarized chloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) is the most hepatotoxic and causes a unique pattern of hepatocellular injury involving mitochondria, plasma membranes, and chromatin. The injury caused by the other chloroethylenes examined appears to profoundly affect the structural integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum with toxic potential in the order: trichloroethylene (TRI) greater than vinyl chloride (VCM) greater than perchloroethylene (PER). Pretreatments which increased cytochrome P-450 contents, thus presumably augmenting metabolic activation to a reactive intermediate such as an epoxide, enhanced or were synergistic to the hepatotoxic potential of TRI, VCM and PER but were protective or antagonistic to 1,1-DCE hepatotoxicity. Biologic response to 1,1-DCE may be expressed by a different metabolic pathway. Glutathione appears to be involved in the biologic response to all nonsymmetric chloroethylenes and toact as an antagonist against injury. Marked differences in the patterns of injury and the biologic responses suggest that more than one mechanism is involved in the production of injury by chloroethylenes.", "PMID": 612438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_682", "title": "Influence of aliphatic alcohols on the hepatic response to halogenated olefins.", "content": "The role of alcohols in potentiating the toxicity of halogenated hydrocarbon solvents has been reviewed. The toxicity of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform can be markedly potentiated by prior treatment with ethanol or phenobarbital. Trichloroethylene toxicity may also be potentiated by ethanol ingestion. Prior ethanol ingestion acts by altering biochemical parameters that result in an increased response to subsequent solvent exposure. Simultaneous exposure to both ethanol and trichloroethylene allows for competitive substrate inhibition of metabolism since these compounds share several common enzymatic pathways. Thus the toxic response to multiple exposures varies depending upon the time sequence and the comparative levels of the individual components. Phenobarbital apparently potentiates solvent toxocity by induction of the microsomal mixed function oxidase system. Ethanol, either on a chronic or single dose basis, also has the ability to stimulate this enzyme system. Although alteration of the microsomal mixed function oxidase system by chronic ethanol ingestion may play an important role in potentiation of solvent toxicity, the potentiation seen following a single dose of ethanol cannot be fully accounted for by the known effects of ethanol on the mixed function oxidase system. In addition to ethanol a large number of other alcohols will markedly potentiate the hepatotoxic response to solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. The mechanisms involved in such potentiation are not known at the present time.", "contents": "Influence of aliphatic alcohols on the hepatic response to halogenated olefins. The role of alcohols in potentiating the toxicity of halogenated hydrocarbon solvents has been reviewed. The toxicity of carbon tetrachloride and chloroform can be markedly potentiated by prior treatment with ethanol or phenobarbital. Trichloroethylene toxicity may also be potentiated by ethanol ingestion. Prior ethanol ingestion acts by altering biochemical parameters that result in an increased response to subsequent solvent exposure. Simultaneous exposure to both ethanol and trichloroethylene allows for competitive substrate inhibition of metabolism since these compounds share several common enzymatic pathways. Thus the toxic response to multiple exposures varies depending upon the time sequence and the comparative levels of the individual components. Phenobarbital apparently potentiates solvent toxocity by induction of the microsomal mixed function oxidase system. Ethanol, either on a chronic or single dose basis, also has the ability to stimulate this enzyme system. Although alteration of the microsomal mixed function oxidase system by chronic ethanol ingestion may play an important role in potentiation of solvent toxicity, the potentiation seen following a single dose of ethanol cannot be fully accounted for by the known effects of ethanol on the mixed function oxidase system. In addition to ethanol a large number of other alcohols will markedly potentiate the hepatotoxic response to solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. The mechanisms involved in such potentiation are not known at the present time.", "PMID": 612439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_683", "title": "Oral toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethylene in the rat: effects of sex, age, and fasting.", "content": "Mortality curves for groups of fasted male rats treated with single, oral doses of 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE, vinylidene chloride) were not monotonically increasing sigmoids, but were complex with maxima or extended plateaus in the region of dose between 100 and 700 mg of 1,1-DCE/kg. The exact shape was a function of the size (age) of the rat used. When groups of rats of various sizes were dosed with 50 mg/kg, mortality and hepatotoxicity were greatest for those groups whose average weight was between 100 and 150 g. Smaller and larger male rats were less susceptible to 1,1-DCE intoxication. The toxicity of 1,1-DCE was less severe in female rats and there was no significant effect of rat size on 1,1-DCE toxicity in females. In rats of both sexes the dose dependence of the hepatotoxic response was complex, possessing a threshold level, a region of precipitous increase, and a plateau, where larger doses were ineffective in increasing hepatotoxicity. The threshold in male rats of 100-150 g occurred near 50 mg/kg, and for females it was closer to 100 mg/kg. Considered in their entirety these data suggest that 1,1-DCE is metabolized to a toxic intermediate via some saturable pathway. Based on the effects of pretreatment with microsomal enzyme inhibitors and activators on 1,1-DCE toxicity in rats of various sizes, it appears that there are at least two microsomal reactions involved in 1,1-DCE metabolism.", "contents": "Oral toxicity of 1,1-dichloroethylene in the rat: effects of sex, age, and fasting. Mortality curves for groups of fasted male rats treated with single, oral doses of 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE, vinylidene chloride) were not monotonically increasing sigmoids, but were complex with maxima or extended plateaus in the region of dose between 100 and 700 mg of 1,1-DCE/kg. The exact shape was a function of the size (age) of the rat used. When groups of rats of various sizes were dosed with 50 mg/kg, mortality and hepatotoxicity were greatest for those groups whose average weight was between 100 and 150 g. Smaller and larger male rats were less susceptible to 1,1-DCE intoxication. The toxicity of 1,1-DCE was less severe in female rats and there was no significant effect of rat size on 1,1-DCE toxicity in females. In rats of both sexes the dose dependence of the hepatotoxic response was complex, possessing a threshold level, a region of precipitous increase, and a plateau, where larger doses were ineffective in increasing hepatotoxicity. The threshold in male rats of 100-150 g occurred near 50 mg/kg, and for females it was closer to 100 mg/kg. Considered in their entirety these data suggest that 1,1-DCE is metabolized to a toxic intermediate via some saturable pathway. Based on the effects of pretreatment with microsomal enzyme inhibitors and activators on 1,1-DCE toxicity in rats of various sizes, it appears that there are at least two microsomal reactions involved in 1,1-DCE metabolism.", "PMID": 612440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_684", "title": "Chemical structure, reactivity, and carcinogenicity of halohydrocarbons.", "content": "This review summarizes studies concerning the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to rat liver microsomal protein and exogenous DNA, in vitro, the enhancement of this binding by inducers of mixed-function oxidases, and inhibition of binding by inhibitors of these enzymes. Furthermore, recent studies on this type of binding in various strains of mice and rats of both sexes and using microsomal preparations from various organs are briefly reviewed. Other work reviewed here concerns the synthesis of TCE epoxide and its reaction with nucleophiles since it is believed that TCE epoxide is the activated carcinogenic intermediate of TCE. The utility of structural prognostication of carcinogenic activity and the importance of considering possible metabolic pathways for other chlorinated olefins is also discussed.", "contents": "Chemical structure, reactivity, and carcinogenicity of halohydrocarbons. This review summarizes studies concerning the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to rat liver microsomal protein and exogenous DNA, in vitro, the enhancement of this binding by inducers of mixed-function oxidases, and inhibition of binding by inhibitors of these enzymes. Furthermore, recent studies on this type of binding in various strains of mice and rats of both sexes and using microsomal preparations from various organs are briefly reviewed. Other work reviewed here concerns the synthesis of TCE epoxide and its reaction with nucleophiles since it is believed that TCE epoxide is the activated carcinogenic intermediate of TCE. The utility of structural prognostication of carcinogenic activity and the importance of considering possible metabolic pathways for other chlorinated olefins is also discussed.", "PMID": 612441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_685", "title": "Bioactivation and covalent binding of halothane to liver macromolecules.", "content": "In this manuscript we report our attempts to determine if 14C-halothane or its metabolites interact with DNA. Three bioactivation systems were used: in vitro microsomal incubations, isolated hepatocytes, and in vivo administration. Even though we used optimal conditions for bioactivation, no significant covalent binding of 14C to DNA was observed. Slight 14C activity above background (6 dpm/0.1 mg DNA) was observed in the microsomal incubations but is considered insignificant because it was not reduced when NADPH was omitted from the incubations. We are able to demonstrate covalent binding to nuclear lipids and proteins when rats were pretreated with phenobarbital and maintained in a hypoxic environment (14% O2). Similarly, these conditions markedly increased covalent binding of 14C from 14C-halothane to microsomal proteins and lipids. Isolated rat hepatocytes proved to be a viable system for studying the bioactivation of halothane. In this system it was also possible to demonstrate increased binding under N2 and/or phenobarbital pretreatment.", "contents": "Bioactivation and covalent binding of halothane to liver macromolecules. In this manuscript we report our attempts to determine if 14C-halothane or its metabolites interact with DNA. Three bioactivation systems were used: in vitro microsomal incubations, isolated hepatocytes, and in vivo administration. Even though we used optimal conditions for bioactivation, no significant covalent binding of 14C to DNA was observed. Slight 14C activity above background (6 dpm/0.1 mg DNA) was observed in the microsomal incubations but is considered insignificant because it was not reduced when NADPH was omitted from the incubations. We are able to demonstrate covalent binding to nuclear lipids and proteins when rats were pretreated with phenobarbital and maintained in a hypoxic environment (14% O2). Similarly, these conditions markedly increased covalent binding of 14C from 14C-halothane to microsomal proteins and lipids. Isolated rat hepatocytes proved to be a viable system for studying the bioactivation of halothane. In this system it was also possible to demonstrate increased binding under N2 and/or phenobarbital pretreatment.", "PMID": 612442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_686", "title": "Effect of enzyme induction on nephrotoxicity of halothane-related compounds.", "content": "Nephrotoxicity following administration of methoxyflurane has been shown to be directly related to anesthetic metabolism to inorganic fluoride. Enzyme induction should increase metabolic rate and the amount of inorganic fluoride that is released. In vivo studies in Fischer 344 rats show that enzyme induction with phenobarbital or phenytoin increases defluorination following methoxyflurane anesthesia but not after enflurane or isoflurane. In vitro, methoxyflurane defluorinase activity was increased far more than that of any of the other anesthetics. These data suggest that treatment with enzyme inducing drugs increases the risk of nephrotoxocity only if methoxyflurane is the anesthetic agent.", "contents": "Effect of enzyme induction on nephrotoxicity of halothane-related compounds. Nephrotoxicity following administration of methoxyflurane has been shown to be directly related to anesthetic metabolism to inorganic fluoride. Enzyme induction should increase metabolic rate and the amount of inorganic fluoride that is released. In vivo studies in Fischer 344 rats show that enzyme induction with phenobarbital or phenytoin increases defluorination following methoxyflurane anesthesia but not after enflurane or isoflurane. In vitro, methoxyflurane defluorinase activity was increased far more than that of any of the other anesthetics. These data suggest that treatment with enzyme inducing drugs increases the risk of nephrotoxocity only if methoxyflurane is the anesthetic agent.", "PMID": 612443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_687", "title": "Halothane hepatotoxicity and the reduced derivative, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane.", "content": "Halothane (1,1,1-trifluoro-2-bromo-2-chloroethane) is a safe, clinically useful inhalation anesthetic. Rare, unpredictable cases of liver necrosis have been reported following its use. Although the mechanism of this reaction in man is unknown the most plausible is biotransformation to reactive intermediates compounds. The oxidative metabolism of halothane appears to be benign. There is early evidence that reductive (nonoxygen dependent) may be harmful. Since the bromine atom of halothane appears to possess weak bond energy, the reduced, debrominated derivative of halothane, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane, was synthesized and tested for hepatotoxicity in the rat. The derivative is unstable and thus was prepared anaerobically and trapped in propylene glycol solvent. Injection of small amounts of this compound into the portal vein of rats produces extensive liver necrosis. It is postulated that biotransformation of halothane via a reductive pathway could produce this reactive intermediate metabolite.", "contents": "Halothane hepatotoxicity and the reduced derivative, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane. Halothane (1,1,1-trifluoro-2-bromo-2-chloroethane) is a safe, clinically useful inhalation anesthetic. Rare, unpredictable cases of liver necrosis have been reported following its use. Although the mechanism of this reaction in man is unknown the most plausible is biotransformation to reactive intermediates compounds. The oxidative metabolism of halothane appears to be benign. There is early evidence that reductive (nonoxygen dependent) may be harmful. Since the bromine atom of halothane appears to possess weak bond energy, the reduced, debrominated derivative of halothane, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane, was synthesized and tested for hepatotoxicity in the rat. The derivative is unstable and thus was prepared anaerobically and trapped in propylene glycol solvent. Injection of small amounts of this compound into the portal vein of rats produces extensive liver necrosis. It is postulated that biotransformation of halothane via a reductive pathway could produce this reactive intermediate metabolite.", "PMID": 612444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_688", "title": "Behavioral and neurochemical effects of prenatal halothane.", "content": "Permanent neurobehavioral toxicological effects have been theorized to occur at the lowest doses of a toxic agent if exposure occurs during early development compared to exposure during adulthood. Data are reviewed showing the exposure to 10 ppm of halothane from conception to day 60 of life post-partum led to adult rats (>/= 135 days of age) which were hyperalgesic to electric footshock and which committed 30% more errors learning a light-dark discrimination to escape footshock, or learning the shortest path to a food reward in a maze. Exposure only during adulthood to 10 ppm of halothane (from day 60 of life onwards) had no effects. To determine prenatal periods sensitive to halothane, rats were exposed to 12,500 ppm of halothane (with 35% oxygen) on day 3, 10, or 17 of gestation. As adults (>/= 75 days of age) day 3- and day 10-exposed rats, but not day 17-exposed rats, were hyperalgesic and committed 40% more errors in learning a visual discrimination to escape footshock. Food and water consumption, body weight, and running wheel activity were unaffected. Finally, adult rats exposed to 10, 50, or 100 ppm of halothane from conception to day 28 postpartum had 15% less 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in brain, but normal 5-hydroxytryptophan, noradrenalin, and dopamine. The possibility is discussed that the hyperalgesia noted above results from a permanently reduced turnover of brain serotonin produced by halothane present in brain at days 10-15 of gestation.", "contents": "Behavioral and neurochemical effects of prenatal halothane. Permanent neurobehavioral toxicological effects have been theorized to occur at the lowest doses of a toxic agent if exposure occurs during early development compared to exposure during adulthood. Data are reviewed showing the exposure to 10 ppm of halothane from conception to day 60 of life post-partum led to adult rats (>/= 135 days of age) which were hyperalgesic to electric footshock and which committed 30% more errors learning a light-dark discrimination to escape footshock, or learning the shortest path to a food reward in a maze. Exposure only during adulthood to 10 ppm of halothane (from day 60 of life onwards) had no effects. To determine prenatal periods sensitive to halothane, rats were exposed to 12,500 ppm of halothane (with 35% oxygen) on day 3, 10, or 17 of gestation. As adults (>/= 75 days of age) day 3- and day 10-exposed rats, but not day 17-exposed rats, were hyperalgesic and committed 40% more errors in learning a visual discrimination to escape footshock. Food and water consumption, body weight, and running wheel activity were unaffected. Finally, adult rats exposed to 10, 50, or 100 ppm of halothane from conception to day 28 postpartum had 15% less 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in brain, but normal 5-hydroxytryptophan, noradrenalin, and dopamine. The possibility is discussed that the hyperalgesia noted above results from a permanently reduced turnover of brain serotonin produced by halothane present in brain at days 10-15 of gestation.", "PMID": 612445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_689", "title": "Pathologic changes following chronic exposures to halothane: a review.", "content": "The toxic effects of halothane on the liver, kidney, and brain are reviewed. Increasing evidence has indicated that hepatic degeneration can be induced in several animal speices after exposure to halothane. Recent electron microscopic investigations have also revealed cytological degeneration of the liver cells after chronic exposure to subclinical levels of halothane. Degeneration of the kidney and the nervous system after halothane exposure have also been reported. The pathological effects of halothane on the neonatal (developing) liver, kidney, and brain are also demonstrated by electron microscopy. Although the full significance of these observations on experimental animals in relationship to human exposure is still not known, the indication of the toxic potential of halothane on the biological system is strong and deserves further investigation.", "contents": "Pathologic changes following chronic exposures to halothane: a review. The toxic effects of halothane on the liver, kidney, and brain are reviewed. Increasing evidence has indicated that hepatic degeneration can be induced in several animal speices after exposure to halothane. Recent electron microscopic investigations have also revealed cytological degeneration of the liver cells after chronic exposure to subclinical levels of halothane. Degeneration of the kidney and the nervous system after halothane exposure have also been reported. The pathological effects of halothane on the neonatal (developing) liver, kidney, and brain are also demonstrated by electron microscopy. Although the full significance of these observations on experimental animals in relationship to human exposure is still not known, the indication of the toxic potential of halothane on the biological system is strong and deserves further investigation.", "PMID": 612446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_690", "title": "Oxidative metabolism in fetal rat brain during maternal halothane anesthesia.", "content": "The present study examines the effects of maternally administered halothane on fetal brain metabolism as determined by direct tissue analysis. Term pregnant rats were paralyzed, ventilated, and administered halothane in concentrations of 0.4, 1, or 2%. For comparison of fetal response to anesthetic agents, other maternal rats were administered pentobarbital (50 or 200 mg/kg). Dams receiving 0.4% halothane or 50 mg/kg pentobarbital remained normotensive, whereas 2% halothane or 200 mg/kg pentobarbital led to a 65% reduction in maternal blood pressure and a 3-fold increase in blood lactate. Fetal blood lactate tended to parallel the maternal lactacidemia. Fetuses of dams anesthetized with 0.4% halothane or 50 mg/kg pentobarbital exhibited concentrations of cerebral metabolities comparable to those of control animals. A 2% halothane level was associated with metabolic disturbances in fetal brain, indicative of cerebral hypoxia. Pentobarbital 200 mg/kg, although producing maternal hypotension and lactacidemia to a degree similar to 2% halothane, preserved a more optimal fetal cerebral energy state as reflected in a lower lactate/pyruvate ratio and normal ATP. The metabolic influence of pentobarbital may serve to protect the hypoxic fetus from neurological damage, an effect apparently not shared by maternally administered halothane.", "contents": "Oxidative metabolism in fetal rat brain during maternal halothane anesthesia. The present study examines the effects of maternally administered halothane on fetal brain metabolism as determined by direct tissue analysis. Term pregnant rats were paralyzed, ventilated, and administered halothane in concentrations of 0.4, 1, or 2%. For comparison of fetal response to anesthetic agents, other maternal rats were administered pentobarbital (50 or 200 mg/kg). Dams receiving 0.4% halothane or 50 mg/kg pentobarbital remained normotensive, whereas 2% halothane or 200 mg/kg pentobarbital led to a 65% reduction in maternal blood pressure and a 3-fold increase in blood lactate. Fetal blood lactate tended to parallel the maternal lactacidemia. Fetuses of dams anesthetized with 0.4% halothane or 50 mg/kg pentobarbital exhibited concentrations of cerebral metabolities comparable to those of control animals. A 2% halothane level was associated with metabolic disturbances in fetal brain, indicative of cerebral hypoxia. Pentobarbital 200 mg/kg, although producing maternal hypotension and lactacidemia to a degree similar to 2% halothane, preserved a more optimal fetal cerebral energy state as reflected in a lower lactate/pyruvate ratio and normal ATP. The metabolic influence of pentobarbital may serve to protect the hypoxic fetus from neurological damage, an effect apparently not shared by maternally administered halothane.", "PMID": 612447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_691", "title": "Human exposure to tetrachloroethylene: inhalation and skin contact.", "content": "There is considerable potential for worker exposure to tetrachloroethylene, both by skin contact and by inhalation, during its use in dry cleaning and degreasing operations. This paper reviews accounts of both accidental overexposures of workers and controlled exposures of human subjects by these two routes of exposure. Several reported cases of accidental overexposure to anesthetic doses of the chemical reveal that recovery was generally complete but prolonged, and accompanied by many days of measurable levels of the chemical in the patient's alveolar breath. Chronic overexposures of workmen have lessened since the general acceptance by the Western world of the recommended TLV of 100 ppm for 8 hr of daily exposure. Controlled inhalation studies with volunteer subjects at this level of exposure revealed no effects upon health but did indicate a slight decrement in performance on a coordination test. Additional behavioral and neurological tests revealed no interactive effects when alcohol or diazepam, two depressant drugs, were added singly to tetrachloroethylene exposures. Individual susceptibility to the vapor of this chemical, as evidenced by subjective complaints, was noted in approximately one of ten subjects. The authors conclude that the TLV concentration of 100 ppm in the workplace has a negligible margin of safety regarding unimpaired performance during repeated exposures which could be especially hazardous if the worker is physically active or is in a situation where skin absorption presents an added burden.", "contents": "Human exposure to tetrachloroethylene: inhalation and skin contact. There is considerable potential for worker exposure to tetrachloroethylene, both by skin contact and by inhalation, during its use in dry cleaning and degreasing operations. This paper reviews accounts of both accidental overexposures of workers and controlled exposures of human subjects by these two routes of exposure. Several reported cases of accidental overexposure to anesthetic doses of the chemical reveal that recovery was generally complete but prolonged, and accompanied by many days of measurable levels of the chemical in the patient's alveolar breath. Chronic overexposures of workmen have lessened since the general acceptance by the Western world of the recommended TLV of 100 ppm for 8 hr of daily exposure. Controlled inhalation studies with volunteer subjects at this level of exposure revealed no effects upon health but did indicate a slight decrement in performance on a coordination test. Additional behavioral and neurological tests revealed no interactive effects when alcohol or diazepam, two depressant drugs, were added singly to tetrachloroethylene exposures. Individual susceptibility to the vapor of this chemical, as evidenced by subjective complaints, was noted in approximately one of ten subjects. The authors conclude that the TLV concentration of 100 ppm in the workplace has a negligible margin of safety regarding unimpaired performance during repeated exposures which could be especially hazardous if the worker is physically active or is in a situation where skin absorption presents an added burden.", "PMID": 612448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_692", "title": "Metabolism of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in human subjects.", "content": "A linear correlation exists between the trichloroethylene concentration in the work environments and the level of total trichloro compounds in the urine of the workers, as expressed by the equation: Gamma = 7.25=chi + 5.5, where Gamma is trichloroethylene in air (ppm) is Chi is total trichloro compounds in urine (mg/l). Trichloroethanol level is also linearly related to trichloroethylene concentration, while trichloroacetic acid level deviates from the linear relation when trichloroethylene level exceeds 50 ppm. In the case of tetrachloroethylene exposure, both trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid levels, and consequently the total trichloro compound level, reach a plateau at tetrachloroethylene level well below 100 ppm. The mean urinary biological half-life is 41 hr for trichloroethylene and 144 hr for tetrachloroethylene. The two values are the largest of the values so far obtained with organic solvents. The respiratory half-life is shorter than the urinary half-life, both in richloroethylene and in tetrachloroethylene. Applications of the urinalyses in clinical cases are described. In one case of trichlorethylene dependency, a longer urinary half-life of 73 hr was observed. An automated system is presented for the determination of total trichloro compounds in human urine. The system can analyze the samples at the rate of 20 samples per hour with an accuracy comparable to that of the time-consuming manual analysis.", "contents": "Metabolism of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in human subjects. A linear correlation exists between the trichloroethylene concentration in the work environments and the level of total trichloro compounds in the urine of the workers, as expressed by the equation: Gamma = 7.25=chi + 5.5, where Gamma is trichloroethylene in air (ppm) is Chi is total trichloro compounds in urine (mg/l). Trichloroethanol level is also linearly related to trichloroethylene concentration, while trichloroacetic acid level deviates from the linear relation when trichloroethylene level exceeds 50 ppm. In the case of tetrachloroethylene exposure, both trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid levels, and consequently the total trichloro compound level, reach a plateau at tetrachloroethylene level well below 100 ppm. The mean urinary biological half-life is 41 hr for trichloroethylene and 144 hr for tetrachloroethylene. The two values are the largest of the values so far obtained with organic solvents. The respiratory half-life is shorter than the urinary half-life, both in richloroethylene and in tetrachloroethylene. Applications of the urinalyses in clinical cases are described. In one case of trichlorethylene dependency, a longer urinary half-life of 73 hr was observed. An automated system is presented for the determination of total trichloro compounds in human urine. The system can analyze the samples at the rate of 20 samples per hour with an accuracy comparable to that of the time-consuming manual analysis.", "PMID": 612449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_693", "title": "Pulmonary edema due to tetrachloroethylene.", "content": "A patient with massive exposure to tetrachloroethylene fumes presented with coma and severe pulmonary edema. Sequential blood gases, chest x-rays, and clinical findings showed dramatic improvement with conventional but aggressive management and the patient recovered completely. There was no evidence of permanent renal, hepatic, or central nervous system damage.", "contents": "Pulmonary edema due to tetrachloroethylene. A patient with massive exposure to tetrachloroethylene fumes presented with coma and severe pulmonary edema. Sequential blood gases, chest x-rays, and clinical findings showed dramatic improvement with conventional but aggressive management and the patient recovered completely. There was no evidence of permanent renal, hepatic, or central nervous system damage.", "PMID": 612450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_694", "title": "Chemical reactivity-absorption, retention, metabolism, and elimination of hexachlorocyclopentadiene.", "content": "Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is eliminated from the body efficiently by urinary excretion. Although direct evidence is not available, it appears that expiration may be another important route of elimination. Of the administered dose 9% is excreted in the bile in 1 hr, approximately equal to the amount of fecal excretion in 7 days, suggesting enterohepatic circulation. After a single dose, HCPD decays from the blood biexponentially with a terminal phase half-life of 60 min. Of the tissues analyzed kidney, followed by liver, concentrate HCPD 1 hr or 7 days after exposure to any significant extent. Subcellularly, HCPD is predominantly associated with cytosol fractions of both kidney as well as liver, observations consistent with rapid elimination of HCPD after a single exposure. Preexposure to HCPD (50 mg/kg-day for 3 days) resulted in unaltered blood decay curves and biliary excretion, but increased the concentration in the kidneys after a single subsequent challenge.", "contents": "Chemical reactivity-absorption, retention, metabolism, and elimination of hexachlorocyclopentadiene. Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is eliminated from the body efficiently by urinary excretion. Although direct evidence is not available, it appears that expiration may be another important route of elimination. Of the administered dose 9% is excreted in the bile in 1 hr, approximately equal to the amount of fecal excretion in 7 days, suggesting enterohepatic circulation. After a single dose, HCPD decays from the blood biexponentially with a terminal phase half-life of 60 min. Of the tissues analyzed kidney, followed by liver, concentrate HCPD 1 hr or 7 days after exposure to any significant extent. Subcellularly, HCPD is predominantly associated with cytosol fractions of both kidney as well as liver, observations consistent with rapid elimination of HCPD after a single exposure. Preexposure to HCPD (50 mg/kg-day for 3 days) resulted in unaltered blood decay curves and biliary excretion, but increased the concentration in the kidneys after a single subsequent challenge.", "PMID": 612452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_695", "title": "Toxicology of the fluoroalkenes: review and research needs.", "content": "In this review of the published literature on the toxicology of fluoroalkenes several features emerge and research needs are evident. The fluoroalkenes vary widely in acute inhalation toxicity. Those, such as perfluoroisobutylene, PFIB, the most highly toxic member, attacks the pulmonary epithelium of rats eventuating in edema and death after a delay of about one day. Other fluoroalkenes, such as hexafluoropropylene (HFP) or chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), also cause pulmonary injury but at lower concentrations produce concentration dependent changes in the renal concentrating mechanism of the rat. Changes in the CNS of rats and rabbits have also been reported for CTFE. CTFE, in repeated exposures, has produced blood pressure changes in dogs, CNS effects and changes in the erythropoietic system. This variety of responses indicates the need for investigation. Chronic effects have not been sufficiently studied for PFIB and HFP. Thus pointing up the desirability for study. Mechanisms of action research for fluoroalkenes is an important area of need. While several ideas have been suggested, there are no data to support them. The nucleophilic sensitivity of the fluoroalkenes and the potential carcinogenic effects stemming therefrom suggests a need field for investigation. We also can readily perceive the needs for the evaluation of effects on reproduction (including mutagenesis and teratogenesis), metabolism pulmonary functions, cellular function and structure. Epidemiologic studies on occupationally exposed populations are desirable in order to adequately define human health hazard from these fluorocarbons.", "contents": "Toxicology of the fluoroalkenes: review and research needs. In this review of the published literature on the toxicology of fluoroalkenes several features emerge and research needs are evident. The fluoroalkenes vary widely in acute inhalation toxicity. Those, such as perfluoroisobutylene, PFIB, the most highly toxic member, attacks the pulmonary epithelium of rats eventuating in edema and death after a delay of about one day. Other fluoroalkenes, such as hexafluoropropylene (HFP) or chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), also cause pulmonary injury but at lower concentrations produce concentration dependent changes in the renal concentrating mechanism of the rat. Changes in the CNS of rats and rabbits have also been reported for CTFE. CTFE, in repeated exposures, has produced blood pressure changes in dogs, CNS effects and changes in the erythropoietic system. This variety of responses indicates the need for investigation. Chronic effects have not been sufficiently studied for PFIB and HFP. Thus pointing up the desirability for study. Mechanisms of action research for fluoroalkenes is an important area of need. While several ideas have been suggested, there are no data to support them. The nucleophilic sensitivity of the fluoroalkenes and the potential carcinogenic effects stemming therefrom suggests a need field for investigation. We also can readily perceive the needs for the evaluation of effects on reproduction (including mutagenesis and teratogenesis), metabolism pulmonary functions, cellular function and structure. Epidemiologic studies on occupationally exposed populations are desirable in order to adequately define human health hazard from these fluorocarbons.", "PMID": 612451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_696", "title": "Metabolism and toxicology of pyrethroids with dihalovinyl substituents.", "content": "Replacement of the photolabile and biodegradable isobutenyl substituent of pyrethroids with a dihalovinyl group often leads to improved insecticidal potency and enhanced photostability. This type of structural modification does not greatly alter the ease of detoxification in mammals since other sites in the molecule undergo metabolic attack. The available toxicological information on dihalovinyl pyrethroids indicates that they are suitable replacements for other insecticides with less favorable persistence and toxicological characteristics.", "contents": "Metabolism and toxicology of pyrethroids with dihalovinyl substituents. Replacement of the photolabile and biodegradable isobutenyl substituent of pyrethroids with a dihalovinyl group often leads to improved insecticidal potency and enhanced photostability. This type of structural modification does not greatly alter the ease of detoxification in mammals since other sites in the molecule undergo metabolic attack. The available toxicological information on dihalovinyl pyrethroids indicates that they are suitable replacements for other insecticides with less favorable persistence and toxicological characteristics.", "PMID": 612453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_697", "title": "Haloethylene-related compounds of industrial, environmental, and medical significance.", "content": "A broad-based literature survey was made for chemicals that contain either a haloethylene or a related substructure. Two hundred and sixty-two compounds, including synthetic intermediates, pesticides, solvents, drugs, food components, natural products, and metabolites, are grouped by their structures. Some are in current use or are bioavailable while little exposure is expected from others. As more biologic-response information is reported for small compounds of these types, it should become possible to select others for research on additional questions of structure-activity relationships. Some of the compounds are widespread while others are not. Some are used or found in large amounts while others may be trace contaminants, minor or more major by-products of synthesis or isolation. The pesticides and solvents, for example, are knowingly and often deliberately released to the environment, sometimes in very large quantities. Inadvertent release also occurs, sometimes referred to as fugitive emission. Food contaminants and drugs are directly accessible to humans. Sparsely distributed natural products could be accessible to humans, for example, via the food chain. Some of the compounds in food may be formed during preparation, storage or metabolically. Last, the haloethylene function has often been synthesized into compounds in order to achieve desired biologic activities. There are many types and degrees of relatedness of structure, depending upon atomic dimensions and stereochemical, polar, resonance, and other factors. Furthermore, for some chemical series, biologic responses are continuously variable while, in other cases, it is not uncommon that qualitatively different types of response occur with apparently very close homologs. Genetic, metabolic, and behavioral factors affecting response must also be considered. Thus, safety or hazard cannot yet be predicted conclusively by apparent relatedness of structure alone. Also, since the tables are noncomprehensive, some relevant compounds have likely been omitted. The haloalkanes, for example, are not here because of their large number, despite the knowledge that some are either metabolized or nonbiologically converted to haloalkenes.", "contents": "Haloethylene-related compounds of industrial, environmental, and medical significance. A broad-based literature survey was made for chemicals that contain either a haloethylene or a related substructure. Two hundred and sixty-two compounds, including synthetic intermediates, pesticides, solvents, drugs, food components, natural products, and metabolites, are grouped by their structures. Some are in current use or are bioavailable while little exposure is expected from others. As more biologic-response information is reported for small compounds of these types, it should become possible to select others for research on additional questions of structure-activity relationships. Some of the compounds are widespread while others are not. Some are used or found in large amounts while others may be trace contaminants, minor or more major by-products of synthesis or isolation. The pesticides and solvents, for example, are knowingly and often deliberately released to the environment, sometimes in very large quantities. Inadvertent release also occurs, sometimes referred to as fugitive emission. Food contaminants and drugs are directly accessible to humans. Sparsely distributed natural products could be accessible to humans, for example, via the food chain. Some of the compounds in food may be formed during preparation, storage or metabolically. Last, the haloethylene function has often been synthesized into compounds in order to achieve desired biologic activities. There are many types and degrees of relatedness of structure, depending upon atomic dimensions and stereochemical, polar, resonance, and other factors. Furthermore, for some chemical series, biologic responses are continuously variable while, in other cases, it is not uncommon that qualitatively different types of response occur with apparently very close homologs. Genetic, metabolic, and behavioral factors affecting response must also be considered. Thus, safety or hazard cannot yet be predicted conclusively by apparent relatedness of structure alone. Also, since the tables are noncomprehensive, some relevant compounds have likely been omitted. The haloalkanes, for example, are not here because of their large number, despite the knowledge that some are either metabolized or nonbiologically converted to haloalkenes.", "PMID": 612454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_698", "title": "Interim results of two-year toxicological studies in rats of vinylidene chloride incorporated in the drinking water or administered by repeated inhalation.", "content": "Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vinylidene chloride (VDC) orally or by inhalation in 2-year toxicological studies. Interim results are included in this report. VDC was given in the drinking water at mean +/- S.D. concentrations of 0, 68 +/- 13, 106 +/- 22, and 220 +/- 35 ppm which produced mean +/- S.D. dosage levels of 0, 5.9 +/- 0.6, 10.0 +/- 1.2, and 19.3 +/- 2.7 mg/kg for male rats and 0, 7.5 +/- 0.4, 12.6 +/- 1.1, and 25.6 +/- 2.4 mg/kg for female rats. Forty-eight rats/sex/VDC level and 80 rats/sex in the control group were used in the 2-year study with an interim kill of an additional 10 rats/sex/level at 90 days. In the inhalation study, rats were exposed to 0, 10, or 40 ppm of VDC vapor 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks, after which the exposure levels were changed to 0, 25, and 75 ppm of VDC. Exposure continued for a total of 18 months and the rats held for observation an additional 6 months. Interim kills occurred at 1, 6 and 12 months. A separate 90-day study using 20 rats/sex/level was conducted at 0, 25, and 75 ppm of VDC vapor. There were 86 rats/sex/level in the 2-year portion of the study. The parameters monitored were: body weight, food and water consumption (drinking water study only), hematology, clinical chemistries, cytogentics of bone marrow cells (inhalation study only), mortality, terminal organ weights, and gross and histopathology. Based on interim kills and gross pathologic observations, the main conclusions are: increased cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes was seen in the livers of rats given 200 ppm VDC in drinking water or 25 or 75 ppm VDC vapor by inhalation; based on gross tumor count, tumor incidence in VDC-exposed rats was not greater than controls.", "contents": "Interim results of two-year toxicological studies in rats of vinylidene chloride incorporated in the drinking water or administered by repeated inhalation. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vinylidene chloride (VDC) orally or by inhalation in 2-year toxicological studies. Interim results are included in this report. VDC was given in the drinking water at mean +/- S.D. concentrations of 0, 68 +/- 13, 106 +/- 22, and 220 +/- 35 ppm which produced mean +/- S.D. dosage levels of 0, 5.9 +/- 0.6, 10.0 +/- 1.2, and 19.3 +/- 2.7 mg/kg for male rats and 0, 7.5 +/- 0.4, 12.6 +/- 1.1, and 25.6 +/- 2.4 mg/kg for female rats. Forty-eight rats/sex/VDC level and 80 rats/sex in the control group were used in the 2-year study with an interim kill of an additional 10 rats/sex/level at 90 days. In the inhalation study, rats were exposed to 0, 10, or 40 ppm of VDC vapor 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks, after which the exposure levels were changed to 0, 25, and 75 ppm of VDC. Exposure continued for a total of 18 months and the rats held for observation an additional 6 months. Interim kills occurred at 1, 6 and 12 months. A separate 90-day study using 20 rats/sex/level was conducted at 0, 25, and 75 ppm of VDC vapor. There were 86 rats/sex/level in the 2-year portion of the study. The parameters monitored were: body weight, food and water consumption (drinking water study only), hematology, clinical chemistries, cytogentics of bone marrow cells (inhalation study only), mortality, terminal organ weights, and gross and histopathology. Based on interim kills and gross pathologic observations, the main conclusions are: increased cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes was seen in the livers of rats given 200 ppm VDC in drinking water or 25 or 75 ppm VDC vapor by inhalation; based on gross tumor count, tumor incidence in VDC-exposed rats was not greater than controls.", "PMID": 612457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_699", "title": "Carcinogenicity studies on vinylidene chloride.", "content": "Results of a study on Wistar rats regarding a possible carcinogenic effect of vinylidene chloride (VDC) were presented previously by one of the authors. Due to the unclear character of these results, a second inhalation study was initiated with Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups of 60 animals were exposed to 100 and 75 ppm VDC, along with one control group. A final report on the pathological results must await completion of the microscopic examination of the tissues and organs from all the animals. Nevertheless, it seems clear that there is no grossly observable interrelation between tumor production and VDC inhalation.", "contents": "Carcinogenicity studies on vinylidene chloride. Results of a study on Wistar rats regarding a possible carcinogenic effect of vinylidene chloride (VDC) were presented previously by one of the authors. Due to the unclear character of these results, a second inhalation study was initiated with Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups of 60 animals were exposed to 100 and 75 ppm VDC, along with one control group. A final report on the pathological results must await completion of the microscopic examination of the tissues and organs from all the animals. Nevertheless, it seems clear that there is no grossly observable interrelation between tumor production and VDC inhalation.", "PMID": 612458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_700", "title": "Chronic toxicity and reproduction studies of hexachlorobutadiene in rats.", "content": "Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), while not produced commercially in the United States, may be encountered as an unwanted by-product of certain processes associated with the chlorination of hydrocarbons. Studies were conducted to assess the potential long-term toxicity of HCBD. In a reproduction study conducted in rats, dose levels of 20 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD induced slight maternal toxicity (primarily of the kidney) but caused no adverse effects on reproductive parameters-percent pregnancy and neonatal survival/development. A decreased neonatal body weight was noted at the highest dose level of 20 mg/kg-day of HCBD. No toxicologic effects were observed among the adults at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day or among the neonates at dose levels of 0.2 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD. In a chronic toxicity study in rats, ingestion of 20 mg/kg-day for up to 2 years caused multiple toxicologic effects, primarily of the kidney, including the development of renal tubular adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Ingestion of the intermediate dose level of 2 mg/kg-day caused lesser degrees of toxicity, but no evidence of neoplasia. Ingestion of the lowest dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day of HCBD caused no effects that could be attributed to treatment. These data indicate a dose-response relationship for HCBD-induced toxicity affecting primarily the kidney. HCBD-induced neoplasms occurred only at a dose level higher than that causing discernible renal injury.", "contents": "Chronic toxicity and reproduction studies of hexachlorobutadiene in rats. Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), while not produced commercially in the United States, may be encountered as an unwanted by-product of certain processes associated with the chlorination of hydrocarbons. Studies were conducted to assess the potential long-term toxicity of HCBD. In a reproduction study conducted in rats, dose levels of 20 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD induced slight maternal toxicity (primarily of the kidney) but caused no adverse effects on reproductive parameters-percent pregnancy and neonatal survival/development. A decreased neonatal body weight was noted at the highest dose level of 20 mg/kg-day of HCBD. No toxicologic effects were observed among the adults at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day or among the neonates at dose levels of 0.2 or 2.0 mg/kg-day of HCBD. In a chronic toxicity study in rats, ingestion of 20 mg/kg-day for up to 2 years caused multiple toxicologic effects, primarily of the kidney, including the development of renal tubular adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Ingestion of the intermediate dose level of 2 mg/kg-day caused lesser degrees of toxicity, but no evidence of neoplasia. Ingestion of the lowest dose level of 0.2 mg/kg-day of HCBD caused no effects that could be attributed to treatment. These data indicate a dose-response relationship for HCBD-induced toxicity affecting primarily the kidney. HCBD-induced neoplasms occurred only at a dose level higher than that causing discernible renal injury.", "PMID": 612459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_701", "title": "Comparative mammalian metabolism of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride in relation to oncogenic potential.", "content": "Elucidation of the role of vinyl chloride metabolites in the various reaction sequences which comprise the metabolic pathway, including the interaction of reactive metabolities with some purine and pyrimidine residues of target-organ DNA, provides some explanation for the (oncogenic) properties associated with the original substance. Comparative investigation of the biological fate of vinylidene chloride reveals an agent of low oncogenic potential which is likely to be damaging only under special circumstances, and species differences which suggest that the mouse is more susceptible than the rat towards vinylidene chloride oncogenicity.", "contents": "Comparative mammalian metabolism of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride in relation to oncogenic potential. Elucidation of the role of vinyl chloride metabolites in the various reaction sequences which comprise the metabolic pathway, including the interaction of reactive metabolities with some purine and pyrimidine residues of target-organ DNA, provides some explanation for the (oncogenic) properties associated with the original substance. Comparative investigation of the biological fate of vinylidene chloride reveals an agent of low oncogenic potential which is likely to be damaging only under special circumstances, and species differences which suggest that the mouse is more susceptible than the rat towards vinylidene chloride oncogenicity.", "PMID": 612460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_702", "title": "Dominant lethal studies with the halogenated olefins vinyl chloride and vinylidene dichloride in male CD-1 mice.", "content": "The mutagenic activity of vinyl chloride (VC) and vinylidene dichloride (VDC) at three exposure levels was assessed in fertile male CD-1 mice with the dominant lethal test. Each compound was assessed in a separate study. Male mice were exposed by inhalation to VC at 3000, 10,000, and 30,000 ppm and to VDC at 10, 30, and 50 ppm for 6 hr/day for 5 days. By comparison with control males exposed to air, no mutagenic effects on any maturation stage of spermatogenesis in treated males were detected. There was no significant increase in the number of postimplantational early fetal deaths as shown by the number of females with one or more early deaths or the number of early deaths/pregnancy or the number of early deaths/total implants/pregnancy. There was no evidence of pre-implantational egg losses as indicated by the total implants/pregnant female. There was also no reduction in fertility. (The reduction in fertility at 50 ppm VDC was unproven). The lack of effect was not due to the insensitivity of the system used, since both the VC and VDC study a mutagenic effect was clearly demonstrated in male mice dosed IP with the positive control compounds cyclophosphamide (CTX) and/or ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS). During dosing these animals were housed under similar exposure conditions to those animals exposed to the test substances but with a flow of air through the exposure chambers.Thus, neither VC nor VDC is mutagenic in the mouse at the stated exposure levels as measured by the dominant lethal test.", "contents": "Dominant lethal studies with the halogenated olefins vinyl chloride and vinylidene dichloride in male CD-1 mice. The mutagenic activity of vinyl chloride (VC) and vinylidene dichloride (VDC) at three exposure levels was assessed in fertile male CD-1 mice with the dominant lethal test. Each compound was assessed in a separate study. Male mice were exposed by inhalation to VC at 3000, 10,000, and 30,000 ppm and to VDC at 10, 30, and 50 ppm for 6 hr/day for 5 days. By comparison with control males exposed to air, no mutagenic effects on any maturation stage of spermatogenesis in treated males were detected. There was no significant increase in the number of postimplantational early fetal deaths as shown by the number of females with one or more early deaths or the number of early deaths/pregnancy or the number of early deaths/total implants/pregnancy. There was no evidence of pre-implantational egg losses as indicated by the total implants/pregnant female. There was also no reduction in fertility. (The reduction in fertility at 50 ppm VDC was unproven). The lack of effect was not due to the insensitivity of the system used, since both the VC and VDC study a mutagenic effect was clearly demonstrated in male mice dosed IP with the positive control compounds cyclophosphamide (CTX) and/or ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS). During dosing these animals were housed under similar exposure conditions to those animals exposed to the test substances but with a flow of air through the exposure chambers.Thus, neither VC nor VDC is mutagenic in the mouse at the stated exposure levels as measured by the dominant lethal test.", "PMID": 612461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_703", "title": "Preliminary report on the effects of totigestational exposure to ethchlorvynol.", "content": "Ethchlorvynol, a sedative-hypnotic drug used clinically since 1955, has recently been the subject of renewed interest primarily because of its chemical relationship to vinyl chloride. In our totigestational studies, sperm-positive female rats were given a daily dose of ethchlorvynol dissolved in olive oil for 21 consecutive days. The dams were allowed to deliver and their offspring were observed for alterations in development by monitoring a number of gross behavioral, histological and biochemical parameters at newborn, weanling, puberty, adult and geriatric stages. Gross development appeared normal at time of weaning: however, offspring of treated dams showed increased behavioral activity in addition to alterations in a number of clinical chemistry parameters. The dose-response seen with most of the parameters suggests that the changes are drug related. However, the clinical pathological significance has not been ascertained.", "contents": "Preliminary report on the effects of totigestational exposure to ethchlorvynol. Ethchlorvynol, a sedative-hypnotic drug used clinically since 1955, has recently been the subject of renewed interest primarily because of its chemical relationship to vinyl chloride. In our totigestational studies, sperm-positive female rats were given a daily dose of ethchlorvynol dissolved in olive oil for 21 consecutive days. The dams were allowed to deliver and their offspring were observed for alterations in development by monitoring a number of gross behavioral, histological and biochemical parameters at newborn, weanling, puberty, adult and geriatric stages. Gross development appeared normal at time of weaning: however, offspring of treated dams showed increased behavioral activity in addition to alterations in a number of clinical chemistry parameters. The dose-response seen with most of the parameters suggests that the changes are drug related. However, the clinical pathological significance has not been ascertained.", "PMID": 612462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_704", "title": "Metabolism of halogenated ethylenes.", "content": "The metabolism of the chlorinated ethylenes may be explained by the formation of chloroethylene epoxides as the first intermediate products. The evidence indicates that these epoxides rearrange with migration of chlorine to form chloroacetaldehydes and chloroacetyl chlorides. Thus, monochloroacetic acid, chloral hydrate, and trichloroacetic acid have been found in reaction mixtures of 1,1-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene, respectively, with rat liver microsomal systems. Rearrangements of the chloroethylene, and glycols formed from the epoxides by hydration may also take place, but would appear, at least in the case of 1,1-dichloroethylene, to be quantitatively less important. The literature on the metabolism of chlorinated ethylenes and its relationship to their toxicity is reviewed.", "contents": "Metabolism of halogenated ethylenes. The metabolism of the chlorinated ethylenes may be explained by the formation of chloroethylene epoxides as the first intermediate products. The evidence indicates that these epoxides rearrange with migration of chlorine to form chloroacetaldehydes and chloroacetyl chlorides. Thus, monochloroacetic acid, chloral hydrate, and trichloroacetic acid have been found in reaction mixtures of 1,1-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene, respectively, with rat liver microsomal systems. Rearrangements of the chloroethylene, and glycols formed from the epoxides by hydration may also take place, but would appear, at least in the case of 1,1-dichloroethylene, to be quantitatively less important. The literature on the metabolism of chlorinated ethylenes and its relationship to their toxicity is reviewed.", "PMID": 612463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_705", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of vinylidene chloride in the rat.", "content": "The metabolism of inhaled vinylidene chloride in rats represents a balance of biotransformation pathways leading to the formation of a reactive alkylating species which is normally detoxified by conjugation with glutathione. Detoxification of the reactive intermediate formed from inhaled VDC is dependent upon the availability of hepatic glutathione (GSH); as VDC exposure concentrations are increased, the fraction of the dose detoxified by conjugation with GSH decreases markedly, commensurate with depletion of hepatic GSH. This reactive intermediate in the absence of GSH alkylates hepatic macromolecules and causes cell death. Similarly, hepatic GSH plays a vital role in the detoxification of the reactive metabolite formed from inhaled vinyl chloride (VC). However, the dose--response relationships for the utilization of GSH and the accumulation of alkylating metabolites following inhalation exposure to either VDC or VC point to distinct differences which may explain the differing biological activities of the two materials. Finally, preliminary pharmacokinetic data for inhaled VDC in mice indicate an enhanced susceptibility to VDC by virtue of an increased ability for production of alkylating VDC metabolites over that observed in the rat. The importance of these findings in light of recent evidence for a carcinogenic effect of VDC in mice is discussed.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of vinylidene chloride in the rat. The metabolism of inhaled vinylidene chloride in rats represents a balance of biotransformation pathways leading to the formation of a reactive alkylating species which is normally detoxified by conjugation with glutathione. Detoxification of the reactive intermediate formed from inhaled VDC is dependent upon the availability of hepatic glutathione (GSH); as VDC exposure concentrations are increased, the fraction of the dose detoxified by conjugation with GSH decreases markedly, commensurate with depletion of hepatic GSH. This reactive intermediate in the absence of GSH alkylates hepatic macromolecules and causes cell death. Similarly, hepatic GSH plays a vital role in the detoxification of the reactive metabolite formed from inhaled vinyl chloride (VC). However, the dose--response relationships for the utilization of GSH and the accumulation of alkylating metabolites following inhalation exposure to either VDC or VC point to distinct differences which may explain the differing biological activities of the two materials. Finally, preliminary pharmacokinetic data for inhaled VDC in mice indicate an enhanced susceptibility to VDC by virtue of an increased ability for production of alkylating VDC metabolites over that observed in the rat. The importance of these findings in light of recent evidence for a carcinogenic effect of VDC in mice is discussed.", "PMID": 612464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_706", "title": "Reactions induced in vertebrates by invertebrate cell suspensions. I/Specific effects of sea star axial organ cells injection.", "content": "Starfish axial organ cell suspensions injected subcutaneously into irradiated mice induce a characteristic angiogenesis reaction. The size of the reaction appears to be dependent upon the number of injected starfish cells. Axial organ cells also provoke a splenomegaly positive test in 16 day old chick embryos. No significant angiogenesis nor splenomegaly were induced by heat killed axial organ cells, ovocytes or branchial digestive organ cells. These results support our hypothesis that echinoid axial organ represents an ancestral primary lymphoid organ.", "contents": "Reactions induced in vertebrates by invertebrate cell suspensions. I/Specific effects of sea star axial organ cells injection. Starfish axial organ cell suspensions injected subcutaneously into irradiated mice induce a characteristic angiogenesis reaction. The size of the reaction appears to be dependent upon the number of injected starfish cells. Axial organ cells also provoke a splenomegaly positive test in 16 day old chick embryos. No significant angiogenesis nor splenomegaly were induced by heat killed axial organ cells, ovocytes or branchial digestive organ cells. These results support our hypothesis that echinoid axial organ represents an ancestral primary lymphoid organ.", "PMID": 612466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_707", "title": "Reactions induced in vertebrates by invertebrate cell suspensions. II/Non adherent axial organ cells as effector cells.", "content": "In contrast to starfish axial organ cells, coelomocytes of Asterias rubens do not induce a significant reaction of angiogenesis after subcutaneous injection into irradiated mice. Axial organ cells are separated into adhering and nonadhering cells by attachment ot plastic surface. Nonadhering cells consisting mainly of small lymphocyte-like cells appear to be effector cells in the reaction. Phytogenetic implications of these observations are discussed.", "contents": "Reactions induced in vertebrates by invertebrate cell suspensions. II/Non adherent axial organ cells as effector cells. In contrast to starfish axial organ cells, coelomocytes of Asterias rubens do not induce a significant reaction of angiogenesis after subcutaneous injection into irradiated mice. Axial organ cells are separated into adhering and nonadhering cells by attachment ot plastic surface. Nonadhering cells consisting mainly of small lymphocyte-like cells appear to be effector cells in the reaction. Phytogenetic implications of these observations are discussed.", "PMID": 612467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_708", "title": "Electron microscopic studies of the developing amphibian thymus.", "content": "Electron-microscopic studies of larval Xenopus laevis thymus at three different stages of development are presented. Studies of thymus from 5 and 8 day old larvae (ages when early thymectomy is performed) reveal a relatively undifferentiated rudiment composed of epithelial cells and lymphoid cell precursors. These findings are in marked contrast to ultrastructural observations of 30 day old larval thymus, where there exists a well defined corticomedullary differentiation with an abundance of small lymphocytes in the cortical region.", "contents": "Electron microscopic studies of the developing amphibian thymus. Electron-microscopic studies of larval Xenopus laevis thymus at three different stages of development are presented. Studies of thymus from 5 and 8 day old larvae (ages when early thymectomy is performed) reveal a relatively undifferentiated rudiment composed of epithelial cells and lymphoid cell precursors. These findings are in marked contrast to ultrastructural observations of 30 day old larval thymus, where there exists a well defined corticomedullary differentiation with an abundance of small lymphocytes in the cortical region.", "PMID": 612468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_709", "title": "The fate of transplanted tails in frog larvae.", "content": "Frog larvae recieved transplants of autografts, allografts, and xeonografts using Rana brevipoda and Rana japonica. Tail tip autografts heal rapidly, continue to grow but undergo degeneration at metamorphosis. Allografts and xenografts also heal but show signs of rejection by the host's immune system. Onset of rejection depends upon the stage when grafts were performed. If transplants were made during early stages, onset was late; if performed later, onset was early. Because frog larvae will eventually undergo metamorphosis as a result of thyroxine effects, they are excellent experimental models for correlating the immune and endocrine systems with differentiation, growth, and aging.", "contents": "The fate of transplanted tails in frog larvae. Frog larvae recieved transplants of autografts, allografts, and xeonografts using Rana brevipoda and Rana japonica. Tail tip autografts heal rapidly, continue to grow but undergo degeneration at metamorphosis. Allografts and xenografts also heal but show signs of rejection by the host's immune system. Onset of rejection depends upon the stage when grafts were performed. If transplants were made during early stages, onset was late; if performed later, onset was early. Because frog larvae will eventually undergo metamorphosis as a result of thyroxine effects, they are excellent experimental models for correlating the immune and endocrine systems with differentiation, growth, and aging.", "PMID": 612469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_710", "title": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in poikilotherms.", "content": "51Cr-chromate labelled chicken red blood cells, treated with rabbit (anti-chicken red blood cell) serum, are lysed in vitro, in the absence of complement, by spleen cells from Xenopus laevis, Ambystoma mexicanum or Lacerta viridis. Optimal conditions for lysis by Xenopus spleen cells were determined. The phenomenon seems homologous with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by mammalian or avian K cells. The phylogenetic significance of the finding is discussed.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in poikilotherms. 51Cr-chromate labelled chicken red blood cells, treated with rabbit (anti-chicken red blood cell) serum, are lysed in vitro, in the absence of complement, by spleen cells from Xenopus laevis, Ambystoma mexicanum or Lacerta viridis. Optimal conditions for lysis by Xenopus spleen cells were determined. The phenomenon seems homologous with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by mammalian or avian K cells. The phylogenetic significance of the finding is discussed.", "PMID": 612470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_711", "title": "Birth weight in relation to maternal socio-economic status.", "content": "On an attempt to illustrate the influence of maternal socio-economic status on birth weight, this study was carried out on 689 full term new borns. The weight, age, parity, income and occupation of their mothers were compared to the birth weight. A correlation was also performed between birth weight and the presentation of the babies and the ante-natal care offered to their mothers. A positive correlation was only found to be present between birth weight and family income below 10 pounds/month. A similar correlation was noticed between birth weight and the interpregnancy interval up to 30 months. The presentation of the foetus might be of influence on birth weight only in cephalic and breeck presentation. The age of the mother, occupation, weight were negatively correlated with birth weight.", "contents": "Birth weight in relation to maternal socio-economic status. On an attempt to illustrate the influence of maternal socio-economic status on birth weight, this study was carried out on 689 full term new borns. The weight, age, parity, income and occupation of their mothers were compared to the birth weight. A correlation was also performed between birth weight and the presentation of the babies and the ante-natal care offered to their mothers. A positive correlation was only found to be present between birth weight and family income below 10 pounds/month. A similar correlation was noticed between birth weight and the interpregnancy interval up to 30 months. The presentation of the foetus might be of influence on birth weight only in cephalic and breeck presentation. The age of the mother, occupation, weight were negatively correlated with birth weight.", "PMID": 612472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_712", "title": "Effect of low-protein diet and its duration on hair composition.", "content": "The effect of feeding rats a low-protein diet (1%) and its duration (4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks) on the protein content and the amino acids pattern of hair were studied. These variations were compared with control group fed an adequate protein diet (16%). Protein content of hair was diminished in the protein deficient rats after four weeks followed by a gradual decrease till the end of the experiment. Sulphur-containing amino acids cystine and cysteine were significantly reduced in the hair of the protein deficient rats when compared with the controls. The amino acids patterns showed significant differences from controls by the end of the whole experimental period.", "contents": "Effect of low-protein diet and its duration on hair composition. The effect of feeding rats a low-protein diet (1%) and its duration (4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks) on the protein content and the amino acids pattern of hair were studied. These variations were compared with control group fed an adequate protein diet (16%). Protein content of hair was diminished in the protein deficient rats after four weeks followed by a gradual decrease till the end of the experiment. Sulphur-containing amino acids cystine and cysteine were significantly reduced in the hair of the protein deficient rats when compared with the controls. The amino acids patterns showed significant differences from controls by the end of the whole experimental period.", "PMID": 612473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_713", "title": "Red cell membrane protein in thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency anemia.", "content": "Twenty cases of thalassemia major and 20 children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were studied for the protein content of their red cell membrane as well as for its fractions, compared to 20 normal controls. The results showed that the total membrane proteins per red cell and the various fraction percentages in both conditions were not significantly different from normal controls. Also the acrylamide gel electrophoretic studies of the red cell membrane proteins gave band patterns identical with those of normal controls. These results are discussed.", "contents": "Red cell membrane protein in thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency anemia. Twenty cases of thalassemia major and 20 children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were studied for the protein content of their red cell membrane as well as for its fractions, compared to 20 normal controls. The results showed that the total membrane proteins per red cell and the various fraction percentages in both conditions were not significantly different from normal controls. Also the acrylamide gel electrophoretic studies of the red cell membrane proteins gave band patterns identical with those of normal controls. These results are discussed.", "PMID": 612474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_714", "title": "[Mapping of the c-region of phage phi80].", "content": "A set of c-mutants of the phage phi80 is isolated. These mutants fit into three genes. According to plaque morphology and frequency of lysogenization of mutants, the genes were named cI, cII and cIII as it was previously done for phage lambda. Their order, determinated by mutant phage crosses, is cIII-sus326-cI-cII-sus250. Sus326 is a mutation in the gene 15, so it is probably an analogue of the N gene of the phage lambda. Thermoinducible mutants of the phage phi80 cts11 and cts12 correspond to the mutant types cItsB and cItsA of the phage lambda and they complement each other. Thus, it is supposed that phi80 phage repressor molecules consist of few protein subunits.", "contents": "[Mapping of the c-region of phage phi80]. A set of c-mutants of the phage phi80 is isolated. These mutants fit into three genes. According to plaque morphology and frequency of lysogenization of mutants, the genes were named cI, cII and cIII as it was previously done for phage lambda. Their order, determinated by mutant phage crosses, is cIII-sus326-cI-cII-sus250. Sus326 is a mutation in the gene 15, so it is probably an analogue of the N gene of the phage lambda. Thermoinducible mutants of the phage phi80 cts11 and cts12 correspond to the mutant types cItsB and cItsA of the phage lambda and they complement each other. Thus, it is supposed that phi80 phage repressor molecules consist of few protein subunits.", "PMID": 612476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_715", "title": "[Characteristics of the mutants of the temporate actinophage phiC31 with a disordered lysogenicity and that overcome the immunity of lysogenic cultures].", "content": "The study of c- and cts-mutants of the temperate actinophage phiC31, affecting the lysogenization process in Streptomyces coelicolor showed the interallelic negative complementation. This fact implies the protein nature of the repressor synthesized under the control of gene C and its multiunit structure. Transdominant c- and cts-mutants were partly virulent being able to overcome the immunity of lysogens with effecting of plating (eop) about 5. Virulent mutants infecting lysogens with an eop 1 were detected. Differences in behaviour of virulent mutants isolated from transdominant mutant (v) stock and those containing a recessive mutation in the gene C (vd- and vdt-mutants) are shown. It is demonstrated that vd-mutants unlike v-mutants are not capable of growing without phage-helper (presumably prophage) and use many prophage gene products marked by ts- and host-range-mutations to form progeny. Common to all isolated virulent mutants are their ability to promote the prophage induction in lysogens and inability to display virulent phenotype in the absence of a mutation in the gene C.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the mutants of the temporate actinophage phiC31 with a disordered lysogenicity and that overcome the immunity of lysogenic cultures]. The study of c- and cts-mutants of the temperate actinophage phiC31, affecting the lysogenization process in Streptomyces coelicolor showed the interallelic negative complementation. This fact implies the protein nature of the repressor synthesized under the control of gene C and its multiunit structure. Transdominant c- and cts-mutants were partly virulent being able to overcome the immunity of lysogens with effecting of plating (eop) about 5. Virulent mutants infecting lysogens with an eop 1 were detected. Differences in behaviour of virulent mutants isolated from transdominant mutant (v) stock and those containing a recessive mutation in the gene C (vd- and vdt-mutants) are shown. It is demonstrated that vd-mutants unlike v-mutants are not capable of growing without phage-helper (presumably prophage) and use many prophage gene products marked by ts- and host-range-mutations to form progeny. Common to all isolated virulent mutants are their ability to promote the prophage induction in lysogens and inability to display virulent phenotype in the absence of a mutation in the gene C.", "PMID": 612477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_716", "title": "[Frequency of chromosome aberrations in persons living in areas with a varying pesticide expenditure].", "content": "The frequency and types of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in two groups of healthy pupils of 15--17 years old (55 persons) living in agricultural districts with three-fold difference in pesticides' application. 10096 metaphases were analysed. The average level of aberrant cells comprised 2.12% in experimental and 1.74% in the control zones; the difference between them being insignificant. In lymphocytes of people, living in both districts, chromatid types of aberrations (especially, single fragments) prevailed. The results obtained may serve as the base data for further investigation of the spontaneous mutagenesis of people living in these agricultural zones.", "contents": "[Frequency of chromosome aberrations in persons living in areas with a varying pesticide expenditure]. The frequency and types of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in two groups of healthy pupils of 15--17 years old (55 persons) living in agricultural districts with three-fold difference in pesticides' application. 10096 metaphases were analysed. The average level of aberrant cells comprised 2.12% in experimental and 1.74% in the control zones; the difference between them being insignificant. In lymphocytes of people, living in both districts, chromatid types of aberrations (especially, single fragments) prevailed. The results obtained may serve as the base data for further investigation of the spontaneous mutagenesis of people living in these agricultural zones.", "PMID": 612479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_717", "title": "[Induction of gene mutations and the lethal action of ultraviolet rays in synchronized Chinese hamster cells].", "content": "Lethal and mutagenic effects of UV light were studied in two synchronized UV-sensitive Chinese hamster cell clones differing in the degree of sensitivity (CHS1, CHS2). It is shown that the phase of mitosis is most resistant to the lethal effect of UV. The sensitivity of both cell clones increases in the pre-synthetic phase and reaches its maximum during the phase of DNA synthesis. Positive correlation of cell sensitivity to mutagenic and lethal action of UV was observed when studying induced mutability in both cell clones during the phase of DNA synthesis. However, the study of the mutagenic effect of UV on different phases of the synthesis. However, the study of the mutagenic effect of UV on different phases of the cell cycle (M, G1, S) in the less UV-sensitive cell clone has revealed that the maximal mutation yield takes place when cells are irradiated at G1 (CHS1). The discrepancy observed may be due to different probability of the phenotypic detection of pre-mutational lesions, arising at different phases of the cell cycle. It is shown that only one cell generation is necessary for the expression of pre-mutational changes. These data allow to conclude that the increased mutation rate observed at G1 (as compared with S) reveals rather a probability of the expression but not of the occurrence of pre-mutational lesions. It is suggested that the fixation of mutations in the cells studied proceeds during the post-replication repair synthesis.", "contents": "[Induction of gene mutations and the lethal action of ultraviolet rays in synchronized Chinese hamster cells]. Lethal and mutagenic effects of UV light were studied in two synchronized UV-sensitive Chinese hamster cell clones differing in the degree of sensitivity (CHS1, CHS2). It is shown that the phase of mitosis is most resistant to the lethal effect of UV. The sensitivity of both cell clones increases in the pre-synthetic phase and reaches its maximum during the phase of DNA synthesis. Positive correlation of cell sensitivity to mutagenic and lethal action of UV was observed when studying induced mutability in both cell clones during the phase of DNA synthesis. However, the study of the mutagenic effect of UV on different phases of the synthesis. However, the study of the mutagenic effect of UV on different phases of the cell cycle (M, G1, S) in the less UV-sensitive cell clone has revealed that the maximal mutation yield takes place when cells are irradiated at G1 (CHS1). The discrepancy observed may be due to different probability of the phenotypic detection of pre-mutational lesions, arising at different phases of the cell cycle. It is shown that only one cell generation is necessary for the expression of pre-mutational changes. These data allow to conclude that the increased mutation rate observed at G1 (as compared with S) reveals rather a probability of the expression but not of the occurrence of pre-mutational lesions. It is suggested that the fixation of mutations in the cells studied proceeds during the post-replication repair synthesis.", "PMID": 612481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_718", "title": "[Rate of spontaneous chromosome aberration occurrence in cultured Chinese hamster cells].", "content": "The spontaneous chromosome mutation rate was studied in cultured aneuploid Chinese hamster cells (clone 237(1)) using the method of slowing down the rate of cell division in a limiting medium containing 0.1% of serum. It was shown that during one cell generation (which lasted 14 days in limiting medium) the accumulation of chromosome aberrations with time took place. The data obtained are in keeping with the assumption of a linear dependence of this accumulation on time. The spontaneous chromosome rearrangement rate was 1.2 X 10(-2) mutations per cell per 24 hours. Proceeding from this value the spontaneous chromosome aberration rate in cells with a normal duration of the cell cycle was 0.6 X 10(-2) per cell per generation.", "contents": "[Rate of spontaneous chromosome aberration occurrence in cultured Chinese hamster cells]. The spontaneous chromosome mutation rate was studied in cultured aneuploid Chinese hamster cells (clone 237(1)) using the method of slowing down the rate of cell division in a limiting medium containing 0.1% of serum. It was shown that during one cell generation (which lasted 14 days in limiting medium) the accumulation of chromosome aberrations with time took place. The data obtained are in keeping with the assumption of a linear dependence of this accumulation on time. The spontaneous chromosome rearrangement rate was 1.2 X 10(-2) mutations per cell per 24 hours. Proceeding from this value the spontaneous chromosome aberration rate in cells with a normal duration of the cell cycle was 0.6 X 10(-2) per cell per generation.", "PMID": 612482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_719", "title": "[Problems of the genetics of stress. III. The differential effect of stress on the fertility of mice of differing genotypes].", "content": "Pre- and post-implantation embryonic mortality and the litter size in intact females and in females stressed during pregnancy were studied. These mice were the progeny of full diallele cross of 4 inbred strains (BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6 and AKR/J). No genetic effects of pre-implantation losses were observed in the control group, but in the stressed group significant genetic effects (both additive and non-additive) on this character were found. Females originating from the most emotionally reactive strain (BALB/c) had a greater value of pre-implantation losses than the other animals, while the progeny of the least emotionally reactive strain (C57BL/6) had a smaller one. The litter size in the latter females was larger than in the former, in spite of the fact that the number of ovulation in RALB/c progeny was higher than that in C57BL/6 progeny. Thus, differential effect of stress on fitness was demonstrated in these experiments.", "contents": "[Problems of the genetics of stress. III. The differential effect of stress on the fertility of mice of differing genotypes]. Pre- and post-implantation embryonic mortality and the litter size in intact females and in females stressed during pregnancy were studied. These mice were the progeny of full diallele cross of 4 inbred strains (BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6 and AKR/J). No genetic effects of pre-implantation losses were observed in the control group, but in the stressed group significant genetic effects (both additive and non-additive) on this character were found. Females originating from the most emotionally reactive strain (BALB/c) had a greater value of pre-implantation losses than the other animals, while the progeny of the least emotionally reactive strain (C57BL/6) had a smaller one. The litter size in the latter females was larger than in the former, in spite of the fact that the number of ovulation in RALB/c progeny was higher than that in C57BL/6 progeny. Thus, differential effect of stress on fitness was demonstrated in these experiments.", "PMID": 612483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_720", "title": "[Mutagenic action of cadmium on the sex cells of male mice].", "content": "Possible mutagenic effect of cadmium chloride was studied by determining the frequency of dominant lethal mutations induced in germ cells of male mice. Water solution of CdCl2 was injected intraperitoneally to male mice at doses of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg. The results obtained did not reveal any mutagenic effect of this compound. The dose of 4.0 mg/kg CdCl2 resulted in the death of spermatocytes and spermatogonia and the sterility of male mice. Cadmium chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg did not affect the frequency of dominant lethal mutation induced by gamma-rays 60Co at a dose of 450 r in germ cells of male mice.", "contents": "[Mutagenic action of cadmium on the sex cells of male mice]. Possible mutagenic effect of cadmium chloride was studied by determining the frequency of dominant lethal mutations induced in germ cells of male mice. Water solution of CdCl2 was injected intraperitoneally to male mice at doses of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg. The results obtained did not reveal any mutagenic effect of this compound. The dose of 4.0 mg/kg CdCl2 resulted in the death of spermatocytes and spermatogonia and the sterility of male mice. Cadmium chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg did not affect the frequency of dominant lethal mutation induced by gamma-rays 60Co at a dose of 450 r in germ cells of male mice.", "PMID": 612484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_721", "title": "[Role of thymine dimers in the UV mutagenesis of bacteriophage sd].", "content": "The sensitized irradiation (lambda greater than 310 nm) with AcphiM induces plaque mutants of extracellular phage Sd. Thus, TT in phage Sd DNA are both lethal and mutagenic. The yield of plaque mutants is about 3-fold lower as compared with the yield after UV-irradiation (lambda = 254 nm). The theoretical analysis of UV-induced mutagenesis curves of phage Sd was carried out. It is concluded that the following photoproducts make a contribution in the mutagenic effect of near-UV (lambda = 254 nm): 1) lethal pyrimidine dimers; 2) other lethal photolesions; and 3) non-lethal mutagenic photoproducts of cytosine. The cytosine photohydrate contribution nearly twice exceeds the total contribution of lethal photoproducts. It is assumed that bacteriophages T4 and Sd have their own system of repair, like SOS-repair in bacteria.", "contents": "[Role of thymine dimers in the UV mutagenesis of bacteriophage sd]. The sensitized irradiation (lambda greater than 310 nm) with AcphiM induces plaque mutants of extracellular phage Sd. Thus, TT in phage Sd DNA are both lethal and mutagenic. The yield of plaque mutants is about 3-fold lower as compared with the yield after UV-irradiation (lambda = 254 nm). The theoretical analysis of UV-induced mutagenesis curves of phage Sd was carried out. It is concluded that the following photoproducts make a contribution in the mutagenic effect of near-UV (lambda = 254 nm): 1) lethal pyrimidine dimers; 2) other lethal photolesions; and 3) non-lethal mutagenic photoproducts of cytosine. The cytosine photohydrate contribution nearly twice exceeds the total contribution of lethal photoproducts. It is assumed that bacteriophages T4 and Sd have their own system of repair, like SOS-repair in bacteria.", "PMID": 612486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_722", "title": "[Multiple antibiotic resistance in actinomycetes].", "content": "Native strains of Actinomycetes from three systematic groups of Streptomyces (blue, gray and globisporine) have been characterized for their resistance to antibiotics and sulfamids. Most strains are found to possess stably inheritable multiple resistance to many antibiotics. The resistance of a number of strains to the aminoglycoside antibiotics and penicillins appears to be due to the presence of inactivating enzymes in these strains. The resistance to erythromycin, lyncomycin, tetracycline and ristomycin is likely to have an inducible nature in S. coelicolor A3(2). Linkage analysis for resistance determinants in pairs suggests random distribution of the majority of determinants among tested strains. Non-random distribution has been shown for determinants of resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ristomycin in Tc Cm, Tc Rm combinations.", "contents": "[Multiple antibiotic resistance in actinomycetes]. Native strains of Actinomycetes from three systematic groups of Streptomyces (blue, gray and globisporine) have been characterized for their resistance to antibiotics and sulfamids. Most strains are found to possess stably inheritable multiple resistance to many antibiotics. The resistance of a number of strains to the aminoglycoside antibiotics and penicillins appears to be due to the presence of inactivating enzymes in these strains. The resistance to erythromycin, lyncomycin, tetracycline and ristomycin is likely to have an inducible nature in S. coelicolor A3(2). Linkage analysis for resistance determinants in pairs suggests random distribution of the majority of determinants among tested strains. Non-random distribution has been shown for determinants of resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ristomycin in Tc Cm, Tc Rm combinations.", "PMID": 612487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_723", "title": "[Nosological classification of bokhoror].", "content": "The results of neurological, pathomorphological and clinic-genealogical studies of vilyuisk encephalitis (VE), a chronic progressive disease of CNS, are presented. The disease is spread in Yakutija in Vilyui river basin (mainly in Vilyuisk and Kobyaisk regions) exclusively among native population and is known there since the middle of the last century. The results obtained suggest that VE (despite the existing opinion on its natural-focal virus etiology) is an ethnic hereditary disease with autosomal recessive type of transmission, is spread in a limited Yakut population by an ancestor effect and gradually gets out of the limits of this population at the expense of migration. According to its clinical symptoms and pathomorphological substrate of this main neurological syndrome (peculiar lower spastic paraparesis as a result of systemic ascending degeneration of lateral corticospinal tract of spinal cord), VE belongs to hereditary heterogenous group of diseases which are referred to Str\u00fcmpell's spastic paraplegia. VE is different from the diseases of this group by the occurrence of cases with very rapid progressing and characteristic brain damages. To prevent further VE accumulation, it is necessary to concentrate efforts on biochemical and neurological studies in search of reliable tests for early detection of heterozygotes. Taking into account the hereditary nature of VE, its ethnic limitations and nosological self-dependence, it is expedient to designate the disease by its local name \"bokhoroor\".", "contents": "[Nosological classification of bokhoror]. The results of neurological, pathomorphological and clinic-genealogical studies of vilyuisk encephalitis (VE), a chronic progressive disease of CNS, are presented. The disease is spread in Yakutija in Vilyui river basin (mainly in Vilyuisk and Kobyaisk regions) exclusively among native population and is known there since the middle of the last century. The results obtained suggest that VE (despite the existing opinion on its natural-focal virus etiology) is an ethnic hereditary disease with autosomal recessive type of transmission, is spread in a limited Yakut population by an ancestor effect and gradually gets out of the limits of this population at the expense of migration. According to its clinical symptoms and pathomorphological substrate of this main neurological syndrome (peculiar lower spastic paraparesis as a result of systemic ascending degeneration of lateral corticospinal tract of spinal cord), VE belongs to hereditary heterogenous group of diseases which are referred to Str\u00fcmpell's spastic paraplegia. VE is different from the diseases of this group by the occurrence of cases with very rapid progressing and characteristic brain damages. To prevent further VE accumulation, it is necessary to concentrate efforts on biochemical and neurological studies in search of reliable tests for early detection of heterozygotes. Taking into account the hereditary nature of VE, its ethnic limitations and nosological self-dependence, it is expedient to designate the disease by its local name \"bokhoroor\".", "PMID": 612488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_724", "title": "[Genetic structure of an isolated native population group of northern Sibiria, the Nganasani (Tavgi) of the Taimyr. II. An analysis of intrapopulation variability].", "content": "Chi-square contingency table analysis of phenotypic (genotypic) and gene frequencies of erythrocyte and blood serum groups and enzymes in a group of reindeer hunter and fishermen revealed heterogeneity within the population studied. Four out of twelve loci which have been compared were found to be involved in the process of differentiation into two local subgroups (subpopulations). No statistical differences have been observed between samples arbitrarily representing three generations. The data obtained support the hypothesis that the whole population still preserves the state of the stability. Traditional migration from adjacent populations close to nganasans by language and culture has made an important contribution into heterogeneity found in nganasans.", "contents": "[Genetic structure of an isolated native population group of northern Sibiria, the Nganasani (Tavgi) of the Taimyr. II. An analysis of intrapopulation variability]. Chi-square contingency table analysis of phenotypic (genotypic) and gene frequencies of erythrocyte and blood serum groups and enzymes in a group of reindeer hunter and fishermen revealed heterogeneity within the population studied. Four out of twelve loci which have been compared were found to be involved in the process of differentiation into two local subgroups (subpopulations). No statistical differences have been observed between samples arbitrarily representing three generations. The data obtained support the hypothesis that the whole population still preserves the state of the stability. Traditional migration from adjacent populations close to nganasans by language and culture has made an important contribution into heterogeneity found in nganasans.", "PMID": 612489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_725", "title": "Determinants of venous return in the fetal lamb.", "content": "Measurements have been made of the peripheral vascular factors influencing venous return, and hence cardiac output, in the fetus. These measurements show the fetus maintains a high venous return by means of a high mean systemic pressure, or driving pressure for venous return, and a low resistance to venous return. Increases in fetal blood volume cause increases in mean systemic pressure with no change in resistance to venous return and, as a result, venous return is increased. These studies show the possible importance of peripheral vascular factors in the control of cardiac output.", "contents": "Determinants of venous return in the fetal lamb. Measurements have been made of the peripheral vascular factors influencing venous return, and hence cardiac output, in the fetus. These measurements show the fetus maintains a high venous return by means of a high mean systemic pressure, or driving pressure for venous return, and a low resistance to venous return. Increases in fetal blood volume cause increases in mean systemic pressure with no change in resistance to venous return and, as a result, venous return is increased. These studies show the possible importance of peripheral vascular factors in the control of cardiac output.", "PMID": 612490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_726", "title": "Intrauterine pressure wave form characteristics of successful and failed first stage labor.", "content": "A retrospective study was designed to contrast the intrauterine pressure wave form characteristics of hypocontractile labor in patients with and without obstruction and before and after oxytocin therapy. No differences were observed between the patient groups (vaginal delivery vs. cesarean section), either before or after oxytocin. Problems in defining adequate contractility in patients with possible obstructed labors are discussed, and new parameters of potential value are identified.", "contents": "Intrauterine pressure wave form characteristics of successful and failed first stage labor. A retrospective study was designed to contrast the intrauterine pressure wave form characteristics of hypocontractile labor in patients with and without obstruction and before and after oxytocin therapy. No differences were observed between the patient groups (vaginal delivery vs. cesarean section), either before or after oxytocin. Problems in defining adequate contractility in patients with possible obstructed labors are discussed, and new parameters of potential value are identified.", "PMID": 612491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_727", "title": "Galactosyltransferase activity of the microvillous surface of human placental syncytial trophoblast.", "content": "The syncytial trophoblast has previously been shown to have minimal intrasyncytial galactosyltransferase activity at term. The biochemical and autoradiographic study reported here shows that the microvillous surface of term human placental syncytial trophoblast has a galactosyltransferase activity capable of transferring 3H-galactose from uridine diphosphate-D-galactose-1-3H to trichloroacetic-acid precipitable, endogenous acceptors. This capability of resynthesizing cleaved galactose moieties in the glycocalyx, without dependence on cytoplasmically located galactosyltransferases, would allow for reinstatement of the original surface molecular configuration without requiring synthesis and insertion of a completely new membrane molecule. It is suggested that the surface galactosyltransferase might function to repair damage to syncytial trophoblast glycocalyx induced by the enzymes in maternal blood.", "contents": "Galactosyltransferase activity of the microvillous surface of human placental syncytial trophoblast. The syncytial trophoblast has previously been shown to have minimal intrasyncytial galactosyltransferase activity at term. The biochemical and autoradiographic study reported here shows that the microvillous surface of term human placental syncytial trophoblast has a galactosyltransferase activity capable of transferring 3H-galactose from uridine diphosphate-D-galactose-1-3H to trichloroacetic-acid precipitable, endogenous acceptors. This capability of resynthesizing cleaved galactose moieties in the glycocalyx, without dependence on cytoplasmically located galactosyltransferases, would allow for reinstatement of the original surface molecular configuration without requiring synthesis and insertion of a completely new membrane molecule. It is suggested that the surface galactosyltransferase might function to repair damage to syncytial trophoblast glycocalyx induced by the enzymes in maternal blood.", "PMID": 612492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_728", "title": "Sequential evaluation of the supine hypertension or 'roll-over' test in a high risk population.", "content": "The supine hypertensive or 'roll-over' test (ROT) was performed serially in 24 primigravid patients between 27 and 35 weeks of gestational age. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) developed in 3 women (12.5%). Test producibility one week to the next in the same patient was poor. A false-positive ROT was noted for 83% of our patients a false-negative test for 12.5%. We conclude that serial testing reveals marked variations in response that reflect inherent biologic fluctuations that limit the predictive value of the ROT for screening outpatients.", "contents": "Sequential evaluation of the supine hypertension or 'roll-over' test in a high risk population. The supine hypertensive or 'roll-over' test (ROT) was performed serially in 24 primigravid patients between 27 and 35 weeks of gestational age. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) developed in 3 women (12.5%). Test producibility one week to the next in the same patient was poor. A false-positive ROT was noted for 83% of our patients a false-negative test for 12.5%. We conclude that serial testing reveals marked variations in response that reflect inherent biologic fluctuations that limit the predictive value of the ROT for screening outpatients.", "PMID": 612493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_729", "title": "Fetal metabolism during recovery from surgical stress.", "content": "10 fetal lambs prepared with sampling catheters in the common umbilical vein and distal aorta were studied at 2 h, 2 and 4 days postoperatively. Umbilical blood flow was measured by a diffusion equilibrium method. Oxygen, lactate, pyruvate, glucose and alpha-amino nitrogen concentrations were determined on umbilical arterial (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) blood. Fetal oxygen consumption averaged 10.4, 10.6 and 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 for the three study periods. Lactate/pyruvate ratios were higher in UV than in UA in 17 of 20 experiments. Significant reductions (p less than 0.05) in (1) maternal mixed venous-UA glucose concentration difference, and (2) UA glucose concentrations occurred at 2 and 4 days compared to the 2-hour period. Fetal alpha-amino nitrogen balance was negative at the 2-hour period, but positive 2 days and 4 days postoperatively.", "contents": "Fetal metabolism during recovery from surgical stress. 10 fetal lambs prepared with sampling catheters in the common umbilical vein and distal aorta were studied at 2 h, 2 and 4 days postoperatively. Umbilical blood flow was measured by a diffusion equilibrium method. Oxygen, lactate, pyruvate, glucose and alpha-amino nitrogen concentrations were determined on umbilical arterial (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) blood. Fetal oxygen consumption averaged 10.4, 10.6 and 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 for the three study periods. Lactate/pyruvate ratios were higher in UV than in UA in 17 of 20 experiments. Significant reductions (p less than 0.05) in (1) maternal mixed venous-UA glucose concentration difference, and (2) UA glucose concentrations occurred at 2 and 4 days compared to the 2-hour period. Fetal alpha-amino nitrogen balance was negative at the 2-hour period, but positive 2 days and 4 days postoperatively.", "PMID": 612494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_730", "title": "Vasodilating effect of estrogen on the human umbilical artery.", "content": "The effects of estradiol, estrone and estriol on the tonus of the isolated vascular segments of human umbilical artery were studied by a perfusion technique. Estradiol (10 microgram/ml), estrone (10 microgram/ml) or estriol (2 and 10 microgram/ml) produce relaxation of the vascular bed which was reflected in a significant reduction in basal pressure of segments perfused at constant rate. A dose-dependent relationship was demonstrated for estriol. The time dependence and extent of relation were similar for all three natural estrogens.", "contents": "Vasodilating effect of estrogen on the human umbilical artery. The effects of estradiol, estrone and estriol on the tonus of the isolated vascular segments of human umbilical artery were studied by a perfusion technique. Estradiol (10 microgram/ml), estrone (10 microgram/ml) or estriol (2 and 10 microgram/ml) produce relaxation of the vascular bed which was reflected in a significant reduction in basal pressure of segments perfused at constant rate. A dose-dependent relationship was demonstrated for estriol. The time dependence and extent of relation were similar for all three natural estrogens.", "PMID": 612495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_731", "title": "A mechanism of action of phenylephrine on heart.", "content": "Phenylephrine exerted a positive chronotropic and inotropic effect on isolated, spontaneously beating, atria of reserpinised rabbits. Addition of phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine resulted in a depression of control contractile amplitude. Practolol, however, was devoid of this effect. The positive inotropic response to phenylephrine was significantly antagonised by all the three blockers used, while positive chronotropic response was annulled by phentolamine and practolol, but not with phenoxybenzamine. It is, therefore, suggested that phenylephrine exerts its cardiostimulant effects through mediation of both alpha and beta-1 adrenoceptors. A probable mechanism of action could be, that phenylephrine acts on some specific chemical group, shared by alpha and beta1 receptors. This specific group is probably blocked by both alpha and betaceptor antagonists separately, so phenylephrine becomes ineffective in presence of these antagonists.", "contents": "A mechanism of action of phenylephrine on heart. Phenylephrine exerted a positive chronotropic and inotropic effect on isolated, spontaneously beating, atria of reserpinised rabbits. Addition of phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine resulted in a depression of control contractile amplitude. Practolol, however, was devoid of this effect. The positive inotropic response to phenylephrine was significantly antagonised by all the three blockers used, while positive chronotropic response was annulled by phentolamine and practolol, but not with phenoxybenzamine. It is, therefore, suggested that phenylephrine exerts its cardiostimulant effects through mediation of both alpha and beta-1 adrenoceptors. A probable mechanism of action could be, that phenylephrine acts on some specific chemical group, shared by alpha and beta1 receptors. This specific group is probably blocked by both alpha and betaceptor antagonists separately, so phenylephrine becomes ineffective in presence of these antagonists.", "PMID": 612597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_732", "title": "Exercise induced serum enzyme changes in untrained subjects.", "content": "The serum enzyme values (GOT, GPT, LDH and Aldolase) of 13 fit healthy volunteers were determined before and after physical effort of a moderate grade of 3.9 Kcal/min. The pulse rate pattern of the subjects during the exercise of climbing up and down a staircase for 30 minutes and during a 10 minute recovery phase was also recorded. The pulse pattern was in no case in excess of 150 bpm and full recovery was achieved within 10 minutes indicating that the exercise was moderate. The serum enzyme values after the exercise were raised. The difference between the exercise and rest values of the four enzyme activities were significant at the 1% level. It was observed that the raised enzyme activity level dropped to normal levels within 24 hours after the exercise. Large individual variations in the rise of these enzyme levels after exercise were observed and hence it is difficult to quantitate the phenomenon. Consequently the value of serum enzyme levels after the exercise as a practical-index of physiological strain is limited.", "contents": "Exercise induced serum enzyme changes in untrained subjects. The serum enzyme values (GOT, GPT, LDH and Aldolase) of 13 fit healthy volunteers were determined before and after physical effort of a moderate grade of 3.9 Kcal/min. The pulse rate pattern of the subjects during the exercise of climbing up and down a staircase for 30 minutes and during a 10 minute recovery phase was also recorded. The pulse pattern was in no case in excess of 150 bpm and full recovery was achieved within 10 minutes indicating that the exercise was moderate. The serum enzyme values after the exercise were raised. The difference between the exercise and rest values of the four enzyme activities were significant at the 1% level. It was observed that the raised enzyme activity level dropped to normal levels within 24 hours after the exercise. Large individual variations in the rise of these enzyme levels after exercise were observed and hence it is difficult to quantitate the phenomenon. Consequently the value of serum enzyme levels after the exercise as a practical-index of physiological strain is limited.", "PMID": 612598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_733", "title": "Hypothermia and acetylcholine content of dog heart.", "content": "The acetylcholine level of dog heart has been determined under hypothermia. It was increased at 28 degrees C, and decrease at 20 degrees C. Further, it was observed that the heart rate and blood pressure decreased with gradual reduction in the body temperature of the dog and ventricular fibrillation occurred in 50% of the animals at 20 degrees C. It is proposed that cholinergic agents may have a role as antifibrillatory agents in hypothermia.", "contents": "Hypothermia and acetylcholine content of dog heart. The acetylcholine level of dog heart has been determined under hypothermia. It was increased at 28 degrees C, and decrease at 20 degrees C. Further, it was observed that the heart rate and blood pressure decreased with gradual reduction in the body temperature of the dog and ventricular fibrillation occurred in 50% of the animals at 20 degrees C. It is proposed that cholinergic agents may have a role as antifibrillatory agents in hypothermia.", "PMID": 612599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_734", "title": "Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels and their relation to the sperm count in man.", "content": "Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels were estimated in 60 normal adults and compared with 60 oligospermic and 24 azoospermic Indian subjects. In normal group, the seminal plasma fructose level and acid phosphatase activity showed a fall as the sperm count increased. As compared to normals, significantly higher mean values for fructose and acid phosphatase activity were observed in oligospermic and azoospermic groups. Seminal alkaline phosphatase activity did not show any relationship with sperm count. Similarity in changes observed in seminal fructose and acid phosphatase levels with respect to seminal citric acid content and sperm concentration suggests that both these parameters are probably regulated by similar physiological mechanism.", "contents": "Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels and their relation to the sperm count in man. Seminal fructose, citric acid and phosphatase levels were estimated in 60 normal adults and compared with 60 oligospermic and 24 azoospermic Indian subjects. In normal group, the seminal plasma fructose level and acid phosphatase activity showed a fall as the sperm count increased. As compared to normals, significantly higher mean values for fructose and acid phosphatase activity were observed in oligospermic and azoospermic groups. Seminal alkaline phosphatase activity did not show any relationship with sperm count. Similarity in changes observed in seminal fructose and acid phosphatase levels with respect to seminal citric acid content and sperm concentration suggests that both these parameters are probably regulated by similar physiological mechanism.", "PMID": 612600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_735", "title": "Leucocyte phagocytic response in relation to abo blood groups.", "content": "In vitro suspension technique was carried out in order to study the phagocytic activity of the leucocytes spun out from the blood of healthy young volunteers belonging to similar socio-economic group and having no history of recurrent infection, drug medication and chronic smoking. Saline suspension of Staphylococcus aureus was mixed with leucocyte rich cream and incubated at 37 degrees C for 1/2 hr. Films were stained with Leishman and leucocytes were examined under microscope for calculation of their phagocytic coefficients. Blood group O seems to have highest values, followed by A, B and AB in that order. It is likely that the phagocytic co-efficient is correlated to the presence or absence of specific blood group substances ABH (O) or their antibodies.", "contents": "Leucocyte phagocytic response in relation to abo blood groups. In vitro suspension technique was carried out in order to study the phagocytic activity of the leucocytes spun out from the blood of healthy young volunteers belonging to similar socio-economic group and having no history of recurrent infection, drug medication and chronic smoking. Saline suspension of Staphylococcus aureus was mixed with leucocyte rich cream and incubated at 37 degrees C for 1/2 hr. Films were stained with Leishman and leucocytes were examined under microscope for calculation of their phagocytic coefficients. Blood group O seems to have highest values, followed by A, B and AB in that order. It is likely that the phagocytic co-efficient is correlated to the presence or absence of specific blood group substances ABH (O) or their antibodies.", "PMID": 612601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_736", "title": "Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit.", "content": "Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one \"Oxytocin reversal\". The \"oxytocin reversal.\" was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The \"oxytocin reversal\" did not appear in reserpinized animals.", "contents": "Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit. Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one \"Oxytocin reversal\". The \"oxytocin reversal.\" was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The \"oxytocin reversal\" did not appear in reserpinized animals.", "PMID": 612602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_737", "title": "Studies on the toxic effects of streptolysin 'O': electrocardiographic changes in mammals.", "content": "The effect of streptolysin 'O' (a streptococcal exotoxin) on ECG in rabbits and mongrel puppys has been investigated. The intravenous administration of streptolysin 'O' (SLO) in doses of 0.5 to 2 U/kg in rabbits and 0.5 to 4 U/kg in puppys immediately caused transient sinus bradycardia, which was dose dependent. Intense sinus bradycardia followed by ST elevation and progressively increasing atrioventricular blocks in rabbits and nodal rhythm and intraventricular conduction defects in puppys, terminating in cardiac standstill were observed after a dose of 4 and 8 U/kg respectively. Pretreatment of rabbits with antistreptolysin 'O' completely protected them against the cardiotoxic and lethal effects of challenging doses of SLO. It is suggested that this streptococcal component may be involved in the causation of derangements of cardiac activity during acute rheumatic fever in man.", "contents": "Studies on the toxic effects of streptolysin 'O': electrocardiographic changes in mammals. The effect of streptolysin 'O' (a streptococcal exotoxin) on ECG in rabbits and mongrel puppys has been investigated. The intravenous administration of streptolysin 'O' (SLO) in doses of 0.5 to 2 U/kg in rabbits and 0.5 to 4 U/kg in puppys immediately caused transient sinus bradycardia, which was dose dependent. Intense sinus bradycardia followed by ST elevation and progressively increasing atrioventricular blocks in rabbits and nodal rhythm and intraventricular conduction defects in puppys, terminating in cardiac standstill were observed after a dose of 4 and 8 U/kg respectively. Pretreatment of rabbits with antistreptolysin 'O' completely protected them against the cardiotoxic and lethal effects of challenging doses of SLO. It is suggested that this streptococcal component may be involved in the causation of derangements of cardiac activity during acute rheumatic fever in man.", "PMID": 612603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_738", "title": "Central cholinergic mechanism for control of urine volume and electrolyte excretion.", "content": "1. Studies were conducted on urine volume and electrolyte excretion chiefly of Na and K in anaesthetized hydrated dogs. 2. Central injection of acetylcholine caused a dose dependent antidiuretic response but without any change in excretion of urinary Sodium (UNa) and Potassium (UK). 3. After central atropinization, antidiuretic response to acetylcholine was partially blocked without any effect on electrolyte excretion. 4. Intracerebroventricularly (I.C.V.) administered acetylcholine after vagotomy and spinalectomy, each done separately and together also elicited an antidiuretic response. There was no effect on electrolyte excretion. 5. It is thus suggested that acetylcholine may be acting on central cholinergic receptors concerned with A.D.H. release.", "contents": "Central cholinergic mechanism for control of urine volume and electrolyte excretion. 1. Studies were conducted on urine volume and electrolyte excretion chiefly of Na and K in anaesthetized hydrated dogs. 2. Central injection of acetylcholine caused a dose dependent antidiuretic response but without any change in excretion of urinary Sodium (UNa) and Potassium (UK). 3. After central atropinization, antidiuretic response to acetylcholine was partially blocked without any effect on electrolyte excretion. 4. Intracerebroventricularly (I.C.V.) administered acetylcholine after vagotomy and spinalectomy, each done separately and together also elicited an antidiuretic response. There was no effect on electrolyte excretion. 5. It is thus suggested that acetylcholine may be acting on central cholinergic receptors concerned with A.D.H. release.", "PMID": 612604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_739", "title": "Methods of combining the correction of deformities of the knee with the use of the total condylar prosthesis. Study of post-operative stability.", "content": "(1) Our Total Condylar knee prosthesis can be adapted to cases of severe deformity, either varus or valgus, and to flexion contracture. (2) The technique of mobilization and sliding of the capsulo-ligamentous structures on the contracted side is necessary in cases with severe deformity. (3) After mobilization of the contracted structures it is necessary, before sectioning the bone, to distract the joint in flexion as well as extension in order to achieve stability both in the sagittal and frontal planes. (4) Despite the removal of the cruciate ligaments and capsulo-ligamentous slide, no significant residual instability was found in either plane.", "contents": "Methods of combining the correction of deformities of the knee with the use of the total condylar prosthesis. Study of post-operative stability. (1) Our Total Condylar knee prosthesis can be adapted to cases of severe deformity, either varus or valgus, and to flexion contracture. (2) The technique of mobilization and sliding of the capsulo-ligamentous structures on the contracted side is necessary in cases with severe deformity. (3) After mobilization of the contracted structures it is necessary, before sectioning the bone, to distract the joint in flexion as well as extension in order to achieve stability both in the sagittal and frontal planes. (4) Despite the removal of the cruciate ligaments and capsulo-ligamentous slide, no significant residual instability was found in either plane.", "PMID": 612635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_740", "title": "Results of manipulative treatment of congenital club foot. Review of seventy-six cases after more than six years.", "content": "The authors draw the following conclusions from a long-term review (six to twenty-eight years) of seventy-six cases of congenital club foot, treated by the \"classical\" method of moulding therapy, sometimes in association with elongation of the Achilles tendon: --There was a high percentage of poor and moderate results (32.7 per cent), though this is lower than the average values reported by other authors (fifty to sixty per cent); --Elongation of the Achilles tendon (performed late, between the ninth and fourteenth month of life) still significantly reduced the percentage of unsatisfactory results (twenty-four per cent in the cases operated on); --Residual deformities between fairly well-marked limits were well tolerated. --The \"classic\" moulding therapy should and can be modified in the interests of improving our results, (earlier or more radical surgery where indicated) but does not deserve to be abandoned completely.", "contents": "Results of manipulative treatment of congenital club foot. Review of seventy-six cases after more than six years. The authors draw the following conclusions from a long-term review (six to twenty-eight years) of seventy-six cases of congenital club foot, treated by the \"classical\" method of moulding therapy, sometimes in association with elongation of the Achilles tendon: --There was a high percentage of poor and moderate results (32.7 per cent), though this is lower than the average values reported by other authors (fifty to sixty per cent); --Elongation of the Achilles tendon (performed late, between the ninth and fourteenth month of life) still significantly reduced the percentage of unsatisfactory results (twenty-four per cent in the cases operated on); --Residual deformities between fairly well-marked limits were well tolerated. --The \"classic\" moulding therapy should and can be modified in the interests of improving our results, (earlier or more radical surgery where indicated) but does not deserve to be abandoned completely.", "PMID": 612636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_741", "title": "Paralysis of the trapezius associated with myogenic torticollis. A report of 6 cases.", "content": "The authors report the follow-up results of forty-three patients operated on for myogenic torticollis between 1965 and 1975. The surgical treatment consisted of distal tenotomy in eight cases, distal and proximal tenotomy in twenty-three cases, tenomyomectomy in eight cases. The results were subdivided into three groups: excellent twenty-two, (57 per cent); good , fourteen (38 per cent); poor, two (five per cent). The most interesting finding that emerged was the association of paralysis of the trapezius muscle with myogenic torticollis: this was observed in six cases, three after and three before operation. Preoperative investigations, including an EMG test and confirmation at operation, appeared to show that the paralysis was secondary to compression of the accessory nerve in its passage through the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Neurolysis, performed in three cases, led to recovery of the paralysis. Compression of the accessory nerve is slowly progressive, and paralysis or paresis of the trapezius muscle therefore occurred late. In fact, the patients who presented with both lesions were well beyond infancy. The authors emphasize the importance of being aware of the association of this lesion with myogenic torticollis so that operation for the latter may complemented by neurolysis of the accessory nerve.", "contents": "Paralysis of the trapezius associated with myogenic torticollis. A report of 6 cases. The authors report the follow-up results of forty-three patients operated on for myogenic torticollis between 1965 and 1975. The surgical treatment consisted of distal tenotomy in eight cases, distal and proximal tenotomy in twenty-three cases, tenomyomectomy in eight cases. The results were subdivided into three groups: excellent twenty-two, (57 per cent); good , fourteen (38 per cent); poor, two (five per cent). The most interesting finding that emerged was the association of paralysis of the trapezius muscle with myogenic torticollis: this was observed in six cases, three after and three before operation. Preoperative investigations, including an EMG test and confirmation at operation, appeared to show that the paralysis was secondary to compression of the accessory nerve in its passage through the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Neurolysis, performed in three cases, led to recovery of the paralysis. Compression of the accessory nerve is slowly progressive, and paralysis or paresis of the trapezius muscle therefore occurred late. In fact, the patients who presented with both lesions were well beyond infancy. The authors emphasize the importance of being aware of the association of this lesion with myogenic torticollis so that operation for the latter may complemented by neurolysis of the accessory nerve.", "PMID": 612639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_742", "title": "The importance of the acetabular rim in the genesis of congenital hip dysplasia. Experimental research.", "content": "The posterior aspect of the cartilaginous acetabular rim was surgically removed in very young rabbits in order to study its effect on the further development of the acetabular cavity. A dysplasic change was produced which led to posterior hip dislocation. Through an analysis of the morphological, radiographic and histological findings, and comparison with human congenital hip dislocation, the acetabular rim is considered to be physiologically responsible for the development of the retaining properties of the acetabular cavity. Moreover, a genetic abnormality altering the physiological development of the cartilaginous acetabular rim, is responsible for the non-retaining power of the acetabulum which leads to congenital hip dislocation.", "contents": "The importance of the acetabular rim in the genesis of congenital hip dysplasia. Experimental research. The posterior aspect of the cartilaginous acetabular rim was surgically removed in very young rabbits in order to study its effect on the further development of the acetabular cavity. A dysplasic change was produced which led to posterior hip dislocation. Through an analysis of the morphological, radiographic and histological findings, and comparison with human congenital hip dislocation, the acetabular rim is considered to be physiologically responsible for the development of the retaining properties of the acetabular cavity. Moreover, a genetic abnormality altering the physiological development of the cartilaginous acetabular rim, is responsible for the non-retaining power of the acetabulum which leads to congenital hip dislocation.", "PMID": 612641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_743", "title": "Acceptance of the rights of homosexuals: a social profile.", "content": "The relationships between attitudes toward homosexuality and sociodemographic and attitudinal variables were explored, using the data from a nationwide opinion survey in the United States. Individuals who were willing to grant such rights to homosexuals as teaching in college, speaking in a local community, and removing a book from a local library written by a homosexual and favorable to homosexuality, tended to be well educated, young, Jewish or nonreligious, from urban areas, raised in the Northeast or Pacific states, and willing to provide freedom of expression to people with nonconformist political ideas. \"Erotophobia,\" which was not related closely to the rights issue, was associated with moral judgments about homosexual acts.", "contents": "Acceptance of the rights of homosexuals: a social profile. The relationships between attitudes toward homosexuality and sociodemographic and attitudinal variables were explored, using the data from a nationwide opinion survey in the United States. Individuals who were willing to grant such rights to homosexuals as teaching in college, speaking in a local community, and removing a book from a local library written by a homosexual and favorable to homosexuality, tended to be well educated, young, Jewish or nonreligious, from urban areas, raised in the Northeast or Pacific states, and willing to provide freedom of expression to people with nonconformist political ideas. \"Erotophobia,\" which was not related closely to the rights issue, was associated with moral judgments about homosexual acts.", "PMID": 612674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_744", "title": "Attitudes, opinions, and sexual development of 205 homosexual women.", "content": "Two hundred and five homosexual women, aged 15 to 50, were surveyed as to their attitudes and experiences in the areas of education, religion, family experiences, marriage, friendship, personal happiness, sexual development and satisfaction, psychological adjustment, and occupational status. The investigation discovered a high rate of only-child status among lesbian women, a tendency toward ambivalence of opinion on many issues, and a general lack of insight into self and others. Comparisons with other research on female homosexuality were made.", "contents": "Attitudes, opinions, and sexual development of 205 homosexual women. Two hundred and five homosexual women, aged 15 to 50, were surveyed as to their attitudes and experiences in the areas of education, religion, family experiences, marriage, friendship, personal happiness, sexual development and satisfaction, psychological adjustment, and occupational status. The investigation discovered a high rate of only-child status among lesbian women, a tendency toward ambivalence of opinion on many issues, and a general lack of insight into self and others. Comparisons with other research on female homosexuality were made.", "PMID": 612675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_745", "title": "Role expectations and definitions: a comparison of female transsexuals and lesbians.", "content": "A new study on female transsexuals and lesbians is reported. A matched-group comparison of 15 women in each sample suggests that the two groups do not differ in overall intelligence, although lesbians, unlike female transsexuals, tended to have a significantly higher verbal IQ than performance IQ. Both groups showed a similar response pattern on the Embedded Figures Test but differed on the Draw-A-Person Test, The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey, and the Bem Androgyny Scale. Whereas the female transsexual group reflected a more rigid gender role stereotype, the lesbians saw their options as more androgynous.", "contents": "Role expectations and definitions: a comparison of female transsexuals and lesbians. A new study on female transsexuals and lesbians is reported. A matched-group comparison of 15 women in each sample suggests that the two groups do not differ in overall intelligence, although lesbians, unlike female transsexuals, tended to have a significantly higher verbal IQ than performance IQ. Both groups showed a similar response pattern on the Embedded Figures Test but differed on the Draw-A-Person Test, The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey, and the Bem Androgyny Scale. Whereas the female transsexual group reflected a more rigid gender role stereotype, the lesbians saw their options as more androgynous.", "PMID": 612676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_746", "title": "Media mating I: newspaper \"personals\" ads of homosexual men.", "content": "Based on a design used in previous research with heterosexuals \"Personals\" advertisements, this study reports a content analysis of 359 ads placed by male homosexuals. Following exchange theory, it was hypothesized that, as with heterosexuals, a favorable presentation of self would characterize the advertisements. Further hypotheses predicted that homosexual ads would be more frank than are heterosexual ads and more specific about goals for desired relationships, and that homosexual ads would reflect the \"virilization\" of the male homosexual subculture. All predictions were strongly supported. The overtly sexual explicitness of many of the advertisements was explained on the basis of differences between same- and cross-sex relationships, and male/female differences in conceptualizing \"love.\"", "contents": "Media mating I: newspaper \"personals\" ads of homosexual men. Based on a design used in previous research with heterosexuals \"Personals\" advertisements, this study reports a content analysis of 359 ads placed by male homosexuals. Following exchange theory, it was hypothesized that, as with heterosexuals, a favorable presentation of self would characterize the advertisements. Further hypotheses predicted that homosexual ads would be more frank than are heterosexual ads and more specific about goals for desired relationships, and that homosexual ads would reflect the \"virilization\" of the male homosexual subculture. All predictions were strongly supported. The overtly sexual explicitness of many of the advertisements was explained on the basis of differences between same- and cross-sex relationships, and male/female differences in conceptualizing \"love.\"", "PMID": 612677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_747", "title": "Teaching assertive skills to a passive homosexual adolescent: an illustrative case study.", "content": "Social skills training was used to alter the socially inappropriate and ineffectual behavior of a 17-year old homosexual male. Target behaviors selected for treatment were the subject's effeminate mannerisms and lack of assertiveness in conflict situations, especially those involving other persons making derisive comments to him. A multiple baseline design was used to increase the patient's (a) eye contact, (b) rate of making appropriate requests for behavior change in others, and (c) general level of assertive affect. Six training and six generalization role-played interpersonal scenes were used. Results indicated significant improvement on trained social skills components with generalization to nontrained scenes as well. Implications of these findings are discussed, particularly with respect to social skills and assertion training for effeminate homosexuals.", "contents": "Teaching assertive skills to a passive homosexual adolescent: an illustrative case study. Social skills training was used to alter the socially inappropriate and ineffectual behavior of a 17-year old homosexual male. Target behaviors selected for treatment were the subject's effeminate mannerisms and lack of assertiveness in conflict situations, especially those involving other persons making derisive comments to him. A multiple baseline design was used to increase the patient's (a) eye contact, (b) rate of making appropriate requests for behavior change in others, and (c) general level of assertive affect. Six training and six generalization role-played interpersonal scenes were used. Results indicated significant improvement on trained social skills components with generalization to nontrained scenes as well. Implications of these findings are discussed, particularly with respect to social skills and assertion training for effeminate homosexuals.", "PMID": 612678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_748", "title": "An evaluation of the validity of the Freudian theory of paranoia.", "content": "This paper evaluates the validity of the Freudian theory of paranoia on the basis of the available research evidence. This theory essentially states that delusional thinking arises as a result of the reaction-formation and projection of threatening unconscious homosexual wishes. It is concluded that a positive association between paranoid and homosexual tendencies has been found, but only for the case of male paranoid patients. The research leading to this conclusion has not, however, demonstrated that a defensive attempt against unconscious homosexual impulses causes delusional thinking. Rather, the argument is made that it is more parsimonious to assume that only the second step in the Freudian etiological mechanism, a continuous tension-reducing projection of the patient's threatening and intense hostility, need be invoked to account for paranoia.", "contents": "An evaluation of the validity of the Freudian theory of paranoia. This paper evaluates the validity of the Freudian theory of paranoia on the basis of the available research evidence. This theory essentially states that delusional thinking arises as a result of the reaction-formation and projection of threatening unconscious homosexual wishes. It is concluded that a positive association between paranoid and homosexual tendencies has been found, but only for the case of male paranoid patients. The research leading to this conclusion has not, however, demonstrated that a defensive attempt against unconscious homosexual impulses causes delusional thinking. Rather, the argument is made that it is more parsimonious to assume that only the second step in the Freudian etiological mechanism, a continuous tension-reducing projection of the patient's threatening and intense hostility, need be invoked to account for paranoia.", "PMID": 612679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_749", "title": "Rational design of arabinosyl nucleosides as antitumor and antiviral agents.", "content": "The rational design of antitumor and antiviral agents must ultimately take advantage of biochemical differences between normal host cells and transformed cells. The initial experiments must be performed with subcellular or cellular model systems. For the studies with arabinosyl nucleosides we have chosen those enzyme systems, synthesizing DNA and RNA; being precursor analogues, the different arabinosyl nucleosides have been added in the triphosphate state to the different DNA- and RNA polymerase assays. 1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine-5'-triphosphate has been found to inhibit the RNA-dependent DNA polymerases (isolated from oncogenic RNA viruses) 200-fold more sensitively than viral and cellular DNA-dependent DNA polymerases. Recent results, showing that RNA-leukemia-virus-related sequences are present in DNA of some human leukemia patients might support the assumption that the efficacy of this antimetabolite in the treatment of acute leukemia is due to its, at least relative selective inhibitory activity on reverse transcriptase. 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyladenine-5'-triphosphate is a strong inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerases with the cytological consequence of an inhibition of cell proliferation. The clinical benefit of the compound in treatment of tumors is dependent on their levels of adenosine deaminase. The triphosphate of this compound is a 100-fold more sensitive inhibitor of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase compared to the cellular replicative DNA polymerase. In addition the analogue, incorporated into herpesvirus DNA, acts as chain terminator. These effects are the biochemical basis for the highly selective antiherpesvirus activity of this antimetabolite. The anomer 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyladenine-5'-triphosphate only inhibits cellular replicative DNA polymerase and has no effect on herpesvirus DNA polymerase. Consequently this agent acts only cytostatically and not antivirally. Concerning 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine no pronounced antitumor or antiviral effect is known.", "contents": "Rational design of arabinosyl nucleosides as antitumor and antiviral agents. The rational design of antitumor and antiviral agents must ultimately take advantage of biochemical differences between normal host cells and transformed cells. The initial experiments must be performed with subcellular or cellular model systems. For the studies with arabinosyl nucleosides we have chosen those enzyme systems, synthesizing DNA and RNA; being precursor analogues, the different arabinosyl nucleosides have been added in the triphosphate state to the different DNA- and RNA polymerase assays. 1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine-5'-triphosphate has been found to inhibit the RNA-dependent DNA polymerases (isolated from oncogenic RNA viruses) 200-fold more sensitively than viral and cellular DNA-dependent DNA polymerases. Recent results, showing that RNA-leukemia-virus-related sequences are present in DNA of some human leukemia patients might support the assumption that the efficacy of this antimetabolite in the treatment of acute leukemia is due to its, at least relative selective inhibitory activity on reverse transcriptase. 9-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyladenine-5'-triphosphate is a strong inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerases with the cytological consequence of an inhibition of cell proliferation. The clinical benefit of the compound in treatment of tumors is dependent on their levels of adenosine deaminase. The triphosphate of this compound is a 100-fold more sensitive inhibitor of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase compared to the cellular replicative DNA polymerase. In addition the analogue, incorporated into herpesvirus DNA, acts as chain terminator. These effects are the biochemical basis for the highly selective antiherpesvirus activity of this antimetabolite. The anomer 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyladenine-5'-triphosphate only inhibits cellular replicative DNA polymerase and has no effect on herpesvirus DNA polymerase. Consequently this agent acts only cytostatically and not antivirally. Concerning 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine no pronounced antitumor or antiviral effect is known.", "PMID": 612702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_750", "title": "Enzyme inhibitors in relation to cancer therapy.", "content": "In the last 11 years the authors have succeeded in isolating nearly 40 enzyme inhibitors of small molecular size from microbial origins. These inhibitors proved to be not only useful tools in analyses of homeostasis of living organisms but also promising agents for cancer chemotherapy. Leupeptin was originally isolated as an inhibitor against serine or thiol proteases such as trypsin, plasmin, papain and cathepsin B. And soon it was demonstrated that leupeptin suppressed chemical carcinogenesis in rats. Pepstatin has an extremely strong activity to inhibit pepsin and cathepsin D. It also inhibits ascites accumulation caused by neoplastic diseases. Bestatin is a specific inhibitor against aminopeptidase B and leucine aminopeptidase. The enzymes are located on the surface membrane in various kinds of cells including lymphocytes. Bestatin was shown to enhance not only blastogenesis of lymphocytes in vitro but also establishment of delayed-type hypersensitivity in vivo. Combined use of bestatin and other antitumor agents gave promising results in animal experiments. Studies on enzyme inhibitors have provided us a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.", "contents": "Enzyme inhibitors in relation to cancer therapy. In the last 11 years the authors have succeeded in isolating nearly 40 enzyme inhibitors of small molecular size from microbial origins. These inhibitors proved to be not only useful tools in analyses of homeostasis of living organisms but also promising agents for cancer chemotherapy. Leupeptin was originally isolated as an inhibitor against serine or thiol proteases such as trypsin, plasmin, papain and cathepsin B. And soon it was demonstrated that leupeptin suppressed chemical carcinogenesis in rats. Pepstatin has an extremely strong activity to inhibit pepsin and cathepsin D. It also inhibits ascites accumulation caused by neoplastic diseases. Bestatin is a specific inhibitor against aminopeptidase B and leucine aminopeptidase. The enzymes are located on the surface membrane in various kinds of cells including lymphocytes. Bestatin was shown to enhance not only blastogenesis of lymphocytes in vitro but also establishment of delayed-type hypersensitivity in vivo. Combined use of bestatin and other antitumor agents gave promising results in animal experiments. Studies on enzyme inhibitors have provided us a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.", "PMID": 612703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_751", "title": "Modern instrumental methods for identification of antibiotics.", "content": "Modern screening for antimicrobial agents and the characterization of their transformation products are not only extremely competitive but highly labor intensive activities. The use of specialized instrumental techniques for rapid identification of molecular species shows promise of becoming an essential part of this process. At the earliest stages, microseparation methods coupled with modern methods of ion production are particularly useful. Applications of various methods of chromatography, including high performance liquid chromatography, with various methods of ion production using mass spectrometers, particularly under computer control, are exceptionally powerful, though expensive, means of addressing this problem. Some present and potential uses of this technique are discussed along with a consideration of the strengths and weaknesses now apparent and a projection is made of the future of this method. A brief review of the use of a variety of physical methods of structural characterization for a variety of specialized purposes is also given along with a bibliography of recent applications to specific antibiotics. The scope and limitations of these methods is also treated.", "contents": "Modern instrumental methods for identification of antibiotics. Modern screening for antimicrobial agents and the characterization of their transformation products are not only extremely competitive but highly labor intensive activities. The use of specialized instrumental techniques for rapid identification of molecular species shows promise of becoming an essential part of this process. At the earliest stages, microseparation methods coupled with modern methods of ion production are particularly useful. Applications of various methods of chromatography, including high performance liquid chromatography, with various methods of ion production using mass spectrometers, particularly under computer control, are exceptionally powerful, though expensive, means of addressing this problem. Some present and potential uses of this technique are discussed along with a consideration of the strengths and weaknesses now apparent and a projection is made of the future of this method. A brief review of the use of a variety of physical methods of structural characterization for a variety of specialized purposes is also given along with a bibliography of recent applications to specific antibiotics. The scope and limitations of these methods is also treated.", "PMID": 612707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_752", "title": "Some observations on biodegradation of pollutants in aquatic systems.", "content": "The biodegradability of pollutants introduced into aquatic environments is subject to many variabilities characteristic of microbial processes. Some observations have been reported on studies with p-cresol, methyl parathion, benzo[b]thiophene, dibenzothiophene, 9H-carbazole, quinoline, benzo[f]quinoline, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, Mirex, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Lindane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane analogs. Water reservoirs included a eutrophic stream, a eutrophic pond, an oligotrophic lake and effluents from waste-water treatment plants. The first ten of the above compounds were studied only in aerobic mixed-culture systems, and Mirex was studied with mixed cultures under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Examples were presented of the significance of cometabolism, diauxic processes, film fermentations and microbial interactions in biodegradation studies. Caution is advised in protocols regarding biodegradability of pollutants in aquatic environments.", "contents": "Some observations on biodegradation of pollutants in aquatic systems. The biodegradability of pollutants introduced into aquatic environments is subject to many variabilities characteristic of microbial processes. Some observations have been reported on studies with p-cresol, methyl parathion, benzo[b]thiophene, dibenzothiophene, 9H-carbazole, quinoline, benzo[f]quinoline, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, Mirex, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, Lindane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane analogs. Water reservoirs included a eutrophic stream, a eutrophic pond, an oligotrophic lake and effluents from waste-water treatment plants. The first ten of the above compounds were studied only in aerobic mixed-culture systems, and Mirex was studied with mixed cultures under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Examples were presented of the significance of cometabolism, diauxic processes, film fermentations and microbial interactions in biodegradation studies. Caution is advised in protocols regarding biodegradability of pollutants in aquatic environments.", "PMID": 612708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_753", "title": "Antitumor screening procedures of the National Cancer Institute.", "content": "From the time of its inception in 1955, the Drug Development Program of the National Cancer Institute has relied primarily on transplanted rodent tumor systems in vivo for the evaluation and selection of potential antitumor agents. Although greater emphasis has been placed in recent years on rationally designed drugs, the major effort throughout the history of the program has involved the empirical screening of a wide variety of chemical structures and natural products of varying sources. The initial screening spectrum consisted of three mouse tumors, Sarcoma 180, Carcinoma 755 and Leukemia 1210, based on the retrospective analysis presented in the GELLHORN-HIRSCHBERG Report. As a result of further expermental studies and analyses, the screens changed successively to (1) L1210 plus a spectrum of mouse, rat and hamster tumors, (2) L1210 plus the rat tumor, WALKER 256, (3) L1210, plus P388 for natural products and B16 melanoma and LEWIS lung carcinoma for special studies, and finally (4) P388 as a pre-screen followed by a panel of transplanted tumors and xenografts representing the major tumor sites. The rationale underlying each of the successive changes, and results obtained with each approach, will be discussed.", "contents": "Antitumor screening procedures of the National Cancer Institute. From the time of its inception in 1955, the Drug Development Program of the National Cancer Institute has relied primarily on transplanted rodent tumor systems in vivo for the evaluation and selection of potential antitumor agents. Although greater emphasis has been placed in recent years on rationally designed drugs, the major effort throughout the history of the program has involved the empirical screening of a wide variety of chemical structures and natural products of varying sources. The initial screening spectrum consisted of three mouse tumors, Sarcoma 180, Carcinoma 755 and Leukemia 1210, based on the retrospective analysis presented in the GELLHORN-HIRSCHBERG Report. As a result of further expermental studies and analyses, the screens changed successively to (1) L1210 plus a spectrum of mouse, rat and hamster tumors, (2) L1210 plus the rat tumor, WALKER 256, (3) L1210, plus P388 for natural products and B16 melanoma and LEWIS lung carcinoma for special studies, and finally (4) P388 as a pre-screen followed by a panel of transplanted tumors and xenografts representing the major tumor sites. The rationale underlying each of the successive changes, and results obtained with each approach, will be discussed.", "PMID": 612710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_754", "title": "New anthracycline antibiotics.", "content": "A number of anthracycline antibiotics have been found in Streptomyces cultures. Among them, adriamycin and daunomycin have been studied most in detail, because these compounds have exhibited a strong antitumor activities 1, 2). However, their clinical usefuleness is limited by side effects, particularly by bone marrow suppression and cumulative dose-dependent cardiac toxicity. 3 approximately 5) By the collaboration with Prof. H. UMEZAWA and Dr. T. TAKEUCHI, Institute of Microbial Chemistry, for the studies to find out new anthracycline antibiotics that may have lower cardiac toxicity and the same degree of the antitumor activity, we found 32 new anthracycline compounds in Streptomyces cultures and aclacinomycin A is under the phase II clinical study. Anthracycline compounds can be classified depending on the structures of their aglycones as shown in Table 1. These compounds have a linear tetracyclic polyhydroxy anthracyclines, and can be grouped into seven groups. Biologically active anthracycline antibiotics have various sugar moieties at C-7 and/or C-10 position of the anthracyclinones. In 1951, H. BROCKMANN6) discovered rhodomycins A and B in the culture of a new species of Streptomyces purpurascens. Since then, he found numerous anthracycline compounds such as rhodomycin-, isorhodomycin- and pyrromycin-types in Streptomyces and elucidated their structures. All of these anthracyclines are red pigments. In 1964 and 1969 new group of orange-red anthracycline antibiotics: daunomycin10) and adriamycin11) was reported by DiMARCO and F. ARCAMONE. Moreover, aklavin12, 13) which has yellow aklavinone as aglycone and citromycinone aglycone14) which is also yellow have been isolated in the Streptomyces cultures. Aclacinomycin A15), which we found in Streptomyces galilaeus MA144-M1, has aklavinone aglycone and is becoming more interesting in its low cardiac toxicity.", "contents": "New anthracycline antibiotics. A number of anthracycline antibiotics have been found in Streptomyces cultures. Among them, adriamycin and daunomycin have been studied most in detail, because these compounds have exhibited a strong antitumor activities 1, 2). However, their clinical usefuleness is limited by side effects, particularly by bone marrow suppression and cumulative dose-dependent cardiac toxicity. 3 approximately 5) By the collaboration with Prof. H. UMEZAWA and Dr. T. TAKEUCHI, Institute of Microbial Chemistry, for the studies to find out new anthracycline antibiotics that may have lower cardiac toxicity and the same degree of the antitumor activity, we found 32 new anthracycline compounds in Streptomyces cultures and aclacinomycin A is under the phase II clinical study. Anthracycline compounds can be classified depending on the structures of their aglycones as shown in Table 1. These compounds have a linear tetracyclic polyhydroxy anthracyclines, and can be grouped into seven groups. Biologically active anthracycline antibiotics have various sugar moieties at C-7 and/or C-10 position of the anthracyclinones. In 1951, H. BROCKMANN6) discovered rhodomycins A and B in the culture of a new species of Streptomyces purpurascens. Since then, he found numerous anthracycline compounds such as rhodomycin-, isorhodomycin- and pyrromycin-types in Streptomyces and elucidated their structures. All of these anthracyclines are red pigments. In 1964 and 1969 new group of orange-red anthracycline antibiotics: daunomycin10) and adriamycin11) was reported by DiMARCO and F. ARCAMONE. Moreover, aklavin12, 13) which has yellow aklavinone as aglycone and citromycinone aglycone14) which is also yellow have been isolated in the Streptomyces cultures. Aclacinomycin A15), which we found in Streptomyces galilaeus MA144-M1, has aklavinone aglycone and is becoming more interesting in its low cardiac toxicity.", "PMID": 612711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_755", "title": "Mycophenolic acid and its mechanism of action in cancer and psoriasis.", "content": "Mycophenolic acid is active against fungi, bacteria, and viruses in vitro and is active against some viruses and tumors in experimental animals. Mycophenolic acid is not effective in the treatment of cancer in man, but it is effective in treating psoriasis. In all of the various diseases MA presumably inhibits the synthesis of GMP resulting in decreased synthesis of RNA and DNA. The direct inhibition of GMP synthesis is the result of MA activity against the IMPDHase and GMP synthetase as determined in experimental tumors. The inhibition of GMP synthesis can be circumvented by the guanine salvage pathway which is controlled by PRTase activity. PRTase may be the sole factor in preventing the inhibition caused by MA in the biosynthesis of GMP (Fig. 3). However, before MA can stop GMP synthesis, MA must enter the cell. The current data show that MA is almost completely detoxified in man and circulates in the plasma as the glucuronide, MAG, Glucuronides are normally inactive forms of active drugs. Due to their bivalent and non-lipophilic nature, glucuronides do not normally cross the cell membranes. Therefore, MAG is extracellular and beta-Gase intracellular, and this prevents hydrolysis of MAG to the active MA in cancer patients.", "contents": "Mycophenolic acid and its mechanism of action in cancer and psoriasis. Mycophenolic acid is active against fungi, bacteria, and viruses in vitro and is active against some viruses and tumors in experimental animals. Mycophenolic acid is not effective in the treatment of cancer in man, but it is effective in treating psoriasis. In all of the various diseases MA presumably inhibits the synthesis of GMP resulting in decreased synthesis of RNA and DNA. The direct inhibition of GMP synthesis is the result of MA activity against the IMPDHase and GMP synthetase as determined in experimental tumors. The inhibition of GMP synthesis can be circumvented by the guanine salvage pathway which is controlled by PRTase activity. PRTase may be the sole factor in preventing the inhibition caused by MA in the biosynthesis of GMP (Fig. 3). However, before MA can stop GMP synthesis, MA must enter the cell. The current data show that MA is almost completely detoxified in man and circulates in the plasma as the glucuronide, MAG, Glucuronides are normally inactive forms of active drugs. Due to their bivalent and non-lipophilic nature, glucuronides do not normally cross the cell membranes. Therefore, MAG is extracellular and beta-Gase intracellular, and this prevents hydrolysis of MAG to the active MA in cancer patients.", "PMID": 612712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_756", "title": "Adaptive properties of the b-wave and the PIII in the perfused isolated carp retina.", "content": "1. Perfusion of isolated carp retina with a pure oxygen saturated standard solution used in this experiment permitted several continuous hours of ERG recordings showing a distinctive b-wave as well as the PIII isolated by sodium aspartate. 2. The dark-adapted threshold for the PIII required an absorption of 5 to 6 quanta per rod. The 'rod-cone break' in the increment threshold curve for the b-wave was induced at a background intensity of about 2.0 X 10(-2) muW/cm2. 3. Both the b-wave and the PIII showed rapid and complete recovery of sensitivity after exposure to dim adapting lights. After bright light adaptation, the sensitivities went through a short 'fast phase' followed by a prolonged 'slow phase' of recovery. The rate of recovery during the fast phase was significantly faster for the PIII than for the b-wave. Neither a lowered temperature (9 degrees C) nor the application of ouabain (10(-6) M) influenced the fast phase. This seems to prove that the visual pigment, photoproducts and the active transport hardly participate in its mechanism, if at all. 4. The prolonged slow phase that followed the fast phase was distinguished by the recovery of the rod activity, even in isolated retinas.", "contents": "Adaptive properties of the b-wave and the PIII in the perfused isolated carp retina. 1. Perfusion of isolated carp retina with a pure oxygen saturated standard solution used in this experiment permitted several continuous hours of ERG recordings showing a distinctive b-wave as well as the PIII isolated by sodium aspartate. 2. The dark-adapted threshold for the PIII required an absorption of 5 to 6 quanta per rod. The 'rod-cone break' in the increment threshold curve for the b-wave was induced at a background intensity of about 2.0 X 10(-2) muW/cm2. 3. Both the b-wave and the PIII showed rapid and complete recovery of sensitivity after exposure to dim adapting lights. After bright light adaptation, the sensitivities went through a short 'fast phase' followed by a prolonged 'slow phase' of recovery. The rate of recovery during the fast phase was significantly faster for the PIII than for the b-wave. Neither a lowered temperature (9 degrees C) nor the application of ouabain (10(-6) M) influenced the fast phase. This seems to prove that the visual pigment, photoproducts and the active transport hardly participate in its mechanism, if at all. 4. The prolonged slow phase that followed the fast phase was distinguished by the recovery of the rod activity, even in isolated retinas.", "PMID": 613094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_757", "title": "Inhibitory action of dantrolene sodium on the activation of excitation-contraction coupling in frog skeletal muscle.", "content": "Effect of dantrolene sodium on the activation of potassium contracture in single fibers of frog semitendinosus muscle was studied. Dantrolene shifted the activation curve to the right without changing the depolarization produced by a given K+ concentration. The shift of mechanical threshold by dantrolene was dependent on the concentration of calcium in the medium and the effects of dantrolene and Ca++ are additive to each other. On the other hand, the action of dantrolene is antagonized by Ca++ with respect to the peak tension in 190 mM K+. In addition, dantrolene did not release 45Ca from the self-exchangeable Ca fraction and did not affect the exchange of 45Ca in the self-exchangeable Ca fraction with 40Ca. It was also observed that dantrolene had no appreciable influence on the ultrastructure of muscle fibers under our experimental conditions. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of action of dantrolene on the activation of excitation-contraction coupling, the relation between the drug and calcium actions and the drug effect on the Ca movement in T-system membranes were discussed.", "contents": "Inhibitory action of dantrolene sodium on the activation of excitation-contraction coupling in frog skeletal muscle. Effect of dantrolene sodium on the activation of potassium contracture in single fibers of frog semitendinosus muscle was studied. Dantrolene shifted the activation curve to the right without changing the depolarization produced by a given K+ concentration. The shift of mechanical threshold by dantrolene was dependent on the concentration of calcium in the medium and the effects of dantrolene and Ca++ are additive to each other. On the other hand, the action of dantrolene is antagonized by Ca++ with respect to the peak tension in 190 mM K+. In addition, dantrolene did not release 45Ca from the self-exchangeable Ca fraction and did not affect the exchange of 45Ca in the self-exchangeable Ca fraction with 40Ca. It was also observed that dantrolene had no appreciable influence on the ultrastructure of muscle fibers under our experimental conditions. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of action of dantrolene on the activation of excitation-contraction coupling, the relation between the drug and calcium actions and the drug effect on the Ca movement in T-system membranes were discussed.", "PMID": 613096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_758", "title": "On the roles of calcium ion during potassium induced contracture in the smooth muscle cells of the rabbit main pulmonary artery.", "content": "The half decay time of the K-induced contracture of rabbit main pulmonary artery following pretreatment with Ca-free EGTA containing solution was 110 sec. A Ca-free K-solution did not generate contraction while noradrenaline, acetylcholine and prostaglandin F2alpha-containing solution did evoke contracture. The decays of the chemically induced mechanical response in Ca-free solution against the exposure times could be classified into three components (2 min, 28 min and over 100 min, respectively). When the membrane depolarization produced by excess K+ was simulated in Krebs solution by application of current, the generated mechanical response was smaller than that produced by 118 mM K+. When the membrane potential was clamped at the resting level before, during and after application of the excess K+, and excess K+ still evoked contracture. The amplitudes of contracture depended on [K]o. The effects of various [K]o on the length constant of the tissue were also observed in relation to the clamping condition. It is postulated that the mechanical response of the pulmonary artery induced by excess K is mainly due to influx of Ca++ and the depolarization plays only a minor role. This means that release of stored Ca by depolarization is not an essential factor in generation of K-induced contracture in this tissue.", "contents": "On the roles of calcium ion during potassium induced contracture in the smooth muscle cells of the rabbit main pulmonary artery. The half decay time of the K-induced contracture of rabbit main pulmonary artery following pretreatment with Ca-free EGTA containing solution was 110 sec. A Ca-free K-solution did not generate contraction while noradrenaline, acetylcholine and prostaglandin F2alpha-containing solution did evoke contracture. The decays of the chemically induced mechanical response in Ca-free solution against the exposure times could be classified into three components (2 min, 28 min and over 100 min, respectively). When the membrane depolarization produced by excess K+ was simulated in Krebs solution by application of current, the generated mechanical response was smaller than that produced by 118 mM K+. When the membrane potential was clamped at the resting level before, during and after application of the excess K+, and excess K+ still evoked contracture. The amplitudes of contracture depended on [K]o. The effects of various [K]o on the length constant of the tissue were also observed in relation to the clamping condition. It is postulated that the mechanical response of the pulmonary artery induced by excess K is mainly due to influx of Ca++ and the depolarization plays only a minor role. This means that release of stored Ca by depolarization is not an essential factor in generation of K-induced contracture in this tissue.", "PMID": 613098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_759", "title": "Possible functioning of active ion transport mechanism in the mucous epithelial cells of newt stomach at low temperature.", "content": "The membrane potential of mucous epithelial cells of isolated newt stomach was -23 mV on the average at 7 degrees C. The potential decreased when the temperature was lowered further, the normal external solution was replaced with K+-free solution, or ouabain or DNP was applied. The decreased membrane potential level of the cells in K+-free solution was not changed any more by adding ouabain to the solution. The membrane potential increased transiently beyond the control level when the stomach was returned to the normal solution after being exposed to isotonic NaCl solution with EGTA. The transient potential increase was blocked by ouabain. These results suggest that, even at such a low temperature as 7 degrees C, the active ion transport mechanism(s) of mucous epithelial cells in the newt stomach is still capable of functioning to some extent.", "contents": "Possible functioning of active ion transport mechanism in the mucous epithelial cells of newt stomach at low temperature. The membrane potential of mucous epithelial cells of isolated newt stomach was -23 mV on the average at 7 degrees C. The potential decreased when the temperature was lowered further, the normal external solution was replaced with K+-free solution, or ouabain or DNP was applied. The decreased membrane potential level of the cells in K+-free solution was not changed any more by adding ouabain to the solution. The membrane potential increased transiently beyond the control level when the stomach was returned to the normal solution after being exposed to isotonic NaCl solution with EGTA. The transient potential increase was blocked by ouabain. These results suggest that, even at such a low temperature as 7 degrees C, the active ion transport mechanism(s) of mucous epithelial cells in the newt stomach is still capable of functioning to some extent.", "PMID": 613099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_760", "title": "Effects of cord section and pithing on spontaneously hypertensive rats.", "content": "In spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive control rats the spinal cord was transected between the vertebrae C7 and Th 1 under ether anesthesia. When the animals recovered from anesthesia in two hours, the blood pressure was significantly higher in the hypertensive rats, indicating that the hypertensive factors are not confined to the supraspinal centers. The blood pressure was also significantly higher in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive control rats even after pithing the spinal cord below the vertebra of Th 1. In either case subsequent pentobarbital anesthesia abolished the significant difference in pressure between the two groups of rats. The blood pressure after either cord section or pithing tended to increase with age in spontaneously hypertensive rats but not in normotensive control rats. These findings indicate the presence of certain age-dependent peripheral hypertensive factors which are susceptible to pentobarbital and probably myogenic in nature.", "contents": "Effects of cord section and pithing on spontaneously hypertensive rats. In spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive control rats the spinal cord was transected between the vertebrae C7 and Th 1 under ether anesthesia. When the animals recovered from anesthesia in two hours, the blood pressure was significantly higher in the hypertensive rats, indicating that the hypertensive factors are not confined to the supraspinal centers. The blood pressure was also significantly higher in spontaneously hypertensive rats than in normotensive control rats even after pithing the spinal cord below the vertebra of Th 1. In either case subsequent pentobarbital anesthesia abolished the significant difference in pressure between the two groups of rats. The blood pressure after either cord section or pithing tended to increase with age in spontaneously hypertensive rats but not in normotensive control rats. These findings indicate the presence of certain age-dependent peripheral hypertensive factors which are susceptible to pentobarbital and probably myogenic in nature.", "PMID": 613101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_761", "title": "A circumferentially-sensitive miniature pressure sensor for study of human esophageal motility.", "content": "Manometric systems in current use for study of human esophageal motility consist of sensors with a restricted radial disposition. Since both upper and lower esophageal sphincters are asymmetrical structures, such sensors are not ideal for sphincteric pressure measurements. In this report, we describe a circumferentially sensitive sensor (MT) which consists essentially of a miniature transducer mounted within a sealed fluid-filled chamber, surrounded by a pressure-sensitive silastic diaphragm. This device is accurate and sensitive. It was compared in 10 young healthy men with a standard perfused catheter system (PC) composed of three catheters, whose side openings were at the same axial level, connected to external transducers. Pressures recorded from the lower esophageal sphincter were significantly higher with the MT than with the PC; and in the upper esophageal sphincter, the rapid pressure changes associated with deglutition were far more faithfully reproduced with the MT. Contractile pressures recorded after swallowing from the body of the esophagus were similar with the two systems, provided that catheters were perfused at a rapid rate (approximately 8 ml/min for each catheter). This preliminary evaluation indicates that this MT has significant advantages as compared with currently available systems.", "contents": "A circumferentially-sensitive miniature pressure sensor for study of human esophageal motility. Manometric systems in current use for study of human esophageal motility consist of sensors with a restricted radial disposition. Since both upper and lower esophageal sphincters are asymmetrical structures, such sensors are not ideal for sphincteric pressure measurements. In this report, we describe a circumferentially sensitive sensor (MT) which consists essentially of a miniature transducer mounted within a sealed fluid-filled chamber, surrounded by a pressure-sensitive silastic diaphragm. This device is accurate and sensitive. It was compared in 10 young healthy men with a standard perfused catheter system (PC) composed of three catheters, whose side openings were at the same axial level, connected to external transducers. Pressures recorded from the lower esophageal sphincter were significantly higher with the MT than with the PC; and in the upper esophageal sphincter, the rapid pressure changes associated with deglutition were far more faithfully reproduced with the MT. Contractile pressures recorded after swallowing from the body of the esophagus were similar with the two systems, provided that catheters were perfused at a rapid rate (approximately 8 ml/min for each catheter). This preliminary evaluation indicates that this MT has significant advantages as compared with currently available systems.", "PMID": 613191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_762", "title": "Some questions concerning electroretinographic response and its variability.", "content": "Changes in retinal potential take place when the eye is adequately stimulated. This evoked response, the electroretinogram (ERG) is recorded in vivo by placing an electrode on the cornea, while the reference electrode is grounded elsewhere. In spite of a great deal of work in this field, the very meaning of ERG, in the frame of visual process, is not yet wholly understood. The present paper produces some data which show that the plot of visual performance vs. time, during the course of the day, runs parallel to that of the size of ERG. The meaning of this finding is discussed, by making reference to the electrical analog of the recording circuit, in terms of lumping approximation.", "contents": "Some questions concerning electroretinographic response and its variability. Changes in retinal potential take place when the eye is adequately stimulated. This evoked response, the electroretinogram (ERG) is recorded in vivo by placing an electrode on the cornea, while the reference electrode is grounded elsewhere. In spite of a great deal of work in this field, the very meaning of ERG, in the frame of visual process, is not yet wholly understood. The present paper produces some data which show that the plot of visual performance vs. time, during the course of the day, runs parallel to that of the size of ERG. The meaning of this finding is discussed, by making reference to the electrical analog of the recording circuit, in terms of lumping approximation.", "PMID": 613192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_763", "title": "Hodgkin's disease: results of treatment with combination chemotherapy.", "content": "Combination chemotherapy, which consisted of nitrogen mustard, a vinca alkaloid, procarbazine, and prednisone, was given to 60 patients with disseminated or recurrent Hodgkin's disease. A complete remission of disease was observed in 41 patients, with a median duration of 35+ months. The longest continuing remission was 89 months, and 52% of patients who achieved a complete remission were alive five years from the start of treatment. In contrast, patients who only had a partial remission (11 patients), or failed to respond to therapy (8 patients) fared badly, with a less than 50% survival rate at one year. Response to drug therapy could not be predicted on the basis of sex, age or tumour histology, but patients who had previously received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a poor prognosis. Drug toxicity was substantial, but was considered acceptable in view of the clear benefit of treatment to most patients. Further improvement in the outlook of patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease is likely to result from modifications of current drug regimens, possibly combined with non-radical radiotherapy.", "contents": "Hodgkin's disease: results of treatment with combination chemotherapy. Combination chemotherapy, which consisted of nitrogen mustard, a vinca alkaloid, procarbazine, and prednisone, was given to 60 patients with disseminated or recurrent Hodgkin's disease. A complete remission of disease was observed in 41 patients, with a median duration of 35+ months. The longest continuing remission was 89 months, and 52% of patients who achieved a complete remission were alive five years from the start of treatment. In contrast, patients who only had a partial remission (11 patients), or failed to respond to therapy (8 patients) fared badly, with a less than 50% survival rate at one year. Response to drug therapy could not be predicted on the basis of sex, age or tumour histology, but patients who had previously received both radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a poor prognosis. Drug toxicity was substantial, but was considered acceptable in view of the clear benefit of treatment to most patients. Further improvement in the outlook of patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease is likely to result from modifications of current drug regimens, possibly combined with non-radical radiotherapy.", "PMID": 613196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_764", "title": "Bioavailability evaluation of an enteric-coated phenylbutazone formulation, and cross-over comparison with a sugar-coated product.", "content": "The relative bioavailability of enteric-coated, and commercially available sugar-coated tablets of phenylbutazone (PBZ) was studied in eight healthy volunteers. Each subject received a single oral dose of 400 mg of each preparation in a cross-over sequence. Blood samples were taken for assay of unchanged drug at intervals up to 360 hours. In an attempt fully to characterize the absorption and elimination profiles, three bioavailability parameters were evaluated; peak plasma level of PBZ, time taken to achieve peak level, and area under the plasma level-time curve. Peak plasma levels of PBZ, and area under the plasma level-time curves were not significantly different for the two products, which indicated their bioequivalence. A statistically significant (P is less than 0.001) difference in the rate of absorption of the two products was apparent, since the mean time of occurrence of the peak plasma level of PBZ for the enteric-coated tablets was 9.0 hours compared with 3.9 hours for the sugar-coated formulation. No subjective effects from the two products were noted by any of the subjects, nor were there any alterations in haematological or biochemical parameters.", "contents": "Bioavailability evaluation of an enteric-coated phenylbutazone formulation, and cross-over comparison with a sugar-coated product. The relative bioavailability of enteric-coated, and commercially available sugar-coated tablets of phenylbutazone (PBZ) was studied in eight healthy volunteers. Each subject received a single oral dose of 400 mg of each preparation in a cross-over sequence. Blood samples were taken for assay of unchanged drug at intervals up to 360 hours. In an attempt fully to characterize the absorption and elimination profiles, three bioavailability parameters were evaluated; peak plasma level of PBZ, time taken to achieve peak level, and area under the plasma level-time curve. Peak plasma levels of PBZ, and area under the plasma level-time curves were not significantly different for the two products, which indicated their bioequivalence. A statistically significant (P is less than 0.001) difference in the rate of absorption of the two products was apparent, since the mean time of occurrence of the peak plasma level of PBZ for the enteric-coated tablets was 9.0 hours compared with 3.9 hours for the sugar-coated formulation. No subjective effects from the two products were noted by any of the subjects, nor were there any alterations in haematological or biochemical parameters.", "PMID": 613197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_765", "title": "Effects on humans of bites of Australian non-bloodsucking reduviid bugs.", "content": "Occasional reports are received of painful bites inflicted on humans in Australia by predatory bugs of the family Reduviidae. A compilation is made here of such reports, which were obtained from published sources and from the files of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and is accompanied by available data on the circumstances of the attack and the symptoms produced in the victim. Particular attention is given to two recent cases of reactions to bites of species of Piestolestes, an otherwise obscure endemic genus. It is suggested that the nature of reported reactions to bites of non-bloodsucking Reduviidae raises the possibility that they are a response to the injection of a toxin, and note is made of a study of an Israeli non-bloodsucking reduviid which produces a venom suggested to be potentially harmful to humans.", "contents": "Effects on humans of bites of Australian non-bloodsucking reduviid bugs. Occasional reports are received of painful bites inflicted on humans in Australia by predatory bugs of the family Reduviidae. A compilation is made here of such reports, which were obtained from published sources and from the files of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and is accompanied by available data on the circumstances of the attack and the symptoms produced in the victim. Particular attention is given to two recent cases of reactions to bites of species of Piestolestes, an otherwise obscure endemic genus. It is suggested that the nature of reported reactions to bites of non-bloodsucking Reduviidae raises the possibility that they are a response to the injection of a toxin, and note is made of a study of an Israeli non-bloodsucking reduviid which produces a venom suggested to be potentially harmful to humans.", "PMID": 613198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_766", "title": "The laboratory report: a problem in communication between clinician and microbiologist?", "content": "When writing a laboratory report, the microbiologist often makes certain assumptions as to the clinician's understanding of laboratory procedures and reporting practices. The effect of these assumptions on the interpretations of the reports is discussed, with data from a survey of general practitioners. Possible ways of improving communication between the laboratory and the clinician are suggested.", "contents": "The laboratory report: a problem in communication between clinician and microbiologist? When writing a laboratory report, the microbiologist often makes certain assumptions as to the clinician's understanding of laboratory procedures and reporting practices. The effect of these assumptions on the interpretations of the reports is discussed, with data from a survey of general practitioners. Possible ways of improving communication between the laboratory and the clinician are suggested.", "PMID": 613206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_767", "title": "Retrieval of the critically ill in South Australia: a coordinated approach.", "content": "A system is described for the stabilization and evacuation of the critically ill in South Australia, with a discussion of experience in 278 patients. The integration of activities of peripheral medical practitioners, major teaching hospitals, and the ambulance transport authority (St John Ambulance Council) is paramount. Modes of communication are by \"urgent line\" telephone and radio. Advanced life-support equipment is portable, may be placed in any ambulance vehicle, and is used and maintained principally by the staff of intensive care units. The design characteristics of a suitable road vehicle and fixed-wing aircraft are considered, with emphasis on dimensions for the particular needs of advanced life-support. The cost of transporting such a patient is approximately two-thirds of an average bed day cost in a public hospital, plus the basic ambulance charge. The number of patients who need such measures is 0.2% of the total number of patients carried by ambulance per annum.", "contents": "Retrieval of the critically ill in South Australia: a coordinated approach. A system is described for the stabilization and evacuation of the critically ill in South Australia, with a discussion of experience in 278 patients. The integration of activities of peripheral medical practitioners, major teaching hospitals, and the ambulance transport authority (St John Ambulance Council) is paramount. Modes of communication are by \"urgent line\" telephone and radio. Advanced life-support equipment is portable, may be placed in any ambulance vehicle, and is used and maintained principally by the staff of intensive care units. The design characteristics of a suitable road vehicle and fixed-wing aircraft are considered, with emphasis on dimensions for the particular needs of advanced life-support. The cost of transporting such a patient is approximately two-thirds of an average bed day cost in a public hospital, plus the basic ambulance charge. The number of patients who need such measures is 0.2% of the total number of patients carried by ambulance per annum.", "PMID": 613205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_768", "title": "Some aspects of the computed tomography of the head.", "content": "Computed tomography demonstrates intracranial neoplasms so clearly that nearly all early work in this field was limited to descriptions of the appearance of various lesions. Only recently have investigators directed their attention to the medical implications of the physical and pathophysiologic phenonmena that characterize this remarkable new technique. This paper will discuss recent work in these two areas and its clinical implications, and will examine the application of computed tomography to the evaluation of the postsurgical and postradiation patient.", "contents": "Some aspects of the computed tomography of the head. Computed tomography demonstrates intracranial neoplasms so clearly that nearly all early work in this field was limited to descriptions of the appearance of various lesions. Only recently have investigators directed their attention to the medical implications of the physical and pathophysiologic phenonmena that characterize this remarkable new technique. This paper will discuss recent work in these two areas and its clinical implications, and will examine the application of computed tomography to the evaluation of the postsurgical and postradiation patient.", "PMID": 613220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_769", "title": "Animal models of brain tumors.", "content": "Although no single model of the numerous animal models of brain tumors developed in recent years perfectly represents the spontaneous human tumors, different ones do have specific advantages for certain types of studies. Chemical induction in adult animals, transplacental chemical induction, viral induction, and transplantation are effective methods that allow choice of numerous histologic types of tumors which, to a greater or lesser extent, simulate human tumors. Reproducibility of location, cell type, and time of tumor appearances; expense; ability to grow in tissue culture; safety for personnel; trauma to brain; nature of vasculature, and amount of brain and tumor tissue available for examination are among the variables to be considered in choosing a model appropriate for a particular study.", "contents": "Animal models of brain tumors. Although no single model of the numerous animal models of brain tumors developed in recent years perfectly represents the spontaneous human tumors, different ones do have specific advantages for certain types of studies. Chemical induction in adult animals, transplacental chemical induction, viral induction, and transplantation are effective methods that allow choice of numerous histologic types of tumors which, to a greater or lesser extent, simulate human tumors. Reproducibility of location, cell type, and time of tumor appearances; expense; ability to grow in tissue culture; safety for personnel; trauma to brain; nature of vasculature, and amount of brain and tumor tissue available for examination are among the variables to be considered in choosing a model appropriate for a particular study.", "PMID": 613221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_770", "title": "Cerebrospinal fluid sterols in the evaluation of patients with gliomas.", "content": "This study was an effort to obtain a marker indicative of the biologic activity of human gliomas. Sterol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated. Studies were conducted longitudinally during the course of tumor therapy. The evidence indicated that desmosterol levels in the CSF may reflect the growth potential of these neoplasms.", "contents": "Cerebrospinal fluid sterols in the evaluation of patients with gliomas. This study was an effort to obtain a marker indicative of the biologic activity of human gliomas. Sterol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated. Studies were conducted longitudinally during the course of tumor therapy. The evidence indicated that desmosterol levels in the CSF may reflect the growth potential of these neoplasms.", "PMID": 613222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_771", "title": "Chemotherapy of human nervous system tumors: influence on cerebrospinal fluid sterols.", "content": "The cerebrospinal fluid levels of cholesterol, desmosterol, and the ratio 100 D:C taken from a study of 59 patients are reported. The patients, who had tumors of the nervous system, underwent neurosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea or 1-(2-chlororethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea. The relationships among the levels of these three parameters and the clinical and neuroradiologic evolution are discussed.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of human nervous system tumors: influence on cerebrospinal fluid sterols. The cerebrospinal fluid levels of cholesterol, desmosterol, and the ratio 100 D:C taken from a study of 59 patients are reported. The patients, who had tumors of the nervous system, underwent neurosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea or 1-(2-chlororethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea. The relationships among the levels of these three parameters and the clinical and neuroradiologic evolution are discussed.", "PMID": 613223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_772", "title": "Surgical management of malignant brain tumors.", "content": "Data are presented to support the contention that aggressive surgical management of malignant brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, is valuable in terms of quality and length of survival. Metastatic brain tumors must be solitary in a patient whose primary is either asymptomatic or under good control to justify surgical removal. Primary malignant gliomas are surgical candidates when the core of tumor can be excised, thus increasing survival after radiation and chemotherapy.", "contents": "Surgical management of malignant brain tumors. Data are presented to support the contention that aggressive surgical management of malignant brain tumors, both primary and metastatic, is valuable in terms of quality and length of survival. Metastatic brain tumors must be solitary in a patient whose primary is either asymptomatic or under good control to justify surgical removal. Primary malignant gliomas are surgical candidates when the core of tumor can be excised, thus increasing survival after radiation and chemotherapy.", "PMID": 613225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_773", "title": "Chemotherapy studies of various nitrosoureas: prevention of development of ethylnitrosourea-induced tumors in the nervous system.", "content": "Of four nitrosoureas administered to F344 rats that were offspring of mothers treated with ethylnitrosourea during pregnancy, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and its methyl derivative were particularly effective in blocking tumor development.", "contents": "Chemotherapy studies of various nitrosoureas: prevention of development of ethylnitrosourea-induced tumors in the nervous system. Of four nitrosoureas administered to F344 rats that were offspring of mothers treated with ethylnitrosourea during pregnancy, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea and its methyl derivative were particularly effective in blocking tumor development.", "PMID": 613226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_774", "title": "Conventional methods of diagnosis using nuclear scan and recent progress with radionuclide transaxial tomography.", "content": "Radionuclide brain imaging, a simple, noninvasive test for evaluating patients with suspected cerebral pathology, has a high degree of accuracy when compared with more complex neuroradiologic procedures such as angiography and pneumoencephalography. The detection of brain tumors with use of radionuclide scans is related to the tumor cell type and their location in the brain. Transmission computed cranial tomography (CCT) offers another simple procedure for evaluating cerebral pathology. Even though CCT gives more anatomic detail than the radionuclide study, the two procedures are often complementary. Radionuclide transaxial tomography appears promising as a means of evaluating cerebral metabolism and metabolic changes associated with cerebral pathology.", "contents": "Conventional methods of diagnosis using nuclear scan and recent progress with radionuclide transaxial tomography. Radionuclide brain imaging, a simple, noninvasive test for evaluating patients with suspected cerebral pathology, has a high degree of accuracy when compared with more complex neuroradiologic procedures such as angiography and pneumoencephalography. The detection of brain tumors with use of radionuclide scans is related to the tumor cell type and their location in the brain. Transmission computed cranial tomography (CCT) offers another simple procedure for evaluating cerebral pathology. Even though CCT gives more anatomic detail than the radionuclide study, the two procedures are often complementary. Radionuclide transaxial tomography appears promising as a means of evaluating cerebral metabolism and metabolic changes associated with cerebral pathology.", "PMID": 613228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_775", "title": "Cancer incidence in the Mexican American.", "content": "Mexican Americans of Los Angeles County, both those born in Mexico and in the United States, were at lower risk to all sites of cancer combined, than other whites. These Mexican Americans were at increased risk to some specific cancers, including those of the stomach, gallbladder, and cervix. For those tumors for which racial differences existed, clear migrant patterns were present.", "contents": "Cancer incidence in the Mexican American. Mexican Americans of Los Angeles County, both those born in Mexico and in the United States, were at lower risk to all sites of cancer combined, than other whites. These Mexican Americans were at increased risk to some specific cancers, including those of the stomach, gallbladder, and cervix. For those tumors for which racial differences existed, clear migrant patterns were present.", "PMID": 613229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_776", "title": "Rationale and methods for an epidemiologic study of cancer among Seventh-Day Adventists.", "content": "Considerable evidence was found that Adventists are a low-risk population to develop cancer of many sites. Adventists have numerous unique life-style and dietary habits with great variability within the population in adherence to these practices as well as considerable variation in duration of exposure to these characteristics. Thus this study population will likely be extremely productive in identifying dietary habits or other life-style characteristics that are etiologically related to various cancer sites.", "contents": "Rationale and methods for an epidemiologic study of cancer among Seventh-Day Adventists. Considerable evidence was found that Adventists are a low-risk population to develop cancer of many sites. Adventists have numerous unique life-style and dietary habits with great variability within the population in adherence to these practices as well as considerable variation in duration of exposure to these characteristics. Thus this study population will likely be extremely productive in identifying dietary habits or other life-style characteristics that are etiologically related to various cancer sites.", "PMID": 613230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_777", "title": "Papanicolaou testing and hysterectomy prevalence in low-income communities: a survey in Los Angeles County.", "content": "A survey of the prevalence of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing and of hysterectomy and a feasibility study were conducted in low-income communities with high rates of cervical cancer, identified by an analysis of mortality and case rates. Although about 90% of the women reported having had a Pap regular testing. For example, in the 5 years preceding the study (1971--75), about a quarter of the women had been tested only once and about a third not at all. No evidence of a secular change in hysterectomy prevalence in these communities was found.", "contents": "Papanicolaou testing and hysterectomy prevalence in low-income communities: a survey in Los Angeles County. A survey of the prevalence of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing and of hysterectomy and a feasibility study were conducted in low-income communities with high rates of cervical cancer, identified by an analysis of mortality and case rates. Although about 90% of the women reported having had a Pap regular testing. For example, in the 5 years preceding the study (1971--75), about a quarter of the women had been tested only once and about a third not at all. No evidence of a secular change in hysterectomy prevalence in these communities was found.", "PMID": 613231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_778", "title": "Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen patterns and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "Incidence patterns indicated the prominent role of genetic factors in this type of cancer. A histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile of A2 and B-locus antigen, Singapore 2 (Sin 2), was identified. An association between these genes and increased risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), was confirmed. The risk was restricted to the \"co-occurrence\" of A2, B-Sin 2, suggesting that the genotype predisposing to the development of NPC was the A, B-Sin 2 haplotype. Similar associations were found to exist in Malaysian and Hong Kong Chinese so the A2, B-Sin 2 phenotype is a feature common to Asian Chinese in at least three locations. Preliminary HLA studies of medium NPC incidence in Tunisians and Malays indicated that patients with NPC of both ethnic types have altered HLA antigen profiles. If the findings of a locus-B antigen deficit in Tunisians and the role of A9 with B-locus antigens in Malays can be confirmed and clarified, the histocompatibility genetic hypothesis of NPC predisposition would be substantially strengthened.", "contents": "Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen patterns and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Incidence patterns indicated the prominent role of genetic factors in this type of cancer. A histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile of A2 and B-locus antigen, Singapore 2 (Sin 2), was identified. An association between these genes and increased risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), was confirmed. The risk was restricted to the \"co-occurrence\" of A2, B-Sin 2, suggesting that the genotype predisposing to the development of NPC was the A, B-Sin 2 haplotype. Similar associations were found to exist in Malaysian and Hong Kong Chinese so the A2, B-Sin 2 phenotype is a feature common to Asian Chinese in at least three locations. Preliminary HLA studies of medium NPC incidence in Tunisians and Malays indicated that patients with NPC of both ethnic types have altered HLA antigen profiles. If the findings of a locus-B antigen deficit in Tunisians and the role of A9 with B-locus antigens in Malays can be confirmed and clarified, the histocompatibility genetic hypothesis of NPC predisposition would be substantially strengthened.", "PMID": 613232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_779", "title": "Immunogenetic aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. V. Confirmation of a Chinese-related HLA profile (A2, Singapore 2) associated with an increased risk in Chinese for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "Histocompatibility locus A typing of 43 Malaysian Chinese and 51 Hong Kong Chinese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) confirmed the association between the occurrence of A2-Sin 2 and the increased risk for NPC that was previously demonstrated in Singapore Chinese. The results support the previous interpretation that the histocompatibility locus A genotype of importance in NPC predisposition is the A2-Sin 2 haplotype. The histocompatibility locus A-linked, genetically determined NPC risk is common to Asian Chinese from at least three geographic locations.", "contents": "Immunogenetic aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. V. Confirmation of a Chinese-related HLA profile (A2, Singapore 2) associated with an increased risk in Chinese for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Histocompatibility locus A typing of 43 Malaysian Chinese and 51 Hong Kong Chinese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) confirmed the association between the occurrence of A2-Sin 2 and the increased risk for NPC that was previously demonstrated in Singapore Chinese. The results support the previous interpretation that the histocompatibility locus A genotype of importance in NPC predisposition is the A2-Sin 2 haplotype. The histocompatibility locus A-linked, genetically determined NPC risk is common to Asian Chinese from at least three geographic locations.", "PMID": 613233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_780", "title": "Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen patterns in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases from California.", "content": "Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 in the first locus and less than two antigens in the second locus were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk to nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese. HLA-A2 in the first locus alone was responsible for the increased risk. No significant HLA patterns were found to be associated with the Caucasian population.", "contents": "Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen patterns in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases from California. Histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 in the first locus and less than two antigens in the second locus were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk to nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese. HLA-A2 in the first locus alone was responsible for the increased risk. No significant HLA patterns were found to be associated with the Caucasian population.", "PMID": 613234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_781", "title": "Breast cancer among American Japanese in the San Francisco Bay area.", "content": "The Japanese-American population was particularly well suited for the study of cancer occurrence because: 1) An American-born population as well as the immigrant Japanese-American population could be studied; 2) good cancer incidence and mortality data from Japan could be compared with data from the United States; and 3) some differences in the rate of occurrence of several specific cancer sites in Japan as compared with the United States were striking. The most significant of these involved the gastrointestinal tract and sex organs. Data were presented concerning cancer incidence rates for the Japanese-American population of the San Francisco Bay area. The high gastric rates for the Japanese in Japan were reduced in a stepwise fashion in the immigrant Japanese-American population to the American-born Japanese who were approaching the low rate of the United States. Colon cancer rates, which were low in Japan, approached the rates in the United States in both the immigrants from Japan and in Japanese Americans. The low rates of cancers of the breast, uterine corpus, and ovary of Japanese women in Japan and for prostate cancer among men rapidly approached the higher rates for these cancer sites that existed in the United States. A study of nutritional factors related to the increase of cancer of the breast in Japanese Americans is being conducted.", "contents": "Breast cancer among American Japanese in the San Francisco Bay area. The Japanese-American population was particularly well suited for the study of cancer occurrence because: 1) An American-born population as well as the immigrant Japanese-American population could be studied; 2) good cancer incidence and mortality data from Japan could be compared with data from the United States; and 3) some differences in the rate of occurrence of several specific cancer sites in Japan as compared with the United States were striking. The most significant of these involved the gastrointestinal tract and sex organs. Data were presented concerning cancer incidence rates for the Japanese-American population of the San Francisco Bay area. The high gastric rates for the Japanese in Japan were reduced in a stepwise fashion in the immigrant Japanese-American population to the American-born Japanese who were approaching the low rate of the United States. Colon cancer rates, which were low in Japan, approached the rates in the United States in both the immigrants from Japan and in Japanese Americans. The low rates of cancers of the breast, uterine corpus, and ovary of Japanese women in Japan and for prostate cancer among men rapidly approached the higher rates for these cancer sites that existed in the United States. A study of nutritional factors related to the increase of cancer of the breast in Japanese Americans is being conducted.", "PMID": 613235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_782", "title": "Breast secretory activity in nonlactating women, postpartum breast involution, and the epidemiology of breast cancer.", "content": "We found an association between the secretory activity of the nonlactating breast and genes related to apocrine function. Based on these findings, we developed a biologic model that relates epidemiologic evidence for an association of reproductive experience with risk of breast cancer to our findings of genetic variation of breast secretory activity and the fact that exogenously derived substances are secreted into breast fluid. The turnover rate of secreted substances was a primary determinant of exposure of the breast epithelium to environmental and endogenous carcinogens and promoters.", "contents": "Breast secretory activity in nonlactating women, postpartum breast involution, and the epidemiology of breast cancer. We found an association between the secretory activity of the nonlactating breast and genes related to apocrine function. Based on these findings, we developed a biologic model that relates epidemiologic evidence for an association of reproductive experience with risk of breast cancer to our findings of genetic variation of breast secretory activity and the fact that exogenously derived substances are secreted into breast fluid. The turnover rate of secreted substances was a primary determinant of exposure of the breast epithelium to environmental and endogenous carcinogens and promoters.", "PMID": 613236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_783", "title": "Diet and exogenous estrogens in three populations at different levels of risk for breast cancer.", "content": "A case-control study is being conducted in which a questionnaire is used to collect information on past history of drug usage (including menopausal estrogens) and the normal weekly dietary intake. Breast cancer cases from 3 selected populations (ages 45--74) are identified: 1) the Caucasians in Hawaii, at high risk for breast cancer; 2) the Japanese in Hawaii, at intermediate risk; and 3) the Japanese in Fukuoka, Japan, representing a low-risk population. For each case, a neighborhood and hospital control matched by race and age is interviewed. Attempts are made to verify the drug history with the subject's personal physician, and a subsample of the study population received a repeated dietary interview to assess its reliability. Pathologic slides of the breast cancer cases are reviewed by three consulting pathologists to confirm cancer diagnosis and to identify possible histologic differences in the 3 populations. In all, 200 cases and 400 controls will be interviewed from each study population.", "contents": "Diet and exogenous estrogens in three populations at different levels of risk for breast cancer. A case-control study is being conducted in which a questionnaire is used to collect information on past history of drug usage (including menopausal estrogens) and the normal weekly dietary intake. Breast cancer cases from 3 selected populations (ages 45--74) are identified: 1) the Caucasians in Hawaii, at high risk for breast cancer; 2) the Japanese in Hawaii, at intermediate risk; and 3) the Japanese in Fukuoka, Japan, representing a low-risk population. For each case, a neighborhood and hospital control matched by race and age is interviewed. Attempts are made to verify the drug history with the subject's personal physician, and a subsample of the study population received a repeated dietary interview to assess its reliability. Pathologic slides of the breast cancer cases are reviewed by three consulting pathologists to confirm cancer diagnosis and to identify possible histologic differences in the 3 populations. In all, 200 cases and 400 controls will be interviewed from each study population.", "PMID": 613237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_784", "title": "Colon and rectum cancer in the New Zealand population.", "content": "To test the hypothesis that the high rates of large bowel cancer in New Zealand were attributable to geographic location, occupation, or country of birth, we reviewed 4,760 cases registered in that country between 1964 and 1968. Analyses demonstrated that significantly high rates existed for certain rural populations, for small subsections of the immigrant population, and for certain occupations. However, the number of persons-at-risk represented in these groups collectively were not large enough to account for the high New Zealand rates.", "contents": "Colon and rectum cancer in the New Zealand population. To test the hypothesis that the high rates of large bowel cancer in New Zealand were attributable to geographic location, occupation, or country of birth, we reviewed 4,760 cases registered in that country between 1964 and 1968. Analyses demonstrated that significantly high rates existed for certain rural populations, for small subsections of the immigrant population, and for certain occupations. However, the number of persons-at-risk represented in these groups collectively were not large enough to account for the high New Zealand rates.", "PMID": 613239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_785", "title": "Gastrointestinal carcinoma in the Japanese of Hawaii: a status report.", "content": "The primary aim of the Japan--Hawaii Cancer Study was to identify factors that could explain the changes in cancer risk experienced by Japanese who migrated to Hawaii. Many investigations were conducted in this long-term prospective study since its inception in 1971. Among the findings that relate to gastrointestinal carcinoma were the following: 1) Bowel transit time does not appear to be related to the occurrence of large bowel cancer or to any of the benign conditions with which it is associated; 2) adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps, as well as diverticula, are much more prevalent among autopsy specimens from Japanese who had lived in Hawaii than of those in Japan; 3) adenomatous polyps and diverticula are positively associated with atherosclerosis in the necropsy population in Hawaii; 4) although the incidence of the diffuse histopathologic type of gastric cancer does not differ appreciably among the Japanese in Hawaii and Japan, the migrants have a significantly lower incidence of the intestinal type of stomach cancer; and 5) case-control studies indicated that the two conditions frequently associated with gastric carcinoma, i.e., gastric ulcer and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, are associated with high salt intakes and adherence to the traditional Japanese diet.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal carcinoma in the Japanese of Hawaii: a status report. The primary aim of the Japan--Hawaii Cancer Study was to identify factors that could explain the changes in cancer risk experienced by Japanese who migrated to Hawaii. Many investigations were conducted in this long-term prospective study since its inception in 1971. Among the findings that relate to gastrointestinal carcinoma were the following: 1) Bowel transit time does not appear to be related to the occurrence of large bowel cancer or to any of the benign conditions with which it is associated; 2) adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps, as well as diverticula, are much more prevalent among autopsy specimens from Japanese who had lived in Hawaii than of those in Japan; 3) adenomatous polyps and diverticula are positively associated with atherosclerosis in the necropsy population in Hawaii; 4) although the incidence of the diffuse histopathologic type of gastric cancer does not differ appreciably among the Japanese in Hawaii and Japan, the migrants have a significantly lower incidence of the intestinal type of stomach cancer; and 5) case-control studies indicated that the two conditions frequently associated with gastric carcinoma, i.e., gastric ulcer and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, are associated with high salt intakes and adherence to the traditional Japanese diet.", "PMID": 613238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_786", "title": "Role of the cancer registry.", "content": "The cancer registry can be defined as a facility for the collection, storage, analysis, and interpretation of data on persons with cancer. The possible range of registry activities was discussed in relation to the population-based cancer registry. These activities included service to the medical profession and hence the cancer patient, the provision of information for planning control measures, the evaluation of treatment and of screening programs, the conduct of epidemiologic studies, either directly or indirectly, and the education of the public and the medical profession. The resources of the cancer registry can be used in follow-up for industrial and other cohorts exposed to a variety of agents. Registries must be prepared to meet the problem of confidentiality that might arise when information in the registry is linked with other data sets. The value of a cancer registry increases when it becomes possible to examine and assess time trends. Unfortunately, many cancer registries were not adequately funded or staffed to exploit usefully the data already collected at considerable expenses. The three types of staff required to ensure full utilization were discussed.", "contents": "Role of the cancer registry. The cancer registry can be defined as a facility for the collection, storage, analysis, and interpretation of data on persons with cancer. The possible range of registry activities was discussed in relation to the population-based cancer registry. These activities included service to the medical profession and hence the cancer patient, the provision of information for planning control measures, the evaluation of treatment and of screening programs, the conduct of epidemiologic studies, either directly or indirectly, and the education of the public and the medical profession. The resources of the cancer registry can be used in follow-up for industrial and other cohorts exposed to a variety of agents. Registries must be prepared to meet the problem of confidentiality that might arise when information in the registry is linked with other data sets. The value of a cancer registry increases when it becomes possible to examine and assess time trends. Unfortunately, many cancer registries were not adequately funded or staffed to exploit usefully the data already collected at considerable expenses. The three types of staff required to ensure full utilization were discussed.", "PMID": 613241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_787", "title": "Cancer registries in Australia.", "content": "Cancer registries are at an early stage of development in Australia. Population-based registries are located in New South Wales Registry and Western Australia, and of these, only the New South Wales Registry is fully functioning. A hospital-based registry is maintained in Victoria. We have a national cancer registry in principle but it will not be functional for many years. Preliminary statistics for New South Wales indicate a cancer pattern similar to Caucasian populations. Some epidemiologic surveys have been undertaken.", "contents": "Cancer registries in Australia. Cancer registries are at an early stage of development in Australia. Population-based registries are located in New South Wales Registry and Western Australia, and of these, only the New South Wales Registry is fully functioning. A hospital-based registry is maintained in Victoria. We have a national cancer registry in principle but it will not be functional for many years. Preliminary statistics for New South Wales indicate a cancer pattern similar to Caucasian populations. Some epidemiologic surveys have been undertaken.", "PMID": 613243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_788", "title": "Lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disease in Tasmania.", "content": "Tasmania, an island state of the Australian Commonwealth with a population of 400,000 of predominantly Anglo-Saxon heritage, has relatively centralized oncology services. A study was undertaken of all patients known in December 1971 and of all new cases diagnosed since January 1972 with all forms of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloma, and other myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders. Data were obtained with respect to lifetime residential and occupational history, schools attended, and known familial cases of any of the myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders.", "contents": "Lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disease in Tasmania. Tasmania, an island state of the Australian Commonwealth with a population of 400,000 of predominantly Anglo-Saxon heritage, has relatively centralized oncology services. A study was undertaken of all patients known in December 1971 and of all new cases diagnosed since January 1972 with all forms of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloma, and other myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders. Data were obtained with respect to lifetime residential and occupational history, schools attended, and known familial cases of any of the myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders.", "PMID": 613244} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_789", "title": "Cancer registry in New Zealand.", "content": "Cancer registration, introduced in New Zealand in 1948, evolved from a clinically oriented to a population-based collection scheme. The registry, located within the National Health Statistics Centre, can draw on a wide range of other health data reported to that office. New Zealand has a population of 3 million, 8% of whom are Maoris. Findings indicated that cancer is the second leading cause of death and that Maori women have a much higher overall cancer death toll than other New Zealand women. Significantly higher incidence rates for cancers of the stomach, pancreas, lung, thyroid gland, and uterus and lower rates for cancer of the large bowel and melanoma of the skin were found in Maoris.", "contents": "Cancer registry in New Zealand. Cancer registration, introduced in New Zealand in 1948, evolved from a clinically oriented to a population-based collection scheme. The registry, located within the National Health Statistics Centre, can draw on a wide range of other health data reported to that office. New Zealand has a population of 3 million, 8% of whom are Maoris. Findings indicated that cancer is the second leading cause of death and that Maori women have a much higher overall cancer death toll than other New Zealand women. Significantly higher incidence rates for cancers of the stomach, pancreas, lung, thyroid gland, and uterus and lower rates for cancer of the large bowel and melanoma of the skin were found in Maoris.", "PMID": 613245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_790", "title": "Cancer epidemiology in the Philippines.", "content": "Based on 16,492 cancer cases recorded at the Central Tumor Registry of the Philippines from July 1968 to June 1973, an epidemiologic analysis was conducted. Age-adjusted incidence rates for cancer of all sites in the Philippines, the United States, and Japan were similar. Cancers of the lung and breast were the leading sites in males and females, respectively. Age-specific incidence rates by each site were compared for the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. Cancers of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, liver, lung, breast, cervix, ovary, and thyroid and malignant lymphoma occurred with higher frequency in the Philippines. The more education people had, the more likely they were to develop cancers of the lung, pancreas, bladder, prostate, breast, and ovary, whereas cancers of the stomach, skin, esophagus, oropharynx, tongue, and mouth were more common in individuals who had not completed high school. Among smokers, neoplasms of the lung, larynx, tongue, mouth, liver, esophagus, and oropharynx occurred with significantly higher frequency. Epidemiologic implications and significance of these results for cancer control were discussed.", "contents": "Cancer epidemiology in the Philippines. Based on 16,492 cancer cases recorded at the Central Tumor Registry of the Philippines from July 1968 to June 1973, an epidemiologic analysis was conducted. Age-adjusted incidence rates for cancer of all sites in the Philippines, the United States, and Japan were similar. Cancers of the lung and breast were the leading sites in males and females, respectively. Age-specific incidence rates by each site were compared for the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. Cancers of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, liver, lung, breast, cervix, ovary, and thyroid and malignant lymphoma occurred with higher frequency in the Philippines. The more education people had, the more likely they were to develop cancers of the lung, pancreas, bladder, prostate, breast, and ovary, whereas cancers of the stomach, skin, esophagus, oropharynx, tongue, and mouth were more common in individuals who had not completed high school. Among smokers, neoplasms of the lung, larynx, tongue, mouth, liver, esophagus, and oropharynx occurred with significantly higher frequency. Epidemiologic implications and significance of these results for cancer control were discussed.", "PMID": 613246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_791", "title": "Current status of the Cancer Registry and population-based studies in Hong Kong.", "content": "Despite the handicaps of shortage of staff, lack of a broad health insurance program, and the apathy of most of the medical profession, we managed to establish a Cancer Registry that is achieving near completeness in registration of cancers at certain sites. These cancers are among the most common types occurring in the population.", "contents": "Current status of the Cancer Registry and population-based studies in Hong Kong. Despite the handicaps of shortage of staff, lack of a broad health insurance program, and the apathy of most of the medical profession, we managed to establish a Cancer Registry that is achieving near completeness in registration of cancers at certain sites. These cancers are among the most common types occurring in the population.", "PMID": 613247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_792", "title": "Current status of cancer studies in the South Pacific.", "content": "An analysis of cancer incidence and mortality data indicated that cancer has become one of the five leading causes of death in many of the republics and territories in the South Pacific. The most developed areas had rates that exceeded world averages for malignant neoplasms of the lung, breast, and cervix uteri. The two existing cancer registries are in the Papua New Guinea and Fiji. These registries have documented a number of unusual patterns of cancer incidence that allow casual inferences to be made. Among these are the association of chewing betel nut and cancer of the mouth, and the finding of Burkitt's lymphoma in Papua New Guinea with the same epidemiologic features as in West Africa. These and a number of other unusual patterns of cancer occurrence underline the need and the special opportunities for cancer research in the South Pacific.", "contents": "Current status of cancer studies in the South Pacific. An analysis of cancer incidence and mortality data indicated that cancer has become one of the five leading causes of death in many of the republics and territories in the South Pacific. The most developed areas had rates that exceeded world averages for malignant neoplasms of the lung, breast, and cervix uteri. The two existing cancer registries are in the Papua New Guinea and Fiji. These registries have documented a number of unusual patterns of cancer incidence that allow casual inferences to be made. Among these are the association of chewing betel nut and cancer of the mouth, and the finding of Burkitt's lymphoma in Papua New Guinea with the same epidemiologic features as in West Africa. These and a number of other unusual patterns of cancer occurrence underline the need and the special opportunities for cancer research in the South Pacific.", "PMID": 613248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_793", "title": "Epidemiologic cancer research programs of the Cancer Center of Hawaii.", "content": "Ongoing epidemiologic cancer research programs are described. These programs were developed by the Epidemiology and Demography Unit, Cancer Center of Hawaii, established in July 1974. During the 15-month period prior to the Pacific Basin Conference, many epidemiologic projects were initiated. Major descriptive, epidemiologic studies were undertaken: a) cancer mortality among the Japanese in Hawaii, adjusted by prefecture-of-origin; b) time trend of mortality rates for 80 causes between 1910--70; c) evaluation of race classification in Hawaii; d) survival analysis; and e) increased lung cancer rates among Japanese migrants in relation to smoking. Major analytic, epidemiologic studies were as follows: a) an international case-control study on breast cancer in relation to diet and exogenous estrogens; b) association between height and weight and various types of cancer; c) a follow-up study of about 9,000 shipyard workers exposed to asbestos; d) an epidemiologic survey on a 2- to 3-% sample population of Hawaii; and e) a follow-up study on leprosy patients in relation to their risks for cancer.", "contents": "Epidemiologic cancer research programs of the Cancer Center of Hawaii. Ongoing epidemiologic cancer research programs are described. These programs were developed by the Epidemiology and Demography Unit, Cancer Center of Hawaii, established in July 1974. During the 15-month period prior to the Pacific Basin Conference, many epidemiologic projects were initiated. Major descriptive, epidemiologic studies were undertaken: a) cancer mortality among the Japanese in Hawaii, adjusted by prefecture-of-origin; b) time trend of mortality rates for 80 causes between 1910--70; c) evaluation of race classification in Hawaii; d) survival analysis; and e) increased lung cancer rates among Japanese migrants in relation to smoking. Major analytic, epidemiologic studies were as follows: a) an international case-control study on breast cancer in relation to diet and exogenous estrogens; b) association between height and weight and various types of cancer; c) a follow-up study of about 9,000 shipyard workers exposed to asbestos; d) an epidemiologic survey on a 2- to 3-% sample population of Hawaii; and e) a follow-up study on leprosy patients in relation to their risks for cancer.", "PMID": 613249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_794", "title": "Cancer epidemiology in the San Francisco Bay Area.", "content": "The Third National Cancer Survey of 1969--71 included the five counties of the San Francisco--Oakland Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. The complete cancer reporting for this area, begun by the Third National Cancer Survey, was continued by the California Tumor Registry as part of the San Francisco Bay Area Resource for Cancer Epidemiology. The population-based cancer-reporting system provided an excellent data base for epidemiologic studies, a number of which (planned or in progress) were described briefly. Those in progress include: cancer of the ovary, corpus uteri, and breast as related to child bearing, fertility, exogenous hormones, etc.; the relationship of diet to breast cancer occurrence among Japanese; diet and colorectal cancer among blacks; and the relationship of cervical cancer to cytology in Alameda County. Other study proposals are under consideration.", "contents": "Cancer epidemiology in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Third National Cancer Survey of 1969--71 included the five counties of the San Francisco--Oakland Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. The complete cancer reporting for this area, begun by the Third National Cancer Survey, was continued by the California Tumor Registry as part of the San Francisco Bay Area Resource for Cancer Epidemiology. The population-based cancer-reporting system provided an excellent data base for epidemiologic studies, a number of which (planned or in progress) were described briefly. Those in progress include: cancer of the ovary, corpus uteri, and breast as related to child bearing, fertility, exogenous hormones, etc.; the relationship of diet to breast cancer occurrence among Japanese; diet and colorectal cancer among blacks; and the relationship of cervical cancer to cytology in Alameda County. Other study proposals are under consideration.", "PMID": 613252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_795", "title": "Cancer surveillance program in Los Angeles County.", "content": "A system of rapid surveillance for cancer in the population of Los Angeles County was studied, and the methodology was compared with traditional population-based registries. Comparisons with the Third National Cancer Survey were also made, and the pattern of malignant melanoma occurrence in Los Angeles residents was described.", "contents": "Cancer surveillance program in Los Angeles County. A system of rapid surveillance for cancer in the population of Los Angeles County was studied, and the methodology was compared with traditional population-based registries. Comparisons with the Third National Cancer Survey were also made, and the pattern of malignant melanoma occurrence in Los Angeles residents was described.", "PMID": 613253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_796", "title": "[Tomodensitometry in stereotaxic conditions (possibilities and limitations in the diagnosis and treatment of brain lesions)].", "content": "The stereotaxic approach of cerebral lesions for diagnostic (biopsies) and/or therapeutic purposes (interstitial radiotherapy) has been well documented. These techniques depend on an exact spatial definition of the tumoral volume, which is often difficult to obtain through conventional neuroradiology, stereoencephalography, rheography... The use of tomodensitometry in this context is obviously of upmost interest if, and only if, the scan itself is obtained in stereotaxic conditions. The authors present a stereotaxic system with which all the diagnostic data, including CT scan itself, are recorded and matched within the same stereotaxic space. This method achieves an exact mapping of lesions within the actual stereotaxic brain space. Hence any further stereotaxic gesture can be calculated and controlled with a suitable accuracy. The interest of these procedures in the management of brain lesions is demonstrated through an experience of 52 supra tentorial tumors. 13 cases of lesions under 20 mm in diameter are especially discussed.", "contents": "[Tomodensitometry in stereotaxic conditions (possibilities and limitations in the diagnosis and treatment of brain lesions)]. The stereotaxic approach of cerebral lesions for diagnostic (biopsies) and/or therapeutic purposes (interstitial radiotherapy) has been well documented. These techniques depend on an exact spatial definition of the tumoral volume, which is often difficult to obtain through conventional neuroradiology, stereoencephalography, rheography... The use of tomodensitometry in this context is obviously of upmost interest if, and only if, the scan itself is obtained in stereotaxic conditions. The authors present a stereotaxic system with which all the diagnostic data, including CT scan itself, are recorded and matched within the same stereotaxic space. This method achieves an exact mapping of lesions within the actual stereotaxic brain space. Hence any further stereotaxic gesture can be calculated and controlled with a suitable accuracy. The interest of these procedures in the management of brain lesions is demonstrated through an experience of 52 supra tentorial tumors. 13 cases of lesions under 20 mm in diameter are especially discussed.", "PMID": 613255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_797", "title": "[Craniosynostoses (17 years of experience with a new surgical technic)].", "content": "In the treatment of craniosynostosis methods have been proposed to prevent craniectomies from early reclosure. New bone is formed at the edge of the craniectomy but particularly at the outer surface of the dura. The author has developed a method to separate the edges from each other and to stop osteogenesis inside the craniectomy. The outer layer of the dura is dissected free from the inner layer, folded over the edge of the groove and sutured to the outer periosteum. The operative technique and the results in 40 patients with a follow up of up to 17 years are described.", "contents": "[Craniosynostoses (17 years of experience with a new surgical technic)]. In the treatment of craniosynostosis methods have been proposed to prevent craniectomies from early reclosure. New bone is formed at the edge of the craniectomy but particularly at the outer surface of the dura. The author has developed a method to separate the edges from each other and to stop osteogenesis inside the craniectomy. The outer layer of the dura is dissected free from the inner layer, folded over the edge of the groove and sutured to the outer periosteum. The operative technique and the results in 40 patients with a follow up of up to 17 years are described.", "PMID": 613258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_798", "title": "[Arteriography of intraspinal ependymomas].", "content": "Eleven cases of spinal ependymomas were studied by angiography. In four cases there was a tumoral blush, and in five cases, indirect signs of a spinal tumor. Although direct opacification of some caudal ependymomas is of great value, the main interest of spinal angiography is in the differential diagnosis with arterio-venous malformations, when there is a spinal S.A.H. or when there are abnormal vascular markings on the myelogram.", "contents": "[Arteriography of intraspinal ependymomas]. Eleven cases of spinal ependymomas were studied by angiography. In four cases there was a tumoral blush, and in five cases, indirect signs of a spinal tumor. Although direct opacification of some caudal ependymomas is of great value, the main interest of spinal angiography is in the differential diagnosis with arterio-venous malformations, when there is a spinal S.A.H. or when there are abnormal vascular markings on the myelogram.", "PMID": 613259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_799", "title": "[Social policy and a plan for mental health].", "content": "Social policy is defined; starting with the concept of health, actions are described and specified beyond the traditional medical model. Using drug dependency as an example, the concepts of damage and vulnerability are applied to illustrate how mental health actions operate in the development of social medicine and place it in the framework of social policy. The need for such a policy is outlined, with a strategy stemming from it. Priority actions in the mental health field are specified and it is shown that actions go beyond professional activities as understood in the traditional models.", "contents": "[Social policy and a plan for mental health]. Social policy is defined; starting with the concept of health, actions are described and specified beyond the traditional medical model. Using drug dependency as an example, the concepts of damage and vulnerability are applied to illustrate how mental health actions operate in the development of social medicine and place it in the framework of social policy. The need for such a policy is outlined, with a strategy stemming from it. Priority actions in the mental health field are specified and it is shown that actions go beyond professional activities as understood in the traditional models.", "PMID": 613269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_800", "title": "[Depressive reactions in children following the loss of a paternal figure, by death or divorce].", "content": "A review of different viewpoints on the theme \"Death and the child\" is made. When the child loses a loved object, he has to accept it in the outside world and manage the changes in his inner world. If the lost object is very needed, his ability to comprehend death is obstructed. When and how it is possible to help the child to understand death, is also examined. Depending of the age, development stage, previous relationships with the dead person, each child reacts differently. Effects of divorce on children are studied. A method that provides better avenues for ellaboration to children is presented.", "contents": "[Depressive reactions in children following the loss of a paternal figure, by death or divorce]. A review of different viewpoints on the theme \"Death and the child\" is made. When the child loses a loved object, he has to accept it in the outside world and manage the changes in his inner world. If the lost object is very needed, his ability to comprehend death is obstructed. When and how it is possible to help the child to understand death, is also examined. Depending of the age, development stage, previous relationships with the dead person, each child reacts differently. Effects of divorce on children are studied. A method that provides better avenues for ellaboration to children is presented.", "PMID": 613270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_801", "title": "[A model of group psychotherapy for drug-dependent adolescents].", "content": "Some of the personality traits characteristic of adolescents and addicts that influence the drawing up of an \"ad hoc\" program treatment are briefly established. The fact that organic physical-chemical therapies are almost useless in these cases is discussed, emphasizing good results obtained by psychotherapeutic methods, mainly group therapy; also mentioned are some changes to be considered in view of the drug addiction; these changes would include the use of paraprofessional personnel. Some of the outstanding characteristics of the addict-psychotherapy are established, mainly: the therapist's activity, emphasis on reparative action, the setting of limits and the patients' regressiveness. Also discussed are the basic points of resistance to change, grouped under the headings of \"internal\", \"family\" and \"gang\" saboteur, detailing each case.", "contents": "[A model of group psychotherapy for drug-dependent adolescents]. Some of the personality traits characteristic of adolescents and addicts that influence the drawing up of an \"ad hoc\" program treatment are briefly established. The fact that organic physical-chemical therapies are almost useless in these cases is discussed, emphasizing good results obtained by psychotherapeutic methods, mainly group therapy; also mentioned are some changes to be considered in view of the drug addiction; these changes would include the use of paraprofessional personnel. Some of the outstanding characteristics of the addict-psychotherapy are established, mainly: the therapist's activity, emphasis on reparative action, the setting of limits and the patients' regressiveness. Also discussed are the basic points of resistance to change, grouped under the headings of \"internal\", \"family\" and \"gang\" saboteur, detailing each case.", "PMID": 613271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_802", "title": "Experimental trabeculotomy with a monomode argon laser.", "content": "The laser trabeculotomy is one of the new techniques using light as a surgical ability in the treatment of some ocular diseases. The trabecula, in fact, plays an important part in the absorption of the aqueous humor and its bad functioning is the reason for chronic glaucoma. Here are some results obtained on in vitro trabecula with YAG-neodymium laser and an argon laser, thus showing that it is necessary to have very good focussing if we want to obtain a drill on the trabecula without having an excessive laser power.", "contents": "Experimental trabeculotomy with a monomode argon laser. The laser trabeculotomy is one of the new techniques using light as a surgical ability in the treatment of some ocular diseases. The trabecula, in fact, plays an important part in the absorption of the aqueous humor and its bad functioning is the reason for chronic glaucoma. Here are some results obtained on in vitro trabecula with YAG-neodymium laser and an argon laser, thus showing that it is necessary to have very good focussing if we want to obtain a drill on the trabecula without having an excessive laser power.", "PMID": 613287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_803", "title": "Actinomycotic dacryocystitis.", "content": "The case history and the diagnostic considerations of dacryocystitis caused by Actinomyces israelii in a 40-year-old female patient are presented. It is very rare that Actinomyces is the cause of a darcryocystitis and only few descriptions of this entity are known from the literature. The course of this dacryocystitis is characterized by periods in which the patient is free of complaints, interspersed with acute fistulizing exacerbations.", "contents": "Actinomycotic dacryocystitis. The case history and the diagnostic considerations of dacryocystitis caused by Actinomyces israelii in a 40-year-old female patient are presented. It is very rare that Actinomyces is the cause of a darcryocystitis and only few descriptions of this entity are known from the literature. The course of this dacryocystitis is characterized by periods in which the patient is free of complaints, interspersed with acute fistulizing exacerbations.", "PMID": 613288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_804", "title": "[Patency of the lacrimal ducts after cryotherapy of eyelid tumors].", "content": "It is the advantage of cryotherapy of eyelid tumors that it does not destroy the lacrimal points or the lacrimal canaliculi. The patency of these is kept in spite of freezing tempertures near to fluid nitrogen boiling point. To explain this phenomenon, thermoelectrical measurements during, and histological examinations after experimental cryotherapy were performed. Epithelial lesions lasting a few days were noted and the lumen of canaliculi always remained open.", "contents": "[Patency of the lacrimal ducts after cryotherapy of eyelid tumors]. It is the advantage of cryotherapy of eyelid tumors that it does not destroy the lacrimal points or the lacrimal canaliculi. The patency of these is kept in spite of freezing tempertures near to fluid nitrogen boiling point. To explain this phenomenon, thermoelectrical measurements during, and histological examinations after experimental cryotherapy were performed. Epithelial lesions lasting a few days were noted and the lumen of canaliculi always remained open.", "PMID": 613289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_805", "title": "Immunopathology of the lens. I 86Rb efflux and protein leakage from normal lenses exposed to unrelated antigen-antibody interactions.", "content": "Normal rabbit lenses exposed in vitro to heterologous antibody (Ab)--antigen (Ag) interactions lose control of the intracellular 86Rb; this membrane damage, which seems to be related to the quantitative ratio Ab/Ag, is relatively complement independent and is followed by a subsequent leakage of lenticular proteins. A possible implication of these findings in the development of complicated cataracts in uveitis (as 'permeability cataracts') and in the self-maintenance of recurrent uveal inflammation is shortly discussed.", "contents": "Immunopathology of the lens. I 86Rb efflux and protein leakage from normal lenses exposed to unrelated antigen-antibody interactions. Normal rabbit lenses exposed in vitro to heterologous antibody (Ab)--antigen (Ag) interactions lose control of the intracellular 86Rb; this membrane damage, which seems to be related to the quantitative ratio Ab/Ag, is relatively complement independent and is followed by a subsequent leakage of lenticular proteins. A possible implication of these findings in the development of complicated cataracts in uveitis (as 'permeability cataracts') and in the self-maintenance of recurrent uveal inflammation is shortly discussed.", "PMID": 613290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_806", "title": "Aniridia, cataract and gonadoblastoma in a mentally retarded girl with deletion of chromosome II. A clinicopathological case report.", "content": "A case of bilateral aniridia, cataract and mental deficiency is described in a girl with an interstitial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 11. The child died of pneumonia and on autopsy bilateral gonadoblastoma was detected, but no Wilms' tumour. Partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 11 seems to be a clinically recognizable syndrome with aniridia, cataract and renal, gonadal or genital dysmorphogenesis.", "contents": "Aniridia, cataract and gonadoblastoma in a mentally retarded girl with deletion of chromosome II. A clinicopathological case report. A case of bilateral aniridia, cataract and mental deficiency is described in a girl with an interstitial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 11. The child died of pneumonia and on autopsy bilateral gonadoblastoma was detected, but no Wilms' tumour. Partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 11 seems to be a clinically recognizable syndrome with aniridia, cataract and renal, gonadal or genital dysmorphogenesis.", "PMID": 613291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_807", "title": "The pathology of Rift Valley fever. I. Lesions occurring in natural cases in new-born lambs.", "content": "A widespread epizootic of Rift Valley fever occurred in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa during 1974--75. This is a report on the gross pathology of 34 new-born lambs and the histopathology of 93 new-born lambs that died during this outbreak. The liver was affected in every case and showed the most pronounced lesions. The organ was grossly enlarged in most cases, with scattered greyish-white necrotic foci 1--2 mm in diameter and haemorrhages of varying size throughout. Haemorrhages were also frequently seen in the mucosa of the abomasum. The massive diffuse necrosis of hepatocytes (pannecrosis) associated with well-demarcated foci of primary coagulative necrosis, present in 100% of the cases examined, was characteristic of the histopathology of the new-born lamb. Bile thrombi were noticed in the livers of 31% of the lambs and intranuclear inclusions in 49% of the cases. The diagnostic significance of the microscopic liver lesions is discussed. Focal necrosis and haemorrhages were frequently seen in the adrenal cortex while generalized destruction of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and spleen occurred in many of the animals. In addition, the following hitherto undescribed or previously not well-documented lesions are recorded: (i) mineralization of single or groups of necrotic hepatocytes in 62% of the livers: (ii) pyknosis and karyorrhexis of the cellular elements in the glomeruli and a hyalinized appearance of many of these affected glomeruli; and (iii) necrosis of the tips of the villi in the small intestine in some of the animals.", "contents": "The pathology of Rift Valley fever. I. Lesions occurring in natural cases in new-born lambs. A widespread epizootic of Rift Valley fever occurred in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa during 1974--75. This is a report on the gross pathology of 34 new-born lambs and the histopathology of 93 new-born lambs that died during this outbreak. The liver was affected in every case and showed the most pronounced lesions. The organ was grossly enlarged in most cases, with scattered greyish-white necrotic foci 1--2 mm in diameter and haemorrhages of varying size throughout. Haemorrhages were also frequently seen in the mucosa of the abomasum. The massive diffuse necrosis of hepatocytes (pannecrosis) associated with well-demarcated foci of primary coagulative necrosis, present in 100% of the cases examined, was characteristic of the histopathology of the new-born lamb. Bile thrombi were noticed in the livers of 31% of the lambs and intranuclear inclusions in 49% of the cases. The diagnostic significance of the microscopic liver lesions is discussed. Focal necrosis and haemorrhages were frequently seen in the adrenal cortex while generalized destruction of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and spleen occurred in many of the animals. In addition, the following hitherto undescribed or previously not well-documented lesions are recorded: (i) mineralization of single or groups of necrotic hepatocytes in 62% of the livers: (ii) pyknosis and karyorrhexis of the cellular elements in the glomeruli and a hyalinized appearance of many of these affected glomeruli; and (iii) necrosis of the tips of the villi in the small intestine in some of the animals.", "PMID": 613292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_808", "title": "Light and electron microscopic observations on the development of Babesia bigemina in larvae, nymphae and non-replete females of Boophilus decoloratus.", "content": "In Boophilus decoloratus infected by transovarian passage with B. bigemina, primary schizogony occurred as a continuous repetitive process in all 3 stages of the tick's life cycle spent on the host. The primary schizonts and the large merozoites (= vermicules) produced by them were observed in the gut epithelium, haemocytes, muscles, ad peritracheal cells. Secondary schizogony which led to the formation of small merozoites (= infective forms) occurred mainly in the salivary glands, but was also observed in the cortex of the synganglion. Mature small merozoites were observed in nymphal and adult ticks only. An infective stabilate was prepared from nymphae collected on Day 14 and Day 15 post larval infestation. The infections resulting from intravenous injection of the stabilate had a prepatent period of 8 days.", "contents": "Light and electron microscopic observations on the development of Babesia bigemina in larvae, nymphae and non-replete females of Boophilus decoloratus. In Boophilus decoloratus infected by transovarian passage with B. bigemina, primary schizogony occurred as a continuous repetitive process in all 3 stages of the tick's life cycle spent on the host. The primary schizonts and the large merozoites (= vermicules) produced by them were observed in the gut epithelium, haemocytes, muscles, ad peritracheal cells. Secondary schizogony which led to the formation of small merozoites (= infective forms) occurred mainly in the salivary glands, but was also observed in the cortex of the synganglion. Mature small merozoites were observed in nymphal and adult ticks only. An infective stabilate was prepared from nymphae collected on Day 14 and Day 15 post larval infestation. The infections resulting from intravenous injection of the stabilate had a prepatent period of 8 days.", "PMID": 613293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_809", "title": "Black grain mycetoma (maduromycosis) in horses.", "content": "Black grain mycetoma occurred in two horses, one a cross-bred pony and the other a Thoroughbred racehorse. Lesions were limited to wart-like growths in one case and a deep-seated girth gall in the other. In both cases the granules in the affected tissues were similar in pigmentation and structure to those produced by Curvularia geniculata in dogs. Since all the specimens were received in formalin, the causative fungus could not be isolated. These are the first cases of maduromycosis in animals to be recorded in South Africa.", "contents": "Black grain mycetoma (maduromycosis) in horses. Black grain mycetoma occurred in two horses, one a cross-bred pony and the other a Thoroughbred racehorse. Lesions were limited to wart-like growths in one case and a deep-seated girth gall in the other. In both cases the granules in the affected tissues were similar in pigmentation and structure to those produced by Curvularia geniculata in dogs. Since all the specimens were received in formalin, the causative fungus could not be isolated. These are the first cases of maduromycosis in animals to be recorded in South Africa.", "PMID": 613294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_810", "title": "Amaurosis in sheep resulting from treatment with rafoxanide.", "content": "Amarurosis occurred in sheep on various farms in the Republic of South Africa after treatment with rafoxamide. Histopathological examination revealed a status spongiosus of varying severity in the central nervous system in all the cases, having a predilection for certain areas such as the periventricular area of the lateral ventricles, optic tracts, lateral geniculates and optic fasiculi. The retina was the only ocular tissue affected and lesions observed in the retina included necrosis of nerve cells in the ganglionic layer. In chronic cases of amaurosis this layer showed a complete absence of nerve cells. The possible pathogenesis of the lesions and their differentiation from those found in certain plant toxicoses are discussed.", "contents": "Amaurosis in sheep resulting from treatment with rafoxanide. Amarurosis occurred in sheep on various farms in the Republic of South Africa after treatment with rafoxamide. Histopathological examination revealed a status spongiosus of varying severity in the central nervous system in all the cases, having a predilection for certain areas such as the periventricular area of the lateral ventricles, optic tracts, lateral geniculates and optic fasiculi. The retina was the only ocular tissue affected and lesions observed in the retina included necrosis of nerve cells in the ganglionic layer. In chronic cases of amaurosis this layer showed a complete absence of nerve cells. The possible pathogenesis of the lesions and their differentiation from those found in certain plant toxicoses are discussed.", "PMID": 613295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_811", "title": "Transplantation of cultured jaagsiekte (sheep pulmonary adenomatosis) cells into athymic nude mice.", "content": "Epithelial cells of the 15.4 line, which were originally established from the adenomatous lung of a jaagsieke case and which had been cultured in vitro for 22 generations, were injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. A slow-growing tumour which soon became cystic was established in each case. The cysts rapidly increased in size as a result of the accumulation of a slightly turbid secretion containing aggregates of tumour cells which rapidly refilled the cysts after the fluid had been withdrawn. Cultures were readily re-established from these cells and a chromosomal analysis proved that the tumor consisted of sheep cells. An epithelial cell lining, very similar to that found in the adenomatous lung alveoli of typical jaagsiekte, could be demonstrated histologically.", "contents": "Transplantation of cultured jaagsiekte (sheep pulmonary adenomatosis) cells into athymic nude mice. Epithelial cells of the 15.4 line, which were originally established from the adenomatous lung of a jaagsieke case and which had been cultured in vitro for 22 generations, were injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. A slow-growing tumour which soon became cystic was established in each case. The cysts rapidly increased in size as a result of the accumulation of a slightly turbid secretion containing aggregates of tumour cells which rapidly refilled the cysts after the fluid had been withdrawn. Cultures were readily re-established from these cells and a chromosomal analysis proved that the tumor consisted of sheep cells. An epithelial cell lining, very similar to that found in the adenomatous lung alveoli of typical jaagsiekte, could be demonstrated histologically.", "PMID": 613296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_812", "title": "[Toxoplasmosis. A common infection, not very often recognized clinically].", "content": "Epidemiological survey and microscopical diagnosis point out that toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection usually with percentages of positivity higher than 20 per cent. Even in places with prosperous economical conditions the human infections can be relatively high due to the habit of eating raw meat or not properly exposed to temperatures lethal to Toxoplasma gondii. But sometimes they can be explained by cultural patterns or to individual psicological factors in relation to cats, the definitive hosts and important sources of parasites. It is explained how to infections occur and terms are defined. Even now in some circumstances the source of infection is not known. A discussion is presented on the diagnosis. The taxonomy of the parasite is presented in brief.", "contents": "[Toxoplasmosis. A common infection, not very often recognized clinically]. Epidemiological survey and microscopical diagnosis point out that toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection usually with percentages of positivity higher than 20 per cent. Even in places with prosperous economical conditions the human infections can be relatively high due to the habit of eating raw meat or not properly exposed to temperatures lethal to Toxoplasma gondii. But sometimes they can be explained by cultural patterns or to individual psicological factors in relation to cats, the definitive hosts and important sources of parasites. It is explained how to infections occur and terms are defined. Even now in some circumstances the source of infection is not known. A discussion is presented on the diagnosis. The taxonomy of the parasite is presented in brief.", "PMID": 613305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_813", "title": "[Radiological findings in total abnormal drainage of pulmonary veins, not associated to other major cardiopulmonary abnormalities (isolated form)].", "content": "Thirty patients with anomalous drainage total in the veins of the lungs (A.D.T.V.L.) not associated to greater cardiovascular deformations (in an isolated form) perfectly confirmated by a surgery or by a necropsic study, were examinated. In all of them there was a research to find out any radiologic sign which could make suspect about the anomaliation. The diagnosis could be established in eleven cases (36.6 per cent) with the thorax habitual radiologic study, owed to the recognition of some signs that have been cataloged as the characteristic; as it occurs in the A.D.T.V.L. in the level in the system in the upper left chamber that bring into existence a silhouette in \"snowman\" and in the drainage in the subphrenic level which makes appear a sign of the \"scimitar\". In the varieties of the A.D.T.V.L. it wasn't possible to discover any suggestive radiologic sign of the entity.", "contents": "[Radiological findings in total abnormal drainage of pulmonary veins, not associated to other major cardiopulmonary abnormalities (isolated form)]. Thirty patients with anomalous drainage total in the veins of the lungs (A.D.T.V.L.) not associated to greater cardiovascular deformations (in an isolated form) perfectly confirmated by a surgery or by a necropsic study, were examinated. In all of them there was a research to find out any radiologic sign which could make suspect about the anomaliation. The diagnosis could be established in eleven cases (36.6 per cent) with the thorax habitual radiologic study, owed to the recognition of some signs that have been cataloged as the characteristic; as it occurs in the A.D.T.V.L. in the level in the system in the upper left chamber that bring into existence a silhouette in \"snowman\" and in the drainage in the subphrenic level which makes appear a sign of the \"scimitar\". In the varieties of the A.D.T.V.L. it wasn't possible to discover any suggestive radiologic sign of the entity.", "PMID": 613307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_814", "title": "The cyclodesulphurization of thio-compounds. Part 15: Synthesis of 6-substituted aminophenanthridines from some thiourea derivatives.", "content": "Several N-alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl-N'-2-biphenylthiourea derivatives have been synthesized and cyclodesulphurized into the corresponding 6-substituted aminophenanthridines. The ring closure was brought about with mercuric chloride, phosphoryl chloride or polyphosphoric acid. Phosphoryl chloride was found to be the most efficient in inducing ring closure and producing the highest yield of cyclized products. The results of study on the cyclodesulphurization reaction mechanism suggested the formation of a carbodiimide intermediate and identified some of the organic mercurials involved in the various stages of the reaction.", "contents": "The cyclodesulphurization of thio-compounds. Part 15: Synthesis of 6-substituted aminophenanthridines from some thiourea derivatives. Several N-alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl-N'-2-biphenylthiourea derivatives have been synthesized and cyclodesulphurized into the corresponding 6-substituted aminophenanthridines. The ring closure was brought about with mercuric chloride, phosphoryl chloride or polyphosphoric acid. Phosphoryl chloride was found to be the most efficient in inducing ring closure and producing the highest yield of cyclized products. The results of study on the cyclodesulphurization reaction mechanism suggested the formation of a carbodiimide intermediate and identified some of the organic mercurials involved in the various stages of the reaction.", "PMID": 613314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_815", "title": "Fluorometric determination of some butyrophenones after permanganate treatment.", "content": "A fluorometric method is described for direct and sensitive determinations of azaperone, haloperidol and bromoperidol in pharmaceutical preparations. These compounds can be converted into strongly fluorescing derivatives by the action of potassium permanganate on their alcoholic solutions in acid medium, the limits of detection being respectively 8.10(-3), 5.10(-2) microgram/ml. The fluorescence phenomenon is very stable. Preliminary results are reported on the isolation and structure determination of one of the main fluorophors, produced in the case of azaperone.", "contents": "Fluorometric determination of some butyrophenones after permanganate treatment. A fluorometric method is described for direct and sensitive determinations of azaperone, haloperidol and bromoperidol in pharmaceutical preparations. These compounds can be converted into strongly fluorescing derivatives by the action of potassium permanganate on their alcoholic solutions in acid medium, the limits of detection being respectively 8.10(-3), 5.10(-2) microgram/ml. The fluorescence phenomenon is very stable. Preliminary results are reported on the isolation and structure determination of one of the main fluorophors, produced in the case of azaperone.", "PMID": 613315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_816", "title": "[Lupus profundus].", "content": "Seven cases of lupus erythematosus profundus are described (chronic discoid lupus erythematosus with athrophic panniculitis) with dissemination of one of them. All patients were females. The authors stress their opinion that it should not be called as lupus profundus, the cases of lupus erythematosus disseminated with erythema nodosum neither the cases of L.E.S. preceded or associated with the so called Weber-Christian's type of panniculitis. Six of the cases had athrophic alopecia of scalp by lupus discoid.", "contents": "[Lupus profundus]. Seven cases of lupus erythematosus profundus are described (chronic discoid lupus erythematosus with athrophic panniculitis) with dissemination of one of them. All patients were females. The authors stress their opinion that it should not be called as lupus profundus, the cases of lupus erythematosus disseminated with erythema nodosum neither the cases of L.E.S. preceded or associated with the so called Weber-Christian's type of panniculitis. Six of the cases had athrophic alopecia of scalp by lupus discoid.", "PMID": 613309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_817", "title": "In vitro adsorption of some corticosteroids on antacids.", "content": "The adsorption of prednisone, prednisolone, fluprednisolone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, beta-methylprednisone acetate and hydrocortisone acetate on various antacids or adsorbents was studied at 37 degrees C. The antacids or adsorbents used were magnesium trisilicate, aluminum hydroxide, bismuth oxycarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, talc, kaolin and charcoal. Magnesium trisilicate and charcoal had the highest adsorption capacity for the corticosteroids tested. Bismuth oxycarbonate and talc had intermediate adsorption properties while kaolin and aluminium hydroxide had lower effects. Other antacids were without any adsorption character. Results of the elution study confirmed the higher affinity of magnesium trisilicate over that of bismuth oxycarbonate and talc for the steroids tested. Further in vivo testings are still needed to assess the effect of antacids on the bioavailability of coadministered corticosteroids.", "contents": "In vitro adsorption of some corticosteroids on antacids. The adsorption of prednisone, prednisolone, fluprednisolone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, beta-methylprednisone acetate and hydrocortisone acetate on various antacids or adsorbents was studied at 37 degrees C. The antacids or adsorbents used were magnesium trisilicate, aluminum hydroxide, bismuth oxycarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, talc, kaolin and charcoal. Magnesium trisilicate and charcoal had the highest adsorption capacity for the corticosteroids tested. Bismuth oxycarbonate and talc had intermediate adsorption properties while kaolin and aluminium hydroxide had lower effects. Other antacids were without any adsorption character. Results of the elution study confirmed the higher affinity of magnesium trisilicate over that of bismuth oxycarbonate and talc for the steroids tested. Further in vivo testings are still needed to assess the effect of antacids on the bioavailability of coadministered corticosteroids.", "PMID": 613316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_818", "title": "Biopharmaceutical studies on sulphadimidine modifications.", "content": "The authors studied sulphadimidine crystal forms with particular reference to the occurrence of polymorphism. They were able to differentiate five crystalline forms by microscopic examination. Differential thermal analysis and IR absorption spectral methods were not reliable. The data from X-ray diffraction patterns of two crystal forms (methanol form I, ethanol form II) were reproducible by estimating their relative intensities. The crystal forms investigated were compared by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Experiments showed that sulphadimidine crystals recrystallized from ethanol had better dissolution and absorption characteristics than sulphadimidine crystals recrystallized from methanol.", "contents": "Biopharmaceutical studies on sulphadimidine modifications. The authors studied sulphadimidine crystal forms with particular reference to the occurrence of polymorphism. They were able to differentiate five crystalline forms by microscopic examination. Differential thermal analysis and IR absorption spectral methods were not reliable. The data from X-ray diffraction patterns of two crystal forms (methanol form I, ethanol form II) were reproducible by estimating their relative intensities. The crystal forms investigated were compared by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Experiments showed that sulphadimidine crystals recrystallized from ethanol had better dissolution and absorption characteristics than sulphadimidine crystals recrystallized from methanol.", "PMID": 613320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_819", "title": "[Ophidic accident. Report of 38 cases].", "content": "Thirty-eight patients admitted into the Hospital Escuela O'Hor\u00e1n for snake bites were studied. Most of them, 68.4 per cent, were from the state of Yucatan; 18.4 per cent from the state of Cameche and 13.1 per cent from the state of Quintana Roo. There was a predominance for the males (86.8 per cent); the most frequent age was the third decade (20-30 years) and most of these patients were peasants and students. The species identified in most of the accidents (63 per cent) were C. terrificus and B. atrox in equal proportions, and the body sections more often affected were the distal portions of the members. No difference, with statistic signification, was found for the different season. The time, between the bite and beginning of the treatment was directly proportional to the unfavorable development of the process: five amputations were necessary and two patients died.", "contents": "[Ophidic accident. Report of 38 cases]. Thirty-eight patients admitted into the Hospital Escuela O'Hor\u00e1n for snake bites were studied. Most of them, 68.4 per cent, were from the state of Yucatan; 18.4 per cent from the state of Cameche and 13.1 per cent from the state of Quintana Roo. There was a predominance for the males (86.8 per cent); the most frequent age was the third decade (20-30 years) and most of these patients were peasants and students. The species identified in most of the accidents (63 per cent) were C. terrificus and B. atrox in equal proportions, and the body sections more often affected were the distal portions of the members. No difference, with statistic signification, was found for the different season. The time, between the bite and beginning of the treatment was directly proportional to the unfavorable development of the process: five amputations were necessary and two patients died.", "PMID": 613310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_820", "title": "The functions of polarized water and membrane lipids: a rebuttal.", "content": "In 1973, experimental evidence was reported in support of the view that water polarized in multilayers rather than simple lipid is responsible for the semipermeable properties of living cell membranes. The present article presents a full rebuttal to a subsequent attack on that view.", "contents": "The functions of polarized water and membrane lipids: a rebuttal. In 1973, experimental evidence was reported in support of the view that water polarized in multilayers rather than simple lipid is responsible for the semipermeable properties of living cell membranes. The present article presents a full rebuttal to a subsequent attack on that view.", "PMID": 613328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_821", "title": "Potassium adsorption sites in frog muscle visualized by cesium and thallium under the transmission electron microscope.", "content": "Frog muscles in which a major portion of the intracellular K+ was reversibly replaced by Cs+ or Tl+ were frozen, freeze-dried, and embedded in Spurr medium. Electron microscopic observation revealed a well-stained striation pattern of myofibrils, indicating that in the living state heavy tracers of K+ are mainly located in the A bands and Z lines. The findings contradict the membrane theory but are in accordance with the association-induction hypothesis.", "contents": "Potassium adsorption sites in frog muscle visualized by cesium and thallium under the transmission electron microscope. Frog muscles in which a major portion of the intracellular K+ was reversibly replaced by Cs+ or Tl+ were frozen, freeze-dried, and embedded in Spurr medium. Electron microscopic observation revealed a well-stained striation pattern of myofibrils, indicating that in the living state heavy tracers of K+ are mainly located in the A bands and Z lines. The findings contradict the membrane theory but are in accordance with the association-induction hypothesis.", "PMID": 613329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_822", "title": "K+ localization in muscle cells by autoradiography, and identification of K+ adsorbing sites in living muscle cells with uranium binding sites in electron micrographs of fixed cell preparations.", "content": "Localization of K+-adsorption sites on two peripheral regions of the A band and the Z line in frog voluntary muscle cells has been demonstrated with the aid of autoradiography and radioactive 134Cs and 204 Tl. The findings confirm the association-induction hypothesis, according to which intracellular K+ is adsorbed on the beta- and gamma-carboxyl groups of intracellular proteins.", "contents": "K+ localization in muscle cells by autoradiography, and identification of K+ adsorbing sites in living muscle cells with uranium binding sites in electron micrographs of fixed cell preparations. Localization of K+-adsorption sites on two peripheral regions of the A band and the Z line in frog voluntary muscle cells has been demonstrated with the aid of autoradiography and radioactive 134Cs and 204 Tl. The findings confirm the association-induction hypothesis, according to which intracellular K+ is adsorbed on the beta- and gamma-carboxyl groups of intracellular proteins.", "PMID": 613330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_823", "title": "Solid state physical theory of nerve impulse conduction: Elovich kinetics of axon repolarization currents.", "content": "The sodium repolarization currents of Myxicola single axons clamped at -100 mV with and without tetrodotoxin conform to the Elovich equation, which implies that in the axon, Na+ is associated with charged sites on macromolecules and water is structured, and that an activation energy barrier to conduction of Na+ exists at the axon surface.", "contents": "Solid state physical theory of nerve impulse conduction: Elovich kinetics of axon repolarization currents. The sodium repolarization currents of Myxicola single axons clamped at -100 mV with and without tetrodotoxin conform to the Elovich equation, which implies that in the axon, Na+ is associated with charged sites on macromolecules and water is structured, and that an activation energy barrier to conduction of Na+ exists at the axon surface.", "PMID": 613331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_824", "title": "Solid state theory of competitive diffusion of associated Na+ and K+ in cells by free cation and vacancy (hole) mechanisms, with application to nerve.", "content": "If, as recent evidence indicates, most cell potassium is associated with macromolecular fixed charge, then diffusion of potassium ions in cells might occur by (1) diffusion of the small fraction of free potassium in cell water (analogous to electrons in the conduction band of a semiconductor) or by (2) diffusion of vacancies on association sites (analogous to holes in a semiconductor). Derivations of the Fick first law of diffusion predict that partial substitution of sodium for potassium in the cell produces opposite effects on the effective diffusion constant of potassium for those mechanisms. Application of that substitution to nerve data suggests that rubidium ions diffuse by a free cation result when the nerve is clamped at its resting potential, but by a vacancy mechanism when the nerve is clamped at zero voltage.", "contents": "Solid state theory of competitive diffusion of associated Na+ and K+ in cells by free cation and vacancy (hole) mechanisms, with application to nerve. If, as recent evidence indicates, most cell potassium is associated with macromolecular fixed charge, then diffusion of potassium ions in cells might occur by (1) diffusion of the small fraction of free potassium in cell water (analogous to electrons in the conduction band of a semiconductor) or by (2) diffusion of vacancies on association sites (analogous to holes in a semiconductor). Derivations of the Fick first law of diffusion predict that partial substitution of sodium for potassium in the cell produces opposite effects on the effective diffusion constant of potassium for those mechanisms. Application of that substitution to nerve data suggests that rubidium ions diffuse by a free cation result when the nerve is clamped at its resting potential, but by a vacancy mechanism when the nerve is clamped at zero voltage.", "PMID": 613332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_825", "title": "In vivo bioelectrochemical changes associated with exposure to extremely low frequency electric fields.", "content": "One hundred seventy-four 21- to 24-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously exposed to a 60 Hz electric field of 150 V/cm for one month in ten separate experiments. Biological effects observed included depressed body weights, serum corticoids, and water consumption. The findings are tentatively in terpreted as indicating that a power frequency electric field is a biological stressor. The observed effects cannot be a consequence of Joule heating and therefore indicate that electric fields can influence biological systems either at the systemic level, or at the cellular level via electrochemical alteration of the microenvironment.", "contents": "In vivo bioelectrochemical changes associated with exposure to extremely low frequency electric fields. One hundred seventy-four 21- to 24-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were continuously exposed to a 60 Hz electric field of 150 V/cm for one month in ten separate experiments. Biological effects observed included depressed body weights, serum corticoids, and water consumption. The findings are tentatively in terpreted as indicating that a power frequency electric field is a biological stressor. The observed effects cannot be a consequence of Joule heating and therefore indicate that electric fields can influence biological systems either at the systemic level, or at the cellular level via electrochemical alteration of the microenvironment.", "PMID": 613333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_826", "title": "Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of potassium ions (39K) on ion exchange resins and in muscle.", "content": "Chemical shifts of potassium (39K) were calculated from frequencies of beat patterns measured by a pulsed NMR method. This method indicates large chemical shifts for 3 molar KNO3 and 6 molal KI in good quantitative agreement with the steady state NMR measurements of previous investigators. 39K on two wet ion exchange resins and 39K in fresh muscle show insignificant chemical shifts relative to 0.1 M KCl solution. Previous studies showed marked shortening of NMR relaxation times (T1 and T2) for 39K in ion exchange resins and in muscle compared to free solution. These results seem to indicate that even though potassium on resins and in muscle experiences high electric field gradients, these have relatively little effect on the chemical shift of potassium, which may be correlated with the low pK values of the anionic groups in the resins and muscle.", "contents": "Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of potassium ions (39K) on ion exchange resins and in muscle. Chemical shifts of potassium (39K) were calculated from frequencies of beat patterns measured by a pulsed NMR method. This method indicates large chemical shifts for 3 molar KNO3 and 6 molal KI in good quantitative agreement with the steady state NMR measurements of previous investigators. 39K on two wet ion exchange resins and 39K in fresh muscle show insignificant chemical shifts relative to 0.1 M KCl solution. Previous studies showed marked shortening of NMR relaxation times (T1 and T2) for 39K in ion exchange resins and in muscle compared to free solution. These results seem to indicate that even though potassium on resins and in muscle experiences high electric field gradients, these have relatively little effect on the chemical shift of potassium, which may be correlated with the low pK values of the anionic groups in the resins and muscle.", "PMID": 613334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_827", "title": "NMR in cancer: VIII. Phosphorus-31 as a nuclear probe for malignant tumors.", "content": "Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) for 31P were determined in normal and malignant tissues by a saturation technique employing a 90 degree -tau-90 degrees pulse sequence. Results for five normal tissues from rat were (in seconds): 2.33 +/- .14 for liver; 2.19 +/- .05 for muscle; 1.13 +/- .05 for brain; 1.43 +/- .15 fro kidney; and 1.97 +/- .12 for intestine. Results for two rat malignancies, Novikoff hepatoma and Walker sarcoma, were 5.98 +/- .57 and 5.38 +/- .68, respectively, and for Crocker sarcoma of mouse, 5.19 +/- 1.42. No individual measurement of malignant tissue overlapped any of the normal measurements; probabilities of insignificance ranged from .029 for Crocker sarcoma to .000184 for Novikoff hepatoma. The data call attention to another nucleus of potential value for NMR detection of internal malignancies in humans. Also suggested, because of the strategic placement of the 31P nucleus in the nucleic acid molecule, is a possible new probe for exploring the mechanism of carcinogenesis.", "contents": "NMR in cancer: VIII. Phosphorus-31 as a nuclear probe for malignant tumors. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) for 31P were determined in normal and malignant tissues by a saturation technique employing a 90 degree -tau-90 degrees pulse sequence. Results for five normal tissues from rat were (in seconds): 2.33 +/- .14 for liver; 2.19 +/- .05 for muscle; 1.13 +/- .05 for brain; 1.43 +/- .15 fro kidney; and 1.97 +/- .12 for intestine. Results for two rat malignancies, Novikoff hepatoma and Walker sarcoma, were 5.98 +/- .57 and 5.38 +/- .68, respectively, and for Crocker sarcoma of mouse, 5.19 +/- 1.42. No individual measurement of malignant tissue overlapped any of the normal measurements; probabilities of insignificance ranged from .029 for Crocker sarcoma to .000184 for Novikoff hepatoma. The data call attention to another nucleus of potential value for NMR detection of internal malignancies in humans. Also suggested, because of the strategic placement of the 31P nucleus in the nucleic acid molecule, is a possible new probe for exploring the mechanism of carcinogenesis.", "PMID": 613335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_828", "title": "[Indirect micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes for the diagnosis of hydatid disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The AA. have compared the results obtained with a indirect micro-haemagglutination method with sheep erythrocytes with those obtained with the indirect micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes for the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The results obtained with the two methods were not different and there was a good correlation between both methods. The direct micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes appears to be a valid alternative of the method with sheep erythrocytes.", "contents": "[Indirect micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes for the diagnosis of hydatid disease (author's transl)]. The AA. have compared the results obtained with a indirect micro-haemagglutination method with sheep erythrocytes with those obtained with the indirect micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes for the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The results obtained with the two methods were not different and there was a good correlation between both methods. The direct micro-haemagglutination method with duck erythrocytes appears to be a valid alternative of the method with sheep erythrocytes.", "PMID": 613362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_829", "title": "[Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome: clinical, electrophysiologic, histological and ultrastructural study].", "content": "In this case, showing the classical features of the Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome, the neuromuscular symptoms appeared 21 months before the bronchial carcinoma was diagnosed. The electrophysiological study demonstrated, beside the marked potentiation under repetitive nerve stimulation at 30 c/sec., some modifications of distal latency, specially after administration of Edrophonium chloride. The muscle biopsy showed changes secondary to a peripheral motor nerve involvement; electronmicroscopic study of the motor end-plates revealed a highly developped subneural apparatus. Long-run treatment by guanidine hydrochloride determined haematologic and renal toxic manifestations. Prednisolone was for a time active on the myasthenic syndrome.", "contents": "[Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome: clinical, electrophysiologic, histological and ultrastructural study]. In this case, showing the classical features of the Eaton-Lambert myasthenic syndrome, the neuromuscular symptoms appeared 21 months before the bronchial carcinoma was diagnosed. The electrophysiological study demonstrated, beside the marked potentiation under repetitive nerve stimulation at 30 c/sec., some modifications of distal latency, specially after administration of Edrophonium chloride. The muscle biopsy showed changes secondary to a peripheral motor nerve involvement; electronmicroscopic study of the motor end-plates revealed a highly developped subneural apparatus. Long-run treatment by guanidine hydrochloride determined haematologic and renal toxic manifestations. Prednisolone was for a time active on the myasthenic syndrome.", "PMID": 613427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_830", "title": "[Arteries of the thalamus in man. Choroidal arteries. I. Macroscopic study of individual variations. II. Systematization].", "content": "One may describe 4 types of individual dispositions for the postero-median choroideal and thalamic system: Type A with a single artery of anterior origin, type P with two consecutive arteries (a mesencephalothalamic artery and a posteromedian artery of posterior origin), type D with two parallel arteries and type O. One may also describe 4 types of individual dispositions for the postero-lateral choroideal and thalamic system. Type C is constituted by a single postero-lateral chorideal artery giving off thalamic branches. Type D comprises two arteries, a postero-lateral choroideal and a postero-lateral thalamic artery. According to the relative importance of the two arteries one may describe subtypes Dc, De and Dt. Type T is constituted by a single postero-lateral thalamic artery giving off choroideal branches. In type H hippocampothalamic arteries intervene. We also studied the variations of the ending point of the anterior choiroideal artery.", "contents": "[Arteries of the thalamus in man. Choroidal arteries. I. Macroscopic study of individual variations. II. Systematization]. One may describe 4 types of individual dispositions for the postero-median choroideal and thalamic system: Type A with a single artery of anterior origin, type P with two consecutive arteries (a mesencephalothalamic artery and a posteromedian artery of posterior origin), type D with two parallel arteries and type O. One may also describe 4 types of individual dispositions for the postero-lateral choroideal and thalamic system. Type C is constituted by a single postero-lateral chorideal artery giving off thalamic branches. Type D comprises two arteries, a postero-lateral choroideal and a postero-lateral thalamic artery. According to the relative importance of the two arteries one may describe subtypes Dc, De and Dt. Type T is constituted by a single postero-lateral thalamic artery giving off choroideal branches. In type H hippocampothalamic arteries intervene. We also studied the variations of the ending point of the anterior choiroideal artery.", "PMID": 613428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_831", "title": "[Arteries of the thalamus in man. Choroidal arteries. III. Absence of the constituted thalamic territory of the anterior choroidal artery. IV. Arteries and thalamic territories of the choroidal and postero-median thalamic arterial system. V. Arteries and thalamic territories of the choroidal and postero-lateral thalamic arterial system].", "content": "The anterior chor oideal artery cannot be considered as an arterial source for thalamic vascularization. Its territory is primarily pallidocapsular and reaches the thalamus only irregularly and superfically. 2. The posteromedian choroideal and thalamic system, in its infrathalamic portion, gives off lateral mesencephalosubthalamic, inferocentral (for the tips of the arcuate nucleus and the inferolateral part of the centre median nucleus), brachiopulvinarian and posterocentral arteries. In its suprathalamic portion it gives off medial pulvinarian and superomedian thalamic arteries. These arteries irriguate the major part of nucleus medialis and the nucleus anterior. 3. The posterolateral choroideal and thalamic system gives off lateral genicular arteries (for the lateral geniculate body), inferolateral pulvinarian and superolateral thalamic arteries. These arteries irriguate the dorsal part of the interal region of the thalamus.", "contents": "[Arteries of the thalamus in man. Choroidal arteries. III. Absence of the constituted thalamic territory of the anterior choroidal artery. IV. Arteries and thalamic territories of the choroidal and postero-median thalamic arterial system. V. Arteries and thalamic territories of the choroidal and postero-lateral thalamic arterial system]. The anterior chor oideal artery cannot be considered as an arterial source for thalamic vascularization. Its territory is primarily pallidocapsular and reaches the thalamus only irregularly and superfically. 2. The posteromedian choroideal and thalamic system, in its infrathalamic portion, gives off lateral mesencephalosubthalamic, inferocentral (for the tips of the arcuate nucleus and the inferolateral part of the centre median nucleus), brachiopulvinarian and posterocentral arteries. In its suprathalamic portion it gives off medial pulvinarian and superomedian thalamic arteries. These arteries irriguate the major part of nucleus medialis and the nucleus anterior. 3. The posterolateral choroideal and thalamic system gives off lateral genicular arteries (for the lateral geniculate body), inferolateral pulvinarian and superolateral thalamic arteries. These arteries irriguate the dorsal part of the interal region of the thalamus.", "PMID": 613429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_832", "title": "[Opsoclonia: oculographic study].", "content": "Oculographic study of a case of opsoclonus associated with infectious meningoencephalitis was used to determine the criteria of definition of this abnormal ocular movement, distinguishing it from the other abnormal movements of flutter and dysmetria. The authors first discuss, on the basis of these recordings, the possible relationship between opsoclonus and myoclonia, and then the role of the cerebellum. The disturbances noted in the course of study of saccadian movement lead them to suggest the hypothesis of overall involvement of the saccadian oculomotor system. They stress the value of oculographic recording in better understanding the general mechanisms of saccadian movement and the pathogenesis of the various changes which may be encountered.", "contents": "[Opsoclonia: oculographic study]. Oculographic study of a case of opsoclonus associated with infectious meningoencephalitis was used to determine the criteria of definition of this abnormal ocular movement, distinguishing it from the other abnormal movements of flutter and dysmetria. The authors first discuss, on the basis of these recordings, the possible relationship between opsoclonus and myoclonia, and then the role of the cerebellum. The disturbances noted in the course of study of saccadian movement lead them to suggest the hypothesis of overall involvement of the saccadian oculomotor system. They stress the value of oculographic recording in better understanding the general mechanisms of saccadian movement and the pathogenesis of the various changes which may be encountered.", "PMID": 613430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_833", "title": "[Deficitis in the \"verbal fluency\" test in left-handed subject with unilateral hemispheric lesions].", "content": "In contrast to findings in right-handed subjects with a unilateral hemispheric lesion, in the left-handed there is no significant difference in \"verbal fluency) test scores between right and left lesions, nor between anterior and posterior lesions. These findings are in favour of a certain degree of cerebral ambilaterality and of a lesser focalisation of the mechanisms responsible for language in the left-handed than in the right right-handed.", "contents": "[Deficitis in the \"verbal fluency\" test in left-handed subject with unilateral hemispheric lesions]. In contrast to findings in right-handed subjects with a unilateral hemispheric lesion, in the left-handed there is no significant difference in \"verbal fluency) test scores between right and left lesions, nor between anterior and posterior lesions. These findings are in favour of a certain degree of cerebral ambilaterality and of a lesser focalisation of the mechanisms responsible for language in the left-handed than in the right right-handed.", "PMID": 613431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_834", "title": "\"Normal\" pressure hydrocephalus in chronic inflammatory diseases: a clinical and laboratory study.", "content": "A review of the 21 cases of \"normal\" pressure hydrocephalus (N.P.H.) identified by means of radioisotope cisternography, seems to support the basic views of Adams et al. (1965) that a chronic inflammatory disease is an important cause of N.P.H. The clinical and laboratory date made it possible to identify a substantial number of cases affected by N.P.H. in the course of a chronic inflammatory disease; of particular interest were those affected by syphilis. In this connection it seems possible that the symptoms of classical neurosyphilis may be very similar to those often seen in patients with N.P.H.", "contents": "\"Normal\" pressure hydrocephalus in chronic inflammatory diseases: a clinical and laboratory study. A review of the 21 cases of \"normal\" pressure hydrocephalus (N.P.H.) identified by means of radioisotope cisternography, seems to support the basic views of Adams et al. (1965) that a chronic inflammatory disease is an important cause of N.P.H. The clinical and laboratory date made it possible to identify a substantial number of cases affected by N.P.H. in the course of a chronic inflammatory disease; of particular interest were those affected by syphilis. In this connection it seems possible that the symptoms of classical neurosyphilis may be very similar to those often seen in patients with N.P.H.", "PMID": 613439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_835", "title": "[A synthetic review on the cerebral extracellular space evaluated by biochemical procedures (author's transl)].", "content": "The Authors present a synthetic review on the problem of the cerebral extracellular space evaluated by biochemical procedures. The studies in vitro are numerous, focused on various aspects, such as the choice of the marker, the influence of temperature, and that of the chemical composition of incubation media, the regional heterogeneity of the brain, and so on; it has been observed that inulin, which is the most commonly employed marker, gives an extracellular space of about 40-66%, whereas other markers give values higher than 45%; the variability of values depends on various experimental factors. The studies in vivo present some methodological difficulties due to the existence of the brain barrier; the most reliable procedure appears that of the continuous perfusion of the marker into the cerebrospinal fluid associated with a simultaneous intravenous perfusion; this procedure gives quantitative estimates of extracellular space of about 14-30%. Taking into account that other experimental methods (such as the morphological and the electrophysiological) give lower values, respectively of 5-20% and 18-25%, the Authors found that it should be possible to agree about an average value of cerebral extracellular space of 15-20%. This appears to be of some relevance especially in studying the pathological problems of the brain, and particularly cerebral edema.", "contents": "[A synthetic review on the cerebral extracellular space evaluated by biochemical procedures (author's transl)]. The Authors present a synthetic review on the problem of the cerebral extracellular space evaluated by biochemical procedures. The studies in vitro are numerous, focused on various aspects, such as the choice of the marker, the influence of temperature, and that of the chemical composition of incubation media, the regional heterogeneity of the brain, and so on; it has been observed that inulin, which is the most commonly employed marker, gives an extracellular space of about 40-66%, whereas other markers give values higher than 45%; the variability of values depends on various experimental factors. The studies in vivo present some methodological difficulties due to the existence of the brain barrier; the most reliable procedure appears that of the continuous perfusion of the marker into the cerebrospinal fluid associated with a simultaneous intravenous perfusion; this procedure gives quantitative estimates of extracellular space of about 14-30%. Taking into account that other experimental methods (such as the morphological and the electrophysiological) give lower values, respectively of 5-20% and 18-25%, the Authors found that it should be possible to agree about an average value of cerebral extracellular space of 15-20%. This appears to be of some relevance especially in studying the pathological problems of the brain, and particularly cerebral edema.", "PMID": 613440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_836", "title": "[Preliminary observations on computerized axial tomography (CAT) in 32 patients with various epileptic syndromes (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty-two subjects affected by various types of epilepsy have been studied as follows: 1) from the clinical point of view with careful case history or by direct observation of the seizures; 2) from the EEG point of view by means of prolonged recordings during wakefulness and nocturnal sleep or with pharmacological activations; 3) from a radiological point of view with standard skull radiography, air-encephalography (PNX), brain scanning and, when necessary, with cerebral angiography, mono or bilateral. Furthermore, all the patients underwent a CAT at least once; in the majority of cases this examination was repeated after administration of contrast medium. The following results were obtained by comparing the various examinations: 1) anatomo-elector-clinical correlation was present only in some cases; 2) only in patients with cerebral neoplasms was there proof of an agreement in site between EEG, CAT and PNX; 3) it was not possible to detect in a definite manner epileptic glial lesions with CAT; 4) the EEG analysis, when repeated several times with different methods of investigations, whoed epileptic foci in a higher number compared to the anatomical focal lesions proved by CAT; 5) compared with air-encephalography and morphological brain scanning, CAT usually pointed out a higher number of focal and/or diffused cerebral lesions with a higher degree of precision; viceversa cerebral angiography proved to be irreplaceable in cases where it was necessary to study possible circulatory alterations.", "contents": "[Preliminary observations on computerized axial tomography (CAT) in 32 patients with various epileptic syndromes (author's transl)]. Thirty-two subjects affected by various types of epilepsy have been studied as follows: 1) from the clinical point of view with careful case history or by direct observation of the seizures; 2) from the EEG point of view by means of prolonged recordings during wakefulness and nocturnal sleep or with pharmacological activations; 3) from a radiological point of view with standard skull radiography, air-encephalography (PNX), brain scanning and, when necessary, with cerebral angiography, mono or bilateral. Furthermore, all the patients underwent a CAT at least once; in the majority of cases this examination was repeated after administration of contrast medium. The following results were obtained by comparing the various examinations: 1) anatomo-elector-clinical correlation was present only in some cases; 2) only in patients with cerebral neoplasms was there proof of an agreement in site between EEG, CAT and PNX; 3) it was not possible to detect in a definite manner epileptic glial lesions with CAT; 4) the EEG analysis, when repeated several times with different methods of investigations, whoed epileptic foci in a higher number compared to the anatomical focal lesions proved by CAT; 5) compared with air-encephalography and morphological brain scanning, CAT usually pointed out a higher number of focal and/or diffused cerebral lesions with a higher degree of precision; viceversa cerebral angiography proved to be irreplaceable in cases where it was necessary to study possible circulatory alterations.", "PMID": 613441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_837", "title": "Search in short-term memory during inhalation of a general anesthetic in man.", "content": "Effects of controlled subanesthetic concentrations of enflurane on short-term memory functions were studied in male volunteers. Short-term memory processes were assessed through a search task: A series of digits, words, or familiar pictures, was visually presented, followed by a test digit which in half the trials was part of the series, and in half of the trials it was not. The subject responded by a press on one of two switches signalling 'yes' or 'no' accordingly. Memory set size varied between 1 to 11 for digits and 1 to 8 for words and pictures. Enflurane in air was delivered through a non-rebreathing system. Low concentrations of enflurane did not change the slope of the search function, but increased the intercept by few hundred milliseconds. This was interpreted to indicate anesthetic effect on the cognitive processes reflected in the intercept, that is, stimulus reception and evaluation and response variables. No effect was observed on retrieval time from the short-term store.", "contents": "Search in short-term memory during inhalation of a general anesthetic in man. Effects of controlled subanesthetic concentrations of enflurane on short-term memory functions were studied in male volunteers. Short-term memory processes were assessed through a search task: A series of digits, words, or familiar pictures, was visually presented, followed by a test digit which in half the trials was part of the series, and in half of the trials it was not. The subject responded by a press on one of two switches signalling 'yes' or 'no' accordingly. Memory set size varied between 1 to 11 for digits and 1 to 8 for words and pictures. Enflurane in air was delivered through a non-rebreathing system. Low concentrations of enflurane did not change the slope of the search function, but increased the intercept by few hundred milliseconds. This was interpreted to indicate anesthetic effect on the cognitive processes reflected in the intercept, that is, stimulus reception and evaluation and response variables. No effect was observed on retrieval time from the short-term store.", "PMID": 613479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_838", "title": "Effect of skin surface temperature on localization error and two-point threshold.", "content": "The average localization error and two-point threshold were determined from 9 subjects at 5 skin temperatures on the volar forearm. The temperatures were physiological zero (31 degrees--32 degrees C), 19 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 38 degrees C, and 44 degrees C. Localization error was not significantly affected by skin surface temperature. This was verified on palm and forehead locations. The two-point threshold was increased by skin surface temperatures above physiological zero and decreased by skin surface temperatures below physiological zero. These results are consistent with a previous report of similar changes in punctate pressure sensitivity with varied skin surface temperatures. Such cross-model effects are considered in terms of cutaneous sensory mechanisms combining broad receptor specificity and subsequent coding of information by patterns of neural impulses.", "contents": "Effect of skin surface temperature on localization error and two-point threshold. The average localization error and two-point threshold were determined from 9 subjects at 5 skin temperatures on the volar forearm. The temperatures were physiological zero (31 degrees--32 degrees C), 19 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 38 degrees C, and 44 degrees C. Localization error was not significantly affected by skin surface temperature. This was verified on palm and forehead locations. The two-point threshold was increased by skin surface temperatures above physiological zero and decreased by skin surface temperatures below physiological zero. These results are consistent with a previous report of similar changes in punctate pressure sensitivity with varied skin surface temperatures. Such cross-model effects are considered in terms of cutaneous sensory mechanisms combining broad receptor specificity and subsequent coding of information by patterns of neural impulses.", "PMID": 613480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_839", "title": "The dipole layer as a model for scalp potentials.", "content": "Estimates are made of the potential field at the scalp and cortical surfaces due to large numbers of synchronously active cortical current sources. The basic model is a dipole layer in an infinite, homogeneous conducting medium. Estimates are made of the effects of various inhomogeneities on the attenuation of potentials. It is shown that these approximate methods seem to illuminate the following questions which are of interest in EEG research: (1) The interpretation of reference recordings in terms of local source currents; (2) The differences in amplitude between scalp and cortical recordings; (3) The differences in frequency spectra between scalp and cortical recordings; (4) The observation that alpha rhythm can be recorded deep in the brain; and (5) The effects of simple inhomogeneities on the attenuation of potentials.", "contents": "The dipole layer as a model for scalp potentials. Estimates are made of the potential field at the scalp and cortical surfaces due to large numbers of synchronously active cortical current sources. The basic model is a dipole layer in an infinite, homogeneous conducting medium. Estimates are made of the effects of various inhomogeneities on the attenuation of potentials. It is shown that these approximate methods seem to illuminate the following questions which are of interest in EEG research: (1) The interpretation of reference recordings in terms of local source currents; (2) The differences in amplitude between scalp and cortical recordings; (3) The differences in frequency spectra between scalp and cortical recordings; (4) The observation that alpha rhythm can be recorded deep in the brain; and (5) The effects of simple inhomogeneities on the attenuation of potentials.", "PMID": 613481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_840", "title": "Computerized brain impedograph.", "content": "Design of an on-line system utilizing a minicomputer and a specific dedicated hardware for 2T brain tissue impedance is provided. The prototype system, which can operate from 2 Hz to 10 kHz, covers most of the frequency range of interest in the encephalographic research. Driving the brain tissue with constant current and sampling the response current and voltage, the coefficients for a Fourier series expansion can easily be obtained. Real (resistance) and imaginary (capacitance) impedance components at each chosen frequency are printed on a Teletype printer.", "contents": "Computerized brain impedograph. Design of an on-line system utilizing a minicomputer and a specific dedicated hardware for 2T brain tissue impedance is provided. The prototype system, which can operate from 2 Hz to 10 kHz, covers most of the frequency range of interest in the encephalographic research. Driving the brain tissue with constant current and sampling the response current and voltage, the coefficients for a Fourier series expansion can easily be obtained. Real (resistance) and imaginary (capacitance) impedance components at each chosen frequency are printed on a Teletype printer.", "PMID": 613482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_841", "title": "Experimentation in family planning delivery systems: an overview.", "content": "Experiments in the delivery of family planning services are an important means of testing new approaches on a relatively small scale. Over the past 20 years, extensive experimental efforts have explored such key aspects of service delivery as personnel, the use of mass media, integration of family planning with other services, intensive efforts and camps, incentive payments to acceptors, and inudation or community-based distribution. Approaches that proved successful have often been incorporated into regular programs. An examination of the methodology and findings of family planning experiments, based on a survey of 96 projects testing various approaches, highlights successes, failures, and continuing problems. The discussion of past experience halps point to criteria that might be followed in formulating future experimental projects.", "contents": "Experimentation in family planning delivery systems: an overview. Experiments in the delivery of family planning services are an important means of testing new approaches on a relatively small scale. Over the past 20 years, extensive experimental efforts have explored such key aspects of service delivery as personnel, the use of mass media, integration of family planning with other services, intensive efforts and camps, incentive payments to acceptors, and inudation or community-based distribution. Approaches that proved successful have often been incorporated into regular programs. An examination of the methodology and findings of family planning experiments, based on a survey of 96 projects testing various approaches, highlights successes, failures, and continuing problems. The discussion of past experience halps point to criteria that might be followed in formulating future experimental projects.", "PMID": 613495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_842", "title": "Legal abortions in an Indian state.", "content": "Induced abortion in India was liberalized by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, which became effective in April 1972. Analysis of 8,073 abortions performed in the state of Karnataka between April 1972 and March 1975 indicates that abortions have increased rapidly since legalization. Age of women obtaining abortions, their family size, duration of pregnancy, and age of new contraceptors after abortion have declined, while proportions of women with less than primary education obtaining abortions and number of new contraceptors after abortion have increased. Data suggest that if there were more approved rural hospitals and a greater diffusion of information, the number of legal abortions would increase further.", "contents": "Legal abortions in an Indian state. Induced abortion in India was liberalized by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, which became effective in April 1972. Analysis of 8,073 abortions performed in the state of Karnataka between April 1972 and March 1975 indicates that abortions have increased rapidly since legalization. Age of women obtaining abortions, their family size, duration of pregnancy, and age of new contraceptors after abortion have declined, while proportions of women with less than primary education obtaining abortions and number of new contraceptors after abortion have increased. Data suggest that if there were more approved rural hospitals and a greater diffusion of information, the number of legal abortions would increase further.", "PMID": 613496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_843", "title": "Family planning in Mauritius: a national survey.", "content": "In the context of the Mauritian government's policy of encouraging fertility reduction, in 1975 the Ministry of Health requested the University of Mauritius to conduct the first national survey of contraceptive knowledge and use. The results for the 1,821 ever-married women under age 50 who were interviewed indicated high levels of knowledge and use of contraception. Nevertheless, there is still a need for increased efforts to retrieve dropouts and to improve the efficiency of contraceptive use.", "contents": "Family planning in Mauritius: a national survey. In the context of the Mauritian government's policy of encouraging fertility reduction, in 1975 the Ministry of Health requested the University of Mauritius to conduct the first national survey of contraceptive knowledge and use. The results for the 1,821 ever-married women under age 50 who were interviewed indicated high levels of knowledge and use of contraception. Nevertheless, there is still a need for increased efforts to retrieve dropouts and to improve the efficiency of contraceptive use.", "PMID": 613497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_844", "title": "Factors determining the incidence of suicide within families.", "content": "This paper addresses itself to the reasons why suicide tends to repeat in some families. Factors include entire family exposure to stresses, grief, and guilt induced by the suicide, the provision of a model by the original suicide, suicidogenic interpersonal styles in families, suicidogenic child-rearing practice, and innate predispositions to depression.", "contents": "Factors determining the incidence of suicide within families. This paper addresses itself to the reasons why suicide tends to repeat in some families. Factors include entire family exposure to stresses, grief, and guilt induced by the suicide, the provision of a model by the original suicide, suicidogenic interpersonal styles in families, suicidogenic child-rearing practice, and innate predispositions to depression.", "PMID": 613498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_845", "title": "Lunar association with suicide.", "content": "Suicides in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, for 1972--1975 are tabulated by year, month of year, day of week, lunar phase, and holiday occurrence. Only lunar phase demonstrates a significant (p less than .01) variation in suicide rate; an increase is observed in this sample with respect to new moon phase but not for full moon phase. Explanations for this finding are considered, but the precise reasons remain unknown.", "contents": "Lunar association with suicide. Suicides in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, for 1972--1975 are tabulated by year, month of year, day of week, lunar phase, and holiday occurrence. Only lunar phase demonstrates a significant (p less than .01) variation in suicide rate; an increase is observed in this sample with respect to new moon phase but not for full moon phase. Explanations for this finding are considered, but the precise reasons remain unknown.", "PMID": 613499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_846", "title": "The role of death romanticization in the dynamics of suicide.", "content": "Suicide is an emotional, complex event, the causes of which are not well understood. Hence, the subject of suicide cannot be adequately treated in an objective, simplified, scientific discussion without ignoring its essentially personal nature. In an attempt to add some insights into the personal dimension of suicide to analytical theory considered in the following pages, subjective, spontaneous thoughts, both philosophical and indulgingly emotional, have been included. The subjective thoughts have been separated from the theoretical discussions and will be found in the sections labeled with a letter a (e.g., iii a and v a) following the theory sections to which they most closely relate. A reading of these extra sections is extraneous to the understanding of the suicidal theory presented here, and they have been included only for the reader's interest.", "contents": "The role of death romanticization in the dynamics of suicide. Suicide is an emotional, complex event, the causes of which are not well understood. Hence, the subject of suicide cannot be adequately treated in an objective, simplified, scientific discussion without ignoring its essentially personal nature. In an attempt to add some insights into the personal dimension of suicide to analytical theory considered in the following pages, subjective, spontaneous thoughts, both philosophical and indulgingly emotional, have been included. The subjective thoughts have been separated from the theoretical discussions and will be found in the sections labeled with a letter a (e.g., iii a and v a) following the theory sections to which they most closely relate. A reading of these extra sections is extraneous to the understanding of the suicidal theory presented here, and they have been included only for the reader's interest.", "PMID": 613500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_847", "title": "Suicidal behavior as a form of communication in married couples.", "content": "Suicidal behavior, specifically threats of suicide and acts of self-injury and self-poisoning, are interpreted by suicidologists as acts of communication directed to some person important in the social life of the potential victim. Four groups of married couples were studied using a measure of their marital communication habits and an intensive personal interview. These groups included wives who (a) were volunteer workers in a suicide prevention center, (b) were experiencing marital problems but were not actively suicidal, (c) had called the suicide prevention center and made a verbal threat of suicide, and (d) had actually committed acts of self-injury or self-poisoning for which they received emergency room or hospital treatment. Analysis of the data revealed that the quality of interpersonal communication between spouses significantly deteriorated across the groups as the degree of suicidal behavior increased. Descriptive data are discussed for their relevance to clinicians who, if they correctly interpret the meaning of the \"suicide attempt,\" may be in a position to facilitate its being a successful one.", "contents": "Suicidal behavior as a form of communication in married couples. Suicidal behavior, specifically threats of suicide and acts of self-injury and self-poisoning, are interpreted by suicidologists as acts of communication directed to some person important in the social life of the potential victim. Four groups of married couples were studied using a measure of their marital communication habits and an intensive personal interview. These groups included wives who (a) were volunteer workers in a suicide prevention center, (b) were experiencing marital problems but were not actively suicidal, (c) had called the suicide prevention center and made a verbal threat of suicide, and (d) had actually committed acts of self-injury or self-poisoning for which they received emergency room or hospital treatment. Analysis of the data revealed that the quality of interpersonal communication between spouses significantly deteriorated across the groups as the degree of suicidal behavior increased. Descriptive data are discussed for their relevance to clinicians who, if they correctly interpret the meaning of the \"suicide attempt,\" may be in a position to facilitate its being a successful one.", "PMID": 613501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_848", "title": "An assessment of community suicide risk.", "content": "The contributions of several core variables to the white suicide rates in 24 Florida counties were examined, and a prediction equation, using multiple linear regression, was developed. Age was found to be about 50% more important than divorce. With both age and divorce controlled, loneliness and insanity were found to be significant core variables (p less than .05). A prediction equation including age, crime rate, insanity, and alcoholism was found that accounted for 79% of the variation in the suicide rates across counties. The observed rates were divided by predicted rates to yield standardized mortality ratios. It is proposed that these ratios may serve to assess both the need for and the impact of community suicide prevention services by placing suicide rates in the context of relevant social conditions.", "contents": "An assessment of community suicide risk. The contributions of several core variables to the white suicide rates in 24 Florida counties were examined, and a prediction equation, using multiple linear regression, was developed. Age was found to be about 50% more important than divorce. With both age and divorce controlled, loneliness and insanity were found to be significant core variables (p less than .05). A prediction equation including age, crime rate, insanity, and alcoholism was found that accounted for 79% of the variation in the suicide rates across counties. The observed rates were divided by predicted rates to yield standardized mortality ratios. It is proposed that these ratios may serve to assess both the need for and the impact of community suicide prevention services by placing suicide rates in the context of relevant social conditions.", "PMID": 613502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_849", "title": "Death on every weekend.", "content": "This essay is a personal account of situations experienced by a medical technician in a large emergency room. It includes examples of stressful situations that daily confront medical personnel and the inability of medical institutions to aid them in understanding and coping with death and.dying. Stemming from these stressful situations, the paper illustrates the importance of the need for medical institutions to pay direct attention to the stressful topic of death itself if the medical personnel are to work efficiently in an environment where death and dying are everyday occurrences. Although some institutions do offer in-service sessions to nurses, these services are far and few between. But the stress for all medical personnel remains high, and there remains an unfulfilled need to teach effective thanatological techniques to all medical personnel.", "contents": "Death on every weekend. This essay is a personal account of situations experienced by a medical technician in a large emergency room. It includes examples of stressful situations that daily confront medical personnel and the inability of medical institutions to aid them in understanding and coping with death and.dying. Stemming from these stressful situations, the paper illustrates the importance of the need for medical institutions to pay direct attention to the stressful topic of death itself if the medical personnel are to work efficiently in an environment where death and dying are everyday occurrences. Although some institutions do offer in-service sessions to nurses, these services are far and few between. But the stress for all medical personnel remains high, and there remains an unfulfilled need to teach effective thanatological techniques to all medical personnel.", "PMID": 613503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_850", "title": "Religiosity and self-destructive crises in the institutionalized elderly.", "content": "The relationship of religiosity to self-destructive behavior has largely been considered in terms of the impact of religious affiliation, or church membership, on rates of suicide for various geographical populations. This study departs from that approach and focuses instead on the relationship of intensity of religious commitment to the use of indirect life-threatening behavior (ILTB) among elderly, chronically ill hospital patients. A rating scale to measure the occurrence of ILTB was developed and administered to a sample of 58 patients in a Veterans Administration hospital. Findings for this sample indicate that intensity of religious commitment is a potentially more meaningful measure of religiosity than is formal church membership, that intensity of religious commitment tends to vary inversely with the extent of ILTB observed for the patient, and that \"stigma avoidance\" may play a role in the tendency for certain religious affiliates to make more extensive use of ILTB.", "contents": "Religiosity and self-destructive crises in the institutionalized elderly. The relationship of religiosity to self-destructive behavior has largely been considered in terms of the impact of religious affiliation, or church membership, on rates of suicide for various geographical populations. This study departs from that approach and focuses instead on the relationship of intensity of religious commitment to the use of indirect life-threatening behavior (ILTB) among elderly, chronically ill hospital patients. A rating scale to measure the occurrence of ILTB was developed and administered to a sample of 58 patients in a Veterans Administration hospital. Findings for this sample indicate that intensity of religious commitment is a potentially more meaningful measure of religiosity than is formal church membership, that intensity of religious commitment tends to vary inversely with the extent of ILTB observed for the patient, and that \"stigma avoidance\" may play a role in the tendency for certain religious affiliates to make more extensive use of ILTB.", "PMID": 613504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_851", "title": "Attempted suicides-35 years afterward.", "content": "Most follow-up studies of suicides are made after a relatively short period of time. The present study involved 229 attempted suicides (93 men and 136 women) hospitalized during the years 1933-1942. It was possible to trace 96.8% of the men and 95.6% of the women. An earlier investigation 0 to 12 years after hospitalization showed that in the first 4 years 9 men (9.7%) and 5 women (3.7%) had committed suicide. The observation time for the present study ranges from 21 to 42 years, with a mode of 35 years. It was found that an additional 4 men and 7 women had committed suicide in the interim-in the cases of 2 men and 6 women, 15 years or more after the initial attempt. This incidence of suicide so long after the original attempt, at least in the case of the women, statistically exceeds the expected incidence. In the time now elapsed, 10.9% of the study sample (14% of the men and 8.8% of the women) have taken their own lives.", "contents": "Attempted suicides-35 years afterward. Most follow-up studies of suicides are made after a relatively short period of time. The present study involved 229 attempted suicides (93 men and 136 women) hospitalized during the years 1933-1942. It was possible to trace 96.8% of the men and 95.6% of the women. An earlier investigation 0 to 12 years after hospitalization showed that in the first 4 years 9 men (9.7%) and 5 women (3.7%) had committed suicide. The observation time for the present study ranges from 21 to 42 years, with a mode of 35 years. It was found that an additional 4 men and 7 women had committed suicide in the interim-in the cases of 2 men and 6 women, 15 years or more after the initial attempt. This incidence of suicide so long after the original attempt, at least in the case of the women, statistically exceeds the expected incidence. In the time now elapsed, 10.9% of the study sample (14% of the men and 8.8% of the women) have taken their own lives.", "PMID": 613505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_852", "title": "Suicide in Maine: a social psychological approach.", "content": "This paper reports the results of a field study on five proximal social psychological variables derived from Farber's theory of suicide: Hope in the Future Time Perspective; Demands for Interpersonal Giving; the Availability of Succorance; Demands for the Exercising of Competence; and the degree of Toleration of Suicide. The subjects were mature, long-term residents of counties of Maine that proved stable in their relative rate of suicide. The value for each variable was assessed by a questionnair devised for this purpose by the author. The differences between the mean scale scores for the high and low suicide areas were analyzed by t-tests. The between group differences for all variables were significant at or beyond the .01 level of significance. A correlational study indicated that the relationship among the five variables was compatible with Farber's theory of suicide. The research generally offers strong support for Farber's theory of suicide at the social psychological level of analysis.", "contents": "Suicide in Maine: a social psychological approach. This paper reports the results of a field study on five proximal social psychological variables derived from Farber's theory of suicide: Hope in the Future Time Perspective; Demands for Interpersonal Giving; the Availability of Succorance; Demands for the Exercising of Competence; and the degree of Toleration of Suicide. The subjects were mature, long-term residents of counties of Maine that proved stable in their relative rate of suicide. The value for each variable was assessed by a questionnair devised for this purpose by the author. The differences between the mean scale scores for the high and low suicide areas were analyzed by t-tests. The between group differences for all variables were significant at or beyond the .01 level of significance. A correlational study indicated that the relationship among the five variables was compatible with Farber's theory of suicide. The research generally offers strong support for Farber's theory of suicide at the social psychological level of analysis.", "PMID": 613506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_853", "title": "Ecological variation in self-injury behavior.", "content": "Only recently have efforts been made to discover the extent of self-injury behavior in the general population. The study reported here was designed to ascertain and examine the degree of relationship between the ecological distribution of self-injury behavior and the indices of economic and ethnic status. The general hypothesis predicts that high rates of self-injury behavior are associated with low economic status and high ethnic status census tract populations in a northern metropolitan area. A total of 2,755 cases of self-injury were collected for the year 1972 from the records of the city and county police departments hospital emergency facilities, and a sample of private physicians. Self-injury behavior was defined as any case of self-inflicted overdosage, asphyxiation, or injury, whether or not there was evidence of suicidal intent. The indices of economic and ethnic status for the various census tracts were computed in the manner suggested by Shevky and Bell (1955). All the measures of economic status were found significantly related to self-injury in the predicted direction. The relationship between ethnic status and self-injury rates was not significant. When ethnic status was disaggregated, a significant relationship was found between self-injury rates for nonwhites and foreign-born whites. The explanation was offered that ethnic differences in self-injury are mediated by economic status variables and subcultural factors.", "contents": "Ecological variation in self-injury behavior. Only recently have efforts been made to discover the extent of self-injury behavior in the general population. The study reported here was designed to ascertain and examine the degree of relationship between the ecological distribution of self-injury behavior and the indices of economic and ethnic status. The general hypothesis predicts that high rates of self-injury behavior are associated with low economic status and high ethnic status census tract populations in a northern metropolitan area. A total of 2,755 cases of self-injury were collected for the year 1972 from the records of the city and county police departments hospital emergency facilities, and a sample of private physicians. Self-injury behavior was defined as any case of self-inflicted overdosage, asphyxiation, or injury, whether or not there was evidence of suicidal intent. The indices of economic and ethnic status for the various census tracts were computed in the manner suggested by Shevky and Bell (1955). All the measures of economic status were found significantly related to self-injury in the predicted direction. The relationship between ethnic status and self-injury rates was not significant. When ethnic status was disaggregated, a significant relationship was found between self-injury rates for nonwhites and foreign-born whites. The explanation was offered that ethnic differences in self-injury are mediated by economic status variables and subcultural factors.", "PMID": 613507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_854", "title": "A psychotherapist's reaction to his patient's death.", "content": "A case history of a patient who died during the course of psychotherapy is initially presented in the form of an essay. Three therapeutic points (one related to the therapist's awareness of his anger toward the patient) are focused on in regard to working with the dependent, suicidal patient: the importance of being in touch with one's own anger toward the suicidal patient; the need to vary one's attitude and approach toward the dependent patient as he travels through different emotional phases; the importance of promptly involving significant friends and relatives in close observation of and relating to the acutely suicidal person. The emotions and psychodynamic factors in the author and other psychotherapists in response to the death of a patient are then examined with particular emphasis on the therapist's allowing himself to mourn the personal loss.", "contents": "A psychotherapist's reaction to his patient's death. A case history of a patient who died during the course of psychotherapy is initially presented in the form of an essay. Three therapeutic points (one related to the therapist's awareness of his anger toward the patient) are focused on in regard to working with the dependent, suicidal patient: the importance of being in touch with one's own anger toward the suicidal patient; the need to vary one's attitude and approach toward the dependent patient as he travels through different emotional phases; the importance of promptly involving significant friends and relatives in close observation of and relating to the acutely suicidal person. The emotions and psychodynamic factors in the author and other psychotherapists in response to the death of a patient are then examined with particular emphasis on the therapist's allowing himself to mourn the personal loss.", "PMID": 613509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_855", "title": "Law enforcement and crisis intervention services: a critical relationship.", "content": "Law-enforcement officers tend to look at traditional mental health services as being of little help to them in dealing with persons they encounter experiencing emotional emergencies. They are frequently skeptical that emergency mental health programs offer more than they deliver. Because of their traditional base as the primary, and frequently only, available emergency \"field\" service in a community, a mental health emergency program must have a cooperative working relationship with law enforcement to serve a community successfully. This paper describes the development and maintenance of such a relationship, designed to increase the police case-finding potential.", "contents": "Law enforcement and crisis intervention services: a critical relationship. Law-enforcement officers tend to look at traditional mental health services as being of little help to them in dealing with persons they encounter experiencing emotional emergencies. They are frequently skeptical that emergency mental health programs offer more than they deliver. Because of their traditional base as the primary, and frequently only, available emergency \"field\" service in a community, a mental health emergency program must have a cooperative working relationship with law enforcement to serve a community successfully. This paper describes the development and maintenance of such a relationship, designed to increase the police case-finding potential.", "PMID": 613510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_856", "title": "Estimation of suicide risk by the use of clinical models.", "content": "This report details some preliminary experience in the use of clinical models to develop scales for the estimation of suicide risk. A cohort was drawn for each of two models: Stable with Forced Change (N = 333) and Alienated (N = 566). A set of postulated discriminators regarding suicide was examined with negative results. Available data revealed 12 items for the Stable with Forced Change model and 20 items for the Alienated model that discriminated between the suicides and the nonsuicides at a .05 level of confidence. That only 4 items were common to both supports the idea that the models represent different populations in regard to vulnerability to suicide and thus require independent lethality scales.", "contents": "Estimation of suicide risk by the use of clinical models. This report details some preliminary experience in the use of clinical models to develop scales for the estimation of suicide risk. A cohort was drawn for each of two models: Stable with Forced Change (N = 333) and Alienated (N = 566). A set of postulated discriminators regarding suicide was examined with negative results. Available data revealed 12 items for the Stable with Forced Change model and 20 items for the Alienated model that discriminated between the suicides and the nonsuicides at a .05 level of confidence. That only 4 items were common to both supports the idea that the models represent different populations in regard to vulnerability to suicide and thus require independent lethality scales.", "PMID": 613512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_857", "title": "Optic nerve infarction.", "content": "A specific type of optic disc damage and visual field loss has been emphasized. The changes occur acutely at the inferotemporal disc margin and do not seem to progress. Such patients have normal intraocular pressures. We have termed this entity \"acute inferotemporal prelaminar optic disc infarction syndrome\" in an effort to avoid using the word glaucoma. Although similar events can occur in glaucomatous eyes, we feel that such changes are not progressive and that sophisticated diagnostic studies should be avoided. Three cases are presented as examples.", "contents": "Optic nerve infarction. A specific type of optic disc damage and visual field loss has been emphasized. The changes occur acutely at the inferotemporal disc margin and do not seem to progress. Such patients have normal intraocular pressures. We have termed this entity \"acute inferotemporal prelaminar optic disc infarction syndrome\" in an effort to avoid using the word glaucoma. Although similar events can occur in glaucomatous eyes, we feel that such changes are not progressive and that sophisticated diagnostic studies should be avoided. Three cases are presented as examples.", "PMID": 613520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_858", "title": "Visual prognosis of optic nerve sheath meningiomas producing shunt vessels on the optic disk: the Hoyt-Spencer syndrome.", "content": "Nine patients, including seven women and two men, had meningiomas of the optic nerve sheath. The defect was bilateral in two, in the right eye in six, and in the left eye in one. Most had edema of the disk, and all had progressive loss of vision to blindness in the affected eye owing to optic nerve atrophy. In 10 of the 11 affected eyes, opticociliary shunt veins developed on the optic disk. Exophthalmos was mild and not more than 3 mm in any patient. Ocular movement was mildly impaired in three patients. Indentation and flattening of the posterior pole of the eye was documented in five eyes. Nine of the eleven eyes went on to blindness; one was worse after operation, and the eleventh was lost to follow-up. Surgical treatment has not been effective in these cases or in those reported in the literature.", "contents": "Visual prognosis of optic nerve sheath meningiomas producing shunt vessels on the optic disk: the Hoyt-Spencer syndrome. Nine patients, including seven women and two men, had meningiomas of the optic nerve sheath. The defect was bilateral in two, in the right eye in six, and in the left eye in one. Most had edema of the disk, and all had progressive loss of vision to blindness in the affected eye owing to optic nerve atrophy. In 10 of the 11 affected eyes, opticociliary shunt veins developed on the optic disk. Exophthalmos was mild and not more than 3 mm in any patient. Ocular movement was mildly impaired in three patients. Indentation and flattening of the posterior pole of the eye was documented in five eyes. Nine of the eleven eyes went on to blindness; one was worse after operation, and the eleventh was lost to follow-up. Surgical treatment has not been effective in these cases or in those reported in the literature.", "PMID": 613522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_859", "title": "Senile macular degeneration: a histopathologic study.", "content": "The histopathologic features of 176 eyes from 115 patients with senile macular degeneration have been studied. The results support the view that older persons with drusen are predisposed to the development of serous detachments, areolar retinal pigment epithelial atrophy, and subretinal pigment epithelial neovascularization. Direct clinicopathologic correlation was accomplished in 11 cases. Serial sections through the macular lesions were prepared and studied in 45 eyes. Five eyes were studied with stepped-serial sections through the macula at 0.1 mm intervals. Two-dimensional map reconstruction of the macular lesion of eight eyes was performed. Electron microscopic study of Bruch's membrane was performed in five eyes. A flow chart illustrating the interrelationships of the various morphologic forms of senile macular degeneration is proposed.", "contents": "Senile macular degeneration: a histopathologic study. The histopathologic features of 176 eyes from 115 patients with senile macular degeneration have been studied. The results support the view that older persons with drusen are predisposed to the development of serous detachments, areolar retinal pigment epithelial atrophy, and subretinal pigment epithelial neovascularization. Direct clinicopathologic correlation was accomplished in 11 cases. Serial sections through the macular lesions were prepared and studied in 45 eyes. Five eyes were studied with stepped-serial sections through the macula at 0.1 mm intervals. Two-dimensional map reconstruction of the macular lesion of eight eyes was performed. Electron microscopic study of Bruch's membrane was performed in five eyes. A flow chart illustrating the interrelationships of the various morphologic forms of senile macular degeneration is proposed.", "PMID": 613523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_860", "title": "Primary open-angle glaucoma and sensitivity to corticosteroids in vitro.", "content": "Corticosteroid inhibition of mitogen induced lymphocyte transformation was studied in patients with definite or suspected primary open-angle plaucoma (POAG). Patients without glaucoma served as normal controls. From a dose response curve with prednisolone-21-PO4 or prednisolone the value of 50% inhibition (I50) was determined for each patient. In Series I it was necessary to disqualify 70% of the data whereas in Series II less than 5% were excluded. In Series I the median I50 (M X 10(-8) prednisolone-21-PO4) was 12 for 11 controls and 8 for 18 total POAG'S (p less than .01). In Series II the opposite result was obtained. The median I50 was 8 for 49 controls and 12 for 79 total POAG'S (p less than .01). In series II similar results were obtained with prednisolone. There was no difference between definite and suspected glaucoma patients. The cause of the discrepancy between the present two series and among the other published studies is not clear. The source of normal controls, from either an eye clinic or volunteer groups, may be a factor.", "contents": "Primary open-angle glaucoma and sensitivity to corticosteroids in vitro. Corticosteroid inhibition of mitogen induced lymphocyte transformation was studied in patients with definite or suspected primary open-angle plaucoma (POAG). Patients without glaucoma served as normal controls. From a dose response curve with prednisolone-21-PO4 or prednisolone the value of 50% inhibition (I50) was determined for each patient. In Series I it was necessary to disqualify 70% of the data whereas in Series II less than 5% were excluded. In Series I the median I50 (M X 10(-8) prednisolone-21-PO4) was 12 for 11 controls and 8 for 18 total POAG'S (p less than .01). In Series II the opposite result was obtained. The median I50 was 8 for 49 controls and 12 for 79 total POAG'S (p less than .01). In series II similar results were obtained with prednisolone. There was no difference between definite and suspected glaucoma patients. The cause of the discrepancy between the present two series and among the other published studies is not clear. The source of normal controls, from either an eye clinic or volunteer groups, may be a factor.", "PMID": 613524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_861", "title": "A cytologic aid in the diagnosis of congenital glaucoma.", "content": "The superficial corneal epithelium of 17 patients with glaucoma varying in age from nine days to 16 years and 25 normal individuals varying from nine months to 16 years were studied comparing findings using the Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining methods. The normal individuals exhibited a high frequency of precornified cells and a paucity of cornified cells with pyknotic nuclei. Smears of 16 of the 17 patients with glaucoma stained by the Papanicolaou method illustrated striking tinctorial changes. In a 9-day-old patient with glaucoma there were occasional normal cells, but many others varied greatly both in shape and size. In addition, highly cornified, deep orange, Papanicolaou stained cells with pyknotic nuclei were noted. These changes were so pronounced that examination of a single section strongly suggested a diagnosis of glaucoma. Cells in the older patients (6 to 16 years) frequntly exhibited a high degree of cornification, extensive cell fragmentation, darkly stained pyknotic nuclei, and areas of ghost cells. The cytologic characteristics of stained corneal epithelium cells were a demonstrable aid in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.", "contents": "A cytologic aid in the diagnosis of congenital glaucoma. The superficial corneal epithelium of 17 patients with glaucoma varying in age from nine days to 16 years and 25 normal individuals varying from nine months to 16 years were studied comparing findings using the Giemsa and Papanicolaou staining methods. The normal individuals exhibited a high frequency of precornified cells and a paucity of cornified cells with pyknotic nuclei. Smears of 16 of the 17 patients with glaucoma stained by the Papanicolaou method illustrated striking tinctorial changes. In a 9-day-old patient with glaucoma there were occasional normal cells, but many others varied greatly both in shape and size. In addition, highly cornified, deep orange, Papanicolaou stained cells with pyknotic nuclei were noted. These changes were so pronounced that examination of a single section strongly suggested a diagnosis of glaucoma. Cells in the older patients (6 to 16 years) frequntly exhibited a high degree of cornification, extensive cell fragmentation, darkly stained pyknotic nuclei, and areas of ghost cells. The cytologic characteristics of stained corneal epithelium cells were a demonstrable aid in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.", "PMID": 613526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_862", "title": "Pityrosporum species associated with dacryoliths: in obstructive dacryocystitis.", "content": "Two dacryoliths removed from the obstructed and enlarged lacrimal sac of a 54 year-old female patient during dacryocystorhinostomy were found to contain the filamentous forms consistent with Pityrosporum oribulare. It does not seem that this fungus has been observed before in a dacryolith or in dacryocystitis.", "contents": "Pityrosporum species associated with dacryoliths: in obstructive dacryocystitis. Two dacryoliths removed from the obstructed and enlarged lacrimal sac of a 54 year-old female patient during dacryocystorhinostomy were found to contain the filamentous forms consistent with Pityrosporum oribulare. It does not seem that this fungus has been observed before in a dacryolith or in dacryocystitis.", "PMID": 613528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_863", "title": "Silicone intraocular lenses in rabbits.", "content": "1. A series of rabbits have been operated upon utilizing two extracapsular techniques. An intraocular lens cast from several silicone materials was placed in each eye with the exception of one (number 9). 2. The eyes from these animals have been evaluated by clinical and microscopic techniques (including scanning electron microscopy). 3. From this limited study, it would appear that an intraocular lens made from cast silicone does not remarkably affect the physiological function of the rabbit eye. 4. Electron microscopic studies on some of the lenses in this series indicates no particular cellular reaction to or upon these lenses evaluated by this technique.", "contents": "Silicone intraocular lenses in rabbits. 1. A series of rabbits have been operated upon utilizing two extracapsular techniques. An intraocular lens cast from several silicone materials was placed in each eye with the exception of one (number 9). 2. The eyes from these animals have been evaluated by clinical and microscopic techniques (including scanning electron microscopy). 3. From this limited study, it would appear that an intraocular lens made from cast silicone does not remarkably affect the physiological function of the rabbit eye. 4. Electron microscopic studies on some of the lenses in this series indicates no particular cellular reaction to or upon these lenses evaluated by this technique.", "PMID": 613529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_864", "title": "Visual prognosis in advanced glaucoma: a comparison of medical and surgical therapy for retention of vision in 101 eyes with advanced glaucoma.", "content": "A detailed analysis of 101 eyes of 76 patients with advanced glaucomatous visual field loss but with retention of good visual acuity is presented. Patients were followed for a minimum of 4 years with an average duration of follow-up of 7.1 years. Loss of central vision, defined by permanent reduction of visual acuity to less than or equal to 20/200, occurred with equal frequency in eyes treated medically (15.8%) or surgically (13.6%) for glaucoma. Sudden loss of central vision also occurred following cataract extraction (8.7%). No patient lost central vision suddenly following surgery when central vision was spared at the time of operation. In addition, all cases that eventually lost central vision, either medically or surgically, demonstrated field defects which split fixation prior to its loss. Loss of central vision is seen rarely when medical therapy maintains the average intraocular pressure below 18 mm Hg, but increases markedly with higher pressures, reaching approximately 30% when average intraocular pressure is above 22 mm Hg. Progression in field loss is rare after successful glaucoma surgery, although cataracts develop in about 32% of such eyes. Cataracts also develop in 21% of medically treated eyes. In addition, about 50% of unoperated eyes demonstrate further field loss even when central vision is maintained. In spite of very definite risks, serious consideration should be given to glaucoma filtering surgery when the intraocular pressure is consistently over 22 mm Hg in patients on medical therapy with advanced glaucoma.", "contents": "Visual prognosis in advanced glaucoma: a comparison of medical and surgical therapy for retention of vision in 101 eyes with advanced glaucoma. A detailed analysis of 101 eyes of 76 patients with advanced glaucomatous visual field loss but with retention of good visual acuity is presented. Patients were followed for a minimum of 4 years with an average duration of follow-up of 7.1 years. Loss of central vision, defined by permanent reduction of visual acuity to less than or equal to 20/200, occurred with equal frequency in eyes treated medically (15.8%) or surgically (13.6%) for glaucoma. Sudden loss of central vision also occurred following cataract extraction (8.7%). No patient lost central vision suddenly following surgery when central vision was spared at the time of operation. In addition, all cases that eventually lost central vision, either medically or surgically, demonstrated field defects which split fixation prior to its loss. Loss of central vision is seen rarely when medical therapy maintains the average intraocular pressure below 18 mm Hg, but increases markedly with higher pressures, reaching approximately 30% when average intraocular pressure is above 22 mm Hg. Progression in field loss is rare after successful glaucoma surgery, although cataracts develop in about 32% of such eyes. Cataracts also develop in 21% of medically treated eyes. In addition, about 50% of unoperated eyes demonstrate further field loss even when central vision is maintained. In spite of very definite risks, serious consideration should be given to glaucoma filtering surgery when the intraocular pressure is consistently over 22 mm Hg in patients on medical therapy with advanced glaucoma.", "PMID": 613530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_865", "title": "Adie's syndrome: some new observations.", "content": "Adie's syndrome is a disease of unknown etiology. We known where the damage is, and which nerves are involved. We even know something of how the nerves react after the damage is done, but we don't known what causes the primary injury. The first step in working a jigsaw puzzle is to getall of the pieces right side up and take a good look at them. Some of the jigsaw pieces handled in this paper are listed below. Some of them are new observations; many of them are old concepts, partly modified and partly made secure by new facts. 1. Not all \"tonic pupils\" are due to \"Adie's syndrome\"; some are due to local injury and some to a generalized peripheral neuropathy (Table II). 2. All patients should have serologic tests for shyphilis. In this series one in six had positive serology. 3. The incidence of Adie's syndrome in Iowa in the early 1970's was approximately 4.7 per 100,000 population per year. 4. The prevalence of Adie's syndrome, therefore, was approximately 2 per 1000. 5. The mean age of onset of Adie's syndrome was about 32.2 years (Figure 1A). 6. The sex ratio was 2.6 females to each male. 7. Right eyes and left eyes were involved at approximately the same rate (Figure 2). 8. The incidence of second eye involvement in unilateral cases was about 4% per year during the first decade of the disease (Figure 18). 9. If this rate of second eye involvement (4% per year) persists during subsequent decades, then most Adie's pupils will eventually become bilateral. 10. The incidence of Adie's syndrome in a largely caucasian patient group is independent of iris color (Figure 4). 11. Only 10% of patients with Adie's syndrome had completely normal muscle stretch reflexes. 12. The muscle stretch reflexes in the arms were just as frequently imparied as those in th elegs, but the degree of impariment tended to be more severe in the ankles and triceps. 13. When there was any light reaction remaining in an Adie's pupil, a segmental paralysis of the sphincter muscle could be seen. 14. The near reaction of the pupil was often segmental and frequently involved segments which did not respond to light. 15. The segmental paralysis to light was randomly distributed around the sphincter (Figure 6B). 16. There was some tendency for the sphincter palsy to gradually become worse. This progression was also random (Figure 8). 17. Almost all patients with Adie's syndrome had an accommodative paresis at the time of onset. 18. Reading glasses given to a patient with a fresh Adie's pupil were soon discarded as accommodation recovered (Figure 9). 19. Accomodative effort induced an astigmatism in about half of the eyes with Adie's--presumably the result of a segmental palsy of the ciliary muscle. 20. Tonicity of accommodation was present in about 1/2 of the eyes with Adie's, making it difficut for the patient to maintain a steady level of ciliary muscle tone. 21. An occasional patient complained of brow ache from ciliary spasm with near work. 22. In most patients with Adie's syndrome the ciliary muscle was supersensitive to pilocarpine 0...", "contents": "Adie's syndrome: some new observations. Adie's syndrome is a disease of unknown etiology. We known where the damage is, and which nerves are involved. We even know something of how the nerves react after the damage is done, but we don't known what causes the primary injury. The first step in working a jigsaw puzzle is to getall of the pieces right side up and take a good look at them. Some of the jigsaw pieces handled in this paper are listed below. Some of them are new observations; many of them are old concepts, partly modified and partly made secure by new facts. 1. Not all \"tonic pupils\" are due to \"Adie's syndrome\"; some are due to local injury and some to a generalized peripheral neuropathy (Table II). 2. All patients should have serologic tests for shyphilis. In this series one in six had positive serology. 3. The incidence of Adie's syndrome in Iowa in the early 1970's was approximately 4.7 per 100,000 population per year. 4. The prevalence of Adie's syndrome, therefore, was approximately 2 per 1000. 5. The mean age of onset of Adie's syndrome was about 32.2 years (Figure 1A). 6. The sex ratio was 2.6 females to each male. 7. Right eyes and left eyes were involved at approximately the same rate (Figure 2). 8. The incidence of second eye involvement in unilateral cases was about 4% per year during the first decade of the disease (Figure 18). 9. If this rate of second eye involvement (4% per year) persists during subsequent decades, then most Adie's pupils will eventually become bilateral. 10. The incidence of Adie's syndrome in a largely caucasian patient group is independent of iris color (Figure 4). 11. Only 10% of patients with Adie's syndrome had completely normal muscle stretch reflexes. 12. The muscle stretch reflexes in the arms were just as frequently imparied as those in th elegs, but the degree of impariment tended to be more severe in the ankles and triceps. 13. When there was any light reaction remaining in an Adie's pupil, a segmental paralysis of the sphincter muscle could be seen. 14. The near reaction of the pupil was often segmental and frequently involved segments which did not respond to light. 15. The segmental paralysis to light was randomly distributed around the sphincter (Figure 6B). 16. There was some tendency for the sphincter palsy to gradually become worse. This progression was also random (Figure 8). 17. Almost all patients with Adie's syndrome had an accommodative paresis at the time of onset. 18. Reading glasses given to a patient with a fresh Adie's pupil were soon discarded as accommodation recovered (Figure 9). 19. Accomodative effort induced an astigmatism in about half of the eyes with Adie's--presumably the result of a segmental palsy of the ciliary muscle. 20. Tonicity of accommodation was present in about 1/2 of the eyes with Adie's, making it difficut for the patient to maintain a steady level of ciliary muscle tone. 21. An occasional patient complained of brow ache from ciliary spasm with near work. 22. In most patients with Adie's syndrome the ciliary muscle was supersensitive to pilocarpine 0...", "PMID": 613531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_866", "title": "The posterior staphyloma of pathologic myopia.", "content": "A total of 250 myopic patients with posterior staphyloma affecting one or both eyes received a complete ocular examination including binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, refraction, and axial length measurement. Ten types of staphyloma were noted; five primary and five compound. The primary staphyloma involved the posterior pole (Type I), macular area (Type II), peripapillary area (Type III), the fundus nasal to the disc (Type IV) and the area below the disc (Type V). Compound staphylomas consisted of combined primary staphylomas or distinctive and complex variations of a primary staphyloma, usually Type I. This type also was found to have the greatest prevalence of all ten types. Patients in this group had a 19% incidence of legal blindness with 34.5% of staphylomatous eyes having a vision of 20/200 or less. A remarkably wide range of refractions and axial lengths were found for each staphyloma type. These results indicate the importance of the staphyloma in the diagnosis and prognosis of pathologic myopia. It also offers an improved basis for genetic studies of this disease.", "contents": "The posterior staphyloma of pathologic myopia. A total of 250 myopic patients with posterior staphyloma affecting one or both eyes received a complete ocular examination including binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, refraction, and axial length measurement. Ten types of staphyloma were noted; five primary and five compound. The primary staphyloma involved the posterior pole (Type I), macular area (Type II), peripapillary area (Type III), the fundus nasal to the disc (Type IV) and the area below the disc (Type V). Compound staphylomas consisted of combined primary staphylomas or distinctive and complex variations of a primary staphyloma, usually Type I. This type also was found to have the greatest prevalence of all ten types. Patients in this group had a 19% incidence of legal blindness with 34.5% of staphylomatous eyes having a vision of 20/200 or less. A remarkably wide range of refractions and axial lengths were found for each staphyloma type. These results indicate the importance of the staphyloma in the diagnosis and prognosis of pathologic myopia. It also offers an improved basis for genetic studies of this disease.", "PMID": 613534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_867", "title": "Clinical aspects of the visually evoked potential.", "content": "The visually evoked potential (VEP) was studied in normal and abnormal human subjects, and in Rhesus monkeys with central, paracentral, and peripheral photocoagulation lesions. A relatively simple protocol for clinical VEP testing is described. The monkeys showed similar VEP responses but these were smaller in amplitude than those obtained from human subjects. Central, but not paracentral or peripheral retinal lesions were associated with VEP abnormalities. For both monkey and human subjects, some variability of responses between normal and subjects was noted. Generally, there are differences in VEP responses obtained from the affected eye of abnormal subjects who had one eye which could serve as a control, as compared to responses from the normal eye. In these subjects as well as in subjects with two abnormal eyes, computer analysis of digitized VEP data from 10 Hz stimulus responses was performed. Fourier transformation analyses showed abnormalities which could be detected easily by evaluating the pattern of the amplitudes of the fundamental and first three harmonics. With this technique, it was possible to group correctly normal VEP's with eyes with normal visual acuity (greater than or equal to 20/30 or 0.67), and abnormal VEP's with eyes with poor visual acuity (less than 20/30 or 0.67) in 72% of cases. Analysis of the data obtained with 1 Hz and 10 Hz stimulation suggests that the components of the VEP related to visual acuity occur within the first 60-100 msec of the response, corresponding to the primary evoked response of Chiganek. The second, smaller wave of the response complex to 10 Hz flash stimuli corresponds to the primary evoked response, and is closely related to visual acuity. This was further supported in another series in which the digitized data was filtered around the stimulating frequency. It was possible to recognize visually this VEP waveform and subjectively interpret the record correctly in 85% of eyes with regard to visual acuity. Therefore, the clinician can \"read\" the VEP record in response to nonpatterned flash stimuli. This test was further validated in a series of patients with opacities of the ocular media, such as cataract, corneal scarring, and vitreous hemorrhage. VEP promises to become a procedure of diagnostic and prognostic value in ophthalmology.", "contents": "Clinical aspects of the visually evoked potential. The visually evoked potential (VEP) was studied in normal and abnormal human subjects, and in Rhesus monkeys with central, paracentral, and peripheral photocoagulation lesions. A relatively simple protocol for clinical VEP testing is described. The monkeys showed similar VEP responses but these were smaller in amplitude than those obtained from human subjects. Central, but not paracentral or peripheral retinal lesions were associated with VEP abnormalities. For both monkey and human subjects, some variability of responses between normal and subjects was noted. Generally, there are differences in VEP responses obtained from the affected eye of abnormal subjects who had one eye which could serve as a control, as compared to responses from the normal eye. In these subjects as well as in subjects with two abnormal eyes, computer analysis of digitized VEP data from 10 Hz stimulus responses was performed. Fourier transformation analyses showed abnormalities which could be detected easily by evaluating the pattern of the amplitudes of the fundamental and first three harmonics. With this technique, it was possible to group correctly normal VEP's with eyes with normal visual acuity (greater than or equal to 20/30 or 0.67), and abnormal VEP's with eyes with poor visual acuity (less than 20/30 or 0.67) in 72% of cases. Analysis of the data obtained with 1 Hz and 10 Hz stimulation suggests that the components of the VEP related to visual acuity occur within the first 60-100 msec of the response, corresponding to the primary evoked response of Chiganek. The second, smaller wave of the response complex to 10 Hz flash stimuli corresponds to the primary evoked response, and is closely related to visual acuity. This was further supported in another series in which the digitized data was filtered around the stimulating frequency. It was possible to recognize visually this VEP waveform and subjectively interpret the record correctly in 85% of eyes with regard to visual acuity. Therefore, the clinician can \"read\" the VEP record in response to nonpatterned flash stimuli. This test was further validated in a series of patients with opacities of the ocular media, such as cataract, corneal scarring, and vitreous hemorrhage. VEP promises to become a procedure of diagnostic and prognostic value in ophthalmology.", "PMID": 613533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_868", "title": "Graded treadmill stress testing. Patterns of physician use and abuse.", "content": "Treadmill stress testing is used in assessing the condition of patients with known or suspected heart disease. We did a prospective study to clarify physician ordering and integration of the test. Ordering criteria were always complied with, although most tests were ordered for evaluation of atypical chest pain and only a few for high risk patients with known cardiac dysfunction, indicating a misplaced emphasis on the diagnostic capabilities of the test. Tests in patients with atypical chest pain and stress-induced ischemic changes were always integrated, but in 30 percent of patients with atypical pain and no stress-induced electrocardiographic changes, the tests were not used in patient management. This was often due to the misconception that negative findings on a stress test excluded coronary disease. Physicians should be alerted to this misplaced emphasis and misconception.", "contents": "Graded treadmill stress testing. Patterns of physician use and abuse. Treadmill stress testing is used in assessing the condition of patients with known or suspected heart disease. We did a prospective study to clarify physician ordering and integration of the test. Ordering criteria were always complied with, although most tests were ordered for evaluation of atypical chest pain and only a few for high risk patients with known cardiac dysfunction, indicating a misplaced emphasis on the diagnostic capabilities of the test. Tests in patients with atypical chest pain and stress-induced ischemic changes were always integrated, but in 30 percent of patients with atypical pain and no stress-induced electrocardiographic changes, the tests were not used in patient management. This was often due to the misconception that negative findings on a stress test excluded coronary disease. Physicians should be alerted to this misplaced emphasis and misconception.", "PMID": 613535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_869", "title": "Severe iron deficiency anemia.", "content": "Severe iron deficiency anemia remains a continuing major health hazard among inner city children in Los Angeles. Over a 24-month period, 60 children in whom hemoglobin values were below 7 grams per dl were admitted to hospital; 11 (18 percent) of them were in overt congestive heart failure. Contrary to the popular conceptions, two thirds of the anemic children were undernourished, approximating the 16th percentile for weight on the Iowa growth chart, and the frequency of premature birth was not greater than in the general population. There were no deaths in this series. A management protocol which included partial exchange transfusion of children in congestive heart failure and supportive transfusion for children with hemoglobin levels below 5 grams per dl was employed.", "contents": "Severe iron deficiency anemia. Severe iron deficiency anemia remains a continuing major health hazard among inner city children in Los Angeles. Over a 24-month period, 60 children in whom hemoglobin values were below 7 grams per dl were admitted to hospital; 11 (18 percent) of them were in overt congestive heart failure. Contrary to the popular conceptions, two thirds of the anemic children were undernourished, approximating the 16th percentile for weight on the Iowa growth chart, and the frequency of premature birth was not greater than in the general population. There were no deaths in this series. A management protocol which included partial exchange transfusion of children in congestive heart failure and supportive transfusion for children with hemoglobin levels below 5 grams per dl was employed.", "PMID": 613536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_870", "title": "Sexual therapy of patients with cardiovascular disease.", "content": "Physical illness or disability inevitably has a damaging effect on sexual relationships. Physicians are usually unaware of the sexual consequences of illness on their patients, and lack experience in treating sexual dysfunctions. The report of treatment of a couple with serious cardiovascular disease illustrates the potential efficacy of brief sex therapy for improving the quality of a patient's life. If a primary physician lacks the skills to conduct sex therapy, he may collaborate with nonphysician therapists. The physician's knowledge of the physiological and psychological effects of a specific illness on his patient is essential to successful therapy. Often, simple education, encouragement or reassurance by the physician is enough to overcome the damaging effects of illness on a patient's sex life.", "contents": "Sexual therapy of patients with cardiovascular disease. Physical illness or disability inevitably has a damaging effect on sexual relationships. Physicians are usually unaware of the sexual consequences of illness on their patients, and lack experience in treating sexual dysfunctions. The report of treatment of a couple with serious cardiovascular disease illustrates the potential efficacy of brief sex therapy for improving the quality of a patient's life. If a primary physician lacks the skills to conduct sex therapy, he may collaborate with nonphysician therapists. The physician's knowledge of the physiological and psychological effects of a specific illness on his patient is essential to successful therapy. Often, simple education, encouragement or reassurance by the physician is enough to overcome the damaging effects of illness on a patient's sex life.", "PMID": 613543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_871", "title": "[The value of sputum cytodiagnosis as a screening method for lung cancer detection--results of a study (author's transl)].", "content": "In the course of a screening program for lung cancer detection which has been going on for several years, 2432 male risk persons, aged 42-67, were examined cytologically in 1974 and 1975. The annual rate of incidence of lung cancer in this population is unknown. We estimate it at 3-4%. From two sputa of each patient we screened one specimen. 24.7% of the sputa were unsatisfactory. In the remaining preparations there were neither tumor cells nor cells suspicious for cancer. This result is discussed in view of the experiences of other authors, that the sensitivity of cytological screening for lung cancer is 33-38%. Recommendations are given for increasing the number of detected cases.", "contents": "[The value of sputum cytodiagnosis as a screening method for lung cancer detection--results of a study (author's transl)]. In the course of a screening program for lung cancer detection which has been going on for several years, 2432 male risk persons, aged 42-67, were examined cytologically in 1974 and 1975. The annual rate of incidence of lung cancer in this population is unknown. We estimate it at 3-4%. From two sputa of each patient we screened one specimen. 24.7% of the sputa were unsatisfactory. In the remaining preparations there were neither tumor cells nor cells suspicious for cancer. This result is discussed in view of the experiences of other authors, that the sensitivity of cytological screening for lung cancer is 33-38%. Recommendations are given for increasing the number of detected cases.", "PMID": 613545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_872", "title": "[Evaluation of a bronchopulmonal screening program for the aims of occupational health in workers exposed to cement dust (author's transl)].", "content": "180 workers exposed to cement dust were examined in a bronchopulmonal screening including standardized history, clinical examination, spirometry and bronchial reactivity testing. The program proved to be suitable. The time needed for each person was 45 minutes. The workers have been selected in such a manner that the informational value of the methods of lung functional diagnostic could be verified in workers exposed to dust before manifestation of lung diseases. In view of individual diagnosis and rehabilitation bronchial reactivity tests lead to valuable information in workers exposed to cement dust. In the other hand no higher frequency of bronchial hyperreactivity in workers without lung diseases and exposed to dust could be proved. The rates of decrease of FEV1 after inhalation of acetylcholine, however, revealed a positive correlation to the duration of exposure.", "contents": "[Evaluation of a bronchopulmonal screening program for the aims of occupational health in workers exposed to cement dust (author's transl)]. 180 workers exposed to cement dust were examined in a bronchopulmonal screening including standardized history, clinical examination, spirometry and bronchial reactivity testing. The program proved to be suitable. The time needed for each person was 45 minutes. The workers have been selected in such a manner that the informational value of the methods of lung functional diagnostic could be verified in workers exposed to dust before manifestation of lung diseases. In view of individual diagnosis and rehabilitation bronchial reactivity tests lead to valuable information in workers exposed to cement dust. In the other hand no higher frequency of bronchial hyperreactivity in workers without lung diseases and exposed to dust could be proved. The rates of decrease of FEV1 after inhalation of acetylcholine, however, revealed a positive correlation to the duration of exposure.", "PMID": 613547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_873", "title": "[Impairments of co2-gas-exchange during the provocative inhalation in children with bronchial asthma (author's transl)].", "content": "Report on the investigation of CO2-Gas-exchange during provocative inhalation tests in children suffering from bronchial asthma. An increased difference in CO2-gradients by increase of PVCO2 and decrease of PACO2 was found. The values of Pco2a are unchanged. The capnography seems to be useful in continious monitoring of obstructive ventilation disorders during provocative inhalation tests, especially in children.", "contents": "[Impairments of co2-gas-exchange during the provocative inhalation in children with bronchial asthma (author's transl)]. Report on the investigation of CO2-Gas-exchange during provocative inhalation tests in children suffering from bronchial asthma. An increased difference in CO2-gradients by increase of PVCO2 and decrease of PACO2 was found. The values of Pco2a are unchanged. The capnography seems to be useful in continious monitoring of obstructive ventilation disorders during provocative inhalation tests, especially in children.", "PMID": 613548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_874", "title": "[Significance of contemporary methods of lung function testing for the detection of airway obstruction in children and adolescents (author's transl)].", "content": "In the article we outlined the basic principles of some recent methods of lung function testing, suitable for the assessment of airway obstruction in children and adolescents. There is also a brief description of various methods, normal values expressed in a form of regression equations, significance of different methods for the assessment of airway obstruction in patients with respiratory diseases and in children from a region with increased levels of air pollution. Among the various functional indices we found the most sensitive for the assessment of airway obstruction maximum expiratory flow rates measured at lower lung volume levels. Airway conductance appeared as the most sensitive method for the evaluation of bronchodilation following inhalation of some drugs. The measurements of airway conductance in a body plethysmography during normal quiet breathing and of maximum expiratory flow rates from flow-volume curves represent the basic methods for the detection of airway obstruction, i.e. in the larger central airways, and in the peripheral airways respectively.", "contents": "[Significance of contemporary methods of lung function testing for the detection of airway obstruction in children and adolescents (author's transl)]. In the article we outlined the basic principles of some recent methods of lung function testing, suitable for the assessment of airway obstruction in children and adolescents. There is also a brief description of various methods, normal values expressed in a form of regression equations, significance of different methods for the assessment of airway obstruction in patients with respiratory diseases and in children from a region with increased levels of air pollution. Among the various functional indices we found the most sensitive for the assessment of airway obstruction maximum expiratory flow rates measured at lower lung volume levels. Airway conductance appeared as the most sensitive method for the evaluation of bronchodilation following inhalation of some drugs. The measurements of airway conductance in a body plethysmography during normal quiet breathing and of maximum expiratory flow rates from flow-volume curves represent the basic methods for the detection of airway obstruction, i.e. in the larger central airways, and in the peripheral airways respectively.", "PMID": 613549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_875", "title": "[Investigations on the stability of droplets from medical jet and ultrasound aerosol atomizers (author's transl)].", "content": "The droplet size distribution of aerosols is not only determined by the process of aerosol production. After generation of an aerosol its spectrum undergoes very rapid changes due to vaporization and condensation process, that result in a spectrum depending on type and concentration of the used medicament and the partial pressure of water vapour in the vicinity of the droplets. The resulting spectrum is measured and calculated.", "contents": "[Investigations on the stability of droplets from medical jet and ultrasound aerosol atomizers (author's transl)]. The droplet size distribution of aerosols is not only determined by the process of aerosol production. After generation of an aerosol its spectrum undergoes very rapid changes due to vaporization and condensation process, that result in a spectrum depending on type and concentration of the used medicament and the partial pressure of water vapour in the vicinity of the droplets. The resulting spectrum is measured and calculated.", "PMID": 613550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_876", "title": "[The stratified tuberculoma caused by Mycobacterium kansasii with cavitation (author's transl)].", "content": "Report on a 39 years old female textile worker with an acute cavity. M. kansasii was repeatedly isolated by cultivation from the sputum. The patient became negative by treatment with INH, SM, PAS, Ethionamide, but the cavity persisted. Therefore seven months after the onset of the disease the left upper lobe was resected. A colliquative Stratified tuberculoma and some lesions of caseated bronchitis and peribronchitis were found in the neigh bourhood. Clusters and microcolonies of M. kansasii could be observed as well in the wall of the cavity as in the centre of caseated bronchial lesions. The mycobacteria had a characteristic shabe of long segmentated rods. All about the microcolonies situated in the lumina of small bronchi and bronchioli caseated lesions were present, surrounded by specific granular tissue consisting of epithelial cells, some Langhans giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrocytes. The alterations caused by M. kansasii did not differ from those lesions caused by M. tuberculosis (human.) formerly described as stratified tuberculoma and caseated bronchial lesions with mycobacteria centrally located.", "contents": "[The stratified tuberculoma caused by Mycobacterium kansasii with cavitation (author's transl)]. Report on a 39 years old female textile worker with an acute cavity. M. kansasii was repeatedly isolated by cultivation from the sputum. The patient became negative by treatment with INH, SM, PAS, Ethionamide, but the cavity persisted. Therefore seven months after the onset of the disease the left upper lobe was resected. A colliquative Stratified tuberculoma and some lesions of caseated bronchitis and peribronchitis were found in the neigh bourhood. Clusters and microcolonies of M. kansasii could be observed as well in the wall of the cavity as in the centre of caseated bronchial lesions. The mycobacteria had a characteristic shabe of long segmentated rods. All about the microcolonies situated in the lumina of small bronchi and bronchioli caseated lesions were present, surrounded by specific granular tissue consisting of epithelial cells, some Langhans giant cells, lymphocytes and fibrocytes. The alterations caused by M. kansasii did not differ from those lesions caused by M. tuberculosis (human.) formerly described as stratified tuberculoma and caseated bronchial lesions with mycobacteria centrally located.", "PMID": 613551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_877", "title": "Parenteral treatment of sarcoidosis with triamcinolone.", "content": "The parenteral use of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort A) is said to have the following advantages: to keep the effect for two weeks by one injection, to be able to reduce the total treatment dosage and to secure the dosage regardless of patients cooperation. From these reasons, a trial of the Kenacort A treatment was made for 40 cases with sarcoidosis by 7 times of intramuscular injection at two-week intervals: 80 mg each at the 1st and 2nd and 40 mg at the 3rd to 7th. The results were compared with the already reported double blind trial using the oral initial dosage of 30 mg of prednisolone followed by a a reduced dosage for a period of 6 months. This paper will give an interim report of the 4 month follow-up after the ceasation of treatment. The results showed: 1. the disappearance rate of chest findings, either BHL or parenchymal pulmonary lesions, was higher in this trial than the above-mentioned oral treatment, 2. the high rate of improvement was found in ocular lesion, and 3. side effects were less in this trial than the oral treatment.", "contents": "Parenteral treatment of sarcoidosis with triamcinolone. The parenteral use of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort A) is said to have the following advantages: to keep the effect for two weeks by one injection, to be able to reduce the total treatment dosage and to secure the dosage regardless of patients cooperation. From these reasons, a trial of the Kenacort A treatment was made for 40 cases with sarcoidosis by 7 times of intramuscular injection at two-week intervals: 80 mg each at the 1st and 2nd and 40 mg at the 3rd to 7th. The results were compared with the already reported double blind trial using the oral initial dosage of 30 mg of prednisolone followed by a a reduced dosage for a period of 6 months. This paper will give an interim report of the 4 month follow-up after the ceasation of treatment. The results showed: 1. the disappearance rate of chest findings, either BHL or parenchymal pulmonary lesions, was higher in this trial than the above-mentioned oral treatment, 2. the high rate of improvement was found in ocular lesion, and 3. side effects were less in this trial than the oral treatment.", "PMID": 613552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_878", "title": "Modification of human platelet behaviour in diabetes.", "content": "Among the different factors which could be responsible for the retinal vascular disturbances in diabetic retinopathy, we have investigated platelet populations, sialic acid content of platelets and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The following results were obtained: a) there was no modification of platelet population distribution except for population A; b) there was a modification of collagen-induced platelet aggregation; the lag time was increased in diabetics.", "contents": "Modification of human platelet behaviour in diabetes. Among the different factors which could be responsible for the retinal vascular disturbances in diabetic retinopathy, we have investigated platelet populations, sialic acid content of platelets and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The following results were obtained: a) there was no modification of platelet population distribution except for population A; b) there was a modification of collagen-induced platelet aggregation; the lag time was increased in diabetics.", "PMID": 613684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_879", "title": "Congenital malformations in diabetic offspring.", "content": "A retrospective study of 215 deliveries in diabetic mothers at Hospital de Cl\u00ednicas (Montevideo, Uruguay) has been performed. Presence of congenital malformations (CM) was considered in relation to age of the mothers, class of maternal diabetes, maternal angiopathy, treatment and metabolic control. The prevalence of CM in the series was 9.8%. None of the factors analyzed seems to be statistically linked to the prevalence of CM.", "contents": "Congenital malformations in diabetic offspring. A retrospective study of 215 deliveries in diabetic mothers at Hospital de Cl\u00ednicas (Montevideo, Uruguay) has been performed. Presence of congenital malformations (CM) was considered in relation to age of the mothers, class of maternal diabetes, maternal angiopathy, treatment and metabolic control. The prevalence of CM in the series was 9.8%. None of the factors analyzed seems to be statistically linked to the prevalence of CM.", "PMID": 613685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_880", "title": "Some genetic problems in physical growth and development. A longitudinal study on children aged 0--7 years.", "content": "Aiming at determining the influence of some genetic factors on growth and development, a longitudinal study of 180 children (90 M and 90 F) from the city of Lublin was carried out, with periodical medical examinations and anthropometric measurements from birth to 7 years of age. The parents of each child were also examined. The correlation coefficients between parents and children show that, as regards height, the greatest similarity occurs between mothers and daughters, and a lesser one between fathers and sons. As regards weight, sons are more similar to fathers than daughters to mothers. The relationship between the growth and development of children and the mating type of parents, parental age, and birth order, was also investigated. In negative assortative mating, the children are taller than the children of middle-height parents from positive assortative mating couples. Children (especially daughters) of tall mothers and short fathers grow taller than children of tall fathers and short mothers. Finally, the dependence of growth on parental age and birth order was analysed and the conclusions reached were quite interesting.", "contents": "Some genetic problems in physical growth and development. A longitudinal study on children aged 0--7 years. Aiming at determining the influence of some genetic factors on growth and development, a longitudinal study of 180 children (90 M and 90 F) from the city of Lublin was carried out, with periodical medical examinations and anthropometric measurements from birth to 7 years of age. The parents of each child were also examined. The correlation coefficients between parents and children show that, as regards height, the greatest similarity occurs between mothers and daughters, and a lesser one between fathers and sons. As regards weight, sons are more similar to fathers than daughters to mothers. The relationship between the growth and development of children and the mating type of parents, parental age, and birth order, was also investigated. In negative assortative mating, the children are taller than the children of middle-height parents from positive assortative mating couples. Children (especially daughters) of tall mothers and short fathers grow taller than children of tall fathers and short mothers. Finally, the dependence of growth on parental age and birth order was analysed and the conclusions reached were quite interesting.", "PMID": 613690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_881", "title": "Prevalence of diabetes among glycosuric individuals in an urban area of Greece.", "content": "Epidemiologic data on the frequency of diabetes in the urban Greek population were lacking in Greece. Postpranadial urine samples of 21,410 inhabitants of a subturb of Athens were examined for glycosuria by two different enzymatic methods. It was found that 569 persons, i.e. 3.20% of the whole population aged 10 or more, presented postprandial glycosuria (cases of previously known diabetes were excluded); 417 persons out of these were submitted to an OGTT (50 g) and 135 new cases of diabetes were discovered. Glycosuria was associated with diabetes mostly in the age-groups above 40. Obesity was frequent among the newly discovered diabetes. Two thirds had abnormal blood sugar levels already in the fasting condition. The prevalence of non-diabetic glycosuria was 2.70% in males and 1.60% in females. The frequency of a family history positive for diabetes was found to be approximately twice as high in diabetics compared to subjects without glycosuria.", "contents": "Prevalence of diabetes among glycosuric individuals in an urban area of Greece. Epidemiologic data on the frequency of diabetes in the urban Greek population were lacking in Greece. Postpranadial urine samples of 21,410 inhabitants of a subturb of Athens were examined for glycosuria by two different enzymatic methods. It was found that 569 persons, i.e. 3.20% of the whole population aged 10 or more, presented postprandial glycosuria (cases of previously known diabetes were excluded); 417 persons out of these were submitted to an OGTT (50 g) and 135 new cases of diabetes were discovered. Glycosuria was associated with diabetes mostly in the age-groups above 40. Obesity was frequent among the newly discovered diabetes. Two thirds had abnormal blood sugar levels already in the fasting condition. The prevalence of non-diabetic glycosuria was 2.70% in males and 1.60% in females. The frequency of a family history positive for diabetes was found to be approximately twice as high in diabetics compared to subjects without glycosuria.", "PMID": 613686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_882", "title": "Malformations of the umbilical cord.", "content": "In 184 autopsies of death newborns, stillborn infants and aborted fetuses (mostly with congenital malformations), 57 (30.98%) umbilical cord anomalies were discovered (38 M and 19 F): 19 cases with knots (10.32%), 17 with arterial agenesis (9.2%), 8 with focal fibrosis of Wharton's jelly (4.34%), 7 with varices and thrombosis (3.8%), and 6 (3.25%) with other anomalies. Thirtyone of the fetuses were born from first pregnancy, 32 were stillborn and 26 premature.", "contents": "Malformations of the umbilical cord. In 184 autopsies of death newborns, stillborn infants and aborted fetuses (mostly with congenital malformations), 57 (30.98%) umbilical cord anomalies were discovered (38 M and 19 F): 19 cases with knots (10.32%), 17 with arterial agenesis (9.2%), 8 with focal fibrosis of Wharton's jelly (4.34%), 7 with varices and thrombosis (3.8%), and 6 (3.25%) with other anomalies. Thirtyone of the fetuses were born from first pregnancy, 32 were stillborn and 26 premature.", "PMID": 613691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_883", "title": "Diabetes prevalence in patients with bradycardiac arrhythmias.", "content": "The prevalence of diabetes was investigated in 473 patients who had been fitted with pacemakers because of severe bradycardiac arrhythmia. Irrespective of the type of arrhythmia, 36.1% of the male and 45.5% of the female patients exhibited overt diabetes. The metabolic disorder was known in about half (55%) of the cases; average duration of known diabetes in these patients was 7.1 years (0.5-23 years). The more frequent occurence of diabetes in women was attributed to the frequency of overweight (twice as high) in this group. Only one fifth of the male and one tenth of the female patients had myocardial infarction as a sign of manifest coronary arteriosclerosis. The 6 to 10 times higher diabetes prevalence of pacemaker patients compared to the general population of corresponding age may indicate ischemic damage to the conduction system caused by diabetes-specific vascular changes.", "contents": "Diabetes prevalence in patients with bradycardiac arrhythmias. The prevalence of diabetes was investigated in 473 patients who had been fitted with pacemakers because of severe bradycardiac arrhythmia. Irrespective of the type of arrhythmia, 36.1% of the male and 45.5% of the female patients exhibited overt diabetes. The metabolic disorder was known in about half (55%) of the cases; average duration of known diabetes in these patients was 7.1 years (0.5-23 years). The more frequent occurence of diabetes in women was attributed to the frequency of overweight (twice as high) in this group. Only one fifth of the male and one tenth of the female patients had myocardial infarction as a sign of manifest coronary arteriosclerosis. The 6 to 10 times higher diabetes prevalence of pacemaker patients compared to the general population of corresponding age may indicate ischemic damage to the conduction system caused by diabetes-specific vascular changes.", "PMID": 613687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_884", "title": "Glucose intolerance in uremia (A- and B-cell function during conservative and dialytic management.", "content": "Glucose tolerance and insulin and glucagon secretion were investigated in two groups of uremic patients, respectively on conservative and hemodialytic treatment. For this purpose, a glucose infusion was performed in the fasting state. Glucose intolerance was observed in uremic patients; hemodialysis improved, but did not normalize the glucose disposal. In uremic patients both on conservative and dialytic treatment plasma insulin and glucagon levels were higher than in the control group; the pattern of glucagon suppression was well maintained. The data obtained suggest that glucose intolerance in uremia is related mainly to peripheral insulin resistance and is not due to hyperglucagonemia.", "contents": "Glucose intolerance in uremia (A- and B-cell function during conservative and dialytic management. Glucose tolerance and insulin and glucagon secretion were investigated in two groups of uremic patients, respectively on conservative and hemodialytic treatment. For this purpose, a glucose infusion was performed in the fasting state. Glucose intolerance was observed in uremic patients; hemodialysis improved, but did not normalize the glucose disposal. In uremic patients both on conservative and dialytic treatment plasma insulin and glucagon levels were higher than in the control group; the pattern of glucagon suppression was well maintained. The data obtained suggest that glucose intolerance in uremia is related mainly to peripheral insulin resistance and is not due to hyperglucagonemia.", "PMID": 613688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_885", "title": "Duplication deficiency of an X-chromosome with and without 45,X mosaicism in three girls. Cytogenetic, clinical, and hormonal findings.", "content": "In three girls, aged 14, 15 and 16 years, the chromosome analysis revealed a morphologically abnormal, enlarged X-chromosome resembling in size and centromere position the chromosome no. 2. The translocation points were different in all three cases. The Barr-bodies were enlarged. In two girls a 45,X mosaicism (25% and 10%) was found in lymphocyte cultures. The length at birth was 43, 47 and 48 cm, and none of the girls was born before term. The main clinical abnormalities in all three cases were a marked growth retardation, slight morphological dysplasias, lack of sexual development and social immaturity. GH and cortisol secretion during an insulin tolerance test were normal. LH and FSH were elevated and showed an exaggerated reaction on LH-RH. Oestrogens were low normal and androgens within the normal range. At laparatomy the gonads were found to be streak gonads. For two girls cell cultures of gonadal tissue were set up, the chromosome findings of which corresponded to those of the lymphocyte cultures. The abnormality of the gonosomes reported here seems to represent a special form of gonadal dysgenesis. Although the translocation points were different in the three patients and one had no mosaic, while the other two showed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism, the clinical and hormonal findings were nearly the same for all three girls.", "contents": "Duplication deficiency of an X-chromosome with and without 45,X mosaicism in three girls. Cytogenetic, clinical, and hormonal findings. In three girls, aged 14, 15 and 16 years, the chromosome analysis revealed a morphologically abnormal, enlarged X-chromosome resembling in size and centromere position the chromosome no. 2. The translocation points were different in all three cases. The Barr-bodies were enlarged. In two girls a 45,X mosaicism (25% and 10%) was found in lymphocyte cultures. The length at birth was 43, 47 and 48 cm, and none of the girls was born before term. The main clinical abnormalities in all three cases were a marked growth retardation, slight morphological dysplasias, lack of sexual development and social immaturity. GH and cortisol secretion during an insulin tolerance test were normal. LH and FSH were elevated and showed an exaggerated reaction on LH-RH. Oestrogens were low normal and androgens within the normal range. At laparatomy the gonads were found to be streak gonads. For two girls cell cultures of gonadal tissue were set up, the chromosome findings of which corresponded to those of the lymphocyte cultures. The abnormality of the gonosomes reported here seems to represent a special form of gonadal dysgenesis. Although the translocation points were different in the three patients and one had no mosaic, while the other two showed 45,X/46,XX mosaicism, the clinical and hormonal findings were nearly the same for all three girls.", "PMID": 613693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_886", "title": "Palmar creases and diseases: cancer and tuberculosis.", "content": "The palmar flexion creases of fully diagnosed patients of throat cancer (n = 120) and tuberculosis (n = 80) have been compared with a control group (n = 150) of the same stock. The palmar flexion creases of cancer and tuberculosis patients are significantly different from those of the control population.", "contents": "Palmar creases and diseases: cancer and tuberculosis. The palmar flexion creases of fully diagnosed patients of throat cancer (n = 120) and tuberculosis (n = 80) have been compared with a control group (n = 150) of the same stock. The palmar flexion creases of cancer and tuberculosis patients are significantly different from those of the control population.", "PMID": 613696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_887", "title": "ABO blood groups and chicken pox in an Indian population.", "content": "ABO blood groups have been examined in a sample of 400 chicken-pox patients and their 383 unaffected siblings from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Subjects of blood group A (and possibly AB) would appear to have a somewhat higher risk than persons with group B and O to develop chicken pox.", "contents": "ABO blood groups and chicken pox in an Indian population. ABO blood groups have been examined in a sample of 400 chicken-pox patients and their 383 unaffected siblings from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Subjects of blood group A (and possibly AB) would appear to have a somewhat higher risk than persons with group B and O to develop chicken pox.", "PMID": 613697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_888", "title": "Haptoglobin polymorphism in the Ladakhi population.", "content": "Haptoglobin polymorphism has been studied in 148 Ladakhis -- a Mongoloid population inhabiting the northern-most region of India. With a frequency of 0.270 for the allele Hp1 the Ladakhis compare favourably with other Mongoloid populations.", "contents": "Haptoglobin polymorphism in the Ladakhi population. Haptoglobin polymorphism has been studied in 148 Ladakhis -- a Mongoloid population inhabiting the northern-most region of India. With a frequency of 0.270 for the allele Hp1 the Ladakhis compare favourably with other Mongoloid populations.", "PMID": 613698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_889", "title": "[Effect of furosemide on venous capacity in anuric or binephrectomized patients].", "content": "Several reports about an extrarenal effect of Furosemide, consisting in venodilatation and venous pooling have been published during the last years. Some authors however deny any extrarenal effect. Changes in venous capacity of the leg were measured before and after Furosemide administration in anuric and binephrectomized patients, using the technique of occlusive rheography. According to the augmented venous pooling, all patients showed a significant decrease of venous capacity after Furosemide. This effect is certainly extrarenal.", "contents": "[Effect of furosemide on venous capacity in anuric or binephrectomized patients]. Several reports about an extrarenal effect of Furosemide, consisting in venodilatation and venous pooling have been published during the last years. Some authors however deny any extrarenal effect. Changes in venous capacity of the leg were measured before and after Furosemide administration in anuric and binephrectomized patients, using the technique of occlusive rheography. According to the augmented venous pooling, all patients showed a significant decrease of venous capacity after Furosemide. This effect is certainly extrarenal.", "PMID": 613699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_890", "title": "[Extracorporeal uric clearance for the demonstration of in vivo bound uric acid].", "content": "Although numerous in vitro experiments demonstrated a variable degree of urate bound to human serum albumin and other macromolecules of human plasma, only few data are available on in vivo bound urate. Extracorporal clearances of uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorus were performed at the beginning, the midtime and the end of 10 hours of hemodialysis. A continuous decrease of uric acid clearance was observed in ratio with the capacity of the artificial kidney used. In contrast to uric acid the clearances of urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorus remained constant during the time of dialysis. From the fall of uric acid clearance, the authors conclude a partial binding of uric acid in human plasma.", "contents": "[Extracorporeal uric clearance for the demonstration of in vivo bound uric acid]. Although numerous in vitro experiments demonstrated a variable degree of urate bound to human serum albumin and other macromolecules of human plasma, only few data are available on in vivo bound urate. Extracorporal clearances of uric acid, urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorus were performed at the beginning, the midtime and the end of 10 hours of hemodialysis. A continuous decrease of uric acid clearance was observed in ratio with the capacity of the artificial kidney used. In contrast to uric acid the clearances of urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorus remained constant during the time of dialysis. From the fall of uric acid clearance, the authors conclude a partial binding of uric acid in human plasma.", "PMID": 613700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_891", "title": "[The differential diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema from mutually supplemental functional and radiographic criteria].", "content": "In a retrospective study in 91 patients an attempt was made to differentiate the primary and/or predominating disorder \"emphysema\" or/and \"chronic bronchitis\" by independent evaluation of a number of X-ray signs and lung function criteria in routine diagnosis. Good congruency of the diagnosis from these two different aspects, could be established. Patients with 3 or more X-ray signs of emphysema were found to have larger lung volume and smaller diffusing capacities than those without. Vice versa, patients with functional diagnosis of predominant emphysema more often showed the full X-ray pattern of emphysema, than those with predominant \"chronic bronchitis\". In either method of diagnostic procedure, the occurence of the \"small heart of emphysema\" was obviously much more frequent in patients believed to have predominant or primary emphysema. Assessment of X-ray signs of changes of the lesser circulation can be obtained in a stage of the disease, when structural changes have become irreversible. Considering the different pathophysiologic pattern of predominant panacinar emphysema, the destruction of alveolar walls and, consequently of the capillary bed, is more likely to reduce DCO as well as cardiac output before pulmonary hypertension can develop. The X-ray signs resulting from this effect on the lesser circulation, exist in widened right hilar branch and abrupt narrowing of peripheral vessels, with a small heart and lack of prominence of the pulmonary trunk. In chronic bronchitis, however, signs of pulmonary hypertension are expected to occur early in the disease. The relevance of the X-ray changes of the heart size and the pulmonary circulation in both types of lung disease, could be confirmed by lung function data.", "contents": "[The differential diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema from mutually supplemental functional and radiographic criteria]. In a retrospective study in 91 patients an attempt was made to differentiate the primary and/or predominating disorder \"emphysema\" or/and \"chronic bronchitis\" by independent evaluation of a number of X-ray signs and lung function criteria in routine diagnosis. Good congruency of the diagnosis from these two different aspects, could be established. Patients with 3 or more X-ray signs of emphysema were found to have larger lung volume and smaller diffusing capacities than those without. Vice versa, patients with functional diagnosis of predominant emphysema more often showed the full X-ray pattern of emphysema, than those with predominant \"chronic bronchitis\". In either method of diagnostic procedure, the occurence of the \"small heart of emphysema\" was obviously much more frequent in patients believed to have predominant or primary emphysema. Assessment of X-ray signs of changes of the lesser circulation can be obtained in a stage of the disease, when structural changes have become irreversible. Considering the different pathophysiologic pattern of predominant panacinar emphysema, the destruction of alveolar walls and, consequently of the capillary bed, is more likely to reduce DCO as well as cardiac output before pulmonary hypertension can develop. The X-ray signs resulting from this effect on the lesser circulation, exist in widened right hilar branch and abrupt narrowing of peripheral vessels, with a small heart and lack of prominence of the pulmonary trunk. In chronic bronchitis, however, signs of pulmonary hypertension are expected to occur early in the disease. The relevance of the X-ray changes of the heart size and the pulmonary circulation in both types of lung disease, could be confirmed by lung function data.", "PMID": 613701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_892", "title": "[Thyroxine in an amount of 150 micrograms daily for the prevention of the recurrence of goiter].", "content": "24 patients, who had undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy, were given 150 micrograms thyroxine daily for 6 weeks for prevention of goiter recurrency. 14 patients had been included in an earlier reported study using 75 micrograms thyroxine daily. Prior to this trial 10 patients had 100 micrograms thyroxine daily; the 14 above mentioned patients had had no therapy for 4 weeks. A significant decrease of the TSH response to TRH is observed when compared with the prestudy regimen. According to this parameter the incidence of hyperthyroidism is increased and the incidence of euthyroidism and hypothyroidism decreased. 2 patients however remained hypothyroid. The before mentioned hyperthyroid patients had only an abnormal TSH-response and were euthyroid when determined by clinical signs or ETR-values. It is concluded, that the dosage of 150 micrograms thyroxin is indicated in patients when reduction of goiter size is desired or a high demand for thyroid replacement is suspected. This (and every comparable) regimen needs a clinical and biochemical control.", "contents": "[Thyroxine in an amount of 150 micrograms daily for the prevention of the recurrence of goiter]. 24 patients, who had undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy, were given 150 micrograms thyroxine daily for 6 weeks for prevention of goiter recurrency. 14 patients had been included in an earlier reported study using 75 micrograms thyroxine daily. Prior to this trial 10 patients had 100 micrograms thyroxine daily; the 14 above mentioned patients had had no therapy for 4 weeks. A significant decrease of the TSH response to TRH is observed when compared with the prestudy regimen. According to this parameter the incidence of hyperthyroidism is increased and the incidence of euthyroidism and hypothyroidism decreased. 2 patients however remained hypothyroid. The before mentioned hyperthyroid patients had only an abnormal TSH-response and were euthyroid when determined by clinical signs or ETR-values. It is concluded, that the dosage of 150 micrograms thyroxin is indicated in patients when reduction of goiter size is desired or a high demand for thyroid replacement is suspected. This (and every comparable) regimen needs a clinical and biochemical control.", "PMID": 613702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_893", "title": "Clinical experiences with naloxone in neuroradiology.", "content": "In 17 patients, the reversal by naloxone of a short duration narcotic anesthesia done for neuroradiology, was studied. Neuroleptanalgesic technique comprised d-hydrobenzperidol (5-10 mg) and fentanyl (+/- 0.4 mg) after barbiturate induction, and curarization with pancuronium, reversed by neostigmine. In group A 2 microgram/kg naloxone I.V. was given and 1 microgram/kg I.M. 30 min. later and in group B 1 micrometer/kg I.V. and 30 min. later 0.5 micrometer/kg. Reversal of narcotic depression was good and well maintained for 60 min. in both groups, as evidenced by respiratory rate, respiratory minute volume, pHa, PaCO2. Marginal temporarily cardiovascular stimulation occurred with arousal. Tolerance was good. It is concluded that antagonisation of respiratory depression due to narcotic anesthesia is possible with small titrated dosis of naloxone.", "contents": "Clinical experiences with naloxone in neuroradiology. In 17 patients, the reversal by naloxone of a short duration narcotic anesthesia done for neuroradiology, was studied. Neuroleptanalgesic technique comprised d-hydrobenzperidol (5-10 mg) and fentanyl (+/- 0.4 mg) after barbiturate induction, and curarization with pancuronium, reversed by neostigmine. In group A 2 microgram/kg naloxone I.V. was given and 1 microgram/kg I.M. 30 min. later and in group B 1 micrometer/kg I.V. and 30 min. later 0.5 micrometer/kg. Reversal of narcotic depression was good and well maintained for 60 min. in both groups, as evidenced by respiratory rate, respiratory minute volume, pHa, PaCO2. Marginal temporarily cardiovascular stimulation occurred with arousal. Tolerance was good. It is concluded that antagonisation of respiratory depression due to narcotic anesthesia is possible with small titrated dosis of naloxone.", "PMID": 613704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_894", "title": "Preliminary report of domperidone (R 33182), a new antiemetic compound. A pilot study.", "content": "The effect of domperidone (R 33 812), a new antiemetic, was studied in 27 patients presenting with postoperative vomiting and staying for at least six hours in a recovery room. All patients received 4 mg domperidone intravenously because of the vomiting. Nineteen patients were fully protected during the subsequent 6 hours observation period, 8 patients required a second 4 mg-dose: only one of these 8 patients was not protected at all. No side-effects were observed.", "contents": "Preliminary report of domperidone (R 33182), a new antiemetic compound. A pilot study. The effect of domperidone (R 33 812), a new antiemetic, was studied in 27 patients presenting with postoperative vomiting and staying for at least six hours in a recovery room. All patients received 4 mg domperidone intravenously because of the vomiting. Nineteen patients were fully protected during the subsequent 6 hours observation period, 8 patients required a second 4 mg-dose: only one of these 8 patients was not protected at all. No side-effects were observed.", "PMID": 613705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_895", "title": "Mechanism of action of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.", "content": "A computer approximation with polynomial quotients was used to evaluate from experimental data the dependence of the initial velocity of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction on the concentration of substrates. The initial velocity values were determined at optimum conditions, over a wide range of substrate concentrations and by interpolating the time curve of enzyme reaction as t leads to 0. A further computer approximation with polynomial quotients, without any implied hypothese, gave the best fit to the experimental results. The analysis of this final equation shows that two types of catalytic sites may exist. Due to the complexity of the system, the results are compatible either with the ordered binding or with rapid equilibrium random binding of substrates to each separate, but interacting type of sites. Previous experimental data showing the formation of abortive and dead-end complexes can be interpreted as kinetic effects, inherent in the mechanism. Results at variance with earlier data can be explained by the different experimental conditions.", "contents": "Mechanism of action of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. A computer approximation with polynomial quotients was used to evaluate from experimental data the dependence of the initial velocity of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction on the concentration of substrates. The initial velocity values were determined at optimum conditions, over a wide range of substrate concentrations and by interpolating the time curve of enzyme reaction as t leads to 0. A further computer approximation with polynomial quotients, without any implied hypothese, gave the best fit to the experimental results. The analysis of this final equation shows that two types of catalytic sites may exist. Due to the complexity of the system, the results are compatible either with the ordered binding or with rapid equilibrium random binding of substrates to each separate, but interacting type of sites. Previous experimental data showing the formation of abortive and dead-end complexes can be interpreted as kinetic effects, inherent in the mechanism. Results at variance with earlier data can be explained by the different experimental conditions.", "PMID": 613710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_896", "title": "Hydrolysis of alkyl ester and amide substrates by papain.", "content": "The ratio of the rate constants of acylation of papain with some amino acid ester and amide substrates is unexpectedly low. The contribution to this low ratio by the N-acyl group and the amino acid side chain was studied by measuring the rate constants of substrates containing various acyl groups (benzoyl and benzyloxycarbonyl) and various side chains (glycine, alanine, norleucine, citrulline and arginine). The benzoyl esters were found to be less reactive than the corresponding benzyloxycarbonyl esters, whereas the benzoyl and corresponding benzyloxycarbonyl amides reacted with papain at similar rates. These findings can be explained by the dominance of hydrogen bond formation between the enzyme and amide substrates, which comprensates for the less favourable binding of the benzoyl group. It is also apparent from the similar acylation rate constants for norleucine, citrulline and arginine derivatives that the guanidyl group only slightly affects the reaction of arginine derivatives with papain.", "contents": "Hydrolysis of alkyl ester and amide substrates by papain. The ratio of the rate constants of acylation of papain with some amino acid ester and amide substrates is unexpectedly low. The contribution to this low ratio by the N-acyl group and the amino acid side chain was studied by measuring the rate constants of substrates containing various acyl groups (benzoyl and benzyloxycarbonyl) and various side chains (glycine, alanine, norleucine, citrulline and arginine). The benzoyl esters were found to be less reactive than the corresponding benzyloxycarbonyl esters, whereas the benzoyl and corresponding benzyloxycarbonyl amides reacted with papain at similar rates. These findings can be explained by the dominance of hydrogen bond formation between the enzyme and amide substrates, which comprensates for the less favourable binding of the benzoyl group. It is also apparent from the similar acylation rate constants for norleucine, citrulline and arginine derivatives that the guanidyl group only slightly affects the reaction of arginine derivatives with papain.", "PMID": 613711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_897", "title": "Role of tetramer in equilibrium dimer equilibrium in the dephosphorylation and activity of phosphorylase a.", "content": "Skeletal muscle phosphorylase a exists as a tetramer or a dimer depending upon the temperature and protein concentration. The rate of dephosphorylation by phosphorylase phosphatase is very low at 18 degrees C where phosphorylase a exists as a tetramer. Caffeine markedly increases the rate of dephosphorylation of tetrameric phosphorylase a at 18 degrees C but has no effect on the dephosphorylation of the dimeric form. Caffeine also enhances the enzymic activity of phosphorylase a at 18 degrees C. The results presented here indicate that caffeine can shift the tetramer in equilibrium dimer equilibrium toward the dimeric form at 18 degrees C. This conclusion in supported by sedimentation analyses.", "contents": "Role of tetramer in equilibrium dimer equilibrium in the dephosphorylation and activity of phosphorylase a. Skeletal muscle phosphorylase a exists as a tetramer or a dimer depending upon the temperature and protein concentration. The rate of dephosphorylation by phosphorylase phosphatase is very low at 18 degrees C where phosphorylase a exists as a tetramer. Caffeine markedly increases the rate of dephosphorylation of tetrameric phosphorylase a at 18 degrees C but has no effect on the dephosphorylation of the dimeric form. Caffeine also enhances the enzymic activity of phosphorylase a at 18 degrees C. The results presented here indicate that caffeine can shift the tetramer in equilibrium dimer equilibrium toward the dimeric form at 18 degrees C. This conclusion in supported by sedimentation analyses.", "PMID": 613712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_898", "title": "Effect of divalent cations on the extraction of nuclear proteins.", "content": "TSCM-(0.01 M Tris-HCl, 0.25 sucrose, 3.8 mM CaCl2, 12 mM MgCl2, pH 7.2) and TS-(0.01 M Tris-HCl, 0.25 M sucrose, pH 7.2)-soluble proteins of isolated rat liver nuclei were analyzed by a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. Light microscopy showed that treatment with the TSCM solution did not alter the morphology of isolated nuclei. After treatment with the divalent cation-free TS solution, the isolated nuclei were swollen; some were disrupted and clumped together. The TSCM solution extracted 20 additional proteins including histones. These results suggest that Ca++ and Mg++ play an intracellular role in the interactions between nuclear proteins and chromatin.", "contents": "Effect of divalent cations on the extraction of nuclear proteins. TSCM-(0.01 M Tris-HCl, 0.25 sucrose, 3.8 mM CaCl2, 12 mM MgCl2, pH 7.2) and TS-(0.01 M Tris-HCl, 0.25 M sucrose, pH 7.2)-soluble proteins of isolated rat liver nuclei were analyzed by a two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. Light microscopy showed that treatment with the TSCM solution did not alter the morphology of isolated nuclei. After treatment with the divalent cation-free TS solution, the isolated nuclei were swollen; some were disrupted and clumped together. The TSCM solution extracted 20 additional proteins including histones. These results suggest that Ca++ and Mg++ play an intracellular role in the interactions between nuclear proteins and chromatin.", "PMID": 613713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_899", "title": "Studies on human tonsillar lymphocyte membranes. II. Biological properties of membraneous glycoprotein fractions derived from human tonsillar lymphocytes.", "content": "Microsomal and mitochondrial glycoprotein fractions were isolated from human tonsillar lymphocytes. The microsomal glycoprotein was purified by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. Yielding three subfractions. The different glycoprotein fractions were studied and characterized in two different ways. The isolated glycoproteins inhibited spontaneous (E) rosette formation. This effect was similar to that exhibited by some immunosuppressive drugs and the inhibitory property was heat-labile. The microsomal and mitochondrial glycoproteins and the DEAE-Sephadex subfractions of the microsomal glycoprotein inhibited the mitogenic effect of phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A. This inhibition was much stronger than the effect of monosaccharide haptens (N-acetyl-D-galactose-amine and D-glucose) and may be attributed to the lectin-binding property of the glycoprotein fraction.", "contents": "Studies on human tonsillar lymphocyte membranes. II. Biological properties of membraneous glycoprotein fractions derived from human tonsillar lymphocytes. Microsomal and mitochondrial glycoprotein fractions were isolated from human tonsillar lymphocytes. The microsomal glycoprotein was purified by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. Yielding three subfractions. The different glycoprotein fractions were studied and characterized in two different ways. The isolated glycoproteins inhibited spontaneous (E) rosette formation. This effect was similar to that exhibited by some immunosuppressive drugs and the inhibitory property was heat-labile. The microsomal and mitochondrial glycoproteins and the DEAE-Sephadex subfractions of the microsomal glycoprotein inhibited the mitogenic effect of phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A. This inhibition was much stronger than the effect of monosaccharide haptens (N-acetyl-D-galactose-amine and D-glucose) and may be attributed to the lectin-binding property of the glycoprotein fraction.", "PMID": 613714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_900", "title": "A full stochastic description of the Michaelis-Menten reaction for small systems.", "content": "A method is presented to solve the Komogorov-equations for the stochastic model of the Michaelis-Menten reaction. The results are given for the case when only one enzyme molecule is involved in the reaction and can be extended to the case when a few enzyme molecules react. The important differences between the results of stochastic and deterministic treatment are emphasized, and their possible biological implications are discussed. Beside the exact solution of the time course of the irreversible reaction also the equilibrium is described for the reversible reaction. The method provides means for studying other biologically important reactions assuming stochastic behaviour. A comparison is made also with the steady state approximation.", "contents": "A full stochastic description of the Michaelis-Menten reaction for small systems. A method is presented to solve the Komogorov-equations for the stochastic model of the Michaelis-Menten reaction. The results are given for the case when only one enzyme molecule is involved in the reaction and can be extended to the case when a few enzyme molecules react. The important differences between the results of stochastic and deterministic treatment are emphasized, and their possible biological implications are discussed. Beside the exact solution of the time course of the irreversible reaction also the equilibrium is described for the reversible reaction. The method provides means for studying other biologically important reactions assuming stochastic behaviour. A comparison is made also with the steady state approximation.", "PMID": 613716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_901", "title": "A case of 22-trisomy mosaic.", "content": "An extra small acrocentric chromosome was found in 50% of the cultured blood cells of a somato-mentally retarded girl with congenital heart failure and different dysmorphic symptoms. The supernumerary chromosome proved to be chromosome No. 22.", "contents": "A case of 22-trisomy mosaic. An extra small acrocentric chromosome was found in 50% of the cultured blood cells of a somato-mentally retarded girl with congenital heart failure and different dysmorphic symptoms. The supernumerary chromosome proved to be chromosome No. 22.", "PMID": 613730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_902", "title": "A trisomy for 10q24--qter from a familial translocation; t(4;10) (q33; q24) in both grandparents.", "content": "A trisomy for 10q24--qter was found in a male infant. The clinical findings of the propositus were similar to those reported by other investigators. Both paternal grandparents are close relatives, and show the same balanced translocation, t(4; 10) (q33; q24). Their reporductive history reflected an extremely severe genetic imbalance. Four out of five children died in early infancy. The only living offspring is the father of the proband who has the balanced translocation.", "contents": "A trisomy for 10q24--qter from a familial translocation; t(4;10) (q33; q24) in both grandparents. A trisomy for 10q24--qter was found in a male infant. The clinical findings of the propositus were similar to those reported by other investigators. Both paternal grandparents are close relatives, and show the same balanced translocation, t(4; 10) (q33; q24). Their reporductive history reflected an extremely severe genetic imbalance. Four out of five children died in early infancy. The only living offspring is the father of the proband who has the balanced translocation.", "PMID": 613731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_903", "title": "Mumps meningitis: electroencephalography and leukocyte migration inhibition by basic myelin protein.", "content": "In 20 patients with mumps meningitis, electroencephalography and leukocyte migration inhibition tests with basic myelin protein were carried out. Fourteen patients had mild or moderate EEG abnormalities indicative of encephalitis as well. Cellular reactivity to basic myelin protein was found in 4 cases only. The observations support the concept that mumps meningoencephalitis is a consequence of a direct viral impact onto the nervous tissue, i.e. no neuroallergic mechanisms are involved.", "contents": "Mumps meningitis: electroencephalography and leukocyte migration inhibition by basic myelin protein. In 20 patients with mumps meningitis, electroencephalography and leukocyte migration inhibition tests with basic myelin protein were carried out. Fourteen patients had mild or moderate EEG abnormalities indicative of encephalitis as well. Cellular reactivity to basic myelin protein was found in 4 cases only. The observations support the concept that mumps meningoencephalitis is a consequence of a direct viral impact onto the nervous tissue, i.e. no neuroallergic mechanisms are involved.", "PMID": 613732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_904", "title": "Circulating antibodies in coeliac disease.", "content": "Antibodies produced against gliadin were demonstrated in the sera of patients suffering from coeliac disease as well as of immunized rabbits and rats. In the patient sera the specific antibodies proved to be of the IgG type. IgE may have a role in sensitization against gliadin only in the cell-fixed state.", "contents": "Circulating antibodies in coeliac disease. Antibodies produced against gliadin were demonstrated in the sera of patients suffering from coeliac disease as well as of immunized rabbits and rats. In the patient sera the specific antibodies proved to be of the IgG type. IgE may have a role in sensitization against gliadin only in the cell-fixed state.", "PMID": 613733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_905", "title": "Transverse diameter of the chest and of the heart of infants in the course of physiological cardiorespiratory adaptation.", "content": "The morphology of the lungs and heart was analysed in 824 newborn infants with normal cardiorespiratory adaptation. Under normal conditions, the air content of the lungs became satisfactory in the first 6--12 hours and normal in all cases after 24 hours. The values for the transverse diameter of the chest and heart were brought into correlation with birth weight, body length and gestational age. The transverse diameter of the chest and heart did not change during the early postnatal period (between 6--12 hours and 5 days). Both diameters were correlated with birth weight. The closest correlation was found in newborns under 1500 g, a varying one in those between 1500 and 2000 g and a close correlation in the category over 2000 g. The correlation of the two diameters with both length was linear and close, without any difference between the values obtained at different times of examination. A rather loose correlation was found between the transverse diameter of the chest and heart, and gestational age.", "contents": "Transverse diameter of the chest and of the heart of infants in the course of physiological cardiorespiratory adaptation. The morphology of the lungs and heart was analysed in 824 newborn infants with normal cardiorespiratory adaptation. Under normal conditions, the air content of the lungs became satisfactory in the first 6--12 hours and normal in all cases after 24 hours. The values for the transverse diameter of the chest and heart were brought into correlation with birth weight, body length and gestational age. The transverse diameter of the chest and heart did not change during the early postnatal period (between 6--12 hours and 5 days). Both diameters were correlated with birth weight. The closest correlation was found in newborns under 1500 g, a varying one in those between 1500 and 2000 g and a close correlation in the category over 2000 g. The correlation of the two diameters with both length was linear and close, without any difference between the values obtained at different times of examination. A rather loose correlation was found between the transverse diameter of the chest and heart, and gestational age.", "PMID": 613734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_906", "title": "Poland anomalad: dermatoglyphic study in seven cases.", "content": "A dermatoglyphic study was made in seven patients with Poland anomalad. The ipsilateral hand showed great variability of the defect. The patterns were typical when the hand was synbrachydactylic. When there was only brachydactyly, there were peculiar configurations. Though the hand on the side of the defect may seem normal, some patterns are infrequent and on the \"normal\" hand on the other side, rare dermatoglyphic types were found.", "contents": "Poland anomalad: dermatoglyphic study in seven cases. A dermatoglyphic study was made in seven patients with Poland anomalad. The ipsilateral hand showed great variability of the defect. The patterns were typical when the hand was synbrachydactylic. When there was only brachydactyly, there were peculiar configurations. Though the hand on the side of the defect may seem normal, some patterns are infrequent and on the \"normal\" hand on the other side, rare dermatoglyphic types were found.", "PMID": 613735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_907", "title": "Pathogenesis of angiodysplasias.", "content": "The pathogenesis of angiodysplasias was studied in 382 patients. Of the primary and secondary morphogenetic factors importance is attached to fetal diseases, intrauterine reparation, hormonal effects in neonatal age and early walking. It is concluded that angiodysplasias develop under the joint effect of genetic and environmental factors. They are evolutional anomalies undergoing changes in the course of life.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of angiodysplasias. The pathogenesis of angiodysplasias was studied in 382 patients. Of the primary and secondary morphogenetic factors importance is attached to fetal diseases, intrauterine reparation, hormonal effects in neonatal age and early walking. It is concluded that angiodysplasias develop under the joint effect of genetic and environmental factors. They are evolutional anomalies undergoing changes in the course of life.", "PMID": 613737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_908", "title": "Variations on the response characteristics of oxygen electrodes.", "content": "To summarize: The works presented in this and the previous paper (2) have produced an operational model for describing the oxygen reduction process in common medical grade sterile saline media at a platinum disc shaped electrode with a fairly specific surface conditioning. This paper has illustrated some of the variations possible in electrode current responses. An important feature of these data is that they are highly consistent and repeatable and can be discussed in terms of the model. However, the question still remains: What is the aging process? Is it due to a decrease of active sites for the electrochemical reduction process, brought about by the reduction process itself, or is it a process caused by other species in the media? To answer these questions, it may be necessary to employ some of the sophisticated techniques such as angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (4) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (5), available today for the study of atomic and molecular arrangements on solid surfaces.", "contents": "Variations on the response characteristics of oxygen electrodes. To summarize: The works presented in this and the previous paper (2) have produced an operational model for describing the oxygen reduction process in common medical grade sterile saline media at a platinum disc shaped electrode with a fairly specific surface conditioning. This paper has illustrated some of the variations possible in electrode current responses. An important feature of these data is that they are highly consistent and repeatable and can be discussed in terms of the model. However, the question still remains: What is the aging process? Is it due to a decrease of active sites for the electrochemical reduction process, brought about by the reduction process itself, or is it a process caused by other species in the media? To answer these questions, it may be necessary to employ some of the sophisticated techniques such as angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (4) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (5), available today for the study of atomic and molecular arrangements on solid surfaces.", "PMID": 613761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_909", "title": "A comparison of two nonclassical models for oxygen consumption in brain and liver tissue.", "content": "Experimentally observed steady-state pO2 profiles in tissue slices can be described by a Michaelis-Menten oxygen consumption model. Calculated values for Km = 0., torr in brain tissue, and Km = 2.2 torr in liver tissue are two orders of magnitude higher than Km values determined from mitochondrial suspensions. Brain tissue has a higher metabolic rate and higher affinity for oxygen than liver tissue.", "contents": "A comparison of two nonclassical models for oxygen consumption in brain and liver tissue. Experimentally observed steady-state pO2 profiles in tissue slices can be described by a Michaelis-Menten oxygen consumption model. Calculated values for Km = 0., torr in brain tissue, and Km = 2.2 torr in liver tissue are two orders of magnitude higher than Km values determined from mitochondrial suspensions. Brain tissue has a higher metabolic rate and higher affinity for oxygen than liver tissue.", "PMID": 613765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_910", "title": "Models for pulsed polarographic electrodes.", "content": "A simple model has been developed for analyzing the pulsed polarographic electrode. For short pulse durations the charge transfer kinetics must be incorporated into the boundary condition at the electrode surface. The predicted velocity dependence for long pulse durations is in good agreement with experimental data.", "contents": "Models for pulsed polarographic electrodes. A simple model has been developed for analyzing the pulsed polarographic electrode. For short pulse durations the charge transfer kinetics must be incorporated into the boundary condition at the electrode surface. The predicted velocity dependence for long pulse durations is in good agreement with experimental data.", "PMID": 613766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_911", "title": "Myoglobin-O2-saturation profiles in muscle sections of chicken gizzard and the facilitated O2-transport by Mb+.", "content": "It has been shown that the oxygen transport in intact muscle can be quantitatively determined using Mb as an oxygen indicator in the cryomicrophotometric method. 1) The influence of the parameters such as time, temperature, boundary PO2 and metabolism on the oxygen transport in sections of chicken gizzard could be quantitatively determined from measured MbsO2-profiles; 2) The MbsO2-profiles measured under various conditions can be reproduced using a mathematical model which considers not only the diffusion of dissolved O2 but also the facilitated diffusion as well as O2 consumption. From this mathematical results it can be concluded that the mobility of the Mb in the muscle cells is limited and that Mb in the PO2-region between 5 and 0 mmHg contributes to at most 40% to the total O2-transport in chicken gizzard.", "contents": "Myoglobin-O2-saturation profiles in muscle sections of chicken gizzard and the facilitated O2-transport by Mb+. It has been shown that the oxygen transport in intact muscle can be quantitatively determined using Mb as an oxygen indicator in the cryomicrophotometric method. 1) The influence of the parameters such as time, temperature, boundary PO2 and metabolism on the oxygen transport in sections of chicken gizzard could be quantitatively determined from measured MbsO2-profiles; 2) The MbsO2-profiles measured under various conditions can be reproduced using a mathematical model which considers not only the diffusion of dissolved O2 but also the facilitated diffusion as well as O2 consumption. From this mathematical results it can be concluded that the mobility of the Mb in the muscle cells is limited and that Mb in the PO2-region between 5 and 0 mmHg contributes to at most 40% to the total O2-transport in chicken gizzard.", "PMID": 613772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_912", "title": "Increase in brain tissue oxygen availability induced by localized microwave hyperthermia.", "content": "The present experiments demonstrate by direct measurements, that localized hyperthermia produced by microwave irradiation increases the oxygen levels in brain tissue in a manner dependent on tissue temperature, with concomitant breaking of the oxygen autoregulation, thus allowing for an additional increase in TpO2 upon O2 breathing.", "contents": "Increase in brain tissue oxygen availability induced by localized microwave hyperthermia. The present experiments demonstrate by direct measurements, that localized hyperthermia produced by microwave irradiation increases the oxygen levels in brain tissue in a manner dependent on tissue temperature, with concomitant breaking of the oxygen autoregulation, thus allowing for an additional increase in TpO2 upon O2 breathing.", "PMID": 613776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_913", "title": "Intracapillary HbO2 saturation in tumor tissue of DS-carcinosarcoma during normoxia.", "content": "The measurements of the intravascular HbO2 saturation in tumor capillaries using the cryophotometric micromethod reveal that very low HbO2 saturation values predominate in malignant tumors. Under normoxic conditions only 8% of the measured values exceed 50% saturation. 53% of the intracapillary HbO2 saturation values are in the range of 0-10% HbO2 saturation. Great regional differences are seldom and can be found only in areas where a sufficient vascularization still exists. Taking into account the data of morphometric analysis of tumor vascularization and the parameters of respiratory gas exchange, the measured frequency distribution of HbO2 saturation values in tumor capillaries is simulated by means of different three-dimensional capillary structures; On the basis of these microcirculatory units, tissue pO2 values are computed in the intercapillary regions. As a result of these calculations it can be stated that the computed data derived from intracapillary HbO2 saturations are in sufficient agreement with pO2 values measured polarographically using gold- microelectrodes.", "contents": "Intracapillary HbO2 saturation in tumor tissue of DS-carcinosarcoma during normoxia. The measurements of the intravascular HbO2 saturation in tumor capillaries using the cryophotometric micromethod reveal that very low HbO2 saturation values predominate in malignant tumors. Under normoxic conditions only 8% of the measured values exceed 50% saturation. 53% of the intracapillary HbO2 saturation values are in the range of 0-10% HbO2 saturation. Great regional differences are seldom and can be found only in areas where a sufficient vascularization still exists. Taking into account the data of morphometric analysis of tumor vascularization and the parameters of respiratory gas exchange, the measured frequency distribution of HbO2 saturation values in tumor capillaries is simulated by means of different three-dimensional capillary structures; On the basis of these microcirculatory units, tissue pO2 values are computed in the intercapillary regions. As a result of these calculations it can be stated that the computed data derived from intracapillary HbO2 saturations are in sufficient agreement with pO2 values measured polarographically using gold- microelectrodes.", "PMID": 613778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_914", "title": "Prevention of ionizing radiation-induced liver microcirculation changes by the use of flow improvers.", "content": "Platelet aggregation and adhesiveness, as well as TpO2 responses to hypoxia were measured as microcirculation parameters in beagle dogs subject to Co60 ionizing radiation to a dose of 4600 rads in 5 weeks. Simultaneously, changes in blood chemistry and coagulation were also determined. Marked changes in all studied parameters in the post radiation period lead to the conclusion that the radiation liver damage, which is at least in part mediated through microcirculation disturbances, can be prevented with the flow improver, Rheomacrodex.", "contents": "Prevention of ionizing radiation-induced liver microcirculation changes by the use of flow improvers. Platelet aggregation and adhesiveness, as well as TpO2 responses to hypoxia were measured as microcirculation parameters in beagle dogs subject to Co60 ionizing radiation to a dose of 4600 rads in 5 weeks. Simultaneously, changes in blood chemistry and coagulation were also determined. Marked changes in all studied parameters in the post radiation period lead to the conclusion that the radiation liver damage, which is at least in part mediated through microcirculation disturbances, can be prevented with the flow improver, Rheomacrodex.", "PMID": 613781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_915", "title": "Oxygen pressure values in the ischemic muscle tissue of patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease.", "content": "For 3 years tissue oxygen pressure has been measured directly in the ischemic muscle of patients with chronic arterial diseases. The measuring procedure is nearly atraumatic, without pain, has no side effects, and can be performed or repeated within 10 min. The present method gives objective and quantitative data for oxygen supply to tissue and therefore muscular microcirculation. It can be used for pathophysiological studies, for diagnostic purposes, and for objective quantification of therapeutic measures.", "contents": "Oxygen pressure values in the ischemic muscle tissue of patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease. For 3 years tissue oxygen pressure has been measured directly in the ischemic muscle of patients with chronic arterial diseases. The measuring procedure is nearly atraumatic, without pain, has no side effects, and can be performed or repeated within 10 min. The present method gives objective and quantitative data for oxygen supply to tissue and therefore muscular microcirculation. It can be used for pathophysiological studies, for diagnostic purposes, and for objective quantification of therapeutic measures.", "PMID": 613782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_916", "title": "Effects of coronary occlusion on myocardial oxygen and pulsatile intramyocardial pressure.", "content": "Local oxygen partial pressure in terms of O2-availability and pulsatile intramyocardial pressure of the left ventricular myocardium of anaesthetized open-chest dogs have been measured simultaneously by means of a piezoelectric ceramic and a platinum electrode. The tissue PO2 decreases more slowly than the pulsatile intramyocardial pressure during a transient acute occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The slow decrease in the tissue PO2 seems to be explicable by the assumption that the local myocardial contractile force decreases quickly due to an unknown factor during the acute coronary occlusion and that the O2-consumption of the local myocardial tissue is reduced in accordance with the rapid decrease in the contractile force.", "contents": "Effects of coronary occlusion on myocardial oxygen and pulsatile intramyocardial pressure. Local oxygen partial pressure in terms of O2-availability and pulsatile intramyocardial pressure of the left ventricular myocardium of anaesthetized open-chest dogs have been measured simultaneously by means of a piezoelectric ceramic and a platinum electrode. The tissue PO2 decreases more slowly than the pulsatile intramyocardial pressure during a transient acute occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The slow decrease in the tissue PO2 seems to be explicable by the assumption that the local myocardial contractile force decreases quickly due to an unknown factor during the acute coronary occlusion and that the O2-consumption of the local myocardial tissue is reduced in accordance with the rapid decrease in the contractile force.", "PMID": 613787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_917", "title": "Tissue-PO2 (PGO2) in the carotid body of the cat and tidal volume (V) during normovolaemic haemodilution.", "content": "During normovolaemic haemodilution with Macrodex (R), the basic respiratory activity is unchanged, while the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia generally decrease. The PGO2 in the cat carotid body remains constant down to an Hk of 10% to 15% and then decreases. This confirms the suggestion of Acker and L\u00fcbbers (1976) that increased plasma flow through the carotid body does not influence the oxygen supply to this organ, despite variations of both oxygen transport capacity and haemoglobin concentration. The fine structure of the carotid body is partly destroyed by haemodilution with Macrodex (R) and this could account for the impaired chemoreception.", "contents": "Tissue-PO2 (PGO2) in the carotid body of the cat and tidal volume (V) during normovolaemic haemodilution. During normovolaemic haemodilution with Macrodex (R), the basic respiratory activity is unchanged, while the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia generally decrease. The PGO2 in the cat carotid body remains constant down to an Hk of 10% to 15% and then decreases. This confirms the suggestion of Acker and L\u00fcbbers (1976) that increased plasma flow through the carotid body does not influence the oxygen supply to this organ, despite variations of both oxygen transport capacity and haemoglobin concentration. The fine structure of the carotid body is partly destroyed by haemodilution with Macrodex (R) and this could account for the impaired chemoreception.", "PMID": 613793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_918", "title": "Tissue blood exchange and tissue oxygen tension in relation to total body oxygen consumption in experimental surgical shock.", "content": "This experimental shock model was well defined by the marked decrease in total body oxygen consumption, muscle PO2 and diffusion capacity during shock. Infusion of large amounts of electrolyte solution did not lead to a restoration of muscle oxygen tension after 1-4 hours. Dextran 40 infusion however restored both local PO2 and blood flow in the muscle as well as total body oxygen consumption.", "contents": "Tissue blood exchange and tissue oxygen tension in relation to total body oxygen consumption in experimental surgical shock. This experimental shock model was well defined by the marked decrease in total body oxygen consumption, muscle PO2 and diffusion capacity during shock. Infusion of large amounts of electrolyte solution did not lead to a restoration of muscle oxygen tension after 1-4 hours. Dextran 40 infusion however restored both local PO2 and blood flow in the muscle as well as total body oxygen consumption.", "PMID": 613795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_919", "title": "Oxygen supply to the cirrhotic liver following various portacaval shunt procedures.", "content": "Direct measurements of local oxygen pressure by means of a platinum multiwire electrode were performed to investigate the effect of five different portacaval shunt procedures on hepatic oxygen content in the cirrhotic rat liver. End-to-side shunt, side-to-side shunt, mesenterico caval shunt, splenocaval shunt, and portacaval transposition were performed and surface PO2 was determined immediately after operation, 24 hours following operation and after one week. Portacaval transposition and end-to-side shunt led to a striking oxygen deficit of the liver tissue with no incidence of compensation by the hepatic artery; Oxygen supply was improved considerably by a side-to-side shunt and tissue hypoxia could be prevented by a mesenterico-caval shunt and splenocaval shunt. This improving effect is thought to be due to the pancreatico-duodenal venous blood supply which should be carefully preserved for the liver circulation when a shunt needs to be performed.", "contents": "Oxygen supply to the cirrhotic liver following various portacaval shunt procedures. Direct measurements of local oxygen pressure by means of a platinum multiwire electrode were performed to investigate the effect of five different portacaval shunt procedures on hepatic oxygen content in the cirrhotic rat liver. End-to-side shunt, side-to-side shunt, mesenterico caval shunt, splenocaval shunt, and portacaval transposition were performed and surface PO2 was determined immediately after operation, 24 hours following operation and after one week. Portacaval transposition and end-to-side shunt led to a striking oxygen deficit of the liver tissue with no incidence of compensation by the hepatic artery; Oxygen supply was improved considerably by a side-to-side shunt and tissue hypoxia could be prevented by a mesenterico-caval shunt and splenocaval shunt. This improving effect is thought to be due to the pancreatico-duodenal venous blood supply which should be carefully preserved for the liver circulation when a shunt needs to be performed.", "PMID": 613800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_920", "title": "The influence of electrical stimulation on cortex PO2 level in the rat brain.", "content": "Local oxygen consumption of the rat brain cortex was artificially increased through local electrical stimulation of a small tissue sphere 5 mm in diameter. Measurements of the local PO2 distribution within the stimulated tissue as well as the induced field potential were performed with the same gold microelectrode. During stimulation the oxygen consumption increased significantly giving rise to local hypoxia and after 1-3 minutes to local anoxia depending upon the stimulus strength and duration. If however pronounced respiratory hypercapnia was applied the increased demand for oxygen was met by an increase in cerebral blood flow resulting in an almost constant PO2 level. According to these results it is concluded that the anoxic tissue sphere was not large enough to cause changes in the local blood flow. On the other hand recovery from local hypoxia and anoxia as well as reoxygenation of the stimulated tissue were delayed if a general hypoxia already existed.", "contents": "The influence of electrical stimulation on cortex PO2 level in the rat brain. Local oxygen consumption of the rat brain cortex was artificially increased through local electrical stimulation of a small tissue sphere 5 mm in diameter. Measurements of the local PO2 distribution within the stimulated tissue as well as the induced field potential were performed with the same gold microelectrode. During stimulation the oxygen consumption increased significantly giving rise to local hypoxia and after 1-3 minutes to local anoxia depending upon the stimulus strength and duration. If however pronounced respiratory hypercapnia was applied the increased demand for oxygen was met by an increase in cerebral blood flow resulting in an almost constant PO2 level. According to these results it is concluded that the anoxic tissue sphere was not large enough to cause changes in the local blood flow. On the other hand recovery from local hypoxia and anoxia as well as reoxygenation of the stimulated tissue were delayed if a general hypoxia already existed.", "PMID": 613809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_921", "title": "[Epizootic of toxoplasmosis among the crowned pigeon, Goura cristata Pallas and Goura victoria Frazer, of the Antwerp Zoo].", "content": "The authors report an epizootic form of toxoplasmosis observed among the crowned pigeons (Goura cristata Pallas and Goura victoria Frazer). The evolution of toxoplasma from pigeons is described and the epizootiological analysis of two epizootic forms of toxoplasmosis encountered in Antwerp Zoo are compared.", "contents": "[Epizootic of toxoplasmosis among the crowned pigeon, Goura cristata Pallas and Goura victoria Frazer, of the Antwerp Zoo]. The authors report an epizootic form of toxoplasmosis observed among the crowned pigeons (Goura cristata Pallas and Goura victoria Frazer). The evolution of toxoplasma from pigeons is described and the epizootiological analysis of two epizootic forms of toxoplasmosis encountered in Antwerp Zoo are compared.", "PMID": 613841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_922", "title": "[Use of transthoracic impedance in the monitoring of ventilation in neonatal resuscitation].", "content": "Continuous transthoracic impedance recording is a useful procedure for pulmonary ventilation control in term and preterm infants. The innocuity, ease and reliability of this method makes its use possible in neonatal intensive care. Its convenience is obvious in some physiological and pathological circumstances especially during apnea. The conditions of application, the physiological origins of impedance variations and the present limits of utilization are discussed.", "contents": "[Use of transthoracic impedance in the monitoring of ventilation in neonatal resuscitation]. Continuous transthoracic impedance recording is a useful procedure for pulmonary ventilation control in term and preterm infants. The innocuity, ease and reliability of this method makes its use possible in neonatal intensive care. Its convenience is obvious in some physiological and pathological circumstances especially during apnea. The conditions of application, the physiological origins of impedance variations and the present limits of utilization are discussed.", "PMID": 613854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_923", "title": "[Nursing record and hourly monitoring].", "content": "The authors present a daily sheet of hourly care and control after having experimented it during four years and half. This sheet permits to group on one single document the medicinal therapeutic and any other prescriptions, the hourly values of the ventilatorical, and cardiovascular parameters, the values of the hydroelectrolytical exits, the clinical and biological datas and to compare them with their values of the previous days. This sheet permits to personnalize the cares and the controls and to get insured of their good execution.", "contents": "[Nursing record and hourly monitoring]. The authors present a daily sheet of hourly care and control after having experimented it during four years and half. This sheet permits to group on one single document the medicinal therapeutic and any other prescriptions, the hourly values of the ventilatorical, and cardiovascular parameters, the values of the hydroelectrolytical exits, the clinical and biological datas and to compare them with their values of the previous days. This sheet permits to personnalize the cares and the controls and to get insured of their good execution.", "PMID": 613858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_924", "title": "[Xenon 133 pulmonary scintigraphy. Its significance in the preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function in adolescents with kyphoscoliosis prior to vertebral arthrodesis].", "content": "The pulmonary scintigraphy with xenon 133. On its interest in the pre-operative exploration of the kyphoscoliotic youth's lung function before vertebral arthrodesis. The classical functional lung exploration (spirometry, arterial blood gas) gives only a general aspect of the pulmonary function. On the other hand, the pulmonary scintigraphy with Xe 133 studying perfusion as well as ventilation gives into evidence some troubles concerning the distribution of the regional lung volumes together with a general or local increase of the lung on the scoliotic convex side; the base of the latter, whose volume is more important, is the seat of a physiological dead space. The lung on the scoliotic concave side shows a proportional reduction of perfusion and ventilation. We consider this investigation, harmlessly and easily carried out, as essential to observe the evolution of the young scoliotic patients' lung function.", "contents": "[Xenon 133 pulmonary scintigraphy. Its significance in the preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function in adolescents with kyphoscoliosis prior to vertebral arthrodesis]. The pulmonary scintigraphy with xenon 133. On its interest in the pre-operative exploration of the kyphoscoliotic youth's lung function before vertebral arthrodesis. The classical functional lung exploration (spirometry, arterial blood gas) gives only a general aspect of the pulmonary function. On the other hand, the pulmonary scintigraphy with Xe 133 studying perfusion as well as ventilation gives into evidence some troubles concerning the distribution of the regional lung volumes together with a general or local increase of the lung on the scoliotic convex side; the base of the latter, whose volume is more important, is the seat of a physiological dead space. The lung on the scoliotic concave side shows a proportional reduction of perfusion and ventilation. We consider this investigation, harmlessly and easily carried out, as essential to observe the evolution of the young scoliotic patients' lung function.", "PMID": 613865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_925", "title": "[Human plasma lactic dehydrogenase activity: individual variations and reference intervals].", "content": "Out of a population of 8 7600 people of all origins, we drew up frequent values for the activity of total lactate dehydrogenase. From these values, we defined a reference interval on a selected population. Variations between individuals were determined in relation to the following factors: age (8 to 70 years), sex, height, weight, socio-prefessional categories, any excess weight, exercise and drugs. There exist definite variations in relation to age, especially in children. On the other hand, this enzyme shows little variation in relation to the morphology of the individual adult. Socio-professional groups have more influence on the activity of total lactate dehydrogenase.", "contents": "[Human plasma lactic dehydrogenase activity: individual variations and reference intervals]. Out of a population of 8 7600 people of all origins, we drew up frequent values for the activity of total lactate dehydrogenase. From these values, we defined a reference interval on a selected population. Variations between individuals were determined in relation to the following factors: age (8 to 70 years), sex, height, weight, socio-prefessional categories, any excess weight, exercise and drugs. There exist definite variations in relation to age, especially in children. On the other hand, this enzyme shows little variation in relation to the morphology of the individual adult. Socio-professional groups have more influence on the activity of total lactate dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 613889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_926", "title": "[Evolution of blood fatty acid levels in severe burns].", "content": "During the first ten days following the burn, there is no significant increase in serum FFA for the surviving patients. This shows a good balance between production and use by the cells. The glucose that is brought allows their oxydation in tricarboxylic Kreb's cycle and the albumine allows for them transport in the circulating liquids, probably helping to maintain this good balance. On the other hand for 70 p. 100 of the patients who died this equilibrium does not exist and the serum FFA increased significantly. Later on and in all cases, the value of serum FFA decrease significantly below that of the control group. This fact can be explained by the exhaustion of the lipidic reserves and/or a decrease of serum proteines particularly albumin, and consequently of transport in the blood of the fatty acids.", "contents": "[Evolution of blood fatty acid levels in severe burns]. During the first ten days following the burn, there is no significant increase in serum FFA for the surviving patients. This shows a good balance between production and use by the cells. The glucose that is brought allows their oxydation in tricarboxylic Kreb's cycle and the albumine allows for them transport in the circulating liquids, probably helping to maintain this good balance. On the other hand for 70 p. 100 of the patients who died this equilibrium does not exist and the serum FFA increased significantly. Later on and in all cases, the value of serum FFA decrease significantly below that of the control group. This fact can be explained by the exhaustion of the lipidic reserves and/or a decrease of serum proteines particularly albumin, and consequently of transport in the blood of the fatty acids.", "PMID": 613883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_927", "title": "[Adaptation on the ABA-100 of the optimized method of measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity].", "content": "The analytical modifications necessary for adaptation of the SFBC technic for measurement of the activity of TGO method and those obtained by the technic adapted on ABA 100 suggest that the modifications proposed have no influence on the result of the enzyme estimation. The activation of TGO by addition of its coenzyme was assessed using mathematical models uniting the values of TGO recorded with and without pyridoxal phosphate. It has been shown that the parabolic model is more suitable than the linear model to explain the relation between transaminase activity determined without pyridoxal phosphate and that measured in the presence of the coenzyme. Using estimations carried out in 850 blood donors, it was possible to show that the reference interval of TGO lay between 7 and 28 mUI/ml. In man, the value of TGO is statistically higher than in women. On the other hand between 20 and 60 years there does not seem to be any significant difference depending on age.", "contents": "[Adaptation on the ABA-100 of the optimized method of measurement of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity]. The analytical modifications necessary for adaptation of the SFBC technic for measurement of the activity of TGO method and those obtained by the technic adapted on ABA 100 suggest that the modifications proposed have no influence on the result of the enzyme estimation. The activation of TGO by addition of its coenzyme was assessed using mathematical models uniting the values of TGO recorded with and without pyridoxal phosphate. It has been shown that the parabolic model is more suitable than the linear model to explain the relation between transaminase activity determined without pyridoxal phosphate and that measured in the presence of the coenzyme. Using estimations carried out in 850 blood donors, it was possible to show that the reference interval of TGO lay between 7 and 28 mUI/ml. In man, the value of TGO is statistically higher than in women. On the other hand between 20 and 60 years there does not seem to be any significant difference depending on age.", "PMID": 613890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_928", "title": "[Formation of new American psychiatrist and the future of psychiatry in the U. S.--A reference for France?].", "content": "A Ballad on the future of american psychiatry. Since the publication of Johann Reil's, Rhapsodies About the Application of Psychotherapy to Mental Disturbances (1803), variations upon this theme of extravagant discourse have received enthusiastic welcomes from the ever enlarging psychiatric audience for whom they are performed... Although the soloists change, the basic orchestration continues creating an uncanny sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 entendu. While there as been longstanding recognition of the contributions of biological, psychological and social forces to the etiology of mental illness, actual efforts at a synthesis of their roles have been infrequent. Rather, we have experienced ideological clustering around each with the formation of schools and movements which have tended to over-value their own viewpoint at the expense of the others and to the detriment of progress in psychiatry. The authors describe a periodicity of one to two decades in which one of the schools achieves preeminence over the others, consolidates its position in medical education and with the community at large, comes under fire for failing to provide solutions to the problems of the mentally ill, and finally experiences a decline of its influence and prestige. Since World War II, both psychoanalytic and social and community psychiatry have experienced these vicissitudes, and, as the influence of the latter diminishes, voices are already raised promoting the succession of biological psychiatry of the seat of power. We believe another cycle of hopeful expectance in the quest for psychiatric omniscience and the following period of disillusionment can be avoided. The stunning advances in biological research in the past, and the prospect of even more exciting revelations to come should not lead us to devalue those techniques and institutions which have proved effective, while in pursuit of new approaches. Experience informs us that no one discipline in psychiatry can answer all the questions confronting us, and the time is ripe for a reassessment of the appropriate contributions of each subspecialty to the field as a whole. The authors propose the establishment of fellowships in biological psychiatry to promote this subspecialty, just as fellowships have been created to train child psychiatrists, administrative psychiatrists, etc. We believe such action could insure a more active role for biological psychiatry without repeating the cycle of disruption already described. The outlines of such a fellowship are sketched.", "contents": "[Formation of new American psychiatrist and the future of psychiatry in the U. S.--A reference for France?]. A Ballad on the future of american psychiatry. Since the publication of Johann Reil's, Rhapsodies About the Application of Psychotherapy to Mental Disturbances (1803), variations upon this theme of extravagant discourse have received enthusiastic welcomes from the ever enlarging psychiatric audience for whom they are performed... Although the soloists change, the basic orchestration continues creating an uncanny sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 entendu. While there as been longstanding recognition of the contributions of biological, psychological and social forces to the etiology of mental illness, actual efforts at a synthesis of their roles have been infrequent. Rather, we have experienced ideological clustering around each with the formation of schools and movements which have tended to over-value their own viewpoint at the expense of the others and to the detriment of progress in psychiatry. The authors describe a periodicity of one to two decades in which one of the schools achieves preeminence over the others, consolidates its position in medical education and with the community at large, comes under fire for failing to provide solutions to the problems of the mentally ill, and finally experiences a decline of its influence and prestige. Since World War II, both psychoanalytic and social and community psychiatry have experienced these vicissitudes, and, as the influence of the latter diminishes, voices are already raised promoting the succession of biological psychiatry of the seat of power. We believe another cycle of hopeful expectance in the quest for psychiatric omniscience and the following period of disillusionment can be avoided. The stunning advances in biological research in the past, and the prospect of even more exciting revelations to come should not lead us to devalue those techniques and institutions which have proved effective, while in pursuit of new approaches. Experience informs us that no one discipline in psychiatry can answer all the questions confronting us, and the time is ripe for a reassessment of the appropriate contributions of each subspecialty to the field as a whole. The authors propose the establishment of fellowships in biological psychiatry to promote this subspecialty, just as fellowships have been created to train child psychiatrists, administrative psychiatrists, etc. We believe such action could insure a more active role for biological psychiatry without repeating the cycle of disruption already described. The outlines of such a fellowship are sketched.", "PMID": 613891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_929", "title": "[Psychiatric services in New Caledonia].", "content": "The author describes Psychiatric hositals and psychiatric practice in Nouvelle-Cal\u00e9donie, with historical and modern datas. The indigenous traditional psychiatry (healing) of the melanesians (who are half of the total population) remains ill-known and separated of occidental modern medical practice.", "contents": "[Psychiatric services in New Caledonia]. The author describes Psychiatric hositals and psychiatric practice in Nouvelle-Cal\u00e9donie, with historical and modern datas. The indigenous traditional psychiatry (healing) of the melanesians (who are half of the total population) remains ill-known and separated of occidental modern medical practice.", "PMID": 613892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_930", "title": "[Difficult and/or dangerous mental patients: criminologic survey on 547 subjects submitted to the maximum security ward at Cadillac between 1967 and 1976].", "content": "The writers of the article submit the results of a medico-legal analysis of 547 files of mental patients, some of whom are hard cases and others are dangerous. All the patients are males. Each of them was interned by order of civil prefect in the maximum security ward of the C.H.S. de Cadillac Mental Centre. These files cover the period between 1967 and 1976. First global study was made of all the patients whose average age, on their admission to the above-mentioned medical centre, was 33 years. The results of the study can be summed up as follows: a) Nosologically, three important groups of patients are distinguishable. Together, they constitute 85% of all the cases studied. 28% of the cases are psychotics, of whom 25,8% are chronic psychotics (14,8% schizophrenics; 7,7%, paranoiacs); 40,5% of the cases are psychopaths suffering from psychic imbalance; and finally, 16,4% of the cases are morons (debiles). b) According to their delinquent behaviour the cases fall into the following categories: 1) 47% of the cases committed acts of physical aggression (17,6%, murder or attempts at murder; 20% severe aggression; 6,2%, rape or attempts at rape). 2) 42,1% of the cases committed crimes against property (38%, theft; 4%, arson). 3) 10,6% of the cases showed anti-social behaviour (6,5%, threats of murder; 3,5% alcoholism, fugues, etc.). c) The origin of the studied population was as follows: 22% of them were sent to the maximum security ward from prisons; some of them were sent here as irresponsible and some as a result of abnormal and disturbed behaviour. 78% of them were sent to the maximum security settings from psychiatric centres: of whom 8% from other security settings and 70% from ordinary psychiatric centres [50% of whom because they had run away (fugues) and 50% of whom as a result of aggressive behaviour which was, in certain case, accompanied by threats of murder]...", "contents": "[Difficult and/or dangerous mental patients: criminologic survey on 547 subjects submitted to the maximum security ward at Cadillac between 1967 and 1976]. The writers of the article submit the results of a medico-legal analysis of 547 files of mental patients, some of whom are hard cases and others are dangerous. All the patients are males. Each of them was interned by order of civil prefect in the maximum security ward of the C.H.S. de Cadillac Mental Centre. These files cover the period between 1967 and 1976. First global study was made of all the patients whose average age, on their admission to the above-mentioned medical centre, was 33 years. The results of the study can be summed up as follows: a) Nosologically, three important groups of patients are distinguishable. Together, they constitute 85% of all the cases studied. 28% of the cases are psychotics, of whom 25,8% are chronic psychotics (14,8% schizophrenics; 7,7%, paranoiacs); 40,5% of the cases are psychopaths suffering from psychic imbalance; and finally, 16,4% of the cases are morons (debiles). b) According to their delinquent behaviour the cases fall into the following categories: 1) 47% of the cases committed acts of physical aggression (17,6%, murder or attempts at murder; 20% severe aggression; 6,2%, rape or attempts at rape). 2) 42,1% of the cases committed crimes against property (38%, theft; 4%, arson). 3) 10,6% of the cases showed anti-social behaviour (6,5%, threats of murder; 3,5% alcoholism, fugues, etc.). c) The origin of the studied population was as follows: 22% of them were sent to the maximum security ward from prisons; some of them were sent here as irresponsible and some as a result of abnormal and disturbed behaviour. 78% of them were sent to the maximum security settings from psychiatric centres: of whom 8% from other security settings and 70% from ordinary psychiatric centres [50% of whom because they had run away (fugues) and 50% of whom as a result of aggressive behaviour which was, in certain case, accompanied by threats of murder]...", "PMID": 613896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_931", "title": "[System method in psychiatry].", "content": "The limits of the present methods in psychiatry incite the observer to seek for new methods of investigation. A new method, strictly of operation, can thus be determined from the elements brought in by contemporary epistemology. It's based upon a comparative and differential analysis of the pathologic phenomena gathered in homogeneous groups and sub-groups so as extract from them the permanent functional data (namely the invariants) which are used to constitute open models and systems to be checked by clinical experience. This method is defined here in its terminological and methodological characteristics; its first results and its advantages are pointed out.", "contents": "[System method in psychiatry]. The limits of the present methods in psychiatry incite the observer to seek for new methods of investigation. A new method, strictly of operation, can thus be determined from the elements brought in by contemporary epistemology. It's based upon a comparative and differential analysis of the pathologic phenomena gathered in homogeneous groups and sub-groups so as extract from them the permanent functional data (namely the invariants) which are used to constitute open models and systems to be checked by clinical experience. This method is defined here in its terminological and methodological characteristics; its first results and its advantages are pointed out.", "PMID": 613897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_932", "title": "Dietary aflatoxins and human primary liver cancer.", "content": "The results of the dietary aflatoxin-liver cancer study carried out in the Murang'a district of Kenya have been reassessed in relation to disease incidence rates based on a total of seven years of cancer registration and related to the Population Census carried out during the course of the initial study. These newly derived data have been combined with the results of a second similar dietary aflatoxin-liver cancer study which was later carried out in Swaziland. Separate treatment of the male and female data has been considered necessary due to the variation of the sex ratio of the disease incidence in the two areas. The combined results of the two studies show a high degree of positive correlation between the calculated ingestion levels of aflatoxin, expressed as ng/kg bodyweight/day (x) and the adult incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma expressed as cases/10(5) adults/year (y) within the two study populations and this is true for both males and females. Based upon an assumed 2 kg/day intake of wet diet and a mean bodyweight of 70 kg, the calculated relationship for adult females is: y = 4.14 log10 x--0.80 (0.05 greater than P4 greater than 0.02, tor = +/- 2.90). With the added assumption of a daily intake of native beer of two liters/day the regression equation for adult males is: y = 21.96 log10 x--11.17 (P5 less than 0.001, tor = +/- 3.42). The regression data are found to be essentially compatible with comparable data recorded by independent workers in Thailand and Mozambique; the latter being the region where the highest rates of liver cancer and of aflatoxin ingestion levels have so far been recorded. A highly significant regression line has also been calculated using crude disease incidence data and aflatoxin exposure levels from all available studies: y = 7.60 log10 x--3.60 (P8 less than 0.001, tor = +/- 3.10).", "contents": "Dietary aflatoxins and human primary liver cancer. The results of the dietary aflatoxin-liver cancer study carried out in the Murang'a district of Kenya have been reassessed in relation to disease incidence rates based on a total of seven years of cancer registration and related to the Population Census carried out during the course of the initial study. These newly derived data have been combined with the results of a second similar dietary aflatoxin-liver cancer study which was later carried out in Swaziland. Separate treatment of the male and female data has been considered necessary due to the variation of the sex ratio of the disease incidence in the two areas. The combined results of the two studies show a high degree of positive correlation between the calculated ingestion levels of aflatoxin, expressed as ng/kg bodyweight/day (x) and the adult incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma expressed as cases/10(5) adults/year (y) within the two study populations and this is true for both males and females. Based upon an assumed 2 kg/day intake of wet diet and a mean bodyweight of 70 kg, the calculated relationship for adult females is: y = 4.14 log10 x--0.80 (0.05 greater than P4 greater than 0.02, tor = +/- 2.90). With the added assumption of a daily intake of native beer of two liters/day the regression equation for adult males is: y = 21.96 log10 x--11.17 (P5 less than 0.001, tor = +/- 3.42). The regression data are found to be essentially compatible with comparable data recorded by independent workers in Thailand and Mozambique; the latter being the region where the highest rates of liver cancer and of aflatoxin ingestion levels have so far been recorded. A highly significant regression line has also been calculated using crude disease incidence data and aflatoxin exposure levels from all available studies: y = 7.60 log10 x--3.60 (P8 less than 0.001, tor = +/- 3.10).", "PMID": 613902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_933", "title": "Food mycotoxins survey and monitoring programs.", "content": "Traditionally, mycotoxin problems have come to our attention mainly because of outbreaks of animal diseases and in several instances human diseases and there are then related to a mycotoxin as the causative agent. Undoubtedly this will continue to be a very important means for uncovering mycotoxin problems. However, in recent years, now that practical, sensitive analytical methods have become available, we have been able to seek out mycotoxin contamination, monitor problem foods and survey problem foods for a number of mycotoxins. Examples of effective programs, and effective peanut control program; import, export and manufacturing quality control programs are presented. Points of testing, sampling, sample preparation; types of tests such as screening, multidetection chemical and confirmation tests are discussed.", "contents": "Food mycotoxins survey and monitoring programs. Traditionally, mycotoxin problems have come to our attention mainly because of outbreaks of animal diseases and in several instances human diseases and there are then related to a mycotoxin as the causative agent. Undoubtedly this will continue to be a very important means for uncovering mycotoxin problems. However, in recent years, now that practical, sensitive analytical methods have become available, we have been able to seek out mycotoxin contamination, monitor problem foods and survey problem foods for a number of mycotoxins. Examples of effective programs, and effective peanut control program; import, export and manufacturing quality control programs are presented. Points of testing, sampling, sample preparation; types of tests such as screening, multidetection chemical and confirmation tests are discussed.", "PMID": 613903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_934", "title": "Mycotoxin tolerances in foodstuffs.", "content": "In most countries general legislation on food (and feed) prohibits the sale of products containing poisonous or harmful substances, which would include relevant mycotoxins as well. So far only aflatoxin has been dealt with specifically in legislation. The aflatoxin control may include all foods (and feeds) but is limited in most countries to certain commodities likely to be heavily contaminated, viz. oilseeds and derived products. The aflatoxin tolerances established for foods vary from zero (level set by analytical method) through 30 ppb to 50 ppb. Tolerances for feeds are generally higher.", "contents": "Mycotoxin tolerances in foodstuffs. In most countries general legislation on food (and feed) prohibits the sale of products containing poisonous or harmful substances, which would include relevant mycotoxins as well. So far only aflatoxin has been dealt with specifically in legislation. The aflatoxin control may include all foods (and feeds) but is limited in most countries to certain commodities likely to be heavily contaminated, viz. oilseeds and derived products. The aflatoxin tolerances established for foods vary from zero (level set by analytical method) through 30 ppb to 50 ppb. Tolerances for feeds are generally higher.", "PMID": 613904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_935", "title": "Mycotoxins in foods and feeds. Their occurrence and significance.", "content": "In 1973, TPI carried out a world-wide survey to ascertain the data available on aflatoxin contamination of food and feedingstuffs (JONES, 1975). Considerable interest was shown in this work which led us to attempt a similar exercise to determine the situation with respect to mycotoxins generally. It was felt that there was a need for this information which was not immediately available. Questionnaires were distributed to as many organizations as possible and the replies evaluated. The data obtained gives only general indications of the current situation, but it is feld that this information will be of use to those concerned with the subject of mycotoxins.", "contents": "Mycotoxins in foods and feeds. Their occurrence and significance. In 1973, TPI carried out a world-wide survey to ascertain the data available on aflatoxin contamination of food and feedingstuffs (JONES, 1975). Considerable interest was shown in this work which led us to attempt a similar exercise to determine the situation with respect to mycotoxins generally. It was felt that there was a need for this information which was not immediately available. Questionnaires were distributed to as many organizations as possible and the replies evaluated. The data obtained gives only general indications of the current situation, but it is feld that this information will be of use to those concerned with the subject of mycotoxins.", "PMID": 613905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_936", "title": "Natural contamination of corn (Zea ma\u00efs) with mycotoxins in Yugoslavia.", "content": "The 191 corn samples were collected in autumm and spring following the crop year 1975 from terminal elevators and from silos during the storage, at feed processing establishment. Some samples were taken on the farms at the region \"Posavina\" where the \"Balkan kidney disease\"--endemic nephrytis--is wide spread. The samples were analysed for : zearalenone, aflatoxins, skin irritating factors and ochratoxin A, by a modified multimycotoxins method. Zearalenone was found in 2.6 p. 100 samples (0.043-10 ppm), average 5.1 ppm. Aflatoxins were found in no samples. A skin irritating factor was found in 8.3 p. 100 samples (0.5-5.0 ppm), average 2.2 ppm, and ochratoxin A was found in 26 p. 100 samples (0.045-5.1 ppm), average 0.49 ppm.", "contents": "Natural contamination of corn (Zea ma\u00efs) with mycotoxins in Yugoslavia. The 191 corn samples were collected in autumm and spring following the crop year 1975 from terminal elevators and from silos during the storage, at feed processing establishment. Some samples were taken on the farms at the region \"Posavina\" where the \"Balkan kidney disease\"--endemic nephrytis--is wide spread. The samples were analysed for : zearalenone, aflatoxins, skin irritating factors and ochratoxin A, by a modified multimycotoxins method. Zearalenone was found in 2.6 p. 100 samples (0.043-10 ppm), average 5.1 ppm. Aflatoxins were found in no samples. A skin irritating factor was found in 8.3 p. 100 samples (0.5-5.0 ppm), average 2.2 ppm, and ochratoxin A was found in 26 p. 100 samples (0.045-5.1 ppm), average 0.49 ppm.", "PMID": 613906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_937", "title": "Aflatoxin in Tunisian foods and foodstuffs.", "content": "1076 samples of different commodities were screened for aflatoxin contamination. Samples were taken from storage houses and dealers throughout the country. 14 of these samples contained aflatoxin (as much as 62 microgram/kg). Corn was found to be the most contaminated agricultural product followed by sorghum and peanuts. Wheat and barley showed no contamination. 1 out of 19 pistachio samples contained 22 microgram/kg of aflatoxin B1. Fluid milk showed no contamination while only 2 out of 248 cheese samples were found contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (10.6 microgram/kg).", "contents": "Aflatoxin in Tunisian foods and foodstuffs. 1076 samples of different commodities were screened for aflatoxin contamination. Samples were taken from storage houses and dealers throughout the country. 14 of these samples contained aflatoxin (as much as 62 microgram/kg). Corn was found to be the most contaminated agricultural product followed by sorghum and peanuts. Wheat and barley showed no contamination. 1 out of 19 pistachio samples contained 22 microgram/kg of aflatoxin B1. Fluid milk showed no contamination while only 2 out of 248 cheese samples were found contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (10.6 microgram/kg).", "PMID": 613907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_938", "title": "Incidence and control of mycotoxin producing molds in domestic and imported cheeses.", "content": "Molds were isolated from moldy cheese trimmings and both nonmoldy and moldy samples of domestic and imported retail samples of cheese. The majority of molds found were Penicillium species. A small percentage (about 4 p. 100) of the molds encountered were species known to be capable of producing recognized mycotoxins (P. cyclopium, P. viridicatum, A. flavus and A. ochraceus). Most of the molds isolated has psychrotrophic properties and were capable of growing at 5 degrees C. Sorbates were found to be partially effective in delaying the growth of molds obtained from cheese. However, 65--75 p. 100 of the mold isolates were capable of initiating growth in the presence of 0.3 p. 100 potassium sorbate within 7 days at 5 degrees C. Pimaricin, on the other hand, prevented the growth of all the mold isolates at 12 and 5 degrees C and of 96 p. 100 of the isolates at 25 degrees C for at least 7 days.", "contents": "Incidence and control of mycotoxin producing molds in domestic and imported cheeses. Molds were isolated from moldy cheese trimmings and both nonmoldy and moldy samples of domestic and imported retail samples of cheese. The majority of molds found were Penicillium species. A small percentage (about 4 p. 100) of the molds encountered were species known to be capable of producing recognized mycotoxins (P. cyclopium, P. viridicatum, A. flavus and A. ochraceus). Most of the molds isolated has psychrotrophic properties and were capable of growing at 5 degrees C. Sorbates were found to be partially effective in delaying the growth of molds obtained from cheese. However, 65--75 p. 100 of the mold isolates were capable of initiating growth in the presence of 0.3 p. 100 potassium sorbate within 7 days at 5 degrees C. Pimaricin, on the other hand, prevented the growth of all the mold isolates at 12 and 5 degrees C and of 96 p. 100 of the isolates at 25 degrees C for at least 7 days.", "PMID": 613908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_939", "title": "Occurrence of patulin in fruit and vegetables.", "content": "In different varieties of apples and pears suffering from brown rot, patulin was found in about 50 p. 100 of samples investigated (about 120). Patulin levels as high as 1 g/kg rotten material were found 2-3 days after the fruit was removed from the cold store where it had been stored for 5 months. A significant diffusion into the healthy plant tissue was not observed in apples, but in peaches, tomatoes and pears. Vegetable products with natural patulin content: apples, pears, peaches, apricots, bananas, pine apples, grapes. After inoculation with Penicillium expansum, P. urticae or Byssochlamys nivea, patulin was also found in greengages, strawberries, honeydew melons, red and green paprika, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. The artificial infection failed in celeriac, kohlrabi, cauliflower, red cabbage, radish, horseradish, onions, squash (zuccini), potatoes and egg plants. The author further investigated the patulin synthesis as a function of the temperature as well as its oxygen requirement in various mold species and strains.", "contents": "Occurrence of patulin in fruit and vegetables. In different varieties of apples and pears suffering from brown rot, patulin was found in about 50 p. 100 of samples investigated (about 120). Patulin levels as high as 1 g/kg rotten material were found 2-3 days after the fruit was removed from the cold store where it had been stored for 5 months. A significant diffusion into the healthy plant tissue was not observed in apples, but in peaches, tomatoes and pears. Vegetable products with natural patulin content: apples, pears, peaches, apricots, bananas, pine apples, grapes. After inoculation with Penicillium expansum, P. urticae or Byssochlamys nivea, patulin was also found in greengages, strawberries, honeydew melons, red and green paprika, tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. The artificial infection failed in celeriac, kohlrabi, cauliflower, red cabbage, radish, horseradish, onions, squash (zuccini), potatoes and egg plants. The author further investigated the patulin synthesis as a function of the temperature as well as its oxygen requirement in various mold species and strains.", "PMID": 613910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_940", "title": "Incidence of aflatoxin-potential contamination in Spanish sausages.", "content": "525 strains of moulds were isolated from 8 samples of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and from 3 samples of black pepper (Piper nigrum). These spices were commonly added to the various kinds of spanish sausages, specially to the spanish \"chorizo\". Of these 525 isolated moulds, 100 belonged to the Aspergillus flavus group. 69 were isolated from red pepper and 31 from black pepper. Of these strains, 28 strains isolated from red pepper were found positive in producing aflatoxin B1 while only 8 of the strains isolated from black pepper produced aflatoxin B1. 16 of the strains isolated from red pepper also produced aflatoxin G1. After experimental contamination by these aflatoxicogenic strains of moulds of various kinds of spanish sausages, and after drying them under similar storage conditions used in the sausage industry, the presence of aflatoxin were detected only on the skin but not in the meat of the sausage.", "contents": "Incidence of aflatoxin-potential contamination in Spanish sausages. 525 strains of moulds were isolated from 8 samples of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and from 3 samples of black pepper (Piper nigrum). These spices were commonly added to the various kinds of spanish sausages, specially to the spanish \"chorizo\". Of these 525 isolated moulds, 100 belonged to the Aspergillus flavus group. 69 were isolated from red pepper and 31 from black pepper. Of these strains, 28 strains isolated from red pepper were found positive in producing aflatoxin B1 while only 8 of the strains isolated from black pepper produced aflatoxin B1. 16 of the strains isolated from red pepper also produced aflatoxin G1. After experimental contamination by these aflatoxicogenic strains of moulds of various kinds of spanish sausages, and after drying them under similar storage conditions used in the sausage industry, the presence of aflatoxin were detected only on the skin but not in the meat of the sausage.", "PMID": 613913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_941", "title": "Mycotoxins in grain for animal feeds.", "content": "A total of 302 crushed grain samples of barley, wheat, rye, corn and oats from the crop year 1974 were collected from commercial feed processing plants situated in all the provinces (voivodeships) of Poland. For the mycotoxin survey, performed according to the multimycotoxin detection method by Stoloff et al (1971), 150 grain samples were taken. The positive samples were analysed thereafter by the procedures for the individual mycotoxins and chemical confirmatory tests. Of the 150 samples tested by the multimycotoxin detection method, 77 (51 p. 100) showed fluorescing spots and Rf values of aflatoxins, 24 (16 p. 100) were of ochratoxins, 11 (7 p. 100) of zearalenone and 5 (3 p. 100) of sterigmatocystin. However when these samples were assayed by the specific methods and confirmatory procedures, only 8 (5 p. 100) samples were found to be positive, containing ochratoxin A at the level ranging from 50 to 200 microgram/kg.", "contents": "Mycotoxins in grain for animal feeds. A total of 302 crushed grain samples of barley, wheat, rye, corn and oats from the crop year 1974 were collected from commercial feed processing plants situated in all the provinces (voivodeships) of Poland. For the mycotoxin survey, performed according to the multimycotoxin detection method by Stoloff et al (1971), 150 grain samples were taken. The positive samples were analysed thereafter by the procedures for the individual mycotoxins and chemical confirmatory tests. Of the 150 samples tested by the multimycotoxin detection method, 77 (51 p. 100) showed fluorescing spots and Rf values of aflatoxins, 24 (16 p. 100) were of ochratoxins, 11 (7 p. 100) of zearalenone and 5 (3 p. 100) of sterigmatocystin. However when these samples were assayed by the specific methods and confirmatory procedures, only 8 (5 p. 100) samples were found to be positive, containing ochratoxin A at the level ranging from 50 to 200 microgram/kg.", "PMID": 613914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_942", "title": "The American Oil Chemists' Society's Smalley mycotoxin check sample program : an evaluation.", "content": "For many years the American Oil Chemists' Society has offered through its Smalley Committee a number of oilseed and oilseed product check sample programs for interested analysts throughout the World. The goals of these programs are the standardization and upgrading of analytical proficiency, as well as providing recognition for excellence. A Smalley Subcommittee was formed to establish a check sample program for Mycotoxin contaminated commodities. This program was initiated in the (1974-1975) season with a deoiled aflatoxin contaminated peanut meal series and a deoiled aflatoxin contaminated cottonseed meal series. Each series consisted of an initial practice sample and five check meal samples provided at one month intervals. Laboratories participating in this program represent a cross section of industry, regulatory agencies, and referee chemists in North America and Europe. Methods of analysis for these series are restricted to those of A.O.A.C. and A.O.C.S. paraphrases. These are the C.B. or B.F. Methods for peanut products and the Pons procedure for cottonseed products. Operational and statistical evaluations of these two series seasons are presented.", "contents": "The American Oil Chemists' Society's Smalley mycotoxin check sample program : an evaluation. For many years the American Oil Chemists' Society has offered through its Smalley Committee a number of oilseed and oilseed product check sample programs for interested analysts throughout the World. The goals of these programs are the standardization and upgrading of analytical proficiency, as well as providing recognition for excellence. A Smalley Subcommittee was formed to establish a check sample program for Mycotoxin contaminated commodities. This program was initiated in the (1974-1975) season with a deoiled aflatoxin contaminated peanut meal series and a deoiled aflatoxin contaminated cottonseed meal series. Each series consisted of an initial practice sample and five check meal samples provided at one month intervals. Laboratories participating in this program represent a cross section of industry, regulatory agencies, and referee chemists in North America and Europe. Methods of analysis for these series are restricted to those of A.O.A.C. and A.O.C.S. paraphrases. These are the C.B. or B.F. Methods for peanut products and the Pons procedure for cottonseed products. Operational and statistical evaluations of these two series seasons are presented.", "PMID": 613917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_943", "title": "[Contamination of cotton seeds and of cotton seed cake by aflatoxin].", "content": "Following the discovery of aflatoxin M in cow's milk in the previous study, the contamination with aflatoxin of cotton-seed and cotton-seed cake which constitute the principal feed of local animals was measured. The samples were taken from 2 factories. The grain from the 1st factory was grown in the centre of the country in dry climate, and those from the 2nd source originated from the humid region of the north of Iran. The grain and cotton-seed cake from the 1st factory did not contain aflatoxin before storage. During storage the sample contamination amount and percent increased with time in both regions, with the dry less than the humid. In conclusion, Iranian cotton-seed and cotton-seed cake appear to be contaminated with aflatoxin B in 2 processes. The 1st is aflatoxin contamination before harvest, in the humid region of Iran; the 2nd is general storage aflatoxin contamination in both regions in which humidity and length of storage appear to be the principal factors.", "contents": "[Contamination of cotton seeds and of cotton seed cake by aflatoxin]. Following the discovery of aflatoxin M in cow's milk in the previous study, the contamination with aflatoxin of cotton-seed and cotton-seed cake which constitute the principal feed of local animals was measured. The samples were taken from 2 factories. The grain from the 1st factory was grown in the centre of the country in dry climate, and those from the 2nd source originated from the humid region of the north of Iran. The grain and cotton-seed cake from the 1st factory did not contain aflatoxin before storage. During storage the sample contamination amount and percent increased with time in both regions, with the dry less than the humid. In conclusion, Iranian cotton-seed and cotton-seed cake appear to be contaminated with aflatoxin B in 2 processes. The 1st is aflatoxin contamination before harvest, in the humid region of Iran; the 2nd is general storage aflatoxin contamination in both regions in which humidity and length of storage appear to be the principal factors.", "PMID": 613918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_944", "title": "[Action of some factors on P.R. toxin excretion].", "content": "Conditions of P.R. toxin production by 4 strains of Penicillium roqueforti are tested. This production occurs only in specific conditions of culture. Some strains do not produce P.R. toxin.", "contents": "[Action of some factors on P.R. toxin excretion]. Conditions of P.R. toxin production by 4 strains of Penicillium roqueforti are tested. This production occurs only in specific conditions of culture. Some strains do not produce P.R. toxin.", "PMID": 613921} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_945", "title": "Incidence of zearalenone producing strains of Fusarium in barley seeds.", "content": "Barley grains at harvest in 1971, 1973 and 1974 were mycologically examined for isolates of the fungus Fusarium. These isolates were then examined for the ability to produce zearalenone. In 1974 the grain was also examined for the presence of zearalenone. The most common isolate was F. culmorum, 60 p. 100 of which in 1974, produced zearalenone. Other species isolated which produced this mycotoxin were F. moniliforme, F. graminearum, F. avenaceum, F. nivale and F. sambucinum var. coerulum, the last 3 species have not previously been recorded as producing zearalenone.", "contents": "Incidence of zearalenone producing strains of Fusarium in barley seeds. Barley grains at harvest in 1971, 1973 and 1974 were mycologically examined for isolates of the fungus Fusarium. These isolates were then examined for the ability to produce zearalenone. In 1974 the grain was also examined for the presence of zearalenone. The most common isolate was F. culmorum, 60 p. 100 of which in 1974, produced zearalenone. Other species isolated which produced this mycotoxin were F. moniliforme, F. graminearum, F. avenaceum, F. nivale and F. sambucinum var. coerulum, the last 3 species have not previously been recorded as producing zearalenone.", "PMID": 613922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_946", "title": "[Bioproduction of sterigmatocystine by Aspergillus versicolor (Vuill.) tiraboschi in dry fodder].", "content": "Lucerne and ray-grass, sterilized or not, were equilibrated at relative humidity (E.R.H.) 84, 88, 93 p. 100, and contaminated by spores of a highly toxinogenic A. Versicolor strain and maintained in these E.R.H. during 6 months. A peculiar technique for extraction and purification was necessary; the quantification limit for sterigmatocystin was 100 ppb; measurements had been done monthly in 3 replicates. Solvent water was estimated from water sorption isotherms: Toxin yield progressively increases, then lowers and, at last, becomes stable between 1200 and 2000 p.p.b.; The maximal yield is all the higher and the different evolution stages are all the shorter as E.R.H. is higher. The substrate nature influence is different according to E.R.H.; The toxin yields are about twice lower in unsterilized forages. The main parameter for fungal development and toxinogenesis, in low E.R.H. conditions, appears to be the solvent water concentration. Taking into consideration the weak yields of sterigmatocystin obtained in these conditions with a highly toxinogenic strain, the hazard of sterigmatocystin as a natural contaminant in these forages is low, in spite of the high frequency of this fungal species.", "contents": "[Bioproduction of sterigmatocystine by Aspergillus versicolor (Vuill.) tiraboschi in dry fodder]. Lucerne and ray-grass, sterilized or not, were equilibrated at relative humidity (E.R.H.) 84, 88, 93 p. 100, and contaminated by spores of a highly toxinogenic A. Versicolor strain and maintained in these E.R.H. during 6 months. A peculiar technique for extraction and purification was necessary; the quantification limit for sterigmatocystin was 100 ppb; measurements had been done monthly in 3 replicates. Solvent water was estimated from water sorption isotherms: Toxin yield progressively increases, then lowers and, at last, becomes stable between 1200 and 2000 p.p.b.; The maximal yield is all the higher and the different evolution stages are all the shorter as E.R.H. is higher. The substrate nature influence is different according to E.R.H.; The toxin yields are about twice lower in unsterilized forages. The main parameter for fungal development and toxinogenesis, in low E.R.H. conditions, appears to be the solvent water concentration. Taking into consideration the weak yields of sterigmatocystin obtained in these conditions with a highly toxinogenic strain, the hazard of sterigmatocystin as a natural contaminant in these forages is low, in spite of the high frequency of this fungal species.", "PMID": 613923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_947", "title": "Biosynthesis of aflatoxins.", "content": "The role of zinc on the primary metabolism of Aspergillus parasiticus in relation to aflatoxin biosynthesis was studied. Zinc deficiency impaired growth and metabolism of nucleic acid and protein while stimulating that of lipid. The activities of enzymes of glycolytic cycle were affected indicating that these are zinc dependent enzymes. Impaired glycolytic cycle tends to reduce the level of primary metabolites like pyruvate, citrate and oxaloacetate which trigger aflatoxin formation. During stationary phase these precursors accumulate as these are not used up for the synthesis of secondary metabolites (aflatoxins) due to zinc deficiency. ATP and energy-charge (E.C.) which are important for various physiological processes like growth are reduced in zinc deficiency. Also zinc deficiency results in low levels of AMP which favour synthesis of lipid. Inorganic phosphate accumulated due to zinc deficiency and this may be unfavourable for aflatoxin synthesis.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of aflatoxins. The role of zinc on the primary metabolism of Aspergillus parasiticus in relation to aflatoxin biosynthesis was studied. Zinc deficiency impaired growth and metabolism of nucleic acid and protein while stimulating that of lipid. The activities of enzymes of glycolytic cycle were affected indicating that these are zinc dependent enzymes. Impaired glycolytic cycle tends to reduce the level of primary metabolites like pyruvate, citrate and oxaloacetate which trigger aflatoxin formation. During stationary phase these precursors accumulate as these are not used up for the synthesis of secondary metabolites (aflatoxins) due to zinc deficiency. ATP and energy-charge (E.C.) which are important for various physiological processes like growth are reduced in zinc deficiency. Also zinc deficiency results in low levels of AMP which favour synthesis of lipid. Inorganic phosphate accumulated due to zinc deficiency and this may be unfavourable for aflatoxin synthesis.", "PMID": 613925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_948", "title": "Some newly discovered mycotoxins.", "content": "The discovery of the aflatoxins in 1960 has taken place in the present era of the intense awareness of the importance of environmental contaminants. It has dramatically influenced subsequent fungal research with the resulting rapid increase in the number of publications describing mycological, chemical, toxicological and epidemiological aspects of mycotoxins. In this contribution results will be discussed which were published only subsequent to 1970. In this period the importance of several new classes of mycotoxins was realized, e.g. the toxic cytochalasins and the tremorgens. The potential role of highly oxygenated metabolites in mycotoxicosis was emphasized by the establishment of secalonic acids A and D. emodin, moniliformin, altenuisiol alternariol and austdiol as toxins. The structure of viridicatumtoxin, C30H31NO11, a metabolite produced by Penicillium viridicatum will be described. It is a novel compound, structurally related to the tetracyclines. The characterization of several mycotoxins from other toxigenic fungi will be reported.", "contents": "Some newly discovered mycotoxins. The discovery of the aflatoxins in 1960 has taken place in the present era of the intense awareness of the importance of environmental contaminants. It has dramatically influenced subsequent fungal research with the resulting rapid increase in the number of publications describing mycological, chemical, toxicological and epidemiological aspects of mycotoxins. In this contribution results will be discussed which were published only subsequent to 1970. In this period the importance of several new classes of mycotoxins was realized, e.g. the toxic cytochalasins and the tremorgens. The potential role of highly oxygenated metabolites in mycotoxicosis was emphasized by the establishment of secalonic acids A and D. emodin, moniliformin, altenuisiol alternariol and austdiol as toxins. The structure of viridicatumtoxin, C30H31NO11, a metabolite produced by Penicillium viridicatum will be described. It is a novel compound, structurally related to the tetracyclines. The characterization of several mycotoxins from other toxigenic fungi will be reported.", "PMID": 613927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_949", "title": "Fusarium equiseti associated mycotoxins as possible cause of Degnala disease.", "content": "In an attempt to find out the etiology of Degnala disease, occurring among buffaloes and zebu cattle in certain rice growing areas of India, preliminary field and laboratory investigations were conducted. On the basis of information so obtained, certain hypotheses (possible causes) were formulated and each of them was examined by instituting laboratory and experimental studies. These investigations suggested the possibility of the involvement of mycotoxins.", "contents": "Fusarium equiseti associated mycotoxins as possible cause of Degnala disease. In an attempt to find out the etiology of Degnala disease, occurring among buffaloes and zebu cattle in certain rice growing areas of India, preliminary field and laboratory investigations were conducted. On the basis of information so obtained, certain hypotheses (possible causes) were formulated and each of them was examined by instituting laboratory and experimental studies. These investigations suggested the possibility of the involvement of mycotoxins.", "PMID": 613929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_950", "title": "Pathology of Degnala disease in cattle and buffaloes.", "content": "Degnala disease, which is believed to be a mycotoxicosis, has clinical syndrome similar to chronic ergotism and is characterised by development of oedema, necrosis and gangrene of the legs, tail, ears, etc. The gross and histopathologic studies revealed thickening of the wall of blood vessels, associated with thrombus formation, and eosinophilic infiltration in the subcutaneous connective tissue of the affected parts of the body.", "contents": "Pathology of Degnala disease in cattle and buffaloes. Degnala disease, which is believed to be a mycotoxicosis, has clinical syndrome similar to chronic ergotism and is characterised by development of oedema, necrosis and gangrene of the legs, tail, ears, etc. The gross and histopathologic studies revealed thickening of the wall of blood vessels, associated with thrombus formation, and eosinophilic infiltration in the subcutaneous connective tissue of the affected parts of the body.", "PMID": 613930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_951", "title": "Hepato-and cardiotoxicity of xanthoascin, a new xanthocillin analogue produced by Aspergillus candidus. II. A preliminary electron microscopic observation of the heart and lung with intranuclear myelin-like figures.", "content": "Xanthoascin (1-4(hydroxyphenyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-6-chromanyl)-2,3-diisocyano-1,3-butadiene), a toxic metabolite recently isolated from rice grains infested with Aspergillus candidus L., caused acute hepatic injury with jaundice in mice. Following this, if the animals survived, degeneration of the myocardium developed over several weeks. Myocardial cells of dilated ventricular walls were diffusely vacuolated in routine H.E. sections. Electron microscopically, the vacuoles were filled with osmiophilic, concentric lamellar figures of varied size. Judging from observations in the early stages, this structure seems to develop in relation to mitochondrial membrane. The nuclei of the interstitial cells of the myocardium and pulmonary alveoli contained similar myelin-like figures. Recently it has been found that most strains of A. candidus produce terphenyllin, another toxic compound, and a smaller number of them produces, in addition to terphenyllin, xanthoascin. This may indicate that xanthoascin can be a candidate as a causative agent of primary myocardial diseases of men and contamination of foods with A. candidus and xanthoascin should be eargently examined.", "contents": "Hepato-and cardiotoxicity of xanthoascin, a new xanthocillin analogue produced by Aspergillus candidus. II. A preliminary electron microscopic observation of the heart and lung with intranuclear myelin-like figures. Xanthoascin (1-4(hydroxyphenyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-6-chromanyl)-2,3-diisocyano-1,3-butadiene), a toxic metabolite recently isolated from rice grains infested with Aspergillus candidus L., caused acute hepatic injury with jaundice in mice. Following this, if the animals survived, degeneration of the myocardium developed over several weeks. Myocardial cells of dilated ventricular walls were diffusely vacuolated in routine H.E. sections. Electron microscopically, the vacuoles were filled with osmiophilic, concentric lamellar figures of varied size. Judging from observations in the early stages, this structure seems to develop in relation to mitochondrial membrane. The nuclei of the interstitial cells of the myocardium and pulmonary alveoli contained similar myelin-like figures. Recently it has been found that most strains of A. candidus produce terphenyllin, another toxic compound, and a smaller number of them produces, in addition to terphenyllin, xanthoascin. This may indicate that xanthoascin can be a candidate as a causative agent of primary myocardial diseases of men and contamination of foods with A. candidus and xanthoascin should be eargently examined.", "PMID": 613931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_952", "title": "[Mechanism of action of mycotoxins].", "content": "The present paper is an attempt to review the hypotheses concerning the mechanism of the physiopathological effects induced by mycotoxins, in particular by the aflatoxins and PR toxin. We shall first examine to what extent the alterations produced on some metabolic pathways (transcription, translation) can explain the short terme toxic effects. The problem of the long term effects of aflatoxin B1, i.e. the hepatocarcinogenic effects, will be discussed taking into account the results concerning the action of the mycotoxin on DNA and DNA repair.", "contents": "[Mechanism of action of mycotoxins]. The present paper is an attempt to review the hypotheses concerning the mechanism of the physiopathological effects induced by mycotoxins, in particular by the aflatoxins and PR toxin. We shall first examine to what extent the alterations produced on some metabolic pathways (transcription, translation) can explain the short terme toxic effects. The problem of the long term effects of aflatoxin B1, i.e. the hepatocarcinogenic effects, will be discussed taking into account the results concerning the action of the mycotoxin on DNA and DNA repair.", "PMID": 613932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_953", "title": "[Antibacterial properties of aflatoxin B1: cytotoxic effects on Bacilus thuringiensis (Berliner)].", "content": "In a sensitive strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner), aflatoxin B1 inhibited growth with a dose above 5.0 microgram/ml. With subinhibitory levels (0.5 - 5.0 microgram/ml) physiological damage (decreased growth rate) and cellular alteration (filamentous cells) were noted. With these doses the mycotoxin disturbs various metabolisms : DNA synthesis (gradual blockage of the specific bacteriophage multiplication and dispersion of nuclear apparatus in giant cells); protein synthesis (decrease of protease secretion (2.0 microgram/ml), thuricin excretion (3.0 microgram/ml) and inhibition of endotoxin formation (4.0 microgram/ml); specific activities (bacterial motility, flagellar arrangment and sporulation were respectively affected with 1.0, 0.5 and 4.0 microgram/ml). The mycotoxin did not affect the metabolism of a resistant mutant isolated in the presence of a lethal dose of aflatoxin B1 (mutation rate : 1.10(8) with 20 microgram/ml). The numerous bacterial responses to aflatoxin B1 indicate that the probable site of its toxic binding may not be restricted to a particular locus on the DNA. On the contrary these observations suggest that there exist many combining affinities of the mycotoxin for intracellular sites or interference with a key-function such as the messenger-RNA synthesis.", "contents": "[Antibacterial properties of aflatoxin B1: cytotoxic effects on Bacilus thuringiensis (Berliner)]. In a sensitive strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner), aflatoxin B1 inhibited growth with a dose above 5.0 microgram/ml. With subinhibitory levels (0.5 - 5.0 microgram/ml) physiological damage (decreased growth rate) and cellular alteration (filamentous cells) were noted. With these doses the mycotoxin disturbs various metabolisms : DNA synthesis (gradual blockage of the specific bacteriophage multiplication and dispersion of nuclear apparatus in giant cells); protein synthesis (decrease of protease secretion (2.0 microgram/ml), thuricin excretion (3.0 microgram/ml) and inhibition of endotoxin formation (4.0 microgram/ml); specific activities (bacterial motility, flagellar arrangment and sporulation were respectively affected with 1.0, 0.5 and 4.0 microgram/ml). The mycotoxin did not affect the metabolism of a resistant mutant isolated in the presence of a lethal dose of aflatoxin B1 (mutation rate : 1.10(8) with 20 microgram/ml). The numerous bacterial responses to aflatoxin B1 indicate that the probable site of its toxic binding may not be restricted to a particular locus on the DNA. On the contrary these observations suggest that there exist many combining affinities of the mycotoxin for intracellular sites or interference with a key-function such as the messenger-RNA synthesis.", "PMID": 613933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_954", "title": "Aflatoxin toxicity and mode of action in plant tissues.", "content": "The present paper reviews a selective sample of the last decade's literature relating to the mechanism(s) by which aflatoxins produce toxic responses in plants. Also is reported a portion of our published data regarding pollen germination as well as tube elongation and its metabolism and our recent studies on these areas in excised, cultured soya-bean roots. A possible role(s) for aflatoxins in regulation of membrance biogenesis and/or permeability as well as in membrane-associated processes is suggested.", "contents": "Aflatoxin toxicity and mode of action in plant tissues. The present paper reviews a selective sample of the last decade's literature relating to the mechanism(s) by which aflatoxins produce toxic responses in plants. Also is reported a portion of our published data regarding pollen germination as well as tube elongation and its metabolism and our recent studies on these areas in excised, cultured soya-bean roots. A possible role(s) for aflatoxins in regulation of membrance biogenesis and/or permeability as well as in membrane-associated processes is suggested.", "PMID": 613934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_955", "title": "Mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1.", "content": "The present work aimed to study the mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1 on human chromosomes. The experiments showed that aflatoxin B1 is a strong chromosome damaging agent. The treated cells showed a high rate of aberrations mainly breaks and interchanges. Using Giemsa banding technique, the study showed that the distribution of breakage points on individual chromosomes was significantly non-random. The study of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) indicated that the high incidence of breakage rate was paralled by an increased SCE rate. Some chromosomes were very sensitive to the mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1, while other chromosomes were very resistant. The present data provides an additional consideration in assessing the risks of exposure to this agent.", "contents": "Mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1. The present work aimed to study the mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1 on human chromosomes. The experiments showed that aflatoxin B1 is a strong chromosome damaging agent. The treated cells showed a high rate of aberrations mainly breaks and interchanges. Using Giemsa banding technique, the study showed that the distribution of breakage points on individual chromosomes was significantly non-random. The study of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) indicated that the high incidence of breakage rate was paralled by an increased SCE rate. Some chromosomes were very sensitive to the mutagenic effect of aflatoxin B1, while other chromosomes were very resistant. The present data provides an additional consideration in assessing the risks of exposure to this agent.", "PMID": 613935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_956", "title": "[Effect of patulin of RNA and protein synthesis in vitro].", "content": "Patulin, a mycotoxin isolated from cultures of Byssochlamis nivea, alters the transcriptional and translational processes. Using cell-free systems derived from procaryotic and mammalian cells, we have studied the mechanism of the mycotoxin-induced inhibition of in vitro RNA and protein syntheses.", "contents": "[Effect of patulin of RNA and protein synthesis in vitro]. Patulin, a mycotoxin isolated from cultures of Byssochlamis nivea, alters the transcriptional and translational processes. Using cell-free systems derived from procaryotic and mammalian cells, we have studied the mechanism of the mycotoxin-induced inhibition of in vitro RNA and protein syntheses.", "PMID": 613936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_957", "title": "Short-term tests and mycotoxins.", "content": "Naturally-occurring fungal metabolites, such as aflatoxins and sterigmatocystin, are specific examples of toxic and hepatocarcinogenic environmental contaminants which are active in Fish, Birds, Mammals and, probably, Man. The biological potency of these substances has led to a search for other carcinogenic fungus-derived products. As screening techniques for selecting compounds to be tested for their genetic and carcinogenic potency in animals, various short-term tests can be currently utilized. The use of mutagenesis, DNA repair, chromosomal aberrations, cell transformation, cytological alterations and reaction with nucleic acids in vivo or in vitro as end-points in short-term tests to detect potential chemical carcinogens will be presented. Based on recent data in the literature and from our own research activities, 2 major aspects of various short-term tests will be critically reviewed: a. their predictive value, in order to assess the possible carcinogenic risk of mycotoxins, and b. their utility to investigate the mechanism of metabolic activation of these chemicals in Mammals and in Man.", "contents": "Short-term tests and mycotoxins. Naturally-occurring fungal metabolites, such as aflatoxins and sterigmatocystin, are specific examples of toxic and hepatocarcinogenic environmental contaminants which are active in Fish, Birds, Mammals and, probably, Man. The biological potency of these substances has led to a search for other carcinogenic fungus-derived products. As screening techniques for selecting compounds to be tested for their genetic and carcinogenic potency in animals, various short-term tests can be currently utilized. The use of mutagenesis, DNA repair, chromosomal aberrations, cell transformation, cytological alterations and reaction with nucleic acids in vivo or in vitro as end-points in short-term tests to detect potential chemical carcinogens will be presented. Based on recent data in the literature and from our own research activities, 2 major aspects of various short-term tests will be critically reviewed: a. their predictive value, in order to assess the possible carcinogenic risk of mycotoxins, and b. their utility to investigate the mechanism of metabolic activation of these chemicals in Mammals and in Man.", "PMID": 613937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_958", "title": "[Relationship between chemical structure and biological properties of some fungal metabolites of the eremophilane type].", "content": "Certain strains of Penicillium roqueforti and of Phoma exigua var. inoxydabilis synthesize eremophilane-like sesquiterpenes, some of which are biologically active. We have chosen a group of these compounds which are related chemically in order to study the relationships between their chemical structure and their biological properties (toxicity in vivo, capacity of inhibiting RNA and protein syntheses in eucaryotes). This work concerns PR toxin and 2 derived metabolites synthesized by P. roqueforti and phenomenone which is produced by P. exigua. The results allow us to discuss the problem of the active sites of these compounds.", "contents": "[Relationship between chemical structure and biological properties of some fungal metabolites of the eremophilane type]. Certain strains of Penicillium roqueforti and of Phoma exigua var. inoxydabilis synthesize eremophilane-like sesquiterpenes, some of which are biologically active. We have chosen a group of these compounds which are related chemically in order to study the relationships between their chemical structure and their biological properties (toxicity in vivo, capacity of inhibiting RNA and protein syntheses in eucaryotes). This work concerns PR toxin and 2 derived metabolites synthesized by P. roqueforti and phenomenone which is produced by P. exigua. The results allow us to discuss the problem of the active sites of these compounds.", "PMID": 613938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_959", "title": "Mode of action of trichothecenes.", "content": "In the present discussion, the author summarized the toxicological and biological features of thirty kinds of trichothecene mycotoxins which are produced by a wide range of Fusarium, Myrothecium and others. The 12, 13-epoxytrichothecenes induce nausea, emesis, vomiting, skin inflamation, leukopenia, diarrhea, hemorrhage in lung and brain, and destruction of bone marrow. Since these toxicological characteristics coincide with a major symptom of intoxicated humans and farm animals induced by consumption of moldy cereals and feeds, the red-mold toxicosis and bean-hulls poisoning in Japan, moldy corn toxicosis in U.S.A., A.T.A., stachybotryotoxicosis and dendrochiotoxicosis in Europe, are originated from a common toxicant, trichothecenes. Orally administered trichothecenes are rapidly absorbed and eliminated into the feces and urine upon deacetylation at C-4 by the microsomal esterase of liver. Biochemical approaches to the mode of action revealed that the trichothecenes are a potent inhibitor of protein and D.N.A. syntheses in eukaryotic cells. Bindings to the eukaryotic polysomes and ribosomes and the subsequent inactivation of ribosomal cycle is responsible for their inhibitory effect to initiation and termination reactions. Microbial approaches revealed that the trichothecenes are mutagenic to yeast cells, but are negative in D.N.A.-attacking ability to Bacillus subtilis and reversion assay with Salmonella typhimurium. Reactivity of the epoxide ring of trichothecenes with S.H.-group of proteins will be discussed in relation to the molecular mechanism of action.", "contents": "Mode of action of trichothecenes. In the present discussion, the author summarized the toxicological and biological features of thirty kinds of trichothecene mycotoxins which are produced by a wide range of Fusarium, Myrothecium and others. The 12, 13-epoxytrichothecenes induce nausea, emesis, vomiting, skin inflamation, leukopenia, diarrhea, hemorrhage in lung and brain, and destruction of bone marrow. Since these toxicological characteristics coincide with a major symptom of intoxicated humans and farm animals induced by consumption of moldy cereals and feeds, the red-mold toxicosis and bean-hulls poisoning in Japan, moldy corn toxicosis in U.S.A., A.T.A., stachybotryotoxicosis and dendrochiotoxicosis in Europe, are originated from a common toxicant, trichothecenes. Orally administered trichothecenes are rapidly absorbed and eliminated into the feces and urine upon deacetylation at C-4 by the microsomal esterase of liver. Biochemical approaches to the mode of action revealed that the trichothecenes are a potent inhibitor of protein and D.N.A. syntheses in eukaryotic cells. Bindings to the eukaryotic polysomes and ribosomes and the subsequent inactivation of ribosomal cycle is responsible for their inhibitory effect to initiation and termination reactions. Microbial approaches revealed that the trichothecenes are mutagenic to yeast cells, but are negative in D.N.A.-attacking ability to Bacillus subtilis and reversion assay with Salmonella typhimurium. Reactivity of the epoxide ring of trichothecenes with S.H.-group of proteins will be discussed in relation to the molecular mechanism of action.", "PMID": 613939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_960", "title": "[Secretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit milk].", "content": "The excretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit female was examined after a single intravenous administration of toxin. For the highest dose (4 mg par kg), the level in milk reached 1 ppm. The mammary excretion was also studied while plasma concentration of ochratoxin A was constant; the percentages of protein bound toxin in plasma and milk were determined. The likeness of theoretical and experimental ratio between mycotoxin levels in milk and plasma ultrafiltrates allowed to conclude in favour of the passage through the blood-milk barrier by nonionic passive diffusion of the free toxin. In conclusion, authors discussed about the sanitary problem concerning the presence of ochratoxin A in domestical animal milks.", "contents": "[Secretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit milk]. The excretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit female was examined after a single intravenous administration of toxin. For the highest dose (4 mg par kg), the level in milk reached 1 ppm. The mammary excretion was also studied while plasma concentration of ochratoxin A was constant; the percentages of protein bound toxin in plasma and milk were determined. The likeness of theoretical and experimental ratio between mycotoxin levels in milk and plasma ultrafiltrates allowed to conclude in favour of the passage through the blood-milk barrier by nonionic passive diffusion of the free toxin. In conclusion, authors discussed about the sanitary problem concerning the presence of ochratoxin A in domestical animal milks.", "PMID": 613941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_961", "title": "The absorption, distribution, and excretion of 14C-penicillic acid by rats.", "content": "Adult male and female rats were given 14C-penicillic acid (labeled in the 1, 3, and 5 positions by fermentation with acetate-1-14C) by oral intubation and were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours following administration of the labeled compound. Approximately 98 p. 100 of the 14C-radioactivity given was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of the rats during the first 48 hours. After 7 days, 82 p. 100 was recovered in the urine and 13 p. 100 in the feces. Less than 1 p. 100 of the total radioactivity was recovered as 14CO2 from the expired air; most of this amount was recovered within the first 72 hours after administration. Various tissues were, analyzed for 14C-radioactivity throughout the 7-day-period; no significant retention of radioactivity was apparent in any of the tissues examined. The level of 14C-penicillic acid reached a maximum in the blood and tissues 2-4 hours after administration. Red blood cells contained the highest concentration of 14C-radioactivity. Liver, bladder, kidneys, heart, and bile also showed a high level of 14C-radioactivity concentration. The estimated biological half-life of penicillic acid was 18.7 and 17.1 hours for the male and female, respectively. The estimated biological half-retention time from the point of administration by the red blood cells, liver, and kidney of the male and female rats was 24.2 and 14.0; 19.8 and 17.8; and 21.3 and 19.0 hours, respectively. Recovery studies indicated no unchanged penicillic acid in the urine.", "contents": "The absorption, distribution, and excretion of 14C-penicillic acid by rats. Adult male and female rats were given 14C-penicillic acid (labeled in the 1, 3, and 5 positions by fermentation with acetate-1-14C) by oral intubation and were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours following administration of the labeled compound. Approximately 98 p. 100 of the 14C-radioactivity given was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of the rats during the first 48 hours. After 7 days, 82 p. 100 was recovered in the urine and 13 p. 100 in the feces. Less than 1 p. 100 of the total radioactivity was recovered as 14CO2 from the expired air; most of this amount was recovered within the first 72 hours after administration. Various tissues were, analyzed for 14C-radioactivity throughout the 7-day-period; no significant retention of radioactivity was apparent in any of the tissues examined. The level of 14C-penicillic acid reached a maximum in the blood and tissues 2-4 hours after administration. Red blood cells contained the highest concentration of 14C-radioactivity. Liver, bladder, kidneys, heart, and bile also showed a high level of 14C-radioactivity concentration. The estimated biological half-life of penicillic acid was 18.7 and 17.1 hours for the male and female, respectively. The estimated biological half-retention time from the point of administration by the red blood cells, liver, and kidney of the male and female rats was 24.2 and 14.0; 19.8 and 17.8; and 21.3 and 19.0 hours, respectively. Recovery studies indicated no unchanged penicillic acid in the urine.", "PMID": 613942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_962", "title": "Fate and mode of action of zearalenone.", "content": "Oral administration of zearalenone to ovariectomized mice induced increases in the uterine weight, RNA, protein and DNA. In vitro incubation of the uterine tissues isolated form zearalenone-pretreated mice resulted in a temporal acceleration in the uterine permeability to sugar, nucleoside and amino acid. 3H-zearalenone orally administrated to female rats was excreted mostly via feces. Chemical analysis revealed the metabolite-I from the feces, and the metabolite-II and 2 glucuronides from the urine. The toxin was distributed into the adipose tissue, ovary, uterus and others. The 9.000 g-supernatant fraction from the livers of mice, rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits and human biotransformed the mycotoxin into the metabolite-I in the presence of NADH or NADPH. This biotransforming activity localized in the cytosol was neither inhibited by SKF nor induced by phenobarbital. The metabolite-I, which still possess the estrogenic activity to mice, is presumed to be a hydroxylated zearalenone.", "contents": "Fate and mode of action of zearalenone. Oral administration of zearalenone to ovariectomized mice induced increases in the uterine weight, RNA, protein and DNA. In vitro incubation of the uterine tissues isolated form zearalenone-pretreated mice resulted in a temporal acceleration in the uterine permeability to sugar, nucleoside and amino acid. 3H-zearalenone orally administrated to female rats was excreted mostly via feces. Chemical analysis revealed the metabolite-I from the feces, and the metabolite-II and 2 glucuronides from the urine. The toxin was distributed into the adipose tissue, ovary, uterus and others. The 9.000 g-supernatant fraction from the livers of mice, rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits and human biotransformed the mycotoxin into the metabolite-I in the presence of NADH or NADPH. This biotransforming activity localized in the cytosol was neither inhibited by SKF nor induced by phenobarbital. The metabolite-I, which still possess the estrogenic activity to mice, is presumed to be a hydroxylated zearalenone.", "PMID": 613943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_963", "title": "Mode of action and human health aspects of aflatoxin carcinogenesis.", "content": "The toxicity and carcinogenicity of the aflatoxins have been studied extensively in the rat. In this species these compounds are recognized as some of the most active hepatocarcinogens. The early lesions induced by the aflatoxins have been studied in an attempt to recognize the developing malignant neoplasm prior to the presence of metastasis. The relationship of focal hyperplasia to neoplasia will be discussed in comparison with other recognized carcinogens. The pattern of human hepatic neoplasia will be compared with that of neoplasia induced by the aflatoxins in order to add weight to the \"mycotoxin hypothesis\" of the aetiology of hepatic neoplasia. The role of dietary modification will also be discussed.", "contents": "Mode of action and human health aspects of aflatoxin carcinogenesis. The toxicity and carcinogenicity of the aflatoxins have been studied extensively in the rat. In this species these compounds are recognized as some of the most active hepatocarcinogens. The early lesions induced by the aflatoxins have been studied in an attempt to recognize the developing malignant neoplasm prior to the presence of metastasis. The relationship of focal hyperplasia to neoplasia will be discussed in comparison with other recognized carcinogens. The pattern of human hepatic neoplasia will be compared with that of neoplasia induced by the aflatoxins in order to add weight to the \"mycotoxin hypothesis\" of the aetiology of hepatic neoplasia. The role of dietary modification will also be discussed.", "PMID": 613944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_964", "title": "Roquefortine and isofumigaclavine A, alkaloids from Penicillium roqueforti.", "content": "Extraction of mycelium from cultures of Penicillium roqueforti (strain CS1) yielded 2 new crystalline metabolites, designated roquefortine and isofumigaclavine A. The structure of roquefortine, the major alkaloid, was established by a combination of chemical transformations and spectroscopic studies. The structure of isofumigaclavine A was determined by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis. Roquefortine possessed neurotoxic properties when injected intraperitoneally in mice and has been detected in 16 out of 16 samples of blue cheese from 7 countries. Isofumigaclavine A has also been found in blue cheese.", "contents": "Roquefortine and isofumigaclavine A, alkaloids from Penicillium roqueforti. Extraction of mycelium from cultures of Penicillium roqueforti (strain CS1) yielded 2 new crystalline metabolites, designated roquefortine and isofumigaclavine A. The structure of roquefortine, the major alkaloid, was established by a combination of chemical transformations and spectroscopic studies. The structure of isofumigaclavine A was determined by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis. Roquefortine possessed neurotoxic properties when injected intraperitoneally in mice and has been detected in 16 out of 16 samples of blue cheese from 7 countries. Isofumigaclavine A has also been found in blue cheese.", "PMID": 613945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_965", "title": "Aflatoxin and encephalopathy with fatty degeneration of viscera (Reye).", "content": "In the past 5 years we have observed 27 children at the age from 3 days to 8 years who died on the encephalic syndrome with fatty degeneration of the viscera (Reye). According to the morphological changes in the liver and to the clinical course, we have divided our cases into 3 groups. In the first group there were 20 children who died within 2-10 days after the first symptoms of the disease appeared. In their liver diffuse fatty degeneration was found. In the second group there were 3 children who died within 1-2 months after the acute onset of the disease. In their liver fibrosis with bile duct proliferation and steatosis were found. In the third group there were 4 children who died within 2-4 months after the first symptoms. Their liver showed cirrhosis. The bacteriological and virological investigations in all cases were negative, but in the most of them direct contacts with viral infections were proved. In the liver specimens of the children in all 3 groups the presence of aflatoxin B1 chromatographically and spectrophotometrically was found. The source of the intoxication in 5 cases was aflatoxin contaminated milk food. Our observations of 2 - 3 - days old newborns with the morphological changes similar to that of Reye's syndrome seems to support our hypothesis about the possibility of the intrauterine intoxication. We suggest that aflatoxin represents an important factor in the etiology of this syndrome and a high risk for human health.", "contents": "Aflatoxin and encephalopathy with fatty degeneration of viscera (Reye). In the past 5 years we have observed 27 children at the age from 3 days to 8 years who died on the encephalic syndrome with fatty degeneration of the viscera (Reye). According to the morphological changes in the liver and to the clinical course, we have divided our cases into 3 groups. In the first group there were 20 children who died within 2-10 days after the first symptoms of the disease appeared. In their liver diffuse fatty degeneration was found. In the second group there were 3 children who died within 1-2 months after the acute onset of the disease. In their liver fibrosis with bile duct proliferation and steatosis were found. In the third group there were 4 children who died within 2-4 months after the first symptoms. Their liver showed cirrhosis. The bacteriological and virological investigations in all cases were negative, but in the most of them direct contacts with viral infections were proved. In the liver specimens of the children in all 3 groups the presence of aflatoxin B1 chromatographically and spectrophotometrically was found. The source of the intoxication in 5 cases was aflatoxin contaminated milk food. Our observations of 2 - 3 - days old newborns with the morphological changes similar to that of Reye's syndrome seems to support our hypothesis about the possibility of the intrauterine intoxication. We suggest that aflatoxin represents an important factor in the etiology of this syndrome and a high risk for human health.", "PMID": 613946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_966", "title": "[Sarcoidosis with extensive ulcerating and atrophying cutaneous manifestations (of the Pick-Herxheimer type) and with cardiac and muscular involvement. About one case (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report an unusual case of chronic sarcoidosis with skin ulcerations and atrophic lesions simulating Pick-Herxheimer's disease. Other severe manifestations are found: cardiac involvement with conduction disturbances and myocardial failure, and muscular involvement which responded well to corticosteroid therapy.", "contents": "[Sarcoidosis with extensive ulcerating and atrophying cutaneous manifestations (of the Pick-Herxheimer type) and with cardiac and muscular involvement. About one case (author's transl)]. The authors report an unusual case of chronic sarcoidosis with skin ulcerations and atrophic lesions simulating Pick-Herxheimer's disease. Other severe manifestations are found: cardiac involvement with conduction disturbances and myocardial failure, and muscular involvement which responded well to corticosteroid therapy.", "PMID": 613947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_967", "title": "[Kaposi's sarcoma and malignant lymphoma. Discussion of this association (author's transl)].", "content": "Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed in a 62 year old female at the last stage of an indefined malignant lymphoma. Clinically and histopathologically, some cutaneous aspects were consistent with mycosis fungoides. However, the histological examination of lymph-nodes led to the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, sometimes associated with features of Kaposi's sarcoma. During the past few years, the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma in the course of cancers, malignant lymphomas and especially during Hodgkin's disease, has been reported. It has been suggested that immunosuppressive therapy undertaken for the initial tumor could account for a viral carcinogenesis. In this respect, the vascular proliferation observed in Kaposi's sarcoma could be compared with the lymphocyte induced angiogenesis, which occurs during the experimental graft versus host reaction. Therefore, Kaposi's sarcoma could be the result of a tumoral rejection. In the case of our observation, it does not seem possible to diagnose an angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy; but it is of interest to note that, in this later disease, histological features of vascular neogenesis have also been reported.", "contents": "[Kaposi's sarcoma and malignant lymphoma. Discussion of this association (author's transl)]. Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed in a 62 year old female at the last stage of an indefined malignant lymphoma. Clinically and histopathologically, some cutaneous aspects were consistent with mycosis fungoides. However, the histological examination of lymph-nodes led to the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, sometimes associated with features of Kaposi's sarcoma. During the past few years, the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma in the course of cancers, malignant lymphomas and especially during Hodgkin's disease, has been reported. It has been suggested that immunosuppressive therapy undertaken for the initial tumor could account for a viral carcinogenesis. In this respect, the vascular proliferation observed in Kaposi's sarcoma could be compared with the lymphocyte induced angiogenesis, which occurs during the experimental graft versus host reaction. Therefore, Kaposi's sarcoma could be the result of a tumoral rejection. In the case of our observation, it does not seem possible to diagnose an angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy; but it is of interest to note that, in this later disease, histological features of vascular neogenesis have also been reported.", "PMID": 613948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_968", "title": "[Lupus erythematosus and hereditary lack of complement. Review of about one case of C2 deficit (author's transl)].", "content": "A 22 year old woman having disseminated discoid L.E. with alopecia, photosensitivity and normal renal function is presented. Speckled FANA type R.N.P. was found; L.E. cells and anti-DNA were not present. Direct IF of involved skin revealed deposits of IgG and C3 forming a band at the dermo-epidermal junction. In normal skin there was speckled epidermal nuclear staining with IgG. The study of the patient's complement revealed a selective defect of the C2 component (0 p.100) with a drop in total complement (6 p. 100). The father probably has a heterozygote deficit of C2 (55 p. 100); the mother, however, is within the normal range (119 p. 100). The HLA investigation of the patient and her immediate family did not demonstrate haplotype A10, B18, DW2 as is frequently seen in cases of L.E. associated with a C2 deficiency. The patient is A1, B18, DW--/A10 (W26), BW15, DW--.", "contents": "[Lupus erythematosus and hereditary lack of complement. Review of about one case of C2 deficit (author's transl)]. A 22 year old woman having disseminated discoid L.E. with alopecia, photosensitivity and normal renal function is presented. Speckled FANA type R.N.P. was found; L.E. cells and anti-DNA were not present. Direct IF of involved skin revealed deposits of IgG and C3 forming a band at the dermo-epidermal junction. In normal skin there was speckled epidermal nuclear staining with IgG. The study of the patient's complement revealed a selective defect of the C2 component (0 p.100) with a drop in total complement (6 p. 100). The father probably has a heterozygote deficit of C2 (55 p. 100); the mother, however, is within the normal range (119 p. 100). The HLA investigation of the patient and her immediate family did not demonstrate haplotype A10, B18, DW2 as is frequently seen in cases of L.E. associated with a C2 deficiency. The patient is A1, B18, DW--/A10 (W26), BW15, DW--.", "PMID": 613949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_969", "title": "[Ultrastructural and genetic aspects of epidermolysis bullosa albo-papuloidea (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report a case of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica and albo-papuloidea, which led them to the discovery of eight similar cases in the same family. After analysing the main symptoms, including the histological ones, they underline the ultrastructural and genetic data. This disease can be described as a dermolysis bullosa with missing fibrils, abnormal connective tissue and an intense activity of fibroblasts. As far as we know, there is no genetic relationship with the HLA system in this dominant hereditary trouble, which is believed to be transmitted through different non-allelic genes.", "contents": "[Ultrastructural and genetic aspects of epidermolysis bullosa albo-papuloidea (author's transl)]. The authors report a case of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica and albo-papuloidea, which led them to the discovery of eight similar cases in the same family. After analysing the main symptoms, including the histological ones, they underline the ultrastructural and genetic data. This disease can be described as a dermolysis bullosa with missing fibrils, abnormal connective tissue and an intense activity of fibroblasts. As far as we know, there is no genetic relationship with the HLA system in this dominant hereditary trouble, which is believed to be transmitted through different non-allelic genes.", "PMID": 613950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_970", "title": "[Melanocytes in epiloia; ultrastructural aspects (about 7 cases) (author's transl)].", "content": "Hypopigmented macules of epiloia have been studied by photonic and electron microscopy in 7 cases. The number of melanocytes was not decreased but these cells were hypotrophic and had a low tyrosinae activity. The melanosomes were smaller in size and their maturation rate was greatly reduced; many abnormal round and granular melanosomes, phaeomelanosome-like, were observed. In one case, such abnormal melanocytes were also occasionally found in normally pigmented control skin.", "contents": "[Melanocytes in epiloia; ultrastructural aspects (about 7 cases) (author's transl)]. Hypopigmented macules of epiloia have been studied by photonic and electron microscopy in 7 cases. The number of melanocytes was not decreased but these cells were hypotrophic and had a low tyrosinae activity. The melanosomes were smaller in size and their maturation rate was greatly reduced; many abnormal round and granular melanosomes, phaeomelanosome-like, were observed. In one case, such abnormal melanocytes were also occasionally found in normally pigmented control skin.", "PMID": 613951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_971", "title": "[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. About two observations (author's transl)].", "content": "After a reminder of clinical symptoms and development of the V.-K.-H. disease, some histological and clinical observations are related. The clinical observations are very characteristic of the V.-K.-H. disease. There are only two notable points: in both observations, a very low lymphocytic reaction to phytohemaglutinin and in the first observation, the presence of an anemia with parallel evolution to the uveitis. The histological examination of the depigmented area shows an infiltrate as described by Perrot, around the involved area in vitiligo. Ultrastructural study identifies 250 angstr\u00f6ms wide particles that appear to be particles of alpha-glycogene, well developed amyelinic endings, and lastly, lymphocytoid cells closely joined with dendritic cells having internal granulations. These aspects have already been found in the iris by the Japanese authors, and they evoked an immunological mechanism.", "contents": "[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. About two observations (author's transl)]. After a reminder of clinical symptoms and development of the V.-K.-H. disease, some histological and clinical observations are related. The clinical observations are very characteristic of the V.-K.-H. disease. There are only two notable points: in both observations, a very low lymphocytic reaction to phytohemaglutinin and in the first observation, the presence of an anemia with parallel evolution to the uveitis. The histological examination of the depigmented area shows an infiltrate as described by Perrot, around the involved area in vitiligo. Ultrastructural study identifies 250 angstr\u00f6ms wide particles that appear to be particles of alpha-glycogene, well developed amyelinic endings, and lastly, lymphocytoid cells closely joined with dendritic cells having internal granulations. These aspects have already been found in the iris by the Japanese authors, and they evoked an immunological mechanism.", "PMID": 613952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_972", "title": "[Strontium 90 in the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions and of some superficial skin cancers (author's transl)].", "content": "The use of strontium 90 has proved to be efficient and practical, because handy, and permitting short treatment, not only, to cure benign superficial tumors and, as reported in this study, of pre-cancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease of the skin but also some carefully chosen cases of superficial carcinomas. Hundred lesions have been so treated and followed for 3 years; two only have relapsed. The cosmetic result has been excellent in 80 p. 100.", "contents": "[Strontium 90 in the treatment of pre-cancerous lesions and of some superficial skin cancers (author's transl)]. The use of strontium 90 has proved to be efficient and practical, because handy, and permitting short treatment, not only, to cure benign superficial tumors and, as reported in this study, of pre-cancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease of the skin but also some carefully chosen cases of superficial carcinomas. Hundred lesions have been so treated and followed for 3 years; two only have relapsed. The cosmetic result has been excellent in 80 p. 100.", "PMID": 613953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_973", "title": "Symptoms and pathology of experimental bovine tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection).", "content": "Bovine tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection) is of great economic importance to several countries of Asia and Africa where millions of cattle are at risk of exposure to this disease. The authors describe symptoms, sequence of appearance of the parasite and pathology of the infection by three virulent strains of the parasite in fully susceptible calves. Symptoms observed were: enlargement of local lymph gland, fever, haemorrhages on visible mucous membranes and sometime on skin, anaemia and jaundice particularly in subacute and chronic forms of the disease. The parasite \"schizont\" was first detected in the swollen local lymph gland draining the site of attachment of ticks, then in other lymph glands which concurred with the onset of fever. Main post-mortem findings were: oedema and enlargement of, and haemorrhages in lymph glands and spleen, haemorrhages in subcutis and on most of the serous and mucous membranes on endocardium, pericardium and epicardium, and ulcers in in abomasum which rarely extended to intestine, oesophagus, tongue and gums. The microscopic lesions were characterized by hyperplasia of lymphoid cells at the haemopoietic centres in lymph glands and spleen followed by regression and degeneration of the germinal centres. Infiltration by lymphocytes and macrophages was observed in intermysial (heart) and periportal (liver) areas in interstitial spaces in kidneys. T. annulata parasitises lymphoid cells. It provides stimulus for accelerated production of the cells which results in hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue. Increased activity of the reticular tissue is a protective phenomenon.", "contents": "Symptoms and pathology of experimental bovine tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection). Bovine tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection) is of great economic importance to several countries of Asia and Africa where millions of cattle are at risk of exposure to this disease. The authors describe symptoms, sequence of appearance of the parasite and pathology of the infection by three virulent strains of the parasite in fully susceptible calves. Symptoms observed were: enlargement of local lymph gland, fever, haemorrhages on visible mucous membranes and sometime on skin, anaemia and jaundice particularly in subacute and chronic forms of the disease. The parasite \"schizont\" was first detected in the swollen local lymph gland draining the site of attachment of ticks, then in other lymph glands which concurred with the onset of fever. Main post-mortem findings were: oedema and enlargement of, and haemorrhages in lymph glands and spleen, haemorrhages in subcutis and on most of the serous and mucous membranes on endocardium, pericardium and epicardium, and ulcers in in abomasum which rarely extended to intestine, oesophagus, tongue and gums. The microscopic lesions were characterized by hyperplasia of lymphoid cells at the haemopoietic centres in lymph glands and spleen followed by regression and degeneration of the germinal centres. Infiltration by lymphocytes and macrophages was observed in intermysial (heart) and periportal (liver) areas in interstitial spaces in kidneys. T. annulata parasitises lymphoid cells. It provides stimulus for accelerated production of the cells which results in hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue. Increased activity of the reticular tissue is a protective phenomenon.", "PMID": 613962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_974", "title": "[Description of the adult stage of Staphylocystis biliarius Villot, 1877 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), a parasite of Crocidura russula Hermann, 1780 (Insectivora: Soricidae) (author's transl].", "content": "The parasitological study of the shrew Crocidura russula from Catalonia (Spain) allowed to collect several mature Hymenolepididae, the scolex framework of which corresponding perfectly to that of the larva Staphylocytis biliarius Villot, 1877. The anatomy of the adult stage of this species, which has to be denominated as Hymenolepis biliarius (Villot, 1877) n. comb., is described for the first time.", "contents": "[Description of the adult stage of Staphylocystis biliarius Villot, 1877 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), a parasite of Crocidura russula Hermann, 1780 (Insectivora: Soricidae) (author's transl]. The parasitological study of the shrew Crocidura russula from Catalonia (Spain) allowed to collect several mature Hymenolepididae, the scolex framework of which corresponding perfectly to that of the larva Staphylocytis biliarius Villot, 1877. The anatomy of the adult stage of this species, which has to be denominated as Hymenolepis biliarius (Villot, 1877) n. comb., is described for the first time.", "PMID": 613963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_975", "title": "[Aspects of rats schistosomiasis in the non-salted mangrove swamps and the backmangrove area in the island of Grande-Terre (Guadeloupe) (author's transl)].", "content": "The study of parasitism by Schistosoma mansoni among rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) has been carried on in Guadeloupe. Over half the rats caught in the non-salted mangrove swamps and the back-mangrove area of the island of Grande-Terre are parasitized. It seems possible diagrammatize the characteristics of these sites, where the cycle of rats schistosomiasis develops.", "contents": "[Aspects of rats schistosomiasis in the non-salted mangrove swamps and the backmangrove area in the island of Grande-Terre (Guadeloupe) (author's transl)]. The study of parasitism by Schistosoma mansoni among rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) has been carried on in Guadeloupe. Over half the rats caught in the non-salted mangrove swamps and the back-mangrove area of the island of Grande-Terre are parasitized. It seems possible diagrammatize the characteristics of these sites, where the cycle of rats schistosomiasis develops.", "PMID": 613965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_976", "title": "[Influence of ambiant temperature on evolution of Schistosoma mansoni in the mouse (author's transl)].", "content": "Mice infested with Schistosoma mansoni are kept continuously in an ambiant temperature of 35 degrees C for different periods and at different stages of the infestation. The effects of the hyperthermia thus provoked are evaluated by counting adult parasites and pulmonary schistosomules. There is a very considerable decrease in the number of parasites present, probably due to the action of the higher temperature on the early migratory phase of the schistosomules.", "contents": "[Influence of ambiant temperature on evolution of Schistosoma mansoni in the mouse (author's transl)]. Mice infested with Schistosoma mansoni are kept continuously in an ambiant temperature of 35 degrees C for different periods and at different stages of the infestation. The effects of the hyperthermia thus provoked are evaluated by counting adult parasites and pulmonary schistosomules. There is a very considerable decrease in the number of parasites present, probably due to the action of the higher temperature on the early migratory phase of the schistosomules.", "PMID": 613966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_977", "title": "[Gallegostronglyus ibicensis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae), a lung parasite of Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridale) in Ibiza (Balearic Islands) (author's transl)].", "content": "Description of Gallegostrongylus ibicensis n. gen., n. sp., a Metastrongyle parasitizing the lungs of Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridae) in Ibiza (Balearic Islands). Gallegostrongylus n. gen. is proposed to include in the Angiostrongylinae the parasites of the lungs of Rodents, with bursal rays of reduced or middle size, dorsal ray consisting of two branches completely separated and located wide apart from each other, and spicules imbricated, arched and winged.", "contents": "[Gallegostronglyus ibicensis n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae), a lung parasite of Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridale) in Ibiza (Balearic Islands) (author's transl)]. Description of Gallegostrongylus ibicensis n. gen., n. sp., a Metastrongyle parasitizing the lungs of Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridae) in Ibiza (Balearic Islands). Gallegostrongylus n. gen. is proposed to include in the Angiostrongylinae the parasites of the lungs of Rodents, with bursal rays of reduced or middle size, dorsal ray consisting of two branches completely separated and located wide apart from each other, and spicules imbricated, arched and winged.", "PMID": 613967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_978", "title": "[Experimental research on the life cycle of Opisthorchis chabaudi n. sp. Description of the adult (author's transl)].", "content": "O. chabaudi n. sp. is experimentally obtained from cercariae, born into rediae and naturally produced by the snail Gabbia neumanni (Martens, 1898). Cercariae encyst into some tadpoles. The adulte grows into the biliary ducts of the Cat. O. chabaudi is mainly characterized by its outline, therefore by the shape and position of its reproductive systems. Accidental human contamination possibility is not denied.", "contents": "[Experimental research on the life cycle of Opisthorchis chabaudi n. sp. Description of the adult (author's transl)]. O. chabaudi n. sp. is experimentally obtained from cercariae, born into rediae and naturally produced by the snail Gabbia neumanni (Martens, 1898). Cercariae encyst into some tadpoles. The adulte grows into the biliary ducts of the Cat. O. chabaudi is mainly characterized by its outline, therefore by the shape and position of its reproductive systems. Accidental human contamination possibility is not denied.", "PMID": 613964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_979", "title": "Haemoglobins of the shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni. III. Amino acid sequence of the beta-chain.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of the beta-chain of the principal haemoglobin from the shark H. portusjacksoni has been determined. The chain has 141 residues, the same as that of mammalian alpha-chains and less than the 146 residues of mammalian beta-chains or the 148 residues of the alpha-chain from the tetrameric shark haemoglobin. The sequence was deduced from the sequences of peptides obtained by digestion of the globin or its cyanogen bromide fragments with trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin and papain. The difference in length of the beta-chain is most readily accounted for by the absence of the D helix. This small helical section is normally present in myoglobins and beta-globins but absent in alpha-chains. The deduction that it is absent from shark beta-chain is based on consideration of homology. The beta-chain shows the insertion of histidine beta2 and the deletions corresponding to residues A17 and AB1 relative to alpha-and myoglobin chains. The reactive thiol group in shark haemoglobin was shown by radioactive labelling to be residue 51 in the beta-chain, immediately preceding the E helix. The amino acid sequence of shark beta-chain shows 92 differences from human beta-chain, significantly more differences than shown by chicken or frog beta-chains, in line with its earlier time of divergence. If the tertiary structure of the shark beta-chain is the same as that of the horse then there are two changes in the alpha1beta2 contact site in oxyhaemoglobin and an additional one in deoxyhaemoglobin. When both alpha- and beta-chain contacts are considered there is a total of nine changes in residues involved in the alpha1beta2 contacts. There is no Bohr effect in shark haemoglobin, and of the residues normally involved in this effect the C-terminal histidine residue of the beta-chain is present, but the aspartyl (FG1) residue to which it is salt-linked is not, being replaced by a glutamyl residue.", "contents": "Haemoglobins of the shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni. III. Amino acid sequence of the beta-chain. The amino acid sequence of the beta-chain of the principal haemoglobin from the shark H. portusjacksoni has been determined. The chain has 141 residues, the same as that of mammalian alpha-chains and less than the 146 residues of mammalian beta-chains or the 148 residues of the alpha-chain from the tetrameric shark haemoglobin. The sequence was deduced from the sequences of peptides obtained by digestion of the globin or its cyanogen bromide fragments with trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin and papain. The difference in length of the beta-chain is most readily accounted for by the absence of the D helix. This small helical section is normally present in myoglobins and beta-globins but absent in alpha-chains. The deduction that it is absent from shark beta-chain is based on consideration of homology. The beta-chain shows the insertion of histidine beta2 and the deletions corresponding to residues A17 and AB1 relative to alpha-and myoglobin chains. The reactive thiol group in shark haemoglobin was shown by radioactive labelling to be residue 51 in the beta-chain, immediately preceding the E helix. The amino acid sequence of shark beta-chain shows 92 differences from human beta-chain, significantly more differences than shown by chicken or frog beta-chains, in line with its earlier time of divergence. If the tertiary structure of the shark beta-chain is the same as that of the horse then there are two changes in the alpha1beta2 contact site in oxyhaemoglobin and an additional one in deoxyhaemoglobin. When both alpha- and beta-chain contacts are considered there is a total of nine changes in residues involved in the alpha1beta2 contacts. There is no Bohr effect in shark haemoglobin, and of the residues normally involved in this effect the C-terminal histidine residue of the beta-chain is present, but the aspartyl (FG1) residue to which it is salt-linked is not, being replaced by a glutamyl residue.", "PMID": 614004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_980", "title": "Some properties of human skeletal muscle creatine kinase.", "content": "Creatine kinase has been purified from human skeletal muscle. The properties of the human enzyme are similar to those of the enzyme from rabbit muscle. The molecular weight was determined as approximately 80000 with a probable two reactive sulphydryl groups per molecule. Manganous (II) ion was almost as effective as magnesium as the activating metal ion, and calcium and cobalt could also act in this capacity. Under standardized conditions the nucleotide specificity was ADP greater than dADP greater than IDP greater than GDP greater than UDP greater than XDP in the reverse reaction. No hydrolytic activity was observed with ATP. Initial velocity and product inhibition studies were used to determine various kinetic constants for the substrates of the enzyme. It was concluded that, as for the rabbit muscle enzyme, the reaction probably followed a rapid equilibrium random mechanism. Anomalous kinetic behaviour, however, was observed for the forward reaction for MgATP2- but not for creatine, when measurements were extended over a much wider range than normally used. The reciprocal plot of velocity as a function of substrate concentration gave a curve, concave downwards, instead of a straight line.", "contents": "Some properties of human skeletal muscle creatine kinase. Creatine kinase has been purified from human skeletal muscle. The properties of the human enzyme are similar to those of the enzyme from rabbit muscle. The molecular weight was determined as approximately 80000 with a probable two reactive sulphydryl groups per molecule. Manganous (II) ion was almost as effective as magnesium as the activating metal ion, and calcium and cobalt could also act in this capacity. Under standardized conditions the nucleotide specificity was ADP greater than dADP greater than IDP greater than GDP greater than UDP greater than XDP in the reverse reaction. No hydrolytic activity was observed with ATP. Initial velocity and product inhibition studies were used to determine various kinetic constants for the substrates of the enzyme. It was concluded that, as for the rabbit muscle enzyme, the reaction probably followed a rapid equilibrium random mechanism. Anomalous kinetic behaviour, however, was observed for the forward reaction for MgATP2- but not for creatine, when measurements were extended over a much wider range than normally used. The reciprocal plot of velocity as a function of substrate concentration gave a curve, concave downwards, instead of a straight line.", "PMID": 614005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_981", "title": "Stability of segments of rabbit alpha-tropomyosin.", "content": "Rabbit alpha-tropomyosin was cleaved into two pieces at the cysteine residue of each chain. The products were separated by chromatography and characterized by amino acid analysis, molecular weight determination in benign and denaturing solvents, optical rotation and circular dichroism. When the cleavage reaction was carried out under mild conditions which preserve the two-chain structure there was considerable loss of alpha-helix in each segment. Thermal stability studies, monitored by optical rotation and circular dichroism, showed that the transition temperature of the N-terminal fragment at pH 7.6 was approximately 17 degrees C higher than that of the C-terminal fragment. In acid solutions there is little difference in the thermal stability of the two segments. The least stable part of the molecule is concluded to be between residues 133 and 205 and this includes the troponin-binding site. The relative stabilities found for segments of rabbit alpha-tropomyosin differ from recent published conclusions and this may be a result of the different methods used to study the loss of the alpha-helical conformaton. The two tropomyosin fragments, unlike the parent tropomyosin, do not inhibit actomyosin adenosinetriphosphatase when mixed with troponin. The fragments did not show any of the aggregation properties of tropomyosin and did not combine with actin. The N-terminal fragment did not complex with troponin but there was some evidence for an interaction between the C-terminal fragment and troponin.", "contents": "Stability of segments of rabbit alpha-tropomyosin. Rabbit alpha-tropomyosin was cleaved into two pieces at the cysteine residue of each chain. The products were separated by chromatography and characterized by amino acid analysis, molecular weight determination in benign and denaturing solvents, optical rotation and circular dichroism. When the cleavage reaction was carried out under mild conditions which preserve the two-chain structure there was considerable loss of alpha-helix in each segment. Thermal stability studies, monitored by optical rotation and circular dichroism, showed that the transition temperature of the N-terminal fragment at pH 7.6 was approximately 17 degrees C higher than that of the C-terminal fragment. In acid solutions there is little difference in the thermal stability of the two segments. The least stable part of the molecule is concluded to be between residues 133 and 205 and this includes the troponin-binding site. The relative stabilities found for segments of rabbit alpha-tropomyosin differ from recent published conclusions and this may be a result of the different methods used to study the loss of the alpha-helical conformaton. The two tropomyosin fragments, unlike the parent tropomyosin, do not inhibit actomyosin adenosinetriphosphatase when mixed with troponin. The fragments did not show any of the aggregation properties of tropomyosin and did not combine with actin. The N-terminal fragment did not complex with troponin but there was some evidence for an interaction between the C-terminal fragment and troponin.", "PMID": 614006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_982", "title": "Metabolism of D- and L-lactate by Pseudomonas putida.", "content": "Pseudomonas putida grew at the same rate with the same molar growth yield on D-, L, or DL-lactate as the sole source of carbon for growth. D- and L- lactate were utilized simultaneously and at the same rate when the organism was grown on DL-lactate (ratio of D isomer to L isomer of 1:1). Growth on either isomer alone, or in combination, caused the induction of both a D-lactate, and an L-lactate dehydrogenase. Both enzymes were particulate and used dichlorophenolindophenol, or oxygen, but not NAD, as electron acceptor, and were inhibited by cyanide when oxygen was the electron acceptor. The pH optimum for the D-lactate dehydrogenase was about 6.5, and for the L-lactate dehydrogenase was about 8.0. The D-lactate dehydrogenase was more heat-sensitive than the L-lactate dehydrogenase. The stoichiometry of both enzyme reactions was the same with 2 mol of lactate dehydrogenase. The stoichiometry of both enzyme reactions was the same with 2 mol of lactate being oxidized by 1 mol of oxygen to form 2 mol of pyruvate. No lactate racemase was detected in the cell extracts.", "contents": "Metabolism of D- and L-lactate by Pseudomonas putida. Pseudomonas putida grew at the same rate with the same molar growth yield on D-, L, or DL-lactate as the sole source of carbon for growth. D- and L- lactate were utilized simultaneously and at the same rate when the organism was grown on DL-lactate (ratio of D isomer to L isomer of 1:1). Growth on either isomer alone, or in combination, caused the induction of both a D-lactate, and an L-lactate dehydrogenase. Both enzymes were particulate and used dichlorophenolindophenol, or oxygen, but not NAD, as electron acceptor, and were inhibited by cyanide when oxygen was the electron acceptor. The pH optimum for the D-lactate dehydrogenase was about 6.5, and for the L-lactate dehydrogenase was about 8.0. The D-lactate dehydrogenase was more heat-sensitive than the L-lactate dehydrogenase. The stoichiometry of both enzyme reactions was the same with 2 mol of lactate dehydrogenase. The stoichiometry of both enzyme reactions was the same with 2 mol of lactate being oxidized by 1 mol of oxygen to form 2 mol of pyruvate. No lactate racemase was detected in the cell extracts.", "PMID": 614007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_983", "title": "An autoradiographic study of the implantation of transferred mouse blastocysts.", "content": "Mouse blastocysts collected on day 4 were cultured in [3H]thymidine (0.01 muCi/ml) for 24 h and transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant recipients. Autoradiography revealed that when such blastocysts were allowed to develop for 48 h in utero, label was apparent in the nuclei of decidual cells. The experimental conditions were physiological since blastocysts developed into normal offspring when gestation was allowed to proceed in pseudopregnant recipient animals. The transfer of foetal DNA into maternal decidual cells may be of important immunological significance.", "contents": "An autoradiographic study of the implantation of transferred mouse blastocysts. Mouse blastocysts collected on day 4 were cultured in [3H]thymidine (0.01 muCi/ml) for 24 h and transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant recipients. Autoradiography revealed that when such blastocysts were allowed to develop for 48 h in utero, label was apparent in the nuclei of decidual cells. The experimental conditions were physiological since blastocysts developed into normal offspring when gestation was allowed to proceed in pseudopregnant recipient animals. The transfer of foetal DNA into maternal decidual cells may be of important immunological significance.", "PMID": 614008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_984", "title": "Isolation of mutants with altered metabolic control of the NAH plasmid-encoded catechol meta-cleavage pathway.", "content": "Two types of mutants which displayed altered regulation of the NAH catabolic plasmid-encoded catechol meta-cleavage pathway were isolated in Pseudomonas putida. Altered metabolic control was indicated by assay of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. In one type of mutant the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was synthesized constitutively. In the other type the range of carbon sources which induce the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was increased.", "contents": "Isolation of mutants with altered metabolic control of the NAH plasmid-encoded catechol meta-cleavage pathway. Two types of mutants which displayed altered regulation of the NAH catabolic plasmid-encoded catechol meta-cleavage pathway were isolated in Pseudomonas putida. Altered metabolic control was indicated by assay of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. In one type of mutant the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was synthesized constitutively. In the other type the range of carbon sources which induce the catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was increased.", "PMID": 614009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_985", "title": "Influence of partial pressures of acetylene and nitrogen upon nitrogenase activity of species of Beijerinckia.", "content": "Acetylene reduction and nitrogen fixation by strains of Beijerinckia indica and B. lacticogenes increased with increased partial pressures of acetylene and nitrogen up to 80 kPa. The optical emission spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of 14N:15N ratios. The molar ratios of acetylene to nitrogen varied greatly from the theoretical value.", "contents": "Influence of partial pressures of acetylene and nitrogen upon nitrogenase activity of species of Beijerinckia. Acetylene reduction and nitrogen fixation by strains of Beijerinckia indica and B. lacticogenes increased with increased partial pressures of acetylene and nitrogen up to 80 kPa. The optical emission spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of 14N:15N ratios. The molar ratios of acetylene to nitrogen varied greatly from the theoretical value.", "PMID": 614010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_986", "title": "Studies on nematode infections of beef cattle in New South Wales.", "content": "The occurrence and seasonal trends of nematode parasite infections in beef cattle on the Tablelands and North Coast regions of New South Wales are described, based on worm counts from 627 spring-born steers slaughtered at 2-monthly intervals from 6 to 24 months of age. The predominant parasites were Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia spp. Large burdens of adult Ostertagia were seen in 12-month-old animals in late winter and early spring, and later in 18- to 20-month-old cattle in the following late summer and autumn. These infections often resulted in outbreaks of clinical parasitism. Massive numbers of inhibited early fourth stage larvae (EL4) also accumulated in the yearlings during their first spring, reached peaks in mid-summer and then declined. The possibility of their resumption of development to mature worms in the late summer and autumn period is discussed. Adult T. axei showed a similar seasonal trend to Ostertagia and may have increased the severity of outbreaks of clinical disease. Cooperia populations of EL4 and adult worms were highest in weaners during winter, but lower numbers thereafter indicated a strong resistance to re-infection. In addition, Haemonchus placei occurred frequently on the North Coast both as EL4 and adults in cattle of all ages up to 20 months. Of the other cattle nematodes, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichuris spp occurred in low numbers, mainly in weaners. Bunstomum phlebotomum and H. contortus occurred sporadically on the North Coast and Tablelands respectively. Intestinal Trichostronglyus spp, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Dictyocaulus viviparus were seen occasionally and Nematodirus spp were not seen. There was a poor relationship between worm counts and faecal egg counts. Cooperia spp dominated the egg counts, while those for other genera were generally low and did not reflect the relative abundance or seasonal changes in worm numbers.", "contents": "Studies on nematode infections of beef cattle in New South Wales. The occurrence and seasonal trends of nematode parasite infections in beef cattle on the Tablelands and North Coast regions of New South Wales are described, based on worm counts from 627 spring-born steers slaughtered at 2-monthly intervals from 6 to 24 months of age. The predominant parasites were Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia spp. Large burdens of adult Ostertagia were seen in 12-month-old animals in late winter and early spring, and later in 18- to 20-month-old cattle in the following late summer and autumn. These infections often resulted in outbreaks of clinical parasitism. Massive numbers of inhibited early fourth stage larvae (EL4) also accumulated in the yearlings during their first spring, reached peaks in mid-summer and then declined. The possibility of their resumption of development to mature worms in the late summer and autumn period is discussed. Adult T. axei showed a similar seasonal trend to Ostertagia and may have increased the severity of outbreaks of clinical disease. Cooperia populations of EL4 and adult worms were highest in weaners during winter, but lower numbers thereafter indicated a strong resistance to re-infection. In addition, Haemonchus placei occurred frequently on the North Coast both as EL4 and adults in cattle of all ages up to 20 months. Of the other cattle nematodes, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Trichuris spp occurred in low numbers, mainly in weaners. Bunstomum phlebotomum and H. contortus occurred sporadically on the North Coast and Tablelands respectively. Intestinal Trichostronglyus spp, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Dictyocaulus viviparus were seen occasionally and Nematodirus spp were not seen. There was a poor relationship between worm counts and faecal egg counts. Cooperia spp dominated the egg counts, while those for other genera were generally low and did not reflect the relative abundance or seasonal changes in worm numbers.", "PMID": 614021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_987", "title": "Isolation and characterisation of herpes virus from turkeys.", "content": "Turkey herpesvirus (HVT) was isolated from the kidneys of 6 of 8 turkey poults from two flocks. The isolates were identified by syncytial-type of cytopathology, inhibition of plaque formation by 5-bromodeoxyuridine, formation of Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions in cell cultures, and presence of herpes-type virions in negatively stained preparations and thin sections of infected cell cultures. One of these isolates inoculated into chickens proved apathogenic over an observation period of 10 weeks. Indirect immunofluorescence and serum neutralisation tests revealed serological relationship between these isolates and the strain NSW 1/70 of HVT. Staining of HVT-infected cell culture by Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV) antiserum showed intranuclear fluorescence but attempts to prepare HVT precipitating antigen or to demonstrate cross-precipiation between HVT and MDHV were unsuccessful.", "contents": "Isolation and characterisation of herpes virus from turkeys. Turkey herpesvirus (HVT) was isolated from the kidneys of 6 of 8 turkey poults from two flocks. The isolates were identified by syncytial-type of cytopathology, inhibition of plaque formation by 5-bromodeoxyuridine, formation of Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions in cell cultures, and presence of herpes-type virions in negatively stained preparations and thin sections of infected cell cultures. One of these isolates inoculated into chickens proved apathogenic over an observation period of 10 weeks. Indirect immunofluorescence and serum neutralisation tests revealed serological relationship between these isolates and the strain NSW 1/70 of HVT. Staining of HVT-infected cell culture by Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDHV) antiserum showed intranuclear fluorescence but attempts to prepare HVT precipitating antigen or to demonstrate cross-precipiation between HVT and MDHV were unsuccessful.", "PMID": 614022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_988", "title": "The influence of light infestations of Linognathus vituli on the growth of young cattle.", "content": "Groups of Hereford weaners carrying naturally acquired infestations of L. vituli were allocated to a factorial experiment to examine the effect of lice treatment, sex and nutrition on growth rate during winter and early spring. Plane of nutrition was the only factor influencing growth rate over this period. In untreated groups of cattle, the plane of nutrition influenced the lice score but lice score did not influence growth rate.", "contents": "The influence of light infestations of Linognathus vituli on the growth of young cattle. Groups of Hereford weaners carrying naturally acquired infestations of L. vituli were allocated to a factorial experiment to examine the effect of lice treatment, sex and nutrition on growth rate during winter and early spring. Plane of nutrition was the only factor influencing growth rate over this period. In untreated groups of cattle, the plane of nutrition influenced the lice score but lice score did not influence growth rate.", "PMID": 614023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_989", "title": "Granulomatous lesions in pigs associated with the use of an oil-based erysipelas vaccine.", "content": "Severe granulomatous lesions in cervical muscles and lymph nodes, associated with the use of an oil-based erysipelas vaccine, caused considerable economic loss at slaughter in 1400 pigs from the one herd. The condition was reproduced experimentally using the same vaccine, and in a less severe form with another commercially available oil-based erysipelas vaccine.", "contents": "Granulomatous lesions in pigs associated with the use of an oil-based erysipelas vaccine. Severe granulomatous lesions in cervical muscles and lymph nodes, associated with the use of an oil-based erysipelas vaccine, caused considerable economic loss at slaughter in 1400 pigs from the one herd. The condition was reproduced experimentally using the same vaccine, and in a less severe form with another commercially available oil-based erysipelas vaccine.", "PMID": 614024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_990", "title": "[Memory function following episodes of transitory total amnesia].", "content": "The Authors, considering the insufficiency of data in this condition, have studied the memory functions in patients who, in the follow up after an episode of TGA, did not show any clinical sign. A selective loss of a short-term \"verbal\" memory, without any psychometric alteration, is found out. The meaning of those observations is discussed with regard to the possible further differentiation of TGA syndrome in acute and chronic phases.", "contents": "[Memory function following episodes of transitory total amnesia]. The Authors, considering the insufficiency of data in this condition, have studied the memory functions in patients who, in the follow up after an episode of TGA, did not show any clinical sign. A selective loss of a short-term \"verbal\" memory, without any psychometric alteration, is found out. The meaning of those observations is discussed with regard to the possible further differentiation of TGA syndrome in acute and chronic phases.", "PMID": 614036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_991", "title": "[Electroencephalographic changes during lithium salt therapy: correlation with the erythrocyte lithium content].", "content": "18 subjects, affected by manic-depressive psychosis, have been studied during lithium therapy, in order to control EEG. changes in relation to erythrocyte lithium concentration. According to data obtained, significant relation subsistes between EEG. changes and erythrocyte lithium concentration.", "contents": "[Electroencephalographic changes during lithium salt therapy: correlation with the erythrocyte lithium content]. 18 subjects, affected by manic-depressive psychosis, have been studied during lithium therapy, in order to control EEG. changes in relation to erythrocyte lithium concentration. According to data obtained, significant relation subsistes between EEG. changes and erythrocyte lithium concentration.", "PMID": 614037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_992", "title": "[C(16)-substituted steroids in umbilical cord blood during normal and pathological pregnancies].", "content": "In this study the levels of Estriol and their precursors C(16) substituted in cord plasma are examined. The values found during normal pregnancies are compared with those of pregnancies complicated by different pathology. These compounds can be considered as a good index of feto-placental wellbeing.", "contents": "[C(16)-substituted steroids in umbilical cord blood during normal and pathological pregnancies]. In this study the levels of Estriol and their precursors C(16) substituted in cord plasma are examined. The values found during normal pregnancies are compared with those of pregnancies complicated by different pathology. These compounds can be considered as a good index of feto-placental wellbeing.", "PMID": 614038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_993", "title": "[Cystine aminopeptidase (CAP) and intrauterine death of the fetus].", "content": "13 pathologic pregnancies with intrauterine fetal death, serially monitored by C.A.P. determination, were retrospectively examined. In 81,81% of the cases the last C.A.P. value determinated before fetal death is situated below the--1 of standard deviation. Furthermore 50 cases with the last C.A.P. value situated below the--1 of standard deviation were considered: in 26% of these cases subsequentely happened intrauterine fetal death.", "contents": "[Cystine aminopeptidase (CAP) and intrauterine death of the fetus]. 13 pathologic pregnancies with intrauterine fetal death, serially monitored by C.A.P. determination, were retrospectively examined. In 81,81% of the cases the last C.A.P. value determinated before fetal death is situated below the--1 of standard deviation. Furthermore 50 cases with the last C.A.P. value situated below the--1 of standard deviation were considered: in 26% of these cases subsequentely happened intrauterine fetal death.", "PMID": 614039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_994", "title": "[Treatment of thyroid neoplasms and proposed therapeutic plan].", "content": "Thirty-seven patients with thyroid cancer were treated at 1a Clinica Chirurgica of Parma between 1962 and 1970. Fourty-five per cent of tumors were papillary, 24 per cent follicular, 2 per cent medullary, 9 per cent anaplastic. Surgery combined with ormonal therapy formed the commonest treatment. Eighty-five per cent of the patients with papillary carcinoma 70 per cent with follicular and 33,3 per cent with anaplastic carcinoma survived for 10 years. This present series indicates that total thiroidectomy combined with ormonal therapy influences the survival time, confirms the prognostic value of histology and shows that papillary node metastases do not prejudice survival.", "contents": "[Treatment of thyroid neoplasms and proposed therapeutic plan]. Thirty-seven patients with thyroid cancer were treated at 1a Clinica Chirurgica of Parma between 1962 and 1970. Fourty-five per cent of tumors were papillary, 24 per cent follicular, 2 per cent medullary, 9 per cent anaplastic. Surgery combined with ormonal therapy formed the commonest treatment. Eighty-five per cent of the patients with papillary carcinoma 70 per cent with follicular and 33,3 per cent with anaplastic carcinoma survived for 10 years. This present series indicates that total thiroidectomy combined with ormonal therapy influences the survival time, confirms the prognostic value of histology and shows that papillary node metastases do not prejudice survival.", "PMID": 614040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_995", "title": "[A case of scleroderma associated with total medullary aplasia].", "content": "A case of scleroderma associated with pancytopenia is reported. The Authors point out that the severe haematological defect was not caused by autoimmune mechanisms and/or by iron, B12 or folic acid deficiency but it was related to bone marrow aplasia. The microangiopathy of scleroderma is taken into consideration as a possible factor responsible of the bone marrow failure.", "contents": "[A case of scleroderma associated with total medullary aplasia]. A case of scleroderma associated with pancytopenia is reported. The Authors point out that the severe haematological defect was not caused by autoimmune mechanisms and/or by iron, B12 or folic acid deficiency but it was related to bone marrow aplasia. The microangiopathy of scleroderma is taken into consideration as a possible factor responsible of the bone marrow failure.", "PMID": 614041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_996", "title": "[Asplenomegalic idiopathic myelofibrosis. Clinical observations and considerations on 5 cases].", "content": "The Authors, after some theoretical considerations on cell Kinetics, report five cases of Primary Asplenomegalic Myelofibrosis. Pointing out some data about the diagnosis, the Authors take into consideration the clinical course of the disease which, according to the literature, appears significantly more severe.", "contents": "[Asplenomegalic idiopathic myelofibrosis. Clinical observations and considerations on 5 cases]. The Authors, after some theoretical considerations on cell Kinetics, report five cases of Primary Asplenomegalic Myelofibrosis. Pointing out some data about the diagnosis, the Authors take into consideration the clinical course of the disease which, according to the literature, appears significantly more severe.", "PMID": 614042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_997", "title": "[Use of the pictorial intelligence test (PTI) in preschool-age children].", "content": "In order to ascertain the validity of P.T.I. test for handicapped children, the As. evaluate P.T.I. test in comparison to Columbia Mental Maturity Scale. High correlation over the 4 years of chronological age and no correlation between 3 and 4 years are observed.", "contents": "[Use of the pictorial intelligence test (PTI) in preschool-age children]. In order to ascertain the validity of P.T.I. test for handicapped children, the As. evaluate P.T.I. test in comparison to Columbia Mental Maturity Scale. High correlation over the 4 years of chronological age and no correlation between 3 and 4 years are observed.", "PMID": 614043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_998", "title": "[Angles of the base of the skull in chimpanzees].", "content": "Ten angular measurements have been retained for a study of the basis of the skull for two species of chimpanzees : Pan troglodytes (83 skulls) and Pan paniscus (179 skulls). Were especially studied : growth and sexual or specific differences. Classical parameters or angles measured in reference to the horizontal vestibular axis were used. The statistical study clearly shows the phenomenom of negative rotation with an ontogenic accentuation of quadrupedia.", "contents": "[Angles of the base of the skull in chimpanzees]. Ten angular measurements have been retained for a study of the basis of the skull for two species of chimpanzees : Pan troglodytes (83 skulls) and Pan paniscus (179 skulls). Were especially studied : growth and sexual or specific differences. Classical parameters or angles measured in reference to the horizontal vestibular axis were used. The statistical study clearly shows the phenomenom of negative rotation with an ontogenic accentuation of quadrupedia.", "PMID": 614060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_999", "title": "[Biometric aspects of hyoid mechanics in man].", "content": "The motionless position and the movements of the human hyo\u00efd bone are defined by angular and linear measures, with regard to the basis of the skull and the horizontal palatine level. It appears that the hyo\u00efd mechanic, which is at best expressed during swallowing and speech articulation, is mainly dependent on styloid suspension, that allows sinuso\u00efdal trajectories.", "contents": "[Biometric aspects of hyoid mechanics in man]. The motionless position and the movements of the human hyo\u00efd bone are defined by angular and linear measures, with regard to the basis of the skull and the horizontal palatine level. It appears that the hyo\u00efd mechanic, which is at best expressed during swallowing and speech articulation, is mainly dependent on styloid suspension, that allows sinuso\u00efdal trajectories.", "PMID": 614061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1000", "title": "[Arterial vascularization of the 3rd and 4th portions of the duodenum. Recent acquisitions].", "content": "New knowledge on arterial blood supply of the 3rd and 4th parts of theduodenum. Injection of the digestive arterial system in 15 adult subjects allows the study of the blood supply of the 3rd and 4th parts of the duodenum. Although the duodeno-pancreatic arches are constantly found, the authors showed that the branches to the duodenum have a variable layout. On the right of the superior mesenteric artery, the distribution of the branches is always regular on both sides of the 3rd part of the duodenum. On the other hand, on the left of this artery, there is sometimes a vascular hiatus which may extend to the duodeno-jejunal angle. Although in 60 per cent of the cases, this part of the duodenum is well supplied with blood on both surfaces, in 40 per cent of the cases on the other hand, there exists an avascular area on both sides. This lay-out is not favorable for division and anastomosis of this segment of the digestive tract.", "contents": "[Arterial vascularization of the 3rd and 4th portions of the duodenum. Recent acquisitions]. New knowledge on arterial blood supply of the 3rd and 4th parts of theduodenum. Injection of the digestive arterial system in 15 adult subjects allows the study of the blood supply of the 3rd and 4th parts of the duodenum. Although the duodeno-pancreatic arches are constantly found, the authors showed that the branches to the duodenum have a variable layout. On the right of the superior mesenteric artery, the distribution of the branches is always regular on both sides of the 3rd part of the duodenum. On the other hand, on the left of this artery, there is sometimes a vascular hiatus which may extend to the duodeno-jejunal angle. Although in 60 per cent of the cases, this part of the duodenum is well supplied with blood on both surfaces, in 40 per cent of the cases on the other hand, there exists an avascular area on both sides. This lay-out is not favorable for division and anastomosis of this segment of the digestive tract.", "PMID": 614062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1001", "title": "[Study of anastomoses between the left renal vein and the internal vertebral plexus].", "content": "Anastomosis between the left renal vein and the rachidian plexus exists in about 80% of the cases (16 cases out of 20); they are important in 25% of the cases (5 cases) ; their origin is constant ; their ending has a high frequency for the rachidian plexus of the intervertebral foramen L1-L2. These anastomoses are of great importance : as they are the only renal circulation's safety device in seven of our cases : their hypertrophy in some pathological cases can explain some neurological clinical pictures of compression, reversible after the ligature of the hypertrophic anastomotic veins.", "contents": "[Study of anastomoses between the left renal vein and the internal vertebral plexus]. Anastomosis between the left renal vein and the rachidian plexus exists in about 80% of the cases (16 cases out of 20); they are important in 25% of the cases (5 cases) ; their origin is constant ; their ending has a high frequency for the rachidian plexus of the intervertebral foramen L1-L2. These anastomoses are of great importance : as they are the only renal circulation's safety device in seven of our cases : their hypertrophy in some pathological cases can explain some neurological clinical pictures of compression, reversible after the ligature of the hypertrophic anastomotic veins.", "PMID": 614063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1002", "title": "[Circadian variation of the mitotic activity of the adrenal cortex in male rats].", "content": "The mitotic activity in the adrenal cortex has been studied during a 24 hours-cycle in male rats that have been sacrificed by perfusion of fixative. A method of calculation of the thickness of the zona germinativa is proposed : it permits to compute mitotic densities in relation to surface, and mitotic index. Mitotic activity seems to be the combination of a relatively low and constant activity occurring from 7 a.m. (local time) to 11 p.m., and an hyperactivity from 0 to 6 a.m. Two maxima are demonstrated : one at 0 h, and another one, more important, at 5 a.m. (local time). Results are analyzed, discussed and compared with others obtained on different organs : each tissue seems to have its own characteristics according to horary and intensity in mitotic activity.", "contents": "[Circadian variation of the mitotic activity of the adrenal cortex in male rats]. The mitotic activity in the adrenal cortex has been studied during a 24 hours-cycle in male rats that have been sacrificed by perfusion of fixative. A method of calculation of the thickness of the zona germinativa is proposed : it permits to compute mitotic densities in relation to surface, and mitotic index. Mitotic activity seems to be the combination of a relatively low and constant activity occurring from 7 a.m. (local time) to 11 p.m., and an hyperactivity from 0 to 6 a.m. Two maxima are demonstrated : one at 0 h, and another one, more important, at 5 a.m. (local time). Results are analyzed, discussed and compared with others obtained on different organs : each tissue seems to have its own characteristics according to horary and intensity in mitotic activity.", "PMID": 614064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1003", "title": "[Sexual dimorphism of correlations in crainometry].", "content": "The correlations of the 20 main cranial dimensions, in 2 series of 500 male and 500 female subjects are often higher in man than in the women. This result confirms Schreider's former statement. Through partial correlations, we keep constant the two main sexual characteristics of the skull (weight and volume) : the sexual differences of partial correlation are then in equal number in each sex, Schreider's hypothesis being thus confirmed : sexual dimorphism is partly genetical and related to sex.", "contents": "[Sexual dimorphism of correlations in crainometry]. The correlations of the 20 main cranial dimensions, in 2 series of 500 male and 500 female subjects are often higher in man than in the women. This result confirms Schreider's former statement. Through partial correlations, we keep constant the two main sexual characteristics of the skull (weight and volume) : the sexual differences of partial correlation are then in equal number in each sex, Schreider's hypothesis being thus confirmed : sexual dimorphism is partly genetical and related to sex.", "PMID": 614065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1004", "title": "[Electron microscope study of the surface of human placental villi at the onset and at the end of gestation].", "content": "The surface of the syncytiotrophoblast covering the human placental villi at the first month and at the end of pregnancy has been observed using both Scanning and Tranmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural changes have been compared and related to the physiological activity of the trophoblast during the maturation of the placenta.", "contents": "[Electron microscope study of the surface of human placental villi at the onset and at the end of gestation]. The surface of the syncytiotrophoblast covering the human placental villi at the first month and at the end of pregnancy has been observed using both Scanning and Tranmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural changes have been compared and related to the physiological activity of the trophoblast during the maturation of the placenta.", "PMID": 614066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1005", "title": "[Development of arachnoid granulations].", "content": "The ontogenesis of arachnoid granulations has been analysed in specimens derived from 30 humans, 5 cats and 10 ships. We distinguish the following developmental stages : (i) The arachnoid membrane forms small diverticula that grow toward the superior sagittal sinus. In the majority of cases, this process is followed by an infiltration of mesothelial and connective tissue cells from these diverticula into the dura mater, where it forms the wall of the sinus. (ii) These arachnoid cells form an evagination, giving rise to an arachnoid granulation of simple pediculated form, which, by generating evaginations of second and third order, can become an arachnoid granulation of the so-called complex pediculated form. The wall of the superior sagittal sinus participates in the development of the granulation by the formation of a fibrous capsule. This capsule has openings where arachnoid mesothelium and sinus endothelium are in direct contact.", "contents": "[Development of arachnoid granulations]. The ontogenesis of arachnoid granulations has been analysed in specimens derived from 30 humans, 5 cats and 10 ships. We distinguish the following developmental stages : (i) The arachnoid membrane forms small diverticula that grow toward the superior sagittal sinus. In the majority of cases, this process is followed by an infiltration of mesothelial and connective tissue cells from these diverticula into the dura mater, where it forms the wall of the sinus. (ii) These arachnoid cells form an evagination, giving rise to an arachnoid granulation of simple pediculated form, which, by generating evaginations of second and third order, can become an arachnoid granulation of the so-called complex pediculated form. The wall of the superior sagittal sinus participates in the development of the granulation by the formation of a fibrous capsule. This capsule has openings where arachnoid mesothelium and sinus endothelium are in direct contact.", "PMID": 614067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1006", "title": "[Study of the vascular density of tissues surrounding the right recurrent nerve (apropos of 56 cases)].", "content": "Study of 56 cases. The right recurrent nerve is more easily found near its origin, below the crossing with the inferior thyroidal artery. Since the vascular density of the adjacent tissue is less important, the dissection is easier and less haemorrhagic.", "contents": "[Study of the vascular density of tissues surrounding the right recurrent nerve (apropos of 56 cases)]. Study of 56 cases. The right recurrent nerve is more easily found near its origin, below the crossing with the inferior thyroidal artery. Since the vascular density of the adjacent tissue is less important, the dissection is easier and less haemorrhagic.", "PMID": 614069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1007", "title": "[Radio-anatomical study of the arteries of the hand. Anastomoses (radiological incidences). Digital vascularization (apropos of 25 anatomo-radiological preparations)].", "content": "An original procedure is used for the specimens. The hands of fresh corpses preserved in a cialit solution are prepared by an injection of resin mixed with a leadsalt into the arteries. The accurate dissection of the hand's arteries is compared to the X rays. 1) Palmar arci are rare. We found an arcus palmaris superficialis in 10% and an arcus palmaris profundus in about 50% of the specimens. To avoid a misinterpretation of X rays, three incidences were used (one full-face and two oblique incidence: a transversal one at 15 degrees and a vertical or longitudinal one at 30 degrees). 2) All fingers receive arteries of double origin in 80% of the cases. Only in 20% of all cases, the thumb or the little finger have an exclusive vascularisation (radial for the thumb and ulnar for the little finger). 3) All digital anastomoses are dissected--Retrotendineous anastomoses are patent and large.", "contents": "[Radio-anatomical study of the arteries of the hand. Anastomoses (radiological incidences). Digital vascularization (apropos of 25 anatomo-radiological preparations)]. An original procedure is used for the specimens. The hands of fresh corpses preserved in a cialit solution are prepared by an injection of resin mixed with a leadsalt into the arteries. The accurate dissection of the hand's arteries is compared to the X rays. 1) Palmar arci are rare. We found an arcus palmaris superficialis in 10% and an arcus palmaris profundus in about 50% of the specimens. To avoid a misinterpretation of X rays, three incidences were used (one full-face and two oblique incidence: a transversal one at 15 degrees and a vertical or longitudinal one at 30 degrees). 2) All fingers receive arteries of double origin in 80% of the cases. Only in 20% of all cases, the thumb or the little finger have an exclusive vascularisation (radial for the thumb and ulnar for the little finger). 3) All digital anastomoses are dissected--Retrotendineous anastomoses are patent and large.", "PMID": 614070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1008", "title": "[Arterial vascularization of the os coxae].", "content": "Study of the arterial vascularization of the coxal bone by microangiographic methods. Nutritive and periosteal blood-vessels come from Iliaca interna and Iliaca externa arteries. The ilium is vascularized by the Ilio-lumbalis artery which is a nutritive blood vessel. A eriosteal vascularization also exists. Ischium and pubis have a periosteal vascularization. Blood vessels are oriented toward the sus-acetabulum area where many anastomoses exist.", "contents": "[Arterial vascularization of the os coxae]. Study of the arterial vascularization of the coxal bone by microangiographic methods. Nutritive and periosteal blood-vessels come from Iliaca interna and Iliaca externa arteries. The ilium is vascularized by the Ilio-lumbalis artery which is a nutritive blood vessel. A eriosteal vascularization also exists. Ischium and pubis have a periosteal vascularization. Blood vessels are oriented toward the sus-acetabulum area where many anastomoses exist.", "PMID": 614072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1009", "title": "[Nucleo-cytoplasm ratio, DNA content of superficial and intermediate vaginal cells during the female genital cycle].", "content": "A quantimetric study of vaginal superficial cells is done every day of the sexual cycle on five normal women (no pill) with a cervical smear of type 2 (Papanicolaou classification). Our results show that nucelo-cytoplasmic ratio for 98% of the cells varies between 0.0040 and 0.0210. This level is independant of age and cycle duration and is proposed as reference for later studies of women under pill or with cervico-vaginal dysplasia and cancer.", "contents": "[Nucleo-cytoplasm ratio, DNA content of superficial and intermediate vaginal cells during the female genital cycle]. A quantimetric study of vaginal superficial cells is done every day of the sexual cycle on five normal women (no pill) with a cervical smear of type 2 (Papanicolaou classification). Our results show that nucelo-cytoplasmic ratio for 98% of the cells varies between 0.0040 and 0.0210. This level is independant of age and cycle duration and is proposed as reference for later studies of women under pill or with cervico-vaginal dysplasia and cancer.", "PMID": 614073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1010", "title": "[The skull of the child (morphological study)].", "content": "The child skull presents some very precocious bony protusions: the zygomatic bone's tuberculum marginale, the cresta occipitalis externa, the processus paracondylaris. A formula for estimating infantile cranial capacity is also given.", "contents": "[The skull of the child (morphological study)]. The child skull presents some very precocious bony protusions: the zygomatic bone's tuberculum marginale, the cresta occipitalis externa, the processus paracondylaris. A formula for estimating infantile cranial capacity is also given.", "PMID": 614075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1011", "title": "[Aims of applied veterinary anatomy. An interdisciplinary consultation].", "content": "Forty-one French veterinary educators have chosen to respond to the present questionnaire on applied anatomy. Seventeen of them are not satisfied with the knowledge of their students:--they are not always able with the time available to fill in the gaps, in their programs;--they would like an anatomy course to be less theoretic and more directly orientated toward professional applications;--they present, with their specialities in mind, the kinds of basic material and details that they would like to find acquired by the students;--with the limitations of class time, they suggest that applied anatomy be integrated into the clinical studies. Many thanks to those who responsed to the questionnaire and we hope that their ideas will be accepted by French anatomists for a better coordination of our common educational activity.", "contents": "[Aims of applied veterinary anatomy. An interdisciplinary consultation]. Forty-one French veterinary educators have chosen to respond to the present questionnaire on applied anatomy. Seventeen of them are not satisfied with the knowledge of their students:--they are not always able with the time available to fill in the gaps, in their programs;--they would like an anatomy course to be less theoretic and more directly orientated toward professional applications;--they present, with their specialities in mind, the kinds of basic material and details that they would like to find acquired by the students;--with the limitations of class time, they suggest that applied anatomy be integrated into the clinical studies. Many thanks to those who responsed to the questionnaire and we hope that their ideas will be accepted by French anatomists for a better coordination of our common educational activity.", "PMID": 614076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1012", "title": "[Vascularization of the transverse colon].", "content": "Results of 21 injections of the transverse colon with coloured latex. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are separately injected. Dissections allowed the study of the topography and width of the colic transverse vessels. Collateral circulation is also described. A middle colic artery is present in 85% of the cases. The length of transverse colon vascularized by each arterial system is related with accuracy to the number of arcades issued from each system. The superior mesenteric artery prevails in the blood supply of the transverse colon (70% of its length).", "contents": "[Vascularization of the transverse colon]. Results of 21 injections of the transverse colon with coloured latex. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are separately injected. Dissections allowed the study of the topography and width of the colic transverse vessels. Collateral circulation is also described. A middle colic artery is present in 85% of the cases. The length of transverse colon vascularized by each arterial system is related with accuracy to the number of arcades issued from each system. The superior mesenteric artery prevails in the blood supply of the transverse colon (70% of its length).", "PMID": 614077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1013", "title": "Interrelationships of oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity.", "content": "The circadian rhythms of oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity (to dichlorvos, a rapid-acting organophosphate) in adult confused flour beetles (Tribolium confusum du Val) were determined using a LD 12:12 lighting regimen and other standardized conditions. Analysis included fitting a 24 h cosine curve to the data to estimate rhythm characteristics. Relationships between rhythms in oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity were evaluated on the basis of each rhythm's acrophase (timing of high point). The acrophase of oxygen consumption occurred on the average about 3 h after the middle of the daily dark span. Maximum insecticide sensitivity, based upon the reciprocal of the LC70, occurred about 2 h earlier. Although the times are fairly close, the difference between the two acrophases was statistically significant.", "contents": "Interrelationships of oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity. The circadian rhythms of oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity (to dichlorvos, a rapid-acting organophosphate) in adult confused flour beetles (Tribolium confusum du Val) were determined using a LD 12:12 lighting regimen and other standardized conditions. Analysis included fitting a 24 h cosine curve to the data to estimate rhythm characteristics. Relationships between rhythms in oxygen consumption and insecticide sensitivity were evaluated on the basis of each rhythm's acrophase (timing of high point). The acrophase of oxygen consumption occurred on the average about 3 h after the middle of the daily dark span. Maximum insecticide sensitivity, based upon the reciprocal of the LC70, occurred about 2 h earlier. Although the times are fairly close, the difference between the two acrophases was statistically significant.", "PMID": 614120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1014", "title": "A likelihood ratio method for studying the re-entrainment of circadian rhythms.", "content": "A simple technique is described that enables the degree of adaptation at different times of day to be studied in organisms that have been subjected to a sudden change in the Zeitgeber (as typically found in shiftwork or after transmeridian flight). The investigator is thus able to place greater emphasis on some readings than on others and to measure the amount of disruption at a particular time of day (e.g. for an important meeting) rather than to merely rely upon an overall daily measure. The method uses the likelihood ratio statistics which also allows a powerful test to be made of the statistical significance of any apparent adaptation. The method is illustrated on some 'jet-lag' data, where it was able to determine differential rates of adaptation according to the time of day at which the subjects were tested.", "contents": "A likelihood ratio method for studying the re-entrainment of circadian rhythms. A simple technique is described that enables the degree of adaptation at different times of day to be studied in organisms that have been subjected to a sudden change in the Zeitgeber (as typically found in shiftwork or after transmeridian flight). The investigator is thus able to place greater emphasis on some readings than on others and to measure the amount of disruption at a particular time of day (e.g. for an important meeting) rather than to merely rely upon an overall daily measure. The method uses the likelihood ratio statistics which also allows a powerful test to be made of the statistical significance of any apparent adaptation. The method is illustrated on some 'jet-lag' data, where it was able to determine differential rates of adaptation according to the time of day at which the subjects were tested.", "PMID": 614121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1015", "title": "Perspectives in chronobiology of air pollution.", "content": "In a series of experiments, male and female Sprague Dawley rats, kept in light (L) from 06(00) to 18(00) alternating with darkness (LD 12:12) inhaled different concentrations of carbon monoxide (50-1,700 ppm) at each of two test times, 12 h apart. A decrease in flow of CO2 (VCO2) resulting from CO inhalation was greater in the active dark (D) than resting light (L) span. Experimental hypoxic mortality of male and female mice also shows circadian variations, being greater in the D than in the L span. Moreover, a difference of mortality was observed betwen hypoxic exposures performed at 12(00) (in LD or DL) and hypoxic exposures performed at 00(00) (in LD or DL). Such results await tests of any extent to which they model responses of human beings to air pollution. In human beings any external environmental circadian, circaseptan and circannual variations in air pollution as such may serve to variable extent as socioeconomic synchronizers of innate rhythms with a corresponding frequency, rather than as solely generators of time patterns in any physiopathologic response to air pollution.", "contents": "Perspectives in chronobiology of air pollution. In a series of experiments, male and female Sprague Dawley rats, kept in light (L) from 06(00) to 18(00) alternating with darkness (LD 12:12) inhaled different concentrations of carbon monoxide (50-1,700 ppm) at each of two test times, 12 h apart. A decrease in flow of CO2 (VCO2) resulting from CO inhalation was greater in the active dark (D) than resting light (L) span. Experimental hypoxic mortality of male and female mice also shows circadian variations, being greater in the D than in the L span. Moreover, a difference of mortality was observed betwen hypoxic exposures performed at 12(00) (in LD or DL) and hypoxic exposures performed at 00(00) (in LD or DL). Such results await tests of any extent to which they model responses of human beings to air pollution. In human beings any external environmental circadian, circaseptan and circannual variations in air pollution as such may serve to variable extent as socioeconomic synchronizers of innate rhythms with a corresponding frequency, rather than as solely generators of time patterns in any physiopathologic response to air pollution.", "PMID": 614122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1016", "title": "The free-running circadian rhythms of two schizophrenics.", "content": "Two chronic schizophrenic patients and a psychiatrist spent 21 days in an isolation unit. For the first 4 days they lived on normal time but thereafter the clock was removed and they were free-running. The psychiatrist followed the schedule set by the schizophrenics, one of whom spontaneously decided the times of retiring and rising while the other followed passively. The psychiatrist commonly retired some time later but without disturbing the schizophrenics, the mean duration of whose days was 23.7 h, distinctly shorter than is usual in healthy subjects. This was made up of an activity period of 11.77 h and a rest period of 11.94 h. Pulse rate and temperature were measured frequently throughout the waking hours and rectal temperature was monitored during sleep. Urine samples were also collected throughout the 24 h and were analysed for potassium, sodium, chloride, creatinine, phosphate, calcium and uric acid. Urinary and temperature rhythms followed approximately the activity rhythm, in both healthy and schizophrenic subjects. Pulse rate in the schizophrenics followed a rhythm with a period slightly less than that of activity, and in one schizophrenic showed a consistently early phasing. 11-hydroxycorticosteriods at the end of the observation showed a very early phasing corresponding to that of activity. The findings suggest that schizophrenics may have an abnormally short circadian period.", "contents": "The free-running circadian rhythms of two schizophrenics. Two chronic schizophrenic patients and a psychiatrist spent 21 days in an isolation unit. For the first 4 days they lived on normal time but thereafter the clock was removed and they were free-running. The psychiatrist followed the schedule set by the schizophrenics, one of whom spontaneously decided the times of retiring and rising while the other followed passively. The psychiatrist commonly retired some time later but without disturbing the schizophrenics, the mean duration of whose days was 23.7 h, distinctly shorter than is usual in healthy subjects. This was made up of an activity period of 11.77 h and a rest period of 11.94 h. Pulse rate and temperature were measured frequently throughout the waking hours and rectal temperature was monitored during sleep. Urine samples were also collected throughout the 24 h and were analysed for potassium, sodium, chloride, creatinine, phosphate, calcium and uric acid. Urinary and temperature rhythms followed approximately the activity rhythm, in both healthy and schizophrenic subjects. Pulse rate in the schizophrenics followed a rhythm with a period slightly less than that of activity, and in one schizophrenic showed a consistently early phasing. 11-hydroxycorticosteriods at the end of the observation showed a very early phasing corresponding to that of activity. The findings suggest that schizophrenics may have an abnormally short circadian period.", "PMID": 614123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1017", "title": "The effects of prenatal protein deprivation on thyrotroph development.", "content": "Maternal dietary protein restriction produced by feeding a diet containing 4% casein throughout gestation adversely affects body size and retards development of various organs in the progeny. For the most part, alterations are present in structural or functional entities which evolve during the last trimester of gestation. Fetal thyroid follicle formation and iodine concentrating capacity, which increase rapidly between the 17th gestational day and birth in pups of dams fed the control (24% casein) ration, are retarded in age-matched pups of protein-deficient females. The first immunoreactive thyrotrophs appear in the fetal pituitary on day 17 in both control and prenatally protein-deprived (PPD) young. The total number of thyrotrophs per pituitary was unaffected by maternal protein deficiency, except on day 21 when there were significantly more thyrotrophs per pituitary in fetal control rats. Although pituitary volume was significantly reduced in 18-, 19- and 21-day old fetal PPD rats, as compared with controls, pituitary volume:body weight ratios differed between young in the two dietary groups only on day 21, when the ratio was significantly higher in PPD as compared to control young. Maternal protein deprivation does not affect the morphological maturation of the thyrotrophs of the anterior pituitary of the fetal rat.", "contents": "The effects of prenatal protein deprivation on thyrotroph development. Maternal dietary protein restriction produced by feeding a diet containing 4% casein throughout gestation adversely affects body size and retards development of various organs in the progeny. For the most part, alterations are present in structural or functional entities which evolve during the last trimester of gestation. Fetal thyroid follicle formation and iodine concentrating capacity, which increase rapidly between the 17th gestational day and birth in pups of dams fed the control (24% casein) ration, are retarded in age-matched pups of protein-deficient females. The first immunoreactive thyrotrophs appear in the fetal pituitary on day 17 in both control and prenatally protein-deprived (PPD) young. The total number of thyrotrophs per pituitary was unaffected by maternal protein deficiency, except on day 21 when there were significantly more thyrotrophs per pituitary in fetal control rats. Although pituitary volume was significantly reduced in 18-, 19- and 21-day old fetal PPD rats, as compared with controls, pituitary volume:body weight ratios differed between young in the two dietary groups only on day 21, when the ratio was significantly higher in PPD as compared to control young. Maternal protein deprivation does not affect the morphological maturation of the thyrotrophs of the anterior pituitary of the fetal rat.", "PMID": 614132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1018", "title": "[Fosfomycin. I. Antimicrobial action in vitro].", "content": "The results obtained from the test of the in vitro activity of Fosfomycin by a concentration of 104 bacteria/ml and by Nutrient Broth with 5% defibrinated blood, have shown that the drug has a capacity of action on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive germs, also on beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Fosfomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic. infact the M.I.C. values are simjlar to M.B.C. values.", "contents": "[Fosfomycin. I. Antimicrobial action in vitro]. The results obtained from the test of the in vitro activity of Fosfomycin by a concentration of 104 bacteria/ml and by Nutrient Broth with 5% defibrinated blood, have shown that the drug has a capacity of action on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive germs, also on beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Fosfomycin is a bactericidal antibiotic. infact the M.I.C. values are simjlar to M.B.C. values.", "PMID": 614140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1019", "title": "[L forms of Staphylococcus aureus. Behavior of coagulase, hemolytic and desoxyribonuclease activities and antibiotic sensitivity].", "content": "L Forms derived from strains of coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus, have, on the whole, preserved their DNAsic, haemolitic and coagulastic activities. L. forms showed high resistence to antibiotics acting on the bacterial cell-wall. The sensibility to other antibiotics was, roughly, analogous for the L forms as well as for the bacterial strains ones, with the exception of the clortetraciclin and the diidrostreptomicin, ehich proved to be comparatively more active on the L forms.", "contents": "[L forms of Staphylococcus aureus. Behavior of coagulase, hemolytic and desoxyribonuclease activities and antibiotic sensitivity]. L Forms derived from strains of coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus, have, on the whole, preserved their DNAsic, haemolitic and coagulastic activities. L. forms showed high resistence to antibiotics acting on the bacterial cell-wall. The sensibility to other antibiotics was, roughly, analogous for the L forms as well as for the bacterial strains ones, with the exception of the clortetraciclin and the diidrostreptomicin, ehich proved to be comparatively more active on the L forms.", "PMID": 614141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1020", "title": "[4 cases of purulent otitis media caused by Salmonella Wien].", "content": "The authors start from the analysis of four cases of purulent otitis media, caused by S. Wien, after doing a chronicle of S. Wien and of its pathogenetic mechanisms, they infer that the matter hand is an, at least clinically primary localization in the middle ear. They stress moreover, the importance of the isolation of the microorganism in question in all the cases of infectives diseases as well as its sensibility to antibiotics.", "contents": "[4 cases of purulent otitis media caused by Salmonella Wien]. The authors start from the analysis of four cases of purulent otitis media, caused by S. Wien, after doing a chronicle of S. Wien and of its pathogenetic mechanisms, they infer that the matter hand is an, at least clinically primary localization in the middle ear. They stress moreover, the importance of the isolation of the microorganism in question in all the cases of infectives diseases as well as its sensibility to antibiotics.", "PMID": 614142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1021", "title": "[Changes in the membrane receptors of lymphocyte populations during immunization].", "content": "A population of splenic lymphocytes has been studied as well as their surface antibodies and their affinity for antigen in different days and periods of immunization. Fractionation of a specific population of lymphocytes having an affinity for antigens coated on glass beads were accomplished. The other aspecific population did not bind ot the glass beads and was not retained on the column. During the primary immuno-response the number of lymphocytic cells with surface antibodies specific for antigen was higher than in the booster response: in secondary response only the total number of antibody forming-cells increases while the number of lymphocytes with surface antibodies is constant. The authors suppose that the surface of spleen lymphocytes is modificated in different way at different time, by immunizing antigen.", "contents": "[Changes in the membrane receptors of lymphocyte populations during immunization]. A population of splenic lymphocytes has been studied as well as their surface antibodies and their affinity for antigen in different days and periods of immunization. Fractionation of a specific population of lymphocytes having an affinity for antigens coated on glass beads were accomplished. The other aspecific population did not bind ot the glass beads and was not retained on the column. During the primary immuno-response the number of lymphocytic cells with surface antibodies specific for antigen was higher than in the booster response: in secondary response only the total number of antibody forming-cells increases while the number of lymphocytes with surface antibodies is constant. The authors suppose that the surface of spleen lymphocytes is modificated in different way at different time, by immunizing antigen.", "PMID": 614143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1022", "title": "[Endotoxemia and phagocytic function in premature infants. II. Role of the blood platelets].", "content": "The AA. have studied the relationship between endotoxaemia, detected in premature children and platelets function, according to the most recent finding, supporting the presence of specific receptors for endotoxin at the surface of thrombocytes. The finding of 6 positive Limulus test on platelets over 7 cases support the ability of clearance from platelets towards endotoxin. Furthermore, the AA. suggest that the presence of endotoxaemia in the plasma is due to an impairment of more complex mechanism, as liver's detoxification, which seems the most important.", "contents": "[Endotoxemia and phagocytic function in premature infants. II. Role of the blood platelets]. The AA. have studied the relationship between endotoxaemia, detected in premature children and platelets function, according to the most recent finding, supporting the presence of specific receptors for endotoxin at the surface of thrombocytes. The finding of 6 positive Limulus test on platelets over 7 cases support the ability of clearance from platelets towards endotoxin. Furthermore, the AA. suggest that the presence of endotoxaemia in the plasma is due to an impairment of more complex mechanism, as liver's detoxification, which seems the most important.", "PMID": 614144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1023", "title": "[Studies of the distribution of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2), B/Hong Kong/8/73 and A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) influenza viruses in a Turin population sample].", "content": "53%, and 29.8% respectively, of a sample of 500 adults living in Turin have been shown lacking of any antibody against A/Victoria/3/75 and B/Hong Kong/8/73 influenza strains; less than 20%, and 45.4% respectively, possessed antibodies at a protective level (greater than or equal to 1:40). Furthermore, the study of age distribution of immunity against A/New Jersey/76 has confirmed specific h.a.i. antibodies to be present, at a significant level, only from the sixth decade onwards.", "contents": "[Studies of the distribution of hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2), B/Hong Kong/8/73 and A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) influenza viruses in a Turin population sample]. 53%, and 29.8% respectively, of a sample of 500 adults living in Turin have been shown lacking of any antibody against A/Victoria/3/75 and B/Hong Kong/8/73 influenza strains; less than 20%, and 45.4% respectively, possessed antibodies at a protective level (greater than or equal to 1:40). Furthermore, the study of age distribution of immunity against A/New Jersey/76 has confirmed specific h.a.i. antibodies to be present, at a significant level, only from the sixth decade onwards.", "PMID": 614146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1024", "title": "[Differences of capacity of human erythrocytes of newborn infants and adults and trypsin-treated erythrocytes to bind rubella virus hemagglutinin].", "content": "Rubella virus hemagglutinating (HA) antigen shows different titers against non treated, trypsin-modified and cord blood human erythrocytes. Trypsin-modified erythrocytes give titers eleven fold higher, and cord blood red cells sixteen fold higher than those seen with the non treated cells. These differences in sensitivity agree with a different ability to bind HA antigen: with an excess of antigen cord blood erythrocytes bind two, and trypsin-modified erythrocytes three times as much antigen was bound by non treated cells. The amount of bound antigen shows little or no dependence on 4 degrees or 37 degrees C temperatures.", "contents": "[Differences of capacity of human erythrocytes of newborn infants and adults and trypsin-treated erythrocytes to bind rubella virus hemagglutinin]. Rubella virus hemagglutinating (HA) antigen shows different titers against non treated, trypsin-modified and cord blood human erythrocytes. Trypsin-modified erythrocytes give titers eleven fold higher, and cord blood red cells sixteen fold higher than those seen with the non treated cells. These differences in sensitivity agree with a different ability to bind HA antigen: with an excess of antigen cord blood erythrocytes bind two, and trypsin-modified erythrocytes three times as much antigen was bound by non treated cells. The amount of bound antigen shows little or no dependence on 4 degrees or 37 degrees C temperatures.", "PMID": 614147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1025", "title": "[Bacteriocins as cytotoxic agents in experimental neoplasms: considerations on the role of possible contaminants].", "content": "In most recent papers some Authors have demonstrated that several bacteriocins are able to markedly inhibit the division of various neoplastic mammalian cell lines; also in vivo the inhibition of tumor growth or even regression relative to controls are statistically significant. Since such preparations are \"crude\" and it's possible that contaminating agents may represent a possible source of variability in the results, mostly in vivo; we have examined a preparation of Pyocin employed in this study for the possible endotoxin contamination using the Limulus assay. Such test was positive in triplicate and semiquantitative determination has shown and endotoxin amount of 5 to 10 microgram/ml. This level is, in vitro, not anough to give cytotoxic effect, but in vivo is able to influence experimental results. In addition, since some bacteriocins and enterotoxins are produced under exactly identical conditions, there is this a possibility that the enterotoxin are coproduced in these preparations and are causing some of the cytotoxic effects on experimental tumors. A more complete separation and purification of preparations will be required before definitive comments.", "contents": "[Bacteriocins as cytotoxic agents in experimental neoplasms: considerations on the role of possible contaminants]. In most recent papers some Authors have demonstrated that several bacteriocins are able to markedly inhibit the division of various neoplastic mammalian cell lines; also in vivo the inhibition of tumor growth or even regression relative to controls are statistically significant. Since such preparations are \"crude\" and it's possible that contaminating agents may represent a possible source of variability in the results, mostly in vivo; we have examined a preparation of Pyocin employed in this study for the possible endotoxin contamination using the Limulus assay. Such test was positive in triplicate and semiquantitative determination has shown and endotoxin amount of 5 to 10 microgram/ml. This level is, in vitro, not anough to give cytotoxic effect, but in vivo is able to influence experimental results. In addition, since some bacteriocins and enterotoxins are produced under exactly identical conditions, there is this a possibility that the enterotoxin are coproduced in these preparations and are causing some of the cytotoxic effects on experimental tumors. A more complete separation and purification of preparations will be required before definitive comments.", "PMID": 614148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1026", "title": "Animal feed additive regulation in the Common Market: rules, principles and ideas.", "content": "The fundamental factors which govern legislation relating to the use of additives are examined. The rules advocated are as follows: 1) All additives unless licensed remain strictly prohibited. 2) There must be a severe but realistic appraisal of additives to be authorised, taking into account the interests of the farmer and the health of the consumer, particularly in respect of cumulative toxicity and relay toxicity. 3) Periodic revision of licenses is necessary in the light of experience acquired and of new scientific knowledge. 4) Strict regulation of veterinary dispensing is necessary and it should not be possible to use prohibited additives through the lack of such a regulation. In other respects the veterinarian should prescribe substances which might leave residues only when there is adequate time for their disappearance before slaughter or in animals where the products are not for human consumption. 5) It should be possible to monitor all regulations. 6) It should be impossible to use compounds or drugs similar to those already authorized without new investigations and experiments on such additives. 7) Guidelines must be produced. Such European guidelines are now being discussed by a committee of experts. We hope that such guidelines will be studied by the FDA and a Joint Committee will be organised with the European Commission for relevant discussions.", "contents": "Animal feed additive regulation in the Common Market: rules, principles and ideas. The fundamental factors which govern legislation relating to the use of additives are examined. The rules advocated are as follows: 1) All additives unless licensed remain strictly prohibited. 2) There must be a severe but realistic appraisal of additives to be authorised, taking into account the interests of the farmer and the health of the consumer, particularly in respect of cumulative toxicity and relay toxicity. 3) Periodic revision of licenses is necessary in the light of experience acquired and of new scientific knowledge. 4) Strict regulation of veterinary dispensing is necessary and it should not be possible to use prohibited additives through the lack of such a regulation. In other respects the veterinarian should prescribe substances which might leave residues only when there is adequate time for their disappearance before slaughter or in animals where the products are not for human consumption. 5) It should be possible to monitor all regulations. 6) It should be impossible to use compounds or drugs similar to those already authorized without new investigations and experiments on such additives. 7) Guidelines must be produced. Such European guidelines are now being discussed by a committee of experts. We hope that such guidelines will be studied by the FDA and a Joint Committee will be organised with the European Commission for relevant discussions.", "PMID": 614172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1027", "title": "The effects of eledoisin on intestinal smooth muscle of ruminants.", "content": "The effects of eledoisin on the intestinal smooth muscle of ruminants are reported. The results obtained on isolated in vitro preparations from cattle suggest a direct effect of the peptide on the smooth muscle of the different intestinal sections examined. The observations made during in vivo experiments on sheep suggest that eledoisin produces its effects by also affecting the autonomic nerve supply to the intestine of these animals.", "contents": "The effects of eledoisin on intestinal smooth muscle of ruminants. The effects of eledoisin on the intestinal smooth muscle of ruminants are reported. The results obtained on isolated in vitro preparations from cattle suggest a direct effect of the peptide on the smooth muscle of the different intestinal sections examined. The observations made during in vivo experiments on sheep suggest that eledoisin produces its effects by also affecting the autonomic nerve supply to the intestine of these animals.", "PMID": 614173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1028", "title": "Cholinesterase activity in the corpus luteum of the sheep and pig.", "content": "The acetylcholinesterase (AHhE) activity in the corpora lutea of ovaries from sheep has been examined at different stages of pregnancy and the oestrous cycle, by both quantitative and histochemical techniques. The enzyme activity rose during the early part of pregnancy and then levelled out; it appeared to fall sharply at term. During the oestrous cycle the AChE activity was much lower but showed time-related changes. A few results from pigs and cows are included. The cows corpora lutea, unlike those of the sheep and pig contained butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) as well as AChE. The results are discussed in terms of the possible function of non-neuronal cholinesterases.", "contents": "Cholinesterase activity in the corpus luteum of the sheep and pig. The acetylcholinesterase (AHhE) activity in the corpora lutea of ovaries from sheep has been examined at different stages of pregnancy and the oestrous cycle, by both quantitative and histochemical techniques. The enzyme activity rose during the early part of pregnancy and then levelled out; it appeared to fall sharply at term. During the oestrous cycle the AChE activity was much lower but showed time-related changes. A few results from pigs and cows are included. The cows corpora lutea, unlike those of the sheep and pig contained butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) as well as AChE. The results are discussed in terms of the possible function of non-neuronal cholinesterases.", "PMID": 614277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1029", "title": "Effects of seasonal variations, acute hypothermia and physostigmine on cardiac acetylcholine, tissue glycogen and blood sugar concentrations in frogs.", "content": "The effects of seasonal variations and the effects of acute hypothermia (8.0 degrees) and/or physostigmine (PHY) in different seasons have been studied on the tissue glycogen, cardiac acetylcholine (ACh) and blood sugar contents in frogs. Seasonal variations had no significant effect on cardiac cholinergic activity. However, cardiac ACh concentration was significantly reduced by hypothermia in all seasons. The extents of increase in cardiac ACh in PHY pretreated hypothermic frogs indicate that hypothermia depresses cardiac cholinergic acitity much more in summers than in rainy and winter seasons. The tissue glycogen contents and blood sugar concentrations were significantly lower in winter season than those in summer and rainy seasons. Hypothermia produced marked tissue glycogenolysis and hyperglycaemia during summer and rainy seasons and not during winters. In general PHY had no effect on tissue glycogen contents in any season, but it produced hyperglycaemia during rainy and winter seasons. PHY pretreatment increased cardiac, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents and produced hyperglycaemia in hypothermic winter frogs, and it increased ventricular and muscle glycogen contents during summer and hepatic glycogen during rainy seasons, there being no significant effects on blood sugar.", "contents": "Effects of seasonal variations, acute hypothermia and physostigmine on cardiac acetylcholine, tissue glycogen and blood sugar concentrations in frogs. The effects of seasonal variations and the effects of acute hypothermia (8.0 degrees) and/or physostigmine (PHY) in different seasons have been studied on the tissue glycogen, cardiac acetylcholine (ACh) and blood sugar contents in frogs. Seasonal variations had no significant effect on cardiac cholinergic activity. However, cardiac ACh concentration was significantly reduced by hypothermia in all seasons. The extents of increase in cardiac ACh in PHY pretreated hypothermic frogs indicate that hypothermia depresses cardiac cholinergic acitity much more in summers than in rainy and winter seasons. The tissue glycogen contents and blood sugar concentrations were significantly lower in winter season than those in summer and rainy seasons. Hypothermia produced marked tissue glycogenolysis and hyperglycaemia during summer and rainy seasons and not during winters. In general PHY had no effect on tissue glycogen contents in any season, but it produced hyperglycaemia during rainy and winter seasons. PHY pretreatment increased cardiac, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents and produced hyperglycaemia in hypothermic winter frogs, and it increased ventricular and muscle glycogen contents during summer and hepatic glycogen during rainy seasons, there being no significant effects on blood sugar.", "PMID": 614278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1030", "title": "Bile formation in rats with acute liver damage from carbon tetrachloride.", "content": "Effects of CCL4 on bile formation and on the hepatic bilirubin metabolism were studied in rats by recording the intrabiliary pressure and flow rate, BSP and bilirubin clearances and by estimating the activity of the hepatic enzyme, Uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucuronyl transferase. From the results of these studies it was concluded that: (i) CCl4 reduced the rate of bile secretion by the lever cells of the rats, (ii) spontaneous bile flow and choleretic response to dehydrocholate declined in the CCl4 treated rats, (iii) CCl4 reduced the clearance of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) at low plasma concentrations as well as the absolute rate of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) excretion when plasma levels were above those required to saturate active transport of the dye or hepatic excretory mechanisms of bilirubin, (iv) CCl4 produced a specific bilirubin conjugatory defect by inhibiting the activity of hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase and that (v) all these hepatotoxic effects of CCl4 appeared as early as 2-3 hours after its administration.", "contents": "Bile formation in rats with acute liver damage from carbon tetrachloride. Effects of CCL4 on bile formation and on the hepatic bilirubin metabolism were studied in rats by recording the intrabiliary pressure and flow rate, BSP and bilirubin clearances and by estimating the activity of the hepatic enzyme, Uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucuronyl transferase. From the results of these studies it was concluded that: (i) CCl4 reduced the rate of bile secretion by the lever cells of the rats, (ii) spontaneous bile flow and choleretic response to dehydrocholate declined in the CCl4 treated rats, (iii) CCl4 reduced the clearance of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) at low plasma concentrations as well as the absolute rate of BSP and bilirubin (UCB or BG) excretion when plasma levels were above those required to saturate active transport of the dye or hepatic excretory mechanisms of bilirubin, (iv) CCl4 produced a specific bilirubin conjugatory defect by inhibiting the activity of hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase and that (v) all these hepatotoxic effects of CCl4 appeared as early as 2-3 hours after its administration.", "PMID": 614279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1031", "title": "Use of electromagnetic counterpoise to measure cardiac force.", "content": "To quantify the drug induced changes in cardiac force the methods in vogue use springs and strain-gauge coils, which apply counterforce to oppose cardiac force and thus stop systolic excursion of the lever. The present report pertains to a new technique based on similar principle, utilising induced electromagnetic force as a means of counterpoising in study of contractility of isolated, frog heart. The technique monitered changes in contractility produced by small doses of adrenaline, digoxin, acetylcholine and CaCl2. The plots of estimated cardiac force (in V) against doses (log-units) of the drugs could be made to reveal dose response relation.", "contents": "Use of electromagnetic counterpoise to measure cardiac force. To quantify the drug induced changes in cardiac force the methods in vogue use springs and strain-gauge coils, which apply counterforce to oppose cardiac force and thus stop systolic excursion of the lever. The present report pertains to a new technique based on similar principle, utilising induced electromagnetic force as a means of counterpoising in study of contractility of isolated, frog heart. The technique monitered changes in contractility produced by small doses of adrenaline, digoxin, acetylcholine and CaCl2. The plots of estimated cardiac force (in V) against doses (log-units) of the drugs could be made to reveal dose response relation.", "PMID": 614280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1032", "title": "Limitations in the use of CO2 as a method for studying the J-reflex.", "content": "In order to study the J-reflex, monosynaptic reflexes were recorded from L7 or S1 ventral root after stimulation of the posterior biceps, and semi-tendinosus nerve (PBST) from the lower limb in cats anaesthetized with Pentobarbitone sodium. Intratracheal CO2 (60 ml, 100%) depressed the monosynaptic reflexes, and the depression was comparable to the effects of right atrial phenyl diguanide injection. Bilateral vagotomy did not abolish the response showing that the afferent pathway of this depression does not travel via the vagus nerve. Thus it is concluded that CO2 cannot be used to study the J-reflex.", "contents": "Limitations in the use of CO2 as a method for studying the J-reflex. In order to study the J-reflex, monosynaptic reflexes were recorded from L7 or S1 ventral root after stimulation of the posterior biceps, and semi-tendinosus nerve (PBST) from the lower limb in cats anaesthetized with Pentobarbitone sodium. Intratracheal CO2 (60 ml, 100%) depressed the monosynaptic reflexes, and the depression was comparable to the effects of right atrial phenyl diguanide injection. Bilateral vagotomy did not abolish the response showing that the afferent pathway of this depression does not travel via the vagus nerve. Thus it is concluded that CO2 cannot be used to study the J-reflex.", "PMID": 614282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1033", "title": "Urinary indican in healthy Indian subjects.", "content": "Forty normal subjects have been taken for the present study. The mean Indican excretion was 40.45 mg/24 hrs. The mean jejunal count was 1.96 x 10(3) +/- 5.39 x 10(3) organisms/ml and 40% of the jejunal aspirates were sterile. Wide range of bacteria were cultured bu the coliform organisms were obtained in only 16.6%. There was a significant correlation between Indican excretion and total bacterial count (P less than .01).", "contents": "Urinary indican in healthy Indian subjects. Forty normal subjects have been taken for the present study. The mean Indican excretion was 40.45 mg/24 hrs. The mean jejunal count was 1.96 x 10(3) +/- 5.39 x 10(3) organisms/ml and 40% of the jejunal aspirates were sterile. Wide range of bacteria were cultured bu the coliform organisms were obtained in only 16.6%. There was a significant correlation between Indican excretion and total bacterial count (P less than .01).", "PMID": 614283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1034", "title": "Monamine oxidation in different organs of rat.", "content": "Monoamine axodation has been studied in different organs of adult rats. Activity of monoamine dehydrogenase (MADH) has been measured both aerobically and anaerobically. Brain is the organ where maximum activity of MADH has been observed while in ovary the minimal enzyme activity has been noticed. In the absence of air, the activity proceeded at faster rate whereas MAO activity cannot take place in absence of oxygen. Oxygen can not be replaced by other electron acceptors like NTC. However, in some organs like pancreas, the formazan production was almost negligible. Aerobically moderate MADH activity was observed in case of ileum and testis. On the other hand, spleen, brain, testis and lung homogenates showed moderate amount of tetrazolium salts reduction in absence of air. This indicates the differential nature of the MADH activities in aerobic and anaerobic condition. High activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been observed in liver. Brain and pancreas were also found good organs for MAO activity, but liver homogenate failed to reduce tetrazolium salt. Only dialysed liver homogenate in the presence of tryptamine, demonstrated moderate activity of MADH. Relative activity of both the enzymes has been studied. The organwise distribution pattern of MAO and MADH appeared quite different.", "contents": "Monamine oxidation in different organs of rat. Monoamine axodation has been studied in different organs of adult rats. Activity of monoamine dehydrogenase (MADH) has been measured both aerobically and anaerobically. Brain is the organ where maximum activity of MADH has been observed while in ovary the minimal enzyme activity has been noticed. In the absence of air, the activity proceeded at faster rate whereas MAO activity cannot take place in absence of oxygen. Oxygen can not be replaced by other electron acceptors like NTC. However, in some organs like pancreas, the formazan production was almost negligible. Aerobically moderate MADH activity was observed in case of ileum and testis. On the other hand, spleen, brain, testis and lung homogenates showed moderate amount of tetrazolium salts reduction in absence of air. This indicates the differential nature of the MADH activities in aerobic and anaerobic condition. High activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been observed in liver. Brain and pancreas were also found good organs for MAO activity, but liver homogenate failed to reduce tetrazolium salt. Only dialysed liver homogenate in the presence of tryptamine, demonstrated moderate activity of MADH. Relative activity of both the enzymes has been studied. The organwise distribution pattern of MAO and MADH appeared quite different.", "PMID": 614281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1035", "title": "Cardiac output of Indian men by a non-invasive method the Indirect Fick Principle.", "content": "The cardiac-output (Q) of seven young healthy Indians with common physical characteristics at rest and after a single bout of exercise of 600 kpm for 10 min on a bicycle ergometer was ascertained by the Indirect Fick Principle. The end tidal alveolar Co2 pressure was obtained at the end of a normal expiration and PvCo2 was obtained by the help of the exponential rise (Defares method) in Co2 concentration during rebreathing from an initially low Co2 in O2 mixture (3-4%). The standard Co2 dissociation curve of oxygenated blood was used to find out the corresponding arterial and venous Co2 content, assuming the Hb content of these individuals to be normal. The mean value of the Cardiac-Output so obtained during rest is 4.21 liters/min when Co2 rebreathing time does not exceed 10 secs, and 17.33 litres/min., 2 to 3 breaths after exercise, when rebreathing time did not exceed 5 to 7 secs. Repeated studies and better training of the subjects will perhaps improve the resting values, while after exercise and during recovery our values are better reproducible.", "contents": "Cardiac output of Indian men by a non-invasive method the Indirect Fick Principle. The cardiac-output (Q) of seven young healthy Indians with common physical characteristics at rest and after a single bout of exercise of 600 kpm for 10 min on a bicycle ergometer was ascertained by the Indirect Fick Principle. The end tidal alveolar Co2 pressure was obtained at the end of a normal expiration and PvCo2 was obtained by the help of the exponential rise (Defares method) in Co2 concentration during rebreathing from an initially low Co2 in O2 mixture (3-4%). The standard Co2 dissociation curve of oxygenated blood was used to find out the corresponding arterial and venous Co2 content, assuming the Hb content of these individuals to be normal. The mean value of the Cardiac-Output so obtained during rest is 4.21 liters/min when Co2 rebreathing time does not exceed 10 secs, and 17.33 litres/min., 2 to 3 breaths after exercise, when rebreathing time did not exceed 5 to 7 secs. Repeated studies and better training of the subjects will perhaps improve the resting values, while after exercise and during recovery our values are better reproducible.", "PMID": 614284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1036", "title": "Effect of centrally administered glucagon on urinary sodium and potassium concentration in dogs.", "content": "The effects of glucagon administration through intracerebroventricular (ICV), third ventricular (TV) and intracisternal (I\") routes on urinary sodium and potassium concentration have been studied in mongrel dogs. The central administration of glucagon resulted in a significant decrease in urinary sodium concentration (P less than 0.01) and increase in urinary potassium concentration (P less than 0.001). This change in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon was abolished in animals which were ventured to either sympathetic denervation or adrenalectomy. The observations in the present study suggest that the changes in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon, are due to increased secretion of some substance from the adrenals and the probable efferents might be the sympathetic fibres.", "contents": "Effect of centrally administered glucagon on urinary sodium and potassium concentration in dogs. The effects of glucagon administration through intracerebroventricular (ICV), third ventricular (TV) and intracisternal (I\") routes on urinary sodium and potassium concentration have been studied in mongrel dogs. The central administration of glucagon resulted in a significant decrease in urinary sodium concentration (P less than 0.01) and increase in urinary potassium concentration (P less than 0.001). This change in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon was abolished in animals which were ventured to either sympathetic denervation or adrenalectomy. The observations in the present study suggest that the changes in urinary sodium and potassium concentration on central administration of glucagon, are due to increased secretion of some substance from the adrenals and the probable efferents might be the sympathetic fibres.", "PMID": 614285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1037", "title": "Bilateral asymmetry in conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve andits relationship to handedness.", "content": "The conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve has been compared in the right and left forelimbs of 38 human subjects. Six independent estimates were made for each limb. Estimates on the right and left limb of a subject were made at the same sitting. Conduction velocity was faster on the right side in the majority of right handed subjects; and on the left side in the majority of left handed subjects. The mean conduction velocity was greater on the right side in right handed subjects (P less than 0.02).", "contents": "Bilateral asymmetry in conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve andits relationship to handedness. The conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve has been compared in the right and left forelimbs of 38 human subjects. Six independent estimates were made for each limb. Estimates on the right and left limb of a subject were made at the same sitting. Conduction velocity was faster on the right side in the majority of right handed subjects; and on the left side in the majority of left handed subjects. The mean conduction velocity was greater on the right side in right handed subjects (P less than 0.02).", "PMID": 614287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1038", "title": "Study of the intake of fluid, output and titratable acidity of urine in medical students.", "content": "183 students of 17-22 years age group were studied in respect of fluid intake, urine output and urine titratable acidity under normal conditions for two consecutive days. The study was performed in early winter in eastern part of U.P. Male students were observed to have higher fluid intake and urine output as compared to female. Average fluid intake and urinary output in male students were observed to be 2860 S.D. +/- 780 ml and 1860 S.D. +/- 880 ml respectively while corresponding readings for female students were 1980 S.D. +/- 390 ml and 1550 S.D. +/- 840 ml. Titratable acidity was observed to be high with a mean of 47.46 meg S.D. +/- 16.2 meq as compared to commonly accepted average range of 25-35 meq. Nonvegetarian subjects were found to have significnatly higher titratable acidity. Fluid intake and urine output did not have any significant effect on titratable acidity of urine in both the sexes. Need for further studies on this subject has been stressed.", "contents": "Study of the intake of fluid, output and titratable acidity of urine in medical students. 183 students of 17-22 years age group were studied in respect of fluid intake, urine output and urine titratable acidity under normal conditions for two consecutive days. The study was performed in early winter in eastern part of U.P. Male students were observed to have higher fluid intake and urine output as compared to female. Average fluid intake and urinary output in male students were observed to be 2860 S.D. +/- 780 ml and 1860 S.D. +/- 880 ml respectively while corresponding readings for female students were 1980 S.D. +/- 390 ml and 1550 S.D. +/- 840 ml. Titratable acidity was observed to be high with a mean of 47.46 meg S.D. +/- 16.2 meq as compared to commonly accepted average range of 25-35 meq. Nonvegetarian subjects were found to have significnatly higher titratable acidity. Fluid intake and urine output did not have any significant effect on titratable acidity of urine in both the sexes. Need for further studies on this subject has been stressed.", "PMID": 614288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1039", "title": "Inhibition of mast cell population by L-glutamine in aspirin-induced ulceration in rat stomach.", "content": "The effects of an amino acid L-glutamine on aspirin-induced gastric lesions as well as on the mast cell population were studied in rats. L-glutamine had a pronounced inhibitory effect on gastric lesions produced by oral aspirin administration. Aspirin-induced increase in the mast cell population of the stomach was also prevented. Parenteral administration of aspirain did not produce any significant damage to the gastric mucosa.", "contents": "Inhibition of mast cell population by L-glutamine in aspirin-induced ulceration in rat stomach. The effects of an amino acid L-glutamine on aspirin-induced gastric lesions as well as on the mast cell population were studied in rats. L-glutamine had a pronounced inhibitory effect on gastric lesions produced by oral aspirin administration. Aspirin-induced increase in the mast cell population of the stomach was also prevented. Parenteral administration of aspirain did not produce any significant damage to the gastric mucosa.", "PMID": 614289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1040", "title": "Hypocholesterolemic response to angiotensin II in dogs.", "content": "Intravenous administration of angiotensin II caused a significant decrease in blood choelsterol level in dogs. This hypocholesterolaemic response, also obtained in spinal vagotomized and adrenalectomized dogs, indicates that central nervous system and adrenals have no role in angiotension II induced hypocholesterolemic effect. In hepatectomized dogs in which both vagi were intact intravenously administered angiotensin did not cause any significant decrease in blood choelsterol level, suggesting that angiotensin exerts its effect by inhibiting the synthesis or preventing the release of cholesterol from the liver.", "contents": "Hypocholesterolemic response to angiotensin II in dogs. Intravenous administration of angiotensin II caused a significant decrease in blood choelsterol level in dogs. This hypocholesterolaemic response, also obtained in spinal vagotomized and adrenalectomized dogs, indicates that central nervous system and adrenals have no role in angiotension II induced hypocholesterolemic effect. In hepatectomized dogs in which both vagi were intact intravenously administered angiotensin did not cause any significant decrease in blood choelsterol level, suggesting that angiotensin exerts its effect by inhibiting the synthesis or preventing the release of cholesterol from the liver.", "PMID": 614290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1041", "title": "Distribution of silfusomidine in tissues of poultry.", "content": "The biological half life, blood level and tissue dispersion of sulfisomidine in poultry have been studied. The biological half life was observed to be 40 minuts. Following single dose (275 mg/kg) oral administration, the peak blood level of 13.92 mg% was found at 2 hr and the liver and small intestine showed highest drug residue at the end of 24 hr.", "contents": "Distribution of silfusomidine in tissues of poultry. The biological half life, blood level and tissue dispersion of sulfisomidine in poultry have been studied. The biological half life was observed to be 40 minuts. Following single dose (275 mg/kg) oral administration, the peak blood level of 13.92 mg% was found at 2 hr and the liver and small intestine showed highest drug residue at the end of 24 hr.", "PMID": 614292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1042", "title": "The human vas-its lumen in relation with age and neuromuscular transmitters.", "content": "Specimens of human was deferens were obtained during elective surgery under local analsthesia. The internal diameter of the vas lumen was measured by means of set of rods of 0.10 mm diameter increments. These measurements were made within 5 minutes of the removal of vas and noted as control values. The effect of its immersion in epinephrine 1/1000, nor-epinephrine 1/1000 and acetylcholine 1/1000 on diameter of lumen was determined. The mean diameter of vas lumen in saline was 0.83 +/- .09 mm in subjects of 29 to 32 years age and 0.89 +/- .009 mm in subject of 33 to 48 years. This value was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years (0.69 +/- .06 mm). The lumen diameter decreased significantly in response to epinephrine and nor epinephrine and increased when the vas was immersed in acetylcholine. The response of vasal smooth muscle as indicated by alteration of lumen size was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years of age to epinephrine and acetylcholine. It has been proposed that diameter of the vas at different age groups and its responsiveness to neuromuscular transmitters may be taken into consideration when designing vas occlusive devices.", "contents": "The human vas-its lumen in relation with age and neuromuscular transmitters. Specimens of human was deferens were obtained during elective surgery under local analsthesia. The internal diameter of the vas lumen was measured by means of set of rods of 0.10 mm diameter increments. These measurements were made within 5 minutes of the removal of vas and noted as control values. The effect of its immersion in epinephrine 1/1000, nor-epinephrine 1/1000 and acetylcholine 1/1000 on diameter of lumen was determined. The mean diameter of vas lumen in saline was 0.83 +/- .09 mm in subjects of 29 to 32 years age and 0.89 +/- .009 mm in subject of 33 to 48 years. This value was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years (0.69 +/- .06 mm). The lumen diameter decreased significantly in response to epinephrine and nor epinephrine and increased when the vas was immersed in acetylcholine. The response of vasal smooth muscle as indicated by alteration of lumen size was significantly lower in subjects of 49 to 52 years of age to epinephrine and acetylcholine. It has been proposed that diameter of the vas at different age groups and its responsiveness to neuromuscular transmitters may be taken into consideration when designing vas occlusive devices.", "PMID": 614286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1043", "title": "Effect of smoking on electrocardiogram and blood pressure.", "content": "Smoking was found to cause a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) but not appreciable changes in E.C.G. wave forms.", "contents": "Effect of smoking on electrocardiogram and blood pressure. Smoking was found to cause a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) but not appreciable changes in E.C.G. wave forms.", "PMID": 614293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1044", "title": "Release of copper ions from an intra-vas cooper-wire contraceptive device.", "content": "Insertion of a copper wire into the vas deferens of male rats released 4 micrograms of copper in themid portion of the vas deferens in two days time. In urethral and epidymal segments of the vas deferens copper released was less than one microgram. The present study demonstrates that the in vivo effects of 4 microgram of copper in 2 days time in the vas deferens are enough to induce antifertility in rats.", "contents": "Release of copper ions from an intra-vas cooper-wire contraceptive device. Insertion of a copper wire into the vas deferens of male rats released 4 micrograms of copper in themid portion of the vas deferens in two days time. In urethral and epidymal segments of the vas deferens copper released was less than one microgram. The present study demonstrates that the in vivo effects of 4 microgram of copper in 2 days time in the vas deferens are enough to induce antifertility in rats.", "PMID": 614291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1045", "title": "Editorial. Definition of audiology.", "content": "It is noted that the generic term audiology as the science of hearing, and the concept of the multidisciplinary audiology center, is some years older than the emergent independent profession of clinical audiology. The broader term is still useful as a device to lend much needed cohesion to a variety of approaches to the study of hearing, as a term to elicit public support for hearing research in general, and as a device to attract young persons to aspects, not necessarily clinical, of the biology of the auditory process. A trend is deplored to dissuade or even force all persons involved in serious study of hearing to refrain from designating themselves as audiologists; it is hoped that the words audiology and audiologist will continue to be very broadly defined, and it is thought that to restrict them would do ASHA-certified audiologists in the long run more harm than good. It is suggested that these virtues of the generic word audiology could be amicably retained, while offering a fully professional identity to practitioners of audiology in the clinic, by rewording the current \"CCC-A\" to read \"Certificate of Competence in Clinical Audiology\" and its holders be known, as in fact they commonly are, as \"Clinical Audiologists;\" this by analogy with the current widespread practice in psychology.", "contents": "Editorial. Definition of audiology. It is noted that the generic term audiology as the science of hearing, and the concept of the multidisciplinary audiology center, is some years older than the emergent independent profession of clinical audiology. The broader term is still useful as a device to lend much needed cohesion to a variety of approaches to the study of hearing, as a term to elicit public support for hearing research in general, and as a device to attract young persons to aspects, not necessarily clinical, of the biology of the auditory process. A trend is deplored to dissuade or even force all persons involved in serious study of hearing to refrain from designating themselves as audiologists; it is hoped that the words audiology and audiologist will continue to be very broadly defined, and it is thought that to restrict them would do ASHA-certified audiologists in the long run more harm than good. It is suggested that these virtues of the generic word audiology could be amicably retained, while offering a fully professional identity to practitioners of audiology in the clinic, by rewording the current \"CCC-A\" to read \"Certificate of Competence in Clinical Audiology\" and its holders be known, as in fact they commonly are, as \"Clinical Audiologists;\" this by analogy with the current widespread practice in psychology.", "PMID": 614322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1046", "title": "Properties of acoustic reflex adaptation to pure tones and one-third octave bands of noise.", "content": "Acoustic reflex thresholds were obtained by a computerized threshold search procedure for two pure tones (500 and 2000 Hz) and two one-third octave bands of noise (436--553 and 1752--2253 Hz). The stimuli were presented at 5- and 10-dB sensation level (re: reflex threshold) with an interstimulus interval of at least 80 sec. Acoustic reflex adaptation was measured at predetermined stimulus durations of 15, 30, 45, and 60 sec. For the pure tone stimuli, reflex adaptation was found to be frequency dependent, with the 2000-Hz tone producing significantly greater adaptation than the 500-Hz pure tone. The main effects of sensation level and duration were not statistically significant for the pure tone stimuli. Results for the noise stimuli revealed no significant differences in reflex adaptation for the effects of frequency, sensation level, and duration. The overall intersubject variability of acoustic reflex adaptation was greater for the noise stimuli.", "contents": "Properties of acoustic reflex adaptation to pure tones and one-third octave bands of noise. Acoustic reflex thresholds were obtained by a computerized threshold search procedure for two pure tones (500 and 2000 Hz) and two one-third octave bands of noise (436--553 and 1752--2253 Hz). The stimuli were presented at 5- and 10-dB sensation level (re: reflex threshold) with an interstimulus interval of at least 80 sec. Acoustic reflex adaptation was measured at predetermined stimulus durations of 15, 30, 45, and 60 sec. For the pure tone stimuli, reflex adaptation was found to be frequency dependent, with the 2000-Hz tone producing significantly greater adaptation than the 500-Hz pure tone. The main effects of sensation level and duration were not statistically significant for the pure tone stimuli. Results for the noise stimuli revealed no significant differences in reflex adaptation for the effects of frequency, sensation level, and duration. The overall intersubject variability of acoustic reflex adaptation was greater for the noise stimuli.", "PMID": 614323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1047", "title": "Oral salbutamol therapy of asthma in young children.", "content": "Twenty-one young asthmatics, 2-6 years of age (mean 4 years), were given an open trial of salbutamol syrup to assess its safety. Each patient was given 1 mg, then 2 mg, q8h for two weeks. Only one patient experienced side-effects and this was at the 2 mg dose. It is concluded that salbutamol syrup is safe at a dose of 1 to 2 mg q8h for the asthmatic children in this age group.", "contents": "Oral salbutamol therapy of asthma in young children. Twenty-one young asthmatics, 2-6 years of age (mean 4 years), were given an open trial of salbutamol syrup to assess its safety. Each patient was given 1 mg, then 2 mg, q8h for two weeks. Only one patient experienced side-effects and this was at the 2 mg dose. It is concluded that salbutamol syrup is safe at a dose of 1 to 2 mg q8h for the asthmatic children in this age group.", "PMID": 614329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1048", "title": "Audiologic detection of auditory processing disorders in children.", "content": "A group of 11 normal children was compared to a group of language learning-disabled children on two auditory discrimination tasks. The word intelligibility by picture identification test was distorted by low pass filtering and bandpass filtering to be used as distorted monaural discrimination tasks and as tests of binaural fusion. Results revealed that the two groups could not be differentiated on the basis of distorted speech presented monaurally in diotic over dichotic scores than did the normal group. A procedure for audiologic screening for language learning-disabled children with normal hearing sensitivity is suggested.", "contents": "Audiologic detection of auditory processing disorders in children. A group of 11 normal children was compared to a group of language learning-disabled children on two auditory discrimination tasks. The word intelligibility by picture identification test was distorted by low pass filtering and bandpass filtering to be used as distorted monaural discrimination tasks and as tests of binaural fusion. Results revealed that the two groups could not be differentiated on the basis of distorted speech presented monaurally in diotic over dichotic scores than did the normal group. A procedure for audiologic screening for language learning-disabled children with normal hearing sensitivity is suggested.", "PMID": 614324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1049", "title": "Ability of hearing-impaired listeners to understand connected discourse.", "content": "Thirty-three hearing-impaired listeners estimated the intelligibility of connected discourse presented in quiet and in the presence of noise. Speech-understanding scores were compared to routine audiometric measures and the effects of both signal-to-noise ratio and level of amplification upon speech understanding were investigated. The listeners were able to estimate the intelligibility of connected discourse reliably. Measures of auditory sensitivity were correlated highly with percentage of understanding only when connected discourse was presented at a low level and a favorable signal-to-noise ratio. The relationship of routine measures and speech understanding was low. A method for obtaining estimates of the intelligibility of running speech is presented along with the results for a typical audiology clinic population.", "contents": "Ability of hearing-impaired listeners to understand connected discourse. Thirty-three hearing-impaired listeners estimated the intelligibility of connected discourse presented in quiet and in the presence of noise. Speech-understanding scores were compared to routine audiometric measures and the effects of both signal-to-noise ratio and level of amplification upon speech understanding were investigated. The listeners were able to estimate the intelligibility of connected discourse reliably. Measures of auditory sensitivity were correlated highly with percentage of understanding only when connected discourse was presented at a low level and a favorable signal-to-noise ratio. The relationship of routine measures and speech understanding was low. A method for obtaining estimates of the intelligibility of running speech is presented along with the results for a typical audiology clinic population.", "PMID": 614327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1050", "title": "Influence of acoustic reflex on acquisition of temporary threshold shift from short duration noise bursts.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the acoustic reflex elicited by short duration noise bursts and the resultant temporary threshold shift. Acoustic reflex responses were monitored during the presentation of fatiguing stimuli consisting of interrupted and continuously presented octave noise bands (500--1000 and 1500--3000 Hz) presented at 98 dB sound pressure level. For interrupted stimuli, burst duration was maintained at 100 msec while five different off times ranging from 50 to 450 msec (in 100-msec steps) were used. Exposure duration was varied to equate total energy received in each off-time condition. Noise exposures having shorter off times produced significantly more reflex activity than did exposures with longer off times. Greater impedance changes were elicited by the high band noise than by the low band noise exposure. Although the high band noise tended to produce greater reflex activity it also produced significantly more temporary threshold shift. Differences in the amount of temporary threshold shift produced by the two noise bands could not be attributed to the effects of reflex contraction.", "contents": "Influence of acoustic reflex on acquisition of temporary threshold shift from short duration noise bursts. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the acoustic reflex elicited by short duration noise bursts and the resultant temporary threshold shift. Acoustic reflex responses were monitored during the presentation of fatiguing stimuli consisting of interrupted and continuously presented octave noise bands (500--1000 and 1500--3000 Hz) presented at 98 dB sound pressure level. For interrupted stimuli, burst duration was maintained at 100 msec while five different off times ranging from 50 to 450 msec (in 100-msec steps) were used. Exposure duration was varied to equate total energy received in each off-time condition. Noise exposures having shorter off times produced significantly more reflex activity than did exposures with longer off times. Greater impedance changes were elicited by the high band noise than by the low band noise exposure. Although the high band noise tended to produce greater reflex activity it also produced significantly more temporary threshold shift. Differences in the amount of temporary threshold shift produced by the two noise bands could not be attributed to the effects of reflex contraction.", "PMID": 614326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1051", "title": "Effects of increased stimulus rate on brainstem electric response (BER) audiometry as a function of age.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to describe the effects of rate of stimulus presentation on the brainstem electric response in groups selected as models for such brainstem disorders as demyelinating diseases and focal lesions. Two groups, infants and geriatric adults, were chosen as models because of their known neurological differences from a normal young adult population. Three groups of eight subjects each; infants, geriatric adults, and young adults were tested using routine brainstem electric response techniques with four rates of click presentations. Using the wave V latency at the slow rate (13/sec) as base line, three latency shift scores were obtained for each of the three fast rates (33/sec), 50/sec, 67/sec). Analysis of the data revealed greater shifts for infants and geriatric adults than were present for the young adults. The experimenters concluded that the imposition of a fast rate of click presentation offers a promise as a clinical tool for the discovery of brainstem differences.", "contents": "Effects of increased stimulus rate on brainstem electric response (BER) audiometry as a function of age. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the effects of rate of stimulus presentation on the brainstem electric response in groups selected as models for such brainstem disorders as demyelinating diseases and focal lesions. Two groups, infants and geriatric adults, were chosen as models because of their known neurological differences from a normal young adult population. Three groups of eight subjects each; infants, geriatric adults, and young adults were tested using routine brainstem electric response techniques with four rates of click presentations. Using the wave V latency at the slow rate (13/sec) as base line, three latency shift scores were obtained for each of the three fast rates (33/sec), 50/sec, 67/sec). Analysis of the data revealed greater shifts for infants and geriatric adults than were present for the young adults. The experimenters concluded that the imposition of a fast rate of click presentation offers a promise as a clinical tool for the discovery of brainstem differences.", "PMID": 614325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1052", "title": "Hemodiafiltration.", "content": "Four patients have been studied with maintenance hemodiafiltration. The predominant finding to date has been better control of blood pressure. The mechanism(s) for this improved blood pressure control are under study.", "contents": "Hemodiafiltration. Four patients have been studied with maintenance hemodiafiltration. The predominant finding to date has been better control of blood pressure. The mechanism(s) for this improved blood pressure control are under study.", "PMID": 614386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1053", "title": "Clinical evaluation of the clearance profiles of a portable, compact, dialysate-free system incorporating microencapsulated charcoal hemoperfusion for blood purification with ultrafiltration for fluid removal.", "content": "A total of 30 procedures have been carried out in two patients using a new portable, compact, dialysate-free system formed by combining 300 gms of albumin--cellulose nitrate microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) in series with a small Amicon ultrafiltrator. Blood passing through the ACAC hemoperfusion system is purified of waste metabolites and toxins. Fluid removal is carried out with the hydrostatic pressure of the blood passing through the dialysate-free ultrafiltrator. Since ACAC hemoperfusion is much more efficient than hemodialysers for blood purification, the combined system with the ultrafiltrator results in a very efficient system for blood purification and fluid removal. Typical clearance data for the combined systems include: 75 ml/min for 2000--5000 MW; 112.7 ml/min for 300--1500 MW; 235 ml/min for creatinine; 240 ml/min for uric acid; 2500--2700 ml/2 hours for water removal; and 17--18 gm/2 hours for NaCl removal. Guanidines, mercaptans, and PTH are also cleared very efficiently.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of the clearance profiles of a portable, compact, dialysate-free system incorporating microencapsulated charcoal hemoperfusion for blood purification with ultrafiltration for fluid removal. A total of 30 procedures have been carried out in two patients using a new portable, compact, dialysate-free system formed by combining 300 gms of albumin--cellulose nitrate microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) in series with a small Amicon ultrafiltrator. Blood passing through the ACAC hemoperfusion system is purified of waste metabolites and toxins. Fluid removal is carried out with the hydrostatic pressure of the blood passing through the dialysate-free ultrafiltrator. Since ACAC hemoperfusion is much more efficient than hemodialysers for blood purification, the combined system with the ultrafiltrator results in a very efficient system for blood purification and fluid removal. Typical clearance data for the combined systems include: 75 ml/min for 2000--5000 MW; 112.7 ml/min for 300--1500 MW; 235 ml/min for creatinine; 240 ml/min for uric acid; 2500--2700 ml/2 hours for water removal; and 17--18 gm/2 hours for NaCl removal. Guanidines, mercaptans, and PTH are also cleared very efficiently.", "PMID": 614387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1054", "title": "Liquid membrane capsules for treatment of uremia.", "content": "The objective of the program is to use ingested liquid membrane capsules (LMC) as gastrointestinal toxin traps as an adjunct to dialysis. Urea has been selected as the model toxic component to study before expanding the technology to other toxins. Transport across the small intestinal mucosa has been indicated to be adequate. There is no indication of reduction of mucosal transport or damage to the intestinal mucosa over short term but repetitive LMC perfusions. Performance of LMC perfused through Thiry Vella small intestinal loops is as good as in vitro performance and can be predicted. Substantial progress has been made toward developing LMC to perform in the more complex environment of the intact gastrointestinal tract. The demonstration of LMC performance in vivo with intact gastrointestinal tracts, and perhaps some increase in rate of toxin removal, will be required before LMC can be considered practical candidates for clinical use.", "contents": "Liquid membrane capsules for treatment of uremia. The objective of the program is to use ingested liquid membrane capsules (LMC) as gastrointestinal toxin traps as an adjunct to dialysis. Urea has been selected as the model toxic component to study before expanding the technology to other toxins. Transport across the small intestinal mucosa has been indicated to be adequate. There is no indication of reduction of mucosal transport or damage to the intestinal mucosa over short term but repetitive LMC perfusions. Performance of LMC perfused through Thiry Vella small intestinal loops is as good as in vitro performance and can be predicted. Substantial progress has been made toward developing LMC to perform in the more complex environment of the intact gastrointestinal tract. The demonstration of LMC performance in vivo with intact gastrointestinal tracts, and perhaps some increase in rate of toxin removal, will be required before LMC can be considered practical candidates for clinical use.", "PMID": 614388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1055", "title": "Hemodialyzer performance: an assessment of currently available units.", "content": "The performance characteristics of nine currently available disposable parallel-flow dialyzers were assessed, both before and immediately following dialysis, by measuring: (i) in vitro clearances of C14 labeled urea, creatinine, and sucrose and H3 labeled vitamin B12 at standard conditions, (ii) ultrafiltration rates in saline at 37C, and (iii) loss in the mass transfer coefficient-membrane area product (hoA), following a single dialysis. Parallel-plate dialyzers underwent considerable membrane stretching during dialysis and exhibited greater variability, particularly regarding vitamin B12 clearance and ultrafiltration ability, than did capillary dialyzers. The variability in plate units was greater for large-area dialyzers where there were 25 to 26 blood channels. However, despite considerable differences in performance characteristics, all dialyzers were judged to be clinically acceptable in terms of both solute clearance and ultrafiltration characteristics.", "contents": "Hemodialyzer performance: an assessment of currently available units. The performance characteristics of nine currently available disposable parallel-flow dialyzers were assessed, both before and immediately following dialysis, by measuring: (i) in vitro clearances of C14 labeled urea, creatinine, and sucrose and H3 labeled vitamin B12 at standard conditions, (ii) ultrafiltration rates in saline at 37C, and (iii) loss in the mass transfer coefficient-membrane area product (hoA), following a single dialysis. Parallel-plate dialyzers underwent considerable membrane stretching during dialysis and exhibited greater variability, particularly regarding vitamin B12 clearance and ultrafiltration ability, than did capillary dialyzers. The variability in plate units was greater for large-area dialyzers where there were 25 to 26 blood channels. However, despite considerable differences in performance characteristics, all dialyzers were judged to be clinically acceptable in terms of both solute clearance and ultrafiltration characteristics.", "PMID": 614389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1056", "title": "[Hydredynamic bench for pulsatile flows. Application to hemodynamic studies (author's transl)].", "content": "Oscillatory or pulsatile flows are produced on a hydrodynamic bench by a volumetric gear pump. The moto-pump group is an original device which is very different from other systems. It is driven by a wave synthesizing generator which enables any flow rate to be produced especially oscillatory, pulsatile or physiological flow. The synthesizing generator delivers a periodic wave with variable amplitude, shape and frequency. The moto-pump group is controlled by an amplifying comparator; it produces a flow whose rate follows the control signal. A study of the modifications of flow patterns induced by models of vascular stenoses has been performed with this bench. The study of the velocity distribution has been effected with a pulsed Doppler ultrasonic velocimeter.", "contents": "[Hydredynamic bench for pulsatile flows. Application to hemodynamic studies (author's transl)]. Oscillatory or pulsatile flows are produced on a hydrodynamic bench by a volumetric gear pump. The moto-pump group is an original device which is very different from other systems. It is driven by a wave synthesizing generator which enables any flow rate to be produced especially oscillatory, pulsatile or physiological flow. The synthesizing generator delivers a periodic wave with variable amplitude, shape and frequency. The moto-pump group is controlled by an amplifying comparator; it produces a flow whose rate follows the control signal. A study of the modifications of flow patterns induced by models of vascular stenoses has been performed with this bench. The study of the velocity distribution has been effected with a pulsed Doppler ultrasonic velocimeter.", "PMID": 614412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1057", "title": "[Excretion of trichloroethanol and trichloracetic acid in the urine of rats exposed repeatedly to trichlorethylene (author's transl)].", "content": "In a single and repeated exposures to trichloroethylene, the behavior of urinary trichlorethanol (TCE) and trichloracetic acid (TCA) in rats was investigated. In the single exposures rats were exposed to 200 ppm of trichlorethylene once for 3 hours, and in the repeated exposures rats were exposed to trichlorethylene at the same concentration for the same hours on 5 successive days. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In rats exposed once most of the urinary TCE was excreted within 24 hours after the beginning of exposure, whereas the urinary excretion of TCA continued for 4 days. 2) In repeated exposures, the urinary excretion of TCE reached a maximal level following the second exposure and remained constant thereafter. In contrast to this, the urinary excretion of TCA increased continuously from the first day to the fifth. 3) The ratio of TCE: TCA showed a decrease from 2.8 in the first day to 1.2 in the fifth day of the repeated exposures.", "contents": "[Excretion of trichloroethanol and trichloracetic acid in the urine of rats exposed repeatedly to trichlorethylene (author's transl)]. In a single and repeated exposures to trichloroethylene, the behavior of urinary trichlorethanol (TCE) and trichloracetic acid (TCA) in rats was investigated. In the single exposures rats were exposed to 200 ppm of trichlorethylene once for 3 hours, and in the repeated exposures rats were exposed to trichlorethylene at the same concentration for the same hours on 5 successive days. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In rats exposed once most of the urinary TCE was excreted within 24 hours after the beginning of exposure, whereas the urinary excretion of TCA continued for 4 days. 2) In repeated exposures, the urinary excretion of TCE reached a maximal level following the second exposure and remained constant thereafter. In contrast to this, the urinary excretion of TCA increased continuously from the first day to the fifth. 3) The ratio of TCE: TCA showed a decrease from 2.8 in the first day to 1.2 in the fifth day of the repeated exposures.", "PMID": 614435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1058", "title": "Psychiatric symptomatology in Egypt.", "content": "Various works on psychiatric morbidity in Egypt are reviewed. The main clinical symptomatology of schizoprenia, affective disorders, hysteria and obsessional disorders is described. The differences in the presentation of symptoms in Egypt as compared to western conditions is discussed.", "contents": "Psychiatric symptomatology in Egypt. Various works on psychiatric morbidity in Egypt are reviewed. The main clinical symptomatology of schizoprenia, affective disorders, hysteria and obsessional disorders is described. The differences in the presentation of symptoms in Egypt as compared to western conditions is discussed.", "PMID": 614461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1059", "title": "Cross-national differences in measures of psychiatric morbidity.", "content": "This byproduct of an epidemiological study of psychiatric disorders in the Washington Heights are of New York City suggests that there are Anglo-American differences in measures of psychiatric morbidity. A description of the project and examples of some of the results are presented. Some possible causes and implications of the Anglo-American differences are discussed.", "contents": "Cross-national differences in measures of psychiatric morbidity. This byproduct of an epidemiological study of psychiatric disorders in the Washington Heights are of New York City suggests that there are Anglo-American differences in measures of psychiatric morbidity. A description of the project and examples of some of the results are presented. Some possible causes and implications of the Anglo-American differences are discussed.", "PMID": 614462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1060", "title": "Culture, social structure, and the explanation of migrant mental illness.", "content": "The aim of this paper is an examination of the use of the concept of culture in studies of the relationship between migration and mental illness. It also attracts attention to the relationship between the culture of a migrant community and the cultural, social, economic and political realities of life in the host community.", "contents": "Culture, social structure, and the explanation of migrant mental illness. The aim of this paper is an examination of the use of the concept of culture in studies of the relationship between migration and mental illness. It also attracts attention to the relationship between the culture of a migrant community and the cultural, social, economic and political realities of life in the host community.", "PMID": 614463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1061", "title": "Some practical problems in providing a psychiatric service for immigrants.", "content": "Immigrant minority groups in a multicultural society create certain problems for the psychiatric services, because of language, diagnostic differences, acceptability, treatment expectations and other differences. A clinical team has been established at a Bradford psychiatric hospital where there are many Asian patients, and some of the problems encountered are described.", "contents": "Some practical problems in providing a psychiatric service for immigrants. Immigrant minority groups in a multicultural society create certain problems for the psychiatric services, because of language, diagnostic differences, acceptability, treatment expectations and other differences. A clinical team has been established at a Bradford psychiatric hospital where there are many Asian patients, and some of the problems encountered are described.", "PMID": 614464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1062", "title": "Postgraduate training in Britain for psychiatrists from East Africa.", "content": "The training of overseas psychiatrists in Britain is arousing increasing concern. Specific assistance may be necessary to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of such training. This paper describes several aspects of this topic, with particular reference to East African psychiatrists, and the awareness of Britain being a multicultural society.", "contents": "Postgraduate training in Britain for psychiatrists from East Africa. The training of overseas psychiatrists in Britain is arousing increasing concern. Specific assistance may be necessary to maximise the advantages and minimise the disadvantages of such training. This paper describes several aspects of this topic, with particular reference to East African psychiatrists, and the awareness of Britain being a multicultural society.", "PMID": 614465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1063", "title": "Towards a method for assessing social support systems.", "content": "Man is committed by his biological and cultural evolution to a social existence. While the social environment is the source of many stressors, it may also be protective. This latter function is called 'support'. Social bonds are to be found universally, but some cultural groups have the integrity of these bonds conspicuously endangered. The application of the affective component of the social network to psychiatry promises to be useful, but cannot progress further until an instrument is developed for assessing the support available to an individual. We have gone some way towards a method for assessing the components of primary group interaction. The task now is to determine if low social support, such as is seen in Western suburban wives, some migrant groups and some women in the Middle East and Asia, is causally related to some psychiatric disorders The principal appeal of this area is that we may be tapping something very fundamental about human social organisation, something which, unlike adversity, is subject to modification.", "contents": "Towards a method for assessing social support systems. Man is committed by his biological and cultural evolution to a social existence. While the social environment is the source of many stressors, it may also be protective. This latter function is called 'support'. Social bonds are to be found universally, but some cultural groups have the integrity of these bonds conspicuously endangered. The application of the affective component of the social network to psychiatry promises to be useful, but cannot progress further until an instrument is developed for assessing the support available to an individual. We have gone some way towards a method for assessing the components of primary group interaction. The task now is to determine if low social support, such as is seen in Western suburban wives, some migrant groups and some women in the Middle East and Asia, is causally related to some psychiatric disorders The principal appeal of this area is that we may be tapping something very fundamental about human social organisation, something which, unlike adversity, is subject to modification.", "PMID": 614466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1064", "title": "Immigrants and natives as mental health care recipients.", "content": "Survey results indicate more mental health problems among immigrants than in the native population in Sweden and in one country of departure, Finland. This is reflected in the high proportion of immigrants in the mental hospital studied, but not among psychiatric out-patients. The immigrant patient rate is high even in socially advantageous groups, eg. among married and employed persons. The diagnoses and problems reported in the patient case records of immigrants and natives are compared, with controls for background variables. Some problems, e.g. paranoia, somatic symtoms, and diffuseness of difficulties are clearly related to immigration status but others, eg. alcohol, work, or human relations problems are connected only with social class or sex, irrespective of immigration status.", "contents": "Immigrants and natives as mental health care recipients. Survey results indicate more mental health problems among immigrants than in the native population in Sweden and in one country of departure, Finland. This is reflected in the high proportion of immigrants in the mental hospital studied, but not among psychiatric out-patients. The immigrant patient rate is high even in socially advantageous groups, eg. among married and employed persons. The diagnoses and problems reported in the patient case records of immigrants and natives are compared, with controls for background variables. Some problems, e.g. paranoia, somatic symtoms, and diffuseness of difficulties are clearly related to immigration status but others, eg. alcohol, work, or human relations problems are connected only with social class or sex, irrespective of immigration status.", "PMID": 614467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1065", "title": "Immigrants' knowledge and experience of social work services.", "content": "A survey of the utilization, knowledge and evaluation and evaluation of the social work services by immigrant groups in Bradford, U.K. was undertaken during 1971-1973. A lack of knowledge and use of appropriate services was found. There was no appreciable difference in knowledge between social service and non social service users. Measures to overcome this lack of legitimate usage are discussed in terms of positive discrimination and pluralist strategies.", "contents": "Immigrants' knowledge and experience of social work services. A survey of the utilization, knowledge and evaluation and evaluation of the social work services by immigrant groups in Bradford, U.K. was undertaken during 1971-1973. A lack of knowledge and use of appropriate services was found. There was no appreciable difference in knowledge between social service and non social service users. Measures to overcome this lack of legitimate usage are discussed in terms of positive discrimination and pluralist strategies.", "PMID": 614468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1066", "title": "The training of social caseworkers for a multi-cultural society.", "content": "This paper examines problems which arise between immigrants and social workers: conflicts and misunderstandings related to lack of awareness of each other's cultural patterns; racial prejudice, particularly expressed towards 'coloured' clients by white social workers. It is suggested that these problems reflect a more fundamental problem in social work: the gulf in communication and understanding between middle class social workers and working class clients. The currently held argument is examined that it is best to use 'immigrant' soical workers to look after immigrant clients, and the more radical position that casework with immigrants does more harm than good. The paper then describes a practical innovation in social work education for training social workers to function more effectively within a multi-cultural society. A review of relevant studies and discussions is also presented.", "contents": "The training of social caseworkers for a multi-cultural society. This paper examines problems which arise between immigrants and social workers: conflicts and misunderstandings related to lack of awareness of each other's cultural patterns; racial prejudice, particularly expressed towards 'coloured' clients by white social workers. It is suggested that these problems reflect a more fundamental problem in social work: the gulf in communication and understanding between middle class social workers and working class clients. The currently held argument is examined that it is best to use 'immigrant' soical workers to look after immigrant clients, and the more radical position that casework with immigrants does more harm than good. The paper then describes a practical innovation in social work education for training social workers to function more effectively within a multi-cultural society. A review of relevant studies and discussions is also presented.", "PMID": 614469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1067", "title": "Minority conflict: the hijacking of a train by South Molukken youngster in the Netherlands.", "content": "The hijacking of a train by South Molukken youngsters in the Netherlands is analyzed in terms of the generation gap existing between the post-figurative South Molukken elders and their children who were unsuccessful in their attempts at co-figuration in Holland.", "contents": "Minority conflict: the hijacking of a train by South Molukken youngster in the Netherlands. The hijacking of a train by South Molukken youngsters in the Netherlands is analyzed in terms of the generation gap existing between the post-figurative South Molukken elders and their children who were unsuccessful in their attempts at co-figuration in Holland.", "PMID": 614471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1068", "title": "Consensus vs. discrepancy: an analysis role performance of admission clerks in hospital setting.", "content": "This paper presents hypotheses and conceptualizations regarding the job-role definition of admissions clerks and managers in the Admissions Department of a general hospital. Our sample represents a segment of the administrative staff. The findings show that the malfunctioning of the department in question is not due to a lack of consensus among the workers regarding the perception or definition of role, but to their lack of identification and to inadequate recognition from their peers and superiors.", "contents": "Consensus vs. discrepancy: an analysis role performance of admission clerks in hospital setting. This paper presents hypotheses and conceptualizations regarding the job-role definition of admissions clerks and managers in the Admissions Department of a general hospital. Our sample represents a segment of the administrative staff. The findings show that the malfunctioning of the department in question is not due to a lack of consensus among the workers regarding the perception or definition of role, but to their lack of identification and to inadequate recognition from their peers and superiors.", "PMID": 614472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1069", "title": "Community organization in Israel.", "content": "This article deals with the nature, goals, areas of practice and the organizational basis of community work in Israel. Community work as a professional activity developed in Israel in the early sixties as a vehicle for resocialization of new immigrants, rebuilding new communities, social integration and development of local leadership. Government and semi-governmental organization played major roles in this area. In the early seventies community work moved also in the direction of social acting dealing more and more with current social issues.", "contents": "Community organization in Israel. This article deals with the nature, goals, areas of practice and the organizational basis of community work in Israel. Community work as a professional activity developed in Israel in the early sixties as a vehicle for resocialization of new immigrants, rebuilding new communities, social integration and development of local leadership. Government and semi-governmental organization played major roles in this area. In the early seventies community work moved also in the direction of social acting dealing more and more with current social issues.", "PMID": 614473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1070", "title": "[The arthritic narrow lumbar canal. Anatomoradiologic study - technical considerations].", "content": "The Narrowing of the lumbar canal by spondylosis appears as a frequent factor of cauda equina compression. There is a wide range of symptomatology : common low back pain and sciatalgia; neurogenic claudication with sensitive, motor or sphincter disturbance; radicular deficit at one or several levels. Radiological measurement of the anterior-posterior diameter of the lumbar canal does not give a good evaluation of the lesion. Qualitative analysis of spondylosis must be performed by special radiological investigation : plain X ray film and tomography shows the osteophytics spurs and articular hypertrophy; sacco-radiculography (Dimer X) with tomography and flexion-extension films shows the changes on the dural sac. Three types of lesions can be distinguish on anatomical and radiological grounds which carry a special operative management : the anterior type should be treated by discectomy, at one or more level; the posterior type needs facetectomy with or without laminectomy; the mixed type must be treated by combined operative procedures. Laminectomy only does not permit the cure of lateral radicular entrapment. Our results seem much better in our series since this diagnostic and therapeutic attitude is considered.", "contents": "[The arthritic narrow lumbar canal. Anatomoradiologic study - technical considerations]. The Narrowing of the lumbar canal by spondylosis appears as a frequent factor of cauda equina compression. There is a wide range of symptomatology : common low back pain and sciatalgia; neurogenic claudication with sensitive, motor or sphincter disturbance; radicular deficit at one or several levels. Radiological measurement of the anterior-posterior diameter of the lumbar canal does not give a good evaluation of the lesion. Qualitative analysis of spondylosis must be performed by special radiological investigation : plain X ray film and tomography shows the osteophytics spurs and articular hypertrophy; sacco-radiculography (Dimer X) with tomography and flexion-extension films shows the changes on the dural sac. Three types of lesions can be distinguish on anatomical and radiological grounds which carry a special operative management : the anterior type should be treated by discectomy, at one or more level; the posterior type needs facetectomy with or without laminectomy; the mixed type must be treated by combined operative procedures. Laminectomy only does not permit the cure of lateral radicular entrapment. Our results seem much better in our series since this diagnostic and therapeutic attitude is considered.", "PMID": 614505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1071", "title": "[Traumatic obliteration of the sylvian artery].", "content": "Traumatic thrombosis of the middle cerebral artery have been rarely reported and documented. Eight personal cases provide us an opportunity to stress the common features of this rare entity: onset of symptoms several hours after severe head-trauma, in young men; computerized tomography combined with carotid angiography are decisive for the diagnosis. Prognosis is poor-six deaths out of eight patients. Anticoagulantherapy is useless even dangerous. Extra-intra cranial anastomosis may appear a better solution in selected cases.", "contents": "[Traumatic obliteration of the sylvian artery]. Traumatic thrombosis of the middle cerebral artery have been rarely reported and documented. Eight personal cases provide us an opportunity to stress the common features of this rare entity: onset of symptoms several hours after severe head-trauma, in young men; computerized tomography combined with carotid angiography are decisive for the diagnosis. Prognosis is poor-six deaths out of eight patients. Anticoagulantherapy is useless even dangerous. Extra-intra cranial anastomosis may appear a better solution in selected cases.", "PMID": 614506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1072", "title": "Disseminated prothothecosis in a dog.", "content": "This is a report on the clinical history and pathological lesions of a dog suffering from disseminated protothecosis due to Prototheca zopfi. Clinically, the dog was presented with bilateral conjunctivitis followed by blindness, deafness and posterior paresis. Pathological lesions were most severe in the eyes and consisted of subacute panophthalmitis with secondary posterior subcapsular cataract, posterior synechia, retinal detachment and microscopic evidence of glaucoma. The kidney, liver, brain, spleen and lungs were also affected. This is believed to be the first published account of protothecosis in mammals other than man in Africa. A review of the literature is included.", "contents": "Disseminated prothothecosis in a dog. This is a report on the clinical history and pathological lesions of a dog suffering from disseminated protothecosis due to Prototheca zopfi. Clinically, the dog was presented with bilateral conjunctivitis followed by blindness, deafness and posterior paresis. Pathological lesions were most severe in the eyes and consisted of subacute panophthalmitis with secondary posterior subcapsular cataract, posterior synechia, retinal detachment and microscopic evidence of glaucoma. The kidney, liver, brain, spleen and lungs were also affected. This is believed to be the first published account of protothecosis in mammals other than man in Africa. A review of the literature is included.", "PMID": 614516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1073", "title": "Oviposition and incubation in Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) (Acarina: Ixodidae).", "content": "Studies on the duration of the oviposition and incubation periods of Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) revealed that these non-parasitic periods are temperature dependent, increase in temperature causing shortening of the periods. Humidity had no effect on duration of either the oviposition or the incubation periods. The relation between the mass of engorged female ticks and that of the eggs they produced was found to be linear. The viability of eggs produced during the first 13 days of oviposition (at 26 degrees C) was greater than that of eggs laid subsequently. The critical temperature for B. decoloratus eggs was found to be 42 degrees C and they were shown to be unable to take up water vapour from damp atmospheres. Both temperature and humidity affected the hatch of eggs. A simple model of the relations between the physical factors of the environment and the various biological phenomena studied has been given.", "contents": "Oviposition and incubation in Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) (Acarina: Ixodidae). Studies on the duration of the oviposition and incubation periods of Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) revealed that these non-parasitic periods are temperature dependent, increase in temperature causing shortening of the periods. Humidity had no effect on duration of either the oviposition or the incubation periods. The relation between the mass of engorged female ticks and that of the eggs they produced was found to be linear. The viability of eggs produced during the first 13 days of oviposition (at 26 degrees C) was greater than that of eggs laid subsequently. The critical temperature for B. decoloratus eggs was found to be 42 degrees C and they were shown to be unable to take up water vapour from damp atmospheres. Both temperature and humidity affected the hatch of eggs. A simple model of the relations between the physical factors of the environment and the various biological phenomena studied has been given.", "PMID": 614517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1074", "title": "The life cycle of the two-host tick Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897, under laboratory conditions (Acarina: Ixodidae).", "content": "The life cycle of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897, is discussed under the following headings: larval feeding; larval drop; nymphal feeding; nymphal drop; nymphal moulting; adult feeding; adult drop; preoviposition period; oviposition period and incubation. Special attention has also been given to the development of both male and female reproductive organs, gametogensis and mating.", "contents": "The life cycle of the two-host tick Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897, under laboratory conditions (Acarina: Ixodidae). The life cycle of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897, is discussed under the following headings: larval feeding; larval drop; nymphal feeding; nymphal drop; nymphal moulting; adult feeding; adult drop; preoviposition period; oviposition period and incubation. Special attention has also been given to the development of both male and female reproductive organs, gametogensis and mating.", "PMID": 614518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1075", "title": "Effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice and sheep.", "content": "The stimulating effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice was marginal, while no enhancement of immunity could be detected in sheep. The conclusion was reached that, as levamisole has no potentiating effect on immunity to C. pseudotuberculosis in normal sheep, it is of no practical value as an immunostimulant in this instance.", "contents": "Effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice and sheep. The stimulating effect of levamisole on immunity to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in mice was marginal, while no enhancement of immunity could be detected in sheep. The conclusion was reached that, as levamisole has no potentiating effect on immunity to C. pseudotuberculosis in normal sheep, it is of no practical value as an immunostimulant in this instance.", "PMID": 614519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1076", "title": "First report of Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875) in South Africa.", "content": "Fascioloides magna from a Brahman heifer recently imported from the USA is recorded for the first time in South Africa. The pathological findings are briefly described. The possibility of this parasite becoming established in this country is also discussed.", "contents": "First report of Fascioloides magna (Bassi, 1875) in South Africa. Fascioloides magna from a Brahman heifer recently imported from the USA is recorded for the first time in South Africa. The pathological findings are briefly described. The possibility of this parasite becoming established in this country is also discussed.", "PMID": 614520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1077", "title": "Studies on Parafilaria bovicola Tubangui, 1934, 2. Chemotherapy and pathology.", "content": "The filaricidal effects of trichlorphon, arsenic trioxide, sodium antimony biscathecol disulphonate and nitroxynil against Parafilaria bovicola were the subject of this investigation. Levamisole hydrochooride was retested in a separate trial to assess the time required for healing after successful treatment. A comparison of carcass lesions and the percentage of lesion area in untreated controls with those in treated animals reconfirmed the efficacy of levamisole hydrochlorice, while nitroxynil gave more promising results. Both lesions and lesion area were reduced by 76% by the former and by 93% by the latter compound. The other drugs only slightly suppressed P. bovicola activity. After treatment with levamisole hydrochloride, active lesions were still present for 1-4 weeks and visible lesions on slaughter for 8 weeks. Since the visible lesions during the 8 weeks varied from acute to chronic and as they disappeared 9 weeks post treatment, it is suggested that provision should be made for a healing period of at least 9 weeks.", "contents": "Studies on Parafilaria bovicola Tubangui, 1934, 2. Chemotherapy and pathology. The filaricidal effects of trichlorphon, arsenic trioxide, sodium antimony biscathecol disulphonate and nitroxynil against Parafilaria bovicola were the subject of this investigation. Levamisole hydrochooride was retested in a separate trial to assess the time required for healing after successful treatment. A comparison of carcass lesions and the percentage of lesion area in untreated controls with those in treated animals reconfirmed the efficacy of levamisole hydrochlorice, while nitroxynil gave more promising results. Both lesions and lesion area were reduced by 76% by the former and by 93% by the latter compound. The other drugs only slightly suppressed P. bovicola activity. After treatment with levamisole hydrochloride, active lesions were still present for 1-4 weeks and visible lesions on slaughter for 8 weeks. Since the visible lesions during the 8 weeks varied from acute to chronic and as they disappeared 9 weeks post treatment, it is suggested that provision should be made for a healing period of at least 9 weeks.", "PMID": 614522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1078", "title": "Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. III. Oestrus spp. and Gedoelstia h\u00e4ssleri in the blesbok.", "content": "Four blesbok culled in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria, District during May 1972 were found to harbour large burdens of 1st instar Oestrus spp. larvae and from 16-37 3rd instar larvae of Oestrus macdonaldi. They were also infested with large numbers of 1st instar Gedoelstia h\u00e4ssleri larvae but only 2 harboured 3rd stage larvae of this species. During an 18-month period 34 blesbok were culled in pairs in the Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve, Potgietersrus District. These antelope harboured peak numbers of 1st instar Oestrus spp. larvae during February, July and December but few if any during early October. Third instar Oestrus variolosus larvae were generally recovered from July-February and those of O. macdonaldi during July 1972 and from May-September 1973. Some 1st instar larvae of these flies appeared to undergo a pulmonary migration before returning to the naso-pharyngeal area to mature. The pupal period of O. variolosus varied from 67 days during the spring to 35 days during the summer. G. h\u00e4ssleri larvae reached peak numbers from October 1972-January 1973 and during May and June 1973. The lowest numbers were recovered from August-October 1973. Recovery and measurement of 1st instar larvae indicated that they either undergo an ocular-cranial or ocular-vascular-pulmonary migration before reaching the naso-pharyngeal area. Pupal periods varied from 46 days for flies hatching during October to 22 days for those hatching during December.", "contents": "Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. III. Oestrus spp. and Gedoelstia h\u00e4ssleri in the blesbok. Four blesbok culled in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria, District during May 1972 were found to harbour large burdens of 1st instar Oestrus spp. larvae and from 16-37 3rd instar larvae of Oestrus macdonaldi. They were also infested with large numbers of 1st instar Gedoelstia h\u00e4ssleri larvae but only 2 harboured 3rd stage larvae of this species. During an 18-month period 34 blesbok were culled in pairs in the Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve, Potgietersrus District. These antelope harboured peak numbers of 1st instar Oestrus spp. larvae during February, July and December but few if any during early October. Third instar Oestrus variolosus larvae were generally recovered from July-February and those of O. macdonaldi during July 1972 and from May-September 1973. Some 1st instar larvae of these flies appeared to undergo a pulmonary migration before returning to the naso-pharyngeal area to mature. The pupal period of O. variolosus varied from 67 days during the spring to 35 days during the summer. G. h\u00e4ssleri larvae reached peak numbers from October 1972-January 1973 and during May and June 1973. The lowest numbers were recovered from August-October 1973. Recovery and measurement of 1st instar larvae indicated that they either undergo an ocular-cranial or ocular-vascular-pulmonary migration before reaching the naso-pharyngeal area. Pupal periods varied from 46 days for flies hatching during October to 22 days for those hatching during December.", "PMID": 614523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1079", "title": "Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. I. Oestrus ovis in sheep.", "content": "Separate groups of 3 oestrid-free lambs were exposed to infestation on irrigated pasture for periods of approximalely 33 days each over30 months, and on dry-land pasture for approxomately 42 days over a period of 18 months. With some exceptions, the lambs slaughtered from October-June were found to be infested with Oestrus ovis while, with one exception, those slaughtered from July-September were free. A minimum of 4 sheeps' heads, obtained weekly over 24 months from the Pretoria Municipal Abattoir, was examined for infestation. Of a total of 542 heads examined, 73,4% were infested, having a mean burden of 15,2 larvae. Mean larval burdens were slightly greater in hornless than in horned sheep in Dorper-type than in Merino-type sheep, and in lambs than in sheep with 2 or more permanent incisors. The largest larval burdens were recovered from sheep slaughtered during May and June and the smallest during September and October. The greatest number of 1st instar larvae were recovered during May and June and the smallest during September, but those recovered during the latter month were the largest. With one exception, mature larvae which pupated after 21 March or before 16 August failed to hatch as viable flies. Those which pupated after 16 August hatched as flies after a pupal stage of approximately 50 days and the first flies to hatch were invariably recovered during the first 2 weeks of October. The pupal stage decreased to approximately 25 days during December and January and increased again to approximately 50 days for flies hatching during May. No flies hatched between 18 May and 1 Cctober. The following life cycle ofr Oestrus ovis is suggested: sheep are repeatedly infested from October-June; thereafter infestation survives in the sheeps' heads until August, mainly as 1st instar larvae, then as pupae and larvae until fresh infestation takes place during October.", "contents": "Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. I. Oestrus ovis in sheep. Separate groups of 3 oestrid-free lambs were exposed to infestation on irrigated pasture for periods of approximalely 33 days each over30 months, and on dry-land pasture for approxomately 42 days over a period of 18 months. With some exceptions, the lambs slaughtered from October-June were found to be infested with Oestrus ovis while, with one exception, those slaughtered from July-September were free. A minimum of 4 sheeps' heads, obtained weekly over 24 months from the Pretoria Municipal Abattoir, was examined for infestation. Of a total of 542 heads examined, 73,4% were infested, having a mean burden of 15,2 larvae. Mean larval burdens were slightly greater in hornless than in horned sheep in Dorper-type than in Merino-type sheep, and in lambs than in sheep with 2 or more permanent incisors. The largest larval burdens were recovered from sheep slaughtered during May and June and the smallest during September and October. The greatest number of 1st instar larvae were recovered during May and June and the smallest during September, but those recovered during the latter month were the largest. With one exception, mature larvae which pupated after 21 March or before 16 August failed to hatch as viable flies. Those which pupated after 16 August hatched as flies after a pupal stage of approximately 50 days and the first flies to hatch were invariably recovered during the first 2 weeks of October. The pupal stage decreased to approximately 25 days during December and January and increased again to approximately 50 days for flies hatching during May. No flies hatched between 18 May and 1 Cctober. The following life cycle ofr Oestrus ovis is suggested: sheep are repeatedly infested from October-June; thereafter infestation survives in the sheeps' heads until August, mainly as 1st instar larvae, then as pupae and larvae until fresh infestation takes place during October.", "PMID": 614524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1080", "title": "Parasites of comestic and wild animals in South Africa. II. Oestrus ovis in goats.", "content": "During a period of 13 months, 130 goats' heads, obtained form the Johannesburg Municipal Abattoir, were examined for infestation with Oestrus ovis. Investation was present in 73,8% of the heads and the mean burden comprised 4,4 larvae. Such a small nuber of larvae were present that no clear seasonal incidence pattern could be determined. Pupal periods could be as long as approximately 60 days for flies hatching during October and May and as short as approximately 24 days for those hatching from December-February. The findings are compared with those obtained from surveys in sheep in south africa.", "contents": "Parasites of comestic and wild animals in South Africa. II. Oestrus ovis in goats. During a period of 13 months, 130 goats' heads, obtained form the Johannesburg Municipal Abattoir, were examined for infestation with Oestrus ovis. Investation was present in 73,8% of the heads and the mean burden comprised 4,4 larvae. Such a small nuber of larvae were present that no clear seasonal incidence pattern could be determined. Pupal periods could be as long as approximately 60 days for flies hatching during October and May and as short as approximately 24 days for those hatching from December-February. The findings are compared with those obtained from surveys in sheep in south africa.", "PMID": 614525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1081", "title": "The separation of some volatile fatty acids on a \"Sephadex\" partition chromatogram.", "content": "The suitability of Sephadex LH-20 as a solid support for the partition chromatography of acetic, propionic and butyric acids was investigated by using standard mixtures of 14C-labelled acids. The clear separation that was obtained between the acids was confirmed by the negligible cross contamination found between the acid peaks. Furthermore, the Sephadex LH-20 column gave a convenient elution volume and time similar to those found for a Celite Analytical Filter Aid column, without the progressive deterioration in separation normally associated with Celite.", "contents": "The separation of some volatile fatty acids on a \"Sephadex\" partition chromatogram. The suitability of Sephadex LH-20 as a solid support for the partition chromatography of acetic, propionic and butyric acids was investigated by using standard mixtures of 14C-labelled acids. The clear separation that was obtained between the acids was confirmed by the negligible cross contamination found between the acid peaks. Furthermore, the Sephadex LH-20 column gave a convenient elution volume and time similar to those found for a Celite Analytical Filter Aid column, without the progressive deterioration in separation normally associated with Celite.", "PMID": 614526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1082", "title": "The arterial blood supply of the cervical vertebrae of the ox (bos taurus l.).", "content": "The arterial supply to the cervical vertebrae of the ox was studied in 22 animals (Friesland, Jersey and Guernsey cross-breeds), ranging from near full-term foetuses to adults. Various techniques, including angiography and clearing of bone, were employed to expose the extra- and intraosseous distribution of the arteries and a description is given of a modified Spalteholtz clearing technique. The extraosseous nutrient arteries are described and illustrated. A uniform pattern emerged from the investigation and it is suggested that the main branches be named: (1) the artery of the vertebral arch; (b) the artery of the transverse process; (c) the basivertebral arteries. Frequent anastomoses between epi- and metaphysial vessels in young animals are reported, and stress is laid on the effective collateral supply maintained by the extra- and intraosseous nutrient vessels.", "contents": "The arterial blood supply of the cervical vertebrae of the ox (bos taurus l.). The arterial supply to the cervical vertebrae of the ox was studied in 22 animals (Friesland, Jersey and Guernsey cross-breeds), ranging from near full-term foetuses to adults. Various techniques, including angiography and clearing of bone, were employed to expose the extra- and intraosseous distribution of the arteries and a description is given of a modified Spalteholtz clearing technique. The extraosseous nutrient arteries are described and illustrated. A uniform pattern emerged from the investigation and it is suggested that the main branches be named: (1) the artery of the vertebral arch; (b) the artery of the transverse process; (c) the basivertebral arteries. Frequent anastomoses between epi- and metaphysial vessels in young animals are reported, and stress is laid on the effective collateral supply maintained by the extra- and intraosseous nutrient vessels.", "PMID": 614528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1083", "title": "Neurosecretion in Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin) (Ixodoidea: Argasidae). The distribution of neurosecretory cells in the brain.", "content": "The arrangement of the brain and peripheral nerves in Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin) is similar to that of other argasid and ixodid ticks. Histological studies, using a specialized staining technique (aldehyde fuchsin), have shown 15 groups of neurosecretory cells in the cortex of the brain.", "contents": "Neurosecretion in Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin) (Ixodoidea: Argasidae). The distribution of neurosecretory cells in the brain. The arrangement of the brain and peripheral nerves in Ornithodoros savignyi (Audouin) is similar to that of other argasid and ixodid ticks. Histological studies, using a specialized staining technique (aldehyde fuchsin), have shown 15 groups of neurosecretory cells in the cortex of the brain.", "PMID": 614529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1084", "title": "A revision of the genus Impalaia M\u00f6nnig, 1924.", "content": "A revision of the genus Impalaia M\u00f6nnig, 1924 forms the subject of this report. Besides the type species, Impalaia tuberculata M\u00f6nnig, 1924, there are 2 valid species, viz., I. nudicollis M\u00f6nnig, 1931 and I. okapiae (Van den Berghe, 1937). I. tuberculata longispiculata (Wetzel & Fortmeyer, 1960), I. somaliensis (Crovieri, 1929) and I. aegyptiaca Soliman, 1956 are synonymous with I. tuberculata. I. taurotragi (Le Roux, 1936) appears to be an aberrant form of I. nudicollis. A parasite/host checklist is included.", "contents": "A revision of the genus Impalaia M\u00f6nnig, 1924. A revision of the genus Impalaia M\u00f6nnig, 1924 forms the subject of this report. Besides the type species, Impalaia tuberculata M\u00f6nnig, 1924, there are 2 valid species, viz., I. nudicollis M\u00f6nnig, 1931 and I. okapiae (Van den Berghe, 1937). I. tuberculata longispiculata (Wetzel & Fortmeyer, 1960), I. somaliensis (Crovieri, 1929) and I. aegyptiaca Soliman, 1956 are synonymous with I. tuberculata. I. taurotragi (Le Roux, 1936) appears to be an aberrant form of I. nudicollis. A parasite/host checklist is included.", "PMID": 614530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1085", "title": "Ixodes (Afrixodes) Neitzi, n. sp. (Acarina: Ixodidae) from the mountain reedbuck in South Africa.", "content": "Ixodes (Afrixodes) neitzi n. sp. is described from females and males collected from the mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Information is provided to distinguish this new species from other closely related Ixodes species that occur in the Ethiopian region. Its predilection sites are noted and the area in which it occurs is described briefly.", "contents": "Ixodes (Afrixodes) Neitzi, n. sp. (Acarina: Ixodidae) from the mountain reedbuck in South Africa. Ixodes (Afrixodes) neitzi n. sp. is described from females and males collected from the mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Information is provided to distinguish this new species from other closely related Ixodes species that occur in the Ethiopian region. Its predilection sites are noted and the area in which it occurs is described briefly.", "PMID": 614531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1086", "title": "Immunosuppression in new-born lambs.", "content": "A novel technique, based on cytotoxicity-neutralization, was developed for the in vitro titration of anti-sheep lymphocyte and anti-sheep macrophage sera. The titres obtained for a number of antisera were compared with those found in an agglutination assay. Anti-lymphocyte sera with a high cytotoxicity-neutralization titre very effectively suppressed the number of circulating lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of treated new-born lambs, thus indicating in vivo immunosuppressive activity.", "contents": "Immunosuppression in new-born lambs. A novel technique, based on cytotoxicity-neutralization, was developed for the in vitro titration of anti-sheep lymphocyte and anti-sheep macrophage sera. The titres obtained for a number of antisera were compared with those found in an agglutination assay. Anti-lymphocyte sera with a high cytotoxicity-neutralization titre very effectively suppressed the number of circulating lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of treated new-born lambs, thus indicating in vivo immunosuppressive activity.", "PMID": 614532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1087", "title": "The fine structure of intra-erythrocytic stages of Babesia bigemina.", "content": "The electron microscope was used to study the structure of merozoites, merozoites in the process of transformation to trophozoites, trophozoites, and the method of multiplication of B. bigemina. The merozoites were piriform in shape and surrounded by 3 peripheral membranes of which the 2 inner ones often appeared as a single thick osmiophilic structure (inner membrane). Anterior and posterior polar rings, microtubules, micronemes, rhoptries and mitochondria with and without tubular cristae were discernible. A single large unidentified spherical body was present in most of the mature merozoites. After penetration of an erythrocyte, merozoites developed into trophozoites through a transformation process which involved the loss of the inner membrane of the pellicle, rhoptries, most of the micronemes and the spherical body. The trophozoites were surrounded by a single membrane, were pleomorphic in shape and contained large inclusions of host cell cytoplasm, but no cytostomes or food vacuoles could be identified. Reproduction took place through a process resembling schizogony resulting in the production of 2 merozoites, the cytoplasmic constituents of the original trophozoite (mother cell) being virtually entirely incorporated into the daughter cells in the process. None of the parasites were contained in parasitophorous vacuoles.", "contents": "The fine structure of intra-erythrocytic stages of Babesia bigemina. The electron microscope was used to study the structure of merozoites, merozoites in the process of transformation to trophozoites, trophozoites, and the method of multiplication of B. bigemina. The merozoites were piriform in shape and surrounded by 3 peripheral membranes of which the 2 inner ones often appeared as a single thick osmiophilic structure (inner membrane). Anterior and posterior polar rings, microtubules, micronemes, rhoptries and mitochondria with and without tubular cristae were discernible. A single large unidentified spherical body was present in most of the mature merozoites. After penetration of an erythrocyte, merozoites developed into trophozoites through a transformation process which involved the loss of the inner membrane of the pellicle, rhoptries, most of the micronemes and the spherical body. The trophozoites were surrounded by a single membrane, were pleomorphic in shape and contained large inclusions of host cell cytoplasm, but no cytostomes or food vacuoles could be identified. Reproduction took place through a process resembling schizogony resulting in the production of 2 merozoites, the cytoplasmic constituents of the original trophozoite (mother cell) being virtually entirely incorporated into the daughter cells in the process. None of the parasites were contained in parasitophorous vacuoles.", "PMID": 614533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1088", "title": "An accurate, sensitive and reproducible method for the colorimetric estimation of free fatty acids in plasma.", "content": "A sensitive and reproducible method permitting the estimation of 0,030-3,000 mM free fatty acids (FFA) in plasma with a standard error of 0,006 5 was developed. The method is based on the extraction of phosphate-buffered plasma with a chloroform-heptane-methanol mixture, formation of the cobalt complex and on the subsequent determination of the metal with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. The method was used to obtain normal values (mean 0,547 mM range 0,147-1,197 mM) for Merino wethers fed lucerne hay.", "contents": "An accurate, sensitive and reproducible method for the colorimetric estimation of free fatty acids in plasma. A sensitive and reproducible method permitting the estimation of 0,030-3,000 mM free fatty acids (FFA) in plasma with a standard error of 0,006 5 was developed. The method is based on the extraction of phosphate-buffered plasma with a chloroform-heptane-methanol mixture, formation of the cobalt complex and on the subsequent determination of the metal with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. The method was used to obtain normal values (mean 0,547 mM range 0,147-1,197 mM) for Merino wethers fed lucerne hay.", "PMID": 614534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1089", "title": "Neurological symptoms in a cat following vaccination with high egg passage Flury rabies vaccine of chicken embryo origin.", "content": "The development of neurological symptoms in a cat following vaccination with the high egg passage Flury rabies vaccine and the subsequent isolation of a virus with characteristics consistent with the criteria for distinguishing the high egg passage Flury strain of rabies virus are described.", "contents": "Neurological symptoms in a cat following vaccination with high egg passage Flury rabies vaccine of chicken embryo origin. The development of neurological symptoms in a cat following vaccination with the high egg passage Flury rabies vaccine and the subsequent isolation of a virus with characteristics consistent with the criteria for distinguishing the high egg passage Flury strain of rabies virus are described.", "PMID": 614535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1090", "title": "A rapid method for differentiating between the infective larvae of Oesophagostomum columbianum and Chabertia ovina.", "content": "When freshly-collected, exsheathed infective larvae of Oesophagostomum columbianum and Chabertia ovina were frozen in liquid nitrogen and subsequently thawed, conspicuous vesicles appeared in the intestinal cells of the larvae. The mean number of vesicles, which differed in size according to the species was 20 for O. columbianum and 32 for C. ovina.", "contents": "A rapid method for differentiating between the infective larvae of Oesophagostomum columbianum and Chabertia ovina. When freshly-collected, exsheathed infective larvae of Oesophagostomum columbianum and Chabertia ovina were frozen in liquid nitrogen and subsequently thawed, conspicuous vesicles appeared in the intestinal cells of the larvae. The mean number of vesicles, which differed in size according to the species was 20 for O. columbianum and 32 for C. ovina.", "PMID": 614536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1091", "title": "[ECG examinations on a PMM model].", "content": "The analysis of cardiac electric field interference on rabbits with additional heart implanted to abdominal cavity resulted in explanation of ecg variations during the first hours of newborn's life. The investigation of multipole and multidipole fields in spherical chamber proved that the disturbation of axial symmetry of added up elementary dipoles evokes significant multipole components in the heart.", "contents": "[ECG examinations on a PMM model]. The analysis of cardiac electric field interference on rabbits with additional heart implanted to abdominal cavity resulted in explanation of ecg variations during the first hours of newborn's life. The investigation of multipole and multidipole fields in spherical chamber proved that the disturbation of axial symmetry of added up elementary dipoles evokes significant multipole components in the heart.", "PMID": 614537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1092", "title": "Local activation of blood coagulation by polyester prostheses implanted into defects of the abdominal aorta of dogs.", "content": "An 8 cm long Dallon prosthesis was implanted into defects of the abdominal aorta of dogs, and the following changes were found: the blood flow through the vascular prosthesis induced a shortening of the blood clotting time and the heparin-thrombin time and a slight increase in the prothrombin consumption. It has a favourable effect of the sealing of pores in the prosthesis and covering its internal surface with a fibrin membrane.", "contents": "Local activation of blood coagulation by polyester prostheses implanted into defects of the abdominal aorta of dogs. An 8 cm long Dallon prosthesis was implanted into defects of the abdominal aorta of dogs, and the following changes were found: the blood flow through the vascular prosthesis induced a shortening of the blood clotting time and the heparin-thrombin time and a slight increase in the prothrombin consumption. It has a favourable effect of the sealing of pores in the prosthesis and covering its internal surface with a fibrin membrane.", "PMID": 614538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1093", "title": "[Toxicology of a polymerized modification of isonicotinic acid hydrazide].", "content": "The biologic side effects were studied of a polymer of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (PINH) synthesized on the basis of the copolymer vinylpyrrolidone and crotonaldehyde. The influence of dosage and conditions of administration as a functional and morphologic indicator in animals were also investigated. Threshold dosage and optimal conditions of administration in clinical practice are recommended.", "contents": "[Toxicology of a polymerized modification of isonicotinic acid hydrazide]. The biologic side effects were studied of a polymer of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (PINH) synthesized on the basis of the copolymer vinylpyrrolidone and crotonaldehyde. The influence of dosage and conditions of administration as a functional and morphologic indicator in animals were also investigated. Threshold dosage and optimal conditions of administration in clinical practice are recommended.", "PMID": 614539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1094", "title": "[Interaction of poly-2-methyl-5-vinyl-N-ethylpyridinium bromide and heparin studied by means of ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy].", "content": "Antithrombotic properties are induced in polymers used in vascular surgery by modifying their surface chemically by introducing heparin by means of quaternary bases. The authors have studied the interaction of heparin with quaternary polyvinylpyridinium bromide. Optimal conditions for obtaining this complex have been established. The complex is insoluble in distilled water but passes partly into solution in the presence of an excess of heparin or in physiologic solution. Using spectral methods and elementar analysis it was found that the interaction of heparin with quaternary polyvinylpyridinium gives rise to a polyelectrolyte complex in which heparin undergoes structural changes, probably pertaining to sulfonamide or sulfoether groups.", "contents": "[Interaction of poly-2-methyl-5-vinyl-N-ethylpyridinium bromide and heparin studied by means of ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy]. Antithrombotic properties are induced in polymers used in vascular surgery by modifying their surface chemically by introducing heparin by means of quaternary bases. The authors have studied the interaction of heparin with quaternary polyvinylpyridinium bromide. Optimal conditions for obtaining this complex have been established. The complex is insoluble in distilled water but passes partly into solution in the presence of an excess of heparin or in physiologic solution. Using spectral methods and elementar analysis it was found that the interaction of heparin with quaternary polyvinylpyridinium gives rise to a polyelectrolyte complex in which heparin undergoes structural changes, probably pertaining to sulfonamide or sulfoether groups.", "PMID": 614540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1095", "title": "[Simple method of preparing dried, durable anatomical preparations].", "content": "There was described a preparation method of dried, durable anatomical preparations in with the Polish latex LBS 3060 was used to fill blood vessels. The particular usefulness of this method made for teaching purposes was determined.", "contents": "[Simple method of preparing dried, durable anatomical preparations]. There was described a preparation method of dried, durable anatomical preparations in with the Polish latex LBS 3060 was used to fill blood vessels. The particular usefulness of this method made for teaching purposes was determined.", "PMID": 614541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1096", "title": "[Psychopharmacology and psychiatric aspects of pain].", "content": "The psychological and psychopathological aspects of pain serve to emphasize the therapeutic importance of psychopharmacological drugs in the treatment of this frequent symptom. Using the classification of psychotropic drugs made by Delay and Deniker, the author analyses the practical applications of some psycholeptics, some psychoanaleptics, and even some psychodysleptics in anti-pain therapeutics. The analysis of some statistics on the frequency of pain in different patient samples, from general medicine as well as from psychiatry, helps to comment upon the great advance implied by the psychopharmacological revolution.", "contents": "[Psychopharmacology and psychiatric aspects of pain]. The psychological and psychopathological aspects of pain serve to emphasize the therapeutic importance of psychopharmacological drugs in the treatment of this frequent symptom. Using the classification of psychotropic drugs made by Delay and Deniker, the author analyses the practical applications of some psycholeptics, some psychoanaleptics, and even some psychodysleptics in anti-pain therapeutics. The analysis of some statistics on the frequency of pain in different patient samples, from general medicine as well as from psychiatry, helps to comment upon the great advance implied by the psychopharmacological revolution.", "PMID": 614543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1097", "title": "[Experimental substantiation of the maximum permissible concentration of Reglone in the air of a work environment].", "content": "Reglon (20 per cent dikwad dibromide) is an extensively used herbioide and desiccant. During acute and chronic inhalatory experiments on white rats, using 4--hour exposure to water aerosols, determination is made of the acute LC50 -- 83 mg/m3, of the acute threshold concentration - 9.9 mg/m3 acute substance, as well as of the chronic threshold concentration - 0.32 mg/m3. In all instances the clinical picture of intoxication is characterized by pulmonary lesion, and partial involvement of liver and kidneys. The computed zones of acute and chronic inhalatory toxicity warrant the assumption that no sequelae dueto herbicide cumulation in the organism should be expected. At safety coefficient 3, the authors propose 0.1 mg/m3 dikwad dibromide as a temporary limit of the maximum allowable concentration of reglon in the working environment air.", "contents": "[Experimental substantiation of the maximum permissible concentration of Reglone in the air of a work environment]. Reglon (20 per cent dikwad dibromide) is an extensively used herbioide and desiccant. During acute and chronic inhalatory experiments on white rats, using 4--hour exposure to water aerosols, determination is made of the acute LC50 -- 83 mg/m3, of the acute threshold concentration - 9.9 mg/m3 acute substance, as well as of the chronic threshold concentration - 0.32 mg/m3. In all instances the clinical picture of intoxication is characterized by pulmonary lesion, and partial involvement of liver and kidneys. The computed zones of acute and chronic inhalatory toxicity warrant the assumption that no sequelae dueto herbicide cumulation in the organism should be expected. At safety coefficient 3, the authors propose 0.1 mg/m3 dikwad dibromide as a temporary limit of the maximum allowable concentration of reglon in the working environment air.", "PMID": 614550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1098", "title": "[Cardiovascular system reactivity in children of primary schools studying by new academic programs].", "content": "A longitudinal study of cardiovascular reactivity is performed among school-children taught according to newly adopted educational programs. The experiment is conducted in a full day school with three-year duration of the elementary course. The daily and annual dynamics of the basic indicators under study: heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, pressure, beat volume of the heart and a circulatory efficiency index display a noteworthy difference between working capacity of school-children beginning their education at the age of 6 and 7 years throughout the three school years. Regardless of the adequate adaptation to the learning of the disciplines experimented upon during the first school year, in the following years, and more particularly in the third class, clear cut signs of fatigue are noted both among school-children beginning school at 6 and 7 years. This gives sufficient reason to correlate the dynamics of indicators not to the age of school-children, but rather to the extent and essence of the school subjects, regime and teaching methods employed.", "contents": "[Cardiovascular system reactivity in children of primary schools studying by new academic programs]. A longitudinal study of cardiovascular reactivity is performed among school-children taught according to newly adopted educational programs. The experiment is conducted in a full day school with three-year duration of the elementary course. The daily and annual dynamics of the basic indicators under study: heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, pressure, beat volume of the heart and a circulatory efficiency index display a noteworthy difference between working capacity of school-children beginning their education at the age of 6 and 7 years throughout the three school years. Regardless of the adequate adaptation to the learning of the disciplines experimented upon during the first school year, in the following years, and more particularly in the third class, clear cut signs of fatigue are noted both among school-children beginning school at 6 and 7 years. This gives sufficient reason to correlate the dynamics of indicators not to the age of school-children, but rather to the extent and essence of the school subjects, regime and teaching methods employed.", "PMID": 614551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1099", "title": "[Hemodynamic changes in hypoglycemic shock].", "content": "Severe hypoglycemia may be present in seriously ill patients; if it is not corrected opportunely a series of neuroendocrinal mechanisms take place aimed at correcting metabolic alterations. These mechanisms can produce hemodynamic alterations as well. Nine mongrel dogs were studied with continuous registration of: blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac frequency, respiratory frequency, electrocardiogram and first derivative (Dp/Dt). Six dogs received crystalline (fast acting) insuline intravenously (group 1). After hemodynamic changes were registered hypoglycemia was corrected with 50 per cent glucose solution. Complementary insuline doses were administered to three dogs (group 2); in this group hypoglycemia was not corrected. In group 1 during hypoglycemia there was an increase in blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac frequency, respiratory frequency and Dp/Dt, and changes in QT and T wave on the EKG; these changes were partially reversible after hypoglycemia was corrected. The above mentioned alterations persisted in group 2, breathing became irregular irregular and respiratory arrest supervened. It can be inferred that the hemodynamic response to hypoglycemia is predominantly adrenergic. The role of catecolamines, glucocorticoides, glucagon, insuline, cyclic AMP in metabolic and hemodynamic alterations consecutive to hypoglycemia are discussed.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic changes in hypoglycemic shock]. Severe hypoglycemia may be present in seriously ill patients; if it is not corrected opportunely a series of neuroendocrinal mechanisms take place aimed at correcting metabolic alterations. These mechanisms can produce hemodynamic alterations as well. Nine mongrel dogs were studied with continuous registration of: blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac frequency, respiratory frequency, electrocardiogram and first derivative (Dp/Dt). Six dogs received crystalline (fast acting) insuline intravenously (group 1). After hemodynamic changes were registered hypoglycemia was corrected with 50 per cent glucose solution. Complementary insuline doses were administered to three dogs (group 2); in this group hypoglycemia was not corrected. In group 1 during hypoglycemia there was an increase in blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac frequency, respiratory frequency and Dp/Dt, and changes in QT and T wave on the EKG; these changes were partially reversible after hypoglycemia was corrected. The above mentioned alterations persisted in group 2, breathing became irregular irregular and respiratory arrest supervened. It can be inferred that the hemodynamic response to hypoglycemia is predominantly adrenergic. The role of catecolamines, glucocorticoides, glucagon, insuline, cyclic AMP in metabolic and hemodynamic alterations consecutive to hypoglycemia are discussed.", "PMID": 614545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1100", "title": "[Effect of alcohol on glucose resorption in the small intestine of white rats].", "content": "Using the method of inverted bags according to Wiseman and Wilson, the effect of alcohol on glucose transport in the small intestine of white rats is studied. A noteworthy increase in glucose absorption is established in the group of animals receiving 2ml 50 degrees ethyl alcohol before meal over a period of one month, and in the group treated a single time in fasting conditions at analogical alcohol dose. No statistically significant difference is established between the control group of animals, and those treated with the indicated above alcohol dose under conditions of ordinary diet. The obtained results are interpreted in the light of updated concepts about the active transport of substances in the small intestine, with due consideration being given to the eventual effect exerted by ethyl alcohol on its mechanisms.", "contents": "[Effect of alcohol on glucose resorption in the small intestine of white rats]. Using the method of inverted bags according to Wiseman and Wilson, the effect of alcohol on glucose transport in the small intestine of white rats is studied. A noteworthy increase in glucose absorption is established in the group of animals receiving 2ml 50 degrees ethyl alcohol before meal over a period of one month, and in the group treated a single time in fasting conditions at analogical alcohol dose. No statistically significant difference is established between the control group of animals, and those treated with the indicated above alcohol dose under conditions of ordinary diet. The obtained results are interpreted in the light of updated concepts about the active transport of substances in the small intestine, with due consideration being given to the eventual effect exerted by ethyl alcohol on its mechanisms.", "PMID": 614552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1101", "title": "[Qualitative and quantitative changes in liver glycoproteins in tetrachloromethane poisoning].", "content": "Qualitative and quantitative changes in hepatic tissue glycoproteins and glucosamine glycans are studied after tetrachlormethane intoxication. The experiment is conducted on 40 control and 40 laboratory male white rats, poisoned twice weekly per os with 0.1 ml CP CCI4 per 100 g of body weight, in the form of 50 per cent oil solution. Followed in dynamics (at 14, 30, 45 and 90 days), the newly formed connective tissue appears to be characterized by a reduction of glicoproteins and increase in glucosamine glycans. Qualitative changes are established in the character of polycarbohydrate components - upset stability of their complex with proteins - and in the normal correlation of the various glucosin glycans.", "contents": "[Qualitative and quantitative changes in liver glycoproteins in tetrachloromethane poisoning]. Qualitative and quantitative changes in hepatic tissue glycoproteins and glucosamine glycans are studied after tetrachlormethane intoxication. The experiment is conducted on 40 control and 40 laboratory male white rats, poisoned twice weekly per os with 0.1 ml CP CCI4 per 100 g of body weight, in the form of 50 per cent oil solution. Followed in dynamics (at 14, 30, 45 and 90 days), the newly formed connective tissue appears to be characterized by a reduction of glicoproteins and increase in glucosamine glycans. Qualitative changes are established in the character of polycarbohydrate components - upset stability of their complex with proteins - and in the normal correlation of the various glucosin glycans.", "PMID": 614553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1102", "title": "[Rapid gas chromatographic method of determining organochlorine insecticides in human fatty tissue].", "content": "A prompt, readily executed method for chlororganic insecticides determination in human fatty tissue is developed. The analytical course includes sample extraction with hexane, liquid distributional extraction with acetonitrile, and purification through small aluminium dioxide column. Final determination is performed with gas-liquid chromatography using electron detector. The method is endowed with a very high sensibility ranging from 0.1 micron/kg for hexachlorcyclohexane to 0.8 micron/kg for methoxychlor. Attained is a mean analytical yield for heptachlorepoxide amounting to 94 per cent. Reproducibility is fully satisfactory at interval of dispersion of the single measurement 9 per cent; confidential interval of the mean - 3 per cent. The method is successfully applied in mass investigations of the general population for level of chlororganic insecticides' determination.", "contents": "[Rapid gas chromatographic method of determining organochlorine insecticides in human fatty tissue]. A prompt, readily executed method for chlororganic insecticides determination in human fatty tissue is developed. The analytical course includes sample extraction with hexane, liquid distributional extraction with acetonitrile, and purification through small aluminium dioxide column. Final determination is performed with gas-liquid chromatography using electron detector. The method is endowed with a very high sensibility ranging from 0.1 micron/kg for hexachlorcyclohexane to 0.8 micron/kg for methoxychlor. Attained is a mean analytical yield for heptachlorepoxide amounting to 94 per cent. Reproducibility is fully satisfactory at interval of dispersion of the single measurement 9 per cent; confidential interval of the mean - 3 per cent. The method is successfully applied in mass investigations of the general population for level of chlororganic insecticides' determination.", "PMID": 614554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1103", "title": "[Ventilation, diffusion and pulmonary perfusion studied by 133 Xe].", "content": "The pulmonary function has been studied by several methods using radioactive gases since 1955. Knipping and col. reported the first study with 133Xe in the evaluation of the gas distribution in pulmonary ventilation. In this study, we report the pulmonary function in 40 normal persons, evaluated by injection in a peripherical vein of this radioactive substance. The elementary respiratory functions: ventilation, diffusion and perfusion were calculated by distribution curves of 133Xe and we obtained the V/P index is very important for the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of the pulmonary function. Comparative studies with several examples of human pulmonary disease are in progress in our laboratory.", "contents": "[Ventilation, diffusion and pulmonary perfusion studied by 133 Xe]. The pulmonary function has been studied by several methods using radioactive gases since 1955. Knipping and col. reported the first study with 133Xe in the evaluation of the gas distribution in pulmonary ventilation. In this study, we report the pulmonary function in 40 normal persons, evaluated by injection in a peripherical vein of this radioactive substance. The elementary respiratory functions: ventilation, diffusion and perfusion were calculated by distribution curves of 133Xe and we obtained the V/P index is very important for the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of the pulmonary function. Comparative studies with several examples of human pulmonary disease are in progress in our laboratory.", "PMID": 614546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1104", "title": "[35S-cysteine incorporation into protein synthesis of the liver and testes in subacute oral poisoning with zineb, maneb and mancozeb].", "content": "35S-cysteine incorporation in the protein synthesis of liver and testes is studied in groups of 20 white rats each, following 14--day poisoning with dithiocarbamates, at doses 1/5 LD50, as follows: group one, cineb - o,180 g/kg, maneb - 0,140 g/kg, and mankozeb - 0,260 g/kg. Protein incorporation in liver and testes is studied after decapitation of the animals, within two hours of intraperitoneal 35S-cysteine injection at dose 15 micro C per rat. Liver and testes undergo appropriate treatment after the method of Munro et al./10/, as modified by Sheitanov /9/, and counting is done with VAZ--310. The results point to a varying degree of cysteine incorporation increase in the protein synthesis of liver and testes. It is attributed to a variety of dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in the tissues of either of the organs, taking place under the effect of dithiocarbamate preparations. An enhancement of regenerative processes in the above mentioned organs, associated with intensified protein synthesis, is by no means ruled out. Differences established in the intensity of amino acid incorporation correlate with the degree of protein synthesis disorders, mostly in terms of the effect of maneb preparations.", "contents": "[35S-cysteine incorporation into protein synthesis of the liver and testes in subacute oral poisoning with zineb, maneb and mancozeb]. 35S-cysteine incorporation in the protein synthesis of liver and testes is studied in groups of 20 white rats each, following 14--day poisoning with dithiocarbamates, at doses 1/5 LD50, as follows: group one, cineb - o,180 g/kg, maneb - 0,140 g/kg, and mankozeb - 0,260 g/kg. Protein incorporation in liver and testes is studied after decapitation of the animals, within two hours of intraperitoneal 35S-cysteine injection at dose 15 micro C per rat. Liver and testes undergo appropriate treatment after the method of Munro et al./10/, as modified by Sheitanov /9/, and counting is done with VAZ--310. The results point to a varying degree of cysteine incorporation increase in the protein synthesis of liver and testes. It is attributed to a variety of dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in the tissues of either of the organs, taking place under the effect of dithiocarbamate preparations. An enhancement of regenerative processes in the above mentioned organs, associated with intensified protein synthesis, is by no means ruled out. Differences established in the intensity of amino acid incorporation correlate with the degree of protein synthesis disorders, mostly in terms of the effect of maneb preparations.", "PMID": 614555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1105", "title": "[Comparative toxicity of triacetin and diethylene glycol diacetate].", "content": "The approximative lethal dose of triacetin and diethylene glycole acetate is determined after the method of Deihmann and Leblanc. Experiments are conducted on white rats to establish the acute and subacute oral, dermal and inhalatory toxicity of the two substances. Changes in weight, liver and kidneys weight coefficient, hematopoiesis and hepatic function (biochemical and pathomorphological), as well as the stimulating effect on mucosa and skin are studied. The results of the study show a weak stimulating action on mucosa and skin, and insignificant cumulation. Emphasis is laid on the functional character of changes in the values of some enzymes -- alkaline phosphatase, cytochrome oxidase, cholinesterase -- and of the pathomorphologically established parenchymatous dystrophy. Presumably, it is a matter of changes more strongly manifested in imported triacetin. The conclusion is reached that imported triacetin may be substituted for lokally produced diethylene glycoldiacetate which proves to be with a lower acute and subacute toxicity.", "contents": "[Comparative toxicity of triacetin and diethylene glycol diacetate]. The approximative lethal dose of triacetin and diethylene glycole acetate is determined after the method of Deihmann and Leblanc. Experiments are conducted on white rats to establish the acute and subacute oral, dermal and inhalatory toxicity of the two substances. Changes in weight, liver and kidneys weight coefficient, hematopoiesis and hepatic function (biochemical and pathomorphological), as well as the stimulating effect on mucosa and skin are studied. The results of the study show a weak stimulating action on mucosa and skin, and insignificant cumulation. Emphasis is laid on the functional character of changes in the values of some enzymes -- alkaline phosphatase, cytochrome oxidase, cholinesterase -- and of the pathomorphologically established parenchymatous dystrophy. Presumably, it is a matter of changes more strongly manifested in imported triacetin. The conclusion is reached that imported triacetin may be substituted for lokally produced diethylene glycoldiacetate which proves to be with a lower acute and subacute toxicity.", "PMID": 614556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1106", "title": "[New high-capacity sampling device for controlling air dust content].", "content": "The construction of a new high-capacity sample taking device, designed for dust pollution control, and furnished with an electric aspirator is described. The device can be used in weight analyses of dust pollution in the air of working rooms and atmosphere alike. The basic feature of the apparatus is the so-called sample taking head which fulfils the functions of measurer and regulator of the capacity within 50-200 dm3/min limits. The measurement filters are made of FPP-15 material with dimeter measuring 80 mm. Sample taking using the above device is conducted in compliance with the requirements of dust control standards adopted in this country.", "contents": "[New high-capacity sampling device for controlling air dust content]. The construction of a new high-capacity sample taking device, designed for dust pollution control, and furnished with an electric aspirator is described. The device can be used in weight analyses of dust pollution in the air of working rooms and atmosphere alike. The basic feature of the apparatus is the so-called sample taking head which fulfils the functions of measurer and regulator of the capacity within 50-200 dm3/min limits. The measurement filters are made of FPP-15 material with dimeter measuring 80 mm. Sample taking using the above device is conducted in compliance with the requirements of dust control standards adopted in this country.", "PMID": 614557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1107", "title": "[Carcinogenic action of diarsenic trioxide].", "content": "Biarsenic trioxide under the experimental conditions outlined in the paper causes mainly adenopapillomatous proliferations in the intestine and partly in the stomach, as well as adenomatous proliferations in the lungs, all of which may be considered as precancerous conditions. Having in mind that no cancerigenic actions of arsenic has been proved hitherto, the experimental data submitted assume a particular theoretical and practical interest.", "contents": "[Carcinogenic action of diarsenic trioxide]. Biarsenic trioxide under the experimental conditions outlined in the paper causes mainly adenopapillomatous proliferations in the intestine and partly in the stomach, as well as adenomatous proliferations in the lungs, all of which may be considered as precancerous conditions. Having in mind that no cancerigenic actions of arsenic has been proved hitherto, the experimental data submitted assume a particular theoretical and practical interest.", "PMID": 614558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1108", "title": "[Physical environmental factors of a city park and intraresidential green plantings].", "content": "The characteristic features of sun radiation (direct, scattered and total) and natural ultraviolet radiation are outlined under conditions of planting and grassing of areas in different patterns, designed for large-scale public utilization (The Park of Liberty-Sofia), as well as for limited utilization (intra-residential open spaces of the residential districts \"Lenin\" and \"Svoboda\"). As the result of the study concrete comparative data are obtained, both in relative and in absolute energetic units, data which may be used as a basis to determine the places of recreation, and the type and extent of planting and grassing in accordance with the anticipated effect - degree of sun protection seeked, or securing sufficient quantitatively and optimal in terms of spectural composition solar radiation.", "contents": "[Physical environmental factors of a city park and intraresidential green plantings]. The characteristic features of sun radiation (direct, scattered and total) and natural ultraviolet radiation are outlined under conditions of planting and grassing of areas in different patterns, designed for large-scale public utilization (The Park of Liberty-Sofia), as well as for limited utilization (intra-residential open spaces of the residential districts \"Lenin\" and \"Svoboda\"). As the result of the study concrete comparative data are obtained, both in relative and in absolute energetic units, data which may be used as a basis to determine the places of recreation, and the type and extent of planting and grassing in accordance with the anticipated effect - degree of sun protection seeked, or securing sufficient quantitatively and optimal in terms of spectural composition solar radiation.", "PMID": 614559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1109", "title": "[Hygienic and physiological evaluation of modern large-panel housing].", "content": "The microclimate in the flat rooms of large-panel houses and the physiological reactions of the organism are studied. A hygienic assay of the modern home is made on the basis of analysis of the results obtained. Large-panel housing creates conditions exerting a negative effect from hygienic points of view on the physical components of the environment, and on the physiological state of the organism. Thus, the drawbacks of large-panel houses as compared to monolithic (solid) houses is explained. The physiological reactions of the organism, at variable air temperature, and the same reactions recorded in comfortable self-confidence bring on a statistically proved coincidence, and thereby determine 20-22 degrees temperature of the air as a comfortable zone, 21 degrees temperature of the air and vt/m2 negative body radiation as normal values in the living rooms during the heating season.", "contents": "[Hygienic and physiological evaluation of modern large-panel housing]. The microclimate in the flat rooms of large-panel houses and the physiological reactions of the organism are studied. A hygienic assay of the modern home is made on the basis of analysis of the results obtained. Large-panel housing creates conditions exerting a negative effect from hygienic points of view on the physical components of the environment, and on the physiological state of the organism. Thus, the drawbacks of large-panel houses as compared to monolithic (solid) houses is explained. The physiological reactions of the organism, at variable air temperature, and the same reactions recorded in comfortable self-confidence bring on a statistically proved coincidence, and thereby determine 20-22 degrees temperature of the air as a comfortable zone, 21 degrees temperature of the air and vt/m2 negative body radiation as normal values in the living rooms during the heating season.", "PMID": 614560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1110", "title": "Altered potassium permeability in vitamin E-deficient rat erythrocytes.", "content": "Erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient rats were investigated as an in vivo model of oxidant stress and cellular aging. To measure possible membrane damage related to the enhanced oxidant stress, the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane to potassium was determined. Rates of non-hemolytic potassium loss were calculated from comparison of total potassium loss and hemolysis rates. The non-hemolytic potassium loss rates for erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient rats were as much as 2.5-fold higher than controls. The abnormally high permeability of vitamin E-deficient rat erythrocytes indicates molecular damage at the membrane level, and may be significant to our understanding of the normal aging process in erythrocytes and other cells.", "contents": "Altered potassium permeability in vitamin E-deficient rat erythrocytes. Erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient rats were investigated as an in vivo model of oxidant stress and cellular aging. To measure possible membrane damage related to the enhanced oxidant stress, the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane to potassium was determined. Rates of non-hemolytic potassium loss were calculated from comparison of total potassium loss and hemolysis rates. The non-hemolytic potassium loss rates for erythrocytes of vitamin E-deficient rats were as much as 2.5-fold higher than controls. The abnormally high permeability of vitamin E-deficient rat erythrocytes indicates molecular damage at the membrane level, and may be significant to our understanding of the normal aging process in erythrocytes and other cells.", "PMID": 614591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1111", "title": "Response of delayed (K+) channels to the time-dependent clamping function in squid giant axon. I. Ascending ramps.", "content": "Squid giant axons are voltage-clamped with ascending potential ramps whose slopes range from 0.5 mV/msec to 60 mV/msec and delayed (K+) currents are observed. The parametric current-voltage curves exhibit a delay period of minimal current followed by a rapid increase of current toward a final steady state. Both the initial delay and the slope of the subsequent rising phase increase with increasing ramp slope. When the Hodgkin-Huxley equations are used to generate theoretical current-voltage curves, the sharp difference between the delay and rising phases is muted and the ramp slope must be increased to produce an adequate representation of the data. A muted biphasic response is also observed when the current-voltage curves are generated using modified Hodgkin-Huxley parameters and a correction for K+ accumulation in the periaxonal space. These modified equations provide an accurate fit for step-potential clamp current data. Since the ramp experiments include all relevant clamping potentials, the experiments provide a sensitive test for kinetic models of K+ on flow in the delayed (K+) channels of squid giant axon.", "contents": "Response of delayed (K+) channels to the time-dependent clamping function in squid giant axon. I. Ascending ramps. Squid giant axons are voltage-clamped with ascending potential ramps whose slopes range from 0.5 mV/msec to 60 mV/msec and delayed (K+) currents are observed. The parametric current-voltage curves exhibit a delay period of minimal current followed by a rapid increase of current toward a final steady state. Both the initial delay and the slope of the subsequent rising phase increase with increasing ramp slope. When the Hodgkin-Huxley equations are used to generate theoretical current-voltage curves, the sharp difference between the delay and rising phases is muted and the ramp slope must be increased to produce an adequate representation of the data. A muted biphasic response is also observed when the current-voltage curves are generated using modified Hodgkin-Huxley parameters and a correction for K+ accumulation in the periaxonal space. These modified equations provide an accurate fit for step-potential clamp current data. Since the ramp experiments include all relevant clamping potentials, the experiments provide a sensitive test for kinetic models of K+ on flow in the delayed (K+) channels of squid giant axon.", "PMID": 614592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1112", "title": "Effects of maleic acid administration on urinary excretion of DCEC, and on tissue protein, in the rat.", "content": "Administration of maleic acid to rats caused increased urinary excretion of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)cysteine [DCEC] and increased binding of maleic acid to tissue proteins. The trichloroacetic acid precipitate from a combined fraction of supernatant and microsome gave the maximum amount of DCEC after hydrolysis. It would appear that aminoaciduria produced by maleate was partially due to increased destruction of some succinylated tissue proteins.", "contents": "Effects of maleic acid administration on urinary excretion of DCEC, and on tissue protein, in the rat. Administration of maleic acid to rats caused increased urinary excretion of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)cysteine [DCEC] and increased binding of maleic acid to tissue proteins. The trichloroacetic acid precipitate from a combined fraction of supernatant and microsome gave the maximum amount of DCEC after hydrolysis. It would appear that aminoaciduria produced by maleate was partially due to increased destruction of some succinylated tissue proteins.", "PMID": 614593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1113", "title": "Pathology of structured water and associated cations in cells (ther tissue damage syndrome) and its medical treatment.", "content": "Modern experimental evidence indicates that the cell should be regarded as analogous to an ion exchanger resin granule with structured water in the interstices and with potassium and sodium ions associated with fixed negative charges on the protein matrix. In tissues damaged by disease or trauma, a similar set of changes in properties of cell cations and water is to be expected, for which a similar set of therapies is appropriate. Tissue damage causes a configurational change of the protein matrix from the normal to the damaged state. This leads to loss of association preference for potassium vs. sodium ions and to loss of water structuring, resulting in replacement of cell potassium by sodium and abnormal uptake of water by the cell. Appropriate therapies for reestablishment of the normal configurational state of the proteins of the cell are reestablishment of normal cell ATP production, for which prostaglandin PGBx is the rational approach, plus diets or drugs that decrease sodium and/or increase potassium concentrations in the body. Partial normalization of cell protein configuration by digitalis compounds may also be possible.", "contents": "Pathology of structured water and associated cations in cells (ther tissue damage syndrome) and its medical treatment. Modern experimental evidence indicates that the cell should be regarded as analogous to an ion exchanger resin granule with structured water in the interstices and with potassium and sodium ions associated with fixed negative charges on the protein matrix. In tissues damaged by disease or trauma, a similar set of changes in properties of cell cations and water is to be expected, for which a similar set of therapies is appropriate. Tissue damage causes a configurational change of the protein matrix from the normal to the damaged state. This leads to loss of association preference for potassium vs. sodium ions and to loss of water structuring, resulting in replacement of cell potassium by sodium and abnormal uptake of water by the cell. Appropriate therapies for reestablishment of the normal configurational state of the proteins of the cell are reestablishment of normal cell ATP production, for which prostaglandin PGBx is the rational approach, plus diets or drugs that decrease sodium and/or increase potassium concentrations in the body. Partial normalization of cell protein configuration by digitalis compounds may also be possible.", "PMID": 614594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1114", "title": "Substrate irradiation stimulation of the in vitro lactate-pyruvate interconversion reactions mediated by lactic dehydrogenase.", "content": "Experimental studies of the Comorosan effect are presented for the LDH-mediated interconversions of lactate and pyruvate. Consistent with the findings of the Comorosan group, the rate of the lactate/LDH reaction was found increased for crystalline lithium lactate irradiated with green light for times t comprising the manifold t = 15+30n sec, n = 0,1,2... However, no upper limit to the number of activating times was encountered although the Comorosan group has always obtained only six such activations. The pyruvate/LDH reaction rate was found enhanced for crystalline sodium pyruvate irradiated t = 5+30n sec. Sharpness of activations for 5-sec and 65-sec irradiated samples was investigated and found to occur only within approximately +/- 0.5 sec of 5.0 and 65.0 sec, slightly broader than the +/- 0.15-sec peak reported by Comorosan for the 5-sec signal. The data contribute to the credibility of the phenomenon but reveal sensitivity of some properties to individual laboratory or procedural factors. The first support is provided for the \"discriminating function\" component of Comorosan's metabolic control hypothesis.", "contents": "Substrate irradiation stimulation of the in vitro lactate-pyruvate interconversion reactions mediated by lactic dehydrogenase. Experimental studies of the Comorosan effect are presented for the LDH-mediated interconversions of lactate and pyruvate. Consistent with the findings of the Comorosan group, the rate of the lactate/LDH reaction was found increased for crystalline lithium lactate irradiated with green light for times t comprising the manifold t = 15+30n sec, n = 0,1,2... However, no upper limit to the number of activating times was encountered although the Comorosan group has always obtained only six such activations. The pyruvate/LDH reaction rate was found enhanced for crystalline sodium pyruvate irradiated t = 5+30n sec. Sharpness of activations for 5-sec and 65-sec irradiated samples was investigated and found to occur only within approximately +/- 0.5 sec of 5.0 and 65.0 sec, slightly broader than the +/- 0.15-sec peak reported by Comorosan for the 5-sec signal. The data contribute to the credibility of the phenomenon but reveal sensitivity of some properties to individual laboratory or procedural factors. The first support is provided for the \"discriminating function\" component of Comorosan's metabolic control hypothesis.", "PMID": 614595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1115", "title": "[The \"e\" antigen (HBeAg) in leprosy].", "content": "Sixty-six sera from leprosy patients, 42 with lepromatous leprosy (l.l.) and 24 with tuberculoid leprosy (t.l.) were examinated for the presence of e-antigen and e-antibody by immunodiffusion. The test for e-antigen was negative in all leprosy patients; e-antibodies were found in only three patients (4.5%) with l.l., all carriers of hepatitis B antigen. The HBsAg test was positive in 23.8% of the l.l. cases and in 12.5% of the t.l. cases; the anti-HBs was present in 38.1% of the l.l. cases and in 41.6% of the t.l. cases. The results suggest the possibility that the leprosy patients positive for the surface B antigen represent a very low risk and can be considered as chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg.", "contents": "[The \"e\" antigen (HBeAg) in leprosy]. Sixty-six sera from leprosy patients, 42 with lepromatous leprosy (l.l.) and 24 with tuberculoid leprosy (t.l.) were examinated for the presence of e-antigen and e-antibody by immunodiffusion. The test for e-antigen was negative in all leprosy patients; e-antibodies were found in only three patients (4.5%) with l.l., all carriers of hepatitis B antigen. The HBsAg test was positive in 23.8% of the l.l. cases and in 12.5% of the t.l. cases; the anti-HBs was present in 38.1% of the l.l. cases and in 41.6% of the t.l. cases. The results suggest the possibility that the leprosy patients positive for the surface B antigen represent a very low risk and can be considered as chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg.", "PMID": 614601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1116", "title": "[Epidemiological studies of blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in a school-age population of Veneto].", "content": "During the school year 1974-75 serum cholesterol has been evaluated in the whole school population (520 subjects, 268 males and 252 females, age ranging from 6 to 14 years) of Saccolongo, a village which is about 20 kilometers from Padova (Italy) and serum triglycerides have been further evaluated in a random population of 161 subjects (90 males and 71 females, age ranging from 6 to 11 years). Serum cholesterol values did not show any significant difference between males and females. Analysis of serum cholesterol in the various age groups revealed that it was significantly higher in females at age 6 (t = 2.2296; p less than 0.05). A significant reduction in serum cholesterol values has been found at age 11 both in males (t = 4.7810; p less than 0.001) and in females (t = 5.6134; p less than 0.001). Serum cholesterol and triglycerides values did not correlate (r = 0.404). Serum triglycerides were higher in girls than in boys (t = 2.1360; p less than 0.05). Analysis of the serum triglycerides values in the various age groups were constant in males (F = 0.4161) and inconstant in females (F = 3.8844; p less than 0.01) where age groups 8 (t = 3.5127; p less than 0.005) and 11 (t = 3.5238; p less than 0.005) showed higher than normal values.", "contents": "[Epidemiological studies of blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in a school-age population of Veneto]. During the school year 1974-75 serum cholesterol has been evaluated in the whole school population (520 subjects, 268 males and 252 females, age ranging from 6 to 14 years) of Saccolongo, a village which is about 20 kilometers from Padova (Italy) and serum triglycerides have been further evaluated in a random population of 161 subjects (90 males and 71 females, age ranging from 6 to 11 years). Serum cholesterol values did not show any significant difference between males and females. Analysis of serum cholesterol in the various age groups revealed that it was significantly higher in females at age 6 (t = 2.2296; p less than 0.05). A significant reduction in serum cholesterol values has been found at age 11 both in males (t = 4.7810; p less than 0.001) and in females (t = 5.6134; p less than 0.001). Serum cholesterol and triglycerides values did not correlate (r = 0.404). Serum triglycerides were higher in girls than in boys (t = 2.1360; p less than 0.05). Analysis of the serum triglycerides values in the various age groups were constant in males (F = 0.4161) and inconstant in females (F = 3.8844; p less than 0.01) where age groups 8 (t = 3.5127; p less than 0.005) and 11 (t = 3.5238; p less than 0.005) showed higher than normal values.", "PMID": 614602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1117", "title": "[Gastrooesophageal cytology obtained through needle aspiration (author's transl)].", "content": "The AA. present a new endoscopic method of gastrooesophageal cytology sampling through needle aspiration and results obtained in 90 cases. The AA. believe that this method offers undoubted advantages with regard to brushing in cases of ulcerate and necrotizing neoplasia and in those with submucous beginnings.", "contents": "[Gastrooesophageal cytology obtained through needle aspiration (author's transl)]. The AA. present a new endoscopic method of gastrooesophageal cytology sampling through needle aspiration and results obtained in 90 cases. The AA. believe that this method offers undoubted advantages with regard to brushing in cases of ulcerate and necrotizing neoplasia and in those with submucous beginnings.", "PMID": 614603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1118", "title": "[Legal aspects of psychiatry in Soviet legislation].", "content": "The Author examines and describes in detail the normative and organizational aspects of forensic-psychiatric services in the URSS. Both criminal expert opinions and civil aspects are described. The problem of civil rights of mentally ill persons are discussed together with education and training of the experts employed in institutions and by the courts.", "contents": "[Legal aspects of psychiatry in Soviet legislation]. The Author examines and describes in detail the normative and organizational aspects of forensic-psychiatric services in the URSS. Both criminal expert opinions and civil aspects are described. The problem of civil rights of mentally ill persons are discussed together with education and training of the experts employed in institutions and by the courts.", "PMID": 614598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1119", "title": "[Regenerative gastritis of the peptic ulcer: cytological diagnosis and cytohistological correlation (author's transl)].", "content": "The AA., having already illustrate the cytohistological characteristics of regenerative gastritis of the peptic ulcer, propose some differential cytological criteria with regard serious chronic atrophic gastritis and differentiated adenocarcinoma. The AA. conclude, also as result of reviewing their survey (621 cases) that the perfect knowledge of such criteria that any dubious cytological diagnosis and mistaken positives can be reduced to accettable terms.", "contents": "[Regenerative gastritis of the peptic ulcer: cytological diagnosis and cytohistological correlation (author's transl)]. The AA., having already illustrate the cytohistological characteristics of regenerative gastritis of the peptic ulcer, propose some differential cytological criteria with regard serious chronic atrophic gastritis and differentiated adenocarcinoma. The AA. conclude, also as result of reviewing their survey (621 cases) that the perfect knowledge of such criteria that any dubious cytological diagnosis and mistaken positives can be reduced to accettable terms.", "PMID": 614604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1120", "title": "[Oligomeric and monomeric IgA and secretory piece in pleural effusions].", "content": "The pleural fluids of 40 patients have been examined. Out of 15 cases of pulmonary cancer the presence of the secretory piece has been noted in 10 cases and its absence in the remaining 25 cases of nonneoplastic pathogenesis. Through the bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis the presence both of a slow IgA fraction (L) and of a fast one (V) has been noted.", "contents": "[Oligomeric and monomeric IgA and secretory piece in pleural effusions]. The pleural fluids of 40 patients have been examined. Out of 15 cases of pulmonary cancer the presence of the secretory piece has been noted in 10 cases and its absence in the remaining 25 cases of nonneoplastic pathogenesis. Through the bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis the presence both of a slow IgA fraction (L) and of a fast one (V) has been noted.", "PMID": 614605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1121", "title": "[Effectiveness of cystolusis with rifamycin SV in patients with permanent catheters].", "content": "It has tested the effect of Rifamicina SV in the cystolusis employed on patients with permanent catheter: compared to the treatment with physiological solution this one, with Rifamicina SV, has showed, in most cases, the lower incidence of urine bacteria and their quick negative answer. This by an only local theatment. During the experiment has also been showed the possibility for the Rifamicina SV of selecting the Citrobacter as a resistant bacterial species.", "contents": "[Effectiveness of cystolusis with rifamycin SV in patients with permanent catheters]. It has tested the effect of Rifamicina SV in the cystolusis employed on patients with permanent catheter: compared to the treatment with physiological solution this one, with Rifamicina SV, has showed, in most cases, the lower incidence of urine bacteria and their quick negative answer. This by an only local theatment. During the experiment has also been showed the possibility for the Rifamicina SV of selecting the Citrobacter as a resistant bacterial species.", "PMID": 614606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1122", "title": "[Bencyclan's effects \"in vitro\" on fibrinolysis (author's transl)].", "content": "The eventual fibrinolytic activity of Bencyclan (N-3-(1-benzil-cicloeptil-ossi)-propil-N-N-dimetil-amino-fumarato-acid) has been studied in vitro. The presence of eventuals FDP has been calculated through the Staphylococcal clumping test (SCT), by previous incubation of blood-samples with scalar concentrations of Bencyclan. No increase in the fibrinolytic activity with regard to the incubation of samples with the above-mentioned substance has been noticed.", "contents": "[Bencyclan's effects \"in vitro\" on fibrinolysis (author's transl)]. The eventual fibrinolytic activity of Bencyclan (N-3-(1-benzil-cicloeptil-ossi)-propil-N-N-dimetil-amino-fumarato-acid) has been studied in vitro. The presence of eventuals FDP has been calculated through the Staphylococcal clumping test (SCT), by previous incubation of blood-samples with scalar concentrations of Bencyclan. No increase in the fibrinolytic activity with regard to the incubation of samples with the above-mentioned substance has been noticed.", "PMID": 614608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1123", "title": "[Advantages of the combination of the technics of double arc precipitation analysis and of scaled dilutions in the study of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies].", "content": "A report is given about the opportunity and the advantages of combining the traditional scheme for the study of the pathological immunoglobulins with the analysis of the uncoupling of the bow of precipitation against IgG and the isolation of the pathological immunoglobulin through a diluition of the serum such as to bring the fraction electrophoretically dispersed to not detectable levels and make it detectable the monoclonae portion electrophoretically homogeneous.", "contents": "[Advantages of the combination of the technics of double arc precipitation analysis and of scaled dilutions in the study of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies]. A report is given about the opportunity and the advantages of combining the traditional scheme for the study of the pathological immunoglobulins with the analysis of the uncoupling of the bow of precipitation against IgG and the isolation of the pathological immunoglobulin through a diluition of the serum such as to bring the fraction electrophoretically dispersed to not detectable levels and make it detectable the monoclonae portion electrophoretically homogeneous.", "PMID": 614610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1124", "title": "[Structure of the residual syndrome. A controlled 5-year follow-up of schizophrenics].", "content": "The spectrum of residual dimension extends from psychopathological symptoms to anthropological characteristics. A controlled, personal 5-year follow-up analysis of schizo-affective (cycloid, as Leonhard has it) and hebephrenic patients was made to scan these two extremes. A clinical defect was found, but in the hebephrenic group. The cycloid patients differ from normal controls only in respect of the insufficiency syndrome and of the anthropological characteristics. As shown by the residual syndrome of the cycloid patients - in contradiction to the present knowledge - a complete restoration to health would not occur in this group. The anthropological characteristic closed limitedness is virtually the amplification of the clinical defect of hebephrenics. However, the closing-up limitedness of cycloids is quasi another side of their insufficiency syndrome. The nosospecificity of the structure of residual syndrome in both groups requires further investigations.", "contents": "[Structure of the residual syndrome. A controlled 5-year follow-up of schizophrenics]. The spectrum of residual dimension extends from psychopathological symptoms to anthropological characteristics. A controlled, personal 5-year follow-up analysis of schizo-affective (cycloid, as Leonhard has it) and hebephrenic patients was made to scan these two extremes. A clinical defect was found, but in the hebephrenic group. The cycloid patients differ from normal controls only in respect of the insufficiency syndrome and of the anthropological characteristics. As shown by the residual syndrome of the cycloid patients - in contradiction to the present knowledge - a complete restoration to health would not occur in this group. The anthropological characteristic closed limitedness is virtually the amplification of the clinical defect of hebephrenics. However, the closing-up limitedness of cycloids is quasi another side of their insufficiency syndrome. The nosospecificity of the structure of residual syndrome in both groups requires further investigations.", "PMID": 614611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1125", "title": "[Pathodynamics of symbiotic psychoses].", "content": "The definition and division of symbiontic psychoses (induced insanity, folie\u00e0 deux,, psychosis of association) and their significance for the genesis of delusional developments are referred to at the beginning of the paper. After a presentation of environmental reactions on delusion, personality traits and mutual dependence in the predominance-subordination relationship of the partners of delusional symbioses are pointed out. The isolation of this symbiosis against the environment and its influence on this loneliness by twos are demonstrated. Besides the described suppositions, the primary delusion is essential for the pathodynamics of symbiontic psychoses because the delusional structure of the primary delusion, its compositional elements and especially the delusional motif are decisive for the transformation of a symbiosis which is still stable into a pathological we-formation. 5 case histories illustrate the pathodynamics of symbiontic psychoses.", "contents": "[Pathodynamics of symbiotic psychoses]. The definition and division of symbiontic psychoses (induced insanity, folie\u00e0 deux,, psychosis of association) and their significance for the genesis of delusional developments are referred to at the beginning of the paper. After a presentation of environmental reactions on delusion, personality traits and mutual dependence in the predominance-subordination relationship of the partners of delusional symbioses are pointed out. The isolation of this symbiosis against the environment and its influence on this loneliness by twos are demonstrated. Besides the described suppositions, the primary delusion is essential for the pathodynamics of symbiontic psychoses because the delusional structure of the primary delusion, its compositional elements and especially the delusional motif are decisive for the transformation of a symbiosis which is still stable into a pathological we-formation. 5 case histories illustrate the pathodynamics of symbiontic psychoses.", "PMID": 614612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1126", "title": "[Genital self-mutilation in women].", "content": "Concerning the very rare phenomenon of female self-mutilation, some long-term observations of 2 young women are reported. In consequence of their frequent self-mutilation an exstirpation of their uterus had become necessary. Their pathodynamics under reference to the few analogic cases in the literature are outlined.", "contents": "[Genital self-mutilation in women]. Concerning the very rare phenomenon of female self-mutilation, some long-term observations of 2 young women are reported. In consequence of their frequent self-mutilation an exstirpation of their uterus had become necessary. Their pathodynamics under reference to the few analogic cases in the literature are outlined.", "PMID": 614613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1127", "title": "[Relations between subjective-psychological, physiological and behavioral levels in endogenous depressions].", "content": "In a longitudinal study of depressed episodes, changes in patients' state were examined by variables on the subjective-psychological, physiological and behavioral levels, respectively. Starting from the hypothesis of a systematic connection of these variables changes in patients' condition were defined from merely one of the above-mentioned levels, i.e. the test-psychological criteria relating to the subjective-psychological level ('Polarit\u00e4tsprofil'). Results based on the rank analysis of covariance are presented which show the complex multivariate correlations between the three levels.", "contents": "[Relations between subjective-psychological, physiological and behavioral levels in endogenous depressions]. In a longitudinal study of depressed episodes, changes in patients' state were examined by variables on the subjective-psychological, physiological and behavioral levels, respectively. Starting from the hypothesis of a systematic connection of these variables changes in patients' condition were defined from merely one of the above-mentioned levels, i.e. the test-psychological criteria relating to the subjective-psychological level ('Polarit\u00e4tsprofil'). Results based on the rank analysis of covariance are presented which show the complex multivariate correlations between the three levels.", "PMID": 614614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1128", "title": "[Microangiographic examination of the normal and diseased gall bladder (author's transl)].", "content": "Microangiographic and anatomical examination of 30 surgically removed gall bladders is reported. The findings in normal subjects and in some forms of chronic disease (lithiatic, atrophic, hypertrophic and porcelain cholecystopathy) are described, illustrated and discussed with reference to signs that aid in the interpretation of angiographic pictures in vivo.", "contents": "[Microangiographic examination of the normal and diseased gall bladder (author's transl)]. Microangiographic and anatomical examination of 30 surgically removed gall bladders is reported. The findings in normal subjects and in some forms of chronic disease (lithiatic, atrophic, hypertrophic and porcelain cholecystopathy) are described, illustrated and discussed with reference to signs that aid in the interpretation of angiographic pictures in vivo.", "PMID": 614616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1129", "title": "[Xerography in the study of soft tissues (author's transl)].", "content": "Xerography has been used for studying soft tissue lesions in 39 patients, a standard film being taken of 25 for comparison purposes. Xerography proved more effective than film radiography in outlining soft tissue masses. Advantages and drawbacks are discussed, stress being laid on radiation dosage.", "contents": "[Xerography in the study of soft tissues (author's transl)]. Xerography has been used for studying soft tissue lesions in 39 patients, a standard film being taken of 25 for comparison purposes. Xerography proved more effective than film radiography in outlining soft tissue masses. Advantages and drawbacks are discussed, stress being laid on radiation dosage.", "PMID": 614617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1130", "title": "[Presence of resistance factors to antibiotics in multiresistant enterobacteria].", "content": "The present study was carried out with 111 multiresistant pathogenic strains of enterobacterias isolated from different sources with increased resistance to three or more antibiotics. Among the identified species are included E. coli, Shigella sp., Salmonella oranienburg, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter freundii. In general, the minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotics was above 100 microgram/ml and in some cases it was superior to 1000 microgram/ml. Resistance transfer factors were detected in 72% of the strains; 33% movilized the complete pattern of resistance and 67% did it partially because some of the determinants were not transfered. The Citrobacter strains show a high frequency of transference (10(-1)), while for the others species it was in the order of 10(-2)--10(-3). The use of a multi-inoculator allows to perform in a simple way the preliminar evaluation about the presence or absence of R transfer factors in multiresistant strains. This technique has shown good correlation with the data obtained by the usual dilution and plating method.", "contents": "[Presence of resistance factors to antibiotics in multiresistant enterobacteria]. The present study was carried out with 111 multiresistant pathogenic strains of enterobacterias isolated from different sources with increased resistance to three or more antibiotics. Among the identified species are included E. coli, Shigella sp., Salmonella oranienburg, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter freundii. In general, the minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotics was above 100 microgram/ml and in some cases it was superior to 1000 microgram/ml. Resistance transfer factors were detected in 72% of the strains; 33% movilized the complete pattern of resistance and 67% did it partially because some of the determinants were not transfered. The Citrobacter strains show a high frequency of transference (10(-1)), while for the others species it was in the order of 10(-2)--10(-3). The use of a multi-inoculator allows to perform in a simple way the preliminar evaluation about the presence or absence of R transfer factors in multiresistant strains. This technique has shown good correlation with the data obtained by the usual dilution and plating method.", "PMID": 614652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1131", "title": "[Experimental infection of goats with Brucella ovis. Bacteriological serological and histopathological studies].", "content": "The susceptibility of adult male goats to Brucella ovis infection was studied. Fifteen goats and fifteen rams both of ages ranging from 22 to 34 months were inoculated conjunctivally with 10(9) cells of B. ovis strain recently isolated from a case of ram epididymitis. Five goats and five rams were killed 78 days after inoculation and similar groups were killed at two month intervals thereafter. B. ovis was recovered from semen of a male goat, 33 and 61 days after inoculation. The five goats sacrificed 78 days after inoculation contained Brucella in their organs. The semen and the tissues of the two other groups remained culturally negative throughout the observation period. Seven cultures were obtained from the semen of 14 rams used comparatively as inoculated controls. Epididymitis was clinically observed only in one male goat although under six presented macroscopic lesions. Seven rams out of the 15 inoculated showed clinical symptoms of epididymitis. Antibodies detectable by complement fixation and immunodiffusion disappeared 80 days after inoculation in goats, while rams reacted during the 189 days period of observation. It is concluded that the B. ovis infection in male goats is transient and the role that they may play in the epizootiology of the disease is negligible.", "contents": "[Experimental infection of goats with Brucella ovis. Bacteriological serological and histopathological studies]. The susceptibility of adult male goats to Brucella ovis infection was studied. Fifteen goats and fifteen rams both of ages ranging from 22 to 34 months were inoculated conjunctivally with 10(9) cells of B. ovis strain recently isolated from a case of ram epididymitis. Five goats and five rams were killed 78 days after inoculation and similar groups were killed at two month intervals thereafter. B. ovis was recovered from semen of a male goat, 33 and 61 days after inoculation. The five goats sacrificed 78 days after inoculation contained Brucella in their organs. The semen and the tissues of the two other groups remained culturally negative throughout the observation period. Seven cultures were obtained from the semen of 14 rams used comparatively as inoculated controls. Epididymitis was clinically observed only in one male goat although under six presented macroscopic lesions. Seven rams out of the 15 inoculated showed clinical symptoms of epididymitis. Antibodies detectable by complement fixation and immunodiffusion disappeared 80 days after inoculation in goats, while rams reacted during the 189 days period of observation. It is concluded that the B. ovis infection in male goats is transient and the role that they may play in the epizootiology of the disease is negligible.", "PMID": 614651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1132", "title": "Malayan filariasis in Central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.", "content": "Seven villages in Central Sulawesi were surveyed in September 1971 and finger blood samples from 3,658 persons examined for microfilariae. Periodic, nocturnal Brugia malayi was endemic in all seven villages with microfilarial rates (Mf-rate) of 10-42% (av. 25%). The median microfilarial density (MfD50) averaged 5.4 and varied from 0.8 to 9.4 microfilariae per 20 microliter of blood. Males had higher Mf-rate and MfD50 value than females and in males Mf-rates and MfD50 values increased with age. In the female population, however, neither Mf-rates or MfD50 values varied significantly with age. Clinical manifestations of filariasis were found in 12% of 2,412 persons examined and only 2% had elephantiasis. Clinical signs of disease with the exception of elephantiasis, showed good correlations with Mf-rates but not with MfD50 values. Transmigrants experienced clinical manifestations of filariasis earlier and more often than the indigenous population.", "contents": "Malayan filariasis in Central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia. Seven villages in Central Sulawesi were surveyed in September 1971 and finger blood samples from 3,658 persons examined for microfilariae. Periodic, nocturnal Brugia malayi was endemic in all seven villages with microfilarial rates (Mf-rate) of 10-42% (av. 25%). The median microfilarial density (MfD50) averaged 5.4 and varied from 0.8 to 9.4 microfilariae per 20 microliter of blood. Males had higher Mf-rate and MfD50 value than females and in males Mf-rates and MfD50 values increased with age. In the female population, however, neither Mf-rates or MfD50 values varied significantly with age. Clinical manifestations of filariasis were found in 12% of 2,412 persons examined and only 2% had elephantiasis. Clinical signs of disease with the exception of elephantiasis, showed good correlations with Mf-rates but not with MfD50 values. Transmigrants experienced clinical manifestations of filariasis earlier and more often than the indigenous population.", "PMID": 614706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1133", "title": "Biomedical survey in North Samar Province, Philippine Islands.", "content": "A biomedical survey was carried out in North Samar Province, Philipines to update information on the prevalence of parasitic and other infectious diseases. A total of 1,394 stool specimens, 1,859 blood smears and 1,274 sera were collected from persons living in 8 barrios. Stools were examined for intestinal parasites, bloods smears for malaria and filariasis and sera tested for antibodies to Schistosoma japonicum, Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, influenza A and B, and Japanese encephalitis virus. The prevalence rates for intestinal parasites were: Trichuris trichiura 90%, Ascaris lumbricoides 78%, hookworm 65%, Schistosoma japonicum 15%, Strongyloides stercoralis 1%, Entamoeba coli 16%, Endolimax nana 6%, entamoeba histolytica 5%, Giardia lamblia 3%, Entaemoeba hartmanii 1%, Chilomastix mesnili 1%. No malaria was found but microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti were detected in 4% of the blood smears; the MfD50 was 12.9. The circumoval precipitin test (COPT) was used to detect antibodies to Schistosoma japonicum and 65% of 994 sera was considered positive. The indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) was used for detecting antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica and Toxoplasma gondii and 5% and 3% of 1,274 sera tested were positive at titers equal to or greater than 1:128 and 1:256, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition tests (HI) were used to detect antibodies to Influenza A2HK68, Influenza A2HK68, Influenza B2T62 and Japanese encephalitis virus and 72%, 12% and 78%, respectively, of 1201 sera were considered positive at titers equal to or greater than 1:20.", "contents": "Biomedical survey in North Samar Province, Philippine Islands. A biomedical survey was carried out in North Samar Province, Philipines to update information on the prevalence of parasitic and other infectious diseases. A total of 1,394 stool specimens, 1,859 blood smears and 1,274 sera were collected from persons living in 8 barrios. Stools were examined for intestinal parasites, bloods smears for malaria and filariasis and sera tested for antibodies to Schistosoma japonicum, Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, influenza A and B, and Japanese encephalitis virus. The prevalence rates for intestinal parasites were: Trichuris trichiura 90%, Ascaris lumbricoides 78%, hookworm 65%, Schistosoma japonicum 15%, Strongyloides stercoralis 1%, Entamoeba coli 16%, Endolimax nana 6%, entamoeba histolytica 5%, Giardia lamblia 3%, Entaemoeba hartmanii 1%, Chilomastix mesnili 1%. No malaria was found but microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti were detected in 4% of the blood smears; the MfD50 was 12.9. The circumoval precipitin test (COPT) was used to detect antibodies to Schistosoma japonicum and 65% of 994 sera was considered positive. The indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) was used for detecting antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica and Toxoplasma gondii and 5% and 3% of 1,274 sera tested were positive at titers equal to or greater than 1:128 and 1:256, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition tests (HI) were used to detect antibodies to Influenza A2HK68, Influenza A2HK68, Influenza B2T62 and Japanese encephalitis virus and 72%, 12% and 78%, respectively, of 1201 sera were considered positive at titers equal to or greater than 1:20.", "PMID": 614707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1134", "title": "Serum vitamin B12, serum and red cell folates, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding proteins in women taking oral contraceptives.", "content": "Serum and red cell folate, FABP, serum vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 binding proteins were determined in 20 women taking oral contraceptives continuously for at least one year. Studies were also performed on 50 apparently healthy women with history of never taken or not taking oral contraceptives for at least one year as a control group. Serum vitamin B12 level, UBBC and TBBC in women taking oral contraceptives were slightly but not significantly lower than those of the control group. TCI and TCIII increased with a decreased TCII, so that UBBC was within the normal limit. Serum folate was non-significantly lower while red cell folate was significantly lower in the oral contraceptive group than those of the control group. However, all cases of the former showed red cell folate over 200 ng/ml. A highly significant increased serum FABP was demonstrated in the women taking oral contraceptives. This was probably due to the increased synthesis of the FABP in order to bind more folate from the low serum folate and the hormonally induced stimulation.", "contents": "Serum vitamin B12, serum and red cell folates, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding proteins in women taking oral contraceptives. Serum and red cell folate, FABP, serum vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 binding proteins were determined in 20 women taking oral contraceptives continuously for at least one year. Studies were also performed on 50 apparently healthy women with history of never taken or not taking oral contraceptives for at least one year as a control group. Serum vitamin B12 level, UBBC and TBBC in women taking oral contraceptives were slightly but not significantly lower than those of the control group. TCI and TCIII increased with a decreased TCII, so that UBBC was within the normal limit. Serum folate was non-significantly lower while red cell folate was significantly lower in the oral contraceptive group than those of the control group. However, all cases of the former showed red cell folate over 200 ng/ml. A highly significant increased serum FABP was demonstrated in the women taking oral contraceptives. This was probably due to the increased synthesis of the FABP in order to bind more folate from the low serum folate and the hormonally induced stimulation.", "PMID": 614708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1135", "title": "Effect of immunization with metabolic antigens on experimental infection of rats with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.", "content": "Immunization of rats with excretions and secretions from an in vitro culture fluid (ES antigens) of adult female Angiostrongylus cantonensis markedly enhanced their resistance to infection by third-stage larvae. Mortality rate, survival period, worm development and worm recovery, determined after a lethal challenge with infective larvae, were compared in immunized and unimmunized animals. With regard to these criteria, the results obtained with animals that had been immunized with ES antigens from adult males were found to be indistinguishable from those of the unimmunized controls. On the contrary, those immunized with ES antigens from adult females had lower mortality rate, increased survival period, and lower worm burden. Both male and female worms recovered from brain and mature adults recovered from pulmonary arteries of rats that had been immunized with female ES antigens were also found to be stunted.", "contents": "Effect of immunization with metabolic antigens on experimental infection of rats with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Immunization of rats with excretions and secretions from an in vitro culture fluid (ES antigens) of adult female Angiostrongylus cantonensis markedly enhanced their resistance to infection by third-stage larvae. Mortality rate, survival period, worm development and worm recovery, determined after a lethal challenge with infective larvae, were compared in immunized and unimmunized animals. With regard to these criteria, the results obtained with animals that had been immunized with ES antigens from adult males were found to be indistinguishable from those of the unimmunized controls. On the contrary, those immunized with ES antigens from adult females had lower mortality rate, increased survival period, and lower worm burden. Both male and female worms recovered from brain and mature adults recovered from pulmonary arteries of rats that had been immunized with female ES antigens were also found to be stunted.", "PMID": 614709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1136", "title": "An investigation on taeniasis and cysticercosis in Bali.", "content": "A survey was carried out in 3 villages in Bali to determine the prevalence of taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in pigs. A total of 548 people were examined and Taenia sp. eggs were found in the faeces of 11. Four individuals passed proglottids; two T. solium and two T. saginata and three of these people also passed eggs in the faeces. A total of 12 or 2.2% were infected. Three pigs from a slaughterhouse were found heavily infected with Cysticercus cellulosae. Socio-ecological data indicate infections to be more common in people who eat raw meat dishes than those who eat fish. Poor sanitary conditions and the easy access of pigs to human faeces perpetuate the infection.", "contents": "An investigation on taeniasis and cysticercosis in Bali. A survey was carried out in 3 villages in Bali to determine the prevalence of taeniasis in humans and cysticercosis in pigs. A total of 548 people were examined and Taenia sp. eggs were found in the faeces of 11. Four individuals passed proglottids; two T. solium and two T. saginata and three of these people also passed eggs in the faeces. A total of 12 or 2.2% were infected. Three pigs from a slaughterhouse were found heavily infected with Cysticercus cellulosae. Socio-ecological data indicate infections to be more common in people who eat raw meat dishes than those who eat fish. Poor sanitary conditions and the easy access of pigs to human faeces perpetuate the infection.", "PMID": 614710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1137", "title": "The beneficial effect of a high protein-calorie diet on a malnourished patient during hospitalization.", "content": "The effect of a high protein-calorie diet was studied on a 45 year-old Thai woman suffering from severe nutritional deficiency i.e. anaemia and multiple vitamin deficiencies. Several clinical chemical parameters in blood, red cells and urine for the assessment of the nutritional status were investigated at the time of admission to the hospital and after two and four weeks hospitalization. The patient was only treated with the high protein-calorie diet of the hospital and did not receive any vitamin supplementation. Only with this treatment the clinical signs disappeared within 4 weeks and also all the biochemical abnormalities returned to normal. With this study it is demonstrated that high multiple vitamin supplementation may not always be necessary for the good treatment and recovery of hospitalized patients suffering from vitamin deficiencies.", "contents": "The beneficial effect of a high protein-calorie diet on a malnourished patient during hospitalization. The effect of a high protein-calorie diet was studied on a 45 year-old Thai woman suffering from severe nutritional deficiency i.e. anaemia and multiple vitamin deficiencies. Several clinical chemical parameters in blood, red cells and urine for the assessment of the nutritional status were investigated at the time of admission to the hospital and after two and four weeks hospitalization. The patient was only treated with the high protein-calorie diet of the hospital and did not receive any vitamin supplementation. Only with this treatment the clinical signs disappeared within 4 weeks and also all the biochemical abnormalities returned to normal. With this study it is demonstrated that high multiple vitamin supplementation may not always be necessary for the good treatment and recovery of hospitalized patients suffering from vitamin deficiencies.", "PMID": 614711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1138", "title": "Larvicidal activity of synthetic pyrethroids against Aedes albopictus (Skuse).", "content": "Nine pyrethroids and nine of its optical and geometrical isomers were tested for insecticidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus. The most active of the pyrethroids was permethrin and its (+)-trans and (+)-cis isomers. Resmethrin, RU 22725 (ethanoresmethrin), NRDC 161 and phenothrin also showed good activity. The potential of using permethrin which has good photostability as a larvicidal insecticide is discussed.", "contents": "Larvicidal activity of synthetic pyrethroids against Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Nine pyrethroids and nine of its optical and geometrical isomers were tested for insecticidal activity against fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus. The most active of the pyrethroids was permethrin and its (+)-trans and (+)-cis isomers. Resmethrin, RU 22725 (ethanoresmethrin), NRDC 161 and phenothrin also showed good activity. The potential of using permethrin which has good photostability as a larvicidal insecticide is discussed.", "PMID": 614712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1139", "title": "Resistant levels of houseflies to six kinds of synthetic insecticides in the Philippines.", "content": "The resistant levels of houseflies to six kinds of insecticides: DDT, Pyrethrins, malathion, Sumithion, Baytex and DDVP, were examined on 15 strains collected in the Philippines. It was found that most housefly colonies in the Philippines showed higher susceptibility to those insecticides than the Takatsuki strains, especially to DDT. The range of LD50 values to malathion were between 1.775 microgram and 0.0975 microgram per fly. Among 15 strains collected in the Philippines, 7 showed higher LD50 values to malathion than the Takatsuki strain. These values mean that the houseflies in the Philippines are increasing their resistance to malathion.", "contents": "Resistant levels of houseflies to six kinds of synthetic insecticides in the Philippines. The resistant levels of houseflies to six kinds of insecticides: DDT, Pyrethrins, malathion, Sumithion, Baytex and DDVP, were examined on 15 strains collected in the Philippines. It was found that most housefly colonies in the Philippines showed higher susceptibility to those insecticides than the Takatsuki strains, especially to DDT. The range of LD50 values to malathion were between 1.775 microgram and 0.0975 microgram per fly. Among 15 strains collected in the Philippines, 7 showed higher LD50 values to malathion than the Takatsuki strain. These values mean that the houseflies in the Philippines are increasing their resistance to malathion.", "PMID": 614713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1140", "title": "Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding proteins in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver.", "content": "Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding protein concentration were determined in 31 patients with primary carcinoma of the liver. Serum vitamin B12 level was found to be higher in 16 of 31 (52%) patients with carcinoma of the liver and the mean value was also significantly higher than that of the control group. There was no significant difference between the mean values of serum UBBC of these 2 groups. TCI and TCIII increased while TCII decreased considerably in the patient group. Serum folate level in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver was significantly lower than that of the control group. About 39% of these patients had serum folate level lower than the lowest value of the control group. Serum FABP in the former group was also significantly higher than that of the latter group.", "contents": "Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding proteins in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver. Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B12 and folic acid binding protein concentration were determined in 31 patients with primary carcinoma of the liver. Serum vitamin B12 level was found to be higher in 16 of 31 (52%) patients with carcinoma of the liver and the mean value was also significantly higher than that of the control group. There was no significant difference between the mean values of serum UBBC of these 2 groups. TCI and TCIII increased while TCII decreased considerably in the patient group. Serum folate level in patients with primary carcinoma of the liver was significantly lower than that of the control group. About 39% of these patients had serum folate level lower than the lowest value of the control group. Serum FABP in the former group was also significantly higher than that of the latter group.", "PMID": 614714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1141", "title": "Observations on mating behavior and survivorship of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (Diptera: culicidae) during late autumn.", "content": "Virgin Culex tritaeniorhynchus males and females from a laboratory strain and the progeny of wild-caught females were released at a rural village on the outskirts of Lahore during late autumn to study mating behavior in nature at a time when population abundance was declining. Although both released and endemic males were numerous, few recaptured females were inseminated. Apparently during late autumn there normally is a cessation of mating activity as the population begins to enter the overwintering diapause condition even though males and virgin females may be readily collected resting in fields. These data suggested that genetic material would not be readily introduced into the overwintering population during late autumn.", "contents": "Observations on mating behavior and survivorship of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (Diptera: culicidae) during late autumn. Virgin Culex tritaeniorhynchus males and females from a laboratory strain and the progeny of wild-caught females were released at a rural village on the outskirts of Lahore during late autumn to study mating behavior in nature at a time when population abundance was declining. Although both released and endemic males were numerous, few recaptured females were inseminated. Apparently during late autumn there normally is a cessation of mating activity as the population begins to enter the overwintering diapause condition even though males and virgin females may be readily collected resting in fields. These data suggested that genetic material would not be readily introduced into the overwintering population during late autumn.", "PMID": 614715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1142", "title": "A probable case of Leishmaniasis (Espundia) acquired in Japan.", "content": "A case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is described in a Japanese patient who had never been abroad, suggesting either contact with an infected person from Brazil or the presence in Japan of indigenous cutaneous leishmaniasis. This case illustrates the value of electron microscopic examination in such infections, since it provided the definitive diagnosis.", "contents": "A probable case of Leishmaniasis (Espundia) acquired in Japan. A case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is described in a Japanese patient who had never been abroad, suggesting either contact with an infected person from Brazil or the presence in Japan of indigenous cutaneous leishmaniasis. This case illustrates the value of electron microscopic examination in such infections, since it provided the definitive diagnosis.", "PMID": 614716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1143", "title": "Disseminated nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse: a case report.", "content": "A 24-year-old Thai woman receiving corticosteroid treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, developed pulmonary nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse. The correct diagnosis was reached when dissemination had occurred which was characterized by two subcutaneous abscesses and acute uveitis of the right eye. Gram stain of sputum and pus revealed delicate, branching, Gram-positive filamentous mycelia which were identified as Nocardia asteroides on culture. Subcutaneous abscesses and exophthalmos disappeared after one week of therapy and she made an uneventful recovery.", "contents": "Disseminated nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse: a case report. A 24-year-old Thai woman receiving corticosteroid treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, developed pulmonary nocardiosis after pulmonary collapse. The correct diagnosis was reached when dissemination had occurred which was characterized by two subcutaneous abscesses and acute uveitis of the right eye. Gram stain of sputum and pus revealed delicate, branching, Gram-positive filamentous mycelia which were identified as Nocardia asteroides on culture. Subcutaneous abscesses and exophthalmos disappeared after one week of therapy and she made an uneventful recovery.", "PMID": 614717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1144", "title": "[Differentiation behavior of the mesodermal germinal sone of differently old pregastrulation stages of Ambystoma mexicanum. Cultivation of untreated and lithium-treated isolates].", "content": "Isolates from the dorsal, lateral and ventral area of the marginal zone are showing differentiation capacities already in the stage of early morula. The composition of the differentiation pattern alters: ecto- and mesodermal tissues are realized until the late morula. Beyond these, endodermal structures are visible with the stage of early blastula. After a mild Li treatment of the isolates the differentiation pattern of the marginal zone shows significant modifications. Ectodermal organs are registered to a lesser degree. Gut-structures are already visible within the stage of middle morula. The capacity for gut-differentiation is not restricted to only the lateral and ventral areas but is also observed in the dorsal region of the marginal zone. The results of experiments are discussed on the basis of Nieuwkoop's formation of the mesoderm in urodelean amphibians.", "contents": "[Differentiation behavior of the mesodermal germinal sone of differently old pregastrulation stages of Ambystoma mexicanum. Cultivation of untreated and lithium-treated isolates]. Isolates from the dorsal, lateral and ventral area of the marginal zone are showing differentiation capacities already in the stage of early morula. The composition of the differentiation pattern alters: ecto- and mesodermal tissues are realized until the late morula. Beyond these, endodermal structures are visible with the stage of early blastula. After a mild Li treatment of the isolates the differentiation pattern of the marginal zone shows significant modifications. Ectodermal organs are registered to a lesser degree. Gut-structures are already visible within the stage of middle morula. The capacity for gut-differentiation is not restricted to only the lateral and ventral areas but is also observed in the dorsal region of the marginal zone. The results of experiments are discussed on the basis of Nieuwkoop's formation of the mesoderm in urodelean amphibians.", "PMID": 614737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1145", "title": "The development of the myo-tendinous junction in the upper extremity of mouse embryos (days 15 p.c.--1 p.p.).", "content": "The development of the myo-tendinous junction in the upper extremity of mouse embryos of days 15 p.c. to 1 p.p. was studied electron microscopically. In the region of the myo-tendinous junction two cell types can be differentiated (muscle cells, fibroblasts) which undergo characteristic changes during the course of their development: The muscle cells show an increase in contractile material, the fibroblasts show a massive collagen production. The myo-tendinous junction is characterised by the appearance of four structures: 1. Irregular pattern of the plasma membrane resulting from intracellular membrane vesiculations in defined areas under the cell membrane on the longitudinal side as well as the end of the muscle fibre. These membrane vesiculations can break through to the cell membrane, thus leading to cell invaginations appearing in large amounts up to day 1 p.p. 2. Densifications of the plasma membrane towards the cell centre. 3. Insertion of the myofilaments of the muscle fibre at the desinfications of the plasma membrane (hemidesmosomes). 4. Insertion of collagen filaments in the extracellular space into the basement membrane which then also appears densified. The mechanical stress transmission seems therefore to be dependent upon the adhesion between myofibrils, plasma membrane, basement membrane and collagenous filaments.", "contents": "The development of the myo-tendinous junction in the upper extremity of mouse embryos (days 15 p.c.--1 p.p.). The development of the myo-tendinous junction in the upper extremity of mouse embryos of days 15 p.c. to 1 p.p. was studied electron microscopically. In the region of the myo-tendinous junction two cell types can be differentiated (muscle cells, fibroblasts) which undergo characteristic changes during the course of their development: The muscle cells show an increase in contractile material, the fibroblasts show a massive collagen production. The myo-tendinous junction is characterised by the appearance of four structures: 1. Irregular pattern of the plasma membrane resulting from intracellular membrane vesiculations in defined areas under the cell membrane on the longitudinal side as well as the end of the muscle fibre. These membrane vesiculations can break through to the cell membrane, thus leading to cell invaginations appearing in large amounts up to day 1 p.p. 2. Densifications of the plasma membrane towards the cell centre. 3. Insertion of the myofilaments of the muscle fibre at the desinfications of the plasma membrane (hemidesmosomes). 4. Insertion of collagen filaments in the extracellular space into the basement membrane which then also appears densified. The mechanical stress transmission seems therefore to be dependent upon the adhesion between myofibrils, plasma membrane, basement membrane and collagenous filaments.", "PMID": 614738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1146", "title": "Preliminary study of the regenerative processes of the dorsal cortex of the telencephalon of Lacerta viridis.", "content": "The authors removed from Lacerta viridis specimens part of the dorsal hippocampus of one telencephalic hemisphere. The animals were sacrificed 110 and 260 days after the operation; 24 hours before the operation on the encephalon, each was dosed with 6--3H thymidine. An examination of the historadiographic slides showed a clear remedial process in the operated area which, 260 days after has renewed in thickness but was still minus its characteristic cellular layer. The area of the telencephalon affected by the remedial process was examined by the authors and they have put forward the hypothesis that in relation to the type of operation performed, said area is localized prevalently in the dorsal hippocampus of the caudal half of the telencephalic hemispherg. The authors have also shown that the remedial procress, though attenuated is still in progress. 260 days after the operation.", "contents": "Preliminary study of the regenerative processes of the dorsal cortex of the telencephalon of Lacerta viridis. The authors removed from Lacerta viridis specimens part of the dorsal hippocampus of one telencephalic hemisphere. The animals were sacrificed 110 and 260 days after the operation; 24 hours before the operation on the encephalon, each was dosed with 6--3H thymidine. An examination of the historadiographic slides showed a clear remedial process in the operated area which, 260 days after has renewed in thickness but was still minus its characteristic cellular layer. The area of the telencephalon affected by the remedial process was examined by the authors and they have put forward the hypothesis that in relation to the type of operation performed, said area is localized prevalently in the dorsal hippocampus of the caudal half of the telencephalic hemispherg. The authors have also shown that the remedial procress, though attenuated is still in progress. 260 days after the operation.", "PMID": 614739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1147", "title": "Effect of follicle stimulating hormone on female Catla catla (Ham.).", "content": "The exogenously administered FSH in Catla catla clearly reveals that a dose of 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg of FSH does not have any marked effect on the ovary, but the vitellogenesis begins with a further dose of 0.2 mg of the same. A rapid accumulation of yolk is recorded in the primary oocytes with a total dose of 0.8 mg of FSH, however, this much hormone is not enough for the spawning. The latter has been recorded with 1.0 mg of FSH which swifts with a dose of 1.2 mg of FSH. The number of mature follicle declines with 1.4 mg of FSH whereas no empty follicle is seen with the same treatment. With each addition of 0.2 mg of FSH upto 2.0 mg the number of oogonia and primary oocytes increases while maturing and mature follicles show a downward tendency.", "contents": "Effect of follicle stimulating hormone on female Catla catla (Ham.). The exogenously administered FSH in Catla catla clearly reveals that a dose of 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg of FSH does not have any marked effect on the ovary, but the vitellogenesis begins with a further dose of 0.2 mg of the same. A rapid accumulation of yolk is recorded in the primary oocytes with a total dose of 0.8 mg of FSH, however, this much hormone is not enough for the spawning. The latter has been recorded with 1.0 mg of FSH which swifts with a dose of 1.2 mg of FSH. The number of mature follicle declines with 1.4 mg of FSH whereas no empty follicle is seen with the same treatment. With each addition of 0.2 mg of FSH upto 2.0 mg the number of oogonia and primary oocytes increases while maturing and mature follicles show a downward tendency.", "PMID": 614741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1148", "title": "[Effect of sensory stimulation on the lamina V pyramidal neurons of the gyrus cinguli in the rat].", "content": "Three groups of Wistar-rats were exposed to permanent noise (80 db) during different periods in their postnatal life: the first group was exposed starting from birth for a period of four weeks, the second one from birth up to nine weeks of age and the third group from the fifth up to the ninth week postnatal. A fourth group (control animals) was reared under normal laboratory conditions. After the experiments the brains were exposed to a modified GOLGI-method. In lamina-V-pyramids of the gyrus cinguli lightmicroscopical results: length, number and distribution of spines on the main apical dendrites and on the apical dendritic branches where evaluated. 1. Permanent noise during the early postnatal development phase of the brain of rats (from birth up to the fourth week of age) causes a statistically significant increase of apical spines. The spines-values are 20% above those of the control animals. 2. Permanent noise from birth up to the ninth week of age or applied only during the later postnatal period (from the fifth week up to the ninth week of age) does not significantly alterate the spines-value. 3. The results are estimated as a consequence of extreme environmental factors causing effects, comparable with an universal stress reaction. Conclusions were discussed in comparison to the results of other authors.", "contents": "[Effect of sensory stimulation on the lamina V pyramidal neurons of the gyrus cinguli in the rat]. Three groups of Wistar-rats were exposed to permanent noise (80 db) during different periods in their postnatal life: the first group was exposed starting from birth for a period of four weeks, the second one from birth up to nine weeks of age and the third group from the fifth up to the ninth week postnatal. A fourth group (control animals) was reared under normal laboratory conditions. After the experiments the brains were exposed to a modified GOLGI-method. In lamina-V-pyramids of the gyrus cinguli lightmicroscopical results: length, number and distribution of spines on the main apical dendrites and on the apical dendritic branches where evaluated. 1. Permanent noise during the early postnatal development phase of the brain of rats (from birth up to the fourth week of age) causes a statistically significant increase of apical spines. The spines-values are 20% above those of the control animals. 2. Permanent noise from birth up to the ninth week of age or applied only during the later postnatal period (from the fifth week up to the ninth week of age) does not significantly alterate the spines-value. 3. The results are estimated as a consequence of extreme environmental factors causing effects, comparable with an universal stress reaction. Conclusions were discussed in comparison to the results of other authors.", "PMID": 614742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1149", "title": "Regeneration of proximal and distal part of hydra body cut in the middle of gastral cavity and treated with dactinomycine.", "content": "Hydras were cut in the middle of the gastral part of the body. The part with the hypostome is marked as H, and the one with the foot as P. Both parts were treated with actinomycine D in 0,5 mg : 200 ml water solution. H-parts are much more sensitive to the effect of actinomycine than P-parts, and P lives considerably longer. It is supposed that such reaction are the result of specificity of H and P cell composition, and of the growth direction which is characteristic of hydra in general. H-part has a proportionally greater number of differentiated cells and this relatively smaller number of non-differentiated cells is spent in it quicker than in P-part in which they are more numerous. The growth direction has a decisive influence on further life of H- respectively P-part. Namely, H- in growth direction does not have any damaged body regions (hypostome and tentacles are intact) and it lacks the amputated P-part i.e. gastral region with foot: the region which is on the opposite side of growth direction of hydra. H-part has all the characteristic cells of this body region, so after amputation mostly it does not change. Unfavourable effect of citostatic manifests sooner and H-part desintegrates quicker. On the contrary, P-part lacks the hypostome with tentacles, and these are the body parts in the growth direction. Zimogen cells can dedifferentiate and differentiate. The hypostome and tentacles regenerate as far as is allowed by actinomycine.", "contents": "Regeneration of proximal and distal part of hydra body cut in the middle of gastral cavity and treated with dactinomycine. Hydras were cut in the middle of the gastral part of the body. The part with the hypostome is marked as H, and the one with the foot as P. Both parts were treated with actinomycine D in 0,5 mg : 200 ml water solution. H-parts are much more sensitive to the effect of actinomycine than P-parts, and P lives considerably longer. It is supposed that such reaction are the result of specificity of H and P cell composition, and of the growth direction which is characteristic of hydra in general. H-part has a proportionally greater number of differentiated cells and this relatively smaller number of non-differentiated cells is spent in it quicker than in P-part in which they are more numerous. The growth direction has a decisive influence on further life of H- respectively P-part. Namely, H- in growth direction does not have any damaged body regions (hypostome and tentacles are intact) and it lacks the amputated P-part i.e. gastral region with foot: the region which is on the opposite side of growth direction of hydra. H-part has all the characteristic cells of this body region, so after amputation mostly it does not change. Unfavourable effect of citostatic manifests sooner and H-part desintegrates quicker. On the contrary, P-part lacks the hypostome with tentacles, and these are the body parts in the growth direction. Zimogen cells can dedifferentiate and differentiate. The hypostome and tentacles regenerate as far as is allowed by actinomycine.", "PMID": 614743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1150", "title": "Mitotic index and cell nuclear volume of zona fasciculata externa in processes of postnatal growth of rat adrenals.", "content": "Mitotic index and nuclear volume of the zona fasciculata externa have been studied using male and female Wistar rats weighing 20, 50, 100, 250 and 300 g. Adrenal weight of females was greater than of males. Early postnatal growth of adrenals was attained at the expense of intensity of mitotic division. With age mitotic division decreased but cell hypertrophy developed. Cell hypertrophy in females began at an early age and was more marked than in males.", "contents": "Mitotic index and cell nuclear volume of zona fasciculata externa in processes of postnatal growth of rat adrenals. Mitotic index and nuclear volume of the zona fasciculata externa have been studied using male and female Wistar rats weighing 20, 50, 100, 250 and 300 g. Adrenal weight of females was greater than of males. Early postnatal growth of adrenals was attained at the expense of intensity of mitotic division. With age mitotic division decreased but cell hypertrophy developed. Cell hypertrophy in females began at an early age and was more marked than in males.", "PMID": 614744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1151", "title": "Studies on the structure of animal ribosomes. VIII. Application of a digital image processing method to the enhancement of electron micrographs of small ribosomal subunits.", "content": "Electron micrographs of negatively stained small subunits of rat liver ribosomes have been processed by computer-assisted accumulation. The resulting micrographs are characterized by a significant noise suppression and enhancement of image details.", "contents": "Studies on the structure of animal ribosomes. VIII. Application of a digital image processing method to the enhancement of electron micrographs of small ribosomal subunits. Electron micrographs of negatively stained small subunits of rat liver ribosomes have been processed by computer-assisted accumulation. The resulting micrographs are characterized by a significant noise suppression and enhancement of image details.", "PMID": 614745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1152", "title": "[Uptake of (3H)-leucine into the total proteins of various Sommer's sectors of the rat hippocampus in vivo and in vitro].", "content": "The incorporation of 4.3-3H-L-leucine into total proteins of different Sommer's sectors of the rat hippocampus was studied. The labelling of the acid-soluble supernatant purified through anion exchanger, the specific activity of the proteins and the relative specific activity of the proteins following intraventricular and intraperitoneal application of 3H leucine were determined in vivo and, on hippocampal slices, in vitro. It has been consistently demonstrated in all experimental models that leucine is incorporated into total proteins of the hippocampal structures to a varying degree, the highest label being observed in the region \"CA3\". The findings seem to reflect differences in the protein synthesis of the individual hippocampal sectors. However, this conclusion was possible only on the basis of resuls taken as a whole, since each experimental model was afflicted with different methodical drawbacks limiting the interpretation of the results obtained.", "contents": "[Uptake of (3H)-leucine into the total proteins of various Sommer's sectors of the rat hippocampus in vivo and in vitro]. The incorporation of 4.3-3H-L-leucine into total proteins of different Sommer's sectors of the rat hippocampus was studied. The labelling of the acid-soluble supernatant purified through anion exchanger, the specific activity of the proteins and the relative specific activity of the proteins following intraventricular and intraperitoneal application of 3H leucine were determined in vivo and, on hippocampal slices, in vitro. It has been consistently demonstrated in all experimental models that leucine is incorporated into total proteins of the hippocampal structures to a varying degree, the highest label being observed in the region \"CA3\". The findings seem to reflect differences in the protein synthesis of the individual hippocampal sectors. However, this conclusion was possible only on the basis of resuls taken as a whole, since each experimental model was afflicted with different methodical drawbacks limiting the interpretation of the results obtained.", "PMID": 614746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1153", "title": "[Uptake of acetate by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus].", "content": "The uptake of acetate by intact nongrowing cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was studied in dependence on the C-source (acetate, n-alcanes, yeast extract, succinate, L-malate) and the growth phase. Single kinetic parameters of acetate uptake were determined. The best acetate uptake was observed with cells cultivated with acetate as the only C-source. Bacteria in the early growth phase were found to transfer acetate twice as fast as cells of the late logarithmic growth phase. The uptake of acetate can be described by a biphasic saturation kinetics with 2 Km values: the Km value for the first phase being 1.10(-5) M, and for the second one, 1.8 .10(-4) M. The corresponding maximal uptake rates are 8 and 37 mM/min/mg dry weight, respectively. Alpha-ketoglutarate, fumarate, L-malate, and oxalacetate inhibit the initial uptake of acetate. Uranylacetate, inhibitors of the respiratory chain and proton conductors in part completely inhibit the uptake of acetate.", "contents": "[Uptake of acetate by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus]. The uptake of acetate by intact nongrowing cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was studied in dependence on the C-source (acetate, n-alcanes, yeast extract, succinate, L-malate) and the growth phase. Single kinetic parameters of acetate uptake were determined. The best acetate uptake was observed with cells cultivated with acetate as the only C-source. Bacteria in the early growth phase were found to transfer acetate twice as fast as cells of the late logarithmic growth phase. The uptake of acetate can be described by a biphasic saturation kinetics with 2 Km values: the Km value for the first phase being 1.10(-5) M, and for the second one, 1.8 .10(-4) M. The corresponding maximal uptake rates are 8 and 37 mM/min/mg dry weight, respectively. Alpha-ketoglutarate, fumarate, L-malate, and oxalacetate inhibit the initial uptake of acetate. Uranylacetate, inhibitors of the respiratory chain and proton conductors in part completely inhibit the uptake of acetate.", "PMID": 614747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1154", "title": "[Interactions between the components of the cytochrome P-450-monoxygenase system from liver microsomes. III. N-demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450 relative to the degree of its integration].", "content": "Preceding experiments on the immobilization of the multi-component P-450 (LM) system, in which hte order of the first-immobilized component had been varied, gave evidence that the enzymatic activity depends on the degree of association. The present paper deals with the relationship between the degree of association and the demethylase activity. With rising concentrations of the detergent (Triton N-101) up to 0.2%, ultracentrifugation experiments have shown a steady decrease of the sedimentation coefficient from 20-22 down to 4.5 [S]. The demethylase activity (substrate benzphetamine) of the immobilized P-450 declines on reconstitution with solubilized reductase with raising degree of monomerization: 61% (0.02% Triton N-101) and 23% (0.2% Triton N-101) as compared with untreated fixed P-450 equals 100%. The demethylase activity can be increased by raising the reductase concentration in the test preparation.", "contents": "[Interactions between the components of the cytochrome P-450-monoxygenase system from liver microsomes. III. N-demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450 relative to the degree of its integration]. Preceding experiments on the immobilization of the multi-component P-450 (LM) system, in which hte order of the first-immobilized component had been varied, gave evidence that the enzymatic activity depends on the degree of association. The present paper deals with the relationship between the degree of association and the demethylase activity. With rising concentrations of the detergent (Triton N-101) up to 0.2%, ultracentrifugation experiments have shown a steady decrease of the sedimentation coefficient from 20-22 down to 4.5 [S]. The demethylase activity (substrate benzphetamine) of the immobilized P-450 declines on reconstitution with solubilized reductase with raising degree of monomerization: 61% (0.02% Triton N-101) and 23% (0.2% Triton N-101) as compared with untreated fixed P-450 equals 100%. The demethylase activity can be increased by raising the reductase concentration in the test preparation.", "PMID": 614748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1155", "title": "[Muscle activity and heart rate during rhythmical work on the hand ergometer. I. Heart rate, bioelectric muscle activity and mechanogram relative to the strength of contraction].", "content": "The experiments were carried out on 11 subjects ranging in the age from 23 to 37 years. Heart rate, integrated electrical activity from 4 muscles of the forearm and the hand and mechanical activity were measured simultaneously during rhythmical work using a hand-ergometer. The strength of the dynamic contractions was 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of a maximal voluntary contraction. The mean values of the maximal voluntary contraction obtained on male subjects were 57.3 kp and on female subjects 33.2 kp. The results showed that during dynamic contractions mechanical activity was related to the integrated electrical activity and both integrated electrial activity of 3 muscles and heart rate were linearly related to the load. The correlation coefficients for the EMG/EMG relationships of different muscles and for the EMG/heart rate varied between 0.83 and 0.98.", "contents": "[Muscle activity and heart rate during rhythmical work on the hand ergometer. I. Heart rate, bioelectric muscle activity and mechanogram relative to the strength of contraction]. The experiments were carried out on 11 subjects ranging in the age from 23 to 37 years. Heart rate, integrated electrical activity from 4 muscles of the forearm and the hand and mechanical activity were measured simultaneously during rhythmical work using a hand-ergometer. The strength of the dynamic contractions was 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of a maximal voluntary contraction. The mean values of the maximal voluntary contraction obtained on male subjects were 57.3 kp and on female subjects 33.2 kp. The results showed that during dynamic contractions mechanical activity was related to the integrated electrical activity and both integrated electrial activity of 3 muscles and heart rate were linearly related to the load. The correlation coefficients for the EMG/EMG relationships of different muscles and for the EMG/heart rate varied between 0.83 and 0.98.", "PMID": 614749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1156", "title": "[Spectrum analysis of stabilograms with special reference to changes following whole body vibration].", "content": "The location of the body's gravicenter in the horizontal plane was measured by means of a force platform. The 4 male subjects stood upright with eyes closed. Power-density spectra of the frontal and sagittal stabilograms were estimated. Repeated investigations made it possible to assess intraindividual variability and to evaluate significant interindividual differences. The power spectral density was not altered by a controlled sitting posture observed for 30 min. Low-frequency whole-body vibration with an exposure time of 30 min and a permissible level according to the \"fatigue decreased proficiency boundary\" (International Standard ISO 2631) induced a significant increase of the power spectral density below 0.25 Hz and a decrease above this frequency. The results indicate that the power density spectral analysis of stabilograms is a suitable method for evaluating a biological effect of vibration.", "contents": "[Spectrum analysis of stabilograms with special reference to changes following whole body vibration]. The location of the body's gravicenter in the horizontal plane was measured by means of a force platform. The 4 male subjects stood upright with eyes closed. Power-density spectra of the frontal and sagittal stabilograms were estimated. Repeated investigations made it possible to assess intraindividual variability and to evaluate significant interindividual differences. The power spectral density was not altered by a controlled sitting posture observed for 30 min. Low-frequency whole-body vibration with an exposure time of 30 min and a permissible level according to the \"fatigue decreased proficiency boundary\" (International Standard ISO 2631) induced a significant increase of the power spectral density below 0.25 Hz and a decrease above this frequency. The results indicate that the power density spectral analysis of stabilograms is a suitable method for evaluating a biological effect of vibration.", "PMID": 614750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1157", "title": "[Interpretation of pulse curves by means of the Walsh analysis].", "content": "A method for classification of medical data using the Walsh transformation is demonstrated. The Walsh spectrum was obtained by the algorithm of Andrews-Kane-Pratt. The spectral points were used to declare the signals normal or abnormal. The example described in this paper shows that in the case of pulse wave the classification is successful in 93 percent.", "contents": "[Interpretation of pulse curves by means of the Walsh analysis]. A method for classification of medical data using the Walsh transformation is demonstrated. The Walsh spectrum was obtained by the algorithm of Andrews-Kane-Pratt. The spectral points were used to declare the signals normal or abnormal. The example described in this paper shows that in the case of pulse wave the classification is successful in 93 percent.", "PMID": 614751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1158", "title": "[Pathomorphological reactions and noradrenalin content of the heart after administration of depot angiotensin in trained and untrained rats].", "content": "A 14-days' training of rats designed to adapt the animals to the procedure of blood-pressure measurement caused in the myocardium a decrease, in serum an increase in noradrenaline ( NA) content. The latter remained unchanged following 3 days of treatment with 2.5 mg depot angiotensin II (AII) but decreased by more than one-half in the myocardium of untreated animals, and increased in serum. Despite the considerable difference in myocardial NA content and blood-pressure behaviour, both trained and untrained rats showed the same morphological reactions following administration of A II. These myocardial alterations which largely correspond to the so-called epinephrine myocarditis should not therefore be due solely to NA action; rather, the involvement of A II should be considered also.", "contents": "[Pathomorphological reactions and noradrenalin content of the heart after administration of depot angiotensin in trained and untrained rats]. A 14-days' training of rats designed to adapt the animals to the procedure of blood-pressure measurement caused in the myocardium a decrease, in serum an increase in noradrenaline ( NA) content. The latter remained unchanged following 3 days of treatment with 2.5 mg depot angiotensin II (AII) but decreased by more than one-half in the myocardium of untreated animals, and increased in serum. Despite the considerable difference in myocardial NA content and blood-pressure behaviour, both trained and untrained rats showed the same morphological reactions following administration of A II. These myocardial alterations which largely correspond to the so-called epinephrine myocarditis should not therefore be due solely to NA action; rather, the involvement of A II should be considered also.", "PMID": 614752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1159", "title": "Effect of quinestrol on plasma lipids in women.", "content": "The effect of Quinestrol (3-0-cyclopentyl-17alpha-ethinyl-1, 3, 5 (10)-triene-3,17-diol), a long acting estrogenic contraceptive steroid, on plasma lipids has been studied in ten women for three months. It was found to lower plasma free fatty acids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters, but to increase plasma phospholipids and triglycerides. The possible causes of these alterations are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of quinestrol on plasma lipids in women. The effect of Quinestrol (3-0-cyclopentyl-17alpha-ethinyl-1, 3, 5 (10)-triene-3,17-diol), a long acting estrogenic contraceptive steroid, on plasma lipids has been studied in ten women for three months. It was found to lower plasma free fatty acids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters, but to increase plasma phospholipids and triglycerides. The possible causes of these alterations are discussed.", "PMID": 614753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1160", "title": "Relationship between the neuromuscular blocking effect of gentamicin and streptomycin and their concentration in blood.", "content": "The principle of the analysis of concentration-response relationships is valid in the case if the effective course is defined by a logistic function and the drug distribution is approximated by a two-compartment model. The method of calculation the data to construct the curves describing the dependence of the effect on drug concentration in the central and in peripheral compartments was elaborated. The relations between the concentrations of gentamicin and streptomycin and their peripheral neuromuscular blocking effect were investigated experimentally on cats. The blocking action of both drugs is evident at concentrations higher than the drug serum levels after administration of therapeutic doses, gentamicin being more active.", "contents": "Relationship between the neuromuscular blocking effect of gentamicin and streptomycin and their concentration in blood. The principle of the analysis of concentration-response relationships is valid in the case if the effective course is defined by a logistic function and the drug distribution is approximated by a two-compartment model. The method of calculation the data to construct the curves describing the dependence of the effect on drug concentration in the central and in peripheral compartments was elaborated. The relations between the concentrations of gentamicin and streptomycin and their peripheral neuromuscular blocking effect were investigated experimentally on cats. The blocking action of both drugs is evident at concentrations higher than the drug serum levels after administration of therapeutic doses, gentamicin being more active.", "PMID": 614754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1161", "title": "[Animal experimental studies on the thrombolytic effect of ocrase].", "content": "The thrombolytic effect of \"ocrase\", a protease isolated from Aspergillus ochraceus, was investigated in animal experiments. To prevent general hyperproteolysis a protease dose was used which was was neutralized by the inhibitors in the blood of the animals. Experimentally produced deposition and clotting thrombi in peripheral venous or arterial vessels of mice, rats, dwarf pigs and dogs were lysed by regional and systemic administration, and the therapeutic result was estimated by vital microscopy, rheography or angiography. Coronary thrombosis induced in dwarf pigs was treated semilocally with ocrase, and the therapeutic result was followed by ECG and angiography.", "contents": "[Animal experimental studies on the thrombolytic effect of ocrase]. The thrombolytic effect of \"ocrase\", a protease isolated from Aspergillus ochraceus, was investigated in animal experiments. To prevent general hyperproteolysis a protease dose was used which was was neutralized by the inhibitors in the blood of the animals. Experimentally produced deposition and clotting thrombi in peripheral venous or arterial vessels of mice, rats, dwarf pigs and dogs were lysed by regional and systemic administration, and the therapeutic result was estimated by vital microscopy, rheography or angiography. Coronary thrombosis induced in dwarf pigs was treated semilocally with ocrase, and the therapeutic result was followed by ECG and angiography.", "PMID": 614755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1162", "title": "Basal hyperinsulinemia in Wistar-rats rendered obese by a high-fat diet.", "content": "Basal plasma insulin levels were measured in Wistar-rats rendered obese by feeding a high-fat diet (50% fat, w/w). During the period of rapid weight-gaining (\"dynamic phase\" of the development of obesity) fat-fed rats show elevated basal insulin levels in the peripheral blood plasma. No further enhancement occurred in the so-called \"static phase\" of obesity. Changing the feeding schedule at 20 weeks of age, e.g. feeding control diets (3% fat, w/v) for 4 weeks to fatty rats, results in a depression of insulin levels to control values together with a reduction of the body weight. The findings are discussed in relation to the dietary induced alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of obese rats.", "contents": "Basal hyperinsulinemia in Wistar-rats rendered obese by a high-fat diet. Basal plasma insulin levels were measured in Wistar-rats rendered obese by feeding a high-fat diet (50% fat, w/w). During the period of rapid weight-gaining (\"dynamic phase\" of the development of obesity) fat-fed rats show elevated basal insulin levels in the peripheral blood plasma. No further enhancement occurred in the so-called \"static phase\" of obesity. Changing the feeding schedule at 20 weeks of age, e.g. feeding control diets (3% fat, w/v) for 4 weeks to fatty rats, results in a depression of insulin levels to control values together with a reduction of the body weight. The findings are discussed in relation to the dietary induced alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of obese rats.", "PMID": 614758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1163", "title": "[Relationship of inotropic vagal effects to stretching of the atrium].", "content": "Isolated left rabbit atria were tested. Preparations are vagal innervated and driven by a constant frequency. Isovolumetric contractions, volumes of the auricles and intraatrial pressures were recorded. With increasing intraatrial pressure the effectivity of peripheral nerve-ending stimulation decreases. There exists a critical value of atrial area. The vagal effectivity will decrease rapidly, if the atrial surface increases higher than this critical value by stretching the auricles.", "contents": "[Relationship of inotropic vagal effects to stretching of the atrium]. Isolated left rabbit atria were tested. Preparations are vagal innervated and driven by a constant frequency. Isovolumetric contractions, volumes of the auricles and intraatrial pressures were recorded. With increasing intraatrial pressure the effectivity of peripheral nerve-ending stimulation decreases. There exists a critical value of atrial area. The vagal effectivity will decrease rapidly, if the atrial surface increases higher than this critical value by stretching the auricles.", "PMID": 614759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1164", "title": "Nicotine-like effect of prostaglandin F2alpha on longitudinal smooth muscle of cat jejunum.", "content": "The effect of hexamethonium (1 x 10(-6) M) chlorpromazine (1 x 10(-6) M) and physostigmine (1 x 10(-7) M) on the spastic effects of PGF2alpha (3 x 10(-7) M), PGE1 (3 x 10(-7) M) acetylcholine (1 x 10(-8) M) and nicotine (1 x 10(-7) M), was studied on isolated longitudinal smooth muscle of cat jejunum. The contractile effects of PGF2alpha and nicotine were found to decrease on an analogous scale as a result of hexamethonium and chlorpromasine administration and to be potentiated by physostigmine. Hexamethonium and chorpromazine do not influence significantly the spastic effects of acetylcholine, physostigmine potentiates them less markedly. Hexamethonium reduces whereas physostigmine and chlorpromazine potentiate the contractile effect of PGE1. Taking into consideration also the results of previous studies (Petkov, Radomirov, 1977), it is assumed that the contractile effect of PGF2chi on the longitudinal muscle of cat jejunum is at least partly mediated through ganglionic stimulation, i.e. the mechanism of the spastic action of PGF2chi on the smooth muscle used has at least partly a nicotine-like character.", "contents": "Nicotine-like effect of prostaglandin F2alpha on longitudinal smooth muscle of cat jejunum. The effect of hexamethonium (1 x 10(-6) M) chlorpromazine (1 x 10(-6) M) and physostigmine (1 x 10(-7) M) on the spastic effects of PGF2alpha (3 x 10(-7) M), PGE1 (3 x 10(-7) M) acetylcholine (1 x 10(-8) M) and nicotine (1 x 10(-7) M), was studied on isolated longitudinal smooth muscle of cat jejunum. The contractile effects of PGF2alpha and nicotine were found to decrease on an analogous scale as a result of hexamethonium and chlorpromasine administration and to be potentiated by physostigmine. Hexamethonium and chorpromazine do not influence significantly the spastic effects of acetylcholine, physostigmine potentiates them less markedly. Hexamethonium reduces whereas physostigmine and chlorpromazine potentiate the contractile effect of PGE1. Taking into consideration also the results of previous studies (Petkov, Radomirov, 1977), it is assumed that the contractile effect of PGF2chi on the longitudinal muscle of cat jejunum is at least partly mediated through ganglionic stimulation, i.e. the mechanism of the spastic action of PGF2chi on the smooth muscle used has at least partly a nicotine-like character.", "PMID": 614761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1165", "title": "On some relationships between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the cholinergic mechanisms in pentylenetetrazol convulsions.", "content": "In experiments on albino mice with pentylenetetrazol convulsions it has been found that GABA, introduced intracerebroventricularly in a dose of 100 microgram/mouse, has a marked anticonvulsive effect. Scopolamine in doses of 1, 10 and 50 mg/kg i. p. does not influence significantly the convulsive-seizure reactions, while spasmolytin inhibits them only in large doses (80 mg/kg weight). The inhibitory effect of GABA does not change significantly on the background of scopolamine, while spasmolytin in a dose of 50 mg/kg (and to a lesser extent 80 mg/kg) antagonizes the inhibitory effect of GABA. Arecoline in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg inhibits to a certain extent the convulsive-seizure reactions, and in doses of 10 mg/kg it potentiates the effect of GABA. Physostigmine in doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg has no significant effect, while in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg its effect is inhibitory. On the background of the two higher physostigmine doses, however, the anticonvulsive effect of GABA is markedly decreased. The results show that changes in the functional activity level of the brain cholinergic systems lead to changes in the inhibitory effect of GABA on the convulsive reactivity. The mechanisms of these correlations are complex. However, the results are in support of the view that the balance between the different neurotransmitter systems in the brain and not a separate specifically responsible neurotransmitter system, are of decisive significance for the convulsive excitability and reactivity.", "contents": "On some relationships between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the cholinergic mechanisms in pentylenetetrazol convulsions. In experiments on albino mice with pentylenetetrazol convulsions it has been found that GABA, introduced intracerebroventricularly in a dose of 100 microgram/mouse, has a marked anticonvulsive effect. Scopolamine in doses of 1, 10 and 50 mg/kg i. p. does not influence significantly the convulsive-seizure reactions, while spasmolytin inhibits them only in large doses (80 mg/kg weight). The inhibitory effect of GABA does not change significantly on the background of scopolamine, while spasmolytin in a dose of 50 mg/kg (and to a lesser extent 80 mg/kg) antagonizes the inhibitory effect of GABA. Arecoline in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg inhibits to a certain extent the convulsive-seizure reactions, and in doses of 10 mg/kg it potentiates the effect of GABA. Physostigmine in doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg has no significant effect, while in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg its effect is inhibitory. On the background of the two higher physostigmine doses, however, the anticonvulsive effect of GABA is markedly decreased. The results show that changes in the functional activity level of the brain cholinergic systems lead to changes in the inhibitory effect of GABA on the convulsive reactivity. The mechanisms of these correlations are complex. However, the results are in support of the view that the balance between the different neurotransmitter systems in the brain and not a separate specifically responsible neurotransmitter system, are of decisive significance for the convulsive excitability and reactivity.", "PMID": 614763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1166", "title": "Increase in the intestinal slow-wave frequency below the transection through electrical stimulation.", "content": "Experiments are carried out on dogs with chronically implanted leading-off electrodes on both sides of the transection at the level of the proximal duodenum. A pair of stimulating electrodes are also implanted below the transection. Electrical stimulation with impulses synchronized with the slow waves generated by the segment proximal to the section (amplitude 3-7 V, delay 0.2 s and duration 0.5 s) as well as with periodic impulses (18-21 cpm, duration 0.2-0.5 s and amplitude 3-10 V) results in shortening of the period T of several slow waves from the distal segment. Subsequently the frequency of the slow waves from this segment approaches that of the proximal segment. The restoration of the slow-wave plateau at the beginning of the small intestine depends both on the amplitude and on the frequency of the stimulating impulses. On the background of antagonists of the cholinergic (atr. sulf. 200 microgram/kg) and of the adrenergic systems (propranolol 2 mg/kg and phentolamine 1 mg/kg), increasing the frequency of the slow waves of the segment which is distal to the section requires an increase in the amplitude of the stimulating impulses. The role of the intrinsic nervous system for the assimilation of the slow-wave rhythm from the distal segment by the proximal one is discussed.", "contents": "Increase in the intestinal slow-wave frequency below the transection through electrical stimulation. Experiments are carried out on dogs with chronically implanted leading-off electrodes on both sides of the transection at the level of the proximal duodenum. A pair of stimulating electrodes are also implanted below the transection. Electrical stimulation with impulses synchronized with the slow waves generated by the segment proximal to the section (amplitude 3-7 V, delay 0.2 s and duration 0.5 s) as well as with periodic impulses (18-21 cpm, duration 0.2-0.5 s and amplitude 3-10 V) results in shortening of the period T of several slow waves from the distal segment. Subsequently the frequency of the slow waves from this segment approaches that of the proximal segment. The restoration of the slow-wave plateau at the beginning of the small intestine depends both on the amplitude and on the frequency of the stimulating impulses. On the background of antagonists of the cholinergic (atr. sulf. 200 microgram/kg) and of the adrenergic systems (propranolol 2 mg/kg and phentolamine 1 mg/kg), increasing the frequency of the slow waves of the segment which is distal to the section requires an increase in the amplitude of the stimulating impulses. The role of the intrinsic nervous system for the assimilation of the slow-wave rhythm from the distal segment by the proximal one is discussed.", "PMID": 614764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1167", "title": "Ultrastructural changes in rat striatum after chronic amphetamine treatment.", "content": "Rat striatum is examined electronmicroscopically after chronic (90-day) treatment with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine injected intraperitoneally. Disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles is observed in part of the nerve cells as well as disappearance of the dense core vesicles. Axonal terminals have reduced electron density, mitochondria with different degree of disorganization and synaptic vesicles and accumulated in groups. Single smooth and concentrically arranged membranes may be found in some of the boutons. Electron-dense bodies and lipid vacuoles are observed in the cytoplasm of the pericytes. The alterations are considered to be the result of chronic amphetamine treatment.", "contents": "Ultrastructural changes in rat striatum after chronic amphetamine treatment. Rat striatum is examined electronmicroscopically after chronic (90-day) treatment with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine injected intraperitoneally. Disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles is observed in part of the nerve cells as well as disappearance of the dense core vesicles. Axonal terminals have reduced electron density, mitochondria with different degree of disorganization and synaptic vesicles and accumulated in groups. Single smooth and concentrically arranged membranes may be found in some of the boutons. Electron-dense bodies and lipid vacuoles are observed in the cytoplasm of the pericytes. The alterations are considered to be the result of chronic amphetamine treatment.", "PMID": 614765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1168", "title": "On the coronary and cardiotonic action of crataemon.", "content": "Crataemon contains the purified flavonoid mixture of Crataegus monogyna. Flowmetric studies of dog coronary blood flow show that it increases after intravenous application of 2 mg/kg crataemon. This increase is statistically significant and lasts about 30 min, with no significant changes in the heart rate and ECG. In experiments on cats it has been found that only the high crataemon doses have a bradycardic effect. Influence on the blood pressure is insignificant and brief. The minute cardiac volume and the cardiac index increase after all doses tested. The work of the left ventricle is also increased, which is considered to be favourable under conditions of operative shock. The general peripheral resistance is much less inhibited, most active being the highest dose tested.", "contents": "On the coronary and cardiotonic action of crataemon. Crataemon contains the purified flavonoid mixture of Crataegus monogyna. Flowmetric studies of dog coronary blood flow show that it increases after intravenous application of 2 mg/kg crataemon. This increase is statistically significant and lasts about 30 min, with no significant changes in the heart rate and ECG. In experiments on cats it has been found that only the high crataemon doses have a bradycardic effect. Influence on the blood pressure is insignificant and brief. The minute cardiac volume and the cardiac index increase after all doses tested. The work of the left ventricle is also increased, which is considered to be favourable under conditions of operative shock. The general peripheral resistance is much less inhibited, most active being the highest dose tested.", "PMID": 614766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1169", "title": "Visual extrapolation of two converging nonintersecting line segments.", "content": "Fifty subjects were tested to determine the point of intersection between two converging line segments. The angle between the two nonintersecting line segments was 30 degrees. The orientation of the display as well as the distance between the line segments and the point of their intersection was varied. Two-dimensional normal distributions can be accepted to describe the results - the 50 estimates of the point of intersection for each of the five displays presented. The parameters of these distributions are influenced mainly by two factors characterizing the test line segments: (1) proximity to one of the main axes - vertical and horizontal, and (2) distance to the actual point of intersection. The possible mechanisms that might be involved in the estimation of the point of intersection between two converging line segments are discussed.", "contents": "Visual extrapolation of two converging nonintersecting line segments. Fifty subjects were tested to determine the point of intersection between two converging line segments. The angle between the two nonintersecting line segments was 30 degrees. The orientation of the display as well as the distance between the line segments and the point of their intersection was varied. Two-dimensional normal distributions can be accepted to describe the results - the 50 estimates of the point of intersection for each of the five displays presented. The parameters of these distributions are influenced mainly by two factors characterizing the test line segments: (1) proximity to one of the main axes - vertical and horizontal, and (2) distance to the actual point of intersection. The possible mechanisms that might be involved in the estimation of the point of intersection between two converging line segments are discussed.", "PMID": 614767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1170", "title": "Mathematical model of the summated electromyogram based on the probability characteristics of single motor units.", "content": "A probability model for synthesis of the summated electromyogram (EMG) is elaborated on the basis of previous experimental work describing the probability characteristics of the firing of single motor units (MUs) subjected to different external disturbances (e. g. stretch or unloading) and following different instructions for voluntary activation. The possibility is demonstrated some maxima in the summated EMG to be due not to increases excitability of the alpha-motoneurones but to synchronization of the impulses after application of external disturbance, whereby the probability for appearance of impulse in some time intervals will disturbance, whereby the probability for appearance of impulse in some time intervals will increase. The proposed model is used for qualitative studies as a number of factors influencing the value of the signal recorded upon leading off of summated EMG are not taken into account.", "contents": "Mathematical model of the summated electromyogram based on the probability characteristics of single motor units. A probability model for synthesis of the summated electromyogram (EMG) is elaborated on the basis of previous experimental work describing the probability characteristics of the firing of single motor units (MUs) subjected to different external disturbances (e. g. stretch or unloading) and following different instructions for voluntary activation. The possibility is demonstrated some maxima in the summated EMG to be due not to increases excitability of the alpha-motoneurones but to synchronization of the impulses after application of external disturbance, whereby the probability for appearance of impulse in some time intervals will disturbance, whereby the probability for appearance of impulse in some time intervals will increase. The proposed model is used for qualitative studies as a number of factors influencing the value of the signal recorded upon leading off of summated EMG are not taken into account.", "PMID": 614768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1171", "title": "Haemoglobin M Boston in an Iranian family.", "content": "Haemoglobin MBoston is described in a 19 year old Iranian male, his father and three out of his five brothers and sisters which were cyanotic from the birth. The presence of haemoglobin M was established after starch-gel electrophoresis of the ferricyanide treated haemolysate at pH 7.1 and by spectroscopic examination of the purified abnormal haemoglobin at pH 6.5.", "contents": "Haemoglobin M Boston in an Iranian family. Haemoglobin MBoston is described in a 19 year old Iranian male, his father and three out of his five brothers and sisters which were cyanotic from the birth. The presence of haemoglobin M was established after starch-gel electrophoresis of the ferricyanide treated haemolysate at pH 7.1 and by spectroscopic examination of the purified abnormal haemoglobin at pH 6.5.", "PMID": 614769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1172", "title": "A case of ophthalmomyiasis in man by Oestrus ovis Linneaeus in Tehran (Insecta: Diptera, Oestridae).", "content": "Five first-stage-larvae were removed by soft and pointed blotting-paper from the left eye of a woman and they were identified as oestrus ovis. She was infected in Tehran and this is the first true case of ophthalmomyiasis due to sheep nasal bot fly in Iran. Reports indicate that case of ophthalmomyiasis are more frequent in Iranian villages with different degree of severity. Methods for prevention and treatments are also discussed.", "contents": "A case of ophthalmomyiasis in man by Oestrus ovis Linneaeus in Tehran (Insecta: Diptera, Oestridae). Five first-stage-larvae were removed by soft and pointed blotting-paper from the left eye of a woman and they were identified as oestrus ovis. She was infected in Tehran and this is the first true case of ophthalmomyiasis due to sheep nasal bot fly in Iran. Reports indicate that case of ophthalmomyiasis are more frequent in Iranian villages with different degree of severity. Methods for prevention and treatments are also discussed.", "PMID": 614770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1173", "title": "Idiopathic splenomegaly in Iran.", "content": "During the past 5 years we have investigated 45 patients with the clinical manifestations suggestive of cirrhosis. We found 40 of them having cirrhosis but 3 patients had idiopathic splenomegaly. They underwent splenctomy and after 1-5 years they have remained free of the disease.", "contents": "Idiopathic splenomegaly in Iran. During the past 5 years we have investigated 45 patients with the clinical manifestations suggestive of cirrhosis. We found 40 of them having cirrhosis but 3 patients had idiopathic splenomegaly. They underwent splenctomy and after 1-5 years they have remained free of the disease.", "PMID": 614773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1174", "title": "Prevalence of high blood pressure in Qashqai Tribe, Southern Iran, 1973.", "content": "On the basis cross sectional health and morbidity survey was conducted in 1973, an attempt was made to measure the prevalence of high blood pressure among Qashqai Tribe. Our study showed that hypertension is by no means a rare condition among nomads and it tends to be a little higher in women than in men age group 35 years and over. Our figures showed that the pattern of increase of prevalence of high blood pressure with the increase of age.", "contents": "Prevalence of high blood pressure in Qashqai Tribe, Southern Iran, 1973. On the basis cross sectional health and morbidity survey was conducted in 1973, an attempt was made to measure the prevalence of high blood pressure among Qashqai Tribe. Our study showed that hypertension is by no means a rare condition among nomads and it tends to be a little higher in women than in men age group 35 years and over. Our figures showed that the pattern of increase of prevalence of high blood pressure with the increase of age.", "PMID": 614776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1175", "title": "Inpatient bed needs for psychiatric care.", "content": "Along with other types of hospital inpatient care, acute psychiatric units are subject to state certificate-of-need review under Public Law 93-641. A study of 15 hospitals in Virginia suggests that prevailing techniques for determining inpatient bed needs are not appropriate for psychiatric beds, if indeed they are for other types of care. An alternative technique is offered, not as a substitute for judgment in such matters, but as assistance to it.", "contents": "Inpatient bed needs for psychiatric care. Along with other types of hospital inpatient care, acute psychiatric units are subject to state certificate-of-need review under Public Law 93-641. A study of 15 hospitals in Virginia suggests that prevailing techniques for determining inpatient bed needs are not appropriate for psychiatric beds, if indeed they are for other types of care. An alternative technique is offered, not as a substitute for judgment in such matters, but as assistance to it.", "PMID": 614777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1176", "title": "Individual problem rating: a proposed scale.", "content": "A procedure for Individual Problem Rating (IPR) in the evaluation of community mental health and other types of service programs is presented. The instrument is based on client reports of problems, and its uses problem severity and relative importance as criteria for rating. The issues of client self-rating, variation in levels of abstraction among listed problems, interaction between problems, reliability, and valor to IPR's adoption in clinical practice and treatment evaluations.", "contents": "Individual problem rating: a proposed scale. A procedure for Individual Problem Rating (IPR) in the evaluation of community mental health and other types of service programs is presented. The instrument is based on client reports of problems, and its uses problem severity and relative importance as criteria for rating. The issues of client self-rating, variation in levels of abstraction among listed problems, interaction between problems, reliability, and valor to IPR's adoption in clinical practice and treatment evaluations.", "PMID": 614778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1177", "title": "Community mental health accreditation: a pilot study.", "content": "The Balanced Services System is the conceptual framework for the newly initiated community mental health accreditation program sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). The program design and performance of CMH systems are reviewed and judged according to a series of evaluation criteria that prescribe the desired operating state for each functional area in the center.", "contents": "Community mental health accreditation: a pilot study. The Balanced Services System is the conceptual framework for the newly initiated community mental health accreditation program sponsored by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). The program design and performance of CMH systems are reviewed and judged according to a series of evaluation criteria that prescribe the desired operating state for each functional area in the center.", "PMID": 614779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1178", "title": "Recruit, screen, and hire: staff selection and the decision-making process.", "content": "This article focuses on the role of the clinician-manager in staff selection. The duties of the clinician-manager in a mental health center include those tasks described as \"recruit, screen, and hire\" but little or no guidance on the steps involved in this sequence of events is available. The \"how\" of hiring is transmitted by word of mouth, by following another's example, or by trial and error. This article examines the component parts of staff selection from the assimilation of procedures, rules, and regulation of the public authority under which a particular mental health center operates, to the compilation of a \"short list\" of those to be screened and finally the risk taking and decision-making process by the clinician-manager who makes the choice. Some speculation on the emotional impact it has on the clinician-manager is examined. The impact of personal value judgments of the selector are considered. Recommendations are made for the inclusion of training in staff selection by academic programs for mental health administrators.", "contents": "Recruit, screen, and hire: staff selection and the decision-making process. This article focuses on the role of the clinician-manager in staff selection. The duties of the clinician-manager in a mental health center include those tasks described as \"recruit, screen, and hire\" but little or no guidance on the steps involved in this sequence of events is available. The \"how\" of hiring is transmitted by word of mouth, by following another's example, or by trial and error. This article examines the component parts of staff selection from the assimilation of procedures, rules, and regulation of the public authority under which a particular mental health center operates, to the compilation of a \"short list\" of those to be screened and finally the risk taking and decision-making process by the clinician-manager who makes the choice. Some speculation on the emotional impact it has on the clinician-manager is examined. The impact of personal value judgments of the selector are considered. Recommendations are made for the inclusion of training in staff selection by academic programs for mental health administrators.", "PMID": 614780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1179", "title": "Introducing accountability in an outpatient mental health clinic: an administrative process evaluation.", "content": "The administrative evaluation implemented at TRIMS makes explicit the goals and objectives of the clinic and the extent to which they were attained. Prior to the initiation of the evaluation formalized evaluation procedures and measures of accountability were nonexistent, and the monitoring of clinic activities for descriptive management purposes was noticeably absent. The Goal Attainment Scaling method in the administrative evaluation formalizes the organization's informal process of defining goals and objectives. The evaluation strategy emphasizes the explicit statement of objectives and the criteria on which performance would be evaluated. In essence the evaluation was incorportated into the management activities of the clinic, measures of accountability were established and, based on this experience, an administrative evaluation has been established in all ten clinics in the outpatient division.", "contents": "Introducing accountability in an outpatient mental health clinic: an administrative process evaluation. The administrative evaluation implemented at TRIMS makes explicit the goals and objectives of the clinic and the extent to which they were attained. Prior to the initiation of the evaluation formalized evaluation procedures and measures of accountability were nonexistent, and the monitoring of clinic activities for descriptive management purposes was noticeably absent. The Goal Attainment Scaling method in the administrative evaluation formalizes the organization's informal process of defining goals and objectives. The evaluation strategy emphasizes the explicit statement of objectives and the criteria on which performance would be evaluated. In essence the evaluation was incorportated into the management activities of the clinic, measures of accountability were established and, based on this experience, an administrative evaluation has been established in all ten clinics in the outpatient division.", "PMID": 614781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1180", "title": "The consultant as insider and change agent: the problem of boundaries in social systems.", "content": "A consultant who is an \"insider\" must be sensitive to ethical and psychological issues in human systems that are of lesser import to \"outside\" consultants. Organizational boundaries are considered as being created by the norms required for membership in the systems rather than from outside.", "contents": "The consultant as insider and change agent: the problem of boundaries in social systems. A consultant who is an \"insider\" must be sensitive to ethical and psychological issues in human systems that are of lesser import to \"outside\" consultants. Organizational boundaries are considered as being created by the norms required for membership in the systems rather than from outside.", "PMID": 614782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1181", "title": "Problems of organizational consultation in the Army.", "content": "Psychiatrists in the U. S. Army have received official sanction as organizational consultants. In common with other bureaucratic organizations, several obstacles impede their full effectiveness in this role. These include communication breakdowns and negative attitudes toward change. These attitudes are divided into four subgroups: Conspiracy of Silence, Fear of Innovation, Cult of Personality, and \"Good Old Common Sense.\" While these obstacles are not inconsiderable, the possibility for effective consultation still exists.", "contents": "Problems of organizational consultation in the Army. Psychiatrists in the U. S. Army have received official sanction as organizational consultants. In common with other bureaucratic organizations, several obstacles impede their full effectiveness in this role. These include communication breakdowns and negative attitudes toward change. These attitudes are divided into four subgroups: Conspiracy of Silence, Fear of Innovation, Cult of Personality, and \"Good Old Common Sense.\" While these obstacles are not inconsiderable, the possibility for effective consultation still exists.", "PMID": 614783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1182", "title": "[Median age of mortality as an indicator of economic-social and nutritional status].", "content": "Mean age of mortality as an indicator of economic development and nutritional state. After a short discussion of nutritional indicators the mean age of mortality of the population of a country is proposed. This is defined as the age as 50% mortality is observed. It is an indicator for social-economic development. There exists a correlation between the proposed indicator and others used in the evaluation of nutritional conditions.", "contents": "[Median age of mortality as an indicator of economic-social and nutritional status]. Mean age of mortality as an indicator of economic development and nutritional state. After a short discussion of nutritional indicators the mean age of mortality of the population of a country is proposed. This is defined as the age as 50% mortality is observed. It is an indicator for social-economic development. There exists a correlation between the proposed indicator and others used in the evaluation of nutritional conditions.", "PMID": 614819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1183", "title": "[Possibilities of Lupinus mutabolis and Lupinus albus in the Andean countries].", "content": "Lupinus albus and Lupinus mutabilis may achieve importance among the andean countries in which soy bean can not grow due to ecological reasons. Both lupin varieties are outstanding because of their high protein and oil content. Its alkaloid content limits the lupins usage; however the bitter substances can be eliminated by means of genetic selection or technological processing. Beside the intoxication caused by alkaloids exists the lupinosis, which is caused by a micotoxin. This disease can be observed when animals pasture forages which suffered under a secundary attack of fungus. According to the results obtained up to date other antimetabolic substances present in the legums have no significant importance. The lupin seed flour is adequate for animal consumption, being used for this effect in different countries. Starting next year there exist the prospects of employing Lupinus mutabilis as an oil source in Peru and Lupinus albus as proteic flour in Chile.", "contents": "[Possibilities of Lupinus mutabolis and Lupinus albus in the Andean countries]. Lupinus albus and Lupinus mutabilis may achieve importance among the andean countries in which soy bean can not grow due to ecological reasons. Both lupin varieties are outstanding because of their high protein and oil content. Its alkaloid content limits the lupins usage; however the bitter substances can be eliminated by means of genetic selection or technological processing. Beside the intoxication caused by alkaloids exists the lupinosis, which is caused by a micotoxin. This disease can be observed when animals pasture forages which suffered under a secundary attack of fungus. According to the results obtained up to date other antimetabolic substances present in the legums have no significant importance. The lupin seed flour is adequate for animal consumption, being used for this effect in different countries. Starting next year there exist the prospects of employing Lupinus mutabilis as an oil source in Peru and Lupinus albus as proteic flour in Chile.", "PMID": 614820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1184", "title": "[The influence of the quality of proteins in fluoride bone fixation].", "content": "45 rats Wistar, 30 days old, were divided into five groups, receiving different diets: casein, bean and wheat flour. The last two diets were supplemented or not by D-L Methionine and D-L Lysine, respectively. Diets and fluoridated water (25 ppm) were given \"ad libitum\" for 28 days. After this period of experience, the animals were sacrificed and the mandible and the tibias removed for analyses of fluoride, calcium, phosphorus and ash. The A.A. main conclusions are the following: The fixation of fluorides in bones is significantly increased with the supplement of the limitant factor to dificients diets. In this condition, the mandible shows smaller fixation of fluorides than tibias. The level of calcium, phosphorus and ash shows to be similar in the diferentes groups. This data suggests interaction of the protein quality and the percentual fixation of fluorides, and the necessity of further studies about this problem.", "contents": "[The influence of the quality of proteins in fluoride bone fixation]. 45 rats Wistar, 30 days old, were divided into five groups, receiving different diets: casein, bean and wheat flour. The last two diets were supplemented or not by D-L Methionine and D-L Lysine, respectively. Diets and fluoridated water (25 ppm) were given \"ad libitum\" for 28 days. After this period of experience, the animals were sacrificed and the mandible and the tibias removed for analyses of fluoride, calcium, phosphorus and ash. The A.A. main conclusions are the following: The fixation of fluorides in bones is significantly increased with the supplement of the limitant factor to dificients diets. In this condition, the mandible shows smaller fixation of fluorides than tibias. The level of calcium, phosphorus and ash shows to be similar in the diferentes groups. This data suggests interaction of the protein quality and the percentual fixation of fluorides, and the necessity of further studies about this problem.", "PMID": 614821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1185", "title": "Fusion and hybridization of marsupial and eutherian cells. Heterokaryon formation.", "content": "Marsupial x eutherian cell hybrids would be very useful for studies of mammalian genetics and cell biology. A critical step in the formation of such hybrids is the fusion of cells to form heterokaryons. We have examined many different combinations of marsupial and eutherian cells for their ability to fuse, and we have found that all combinations yielded heterokaryons, but with different frequencies, depending on the cell types used. Ranked in order of decreasing ability to fuse with eutherian cells, the marsupial cell types were; established lines, primary diploid fibroblasts and lymphocytes. In all fusion experiments there was a marked preference for the formation of homokaryons compared with heterokaryons. It was possible to control the numbers and types of heterokaryons formed by varying the input ratio of parental cells.", "contents": "Fusion and hybridization of marsupial and eutherian cells. Heterokaryon formation. Marsupial x eutherian cell hybrids would be very useful for studies of mammalian genetics and cell biology. A critical step in the formation of such hybrids is the fusion of cells to form heterokaryons. We have examined many different combinations of marsupial and eutherian cells for their ability to fuse, and we have found that all combinations yielded heterokaryons, but with different frequencies, depending on the cell types used. Ranked in order of decreasing ability to fuse with eutherian cells, the marsupial cell types were; established lines, primary diploid fibroblasts and lymphocytes. In all fusion experiments there was a marked preference for the formation of homokaryons compared with heterokaryons. It was possible to control the numbers and types of heterokaryons formed by varying the input ratio of parental cells.", "PMID": 614831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1186", "title": "The ecology of influenza. Isolation of type 'A' influenza viruses from Australian pelagic birds.", "content": "Three different type A influenza viruses have been isolated from pelagic birds nesting on islands of the Great Barrier Reef. One of these, isolated in 1972, was of subtype Hav6Nav5. The other two, which are described in this paper, were isolated in 1975 and belonged to subtypes Hav5Nav2 and Hav3Nav6. Of eight isolates of the latter virus, seven were recovered from cloacal swabs and only one from the trachea.", "contents": "The ecology of influenza. Isolation of type 'A' influenza viruses from Australian pelagic birds. Three different type A influenza viruses have been isolated from pelagic birds nesting on islands of the Great Barrier Reef. One of these, isolated in 1972, was of subtype Hav6Nav5. The other two, which are described in this paper, were isolated in 1975 and belonged to subtypes Hav5Nav2 and Hav3Nav6. Of eight isolates of the latter virus, seven were recovered from cloacal swabs and only one from the trachea.", "PMID": 614832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1187", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of sulfadimethoxine in cats.", "content": "Pharmacokinetic parameters which describe distribution and elimination of sulfadimethoxine were determined in cats. Following intravenous administration of a single dose (55 mg/kg), disposition of the drug was described in terms of the biexponential expression: Cp = Ae-alphat + Be-betat. Based on total (free and bound) sulfonamide levels in the plasma, pseudodistribution equilibrium was slowly attained and the half-time of elimination (half-life) was 10.16 h +/- 2.50 (S.D., n = 6). Body clearance, which is the sum of all clearance processes, was 18.8 +/- 4.6 ml kg-1 h-1. Plasma protein binding, measured by equilibrium dialysis at sulfonamide concentration of 50 microgram/ml, was extensive (87.5% +/- 6.3, n =10). Computer-generated curves for an animal representative of the group, based on individual rate constants associated with the two-compartment open model, showed that 12% and 5% of the dose were present in the central and peripheral compartments, respectively, 24 h after administering the drug. A satisfactory dosage regimen might consist of a priming dose (55 mg/kg) and maintenance dosage (27.5 mg/kg at 24 h dosage intervals). Predicted plasma sulfadimethoxine concentrations would oscillate between 125 and 25 microgram/ml during the steady state. Influence of bacterial disease and febrile states on predicted levels remains to be verified experimentally.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of sulfadimethoxine in cats. Pharmacokinetic parameters which describe distribution and elimination of sulfadimethoxine were determined in cats. Following intravenous administration of a single dose (55 mg/kg), disposition of the drug was described in terms of the biexponential expression: Cp = Ae-alphat + Be-betat. Based on total (free and bound) sulfonamide levels in the plasma, pseudodistribution equilibrium was slowly attained and the half-time of elimination (half-life) was 10.16 h +/- 2.50 (S.D., n = 6). Body clearance, which is the sum of all clearance processes, was 18.8 +/- 4.6 ml kg-1 h-1. Plasma protein binding, measured by equilibrium dialysis at sulfonamide concentration of 50 microgram/ml, was extensive (87.5% +/- 6.3, n =10). Computer-generated curves for an animal representative of the group, based on individual rate constants associated with the two-compartment open model, showed that 12% and 5% of the dose were present in the central and peripheral compartments, respectively, 24 h after administering the drug. A satisfactory dosage regimen might consist of a priming dose (55 mg/kg) and maintenance dosage (27.5 mg/kg at 24 h dosage intervals). Predicted plasma sulfadimethoxine concentrations would oscillate between 125 and 25 microgram/ml during the steady state. Influence of bacterial disease and febrile states on predicted levels remains to be verified experimentally.", "PMID": 614834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1188", "title": "[Peripherial ATP-ases in the different components of the central nervous system of Periplaneta americana L. (author's transl)].", "content": "A smaller ATP-ase activity in the abdominal nerve cord of the Periplaneta americana L. was observed when compared by peripheral area with ganglia activity of the central nervous system which have more complex physiological functions. There was no significant difference in the enzyme distribution in the pro, meso, metatoraxic, subesophageal ganglia and the sixth abdominal ganglion.", "contents": "[Peripherial ATP-ases in the different components of the central nervous system of Periplaneta americana L. (author's transl)]. A smaller ATP-ase activity in the abdominal nerve cord of the Periplaneta americana L. was observed when compared by peripheral area with ganglia activity of the central nervous system which have more complex physiological functions. There was no significant difference in the enzyme distribution in the pro, meso, metatoraxic, subesophageal ganglia and the sixth abdominal ganglion.", "PMID": 614829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1189", "title": "Substance P: its pharmacology and physiological roles.", "content": "The recent identification and synthesis of the endecapeptide substance P has renewed interest in this naturally occurring compound. The original substance P of Euler and Gaddum was a mixture of biologically active substances, some of which were peptides. The peptide component was responsible for gut-contracting, hypotensive and sialogogic properties attributed to substance P. For almost 40 years following its discovery, substance P resisted isolation and purification. Even the most highly active preparations were heterogeneous and there was a divergence of results from experiments using preparations which were partially purified by different techniques. Nevertheless much of the early work on the distribution and pharmacology of crude substances P has been confirmed using the synthetic endecapeptide and has stimulated research towards the elucidation of a possible functional role for substance P. Most proposed functions have been highly speculative but, at present, evidence is accumulating in support of a physiological role for substance P as a neurotransmitter in sensory pathways.", "contents": "Substance P: its pharmacology and physiological roles. The recent identification and synthesis of the endecapeptide substance P has renewed interest in this naturally occurring compound. The original substance P of Euler and Gaddum was a mixture of biologically active substances, some of which were peptides. The peptide component was responsible for gut-contracting, hypotensive and sialogogic properties attributed to substance P. For almost 40 years following its discovery, substance P resisted isolation and purification. Even the most highly active preparations were heterogeneous and there was a divergence of results from experiments using preparations which were partially purified by different techniques. Nevertheless much of the early work on the distribution and pharmacology of crude substances P has been confirmed using the synthetic endecapeptide and has stimulated research towards the elucidation of a possible functional role for substance P. Most proposed functions have been highly speculative but, at present, evidence is accumulating in support of a physiological role for substance P as a neurotransmitter in sensory pathways.", "PMID": 614835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1190", "title": "[Analysis of mercurial pesticides by complexometric potentiography (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper describes a potentiographic complexometric technique developed for determining mercury in mercurial pesticides. It is precise, accurate, specific and rapid. It is based on using Titriplex III, U.05M measuring Ipol of mV.", "contents": "[Analysis of mercurial pesticides by complexometric potentiography (author's transl)]. This paper describes a potentiographic complexometric technique developed for determining mercury in mercurial pesticides. It is precise, accurate, specific and rapid. It is based on using Titriplex III, U.05M measuring Ipol of mV.", "PMID": 614830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1191", "title": "[The potassium metabolism of typical northern Algerian soils. I. Global evaluation of the potassium supply of soils].", "content": "In samples from 87 and 39 profiles, respectively, of typical Northern Algerian soils the following parameters were determined of the K content: total K, exchangeable and water soluble K, K saturation degree, and potassium replenishment capacity. The latter was carried out by four methods (N HCl 50 degrees C, HNO3 boiling, 0.05 and 0.2 N NaTPB). The results obtained were used to check the widespread view that Algerian soils are well supplied with K. The following grouping is suggested from the results of the investigation: --soils with high to very high values for all forms of K (50% of the samples), --soils with lower and medium values for exchangeable K, which require K fertilization actually or in the near future if K uptake by crops increases (30 to 35% of the samples), --soils with TPB values indicating a high binding strength of Ki in which a very limited replenishment power can be expected despite partly high or very high values of acid soluble K (more than 25% of the samples). These results indicate that it is necessary to differentiate the assessment of the K content of Algerian soils.", "contents": "[The potassium metabolism of typical northern Algerian soils. I. Global evaluation of the potassium supply of soils]. In samples from 87 and 39 profiles, respectively, of typical Northern Algerian soils the following parameters were determined of the K content: total K, exchangeable and water soluble K, K saturation degree, and potassium replenishment capacity. The latter was carried out by four methods (N HCl 50 degrees C, HNO3 boiling, 0.05 and 0.2 N NaTPB). The results obtained were used to check the widespread view that Algerian soils are well supplied with K. The following grouping is suggested from the results of the investigation: --soils with high to very high values for all forms of K (50% of the samples), --soils with lower and medium values for exchangeable K, which require K fertilization actually or in the near future if K uptake by crops increases (30 to 35% of the samples), --soils with TPB values indicating a high binding strength of Ki in which a very limited replenishment power can be expected despite partly high or very high values of acid soluble K (more than 25% of the samples). These results indicate that it is necessary to differentiate the assessment of the K content of Algerian soils.", "PMID": 614852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1192", "title": "Wool growth factors and the blood level of glutathione in sheep.", "content": "Starting from the positive correlation between the content of glutathione in the blood and the wool growth the influence was investigated of the genetic construction [local breed with coarse wool (1), Pakistan breed with semi-fine wool (2), and the F1 of female (1) x male (2) animals], of sex, age (6 or 13 months respectively), and of shearing status (shortly before shearing and 4 weeks after shearing). In all genetic constructions the male, older and shorn animals had a significantly higher (alpha less than 0.05) blood level of glutathione. As compared to the initial breed, the glutathione content in the blood of the F1 animals was significantly higher.", "contents": "Wool growth factors and the blood level of glutathione in sheep. Starting from the positive correlation between the content of glutathione in the blood and the wool growth the influence was investigated of the genetic construction [local breed with coarse wool (1), Pakistan breed with semi-fine wool (2), and the F1 of female (1) x male (2) animals], of sex, age (6 or 13 months respectively), and of shearing status (shortly before shearing and 4 weeks after shearing). In all genetic constructions the male, older and shorn animals had a significantly higher (alpha less than 0.05) blood level of glutathione. As compared to the initial breed, the glutathione content in the blood of the F1 animals was significantly higher.", "PMID": 614853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1193", "title": "Immunoadjuvant activities of synthetic 6-O-acyl-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine with special reference to the effect of its administration with liposomes.", "content": "Addition of a lauroyl, stearoyl or docosanoyl group to the primary hydroxy group at the C-6 position of N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine gave lipophilic derivatives that had definite adjuvancies in induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity and enhancement of antibody production against a test protein antigen, ovalbumin, when administered to guinea pigs as liposomes, that is without mineral oil. When administered as mineral oil-in-water emulsion, including Ribitype emulsions, rather than as water-in-mineral oil emulsions, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and its 6-O-acyl derivatives showed only weak immunoadjuvancies.", "contents": "Immunoadjuvant activities of synthetic 6-O-acyl-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine with special reference to the effect of its administration with liposomes. Addition of a lauroyl, stearoyl or docosanoyl group to the primary hydroxy group at the C-6 position of N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine gave lipophilic derivatives that had definite adjuvancies in induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity and enhancement of antibody production against a test protein antigen, ovalbumin, when administered to guinea pigs as liposomes, that is without mineral oil. When administered as mineral oil-in-water emulsion, including Ribitype emulsions, rather than as water-in-mineral oil emulsions, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and its 6-O-acyl derivatives showed only weak immunoadjuvancies.", "PMID": 614856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1194", "title": "Uterine cancer and estrogen therapy.", "content": "Recent studies concerning the relationship of exogenous estrogens and endometrial cancer have been reviewed, and the objections to their conclusions discussed. Even considering the most serious of these reservations, it is difficult to avoid the tentative conclusion that estrogens are causally linked to endometrial cancer, and that the attributable risk is numerically sizable. Whether the medical costs will be ultimately shown to outweigh the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy will depend largely on whether or not a relationship to breast cancer is shown, and on the magnitude of the effect of estrogens in preventing serious complications of ovarian failure. For the time being, estrogenic treatment of menopausal symptoms should be as brief as possible, should use the lowest dose possible, and should probably be given in cyclic fashion, particularly to women in intact uteruses. Every attempt should be made to give patients a quantitative understanding of both potential risks and benefits before they decide for or against estrogen therapy.", "contents": "Uterine cancer and estrogen therapy. Recent studies concerning the relationship of exogenous estrogens and endometrial cancer have been reviewed, and the objections to their conclusions discussed. Even considering the most serious of these reservations, it is difficult to avoid the tentative conclusion that estrogens are causally linked to endometrial cancer, and that the attributable risk is numerically sizable. Whether the medical costs will be ultimately shown to outweigh the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy will depend largely on whether or not a relationship to breast cancer is shown, and on the magnitude of the effect of estrogens in preventing serious complications of ovarian failure. For the time being, estrogenic treatment of menopausal symptoms should be as brief as possible, should use the lowest dose possible, and should probably be given in cyclic fashion, particularly to women in intact uteruses. Every attempt should be made to give patients a quantitative understanding of both potential risks and benefits before they decide for or against estrogen therapy.", "PMID": 614940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1195", "title": "Vascular complications of long-term oestrogen therapy.", "content": "Long-term low dose oestrogen therapy has a protective effect on bone mineral content in the post-menopausal or castrated female. As yet the only obvious clinical side effect of such therapy has been transient leg muscle cramps. Several biochemical side effects could be observed. Low dose mestranol caused a persistent elevation of factor VII and a dose-dependent increase in both factors VII and X was observed using oestriol hemisuccinate. Such effects are more likely to be dose-related than related to the type of oestrogen prescribed. Effects of oestrogens on lipids, and cholesterol in particular, may be dose-related also. Changes in blood pressure in post-menopausal women are more likely to be related to obesity than to oestrogen treatment which would seem to have a protective effect against weight increase. No marked changes in the mean risk score for ischaemic heart disease could be detected during oestrogen treatment.", "contents": "Vascular complications of long-term oestrogen therapy. Long-term low dose oestrogen therapy has a protective effect on bone mineral content in the post-menopausal or castrated female. As yet the only obvious clinical side effect of such therapy has been transient leg muscle cramps. Several biochemical side effects could be observed. Low dose mestranol caused a persistent elevation of factor VII and a dose-dependent increase in both factors VII and X was observed using oestriol hemisuccinate. Such effects are more likely to be dose-related than related to the type of oestrogen prescribed. Effects of oestrogens on lipids, and cholesterol in particular, may be dose-related also. Changes in blood pressure in post-menopausal women are more likely to be related to obesity than to oestrogen treatment which would seem to have a protective effect against weight increase. No marked changes in the mean risk score for ischaemic heart disease could be detected during oestrogen treatment.", "PMID": 614942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1196", "title": "[Occurrence of induced vitamin-dependent mutants of Yersinia pestis].", "content": "Vitamin-dependent mutants were isolated from Yersinia pestis after the treatment with supermutagens. From 13 mutants obtained 10 appeared to be unstable. The stable vitamin-dependent mutants were revealed with the frequency of 2.5.10(-11) divided by 4.9.10(-11) by the indirect method of selection and 5.10(-7) by the use of Davis's method. The frequency of amino acid and nitrogen base dependent auxotroph isolation was significantly higher than that of the vitamin-dependent mutants.", "contents": "[Occurrence of induced vitamin-dependent mutants of Yersinia pestis]. Vitamin-dependent mutants were isolated from Yersinia pestis after the treatment with supermutagens. From 13 mutants obtained 10 appeared to be unstable. The stable vitamin-dependent mutants were revealed with the frequency of 2.5.10(-11) divided by 4.9.10(-11) by the indirect method of selection and 5.10(-7) by the use of Davis's method. The frequency of amino acid and nitrogen base dependent auxotroph isolation was significantly higher than that of the vitamin-dependent mutants.", "PMID": 614956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1197", "title": "[Management of epicondylitis humeri radialis through the decompression of the radial nerve].", "content": "The pain associated with refractory epicondylitis humeri radialis can be eliminated not only by denervation, i.e. palliatively, but also by decompression of the radial nerve in certain cases. We assume that the latter procedure eliminates an important cause of irritation, particularily by resection of the tendineous origin of the proximal caput of triceps muscle. In this respect we consider the inferior cervical syndrome, present in all cases, to be the primary pathogenetic factor in accordance with REISCHAUER.", "contents": "[Management of epicondylitis humeri radialis through the decompression of the radial nerve]. The pain associated with refractory epicondylitis humeri radialis can be eliminated not only by denervation, i.e. palliatively, but also by decompression of the radial nerve in certain cases. We assume that the latter procedure eliminates an important cause of irritation, particularily by resection of the tendineous origin of the proximal caput of triceps muscle. In this respect we consider the inferior cervical syndrome, present in all cases, to be the primary pathogenetic factor in accordance with REISCHAUER.", "PMID": 615073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1198", "title": "[Vascular causes of median and ulnar nerve compression syndromes].", "content": "From a group of more than 200 patients with median and ulnar nerve compression syndrome three cases of interest are demonstrated in detail. In these cases vascular complications led to acurate events accompanied by grave symptoms. In order to prevent irreversible damage surgical treatment of such cases is indicated as soon as possible.", "contents": "[Vascular causes of median and ulnar nerve compression syndromes]. From a group of more than 200 patients with median and ulnar nerve compression syndrome three cases of interest are demonstrated in detail. In these cases vascular complications led to acurate events accompanied by grave symptoms. In order to prevent irreversible damage surgical treatment of such cases is indicated as soon as possible.", "PMID": 615074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1199", "title": "[Functional mechanisms of the proximal ulnar nerve compression syndrome].", "content": "The proximal ulnar compression syndrome when it is not a result of trauma, tumors, inflammatory and degenerative processes, inborn deformations or external pressure, is caused by two mechansims, namely the pinching of the ulnar nerve between the proximal edge of the ligamentous and muscular coverings of the cubital tunnel and of the exit of the nerve from the tunnel under the tendinous arch of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The compression itself is dependent upon the possibility of subluxation of the ulnar nerve. Therapy should consists not only in \"decompression\", but also in a simultaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.", "contents": "[Functional mechanisms of the proximal ulnar nerve compression syndrome]. The proximal ulnar compression syndrome when it is not a result of trauma, tumors, inflammatory and degenerative processes, inborn deformations or external pressure, is caused by two mechansims, namely the pinching of the ulnar nerve between the proximal edge of the ligamentous and muscular coverings of the cubital tunnel and of the exit of the nerve from the tunnel under the tendinous arch of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The compression itself is dependent upon the possibility of subluxation of the ulnar nerve. Therapy should consists not only in \"decompression\", but also in a simultaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.", "PMID": 615075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1200", "title": "[Therapeutic possibilities in fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy of the hand and finger nerves].", "content": "If the main nerves of the forearm and wrist are effected with fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy, decompression can be performed as a palliative measure. As the disease is not pregressive, resection or defatting of the hypertrophic fascicles should be avoided. The fibrous and lipomatous tissue cannot be separated from the fascicles without damaging them, even if the finest microsurgical technique are applied. As the disturbance of motor function increases, reconstructive surgery is necessary. In the fingers the \"tumor\" can be resected completely; the sensation of functionally important areas should be reconstructed with a neurovascular island flap or local pedicle flaps.", "contents": "[Therapeutic possibilities in fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy of the hand and finger nerves]. If the main nerves of the forearm and wrist are effected with fibro-lipomatous hypertrophy, decompression can be performed as a palliative measure. As the disease is not pregressive, resection or defatting of the hypertrophic fascicles should be avoided. The fibrous and lipomatous tissue cannot be separated from the fascicles without damaging them, even if the finest microsurgical technique are applied. As the disturbance of motor function increases, reconstructive surgery is necessary. In the fingers the \"tumor\" can be resected completely; the sensation of functionally important areas should be reconstructed with a neurovascular island flap or local pedicle flaps.", "PMID": 615076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1201", "title": "[Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome].", "content": "A case of anterior interosseus nerve palsy is reported. The anatomy and the syndrome are described. The clinical investigation and problems of differential diagnosis are discussed. Therapeutic suggestions are given.", "contents": "[Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome]. A case of anterior interosseus nerve palsy is reported. The anatomy and the syndrome are described. The clinical investigation and problems of differential diagnosis are discussed. Therapeutic suggestions are given.", "PMID": 615077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1202", "title": "[A new intraosseous finger-joint prosthesis].", "content": "The faults of interposition-arthroplasty of the finger-joints were shown and intraosseous implantation and intraosseous endoprothesis are presented with initial results. Sources of failure and their treatment are explained and postoperative details and postoperative treatment outlined.", "contents": "[A new intraosseous finger-joint prosthesis]. The faults of interposition-arthroplasty of the finger-joints were shown and intraosseous implantation and intraosseous endoprothesis are presented with initial results. Sources of failure and their treatment are explained and postoperative details and postoperative treatment outlined.", "PMID": 615078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1203", "title": "[Results of alloarthroplasty in finger joints damaged through injury].", "content": "Follow-up examination is reported of 24 patients with post-traumatic arthritis treated by 29 finger joint implants. The average follow-up time was 35 months. It could be shown that implant arthroplasty in painful, unstable finger joints stiffened in an unfavourable position represents a quite reasonable method of treatment. Necessary essentials, however, are sufficient function of the tendons, skin areas without twoo extensive cicatrical changes, precise operative procedure and adequate postoperative treatment.", "contents": "[Results of alloarthroplasty in finger joints damaged through injury]. Follow-up examination is reported of 24 patients with post-traumatic arthritis treated by 29 finger joint implants. The average follow-up time was 35 months. It could be shown that implant arthroplasty in painful, unstable finger joints stiffened in an unfavourable position represents a quite reasonable method of treatment. Necessary essentials, however, are sufficient function of the tendons, skin areas without twoo extensive cicatrical changes, precise operative procedure and adequate postoperative treatment.", "PMID": 615079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1204", "title": "[Epilepsy and Dupuytren's contracture--a syntropy of 2 diseases?].", "content": "Dupuytren's contracture was observed in 21,6 percent of 524 patients with epilepsy. This combination is characterised by a steadily progression by relatively benign course with a consequenly low frequency of operation and rate of recurrence. Possible genetic association has to be taken into consideration, because idiopathic epilepsy is the type most frequently found with Dupuytren's contracture. In this material no correlation has been found between Dupuytren's contracture and liver disease. Diabetes mellitus and other aetiologic factor which have been suggested. The duration of epilepsy and the medication given have not been analysed.", "contents": "[Epilepsy and Dupuytren's contracture--a syntropy of 2 diseases?]. Dupuytren's contracture was observed in 21,6 percent of 524 patients with epilepsy. This combination is characterised by a steadily progression by relatively benign course with a consequenly low frequency of operation and rate of recurrence. Possible genetic association has to be taken into consideration, because idiopathic epilepsy is the type most frequently found with Dupuytren's contracture. In this material no correlation has been found between Dupuytren's contracture and liver disease. Diabetes mellitus and other aetiologic factor which have been suggested. The duration of epilepsy and the medication given have not been analysed.", "PMID": 615080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1205", "title": "[Problems of arteriovenous fistulas].", "content": "Based on a personal case of congenital arteriovenous fistula we discuss the problem of the surgical treatment of this disease. Surgical treatment is always indicated in any case of systemic haemodynamic effects. The surgical treatment is not always successful as the fistula cannot always be exactly located. Another problem is the development of new circuits in regions mo-e proximally situated. This results in a high volume shunt, even if the more peripheral anomalies seem to have been removed completely. It is not sufficient to disconnect and resect the main arteries, without removing the fistula or the angioma, or new collateral vessels and trophic changes will be seen.", "contents": "[Problems of arteriovenous fistulas]. Based on a personal case of congenital arteriovenous fistula we discuss the problem of the surgical treatment of this disease. Surgical treatment is always indicated in any case of systemic haemodynamic effects. The surgical treatment is not always successful as the fistula cannot always be exactly located. Another problem is the development of new circuits in regions mo-e proximally situated. This results in a high volume shunt, even if the more peripheral anomalies seem to have been removed completely. It is not sufficient to disconnect and resect the main arteries, without removing the fistula or the angioma, or new collateral vessels and trophic changes will be seen.", "PMID": 615081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1206", "title": "[Diseases of the pisiform bone].", "content": "Isolated diseases of the os pisiforme is seldom described in the literature. Since 1973 wehave seen 7 patients with typical signs: pain at the region of pisiform, increased by dorsiflexion and radial deviations of the wrist and by compressing the pisiform in the palmar-dorsal plane. The diagnosis of pisiform disease is based on clinical and X-ray examination and followed by histological study after operation. Five of the seven patients came to operation for the following disorder: local, circumscribed chondrosis, chondromatosis of flexor carpi ulnaris with osteochondromatosis, atrophy of the pisiform and in the two cases aseptic osteonecrosis. After partial resection of the pisiform, once combined with Z-shaped lengthening of the tendon of Flexor carpi ulnaris or complete enucleation of the bone all patients were free of discomfort and remained so.", "contents": "[Diseases of the pisiform bone]. Isolated diseases of the os pisiforme is seldom described in the literature. Since 1973 wehave seen 7 patients with typical signs: pain at the region of pisiform, increased by dorsiflexion and radial deviations of the wrist and by compressing the pisiform in the palmar-dorsal plane. The diagnosis of pisiform disease is based on clinical and X-ray examination and followed by histological study after operation. Five of the seven patients came to operation for the following disorder: local, circumscribed chondrosis, chondromatosis of flexor carpi ulnaris with osteochondromatosis, atrophy of the pisiform and in the two cases aseptic osteonecrosis. After partial resection of the pisiform, once combined with Z-shaped lengthening of the tendon of Flexor carpi ulnaris or complete enucleation of the bone all patients were free of discomfort and remained so.", "PMID": 615082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1207", "title": "Antagonistic effect of heparin and a water-soluble glucocorticoid on the peripheral lymphocyte count in mice.", "content": "The effect of heparin and prednisolone succinate on the peripheral white blood cell count of mice has been studied 3 hours after injecting the drugs. Heparin in low doses did not influence the cell count but in higher doses (20 to 400 U) elicited marked lymphocytosis. When prednisolone and heparin were administered together, heparin (5 to 10 U) markedly inhibited the prednisolone-induced lymphopenia. The effect on the lymphocyte count of prednisolone combined with a large dose of heparin depends on the doses of the drugs. The antagonism seems to be non-competitive in nature. The PMN count shows only minor changes and the reaction of eosinophils to heparin is less pronounced. The antagonistic effect was manifest on the spleen weight.", "contents": "Antagonistic effect of heparin and a water-soluble glucocorticoid on the peripheral lymphocyte count in mice. The effect of heparin and prednisolone succinate on the peripheral white blood cell count of mice has been studied 3 hours after injecting the drugs. Heparin in low doses did not influence the cell count but in higher doses (20 to 400 U) elicited marked lymphocytosis. When prednisolone and heparin were administered together, heparin (5 to 10 U) markedly inhibited the prednisolone-induced lymphopenia. The effect on the lymphocyte count of prednisolone combined with a large dose of heparin depends on the doses of the drugs. The antagonism seems to be non-competitive in nature. The PMN count shows only minor changes and the reaction of eosinophils to heparin is less pronounced. The antagonistic effect was manifest on the spleen weight.", "PMID": 615083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1208", "title": "Infusion of physiological saline supplemented with adenine, pyruvate and phosphate.", "content": "After controlled bleeding 20 ml/kg enriched infusion fluid containing 0.005 mol/1 adenine, 0.1 mol/1 pyruvate, 0.1 mol/1dibasic sodium phosphate and 0.15 mol/1 sodium chloride was given to 14 dogs. Three dogs received after bleeding the same infusion fluid without adenine. One dog received only dextran after blood withdrawal and served as control Before and after bleeding and 1, 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours after infusion the levels of 2,3-DPG, ATP and P50 index were determined. After infusion of enriched fluid with and without adenine the level of 2,3-DPG and the value of P50 index increased. No rise in the ATP level was observed.", "contents": "Infusion of physiological saline supplemented with adenine, pyruvate and phosphate. After controlled bleeding 20 ml/kg enriched infusion fluid containing 0.005 mol/1 adenine, 0.1 mol/1 pyruvate, 0.1 mol/1dibasic sodium phosphate and 0.15 mol/1 sodium chloride was given to 14 dogs. Three dogs received after bleeding the same infusion fluid without adenine. One dog received only dextran after blood withdrawal and served as control Before and after bleeding and 1, 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours after infusion the levels of 2,3-DPG, ATP and P50 index were determined. After infusion of enriched fluid with and without adenine the level of 2,3-DPG and the value of P50 index increased. No rise in the ATP level was observed.", "PMID": 615084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1209", "title": "H-excess A1 and Aint variants among the Bulgarian population.", "content": "During the investigation of the subgroups of 45,895 A blood group persons, H-excess A1 and Aint variants were found in 0.359%. These variants were subdivided into three categories provisionally named A1H, A1Hint and AintH according to their most typical isoserological characteristics. The results of genealogical investigation are presented. An attempt was made to explain the existence of these atypical subgroups.", "contents": "H-excess A1 and Aint variants among the Bulgarian population. During the investigation of the subgroups of 45,895 A blood group persons, H-excess A1 and Aint variants were found in 0.359%. These variants were subdivided into three categories provisionally named A1H, A1Hint and AintH according to their most typical isoserological characteristics. The results of genealogical investigation are presented. An attempt was made to explain the existence of these atypical subgroups.", "PMID": 615085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1210", "title": "Effect of F-leurosine (formyl-leurosine) on platelet production in mice.", "content": "F-leurosine (formyl-leurosine) was found to exert a thrombocytopoietic effect in CFLP mice. The effect was most pronounced in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg. The increased activity of the megakaryocyte system was not due to thrombocytopenia. The preparation induced in the bone marrow an increasing megakaryocyte formation (increase of the megakaryocyte index, a shift to the left in the qualitative composition of the giant cells, increase of the 75Se-methionine incorporation). F-leurosine seems to exert its effect through a direct stimulation of the megakaryocyte system, which might be utilized in therapy.", "contents": "Effect of F-leurosine (formyl-leurosine) on platelet production in mice. F-leurosine (formyl-leurosine) was found to exert a thrombocytopoietic effect in CFLP mice. The effect was most pronounced in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg. The increased activity of the megakaryocyte system was not due to thrombocytopenia. The preparation induced in the bone marrow an increasing megakaryocyte formation (increase of the megakaryocyte index, a shift to the left in the qualitative composition of the giant cells, increase of the 75Se-methionine incorporation). F-leurosine seems to exert its effect through a direct stimulation of the megakaryocyte system, which might be utilized in therapy.", "PMID": 615086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1211", "title": "Effect of collagen on thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III and heparin.", "content": "Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III and heparin has been found to decrease in the presence of collagen, whereas thrombin activity and the rate of thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III alone are not affected. Albumin, at the same concentration as collagen, does not influence either thrombin activity or thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III or by antithrombin-III plus heparin.", "contents": "Effect of collagen on thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III and heparin. Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III and heparin has been found to decrease in the presence of collagen, whereas thrombin activity and the rate of thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III alone are not affected. Albumin, at the same concentration as collagen, does not influence either thrombin activity or thrombin inactivation by antithrombin-III or by antithrombin-III plus heparin.", "PMID": 615087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1212", "title": "Fibrinogen metabolism in cyanoti congenital heart disease.", "content": "The metabolism and in vivo kinetics of fibrinogen labelled with radioactive iodine was studied in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The patients had a significantly lowered plasma fibrinogen pool, shortened fibrinogen half-life and increased fractional catabolic rate of fibrinogen compared with healthy children. The average plasma fibrinogen and absolute catabolic rate of fibrinogen did not differ from control values. The shortened fibrinogen half-life together with the correcting effect of anticoagulation with heparin indicated that fibrinogen was consumed by chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation. Inhibition of the fibrinolytic system with epsilon-aminocaproic acid in three cyanotic patients had no influence on the fibrinogen half-life in two of them but resulted in its prolongation in one patient.", "contents": "Fibrinogen metabolism in cyanoti congenital heart disease. The metabolism and in vivo kinetics of fibrinogen labelled with radioactive iodine was studied in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The patients had a significantly lowered plasma fibrinogen pool, shortened fibrinogen half-life and increased fractional catabolic rate of fibrinogen compared with healthy children. The average plasma fibrinogen and absolute catabolic rate of fibrinogen did not differ from control values. The shortened fibrinogen half-life together with the correcting effect of anticoagulation with heparin indicated that fibrinogen was consumed by chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation. Inhibition of the fibrinolytic system with epsilon-aminocaproic acid in three cyanotic patients had no influence on the fibrinogen half-life in two of them but resulted in its prolongation in one patient.", "PMID": 615088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1213", "title": "Nonsynthetizing multiple myeloma.", "content": "A case of multiple myeloma with no monoclonal protein synthesis is reported. The patient had hypogammaglobulinemia, bone marrow invasion, osteolytic lesions, and plasma cell tumors. The absence of protein synthesis has been demonstrated in bone marrow culture with tritiated leucine. No evidence of immunoglobulin production was found. Bone marrow or plasma cell tumor biopsy may be the only method of diagnosis in such cases.", "contents": "Nonsynthetizing multiple myeloma. A case of multiple myeloma with no monoclonal protein synthesis is reported. The patient had hypogammaglobulinemia, bone marrow invasion, osteolytic lesions, and plasma cell tumors. The absence of protein synthesis has been demonstrated in bone marrow culture with tritiated leucine. No evidence of immunoglobulin production was found. Bone marrow or plasma cell tumor biopsy may be the only method of diagnosis in such cases.", "PMID": 615090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1214", "title": "Serum levels of IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE in IgG paraproteinaemias.", "content": "The dependence of serum levels of polyclonal IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE on the amount of IgG paraprotein was studied in a series of 58 IgG paraproteinaemias. A significant correlation was found for IgA (r = -0.4782, p = 0.0007), for IgM (r = -0.3296, p = 0.0237) and for IgD (r = -0.3589, p = 0.0143) in the whole series of IgG paraproteinaemias and in the subgroup of myeloma paraproteinaemias (n = 34) for IgM (r = -0.4276, p = 0.0207) and for IgD (r = -0.4384, p = 0.0196).", "contents": "Serum levels of IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE in IgG paraproteinaemias. The dependence of serum levels of polyclonal IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE on the amount of IgG paraprotein was studied in a series of 58 IgG paraproteinaemias. A significant correlation was found for IgA (r = -0.4782, p = 0.0007), for IgM (r = -0.3296, p = 0.0237) and for IgD (r = -0.3589, p = 0.0143) in the whole series of IgG paraproteinaemias and in the subgroup of myeloma paraproteinaemias (n = 34) for IgM (r = -0.4276, p = 0.0207) and for IgD (r = -0.4384, p = 0.0196).", "PMID": 615091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1215", "title": "Cell-mediated immunity in subjects immunized with HLA antigens.", "content": "Production of cellular immune reaction in subjects immunized against HLA antigens was studied by the capillary migration inhibition test in vitro and by the skin test in vivo. The majority of the immunized subjects (10 out of 13) developed a cell-mediated immunity to the donor antigens. Production of HLA antibodies was demonstrable in a smaller proportion of the cases. The complementary nature of humoral and cellular responsiveness was borne out by the present observations. The result of the skin test performed simultaneously with the migration inhibition test correlated well with the result in vitro.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immunity in subjects immunized with HLA antigens. Production of cellular immune reaction in subjects immunized against HLA antigens was studied by the capillary migration inhibition test in vitro and by the skin test in vivo. The majority of the immunized subjects (10 out of 13) developed a cell-mediated immunity to the donor antigens. Production of HLA antibodies was demonstrable in a smaller proportion of the cases. The complementary nature of humoral and cellular responsiveness was borne out by the present observations. The result of the skin test performed simultaneously with the migration inhibition test correlated well with the result in vitro.", "PMID": 615092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1216", "title": "The portal venous tree simulating dilated biliary ducts on computed tomography of the liver.", "content": "Intrahepatic portal veins may be identified on routine computed tomography (CT) of the liver. These venous structures appear as linear and branching, low-density regions in the liver which appear to converge at the porta hepatis. Intrahepatic portal veins may simulate the appearance of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. Venous structures may be distinguished from dilated bile ducts by their obliteration following intravenous infusion of urographic contrast agents. CT numbers of portal veins tend to be somewhat higher than those of dilated bile ducts, but enough overlap of values exists to make reliance upon these numbers in an individual case suspect.", "contents": "The portal venous tree simulating dilated biliary ducts on computed tomography of the liver. Intrahepatic portal veins may be identified on routine computed tomography (CT) of the liver. These venous structures appear as linear and branching, low-density regions in the liver which appear to converge at the porta hepatis. Intrahepatic portal veins may simulate the appearance of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. Venous structures may be distinguished from dilated bile ducts by their obliteration following intravenous infusion of urographic contrast agents. CT numbers of portal veins tend to be somewhat higher than those of dilated bile ducts, but enough overlap of values exists to make reliance upon these numbers in an individual case suspect.", "PMID": 615192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1217", "title": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis, staging, and management of abdominal lymphoma.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 30 patients with histologically proven lymphoma within 1 week of bipedal lymphangiography to assess the relative sensitivity of each diagnostic modality in defining the location and extent of lymphomatous involvement. In 11 patients, lymphangiography significantly underestimated the volume of the periaortic nodal mass and its cephalad extent. In 13 additional patients, CT defined significant renal hilar, mesenteric, splenic hilar, and splenic pulp extension not visualized by lymphangiography. Sequential CT scans performed in five patients proved an excellent way to follow therapeutic response. CT scans were also performed in 26 patients with nonlymphomatous intraabdominal malignancy within a week of lymphangiography. It was of value in staging patients with carcinoma of the testis but was not overly helpful in patients with carcinoma of the ovary or pancreas.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis, staging, and management of abdominal lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 30 patients with histologically proven lymphoma within 1 week of bipedal lymphangiography to assess the relative sensitivity of each diagnostic modality in defining the location and extent of lymphomatous involvement. In 11 patients, lymphangiography significantly underestimated the volume of the periaortic nodal mass and its cephalad extent. In 13 additional patients, CT defined significant renal hilar, mesenteric, splenic hilar, and splenic pulp extension not visualized by lymphangiography. Sequential CT scans performed in five patients proved an excellent way to follow therapeutic response. CT scans were also performed in 26 patients with nonlymphomatous intraabdominal malignancy within a week of lymphangiography. It was of value in staging patients with carcinoma of the testis but was not overly helpful in patients with carcinoma of the ovary or pancreas.", "PMID": 615193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1218", "title": "Computed tomography of intrathoracic omental herniation and other mediastinal fatty masses.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) is a useful modality in assessing fatty masses in the mediastinum. A case is presented in which a large mediastinal mass was shown by CT scan to be periesophageal, composed entirely of fat; surgery demonstrated omental herniation without visceral herniation.", "contents": "Computed tomography of intrathoracic omental herniation and other mediastinal fatty masses. Computed tomography (CT) is a useful modality in assessing fatty masses in the mediastinum. A case is presented in which a large mediastinal mass was shown by CT scan to be periesophageal, composed entirely of fat; surgery demonstrated omental herniation without visceral herniation.", "PMID": 615194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1219", "title": "Holographic displays for computer assisted tomography.", "content": "Generalized holographic methods may be used to provide three-dimensional displays from a series of adjacent tomograms. Two such methods are described. In the first method, the tomograms are simultaneously recorded as a single \"space-multiplex\" hologram, which thus reproduces the N images in proper relation to each other in space. In the second method, a single hologram of the total volume is theoretically synthesized.", "contents": "Holographic displays for computer assisted tomography. Generalized holographic methods may be used to provide three-dimensional displays from a series of adjacent tomograms. Two such methods are described. In the first method, the tomograms are simultaneously recorded as a single \"space-multiplex\" hologram, which thus reproduces the N images in proper relation to each other in space. In the second method, a single hologram of the total volume is theoretically synthesized.", "PMID": 615195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1220", "title": "An investigation of the slice geometry of the EMI head scanner.", "content": "The slice geometry of the EMI head scanner is investigated. It is shown that the slice thickness is positionally dependent. The slice is thinner in the central part than on the periphery and also thinner on the tube side than on the detector side. It is also shown that there is a missing region between slices A and B.", "contents": "An investigation of the slice geometry of the EMI head scanner. The slice geometry of the EMI head scanner is investigated. It is shown that the slice thickness is positionally dependent. The slice is thinner in the central part than on the periphery and also thinner on the tube side than on the detector side. It is also shown that there is a missing region between slices A and B.", "PMID": 615196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1221", "title": "Slice geometry in computer assisted tomography.", "content": "In computer assisted tomography, the slice being imaged is not a uniform slab because (1) the X-rays are not parallel, (2) the source and detector may not have equal dimensions, (3) the source collimator may produce a penumbra region on the detector, and (4) in some machines two slices are scanned simultaneously from a common focal spot. One method of measuring slice thickness, uniformity, and overlap is with a phantom containing an aluminum strip at a 45 degree angle. This provides a direct display, in the viewing plane, of the slice profile. Measurements have been made on seven new tomographic scanners, and photographs and plots of slice geometry are presented. It is suggested that slice thickness be defined as the full width at half maximum sensitivity, but that this measure should not necessarily be used as the desirable increment between scans.", "contents": "Slice geometry in computer assisted tomography. In computer assisted tomography, the slice being imaged is not a uniform slab because (1) the X-rays are not parallel, (2) the source and detector may not have equal dimensions, (3) the source collimator may produce a penumbra region on the detector, and (4) in some machines two slices are scanned simultaneously from a common focal spot. One method of measuring slice thickness, uniformity, and overlap is with a phantom containing an aluminum strip at a 45 degree angle. This provides a direct display, in the viewing plane, of the slice profile. Measurements have been made on seven new tomographic scanners, and photographs and plots of slice geometry are presented. It is suggested that slice thickness be defined as the full width at half maximum sensitivity, but that this measure should not necessarily be used as the desirable increment between scans.", "PMID": 615197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1222", "title": "Computer assisted tomography in methotrexate encephalopathy.", "content": "Five children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) developed encephalopathy following treatment with intrathecal or intraventricular methotrexate (MTX). In these patients computer assisted tomography was informative by revealing areas of decreased attenuation coefficient located periventricularly and in each centrum semiovale (three cases) and calcifications, mostly in the deep and cortical gray matter (two cases), as well as ventricular dilatation (four cases). Contrast injection used in one of these five patients, as well as in another child (not affected by ALL) with MTX encephalopathy, failed to reveal enhancement.", "contents": "Computer assisted tomography in methotrexate encephalopathy. Five children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) developed encephalopathy following treatment with intrathecal or intraventricular methotrexate (MTX). In these patients computer assisted tomography was informative by revealing areas of decreased attenuation coefficient located periventricularly and in each centrum semiovale (three cases) and calcifications, mostly in the deep and cortical gray matter (two cases), as well as ventricular dilatation (four cases). Contrast injection used in one of these five patients, as well as in another child (not affected by ALL) with MTX encephalopathy, failed to reveal enhancement.", "PMID": 615198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1223", "title": "The sylvian cistern on computed tomography scanning.", "content": "The sylvian cistern is an important landmark in neuroradiology. It can be directly evaluated with computed tomographic (CT) scanning, especially in patients with some degree of cerebral atrophy or when enlarged by masses or fluid accumulations.", "contents": "The sylvian cistern on computed tomography scanning. The sylvian cistern is an important landmark in neuroradiology. It can be directly evaluated with computed tomographic (CT) scanning, especially in patients with some degree of cerebral atrophy or when enlarged by masses or fluid accumulations.", "PMID": 615199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1224", "title": "Histographic studies in computed tomography of contrast-enhanced cerebral and orbital tumors.", "content": "The density distribution inside a pathologic zone before and after contrast enhancement has been studied in the computed tomograms of 88 cases of cerebral and orbital tumors, using histographic analysis. The histograms provided additional diagnostic information, especially for vascular tumors. This method is also useful for experimentation with contrast media.", "contents": "Histographic studies in computed tomography of contrast-enhanced cerebral and orbital tumors. The density distribution inside a pathologic zone before and after contrast enhancement has been studied in the computed tomograms of 88 cases of cerebral and orbital tumors, using histographic analysis. The histograms provided additional diagnostic information, especially for vascular tumors. This method is also useful for experimentation with contrast media.", "PMID": 615200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1225", "title": "Computed tomography in metrizamide cisternography--importance of coronal and axial views.", "content": "Computed tomographic scans were performed in 34 patients following lumbar introduction of metrizamide. Imaging of the cranial spaces was obtained with horizontal and inclined (25 degrees) as well as coronal planes. Mass lesions within and encroaching upon the cisternal spaces were demonstrated, and the ventricular system was shown with varying degrees of opacification. Coronal and semicoronal views facilitated the localization of parasellar and incisural mass lesions.", "contents": "Computed tomography in metrizamide cisternography--importance of coronal and axial views. Computed tomographic scans were performed in 34 patients following lumbar introduction of metrizamide. Imaging of the cranial spaces was obtained with horizontal and inclined (25 degrees) as well as coronal planes. Mass lesions within and encroaching upon the cisternal spaces were demonstrated, and the ventricular system was shown with varying degrees of opacification. Coronal and semicoronal views facilitated the localization of parasellar and incisural mass lesions.", "PMID": 615201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1226", "title": "Coronal head scans by computed tomography with patient in sitting position.", "content": "Coronal scans of any region of the head as well as of the craniocervical region may be obtained with the patient in sitting position. The Hitachi tomograph is used for this purpose.", "contents": "Coronal head scans by computed tomography with patient in sitting position. Coronal scans of any region of the head as well as of the craniocervical region may be obtained with the patient in sitting position. The Hitachi tomograph is used for this purpose.", "PMID": 615202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1227", "title": "Computed tomography of the normal pancreas.", "content": "The normal anatomy of the pancreas is demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) (EMI) in 50 patients with no known pancreatic disease and in 15 comparable postmortem studies. The problems of optimal demonstration of the pancreas in CT and the possible causes of misinterpretation of the pancreatic axial tomography are considered. The size of the normal pancreas was found to be up to 3.0 cm for the head, 2.5 cm for the neck and body, and 2.0 cm for the tail. In assessing these values, it is important to be sure that adjacent structures such as the portal vein, splenic vein, and duodenum are not included in the measurement, that the measurements are taken on scans of maximum resolution with no movements, and that the measurements are strictly related to the anteroposterior diameter. It is considered that gantry tilt will also distort these figures. The reasons for these statements are presented and discussed.", "contents": "Computed tomography of the normal pancreas. The normal anatomy of the pancreas is demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) (EMI) in 50 patients with no known pancreatic disease and in 15 comparable postmortem studies. The problems of optimal demonstration of the pancreas in CT and the possible causes of misinterpretation of the pancreatic axial tomography are considered. The size of the normal pancreas was found to be up to 3.0 cm for the head, 2.5 cm for the neck and body, and 2.0 cm for the tail. In assessing these values, it is important to be sure that adjacent structures such as the portal vein, splenic vein, and duodenum are not included in the measurement, that the measurements are taken on scans of maximum resolution with no movements, and that the measurements are strictly related to the anteroposterior diameter. It is considered that gantry tilt will also distort these figures. The reasons for these statements are presented and discussed.", "PMID": 615203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1228", "title": "Tomochemistry of the brain.", "content": "Noninvasive tomochemical analysis of normal and pathological brain tissues of seven patients has been performed with the technique of dual energy computed tomography. The variation of the effective atomic numbers observed in this experiment is relatively small, less than 6%, while the variation of the electron density is below 4%. Cerebral pathology involves complex variations of molecular constituents, even in macroscopically apparently simple lesions like edema, tumors, hemorrhage, etc. These molecular variations may have opposing, equalizing, or additive effects on the effective atomic number. Our results, supported by existing in vitro data, suggest that the clinical value of this technique is limited.", "contents": "Tomochemistry of the brain. Noninvasive tomochemical analysis of normal and pathological brain tissues of seven patients has been performed with the technique of dual energy computed tomography. The variation of the effective atomic numbers observed in this experiment is relatively small, less than 6%, while the variation of the electron density is below 4%. Cerebral pathology involves complex variations of molecular constituents, even in macroscopically apparently simple lesions like edema, tumors, hemorrhage, etc. These molecular variations may have opposing, equalizing, or additive effects on the effective atomic number. Our results, supported by existing in vitro data, suggest that the clinical value of this technique is limited.", "PMID": 615204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1229", "title": "Computer assisted tomography in adrenoleukodystrophy.", "content": "Our findings on computer assisted tomography of the brain in four cases of adrenoleukodystrophy are sufficiently consistent to warrant delineation. Early changes, which may predate obvious clinical findings, are represented by areas of decreased attenuation coefficient in the posterior (parieto-occipital) white matter around the trigonum of each lateral ventricle. Subsequently the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes are involved, and the extensive areas of decreased attenuation coefficient in the white matter become almost indistinguishable from the conspicuously enlarged ventricles. Only a thin ependymal wall separates the ventricular cavities from the leukomalacia lesions. Contrast medium enhancement at the periphery of the affected regions is an important, although inconsistent, feature.", "contents": "Computer assisted tomography in adrenoleukodystrophy. Our findings on computer assisted tomography of the brain in four cases of adrenoleukodystrophy are sufficiently consistent to warrant delineation. Early changes, which may predate obvious clinical findings, are represented by areas of decreased attenuation coefficient in the posterior (parieto-occipital) white matter around the trigonum of each lateral ventricle. Subsequently the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes are involved, and the extensive areas of decreased attenuation coefficient in the white matter become almost indistinguishable from the conspicuously enlarged ventricles. Only a thin ependymal wall separates the ventricular cavities from the leukomalacia lesions. Contrast medium enhancement at the periphery of the affected regions is an important, although inconsistent, feature.", "PMID": 615205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1230", "title": "A comparison of radionuclide scanning and computed tomography in metastatic lesions of the brain.", "content": "Forty-seven patients with a final diagnosis of brain metastases were studied with both computed tomography (CT) and radionuclide (RN) scanning. Fifty-three percent of these patients also underwent contrast enhanced CT. Radionuclide scanning detected 94% of the cases, while CT without contrast enhancement was positive in 89%. The addition of contrast material to the CT examination increased the total sensitivity of CT to 94% and permitted the detection of two cases that were falsely negative on RN scanning and CT without contrast. With both techniques, lesions in the cerebral hemispheres were detected more readily than infratentorial lesions. Radionuclide scanning was less sensitive than CT without contrast in the detection of multiple metastases. Contrast enhanced CT should be used in all cases of suspected cerebral metastases unless contraindicated.", "contents": "A comparison of radionuclide scanning and computed tomography in metastatic lesions of the brain. Forty-seven patients with a final diagnosis of brain metastases were studied with both computed tomography (CT) and radionuclide (RN) scanning. Fifty-three percent of these patients also underwent contrast enhanced CT. Radionuclide scanning detected 94% of the cases, while CT without contrast enhancement was positive in 89%. The addition of contrast material to the CT examination increased the total sensitivity of CT to 94% and permitted the detection of two cases that were falsely negative on RN scanning and CT without contrast. With both techniques, lesions in the cerebral hemispheres were detected more readily than infratentorial lesions. Radionuclide scanning was less sensitive than CT without contrast in the detection of multiple metastases. Contrast enhanced CT should be used in all cases of suspected cerebral metastases unless contraindicated.", "PMID": 615206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1231", "title": "Contralateral temporal horn widening in unilateral supratentorial mass lesions: a diagnostic sign indicating tentorial herniation.", "content": "Tentorial herniation secondary to supratentorial mass lesions will cause aqueductal compression and raised intraventricular pressure. Under ordinary circumstances, a raised intraventricular pressure will result in the development of hydrocephalus, but, in the presence of a large supratentorial mass, it is impossible for a generalized hydrocephalus to develop; only those parts of the ventricular system that are somehow shielded from the pressure effect of the mass lesion will be able to dilate. This dilatation will most frequently involve the contralateral temporal horn. Often, the atrium of the ventricle and the occipital horn will also be involved and, occasionally, the entire ventricle on the side opposite the mass will be dilated. The association of a large supratentorial mass with considerable shift of midline structures and computed tomography findings of a dilated contralateral temporal horn should be considered indicative of tentorial herniation, unless there are signs of preexisting atrophy or other preexisting disease processes that could have caused widening of the temporal horn.", "contents": "Contralateral temporal horn widening in unilateral supratentorial mass lesions: a diagnostic sign indicating tentorial herniation. Tentorial herniation secondary to supratentorial mass lesions will cause aqueductal compression and raised intraventricular pressure. Under ordinary circumstances, a raised intraventricular pressure will result in the development of hydrocephalus, but, in the presence of a large supratentorial mass, it is impossible for a generalized hydrocephalus to develop; only those parts of the ventricular system that are somehow shielded from the pressure effect of the mass lesion will be able to dilate. This dilatation will most frequently involve the contralateral temporal horn. Often, the atrium of the ventricle and the occipital horn will also be involved and, occasionally, the entire ventricle on the side opposite the mass will be dilated. The association of a large supratentorial mass with considerable shift of midline structures and computed tomography findings of a dilated contralateral temporal horn should be considered indicative of tentorial herniation, unless there are signs of preexisting atrophy or other preexisting disease processes that could have caused widening of the temporal horn.", "PMID": 615207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1232", "title": "Failure of computer assisted tomography to detect experimental acute obstruction of major pulmonary arteries.", "content": "Large perfusion defects were produced by total balloon occlusion of major branch pulmonary arteries in two baboons and one dog. The position and total occlusion were confirmed by pulmonary angiograms. Computer assisted tomography (CAT) failed to demonstrate any difference in the nonperfused segment of lung either before or after intravenous contrast injection.", "contents": "Failure of computer assisted tomography to detect experimental acute obstruction of major pulmonary arteries. Large perfusion defects were produced by total balloon occlusion of major branch pulmonary arteries in two baboons and one dog. The position and total occlusion were confirmed by pulmonary angiograms. Computer assisted tomography (CAT) failed to demonstrate any difference in the nonperfused segment of lung either before or after intravenous contrast injection.", "PMID": 615208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1233", "title": "A substitute for the water box in the original EMI brain scanner.", "content": "A modified water box for the EMI brain scanner is described. The modified box permits parts of the body other than the brain to be scanned. The patient setup for brain scans is simplified, and motion artifacts have almost disappeared.", "contents": "A substitute for the water box in the original EMI brain scanner. A modified water box for the EMI brain scanner is described. The modified box permits parts of the body other than the brain to be scanned. The patient setup for brain scans is simplified, and motion artifacts have almost disappeared.", "PMID": 615209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1234", "title": "The rubber circle: a technique for analyzing computed tomography scans.", "content": "The authors describe a technique for automated analysis of lesions demonstrated by computed tomography. A seed circle may be superimposed on a lesion by an operator controlled program. By selecting density limits, the program will then automatically outline a particular area of abnormal density and calculate the statistics of the pixels within that area. The information may be viewed on the computer terminal or recorded on the printer. The system may be superimposed on first generation EMI scanners without additional hardware. The time for obtaining the information roughly approximates that of systems employing manually operated cursors.", "contents": "The rubber circle: a technique for analyzing computed tomography scans. The authors describe a technique for automated analysis of lesions demonstrated by computed tomography. A seed circle may be superimposed on a lesion by an operator controlled program. By selecting density limits, the program will then automatically outline a particular area of abnormal density and calculate the statistics of the pixels within that area. The information may be viewed on the computer terminal or recorded on the printer. The system may be superimposed on first generation EMI scanners without additional hardware. The time for obtaining the information roughly approximates that of systems employing manually operated cursors.", "PMID": 615210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1235", "title": "Case report: computed tomography of \"Page\" kidney.", "content": "The radiologic features and computed tomography (CT) findings in a case of \"Page\" kidney are described. Initial CT scans revealed a large mass in the left renal bed. A repeat CT study using contrast medium showed the mass to be a centrally enhanced renal tissue with surrounding avascular zone. CT gave the most useful diagnostic information of the radiologic examinations performed.", "contents": "Case report: computed tomography of \"Page\" kidney. The radiologic features and computed tomography (CT) findings in a case of \"Page\" kidney are described. Initial CT scans revealed a large mass in the left renal bed. A repeat CT study using contrast medium showed the mass to be a centrally enhanced renal tissue with surrounding avascular zone. CT gave the most useful diagnostic information of the radiologic examinations performed.", "PMID": 615211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1236", "title": "Case report: diminished density surrounding a meningioma, verified to be an overlying cystic astrocytoma.", "content": "Meningiomas examined by computed tomography (CT) often show an area of decreased density surrounding the tumor. Various explanations include edema of the adjacent brain, loculated or trapped subarachnoid fluid, widening of the subarachnoid space, tissue necrosis, and demyelination. The present report describes a case in which this zone of diminished density was a large cystic astrocytoma, overlying a subfrontal meningioma.", "contents": "Case report: diminished density surrounding a meningioma, verified to be an overlying cystic astrocytoma. Meningiomas examined by computed tomography (CT) often show an area of decreased density surrounding the tumor. Various explanations include edema of the adjacent brain, loculated or trapped subarachnoid fluid, widening of the subarachnoid space, tissue necrosis, and demyelination. The present report describes a case in which this zone of diminished density was a large cystic astrocytoma, overlying a subfrontal meningioma.", "PMID": 615212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1237", "title": "Case report: abnormal perfusion of iodinated contrast material into the ventricular system in cerebral death.", "content": "Apparent abnormal perfusion of iodinated contrast material into the ventricular system has been observed by computed tomography in a terminally ill patient with acute hydrocephalus due to cerebellar hematoma.", "contents": "Case report: abnormal perfusion of iodinated contrast material into the ventricular system in cerebral death. Apparent abnormal perfusion of iodinated contrast material into the ventricular system has been observed by computed tomography in a terminally ill patient with acute hydrocephalus due to cerebellar hematoma.", "PMID": 615213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1238", "title": "Computed tomography of intraspinal and paraspinal neoplasms.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) has been used in the evaluation of 36 spinal neoplasms. Eleven of the 19 intraspinal and all of the 17 paraspinal tumors showed positive CT images. Computed tomography is of diagnostic value particularly in detecting calcified meningiomas, lipomas, and neurofibromas with bony changes. The size of the paraspinal tumors and the degree of bone destruction can be precisely demonstrated by CT.", "contents": "Computed tomography of intraspinal and paraspinal neoplasms. Computed tomography (CT) has been used in the evaluation of 36 spinal neoplasms. Eleven of the 19 intraspinal and all of the 17 paraspinal tumors showed positive CT images. Computed tomography is of diagnostic value particularly in detecting calcified meningiomas, lipomas, and neurofibromas with bony changes. The size of the paraspinal tumors and the degree of bone destruction can be precisely demonstrated by CT.", "PMID": 615215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1239", "title": "Computer assisted myelography in disk disease.", "content": "Computer assisted myelography (CAM) is a technique to examine the spinal subarachnoid space. Adjacent structures that may impinge on this space, such as the intervertebral disks, as well as structures contained in this space, such as the spinal cord, spinal roots, and vascular formation, may also be appraised by this method. At present, CAM is performed by subarachnoid introduction of water soluble contrast material followed by computed tomography in the axial transverse plane. The authors present their technique and their results with representative cases of intervertebral disk disease.", "contents": "Computer assisted myelography in disk disease. Computer assisted myelography (CAM) is a technique to examine the spinal subarachnoid space. Adjacent structures that may impinge on this space, such as the intervertebral disks, as well as structures contained in this space, such as the spinal cord, spinal roots, and vascular formation, may also be appraised by this method. At present, CAM is performed by subarachnoid introduction of water soluble contrast material followed by computed tomography in the axial transverse plane. The authors present their technique and their results with representative cases of intervertebral disk disease.", "PMID": 615216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1240", "title": "Time controlled computed tomographic angiography.", "content": "A technique is described which, by exact timing of injection and computed tomography (CT) scans, allows a high contrast medium concentration in blood (14 mg iodine/ml blood) to be reached for a brief period, sufficient for a fast scan of 5 to 10 sec duration. This scan demonstrates the early perfusion of the vascular bed of the various organs. With serial, fast CT scans of the same section with 30 sec intervals for 3 min, a dynamic investigation of contrast medium distribution in vessels, tissue, and excretory pathways may be obtained. Preliminary experiments indicate the promising usefulness of this type of examination for brain, kidney, pancreas, spleen, liver, and small bowel.", "contents": "Time controlled computed tomographic angiography. A technique is described which, by exact timing of injection and computed tomography (CT) scans, allows a high contrast medium concentration in blood (14 mg iodine/ml blood) to be reached for a brief period, sufficient for a fast scan of 5 to 10 sec duration. This scan demonstrates the early perfusion of the vascular bed of the various organs. With serial, fast CT scans of the same section with 30 sec intervals for 3 min, a dynamic investigation of contrast medium distribution in vessels, tissue, and excretory pathways may be obtained. Preliminary experiments indicate the promising usefulness of this type of examination for brain, kidney, pancreas, spleen, liver, and small bowel.", "PMID": 615217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1241", "title": "Cranial computed tomography findings in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "Four patients with anorexia nervosa were studied by cranial computed tomography (CT). Three of the four demonstrated abnormal enlargement of cortical sulci and subarachnoid spaces as compared with an age-matched control group. The relationship of this finding to established neuropathological changes in anorexia nervosa is discussed.", "contents": "Cranial computed tomography findings in anorexia nervosa. Four patients with anorexia nervosa were studied by cranial computed tomography (CT). Three of the four demonstrated abnormal enlargement of cortical sulci and subarachnoid spaces as compared with an age-matched control group. The relationship of this finding to established neuropathological changes in anorexia nervosa is discussed.", "PMID": 615218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1242", "title": "Reversibility of cerebral atrophy in anorexia nervosa and Cushing's syndrome.", "content": "Two patients, one with malnutrition due to anorexia nervosa and one with Cushing's syndrome, showed evidence of cerebral atrophy by computed tomography (CT) of the brain. Several months after the original diagnosis of cerebral atrophy, follow-up CT studies demonstrated essentially total return to normality. It is postulated that the mechanism responsible for the described atrophic changes may be related to protein loss or fluid retention, or both. Correction of these metabolic abnormalities may be followed, as in the two cases reported here, by reversion of the CT findings to normality.", "contents": "Reversibility of cerebral atrophy in anorexia nervosa and Cushing's syndrome. Two patients, one with malnutrition due to anorexia nervosa and one with Cushing's syndrome, showed evidence of cerebral atrophy by computed tomography (CT) of the brain. Several months after the original diagnosis of cerebral atrophy, follow-up CT studies demonstrated essentially total return to normality. It is postulated that the mechanism responsible for the described atrophic changes may be related to protein loss or fluid retention, or both. Correction of these metabolic abnormalities may be followed, as in the two cases reported here, by reversion of the CT findings to normality.", "PMID": 615219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1243", "title": "Computed tomography with fan beam geometry.", "content": "Data collection for computed tomography (CT), using a fan beam of radiation, is considered in detail. The manner in which the required projection data set is built up as scanning proceeds is demonstrated. It is shown that by offsetting the fan beam detector from its symmetrical position by a fraction of the element spacing, and by making measurements over 360 degrees, the spatial resolution of the detector may be increased by up to a factor of two. Results of simulations relating to an actual CT device under construction are presented.", "contents": "Computed tomography with fan beam geometry. Data collection for computed tomography (CT), using a fan beam of radiation, is considered in detail. The manner in which the required projection data set is built up as scanning proceeds is demonstrated. It is shown that by offsetting the fan beam detector from its symmetrical position by a fraction of the element spacing, and by making measurements over 360 degrees, the spatial resolution of the detector may be increased by up to a factor of two. Results of simulations relating to an actual CT device under construction are presented.", "PMID": 615221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1244", "title": "White-gray matter differentiation in computed tomography.", "content": "A numerical analysis has been performed on six regions of interest within the brain for a total of 60 patients. Three areas of white matter and three of gray matter were included. A difference of 7.1 +/- 1.3 Hounsfeld units (HU: 1,000 scale) was found between white and gray matter. For eight patients who were under 15 years of age, the difference was 5.1 +/- 0.6 HU. Contrast injection resulted in a general increase of values, with gray matter showing a greater elevation by 0.5 HU. The numerical evaluation of white and gray matter has proven to be useful in the diagnosis of leukoencephalopathy.", "contents": "White-gray matter differentiation in computed tomography. A numerical analysis has been performed on six regions of interest within the brain for a total of 60 patients. Three areas of white matter and three of gray matter were included. A difference of 7.1 +/- 1.3 Hounsfeld units (HU: 1,000 scale) was found between white and gray matter. For eight patients who were under 15 years of age, the difference was 5.1 +/- 0.6 HU. Contrast injection resulted in a general increase of values, with gray matter showing a greater elevation by 0.5 HU. The numerical evaluation of white and gray matter has proven to be useful in the diagnosis of leukoencephalopathy.", "PMID": 615222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1245", "title": "Periventricular hypodensity in hydrocephalus: a clinico-radiological and mathematial analysis using computed tomography.", "content": "The computed tomography (CT) scans carried out in hydrocephalic patients before and after surgical treatment [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting] were assessed by analysis of the densities. The numerical data were compared to the pictorial record on the display console. The periventricular hypodensity was correlated to the clinical parameters and to the time lapse after surgical treatment. The subependymal hypodensity shows good direct correlation to the transit of CSF from the ventricles to the white matter, and to the clinical status of the patients. The mathematical analysis supplies objective data and comparable indices. It constitutes the starting point for an automatic evaluation of the CT images of the process of transependymal CSF resorption in non-treated and treated hydrocephalus.", "contents": "Periventricular hypodensity in hydrocephalus: a clinico-radiological and mathematial analysis using computed tomography. The computed tomography (CT) scans carried out in hydrocephalic patients before and after surgical treatment [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting] were assessed by analysis of the densities. The numerical data were compared to the pictorial record on the display console. The periventricular hypodensity was correlated to the clinical parameters and to the time lapse after surgical treatment. The subependymal hypodensity shows good direct correlation to the transit of CSF from the ventricles to the white matter, and to the clinical status of the patients. The mathematical analysis supplies objective data and comparable indices. It constitutes the starting point for an automatic evaluation of the CT images of the process of transependymal CSF resorption in non-treated and treated hydrocephalus.", "PMID": 615223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1246", "title": "Computed tomography of cranial subdural and epidural hematomas: variation of attenuation related to time and clinical events such as rebleeding.", "content": "Forty-one cases of subdural and nine of epidural hematomas were studied with regard to attenuation and the time between trauma and computed tomography scanning. The attenuation of the hematomas showed a consistent decrease with time during the first 4 weeks. High attenuation of chronic subdural hematomas is explained by a sudden or continuous rebleeding. No correlation was found between the attenuation of the hematoma and the attenuation of venous blood from the same patient.", "contents": "Computed tomography of cranial subdural and epidural hematomas: variation of attenuation related to time and clinical events such as rebleeding. Forty-one cases of subdural and nine of epidural hematomas were studied with regard to attenuation and the time between trauma and computed tomography scanning. The attenuation of the hematomas showed a consistent decrease with time during the first 4 weeks. High attenuation of chronic subdural hematomas is explained by a sudden or continuous rebleeding. No correlation was found between the attenuation of the hematoma and the attenuation of venous blood from the same patient.", "PMID": 615224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1247", "title": "Computed tomography evaluation of holoprosencephaly in infants and children.", "content": "The computed tomographic (CT) findings of the spectrum of holoprosencephaly are presented. Five cases are used to demonstrate the subgroups of alobar, semilobar, and lobar holoprosencephaly. Familiarization with the CT findings in holoprosencephaly leads to more accurate and earlier diagnosis.", "contents": "Computed tomography evaluation of holoprosencephaly in infants and children. The computed tomographic (CT) findings of the spectrum of holoprosencephaly are presented. Five cases are used to demonstrate the subgroups of alobar, semilobar, and lobar holoprosencephaly. Familiarization with the CT findings in holoprosencephaly leads to more accurate and earlier diagnosis.", "PMID": 615225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1248", "title": "Computed tomography in intracranial cysticercosis.", "content": "The computed tomography (CT) scans and other radiographic studies of 23 patients with cerebral cysticercosis were reviewed. Parenchymal calcifications, the most common finding, are somewhat better seen on CT scans than on skull films. Ventricular cysts may be suspected by disproportionate enlargement of the involved ventricle. Cysts in subarachnoid cisterns are best detected by performing both CT and pneumoencephalography. Contrast enhancement was not seen with cisternal or ventricular cysts but may be with parenchymal cysticercus lesions.", "contents": "Computed tomography in intracranial cysticercosis. The computed tomography (CT) scans and other radiographic studies of 23 patients with cerebral cysticercosis were reviewed. Parenchymal calcifications, the most common finding, are somewhat better seen on CT scans than on skull films. Ventricular cysts may be suspected by disproportionate enlargement of the involved ventricle. Cysts in subarachnoid cisterns are best detected by performing both CT and pneumoencephalography. Contrast enhancement was not seen with cisternal or ventricular cysts but may be with parenchymal cysticercus lesions.", "PMID": 615226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1249", "title": "Computed tomography of trauma involving brain and facial skull (craniofacial injuries).", "content": "Among head injuries, frontobasal fractures play an important role due to frequently concomitant intracranial complications. Intracranial hematomas, cerebral contusions, depressed fractures, and intracranial air are readily detected by computed tomography (CT). Traumatization of intraorbital structures often associated with blowout fractures and herniation of cerebral parenchyma into the ethmoidal, frontal, or sphenoidal sinuses are best demonstrated by CT. In assessing soft tissue structures, CT is superior to multidirectional tomography, which tends to be more suitable for fine detail study of bony structures. Furthermore, CT is helpful for diagnosing inflammatory processes due to bacterial invasion not infrequently following traumatic communication between the paranasal sinuses and the cranial cavity. Sequelae of head trauma such as posttraumatic porencephaly are clearly demonstrated by CT.", "contents": "Computed tomography of trauma involving brain and facial skull (craniofacial injuries). Among head injuries, frontobasal fractures play an important role due to frequently concomitant intracranial complications. Intracranial hematomas, cerebral contusions, depressed fractures, and intracranial air are readily detected by computed tomography (CT). Traumatization of intraorbital structures often associated with blowout fractures and herniation of cerebral parenchyma into the ethmoidal, frontal, or sphenoidal sinuses are best demonstrated by CT. In assessing soft tissue structures, CT is superior to multidirectional tomography, which tends to be more suitable for fine detail study of bony structures. Furthermore, CT is helpful for diagnosing inflammatory processes due to bacterial invasion not infrequently following traumatic communication between the paranasal sinuses and the cranial cavity. Sequelae of head trauma such as posttraumatic porencephaly are clearly demonstrated by CT.", "PMID": 615227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1250", "title": "Computed tomographic patterns of pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy: preliminary results.", "content": "At present, the diagnosis of pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy (PHMD) rests on the clinical picture and the pattern of inheritance and is supported by electrodiagnostic, histologic, and histochemical techniques. In this report we describe the observed computed tomography (CT) changes in six patients with PHMD and compare these abnormal CT scans with scans of the same anatomic region in 16 normal individuals. Scans of patients with polymyositis and sarcoid myopathy are shown for comparison. Two CT patterns, frequently observed in our series, are described.", "contents": "Computed tomographic patterns of pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy: preliminary results. At present, the diagnosis of pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy (PHMD) rests on the clinical picture and the pattern of inheritance and is supported by electrodiagnostic, histologic, and histochemical techniques. In this report we describe the observed computed tomography (CT) changes in six patients with PHMD and compare these abnormal CT scans with scans of the same anatomic region in 16 normal individuals. Scans of patients with polymyositis and sarcoid myopathy are shown for comparison. Two CT patterns, frequently observed in our series, are described.", "PMID": 615228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1251", "title": "A quantitative theory of the Hounsfield unit and its application to dual energy scanning.", "content": "A standard definition is proposed for the Hounsfield number. Any number in computed tomography can be converted to the Hounsfield scale after performing a simple calibration using air and water. The energy dependence of the Hounsfield number, H, is given by the expression H = (Hc + Hp Q)/(1 + Q), where Hc and Hp are the Compton and photoelectric coefficients of the material being measured, expressed in Hounsfield units, and Q is the \"quality factor\" of the scanner. Q can be measured by performing a scan of a single calibrating material, such as a potassium iodine solution. By applying this analysis to dual energy scans, the Compton and photoelectric coefficients of an unknown substance may easily be obtained. This can lead to a limited degree of chemical identification.", "contents": "A quantitative theory of the Hounsfield unit and its application to dual energy scanning. A standard definition is proposed for the Hounsfield number. Any number in computed tomography can be converted to the Hounsfield scale after performing a simple calibration using air and water. The energy dependence of the Hounsfield number, H, is given by the expression H = (Hc + Hp Q)/(1 + Q), where Hc and Hp are the Compton and photoelectric coefficients of the material being measured, expressed in Hounsfield units, and Q is the \"quality factor\" of the scanner. Q can be measured by performing a scan of a single calibrating material, such as a potassium iodine solution. By applying this analysis to dual energy scans, the Compton and photoelectric coefficients of an unknown substance may easily be obtained. This can lead to a limited degree of chemical identification.", "PMID": 615229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1252", "title": "Proposed system for ultrafast computed tomography.", "content": "Construction of a new ultrafast scanner system suitable for dynamic computed tomography is now under consideration, with development soon to begin. This system will be characterized by an electronically controlled X-ray generator with wide angle double diffraction, which will permit transverse axial images to be taken in times as short as 0.01 second.", "contents": "Proposed system for ultrafast computed tomography. Construction of a new ultrafast scanner system suitable for dynamic computed tomography is now under consideration, with development soon to begin. This system will be characterized by an electronically controlled X-ray generator with wide angle double diffraction, which will permit transverse axial images to be taken in times as short as 0.01 second.", "PMID": 615230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1253", "title": "Scleral calcifications in hyperparathyroidism: demonstration by computed tomography.", "content": "Scleral calcifications were demonstrated roentgenographically in two patients with known hyperparathyroidism and clinically normal eyes. In one of these patients, scleral calcification was evident both on plain films and with computed tomography (CT). In the second patient, a solitary plaque of calcified sclera was visible only by CT. Histopathologic examination of the eyes of a third hyperparathyroid patient who died during surgery demonstrated calcium plaques in the posterior sclera consistent with the CT appearance of the sclera in the other patients.", "contents": "Scleral calcifications in hyperparathyroidism: demonstration by computed tomography. Scleral calcifications were demonstrated roentgenographically in two patients with known hyperparathyroidism and clinically normal eyes. In one of these patients, scleral calcification was evident both on plain films and with computed tomography (CT). In the second patient, a solitary plaque of calcified sclera was visible only by CT. Histopathologic examination of the eyes of a third hyperparathyroid patient who died during surgery demonstrated calcium plaques in the posterior sclera consistent with the CT appearance of the sclera in the other patients.", "PMID": 615231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1254", "title": "Coronal computed tomography in orbital disease.", "content": "Coronal computed tomography (CT) was applied to the diagnosis of orbital disease. With this technique, the size and extent of intraorbital tumors and their relationship to the eyeball, optic nerve, and extraocular muscles were demonstrated, often with information additional to that obtained by the standard axial transverse tomograms. In particular, inferior or superior displacement of the eyeball was clearly revealed. Coronal sections afforded easier comparison with other neuroradiologic examinations. In the evaluation of hyperthyroidism, the extraocular muscles were shown clearly in cross section and enlargement of the muscles was advantageously assessed by this technique. Coronal CT provides additional and complementary information to the conventional axial transverse tomography.", "contents": "Coronal computed tomography in orbital disease. Coronal computed tomography (CT) was applied to the diagnosis of orbital disease. With this technique, the size and extent of intraorbital tumors and their relationship to the eyeball, optic nerve, and extraocular muscles were demonstrated, often with information additional to that obtained by the standard axial transverse tomograms. In particular, inferior or superior displacement of the eyeball was clearly revealed. Coronal sections afforded easier comparison with other neuroradiologic examinations. In the evaluation of hyperthyroidism, the extraocular muscles were shown clearly in cross section and enlargement of the muscles was advantageously assessed by this technique. Coronal CT provides additional and complementary information to the conventional axial transverse tomography.", "PMID": 615232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1255", "title": "Sagittal computed tomography of the orbit.", "content": "We report on our preliminary experience with sagittal computed tomography of the orbit. We have found this technique to be useful in the evaluation of the orbit and orbital contents.", "contents": "Sagittal computed tomography of the orbit. We report on our preliminary experience with sagittal computed tomography of the orbit. We have found this technique to be useful in the evaluation of the orbit and orbital contents.", "PMID": 615233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1256", "title": "Case report: chronic graphite granulomatous abscess simulating a brain tumor.", "content": "Brain abscess can develop at the site of retained intracranial foreign bodies many years after the injury. This report describes a 6 1/2-year-old child who presented with recurrent severe headaches and a focal seizure of the right upper extremity. Skull X-ray was normal. Computed tomography of the head showed a mass in the left temporoparietal region with a central area of high density and contrast enhancement, thought to be a neoplasm. The mass was seen on the radionuclide brain scan and was avascular on angiography. Craniotomy revealed a foreign body granuloma with a small abscess cavity and a retained piece of pencil graphite. No one in the family could recall if the child had had such an injury.", "contents": "Case report: chronic graphite granulomatous abscess simulating a brain tumor. Brain abscess can develop at the site of retained intracranial foreign bodies many years after the injury. This report describes a 6 1/2-year-old child who presented with recurrent severe headaches and a focal seizure of the right upper extremity. Skull X-ray was normal. Computed tomography of the head showed a mass in the left temporoparietal region with a central area of high density and contrast enhancement, thought to be a neoplasm. The mass was seen on the radionuclide brain scan and was avascular on angiography. Craniotomy revealed a foreign body granuloma with a small abscess cavity and a retained piece of pencil graphite. No one in the family could recall if the child had had such an injury.", "PMID": 615234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1257", "title": "Case report. Tandem lesions: chromophobe adenoma and meningioma.", "content": "A number of cases of multiple primary intracranial neoplasms have been reported, including tumors of neuroepithelial and mesenchymal origin. The presence of meniogioma has been reported in association with glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, and eosinophilic adenoma. This case represents a unique example of adjacent chromophobe adenoma and meningioma. The usefulness of computed tomography in the diagnosis of concomitant lesions with different density attenuations is discussed.", "contents": "Case report. Tandem lesions: chromophobe adenoma and meningioma. A number of cases of multiple primary intracranial neoplasms have been reported, including tumors of neuroepithelial and mesenchymal origin. The presence of meniogioma has been reported in association with glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, and eosinophilic adenoma. This case represents a unique example of adjacent chromophobe adenoma and meningioma. The usefulness of computed tomography in the diagnosis of concomitant lesions with different density attenuations is discussed.", "PMID": 615235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1258", "title": "Labeling of EMI computed tomograms.", "content": "The importance of clear and complete annotation of computed tomograms is emphasized. The presence of an \"L\" on the right side of EMI brain scans displayed with the newer viewer equipment indicates the need for attention to this problem.", "contents": "Labeling of EMI computed tomograms. The importance of clear and complete annotation of computed tomograms is emphasized. The presence of an \"L\" on the right side of EMI brain scans displayed with the newer viewer equipment indicates the need for attention to this problem.", "PMID": 615236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1259", "title": "[Simulation of the electrical activity of an excitable membrane with an electronic analog (author's transl)].", "content": "1. The sodium and potassium conductances of the HODGKIN-HUXLEY model are simulated by a field effect transistor with a series resistor. This arrangement leads to a simple analog model of the excitable membrane (fig. 1 and 2). 2. Normally, the model is silent (fig. 3), but it becomes automatic (fig. 4) when the decay time (de-activation) of the potassium conductance is at least twice the recovery from inactivation time of the sodium conductance (taud greater than 2 tauri). 3. The effects of changes in sodium (fig. 5 and 6) and potassium (fig. 7, 8 and 9) concentration gradients upon the membrane potential and the ionic currents are easily studied when the model is silent or automatic. 4. When automatic, an increase in the potassium concentration gradient induces a lengthening of the period and ultimately, when the gradient is very high, spontaneous activity is blocked (fig. 9). On the other hand, increases of sodium gradient over 30% of normal value do not modify the period (fig 6). 5. The potassium concentration gradient modifies the excitability solely through membrane polarization (fig. 8), while sodium concentration has no effect on it (fig. 5). 6. Results with the model strengthen the hypothesis that tetraethylammonium (TEA) acts on both the maximum potassium conductance (gK) and the mechanism of sodium conductance inactivation (Tauh) to lengthen the action potential as observed on the Ranvier node (fig. 10). Effects of TEA on potassium conductance activation are also discussed. 7. Because of its simplicity and accuracy, this model lends itself easily to many other simulations.", "contents": "[Simulation of the electrical activity of an excitable membrane with an electronic analog (author's transl)]. 1. The sodium and potassium conductances of the HODGKIN-HUXLEY model are simulated by a field effect transistor with a series resistor. This arrangement leads to a simple analog model of the excitable membrane (fig. 1 and 2). 2. Normally, the model is silent (fig. 3), but it becomes automatic (fig. 4) when the decay time (de-activation) of the potassium conductance is at least twice the recovery from inactivation time of the sodium conductance (taud greater than 2 tauri). 3. The effects of changes in sodium (fig. 5 and 6) and potassium (fig. 7, 8 and 9) concentration gradients upon the membrane potential and the ionic currents are easily studied when the model is silent or automatic. 4. When automatic, an increase in the potassium concentration gradient induces a lengthening of the period and ultimately, when the gradient is very high, spontaneous activity is blocked (fig. 9). On the other hand, increases of sodium gradient over 30% of normal value do not modify the period (fig 6). 5. The potassium concentration gradient modifies the excitability solely through membrane polarization (fig. 8), while sodium concentration has no effect on it (fig. 5). 6. Results with the model strengthen the hypothesis that tetraethylammonium (TEA) acts on both the maximum potassium conductance (gK) and the mechanism of sodium conductance inactivation (Tauh) to lengthen the action potential as observed on the Ranvier node (fig. 10). Effects of TEA on potassium conductance activation are also discussed. 7. Because of its simplicity and accuracy, this model lends itself easily to many other simulations.", "PMID": 615247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1260", "title": "[Electrical activity of the brain of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) subjected to hypoxia and hypercapnia].", "content": "The effects of hypoxia and hypercapnia on the electric activity of cerebral vesicles have been studied in 48 unrestrained eels placed in water in a soundproof location. 1. Hypoxia (PwO2 less than 5 torr) was well endured for 8 hours after which sharp bursts appeared, rapidly followed by cerebral death. 2. Hypercapnia (PwCO2 congruent to 14 torr) gave an amplitude decrease in cerebral activity beginning with the first hour, and after 8 hours there was an appearance of slow waves which progressively invaded the recording while the latency of average VER increased. 3. The large resistance of eels to hypoxia, is discussed in relation to the importance of anaerobic glycolysis in fish. The effects of hypercapnia on cerebral electric activity in eels are comparable to those observed in mammals and may be due to metabolic and electrolytic modification in CRL and in nervous cells.", "contents": "[Electrical activity of the brain of the eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) subjected to hypoxia and hypercapnia]. The effects of hypoxia and hypercapnia on the electric activity of cerebral vesicles have been studied in 48 unrestrained eels placed in water in a soundproof location. 1. Hypoxia (PwO2 less than 5 torr) was well endured for 8 hours after which sharp bursts appeared, rapidly followed by cerebral death. 2. Hypercapnia (PwCO2 congruent to 14 torr) gave an amplitude decrease in cerebral activity beginning with the first hour, and after 8 hours there was an appearance of slow waves which progressively invaded the recording while the latency of average VER increased. 3. The large resistance of eels to hypoxia, is discussed in relation to the importance of anaerobic glycolysis in fish. The effects of hypercapnia on cerebral electric activity in eels are comparable to those observed in mammals and may be due to metabolic and electrolytic modification in CRL and in nervous cells.", "PMID": 615248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1261", "title": "[Effect of dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine on the distribution of cardiac output in the anesthetized rat (author's transl)].", "content": "1. The distribution of cardiac output has been studied in rats, using 15 micrometer radioactive microspheres, before and during an I. V. infusion of dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine (3 microgram/kg/min for 3 min). 2. Dopamine decreased the fraction of cardiac output in the spleen (-26%), colon (-23%) and portal vein (-16%) but did not change significantly the flow fraction delivered to the kidneys. 3. Histamine increased the fraction of cardiac output in the stomach (+66%), pancreas (+42%), small intestine (+15%) and decreased it in the colon (-22%) and kidneys (-12%. 4. Acetylcholine reduced the fraction of cardiac output in the colon (-45%), small intestine and spleen (-24%) and increased it in the liver (hepatic artery, +62%). 5. The fractions of microspheres trapped in the lungs were enhanced by histamine (+69%) and acetylcholine (+111%), probably due to an increase in the fraction of cardiac output passing through the peripheral arteriovenous anastomoses.", "contents": "[Effect of dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine on the distribution of cardiac output in the anesthetized rat (author's transl)]. 1. The distribution of cardiac output has been studied in rats, using 15 micrometer radioactive microspheres, before and during an I. V. infusion of dopamine, histamine and acetylcholine (3 microgram/kg/min for 3 min). 2. Dopamine decreased the fraction of cardiac output in the spleen (-26%), colon (-23%) and portal vein (-16%) but did not change significantly the flow fraction delivered to the kidneys. 3. Histamine increased the fraction of cardiac output in the stomach (+66%), pancreas (+42%), small intestine (+15%) and decreased it in the colon (-22%) and kidneys (-12%. 4. Acetylcholine reduced the fraction of cardiac output in the colon (-45%), small intestine and spleen (-24%) and increased it in the liver (hepatic artery, +62%). 5. The fractions of microspheres trapped in the lungs were enhanced by histamine (+69%) and acetylcholine (+111%), probably due to an increase in the fraction of cardiac output passing through the peripheral arteriovenous anastomoses.", "PMID": 615251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1262", "title": "Regional properties of dorsal and ventral hippocampus in suppression of intralaminar thalamic unit responses.", "content": "In chloralose-anaesthetized, Flaxedil-paralysed cats, the suppression of extra-lemniscal thalamic units by dorsal and ventral hippocampus was investigated. Unitary responses to test somatic stimuli, recorded in centrolateral and neighbouring thalamic nuclei, were interacted with conditioning electric stimulation in different regions around the hippocampal arch, including parahippocampal gyrus (entorhinal and retrosplenial areas). Stimulation of dorsal (dhc) and ventral (VHC) hippocampus suppressed roughly equal proportions of responses. However, within each of DHC and VHC, effectiveness depended on the region stimulated. In DHC, fields CA1 and CA3, subiculum (SUB), and retrosplenial area, but not field CA4 or dentate gyrus, usually suppressed extralemniscal units at currents below 1.0 mA. In VHC, the most effective regions were entorhinal cortex, CA3, and CA4 with dentate gryus (FD), while stimulation of CA1 or subiculum was almost ineffective, at currents below 1.0 mA. In VHC, the regions were ranked for effectiveness: Entorhinal cortex=CA3 is greater than FD is greater than SUB is greater than CA1. No topographic relationship was found between hippocampal region and thalamic loci for unit suppression. Lemniscal-type unit responses in ventrobasal thalamus were unaffected by stimulation of the hippocampus or parahippocampal gryus. Interruption of the fornix-fimbria system prevented suppression elicited from CA1 of DHC, or from CA3 but not FD of VHC. It had no effect on suppression elicited from retrosplenial or entorhinal cortex. Hippocampal regional variation of effectiveness in suppressing extralemniscal pathways may contribute to the differential behavioural involvements reported for different hippocampal structures.", "contents": "Regional properties of dorsal and ventral hippocampus in suppression of intralaminar thalamic unit responses. In chloralose-anaesthetized, Flaxedil-paralysed cats, the suppression of extra-lemniscal thalamic units by dorsal and ventral hippocampus was investigated. Unitary responses to test somatic stimuli, recorded in centrolateral and neighbouring thalamic nuclei, were interacted with conditioning electric stimulation in different regions around the hippocampal arch, including parahippocampal gyrus (entorhinal and retrosplenial areas). Stimulation of dorsal (dhc) and ventral (VHC) hippocampus suppressed roughly equal proportions of responses. However, within each of DHC and VHC, effectiveness depended on the region stimulated. In DHC, fields CA1 and CA3, subiculum (SUB), and retrosplenial area, but not field CA4 or dentate gyrus, usually suppressed extralemniscal units at currents below 1.0 mA. In VHC, the most effective regions were entorhinal cortex, CA3, and CA4 with dentate gryus (FD), while stimulation of CA1 or subiculum was almost ineffective, at currents below 1.0 mA. In VHC, the regions were ranked for effectiveness: Entorhinal cortex=CA3 is greater than FD is greater than SUB is greater than CA1. No topographic relationship was found between hippocampal region and thalamic loci for unit suppression. Lemniscal-type unit responses in ventrobasal thalamus were unaffected by stimulation of the hippocampus or parahippocampal gryus. Interruption of the fornix-fimbria system prevented suppression elicited from CA1 of DHC, or from CA3 but not FD of VHC. It had no effect on suppression elicited from retrosplenial or entorhinal cortex. Hippocampal regional variation of effectiveness in suppressing extralemniscal pathways may contribute to the differential behavioural involvements reported for different hippocampal structures.", "PMID": 615271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1263", "title": "The effect of acetylcholine and dopamine on the caudate spindle in cats.", "content": "Electrocortical activity was reacorded in cats whose caudate nuclei were perfused and electrically stimulated using a push-pull cannula. Electric stimulation invariably induced spindles (10-14 Hz) in the ipsilateral frontal cortex. Perfusions of acetylcholine together with physostigmine reduced the number of spontaneous spindles, the response to electric stimulation and induced behavioural arousal. This effect was atropine-sensitive. Perfusions of dopamine with or without tranylcypromine had no significant effect on the number of spontaneous spindles or the response to electric stimulation. Injections of both acetylcholine and dopamine into the cuadate nucleus invariably induced spontaneous spindles and slow waves. The significance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the caudate nucleus intiating caudate spindles and their significance in controlling arousal is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of acetylcholine and dopamine on the caudate spindle in cats. Electrocortical activity was reacorded in cats whose caudate nuclei were perfused and electrically stimulated using a push-pull cannula. Electric stimulation invariably induced spindles (10-14 Hz) in the ipsilateral frontal cortex. Perfusions of acetylcholine together with physostigmine reduced the number of spontaneous spindles, the response to electric stimulation and induced behavioural arousal. This effect was atropine-sensitive. Perfusions of dopamine with or without tranylcypromine had no significant effect on the number of spontaneous spindles or the response to electric stimulation. Injections of both acetylcholine and dopamine into the cuadate nucleus invariably induced spontaneous spindles and slow waves. The significance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the caudate nucleus intiating caudate spindles and their significance in controlling arousal is discussed.", "PMID": 615272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1264", "title": "Nuclear, nucleolar repair, or turnover of DNA in adult rat brain.", "content": "Labeled thymidine administered to adult rats is incorporated at a low level into brain DNA as shown by biochemical and autoradiographic methods. This incorporation takes place in part into neuronal nuclei and nucleoli and also into glial nuclei. While incorporation into glial nuclei is interpreted to represent known glial cell proliferation, incorporation into neuronal nucleoli may be related to nucleolar DNA synthesis, which in turn is responsible for the regulation of nucleolar RNA synthesis. It could also be due to DNA repair synthesis. Assuming this latter phenomenon, our results suggest that nucleolar DNA is more sensitive than chromosomal DNA to ionizing radiations and other factors.", "contents": "Nuclear, nucleolar repair, or turnover of DNA in adult rat brain. Labeled thymidine administered to adult rats is incorporated at a low level into brain DNA as shown by biochemical and autoradiographic methods. This incorporation takes place in part into neuronal nuclei and nucleoli and also into glial nuclei. While incorporation into glial nuclei is interpreted to represent known glial cell proliferation, incorporation into neuronal nucleoli may be related to nucleolar DNA synthesis, which in turn is responsible for the regulation of nucleolar RNA synthesis. It could also be due to DNA repair synthesis. Assuming this latter phenomenon, our results suggest that nucleolar DNA is more sensitive than chromosomal DNA to ionizing radiations and other factors.", "PMID": 615273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1265", "title": "Binding of apomorphine to neural membranes.", "content": "The intrinsic fluorescence of apomorphine has been used to measure its binding to neural membranes. A large number of relatively weak binding sites are concentrated in myelin and synaptic membrane fractions. Butyrophenones have the highest affinities for these sites--KD = 43 micrometer for haloperidol--while dopamine and dopamine releasers and reuptake blockers, as well as a variety of other alkaloids, have much lower affinities. The sites are hydrophobic and undergo a phase transition to a highly fluid state near 26 degrees C. Calcium is a noncompetitive inhibitor of apomorphine binding. Some of the actions of neuroleptic drugs may result from binding to these hydrophobic membrane sites in vivo, blocking conduction in small catecholamine axons.", "contents": "Binding of apomorphine to neural membranes. The intrinsic fluorescence of apomorphine has been used to measure its binding to neural membranes. A large number of relatively weak binding sites are concentrated in myelin and synaptic membrane fractions. Butyrophenones have the highest affinities for these sites--KD = 43 micrometer for haloperidol--while dopamine and dopamine releasers and reuptake blockers, as well as a variety of other alkaloids, have much lower affinities. The sites are hydrophobic and undergo a phase transition to a highly fluid state near 26 degrees C. Calcium is a noncompetitive inhibitor of apomorphine binding. Some of the actions of neuroleptic drugs may result from binding to these hydrophobic membrane sites in vivo, blocking conduction in small catecholamine axons.", "PMID": 615274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1266", "title": "Sodium exchange between blood, brain, and CSF in normal and hydrocephalic cats.", "content": "The exchange of sodium between blood, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid was studied in normal and kaolin-induced hydrocephalic cats. The ventricles were perfused to measure fluid formation and Na+ exchange rates. 22Na was added to the perfusion fluid or injected intravenously as a tracer for Na+ movement. Na+ and 22Na were also measured in cortical gray and white matter. Na+ relative specific activities were calculated for brain, effluent fluid, and serum. With 22Na in the perfusion fluid, Na+ exchange was not different from nascent Na+ influx for both normal and hydrocephalic cats. Na+ relative specific activities of cortical gray and white matter were 10 times greater in hydrocephalic than in normal cats. This difference in Na+ relative specific activity for brain may be due to a higher diffusion constant or to a lower brain capillary permeability. When 22Na was given intravenously, the Na+ diffusional exchange for normal cats was less than that measured when 22Na+ was in the perfusion fluid. In hydrocephalic cats, the Na+ diffusional exchange was effectively zero. Na+ relative specific activities of cortical gray and white matter were the same for normal and hydrocephalic cats. These findings suggest that the impaired Na+ diffusional exchange may be due to pathological changes in the choroid plexus.", "contents": "Sodium exchange between blood, brain, and CSF in normal and hydrocephalic cats. The exchange of sodium between blood, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid was studied in normal and kaolin-induced hydrocephalic cats. The ventricles were perfused to measure fluid formation and Na+ exchange rates. 22Na was added to the perfusion fluid or injected intravenously as a tracer for Na+ movement. Na+ and 22Na were also measured in cortical gray and white matter. Na+ relative specific activities were calculated for brain, effluent fluid, and serum. With 22Na in the perfusion fluid, Na+ exchange was not different from nascent Na+ influx for both normal and hydrocephalic cats. Na+ relative specific activities of cortical gray and white matter were 10 times greater in hydrocephalic than in normal cats. This difference in Na+ relative specific activity for brain may be due to a higher diffusion constant or to a lower brain capillary permeability. When 22Na was given intravenously, the Na+ diffusional exchange for normal cats was less than that measured when 22Na+ was in the perfusion fluid. In hydrocephalic cats, the Na+ diffusional exchange was effectively zero. Na+ relative specific activities of cortical gray and white matter were the same for normal and hydrocephalic cats. These findings suggest that the impaired Na+ diffusional exchange may be due to pathological changes in the choroid plexus.", "PMID": 615275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1267", "title": "Transplantation immunity in the brain.", "content": "The resistance of animals to allogeneic tumor cells injected into the brain increases with age. The second-set reaction in the brain of rats appears to be equally effective after preimmunization into the brain and preimmunization into the leg. Also, the presence of cytotoxic antibodies is demonstrable after preimmunization into the brain. These findings suggest that both arcs of the transplantation reaction, the afferent and efferent, are involved in tumor-cell allotransplantation in the brain.", "contents": "Transplantation immunity in the brain. The resistance of animals to allogeneic tumor cells injected into the brain increases with age. The second-set reaction in the brain of rats appears to be equally effective after preimmunization into the brain and preimmunization into the leg. Also, the presence of cytotoxic antibodies is demonstrable after preimmunization into the brain. These findings suggest that both arcs of the transplantation reaction, the afferent and efferent, are involved in tumor-cell allotransplantation in the brain.", "PMID": 615276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1268", "title": "Effects of strychnine, bicuculline, and picrotoxin on inhibition of hypoglossal motoneurons.", "content": "Postsynaptic potentials, evoked by lingual or hypoglossal nerve stimulation, were recorded from hypoglossal motoneurons of the cat with glass microelectrodes. Lingual nerve-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (LIPSPs) were recorded in 98% of hypoglossal motoneurons. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation caused a hyperpolarizing potential following the antidromic spike in all hypoglossal motoneurons tested. This potential was unaffected by depolarizing or hyperpolarizing currents, could not be evoked at a stimulus strength less than that which was threshold for the antidromic action potential, and did not change in shape or amplitude at stimulus strengths which were above threshold for antidromic invasion. This hyperpolarizing potential was therefore considered to be an afterhyperpolarization. However, hypoglossal nerve-induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials were recorded from hypoglossal units which had characteristics of interneurons, thus suggesting the presence of afferent fibers in the hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve-induced afterhyperpolarization was not affected by strychnine, bicuculline, or picrotoxin. The LIPSP was antagonized by strychnine but unaffected by bicuculline or picrotoxin. The results suggest that inhibition of hypoglossal motoneurons via the lingual nerve is more likely to be mediated by glycine than gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is therefore similar to the strychnine-sensitive postsynaptic inhibition of spinal motoneurons.", "contents": "Effects of strychnine, bicuculline, and picrotoxin on inhibition of hypoglossal motoneurons. Postsynaptic potentials, evoked by lingual or hypoglossal nerve stimulation, were recorded from hypoglossal motoneurons of the cat with glass microelectrodes. Lingual nerve-evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (LIPSPs) were recorded in 98% of hypoglossal motoneurons. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation caused a hyperpolarizing potential following the antidromic spike in all hypoglossal motoneurons tested. This potential was unaffected by depolarizing or hyperpolarizing currents, could not be evoked at a stimulus strength less than that which was threshold for the antidromic action potential, and did not change in shape or amplitude at stimulus strengths which were above threshold for antidromic invasion. This hyperpolarizing potential was therefore considered to be an afterhyperpolarization. However, hypoglossal nerve-induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials were recorded from hypoglossal units which had characteristics of interneurons, thus suggesting the presence of afferent fibers in the hypoglossal nerve. The hypoglossal nerve-induced afterhyperpolarization was not affected by strychnine, bicuculline, or picrotoxin. The LIPSP was antagonized by strychnine but unaffected by bicuculline or picrotoxin. The results suggest that inhibition of hypoglossal motoneurons via the lingual nerve is more likely to be mediated by glycine than gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is therefore similar to the strychnine-sensitive postsynaptic inhibition of spinal motoneurons.", "PMID": 615277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1269", "title": "Spatial propagation of associations in a cortex-like neural network model.", "content": "A neural network model is studied, having associative memory properties and allowing retrieved associations to propagate within the network. It is intended as a tentative description of the cerebral cortex consisting of \"pyramidal cells\" with modifiable synapses and \"stellate cells\" providing feedback through excitatory and inhibitory recurrent pathways. The model is based on some general assumptions: Learning occurs through facilitation of synapses which depends on simultaneous pre- and postsynaptic activity (two-conditional facilitation). Connections within the network are realizations of a random process, implying that nearby cells are more likely to be connected than distant one. The two-conditional facilitation makes it possible for an output signal pattern which occurred in conjunction with a certain input pattern to be retrieved later by reapplying the particular input, the model working as an associative memory. The random connections and the operation of the stellate cell models as linear threshold units give rise to pattern separation in the feedback link. This, in addition to the fact that patterns form associations with themselves, is of importance during the associative recall enabling the network to attain alternative stable modes of activity each corresponding to a learned association. It is shown that a learned pattern of activity which is retrieved, ie, a stable mode, can propagate across the surface of the network. The mode of activity evoked through a certain association may get into contact with modes originating from different associations, forming a stable or slowly moving boundary between the interacting modes. The model is discussed in relation to some properties of the visual system.", "contents": "Spatial propagation of associations in a cortex-like neural network model. A neural network model is studied, having associative memory properties and allowing retrieved associations to propagate within the network. It is intended as a tentative description of the cerebral cortex consisting of \"pyramidal cells\" with modifiable synapses and \"stellate cells\" providing feedback through excitatory and inhibitory recurrent pathways. The model is based on some general assumptions: Learning occurs through facilitation of synapses which depends on simultaneous pre- and postsynaptic activity (two-conditional facilitation). Connections within the network are realizations of a random process, implying that nearby cells are more likely to be connected than distant one. The two-conditional facilitation makes it possible for an output signal pattern which occurred in conjunction with a certain input pattern to be retrieved later by reapplying the particular input, the model working as an associative memory. The random connections and the operation of the stellate cell models as linear threshold units give rise to pattern separation in the feedback link. This, in addition to the fact that patterns form associations with themselves, is of importance during the associative recall enabling the network to attain alternative stable modes of activity each corresponding to a learned association. It is shown that a learned pattern of activity which is retrieved, ie, a stable mode, can propagate across the surface of the network. The mode of activity evoked through a certain association may get into contact with modes originating from different associations, forming a stable or slowly moving boundary between the interacting modes. The model is discussed in relation to some properties of the visual system.", "PMID": 615279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1270", "title": "[Metabolism of m-xylene in rats after administration of chlorinated hydrocarbons (author's transl)].", "content": "Male albino rats of the Donryu strain were divided into 4 groups: the normal control group, tetrachloromethane (CCl4, TCM) group, tetrachloroethylene (CCl2 = CCl2, PCE) group and trichloroethylene (CHCl = CCl2, TCE) group. Each group was consisted of 6 animals. TCM, PCE and TCE were administered orally at a dosage of 13 mmoles/kg as a 50% v/v olive oil solution to rats 24 hours prior to an oral administration of m-xylene (8.2 mmoles/kg as a 50% v/v olive oil solution). The normal control group was administered only olive oil (2.5 ml/kg) 24 hours prior to m-xylene dose. Urine was collected 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after administration of m-xylene. The urine was analysed for m-methylhippuric acid (m-MHA) by the paper chromatographic method of Ogata et al. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Total urinary excretion of m-MHA in the normal control group was equivalent on a molar basis to about 58% of m-xylene received, and the major portions of the metabolites were excreted on the 1st day. 2) In TCM group, total urinary excretion of m-MHA was about a half of that in the normal control group. It was equivalent on a molar basis to about 30% of m-xylene received (p less than 0.01), and the urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day was significantly less than those of the normal control group (p less than 0.001) and TCE group (p less than 0.05). 3) In PCE group, urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day was significantly less than that of the normal control group (p less than 0.01) and the excretion was delayed. 4) In TCE group, total urinary excretion of m-MHA was slightly but not significantly less than that of the normal control group (p less than 0.05). 5) In TCM-ip group of rats which were given TCM orally 24 hours prior to the administration of m-xylene by intraperitoneal injection, urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day and in 4 days after administration of m-xylene was less than that of the control-ip group.", "contents": "[Metabolism of m-xylene in rats after administration of chlorinated hydrocarbons (author's transl)]. Male albino rats of the Donryu strain were divided into 4 groups: the normal control group, tetrachloromethane (CCl4, TCM) group, tetrachloroethylene (CCl2 = CCl2, PCE) group and trichloroethylene (CHCl = CCl2, TCE) group. Each group was consisted of 6 animals. TCM, PCE and TCE were administered orally at a dosage of 13 mmoles/kg as a 50% v/v olive oil solution to rats 24 hours prior to an oral administration of m-xylene (8.2 mmoles/kg as a 50% v/v olive oil solution). The normal control group was administered only olive oil (2.5 ml/kg) 24 hours prior to m-xylene dose. Urine was collected 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after administration of m-xylene. The urine was analysed for m-methylhippuric acid (m-MHA) by the paper chromatographic method of Ogata et al. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Total urinary excretion of m-MHA in the normal control group was equivalent on a molar basis to about 58% of m-xylene received, and the major portions of the metabolites were excreted on the 1st day. 2) In TCM group, total urinary excretion of m-MHA was about a half of that in the normal control group. It was equivalent on a molar basis to about 30% of m-xylene received (p less than 0.01), and the urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day was significantly less than those of the normal control group (p less than 0.001) and TCE group (p less than 0.05). 3) In PCE group, urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day was significantly less than that of the normal control group (p less than 0.01) and the excretion was delayed. 4) In TCE group, total urinary excretion of m-MHA was slightly but not significantly less than that of the normal control group (p less than 0.05). 5) In TCM-ip group of rats which were given TCM orally 24 hours prior to the administration of m-xylene by intraperitoneal injection, urinary excretion of m-MHA on the 1st day and in 4 days after administration of m-xylene was less than that of the control-ip group.", "PMID": 615280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1271", "title": "Imitation of live and televised models by children one to three years of age.", "content": "The results of these studies indicated that children younger than 1 year possess the cognitive capability of translating a perception of a novel action into their own behavior. However, the likelihood of imitation varied as a function of the nature of the target behavior. For example, actions requiring direct social commerce with the examiner were imitated less frequently than simple motor behaviors with objects, and reproducing gestures was more common than vocalizations. Moreover, imitation seemed to depend upon the child's level of mental development--the imitation of coordinated sequences, which requires the child to associate two external events, lagged behind the imitation of single-unit behaviors. There was no evidence for individual traits of general imitativeness, at least not until symbolic relations were involved. Live models were imitated more than TV models but only prior to age 3. While children under 2 years of age were not facile at imitating sequences of behaviors or delaying performance at short time after modeling, older toddlers readily and accurately imitated televised sequences even after a 24-hour delay. Whereas socially extroverted and fearless children imitated live models more than shy children, TV imitation was not related to temperament, home TV viewing habits, or parental education. Finally, the experience of being imitated may facilitate the social cognition of influencing another person.", "contents": "Imitation of live and televised models by children one to three years of age. The results of these studies indicated that children younger than 1 year possess the cognitive capability of translating a perception of a novel action into their own behavior. However, the likelihood of imitation varied as a function of the nature of the target behavior. For example, actions requiring direct social commerce with the examiner were imitated less frequently than simple motor behaviors with objects, and reproducing gestures was more common than vocalizations. Moreover, imitation seemed to depend upon the child's level of mental development--the imitation of coordinated sequences, which requires the child to associate two external events, lagged behind the imitation of single-unit behaviors. There was no evidence for individual traits of general imitativeness, at least not until symbolic relations were involved. Live models were imitated more than TV models but only prior to age 3. While children under 2 years of age were not facile at imitating sequences of behaviors or delaying performance at short time after modeling, older toddlers readily and accurately imitated televised sequences even after a 24-hour delay. Whereas socially extroverted and fearless children imitated live models more than shy children, TV imitation was not related to temperament, home TV viewing habits, or parental education. Finally, the experience of being imitated may facilitate the social cognition of influencing another person.", "PMID": 615290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1272", "title": "[Segmentation and phonetic classification by the DAWID system (author's transl)].", "content": "The DAWID speech recognition system, which is briefly described in this paper, performs an acoustical analysis which in some respect can be compared with a phonetic transcription. The limitations of this comparison are discussed. The segmentation and phonetic classification performance of the system is investigated on the basis of 5,520 spoken words (46 different one- and two-syllable words, 12 male speakers). The system performance is examined with the aid of varying classes of speech sounds embedded in different phonetic context. The results indicate that the DAWID system reliably transforms some classes of speech sounds into sequences of symbols, the elements of which represent 'quasi-allophonic' sound classes.", "contents": "[Segmentation and phonetic classification by the DAWID system (author's transl)]. The DAWID speech recognition system, which is briefly described in this paper, performs an acoustical analysis which in some respect can be compared with a phonetic transcription. The limitations of this comparison are discussed. The segmentation and phonetic classification performance of the system is investigated on the basis of 5,520 spoken words (46 different one- and two-syllable words, 12 male speakers). The system performance is examined with the aid of varying classes of speech sounds embedded in different phonetic context. The results indicate that the DAWID system reliably transforms some classes of speech sounds into sequences of symbols, the elements of which represent 'quasi-allophonic' sound classes.", "PMID": 615319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1273", "title": "[Carbohydrates of the venoms of Bothrops asper of Costa Rica. Quantitative study].", "content": "The venom of the Central American Bothrops asper, previously classified as B. atrox, is very rich in carbohydrates, both in the free state and forming a part of glycoproteins. It also contains neutral sugars (hexoses), methylpentoses, hexosamines and sialic acid. There is a significant difference in the quantity of carbohydrates in the venom of B. asper as compared to that of the South American B. atrox, thus further documenting the different taxonomic position of these two species.", "contents": "[Carbohydrates of the venoms of Bothrops asper of Costa Rica. Quantitative study]. The venom of the Central American Bothrops asper, previously classified as B. atrox, is very rich in carbohydrates, both in the free state and forming a part of glycoproteins. It also contains neutral sugars (hexoses), methylpentoses, hexosamines and sialic acid. There is a significant difference in the quantity of carbohydrates in the venom of B. asper as compared to that of the South American B. atrox, thus further documenting the different taxonomic position of these two species.", "PMID": 615321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1274", "title": "Hematophagous insects as vectors for frog trypanosomes.", "content": "Experimental infections of three hematophagous arthropods (Rhodnius prolixus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens) with a trypanosome of the Trypanosoma rotatorium complex found in the frogs Hyla crepitans and Leptodactylus insularum revealed that A. aegypti is a good host for the flagellate; the course of development in the intestinal tract of the mosquito is described from 15 minutes to 168 hours. C. pipiens showed only low intestinal infections and R. prolixus did not permit development of the parasite. It is postulated that, in addition to the transmission of T. rotatorium by leeches, batrachophilic mosquitoes may transmit the parasite to frogs of more terrestrial habits by being ingested by these anurans.", "contents": "Hematophagous insects as vectors for frog trypanosomes. Experimental infections of three hematophagous arthropods (Rhodnius prolixus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens) with a trypanosome of the Trypanosoma rotatorium complex found in the frogs Hyla crepitans and Leptodactylus insularum revealed that A. aegypti is a good host for the flagellate; the course of development in the intestinal tract of the mosquito is described from 15 minutes to 168 hours. C. pipiens showed only low intestinal infections and R. prolixus did not permit development of the parasite. It is postulated that, in addition to the transmission of T. rotatorium by leeches, batrachophilic mosquitoes may transmit the parasite to frogs of more terrestrial habits by being ingested by these anurans.", "PMID": 615322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1275", "title": "[Infection of wild rats with Angiostrongylus costaricensis by intraperitoneal subcutaneous route].", "content": "Three groups of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis; the first was inoculated by stomach tube; the second intraperitoneally and the third subcutaneously. In all the groups each rat received 50 L3. The highest rates of infection (51.5%) were obtained by the intraperitoneal route, followed by oral inoculation (47.1%). Poor results were observed (10.5%) subcutaneously.", "contents": "[Infection of wild rats with Angiostrongylus costaricensis by intraperitoneal subcutaneous route]. Three groups of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis; the first was inoculated by stomach tube; the second intraperitoneally and the third subcutaneously. In all the groups each rat received 50 L3. The highest rates of infection (51.5%) were obtained by the intraperitoneal route, followed by oral inoculation (47.1%). Poor results were observed (10.5%) subcutaneously.", "PMID": 615323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1276", "title": "The immunological diagnosis of HBsAg liver disease by combined screening for the e system in the serum and the HB core and surface antigens in liver biopsy samples.", "content": "Serological screening for HBeAg and anti-HBe, combined with the immunohistochemical localization of the hepatitis B core and surface antigen in 110 HBsAg carriers, established different immunological profiles indicative of the liver status and prognostic of the future absence or progression of the disease. Intrahepatic HBcAg and serum HBeAg appeared the most sensitive indexes of chronic and progressive liver disease, anti-HBe and large amounts of cytoplasmic HBsAg suggest, instead, the asymptomatic carrier state without liver damage. Only the nuclear localization of HBcAg in immunohistochemical studies was a reliable prognostic indicator of transition to chronicity; absence or presence of serum HBeAg was of no help in predicitng the outcome of acute HBsAg hepatitis.", "contents": "The immunological diagnosis of HBsAg liver disease by combined screening for the e system in the serum and the HB core and surface antigens in liver biopsy samples. Serological screening for HBeAg and anti-HBe, combined with the immunohistochemical localization of the hepatitis B core and surface antigen in 110 HBsAg carriers, established different immunological profiles indicative of the liver status and prognostic of the future absence or progression of the disease. Intrahepatic HBcAg and serum HBeAg appeared the most sensitive indexes of chronic and progressive liver disease, anti-HBe and large amounts of cytoplasmic HBsAg suggest, instead, the asymptomatic carrier state without liver damage. Only the nuclear localization of HBcAg in immunohistochemical studies was a reliable prognostic indicator of transition to chronicity; absence or presence of serum HBeAg was of no help in predicitng the outcome of acute HBsAg hepatitis.", "PMID": 615332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1277", "title": "Study of the influence of haemodialysis on the beta-methyl digoxin levels in uraemic patients.", "content": "This study was undertaken to establish the plasma pharmacokinetics of beta-methyl-digoxin (betamd) in 8 normal subjects (group 1) and 17 uraemic patients (group 2, not undergoing dialysis; group 3, undergoing dialysis). Blood samples were collected serially up to 5 hrs after an initial stimulus of 0.2 ng betamd i.v. betamd was determined both in serum and in dialysate by digoxin radioimmunoassay after having verified the following parameters: the immunological similarity between digoxin and betamd; the possibility of evaluating betamd in dialysate; the quantitative recovery of betamd both in serum and in dialysate. At 15 min after stimulus, the following betamd peaks occurred: 5.82, 3.70 and 6.00 ng/ml for groups 1,2 and 3, respectively, with a significant difference (p less than 0.02) between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3 (p less than 0.02) up to 1 h after stimulus. For each group the rapid, mean and slow betamd half-times (T1/2) were calculated. The three T1/2 values differing from each other but being related to the different initial betamd concentrations, the angular coefficients of the disappearance regression lines (taken as parameters related to the betamd disappearance rates, dr) were plotted against the betamd concentrations expressed as % of their highest value corresponding to the respective rapid T1/2. From this approach, it can be deduced that the dr of group 1 is much higher than the dr of groups 2 and 3 which are similar. This finding, together with the consideration that we never found betamd in dialysate, permits the conclusion that the distribution rate of betamd to the tissues is significatively higher in normal than in uraemic patients and that it does not change during dialysis treatment.", "contents": "Study of the influence of haemodialysis on the beta-methyl digoxin levels in uraemic patients. This study was undertaken to establish the plasma pharmacokinetics of beta-methyl-digoxin (betamd) in 8 normal subjects (group 1) and 17 uraemic patients (group 2, not undergoing dialysis; group 3, undergoing dialysis). Blood samples were collected serially up to 5 hrs after an initial stimulus of 0.2 ng betamd i.v. betamd was determined both in serum and in dialysate by digoxin radioimmunoassay after having verified the following parameters: the immunological similarity between digoxin and betamd; the possibility of evaluating betamd in dialysate; the quantitative recovery of betamd both in serum and in dialysate. At 15 min after stimulus, the following betamd peaks occurred: 5.82, 3.70 and 6.00 ng/ml for groups 1,2 and 3, respectively, with a significant difference (p less than 0.02) between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3 (p less than 0.02) up to 1 h after stimulus. For each group the rapid, mean and slow betamd half-times (T1/2) were calculated. The three T1/2 values differing from each other but being related to the different initial betamd concentrations, the angular coefficients of the disappearance regression lines (taken as parameters related to the betamd disappearance rates, dr) were plotted against the betamd concentrations expressed as % of their highest value corresponding to the respective rapid T1/2. From this approach, it can be deduced that the dr of group 1 is much higher than the dr of groups 2 and 3 which are similar. This finding, together with the consideration that we never found betamd in dialysate, permits the conclusion that the distribution rate of betamd to the tissues is significatively higher in normal than in uraemic patients and that it does not change during dialysis treatment.", "PMID": 615333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1278", "title": "A 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) radioimmunoassay.", "content": "In this paper are reported the results obtained by a simple, reproducible and sensitive rT3 RIA, in unextracted serum, using the PEG separation technique. The linear correlation coefficient of the results obtained from extracted and unextracted sera, in a population of 60 adults and 35 child controls was 0.984, with a minimal spread of the data.", "contents": "A 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) radioimmunoassay. In this paper are reported the results obtained by a simple, reproducible and sensitive rT3 RIA, in unextracted serum, using the PEG separation technique. The linear correlation coefficient of the results obtained from extracted and unextracted sera, in a population of 60 adults and 35 child controls was 0.984, with a minimal spread of the data.", "PMID": 615334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1279", "title": "Diagnostic considerations in occlusive arterial disease.", "content": "The diagnostic approaches to the problem of occlusive arterial disease have been reviewed. The history and physical examination are most useful in establishing the diagnosis, localizing the most proximal level of the arterial involvement, and categorizing the patient's stage of disease. Functional evaluation of limb blood pressures and flow velocity at rest and after exercise provide useful data for estimating the degree of the arterial involvement, and this information can be used as the baseline for evaluating the effects of therapy.", "contents": "Diagnostic considerations in occlusive arterial disease. The diagnostic approaches to the problem of occlusive arterial disease have been reviewed. The history and physical examination are most useful in establishing the diagnosis, localizing the most proximal level of the arterial involvement, and categorizing the patient's stage of disease. Functional evaluation of limb blood pressures and flow velocity at rest and after exercise provide useful data for estimating the degree of the arterial involvement, and this information can be used as the baseline for evaluating the effects of therapy.", "PMID": 615380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1280", "title": "In vitro carcinogenesis studies on mouse fibroblast cells.", "content": "Fibroblast cell lines were established from pulmonary explants derived from inbred CBA T6T6 mouse embryos. Cell lines controlled for the absence of spontaneous transformation were treated with 20=methylcholenthrene (0, 1 microgram/ml). The altered biological characteristics were studied during the process of the malignant transformation by the comparison of the untreated and 20-methylcholanthrene pretreated cell populations: the loss of contact inhibition and the connection between the malignant transformation and the arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase enzyme activity were investigated. No changes in the cell proliferation rate could be found following malignant transformation, but an increased resistance against altered circumstances was observed. In the course of passages, a gradual decreases in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of the untreated line was seen, which disappeared or significantly decreased following 20-methylcholanthrene treatment, compared to the controls.", "contents": "In vitro carcinogenesis studies on mouse fibroblast cells. Fibroblast cell lines were established from pulmonary explants derived from inbred CBA T6T6 mouse embryos. Cell lines controlled for the absence of spontaneous transformation were treated with 20=methylcholenthrene (0, 1 microgram/ml). The altered biological characteristics were studied during the process of the malignant transformation by the comparison of the untreated and 20-methylcholanthrene pretreated cell populations: the loss of contact inhibition and the connection between the malignant transformation and the arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase enzyme activity were investigated. No changes in the cell proliferation rate could be found following malignant transformation, but an increased resistance against altered circumstances was observed. In the course of passages, a gradual decreases in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of the untreated line was seen, which disappeared or significantly decreased following 20-methylcholanthrene treatment, compared to the controls.", "PMID": 615388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1281", "title": "Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxy-dopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine on the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel, Anodonta cygnea L.", "content": "Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine treatments were investigated in the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel. Two days after the treatments, the following characteristic find-structural alterations could be observed in the neuropil of the ganglia: frequent occurrence of multilamellar bodies, lysosomatic structures and elongated tubular forms; shrinking of varicose axon profiles with an enchancement of the density of the axoplasm and clumping of its content; abnormal swelling of certain axons in the neuropil. This degenerative process was accompanied by an intense phagocytosis. The damages evoked by the employed \"false transmitters\" in the mussel ganglia were, in general, similar to those found in vertebrates. Statistical analysis of the vesicle population of ganglia suggests the intragranular uptake of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine and, in addition, the role of dense-core vesicles of different types in the storage of both serotonin and catecholamines. Perikarya composing the cortical layer of the ganglia were not affected by the \"false transmitters\". This shows that different parts of a mussel neuron are differently sensitive to 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine.", "contents": "Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxy-dopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine on the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel, Anodonta cygnea L. Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine treatments were investigated in the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel. Two days after the treatments, the following characteristic find-structural alterations could be observed in the neuropil of the ganglia: frequent occurrence of multilamellar bodies, lysosomatic structures and elongated tubular forms; shrinking of varicose axon profiles with an enchancement of the density of the axoplasm and clumping of its content; abnormal swelling of certain axons in the neuropil. This degenerative process was accompanied by an intense phagocytosis. The damages evoked by the employed \"false transmitters\" in the mussel ganglia were, in general, similar to those found in vertebrates. Statistical analysis of the vesicle population of ganglia suggests the intragranular uptake of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine and, in addition, the role of dense-core vesicles of different types in the storage of both serotonin and catecholamines. Perikarya composing the cortical layer of the ganglia were not affected by the \"false transmitters\". This shows that different parts of a mussel neuron are differently sensitive to 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine.", "PMID": 615389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1282", "title": "Effect of mutation on the peripheral reticulum in Tradescantia albiflora chloroplasts.", "content": "In the defective plastids of Tradescantia albiflora cv. aureo-vittata, a C3 plant, the mutation (localized with high probability in the plastom) increases the quantity of the peripheral reticulum (PR). The enhancement of PR may be connected with the mutation of a repressive gene or with some metabolic change caused by the mutation. In the early phase of the plastid destruction, the PR can be distinguished from the thylakoid derivatives on the basis of its DAB-negativity. The positive DAB-reaction in the thylakoid membranes is explained by their PS I activity.", "contents": "Effect of mutation on the peripheral reticulum in Tradescantia albiflora chloroplasts. In the defective plastids of Tradescantia albiflora cv. aureo-vittata, a C3 plant, the mutation (localized with high probability in the plastom) increases the quantity of the peripheral reticulum (PR). The enhancement of PR may be connected with the mutation of a repressive gene or with some metabolic change caused by the mutation. In the early phase of the plastid destruction, the PR can be distinguished from the thylakoid derivatives on the basis of its DAB-negativity. The positive DAB-reaction in the thylakoid membranes is explained by their PS I activity.", "PMID": 615390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1283", "title": "Tube graft replacement of the suprarenal aorta with implantation of the superior mesenteric artery.", "content": "The superior mesenteric artery was successfully implanted to a tube graft replacement of the suprarenal abdominal aorta after a gunshot wound. Although injuries to the abdominal aorta carry a high mortality, adequate management and prompt operation can reduce the mortality rate. In cases like this one the ingenuity of the surgeon is at stake, because arterial anastomoses are not always possible to their natural origin. Death from aortic injuries is most commonly caused by hemorrhage and exsanguination, so appropriate measures must be taken as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid this possibility. Also, patients should not be hypotensive for any long time, so transfusion should be timed carefully, especially when the aortic clamps are being removed.", "contents": "Tube graft replacement of the suprarenal aorta with implantation of the superior mesenteric artery. The superior mesenteric artery was successfully implanted to a tube graft replacement of the suprarenal abdominal aorta after a gunshot wound. Although injuries to the abdominal aorta carry a high mortality, adequate management and prompt operation can reduce the mortality rate. In cases like this one the ingenuity of the surgeon is at stake, because arterial anastomoses are not always possible to their natural origin. Death from aortic injuries is most commonly caused by hemorrhage and exsanguination, so appropriate measures must be taken as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid this possibility. Also, patients should not be hypotensive for any long time, so transfusion should be timed carefully, especially when the aortic clamps are being removed.", "PMID": 615384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1284", "title": "The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel larvae.", "content": "The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic and tonic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel (Anodonta cygnea) larvae was investigated in short-term experiments. In the examined concentration range, Dimecron-50 does not influence the rhythmic activity of adductor muscles, while high concentrations of Gramoxone (is greater than 1 ml/l), Thimet-10 G (is greater than 5 x 10(-1) g/l) and Hungaria L-7 (is greater than 10(-1) g/l) cause a slight increase in it. These substances also induce a prolonged tonic contraction of a small proportion (10%) of larvae. Hungaria L-7 makes an exception, causing considerable contracture (30%). The concentrations inhibiting the TA activation by 50% are: 6x 10(-1) ml/l Dimecron-50; 2.5 x 10(-1) ml/l Gramoxone; 10(-1) g/l Hungaria L-7 and 8x 10(-2) g/l Thimet-10 G, while the 50% inhibition of the nonspecific ACh activation is resulted by 2 x 10(-1) ml/l D-50. It is concluded that contamination of environmental waters with Dimecron-50, Thimet-10 G or Hungaria L-7 may be injurious also for Pelecypoda larvae, that may contribute to the unbalancing of the water ecosystem.", "contents": "The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel larvae. The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic and tonic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel (Anodonta cygnea) larvae was investigated in short-term experiments. In the examined concentration range, Dimecron-50 does not influence the rhythmic activity of adductor muscles, while high concentrations of Gramoxone (is greater than 1 ml/l), Thimet-10 G (is greater than 5 x 10(-1) g/l) and Hungaria L-7 (is greater than 10(-1) g/l) cause a slight increase in it. These substances also induce a prolonged tonic contraction of a small proportion (10%) of larvae. Hungaria L-7 makes an exception, causing considerable contracture (30%). The concentrations inhibiting the TA activation by 50% are: 6x 10(-1) ml/l Dimecron-50; 2.5 x 10(-1) ml/l Gramoxone; 10(-1) g/l Hungaria L-7 and 8x 10(-2) g/l Thimet-10 G, while the 50% inhibition of the nonspecific ACh activation is resulted by 2 x 10(-1) ml/l D-50. It is concluded that contamination of environmental waters with Dimecron-50, Thimet-10 G or Hungaria L-7 may be injurious also for Pelecypoda larvae, that may contribute to the unbalancing of the water ecosystem.", "PMID": 615391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1285", "title": "Surgical treatment of vertebral artery insufficiency in patients with diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Nine patients with signs and symptoms of vertebral-basilar artery insufficiency and with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis experienced partial restoration of lost neurologic function with the revascularization of ischemic tissue of the hindbrain by an operation to correct partial extraluminal obstruction of the proximal segment of the first part of the vertebral artery. The selection of patients is dependent on preoperative angiography of the aortic arch with visualization of the vessels of the neck, the vertebral and the carotid arteries. There was no mortality and no significant morbidity among these patients.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of vertebral artery insufficiency in patients with diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Nine patients with signs and symptoms of vertebral-basilar artery insufficiency and with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis experienced partial restoration of lost neurologic function with the revascularization of ischemic tissue of the hindbrain by an operation to correct partial extraluminal obstruction of the proximal segment of the first part of the vertebral artery. The selection of patients is dependent on preoperative angiography of the aortic arch with visualization of the vessels of the neck, the vertebral and the carotid arteries. There was no mortality and no significant morbidity among these patients.", "PMID": 615387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1286", "title": "Aortic and iliac graft fistulae.", "content": "Sixteen patients with aortic and iliac graft fistulae were diagnosed from a series of over 886 abdominal aortic reconstructive operations. A preoperative diagnosis was established in 12, eleven by radiographic studies. Angiography and barium intestinal studies were the most helpful. The two most important features in diagnosis are a high index of suspicion and an aggressive radiographic approach.", "contents": "Aortic and iliac graft fistulae. Sixteen patients with aortic and iliac graft fistulae were diagnosed from a series of over 886 abdominal aortic reconstructive operations. A preoperative diagnosis was established in 12, eleven by radiographic studies. Angiography and barium intestinal studies were the most helpful. The two most important features in diagnosis are a high index of suspicion and an aggressive radiographic approach.", "PMID": 615382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1287", "title": "Cell-to-cell contacts between lymphoreticular cells in rheumatoid synovial membrane.", "content": "Nodular type and diffuse perivascular lymphoid cell infiltrates in rheumatoid synovial membranes from 72 patients were examined under the electron microscope. Attempts were made to describe the ultrastructural relations of the cells examined and to classify the different types of cell-to-cell contracts between them. Members of a complex series, composed of gradually differentiating forms of cell contacts beginning from simple membrane adherences and interdigitations and gap junctions; minute filamentous intercellular bridges: subsurface confronting cisternae and desmosome-like structures, are described and suggested as function-dependent morphological representatives of sites of cellular interactions.", "contents": "Cell-to-cell contacts between lymphoreticular cells in rheumatoid synovial membrane. Nodular type and diffuse perivascular lymphoid cell infiltrates in rheumatoid synovial membranes from 72 patients were examined under the electron microscope. Attempts were made to describe the ultrastructural relations of the cells examined and to classify the different types of cell-to-cell contracts between them. Members of a complex series, composed of gradually differentiating forms of cell contacts beginning from simple membrane adherences and interdigitations and gap junctions; minute filamentous intercellular bridges: subsurface confronting cisternae and desmosome-like structures, are described and suggested as function-dependent morphological representatives of sites of cellular interactions.", "PMID": 615415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1288", "title": "Electron transporting enzymes of rheumatoid connective tissue.", "content": "The oxidative enzyme system of the synovial membrane and rheumatoid node from rheumatoid arthritic patients has been studied by histochemical and biochemical methods. As compared to the control synovial membranes, succinic dehydrogenase activity was substantially higher in the rheumatoid arthritic synovial membranes, and was still higher in the rheumatoid nodes, in which only the cells forming the palisade had succinic dehydrogenase activity. As compared to the controls, in response to menadione succinic dehydrogenase was significantly activated. The reducible ubiquinone content of the rheumatoid synovial membrane and the rheumatoid node was by several orders of magnitude higher than in the controls.", "contents": "Electron transporting enzymes of rheumatoid connective tissue. The oxidative enzyme system of the synovial membrane and rheumatoid node from rheumatoid arthritic patients has been studied by histochemical and biochemical methods. As compared to the control synovial membranes, succinic dehydrogenase activity was substantially higher in the rheumatoid arthritic synovial membranes, and was still higher in the rheumatoid nodes, in which only the cells forming the palisade had succinic dehydrogenase activity. As compared to the controls, in response to menadione succinic dehydrogenase was significantly activated. The reducible ubiquinone content of the rheumatoid synovial membrane and the rheumatoid node was by several orders of magnitude higher than in the controls.", "PMID": 615416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1289", "title": "Influence of membrane active substances on cell surface morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells.", "content": "1. The changes occurring on the surface of cultured aortic endothelial cells under the influence of exogenous cholesterol, lysolecithin, or cholesterol + lysolecithin were pursued by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. 2. Both compounds were found to cause surface changes under different quantitative relations, as shown by scanning electron microscopy of unfixed preparations. The changes were less significant in preparations fixed prior to the scanning--or transmission electron microscopic examination. 3. Other cell lines maintained in this laboratory and similarly treated with cholesterol, were found to be less responsive than the endothelial cells. 4. Cholesterol content was determined by thin layer chromatography in six different cell lines, before and after the addition of cholesterol. Only the endothelial cells showed a notable rise of cholesterol content after treatment. This fact may confirm our finding that cholesterol induced morphological changes were demonstrable only in the endothelial cells.", "contents": "Influence of membrane active substances on cell surface morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells. 1. The changes occurring on the surface of cultured aortic endothelial cells under the influence of exogenous cholesterol, lysolecithin, or cholesterol + lysolecithin were pursued by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. 2. Both compounds were found to cause surface changes under different quantitative relations, as shown by scanning electron microscopy of unfixed preparations. The changes were less significant in preparations fixed prior to the scanning--or transmission electron microscopic examination. 3. Other cell lines maintained in this laboratory and similarly treated with cholesterol, were found to be less responsive than the endothelial cells. 4. Cholesterol content was determined by thin layer chromatography in six different cell lines, before and after the addition of cholesterol. Only the endothelial cells showed a notable rise of cholesterol content after treatment. This fact may confirm our finding that cholesterol induced morphological changes were demonstrable only in the endothelial cells.", "PMID": 615417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1290", "title": "Comparative dimensional characteristics of spermatozoa in muridae.", "content": "A comparative study has been made of the dimensional characteristics in six species of Muridae (Malardia meltada, Bandicota bengalensis, Albino rat, Rattus norvegicus, Mus booduga, Rattus rattus). Characteristic differences were found in the dimensions of their spermatozoa. Head dimensions viz., acrosome length, width, area and post-acrosomal area, vary significantly between different species but the differences are significant within individuals of the same species. Flagellum dimensions viz., mid-piece length, breadth, area and main-piece length also vary significantly between different species; within individuals of the same species the differences are not significant except for mid-piece breadth, which varies significantly both between and within the species. The ratio of flagellum to head varies significantly between species but the difference is not significant within individuals of the same species. The significance of the variabilities is discussed.", "contents": "Comparative dimensional characteristics of spermatozoa in muridae. A comparative study has been made of the dimensional characteristics in six species of Muridae (Malardia meltada, Bandicota bengalensis, Albino rat, Rattus norvegicus, Mus booduga, Rattus rattus). Characteristic differences were found in the dimensions of their spermatozoa. Head dimensions viz., acrosome length, width, area and post-acrosomal area, vary significantly between different species but the differences are significant within individuals of the same species. Flagellum dimensions viz., mid-piece length, breadth, area and main-piece length also vary significantly between different species; within individuals of the same species the differences are not significant except for mid-piece breadth, which varies significantly both between and within the species. The ratio of flagellum to head varies significantly between species but the difference is not significant within individuals of the same species. The significance of the variabilities is discussed.", "PMID": 615418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1291", "title": "Fine morphological aspects of the secretory process in arterial smooth muscle cells. II. Role of microtubules.", "content": "Preliminary results are presented regarding the role of the microtubular system in the secretory process in the rabbit aorta and pulmonary trunk smooth muscle cells. The results are based on electron microscopic findings of the effect of colchicine in vivo. On colchicine treatment an accumulation of secretory granules versus a vacuolar type of dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae distinguishes two groups of smooth muscle cells. It is suggested that two secretory pathways operate in these cells, and that the cell microtubular status plays a key role in triggering one or the other pathway.", "contents": "Fine morphological aspects of the secretory process in arterial smooth muscle cells. II. Role of microtubules. Preliminary results are presented regarding the role of the microtubular system in the secretory process in the rabbit aorta and pulmonary trunk smooth muscle cells. The results are based on electron microscopic findings of the effect of colchicine in vivo. On colchicine treatment an accumulation of secretory granules versus a vacuolar type of dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae distinguishes two groups of smooth muscle cells. It is suggested that two secretory pathways operate in these cells, and that the cell microtubular status plays a key role in triggering one or the other pathway.", "PMID": 615419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1292", "title": "Xeroradiographic demonstration of soft tissues of the extremities.", "content": "The authors gave a useful sketch of the essence of xeroradiography. Their method has proved to be optimal in demonstrating the soft tissues of the extremities in vivo. The paper provides us with a better cognition of the morphology and pathomorphology of soft tissues of the extremities.", "contents": "Xeroradiographic demonstration of soft tissues of the extremities. The authors gave a useful sketch of the essence of xeroradiography. Their method has proved to be optimal in demonstrating the soft tissues of the extremities in vivo. The paper provides us with a better cognition of the morphology and pathomorphology of soft tissues of the extremities.", "PMID": 615420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1293", "title": "Results of phenylalanine tolerance tests and EEG examination in patients under treatment for phenylketonuria.", "content": "The EEG of 10 phenylketonuric children treated by a diet and of 4 children with hyperphenylalaninaemia on a normal diet was recorded during L-phenylalanine tolerance tests. The first recording was made before administering the L-phenylalanine load (100 mg/kg b.w.) and the second 60-120 min after. In 6 of the phenylketonuric children, nonspecific abnormality became more pronounced or increased, or previously absent epileptic graphoelements appeared. A pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load was found in 1 child with hyperphenylalaninaemia. The authors do not recommend relaxation of the diet in children with a pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load.", "contents": "Results of phenylalanine tolerance tests and EEG examination in patients under treatment for phenylketonuria. The EEG of 10 phenylketonuric children treated by a diet and of 4 children with hyperphenylalaninaemia on a normal diet was recorded during L-phenylalanine tolerance tests. The first recording was made before administering the L-phenylalanine load (100 mg/kg b.w.) and the second 60-120 min after. In 6 of the phenylketonuric children, nonspecific abnormality became more pronounced or increased, or previously absent epileptic graphoelements appeared. A pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load was found in 1 child with hyperphenylalaninaemia. The authors do not recommend relaxation of the diet in children with a pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load.", "PMID": 615445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1294", "title": "Relationship of age and sex to postheparin esterase activity.", "content": "Postheparin esterase (E. C. 3.1.1.1.) activity was studied in 130 women and 126 men in whom the medical findings were consistent with their age. The test subjects were divided into 5 age groups from 17 to 73 years. Postheparin esterase activity was found to be statistically significantly higher in men than in women. In men it was uncorrelated to age, while in women it rose with advancing age. Changes in postheparin esterase in women appear to be correlated to the hormonal state of the organism.", "contents": "Relationship of age and sex to postheparin esterase activity. Postheparin esterase (E. C. 3.1.1.1.) activity was studied in 130 women and 126 men in whom the medical findings were consistent with their age. The test subjects were divided into 5 age groups from 17 to 73 years. Postheparin esterase activity was found to be statistically significantly higher in men than in women. In men it was uncorrelated to age, while in women it rose with advancing age. Changes in postheparin esterase in women appear to be correlated to the hormonal state of the organism.", "PMID": 615446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1295", "title": "Biochemical properties of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and their practical significance.", "content": "Certain physiochemical and biochemical properties of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes are described concisely. Differences in their properties can be utilized in practice for the qualitative and quantitative determination of isoenzyme activities in sera in pathological states. Some of the methodological requirements of this differentiation by electrophoretic separation and inactivation-inhibition methods are evaluated.", "contents": "Biochemical properties of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and their practical significance. Certain physiochemical and biochemical properties of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes are described concisely. Differences in their properties can be utilized in practice for the qualitative and quantitative determination of isoenzyme activities in sera in pathological states. Some of the methodological requirements of this differentiation by electrophoretic separation and inactivation-inhibition methods are evaluated.", "PMID": 615447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1296", "title": "Inhibition of lipolysis by oxytocin and vasopressin.", "content": "The administration of 5 I. U. oxytocin (by quick infusion) or of 5 I. U. vasopressin-lysine (intramuscularly) to healthy subjects was followed by a significant decrease in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level. We regard this as evidence of inhibition of basal lipolysis in the adipose tissue. Vasopressin also completely blocked an increase induced in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level by activating hormone-sensitive lipase in the adipose tissue by the infusion of 0.5 mg noradrenaline.", "contents": "Inhibition of lipolysis by oxytocin and vasopressin. The administration of 5 I. U. oxytocin (by quick infusion) or of 5 I. U. vasopressin-lysine (intramuscularly) to healthy subjects was followed by a significant decrease in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level. We regard this as evidence of inhibition of basal lipolysis in the adipose tissue. Vasopressin also completely blocked an increase induced in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level by activating hormone-sensitive lipase in the adipose tissue by the infusion of 0.5 mg noradrenaline.", "PMID": 615448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1297", "title": "The involvement of acid hydrolases in myopathies.", "content": "In hamsters, the specific activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase are much greater in homogenates of dystrophic muscle than in homogenates of normal muscle because, it is argued in this paper, dystrophic muscles concentrate such enzymes within themselves, in contrast to normal muscles which do not, or only very little. Both enzymes are first apparent histochemically (using the appropriate naphthol AS-BI substrates) in the atrophic type I fibres of, for example, 3--4 weeks-old dystrophic hamsters, at which age type II fibres (in the Johnson & Pearse nomenclature) contain neither enzyme and a myopathy is undetectable by standard clinical criteria. We have been unable to find out where the enzymes originate from, or in or on which organelle in dystrophic muscle they are localised; the histochemical, organelle fractionation, isoelectric focussing and electron microscopic evidence on these points is conflicting. On balance it seems that the acid hydrolases are synthesised by the dystrophic muscle fibres themselves, rather than being derived from discharged macrophage granules as is more commonly believed. But whatever their origin, a histochemical test for acid hydrolases should be useful, it is concluded, for diagnosing the preclinical phase of myopathies in children.", "contents": "The involvement of acid hydrolases in myopathies. In hamsters, the specific activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase are much greater in homogenates of dystrophic muscle than in homogenates of normal muscle because, it is argued in this paper, dystrophic muscles concentrate such enzymes within themselves, in contrast to normal muscles which do not, or only very little. Both enzymes are first apparent histochemically (using the appropriate naphthol AS-BI substrates) in the atrophic type I fibres of, for example, 3--4 weeks-old dystrophic hamsters, at which age type II fibres (in the Johnson & Pearse nomenclature) contain neither enzyme and a myopathy is undetectable by standard clinical criteria. We have been unable to find out where the enzymes originate from, or in or on which organelle in dystrophic muscle they are localised; the histochemical, organelle fractionation, isoelectric focussing and electron microscopic evidence on these points is conflicting. On balance it seems that the acid hydrolases are synthesised by the dystrophic muscle fibres themselves, rather than being derived from discharged macrophage granules as is more commonly believed. But whatever their origin, a histochemical test for acid hydrolases should be useful, it is concluded, for diagnosing the preclinical phase of myopathies in children.", "PMID": 615450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1298", "title": "Total LDH activity and its fractions (L-lactate: NAD+-oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.1.1.27) in amniotic fluid and serum in high risk pregnancies.", "content": "In conclusion we can claim that the determination of total LDH activity in the amniotic fluid and the mother's blood serum is not a suitable method for diagnosing intrauterine danger to the foetus from hypoxia. It is interesting to note that the high activity of the third and fourth LDH fraction in the amniotic fluid does not correspond to their activity in the mother's serum.", "contents": "Total LDH activity and its fractions (L-lactate: NAD+-oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.1.1.27) in amniotic fluid and serum in high risk pregnancies. In conclusion we can claim that the determination of total LDH activity in the amniotic fluid and the mother's blood serum is not a suitable method for diagnosing intrauterine danger to the foetus from hypoxia. It is interesting to note that the high activity of the third and fourth LDH fraction in the amniotic fluid does not correspond to their activity in the mother's serum.", "PMID": 615454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1299", "title": "Determination of L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and its isoenzymes during pregnancy.", "content": "In the First Gynaecology and Maternity Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, we investigated total serum LDH (L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) activity and that of its 5 isoenzymes during physiological pregnancy. We divided our pregnancies, for practical purposes, into 3 groups. The first comprised women in the 10th-to 20th week of pregnancy, the second women in the 20th to 30th week and the third women in the 30th to 40th week. In each group we took blood dynamically at regular 14-day intervals from the same women, with the aim of assuring the maximum possible homogeneity of the tested material (blood) in correlation to time. We found that, during physiological pregnancy, neither the total LDH activity level, nor that of its five fractions, exceeded the norm determined for the Czechoslovak population. The activities fluctuated typically during pregnancy, however, within the framework of the norm. Some agreement was found between changes in LDH activity and changes in the chorionic gonadotrophin level.", "contents": "Determination of L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and its isoenzymes during pregnancy. In the First Gynaecology and Maternity Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, we investigated total serum LDH (L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) activity and that of its 5 isoenzymes during physiological pregnancy. We divided our pregnancies, for practical purposes, into 3 groups. The first comprised women in the 10th-to 20th week of pregnancy, the second women in the 20th to 30th week and the third women in the 30th to 40th week. In each group we took blood dynamically at regular 14-day intervals from the same women, with the aim of assuring the maximum possible homogeneity of the tested material (blood) in correlation to time. We found that, during physiological pregnancy, neither the total LDH activity level, nor that of its five fractions, exceeded the norm determined for the Czechoslovak population. The activities fluctuated typically during pregnancy, however, within the framework of the norm. Some agreement was found between changes in LDH activity and changes in the chorionic gonadotrophin level.", "PMID": 615456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1300", "title": "Alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to LDH5 (L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) in patients with precancerous conditions of the endometrium.", "content": "We investigated the serum activity of the fifth fraction of L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and serum alkaline phosphatase activity prior to diagnostic curettage in patients with abnormal and atypical endomertial hyperplasia. We also determined them in 75 patients with carcinoma of the endometrium, 80 patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia and a \"normal\" control group of 70 patients. In the statistical evaluation we found a significantly high incidence of low AP activity and elevated LDH5 in the group of patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia, as well as in patients with precancerous lesions of the endometrium and carcinoma of the endometrium. The findings raise the question of whether these changes in the serum activity of the given enzymes are only a response to a given hormonal modulation.", "contents": "Alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to LDH5 (L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) in patients with precancerous conditions of the endometrium. We investigated the serum activity of the fifth fraction of L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and serum alkaline phosphatase activity prior to diagnostic curettage in patients with abnormal and atypical endomertial hyperplasia. We also determined them in 75 patients with carcinoma of the endometrium, 80 patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia and a \"normal\" control group of 70 patients. In the statistical evaluation we found a significantly high incidence of low AP activity and elevated LDH5 in the group of patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia, as well as in patients with precancerous lesions of the endometrium and carcinoma of the endometrium. The findings raise the question of whether these changes in the serum activity of the given enzymes are only a response to a given hormonal modulation.", "PMID": 615458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1301", "title": "Decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase in man.", "content": "1. The lipoprotein triglycerides of human plasma can be separated by gas chromatography according to their carbon number into four main groups: C48, C50, C52 and C54. We studied the decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by posttheparin lipoprotein lipase in vitro. 2. Decomposition of the molecular type C52 does not depend on its concentration. Decomposition of the molecular types C48, C50 and C54 is in a direct correlation to their concentration. 3. The above mechanism assures stability of the triglyceride profile of human plasma, which is species specific and is expressed by the figures: C48--9%, C50--20%, C52--43%, C54--20%, remainder 8%. 4. The plasma triglyceride profile can be altered by dietetic factors. After drinking cream, the triglyceride composition is: C48--12%, C50--22%, C52--37%, C54--14%, remainder 15%. Selective decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides ensures that the profile, after a given time, returns to the original state.", "contents": "Decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase in man. 1. The lipoprotein triglycerides of human plasma can be separated by gas chromatography according to their carbon number into four main groups: C48, C50, C52 and C54. We studied the decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by posttheparin lipoprotein lipase in vitro. 2. Decomposition of the molecular type C52 does not depend on its concentration. Decomposition of the molecular types C48, C50 and C54 is in a direct correlation to their concentration. 3. The above mechanism assures stability of the triglyceride profile of human plasma, which is species specific and is expressed by the figures: C48--9%, C50--20%, C52--43%, C54--20%, remainder 8%. 4. The plasma triglyceride profile can be altered by dietetic factors. After drinking cream, the triglyceride composition is: C48--12%, C50--22%, C52--37%, C54--14%, remainder 15%. Selective decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides ensures that the profile, after a given time, returns to the original state.", "PMID": 615459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1302", "title": "Alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic diseases.", "content": "The results of determination of the activity of the liver and bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme were in complete agreement with the clinical, laboratory and gamma-radiographic findings in all 62 examined patients with neoplastic liver metastases and with the same findings in 36 out of 38 patients with bone metastases. Determination of the bone isoenzyme concurred with the radionuclear findings in 27 out of 30 patients. Thermostable serum alkaline phosphatase variants were evaluated in 136 patients. They were found in 8 out of 40 patients with a lung carcinoma and in 8 out of 13 with a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings were correlated with the presence of alpha-1 fetoprotein in the serum. A thermostable variant corresponding to the Nagao isoenzyme was evaluated biochemically in a patient with a stomach carcinoma.", "contents": "Alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic diseases. The results of determination of the activity of the liver and bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme were in complete agreement with the clinical, laboratory and gamma-radiographic findings in all 62 examined patients with neoplastic liver metastases and with the same findings in 36 out of 38 patients with bone metastases. Determination of the bone isoenzyme concurred with the radionuclear findings in 27 out of 30 patients. Thermostable serum alkaline phosphatase variants were evaluated in 136 patients. They were found in 8 out of 40 patients with a lung carcinoma and in 8 out of 13 with a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings were correlated with the presence of alpha-1 fetoprotein in the serum. A thermostable variant corresponding to the Nagao isoenzyme was evaluated biochemically in a patient with a stomach carcinoma.", "PMID": 615460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1303", "title": "The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic blood diseases.", "content": "Total serum alkaline phosphatase activity and its isoenzymes were studied in 126 patients sent to hospital with a neoplastic blood disease. They comprised 63 patients with a lymphoreticular neoplastic disease, 17 with immature stem-cell leukaemia, 11 with a plasmocytoma, 16 with lymphocytic leukaemia, 4 with polycythaemia and 9 with the myelofibrosis syndrome. Evaluation of the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes significantly enhances the efficiency of the diagnosis and the organ specificity of the enzymes in these conditions. It is particularly important in the above states for studying liver and bone involvement, both from the aspect of the organic localization of the disease and from the aspect of evaluation of the success of therapy.", "contents": "The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic blood diseases. Total serum alkaline phosphatase activity and its isoenzymes were studied in 126 patients sent to hospital with a neoplastic blood disease. They comprised 63 patients with a lymphoreticular neoplastic disease, 17 with immature stem-cell leukaemia, 11 with a plasmocytoma, 16 with lymphocytic leukaemia, 4 with polycythaemia and 9 with the myelofibrosis syndrome. Evaluation of the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes significantly enhances the efficiency of the diagnosis and the organ specificity of the enzymes in these conditions. It is particularly important in the above states for studying liver and bone involvement, both from the aspect of the organic localization of the disease and from the aspect of evaluation of the success of therapy.", "PMID": 615462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1304", "title": "Trehalase activity in diabetes mellitus and in cirrhosis of the liver.", "content": "Trehalase (an enzyme decomposing the disaccharide trehalose) activity was studied in 29 healthy subjects, 25 patients with cirrhosis and 112 diabetics. Mean trehalase activity was 176 +/- 11 units in the control group, 647 +/- 421 units in the patients with cirrhosis and 467 +/- 239 units in diabetics. The differences between the control group on the one hand and the groups with cirrhosis and diabetes on the other were statistically significant. The results show that the organism, under pathological conditions, makes far greater use of its enzymatic apparatus to assure its basic requirements, but the scatter of the values is so great that the determination of trehalase has no discriminative value in individual cases.", "contents": "Trehalase activity in diabetes mellitus and in cirrhosis of the liver. Trehalase (an enzyme decomposing the disaccharide trehalose) activity was studied in 29 healthy subjects, 25 patients with cirrhosis and 112 diabetics. Mean trehalase activity was 176 +/- 11 units in the control group, 647 +/- 421 units in the patients with cirrhosis and 467 +/- 239 units in diabetics. The differences between the control group on the one hand and the groups with cirrhosis and diabetes on the other were statistically significant. The results show that the organism, under pathological conditions, makes far greater use of its enzymatic apparatus to assure its basic requirements, but the scatter of the values is so great that the determination of trehalase has no discriminative value in individual cases.", "PMID": 615463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1305", "title": "Experimental study on the mechanism of hyperphosphatasaemia in bile flow obstruction.", "content": "Extrahepatic bile flow obstruction is followed by a several-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver. This activity passes into the blood. The increase in the activity of the enzyme in the liver can be prevented by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Inducible alkaline phosphatase was purified from rat liver and 1,000-fold purification was achieved. The incorporation of labbelled precursors (14C amino acids and 14C glucosamine) into the liver alkaline phosphatase was evaluated. No significant difference were found between specific alkaline phosphatase activities and specific radioactivities in the control rats and rats with 7.30 h after bile duct obstruction. The incorporation of 14C-amino acids into the total liver proteins was 20% lower in rats with cholestasis than in the control group. The results are evidence that the liver is the source of elevated alkaline phosphatase activity in serum in cholestasis, and that the production of alkaline phosphatase in the liver is prevented by inhibitors of RNA a protein synthesis. However, the enzyme might be synthesized before the 14C-labelled precursors were applied.", "contents": "Experimental study on the mechanism of hyperphosphatasaemia in bile flow obstruction. Extrahepatic bile flow obstruction is followed by a several-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver. This activity passes into the blood. The increase in the activity of the enzyme in the liver can be prevented by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Inducible alkaline phosphatase was purified from rat liver and 1,000-fold purification was achieved. The incorporation of labbelled precursors (14C amino acids and 14C glucosamine) into the liver alkaline phosphatase was evaluated. No significant difference were found between specific alkaline phosphatase activities and specific radioactivities in the control rats and rats with 7.30 h after bile duct obstruction. The incorporation of 14C-amino acids into the total liver proteins was 20% lower in rats with cholestasis than in the control group. The results are evidence that the liver is the source of elevated alkaline phosphatase activity in serum in cholestasis, and that the production of alkaline phosphatase in the liver is prevented by inhibitors of RNA a protein synthesis. However, the enzyme might be synthesized before the 14C-labelled precursors were applied.", "PMID": 615464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1306", "title": "Relationship of multiple forms of lactate dehydrogenase to cholestasis.", "content": "Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27) activity was studied in an experimental model (the liver bile of cholecystectomized patients and of rats) by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The prevalence of the liver LDH5 isoenzyme in bile obtained in this manner is the proof that this fraction is secreted by the liver. The experimental conclusions are supported by the author's own clinical observations of prevalence of the cathodic isocomponents LDH4 and LDH5 in serum, as an indicator of cholestasis in conditions characterized by bile duct obstruction.", "contents": "Relationship of multiple forms of lactate dehydrogenase to cholestasis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27) activity was studied in an experimental model (the liver bile of cholecystectomized patients and of rats) by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The prevalence of the liver LDH5 isoenzyme in bile obtained in this manner is the proof that this fraction is secreted by the liver. The experimental conclusions are supported by the author's own clinical observations of prevalence of the cathodic isocomponents LDH4 and LDH5 in serum, as an indicator of cholestasis in conditions characterized by bile duct obstruction.", "PMID": 615466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1307", "title": "The source and clinical significance of alkaline phosphatases in liver diseases.", "content": "The authors studied total serum alkaline phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.1) activity and its isoenzyme spectrum 1) in relation to the activity of liver diseases, 2) in relation to cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver diseases. The isodistribution of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (the bone, liver and intestinal fraction) in the serum was studied by the heat inactivation and inhibition method and by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The results showed that alkaline phosphatase had a close diagnostic bearing not only on cholestatic forms of hepatobiliary diseases, but also on the activity of liver disease. The main source of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum of patients with hepatobiliary diseases is the liver isoenzyme. In the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymogram, an abnormally large proportion of this isoenzyme is found more frequently than elevation of total alkaline phosphatase activity.", "contents": "The source and clinical significance of alkaline phosphatases in liver diseases. The authors studied total serum alkaline phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.1) activity and its isoenzyme spectrum 1) in relation to the activity of liver diseases, 2) in relation to cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver diseases. The isodistribution of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (the bone, liver and intestinal fraction) in the serum was studied by the heat inactivation and inhibition method and by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The results showed that alkaline phosphatase had a close diagnostic bearing not only on cholestatic forms of hepatobiliary diseases, but also on the activity of liver disease. The main source of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum of patients with hepatobiliary diseases is the liver isoenzyme. In the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymogram, an abnormally large proportion of this isoenzyme is found more frequently than elevation of total alkaline phosphatase activity.", "PMID": 615467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1308", "title": "Changes in postheparin lipolytic activity in liver diseases.", "content": "The activity of the lipolytic enzymes lipoprotein lipase and postheparin esterase is inhibited in chronic liver diseases and postheparin esterase activity is often practically zero. In acute liver diseases postheparin esterase activity is low, but returns to normal as the patient recovers. Its determination can therefore be used to evaluate the course of the disease. The administration of sex hormones (testosterone) is followed in cirrhotic patients by a percentually significantly higher increase in postheparin esterase activity than in healthy subjects.", "contents": "Changes in postheparin lipolytic activity in liver diseases. The activity of the lipolytic enzymes lipoprotein lipase and postheparin esterase is inhibited in chronic liver diseases and postheparin esterase activity is often practically zero. In acute liver diseases postheparin esterase activity is low, but returns to normal as the patient recovers. Its determination can therefore be used to evaluate the course of the disease. The administration of sex hormones (testosterone) is followed in cirrhotic patients by a percentually significantly higher increase in postheparin esterase activity than in healthy subjects.", "PMID": 615468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1309", "title": "Diagnostic significance of determination of serum alkaline phosphatase intestinal isoenzyme activity in coeliac sprue in childhood.", "content": "In a group of 26 child patients with coeliac sprue verified by clinical tests and biopsy, we observed a significant change in the proportion of the intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in the serum in correlation to a gluten-free therapeutic diet. In untreated patients, in the active phase of the disease, intestinal AP isoenzyme activity rises in the serum and falls in the intestinal mucosa. In our experience, the change in activity is reversible within 3--5 days of instituting adequate treatment, i.e. a gluten-free diet. No such activity changes were observed in children with other forms of malabsorption syndrome (hepatogenic, pancreatogenic) or in the children in the control group. This test was found to be a suitable and sensitive method for indirect determination of the response of the intestinal mucosa to treatment in children with coeliac sprue.", "contents": "Diagnostic significance of determination of serum alkaline phosphatase intestinal isoenzyme activity in coeliac sprue in childhood. In a group of 26 child patients with coeliac sprue verified by clinical tests and biopsy, we observed a significant change in the proportion of the intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in the serum in correlation to a gluten-free therapeutic diet. In untreated patients, in the active phase of the disease, intestinal AP isoenzyme activity rises in the serum and falls in the intestinal mucosa. In our experience, the change in activity is reversible within 3--5 days of instituting adequate treatment, i.e. a gluten-free diet. No such activity changes were observed in children with other forms of malabsorption syndrome (hepatogenic, pancreatogenic) or in the children in the control group. This test was found to be a suitable and sensitive method for indirect determination of the response of the intestinal mucosa to treatment in children with coeliac sprue.", "PMID": 615469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1310", "title": "The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in patients treated by chronic dialysis.", "content": "A group of 25 patients with chronic terminal renal failure, treated regularly by haemodialysis, was examined. Activity of the bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme was significantly elevated in 12 patients with signs of bone disease, either isolated or combined with liver damage, even when total alkaline phosphatase activity was within normal limits. The intensity and incidence of raised bone isoenzyme activity increased with the duration of dialysis therapy. Elevated activity of liver alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme correlated with the other laboratory and clinical signs of liver involvement in 16 patients. Activity of the intestinal isoenzyme was elevated in over half the patients, unrelated to liver or bone damage, and was in an inverse correlation to the total serum calcium level. The evaluation of total serum alkaline phosphatase activity had no diagnostic value.", "contents": "The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in patients treated by chronic dialysis. A group of 25 patients with chronic terminal renal failure, treated regularly by haemodialysis, was examined. Activity of the bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme was significantly elevated in 12 patients with signs of bone disease, either isolated or combined with liver damage, even when total alkaline phosphatase activity was within normal limits. The intensity and incidence of raised bone isoenzyme activity increased with the duration of dialysis therapy. Elevated activity of liver alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme correlated with the other laboratory and clinical signs of liver involvement in 16 patients. Activity of the intestinal isoenzyme was elevated in over half the patients, unrelated to liver or bone damage, and was in an inverse correlation to the total serum calcium level. The evaluation of total serum alkaline phosphatase activity had no diagnostic value.", "PMID": 615470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1311", "title": "Source and significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in diseases of the locomotor system.", "content": "A group of 292 patients with diseases of the locomotor system was examined. Elevated activity of the liver isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was found in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in these states is especially important for studying nonspecific irritation of the liver tissue as a result of long-term therapy. Significantly elevated bone isoenzyme activity was found in Paget's disease, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporomalacia, gout, the hyperuricaemic syndrome and some osteoarthroses. In these states, study of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes is of particular significance in evaluation of the development of metabolic bone changes. An association between elevated bone and intestinal isoenzyme activity was found. The diagnostic value of the determination of serum alkaline phosphatase is multiplied if the isoenzymes are also evaluated.", "contents": "Source and significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in diseases of the locomotor system. A group of 292 patients with diseases of the locomotor system was examined. Elevated activity of the liver isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was found in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in these states is especially important for studying nonspecific irritation of the liver tissue as a result of long-term therapy. Significantly elevated bone isoenzyme activity was found in Paget's disease, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporomalacia, gout, the hyperuricaemic syndrome and some osteoarthroses. In these states, study of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes is of particular significance in evaluation of the development of metabolic bone changes. An association between elevated bone and intestinal isoenzyme activity was found. The diagnostic value of the determination of serum alkaline phosphatase is multiplied if the isoenzymes are also evaluated.", "PMID": 615471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1312", "title": "Cytological picture of altered activity of the lipolytic enzymes.", "content": "The onset, culmination and involution of ovarian incretory function are reflected very sensitively in the hormonal colpocytological pattern. Disturbances of ovarian hormone production are associated with changes in lipid metabolism. The alpha-lipoprotein concentration falls and the beta-lipoprotein concentration rises. Postheparin esterase (PHE) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity significantly influence the ovarian steroids. Oestrogens cause elevation of colpocytological oestrogenic indexes and lower PHE values. After the administration of testosterone in old age, the vaginal picture reacts by intermediary proliferation. PHE activity reacts by an increase. Like steroids, the enzymes PHE and LPL have a relationship to the liver cell. In cirrhosis the hormonal situation of the organism changes. The cytological picture in women after the menopause displays signs of proliferation, women in the childbearing period are hyperoestrogenic and PHE activity is low.", "contents": "Cytological picture of altered activity of the lipolytic enzymes. The onset, culmination and involution of ovarian incretory function are reflected very sensitively in the hormonal colpocytological pattern. Disturbances of ovarian hormone production are associated with changes in lipid metabolism. The alpha-lipoprotein concentration falls and the beta-lipoprotein concentration rises. Postheparin esterase (PHE) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity significantly influence the ovarian steroids. Oestrogens cause elevation of colpocytological oestrogenic indexes and lower PHE values. After the administration of testosterone in old age, the vaginal picture reacts by intermediary proliferation. PHE activity reacts by an increase. Like steroids, the enzymes PHE and LPL have a relationship to the liver cell. In cirrhosis the hormonal situation of the organism changes. The cytological picture in women after the menopause displays signs of proliferation, women in the childbearing period are hyperoestrogenic and PHE activity is low.", "PMID": 615472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1313", "title": "Histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses.", "content": "Contemporary possibilities for the histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses are demonstrated in examples of phospholipidoses, Gaucher's disease, Fabry's disease, sulphatidosis, gangliosidosis and neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses.", "contents": "Histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses. Contemporary possibilities for the histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses are demonstrated in examples of phospholipidoses, Gaucher's disease, Fabry's disease, sulphatidosis, gangliosidosis and neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses.", "PMID": 615473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1314", "title": "Use of a new synthetic substrate, Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-P-nitroanilide (TAPA), for determining trypsin activity in the duodenal contents.", "content": "The newly synthesized chromogenic substrate Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (TAPA) was used to determine the trypsin activity (as the concentration and output in 20-min samples) of the duodenal contents before and after hormonal stimulation with cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CPZ) and secretin (S). The results were compared with those obtained by means of Nalpha-benzoyl-D,L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) and the Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine methylester (TAME). The synthetic substrates were compared in 17 subjects with normal and in 8 subjects with pathological CPZ-S test values. A high degree of correlation was found in every case between the values obtained by means of the given substrates and it actually proved possible to determine the conversion coefficients for the trypsin concentration (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.509 TAPA) and for trypsin output (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.535 TAPA). The results demonstrate the usefulness of our new chromogenic substrate TAPA, which is more readily available and cheaper than BAPA and TAME for determining trypsin activity in biological material.", "contents": "Use of a new synthetic substrate, Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-P-nitroanilide (TAPA), for determining trypsin activity in the duodenal contents. The newly synthesized chromogenic substrate Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (TAPA) was used to determine the trypsin activity (as the concentration and output in 20-min samples) of the duodenal contents before and after hormonal stimulation with cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CPZ) and secretin (S). The results were compared with those obtained by means of Nalpha-benzoyl-D,L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) and the Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine methylester (TAME). The synthetic substrates were compared in 17 subjects with normal and in 8 subjects with pathological CPZ-S test values. A high degree of correlation was found in every case between the values obtained by means of the given substrates and it actually proved possible to determine the conversion coefficients for the trypsin concentration (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.509 TAPA) and for trypsin output (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.535 TAPA). The results demonstrate the usefulness of our new chromogenic substrate TAPA, which is more readily available and cheaper than BAPA and TAME for determining trypsin activity in biological material.", "PMID": 615474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1315", "title": "Screening of amino acid enzymopathies in pregnancy and possibilities of their prenatal diagnosis.", "content": "The report discusses the first results obtained by chromatographic screening of the blood amino acids in pregnant women at the outset of pregnancy. Typical cases of maternal phenylketonuria and maternal hyperphenylalaninaemia found among 2,000 women examined are described in detail, giving a concise metabolic, clinical and genetic picture. The biochemical possibilities of diagnosing congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism before birth are also discussed.", "contents": "Screening of amino acid enzymopathies in pregnancy and possibilities of their prenatal diagnosis. The report discusses the first results obtained by chromatographic screening of the blood amino acids in pregnant women at the outset of pregnancy. Typical cases of maternal phenylketonuria and maternal hyperphenylalaninaemia found among 2,000 women examined are described in detail, giving a concise metabolic, clinical and genetic picture. The biochemical possibilities of diagnosing congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism before birth are also discussed.", "PMID": 615475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1316", "title": "Affinity chromatography of glycosidases.", "content": "The authors studied the separation of glucoamylase and beta-galactosidases from the interstinal mucosa of young rats by affinity chromatography. They tested the following chromatographic materials: p-aminophenyl-beta-D-thioglucoside bound to Sepharose 4B via hexamethylenediamine, gluconate and galactonate bound in different ways to Sepharose 4B and phlorizin bound by an azo-coupling reaction to a spacer attached to Sepharose 4B. The conditions of the adsorption of glycosidases to these materials and their subsequent elution were studied. Using chromatography on Sepharose 4B with a beta-thioglucoside affinant, we succeeded in purifying lactase preparation so that, in electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, it formed a single zone identical with 1-naphthyl-beta-glucosidase activity.", "contents": "Affinity chromatography of glycosidases. The authors studied the separation of glucoamylase and beta-galactosidases from the interstinal mucosa of young rats by affinity chromatography. They tested the following chromatographic materials: p-aminophenyl-beta-D-thioglucoside bound to Sepharose 4B via hexamethylenediamine, gluconate and galactonate bound in different ways to Sepharose 4B and phlorizin bound by an azo-coupling reaction to a spacer attached to Sepharose 4B. The conditions of the adsorption of glycosidases to these materials and their subsequent elution were studied. Using chromatography on Sepharose 4B with a beta-thioglucoside affinant, we succeeded in purifying lactase preparation so that, in electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, it formed a single zone identical with 1-naphthyl-beta-glucosidase activity.", "PMID": 615477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1317", "title": "Hypertyrosinaemia.", "content": "Screening tests of tyrosine levels in the newborn population showed that an elevated blood tyrosine level is the second commonest, and diagnostically the most serious, problem of neonatal age. Almost 1% of all newborn infants have a raised tyrosine level. The classic form of tyrosinosis and secondary hypertyrosinaemia in particular must be differentiated from benign, transitory forms. Methods for a differential diagnosis after loading the organism with ascorbic acid, pyridoxine or folic acid have been described. L-tyrosine tolerance tests proved ineffective. The results of the dietary treatment of transitory and classic forms of hypertyrosinaemia, using phenylalanine- and tyrosine-free hydrolysates, are described. The incidence of these diseases at different ages is shown in a table. Study of psychomotric development shows that untreated children do not display a subnormal IQ until they are of pre-school or school age.", "contents": "Hypertyrosinaemia. Screening tests of tyrosine levels in the newborn population showed that an elevated blood tyrosine level is the second commonest, and diagnostically the most serious, problem of neonatal age. Almost 1% of all newborn infants have a raised tyrosine level. The classic form of tyrosinosis and secondary hypertyrosinaemia in particular must be differentiated from benign, transitory forms. Methods for a differential diagnosis after loading the organism with ascorbic acid, pyridoxine or folic acid have been described. L-tyrosine tolerance tests proved ineffective. The results of the dietary treatment of transitory and classic forms of hypertyrosinaemia, using phenylalanine- and tyrosine-free hydrolysates, are described. The incidence of these diseases at different ages is shown in a table. Study of psychomotric development shows that untreated children do not display a subnormal IQ until they are of pre-school or school age.", "PMID": 615479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1318", "title": "Primary cystathioninuria in an infant born out of incest.", "content": "In a systematic examination of children from incestuous unions by screening tests for congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism, we found an infant with raised urinary excretion of cystathionine, cystine derivatives and isulphides and serious psychomotor retardation. The serum cystathionine and disulphide level was found to be elevated. A tolerance test with methionine and vitamin B12 and tests of other metabolites in the blood and urine confirmed the diagnosis of primary cystathioninuria, the first recorded case in the Czechoslovak population. A differential diagnosis against all the other known congenital metabolic disorders involving the sulphurated amino acids was carried out.", "contents": "Primary cystathioninuria in an infant born out of incest. In a systematic examination of children from incestuous unions by screening tests for congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism, we found an infant with raised urinary excretion of cystathionine, cystine derivatives and isulphides and serious psychomotor retardation. The serum cystathionine and disulphide level was found to be elevated. A tolerance test with methionine and vitamin B12 and tests of other metabolites in the blood and urine confirmed the diagnosis of primary cystathioninuria, the first recorded case in the Czechoslovak population. A differential diagnosis against all the other known congenital metabolic disorders involving the sulphurated amino acids was carried out.", "PMID": 615480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1319", "title": "Hyperglycinaemia without ketosis.", "content": "When screening mentally backward children we detected a 5-year-old child with elevated urinary glycine excretion and a high blood glycine level. The report discusses the results of a clinical, metabolic and genetic examination of the child and the members of his family with reference to this rare metabolic disorder.", "contents": "Hyperglycinaemia without ketosis. When screening mentally backward children we detected a 5-year-old child with elevated urinary glycine excretion and a high blood glycine level. The report discusses the results of a clinical, metabolic and genetic examination of the child and the members of his family with reference to this rare metabolic disorder.", "PMID": 615481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1320", "title": "Detection of the most frequent congenital amino acid enzymopathies by multiple screening.", "content": "The lecture submits a survey of the most frequent primary congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism and discusses their diagnostic significance for clinical biochemistry, paediatrics and antenatal medicine. The results of multiple chromatographic screening of these diseases, which has been carried out systematically since 1961, are commented on. It was demonstrated that all congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism can be found in the Czechoslovak population, provided that they are systematically diagnosed. The incidence of individual diseases in series of healthy and mentally retarded children belonging to different age groups is shown in the relevant tables.", "contents": "Detection of the most frequent congenital amino acid enzymopathies by multiple screening. The lecture submits a survey of the most frequent primary congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism and discusses their diagnostic significance for clinical biochemistry, paediatrics and antenatal medicine. The results of multiple chromatographic screening of these diseases, which has been carried out systematically since 1961, are commented on. It was demonstrated that all congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism can be found in the Czechoslovak population, provided that they are systematically diagnosed. The incidence of individual diseases in series of healthy and mentally retarded children belonging to different age groups is shown in the relevant tables.", "PMID": 615482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1321", "title": "Determination of phenylalanine in serum by a modified fluorimetric method in the diagnosis of phenylketonuria.", "content": "The paper describes the authors' experiences with the determination of serum phenylalanine by Hill's modification of the McCaman-Robins fluorimetric method for the determination of serum phenylalanine by automatic amino acid analysers. The method was modified by use of the dipeptide glycyl-leucine, which is 3 times cheaper to produce than leucyl-alanine, the dipeptide originally used. The above method is satisfactory for determining the serum phenylalanine level in normal clinical practice with the normally available, manually operated apparatuses.", "contents": "Determination of phenylalanine in serum by a modified fluorimetric method in the diagnosis of phenylketonuria. The paper describes the authors' experiences with the determination of serum phenylalanine by Hill's modification of the McCaman-Robins fluorimetric method for the determination of serum phenylalanine by automatic amino acid analysers. The method was modified by use of the dipeptide glycyl-leucine, which is 3 times cheaper to produce than leucyl-alanine, the dipeptide originally used. The above method is satisfactory for determining the serum phenylalanine level in normal clinical practice with the normally available, manually operated apparatuses.", "PMID": 615483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1322", "title": "Contribution to the problems of determining heterozygotes in phenylketonuria by the biochemical and electroencephalographic method.", "content": "The authors describe their experiences with the determination of heterozygotes in phenylketonuria. They employed: 1. a biochemical method based on a peroral phenylalanine loading test, and 2. an electroencephalographic method using Pentazol stimulation to demonstrate characteristic changes in the EEG curve of individuals with phenylketonuria. The biochemical methods normally available in clinical practice do not allow absolutely exact differentiation of heterozygotes from unafflicted individuals. The authors' experiences show that combination of the biochemical method (loading test) with the electroencephalographic method makes differentiation more accurate.", "contents": "Contribution to the problems of determining heterozygotes in phenylketonuria by the biochemical and electroencephalographic method. The authors describe their experiences with the determination of heterozygotes in phenylketonuria. They employed: 1. a biochemical method based on a peroral phenylalanine loading test, and 2. an electroencephalographic method using Pentazol stimulation to demonstrate characteristic changes in the EEG curve of individuals with phenylketonuria. The biochemical methods normally available in clinical practice do not allow absolutely exact differentiation of heterozygotes from unafflicted individuals. The authors' experiences show that combination of the biochemical method (loading test) with the electroencephalographic method makes differentiation more accurate.", "PMID": 615484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1323", "title": "Possibilities for the cytochemical diagnosis of enzymopathies.", "content": "The authors review the contemporary uses of histochemistry for the diagnosis of enzymopathies. Enterokinase, lactase, sucrase and trehalase deficiency can be diagnosed by histochemical methods. In glycogenoses, glycogen storage and glucose-6-phosphatase, acid alpha-glucosidase and phosphorylase deficiencies can be demonstrated. In mucopolysaccharidoses, the accumulation of acid muco-substances and changes in lysosomal enzyme activities can be demonstrated.", "contents": "Possibilities for the cytochemical diagnosis of enzymopathies. The authors review the contemporary uses of histochemistry for the diagnosis of enzymopathies. Enterokinase, lactase, sucrase and trehalase deficiency can be diagnosed by histochemical methods. In glycogenoses, glycogen storage and glucose-6-phosphatase, acid alpha-glucosidase and phosphorylase deficiencies can be demonstrated. In mucopolysaccharidoses, the accumulation of acid muco-substances and changes in lysosomal enzyme activities can be demonstrated.", "PMID": 615485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1324", "title": "Comparison of drug abuse clients in urban and rural settings.", "content": "Examination was made of differences between the demographic and drug-using characteristics of 2,262 persons admitted to rural drug abuse units and 8,017 persons admitted to urban drug abuse treatment units in eight states. Rural clients were far more likely to report marijuana and urban clients to report heroin as their primary drugs of abuse; urban clients were also more likely to be older. Rural opiate users were also more likely to report nondaily use of heroin and were more likely to enter treatment at a younger age than their urban heroin-using counterparts. Implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.", "contents": "Comparison of drug abuse clients in urban and rural settings. Examination was made of differences between the demographic and drug-using characteristics of 2,262 persons admitted to rural drug abuse units and 8,017 persons admitted to urban drug abuse treatment units in eight states. Rural clients were far more likely to report marijuana and urban clients to report heroin as their primary drugs of abuse; urban clients were also more likely to be older. Rural opiate users were also more likely to report nondaily use of heroin and were more likely to enter treatment at a younger age than their urban heroin-using counterparts. Implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 615488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1325", "title": "The effect of unrecognized drug abuse on diagnosis and therapeutic outcome.", "content": "One-hundred and ninety-five consecutive psychiatric outpatients had urine sampled for the presence of opiates, cocaine, barbiturates, and amphetamines. All patients had demographic variables, diagnostic information, and treatment course analyzed in a blind fashion using preselected criteria. Patterns of abuse were defined for the 13.3% of the total sample who were covert abusers. An analysis of diagnostic accuracy for abusing and nonabusing populations indicated that covert abuse markedly distorted diagnosis and management. The study indicates that demographic variables and previous history were not reliable predicators of covert abuse. Drug abuse was a major factor in distorting the accuracy of diagnosis. Drug abusers were significantly less likely to improve with therapy than were nonabusers. Barbiturate abusers were most likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions. Urine screening for drugs was the single most valuable diagnostic tool and was felt to be indicated in all cases where diagnostic confusion was present. Therapists saw the covert abuser as sick out of proportion to their social behavior, were perplexed and frightened by these patients' dependency, and perceived them as too brittle for therapy. Therapists behaved very differently with these patients than with diagnostically matched controls. They misdiagnosed them four times more often, missed appointments with them seven times more often, and were ten times more likely to refer them to another therapist or agency. Therapist anxiety and \"flight from therapy\" with covertly abusing patients are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of unrecognized drug abuse on diagnosis and therapeutic outcome. One-hundred and ninety-five consecutive psychiatric outpatients had urine sampled for the presence of opiates, cocaine, barbiturates, and amphetamines. All patients had demographic variables, diagnostic information, and treatment course analyzed in a blind fashion using preselected criteria. Patterns of abuse were defined for the 13.3% of the total sample who were covert abusers. An analysis of diagnostic accuracy for abusing and nonabusing populations indicated that covert abuse markedly distorted diagnosis and management. The study indicates that demographic variables and previous history were not reliable predicators of covert abuse. Drug abuse was a major factor in distorting the accuracy of diagnosis. Drug abusers were significantly less likely to improve with therapy than were nonabusers. Barbiturate abusers were most likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions. Urine screening for drugs was the single most valuable diagnostic tool and was felt to be indicated in all cases where diagnostic confusion was present. Therapists saw the covert abuser as sick out of proportion to their social behavior, were perplexed and frightened by these patients' dependency, and perceived them as too brittle for therapy. Therapists behaved very differently with these patients than with diagnostically matched controls. They misdiagnosed them four times more often, missed appointments with them seven times more often, and were ten times more likely to refer them to another therapist or agency. Therapist anxiety and \"flight from therapy\" with covertly abusing patients are discussed.", "PMID": 615489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1326", "title": "Multiple family therapy: a new direction in the treatment of drug abusers.", "content": "Multiple family therapy is presented as an important treatment augmentation for drug abusers in a variety of settings. The total family is viewed as patient with the drug abuser a symptom bearer. Common family dynamics are described as well as the techniques to create structural changes in families.", "contents": "Multiple family therapy: a new direction in the treatment of drug abusers. Multiple family therapy is presented as an important treatment augmentation for drug abusers in a variety of settings. The total family is viewed as patient with the drug abuser a symptom bearer. Common family dynamics are described as well as the techniques to create structural changes in families.", "PMID": 615490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1327", "title": "\"World Traveler\" addicts in Asia: I. Demographic and clinical description.", "content": "Fifty-six addicted \"world travelers\" were studied at a treatment facility for opium addicts in Laos. They were primarily in their twenties (80%), male (80%), and single (70%). Most had begun narcotic use away from their own country during their travels. A majority were traveling alone, currently living alone, and using narcotic drugs alone. Their addiction at the time of seeking treatment was well established: narcotic drugs comprised their main daily expenditure, they had numerous problems associated with narcotic use, and high doses of methadone were necessary for detoxification.", "contents": "\"World Traveler\" addicts in Asia: I. Demographic and clinical description. Fifty-six addicted \"world travelers\" were studied at a treatment facility for opium addicts in Laos. They were primarily in their twenties (80%), male (80%), and single (70%). Most had begun narcotic use away from their own country during their travels. A majority were traveling alone, currently living alone, and using narcotic drugs alone. Their addiction at the time of seeking treatment was well established: narcotic drugs comprised their main daily expenditure, they had numerous problems associated with narcotic use, and high doses of methadone were necessary for detoxification.", "PMID": 615491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1328", "title": "\"World Traveler\" addicts in Asia: II. Comparison with \"Stay at home\" addicts.", "content": "Demographic and clinical characteristics of \"world traveler\" addicts in Asia have been described in a previous paper. In order to understand more about this group, the 56 American and European addicts seen in Laos were compared to 100 American addicts from Minneapolis matched for age, sex, and year of admission to treatment. \"World traveler\" addicts tended to be older, better educated, and more apt to be single than this sample of \"stay at home\" addicts. In comparison to the latter, \"travelers\" began using narcotic drugs at an older age, became addicted more rapidly, and sought treatment earlier. They were also exposed to more inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs than the \"at home\" addicts. These data suggest that exposure to inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs can result in addiction among a group of people who had previously been refractory to narcotic addiction in their own culture. Loneliness and sociocultural isolation appeared to accelerate the rate at which the average \"traveler\" moved from nonaddictive use to addiction. Further comparisons to other samples of \"at home\" addicts will be needed to demonstrate whether these findings are due to \"travel\" per se or to demographic factors.", "contents": "\"World Traveler\" addicts in Asia: II. Comparison with \"Stay at home\" addicts. Demographic and clinical characteristics of \"world traveler\" addicts in Asia have been described in a previous paper. In order to understand more about this group, the 56 American and European addicts seen in Laos were compared to 100 American addicts from Minneapolis matched for age, sex, and year of admission to treatment. \"World traveler\" addicts tended to be older, better educated, and more apt to be single than this sample of \"stay at home\" addicts. In comparison to the latter, \"travelers\" began using narcotic drugs at an older age, became addicted more rapidly, and sought treatment earlier. They were also exposed to more inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs than the \"at home\" addicts. These data suggest that exposure to inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs can result in addiction among a group of people who had previously been refractory to narcotic addiction in their own culture. Loneliness and sociocultural isolation appeared to accelerate the rate at which the average \"traveler\" moved from nonaddictive use to addiction. Further comparisons to other samples of \"at home\" addicts will be needed to demonstrate whether these findings are due to \"travel\" per se or to demographic factors.", "PMID": 615492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1329", "title": "Assessing age-of-onset data on substance use among New York State public secondary school students.", "content": "This study was designed to assess the quality of age-of-onset data obtained in a state-wide secondary school survey on substance use. A representative sample (8,553), consisting of New York State students in public secondary schools (Grades 7-12) responded to a questionnaire during winter 1974/75. For each of eight substances, a parallel comparison was performed. The ages of onset for students of different current ages (12-17) were compared. All substances except alcohol and tobacco displayed similar patterns of age-of-onset response. The apparent discrepancies for alcohol and tobacco may be due to either a real instability in the age-of-onset pattern or to a recall error. The results of the study suggest that retrospective questions may provide useful information, particularly when they relate to memorable events.", "contents": "Assessing age-of-onset data on substance use among New York State public secondary school students. This study was designed to assess the quality of age-of-onset data obtained in a state-wide secondary school survey on substance use. A representative sample (8,553), consisting of New York State students in public secondary schools (Grades 7-12) responded to a questionnaire during winter 1974/75. For each of eight substances, a parallel comparison was performed. The ages of onset for students of different current ages (12-17) were compared. All substances except alcohol and tobacco displayed similar patterns of age-of-onset response. The apparent discrepancies for alcohol and tobacco may be due to either a real instability in the age-of-onset pattern or to a recall error. The results of the study suggest that retrospective questions may provide useful information, particularly when they relate to memorable events.", "PMID": 615493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1330", "title": "Alcoholism, heroin dependency, and methadone maintenance: alternatives and aids to conventional methods of therapy.", "content": "Alcohol is one of the drugs most frequently used by heroin addicts prior to inception of heroin addiction. It is therefore not surprising that alcohol also represents the drug most frequently abused by persons on methadone maintenance. This abuse not only results in the appearance of all the previously known complications secondary to excessive alcohol intake, but is also a major factor in preventing successful rehabilitation while on methadone therapy. Conventional means of therapy, through abstinence and/or Antabuse, have not met with success or a good degree of patient acceptance. A multimodal approach utilizing controlled drinking, abstinence, and Antabuse along with identification of cues triggering excessive drinking may serve to attract greater numbers of persons with dependency for narcotics and alcohol into the therapeutic setting.", "contents": "Alcoholism, heroin dependency, and methadone maintenance: alternatives and aids to conventional methods of therapy. Alcohol is one of the drugs most frequently used by heroin addicts prior to inception of heroin addiction. It is therefore not surprising that alcohol also represents the drug most frequently abused by persons on methadone maintenance. This abuse not only results in the appearance of all the previously known complications secondary to excessive alcohol intake, but is also a major factor in preventing successful rehabilitation while on methadone therapy. Conventional means of therapy, through abstinence and/or Antabuse, have not met with success or a good degree of patient acceptance. A multimodal approach utilizing controlled drinking, abstinence, and Antabuse along with identification of cues triggering excessive drinking may serve to attract greater numbers of persons with dependency for narcotics and alcohol into the therapeutic setting.", "PMID": 615494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1331", "title": "Ten years of methadone maintenance treatment: some clinical observations.", "content": "Ten years of methadone maintenance were reviewed in all 547 patients admitted to one clinic in New York City. High retention rates, reduced but still high mortality rates, increased employment, and minor degrees of recognized opiate abuse characterized those remaining in treatment. The treated patients appeared to evolve into a unique social and economic class, partly in the drug subculture and partly outside the drug world. Many were dependent on public assistance for living expenses, methadone treatment, and medical care. An interesting finding was their heavy demands for inpatient hospital care, often for drug-related reasons. A segment of New York City narcotic addicts was sequestered in an open-ended treatment process with considerable benefits to themselves and to society. Only a small fraction appeared to gravitate toward full economic support, to discontinuation of methadone, and to an enduring narcotic-free state.", "contents": "Ten years of methadone maintenance treatment: some clinical observations. Ten years of methadone maintenance were reviewed in all 547 patients admitted to one clinic in New York City. High retention rates, reduced but still high mortality rates, increased employment, and minor degrees of recognized opiate abuse characterized those remaining in treatment. The treated patients appeared to evolve into a unique social and economic class, partly in the drug subculture and partly outside the drug world. Many were dependent on public assistance for living expenses, methadone treatment, and medical care. An interesting finding was their heavy demands for inpatient hospital care, often for drug-related reasons. A segment of New York City narcotic addicts was sequestered in an open-ended treatment process with considerable benefits to themselves and to society. Only a small fraction appeared to gravitate toward full economic support, to discontinuation of methadone, and to an enduring narcotic-free state.", "PMID": 615495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1332", "title": "Sociopsychiatric perspectives on Jewish alcohol abuse: implications for the prevention of alcoholism.", "content": "Alcoholism is a major problem in our society and it is an increasing problem among American Jews. The sociocultural attitudes that equates Jewish identity with sobriety in contrast to drunkenness among non-Jews seems the major factor that accounts for the low rate of alcoholism among Jews. Alcohol problems increase when Jews lose their Jewish identity through less involvement with traditional religious practices, or in situations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain a Jewish identification such as in the military or in college, or when Jews live in a society where the dominant groups are not prone to drunkenness as in North Africa or Yemen. The Jewish experience with alcohol can be applied along with techniques designed to reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol as a means to prevent the development of alcoholism in our society. Recognition and treatment of alcoholism in Jews may be more difficult because of the severe stigma attached to alcoholism, but educating staff of social agencies and rabbis about alcoholism, and opening the doors of synagogues to AA meetings may lessen this stigma and help Jews who develop drinking problems go for treatment early in the course of their illness.", "contents": "Sociopsychiatric perspectives on Jewish alcohol abuse: implications for the prevention of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a major problem in our society and it is an increasing problem among American Jews. The sociocultural attitudes that equates Jewish identity with sobriety in contrast to drunkenness among non-Jews seems the major factor that accounts for the low rate of alcoholism among Jews. Alcohol problems increase when Jews lose their Jewish identity through less involvement with traditional religious practices, or in situations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain a Jewish identification such as in the military or in college, or when Jews live in a society where the dominant groups are not prone to drunkenness as in North Africa or Yemen. The Jewish experience with alcohol can be applied along with techniques designed to reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol as a means to prevent the development of alcoholism in our society. Recognition and treatment of alcoholism in Jews may be more difficult because of the severe stigma attached to alcoholism, but educating staff of social agencies and rabbis about alcoholism, and opening the doors of synagogues to AA meetings may lessen this stigma and help Jews who develop drinking problems go for treatment early in the course of their illness.", "PMID": 615497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1333", "title": "Uses of individualized client goals in the evaluation of drug and alcohol programs.", "content": "The issue of accountability increasingly places demands on administrators to evaluate program results. This paper attempts to show that individualized goal setting by clients can provide information which can be used (1) to compare stated program goals to actual client goals, and (2) as a realistic, individualized set of outcomes for follow-up evaluation. Evaluation of many drugs and alcohol programs is often based on the premise that abstinence is the goal of all treatment programs for all clients. While this may be a proper ultimate goal, it may not be sufficiently precise for more specific or short-term evaluations. A technique recently developed in the mental health field is Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). In this approach, individual goals are usually developed through negotiations between client and counselor and provide individualized measurement of client success in treatment. GAS was tested on a sample of clients entering public and private drug and alcohol treatment facilities: (1) nearly all clients in the sample chose to set goals, although they were not required to do so; (2) a content analysis aggregated individual goals into a group profile of percent of clients writing goals in each of 17 goal areas; (3) goal content changed over successive interviews; and (4) there were differences in goal content between age and facility subgroups.", "contents": "Uses of individualized client goals in the evaluation of drug and alcohol programs. The issue of accountability increasingly places demands on administrators to evaluate program results. This paper attempts to show that individualized goal setting by clients can provide information which can be used (1) to compare stated program goals to actual client goals, and (2) as a realistic, individualized set of outcomes for follow-up evaluation. Evaluation of many drugs and alcohol programs is often based on the premise that abstinence is the goal of all treatment programs for all clients. While this may be a proper ultimate goal, it may not be sufficiently precise for more specific or short-term evaluations. A technique recently developed in the mental health field is Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). In this approach, individual goals are usually developed through negotiations between client and counselor and provide individualized measurement of client success in treatment. GAS was tested on a sample of clients entering public and private drug and alcohol treatment facilities: (1) nearly all clients in the sample chose to set goals, although they were not required to do so; (2) a content analysis aggregated individual goals into a group profile of percent of clients writing goals in each of 17 goal areas; (3) goal content changed over successive interviews; and (4) there were differences in goal content between age and facility subgroups.", "PMID": 615496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1334", "title": "Alcoholism in young men.", "content": "This study compares the characteristics of groups of younger (age 25 or less) and older men hospitalized for alcoholism in calendar years 1966--1969 and 1970--1971. While the percentage of young alcoholics increased from 28 to 43 between the two time samples, such an increase does not necessarily indicate a higher prevalence of alcoholism amoung young Navy men, although this possibility merits further study. Most young men who drink heavily do not become alcoholic, and many may have underlying character and behavior disorders and poor prognoses. Clear criteria for admission to treatment appear to be especially important for young alcoholics because of this diversity in clinical history and prognosis.", "contents": "Alcoholism in young men. This study compares the characteristics of groups of younger (age 25 or less) and older men hospitalized for alcoholism in calendar years 1966--1969 and 1970--1971. While the percentage of young alcoholics increased from 28 to 43 between the two time samples, such an increase does not necessarily indicate a higher prevalence of alcoholism amoung young Navy men, although this possibility merits further study. Most young men who drink heavily do not become alcoholic, and many may have underlying character and behavior disorders and poor prognoses. Clear criteria for admission to treatment appear to be especially important for young alcoholics because of this diversity in clinical history and prognosis.", "PMID": 615498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1335", "title": "[Alpers' infantile cerebral poliodystrophy. A case with abnormal hepatic pyruvate carboxylase].", "content": "The authors describe an anatomical familial case of progressive infantile cerebral poliodystrophy (Alpers disease), in which the study of enzyme kinetics of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase revealed an abnormal graph reflecting a loss of activity of the enzyme with low concentrations of substrate, This is a new feature in the literature on Alpers disease, and possibly indicates one of the pathogenic mechanisms responsible in this disorder which remains mysterious, although its pathology has been clearly described.", "contents": "[Alpers' infantile cerebral poliodystrophy. A case with abnormal hepatic pyruvate carboxylase]. The authors describe an anatomical familial case of progressive infantile cerebral poliodystrophy (Alpers disease), in which the study of enzyme kinetics of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase revealed an abnormal graph reflecting a loss of activity of the enzyme with low concentrations of substrate, This is a new feature in the literature on Alpers disease, and possibly indicates one of the pathogenic mechanisms responsible in this disorder which remains mysterious, although its pathology has been clearly described.", "PMID": 615502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1336", "title": "[Apropos of a case of myospherulosis].", "content": "The case was one of a 25-year-old woman with a polycystic subcutaneous nodule in the posterior iliac region, developing three weeks after a series of injections. Histological examination revealed the presence of cysts with a saccular formation filled with endospherules characteristic of the disorder. Myospherulosis is reviewed in the light of this first european case.", "contents": "[Apropos of a case of myospherulosis]. The case was one of a 25-year-old woman with a polycystic subcutaneous nodule in the posterior iliac region, developing three weeks after a series of injections. Histological examination revealed the presence of cysts with a saccular formation filled with endospherules characteristic of the disorder. Myospherulosis is reviewed in the light of this first european case.", "PMID": 615503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1337", "title": "[Neuroblastoma: contribution of biochemistry and cell culture to the diagnosis of an undifferentiated form].", "content": "An apparently anaplastic retroperitoneal tumour was studied by a cell culture method, The patient was a young man. The method used revealed the morphological features and secretory potential of the lesion, which could thus be diagnosed as an immature neuroblastoma.", "contents": "[Neuroblastoma: contribution of biochemistry and cell culture to the diagnosis of an undifferentiated form]. An apparently anaplastic retroperitoneal tumour was studied by a cell culture method, The patient was a young man. The method used revealed the morphological features and secretory potential of the lesion, which could thus be diagnosed as an immature neuroblastoma.", "PMID": 615504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1338", "title": "[Comparative study of uric acid concentration in serum and saliva of healthy or hyperuricemic subjects].", "content": "In normal or hyperuricemic subjects, the average values of serum and salivary uric acid concentration are very similar in each group of subjects. After absorption of a uricosuric drug, benzbromarone, a study of the variations of uric acid concentrations in the serum and saliva shows that they are parallel, which shows the stricts dependence salivary excretion on plasma concentration.", "contents": "[Comparative study of uric acid concentration in serum and saliva of healthy or hyperuricemic subjects]. In normal or hyperuricemic subjects, the average values of serum and salivary uric acid concentration are very similar in each group of subjects. After absorption of a uricosuric drug, benzbromarone, a study of the variations of uric acid concentrations in the serum and saliva shows that they are parallel, which shows the stricts dependence salivary excretion on plasma concentration.", "PMID": 615505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1339", "title": "[Autoanalysis of cellular beta-glucuronidase activity].", "content": "Continuous flow autoanalysis of beta glucuronidase activity in the cells is described. It permits one to measure in presence of Triton X-100 enzyme activities of the order of 10(-5) units.", "contents": "[Autoanalysis of cellular beta-glucuronidase activity]. Continuous flow autoanalysis of beta glucuronidase activity in the cells is described. It permits one to measure in presence of Triton X-100 enzyme activities of the order of 10(-5) units.", "PMID": 615506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1340", "title": "[Automated analysis of proteins in the presence of Triton X-100].", "content": "The authors propose a method of autoanalysis of protein in presence of Triton X-100. This method uses Lowry's method in presence of sodium dodecyl-sulphate which permits inhibition of the formation of precipitates between Triton X-100 and Folin's reagent.", "contents": "[Automated analysis of proteins in the presence of Triton X-100]. The authors propose a method of autoanalysis of protein in presence of Triton X-100. This method uses Lowry's method in presence of sodium dodecyl-sulphate which permits inhibition of the formation of precipitates between Triton X-100 and Folin's reagent.", "PMID": 615507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1341", "title": "[Analysis of plasma urea by continuous flow method using enzymes].", "content": "An automated continuous flow method is described for the assay of plasmatic urea after hydrolysis by urease followed by NH+4 assay with glutamic-deshydrogenase. Precision and accuracy, comparison with chimical diacetyl-monoxim method are studied. The interaction of endogenous NH+4, the cost of the method are calculated.", "contents": "[Analysis of plasma urea by continuous flow method using enzymes]. An automated continuous flow method is described for the assay of plasmatic urea after hydrolysis by urease followed by NH+4 assay with glutamic-deshydrogenase. Precision and accuracy, comparison with chimical diacetyl-monoxim method are studied. The interaction of endogenous NH+4, the cost of the method are calculated.", "PMID": 615508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1342", "title": "Fetal homeostasis in relation to placental water exchange.", "content": "Fetal growth in utero demands a continuous flow of water and solutes across the placental barrier. We investigated the membrane parameters that control the influx of solutes that are not actively transported and the influx of water. The osmotic conductivity, and the Na+ and Cl- permeabilities of the membrane were measured in chronically instrumented fetal sheep. Transplacental salt flow and water flow were augmented by drainage of fetal urine to the exterior over extended periods of time. Calculation showed that the membrane parameters are: deltaNaCl = 0.83, P.SNaCl = 8.0 10-3 ml.sec-1 kg-1, and LPS = 4.7 10-8 cm5.dyne-1.sec-1.kg-1 (placental surface area S being expressed per kg fetal weight). The chronic infusion of vasopressin into the fetuses at 8 to 11 units per day per kg fetal weight reduced the reflection coefficient deltaNaCl to a mean of 0.63 (P less than 0.03). We concluded that the characteristics of the influx of NaCl and water are compatible with those of a diffusion filtration process, that fetal growth is constrained by the diffusional permeability of the placenta for inert electrolyte and that in the long run fetal growth can only accelerate because placental electrolyte permeability increases. Vasopressin appears to reduce the salt reflection coefficient of the placenta thus enabling the fetus to exert some short term control over its acquisition of water and electrolyte.", "contents": "Fetal homeostasis in relation to placental water exchange. Fetal growth in utero demands a continuous flow of water and solutes across the placental barrier. We investigated the membrane parameters that control the influx of solutes that are not actively transported and the influx of water. The osmotic conductivity, and the Na+ and Cl- permeabilities of the membrane were measured in chronically instrumented fetal sheep. Transplacental salt flow and water flow were augmented by drainage of fetal urine to the exterior over extended periods of time. Calculation showed that the membrane parameters are: deltaNaCl = 0.83, P.SNaCl = 8.0 10-3 ml.sec-1 kg-1, and LPS = 4.7 10-8 cm5.dyne-1.sec-1.kg-1 (placental surface area S being expressed per kg fetal weight). The chronic infusion of vasopressin into the fetuses at 8 to 11 units per day per kg fetal weight reduced the reflection coefficient deltaNaCl to a mean of 0.63 (P less than 0.03). We concluded that the characteristics of the influx of NaCl and water are compatible with those of a diffusion filtration process, that fetal growth is constrained by the diffusional permeability of the placenta for inert electrolyte and that in the long run fetal growth can only accelerate because placental electrolyte permeability increases. Vasopressin appears to reduce the salt reflection coefficient of the placenta thus enabling the fetus to exert some short term control over its acquisition of water and electrolyte.", "PMID": 615509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1343", "title": "Glucagon, insulin and glucose homeostasis in the fetal lamb.", "content": "The actions of insulin and glucagon in the fetal lamb and regulation of their secretion from the fetal pancreas have been examined to assess the possible roles of these hormones in regulating glucose homeostasis in the lamb during fetal life. Much evidence indicates that insulin stimulated glucose utilization in the fetal lamb and that glucagon can promote mobilization of fetal liver glycogen. Glucose stimulates and adrenaline inhibits insulin secretion by fetal pancrease pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation onwards, but alanine and glycine have little effect on insulin release. Alanine and glycine stimulate glucagon secretion by fetal pancreas pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation. The effects are potentiated by caffeine. Adrenaline has a small stimulatory effect but glucagon release is not altered by glucose. In vivo adrenaline infusion increases fetal plasma glucagon concentrations but glycine infusion does not. Glycine infusion into post-natal lambs increases plasma glucagon. Fasting pregnant ewes for two days decreases plasma insulin but does not alter plasma glucagon in either ewe or fetus. The observations suggest insulin secretion in the fetal lamb is an important determinant of glucose uptake and utilization by the fetus during at least the last third of pregnancy. The quantitative importance of glucagon in regulating fetal hepatic glucose metabolism remains uncertain.", "contents": "Glucagon, insulin and glucose homeostasis in the fetal lamb. The actions of insulin and glucagon in the fetal lamb and regulation of their secretion from the fetal pancreas have been examined to assess the possible roles of these hormones in regulating glucose homeostasis in the lamb during fetal life. Much evidence indicates that insulin stimulated glucose utilization in the fetal lamb and that glucagon can promote mobilization of fetal liver glycogen. Glucose stimulates and adrenaline inhibits insulin secretion by fetal pancrease pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation onwards, but alanine and glycine have little effect on insulin release. Alanine and glycine stimulate glucagon secretion by fetal pancreas pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation. The effects are potentiated by caffeine. Adrenaline has a small stimulatory effect but glucagon release is not altered by glucose. In vivo adrenaline infusion increases fetal plasma glucagon concentrations but glycine infusion does not. Glycine infusion into post-natal lambs increases plasma glucagon. Fasting pregnant ewes for two days decreases plasma insulin but does not alter plasma glucagon in either ewe or fetus. The observations suggest insulin secretion in the fetal lamb is an important determinant of glucose uptake and utilization by the fetus during at least the last third of pregnancy. The quantitative importance of glucagon in regulating fetal hepatic glucose metabolism remains uncertain.", "PMID": 615510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1344", "title": "Haemoglobin switching during development in normal and hypophysectomised fetal sheep.", "content": "Haemoglobin synthesis has been studied in fetal sheep. The switch from gamma to beta chain synthesis occurs rapidly between 130 and 150 days. Fetal hypophysectomy delays the rate of switching but the timing of the onset of the switch is not under pituitary control.", "contents": "Haemoglobin switching during development in normal and hypophysectomised fetal sheep. Haemoglobin synthesis has been studied in fetal sheep. The switch from gamma to beta chain synthesis occurs rapidly between 130 and 150 days. Fetal hypophysectomy delays the rate of switching but the timing of the onset of the switch is not under pituitary control.", "PMID": 615512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1345", "title": "Changes in cervical function at parturition.", "content": "In sheep and goats changes in the wall of the uterine cervix associated with parturition were studied in relation to the preparturient sequence of endocrine events. Evidence was obtained of separation of collagen fibrils, possibly due to changes in the electrostatic binding of the fibrils by glycosaminoglycans. The mechanical properties of the cervix were investigated quantitatively on isolated tissues by radial loading to destruction, and by progressive extension on a tensometer; the extension experiments revealed that at parturition (but not before) the cervical wall acts mechanically as if composed of two different tissues, one of which, the collagen layer, changes profoundly at parturition to facilitate dilatation. Resistance to dilatation (compliance) was investigated in vivo using indwelling intracervical balloons which could be inflated with water at standard speed. This permitted serial observations in the same animal during the progress of parturition induced with foetal dexamethasone (sheep) or maternal cloprostenol (goats). Compliance increased progressively in all 13 parturient animals, but not in untreated controls, and this increase occurred coincidentally with the expected fall in progesterone and rise in oestrogen concentrations: it occurred before the preparturient rise in PGF. Meclofenamic acid administration to cloprostenol treated goats successfully delayed the PGF surge and delayed parturition but did not delay the increase in compliance which reached maximum within the 36 hours of treatment with the PG synthetase inhibitor.", "contents": "Changes in cervical function at parturition. In sheep and goats changes in the wall of the uterine cervix associated with parturition were studied in relation to the preparturient sequence of endocrine events. Evidence was obtained of separation of collagen fibrils, possibly due to changes in the electrostatic binding of the fibrils by glycosaminoglycans. The mechanical properties of the cervix were investigated quantitatively on isolated tissues by radial loading to destruction, and by progressive extension on a tensometer; the extension experiments revealed that at parturition (but not before) the cervical wall acts mechanically as if composed of two different tissues, one of which, the collagen layer, changes profoundly at parturition to facilitate dilatation. Resistance to dilatation (compliance) was investigated in vivo using indwelling intracervical balloons which could be inflated with water at standard speed. This permitted serial observations in the same animal during the progress of parturition induced with foetal dexamethasone (sheep) or maternal cloprostenol (goats). Compliance increased progressively in all 13 parturient animals, but not in untreated controls, and this increase occurred coincidentally with the expected fall in progesterone and rise in oestrogen concentrations: it occurred before the preparturient rise in PGF. Meclofenamic acid administration to cloprostenol treated goats successfully delayed the PGF surge and delayed parturition but did not delay the increase in compliance which reached maximum within the 36 hours of treatment with the PG synthetase inhibitor.", "PMID": 615515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1346", "title": "Some changes in the composition of blood during the first 24 hours after birth in normal and growth retarded lambs.", "content": "Changes in the composition of blood which occurred during the first 24 hr after birth were examined in 18 lambs whose prenatal growth had been reduced by limiting the size of the placenta (group CE) and in 18 lambs born to untreated ewes (group R). The gestational period was about 4.5 days shorter in group CE than in group R and the birth-weights of group CE lambs were reduced by about 0.5 kg. At birth the PCV and the plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly higher and the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and fructose were significantly lower in group CE than in group R. During the first 24 hr the rates of change in the PCV and the plasma concentrations of insulin T4 and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were similar in the two groups, but there were significant between-group differences in the rates of change in the plasma concentrations of corticosteroids, glucose, lactate and fructose. The PCV and concentrations of T4, corticosteroids, lactate and fructose generally decreased and the concentrations of insulin, glucose, and IgG generally increased during the first day. Many of the between-group differences observed at birth and subsequently can be explained by the hypothesis that reducing the size of the placenta causes lambs to become hypoxaemic before birth and that after birth the attainment of normoxaemia in these lambs is delayed.", "contents": "Some changes in the composition of blood during the first 24 hours after birth in normal and growth retarded lambs. Changes in the composition of blood which occurred during the first 24 hr after birth were examined in 18 lambs whose prenatal growth had been reduced by limiting the size of the placenta (group CE) and in 18 lambs born to untreated ewes (group R). The gestational period was about 4.5 days shorter in group CE than in group R and the birth-weights of group CE lambs were reduced by about 0.5 kg. At birth the PCV and the plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly higher and the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and fructose were significantly lower in group CE than in group R. During the first 24 hr the rates of change in the PCV and the plasma concentrations of insulin T4 and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were similar in the two groups, but there were significant between-group differences in the rates of change in the plasma concentrations of corticosteroids, glucose, lactate and fructose. The PCV and concentrations of T4, corticosteroids, lactate and fructose generally decreased and the concentrations of insulin, glucose, and IgG generally increased during the first day. Many of the between-group differences observed at birth and subsequently can be explained by the hypothesis that reducing the size of the placenta causes lambs to become hypoxaemic before birth and that after birth the attainment of normoxaemia in these lambs is delayed.", "PMID": 615517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1347", "title": "[Imaginal differentiation of the integument of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. IV. Steps in morphogenesis of the glandular units].", "content": "In the gregarious males of Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., imaginal moulting (mitosis, apolysis, new cuticle synthesis, ecdysis) is associated with the differentiation of numerous glandular units. These units, involved in a sexual, excitatory pheromone secretion are at that time composed only of a basal glandular cell and an apical duct cell. Each glandular unit originates from an isogenic group of cells of which the four elements (tetrade) are disposed on two levels. At each level a principal cell and an accessory one may be recognized. The lower accessory, or ciliary, cell shows, at the time of apolysis, both a strong cytoplasmic protrusion and a typical ciliary formation. This formation associated with a diplosome goes through the duct cell and ends up in the exuvial space. It makes a inner mould; arranged around it are epicuticular materials characteristic of the duct wall; then it disappears. The strong cytoplasmic protrusion also retracts thus allowing a glandular reservoir to form. A glandular cell may be recognized at an early stage owing to its R.E.R. development. The upper accessory cell strengthens the duct cell and secretes junctional cuticle between the duct and general cuticle. Accessory cells, after the imaginal moult do not degenerate but acquire epithelial cell characteristics. The duct has a dual origin : the receptive part is secreted by the ciliary cell and the vector part by the duct cell. The organization and stages of morphogenesis of the glandular unit are discussed and compared to those of other apterygote or pterygote insects.", "contents": "[Imaginal differentiation of the integument of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. IV. Steps in morphogenesis of the glandular units]. In the gregarious males of Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., imaginal moulting (mitosis, apolysis, new cuticle synthesis, ecdysis) is associated with the differentiation of numerous glandular units. These units, involved in a sexual, excitatory pheromone secretion are at that time composed only of a basal glandular cell and an apical duct cell. Each glandular unit originates from an isogenic group of cells of which the four elements (tetrade) are disposed on two levels. At each level a principal cell and an accessory one may be recognized. The lower accessory, or ciliary, cell shows, at the time of apolysis, both a strong cytoplasmic protrusion and a typical ciliary formation. This formation associated with a diplosome goes through the duct cell and ends up in the exuvial space. It makes a inner mould; arranged around it are epicuticular materials characteristic of the duct wall; then it disappears. The strong cytoplasmic protrusion also retracts thus allowing a glandular reservoir to form. A glandular cell may be recognized at an early stage owing to its R.E.R. development. The upper accessory cell strengthens the duct cell and secretes junctional cuticle between the duct and general cuticle. Accessory cells, after the imaginal moult do not degenerate but acquire epithelial cell characteristics. The duct has a dual origin : the receptive part is secreted by the ciliary cell and the vector part by the duct cell. The organization and stages of morphogenesis of the glandular unit are discussed and compared to those of other apterygote or pterygote insects.", "PMID": 615539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1348", "title": "[Ultrastructure of the testicular germinal zone and of the secondary spermatogonia in normal and destalked brachyuran decapod crustacea].", "content": "Ultrastructural study of gonia of various species of male crabs shows that these cells belong to two types : primary and secondary gonia; these are discriminated according to their location inside or outside germinative islets, i. e. by the presence or absence of surrounding somatic tissue. The most original feature of the primary spermatogonia concerns the extrusion of gonial material under the shape of lamellar bodies or granules engulfed by the contiguous mesodermic cells; the latter degenerate when they are full of germ cell remnants. Poorly differentiated, the primary gonia have no great variety of cytoplasmic organelles. However two characteristic structures can be recognized in juxtanuclear position : nuage material (electron dense bodies more or less associated with gonia) and chromatoid bodies. Lipid droplets, the significance of which is unknown occur sometimes. Secondary spermatogonia divide synchronously although they are placed side by side without any connection such as cytoplasmic bridges. No ultrastructural modification has been noticed among the two types of gonia in crabs deprived of eyestalks. Mesodermic tissue distributed between primary gonia probably has a double role : inhibition of the onset of gametogenesis (as in Amphipods) and prevention of gonia cytolysis by collecting of altered elements.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of the testicular germinal zone and of the secondary spermatogonia in normal and destalked brachyuran decapod crustacea]. Ultrastructural study of gonia of various species of male crabs shows that these cells belong to two types : primary and secondary gonia; these are discriminated according to their location inside or outside germinative islets, i. e. by the presence or absence of surrounding somatic tissue. The most original feature of the primary spermatogonia concerns the extrusion of gonial material under the shape of lamellar bodies or granules engulfed by the contiguous mesodermic cells; the latter degenerate when they are full of germ cell remnants. Poorly differentiated, the primary gonia have no great variety of cytoplasmic organelles. However two characteristic structures can be recognized in juxtanuclear position : nuage material (electron dense bodies more or less associated with gonia) and chromatoid bodies. Lipid droplets, the significance of which is unknown occur sometimes. Secondary spermatogonia divide synchronously although they are placed side by side without any connection such as cytoplasmic bridges. No ultrastructural modification has been noticed among the two types of gonia in crabs deprived of eyestalks. Mesodermic tissue distributed between primary gonia probably has a double role : inhibition of the onset of gametogenesis (as in Amphipods) and prevention of gonia cytolysis by collecting of altered elements.", "PMID": 615540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1349", "title": "[The morphogenic effect of gonadotropic hormones on the Leydig cells of the boar testis. II. Effects of administration of chorionic gonadotropin after hypophysectomy. Effects in vivo and in organ culture].", "content": "The longer ago the hypophysectomy has been performed, the more marked is Leydig cell atrophy in the testis. The effects of HCG on cellular morphology have been observed in vivo and in organ culture; qualitative quantitative and ultrastructural aspects were studied. In vivo, the effects of a daily injection of gonadotropin on the testis of 2 boars hypophysectomized 3 1/2 months ago are shown. Markedly atrophied cells are strongly stimulated by HCG during the 15 first days (the cell and nucleus recover nearly to standard size, with the typical histological and ultrastructural appearance with all the cell organelles which characterize a functional steroid cell). Then after 1 1/2 month injection it decreases again to the initial state (very small size cytoplasm strongly reduced with very low organelle content). The number of the Leydig cells is maintained during the first 15 days, then it progressively decreases. The effects of HCG on the testicular tissue of 4 boars were studied in organ culture. Interstitial tissue with a greater or lesser degree of atrophy was examined experimentally (1 month, 3 months and 4 months after hypophysectomy) in order to prove a possible irreversibility of the effects of hypophysectomy. In each case, cell changes were studied according to the duration of the culture. Control cultures without HCG in the medium were set up simultaneously. 1 month and/or 3 months after hypophysectomy, the Leydig cells in culture progressively recover the size and the histological and ultrastructural appearances of a typical Leydig cell. After 16 days of culture, the stimulation is highest, as in vivo. The number of Leydig cells is maintained. From the 17th day stimulation decreases and the cell enters a new atrophy phase. In the anhormonal control medium the atrophy continues as long as the culture is maintained, and the number of Leydig cells decreases. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation in culture is still possible during the first 10 days (proved by the same tests); however the size of the cell remains small compared to the normal; then it atrophies again quickly. In this case the hormone does not maintain the number of the Leydig cells. In the control cultures, slight response of the cell is observed, but this effect is limited and disappears a few days later; the number of the cells rapidly decreases. It has been shown that markedly atrophied Leydig cells can highly be stimulated during the first 2 weeks under the influence of HCG as well in vivo as in organ culture. The lability of the effect is not yet explained. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation is not so effective.", "contents": "[The morphogenic effect of gonadotropic hormones on the Leydig cells of the boar testis. II. Effects of administration of chorionic gonadotropin after hypophysectomy. Effects in vivo and in organ culture]. The longer ago the hypophysectomy has been performed, the more marked is Leydig cell atrophy in the testis. The effects of HCG on cellular morphology have been observed in vivo and in organ culture; qualitative quantitative and ultrastructural aspects were studied. In vivo, the effects of a daily injection of gonadotropin on the testis of 2 boars hypophysectomized 3 1/2 months ago are shown. Markedly atrophied cells are strongly stimulated by HCG during the 15 first days (the cell and nucleus recover nearly to standard size, with the typical histological and ultrastructural appearance with all the cell organelles which characterize a functional steroid cell). Then after 1 1/2 month injection it decreases again to the initial state (very small size cytoplasm strongly reduced with very low organelle content). The number of the Leydig cells is maintained during the first 15 days, then it progressively decreases. The effects of HCG on the testicular tissue of 4 boars were studied in organ culture. Interstitial tissue with a greater or lesser degree of atrophy was examined experimentally (1 month, 3 months and 4 months after hypophysectomy) in order to prove a possible irreversibility of the effects of hypophysectomy. In each case, cell changes were studied according to the duration of the culture. Control cultures without HCG in the medium were set up simultaneously. 1 month and/or 3 months after hypophysectomy, the Leydig cells in culture progressively recover the size and the histological and ultrastructural appearances of a typical Leydig cell. After 16 days of culture, the stimulation is highest, as in vivo. The number of Leydig cells is maintained. From the 17th day stimulation decreases and the cell enters a new atrophy phase. In the anhormonal control medium the atrophy continues as long as the culture is maintained, and the number of Leydig cells decreases. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation in culture is still possible during the first 10 days (proved by the same tests); however the size of the cell remains small compared to the normal; then it atrophies again quickly. In this case the hormone does not maintain the number of the Leydig cells. In the control cultures, slight response of the cell is observed, but this effect is limited and disappears a few days later; the number of the cells rapidly decreases. It has been shown that markedly atrophied Leydig cells can highly be stimulated during the first 2 weeks under the influence of HCG as well in vivo as in organ culture. The lability of the effect is not yet explained. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation is not so effective.", "PMID": 615541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1350", "title": "[Cytophysiology of the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca: ergastoplasmic granules and their significance].", "content": "The number of ergastoplasmic granules in the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca is counted in Locusta migratoria migratorioides R. and F. and Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., male adults of different ages, grouped or isolated, having flown or not, and reared in various conditions of hygrometry and temperature. A good correlation was found between the number of ergastoplasmic granules and the utilization of the adipokinetic hormone. Ergastoplasmic granules may repr\u00e9sent an original mechanism of hormonal storage used in view of heavy metabolic requirements.", "contents": "[Cytophysiology of the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca: ergastoplasmic granules and their significance]. The number of ergastoplasmic granules in the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca is counted in Locusta migratoria migratorioides R. and F. and Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., male adults of different ages, grouped or isolated, having flown or not, and reared in various conditions of hygrometry and temperature. A good correlation was found between the number of ergastoplasmic granules and the utilization of the adipokinetic hormone. Ergastoplasmic granules may repr\u00e9sent an original mechanism of hormonal storage used in view of heavy metabolic requirements.", "PMID": 615543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1351", "title": "[Morphogenesis of the chick embryo limb. Competence of the embryonic and extra-embryonic ectoderm].", "content": "Ecto-mesodermal interactions were investigated during the initiation of limb development in avian embryos. Experiments were performed on 2-day chick embryos. They consisted in implanting prospective leg mesoderm at different medio-lateral levels of the trunk and also into the extra-embryonic area. The implanted mesoderm was thus brought into contact with embryonic or extra-embryonic cicatricial or healing ectoderm, the ability of which to participate in the formation of an ectopic leg was tested. Whatever the level of embryonic ectoderm tested in hosts ranging from stage 14 to 27 pairs of somites (axial, paraxial, flank, ventrum), the experiments resulted in the formation of supernumerary limbs. Their frequency was level-dependent and decreased for each level, with increasing age of the host. The weakest competence was observed in the ectoderm of the prospective ventrum, the strongest in that of the prospective flank, axial and paraxial ectoderm showing an intermediary competence. Extra-embryonic ectoderm of blastoderms of the same age was unable to respond to the inducing action of the implanted prospective leg mesoderm. It was found to be incompetent, even at younger stages (5 to 13 pairs of somites).", "contents": "[Morphogenesis of the chick embryo limb. Competence of the embryonic and extra-embryonic ectoderm]. Ecto-mesodermal interactions were investigated during the initiation of limb development in avian embryos. Experiments were performed on 2-day chick embryos. They consisted in implanting prospective leg mesoderm at different medio-lateral levels of the trunk and also into the extra-embryonic area. The implanted mesoderm was thus brought into contact with embryonic or extra-embryonic cicatricial or healing ectoderm, the ability of which to participate in the formation of an ectopic leg was tested. Whatever the level of embryonic ectoderm tested in hosts ranging from stage 14 to 27 pairs of somites (axial, paraxial, flank, ventrum), the experiments resulted in the formation of supernumerary limbs. Their frequency was level-dependent and decreased for each level, with increasing age of the host. The weakest competence was observed in the ectoderm of the prospective ventrum, the strongest in that of the prospective flank, axial and paraxial ectoderm showing an intermediary competence. Extra-embryonic ectoderm of blastoderms of the same age was unable to respond to the inducing action of the implanted prospective leg mesoderm. It was found to be incompetent, even at younger stages (5 to 13 pairs of somites).", "PMID": 615544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1352", "title": "Evidence for receptor nerve endings in tendons and related tissues of an electric teleost, Gnathonemus petersii.", "content": "Tendons and muscle aponeurosis associated with muscle lodged in the mental appendage of a weakly electric mormyrid fish, Gnathonemus petersii, have been examined for nerve terminations in them, using methods of silver impregnation, histology and electron microscopy. Large myelinated afferent nerve fibres innervate the tendinous tissues and form nerve terminals in the perimysium, the muscle-tendinous junctions and the tendons, the last recalling the tendon organs of higher vertebrates. Nerve terminals are characterized by loss of myelin, Schwann sheath and basal lamina, the neurolemma being freely exposed to either fibroblasts and their laminar processes or the collagen fibres and the tendon intercellular matrix. Nerve terminals lack synaptic specialisation of their membrane. This study is the first demonstration of sensory nerve terminals (tension receptors) associated with tendons and related tissue in a teleost fish.", "contents": "Evidence for receptor nerve endings in tendons and related tissues of an electric teleost, Gnathonemus petersii. Tendons and muscle aponeurosis associated with muscle lodged in the mental appendage of a weakly electric mormyrid fish, Gnathonemus petersii, have been examined for nerve terminations in them, using methods of silver impregnation, histology and electron microscopy. Large myelinated afferent nerve fibres innervate the tendinous tissues and form nerve terminals in the perimysium, the muscle-tendinous junctions and the tendons, the last recalling the tendon organs of higher vertebrates. Nerve terminals are characterized by loss of myelin, Schwann sheath and basal lamina, the neurolemma being freely exposed to either fibroblasts and their laminar processes or the collagen fibres and the tendon intercellular matrix. Nerve terminals lack synaptic specialisation of their membrane. This study is the first demonstration of sensory nerve terminals (tension receptors) associated with tendons and related tissue in a teleost fish.", "PMID": 615545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1353", "title": "[Establishing of an asymmetry index in the germ cell distribution between the genital ridges in the Hubbard chick embryo].", "content": "Germ cell numberings inside the gonadic anlages of Hubbard chick embryos allowed us to display these following events: From stage 23 to stage 26, the germ cell number obviously increases. It is for this period that an asymmetry index number, specific for the Hubbard strain is got, thanks to a decreasing in the number of gonocytes colonizing the right gonad epithelium. It is for the same period that the medulla differentiates and becomes populated with gonocytes. Such simultaneous events allow us to suppose that the gonadic colonization might result from some interactions between the germinal epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme.", "contents": "[Establishing of an asymmetry index in the germ cell distribution between the genital ridges in the Hubbard chick embryo]. Germ cell numberings inside the gonadic anlages of Hubbard chick embryos allowed us to display these following events: From stage 23 to stage 26, the germ cell number obviously increases. It is for this period that an asymmetry index number, specific for the Hubbard strain is got, thanks to a decreasing in the number of gonocytes colonizing the right gonad epithelium. It is for the same period that the medulla differentiates and becomes populated with gonocytes. Such simultaneous events allow us to suppose that the gonadic colonization might result from some interactions between the germinal epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme.", "PMID": 615546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1354", "title": "[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. I. Histophysiological study].", "content": "In the African locust, the secretory dynamics of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC) is evaluated by the product content and the gonadotropic action of these cells. The axotomy of the A1 and A2 M-NSC disturbes their secretory dynamics. The axonal regeneration, if it leads to a reconnexion with the corpora cardiaca (CC), restores a normal secretory dynamics of the M-NSC. Without reconnexion to the CC, the nervi corpori cardiaci interni (NCCI) do note regenerate or regenerate to form new nerve endings. In these cases, the secretory dynamics of the M-NSC remains more or less inhibited specially that of the A2 M-NSC which can be completely suppressed. A functional state of the A2 M-NSC could be necessary for the beginning of the vitellogenesis. In the CC, separated from the regenerating M-NSC, the A1 and A2 neurosecretory products are transformed into large globules which became intensively basophil before disappearance.", "contents": "[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. I. Histophysiological study]. In the African locust, the secretory dynamics of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC) is evaluated by the product content and the gonadotropic action of these cells. The axotomy of the A1 and A2 M-NSC disturbes their secretory dynamics. The axonal regeneration, if it leads to a reconnexion with the corpora cardiaca (CC), restores a normal secretory dynamics of the M-NSC. Without reconnexion to the CC, the nervi corpori cardiaci interni (NCCI) do note regenerate or regenerate to form new nerve endings. In these cases, the secretory dynamics of the M-NSC remains more or less inhibited specially that of the A2 M-NSC which can be completely suppressed. A functional state of the A2 M-NSC could be necessary for the beginning of the vitellogenesis. In the CC, separated from the regenerating M-NSC, the A1 and A2 neurosecretory products are transformed into large globules which became intensively basophil before disappearance.", "PMID": 615547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1355", "title": "[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. II. Ultrastructural study].", "content": "In the African locust after axotomy of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC), the decrease of the basophil neurosecretory products into the pericaryons does not result from an increase of the granulolysis but results from an inhibition of the production. The A1 and A2 neurosecretory products, stored anteriorly and posteriorly to the site of the axonal section, seem destroyed by: 1. a suspected entrance of lytic enzymes into the granule (individual granulolysis); 2. a vacuolar inclusion of small or big cytoplasmic areas rich in granules (partial or total collective granulolysis). The axons of the M-NSC, regenerated without reconnexion to the corpora cardiaca (CC), are not separated by glial elements. This glial deficiency could be at the origin of the inhibition of the neurosecretory dynamics observed in the A1 and A2 M-NSC after axotomy and regeneration without reconnexion to the CC.", "contents": "[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. II. Ultrastructural study]. In the African locust after axotomy of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC), the decrease of the basophil neurosecretory products into the pericaryons does not result from an increase of the granulolysis but results from an inhibition of the production. The A1 and A2 neurosecretory products, stored anteriorly and posteriorly to the site of the axonal section, seem destroyed by: 1. a suspected entrance of lytic enzymes into the granule (individual granulolysis); 2. a vacuolar inclusion of small or big cytoplasmic areas rich in granules (partial or total collective granulolysis). The axons of the M-NSC, regenerated without reconnexion to the corpora cardiaca (CC), are not separated by glial elements. This glial deficiency could be at the origin of the inhibition of the neurosecretory dynamics observed in the A1 and A2 M-NSC after axotomy and regeneration without reconnexion to the CC.", "PMID": 615548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1356", "title": "Non-formal nutrition/education for rural development in Latin America.", "content": "Innovative health and nutrition messages arising from and by rural groups in developing countries, can contribute to their improved nutritional status.", "contents": "Non-formal nutrition/education for rural development in Latin America. Innovative health and nutrition messages arising from and by rural groups in developing countries, can contribute to their improved nutritional status.", "PMID": 615553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1357", "title": "Effects of temperature of processing and of isoleucine fortification on the nutritive value of blood meal.", "content": "A processing for cattle blood consisting of protein coagulation and drying at mild temperatures is described. The protein efficiency ratio and the food efficiency of this blood meal supplemented with isoleucine were similar to those obtained for casein. Fortification of commercial blood meal with isoleucine did not improve much its quality.", "contents": "Effects of temperature of processing and of isoleucine fortification on the nutritive value of blood meal. A processing for cattle blood consisting of protein coagulation and drying at mild temperatures is described. The protein efficiency ratio and the food efficiency of this blood meal supplemented with isoleucine were similar to those obtained for casein. Fortification of commercial blood meal with isoleucine did not improve much its quality.", "PMID": 615554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1358", "title": "[Effects of diarrhea on growth retardation in Guatemalan children].", "content": "The relationship between days ill with diarrhea and growth velocities in height and weight was investigated in 716 children from rural Guatemala, ranging in age from 0 to 7 years. Information regarding diarrheal diseases was obtained through biweekly interviews of mothers. Increments studies were semestral from 0 to 48 months and annual from 48 to 84 months of age. The results, based on two years of date collection, show that the greater the percent of time ill with diarrhea, the smaller the increments in height and weight. It was estimated that diarrheal diseases explain around 10% of the growth retardation observed in this population.", "contents": "[Effects of diarrhea on growth retardation in Guatemalan children]. The relationship between days ill with diarrhea and growth velocities in height and weight was investigated in 716 children from rural Guatemala, ranging in age from 0 to 7 years. Information regarding diarrheal diseases was obtained through biweekly interviews of mothers. Increments studies were semestral from 0 to 48 months and annual from 48 to 84 months of age. The results, based on two years of date collection, show that the greater the percent of time ill with diarrhea, the smaller the increments in height and weight. It was estimated that diarrheal diseases explain around 10% of the growth retardation observed in this population.", "PMID": 615555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1359", "title": "[Formulation and evalution of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients during the thermal processing of canned food].", "content": "The purpose of this paper was the development of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients with first orden degradation kinetics during the thermal processing of conduction-heated foods. The model do not require experimental heat penetration data and operate for any possible case. It was evaluated experimentally for different thermal processes, being all the results within the 90% confidence interval on the mean experimental values. These results were obtained with a Fortran IV computer program elaborated for this purpose. The duration of this program was two minutes and tem seconds in a PDP 11/45 computer and was more efficient than others presented in the literature.", "contents": "[Formulation and evalution of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients during the thermal processing of canned food]. The purpose of this paper was the development of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients with first orden degradation kinetics during the thermal processing of conduction-heated foods. The model do not require experimental heat penetration data and operate for any possible case. It was evaluated experimentally for different thermal processes, being all the results within the 90% confidence interval on the mean experimental values. These results were obtained with a Fortran IV computer program elaborated for this purpose. The duration of this program was two minutes and tem seconds in a PDP 11/45 computer and was more efficient than others presented in the literature.", "PMID": 615556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1360", "title": "Screening for malnutrition with arm circumference.", "content": "The opinions on the performance characteristics of the mid arm circumference as anthropometric measurement for malnutrition screening are quite contradictory. In this paper we analyze the specificity and sensitivity of the arm tape under different conditions and conclude that the design of the tape characteristics should aim at an instrument which can satisfy specific needs instead of a general purpose one. We also give some measurements for the practical design of the instrument. 1. This investigation has been carried out under the Contract AID/ta-C-1121 and the Fundaci\u00f3n para la Educaci\u00f3n Superior. 2. Universidad del Valle. 3. Fundaci\u00f3n para la Educaci\u00f3n Superior. 4. Community Systems Foundation.", "contents": "Screening for malnutrition with arm circumference. The opinions on the performance characteristics of the mid arm circumference as anthropometric measurement for malnutrition screening are quite contradictory. In this paper we analyze the specificity and sensitivity of the arm tape under different conditions and conclude that the design of the tape characteristics should aim at an instrument which can satisfy specific needs instead of a general purpose one. We also give some measurements for the practical design of the instrument. 1. This investigation has been carried out under the Contract AID/ta-C-1121 and the Fundaci\u00f3n para la Educaci\u00f3n Superior. 2. Universidad del Valle. 3. Fundaci\u00f3n para la Educaci\u00f3n Superior. 4. Community Systems Foundation.", "PMID": 615557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1361", "title": "Comparative analysis of some anthropometric measurements.", "content": "The main objective of this work is to determine what anthropometric method to use under field conditions, given the kind of mainutrition to be detected. In the first part of the work some criteria and procedures are given by which to compare the field perfomance characteristics (i.e. transportability, facility of use, etc.), of the most commonly used instruments. Then we extrapolate these characteristics to the respective methods like weight for age, weight for height, height for age, etc. In the second part we present a correlation matrix among the various methods and analyze it in order to associate with each method a specific typology of malnutrition.", "contents": "Comparative analysis of some anthropometric measurements. The main objective of this work is to determine what anthropometric method to use under field conditions, given the kind of mainutrition to be detected. In the first part of the work some criteria and procedures are given by which to compare the field perfomance characteristics (i.e. transportability, facility of use, etc.), of the most commonly used instruments. Then we extrapolate these characteristics to the respective methods like weight for age, weight for height, height for age, etc. In the second part we present a correlation matrix among the various methods and analyze it in order to associate with each method a specific typology of malnutrition.", "PMID": 615558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1362", "title": "[Plasma proteins in iron transport].", "content": "This study deals with the effects of iron overloading on total iron-binding capacity TIBC) in fasting subjects. Overloading was obtained by oral administration of 198 mg. ferrous gluconate. The method of Bothwell and Mallet was used for plasma iron determination; the Mg CO3 methods was used for TIBC. It was that normal subjects as well as hyperthyroid, hypothyroid goiter patients showed an increase of TIBC under these conditions. These results could be explained either on the basis of functional heterogeneity of transferrin bound iron, or of a new protein.", "contents": "[Plasma proteins in iron transport]. This study deals with the effects of iron overloading on total iron-binding capacity TIBC) in fasting subjects. Overloading was obtained by oral administration of 198 mg. ferrous gluconate. The method of Bothwell and Mallet was used for plasma iron determination; the Mg CO3 methods was used for TIBC. It was that normal subjects as well as hyperthyroid, hypothyroid goiter patients showed an increase of TIBC under these conditions. These results could be explained either on the basis of functional heterogeneity of transferrin bound iron, or of a new protein.", "PMID": 615559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1363", "title": "The arm circumference at birth and its relations to other anthropomeric parameters.", "content": "The weight, head, chest and arm circumference of four hundred and sixty-one infants in Jamaica were measured during the first twenty-four hours of birth. The purpose of this work was to draw attention to the arm circumference as a possible indicator of the stage of maturity at birth and correlate this parameter against the other three and against factors on the mother. The highest positive correlation was found between the weight and the chest circumference, followed by the weight and arm cirucmference. Attempt to produce an equation to estimate birth weight from arm and chest circumference was unsatisfactory.", "contents": "The arm circumference at birth and its relations to other anthropomeric parameters. The weight, head, chest and arm circumference of four hundred and sixty-one infants in Jamaica were measured during the first twenty-four hours of birth. The purpose of this work was to draw attention to the arm circumference as a possible indicator of the stage of maturity at birth and correlate this parameter against the other three and against factors on the mother. The highest positive correlation was found between the weight and the chest circumference, followed by the weight and arm cirucmference. Attempt to produce an equation to estimate birth weight from arm and chest circumference was unsatisfactory.", "PMID": 615560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1364", "title": "On the recepto endocrine property of granule-containing (GC) cells in the autonomic nervous system.", "content": "The recepto-endocrine property of the granule-containing (GC) cells in the paraganglia, sensory and autonomic ganglia and in peripheral nerves was discussed in relation to the existing variability of their synaptic connections to the neurons. Those GC cells synaptically related to pseudounipolar neurons are likely to represent the periphearal sensors for chemical stimuli and/or the chemosensory modulators, being more receptive than endocrine in function (S-type), whereas those being connected only with multipolar neurons to which they are postsynaptic are assumed to be more endocrine than receptive (E-type); those being internuncial in relation to multipolar neurons are considered as neuronal in property because of their specializations gained on both the receptive and endocrine sides, and as representing adrenergic interneurons which modulate the activities of the autonomic outflow (I-type). The distribution of the three types, as well as a combined type, of GC cells was surveyed in the literature on the GC cell synapses.", "contents": "On the recepto endocrine property of granule-containing (GC) cells in the autonomic nervous system. The recepto-endocrine property of the granule-containing (GC) cells in the paraganglia, sensory and autonomic ganglia and in peripheral nerves was discussed in relation to the existing variability of their synaptic connections to the neurons. Those GC cells synaptically related to pseudounipolar neurons are likely to represent the periphearal sensors for chemical stimuli and/or the chemosensory modulators, being more receptive than endocrine in function (S-type), whereas those being connected only with multipolar neurons to which they are postsynaptic are assumed to be more endocrine than receptive (E-type); those being internuncial in relation to multipolar neurons are considered as neuronal in property because of their specializations gained on both the receptive and endocrine sides, and as representing adrenergic interneurons which modulate the activities of the autonomic outflow (I-type). The distribution of the three types, as well as a combined type, of GC cells was surveyed in the literature on the GC cell synapses.", "PMID": 615561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1365", "title": "The monoamine-containing cell in the gustatory epithelium of some vertebrates.", "content": "Fluorescence histochemistry has revealed that a specific formaldehyde-induced yellow fluorescence, suggesting the presence of serotonin-like monoamines, was regularly observed in a group of cells (monoamine-containing cells: MC cells) in the normal gustatory epithelia of the carp, catfish, frog and rabbit. The present report was also concerned with the ultrastructural features of the MC cell in the rabbit's foliate bud. The MC cells were found to have synaptic contacts with the intragemmal nerves. The synaptic morphology showed that the neural transmission may take place from the cell to the nerve. Two types of vesicles were encountered in the cytoplasm of MC cells. One was large cored vesicles (100--150 nm) suggesting storage of the serotonin-like monoamine. They were localized not only at the presynaptic area, but also in the infra- and supra-nuclear cytoplasm. The other was small vesicles (45-80 nm) containing variable amounts of dark material. They were similar in distribution to the large cored vesicles. The functional significance of the MC cells was discussed.", "contents": "The monoamine-containing cell in the gustatory epithelium of some vertebrates. Fluorescence histochemistry has revealed that a specific formaldehyde-induced yellow fluorescence, suggesting the presence of serotonin-like monoamines, was regularly observed in a group of cells (monoamine-containing cells: MC cells) in the normal gustatory epithelia of the carp, catfish, frog and rabbit. The present report was also concerned with the ultrastructural features of the MC cell in the rabbit's foliate bud. The MC cells were found to have synaptic contacts with the intragemmal nerves. The synaptic morphology showed that the neural transmission may take place from the cell to the nerve. Two types of vesicles were encountered in the cytoplasm of MC cells. One was large cored vesicles (100--150 nm) suggesting storage of the serotonin-like monoamine. They were localized not only at the presynaptic area, but also in the infra- and supra-nuclear cytoplasm. The other was small vesicles (45-80 nm) containing variable amounts of dark material. They were similar in distribution to the large cored vesicles. The functional significance of the MC cells was discussed.", "PMID": 615562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1366", "title": "Monoamine-storing cells in the avian aortic wall.", "content": "Using the Falck-Hillarp method, monoamine-storing cells were demonstrated in the avian thoracic aorta just above the openings of the ductus arteriosus. By electron microscopy, numerous dense-cored vesicles, 90-220 nm in diameter, were seen in the cytoplasm. The electron opacity of these dense-cored vesicles was reduced when reserpine (5 mg/kg) was administered. These monoamine-storing cells formed typical synapses with the Schwann cell-enclosed nerve terminals. The monoamine-storing cells first appeared in the aortic wall at 9 days in ovo but it remained obscure whether they originated from the neuroectoderm.", "contents": "Monoamine-storing cells in the avian aortic wall. Using the Falck-Hillarp method, monoamine-storing cells were demonstrated in the avian thoracic aorta just above the openings of the ductus arteriosus. By electron microscopy, numerous dense-cored vesicles, 90-220 nm in diameter, were seen in the cytoplasm. The electron opacity of these dense-cored vesicles was reduced when reserpine (5 mg/kg) was administered. These monoamine-storing cells formed typical synapses with the Schwann cell-enclosed nerve terminals. The monoamine-storing cells first appeared in the aortic wall at 9 days in ovo but it remained obscure whether they originated from the neuroectoderm.", "PMID": 615563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1367", "title": "Catecholamine-storing cells in the cyclostome heart.", "content": "The lamprey heart contains characteristic catecholamine-storing cells in both the atrium and the ventricle. Sufficient circumstantial evidence is available indicating that catecholamines together with protein carbohydrate complexes are contained in these cells within the membrane bound cytoplasmic granules. If the \"recepto-secretory function\" and \"neuroectodermal origin\" of these cells are proved, then they may be classified as typical paraneurons.", "contents": "Catecholamine-storing cells in the cyclostome heart. The lamprey heart contains characteristic catecholamine-storing cells in both the atrium and the ventricle. Sufficient circumstantial evidence is available indicating that catecholamines together with protein carbohydrate complexes are contained in these cells within the membrane bound cytoplasmic granules. If the \"recepto-secretory function\" and \"neuroectodermal origin\" of these cells are proved, then they may be classified as typical paraneurons.", "PMID": 615564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1368", "title": "Fine-structural and functional aspects of the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting subependymal cells in the anuran hypothalamus.", "content": "Cytological characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting subependymal cells in the frog hypothalamus were investigated to decide whether they should be classified as neurons, sensory cells or secretory (endocrine) cells. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells exhibited morphological characteristics similar to neurons or sensory cells, which are usually supplied with axo-somatic and -dendoritic synapses from other neurons and possess somato-dendritic synapses to other neurons. Furthermore, they were provided with so-called sensory cilia. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells also exhibited several cytological secretory cell characteristics: the presence of numerous secretory granules, well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in the perikaryon as well as intraventricular processes, and some figures which may be regarded as microapocrine or diacrine secretions of the secretory granules. Furthermore, the CSF-contacting subependymal cells probably sent basal cell processes to the area around the blood vessels in the neurohypophysis and, perhaps, in the infundibulum. It seemed likely that CSF-contacting subependymal cells had two or three functions of a paraneuronic nature. They were sensory to chemical or physical stimuli frmones just as endocrine cells do.", "contents": "Fine-structural and functional aspects of the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting subependymal cells in the anuran hypothalamus. Cytological characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting subependymal cells in the frog hypothalamus were investigated to decide whether they should be classified as neurons, sensory cells or secretory (endocrine) cells. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells exhibited morphological characteristics similar to neurons or sensory cells, which are usually supplied with axo-somatic and -dendoritic synapses from other neurons and possess somato-dendritic synapses to other neurons. Furthermore, they were provided with so-called sensory cilia. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells also exhibited several cytological secretory cell characteristics: the presence of numerous secretory granules, well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in the perikaryon as well as intraventricular processes, and some figures which may be regarded as microapocrine or diacrine secretions of the secretory granules. Furthermore, the CSF-contacting subependymal cells probably sent basal cell processes to the area around the blood vessels in the neurohypophysis and, perhaps, in the infundibulum. It seemed likely that CSF-contacting subependymal cells had two or three functions of a paraneuronic nature. They were sensory to chemical or physical stimuli frmones just as endocrine cells do.", "PMID": 615565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1369", "title": "Adenylate cyclase in paraneurons. A histochemical study.", "content": "Adenylate cyclase activity in the taste buds of the papilla vallata of the tongue, in the EC cells of the duodenal mucosa and in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla of the hamster was histochemically examined using the method invented by Wagner and co-workers (1972). Two types of taste bud cells were distinguished. The dark cell was characterized by a dark cytoplasm: the light cell, by a clear-looking cytoplasm. When AMP-PNP was used as a substrate, and intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli of all cells in the taste bud. Much weaker activity was demonstrated on the lateral cell membrane. After the use of ATP, the reaction products were found rather evenly distributed over the surface of the taste bud cell. The synaptic area on the surface of the light cell, however, was devoid of reaction products. Among the several kinds of basal-granulated gut cells examined, the EC cell of the duodenal mucosa was one. An intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli after the use of AMP-PNP. When ATP was used as a substrate, a positive reaction was demonstrated on the lateral cell membranes as well as on the luminal microvilli; the reaction on the microvilli was much stronger than that on the lateral cell membrane. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla showed almost no activity with AMP-PNP. However, when ATP was used, the plasma membrane of Schwann cells and axons showed an intense reaction. The cell membrane of the adrenaline and noradrenaline-storing cells showed a slightly positive reaction. The synaptic area of chromaffin cell was always negative in the reaction. The positive adenylate cyclase activity in the gustatory cells and gut endocrine cells may have some relation to the stimulus reception. This is in keeping with the observation that adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, which were embedded in the internal milieu, did not react to adenylate cyclase.", "contents": "Adenylate cyclase in paraneurons. A histochemical study. Adenylate cyclase activity in the taste buds of the papilla vallata of the tongue, in the EC cells of the duodenal mucosa and in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla of the hamster was histochemically examined using the method invented by Wagner and co-workers (1972). Two types of taste bud cells were distinguished. The dark cell was characterized by a dark cytoplasm: the light cell, by a clear-looking cytoplasm. When AMP-PNP was used as a substrate, and intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli of all cells in the taste bud. Much weaker activity was demonstrated on the lateral cell membrane. After the use of ATP, the reaction products were found rather evenly distributed over the surface of the taste bud cell. The synaptic area on the surface of the light cell, however, was devoid of reaction products. Among the several kinds of basal-granulated gut cells examined, the EC cell of the duodenal mucosa was one. An intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli after the use of AMP-PNP. When ATP was used as a substrate, a positive reaction was demonstrated on the lateral cell membranes as well as on the luminal microvilli; the reaction on the microvilli was much stronger than that on the lateral cell membrane. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla showed almost no activity with AMP-PNP. However, when ATP was used, the plasma membrane of Schwann cells and axons showed an intense reaction. The cell membrane of the adrenaline and noradrenaline-storing cells showed a slightly positive reaction. The synaptic area of chromaffin cell was always negative in the reaction. The positive adenylate cyclase activity in the gustatory cells and gut endocrine cells may have some relation to the stimulus reception. This is in keeping with the observation that adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, which were embedded in the internal milieu, did not react to adenylate cyclase.", "PMID": 615566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1370", "title": "Comparative light and electron microscopic study of the adrenal gland of the snake.", "content": "A new method employing both comparative light and electron microscopic observations on the study of identical cell elements was described. This method was characterized by the use of thick Epon-embedded sections (0.3-1.5 micron thick) for both light and electron microscopy. The use of a high voltage electron microscope of 1,000 kV accelerating potential made this study possible. Two types of chromaffin cells were distinguished in the adrenal gland of the snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata. Adrenaline storing (A) cells were found to be filled with slightly irregular, larger electron-dense granules, whereas noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells contained smaller granules with an electron-dense content. It was found that the chromaffin cells of the snake possess axon-like cytoplasmic processes.", "contents": "Comparative light and electron microscopic study of the adrenal gland of the snake. A new method employing both comparative light and electron microscopic observations on the study of identical cell elements was described. This method was characterized by the use of thick Epon-embedded sections (0.3-1.5 micron thick) for both light and electron microscopy. The use of a high voltage electron microscope of 1,000 kV accelerating potential made this study possible. Two types of chromaffin cells were distinguished in the adrenal gland of the snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata. Adrenaline storing (A) cells were found to be filled with slightly irregular, larger electron-dense granules, whereas noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells contained smaller granules with an electron-dense content. It was found that the chromaffin cells of the snake possess axon-like cytoplasmic processes.", "PMID": 615567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1371", "title": "Iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy: (biochemical investigations of iron-deficiency and nutritional status).", "content": "Biochemical investigations on iron deficiency and nutritional status were carried out in a group of 130 women in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy and in 42 control non-pregnant women. The important findings were: 1. Anaemia was present in 46.1% of pregnant women in comparison with 19% in non-pregnant women. It was found to be more prevalent in the third trimester of pregnancy. 2. Iron deficiency with and without anaemia, as judged from serum transferrin saturation (%) was evident in 59.2% of pregnant women with an incidence of 70.3% in the third trimester of pregnancy. 3. Serum albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were found to be decreased in pregnancy whereas serum levels of alpha-2 and beta globulins were elevated. The results have been discussed.", "contents": "Iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy: (biochemical investigations of iron-deficiency and nutritional status). Biochemical investigations on iron deficiency and nutritional status were carried out in a group of 130 women in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy and in 42 control non-pregnant women. The important findings were: 1. Anaemia was present in 46.1% of pregnant women in comparison with 19% in non-pregnant women. It was found to be more prevalent in the third trimester of pregnancy. 2. Iron deficiency with and without anaemia, as judged from serum transferrin saturation (%) was evident in 59.2% of pregnant women with an incidence of 70.3% in the third trimester of pregnancy. 3. Serum albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were found to be decreased in pregnancy whereas serum levels of alpha-2 and beta globulins were elevated. The results have been discussed.", "PMID": 615574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1372", "title": "Cancer morbidity.", "content": "In the present study, 1736 cases of cancer has been analysed by major sites, sub-sites and mortality trend. The most common cancerous lesion in the male was in the lungs and in the female in the uterine cervix. The second common lesion in male and female were larynx and breast respectively. In children, retinoblastoma was the commonest type of cancer.", "contents": "Cancer morbidity. In the present study, 1736 cases of cancer has been analysed by major sites, sub-sites and mortality trend. The most common cancerous lesion in the male was in the lungs and in the female in the uterine cervix. The second common lesion in male and female were larynx and breast respectively. In children, retinoblastoma was the commonest type of cancer.", "PMID": 615575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1373", "title": "Determination and bioavailability of ampicillin.", "content": "1. Spectrophotometric determination of ampicillin showed comparable results with microbiological assay. 2. A bioavailability study with five brands of ampicillin revealed variations in the serum concentration at 3 hr. but showed somewhat similar concentrations at 6 hr. The results have been discussed.", "contents": "Determination and bioavailability of ampicillin. 1. Spectrophotometric determination of ampicillin showed comparable results with microbiological assay. 2. A bioavailability study with five brands of ampicillin revealed variations in the serum concentration at 3 hr. but showed somewhat similar concentrations at 6 hr. The results have been discussed.", "PMID": 615576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1374", "title": "Fungus infection of ear.", "content": "Of 2,632 patients seeking medical help for symptoms pertaining to the ear, 1,264 were clinically suspected to be suffering from fungus infection. Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis was obtained in 209 cases including 82 cases with mixed infections (both fungus and bacteria). The commonest species of fungus isolated was Aspergillus (Aspergillus niger, 67%; Aspergillus fumigatus, 24%). Best results in fungus infection of the ear was obtained by daily packing of the external meatus by a wick of gauze soaked in 2% salicylic acid in alcohol (70%) for a few days after removal of the fungal mass.", "contents": "Fungus infection of ear. Of 2,632 patients seeking medical help for symptoms pertaining to the ear, 1,264 were clinically suspected to be suffering from fungus infection. Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis was obtained in 209 cases including 82 cases with mixed infections (both fungus and bacteria). The commonest species of fungus isolated was Aspergillus (Aspergillus niger, 67%; Aspergillus fumigatus, 24%). Best results in fungus infection of the ear was obtained by daily packing of the external meatus by a wick of gauze soaked in 2% salicylic acid in alcohol (70%) for a few days after removal of the fungal mass.", "PMID": 615577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1375", "title": "Candida as a cause of diarrhoea in children.", "content": "In a study of 134 children under 12 years of age suffering from diarrhoea, candida was responsible either directly or indirectly in 23 (17.1%) cases. Mixed incidence of candida and shigella were found in 2 (1.7%) cases. Candida species were isolated in 78(58.2%) specimens. Shigella and salmonella were recovered from 10(7.4%) children suffering from diarrhoea.", "contents": "Candida as a cause of diarrhoea in children. In a study of 134 children under 12 years of age suffering from diarrhoea, candida was responsible either directly or indirectly in 23 (17.1%) cases. Mixed incidence of candida and shigella were found in 2 (1.7%) cases. Candida species were isolated in 78(58.2%) specimens. Shigella and salmonella were recovered from 10(7.4%) children suffering from diarrhoea.", "PMID": 615578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1376", "title": "Two new methods of percussion.", "content": "Existing methods of percussion have been reviewed and their drawbacks enumerated. Two new methods of percussion, single hand, and four methods have been described. It has been claimed that the new methods of percussion are better than the existing methods.", "contents": "Two new methods of percussion. Existing methods of percussion have been reviewed and their drawbacks enumerated. Two new methods of percussion, single hand, and four methods have been described. It has been claimed that the new methods of percussion are better than the existing methods.", "PMID": 615579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1377", "title": "Common skin diseases (analysis of 7,636 cases).", "content": "A total of 7,636 patients attending the Outpatient Clinic of the Skin and Venereal Disease Department, Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, were analysed in relation to skin affection, place of residence, seasonal variation of skin diseases, age incidence and site involved with skin diseases. In over 70% of patients, the skin condition diagnosed was either pyoderma or scabies. Majority of these patients came from rural areas. Greater number of patients with pyoderma sought medical help during summer whereas more patients with scabies came during winter. Pyoderma was common in young children but incidence of scabies was distributed in all age groups.", "contents": "Common skin diseases (analysis of 7,636 cases). A total of 7,636 patients attending the Outpatient Clinic of the Skin and Venereal Disease Department, Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, were analysed in relation to skin affection, place of residence, seasonal variation of skin diseases, age incidence and site involved with skin diseases. In over 70% of patients, the skin condition diagnosed was either pyoderma or scabies. Majority of these patients came from rural areas. Greater number of patients with pyoderma sought medical help during summer whereas more patients with scabies came during winter. Pyoderma was common in young children but incidence of scabies was distributed in all age groups.", "PMID": 615580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1378", "title": "Effects of long-acting steroid contraceptives on ovarian and uterine histology of rats.", "content": "Subcutaneous injection of single doses (5 to 20 mg/kg) of DMPA or NE in virgin female rats caused reduction in number and diameter of CL, and increase in number of atretic and cystic follicles in the ovary. Histological examination of the endometrium of these animals showed low cubiodal cells with sparse distribution of low columnar cells, glands with atrophic changes and compact uterine stroma with or without patches of oedema. The results suggest regressive and atrophic changes in the ovary and endometrium.", "contents": "Effects of long-acting steroid contraceptives on ovarian and uterine histology of rats. Subcutaneous injection of single doses (5 to 20 mg/kg) of DMPA or NE in virgin female rats caused reduction in number and diameter of CL, and increase in number of atretic and cystic follicles in the ovary. Histological examination of the endometrium of these animals showed low cubiodal cells with sparse distribution of low columnar cells, glands with atrophic changes and compact uterine stroma with or without patches of oedema. The results suggest regressive and atrophic changes in the ovary and endometrium.", "PMID": 615581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1379", "title": "A review of 5153 treated psychiatric patients--a five year retrospective study.", "content": "From the present study several important observations may be made. It has been observed that illiterate and poor people with agricultural background are increasingly becoming more aware of the availability of psychiatric treatment facilities. Acceptance of treatment offered by mental hospital is greater in spite of prejudice and stigma against mental diseases. Chances of availing treatment facilities for mental diseases were better in cases of educated, economically independent and non-agricultural workers than the illiterate, economically dependant and agricultural workers. Women are not having equal opportunity for treatment facilities though they suffer from psychotic disorders equally as men; this reflects the present socio-cultural attitudes. Age pattern of patients suffering from mental diseases in this country was different from western countries. Duration of stay in the hospital and rate of improvement were comparable to other centres.", "contents": "A review of 5153 treated psychiatric patients--a five year retrospective study. From the present study several important observations may be made. It has been observed that illiterate and poor people with agricultural background are increasingly becoming more aware of the availability of psychiatric treatment facilities. Acceptance of treatment offered by mental hospital is greater in spite of prejudice and stigma against mental diseases. Chances of availing treatment facilities for mental diseases were better in cases of educated, economically independent and non-agricultural workers than the illiterate, economically dependant and agricultural workers. Women are not having equal opportunity for treatment facilities though they suffer from psychotic disorders equally as men; this reflects the present socio-cultural attitudes. Age pattern of patients suffering from mental diseases in this country was different from western countries. Duration of stay in the hospital and rate of improvement were comparable to other centres.", "PMID": 615582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1380", "title": "Study of bone tumours: (a comparison of drill with open biopsy).", "content": "This study was undertaken to find out the frequency of bone tumours and to evaluate the effectiveness of drill biopsy for tumourous bony lesions. A total of 182 cases of bone tumours and tumour-like lesions were studied histopathologically. Of these, 100 (54.95%) cases were found to be malignant, 45 (24.73%) benign and 28 (15.38%) tumour-like lesions. A total of 38 drill biopsies were performed where 29 cases had corresponding open biopsies. Of these, 22 cases (75.86%) had concordances in diagnosis. The overall success of drill biopsy was 73.68%.", "contents": "Study of bone tumours: (a comparison of drill with open biopsy). This study was undertaken to find out the frequency of bone tumours and to evaluate the effectiveness of drill biopsy for tumourous bony lesions. A total of 182 cases of bone tumours and tumour-like lesions were studied histopathologically. Of these, 100 (54.95%) cases were found to be malignant, 45 (24.73%) benign and 28 (15.38%) tumour-like lesions. A total of 38 drill biopsies were performed where 29 cases had corresponding open biopsies. Of these, 22 cases (75.86%) had concordances in diagnosis. The overall success of drill biopsy was 73.68%.", "PMID": 615584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1381", "title": "A study on the evaluation of local shati starch as a substitute of polysaccharides used in the preparation of capsules and tablets of antibiotics.", "content": "Local shati starch was extracted, purified and used as an excipient for the preparation of capsules and tablets of oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol. The weight variation test, disintegration time and hardness test of these dosage forms were done and compared with the conventional maize starch containing tables and capsules of the antibiotics. The results in respect of their potency test were found to conform to official pharmacopoeias (B.P. and U.S.P). Stability study for over one year of both varieties of tablets and capsules revealed that they retained their potencies equally well.", "contents": "A study on the evaluation of local shati starch as a substitute of polysaccharides used in the preparation of capsules and tablets of antibiotics. Local shati starch was extracted, purified and used as an excipient for the preparation of capsules and tablets of oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol. The weight variation test, disintegration time and hardness test of these dosage forms were done and compared with the conventional maize starch containing tables and capsules of the antibiotics. The results in respect of their potency test were found to conform to official pharmacopoeias (B.P. and U.S.P). Stability study for over one year of both varieties of tablets and capsules revealed that they retained their potencies equally well.", "PMID": 615585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1382", "title": "Surveillance of rabies in Dacca.", "content": "A total of 977 human and animal (including livestock) cases of rabies exposure attributed to the bite of a variety of animals during a period of one year in an area covering 22 thanas has been analysed. Dog-bite, mostly from stray dogs constituted the highest risk of exposure to rabies in humans and animals including livestock. Prophylactic vaccination of pet animals including livestock and elmination of stray dogs will considerably reduce the exposure to rabies.", "contents": "Surveillance of rabies in Dacca. A total of 977 human and animal (including livestock) cases of rabies exposure attributed to the bite of a variety of animals during a period of one year in an area covering 22 thanas has been analysed. Dog-bite, mostly from stray dogs constituted the highest risk of exposure to rabies in humans and animals including livestock. Prophylactic vaccination of pet animals including livestock and elmination of stray dogs will considerably reduce the exposure to rabies.", "PMID": 615587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1383", "title": "Health survey of students of a primary school.", "content": "A pilot study has been conducted in 227 students in a primary school stiuated in the Dacca city. The study indicates that the height, weight of urban children has become a little improved since the Nutrition Survey of East Pakistan was done in 1962-64. A high percentage of enlarged tonsil and caries teeth were observed in the study group.", "contents": "Health survey of students of a primary school. A pilot study has been conducted in 227 students in a primary school stiuated in the Dacca city. The study indicates that the height, weight of urban children has become a little improved since the Nutrition Survey of East Pakistan was done in 1962-64. A high percentage of enlarged tonsil and caries teeth were observed in the study group.", "PMID": 615588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1384", "title": "Post-Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis ( a review of 10 cases).", "content": "Ten cases of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) have been studied. The sites of involvement and morphological character have been noted. Skin scraping, biopsy, serological and biochemical changes have been looked for. Presence of visceral leishmaniasis along with PKDL had been searched. Response to therapy with antimony compounds have been observed and found satisfactory. Visceral leishmaniasis although not frequent now a days, the incidence of PKDL is still prevalent to some extent in this country.", "contents": "Post-Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis ( a review of 10 cases). Ten cases of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) have been studied. The sites of involvement and morphological character have been noted. Skin scraping, biopsy, serological and biochemical changes have been looked for. Presence of visceral leishmaniasis along with PKDL had been searched. Response to therapy with antimony compounds have been observed and found satisfactory. Visceral leishmaniasis although not frequent now a days, the incidence of PKDL is still prevalent to some extent in this country.", "PMID": 615589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1385", "title": "A study of ventilatory function in 4320 adult male subjects.", "content": "Peak Flow Rates (PFR) of 4320 healthy adult male subjects have been estimated. The correlation of PFR with age, height and chest expansion has been documented and the effect of cigarette smoking on PFR has been analysed.", "contents": "A study of ventilatory function in 4320 adult male subjects. Peak Flow Rates (PFR) of 4320 healthy adult male subjects have been estimated. The correlation of PFR with age, height and chest expansion has been documented and the effect of cigarette smoking on PFR has been analysed.", "PMID": 615590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1386", "title": "Bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in pregnancy.", "content": "The incidence of bacteriuria among 300 pregnant and 100 married, non-pregnant women (control group) were studied. Clean voided mid-stream urine were collected aseptically. Significant bacteriuria was noted 15 (5%) cases among the pregnant women. Of these, only 4 had symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection. In the control group, only one significant bacteriuria case was detected. Seven different types of microorganisms were isolated from the cases showing significant bacteriuria. The predominant organisms were Esch. coli and Kleb. pneumoniae. No distinct correlation between bacteriuria and pyuria was observed. The results have been discussed.", "contents": "Bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in pregnancy. The incidence of bacteriuria among 300 pregnant and 100 married, non-pregnant women (control group) were studied. Clean voided mid-stream urine were collected aseptically. Significant bacteriuria was noted 15 (5%) cases among the pregnant women. Of these, only 4 had symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection. In the control group, only one significant bacteriuria case was detected. Seven different types of microorganisms were isolated from the cases showing significant bacteriuria. The predominant organisms were Esch. coli and Kleb. pneumoniae. No distinct correlation between bacteriuria and pyuria was observed. The results have been discussed.", "PMID": 615591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1387", "title": "Nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "The nephrotic syndrome is clinical entity having multiple etiology. In the present study, 70 cases of nephrotic syndrome both in children and adults have been studied. The condition appears to be more common than thought of. The histological classification is helpful both in management and forecasting the prognosis. Steorid and cytotoxic drugs have been used in light negative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis producing nephrotic syndrome with good results. The other forms of of glomerulonephritis needs further study to be able to offer any specific therapy.", "contents": "Nephrotic syndrome. The nephrotic syndrome is clinical entity having multiple etiology. In the present study, 70 cases of nephrotic syndrome both in children and adults have been studied. The condition appears to be more common than thought of. The histological classification is helpful both in management and forecasting the prognosis. Steorid and cytotoxic drugs have been used in light negative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis producing nephrotic syndrome with good results. The other forms of of glomerulonephritis needs further study to be able to offer any specific therapy.", "PMID": 615592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1388", "title": "Influence of mercuric chloride induced uremia on intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen in rats.", "content": "Long term maintenance of male rats of Long Evans variety following mercuric chloride induced uremia has shown an altered intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen with no significant difference in muscle glycogen content. The structure of muscle glycogen in these uremic rats when compared to sham control rats differed significantly from the structure of liver glycogen observed earlier in nephrectomized rats (Mannan et al., 1975). Biochemical analysis of muscle glycogen revealed a significant inverse relationship between the muscle and liver glycogen structure in terms of number of segments and number of non-reducing ends. Thus, an abnormal or altered muscle glycogen intramolecular structure of uremic rats is compatible with the observation of hypoglycemic state. Attributions of this to defects in glycogenolysis due to altered configuration in intramolecular structure of glycogen molecule are discussed.", "contents": "Influence of mercuric chloride induced uremia on intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen in rats. Long term maintenance of male rats of Long Evans variety following mercuric chloride induced uremia has shown an altered intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen with no significant difference in muscle glycogen content. The structure of muscle glycogen in these uremic rats when compared to sham control rats differed significantly from the structure of liver glycogen observed earlier in nephrectomized rats (Mannan et al., 1975). Biochemical analysis of muscle glycogen revealed a significant inverse relationship between the muscle and liver glycogen structure in terms of number of segments and number of non-reducing ends. Thus, an abnormal or altered muscle glycogen intramolecular structure of uremic rats is compatible with the observation of hypoglycemic state. Attributions of this to defects in glycogenolysis due to altered configuration in intramolecular structure of glycogen molecule are discussed.", "PMID": 615593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1389", "title": "Nutrient reserve in congenital malformations.", "content": "The liver reserve of vitamin A, iron and folate from 30 congenitally malformed babies dying in the perinatal period is reported, and compared with published data for babies without malformations. No statistically significant difference have been found between the two groups. The implications are discussed.", "contents": "Nutrient reserve in congenital malformations. The liver reserve of vitamin A, iron and folate from 30 congenitally malformed babies dying in the perinatal period is reported, and compared with published data for babies without malformations. No statistically significant difference have been found between the two groups. The implications are discussed.", "PMID": 615594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1390", "title": "[Hemolytic and aplastic crisis as a cause of anemia in congenital hemolytic diseases (spherocytosis)].", "content": "The author shows 45 patients suffering from congenital spherocytosis, tested by Cr-51. The author in 8 cases has found decreased T1/2 without anemia and splenomegaly, and in 13 cases with reduced T1/2, with anemia and without splenomegaly, and in 24 cases remarkably reduced T1/2, with anemia and congestive splenomegaly (proved increased blood plasma volume and increased index spleen: heart first day of testing). The author emphasizes the importance of \"aplastic crisis\" which is expressed in infection or other disturbances, as the cause of anemia, as well as the importance of \"hemolytic crisis\" which is expressed in increased splenic activity, also as the cause of anemia in congenital spherocytosis.", "contents": "[Hemolytic and aplastic crisis as a cause of anemia in congenital hemolytic diseases (spherocytosis)]. The author shows 45 patients suffering from congenital spherocytosis, tested by Cr-51. The author in 8 cases has found decreased T1/2 without anemia and splenomegaly, and in 13 cases with reduced T1/2, with anemia and without splenomegaly, and in 24 cases remarkably reduced T1/2, with anemia and congestive splenomegaly (proved increased blood plasma volume and increased index spleen: heart first day of testing). The author emphasizes the importance of \"aplastic crisis\" which is expressed in infection or other disturbances, as the cause of anemia, as well as the importance of \"hemolytic crisis\" which is expressed in increased splenic activity, also as the cause of anemia in congenital spherocytosis.", "PMID": 615595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1391", "title": "[Congenital aplastic anemias].", "content": "Congenital (constitutional) aplastic anemias in children are relatively rare compared to other diseases but as their outcome is nearly always fatal they are given full attention in pediatric-hematological literature. Although in many patients the number of white cells and thrombocytes as well as of red cells is diminished even in the first phase of the disease (or later in the course of the disease) so that these diseases are really pancytopenias, the term most frequently used to describe these clinical entities is aplastic anemia. The clinical and hematological characteristics of some aplastic anemias (Fanconi's anemia, Blackfan-Diamond's anemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia--type I, II, III and IV, etc.) are described. After considering the possible pathomechanisms which bring about aplastic anemia (pancytopenia), information is given about the method of treatment and prognostic prospects with reference to cases treated by the authors.", "contents": "[Congenital aplastic anemias]. Congenital (constitutional) aplastic anemias in children are relatively rare compared to other diseases but as their outcome is nearly always fatal they are given full attention in pediatric-hematological literature. Although in many patients the number of white cells and thrombocytes as well as of red cells is diminished even in the first phase of the disease (or later in the course of the disease) so that these diseases are really pancytopenias, the term most frequently used to describe these clinical entities is aplastic anemia. The clinical and hematological characteristics of some aplastic anemias (Fanconi's anemia, Blackfan-Diamond's anemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia--type I, II, III and IV, etc.) are described. After considering the possible pathomechanisms which bring about aplastic anemia (pancytopenia), information is given about the method of treatment and prognostic prospects with reference to cases treated by the authors.", "PMID": 615596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1392", "title": "[Erythropoietin in congenital anemias in children].", "content": "The results of the erytropoietin level determination in serum and urine of patients with congenital anemias are presented and compared to the results obtained in children with acute aplastic anemias. Three patients with congenital hypoplastic anemia Diamond-Blackfan, two with Fanconi's anemia, one with congenital pancythopenia with hyperplastic marrow and five patients with acute aplastic anemia were studied. The increased serum erythropoietin level was found in every patient whose blood hemoglobin was less than 12g%. Erythropoietin was detected in nonconcentrated urine when serum erythropoietin level was higher than 0,5 units/ml. The statistically significant negative correlation between the serum erythropoietin level and blood hemoglobin concentration was found. In two patients suffering from congenital anemias, in whome the significantly increased erythropoietin level (about 1.0 units/ml) was detected, increased ammount of hemoglobin F in peripheral blood as well as increased MCV--signs of so called \"stress\" erythropoiesis-were noted. The results presented, together with the results obtained by other authors, indicate that congenital anemias studied here are not due to the disturbance in erythropoietin production.", "contents": "[Erythropoietin in congenital anemias in children]. The results of the erytropoietin level determination in serum and urine of patients with congenital anemias are presented and compared to the results obtained in children with acute aplastic anemias. Three patients with congenital hypoplastic anemia Diamond-Blackfan, two with Fanconi's anemia, one with congenital pancythopenia with hyperplastic marrow and five patients with acute aplastic anemia were studied. The increased serum erythropoietin level was found in every patient whose blood hemoglobin was less than 12g%. Erythropoietin was detected in nonconcentrated urine when serum erythropoietin level was higher than 0,5 units/ml. The statistically significant negative correlation between the serum erythropoietin level and blood hemoglobin concentration was found. In two patients suffering from congenital anemias, in whome the significantly increased erythropoietin level (about 1.0 units/ml) was detected, increased ammount of hemoglobin F in peripheral blood as well as increased MCV--signs of so called \"stress\" erythropoiesis-were noted. The results presented, together with the results obtained by other authors, indicate that congenital anemias studied here are not due to the disturbance in erythropoietin production.", "PMID": 615597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1393", "title": "[Fanconi's anemia in 2 brothers].", "content": "Two cases of Fanconi anemia in brothers are described. Reticulocytosis and shortened survival of red blood cells in younger brother were observed. Ethiopathogenesis, therapy and prognosis are discussed.", "contents": "[Fanconi's anemia in 2 brothers]. Two cases of Fanconi anemia in brothers are described. Reticulocytosis and shortened survival of red blood cells in younger brother were observed. Ethiopathogenesis, therapy and prognosis are discussed.", "PMID": 615598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1394", "title": "[Familial pancytopenia of the Fanconi type].", "content": "Familiar pancytopenia (Fanconi type) is inharited disease of the familiar type with unadequate function of the bone-marrow associated with various congenital malformationes and specific cytogenetic abnormalities. This study deals with two cases of Fanconi pancytopenia found in brother and sister who were treated in the Pediatric Department. This disease has been proved on the basis of the clinical laboratory and rentgenological findings which have been complemented with the cytogenetic method.", "contents": "[Familial pancytopenia of the Fanconi type]. Familiar pancytopenia (Fanconi type) is inharited disease of the familiar type with unadequate function of the bone-marrow associated with various congenital malformationes and specific cytogenetic abnormalities. This study deals with two cases of Fanconi pancytopenia found in brother and sister who were treated in the Pediatric Department. This disease has been proved on the basis of the clinical laboratory and rentgenological findings which have been complemented with the cytogenetic method.", "PMID": 615599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1395", "title": "[Congenital aplastic anemia-Fanconi].", "content": "Results of the investigation of 3 children aged from 2 to 7,5 with diagnosed aplastic anemia of Fanconi type are presented. Two children were females and one child was a male. Their illness symptoms appeared at the age of one, three and four respectively. All three patients had similar symptomes: palenes, tiredness, epistaxis, appearance of hemorrhagic syndrome and delayed growth. The following anomalies were also present: small size, microcephaly, mandibular hypoplasia, high palate and malformation of the urinary tract. In one child ductus Botalli persistens was also revealed. The laboratory findings showed presence of pancytopenia of the blood and increased level of both iron and erythropoietin in the serum. The karytype of two children revealed several cells with broken chromatin and with polyploid and tetraploid cells. The meiogram showed presence of all cells in bone marrow but in lowered number. Celularity I.", "contents": "[Congenital aplastic anemia-Fanconi]. Results of the investigation of 3 children aged from 2 to 7,5 with diagnosed aplastic anemia of Fanconi type are presented. Two children were females and one child was a male. Their illness symptoms appeared at the age of one, three and four respectively. All three patients had similar symptomes: palenes, tiredness, epistaxis, appearance of hemorrhagic syndrome and delayed growth. The following anomalies were also present: small size, microcephaly, mandibular hypoplasia, high palate and malformation of the urinary tract. In one child ductus Botalli persistens was also revealed. The laboratory findings showed presence of pancytopenia of the blood and increased level of both iron and erythropoietin in the serum. The karytype of two children revealed several cells with broken chromatin and with polyploid and tetraploid cells. The meiogram showed presence of all cells in bone marrow but in lowered number. Celularity I.", "PMID": 615600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1396", "title": "[Fanconi's anemia].", "content": "We have presented a case of Fanconi's anemia in six years old boy hospitalised in our Institute fifteen years ago. Beside hypoplastic pancitopenia, there is a growth retardation (under P3), late skeletal maturity, microcephalia, narrow rimae oculi, hyperpigmentetad skin, congenital abnormalities of both thumbs cryptorchidism, troubled speech, hyperagility. Cariogram was not performed, but present clinical-hematological signs confirme the diagnosis.", "contents": "[Fanconi's anemia]. We have presented a case of Fanconi's anemia in six years old boy hospitalised in our Institute fifteen years ago. Beside hypoplastic pancitopenia, there is a growth retardation (under P3), late skeletal maturity, microcephalia, narrow rimae oculi, hyperpigmentetad skin, congenital abnormalities of both thumbs cryptorchidism, troubled speech, hyperagility. Cariogram was not performed, but present clinical-hematological signs confirme the diagnosis.", "PMID": 615601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1397", "title": "[Constitutional aplastic anemia (Fanconi type)].", "content": "We are treating successfully for seven years a nineteenyear-old girl with Fanconi's aplastic anemia combining androgenes and corticosteroids. The cytogenetic analyses of the other family members showed typical chromosome abnormalities in her father, mother and a twelve-year old sister. In the bone marrow of this sister there are already present the first morphological abnormalities, although the values of her peripheral blood counts are still normal. In the present paper we are discussing when to start the specific therapy in the affected sister.", "contents": "[Constitutional aplastic anemia (Fanconi type)]. We are treating successfully for seven years a nineteenyear-old girl with Fanconi's aplastic anemia combining androgenes and corticosteroids. The cytogenetic analyses of the other family members showed typical chromosome abnormalities in her father, mother and a twelve-year old sister. In the bone marrow of this sister there are already present the first morphological abnormalities, although the values of her peripheral blood counts are still normal. In the present paper we are discussing when to start the specific therapy in the affected sister.", "PMID": 615602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1398", "title": "[Tri-phalangeal thumb and hypoplastic anemia in a family].", "content": "The congenital erythroid hypoplastic anemia is a rare disease of the early childhood and is manifested through isolated hypoplasia of the red blood cells. The authors present a case of a mother and her daughter with a classical picture of the congenital erythroid hypoplasia appearing jointly with some anomalies. The mother was found to have triphalangia of both thumbs while the child had hexodactylion, the simian scar and hypogammaglobulinemia; Both mother and child were of small size (below 3 PC). This rare syndrome of joint anomalies and congenital hypoplastic anemia may show different expressivity of particular signs which is evidenced through the presented patients.", "contents": "[Tri-phalangeal thumb and hypoplastic anemia in a family]. The congenital erythroid hypoplastic anemia is a rare disease of the early childhood and is manifested through isolated hypoplasia of the red blood cells. The authors present a case of a mother and her daughter with a classical picture of the congenital erythroid hypoplasia appearing jointly with some anomalies. The mother was found to have triphalangia of both thumbs while the child had hexodactylion, the simian scar and hypogammaglobulinemia; Both mother and child were of small size (below 3 PC). This rare syndrome of joint anomalies and congenital hypoplastic anemia may show different expressivity of particular signs which is evidenced through the presented patients.", "PMID": 615603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1399", "title": "[Inherited elliptocytosis in a family].", "content": "Elliptocytosis is a rare disease which is transmitted autosomally and dominantly and is mainly discovered on the occasion of the regular check up. Except for the changed morphology of erythrocytes at the stage of the cell maturity the disease most often appears without clinical symptoms. The boy and the members of his family presented here had a very mild form of the disease which was not followed by any clinical manifestations except for the changed morphology of the erythrocytes. Discreet laboratory abnormalities were present in the members of the maternal family. The disease is shown as a rare one and is interesting from the hematologist's point of view. The clinical importance of the disease is lower because of its rare occurrance in the human population and because of its rare and slight clinical expressivity.", "contents": "[Inherited elliptocytosis in a family]. Elliptocytosis is a rare disease which is transmitted autosomally and dominantly and is mainly discovered on the occasion of the regular check up. Except for the changed morphology of erythrocytes at the stage of the cell maturity the disease most often appears without clinical symptoms. The boy and the members of his family presented here had a very mild form of the disease which was not followed by any clinical manifestations except for the changed morphology of the erythrocytes. Discreet laboratory abnormalities were present in the members of the maternal family. The disease is shown as a rare one and is interesting from the hematologist's point of view. The clinical importance of the disease is lower because of its rare occurrance in the human population and because of its rare and slight clinical expressivity.", "PMID": 615604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1400", "title": "[Roentgenomorphologic aspects of osseous lesions in thalassemia].", "content": "In bones two functionally different organs are closely mingled: osseous tissue and osseous hematopoietic system. In the work their interrelation and laws governing it are discussed. In cases of aggression toward osseous hematopoietic system osseous lesions, with their evolutive stages, are formed. Certain evolutive stages are so characteristic in their morphology that radiologic diagnosis of the illness can be made without any hesitation. The work also includes the authors' opinion on appearance of pseudotumorous structures on the paravertebral sections of the ribs.", "contents": "[Roentgenomorphologic aspects of osseous lesions in thalassemia]. In bones two functionally different organs are closely mingled: osseous tissue and osseous hematopoietic system. In the work their interrelation and laws governing it are discussed. In cases of aggression toward osseous hematopoietic system osseous lesions, with their evolutive stages, are formed. Certain evolutive stages are so characteristic in their morphology that radiologic diagnosis of the illness can be made without any hesitation. The work also includes the authors' opinion on appearance of pseudotumorous structures on the paravertebral sections of the ribs.", "PMID": 615605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1401", "title": "[Calculosis of biliary and urinary tracts in children with congenital hemolytic anemias. (Retrospective view of some published work and certain investigations)].", "content": "During the last ten years twenty children with hereditary haemolitic anemia were admitted to the Children's University Hospital. As hyperbilirubinemia is one of the factors influencing calculi formation, we made systematic examination of the biliary and urinary pathways, because throughout these the excretory activity of bilirubin and its compound urobilinogen is performed. Owing to such a procedure, out of twenty children ten were discovered to have biliary calculi and other ten biliary and urinary calculi. As far as we learned from the available literature, parallel examination of these two pathways in children hereditary haemolitic anemia had not been made before.", "contents": "[Calculosis of biliary and urinary tracts in children with congenital hemolytic anemias. (Retrospective view of some published work and certain investigations)]. During the last ten years twenty children with hereditary haemolitic anemia were admitted to the Children's University Hospital. As hyperbilirubinemia is one of the factors influencing calculi formation, we made systematic examination of the biliary and urinary pathways, because throughout these the excretory activity of bilirubin and its compound urobilinogen is performed. Owing to such a procedure, out of twenty children ten were discovered to have biliary calculi and other ten biliary and urinary calculi. As far as we learned from the available literature, parallel examination of these two pathways in children hereditary haemolitic anemia had not been made before.", "PMID": 615606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1402", "title": "[Treatment of decompensation of the heart in hemolytic anemias].", "content": "The author presents the experiences and the results in the treatment of congestive heart failure in children sick of haemolytic anaemias. The long lasting anaemias, followed by anoxia, treated with frequent blood transfusions, lead to cardiac haemosiderosis and to damage of the myocardium. During the period of ten years, out of 20 treated patients with haemolytic anaemias, two children suffering of beta thalassemia/Hb Lepore, have had a congestive heart failure. Two children were treated with cardiotonics and diuretics. The author analysis the question of giving Calcium to children treated with blood transfusion and is of the opinion that it is necessary to be careful in giving Calcium preparations to these patients, because it increases irritability of the myocardium and toxic effect of digitalis.", "contents": "[Treatment of decompensation of the heart in hemolytic anemias]. The author presents the experiences and the results in the treatment of congestive heart failure in children sick of haemolytic anaemias. The long lasting anaemias, followed by anoxia, treated with frequent blood transfusions, lead to cardiac haemosiderosis and to damage of the myocardium. During the period of ten years, out of 20 treated patients with haemolytic anaemias, two children suffering of beta thalassemia/Hb Lepore, have had a congestive heart failure. Two children were treated with cardiotonics and diuretics. The author analysis the question of giving Calcium to children treated with blood transfusion and is of the opinion that it is necessary to be careful in giving Calcium preparations to these patients, because it increases irritability of the myocardium and toxic effect of digitalis.", "PMID": 615607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1403", "title": "[Blood groups in chromosome disorders].", "content": "The authors investigated blood groups of two cases of polisomia, and 6 cases of chromosomal aberations. While the polisomia demonstrated no abnormalities of the blood groups, three cases of the chromosomal aberation show an alteration on the chromosome 2 and atypical inheritance of the MNSs groups, confirming autosomal location of these blood groups.", "contents": "[Blood groups in chromosome disorders]. The authors investigated blood groups of two cases of polisomia, and 6 cases of chromosomal aberations. While the polisomia demonstrated no abnormalities of the blood groups, three cases of the chromosomal aberation show an alteration on the chromosome 2 and atypical inheritance of the MNSs groups, confirming autosomal location of these blood groups.", "PMID": 615608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1404", "title": "[Genetic counseling in hematologic diseases].", "content": "In patients with hereditary haematologic diseases risk of repetition of these anomalies in brothers and sisters of probands and their progenies was assessed. In haemiphilia and Wiskott-Aldrich's. thrombocytopenia, both caused by a mutant gene in an X chromosome, prenatal pole determination was consulted in order to have a pregnancy with a male fetus interrupted due to high risk. Dominantly hereditary spherocytosis, eliptocytosis, chronic benign neutropenia are the diseases which do not appear in such a severe form that ceasation of further pregnancies should be consulted, instead, an early postnatal diagnosis is suggested to the families with increased risk of these anomalies. In the recessive hereditary beta thalassemia and in Fanconi's anemia in which prenatal diagnosis can not be made for the time being, level of risk for the further children is told to the parents after the child has been born. The parents are then left to decide whether to take a risk and have other children who might suffer of these severe haemolitic diseases. In the haemolitic diseases with often occurrence in certain families, but in which the manner of inheritance is not clear, as for example in the Kasebach-Meritt's syndrome, risk for the following children is uncertainly increased so that the genetic counsel is uncertain and unprecise. In the hereditary haemolitic diseases which appear sporadically, either of known or unknown etiology, such as congenital teleangiectasis of capillary vessels or Sturge-Weber's syndrome with severe vascular and nerval disorders, the parents are stimulated to further pregnancies as they are not followed by increased risk.", "contents": "[Genetic counseling in hematologic diseases]. In patients with hereditary haematologic diseases risk of repetition of these anomalies in brothers and sisters of probands and their progenies was assessed. In haemiphilia and Wiskott-Aldrich's. thrombocytopenia, both caused by a mutant gene in an X chromosome, prenatal pole determination was consulted in order to have a pregnancy with a male fetus interrupted due to high risk. Dominantly hereditary spherocytosis, eliptocytosis, chronic benign neutropenia are the diseases which do not appear in such a severe form that ceasation of further pregnancies should be consulted, instead, an early postnatal diagnosis is suggested to the families with increased risk of these anomalies. In the recessive hereditary beta thalassemia and in Fanconi's anemia in which prenatal diagnosis can not be made for the time being, level of risk for the further children is told to the parents after the child has been born. The parents are then left to decide whether to take a risk and have other children who might suffer of these severe haemolitic diseases. In the haemolitic diseases with often occurrence in certain families, but in which the manner of inheritance is not clear, as for example in the Kasebach-Meritt's syndrome, risk for the following children is uncertainly increased so that the genetic counsel is uncertain and unprecise. In the hereditary haemolitic diseases which appear sporadically, either of known or unknown etiology, such as congenital teleangiectasis of capillary vessels or Sturge-Weber's syndrome with severe vascular and nerval disorders, the parents are stimulated to further pregnancies as they are not followed by increased risk.", "PMID": 615609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1405", "title": "[Genetics in blood diseases].", "content": "The mechanisms of the haemoglobin's disturbances provoked by the mutation or the insufficient function of genes which regulate the synthesis of the corresponding polypeptide chains of haemoglobin have been described. Especially the authors pointed out the well known relation between the change of the primary structure of these chains and the structure of new codon created by the mutation of gene. Some important mechanisms which regulate the degree of oxygen affinity of haemoglobin and which are considerably altered in some haemoglobinopaties have also been described.", "contents": "[Genetics in blood diseases]. The mechanisms of the haemoglobin's disturbances provoked by the mutation or the insufficient function of genes which regulate the synthesis of the corresponding polypeptide chains of haemoglobin have been described. Especially the authors pointed out the well known relation between the change of the primary structure of these chains and the structure of new codon created by the mutation of gene. Some important mechanisms which regulate the degree of oxygen affinity of haemoglobin and which are considerably altered in some haemoglobinopaties have also been described.", "PMID": 615610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1406", "title": "[HLA system antigens in Hodgkin's disease in children].", "content": "The authors investigated HLA antigens in 11 children treated of Hodgkin's disease and compared them with 540 healthy nonrelated persons. Antigens HLA-A2, HLA-A9 and HLA-A10 were found in 5 treated children (45.4%). Antigen HLA-B5 was found in 4 children (33.4%). Antigen HLA-Bw16 was found in three patients (27.2%) which is much higher percentage than that of the control group. Haplotype A10-Bw16 which had not been found in the control group was present in two patients. Four patients (36,3%) had antigen HLA-B5 in localized form (I and II clinical stage). Four children (36,3%) had antigen HLA-A10 but only in histologic type of the lymphocytic predomination. Due to the small number of the investigated patients it was not possible to draw a definite conclusion on whether there is a significant occurence of certain antigens of the HLA system in children treated of Hodgkin's disease.", "contents": "[HLA system antigens in Hodgkin's disease in children]. The authors investigated HLA antigens in 11 children treated of Hodgkin's disease and compared them with 540 healthy nonrelated persons. Antigens HLA-A2, HLA-A9 and HLA-A10 were found in 5 treated children (45.4%). Antigen HLA-B5 was found in 4 children (33.4%). Antigen HLA-Bw16 was found in three patients (27.2%) which is much higher percentage than that of the control group. Haplotype A10-Bw16 which had not been found in the control group was present in two patients. Four patients (36,3%) had antigen HLA-B5 in localized form (I and II clinical stage). Four children (36,3%) had antigen HLA-A10 but only in histologic type of the lymphocytic predomination. Due to the small number of the investigated patients it was not possible to draw a definite conclusion on whether there is a significant occurence of certain antigens of the HLA system in children treated of Hodgkin's disease.", "PMID": 615611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1407", "title": "[Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome].", "content": "Within the group of diseases of immunodeficiency Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome can be excepted as one with well definical picture. Here presented are two patients with allness onset in the earliest childhood. Their chinical picture was a typical one showing often infections, thrombocytopenia and later appearance of eczema. Beside the dicreased number of the thrombocytes both patients had eosynophilia, changed immunoglobulines and lack of isohemogglutinin. One of them also showed low response to phytohemagglutinin and low values of the T and B rosettes. One of the patients lived until four years of age while the other one is aged five now and is in relatively good condition.", "contents": "[Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome]. Within the group of diseases of immunodeficiency Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome can be excepted as one with well definical picture. Here presented are two patients with allness onset in the earliest childhood. Their chinical picture was a typical one showing often infections, thrombocytopenia and later appearance of eczema. Beside the dicreased number of the thrombocytes both patients had eosynophilia, changed immunoglobulines and lack of isohemogglutinin. One of them also showed low response to phytohemagglutinin and low values of the T and B rosettes. One of the patients lived until four years of age while the other one is aged five now and is in relatively good condition.", "PMID": 615612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1408", "title": "[Congenital enzymopenic methemoglobinemia and its pharmacogenetic aspects].", "content": "The authors report on their experience in nearly 10 years follow-up of four families with hereditary enzymopenic methemoglobinemia. In patients a dangerous elevation of methemoglobin level was never observed, what is probably due to the information of the patients and the family doctor about the nature of the patient's constitution. All gene--carriers were practically healthy. In one family 10 children died from convulsions as newborns. Mental retardation was not present in these four families.", "contents": "[Congenital enzymopenic methemoglobinemia and its pharmacogenetic aspects]. The authors report on their experience in nearly 10 years follow-up of four families with hereditary enzymopenic methemoglobinemia. In patients a dangerous elevation of methemoglobin level was never observed, what is probably due to the information of the patients and the family doctor about the nature of the patient's constitution. All gene--carriers were practically healthy. In one family 10 children died from convulsions as newborns. Mental retardation was not present in these four families.", "PMID": 615613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1409", "title": "[Hemoglobinpathy S--clinical manifestations in children in a Zairian family].", "content": "The clinical aspects of Hemoglobinopathy S in children of a black family from Zair living in Belgrade are discussed in the paper. The parents and two brothers are heterozygous carriers for patologyc hemoglobines; those children had, sauf permanent anaemia, the crysis of dyspnea, cyanosis, cough, evidence of subperiosteal bone formation, associated with vitamin D deficiency. The Youngest child, girl two years of age, is homozygous with complete Sickle cell disease: hand-foot syndrome, heterotopic paravertebral hematopoetic tissue, lung infarctions, cardiomegaly, severe drepanocytic anaemia; she succumbed in an a attack after many episodes of severe hypoxia.", "contents": "[Hemoglobinpathy S--clinical manifestations in children in a Zairian family]. The clinical aspects of Hemoglobinopathy S in children of a black family from Zair living in Belgrade are discussed in the paper. The parents and two brothers are heterozygous carriers for patologyc hemoglobines; those children had, sauf permanent anaemia, the crysis of dyspnea, cyanosis, cough, evidence of subperiosteal bone formation, associated with vitamin D deficiency. The Youngest child, girl two years of age, is homozygous with complete Sickle cell disease: hand-foot syndrome, heterotopic paravertebral hematopoetic tissue, lung infarctions, cardiomegaly, severe drepanocytic anaemia; she succumbed in an a attack after many episodes of severe hypoxia.", "PMID": 615614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1410", "title": "[Osmotic resistance of erythrocytes as a screening method in detecting heterozygotes in beta-thalassemia].", "content": "Osmotic fragility of red blood cells in three different buffered solutions, i.e. 0,32%, 0,36% saline and 0,40% Tyrode solution was studied as a screening test for the detection of beta-thalassemia trait. 90 genetically designated beta-thalassemia heterozygotes were studied for the screening tests. In addition 514 school children and 161 patients suffering from anemia of different etiology were also examined for the osmotic fragility screening. The results of the studies indicated that the one tube method screening test with 0.36% buffered saline solution was the appropriate solution in screening for beta-thalassemia trait since the solution was able to detect 99 to 100% of the carriers. However, about 15% of normal individuals were also found to give a false positive for the 0.36% saline screening test. It is recommended that 0.36% buffered saline solution be used as a first screening test for the detection of beta-thalassemia trait since it is simple, rapid, cheap and applicable. Those who are positive with this test are required to be completely studied in hematology for the final diagnosis of either beta-thalassemia trait or other hematologic disorders.", "contents": "[Osmotic resistance of erythrocytes as a screening method in detecting heterozygotes in beta-thalassemia]. Osmotic fragility of red blood cells in three different buffered solutions, i.e. 0,32%, 0,36% saline and 0,40% Tyrode solution was studied as a screening test for the detection of beta-thalassemia trait. 90 genetically designated beta-thalassemia heterozygotes were studied for the screening tests. In addition 514 school children and 161 patients suffering from anemia of different etiology were also examined for the osmotic fragility screening. The results of the studies indicated that the one tube method screening test with 0.36% buffered saline solution was the appropriate solution in screening for beta-thalassemia trait since the solution was able to detect 99 to 100% of the carriers. However, about 15% of normal individuals were also found to give a false positive for the 0.36% saline screening test. It is recommended that 0.36% buffered saline solution be used as a first screening test for the detection of beta-thalassemia trait since it is simple, rapid, cheap and applicable. Those who are positive with this test are required to be completely studied in hematology for the final diagnosis of either beta-thalassemia trait or other hematologic disorders.", "PMID": 615615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1411", "title": "[Deficiency of pyruvate kinase in erythrocytes: biochemical studies. Preliminary communication].", "content": "Pyruvate kinase deficiency was found to be the causative factor in a family with nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. Biochemical findings were the following: decrease in adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentration (59 micromoles per 100 ml of erytrocytes; normal: 150 +/- 59), increase in 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration (13611 micromoles per 100 ml of erythrocytes; normal: 480 +/- 80) and low level of pyruvate kinase activity (955 U) mmol Hb; normal 2700 +/- 498. The deficiency of enzyme activity in the hexose-monophosphate shunt was excluded on bases of normal or elevated glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities, normal reduced glutathione concentration and normal glutathione stability in vitro. The Michaelis constant for phosphoenolpyruvate of the patient's pyruvate kinase was found to be normal; thus, the mutation affected only the Vmax of the enzyme.", "contents": "[Deficiency of pyruvate kinase in erythrocytes: biochemical studies. Preliminary communication]. Pyruvate kinase deficiency was found to be the causative factor in a family with nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. Biochemical findings were the following: decrease in adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentration (59 micromoles per 100 ml of erytrocytes; normal: 150 +/- 59), increase in 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) concentration (13611 micromoles per 100 ml of erythrocytes; normal: 480 +/- 80) and low level of pyruvate kinase activity (955 U) mmol Hb; normal 2700 +/- 498. The deficiency of enzyme activity in the hexose-monophosphate shunt was excluded on bases of normal or elevated glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities, normal reduced glutathione concentration and normal glutathione stability in vitro. The Michaelis constant for phosphoenolpyruvate of the patient's pyruvate kinase was found to be normal; thus, the mutation affected only the Vmax of the enzyme.", "PMID": 615616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1412", "title": "[Importance of the determination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the diagnosis of congenital hemolytic anemias].", "content": "In the present paper, the enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) was determined in blood haemolysate of 300 children, in the aim of differential diagnosis. In the studied group we found 2 children with markedly low activity of G-6-PD. The activity of enzyme in those patients ranged 0-37 mU/0,1 ml packed red cells. We investigated the activity of enzyme G-6-PD in the blood haemolysate of the parents and other relatives too. On that way we were able to establish that the mode of inheritance of defective enzyme activity was homozygote dominant, e.g. hemizygote recessive, respectively. Our study enabled us to discover the patients with inherited deficiency of erythrocytic G-6-PD in Belgrade.", "contents": "[Importance of the determination of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the diagnosis of congenital hemolytic anemias]. In the present paper, the enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) was determined in blood haemolysate of 300 children, in the aim of differential diagnosis. In the studied group we found 2 children with markedly low activity of G-6-PD. The activity of enzyme in those patients ranged 0-37 mU/0,1 ml packed red cells. We investigated the activity of enzyme G-6-PD in the blood haemolysate of the parents and other relatives too. On that way we were able to establish that the mode of inheritance of defective enzyme activity was homozygote dominant, e.g. hemizygote recessive, respectively. Our study enabled us to discover the patients with inherited deficiency of erythrocytic G-6-PD in Belgrade.", "PMID": 615617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1413", "title": "\"Family somatics\"--a neglected edge.", "content": "Although the family interaction viewpoint has been more widely adopted since it was first introduced and family therapy more widely practiced, there has not been a parallel growth in the practical or theoretical application of the interactional viewpoint. This paper makes a plea for the relevance of this orientation to illness and disease. This area has received some consideration but deserves a much more extensive examination and research effort.", "contents": "\"Family somatics\"--a neglected edge. Although the family interaction viewpoint has been more widely adopted since it was first introduced and family therapy more widely practiced, there has not been a parallel growth in the practical or theoretical application of the interactional viewpoint. This paper makes a plea for the relevance of this orientation to illness and disease. This area has received some consideration but deserves a much more extensive examination and research effort.", "PMID": 615618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1414", "title": "The removal of a psychosomatic symptom: effects on the marriage.", "content": "This study examined the effects on the marriages of twelve patients who underwent intestinal bypass surgery for extreme obesity. Marked conflict and disruption were observed. Most striking were changes in the areas of sexuality and dependence/independence parameters. The authors discuss the function of the symptom of obesity within these marital systems.", "contents": "The removal of a psychosomatic symptom: effects on the marriage. This study examined the effects on the marriages of twelve patients who underwent intestinal bypass surgery for extreme obesity. Marked conflict and disruption were observed. Most striking were changes in the areas of sexuality and dependence/independence parameters. The authors discuss the function of the symptom of obesity within these marital systems.", "PMID": 615619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1415", "title": "Emergency psychology: a mobile service for police crisis calls.", "content": "The Emergency Treatment Center, a new program of crisis intervention services, has been in operation since February 1975. This seven-day-week, twenty-four-hour-a-day program backs up ten Northern California police departments to provide help to people who are experiencing psychological emergencies such as violent family fights, suicide attempts, and severe emotional disturbance; in addition, the Center responds to any kind of crisis call involving adolescents. The population of the area served is approximately 750,000 of whom approximately 110,000 are adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age.", "contents": "Emergency psychology: a mobile service for police crisis calls. The Emergency Treatment Center, a new program of crisis intervention services, has been in operation since February 1975. This seven-day-week, twenty-four-hour-a-day program backs up ten Northern California police departments to provide help to people who are experiencing psychological emergencies such as violent family fights, suicide attempts, and severe emotional disturbance; in addition, the Center responds to any kind of crisis call involving adolescents. The population of the area served is approximately 750,000 of whom approximately 110,000 are adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age.", "PMID": 615620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1416", "title": "Patterns of transactional style deviance in the TAT's of parents of schizophrenics.", "content": "Parents of schizophrenics show more transactional style deviance in diverse situations than do other parents. In a sample of families of nonschizophrenic outpatient adolescents, a manual for scoring such deviance on stories told for seven TAT cards was developed. This scoring system was shown to be composed of six meaningful factors. When this system was applied to the TAT's of parents of offspring with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, a total deviance score did not discriminate among the parents. High scores on two particular factors were found only in parents of hospitalized schizophrenics, but four factors were nondiscriminating. Parents of young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were more likely to show high scores on at least one of these six factors than other parents. Considering the scores of mothers and fathers together yielded the best discrimination of parents of schizophrenia spectrum disorders from other parents.", "contents": "Patterns of transactional style deviance in the TAT's of parents of schizophrenics. Parents of schizophrenics show more transactional style deviance in diverse situations than do other parents. In a sample of families of nonschizophrenic outpatient adolescents, a manual for scoring such deviance on stories told for seven TAT cards was developed. This scoring system was shown to be composed of six meaningful factors. When this system was applied to the TAT's of parents of offspring with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, a total deviance score did not discriminate among the parents. High scores on two particular factors were found only in parents of hospitalized schizophrenics, but four factors were nondiscriminating. Parents of young adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were more likely to show high scores on at least one of these six factors than other parents. Considering the scores of mothers and fathers together yielded the best discrimination of parents of schizophrenia spectrum disorders from other parents.", "PMID": 615621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1417", "title": "Owning and disowning: the structural dimension.", "content": "Stierlin (11) recently examined owning and disowning in the parent-child relationship from a psychoanalytic-developmental perspective. This paper examines the same phenomena from a structural viewpoint, deriving implications for the conduct of therapy.", "contents": "Owning and disowning: the structural dimension. Stierlin (11) recently examined owning and disowning in the parent-child relationship from a psychoanalytic-developmental perspective. This paper examines the same phenomena from a structural viewpoint, deriving implications for the conduct of therapy.", "PMID": 615623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1418", "title": "Family therapy after the divorce: developing a strategy.", "content": "Family therapy with the whole family after a divorce has taken place provides a unique opportunity for intervention. Though the spouses have legally terminated their relationship, their parenting function remains. However, this reality is often clouded by the emotional conflicts generated by the divorce. Family therapy can be useful in facilitating life in the post-divorce period. A four-part model for intervention is described. The first task is to redefine the family as existentially including all members. Next, generational boundaries are firmed in order to reduce the parentification process, often intensified by the parent's physical absence. Third, the family needs to have a replay of the history of the marriage to correct developmental distortions and offer a changce to mourn the loss of the intact family. Finally, the therapists attempt to facilitate an emotional divorce. A case study is presented to elucidate the manner in which these steps unfold in treatment.", "contents": "Family therapy after the divorce: developing a strategy. Family therapy with the whole family after a divorce has taken place provides a unique opportunity for intervention. Though the spouses have legally terminated their relationship, their parenting function remains. However, this reality is often clouded by the emotional conflicts generated by the divorce. Family therapy can be useful in facilitating life in the post-divorce period. A four-part model for intervention is described. The first task is to redefine the family as existentially including all members. Next, generational boundaries are firmed in order to reduce the parentification process, often intensified by the parent's physical absence. Third, the family needs to have a replay of the history of the marriage to correct developmental distortions and offer a changce to mourn the loss of the intact family. Finally, the therapists attempt to facilitate an emotional divorce. A case study is presented to elucidate the manner in which these steps unfold in treatment.", "PMID": 615624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1419", "title": "Ambulatory monitoring of the electrocardiogram: an important aspect of pacemaker surveillance.", "content": "Of the 353 patients followed in the pacemaker surveillance clinic between July 1976 and July 1977, 25 patients complained of episodes of dizziness and faintness. 20 of these had normal pacing function and pacemaker parameters at routine clinic testing. 18 patients had 'demand' units and 2 had fixed-rate pacemakers. The indication for permanent pacing was complete heart block in 16 patients and sinoatrial disease in 5 patients. At clinic follow-up, there was unequivocal evidence of vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 5 patients and postural hypotension in 4 patients. In 11 patients, the cause of presyncope was not evident at the clinic. All patients were monitored by 24-hour tape recording until an episode of pre-syncope occurred. In 8 patients, there was evidence of intermittent failure to pace associated with the episodes of presyncope. In 2 patients, an additional cause for presyncope was found at clinic examination. Ambulatory 24-hour tape monitoring of the electrocardiogram is an important adjunct to pacemaker follow-up especially when other methods such as transtelephone monitoring are not available in the United Kingdom. Routine electronic testing of pacemaker function does not always reveal intermittent abnormalities related to changes in threshold or unstable electrode positions.", "contents": "Ambulatory monitoring of the electrocardiogram: an important aspect of pacemaker surveillance. Of the 353 patients followed in the pacemaker surveillance clinic between July 1976 and July 1977, 25 patients complained of episodes of dizziness and faintness. 20 of these had normal pacing function and pacemaker parameters at routine clinic testing. 18 patients had 'demand' units and 2 had fixed-rate pacemakers. The indication for permanent pacing was complete heart block in 16 patients and sinoatrial disease in 5 patients. At clinic follow-up, there was unequivocal evidence of vertebrobasilar insufficiency in 5 patients and postural hypotension in 4 patients. In 11 patients, the cause of presyncope was not evident at the clinic. All patients were monitored by 24-hour tape recording until an episode of pre-syncope occurred. In 8 patients, there was evidence of intermittent failure to pace associated with the episodes of presyncope. In 2 patients, an additional cause for presyncope was found at clinic examination. Ambulatory 24-hour tape monitoring of the electrocardiogram is an important adjunct to pacemaker follow-up especially when other methods such as transtelephone monitoring are not available in the United Kingdom. Routine electronic testing of pacemaker function does not always reveal intermittent abnormalities related to changes in threshold or unstable electrode positions.", "PMID": 615642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1420", "title": "Radiotelemetry-based study of occupational heat stress in a steel factory.", "content": "Heat stress conditions prevailing in a steel factory were evaluated using a newly developed radiotelemetry system. This system was used as a station monitor for determining environmental temperature conditions and as a personal monitor to obtain data of worker physiological responses. Environmental information was used in calculating wet-bulb globe temperature heat stress index values. Physiological data were used in confirming safety limits. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of radiotelemetry in assessing occupational exposures to heat stress.", "contents": "Radiotelemetry-based study of occupational heat stress in a steel factory. Heat stress conditions prevailing in a steel factory were evaluated using a newly developed radiotelemetry system. This system was used as a station monitor for determining environmental temperature conditions and as a personal monitor to obtain data of worker physiological responses. Environmental information was used in calculating wet-bulb globe temperature heat stress index values. Physiological data were used in confirming safety limits. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of radiotelemetry in assessing occupational exposures to heat stress.", "PMID": 615643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1421", "title": "A portable miniature solid-state heart rate recorder for monitoring daily physical activity.", "content": "A compact, rugged, solid-state heart rate recorder (63 X 94 X 22 mm, 195 g) to measure normal daily heart rates over periods of up to 33 h is described. With an interval switch a selection can be a mean heart rate over 30, 60 or 120 sec. The ECG amplifier filter is equipped with an automatic gain control to eliminate R-wave amplitude changes during physical activity. A continuous acoustic check on correct electrode attachment and sufficient signal amplitude is possible by means of an earphone. Data may be stored on punch tape, tape recorder, or processed on-line, or plotted directly one a line writer to obtain a heart rate profile over the measured time. In 45 studies with adults and children the heart rate recorder has proven to be a reliable instrument.", "contents": "A portable miniature solid-state heart rate recorder for monitoring daily physical activity. A compact, rugged, solid-state heart rate recorder (63 X 94 X 22 mm, 195 g) to measure normal daily heart rates over periods of up to 33 h is described. With an interval switch a selection can be a mean heart rate over 30, 60 or 120 sec. The ECG amplifier filter is equipped with an automatic gain control to eliminate R-wave amplitude changes during physical activity. A continuous acoustic check on correct electrode attachment and sufficient signal amplitude is possible by means of an earphone. Data may be stored on punch tape, tape recorder, or processed on-line, or plotted directly one a line writer to obtain a heart rate profile over the measured time. In 45 studies with adults and children the heart rate recorder has proven to be a reliable instrument.", "PMID": 615644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1422", "title": "Circadian variations of blood pressure in patients with different degrees of hypertension. Changes induced by hypotensive treatment.", "content": "Arterial pressure was continuously recorded for 24--48 h in 3 normotensive subjects and in 60 hypertensive patients. The greatest variations occurred in those with labile, mild or moderate hypertension compared to those with severe hypertension or normal blood pressure. Atenolol (100-200 mg) administered once or twice daily produced a significant reduction of arterial pressure and a smaller response to the cold pressor test, hand grip and step test in patients with established hypertension, but little change in those with labile hypertension. The evening dose was not followed by a decrease in pressure greater than that observed without treatment, but determined a smaller rise on awaking.", "contents": "Circadian variations of blood pressure in patients with different degrees of hypertension. Changes induced by hypotensive treatment. Arterial pressure was continuously recorded for 24--48 h in 3 normotensive subjects and in 60 hypertensive patients. The greatest variations occurred in those with labile, mild or moderate hypertension compared to those with severe hypertension or normal blood pressure. Atenolol (100-200 mg) administered once or twice daily produced a significant reduction of arterial pressure and a smaller response to the cold pressor test, hand grip and step test in patients with established hypertension, but little change in those with labile hypertension. The evening dose was not followed by a decrease in pressure greater than that observed without treatment, but determined a smaller rise on awaking.", "PMID": 615645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1423", "title": "The isolation amplifier, an interface between EEG recorder and data processor.", "content": "An isolation amplifier is presented which is intended as an interface between electrophysiological recorders and standard data processing equipment. Due to its floating input and output, differences in ground potentials do not disturb the transmitted signal. Hence, recorder and data processors can be grounded according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Powerline leakage currents are also prevented from loading the ground of the electrophysiological recorder. Compared to the isolation transformer this device saves space, while polarity restorations can be made and no modifications are needed in any piece of equipment.", "contents": "The isolation amplifier, an interface between EEG recorder and data processor. An isolation amplifier is presented which is intended as an interface between electrophysiological recorders and standard data processing equipment. Due to its floating input and output, differences in ground potentials do not disturb the transmitted signal. Hence, recorder and data processors can be grounded according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Powerline leakage currents are also prevented from loading the ground of the electrophysiological recorder. Compared to the isolation transformer this device saves space, while polarity restorations can be made and no modifications are needed in any piece of equipment.", "PMID": 615646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1424", "title": "[Human celosomias].", "content": "Definition and nomenclature of celosomia are based on a historical review which provides a system of classification. Morphology and organogenesis of celosomia were studied on 64 embryonic and foetal bodies. The anatomical study of 6 cases of human celosomia provided a definition of the characteristics of major celosomia, by showing the constant elements of the syndrome (particularly the parietal malformation) and the anomalies frequently found in each of the different types:--anterior (or superior) celosomia;--middle celosomia, including laparoschisis;--posterior (or inferior) celosomia, among which exstrophy of the bladder may be either one of the constant elements of the syndrome, or a limited form of the inferior celosomia;--total celosomia, of which one case was studied for this report, and of which the major forms, the schistosomia, chelinosomia and strophosomia types, seem to constitute forms of transition with other types of monstruosity. With improved knowledge of anatomy and organogenesis the possibilities of treatment have improved over the past few years, but still remain limited in the more monstrous forms of celosomia.", "contents": "[Human celosomias]. Definition and nomenclature of celosomia are based on a historical review which provides a system of classification. Morphology and organogenesis of celosomia were studied on 64 embryonic and foetal bodies. The anatomical study of 6 cases of human celosomia provided a definition of the characteristics of major celosomia, by showing the constant elements of the syndrome (particularly the parietal malformation) and the anomalies frequently found in each of the different types:--anterior (or superior) celosomia;--middle celosomia, including laparoschisis;--posterior (or inferior) celosomia, among which exstrophy of the bladder may be either one of the constant elements of the syndrome, or a limited form of the inferior celosomia;--total celosomia, of which one case was studied for this report, and of which the major forms, the schistosomia, chelinosomia and strophosomia types, seem to constitute forms of transition with other types of monstruosity. With improved knowledge of anatomy and organogenesis the possibilities of treatment have improved over the past few years, but still remain limited in the more monstrous forms of celosomia.", "PMID": 615647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1425", "title": "Controlled environment treatment for limb surgery and trauma (a preliminary report).", "content": "This paper demonstrates a new approach to postsurgical and post-traumatic wound management in the lower limbs. Our own results of 20 below-knee amputations are documented. A less detailed report is then given of experience with an additional 20 amputees: this second group includes experience not only here at Seattle but at five other centers in the United States. The same method for wound management and for control of edema was employed in all cases. The method, Controlled Environment Treatment (CET), uses filtered air as a dressing medium, with a control console to maintain the pressure, constant or varying, according to a preset program. Temperature and humidity are also controllable, as is gas composition. The limb, together with its controlled environment, is contained with a pliable, transparent, treatment bag, which permits inspection and palpation of the wound site without disturbing the bacteriologically sterile air within the chamber. A special seal reduces air leakage yet avoids constriction of the limb. This CET system was originally developed by the Department of Health and Social Security, Biomechanical Research and Development Unit, Roehampton, England. Subsequent developments are also noted of an improved Mark II CET Unit and of simpler, related, management systems for conditions not requiring sterile environments.", "contents": "Controlled environment treatment for limb surgery and trauma (a preliminary report). This paper demonstrates a new approach to postsurgical and post-traumatic wound management in the lower limbs. Our own results of 20 below-knee amputations are documented. A less detailed report is then given of experience with an additional 20 amputees: this second group includes experience not only here at Seattle but at five other centers in the United States. The same method for wound management and for control of edema was employed in all cases. The method, Controlled Environment Treatment (CET), uses filtered air as a dressing medium, with a control console to maintain the pressure, constant or varying, according to a preset program. Temperature and humidity are also controllable, as is gas composition. The limb, together with its controlled environment, is contained with a pliable, transparent, treatment bag, which permits inspection and palpation of the wound site without disturbing the bacteriologically sterile air within the chamber. A special seal reduces air leakage yet avoids constriction of the limb. This CET system was originally developed by the Department of Health and Social Security, Biomechanical Research and Development Unit, Roehampton, England. Subsequent developments are also noted of an improved Mark II CET Unit and of simpler, related, management systems for conditions not requiring sterile environments.", "PMID": 615650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1426", "title": "Slipping cane and crutch tips. Part I--static performance of current devices.", "content": "A variety of commercially available cane and crutch tips were tested on surfaces of ice and soapy tile under varying axial (thrust) loads. The output measurement consisted of the angle between the vertical and the cane axis at which slip occurred. It was learned that: 1. From the viewpoint of a user, a minimal slip angle of roughly 25 deg is desirable. 2. On ice-rink ice, a number of cane tips approach the desired slip angle under conditions of low temperature; fewer appear safe at elevated air temperatures. Only one of the tested devices appears truly safe under any ice condition. 3. On rough tile flooded with soapy water, some cane tips offer adequate performance. However, no tested cane tip offers acceptable performance on slick tile flooded with soapy water. 4. There appears to be no simple relationship between the slip performance of a cane tip on ice-rink ice and that developed on soapy wet tiles. 5. No simple relationship between thrust load and slip angle emerged. Similarly, no simple relationship between contact area and slip appeared in the data.", "contents": "Slipping cane and crutch tips. Part I--static performance of current devices. A variety of commercially available cane and crutch tips were tested on surfaces of ice and soapy tile under varying axial (thrust) loads. The output measurement consisted of the angle between the vertical and the cane axis at which slip occurred. It was learned that: 1. From the viewpoint of a user, a minimal slip angle of roughly 25 deg is desirable. 2. On ice-rink ice, a number of cane tips approach the desired slip angle under conditions of low temperature; fewer appear safe at elevated air temperatures. Only one of the tested devices appears truly safe under any ice condition. 3. On rough tile flooded with soapy water, some cane tips offer adequate performance. However, no tested cane tip offers acceptable performance on slick tile flooded with soapy water. 4. There appears to be no simple relationship between the slip performance of a cane tip on ice-rink ice and that developed on soapy wet tiles. 5. No simple relationship between thrust load and slip angle emerged. Similarly, no simple relationship between contact area and slip appeared in the data.", "PMID": 615654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1427", "title": "[How effective are the international sanitary conventions with regard to the current cholera pandemic].", "content": "The present cholera pandemic spread proves that nations are powerless to establish an inter-coordination strong enough to bring under control problems of geographic diffusion and endemisation of new territories. The authors, after having pointed out certain International Health Regulations deficiencies and brought to mind their faults in execution, consider that an epidemiologic phenomenon of this scale dictates a reconsideration of the present system of international sanitary practices.", "contents": "[How effective are the international sanitary conventions with regard to the current cholera pandemic]. The present cholera pandemic spread proves that nations are powerless to establish an inter-coordination strong enough to bring under control problems of geographic diffusion and endemisation of new territories. The authors, after having pointed out certain International Health Regulations deficiencies and brought to mind their faults in execution, consider that an epidemiologic phenomenon of this scale dictates a reconsideration of the present system of international sanitary practices.", "PMID": 615672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1428", "title": "[Isolation of the Lagos-bat virus in the Central African Republic].", "content": "The second reported isolate of Lagos-bat virus has been obtained from bats Micropterus pusillus caught in 1974 in the Central African Empire, thus extending the geographic area of this virus and adding another species of vertebrate host among its reservoirs.", "contents": "[Isolation of the Lagos-bat virus in the Central African Republic]. The second reported isolate of Lagos-bat virus has been obtained from bats Micropterus pusillus caught in 1974 in the Central African Empire, thus extending the geographic area of this virus and adding another species of vertebrate host among its reservoirs.", "PMID": 615673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1429", "title": "[Mixed sero-epidemiologic study of arbovirus-arenavirus in the small mammals of Tunisia].", "content": "Blood samples of 156 small mammals caught in Tunisia in 1976 and 1977 were examined for the presence of antibodies to some arboviruses and arena-viruses. Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against West Nile virus were detected in 19.8 0/0 of examined sera, mainly from Mus sp., Rattus rattus, Eliomys tunetae in the northern part of the country and from Ctenodactylus gundi and Pipistrellus kuhli in the south. In addition, antibodies against Uukuniemi and Bhanja were found in 3.2 0/0 and 4.5 0/0 respectively of the same sera.", "contents": "[Mixed sero-epidemiologic study of arbovirus-arenavirus in the small mammals of Tunisia]. Blood samples of 156 small mammals caught in Tunisia in 1976 and 1977 were examined for the presence of antibodies to some arboviruses and arena-viruses. Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against West Nile virus were detected in 19.8 0/0 of examined sera, mainly from Mus sp., Rattus rattus, Eliomys tunetae in the northern part of the country and from Ctenodactylus gundi and Pipistrellus kuhli in the south. In addition, antibodies against Uukuniemi and Bhanja were found in 3.2 0/0 and 4.5 0/0 respectively of the same sera.", "PMID": 615674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1430", "title": "[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Republic of Guinea].", "content": "The authors give a geographical and climatic description of the Guinean Republic and report the results of a survey carried out at Kamsar by means of intradermoreaction with leishmanine. They have observed 14,7 0/0 positive reactions in an apparently healthy population which did not present any leishmaniosis history. After discussion of the findings the authors report a case of skin leishmaniosis recently observed at Conakry.", "contents": "[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Republic of Guinea]. The authors give a geographical and climatic description of the Guinean Republic and report the results of a survey carried out at Kamsar by means of intradermoreaction with leishmanine. They have observed 14,7 0/0 positive reactions in an apparently healthy population which did not present any leishmaniosis history. After discussion of the findings the authors report a case of skin leishmaniosis recently observed at Conakry.", "PMID": 615675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1431", "title": "[Imported malaria in the hospitals of Marseilles from 1973 to 1976: epidemiological characteristics].", "content": "Between 1973 and 1976, 96 confirmed hospital cases of imported malaria occurred in Marseille. The collected epidemiological data indicate the recent increase of the annual incidence and an equal number of cases in immigrants and in people returning from the tropics. Among them, tourists, servicemen and merchant seamen are the groups most at risk. A high proportion of infections are with P. falciparum, mainly from Africa, Malagasy and Comoros. The diagnosis is only confirmed on an average of 6 days after the first medical advice and 2 patients died from falciparum infections. Travellers to tropical countries are often careless about taking prophylactic drugs and the danger of imported malaria should be emphasized.", "contents": "[Imported malaria in the hospitals of Marseilles from 1973 to 1976: epidemiological characteristics]. Between 1973 and 1976, 96 confirmed hospital cases of imported malaria occurred in Marseille. The collected epidemiological data indicate the recent increase of the annual incidence and an equal number of cases in immigrants and in people returning from the tropics. Among them, tourists, servicemen and merchant seamen are the groups most at risk. A high proportion of infections are with P. falciparum, mainly from Africa, Malagasy and Comoros. The diagnosis is only confirmed on an average of 6 days after the first medical advice and 2 patients died from falciparum infections. Travellers to tropical countries are often careless about taking prophylactic drugs and the danger of imported malaria should be emphasized.", "PMID": 615686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1432", "title": "A comparative electrophysiological and histological study of sensory conduction velocity and Meissner corpuscles of the median nerve in pneumatic tool workers.", "content": "The sensory conduction velocity of the median nerve has been determined according to the technique described by Buchthal and Rosenfalck in 32 pneumatic tool workers and in 32 normal controls of the same age group. In each worker and in 8 normals of the same age group the Meissner corpuscles of the skin of the thumb of the side investigated were studied according to the technique described by Ridley and Dickens et al. The only relevant electrophysiological finding was represented by a decreased amplitude of the evoked response of the median nerve at the wrist, probably pointing to some degree of distal axonal degeneration. As to the histological findings, no significant variations from normal were found in the Meissner corpuscles of the workers. A trend towards a quantitative reduction of the corpuscles in those subjects who showed a decreased amplitude of the evoked response did not reach the level of significance.", "contents": "A comparative electrophysiological and histological study of sensory conduction velocity and Meissner corpuscles of the median nerve in pneumatic tool workers. The sensory conduction velocity of the median nerve has been determined according to the technique described by Buchthal and Rosenfalck in 32 pneumatic tool workers and in 32 normal controls of the same age group. In each worker and in 8 normals of the same age group the Meissner corpuscles of the skin of the thumb of the side investigated were studied according to the technique described by Ridley and Dickens et al. The only relevant electrophysiological finding was represented by a decreased amplitude of the evoked response of the median nerve at the wrist, probably pointing to some degree of distal axonal degeneration. As to the histological findings, no significant variations from normal were found in the Meissner corpuscles of the workers. A trend towards a quantitative reduction of the corpuscles in those subjects who showed a decreased amplitude of the evoked response did not reach the level of significance.", "PMID": 615700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1433", "title": "Acute pure vertiginous dysequilibrium in cerebellar infarction.", "content": "A clinical example of an acute cerebellar infarct mimicking an acute end-organ labyrinthine disease is reported to foster general familiarity with the simulation of a benign disorder by a potentially serious one. The utility of certain neurologic findings in distinguishing a peripheral from a central vestibulo-cerebellar disorder is discussed.", "contents": "Acute pure vertiginous dysequilibrium in cerebellar infarction. A clinical example of an acute cerebellar infarct mimicking an acute end-organ labyrinthine disease is reported to foster general familiarity with the simulation of a benign disorder by a potentially serious one. The utility of certain neurologic findings in distinguishing a peripheral from a central vestibulo-cerebellar disorder is discussed.", "PMID": 615701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1434", "title": "Occlusive cerebrovascular disease in young adults.", "content": "13 patients under 40 years of age had cerebral infarction and angiographic evidence of arterial stenosis or occlusion. None of them had cardiac disorders prone to cerebral embolism. Five patients had occlusion at the origin of the internal carotid artery, one had occlusion of the common carotid artery and one each had stenosis at the origin of the internal carotid and common carotid arteries, respectively. Two patients had unilateral occlusion of the supraclinoid portion of the carotid artery with basal collaterals that had some resemblance to the Moyamoya disease. Three patients demonstrated stenosis or occlusion of the middle and/or anterior cerebral arteries. Three patients had hypercholesterolemia, one of whom was hypertensive. None had confirmed diabetes mellitus. One female, who died, had taken oral contraceptives for 3 years. A male, with internal carotid artery occlusion, had serological evidence for syphilis.", "contents": "Occlusive cerebrovascular disease in young adults. 13 patients under 40 years of age had cerebral infarction and angiographic evidence of arterial stenosis or occlusion. None of them had cardiac disorders prone to cerebral embolism. Five patients had occlusion at the origin of the internal carotid artery, one had occlusion of the common carotid artery and one each had stenosis at the origin of the internal carotid and common carotid arteries, respectively. Two patients had unilateral occlusion of the supraclinoid portion of the carotid artery with basal collaterals that had some resemblance to the Moyamoya disease. Three patients demonstrated stenosis or occlusion of the middle and/or anterior cerebral arteries. Three patients had hypercholesterolemia, one of whom was hypertensive. None had confirmed diabetes mellitus. One female, who died, had taken oral contraceptives for 3 years. A male, with internal carotid artery occlusion, had serological evidence for syphilis.", "PMID": 615702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1435", "title": "Distinctive features of unilateral spatial agnosia in right and left brain-damaged patients.", "content": "In order to study the distinctive features of unilateral spatial agnosia shown by right and left brain-damaged patients, a test of copying drawings with guiding landmarks was given to 83 control subjects and to 248 patients affected by right (n = 108) or left (n = 140) hemispheric damage. The test enabled us to obtain a quantitative assessment both of the lines omitted ('omissions') and of the lines wrongly traced ('errors') on the half page contralateral to the damaged hemisphere. Results showed that contralaterally to the hemispheric locus of lesion a clear-cut double dissociation can be found between right and left brain-damaged patients: the former showed a striking tendency to omit the lines lying on the left half of the sheet, whereas the latter tended mainly to trace faulty lines on the right half of the drawings.", "contents": "Distinctive features of unilateral spatial agnosia in right and left brain-damaged patients. In order to study the distinctive features of unilateral spatial agnosia shown by right and left brain-damaged patients, a test of copying drawings with guiding landmarks was given to 83 control subjects and to 248 patients affected by right (n = 108) or left (n = 140) hemispheric damage. The test enabled us to obtain a quantitative assessment both of the lines omitted ('omissions') and of the lines wrongly traced ('errors') on the half page contralateral to the damaged hemisphere. Results showed that contralaterally to the hemispheric locus of lesion a clear-cut double dissociation can be found between right and left brain-damaged patients: the former showed a striking tendency to omit the lines lying on the left half of the sheet, whereas the latter tended mainly to trace faulty lines on the right half of the drawings.", "PMID": 615703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1436", "title": "Polycythemia vera and transient monocular blindness. Observation of the platelet embolic phenomena in the ocular fundus.", "content": "Transient monocular blindness in the patient with polycythemia vera has generally been considered to be caused by retinal arteriospasm. In the present case with complaints of frequent monocular blindness, ophthalmoscopic observation and serial photographs of the ocular fundus were made. During these acute attacks, microembolic phenomena were noticed in the retinal arteries. Laboratory examination showed abnormal platelet aggregability, increased platelet adhesiveness and a significantly decreased platelet count during attacks. It is suggested that transient monocular blindness is caused by platelet emboli. The cause of intermittent cerebral ischemic attacks in the patient with polycythemia vera is probably platelet emboli.", "contents": "Polycythemia vera and transient monocular blindness. Observation of the platelet embolic phenomena in the ocular fundus. Transient monocular blindness in the patient with polycythemia vera has generally been considered to be caused by retinal arteriospasm. In the present case with complaints of frequent monocular blindness, ophthalmoscopic observation and serial photographs of the ocular fundus were made. During these acute attacks, microembolic phenomena were noticed in the retinal arteries. Laboratory examination showed abnormal platelet aggregability, increased platelet adhesiveness and a significantly decreased platelet count during attacks. It is suggested that transient monocular blindness is caused by platelet emboli. The cause of intermittent cerebral ischemic attacks in the patient with polycythemia vera is probably platelet emboli.", "PMID": 615704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1437", "title": "Traumatic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula. Report of 3 cases and analysis of 32 cases.", "content": "Three cases of traumatic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula are reported and 32 cases, including ours, reported in the literature are analyzed. In these 32 cases, the appearance of the arteriovenous fistula at angiography exhibited one of three different configurations: type 1, the middle meningeal vein shows a railway configuration; type 2, the middle meningeal vein shows a rod configuration; type 3, extravasation of contrast material and/or pseudoaneurysm are concomitant. In correlating the angiographic type and clinical course, the following tendencies were observed: the clinical course was good in type 1, fair in type 2 and poor in type 3, respectively.", "contents": "Traumatic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula. Report of 3 cases and analysis of 32 cases. Three cases of traumatic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula are reported and 32 cases, including ours, reported in the literature are analyzed. In these 32 cases, the appearance of the arteriovenous fistula at angiography exhibited one of three different configurations: type 1, the middle meningeal vein shows a railway configuration; type 2, the middle meningeal vein shows a rod configuration; type 3, extravasation of contrast material and/or pseudoaneurysm are concomitant. In correlating the angiographic type and clinical course, the following tendencies were observed: the clinical course was good in type 1, fair in type 2 and poor in type 3, respectively.", "PMID": 615705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1438", "title": "Methotrexate treatment in dermatomyositis.", "content": "Two patients with dermatomyositis were treated with methotrexate, given intravenously. They were unresponsive to corticosteroids. The patients were bedridden and paralysed and one seemed to be in the terminal phase of the disease. The response to courses of methotrexate treatment was satisfactory and sustained over a 2-year follow-up period; muscle enzyme studies indicate that the muscle disease is no longer active. Although steroid therapy alone may be effective, its usefulness is unpredictable and may lead to dependence and undesirable side effects. Our experience with these two patients suggests that a combination of the two drugs may be justified as initial treatment in severe cases.", "contents": "Methotrexate treatment in dermatomyositis. Two patients with dermatomyositis were treated with methotrexate, given intravenously. They were unresponsive to corticosteroids. The patients were bedridden and paralysed and one seemed to be in the terminal phase of the disease. The response to courses of methotrexate treatment was satisfactory and sustained over a 2-year follow-up period; muscle enzyme studies indicate that the muscle disease is no longer active. Although steroid therapy alone may be effective, its usefulness is unpredictable and may lead to dependence and undesirable side effects. Our experience with these two patients suggests that a combination of the two drugs may be justified as initial treatment in severe cases.", "PMID": 615706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1439", "title": "Toxic neuropathy as a complication of thiophenicol therapy.", "content": "Two cases with sensory neuropathy due to thiophenicol therapy are reported. Thiophenicol neuropathy is hitherto unreported in literature published in English. Neurological manifestations of these cases were similar to those of chloramphenicol neuropathy, but rather marked impairment of position sense in the lower extremities was characteristic. Thiophenicol neuropathy reported in Japanese literature was reviewed and it is concluded that thiophenicol administered in large doses (70-150 g) or for long periods (more than 3-5 months) appeared to have a toxic effect on the nervous system.", "contents": "Toxic neuropathy as a complication of thiophenicol therapy. Two cases with sensory neuropathy due to thiophenicol therapy are reported. Thiophenicol neuropathy is hitherto unreported in literature published in English. Neurological manifestations of these cases were similar to those of chloramphenicol neuropathy, but rather marked impairment of position sense in the lower extremities was characteristic. Thiophenicol neuropathy reported in Japanese literature was reviewed and it is concluded that thiophenicol administered in large doses (70-150 g) or for long periods (more than 3-5 months) appeared to have a toxic effect on the nervous system.", "PMID": 615707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1440", "title": "Computer-assisted recording of the objective neurologic finding.", "content": "Main principles of a computerized data collection system of the objective neurologic finding are presented. In the course of the findings recording, the physician communicates with the computer by an alphanumerical display in an interactive mode. The recording procedure is suggested by the computer program. The data are stored for further processing and are available as a narrative printout. The program uses a driving data structure of tree-like organized medical expressions with some control and formating parameters assuring medically correct procedures.", "contents": "Computer-assisted recording of the objective neurologic finding. Main principles of a computerized data collection system of the objective neurologic finding are presented. In the course of the findings recording, the physician communicates with the computer by an alphanumerical display in an interactive mode. The recording procedure is suggested by the computer program. The data are stored for further processing and are available as a narrative printout. The program uses a driving data structure of tree-like organized medical expressions with some control and formating parameters assuring medically correct procedures.", "PMID": 615708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1441", "title": "Argyll-Robertson-like pupils in the neural type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.", "content": "The authors report of Argyll-Robertson-like pupils in three patients presenting the neural type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease with peroneal muscular atrophy. Up to now the light-near dissociation had been reported in the hypertrophic variety of CMT disease. Stress is laid upon the fact that the presence of the light-near dissociation in patients with CMT disease does not help in clinically differentiating the neural from the hypertrophic type of this disease.", "contents": "Argyll-Robertson-like pupils in the neural type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The authors report of Argyll-Robertson-like pupils in three patients presenting the neural type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease with peroneal muscular atrophy. Up to now the light-near dissociation had been reported in the hypertrophic variety of CMT disease. Stress is laid upon the fact that the presence of the light-near dissociation in patients with CMT disease does not help in clinically differentiating the neural from the hypertrophic type of this disease.", "PMID": 615709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1442", "title": "Scapulo-peroneal muscular atrophy. Full autopsy report. Unusual findings in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Lipid storage in muscle.", "content": "Morphological findings of 3 cases of Kaeser's scapulo-peroneal muscular atrophy are described. 1 of them is the first complete autopsy report on this disease. While the number of motor neurons in the spinal cord was grossly normal, the neuropil of the anterior horn exhibited axonal swellings, accumulations of possibly pathological lipofuscin and intra-axonal corpora amylacea. In the muscles, changes were partly those of neurogenic atrophy, partly of a primary myopathy. There was also an accumulation of neutral fat in the muscle fibres, mainly of those of type I.", "contents": "Scapulo-peroneal muscular atrophy. Full autopsy report. Unusual findings in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. Lipid storage in muscle. Morphological findings of 3 cases of Kaeser's scapulo-peroneal muscular atrophy are described. 1 of them is the first complete autopsy report on this disease. While the number of motor neurons in the spinal cord was grossly normal, the neuropil of the anterior horn exhibited axonal swellings, accumulations of possibly pathological lipofuscin and intra-axonal corpora amylacea. In the muscles, changes were partly those of neurogenic atrophy, partly of a primary myopathy. There was also an accumulation of neutral fat in the muscle fibres, mainly of those of type I.", "PMID": 615710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1443", "title": "Compartmental analysis of cerebrospinal fluid-blood albumin transfer: consideration of kinetics in normal animals and animals with chronic communicating hydrocephalus.", "content": "Transfer of radioactively labelled albumin from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the blood was monitored in 15 dogs with normal cisternograms and in 8 dogs with induced communicating hydrocephalus. Blood concentration curves alone are of limited value and give less than satisfactory information about CSF distribution spaces and were corrected for albumin disappearance from the blood to other compartments. The transit time in animals with hydrocephalus was much greater than in normals and entry into the intravascular compartment was delayed. Mathematical analysis to the indicator movements appears to offer understanding about CSF compartments and transfer of molecules in different types of hydrocephalus.", "contents": "Compartmental analysis of cerebrospinal fluid-blood albumin transfer: consideration of kinetics in normal animals and animals with chronic communicating hydrocephalus. Transfer of radioactively labelled albumin from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the blood was monitored in 15 dogs with normal cisternograms and in 8 dogs with induced communicating hydrocephalus. Blood concentration curves alone are of limited value and give less than satisfactory information about CSF distribution spaces and were corrected for albumin disappearance from the blood to other compartments. The transit time in animals with hydrocephalus was much greater than in normals and entry into the intravascular compartment was delayed. Mathematical analysis to the indicator movements appears to offer understanding about CSF compartments and transfer of molecules in different types of hydrocephalus.", "PMID": 615711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1444", "title": "The use of hyperbaric oxygenation in the treatment of spinal cord lesions.", "content": "In 13 patients with compressive spinal cord lesions we performed a trial of treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HO). This therapy was postoperatively administered when neurological deficit persisted. In order to assess the effect of each individual HO session (given daily at an inspiratory oxygen pressure (PO2) of 1.5 atmospheres absolute for 40 min) as well as of the entire HO therapy (consisting of 10-15 single sessions in each case) neurological and electromyographical follow-up examinations were regularly performed. In 6 of the 13 patients we found a marked improvement, particularly in motor functions. The other patients only showed little change in neurological status. Arterial and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PO2 were concurrently measured in 8 patients during HO sessions. The values of both showed a considerable increase. The rise in CSF PO2 may be regarded as indicative for an improved oxygenation of the spinal cord tissue during HO treatment. On the basis of these findings we may assume that repetitive HO treatment can be helpful in the management of compressive spinal cord lesions.", "contents": "The use of hyperbaric oxygenation in the treatment of spinal cord lesions. In 13 patients with compressive spinal cord lesions we performed a trial of treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HO). This therapy was postoperatively administered when neurological deficit persisted. In order to assess the effect of each individual HO session (given daily at an inspiratory oxygen pressure (PO2) of 1.5 atmospheres absolute for 40 min) as well as of the entire HO therapy (consisting of 10-15 single sessions in each case) neurological and electromyographical follow-up examinations were regularly performed. In 6 of the 13 patients we found a marked improvement, particularly in motor functions. The other patients only showed little change in neurological status. Arterial and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PO2 were concurrently measured in 8 patients during HO sessions. The values of both showed a considerable increase. The rise in CSF PO2 may be regarded as indicative for an improved oxygenation of the spinal cord tissue during HO treatment. On the basis of these findings we may assume that repetitive HO treatment can be helpful in the management of compressive spinal cord lesions.", "PMID": 615712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1445", "title": "A case of lipid storage myopathy with carnitine deficiency. Biochemical and electromyographic correlations.", "content": "Histochemical, biochemical and electromyographic studies were performed in a case of carnitine deficiency in serum and in muscle. Clinical features include proximal muscle weakness, predominant type I fiber impairment, excess of triglycerides and moderate glycogen accumulation in muscle. No abnormalities of palmityl CoA synthetase, carnitine palmityl transferase, carnitine acetyl transferase and lipase were evidenced. An interesting EMG decremental pattern was recorded. Correlations between electromyographic and biochemical findings are considered. A clinical improvement, a normal plasma carnitine level and a normal response at EMG repetitive stimulation were found after carnitine treatment.", "contents": "A case of lipid storage myopathy with carnitine deficiency. Biochemical and electromyographic correlations. Histochemical, biochemical and electromyographic studies were performed in a case of carnitine deficiency in serum and in muscle. Clinical features include proximal muscle weakness, predominant type I fiber impairment, excess of triglycerides and moderate glycogen accumulation in muscle. No abnormalities of palmityl CoA synthetase, carnitine palmityl transferase, carnitine acetyl transferase and lipase were evidenced. An interesting EMG decremental pattern was recorded. Correlations between electromyographic and biochemical findings are considered. A clinical improvement, a normal plasma carnitine level and a normal response at EMG repetitive stimulation were found after carnitine treatment.", "PMID": 615713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1446", "title": "Folate-responsive neurological and mental disorders: report of 16 cases. Neuropsychological correlates of computerized transaxial tomography and radionuclide cisternography in folic acid deficiencies.", "content": "Two groups of patients with folic acid responsive neurological and psychiatric disorders are reported. The first group (7 patients) had well-established acquired folate deficiency due either to defective absorption (4 cases with atrophy of jejunal mucosa) or to a deficient diet (3 cases). One patient had a subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord while others were depressed and had weight loss, permanent muscular and intellectual fatigue, restless legs syndrome, depressed ankle jerks, diminution of the sense of vibration in the knees and a stocking-type tactile hypoesthesia. The second group (9 patients) comprised idiopathic cases of folic acid deficiency. Their main subjective complaints were chronic fatigability and familial restless legs syndrome. The neurological findings were similar to those of the patients with acquired disorders. Neuropsychological testing procedures revealed an abnormal intellectual functioning in all 16 patients. Abnormal patterns of radionuclide cisternograms and computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) were found in 11 patients. After 6-12 months of folic acid therapy a striking improvement regarding their intellectual functioning was noticed: the IQ, Kohs Block Design and Category tests were significantly improved. The correlation of neuropsychological findings with CTT and radionuclide cisternograms led to the conclusion that chronic folate deficiency could induce cerebral atrophy.", "contents": "Folate-responsive neurological and mental disorders: report of 16 cases. Neuropsychological correlates of computerized transaxial tomography and radionuclide cisternography in folic acid deficiencies. Two groups of patients with folic acid responsive neurological and psychiatric disorders are reported. The first group (7 patients) had well-established acquired folate deficiency due either to defective absorption (4 cases with atrophy of jejunal mucosa) or to a deficient diet (3 cases). One patient had a subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord while others were depressed and had weight loss, permanent muscular and intellectual fatigue, restless legs syndrome, depressed ankle jerks, diminution of the sense of vibration in the knees and a stocking-type tactile hypoesthesia. The second group (9 patients) comprised idiopathic cases of folic acid deficiency. Their main subjective complaints were chronic fatigability and familial restless legs syndrome. The neurological findings were similar to those of the patients with acquired disorders. Neuropsychological testing procedures revealed an abnormal intellectual functioning in all 16 patients. Abnormal patterns of radionuclide cisternograms and computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) were found in 11 patients. After 6-12 months of folic acid therapy a striking improvement regarding their intellectual functioning was noticed: the IQ, Kohs Block Design and Category tests were significantly improved. The correlation of neuropsychological findings with CTT and radionuclide cisternograms led to the conclusion that chronic folate deficiency could induce cerebral atrophy.", "PMID": 615714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1447", "title": "Pain arising in the posterior arch of the atlas.", "content": "Headache of cervical origin is by no means an adequate diagnosis. The exact mechanism has to be established for the case in question. A type of cervical headache which arises from the posteriorr arch of the atlas is described. The basic finding is tenderness of this structure on palpation; the technique of palpation is described. In a majority of cases movement restriction (blockage) between the occiput and the atlase is found. The headache as described by the patient is not characteristic, migrainous attacks being present in about one-third of the cases. A frequent feature is pain on retroflexion of the head. Treatment consists of manipulation of the blockage, and infiltration or needling of the posterior arch of the atlas if there is no blockage or if pain continues after the restoration of mobility. In the more complicated cases remedial exercise is indicated. Experience with 64 cases is described.", "contents": "Pain arising in the posterior arch of the atlas. Headache of cervical origin is by no means an adequate diagnosis. The exact mechanism has to be established for the case in question. A type of cervical headache which arises from the posteriorr arch of the atlas is described. The basic finding is tenderness of this structure on palpation; the technique of palpation is described. In a majority of cases movement restriction (blockage) between the occiput and the atlase is found. The headache as described by the patient is not characteristic, migrainous attacks being present in about one-third of the cases. A frequent feature is pain on retroflexion of the head. Treatment consists of manipulation of the blockage, and infiltration or needling of the posterior arch of the atlas if there is no blockage or if pain continues after the restoration of mobility. In the more complicated cases remedial exercise is indicated. Experience with 64 cases is described.", "PMID": 615715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1448", "title": "Myxedema myopathy: a case report.", "content": "A classical case of myxedema, demonstrating the typical Hoffmann syndrome (muscle weakness, hypertrophy, pseudomyotonic phenomena) and the usual rise in serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), is discussed. Assuming that there is a CPK loss in the muscle fiber, the pseudomyotonic phenomena may be due to an increase in ADP, which in turn inhibits the calcium pump. Furthermore, light-microscopic and electron-microscopic findings are reported.", "contents": "Myxedema myopathy: a case report. A classical case of myxedema, demonstrating the typical Hoffmann syndrome (muscle weakness, hypertrophy, pseudomyotonic phenomena) and the usual rise in serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), is discussed. Assuming that there is a CPK loss in the muscle fiber, the pseudomyotonic phenomena may be due to an increase in ADP, which in turn inhibits the calcium pump. Furthermore, light-microscopic and electron-microscopic findings are reported.", "PMID": 615716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1449", "title": "Karyometric changes in human muscle with age.", "content": "Human muscle cell growth was studied to investigate the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio during development and ageing. The mean muscle fibre size, as well as the number and size of myonuclei were estimated in human muscle biopsies from normal individuals whose ages ranged from 1 to 71 years. Changes in muscle fibre size were accompanied by similar changes in nuclear number, the size of which remained the same. This resulted in a constant nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio during the age range studied. The role of the satellite cell in the maintenance of this ratio was discussed.", "contents": "Karyometric changes in human muscle with age. Human muscle cell growth was studied to investigate the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio during development and ageing. The mean muscle fibre size, as well as the number and size of myonuclei were estimated in human muscle biopsies from normal individuals whose ages ranged from 1 to 71 years. Changes in muscle fibre size were accompanied by similar changes in nuclear number, the size of which remained the same. This resulted in a constant nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio during the age range studied. The role of the satellite cell in the maintenance of this ratio was discussed.", "PMID": 615717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1450", "title": "Neuromyotonia. Report of a case.", "content": "The authors report the case of a 67-year-old man, affected by diffuse spasms evoked by ischemia and voluntary and reflex movements electromyographically characterized by an intense repetitive activity. There was also a modest and diffuse muscle wasting with lower limbs areflexia; no myokymia. The EMG showed severe neurogenic changes and a considerable reduction of the MMCV in the lateral popliteal nerve area.", "contents": "Neuromyotonia. Report of a case. The authors report the case of a 67-year-old man, affected by diffuse spasms evoked by ischemia and voluntary and reflex movements electromyographically characterized by an intense repetitive activity. There was also a modest and diffuse muscle wasting with lower limbs areflexia; no myokymia. The EMG showed severe neurogenic changes and a considerable reduction of the MMCV in the lateral popliteal nerve area.", "PMID": 615718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1451", "title": "Glycolytic substrate utilization and energy consumption in the cerebral hemispheres of the mouse during experimental anuria.", "content": "The glycolytic substrate utilization and energy consumption of hemispheres of adult mice were studied by converting the heads into a closed system by decapitation. It was concluded that progressive insufficiency of renal function is paralleled by an increase in brain permeability for glucose and a progressive reduction in brain energy metabolism.", "contents": "Glycolytic substrate utilization and energy consumption in the cerebral hemispheres of the mouse during experimental anuria. The glycolytic substrate utilization and energy consumption of hemispheres of adult mice were studied by converting the heads into a closed system by decapitation. It was concluded that progressive insufficiency of renal function is paralleled by an increase in brain permeability for glucose and a progressive reduction in brain energy metabolism.", "PMID": 615719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1452", "title": "Renal clearance of pyridostigmine in patients with myasthenia gravis.", "content": "The urinary clearance of pyridostigmine was studied in six patients with myasthenia gravis. In three patients on pyridostigmine alone, renal clearance ranged from 349 to 481 ml/min, corresponding to a pyridostigmine:creatinine clearance ratio of 2.64 to 3.46. In a patient on bendrofluazide as well as pyridostigmine, a similar clearance ratio was observed. By contrast, the urinary clearance of pyridostigmine and the pyridostigmine:creatinine clearance ratio was reduced in two myasthenic patients concurrently treated with other basic drugs. It is suggested that these results may reflect competition for renal tubular excretion.", "contents": "Renal clearance of pyridostigmine in patients with myasthenia gravis. The urinary clearance of pyridostigmine was studied in six patients with myasthenia gravis. In three patients on pyridostigmine alone, renal clearance ranged from 349 to 481 ml/min, corresponding to a pyridostigmine:creatinine clearance ratio of 2.64 to 3.46. In a patient on bendrofluazide as well as pyridostigmine, a similar clearance ratio was observed. By contrast, the urinary clearance of pyridostigmine and the pyridostigmine:creatinine clearance ratio was reduced in two myasthenic patients concurrently treated with other basic drugs. It is suggested that these results may reflect competition for renal tubular excretion.", "PMID": 615720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1453", "title": "Chronic spinal muscular atrophy simulating facioscapulohumeral type and limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy. Report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of chronic spinal muscular atrophy simulating the clinical picture of the facioscapulohumeral type and limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy are reported. Both patients had a waddling gait, Gowers' maneuver in arising, terminal atrophies and pseudohypertrophies of some muscles, marked fasciculations, and fascicular tremor. The electromyogram revealed signs of anterior horn cell disease. Calf muscle biopsy (case 2) revealed 'myopathic' changes.", "contents": "Chronic spinal muscular atrophy simulating facioscapulohumeral type and limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy. Report of two cases. Two cases of chronic spinal muscular atrophy simulating the clinical picture of the facioscapulohumeral type and limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy are reported. Both patients had a waddling gait, Gowers' maneuver in arising, terminal atrophies and pseudohypertrophies of some muscles, marked fasciculations, and fascicular tremor. The electromyogram revealed signs of anterior horn cell disease. Calf muscle biopsy (case 2) revealed 'myopathic' changes.", "PMID": 615721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1454", "title": "Dynamic aspects of gastric emptying in patients with peptic ulcer according to ulcer stages.", "content": "The pattern and the time of gastric emptying were investigated in 38 patients with peptic ulcer and 7 healthy volunteers using the double-sampling method. The pattern of gastric emptying assumed the following three attitudes, that is, exponential (44%), quadratic (29%) and unclassified (27%) pattern. These patterns appeared to depend on the distance from the gastric angle to the pyloric ring measured from X-ray pictures in the upright position. There was no significant difference in the gastric emptying time in patients with peptic ulcer according to its site. During follow-up observations of the same case, the gastric emptying time had a tendency to shorten in patients with duodenal ulcer while it showed no definite variation in patients with gastric ulcer.", "contents": "Dynamic aspects of gastric emptying in patients with peptic ulcer according to ulcer stages. The pattern and the time of gastric emptying were investigated in 38 patients with peptic ulcer and 7 healthy volunteers using the double-sampling method. The pattern of gastric emptying assumed the following three attitudes, that is, exponential (44%), quadratic (29%) and unclassified (27%) pattern. These patterns appeared to depend on the distance from the gastric angle to the pyloric ring measured from X-ray pictures in the upright position. There was no significant difference in the gastric emptying time in patients with peptic ulcer according to its site. During follow-up observations of the same case, the gastric emptying time had a tendency to shorten in patients with duodenal ulcer while it showed no definite variation in patients with gastric ulcer.", "PMID": 615724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1455", "title": "Possible role of succus entericus in amino aicd homeostasis in the dog.", "content": "Succus entericus from jejunal Thiry-Vella fistulae in fasting conscious dogs was analyzed for amino acids before and after incubation for 15 and 30 min at 38 degrees C in vitro. Total amino acid concentration of succus entericus as collected was about twice that of blood plasma. After incubation, it was increased 76% above control at 15 min and 137% at 30 min. Because succus entericus does not exhibit proteinase activity, and no enzyme or substrate was added before incubation, the increase in amino acid concentration was probably due to hydrolysis of peptides by peptidases normally present in the juice. Volume of secretion and output of amino acids were greatly increased by intravenous administration of glucagon, but the amino acid pattern was quite different from blood plasma. The concentrations of aspartic and glutamic acids were 10- and 5-fold greater than in plasma, and tryptophan was usually undetectable.", "contents": "Possible role of succus entericus in amino aicd homeostasis in the dog. Succus entericus from jejunal Thiry-Vella fistulae in fasting conscious dogs was analyzed for amino acids before and after incubation for 15 and 30 min at 38 degrees C in vitro. Total amino acid concentration of succus entericus as collected was about twice that of blood plasma. After incubation, it was increased 76% above control at 15 min and 137% at 30 min. Because succus entericus does not exhibit proteinase activity, and no enzyme or substrate was added before incubation, the increase in amino acid concentration was probably due to hydrolysis of peptides by peptidases normally present in the juice. Volume of secretion and output of amino acids were greatly increased by intravenous administration of glucagon, but the amino acid pattern was quite different from blood plasma. The concentrations of aspartic and glutamic acids were 10- and 5-fold greater than in plasma, and tryptophan was usually undetectable.", "PMID": 615725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1456", "title": "Effect of portacaval shunt on serum bile acid concentration in patients with cirrhosis.", "content": "A retrospective study was carried out to examine the influence of portacaval shunt (PCS) on serum bile acid concentration in 47 cirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients with PCS had a significantly higher serum bile acid concentration than cirrhotic patients without PCS whatever the duration between the diagnosis and the time of measurement. Serum bile acid concentration was significantly higher 3--12 months after PCS (67.90 +/- SD 15.90 micrometer; p less than 0.001) and 12 months or more after PCS (94.11 +/- SD 33.86 micrometer; p less than 0.001) than before the shunt (18.98 +/- SD 13.62 micrometer). The mean concentration 12 months or more after PCS was significantly higher than that found 3--12 months after shunt (p less than 0.02). This progressive increase in serum bile acid concentration may indicate a deterioration of hepatic function in shunted patients.", "contents": "Effect of portacaval shunt on serum bile acid concentration in patients with cirrhosis. A retrospective study was carried out to examine the influence of portacaval shunt (PCS) on serum bile acid concentration in 47 cirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients with PCS had a significantly higher serum bile acid concentration than cirrhotic patients without PCS whatever the duration between the diagnosis and the time of measurement. Serum bile acid concentration was significantly higher 3--12 months after PCS (67.90 +/- SD 15.90 micrometer; p less than 0.001) and 12 months or more after PCS (94.11 +/- SD 33.86 micrometer; p less than 0.001) than before the shunt (18.98 +/- SD 13.62 micrometer). The mean concentration 12 months or more after PCS was significantly higher than that found 3--12 months after shunt (p less than 0.02). This progressive increase in serum bile acid concentration may indicate a deterioration of hepatic function in shunted patients.", "PMID": 615726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1457", "title": "Glycerol-ester hydrolase from human small intestine and its possible role in the degradation of neutral lipids.", "content": "A glycerol-ester hydrolase has been characterized and partially purified (23-fold) from human small intestine. A pancreatic origin was excluded through the use of an immunoserum directed against human pancreatic juice, while a pharyngeal (gastric) origin was unlikely owing to the optimum pH range of activity of the gastric enzyme as compared to that of the intestinal enzyme. The glycerol-ester hydrolase is mainly active toward short- and medium-chain di- and triglycerides and toward micellar long-chain monoglycerides. A role in the absorption of neutral lipids, mainly in pathological situations, is postulated.", "contents": "Glycerol-ester hydrolase from human small intestine and its possible role in the degradation of neutral lipids. A glycerol-ester hydrolase has been characterized and partially purified (23-fold) from human small intestine. A pancreatic origin was excluded through the use of an immunoserum directed against human pancreatic juice, while a pharyngeal (gastric) origin was unlikely owing to the optimum pH range of activity of the gastric enzyme as compared to that of the intestinal enzyme. The glycerol-ester hydrolase is mainly active toward short- and medium-chain di- and triglycerides and toward micellar long-chain monoglycerides. A role in the absorption of neutral lipids, mainly in pathological situations, is postulated.", "PMID": 615727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1458", "title": "Specificity of increased amylase to creatinine clearance ratio in acute pancreatitis.", "content": "The amylase to creatinine clearance ratio was found to be normal in 11 of 33 patients with acute pancreatitis. The ratio was elevated in 10 of 19 patients with renal insufficiency. Thus, it does not seem to be a specific index in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.", "contents": "Specificity of increased amylase to creatinine clearance ratio in acute pancreatitis. The amylase to creatinine clearance ratio was found to be normal in 11 of 33 patients with acute pancreatitis. The ratio was elevated in 10 of 19 patients with renal insufficiency. Thus, it does not seem to be a specific index in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.", "PMID": 615728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1459", "title": "Ratio of urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in patients with liver disease.", "content": "The ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine of 73 patients with liver disease, and 53 controls has been measured. The mean ratio was significantly greater in the liver disease group (p less than 0.001), this elevation being most marked among patients with liver metastases and patients with acute hepatitis. We feel that the use of the ratio as a test of early liver cell dysfunction requires further evaluation, in particular in the early recognition of metastatic liver disease.", "contents": "Ratio of urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in patients with liver disease. The ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine of 73 patients with liver disease, and 53 controls has been measured. The mean ratio was significantly greater in the liver disease group (p less than 0.001), this elevation being most marked among patients with liver metastases and patients with acute hepatitis. We feel that the use of the ratio as a test of early liver cell dysfunction requires further evaluation, in particular in the early recognition of metastatic liver disease.", "PMID": 615730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1460", "title": "Effects of hydrochlorides of amino acids in test meals on gastric emptying.", "content": "Four subjects were given test meals containing various concentrations of hydrochlorides of glycine, alanine, arginine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. The gastric contents were recovered after 20 min. The volume of the original meal recovered was assessed from the amount of marker substance aspirated. It was found that the slowing of gastric emptying of amino acid hydrochlorides was consistent with their action as weak acids. However, tryptophan and phenylalanine were slightly more effective than was predicted on the basis of their actions as acids.", "contents": "Effects of hydrochlorides of amino acids in test meals on gastric emptying. Four subjects were given test meals containing various concentrations of hydrochlorides of glycine, alanine, arginine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. The gastric contents were recovered after 20 min. The volume of the original meal recovered was assessed from the amount of marker substance aspirated. It was found that the slowing of gastric emptying of amino acid hydrochlorides was consistent with their action as weak acids. However, tryptophan and phenylalanine were slightly more effective than was predicted on the basis of their actions as acids.", "PMID": 615731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1461", "title": "Effects of oral and rectal BCG administration on chemically-induced rat intestinal carcinoma.", "content": "Intestinal carcinomas were induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in syngereic BD-IX strain rats for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment, one group received 2 doses of 50 mg BCG by a gastric tube, then a dose of 50 mg BCG by rectal instillation. The other group received no BCG. There was no significant difference in survival time, total number of cancers per rat, or cancer localization between the treated or untreated groups. Disseminated peritoneal metastases were more frequently found in BCG-treated animals. These results do not support the use of orally administered BCG in the treatment of human colorectal cancer.", "contents": "Effects of oral and rectal BCG administration on chemically-induced rat intestinal carcinoma. Intestinal carcinomas were induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in syngereic BD-IX strain rats for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment, one group received 2 doses of 50 mg BCG by a gastric tube, then a dose of 50 mg BCG by rectal instillation. The other group received no BCG. There was no significant difference in survival time, total number of cancers per rat, or cancer localization between the treated or untreated groups. Disseminated peritoneal metastases were more frequently found in BCG-treated animals. These results do not support the use of orally administered BCG in the treatment of human colorectal cancer.", "PMID": 615732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1462", "title": "Gastrin release in response to arginine infusion.", "content": "Intravenous infusion of arginine has been reported to be a powerful stimulus of endogenous gastrin release. This response has been re-examined in 12 normal human subjects. 6 of the subjects showed a 40% or greater rise in serum gastrin, and these responses were widely scattered in time. Changes in overall mean serum gastrin were small and showed a significant (p less than 0.05) rise over mean basal levels at only one point in time which was during arginine infusion. In this study arginine infusion resulted in a much smaller and less consistent serum gastrin response than previous reports.", "contents": "Gastrin release in response to arginine infusion. Intravenous infusion of arginine has been reported to be a powerful stimulus of endogenous gastrin release. This response has been re-examined in 12 normal human subjects. 6 of the subjects showed a 40% or greater rise in serum gastrin, and these responses were widely scattered in time. Changes in overall mean serum gastrin were small and showed a significant (p less than 0.05) rise over mean basal levels at only one point in time which was during arginine infusion. In this study arginine infusion resulted in a much smaller and less consistent serum gastrin response than previous reports.", "PMID": 615733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1463", "title": "A study of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human gastric tissue.", "content": "The acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) in normal portions of human gastric tissue were separated by electrophoresis in 3 buffer systems. Paper chromatographic separation of the constitutional disaccharide units by digestion of chondroitin sulfates (CS) with chondroitinase-ABC and chondroitinase-AC was carried out after fractionation of CS by ion-exchange resin column chromatography. Thin-layer chromatography of hexosamines and other biochemical analysis were also performed. The presence of hyaluronic acid in the gastric tissue was substantiated by the enzymatic susceptibility to streptomyces hyaluronidase. The results indicated that human gastric AGAG consisted of, in the order of amount, heparan sulfates, dermatan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate and presumably oversulfated chondroitin sulfate.", "contents": "A study of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human gastric tissue. The acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) in normal portions of human gastric tissue were separated by electrophoresis in 3 buffer systems. Paper chromatographic separation of the constitutional disaccharide units by digestion of chondroitin sulfates (CS) with chondroitinase-ABC and chondroitinase-AC was carried out after fractionation of CS by ion-exchange resin column chromatography. Thin-layer chromatography of hexosamines and other biochemical analysis were also performed. The presence of hyaluronic acid in the gastric tissue was substantiated by the enzymatic susceptibility to streptomyces hyaluronidase. The results indicated that human gastric AGAG consisted of, in the order of amount, heparan sulfates, dermatan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate and presumably oversulfated chondroitin sulfate.", "PMID": 615734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1464", "title": "beta-Glucoronidase and the gastric epithelial cell. A study using organ culture.", "content": "In an attempt to determine the significance of increased beta-glucuronidase content of gastric juice of patients with gastric carcinoma, gastric mucosal cells were exposed, in organ culture technique, to a known gastric carcinogen and indices of carcinogenic activity were studied in the ambient fluid and in the mucosal cells. Isotopic methods were used to determine cell viability. Indices of carcinogenic activity in the ambient fluid were beta-glucuronidase and lactate production and changes in the LDH isoenzyme pattern of the homogenates of the exposed cells were also studied. Incubation with the carcinogen resulted in increased production of beta-glucuronidase and lactate, suggesting the increased beta-glucuronidase activity in the gastric juice of patients with gastric cancer indicates malignancy.", "contents": "beta-Glucoronidase and the gastric epithelial cell. A study using organ culture. In an attempt to determine the significance of increased beta-glucuronidase content of gastric juice of patients with gastric carcinoma, gastric mucosal cells were exposed, in organ culture technique, to a known gastric carcinogen and indices of carcinogenic activity were studied in the ambient fluid and in the mucosal cells. Isotopic methods were used to determine cell viability. Indices of carcinogenic activity in the ambient fluid were beta-glucuronidase and lactate production and changes in the LDH isoenzyme pattern of the homogenates of the exposed cells were also studied. Incubation with the carcinogen resulted in increased production of beta-glucuronidase and lactate, suggesting the increased beta-glucuronidase activity in the gastric juice of patients with gastric cancer indicates malignancy.", "PMID": 615735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1465", "title": "Enterokinase activity in human intestinalized gastric mucosa.", "content": "Enterokinase activity was demonstrated in biopsies obtained during gastroscopy specimens in 6 patients with extended intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa. These observations seem to support the hypothesis that intestinalized brush border cells of gastric mucosa may have the original absorptive and secretory capacity of true intestinal epithelium.", "contents": "Enterokinase activity in human intestinalized gastric mucosa. Enterokinase activity was demonstrated in biopsies obtained during gastroscopy specimens in 6 patients with extended intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa. These observations seem to support the hypothesis that intestinalized brush border cells of gastric mucosa may have the original absorptive and secretory capacity of true intestinal epithelium.", "PMID": 615736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1466", "title": "Influence of aspirin on healing of chronic gastric ulcers in dogs.", "content": "Gastric ulcers induced in dogs by transserosal injection of 1 ml of 40% acetic acid healed completely by the 7th week after ulceration and never reulcerated during the observation period up to 12 weeks. Acetic acid ulcers in the active (at 1 week), quiescent (3 weeks) or healed (at 7 weeks) stages were not influenced by the daily administration of aspirin 2 g/dog/day for for 5 consecutive weeks. All examinations were done by gastroscopy in addition to macroscopical and histological observations at autopsy.", "contents": "Influence of aspirin on healing of chronic gastric ulcers in dogs. Gastric ulcers induced in dogs by transserosal injection of 1 ml of 40% acetic acid healed completely by the 7th week after ulceration and never reulcerated during the observation period up to 12 weeks. Acetic acid ulcers in the active (at 1 week), quiescent (3 weeks) or healed (at 7 weeks) stages were not influenced by the daily administration of aspirin 2 g/dog/day for for 5 consecutive weeks. All examinations were done by gastroscopy in addition to macroscopical and histological observations at autopsy.", "PMID": 615737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1467", "title": "Comparison of the step-dose and single-dose acid response to histamine and pentagastrin in chronic gastric fistula rats.", "content": "Time-response and dose-response curves for acid output to continuous infusion of histamine (HIST) and pentagastrin (PG) were determined by two techniques in conscious rats provided with chronic gastric fistula. With the step-dose technique the dose of the stimulant was increased each hour; with the single-dose technique only one dose of the stimulant was administered on each test day. The observed maximum acid output (OMAO) was obtained either by infusion of PG at a rate of 6 microgram/kg/h using both techniques or HIST at a rate of 1 mg/kg/h with the single-dose and 2 mg/kg/h with the step-dose technique. These OMAO were in the order: single PG greater than single HIST greater than step Hist greater than step PG in ratios 100--99--83--82. The dose-response curves were also analyzed by application of the Michaelis-Menten equation. For each stimulant there was no difference between the calculated maximum acid output (CMAO) whatever the technique used, but PG gave lower CMAO than HIST (p less than 0.05). For both stimulants the calculated doses for half the calculated maximal response (CD 50) are significantly higher with the step-dose than with the single-dose technique. These results are compared with those previously described in the literature for cats, dogs and man.", "contents": "Comparison of the step-dose and single-dose acid response to histamine and pentagastrin in chronic gastric fistula rats. Time-response and dose-response curves for acid output to continuous infusion of histamine (HIST) and pentagastrin (PG) were determined by two techniques in conscious rats provided with chronic gastric fistula. With the step-dose technique the dose of the stimulant was increased each hour; with the single-dose technique only one dose of the stimulant was administered on each test day. The observed maximum acid output (OMAO) was obtained either by infusion of PG at a rate of 6 microgram/kg/h using both techniques or HIST at a rate of 1 mg/kg/h with the single-dose and 2 mg/kg/h with the step-dose technique. These OMAO were in the order: single PG greater than single HIST greater than step Hist greater than step PG in ratios 100--99--83--82. The dose-response curves were also analyzed by application of the Michaelis-Menten equation. For each stimulant there was no difference between the calculated maximum acid output (CMAO) whatever the technique used, but PG gave lower CMAO than HIST (p less than 0.05). For both stimulants the calculated doses for half the calculated maximal response (CD 50) are significantly higher with the step-dose than with the single-dose technique. These results are compared with those previously described in the literature for cats, dogs and man.", "PMID": 615738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1468", "title": "Influence of an elemental diet in protein exudation in chronic inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "13 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease were treated with an elemental diet (Vivasorb). Intestinal protein exudation was studied during the treatment by means of of 131I-albumin. 131I-albumin studies showed no significant change of albumin degradation and, by inference, of intestinal protein loss in the group as a whole. A high initial albumin degradation rate augured treatment with elemental diet and prednisone to be unsuccessful. It is concluded that measurement of intestinal protein leakage is of no predictive value as regards the effect of treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease with elemental diet. Apparently, diminishing protein exudation is a late phenomenon during a course of clinical remission.", "contents": "Influence of an elemental diet in protein exudation in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. 13 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease were treated with an elemental diet (Vivasorb). Intestinal protein exudation was studied during the treatment by means of of 131I-albumin. 131I-albumin studies showed no significant change of albumin degradation and, by inference, of intestinal protein loss in the group as a whole. A high initial albumin degradation rate augured treatment with elemental diet and prednisone to be unsuccessful. It is concluded that measurement of intestinal protein leakage is of no predictive value as regards the effect of treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease with elemental diet. Apparently, diminishing protein exudation is a late phenomenon during a course of clinical remission.", "PMID": 615739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1469", "title": "Zinc deficiency in Crohn's disease.", "content": "Zinc nutriture has been studies in 30 patients with Crohn's disease using plasma zinc, hair zinc, and taste acuity as indices. Significant reductions in plasma zinc concentrations and taste acuity were seen in the patient groups as compared with normal controls. Hair zinc content was also generally low with several deficient values encountered among the Crohn's patients. A highly significant correlation between plasma zinc and albumin suggests a possible role of plasma-binding alterations in the depressed plasma zinc levels of patients with Crohn's disease patients and a potential influence on growth and healing in this disease must be considered.", "contents": "Zinc deficiency in Crohn's disease. Zinc nutriture has been studies in 30 patients with Crohn's disease using plasma zinc, hair zinc, and taste acuity as indices. Significant reductions in plasma zinc concentrations and taste acuity were seen in the patient groups as compared with normal controls. Hair zinc content was also generally low with several deficient values encountered among the Crohn's patients. A highly significant correlation between plasma zinc and albumin suggests a possible role of plasma-binding alterations in the depressed plasma zinc levels of patients with Crohn's disease patients and a potential influence on growth and healing in this disease must be considered.", "PMID": 615740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1470", "title": "Species specificity and other aspects of chymotrypsin inhibition by plasma.", "content": "The inhibition of chymotrypsin activity by pig, dog, human and rat blood plasma was studied. N-Benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-amino-benzoate (PABA-peptide) was used as the substrate. Crystalline bovine chymotrypsin as well as activated lyophilized human, pig, rat and chicken pancreatic secretions were used as enzyme sources. Certain species differences were noted. Swine plasma had no effect on bovine or human chymotrypsin while it inhibited that of the chicken by 67%. Dog plasma was a potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin activity from all sources tested. An acute pancreatitis model using the rat was also developed in which pancreatic juice flow was blocked without interference with biliary flow. After 24 h, these animals had increased plasma amylase activity, decreased plasma protease inhibitor and decreased hematocrit. By 72 h, amylase, trypsin inhibitor and hematocrit had nearly recovered while chymotrypsin inhibitor had actually increased above control levels. In rats subjected to hepatectomy or to hepatectomy plus pancreatic blockage, plasma protease inhibitor was even more severely depressed and remained so.", "contents": "Species specificity and other aspects of chymotrypsin inhibition by plasma. The inhibition of chymotrypsin activity by pig, dog, human and rat blood plasma was studied. N-Benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-amino-benzoate (PABA-peptide) was used as the substrate. Crystalline bovine chymotrypsin as well as activated lyophilized human, pig, rat and chicken pancreatic secretions were used as enzyme sources. Certain species differences were noted. Swine plasma had no effect on bovine or human chymotrypsin while it inhibited that of the chicken by 67%. Dog plasma was a potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin activity from all sources tested. An acute pancreatitis model using the rat was also developed in which pancreatic juice flow was blocked without interference with biliary flow. After 24 h, these animals had increased plasma amylase activity, decreased plasma protease inhibitor and decreased hematocrit. By 72 h, amylase, trypsin inhibitor and hematocrit had nearly recovered while chymotrypsin inhibitor had actually increased above control levels. In rats subjected to hepatectomy or to hepatectomy plus pancreatic blockage, plasma protease inhibitor was even more severely depressed and remained so.", "PMID": 615741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1471", "title": "Carcinomas of the liver and forestomach in mice ingesting chlorobenzilate.", "content": "The maximal tolerated dose of chlorobenzilate was given by continuous oral administration, starting at the age of 7 days, to both sexes of two hybrid strains of mice-(C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 and (C57BL/6 X AKR)F1. There was an increased incidence of tumors in one or more organs in male mice of both strains and female mice of the (C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 strain. Male mice of both strains developed significantly elevated incidences of carcinomas of the liver. Female (C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 strain mice had a significantly increased incidence of hyperplasia and carcinomas of the forestomach.", "contents": "Carcinomas of the liver and forestomach in mice ingesting chlorobenzilate. The maximal tolerated dose of chlorobenzilate was given by continuous oral administration, starting at the age of 7 days, to both sexes of two hybrid strains of mice-(C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 and (C57BL/6 X AKR)F1. There was an increased incidence of tumors in one or more organs in male mice of both strains and female mice of the (C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 strain. Male mice of both strains developed significantly elevated incidences of carcinomas of the liver. Female (C57BL/6 X C3HAnf)F1 strain mice had a significantly increased incidence of hyperplasia and carcinomas of the forestomach.", "PMID": 615742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1472", "title": "Primary humoral immune response against tumor membrane antigens and foreign antigens by plasma cell tumor bearer mice.", "content": "The MOPC-460 plasma cell tumor possesses tumor specific antigens. It nevertheless grows and kills its syngeneic host. The possible impairment of immune responsiveness in tumor bearing mice was investigated by measuring their ability to mount a humoral immune response against foreign antigens, such as sheep red blood cells or bacteriophage T4. No significant decrease in the response to either antigen was found until the tumor mass exceeded 10-15% of the host's body weight. Moreover, circulating anti-tumor antibodies were detected in the serum throughout the initial period of tumor growth. The possible interference of these antibodies with cell-mediated defence mechanism was ruled out by experiments where the humoral response was selectively suppressed from birth by repeated administrations of anti-immunoglobulin heavy chain antiserum. In a \"suppressed\" mice, tumors took, grew and developed more rapidly than in controls. It is concluded that, at least in the model studied, the humoral immune response operates as a defence mechanism against expansion of the tumor clone.", "contents": "Primary humoral immune response against tumor membrane antigens and foreign antigens by plasma cell tumor bearer mice. The MOPC-460 plasma cell tumor possesses tumor specific antigens. It nevertheless grows and kills its syngeneic host. The possible impairment of immune responsiveness in tumor bearing mice was investigated by measuring their ability to mount a humoral immune response against foreign antigens, such as sheep red blood cells or bacteriophage T4. No significant decrease in the response to either antigen was found until the tumor mass exceeded 10-15% of the host's body weight. Moreover, circulating anti-tumor antibodies were detected in the serum throughout the initial period of tumor growth. The possible interference of these antibodies with cell-mediated defence mechanism was ruled out by experiments where the humoral response was selectively suppressed from birth by repeated administrations of anti-immunoglobulin heavy chain antiserum. In a \"suppressed\" mice, tumors took, grew and developed more rapidly than in controls. It is concluded that, at least in the model studied, the humoral immune response operates as a defence mechanism against expansion of the tumor clone.", "PMID": 615743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1473", "title": "[The etiology of urinary tract infections].", "content": "The Authors have planned a program in order to file and elaborate with a computer the results of urine cultures. From 8.600 specimens, about 86% were negative or doubtful. The data obtained from 1201 positive cultures were processed in order to state the absolute and relative frequency of the bacterial species isolated and their distribution according to their genera, antibiotic resistence, month and sex. Among the most representative species the pattern of antibiotic resistence was surveyed. E. coli shows very high frequency (38%). The frequency of Pseudomonas increases while staphylococci frequency decreases as compared with the previous statements of various Authors. The analysis of the antibiotic sensitivity spectrum of 534 specimens shows that about 50% of E. coli strains are sensitive to 10, 11 and 12 antibiotics and their pattern of resistence involves no more than 9 antibiotics; on the contrary more than 60% of Pseudomonas and Proteus rettgeri are resistant to 10, 11 or 12 antibiotics and at any rate to no less than seven. Enterobacter and Proteus mirabilis present an intermediate pattern of resistence.", "contents": "[The etiology of urinary tract infections]. The Authors have planned a program in order to file and elaborate with a computer the results of urine cultures. From 8.600 specimens, about 86% were negative or doubtful. The data obtained from 1201 positive cultures were processed in order to state the absolute and relative frequency of the bacterial species isolated and their distribution according to their genera, antibiotic resistence, month and sex. Among the most representative species the pattern of antibiotic resistence was surveyed. E. coli shows very high frequency (38%). The frequency of Pseudomonas increases while staphylococci frequency decreases as compared with the previous statements of various Authors. The analysis of the antibiotic sensitivity spectrum of 534 specimens shows that about 50% of E. coli strains are sensitive to 10, 11 and 12 antibiotics and their pattern of resistence involves no more than 9 antibiotics; on the contrary more than 60% of Pseudomonas and Proteus rettgeri are resistant to 10, 11 or 12 antibiotics and at any rate to no less than seven. Enterobacter and Proteus mirabilis present an intermediate pattern of resistence.", "PMID": 615747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1474", "title": "Ultrasound evaluation of the nonvisualized gallbladder.", "content": "Grey-scale ultrasonography is a relatively new diagnostic modality which can be employed to evaluate the cholecystographically nonvisualized gallbladder and the jaundiced patient. The procedure is simple to perform and causes no discomfort to the patient. Ultrasonography can detect gallstones and differentiate obstructive (surgical) from hepatocellular (medical) jaundice. Frequently, it is also instrumental in diagnosing the cause of biliary obstruction in the patient wiht obstructive jaundice. Eleven illustrative cases are presented in which ultrasonography played a key role in establishing the correct diagnosis.", "contents": "Ultrasound evaluation of the nonvisualized gallbladder. Grey-scale ultrasonography is a relatively new diagnostic modality which can be employed to evaluate the cholecystographically nonvisualized gallbladder and the jaundiced patient. The procedure is simple to perform and causes no discomfort to the patient. Ultrasonography can detect gallstones and differentiate obstructive (surgical) from hepatocellular (medical) jaundice. Frequently, it is also instrumental in diagnosing the cause of biliary obstruction in the patient wiht obstructive jaundice. Eleven illustrative cases are presented in which ultrasonography played a key role in establishing the correct diagnosis.", "PMID": 615779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1475", "title": "Gallstones preventing ultrasonographic visualization of the gallbladder.", "content": "Ultrasonography can be used to diagnose the presence of multiple gallstones, despite the fact that the gallbladder, per se, may not demonstrated. The finding of many echoes in the area occupied by the gallbladder that cast a large acoustical shadow is strongly suggestive of gallstones.", "contents": "Gallstones preventing ultrasonographic visualization of the gallbladder. Ultrasonography can be used to diagnose the presence of multiple gallstones, despite the fact that the gallbladder, per se, may not demonstrated. The finding of many echoes in the area occupied by the gallbladder that cast a large acoustical shadow is strongly suggestive of gallstones.", "PMID": 615780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1476", "title": "Choledochal cyst in adults. A clinical and radiological study in ten cases.", "content": "Choledochal cysts are being recognized with an increasing frequency among the adult population. In this series a correct preoperative diagnosis was established in eight of the ten patients. The clinical tirad of obstructive jaundice, right upper abdominal pain, and a palpable flactuant mass was noted in only two cases but at least one of these symptoms was present in all patients. Acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and biliary calculi were the commonly associated findings. New etiologic and clinical concepts of choledochal cysts are reviewed and the spectrum of radiographic features in adults is presented.", "contents": "Choledochal cyst in adults. A clinical and radiological study in ten cases. Choledochal cysts are being recognized with an increasing frequency among the adult population. In this series a correct preoperative diagnosis was established in eight of the ten patients. The clinical tirad of obstructive jaundice, right upper abdominal pain, and a palpable flactuant mass was noted in only two cases but at least one of these symptoms was present in all patients. Acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and biliary calculi were the commonly associated findings. New etiologic and clinical concepts of choledochal cysts are reviewed and the spectrum of radiographic features in adults is presented.", "PMID": 615781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1477", "title": "Chiba needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.", "content": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba University needle has been utilized in 30 patients. The ducts were successfully demonstrated in all 21 patients with obstructive jaundice. Sixty-seven percent of normal or stenosed ducts were visualized. No serious complications occurred and emergency post-procedural laparotomy was unnecessary. Our results reflect other reports. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is an efficacious method of evaluating the hepatobiliary system.", "contents": "Chiba needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba University needle has been utilized in 30 patients. The ducts were successfully demonstrated in all 21 patients with obstructive jaundice. Sixty-seven percent of normal or stenosed ducts were visualized. No serious complications occurred and emergency post-procedural laparotomy was unnecessary. Our results reflect other reports. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is an efficacious method of evaluating the hepatobiliary system.", "PMID": 615782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1478", "title": "Percutaneous forceps extraction of retained biliary tract calculi.", "content": "The experience of the authors with postoperative extraction of retained biliary calculi in 35 cases is presented. Successful removal of the stones was achieved in all patients without any significant complication. The advantage of the Mazzariello-type metal forceps as compared to the Burhenne method is emphasized and illustrative examples are presented. Specific guidelines for a successful application of various techniques of stone extraction are provided.", "contents": "Percutaneous forceps extraction of retained biliary tract calculi. The experience of the authors with postoperative extraction of retained biliary calculi in 35 cases is presented. Successful removal of the stones was achieved in all patients without any significant complication. The advantage of the Mazzariello-type metal forceps as compared to the Burhenne method is emphasized and illustrative examples are presented. Specific guidelines for a successful application of various techniques of stone extraction are provided.", "PMID": 615783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1479", "title": "Cholecystokinin cholecystography in the diagnosis of chronic acalculous cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia. A cirtical appraisal.", "content": "Now that the active fragment of the cholecystokinin molecule has been made available for use in clinical pracitce, reports on the value of cholecystokinin cholecystography must be re-evaluated to determine if the procedure is worthwhile in patients with persistent symptoms and a normal conventional oral cholecystogram. Such an analysis discloses that there is no uniform agreement on what consitutes an abnormal examination and raises serious questions concerning the scientific validity of much of the data. It is apparent that there is no immutable evidence to date to indicate that cholecystokinin cholecystography is an accurate technique to determine which patients in this category will benefit from cholecystectomy.", "contents": "Cholecystokinin cholecystography in the diagnosis of chronic acalculous cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia. A cirtical appraisal. Now that the active fragment of the cholecystokinin molecule has been made available for use in clinical pracitce, reports on the value of cholecystokinin cholecystography must be re-evaluated to determine if the procedure is worthwhile in patients with persistent symptoms and a normal conventional oral cholecystogram. Such an analysis discloses that there is no uniform agreement on what consitutes an abnormal examination and raises serious questions concerning the scientific validity of much of the data. It is apparent that there is no immutable evidence to date to indicate that cholecystokinin cholecystography is an accurate technique to determine which patients in this category will benefit from cholecystectomy.", "PMID": 615784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1480", "title": "X-ray examination of endoscopy? A blind prospective study including barium meal, double contrast examiniation, and endoscopy of esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.", "content": "One hundred and one consecutive patients with upper abdominal dyspepsia were examined by conventional barium meal, double contrast examination, and endoscopy of the stomach and the duodenum in a blind prospective investigation. All the examiners were specially trained. Only small differences between the sensitivity and the specificity of the methods were found, but the clinical importance of the false positive and the false negative errors of the three methods of examination was not the same. The sensitivity of the ordinary X-ray examination was found to be sufficiently high for still recommending this method for primary screening. In case of posivite findings in the stomach, supplementary gastroscopy ought to be performed in order to increase the diagnostic specificity.", "contents": "X-ray examination of endoscopy? A blind prospective study including barium meal, double contrast examiniation, and endoscopy of esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. One hundred and one consecutive patients with upper abdominal dyspepsia were examined by conventional barium meal, double contrast examination, and endoscopy of the stomach and the duodenum in a blind prospective investigation. All the examiners were specially trained. Only small differences between the sensitivity and the specificity of the methods were found, but the clinical importance of the false positive and the false negative errors of the three methods of examination was not the same. The sensitivity of the ordinary X-ray examination was found to be sufficiently high for still recommending this method for primary screening. In case of posivite findings in the stomach, supplementary gastroscopy ought to be performed in order to increase the diagnostic specificity.", "PMID": 615785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1481", "title": "Pancreatic pseudocysts involving the spleen.", "content": "Pancreatic pseudocyst involving the splenic parenchyma itself is an unusual complication of pancreatitis. The diagnosis is best established by arteriography, isotopic studies, and sonography. Once confirmed, surgical intervention is mandatory because of the danger of secondary hemorrhage.", "contents": "Pancreatic pseudocysts involving the spleen. Pancreatic pseudocyst involving the splenic parenchyma itself is an unusual complication of pancreatitis. The diagnosis is best established by arteriography, isotopic studies, and sonography. Once confirmed, surgical intervention is mandatory because of the danger of secondary hemorrhage.", "PMID": 615786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1482", "title": "Double contrast examination of the small bowel.", "content": "The technique for contrast examination of the small bowel has been considerably elaborated during recent years by the reintroduction of duodenal intubation by Sellink. A double contrast method for the small bowel via duodenal intubation is presented based on a prospective study of 202 patients. When the injected contrast medium had reached the cecum, air was introduced and double contrast views were obtained of the terminal ileum and cecum. It was noted that air passed very rapidly through the bowel but did not seem to influence that transit of the positive contrast medium. The duration of the examination in 75% of the cases was less than 45 min.", "contents": "Double contrast examination of the small bowel. The technique for contrast examination of the small bowel has been considerably elaborated during recent years by the reintroduction of duodenal intubation by Sellink. A double contrast method for the small bowel via duodenal intubation is presented based on a prospective study of 202 patients. When the injected contrast medium had reached the cecum, air was introduced and double contrast views were obtained of the terminal ileum and cecum. It was noted that air passed very rapidly through the bowel but did not seem to influence that transit of the positive contrast medium. The duration of the examination in 75% of the cases was less than 45 min.", "PMID": 615787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1483", "title": "Crohn's disease of the small bowel examined by double contrast technique: a comparison with oral technique.", "content": "The combination of orally administered bartion is an old method which has come into use again. The technique is simple to perform and the examination is of short duration. In order to evaluate the applicability of this method it was compared with the oral technique in 43 patients with Crohn's disease of the small bowel who were examined by both methods. The tube technique revealed more clearly all pathologic changes except fistulas. The proximal extension of the changes and their demarcation from healthy intestine appeared more distinctly with the tube technique.", "contents": "Crohn's disease of the small bowel examined by double contrast technique: a comparison with oral technique. The combination of orally administered bartion is an old method which has come into use again. The technique is simple to perform and the examination is of short duration. In order to evaluate the applicability of this method it was compared with the oral technique in 43 patients with Crohn's disease of the small bowel who were examined by both methods. The tube technique revealed more clearly all pathologic changes except fistulas. The proximal extension of the changes and their demarcation from healthy intestine appeared more distinctly with the tube technique.", "PMID": 615788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1484", "title": "Per oral pneumocolon examination of the ileocecal region.", "content": "The combination of orally administered barium and the introduction of air rectally at the time the barium column is in the region of the cecum and terminal ileum leads to an excellent visualization of the ileocecal region. It may be used whenever a conventional barium enema examination fails to show this region adequately.", "contents": "Per oral pneumocolon examination of the ileocecal region. The combination of orally administered barium and the introduction of air rectally at the time the barium column is in the region of the cecum and terminal ileum leads to an excellent visualization of the ileocecal region. It may be used whenever a conventional barium enema examination fails to show this region adequately.", "PMID": 615789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1485", "title": "Urological complications of regional enteritis.", "content": "Urological complications of regional enteritis occur frequently and may be clinically unsuspected. Radiographic findings include nephrolithiasis, characteristic stricture of the ureter, panvesiculitis, and enterovesical fistual. Less specific findings include renal amyloidosis and retroperitoneal abscesses. Mucosla nodularity of the bladder dome, even without gastrointestinal symptoms, should raise the possibility of regional enteritis. On the other hand, occult ureteral stenosis in patients with known regional enteritis may be present. For this reason, it is recommended that routine and periodic excretory urograms be a central part of the evaluation of the patient with regional enteritis.", "contents": "Urological complications of regional enteritis. Urological complications of regional enteritis occur frequently and may be clinically unsuspected. Radiographic findings include nephrolithiasis, characteristic stricture of the ureter, panvesiculitis, and enterovesical fistual. Less specific findings include renal amyloidosis and retroperitoneal abscesses. Mucosla nodularity of the bladder dome, even without gastrointestinal symptoms, should raise the possibility of regional enteritis. On the other hand, occult ureteral stenosis in patients with known regional enteritis may be present. For this reason, it is recommended that routine and periodic excretory urograms be a central part of the evaluation of the patient with regional enteritis.", "PMID": 615790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1486", "title": "Preoperative radiographic diagnosis of a Spigelian hernia containing large and small bowel.", "content": "A case is reported in which the preoperative diagnosis of a Spigelian hernia containing both large and small bowel was made by radiographic means. The anatomy, clinical findings, and radiologic picture of this condition are discussed.", "contents": "Preoperative radiographic diagnosis of a Spigelian hernia containing large and small bowel. A case is reported in which the preoperative diagnosis of a Spigelian hernia containing both large and small bowel was made by radiographic means. The anatomy, clinical findings, and radiologic picture of this condition are discussed.", "PMID": 615791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1487", "title": "Radiology in the current assessment of ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Plain abdominal radiography in acute ulcerative colitis is essential to detect acute colonic complications, such as acute dilatation and free perforation. Sealed perforations may not be detected. Useful information can be gained as to the extent and severity of the mucosal lesions, but can be unreliable so that a contrast examination is required. The double contrast barium enema is more accurate than the single contrast study in revealing the early mucosal lesions of colitis. It is the examination of choice to show the extent and severity of disease, and is of considerable value in the differential diagnosis of colitis. In active colitis, the unprepared double contrast barium enema is recommended. The success of the examination relies on the absence of fecal residue adjacent to an active mucosa. The technique, uses, and limitations of this type of examination are described. In the long-term management of colitis, the role of radiology is to show the presence of extensive disease, which indicates an increased risk of malignancy. Lesions such as strictures or polyps may be found and are more likely to be benign than malignant, but confirmation often requires endoscopic biopsy. In the search for malignancy regular barium enema examination is not recommended, as this can only reveal an overt tumor, whereas premalignancy can be detected histologically from an endoscopic biopsy.", "contents": "Radiology in the current assessment of ulcerative colitis. Plain abdominal radiography in acute ulcerative colitis is essential to detect acute colonic complications, such as acute dilatation and free perforation. Sealed perforations may not be detected. Useful information can be gained as to the extent and severity of the mucosal lesions, but can be unreliable so that a contrast examination is required. The double contrast barium enema is more accurate than the single contrast study in revealing the early mucosal lesions of colitis. It is the examination of choice to show the extent and severity of disease, and is of considerable value in the differential diagnosis of colitis. In active colitis, the unprepared double contrast barium enema is recommended. The success of the examination relies on the absence of fecal residue adjacent to an active mucosa. The technique, uses, and limitations of this type of examination are described. In the long-term management of colitis, the role of radiology is to show the presence of extensive disease, which indicates an increased risk of malignancy. Lesions such as strictures or polyps may be found and are more likely to be benign than malignant, but confirmation often requires endoscopic biopsy. In the search for malignancy regular barium enema examination is not recommended, as this can only reveal an overt tumor, whereas premalignancy can be detected histologically from an endoscopic biopsy.", "PMID": 615792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1488", "title": "Tubeless hypotonic examination of the afferent loop of the Billroth II stomach.", "content": "In 39 out of 50 consecutive radiologic examinations in 48 pateints with a Billroth II gastroenterostomy, excellent hypotonic images of the afferent loop were obtained after an intravenous injection of 1-2 mg of glucagon. In six examinations the results could be classified as satisfactory; in five as unsatisfactory.", "contents": "Tubeless hypotonic examination of the afferent loop of the Billroth II stomach. In 39 out of 50 consecutive radiologic examinations in 48 pateints with a Billroth II gastroenterostomy, excellent hypotonic images of the afferent loop were obtained after an intravenous injection of 1-2 mg of glucagon. In six examinations the results could be classified as satisfactory; in five as unsatisfactory.", "PMID": 615794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1489", "title": "Duodenal intussusception secondary to Brunner's gland hamartoma. A case report.", "content": "Intussusception of the duodenum is a relatively rare event, and usually results from the presence of benign tumors. A case of duodenal intussusception secondary to Brunner's gland hamartoma is described and its differential diagnosis discussed.", "contents": "Duodenal intussusception secondary to Brunner's gland hamartoma. A case report. Intussusception of the duodenum is a relatively rare event, and usually results from the presence of benign tumors. A case of duodenal intussusception secondary to Brunner's gland hamartoma is described and its differential diagnosis discussed.", "PMID": 615795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1490", "title": "Food as a cause of small intestinal obstruction. A report of five cases without previous gastric surgery.", "content": "The clinical and roentgenographic findings in five patients with small intestinal obstruction caused by food impaction are presented. None had undergone previous gastric surgery. While the clinical features are those of small intestinal obstruction, an upper gastrointestinal study may demonstrate the exact site and nature of the obstruction.", "contents": "Food as a cause of small intestinal obstruction. A report of five cases without previous gastric surgery. The clinical and roentgenographic findings in five patients with small intestinal obstruction caused by food impaction are presented. None had undergone previous gastric surgery. While the clinical features are those of small intestinal obstruction, an upper gastrointestinal study may demonstrate the exact site and nature of the obstruction.", "PMID": 615796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1491", "title": "Unusual causes of gastrocolic fistula.", "content": "1. Three cases of gastrocolic fistula of unusual cause are presented. These include one patient each with carcinoma of the left kidney, gastric lymphoma, and granulomatous colitis. 2. The relationships between the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract are illustrated by a cadaveric cross-section. 3. The wide variety of diseases resulting in gastrocolic fistula is discussed. 4. Careful fluoroscopic and radiographic study may be necessary to detect the site of the fistula and to identify its cause.", "contents": "Unusual causes of gastrocolic fistula. 1. Three cases of gastrocolic fistula of unusual cause are presented. These include one patient each with carcinoma of the left kidney, gastric lymphoma, and granulomatous colitis. 2. The relationships between the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract are illustrated by a cadaveric cross-section. 3. The wide variety of diseases resulting in gastrocolic fistula is discussed. 4. Careful fluoroscopic and radiographic study may be necessary to detect the site of the fistula and to identify its cause.", "PMID": 615797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1492", "title": "Colonic necrosis complicating pancreatitis.", "content": "Bowel necrosis is an uncommon complication of pancreatitis. Two patients are reported who developed ileocecal and descending colon changes as a result of ischemia following severe pancreatitis. Arteriography in one patient confirmed the presence of intraluminal thrombi.", "contents": "Colonic necrosis complicating pancreatitis. Bowel necrosis is an uncommon complication of pancreatitis. Two patients are reported who developed ileocecal and descending colon changes as a result of ischemia following severe pancreatitis. Arteriography in one patient confirmed the presence of intraluminal thrombi.", "PMID": 615798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1493", "title": "Ischemic colitis associated with carcinoma of the colon.", "content": "Two cases of ischemic colitis occurring proximal to carcinoma of the colon are described, with special reference to the barium enema and pathological findings. The association of these two conditions is rare but when present may cause some confusion. It is possible that the two lesions may, for instance, be considered to be both due to ischemic colitis, or mistaken for granulomatous colitis with a stricture.", "contents": "Ischemic colitis associated with carcinoma of the colon. Two cases of ischemic colitis occurring proximal to carcinoma of the colon are described, with special reference to the barium enema and pathological findings. The association of these two conditions is rare but when present may cause some confusion. It is possible that the two lesions may, for instance, be considered to be both due to ischemic colitis, or mistaken for granulomatous colitis with a stricture.", "PMID": 615799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1494", "title": "Colonic ileus.", "content": "Nine cases of colonic ileus, characterized by selective or disproportionate distention of the large intestine without organic obstruction, are detailed. Massive cecal dilatation often dominates the radiographic presentation and may portend perforation. While management is generally conservative, cecostomy may be necessary to prevent peritonitis.", "contents": "Colonic ileus. Nine cases of colonic ileus, characterized by selective or disproportionate distention of the large intestine without organic obstruction, are detailed. Massive cecal dilatation often dominates the radiographic presentation and may portend perforation. While management is generally conservative, cecostomy may be necessary to prevent peritonitis.", "PMID": 615800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1495", "title": "Congenital positional anomalies of the colon: radiographic diagnosis and clinical implications. I. Abnormalities of rotation.", "content": "Positional anomalies of the colon may be explained by an arrest in the normal development process of the distal midgut. Aberrations involving the incipient stages of rotation lead to severe malpositions, while those involving the latter stages to milder forms. The normal embryology of the distal (postarterial) segment, as well as forms of complete and partial nonrotations, are discussed and illustrated. A survey of 39 consecutive cases of rotational abnormalities of the midgut with special emphasis on the configuration of the colon is presented. There is a high incidence of associated failure of fixation resulting in mobile colons that can be demonstrated radiographically. In addition, the great majority of colonic malrotations demonstrate rotational abnormalities involving the proximal intestinal tract. Their clinical implication is related to the presence of other incidental congenital anomalies or to complications derived from faulty mesenteric fixations such as peritoneal bands, adhesions, kinking, or intestinal volvulus.", "contents": "Congenital positional anomalies of the colon: radiographic diagnosis and clinical implications. I. Abnormalities of rotation. Positional anomalies of the colon may be explained by an arrest in the normal development process of the distal midgut. Aberrations involving the incipient stages of rotation lead to severe malpositions, while those involving the latter stages to milder forms. The normal embryology of the distal (postarterial) segment, as well as forms of complete and partial nonrotations, are discussed and illustrated. A survey of 39 consecutive cases of rotational abnormalities of the midgut with special emphasis on the configuration of the colon is presented. There is a high incidence of associated failure of fixation resulting in mobile colons that can be demonstrated radiographically. In addition, the great majority of colonic malrotations demonstrate rotational abnormalities involving the proximal intestinal tract. Their clinical implication is related to the presence of other incidental congenital anomalies or to complications derived from faulty mesenteric fixations such as peritoneal bands, adhesions, kinking, or intestinal volvulus.", "PMID": 615801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1496", "title": "Congenital positional anomalies of the colon: radiographic diagnosis and clinical implications. II. Abnormalities of fixation.", "content": "Defective fixation during embryologic development is responsible for a variety of segmental colonic malpositions seen during barium enema examinations. A review of the normal development process of fixation is presented, together with the most common and significant aberrations. On the right side clinical entities such as axial torsion, cecal bascule, retrocolic sigmoid, and pericolic bands are discussed and illustrated. On the left side, the configuration and clinical implications of the malposition of the splenic flexure are analyzed. It is pointed out that reversed configurations of the splenic flexure associated with failure of fixation of the entire descending colon may occur as an isolated congenital abnormality and may not necessarily be associated with renal anomalies. The characteristic radiographic appearance of the persistent descending mesocolon and its potential for complications is in addition emphasized. Familiarization with the radiographic appearance and clinical implications of these common abnormalities is essential in the daily interpretation of barium enema examinations.", "contents": "Congenital positional anomalies of the colon: radiographic diagnosis and clinical implications. II. Abnormalities of fixation. Defective fixation during embryologic development is responsible for a variety of segmental colonic malpositions seen during barium enema examinations. A review of the normal development process of fixation is presented, together with the most common and significant aberrations. On the right side clinical entities such as axial torsion, cecal bascule, retrocolic sigmoid, and pericolic bands are discussed and illustrated. On the left side, the configuration and clinical implications of the malposition of the splenic flexure are analyzed. It is pointed out that reversed configurations of the splenic flexure associated with failure of fixation of the entire descending colon may occur as an isolated congenital abnormality and may not necessarily be associated with renal anomalies. The characteristic radiographic appearance of the persistent descending mesocolon and its potential for complications is in addition emphasized. Familiarization with the radiographic appearance and clinical implications of these common abnormalities is essential in the daily interpretation of barium enema examinations.", "PMID": 615802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1497", "title": "Cecal changes following appendectomy.", "content": "The appearance of the cecum was followed from two days to 18 months after appendectomy in a series of 12 patients. The changes were often discrete and well defined. The typical localized deformation of the medial aspect of the cecum due to the invaginated appendiceal stump disappeared in half of the patients while its size was not reduced in the other half of the patients. The localized deformation was rather constant in size and measured approximately 2 X 2 cm.", "contents": "Cecal changes following appendectomy. The appearance of the cecum was followed from two days to 18 months after appendectomy in a series of 12 patients. The changes were often discrete and well defined. The typical localized deformation of the medial aspect of the cecum due to the invaginated appendiceal stump disappeared in half of the patients while its size was not reduced in the other half of the patients. The localized deformation was rather constant in size and measured approximately 2 X 2 cm.", "PMID": 615803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1498", "title": "Problems in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.", "content": "Diagnostic problems occurred in five out of 55 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography who subsequently proved to have carcinoma of the pancreas. In one patient the pancreatic duct was normal, two had non-specific ductal abnormalities, one had pancreas divisum, and one had ductal ectasia. Two patients with non-specific changes on retrograde pancreatography had evidence of tumor on their retrograde cholangiogram. Two patients had ductal obstruction simulating pancreatic cancer, in one due to compression by the thoracic spine, in the other by inflammatory changes.", "contents": "Problems in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Diagnostic problems occurred in five out of 55 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography who subsequently proved to have carcinoma of the pancreas. In one patient the pancreatic duct was normal, two had non-specific ductal abnormalities, one had pancreas divisum, and one had ductal ectasia. Two patients with non-specific changes on retrograde pancreatography had evidence of tumor on their retrograde cholangiogram. Two patients had ductal obstruction simulating pancreatic cancer, in one due to compression by the thoracic spine, in the other by inflammatory changes.", "PMID": 615804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1499", "title": "Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of pancreatic carcinoma.", "content": "Carcinoma of the pancreas was diagnosed in 13 patients by percutaneous fine needle aspiration. The tumor was localized by angiography in eight, ultrasound in five, and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in three patients. In four patients aspiration was performed using two of the three localizing techniques. Cytological diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas can be made accurately by percutaneous fine needle aspiration of the tumor and operative intervention avoided in those patients who do not require operative bypass procedures. Percutaneous fine needle aspiration can be used with equal facility with arteriography, ultrasound, or endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. There have not been complications due to fine needle biopsy, and one can expect a 77-86% positive diagnostic yield.", "contents": "Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of pancreatic carcinoma. Carcinoma of the pancreas was diagnosed in 13 patients by percutaneous fine needle aspiration. The tumor was localized by angiography in eight, ultrasound in five, and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in three patients. In four patients aspiration was performed using two of the three localizing techniques. Cytological diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas can be made accurately by percutaneous fine needle aspiration of the tumor and operative intervention avoided in those patients who do not require operative bypass procedures. Percutaneous fine needle aspiration can be used with equal facility with arteriography, ultrasound, or endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. There have not been complications due to fine needle biopsy, and one can expect a 77-86% positive diagnostic yield.", "PMID": 615805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1500", "title": "Metastatic colon carcinoma simulating primary bile duct carcinoma via endoscopic cholangiography.", "content": "A case of metastatic colon carcinoma simulating primary bile duct carcinoma is presented. The radiographic similarities via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography include bile duct narrowing and mucosal destruction. A distinguishing feature, however, is failure of the intrahepatic bile ducts to dilate in metastatic carcinoma to the biliary tree.", "contents": "Metastatic colon carcinoma simulating primary bile duct carcinoma via endoscopic cholangiography. A case of metastatic colon carcinoma simulating primary bile duct carcinoma is presented. The radiographic similarities via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography include bile duct narrowing and mucosal destruction. A distinguishing feature, however, is failure of the intrahepatic bile ducts to dilate in metastatic carcinoma to the biliary tree.", "PMID": 615806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1501", "title": "Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate in sickle cell disease associated with increased splenic density on computerized transaxial tomography.", "content": "Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate was found on the bone scan of a patient with sickle cell disease. No splenic activity was demonstrated on 99mTc-sulfur colloid liver-spleen scans and no evidence of splenic calcification was seen on plain abdominal radiographs. A computerized transaxial tomographic scan, however, did demonstrate a small spleen denser than other abdominal organs. The splenic accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate and the increased density on computerized transaxial tomography could be attributed to microscopic splenic calcifications and/or iron deposits in the spleen.", "contents": "Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate in sickle cell disease associated with increased splenic density on computerized transaxial tomography. Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate was found on the bone scan of a patient with sickle cell disease. No splenic activity was demonstrated on 99mTc-sulfur colloid liver-spleen scans and no evidence of splenic calcification was seen on plain abdominal radiographs. A computerized transaxial tomographic scan, however, did demonstrate a small spleen denser than other abdominal organs. The splenic accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate and the increased density on computerized transaxial tomography could be attributed to microscopic splenic calcifications and/or iron deposits in the spleen.", "PMID": 615807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1502", "title": "Emphysematous gastritis and gastric perforation. An unusual manifestation of alkaline corrosive ingestion.", "content": "The stomach is usually not affected in cases of alkaline corrosive ingestion, being protected by its acid content. With large amounts of alkali ingestion there may be gastric necrosis leading to early perforation. We report a case of alkali ingestion with two unusual findings: emphysematous gastritis and late perforation.", "contents": "Emphysematous gastritis and gastric perforation. An unusual manifestation of alkaline corrosive ingestion. The stomach is usually not affected in cases of alkaline corrosive ingestion, being protected by its acid content. With large amounts of alkali ingestion there may be gastric necrosis leading to early perforation. We report a case of alkali ingestion with two unusual findings: emphysematous gastritis and late perforation.", "PMID": 615808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1503", "title": "Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and obstructing intussusception in celiac disease.", "content": "Spontaneous penumoperitoneum and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis have been undescribed complications of celiac disease. In the case reported, small bowel gas cysts caused an obstructing intussusception. The etiology of the pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is discussed.", "contents": "Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and obstructing intussusception in celiac disease. Spontaneous penumoperitoneum and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis have been undescribed complications of celiac disease. In the case reported, small bowel gas cysts caused an obstructing intussusception. The etiology of the pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is discussed.", "PMID": 615809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1504", "title": "Ischemic jejunitis and pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to anastomotic obstruction following jejunal atresia repair.", "content": "An infant with jejunal atresia developed ischemic jejunitis with intramural and portal venous gas postoperatively following prolonged anastomotic obstruction. The importance of differentiating ischemic bowel disease secondary to obstruction from classic necrotizing enterocolitis is illustrated by this case report.", "contents": "Ischemic jejunitis and pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to anastomotic obstruction following jejunal atresia repair. An infant with jejunal atresia developed ischemic jejunitis with intramural and portal venous gas postoperatively following prolonged anastomotic obstruction. The importance of differentiating ischemic bowel disease secondary to obstruction from classic necrotizing enterocolitis is illustrated by this case report.", "PMID": 615810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1505", "title": "A comparison of colonoscopy and roentgenography for detecting polypoid lesions of the colon.", "content": "This study compares the effectiveness of the roentgen and colonoscopic examination of the colon for detecting polypoid lesions. We evaluated the findings in 64 patients with suspected or known polypoid lesions who received the same colon cleansing regimen for both examinations, and were studied by examiners of similar expertise. As in other studies, the endoscopist had the advantage of knowing the roentgen findings, and the colonoscopic findings were often taken to indicate whether or not a lesion was present. In about half the patients, however, a second roentgen examination, repeat colonoscopy, or surgical specimen provided additional information for scoring. For example, a filling defect of the same size and location on two roentgen examinations, but not demonstrated at colonoscopy was scored as a false negative colonoscopic finding. The study results indicate that 54% of small polyps less than or equal to 0.9 cm in size were missed on roentgen examination, whereas no proven misses for lesions of this size were shown for colonoscopy. This absence of colonoscopic false-negative findings for small polyps, however, may be partially explained by a relative insensitivity of the roentgen method. For larger lesions greater than or equal to 1.0 cm in size the miss-rate for the two examinations was similar: 15% for roentgen examination and 12% for colonoscopy. We conclude: (1) Colonoscopy is a more sensitive method than roentgen examination for detecting small polyps of the colon, and (2) Performance of the two examinations may be comparable for demonstrating lesions 1.0 cm or larger in size.", "contents": "A comparison of colonoscopy and roentgenography for detecting polypoid lesions of the colon. This study compares the effectiveness of the roentgen and colonoscopic examination of the colon for detecting polypoid lesions. We evaluated the findings in 64 patients with suspected or known polypoid lesions who received the same colon cleansing regimen for both examinations, and were studied by examiners of similar expertise. As in other studies, the endoscopist had the advantage of knowing the roentgen findings, and the colonoscopic findings were often taken to indicate whether or not a lesion was present. In about half the patients, however, a second roentgen examination, repeat colonoscopy, or surgical specimen provided additional information for scoring. For example, a filling defect of the same size and location on two roentgen examinations, but not demonstrated at colonoscopy was scored as a false negative colonoscopic finding. The study results indicate that 54% of small polyps less than or equal to 0.9 cm in size were missed on roentgen examination, whereas no proven misses for lesions of this size were shown for colonoscopy. This absence of colonoscopic false-negative findings for small polyps, however, may be partially explained by a relative insensitivity of the roentgen method. For larger lesions greater than or equal to 1.0 cm in size the miss-rate for the two examinations was similar: 15% for roentgen examination and 12% for colonoscopy. We conclude: (1) Colonoscopy is a more sensitive method than roentgen examination for detecting small polyps of the colon, and (2) Performance of the two examinations may be comparable for demonstrating lesions 1.0 cm or larger in size.", "PMID": 615812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1506", "title": "Pseudoulcerations of the colon on barium enema examination.", "content": "Marginal spiculations and punctate collection of barium may occasionally be identified on barium examination in patients with a normal colon. These may be due either to filling of the crypts of Lieberkuhn with barium or retention of barium in the innominate grooves of the colon. Perhaps both combine to produce the radiographic findings. This normal variant must be carefully distinguished from actual ulcers associated with inflammatory bowel disease in order to avoid making a major error in diagnosis.", "contents": "Pseudoulcerations of the colon on barium enema examination. Marginal spiculations and punctate collection of barium may occasionally be identified on barium examination in patients with a normal colon. These may be due either to filling of the crypts of Lieberkuhn with barium or retention of barium in the innominate grooves of the colon. Perhaps both combine to produce the radiographic findings. This normal variant must be carefully distinguished from actual ulcers associated with inflammatory bowel disease in order to avoid making a major error in diagnosis.", "PMID": 615813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1507", "title": "Yersinia colitis.", "content": "A 2-year-old child with a febrile, non-bloody diarrheal illness of acute onset with repeatedly negative stool and blood cultures for pathogenic bacteria is presented. Sigmoidoscopic and roentgenographic studies revealed an inflammatory colitis. Unfortunately, diagnostic perserverance and a high index of suspicion resulted in a positive stool culture for Yersinia enterocolitica. Serologic study and clinical course provided data consistent with the diagnosis of an infectious colitis due to Yersinia enterocolitica. This case demonstrates the necessity to consider Yersinia enterocolitica in the radiographic differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the colon or ulcerative colitis, as well as intractable diarrhea of childhood.", "contents": "Yersinia colitis. A 2-year-old child with a febrile, non-bloody diarrheal illness of acute onset with repeatedly negative stool and blood cultures for pathogenic bacteria is presented. Sigmoidoscopic and roentgenographic studies revealed an inflammatory colitis. Unfortunately, diagnostic perserverance and a high index of suspicion resulted in a positive stool culture for Yersinia enterocolitica. Serologic study and clinical course provided data consistent with the diagnosis of an infectious colitis due to Yersinia enterocolitica. This case demonstrates the necessity to consider Yersinia enterocolitica in the radiographic differential diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the colon or ulcerative colitis, as well as intractable diarrhea of childhood.", "PMID": 615814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1508", "title": "A comparative study of intravenous cholangiography and 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate in patients with hepatobiliary disease.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to compare the diagnostic value of intravenous cholangiography with 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate, a new radioisotopic biliary imaging agent, in 15 patients with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Each subject had both examinations, and the studies were interpreted independently. The results suggest that intravenous cholangiography may provide more specific information about the ductal system but is of limited value in patients with elevated bilirubin. In these patients 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate may show patency of the bile ducts and distinguish between partial and complete biliary tract obstruction. Depending upon the serum bilirubin level, both studies may provide useful and complementary information about the biliary tract.", "contents": "A comparative study of intravenous cholangiography and 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate in patients with hepatobiliary disease. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the diagnostic value of intravenous cholangiography with 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate, a new radioisotopic biliary imaging agent, in 15 patients with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Each subject had both examinations, and the studies were interpreted independently. The results suggest that intravenous cholangiography may provide more specific information about the ductal system but is of limited value in patients with elevated bilirubin. In these patients 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate may show patency of the bile ducts and distinguish between partial and complete biliary tract obstruction. Depending upon the serum bilirubin level, both studies may provide useful and complementary information about the biliary tract.", "PMID": 615815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1509", "title": "Choledochocele demonstrated on percutaneous cholangiography: a patient with acute fulminant pancreatitis.", "content": "A patient with a choledochocele associated with development of acute fulminant pancreatitis is presented. Treatment had been severely compromised by this rare anomaly before it was identified by percutaneous cholangiography. Because it is potentially curable with surgery, identification of the lesion by percutaneous or intravenous cholangiography has important clinical significance.", "contents": "Choledochocele demonstrated on percutaneous cholangiography: a patient with acute fulminant pancreatitis. A patient with a choledochocele associated with development of acute fulminant pancreatitis is presented. Treatment had been severely compromised by this rare anomaly before it was identified by percutaneous cholangiography. Because it is potentially curable with surgery, identification of the lesion by percutaneous or intravenous cholangiography has important clinical significance.", "PMID": 615816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1510", "title": "Hepatic angiography in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.", "content": "Three patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and characteristic radiologic findings of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are described. Emphasis is placed not only on the angiodysplasia evident from abdominal angiography, but also on the demonstration by the chest radiograph of a chronic mild hyperdynamic state.", "contents": "Hepatic angiography in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Three patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding and characteristic radiologic findings of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia are described. Emphasis is placed not only on the angiodysplasia evident from abdominal angiography, but also on the demonstration by the chest radiograph of a chronic mild hyperdynamic state.", "PMID": 615817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1511", "title": "Clinical value of hepatic vein catheterization. Improved pracability by balloon catheter technique.", "content": "Techniques of hepatic vein catheterization, hepatic venous pressure measurement, and occlusion phlebography using a balloon catheter are described. Hepatic venous pressure measurements (n=95) and hepatic occlusion phlebography were combined in 32 cases. In patients with liver cirrhosis (n=63) a significant elevation of hepatic venous pressure gradients was found. A decrease of the pressure gradient was seen after portacaval and splenorenal shunt operations. Hepatic occlusion phlebography showed alterations of hepatic veins only in patients with cirrhosis. A rough correlation between pressure gradients and the extent of changes in the liver veins was found. Hepatic occlusion phlebography, in patients who had undergone shunt procedure, demonstrated various collaterals. Combined hepatic vein pressure measurements and hepatic occlusion phlebography using a balloon catheter are proposed as a very suitable method for the evaluation of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension.", "contents": "Clinical value of hepatic vein catheterization. Improved pracability by balloon catheter technique. Techniques of hepatic vein catheterization, hepatic venous pressure measurement, and occlusion phlebography using a balloon catheter are described. Hepatic venous pressure measurements (n=95) and hepatic occlusion phlebography were combined in 32 cases. In patients with liver cirrhosis (n=63) a significant elevation of hepatic venous pressure gradients was found. A decrease of the pressure gradient was seen after portacaval and splenorenal shunt operations. Hepatic occlusion phlebography showed alterations of hepatic veins only in patients with cirrhosis. A rough correlation between pressure gradients and the extent of changes in the liver veins was found. Hepatic occlusion phlebography, in patients who had undergone shunt procedure, demonstrated various collaterals. Combined hepatic vein pressure measurements and hepatic occlusion phlebography using a balloon catheter are proposed as a very suitable method for the evaluation of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension.", "PMID": 615818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1512", "title": "Optimum viscosity of barium suspension for use in the double contrast barium meal.", "content": "The effect of viscosity of barium sulphate suspensions on coating was assessed by glass slides as in vitro, and the rat as in vivo models. It was found that below a certain viscosity (as measured by a cup viscometer) coating was impaired. As increasing viscosity is associated with increasing bubble retention and, eventually, when very high viscosities are reached, poor surface flow of suspension, it is recommended that the viscosity of the medium employed should be kept within a narrow range, approximately equal to 70% w/v Baritop, 80% Micropaque, 115% E--Z-paque, 150% Barosperse, or 200% HD 200.", "contents": "Optimum viscosity of barium suspension for use in the double contrast barium meal. The effect of viscosity of barium sulphate suspensions on coating was assessed by glass slides as in vitro, and the rat as in vivo models. It was found that below a certain viscosity (as measured by a cup viscometer) coating was impaired. As increasing viscosity is associated with increasing bubble retention and, eventually, when very high viscosities are reached, poor surface flow of suspension, it is recommended that the viscosity of the medium employed should be kept within a narrow range, approximately equal to 70% w/v Baritop, 80% Micropaque, 115% E--Z-paque, 150% Barosperse, or 200% HD 200.", "PMID": 615819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1513", "title": "Pneumatosis intestinalis.", "content": "Pneumatosis intestinalis is a usually benign condition which may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to rectum. Occasionally, however, it may be a grave prognostic sign. This article presents the spectrum of diagnostic radiographic features of the entity with emphasis on differentiation of the underlying etiologic factors. Representative examples of pneumatosis intestinalis complicating various gastrointestinal disorders are illustrated.", "contents": "Pneumatosis intestinalis. Pneumatosis intestinalis is a usually benign condition which may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to rectum. Occasionally, however, it may be a grave prognostic sign. This article presents the spectrum of diagnostic radiographic features of the entity with emphasis on differentiation of the underlying etiologic factors. Representative examples of pneumatosis intestinalis complicating various gastrointestinal disorders are illustrated.", "PMID": 615820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1514", "title": "Ischemic disease of the small bowel and colon associated with oral contraceptives.", "content": "The widespread use of hormonal contraceptive pills by young women has caused a documented increase in thromboembolic disorders. This article describes yet another of the drug-induced complications namely, the development of ischemic bowel disease in seven cases. The ischemic changes which involved the small intestine in three and the colon in four patients became reversible after conservative management and discontinuance of oral contraceptive agents. The importance of clinical and radiologic consideration of ischemic bowel disease in young females receiving birth control pills is emphasized.", "contents": "Ischemic disease of the small bowel and colon associated with oral contraceptives. The widespread use of hormonal contraceptive pills by young women has caused a documented increase in thromboembolic disorders. This article describes yet another of the drug-induced complications namely, the development of ischemic bowel disease in seven cases. The ischemic changes which involved the small intestine in three and the colon in four patients became reversible after conservative management and discontinuance of oral contraceptive agents. The importance of clinical and radiologic consideration of ischemic bowel disease in young females receiving birth control pills is emphasized.", "PMID": 615822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1515", "title": "Radiologic manifestations of iatrogenic changes of the esophagus.", "content": "The review of the roentgen manifestations of iatrogenic changes in the esophagus permits their grouping into two major categories of intentional and nonintentional alterations. In the first group, iatrogenic changes are encountered following reconstructive or other types of surgery, radiotherapy, and their respective complications. Nonintentional changes of the esophagus include injuries induced during diagnostic procedures, life-saving measures, and drug therapy. The knowledge of the spectra of possible iatrogenic alterations is important for accurate radiologic evaluation of the patients and the recognition of complications.", "contents": "Radiologic manifestations of iatrogenic changes of the esophagus. The review of the roentgen manifestations of iatrogenic changes in the esophagus permits their grouping into two major categories of intentional and nonintentional alterations. In the first group, iatrogenic changes are encountered following reconstructive or other types of surgery, radiotherapy, and their respective complications. Nonintentional changes of the esophagus include injuries induced during diagnostic procedures, life-saving measures, and drug therapy. The knowledge of the spectra of possible iatrogenic alterations is important for accurate radiologic evaluation of the patients and the recognition of complications.", "PMID": 615823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1516", "title": "Postgastrostomy deformity of the stomach.", "content": "Temporary postoperative tube gastrostomy may produce permanent deformity of the stomach as visualized on an upper gastrointestinal series. Six cases were studied illustrating two configurations of the gastric deformity. These appear to be related to the location of the gastrostomy opening in the stomach. The findings were either anterior displacement of the gastric antrumwith adherence to the anterior abdominal wall or acute angulation of the gastric body in a medial and anterior direction.", "contents": "Postgastrostomy deformity of the stomach. Temporary postoperative tube gastrostomy may produce permanent deformity of the stomach as visualized on an upper gastrointestinal series. Six cases were studied illustrating two configurations of the gastric deformity. These appear to be related to the location of the gastrostomy opening in the stomach. The findings were either anterior displacement of the gastric antrumwith adherence to the anterior abdominal wall or acute angulation of the gastric body in a medial and anterior direction.", "PMID": 615824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1517", "title": "Intestinal pneumatosis--a complication of the jejunoileal bypass procedure.", "content": "Six cases of intestinal pneumatosis following the jejunoileal bypass procedure are reported. Although the radiographic pattern of the pneumatosis intestinalis suggested severe disease, such as bowel infarction or necrotizing enterocolitis, all cases followed a benign course.", "contents": "Intestinal pneumatosis--a complication of the jejunoileal bypass procedure. Six cases of intestinal pneumatosis following the jejunoileal bypass procedure are reported. Although the radiographic pattern of the pneumatosis intestinalis suggested severe disease, such as bowel infarction or necrotizing enterocolitis, all cases followed a benign course.", "PMID": 615825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1518", "title": "Cervical Thorotrast granuloma: an iatrogenic cause of dysphagia.", "content": "Thorotrast granuloma of the neck is an extensive benign connective tissue overgrowth secondary to localized extravasation of contrast. This can present with dysphagia secondary to mass effect or motor disorder of swallowing related to demyelinization of the ninth through twelfth cranial nerves. The radiographic appearance is characteristic in both location and density.", "contents": "Cervical Thorotrast granuloma: an iatrogenic cause of dysphagia. Thorotrast granuloma of the neck is an extensive benign connective tissue overgrowth secondary to localized extravasation of contrast. This can present with dysphagia secondary to mass effect or motor disorder of swallowing related to demyelinization of the ninth through twelfth cranial nerves. The radiographic appearance is characteristic in both location and density.", "PMID": 615826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1519", "title": "Hepatic arterioportal fistula related to a liver biopsy.", "content": "A case of hepatic artery portal fistula, presenting with bleeding esophageal varices five months following a liver biopsy for cirrhosis, is presented. The angiographic features of the lesion are illustrated and the pertinent literature concerning etiology of hepatic arterioportal shunts is reviewed.", "contents": "Hepatic arterioportal fistula related to a liver biopsy. A case of hepatic artery portal fistula, presenting with bleeding esophageal varices five months following a liver biopsy for cirrhosis, is presented. The angiographic features of the lesion are illustrated and the pertinent literature concerning etiology of hepatic arterioportal shunts is reviewed.", "PMID": 615827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1520", "title": "[Obtaining autosomal recessive mutations in the silkworm by exposure to nitrosomethylurea].", "content": "Mutagenic effect of N-nitrosomethyl urea (NMU) was studied in silkworm Bombyx mori L. Taking into consideration the specificity of the mutagen action, the main part of the work delt with the search for the optimum regime of the mutagen administration. The NMU effect is observed at different stages of the silkworm development by means of different methods. Maximal frequency of mutation in +re locus, obtained by the method of abdominal injection of the male-morth comprised 1.4%. Genetic analysis of the nature of the mutants obtained has revealed them to be point mutants.", "contents": "[Obtaining autosomal recessive mutations in the silkworm by exposure to nitrosomethylurea]. Mutagenic effect of N-nitrosomethyl urea (NMU) was studied in silkworm Bombyx mori L. Taking into consideration the specificity of the mutagen action, the main part of the work delt with the search for the optimum regime of the mutagen administration. The NMU effect is observed at different stages of the silkworm development by means of different methods. Maximal frequency of mutation in +re locus, obtained by the method of abdominal injection of the male-morth comprised 1.4%. Genetic analysis of the nature of the mutants obtained has revealed them to be point mutants.", "PMID": 615829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1521", "title": "[Quantitative assessment of human chromosomal polymorphism with regard to paracentromeric heterochromatin].", "content": "The measurement of C-segment length in chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 of 7 individuals was carried out. The regression analysis was employed to study a change of the C-segment sizes in the process of mitotic chromosome condensation. Typical values of C-segment length for chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 are about 1.4, 1.1 and 0.8mu respectively. Among 7 individuals there was no two which had identical size of C-segments for all three chromosomes studied. In six individuals heteromorphysm of C-segments was revealed. It was found that visually detected heteromorphysm may be expressed quantitatively as ratio length of C-segments in homologous chromosomes.", "contents": "[Quantitative assessment of human chromosomal polymorphism with regard to paracentromeric heterochromatin]. The measurement of C-segment length in chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 of 7 individuals was carried out. The regression analysis was employed to study a change of the C-segment sizes in the process of mitotic chromosome condensation. Typical values of C-segment length for chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 are about 1.4, 1.1 and 0.8mu respectively. Among 7 individuals there was no two which had identical size of C-segments for all three chromosomes studied. In six individuals heteromorphysm of C-segments was revealed. It was found that visually detected heteromorphysm may be expressed quantitatively as ratio length of C-segments in homologous chromosomes.", "PMID": 615830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1522", "title": "Melanocyte colonization and pigmentation of breast carcinoma.", "content": "Colonization of mammary cancers by melanocytes with attendant pigmentation of cancer cells by melanin occurs in most cases of breast cancer in which the dermal--epidermal interface is reached by the tumour cells. There is evidence to suggest that the mammary cancer may become colonized at the expense of the epidermis, which is focally depleted of melanocytes. Melanocytes can even be found in groups of tumour cells within lymphatics. Colonization and pigmentation of breast cancer is usually only easily detected by selective staining methods. In very rare cases it can be gross and easily detectable in routine stains. The implications of this migratory phenomenon are discussed in terms of the biology of the melanocyte.", "contents": "Melanocyte colonization and pigmentation of breast carcinoma. Colonization of mammary cancers by melanocytes with attendant pigmentation of cancer cells by melanin occurs in most cases of breast cancer in which the dermal--epidermal interface is reached by the tumour cells. There is evidence to suggest that the mammary cancer may become colonized at the expense of the epidermis, which is focally depleted of melanocytes. Melanocytes can even be found in groups of tumour cells within lymphatics. Colonization and pigmentation of breast cancer is usually only easily detected by selective staining methods. In very rare cases it can be gross and easily detectable in routine stains. The implications of this migratory phenomenon are discussed in terms of the biology of the melanocyte.", "PMID": 615831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1523", "title": "Eosinophilic granuloma of lymph nodes.", "content": "Two examples are reported of eosinophilic granuloma presenting as lymphadenopathy and being apparently confined to lymph nodes. The affected nodes were characterized by a striking sinus histiocytosis, a heavy infiltration with mature eosinophils and retention of normal lymphoid follicles. The differential diagnosis of this histological picture is discussed and the prognosis considered.", "contents": "Eosinophilic granuloma of lymph nodes. Two examples are reported of eosinophilic granuloma presenting as lymphadenopathy and being apparently confined to lymph nodes. The affected nodes were characterized by a striking sinus histiocytosis, a heavy infiltration with mature eosinophils and retention of normal lymphoid follicles. The differential diagnosis of this histological picture is discussed and the prognosis considered.", "PMID": 615832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1524", "title": "Chronic hepatitis: a problem for the pathologist.", "content": "The accepted histological categories of chronic hepatitis are chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) and chronic active or aggressive hepatitis (CAH). A third form, chronic lobular hepatitis (CLH), encompasses those cases in which the lesion is predominantly within the lobules and in which portal and periportal inflammation are mild. CLH has many synonyms. International agreement on a reproducible and rational nomenclature of chronic hepatitis is still far from complete. CPH is characterized by portal inflammation. Histological definition is simple, but there are diagnostic pitfalls. The category may need subdivision on the basis of immunological studies. CAH should be regarded as a complex rather than a single disease, and it is important to specify the aetiology and pathological components in each instance. The concept of CAH must be altered to incorporate the lesion of bridging hepatic necrosis (BHN). Piecemeal necrosis, accompanied by inflammatory infiltration, is considered to be the most important of the various pathogenetic factors in CAH, but BHN probably plays a significant part in accelerating the development of cirrhosis. An excessive portal and periportal inflammatory reaction with or without BHN, in a liver biopsy taken during the course of an acute hepatitis, helps to predict a possible chronic course.", "contents": "Chronic hepatitis: a problem for the pathologist. The accepted histological categories of chronic hepatitis are chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) and chronic active or aggressive hepatitis (CAH). A third form, chronic lobular hepatitis (CLH), encompasses those cases in which the lesion is predominantly within the lobules and in which portal and periportal inflammation are mild. CLH has many synonyms. International agreement on a reproducible and rational nomenclature of chronic hepatitis is still far from complete. CPH is characterized by portal inflammation. Histological definition is simple, but there are diagnostic pitfalls. The category may need subdivision on the basis of immunological studies. CAH should be regarded as a complex rather than a single disease, and it is important to specify the aetiology and pathological components in each instance. The concept of CAH must be altered to incorporate the lesion of bridging hepatic necrosis (BHN). Piecemeal necrosis, accompanied by inflammatory infiltration, is considered to be the most important of the various pathogenetic factors in CAH, but BHN probably plays a significant part in accelerating the development of cirrhosis. An excessive portal and periportal inflammatory reaction with or without BHN, in a liver biopsy taken during the course of an acute hepatitis, helps to predict a possible chronic course.", "PMID": 615833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1525", "title": "Primary lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract. I. Plasma cell tumours.", "content": "The histology of 125 cases of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas arising in the stomach and small and large intestine has been reviewed. The material was gathered from the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology at the Middlesex Hospital and from the Westminster Hospital. Of the initial total of 143 cases diagnosed, 18 were rejected. Of the acceptable 125 cases, 51 lymphomas were arising in stomach, 53 in the small intestine and 21 in the large intestine including rectum. Excluding the four children in the series, ages ranged from 18 to 82 and were fairly evenly distributed across the decades. There was no significant sex difference in the Middlesex Hospital cases but in the Westminster Hospital series the male to female ratio was approximately 2.6 to 1. One significant finding to emerge from this histological survey, and which forms the basis of this communication, is the proportion of lymphomas considered to be predominantly of plasma cell type. These plasma cell tumours, or extramedullary plasmacytomas, accounted for 49 out of the 125 cases (39%) of gastrointestinal lymphomas. They were less common in stomach and most common in the intestine, the majority occurring in the ileocaecal region. Conversely, Hodgkin's disease, in contrast to some series, was not encountered. Of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, grade I tumours were uncommon and true histiocytic lymphomas were distinctly rare. The high incidence of plasma cell tumours were uncommon and true histiocytic lymphomas were distinctly rare. The high incidence of plasma cell tumours in our series is in keeping with the morphological findings of a previous study carried out in patients with alpha-chain disease and in a small series of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas.", "contents": "Primary lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract. I. Plasma cell tumours. The histology of 125 cases of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas arising in the stomach and small and large intestine has been reviewed. The material was gathered from the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology at the Middlesex Hospital and from the Westminster Hospital. Of the initial total of 143 cases diagnosed, 18 were rejected. Of the acceptable 125 cases, 51 lymphomas were arising in stomach, 53 in the small intestine and 21 in the large intestine including rectum. Excluding the four children in the series, ages ranged from 18 to 82 and were fairly evenly distributed across the decades. There was no significant sex difference in the Middlesex Hospital cases but in the Westminster Hospital series the male to female ratio was approximately 2.6 to 1. One significant finding to emerge from this histological survey, and which forms the basis of this communication, is the proportion of lymphomas considered to be predominantly of plasma cell type. These plasma cell tumours, or extramedullary plasmacytomas, accounted for 49 out of the 125 cases (39%) of gastrointestinal lymphomas. They were less common in stomach and most common in the intestine, the majority occurring in the ileocaecal region. Conversely, Hodgkin's disease, in contrast to some series, was not encountered. Of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, grade I tumours were uncommon and true histiocytic lymphomas were distinctly rare. The high incidence of plasma cell tumours were uncommon and true histiocytic lymphomas were distinctly rare. The high incidence of plasma cell tumours in our series is in keeping with the morphological findings of a previous study carried out in patients with alpha-chain disease and in a small series of primary gastrointestinal lymphomas.", "PMID": 615834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1526", "title": "Undifferentiated carcinoma of the large intestine.", "content": "Eight cases of the rare undifferented carcinoma of the large intestine are described. The histological distinction between undifferentiated and poorly differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma and malignant carcinoid is discussed. It is concluded that undifferented carcinoma is a variant of adenocarcinoma which tends to grow to a large size before symptoms are produced but which nevertheless has a good prognosis when locally resectable. Five patients survived between 6 and 28 years, one is well 6 months after operation and two cases where local removal could not be achieved, died within a year.", "contents": "Undifferentiated carcinoma of the large intestine. Eight cases of the rare undifferented carcinoma of the large intestine are described. The histological distinction between undifferentiated and poorly differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma and malignant carcinoid is discussed. It is concluded that undifferented carcinoma is a variant of adenocarcinoma which tends to grow to a large size before symptoms are produced but which nevertheless has a good prognosis when locally resectable. Five patients survived between 6 and 28 years, one is well 6 months after operation and two cases where local removal could not be achieved, died within a year.", "PMID": 615835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1527", "title": "The carotid body--a quantitative assessment in children.", "content": "The volume of the glomic tissue in the carotid bodies of 100 infants between the ages of 29 weeks gestation and 9 1/2 years has been determined by serial sections and point counting. There is a 10-fold variation in the size of the carotid body and the volume of glomic tissue at all ages studied. Forty of the infants died as unexpected deaths at home. No increase in size of the carotid body is apparent in the majority of these deaths but there is a probability that enlargement occurs in some children dying at the age of one year or older. Ranges of values and means are presented for the carotid body glomic tissue volume from birth to 9 1/2 years.", "contents": "The carotid body--a quantitative assessment in children. The volume of the glomic tissue in the carotid bodies of 100 infants between the ages of 29 weeks gestation and 9 1/2 years has been determined by serial sections and point counting. There is a 10-fold variation in the size of the carotid body and the volume of glomic tissue at all ages studied. Forty of the infants died as unexpected deaths at home. No increase in size of the carotid body is apparent in the majority of these deaths but there is a probability that enlargement occurs in some children dying at the age of one year or older. Ranges of values and means are presented for the carotid body glomic tissue volume from birth to 9 1/2 years.", "PMID": 615836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1528", "title": "Hyperplasia and prolapse of hepatocytes into hepatic veins during longterm methyltestosterone therapy: possible relationships of these changes to the developement of peliosis hepatis and liver tumours.", "content": "We report the pathological changes in liver biopsies from 10 patients (four female transexuals and six impotent males) after treatment with 150 mg methyltestosterone daily for periods of up to 3 years, and in a hemihepatectomy specimen from a female transexual who developed a liver adenoma after 37 months of this treatment. Hepatocyte hyperplasia and mild focal sinusoidal dilatation was found in most cases. In some cases there were microcysts and dissociation of hepatocytes. In nine patients there was accumulation of hepatocytes between the endothelium and the supporting collagen of hepatic veins which often resulted in either partial occlusion of their lumina or disruption of their walls. These vascular changes do not appear to have been reported before. It is postulated that a single pathological process-hyperplasia, perhaps related to the anabolic effect of methyltestosterone--could be partly responsible both for the formation of cysts through mechanical obstruction of hepatic veins and for the formation of nodules and tumours.", "contents": "Hyperplasia and prolapse of hepatocytes into hepatic veins during longterm methyltestosterone therapy: possible relationships of these changes to the developement of peliosis hepatis and liver tumours. We report the pathological changes in liver biopsies from 10 patients (four female transexuals and six impotent males) after treatment with 150 mg methyltestosterone daily for periods of up to 3 years, and in a hemihepatectomy specimen from a female transexual who developed a liver adenoma after 37 months of this treatment. Hepatocyte hyperplasia and mild focal sinusoidal dilatation was found in most cases. In some cases there were microcysts and dissociation of hepatocytes. In nine patients there was accumulation of hepatocytes between the endothelium and the supporting collagen of hepatic veins which often resulted in either partial occlusion of their lumina or disruption of their walls. These vascular changes do not appear to have been reported before. It is postulated that a single pathological process-hyperplasia, perhaps related to the anabolic effect of methyltestosterone--could be partly responsible both for the formation of cysts through mechanical obstruction of hepatic veins and for the formation of nodules and tumours.", "PMID": 615837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1529", "title": "Pacinian neurofibroma.", "content": "At rare intervals in the literature, reports have appeared of a skin tumour containing structures resembling Pacinian corpuscles. Four such tumours collected over the course of 20 years are described and the literature reviewed.", "contents": "Pacinian neurofibroma. At rare intervals in the literature, reports have appeared of a skin tumour containing structures resembling Pacinian corpuscles. Four such tumours collected over the course of 20 years are described and the literature reviewed.", "PMID": 615838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1530", "title": "The surgical pathology of thoracic aortic aneurysms.", "content": "In 63 resected thoracic aortic aneurysms, the commonest histological finding (45 cases, 71.4%) was cystic medionecrosis. These cases formed two groups, 29 with widespread fragmentation and loss of elastic tissue (elastopathy) and 16 cases without elastopathy who were older and included most of the 18 cases of dissecting aneurysms. Thirteen patients had the Marfan syndrome, 10 showing cystic medionecrosis with elastopathy, indistinguishable from the cases with no Marfan stigmata although partial 'dissections' were mainly found in the Marfan patients, Histological appearances ranged from normal to complete loss of media. Cystic changes in muscle fibres apparently preceded elastic fragmentation. Fourteen cases (22%) had aortitis: 4 were syphilitic and 3 of other known aetiology. In 7 patients the aetiology of the inflammatory process was unknown and appearances included granulomatous infarct-like lesions and necrotizing aortitis or changes indistinguishable histologically from syphilis.", "contents": "The surgical pathology of thoracic aortic aneurysms. In 63 resected thoracic aortic aneurysms, the commonest histological finding (45 cases, 71.4%) was cystic medionecrosis. These cases formed two groups, 29 with widespread fragmentation and loss of elastic tissue (elastopathy) and 16 cases without elastopathy who were older and included most of the 18 cases of dissecting aneurysms. Thirteen patients had the Marfan syndrome, 10 showing cystic medionecrosis with elastopathy, indistinguishable from the cases with no Marfan stigmata although partial 'dissections' were mainly found in the Marfan patients, Histological appearances ranged from normal to complete loss of media. Cystic changes in muscle fibres apparently preceded elastic fragmentation. Fourteen cases (22%) had aortitis: 4 were syphilitic and 3 of other known aetiology. In 7 patients the aetiology of the inflammatory process was unknown and appearances included granulomatous infarct-like lesions and necrotizing aortitis or changes indistinguishable histologically from syphilis.", "PMID": 615839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1531", "title": "Pigmented carcinoid tumour of the thymus.", "content": "An asymptomatic thymic tumour, classified as a carcinoid tumour on the basis of its light and electron-microscopic appearances, is described. This tumour was atypical in having foci of melanin pigmentation, the pigment being contained in dendritic melanocytes and melanophages. We suggest that the pigmented cells are not neoplastic and represent latent thymic melanoblasts stimulated in some way by the carcinoid tumour. Alternative explanations are discussed.", "contents": "Pigmented carcinoid tumour of the thymus. An asymptomatic thymic tumour, classified as a carcinoid tumour on the basis of its light and electron-microscopic appearances, is described. This tumour was atypical in having foci of melanin pigmentation, the pigment being contained in dendritic melanocytes and melanophages. We suggest that the pigmented cells are not neoplastic and represent latent thymic melanoblasts stimulated in some way by the carcinoid tumour. Alternative explanations are discussed.", "PMID": 615841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1532", "title": "Autofluorescent granular cells in oral mucosal hyperplasias.", "content": "Four hyperplastic lesions of the hard palate are described. They were characterized by the presence of an atrophic surface epithelium, an oedematous matrix and the presence of large numbers of autofluorescent granular cells. In addition there were numerous mast cells. Histochemical and electronmicroscopical studies suggest that the granules are composed of lipofuscin. The pathogenesis of these lesions is discussed.", "contents": "Autofluorescent granular cells in oral mucosal hyperplasias. Four hyperplastic lesions of the hard palate are described. They were characterized by the presence of an atrophic surface epithelium, an oedematous matrix and the presence of large numbers of autofluorescent granular cells. In addition there were numerous mast cells. Histochemical and electronmicroscopical studies suggest that the granules are composed of lipofuscin. The pathogenesis of these lesions is discussed.", "PMID": 615842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1533", "title": "Idiopathic cholesterol pneumonitis.", "content": "The fiftieth case of idiopathic cholesterol pneumonitis (ICP) is presented and the 49 previously reported cases have been reviewed. This review draws attention to certain features which have not previously been emphasized, including marked male predominance, single lobe involvement, the distribution of the lesions, dense pleural fibrosis, smoking history and the close histological association between giant cells and disrupted elastic fibres of the alveolar walls. The clinical and radiological similarity between ICP and primary bronchogenic carcinoma is described. Various aetiology theories are discussed, and the similarity between ICP and spontaneous lipid pneumonia in the mongoose is noted; the hypothesis is put forward that ICP, like the mongoose pneumonia, is an expression of disordered production or disposal of excessive surfactant.", "contents": "Idiopathic cholesterol pneumonitis. The fiftieth case of idiopathic cholesterol pneumonitis (ICP) is presented and the 49 previously reported cases have been reviewed. This review draws attention to certain features which have not previously been emphasized, including marked male predominance, single lobe involvement, the distribution of the lesions, dense pleural fibrosis, smoking history and the close histological association between giant cells and disrupted elastic fibres of the alveolar walls. The clinical and radiological similarity between ICP and primary bronchogenic carcinoma is described. Various aetiology theories are discussed, and the similarity between ICP and spontaneous lipid pneumonia in the mongoose is noted; the hypothesis is put forward that ICP, like the mongoose pneumonia, is an expression of disordered production or disposal of excessive surfactant.", "PMID": 615843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1534", "title": "Occult lupus nephropathy: a correlated light, electron and immunofluorescent microscopic study.", "content": "Renal biopsies obtained from four adolescent girls who developed symptomatic thrombocytopenia with serologic evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus, without clinical signs of renal involvement, showed glomerular disease by electron and immunofluorescent microscopy with light microscopic changes in two cases. Subsequently, three of the patients developed proteinuria, and repeat biopsies from all four showed appearances ranging from resolution to significant glomerulitis. The findings illustrate the variable patterns of occult glomerulitis in lupus, and highlight the value of correlating light, electron and immunofluorescent studies in renal pathology.", "contents": "Occult lupus nephropathy: a correlated light, electron and immunofluorescent microscopic study. Renal biopsies obtained from four adolescent girls who developed symptomatic thrombocytopenia with serologic evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus, without clinical signs of renal involvement, showed glomerular disease by electron and immunofluorescent microscopy with light microscopic changes in two cases. Subsequently, three of the patients developed proteinuria, and repeat biopsies from all four showed appearances ranging from resolution to significant glomerulitis. The findings illustrate the variable patterns of occult glomerulitis in lupus, and highlight the value of correlating light, electron and immunofluorescent studies in renal pathology.", "PMID": 615844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1535", "title": "Quantitative study of the lymphatic tissue and germinal centres in the spleen in infants dying from expected and unexpected causes (cot deaths).", "content": "The amount of malpighian body lymphatic tissue and germinal centre tissue in the spleens of infants dying in hospital and dying unexpectedly at home have been examined in 471 cases. The total weight of the spleens in children dying at home unexpectedly do not differ significantly from children dying from expected causes. There is an increase in both the amount of lymphatic tissue and in the amount of germinal centre tissue in the children found unexpectedly dead. It is concluded that these children do not show any evidence of cellular immunological deficiency but that they have probably been subjected to recurrent or to a greater amount of antigenic stimulation during their brief post-natal existence.", "contents": "Quantitative study of the lymphatic tissue and germinal centres in the spleen in infants dying from expected and unexpected causes (cot deaths). The amount of malpighian body lymphatic tissue and germinal centre tissue in the spleens of infants dying in hospital and dying unexpectedly at home have been examined in 471 cases. The total weight of the spleens in children dying at home unexpectedly do not differ significantly from children dying from expected causes. There is an increase in both the amount of lymphatic tissue and in the amount of germinal centre tissue in the children found unexpectedly dead. It is concluded that these children do not show any evidence of cellular immunological deficiency but that they have probably been subjected to recurrent or to a greater amount of antigenic stimulation during their brief post-natal existence.", "PMID": 615845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1536", "title": "Blue naevi of lymph node capsule.", "content": "Blue naevi are reported for what is believed to be the first time in the capsule and fibrous trabeculae of lymph nodes. In one of the two cases that nodal blue naevus was accompanied by an ordinary blue naevus in the regional skin. These blue naevi are compared with the 'naevus-cell aggregates' in nodal capsule, the histogenesis of which is currently disputed. A developmental migratory arrest of melanocytes is thought to be the histogenetic mechanism involved in the production of these blue naevi in lymph nodes.", "contents": "Blue naevi of lymph node capsule. Blue naevi are reported for what is believed to be the first time in the capsule and fibrous trabeculae of lymph nodes. In one of the two cases that nodal blue naevus was accompanied by an ordinary blue naevus in the regional skin. These blue naevi are compared with the 'naevus-cell aggregates' in nodal capsule, the histogenesis of which is currently disputed. A developmental migratory arrest of melanocytes is thought to be the histogenetic mechanism involved in the production of these blue naevi in lymph nodes.", "PMID": 615846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1537", "title": "Mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis associated with Q-fever endocarditis.", "content": "A patient with nephrotic syndrome and Q-fever endocarditis (confirmed serologically and ultrastructurally) was found to have mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis with parietal deposits of C3 and IgM and some IgM in the mesangium. Elution studies showed that IgM antibodies reactive against insoluble Coxiella antigens were present in the kidney. Review of the literature suggests that this type of immune complex nephritis may be associated with Q-fever. Possible reasons for the variability of the nephritis associated with infective endocarditis are discussed.", "contents": "Mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis associated with Q-fever endocarditis. A patient with nephrotic syndrome and Q-fever endocarditis (confirmed serologically and ultrastructurally) was found to have mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis with parietal deposits of C3 and IgM and some IgM in the mesangium. Elution studies showed that IgM antibodies reactive against insoluble Coxiella antigens were present in the kidney. Review of the literature suggests that this type of immune complex nephritis may be associated with Q-fever. Possible reasons for the variability of the nephritis associated with infective endocarditis are discussed.", "PMID": 615847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1538", "title": "Chemical composition, particle form and annealing temperature of amalgam alloy versus creep of the resulting amalgam.", "content": "The influence of the chemical composition, particle form and annealing temperature of the amalgam alloy upon the creep of the resulting amalgam was investigated by means of a multiple regression model. Because no, or only little, information was available about the heat treatments of the different commercial alloys, the alloys were subjected to additional heat treatments at four different temperatures. The influence upon the creep of the amalgam of the Zn content, particle form and annealing temperature was found to be very significant. A higher Zn content as well as a spherical alloy resulted in less creep of the corresponding amalgam. The dependence of the creep upon the annealing temperature showed a minimum: more creep was obtained for amalgams prepared from the alloys heat treated at 150 degrees C and 435 degrees C than those from the alloys annealed at 315 degrees C and 319 degrees C, respectively.", "contents": "Chemical composition, particle form and annealing temperature of amalgam alloy versus creep of the resulting amalgam. The influence of the chemical composition, particle form and annealing temperature of the amalgam alloy upon the creep of the resulting amalgam was investigated by means of a multiple regression model. Because no, or only little, information was available about the heat treatments of the different commercial alloys, the alloys were subjected to additional heat treatments at four different temperatures. The influence upon the creep of the amalgam of the Zn content, particle form and annealing temperature was found to be very significant. A higher Zn content as well as a spherical alloy resulted in less creep of the corresponding amalgam. The dependence of the creep upon the annealing temperature showed a minimum: more creep was obtained for amalgams prepared from the alloys heat treated at 150 degrees C and 435 degrees C than those from the alloys annealed at 315 degrees C and 319 degrees C, respectively.", "PMID": 615868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1539", "title": "A simple cardiovascular system simulator: design and performance.", "content": "A simple simulator has been constructed, evaluated and used for performance studies of prosthetic aortic valves, balloon assist devices and Koroktof sounds and ausculatory cuff blood pressure measurements. A direct drive piston pump is used. Elastic soft rubber tubes with distributed resistances allow modeling of normal and diseased pressure pulse waves. Pressure pulse amplitude amplification is modeled with tube segments of decreasing diameters. Satisfactory proximal pressure pulse shapes are obtained with a soft rubber tube of uniform diameter.", "contents": "A simple cardiovascular system simulator: design and performance. A simple simulator has been constructed, evaluated and used for performance studies of prosthetic aortic valves, balloon assist devices and Koroktof sounds and ausculatory cuff blood pressure measurements. A direct drive piston pump is used. Elastic soft rubber tubes with distributed resistances allow modeling of normal and diseased pressure pulse waves. Pressure pulse amplitude amplification is modeled with tube segments of decreasing diameters. Satisfactory proximal pressure pulse shapes are obtained with a soft rubber tube of uniform diameter.", "PMID": 615871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1540", "title": "Effect of load, speed, and activity history on the EMG signals from the intact human muscle.", "content": "A specially instrumented bicycle ergometer is utilized in this investigation to induce reproducable loading conditions on the muscles of the lower extremity at different speeds. Various tehcniques for evaluating the electromyographic signals from the vastas medialis muscle are investigated for different load and speed conditions and shown to be essentially equivalent. The RMS signal power computed by means of a real time spectral analyzer is shown to be a convenient means of quantification of the dynamic EMG signals. The electromyographic signals are shown to be stable under repeated static or dynamic conditions but not under sustained isometric static loading.", "contents": "Effect of load, speed, and activity history on the EMG signals from the intact human muscle. A specially instrumented bicycle ergometer is utilized in this investigation to induce reproducable loading conditions on the muscles of the lower extremity at different speeds. Various tehcniques for evaluating the electromyographic signals from the vastas medialis muscle are investigated for different load and speed conditions and shown to be essentially equivalent. The RMS signal power computed by means of a real time spectral analyzer is shown to be a convenient means of quantification of the dynamic EMG signals. The electromyographic signals are shown to be stable under repeated static or dynamic conditions but not under sustained isometric static loading.", "PMID": 615872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1541", "title": "The microstructure of isotropic vapor-deposited carbon films.", "content": "The structure of thin, vapor-deposited carbon films was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Selected area electron diffraction showed very weak and broad peaks, indicating that these carbons contain extremely small crystallites whose dimension in the crystallographic c-direction is about 8 to 10 a. The observed diffraction bands are (h, k, 1 = 0) type reflections, which suggests that individual crystallites consist of graphitic layer planes stacked in parallel groups but with no order between atoms in adjacent planes (turbostratic). The carbon films exhibit no preferred orientation, indicating that the small crystallites are randomly oriented in the film and that the films are therefore isotropic. The measured density (1.8 g/cm3) and the structure of the vapor-deposited carbons are accordingly similar to those of low-temperature isotropic (LTI) pyrolytic carbons.", "contents": "The microstructure of isotropic vapor-deposited carbon films. The structure of thin, vapor-deposited carbon films was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Selected area electron diffraction showed very weak and broad peaks, indicating that these carbons contain extremely small crystallites whose dimension in the crystallographic c-direction is about 8 to 10 a. The observed diffraction bands are (h, k, 1 = 0) type reflections, which suggests that individual crystallites consist of graphitic layer planes stacked in parallel groups but with no order between atoms in adjacent planes (turbostratic). The carbon films exhibit no preferred orientation, indicating that the small crystallites are randomly oriented in the film and that the films are therefore isotropic. The measured density (1.8 g/cm3) and the structure of the vapor-deposited carbons are accordingly similar to those of low-temperature isotropic (LTI) pyrolytic carbons.", "PMID": 615873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1542", "title": "High frequency components in the spectrum of the visual evoked potential.", "content": "The occurrence of short term high frequency components in the spectra of the VEP is usually overshadowed by larger amplitude slow waves which occur simultaneously with the high frequency waves. The high frequency components become evident when the time varying power spectra of short duration (250 ms) segments of the VEP are examined. Two types of short duration time varying power spectra are considered: one is obtained directly from overlapping time segments of the average VEP; and, the other is obtained by computing the spectra from the average autocorrelation functions of overlapping time segments of the data following each stimulus. The first yields the time varying properties for the spectra of the stimulus-synchronized data while, the latter shows the time varying properties of both the synchronized and unsynchronized data present.", "contents": "High frequency components in the spectrum of the visual evoked potential. The occurrence of short term high frequency components in the spectra of the VEP is usually overshadowed by larger amplitude slow waves which occur simultaneously with the high frequency waves. The high frequency components become evident when the time varying power spectra of short duration (250 ms) segments of the VEP are examined. Two types of short duration time varying power spectra are considered: one is obtained directly from overlapping time segments of the average VEP; and, the other is obtained by computing the spectra from the average autocorrelation functions of overlapping time segments of the data following each stimulus. The first yields the time varying properties for the spectra of the stimulus-synchronized data while, the latter shows the time varying properties of both the synchronized and unsynchronized data present.", "PMID": 615874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1543", "title": "The design of a wireless-controlled intra-oral electrolarynx.", "content": "Many patients who have failed to acquire esophageal speech after total laryngectomy are presently using artificial electrolarynges. Two of the principle objections to currently available devices are their bulkiness and visibility. The authors have developed and tested a wireless-controlled intra-oral electrolarynx which overcomes these main objections. In addition, it produces intelligible speech which compares favorably with other existing devices. In this paper, the design details will be presented which significantly influence the performance and the patients' acceptability of the new device.", "contents": "The design of a wireless-controlled intra-oral electrolarynx. Many patients who have failed to acquire esophageal speech after total laryngectomy are presently using artificial electrolarynges. Two of the principle objections to currently available devices are their bulkiness and visibility. The authors have developed and tested a wireless-controlled intra-oral electrolarynx which overcomes these main objections. In addition, it produces intelligible speech which compares favorably with other existing devices. In this paper, the design details will be presented which significantly influence the performance and the patients' acceptability of the new device.", "PMID": 615875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1544", "title": "Design of the pulsed oxygen cathode.", "content": "This paper presents a theoretical design of the pulsed oxygen cathode. The analysis concerns two major areas: First, a description of the oxygen diffusion currents during the initial 5 msec. after the application of the polarization potential. Second, a determination of the limiting sample rate imposed by a protective coating of given characteristics. It is shown that at 5 msec. after application of the polarization potential the 99% isoconcentration line is 11.8 micron from the cathode surface. The currents during this time can be modeled as linear diffusion. Also, for a minimum step response of 100 msec. the protective coating should have a thickness less than or equal to 13.6 micron.", "contents": "Design of the pulsed oxygen cathode. This paper presents a theoretical design of the pulsed oxygen cathode. The analysis concerns two major areas: First, a description of the oxygen diffusion currents during the initial 5 msec. after the application of the polarization potential. Second, a determination of the limiting sample rate imposed by a protective coating of given characteristics. It is shown that at 5 msec. after application of the polarization potential the 99% isoconcentration line is 11.8 micron from the cathode surface. The currents during this time can be modeled as linear diffusion. Also, for a minimum step response of 100 msec. the protective coating should have a thickness less than or equal to 13.6 micron.", "PMID": 615876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1545", "title": "The design of a monopole radiator to investigate the effect of microwave radiation in biological systems.", "content": "The design of a microwave monopole radiator, using a hollow hypodermic needle, is described. This radiator has two unique features. It allows both i) irradiation of deep biological structures by simple needle injection and ii) simultaneous chemotherapic treatment of tissue. The matching characteristics of the monopole in saline solutions are given.", "contents": "The design of a monopole radiator to investigate the effect of microwave radiation in biological systems. The design of a microwave monopole radiator, using a hollow hypodermic needle, is described. This radiator has two unique features. It allows both i) irradiation of deep biological structures by simple needle injection and ii) simultaneous chemotherapic treatment of tissue. The matching characteristics of the monopole in saline solutions are given.", "PMID": 615877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1546", "title": "A model to predict the incidence of fracture in femoral components.", "content": "The paper presents a probability model for the fracture of femoral components based on the assumption that the components are defect-free, and that they fracture by a fatigue process. The model predicts the probability of fracture for patients of different body weight, and the incidence of fractures versus body weight, and versus time. The results are compared with recently published survey data. In addition the model is used to demonstrate the effect of improvements in the mechanical properties of components. Finally the paper discusses the modifications needed to demonstrate the effect of variations in component design, prosthesis orientation, and level of patient activity, and the effect of time-dependent processes such as bone resorption, acrylic disintegration and shock loads.", "contents": "A model to predict the incidence of fracture in femoral components. The paper presents a probability model for the fracture of femoral components based on the assumption that the components are defect-free, and that they fracture by a fatigue process. The model predicts the probability of fracture for patients of different body weight, and the incidence of fractures versus body weight, and versus time. The results are compared with recently published survey data. In addition the model is used to demonstrate the effect of improvements in the mechanical properties of components. Finally the paper discusses the modifications needed to demonstrate the effect of variations in component design, prosthesis orientation, and level of patient activity, and the effect of time-dependent processes such as bone resorption, acrylic disintegration and shock loads.", "PMID": 615879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1547", "title": "Microscopic fracture aspects of impact tested human bones.", "content": "The fracture aspects of impact twisted human femurs and tibias have been studied in their wet condition. The main tool used to correlate fracture behaviour with bone structure was the scanning electron microscope. Supplementary data were obtained from macroscopic fracture pattern analyses and stress coat experiments on slowly tested dried bone. The interest of the data reported concerns two major points. Firstly the analysis of the fractographic results leads to the conclusion that the fracture has presumably been initiated by shearing parallel with the torsion axis. The fracture propagates along so called spiral and oblique fracture lines. Secondly, the correlation of the macroscopic fracture pattern with microscopic fracture aspects indicates that the fracture is initiated along the cement lines, which can be considered as the weak matrix in an osteon-cement lining composite. The fracture propagates along the cement lines as well as through osteons and lamellae. Throughout the impact fracture surfaces ductile and brittle fracture aspects were observed, although the brittle fracture mode was predominant during propagation.", "contents": "Microscopic fracture aspects of impact tested human bones. The fracture aspects of impact twisted human femurs and tibias have been studied in their wet condition. The main tool used to correlate fracture behaviour with bone structure was the scanning electron microscope. Supplementary data were obtained from macroscopic fracture pattern analyses and stress coat experiments on slowly tested dried bone. The interest of the data reported concerns two major points. Firstly the analysis of the fractographic results leads to the conclusion that the fracture has presumably been initiated by shearing parallel with the torsion axis. The fracture propagates along so called spiral and oblique fracture lines. Secondly, the correlation of the macroscopic fracture pattern with microscopic fracture aspects indicates that the fracture is initiated along the cement lines, which can be considered as the weak matrix in an osteon-cement lining composite. The fracture propagates along the cement lines as well as through osteons and lamellae. Throughout the impact fracture surfaces ductile and brittle fracture aspects were observed, although the brittle fracture mode was predominant during propagation.", "PMID": 615880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1548", "title": "The wear of titanium, titanium alloy, and UHMW polyethylene caused by LTI carbon and Stellite 21.", "content": "The comparative wear resistance of a commercially pure titanium (A-70), a titanium alloy (Beta III), and a UHMW polyethylene (Lennite) has been evaluated by employing a test procedure described previously. Either an LTI carbon or a Stellite 21 was the disk material. All material combinations exhibited a low volume wear rate ranging from about 1.2 x 10(-6) to 1.6 x 10(-6) mm3/km. The wear behavior of pure titanium seems to be related not only to its mechanical properties but also to its chemical reactivity with the test environment. A comparison of the current results with earlier data for LTI carbons suggests that LTI carbons may be used as a component material for many artificial joints.", "contents": "The wear of titanium, titanium alloy, and UHMW polyethylene caused by LTI carbon and Stellite 21. The comparative wear resistance of a commercially pure titanium (A-70), a titanium alloy (Beta III), and a UHMW polyethylene (Lennite) has been evaluated by employing a test procedure described previously. Either an LTI carbon or a Stellite 21 was the disk material. All material combinations exhibited a low volume wear rate ranging from about 1.2 x 10(-6) to 1.6 x 10(-6) mm3/km. The wear behavior of pure titanium seems to be related not only to its mechanical properties but also to its chemical reactivity with the test environment. A comparison of the current results with earlier data for LTI carbons suggests that LTI carbons may be used as a component material for many artificial joints.", "PMID": 615881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1549", "title": "Finite deformation theory for in vivo human skin.", "content": "A finite deformation mathematical model of in vivo human skin has been developed for the normal physiological load range. Uniaxial load-deformation measurements were carried out with a non-invasive extensometer and utilized in formulating the model. The in vivo strain energy function was found to be a linear function of the first two strain invariants and a quadratic function of the third strain invariant. Only three independent constants were necessary to specify the strain energy function completely for the upper extremities of human volunteers.", "contents": "Finite deformation theory for in vivo human skin. A finite deformation mathematical model of in vivo human skin has been developed for the normal physiological load range. Uniaxial load-deformation measurements were carried out with a non-invasive extensometer and utilized in formulating the model. The in vivo strain energy function was found to be a linear function of the first two strain invariants and a quadratic function of the third strain invariant. Only three independent constants were necessary to specify the strain energy function completely for the upper extremities of human volunteers.", "PMID": 615882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1550", "title": "Parameters of stimulation and perception in an artificial sensory feedback system.", "content": "The relationships between stimulus parameters and perceptions in a prosthetic feedback system were measured using psychophysical methods. Electrical stimulation of the median nerve produced a monotonic relation between frequency of stimulation and the perceived magnitude of the stimulus. There were two qualitatively different perceptions of the stimulation; one for low frequencies and one for high. These two qualities fit different psychophysical continuua, kind of stimulation, and amount of stimulation.", "contents": "Parameters of stimulation and perception in an artificial sensory feedback system. The relationships between stimulus parameters and perceptions in a prosthetic feedback system were measured using psychophysical methods. Electrical stimulation of the median nerve produced a monotonic relation between frequency of stimulation and the perceived magnitude of the stimulus. There were two qualitatively different perceptions of the stimulation; one for low frequencies and one for high. These two qualities fit different psychophysical continuua, kind of stimulation, and amount of stimulation.", "PMID": 615883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1551", "title": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of disorders of excessive iron storage of the liver.", "content": "Twelve of 14 patients clinically felt to be iron-overloaded demonstrated livers of higher density than 12 hospital controls. Computer tomography (CT) scanning may be useful in both the initial diagnosis of iron overload in the liver and as a method of following the course of treatment in this condition.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of disorders of excessive iron storage of the liver. Twelve of 14 patients clinically felt to be iron-overloaded demonstrated livers of higher density than 12 hospital controls. Computer tomography (CT) scanning may be useful in both the initial diagnosis of iron overload in the liver and as a method of following the course of treatment in this condition.", "PMID": 615885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1552", "title": "Diagnosis of intrasellar cisternal herniation (empty sella) by computer assisted tomography.", "content": "Twenty-six cases of empty sella were studied using computer assisted tomography (CAT). Emphasis was placed on the technical factors controlling the pictures. The diagnosis seems to be feasible in a large number of cases provided movement artifacts are reduced and the angulation, thickness, and level of the cut are carefully chosen.", "contents": "Diagnosis of intrasellar cisternal herniation (empty sella) by computer assisted tomography. Twenty-six cases of empty sella were studied using computer assisted tomography (CAT). Emphasis was placed on the technical factors controlling the pictures. The diagnosis seems to be feasible in a large number of cases provided movement artifacts are reduced and the angulation, thickness, and level of the cut are carefully chosen.", "PMID": 615886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1553", "title": "Emission computer assisted tomography with single-photon and positron annihilation photon emitters.", "content": "Computed transverse section emission tomography using 99mTc with the Anger camera is compared to positron annihilation coincident detection using a ring of crystals and 68Ga. The single-photon system has a line spread function (LSF) of 9 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) at the collimator and gives a transverse section reconstruction LSF of 11 mm FWHM with 144 views. The positron ring has a LSF of 6 mm at the center with a transverse section reconstruction LSF of 7.5 mm FWHM. Correction for uniformity of detector response and accurate center of rotation determination is essential in both techniques. The signal-to-noise ratio in a reconstruction is diminished by a factor of 1.2 x (number of resolution elements)1/4 over that expected from the average number of events per resolution element. Attenuation compensation causes more noise to appear in the center than the edge for both modes and an average increase in uncertainty of 30%. The effects of attenuation result in more loss of data for positron coincidence imaging than for single-photon imaging even at energies of 80 keV. For a 20-cm cylinder imaged in transverse section, only 20% of the positron annihilation events are not scattered; however, at 140 keV, 40% of the photons are not scattered. The relative crystal efficiency gives single-photon imaging an advantage of 5. On the other hand, the solid angle advantage of positron photon coincidence imaging is about 100 for the comparisons of this paper. Taking these factors into account, we find positron-computed section imaging has a tenfold increase in sensitivity over multiple-view imaging with the scintillation camera, which gives multiple sections but requires camera or patient rotation.", "contents": "Emission computer assisted tomography with single-photon and positron annihilation photon emitters. Computed transverse section emission tomography using 99mTc with the Anger camera is compared to positron annihilation coincident detection using a ring of crystals and 68Ga. The single-photon system has a line spread function (LSF) of 9 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) at the collimator and gives a transverse section reconstruction LSF of 11 mm FWHM with 144 views. The positron ring has a LSF of 6 mm at the center with a transverse section reconstruction LSF of 7.5 mm FWHM. Correction for uniformity of detector response and accurate center of rotation determination is essential in both techniques. The signal-to-noise ratio in a reconstruction is diminished by a factor of 1.2 x (number of resolution elements)1/4 over that expected from the average number of events per resolution element. Attenuation compensation causes more noise to appear in the center than the edge for both modes and an average increase in uncertainty of 30%. The effects of attenuation result in more loss of data for positron coincidence imaging than for single-photon imaging even at energies of 80 keV. For a 20-cm cylinder imaged in transverse section, only 20% of the positron annihilation events are not scattered; however, at 140 keV, 40% of the photons are not scattered. The relative crystal efficiency gives single-photon imaging an advantage of 5. On the other hand, the solid angle advantage of positron photon coincidence imaging is about 100 for the comparisons of this paper. Taking these factors into account, we find positron-computed section imaging has a tenfold increase in sensitivity over multiple-view imaging with the scintillation camera, which gives multiple sections but requires camera or patient rotation.", "PMID": 615887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1554", "title": "Computed tomography of cerebral venous angiomas.", "content": "Six cases of venous angioma of the brain, a rare vascular malformation, were studied by means of computed tomography (CT), angiography, and other tests. In each case, angiography demonstrated the typical normal arterial phase and the network of abnormal veins that converge on a single large draining vein. In three cases, the CT scans showed rounded areas of high density not unlike neoplasms in appearance. In the other cases, the CT scan demonstrated the enlarged draining vein only. The CT scan findings, although not specific, may alert the radiologist to the possibility of this lesion and may lead to its demonstration through angiography.", "contents": "Computed tomography of cerebral venous angiomas. Six cases of venous angioma of the brain, a rare vascular malformation, were studied by means of computed tomography (CT), angiography, and other tests. In each case, angiography demonstrated the typical normal arterial phase and the network of abnormal veins that converge on a single large draining vein. In three cases, the CT scans showed rounded areas of high density not unlike neoplasms in appearance. In the other cases, the CT scan demonstrated the enlarged draining vein only. The CT scan findings, although not specific, may alert the radiologist to the possibility of this lesion and may lead to its demonstration through angiography.", "PMID": 615889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1555", "title": "Display of three-dimensional information in computed tomography.", "content": "From a sequence of computed tomograms of two-dimensional transverse slices of a body one can build up a three-dimensional array of numbers containing spatial rather than cross-sectional information. We have developed computer methods to display a slice at arbitrary orientation through the three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional array of numbers can also be used to display what any particular organ would look like if it were removed from the body. This is done by a computer technique that first detects the surface of the organ of interest and then displays this surface on a screen.", "contents": "Display of three-dimensional information in computed tomography. From a sequence of computed tomograms of two-dimensional transverse slices of a body one can build up a three-dimensional array of numbers containing spatial rather than cross-sectional information. We have developed computer methods to display a slice at arbitrary orientation through the three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional array of numbers can also be used to display what any particular organ would look like if it were removed from the body. This is done by a computer technique that first detects the surface of the organ of interest and then displays this surface on a screen.", "PMID": 615890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1556", "title": "Computed tomography for parathyroid localization.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) of the neck and mediastinum was performed in 10 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Nine had undergone previous surgery and were considered localization problems. Of four subsequently proven cervical adenomas, only one unusually large 19-g adenoma was visualized by CT. However, of two subsequently proven anterior mediastinal adenomas, CT scanning was positive in both; a single posterior mediastinal adenoma was not demonstrated. Of the remaining three patients, one was not operated on; in two others no adenoma was found at surgery. CT scanning is recommended prior to neck surgery in all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism to identify adenomas in the anterior mediastinum.", "contents": "Computed tomography for parathyroid localization. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck and mediastinum was performed in 10 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Nine had undergone previous surgery and were considered localization problems. Of four subsequently proven cervical adenomas, only one unusually large 19-g adenoma was visualized by CT. However, of two subsequently proven anterior mediastinal adenomas, CT scanning was positive in both; a single posterior mediastinal adenoma was not demonstrated. Of the remaining three patients, one was not operated on; in two others no adenoma was found at surgery. CT scanning is recommended prior to neck surgery in all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism to identify adenomas in the anterior mediastinum.", "PMID": 615891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1557", "title": "Use of automated measurements of mean density as an adjunct to computed tomography.", "content": "A system integrated with a first-generation computed tomography (CT) head scanner is described. With the assistance of an additional program and minimal hardware changes, it was possible to examine specific areas on the preinfusion studies and obtain instantaneous printouts of a number of parameters including mean densities. This measurement technique was then applied to the preinfusion scans of \"lucent\" lesions--abscesses, glioblastomas--as well as \"dense\" lesions--recent hemorrhages, some uncalcified meningiomas, and some metastatic melanomas. These five lesions had characteristic mean attenuation values that seem to allow classification of each of the five entities. Hardware and software changes are described and practical application of the system is discussed.", "contents": "Use of automated measurements of mean density as an adjunct to computed tomography. A system integrated with a first-generation computed tomography (CT) head scanner is described. With the assistance of an additional program and minimal hardware changes, it was possible to examine specific areas on the preinfusion studies and obtain instantaneous printouts of a number of parameters including mean densities. This measurement technique was then applied to the preinfusion scans of \"lucent\" lesions--abscesses, glioblastomas--as well as \"dense\" lesions--recent hemorrhages, some uncalcified meningiomas, and some metastatic melanomas. These five lesions had characteristic mean attenuation values that seem to allow classification of each of the five entities. Hardware and software changes are described and practical application of the system is discussed.", "PMID": 615892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1558", "title": "Dynamic positron emission tomography for study of cerebral hemodynamics in a cross section of the head using positron-emitting 68Ga-EDTA and 77Kr.", "content": "Dynamic positron emission tomographic studies were performed on over 120 patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease, arteriovenous malformations, and brain tumors, using the positron section scanner, consisting of a ring of 32 scintillation detectors. The radiopharmaceuticals were nondiffusible 68Ga-EDTA for transit time and uptake studies and the diffusible tracer, 77Kr, for quantitative regional cerebral blood flow studies in every square centimeter of the cross section of the head. The results of dynamic positron emission tomography in correlation with the results from the gamma scintillation camera dynamic studies and computed tomography (CT) scans are discussed.", "contents": "Dynamic positron emission tomography for study of cerebral hemodynamics in a cross section of the head using positron-emitting 68Ga-EDTA and 77Kr. Dynamic positron emission tomographic studies were performed on over 120 patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease, arteriovenous malformations, and brain tumors, using the positron section scanner, consisting of a ring of 32 scintillation detectors. The radiopharmaceuticals were nondiffusible 68Ga-EDTA for transit time and uptake studies and the diffusible tracer, 77Kr, for quantitative regional cerebral blood flow studies in every square centimeter of the cross section of the head. The results of dynamic positron emission tomography in correlation with the results from the gamma scintillation camera dynamic studies and computed tomography (CT) scans are discussed.", "PMID": 615893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1559", "title": "Variation with time of the attenuation values of intracranial hematomas.", "content": "Fourteen cases of subdural, epidural, and intracerebral hematoma, in which the time of the trauma or bleeding was known, were selected. Attenuation of samples taken at surgery showed good correlation with attenuation values determined by computed tomography (CT). The decrease in the attenuation of the hematoma from the time of trauma or bleeding was studied.", "contents": "Variation with time of the attenuation values of intracranial hematomas. Fourteen cases of subdural, epidural, and intracerebral hematoma, in which the time of the trauma or bleeding was known, were selected. Attenuation of samples taken at surgery showed good correlation with attenuation values determined by computed tomography (CT). The decrease in the attenuation of the hematoma from the time of trauma or bleeding was studied.", "PMID": 615894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1560", "title": "Correction for collimator width (restoration) in reconstructive X-ray tomography.", "content": "X-ray measurements made by scanning in a plane, in successive position angles, involve a degradation (smoothing, or blurring) associated with the nonzero width of the strip occupied by the X-ray beam. The collimating holes that define the X-ray beam cannot be made indefinitely small without increasing the X-ray source power indefinitely. However, making a tomogram from the strip integrals is usually handled as though the data consisted of line integrals. The result is that each infinitesimal element of the tomogram is spread out into a density distribution resembling a cone with a central crater. Restoration of the tomogram to correct for the blurring associated with the strip width is warranted and will receive greater attention as the precision of measurements increases and as demand for resolution approaching that of conventional radiography begins to push instrumental design against various limits. Restoration is a well-developed subject, but in each field of application has its own peculiarities. Systematic and statistical properties of tomograms, the character of their errors, and the desired information will influence the future development of restoration in tomography. X-ray tomography is also special in that diffraction of the rays is negligible and that sharp shadow edges may be formed.", "contents": "Correction for collimator width (restoration) in reconstructive X-ray tomography. X-ray measurements made by scanning in a plane, in successive position angles, involve a degradation (smoothing, or blurring) associated with the nonzero width of the strip occupied by the X-ray beam. The collimating holes that define the X-ray beam cannot be made indefinitely small without increasing the X-ray source power indefinitely. However, making a tomogram from the strip integrals is usually handled as though the data consisted of line integrals. The result is that each infinitesimal element of the tomogram is spread out into a density distribution resembling a cone with a central crater. Restoration of the tomogram to correct for the blurring associated with the strip width is warranted and will receive greater attention as the precision of measurements increases and as demand for resolution approaching that of conventional radiography begins to push instrumental design against various limits. Restoration is a well-developed subject, but in each field of application has its own peculiarities. Systematic and statistical properties of tomograms, the character of their errors, and the desired information will influence the future development of restoration in tomography. X-ray tomography is also special in that diffraction of the rays is negligible and that sharp shadow edges may be formed.", "PMID": 615895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1561", "title": "Noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography.", "content": "A general expression is derived for the noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography. The variance is inversely proportional to the cube of the resolution distance. For scanners using a water box, the noise in the reconstructed image depends inversely on the number of detected primary photons, summed over all angles, that have passed through a resolution element. Predictions of this formula agree well with the results of computer simulations. It is shown how this formula can be used to determine such parameters as required X-ray flux, detector counting rate, and dose, with special emphasis on tradeoffs between these parameters and resolution. It is also shown that to determine the X-ray attenuation coefficient of a resolution element to a given precision, the number of photons required by computed X-ray tomography is close to a theoretical limit.", "contents": "Noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography. A general expression is derived for the noise due to photon counting statistics in computed X-ray tomography. The variance is inversely proportional to the cube of the resolution distance. For scanners using a water box, the noise in the reconstructed image depends inversely on the number of detected primary photons, summed over all angles, that have passed through a resolution element. Predictions of this formula agree well with the results of computer simulations. It is shown how this formula can be used to determine such parameters as required X-ray flux, detector counting rate, and dose, with special emphasis on tradeoffs between these parameters and resolution. It is also shown that to determine the X-ray attenuation coefficient of a resolution element to a given precision, the number of photons required by computed X-ray tomography is close to a theoretical limit.", "PMID": 615896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1562", "title": "Computed tomography of the skull base.", "content": "By applying a wide window to computed tomography (CT) images, excellent detail of the skull base has been obtained. This technique has been apllied to lesions involving the sellar, parasellar, sphenoid wing, petrous bone, clival, and foramen magnum regions. Thus, CT has proved to have an additional dimension in the delineation of pathology.", "contents": "Computed tomography of the skull base. By applying a wide window to computed tomography (CT) images, excellent detail of the skull base has been obtained. This technique has been apllied to lesions involving the sellar, parasellar, sphenoid wing, petrous bone, clival, and foramen magnum regions. Thus, CT has proved to have an additional dimension in the delineation of pathology.", "PMID": 615897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1563", "title": "How well recommended are the recommended dietary allowances?", "content": "The Recommended Dietary Allowances serve two basic uses: As guidelines for planning diets and food supplies and as a tool for evaluating nutritional adequacy of food consumed. Establishing standards to serve these functions is not simple. Differences in individuals in different population groups dictate allowances with relatively high margins of safety to prevent deficiencies. Even so, anomalies arise. Surveys have shown that intakes of vitamin A and protein are likely to exceed their respective allowances. On the other hand, calcium and thiamin intakes of older women and iron in teenage boys and women in the reproductive years are difficult to meet in terms of nutrient density ratios. In addition, insufficient data make it impossible to set allowances for some essential trace elements--and, other essential elements may yet be discovered. Thus the allowances are not guaranteed to represent the totality of nutritional needs.", "contents": "How well recommended are the recommended dietary allowances? The Recommended Dietary Allowances serve two basic uses: As guidelines for planning diets and food supplies and as a tool for evaluating nutritional adequacy of food consumed. Establishing standards to serve these functions is not simple. Differences in individuals in different population groups dictate allowances with relatively high margins of safety to prevent deficiencies. Even so, anomalies arise. Surveys have shown that intakes of vitamin A and protein are likely to exceed their respective allowances. On the other hand, calcium and thiamin intakes of older women and iron in teenage boys and women in the reproductive years are difficult to meet in terms of nutrient density ratios. In addition, insufficient data make it impossible to set allowances for some essential trace elements--and, other essential elements may yet be discovered. Thus the allowances are not guaranteed to represent the totality of nutritional needs.", "PMID": 615899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1564", "title": "Physicians' exposure to health topics through mass media: An avenue for improving the dietitian's image.", "content": "Almost all (93 per cent of 150) of the physicians surveyed reported frequent exposure to mass media, and almost two-thirds (60 per cent) state that this exposure included health items. Over half replied that at least one mass media source was useful to them as a source of health information. And, one physician in five (21 per cent) indicated that mass media could influence his attitude about health. The success of the dietitian in the health care setting depends to a large extent on the physician's support. In view of the influence of the mass media on physicians, as reported in this survey, the recommendation is made that dietitians give more attention to this avenue of improving their image with the medical profession.", "contents": "Physicians' exposure to health topics through mass media: An avenue for improving the dietitian's image. Almost all (93 per cent of 150) of the physicians surveyed reported frequent exposure to mass media, and almost two-thirds (60 per cent) state that this exposure included health items. Over half replied that at least one mass media source was useful to them as a source of health information. And, one physician in five (21 per cent) indicated that mass media could influence his attitude about health. The success of the dietitian in the health care setting depends to a large extent on the physician's support. In view of the influence of the mass media on physicians, as reported in this survey, the recommendation is made that dietitians give more attention to this avenue of improving their image with the medical profession.", "PMID": 615901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1565", "title": "Comprehensive evaluation of fatty acids in foods.", "content": "Based on production volume and value and on per capita consumption, shellfish are an important food group in the United States. The nutrient composition of shellfish indicates that this food group is low in fat and relatively high in protein. Tabulated data on fatty acids in the different edible portions of seven species of crustaceans and over twenty species of mollusks are presented. The proportionately high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids is shown by the polyunsaturation index calculated for some important species of shellfish.", "contents": "Comprehensive evaluation of fatty acids in foods. Based on production volume and value and on per capita consumption, shellfish are an important food group in the United States. The nutrient composition of shellfish indicates that this food group is low in fat and relatively high in protein. Tabulated data on fatty acids in the different edible portions of seven species of crustaceans and over twenty species of mollusks are presented. The proportionately high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids is shown by the polyunsaturation index calculated for some important species of shellfish.", "PMID": 615903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1566", "title": "Culture-conflict and psychotherapeutic approach.", "content": "The world-view of a therapist is essentially determined by his own cultural milieu. This hypothesis was tested by involving four therapists from disparate cultural settings in an exercise of planning psychotherapy on the basis of the presentation of a clinical case of a patient treated by the author with a 'culturally relevant' therapeutic technique. The responses of the participants were compared with the process and outcome of the therapy actually carried out.", "contents": "Culture-conflict and psychotherapeutic approach. The world-view of a therapist is essentially determined by his own cultural milieu. This hypothesis was tested by involving four therapists from disparate cultural settings in an exercise of planning psychotherapy on the basis of the presentation of a clinical case of a patient treated by the author with a 'culturally relevant' therapeutic technique. The responses of the participants were compared with the process and outcome of the therapy actually carried out.", "PMID": 615931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1567", "title": "Racial awareness and social identity in young children.", "content": "There is a growing body of evidence which demonstrates that racial awareness and even racial repugnance can be well developed in children of four or five years of age. The semi-projective techniques employed by some investigators have encouraged disputes in interpretation, but the substantive findings of out-group preference by the minority accompanied by pronounced ethnocentricity on the part of the majority is well supported by many sociometric studies. Since a child's sense of his social identity can only be achieved within the context of the system of preferences and biases which exist in a society, it will be argued that the development of prejudice in children is a product of the normal, necessary and rational process of progressively ordering the environment into manageable categories and their need to comprehend their place within it.", "contents": "Racial awareness and social identity in young children. There is a growing body of evidence which demonstrates that racial awareness and even racial repugnance can be well developed in children of four or five years of age. The semi-projective techniques employed by some investigators have encouraged disputes in interpretation, but the substantive findings of out-group preference by the minority accompanied by pronounced ethnocentricity on the part of the majority is well supported by many sociometric studies. Since a child's sense of his social identity can only be achieved within the context of the system of preferences and biases which exist in a society, it will be argued that the development of prejudice in children is a product of the normal, necessary and rational process of progressively ordering the environment into manageable categories and their need to comprehend their place within it.", "PMID": 615932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1568", "title": "Emigration: psychopathologic reaction in the families left behind.", "content": "In order to investigate whether emigration acts as a psychic stress on the families left at home, two groups of families were compared: In group A the head of the family had emigrated, in group B the head of the family was a candidate for emigration. Compared to group B, group A showed a significantly higher rate of psychopathology related to the stress of emigration. Wives and children were mainly affected. The stress of emigration on the wives was corroborated by finding a high proportion of separated couples in group A in comparison with none in group B.", "contents": "Emigration: psychopathologic reaction in the families left behind. In order to investigate whether emigration acts as a psychic stress on the families left at home, two groups of families were compared: In group A the head of the family had emigrated, in group B the head of the family was a candidate for emigration. Compared to group B, group A showed a significantly higher rate of psychopathology related to the stress of emigration. Wives and children were mainly affected. The stress of emigration on the wives was corroborated by finding a high proportion of separated couples in group A in comparison with none in group B.", "PMID": 615933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1569", "title": "The Peasant Connection: social background and mental health of migrant workers in western Europe.", "content": "The paper represents an attempt to look at mental health and mental illness of migrant labourers in Western Europe in the context of their social background, current developments and the global processes they are involved in. Rates of mental illness among migrants are lower than would be predicted on the basis of the severity of the stress they face. Two facts--coming mainly from a peasant origin and perceiving themselves as peasants-in-town--were singled out as central aspects to the understanding of their capacity to cope with the stress due to migration. The main theories about migration are critically reviewed. It is suggested that peasants' strategies of survival in hostile environments underlie the explanation of the unexpected lower rate of mental illness. Phenomena of mental disturbances specific to the group are described and related to social and historical perspectives.", "contents": "The Peasant Connection: social background and mental health of migrant workers in western Europe. The paper represents an attempt to look at mental health and mental illness of migrant labourers in Western Europe in the context of their social background, current developments and the global processes they are involved in. Rates of mental illness among migrants are lower than would be predicted on the basis of the severity of the stress they face. Two facts--coming mainly from a peasant origin and perceiving themselves as peasants-in-town--were singled out as central aspects to the understanding of their capacity to cope with the stress due to migration. The main theories about migration are critically reviewed. It is suggested that peasants' strategies of survival in hostile environments underlie the explanation of the unexpected lower rate of mental illness. Phenomena of mental disturbances specific to the group are described and related to social and historical perspectives.", "PMID": 615934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1570", "title": "Problems of transcultural communication.", "content": "Verbal and non-verbal communication occurs at various levels of meaning and explicitness. This is most obvious in transcultural exchanges and is therefore present in most of our psychological testing for which tests are used from other cultures. The confusion and invalid results of tests used with Ethiopian neurotic students and a group of normal students is used to demonstrate the point.", "contents": "Problems of transcultural communication. Verbal and non-verbal communication occurs at various levels of meaning and explicitness. This is most obvious in transcultural exchanges and is therefore present in most of our psychological testing for which tests are used from other cultures. The confusion and invalid results of tests used with Ethiopian neurotic students and a group of normal students is used to demonstrate the point.", "PMID": 615935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1571", "title": "Notions of the emotions.", "content": "The process of communication of emotional distress from patient to doctor is analysed into several components. The structure of language itself imposes certain limitations on what can be communicated. The doctor's preconceptions influence the way in which he perceives the patients' complaints. The doctor's preconceptions are bound up with his concepts of neurotic illnesses. The patient's complaints are partly determined by his concepts of emotional distress. A comparison of doctors' and patients' concepts of unpleasant emotions by means of a semantic differential technique reveals significant disparities.", "contents": "Notions of the emotions. The process of communication of emotional distress from patient to doctor is analysed into several components. The structure of language itself imposes certain limitations on what can be communicated. The doctor's preconceptions influence the way in which he perceives the patients' complaints. The doctor's preconceptions are bound up with his concepts of neurotic illnesses. The patient's complaints are partly determined by his concepts of emotional distress. A comparison of doctors' and patients' concepts of unpleasant emotions by means of a semantic differential technique reveals significant disparities.", "PMID": 615936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1572", "title": "Psychosocial first aid for refugees (an essay in social psychiatry).", "content": "Post-war refugee resettlement schemes offer an opportunity for the study of contemporary social phenomena of compulsory mass migration. The process, set in motion by man-made disasters of war, oppression and persecution, deeply affects not only the victims but also the social institutions as they mobilize resources to accommodate the stateless and homeless new populations. The traditional focus on 'culture-change' is inadequate for the development of principles of aid to the refugees. In this paper, an operational definition of the structure and natural history of the social situation of resettlement is outlined, with reference to the working hypotheses of (1) the Social Displacement Syndrome and (2) the Psychosocial First Aid for Refugees Project. This has been derived from clinical and field studies of four successive refugee groups in Canada over the past 27 years, with specific focus on the social dynamics of the situation from immediately upon resettlement to one year after. In this early phase, the coexistence of personal and social disequilibrium in the refugees and among those who represent the institutions responsible for their management creates specific conditions, of which some enhance the disposition for recovery or 'repair' and some might reinforce the disposition for lasting 'social breakdown'. Some generalizations concerning practical and theoretical work in social psychiatry are made.", "contents": "Psychosocial first aid for refugees (an essay in social psychiatry). Post-war refugee resettlement schemes offer an opportunity for the study of contemporary social phenomena of compulsory mass migration. The process, set in motion by man-made disasters of war, oppression and persecution, deeply affects not only the victims but also the social institutions as they mobilize resources to accommodate the stateless and homeless new populations. The traditional focus on 'culture-change' is inadequate for the development of principles of aid to the refugees. In this paper, an operational definition of the structure and natural history of the social situation of resettlement is outlined, with reference to the working hypotheses of (1) the Social Displacement Syndrome and (2) the Psychosocial First Aid for Refugees Project. This has been derived from clinical and field studies of four successive refugee groups in Canada over the past 27 years, with specific focus on the social dynamics of the situation from immediately upon resettlement to one year after. In this early phase, the coexistence of personal and social disequilibrium in the refugees and among those who represent the institutions responsible for their management creates specific conditions, of which some enhance the disposition for recovery or 'repair' and some might reinforce the disposition for lasting 'social breakdown'. Some generalizations concerning practical and theoretical work in social psychiatry are made.", "PMID": 615937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1573", "title": "A study of reported hallucinations in a southeastern county.", "content": "In traditional Western psychiatric theory, seeing or hearing things that other people do not think are there could be termed a hallucination which is often considered indicative of underlying psychopathology. The psychiatric interpretation of pathological meanings of these experiences for an individual can be contrasted with an anthropologic approach which considers whether there are underlying cultural influences to account for certain distributions of reported hallucinations and their content and to ask about the social and spiritual, as well as psychologic, meanings of such experiences. This paper presents data on reported hallucinations in a random sample of the general population of a county in north central Florida. When the results of the questions on hallucinations were compared in relation to sociodemographic variables, it was found that hallucinations were more commonly reported by the young, by blacks, by members of the lower socioeconomic quintiles and by those belonging to certain church types. These data will be discussed from the complementing and contrasting psychiatric and anthropologic viewpoints.", "contents": "A study of reported hallucinations in a southeastern county. In traditional Western psychiatric theory, seeing or hearing things that other people do not think are there could be termed a hallucination which is often considered indicative of underlying psychopathology. The psychiatric interpretation of pathological meanings of these experiences for an individual can be contrasted with an anthropologic approach which considers whether there are underlying cultural influences to account for certain distributions of reported hallucinations and their content and to ask about the social and spiritual, as well as psychologic, meanings of such experiences. This paper presents data on reported hallucinations in a random sample of the general population of a county in north central Florida. When the results of the questions on hallucinations were compared in relation to sociodemographic variables, it was found that hallucinations were more commonly reported by the young, by blacks, by members of the lower socioeconomic quintiles and by those belonging to certain church types. These data will be discussed from the complementing and contrasting psychiatric and anthropologic viewpoints.", "PMID": 615938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1574", "title": "A comparision of percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal neurolysis and microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve for the treatment of tic douloureux.", "content": "In a 36-month period, 103 consecutive patients have been treated for classical trigeminal neuralgia with either percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal neurolysis (PTN) (48 patients) or microvascular decompression (MVD) via a suboccipital craniectomy (55 patients). The results of these two procedures are tabulated, emphasizing especially the complications that have occurred with each. Successful initial relief of pain was achieved in 88% of the patients with PTN and 96% of the patients with MVD. Two significant complications occurred in the former group. Severe recurrences have occurred to date in 13% of the patients with PTN and in 5% of those with MVD. It is concluded that both procedures are effective, but that microvascular decompression offers the advantage of avoiding sensory loss and associated dysesthetic sensations. Follow-up is too short to conclude that MVD is a curative procedure, but the early results are very encouraging.", "contents": "A comparision of percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal neurolysis and microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve for the treatment of tic douloureux. In a 36-month period, 103 consecutive patients have been treated for classical trigeminal neuralgia with either percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal neurolysis (PTN) (48 patients) or microvascular decompression (MVD) via a suboccipital craniectomy (55 patients). The results of these two procedures are tabulated, emphasizing especially the complications that have occurred with each. Successful initial relief of pain was achieved in 88% of the patients with PTN and 96% of the patients with MVD. Two significant complications occurred in the former group. Severe recurrences have occurred to date in 13% of the patients with PTN and in 5% of those with MVD. It is concluded that both procedures are effective, but that microvascular decompression offers the advantage of avoiding sensory loss and associated dysesthetic sensations. Follow-up is too short to conclude that MVD is a curative procedure, but the early results are very encouraging.", "PMID": 615946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1575", "title": "Complications of chemonucleolysis for lumbar disc disease.", "content": "In 13,700 patients who received one or more lumbar disc injections of chymopapain, 401 complications, adverse reactions, and delayed untoward events were recorded, including eight deaths. The deaths were secondary to anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (two patients), encephalitis (of unknown etiology), and myocardial infarction. Of these, the deaths secondary to anaphylaxis and discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis can be attributed directly to the procedure of chemonucleolysis.", "contents": "Complications of chemonucleolysis for lumbar disc disease. In 13,700 patients who received one or more lumbar disc injections of chymopapain, 401 complications, adverse reactions, and delayed untoward events were recorded, including eight deaths. The deaths were secondary to anaphylaxis, pulmonary embolism, discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (two patients), encephalitis (of unknown etiology), and myocardial infarction. Of these, the deaths secondary to anaphylaxis and discitis with subacute bacterial endocarditis can be attributed directly to the procedure of chemonucleolysis.", "PMID": 615947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1576", "title": "Results of microsurgical extra-intracranial arterial bypass in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.", "content": "The authors report the operative and follow-up results (3 months to 9 years) of 86 consecutive extra-intracranial bypass operations on 84 patients with cerebral ischemia, emphasizing both the prophylactic role of the operation in preventing further catastrophic cerebral ischemia, and the low morbidity and mortality of the operation.", "contents": "Results of microsurgical extra-intracranial arterial bypass in the treatment of cerebral ischemia. The authors report the operative and follow-up results (3 months to 9 years) of 86 consecutive extra-intracranial bypass operations on 84 patients with cerebral ischemia, emphasizing both the prophylactic role of the operation in preventing further catastrophic cerebral ischemia, and the low morbidity and mortality of the operation.", "PMID": 615948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1577", "title": "Anatomical grading of supratentorial arteriovenous malformations for determining operability.", "content": "After the study of over 300 angiograms of supratentorial cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM's), the authors have formulated an anatomical grading scheme of I to IV to correspond to the degrees of surgical difficulty for total obliteration. The grading is based upon the number of directly participating arteries for which there is a standardized nomenclature. Occasionally, allowance for clinical grading, in addition to this anatomical grading, must be made. Also, for the anticipation of morbidity, but not mortality, the location of the lesion is important. The authors present the postoperative results in a series of 49 patients to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of the grading scheme.", "contents": "Anatomical grading of supratentorial arteriovenous malformations for determining operability. After the study of over 300 angiograms of supratentorial cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM's), the authors have formulated an anatomical grading scheme of I to IV to correspond to the degrees of surgical difficulty for total obliteration. The grading is based upon the number of directly participating arteries for which there is a standardized nomenclature. Occasionally, allowance for clinical grading, in addition to this anatomical grading, must be made. Also, for the anticipation of morbidity, but not mortality, the location of the lesion is important. The authors present the postoperative results in a series of 49 patients to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of the grading scheme.", "PMID": 615949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1578", "title": "The infratentorial-supracerebellar exposure of tumors in the pineal area.", "content": "Nine pineal area lesions were operated upon by the infratentorial-supracerebellar approach. There was one operative death and one death due to disseminated germinoma recurrence 2 1/2 years postoperatively. The remaining seven patients have shown no sign of recurrence and are neurologically normal. The surgical method that has evolved through these nine cases is discussed. The infratentorial-supracebebellar exposure is an excellent one for lesions in the region of the pineal gland, posterior 3rd ventricle, and superior cerebellar vermis. Access is less hampered by the major tributaries of the vein of Galen than with the supratentorial operations. This approach is also a useful extension of the standard posterior fossa exploration when dealing with primarily subtentorial lesions that involve the dorsal midbrain or herniate upward.", "contents": "The infratentorial-supracerebellar exposure of tumors in the pineal area. Nine pineal area lesions were operated upon by the infratentorial-supracerebellar approach. There was one operative death and one death due to disseminated germinoma recurrence 2 1/2 years postoperatively. The remaining seven patients have shown no sign of recurrence and are neurologically normal. The surgical method that has evolved through these nine cases is discussed. The infratentorial-supracebebellar exposure is an excellent one for lesions in the region of the pineal gland, posterior 3rd ventricle, and superior cerebellar vermis. Access is less hampered by the major tributaries of the vein of Galen than with the supratentorial operations. This approach is also a useful extension of the standard posterior fossa exploration when dealing with primarily subtentorial lesions that involve the dorsal midbrain or herniate upward.", "PMID": 615950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1579", "title": "A study of experimental syringomyelia by scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "Experimental hydromyelia and syringomyelia, induced by kaolin in dogs, has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. This study demonstrated that communication between the 4th ventricle and the spinal central canal is normally occluded by a plug of acellular material lying within the central canal. This plug is broken down following the onset of hydrocephalus and communication is rapidly established between the ventricles and the central canal. The canal distends and ruptures dorsally into the spinal gray matter with the development of extensive intramedullary cavities, lined by glial and neuronal elements. The morphological changes demonstrated are consistent with a physical destructive process of the cord resulting from CSF dissection.", "contents": "A study of experimental syringomyelia by scanning electron microscopy. Experimental hydromyelia and syringomyelia, induced by kaolin in dogs, has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. This study demonstrated that communication between the 4th ventricle and the spinal central canal is normally occluded by a plug of acellular material lying within the central canal. This plug is broken down following the onset of hydrocephalus and communication is rapidly established between the ventricles and the central canal. The canal distends and ruptures dorsally into the spinal gray matter with the development of extensive intramedullary cavities, lined by glial and neuronal elements. The morphological changes demonstrated are consistent with a physical destructive process of the cord resulting from CSF dissection.", "PMID": 615951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1580", "title": "Recirculatory spinal subarachnoid perfusions in dogs: a method for determining CSF dynamics under non-steady state conditions.", "content": "Open-ended ventriculocisternal perfusion techniques for determining cerebrospinal fluid production and absorption rates are severely restricted by the absolute requirement that steady state conditions be present. A new closed recirculatory spinal perfusion technique is described. Because steady state equilibrium is not necessary, numerous determinations at multiple intracranial pressures or under varied experimental conditions are possible within relatively brief perfusion periods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nondiffusible albumin tracer are rapidly recirculated through the spinal subarachnoid space in a cephalad direction. The concentration of fluorescein-tagged albumin is continuously monitored as the CSF is circulated through a fluorometric flow cell. Measured continuously, intracranial pressure (ICP) is regulated by changing the volume of the external perfusion circuit with a syringe pump connected in series to the recirculatory spinal perfusion. CSF formation and absorption rates are calculated from measurements of albumin concentration, concentration changes with time, ICP, syringe pump infusion rate, and the external perfusion circuit volume. In dogs, data can be collected after only 45 minutes for mixing; perfusions at four or five intracranial pressures in addition to normal resting pressure can be completed within 2 to 3 hours. The data from 15 perfusions in 14 dogs are presented. The method provides normal resting pressure values of CSF production and absorption consistent with those values in the literature determined by traditional ventriculocisternal perfusion techniques. Determinations at multiple intracranial pressures suggest a proportional relationship between absorption and ICP. No consistent acute change in CSF formation with pressures to 50 mm Hg can be inferred from these data.", "contents": "Recirculatory spinal subarachnoid perfusions in dogs: a method for determining CSF dynamics under non-steady state conditions. Open-ended ventriculocisternal perfusion techniques for determining cerebrospinal fluid production and absorption rates are severely restricted by the absolute requirement that steady state conditions be present. A new closed recirculatory spinal perfusion technique is described. Because steady state equilibrium is not necessary, numerous determinations at multiple intracranial pressures or under varied experimental conditions are possible within relatively brief perfusion periods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nondiffusible albumin tracer are rapidly recirculated through the spinal subarachnoid space in a cephalad direction. The concentration of fluorescein-tagged albumin is continuously monitored as the CSF is circulated through a fluorometric flow cell. Measured continuously, intracranial pressure (ICP) is regulated by changing the volume of the external perfusion circuit with a syringe pump connected in series to the recirculatory spinal perfusion. CSF formation and absorption rates are calculated from measurements of albumin concentration, concentration changes with time, ICP, syringe pump infusion rate, and the external perfusion circuit volume. In dogs, data can be collected after only 45 minutes for mixing; perfusions at four or five intracranial pressures in addition to normal resting pressure can be completed within 2 to 3 hours. The data from 15 perfusions in 14 dogs are presented. The method provides normal resting pressure values of CSF production and absorption consistent with those values in the literature determined by traditional ventriculocisternal perfusion techniques. Determinations at multiple intracranial pressures suggest a proportional relationship between absorption and ICP. No consistent acute change in CSF formation with pressures to 50 mm Hg can be inferred from these data.", "PMID": 615952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1581", "title": "Cranial computed tomographic demonstration of intracranial penetration by an orbital foreign body.", "content": "A 9-year-old boy suffered intracerebral penetration by a stick driven into his right orbit. Diagnosis was obtained by cranial computed tomography (CT), and this test directed appropriate immediate surgical intervention. Combined orbital exploration and craniotomy was followed by a gratifying recovery. The importance of CT in orbital and possible intracranial trauma is stressed.", "contents": "Cranial computed tomographic demonstration of intracranial penetration by an orbital foreign body. A 9-year-old boy suffered intracerebral penetration by a stick driven into his right orbit. Diagnosis was obtained by cranial computed tomography (CT), and this test directed appropriate immediate surgical intervention. Combined orbital exploration and craniotomy was followed by a gratifying recovery. The importance of CT in orbital and possible intracranial trauma is stressed.", "PMID": 615953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1582", "title": "Intraoperative intracranial angiography.", "content": "Forty-one intraoperative angiograms were performed on 39 patients undergoing surgical therapy for aneurysms or excision of deep arteriovenous malformations. Good quality radiographs were produced in each case using commonly available equipment. One nonfatal stroke syndrome was the only serious complication possibly attributable to these angiograms. The techniques of opacifying the anterior and posterior intracranial circulations are described and the value of angiography in the intraoperative situation is discussed.", "contents": "Intraoperative intracranial angiography. Forty-one intraoperative angiograms were performed on 39 patients undergoing surgical therapy for aneurysms or excision of deep arteriovenous malformations. Good quality radiographs were produced in each case using commonly available equipment. One nonfatal stroke syndrome was the only serious complication possibly attributable to these angiograms. The techniques of opacifying the anterior and posterior intracranial circulations are described and the value of angiography in the intraoperative situation is discussed.", "PMID": 615959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1583", "title": "Computer processing of CT images: advances and prospects.", "content": "Computerized tomography (CT) images are created by computer and as such are inherently amenable to computer image processing techniques. Advances have been made in the areas of alternative visualization (coronal views, etc.), image enhancement, feature extraction, and computer analysis of the extracted information. Further advances await imaginative application of these techniques and time; others will depend upon necessary advances in image processing methods.", "contents": "Computer processing of CT images: advances and prospects. Computerized tomography (CT) images are created by computer and as such are inherently amenable to computer image processing techniques. Advances have been made in the areas of alternative visualization (coronal views, etc.), image enhancement, feature extraction, and computer analysis of the extracted information. Further advances await imaginative application of these techniques and time; others will depend upon necessary advances in image processing methods.", "PMID": 615956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1584", "title": "Fractures of the second cervical vertebra: Internal fixation by interlaminar wiring.", "content": "Fractures of the 2nd cervical vertebra are frequently undetected on initial evaluation. Tomography may be necessary to delineate the fracture. This is a report of 20 patients treated by internal fixation using interlaminar wiring. There was no operative mortality. Follow-up studies, an average of 25 months after operation, demonstrated satisfactory results and no evidence of delayed neurological deficit.", "contents": "Fractures of the second cervical vertebra: Internal fixation by interlaminar wiring. Fractures of the 2nd cervical vertebra are frequently undetected on initial evaluation. Tomography may be necessary to delineate the fracture. This is a report of 20 patients treated by internal fixation using interlaminar wiring. There was no operative mortality. Follow-up studies, an average of 25 months after operation, demonstrated satisfactory results and no evidence of delayed neurological deficit.", "PMID": 615961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1585", "title": "The microsurgical anatomy of the basilar artery bifurcation.", "content": "The vascular microsurgical anatomy in the area of the basilar artery bifurcation is described in 30 autopsy dissections. Particular emphasis is placed on variations of the posterior thalamoperforators and their relation to the proximal posterior cerebral artery and basilar bifurcation.", "contents": "The microsurgical anatomy of the basilar artery bifurcation. The vascular microsurgical anatomy in the area of the basilar artery bifurcation is described in 30 autopsy dissections. Particular emphasis is placed on variations of the posterior thalamoperforators and their relation to the proximal posterior cerebral artery and basilar bifurcation.", "PMID": 615962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1586", "title": "The determination of speech organization in a patient with an arteriovenous malformation.", "content": "A case is reported of an arteriovenous malformation in the left motor speech area which was successfully excised without aphasia in a right-handed man. Preoperative sodium amobarbital carotid infusion testing demonstrated that the patient had right hemisphere dominance for speech. A review of the literature suggests that this is not an uncommon occurrence in individuals with congenital lesions of the left cerebral hemisphere. Lateralization of speech dominance should be established through definitive testing in these cases, especially if surgical removal of the malformation is contemplated.", "contents": "The determination of speech organization in a patient with an arteriovenous malformation. A case is reported of an arteriovenous malformation in the left motor speech area which was successfully excised without aphasia in a right-handed man. Preoperative sodium amobarbital carotid infusion testing demonstrated that the patient had right hemisphere dominance for speech. A review of the literature suggests that this is not an uncommon occurrence in individuals with congenital lesions of the left cerebral hemisphere. Lateralization of speech dominance should be established through definitive testing in these cases, especially if surgical removal of the malformation is contemplated.", "PMID": 615960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1587", "title": "Self-contained tubular drill guard for anterior cervical fusion.", "content": "A self-contained tubular drill guard was adapted for use in performing anterior cervical discectomies and interbody fusions. The use of this instrument eliminates steps, provides absolute safety against drilling too deeply, allows for adjustment in individual cases, provides for easy inspection of the trephine hole, permits electing the cephalocaudal angle of the drill, and gives a measurement of the ultimate depth of the trephine hole. In 171 consecutive operations only one neurological complication occurred, and total morbidity related to cervical surgery was 6% (7% morbidity was associated with surgery at the donor site). The data suggest that the technical modification herein advocated reduces the surgical complication rate.", "contents": "Self-contained tubular drill guard for anterior cervical fusion. A self-contained tubular drill guard was adapted for use in performing anterior cervical discectomies and interbody fusions. The use of this instrument eliminates steps, provides absolute safety against drilling too deeply, allows for adjustment in individual cases, provides for easy inspection of the trephine hole, permits electing the cephalocaudal angle of the drill, and gives a measurement of the ultimate depth of the trephine hole. In 171 consecutive operations only one neurological complication occurred, and total morbidity related to cervical surgery was 6% (7% morbidity was associated with surgery at the donor site). The data suggest that the technical modification herein advocated reduces the surgical complication rate.", "PMID": 615963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1588", "title": "The intracranial pressure-monitoring cup catheter: technical note.", "content": "The author describes a simple catheter designed for use in the measurement of intracranial pressure, especially during the initial stage following craniotomy. The device has been studied in experimental animals, and has been used in 40 neurosurgical patients for periods up to 15 days.", "contents": "The intracranial pressure-monitoring cup catheter: technical note. The author describes a simple catheter designed for use in the measurement of intracranial pressure, especially during the initial stage following craniotomy. The device has been studied in experimental animals, and has been used in 40 neurosurgical patients for periods up to 15 days.", "PMID": 615964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1589", "title": "Cerebral arterial spasm: A discussion of present and future research.", "content": "The author presents a discussion of research on cerebral arterial spasm. Arterial smooth muscle contraction, receptor and relaxation mechanisms are presented in the context of what is known about cerebral arterial spasm and the biochemistry of vascular smooth muscle. Several new experimental approaches are suggested and a theoretical biochemical basis for the idea that damage to the artery alone could cause cerebral arterial spasm is postulated. Methods of determining cerebral arterial spasm and the need for a quantitative, in vivo method are discussed and the question of an irreversible stage of cerebral arterial spasm is considered. Finally, the problems associated with the delivery of a potentially successful treatment to the cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells are examined.", "contents": "Cerebral arterial spasm: A discussion of present and future research. The author presents a discussion of research on cerebral arterial spasm. Arterial smooth muscle contraction, receptor and relaxation mechanisms are presented in the context of what is known about cerebral arterial spasm and the biochemistry of vascular smooth muscle. Several new experimental approaches are suggested and a theoretical biochemical basis for the idea that damage to the artery alone could cause cerebral arterial spasm is postulated. Methods of determining cerebral arterial spasm and the need for a quantitative, in vivo method are discussed and the question of an irreversible stage of cerebral arterial spasm is considered. Finally, the problems associated with the delivery of a potentially successful treatment to the cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells are examined.", "PMID": 615965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1590", "title": "Long term results in the management of craniopharyngiomas.", "content": "The results of surgical treatment, with and without radiotherapy, in 50 patients with craniopharyngioma treated over a 26-year period at the Cleveland Clinic are presented. Thirty-five patients were operated upon before the introduction of the operating microscope, and 30 of these survived operation. In this group of 30 patients, long term survival (5 to 24 years) occurred in 8 of 10 (80%) nonradiated patients who were considered to have had total excision. Nine of 11 patients (82%) who had aggressive subtotal excision and radiation therapy have survived from 3 to 17 years. Seven of nine patients (78%) died 1 to 14 years after subtotal excision without radiation therapy. Since the introduction of the operating microscope in 1972, 15 patients have had surgical treatment, and 12 of these have survived.", "contents": "Long term results in the management of craniopharyngiomas. The results of surgical treatment, with and without radiotherapy, in 50 patients with craniopharyngioma treated over a 26-year period at the Cleveland Clinic are presented. Thirty-five patients were operated upon before the introduction of the operating microscope, and 30 of these survived operation. In this group of 30 patients, long term survival (5 to 24 years) occurred in 8 of 10 (80%) nonradiated patients who were considered to have had total excision. Nine of 11 patients (82%) who had aggressive subtotal excision and radiation therapy have survived from 3 to 17 years. Seven of nine patients (78%) died 1 to 14 years after subtotal excision without radiation therapy. Since the introduction of the operating microscope in 1972, 15 patients have had surgical treatment, and 12 of these have survived.", "PMID": 615967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1591", "title": "Brain vascularization by transplanted omentum: a possible treatment of cerebral ischemia.", "content": "The authors report their experience with experimental brain vascularization with the use of transplanted omentum majus. The possibility of treating cerebral ischemia with this method is discussed.", "contents": "Brain vascularization by transplanted omentum: a possible treatment of cerebral ischemia. The authors report their experience with experimental brain vascularization with the use of transplanted omentum majus. The possibility of treating cerebral ischemia with this method is discussed.", "PMID": 615970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1592", "title": "How old people tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysm.", "content": "The purpose of this paper is to examine how well (or poorly) patients past the age of 60 tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysms in all locations. The records of 93 consecutive good risk patients (Botterell Grades 1 and 2) have been reviewed. Co-existing chronic medical conditions, e.g., hypertension, were ignored in patient grading. The results indicate that, for treatment of aneurysms on the anterior circulation, older patients tolerate intracranial procedures as well as younger patients. This is not true for operations upon posterior circulation aneurysms. Some possible reasons for this discrepancy are suggested.", "contents": "How old people tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysm. The purpose of this paper is to examine how well (or poorly) patients past the age of 60 tolerate intracranial surgery for aneurysms in all locations. The records of 93 consecutive good risk patients (Botterell Grades 1 and 2) have been reviewed. Co-existing chronic medical conditions, e.g., hypertension, were ignored in patient grading. The results indicate that, for treatment of aneurysms on the anterior circulation, older patients tolerate intracranial procedures as well as younger patients. This is not true for operations upon posterior circulation aneurysms. Some possible reasons for this discrepancy are suggested.", "PMID": 615968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1593", "title": "The use of a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitor in clinical practice.", "content": "Four years of clinical experience with a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitor are presented. One hundred forty patients were monitored, of whom 80 had increased intracranial pressure. Of the patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage, 100% had increased pressure. Forty-seven of 69 patients with head injuries had elevated pressure; of these, 28 had pressure significant enough to require therapy. Both the patients with head injuries and those with nontraumatic hemorrhage were more effectively treated by using the results of pressure monitoring to determine when therapy was required and to indicate the response of the patient to that therapy. Despite the evidence, monitoring of intracranial pressure is not routine due to a lack of acceptance and effectiveness. To overcome such problems, a system must meet the criteria of ease of insertion, reliability, and lack of complications. These criteria are fulfilled by the fiberoptic system presented.", "contents": "The use of a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitor in clinical practice. Four years of clinical experience with a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitor are presented. One hundred forty patients were monitored, of whom 80 had increased intracranial pressure. Of the patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage, 100% had increased pressure. Forty-seven of 69 patients with head injuries had elevated pressure; of these, 28 had pressure significant enough to require therapy. Both the patients with head injuries and those with nontraumatic hemorrhage were more effectively treated by using the results of pressure monitoring to determine when therapy was required and to indicate the response of the patient to that therapy. Despite the evidence, monitoring of intracranial pressure is not routine due to a lack of acceptance and effectiveness. To overcome such problems, a system must meet the criteria of ease of insertion, reliability, and lack of complications. These criteria are fulfilled by the fiberoptic system presented.", "PMID": 615971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1594", "title": "Cerebral vasospasm with ruptured saccular aneurysm--the clinical manifestations.", "content": "Fifty cases of verified intracranial ruptured saccular aneurysm were analyzed to investigate the relationship of the development of a delayed cerebral ischemic deficit to the presence of cerebral vasospasm visualized on angiography. Twenty-five patients developed a delayed ischemic deficit (DID), and all showed Grade 3+ or 4+ vasospasm. Nineteen patients had Grade 0, 1+, or 2+ vasospasm, and none developed a DID. It was concluded that in this study vasospasm accounted for all DID's and that in the absence of vasospasm DID did not occur. The DID occurred most often on Day 8 (7 of 25 cases).", "contents": "Cerebral vasospasm with ruptured saccular aneurysm--the clinical manifestations. Fifty cases of verified intracranial ruptured saccular aneurysm were analyzed to investigate the relationship of the development of a delayed cerebral ischemic deficit to the presence of cerebral vasospasm visualized on angiography. Twenty-five patients developed a delayed ischemic deficit (DID), and all showed Grade 3+ or 4+ vasospasm. Nineteen patients had Grade 0, 1+, or 2+ vasospasm, and none developed a DID. It was concluded that in this study vasospasm accounted for all DID's and that in the absence of vasospasm DID did not occur. The DID occurred most often on Day 8 (7 of 25 cases).", "PMID": 615969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1595", "title": "Intracranial dermoid tumor: diagnosis by computed tomography. A case report.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) of an intracranial dermoid tumor in a 43-year-old woman demonstrated a central soft tissue density (hair) in a low density (fat) cavity with a partially calcified wall. There was no contrast enhancement of the tumor. The CT findings were the most conclusive in the diagnosis and were helpful in the management of the patient.", "contents": "Intracranial dermoid tumor: diagnosis by computed tomography. A case report. Computed tomography (CT) of an intracranial dermoid tumor in a 43-year-old woman demonstrated a central soft tissue density (hair) in a low density (fat) cavity with a partially calcified wall. There was no contrast enhancement of the tumor. The CT findings were the most conclusive in the diagnosis and were helpful in the management of the patient.", "PMID": 615974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1596", "title": "Cranial epidermoid tumors: diagnosis by computed tomography.", "content": "Using seven illustrative cases, the authors discuss the computerized tomographic (CT) appearance of cranial epidermoid tumors. These tumors are of low density (-2 to +10 EMI units), seldom show calcification, and do not enhance with contrast medium. Their differentiation from dermoid tumors and craniopharyngiomas is also discussed.", "contents": "Cranial epidermoid tumors: diagnosis by computed tomography. Using seven illustrative cases, the authors discuss the computerized tomographic (CT) appearance of cranial epidermoid tumors. These tumors are of low density (-2 to +10 EMI units), seldom show calcification, and do not enhance with contrast medium. Their differentiation from dermoid tumors and craniopharyngiomas is also discussed.", "PMID": 615973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1597", "title": "Large basal ganglia cyst in site of previously radiated glioma. Case report.", "content": "A 3 1/2-year-old boy developed a mass lesion in the right basal ganglia and midbrain, compatible with glioma. During radiation therapy, aqueduct obstruction developed, necessitating a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt. The child improved and remained well for 6 years, when he developed recurrent symptoms. A computerized tomographic (CT) scan and ventriculogram revealed a large cyst arising from the region of the right basal ganglia, the site of the previous tumor. The VA shunt was converted to a cyst atrial shunt. Subsequently, the cyst decreased in size, but hydrocephalus recurred, as demonstrated by a second CT scan. A Y-tube shunt (one catheter in the cyst, one in the ventricle) has controlled symptoms and signs since that time.", "contents": "Large basal ganglia cyst in site of previously radiated glioma. Case report. A 3 1/2-year-old boy developed a mass lesion in the right basal ganglia and midbrain, compatible with glioma. During radiation therapy, aqueduct obstruction developed, necessitating a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt. The child improved and remained well for 6 years, when he developed recurrent symptoms. A computerized tomographic (CT) scan and ventriculogram revealed a large cyst arising from the region of the right basal ganglia, the site of the previous tumor. The VA shunt was converted to a cyst atrial shunt. Subsequently, the cyst decreased in size, but hydrocephalus recurred, as demonstrated by a second CT scan. A Y-tube shunt (one catheter in the cyst, one in the ventricle) has controlled symptoms and signs since that time.", "PMID": 615975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1598", "title": "Spontaneous thrombosis of an arteriovenous malformation.", "content": "Extensive thrombosis of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, not associated with clinically recognizable hemorrhage, appears to be exceedingly rare. Angiographic and operative verification of such an occurrence is described in a 4-year-old child. Computed axial tomographic and ultrasonographic findings are discussed. It is proposed that thrombosis of the anomaly occurred as a result of intravascular turbulence, promoted by progressive elongation and increasing tortuosity of the lesion.", "contents": "Spontaneous thrombosis of an arteriovenous malformation. Extensive thrombosis of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, not associated with clinically recognizable hemorrhage, appears to be exceedingly rare. Angiographic and operative verification of such an occurrence is described in a 4-year-old child. Computed axial tomographic and ultrasonographic findings are discussed. It is proposed that thrombosis of the anomaly occurred as a result of intravascular turbulence, promoted by progressive elongation and increasing tortuosity of the lesion.", "PMID": 615976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1599", "title": "Aneurysms of the persistent hypoglossal artery.", "content": "The primitive hypoglossal artery is one of four embryonic anastomoses between the carotid and basilar arterial systems. The so-called persistent hypoglossal artery is most likely a complex vessel comprised proximally of a persistent hypoglossal artery and distally of components of the primitive lateral basilar-vertebral anastomotic network. This is the sixth reported case of an aneurysm of the persistent hypoglossal artery, and it is unique in its association with two supratentorial aneuryms, one of which had ruptured. All three aneurysms were treated by a direct surgical approach (two operations). Review of the other published cases demonstrates that these aneurysms arise at the junction of the persistent hypoglossal with the basilar artery. Aneurysms of this vessel require direct surgical treatment, because the parent vessel is functionally the only artery supplying the brain stem and therefore may not be ligated. The aneurysms usually lie in the subarachnoid space, indenting the brain stem, and may be approached through a suboccipital craniectomy.", "contents": "Aneurysms of the persistent hypoglossal artery. The primitive hypoglossal artery is one of four embryonic anastomoses between the carotid and basilar arterial systems. The so-called persistent hypoglossal artery is most likely a complex vessel comprised proximally of a persistent hypoglossal artery and distally of components of the primitive lateral basilar-vertebral anastomotic network. This is the sixth reported case of an aneurysm of the persistent hypoglossal artery, and it is unique in its association with two supratentorial aneuryms, one of which had ruptured. All three aneurysms were treated by a direct surgical approach (two operations). Review of the other published cases demonstrates that these aneurysms arise at the junction of the persistent hypoglossal with the basilar artery. Aneurysms of this vessel require direct surgical treatment, because the parent vessel is functionally the only artery supplying the brain stem and therefore may not be ligated. The aneurysms usually lie in the subarachnoid space, indenting the brain stem, and may be approached through a suboccipital craniectomy.", "PMID": 615977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1600", "title": "Hypogammaglobulinemia and Nocardia brain abscesses.", "content": "The host defense responses to Nocardia asteroides are not known. We have investigated a patient with common variable adult onset hypogammaglobulinemia who developed fatal disseminated nocardiosis. The patient had low levels of serum immunoglobulins; the total lymphocyte count was normal as were the percentages of circulating T and B cells. Transmission electron microscopic studies demonstrated typical N. asteroides within the brain parenchyma and nonspecific inflammatory changes in the central nervous system. The findings suggest that humoral immunity may play a major role in the host defense of patients with this disease.", "contents": "Hypogammaglobulinemia and Nocardia brain abscesses. The host defense responses to Nocardia asteroides are not known. We have investigated a patient with common variable adult onset hypogammaglobulinemia who developed fatal disseminated nocardiosis. The patient had low levels of serum immunoglobulins; the total lymphocyte count was normal as were the percentages of circulating T and B cells. Transmission electron microscopic studies demonstrated typical N. asteroides within the brain parenchyma and nonspecific inflammatory changes in the central nervous system. The findings suggest that humoral immunity may play a major role in the host defense of patients with this disease.", "PMID": 615978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1601", "title": "Rancho flotation bed.", "content": "The Rancho Flotation Bed provides hydrostatic support with maximum pressures over bony prominences of 15 to 25 mm Hg (measured with a pneumatic pressure transducer). This is generally below the levels normally quoted as conducive to the development of ischaemia. Clinical experience has shown the bed to be a successful aid to nursing by eliminating the need to turn the patients for pressure reasons, allowing patients with pressure sores to remain in a position which is more comfortable and more suitable for other nursing care. It also makes it easier for nurses to handle patients in order to care for the pressure sores.", "contents": "Rancho flotation bed. The Rancho Flotation Bed provides hydrostatic support with maximum pressures over bony prominences of 15 to 25 mm Hg (measured with a pneumatic pressure transducer). This is generally below the levels normally quoted as conducive to the development of ischaemia. Clinical experience has shown the bed to be a successful aid to nursing by eliminating the need to turn the patients for pressure reasons, allowing patients with pressure sores to remain in a position which is more comfortable and more suitable for other nursing care. It also makes it easier for nurses to handle patients in order to care for the pressure sores.", "PMID": 615987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1602", "title": "A system of extension prostheses.", "content": "It is suggested that three basic types of extension prostheses are required as shown in Figure 1. Four methods of achieving these prescriptions using rigid, total-contact, polyester laminate sockets have been described, and the table (Fig. 6) indicates the correct method to be used for each type. These prostheses have proved very durable and repairs have been limited to replacing the straps and foot coverings. Advantages claimed are improved comfort, efficiency, and appearance, in addition to speed of fabrication and lightness when compared with conventional prostheses.", "contents": "A system of extension prostheses. It is suggested that three basic types of extension prostheses are required as shown in Figure 1. Four methods of achieving these prescriptions using rigid, total-contact, polyester laminate sockets have been described, and the table (Fig. 6) indicates the correct method to be used for each type. These prostheses have proved very durable and repairs have been limited to replacing the straps and foot coverings. Advantages claimed are improved comfort, efficiency, and appearance, in addition to speed of fabrication and lightness when compared with conventional prostheses.", "PMID": 615991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1603", "title": "Acetate-free hemodialysis with a sorbent regenerative system.", "content": "We conclude from this study that acetate-free, bicarbonate hemodialysis is well suited to the sorbent regenerative system. It can be performed safely and gives postdialysis patient values similar to standard dialysis. Long-term trials are presently being conducted at our institution. With modification of the cartridge pH by the manufacturer, it should prove simple and practical.", "contents": "Acetate-free hemodialysis with a sorbent regenerative system. We conclude from this study that acetate-free, bicarbonate hemodialysis is well suited to the sorbent regenerative system. It can be performed safely and gives postdialysis patient values similar to standard dialysis. Long-term trials are presently being conducted at our institution. With modification of the cartridge pH by the manufacturer, it should prove simple and practical.", "PMID": 615992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1604", "title": "Nocturnal penile tumescence: an objective method for the evaluation of impotence in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Using NPT monitoring, we have evaluated the complaints of impotency in 11 patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Eight of these 11 demonstrated objective evidence of sexual dysfunction. These findings support a predominant role for organic factors in the etiology of sexual dysfunction in this group of patients.", "contents": "Nocturnal penile tumescence: an objective method for the evaluation of impotence in chronic renal failure. Using NPT monitoring, we have evaluated the complaints of impotency in 11 patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Eight of these 11 demonstrated objective evidence of sexual dysfunction. These findings support a predominant role for organic factors in the etiology of sexual dysfunction in this group of patients.", "PMID": 615997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1605", "title": "Cerebral atrophy in end-stage uremia.", "content": "This study suggests that 1) cerebral atrophy is present in end-stage uremia; 2) the degree of atrophy correlates best with the age of onset of end-stage uremia and is most marked during the ages of cerebral development, but is also present in adults. Further studies will be needed to elucidate causative factor(s) and the degree of cerebral functional impairment, if any.", "contents": "Cerebral atrophy in end-stage uremia. This study suggests that 1) cerebral atrophy is present in end-stage uremia; 2) the degree of atrophy correlates best with the age of onset of end-stage uremia and is most marked during the ages of cerebral development, but is also present in adults. Further studies will be needed to elucidate causative factor(s) and the degree of cerebral functional impairment, if any.", "PMID": 616005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1606", "title": "Encephalopathy in children with chronic renal failure.", "content": "The progressive encephalopathy observed in 5 children with chronic renal failure was clinically similar to the so-called dialysis encephalopathy of adults, except that it was not related to dialysis therapy. Renal osteodystrophy is more prevalent in children than in adults and often more severe. The attempt to control the crippling deformities of renal osteodystrophy in growing children with renal insufficiency has led to the use of large quantities of aluminum containing antacids. The encephalopathy observed in children with chronic renal failure may be related to the oral ingestion of aluminum containing compounds in the presence of persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism. We suggest that alternative methods for the adequate control of serum phosphorus levels should be sought and indications for parathyroidectomy in children reevaluated. During the past 18 mos we have lowered the dose of aluminum containing compounds to 50 to 100 mg/Kg/day in our patients with progressive renal failure and recommend parathyroidectomy. No new cases of the encephalopathy have occurred.", "contents": "Encephalopathy in children with chronic renal failure. The progressive encephalopathy observed in 5 children with chronic renal failure was clinically similar to the so-called dialysis encephalopathy of adults, except that it was not related to dialysis therapy. Renal osteodystrophy is more prevalent in children than in adults and often more severe. The attempt to control the crippling deformities of renal osteodystrophy in growing children with renal insufficiency has led to the use of large quantities of aluminum containing antacids. The encephalopathy observed in children with chronic renal failure may be related to the oral ingestion of aluminum containing compounds in the presence of persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism. We suggest that alternative methods for the adequate control of serum phosphorus levels should be sought and indications for parathyroidectomy in children reevaluated. During the past 18 mos we have lowered the dose of aluminum containing compounds to 50 to 100 mg/Kg/day in our patients with progressive renal failure and recommend parathyroidectomy. No new cases of the encephalopathy have occurred.", "PMID": 616006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1607", "title": "[Event-related slow potentials (ERSPs) of the brain in cases of temporal psychomotor and petit mal status].", "content": "Two cases have been studied by means of the usual method for eliciting CNV (S-1.5 OR 1 SEC-S-operant response) during and after the end of an episode of prolonged epileptic twilight state with almost continuous strictly unilateral temporal lobe discharge. From the clinical viewpoint in both cases the twilight state, lasting respectively about 12 and 48 hours, was characterized by a slightly clouded consciousness and moderate impairment of awareness and of psychic performances, at times associated with simple and complex psychomotor automatism and hallucinations. The EEG recorded an almost continous left temporal discharge of pseudorhythmic mixed slow waves and sharps. The third case had typical prolonged petit mal states with continuous spike-and-slow-wave activity, impaired intellectual and motor performances (very long reaction time etc.). In this patient for eliciting ERSPs, besides the standard method, we have used a paradigm in which S consisted of a colored slide, with various semantic contents, remaining visible for 5 seconds on a screen. At the trials of the standard paradigm during the epiliptic twilight state, all patients showed they had understood the signal to interrupt (S loud repetitive tone) in the shortest time possible and could clearly distinguish them from the S. The operant response was almost always made with sufficient precision and sometimes with fairly short reaction time, especially by the patients with temporal psychomotor status. During the episodes of prolonged clouded consciosness in all series of trials administered to the patients, no negative slow potential shifts were observed in the averaged EEG recordings obtained from F-T, F-T or F, FCZ and referred to to linked mastoids. On repetition of the examinations some time after the end of the epileptic twilight state, fairly normal ERSPs were obtained in all cases. Taking also into account the results of previous researches, these studies show that the temporal lobe and \"centrencephalic\" epileptic discharges, under certain conditions, may influence negatively the neurophysiological mechanisms which contribute to the information of complex contingent connections and which also underly the particular attentional, cognitive and sensorimotor functions involved in the inhibiting the appearance of ERSPs probably related to more specific perceptual and integrative functions. Some AA. maintain that negative slow potential shifts express the functional activity of the brain structures, particularly of determined cerebral cortex regions, involved not only in attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor functioning, but also in information processing (memory recording mechanism). Hence, the negative influence of prolonged temporal lobe or meso-diencephalic epileptic discharges on these structures may explain the almost complete amnesia that patients generally show at the termination of this kind of twilight state.", "contents": "[Event-related slow potentials (ERSPs) of the brain in cases of temporal psychomotor and petit mal status]. Two cases have been studied by means of the usual method for eliciting CNV (S-1.5 OR 1 SEC-S-operant response) during and after the end of an episode of prolonged epileptic twilight state with almost continuous strictly unilateral temporal lobe discharge. From the clinical viewpoint in both cases the twilight state, lasting respectively about 12 and 48 hours, was characterized by a slightly clouded consciousness and moderate impairment of awareness and of psychic performances, at times associated with simple and complex psychomotor automatism and hallucinations. The EEG recorded an almost continous left temporal discharge of pseudorhythmic mixed slow waves and sharps. The third case had typical prolonged petit mal states with continuous spike-and-slow-wave activity, impaired intellectual and motor performances (very long reaction time etc.). In this patient for eliciting ERSPs, besides the standard method, we have used a paradigm in which S consisted of a colored slide, with various semantic contents, remaining visible for 5 seconds on a screen. At the trials of the standard paradigm during the epiliptic twilight state, all patients showed they had understood the signal to interrupt (S loud repetitive tone) in the shortest time possible and could clearly distinguish them from the S. The operant response was almost always made with sufficient precision and sometimes with fairly short reaction time, especially by the patients with temporal psychomotor status. During the episodes of prolonged clouded consciosness in all series of trials administered to the patients, no negative slow potential shifts were observed in the averaged EEG recordings obtained from F-T, F-T or F, FCZ and referred to to linked mastoids. On repetition of the examinations some time after the end of the epileptic twilight state, fairly normal ERSPs were obtained in all cases. Taking also into account the results of previous researches, these studies show that the temporal lobe and \"centrencephalic\" epileptic discharges, under certain conditions, may influence negatively the neurophysiological mechanisms which contribute to the information of complex contingent connections and which also underly the particular attentional, cognitive and sensorimotor functions involved in the inhibiting the appearance of ERSPs probably related to more specific perceptual and integrative functions. Some AA. maintain that negative slow potential shifts express the functional activity of the brain structures, particularly of determined cerebral cortex regions, involved not only in attentional, perceptual, cognitive and psychomotor functioning, but also in information processing (memory recording mechanism). Hence, the negative influence of prolonged temporal lobe or meso-diencephalic epileptic discharges on these structures may explain the almost complete amnesia that patients generally show at the termination of this kind of twilight state.", "PMID": 616013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1608", "title": "[Viloxazine: its antidepressant action and lack of concomitant anticholinergic effect].", "content": "Fourty in-patients suffering from depressive illness were treated with a new antidepressant drug, viloxazine. Apart from the already well-established antidepressant action, the authors emphasize the lack of anticholinergic effects; this illnesses with organic damage where usual antidepressant therapy is contraindicated", "contents": "[Viloxazine: its antidepressant action and lack of concomitant anticholinergic effect]. Fourty in-patients suffering from depressive illness were treated with a new antidepressant drug, viloxazine. Apart from the already well-established antidepressant action, the authors emphasize the lack of anticholinergic effects; this illnesses with organic damage where usual antidepressant therapy is contraindicated", "PMID": 616014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1609", "title": "[Some observations on the ultramicroscopic organization of specialized connections amongst nervous fibres in the inferior olivary nucleus of the cat].", "content": "Some observations have been made on inferior olive specimens in the adult cat, with aldehydes fixation techniques through vascular perfusion suitable for electron microscropy. The results made it possible to recognise five types of vesicular structures present in different nerve endings (differences either in type or in number). A possible topographic organization of synaptic connections, between the afferent endings and the dendritic structures of the inferior olive has been considered and it seems that on every large dendrite, nearer the cell body, there is a development of numerous connection. As such connections give a great deal of information to the dendrites with much much interaction it seems possible that there is modulation in the activation of the postsynaptic element. On the other hand, in the periphery of the dendritic branch, many thin branches seem to make contact with few and large endings; this leads us to believe that the regulations of the information is not based only on the afferences but mainly on distribution, origin and number of the postsynaptic elements. A study of the interdendritic connections and of tubulo-vesicular structures showed that their diameter and dense content have a similar morphology with the big granulated vesicles, visible in the terminals, or along the fibres or, frequently, in the Golgi apparatus.", "contents": "[Some observations on the ultramicroscopic organization of specialized connections amongst nervous fibres in the inferior olivary nucleus of the cat]. Some observations have been made on inferior olive specimens in the adult cat, with aldehydes fixation techniques through vascular perfusion suitable for electron microscropy. The results made it possible to recognise five types of vesicular structures present in different nerve endings (differences either in type or in number). A possible topographic organization of synaptic connections, between the afferent endings and the dendritic structures of the inferior olive has been considered and it seems that on every large dendrite, nearer the cell body, there is a development of numerous connection. As such connections give a great deal of information to the dendrites with much much interaction it seems possible that there is modulation in the activation of the postsynaptic element. On the other hand, in the periphery of the dendritic branch, many thin branches seem to make contact with few and large endings; this leads us to believe that the regulations of the information is not based only on the afferences but mainly on distribution, origin and number of the postsynaptic elements. A study of the interdendritic connections and of tubulo-vesicular structures showed that their diameter and dense content have a similar morphology with the big granulated vesicles, visible in the terminals, or along the fibres or, frequently, in the Golgi apparatus.", "PMID": 616015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1610", "title": "[Prevention of duchenne's muscular dystrophy: methodological problems in the detection of carriers (author's transl)].", "content": "In the last five years 48 possible carries and 13 known carriers of the gene for the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy were studied in the Neurological Institute of the University of Milan. To achieve the most accurate detection, the following tests are recommended: a) the serum creatine kinase (CPK) estimation; b) quantitative EMB test on 3 muscles (deltoid, biceps and vastus medialis), in case of normal CPK level; c) histological and histochemical studies, only if tests a) and b) are uniformative.", "contents": "[Prevention of duchenne's muscular dystrophy: methodological problems in the detection of carriers (author's transl)]. In the last five years 48 possible carries and 13 known carriers of the gene for the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy were studied in the Neurological Institute of the University of Milan. To achieve the most accurate detection, the following tests are recommended: a) the serum creatine kinase (CPK) estimation; b) quantitative EMB test on 3 muscles (deltoid, biceps and vastus medialis), in case of normal CPK level; c) histological and histochemical studies, only if tests a) and b) are uniformative.", "PMID": 616016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1611", "title": "[EMG prognosis of facial palsy associated with herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome). A longitudinal study of 11 cases (author's transl].", "content": "Eleven patients with peripheral facial palsy associated with geniculate herpes zoster (Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome) have been followed-up clinically and electromyographically. Each patient was examined three times: within the first week, at the end of the third week and 3-4 months after the onset of symptoms. Only in three cases the facial palsy evolved satisfactorily, with an almost total recovery within three weeks. In eight cases the recovery was delayed and incomplete, with residual, and often severe, hemifacial spasm. This study confirms the rather poor prognosis of peripheral facial palsy in Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. The importance of detecting even slight signs of herpetic eruption in any case of apparently \"idiopathic\" peripheral facial palsy is emphasized.", "contents": "[EMG prognosis of facial palsy associated with herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome). A longitudinal study of 11 cases (author's transl]. Eleven patients with peripheral facial palsy associated with geniculate herpes zoster (Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome) have been followed-up clinically and electromyographically. Each patient was examined three times: within the first week, at the end of the third week and 3-4 months after the onset of symptoms. Only in three cases the facial palsy evolved satisfactorily, with an almost total recovery within three weeks. In eight cases the recovery was delayed and incomplete, with residual, and often severe, hemifacial spasm. This study confirms the rather poor prognosis of peripheral facial palsy in Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. The importance of detecting even slight signs of herpetic eruption in any case of apparently \"idiopathic\" peripheral facial palsy is emphasized.", "PMID": 616017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1612", "title": "Determination of coagulation factors (II-VII-X) and kaolin partial thromboplastin time by the LKB 8600 Reaction Rate Analyser.", "content": "Testing of a modified Reaction Rate Analyser 8600 in the automatic determination of coagulation time was accomplished with the assays Thrombotest Normotest and Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time. Variations in extinctions, from the adding of start reagent until coagulation, were recorded. The coagulation activities, found by the automatic method for the assays Thrombotest and Normotest, were compared with a manual method. Thrombotest showed a good correlation: 0.30 greater than P greater than 0.25 (paired t test). Normotest showed significantly different values by the methods: P less than 0.001 (paired t test). Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time with kaolin as activator) gave significantly lower vales--the difference was 3 sec--compared with a manual method, and the precision was considerably improved.", "contents": "Determination of coagulation factors (II-VII-X) and kaolin partial thromboplastin time by the LKB 8600 Reaction Rate Analyser. Testing of a modified Reaction Rate Analyser 8600 in the automatic determination of coagulation time was accomplished with the assays Thrombotest Normotest and Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time. Variations in extinctions, from the adding of start reagent until coagulation, were recorded. The coagulation activities, found by the automatic method for the assays Thrombotest and Normotest, were compared with a manual method. Thrombotest showed a good correlation: 0.30 greater than P greater than 0.25 (paired t test). Normotest showed significantly different values by the methods: P less than 0.001 (paired t test). Kaolin Partial Thromboplastin Time (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time with kaolin as activator) gave significantly lower vales--the difference was 3 sec--compared with a manual method, and the precision was considerably improved.", "PMID": 616022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1613", "title": "[Parkinson's disease and am-otrophic lateral sclerosis (case report) (author's transl)].", "content": "A 68 years old man affected by parkinson's disease for four years suddenly developed symptoms of a motor neuron disease. He also had a defect of his visual-spatial ability with an intra cerebral calcifications in right parieto-temporo-occipital region. The AA. discuss the nosological aspects of this case and do not accept the possibility of a chance occurrence of the two systemic degenerative diseases and favour a unification of nuerological abiotrophic diseases.", "contents": "[Parkinson's disease and am-otrophic lateral sclerosis (case report) (author's transl)]. A 68 years old man affected by parkinson's disease for four years suddenly developed symptoms of a motor neuron disease. He also had a defect of his visual-spatial ability with an intra cerebral calcifications in right parieto-temporo-occipital region. The AA. discuss the nosological aspects of this case and do not accept the possibility of a chance occurrence of the two systemic degenerative diseases and favour a unification of nuerological abiotrophic diseases.", "PMID": 616018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1614", "title": "The degree of bone mineralization in different parts of human skeleton estimated from bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline.", "content": "To evaluation the uniformity of the degree of mineralization in the skeleton the bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (bone P/Hypro) was determined in different localizations of ten human skeletons. Marked differences in bone P/Hypro were found between cortical bone and spongy bone. No difference was found between cortical bone from humerus, femur and cranium. But the mean value of these cortical bones was significantly higher than the mean value of the studied spongy bones. No significant correlation was found between the two bone types. Differences in bone P/Hypro were also found between different spongy bones. In pelvis the value did not differ between four spongy bone localizations but the mean value was significantly lower than for the other spongy bones (thoracal column, lumbal column and clavicle). Between these other spongy bones no difference was found in mean bone P/Hypro, and the mean of the pelvic bone localizations correlated significantly to the other spongy bones. The study demonstrates differences in the chemical composition of the human skeleton. A value of bone P/Hypro in the iliac crest can be used to estimation of bone P/Hypro in other spongy bones but not in cortical bones.", "contents": "The degree of bone mineralization in different parts of human skeleton estimated from bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline. To evaluation the uniformity of the degree of mineralization in the skeleton the bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (bone P/Hypro) was determined in different localizations of ten human skeletons. Marked differences in bone P/Hypro were found between cortical bone and spongy bone. No difference was found between cortical bone from humerus, femur and cranium. But the mean value of these cortical bones was significantly higher than the mean value of the studied spongy bones. No significant correlation was found between the two bone types. Differences in bone P/Hypro were also found between different spongy bones. In pelvis the value did not differ between four spongy bone localizations but the mean value was significantly lower than for the other spongy bones (thoracal column, lumbal column and clavicle). Between these other spongy bones no difference was found in mean bone P/Hypro, and the mean of the pelvic bone localizations correlated significantly to the other spongy bones. The study demonstrates differences in the chemical composition of the human skeleton. A value of bone P/Hypro in the iliac crest can be used to estimation of bone P/Hypro in other spongy bones but not in cortical bones.", "PMID": 616023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1615", "title": "Mass fragmentographic demonstration of low amounts of beta-phenylethylamine in human urine.", "content": "beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA) is determined with a simple, rapid and highly specific assay, 5 ml human urine, using GLC combined with mass fragmentography. The 24 h urinary excretion of PEA in ten healthy male subjects ranged from 28 to 131 nmol/24 h with a mean (+/- SD) of 66 (+/- 9) nmol/24 h. It is concluded that reinvestigation of PEA-excretion in psychiatric patients is needed, since earlier less specific methods have measured much higher levels of PEA in human urine.", "contents": "Mass fragmentographic demonstration of low amounts of beta-phenylethylamine in human urine. beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA) is determined with a simple, rapid and highly specific assay, 5 ml human urine, using GLC combined with mass fragmentography. The 24 h urinary excretion of PEA in ten healthy male subjects ranged from 28 to 131 nmol/24 h with a mean (+/- SD) of 66 (+/- 9) nmol/24 h. It is concluded that reinvestigation of PEA-excretion in psychiatric patients is needed, since earlier less specific methods have measured much higher levels of PEA in human urine.", "PMID": 616024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1616", "title": "[Possible activating effect of subnarcotic doses of some anaesthetic drugs in clinical electroencephalography (author's transl)].", "content": "The use of subnarcotic doses of anaesthetic agents has been proposed, in the last few years, as a practical method for enhancing EEG activities in epileptic patients. Barbiturates such as Evipan or Brietal were used in the present study. Both electrographic and clinical effects occurred not only with the intravenous administration fo Brietal and Evipan but also with Althesin (a new non-barbiturate drug), in two groups of suspected and confirmed epileptics having either a normal or specific EEG pattern. These results were then compared with a normal control group. In a high percentage of instances all these drugs were found to induce either focal or generalized increase of epileptiform activities, as well as the appearance of latent epileptic abnormalities. The AA. stress the advantages these new techniques as ascreening method in suspected epilepsy.", "contents": "[Possible activating effect of subnarcotic doses of some anaesthetic drugs in clinical electroencephalography (author's transl)]. The use of subnarcotic doses of anaesthetic agents has been proposed, in the last few years, as a practical method for enhancing EEG activities in epileptic patients. Barbiturates such as Evipan or Brietal were used in the present study. Both electrographic and clinical effects occurred not only with the intravenous administration fo Brietal and Evipan but also with Althesin (a new non-barbiturate drug), in two groups of suspected and confirmed epileptics having either a normal or specific EEG pattern. These results were then compared with a normal control group. In a high percentage of instances all these drugs were found to induce either focal or generalized increase of epileptiform activities, as well as the appearance of latent epileptic abnormalities. The AA. stress the advantages these new techniques as ascreening method in suspected epilepsy.", "PMID": 616019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1617", "title": "[CCNU in the chemotherapy of tumours of the central nervous system (author's transl)].", "content": "This study concerns 59 patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the CNS. After surgery, each patients followed a therapeutic protocol requiring Radiotherapy (5500 Rads for 6 weeks) and antiblastic monochemotherapy with CCNU (130 MG/M2/D p.o. every 8 weeks). The results were evaluated according to Wilson's (1975) criteria of response to therapy. CCNU significantly improved the survival time in comparison to the data given for conventional treatment.", "contents": "[CCNU in the chemotherapy of tumours of the central nervous system (author's transl)]. This study concerns 59 patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the CNS. After surgery, each patients followed a therapeutic protocol requiring Radiotherapy (5500 Rads for 6 weeks) and antiblastic monochemotherapy with CCNU (130 MG/M2/D p.o. every 8 weeks). The results were evaluated according to Wilson's (1975) criteria of response to therapy. CCNU significantly improved the survival time in comparison to the data given for conventional treatment.", "PMID": 616020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1618", "title": "A simple method for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate.", "content": "A simple method is presented for indirect estimation of the glomerular filtration rate from two venous blood samples, drawn after a single injection of a small dose of [125I]sodium iothalamate (10 muCi). The method does not require exact dosage, as the first sample, taken a few minutes (t = 5 min) after injection, is used to normalize the value of the second sample, which should be taken in between 2-4 h after injection. The glomerular filtration rate, as measured by standard inulin clearance, may then be predicted from the logarithm of the normalized value and linear regression formulas with a standard error of estimate of the order 1-2 ml/min/1.73 m2. The slope-intercept method for direct estimation of glomerular filtration rate is also evaluated and found to significantly underestimate standard inulin clearance. The normalized 'single-point' method is concluded to be superior to the slope-intercept method and more sophisticated methods using curve fitting technique, with regard to predictive force and clinical applicability.", "contents": "A simple method for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate. A simple method is presented for indirect estimation of the glomerular filtration rate from two venous blood samples, drawn after a single injection of a small dose of [125I]sodium iothalamate (10 muCi). The method does not require exact dosage, as the first sample, taken a few minutes (t = 5 min) after injection, is used to normalize the value of the second sample, which should be taken in between 2-4 h after injection. The glomerular filtration rate, as measured by standard inulin clearance, may then be predicted from the logarithm of the normalized value and linear regression formulas with a standard error of estimate of the order 1-2 ml/min/1.73 m2. The slope-intercept method for direct estimation of glomerular filtration rate is also evaluated and found to significantly underestimate standard inulin clearance. The normalized 'single-point' method is concluded to be superior to the slope-intercept method and more sophisticated methods using curve fitting technique, with regard to predictive force and clinical applicability.", "PMID": 616025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1619", "title": "Application of the gamma function for the calculation of effective renal plasma flow by [131I]hippuran clearance.", "content": "A simplified technique based on the gamma function was developed to determine the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) by [131I]hippuran clearance. The method requires only one blood sample in addition to standard renography and the calculations can be performed on a small computer. A close correlation was found between the ERPF values obtained by the application of the gamma function and the values yielded by the conventional bi-exponential approach. The present method is well suited for clinical routine use in connection with standard renography.", "contents": "Application of the gamma function for the calculation of effective renal plasma flow by [131I]hippuran clearance. A simplified technique based on the gamma function was developed to determine the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) by [131I]hippuran clearance. The method requires only one blood sample in addition to standard renography and the calculations can be performed on a small computer. A close correlation was found between the ERPF values obtained by the application of the gamma function and the values yielded by the conventional bi-exponential approach. The present method is well suited for clinical routine use in connection with standard renography.", "PMID": 616026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1620", "title": "The effect of inactivity on reactive hyperaemia in the human calf: a study with strain gauge plethysmography.", "content": "In order to study the influence of muscular inactivity on reactive hyperaemia, postischaemic blood flow was measued with strain gauge plethysmography in the calf of twenty-nine patients, who had been treated with a plaster cast for a trauma of the lower limb. The contralateral leg served as a comparison. In all but two patients postischaemic maximal flow was lower in the immobilized calf. A negative correlation existed between maximal flow and the duration of immobilization. In the course of 6 weeks after removal of the cast, the difference in maximal flow between both sides became insignificant. Venous volume and venous emptying were not different in the two limbs. The effect of inactivity on reactive hyperaemic response may be explained by an effect of inactivity on the arterioles, muscle atrophy, a decrease in capillarization and in oxidative capacity of the muscle fibres. It is concluded that inactivity and atrophy of the lower limb musculature in patients with peripheral arterial disease may be a contributing factor to the low reactive hyperaemic response in the calf of such patients.", "contents": "The effect of inactivity on reactive hyperaemia in the human calf: a study with strain gauge plethysmography. In order to study the influence of muscular inactivity on reactive hyperaemia, postischaemic blood flow was measued with strain gauge plethysmography in the calf of twenty-nine patients, who had been treated with a plaster cast for a trauma of the lower limb. The contralateral leg served as a comparison. In all but two patients postischaemic maximal flow was lower in the immobilized calf. A negative correlation existed between maximal flow and the duration of immobilization. In the course of 6 weeks after removal of the cast, the difference in maximal flow between both sides became insignificant. Venous volume and venous emptying were not different in the two limbs. The effect of inactivity on reactive hyperaemic response may be explained by an effect of inactivity on the arterioles, muscle atrophy, a decrease in capillarization and in oxidative capacity of the muscle fibres. It is concluded that inactivity and atrophy of the lower limb musculature in patients with peripheral arterial disease may be a contributing factor to the low reactive hyperaemic response in the calf of such patients.", "PMID": 616027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1621", "title": "Tilted and non-tilted postischaemic exercise peak flow in the legs of normal human subjects.", "content": "Peak flow was measured by radioactive xenon in fifteen normal subjects in the anterior tibial muscle after maximal ischaemic exercise. The postischaemic exercise peak flow was 75 +/- 13 ml/100 g muscle/min (mean +/- SD), when the test was performed while the subjects rested in the horizontal position. When the same test was performed with the subjects resting in a 45 degrees feet down tilted position, the peak flow increased very much, about 65%, and averaged 125 +/- 17 ml/100 g muscle/min. The increased peak flow in the feet tilted position is explained by passive dilatation of the vessels due to increased hydrostatic pressure. It is suggested, that measurement of maximal ischaemic exercise blood flow in the tilted position may be a more sensitive procedure for detection of minimal vascular changes due to the very high blood flow obtained.", "contents": "Tilted and non-tilted postischaemic exercise peak flow in the legs of normal human subjects. Peak flow was measured by radioactive xenon in fifteen normal subjects in the anterior tibial muscle after maximal ischaemic exercise. The postischaemic exercise peak flow was 75 +/- 13 ml/100 g muscle/min (mean +/- SD), when the test was performed while the subjects rested in the horizontal position. When the same test was performed with the subjects resting in a 45 degrees feet down tilted position, the peak flow increased very much, about 65%, and averaged 125 +/- 17 ml/100 g muscle/min. The increased peak flow in the feet tilted position is explained by passive dilatation of the vessels due to increased hydrostatic pressure. It is suggested, that measurement of maximal ischaemic exercise blood flow in the tilted position may be a more sensitive procedure for detection of minimal vascular changes due to the very high blood flow obtained.", "PMID": 616028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1622", "title": "The application of the Reaction Rate Analyser LKB 8600 as an automatic coagulometer.", "content": "The application of the Reaction Rate Analyser LKB 8600 (RRA) as an automatic coagulometer is described. The RRA was slightly modified without interfering with its function as an enzyme reaction rate analyser. The endpoint of coagulation was recorded when the increase in absorbance exceeded 0.047 at lambda = 340 nm. The coagulation time was monitored by a counter with automatic print-out or by a recorder. The analytical dispersion, s(x)x, ranged between 0.01 and 0.05. Results (x, y) of the determination of the quantity of plasma coagulation factors (II + VII + X) by RRA and manually by visual recording could be expressed by y = 0.93x + 0.04, r = 0.96, n = 66 (method of Owren & Aas) or by y = 1.00x + 0.02, r = 0.98, n = 49 (Normotest). Similarly, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (Activated Thrombofax) could be expressed by y = 0.99x + 5.00, r = 0.99, n = 23.", "contents": "The application of the Reaction Rate Analyser LKB 8600 as an automatic coagulometer. The application of the Reaction Rate Analyser LKB 8600 (RRA) as an automatic coagulometer is described. The RRA was slightly modified without interfering with its function as an enzyme reaction rate analyser. The endpoint of coagulation was recorded when the increase in absorbance exceeded 0.047 at lambda = 340 nm. The coagulation time was monitored by a counter with automatic print-out or by a recorder. The analytical dispersion, s(x)x, ranged between 0.01 and 0.05. Results (x, y) of the determination of the quantity of plasma coagulation factors (II + VII + X) by RRA and manually by visual recording could be expressed by y = 0.93x + 0.04, r = 0.96, n = 66 (method of Owren & Aas) or by y = 1.00x + 0.02, r = 0.98, n = 49 (Normotest). Similarly, plasma activated partial thromboplastin time (Activated Thrombofax) could be expressed by y = 0.99x + 5.00, r = 0.99, n = 23.", "PMID": 616030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1623", "title": "Closure of digital arteries in high vascular tone states as demonstrated by measurement of systolic blood pressure in the fingers.", "content": "Finger systolic blood pressure (FSP) was measured indirectly in normal subjects and patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon by applying a thin-walled plastic cuff around the finger and a strain gauge more distally to detect volume changes. Inducing a high vascular tone in one or more fingers by direct cooling or intra-arterial noradrenaline infusion caused a marked drop in FSP in the exposed fingers, but not in the non-exposed fingers of the same hand. The fact that the non-exposed fingers retained the normal (arm systolic) pressure level is taken to indicate that palmar arch blood pressure also remained normal. In the high vascular tone state, a large transmural pressure difference must apparently be established before the digital arteries are forced open. The lowered opening pressure constitutes a manifestation of the closure phenomenon of the digital arteries described in patients with vasospastic arterial disease. It implies an underestimation of palmar arch systolic pressure measured indirectly on the fingers. FSP measured under these circumstances may be taken as an estimate of the vascular tone, and can be employed in diagnosis and quantification of vasospastic disorders.", "contents": "Closure of digital arteries in high vascular tone states as demonstrated by measurement of systolic blood pressure in the fingers. Finger systolic blood pressure (FSP) was measured indirectly in normal subjects and patients with primary Raynaud phenomenon by applying a thin-walled plastic cuff around the finger and a strain gauge more distally to detect volume changes. Inducing a high vascular tone in one or more fingers by direct cooling or intra-arterial noradrenaline infusion caused a marked drop in FSP in the exposed fingers, but not in the non-exposed fingers of the same hand. The fact that the non-exposed fingers retained the normal (arm systolic) pressure level is taken to indicate that palmar arch blood pressure also remained normal. In the high vascular tone state, a large transmural pressure difference must apparently be established before the digital arteries are forced open. The lowered opening pressure constitutes a manifestation of the closure phenomenon of the digital arteries described in patients with vasospastic arterial disease. It implies an underestimation of palmar arch systolic pressure measured indirectly on the fingers. FSP measured under these circumstances may be taken as an estimate of the vascular tone, and can be employed in diagnosis and quantification of vasospastic disorders.", "PMID": 616031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1624", "title": "Effects of local thrombinaemia and endotoxinaemia on hepatic circulation in the anaesthetized dog.", "content": "The acute response of the hepatic circulation to thrombinaemia and endotoxinaemia were investigated in the anaesthetized dog. Small amounts of thrombin were infused into the hepatic artery and portal vein. The effects of thrombin were compared to those of minor amounts of portally infused endotoxin. Portal pressure increased significantly following portal infusion of thrombin and endotoxin. Both substances decreased the blood flow markedly in the hepatic artery, while that in the superior mesenteric artery and portal vein decreased only slightly. Heparin and polyphlorethin phosphate (PPP) abolished all effects of thrombin. Bradykinin infused simultaneously inhibited only the effect on the hepatic artery. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, which has the same vasodilatory effect in the liver, did not. It is believed that thrombin and perhaps endotoxin exert a vasoconstrictive effect mediated by products released from platelets.", "contents": "Effects of local thrombinaemia and endotoxinaemia on hepatic circulation in the anaesthetized dog. The acute response of the hepatic circulation to thrombinaemia and endotoxinaemia were investigated in the anaesthetized dog. Small amounts of thrombin were infused into the hepatic artery and portal vein. The effects of thrombin were compared to those of minor amounts of portally infused endotoxin. Portal pressure increased significantly following portal infusion of thrombin and endotoxin. Both substances decreased the blood flow markedly in the hepatic artery, while that in the superior mesenteric artery and portal vein decreased only slightly. Heparin and polyphlorethin phosphate (PPP) abolished all effects of thrombin. Bradykinin infused simultaneously inhibited only the effect on the hepatic artery. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, which has the same vasodilatory effect in the liver, did not. It is believed that thrombin and perhaps endotoxin exert a vasoconstrictive effect mediated by products released from platelets.", "PMID": 616032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1625", "title": "Reference values for fibrinogen concentration and inhibitors of fibrinolysis.", "content": "epsilon-Aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid when added to whole blood will dissolve in the plasma and draw water from the cells in accordance with their concentration. When these compounds are added to whole blood in recommended amounts (10 mg/ml), the osmotic dilution of the plasma must be taken into consideration when concentrated solutions or dry substances are used.", "contents": "Reference values for fibrinogen concentration and inhibitors of fibrinolysis. epsilon-Aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid when added to whole blood will dissolve in the plasma and draw water from the cells in accordance with their concentration. When these compounds are added to whole blood in recommended amounts (10 mg/ml), the osmotic dilution of the plasma must be taken into consideration when concentrated solutions or dry substances are used.", "PMID": 616033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1626", "title": "A unified method for the determination of gold in biological fluids by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy.", "content": "A new simple non-flame method of assaying serum, urine, and synovial fluid for gold by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is presented. Variable absorption not due to gold is avoided by wet ashing and extraction of gold into methylisobutyl ketone. The amount of gold is determined directly in the organic phase by AAS. A linear relation between standard concentrations for serum, urine, and synovial fluid and absorption meter read-out values is obtained over the ranges 0 to 800 microgram gold/dl in serum and 0 to 80 microgram gold/dl in urine and synovial fluid. The estimated calibration curves for gold in serum, urine, and synovial fluid are found to be identical. The elimination of interferences, the high sensitivity (0.01 ppm), and the simplicity make this method superior to any other AAS methods and excellently applicable for routine determinations of gold concentrations in patients on chrysotherapy, and for research in that field as well.", "contents": "A unified method for the determination of gold in biological fluids by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. A new simple non-flame method of assaying serum, urine, and synovial fluid for gold by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is presented. Variable absorption not due to gold is avoided by wet ashing and extraction of gold into methylisobutyl ketone. The amount of gold is determined directly in the organic phase by AAS. A linear relation between standard concentrations for serum, urine, and synovial fluid and absorption meter read-out values is obtained over the ranges 0 to 800 microgram gold/dl in serum and 0 to 80 microgram gold/dl in urine and synovial fluid. The estimated calibration curves for gold in serum, urine, and synovial fluid are found to be identical. The elimination of interferences, the high sensitivity (0.01 ppm), and the simplicity make this method superior to any other AAS methods and excellently applicable for routine determinations of gold concentrations in patients on chrysotherapy, and for research in that field as well.", "PMID": 616034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1627", "title": "The influence of age on reactive hyperaemia in the human calf: a study with strain gauge plethysmography.", "content": "Postischaemic reactive hyperaemia in the calf was investigated by strain gauge plethysmography in four groups of ten subjects. The mean age of the different groups was 6, 13, 24 and 57 years respectively. Basal calf flow, repayment and recovery time in the 6-year-old children were greater than in the other groups, which may be related to a higher metabolic rate in young children. Maximal flow in the four groups was not significantly different, which indicates that the arteriolar response to circulatory arrest is not altered by increasing age. The cause of delay in maximal flow in the group of 6-year-olds is not clearly understood. Basal and postischaemic lowest peripheral resistance increased with age, which is probably caused by changes of the arterioles due to ageing and possibly inactivity. The fall in peripheral resistance induced by 3 min of ischaemia was positively correlated with mean blood pressure. This may be due to a greater net reduction in blood pressure during ischaemia, which brobably elicits a stronger myogenic response of the vessel wall. It is concluded that in clinical use of the reactive hyperaemia test in the calf, the influence of age is of minor importance, whereas postischaemic peripheral resistance is a more accurate measure of vasocilation for comparison of subjects with different blood pressure.", "contents": "The influence of age on reactive hyperaemia in the human calf: a study with strain gauge plethysmography. Postischaemic reactive hyperaemia in the calf was investigated by strain gauge plethysmography in four groups of ten subjects. The mean age of the different groups was 6, 13, 24 and 57 years respectively. Basal calf flow, repayment and recovery time in the 6-year-old children were greater than in the other groups, which may be related to a higher metabolic rate in young children. Maximal flow in the four groups was not significantly different, which indicates that the arteriolar response to circulatory arrest is not altered by increasing age. The cause of delay in maximal flow in the group of 6-year-olds is not clearly understood. Basal and postischaemic lowest peripheral resistance increased with age, which is probably caused by changes of the arterioles due to ageing and possibly inactivity. The fall in peripheral resistance induced by 3 min of ischaemia was positively correlated with mean blood pressure. This may be due to a greater net reduction in blood pressure during ischaemia, which brobably elicits a stronger myogenic response of the vessel wall. It is concluded that in clinical use of the reactive hyperaemia test in the calf, the influence of age is of minor importance, whereas postischaemic peripheral resistance is a more accurate measure of vasocilation for comparison of subjects with different blood pressure.", "PMID": 616035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1628", "title": "Reactive hyperaemia in the calf of trained and untrained subjects: a study with strain gauge plethysmography.", "content": "Postischaemic reactive hyperaemia in the calf was investigated by strain gauge plethysmography in three pairs of trained and untrained groups of different ages. Maximal flow and repayment in the trained adults were greater than in corresponding untrained groups. This may be due to training effect on the arterioles and a relatively great muscle volume and vascular bed in athletes. The 58-year-old trained men revealed a postischaemic hyperaemic response of approximately the same magnitude as the 25-year-old athletes. Training in old age may result in less degeneration of vascular smooth muscle as well as striated muscle and may induced a relatively great cardiac stroke volume, factors which probably influence reactive hyperaemia in the calf. Hyperaemia in 13-year-old children of different conditions of training was approximwtely the same. It is concluded that the influence of training state on postischaemic calf flow may be considered when reactive hyperaemia is used as a test of the peripheral circulation.", "contents": "Reactive hyperaemia in the calf of trained and untrained subjects: a study with strain gauge plethysmography. Postischaemic reactive hyperaemia in the calf was investigated by strain gauge plethysmography in three pairs of trained and untrained groups of different ages. Maximal flow and repayment in the trained adults were greater than in corresponding untrained groups. This may be due to training effect on the arterioles and a relatively great muscle volume and vascular bed in athletes. The 58-year-old trained men revealed a postischaemic hyperaemic response of approximately the same magnitude as the 25-year-old athletes. Training in old age may result in less degeneration of vascular smooth muscle as well as striated muscle and may induced a relatively great cardiac stroke volume, factors which probably influence reactive hyperaemia in the calf. Hyperaemia in 13-year-old children of different conditions of training was approximwtely the same. It is concluded that the influence of training state on postischaemic calf flow may be considered when reactive hyperaemia is used as a test of the peripheral circulation.", "PMID": 616036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1629", "title": "Inhibition of furosemide-induced natriuresis by acetylsalicylic acid in dogs.", "content": "The effect of intravenously administered acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been investigated in two sets of experiments in conscious dogs. In the first part of the study ASA 70-90 mg/kg was infused for 40 min. Urine flow, free water clearance, renal blood flow and urinary excretion of sodium did not change significantly as compared to placebo treated animals. This is in contrast to the effects of comparable ASA doses in the pentobarbital anaesthetized dog. In the second part of the study the effects of pre-treatment with the same ASA doses of 5 ml 0.6% NaCl (placebo) on some renal effects of furosemide 1 mg/kg (intravenously) were investigated. In the placebo group acute furosemide treatment increased CIN in five out of six dogs and CPAH in all six dogs, these increases being most prominent the first 10 min after drug administration. After pre-treatment with ASA the initial increases in CIN and CPAH were almost abolished. CIN was reduced by 23.8% and CPAH by 30.6% during the first six clearance periods (0-6- min) after diuretic treatment in the ASA group as compared to the placebo group. Although urinary sodium excretion also increased in ASA pre-treated dogs, the effect of furosemide was greater in all dogs in the placebo group (P less than 0.05), and the effect of furosemide on fractional tubular reabsorption of sodium was significantly attenuated after pre-treatment with ASA.", "contents": "Inhibition of furosemide-induced natriuresis by acetylsalicylic acid in dogs. The effect of intravenously administered acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been investigated in two sets of experiments in conscious dogs. In the first part of the study ASA 70-90 mg/kg was infused for 40 min. Urine flow, free water clearance, renal blood flow and urinary excretion of sodium did not change significantly as compared to placebo treated animals. This is in contrast to the effects of comparable ASA doses in the pentobarbital anaesthetized dog. In the second part of the study the effects of pre-treatment with the same ASA doses of 5 ml 0.6% NaCl (placebo) on some renal effects of furosemide 1 mg/kg (intravenously) were investigated. In the placebo group acute furosemide treatment increased CIN in five out of six dogs and CPAH in all six dogs, these increases being most prominent the first 10 min after drug administration. After pre-treatment with ASA the initial increases in CIN and CPAH were almost abolished. CIN was reduced by 23.8% and CPAH by 30.6% during the first six clearance periods (0-6- min) after diuretic treatment in the ASA group as compared to the placebo group. Although urinary sodium excretion also increased in ASA pre-treated dogs, the effect of furosemide was greater in all dogs in the placebo group (P less than 0.05), and the effect of furosemide on fractional tubular reabsorption of sodium was significantly attenuated after pre-treatment with ASA.", "PMID": 616038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1630", "title": "Creatinine clearance, urinary excretion of glomerular basement membrane antigens and renal histology in congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type.", "content": "The endogenous creatinine clearance and urinary excretion rate of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens were followed from 2 to 19 months in fifteen patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNF). The quantitative examination of renal morphology was made on fourteen of these patients. Creatinine clearance increased during the first few months of life and thereafter gradually decreased. The urinary excretion rate of GBM antigens rose during the course of the disease. The creatinine clearance did not correlate significantly with glomerular fibrosis but it did correlate with tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. The urinary excretion of GBM antigens correlated significantly with glomerular and interstitial fibrosis and with tubular atrophy. It is concluded that there is a clear progress in the disease and the renal histological changes probably are caused by accumulation of GBM material in glomeruli.", "contents": "Creatinine clearance, urinary excretion of glomerular basement membrane antigens and renal histology in congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type. The endogenous creatinine clearance and urinary excretion rate of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens were followed from 2 to 19 months in fifteen patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNF). The quantitative examination of renal morphology was made on fourteen of these patients. Creatinine clearance increased during the first few months of life and thereafter gradually decreased. The urinary excretion rate of GBM antigens rose during the course of the disease. The creatinine clearance did not correlate significantly with glomerular fibrosis but it did correlate with tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. The urinary excretion of GBM antigens correlated significantly with glomerular and interstitial fibrosis and with tubular atrophy. It is concluded that there is a clear progress in the disease and the renal histological changes probably are caused by accumulation of GBM material in glomeruli.", "PMID": 616039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1631", "title": "Effect of Verapamil on pancreatic glucagon release from the isolated, perfused canine pancreas.", "content": "The effect of Verapamil, a potent calcium antagonist, upon pancreatic glucagon release was investigated in the isolated, perfused canine pancreas. Verapamil at concentrations ranging between 10(-5)-10(-4) mol/l caused a dose-related inhibition of glucagon release at a glucose concentration of 25 mg/dl. The inhibition was an immediate and reversible phenomenon. The inhibitory effect was reduced when the Ca2+ concentration was increased from 1.3 to 5.0 mmol/l. The results are compatible with earlier findings from our laboratory demonstrating that calcium plays a key role in the stimulus-secretion coupling of glucagon release.", "contents": "Effect of Verapamil on pancreatic glucagon release from the isolated, perfused canine pancreas. The effect of Verapamil, a potent calcium antagonist, upon pancreatic glucagon release was investigated in the isolated, perfused canine pancreas. Verapamil at concentrations ranging between 10(-5)-10(-4) mol/l caused a dose-related inhibition of glucagon release at a glucose concentration of 25 mg/dl. The inhibition was an immediate and reversible phenomenon. The inhibitory effect was reduced when the Ca2+ concentration was increased from 1.3 to 5.0 mmol/l. The results are compatible with earlier findings from our laboratory demonstrating that calcium plays a key role in the stimulus-secretion coupling of glucagon release.", "PMID": 616040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1632", "title": "Cigarette smoking and maximal oxygen consumption rate in humans.", "content": "The relationship of maximal oxygen uptake with tobacco consumption was investigated in sixty-one young males. There was a significant negative correlation between daily consumption of tobacco and measured maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) expressed relative to body weight (r = -0.368, P less than 0.01) and to lean body mass (r = -0.497, P less than 0.001), respectively. No correlation could be demonstrated with regard to predicted maximal oxygen uptake (Vo3maxp). No difference was demonstrated between Vo2maxp and Vo2max in nonsmokers and heavy smokers, whereas Vo2maxp was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in the group of moderate smokers than Vo2max. It is concluded that tobacco smoking decreases Vo2max even in young moderate smokers. Smoking habits should be considered among factors affecting Vo2maxp from cardiac frequency at submaximal levels.", "contents": "Cigarette smoking and maximal oxygen consumption rate in humans. The relationship of maximal oxygen uptake with tobacco consumption was investigated in sixty-one young males. There was a significant negative correlation between daily consumption of tobacco and measured maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max) expressed relative to body weight (r = -0.368, P less than 0.01) and to lean body mass (r = -0.497, P less than 0.001), respectively. No correlation could be demonstrated with regard to predicted maximal oxygen uptake (Vo3maxp). No difference was demonstrated between Vo2maxp and Vo2max in nonsmokers and heavy smokers, whereas Vo2maxp was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in the group of moderate smokers than Vo2max. It is concluded that tobacco smoking decreases Vo2max even in young moderate smokers. Smoking habits should be considered among factors affecting Vo2maxp from cardiac frequency at submaximal levels.", "PMID": 616041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1633", "title": "A rapid and precise sequential saturation radioimmunoassay for thyroxine.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of total thyroxine in unextracted serum or plasma is described. The assay is performed according to the sequential saturation principle in less than 4 h. The entire assay is carried out at room temperature. An antiserum of high affinity was used as binder, ammonium 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulphonate as displacing agent, and activated charcoal as adsorbent in the separation step. The standard curve was linear in the range 0-136 nmol/l serum. The precision in terms of SD was nearly the same through-out this range. Estimates of within-assay SD varied from 1.3 to 4.1 and between-assay SD from 0 to 3.3 nmol/l. The recovery of thyroxine added to normal plasma was 100% and the sensitivity was 6 nmol/l. Mean thyroxine concentration in plasma from young bulls was 92 nmol/l. The assay appears to be very well suited for experimental purposes when high precision is essential.", "contents": "A rapid and precise sequential saturation radioimmunoassay for thyroxine. A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of total thyroxine in unextracted serum or plasma is described. The assay is performed according to the sequential saturation principle in less than 4 h. The entire assay is carried out at room temperature. An antiserum of high affinity was used as binder, ammonium 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulphonate as displacing agent, and activated charcoal as adsorbent in the separation step. The standard curve was linear in the range 0-136 nmol/l serum. The precision in terms of SD was nearly the same through-out this range. Estimates of within-assay SD varied from 1.3 to 4.1 and between-assay SD from 0 to 3.3 nmol/l. The recovery of thyroxine added to normal plasma was 100% and the sensitivity was 6 nmol/l. Mean thyroxine concentration in plasma from young bulls was 92 nmol/l. The assay appears to be very well suited for experimental purposes when high precision is essential.", "PMID": 616042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1634", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of secretin in plasma.", "content": "A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for secretin has been developed. 125I synthetic porcine secretin was used as label. Antibodies were raised against synthetic pocrine secretin. Pure natural porcine secretin was used as standard and free and bound hormone was separated by plasma-coated charcoal. Nonspecific interference with the assay system by plasma factors was abolished by extraction of plasma samples. The detection limit was 1.3 pmol/l. Within and between assay reproducibility (five triplicate determinations in each of eight assays) was 0.7 and 0.9 pmol/l respectivel (1 SD) at a concentration of 4.7 pmol/1. Fasting level in seventy normal persons ranged from less than 1.3 to 5.3 pmol/1. High concentrations were found in two patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In six normal persons intraduodenal acidification was immediately followed by an increase in secretin concentrations in peripheral venous blood to 7.7-23.6 pmol/1 (range), with a median of 15.5 pmol/1. In six anaesthetized pigs a fifty-fold increase in portal plasma secretin concentration after duodenal acidification was followed by a thirty-fold increased in the flow rate of pancreatic juice.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of secretin in plasma. A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for secretin has been developed. 125I synthetic porcine secretin was used as label. Antibodies were raised against synthetic pocrine secretin. Pure natural porcine secretin was used as standard and free and bound hormone was separated by plasma-coated charcoal. Nonspecific interference with the assay system by plasma factors was abolished by extraction of plasma samples. The detection limit was 1.3 pmol/l. Within and between assay reproducibility (five triplicate determinations in each of eight assays) was 0.7 and 0.9 pmol/l respectivel (1 SD) at a concentration of 4.7 pmol/1. Fasting level in seventy normal persons ranged from less than 1.3 to 5.3 pmol/1. High concentrations were found in two patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In six normal persons intraduodenal acidification was immediately followed by an increase in secretin concentrations in peripheral venous blood to 7.7-23.6 pmol/1 (range), with a median of 15.5 pmol/1. In six anaesthetized pigs a fifty-fold increase in portal plasma secretin concentration after duodenal acidification was followed by a thirty-fold increased in the flow rate of pancreatic juice.", "PMID": 616043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1635", "title": "Free choline in human plasma analysed by simple radio-enzymatic procedure: age distribution and effect of a meal.", "content": "Ultrafiltration of plasma was shown to be a simple and rapid method to obtain a stable sample for direct measurement of free choline (Ch) in plasma by a radioenzymatic procedure. Free Ch was analysed in plasma from healthy volunteers fasted 12-15 h and 1 h after a meal. The free Ch concentration was found within narrow limits with a mean of 10.6 +/- 0.4 mumol/l in the fasted subjects and 11.5 +/- 0.3 mumol/l 1 h after a meal. The difference is significant (paired t test, P less than 0.01, n = 23). Dietary influence on the free Ch concentration in human plasma is suggested. In three newborn infants (1-3 min post partum) the Ch concentration in plasma from the umbilical vein was 24.5 +/- 1.9 mumol/l.", "contents": "Free choline in human plasma analysed by simple radio-enzymatic procedure: age distribution and effect of a meal. Ultrafiltration of plasma was shown to be a simple and rapid method to obtain a stable sample for direct measurement of free choline (Ch) in plasma by a radioenzymatic procedure. Free Ch was analysed in plasma from healthy volunteers fasted 12-15 h and 1 h after a meal. The free Ch concentration was found within narrow limits with a mean of 10.6 +/- 0.4 mumol/l in the fasted subjects and 11.5 +/- 0.3 mumol/l 1 h after a meal. The difference is significant (paired t test, P less than 0.01, n = 23). Dietary influence on the free Ch concentration in human plasma is suggested. In three newborn infants (1-3 min post partum) the Ch concentration in plasma from the umbilical vein was 24.5 +/- 1.9 mumol/l.", "PMID": 616044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1636", "title": "The mechanism of orthostatic and haemorrhage fainting.", "content": "In order to study the adjustment of central circulation to postural changes and the mechanism of orthostatic fainting, the pressure in the brachial artery, the pulmonary artery, the right ventricle and heart rate (HR) were recorded in sixteen healthy young men, both supine and after tilting to 45 degrees and 90 degrees head up, before (normovolaemic, NV) as well as after (hypovolaemic, HV) withdrawal and reinfusion of (mostly) 950 g blood (about 15% of blood volume, BV). Two subjects fainted in supine HV, two in 90 degrees NV, four disclosed impending symptoms of fainting, and two fainted in 90 degrees HV. 'Fainters' differed from the others by smaller BV in relation to body height, higher HR in 90 degrees NV and lower arterial mean pressure in HV. In the three fainting situations, right ventricular enddiastolic pressure (PRveD) was markedly lowered to or below 0 mmHg. Arterial diastolic pressure (PaD) was not correlated with PRveD, but the pulse pressure decreased with the fall in PRveD. In 90 degrees HV, PaD fell in the six subjects who fainted or disclosed impending symptoms. Irrespective of the situation, the fainting attack involved a sudden decrease of HR and arterial pressure, concomitantly with a first unchanged then increased PRveD and/or pulmonary artery diastolic pressure. A reflex control of the filling volume/pressure of the heart is assumed to precipitate fainting by counteracting the arterial blood pressure regulation.", "contents": "The mechanism of orthostatic and haemorrhage fainting. In order to study the adjustment of central circulation to postural changes and the mechanism of orthostatic fainting, the pressure in the brachial artery, the pulmonary artery, the right ventricle and heart rate (HR) were recorded in sixteen healthy young men, both supine and after tilting to 45 degrees and 90 degrees head up, before (normovolaemic, NV) as well as after (hypovolaemic, HV) withdrawal and reinfusion of (mostly) 950 g blood (about 15% of blood volume, BV). Two subjects fainted in supine HV, two in 90 degrees NV, four disclosed impending symptoms of fainting, and two fainted in 90 degrees HV. 'Fainters' differed from the others by smaller BV in relation to body height, higher HR in 90 degrees NV and lower arterial mean pressure in HV. In the three fainting situations, right ventricular enddiastolic pressure (PRveD) was markedly lowered to or below 0 mmHg. Arterial diastolic pressure (PaD) was not correlated with PRveD, but the pulse pressure decreased with the fall in PRveD. In 90 degrees HV, PaD fell in the six subjects who fainted or disclosed impending symptoms. Irrespective of the situation, the fainting attack involved a sudden decrease of HR and arterial pressure, concomitantly with a first unchanged then increased PRveD and/or pulmonary artery diastolic pressure. A reflex control of the filling volume/pressure of the heart is assumed to precipitate fainting by counteracting the arterial blood pressure regulation.", "PMID": 616046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1637", "title": "Increased transcapillary escape rate of albumin and IgG in essential hypertension.", "content": "Transcapillary escape rates of albumin and IgG (fractions of intravascular mass of albumin and IgG that pass to the extravascular space per unit time) were determined simultaneously from the initial disappearance of intravenously injected 131I human albumin and 125I human IgG in seven untreated subjects suffering from essential hypertension. The average mean arterial blood pressure of these subjects 193/119 mmHg; four subjects had grade I-III funduscopic changes. Transcapillary escape rates of albumin (TERalb) and IgG (TERIgG) were found significantly increased in the hypertensive subjects, average 7.8 +/- 0.9 (SD) and 4.7 +/- 1.0 (SD) %/h, respectively, compared with normal values of mean 5.2 +/- 1.0 (SD) and 3.0 +/- 0.7 (SD) %/h, respectively (P less than 0.01). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the mean arterial blood pressure and TER of albumin and of IgG (P less than 0.001). The TERIgG/TERalb ratio was about the same in the hypertensives and the normals. Confirming a previous observation, we found an increase in the daily urinary albumin excretion rate from a normal average of 9.1 (range, 2.4-20.4)mg/24 h to 96 (range, 5.6-565) mg/24 h, P less than 0.05. The present findings can best be explained by increased filtration through normal pores between the endothelial cells in the microvasculature, due to the high arterial blood pressure.", "contents": "Increased transcapillary escape rate of albumin and IgG in essential hypertension. Transcapillary escape rates of albumin and IgG (fractions of intravascular mass of albumin and IgG that pass to the extravascular space per unit time) were determined simultaneously from the initial disappearance of intravenously injected 131I human albumin and 125I human IgG in seven untreated subjects suffering from essential hypertension. The average mean arterial blood pressure of these subjects 193/119 mmHg; four subjects had grade I-III funduscopic changes. Transcapillary escape rates of albumin (TERalb) and IgG (TERIgG) were found significantly increased in the hypertensive subjects, average 7.8 +/- 0.9 (SD) and 4.7 +/- 1.0 (SD) %/h, respectively, compared with normal values of mean 5.2 +/- 1.0 (SD) and 3.0 +/- 0.7 (SD) %/h, respectively (P less than 0.01). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the mean arterial blood pressure and TER of albumin and of IgG (P less than 0.001). The TERIgG/TERalb ratio was about the same in the hypertensives and the normals. Confirming a previous observation, we found an increase in the daily urinary albumin excretion rate from a normal average of 9.1 (range, 2.4-20.4)mg/24 h to 96 (range, 5.6-565) mg/24 h, P less than 0.05. The present findings can best be explained by increased filtration through normal pores between the endothelial cells in the microvasculature, due to the high arterial blood pressure.", "PMID": 616047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1638", "title": "Forearm glucose uptake during glucose tolerance tests in chronic alcoholics.", "content": "In twelve chronic alcoholics the glucose uptake in a forearm segment was studied during glucose tolerance tests. The tests were performed twice in each case, on the 3rd and on the 10th to 14th days after admission to hospital in an intoxicated state after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The total forearm glucose uptake following an oral glucose load almost doubled from the first to the second examination. Arterial glucose and insulin concentrations were similar on the two occasions. The findings indicate that the disposal of an oral glucose load is altered during the recovery after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The contribution made by muscle tissue increases twofold while that of the liver decreases.", "contents": "Forearm glucose uptake during glucose tolerance tests in chronic alcoholics. In twelve chronic alcoholics the glucose uptake in a forearm segment was studied during glucose tolerance tests. The tests were performed twice in each case, on the 3rd and on the 10th to 14th days after admission to hospital in an intoxicated state after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The total forearm glucose uptake following an oral glucose load almost doubled from the first to the second examination. Arterial glucose and insulin concentrations were similar on the two occasions. The findings indicate that the disposal of an oral glucose load is altered during the recovery after a period of excessive alcohol intake. The contribution made by muscle tissue increases twofold while that of the liver decreases.", "PMID": 616048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1639", "title": "Effects of different doses of acetylsalicylic acid on renal oxygen consumption.", "content": "The aim of the present study was to examine the acute effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on renal oxygen consumption (Qo2) and renal sodium excretion (UNaV) in anaesthetized dogs. With plasma salicylic acid (SA) concentrations ranging from 200-400 microgram/ml, Qo2 increased 36% (P less than 0.05) in spite of a 16% decrease in renal blood flow. At plasma SA concentrations of 80-200 microgram/ml Qo2 was significantly increased 45 min after the onset of ASA infusion. UNaV decreased from 97.7 to 21. 5 mumol/min (P less than 0.05). Glomerular filtration rate and absolute tubular reabsorption of sodium (RNa) was unchanged. The ratio RNa/Qo2 decreased from 31.0 to 21.3 (P less than 0.05). Renal lactate uptake increased. The results are most consistent with an uncoupling affect of ASA on oxidative phosphorylation in the kidney.", "contents": "Effects of different doses of acetylsalicylic acid on renal oxygen consumption. The aim of the present study was to examine the acute effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on renal oxygen consumption (Qo2) and renal sodium excretion (UNaV) in anaesthetized dogs. With plasma salicylic acid (SA) concentrations ranging from 200-400 microgram/ml, Qo2 increased 36% (P less than 0.05) in spite of a 16% decrease in renal blood flow. At plasma SA concentrations of 80-200 microgram/ml Qo2 was significantly increased 45 min after the onset of ASA infusion. UNaV decreased from 97.7 to 21. 5 mumol/min (P less than 0.05). Glomerular filtration rate and absolute tubular reabsorption of sodium (RNa) was unchanged. The ratio RNa/Qo2 decreased from 31.0 to 21.3 (P less than 0.05). Renal lactate uptake increased. The results are most consistent with an uncoupling affect of ASA on oxidative phosphorylation in the kidney.", "PMID": 616049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1640", "title": "Serum lipids and latent coronary insufficiency.", "content": "A group of 2014 'healthy' men were examined clinically, by resting ECG/exercise ECG and by the estimation of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. On repeated collection of specimen, standardization of factors related to the individual and influencing serum lipids was difficult to obtain. Thus, serum triglycerides were higher early in the week, at least partly due to habits of alcohol consumption. 140 of the participants (7.0%) were suspect of coronary heart disease (CHD) according to their symptoms/signs, and coronary angiography in 105 of them showed sixty-nine cases (3.4%) with pathological angiograms. Values for serum cholesterol and triglycerides are presented from a subgroup of 1832 men where no signs of CHD were found. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the group with pathological angiograms.", "contents": "Serum lipids and latent coronary insufficiency. A group of 2014 'healthy' men were examined clinically, by resting ECG/exercise ECG and by the estimation of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. On repeated collection of specimen, standardization of factors related to the individual and influencing serum lipids was difficult to obtain. Thus, serum triglycerides were higher early in the week, at least partly due to habits of alcohol consumption. 140 of the participants (7.0%) were suspect of coronary heart disease (CHD) according to their symptoms/signs, and coronary angiography in 105 of them showed sixty-nine cases (3.4%) with pathological angiograms. Values for serum cholesterol and triglycerides are presented from a subgroup of 1832 men where no signs of CHD were found. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the group with pathological angiograms.", "PMID": 616050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1641", "title": "Binding of bilirubin and long-chain fatty acids to human serum albumin with general remarks on displacement of firmly bound ligands.", "content": "Binding of bilirubin to human serum albumin was studied by estimation of the free bilirubin concentration from the rate of oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase, and by spectrophotometry: nI = 1, kI = 7 x 10(7) l/mol; nII = 1, kII = 5 x 10)5) l/mol, at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, ionic strength 0.1. Palmitate or oleate in excess of 4 mol per mol albumin, influences the high-affinity binding of bilirubin as described by an empirical equation. Theoretical consideration of competitive displacement of a biologically active substance, firmly bound in an inactive state to a macromolecular carrier, demonstrates that significant displacement may occur on addition of another ligand with a lower binding constant. Displacement of bilirubin from its high-infinity site by fatty acids and drugs is thermodynamically feasible and probably clinically important.", "contents": "Binding of bilirubin and long-chain fatty acids to human serum albumin with general remarks on displacement of firmly bound ligands. Binding of bilirubin to human serum albumin was studied by estimation of the free bilirubin concentration from the rate of oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase, and by spectrophotometry: nI = 1, kI = 7 x 10(7) l/mol; nII = 1, kII = 5 x 10)5) l/mol, at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C, ionic strength 0.1. Palmitate or oleate in excess of 4 mol per mol albumin, influences the high-affinity binding of bilirubin as described by an empirical equation. Theoretical consideration of competitive displacement of a biologically active substance, firmly bound in an inactive state to a macromolecular carrier, demonstrates that significant displacement may occur on addition of another ligand with a lower binding constant. Displacement of bilirubin from its high-infinity site by fatty acids and drugs is thermodynamically feasible and probably clinically important.", "PMID": 616051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1642", "title": "Production of Methotrexate antiserum in rabbits: the significance of immunogen solubility, hapten content, and mode of administration of the antibody response.", "content": "A method for raising specific antibodies of high avidity against Methotrexate in rabbits is described. The antibody response was tested after intramuscular and after multi-site intradermal adminstration of three different immunogens. Antisera of high specificity and avidity were obtained by multi-site intradermal administration of a water-soluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein). A water-soluble immunogen with low hapten content (15-18 mol hapten/mol protein) resulted in antisera of high specificity but low avidity. No antibody response was obtained with a water-insoluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein).", "contents": "Production of Methotrexate antiserum in rabbits: the significance of immunogen solubility, hapten content, and mode of administration of the antibody response. A method for raising specific antibodies of high avidity against Methotrexate in rabbits is described. The antibody response was tested after intramuscular and after multi-site intradermal adminstration of three different immunogens. Antisera of high specificity and avidity were obtained by multi-site intradermal administration of a water-soluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein). A water-soluble immunogen with low hapten content (15-18 mol hapten/mol protein) resulted in antisera of high specificity but low avidity. No antibody response was obtained with a water-insoluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein).", "PMID": 616052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1643", "title": "A new principle for simplified and continuous counting of radioactive samples: enclosure between adhesive tapes.", "content": "Radioactive samples are enclosed between two layers of adhesive, transparent tape. The double-tape is wound into drums and automatically fed through the 4pi counting apparatus. This system reduced the workload of mounting, storage and disposal to less than half and the adhesive tape used is fifteen times cheaper than the disposable plastic counting tubes usually employed. The risk of radioactive contamination is practically excluded.", "contents": "A new principle for simplified and continuous counting of radioactive samples: enclosure between adhesive tapes. Radioactive samples are enclosed between two layers of adhesive, transparent tape. The double-tape is wound into drums and automatically fed through the 4pi counting apparatus. This system reduced the workload of mounting, storage and disposal to less than half and the adhesive tape used is fifteen times cheaper than the disposable plastic counting tubes usually employed. The risk of radioactive contamination is practically excluded.", "PMID": 616053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1644", "title": "Effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid on epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary artery occlusion in dogs.", "content": "The effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on myocardial ischaemic injury following acute coronary artery occlusion has been studied in thoracotomized dogs during basal conditions and during elevation of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration induced by intravenous (i.v.) infusion of isoprenaline (0.075-0.15 microgram/kg/min). Ischaemic injury was measured as the sum of ST-segment elevations (sigmaST) in epicardial ECG recordings from 10-15 sites 15 min after occlusion. Both sodium salicylate and ASA (60 mg/kg) significantly reduced sigmaST both before and during isoprenaline infusion. Arterial concentrations of FFA were reduced by either drug during isoprenaline infusion, whereas in the basal state only a significant effect by sodium salicylate could be demonstrated. The reduction in epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary occlusion could not be explained by reduced mechanical activity of the heart. It is suggested that the reduction by salicylates of myocardial ischaemic injury might be related to reduced utilization of FFA by the myocardium, although a FFA-nondependent mechanism cannot be excluded in the basal state.", "contents": "Effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid on epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary artery occlusion in dogs. The effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on myocardial ischaemic injury following acute coronary artery occlusion has been studied in thoracotomized dogs during basal conditions and during elevation of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration induced by intravenous (i.v.) infusion of isoprenaline (0.075-0.15 microgram/kg/min). Ischaemic injury was measured as the sum of ST-segment elevations (sigmaST) in epicardial ECG recordings from 10-15 sites 15 min after occlusion. Both sodium salicylate and ASA (60 mg/kg) significantly reduced sigmaST both before and during isoprenaline infusion. Arterial concentrations of FFA were reduced by either drug during isoprenaline infusion, whereas in the basal state only a significant effect by sodium salicylate could be demonstrated. The reduction in epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary occlusion could not be explained by reduced mechanical activity of the heart. It is suggested that the reduction by salicylates of myocardial ischaemic injury might be related to reduced utilization of FFA by the myocardium, although a FFA-nondependent mechanism cannot be excluded in the basal state.", "PMID": 616055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1645", "title": "Effect of acute infectious disease on isometric muscle strength.", "content": "Isometric strength of different muscle groups was recorded in thiryty-nine patients suffering various acute infectious diseases, predominantly of viral or mycoplasma aetiology. Recordings were performed after subsidence of fever, and 1, and 4 months thereafter. A control group of twenty-two healthy men, confined to bed for the same period of time as the patients, were investigated at the same time intervals. In addition, control measurements were performed after 1 year in the patients, prior to bed rest in the control subjects. As a result of illness muscle strength was decreased significantly to 85.4-95.3% of that recorded at 4 months. In the control subjects strength did not change significantly, the corresponding percentages being 96.3-102.5. Thus, the present data indicate that these illnesses in themselves may bring about isometric muscle strength reduction.", "contents": "Effect of acute infectious disease on isometric muscle strength. Isometric strength of different muscle groups was recorded in thiryty-nine patients suffering various acute infectious diseases, predominantly of viral or mycoplasma aetiology. Recordings were performed after subsidence of fever, and 1, and 4 months thereafter. A control group of twenty-two healthy men, confined to bed for the same period of time as the patients, were investigated at the same time intervals. In addition, control measurements were performed after 1 year in the patients, prior to bed rest in the control subjects. As a result of illness muscle strength was decreased significantly to 85.4-95.3% of that recorded at 4 months. In the control subjects strength did not change significantly, the corresponding percentages being 96.3-102.5. Thus, the present data indicate that these illnesses in themselves may bring about isometric muscle strength reduction.", "PMID": 616056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1646", "title": "Fat cell size and blood lactate in humans.", "content": "Twelve patients randomly selected as regards obesity were investigated. Morphological fat tissue parameters (size and number of adipose cells) were measured together with metabolic parameters in blood (K-value, fasting glucose, lactate, triglyceride, and free fatty acids). A high, positive correlation (0.86) between blood lactate and fat cell size was found. Also serum triglyceride and fat cell size showed a positive correlation (0.64). No correlations were found between fat cell number and the measured metabolic parameters.", "contents": "Fat cell size and blood lactate in humans. Twelve patients randomly selected as regards obesity were investigated. Morphological fat tissue parameters (size and number of adipose cells) were measured together with metabolic parameters in blood (K-value, fasting glucose, lactate, triglyceride, and free fatty acids). A high, positive correlation (0.86) between blood lactate and fat cell size was found. Also serum triglyceride and fat cell size showed a positive correlation (0.64). No correlations were found between fat cell number and the measured metabolic parameters.", "PMID": 616057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1647", "title": "Long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content measurements.", "content": "The long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements using two identical equipments for two-dimensional fore-arm scanning, was measured in normal persons and aluminium standards (corresponding to normal persons and severely osteopenic patients). The mean coefficient of variation in normal subjects measured for one year was 1.4%. The data were used to estimate that this equipment can measure BMC in osteopenic patients with a long term reproducibility of 1.7%, which is sufficient for use in the clinically relevant range of calcium balance.", "contents": "Long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content measurements. The long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements using two identical equipments for two-dimensional fore-arm scanning, was measured in normal persons and aluminium standards (corresponding to normal persons and severely osteopenic patients). The mean coefficient of variation in normal subjects measured for one year was 1.4%. The data were used to estimate that this equipment can measure BMC in osteopenic patients with a long term reproducibility of 1.7%, which is sufficient for use in the clinically relevant range of calcium balance.", "PMID": 616058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1648", "title": "Insensible perspiration from the skin under standardized environmental conditions.", "content": "The cutaneous insensible perspiration of adult healthy volunteers was measured by a new method based on estimation of the vapour pressure gradient in the air layer immediately adjacent to skin. All measurements were performed at ambient temperatures of 22 degrees, 27 degrees and 30 degrees C and at a relative humidity of 30%. On the basis of the results obtained the total body surface area of the investigated subjects was divided into four different zones with respect to quantitative water loss. The percentage contribution of the different zones to the total cutaneous water loss proved to be fairly independent of the amibent temperature. The average total cutaneous insensible perspiration of a naked resting subject with a body surface area of 1.75 m2 was estimated to be 381 +/- 18, 526 +/- 25 and 695 +/- 35 ml per day (mean values +/- SEE) at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C, 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C, respectively. By recording the evaporation rate from only three separate measurement points, it was possible to calculate the total cutaneous insensible water loss with good accuracy.", "contents": "Insensible perspiration from the skin under standardized environmental conditions. The cutaneous insensible perspiration of adult healthy volunteers was measured by a new method based on estimation of the vapour pressure gradient in the air layer immediately adjacent to skin. All measurements were performed at ambient temperatures of 22 degrees, 27 degrees and 30 degrees C and at a relative humidity of 30%. On the basis of the results obtained the total body surface area of the investigated subjects was divided into four different zones with respect to quantitative water loss. The percentage contribution of the different zones to the total cutaneous water loss proved to be fairly independent of the amibent temperature. The average total cutaneous insensible perspiration of a naked resting subject with a body surface area of 1.75 m2 was estimated to be 381 +/- 18, 526 +/- 25 and 695 +/- 35 ml per day (mean values +/- SEE) at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C, 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C, respectively. By recording the evaporation rate from only three separate measurement points, it was possible to calculate the total cutaneous insensible water loss with good accuracy.", "PMID": 616059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1649", "title": "Effect of sites of blood sampling in determination of the galactose elimination capacity.", "content": "The galactose elimination capacity was calculated from both arterial and capillary or peripheral venous curves in twenty patients. The capillary curves on the average were delayed 1.4 min in relation to the arterial curves. No significant difference was found between the calculated galactose elimination capacity from either curve. On the average the slope of the venous curves was smaller than that of the arterial curve, and their time delay was very variable (from 1.55 to 5.27 min). Galactose elimination capacity calculated from venous curves was smaller than those calculated from arterial curves, especially in patients with a high galactose elimination capacity. Capillary blood sampling may replace arterial puncture for routine use, whereas venous blood sampling introduces a significant bias.", "contents": "Effect of sites of blood sampling in determination of the galactose elimination capacity. The galactose elimination capacity was calculated from both arterial and capillary or peripheral venous curves in twenty patients. The capillary curves on the average were delayed 1.4 min in relation to the arterial curves. No significant difference was found between the calculated galactose elimination capacity from either curve. On the average the slope of the venous curves was smaller than that of the arterial curve, and their time delay was very variable (from 1.55 to 5.27 min). Galactose elimination capacity calculated from venous curves was smaller than those calculated from arterial curves, especially in patients with a high galactose elimination capacity. Capillary blood sampling may replace arterial puncture for routine use, whereas venous blood sampling introduces a significant bias.", "PMID": 616060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1650", "title": "Identification of glutamine as a hepatic factor which influence the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts.", "content": "Earlier we have found that 35,000 g supernatants of liver homogenates from both normal and hypercholesterolaemic rats stimulate the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts. Supernatants from the fatty livers of hypercholesterolaemic rats showed greater stimulation. In the present study we fractionated the 35,000 g supernatants using gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, paper electrophoresis and paper chromatography. One of the stimulating factors turned out to be glutamine. However, the concentration of glutamine was the same in normal and fatty livers suggesting that glutamine is not responsible for the greater stimulating activity found in the 35,000 g supernatants from fatty livers. Authentic glutamine increased the synthesis of collagen by 40% at a concentration of 40 mumol/l but inhibited it 80% at 4 mmol/l, which is widely used in cell culture media. There, the concentration of glutamine should be controlled carefully in tests for collagen synthesis in vitro.", "contents": "Identification of glutamine as a hepatic factor which influence the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts. Earlier we have found that 35,000 g supernatants of liver homogenates from both normal and hypercholesterolaemic rats stimulate the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts. Supernatants from the fatty livers of hypercholesterolaemic rats showed greater stimulation. In the present study we fractionated the 35,000 g supernatants using gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, paper electrophoresis and paper chromatography. One of the stimulating factors turned out to be glutamine. However, the concentration of glutamine was the same in normal and fatty livers suggesting that glutamine is not responsible for the greater stimulating activity found in the 35,000 g supernatants from fatty livers. Authentic glutamine increased the synthesis of collagen by 40% at a concentration of 40 mumol/l but inhibited it 80% at 4 mmol/l, which is widely used in cell culture media. There, the concentration of glutamine should be controlled carefully in tests for collagen synthesis in vitro.", "PMID": 616061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1651", "title": "Urinary excretion of position isomers of penta-and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins belonging to the isomer III series in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria.", "content": "The excretion of position isomers of penta- and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins type III in the urine in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria characterized by the excretion of large amounts of penta-, hexa- and hepta-carboxylated porphyrins type III together with isocoproporphyrins both in the urine and faeces, and a simple method for the synthesis and separation of such position isomers has been described. The implications of the finding of position isomers type III have been discussed and it is suggested that the decarboxylation of uroporphyrinogen III both in the present case and under physiological conditions is a random process.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of position isomers of penta-and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins belonging to the isomer III series in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria. The excretion of position isomers of penta- and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins type III in the urine in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria characterized by the excretion of large amounts of penta-, hexa- and hepta-carboxylated porphyrins type III together with isocoproporphyrins both in the urine and faeces, and a simple method for the synthesis and separation of such position isomers has been described. The implications of the finding of position isomers type III have been discussed and it is suggested that the decarboxylation of uroporphyrinogen III both in the present case and under physiological conditions is a random process.", "PMID": 616062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1652", "title": "Folate binding by human milk protein.", "content": "Human whey was subjected to gel chromatography. Two folate binding protein fractions wer eluted: a major one (Mr congruent to 30,000) and a minor one (Mr greater than 200,000). The former folate binding fraction (FB) could be isolated from whey by means of ion exchange chromatography. Equilibrium dialysis experiments with whey and isolated FB indicated the existence of cooperatively interacting sites in folate binding. The folate analogue methotrexate inhibited folate binding. Inhibition was apparently of a competitive type since methotrexate did not reduce maximum binding capacity. Cooperativity was lost in the presence of methotrexate. Binding affinity was inversely proportional to the concentration of FB suggesting involvement of a polymerizing protein system in binding. None of the other fractions eluted on the ion exchange column could bind folate.", "contents": "Folate binding by human milk protein. Human whey was subjected to gel chromatography. Two folate binding protein fractions wer eluted: a major one (Mr congruent to 30,000) and a minor one (Mr greater than 200,000). The former folate binding fraction (FB) could be isolated from whey by means of ion exchange chromatography. Equilibrium dialysis experiments with whey and isolated FB indicated the existence of cooperatively interacting sites in folate binding. The folate analogue methotrexate inhibited folate binding. Inhibition was apparently of a competitive type since methotrexate did not reduce maximum binding capacity. Cooperativity was lost in the presence of methotrexate. Binding affinity was inversely proportional to the concentration of FB suggesting involvement of a polymerizing protein system in binding. None of the other fractions eluted on the ion exchange column could bind folate.", "PMID": 616063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1653", "title": "Parathyroid hormone in serum during lithium therapy.", "content": "In ten patients parathyroid hormone, urinary calcium excretion, and fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium were determined at intervals during three months of lithium treatment. Parathyroid hormone increased more than 40% within the first week and remained elevated throughout the treatment period. Calcium excretion fell by more than 30% within the first week and remained low throughout the treatment period. The reduction in urinary calcium excretion could be accounted for by an increase in fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium. There were no significant changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate or in urinary inorganic phosphate. The results indicate that lithium treatment affects the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism.", "contents": "Parathyroid hormone in serum during lithium therapy. In ten patients parathyroid hormone, urinary calcium excretion, and fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium were determined at intervals during three months of lithium treatment. Parathyroid hormone increased more than 40% within the first week and remained elevated throughout the treatment period. Calcium excretion fell by more than 30% within the first week and remained low throughout the treatment period. The reduction in urinary calcium excretion could be accounted for by an increase in fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium. There were no significant changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate or in urinary inorganic phosphate. The results indicate that lithium treatment affects the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism.", "PMID": 616064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1654", "title": "Determination of serum proxiphylline by high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "A specific, simple and rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitation of proxiphylline in serum. Other methylated xanthines, and a variety of drugs commonly used in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases, do not interfere with the analysis. Protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid is the only pre-treatment of the sample required before injection. The time necessary to analyse one serum sample is half an hour including sample preparation, chromatographic running and calculation of the drug concentration. The method can therefore be used as an emergency analysis. The detection limit of proxiphylline is 50 pmol injected into the chromatotograph, and as little as 10 microliter serum can be analysed. The method can also be used for the quantitation of theophylline.", "contents": "Determination of serum proxiphylline by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A specific, simple and rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitation of proxiphylline in serum. Other methylated xanthines, and a variety of drugs commonly used in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases, do not interfere with the analysis. Protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid is the only pre-treatment of the sample required before injection. The time necessary to analyse one serum sample is half an hour including sample preparation, chromatographic running and calculation of the drug concentration. The method can therefore be used as an emergency analysis. The detection limit of proxiphylline is 50 pmol injected into the chromatotograph, and as little as 10 microliter serum can be analysed. The method can also be used for the quantitation of theophylline.", "PMID": 616065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1655", "title": "Kinetics of ethanol inhibition of galactose elimination in perfused pig liver.", "content": "The effect of ethanol (5--25 mM) on the galactose elimination kinetics in the intact liver was studied in the isolated perfused pig liver, using the steady-state infusion technique. Ethanol reduced galactose-Vmax on average to 0.07 mmol/min kg liver in six experiments from 0.43 mmol/min kg obtained in control experiments without ethanol. Also Km was significantly reduced from 0.23 mmol/l plasma water to 0.03 mmol/l. Ethanol increased UDP-galactose ten-fold simultaneous with a rise in hepatic outflow ratio of lactate to pyruvate to about 300 from 10; this indicates that ethanol inhibits epimerase. In experiments with increasing galactose elimination rates, the concentration of galactose-1-P increased much less than the concentration of galactose, and the phosphorylation of galactose therefore seems to be rate-limiting. In vitro galactokinase is inhibited by galactose-1-P. In the present study ethanol increased galactose-1-P five to ten times, and the reduction of Vmax and Km by ethanol could be explained by uncompetitive inhibition by galactose-1-P with Ki about 0.1 mmol/l. Ethanol decreased UDP-glucose to about 40% and UTP to less than 5%, probably due to trapping as UDP-galactose. This may depress the forward transferase reaction, and therefore the other co-substrate galactose-1-P rises--and inhibits galactokinase.", "contents": "Kinetics of ethanol inhibition of galactose elimination in perfused pig liver. The effect of ethanol (5--25 mM) on the galactose elimination kinetics in the intact liver was studied in the isolated perfused pig liver, using the steady-state infusion technique. Ethanol reduced galactose-Vmax on average to 0.07 mmol/min kg liver in six experiments from 0.43 mmol/min kg obtained in control experiments without ethanol. Also Km was significantly reduced from 0.23 mmol/l plasma water to 0.03 mmol/l. Ethanol increased UDP-galactose ten-fold simultaneous with a rise in hepatic outflow ratio of lactate to pyruvate to about 300 from 10; this indicates that ethanol inhibits epimerase. In experiments with increasing galactose elimination rates, the concentration of galactose-1-P increased much less than the concentration of galactose, and the phosphorylation of galactose therefore seems to be rate-limiting. In vitro galactokinase is inhibited by galactose-1-P. In the present study ethanol increased galactose-1-P five to ten times, and the reduction of Vmax and Km by ethanol could be explained by uncompetitive inhibition by galactose-1-P with Ki about 0.1 mmol/l. Ethanol decreased UDP-glucose to about 40% and UTP to less than 5%, probably due to trapping as UDP-galactose. This may depress the forward transferase reaction, and therefore the other co-substrate galactose-1-P rises--and inhibits galactokinase.", "PMID": 616067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1656", "title": "Carotid baroreceptor function in hypertensive patients.", "content": "Carotid baroreceptor function has been studied in twenty-five patients with essential hypertension and in ten normotensive control subjects of corresponding age. The carotid baroreceptors were stimulated by increasing the transmural pressure over the carotid arteries by the application of negative pressure in a box enclosing the neck. Stimulation elicited significant decreases in intra-arterial blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac index in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Both groups also showed a significant decrease in stroke index and a significant increase in total peripheral vascular resistance index. The response to carotid sinus stimulation did not differ significantly between the two groups. In fourteen of the hypertensive subjects, carotid baroreceptor function was studied after 4 months of saluretic therapy, mefruside, and in nine of these patients after additional treatment with a beta-receptor blocking drug, alprenolol, for another 4 months. Both mefruside and alprenolol induced a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure but the response to the carotid baroreceptor stimulation was not significantly altered. The findings indicate that the carotid baroreceptor is re-set to the actual blood pressure level, with little or no change in gain in hypertensive subjects both without and during hypotensive therapy.", "contents": "Carotid baroreceptor function in hypertensive patients. Carotid baroreceptor function has been studied in twenty-five patients with essential hypertension and in ten normotensive control subjects of corresponding age. The carotid baroreceptors were stimulated by increasing the transmural pressure over the carotid arteries by the application of negative pressure in a box enclosing the neck. Stimulation elicited significant decreases in intra-arterial blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac index in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Both groups also showed a significant decrease in stroke index and a significant increase in total peripheral vascular resistance index. The response to carotid sinus stimulation did not differ significantly between the two groups. In fourteen of the hypertensive subjects, carotid baroreceptor function was studied after 4 months of saluretic therapy, mefruside, and in nine of these patients after additional treatment with a beta-receptor blocking drug, alprenolol, for another 4 months. Both mefruside and alprenolol induced a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure but the response to the carotid baroreceptor stimulation was not significantly altered. The findings indicate that the carotid baroreceptor is re-set to the actual blood pressure level, with little or no change in gain in hypertensive subjects both without and during hypotensive therapy.", "PMID": 616068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1657", "title": "The effect of mexiletine on the electrophysical properties of the intact human heart.", "content": "The effect of an intravenous dose of mexiletine, a new anti-arrhythmic agent, on the electrophysiological properties of the intact human heart was studied in ten subjects with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Mexiletine produced no significant changes in the sinus node recovery time, the corrected sinus node recovery time or in the atrial, atrio-ventricular and ventricular effective refractory periods. In addition mexiletine had no significant effect on proximal atrioventricular conduction. The drug did, however, prolong atrio-ventricular conduction distal to the bundle of His in all ten subjects by an average of 6 msec. This change was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). The drug is recommended to be used with caution in patients with conduction disturbances.", "contents": "The effect of mexiletine on the electrophysical properties of the intact human heart. The effect of an intravenous dose of mexiletine, a new anti-arrhythmic agent, on the electrophysiological properties of the intact human heart was studied in ten subjects with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Mexiletine produced no significant changes in the sinus node recovery time, the corrected sinus node recovery time or in the atrial, atrio-ventricular and ventricular effective refractory periods. In addition mexiletine had no significant effect on proximal atrioventricular conduction. The drug did, however, prolong atrio-ventricular conduction distal to the bundle of His in all ten subjects by an average of 6 msec. This change was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). The drug is recommended to be used with caution in patients with conduction disturbances.", "PMID": 616069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1658", "title": "Relationships between blood pressure, age, plasma renin activity and electrolyte excretion in normotensive subjects.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine and sitting blood pressure (BP) and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were studied in 120 normotensive subjects aged 22--78 years, during strictly standardized conditions. PRA was measured after 1 h supine rest (basal PRA) after ambulation for 3--4 h (upright PRA) and after stimulation with 80 mg frusemide orally (stimulated PRA). PRA was determined with a new, simple, accurate and sensitive radioimmunoassay method. Supine and sitting systolic BP increased with age but no such correlation was found for the diastolic BP. No correlation could be shown between the BP levels and either the sodium or the potassium excretions. PRA levels increased about two-fold from basal to upright levels and about four-fold from basal levels after stimulation. No differences in mean PRA-levels were seen between males and females. We could not demonstrate any correlations between PRA-levels and 24 h sodium or potassium excretions, nor was there any relationship between age and PRA. Reference ranges are given for basal, upright and stimulated PRA in normotensive subjects. From these reference values a rational and clinically useful subdivision into low, normal and high renin groups can be made for hypertensive patients.", "contents": "Relationships between blood pressure, age, plasma renin activity and electrolyte excretion in normotensive subjects. Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine and sitting blood pressure (BP) and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were studied in 120 normotensive subjects aged 22--78 years, during strictly standardized conditions. PRA was measured after 1 h supine rest (basal PRA) after ambulation for 3--4 h (upright PRA) and after stimulation with 80 mg frusemide orally (stimulated PRA). PRA was determined with a new, simple, accurate and sensitive radioimmunoassay method. Supine and sitting systolic BP increased with age but no such correlation was found for the diastolic BP. No correlation could be shown between the BP levels and either the sodium or the potassium excretions. PRA levels increased about two-fold from basal to upright levels and about four-fold from basal levels after stimulation. No differences in mean PRA-levels were seen between males and females. We could not demonstrate any correlations between PRA-levels and 24 h sodium or potassium excretions, nor was there any relationship between age and PRA. Reference ranges are given for basal, upright and stimulated PRA in normotensive subjects. From these reference values a rational and clinically useful subdivision into low, normal and high renin groups can be made for hypertensive patients.", "PMID": 616070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1659", "title": "Activation of creatine kinase activity in lyophilized control materials.", "content": "The activity of creatine kinase in lyophilized control materials has been studied. In most such samples the activity was highly dependent upon time of exposure to the reagent system including the thiol activator, increasing pre-incubation time gave rise to increasing activities of creatine kinase. The increase of the activity could be prevented by reconstitution in presence of a thiol activator. In this way stable control materials was obtained for use in several days.", "contents": "Activation of creatine kinase activity in lyophilized control materials. The activity of creatine kinase in lyophilized control materials has been studied. In most such samples the activity was highly dependent upon time of exposure to the reagent system including the thiol activator, increasing pre-incubation time gave rise to increasing activities of creatine kinase. The increase of the activity could be prevented by reconstitution in presence of a thiol activator. In this way stable control materials was obtained for use in several days.", "PMID": 616071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1660", "title": "Unusual congenital coronary arterio-venous fistulae with surgical correction.", "content": "A typical case of anginal syndrome in a fifty year old male has been described. The underlying lesion was congenital coronary arterio-venous fistula between the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and pulmonary artery. Diagnosis has been made by coronary angiography and proved at operation. The patient underwent successful operation where a multiple fistulous ostia draining into the pulmonary trunk were obliterated by means of extracorporeal circulation. The pertinent literature related to this congenital anomaly and symptomatology has been reviewed.", "contents": "Unusual congenital coronary arterio-venous fistulae with surgical correction. A typical case of anginal syndrome in a fifty year old male has been described. The underlying lesion was congenital coronary arterio-venous fistula between the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and pulmonary artery. Diagnosis has been made by coronary angiography and proved at operation. The patient underwent successful operation where a multiple fistulous ostia draining into the pulmonary trunk were obliterated by means of extracorporeal circulation. The pertinent literature related to this congenital anomaly and symptomatology has been reviewed.", "PMID": 616126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1661", "title": "A solution to preserve the intima when vein grafts are irrigated and/or preserved.", "content": "It appears that BGI Solution is a satisfactory graft irrigation media and does preserve the intima better than normal saline and as effective as whole blood. It also functions as a media for storage of vein grafts at 0-5 degrees C. Partially supported by grant from Arizona Heart Association.", "contents": "A solution to preserve the intima when vein grafts are irrigated and/or preserved. It appears that BGI Solution is a satisfactory graft irrigation media and does preserve the intima better than normal saline and as effective as whole blood. It also functions as a media for storage of vein grafts at 0-5 degrees C. Partially supported by grant from Arizona Heart Association.", "PMID": 616135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1662", "title": "A synthetic vascular conduit (expanded PTFE) for hemodialysis access--a preliminary report.", "content": "The short term follow up of the thirteen PTFE synthetic grafts placed in eleven patients for chronic hemodialysis is reported. PTFE graft appears to be a satisfactory alternative to a bovine graft for use as a subcutaneous arteriovenous conduit for hemodialysis. Its resistance to local infection is noteworthy.", "contents": "A synthetic vascular conduit (expanded PTFE) for hemodialysis access--a preliminary report. The short term follow up of the thirteen PTFE synthetic grafts placed in eleven patients for chronic hemodialysis is reported. PTFE graft appears to be a satisfactory alternative to a bovine graft for use as a subcutaneous arteriovenous conduit for hemodialysis. Its resistance to local infection is noteworthy.", "PMID": 616139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1663", "title": "Bypass to the tibial and peroneal arteries using the great saphenous vein in situ.", "content": "In 22 patients with extensive atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities 24 long bypasses have been performed. The main indications for surgery were rest pain and imminent or manifest gangrene. The semiclosed in situ vein technique was used in all except one case. Five grafts thrombosed within 2 weeks postoperatively, one of them was successfully reopened. At discharge 20 grafts were patent, and most of the patients had relief of their ischemic symptoms. After 5 years 26% of the long vein grafts were patent. In comparison, almost 70% of in situ femoro-popliteal vein grafts were patent. One patient is still living with an open long vein graft 14 years after surgery. The in situ vein technique is especially suited for long bypasses. The poorer results in the present series is probably due to an extremely advanced atherosclerotic disease and a high percent of small fibrotic veins with a diameter of 3 mm or less.", "contents": "Bypass to the tibial and peroneal arteries using the great saphenous vein in situ. In 22 patients with extensive atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities 24 long bypasses have been performed. The main indications for surgery were rest pain and imminent or manifest gangrene. The semiclosed in situ vein technique was used in all except one case. Five grafts thrombosed within 2 weeks postoperatively, one of them was successfully reopened. At discharge 20 grafts were patent, and most of the patients had relief of their ischemic symptoms. After 5 years 26% of the long vein grafts were patent. In comparison, almost 70% of in situ femoro-popliteal vein grafts were patent. One patient is still living with an open long vein graft 14 years after surgery. The in situ vein technique is especially suited for long bypasses. The poorer results in the present series is probably due to an extremely advanced atherosclerotic disease and a high percent of small fibrotic veins with a diameter of 3 mm or less.", "PMID": 616137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1664", "title": "Invasive and noninvasive techniques in the detection and evaluation of acute venous thrombosis.", "content": "There are a variety of noninvasive testing procedures which can be used to establish the diagnosis of acute venous thrombosis with a high degree of certainty. For prospective screening of patients at risk, only 125I-labelled fibrinogen is of value, but does have a false positive rate of 21%. Its greatest problem is that it must be given prior to the event and, furthermore, it is not accurate in the upper thigh or the region of the iliac veins. Doppler ultrasound, plethysmography and phleborheography are accurate methods of detecting thrombi which involve the major veins of the limb from the level of the tibial veins below the knee to the level of the iliac veins in the abdomen. If properly performed, the sensitivity and specificity should exceed 90% in experienced laboratories. Contrast phlebography remains the best method of demonstrating venous thrombosis but does have limitations with regard to costs, pain to the patient and the production of thrombosis in a small percentage of patients. Furthermore, if the injections are done at the foot level, at least 18% will have inadequate visualization of the iliac veins, a critically important venous segment. It use must be restricted to those situations in which the noninvasive tests are equivocal or the information is absolutely essential for a therapeutic decision.", "contents": "Invasive and noninvasive techniques in the detection and evaluation of acute venous thrombosis. There are a variety of noninvasive testing procedures which can be used to establish the diagnosis of acute venous thrombosis with a high degree of certainty. For prospective screening of patients at risk, only 125I-labelled fibrinogen is of value, but does have a false positive rate of 21%. Its greatest problem is that it must be given prior to the event and, furthermore, it is not accurate in the upper thigh or the region of the iliac veins. Doppler ultrasound, plethysmography and phleborheography are accurate methods of detecting thrombi which involve the major veins of the limb from the level of the tibial veins below the knee to the level of the iliac veins in the abdomen. If properly performed, the sensitivity and specificity should exceed 90% in experienced laboratories. Contrast phlebography remains the best method of demonstrating venous thrombosis but does have limitations with regard to costs, pain to the patient and the production of thrombosis in a small percentage of patients. Furthermore, if the injections are done at the foot level, at least 18% will have inadequate visualization of the iliac veins, a critically important venous segment. It use must be restricted to those situations in which the noninvasive tests are equivocal or the information is absolutely essential for a therapeutic decision.", "PMID": 616142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1665", "title": "Acute arterial occlusions.", "content": "We believe that streptokinase is safe and effective in restoring the patency of arteries that have been acutely occluded by thrombosis or embolization. It should be used on those patients in whom the branches as well as the main conduits are occluded. It should also be used when the risks of surgery are great because of concurrent medical problems. Streptokinase should not be used after major surgery, in patients with blood dyscrasias, or when there are neurologic deficits secondary to the arterial ischemia. Streptokinase should not be considered as an antagonist to arterial surgery with the use of the Fogarty catheter but as an adjunct to the ever increasing armamentarium of the vascular surgeon.", "contents": "Acute arterial occlusions. We believe that streptokinase is safe and effective in restoring the patency of arteries that have been acutely occluded by thrombosis or embolization. It should be used on those patients in whom the branches as well as the main conduits are occluded. It should also be used when the risks of surgery are great because of concurrent medical problems. Streptokinase should not be used after major surgery, in patients with blood dyscrasias, or when there are neurologic deficits secondary to the arterial ischemia. Streptokinase should not be considered as an antagonist to arterial surgery with the use of the Fogarty catheter but as an adjunct to the ever increasing armamentarium of the vascular surgeon.", "PMID": 616149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1666", "title": "Experience with fibrinolytic therapy of vascular occlusive disease.", "content": "1. There may well be a place for streptokinase therapy in selected patients with chronic arterial occlusion, but the emphasis should be on developing information on selection criteria. 2. Efficacy and safety have been established for the use of streptokinase in occluded AV cannulae, but this may be more of historical than contemporary importance. 3. Although more investigation is required to define the role of lytic therapy in retinal vascular occlusion and in the hemolytic uremic syndrome, the preliminary results are encouraging and merit further attention.", "contents": "Experience with fibrinolytic therapy of vascular occlusive disease. 1. There may well be a place for streptokinase therapy in selected patients with chronic arterial occlusion, but the emphasis should be on developing information on selection criteria. 2. Efficacy and safety have been established for the use of streptokinase in occluded AV cannulae, but this may be more of historical than contemporary importance. 3. Although more investigation is required to define the role of lytic therapy in retinal vascular occlusion and in the hemolytic uremic syndrome, the preliminary results are encouraging and merit further attention.", "PMID": 616150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1667", "title": "[Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isoenzymes in pig liver during postnatal development].", "content": "1. LDH-activity in the liver of newborn piglets is 4 times that of adult pig sliver and remains relatively constant at this level during the first 3 weeks of life. 2. 90% of LDH is localized in the cytosolic compartment of the liver, independent of age of pigs. 3. In the liver of newborn piglets the isoenzymes LDH-3 and LDH-4 includes the main part of LDH-activity. The typical distribution of LDH isoenzymes in the liver of adult pigs (LDH-3 greater than LDH-2 greater than LDH-1 greater than LDH-4 greater than LDH-5) is already reached in 6-day-old piglets. Afterwards there follows only a decrease of LDH-1. Therefore, during postnatal development a directed shift from M- to H-type of isoenzyme distribution is observed.", "contents": "[Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isoenzymes in pig liver during postnatal development]. 1. LDH-activity in the liver of newborn piglets is 4 times that of adult pig sliver and remains relatively constant at this level during the first 3 weeks of life. 2. 90% of LDH is localized in the cytosolic compartment of the liver, independent of age of pigs. 3. In the liver of newborn piglets the isoenzymes LDH-3 and LDH-4 includes the main part of LDH-activity. The typical distribution of LDH isoenzymes in the liver of adult pigs (LDH-3 greater than LDH-2 greater than LDH-1 greater than LDH-4 greater than LDH-5) is already reached in 6-day-old piglets. Afterwards there follows only a decrease of LDH-1. Therefore, during postnatal development a directed shift from M- to H-type of isoenzyme distribution is observed.", "PMID": 616157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1668", "title": "[Phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of isolated phospholipids from rabbit reticulocyte mitochondria].", "content": "The phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of individual phospholipid classes were determined in mitochondria from rabbit reticulocytes. Compared to mitochondria from rat liver reticulocyte, mitochondria exhibit about twice the amount of phospholipids. The phospholipid pattern of reticulocyte mitochondria (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin) is comparable with other mitochondrial species. Mitochondrial fractions from reticulocytes are characterized, however, by an additional content of sphingomyelin. This sphingomyelin differs in its fatty acid composition from the sphingomyelin of the plasma membrane. The fatty acid patterns of all other phospholipids essentially correspond to those of mitochondria from other sources and to those of plasma membranes as well.", "contents": "[Phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of isolated phospholipids from rabbit reticulocyte mitochondria]. The phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of individual phospholipid classes were determined in mitochondria from rabbit reticulocytes. Compared to mitochondria from rat liver reticulocyte, mitochondria exhibit about twice the amount of phospholipids. The phospholipid pattern of reticulocyte mitochondria (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin) is comparable with other mitochondrial species. Mitochondrial fractions from reticulocytes are characterized, however, by an additional content of sphingomyelin. This sphingomyelin differs in its fatty acid composition from the sphingomyelin of the plasma membrane. The fatty acid patterns of all other phospholipids essentially correspond to those of mitochondria from other sources and to those of plasma membranes as well.", "PMID": 616158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1669", "title": "Intermittent treatment with streptokinase in arterial disease of the limbs.", "content": "Sixty-two patients with arterial disease of the lower limbs were treated with streptokinase by intermittent administration. All patients had experienced recent aggravation of their arterial disease, and 22 had thrombolysis confirmed by arteriography. In 20 cases clinical study showed repermeation--in 8 cases during the first perfusion and in 8 cases during the third perfusion. During the first perfusion the fall in fibrinogen was significantly greater in the 8 patients with thrombolysis. Further, the third perfusion corresponded to a new phase of fibrinogenolysis. These results support the possibility of the relationship between plasminemia and thrombolysis, and emphasize the limits of the classic theory of Sherry, Fletcher, and Alkjaersig. Permitting phases of repeated but limited plasminemia, the interruption method used here is a compromise between the risk of hemorrhage and the efficacy of treatment at low dosage.", "contents": "Intermittent treatment with streptokinase in arterial disease of the limbs. Sixty-two patients with arterial disease of the lower limbs were treated with streptokinase by intermittent administration. All patients had experienced recent aggravation of their arterial disease, and 22 had thrombolysis confirmed by arteriography. In 20 cases clinical study showed repermeation--in 8 cases during the first perfusion and in 8 cases during the third perfusion. During the first perfusion the fall in fibrinogen was significantly greater in the 8 patients with thrombolysis. Further, the third perfusion corresponded to a new phase of fibrinogenolysis. These results support the possibility of the relationship between plasminemia and thrombolysis, and emphasize the limits of the classic theory of Sherry, Fletcher, and Alkjaersig. Permitting phases of repeated but limited plasminemia, the interruption method used here is a compromise between the risk of hemorrhage and the efficacy of treatment at low dosage.", "PMID": 616153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1670", "title": "[Results of oral methionine loads in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases using an analyzer short program].", "content": "Control subjects and patients with liver diseases (cirrhosis, fatty liver) were given an oral methionine load with 100 mg L-Met/kg body weight. Amino acid chromatography was made by a short-program particularly suitable for the diagnosis of hereditary disorders of methionine metabolism. Met-tolerance in blood plasma as well as cystathionine, homocystine and the mixed disulfide homocysteine-cysteine in plasma and urine were investigated. Methylmalonic acid excretion in the urine was determined by gas chromatography. Patients with liver diseases showed some pathological changes of methionine tolerance after the load. However, cystathionine and homocysteine could not be demonstrated. No methylmalonic acid excretion occurred in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases after the methionine load.", "contents": "[Results of oral methionine loads in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases using an analyzer short program]. Control subjects and patients with liver diseases (cirrhosis, fatty liver) were given an oral methionine load with 100 mg L-Met/kg body weight. Amino acid chromatography was made by a short-program particularly suitable for the diagnosis of hereditary disorders of methionine metabolism. Met-tolerance in blood plasma as well as cystathionine, homocystine and the mixed disulfide homocysteine-cysteine in plasma and urine were investigated. Methylmalonic acid excretion in the urine was determined by gas chromatography. Patients with liver diseases showed some pathological changes of methionine tolerance after the load. However, cystathionine and homocysteine could not be demonstrated. No methylmalonic acid excretion occurred in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases after the methionine load.", "PMID": 616159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1671", "title": "Amniotic fluid total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol in diabetic women.", "content": "Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.", "contents": "Amniotic fluid total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol in diabetic women. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.", "PMID": 616160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1672", "title": "Small virus-like particles in leukosis-like syndrome induced by certain antigens and immunostimulators.", "content": "A transmissible syndrome which is characterized by splenomegaly and myeloid metaplasia was induced in BALB/c mice by injections of certain homologous and heterologous antigens and complete Freund's adjuvant or dextransulfate. From the plasma of these animals small viruslike particles (30--50 nm) were isolated.", "contents": "Small virus-like particles in leukosis-like syndrome induced by certain antigens and immunostimulators. A transmissible syndrome which is characterized by splenomegaly and myeloid metaplasia was induced in BALB/c mice by injections of certain homologous and heterologous antigens and complete Freund's adjuvant or dextransulfate. From the plasma of these animals small viruslike particles (30--50 nm) were isolated.", "PMID": 616161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1673", "title": "Combined thrombectomy and isolated limb perfusion with streptokinase in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.", "content": "A new mode of treatment for extensive acute and subacute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities combines the beneficial effects of surgical thrombectomy and of thrombolysis with streptokinase during the course of a single surgical intervention. Rapid-flow regional perfusion is the vehicle used to administer streptokinase and probably represents the third arm of this therapeutic approach by adding a hemodynamic washout effect. Because the thrombolytic agent is rinsed out of the circuit at the end of regional perfusion, the usual side effects and contraindications of this drug are avoided. Early and late results of this treatment are assessed clinically and with repeat phlebograms in a group of 6 unselected patients. Highly satisfactory results were achieved by 4 patients, 3 of whom experienced complete anatomic and functional restoration of deep veins along their entire length. Continued use of this method appears to be warranted.", "contents": "Combined thrombectomy and isolated limb perfusion with streptokinase in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. A new mode of treatment for extensive acute and subacute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities combines the beneficial effects of surgical thrombectomy and of thrombolysis with streptokinase during the course of a single surgical intervention. Rapid-flow regional perfusion is the vehicle used to administer streptokinase and probably represents the third arm of this therapeutic approach by adding a hemodynamic washout effect. Because the thrombolytic agent is rinsed out of the circuit at the end of regional perfusion, the usual side effects and contraindications of this drug are avoided. Early and late results of this treatment are assessed clinically and with repeat phlebograms in a group of 6 unselected patients. Highly satisfactory results were achieved by 4 patients, 3 of whom experienced complete anatomic and functional restoration of deep veins along their entire length. Continued use of this method appears to be warranted.", "PMID": 616155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1674", "title": "Regular folding chain conformation of the deoxyribonucleic acid in chromatin. X-ray diffraction and selforganization.", "content": "The following model is proposed for the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in chromatin: The DNA in a nucleosome is folded seven times to and fro on the surface of a cylindrical protein nucleus. There exist 3.5 DNA hairpins. The seven arms of the hairpins contain twenty DNA base pairs each. The six loops of the DNA hairpins contain ten DNA base pairs each. Consistently with the experiment, the model gives X-ray small-angle diffraction reflexes at 10.5 nm, 5.5 nm, 3.6 nm. The X-ray larg-angle diagram can also be interpreted by the model. Folding crystallization is the mechanism of supramolecular selfassembly giving condensation of DNA in the chromatin.", "contents": "Regular folding chain conformation of the deoxyribonucleic acid in chromatin. X-ray diffraction and selforganization. The following model is proposed for the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in chromatin: The DNA in a nucleosome is folded seven times to and fro on the surface of a cylindrical protein nucleus. There exist 3.5 DNA hairpins. The seven arms of the hairpins contain twenty DNA base pairs each. The six loops of the DNA hairpins contain ten DNA base pairs each. Consistently with the experiment, the model gives X-ray small-angle diffraction reflexes at 10.5 nm, 5.5 nm, 3.6 nm. The X-ray larg-angle diagram can also be interpreted by the model. Folding crystallization is the mechanism of supramolecular selfassembly giving condensation of DNA in the chromatin.", "PMID": 616162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1675", "title": "[Psychophysiological differentiation of musical effects by the degree of minute-rhythmic coupling].", "content": "Psychophysiologic effect of music on the synchronization status were diagnosed by means of different coordination analyses in significant correlation with subjective judgments to aesthetic-emotional experience of various music genres. By the \"Bolero\" of Ravel and \"symphony in C major\" of Mozart the minute-rhythmic coupling degree (fraction of the frequency synchronizations of the modulating oscillations of neurovegetative functions in a definite frequency range), which was calculated by means of autocorrelation, is increased significantly to silents intervals and decreased by the oratorium \"Dies Irae\" of Penderecki. So in the fronto-cortico limbic emotion system music experience correlates with functional changes of the neurophysiologic state and measured consecutive variations in neurovegetative dynamic of coordination.", "contents": "[Psychophysiological differentiation of musical effects by the degree of minute-rhythmic coupling]. Psychophysiologic effect of music on the synchronization status were diagnosed by means of different coordination analyses in significant correlation with subjective judgments to aesthetic-emotional experience of various music genres. By the \"Bolero\" of Ravel and \"symphony in C major\" of Mozart the minute-rhythmic coupling degree (fraction of the frequency synchronizations of the modulating oscillations of neurovegetative functions in a definite frequency range), which was calculated by means of autocorrelation, is increased significantly to silents intervals and decreased by the oratorium \"Dies Irae\" of Penderecki. So in the fronto-cortico limbic emotion system music experience correlates with functional changes of the neurophysiologic state and measured consecutive variations in neurovegetative dynamic of coordination.", "PMID": 616164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1676", "title": "The effects of light deprivation or blindness on the female genital tract of gerbils (Mariones hurrianae Jerdon).", "content": "Total absence of light or blindness results in atretic changes in the large ovarian follicles. It also caused stromal edema of the uterus and interrupted the estrous cycle. The cells found in the vaginal smear appeared to be that of diestrous. Light deprivation inhibits the synthesis of RNA and protein of the uterus and vagina. Light deprivation of blindness also results in the reduction of the uterine weight and its glycogen content. Antiestrogenic action of light deprivation or removal of the eyes was reflected in a decreased concentration of RNA, protein, sialic acid and glycogen in the uterus and vagina.", "contents": "The effects of light deprivation or blindness on the female genital tract of gerbils (Mariones hurrianae Jerdon). Total absence of light or blindness results in atretic changes in the large ovarian follicles. It also caused stromal edema of the uterus and interrupted the estrous cycle. The cells found in the vaginal smear appeared to be that of diestrous. Light deprivation inhibits the synthesis of RNA and protein of the uterus and vagina. Light deprivation of blindness also results in the reduction of the uterine weight and its glycogen content. Antiestrogenic action of light deprivation or removal of the eyes was reflected in a decreased concentration of RNA, protein, sialic acid and glycogen in the uterus and vagina.", "PMID": 616165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1677", "title": "Effects of treatment with the plant hormone gibberellin on neonatal rats.", "content": "Treatment of neonatal rats with a single does of gibberellin had a notable influence on certain endocrine indices in adulthood. It accelerated the growth rate of the animals and produced weight increase of thyroid, ovary and adrenals as well as of the blood Ca-level, but reduced the weight of the testis.", "contents": "Effects of treatment with the plant hormone gibberellin on neonatal rats. Treatment of neonatal rats with a single does of gibberellin had a notable influence on certain endocrine indices in adulthood. It accelerated the growth rate of the animals and produced weight increase of thyroid, ovary and adrenals as well as of the blood Ca-level, but reduced the weight of the testis.", "PMID": 616166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1678", "title": "Pregnancy-associated increase of sialoglycoprotein level in serum of normal inbred mice.", "content": "The dynamics of the level of a fast migrating sialoglycoprotein (SGP) was studied in mice during pregnancy and the period of intensive nursing. A significant increase of the SGP concentration was established at the beginning of the third trimester only. Two days before delivery the SGP level declines markedly. Maximum values were attained shortly post partum. A relatively high SGP level is maintained for about 12 days post partum coinciding with the period of intensive nursing. Control values were attained at latest 18 days post partum.", "contents": "Pregnancy-associated increase of sialoglycoprotein level in serum of normal inbred mice. The dynamics of the level of a fast migrating sialoglycoprotein (SGP) was studied in mice during pregnancy and the period of intensive nursing. A significant increase of the SGP concentration was established at the beginning of the third trimester only. Two days before delivery the SGP level declines markedly. Maximum values were attained shortly post partum. A relatively high SGP level is maintained for about 12 days post partum coinciding with the period of intensive nursing. Control values were attained at latest 18 days post partum.", "PMID": 616169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1679", "title": "The mescaline or strychnine spikes as a tool for physiological and pharmacological studies.", "content": "The all-or-nothing spikes elicited by antidromic, afferent, or direct electrical stimulation of a cortical area treated with mescaline or strychnine were studied. These potentials are most probably originated in nonsynaptic dentritic membranes and their changes in amplitude and latency can be an index of the excitability of these structures. Several factors are considered as sources of error when measurements of such parameters are made to follow their changes in different experimental conditions. When these sources of error can be eliminated, the frequency, amplitude and latency of those spikes can be taken as an index of the variations in cortical excitability under some physiological conditions. Another use of these giant potentials can be for the study of humoral and pharmacological agents.", "contents": "The mescaline or strychnine spikes as a tool for physiological and pharmacological studies. The all-or-nothing spikes elicited by antidromic, afferent, or direct electrical stimulation of a cortical area treated with mescaline or strychnine were studied. These potentials are most probably originated in nonsynaptic dentritic membranes and their changes in amplitude and latency can be an index of the excitability of these structures. Several factors are considered as sources of error when measurements of such parameters are made to follow their changes in different experimental conditions. When these sources of error can be eliminated, the frequency, amplitude and latency of those spikes can be taken as an index of the variations in cortical excitability under some physiological conditions. Another use of these giant potentials can be for the study of humoral and pharmacological agents.", "PMID": 616170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1680", "title": "Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) and serotonin in the pineal gland of the vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus).", "content": "Pineal glands of vizcachas collected from their natural habitat were studied. Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity showed a great individual dispersion. However, the enzyme activity was significantly higher in males than in females. Serotonin was also assayed in the glands. It did not show significant differences between both sexes. The results are discussed in relation to the natural life conditions of this rodent.", "contents": "Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) and serotonin in the pineal gland of the vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus). Pineal glands of vizcachas collected from their natural habitat were studied. Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity showed a great individual dispersion. However, the enzyme activity was significantly higher in males than in females. Serotonin was also assayed in the glands. It did not show significant differences between both sexes. The results are discussed in relation to the natural life conditions of this rodent.", "PMID": 616171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1681", "title": "The effect of thyroid hormone on renin production and release by rat kidney slices.", "content": "The effect of thyroid hormone on renin productiona and release by rat kidney slices was studied. Rat kidney slices were incubated in Warburg flasks containing Krebs-Ringer-Phosphate- Glucose- Dextran solution at 37 C for 5 hours. Renin content, renin released into the incubation media and oxygen consumption were measured. Kidney slices actively secreted renin. Kidney slices of hyperthyroid rats released more renin, and kidney slices of hypothyroid rats released less renin than normal kidneys (p less than 0.001). The addition of 1-thyroxine to the incubation medium increased significantly (p less than 0.001) renin release by kidney slices from normal and hypothyroid rats. Thyroid hormone affects renin release through a mechanism independent of the ouabain-sensitive sodium pump and protein synthesis, since ouabain and cycloheximide did not modify renin release or production. The results of this study suggest that thyroid hormone plays a role in renin release from the juxtaglomerular cells.", "contents": "The effect of thyroid hormone on renin production and release by rat kidney slices. The effect of thyroid hormone on renin productiona and release by rat kidney slices was studied. Rat kidney slices were incubated in Warburg flasks containing Krebs-Ringer-Phosphate- Glucose- Dextran solution at 37 C for 5 hours. Renin content, renin released into the incubation media and oxygen consumption were measured. Kidney slices actively secreted renin. Kidney slices of hyperthyroid rats released more renin, and kidney slices of hypothyroid rats released less renin than normal kidneys (p less than 0.001). The addition of 1-thyroxine to the incubation medium increased significantly (p less than 0.001) renin release by kidney slices from normal and hypothyroid rats. Thyroid hormone affects renin release through a mechanism independent of the ouabain-sensitive sodium pump and protein synthesis, since ouabain and cycloheximide did not modify renin release or production. The results of this study suggest that thyroid hormone plays a role in renin release from the juxtaglomerular cells.", "PMID": 616172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1682", "title": "Half life of injected 125I-insulin in control and ob/ob mice.", "content": "The t-1/2 of moniodo 125I-insulin in ob/ob mice and their lean litter mates is 10 min. No difference was found between the two groups. Further, 48 hr of fasting did not alter the t-1/2 in ob/ob mice. In view of the markedly enlarged insulin pool in ob/ob mice, one must conclude that the mass of insulin degraded in unit time is increased. However, these findings indicate that the cause of hyperinsulinism in ob/ob mice is unrelated to rates of insulin degradation.", "contents": "Half life of injected 125I-insulin in control and ob/ob mice. The t-1/2 of moniodo 125I-insulin in ob/ob mice and their lean litter mates is 10 min. No difference was found between the two groups. Further, 48 hr of fasting did not alter the t-1/2 in ob/ob mice. In view of the markedly enlarged insulin pool in ob/ob mice, one must conclude that the mass of insulin degraded in unit time is increased. However, these findings indicate that the cause of hyperinsulinism in ob/ob mice is unrelated to rates of insulin degradation.", "PMID": 616173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1683", "title": "Role of the baroreceptor reflex in the early phases after removing the renal artery constriction in conscious renal hypertensive rats.", "content": "Hemodynamic studies in unanesthetized rats with chronic one-kidney-Goldblatt hypertension showed a 25% increase in cardiac output and a 42% increase in peripheral resistance. Removal of renal artery constriction under either anesthesia and minor surgical trauma produced an immediate 20% drop in arterial pressure. At the end of the 6 observation period the pressure dropped 30% but still remained at a moderate hypertensive level. The hemodynamic measurement at that time suggested that the pressure drop was the result of a decrease in cardiac output. However, the data obtained 1 hour after removal of the constriction suggested that a vasodilating mechanism may also contribute to pressure normalization in the early phase of reversal of renal hypertension. In the sham-operated hypertensive rats the pressure remained unchanged, while the cardiac output dropped due to compensation by a proportional increase in peripheral resistance. In contrast, in the unclipped animals the same drop in cardiac output produced an equivalent fall in pressure because no change in peripheral resistance occurred. This was not due to an insufficiency of the baroreceptor reflex since bilateral splanchnicectomy performed at that time produced a striking hypotensive response, indicating an overactivity of the sympathetic system possibly due to the baroreceptor still reset to operate at a hypertensive level.", "contents": "Role of the baroreceptor reflex in the early phases after removing the renal artery constriction in conscious renal hypertensive rats. Hemodynamic studies in unanesthetized rats with chronic one-kidney-Goldblatt hypertension showed a 25% increase in cardiac output and a 42% increase in peripheral resistance. Removal of renal artery constriction under either anesthesia and minor surgical trauma produced an immediate 20% drop in arterial pressure. At the end of the 6 observation period the pressure dropped 30% but still remained at a moderate hypertensive level. The hemodynamic measurement at that time suggested that the pressure drop was the result of a decrease in cardiac output. However, the data obtained 1 hour after removal of the constriction suggested that a vasodilating mechanism may also contribute to pressure normalization in the early phase of reversal of renal hypertension. In the sham-operated hypertensive rats the pressure remained unchanged, while the cardiac output dropped due to compensation by a proportional increase in peripheral resistance. In contrast, in the unclipped animals the same drop in cardiac output produced an equivalent fall in pressure because no change in peripheral resistance occurred. This was not due to an insufficiency of the baroreceptor reflex since bilateral splanchnicectomy performed at that time produced a striking hypotensive response, indicating an overactivity of the sympathetic system possibly due to the baroreceptor still reset to operate at a hypertensive level.", "PMID": 616174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1684", "title": "Adaptation to chronic hypobaric hypoxia and sexual hormones.", "content": "The role of the gonads and their hormones on body weight was studied in rats of both sexes submitted to chronic hypoxia and their controls at sea level atmospheric pressure. Intact rats were exposed to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude in a hypopressure chamber. Castrated rats and castrated rats daily injected with either 0.5 mg of testosterone or 20 microgram of estradiol or the vehicle, were exposed to the higher altitude. The rat weight was recorded for a period of at least eight weeks. All groups of hypoxic male animals increased their weight significantly less than the controls at sea level. Also in castrated females and in castrated injected with testosterone or the vehicle the same pattern of weight curves was observed. On the contrary, groups of intact females and castrated females injected with estradiol did not show significant differences between hypoxic and control animals. Only in a group of smaller intact females (50-80 g) the body weight increase was significantly diminished by exposure to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude.", "contents": "Adaptation to chronic hypobaric hypoxia and sexual hormones. The role of the gonads and their hormones on body weight was studied in rats of both sexes submitted to chronic hypoxia and their controls at sea level atmospheric pressure. Intact rats were exposed to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude in a hypopressure chamber. Castrated rats and castrated rats daily injected with either 0.5 mg of testosterone or 20 microgram of estradiol or the vehicle, were exposed to the higher altitude. The rat weight was recorded for a period of at least eight weeks. All groups of hypoxic male animals increased their weight significantly less than the controls at sea level. Also in castrated females and in castrated injected with testosterone or the vehicle the same pattern of weight curves was observed. On the contrary, groups of intact females and castrated females injected with estradiol did not show significant differences between hypoxic and control animals. Only in a group of smaller intact females (50-80 g) the body weight increase was significantly diminished by exposure to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude.", "PMID": 616175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1685", "title": "[Effects of acute hypercapnia upon the myocardium: contractility, coronary resistance, oxygen consumption and potassium balance (author's transl)].", "content": "In the isolated perfused dog heart, at constant coronary blood flow and heart rate, we studied the effect of altering CO2 in the gas mixture from 5 to 15% on contractility, coronary resistance, myocardial O2 consumption and K balance. Contractility, assessed by the developed force, and its derivative through a strain-gauge arch sewed to the left ventricle decreased to 54 +/- 7% (p less than 0.01) and 59 +/- 6% (p less than 0.01), respectively from control values. Coronary resistance decreased to 79 +/- 3% of control ( less than 0.01). The negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia was accompanied by a decrease in myocardial O2 consumption to 68 +/- 11% (p less than 0.01) of control value and a net uptake of K by the heart. The possibility of an exchange of H+ by K+ is suggested as a possible mechanism involved in the negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia.", "contents": "[Effects of acute hypercapnia upon the myocardium: contractility, coronary resistance, oxygen consumption and potassium balance (author's transl)]. In the isolated perfused dog heart, at constant coronary blood flow and heart rate, we studied the effect of altering CO2 in the gas mixture from 5 to 15% on contractility, coronary resistance, myocardial O2 consumption and K balance. Contractility, assessed by the developed force, and its derivative through a strain-gauge arch sewed to the left ventricle decreased to 54 +/- 7% (p less than 0.01) and 59 +/- 6% (p less than 0.01), respectively from control values. Coronary resistance decreased to 79 +/- 3% of control ( less than 0.01). The negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia was accompanied by a decrease in myocardial O2 consumption to 68 +/- 11% (p less than 0.01) of control value and a net uptake of K by the heart. The possibility of an exchange of H+ by K+ is suggested as a possible mechanism involved in the negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia.", "PMID": 616176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1686", "title": "[Avoidance of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by NaCl not attributable to plasma asmolarity changes (author's transl)].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on rats to investigate the acute effects on renal cortical blood flow and cortical autoregulation caused by intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride or glucose. Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. In control group, renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.)--arterial pressure relationships demonstrated typical autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 5.90%, induced by glucose, did not affect autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 4.43%, induced by NaCl, avoided autoregulation and the resistance-arterial pressure relationships became passive in appearance. In addition, NaCl administration was associated with an increase in cortical blood flow. It is suggested that in the presence of a low increment in plasma osmolarity, the sodium ion rather than the osmolarity itself, is the factor that influences cortical blood flow autoregulation in the rat.", "contents": "[Avoidance of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by NaCl not attributable to plasma asmolarity changes (author's transl)]. Experiments were conducted on rats to investigate the acute effects on renal cortical blood flow and cortical autoregulation caused by intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride or glucose. Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. In control group, renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.)--arterial pressure relationships demonstrated typical autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 5.90%, induced by glucose, did not affect autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 4.43%, induced by NaCl, avoided autoregulation and the resistance-arterial pressure relationships became passive in appearance. In addition, NaCl administration was associated with an increase in cortical blood flow. It is suggested that in the presence of a low increment in plasma osmolarity, the sodium ion rather than the osmolarity itself, is the factor that influences cortical blood flow autoregulation in the rat.", "PMID": 616177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1687", "title": "Positive inotropic effect of ethylephrine on the isolated rat atria.", "content": "Ethylephrine, a sympathomimetic amine which belongs to the phenolamine group, was assayed on the driven left rat atrium. The frequency response curve was performed for norepinephrine and ethylephrine. The maxima was attained for both compounds at 1 Hz. The agonist under study has an inotropic action less potent than the classical catecholamines. Propranolol (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) produced a parallel shift to the right in the log dose-response curves of ethylephrine with no decrease in the maximal response, indicating that the antagonism was competitive. In the presence of cocaine or with reserpine-pretreatment the sensitivity of the preparation to the amine did not vary. The alpha-blocker, phentolamine (10(-8) to 3.10(-5) M) did not possess an inotropic effect per se. In contrast, phentolamine, delivered to the bath beforehand, did not block the agonist. However at 10(-8) and 10(-7) M increase the maximal response both in normal and reserpinized preparations. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic preparation. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic agent on the driven left rat atrium and its effects are mediated by beta-receptors. The results also indicate the lack of evidence that ethylephrine has any action on the alpha-receptors.", "contents": "Positive inotropic effect of ethylephrine on the isolated rat atria. Ethylephrine, a sympathomimetic amine which belongs to the phenolamine group, was assayed on the driven left rat atrium. The frequency response curve was performed for norepinephrine and ethylephrine. The maxima was attained for both compounds at 1 Hz. The agonist under study has an inotropic action less potent than the classical catecholamines. Propranolol (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) produced a parallel shift to the right in the log dose-response curves of ethylephrine with no decrease in the maximal response, indicating that the antagonism was competitive. In the presence of cocaine or with reserpine-pretreatment the sensitivity of the preparation to the amine did not vary. The alpha-blocker, phentolamine (10(-8) to 3.10(-5) M) did not possess an inotropic effect per se. In contrast, phentolamine, delivered to the bath beforehand, did not block the agonist. However at 10(-8) and 10(-7) M increase the maximal response both in normal and reserpinized preparations. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic preparation. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic agent on the driven left rat atrium and its effects are mediated by beta-receptors. The results also indicate the lack of evidence that ethylephrine has any action on the alpha-receptors.", "PMID": 616178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1688", "title": "[Impairment of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by reserpine, guanethidine or propranolol (author's transl)].", "content": "Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. The blood flow autoregulation was studied by plotting renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.) as a function of arterial pressure in all the experimental conditions. R.C.V.R. was calculated as arterial pressure/blood flow ratio. In control animals R.C.V.R. was linearly correlated to arterial pressure; this implies the existence of autoregulation in the studied zone. In animals pretreated with guanethidine or propranolol, and in animals injected with propranolol immediately before the experiment, the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by an increase in R.C.V.R.; this implies that autoregulation was absent. In animals pretreated with reserpine the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by a significant increase in R.C.V.R., although a tendency to increase was detected. It is suggested that the impairment of autoregulation induced by guanethidine, propranolol or reserpine may be due to an inhibition of renin release. The results obtained with guanethidine and reserpine may be partially attributable to a decrease in adrenergic activity on the vascular smooth muscle of the studied zone, although other mechanisms cannot be discarded.", "contents": "[Impairment of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by reserpine, guanethidine or propranolol (author's transl)]. Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. The blood flow autoregulation was studied by plotting renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.) as a function of arterial pressure in all the experimental conditions. R.C.V.R. was calculated as arterial pressure/blood flow ratio. In control animals R.C.V.R. was linearly correlated to arterial pressure; this implies the existence of autoregulation in the studied zone. In animals pretreated with guanethidine or propranolol, and in animals injected with propranolol immediately before the experiment, the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by an increase in R.C.V.R.; this implies that autoregulation was absent. In animals pretreated with reserpine the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by a significant increase in R.C.V.R., although a tendency to increase was detected. It is suggested that the impairment of autoregulation induced by guanethidine, propranolol or reserpine may be due to an inhibition of renin release. The results obtained with guanethidine and reserpine may be partially attributable to a decrease in adrenergic activity on the vascular smooth muscle of the studied zone, although other mechanisms cannot be discarded.", "PMID": 616179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1689", "title": "[Enzyme polymorphism in a population of Zenaida auriculata (Golden pigeon) (author's transl)].", "content": "By means of starch gel electrophoresis and specific staining, molecular forms of aspartate aminotransferase and soluble esterases have been investigated in liver extracts of individuals from a population of Zenaida auriculata. Four alleles at the locus corresponding to soluble or cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase have been demonstrated. Distribution of phenotypes in the population is in perfect agreement with that expected according to the Hardy - Weinberg law. A large incidence of variants of two fractions of esterases has been found. This variability is, with all probability, genetically determined. The importance of this type of studies to assess genetic structure and dynamics of animal population is emphasized.", "contents": "[Enzyme polymorphism in a population of Zenaida auriculata (Golden pigeon) (author's transl)]. By means of starch gel electrophoresis and specific staining, molecular forms of aspartate aminotransferase and soluble esterases have been investigated in liver extracts of individuals from a population of Zenaida auriculata. Four alleles at the locus corresponding to soluble or cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase have been demonstrated. Distribution of phenotypes in the population is in perfect agreement with that expected according to the Hardy - Weinberg law. A large incidence of variants of two fractions of esterases has been found. This variability is, with all probability, genetically determined. The importance of this type of studies to assess genetic structure and dynamics of animal population is emphasized.", "PMID": 616181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1690", "title": "The dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods.", "content": "To explore the social dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods, a research team conducted interviews with active addicts in two inner-city black neighborhoods in Chicago. Unlike epidemic neighborhoods in which heroin often spreads outward from only a few new users to other members of a friendship group, we found that in these \"old dope\" neighborhoods there were multiple initiators and multiple, discrete heroin outbreaks not connected with one another. Furthermore, the majority of initiators did not appear to be in the experimental stage but were chronic addicts who ranged in age from their early twenties to middle age. These findings suggest that in endemic neighborhoods, where heroin is continuously available and there are multiple addict initiators, treatment outreach efforts directed only at new, young users would be unlikely to halt further heroin spread. To effectively reduce incidence and prevalence of heroin addiction, it may be necessary to eliminate the entire neighborhood copping area--chronic addicts as well as new addicts--a much more formidable task for a community addiction-control program.", "contents": "The dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods. To explore the social dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods, a research team conducted interviews with active addicts in two inner-city black neighborhoods in Chicago. Unlike epidemic neighborhoods in which heroin often spreads outward from only a few new users to other members of a friendship group, we found that in these \"old dope\" neighborhoods there were multiple initiators and multiple, discrete heroin outbreaks not connected with one another. Furthermore, the majority of initiators did not appear to be in the experimental stage but were chronic addicts who ranged in age from their early twenties to middle age. These findings suggest that in endemic neighborhoods, where heroin is continuously available and there are multiple addict initiators, treatment outreach efforts directed only at new, young users would be unlikely to halt further heroin spread. To effectively reduce incidence and prevalence of heroin addiction, it may be necessary to eliminate the entire neighborhood copping area--chronic addicts as well as new addicts--a much more formidable task for a community addiction-control program.", "PMID": 616182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1691", "title": "Biasing factors in the measurement of trends in heroin use.", "content": "A number of articles concerned with the epidemiology of heroin use which have appeared recently report that there has been a major \"epidemic\" of heroin use in the United States in the past decade and that the epidemic has been subsiding since about 1970. An examination of a number of biases inherent in the indirect measures of heroin use with which these conclusions have been reached and a growing body of direct, population-wide survey data indicates that these conclusions are not wholly warranted, and that if there was any epidemic of heroin use at all it was probably rather modest in intensity.", "contents": "Biasing factors in the measurement of trends in heroin use. A number of articles concerned with the epidemiology of heroin use which have appeared recently report that there has been a major \"epidemic\" of heroin use in the United States in the past decade and that the epidemic has been subsiding since about 1970. An examination of a number of biases inherent in the indirect measures of heroin use with which these conclusions have been reached and a growing body of direct, population-wide survey data indicates that these conclusions are not wholly warranted, and that if there was any epidemic of heroin use at all it was probably rather modest in intensity.", "PMID": 616183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1692", "title": "Drug use among minority youth.", "content": "Interviews with a nationwide smaple of young and low-income black, chicano, and Caribbean men and women, as well as their non-minority counterparts, reveal that the majority disapprove of illicit drug use. Although one-half of the youth report having had experience with illicit drugs, most have renounced their involvement and no longer use them. Of the racial or ethnic groups queried, white youth are most likely to have ingested illicit drugs. These data, coupled with other findings drawn from a more lengthy report, lead to the conclusion that dysfunctional patterns of drug ingestion among many low-income minorities are not pronounced.", "contents": "Drug use among minority youth. Interviews with a nationwide smaple of young and low-income black, chicano, and Caribbean men and women, as well as their non-minority counterparts, reveal that the majority disapprove of illicit drug use. Although one-half of the youth report having had experience with illicit drugs, most have renounced their involvement and no longer use them. Of the racial or ethnic groups queried, white youth are most likely to have ingested illicit drugs. These data, coupled with other findings drawn from a more lengthy report, lead to the conclusion that dysfunctional patterns of drug ingestion among many low-income minorities are not pronounced.", "PMID": 616185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1693", "title": "Drug use be college students and their parents.", "content": "Two hundred and forty-seven students at the University of South Carolina and their parents were asked to complete drug questionnaires. The questionnaires were detailed inquiries into licit and illicit drug use by the students and their parents. The two areas this study concentrated on were frequency of drug use and the relationship between student and parent drug use. The results suggested a significant relationship between college student illicit drug use and the licit drug use of their parents, particularly of the father. In addition, it was found that the three most frequently used drugs were alcohol, marijuana and amphetamines.", "contents": "Drug use be college students and their parents. Two hundred and forty-seven students at the University of South Carolina and their parents were asked to complete drug questionnaires. The questionnaires were detailed inquiries into licit and illicit drug use by the students and their parents. The two areas this study concentrated on were frequency of drug use and the relationship between student and parent drug use. The results suggested a significant relationship between college student illicit drug use and the licit drug use of their parents, particularly of the father. In addition, it was found that the three most frequently used drugs were alcohol, marijuana and amphetamines.", "PMID": 616188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1694", "title": "Phencyclidine (PCP): a local and national perspective.", "content": "Phencyclidine (PCP) is an illicit drug with a high potential for negative effects. It is easy to synthesize and difficult to control because the precursors are easy to obtain. DAWN data shows that PCP episodes in emergency rooms and hospitals have increased from the twenty-third most frequently observed drug in 1973 to sixteenth in 1975. One explanation for the increase in PCP use is the change in the mode of administration from pill to smoking. An exploratory study of a local outbreak of PCP describes the effects of PCP and the dilemma facing the user. Regular PCP use is difficult to hide, but since stigma is attached to PCP use, the PCP user is reluctant to admit to regular use.", "contents": "Phencyclidine (PCP): a local and national perspective. Phencyclidine (PCP) is an illicit drug with a high potential for negative effects. It is easy to synthesize and difficult to control because the precursors are easy to obtain. DAWN data shows that PCP episodes in emergency rooms and hospitals have increased from the twenty-third most frequently observed drug in 1973 to sixteenth in 1975. One explanation for the increase in PCP use is the change in the mode of administration from pill to smoking. An exploratory study of a local outbreak of PCP describes the effects of PCP and the dilemma facing the user. Regular PCP use is difficult to hide, but since stigma is attached to PCP use, the PCP user is reluctant to admit to regular use.", "PMID": 616189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1695", "title": "[Preparation and properties of nitrosobiotin].", "content": "The preparation of N-nitrosobiotin from biotin is described. Some physicochemical properties of this substance are given: solubility in various solvents, stability in aqueous solutions at different pH values, UV and IR spectra, optical activity. A colorimetric method of analysis with Bratton and Marshall reagent is also reported.", "contents": "[Preparation and properties of nitrosobiotin]. The preparation of N-nitrosobiotin from biotin is described. Some physicochemical properties of this substance are given: solubility in various solvents, stability in aqueous solutions at different pH values, UV and IR spectra, optical activity. A colorimetric method of analysis with Bratton and Marshall reagent is also reported.", "PMID": 616192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1696", "title": "[Colorimetric and gas chromatographic methods of determination of the biotin in pharmaceutical preparations].", "content": "An analytical method for biotin is described, which is based on its conversion to N-nitrosobiotin, purifications of this derivative and its colorimetric or gas chromatographic determination. Nitrosation is carried out by treatment with an excess of NaNO2 in 0.2 N H2SO4 at room temperature. Nitrosobiotin is extracted with chloroform, after salting out wiulphanilamide + HCl), in order to obtain hydrolysis, and then with the second oating conditions are:a glass column, 2 m long, packed with 3% SE-30 on Chromosorb WHP; colum temperature 190 degrees C; injector and detector temperature 260 degrees C; carrier gas: nitrogen (30 ml/min). The extraction of biotin from multivation solid preparations is performed with absolute ethanol, starting from an expected quantity of about 250 microgram. It is suggested to work at the same time with an internal standard.", "contents": "[Colorimetric and gas chromatographic methods of determination of the biotin in pharmaceutical preparations]. An analytical method for biotin is described, which is based on its conversion to N-nitrosobiotin, purifications of this derivative and its colorimetric or gas chromatographic determination. Nitrosation is carried out by treatment with an excess of NaNO2 in 0.2 N H2SO4 at room temperature. Nitrosobiotin is extracted with chloroform, after salting out wiulphanilamide + HCl), in order to obtain hydrolysis, and then with the second oating conditions are:a glass column, 2 m long, packed with 3% SE-30 on Chromosorb WHP; colum temperature 190 degrees C; injector and detector temperature 260 degrees C; carrier gas: nitrogen (30 ml/min). The extraction of biotin from multivation solid preparations is performed with absolute ethanol, starting from an expected quantity of about 250 microgram. It is suggested to work at the same time with an internal standard.", "PMID": 616193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1697", "title": "[Analysis of the discriminative capacity of hematological tests used in the diagnosis of sideropenia and microcythemia].", "content": "The significance of haematological tests has been measured on a statistical base. The purpose of such an inquiry is the simplification of diagnosing thalassemia and sideropenia. A pilot research has been performed on a sample of 10 thalassemic male subjects and 14 female subjects, 10 male subjects and 14 sideropenic female subjects compared with the same number of \"normal\" subjects of two sexes. This research has pointed the particular sensibility of some tests. There are reasons to consider best tests, in the order, HbA2, Hcv, MCHb for discrimination between \"normal\" and \"thalassemic\" and \"sideropenic\" subjects; Sideremia, Hb, GR for that between \"normal\" and \"sideropenic\" subjects. By combining such tests one obviously obtains more reliable results. Combination of tests Hb, Sideremia, GR appears a useful test for the classification of the subjects. Particularly we propose for the \"double cases\" the consideration of the test HbA2.", "contents": "[Analysis of the discriminative capacity of hematological tests used in the diagnosis of sideropenia and microcythemia]. The significance of haematological tests has been measured on a statistical base. The purpose of such an inquiry is the simplification of diagnosing thalassemia and sideropenia. A pilot research has been performed on a sample of 10 thalassemic male subjects and 14 female subjects, 10 male subjects and 14 sideropenic female subjects compared with the same number of \"normal\" subjects of two sexes. This research has pointed the particular sensibility of some tests. There are reasons to consider best tests, in the order, HbA2, Hcv, MCHb for discrimination between \"normal\" and \"thalassemic\" and \"sideropenic\" subjects; Sideremia, Hb, GR for that between \"normal\" and \"sideropenic\" subjects. By combining such tests one obviously obtains more reliable results. Combination of tests Hb, Sideremia, GR appears a useful test for the classification of the subjects. Particularly we propose for the \"double cases\" the consideration of the test HbA2.", "PMID": 616194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1698", "title": "[Studies of the microbial content of raw materials used in pharmaceutical preparations].", "content": "The microbiological controls (determination of the total and mycetic bacterial count; isolation of enterococci, Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae) executed on 1517 samples of 100 varous raw materials, have ascertained the presence of a microbial contamination varying to matters, with presence also of pathogenic or hygienically undesirable microrganisms. The more contaminated substances have resulted to be those organic either of vegetable or animal origin. Sensible differences have been noted between the various lots and according to the various suppliers. The conservation trials under various conditions of temperature (15-22-37 degrees C) and humidity (30 degrees - 60 degrees - 90 degrees of relative humidity) with opened or closed recipients, have demonstrated the possibility of remarkable increases of the number of the microrganisms in the raw materials with increase of temperature and humitidy, especially in the non hermatically closed recipients.", "contents": "[Studies of the microbial content of raw materials used in pharmaceutical preparations]. The microbiological controls (determination of the total and mycetic bacterial count; isolation of enterococci, Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae) executed on 1517 samples of 100 varous raw materials, have ascertained the presence of a microbial contamination varying to matters, with presence also of pathogenic or hygienically undesirable microrganisms. The more contaminated substances have resulted to be those organic either of vegetable or animal origin. Sensible differences have been noted between the various lots and according to the various suppliers. The conservation trials under various conditions of temperature (15-22-37 degrees C) and humidity (30 degrees - 60 degrees - 90 degrees of relative humidity) with opened or closed recipients, have demonstrated the possibility of remarkable increases of the number of the microrganisms in the raw materials with increase of temperature and humitidy, especially in the non hermatically closed recipients.", "PMID": 616195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1699", "title": "[Noise caused by street traffic: evaluation, predetermination and limits].", "content": "In evaluation of annoyance level due to road traffic, many criterions of noise exposure and degrees of basic adverse effect have been proposed through composite numerical values. In the present study procedures and units proposed by various AA. are recognizded and mathematical prediction models which correlate the influence of traffic density, composition, speed and geometry of road on emitted noise level are evaluated. At last limits of noise exposure levels set up in many countries or promulgated by Authorities with respect to the health and well being of man and in function of zoning urban areas, are referred.", "contents": "[Noise caused by street traffic: evaluation, predetermination and limits]. In evaluation of annoyance level due to road traffic, many criterions of noise exposure and degrees of basic adverse effect have been proposed through composite numerical values. In the present study procedures and units proposed by various AA. are recognizded and mathematical prediction models which correlate the influence of traffic density, composition, speed and geometry of road on emitted noise level are evaluated. At last limits of noise exposure levels set up in many countries or promulgated by Authorities with respect to the health and well being of man and in function of zoning urban areas, are referred.", "PMID": 616196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1700", "title": "[Association of adult obese-type diabetes and depressive psychosis (clinical cases)].", "content": "The conception of a specific association between maturity-onset diabetes and manic-depressive psychosis, on a common basis with diencephalic functional obesity, has been recently taken again in consideration by the psychiatric literature. Investigations on this problem from diabetological point of view have been so far completely lacking, and are proposed with the present study. Symptomatic depressive conditions in diabetes are frequent and should be primarily separated from depressive endogenous psychosis. The pathogenesis of the association between diabetes of the adult-obese type and psychosis might be discussed according to a transactional theoretical model, assuming a positive feed-back mechanism of the two relationships: diabetes-psychosis and psychosis-diabetes. With these criteria, 4 observations of the clinical association were collected out of 274 admissions for diabetes, during 1976. Diabetes is intended as overt diabetes; obesity presented with the stenic picture; psychosis had a monopolar melancholic course. Similar clinical features were characteristic in all cases. The relationship diabetes-psychosis showed no evidence, unless importance should be given to a potential diabetes in 3 cases. On the contrary, the relationship psychosis-diabetes could be demonstrated in the four cases. A psychosomatic scheme connecting the neuro-hormonal correlations to a genetically conditioned exhaustion of the beta-function, is postulated. During melancholic recurrences, diabetes proved to be insulin-dependent and even insulin-resistent in 2 cases. Tricyclic antidepressant theraphy did not modify the metabolic situation.", "contents": "[Association of adult obese-type diabetes and depressive psychosis (clinical cases)]. The conception of a specific association between maturity-onset diabetes and manic-depressive psychosis, on a common basis with diencephalic functional obesity, has been recently taken again in consideration by the psychiatric literature. Investigations on this problem from diabetological point of view have been so far completely lacking, and are proposed with the present study. Symptomatic depressive conditions in diabetes are frequent and should be primarily separated from depressive endogenous psychosis. The pathogenesis of the association between diabetes of the adult-obese type and psychosis might be discussed according to a transactional theoretical model, assuming a positive feed-back mechanism of the two relationships: diabetes-psychosis and psychosis-diabetes. With these criteria, 4 observations of the clinical association were collected out of 274 admissions for diabetes, during 1976. Diabetes is intended as overt diabetes; obesity presented with the stenic picture; psychosis had a monopolar melancholic course. Similar clinical features were characteristic in all cases. The relationship diabetes-psychosis showed no evidence, unless importance should be given to a potential diabetes in 3 cases. On the contrary, the relationship psychosis-diabetes could be demonstrated in the four cases. A psychosomatic scheme connecting the neuro-hormonal correlations to a genetically conditioned exhaustion of the beta-function, is postulated. During melancholic recurrences, diabetes proved to be insulin-dependent and even insulin-resistent in 2 cases. Tricyclic antidepressant theraphy did not modify the metabolic situation.", "PMID": 616200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1701", "title": "Effect of an anabolic steroid (metandienone) on central and peripheral blood flow in well-trained male athletes.", "content": "Several haemodynamic variables were measured in sixteen well-trained athletes at rest and during muscular exercise before and after two months of a daily oral dose of 15 mg of metandienone, an anabolic steroid (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one). Their training programmes were the same as they had been for at least three years before the study. During metandienone treatment the total blood volume increased by about 15%, and the heart rate decreased significantly both at rest and during exercise. The resting values of cardiac index and stroke index did not differ significantly, while during muscular exercise cardiac index showed a tendency to increase, and stroke index increased by 20% during the treatment period. When treatment was discontinued, the haemodynamic values returned to pre-medication levels, and when a repetition of the treatment was carried out, exactly the same changes were seen. The resting forearm blood flow did not differ significantly during the treatment, while the peak flow during post-ischaemic hyperaemia increased by 27%. The pulmonary blood volume, peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly after metandienone treatment. The mean body weight increased significantly during the treatment period.", "contents": "Effect of an anabolic steroid (metandienone) on central and peripheral blood flow in well-trained male athletes. Several haemodynamic variables were measured in sixteen well-trained athletes at rest and during muscular exercise before and after two months of a daily oral dose of 15 mg of metandienone, an anabolic steroid (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one). Their training programmes were the same as they had been for at least three years before the study. During metandienone treatment the total blood volume increased by about 15%, and the heart rate decreased significantly both at rest and during exercise. The resting values of cardiac index and stroke index did not differ significantly, while during muscular exercise cardiac index showed a tendency to increase, and stroke index increased by 20% during the treatment period. When treatment was discontinued, the haemodynamic values returned to pre-medication levels, and when a repetition of the treatment was carried out, exactly the same changes were seen. The resting forearm blood flow did not differ significantly during the treatment, while the peak flow during post-ischaemic hyperaemia increased by 27%. The pulmonary blood volume, peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly after metandienone treatment. The mean body weight increased significantly during the treatment period.", "PMID": 616206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1702", "title": "Myocardial infarction and weather.", "content": "The association of meterological factors with acute myocardial infarction was studied within a one-year period in Helsinki. Seasonal variation was found with the lowest incidence in summer and the highest in late autumn. Environmental temperature was not significantly correlated with the incidence of myocardial infarction but the case fatality rate was higher on coldest days. Atmospheric pressure turned out to be the meteorological variable with the highest correlation with the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure was also associated with increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Relative humidity had little independent effect. The weather types with highest and lowest risk of heart attack were determined by the combined use of factor and cluster analysis. The most unfavourable turned out to be a relatively cold and moist weather with low atmospheric pressure, common in Helsinki during early winter and late autumn. The incidence of infarction did not increase on typical cold and dry winter days. The most favourable weather was warm, dry and stable summer weather. The difference in incidences between most and least favourable weather types was three-fold.", "contents": "Myocardial infarction and weather. The association of meterological factors with acute myocardial infarction was studied within a one-year period in Helsinki. Seasonal variation was found with the lowest incidence in summer and the highest in late autumn. Environmental temperature was not significantly correlated with the incidence of myocardial infarction but the case fatality rate was higher on coldest days. Atmospheric pressure turned out to be the meteorological variable with the highest correlation with the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure was also associated with increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Relative humidity had little independent effect. The weather types with highest and lowest risk of heart attack were determined by the combined use of factor and cluster analysis. The most unfavourable turned out to be a relatively cold and moist weather with low atmospheric pressure, common in Helsinki during early winter and late autumn. The incidence of infarction did not increase on typical cold and dry winter days. The most favourable weather was warm, dry and stable summer weather. The difference in incidences between most and least favourable weather types was three-fold.", "PMID": 616207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1703", "title": "[Current management in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotic lesions of the diabetic foot].", "content": "A simplified classification for clinical pratical purposes of the diabetic foot necrotic lesions is proposed. Two types are considered both possibly with infection: 1. The angiopathic foot, as a manifestation of the diabetic macro- and microangiopathy. 2. The angioneuropathic foot, as an association of the preminent diabetic neuropathy with diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. This classification proved suitable to 63 personal observations during the last 7 years. Diagnosis and treatement, planned by a diabetological-orthopedic cooperation, are specified for the two headings. The measure of systolic peripheral blood pressure by means of the ultrasonic device Doplette 10 Danica is introduced.", "contents": "[Current management in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotic lesions of the diabetic foot]. A simplified classification for clinical pratical purposes of the diabetic foot necrotic lesions is proposed. Two types are considered both possibly with infection: 1. The angiopathic foot, as a manifestation of the diabetic macro- and microangiopathy. 2. The angioneuropathic foot, as an association of the preminent diabetic neuropathy with diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. This classification proved suitable to 63 personal observations during the last 7 years. Diagnosis and treatement, planned by a diabetological-orthopedic cooperation, are specified for the two headings. The measure of systolic peripheral blood pressure by means of the ultrasonic device Doplette 10 Danica is introduced.", "PMID": 616199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1704", "title": "Gout and hyperlipidaemia. Effect of overweight on the levels of circulating lipids.", "content": "A study of the serum lipids in 90 patients with gout and 90 controls matched for age and weight index demonstrated that in gout there was a significant elevation of the mean serum levels of cholesterol (282 +/- 55 mg/100 ml), triglycerides (183 +/- 161 mg/100 ml) and phospholipids (270 +/- 61 mg/100 ml) compared with the controls whose mean values were respectively 243 +/- 41 mg, 95 +/- 53 mg and 245 +/- 36 mg. Hyperlipidaemia of mixed type was the most common lipid defect in the patients with gout; there was no difference in the frequency of pure hypercholesterolaemia (without hypertriglyceridaemia) between gout and the controls. The frequency of anomalies of blood lipid levels in gout does not result from (or not solely from) obesity since patients with gout and controls were matched for their weight and height. There was a correlation between the serum lipid levels and obesity in the controls but this was not demonstrable in the patients with gout.", "contents": "Gout and hyperlipidaemia. Effect of overweight on the levels of circulating lipids. A study of the serum lipids in 90 patients with gout and 90 controls matched for age and weight index demonstrated that in gout there was a significant elevation of the mean serum levels of cholesterol (282 +/- 55 mg/100 ml), triglycerides (183 +/- 161 mg/100 ml) and phospholipids (270 +/- 61 mg/100 ml) compared with the controls whose mean values were respectively 243 +/- 41 mg, 95 +/- 53 mg and 245 +/- 36 mg. Hyperlipidaemia of mixed type was the most common lipid defect in the patients with gout; there was no difference in the frequency of pure hypercholesterolaemia (without hypertriglyceridaemia) between gout and the controls. The frequency of anomalies of blood lipid levels in gout does not result from (or not solely from) obesity since patients with gout and controls were matched for their weight and height. There was a correlation between the serum lipid levels and obesity in the controls but this was not demonstrable in the patients with gout.", "PMID": 616208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1705", "title": "Jodamid and metrizoic acid in carotid angiography. Comparative study of side-effects and film contrast.", "content": "To compare the side-effects and film contrast of jodamid and metrizoic acid 215 carotid angiography examinations were analyzed. To study the side-effects the pulse and blood pressure were recorded and the clinical condition of the patient was observed during the examination as well as on the subsequent day. Three neuroradiologists graded the film contrast without knowing the opinions of the others or which contrast medium had been used. No significant changes in pulse rate were recorded. A slight increase in blood pressure generally occurred immediately after the injection and a statistically significant but slight fall of blood pressure five to seven seconds after the injection. No differences were observed between the two contrast media. Injection into the common carotid artery lowered the blood pressure slightly more than injection into the internal carotid artery. No differences in clinical side-effects were noticed between the two contrast media. No irreversible side-effects were recorded. The film contrast of jodamid was significantly better than that of metrizoic acid.", "contents": "Jodamid and metrizoic acid in carotid angiography. Comparative study of side-effects and film contrast. To compare the side-effects and film contrast of jodamid and metrizoic acid 215 carotid angiography examinations were analyzed. To study the side-effects the pulse and blood pressure were recorded and the clinical condition of the patient was observed during the examination as well as on the subsequent day. Three neuroradiologists graded the film contrast without knowing the opinions of the others or which contrast medium had been used. No significant changes in pulse rate were recorded. A slight increase in blood pressure generally occurred immediately after the injection and a statistically significant but slight fall of blood pressure five to seven seconds after the injection. No differences were observed between the two contrast media. Injection into the common carotid artery lowered the blood pressure slightly more than injection into the internal carotid artery. No differences in clinical side-effects were noticed between the two contrast media. No irreversible side-effects were recorded. The film contrast of jodamid was significantly better than that of metrizoic acid.", "PMID": 616209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1706", "title": "Postoperative radiotherapy of renal adenocarcinoma.", "content": "125 patients with renal adenocarcinoma treated at two departments of radiotherapy in Finland are presented. 82 (66%) of the patients had localized disease and 43 (34%) had distant metastases. The five year survival for all stages was 38% and for cases with local disease 56%. There were no essential differences among Stage I, II and III patients treated with surgery alone or treated with combined operation and postoperative radiotherapy. For tumours with infiltration to adjacent organs or metastases in the lymph nodes the survival was slightly higher after combined surgery and radiotherapy than after surgery alone. For patients with P4 tumours or regional lymph node dissemination postoperative radiotherapy is recommended.", "contents": "Postoperative radiotherapy of renal adenocarcinoma. 125 patients with renal adenocarcinoma treated at two departments of radiotherapy in Finland are presented. 82 (66%) of the patients had localized disease and 43 (34%) had distant metastases. The five year survival for all stages was 38% and for cases with local disease 56%. There were no essential differences among Stage I, II and III patients treated with surgery alone or treated with combined operation and postoperative radiotherapy. For tumours with infiltration to adjacent organs or metastases in the lymph nodes the survival was slightly higher after combined surgery and radiotherapy than after surgery alone. For patients with P4 tumours or regional lymph node dissemination postoperative radiotherapy is recommended.", "PMID": 616210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1707", "title": "Carboxyhaemoglobin saturation in relation to smoking and various occupational conditions.", "content": "The effects of smoking and occupational conditions on COHb saturation were studied among employees on traffic duty, in restaurants, in iron foundries, and in an office. The subjects were 139 smokers and 152 nonsmokers working in the same environments. Changes in COHb saturation were observed in samples of blood obtained before and after the working period. Samples of air were collected during the working hours in restaurants, in foundries and in office, 190 samples in all, for the determination of content of CO. Among the nonsmokers there was no change in COHb saturation in restaurants and in office work. On traffic duty and in iron foundries the increase was significant, but the values after work were less than half the permitted occupational threshold limit value (TLV) level of 6 per cent units. In the smoking group the mean values of COHb saturation before work were about twice the mean COHb saturation in the nonsmokers after work. In office work and in foundries the mean COHb saturations after the work exceeded the permitted TLV.", "contents": "Carboxyhaemoglobin saturation in relation to smoking and various occupational conditions. The effects of smoking and occupational conditions on COHb saturation were studied among employees on traffic duty, in restaurants, in iron foundries, and in an office. The subjects were 139 smokers and 152 nonsmokers working in the same environments. Changes in COHb saturation were observed in samples of blood obtained before and after the working period. Samples of air were collected during the working hours in restaurants, in foundries and in office, 190 samples in all, for the determination of content of CO. Among the nonsmokers there was no change in COHb saturation in restaurants and in office work. On traffic duty and in iron foundries the increase was significant, but the values after work were less than half the permitted occupational threshold limit value (TLV) level of 6 per cent units. In the smoking group the mean values of COHb saturation before work were about twice the mean COHb saturation in the nonsmokers after work. In office work and in foundries the mean COHb saturations after the work exceeded the permitted TLV.", "PMID": 616211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1708", "title": "Physical work capacity in relations to carbon monoxide inhalation and tobacco smoking.", "content": "The heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during exercise and physical work capacity (PWC) at different heart rates were measured in 14 healthy smokers after air breathing, after a 1100 ppm CO- air mixture breathing and after cigarette smoking. After air breathing the mean COHb saturation was 3.1 (0.6 SD) %, after CO inhalation it was 9.9 (1.6)% and after smoking 9.8 (1.8)%. The heart rate at rest was unchanged after CO, but smoking caused an increase as compared with both air breathing and CO inhalation (p less than 0.001). The blood pressure was not affected by CO or smoking either at rest or during exercise. The physical work capacities at heart rates 130, 150 and 170 beats per minute decreased both after CO inhalation and after smoking. The change was greater after tobacco smoking. The greatest decrease in circulated mean maximal work was after CO inhalation. The result deviates from PWC 170 and could be taken to indicate that tobacco smoking also acts as a stimulant during exhaustive work.", "contents": "Physical work capacity in relations to carbon monoxide inhalation and tobacco smoking. The heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during exercise and physical work capacity (PWC) at different heart rates were measured in 14 healthy smokers after air breathing, after a 1100 ppm CO- air mixture breathing and after cigarette smoking. After air breathing the mean COHb saturation was 3.1 (0.6 SD) %, after CO inhalation it was 9.9 (1.6)% and after smoking 9.8 (1.8)%. The heart rate at rest was unchanged after CO, but smoking caused an increase as compared with both air breathing and CO inhalation (p less than 0.001). The blood pressure was not affected by CO or smoking either at rest or during exercise. The physical work capacities at heart rates 130, 150 and 170 beats per minute decreased both after CO inhalation and after smoking. The change was greater after tobacco smoking. The greatest decrease in circulated mean maximal work was after CO inhalation. The result deviates from PWC 170 and could be taken to indicate that tobacco smoking also acts as a stimulant during exhaustive work.", "PMID": 616212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1709", "title": "Comparison of different kinds of tests in the evaluation of lung function among healthy smokers and nonsmokers.", "content": "The following groups of lung function tests were performed on 25 healthy male smokers and 25 healthy male nonsmokers. 1) Dynamic function tests: PEF, MMEF, and FEV1/FVC %. 2) Static lung volumes: VC, TLC, FRC, FRC/TLC, and RV/TLC. 3) deltaPco2 was used as a measure of ventilation-perfusion inequalities 4) diffusing capacity was measured with the steady state method described by Filley and coworkers. 5) The blood THb and Tbv were measured. One-way analysis of variance showed that PEF, FEV1/FVC %, and MMEF% were lower (p less than 0.05) in the smoking group. Smokers did not differ from nonsmokers with respect to lung volumes. deltaPco2, THb, and TBV were higher and diffusing capacity lower in the smoking group (p less than 0.001).", "contents": "Comparison of different kinds of tests in the evaluation of lung function among healthy smokers and nonsmokers. The following groups of lung function tests were performed on 25 healthy male smokers and 25 healthy male nonsmokers. 1) Dynamic function tests: PEF, MMEF, and FEV1/FVC %. 2) Static lung volumes: VC, TLC, FRC, FRC/TLC, and RV/TLC. 3) deltaPco2 was used as a measure of ventilation-perfusion inequalities 4) diffusing capacity was measured with the steady state method described by Filley and coworkers. 5) The blood THb and Tbv were measured. One-way analysis of variance showed that PEF, FEV1/FVC %, and MMEF% were lower (p less than 0.05) in the smoking group. Smokers did not differ from nonsmokers with respect to lung volumes. deltaPco2, THb, and TBV were higher and diffusing capacity lower in the smoking group (p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 616213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1710", "title": "Smoking in closed space and its effect on carboxyhaemoglobin saturation of smoking and nonsmoking subjects.", "content": "The effect of tobacco smoking in a closed space on blood COHb saturation was investigated in a group of 21 smokers and 28 nonsmokers. Each of the smoking subjects smoked 6 cigarettes, starting a new one every 15 minutes. At the end of the experiments the mean CO concentration in the room was about 30 ppm, which is about normal for smoky rooms. The blood COHb saturation increased in the smoking group from 5.3 (2.1 SD) to 9.1 (2.1 SD)%. In the nonsmoking group the increase was from 1.6 (0.6 SD) to 2.2 (0.6 SD)%. The mean increase in nonsmoking group was as much as smoking one cigarette. Extrapolated to an eight hour period this suggests that a nonsmoking subject would inhale tobacco smoke equivalent to about five cigarettes.", "contents": "Smoking in closed space and its effect on carboxyhaemoglobin saturation of smoking and nonsmoking subjects. The effect of tobacco smoking in a closed space on blood COHb saturation was investigated in a group of 21 smokers and 28 nonsmokers. Each of the smoking subjects smoked 6 cigarettes, starting a new one every 15 minutes. At the end of the experiments the mean CO concentration in the room was about 30 ppm, which is about normal for smoky rooms. The blood COHb saturation increased in the smoking group from 5.3 (2.1 SD) to 9.1 (2.1 SD)%. In the nonsmoking group the increase was from 1.6 (0.6 SD) to 2.2 (0.6 SD)%. The mean increase in nonsmoking group was as much as smoking one cigarette. Extrapolated to an eight hour period this suggests that a nonsmoking subject would inhale tobacco smoke equivalent to about five cigarettes.", "PMID": 616214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1711", "title": "Cardioselective (metoprolol) and non-selective (propranolol) beta-blockade and glucose homeostasis.", "content": "The effects of two beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs, the non-selective propranolol and the cardioselective metoprolol, on the concentrations of blood glucose, serum insulin (IRI) and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 8 healthy male volunteers both at rest and on exercise. The tablets of 160 mg of propranolol and 200 mg of metoprolol were tested against a placebo. The heart rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower during treatment with the active substances than with placebo. There were no significant differences between the blood glucose and serum IRI levels after the compounds and the placebo. A decreased insulin/blood glucose ratio after exercise was seen during metoprolol. The serum GH levels were of about the same magnitude after the three different treatments but the peak values were seen 30 and 40 minutes earlier after propranolol and metoprolol than after the placebo. The concentrations of the drugs in plasma did not correlate significantly with the changes in serum levels of IRI and GH in the exercise test. In the present acute test situation propranolol and metoprolol did not significantly affect glucose homeostasis and there were no apparent differences between the drugs.", "contents": "Cardioselective (metoprolol) and non-selective (propranolol) beta-blockade and glucose homeostasis. The effects of two beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs, the non-selective propranolol and the cardioselective metoprolol, on the concentrations of blood glucose, serum insulin (IRI) and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 8 healthy male volunteers both at rest and on exercise. The tablets of 160 mg of propranolol and 200 mg of metoprolol were tested against a placebo. The heart rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower during treatment with the active substances than with placebo. There were no significant differences between the blood glucose and serum IRI levels after the compounds and the placebo. A decreased insulin/blood glucose ratio after exercise was seen during metoprolol. The serum GH levels were of about the same magnitude after the three different treatments but the peak values were seen 30 and 40 minutes earlier after propranolol and metoprolol than after the placebo. The concentrations of the drugs in plasma did not correlate significantly with the changes in serum levels of IRI and GH in the exercise test. In the present acute test situation propranolol and metoprolol did not significantly affect glucose homeostasis and there were no apparent differences between the drugs.", "PMID": 616215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1712", "title": "Plasma catecholamines in Finnish sauna.", "content": "Plasma catecholamines were measured by a modified single-isotope radioenzymic assay in five healthy medical students during and after a Finnish sauna bath with or without previous beta-blockade. The plasma noradrenaline rose more than twofold after 10 min in the hot room (100 degrees C) while the plasma adrenaline content exhibited smaller increases. The plasma noradrenaline concentration remained elevated or further increased after 5 min in a cool swimming pool (22 degrees C) whereas the exposure to cool water restored the plasma adrenaline concentration to resting values. Plasma noradrenaline, but not adrenaline, was still markedly elevated after a rest period of 15 min after the cool pool. Oxprenolol (40 mg) given 30 min before the sauna did not alter the plasma catecholamine pattern although it effectively lowered the heart rate before, during, and after the exposure to the heat stress.", "contents": "Plasma catecholamines in Finnish sauna. Plasma catecholamines were measured by a modified single-isotope radioenzymic assay in five healthy medical students during and after a Finnish sauna bath with or without previous beta-blockade. The plasma noradrenaline rose more than twofold after 10 min in the hot room (100 degrees C) while the plasma adrenaline content exhibited smaller increases. The plasma noradrenaline concentration remained elevated or further increased after 5 min in a cool swimming pool (22 degrees C) whereas the exposure to cool water restored the plasma adrenaline concentration to resting values. Plasma noradrenaline, but not adrenaline, was still markedly elevated after a rest period of 15 min after the cool pool. Oxprenolol (40 mg) given 30 min before the sauna did not alter the plasma catecholamine pattern although it effectively lowered the heart rate before, during, and after the exposure to the heat stress.", "PMID": 616216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1713", "title": "Nutrition survey of Finnish rural children. III. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values.", "content": "In connection with a survey of child nutrition in Finland the haemoglobin and heamatocrit values in childhood and the prevalence of anaemia were studied. The series consisted of 1534 children aged 5, 9 and 13 years. The haemoglobin concentrations in those age groups were 12.60 +/- 0.81, 13.24 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.90 g/100 ml, respectively. The haematocrit values were 38.0 +/- 2.53, 39.6 +/- 2.50 and 40.8 +/- 3.00%. In the total series, 3.0% of the Hb values and 4.8% of the PCV values were below the WHO norms. No difference was found between anaemic and non-anaemic children with respect to the mean daily intake of dietary iron or the intake of iron from the food group eggs, meat and fish in absolute amounts or per 1000 kcal. Anaemic 5-year-old children, however, obtained from this food group a significantly smaller percentage of their total dietary iron than the non-anaemic children of the same age.", "contents": "Nutrition survey of Finnish rural children. III. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values. In connection with a survey of child nutrition in Finland the haemoglobin and heamatocrit values in childhood and the prevalence of anaemia were studied. The series consisted of 1534 children aged 5, 9 and 13 years. The haemoglobin concentrations in those age groups were 12.60 +/- 0.81, 13.24 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.90 g/100 ml, respectively. The haematocrit values were 38.0 +/- 2.53, 39.6 +/- 2.50 and 40.8 +/- 3.00%. In the total series, 3.0% of the Hb values and 4.8% of the PCV values were below the WHO norms. No difference was found between anaemic and non-anaemic children with respect to the mean daily intake of dietary iron or the intake of iron from the food group eggs, meat and fish in absolute amounts or per 1000 kcal. Anaemic 5-year-old children, however, obtained from this food group a significantly smaller percentage of their total dietary iron than the non-anaemic children of the same age.", "PMID": 616217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1714", "title": "Effect of gradually increasing carboxyhaemoglobin saturation on visual perception and psychomotor performance of smoking and nonsmoking subjects.", "content": "The effect of gradually increasing COHb saturation on human visuoperceptual and psychomotor performance was studied in 22 nonsmokers and 22 smokers. Each subject performed two sessions in randomized order, one during air breathing and the other during CO breathing on two separate days. Testing and COHb saturation measurement were repeated six times during each session. Gas breathing was between the test periods. The increase of COHb saturation up to 12--13 per cent units had no effect (p greater than 0,05) on perceptual speed and accuracy as measured by the Bourdon--Wiersma test. Finger tapping speed was also unaffected. Visual perception measured with critical flicker frequency (CFF) was sensitive to CO. The gradual increase in COHb saturation caused a linear decrease in CFF in the both groups. An increase of one per cent unit in COHb saturation caused significant decrease in CFF (p less than 0.001), when intraindividual changes were taken into account. During acute exposure to CO there was no difference in any test performance between the groups. During air preathing there was no difference in performance although there was a significant difference (p less than 0,001) in the COHb saturation levels. This negative finding might be due to adaptation of smokers to chronic exposure of CO because of smoking.", "contents": "Effect of gradually increasing carboxyhaemoglobin saturation on visual perception and psychomotor performance of smoking and nonsmoking subjects. The effect of gradually increasing COHb saturation on human visuoperceptual and psychomotor performance was studied in 22 nonsmokers and 22 smokers. Each subject performed two sessions in randomized order, one during air breathing and the other during CO breathing on two separate days. Testing and COHb saturation measurement were repeated six times during each session. Gas breathing was between the test periods. The increase of COHb saturation up to 12--13 per cent units had no effect (p greater than 0,05) on perceptual speed and accuracy as measured by the Bourdon--Wiersma test. Finger tapping speed was also unaffected. Visual perception measured with critical flicker frequency (CFF) was sensitive to CO. The gradual increase in COHb saturation caused a linear decrease in CFF in the both groups. An increase of one per cent unit in COHb saturation caused significant decrease in CFF (p less than 0.001), when intraindividual changes were taken into account. During acute exposure to CO there was no difference in any test performance between the groups. During air preathing there was no difference in performance although there was a significant difference (p less than 0,001) in the COHb saturation levels. This negative finding might be due to adaptation of smokers to chronic exposure of CO because of smoking.", "PMID": 616218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1715", "title": "Echocardiography in assessment of mitral valve disease II. Left atrium and left ventricle.", "content": "79 patients studied by cardiac catheterization were also studied by echocardiography to evaluate the reliability and usefulness of echocardiography in making left atrial and ventricular measurements in patients with mitral valve disease. The left atrium was larger than normal in all the patients and especially in those with mitral regurgitation. There was a significant correlation between the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the left atrial diameter in the patients with a stenotic component, and the left atrial diameter seems to correlate better than the cineangiographic left atrial size with the atrial pressure as the anterior-posterior atrial dilatation is more pressure dependent. In atrial fibrillation the left atrial diameter was greater than in the patients with sinus rhythm, but there was a great overlap in atrial diameters between these patient groups. In 37% of the patients with a mitral regurgitation component a systolic bulge caused by a regurgitant jet was found in the posterior left atrial wall, the appearance and magnitude of which depended more on the properties of the atrial wall and the direction of the regurgitant jet than on the amount of regurgitation. The results concerning left ventricular size and function agreed well with the previous cineangiographic studies. There was good correlation between the cineangiographically and echocardiographically measured left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions, but left atrial dilatation made the correlation less close.", "contents": "Echocardiography in assessment of mitral valve disease II. Left atrium and left ventricle. 79 patients studied by cardiac catheterization were also studied by echocardiography to evaluate the reliability and usefulness of echocardiography in making left atrial and ventricular measurements in patients with mitral valve disease. The left atrium was larger than normal in all the patients and especially in those with mitral regurgitation. There was a significant correlation between the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the left atrial diameter in the patients with a stenotic component, and the left atrial diameter seems to correlate better than the cineangiographic left atrial size with the atrial pressure as the anterior-posterior atrial dilatation is more pressure dependent. In atrial fibrillation the left atrial diameter was greater than in the patients with sinus rhythm, but there was a great overlap in atrial diameters between these patient groups. In 37% of the patients with a mitral regurgitation component a systolic bulge caused by a regurgitant jet was found in the posterior left atrial wall, the appearance and magnitude of which depended more on the properties of the atrial wall and the direction of the regurgitant jet than on the amount of regurgitation. The results concerning left ventricular size and function agreed well with the previous cineangiographic studies. There was good correlation between the cineangiographically and echocardiographically measured left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions, but left atrial dilatation made the correlation less close.", "PMID": 616219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1716", "title": "Anemia and extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with carcinoma of the breast.", "content": "Three patients with carcinoma of the breast, extensive metastasis, and splenomegaly are described. Radioisotope studies with 59Fe and 51Cr revealed extramedullarly hematopoiesis and hemolysis. In addition to red cell hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis in the marrow and extramedullary sites contributed to the persistence of the anemic syndrome. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is not an effective compensatory mechanism in some patients with anemia and carcinoma of the breast.", "contents": "Anemia and extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with carcinoma of the breast. Three patients with carcinoma of the breast, extensive metastasis, and splenomegaly are described. Radioisotope studies with 59Fe and 51Cr revealed extramedullarly hematopoiesis and hemolysis. In addition to red cell hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis in the marrow and extramedullary sites contributed to the persistence of the anemic syndrome. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is not an effective compensatory mechanism in some patients with anemia and carcinoma of the breast.", "PMID": 616220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1717", "title": "The effect of bronchography on pulmonary ventilation.", "content": "Using a gamma camera and the Xenon-133 washout method the reduction in lung function during unilateral bronchography was assessed in eleven patients. A considerable reduction in the washout rate was observed in the lung examined with bronchography both absolutely and compared with the opposite lung. Some improvement occurred after coughing out the contrast medium. It is concluded that the ventilatory function of the lungs is considerably impaired during bronchography and this should be borne in mind when referring patients with reduced lung function for this examination.", "contents": "The effect of bronchography on pulmonary ventilation. Using a gamma camera and the Xenon-133 washout method the reduction in lung function during unilateral bronchography was assessed in eleven patients. A considerable reduction in the washout rate was observed in the lung examined with bronchography both absolutely and compared with the opposite lung. Some improvement occurred after coughing out the contrast medium. It is concluded that the ventilatory function of the lungs is considerably impaired during bronchography and this should be borne in mind when referring patients with reduced lung function for this examination.", "PMID": 616221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1718", "title": "Plasma renin activity and angiotensin II during oral contraception.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (A II) concentrations were measured in the first and second half of the menstrual cycle for four months in 27 healthy young women, in three groups. During month II and III group I received lynestrenol 0.5 mg, group II lynestrenol 0.5 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg and group III d-norgestrel 0.25 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg as contraceptive treatment. In group I no changes of PRA or A II were observed. In group II and III both PRA and A II rose significantly during oral contraceptive treatment. Progestagens may offer an advantage as they do not stimulate the renin-angiotensin axis.", "contents": "Plasma renin activity and angiotensin II during oral contraception. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (A II) concentrations were measured in the first and second half of the menstrual cycle for four months in 27 healthy young women, in three groups. During month II and III group I received lynestrenol 0.5 mg, group II lynestrenol 0.5 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg and group III d-norgestrel 0.25 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg as contraceptive treatment. In group I no changes of PRA or A II were observed. In group II and III both PRA and A II rose significantly during oral contraceptive treatment. Progestagens may offer an advantage as they do not stimulate the renin-angiotensin axis.", "PMID": 616222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1719", "title": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A clinical study with bronchological correlations.", "content": "Symptoms, clinical findings and pulmonary function in 47 patients with tracheobronchomalacia were compared with the bronchoscopic finding. The main symptoms were phlegm, cough, and dyspnoea. Recurrent respiratory infections and haemoptysis were features of the recent medical history. Only 30% had emphysema, and cor pulmonale in the ECG was uncommon. A notch in FEV1 was seen in 25 patients (54%), against 3 (6%) in the controls. FVC, FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 were directly proportionate to the severity of the malacia. A low FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 are suggestive of tracheobronchomalacia and an indication for bronchoscopy.", "contents": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A clinical study with bronchological correlations. Symptoms, clinical findings and pulmonary function in 47 patients with tracheobronchomalacia were compared with the bronchoscopic finding. The main symptoms were phlegm, cough, and dyspnoea. Recurrent respiratory infections and haemoptysis were features of the recent medical history. Only 30% had emphysema, and cor pulmonale in the ECG was uncommon. A notch in FEV1 was seen in 25 patients (54%), against 3 (6%) in the controls. FVC, FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 were directly proportionate to the severity of the malacia. A low FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 are suggestive of tracheobronchomalacia and an indication for bronchoscopy.", "PMID": 616223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1720", "title": "Cyclical thrombocytopenia with remission during lynestrenol treatment in a woman.", "content": "A woman of 40 had cyclical thrombocytopenia occurring midway between menstruations, with bruising and platelet counts down to 2000/mm3. The thrombocytopenic episodes disappeared after treatment with lynestrenol was started. The patient's platelets had a functional defect of the \"aspirin-like\" type. The availability of platelet factor 3 increased when oestrogen was added to platelet-rich plasma from the patient.", "contents": "Cyclical thrombocytopenia with remission during lynestrenol treatment in a woman. A woman of 40 had cyclical thrombocytopenia occurring midway between menstruations, with bruising and platelet counts down to 2000/mm3. The thrombocytopenic episodes disappeared after treatment with lynestrenol was started. The patient's platelets had a functional defect of the \"aspirin-like\" type. The availability of platelet factor 3 increased when oestrogen was added to platelet-rich plasma from the patient.", "PMID": 616224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1721", "title": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A bronchological follow-up study.", "content": "Ninety-four patients with acquired tracheobronchomalacia were followed up between 1967-1977, for an average of 5.2 years. Fifty-six were still alive at the end of the period, and 47 of these were reexamined. Twenty-one patients had retired on pensions for lung disease. Of the 36 patients who underwent rebronchoscopy, tracheomalacia alone was seen in 3 and tracheobrochomalacia in 33. Six out of the 9 cases of tracheomalacia and all the 5 cases of bronchomalacia had developed into tracheobronchomalacia. The malacia was mild in 6 (17%), moderate in 8 (22%) and severe in 22 (61%), against the figures of the preceding bronchoscopy: 13 (36%), 17 (47%) and 6 (17%), respectively. Mild bronchitic changes were seen in 9 (25%) and severe in 22 (61%) bacterial cultures grew Haemophilus, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella, and the culture was positive on 8 occasions (22%). A fungal culture of the bronchial aspirate was positive in 9 cases (25%). No pronounced eosinophilia on the bronchial mucosa was observed.", "contents": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A bronchological follow-up study. Ninety-four patients with acquired tracheobronchomalacia were followed up between 1967-1977, for an average of 5.2 years. Fifty-six were still alive at the end of the period, and 47 of these were reexamined. Twenty-one patients had retired on pensions for lung disease. Of the 36 patients who underwent rebronchoscopy, tracheomalacia alone was seen in 3 and tracheobrochomalacia in 33. Six out of the 9 cases of tracheomalacia and all the 5 cases of bronchomalacia had developed into tracheobronchomalacia. The malacia was mild in 6 (17%), moderate in 8 (22%) and severe in 22 (61%), against the figures of the preceding bronchoscopy: 13 (36%), 17 (47%) and 6 (17%), respectively. Mild bronchitic changes were seen in 9 (25%) and severe in 22 (61%) bacterial cultures grew Haemophilus, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella, and the culture was positive on 8 occasions (22%). A fungal culture of the bronchial aspirate was positive in 9 cases (25%). No pronounced eosinophilia on the bronchial mucosa was observed.", "PMID": 616225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1722", "title": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A cineradiographic study with bronchologicl correlations.", "content": "Forty-seven patients in whom acquired tracheobronchomalacia had been diagnosed by bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia were examined by cineradiography. In the 36 cases subjected to rebrochoscopy the cineradiographic and bronchoscopic findings were compared. Tracheal malacia could be readily visualized by cineradiography without contrast medium, and the changes were seen to correspond to the bronchoscopic findings. Malacia was graded by cineradiography as mild in 17 (47%) moderate in 12 (33.5%) and severe in 7 (19.5%) and by bronchoscopy in 10 (28%), 15 (41.5%) and 11 (30.5%) cases respectively. Cineradiography without contrast medium proved to be an easy and quick examination which imposed little strain on the patient. It is thus very suitable as a primary examination, especially for patients in poor condition. When malacia at the bronchial level is suspected, bronchoscopy is advisable.", "contents": "Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A cineradiographic study with bronchologicl correlations. Forty-seven patients in whom acquired tracheobronchomalacia had been diagnosed by bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia were examined by cineradiography. In the 36 cases subjected to rebrochoscopy the cineradiographic and bronchoscopic findings were compared. Tracheal malacia could be readily visualized by cineradiography without contrast medium, and the changes were seen to correspond to the bronchoscopic findings. Malacia was graded by cineradiography as mild in 17 (47%) moderate in 12 (33.5%) and severe in 7 (19.5%) and by bronchoscopy in 10 (28%), 15 (41.5%) and 11 (30.5%) cases respectively. Cineradiography without contrast medium proved to be an easy and quick examination which imposed little strain on the patient. It is thus very suitable as a primary examination, especially for patients in poor condition. When malacia at the bronchial level is suspected, bronchoscopy is advisable.", "PMID": 616226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1723", "title": "Effect of cessation of propranolol treatment on myocardial noradrenaline and acetylcholine content in the rat.", "content": "Cessation of long-term treatment of rats with propranolol 10 mg/kg/day subcutaneously produced no alteration in the myocardial noradrenaline content estimated 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours after the last propranolol injection; nor did the myocardial acetylcholine content change. These results do not support the idea that the withdrawal-rebound phenomenon caused by abrupt cessation of propranolol therapy is associated with an accumulation of the autonomic neurotransmitters in myocardial tissue.", "contents": "Effect of cessation of propranolol treatment on myocardial noradrenaline and acetylcholine content in the rat. Cessation of long-term treatment of rats with propranolol 10 mg/kg/day subcutaneously produced no alteration in the myocardial noradrenaline content estimated 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours after the last propranolol injection; nor did the myocardial acetylcholine content change. These results do not support the idea that the withdrawal-rebound phenomenon caused by abrupt cessation of propranolol therapy is associated with an accumulation of the autonomic neurotransmitters in myocardial tissue.", "PMID": 616227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1724", "title": "[Collection of specimens for mycotic examination (author's transl)].", "content": "The author describes the methods of collection of specimens coming from cutaneous, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses. The author points out that it is advisable to collect specimens exactly so that the results of examination are not erroneous.", "contents": "[Collection of specimens for mycotic examination (author's transl)]. The author describes the methods of collection of specimens coming from cutaneous, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses. The author points out that it is advisable to collect specimens exactly so that the results of examination are not erroneous.", "PMID": 616239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1725", "title": "[Numerical taxonomy and employment of the computer in diagnostic medical microbiology (author's transl)].", "content": "The institution is proposed of a expert committee to study and introduce new methods to allow a better diffusion of numerical taxonomy among clinical bacteriologists. Computers are nowadays rather diffuse devices that can contribute to bring order in the field of the classification of microorganisms and to introduce new keys for the identification of isolates from pathological materials.", "contents": "[Numerical taxonomy and employment of the computer in diagnostic medical microbiology (author's transl)]. The institution is proposed of a expert committee to study and introduce new methods to allow a better diffusion of numerical taxonomy among clinical bacteriologists. Computers are nowadays rather diffuse devices that can contribute to bring order in the field of the classification of microorganisms and to introduce new keys for the identification of isolates from pathological materials.", "PMID": 616240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1726", "title": "[Biochemical typing of salmonellae by a miniaturized system (API - 50 E) (author's transl)].", "content": "The biochemical properties of clinical isolates of Salmonella have been studied by means of a commercially available miniaturized system (API - 50 E), which permit an easier examination of 50 chemical reactions. This miniaturized system seems to be helpfull not only in epidemiological researches but also in characterization of \"atypical strains\".", "contents": "[Biochemical typing of salmonellae by a miniaturized system (API - 50 E) (author's transl)]. The biochemical properties of clinical isolates of Salmonella have been studied by means of a commercially available miniaturized system (API - 50 E), which permit an easier examination of 50 chemical reactions. This miniaturized system seems to be helpfull not only in epidemiological researches but also in characterization of \"atypical strains\".", "PMID": 616241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1727", "title": "[The \"natural history\" of bacterial meningitis in the interpretation of cerebrospinal fluid parameters (author's transl)].", "content": "The \"natural history\" of bacterial meningitis, although today a hypothetical event, must be essential reference to interpret the various cerebro-spinal fluid parameters, either in diagnosis or in monitoring. The Authors give first a synopsis of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid. They divide the natural history of bacterial meningitis into five stages, describing the variations in the main parameters (macroscopical, bacteriological, humoral and cytological). The Authors point out also the new bacteriological pathology of leptomeningitis arising from inadeguate therapy: 1) a flare-up of meningitis of form L and 2) bacterial meningitis of \"decapitate\" type. In 2) the Authors stress the importance in the laboratory of differential diagnosis from aseptic or viral meningitis.", "contents": "[The \"natural history\" of bacterial meningitis in the interpretation of cerebrospinal fluid parameters (author's transl)]. The \"natural history\" of bacterial meningitis, although today a hypothetical event, must be essential reference to interpret the various cerebro-spinal fluid parameters, either in diagnosis or in monitoring. The Authors give first a synopsis of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid. They divide the natural history of bacterial meningitis into five stages, describing the variations in the main parameters (macroscopical, bacteriological, humoral and cytological). The Authors point out also the new bacteriological pathology of leptomeningitis arising from inadeguate therapy: 1) a flare-up of meningitis of form L and 2) bacterial meningitis of \"decapitate\" type. In 2) the Authors stress the importance in the laboratory of differential diagnosis from aseptic or viral meningitis.", "PMID": 616242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1728", "title": "[Determination of residual antibiotic activity in cerebro-spinal fluid (author's transl)].", "content": "A microbiological method for the determination of residual antibiotic activity in CSF is described. This disc-diffusion method, utilizing Bacillus stearotermophilus as test organism, is highly sensitive for many antibiotics, including those crossing the blood-brain barrier.", "contents": "[Determination of residual antibiotic activity in cerebro-spinal fluid (author's transl)]. A microbiological method for the determination of residual antibiotic activity in CSF is described. This disc-diffusion method, utilizing Bacillus stearotermophilus as test organism, is highly sensitive for many antibiotics, including those crossing the blood-brain barrier.", "PMID": 616243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1729", "title": "[Amoebic meningoencephalitis by \"Eaegleria\" and \"Acanthamoeba\" (author's transl)].", "content": "Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (ME) by Naegleria fowleri a free-living protozoon found in fresh, warm waters, is a well known fatal disease lasting less than one week. It affects sporadically swimmers and children playing in mud puddles. Less than 100 cases have been described. Recently a more rare, distinct amoebic meningoencephalitis due to some species of free-living Acanthamoeba was identified, lasting some weeks or more but still with a fatal evolution. In this case the amoebae do not always enter the brain directly through the cribrous membranes but cause mild, primary infections of respiratory airways: exceptionally, mainly in immunodepressed subjects, they then reach the CNS causing a secondary ME. Naegleria is fairly sensitive in vitro to some drugs, but in vivo their efficacy is dramtically lowered for pharmacokinetic reasons. Acanthamoeba is in every respect less sensitive. Prophylaxis is almost impossible to achieve. Some diagnostic procedures are described and the importance of their use in diagnosis of the so called aseptic purulent ME is stressed.", "contents": "[Amoebic meningoencephalitis by \"Eaegleria\" and \"Acanthamoeba\" (author's transl)]. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (ME) by Naegleria fowleri a free-living protozoon found in fresh, warm waters, is a well known fatal disease lasting less than one week. It affects sporadically swimmers and children playing in mud puddles. Less than 100 cases have been described. Recently a more rare, distinct amoebic meningoencephalitis due to some species of free-living Acanthamoeba was identified, lasting some weeks or more but still with a fatal evolution. In this case the amoebae do not always enter the brain directly through the cribrous membranes but cause mild, primary infections of respiratory airways: exceptionally, mainly in immunodepressed subjects, they then reach the CNS causing a secondary ME. Naegleria is fairly sensitive in vitro to some drugs, but in vivo their efficacy is dramtically lowered for pharmacokinetic reasons. Acanthamoeba is in every respect less sensitive. Prophylaxis is almost impossible to achieve. Some diagnostic procedures are described and the importance of their use in diagnosis of the so called aseptic purulent ME is stressed.", "PMID": 616244} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1730", "title": "[The role of anaerobic bacteria in meningeal infections (author's transl)].", "content": "The finding is described of a Gram-negative bacterium in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient suffering from internal hydrocephalus and taken in the hospital of Udine with symptoms of meningitis. The isolated bacterium belongs to the genus Bacteroides. The cases of meningitis are indicated in which the bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid for anaerobes is recommended.", "contents": "[The role of anaerobic bacteria in meningeal infections (author's transl)]. The finding is described of a Gram-negative bacterium in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient suffering from internal hydrocephalus and taken in the hospital of Udine with symptoms of meningitis. The isolated bacterium belongs to the genus Bacteroides. The cases of meningitis are indicated in which the bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid for anaerobes is recommended.", "PMID": 616245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1731", "title": "[The examination of cerebro-spinal fluid in the viroses of the central nervous system (author's transl)].", "content": "The general outlines for the isolation of viruses from the cerebro-spinal fluid are described. It is suggested to associate to the virus cultivation of the cerebrospinal fluid even the cultivation from other pathological materials as faringeal swabs and stools and the search for antibodies in the blood serum. Researches of viruses in cerebro-spinal fluid done by the Service of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona have given in 55 cases examined during the year 1976 2 positive isolates; in both mumps virus has been isolated.", "contents": "[The examination of cerebro-spinal fluid in the viroses of the central nervous system (author's transl)]. The general outlines for the isolation of viruses from the cerebro-spinal fluid are described. It is suggested to associate to the virus cultivation of the cerebrospinal fluid even the cultivation from other pathological materials as faringeal swabs and stools and the search for antibodies in the blood serum. Researches of viruses in cerebro-spinal fluid done by the Service of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona have given in 55 cases examined during the year 1976 2 positive isolates; in both mumps virus has been isolated.", "PMID": 616246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1732", "title": "[The cerebro-spinal fluid: chemical values for diagnosis of meningitis (author's transl)].", "content": "We describe the chemical values of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid and any variation during meningitis. We also refere the physical peculiarity and the variations of non-proteins-nitrogen, of enzymes, of glucose and its metabolites, of proteins and cells. On the picture we resume the most significative variation for differential diagnosis among bacterial, viral and tuberculous meningitis.", "contents": "[The cerebro-spinal fluid: chemical values for diagnosis of meningitis (author's transl)]. We describe the chemical values of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid and any variation during meningitis. We also refere the physical peculiarity and the variations of non-proteins-nitrogen, of enzymes, of glucose and its metabolites, of proteins and cells. On the picture we resume the most significative variation for differential diagnosis among bacterial, viral and tuberculous meningitis.", "PMID": 616247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1733", "title": "[Proposal for an organic scheme for the survey of the proteins in the spinal fluid (author's transl)].", "content": "A simple technique of electroimmunodiffusion is described, which is fit for identifying the variations in the ratio IgG/Albumin in the spinal fluid (liquor). Furthermore a general scheme for the survey of the proteic situation in the spinal fluid is also proposed.", "contents": "[Proposal for an organic scheme for the survey of the proteins in the spinal fluid (author's transl)]. A simple technique of electroimmunodiffusion is described, which is fit for identifying the variations in the ratio IgG/Albumin in the spinal fluid (liquor). Furthermore a general scheme for the survey of the proteic situation in the spinal fluid is also proposed.", "PMID": 616249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1734", "title": "[Clinical remarks about haemoculture (author's transl)].", "content": "Introductory review on bacteremia: laboratory aspects, prevalence, errors, causative organisms, concurring factors, iatrogenic infection, polymicrobic infection, contamination are discussed. A national Italian bacteremia registry is suggested.", "contents": "[Clinical remarks about haemoculture (author's transl)]. Introductory review on bacteremia: laboratory aspects, prevalence, errors, causative organisms, concurring factors, iatrogenic infection, polymicrobic infection, contamination are discussed. A national Italian bacteremia registry is suggested.", "PMID": 616250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1735", "title": "[The demonstration of antibacteric power in a blood sample taken for blood culture. Preliminary note. (author's transl)].", "content": "To identify a possible \"false\" negative blood culture from a patient not declearing antibiotic treatment, we propose a \"Residual Antibiotic Power\" test (PAR-test) on the same blood sample to be rum in parallel with the blood culture. Hence we propose using B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis, which we have found very sensitive to the common antibiotics used in Human Medicine. Suggested technique: agar+germ with an absorbent paper disc soaked with the sample, incubated for 3 hours at 60 degrees C, to give an easy test reading.", "contents": "[The demonstration of antibacteric power in a blood sample taken for blood culture. Preliminary note. (author's transl)]. To identify a possible \"false\" negative blood culture from a patient not declearing antibiotic treatment, we propose a \"Residual Antibiotic Power\" test (PAR-test) on the same blood sample to be rum in parallel with the blood culture. Hence we propose using B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis, which we have found very sensitive to the common antibiotics used in Human Medicine. Suggested technique: agar+germ with an absorbent paper disc soaked with the sample, incubated for 3 hours at 60 degrees C, to give an easy test reading.", "PMID": 616251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1736", "title": "[Septicaemia caused by fungus: technical data and cases (author's transl)].", "content": "The Authors describe a technique suitable for isolating fungus from haemocultures. Although it is not frequent to find a description of septicaemia caused by fungus in hospital practice besides the Candida type, many kinds of yeasts and filamentous fungus have been occasionally isolated from the blood. It is the Author's opinion that if suitable techniques were always used, the evidence of fungus in haemocultures would be more frequent and above all one could also isolate filamentous fungus.", "contents": "[Septicaemia caused by fungus: technical data and cases (author's transl)]. The Authors describe a technique suitable for isolating fungus from haemocultures. Although it is not frequent to find a description of septicaemia caused by fungus in hospital practice besides the Candida type, many kinds of yeasts and filamentous fungus have been occasionally isolated from the blood. It is the Author's opinion that if suitable techniques were always used, the evidence of fungus in haemocultures would be more frequent and above all one could also isolate filamentous fungus.", "PMID": 616252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1737", "title": "[Statistical data of the blood cultures of the years 1975-1976 at the Hospital of Verona (author's transl)].", "content": "Data are presented of the blood cultures done by the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona. Of 1882 cultures, 288 (15%) were positive; the number of isolates was greater in cultures from Intensive Care and Medicine units.", "contents": "[Statistical data of the blood cultures of the years 1975-1976 at the Hospital of Verona (author's transl)]. Data are presented of the blood cultures done by the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona. Of 1882 cultures, 288 (15%) were positive; the number of isolates was greater in cultures from Intensive Care and Medicine units.", "PMID": 616253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1738", "title": "[Meningitis epidemiology (author's transl)].", "content": "After having reviewed rapidly the references regarding meningitis epidemiology due to \"purulent liquor\" and \"clear liquor\", a personal study of 754 cases of purulent meningitis of different bacterial etiology, and 167 cases of meningitis due to \"clear liquor\", 107 of which of tubercular etiology and 60 of viral etiology or so supposed, is reported.", "contents": "[Meningitis epidemiology (author's transl)]. After having reviewed rapidly the references regarding meningitis epidemiology due to \"purulent liquor\" and \"clear liquor\", a personal study of 754 cases of purulent meningitis of different bacterial etiology, and 167 cases of meningitis due to \"clear liquor\", 107 of which of tubercular etiology and 60 of viral etiology or so supposed, is reported.", "PMID": 616248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1739", "title": "[Detection of heat-stable staphylococcal nucleases in foods of various kinds].", "content": "Herewith are the results of a research on determination of staphylococcal heat-stable nuclease in food. From this research derives clearly the need to devote to the determination of heat-stable deoxyribonuclease as an useful indirect index, fit to give menful informations on the pollution of different kind of food by the side of patogen Staphylococci even on food products under processes of pasteurization or of sterilization.", "contents": "[Detection of heat-stable staphylococcal nucleases in foods of various kinds]. Herewith are the results of a research on determination of staphylococcal heat-stable nuclease in food. From this research derives clearly the need to devote to the determination of heat-stable deoxyribonuclease as an useful indirect index, fit to give menful informations on the pollution of different kind of food by the side of patogen Staphylococci even on food products under processes of pasteurization or of sterilization.", "PMID": 616257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1740", "title": "[The importance of man, mouse and rat skin surface lipid fractions on the \"in vitro\" penetration of \"Schistosoma mansoni\" cercariae (author's transl)].", "content": "The AA. have studied in this research, the r\u00f4le explicated in vitro from the lipids contained in a man's skin, in a rat of the Wistar experimental group and in a mouse of the Swiss one. They have seen that some lipids fractions, as triglycerides, waxes and squalenes explicate an action that favours the penetration of the cercariae in vitro on a plate of agar and that such an action is due to the unsaturation in the above said fractions of sebaceous origin. On the contrary the lipids of skin origin as sterols and their esters inhibit the penetration.", "contents": "[The importance of man, mouse and rat skin surface lipid fractions on the \"in vitro\" penetration of \"Schistosoma mansoni\" cercariae (author's transl)]. The AA. have studied in this research, the r\u00f4le explicated in vitro from the lipids contained in a man's skin, in a rat of the Wistar experimental group and in a mouse of the Swiss one. They have seen that some lipids fractions, as triglycerides, waxes and squalenes explicate an action that favours the penetration of the cercariae in vitro on a plate of agar and that such an action is due to the unsaturation in the above said fractions of sebaceous origin. On the contrary the lipids of skin origin as sterols and their esters inhibit the penetration.", "PMID": 616258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1741", "title": "[Laboratory tests applied to transfusion problems. Identification of dangerous universal donors and their frequency].", "content": "We studied 504 subjects, whose blood group wes O; they were periodic or occasional blood donors from Transfusional Center A.V.I.S., Policlinico \"Umberto I\", Roma. Our research was based on the principle stated by Gandini: he states that the natural isoagglutinin concentration equal or superior to 1:200 and the presence of hemolytic isoantibodies may make universal donors dangerous. Our results indicated that the percentage of this kind of donors is 27.75%. Sice 17.26% of our studied subjects showed hemolytic antibodies, we consider it is sufficient to identify dangerous donors through a dosage of hemolytic isoantibodies.", "contents": "[Laboratory tests applied to transfusion problems. Identification of dangerous universal donors and their frequency]. We studied 504 subjects, whose blood group wes O; they were periodic or occasional blood donors from Transfusional Center A.V.I.S., Policlinico \"Umberto I\", Roma. Our research was based on the principle stated by Gandini: he states that the natural isoagglutinin concentration equal or superior to 1:200 and the presence of hemolytic isoantibodies may make universal donors dangerous. Our results indicated that the percentage of this kind of donors is 27.75%. Sice 17.26% of our studied subjects showed hemolytic antibodies, we consider it is sufficient to identify dangerous donors through a dosage of hemolytic isoantibodies.", "PMID": 616260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1742", "title": "[Effects of streptococcal toxin on hepatic regeneration in the rat].", "content": "The liver regeneration percentage, mytotic activity and protein content were used to demonstrate the effects of streptococcal toxin on regenerating rat liver. No statistically significant difference was showed between controls and toxin treated animals. Serum level of C, resulted on the contrary, considerably reduced in the animals treated with streptococcal toxin.", "contents": "[Effects of streptococcal toxin on hepatic regeneration in the rat]. The liver regeneration percentage, mytotic activity and protein content were used to demonstrate the effects of streptococcal toxin on regenerating rat liver. No statistically significant difference was showed between controls and toxin treated animals. Serum level of C, resulted on the contrary, considerably reduced in the animals treated with streptococcal toxin.", "PMID": 616254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1743", "title": "[Combination of antifungal chemotherapeutic agents in experimental candidiasis in mice].", "content": "For the valuation of therapeutical activity of many new recent antifungal drugs, these were employed in the various possible associations in the experimental candidosis of the mouse. From the results obtained calculated on the survivance percentage, was concluded that the best antifungal is the 5 fluorocytosine + amphotericin B association.", "contents": "[Combination of antifungal chemotherapeutic agents in experimental candidiasis in mice]. For the valuation of therapeutical activity of many new recent antifungal drugs, these were employed in the various possible associations in the experimental candidosis of the mouse. From the results obtained calculated on the survivance percentage, was concluded that the best antifungal is the 5 fluorocytosine + amphotericin B association.", "PMID": 616259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1744", "title": "[Tetanus prevention with vaccine and with vaccine plus heterologous immune serum: serum antibody levels in the rabbit].", "content": "Haemagglutinating antibodies have been assessed in rabbits undergoing active- passive immunization against tetanus. The animals received 6 injections of horse immune serum, 400 UI/kg, and A1PO4 adsorbed toxoid, 0.35 Lf/kg, every 30th day. One the 5th day, after the first injection, E.A. antibodies appeared, at low levels, as a result of a passive immunization. Thereafter the tests became negative, up to the 70th day, when an active immunization emerged, with a 25 days delay in comparison with controls. Neutralization test in vivo behaved in the same way. The results stress once more the need to give up the use of heterologous immune sera in tetanus prophylaxis, in active-passive immunization as well. Arguments adding force to this point of view are: the sensibilization against heterologous proteins, the very low (if any) passive protective action, and, last not least, the delay in the emergence of active immunization: the only reliable shield against tetanus.", "contents": "[Tetanus prevention with vaccine and with vaccine plus heterologous immune serum: serum antibody levels in the rabbit]. Haemagglutinating antibodies have been assessed in rabbits undergoing active- passive immunization against tetanus. The animals received 6 injections of horse immune serum, 400 UI/kg, and A1PO4 adsorbed toxoid, 0.35 Lf/kg, every 30th day. One the 5th day, after the first injection, E.A. antibodies appeared, at low levels, as a result of a passive immunization. Thereafter the tests became negative, up to the 70th day, when an active immunization emerged, with a 25 days delay in comparison with controls. Neutralization test in vivo behaved in the same way. The results stress once more the need to give up the use of heterologous immune sera in tetanus prophylaxis, in active-passive immunization as well. Arguments adding force to this point of view are: the sensibilization against heterologous proteins, the very low (if any) passive protective action, and, last not least, the delay in the emergence of active immunization: the only reliable shield against tetanus.", "PMID": 616255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1745", "title": "[Effect of the serum of patients with cholestasis on lymphocyte E rosette formation].", "content": "Sera from cholestatic patients have been found to interfere with lymphocyte rosette formation (E rosettes). Lymphocytes from patients with cholestasis showed a lower percentage (42.36%) of cells binding sheep red blood cells in comparison with a control group (62%). In the presence of cholestatic serum the number of E rosettes formed by lymphocytes from normal subjects declined to 44.16%. This behaviour, however, can reverse, since lymphocytes from cholestatic patients previously incubated with normal serum, showed a nearly normal capability of forming E rosettes (57.90%). Therefore, it is conceivable that among the several factors which are present in sera from patients with either chronic or acute hepatitis and which are able to interfere with T-lymphocyte function, there may be included also the factor which is present in sera from cholestatic patients. The possible role of bile salts and hyperlipoproteinaemia present in those patients requires further investigation.", "contents": "[Effect of the serum of patients with cholestasis on lymphocyte E rosette formation]. Sera from cholestatic patients have been found to interfere with lymphocyte rosette formation (E rosettes). Lymphocytes from patients with cholestasis showed a lower percentage (42.36%) of cells binding sheep red blood cells in comparison with a control group (62%). In the presence of cholestatic serum the number of E rosettes formed by lymphocytes from normal subjects declined to 44.16%. This behaviour, however, can reverse, since lymphocytes from cholestatic patients previously incubated with normal serum, showed a nearly normal capability of forming E rosettes (57.90%). Therefore, it is conceivable that among the several factors which are present in sera from patients with either chronic or acute hepatitis and which are able to interfere with T-lymphocyte function, there may be included also the factor which is present in sera from cholestatic patients. The possible role of bile salts and hyperlipoproteinaemia present in those patients requires further investigation.", "PMID": 616262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1746", "title": "[Epidemiologic study of chronic hepatitis in relation to heptatis B virus infections (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to evaluate the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the etiology of chronic liver diseases, paired sera of 143 patients with biopsy-documented chronic hepatitis were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by radioimmunoassay method. HBsAg was detected in 67.3% of patients with a preceding verified eipsode of acute hepatitis, and in 26.7% of patients with a cryptogenic form of chronic hepatitis. HBsAg was not found in any of patients with alcoholic chronic hepatitis and in only two of 18 patients with other forms of chronic liver disease. No significant difference in the incidence of anti-HBs was observed in all groups of patients. According to previous studies our results confirm the higher prevalence of HBV infection in etiology of chronic persistent and aggressive hepatitis and indicate that this prevalence may be observed especially in Middle and South Italy. The presence of HBsAg in the serum of 37.2% of our patients with cirrhosis compared with 9% of reported cases in North Italy suggest that HBV plays an important role in the etiology of cirrhosis of the liver in our area.", "contents": "[Epidemiologic study of chronic hepatitis in relation to heptatis B virus infections (author's transl)]. In order to evaluate the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the etiology of chronic liver diseases, paired sera of 143 patients with biopsy-documented chronic hepatitis were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by radioimmunoassay method. HBsAg was detected in 67.3% of patients with a preceding verified eipsode of acute hepatitis, and in 26.7% of patients with a cryptogenic form of chronic hepatitis. HBsAg was not found in any of patients with alcoholic chronic hepatitis and in only two of 18 patients with other forms of chronic liver disease. No significant difference in the incidence of anti-HBs was observed in all groups of patients. According to previous studies our results confirm the higher prevalence of HBV infection in etiology of chronic persistent and aggressive hepatitis and indicate that this prevalence may be observed especially in Middle and South Italy. The presence of HBsAg in the serum of 37.2% of our patients with cirrhosis compared with 9% of reported cases in North Italy suggest that HBV plays an important role in the etiology of cirrhosis of the liver in our area.", "PMID": 616263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1747", "title": "Artificial liver: the effect of ACAC microencapsulated charcoal hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic failure.", "content": "Control trials and statistical analysis were carried out to assess the effects of albumin-collodion microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic coma. A rat model of galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic coma was used. Rats which did not recover died at 3.0+/-0.6 days after galactosamine injection. Those which survived this period recovered. Forty-eight hours after galactosamine injection, a test group of 21 rats were treated with 1 hour hemoperfusion and compared with an untreated group of 23 rats. 71.4% of the treated group survived as compared to 30.4% of the untreated rats. Statistical analysis (t test) shows a significant increase in recovery for the treated group (less than 0.01). Biochemical and histological results will be discussed.", "contents": "Artificial liver: the effect of ACAC microencapsulated charcoal hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic failure. Control trials and statistical analysis were carried out to assess the effects of albumin-collodion microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic coma. A rat model of galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic coma was used. Rats which did not recover died at 3.0+/-0.6 days after galactosamine injection. Those which survived this period recovered. Forty-eight hours after galactosamine injection, a test group of 21 rats were treated with 1 hour hemoperfusion and compared with an untreated group of 23 rats. 71.4% of the treated group survived as compared to 30.4% of the untreated rats. Statistical analysis (t test) shows a significant increase in recovery for the treated group (less than 0.01). Biochemical and histological results will be discussed.", "PMID": 616275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1748", "title": "[5 years of bacteriological analysis. Results and observations].", "content": "The Authors examined the bacteriological analysis carried our during a period of five years (June 1971-June 1976), and pointed out the percentage of positivity and sensibility to antibiotics of the bacteria isolated. On a total of 8,263 analysis, 4,327 coprocultures and 2,076 urinocultures have been made, thus occupying the first places in frequency. 195 patogenous enterobacteria have been isolated from coprocultures, corresponding to a positivity of 4.50%. As for the urinocultures positivity reached 43.25%; the germs most frequently isolated were Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The Authors isolated in the same period 17 strains of Myc. tuberculosis from 115 samples of expectoration (14.7%) and 27 strains from 216 samples of urine (12.5%). By recommending antibiograms, the Authors suggest that the most effective antibiotics against enterobacteria responsable of infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract are nalidixic acid and furadantin, cloramfenicolo was ineffective against the isolated Salmonella strains. As for Gram-positive germs some results have been obtained with cefalotine, rifampicin, and cefazolin.", "contents": "[5 years of bacteriological analysis. Results and observations]. The Authors examined the bacteriological analysis carried our during a period of five years (June 1971-June 1976), and pointed out the percentage of positivity and sensibility to antibiotics of the bacteria isolated. On a total of 8,263 analysis, 4,327 coprocultures and 2,076 urinocultures have been made, thus occupying the first places in frequency. 195 patogenous enterobacteria have been isolated from coprocultures, corresponding to a positivity of 4.50%. As for the urinocultures positivity reached 43.25%; the germs most frequently isolated were Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The Authors isolated in the same period 17 strains of Myc. tuberculosis from 115 samples of expectoration (14.7%) and 27 strains from 216 samples of urine (12.5%). By recommending antibiograms, the Authors suggest that the most effective antibiotics against enterobacteria responsable of infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract are nalidixic acid and furadantin, cloramfenicolo was ineffective against the isolated Salmonella strains. As for Gram-positive germs some results have been obtained with cefalotine, rifampicin, and cefazolin.", "PMID": 616266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1749", "title": "Exponential growth and future of artificial organs.", "content": "One hundred thousand (100,000) people are living--thanks to Artificial Kidneys. We need more emphasis on Home Dialysis. The immediate future will bring us: WAK (Wearable Artificial Kidney) FAK (Filtrating Artificial Kidney) PAK (Peritoneal Artificial Kidney) HAK (Hemoperfusion Artificial Kidney). Intra-aortic balloon pumps and transapical left ventricular bypass may offer patients now dying from heart failure, a possibility to either recover or be maintained until an artificial heart is available. Our aim is to create an Artificial Heart to totally replace the irreparably sick human heart. We have obtained survival times up to more than six months after total replacement of the natural heart in calves. Dr. Steve Jacobsen's Artificial Arm is activated by electromyographic signals that are derived from the shoulder muscles. The Artificial Eye makes use of direct stimulation of the visual cortex of the brain by arrays of electrodes situated against the visual cortex. For the Artificial Ear, we stimulate the fibers of the eighth nerve by threading platinum wires up into the cochlea. Deaf volunteers can hear rhythm, loudness and some pitch.", "contents": "Exponential growth and future of artificial organs. One hundred thousand (100,000) people are living--thanks to Artificial Kidneys. We need more emphasis on Home Dialysis. The immediate future will bring us: WAK (Wearable Artificial Kidney) FAK (Filtrating Artificial Kidney) PAK (Peritoneal Artificial Kidney) HAK (Hemoperfusion Artificial Kidney). Intra-aortic balloon pumps and transapical left ventricular bypass may offer patients now dying from heart failure, a possibility to either recover or be maintained until an artificial heart is available. Our aim is to create an Artificial Heart to totally replace the irreparably sick human heart. We have obtained survival times up to more than six months after total replacement of the natural heart in calves. Dr. Steve Jacobsen's Artificial Arm is activated by electromyographic signals that are derived from the shoulder muscles. The Artificial Eye makes use of direct stimulation of the visual cortex of the brain by arrays of electrodes situated against the visual cortex. For the Artificial Ear, we stimulate the fibers of the eighth nerve by threading platinum wires up into the cochlea. Deaf volunteers can hear rhythm, loudness and some pitch.", "PMID": 616276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1750", "title": "Implantation of the total artificial heart by lateral thoracotomy.", "content": "Progress in the techniques for surgical implantation of the artificial heart has progressed in parallel with the technology and design of the prosthesis. In the author's first experience with total artificial heart (TAH) implantation (1968) a trans-sternal split was used opening the sixth intercostal space on the right side across the sternum to the left space. This obviously was not the optimum approach but the complexity, design and size of the prosthesis required maximum exposure of the atria and great vessels. Subsequently the mid-sternal split incision was used. The Dacron fibril coated silicone rubber 8 cm Kwan-Gett ventricles implanted by the mid-sternal split sustained a calf for 14 days in 1972. A calf with the improved Jarvik 3 ventricles fabricated with the same material and implanted via mid-sternal split survived 19 days in early 1973. The surgical techniques for lateral (right) thoracotomy were adopted in this laboratory in 1973. These techniques were applicable only when the prosthesis fit better in the chest. This procedure has been adopted by other laboratories replacing the natural heart of the calf with a TAH. This report describes in detail the stepwise procedure for implantation of the total artificial heart by a lateral thoracotomy in the calf.", "contents": "Implantation of the total artificial heart by lateral thoracotomy. Progress in the techniques for surgical implantation of the artificial heart has progressed in parallel with the technology and design of the prosthesis. In the author's first experience with total artificial heart (TAH) implantation (1968) a trans-sternal split was used opening the sixth intercostal space on the right side across the sternum to the left space. This obviously was not the optimum approach but the complexity, design and size of the prosthesis required maximum exposure of the atria and great vessels. Subsequently the mid-sternal split incision was used. The Dacron fibril coated silicone rubber 8 cm Kwan-Gett ventricles implanted by the mid-sternal split sustained a calf for 14 days in 1972. A calf with the improved Jarvik 3 ventricles fabricated with the same material and implanted via mid-sternal split survived 19 days in early 1973. The surgical techniques for lateral (right) thoracotomy were adopted in this laboratory in 1973. These techniques were applicable only when the prosthesis fit better in the chest. This procedure has been adopted by other laboratories replacing the natural heart of the calf with a TAH. This report describes in detail the stepwise procedure for implantation of the total artificial heart by a lateral thoracotomy in the calf.", "PMID": 616280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1751", "title": "The acoustic reflex and loudness recruitment.", "content": "Loudness balance and acoustic reflex tests were conducted on 11 hearing impaired patients. At all frequencies tested, equal loudness judgments made by each patient occurred at acoustic reflex threshold levels in each ear. Test results were classified into three general patterns and a Difference Ratio Quotient (DRQ) expressed the relationship between binaural acoustic reflex and pure tone thresholds. Additional information was derived from the DRQ formula to permit more accurate quantification of recruitment.", "contents": "The acoustic reflex and loudness recruitment. Loudness balance and acoustic reflex tests were conducted on 11 hearing impaired patients. At all frequencies tested, equal loudness judgments made by each patient occurred at acoustic reflex threshold levels in each ear. Test results were classified into three general patterns and a Difference Ratio Quotient (DRQ) expressed the relationship between binaural acoustic reflex and pure tone thresholds. Additional information was derived from the DRQ formula to permit more accurate quantification of recruitment.", "PMID": 616289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1752", "title": "Iron appetite and latent learning in rats.", "content": "Two experiments are reported which show that rats are capable of forming an association between the presence of iron in a solution when it is not specifically needed and a subsequent state of iron deficiency. Specifically, rats were trained to lever press for water while thirsty. One group received ferrous ions in addition to the water. When these rats were subsequently rendered iron deficient, they lever pressed more under extinction conditions as a graded function of lower hemoglobin levels. Controls that either did not receive ferrous ions during training or received solutions other than ferrous solutions during training did not respond this way under extinction conditions. This is therefore a type of latent learning previously demonstrated only for sodium appetite.", "contents": "Iron appetite and latent learning in rats. Two experiments are reported which show that rats are capable of forming an association between the presence of iron in a solution when it is not specifically needed and a subsequent state of iron deficiency. Specifically, rats were trained to lever press for water while thirsty. One group received ferrous ions in addition to the water. When these rats were subsequently rendered iron deficient, they lever pressed more under extinction conditions as a graded function of lower hemoglobin levels. Controls that either did not receive ferrous ions during training or received solutions other than ferrous solutions during training did not respond this way under extinction conditions. This is therefore a type of latent learning previously demonstrated only for sodium appetite.", "PMID": 616294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1753", "title": "A comparison of poly (A)-associated RNA from synaptosomes and cytoplasmic subcellular fractions of rat brain.", "content": "Oligo(dT)-cellulose binding poly(A)-RNA from rat brain microsomes, mitochondria and synaptosomes was isolated and analysed. Synaptosomes and mitochondria appeared to contain a higher proportion of such RNA than microsomes. Poly(A)-RNA from the three fractions was then electrophoretically fractionated in two different gel systems. Mitochondrial and microsomal poly(A)-RNA presented different fractionation patterns. Synaptosomal poly(A)-RNA also presented a characteristic patterns of its own which could not be entirely explained as a mixture of the previous two. Its main feature was the presence of a prominent band with an SE value of around 7. Such species, absent in microsomes, was present as well in mitochondria but in smaller concentration. On the basis of the present evidence and of previous results, it appears that such 7 SE species, although a mitochondrial messenger RNA in origin, becomes accumulated in vivo into synaptic membranes.", "contents": "A comparison of poly (A)-associated RNA from synaptosomes and cytoplasmic subcellular fractions of rat brain. Oligo(dT)-cellulose binding poly(A)-RNA from rat brain microsomes, mitochondria and synaptosomes was isolated and analysed. Synaptosomes and mitochondria appeared to contain a higher proportion of such RNA than microsomes. Poly(A)-RNA from the three fractions was then electrophoretically fractionated in two different gel systems. Mitochondrial and microsomal poly(A)-RNA presented different fractionation patterns. Synaptosomal poly(A)-RNA also presented a characteristic patterns of its own which could not be entirely explained as a mixture of the previous two. Its main feature was the presence of a prominent band with an SE value of around 7. Such species, absent in microsomes, was present as well in mitochondria but in smaller concentration. On the basis of the present evidence and of previous results, it appears that such 7 SE species, although a mitochondrial messenger RNA in origin, becomes accumulated in vivo into synaptic membranes.", "PMID": 616296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1754", "title": "Variations in melanin content with age in the human substantia nigra.", "content": "Evidence is presented here that the decrease in mean melanin content we have measured in old age is due, not to a general decline in melanin in all cells, but rather to a selective loss of those nerve cells containing greatest amounts of pigment. This cell loss is likely to be caused by the physical affects of pigment accumulation, per se, upon capacity for protein synthesis, as marked by losses of cytoplasmic RNA and nucleolar shrinkage in melanin rich cells.", "contents": "Variations in melanin content with age in the human substantia nigra. Evidence is presented here that the decrease in mean melanin content we have measured in old age is due, not to a general decline in melanin in all cells, but rather to a selective loss of those nerve cells containing greatest amounts of pigment. This cell loss is likely to be caused by the physical affects of pigment accumulation, per se, upon capacity for protein synthesis, as marked by losses of cytoplasmic RNA and nucleolar shrinkage in melanin rich cells.", "PMID": 616297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1755", "title": "Mouse satellite DNA isolated by Ag+ -- CsSO4 density gradients contains G+C rich, slow reassociating sequences.", "content": "Mouse satellite DNA sequences isolated by centrifugation in CS2SO4--Ag+ gradients are analyzed for buoyant density by CSCl density gradients and for their content of fast reassociating sequences by denaturation and partial reassociation. Our data suggest that in CS2SO4 gradients silver ions separate a satellite band which contains both fast reassociating G+C rich sequences and slow reassociating, A+T rich DNA sequences.", "contents": "Mouse satellite DNA isolated by Ag+ -- CsSO4 density gradients contains G+C rich, slow reassociating sequences. Mouse satellite DNA sequences isolated by centrifugation in CS2SO4--Ag+ gradients are analyzed for buoyant density by CSCl density gradients and for their content of fast reassociating sequences by denaturation and partial reassociation. Our data suggest that in CS2SO4 gradients silver ions separate a satellite band which contains both fast reassociating G+C rich sequences and slow reassociating, A+T rich DNA sequences.", "PMID": 616298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1756", "title": "Effects of prolonged administration of high molecular levan on hematological parameters in rabbits.", "content": "Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg of high molecular levan, daily for 4--6 weeks. Study of various hematological parameters revealed that the treatment resulted in the following changes: 1. Marked elevation in fibrinogen levels and in the number of platelets. 2. Insignificant changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting mechanisms and in platelet aggregation. 3. Some reduction in the number of circulating RBCs. The findings indicate that levan treatment has no obvious effect on hematologic functions, except for the increase in fibrinogen and platelets and the slight decrease in circulating RBCs.", "contents": "Effects of prolonged administration of high molecular levan on hematological parameters in rabbits. Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg of high molecular levan, daily for 4--6 weeks. Study of various hematological parameters revealed that the treatment resulted in the following changes: 1. Marked elevation in fibrinogen levels and in the number of platelets. 2. Insignificant changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting mechanisms and in platelet aggregation. 3. Some reduction in the number of circulating RBCs. The findings indicate that levan treatment has no obvious effect on hematologic functions, except for the increase in fibrinogen and platelets and the slight decrease in circulating RBCs.", "PMID": 616299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1757", "title": "Mitochondrial abnormalities in some human muscular diseases and in experimental ischemic myopathy.", "content": "Morphologic abnormalities have been observed in two cases of human polymyositis and in three cases of ocular myopathies. Similar findings can be observed in experimental ischemic myopathy. \"Ragged red\" fibres, with anomalous distribution of oxidative enzymes, mitochondrial alterations, with presence of intracristal paracrystalline inclusions and degenerative myofibrillar changes are the similar features. The similarity between some of these alterations, expecially mitochondrial changes, is remarkable, but it is difficult to correlate them to the primary etiology of described human myopathies.", "contents": "Mitochondrial abnormalities in some human muscular diseases and in experimental ischemic myopathy. Morphologic abnormalities have been observed in two cases of human polymyositis and in three cases of ocular myopathies. Similar findings can be observed in experimental ischemic myopathy. \"Ragged red\" fibres, with anomalous distribution of oxidative enzymes, mitochondrial alterations, with presence of intracristal paracrystalline inclusions and degenerative myofibrillar changes are the similar features. The similarity between some of these alterations, expecially mitochondrial changes, is remarkable, but it is difficult to correlate them to the primary etiology of described human myopathies.", "PMID": 616300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1758", "title": "Cleavage of damaged DNA by an enzymatic activity from human fibroblasts.", "content": "An endonuclease activity isolated from normal, Xeroderma Pigmentosum and De Sanctis-Cacchione fibroblasts by DNA-cellulose chromatography has been evaluated by means of sedimentation analysis both in alkaline and neutral sucrose gradients. The partially purified enzyme is active at pH 7.5 in presence of Mg++ and cleaves UV-irradiated and alkylated DNA. Under identical experimental conditions, the enzyme is not active on untreated, depurinated and heat-denaturated DNA. The specificity on pyrimidine dimers has been further investigated to understand the mechanism of action of the enzyme.", "contents": "Cleavage of damaged DNA by an enzymatic activity from human fibroblasts. An endonuclease activity isolated from normal, Xeroderma Pigmentosum and De Sanctis-Cacchione fibroblasts by DNA-cellulose chromatography has been evaluated by means of sedimentation analysis both in alkaline and neutral sucrose gradients. The partially purified enzyme is active at pH 7.5 in presence of Mg++ and cleaves UV-irradiated and alkylated DNA. Under identical experimental conditions, the enzyme is not active on untreated, depurinated and heat-denaturated DNA. The specificity on pyrimidine dimers has been further investigated to understand the mechanism of action of the enzyme.", "PMID": 616301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1759", "title": "Decreased amniotic fluid peroxidase in malignancy of the cervix.", "content": "Studies of amniotic fluid obtained at various times throughout the last trimester of pregnancy from patients with carcinoma of the cervix indicate a complete deficiency of peroxidase activity. Dialysis partially restores the enzyme activity. Cervical epithelial tumor cells apparently release a dialyzable, low molecular weight inhibitory substance directed specifically toward peroxidase. If this proves to be true in future studies, the peroxidase assay could be a sensitive means of differentiating between carcinoma and dysplasia. A peroxidelike substance was also present in the amniotic fluids obtained from patients with carcinoma. Other investigators have demonstrated large amounts of peroxide in malignant tumors. These elevated peroxide levels might well be directly related to deficient peroxidase activity rather than being a result of other abnormal enzyme levels which have been regarded as being principally involved in the metabolism of this highly toxic molecule.", "contents": "Decreased amniotic fluid peroxidase in malignancy of the cervix. Studies of amniotic fluid obtained at various times throughout the last trimester of pregnancy from patients with carcinoma of the cervix indicate a complete deficiency of peroxidase activity. Dialysis partially restores the enzyme activity. Cervical epithelial tumor cells apparently release a dialyzable, low molecular weight inhibitory substance directed specifically toward peroxidase. If this proves to be true in future studies, the peroxidase assay could be a sensitive means of differentiating between carcinoma and dysplasia. A peroxidelike substance was also present in the amniotic fluids obtained from patients with carcinoma. Other investigators have demonstrated large amounts of peroxide in malignant tumors. These elevated peroxide levels might well be directly related to deficient peroxidase activity rather than being a result of other abnormal enzyme levels which have been regarded as being principally involved in the metabolism of this highly toxic molecule.", "PMID": 616316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1760", "title": "Cell proliferation in organs of rats bearing hepatoma 3924A: effects of X-rays of surgery.", "content": "For inbred rats with Morris hepatoma 3924A, increases in tumor size were accompanied by increases in weight and DNA content of spleen, DNA content of tibial marrow, and peripheral white cell concentrations of blood. White blood cell concentrations of rats with tumors weighing more than 5 g were approximately two-fold greater than for rats without tumors. Neutrophils were primarily responsible for the increase in white cells. Local x-radiation of 3750R to the tumor when the tumor was small prevented tumor growth and the increases in spleen weight, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into spleen DNA, white blood cell count, and tibial marrow DNA content related to tumor growth. Surgical removal of large tumors resulted in a return of spleen weight and DNA content to near normal values within 1 week. Despite the evidence for increased cell proliferation in hematopoietic tissues of rats with hepatoma 3924A, no systematic relationship has been observed between tumor size and animal survival following treatment with the cell cycle specific agent 5-fluorouracil when tumors have varied in size from 0.5 g to 5 g at the time of drug treatment.", "contents": "Cell proliferation in organs of rats bearing hepatoma 3924A: effects of X-rays of surgery. For inbred rats with Morris hepatoma 3924A, increases in tumor size were accompanied by increases in weight and DNA content of spleen, DNA content of tibial marrow, and peripheral white cell concentrations of blood. White blood cell concentrations of rats with tumors weighing more than 5 g were approximately two-fold greater than for rats without tumors. Neutrophils were primarily responsible for the increase in white cells. Local x-radiation of 3750R to the tumor when the tumor was small prevented tumor growth and the increases in spleen weight, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into spleen DNA, white blood cell count, and tibial marrow DNA content related to tumor growth. Surgical removal of large tumors resulted in a return of spleen weight and DNA content to near normal values within 1 week. Despite the evidence for increased cell proliferation in hematopoietic tissues of rats with hepatoma 3924A, no systematic relationship has been observed between tumor size and animal survival following treatment with the cell cycle specific agent 5-fluorouracil when tumors have varied in size from 0.5 g to 5 g at the time of drug treatment.", "PMID": 616317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1761", "title": "DNA polymerases during tumor growth.", "content": "DNA polymerase activity was studied as a function of stage of tumor growth and correlated with DNA synthesis measured by 3H-TdR uptake. Considerable variations in DNA synthesis activity occur at different growth stages and following host death. DNA alpha-polymerase activity did vary with growth stage in the ascites tumor. However, it did not have a clear correlation with DNA synthesis or with tumor growth. No striking fall in DNA polymerase enzyme levels occurred as the ascites tumor reached stationary phase in contrast to reports in some cell culture systems. A decrease occurred with advanced tumor stage and after host death. DNA beta-polymerase activity did not change with tumor growth stage.", "contents": "DNA polymerases during tumor growth. DNA polymerase activity was studied as a function of stage of tumor growth and correlated with DNA synthesis measured by 3H-TdR uptake. Considerable variations in DNA synthesis activity occur at different growth stages and following host death. DNA alpha-polymerase activity did vary with growth stage in the ascites tumor. However, it did not have a clear correlation with DNA synthesis or with tumor growth. No striking fall in DNA polymerase enzyme levels occurred as the ascites tumor reached stationary phase in contrast to reports in some cell culture systems. A decrease occurred with advanced tumor stage and after host death. DNA beta-polymerase activity did not change with tumor growth stage.", "PMID": 616318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1762", "title": "The effect on macromolecular synthesis of amino acid deprivation of hamster kidney cells.", "content": "Since asparagine has been found to inhibit growth of some tumors and to inhibit or delay mitotic activity in other cells, we have studied the effect of asparaginase and of deprivation of some essential amino acids (Arg, Asn, Leu, Ile, Trp) on nucleic acid and protein synthesis in an asparagine-requiring strain of BHK/21 cells. We find that: (1) there is no essential difference in the pattern of synthesis following deprivation of any of the amino acids we tested; (2) that the effect of asparaginase is similar to that of amino acid deprivation; (3) that RNA synthesis is inhibited more rapidly than DNA or protein synthesis; (4) that after 10 hr of amino acid starvation, DNA synthesis is almost totally (reversibly) inhibited while RAN synthesis continues at about 30-50% and protein at about 100% of the initial value.", "contents": "The effect on macromolecular synthesis of amino acid deprivation of hamster kidney cells. Since asparagine has been found to inhibit growth of some tumors and to inhibit or delay mitotic activity in other cells, we have studied the effect of asparaginase and of deprivation of some essential amino acids (Arg, Asn, Leu, Ile, Trp) on nucleic acid and protein synthesis in an asparagine-requiring strain of BHK/21 cells. We find that: (1) there is no essential difference in the pattern of synthesis following deprivation of any of the amino acids we tested; (2) that the effect of asparaginase is similar to that of amino acid deprivation; (3) that RNA synthesis is inhibited more rapidly than DNA or protein synthesis; (4) that after 10 hr of amino acid starvation, DNA synthesis is almost totally (reversibly) inhibited while RAN synthesis continues at about 30-50% and protein at about 100% of the initial value.", "PMID": 616319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1763", "title": "The effectiveness of clinically useful antitumor agents as inhbitors of RNA polymerases.", "content": "Many clinically useful antitumor agents effective inhibitors of both the exogenous Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerases in vitro and the endogenous polymerase in mammalian cultured cells. The drug concentrations required for this inhibition are comparable to those achievable plasma levels in man for Actinomycin D, Adriamycin, 5-Fluorouracil, ICRF 159, Melphalan, Methotrexate and Vincristine. Therefore before the mechanisms of these drugs can be fully understood inhibition of RNA synthesis and its implications in the continued survival and replication of cells must be considered. Although chemotherapeutic agents have generally been considered to exert their cytotoxic affects by directly interfering with DNA metabolism or by inhibiting enzymatic pathways in purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism, these data emphasize that this is an oversimplication. Most agents have multiple effective target sites within the cell and the primary cytotoxic events responsible for their clinical effectiveness remain to be elucidated.", "contents": "The effectiveness of clinically useful antitumor agents as inhbitors of RNA polymerases. Many clinically useful antitumor agents effective inhibitors of both the exogenous Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerases in vitro and the endogenous polymerase in mammalian cultured cells. The drug concentrations required for this inhibition are comparable to those achievable plasma levels in man for Actinomycin D, Adriamycin, 5-Fluorouracil, ICRF 159, Melphalan, Methotrexate and Vincristine. Therefore before the mechanisms of these drugs can be fully understood inhibition of RNA synthesis and its implications in the continued survival and replication of cells must be considered. Although chemotherapeutic agents have generally been considered to exert their cytotoxic affects by directly interfering with DNA metabolism or by inhibiting enzymatic pathways in purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism, these data emphasize that this is an oversimplication. Most agents have multiple effective target sites within the cell and the primary cytotoxic events responsible for their clinical effectiveness remain to be elucidated.", "PMID": 616320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1764", "title": "The activity of the D-T diaphorase in experimental hepatomas.", "content": "The study of some NAD(P)H dehydrogenating enzymes in one slow- and one fast-growing transplantable hepatoma has shown that the activity of the soluble enzyme D-T diaphorase is increased several-fold when compared with the activity of the control livers. The increase in enzyme activity is similar in both hepatomas, regardless of the rate of growth of the tumors. The activity of the glycerolphosphate, malic and lactic dehydrogenases are decreased in both tumors. The possible functional significance of these changes is discussed in the text.", "contents": "The activity of the D-T diaphorase in experimental hepatomas. The study of some NAD(P)H dehydrogenating enzymes in one slow- and one fast-growing transplantable hepatoma has shown that the activity of the soluble enzyme D-T diaphorase is increased several-fold when compared with the activity of the control livers. The increase in enzyme activity is similar in both hepatomas, regardless of the rate of growth of the tumors. The activity of the glycerolphosphate, malic and lactic dehydrogenases are decreased in both tumors. The possible functional significance of these changes is discussed in the text.", "PMID": 616321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1765", "title": "In vivo effects of cannabinoids on macromolecular biosynthesis in Lewis lung carcinomas.", "content": "Cannabinoids represent a novel class of drugs active in increasing the life span mice carrying Lewis lung tumors and decreasing primary tumor size. In the present studies, the effects of delta9-THC, delta8-THC, and cannabidiol on tumor macromolecular biosynthesis were studied. These drugs inhibit thymidine-3H incorporation into DNA acutely, but did not inhibit leucine uptake into tumor protein. At 24 h after treatment, cannabinoids did not inhibit thymidine-3H incorporation into DNA, leucine-3H uptake into protein or cytidine-3H into RNA.", "contents": "In vivo effects of cannabinoids on macromolecular biosynthesis in Lewis lung carcinomas. Cannabinoids represent a novel class of drugs active in increasing the life span mice carrying Lewis lung tumors and decreasing primary tumor size. In the present studies, the effects of delta9-THC, delta8-THC, and cannabidiol on tumor macromolecular biosynthesis were studied. These drugs inhibit thymidine-3H incorporation into DNA acutely, but did not inhibit leucine uptake into tumor protein. At 24 h after treatment, cannabinoids did not inhibit thymidine-3H incorporation into DNA, leucine-3H uptake into protein or cytidine-3H into RNA.", "PMID": 616322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1766", "title": "Selective inhibition and kinetics of enzymatic reactions leading to irreversible binding of benzo[a]pyrene to microsomal macromolecules of mouse lung.", "content": "Two enzymatic reactions, catalyzed by mouse lung microsomes and distinguishable by selective inhibition and kinetic studies, lead to irreversible binding of benzo[a]pyrene to macromolecules present in vitro reaction systems. One type (low Km) is inducible in the lungs of mice by treatment with benz[a]anthracene and is subject to inhibition by 7,8-benzoflavone. The other type (high Km) is predominant in lungs of untreated mice, but a small amount of low-Km activity is also present. The high-Km activity may be involved in carcinogenesis by benzo[a]pyrene, for it is inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene, retinol or disulfiram, each of which is reported to have anticarcinogenic activity in intact animals.", "contents": "Selective inhibition and kinetics of enzymatic reactions leading to irreversible binding of benzo[a]pyrene to microsomal macromolecules of mouse lung. Two enzymatic reactions, catalyzed by mouse lung microsomes and distinguishable by selective inhibition and kinetic studies, lead to irreversible binding of benzo[a]pyrene to macromolecules present in vitro reaction systems. One type (low Km) is inducible in the lungs of mice by treatment with benz[a]anthracene and is subject to inhibition by 7,8-benzoflavone. The other type (high Km) is predominant in lungs of untreated mice, but a small amount of low-Km activity is also present. The high-Km activity may be involved in carcinogenesis by benzo[a]pyrene, for it is inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene, retinol or disulfiram, each of which is reported to have anticarcinogenic activity in intact animals.", "PMID": 616323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1767", "title": "In vivo metabolism of deutero-L-phenylalanine and deutero-L-tyrosine in normal and in various tumor-bearing rats.", "content": "The hydroxylation rate and rate of tyrosine catabolism are measured by injection of ring-deuterated L-phenylalanine and ring-deuterated L-tyrosine and subsequent deuterium determination in the water fraction of the blood. The hydroxylation rate was confirmed as the rate-limiting step. Whereas tyrosine catabolism yields normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics, homotropic activation is demonstrated for the hydroxylation step. In all tumor rats under study, the rates of phenylalanine hydroxylation and tyrosine catabolism are decreased. The delta-values to control increase with tumor age. In tumor rats, the hydroxylation step remains the rate-limiting one. Kinetic data indicate that the decrease in hydroxylation is due to a decreased turnover rate of the enzyme, whereas the increase in tyrosine catabolism is caused by the branching off of tyrosine or an intermediate on the route to D2O formation. The results are discussed with respect to altered levels of tetrahydrobiopterin, phenylalanine and tyrosine found during parallel investigations.", "contents": "In vivo metabolism of deutero-L-phenylalanine and deutero-L-tyrosine in normal and in various tumor-bearing rats. The hydroxylation rate and rate of tyrosine catabolism are measured by injection of ring-deuterated L-phenylalanine and ring-deuterated L-tyrosine and subsequent deuterium determination in the water fraction of the blood. The hydroxylation rate was confirmed as the rate-limiting step. Whereas tyrosine catabolism yields normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics, homotropic activation is demonstrated for the hydroxylation step. In all tumor rats under study, the rates of phenylalanine hydroxylation and tyrosine catabolism are decreased. The delta-values to control increase with tumor age. In tumor rats, the hydroxylation step remains the rate-limiting one. Kinetic data indicate that the decrease in hydroxylation is due to a decreased turnover rate of the enzyme, whereas the increase in tyrosine catabolism is caused by the branching off of tyrosine or an intermediate on the route to D2O formation. The results are discussed with respect to altered levels of tetrahydrobiopterin, phenylalanine and tyrosine found during parallel investigations.", "PMID": 616324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1768", "title": "On the levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tetrahydrobiopterin in the blood of tumor-bearing organisms.", "content": "The levels of free phenylalanine and free tyrosine (and m-tyrosine) as well as of protein-bound tyrosine were determined by means of automated aminoacid analysis and by reaction with 1-nitrosonaphthol(2). Their absolute values as well as their percentages relative to total aminoacids of the blood were markedly increased in all tumor patients tested, as well as in experimental tumor rats. Although tetrahydrobiopterin could scarcely be detected by fluorometric methods in the blood of control persons, it is accumulated blood of all tumor patients tested. The major part was found in the erythrocyte fraction. The results are discussed with respect to decreased phenylalanine hydroxylation rate and to depressed tyrosine catabolism recently found by means of in vivo experiments in tumor-bearing rats.", "contents": "On the levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tetrahydrobiopterin in the blood of tumor-bearing organisms. The levels of free phenylalanine and free tyrosine (and m-tyrosine) as well as of protein-bound tyrosine were determined by means of automated aminoacid analysis and by reaction with 1-nitrosonaphthol(2). Their absolute values as well as their percentages relative to total aminoacids of the blood were markedly increased in all tumor patients tested, as well as in experimental tumor rats. Although tetrahydrobiopterin could scarcely be detected by fluorometric methods in the blood of control persons, it is accumulated blood of all tumor patients tested. The major part was found in the erythrocyte fraction. The results are discussed with respect to decreased phenylalanine hydroxylation rate and to depressed tyrosine catabolism recently found by means of in vivo experiments in tumor-bearing rats.", "PMID": 616325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1769", "title": "[Chronic granulomatosis in childhood].", "content": "In a boy aged 8 years suffering from chronic granulomatosis of childhood necrotizing pneumonie and small pulmonary tuberculoid granulomas containing filaments of moulds were found at autopsy. Necrotizing leucocytic granulomas were present in the liver, spleen and the lymph nodes. All the organs showed aggregates of histiocytes containing yellowish cytoplasmic deposits of lipogment surrounded by a high acid phosphatase activity. The NBT-reduction leucocytic tests was repeatedly negative in vivo. The activities of NADH- and NADPH-tetrazolium reductase and succinate dehydrogenase in the tissues were histochemically normal.", "contents": "[Chronic granulomatosis in childhood]. In a boy aged 8 years suffering from chronic granulomatosis of childhood necrotizing pneumonie and small pulmonary tuberculoid granulomas containing filaments of moulds were found at autopsy. Necrotizing leucocytic granulomas were present in the liver, spleen and the lymph nodes. All the organs showed aggregates of histiocytes containing yellowish cytoplasmic deposits of lipogment surrounded by a high acid phosphatase activity. The NBT-reduction leucocytic tests was repeatedly negative in vivo. The activities of NADH- and NADPH-tetrazolium reductase and succinate dehydrogenase in the tissues were histochemically normal.", "PMID": 616326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1770", "title": "[Ultrastructure of the red pulp of the spleen in various anemias].", "content": "Eighteen tissue samples of human spleens obtained from patients suffering from hereditary sphaerocytosis, acquired haemolytic anaemia, hypersplenism, Banti's syndrome and extralienal neoplastic disease were subjected to electron microscopical examinations. Lesioned erythrocytes were removed with the aid of the macrophages of the red pulp and in cases of a high number of injured erythrocytes the cells lining the sinuses were also involved. The proliferation of collagen connective tissue was possibly also involved in injuring the blood cells. The spleens obtained from patients with neoplastic disease not affecting the spleen could not be regarded as normal.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of the red pulp of the spleen in various anemias]. Eighteen tissue samples of human spleens obtained from patients suffering from hereditary sphaerocytosis, acquired haemolytic anaemia, hypersplenism, Banti's syndrome and extralienal neoplastic disease were subjected to electron microscopical examinations. Lesioned erythrocytes were removed with the aid of the macrophages of the red pulp and in cases of a high number of injured erythrocytes the cells lining the sinuses were also involved. The proliferation of collagen connective tissue was possibly also involved in injuring the blood cells. The spleens obtained from patients with neoplastic disease not affecting the spleen could not be regarded as normal.", "PMID": 616327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1771", "title": "[Ultrastructural findings in the so-called minimal glomerular changes].", "content": "Fifty-eight needle biopsies of the kidneys with the light microscopical diagnosis of so-called minimal glomerular lesions were subjected to ultrastructural evaluation. The series contained children and adults under 25 years of age with the mean age of 16.9 years. The most frequent findings were those of the glomerular epithelia: vacuolation and swelling of their cytoplasm in 72.8%, microvilloustransformation in 13.6%. Endothelial lesions were less frequent: swelling and vacuolation of their cytoplasm occurred in 46.6%. The most important ultrastructural lesions appeared to be the mesangial ones. Focal increase in the mesangial matrix was seen in 44.8% and small intralobular scars in 13.6%. True focal increase in mesangial cells was rare (6.9%). The formation of duplicatures of the basement membranes in the glomeruli was exceptional (3.6%). Another important ultrastructural finding was a focal thickening of the basement membrane in a larger number of cases (32.3%). Deposits were found rarely (7 cases, 12.1%) most of them occurring in the mesangium. The cellularity of the glomeruli did not exceed the normal range.", "contents": "[Ultrastructural findings in the so-called minimal glomerular changes]. Fifty-eight needle biopsies of the kidneys with the light microscopical diagnosis of so-called minimal glomerular lesions were subjected to ultrastructural evaluation. The series contained children and adults under 25 years of age with the mean age of 16.9 years. The most frequent findings were those of the glomerular epithelia: vacuolation and swelling of their cytoplasm in 72.8%, microvilloustransformation in 13.6%. Endothelial lesions were less frequent: swelling and vacuolation of their cytoplasm occurred in 46.6%. The most important ultrastructural lesions appeared to be the mesangial ones. Focal increase in the mesangial matrix was seen in 44.8% and small intralobular scars in 13.6%. True focal increase in mesangial cells was rare (6.9%). The formation of duplicatures of the basement membranes in the glomeruli was exceptional (3.6%). Another important ultrastructural finding was a focal thickening of the basement membrane in a larger number of cases (32.3%). Deposits were found rarely (7 cases, 12.1%) most of them occurring in the mesangium. The cellularity of the glomeruli did not exceed the normal range.", "PMID": 616328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1772", "title": "[Simultaneous occurrence of structurally variegated cutaneous nevi in the dog].", "content": "In a boxer dog aged 12 years who had deceased from circulatory insufficiency due to purulent endomyocarditis, there occurred a Leydig cell adenoma of the testis and multiple cutaneous naevi (haemangioma, pigmented naevus and various cutanous organ naevi). The findings have been discussed with reference to the race disposal to neoplastic growth.", "contents": "[Simultaneous occurrence of structurally variegated cutaneous nevi in the dog]. In a boxer dog aged 12 years who had deceased from circulatory insufficiency due to purulent endomyocarditis, there occurred a Leydig cell adenoma of the testis and multiple cutaneous naevi (haemangioma, pigmented naevus and various cutanous organ naevi). The findings have been discussed with reference to the race disposal to neoplastic growth.", "PMID": 616329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1773", "title": "[The ciliated epithelium in the efferent ducts of the submandibular gland].", "content": "The examination of 442 bioptic and necroptic submandibular salivary glands revealed that in cases of chronic inflamation of the gland (125 cases) the epithelial lining of its ducts contained ciliated colummar epithelium in 57% of cases. The finding of ciliated epithelium was associated with lithiasis of the gland in nearly 79% of cases. Normal submandibular glands or glands affected with pathological conditions other than chronic inflammation did not contain ciliated epithelium. The present paper is the first one in the literature purposedly dealing with the presence of ciliated epithelium within the ducts of the submandibular gland.", "contents": "[The ciliated epithelium in the efferent ducts of the submandibular gland]. The examination of 442 bioptic and necroptic submandibular salivary glands revealed that in cases of chronic inflamation of the gland (125 cases) the epithelial lining of its ducts contained ciliated colummar epithelium in 57% of cases. The finding of ciliated epithelium was associated with lithiasis of the gland in nearly 79% of cases. Normal submandibular glands or glands affected with pathological conditions other than chronic inflammation did not contain ciliated epithelium. The present paper is the first one in the literature purposedly dealing with the presence of ciliated epithelium within the ducts of the submandibular gland.", "PMID": 616330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1774", "title": "[Morphology of ferritin-induced shock in sensitized guinea pigs].", "content": "With the aid of morphological methoda, differences have been described between the active ferritin shock and the ferritin-antiferritin shock in guinea-pigs, which clinically appear as identical. The two processes can be differentiated from each other on the light microscopical level, but with particular clarity on the electron microscopical level. In contrast to the active ferritin shock, the guinea pigs in whom the ferritin-antiferritin shock had been produced showed agglomerates of platelets and ferritin-antiferritin complexes either present free in the dirculation or ingested in macrophages or granulocytes.", "contents": "[Morphology of ferritin-induced shock in sensitized guinea pigs]. With the aid of morphological methoda, differences have been described between the active ferritin shock and the ferritin-antiferritin shock in guinea-pigs, which clinically appear as identical. The two processes can be differentiated from each other on the light microscopical level, but with particular clarity on the electron microscopical level. In contrast to the active ferritin shock, the guinea pigs in whom the ferritin-antiferritin shock had been produced showed agglomerates of platelets and ferritin-antiferritin complexes either present free in the dirculation or ingested in macrophages or granulocytes.", "PMID": 616332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1775", "title": "[The syndrome of multicystic dysplasia of the kidney, spleen and liver with multiple malformations].", "content": "A genealogic analysis carried out in a neonate suffering from multicystic dysplasia of kidneys, pancreas and liver indivated an autosomal recessive type of heredity. Associated malformations of extremities with heterotaxis were present in hitherto undescribed combinations.", "contents": "[The syndrome of multicystic dysplasia of the kidney, spleen and liver with multiple malformations]. A genealogic analysis carried out in a neonate suffering from multicystic dysplasia of kidneys, pancreas and liver indivated an autosomal recessive type of heredity. Associated malformations of extremities with heterotaxis were present in hitherto undescribed combinations.", "PMID": 616333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1776", "title": "[Recurrent polychondritis].", "content": "Clinical and histological findings are presented as occurring in a male aged 24 years suffering from relapsing polychondritis (r. p.) of 7 years duration. The presenting symptoms were fever, ataxia, vertigo and vomiting. During the later relapses there also occurred episcleritis, paresis of the glottic muscle and hypertrophic bronchitis. At the age of 22 the patient had had a tracheostomy because of acute respiratory insufficiency. The patient has a typical saddle nose and drooping auricles. Tissues obtained from the auricles showed destructive alterations of the cartilage with fragmentation and homobenization of the elestic fibres. The perichondrium showed fibrosis and a massive round-celled inflammatory infiltration.", "contents": "[Recurrent polychondritis]. Clinical and histological findings are presented as occurring in a male aged 24 years suffering from relapsing polychondritis (r. p.) of 7 years duration. The presenting symptoms were fever, ataxia, vertigo and vomiting. During the later relapses there also occurred episcleritis, paresis of the glottic muscle and hypertrophic bronchitis. At the age of 22 the patient had had a tracheostomy because of acute respiratory insufficiency. The patient has a typical saddle nose and drooping auricles. Tissues obtained from the auricles showed destructive alterations of the cartilage with fragmentation and homobenization of the elestic fibres. The perichondrium showed fibrosis and a massive round-celled inflammatory infiltration.", "PMID": 616334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1777", "title": "[Generalized varicella and herpes].", "content": "Generalized varicella was recognized as the cause of death in three children previously treated with corticoids, whereas generalized herpes simplex was the cause of death in one immature neonate. In all the cases the findings in internal organs were similar. They included disseminated necroses and mucous ulcers with a leucohistiocytic inflammatory reaction, karyorrhectic disintegration of nuclei and the presence of intranuclear inclusions of the Cowdry A type.", "contents": "[Generalized varicella and herpes]. Generalized varicella was recognized as the cause of death in three children previously treated with corticoids, whereas generalized herpes simplex was the cause of death in one immature neonate. In all the cases the findings in internal organs were similar. They included disseminated necroses and mucous ulcers with a leucohistiocytic inflammatory reaction, karyorrhectic disintegration of nuclei and the presence of intranuclear inclusions of the Cowdry A type.", "PMID": 616335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1778", "title": "[Hepatic cholestasis].", "content": "In a series of 212 liver biopsies which had been subjected to ultrastructural examination, the picture of cholestasis was encountered in 60 cases. In 32 cases it was associated with subhepatal obtruction. The reminder included hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and other diseases. Experiments in rats showed that the main findings following the ligature of choledochus included oedema and disintegration of mucosal microvilli in the bile ducts. Such changes preceded those of the hepatocytes. Simple overload by parenteral bilirubin did not evoke comparable changes. Therefore the mechanical disturbance of the epithelial wall of the bile ducts has been regarded as the basic changes subjected to later secondary modifications.", "contents": "[Hepatic cholestasis]. In a series of 212 liver biopsies which had been subjected to ultrastructural examination, the picture of cholestasis was encountered in 60 cases. In 32 cases it was associated with subhepatal obtruction. The reminder included hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and other diseases. Experiments in rats showed that the main findings following the ligature of choledochus included oedema and disintegration of mucosal microvilli in the bile ducts. Such changes preceded those of the hepatocytes. Simple overload by parenteral bilirubin did not evoke comparable changes. Therefore the mechanical disturbance of the epithelial wall of the bile ducts has been regarded as the basic changes subjected to later secondary modifications.", "PMID": 616336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1779", "title": "[IgA nephropathy].", "content": "A series of 150 samples of renal tissue obtained by needle biopsy from patients with haematuria were examined immunohistologically. In 15 cases mesangial deposits of IgA were demonstrated. In most cases they were young patients in whom no hypertension, oedema or laboratory findings indicating renal damage could be detected one year later during a follow-up examination. Electron microscopical examination was carried out in the renal tissue of 7 such cases, and showed dense mesangial deposits and a marked subendothelial rarefaction within the basement membrane. The light microscopical findings were variable. Three cases showed minimal lesions, 5 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and 7 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with focal segmental sclerotic alterations within the glomeruli.", "contents": "[IgA nephropathy]. A series of 150 samples of renal tissue obtained by needle biopsy from patients with haematuria were examined immunohistologically. In 15 cases mesangial deposits of IgA were demonstrated. In most cases they were young patients in whom no hypertension, oedema or laboratory findings indicating renal damage could be detected one year later during a follow-up examination. Electron microscopical examination was carried out in the renal tissue of 7 such cases, and showed dense mesangial deposits and a marked subendothelial rarefaction within the basement membrane. The light microscopical findings were variable. Three cases showed minimal lesions, 5 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and 7 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with focal segmental sclerotic alterations within the glomeruli.", "PMID": 616337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1780", "title": "[Aneurysms of the fossae ovalis].", "content": "A series of 8 patients serve to demonstrate an ill-recognized entity, viz. the aneurysm of the oval fossa. The factors primarily responsible for the development of the aneurysm include a connective-tissue disturbance in the interatrial septum and an alteration of the pressure ratio between the atria. The possible clinical significance has been stressed.", "contents": "[Aneurysms of the fossae ovalis]. A series of 8 patients serve to demonstrate an ill-recognized entity, viz. the aneurysm of the oval fossa. The factors primarily responsible for the development of the aneurysm include a connective-tissue disturbance in the interatrial septum and an alteration of the pressure ratio between the atria. The possible clinical significance has been stressed.", "PMID": 616338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1781", "title": "[Periductal pigmentophages in the mammary gland].", "content": "The periductal spaces of mammary glands and, less frequently, the perivascular spaces and the interstitial and intralobular tissue contain cells with lipopigment granules in their cytoplasm, resembling ceroid or lipofuscin. In a series of 100 surgical biopsies of mammary glands obtained from females aged 19 to 80 years the concentration of such cells, their histochemistry and frequency as related to mammary dysplasias and mammary neoplasm were evaluated. The results were compared with those of Davies.", "contents": "[Periductal pigmentophages in the mammary gland]. The periductal spaces of mammary glands and, less frequently, the perivascular spaces and the interstitial and intralobular tissue contain cells with lipopigment granules in their cytoplasm, resembling ceroid or lipofuscin. In a series of 100 surgical biopsies of mammary glands obtained from females aged 19 to 80 years the concentration of such cells, their histochemistry and frequency as related to mammary dysplasias and mammary neoplasm were evaluated. The results were compared with those of Davies.", "PMID": 616339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1782", "title": "[Subendocardial cyst of the myocardium].", "content": "A small cyst lined with columnar ciliated epithelium was found under the endocarcium of the posterior wall of the left heart ventricle in a male aged 65 years. According to literary data, such cysts most probably originate from aberrant cell material descending from the primitive gut.", "contents": "[Subendocardial cyst of the myocardium]. A small cyst lined with columnar ciliated epithelium was found under the endocarcium of the posterior wall of the left heart ventricle in a male aged 65 years. According to literary data, such cysts most probably originate from aberrant cell material descending from the primitive gut.", "PMID": 616340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1783", "title": "[Weight parameters of various internal organs].", "content": "The weight of some organs [brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver] was ascertained in a group of 1,598 persons who died a violent death, and a comparison was made with values obtained in a group of persons who died of cardiac insufficiency. The figures found were correlated according to sex with age, obesity, lipomatosis, physical size, the presence and stage of atherosclerosis. --Within the violent death group, a correlation was also made between a subgroup with minimal or no presence of atherosclerosis and one with ascertained atherosclerosis. The average weight of the brain was found to be 1419.6 g in men, 1266 g in women; the heart--394.7 or 343 g; kidney--149.0 g or 124.1 g; lungs 1280.0 or 973.4 g; liver--1770.9 g or 1522.0 g.", "contents": "[Weight parameters of various internal organs]. The weight of some organs [brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver] was ascertained in a group of 1,598 persons who died a violent death, and a comparison was made with values obtained in a group of persons who died of cardiac insufficiency. The figures found were correlated according to sex with age, obesity, lipomatosis, physical size, the presence and stage of atherosclerosis. --Within the violent death group, a correlation was also made between a subgroup with minimal or no presence of atherosclerosis and one with ascertained atherosclerosis. The average weight of the brain was found to be 1419.6 g in men, 1266 g in women; the heart--394.7 or 343 g; kidney--149.0 g or 124.1 g; lungs 1280.0 or 973.4 g; liver--1770.9 g or 1522.0 g.", "PMID": 616341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1784", "title": "The relation between sodium transport and oxygen consumption in isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "A non-filtering isolated perfused rat kidney model was developed to determine renal oxygen consumption in the absence of tubular reabsorption. The oxygen consumption in the absence of filtration was 3.1 +/- 0.8 micron of O2/min/g. This \"basal\" value was substantially higher than that of 2.0 micron of O2/min/g calculated by extrapolation of a plot of sodium reabsorption vs. oxygen consumption in filtering kidneys. It was also found that ouabain 10(-4) M decreased oxygen consumption in non-filtering kidneys and acetazolamide increased it in a dose dependent fashion. Furosemide did not change \"basal\" oxygen consumption. In filtering kidneys, the ratio of sodium reabsorbed to oxygen consumed averaged 36.8 muEq of Na/mumole of O2. It is concluded that basal oxygen consumption is not a fixed quantity and can be changed by experimental manipulations thereby changing the relation between transport activity and oxygen consumption.", "contents": "The relation between sodium transport and oxygen consumption in isolated perfused rat kidney. A non-filtering isolated perfused rat kidney model was developed to determine renal oxygen consumption in the absence of tubular reabsorption. The oxygen consumption in the absence of filtration was 3.1 +/- 0.8 micron of O2/min/g. This \"basal\" value was substantially higher than that of 2.0 micron of O2/min/g calculated by extrapolation of a plot of sodium reabsorption vs. oxygen consumption in filtering kidneys. It was also found that ouabain 10(-4) M decreased oxygen consumption in non-filtering kidneys and acetazolamide increased it in a dose dependent fashion. Furosemide did not change \"basal\" oxygen consumption. In filtering kidneys, the ratio of sodium reabsorbed to oxygen consumed averaged 36.8 muEq of Na/mumole of O2. It is concluded that basal oxygen consumption is not a fixed quantity and can be changed by experimental manipulations thereby changing the relation between transport activity and oxygen consumption.", "PMID": 616355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1785", "title": "Na+-electrochemical potential-mediated transport of D-glucose in renal brush border membrane vesicles.", "content": "The uphill transport of D-glucose in renal brush border membrane vesicles was correlated with the Na+ electrochemical gradient. Each component of the electrochemical potential, the membrane potential or the Na+ chemical gradient, when assayed independently supported the concentrative uptake of the sugar. When the two components were combined the rates of D-glucose uptake were additive. Accumulation of D-glucose as a function of various Na+ gradients, in the absence of a membrane potential, suggests a 1:1 stoichiometry between sugar and Na+ uptake. These findings are consistent with the role of ionic gradients in energizing uphill solute transport and, thus, provide experimental evidence that extends the chemiosmotic theory to the Na+ electrochemical potential-mediated transport of D-glucose in mammalian tissues.", "contents": "Na+-electrochemical potential-mediated transport of D-glucose in renal brush border membrane vesicles. The uphill transport of D-glucose in renal brush border membrane vesicles was correlated with the Na+ electrochemical gradient. Each component of the electrochemical potential, the membrane potential or the Na+ chemical gradient, when assayed independently supported the concentrative uptake of the sugar. When the two components were combined the rates of D-glucose uptake were additive. Accumulation of D-glucose as a function of various Na+ gradients, in the absence of a membrane potential, suggests a 1:1 stoichiometry between sugar and Na+ uptake. These findings are consistent with the role of ionic gradients in energizing uphill solute transport and, thus, provide experimental evidence that extends the chemiosmotic theory to the Na+ electrochemical potential-mediated transport of D-glucose in mammalian tissues.", "PMID": 616356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1786", "title": "The role of oxidation in the renal metabolism of glutamine by rat kidney tubules in vitro.", "content": "The metabolism of cold and 14C-[U]-glutamine in isolated kidney tubules of normal rats was studied in vitro to establish the relative importance of glucose synthesis and complete oxidation to CO2 for the metabolism of this amino acid in vitro. These metabolic fates were estimated by drawing a complete balance of the nitrogens and of the carbon chains of the extracted glutamine and studying the formation of 14CO2 from 14C-glutamine. It was found that glucose production constitutes the major fate for glutamine metabolism with 1 mM glutamine and that glutamine oxidation constitutes less than 20% of the metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton of this amino acid. With 5 or 10 mM glutamine however, the maximal oxidation to CO2 becomes more important (25%).", "contents": "The role of oxidation in the renal metabolism of glutamine by rat kidney tubules in vitro. The metabolism of cold and 14C-[U]-glutamine in isolated kidney tubules of normal rats was studied in vitro to establish the relative importance of glucose synthesis and complete oxidation to CO2 for the metabolism of this amino acid in vitro. These metabolic fates were estimated by drawing a complete balance of the nitrogens and of the carbon chains of the extracted glutamine and studying the formation of 14CO2 from 14C-glutamine. It was found that glucose production constitutes the major fate for glutamine metabolism with 1 mM glutamine and that glutamine oxidation constitutes less than 20% of the metabolic fate of the carbon skeleton of this amino acid. With 5 or 10 mM glutamine however, the maximal oxidation to CO2 becomes more important (25%).", "PMID": 616358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1787", "title": "A comparative study of the renal glutaminase response to acidosis.", "content": "The rates of ammonia excretion and the activities of renal glutaminase were measured in the rat, dog, guinea pig and chicken. The rate of ammonia excretion and the activity of renal glutaminase were less in guinea pig than in the other species. Renal glutaminase from all four species was activated by phosphate, but the degree of activation varied between species. Many organic acids activated renal glutaminase in the rat, dog and chicken, but these compounds were without affect or decreased glutaminase activity in the guinea pig. The optimal pH for renal glutaminase was 7.4, 8.0 and 8.8 for the guinea pig, rat and dog respectively, while in the chicken a plateau was reached between pH 7.5 and 9.5. The activation of renal glutaminase by phosphate in the chicken was greater at sub-optimal pH values than in the plateau region. In the absence of an activator acidosis did not affect glutaminase activity in any species. When phosphate was present in the incubation medium acidosis increased glutaminase activity in the rat and chicken, but did not alter enzyme activity in the guinea pig or dog. Acidosis did not affect the optimal pH or the shape of the activity versus pH curve in any of the species.", "contents": "A comparative study of the renal glutaminase response to acidosis. The rates of ammonia excretion and the activities of renal glutaminase were measured in the rat, dog, guinea pig and chicken. The rate of ammonia excretion and the activity of renal glutaminase were less in guinea pig than in the other species. Renal glutaminase from all four species was activated by phosphate, but the degree of activation varied between species. Many organic acids activated renal glutaminase in the rat, dog and chicken, but these compounds were without affect or decreased glutaminase activity in the guinea pig. The optimal pH for renal glutaminase was 7.4, 8.0 and 8.8 for the guinea pig, rat and dog respectively, while in the chicken a plateau was reached between pH 7.5 and 9.5. The activation of renal glutaminase by phosphate in the chicken was greater at sub-optimal pH values than in the plateau region. In the absence of an activator acidosis did not affect glutaminase activity in any species. When phosphate was present in the incubation medium acidosis increased glutaminase activity in the rat and chicken, but did not alter enzyme activity in the guinea pig or dog. Acidosis did not affect the optimal pH or the shape of the activity versus pH curve in any of the species.", "PMID": 616362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1788", "title": "Regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis in the kidney.", "content": "Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity increases in the kidney after glucocorticoid administration and in acidosis. In both cases, a selective stimulation of the synthesis of phosphoenolpyurvate carboxykinase can account for the augmentation of the enzyme level. Using an assay based on the translation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in a heterologous cell-free protein synthesizing system, we show that the glucocorticoids and acidosis, acting by independent mechanisms, cause an increase in the level of functional mRNA coding for the enzyme of sufficient magnitude to explain the increase in the rate of enzyme synthesis.", "contents": "Regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis in the kidney. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity increases in the kidney after glucocorticoid administration and in acidosis. In both cases, a selective stimulation of the synthesis of phosphoenolpyurvate carboxykinase can account for the augmentation of the enzyme level. Using an assay based on the translation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in a heterologous cell-free protein synthesizing system, we show that the glucocorticoids and acidosis, acting by independent mechanisms, cause an increase in the level of functional mRNA coding for the enzyme of sufficient magnitude to explain the increase in the rate of enzyme synthesis.", "PMID": 616366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1789", "title": "Mechanism of carrier-mediated glutamine transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane.", "content": "Mersalyl completely inhibits glutamine influx into kidney and liver mitochondria indicating clearly that this process requires the presence of functional thiol groups and probably a specific glutamine carrier. There is a close correlation between the transport of glutamine and the transport of inorganic phosphate. Glutamine crosses mitochondrial membrane as an electroneutral species driven by the concentration gradient. Proton gradient and membrane potential generated by the energization of kidney mitochondria stimulate the influx of glutamine. Glutaminase and glutamine carrier are probably distinct proteins.", "contents": "Mechanism of carrier-mediated glutamine transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Mersalyl completely inhibits glutamine influx into kidney and liver mitochondria indicating clearly that this process requires the presence of functional thiol groups and probably a specific glutamine carrier. There is a close correlation between the transport of glutamine and the transport of inorganic phosphate. Glutamine crosses mitochondrial membrane as an electroneutral species driven by the concentration gradient. Proton gradient and membrane potential generated by the energization of kidney mitochondria stimulate the influx of glutamine. Glutaminase and glutamine carrier are probably distinct proteins.", "PMID": 616364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1790", "title": "Gluconeogenesis in kidney cortex slices of the guinea pig. Its relation to acidosis and to calcium.", "content": "In contrast to rat kidney cortex the glucogenic capacity of kidney cortex slices from normally treated guinea pigs was very low. Reduction of the pH of the incubation medium by either lowering the HCO3-concentration or by increasing the pCO2 resulted only in varying stimulatory effects on glucose production from endogeneous or exogeneous sources. Considerable rates of net synthesis of glucose from lactate, pyruvate, malate, 2-oxoglutarate, glutamate, and glycerol--but not from glutamine--were only observed in kidneys from animals with prolonged metabolic acidosis. Neither in experiments with normally treated animals nor in those with acidotic guinea pigs the glucose production decreased, when calcium was omitted from the incubation medium. Though glutamine was not converted into glucose, it served as a substrate for ammoniagenesis. On the basis of the presented results it is concluded that species differences exist in the regulation of renal gluconeogenesis.", "contents": "Gluconeogenesis in kidney cortex slices of the guinea pig. Its relation to acidosis and to calcium. In contrast to rat kidney cortex the glucogenic capacity of kidney cortex slices from normally treated guinea pigs was very low. Reduction of the pH of the incubation medium by either lowering the HCO3-concentration or by increasing the pCO2 resulted only in varying stimulatory effects on glucose production from endogeneous or exogeneous sources. Considerable rates of net synthesis of glucose from lactate, pyruvate, malate, 2-oxoglutarate, glutamate, and glycerol--but not from glutamine--were only observed in kidneys from animals with prolonged metabolic acidosis. Neither in experiments with normally treated animals nor in those with acidotic guinea pigs the glucose production decreased, when calcium was omitted from the incubation medium. Though glutamine was not converted into glucose, it served as a substrate for ammoniagenesis. On the basis of the presented results it is concluded that species differences exist in the regulation of renal gluconeogenesis.", "PMID": 616367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1791", "title": "Quantitative studies of protein uptake in microperfused renal proximal tubules.", "content": "Proximal convoluted tubules were microperfused with an iodine 125 egg-white-lysozyme containing perfusion solution. The intraluminal lysozyme concentration decreased about 10% per mm tubular length over a wide range of intraluminal lysozyme concentrations tested indicating a constant fractional reabsorption over a wide concentration range. Lysozyme reabsorption at a high intraluminal lysozyme concentration of 10 mg/ml indicated that the tubular protein uptake by endocytosis is a saturable process. High intraluminal concentrations of basic amino acids inhibited the cellular uptake of lysozyme, while neutral amino acids had no effect.", "contents": "Quantitative studies of protein uptake in microperfused renal proximal tubules. Proximal convoluted tubules were microperfused with an iodine 125 egg-white-lysozyme containing perfusion solution. The intraluminal lysozyme concentration decreased about 10% per mm tubular length over a wide range of intraluminal lysozyme concentrations tested indicating a constant fractional reabsorption over a wide concentration range. Lysozyme reabsorption at a high intraluminal lysozyme concentration of 10 mg/ml indicated that the tubular protein uptake by endocytosis is a saturable process. High intraluminal concentrations of basic amino acids inhibited the cellular uptake of lysozyme, while neutral amino acids had no effect.", "PMID": 616370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1792", "title": "Effect of different preservation solutions and substrates on metabolic viability of kidney tubules.", "content": "Glucose production, pyruvate uptake and lactate production were taken as metabolic viability tests for isolated rat kidney tubules preserved in hypothermia. The results depend on the type of preservation solution used. Species specific serum is the only solution sustaining cellular metabolism at a normal level. Using Collins solution all viability parameters showed the lowest results. Addition of certain substrates to the Krebs-Henseledt solution improves metabolic viability.", "contents": "Effect of different preservation solutions and substrates on metabolic viability of kidney tubules. Glucose production, pyruvate uptake and lactate production were taken as metabolic viability tests for isolated rat kidney tubules preserved in hypothermia. The results depend on the type of preservation solution used. Species specific serum is the only solution sustaining cellular metabolism at a normal level. Using Collins solution all viability parameters showed the lowest results. Addition of certain substrates to the Krebs-Henseledt solution improves metabolic viability.", "PMID": 616369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1793", "title": "Renal cell metabolism in phosphate depletion: adenine nucleotide metabolism and gluconeogenesis.", "content": "Effects of phosphate depletion (PD) in young rats on inorganic phosphate (Pi) and adenine nucleotide metabolism in kidney were examined to evaluate the role of altered adenine nucleotide metabolism in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunctions in PD. Despite a rapid fall in plasma pi, renal Pi and ATP levels did not fall until 2nd and 4th week, respectively. Concomitant with a fall in ATP, the equilibrium constant (Keq) of adenylate kinase decreased, suggesting an altered intracellular Mg ion concentration. The oral Mg supplement prevented a fall in plasma Mg occurring in PD as well as a fall in Keq of adenylate kinase without any effect on a decrease in tissue Pi and ATP. These data indicate that tissue levels of Pi and ATP did not fall until severe PF develops, and a concomitant Mg deficiency may play some role in the pathogenesis of some of the cellular dysfunctions seen in PD. Renal gluconeogenesis was inhibited in renal cortical tubules as early as on the 3rd day of PD. Although the mechanisms for such inhibition of gluconeogenesis are not known, this abnormal cell metabolism may underlie some of the tubular dysfunctions in PD.", "contents": "Renal cell metabolism in phosphate depletion: adenine nucleotide metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Effects of phosphate depletion (PD) in young rats on inorganic phosphate (Pi) and adenine nucleotide metabolism in kidney were examined to evaluate the role of altered adenine nucleotide metabolism in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunctions in PD. Despite a rapid fall in plasma pi, renal Pi and ATP levels did not fall until 2nd and 4th week, respectively. Concomitant with a fall in ATP, the equilibrium constant (Keq) of adenylate kinase decreased, suggesting an altered intracellular Mg ion concentration. The oral Mg supplement prevented a fall in plasma Mg occurring in PD as well as a fall in Keq of adenylate kinase without any effect on a decrease in tissue Pi and ATP. These data indicate that tissue levels of Pi and ATP did not fall until severe PF develops, and a concomitant Mg deficiency may play some role in the pathogenesis of some of the cellular dysfunctions seen in PD. Renal gluconeogenesis was inhibited in renal cortical tubules as early as on the 3rd day of PD. Although the mechanisms for such inhibition of gluconeogenesis are not known, this abnormal cell metabolism may underlie some of the tubular dysfunctions in PD.", "PMID": 616368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1794", "title": "Fatty acid transport and metabolism in the isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "Transport and metabolism of endogenous fatty acids was studied using an isolated rat kidney preparation. Results tended to confirm the inhibitory effects of probenecid on fatty acid uptake by the kidney but, at the concentration used, probenecid was ineffective in changing the distribution of 14C palmitate within tissue lipids. Alpha-bromopalmitate (alphaBP) (0.4 mM), an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, caused an initial enhancement of 14C palmitate uptake, a decrease in esterification into tissue phospholipids and an increase in 14C recovered as free fatty acid in the tissue. This increase had no inhibitory effect on entry of fatty acids. alpha BP had no effect on 14C octanoate uptake and appeared not to affect general metabolism. The results are consistent with the possibility that alphaBP interacts with a renal fatty acid binding protein.", "contents": "Fatty acid transport and metabolism in the isolated perfused rat kidney. Transport and metabolism of endogenous fatty acids was studied using an isolated rat kidney preparation. Results tended to confirm the inhibitory effects of probenecid on fatty acid uptake by the kidney but, at the concentration used, probenecid was ineffective in changing the distribution of 14C palmitate within tissue lipids. Alpha-bromopalmitate (alphaBP) (0.4 mM), an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, caused an initial enhancement of 14C palmitate uptake, a decrease in esterification into tissue phospholipids and an increase in 14C recovered as free fatty acid in the tissue. This increase had no inhibitory effect on entry of fatty acids. alpha BP had no effect on 14C octanoate uptake and appeared not to affect general metabolism. The results are consistent with the possibility that alphaBP interacts with a renal fatty acid binding protein.", "PMID": 616371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1795", "title": "Relationship between the renal metabolism of glutamine, fatty acids and ketone bodies.", "content": "Using renal cortical slices from acidotic and normal dogs we show that fatty acids such as crotonate, octanoate, palmitate and oleate as well as ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mM induce a 30 to 50% decrease in glutamine uptake and ammonia production when glutamine (1 mM) is used as the basic substrate. Glucose production also decreases by 20 to 30%. Glutamate release in the incubation medium is significantly augmented by fatty acids or ketones. When glutamate 5 mM is used as substrate instead of glutamine, glutamate uptake, ammoniagenesis and glucose production are significantly depressed by fatty acids and ketones. Increased glutamate release from glutamine, decreased glutamate uptake and decreased gluconeogenesis from glutamine or glutamate provide evidence that ketone bodies and fatty acids depress the net flux through the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction invovled in glutamine metabolism. This is further supported by the fact that addition of ketones to alpha-ketoglutarate and ammonia stimulates net glutamate synthesis by kidney tubules.", "contents": "Relationship between the renal metabolism of glutamine, fatty acids and ketone bodies. Using renal cortical slices from acidotic and normal dogs we show that fatty acids such as crotonate, octanoate, palmitate and oleate as well as ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mM induce a 30 to 50% decrease in glutamine uptake and ammonia production when glutamine (1 mM) is used as the basic substrate. Glucose production also decreases by 20 to 30%. Glutamate release in the incubation medium is significantly augmented by fatty acids or ketones. When glutamate 5 mM is used as substrate instead of glutamine, glutamate uptake, ammoniagenesis and glucose production are significantly depressed by fatty acids and ketones. Increased glutamate release from glutamine, decreased glutamate uptake and decreased gluconeogenesis from glutamine or glutamate provide evidence that ketone bodies and fatty acids depress the net flux through the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction invovled in glutamine metabolism. This is further supported by the fact that addition of ketones to alpha-ketoglutarate and ammonia stimulates net glutamate synthesis by kidney tubules.", "PMID": 616372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1796", "title": "On the renal balances for different lipid fractions in dog.", "content": "(1) Six dogs were kept fasting for 12 h and the uptake or release of various lipid fractions by the kidney was determined. (2) Free and esterified fatty acids were generally taken up during the fasting state. More fatty acids were taken up than could be oxidized with respect to the normal oxygen consumption of the kidney. (3) When glucose was infused a release of fatty acids was observed in general. (4) The critical role of endogenous fatty acids for the energy metabolism of the kidney is pointed out.", "contents": "On the renal balances for different lipid fractions in dog. (1) Six dogs were kept fasting for 12 h and the uptake or release of various lipid fractions by the kidney was determined. (2) Free and esterified fatty acids were generally taken up during the fasting state. More fatty acids were taken up than could be oxidized with respect to the normal oxygen consumption of the kidney. (3) When glucose was infused a release of fatty acids was observed in general. (4) The critical role of endogenous fatty acids for the energy metabolism of the kidney is pointed out.", "PMID": 616374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1797", "title": "Comparison of the oxidation rates of glucose and lactate in relation to support of Na+ reabsorption.", "content": "The renal oxidation rates of glucose and lactate in the dog in vivo, in the dog cortical slice and in the isolated perfused rat kidney were compared. Lactate decarboxylation rate, on a carbon-atom basis, was from 2 to 10 fold greater than that of glucose. In the substrate-limited perfused kidney, glucose replaced only 30-40% of the substrates oxidized in vivo, while lactate replaced up to 80% of the substrates oxidized in vivo. Insulin lack does not account for these differences in the rates of lactate and glucose oxidation. Glucose and lactate support GFR and Na+ reabsorption to approximately the same extent in spite of their different rates of oxidation. Thus Na+ reabsorptive rate: CO2 production rate is not a constant and depends on the substrate being oxidized. The virtual absence of glucose oxidation by the dog cortical slice suggests either that: 1) glucose oxidation supports primarily medullary Na+ reabsorption while lactate oxidation supports cortical Na+ reabsorption as well of 2) glucose oxidation is more selectively coupled to Na+ reabsorptive work than is lactate oxidation.", "contents": "Comparison of the oxidation rates of glucose and lactate in relation to support of Na+ reabsorption. The renal oxidation rates of glucose and lactate in the dog in vivo, in the dog cortical slice and in the isolated perfused rat kidney were compared. Lactate decarboxylation rate, on a carbon-atom basis, was from 2 to 10 fold greater than that of glucose. In the substrate-limited perfused kidney, glucose replaced only 30-40% of the substrates oxidized in vivo, while lactate replaced up to 80% of the substrates oxidized in vivo. Insulin lack does not account for these differences in the rates of lactate and glucose oxidation. Glucose and lactate support GFR and Na+ reabsorption to approximately the same extent in spite of their different rates of oxidation. Thus Na+ reabsorptive rate: CO2 production rate is not a constant and depends on the substrate being oxidized. The virtual absence of glucose oxidation by the dog cortical slice suggests either that: 1) glucose oxidation supports primarily medullary Na+ reabsorption while lactate oxidation supports cortical Na+ reabsorption as well of 2) glucose oxidation is more selectively coupled to Na+ reabsorptive work than is lactate oxidation.", "PMID": 616375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1798", "title": "Ultrastructural characterization of the connecting tubule and the different segments of the collecting duct system in the rabbit kidney.", "content": "In the rabbit kidney, the connecting tubule is a clearly delimited tubular portion interposed between the convoluted part of the distal tubule and the cortical collecting duct. Superficial nephrons have individual connecting tubules; the connecting tubules of deeper nephrons fuse together to form a so-called arcade. The collecting duct is subdivided, with respect to localization, into cortical, outer medullary and inner medullary collecting duct. Connecting tubule and collecting duct are lined by a total of three different cell types: the connecting tubule by the connecting tubule cell and the intercalated cell; the collecting duct by the principal cell and the intercalated cell present only in the cortical and outer medullary segment. The intercalated cell can have different manifestations (\"gray\", \"black\", and \"light\"). The principal cell undergoes gradual alterations from a very complicatedly organized prismatic cell (approximately 7.5 micron cellular height) in the cortical collecting duct to a very simply organized, high prismatic cell (approximately 75 micron cellular height) in the inner medullary collecting duct.", "contents": "Ultrastructural characterization of the connecting tubule and the different segments of the collecting duct system in the rabbit kidney. In the rabbit kidney, the connecting tubule is a clearly delimited tubular portion interposed between the convoluted part of the distal tubule and the cortical collecting duct. Superficial nephrons have individual connecting tubules; the connecting tubules of deeper nephrons fuse together to form a so-called arcade. The collecting duct is subdivided, with respect to localization, into cortical, outer medullary and inner medullary collecting duct. Connecting tubule and collecting duct are lined by a total of three different cell types: the connecting tubule by the connecting tubule cell and the intercalated cell; the collecting duct by the principal cell and the intercalated cell present only in the cortical and outer medullary segment. The intercalated cell can have different manifestations (\"gray\", \"black\", and \"light\"). The principal cell undergoes gradual alterations from a very complicatedly organized prismatic cell (approximately 7.5 micron cellular height) in the cortical collecting duct to a very simply organized, high prismatic cell (approximately 75 micron cellular height) in the inner medullary collecting duct.", "PMID": 616377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1799", "title": "Cytotoxic effects of emetine hydrochloride in the kidney of Long-Evans rats.", "content": "Emetine hydrochloride has been used to study its effects in the rat kidney, Sublethal doses of the drug at 10.0 mg/kg body weight of the animal were administered at 12 and 24 h intervals. Certain morphological changes occurred within the kidney. These changes involved the formation of vacuoles, swelling of mitochondria, disruption of basal membranes, deterioration of red blood cells, production of convoluted membranes and fibril-like structures. The earliest changes were observed 12 h after treatment with the drug.", "contents": "Cytotoxic effects of emetine hydrochloride in the kidney of Long-Evans rats. Emetine hydrochloride has been used to study its effects in the rat kidney, Sublethal doses of the drug at 10.0 mg/kg body weight of the animal were administered at 12 and 24 h intervals. Certain morphological changes occurred within the kidney. These changes involved the formation of vacuoles, swelling of mitochondria, disruption of basal membranes, deterioration of red blood cells, production of convoluted membranes and fibril-like structures. The earliest changes were observed 12 h after treatment with the drug.", "PMID": 616384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1800", "title": "Kidney microvillus peptidases--are they transmembrane proteins?", "content": "The membrane of kidney microvilli is richly endowed with peptidases. Present information is that there are at least eight examples located in this membrane. Three of the group are known to be among the major proteins that can be identified by dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis of the purified microvillus fraction. These three peptidases, aminopeptidase M, serine peptidase (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) and neutral endopeptidase can be labelled by lactoperoxidase iodination from either the luminal or the inner surfaces of the membrane, a result consistent with the view that the polypeptide chains span the microvillus membrane. The serine peptidase has been purified by two methods, permitting a comparison of the detergent-released and proteinase-released forms. The two forms differ in the presence and absence of the hydrophobic anchor that secures the enzyme to the membrane. Preliminary studies support the view that this hydrophobic domain is relatively small and that it includes the N-terminal region of the polypeptide chain.", "contents": "Kidney microvillus peptidases--are they transmembrane proteins? The membrane of kidney microvilli is richly endowed with peptidases. Present information is that there are at least eight examples located in this membrane. Three of the group are known to be among the major proteins that can be identified by dodecyl sulphate electrophoresis of the purified microvillus fraction. These three peptidases, aminopeptidase M, serine peptidase (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) and neutral endopeptidase can be labelled by lactoperoxidase iodination from either the luminal or the inner surfaces of the membrane, a result consistent with the view that the polypeptide chains span the microvillus membrane. The serine peptidase has been purified by two methods, permitting a comparison of the detergent-released and proteinase-released forms. The two forms differ in the presence and absence of the hydrophobic anchor that secures the enzyme to the membrane. Preliminary studies support the view that this hydrophobic domain is relatively small and that it includes the N-terminal region of the polypeptide chain.", "PMID": 616379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1801", "title": "Chromatin ultrastructure changes during spermatogenesis in armadillos.", "content": "The chromatin fibres of the male gamete nucleus of Dasypus novemcinctus contain fibrils. Measurements indicate that the chromatin fibre diameter and the number of fibrils within the fibre increase, whereas the diameter of the fibrils decreases during spermiogenesis. It is suggested that the fibrils represent a DNA-protein complex. It is further suggested that the increased fibre diameter, and the increased number of fibrils correlates with the formation of larger fibres during the condensation of the spermatid nucleus, whereas the decrease in fibril diameter is correlated with the replacement of histones with new low molecular weight acid-soluble proteins.", "contents": "Chromatin ultrastructure changes during spermatogenesis in armadillos. The chromatin fibres of the male gamete nucleus of Dasypus novemcinctus contain fibrils. Measurements indicate that the chromatin fibre diameter and the number of fibrils within the fibre increase, whereas the diameter of the fibrils decreases during spermiogenesis. It is suggested that the fibrils represent a DNA-protein complex. It is further suggested that the increased fibre diameter, and the increased number of fibrils correlates with the formation of larger fibres during the condensation of the spermatid nucleus, whereas the decrease in fibril diameter is correlated with the replacement of histones with new low molecular weight acid-soluble proteins.", "PMID": 616385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1802", "title": "Restoration of the phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone in lithium-treated rats.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to clarify the means by which lithium induced a greatly diminished phosphaturic response to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Acutely thyroparathyroidectomized lithium-treated rats did not respond to PTH whereas similarly prepared animals in the presence of metabolic or respiratory acidosis exhibited a large phosphaturic response. Respiratory alkalosis significantly decreased fractional phosphate excretion and blocked the phosphaturic effect of PTH whereas PTH induced increases in cyclic AMP excretion in these animals. Lithium increased urinary excretion of oxoglutarate and citrate. In metabolic acidosis the restoration of PTH-dependent phosphaturia is accompanied by decreased organic acid excretion. No significant decrease of urinary citrate and oxoglutarate excretion occurred in respiratory acidosis in lithium-treated rats. It is suggested that PTH-dependent phosphate transport is mediated by intracellular pH but the increased excretion of citrate and oxoglutarate may reflect high intracellular levels of bicarbonate.", "contents": "Restoration of the phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone in lithium-treated rats. The purpose of this study was to clarify the means by which lithium induced a greatly diminished phosphaturic response to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Acutely thyroparathyroidectomized lithium-treated rats did not respond to PTH whereas similarly prepared animals in the presence of metabolic or respiratory acidosis exhibited a large phosphaturic response. Respiratory alkalosis significantly decreased fractional phosphate excretion and blocked the phosphaturic effect of PTH whereas PTH induced increases in cyclic AMP excretion in these animals. Lithium increased urinary excretion of oxoglutarate and citrate. In metabolic acidosis the restoration of PTH-dependent phosphaturia is accompanied by decreased organic acid excretion. No significant decrease of urinary citrate and oxoglutarate excretion occurred in respiratory acidosis in lithium-treated rats. It is suggested that PTH-dependent phosphate transport is mediated by intracellular pH but the increased excretion of citrate and oxoglutarate may reflect high intracellular levels of bicarbonate.", "PMID": 616380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1803", "title": "Glucagon induced functional changes of isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "The influence of glucagon on renal function and hemodynamics was studied on isolated perfused rat kidneys. During perfusion with solutions containing no vasoactive substances glucagon increased total renal perfusion flow, while the GFR remained unchanged. The autoregulation of blood flow under these conditions was completely abolished. Na-excretion was slightly reduced under the action of glucagon, due to an increased fractional Na-reabsorption. However, increased fractional Na-reabsorption was not due to a direct influence of glucagon on tubular transport mechanism as comparison of TNa at identical Na-loads demonstrated. In presence of angiotensin II renal perfusion flow was markedly reduced and doubled almost after starting glucagon infusion. GFR under these conditions rose by about 100%. It is concluded from the results that changes of kidney function following glucagon infusion are mainly due to a reduced vascular resistance.", "contents": "Glucagon induced functional changes of isolated perfused rat kidney. The influence of glucagon on renal function and hemodynamics was studied on isolated perfused rat kidneys. During perfusion with solutions containing no vasoactive substances glucagon increased total renal perfusion flow, while the GFR remained unchanged. The autoregulation of blood flow under these conditions was completely abolished. Na-excretion was slightly reduced under the action of glucagon, due to an increased fractional Na-reabsorption. However, increased fractional Na-reabsorption was not due to a direct influence of glucagon on tubular transport mechanism as comparison of TNa at identical Na-loads demonstrated. In presence of angiotensin II renal perfusion flow was markedly reduced and doubled almost after starting glucagon infusion. GFR under these conditions rose by about 100%. It is concluded from the results that changes of kidney function following glucagon infusion are mainly due to a reduced vascular resistance.", "PMID": 616376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1804", "title": "Chromatin fibre differences between condensed and dispersed chromatin: a comparative ultrastructure study.", "content": "Cells of different types from different species were investigated to determine if there are significant variations between chromatin fibre measurements in electron micrographs of thin sections. A larger chromatin fibre of 20 plus nm is seen in both condensed chromatin and dispersed chromatin and contains an irregularly folded or coiled fibril of 2.1 to 3.7 nm. In all cell types the larger fibre of dispersed chromatin was significantly thicker than the larger fibre of condensed chromatin. Numerous significant differences were also found between chromatin measurements of the different species. The ultrastructural differences may help explain the functional differences already known to exist between dispersed and condensed chromatin.", "contents": "Chromatin fibre differences between condensed and dispersed chromatin: a comparative ultrastructure study. Cells of different types from different species were investigated to determine if there are significant variations between chromatin fibre measurements in electron micrographs of thin sections. A larger chromatin fibre of 20 plus nm is seen in both condensed chromatin and dispersed chromatin and contains an irregularly folded or coiled fibril of 2.1 to 3.7 nm. In all cell types the larger fibre of dispersed chromatin was significantly thicker than the larger fibre of condensed chromatin. Numerous significant differences were also found between chromatin measurements of the different species. The ultrastructural differences may help explain the functional differences already known to exist between dispersed and condensed chromatin.", "PMID": 616386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1805", "title": "Kidney as a site of uptake and metabolism of gamma-glutamyl compounds.", "content": "gamma-Glutamyl derivatives of amino acids are extensively metabolized and accumulated in the kidney. The kideny also has a high capacity to synthesize ophthalmic acid, an analog of glutathione. These processes can be attributed to the high activity in the kidney of enzymes that both degrade and synthesize glutathione. Th possibility of using the gamma-glutamyl group as a carrier for the introduction of compounds containing an amino function into kidney metabolism was explored. Administration of L-gamma-glutamyl-L-3,4-di-hydroxyphenylalanine (gamma-glutamyl-DOPA) to rats led to the accumulation of gamma-glutamyl-DOPA in the kidney, release of DOPA and its conversion to dopamine by the action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. Dopamine actively generated in the kidney increased renal plasma flow and sodium excretion. No systemic effects or untoward reactions attributable to this amine were observed. It is suggested that gamma-glutamyl derivatives of certain drugs may be useful as kidney specific prodrugs.", "contents": "Kidney as a site of uptake and metabolism of gamma-glutamyl compounds. gamma-Glutamyl derivatives of amino acids are extensively metabolized and accumulated in the kidney. The kideny also has a high capacity to synthesize ophthalmic acid, an analog of glutathione. These processes can be attributed to the high activity in the kidney of enzymes that both degrade and synthesize glutathione. Th possibility of using the gamma-glutamyl group as a carrier for the introduction of compounds containing an amino function into kidney metabolism was explored. Administration of L-gamma-glutamyl-L-3,4-di-hydroxyphenylalanine (gamma-glutamyl-DOPA) to rats led to the accumulation of gamma-glutamyl-DOPA in the kidney, release of DOPA and its conversion to dopamine by the action of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. Dopamine actively generated in the kidney increased renal plasma flow and sodium excretion. No systemic effects or untoward reactions attributable to this amine were observed. It is suggested that gamma-glutamyl derivatives of certain drugs may be useful as kidney specific prodrugs.", "PMID": 616382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1806", "title": "The degradation of glutathione derivatives in the rat kidney.", "content": "Single proximal rat kidney tubules and Henle loops were microperfused with labelled S-substituted glutathione derivatives which are physiological mercapturic acid precursors. S-methyl-glutathione as well as the non-permeating bromo-sulfaleinglutathione adduct were degraded in the proximal convolution with a half-life of about 3.5 sec. The findings demonstrate that the brush-border membrane-bound renal gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase acts on luminal substrates and is involved in mercapturic acid synthesis and splitting of extracellular glutathione.", "contents": "The degradation of glutathione derivatives in the rat kidney. Single proximal rat kidney tubules and Henle loops were microperfused with labelled S-substituted glutathione derivatives which are physiological mercapturic acid precursors. S-methyl-glutathione as well as the non-permeating bromo-sulfaleinglutathione adduct were degraded in the proximal convolution with a half-life of about 3.5 sec. The findings demonstrate that the brush-border membrane-bound renal gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase acts on luminal substrates and is involved in mercapturic acid synthesis and splitting of extracellular glutathione.", "PMID": 616383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1807", "title": "Different hormonal target sites along the mouse and rabbit nephrons.", "content": "Adenylate-cyclase (AC) activity measurements were performed in the different segments of the mouse nephron. It was found that: --the medullary portion of the thick ascending limb is sensitive to AVP alone. --Three hormones, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and isoproterenol, stimulate the enzyme activity located in the \"bright\" and \"granular\" portions of the distal convoluted tubule. The \"granular\" portion is, in addition, sensitive to AVP. --a single type of collecting tubules is present and every distal convoluted tubule is connected to it. In the cortex, this collecting segment is sensitive to AVP, calcitonin and isoproterenol. In the medulla, it is sensitive to AVP alone. The enzyme sensitivity to hormones was found in the mouse to be different from that previously described in the rabbit; this is particularly true for the distal segments of the nephron. Thus, hormonal segmentation and more over, regulation of physiological function may be different from one species to another.", "contents": "Different hormonal target sites along the mouse and rabbit nephrons. Adenylate-cyclase (AC) activity measurements were performed in the different segments of the mouse nephron. It was found that: --the medullary portion of the thick ascending limb is sensitive to AVP alone. --Three hormones, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and isoproterenol, stimulate the enzyme activity located in the \"bright\" and \"granular\" portions of the distal convoluted tubule. The \"granular\" portion is, in addition, sensitive to AVP. --a single type of collecting tubules is present and every distal convoluted tubule is connected to it. In the cortex, this collecting segment is sensitive to AVP, calcitonin and isoproterenol. In the medulla, it is sensitive to AVP alone. The enzyme sensitivity to hormones was found in the mouse to be different from that previously described in the rabbit; this is particularly true for the distal segments of the nephron. Thus, hormonal segmentation and more over, regulation of physiological function may be different from one species to another.", "PMID": 616378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1808", "title": "Combination chemotherapy for solid tumors using 5-fluorouracil, chromomycin-A, and prednisolone.", "content": "Clinical effect of 5-fluorouracil or chromomycin-A3 alone, 5-fluorouracil + chromomycin-A3, and of the first two plus prednisolone on gastrointestinal and other solid tumors was evaluated. Out of 133 cases acceptable for evaluation, the number of responders was as follows: 3 (18.8%) of 6 cases treated with 5-fluorouracil alone, 1 (9.1%) of 11 cases treated with chromomycin-A3 or chromomycin-A3 hemisuccinate, 13 (21.7%) of 60 cases on the two-drug regimen, and 21 (45.7%) of 46 cases on the three-drug regimen. In cases of stomach carcinoma, response rate to the three-drug regimen was 54.2% (13/24), significantly higher than that of other regimens. At least 25% regression in the size of primary tumor was observed in 2 (7.1%) of 28 cases on the two-drug regimen and in 6 (33.3%) of 18 cases on the three-drug regimen. Of 51 cases on the three-drug regimen, steroid diabetes developed in 5 cases, moon face in 4 cases, and gastric ulcer in 1 case. However, toxic effect of these regimens (especially appearance of leucopenia) was less than those of previously tried combined regimens. The duration of response, on an average, was 10.8 weeks in 13 cases on the two-drug regimen and 11.7 weeks in 21 cases on the three-drug regimen. It was concluded from these results that a better response is obtained by the three-drug regimen than other regimens, and that prednisolone in combination, in addition to its favorable effect in improving the general condition of the patients, might enhance the anticancer effect of the drugs used in combination.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy for solid tumors using 5-fluorouracil, chromomycin-A, and prednisolone. Clinical effect of 5-fluorouracil or chromomycin-A3 alone, 5-fluorouracil + chromomycin-A3, and of the first two plus prednisolone on gastrointestinal and other solid tumors was evaluated. Out of 133 cases acceptable for evaluation, the number of responders was as follows: 3 (18.8%) of 6 cases treated with 5-fluorouracil alone, 1 (9.1%) of 11 cases treated with chromomycin-A3 or chromomycin-A3 hemisuccinate, 13 (21.7%) of 60 cases on the two-drug regimen, and 21 (45.7%) of 46 cases on the three-drug regimen. In cases of stomach carcinoma, response rate to the three-drug regimen was 54.2% (13/24), significantly higher than that of other regimens. At least 25% regression in the size of primary tumor was observed in 2 (7.1%) of 28 cases on the two-drug regimen and in 6 (33.3%) of 18 cases on the three-drug regimen. Of 51 cases on the three-drug regimen, steroid diabetes developed in 5 cases, moon face in 4 cases, and gastric ulcer in 1 case. However, toxic effect of these regimens (especially appearance of leucopenia) was less than those of previously tried combined regimens. The duration of response, on an average, was 10.8 weeks in 13 cases on the two-drug regimen and 11.7 weeks in 21 cases on the three-drug regimen. It was concluded from these results that a better response is obtained by the three-drug regimen than other regimens, and that prednisolone in combination, in addition to its favorable effect in improving the general condition of the patients, might enhance the anticancer effect of the drugs used in combination.", "PMID": 616414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1809", "title": "Antitumor activity of macrophages induced by Corynebacterium liquefaciens.", "content": "Corynebacterium liquefaciens can induce a marked resistance to tumor cell (AH-7974) challenge in Donryu rats. This effect was also induced in T-cell-deficient athymic nude mice. The macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of a rat injected with C. liquefaciens showed a marked inhibition of tumor growth in vitro. Therefore, the effector cells were assumed to be peritoneal macrophages. The time needed for activation of macrophages in vivo was within 3 to 5 days after injection of C. liquefaciens. Before or after this period, the peritoneal macrophages did not inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, normal peritoneal macrophages were activated in vitro by C. liquefaciens and displayed remarkable antitumor activity. These results suggest that C. liquefaciens rendered the macrophages inhibitory to tumor cells even under T-cell depleted condition. On the other hand, in vitro antitumor activity of the activated macrophages disappeared completely after in vivo treatment of the peritoneal cavity of a rat with Trypan Blue, a lysosomal enzyme blocker. Resistance of the rat induced by C. liquefaciens to tumor cells was also abrogated by Trypan Blue treatment just 1 day before tumor cell inoculation. Trypan Blue blocked the acid-phosphatase (a marker enzyme of lysosomes) activity of the activated macrophages but it seemed not to affect other macrophage activities, at least in the following two points; normal macrophages treated with Trypan Blue had almost normal phogocytic function of India ink particles and, moreover, they could be rendered tumoricidal, same as normal macrophages, in vitro by C. liquefaciens.", "contents": "Antitumor activity of macrophages induced by Corynebacterium liquefaciens. Corynebacterium liquefaciens can induce a marked resistance to tumor cell (AH-7974) challenge in Donryu rats. This effect was also induced in T-cell-deficient athymic nude mice. The macrophages harvested from the peritoneal cavity of a rat injected with C. liquefaciens showed a marked inhibition of tumor growth in vitro. Therefore, the effector cells were assumed to be peritoneal macrophages. The time needed for activation of macrophages in vivo was within 3 to 5 days after injection of C. liquefaciens. Before or after this period, the peritoneal macrophages did not inhibit tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, normal peritoneal macrophages were activated in vitro by C. liquefaciens and displayed remarkable antitumor activity. These results suggest that C. liquefaciens rendered the macrophages inhibitory to tumor cells even under T-cell depleted condition. On the other hand, in vitro antitumor activity of the activated macrophages disappeared completely after in vivo treatment of the peritoneal cavity of a rat with Trypan Blue, a lysosomal enzyme blocker. Resistance of the rat induced by C. liquefaciens to tumor cells was also abrogated by Trypan Blue treatment just 1 day before tumor cell inoculation. Trypan Blue blocked the acid-phosphatase (a marker enzyme of lysosomes) activity of the activated macrophages but it seemed not to affect other macrophage activities, at least in the following two points; normal macrophages treated with Trypan Blue had almost normal phogocytic function of India ink particles and, moreover, they could be rendered tumoricidal, same as normal macrophages, in vitro by C. liquefaciens.", "PMID": 616415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1810", "title": "Interaction of antitumor agents including doxorubicin or daunorubicin in sarcoma-180 system.", "content": "Combination effect of antitumor agents, including doxorubicin and daunorubicin, was evaluated on the concept of pharmacological synergism in ascites sarcoma-180 system. In alternate adminsitration, combinations of doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide, thio-TEPA, carboquone, actinomycin-D, vinblastine, vincristine, methotrexate, cytarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, or L-asparaginase showed synergism, but in simultaneous one, only three agents, cyclophosphamide, carboquone, and cytarabine, were synergistic. On the other hand, combination of daunorubicin plus one of 8 agents (thio-TEPA, mitomycin-C, bleomycin, actinomycin-D, vinblastine, ancytabine, 6-mercaptopurine, and L-asparaginase) and 6 agents (cyclophosphamide, thio-TEPA, mitomycin-C, bleomycin, actinomycin-D, and vinblastine) provided synergism in alternate and simultaneous administration. Combination effect of agents was affected by the schedule of drug administration for doxorubicin, but weak for daunorubicin. Toxicity of doxorubicin or daunorubicin in combination with other drugs was also affected by the schedule of administration. Combination of a larger number of agents in simultaneous administration provided antagonism compared with an alternate administration.", "contents": "Interaction of antitumor agents including doxorubicin or daunorubicin in sarcoma-180 system. Combination effect of antitumor agents, including doxorubicin and daunorubicin, was evaluated on the concept of pharmacological synergism in ascites sarcoma-180 system. In alternate adminsitration, combinations of doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide, thio-TEPA, carboquone, actinomycin-D, vinblastine, vincristine, methotrexate, cytarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, or L-asparaginase showed synergism, but in simultaneous one, only three agents, cyclophosphamide, carboquone, and cytarabine, were synergistic. On the other hand, combination of daunorubicin plus one of 8 agents (thio-TEPA, mitomycin-C, bleomycin, actinomycin-D, vinblastine, ancytabine, 6-mercaptopurine, and L-asparaginase) and 6 agents (cyclophosphamide, thio-TEPA, mitomycin-C, bleomycin, actinomycin-D, and vinblastine) provided synergism in alternate and simultaneous administration. Combination effect of agents was affected by the schedule of drug administration for doxorubicin, but weak for daunorubicin. Toxicity of doxorubicin or daunorubicin in combination with other drugs was also affected by the schedule of administration. Combination of a larger number of agents in simultaneous administration provided antagonism compared with an alternate administration.", "PMID": 616416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1811", "title": "Carcinogenicity of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) fed to female Sprague-Dawley rats.", "content": "The carcinogenicity of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-5-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) was investigated by administering it orally to Sprague-Dawley female weanling rats in a grain diet at a dose of 0.2% for 46 weeks, followed by 20 weeks of unmedicated control diet. The total mean cumulative dose of AF-2 was 10.1 g (41.6 mmol) per rat during the 46 weeks of the experiment. Weight gains of rats fed AF-2 was comparable to that of unmedicated control rats. Survival of rats fed AF-2 was 52 +/- 12 (SD) weeds compared to 65 +/- 5 weeks for the unmedicated controls (P less than 0.001). Twenty-four of 29 rats fed AF-2 developed multiple breast tumors, 15 of which were adenocarcinomas. Two of 29 unmedicated control rats had single fibroadenomas of the breast.", "contents": "Carcinogenicity of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) fed to female Sprague-Dawley rats. The carcinogenicity of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-5-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) was investigated by administering it orally to Sprague-Dawley female weanling rats in a grain diet at a dose of 0.2% for 46 weeks, followed by 20 weeks of unmedicated control diet. The total mean cumulative dose of AF-2 was 10.1 g (41.6 mmol) per rat during the 46 weeks of the experiment. Weight gains of rats fed AF-2 was comparable to that of unmedicated control rats. Survival of rats fed AF-2 was 52 +/- 12 (SD) weeds compared to 65 +/- 5 weeks for the unmedicated controls (P less than 0.001). Twenty-four of 29 rats fed AF-2 developed multiple breast tumors, 15 of which were adenocarcinomas. Two of 29 unmedicated control rats had single fibroadenomas of the breast.", "PMID": 616417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1812", "title": "Rebound phenomenon of phytohemagglutinin skin reactivity in leukemia and malignant lymphoma after chemotherapy.", "content": "Serial evaluation of host immunocompetence was made by the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test in 13 patients with leukemia and malignant lymphoma, receiving antineoplastic chemotherapy to induce remission. A rebound phenomenon of skin reactivity to PHA was observed after each period of chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with a good response to therapy, but not in patients with a poor prognosis. It is concluded that sequential evaluation of skin reactivity to PHA, as well as in vitro lymphocyte stimulation, is valuable clinically in assessing the progress of malignancies and the response of patients to therapy.", "contents": "Rebound phenomenon of phytohemagglutinin skin reactivity in leukemia and malignant lymphoma after chemotherapy. Serial evaluation of host immunocompetence was made by the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test in 13 patients with leukemia and malignant lymphoma, receiving antineoplastic chemotherapy to induce remission. A rebound phenomenon of skin reactivity to PHA was observed after each period of chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with a good response to therapy, but not in patients with a poor prognosis. It is concluded that sequential evaluation of skin reactivity to PHA, as well as in vitro lymphocyte stimulation, is valuable clinically in assessing the progress of malignancies and the response of patients to therapy.", "PMID": 616418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1813", "title": "Induction of tumors of peripheral nervous system in female Donryu rats by continuous oral administration of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea.", "content": "Groups 1, 2, and 3 of female Donryu rats were given continuously 400, 200, or 100 ppm solution of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU) as their drinking water. The incidence of neurogenic tumors was 12/27 (44%), 39/33 (91%), and 33/36 (92%) in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Among the neurogenic tumors, neurinomas developing from the spinal nerve roots were the most frequent. In addition, tumors of the digestive tract were found in 12, 1, and 2 rats in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and tumors in hematopoietic tissues developed in 6 rats. Tumors in other organs were infrequent.", "contents": "Induction of tumors of peripheral nervous system in female Donryu rats by continuous oral administration of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea. Groups 1, 2, and 3 of female Donryu rats were given continuously 400, 200, or 100 ppm solution of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU) as their drinking water. The incidence of neurogenic tumors was 12/27 (44%), 39/33 (91%), and 33/36 (92%) in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Among the neurogenic tumors, neurinomas developing from the spinal nerve roots were the most frequent. In addition, tumors of the digestive tract were found in 12, 1, and 2 rats in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and tumors in hematopoietic tissues developed in 6 rats. Tumors in other organs were infrequent.", "PMID": 616419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1814", "title": "Effect of drying with hot forced draft and of mincing bracken fern on its carcinogenic activity.", "content": "The carcinogenic activity of young bracken dried at a high temperature or minced by a mechanical chopper was compared with that of unprocessed bracken dried at room temperature. Inbred strain ACI rats of both sexes were divided into 4 groups; Group 1 received a diet containing the unprocessed bracken dried at a room temperature of below 30 degrees, Group 2 received a diet containing bracken dried at 70 approximately 90 degrees with a hot, forced draft, and Group 3 received the diet containing processed bracken that had been minced to a paste-like consistency using a mechanical chopper. The control group was fed a normal diet. Rats fed a bracken-containing diet developed tumors most frequently in the ileum. Comparison of Group 1 with Groups 2 and 3 showed no significant difference in the latent period, incidence, histologic types, or multiplicity of the intestinal tumors found in each animal.", "contents": "Effect of drying with hot forced draft and of mincing bracken fern on its carcinogenic activity. The carcinogenic activity of young bracken dried at a high temperature or minced by a mechanical chopper was compared with that of unprocessed bracken dried at room temperature. Inbred strain ACI rats of both sexes were divided into 4 groups; Group 1 received a diet containing the unprocessed bracken dried at a room temperature of below 30 degrees, Group 2 received a diet containing bracken dried at 70 approximately 90 degrees with a hot, forced draft, and Group 3 received the diet containing processed bracken that had been minced to a paste-like consistency using a mechanical chopper. The control group was fed a normal diet. Rats fed a bracken-containing diet developed tumors most frequently in the ileum. Comparison of Group 1 with Groups 2 and 3 showed no significant difference in the latent period, incidence, histologic types, or multiplicity of the intestinal tumors found in each animal.", "PMID": 616420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1815", "title": "Experimental autologous transplantation of the knee joint: contributions of microvascular surgery (a preliminary report).", "content": "Free autologous transplantations of joints can be successfully performed, if careful microsurgical techniques are used. We have carried out autologous exchange transplants of the knee in 28 cats, anastomosing the vessels supplying the knee on one side and leaving the other side with no anastomosis as a control. The operational procedures and the general anaesthesia require special precautions. The permeability of a vascular anastomosis can be judged with scintigraphic and arteriographic techniques. The vascularization and bone remodeling as measured scintigraphically are in direct relation to the blood supply of the operated knee joints. Histological examinations have confirmed the clinical and radiographic findings.", "contents": "Experimental autologous transplantation of the knee joint: contributions of microvascular surgery (a preliminary report). Free autologous transplantations of joints can be successfully performed, if careful microsurgical techniques are used. We have carried out autologous exchange transplants of the knee in 28 cats, anastomosing the vessels supplying the knee on one side and leaving the other side with no anastomosis as a control. The operational procedures and the general anaesthesia require special precautions. The permeability of a vascular anastomosis can be judged with scintigraphic and arteriographic techniques. The vascularization and bone remodeling as measured scintigraphically are in direct relation to the blood supply of the operated knee joints. Histological examinations have confirmed the clinical and radiographic findings.", "PMID": 616423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1816", "title": "High tibial osteotomy in osteoarthrosis of the knee (a long term clinical study of 187 knees).", "content": "This is a clinical research study of 415 cases of high tibial osteotomy in arthrosis of the knee, supported by radiographic and aetiopathogenetic data. It is the largest series with complete documentation so far reported in the literature. It is a critical study based on the clinical findings which marks the beginning of a work intended to evaluate the quality of the results during a period of 5-15 years following surgery (187 knees). The results so far confirm the value of the procedure and emphasize the importance of the fixed flexion factor in the probable pathogenesis of pain. It also shows that perfect axial reconstruction in the frontal plane is of lesser comparative importance.", "contents": "High tibial osteotomy in osteoarthrosis of the knee (a long term clinical study of 187 knees). This is a clinical research study of 415 cases of high tibial osteotomy in arthrosis of the knee, supported by radiographic and aetiopathogenetic data. It is the largest series with complete documentation so far reported in the literature. It is a critical study based on the clinical findings which marks the beginning of a work intended to evaluate the quality of the results during a period of 5-15 years following surgery (187 knees). The results so far confirm the value of the procedure and emphasize the importance of the fixed flexion factor in the probable pathogenesis of pain. It also shows that perfect axial reconstruction in the frontal plane is of lesser comparative importance.", "PMID": 616424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1817", "title": "Surgical treatment of congenital radial clubhand.", "content": "In choosing the surgical method of correction of radial clubhand, one must take into consideration the age of the patient, the anatomical, radiographic and pathological alterations, and lastly the function of the homolateral elbow. Angiographic studies of the malformation have proved of value in revealing the possible coexistence of a normal vascular bed with hypogenesis of the radius. The esthetic and functional results obtained with two different surgical techniques, and followed up over the years, are reported in a fifteen year old boy and an eight year old girl.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of congenital radial clubhand. In choosing the surgical method of correction of radial clubhand, one must take into consideration the age of the patient, the anatomical, radiographic and pathological alterations, and lastly the function of the homolateral elbow. Angiographic studies of the malformation have proved of value in revealing the possible coexistence of a normal vascular bed with hypogenesis of the radius. The esthetic and functional results obtained with two different surgical techniques, and followed up over the years, are reported in a fifteen year old boy and an eight year old girl.", "PMID": 616428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1818", "title": "Delayed closed endomedullary osteosynthesis in complicated fractures of the femur and tibia.", "content": "The results obtained with delayed closed endomedullary osteosynthesis in 230 cases are considered. This method greatly extends the use of endomedullary nailing to open fractures and those in which controindications of a mechanical nature (multiple fractures, or at several levels) rule out the immediate use of implants. The techniques proposed (osteosynthesis with triflanged nail in fractures of the diaphysis and osteosynthesis with double Rush nails in metaphysio-diaphysis fractures) have two advantages. Due to the non opening of the fracture focus there is minimal risk of infection and early restoration of function.", "contents": "Delayed closed endomedullary osteosynthesis in complicated fractures of the femur and tibia. The results obtained with delayed closed endomedullary osteosynthesis in 230 cases are considered. This method greatly extends the use of endomedullary nailing to open fractures and those in which controindications of a mechanical nature (multiple fractures, or at several levels) rule out the immediate use of implants. The techniques proposed (osteosynthesis with triflanged nail in fractures of the diaphysis and osteosynthesis with double Rush nails in metaphysio-diaphysis fractures) have two advantages. Due to the non opening of the fracture focus there is minimal risk of infection and early restoration of function.", "PMID": 616429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1819", "title": "Techniques of osteosynthesis of pathological fractures due to skeletal metastases.", "content": "In using internal fixation in the treatment of fractures due to skeletal metastases the objective is to obtain rapid rehabilitation of the patient. The fixation must therefore be particularly stable and it is consequently often necessary to use acrylic cement. This treatment aims to alleviate pain, to shorten the time spent in hospital, and to restore the patient, as far as possible, to his social background, so alleviating the psychological suffering that complicates such disease states. The elective techniques for the various skeletal segments affected are reported, based on 64 cases of osteosynthesis and 26 prosthetic substitutions.", "contents": "Techniques of osteosynthesis of pathological fractures due to skeletal metastases. In using internal fixation in the treatment of fractures due to skeletal metastases the objective is to obtain rapid rehabilitation of the patient. The fixation must therefore be particularly stable and it is consequently often necessary to use acrylic cement. This treatment aims to alleviate pain, to shorten the time spent in hospital, and to restore the patient, as far as possible, to his social background, so alleviating the psychological suffering that complicates such disease states. The elective techniques for the various skeletal segments affected are reported, based on 64 cases of osteosynthesis and 26 prosthetic substitutions.", "PMID": 616430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1820", "title": "Surgery for the post-cricoid carcinoma. Report on 23 cases in which replacement by stomach was attempted.", "content": "A report on 23 cases of post-cricoid carcinoma treated by pharyngolaryngectomy and pharyngogastric anastomosis. The results, complications, and causes of death are reported. The series showed that, when the tumor recurred it was in the regional lymph nodes and in only one case was the primary site involved. Metastasis occurred elsewhere only after regional node involvement.", "contents": "Surgery for the post-cricoid carcinoma. Report on 23 cases in which replacement by stomach was attempted. A report on 23 cases of post-cricoid carcinoma treated by pharyngolaryngectomy and pharyngogastric anastomosis. The results, complications, and causes of death are reported. The series showed that, when the tumor recurred it was in the regional lymph nodes and in only one case was the primary site involved. Metastasis occurred elsewhere only after regional node involvement.", "PMID": 616443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1821", "title": "Pseudohypertelorism and its implications in the treatment of facial fractures.", "content": "The traumatic displacement of the medial canthal ligament results in telecanthus which produces the clinical appearance of pseudohypertelorism. Early recognition of this injury is imperative so that repair is carried out in the acute stage. Because of close anatomical relationships medial canthal injuries are associated with disruptions of the lacrimal system which must be recognized and repaired at the same time.", "contents": "Pseudohypertelorism and its implications in the treatment of facial fractures. The traumatic displacement of the medial canthal ligament results in telecanthus which produces the clinical appearance of pseudohypertelorism. Early recognition of this injury is imperative so that repair is carried out in the acute stage. Because of close anatomical relationships medial canthal injuries are associated with disruptions of the lacrimal system which must be recognized and repaired at the same time.", "PMID": 616444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1822", "title": "Rehabilitative treatment of hearing-impaired children.", "content": "The prevalence of hearing impairment and the educational effects of untreated hearing problems are described and the conditions required for verbal learning among severely and profoundly hearing-impaired children are outlined. Results of a longitudinal study undertaken at McGill University are briefly presented and the spoken language skills acquired by profoundly hearing-impaired children enrolled in this study are discussed.", "contents": "Rehabilitative treatment of hearing-impaired children. The prevalence of hearing impairment and the educational effects of untreated hearing problems are described and the conditions required for verbal learning among severely and profoundly hearing-impaired children are outlined. Results of a longitudinal study undertaken at McGill University are briefly presented and the spoken language skills acquired by profoundly hearing-impaired children enrolled in this study are discussed.", "PMID": 616445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1823", "title": "M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease associated with serous retinopathy.", "content": "A case history is presented of a patient suffering from classical M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease who concurrently developed central serous retinopathy. On review, these conditions are found to have several features in common and on the basis of the changes seen by fluorescein angiography in the eye, an hypothesis is presented for the development of endolymphatic hydrops.", "contents": "M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease associated with serous retinopathy. A case history is presented of a patient suffering from classical M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease who concurrently developed central serous retinopathy. On review, these conditions are found to have several features in common and on the basis of the changes seen by fluorescein angiography in the eye, an hypothesis is presented for the development of endolymphatic hydrops.", "PMID": 616446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1824", "title": "[Basilar migraine].", "content": "Basilar migraine has been studied by Bickerstaff who considers that there is a vasoconstriction in the basilar territory resulting in transient ischemia with the corresponding neurological symptoms including vertigo, and followed by the vasodilatation causing the headache. Three cases, treated in neurology, have had an audiovestibular investigation with an E.N.G. and an audiogram and are described herein. Nystagmus and hearing loss have been observed in one of these cases and it is suggested that the internal auditory artery participates in the basilar migrainous processes. The diagnosis of basilar migraine is impossible to prove and the investigation is very limited. Finally it is the evolution of the patient which helps in establishing the diagnosis of basilar migraine.", "contents": "[Basilar migraine]. Basilar migraine has been studied by Bickerstaff who considers that there is a vasoconstriction in the basilar territory resulting in transient ischemia with the corresponding neurological symptoms including vertigo, and followed by the vasodilatation causing the headache. Three cases, treated in neurology, have had an audiovestibular investigation with an E.N.G. and an audiogram and are described herein. Nystagmus and hearing loss have been observed in one of these cases and it is suggested that the internal auditory artery participates in the basilar migrainous processes. The diagnosis of basilar migraine is impossible to prove and the investigation is very limited. Finally it is the evolution of the patient which helps in establishing the diagnosis of basilar migraine.", "PMID": 616447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1825", "title": "Corrosion casts of the temporal bone.", "content": "This paper compares the size of the bony labyrinth in infants to that in adults. Fusible metal was injected in dried temporal bones and after the overlying bone was removed by dissolving in weak acid, the semicircular canals and cochlea were measured and compared. A summary of the method of preparation is also included.", "contents": "Corrosion casts of the temporal bone. This paper compares the size of the bony labyrinth in infants to that in adults. Fusible metal was injected in dried temporal bones and after the overlying bone was removed by dissolving in weak acid, the semicircular canals and cochlea were measured and compared. A summary of the method of preparation is also included.", "PMID": 616448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1826", "title": "Reconstitution of D-glucose transport in vesicles composed of lipids and intrinsic protein (zone 4.5) of the human erythrocyte membrane.", "content": "Elucidation of the mechanism of facilitated D-glucose transport in human erythrocytes is dependent on the identification and isolation of the membrane protein(s) mediating this process. Based on the fact that stereospecific D-glucose transport is reconstituted in liposomes prepared by sonication of a lipid suspension with ghosts or fractions derived from ghosts, a quantitative assay for the stereospecific D-glucose transport activity of these fractions was developed (Zala CA, Kahlenberg A: Biochem Biophys Res Commun 72:866, 1976). This assay was used to monitor the purification of ghosts. The solubilized membrane protein fraction was chromatographed on a column of diethylaminoethyl cellulose which was eluted stepwise with NaCl-phosphate buffers of increasing ionic strength. A fraction, eluted at an ionic strength of 0.1, displayed a 13- and 27-fold increase in reconstituted transport activity relative to ghosts and to the unfractionated Triton X-100 extract, respectively. This fraction, when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, consisted predominantly of the ghost proteins with an apparent molecular weight of 55,000, commonly designated as zone 4.5; periodic acid-Schiff-sensitive membrane glycoproteins 1-4 were absent. Transport reconstituted by this preparation of zone 4.5 membrane proteins was almost completely abolished by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, mercuric chloride, and p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, but was unaffected by sodium iodoacetate. Extra- and intraliposomal phloretin and cytochalasin B, respectively, exhibited partial inhibition. The stereospecificity and inhibition characteristics of the reconstituted transport imply that all the components of the erythrocyte D-glucose transport system are contained in the zone 4.5 membrane protein preparation.", "contents": "Reconstitution of D-glucose transport in vesicles composed of lipids and intrinsic protein (zone 4.5) of the human erythrocyte membrane. Elucidation of the mechanism of facilitated D-glucose transport in human erythrocytes is dependent on the identification and isolation of the membrane protein(s) mediating this process. Based on the fact that stereospecific D-glucose transport is reconstituted in liposomes prepared by sonication of a lipid suspension with ghosts or fractions derived from ghosts, a quantitative assay for the stereospecific D-glucose transport activity of these fractions was developed (Zala CA, Kahlenberg A: Biochem Biophys Res Commun 72:866, 1976). This assay was used to monitor the purification of ghosts. The solubilized membrane protein fraction was chromatographed on a column of diethylaminoethyl cellulose which was eluted stepwise with NaCl-phosphate buffers of increasing ionic strength. A fraction, eluted at an ionic strength of 0.1, displayed a 13- and 27-fold increase in reconstituted transport activity relative to ghosts and to the unfractionated Triton X-100 extract, respectively. This fraction, when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, consisted predominantly of the ghost proteins with an apparent molecular weight of 55,000, commonly designated as zone 4.5; periodic acid-Schiff-sensitive membrane glycoproteins 1-4 were absent. Transport reconstituted by this preparation of zone 4.5 membrane proteins was almost completely abolished by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, mercuric chloride, and p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, but was unaffected by sodium iodoacetate. Extra- and intraliposomal phloretin and cytochalasin B, respectively, exhibited partial inhibition. The stereospecificity and inhibition characteristics of the reconstituted transport imply that all the components of the erythrocyte D-glucose transport system are contained in the zone 4.5 membrane protein preparation.", "PMID": 616483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1827", "title": "Cell surface changes accompanying myoblast differentiation.", "content": "Myoblasts are mononucleated cells and associated with differentiation undergo cell fusion and become multinucleated. The current studies have examined cell surface dynamic changes of Concanavalin A lectin receptor mobility and the role of hormones in modulating myoblast differentiation. A uniform distribution of Con-A receptors is observed in undifferentiated cells when reacted with Con-A at 37 degrees C. Cells from differentiating cultures or fully differentiated myotubes reacted similarly at 37 degrees C show a significant redistribution of Con-A into patches, \"caps,\" and endocytic vesicles containing Con-A. If undifferentiated and differentiated cells are first prefixed with glutaraldehyde then reacted with Con-A continuous distribution of Con-A is seen across the cell surface. This suggests redistribution of Con-A and its receptors occurs in differentiated cells reacted with lectin at 37 degrees C. It is further shown that insulin (10 microgram/ml) significantly enhances myoblast differentiation but that this occurs after an apparent stimulation of proliferation. In contrast to insulin, dexamethasone (10 micron and 100 micron) profoundly inhibits myoblast differentiation while having different effects on proliferation; 10 micron dex stimulates cell growth while 100 micron dex suppresses cell proliferation. Lastly, an extracellular filamentous matrix which binds Con-A is observed at the ultrastructural level in high density cultures. No significant redistribution of Con-A is observed on this matrix in distinction to the redistribution observed on the cell membrane in differentiated cells.", "contents": "Cell surface changes accompanying myoblast differentiation. Myoblasts are mononucleated cells and associated with differentiation undergo cell fusion and become multinucleated. The current studies have examined cell surface dynamic changes of Concanavalin A lectin receptor mobility and the role of hormones in modulating myoblast differentiation. A uniform distribution of Con-A receptors is observed in undifferentiated cells when reacted with Con-A at 37 degrees C. Cells from differentiating cultures or fully differentiated myotubes reacted similarly at 37 degrees C show a significant redistribution of Con-A into patches, \"caps,\" and endocytic vesicles containing Con-A. If undifferentiated and differentiated cells are first prefixed with glutaraldehyde then reacted with Con-A continuous distribution of Con-A is seen across the cell surface. This suggests redistribution of Con-A and its receptors occurs in differentiated cells reacted with lectin at 37 degrees C. It is further shown that insulin (10 microgram/ml) significantly enhances myoblast differentiation but that this occurs after an apparent stimulation of proliferation. In contrast to insulin, dexamethasone (10 micron and 100 micron) profoundly inhibits myoblast differentiation while having different effects on proliferation; 10 micron dex stimulates cell growth while 100 micron dex suppresses cell proliferation. Lastly, an extracellular filamentous matrix which binds Con-A is observed at the ultrastructural level in high density cultures. No significant redistribution of Con-A is observed on this matrix in distinction to the redistribution observed on the cell membrane in differentiated cells.", "PMID": 616484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1828", "title": "Comparison of the carbohydrate of Sinbis virus glycoproteins with the carbohydrate of host glycoproteins.", "content": "The carbohydrate portions of the Sindbis virus glycoproteins were compared with the carbohydrate portions of cell surface glycoproteins from uninfected host cells. Comparisons of the size of glycopeptides were made using gel filtrations. Comparisons of sugar linkages were made by methylation analysis. The conclusion was that the Sindbis carbohydrate is similar to a portion of the host carbohydrate. Thus, the Sindbis carbohydrate structures appear to be structures normally made in the uninfected host cell, but which are added to the Sindbis glycoproteins in virus-infected cells.", "contents": "Comparison of the carbohydrate of Sinbis virus glycoproteins with the carbohydrate of host glycoproteins. The carbohydrate portions of the Sindbis virus glycoproteins were compared with the carbohydrate portions of cell surface glycoproteins from uninfected host cells. Comparisons of the size of glycopeptides were made using gel filtrations. Comparisons of sugar linkages were made by methylation analysis. The conclusion was that the Sindbis carbohydrate is similar to a portion of the host carbohydrate. Thus, the Sindbis carbohydrate structures appear to be structures normally made in the uninfected host cell, but which are added to the Sindbis glycoproteins in virus-infected cells.", "PMID": 616485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1829", "title": "The biosynthesis of mannolipids and mannose-containing complex glycans by the retina.", "content": "Large-scale incubations were carried out with homogenates of the retinas of the 15--16-day-old chick embryo in the presence of GDP[U-14C] mannose, from which there were isolated mannolipid (Lipid I), oligosaccharide-lipids (Lipid II), and glycoprotein (residue). These incubations were performed in the presence of endogenous acceptors as well as dolichyl phosphate. [14C] Mannolipid I was subjected to chromatography on DEAE cellulose and silicic acid. The response to these, as well as TLC, enzymatic, and chemical treatments, were consistent with the product being dolichyl phosphomannose. [14C] Lipid II was purified by DEAE cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on LH-20. Responses to these treatments, as well as TLC and paper chromatography, were consistent with this product being of the class of the oligosaccharide-pyrophosphate-lipids. The residue remaining after removal of the lipids was shown to contain glycoproteins by conversion of high-molecular-weight radioactive material to low-molecular-weight [14C] mannose-containing glycopeptides by the action of pronase. These reactions and their products are consistent with there being in the retina, the pathway for glycoprotein synthesis involving the participation of the lipid-activated carbohydrates. When the incubations were performed in the presence of ATP or ADP there was a decrease in the labeling of Lipid I, accompanied by an increase in the labeling of Lipid II and glycoprotein. When incubated in the presence of dolichyl phosphate and detergent, however, the stimulatory effect of ATP did not occur. The effect on these activities of a variety of other nucleotide phosphates was also examined.", "contents": "The biosynthesis of mannolipids and mannose-containing complex glycans by the retina. Large-scale incubations were carried out with homogenates of the retinas of the 15--16-day-old chick embryo in the presence of GDP[U-14C] mannose, from which there were isolated mannolipid (Lipid I), oligosaccharide-lipids (Lipid II), and glycoprotein (residue). These incubations were performed in the presence of endogenous acceptors as well as dolichyl phosphate. [14C] Mannolipid I was subjected to chromatography on DEAE cellulose and silicic acid. The response to these, as well as TLC, enzymatic, and chemical treatments, were consistent with the product being dolichyl phosphomannose. [14C] Lipid II was purified by DEAE cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on LH-20. Responses to these treatments, as well as TLC and paper chromatography, were consistent with this product being of the class of the oligosaccharide-pyrophosphate-lipids. The residue remaining after removal of the lipids was shown to contain glycoproteins by conversion of high-molecular-weight radioactive material to low-molecular-weight [14C] mannose-containing glycopeptides by the action of pronase. These reactions and their products are consistent with there being in the retina, the pathway for glycoprotein synthesis involving the participation of the lipid-activated carbohydrates. When the incubations were performed in the presence of ATP or ADP there was a decrease in the labeling of Lipid I, accompanied by an increase in the labeling of Lipid II and glycoprotein. When incubated in the presence of dolichyl phosphate and detergent, however, the stimulatory effect of ATP did not occur. The effect on these activities of a variety of other nucleotide phosphates was also examined.", "PMID": 616486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1830", "title": "Synthesis, secretion, and attachment of LETS glycoprotein in normal and transformed cells.", "content": "LETS glycoprotein is a surface glycoprotein which is absent or greatly diminished on the surfaces of transformed cells. Normal cells secrete large amounts of this protein into the medium; transformed cell medium contains much less. The difference is not due to degradation of the soluble LETS protein. Biosynthesis of LETS protein can be studied by analysis of cell extracts by detergent extraction and immune precipitation and appears to proceed in transformed cells at a reduced rate compared with normal cells. Addition of inhibitors of protein synthesis to transformed cell cultures causes the small amount of LETS protein in the medium to attach to the cells. Addition of normal conditioned medium, which contains LETS protein, to transformed cells alters their morphology towards normal. Addition of purified LETS protein to transformed cells causes the cells to attach, spread, align with one another, and regain actin cables. The results indicate that LETS protein can exchange between cell surface and medium and that it affects cellular adhesion, morphology, and cytoskeleton.", "contents": "Synthesis, secretion, and attachment of LETS glycoprotein in normal and transformed cells. LETS glycoprotein is a surface glycoprotein which is absent or greatly diminished on the surfaces of transformed cells. Normal cells secrete large amounts of this protein into the medium; transformed cell medium contains much less. The difference is not due to degradation of the soluble LETS protein. Biosynthesis of LETS protein can be studied by analysis of cell extracts by detergent extraction and immune precipitation and appears to proceed in transformed cells at a reduced rate compared with normal cells. Addition of inhibitors of protein synthesis to transformed cell cultures causes the small amount of LETS protein in the medium to attach to the cells. Addition of normal conditioned medium, which contains LETS protein, to transformed cells alters their morphology towards normal. Addition of purified LETS protein to transformed cells causes the cells to attach, spread, align with one another, and regain actin cables. The results indicate that LETS protein can exchange between cell surface and medium and that it affects cellular adhesion, morphology, and cytoskeleton.", "PMID": 616487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1831", "title": "The turnover of a tissue specific cell surface ligand which inhibits lectin induced capping.", "content": "Ten-day-old embryonic chick neural retina release into the environment glycoprotein ligands which bind to homologous cells, inhibiting the lectin-induced redistribution of cell surface receptors. Material with identical activity is released from trypsin-dissociated neural retina cells that are allowed to repair in culture for 2 h and are then transferred to fresh medium. Release of ligand is inhibited by cytosine arabinoside, hydroxyurea, UDP, and EDTA, and is potentiated by MnCl2. These data suggest that a glycosyltransferase reaction plays a critical role in the turnover of the cell surface ligand. Reactivation of enzymatically deglycosylated ligand solutions by intact cells provides further support for this hypothesis. Release of ligand is also accompanied by a loss of the agglutinability of the cells by a tissue-specific component which accumulates in monolayer conditioned medium. Conditions which inhibit release maintain maximal agglutinability suggesting similar mechanisms mediate both processes.", "contents": "The turnover of a tissue specific cell surface ligand which inhibits lectin induced capping. Ten-day-old embryonic chick neural retina release into the environment glycoprotein ligands which bind to homologous cells, inhibiting the lectin-induced redistribution of cell surface receptors. Material with identical activity is released from trypsin-dissociated neural retina cells that are allowed to repair in culture for 2 h and are then transferred to fresh medium. Release of ligand is inhibited by cytosine arabinoside, hydroxyurea, UDP, and EDTA, and is potentiated by MnCl2. These data suggest that a glycosyltransferase reaction plays a critical role in the turnover of the cell surface ligand. Reactivation of enzymatically deglycosylated ligand solutions by intact cells provides further support for this hypothesis. Release of ligand is also accompanied by a loss of the agglutinability of the cells by a tissue-specific component which accumulates in monolayer conditioned medium. Conditions which inhibit release maintain maximal agglutinability suggesting similar mechanisms mediate both processes.", "PMID": 616488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1832", "title": "An electron microscopic and enzymic study of rat liver peroxisomal nucleoid core and its association with urate oxidase.", "content": "The appearance of the characteristic crystalloid core of rat liver peroxisomes is emulated by the electron microscopic (EM) appearance of highly purified urate oxidase prepared from the same tissue. The purity of the enzyme preparation was established by gel electrophoresis under various conditions and the specific enzyme activity was at least as high as any previously reported. The amino acid composition of urate oxidase was determined. As additional evidence for close association of the peroxisomal core with urate oxidase, it was demonstrated that the biphasic changes in rat liver urate oxidase activity in response to prolonged starvation were paralleled by changes in the EM appearance of peroxisomes. Under comparable conditions catalase, another peroxisomal enzyme, did not show the same changes in activity as did urate oxidase. Evidence for the possible identity of urate oxidase with the peroxisomal crystalloid of rat liver has been presented, all materials having been obtained from, and experiments performed with, the rat.", "contents": "An electron microscopic and enzymic study of rat liver peroxisomal nucleoid core and its association with urate oxidase. The appearance of the characteristic crystalloid core of rat liver peroxisomes is emulated by the electron microscopic (EM) appearance of highly purified urate oxidase prepared from the same tissue. The purity of the enzyme preparation was established by gel electrophoresis under various conditions and the specific enzyme activity was at least as high as any previously reported. The amino acid composition of urate oxidase was determined. As additional evidence for close association of the peroxisomal core with urate oxidase, it was demonstrated that the biphasic changes in rat liver urate oxidase activity in response to prolonged starvation were paralleled by changes in the EM appearance of peroxisomes. Under comparable conditions catalase, another peroxisomal enzyme, did not show the same changes in activity as did urate oxidase. Evidence for the possible identity of urate oxidase with the peroxisomal crystalloid of rat liver has been presented, all materials having been obtained from, and experiments performed with, the rat.", "PMID": 616489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1833", "title": "The structure of intrinsic membrane proteins.", "content": "Intrinsic membrane proteins are embedded in the lipid bilayer so that the polypeptides come in contact with the non-polar region of the bilayer. There are two major types of intrinsic proteins: those with most of their mass outside the cytoplasm (Type I) and those with most of their mass inside the cytoplasm (Type II). In the latter group are the membrane transport systems. The anion exchange system of the human erythrocyte is a dimer of band 3 polypeptides. These polypeptides span the bilary, have most of their mass in the cytoplasm, and are glycosylated. About 20-25% of the polypeptide, however, is in the bilayer. Arguments are presented to support the view that the intramembrane segments of the protein are alpha-helical and that the major protein-protein interactions between the subunits are in the cytoplasmic portion of the protein.", "contents": "The structure of intrinsic membrane proteins. Intrinsic membrane proteins are embedded in the lipid bilayer so that the polypeptides come in contact with the non-polar region of the bilayer. There are two major types of intrinsic proteins: those with most of their mass outside the cytoplasm (Type I) and those with most of their mass inside the cytoplasm (Type II). In the latter group are the membrane transport systems. The anion exchange system of the human erythrocyte is a dimer of band 3 polypeptides. These polypeptides span the bilary, have most of their mass in the cytoplasm, and are glycosylated. About 20-25% of the polypeptide, however, is in the bilayer. Arguments are presented to support the view that the intramembrane segments of the protein are alpha-helical and that the major protein-protein interactions between the subunits are in the cytoplasmic portion of the protein.", "PMID": 616490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1834", "title": "Regulation of glucose carriers in chick fibroblasts.", "content": "The derepression of glucose transport initiated by removing glucose from the incubation medium requires both protein and RNA synthesis. The synthesis and accumulation of putative mRNA for the carrier protein(s) can be demonstrated by inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide (2 microgram/ml). Release from inhibition with simultaneous addition of actinomycin D (1-5 microgram/ml) results in a burst of carrier synthesis that achieves virtually maximal derepression in 4-6 h. An external energy source provided by a \"nonrepressive\" sugar (D-fructose, D-xylose) or by pyruvate is required to accomplish carrier synthesis. Previous failure to demonstrate mRNA accumulation was due to the depletion of energy in the starved cells. Glucose acts as a repressor at a posttranscriptional step, probably at the level of turnover of formed carrier. The protection of formed carrier in the absence of glucose and by inhibitors of protein synthesis even in the presence of glucose has encouraged conjecture that a protease is activated by a metabolic product of glucose that is analogous to a corepressor. The glucose metabolite either activates the protease by direct interaction with it or alters the conformation of the carrier to expose a critical region to protease attack. Indeed the regulation of carrier density in the membrane of chick fibroblasts may be achieved entirely by carrier inactivation, the rate of which is a function of glucose concentration in the culture medium.", "contents": "Regulation of glucose carriers in chick fibroblasts. The derepression of glucose transport initiated by removing glucose from the incubation medium requires both protein and RNA synthesis. The synthesis and accumulation of putative mRNA for the carrier protein(s) can be demonstrated by inhibiting protein synthesis with cycloheximide (2 microgram/ml). Release from inhibition with simultaneous addition of actinomycin D (1-5 microgram/ml) results in a burst of carrier synthesis that achieves virtually maximal derepression in 4-6 h. An external energy source provided by a \"nonrepressive\" sugar (D-fructose, D-xylose) or by pyruvate is required to accomplish carrier synthesis. Previous failure to demonstrate mRNA accumulation was due to the depletion of energy in the starved cells. Glucose acts as a repressor at a posttranscriptional step, probably at the level of turnover of formed carrier. The protection of formed carrier in the absence of glucose and by inhibitors of protein synthesis even in the presence of glucose has encouraged conjecture that a protease is activated by a metabolic product of glucose that is analogous to a corepressor. The glucose metabolite either activates the protease by direct interaction with it or alters the conformation of the carrier to expose a critical region to protease attack. Indeed the regulation of carrier density in the membrane of chick fibroblasts may be achieved entirely by carrier inactivation, the rate of which is a function of glucose concentration in the culture medium.", "PMID": 616491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1835", "title": "The area-code hypothesis: the immune system provides clues to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of cell recognition during development.", "content": "Numberous studies of embryogenesis have provided evidence for highly specific cell-surface recognition phenomena. These include both the interactions of neighboring cells and the specific cellular migrations which occur as the developmental program of the embryo progresses. The area-code hypothesis elaborate here is an attempt to provide a framework for understanding cell-recognition phenomena in development. This hypothesis is based on extensive genetic, molecular, and cellular studies of the immune system. These studies suggest that the following events occur during the differentiation of antibody-producing cells. 1) Somatic cell lines of antibody-producing cells undergo a modification of their DNA as they become committed to synthesize a particular type of antibody molecule. This chromosomal modification event is probably a DNA translocation which leads to a somatic rearrangement of certain antibody genes. 2) In each of the specific cell lineages the new arrangement of DNA is inherited by all subsequent generations of cells. 3) The developmental programs which control these genetic alterations may be employed in a programmed and reproducible fashion. This programming of antibody development is suggested because different embryos appear to become committed to the production of identical antibody molecules in the same developmental sequence. 4) Antibody molecules are initially displayed on the cell surface where they serve as highly specifici receptors to trigger the cell to proliferate and differentiate upon interacting with appropriate external molecular signals. 5) Antibody-producing cells display combinations of different molecules on their surfaces which cause each of a very large number of different cells to interact differently with their environment. 6) The genes which code for many of these cell-surface molecules are organized into multigene families. These observations as well as information from other developmental systems have led us to propose the area-code hypothesis. This hypothesis is concerned with the structure, function, and regulation of cell-surface molecules that mediate recognition phenomena during embryogenesis. Area-code molecules are cell-surface molecules which are involved in the specific recognition phenomena during growth and development. These molecules provide cells with distinct cell-surface addresses or phenotypes, and provide the basis for the specificity in cell-cell recognition during cell migrations and cell-cell interactions, as well as serving as receptors for diffusible differentiation signals. The area-code hypothesis has 3 main postulates. i) There is a progressive display of specific combinations of area-code molecules on the surfaces of cells during development. ii) The genetic programs which determine the specific expression of area-code molecules are in part controlled by DNA modifications. These chromosomal modifications are believed to channel cells into specific lineages uith progressively restricted developmental options...", "contents": "The area-code hypothesis: the immune system provides clues to understanding the genetic and molecular basis of cell recognition during development. Numberous studies of embryogenesis have provided evidence for highly specific cell-surface recognition phenomena. These include both the interactions of neighboring cells and the specific cellular migrations which occur as the developmental program of the embryo progresses. The area-code hypothesis elaborate here is an attempt to provide a framework for understanding cell-recognition phenomena in development. This hypothesis is based on extensive genetic, molecular, and cellular studies of the immune system. These studies suggest that the following events occur during the differentiation of antibody-producing cells. 1) Somatic cell lines of antibody-producing cells undergo a modification of their DNA as they become committed to synthesize a particular type of antibody molecule. This chromosomal modification event is probably a DNA translocation which leads to a somatic rearrangement of certain antibody genes. 2) In each of the specific cell lineages the new arrangement of DNA is inherited by all subsequent generations of cells. 3) The developmental programs which control these genetic alterations may be employed in a programmed and reproducible fashion. This programming of antibody development is suggested because different embryos appear to become committed to the production of identical antibody molecules in the same developmental sequence. 4) Antibody molecules are initially displayed on the cell surface where they serve as highly specifici receptors to trigger the cell to proliferate and differentiate upon interacting with appropriate external molecular signals. 5) Antibody-producing cells display combinations of different molecules on their surfaces which cause each of a very large number of different cells to interact differently with their environment. 6) The genes which code for many of these cell-surface molecules are organized into multigene families. These observations as well as information from other developmental systems have led us to propose the area-code hypothesis. This hypothesis is concerned with the structure, function, and regulation of cell-surface molecules that mediate recognition phenomena during embryogenesis. Area-code molecules are cell-surface molecules which are involved in the specific recognition phenomena during growth and development. These molecules provide cells with distinct cell-surface addresses or phenotypes, and provide the basis for the specificity in cell-cell recognition during cell migrations and cell-cell interactions, as well as serving as receptors for diffusible differentiation signals. The area-code hypothesis has 3 main postulates. i) There is a progressive display of specific combinations of area-code molecules on the surfaces of cells during development. ii) The genetic programs which determine the specific expression of area-code molecules are in part controlled by DNA modifications. These chromosomal modifications are believed to channel cells into specific lineages uith progressively restricted developmental options...", "PMID": 616492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1836", "title": "Effects of addition of chloramphenicol on the growth and ultrastructure of Streptomyces venezuelae.", "content": "The effects of adding chloramphenicol before inoculation and during exponential growth of Streptomyces venezuelae (3022a) in fermentors were studied. The responses of the organism during synthesis of chloramphenicol (in a glycerol-serine-lactate medium) were compared with those in media supporting less (glycerol-nutrient broth-yeast extract) or no synthesis (glucosemineral salts). In systems where little or no synthesis of the chloramphenicol occurred, addition of the antibiotic induced micromorphological and ultrastructural abnormalities similar to those reported for sensitive bacteria. There was also an increase in the frequency of mesosomes and electron-light areas. It was suggested that the former may be associated with activity of chloramphenicol hydrolase and the latter with storage and/or excretion of the breakdown product; N-acetyl p-nitro-phenylserinol. When chloramphenicol synthesis occurred, addition of the antibiotic had less effect on the micromorphology or ultrastructure of S. venezuelae as permeability barriers to external chloramphenicol had been established. Electron-light areas were frequent, possibly being associated with storage and excretion of precursors of chloramphenicol.", "contents": "Effects of addition of chloramphenicol on the growth and ultrastructure of Streptomyces venezuelae. The effects of adding chloramphenicol before inoculation and during exponential growth of Streptomyces venezuelae (3022a) in fermentors were studied. The responses of the organism during synthesis of chloramphenicol (in a glycerol-serine-lactate medium) were compared with those in media supporting less (glycerol-nutrient broth-yeast extract) or no synthesis (glucosemineral salts). In systems where little or no synthesis of the chloramphenicol occurred, addition of the antibiotic induced micromorphological and ultrastructural abnormalities similar to those reported for sensitive bacteria. There was also an increase in the frequency of mesosomes and electron-light areas. It was suggested that the former may be associated with activity of chloramphenicol hydrolase and the latter with storage and/or excretion of the breakdown product; N-acetyl p-nitro-phenylserinol. When chloramphenicol synthesis occurred, addition of the antibiotic had less effect on the micromorphology or ultrastructure of S. venezuelae as permeability barriers to external chloramphenicol had been established. Electron-light areas were frequent, possibly being associated with storage and excretion of precursors of chloramphenicol.", "PMID": 616516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1837", "title": "Spatial and visuomotor performance with agenesis of the corpus callosum.", "content": "The extent to which the cerebral hemispheres and their ipsilateral projection systems compensate for congenital absence of the corpus callosum was studied in an intelligent young adult with radiologically verified total agenesis. She was found to have bilateral speech and the ability to readily integrate visual, tactile, and verbal information simultaneously presented to both hemispheres. However, spatial performance, as demonstrated in blind tactile form board learning, was subnormal compared to normal controls. The results further suggest this impairment, especially severe in the nondominant hand, reflects ipsilateral projection of kinesthetic input, thus maximizing hemispheric competition for motor control of the minor hand. In contrast, the agenic's performance on a simple visuomotor discrimination task (with reduced opportunity for hemispheric interaction) was almost normal. Moreover, she exhibited a doubling of attentional and processing capacity in comparison to the control group. Both hands simultaneously performed this task as rapidly and as accurately as either hand alone. The findings affirm the functionally important, yet limited compensatory role of a developmentally elaborated ipsilateral somatosensory projection system in agenesis of the corpus callosum.", "contents": "Spatial and visuomotor performance with agenesis of the corpus callosum. The extent to which the cerebral hemispheres and their ipsilateral projection systems compensate for congenital absence of the corpus callosum was studied in an intelligent young adult with radiologically verified total agenesis. She was found to have bilateral speech and the ability to readily integrate visual, tactile, and verbal information simultaneously presented to both hemispheres. However, spatial performance, as demonstrated in blind tactile form board learning, was subnormal compared to normal controls. The results further suggest this impairment, especially severe in the nondominant hand, reflects ipsilateral projection of kinesthetic input, thus maximizing hemispheric competition for motor control of the minor hand. In contrast, the agenic's performance on a simple visuomotor discrimination task (with reduced opportunity for hemispheric interaction) was almost normal. Moreover, she exhibited a doubling of attentional and processing capacity in comparison to the control group. Both hands simultaneously performed this task as rapidly and as accurately as either hand alone. The findings affirm the functionally important, yet limited compensatory role of a developmentally elaborated ipsilateral somatosensory projection system in agenesis of the corpus callosum.", "PMID": 616524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1838", "title": "Aphasia due to lesions of the kinesthetic speech areas.", "content": "The study of two groups of right handed aphasics, group A and group B, is presented. Each group was formed by four subjects, both groups showed an aphasic syndrome craracterized by alteration in the efferent sphere of oral and written language, principally in the latter. There was almost no alteration in the sensory interchange sphere, except for a right hypoesthesia and astereognosis in two subjects of each group. The aspect in which both groups differed profoundly was the efferent sphere of written language. Group B patients could not write with the dominant hand because of a right hemiplegia. Nevertheless, they could do it with the left, nondominant hand. Group A patients were unable to write with either hand in spite of the absence of motor deficit or incoordination which could explain this inability. The different possible topographical localizations responsible for the deficit are analyzed. It is concluded that there are three main possibilities that could explain the writing difficulty found in group B patients: a) a lesion located in the white frontal matter of the left hemisphere just underneath the kinesthetic area; b) a lesion in the kinesthetic dominant area itself; c) a lesion in the dominant cerebral hemisphere white matter underlying the primary receptor somesthetic and the primary effector areas, but without directly involving them, and extending also in depth toward the anterior third of the corpus callosum. Any one of these lesions could impair the transmission of information from the dominant kinesthetic hand area to the primary effector motor area of both cerebral hemispheres.", "contents": "Aphasia due to lesions of the kinesthetic speech areas. The study of two groups of right handed aphasics, group A and group B, is presented. Each group was formed by four subjects, both groups showed an aphasic syndrome craracterized by alteration in the efferent sphere of oral and written language, principally in the latter. There was almost no alteration in the sensory interchange sphere, except for a right hypoesthesia and astereognosis in two subjects of each group. The aspect in which both groups differed profoundly was the efferent sphere of written language. Group B patients could not write with the dominant hand because of a right hemiplegia. Nevertheless, they could do it with the left, nondominant hand. Group A patients were unable to write with either hand in spite of the absence of motor deficit or incoordination which could explain this inability. The different possible topographical localizations responsible for the deficit are analyzed. It is concluded that there are three main possibilities that could explain the writing difficulty found in group B patients: a) a lesion located in the white frontal matter of the left hemisphere just underneath the kinesthetic area; b) a lesion in the kinesthetic dominant area itself; c) a lesion in the dominant cerebral hemisphere white matter underlying the primary receptor somesthetic and the primary effector areas, but without directly involving them, and extending also in depth toward the anterior third of the corpus callosum. Any one of these lesions could impair the transmission of information from the dominant kinesthetic hand area to the primary effector motor area of both cerebral hemispheres.", "PMID": 616525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1839", "title": "[Epidemiology of cysticercosis in Peru].", "content": "To determine the frequency and distribution of cysticercosis in Peru, we have reviewed the post mortem examinations of 12 years in the morgue in Lima (necropsies of persons apparently healthy, who died suddenly for different reasons) and in 11 hospitals: 6 in Lima (5 from adults and 1 from children) and from 5 hospitals from other cities located north and south of the capital. The material includes 50 000 necropsies and in those the frequency of cysticercosis was determined; its geographical distribution by states and regions and the frequency by age and sex. Comparison with other similar studies done in Latin America is made and prevalence determined. Frequency of porcine cysticercosis was determined in 82 452 animals killed in Lima in a 3 years period. frequency of cysticercosis in Peru's hospitals is 1.15%, while in the morgue, which represents approximately what happens in general population in 0.15%. Prevalence is 450 for 100 000 inhabitants.", "contents": "[Epidemiology of cysticercosis in Peru]. To determine the frequency and distribution of cysticercosis in Peru, we have reviewed the post mortem examinations of 12 years in the morgue in Lima (necropsies of persons apparently healthy, who died suddenly for different reasons) and in 11 hospitals: 6 in Lima (5 from adults and 1 from children) and from 5 hospitals from other cities located north and south of the capital. The material includes 50 000 necropsies and in those the frequency of cysticercosis was determined; its geographical distribution by states and regions and the frequency by age and sex. Comparison with other similar studies done in Latin America is made and prevalence determined. Frequency of porcine cysticercosis was determined in 82 452 animals killed in Lima in a 3 years period. frequency of cysticercosis in Peru's hospitals is 1.15%, while in the morgue, which represents approximately what happens in general population in 0.15%. Prevalence is 450 for 100 000 inhabitants.", "PMID": 616526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1840", "title": "Epidemiology of spinal cord injury.", "content": "Accidents are the cause of some 50 deaths per 100 000 population each year in the US; some 3% of these are from traumatic spinal cord injury alone. Traumatic spinal cord injury in socioeconomically advanced countries, has a probably annual incidence rate of 3 per 100 000 population. Males are affected five times as often as females, and in the US, Negroes have twice the rates of whites. Half the cases are due to motor vehicle accidents, 1/4 to falls, and 1/10 to sports injuries. Maximal ages at risk are 15 to 34; only for cord damage due to falls do this risk differ, and here elderly are the more prone. Associated injuries are common in traumatic cord injury, and head injury and pulmonary dysfunction are frequent causes of the acute deaths in traumatic SCI which is why complete quadriplegia has a high early case-fatality ratio. Late deaths in SCI are principally the direct or indirect result of the neurogenic bladder. With treatment in comprehensive spinal cord injury centers, more than 4 of 5 traumatic SCI patients will survive ten years with an average of almost 18 years. Median survival may be almost 14 years for complete quadriplegia, 17 for complete paraplegia, 19 for incomplete quadriplegia, 20 for incomplete paraplegia and 28 for cauda equina lesions. Prevalence is likely to be some 50 per 100 000 population with about 20 per 100 000 completely paralyzed (3 quadriplegic and 19 paraplegic). Some 4 out of 5 survivors of traumatic SCI should be able to live at home and perform gainful work after such treatment.", "contents": "Epidemiology of spinal cord injury. Accidents are the cause of some 50 deaths per 100 000 population each year in the US; some 3% of these are from traumatic spinal cord injury alone. Traumatic spinal cord injury in socioeconomically advanced countries, has a probably annual incidence rate of 3 per 100 000 population. Males are affected five times as often as females, and in the US, Negroes have twice the rates of whites. Half the cases are due to motor vehicle accidents, 1/4 to falls, and 1/10 to sports injuries. Maximal ages at risk are 15 to 34; only for cord damage due to falls do this risk differ, and here elderly are the more prone. Associated injuries are common in traumatic cord injury, and head injury and pulmonary dysfunction are frequent causes of the acute deaths in traumatic SCI which is why complete quadriplegia has a high early case-fatality ratio. Late deaths in SCI are principally the direct or indirect result of the neurogenic bladder. With treatment in comprehensive spinal cord injury centers, more than 4 of 5 traumatic SCI patients will survive ten years with an average of almost 18 years. Median survival may be almost 14 years for complete quadriplegia, 17 for complete paraplegia, 19 for incomplete quadriplegia, 20 for incomplete paraplegia and 28 for cauda equina lesions. Prevalence is likely to be some 50 per 100 000 population with about 20 per 100 000 completely paralyzed (3 quadriplegic and 19 paraplegic). Some 4 out of 5 survivors of traumatic SCI should be able to live at home and perform gainful work after such treatment.", "PMID": 616527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1841", "title": "A new method for the examination of language in aphasics: internal and external reliability coefficients.", "content": "A new method is presented to test language, worked out by one of the authors (R.R.L.). Briefly, it consists of the systematic and ordered exploration of the functions from the cortical sensory and motor areas, the interchange of the sensorial information from the sensory to the motor areas. Nine patients with different aphasic syndromes were examined independently from each other. The test was divided in two ranks; the sensory interchange and the motor-oral-manual. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient and its statistical meaning was calculated for each rank. For the internal reliability tests, the results achieved by two successive examination on the same patient were compared by the same explorer. For the external reliability, the results from two sucessive tests on the same patient were compared by two different explorers. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient rate in all the cases varied between 1 and 0.88 with a probability of more than 0.0005 and high statistical significance, with exception of the motor rank of case 4, where it was 0.87 with a probability of more than 0.005 and less than 0.0005 with still some statistical meaning.", "contents": "A new method for the examination of language in aphasics: internal and external reliability coefficients. A new method is presented to test language, worked out by one of the authors (R.R.L.). Briefly, it consists of the systematic and ordered exploration of the functions from the cortical sensory and motor areas, the interchange of the sensorial information from the sensory to the motor areas. Nine patients with different aphasic syndromes were examined independently from each other. The test was divided in two ranks; the sensory interchange and the motor-oral-manual. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient and its statistical meaning was calculated for each rank. For the internal reliability tests, the results achieved by two successive examination on the same patient were compared by the same explorer. For the external reliability, the results from two sucessive tests on the same patient were compared by two different explorers. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient rate in all the cases varied between 1 and 0.88 with a probability of more than 0.0005 and high statistical significance, with exception of the motor rank of case 4, where it was 0.87 with a probability of more than 0.005 and less than 0.0005 with still some statistical meaning.", "PMID": 616528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1842", "title": "Some descriptive epidemiologic features of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms in childhood, in Manitoba, Canada.", "content": "In an attempt to describe epidemiologic features to generate etiological hypotheses and to study natural history, 121 cases of childhood CNS neoplasms under 15 years of age, occurring during 1950-66 in Manitoba, were analyzed. The incidence of CNS neoplasms in childhood (2.4/100 000 per annum) ranks second only to leukemia in Manitoba. For both sexes somewhat elevated incidences were noted for both extreme age groups; i.e. 0-4 and 10-14. Such peaks were more prominent for gliomas, which may indicate differential factors operation in the genesis of gliomas between early and late childhood. The former may be related to genetic and/or perinatal environmental factors and the latter, to environmental factors, in early childhood. Excess occurrences of gliomas among Irish, Scottish and Icelandic offsprings were observed, which possibly indicates the importance of either genetic or environmental factors peculiar to these ethnic groups. There was no evidence of time clustering (i.e. season and year) by estimated conception or by birth. Further investigation into the relative role of genetic and environmental factor in the genesis of childhood gliomas are in order.", "contents": "Some descriptive epidemiologic features of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms in childhood, in Manitoba, Canada. In an attempt to describe epidemiologic features to generate etiological hypotheses and to study natural history, 121 cases of childhood CNS neoplasms under 15 years of age, occurring during 1950-66 in Manitoba, were analyzed. The incidence of CNS neoplasms in childhood (2.4/100 000 per annum) ranks second only to leukemia in Manitoba. For both sexes somewhat elevated incidences were noted for both extreme age groups; i.e. 0-4 and 10-14. Such peaks were more prominent for gliomas, which may indicate differential factors operation in the genesis of gliomas between early and late childhood. The former may be related to genetic and/or perinatal environmental factors and the latter, to environmental factors, in early childhood. Excess occurrences of gliomas among Irish, Scottish and Icelandic offsprings were observed, which possibly indicates the importance of either genetic or environmental factors peculiar to these ethnic groups. There was no evidence of time clustering (i.e. season and year) by estimated conception or by birth. Further investigation into the relative role of genetic and environmental factor in the genesis of childhood gliomas are in order.", "PMID": 616529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1843", "title": "An estimate of the true prevalence of epilepsy in a rural Appalachian population.", "content": "Relationship between reported and true prevalence of seizures in communities are often confounded by such factors as: availability of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic resources, sophistication of medical records and disease reporting systems, a uniform definition of cases the social implications of the disease in that area. Through applications of an epidemiologic survey, monitored to take these factors into account, we have developed data which are considered an accurate estimate of the true prevalence of seizures in the school age population of a relatively isolated mountain community of 19 000. Analysis suggested a 50% greater prevalence of seizures than expected from other studies of similar age groups. Although exact comparison of these data with data from other studies is hampered by variation in definitions, there is a strong suggestion that a high rate of seizures does exist in this community. Some possible explanations are examined and plans for further investigation are described. The methodology employed in the survey is presented as a potential model for consideration.", "contents": "An estimate of the true prevalence of epilepsy in a rural Appalachian population. Relationship between reported and true prevalence of seizures in communities are often confounded by such factors as: availability of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic resources, sophistication of medical records and disease reporting systems, a uniform definition of cases the social implications of the disease in that area. Through applications of an epidemiologic survey, monitored to take these factors into account, we have developed data which are considered an accurate estimate of the true prevalence of seizures in the school age population of a relatively isolated mountain community of 19 000. Analysis suggested a 50% greater prevalence of seizures than expected from other studies of similar age groups. Although exact comparison of these data with data from other studies is hampered by variation in definitions, there is a strong suggestion that a high rate of seizures does exist in this community. Some possible explanations are examined and plans for further investigation are described. The methodology employed in the survey is presented as a potential model for consideration.", "PMID": 616530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1844", "title": "The spectrum of myopathies in the city of S\u00e3o Paulo.", "content": "A fifteen-year study was made in the neurologic clinic of the school of medicine, of the City of Sao Paulo; 466 patients were examined clinically and with EMG determination of enzymes, biopsies and genetic counsel. The diagnosis varied much and some important findings at heart level, with overload, were discovered in some cases. In the cases in which the diagnosis was not confirmed; CPK was determined, which was increased in all cases, but was not so with GOT, GPT and LDH. A family pattern was found in the Duchenne Becker distrophy, limb-girdle syndrome, fascioscapulohumeral and oculopharyngeal. The biopsy exposed 15 of the 18 polymyositis cases. Genetic counsel was given to heterozygotes with PMD genes of great risk of presentation. An acute stage, detected by CPK dosage, was foreseen for adolescent heterozygotes.", "contents": "The spectrum of myopathies in the city of S\u00e3o Paulo. A fifteen-year study was made in the neurologic clinic of the school of medicine, of the City of Sao Paulo; 466 patients were examined clinically and with EMG determination of enzymes, biopsies and genetic counsel. The diagnosis varied much and some important findings at heart level, with overload, were discovered in some cases. In the cases in which the diagnosis was not confirmed; CPK was determined, which was increased in all cases, but was not so with GOT, GPT and LDH. A family pattern was found in the Duchenne Becker distrophy, limb-girdle syndrome, fascioscapulohumeral and oculopharyngeal. The biopsy exposed 15 of the 18 polymyositis cases. Genetic counsel was given to heterozygotes with PMD genes of great risk of presentation. An acute stage, detected by CPK dosage, was foreseen for adolescent heterozygotes.", "PMID": 616531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1845", "title": "Risk factors in stroke in a Mexican-American population (Houston).", "content": "To date, there is little information available on stroke risk factors in a major ethnic minority such as Mexican-Americans (M-A) in the USA. Forty-three M-A patients were admitted to The Methodist Hospital and Ben Taub General Hospital (Houston) for a 12-month period, with diagnosis of atherosclerotic stroke. Thrombosis was diagnosed in 31 patients (72%), embolism from atherosclerotic sources in seven (16.4%), and parenchymal hemorrhage in five (11.6%). Hypertension was a common risk factor in all groups, being higher in hemorrhage followed by thrombosis and embolism. Arteriosclerotic heart disease was a common risk to all stroke types. TIAs, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, associated atherosclerotic lesions, smoking, obesity, erythrocytosis and sedentary life were significantly associated with embolism; less so with thrombosis or hemorrhage. Gout was only associated with thrombosis. These results indicate similar risk factors for Anglo-saxons and M-A in the USA with some minor differences between the Mexican and the USA stroke series.", "contents": "Risk factors in stroke in a Mexican-American population (Houston). To date, there is little information available on stroke risk factors in a major ethnic minority such as Mexican-Americans (M-A) in the USA. Forty-three M-A patients were admitted to The Methodist Hospital and Ben Taub General Hospital (Houston) for a 12-month period, with diagnosis of atherosclerotic stroke. Thrombosis was diagnosed in 31 patients (72%), embolism from atherosclerotic sources in seven (16.4%), and parenchymal hemorrhage in five (11.6%). Hypertension was a common risk factor in all groups, being higher in hemorrhage followed by thrombosis and embolism. Arteriosclerotic heart disease was a common risk to all stroke types. TIAs, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, associated atherosclerotic lesions, smoking, obesity, erythrocytosis and sedentary life were significantly associated with embolism; less so with thrombosis or hemorrhage. Gout was only associated with thrombosis. These results indicate similar risk factors for Anglo-saxons and M-A in the USA with some minor differences between the Mexican and the USA stroke series.", "PMID": 616532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1846", "title": "[Epidemiologic study of 500 adult epileptics from a hospital population].", "content": "An epidemiology analysis is carried out in a hospital population of 500 epileptic patients older than 14 years of age, pertaining to the outpatient department of the Instituto de Neurolog\u00eda, Hospital de Cl\u00ednicas, Monevideo\". This information gathered, corresponds to the period, 1966-1975. Specially formulated records of precoded-type data were used for this research and the data was processed by automation. This work deals fundamentally with a descriptive study in which the character of the population and of its epilepsy is studied by means of 20 items. Analyzed from within the social aspects, the school attendance and the occupation of the patients, amounts, similar to those of the general population of the country, were found. An elevated incidence of family epilepsy antecedents (17%) in the group and also of perinatal pathology (19%), is emphasized. An analytic study of the clinical type of crisis and of the factors unleashed by the attacks is made. Dividing the population into two groups, according to the beginning of epilepsy, before or after the 25 years, the different etiology for both groups is specially pointed out, the juvenile epilepsy predominating in the unknown etiology, genetics and that which is produced by perinatal pathology, while in the tary epilepsy, the vascular and tumoral etiology, above all, is most frequent.", "contents": "[Epidemiologic study of 500 adult epileptics from a hospital population]. An epidemiology analysis is carried out in a hospital population of 500 epileptic patients older than 14 years of age, pertaining to the outpatient department of the Instituto de Neurolog\u00eda, Hospital de Cl\u00ednicas, Monevideo\". This information gathered, corresponds to the period, 1966-1975. Specially formulated records of precoded-type data were used for this research and the data was processed by automation. This work deals fundamentally with a descriptive study in which the character of the population and of its epilepsy is studied by means of 20 items. Analyzed from within the social aspects, the school attendance and the occupation of the patients, amounts, similar to those of the general population of the country, were found. An elevated incidence of family epilepsy antecedents (17%) in the group and also of perinatal pathology (19%), is emphasized. An analytic study of the clinical type of crisis and of the factors unleashed by the attacks is made. Dividing the population into two groups, according to the beginning of epilepsy, before or after the 25 years, the different etiology for both groups is specially pointed out, the juvenile epilepsy predominating in the unknown etiology, genetics and that which is produced by perinatal pathology, while in the tary epilepsy, the vascular and tumoral etiology, above all, is most frequent.", "PMID": 616533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1847", "title": "[Medicosocial aspects of epilepsy in Latin America].", "content": "This paper justifies the consideration of epilepsy as a social problem and an important public health problem in Latinamerica. It comments on the lack of proper statistical studies and the particular composition of the Latinamerican population where epilepsy has no clear differences according to age, in reference to mortality. It considers the labor structure of the population with low income and exposed to morbility and malnutrition for different causes, making notice that the social problems of epilepsy are by and large going along with the economic deficits and the unequal social system. The article mentions the problem of neonatal anoxia and other perinatal hazards so much influenced by poor hygiene and ignorance, going along with other poorly understood or non existing hygienic prevention problems. Among other points it touches on human and material resources in relation to epilepsy.", "contents": "[Medicosocial aspects of epilepsy in Latin America]. This paper justifies the consideration of epilepsy as a social problem and an important public health problem in Latinamerica. It comments on the lack of proper statistical studies and the particular composition of the Latinamerican population where epilepsy has no clear differences according to age, in reference to mortality. It considers the labor structure of the population with low income and exposed to morbility and malnutrition for different causes, making notice that the social problems of epilepsy are by and large going along with the economic deficits and the unequal social system. The article mentions the problem of neonatal anoxia and other perinatal hazards so much influenced by poor hygiene and ignorance, going along with other poorly understood or non existing hygienic prevention problems. Among other points it touches on human and material resources in relation to epilepsy.", "PMID": 616534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1848", "title": "Anticonvulsivant-induced depression of clotting factors in children.", "content": "A few neonates born to mothers receiving anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy have shown defects in vitamin K dependent clotting factors with or without clinical bleeding. Experimentally, phenytoin (diphenyl hydantoin, DPH) has induced clotting defects in cats and inhibited production of clotting factors in rat liver slices. Phenobarbital has produced similar but milder defects. Anticonvulsants have been observed to produce clotting defects in 9 children, 2 weeks to 8 years in age. Elevated levels of phenytoin or other anticonvulsants, or a combination of anticonvulsants were measured in the children. Six patients were on drug combination including two or more of the following: phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, diazepam, ethosuximide. Clotting defects included: elevated prothrombin time, elevated partial thromboplastin time, diminished factors V, VII or X. All children had neurologic symptoms of anticonvulsant toxicity, but the only hematologic problems were oozing from venipuncture sites and increased bruising in 3. All patients were on normal diets and had normal liver function tests. By lowering the level of anticonvulsants, clotting factors returned toward normal. Elevated levels of anticonvulsants can potentially produce clotting defects in neonates and young children.", "contents": "Anticonvulsivant-induced depression of clotting factors in children. A few neonates born to mothers receiving anticonvulsant drugs during pregnancy have shown defects in vitamin K dependent clotting factors with or without clinical bleeding. Experimentally, phenytoin (diphenyl hydantoin, DPH) has induced clotting defects in cats and inhibited production of clotting factors in rat liver slices. Phenobarbital has produced similar but milder defects. Anticonvulsants have been observed to produce clotting defects in 9 children, 2 weeks to 8 years in age. Elevated levels of phenytoin or other anticonvulsants, or a combination of anticonvulsants were measured in the children. Six patients were on drug combination including two or more of the following: phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, diazepam, ethosuximide. Clotting defects included: elevated prothrombin time, elevated partial thromboplastin time, diminished factors V, VII or X. All children had neurologic symptoms of anticonvulsant toxicity, but the only hematologic problems were oozing from venipuncture sites and increased bruising in 3. All patients were on normal diets and had normal liver function tests. By lowering the level of anticonvulsants, clotting factors returned toward normal. Elevated levels of anticonvulsants can potentially produce clotting defects in neonates and young children.", "PMID": 616536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1849", "title": "[Chromosomal in study patients treated with anticonvulsant drugs].", "content": "Selected at random from a special consultation in a general teaching hospital in the City of La Habana, 10 epileptic patients were studied. They were clinically, as well as electroencephalographically diagnosed; followed by treatment with different anticonvulsant drugs for a period not less than 3 months and not greater than 5 years. 100 metaphases of each one of the patients were analyzed without finding any deviation in the normal diploidy number of chromosomes (2n = 46), nor alterations in the morphology of the same. We consider this work a preliminary report which does not permit us to arrive at definite conclusions at this moment; but in subsequent work, which we are already carrying out, we hope to issue some considerations with respect to the use of anticonvulsant drugs and their effects in the human chromosomes.", "contents": "[Chromosomal in study patients treated with anticonvulsant drugs]. Selected at random from a special consultation in a general teaching hospital in the City of La Habana, 10 epileptic patients were studied. They were clinically, as well as electroencephalographically diagnosed; followed by treatment with different anticonvulsant drugs for a period not less than 3 months and not greater than 5 years. 100 metaphases of each one of the patients were analyzed without finding any deviation in the normal diploidy number of chromosomes (2n = 46), nor alterations in the morphology of the same. We consider this work a preliminary report which does not permit us to arrive at definite conclusions at this moment; but in subsequent work, which we are already carrying out, we hope to issue some considerations with respect to the use of anticonvulsant drugs and their effects in the human chromosomes.", "PMID": 616537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1850", "title": "Stabilization of the thalamocortical motor system by cerebellar stimulation.", "content": "Epilepsy typifies instability in a complex control system. We have previously identified parameters of the thalamocortical motor system of the cat which correlate with epileptiform activity and are controlled by common anticonvulsants. This study is concerned with the control of such parameters by cerebellar stimulation, potencially promoting stability within the motor system. Under computer control, stimuli were delivered to both ventrolateral thalamus and cerebellar cortex, with multichannel recording of evoked responses obtained from sensorimotor cortex. Cortical evoked responses were plotted as an excitability curve (mean response amplitude as a function of pulse interval) or a family of threshold curves (mean response amplitude as a function of stimulus amplitude at various fixed intervals). The present study reveals that cerebellar epidural stimulation can reduce both the height and duration of the excitability curve, as well as increase the response threshold and reduce the saturation level of the threshold curve. The degree and direction of these parameter changes are dependent on the frequency, polarity, and amplitude of cerebellar stimulation, with the amount of parameter change exceeding that achieved by monotoxic doses of anticonvulsants. These data suggest that control of parameters related to excitability and threshold in the thalamocortical motor system may be the means by which cerebellar stimulation accomplishes control of clinical seizures.", "contents": "Stabilization of the thalamocortical motor system by cerebellar stimulation. Epilepsy typifies instability in a complex control system. We have previously identified parameters of the thalamocortical motor system of the cat which correlate with epileptiform activity and are controlled by common anticonvulsants. This study is concerned with the control of such parameters by cerebellar stimulation, potencially promoting stability within the motor system. Under computer control, stimuli were delivered to both ventrolateral thalamus and cerebellar cortex, with multichannel recording of evoked responses obtained from sensorimotor cortex. Cortical evoked responses were plotted as an excitability curve (mean response amplitude as a function of pulse interval) or a family of threshold curves (mean response amplitude as a function of stimulus amplitude at various fixed intervals). The present study reveals that cerebellar epidural stimulation can reduce both the height and duration of the excitability curve, as well as increase the response threshold and reduce the saturation level of the threshold curve. The degree and direction of these parameter changes are dependent on the frequency, polarity, and amplitude of cerebellar stimulation, with the amount of parameter change exceeding that achieved by monotoxic doses of anticonvulsants. These data suggest that control of parameters related to excitability and threshold in the thalamocortical motor system may be the means by which cerebellar stimulation accomplishes control of clinical seizures.", "PMID": 616538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1851", "title": "[Status epilepticus. Study of 105 cases 1972-73].", "content": "We have analyzed 105 cases of Status Epilepticus of variable etiology, cared for over a period of 3 years at the \"Instituto de Neurolog\u00eda y Neurocirug\u00eda\". Age, sex, origin, duration of illness before attending the Institute, Conscience variations, clinical crisis types, condition of Status Epilepticus appearance and unleashing factors were considered. Various complementary investigations were performed, although dissimilar in each case. Follow up EEG's were realized in 60% of the patients and pretherapeutic EEG's were done in less than 50%. The necessary time to control the Status was explained, depending on its duration before commencing treatment. Of 93 surviving patients, it was possible to learn the cause of epilepsy only in 43. The necroscopy study of 12 cases demonstrated that death in 9 patients was inevitable for various causes (tumorous, infectious, vascular, etc.) almost always intricate. In other 3 autopsied patients, only signs of cerebral hypoxia and non-neurologic infectious complications were found. In the discussion, the hypoxia-edema-hypoxia mechanism is insisted upon, as well as the need of breaking this circle as an important part of the treatment of these patients.", "contents": "[Status epilepticus. Study of 105 cases 1972-73]. We have analyzed 105 cases of Status Epilepticus of variable etiology, cared for over a period of 3 years at the \"Instituto de Neurolog\u00eda y Neurocirug\u00eda\". Age, sex, origin, duration of illness before attending the Institute, Conscience variations, clinical crisis types, condition of Status Epilepticus appearance and unleashing factors were considered. Various complementary investigations were performed, although dissimilar in each case. Follow up EEG's were realized in 60% of the patients and pretherapeutic EEG's were done in less than 50%. The necessary time to control the Status was explained, depending on its duration before commencing treatment. Of 93 surviving patients, it was possible to learn the cause of epilepsy only in 43. The necroscopy study of 12 cases demonstrated that death in 9 patients was inevitable for various causes (tumorous, infectious, vascular, etc.) almost always intricate. In other 3 autopsied patients, only signs of cerebral hypoxia and non-neurologic infectious complications were found. In the discussion, the hypoxia-edema-hypoxia mechanism is insisted upon, as well as the need of breaking this circle as an important part of the treatment of these patients.", "PMID": 616539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1852", "title": "Is multiple sclerosis an age-dependent host response to measles?", "content": "A hypothesis is presented that multiple sclerosis (MS) may represent an unusual host response to measles virus, dependent upon when the measles virus is acquired. If acquired late in childhood or near adolescence, the risk of MS is increased. Evidence to support this hypothesis is still meager, but there is ample support from many types of infection for the idea that a host's response may vary with age at the time of infection. As measles virus titers are somewhat increased in MS, evidence for age-dependent alteration in host responsiveness to measles may be taken as further support for the hypothesis. In addition, epidemiologic and clinical data linking MS frequency and average age at the time of measles infection exist. In those areas where MS is rare, measles tends to occur early in life; where MS is common, measles tends to occur later. In case-control studies, measles occurred later in MS patients than in the control groups. Finally mechanisms which might explain an age-dependent alteration in host responsiveness were considered, including maturation of an immune system or maturation of a CNS target cell, e.g. the oligocyte. Additional studies are needed to establish a firmer basis for the concept that risk of MS might be determined, in part, by the age at which a certain infection (e.g. measles) is acquired. If the hypothesis is correct, the mass measles vaccination programs should start to produce a decline in MS frequency. Because the event causing MS is believed to occur before age 15 and MS begins on the average by age 30, a 15-year lag in the effect of measles vaccine on MS frequency is to be expected. Mass measles vaccination was began in 1965, thus by 1980, a decline in MS frequency might be looked for as a test of the hypothesis. Perhaps by the V Pan-American Congress of Neurology, we shall be able to report that MS is disappearing.", "contents": "Is multiple sclerosis an age-dependent host response to measles? A hypothesis is presented that multiple sclerosis (MS) may represent an unusual host response to measles virus, dependent upon when the measles virus is acquired. If acquired late in childhood or near adolescence, the risk of MS is increased. Evidence to support this hypothesis is still meager, but there is ample support from many types of infection for the idea that a host's response may vary with age at the time of infection. As measles virus titers are somewhat increased in MS, evidence for age-dependent alteration in host responsiveness to measles may be taken as further support for the hypothesis. In addition, epidemiologic and clinical data linking MS frequency and average age at the time of measles infection exist. In those areas where MS is rare, measles tends to occur early in life; where MS is common, measles tends to occur later. In case-control studies, measles occurred later in MS patients than in the control groups. Finally mechanisms which might explain an age-dependent alteration in host responsiveness were considered, including maturation of an immune system or maturation of a CNS target cell, e.g. the oligocyte. Additional studies are needed to establish a firmer basis for the concept that risk of MS might be determined, in part, by the age at which a certain infection (e.g. measles) is acquired. If the hypothesis is correct, the mass measles vaccination programs should start to produce a decline in MS frequency. Because the event causing MS is believed to occur before age 15 and MS begins on the average by age 30, a 15-year lag in the effect of measles vaccine on MS frequency is to be expected. Mass measles vaccination was began in 1965, thus by 1980, a decline in MS frequency might be looked for as a test of the hypothesis. Perhaps by the V Pan-American Congress of Neurology, we shall be able to report that MS is disappearing.", "PMID": 616540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1853", "title": "Free-living amebic meningoencephalitides: comparative study.", "content": "Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an infectious disease essentially confined to the central nervous system (CNS) and caused by free-living ameboflagellates of the genus Naegleria (N) and Acanthamoeba (A). N produces an acute fulminant, usually fatal hemorrhagic-necrotizing meningoencephalitis, associated with an inflammatory reaction composed of neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages and a few lymphocytes. The incubation period is between 3-7 days. Typically, PAM occurs in healthy, young individuals, who frequently have a history of swimming or washing their face in infested waters. The portal of entry into the CNS is through the olfactory neuroepithelium, at the level of the cribriform plate and invasion of the amyelinic submucosal nervous plexus. Trophozoites are the only amebic forms found in the lesions. By contrast, A produces a sub-acute or chronic granulamotous meningoencephalitis (AM) with multinucleated foreign body giant cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. Cysts and trophozoites may be present in the lesions. AM have been reported in chronically ill debilitated individuals, some of them under immunosuppressive therapy, without history of recent swimming. The portal of entry into the CNS appears to be by hematogenous route. The incubation period is unknown, but perhaps more than 10 days. This comparison indicates that infection due to Naegleria produces a clearly defined clinco-pathological entity, which differs significantly from that due to Acanthamoeba, and both species of amebus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of amebic meningoencephalitis.", "contents": "Free-living amebic meningoencephalitides: comparative study. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an infectious disease essentially confined to the central nervous system (CNS) and caused by free-living ameboflagellates of the genus Naegleria (N) and Acanthamoeba (A). N produces an acute fulminant, usually fatal hemorrhagic-necrotizing meningoencephalitis, associated with an inflammatory reaction composed of neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages and a few lymphocytes. The incubation period is between 3-7 days. Typically, PAM occurs in healthy, young individuals, who frequently have a history of swimming or washing their face in infested waters. The portal of entry into the CNS is through the olfactory neuroepithelium, at the level of the cribriform plate and invasion of the amyelinic submucosal nervous plexus. Trophozoites are the only amebic forms found in the lesions. By contrast, A produces a sub-acute or chronic granulamotous meningoencephalitis (AM) with multinucleated foreign body giant cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. Cysts and trophozoites may be present in the lesions. AM have been reported in chronically ill debilitated individuals, some of them under immunosuppressive therapy, without history of recent swimming. The portal of entry into the CNS appears to be by hematogenous route. The incubation period is unknown, but perhaps more than 10 days. This comparison indicates that infection due to Naegleria produces a clearly defined clinco-pathological entity, which differs significantly from that due to Acanthamoeba, and both species of amebus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of amebic meningoencephalitis.", "PMID": 616542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1854", "title": "Histoplasma meningitis with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia.", "content": "Histoplasma meningitis (HM) has been reported to occur primarily in association with disseminated histoplasmosis (DH). We report a case of histoplasma meningitis occurring in a patient with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia (CVH) in which no manifestations of DH were observed. L. L., a 66-year-old Caucasian male, clerical worker, developed occasional episodes of dizziness and tinnitus in mid-1971. During 1972, increasing frequency of these episodes and gradually progressive confusion were noted. In January 1973, vomiting, forther confusion, obnubilation, and a left central facial paresis developed and he was hospitalized. Physical examination revealed no pulmonary abnormalities, lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Over the ensuing 6-week evaluation, there was occasional fever to 38.5 degrees C. Chest roentgenogram was normal. Cerebral angiography suggested a mass in the left cerebellar hemisphere. EEG was diffusely slow. Multiple CSF examinations revealed: Glucose 7-18 mg/with a normal blood glucose, protein 109-256 mg/and cells 66-140 (95 + % mononuclear). Histoplasma capsulatum was cultured from CSF but not from sputum, urine, blood or bone marrow. Skin tests for PPD, histoplasmosis, coccidiodomycosis, blastomycosis, mumps, dinitrochlorobenzene and streptokinase-streptodornase were negative then and 6 months later. Histoplasma serum antibody was absent. Immunoglobulin analysis revealed IgG 430 mg %, IgA 46 mg %, and IgM 35 mg %, which with the history and skin test results suggested CVH. Treatment with 2.51 gm of amphotericin B given intravenously over a 3-month period resulted in complete reversal of all neurologic signs and clearing of the confusion. The remission has been maintained for two years. This case represents a primary infection of the CNS by histoplasma. The relationship between the HM and the CVH will be discussed.", "contents": "Histoplasma meningitis with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. Histoplasma meningitis (HM) has been reported to occur primarily in association with disseminated histoplasmosis (DH). We report a case of histoplasma meningitis occurring in a patient with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia (CVH) in which no manifestations of DH were observed. L. L., a 66-year-old Caucasian male, clerical worker, developed occasional episodes of dizziness and tinnitus in mid-1971. During 1972, increasing frequency of these episodes and gradually progressive confusion were noted. In January 1973, vomiting, forther confusion, obnubilation, and a left central facial paresis developed and he was hospitalized. Physical examination revealed no pulmonary abnormalities, lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Over the ensuing 6-week evaluation, there was occasional fever to 38.5 degrees C. Chest roentgenogram was normal. Cerebral angiography suggested a mass in the left cerebellar hemisphere. EEG was diffusely slow. Multiple CSF examinations revealed: Glucose 7-18 mg/with a normal blood glucose, protein 109-256 mg/and cells 66-140 (95 + % mononuclear). Histoplasma capsulatum was cultured from CSF but not from sputum, urine, blood or bone marrow. Skin tests for PPD, histoplasmosis, coccidiodomycosis, blastomycosis, mumps, dinitrochlorobenzene and streptokinase-streptodornase were negative then and 6 months later. Histoplasma serum antibody was absent. Immunoglobulin analysis revealed IgG 430 mg %, IgA 46 mg %, and IgM 35 mg %, which with the history and skin test results suggested CVH. Treatment with 2.51 gm of amphotericin B given intravenously over a 3-month period resulted in complete reversal of all neurologic signs and clearing of the confusion. The remission has been maintained for two years. This case represents a primary infection of the CNS by histoplasma. The relationship between the HM and the CVH will be discussed.", "PMID": 616543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1855", "title": "Cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulins in cysticercosis of the central nervous system.", "content": "Investigation on the behavior of immunoglobulins IGG, IGA and IGM in the CSF, in cases of cysticercosis of the CNS, based on data pertaining to two different series of cases. The first series comprises 30 samples of CSF, and the second one, 5 samples. It was demonstrated that IGG is the one representing the largest contingent. IGG concentration keeps in proportion with the gamma globulin concentration, of which it represented an 88% average in the cases studied. Participation of IGG in the protein profile of the CSF is greater than the usually referred; the results for the material analyzed showed 16%. It was verified a proporcionality also between IGG concentration and the titer of positive complement fixation test for cysticercosis; there is a positive correlation, whose numerical expression was found to be significant in the samples studied.", "contents": "Cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulins in cysticercosis of the central nervous system. Investigation on the behavior of immunoglobulins IGG, IGA and IGM in the CSF, in cases of cysticercosis of the CNS, based on data pertaining to two different series of cases. The first series comprises 30 samples of CSF, and the second one, 5 samples. It was demonstrated that IGG is the one representing the largest contingent. IGG concentration keeps in proportion with the gamma globulin concentration, of which it represented an 88% average in the cases studied. Participation of IGG in the protein profile of the CSF is greater than the usually referred; the results for the material analyzed showed 16%. It was verified a proporcionality also between IGG concentration and the titer of positive complement fixation test for cysticercosis; there is a positive correlation, whose numerical expression was found to be significant in the samples studied.", "PMID": 616544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1856", "title": "Central nervous system involvement in mycosis fungoides: pre mortem diagnosis by light and electron microsocopic study of the spinal fluid.", "content": "Involvement of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, meninges, and cerebrospinal pathways in mycosis fungoides manifests itself, clinically, as an obscure neurologic disturbance, occurring in patients with cutaneous manifestations of that disorder. Neurologic expressions of this particular cutaneous lymphoma are infrequently reported, in spite of the fact that many patients dying in the course of mycosis fungoides have pathologically demonstrable central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and meningeal involvement. We report here a patient who incurred devastating neurologic illness as one of the initial features of the course of systemic dissemination of mycosis fungoides. Death occurred nine years after the onset of cutaneous illness. In this instance, cerebrospinal fluid cytologic studies established the diagnosis of nervous system involvement. Mycosis fungoides cells shed into the cerebrospinal fluid were studied by special techniques of light and electron microscopy. Brain scan abnormalities were present, which were clinically correlative with foci of brain involvement. The initial response of patient's nervous system illness to therapy was gratifying but unsustained, and she went on to fatal brain and multiple organ involvement with disseminated mycosis fungoides. The techniques of spinal fluid cytologic diagnosis, confirmatory of the etiology of disease in this case, may have practical appications in the diagnosis of otherwise obscure neurologic disorders.", "contents": "Central nervous system involvement in mycosis fungoides: pre mortem diagnosis by light and electron microsocopic study of the spinal fluid. Involvement of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, meninges, and cerebrospinal pathways in mycosis fungoides manifests itself, clinically, as an obscure neurologic disturbance, occurring in patients with cutaneous manifestations of that disorder. Neurologic expressions of this particular cutaneous lymphoma are infrequently reported, in spite of the fact that many patients dying in the course of mycosis fungoides have pathologically demonstrable central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and meningeal involvement. We report here a patient who incurred devastating neurologic illness as one of the initial features of the course of systemic dissemination of mycosis fungoides. Death occurred nine years after the onset of cutaneous illness. In this instance, cerebrospinal fluid cytologic studies established the diagnosis of nervous system involvement. Mycosis fungoides cells shed into the cerebrospinal fluid were studied by special techniques of light and electron microscopy. Brain scan abnormalities were present, which were clinically correlative with foci of brain involvement. The initial response of patient's nervous system illness to therapy was gratifying but unsustained, and she went on to fatal brain and multiple organ involvement with disseminated mycosis fungoides. The techniques of spinal fluid cytologic diagnosis, confirmatory of the etiology of disease in this case, may have practical appications in the diagnosis of otherwise obscure neurologic disorders.", "PMID": 616545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1857", "title": "[Saint Louis encephalomyelitis in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Its epidemiology].", "content": "In a warm desertic and irrigated region, with population 250 000 Northwest of Mexico, in Hermosillo, Sonora, along 8 weeks, 51 patients showed the following clinical data: fever, vomiting, neck rigidity, drowsiness and increase of cells and proteins in the CSF. In 12 patients good correlations were found between positive serologic results using SLE antigen by means of HI, CF and NT. Four paired sera showed fourfold increases in titers to SLE by means of HI or CF. With VEE antigen no such increases were found. The cases were scattered geographically, most of them occurred within an urban area, and affected people in 13 localities. The outbreak developed from August to September, 1974, the attack rate was 22/100 000, 69% of the patients being children under 15 years of age. The case fatality rate was 20%. A prosperous chicken industry existed in the region and epizootics were not reported in either domestic or wild animals at that time.", "contents": "[Saint Louis encephalomyelitis in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Its epidemiology]. In a warm desertic and irrigated region, with population 250 000 Northwest of Mexico, in Hermosillo, Sonora, along 8 weeks, 51 patients showed the following clinical data: fever, vomiting, neck rigidity, drowsiness and increase of cells and proteins in the CSF. In 12 patients good correlations were found between positive serologic results using SLE antigen by means of HI, CF and NT. Four paired sera showed fourfold increases in titers to SLE by means of HI or CF. With VEE antigen no such increases were found. The cases were scattered geographically, most of them occurred within an urban area, and affected people in 13 localities. The outbreak developed from August to September, 1974, the attack rate was 22/100 000, 69% of the patients being children under 15 years of age. The case fatality rate was 20%. A prosperous chicken industry existed in the region and epizootics were not reported in either domestic or wild animals at that time.", "PMID": 616546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1858", "title": "A new model of persistent viral infection with primary demyelination.", "content": "Theiler's encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in mice represents one of the few existing animal models of virus-induced demyelination and may provide further information about the human disease, Multiple Sclerosis. An inbred strain of mice (SJL/j) employed in the present ultrastructural study, develops a life-long neurologic illness characterized by profound spasticity after intracerebral inoculation of TMEV. Anesthetized animals were sacrificed sequentially by total body perfusion with gluteraldehyde from 7 days to 9 months after infection. An intense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate appeared in the leptomeninges and white matter of spinal cord by 15 days and persisted for as long as one year. These infiltrates contained numerous plasma cells, and perivascular demyelination could be found in almost every 1 micron section. Vesiculation and stripping of myelin by mononuclear cell processes were seen as mechanisms of myelin break-down. However, virions were not found in cells in grey or white matter and the integrity of oligodendrocytes was maintained. At one year, active demyelination was still seen in areas containing naked and remyelinated axons. The relevance of these ultrastructural findings to postulated mechanisms of virus-induced demyelination will be discussed.", "contents": "A new model of persistent viral infection with primary demyelination. Theiler's encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in mice represents one of the few existing animal models of virus-induced demyelination and may provide further information about the human disease, Multiple Sclerosis. An inbred strain of mice (SJL/j) employed in the present ultrastructural study, develops a life-long neurologic illness characterized by profound spasticity after intracerebral inoculation of TMEV. Anesthetized animals were sacrificed sequentially by total body perfusion with gluteraldehyde from 7 days to 9 months after infection. An intense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate appeared in the leptomeninges and white matter of spinal cord by 15 days and persisted for as long as one year. These infiltrates contained numerous plasma cells, and perivascular demyelination could be found in almost every 1 micron section. Vesiculation and stripping of myelin by mononuclear cell processes were seen as mechanisms of myelin break-down. However, virions were not found in cells in grey or white matter and the integrity of oligodendrocytes was maintained. At one year, active demyelination was still seen in areas containing naked and remyelinated axons. The relevance of these ultrastructural findings to postulated mechanisms of virus-induced demyelination will be discussed.", "PMID": 616547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1859", "title": "A neurophysiological basis of developmental dyslexia.", "content": "Recent advances in the understanding of the asymmetrical functions of the cerebral hemispheres provide new insight to the mechanisms underlying the developmental language disorders. It is probable that learning to read depends in part upon the ability to establish an association between a seen object (customarily perceived within the right hemisphere) and a verbal symbol (mediated by the left). It is possible that as the reading skill develops, verbal symbol recognition may also become a left hemisphere function. A complex interaction between the two developing hemispheres is involved. A clue to the nature of this problem is that developmental dyslexia is six times more common in boys than in girls. Studies defining differences in cerebral dominance in boys and girls will be reviewed in this context.", "contents": "A neurophysiological basis of developmental dyslexia. Recent advances in the understanding of the asymmetrical functions of the cerebral hemispheres provide new insight to the mechanisms underlying the developmental language disorders. It is probable that learning to read depends in part upon the ability to establish an association between a seen object (customarily perceived within the right hemisphere) and a verbal symbol (mediated by the left). It is possible that as the reading skill develops, verbal symbol recognition may also become a left hemisphere function. A complex interaction between the two developing hemispheres is involved. A clue to the nature of this problem is that developmental dyslexia is six times more common in boys than in girls. Studies defining differences in cerebral dominance in boys and girls will be reviewed in this context.", "PMID": 616548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1860", "title": "Nervous system affections caused by the mumps virus.", "content": "Hippocrates probably first described mumps parotitis, but not until 1758 was affection of the central nervous system reported in this disease. Mumps meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, polyradiculitis and cranial neuritis are now well known, and may occur without clinical parotitis. Meningitis occurs most commonly, encephalitis, cranial neuritis and polyradiculitis less often, and myelitis rarely. They may present individually or in combination. A patient is described who first developed acute mumps meningoencephalitis, without clinical parotitis. Transverse myelitis occurred two weeks later, and finally optic neuritis ten days following the myelitis. Slow but complete recovery followed. Attention is directed to the various ways mumps can affect the nervous system. This virus should always be considered among possible etiologic agents causing such neurologic syndromes.", "contents": "Nervous system affections caused by the mumps virus. Hippocrates probably first described mumps parotitis, but not until 1758 was affection of the central nervous system reported in this disease. Mumps meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, polyradiculitis and cranial neuritis are now well known, and may occur without clinical parotitis. Meningitis occurs most commonly, encephalitis, cranial neuritis and polyradiculitis less often, and myelitis rarely. They may present individually or in combination. A patient is described who first developed acute mumps meningoencephalitis, without clinical parotitis. Transverse myelitis occurred two weeks later, and finally optic neuritis ten days following the myelitis. Slow but complete recovery followed. Attention is directed to the various ways mumps can affect the nervous system. This virus should always be considered among possible etiologic agents causing such neurologic syndromes.", "PMID": 616549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1861", "title": "Virological and immunological studies in experimental SSPE.", "content": "Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, fatal inclusion cell encephalitis of children and adolescents caused by persistent measles virus within the central nervous system (CNS). Because studies in man have failed to elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition, animal studies are necessary. Persistent infection of the hamster CNS can be achieved with a hamster adapted SSPE agent. Animals inoculated intracerebrally with this virus raise antibodies to all known antigens of measles virus and some display clinical signs and pathological changes similar to those noted in human SSPE. Persistent CNS infection occurs only if the hamster is inoculated at a critical age (18 to 25 days of life) or if adults are given transient immunosuppression during acute infection. The biological behavior of the virus isolated from hamster CNS appears to change from a complete to a defective state coincidents with the appearance of serum antibodies to measles virus. Adult hamsters from whom the thymus was removed in the newborn period develop a subacute, uniformly fatal infection when exposed to the SSPE agent. These studies suggest that SSPE may develop in man when measles virus invades the immature CNS at a critical age or when the immune system is uncompletely developed or is inhibited. The finding that transient immunosuppression allows development of persistent CNS infection in adults suggest that immunological malfunction is the significant factor. Of interest, antibody appears to alter viral behavior to a defective, intracellular state thus enhancing viral survival in the host. Once a defective, CNS infection is achieved, lack of, or inhibition of the host cellular immunes response allows it to persist. Methods of therapy in light of these findings will be discussed.", "contents": "Virological and immunological studies in experimental SSPE. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, fatal inclusion cell encephalitis of children and adolescents caused by persistent measles virus within the central nervous system (CNS). Because studies in man have failed to elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition, animal studies are necessary. Persistent infection of the hamster CNS can be achieved with a hamster adapted SSPE agent. Animals inoculated intracerebrally with this virus raise antibodies to all known antigens of measles virus and some display clinical signs and pathological changes similar to those noted in human SSPE. Persistent CNS infection occurs only if the hamster is inoculated at a critical age (18 to 25 days of life) or if adults are given transient immunosuppression during acute infection. The biological behavior of the virus isolated from hamster CNS appears to change from a complete to a defective state coincidents with the appearance of serum antibodies to measles virus. Adult hamsters from whom the thymus was removed in the newborn period develop a subacute, uniformly fatal infection when exposed to the SSPE agent. These studies suggest that SSPE may develop in man when measles virus invades the immature CNS at a critical age or when the immune system is uncompletely developed or is inhibited. The finding that transient immunosuppression allows development of persistent CNS infection in adults suggest that immunological malfunction is the significant factor. Of interest, antibody appears to alter viral behavior to a defective, intracellular state thus enhancing viral survival in the host. Once a defective, CNS infection is achieved, lack of, or inhibition of the host cellular immunes response allows it to persist. Methods of therapy in light of these findings will be discussed.", "PMID": 616550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1862", "title": "Immunological response of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients to measles virus.", "content": "The immunological responses of patients with clinical signs of SSPE were examined by the direct migration inhibition, complement-mediated antibody cytoxicity and the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity assay techniques. Peripheral lymphocytes migrated similarly to controls when exposed to measles antigen. Lymphocytes from SSPE patients responded to a SSPE strain of measles infected cells in a manner similar to lymphocytes from controls. A factor which interfered with the expected activity of sensitized lymphocytes to measles virus was detected in some cerebral spinal fluid obtained from SSPE patients. The blocking activity varied from 100% in 4 of 20 patients with SSPE to no blocking in 2 of the SSPE patients. The occurrence of blocking factor in SSPE patients could not be related to sex or age of the patient, serum of CSF antibody levels, and duration of disease or outcome.", "contents": "Immunological response of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients to measles virus. The immunological responses of patients with clinical signs of SSPE were examined by the direct migration inhibition, complement-mediated antibody cytoxicity and the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity assay techniques. Peripheral lymphocytes migrated similarly to controls when exposed to measles antigen. Lymphocytes from SSPE patients responded to a SSPE strain of measles infected cells in a manner similar to lymphocytes from controls. A factor which interfered with the expected activity of sensitized lymphocytes to measles virus was detected in some cerebral spinal fluid obtained from SSPE patients. The blocking activity varied from 100% in 4 of 20 patients with SSPE to no blocking in 2 of the SSPE patients. The occurrence of blocking factor in SSPE patients could not be related to sex or age of the patient, serum of CSF antibody levels, and duration of disease or outcome.", "PMID": 616551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1863", "title": "Leukapheresis in multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Since there is no satisfactory animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS), a need exists to study various tissues of the affected patient himself. Leukapheresis is a relatively non-invasive technique for obtaining large numbers of leucocytes from patients and control patients. Using ACD-B solution as anticoagulant, the procedure can process 3 500 ml. of blood in about 2 hours, and yield an average of 6.7 billion lymphocytes. The circulating blood count and differential leucocyte count are not changed significantly at the end of the procedure, although the platelet count drops slightly. Leukapheresis has been performed 6 times in four MS patients representing all stages of the illness. The data indicate that the procedure, as performed, is safe in MS patients and do not adversely alter the course of the illness. Leukapheresis is not suggested for therapy at this time. However, if further study suggests that circulating lymphocytes in the MS patient have a cytolytic function in the central nervous system (CNS), the procedure might merit a trial in a controlled treatment program. At present, leukapheresis will probably be most useful as a research tool, to aid study of the role of the lymphocyte in the pathogenesis of MS.", "contents": "Leukapheresis in multiple sclerosis. Since there is no satisfactory animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS), a need exists to study various tissues of the affected patient himself. Leukapheresis is a relatively non-invasive technique for obtaining large numbers of leucocytes from patients and control patients. Using ACD-B solution as anticoagulant, the procedure can process 3 500 ml. of blood in about 2 hours, and yield an average of 6.7 billion lymphocytes. The circulating blood count and differential leucocyte count are not changed significantly at the end of the procedure, although the platelet count drops slightly. Leukapheresis has been performed 6 times in four MS patients representing all stages of the illness. The data indicate that the procedure, as performed, is safe in MS patients and do not adversely alter the course of the illness. Leukapheresis is not suggested for therapy at this time. However, if further study suggests that circulating lymphocytes in the MS patient have a cytolytic function in the central nervous system (CNS), the procedure might merit a trial in a controlled treatment program. At present, leukapheresis will probably be most useful as a research tool, to aid study of the role of the lymphocyte in the pathogenesis of MS.", "PMID": 616552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1864", "title": "[Viral meningoencephalitis: late development].", "content": "Two years ago, we performed a precocious evolutive EEG study of a specimen not selected from the virus ME to ECHO 4 burst (cepa prima) late 1972 to early 1973 (6). Some time between the appearance of the first symptoms and the 8 weeks following, alterations of cerebral electrogenesis became manifest in this study. These alterations disappeared or dimished in significance in the more tardy outlines: focalization tendency, tendency to change from \"suffering\" to \"irritative\" aspect. During this year, the test has been repeated on 82% of these patients, plus at the same time a minimum clinical survey. Until now, the results are the following. There are no clinical signs of the CNS in any case. School progress has not been affected, except moderately, for two patients. The EEG has become totally normal in more than 2/3 of the cases. Persistent EEG net signs of minimum \"suffering\" in three cases. There are \"irritative\" generalized signs in only 2 patients and \"irritative\" certified focal signs in 6 patients. Other EEG manifestations are of doubtful interpretation due to the age of the patients.", "contents": "[Viral meningoencephalitis: late development]. Two years ago, we performed a precocious evolutive EEG study of a specimen not selected from the virus ME to ECHO 4 burst (cepa prima) late 1972 to early 1973 (6). Some time between the appearance of the first symptoms and the 8 weeks following, alterations of cerebral electrogenesis became manifest in this study. These alterations disappeared or dimished in significance in the more tardy outlines: focalization tendency, tendency to change from \"suffering\" to \"irritative\" aspect. During this year, the test has been repeated on 82% of these patients, plus at the same time a minimum clinical survey. Until now, the results are the following. There are no clinical signs of the CNS in any case. School progress has not been affected, except moderately, for two patients. The EEG has become totally normal in more than 2/3 of the cases. Persistent EEG net signs of minimum \"suffering\" in three cases. There are \"irritative\" generalized signs in only 2 patients and \"irritative\" certified focal signs in 6 patients. Other EEG manifestations are of doubtful interpretation due to the age of the patients.", "PMID": 616553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1865", "title": "Experimental subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in the hamster: ultrastructure of the chronic disease.", "content": "Central nervous system (CNS) lesions were studied from weanling hamsters inoculated with the HBS strain of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus. The animals showed clincial signs of acute encephalitis between 8 and 18 days post-inoculation (PI), but all survivors were clinically recovered by day 21 PI. Nevertheless, 13 of 14 hamster brains examined by light and electron microscopy between days 21 and 59 PI had chronic lesions which contained morphologic evidence of persistent viral infection. The lesions developed preferentially in the subependymal areas of the lateral and fourth ventricles and involved degeneration of ependyma with subsequent damage to adjacent parenchyma. All CNS cell types were involved in degeneration. Viral inclusions occurred in both CNS parenchymal cells and in inflammatory cells. Giant cells were particularly common. No budding virus was seen in chronically infected animals, a finding in accord with previous studies. Demyelination was a common constituent of most lesions. It occurred in the presence of inflammatory cells and macrophages, and in later lesions, some remyelination was seen. It is suggested that the damage to myelin is a secondary phenomenon and is not a cellular immune reaction. The possible reasons underlying the latent nature of the virus and the similarities between this condition, canine distemper encephalomyelitis and human SSPE are discussed. It is concluded that the experimental chronic disease is a valid model for the study of human SSPE and may have usefulness in the understanding of other chronic CNS conditions of man, e.g. multiple sclerosis. Additional Key Words: Latent infection; Paramyxovirus; Slow Viruses; Demyelination; Inmmunologic defects; Multiple Sclerosis.", "contents": "Experimental subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in the hamster: ultrastructure of the chronic disease. Central nervous system (CNS) lesions were studied from weanling hamsters inoculated with the HBS strain of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus. The animals showed clincial signs of acute encephalitis between 8 and 18 days post-inoculation (PI), but all survivors were clinically recovered by day 21 PI. Nevertheless, 13 of 14 hamster brains examined by light and electron microscopy between days 21 and 59 PI had chronic lesions which contained morphologic evidence of persistent viral infection. The lesions developed preferentially in the subependymal areas of the lateral and fourth ventricles and involved degeneration of ependyma with subsequent damage to adjacent parenchyma. All CNS cell types were involved in degeneration. Viral inclusions occurred in both CNS parenchymal cells and in inflammatory cells. Giant cells were particularly common. No budding virus was seen in chronically infected animals, a finding in accord with previous studies. Demyelination was a common constituent of most lesions. It occurred in the presence of inflammatory cells and macrophages, and in later lesions, some remyelination was seen. It is suggested that the damage to myelin is a secondary phenomenon and is not a cellular immune reaction. The possible reasons underlying the latent nature of the virus and the similarities between this condition, canine distemper encephalomyelitis and human SSPE are discussed. It is concluded that the experimental chronic disease is a valid model for the study of human SSPE and may have usefulness in the understanding of other chronic CNS conditions of man, e.g. multiple sclerosis. Additional Key Words: Latent infection; Paramyxovirus; Slow Viruses; Demyelination; Inmmunologic defects; Multiple Sclerosis.", "PMID": 616554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1866", "title": "[What, to whom and why are we teaching medicine].", "content": "The teaching of neurology as an entity within the concept of teaching in medicine is analized through the following questions: what are we teaching? To whom are we teaching? and why are we teaching? The first question concerns the pedagogical, sociological and psychological patterns used to elaborate locally-arranged goals for the creation of criteria and conduct. The second establishes the relationship between the influence of the technical-industrial adult generation on the present university generation and the reappraisal of human values through new pedagogic techniques. The third establishes the supply and demand process of assistant teaching and research physicians; it also dwells on the influence of the residency programmes and research trends, and their repercussion on the methodology of the medical curriculum.", "contents": "[What, to whom and why are we teaching medicine]. The teaching of neurology as an entity within the concept of teaching in medicine is analized through the following questions: what are we teaching? To whom are we teaching? and why are we teaching? The first question concerns the pedagogical, sociological and psychological patterns used to elaborate locally-arranged goals for the creation of criteria and conduct. The second establishes the relationship between the influence of the technical-industrial adult generation on the present university generation and the reappraisal of human values through new pedagogic techniques. The third establishes the supply and demand process of assistant teaching and research physicians; it also dwells on the influence of the residency programmes and research trends, and their repercussion on the methodology of the medical curriculum.", "PMID": 616555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1867", "title": "[Pedagogical experience and learning models in neurologic semiology].", "content": "Programmed teaching of neurologic semiology, charted in agreement to subsequent learning in clinical neurology, is conceived. The basis of the pedagogic system consists of respecting the systems that bind physiologically among themselves. The goal is the creation of areas of comprehension, dramatizing common functions and signology. To know \"all\" is of less validity than to posses an engram prepared by key information. The anatomic physiology memory, previous to the course and the weekly partial evaluation, is considered useful. The problematic of the competitive test is analyzed and its negative and positive criterions are exposed. Anatomy, physiology, semiology and clinical neurology spun together are estimated to favor pedagogic goals redundantly.", "contents": "[Pedagogical experience and learning models in neurologic semiology]. Programmed teaching of neurologic semiology, charted in agreement to subsequent learning in clinical neurology, is conceived. The basis of the pedagogic system consists of respecting the systems that bind physiologically among themselves. The goal is the creation of areas of comprehension, dramatizing common functions and signology. To know \"all\" is of less validity than to posses an engram prepared by key information. The anatomic physiology memory, previous to the course and the weekly partial evaluation, is considered useful. The problematic of the competitive test is analyzed and its negative and positive criterions are exposed. Anatomy, physiology, semiology and clinical neurology spun together are estimated to favor pedagogic goals redundantly.", "PMID": 616556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1868", "title": "[Formative evaluation of education].", "content": "The formative evaluation tries to obtain, analyze and furnish information over the planning and development of a course, which is brought about through a continuous performance of the students during the course. This method allows for the adoption of corrective measures with reference to the course (presentation of other learning opportunities, preparation of instructive materials, revision of curriculum, etc.) and with reference to the student (studies prescribed). The formative evaluation may be fulfilled by means of repeated tests which the student himself will correct and, subsequently, will discuss with the professor; it can also be processed by means of the students self-evaluation, interacting with computer terminals. CLATES/Rio presents its experience employing minicomputers to allow for self-evaluation in bioscience courses.", "contents": "[Formative evaluation of education]. The formative evaluation tries to obtain, analyze and furnish information over the planning and development of a course, which is brought about through a continuous performance of the students during the course. This method allows for the adoption of corrective measures with reference to the course (presentation of other learning opportunities, preparation of instructive materials, revision of curriculum, etc.) and with reference to the student (studies prescribed). The formative evaluation may be fulfilled by means of repeated tests which the student himself will correct and, subsequently, will discuss with the professor; it can also be processed by means of the students self-evaluation, interacting with computer terminals. CLATES/Rio presents its experience employing minicomputers to allow for self-evaluation in bioscience courses.", "PMID": 616557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1869", "title": "[Experiences in neurology education in Cuba].", "content": "The state of medicine and neurology in the past years, since 1962, is described. The initial personnel with which neurology and neurosurgery began working, the manner in which the group was formed and the subsequent formation of specialists in this area are commented. We describe the hours and subjects studied by the residents and the modifications that the program has experienced since 1962, until 1971, in which a program of philosophy, social and political lectures, combined with the specialization classes, exists. An evaluation system, created by the group and number of specialists formed since its initiation, also exists. Subsequent to their formation, physicians integrate neurologist and neurosurgeon teams and are situated in areas of provinces which cover a population of 500 000 to 1 500 000 inhabitants.", "contents": "[Experiences in neurology education in Cuba]. The state of medicine and neurology in the past years, since 1962, is described. The initial personnel with which neurology and neurosurgery began working, the manner in which the group was formed and the subsequent formation of specialists in this area are commented. We describe the hours and subjects studied by the residents and the modifications that the program has experienced since 1962, until 1971, in which a program of philosophy, social and political lectures, combined with the specialization classes, exists. An evaluation system, created by the group and number of specialists formed since its initiation, also exists. Subsequent to their formation, physicians integrate neurologist and neurosurgeon teams and are situated in areas of provinces which cover a population of 500 000 to 1 500 000 inhabitants.", "PMID": 616558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1870", "title": "Artistic production in dyslectic children.", "content": "In the study of children with language problems, particularly in reading and writing, it has been observed that some have an outstanding ability to produce artistic pictures and objects. These productions are perceptive, well organized and generally contain much action. Despite their pictorial skill these patients may have only a rudimentary use of coded symbolic graphic forms. Others display moderate ability in reading and writing. These patients frequently have the disorganized overacctive behavior and the motor clumsiness that is so common in the dyslectic child; some, however, are biologically effective. From this material we entertain the hypothesis that picture (artistic) productions are generated by the sub-dominant cerebral hemisphere, and that this function is quite distinct from the coded graphic operations resident in the dominant hemisphere. If this hypothesis is correct, it would seem socially benefical to allow these patients to develop their unique artistic ability to its full capacity, and not to overemphasize the correction of the disturbed coded symbol operations in remedial training.", "contents": "Artistic production in dyslectic children. In the study of children with language problems, particularly in reading and writing, it has been observed that some have an outstanding ability to produce artistic pictures and objects. These productions are perceptive, well organized and generally contain much action. Despite their pictorial skill these patients may have only a rudimentary use of coded symbolic graphic forms. Others display moderate ability in reading and writing. These patients frequently have the disorganized overacctive behavior and the motor clumsiness that is so common in the dyslectic child; some, however, are biologically effective. From this material we entertain the hypothesis that picture (artistic) productions are generated by the sub-dominant cerebral hemisphere, and that this function is quite distinct from the coded graphic operations resident in the dominant hemisphere. If this hypothesis is correct, it would seem socially benefical to allow these patients to develop their unique artistic ability to its full capacity, and not to overemphasize the correction of the disturbed coded symbol operations in remedial training.", "PMID": 616560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1871", "title": "Speech and swallowing evaluation in the differential diagnosis of neurologic disease.", "content": "Examination of the speech mechanism (the vocal tract) frequently provides information about certain neurologic lesions. The speech, swallowing and respiratory patterns of patients with cerebellar, upper motor neuron, lower motor neuron and extra-pyramidal lesions (parkinsonism) were studied, 10 of each category. The patient's lingual, labial and velar movement was examined cineradiographically during production of four short speech samples and the oral, through esophageal structures, during chewing and swallowing. Videotape, with simultaneous voice recording, and 16 mm. film were used. Oral, pharyngeal and esophageal transit times during swallowing were determined. These quantified tests reveal distinctive differences in vocal tract physiology between patient groups. The specific physiologic patterns characteristic of each neurological lesion were discussed and illustrated with films. Each patient group in this study exhibited a distinctive profile distinguishing it from every other. The results also indicate that if only a portion of these studies was completed, the disorder might be erroneously classified. The findings emphasize the need for complete and detailed physiologic studies of the speech and swallowing of patients with neurologic lesions, as an aid to accurate diagnosis.", "contents": "Speech and swallowing evaluation in the differential diagnosis of neurologic disease. Examination of the speech mechanism (the vocal tract) frequently provides information about certain neurologic lesions. The speech, swallowing and respiratory patterns of patients with cerebellar, upper motor neuron, lower motor neuron and extra-pyramidal lesions (parkinsonism) were studied, 10 of each category. The patient's lingual, labial and velar movement was examined cineradiographically during production of four short speech samples and the oral, through esophageal structures, during chewing and swallowing. Videotape, with simultaneous voice recording, and 16 mm. film were used. Oral, pharyngeal and esophageal transit times during swallowing were determined. These quantified tests reveal distinctive differences in vocal tract physiology between patient groups. The specific physiologic patterns characteristic of each neurological lesion were discussed and illustrated with films. Each patient group in this study exhibited a distinctive profile distinguishing it from every other. The results also indicate that if only a portion of these studies was completed, the disorder might be erroneously classified. The findings emphasize the need for complete and detailed physiologic studies of the speech and swallowing of patients with neurologic lesions, as an aid to accurate diagnosis.", "PMID": 616561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1872", "title": "A different form of \"pure agraphia\": syntactic writing errors in a patients with motor speech and movement disorders.", "content": "Three patients are described who displayed syntactic writing errors in combination with a motor speech disturbance and impaired motor limb function. Two of the patients had bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Agraphia appeared when verbal communication was no longer possible. Autopsy in one patient disclosed only lesions consistent with ALS. The third patient had palilalia and chorea and although not aphasic, his written language showed persistent syntactic errors. We hypothesize that the agraphia in these patients occurred because of the combination of disordered feedback from the motor speech apparatus and limbs.", "contents": "A different form of \"pure agraphia\": syntactic writing errors in a patients with motor speech and movement disorders. Three patients are described who displayed syntactic writing errors in combination with a motor speech disturbance and impaired motor limb function. Two of the patients had bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Agraphia appeared when verbal communication was no longer possible. Autopsy in one patient disclosed only lesions consistent with ALS. The third patient had palilalia and chorea and although not aphasic, his written language showed persistent syntactic errors. We hypothesize that the agraphia in these patients occurred because of the combination of disordered feedback from the motor speech apparatus and limbs.", "PMID": 616562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1873", "title": "[Nature of repetition disorders in conduction aphasia].", "content": "The skeptic over the existence of this important clinical entity, are now very few. Anatomo-clinical studies and the analysis of altered cognitive procedures suggest, however, that we are dealing with a heterogeneous group. Two models of conduction apahasias are presented, in which the mechanism of the altered repetition, as well as the probable localization of the lesion, differ considerably. One has a lesion in the posterior parietal region of the left hemisphere and it exemplifies an acoustic verbal memory deficit (short term memory). The other points at a functional disconnection between the decodification and verbal processes and those of expression. In this case, we are dealing with a left temporal lesion in a left-handed individual. The analysis of our material and of the clinical literature upholds the idea of a plurality of the altered mechanisms in the verbal repetition and suggest that the conduction aphasia is a syndrome.", "contents": "[Nature of repetition disorders in conduction aphasia]. The skeptic over the existence of this important clinical entity, are now very few. Anatomo-clinical studies and the analysis of altered cognitive procedures suggest, however, that we are dealing with a heterogeneous group. Two models of conduction apahasias are presented, in which the mechanism of the altered repetition, as well as the probable localization of the lesion, differ considerably. One has a lesion in the posterior parietal region of the left hemisphere and it exemplifies an acoustic verbal memory deficit (short term memory). The other points at a functional disconnection between the decodification and verbal processes and those of expression. In this case, we are dealing with a left temporal lesion in a left-handed individual. The analysis of our material and of the clinical literature upholds the idea of a plurality of the altered mechanisms in the verbal repetition and suggest that the conduction aphasia is a syndrome.", "PMID": 616564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1874", "title": "Dynamic characteristics of central auditory neurons and their relation to selective-combination mechanisms of organization of brain functions.", "content": "Unit responses of the torus and caudal neostriatum of hens to stimuli of differing ecological significance (pure tones, white noise, species-specific stimuli) were investigated. The range of frequencies receivable by central auditory neurons was shown to correspond to the frequency composition of the stimuli emitted by the animals. Neurons selectively responding to species-specific stimuli (song, alarm signals) were found in the forebrain. The specific character of the functional organization at different levels of the auditory system is examined in the light of the selective-combination principle of stimulus integration, which may lie at the basis of the mechanism of both inborn and acquired memory.", "contents": "Dynamic characteristics of central auditory neurons and their relation to selective-combination mechanisms of organization of brain functions. Unit responses of the torus and caudal neostriatum of hens to stimuli of differing ecological significance (pure tones, white noise, species-specific stimuli) were investigated. The range of frequencies receivable by central auditory neurons was shown to correspond to the frequency composition of the stimuli emitted by the animals. Neurons selectively responding to species-specific stimuli (song, alarm signals) were found in the forebrain. The specific character of the functional organization at different levels of the auditory system is examined in the light of the selective-combination principle of stimulus integration, which may lie at the basis of the mechanism of both inborn and acquired memory.", "PMID": 616568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1875", "title": "Afferent flow patterns in a cat cutaneous nerve during painful and painless mechanical stimulation of the skin.", "content": "Quantitative characteristics of afferent flows coding information from a number of receptors were obtained by the gliding impulses method. The frequency spectrum of activity in a cutaneous nerve, the relative numbers of active Abeta, Adelta, and C fibers and their distribution by impulse transition frequency during stimulation of the cat's skin with pins and needles were determined. The afferent flow recorded in the nerve during pricking of the skin is characterized by high density, due to the number of excited fibers and the frequency of activity in them. The higher density of the afferent flow during the application of a painful than of a painless stimulus is mainly due to activity in C fibers. Unmyelinated fibers subjected to the action of the same stimulus and of chemically active substances liberated from the cells during tissue injury are excited directly and generate high-frequency spikes which increase the flow density in the nerve. The number of active myelinated fibers and the spike frequency during the action of a painful stimulus are only a little greater than the corresponding characteristics of the afferent discharge during painless stimulation.", "contents": "Afferent flow patterns in a cat cutaneous nerve during painful and painless mechanical stimulation of the skin. Quantitative characteristics of afferent flows coding information from a number of receptors were obtained by the gliding impulses method. The frequency spectrum of activity in a cutaneous nerve, the relative numbers of active Abeta, Adelta, and C fibers and their distribution by impulse transition frequency during stimulation of the cat's skin with pins and needles were determined. The afferent flow recorded in the nerve during pricking of the skin is characterized by high density, due to the number of excited fibers and the frequency of activity in them. The higher density of the afferent flow during the application of a painful than of a painless stimulus is mainly due to activity in C fibers. Unmyelinated fibers subjected to the action of the same stimulus and of chemically active substances liberated from the cells during tissue injury are excited directly and generate high-frequency spikes which increase the flow density in the nerve. The number of active myelinated fibers and the spike frequency during the action of a painful stimulus are only a little greater than the corresponding characteristics of the afferent discharge during painless stimulation.", "PMID": 616570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1876", "title": "Selective action of decimeter waves on central brain structures.", "content": "To study the sensitivity of some central brain structures to the action of an electromagnetic field of decimeter waves (EMF of DW) a dynamic investigation of single unit activity was undertaken. Neurons of the hippocampus and hypothalamus with an excitatory type of response were found to have the greatest reactivity to EMF of DW. Neurons of the mesencephalic reticular formation and of the specific nuclei of the thalamus had mostly an inhibitory type of response. The number of neurons responding actively to EMF of DW and the number of inactive neurons varied depending on the energy density of the EMF.", "contents": "Selective action of decimeter waves on central brain structures. To study the sensitivity of some central brain structures to the action of an electromagnetic field of decimeter waves (EMF of DW) a dynamic investigation of single unit activity was undertaken. Neurons of the hippocampus and hypothalamus with an excitatory type of response were found to have the greatest reactivity to EMF of DW. Neurons of the mesencephalic reticular formation and of the specific nuclei of the thalamus had mostly an inhibitory type of response. The number of neurons responding actively to EMF of DW and the number of inactive neurons varied depending on the energy density of the EMF.", "PMID": 616575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1877", "title": "Saccadic velocities in multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.", "content": "Horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities have been measured in patients with multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis using a computerised electrooculographic technique. The ability to detect subclinical abnormalities of eye movement with this technique indicates that it is of diagnostic value in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis who present with only a single symptomatic lesion in the central nervous system. The technique is also of value in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis as it provides a means of quantifying the response of the extra-ocular muscles to anticholinesterase preparations.", "contents": "Saccadic velocities in multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities have been measured in patients with multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis using a computerised electrooculographic technique. The ability to detect subclinical abnormalities of eye movement with this technique indicates that it is of diagnostic value in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis who present with only a single symptomatic lesion in the central nervous system. The technique is also of value in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis as it provides a means of quantifying the response of the extra-ocular muscles to anticholinesterase preparations.", "PMID": 616590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1878", "title": "Electrophysiological and immunological studies in optic neuritis.", "content": "Serial clinical and electrophysiological examinations and immunological investigations have been performed on 34 patients with primary optic neuritis. In 8 patients, the latency of visual evoked responses was normal after the resolution of clinical symptoms, and in a further 5 patients improvement in VER latency occurred although the response remained abnormal. In 17 patients, VER's abnormal and did not alter over the period of clinical recovery; in 4 patients there was a progressive increase in the latency of the VER's through both eyes although a satisfactory clinical recovery occurred. The frequency of histocompatibility antigens was similar in the group of ON patients to that in the normal population. Immunological function was normal in patients with ON as assessed by levels of immunoglobulins. T and B lymphocyte numbers and by lymphocyte blastogenesis in response to PHA and myelin basic protein. Three patients have developed multiple sclerosis, all of whom had either HLA-A3 or -B7 antigens; the clinical and electrophysiological pattern of recovery was different in each case.", "contents": "Electrophysiological and immunological studies in optic neuritis. Serial clinical and electrophysiological examinations and immunological investigations have been performed on 34 patients with primary optic neuritis. In 8 patients, the latency of visual evoked responses was normal after the resolution of clinical symptoms, and in a further 5 patients improvement in VER latency occurred although the response remained abnormal. In 17 patients, VER's abnormal and did not alter over the period of clinical recovery; in 4 patients there was a progressive increase in the latency of the VER's through both eyes although a satisfactory clinical recovery occurred. The frequency of histocompatibility antigens was similar in the group of ON patients to that in the normal population. Immunological function was normal in patients with ON as assessed by levels of immunoglobulins. T and B lymphocyte numbers and by lymphocyte blastogenesis in response to PHA and myelin basic protein. Three patients have developed multiple sclerosis, all of whom had either HLA-A3 or -B7 antigens; the clinical and electrophysiological pattern of recovery was different in each case.", "PMID": 616592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1879", "title": "Peroneal muscular atrophy with autosomal dominant inheritance.", "content": "Nerve conduction studies were performed on 45 patients in 17 kinships with autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Sural nerve biopsies were performed on 20 patients. The mean motor conduction velocities in median, ulnar and lateral popliteal nerves were 27.5m/sec, 25.9m/sec and 26.3m/sec respectively. Sensory conduction was impaired in all cases. The fastest motor conduction velocities were found in 5 members of 1 kinship who were found on sural nerve biopsy to have the neuronal form of the disease in which there was a reduction in density of large diameter myelinated fibres. In this group segmental demyelination was not a prominent feature in teased fibre preparations and onion bulb formations were not seen on electron microscopy. In the other patients conduction velocities were more severely slowed and hypertrophic changes and segmental demyelination were found in sural nerve biopsies.", "contents": "Peroneal muscular atrophy with autosomal dominant inheritance. Nerve conduction studies were performed on 45 patients in 17 kinships with autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Sural nerve biopsies were performed on 20 patients. The mean motor conduction velocities in median, ulnar and lateral popliteal nerves were 27.5m/sec, 25.9m/sec and 26.3m/sec respectively. Sensory conduction was impaired in all cases. The fastest motor conduction velocities were found in 5 members of 1 kinship who were found on sural nerve biopsy to have the neuronal form of the disease in which there was a reduction in density of large diameter myelinated fibres. In this group segmental demyelination was not a prominent feature in teased fibre preparations and onion bulb formations were not seen on electron microscopy. In the other patients conduction velocities were more severely slowed and hypertrophic changes and segmental demyelination were found in sural nerve biopsies.", "PMID": 616594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1880", "title": "Resting tremor in alcoholic brain disease.", "content": "Two patients with signs of alcoholic brain disease of the Wernicke-Korsakoff type were found to have an unusual movement disorder manifested basically as a resting tremor. Electrographic recording showed that the tremor wave comprised multiple elements, though the rate of the basic tremor was stable. Though the tremor was qualitatively similar to documented rubral tremor, a mesencephalic lesion could be defined in only 1 patient.", "contents": "Resting tremor in alcoholic brain disease. Two patients with signs of alcoholic brain disease of the Wernicke-Korsakoff type were found to have an unusual movement disorder manifested basically as a resting tremor. Electrographic recording showed that the tremor wave comprised multiple elements, though the rate of the basic tremor was stable. Though the tremor was qualitatively similar to documented rubral tremor, a mesencephalic lesion could be defined in only 1 patient.", "PMID": 616595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1881", "title": "Factors influencing plasma carbamazepine concentrations.", "content": "Steady-state plasma carbamazepine levels were correlated with carbamazepine dose, expressed on a body weight basis, in 217 patients (some of whom were taking other anticonvulsants). Although there was a linear relation between plasma carbamazepine level and drug dose in the whole population studied, no such relation was found for patients taking carbamazepine alone. The factors responsible for this difference could not be identified in full, but interactions between carbamazepine and phenytoin were partly responsible.", "contents": "Factors influencing plasma carbamazepine concentrations. Steady-state plasma carbamazepine levels were correlated with carbamazepine dose, expressed on a body weight basis, in 217 patients (some of whom were taking other anticonvulsants). Although there was a linear relation between plasma carbamazepine level and drug dose in the whole population studied, no such relation was found for patients taking carbamazepine alone. The factors responsible for this difference could not be identified in full, but interactions between carbamazepine and phenytoin were partly responsible.", "PMID": 616596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1882", "title": "Spinal and cortical evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Spinal and cortical sensory evoked potentials following stimulation of median and lateral popliteal nerves were performed in patients with definite multiple sclerosis in order to assess the usefulness of these procedures in the diagnosis and subsequent evaluation of multiple sclerosis. Abnormal SEP's were detected in 69% of patients. Abnormal spinal evoked potentials following median nerve stimulation were detected in 21 of 40 (52%) patients, and in a further 7 patients abnormalities were detected in cortical SEP's or in spinal SEP's when stimulating the lateral popliteal nerves. Close correlation was observed between the frequency of abnormal sensory signs or symptoms and the presence of electrophysiological abnormalities. When progress studies were performed a gradual deterioration was demonstrated in one or more SEP's of 12 of 24 patients.", "contents": "Spinal and cortical evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis. Spinal and cortical sensory evoked potentials following stimulation of median and lateral popliteal nerves were performed in patients with definite multiple sclerosis in order to assess the usefulness of these procedures in the diagnosis and subsequent evaluation of multiple sclerosis. Abnormal SEP's were detected in 69% of patients. Abnormal spinal evoked potentials following median nerve stimulation were detected in 21 of 40 (52%) patients, and in a further 7 patients abnormalities were detected in cortical SEP's or in spinal SEP's when stimulating the lateral popliteal nerves. Close correlation was observed between the frequency of abnormal sensory signs or symptoms and the presence of electrophysiological abnormalities. When progress studies were performed a gradual deterioration was demonstrated in one or more SEP's of 12 of 24 patients.", "PMID": 616598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1883", "title": "Electrophysiological and computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study.", "content": "102 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been investigated by one or more of the following techniques: visual evoked potentials, cervical and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials, horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities, and computerised axial tomography of the cranium and orbits. It has been found that with each technique it is possible to detect abnormalities, which may be subclinical, in a significant proportion of patients. The proportion with abnormal results was greater in patients studied by more than 1 technique and was greatest in those patients who were studied by each of the 5 techniques. It is concluded that the techniques used have a complementary role in the investigation of patients suspected of having MS.", "contents": "Electrophysiological and computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis: a comparative study. 102 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been investigated by one or more of the following techniques: visual evoked potentials, cervical and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials, horizontal saccadic eye movement velocities, and computerised axial tomography of the cranium and orbits. It has been found that with each technique it is possible to detect abnormalities, which may be subclinical, in a significant proportion of patients. The proportion with abnormal results was greater in patients studied by more than 1 technique and was greatest in those patients who were studied by each of the 5 techniques. It is concluded that the techniques used have a complementary role in the investigation of patients suspected of having MS.", "PMID": 616599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1884", "title": "Computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis and Schilder's disease.", "content": "Computerised tomography of the brain was performed in 95 patients with multiple sclerosis and in a single patient with Schilder's disease. CT of the orbits was also carried out in 53 of these cases to examine the optic nerves. In 51% of the multiple sclerosis cases low density areas compatible with plaques of demyelination were found in the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres, and less frequently in the brain-stem. A much larger area of reduced intensity was found in the occipital white matter in the patient with Schilder's disease. Varying degrees of central and/or cortical cerebral atrophy were found in 45% of the multiple sclerosis patients, the more severe degrees being found in patients with long-standing disease. Serial observations in 15 patients who were examined on more than one occasion are also presented. Small low density areas were identified in one or both optic nerves in 52% of the multiple sclerosis cases. While these may represent demyelinating lesions their significance is uncertain.", "contents": "Computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis and Schilder's disease. Computerised tomography of the brain was performed in 95 patients with multiple sclerosis and in a single patient with Schilder's disease. CT of the orbits was also carried out in 53 of these cases to examine the optic nerves. In 51% of the multiple sclerosis cases low density areas compatible with plaques of demyelination were found in the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres, and less frequently in the brain-stem. A much larger area of reduced intensity was found in the occipital white matter in the patient with Schilder's disease. Varying degrees of central and/or cortical cerebral atrophy were found in 45% of the multiple sclerosis patients, the more severe degrees being found in patients with long-standing disease. Serial observations in 15 patients who were examined on more than one occasion are also presented. Small low density areas were identified in one or both optic nerves in 52% of the multiple sclerosis cases. While these may represent demyelinating lesions their significance is uncertain.", "PMID": 616600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1885", "title": "Computerised tomography of the cranium in patients with epilepsy: a preliminary report.", "content": "The findings are presented in 366 patients with seizures who were studied by computerised tomography of the cranium. The relative frequency of normal scans, cerebral tumours, atrophy and other pathological lesions is indicated. A more detailed analysis of the group of patients with atrophy was carried out. The frequency and severity of atrophy correlated significantly with age but not with length of seizure history. However, the more marked degrees of atrophy were found among patients with long-standing or poorly controlled epilepsy, an observation which has important implications with regard to the adequacy of seizure control in epileptic patients.", "contents": "Computerised tomography of the cranium in patients with epilepsy: a preliminary report. The findings are presented in 366 patients with seizures who were studied by computerised tomography of the cranium. The relative frequency of normal scans, cerebral tumours, atrophy and other pathological lesions is indicated. A more detailed analysis of the group of patients with atrophy was carried out. The frequency and severity of atrophy correlated significantly with age but not with length of seizure history. However, the more marked degrees of atrophy were found among patients with long-standing or poorly controlled epilepsy, an observation which has important implications with regard to the adequacy of seizure control in epileptic patients.", "PMID": 616601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1886", "title": "Distal chronic spinal muscular atrophy involving the hands.", "content": "Six patients with a 10 to 30 year history of slowly progressive wasting and weakness of the small muscles of the hands have been studied. In all patients the abnormal neurological signs were largely confined to the hands and there was no clinical nor radiological evidence of peripheral nerve, nerve root or central nervous system disease. Detailed electrophysiological studies established that the muscle wasting was due to chronic partial denervation. Motor and sensory conduction studies were normal. These patients represent a benign form of chronic spinal muscular atrophy largely localised to the small muscles of the hand.", "contents": "Distal chronic spinal muscular atrophy involving the hands. Six patients with a 10 to 30 year history of slowly progressive wasting and weakness of the small muscles of the hands have been studied. In all patients the abnormal neurological signs were largely confined to the hands and there was no clinical nor radiological evidence of peripheral nerve, nerve root or central nervous system disease. Detailed electrophysiological studies established that the muscle wasting was due to chronic partial denervation. Motor and sensory conduction studies were normal. These patients represent a benign form of chronic spinal muscular atrophy largely localised to the small muscles of the hand.", "PMID": 616604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1887", "title": "An investigation into reading epilepsy.", "content": "In summary, our main findings were firstly, that faulty visuolingual processing at the level of Brain's visual word schemas, with its intimate connection with the verbal memory pool, is the abnormality that is essential for initiation of spike activity in reading epilepsy. Secondly, visual input is not essential in production of reading epilepsy. Thirdly, we have demonstrated a subconscious voluntary control mechanism operating in our patient. Lastly, we have illustrated alternatives to drug therapy, which, in our patient and in other cases, has not been shown of great value.", "contents": "An investigation into reading epilepsy. In summary, our main findings were firstly, that faulty visuolingual processing at the level of Brain's visual word schemas, with its intimate connection with the verbal memory pool, is the abnormality that is essential for initiation of spike activity in reading epilepsy. Secondly, visual input is not essential in production of reading epilepsy. Thirdly, we have demonstrated a subconscious voluntary control mechanism operating in our patient. Lastly, we have illustrated alternatives to drug therapy, which, in our patient and in other cases, has not been shown of great value.", "PMID": 616606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1888", "title": "Effects of neostigmine and pyridostigmine at the neuromuscular junction.", "content": "The effect of subcutaneous administration of pyridostigmine or neostigmine for 7 to 15 days on neuromuscular transmission has been studied in the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. The quantal contents of end-plate potentials at different stimulus rates and the amplitude and frequency of miniature end-plate potentials were compared with those of untreated controls. The rate of release of acetylcholine quanta at high stimulus rates, and the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials, were reduced by pretreatment with both pyridostigmine and neostigmine. Presynaptic effects differed in that the number of quanta released by each nerve impulse at a stimulus rate of 1/sec was not altered by pyridostigmine, but was reduced to 52% of normal by neostigmine. The amplitude of miniature end-plate potentials was reduced to 81% by pretreatment with neostigmine and to 54% by pretreatment with pyridostigmine. The cause appears to be a reduction in the number of acetylcholine receptor sites as a result of disorganisation of the postsynaptic muscle membrane, which may contribute to the muscular weakness associated with the long term use of anticholinesterase agents.", "contents": "Effects of neostigmine and pyridostigmine at the neuromuscular junction. The effect of subcutaneous administration of pyridostigmine or neostigmine for 7 to 15 days on neuromuscular transmission has been studied in the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. The quantal contents of end-plate potentials at different stimulus rates and the amplitude and frequency of miniature end-plate potentials were compared with those of untreated controls. The rate of release of acetylcholine quanta at high stimulus rates, and the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials, were reduced by pretreatment with both pyridostigmine and neostigmine. Presynaptic effects differed in that the number of quanta released by each nerve impulse at a stimulus rate of 1/sec was not altered by pyridostigmine, but was reduced to 52% of normal by neostigmine. The amplitude of miniature end-plate potentials was reduced to 81% by pretreatment with neostigmine and to 54% by pretreatment with pyridostigmine. The cause appears to be a reduction in the number of acetylcholine receptor sites as a result of disorganisation of the postsynaptic muscle membrane, which may contribute to the muscular weakness associated with the long term use of anticholinesterase agents.", "PMID": 616607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1889", "title": "Motor neuron disease in Australia (State of New South Wales).", "content": "The case histories of 70 patients with typical motor neuron disease (MND) have been analysed to ascertain the natural history of the disease in Australia. The place of birth and residence during life of each patient has been sought to determine whether there is any 'clustering' of patients in the State of New South Wales. The mean age of onset was 55 years and mean duration of life from onset was 3 years 5 months. These figures are comparable with those from the USA and UK and Japan although the onset in Australia was later and the duration longer. The case history of 1 patient who is still living 38 years after the onset of the disease is described as there is no longer survival time recorded in the literature to our knowledge. Attention is drawn to muscle aches and cramps mentioned spontaneously by 27 of the 70 patients. These symptoms occurred at the onset of MND and often correlated with the site of onset of weakness. Weight loss averaged 1.6lb (0.7kg) per month in those patients in whom weight was recorded. The CSF protein was greater than 45mg/100ml, ranging up to 110mg/100ml, in 9 of 37 patients. The place of residence of patients bore no relation to known areas of increased manganese in the soil, and there was no evidence of 'clustering' of cases.", "contents": "Motor neuron disease in Australia (State of New South Wales). The case histories of 70 patients with typical motor neuron disease (MND) have been analysed to ascertain the natural history of the disease in Australia. The place of birth and residence during life of each patient has been sought to determine whether there is any 'clustering' of patients in the State of New South Wales. The mean age of onset was 55 years and mean duration of life from onset was 3 years 5 months. These figures are comparable with those from the USA and UK and Japan although the onset in Australia was later and the duration longer. The case history of 1 patient who is still living 38 years after the onset of the disease is described as there is no longer survival time recorded in the literature to our knowledge. Attention is drawn to muscle aches and cramps mentioned spontaneously by 27 of the 70 patients. These symptoms occurred at the onset of MND and often correlated with the site of onset of weakness. Weight loss averaged 1.6lb (0.7kg) per month in those patients in whom weight was recorded. The CSF protein was greater than 45mg/100ml, ranging up to 110mg/100ml, in 9 of 37 patients. The place of residence of patients bore no relation to known areas of increased manganese in the soil, and there was no evidence of 'clustering' of cases.", "PMID": 616608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1890", "title": "The carpal tunnel syndrome: a clinical and electrophysiological study of 250 patients.", "content": "Clinical and electrophysiological studies were performed on 250 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Acroparaesthesia was often referred to all digits (64%) and proximal pain was not uncommon (46%). The male patients as a group differed from the female in that nocturnal acroparaesthesia was less frequent and a causal of predisposing factor was identifiable in the majority (76%). The most common associated condition in the females was trigger finger (11%). An associated ulnar nerve lesion was rare. Delay in diagnosis was attributable to cultural factors or lack of awareness of the occurrence of diffuse acroparaesthesia and proximal pain in the syndrome. Sensory signs were commoner (85%) than motor (53%). The most useful clinical finding was digital sensory 'splitting' (ring finger) which was present in 58% of hands and clearly distinguished the condition from a radiculopathy, myelopathy or a diffuse polyneuropathy. In general, the diagnostic yield of any test depends on the duration of the disease. Of the various electrodiagnostic tests employing surface electrodes, the most sensitive was the comparison of the median (index finger) to ulnar (little finger) sensory amplitude. This was abnormal in 73% of hands and was found to be particularly useful in patients with a probable background of polyneuropathy or suspected cervical rib syndrome. Slowing of sensory conduction was demonstrable in 67% of hands, decreased sensory amplitude in 44% and prolonged motor latency 35 to 32%. A combination of the various electrodiagnostic tests yielded a positive result in 91%. Decompression resulted in complete recovery in 85% and some improvement in all the remaining patients. The outcome was adversely affected by the presence of several neurological deficits but apparently not by the presence of a coexisting disease.", "contents": "The carpal tunnel syndrome: a clinical and electrophysiological study of 250 patients. Clinical and electrophysiological studies were performed on 250 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Acroparaesthesia was often referred to all digits (64%) and proximal pain was not uncommon (46%). The male patients as a group differed from the female in that nocturnal acroparaesthesia was less frequent and a causal of predisposing factor was identifiable in the majority (76%). The most common associated condition in the females was trigger finger (11%). An associated ulnar nerve lesion was rare. Delay in diagnosis was attributable to cultural factors or lack of awareness of the occurrence of diffuse acroparaesthesia and proximal pain in the syndrome. Sensory signs were commoner (85%) than motor (53%). The most useful clinical finding was digital sensory 'splitting' (ring finger) which was present in 58% of hands and clearly distinguished the condition from a radiculopathy, myelopathy or a diffuse polyneuropathy. In general, the diagnostic yield of any test depends on the duration of the disease. Of the various electrodiagnostic tests employing surface electrodes, the most sensitive was the comparison of the median (index finger) to ulnar (little finger) sensory amplitude. This was abnormal in 73% of hands and was found to be particularly useful in patients with a probable background of polyneuropathy or suspected cervical rib syndrome. Slowing of sensory conduction was demonstrable in 67% of hands, decreased sensory amplitude in 44% and prolonged motor latency 35 to 32%. A combination of the various electrodiagnostic tests yielded a positive result in 91%. Decompression resulted in complete recovery in 85% and some improvement in all the remaining patients. The outcome was adversely affected by the presence of several neurological deficits but apparently not by the presence of a coexisting disease.", "PMID": 616609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1891", "title": "Ocular motor involvement in post-infective polyneuropathy.", "content": "Ocular motor involvement is uncommon in post-infective polyneuropathy. Details of the evolution and recovery of the ophthalmoplegia are presented in 11 patients in whom ocular motor involvement was a major or notable feature of the illness. Follow-up examinations after intervals of up to 6 years in 10 of the 11 patients showed no residual ocular motor impairment. Saccadic eye movement studies carried out in 6 cases at the time of follow-up showed no abnormality in 2 cases while in the other 4 cases there was mild reduction of saccadic velocities and/or increased saccade reaction times with saccade inaccuracy. In spite of the variability of the ophthalmoplegia and of the remainder of the clinical syndrome in these cases, we conclude that they all represent variants of the classical form of the Guillain-Barre syndrome.", "contents": "Ocular motor involvement in post-infective polyneuropathy. Ocular motor involvement is uncommon in post-infective polyneuropathy. Details of the evolution and recovery of the ophthalmoplegia are presented in 11 patients in whom ocular motor involvement was a major or notable feature of the illness. Follow-up examinations after intervals of up to 6 years in 10 of the 11 patients showed no residual ocular motor impairment. Saccadic eye movement studies carried out in 6 cases at the time of follow-up showed no abnormality in 2 cases while in the other 4 cases there was mild reduction of saccadic velocities and/or increased saccade reaction times with saccade inaccuracy. In spite of the variability of the ophthalmoplegia and of the remainder of the clinical syndrome in these cases, we conclude that they all represent variants of the classical form of the Guillain-Barre syndrome.", "PMID": 616610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1892", "title": "Syndrome of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia.", "content": "The clinical details and results of some laboratory investigations are described in 4 patients who initially presented with severe external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. In 3 of these patients paresis of the limbs was restricted and minimal as in the syndrome first described by Fisher (1956). The fourth patient initially presented with similar symptoms but his illness progressed to a more typical form of acute idiopathic polyneuropathy, confirming Fisher's (1956) contention that this syndrome is an unusual variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis.", "contents": "Syndrome of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. The clinical details and results of some laboratory investigations are described in 4 patients who initially presented with severe external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. In 3 of these patients paresis of the limbs was restricted and minimal as in the syndrome first described by Fisher (1956). The fourth patient initially presented with similar symptoms but his illness progressed to a more typical form of acute idiopathic polyneuropathy, confirming Fisher's (1956) contention that this syndrome is an unusual variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis.", "PMID": 616611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1893", "title": "Post-irradiation extracranial cerebrovascular disease.", "content": "It would seem that most reports of post-irradiation extracranial cerebrovascular disease concern the long-term effects of this form of therapy. Three such cases are described here. The features peculiar to this form of disease are its severity and very considerable extent. Radiologists and vascular surgeons contribute heavily to its diagnosis. Whilst it would appear that rarely in early cases a type of vascular lesion peculiar to radiation damage has been encountered, for the most part reports have emphasised the presence of very extensive and accelerated premature vascular aging and atherosclerosis as a fundamental lesion probably involving all laminae of the vessel. In addition extensive perivascular fibrosis and overlying post-irradiation skin atrophy can be seen. Therefore in patients presenting with cerebrovascular pathology even years after receiving radiation therapy, the neurologist and vascular surgeon must be prepared to recognise that extensive damage may underlie the patients' symptoms and that investigation and surgical repair may have to be undertaken forthwith if at all practicable.", "contents": "Post-irradiation extracranial cerebrovascular disease. It would seem that most reports of post-irradiation extracranial cerebrovascular disease concern the long-term effects of this form of therapy. Three such cases are described here. The features peculiar to this form of disease are its severity and very considerable extent. Radiologists and vascular surgeons contribute heavily to its diagnosis. Whilst it would appear that rarely in early cases a type of vascular lesion peculiar to radiation damage has been encountered, for the most part reports have emphasised the presence of very extensive and accelerated premature vascular aging and atherosclerosis as a fundamental lesion probably involving all laminae of the vessel. In addition extensive perivascular fibrosis and overlying post-irradiation skin atrophy can be seen. Therefore in patients presenting with cerebrovascular pathology even years after receiving radiation therapy, the neurologist and vascular surgeon must be prepared to recognise that extensive damage may underlie the patients' symptoms and that investigation and surgical repair may have to be undertaken forthwith if at all practicable.", "PMID": 616612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1894", "title": "Intermittent hydrocephalus due to cysts of the septum pellucidum: a study of three cases.", "content": "Three male patients with posturally induced, intermittent hydrocephalus were found on pneumoencephalography to have cavum septi pellucidi and cavum vergae. The clinical presentation resembled that of colloid cyst of the third ventricle. Remission followed excision of the septal walls in 2 cases, but relapse of symptoms occurred when the caves reformed. It is postulated that intermittent obstruction to the lateral ventricular outflow by the cavum septum pellucidum and cavum vergae was the basis of the symptomatology. Transcaval shunting may prove to be the simplest reliable form of treatment.", "contents": "Intermittent hydrocephalus due to cysts of the septum pellucidum: a study of three cases. Three male patients with posturally induced, intermittent hydrocephalus were found on pneumoencephalography to have cavum septi pellucidi and cavum vergae. The clinical presentation resembled that of colloid cyst of the third ventricle. Remission followed excision of the septal walls in 2 cases, but relapse of symptoms occurred when the caves reformed. It is postulated that intermittent obstruction to the lateral ventricular outflow by the cavum septum pellucidum and cavum vergae was the basis of the symptomatology. Transcaval shunting may prove to be the simplest reliable form of treatment.", "PMID": 616614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1895", "title": "[Forensic-psychological analysis of attempted suicides in toxicomaniacs].", "content": "The authors examined 70 toxicomaniacs incl. 30 who attempted suicide at least one. They analyzed the motivation and causes which made the adolescent attempt suicide. The drastic manner of attempted suicide-cutting veins of the forearm and wrist predominated ans was recored in 56.6%. 83.3% attempted suicide during acute intoxication. Mild cerebral dysfunction was observed in 43.3% of those attempting suicide. Defective behavior was recorded in the case-history of 63.3%. In 80% of those attempting suicide the family and social environment was unfavourable. Dependence on psychotropic drugs for more than one year was found in 80% and polytoxicomania in 90% of the cases. Volatile psychotropic substances cause considerable deterioration of already existing changes of personality of encephalopathic or psychopathic origin; they act probably as \"hasteners\" or \"catalyzers\" and thus condition the motivation for suicide. This fact is important in particular for forensic psychology and expert opinions on cases of completed suicide.", "contents": "[Forensic-psychological analysis of attempted suicides in toxicomaniacs]. The authors examined 70 toxicomaniacs incl. 30 who attempted suicide at least one. They analyzed the motivation and causes which made the adolescent attempt suicide. The drastic manner of attempted suicide-cutting veins of the forearm and wrist predominated ans was recored in 56.6%. 83.3% attempted suicide during acute intoxication. Mild cerebral dysfunction was observed in 43.3% of those attempting suicide. Defective behavior was recorded in the case-history of 63.3%. In 80% of those attempting suicide the family and social environment was unfavourable. Dependence on psychotropic drugs for more than one year was found in 80% and polytoxicomania in 90% of the cases. Volatile psychotropic substances cause considerable deterioration of already existing changes of personality of encephalopathic or psychopathic origin; they act probably as \"hasteners\" or \"catalyzers\" and thus condition the motivation for suicide. This fact is important in particular for forensic psychology and expert opinions on cases of completed suicide.", "PMID": 616637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1896", "title": "[Modern concepts and methods in forensic medicine education].", "content": "The authors deal with the modernisation of contents of lectures and practicals in forensic medicine, their politcal and educational effect, the position within the framework of medical sciences and its incorporation in the teaching process and the use of developed technical advances in contemporary teaching.", "contents": "[Modern concepts and methods in forensic medicine education]. The authors deal with the modernisation of contents of lectures and practicals in forensic medicine, their politcal and educational effect, the position within the framework of medical sciences and its incorporation in the teaching process and the use of developed technical advances in contemporary teaching.", "PMID": 616638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1897", "title": "[Routine chemical-toxicological examination in fata poisoning through organophosphates].", "content": "The authors describe in their work methods of isolation of organophosphate insecticides from biological material--the isolation of the effective substance proper as well as of the solvent. They detect organophosphates by means of chromatography on a thin leyer and in one instance also by gas chromatography. In conjunction with chromatography on a thin leyer they discuss methods of detection according to the chemical structure of the substances searched for and submit their own modification of detection based on inhibition of acetylcholine esterase. They detect the solvent in insecticides in biological materials by means of gas chromatography.", "contents": "[Routine chemical-toxicological examination in fata poisoning through organophosphates]. The authors describe in their work methods of isolation of organophosphate insecticides from biological material--the isolation of the effective substance proper as well as of the solvent. They detect organophosphates by means of chromatography on a thin leyer and in one instance also by gas chromatography. In conjunction with chromatography on a thin leyer they discuss methods of detection according to the chemical structure of the substances searched for and submit their own modification of detection based on inhibition of acetylcholine esterase. They detect the solvent in insecticides in biological materials by means of gas chromatography.", "PMID": 616639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1898", "title": "[Attempt at a new look on the problems of traffic accidents type pedestrian--car].", "content": "In view of the complexity of investigation of the ever rising number of traffic accidents the authors draw attention to the need of a narrower specialization of experts in the branch of forensic medicine and on the desirability of close collaboration and technical specialist when elucidating mechanisms of traffic injuries. In one of the most pretentious sections, in traffic accidents of the type pedestrian--car, they want to attempt an interdisciplinary study the purpose of which is to obtain certain basic data for expert evaluation of the mechanism of fatal injuries of pedestrians, and a basis for assessing speed limits at sites of increased danger of this type of accidents. As source of information they will use in particullar: the protocol of the accident incl. the map and photodocumentation, a questionnaire prepared for the investigating authorities, the results of necropsy incl. laboratory examinations, and if available, conclusions of expert opinions from other special branches.", "contents": "[Attempt at a new look on the problems of traffic accidents type pedestrian--car]. In view of the complexity of investigation of the ever rising number of traffic accidents the authors draw attention to the need of a narrower specialization of experts in the branch of forensic medicine and on the desirability of close collaboration and technical specialist when elucidating mechanisms of traffic injuries. In one of the most pretentious sections, in traffic accidents of the type pedestrian--car, they want to attempt an interdisciplinary study the purpose of which is to obtain certain basic data for expert evaluation of the mechanism of fatal injuries of pedestrians, and a basis for assessing speed limits at sites of increased danger of this type of accidents. As source of information they will use in particullar: the protocol of the accident incl. the map and photodocumentation, a questionnaire prepared for the investigating authorities, the results of necropsy incl. laboratory examinations, and if available, conclusions of expert opinions from other special branches.", "PMID": 616640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1899", "title": "[Finding of analgesic components and their metabolites in doping control].", "content": "In doping controls it is important to exclude essential substances that are not in the list of forbidden drugs. Similarly it is important as well for these drugs to be proved in analgesic mixture abuse. An example being the proof of amidopyrine and its metabolites, further on p-phenetidine as a metabolie of phenacetin in alkaline urine extracts. Results are given in using thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography and the identification by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.", "contents": "[Finding of analgesic components and their metabolites in doping control]. In doping controls it is important to exclude essential substances that are not in the list of forbidden drugs. Similarly it is important as well for these drugs to be proved in analgesic mixture abuse. An example being the proof of amidopyrine and its metabolites, further on p-phenetidine as a metabolie of phenacetin in alkaline urine extracts. Results are given in using thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography and the identification by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.", "PMID": 616641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1900", "title": "[Determination of the C3 component in relation to paternity suits].", "content": "The C3 component which is a part of the complement appears to be of significance in assessing fatherhood in paternity causes. Its occurrence follow hereditary laws, in homozygotes the phenotype is represented by one, in heterozypotes by two zones designated as S, F and SF. The demonstration depends on the quality of the serum and the laboratory technique used. The same applies to the reliability of the readings.", "contents": "[Determination of the C3 component in relation to paternity suits]. The C3 component which is a part of the complement appears to be of significance in assessing fatherhood in paternity causes. Its occurrence follow hereditary laws, in homozygotes the phenotype is represented by one, in heterozypotes by two zones designated as S, F and SF. The demonstration depends on the quality of the serum and the laboratory technique used. The same applies to the reliability of the readings.", "PMID": 616642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1901", "title": "Large-scale production of human interferon in lymphoblastoid cells.", "content": "The methodology for optimum Namalva cell growth and interferon production has been developed. Maximum yields of interferon were obtained following dilution of a saturation density suspension culture induced with NDV.", "contents": "Large-scale production of human interferon in lymphoblastoid cells. The methodology for optimum Namalva cell growth and interferon production has been developed. Maximum yields of interferon were obtained following dilution of a saturation density suspension culture induced with NDV.", "PMID": 616666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1902", "title": "Conventional assay systems for interferon.", "content": "The continuous appearance in the literature of new and modified assays for interferon indicates the lack of a universally acceptable assay. Recent reports show a tendency for simple, rapid, and economical assays with capabilities for the assay of interferons from many animal species. The EMC HA yield reduction assay, the neuraminidase yield reduction method, and the radiochemical assay have many desirable features. These assays have the potential of displacing the presently used conventional bioassays.", "contents": "Conventional assay systems for interferon. The continuous appearance in the literature of new and modified assays for interferon indicates the lack of a universally acceptable assay. Recent reports show a tendency for simple, rapid, and economical assays with capabilities for the assay of interferons from many animal species. The EMC HA yield reduction assay, the neuraminidase yield reduction method, and the radiochemical assay have many desirable features. These assays have the potential of displacing the presently used conventional bioassays.", "PMID": 616668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1903", "title": "Priming of interferon action.", "content": "Pretreatment of L cell cultures with low levels of mouse interferon caused a more rapid development of and a greater degree of protection with subsequent exposure to higher levels of mouse interferon than that observed for control cultures. Such priming was a specific event which required cellular RNA synthesis. Priming by mouse fibroblast interferon, mouse immune interferon, and human leukocyte interferon was directly related to the plaque reduction titer of each of the interferons on L cells.", "contents": "Priming of interferon action. Pretreatment of L cell cultures with low levels of mouse interferon caused a more rapid development of and a greater degree of protection with subsequent exposure to higher levels of mouse interferon than that observed for control cultures. Such priming was a specific event which required cellular RNA synthesis. Priming by mouse fibroblast interferon, mouse immune interferon, and human leukocyte interferon was directly related to the plaque reduction titer of each of the interferons on L cells.", "PMID": 616670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1904", "title": "Inactivation of human interferon by body fluids.", "content": "We have shown almost all samples of serum, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, fecal extract, bile or urine tested contain a substance or substances capable of inactivating human interferon at normal body temperature. This adverse effect appears to be greater for fibroblast interferon-induced by either polynucleotides or viruses, than for leukocyte interferon induced by viruses. These results have a number of implications for the clinical utilization of this natural antiviral substance.", "contents": "Inactivation of human interferon by body fluids. We have shown almost all samples of serum, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, fecal extract, bile or urine tested contain a substance or substances capable of inactivating human interferon at normal body temperature. This adverse effect appears to be greater for fibroblast interferon-induced by either polynucleotides or viruses, than for leukocyte interferon induced by viruses. These results have a number of implications for the clinical utilization of this natural antiviral substance.", "PMID": 616673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1905", "title": "Activity of exogenous interferon in the human nasal mucosa.", "content": "The activity of exogenous human leukocyte IF has been studied in the human nasal mucosa and factors have been sought that would enhance its potential for clinical usefulness. Experiments have been performed which indicate that the nasal epithelial cells do respond to exogenous IF. In vivo dose requirements may be high because of mucociliary clearance mechanisms and because of the time and dose requirement for full antiviral activity. Future studies must define the IF sensitivity of different respiratory viruses in the human nasal epithelial cell and must evaluate more efficient methods of application.", "contents": "Activity of exogenous interferon in the human nasal mucosa. The activity of exogenous human leukocyte IF has been studied in the human nasal mucosa and factors have been sought that would enhance its potential for clinical usefulness. Experiments have been performed which indicate that the nasal epithelial cells do respond to exogenous IF. In vivo dose requirements may be high because of mucociliary clearance mechanisms and because of the time and dose requirement for full antiviral activity. Future studies must define the IF sensitivity of different respiratory viruses in the human nasal epithelial cell and must evaluate more efficient methods of application.", "PMID": 616674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1906", "title": "[Projections of the cortical visual areas of the posterior gyrus sigmoid and the caudate nucleus in the cat].", "content": "The complex performances of the visuo-motor system entail probably an intervention of circuits connecting, the primary visual areas, to other cortical regions, specially the sensory motor cortex, and certain sub-cortical formations. For testing this hypothesis, the unilateral resection of the areas 17, 18 and 19 has been undertaken on 19 cats, with delays ranging from 8 days to 3 months after intervention. The tracing of the pathways was carried out by combining different degenerating methods in particular the Marchi reaction. Based on this, it is possible to define a compact bundle of the axons originating from the primary visual cortex and dividing into two fascicles of unequal magnitude. The slender ends in the lower part of the posterior gyrus sigmo\u00efd; the larger one penetrates into the caudale nucleus. An ultrastructural study specifies the modalities of distribution of the axons within this nucleus.", "contents": "[Projections of the cortical visual areas of the posterior gyrus sigmoid and the caudate nucleus in the cat]. The complex performances of the visuo-motor system entail probably an intervention of circuits connecting, the primary visual areas, to other cortical regions, specially the sensory motor cortex, and certain sub-cortical formations. For testing this hypothesis, the unilateral resection of the areas 17, 18 and 19 has been undertaken on 19 cats, with delays ranging from 8 days to 3 months after intervention. The tracing of the pathways was carried out by combining different degenerating methods in particular the Marchi reaction. Based on this, it is possible to define a compact bundle of the axons originating from the primary visual cortex and dividing into two fascicles of unequal magnitude. The slender ends in the lower part of the posterior gyrus sigmo\u00efd; the larger one penetrates into the caudale nucleus. An ultrastructural study specifies the modalities of distribution of the axons within this nucleus.", "PMID": 616676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1907", "title": "[Retinal ganglion cells of the albino rat: a qualitative and quantitative study].", "content": "Ganglion cells were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in whole mount preparations of the albino rat retina, stained with cresylviolet. Cells of different size are distributed in different density over the retina, mainly arranged radially. The ganglion cell density varies between about 1200/mm2 at the edge of the retina and 5000/mm2 in the central area, centered about 1,5--2 mm away from the optic disc in the upper temporal quandrant. The mean soma diameter of the ganglion cells ranged from 7--23 micron. Based upon soma diameter histograms with regard to the eccentricities of the area centralis, ganglion cells were classified into three groups: small (7--10 micrometer diameter) mediumsized (11--14 micrometer) and large (15--23 micrometer). Relative frequencies of these groups were 53, 40 and 7% respectively. In the area centralis is the highest density of small cells. Here the relative frequencies were 62, 34 and 4% respectively. The diameter of the retina runs to 8 mm and the area to more than 40 mm2. In 2 retina the total number of ganglion cells were about 108000 and 111000 respectively.", "contents": "[Retinal ganglion cells of the albino rat: a qualitative and quantitative study]. Ganglion cells were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in whole mount preparations of the albino rat retina, stained with cresylviolet. Cells of different size are distributed in different density over the retina, mainly arranged radially. The ganglion cell density varies between about 1200/mm2 at the edge of the retina and 5000/mm2 in the central area, centered about 1,5--2 mm away from the optic disc in the upper temporal quandrant. The mean soma diameter of the ganglion cells ranged from 7--23 micron. Based upon soma diameter histograms with regard to the eccentricities of the area centralis, ganglion cells were classified into three groups: small (7--10 micrometer diameter) mediumsized (11--14 micrometer) and large (15--23 micrometer). Relative frequencies of these groups were 53, 40 and 7% respectively. In the area centralis is the highest density of small cells. Here the relative frequencies were 62, 34 and 4% respectively. The diameter of the retina runs to 8 mm and the area to more than 40 mm2. In 2 retina the total number of ganglion cells were about 108000 and 111000 respectively.", "PMID": 616677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1908", "title": "A layered rhabdom in an isopod (Crustacea). A case of convergent development.", "content": "The isopod species Astacilla longicornis (Sowerby) has a layered rhabdom, which is the first case reported in isopod crustaceans. The rhabdom comprises the rhabdomeres of six retinular cells. It is surrounded by an extracellular palisade. Usually, palisades are intracellular in arthropods. A layered rhabdom is found in taxonomically widely separated groups within the Arthropoda and no intermediate forms are found between the different, highly specialized rhabdom types present. It is concluded that the layered rhabdom represents an example of convergent development.", "contents": "A layered rhabdom in an isopod (Crustacea). A case of convergent development. The isopod species Astacilla longicornis (Sowerby) has a layered rhabdom, which is the first case reported in isopod crustaceans. The rhabdom comprises the rhabdomeres of six retinular cells. It is surrounded by an extracellular palisade. Usually, palisades are intracellular in arthropods. A layered rhabdom is found in taxonomically widely separated groups within the Arthropoda and no intermediate forms are found between the different, highly specialized rhabdom types present. It is concluded that the layered rhabdom represents an example of convergent development.", "PMID": 616678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1909", "title": "[Differentiated vascularization of the Dogiel cell types and the preferred vascularization of type I cells in the ganglia of plexus submucosus externus (Schabadasch) of the swine].", "content": "1. In analyzing the variations in form and density of the periganglionic capillary networks of the plexus Schabadasch there could unequivocally be shown a manifold better vascularisation of type I cell aggregates, compared to those of type II. 2. The preferred vascularisation of type I cells is discussed in relation to the function of the cell types of Dogiel.", "contents": "[Differentiated vascularization of the Dogiel cell types and the preferred vascularization of type I cells in the ganglia of plexus submucosus externus (Schabadasch) of the swine]. 1. In analyzing the variations in form and density of the periganglionic capillary networks of the plexus Schabadasch there could unequivocally be shown a manifold better vascularisation of type I cell aggregates, compared to those of type II. 2. The preferred vascularisation of type I cells is discussed in relation to the function of the cell types of Dogiel.", "PMID": 616679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1910", "title": "Histo-physiological studies on the interrenal gland of a catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.).", "content": "The effects of three drugs namely, reserpine, atropine, and adrenaline have been investigated on the interrenal gland of Clarias batrachus. All the drugs bring about lesser or greater degree of hypertrophy in the interrenal gland of this fish. Atropine exhibits more vigorous effect than reserpine and adrenaline.", "contents": "Histo-physiological studies on the interrenal gland of a catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.). The effects of three drugs namely, reserpine, atropine, and adrenaline have been investigated on the interrenal gland of Clarias batrachus. All the drugs bring about lesser or greater degree of hypertrophy in the interrenal gland of this fish. Atropine exhibits more vigorous effect than reserpine and adrenaline.", "PMID": 616680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1911", "title": "[Quantitative study of the apical dendritic spines in the cingulate lamina-V-pyramid neurons of the rat following oral application of alcohol].", "content": "The question answered in this paper is whether the apical dendritic spines-values of lamina-V-pyramidal cells of the gyrus cinguli of the rat are changed as a result of the oral application of ethanol. Alcohol-application causes a statistically significant increase of apical spines, especially at the main dendrite when given during the early postnatal development phase, where the brain is still impressible. The results are discussed as compensatory achievement of the not degeneratively changed neurons, while other pyramids show signs of degeneration. The conclusions were compared with the results of Kunz et al. (1976), who investigated the ethanol-effects on hippocampal pyramids.", "contents": "[Quantitative study of the apical dendritic spines in the cingulate lamina-V-pyramid neurons of the rat following oral application of alcohol]. The question answered in this paper is whether the apical dendritic spines-values of lamina-V-pyramidal cells of the gyrus cinguli of the rat are changed as a result of the oral application of ethanol. Alcohol-application causes a statistically significant increase of apical spines, especially at the main dendrite when given during the early postnatal development phase, where the brain is still impressible. The results are discussed as compensatory achievement of the not degeneratively changed neurons, while other pyramids show signs of degeneration. The conclusions were compared with the results of Kunz et al. (1976), who investigated the ethanol-effects on hippocampal pyramids.", "PMID": 616681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1912", "title": "Light and electron microscopy observations in the thyroid gland of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.).", "content": "In the summer, the pheasant thyroid presents as a relatively quiescent organ with reduced secretory activity; the follicular epithelium is very low and mostly of the pavement type, while the follicles are unwontedly large and contain an increased amount of colloid. The follicular cell cytoplasm contains numerous characteristic spherical vacuolar structures. In the winter, however, the thyroid displays remarkable reconstruction and raised activity of the follicular cells, which are much higher and columnar; the small follicles contain less colloid. Peculiar rod-like or fusiform structures, some measuring up to 6,5 microgram, were observed in the cytoplasm of the follicular cells of both hen and cock pheasants in November and March. At the beginning of the winter (November), specific dark cells with pycnotic nuclei, evidently in process of degeneration, appeared in the follicular epithelium. In March, specific granulated cells (probably parafollicular cells) were found sporadically in the immediate vicinity of the wall of subcapsular follicles in cock pheasant.", "contents": "Light and electron microscopy observations in the thyroid gland of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.). In the summer, the pheasant thyroid presents as a relatively quiescent organ with reduced secretory activity; the follicular epithelium is very low and mostly of the pavement type, while the follicles are unwontedly large and contain an increased amount of colloid. The follicular cell cytoplasm contains numerous characteristic spherical vacuolar structures. In the winter, however, the thyroid displays remarkable reconstruction and raised activity of the follicular cells, which are much higher and columnar; the small follicles contain less colloid. Peculiar rod-like or fusiform structures, some measuring up to 6,5 microgram, were observed in the cytoplasm of the follicular cells of both hen and cock pheasants in November and March. At the beginning of the winter (November), specific dark cells with pycnotic nuclei, evidently in process of degeneration, appeared in the follicular epithelium. In March, specific granulated cells (probably parafollicular cells) were found sporadically in the immediate vicinity of the wall of subcapsular follicles in cock pheasant.", "PMID": 616682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1913", "title": "The male accessory reproductive glands and spermatophore in Hydrophilus olivaceus (Polyphaga-Coleoptera).", "content": "1 In Hydrophilus olivaceus two pairs of accessory glands of mesodermal origin are associated with the male reproductive apparatus. The inner pair of glands (AG1) are thin-walled, recurved tubes of uniform diameter. Their histology and histochemistry was described. They elaborate muco-or glyco-t proteins with no RNA component and some free glycogen. The mode of secretion is merocrine. The secretory products are used for the formation of sperm capsules packed inside the spermatophore and possibly for nourishing the spermatozoa. 2. The outer pair of massive, thick-walled accessory gland (AG2) is distinguishable into 4 zones of varied histological structure, which was described in detail. The powerful external muscular coat projects inwards in the form of septa that divide the secretory epithelial cells into compartments, each having its own lumen and all the lumina lead into a central lumen. The mode of discharge of secretory products involves both merocrine and holocrine methods. The secretory cells seem to undergo endopolyploid growth of their nuclei before participating in the synthetic activities. The secretory products of AG2 are muco- or glyco proteins that tend to be coupled with RNA. These are probably utilized for the formation of the massive eosinophilic ring and pigment granules that surround the helically coiled sperm column of the spermatophore. 3. Morphology and histology of the spermatophore, after its deposition in the female genital tract, was described in detail. 4. Possible mechanisms of spermatophore disintregration and its removal from the spermathecal barrel are discussed.", "contents": "The male accessory reproductive glands and spermatophore in Hydrophilus olivaceus (Polyphaga-Coleoptera). 1 In Hydrophilus olivaceus two pairs of accessory glands of mesodermal origin are associated with the male reproductive apparatus. The inner pair of glands (AG1) are thin-walled, recurved tubes of uniform diameter. Their histology and histochemistry was described. They elaborate muco-or glyco-t proteins with no RNA component and some free glycogen. The mode of secretion is merocrine. The secretory products are used for the formation of sperm capsules packed inside the spermatophore and possibly for nourishing the spermatozoa. 2. The outer pair of massive, thick-walled accessory gland (AG2) is distinguishable into 4 zones of varied histological structure, which was described in detail. The powerful external muscular coat projects inwards in the form of septa that divide the secretory epithelial cells into compartments, each having its own lumen and all the lumina lead into a central lumen. The mode of discharge of secretory products involves both merocrine and holocrine methods. The secretory cells seem to undergo endopolyploid growth of their nuclei before participating in the synthetic activities. The secretory products of AG2 are muco- or glyco proteins that tend to be coupled with RNA. These are probably utilized for the formation of the massive eosinophilic ring and pigment granules that surround the helically coiled sperm column of the spermatophore. 3. Morphology and histology of the spermatophore, after its deposition in the female genital tract, was described in detail. 4. Possible mechanisms of spermatophore disintregration and its removal from the spermathecal barrel are discussed.", "PMID": 616683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1914", "title": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system of the teleost Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch & Schneider) with a note on it's vascularization.", "content": "The hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory (HN) complex of Trichogaster fasciatus is described with the help of in situ staining technique and tissue sections. The neurons of the nucleus preopticus (NPO) give rise to fine neurosecretory axons which form the left and right main tracts. The bulk of the tracts come laterally and enter the middle portion of the neurohypophysis. However, some of them spread out and penetrate the rostral neurohypophysis as well. Hypophysial artery contributes to the formation of primary capillary plexus (PCP) which extends from the subterminal region to the extremity of the anterior neurohypophysis. Structurally, the subterminal region and the anterior neurphoyophysis can be compared to the median eminence (ME) of tetrapods as it is differentiated into ependymal, fibrous and reticular layers. Also, these areas have aboundant neurosecretory and silver positive axons suggesting the possibility of direct transmission of neurohormones into the blood.", "contents": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system of the teleost Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch & Schneider) with a note on it's vascularization. The hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory (HN) complex of Trichogaster fasciatus is described with the help of in situ staining technique and tissue sections. The neurons of the nucleus preopticus (NPO) give rise to fine neurosecretory axons which form the left and right main tracts. The bulk of the tracts come laterally and enter the middle portion of the neurohypophysis. However, some of them spread out and penetrate the rostral neurohypophysis as well. Hypophysial artery contributes to the formation of primary capillary plexus (PCP) which extends from the subterminal region to the extremity of the anterior neurohypophysis. Structurally, the subterminal region and the anterior neurphoyophysis can be compared to the median eminence (ME) of tetrapods as it is differentiated into ependymal, fibrous and reticular layers. Also, these areas have aboundant neurosecretory and silver positive axons suggesting the possibility of direct transmission of neurohormones into the blood.", "PMID": 616684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1915", "title": "[Fluorescence histochemical studies of the uptake of exogenous noradrenaline and dopamine by in vitro cultured cerebrocortex explants of the rat].", "content": "Cerebrocortex of the neonatal rats were cultivated (--14 days). The cultures were studied living and with histological and fluorescence histochemical methods. A differentiation of neuronal cell- and fiber elements, oligodendro glial cells and astrocytes was found. The glyoxylic acid technique to estimate biogenic monoamines (Lindvall et al. 1974) was adapted up the cultivated explants. The normal cultures have only 24 h post cultivationem a specific fluorescence granularly in small concentration of the surface of the explant and in the explant self. Incubations with noradrenaline and dopamine demonstrated a various accumulation of the exogenous transmitters in the various parts of the cultivated explants. Uptake and releasing mechanisms in the cultivated material of the cerebrocortex were discussed with respect to the results of the sympathetic ganglia in vitro.", "contents": "[Fluorescence histochemical studies of the uptake of exogenous noradrenaline and dopamine by in vitro cultured cerebrocortex explants of the rat]. Cerebrocortex of the neonatal rats were cultivated (--14 days). The cultures were studied living and with histological and fluorescence histochemical methods. A differentiation of neuronal cell- and fiber elements, oligodendro glial cells and astrocytes was found. The glyoxylic acid technique to estimate biogenic monoamines (Lindvall et al. 1974) was adapted up the cultivated explants. The normal cultures have only 24 h post cultivationem a specific fluorescence granularly in small concentration of the surface of the explant and in the explant self. Incubations with noradrenaline and dopamine demonstrated a various accumulation of the exogenous transmitters in the various parts of the cultivated explants. Uptake and releasing mechanisms in the cultivated material of the cerebrocortex were discussed with respect to the results of the sympathetic ganglia in vitro.", "PMID": 616685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1916", "title": "Pituitary gland of a hillstream sisorid catfish, Pseudecheneis sulcatus (McClelland).", "content": "Pituitary gland of a hillstream sisorid catfish, Pseudecheneis sulcatus has been studied light microscopically. The pituitary is suspended from the hypothalamus by a slender infundibular stalk which enters the gland antero-dorsally, giving rise to the dorso-elptobasic condition. The pituitary is demarcated into pars nervosa, rostral pars distalis, proximal pars distalis and pars intermedia regions. Pars nervosa is formed of neurosecretory fibres which ramify extensively in the pars intermedia. The rostral pars distalis has predominantly acidophils which are arranged in rosettes. Proximal pars distalis has cyanophils, acidophils and few chromophobes while only acidophils and cyanophils are present in the pars intermedia. Sparse cyanophils and chromophobes are also present in the rostral pars distalis. The acidophils of proximal pars distalis are of two types which differ in tinctorial and morphological characteristics, from the acidophils of rostral pars distalis. The cyanophils are positively stained with AF, AT, PAS and aniline blue.", "contents": "Pituitary gland of a hillstream sisorid catfish, Pseudecheneis sulcatus (McClelland). Pituitary gland of a hillstream sisorid catfish, Pseudecheneis sulcatus has been studied light microscopically. The pituitary is suspended from the hypothalamus by a slender infundibular stalk which enters the gland antero-dorsally, giving rise to the dorso-elptobasic condition. The pituitary is demarcated into pars nervosa, rostral pars distalis, proximal pars distalis and pars intermedia regions. Pars nervosa is formed of neurosecretory fibres which ramify extensively in the pars intermedia. The rostral pars distalis has predominantly acidophils which are arranged in rosettes. Proximal pars distalis has cyanophils, acidophils and few chromophobes while only acidophils and cyanophils are present in the pars intermedia. Sparse cyanophils and chromophobes are also present in the rostral pars distalis. The acidophils of proximal pars distalis are of two types which differ in tinctorial and morphological characteristics, from the acidophils of rostral pars distalis. The cyanophils are positively stained with AF, AT, PAS and aniline blue.", "PMID": 616686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1917", "title": "The nucleus of Darkschwitsch in Pantodactylus schreiberii Wiegmann (Lacertilia, Reptilia).", "content": "The nuclear mass considered the representative of the nucleus of Darkschwitsch in reptiles in studied. It is composed of small, stellate, pyriform or rounded cells, with two or three dendritic trunks resolved in a plexus near the cellular body. Its axons take an ascending direction to the posterior commissure, and not to be medial longitudinal fasciculus as has been conventionally described.", "contents": "The nucleus of Darkschwitsch in Pantodactylus schreiberii Wiegmann (Lacertilia, Reptilia). The nuclear mass considered the representative of the nucleus of Darkschwitsch in reptiles in studied. It is composed of small, stellate, pyriform or rounded cells, with two or three dendritic trunks resolved in a plexus near the cellular body. Its axons take an ascending direction to the posterior commissure, and not to be medial longitudinal fasciculus as has been conventionally described.", "PMID": 616687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1918", "title": "The behaviour of pigment cells in the leg muscle compartments of Silver Campine fowl.", "content": "The presence of pigment cells in the leg muscle of Silver Campine fowl is ascertained. Transverse sections of legs of 16 and 21 day embryos gave similar results. Analysis of the states of differentiation indicates three types of pigment cells contained by the leg muscles. The relationship between the tissue environment and the melanoblast differentiation is discussed.", "contents": "The behaviour of pigment cells in the leg muscle compartments of Silver Campine fowl. The presence of pigment cells in the leg muscle of Silver Campine fowl is ascertained. Transverse sections of legs of 16 and 21 day embryos gave similar results. Analysis of the states of differentiation indicates three types of pigment cells contained by the leg muscles. The relationship between the tissue environment and the melanoblast differentiation is discussed.", "PMID": 616688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1919", "title": "SGC (SIF) cells in autonomic ganglion: evidence for a possible secretion of their content into the blood vessels.", "content": "Authors described signs of extrusion of granular vesicles from the SCG (SIF) cells in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of the dog. The granular vesicles were found in extracellular space as well as in the blood capillary lumen. Beside this, large number of granular vesicles were found in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of blood capillary, mainly in places of close contact between the SGC cell and the endothelial cell of the capillary. These findings strongly suggest secretory function be a primary role of SGC cells in inferior mesenteric ganglion and would explain the rich vascularisation of the SGC cell groups.", "contents": "SGC (SIF) cells in autonomic ganglion: evidence for a possible secretion of their content into the blood vessels. Authors described signs of extrusion of granular vesicles from the SCG (SIF) cells in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of the dog. The granular vesicles were found in extracellular space as well as in the blood capillary lumen. Beside this, large number of granular vesicles were found in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of blood capillary, mainly in places of close contact between the SGC cell and the endothelial cell of the capillary. These findings strongly suggest secretory function be a primary role of SGC cells in inferior mesenteric ganglion and would explain the rich vascularisation of the SGC cell groups.", "PMID": 616689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1920", "title": "Effect of neurectomy on nuclease activity in skeletal muscles of rats.", "content": "Author followed up the activity of the three enzymes involved in the catabolism of nucleic acids--acid deoxyribonulease (DNase II), alkaline ribonuclease (RNase I), and acid ribonuclease (RNase II)--in the denervated gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of rats for 28 postoperative days. The activity of both acid nucleases increased in both types of denervated muscles, compared with the respective controls. Up to the 14th postoperative day, the activity excess of both acid nucleases was more significant in the m. gastrocnemius than in the m. soleus. The RNase I ran below the control activity during the whole period in the m. soleus and up to the 14th day in the m. gastrocnemius. The role of nucleases and nuclease inhibitors in the changes of nucleic acid catabolism in neurogenic muscular atrophies is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of neurectomy on nuclease activity in skeletal muscles of rats. Author followed up the activity of the three enzymes involved in the catabolism of nucleic acids--acid deoxyribonulease (DNase II), alkaline ribonuclease (RNase I), and acid ribonuclease (RNase II)--in the denervated gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of rats for 28 postoperative days. The activity of both acid nucleases increased in both types of denervated muscles, compared with the respective controls. Up to the 14th postoperative day, the activity excess of both acid nucleases was more significant in the m. gastrocnemius than in the m. soleus. The RNase I ran below the control activity during the whole period in the m. soleus and up to the 14th day in the m. gastrocnemius. The role of nucleases and nuclease inhibitors in the changes of nucleic acid catabolism in neurogenic muscular atrophies is discussed.", "PMID": 616695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1921", "title": "Cellular autophagocytosis in mouse seminal vesicle cells in vitro.", "content": "Cellular autophagocytosis was observed in mouse seminal vesicle cells incubated in vitro up to 8 h in medium 199 or Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. During the first 2 h of incubation, early forms of autophagic vacuoles were seen in the cells, advanced forms containing degraded material began to cumulate later. After 6--8 h, early vacuoles occurred sparsely, while advanced forms were detected in a great number. During the first 2 h of incubation, we often observed smooth surfaced membrane pairs between the cisternae of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum resembling isolating membranes of autophagic vacuoles. They varied in size and shape from short, straight cisternae to long, curved ones, almost completely encircling areas of the cytoplasm. Based on these observations, we propose a tentative scheme of the formation of autophagic vacuoles, viz., the short, straight cisternae would represent the first stage in the development of an autophagic vacuole, while the curved sack-like forms are interpreted as successive steps leading to the complete sequestration of an area of the cytoplasm.", "contents": "Cellular autophagocytosis in mouse seminal vesicle cells in vitro. Cellular autophagocytosis was observed in mouse seminal vesicle cells incubated in vitro up to 8 h in medium 199 or Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. During the first 2 h of incubation, early forms of autophagic vacuoles were seen in the cells, advanced forms containing degraded material began to cumulate later. After 6--8 h, early vacuoles occurred sparsely, while advanced forms were detected in a great number. During the first 2 h of incubation, we often observed smooth surfaced membrane pairs between the cisternae of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum resembling isolating membranes of autophagic vacuoles. They varied in size and shape from short, straight cisternae to long, curved ones, almost completely encircling areas of the cytoplasm. Based on these observations, we propose a tentative scheme of the formation of autophagic vacuoles, viz., the short, straight cisternae would represent the first stage in the development of an autophagic vacuole, while the curved sack-like forms are interpreted as successive steps leading to the complete sequestration of an area of the cytoplasm.", "PMID": 616696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1922", "title": "Quantitative characterization of the autophagic process in mouse seminal vesicle cells in vitro.", "content": "Pieces of mouse seminal vesicles were incubated in vitro for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h and the autophagic vacuoles formed in the epithelial cells during incubation were counted. The vacuoles were defined as early or advanced forms by morphological criteria and the autophagic vacuole/cell ratios were determined for the early and the advanced autophagic vacuoles separately. The number of early autophagic vacuoles significantly increased in the first hours of incubation, it was the greatest in the 4th h and rapidly declined thereafter. The number of advanced vacuoles began to rise about 1.5 h later as compared to the early ones, reached its maximum in the 6th h and remained high even in the 8th h. It may be concluded that a wave-like process took place in these cells during the experiment, characterized by a short transient rise in the formation of autophagic vacuoles, and their subsequent transformation into advanced forms filled with degrading cytoplasmic fragments.", "contents": "Quantitative characterization of the autophagic process in mouse seminal vesicle cells in vitro. Pieces of mouse seminal vesicles were incubated in vitro for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h and the autophagic vacuoles formed in the epithelial cells during incubation were counted. The vacuoles were defined as early or advanced forms by morphological criteria and the autophagic vacuole/cell ratios were determined for the early and the advanced autophagic vacuoles separately. The number of early autophagic vacuoles significantly increased in the first hours of incubation, it was the greatest in the 4th h and rapidly declined thereafter. The number of advanced vacuoles began to rise about 1.5 h later as compared to the early ones, reached its maximum in the 6th h and remained high even in the 8th h. It may be concluded that a wave-like process took place in these cells during the experiment, characterized by a short transient rise in the formation of autophagic vacuoles, and their subsequent transformation into advanced forms filled with degrading cytoplasmic fragments.", "PMID": 616697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1923", "title": "Identification and estimation of an acetylcholine-like substance in the venom of Dendroaspis jamesoni.", "content": "An acetylcholine-like substance was isolated from desiccated Jameson's mamba venom by one-dimensional ascending paper chromatography. The migratory and staining properties of the substance were identical with those of standard acetylcholine. Pharmacological identification on various in vitro and in vivo biological test objects showed that the substance was acetylcholine. It was further confirmed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. The acetylcholine content was 4.35--4.36 mg/g of desiccated venom as shown by two different biological assay methods, and the index of discrimination was found to be 1.1, further confirming that substance in snake venom was acetylcholine.", "contents": "Identification and estimation of an acetylcholine-like substance in the venom of Dendroaspis jamesoni. An acetylcholine-like substance was isolated from desiccated Jameson's mamba venom by one-dimensional ascending paper chromatography. The migratory and staining properties of the substance were identical with those of standard acetylcholine. Pharmacological identification on various in vitro and in vivo biological test objects showed that the substance was acetylcholine. It was further confirmed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. The acetylcholine content was 4.35--4.36 mg/g of desiccated venom as shown by two different biological assay methods, and the index of discrimination was found to be 1.1, further confirming that substance in snake venom was acetylcholine.", "PMID": 616698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1924", "title": "Electron microscopic investigation of a giant neuron identified in the right parietal ganglion of Lymnaea stagnalis (L).", "content": "The ultrastructure of a giant neuron (GRP1) identified in the right parietal ganglion of Lymnaea stagnalis was examined. The results suggest that GRP1 is a neurosecretory cell. The perikaryon is characterized by many neurosecretory-like granules of variable electron density. The average diameter (longer axis) of the granules was 1850 A. Furthermore highly-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were observed in the cytoplasm. Synapse-like structures were often found on the somatic membrane, but typical, true synaptic endings were not seen.", "contents": "Electron microscopic investigation of a giant neuron identified in the right parietal ganglion of Lymnaea stagnalis (L). The ultrastructure of a giant neuron (GRP1) identified in the right parietal ganglion of Lymnaea stagnalis was examined. The results suggest that GRP1 is a neurosecretory cell. The perikaryon is characterized by many neurosecretory-like granules of variable electron density. The average diameter (longer axis) of the granules was 1850 A. Furthermore highly-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were observed in the cytoplasm. Synapse-like structures were often found on the somatic membrane, but typical, true synaptic endings were not seen.", "PMID": 616699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1925", "title": "Microvascular procedures in the management of lymphedema.", "content": "The burgeoning field of lymphatic research, and the applications of surgical and microsurgical techniques to the problem of lymphedema have been briefly reviewed. The chronicity of this symptom complex and the relative sparsity of cases in developed countries make controlled clinical trials of treatment unfeasable and comparisons of present regimens difficult. However, continued investigation will undoubtedly be fruitful.", "contents": "Microvascular procedures in the management of lymphedema. The burgeoning field of lymphatic research, and the applications of surgical and microsurgical techniques to the problem of lymphedema have been briefly reviewed. The chronicity of this symptom complex and the relative sparsity of cases in developed countries make controlled clinical trials of treatment unfeasable and comparisons of present regimens difficult. However, continued investigation will undoubtedly be fruitful.", "PMID": 616694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1926", "title": "Studies on bovine spleen cathepsin D.", "content": "The purification procedure of cathepsin D which includes autolysis results in the destruction of the molecule to smaller polypeptide chains. Pure catepsin D obtained by the method which includes affinity chromatography, contains single polypeptide chain of 42000 daltons. The N-terminal amino acid is glycine. The specificity was studied using synthetic substrates. CD measurement of cathepsin D shows mainly unordered structure, about 26% of beta-structure and only 5% of alpha-helix. Binding of pepstatin shows pronounced changes in the CD spectrum between 250 and 300 nm; above 7.5 no interaction was observed.", "contents": "Studies on bovine spleen cathepsin D. The purification procedure of cathepsin D which includes autolysis results in the destruction of the molecule to smaller polypeptide chains. Pure catepsin D obtained by the method which includes affinity chromatography, contains single polypeptide chain of 42000 daltons. The N-terminal amino acid is glycine. The specificity was studied using synthetic substrates. CD measurement of cathepsin D shows mainly unordered structure, about 26% of beta-structure and only 5% of alpha-helix. Binding of pepstatin shows pronounced changes in the CD spectrum between 250 and 300 nm; above 7.5 no interaction was observed.", "PMID": 616700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1927", "title": "The effect of human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G on the collagen of cartilage, tendon, and cornea.", "content": "The degradation of collagen in a number of inflammatory diseases is associated with infiltration of the tissues by neutrophil leucocytes. The neutrophil serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G, solubilize type II collagen from articular cartilage by an attack on the terminal peptides, destroying the inter- and intra-molecular crosslinks. Both enzymes also solubilize type IV collagen from kidney basement membrane. Elastase attacks the terminal peptides of type I collagen of tendon, cornea and skin, and also attacks the helical region of type I skin collagen. It seems probable that the neutrophil proteinases play an important role in collagen degradation in vivo in a variety of pathological conditions.", "contents": "The effect of human neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G on the collagen of cartilage, tendon, and cornea. The degradation of collagen in a number of inflammatory diseases is associated with infiltration of the tissues by neutrophil leucocytes. The neutrophil serine proteinases, elastase and cathepsin G, solubilize type II collagen from articular cartilage by an attack on the terminal peptides, destroying the inter- and intra-molecular crosslinks. Both enzymes also solubilize type IV collagen from kidney basement membrane. Elastase attacks the terminal peptides of type I collagen of tendon, cornea and skin, and also attacks the helical region of type I skin collagen. It seems probable that the neutrophil proteinases play an important role in collagen degradation in vivo in a variety of pathological conditions.", "PMID": 616703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1928", "title": "Protein cleavage in virus-infected cells.", "content": "A variety of proteins, including viral precursor polypeptides, were bound to a solid support and used in a sensitive assay for proteolytic enzymes in HeLa cells. A trypsin-like endoprotease, present on ribosomes of HeLa cells, loses activity after picornavirus infection. The decline follows synthesis and processing of a viral protein. Inhibition of cellfree activity of HeLa protease occurs when protein trypsin inhibitors or double-stranded RNA are added. After the mid-point of infection, protease activity with enhanced specificity for viral substrates is detected. The new protease has a pH optimum and heat stability different from endogenous host enzymes, and is synthesized following infection. A viral mutant was isolated which produces a temperature-sensitive protease. The results indicate that a poliovirus gene product participates enzymatically in the final cleavages of some polioviral proteins. A model for the regulation of poliovirus replication based on specific proteolysis is presented.", "contents": "Protein cleavage in virus-infected cells. A variety of proteins, including viral precursor polypeptides, were bound to a solid support and used in a sensitive assay for proteolytic enzymes in HeLa cells. A trypsin-like endoprotease, present on ribosomes of HeLa cells, loses activity after picornavirus infection. The decline follows synthesis and processing of a viral protein. Inhibition of cellfree activity of HeLa protease occurs when protein trypsin inhibitors or double-stranded RNA are added. After the mid-point of infection, protease activity with enhanced specificity for viral substrates is detected. The new protease has a pH optimum and heat stability different from endogenous host enzymes, and is synthesized following infection. A viral mutant was isolated which produces a temperature-sensitive protease. The results indicate that a poliovirus gene product participates enzymatically in the final cleavages of some polioviral proteins. A model for the regulation of poliovirus replication based on specific proteolysis is presented.", "PMID": 616704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1929", "title": "Peptidases of the kidney microvillus membrane.", "content": "The microvillus membrane of the kidney is highly differentiated in its complement of enzymes and other proteins. In addition to the five well documented peptidases that are present in the membrane, recent work suggests that aminopeptidase P, carboxypeptidase P and an enzyme tentatively referred to as \"leucine hydrazidase\" are also microvillus enzymes. Microvillus serine peptidase (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) has been purified after detergent solubilization. The catalytic and molecular properties of this form and the form released by autolysis have been compared in an attempt to gain understanding of the intramembranous domain of this protein. Current views on the molecular organization of the microvillus are discussed.", "contents": "Peptidases of the kidney microvillus membrane. The microvillus membrane of the kidney is highly differentiated in its complement of enzymes and other proteins. In addition to the five well documented peptidases that are present in the membrane, recent work suggests that aminopeptidase P, carboxypeptidase P and an enzyme tentatively referred to as \"leucine hydrazidase\" are also microvillus enzymes. Microvillus serine peptidase (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) has been purified after detergent solubilization. The catalytic and molecular properties of this form and the form released by autolysis have been compared in an attempt to gain understanding of the intramembranous domain of this protein. Current views on the molecular organization of the microvillus are discussed.", "PMID": 616705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1930", "title": "Degradation of myofibrillar proteins by cathepsins B and D.", "content": "Cathepsin B and cathepsin D were purified from rat liver and skeletal muscle. Electrophoretic analyses revealed that the enzymes were highly purified, and isoelectric focusing demonstrated multiple forms of both enzymes. Purified actin and myosin, as well as actin and myosin in myofilaments and myofibrils, were degraded by the purified cathepsins B and D. Degradation of myosin was completely blocked by the cathepsin B and D inhibitors, leupeptin and pepstatin, respectively. Cathepsins B and D were visualized by electron microscopy, using CBZ-Ala- Arg-Arg-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamine and BZ-Arg-Gly-Phe-Leu-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamine as substrates.", "contents": "Degradation of myofibrillar proteins by cathepsins B and D. Cathepsin B and cathepsin D were purified from rat liver and skeletal muscle. Electrophoretic analyses revealed that the enzymes were highly purified, and isoelectric focusing demonstrated multiple forms of both enzymes. Purified actin and myosin, as well as actin and myosin in myofilaments and myofibrils, were degraded by the purified cathepsins B and D. Degradation of myosin was completely blocked by the cathepsin B and D inhibitors, leupeptin and pepstatin, respectively. Cathepsins B and D were visualized by electron microscopy, using CBZ-Ala- Arg-Arg-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamine and BZ-Arg-Gly-Phe-Leu-4-methoxy-beta-naphthylamine as substrates.", "PMID": 616706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1931", "title": "Degradation of myones as a consequence of disuse and denervation.", "content": "After denervation or immobilization in both slow and fast muscles of rabbits a rapid decrease in weight and protein content and a focal degeneration of cell ultrastructure were observed. As a consequence marked changes in the ratio of soluble to myofibrillar protein and in regulatory proteins of myofibrillar system occurred.", "contents": "Degradation of myones as a consequence of disuse and denervation. After denervation or immobilization in both slow and fast muscles of rabbits a rapid decrease in weight and protein content and a focal degeneration of cell ultrastructure were observed. As a consequence marked changes in the ratio of soluble to myofibrillar protein and in regulatory proteins of myofibrillar system occurred.", "PMID": 616707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1932", "title": "A neutral protease from rat intestinal muscle. A possible role in the degradation of native enzymes.", "content": "A membrane-limited protease has been solubilised and partially purified from the intestinal smooth muscle of rats fed on protein free diets. This neutral protease has a mol. wt. of around 33,000 and from its susceptibility to several known modifiers of proteolytic enzymes, it appears to be trypsin-like. It is stable over a relatively narrow pH range and it appears to have a markedly enhanced ability over trypsin for inactivating substrate enzymes in their native conformations through limited proteolysis. The rate of inactivation of substrate enzymes can be modulated by cofactors, allosteric ligands, or by changes in ionic strength. In addition, a specific protein inhibitor of the protease has been measured and levels of this are high in animals fed on normal diets. On administration of protein free diets, the inhibitory activity is depleted. Contamination of the muscle tissue by lumenal, mucosal or blood proteases and inhibitors has been excluded. A role for the neutral protease in initiating the turnover of intracellular enzymes is postulated.", "contents": "A neutral protease from rat intestinal muscle. A possible role in the degradation of native enzymes. A membrane-limited protease has been solubilised and partially purified from the intestinal smooth muscle of rats fed on protein free diets. This neutral protease has a mol. wt. of around 33,000 and from its susceptibility to several known modifiers of proteolytic enzymes, it appears to be trypsin-like. It is stable over a relatively narrow pH range and it appears to have a markedly enhanced ability over trypsin for inactivating substrate enzymes in their native conformations through limited proteolysis. The rate of inactivation of substrate enzymes can be modulated by cofactors, allosteric ligands, or by changes in ionic strength. In addition, a specific protein inhibitor of the protease has been measured and levels of this are high in animals fed on normal diets. On administration of protein free diets, the inhibitory activity is depleted. Contamination of the muscle tissue by lumenal, mucosal or blood proteases and inhibitors has been excluded. A role for the neutral protease in initiating the turnover of intracellular enzymes is postulated.", "PMID": 616709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1933", "title": "The susceptibility of glycogen phosphorylase to inactivation by endogenous and exogenous proteases.", "content": "Phosphorylases a and b were inactivated very rapidly by a neutral, trypsin-like protease from rat intestinal muscle. With 32P-phosphorylase a as substrate, it was shown that the initial event in the inactivation was the release of a small, phosphopeptide from the N-terminus of the enzyme, leaving the original 100,000 subunit form virtually unchanged. Subsequent proteolysis was very limited, producing 85, 70 and 65,000 mol. wt. derivatives. The effects of several allosteric modulators of phosphorylase on the rates of inactivation of the two enzymes were studied. Removal of the pyridoxal phosphate cofactor from phosphorylase increased the susceptibility of the b form by three fold while the a form was unaffected. By comparison of these effects with those obtained from digestion with trypsin and chymotrypsin, it is concluded that the intestinal muscle protease has a markedly enhanced ability for inactivating enzymes in their native conformation. Assuming that this property is reflected in vivo, a possible role such neutral proteases in initiating protein degradation is advanced.", "contents": "The susceptibility of glycogen phosphorylase to inactivation by endogenous and exogenous proteases. Phosphorylases a and b were inactivated very rapidly by a neutral, trypsin-like protease from rat intestinal muscle. With 32P-phosphorylase a as substrate, it was shown that the initial event in the inactivation was the release of a small, phosphopeptide from the N-terminus of the enzyme, leaving the original 100,000 subunit form virtually unchanged. Subsequent proteolysis was very limited, producing 85, 70 and 65,000 mol. wt. derivatives. The effects of several allosteric modulators of phosphorylase on the rates of inactivation of the two enzymes were studied. Removal of the pyridoxal phosphate cofactor from phosphorylase increased the susceptibility of the b form by three fold while the a form was unaffected. By comparison of these effects with those obtained from digestion with trypsin and chymotrypsin, it is concluded that the intestinal muscle protease has a markedly enhanced ability for inactivating enzymes in their native conformation. Assuming that this property is reflected in vivo, a possible role such neutral proteases in initiating protein degradation is advanced.", "PMID": 616710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1934", "title": "Evidence pointing to the main role of lysosomes in mitochondrial proteolysis at neutral pH.", "content": "Recombination experiments using radioactive mitochondria and mitoplasts, and nonradioactive lysosomes or digitonin-soluble fraction of mitochondria, show equal rates of proteolysis and of inactivation of carbamyl phosphate synthetase; the amount of lysosomal protein was equal in both cases on the basis of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity. Therefore, lysosomes seem to be responsible for all the proteolytic activity exhibited by the digitonin soluble fraction of mitochondrial preparations. Since this fraction contains ca. 90% of the proteolytic activity present in mitochondrial preparations, most of the proteolysis can be attributed to lysosomal contamination. These findings and stability characteristics \"in vitro\" and \"in vivo\" of some matrix enzymes are presented and discussed in relation to protein turnover.", "contents": "Evidence pointing to the main role of lysosomes in mitochondrial proteolysis at neutral pH. Recombination experiments using radioactive mitochondria and mitoplasts, and nonradioactive lysosomes or digitonin-soluble fraction of mitochondria, show equal rates of proteolysis and of inactivation of carbamyl phosphate synthetase; the amount of lysosomal protein was equal in both cases on the basis of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity. Therefore, lysosomes seem to be responsible for all the proteolytic activity exhibited by the digitonin soluble fraction of mitochondrial preparations. Since this fraction contains ca. 90% of the proteolytic activity present in mitochondrial preparations, most of the proteolysis can be attributed to lysosomal contamination. These findings and stability characteristics \"in vitro\" and \"in vivo\" of some matrix enzymes are presented and discussed in relation to protein turnover.", "PMID": 616711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1935", "title": "Increased susceptibility of carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase to proteolysis.", "content": "Glutamate dehydrogenase is very susceptible to carbamylation which results in loss of activity. The effect of a number of proteolytic enzymes (pronase, trypsin and chymotrypsin) on native and carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase was tested. In all cases, the carbamylated enzyme was at least twice as susceptible to proteolysis as the native enzyme. Antibodies were prepared against glutamate dehydrogenase and carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase; the carbamylated enzyme was antigenically indistinguishable from the native enzyme. Preliminary experiments indicate that the carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase is taken up by ascites tumor cells while glutamate dehydrogenase is not. It seems possible that the effects described can be extrapolated to degradation by lysosomes and to other covalently modified enzymes.", "contents": "Increased susceptibility of carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase to proteolysis. Glutamate dehydrogenase is very susceptible to carbamylation which results in loss of activity. The effect of a number of proteolytic enzymes (pronase, trypsin and chymotrypsin) on native and carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase was tested. In all cases, the carbamylated enzyme was at least twice as susceptible to proteolysis as the native enzyme. Antibodies were prepared against glutamate dehydrogenase and carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase; the carbamylated enzyme was antigenically indistinguishable from the native enzyme. Preliminary experiments indicate that the carbamylated glutamate dehydrogenase is taken up by ascites tumor cells while glutamate dehydrogenase is not. It seems possible that the effects described can be extrapolated to degradation by lysosomes and to other covalently modified enzymes.", "PMID": 616712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1936", "title": "Acetyl glutamate--a model of signals for intracellular proteolysis.", "content": "The proteolysis at neutral pH of mitochondria from liver and brain is more marked in isolated preparations than \"in vivo\" indicating activation of proteases or inactivation of repressors during isolation. Acetyl glutamate (AG), found in liver mitochondria of ureotelic animals, plays a crucial role as activator of carbamylphosphate synthetase. Since AG levels change under a number of conditions, we checked for an AG deacylase in mitochondria, for otherwise AG must be exported and destroyed by cytosol deacylases. We noted on incubation of mitochondrial extracts with AG an increase in trichloracetic acid-soluble ninhydrin-reacting material but not in acetate liberation, indicating activation of proteases. This was checked with 14C-labelled mitochondria. Under certain conditions AG and other acyl aminoacids stimulate approximately 5 to 20% the proteolysis with rat live and with brain mitochondria.", "contents": "Acetyl glutamate--a model of signals for intracellular proteolysis. The proteolysis at neutral pH of mitochondria from liver and brain is more marked in isolated preparations than \"in vivo\" indicating activation of proteases or inactivation of repressors during isolation. Acetyl glutamate (AG), found in liver mitochondria of ureotelic animals, plays a crucial role as activator of carbamylphosphate synthetase. Since AG levels change under a number of conditions, we checked for an AG deacylase in mitochondria, for otherwise AG must be exported and destroyed by cytosol deacylases. We noted on incubation of mitochondrial extracts with AG an increase in trichloracetic acid-soluble ninhydrin-reacting material but not in acetate liberation, indicating activation of proteases. This was checked with 14C-labelled mitochondria. Under certain conditions AG and other acyl aminoacids stimulate approximately 5 to 20% the proteolysis with rat live and with brain mitochondria.", "PMID": 616713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1937", "title": "Flow and shuttle of plasma membrane during endocytosis.", "content": "A striking feature of endocytosis is the large amount of surface membrane that is brought into the cells through the formation of endocytic vesicles. Little is known about the fate of this membrane material. It is implausible that it would be destroyed in lysosomes, as the rate of turnover of the constituents of plasma membrane is much too low with respect to the rate of endocytosis in all cells studied so far. Conversely, plasma membrane fragments, internalized by endocytosis cannot merely be incorporated in lysosomes, as these organelles have been shown to maintain their size, despite continuous and active endocytosis. We present evidence that plasma membrane antigens, detected by means of specific antibodies, are internalized during endocytosis and reach lysosomes. They are thereafter returned back to cell surface. These results indicate the existence of a shuttle of membrane elements between the cell surface and lysosomes.", "contents": "Flow and shuttle of plasma membrane during endocytosis. A striking feature of endocytosis is the large amount of surface membrane that is brought into the cells through the formation of endocytic vesicles. Little is known about the fate of this membrane material. It is implausible that it would be destroyed in lysosomes, as the rate of turnover of the constituents of plasma membrane is much too low with respect to the rate of endocytosis in all cells studied so far. Conversely, plasma membrane fragments, internalized by endocytosis cannot merely be incorporated in lysosomes, as these organelles have been shown to maintain their size, despite continuous and active endocytosis. We present evidence that plasma membrane antigens, detected by means of specific antibodies, are internalized during endocytosis and reach lysosomes. They are thereafter returned back to cell surface. These results indicate the existence of a shuttle of membrane elements between the cell surface and lysosomes.", "PMID": 616714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1938", "title": "Inhibition by insulin of the physiological autophagic breakdown of cell organelles.", "content": "By using electron microscopic morphometry it was found that the fractional volume of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of liver cells decreased rapidly after administering 5 units insulin per kg body weight to otherwise untreated rats. From the decay which appears to follow first order kinetics a half-life of 9 min was found for the compartment of autophagic vacuoles. The rates of autophagic breakdown calculated were different for the different cytoplasmic components, indicating that selecting mechanisms are involved in the process of segregation which is the first step in autophagy.", "contents": "Inhibition by insulin of the physiological autophagic breakdown of cell organelles. By using electron microscopic morphometry it was found that the fractional volume of autophagic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of liver cells decreased rapidly after administering 5 units insulin per kg body weight to otherwise untreated rats. From the decay which appears to follow first order kinetics a half-life of 9 min was found for the compartment of autophagic vacuoles. The rates of autophagic breakdown calculated were different for the different cytoplasmic components, indicating that selecting mechanisms are involved in the process of segregation which is the first step in autophagy.", "PMID": 616715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1939", "title": "Studies on the relationship between the molecular structure and the catabolism of insulin.", "content": "The catabolism of insulins modified at the A1, B1 or B29 positions or containing a synthetic crosslink between the A1 and B29 positions has been studied in vivo and in vitro. The metabolic clearance rates (MCR) of insulin, proinsulin and chemically modified insulins have been measured by a priming-dose constant infusion technique in greyhounds. Insulins modified at A1 and B29, particularly the crosslinked materials, had markedly lowered MCR's whilst B1 analogues did not differ from insulin. Proinsulin and the A1-B29 crosslinked materials showed a markedly lowered degradability by glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase.", "contents": "Studies on the relationship between the molecular structure and the catabolism of insulin. The catabolism of insulins modified at the A1, B1 or B29 positions or containing a synthetic crosslink between the A1 and B29 positions has been studied in vivo and in vitro. The metabolic clearance rates (MCR) of insulin, proinsulin and chemically modified insulins have been measured by a priming-dose constant infusion technique in greyhounds. Insulins modified at A1 and B29, particularly the crosslinked materials, had markedly lowered MCR's whilst B1 analogues did not differ from insulin. Proinsulin and the A1-B29 crosslinked materials showed a markedly lowered degradability by glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase.", "PMID": 616716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1940", "title": "Conversion of proinsulin into insulin by cathepsins B and L from rat liver lysosomes.", "content": "Conversion of proinsulin and intermediate forms of proinsulin into insulin were studied with rat liver cell fractions and purified lysosomal proteinases by using the technique of polyacrylamide disc-electrophoresis. Both substrates were degraded very rapidly by homogenates and crude lysosomal fractions to split products not detectable on disc-electropherograms. Neither breakdown nor conversion were detected with the cytosol and the microsomal fraction. With partially purified lysosomal fractions (mol. wt. approx. 25 000) or with highly purified cathepsin L or cathepsin B (B1) proinsulin was converted into products migrating like the intermediate forms and insulin, and the intermediates were converted into products migrating like insulin and deoctapeptide-insulin in disc-electropherograms. The mechanism of conversion seems to be different for both enzymes. The results force us to conclude that lysosomal cathepsins, especially cathepsins L and B might be involved in the process of conversion of proinsulin into insulin and perhaps also of other precursors into biologically active proteins in vivo.", "contents": "Conversion of proinsulin into insulin by cathepsins B and L from rat liver lysosomes. Conversion of proinsulin and intermediate forms of proinsulin into insulin were studied with rat liver cell fractions and purified lysosomal proteinases by using the technique of polyacrylamide disc-electrophoresis. Both substrates were degraded very rapidly by homogenates and crude lysosomal fractions to split products not detectable on disc-electropherograms. Neither breakdown nor conversion were detected with the cytosol and the microsomal fraction. With partially purified lysosomal fractions (mol. wt. approx. 25 000) or with highly purified cathepsin L or cathepsin B (B1) proinsulin was converted into products migrating like the intermediate forms and insulin, and the intermediates were converted into products migrating like insulin and deoctapeptide-insulin in disc-electropherograms. The mechanism of conversion seems to be different for both enzymes. The results force us to conclude that lysosomal cathepsins, especially cathepsins L and B might be involved in the process of conversion of proinsulin into insulin and perhaps also of other precursors into biologically active proteins in vivo.", "PMID": 616718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1941", "title": "Presence of an endopeptidase activity in rat liver ribosomes.", "content": "Preparation of ribosomes using different procedures (treatment of postmitochondrial-postlysosomal supernatant or microsomes with 1% triton in 0.15 or 0.5 M KCl and subsequent sucrose gradient centrifugation; treatment of microsomes with 1.5% deoxycholate/2% triton) results in purified ribosomes which contain an endopeptidase activity detectable by breakdown of ribosomal proteins to trichloroacetic acid soluble split products. The proteolytic activity can be recovered also in the extracted proteins of whole ribosomes. With ribosomes the pH optimum of proteolytic breakdown is at about 7. The inhibition of the activity by leupeptin, DIFP and soya bean trypsin inhibitor suggests a serine type of the proteolytic activity.", "contents": "Presence of an endopeptidase activity in rat liver ribosomes. Preparation of ribosomes using different procedures (treatment of postmitochondrial-postlysosomal supernatant or microsomes with 1% triton in 0.15 or 0.5 M KCl and subsequent sucrose gradient centrifugation; treatment of microsomes with 1.5% deoxycholate/2% triton) results in purified ribosomes which contain an endopeptidase activity detectable by breakdown of ribosomal proteins to trichloroacetic acid soluble split products. The proteolytic activity can be recovered also in the extracted proteins of whole ribosomes. With ribosomes the pH optimum of proteolytic breakdown is at about 7. The inhibition of the activity by leupeptin, DIFP and soya bean trypsin inhibitor suggests a serine type of the proteolytic activity.", "PMID": 616719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1942", "title": "The role of lysosomal enzymes in protein degradation in different types of rat liver cells.", "content": "Highly purified suspensions of parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells were prepared from the rat liver. The respective roles of these cell classes in the degradation of proteins was investigated by analysing the cellular distribution of two lysomal proteases. The specific arginine naphthylamidase activity was 2 times higher in Kupffer cells compared with the nearly equal activities in endothelial and parenchymal cells. The specific activity of the important endopeptidase cathepsin D in endothelial and Kupffer cells was about 12 and 36 times higher, respectively, than the activity in parenchymal cells. These results are in agreement with an important role of Kupffer and endothelial cells in the degradation of proteins and protein containing material of exogenous origin.", "contents": "The role of lysosomal enzymes in protein degradation in different types of rat liver cells. Highly purified suspensions of parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells were prepared from the rat liver. The respective roles of these cell classes in the degradation of proteins was investigated by analysing the cellular distribution of two lysomal proteases. The specific arginine naphthylamidase activity was 2 times higher in Kupffer cells compared with the nearly equal activities in endothelial and parenchymal cells. The specific activity of the important endopeptidase cathepsin D in endothelial and Kupffer cells was about 12 and 36 times higher, respectively, than the activity in parenchymal cells. These results are in agreement with an important role of Kupffer and endothelial cells in the degradation of proteins and protein containing material of exogenous origin.", "PMID": 616721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1943", "title": "Endocytosis and breakdown of proteins by sinusoidal liver cells.", "content": "We studied the uptake of modified forms of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (labeled with 125-iodine) by rat liver in vivo. On one hand, these experiments were intended to investigate a possible role of sinusoidal cells in the uptake of plasma proteins; on the other hand, the effect of well-defined modifications of the enzyme on the role of uptake might give us a key to the factors determining life time of plasma proteins. We used nephrectomized rats in most experiments to avoid uptake by the kidneys. Preparations of ribonuclease oligomers prepared by cross-linking with dimethyl-suberimidate enabled us to study a possible relation between uptake and molecular size. This modification does not lead to changes in charge of the protein. Monomer, dimer and polymer fractions were isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. Of the 11 amino groups in ribonuclease A, 9, 8 and 6 remained unaltered in the monomer, dimer and polymer fraction, respectively. The maintenance of biological activity, the stability of disulfide bonds, and the unchanged susceptibility to endoproteases of the cross-linked products established that gross conformational changes had not occurred. At 1 h after injection, 1% of themonomer, 7% of the dimer and 19% of the polymer were recovered per g of liver protein. Combination of autoradiography, subcellular fractionation, and the determination of labeled ribonuclease derivatives in the spleens showed that the dimer and polymer fractions were mainly present in the lysosomes of sinusoidal cells.", "contents": "Endocytosis and breakdown of proteins by sinusoidal liver cells. We studied the uptake of modified forms of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (labeled with 125-iodine) by rat liver in vivo. On one hand, these experiments were intended to investigate a possible role of sinusoidal cells in the uptake of plasma proteins; on the other hand, the effect of well-defined modifications of the enzyme on the role of uptake might give us a key to the factors determining life time of plasma proteins. We used nephrectomized rats in most experiments to avoid uptake by the kidneys. Preparations of ribonuclease oligomers prepared by cross-linking with dimethyl-suberimidate enabled us to study a possible relation between uptake and molecular size. This modification does not lead to changes in charge of the protein. Monomer, dimer and polymer fractions were isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. Of the 11 amino groups in ribonuclease A, 9, 8 and 6 remained unaltered in the monomer, dimer and polymer fraction, respectively. The maintenance of biological activity, the stability of disulfide bonds, and the unchanged susceptibility to endoproteases of the cross-linked products established that gross conformational changes had not occurred. At 1 h after injection, 1% of themonomer, 7% of the dimer and 19% of the polymer were recovered per g of liver protein. Combination of autoradiography, subcellular fractionation, and the determination of labeled ribonuclease derivatives in the spleens showed that the dimer and polymer fractions were mainly present in the lysosomes of sinusoidal cells.", "PMID": 616722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1944", "title": "Attempts to relate enzyme inactivation to degradation in vivo.", "content": "Inactivation of liver cytosol proteins has been measured in vitro in the presence of various membranes and disulphides. Inactivation rates correlate with the known degradation rate constants of the enzymes in the intact liver. More extensive studies were carried out with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) using either cytosol as a source of these enzymes or alternatively highly purified preparations of each enzyme. All membranes purified from liver had a considerable capacity to inactivate the enzymes with higher activity found in the hepatocyte plasma membrane. Various lipid preparations or plasma membranes from other tissues were virtually ineffective. Inactivation was dependent on disulphides in the membranes as shown by the inhibition of activity if membranes were pretreated with thiols. Preliminary experiments of the fate of inactivated G6PD or PEPCK show binding to membranes and subsequent proteolysis. A model is proposed for the degradation of labile enzymes.", "contents": "Attempts to relate enzyme inactivation to degradation in vivo. Inactivation of liver cytosol proteins has been measured in vitro in the presence of various membranes and disulphides. Inactivation rates correlate with the known degradation rate constants of the enzymes in the intact liver. More extensive studies were carried out with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) using either cytosol as a source of these enzymes or alternatively highly purified preparations of each enzyme. All membranes purified from liver had a considerable capacity to inactivate the enzymes with higher activity found in the hepatocyte plasma membrane. Various lipid preparations or plasma membranes from other tissues were virtually ineffective. Inactivation was dependent on disulphides in the membranes as shown by the inhibition of activity if membranes were pretreated with thiols. Preliminary experiments of the fate of inactivated G6PD or PEPCK show binding to membranes and subsequent proteolysis. A model is proposed for the degradation of labile enzymes.", "PMID": 616725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1945", "title": "Lysosomes and protein degradation.", "content": "Evidence from studies on mouse peritoneal macrophages using the inhibitor pepstatin confirms lysosomal involvement in basal protein degradation, and extends its relevance to degradation of long half-life and analogue containing proteins. Studies on the ability of MRC-5 (a limited life-span fibroblast line) cells to selectively degrade analogue-containing proteins are described. These indicate that this capacity is retained even in very old cells; indeed such cells show an increased proportion of rapidly-degradable proteins. Analogue containing proteins bind preferentially to lysosomal membranes, and like liver cytosol proteins of short half-life, are selectively endocytosed and degraded by certain cells in culture. Thus membrane binding allowing selective entry to the lysosomal system may be important in controlling rate of degradation of both intracellular and extracellular protein. A method potentially allowing for determination of the rate of autophagy in cells, is described. This should enable further assessment of the quantitative involvement of lysosomes in protein degradation.", "contents": "Lysosomes and protein degradation. Evidence from studies on mouse peritoneal macrophages using the inhibitor pepstatin confirms lysosomal involvement in basal protein degradation, and extends its relevance to degradation of long half-life and analogue containing proteins. Studies on the ability of MRC-5 (a limited life-span fibroblast line) cells to selectively degrade analogue-containing proteins are described. These indicate that this capacity is retained even in very old cells; indeed such cells show an increased proportion of rapidly-degradable proteins. Analogue containing proteins bind preferentially to lysosomal membranes, and like liver cytosol proteins of short half-life, are selectively endocytosed and degraded by certain cells in culture. Thus membrane binding allowing selective entry to the lysosomal system may be important in controlling rate of degradation of both intracellular and extracellular protein. A method potentially allowing for determination of the rate of autophagy in cells, is described. This should enable further assessment of the quantitative involvement of lysosomes in protein degradation.", "PMID": 616726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1946", "title": "Protein degradation in rat liver cells.", "content": "The intracellular protein catabolism in isolated hepatocytes is inhibited by pepstatin and particularly by leupeptin in the presence of liposomes. Leupeptin has an inhibitory action both in the absence and in the presence of liposomes (nearly 40%).", "contents": "Protein degradation in rat liver cells. The intracellular protein catabolism in isolated hepatocytes is inhibited by pepstatin and particularly by leupeptin in the presence of liposomes. Leupeptin has an inhibitory action both in the absence and in the presence of liposomes (nearly 40%).", "PMID": 616727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1947", "title": "Pepstatin- and leupeptin-loaded liposomes: a tool in protein breakdown studies.", "content": "The preparation of proteinase inhibitor loaded \"solid\" positively charged liposomes is described. Some properties of the vesicle preparations are given and the findings are tentatively summarized in a scheme of liposomophagy.", "contents": "Pepstatin- and leupeptin-loaded liposomes: a tool in protein breakdown studies. The preparation of proteinase inhibitor loaded \"solid\" positively charged liposomes is described. Some properties of the vesicle preparations are given and the findings are tentatively summarized in a scheme of liposomophagy.", "PMID": 616728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1948", "title": "Cooperation of various subcellular fractions in protein degradation in vitro.", "content": "In order to test the possibilities in protein degradation between cell organelles comparatively, [3H]- and [14C]-leucine short-time labelled subcellular fractions from rat liver were incubated with each other at pH 6.9. All fractions tested were able to degrade short-lived proteins from foreign fractions, whereby the lysosomal supernatant fraction showed the highest proteolytic activity, which declines in the sequence: lysosomes--nuclei--mitochondria--cytosol--microsomes. Short-lived cytosolic proteins were especially suited as substrate for neutral proteases from all other fractions, but also microsomal, mitochondrial and nuclear proteins were well degraded by foreign fractions in comparison with the substrate autoproteolysis. Therefore in vivo manyfold cooperations between several organelles in protein catabolism seem to be possible.", "contents": "Cooperation of various subcellular fractions in protein degradation in vitro. In order to test the possibilities in protein degradation between cell organelles comparatively, [3H]- and [14C]-leucine short-time labelled subcellular fractions from rat liver were incubated with each other at pH 6.9. All fractions tested were able to degrade short-lived proteins from foreign fractions, whereby the lysosomal supernatant fraction showed the highest proteolytic activity, which declines in the sequence: lysosomes--nuclei--mitochondria--cytosol--microsomes. Short-lived cytosolic proteins were especially suited as substrate for neutral proteases from all other fractions, but also microsomal, mitochondrial and nuclear proteins were well degraded by foreign fractions in comparison with the substrate autoproteolysis. Therefore in vivo manyfold cooperations between several organelles in protein catabolism seem to be possible.", "PMID": 616731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1949", "title": "Aging changes in intracellular protein breakdown.", "content": "Using radioactively labelled cytosol proteins as substrates we were able to exclude the possible accumulation of any specific inhibitor for the lysosomal proteases in rat liver cytosol during the aging process. There were also no gross changes in the molecular weight patterns of these proteins during the aging process. The percentage of more hydrophobic proteins seems to be identical in both the \"old\" and \"young\" cytosol proteins. From immunological experiments we suppose a qualitative change in the composition of rat liver cytosol proteins or of their properties during the aging process.", "contents": "Aging changes in intracellular protein breakdown. Using radioactively labelled cytosol proteins as substrates we were able to exclude the possible accumulation of any specific inhibitor for the lysosomal proteases in rat liver cytosol during the aging process. There were also no gross changes in the molecular weight patterns of these proteins during the aging process. The percentage of more hydrophobic proteins seems to be identical in both the \"old\" and \"young\" cytosol proteins. From immunological experiments we suppose a qualitative change in the composition of rat liver cytosol proteins or of their properties during the aging process.", "PMID": 616730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1950", "title": "Naturally occurring inhibitors of intracellular proteinases.", "content": "The papain inhibitor isolated from chicken egg white inhibits the enzymatic activity of cathepsin B1 and cathepsin C. The inhibitor bears two nonoverlapping reactive sites: one binds cathepsin B1, papain, ficin, and bromelain, the other one cathepsin C. The inhibitor decreases the degree of an immunologic hypersensitive reaction, the so-called Arthus reaction. A statistically significant inhibition of this immunologically developed inflammation occurs only if the inhibitor is applied intradermally and simultaneously with the provoking dose of the antigen to rabbits sensitized to the same antigen. The pepsin inhibitor from the body walls of the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides inhibits the proteolytic activity of cathepsin E. This inhibitor covalently bound to Sepharose 4B was used for affinity chromatography of cathepsin E. A cathepsin D inhibitor was isolated from potato tubers and its inhibitory and chemical characteristics were studied. The inhibitor does not inhibit either cathepsin E or pepsin yet inhibits trypsin in the alkaline pH-range. The molecular weight of the inhibitor is 21 790 and its molecule consists of 199 amino acid residues. The sequence of 17 amino acid residues was determined by Edman degradation of the inhibitor molecule.", "contents": "Naturally occurring inhibitors of intracellular proteinases. The papain inhibitor isolated from chicken egg white inhibits the enzymatic activity of cathepsin B1 and cathepsin C. The inhibitor bears two nonoverlapping reactive sites: one binds cathepsin B1, papain, ficin, and bromelain, the other one cathepsin C. The inhibitor decreases the degree of an immunologic hypersensitive reaction, the so-called Arthus reaction. A statistically significant inhibition of this immunologically developed inflammation occurs only if the inhibitor is applied intradermally and simultaneously with the provoking dose of the antigen to rabbits sensitized to the same antigen. The pepsin inhibitor from the body walls of the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides inhibits the proteolytic activity of cathepsin E. This inhibitor covalently bound to Sepharose 4B was used for affinity chromatography of cathepsin E. A cathepsin D inhibitor was isolated from potato tubers and its inhibitory and chemical characteristics were studied. The inhibitor does not inhibit either cathepsin E or pepsin yet inhibits trypsin in the alkaline pH-range. The molecular weight of the inhibitor is 21 790 and its molecule consists of 199 amino acid residues. The sequence of 17 amino acid residues was determined by Edman degradation of the inhibitor molecule.", "PMID": 616734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1951", "title": "Isolation and characterization of inhibitors of neutral proteinases from spleen.", "content": "Two different types of neutral proteinase inhibitors were isolated from postmicrosomal supernatant of bovine spleen. Inhibitor A with molecular weight 40,000 inhibits elastases and chymotrypsin-like neutral proteinases from bovine spleen, whereas inhibitor B with estimated molecular weight 20 000 inhibits only chymotrypsin-like neutral proteinase.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of inhibitors of neutral proteinases from spleen. Two different types of neutral proteinase inhibitors were isolated from postmicrosomal supernatant of bovine spleen. Inhibitor A with molecular weight 40,000 inhibits elastases and chymotrypsin-like neutral proteinases from bovine spleen, whereas inhibitor B with estimated molecular weight 20 000 inhibits only chymotrypsin-like neutral proteinase.", "PMID": 616735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1952", "title": "Studies on the in vivo-action of leupeptin on the nitrogen retention in rats.", "content": "A daily s.c. injection of 0.5 mg leupeptin for 7 days does not influence the digestibility of food-N but seems to improve the N-retention. A daily injection of 1.0 mg leupeptin for 14 days is without influence on the digestibility of N, too, but the N-retention was decreased. At this leupeptin level the half-lives of intestinal proteins were prolonged. The data indicate the possibility to influence the N-retention using leupeptin.", "contents": "Studies on the in vivo-action of leupeptin on the nitrogen retention in rats. A daily s.c. injection of 0.5 mg leupeptin for 7 days does not influence the digestibility of food-N but seems to improve the N-retention. A daily injection of 1.0 mg leupeptin for 14 days is without influence on the digestibility of N, too, but the N-retention was decreased. At this leupeptin level the half-lives of intestinal proteins were prolonged. The data indicate the possibility to influence the N-retention using leupeptin.", "PMID": 616737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1953", "title": "Inactivation studies of cathepsin D with diazo compounds.", "content": "Cathepsin D was inactivated with various diazo compounds at very high concentration. Reaction proceeded maximally at pH 4.5 in the presence of cupric ions. With 3-diazo-indazole and triazene the inactivation was noted also in the absence of cupric ions what indicates that the mechanism is mediated through triazene. CD-spectrum of partially inactivated enzyme shows that conformational changes occurred after treatment with diazo compound.", "contents": "Inactivation studies of cathepsin D with diazo compounds. Cathepsin D was inactivated with various diazo compounds at very high concentration. Reaction proceeded maximally at pH 4.5 in the presence of cupric ions. With 3-diazo-indazole and triazene the inactivation was noted also in the absence of cupric ions what indicates that the mechanism is mediated through triazene. CD-spectrum of partially inactivated enzyme shows that conformational changes occurred after treatment with diazo compound.", "PMID": 616738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1954", "title": "Inhibition of serine proteinases by benzamidine derivatives.", "content": "Derivatives of benzamidine inhibit competitively the activity of the serine proteinases trypsin, plasmin, thrombin, and of the clotting factor Xa. The inhibitor activities (Ki-values) of various benzamidine derivatives against the several enzymes were compared. Besides parallels, deviations in the corresponding structure-activity relationships were found. From these results it is concluded that the similar enzymes exhibit certain differences in the structure of the primary and secondary binding sites.", "contents": "Inhibition of serine proteinases by benzamidine derivatives. Derivatives of benzamidine inhibit competitively the activity of the serine proteinases trypsin, plasmin, thrombin, and of the clotting factor Xa. The inhibitor activities (Ki-values) of various benzamidine derivatives against the several enzymes were compared. Besides parallels, deviations in the corresponding structure-activity relationships were found. From these results it is concluded that the similar enzymes exhibit certain differences in the structure of the primary and secondary binding sites.", "PMID": 616739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1955", "title": "Endogenous proteolytic activity of chromatin.", "content": "Chromatin from rat liver and Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) was isolated by two different procedures and the chromatin preparations were incubated at 37 degrees C. To follow the proteolysis at 0, 4, 8, and 24 hrs, aliquots were taken and analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Although there were some differences in the proteolytic activity of the different chromatins, in general they were found to sustain a several hours incubation without appreciable degradation to occur. However, when prior to incubation the chromatins were dissociated, a rapid proteolysis took place. This shows that there are specific, chromatin bound proteinases that are inactive while immobilized in the chromatin structure and become activated on dissociation.", "contents": "Endogenous proteolytic activity of chromatin. Chromatin from rat liver and Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) was isolated by two different procedures and the chromatin preparations were incubated at 37 degrees C. To follow the proteolysis at 0, 4, 8, and 24 hrs, aliquots were taken and analysed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Although there were some differences in the proteolytic activity of the different chromatins, in general they were found to sustain a several hours incubation without appreciable degradation to occur. However, when prior to incubation the chromatins were dissociated, a rapid proteolysis took place. This shows that there are specific, chromatin bound proteinases that are inactive while immobilized in the chromatin structure and become activated on dissociation.", "PMID": 616741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1956", "title": "Degradation of phosphorylated chromosomal nonhistone proteins.", "content": "In experiments with in vivo 32P-labelled nonhistone proteins of rat liver nuclei it was shown that these components are more sensitive against degradation than the mass of the nonhistone proteins. In the presence of 0.1 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and 1 mM sodium molybdate, however, they are protected against degradation.", "contents": "Degradation of phosphorylated chromosomal nonhistone proteins. In experiments with in vivo 32P-labelled nonhistone proteins of rat liver nuclei it was shown that these components are more sensitive against degradation than the mass of the nonhistone proteins. In the presence of 0.1 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and 1 mM sodium molybdate, however, they are protected against degradation.", "PMID": 616742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1957", "title": "Interaction of intracellular proteases and immune mechanisms.", "content": "Intracellular proteases play an important role both in nonspecific and specific immune reactions. Results concerning the interaction of these enzymes with phagocytic factors responsible for killing microorganisms are presented. In inflammatory foci, proteases released from destroyed leukocytes have been found to modify the function of antibodies present. They particularly reduce their complement fixation activity. Macrophages with differing proteolytic activity demonstrated diverse effects on the formation of antibodies tested by Jerne's plaque technique in young rabbits immunized with sheep erythrocytes. Whereas alveolar macrophages diminished antigen immunogenicity, peritoneal macrophages enhanced it.", "contents": "Interaction of intracellular proteases and immune mechanisms. Intracellular proteases play an important role both in nonspecific and specific immune reactions. Results concerning the interaction of these enzymes with phagocytic factors responsible for killing microorganisms are presented. In inflammatory foci, proteases released from destroyed leukocytes have been found to modify the function of antibodies present. They particularly reduce their complement fixation activity. Macrophages with differing proteolytic activity demonstrated diverse effects on the formation of antibodies tested by Jerne's plaque technique in young rabbits immunized with sheep erythrocytes. Whereas alveolar macrophages diminished antigen immunogenicity, peritoneal macrophages enhanced it.", "PMID": 616743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1958", "title": "The diversity of cellular proteinases in physiology and pathology.", "content": "1. It is suggested that the functions of cellular proteinases are far more diverse than has usually been realized. 2. A scheme is proposed in which isolation of a pure proteinase leads to a rather detailed exploration of its biological significance. 3. Representative proteinases from the serine, thiol, carboxyl and metallo-classes are briefly reviewed with emphasis on the relationship between improved understanding at the molecular level and eventual progress in the understanding of some important physiological and pathological processes. 4. An attempt is made to forsee future developments in this area of biochemistry, in terms of both new trends in research, and the eventual application of knowledge of the proteinases to medical problems.", "contents": "The diversity of cellular proteinases in physiology and pathology. 1. It is suggested that the functions of cellular proteinases are far more diverse than has usually been realized. 2. A scheme is proposed in which isolation of a pure proteinase leads to a rather detailed exploration of its biological significance. 3. Representative proteinases from the serine, thiol, carboxyl and metallo-classes are briefly reviewed with emphasis on the relationship between improved understanding at the molecular level and eventual progress in the understanding of some important physiological and pathological processes. 4. An attempt is made to forsee future developments in this area of biochemistry, in terms of both new trends in research, and the eventual application of knowledge of the proteinases to medical problems.", "PMID": 616744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1959", "title": "Type B hepatitis in Iran.", "content": "Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in 1% of controls, 2.1% of professional blood donors, 2.0% of leprosy patients and 76.1% of acute hepatitis in Tehran and Mashhad, Iran. All HBsAg positive samples also possessed antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen and all were subtype ayw. Type B hepatitis and the HBsAg state are frequent in Iran, but most must be accounted for by \"non-parenteral\" or inapparent\" parenteral exposure.", "contents": "Type B hepatitis in Iran. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in 1% of controls, 2.1% of professional blood donors, 2.0% of leprosy patients and 76.1% of acute hepatitis in Tehran and Mashhad, Iran. All HBsAg positive samples also possessed antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen and all were subtype ayw. Type B hepatitis and the HBsAg state are frequent in Iran, but most must be accounted for by \"non-parenteral\" or inapparent\" parenteral exposure.", "PMID": 616757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1960", "title": "The concept of orthodontic treatment for the adult.", "content": "Through our experience gained with adult patients during the last ten years we have found it useful to divide them into three groups:- 1--Those who are very strongly motivated to accept orthodontic treatment for cosmetic purposes and with whom treatment will usually be satisfactory. 2--Those who are suffering from anxiety states and who have developed a fixation on a dental fault and with whom it is very unwise to begin treatment before a favourable psychiatric report is obtained. 3--Those patients who need treatment before prosthetic rehabilitation or for other physical disorders and in whom treatment may or may not be successful, depending on the degree of co-operation shown by the patient and on good teamwork between dental specialists.", "contents": "The concept of orthodontic treatment for the adult. Through our experience gained with adult patients during the last ten years we have found it useful to divide them into three groups:- 1--Those who are very strongly motivated to accept orthodontic treatment for cosmetic purposes and with whom treatment will usually be satisfactory. 2--Those who are suffering from anxiety states and who have developed a fixation on a dental fault and with whom it is very unwise to begin treatment before a favourable psychiatric report is obtained. 3--Those patients who need treatment before prosthetic rehabilitation or for other physical disorders and in whom treatment may or may not be successful, depending on the degree of co-operation shown by the patient and on good teamwork between dental specialists.", "PMID": 616759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1961", "title": "A new hemoglobin beta chain variant in sheep.", "content": "A new hemoglobin beta chain variant referred to as Hb-E is observed in four Indian sheep breeds. Hemoglobin E is electrophoretically and chromatographically undistinguishable from hemoglobin B. However, polypeptide chain separation by urea-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and urea CM-cellulose chromatography reveals the new beta chain. The betaE chain has a slower anodic mobility than betaB chain at alkaline pH. The adult sheep hemoglobins could be classified into eight categories, namely AA, AB, AE, AC, ABC, BB, BE and EE, according to their sub-unit composition. The occurrence of betaE chain in homozygous condition or in combination with either one of the two allelic beta chains betaA or betaB, indicate that it may be an allelic variant. Gene frequencies of three hemoglobin beta chain alleles observed during the study are as follows: A = 0.192; B= 0.682; E = 0.126.", "contents": "A new hemoglobin beta chain variant in sheep. A new hemoglobin beta chain variant referred to as Hb-E is observed in four Indian sheep breeds. Hemoglobin E is electrophoretically and chromatographically undistinguishable from hemoglobin B. However, polypeptide chain separation by urea-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and urea CM-cellulose chromatography reveals the new beta chain. The betaE chain has a slower anodic mobility than betaB chain at alkaline pH. The adult sheep hemoglobins could be classified into eight categories, namely AA, AB, AE, AC, ABC, BB, BE and EE, according to their sub-unit composition. The occurrence of betaE chain in homozygous condition or in combination with either one of the two allelic beta chains betaA or betaB, indicate that it may be an allelic variant. Gene frequencies of three hemoglobin beta chain alleles observed during the study are as follows: A = 0.192; B= 0.682; E = 0.126.", "PMID": 616783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1962", "title": "Genetic variants of glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) in canine erythrocytes.", "content": "Genetic polymorphism of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of six Japanese breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase was controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, GPIA and GPIB. The allele GPIB was observed in the following breeds: San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba, Shikoku, Kai and Kishu, but not in Hokkaidoes and Akitas. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds, 5 oriental or China-origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experiments had the genotype constitution GPIA/GPIA, whereas one Dalmation dog was heterozygous GPIA/GPIB.", "contents": "Genetic variants of glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) in canine erythrocytes. Genetic polymorphism of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of six Japanese breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase was controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, GPIA and GPIB. The allele GPIB was observed in the following breeds: San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba, Shikoku, Kai and Kishu, but not in Hokkaidoes and Akitas. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds, 5 oriental or China-origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experiments had the genotype constitution GPIA/GPIA, whereas one Dalmation dog was heterozygous GPIA/GPIB.", "PMID": 616784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1963", "title": "Serologically detected lymphocyte antigens in Holstein cattle.", "content": "Lymphocytes from 103 Holstein cattle were tested with 11 antilymphocytotoxic sera. Four of these sera were produced by whole blood immunization; these generally yielded lymphocytotoxicity against a large number of animals in each test panel. The majority of the sera were collected from parous cows which had never been immunized. Observations about this latter group of sera are (1) lymphocyte antibodies, may occur by alloimmunization in foetal-maternal interaction, (2) normal sera from non-immunized parous cows generally had a narrower specificity of antibodies than from parous cows immunized with blood from unrelated animals and in some cases these antisera may be monospecific, and (3) these sera from parous cows are easy to obtain without the need for laborious immunizations. Analysis of these lymphocytotoxic sera indicate several reagents were obtained which possessed different antibodies; these were useful in detecting polymorphism of cattle lymphocyte antigens. Using these 11 sera, an analysis of the reactions patterns among 103 Holsteins, including parent-offspring data resulted in the postulation of several alleles. These data suggest that cattle lymphocyte antigens are very polymorphic and inherited.", "contents": "Serologically detected lymphocyte antigens in Holstein cattle. Lymphocytes from 103 Holstein cattle were tested with 11 antilymphocytotoxic sera. Four of these sera were produced by whole blood immunization; these generally yielded lymphocytotoxicity against a large number of animals in each test panel. The majority of the sera were collected from parous cows which had never been immunized. Observations about this latter group of sera are (1) lymphocyte antibodies, may occur by alloimmunization in foetal-maternal interaction, (2) normal sera from non-immunized parous cows generally had a narrower specificity of antibodies than from parous cows immunized with blood from unrelated animals and in some cases these antisera may be monospecific, and (3) these sera from parous cows are easy to obtain without the need for laborious immunizations. Analysis of these lymphocytotoxic sera indicate several reagents were obtained which possessed different antibodies; these were useful in detecting polymorphism of cattle lymphocyte antigens. Using these 11 sera, an analysis of the reactions patterns among 103 Holsteins, including parent-offspring data resulted in the postulation of several alleles. These data suggest that cattle lymphocyte antigens are very polymorphic and inherited.", "PMID": 616785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1964", "title": "Serum antigens of cattle. VI. Isolation and properties of an intracellular antigen (Ecl) from cattle erythrocytes.", "content": "The erythrocyte antigen (Ecl) of cattle has been isolated using DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex gel filtration, and isoelectrofocusing. The purified antigen is free from hemoglobin and migrates as a single protein on polyacrylamide gels. It exhibits an absorption maximum at 278 nm and has a molecular weight of about 100 000; its isoelectric point is 4.95. The antigen has a carbohydrate moeity and loses its activity after oxidation with periodate. The evidence suggests that it is not a common isozyme, but is exact identity remains unknown.", "contents": "Serum antigens of cattle. VI. Isolation and properties of an intracellular antigen (Ecl) from cattle erythrocytes. The erythrocyte antigen (Ecl) of cattle has been isolated using DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex gel filtration, and isoelectrofocusing. The purified antigen is free from hemoglobin and migrates as a single protein on polyacrylamide gels. It exhibits an absorption maximum at 278 nm and has a molecular weight of about 100 000; its isoelectric point is 4.95. The antigen has a carbohydrate moeity and loses its activity after oxidation with periodate. The evidence suggests that it is not a common isozyme, but is exact identity remains unknown.", "PMID": 616786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1965", "title": "Freeze drying cattle blood typing reagents.", "content": "A system is described for freeze drying and storage of reagents (antisera) used in cattle blood typing tests. Reagents were freeze-dried in evacuated bottles at the desired dilution for rapid reconstitution to use in test procedures. Reagents not in current use were dried in bulk lots and stored in polyethylene film bags. All freeze drying procedures were performed with readily available commercial equipment. A computer program was developed to produce a current inventory of reagent supplies and projections of the number of samples which can be typed.", "contents": "Freeze drying cattle blood typing reagents. A system is described for freeze drying and storage of reagents (antisera) used in cattle blood typing tests. Reagents were freeze-dried in evacuated bottles at the desired dilution for rapid reconstitution to use in test procedures. Reagents not in current use were dried in bulk lots and stored in polyethylene film bags. All freeze drying procedures were performed with readily available commercial equipment. A computer program was developed to produce a current inventory of reagent supplies and projections of the number of samples which can be typed.", "PMID": 616787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1966", "title": "Serum amylase 2 polymorphism in pigs.", "content": "A genetic polymorphism of the pig amylase 2 system is described. It is controlled by two codominant genes, Am 2A and Am 2B. A comparison of some breeds from Byelorussian breeding farms gives the following frequencies for the alleles Am 2A and Am 2B, respectively: 0.35 and 0.865 in Large White (n = 682), 0.257 and 0.743 in Byelorussian Black and White (n = 400), 0.540 and 0.460 in Hampshire (n = 51). While studying the genotype distribution according to the Hardy-Weinberg law, a genetic imbalance in Byelorussian Black and White pigs was established (chi2 = 56.4). Genetic relationship between the Am 1 and Am 2 loci was not found.", "contents": "Serum amylase 2 polymorphism in pigs. A genetic polymorphism of the pig amylase 2 system is described. It is controlled by two codominant genes, Am 2A and Am 2B. A comparison of some breeds from Byelorussian breeding farms gives the following frequencies for the alleles Am 2A and Am 2B, respectively: 0.35 and 0.865 in Large White (n = 682), 0.257 and 0.743 in Byelorussian Black and White (n = 400), 0.540 and 0.460 in Hampshire (n = 51). While studying the genotype distribution according to the Hardy-Weinberg law, a genetic imbalance in Byelorussian Black and White pigs was established (chi2 = 56.4). Genetic relationship between the Am 1 and Am 2 loci was not found.", "PMID": 616788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1967", "title": "Radiation therapy of ureteral metastases from breast cancer.", "content": "A series of 6 patients with ureteral metastases from breast carcinoma treated by radiation therapy has been evaluated. Most patients received a tumor dose of 3,600 rads in 3 to 4 weeks, and showed remarkable clinical improvement, with relief of the ureteral obstruction and reversal of symptoms and signs of uremia after radiation therapy. One patient died before an adequate dose of radiation therapy could be given. Early recognition and early treatment of ureteral metastases have been stressed. Radiation therapy techniques have been described.", "contents": "Radiation therapy of ureteral metastases from breast cancer. A series of 6 patients with ureteral metastases from breast carcinoma treated by radiation therapy has been evaluated. Most patients received a tumor dose of 3,600 rads in 3 to 4 weeks, and showed remarkable clinical improvement, with relief of the ureteral obstruction and reversal of symptoms and signs of uremia after radiation therapy. One patient died before an adequate dose of radiation therapy could be given. Early recognition and early treatment of ureteral metastases have been stressed. Radiation therapy techniques have been described.", "PMID": 616800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1968", "title": "Recurrent operable breast cancer following incomplete mastectomy.", "content": "Forty patients have been treated with recurrent operable breast cancer after having undergone procedures less extensive than modified radical mastectomy as a treatment of the primary, with or without radiation therapy. Initial pathology was invasive cancer in 21 patients, and treatment (excision or simple mastectomy, with or without radiation therapy) has been offered as the treatment of choice. Completion of radical mastectomy was done here in 30 patients, extended radical mastectomy in 3, and local excision in 7. Eleven received postoperative radiation therapy. The overall 5-year survival rate from the time of treatment, free of disease, was 40 per cent, and the 10-year survival rate was 20 per cent. If initial treatment included radiation therapy, survival was improved (12/25 vs 4/15 having no radiation therapy). Axillary nodal involvement was extensive, with 13 patients having positive level III nodes. Such patients should be followed closely in order to detect recurrence earlier. Adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy trials post mastectomy should be evaluated in the hope of improving survival.", "contents": "Recurrent operable breast cancer following incomplete mastectomy. Forty patients have been treated with recurrent operable breast cancer after having undergone procedures less extensive than modified radical mastectomy as a treatment of the primary, with or without radiation therapy. Initial pathology was invasive cancer in 21 patients, and treatment (excision or simple mastectomy, with or without radiation therapy) has been offered as the treatment of choice. Completion of radical mastectomy was done here in 30 patients, extended radical mastectomy in 3, and local excision in 7. Eleven received postoperative radiation therapy. The overall 5-year survival rate from the time of treatment, free of disease, was 40 per cent, and the 10-year survival rate was 20 per cent. If initial treatment included radiation therapy, survival was improved (12/25 vs 4/15 having no radiation therapy). Axillary nodal involvement was extensive, with 13 patients having positive level III nodes. Such patients should be followed closely in order to detect recurrence earlier. Adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy trials post mastectomy should be evaluated in the hope of improving survival.", "PMID": 616801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1969", "title": "Chromosomal repatterning in Acrididae.", "content": "Studies on the chromosomes of the acridid grasshoppers Acrida turrita, Poekilocerus pictus and Chrotogonus oxypterus have led the authors to surmise that structural re-arrangements must have played a major role in chromosomal repatterning and karyotypic evolution. Moreover, the telocentricity noticed in the Cryptosacci was evident in the Chasmosacci without the presence of the metacentric chromosomes to account for the reduction in the chromosome number. Possible trends in the evolution are discussed.", "contents": "Chromosomal repatterning in Acrididae. Studies on the chromosomes of the acridid grasshoppers Acrida turrita, Poekilocerus pictus and Chrotogonus oxypterus have led the authors to surmise that structural re-arrangements must have played a major role in chromosomal repatterning and karyotypic evolution. Moreover, the telocentricity noticed in the Cryptosacci was evident in the Chasmosacci without the presence of the metacentric chromosomes to account for the reduction in the chromosome number. Possible trends in the evolution are discussed.", "PMID": 616804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1970", "title": "Isolated metaphase chromosomes: scanning electron microscopic appearance of salt-extracted chromosomes.", "content": "Scanning electron microscopy of salt extracted, isolated metaphase chromosomes has been used to further the understanding of the role of proteins and DNA in chromosome architecture. Metaphase chromosome surfaces consist of numerous compact microconvules with an average diameter of 520 +/- 78 A which result from several orders of supercoiling. Treatment of isolated chromosomes with various salt concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 M NaCl revealed a longitudinal array of fibres within the chromatids as well as regions of coalesced nucleoprotein. The results demonstrate sensitivity of chromosome structure based on chromatin supercoiling, to progressive extraction of chromosomal proteins and DNA over the range of salt concentrations examined.", "contents": "Isolated metaphase chromosomes: scanning electron microscopic appearance of salt-extracted chromosomes. Scanning electron microscopy of salt extracted, isolated metaphase chromosomes has been used to further the understanding of the role of proteins and DNA in chromosome architecture. Metaphase chromosome surfaces consist of numerous compact microconvules with an average diameter of 520 +/- 78 A which result from several orders of supercoiling. Treatment of isolated chromosomes with various salt concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 M NaCl revealed a longitudinal array of fibres within the chromatids as well as regions of coalesced nucleoprotein. The results demonstrate sensitivity of chromosome structure based on chromatin supercoiling, to progressive extraction of chromosomal proteins and DNA over the range of salt concentrations examined.", "PMID": 616805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1971", "title": "An in vitro method to determine the sensitivity of solid malignant tumours to cytostatic agents.", "content": "A simple technique is described in which several human solid tumours were assessed in vitro for their sensitivity to cytostatic agents. The technique is reliable, simple, and can be used as an aid to implement chemotherapeutic regimes.", "contents": "An in vitro method to determine the sensitivity of solid malignant tumours to cytostatic agents. A simple technique is described in which several human solid tumours were assessed in vitro for their sensitivity to cytostatic agents. The technique is reliable, simple, and can be used as an aid to implement chemotherapeutic regimes.", "PMID": 616806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1972", "title": "Isolation and preliminary characterization of drug resistant mutants of human lymphoblastoid cells.", "content": "Mutants of human lymphoblastoid cell lines have been isoalted, which are resistant to 6-thioguanine or to 2,6-diaminopurine. They have been partially characterized and shown to be almost totally deficient in HGPRT and APRT, respectively. Cell lines doubly mutant for HGPRT deficiency and resistance to ouabain have also been isolated. All mutants were indistinguishable from the respective parental lines by criteria other than those leading specifically to their drug resistant phenotypes. The use of these mutants in the production of hybrids between two lines of suspension-growing human lymphoblastoid cells is discussed.", "contents": "Isolation and preliminary characterization of drug resistant mutants of human lymphoblastoid cells. Mutants of human lymphoblastoid cell lines have been isoalted, which are resistant to 6-thioguanine or to 2,6-diaminopurine. They have been partially characterized and shown to be almost totally deficient in HGPRT and APRT, respectively. Cell lines doubly mutant for HGPRT deficiency and resistance to ouabain have also been isolated. All mutants were indistinguishable from the respective parental lines by criteria other than those leading specifically to their drug resistant phenotypes. The use of these mutants in the production of hybrids between two lines of suspension-growing human lymphoblastoid cells is discussed.", "PMID": 616807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1973", "title": "Delay in migration of symbiotic algae in Hydra viridis by inhibitors of microtubule protein polymerization.", "content": "An English strain of the fresh water symbiotic coelenterate Hydra viridis was experimentally \"bleached\" of its Chlorella algae and maintained indefinitely by feeding. The algal symbiosis could be re-established by injecting other symbiotic algae into aposymbionts. Although algal uptake and recognition were not affected by microtubule protein polymerization inhibitors, these compounds i.e., podophyllotoxin, beta-peltatin and vinblastine had delaying effects on the migration of the algae through the host digestive cells. Picropodophyllotoxin did not delay migration. The rates, the reversibility and the sensitivity of algal migration to low concentrations of drugs known to bind tubulin suggests the symbionts migrate somehow via labile polymerization of host hydra tubulin into microtubules.", "contents": "Delay in migration of symbiotic algae in Hydra viridis by inhibitors of microtubule protein polymerization. An English strain of the fresh water symbiotic coelenterate Hydra viridis was experimentally \"bleached\" of its Chlorella algae and maintained indefinitely by feeding. The algal symbiosis could be re-established by injecting other symbiotic algae into aposymbionts. Although algal uptake and recognition were not affected by microtubule protein polymerization inhibitors, these compounds i.e., podophyllotoxin, beta-peltatin and vinblastine had delaying effects on the migration of the algae through the host digestive cells. Picropodophyllotoxin did not delay migration. The rates, the reversibility and the sensitivity of algal migration to low concentrations of drugs known to bind tubulin suggests the symbionts migrate somehow via labile polymerization of host hydra tubulin into microtubules.", "PMID": 616808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1974", "title": "Monitoring the dose of digoxin.", "content": "All patients being prescribed digoxin in a general practice were examined and the serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and digoxin concentrations were determined.Sixty-six patients were identified (0.73 per cent of the practice population). After excluding six, whose tablet-taking was unreliable, it was found that two patients had serum digoxin levels above the usually accepted upper limit and a total of 23 patients (38 per cent of the digoxin takers) had some alteration made to their dose, including eight whose digoxin was stopped. We believe that serum digoxin estimations are useful in determining the optimum dose of digoxin in general practice.", "contents": "Monitoring the dose of digoxin. All patients being prescribed digoxin in a general practice were examined and the serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and digoxin concentrations were determined.Sixty-six patients were identified (0.73 per cent of the practice population). After excluding six, whose tablet-taking was unreliable, it was found that two patients had serum digoxin levels above the usually accepted upper limit and a total of 23 patients (38 per cent of the digoxin takers) had some alteration made to their dose, including eight whose digoxin was stopped. We believe that serum digoxin estimations are useful in determining the optimum dose of digoxin in general practice.", "PMID": 616833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1975", "title": "The therapeutic effect of taking a patient's history by computer.", "content": "Sixty young women who presented at a general-practice health centre had their medical and social history taken by a computer before having an interview with the doctor. The average length of the automated interview was 90 minutes for the 54 patients who completed the programme, during which an average of 211 questions were answered. The patients found this method acceptable and we think that one of the main reasons for this was that the computer programme was so designed that the patients felt that the doctor was involved throughout.The computer/patient interview also appeared to have therapeutic benefits, and the computer's summary of the history was a sensitive indicator of those topics about which the patient was most concerned. This combination enabled the doctor to communicate more quickly and in greater depth in the time available. In effect, the time which the doctor could spend with the patient was magnified.We suggest that the benefits of this system for taking a history from a patient, of which one is the fact that any language or combination of languages can be used, could be extended to all classes of society.", "contents": "The therapeutic effect of taking a patient's history by computer. Sixty young women who presented at a general-practice health centre had their medical and social history taken by a computer before having an interview with the doctor. The average length of the automated interview was 90 minutes for the 54 patients who completed the programme, during which an average of 211 questions were answered. The patients found this method acceptable and we think that one of the main reasons for this was that the computer programme was so designed that the patients felt that the doctor was involved throughout.The computer/patient interview also appeared to have therapeutic benefits, and the computer's summary of the history was a sensitive indicator of those topics about which the patient was most concerned. This combination enabled the doctor to communicate more quickly and in greater depth in the time available. In effect, the time which the doctor could spend with the patient was magnified.We suggest that the benefits of this system for taking a history from a patient, of which one is the fact that any language or combination of languages can be used, could be extended to all classes of society.", "PMID": 616834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1976", "title": "Risks to trawler fishermen: Orkney waters.", "content": "Over a period of 26 months, emergency medical contact was made with 63 sick or injured trawlermen from Hull and Grimsby who had been fishing in the fishing grounds around the Orkney Islands. The majority of accidents were due either to falls in heavy weather, entanglement with winching or fishing gear, or burns and scalds in the galley. Nearly 80 per cent of the episodes of illness which were seen might not have required the emergency service had the trawler crews been properly screened before going to sea, or trained in elementary first aid.", "contents": "Risks to trawler fishermen: Orkney waters. Over a period of 26 months, emergency medical contact was made with 63 sick or injured trawlermen from Hull and Grimsby who had been fishing in the fishing grounds around the Orkney Islands. The majority of accidents were due either to falls in heavy weather, entanglement with winching or fishing gear, or burns and scalds in the galley. Nearly 80 per cent of the episodes of illness which were seen might not have required the emergency service had the trawler crews been properly screened before going to sea, or trained in elementary first aid.", "PMID": 616835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1977", "title": "Holidaymakers in a seaside town.", "content": "A general practice in a holiday area has problems in dealing with the demands for general medical services by holidaymakers. A survey was devised to study these demands and their effect on the work of the practice. Throughout the summer months every eighth patient seen in the surgery was a visitor and at the peak period every fifth patient was a temporary resident. Temporary residents requested proportionately more home visits late in the day and those staying more than 15 days had a higher doctor contact rate.", "contents": "Holidaymakers in a seaside town. A general practice in a holiday area has problems in dealing with the demands for general medical services by holidaymakers. A survey was devised to study these demands and their effect on the work of the practice. Throughout the summer months every eighth patient seen in the surgery was a visitor and at the peak period every fifth patient was a temporary resident. Temporary residents requested proportionately more home visits late in the day and those staying more than 15 days had a higher doctor contact rate.", "PMID": 616836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1978", "title": "Ten-year follow-up of obesity.", "content": "The care of 43 patients with obesity has been reviewed at least ten years after first presentation. In five patients (12 per cent) there was a successful result, 27 patients (63 per cent) were regarded as failures, and the remaining 11 (25 per cent) were only partially successful. These results are similar to reports from hospital obesity clinics but less favourable than those from general practitioners with an interest in obesity.No definite correlation with the ultimate results of weight control was shown with age or a family history of obesity, but patients who coincidentally required tranquillizers and anti-depressants were more successful at long-term weight loss. Initial weight loss on diet alone gave no guidance as to the final result. Patients who received anorectics for periods totalling more than 12 months had poor long-term benefit.", "contents": "Ten-year follow-up of obesity. The care of 43 patients with obesity has been reviewed at least ten years after first presentation. In five patients (12 per cent) there was a successful result, 27 patients (63 per cent) were regarded as failures, and the remaining 11 (25 per cent) were only partially successful. These results are similar to reports from hospital obesity clinics but less favourable than those from general practitioners with an interest in obesity.No definite correlation with the ultimate results of weight control was shown with age or a family history of obesity, but patients who coincidentally required tranquillizers and anti-depressants were more successful at long-term weight loss. Initial weight loss on diet alone gave no guidance as to the final result. Patients who received anorectics for periods totalling more than 12 months had poor long-term benefit.", "PMID": 616837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1979", "title": "The anorectic and hypotensive effect of fenfluramine in obesity.", "content": "A trial is reported of the hypotensive and anorectic effect of fenfluramine in general practice when combined with Yudkin's modification of the Marriott diet. The results confirm the anorectic effect and show that the maximum reduction of blood pressure occurs during the first four weeks of treatment.", "contents": "The anorectic and hypotensive effect of fenfluramine in obesity. A trial is reported of the hypotensive and anorectic effect of fenfluramine in general practice when combined with Yudkin's modification of the Marriott diet. The results confirm the anorectic effect and show that the maximum reduction of blood pressure occurs during the first four weeks of treatment.", "PMID": 616838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1980", "title": "Recording family and social history.", "content": "A diagrammatic method of recording family and social history using a family tree is described. Its advantages are identified and details of the way it has been introduced into the records in one general practice are given.", "contents": "Recording family and social history. A diagrammatic method of recording family and social history using a family tree is described. Its advantages are identified and details of the way it has been introduced into the records in one general practice are given.", "PMID": 616839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1981", "title": "Audit of a general practice.", "content": "During a period of one full week, an analysis was made of the activities of patients (demand) and workers (service) in a suburban general practice. A data collection system was constructed and used by all the health centre workers. We sought to measure demand and service and to show the value of measurement (audit) of an aspect of service, i.e. prescribing.", "contents": "Audit of a general practice. During a period of one full week, an analysis was made of the activities of patients (demand) and workers (service) in a suburban general practice. A data collection system was constructed and used by all the health centre workers. We sought to measure demand and service and to show the value of measurement (audit) of an aspect of service, i.e. prescribing.", "PMID": 616840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1982", "title": "The cost and advantages of establishing an age-sex register.", "content": "The advantages and disadvantages of different methods of creating an age-sex register are described. The cost of setting up such a register in a NHS practice with 10,000 patients is shown, and it is suggested that financial advantages may cover the costs involved.", "contents": "The cost and advantages of establishing an age-sex register. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods of creating an age-sex register are described. The cost of setting up such a register in a NHS practice with 10,000 patients is shown, and it is suggested that financial advantages may cover the costs involved.", "PMID": 616841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1983", "title": "An audit of the care of diabetics in one general practice.", "content": "I designed and implemented a simple audit of the care of diabetic patients on one general practitioner's list. The audit demonstrated a lack of adequate care in some aspects, so it was used to improve the care offered in future by designing a method of diabetic follow-up incorporating an effective recall system, shared and integrated care between doctor and nurse, and a clear method of recording essential information.I suggest that audit is not adequately completed until the new systems developed have themselves been adequately audited and consequential changes in care measured.", "contents": "An audit of the care of diabetics in one general practice. I designed and implemented a simple audit of the care of diabetic patients on one general practitioner's list. The audit demonstrated a lack of adequate care in some aspects, so it was used to improve the care offered in future by designing a method of diabetic follow-up incorporating an effective recall system, shared and integrated care between doctor and nurse, and a clear method of recording essential information.I suggest that audit is not adequately completed until the new systems developed have themselves been adequately audited and consequential changes in care measured.", "PMID": 616842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1984", "title": "Influenza. The Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners.", "content": "The ;weekly returns' system for the reporting of infectious and communicable diseases to the Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners is described. A detailed analysis of the influenza returns for the winter epidemic of 1975/76 is presented and compared with similar data from the previous ten-year period.This analysis allows the following generalizations to be made which can, to a limited extent, be used as broad guidelines for predictions.In any week in which a rate of 20 or more reports per 100,000 population is followed by a week in which there is a trebling of the rate, a major epidemic is imminent in which a peak rate of 500 cases per 100,000 population can be expected within three to four weeks.In any week other than a week referred to previously in which a rate of 30 cases or more per 100,000 population is followed by a doubling of the rate, a moderate epidemic is imminent and peak rates in the range 150 to 500 per 100,000 population will be reached within three to four weeks.The earlier in the critical period just before and just after Christmas that either of these changes are noted, the earlier and larger the peak is likely to be. Where neither of these thresholds is crossed, the peak rate for reported influenza is unlikely to exceed 150 cases per 100,000 people.", "contents": "Influenza. The Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners. The ;weekly returns' system for the reporting of infectious and communicable diseases to the Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners is described. A detailed analysis of the influenza returns for the winter epidemic of 1975/76 is presented and compared with similar data from the previous ten-year period.This analysis allows the following generalizations to be made which can, to a limited extent, be used as broad guidelines for predictions.In any week in which a rate of 20 or more reports per 100,000 population is followed by a week in which there is a trebling of the rate, a major epidemic is imminent in which a peak rate of 500 cases per 100,000 population can be expected within three to four weeks.In any week other than a week referred to previously in which a rate of 30 cases or more per 100,000 population is followed by a doubling of the rate, a moderate epidemic is imminent and peak rates in the range 150 to 500 per 100,000 population will be reached within three to four weeks.The earlier in the critical period just before and just after Christmas that either of these changes are noted, the earlier and larger the peak is likely to be. Where neither of these thresholds is crossed, the peak rate for reported influenza is unlikely to exceed 150 cases per 100,000 people.", "PMID": 616843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1985", "title": "The length of consultations in general practice.", "content": "FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE LENGTH OF TIME SPENT IN CONSULTATIONS IN GENERAL PRACTICE WERE STUDIED: the sex, diagnosis, age, and social class of the patient. The sex of the patient was not shown to be significantly associated with any difference. The diagnosis of ;psychoneurotic' conditions was significantly associated with long consultations (p < 0.001) and this is discussed.The number of consultations lasting less than the median time for the whole series was significantly more common in the 15 to 29 age group.There have been few reports published on this topic, which seems important, and I hope further work will examine this aspect of the work patterns of established and trainee general practitioners.", "contents": "The length of consultations in general practice. FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE LENGTH OF TIME SPENT IN CONSULTATIONS IN GENERAL PRACTICE WERE STUDIED: the sex, diagnosis, age, and social class of the patient. The sex of the patient was not shown to be significantly associated with any difference. The diagnosis of ;psychoneurotic' conditions was significantly associated with long consultations (p < 0.001) and this is discussed.The number of consultations lasting less than the median time for the whole series was significantly more common in the 15 to 29 age group.There have been few reports published on this topic, which seems important, and I hope further work will examine this aspect of the work patterns of established and trainee general practitioners.", "PMID": 616844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1986", "title": "Child care in the new towns in the UK.", "content": "New towns with large populations of children present ideal opportunities to study and implement extended primary care services for children. It appears that workload in most new towns is higher than in established communities. Often, the demanding nature of new town practice seems to have precluded innovations in primary care services for children. This report, which is general-practice orientated, can only indicate some aspects of child care in new towns which require further scrutiny. General practitioners are strongly divided in their views as to how they can act most effectively in child health, but there is no doubt that there is a chance in our new towns to nurture the idea of expanding the general practitioner's role in child care.", "contents": "Child care in the new towns in the UK. New towns with large populations of children present ideal opportunities to study and implement extended primary care services for children. It appears that workload in most new towns is higher than in established communities. Often, the demanding nature of new town practice seems to have precluded innovations in primary care services for children. This report, which is general-practice orientated, can only indicate some aspects of child care in new towns which require further scrutiny. General practitioners are strongly divided in their views as to how they can act most effectively in child health, but there is no doubt that there is a chance in our new towns to nurture the idea of expanding the general practitioner's role in child care.", "PMID": 616845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1987", "title": "Deliberate self-poisoning: implications for psychotropic drug prescribing in general practice.", "content": "Several surveys have confirmed that the majority of patients who take an overdose of drugs have seen their general practitioner within the preceding few weeks; as many as a third attend within the previous week.We studied 130 patients who had taken an overdose and interviewed 122 of the general practitioners. We found that they had identified many interpersonal problems and had usually prescribed psychotropic drugs.We question the wisdom of this response and suggest other ways of handling such problems in general practice.", "contents": "Deliberate self-poisoning: implications for psychotropic drug prescribing in general practice. Several surveys have confirmed that the majority of patients who take an overdose of drugs have seen their general practitioner within the preceding few weeks; as many as a third attend within the previous week.We studied 130 patients who had taken an overdose and interviewed 122 of the general practitioners. We found that they had identified many interpersonal problems and had usually prescribed psychotropic drugs.We question the wisdom of this response and suggest other ways of handling such problems in general practice.", "PMID": 616846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1988", "title": "Genetic diseases in general practice.", "content": "Genetic diseases are important to family doctors. I have analysed my role as a Dutch general practitioner in caring for patients with such disorders and describe this with some examples.", "contents": "Genetic diseases in general practice. Genetic diseases are important to family doctors. I have analysed my role as a Dutch general practitioner in caring for patients with such disorders and describe this with some examples.", "PMID": 616847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1989", "title": "Early detection of chronic simple glaucoma in general practice.", "content": "Chronic simple glaucoma, also known as open-angle glaucoma, is the cause of blindness in about 13 per cent of people on the Blind Register, and 40 per cent of these have had no treatment before registration. Patients over the age of 60 are most liable to the disease and it is rare under the age of 40; there is often a family predisposition. I carried out a routine test for the disease in 300 patients over 60 years of age in my general practice with the object of detecting chronic simple glaucoma at an early stage. Anyone with an intraocular pressure of over 23 mm of mercury in either eye was referred to a consultant ophthalmic surgeon for further investigation. Seven patients (2.3 per cent of those examined) were confirmed as suffering from chronic simple glaucoma.", "contents": "Early detection of chronic simple glaucoma in general practice. Chronic simple glaucoma, also known as open-angle glaucoma, is the cause of blindness in about 13 per cent of people on the Blind Register, and 40 per cent of these have had no treatment before registration. Patients over the age of 60 are most liable to the disease and it is rare under the age of 40; there is often a family predisposition. I carried out a routine test for the disease in 300 patients over 60 years of age in my general practice with the object of detecting chronic simple glaucoma at an early stage. Anyone with an intraocular pressure of over 23 mm of mercury in either eye was referred to a consultant ophthalmic surgeon for further investigation. Seven patients (2.3 per cent of those examined) were confirmed as suffering from chronic simple glaucoma.", "PMID": 616849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1990", "title": "Family-doctor support for patients on a psychiatric case register.", "content": "The family-doctor consultations of 76 patients on a psychiatric case register and 76 matched controls were examined. During a two-year period the psychiatric patients consulted just over twice as often as the controls (p < 0.001). Contact with the psychiatric services did not reduce the psychiatric patients' demand for general-practitioner time.", "contents": "Family-doctor support for patients on a psychiatric case register. The family-doctor consultations of 76 patients on a psychiatric case register and 76 matched controls were examined. During a two-year period the psychiatric patients consulted just over twice as often as the controls (p < 0.001). Contact with the psychiatric services did not reduce the psychiatric patients' demand for general-practitioner time.", "PMID": 616850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1991", "title": "Contraceptive workload in general practice in the Trent Region.", "content": "A prospective study was made of the contraceptive workload of general practitioners in the Trent Region between November 1973 and January 1976. This was carried out in three stages allowing comparison between a period of time when patients paid for all contraception, when only contraceptive advice from the general practitioner was paid for, and when contraceptive services and supplied were free from all sources in the NHS. The study shows that the introduction of free contraception services under the NHS Reorganization Act 1973 led to little change for many general practitioners. The number of patients seen each week for contraception did rise slightly, but the characteristics of these patients did not change over the two years.", "contents": "Contraceptive workload in general practice in the Trent Region. A prospective study was made of the contraceptive workload of general practitioners in the Trent Region between November 1973 and January 1976. This was carried out in three stages allowing comparison between a period of time when patients paid for all contraception, when only contraceptive advice from the general practitioner was paid for, and when contraceptive services and supplied were free from all sources in the NHS. The study shows that the introduction of free contraception services under the NHS Reorganization Act 1973 led to little change for many general practitioners. The number of patients seen each week for contraception did rise slightly, but the characteristics of these patients did not change over the two years.", "PMID": 616851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1992", "title": "Learning about the elderly.", "content": "I visited nine medical schools on an Upjohn Travelling Fellowship to see how medical students were learning about the care of the elderly. I found a great variety in methods, a variation in quality of teaching, a dearth of educational aims, and little or no evaluation of the students' learning.", "contents": "Learning about the elderly. I visited nine medical schools on an Upjohn Travelling Fellowship to see how medical students were learning about the care of the elderly. I found a great variety in methods, a variation in quality of teaching, a dearth of educational aims, and little or no evaluation of the students' learning.", "PMID": 616852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1993", "title": "Monitoring Section 63 activities.", "content": "The descriptions published about educational activities provided for general practitioners under Section 63 in the North-West Region have been analysed and the pattern of attendance by general practitioners on the list of the Salford Family Practitioner Committee examined. On the one hand there was a small group of 25 out of 131 (19 per cent) of frequent attenders, who accounted for over half of all attendances; on the other hand there was a group of 18 out of 131 (14 per cent) who never came at all. More than 80 per cent of the topics fell in the area (1) of the Royal College of General Practitioners (1972). Evening meetings were preferred to lunch-time meetings and few general practitioners (12 per cent) travelled more than ten miles from Salford to attend Section 63 meetings in 1973 to 1974. We suggest that local organizers should be requested to complete a form giving brief details of such meetings to assist in regional planning.", "contents": "Monitoring Section 63 activities. The descriptions published about educational activities provided for general practitioners under Section 63 in the North-West Region have been analysed and the pattern of attendance by general practitioners on the list of the Salford Family Practitioner Committee examined. On the one hand there was a small group of 25 out of 131 (19 per cent) of frequent attenders, who accounted for over half of all attendances; on the other hand there was a group of 18 out of 131 (14 per cent) who never came at all. More than 80 per cent of the topics fell in the area (1) of the Royal College of General Practitioners (1972). Evening meetings were preferred to lunch-time meetings and few general practitioners (12 per cent) travelled more than ten miles from Salford to attend Section 63 meetings in 1973 to 1974. We suggest that local organizers should be requested to complete a form giving brief details of such meetings to assist in regional planning.", "PMID": 616853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1994", "title": "Doctors' anxieties in prescribing.", "content": "Anxieties about prescribing were examined in two seminars for trainee general practitioners. These were caused by four main problems: inadequacies in diagnostic skill, treatment policy, understanding or experience, and anxiety about control of the treatment. Ways of reducing these anxieties, for example by sharing them with the patient, are discussed.", "contents": "Doctors' anxieties in prescribing. Anxieties about prescribing were examined in two seminars for trainee general practitioners. These were caused by four main problems: inadequacies in diagnostic skill, treatment policy, understanding or experience, and anxiety about control of the treatment. Ways of reducing these anxieties, for example by sharing them with the patient, are discussed.", "PMID": 616855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1995", "title": "Trainee learning.", "content": "A study of the learning achieved by a small group of vocational trainees during the first six months of their year in general practice showed significant gains (p<0.001) in factual recall as measured by multiple choice questions.Changes were also observed in the answers to a repeated modified essay question test, suggesting that the same trainees were becoming more aware of emotional and social factors in their patients.", "contents": "Trainee learning. A study of the learning achieved by a small group of vocational trainees during the first six months of their year in general practice showed significant gains (p<0.001) in factual recall as measured by multiple choice questions.Changes were also observed in the answers to a repeated modified essay question test, suggesting that the same trainees were becoming more aware of emotional and social factors in their patients.", "PMID": 616856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1996", "title": "A british view of American family practice.", "content": "I report my impressions, as a British doctor, of American family practice and describe training schemes for family practice and the American approach to assessment and continuing education.", "contents": "A british view of American family practice. I report my impressions, as a British doctor, of American family practice and describe training schemes for family practice and the American approach to assessment and continuing education.", "PMID": 616857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1997", "title": "Symptomatic urinary infection in childhood: presentation during a four-year study in general practice and significance and outcome at seven years.", "content": "Thirty-eight children (12 boys and 26 girls) with symptomatic urinary infection have been studied in general practice. Patients were collected over a four-year period and we report an incidence of urinary infection according to Kass's criterion of 7.7 per 1,000 girls at risk per year and 3.8 per 1,000 boys at risk per year. Eighty-four per cent of the children had symptoms which suggested an origin in the genitourinary tract. Proteus infection was found in five of the boys and only one of the girls. At the end of the four-year study period follow-up had taken place over a mean period of 25 months and recurrent infection had been demonstrated in four boys and 12 girls. All the children had an excretion urogram and two children, both girls, were found to have pyelonephritic scarring. Twelve children with recurrent infection were investigated for vesicoureteric reflux, which was found only in the two children with scarring. At seven years 31 of the children remained in the practice and, with a mean follow-up of 42 months, no significant alteration in the figures for recurrent infection was demonstrated. Guidelines are suggested for the management of childhood urinary infection in general practice.", "contents": "Symptomatic urinary infection in childhood: presentation during a four-year study in general practice and significance and outcome at seven years. Thirty-eight children (12 boys and 26 girls) with symptomatic urinary infection have been studied in general practice. Patients were collected over a four-year period and we report an incidence of urinary infection according to Kass's criterion of 7.7 per 1,000 girls at risk per year and 3.8 per 1,000 boys at risk per year. Eighty-four per cent of the children had symptoms which suggested an origin in the genitourinary tract. Proteus infection was found in five of the boys and only one of the girls. At the end of the four-year study period follow-up had taken place over a mean period of 25 months and recurrent infection had been demonstrated in four boys and 12 girls. All the children had an excretion urogram and two children, both girls, were found to have pyelonephritic scarring. Twelve children with recurrent infection were investigated for vesicoureteric reflux, which was found only in the two children with scarring. At seven years 31 of the children remained in the practice and, with a mean follow-up of 42 months, no significant alteration in the figures for recurrent infection was demonstrated. Guidelines are suggested for the management of childhood urinary infection in general practice.", "PMID": 616858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1998", "title": "Coeliac artery compression syndrome: can we believe our ears?", "content": "Two patients with coeliac artery compression syndrome' are described.Symptoms were vague and nonspecific, and the diagnosis was made by finding an epigastric bruit on auscultation of the abdomen and confirming the presence of a vascular lesion by angiography. Both patients were cured by surgical decompression of the coeliac trunk. Auscultation of the abdomen can be a useful part of physical examination in general practice.", "contents": "Coeliac artery compression syndrome: can we believe our ears? Two patients with coeliac artery compression syndrome' are described.Symptoms were vague and nonspecific, and the diagnosis was made by finding an epigastric bruit on auscultation of the abdomen and confirming the presence of a vascular lesion by angiography. Both patients were cured by surgical decompression of the coeliac trunk. Auscultation of the abdomen can be a useful part of physical examination in general practice.", "PMID": 616859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_1999", "title": "Raised blood pressure and psoriasis.", "content": "Male patients with psoriasis in one general practice have a significantly higher blood pressure than males in the general population. Such patients have been compared with the values recorded by Hamilton and colleagues (1954) and with matched pair controls from the same general practice. Statistical analysis using four separate methods has shown a highly significant association between psoriasis and hypertension in males, with close agreement between the tests.", "contents": "Raised blood pressure and psoriasis. Male patients with psoriasis in one general practice have a significantly higher blood pressure than males in the general population. Such patients have been compared with the values recorded by Hamilton and colleagues (1954) and with matched pair controls from the same general practice. Statistical analysis using four separate methods has shown a highly significant association between psoriasis and hypertension in males, with close agreement between the tests.", "PMID": 616861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2000", "title": "Attendance at a London casualty department.", "content": "Patients who attended the casualty department of the Middlesex Hospital during one week in 1973 were interviewed. A predominantly young and working population used the department. Relatively few patients lived close to the hospital but many worked nearby. One third of all attendances were by patients who had been asked to return by casualty doctors. About half the new patients came of their own accord; the next largest group had been sent directly from work by an employer or occupational health service. Half the patients came with injuries, many of them superficial, although there were also serious accident cases. One fifth of the patients had no general practitioner whom they could consult. Age and geographical mobility were related to whether or not patients were registered with a general practitioner. The main reasons for not consulting a general practitioner were that patients felt they needed hospital treatment or that it was more convenient to attend the casualty department. It is suggested that the view that casual attenders with relatively trivial complaints should be encouraged to go to a general practitioner is not always applicable since social as well as medical circumstances determine whether or not patients decide to visit casualty.", "contents": "Attendance at a London casualty department. Patients who attended the casualty department of the Middlesex Hospital during one week in 1973 were interviewed. A predominantly young and working population used the department. Relatively few patients lived close to the hospital but many worked nearby. One third of all attendances were by patients who had been asked to return by casualty doctors. About half the new patients came of their own accord; the next largest group had been sent directly from work by an employer or occupational health service. Half the patients came with injuries, many of them superficial, although there were also serious accident cases. One fifth of the patients had no general practitioner whom they could consult. Age and geographical mobility were related to whether or not patients were registered with a general practitioner. The main reasons for not consulting a general practitioner were that patients felt they needed hospital treatment or that it was more convenient to attend the casualty department. It is suggested that the view that casual attenders with relatively trivial complaints should be encouraged to go to a general practitioner is not always applicable since social as well as medical circumstances determine whether or not patients decide to visit casualty.", "PMID": 616862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2001", "title": "Establishment of two group practice centres by conversion of existing houses.", "content": "A practice of five (later six) doctors established their own group practice centre by purchase and conversion of an existing house. Later a second, smaller centre was established in the same way to replace an existing branch surgery.The planning, financing, and execution of these projects is described.", "contents": "Establishment of two group practice centres by conversion of existing houses. A practice of five (later six) doctors established their own group practice centre by purchase and conversion of an existing house. Later a second, smaller centre was established in the same way to replace an existing branch surgery.The planning, financing, and execution of these projects is described.", "PMID": 616863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2002", "title": "Once daily sotalol in the treatment of hypertension.", "content": "In a small group of hypertensive patients studied at home, once daily early morning sotalol therapy effectively decreased lying, standing, and post-exercise blood pressure and pulse rate. A dose-response relationship was seen. Adverse effects were mild and transient. The once daily regimen is easy to administer and appears to give precision in blood pressure reduction. Providing there is no subsequent escape from control, once daily beta-blocking therapy should aid long-term hypertension treatment in general practice.", "contents": "Once daily sotalol in the treatment of hypertension. In a small group of hypertensive patients studied at home, once daily early morning sotalol therapy effectively decreased lying, standing, and post-exercise blood pressure and pulse rate. A dose-response relationship was seen. Adverse effects were mild and transient. The once daily regimen is easy to administer and appears to give precision in blood pressure reduction. Providing there is no subsequent escape from control, once daily beta-blocking therapy should aid long-term hypertension treatment in general practice.", "PMID": 616864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2003", "title": "General practitioners and the independent contractor status.", "content": "Primary medical care can be provided either by a bureaucratic hierarchical organization or alternatively by independent contractors. Most members of the caring professions in medicine, nursing, and social work are employed in bureaucracies, whereas general medical practitioners, general dental practitioners, opticians, and pharmacists are independent contractors.The independent contractor status has recently been heavily attacked from within the medical and nursing professions, and also from outside. It has been suggested that contracting for services is an inappropriate and anomalous way of arranging medical care, which should now be stopped. However, this process of contracting for services can be analysed, using perspectives from some of the behavioural sciences, to reveal hidden depths in the independent contractor status which suggest that the provision of primary medical care is best carried out by independent contractors.", "contents": "General practitioners and the independent contractor status. Primary medical care can be provided either by a bureaucratic hierarchical organization or alternatively by independent contractors. Most members of the caring professions in medicine, nursing, and social work are employed in bureaucracies, whereas general medical practitioners, general dental practitioners, opticians, and pharmacists are independent contractors.The independent contractor status has recently been heavily attacked from within the medical and nursing professions, and also from outside. It has been suggested that contracting for services is an inappropriate and anomalous way of arranging medical care, which should now be stopped. However, this process of contracting for services can be analysed, using perspectives from some of the behavioural sciences, to reveal hidden depths in the independent contractor status which suggest that the provision of primary medical care is best carried out by independent contractors.", "PMID": 616865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2004", "title": "Unit responses of the first and second somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus.", "content": "Single unit responses of the first (SI) and second (SII) somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VP) were investigated in cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine. In response to VP stimulation 12.0% of reacting SI neurons and 9.5% of SII neurons generated an antidromic spike. In most antidromic responses of both SI and SII neurons the latent period did not exceed 1.0 msec. The minimal latent period of spike potentials during orthodromic excitation was 1.5 msec in SI and 1.7 msec in SII. Neurons with an orthodromic spike latency of not more than 3.0 msec were more numerous in SI than those with a latency of 3.1--4.5 msec. The ratio between the numbers of neurons of these two groups in SII was the opposite. In SII there were many more neurons with a latency of 5.6--8.0 msec than in SI. EPSPs appeared after a latent period of 1.1--9.0 msec in SI and of 1.4--6.6 msec in SII. The latent period of IPSPs was 1.5--6.8 msec in SI and 2.2--9.4 msec in SII. The relative importance of different pathways for excitatory and inhibitory influences of VP on SI and SII neurons is discussed.", "contents": "Unit responses of the first and second somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus. Single unit responses of the first (SI) and second (SII) somatosensory areas to stimulation of the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VP) were investigated in cats immobilized with D-tubocurarine. In response to VP stimulation 12.0% of reacting SI neurons and 9.5% of SII neurons generated an antidromic spike. In most antidromic responses of both SI and SII neurons the latent period did not exceed 1.0 msec. The minimal latent period of spike potentials during orthodromic excitation was 1.5 msec in SI and 1.7 msec in SII. Neurons with an orthodromic spike latency of not more than 3.0 msec were more numerous in SI than those with a latency of 3.1--4.5 msec. The ratio between the numbers of neurons of these two groups in SII was the opposite. In SII there were many more neurons with a latency of 5.6--8.0 msec than in SI. EPSPs appeared after a latent period of 1.1--9.0 msec in SI and of 1.4--6.6 msec in SII. The latent period of IPSPs was 1.5--6.8 msec in SI and 2.2--9.4 msec in SII. The relative importance of different pathways for excitatory and inhibitory influences of VP on SI and SII neurons is discussed.", "PMID": 616880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2005", "title": "Synchronization of spontaneous activity of skeletal muscle, autonomic nerves, and brain structures in cats.", "content": "Acute and chronic experiments with recording of electrical activity of skeletal muscle, autonomic nerves, and some brain formations were performed on cats. Spectral correlation analysis showed that the spatial synchronization of electrical activity for the autonomic nerves and brain formations within the frequency range of 25--35 Hz, revealed by previous investigations, extends also to skeletal muscle. It is postulated that the presence of a widespread rhythm of 25--35 Hz is a factor facilitating the transmission of influences in the nervous system through frequency potentiation of synaptic action.", "contents": "Synchronization of spontaneous activity of skeletal muscle, autonomic nerves, and brain structures in cats. Acute and chronic experiments with recording of electrical activity of skeletal muscle, autonomic nerves, and some brain formations were performed on cats. Spectral correlation analysis showed that the spatial synchronization of electrical activity for the autonomic nerves and brain formations within the frequency range of 25--35 Hz, revealed by previous investigations, extends also to skeletal muscle. It is postulated that the presence of a widespread rhythm of 25--35 Hz is a factor facilitating the transmission of influences in the nervous system through frequency potentiation of synaptic action.", "PMID": 616881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2006", "title": "Spontaneous and evoked hypothalamic unit activity in kittens during development.", "content": "Spontaneous and evoked hypothalamic unit activity in response to sensory stimuli was studied in acute experiments on anesthetized kittens. After the second day of postnatal development, spontaneous unit activity can be recorded in the posterior hypothalamus. Evoked responses to sciatic nerve stimulation were recorded on the fourth to fifth day after birth. In the early stages of development phasic and tonic types of unit responses are present in the hypothalamus, with some predominance of phasic. At the end of the third week responses of hypothalamic neurons in kittens have still not reached their definitive formation.", "contents": "Spontaneous and evoked hypothalamic unit activity in kittens during development. Spontaneous and evoked hypothalamic unit activity in response to sensory stimuli was studied in acute experiments on anesthetized kittens. After the second day of postnatal development, spontaneous unit activity can be recorded in the posterior hypothalamus. Evoked responses to sciatic nerve stimulation were recorded on the fourth to fifth day after birth. In the early stages of development phasic and tonic types of unit responses are present in the hypothalamus, with some predominance of phasic. At the end of the third week responses of hypothalamic neurons in kittens have still not reached their definitive formation.", "PMID": 616886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2007", "title": "Changes in reflex excitability of spinal motor neurons during day sleep in newborn infants.", "content": "A study was made of monosynaptic reflexes elicited by electrical stimulation of the ulnar and fibular nerves (H-reflexes) in newborn children, age five to seven days, during the sleeping--waking cycle. The amplitude of the H-responses was maximal and the coefficient of variation was minimal during the orthodox sleep state (OS) characterized by slow EEG waves and synchronous movement of the chest and stomach. During paradoxial sleep (PS), characterized by desynchronous EEG activity, rapid eye movements, and asynchronous breathing movements of the chest and stomach, the amplitude of the H-responses fell to 25 to 40% of the level during OS, and the coefficient of variation was in excess of 100%. The amplitude of H responses during the waking state was 60% that of the OS stage. The results of the study are considered from the point of view of existing theories about the reorganization of the system of controlling movements during the sleeping--waking cycle.", "contents": "Changes in reflex excitability of spinal motor neurons during day sleep in newborn infants. A study was made of monosynaptic reflexes elicited by electrical stimulation of the ulnar and fibular nerves (H-reflexes) in newborn children, age five to seven days, during the sleeping--waking cycle. The amplitude of the H-responses was maximal and the coefficient of variation was minimal during the orthodox sleep state (OS) characterized by slow EEG waves and synchronous movement of the chest and stomach. During paradoxial sleep (PS), characterized by desynchronous EEG activity, rapid eye movements, and asynchronous breathing movements of the chest and stomach, the amplitude of the H-responses fell to 25 to 40% of the level during OS, and the coefficient of variation was in excess of 100%. The amplitude of H responses during the waking state was 60% that of the OS stage. The results of the study are considered from the point of view of existing theories about the reorganization of the system of controlling movements during the sleeping--waking cycle.", "PMID": 616885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2008", "title": "Layer by layer analysis of commissural hippocampal evoked potentials during glutamate microiontophoresis.", "content": "Commissural evoked potentials (EP) in hippocampal area CA1 were investigated during microiontophoretic application of sodium glutamate (SG) in experiments on unanesthetized rats immobilized with diplacin. EP were recorded by the central barrel of a five-barreled microiontophoretic microelectrode before and during application of SG. The effect of SG in the region of EP reversal was characterized by depression of the initial positive phase of the response and an increase in negativity. In the radial layer SG caused a substantial increase in the commissural response recorded at a depth. At a distance of 100 mu from the tip of the iontophoretic pipet no changes in EP were found. An increase in the intensity of transhippocampal stimulation was accompanied by a marked increase in the amplitude and a change in shape of the individual phases of EP and it abolished the effect of the microiontophoretically applied SG. During paired stimulation with an interval of 20--200 msec different effects of SG on the testing response were recorded depending on the length of the interval.", "contents": "Layer by layer analysis of commissural hippocampal evoked potentials during glutamate microiontophoresis. Commissural evoked potentials (EP) in hippocampal area CA1 were investigated during microiontophoretic application of sodium glutamate (SG) in experiments on unanesthetized rats immobilized with diplacin. EP were recorded by the central barrel of a five-barreled microiontophoretic microelectrode before and during application of SG. The effect of SG in the region of EP reversal was characterized by depression of the initial positive phase of the response and an increase in negativity. In the radial layer SG caused a substantial increase in the commissural response recorded at a depth. At a distance of 100 mu from the tip of the iontophoretic pipet no changes in EP were found. An increase in the intensity of transhippocampal stimulation was accompanied by a marked increase in the amplitude and a change in shape of the individual phases of EP and it abolished the effect of the microiontophoretically applied SG. During paired stimulation with an interval of 20--200 msec different effects of SG on the testing response were recorded depending on the length of the interval.", "PMID": 616891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2009", "title": "Microelectrode recording of responses in visually observed neurons of the cat motor cortex.", "content": "With a contact optical system it is possible to carry out intravital studies of neurons and other structures, stained with vital dyes in reflected light in a specially prepared specimen of the cat cerebral cortex. The high-quality characteristics of the optical system used have made combined morphological and intracellular electrophysiological investigations of these neurons possible. The nature of intravital morphological changes in cortical neurons was established in response to their puncture by microelectrodes with tips with different external diameters and configurations; certain morpho-functional correlations were found in the response of pyramidal neurons to disturbance of their temperature regime.", "contents": "Microelectrode recording of responses in visually observed neurons of the cat motor cortex. With a contact optical system it is possible to carry out intravital studies of neurons and other structures, stained with vital dyes in reflected light in a specially prepared specimen of the cat cerebral cortex. The high-quality characteristics of the optical system used have made combined morphological and intracellular electrophysiological investigations of these neurons possible. The nature of intravital morphological changes in cortical neurons was established in response to their puncture by microelectrodes with tips with different external diameters and configurations; certain morpho-functional correlations were found in the response of pyramidal neurons to disturbance of their temperature regime.", "PMID": 616893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2010", "title": "Tectocortical connections in the rat visual system.", "content": "Electrical stimulation of the superior colliculus by square pulses evokes responses in the ipsilateral occipital region whose localization coincides with the zone of evoked potentials to photic stimulation. The short latent period of the visual cortical evoked potentials to stimulation of the superior colliculus (mean 3.2 +/- 1.1 msec; P less than 0.05) together with morphological data suggests that only one relay, in the structures of the thalamus, occurs along the tectocortical pathway in the rat visual system. In the poorly differentiated cortex of the rat no separate representation of retino-geniculo-cortical and tectocortical channels could be found.", "contents": "Tectocortical connections in the rat visual system. Electrical stimulation of the superior colliculus by square pulses evokes responses in the ipsilateral occipital region whose localization coincides with the zone of evoked potentials to photic stimulation. The short latent period of the visual cortical evoked potentials to stimulation of the superior colliculus (mean 3.2 +/- 1.1 msec; P less than 0.05) together with morphological data suggests that only one relay, in the structures of the thalamus, occurs along the tectocortical pathway in the rat visual system. In the poorly differentiated cortex of the rat no separate representation of retino-geniculo-cortical and tectocortical channels could be found.", "PMID": 616894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2011", "title": "Effect of microiontophoretic application of acetylcholine on visual cortical evoked activity to direct cortical stimulation.", "content": "Responses of visual cortical neurons (area 17) to direct cortical stimulation of visual areas 18 and 19 were investigated in acute experiments on adult unanesthetized cats, immobilized with diplacin, under local anesthesia, after microiontophoretic application of acetylcholine. Selectivity of the action of acetylcholine on the individual components of the unit responses to direct cortical stimulation was established. The role of acetylcholine as mediator of information in the mechanisms of transcortical interneuronal interaction within the visual system is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of microiontophoretic application of acetylcholine on visual cortical evoked activity to direct cortical stimulation. Responses of visual cortical neurons (area 17) to direct cortical stimulation of visual areas 18 and 19 were investigated in acute experiments on adult unanesthetized cats, immobilized with diplacin, under local anesthesia, after microiontophoretic application of acetylcholine. Selectivity of the action of acetylcholine on the individual components of the unit responses to direct cortical stimulation was established. The role of acetylcholine as mediator of information in the mechanisms of transcortical interneuronal interaction within the visual system is discussed.", "PMID": 616892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2012", "title": "Reflection of visceral afferentiation in unit activity in the caudate nucleus.", "content": "Responses of spontaneously active neurons to visceral (splanchnic nerve) stimulation were recorded extracellularly in the head of the caudate nucleus of immobilized cats. The presence of multimodal neurons responding to stimulation of visceral, somatic, and auditory sensory systems in this structure also was established. It is concluded from these facts that neurons of the caudate nucleus may play a role in the mechanisms of interaction of visceral impulses with somatic and auditory impulses.", "contents": "Reflection of visceral afferentiation in unit activity in the caudate nucleus. Responses of spontaneously active neurons to visceral (splanchnic nerve) stimulation were recorded extracellularly in the head of the caudate nucleus of immobilized cats. The presence of multimodal neurons responding to stimulation of visceral, somatic, and auditory sensory systems in this structure also was established. It is concluded from these facts that neurons of the caudate nucleus may play a role in the mechanisms of interaction of visceral impulses with somatic and auditory impulses.", "PMID": 616895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2013", "title": "Preferential ipsilateral influence of the posterior hypothalamus on the neocortex.", "content": "On the 10th--20th day after precollicular transection of the brain stem weak low-frequency electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus preferentially activates the ipsilateral neocortex. After unilateral injury to the posterior hypothalamus, synchronous activity predominates in the ipsilateral neocortex. In premesencephalic animals weak single electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus evokes the appearance of spindles in ipsilateral zones of the frontal cortex, whereas stronger single stimulation causes the diffuse generation of spindles in various parts of the neocortex. Besides this preferential unilateral effect, the influence of the posterior hypothalamus is found to be more strongly expressed in the frontal than in the occipital cortex. It is postulated that the posterior hypothalamus exerts its influence on the neocortex through the thalamic nuclei.", "contents": "Preferential ipsilateral influence of the posterior hypothalamus on the neocortex. On the 10th--20th day after precollicular transection of the brain stem weak low-frequency electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus preferentially activates the ipsilateral neocortex. After unilateral injury to the posterior hypothalamus, synchronous activity predominates in the ipsilateral neocortex. In premesencephalic animals weak single electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus evokes the appearance of spindles in ipsilateral zones of the frontal cortex, whereas stronger single stimulation causes the diffuse generation of spindles in various parts of the neocortex. Besides this preferential unilateral effect, the influence of the posterior hypothalamus is found to be more strongly expressed in the frontal than in the occipital cortex. It is postulated that the posterior hypothalamus exerts its influence on the neocortex through the thalamic nuclei.", "PMID": 616900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2014", "title": "AMP (PAS) and BPRS: a comparison of two assessment methods.", "content": "The aim of this investigation was to contribute to the validation of the AMP(PAS) system. As a criterion we used the BPRS because it has been accepted as one of the most widely used scales in the English-speaking countries. Our study includes the following steps: a) comparison of AMP syndromes and BPRS dimensions by computation of a factor analysis of both scales; b) comparison of each homogeneous group found by cluster analysis techniques of the AMP with its values on the BPRS: c) comparison of discriminative power of both scales concerning different groups (nosological or found by cluster analysis) by discriminant analysis. In a sample of 70 female patients with acute psychiatric symptoms we found that both scales describe psychopathological phenomena and classify patients in a very similar way. However, we were able to classify patients into homogenous groups by cluster-analysis techniques in a more consistent manner with AMP than with BPRS. Both scales gave better results in description and classification of psychoses than of neuroses, although the AMP system separates psychotic patients from neurotic patients more accurately than the BPRS. Our results suggest that the AMP system permits a more differentiated psychopathological description and a more accurate and consistent classification of psychiatric patients than the BPRS, at least in the special patient sample used for this investigation.", "contents": "AMP (PAS) and BPRS: a comparison of two assessment methods. The aim of this investigation was to contribute to the validation of the AMP(PAS) system. As a criterion we used the BPRS because it has been accepted as one of the most widely used scales in the English-speaking countries. Our study includes the following steps: a) comparison of AMP syndromes and BPRS dimensions by computation of a factor analysis of both scales; b) comparison of each homogeneous group found by cluster analysis techniques of the AMP with its values on the BPRS: c) comparison of discriminative power of both scales concerning different groups (nosological or found by cluster analysis) by discriminant analysis. In a sample of 70 female patients with acute psychiatric symptoms we found that both scales describe psychopathological phenomena and classify patients in a very similar way. However, we were able to classify patients into homogenous groups by cluster-analysis techniques in a more consistent manner with AMP than with BPRS. Both scales gave better results in description and classification of psychoses than of neuroses, although the AMP system separates psychotic patients from neurotic patients more accurately than the BPRS. Our results suggest that the AMP system permits a more differentiated psychopathological description and a more accurate and consistent classification of psychiatric patients than the BPRS, at least in the special patient sample used for this investigation.", "PMID": 616922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2015", "title": "Impairment of vigilance and performance under lithium-treatment. Studies in patients and normal volunteers.", "content": "Subtle changes of adaptive behaviour under lithium treatment may possess interest not only as side-effects, but also as a possible explanation for the mechanism of action of lithium salts. - In 18 patients under long-term lithium treatment and 10 normal volunteers before and after one week of lithium application the EEG was recorded and performance as well as psychophysiological tests were carried out. The results, particularly of the d-2-test point to a considerably reduced performance in patients and normal volunteers. The EEG data in both groups suggest reduced vigilance until stage B3 or C (in the sense of Head of Bente); CFF was significantly elevated only during the first days of lithium application in the normal volunteers. Whereas EEG changes persist, other symptoms as CFF reduction, fine hand tremor, or reduced performance resolved at least partially 7 days after lithium withdrawal in the normal volunteers.", "contents": "Impairment of vigilance and performance under lithium-treatment. Studies in patients and normal volunteers. Subtle changes of adaptive behaviour under lithium treatment may possess interest not only as side-effects, but also as a possible explanation for the mechanism of action of lithium salts. - In 18 patients under long-term lithium treatment and 10 normal volunteers before and after one week of lithium application the EEG was recorded and performance as well as psychophysiological tests were carried out. The results, particularly of the d-2-test point to a considerably reduced performance in patients and normal volunteers. The EEG data in both groups suggest reduced vigilance until stage B3 or C (in the sense of Head of Bente); CFF was significantly elevated only during the first days of lithium application in the normal volunteers. Whereas EEG changes persist, other symptoms as CFF reduction, fine hand tremor, or reduced performance resolved at least partially 7 days after lithium withdrawal in the normal volunteers.", "PMID": 616923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2016", "title": "Some effects of mianserine (ORG GB 94) on amine metabolism in the rat brain.", "content": "The effects of the tetracyclic antidepressant drug mainserine (code Nr. ORG GB 94) on biogenic amine metabolism in the rat brain are summarized. After either acute or chronic administration, mianserine increases the turnover of noradrenaline without appreciably affecting that of dopamine or serotonin. No evidence can be found that it affects amine reuptake in vivo. In its effect on amine turnover and reuptake, mianserine differs qualitatively from the dibenzazepine antidepressants. It is concluded that drugs need not be amine reuptake inhibitors before they are considered to be potential antidepressants.", "contents": "Some effects of mianserine (ORG GB 94) on amine metabolism in the rat brain. The effects of the tetracyclic antidepressant drug mainserine (code Nr. ORG GB 94) on biogenic amine metabolism in the rat brain are summarized. After either acute or chronic administration, mianserine increases the turnover of noradrenaline without appreciably affecting that of dopamine or serotonin. No evidence can be found that it affects amine reuptake in vivo. In its effect on amine turnover and reuptake, mianserine differs qualitatively from the dibenzazepine antidepressants. It is concluded that drugs need not be amine reuptake inhibitors before they are considered to be potential antidepressants.", "PMID": 616924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2017", "title": "A new animal model for the prediction of antidepressant activity.", "content": "Animal models presently in use for the screening of potential antidepressant drugs yield numerous false positives and false negatives. In search of a more specific model, we have studied the effects of psychotropic compounds on the behavioural changes induced in rats by the removal of the olfactory bulbs. We have observed that subchronic treatment with antidepressants in general reverses the behavioural alterations displayed by bulbectomized rats in tests of conditioned behaviour. The present paper describes a brief test, the so-called anxiosoif test, which may be used to assess the effects of drugs on the behaviour of bulbectomized rats. Removal of the olfactory bulbs leads to increased water intake in the anxiosoif test and to an attenuation of avoidance when the drinking spout is electrified. This latter effect can be reversed by subchronic treatment with the antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and mianserine (Org GB 94). It is suggested that the behavior of bulbectomized rats may be used as a specific tool in the prediction of antidepressant activity of novel compounds.", "contents": "A new animal model for the prediction of antidepressant activity. Animal models presently in use for the screening of potential antidepressant drugs yield numerous false positives and false negatives. In search of a more specific model, we have studied the effects of psychotropic compounds on the behavioural changes induced in rats by the removal of the olfactory bulbs. We have observed that subchronic treatment with antidepressants in general reverses the behavioural alterations displayed by bulbectomized rats in tests of conditioned behaviour. The present paper describes a brief test, the so-called anxiosoif test, which may be used to assess the effects of drugs on the behaviour of bulbectomized rats. Removal of the olfactory bulbs leads to increased water intake in the anxiosoif test and to an attenuation of avoidance when the drinking spout is electrified. This latter effect can be reversed by subchronic treatment with the antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and mianserine (Org GB 94). It is suggested that the behavior of bulbectomized rats may be used as a specific tool in the prediction of antidepressant activity of novel compounds.", "PMID": 616925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2018", "title": "[Videotape methods for assessing nonverbal cues of behavior in depressive syndromes (author's transl)].", "content": "We proceed from an earlier study with a behaviour-oriented judging scale and report a first attempt of quantifying systematically non-verbal elements of behaviour, taking into account the time-course of drug induced amelioration of psychopathology. The study is based on 7 cases of psychotic agitated depressions. We analyzed 4 video-taped interviews of every patient which were recorded during an antidepressant drug period of 21 days. Frequency respectively duration of defined modes of hand movements, classified with reference to Freedman were registered without sound and under the condition of time-blindness. We found a monotonous decrease of \"continuous body-focused movements\" in correlation with a redcution of the AMP item \"depressive agitation\". On account of this finding we consider a decrease of \"continuous body-focused movements\" as an objective indicator for amelioration of depressive agitation. A comparison between the activity of the two hands yielded a pronounced left-weightiness of object-focused, continuous body-focused and discrete body-focused movements in contrast to findings on normal persons. It seems to be remarkable that only the two latter modes of hand movements show a tendency to symmetry in the course of clinical improvement. Neuroethological implications of these findings are discussed.", "contents": "[Videotape methods for assessing nonverbal cues of behavior in depressive syndromes (author's transl)]. We proceed from an earlier study with a behaviour-oriented judging scale and report a first attempt of quantifying systematically non-verbal elements of behaviour, taking into account the time-course of drug induced amelioration of psychopathology. The study is based on 7 cases of psychotic agitated depressions. We analyzed 4 video-taped interviews of every patient which were recorded during an antidepressant drug period of 21 days. Frequency respectively duration of defined modes of hand movements, classified with reference to Freedman were registered without sound and under the condition of time-blindness. We found a monotonous decrease of \"continuous body-focused movements\" in correlation with a redcution of the AMP item \"depressive agitation\". On account of this finding we consider a decrease of \"continuous body-focused movements\" as an objective indicator for amelioration of depressive agitation. A comparison between the activity of the two hands yielded a pronounced left-weightiness of object-focused, continuous body-focused and discrete body-focused movements in contrast to findings on normal persons. It seems to be remarkable that only the two latter modes of hand movements show a tendency to symmetry in the course of clinical improvement. Neuroethological implications of these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 616926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2019", "title": "Serum iron levels in depressed patients.", "content": "76 depressive patients (male and female) suffering from different kinds of depression (involutional, uni-and bipolar, neurotic, postpartum) showed no reduced serum iron levels. Even after a three to five weeks therapy with tricyclic antidepressants the serum iron levels of 17 of these patients were still within the normal range. On the basis of these results we can neither see a correlation between hyposideremia and the depressive syndrome, nor a hint for a decrease of serum iron levels under treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.", "contents": "Serum iron levels in depressed patients. 76 depressive patients (male and female) suffering from different kinds of depression (involutional, uni-and bipolar, neurotic, postpartum) showed no reduced serum iron levels. Even after a three to five weeks therapy with tricyclic antidepressants the serum iron levels of 17 of these patients were still within the normal range. On the basis of these results we can neither see a correlation between hyposideremia and the depressive syndrome, nor a hint for a decrease of serum iron levels under treatment with tricyclic antidepressants.", "PMID": 616927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2020", "title": "[Quantitative EEG analysis of the effects of carbocromen, pentetrazole, beta-methyldigoxin, and strophantin-K in normal human volunteers (author's transl)].", "content": "With EEG-interval analysis we studied the influence on C.N.S. of some drugs normally used for cardiovascular diseases: carbochromen, pentetrazole, beta-methyldigoxin and Strophantin-K. All investigated drugs induced activation of alpha-waves, especially in frontal areas with primary small alpha-activity. Dominant alpha-frequency was accelerated. These results confirm the direct and stimulating effects of these drugs on C.N.S. in therapeutic doses. Alpha-acceleration may not only indicate psychostimulation but also indicate epileptogenic effects. All these drugs may provoke epileptic seizures in toxic doses.", "contents": "[Quantitative EEG analysis of the effects of carbocromen, pentetrazole, beta-methyldigoxin, and strophantin-K in normal human volunteers (author's transl)]. With EEG-interval analysis we studied the influence on C.N.S. of some drugs normally used for cardiovascular diseases: carbochromen, pentetrazole, beta-methyldigoxin and Strophantin-K. All investigated drugs induced activation of alpha-waves, especially in frontal areas with primary small alpha-activity. Dominant alpha-frequency was accelerated. These results confirm the direct and stimulating effects of these drugs on C.N.S. in therapeutic doses. Alpha-acceleration may not only indicate psychostimulation but also indicate epileptogenic effects. All these drugs may provoke epileptic seizures in toxic doses.", "PMID": 616928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2021", "title": "Animal models for tardive dyskinesia: effects of thioridazine.", "content": "After repeated administration of classical neuroloptics to the rat, supersensitivity of striatal dopamine (DA) receptors towards DA-receptor agonists can be demonstrated. This effect can be quantified (a) by measuring the turning response to apomorphine in rats with unilateral striatal lesions or (b) by measuring the changes induced by neuroleptics in the DA metabolism in the striatum of intact rats. In these test systems, thioridazine induces an increase in DA-receptor sensitivity which is significantly less intense and of shorter duration than that induced by haloperidol. The tendency of a drug to increase DA-receptor sensitivity has been related to its propensity to induce tardive dyskinesia in man, and on this basis it may be expected that tardive dyskinesias following treatment with thioridazine will be rare and less intense than those seen after classical neuroleptics.", "contents": "Animal models for tardive dyskinesia: effects of thioridazine. After repeated administration of classical neuroloptics to the rat, supersensitivity of striatal dopamine (DA) receptors towards DA-receptor agonists can be demonstrated. This effect can be quantified (a) by measuring the turning response to apomorphine in rats with unilateral striatal lesions or (b) by measuring the changes induced by neuroleptics in the DA metabolism in the striatum of intact rats. In these test systems, thioridazine induces an increase in DA-receptor sensitivity which is significantly less intense and of shorter duration than that induced by haloperidol. The tendency of a drug to increase DA-receptor sensitivity has been related to its propensity to induce tardive dyskinesia in man, and on this basis it may be expected that tardive dyskinesias following treatment with thioridazine will be rare and less intense than those seen after classical neuroleptics.", "PMID": 616929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2022", "title": "[Absorption and biological availability of drugs].", "content": "Bioavailability is a term used to indicate measurement of both, the relative amount of and administered drug that reaches the general circulation and the rate at which this occurs. Assessment of bioavailability indeally requires specific and sensitive methods for determination of drug concentrations in human body fluids. For the purposes of most bioavailability studies, it is sufficient to determine four indexes: maximum drug serum concentrations (Cmax), time of maximum drug concentration (tCmax) area under the drug serum half life of the drug. Potential drugs interactions and the effect of the disease state must also be evaluated, to adjust drug dosage in order to obtain an optimal therapeutic effect with minimal unwanted side effects.", "contents": "[Absorption and biological availability of drugs]. Bioavailability is a term used to indicate measurement of both, the relative amount of and administered drug that reaches the general circulation and the rate at which this occurs. Assessment of bioavailability indeally requires specific and sensitive methods for determination of drug concentrations in human body fluids. For the purposes of most bioavailability studies, it is sufficient to determine four indexes: maximum drug serum concentrations (Cmax), time of maximum drug concentration (tCmax) area under the drug serum half life of the drug. Potential drugs interactions and the effect of the disease state must also be evaluated, to adjust drug dosage in order to obtain an optimal therapeutic effect with minimal unwanted side effects.", "PMID": 616972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2023", "title": "[Liver actinomycosis. Report of a case].", "content": "A case of liver actinomycosis is presented. It was diagnosed 15 days after the patient had undergone appendicectomy. Emphasis is made concerning the diagnostic difficulties in the clinical, radiological and bacteriological areas. In the present paper note is made of the low frequency of this disease in Mexico. In this case it was possible arrive at a definitive diagnosis only after the histopathological study of material obtained in a needle liver biopsy which demonstrated the sulfur granules that are characteristic of the lesion. Information is given concerning the clinical and surgical evolution as well as therapeutic management. The case is illustrated with representative roentgenograms and a microphotograph of the lesion.", "contents": "[Liver actinomycosis. Report of a case]. A case of liver actinomycosis is presented. It was diagnosed 15 days after the patient had undergone appendicectomy. Emphasis is made concerning the diagnostic difficulties in the clinical, radiological and bacteriological areas. In the present paper note is made of the low frequency of this disease in Mexico. In this case it was possible arrive at a definitive diagnosis only after the histopathological study of material obtained in a needle liver biopsy which demonstrated the sulfur granules that are characteristic of the lesion. Information is given concerning the clinical and surgical evolution as well as therapeutic management. The case is illustrated with representative roentgenograms and a microphotograph of the lesion.", "PMID": 616974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2024", "title": "[Dust control in Belgian coal mines. Status at the beginning of the year 1977].", "content": "The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1977. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting, water infusion and wet pneumatic picks, are given separately; in some cases two or more of these technics are used together on the same coal face. The number of hard headings in which different methods of dust suppression are used, is also given.", "contents": "[Dust control in Belgian coal mines. Status at the beginning of the year 1977]. The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1977. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting, water infusion and wet pneumatic picks, are given separately; in some cases two or more of these technics are used together on the same coal face. The number of hard headings in which different methods of dust suppression are used, is also given.", "PMID": 616981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2025", "title": "[Peutz Jeghers syndrome. 6 patients in a family].", "content": "The authors describe 6 cases of the Peuzt-Jeghers syndrome found in one family. The clinical, radiological, endoscopical, laboratorial and surgical points of view are discussed. Through these different diagnostic methods polyps in the esophagus (1 case), stomach (2 cases), small intestine (2 cases) and colon (4 cases) were identified. Of these patients the two with polyps in the small intestine were operated on for intestinal occlusion. In this paper the authors discuss, and doubt, the reported rarity of this syndrome, as well as the true frequency of distribution in the digestive tract.", "contents": "[Peutz Jeghers syndrome. 6 patients in a family]. The authors describe 6 cases of the Peuzt-Jeghers syndrome found in one family. The clinical, radiological, endoscopical, laboratorial and surgical points of view are discussed. Through these different diagnostic methods polyps in the esophagus (1 case), stomach (2 cases), small intestine (2 cases) and colon (4 cases) were identified. Of these patients the two with polyps in the small intestine were operated on for intestinal occlusion. In this paper the authors discuss, and doubt, the reported rarity of this syndrome, as well as the true frequency of distribution in the digestive tract.", "PMID": 616973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2026", "title": "[Diagnosis of carcinoma of Vater's ampulla by duodenoscopy].", "content": "Cancer of the ampula of Vater occurs in 10% of cases of jaundice caused by malignant neoplasms. Endoscopy with biopsy and citological study helps to establish the diagnosis in most instances, utilizing a duodeno fibroscope JFB-2. Fourteen patients, ten men and four women, were studied in a five year period in the Service of Endoscopy in the General Hospital of National Medical Center of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. All the patients presented with obstructive jaundice and only in four was papilary carcinoma suspected from the clinical and radiological studies. Direct biopsy was performed in all patients and brush biopsy for citology in 9. In all 14 patients a malignant lesion was observed macroscopically in the ampula of Vater projecting in to the duodenum. In thirteen of fourteen the lesion was diagnosed microscopically as adenocarcinoma and in eight of nine citologically. The utilization of this methodology facilitates the early diagnosis of the lesion in this way improves considerably the prognosis.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of carcinoma of Vater's ampulla by duodenoscopy]. Cancer of the ampula of Vater occurs in 10% of cases of jaundice caused by malignant neoplasms. Endoscopy with biopsy and citological study helps to establish the diagnosis in most instances, utilizing a duodeno fibroscope JFB-2. Fourteen patients, ten men and four women, were studied in a five year period in the Service of Endoscopy in the General Hospital of National Medical Center of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. All the patients presented with obstructive jaundice and only in four was papilary carcinoma suspected from the clinical and radiological studies. Direct biopsy was performed in all patients and brush biopsy for citology in 9. In all 14 patients a malignant lesion was observed macroscopically in the ampula of Vater projecting in to the duodenum. In thirteen of fourteen the lesion was diagnosed microscopically as adenocarcinoma and in eight of nine citologically. The utilization of this methodology facilitates the early diagnosis of the lesion in this way improves considerably the prognosis.", "PMID": 616976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2027", "title": "[Evaluation of the effects of cooling clothes on the adaptation to prolonged exertion in high temperatures by miners].", "content": "In order to improve the working conditions of coalminers exposed to high ambient temperature, the authors have studied the effects of wearing an under-vest and a cowl covering the head and shoulders made in sponge-cloth and soaked with cold water (cooling clothes). Eight coalminers volunteered for this study which included three sessions of prolonged intermittent exercise performed in a climatic room with the following ambient temperatures:--experiment A (comfortable environment): td = 28 degrees C; twb = 20 degrees C; bare head and bare torso;--experiment B (hot environment) :td = 38 degrees C; twb = 30 degrees C; bare head and bare torso;--experiment C (hot environment and cooling clothes) : td = 38 degrees C; twb = 30 degrees C; wet undervest and cowl soaked with cold water (16 degrees C) every 15 minutes. Each experiment included 5 periods of exercise each lasting 15 minutes separated by periods of rest lasting 15 minutes; the exercises were performed on a bicycle ergometer or on a treadmill and their intensity corresponded to 50% of the maximal oxygen intake. In the comfortable environment (experiment A), all subjects completed the experiment without undue fatigue; the final heart rate was 81/min and the final rectal temperature was 37.6 degrees C; the weight loss never exceeded 1 Kg. In the hot environment (experiment B), all subjects were exhausted at the end of the study which had to be shortened in 2 cases. The final heart rate was 125/min and the final rectal temperature 38.8 degrees C; the weight loss was above 2 Kg. The use of the \"cooling clothes\" in the hot environment (experiment C) resulted in significantly (p less than 0.001) lower heart rate (104/min), rectal temperature (38.3 degrees C) and weight loss (1.5 Kg); all subjects completed the experiment, none was exhausted and the \"cooling clothes\" were appreciated by all subjects. We conclude that the \"cooling clothes\" tested in the present study significantly reduce the physiological and subjective strain due to intermittent work in a hot environment; this cooling system is simple, of low cost and our results indicate that it is will be very useful in climatic conditions similar to those adopted in the present experimental protocol. Its usefulness in less severe climates has to be established but it might be limited by the subjective reactions of the subjects to the transient but sudden sensation of cold given by the \"cooling clothes\".", "contents": "[Evaluation of the effects of cooling clothes on the adaptation to prolonged exertion in high temperatures by miners]. In order to improve the working conditions of coalminers exposed to high ambient temperature, the authors have studied the effects of wearing an under-vest and a cowl covering the head and shoulders made in sponge-cloth and soaked with cold water (cooling clothes). Eight coalminers volunteered for this study which included three sessions of prolonged intermittent exercise performed in a climatic room with the following ambient temperatures:--experiment A (comfortable environment): td = 28 degrees C; twb = 20 degrees C; bare head and bare torso;--experiment B (hot environment) :td = 38 degrees C; twb = 30 degrees C; bare head and bare torso;--experiment C (hot environment and cooling clothes) : td = 38 degrees C; twb = 30 degrees C; wet undervest and cowl soaked with cold water (16 degrees C) every 15 minutes. Each experiment included 5 periods of exercise each lasting 15 minutes separated by periods of rest lasting 15 minutes; the exercises were performed on a bicycle ergometer or on a treadmill and their intensity corresponded to 50% of the maximal oxygen intake. In the comfortable environment (experiment A), all subjects completed the experiment without undue fatigue; the final heart rate was 81/min and the final rectal temperature was 37.6 degrees C; the weight loss never exceeded 1 Kg. In the hot environment (experiment B), all subjects were exhausted at the end of the study which had to be shortened in 2 cases. The final heart rate was 125/min and the final rectal temperature 38.8 degrees C; the weight loss was above 2 Kg. The use of the \"cooling clothes\" in the hot environment (experiment C) resulted in significantly (p less than 0.001) lower heart rate (104/min), rectal temperature (38.3 degrees C) and weight loss (1.5 Kg); all subjects completed the experiment, none was exhausted and the \"cooling clothes\" were appreciated by all subjects. We conclude that the \"cooling clothes\" tested in the present study significantly reduce the physiological and subjective strain due to intermittent work in a hot environment; this cooling system is simple, of low cost and our results indicate that it is will be very useful in climatic conditions similar to those adopted in the present experimental protocol. Its usefulness in less severe climates has to be established but it might be limited by the subjective reactions of the subjects to the transient but sudden sensation of cold given by the \"cooling clothes\".", "PMID": 616982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2028", "title": "[Hepatinecrosis caused by furosemide. Special lesions of various species?].", "content": "Furosemide is a wellknown hepatotoxic agent in rodents. Toxicity is result of the production of a catabolite by action of microsomal enzymes. The goal of this study was to demonstrate differences in toxicity between two rodents species: rat and hamster. Animals received 400 mg/k/i.p. of furosemide, with or without pretreatment with phenobarbital as enzymatic inducer. Adequates controls were used. Microscopic findings were different in both groups. Rats treated with furosemide plus phenobarbital, exhibited extensive mediozonal necrosis; when those without pretreatment, showed less extensive necrosis of liver cells, erratic in distribution. In contrast, it was a lack of necrosis in hamsters' livers, showing only unremarkable changes.", "contents": "[Hepatinecrosis caused by furosemide. Special lesions of various species?]. Furosemide is a wellknown hepatotoxic agent in rodents. Toxicity is result of the production of a catabolite by action of microsomal enzymes. The goal of this study was to demonstrate differences in toxicity between two rodents species: rat and hamster. Animals received 400 mg/k/i.p. of furosemide, with or without pretreatment with phenobarbital as enzymatic inducer. Adequates controls were used. Microscopic findings were different in both groups. Rats treated with furosemide plus phenobarbital, exhibited extensive mediozonal necrosis; when those without pretreatment, showed less extensive necrosis of liver cells, erratic in distribution. In contrast, it was a lack of necrosis in hamsters' livers, showing only unremarkable changes.", "PMID": 616978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2029", "title": "[Treatment of extreme obesity].", "content": "23 patients whose weight varied from ninety-eight to 220 kilos were subjected to four different types of jejuno-ileal by pass operations: terminal-lateral (14 X 4) in three, terminal-terminal (14 X 4) in fifteen, (12 X 8) in two, and (10 X 8) in three. The defunctionalized intestine was anastomized to the transverse colon. Liver, jejenum and ileal biopsies as well as profilactic apendectomy were performed in all the cases along with colecistectomy when possible. All our patients were carefully studied in the pre and postoperative periods. The postoperative follow-up varied from 16 to 72 months, during which time a short and long-term mortality of 8.6% was observed. In eight patients it was necessary to reestablish normal intestinal transit for one or two reasons: rapid weight loss or total lack of patient cooperation. During the first few months post-op, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of apetite, weakness, inactivity, depression, electrolyte anormalities, anemia and increased hepatic esteatosis were the clinical and pathological findings most frequently encountered. With the cooperation of the patient it is possible to correct all these alterations: it is for this reason that the importance of right patient selection is emphasized. The rate of post-operative weight loss varied from patient to patient with an ideal weight being achieved between 18 and 24 months after the operation. Only in those patients reoperated upon to establish normal intestinal transit was the lost weight recuperated. Along with rigid patient selection, the success of this operation depends upon interspecialty teamwork during the preoperative evaluation as well as the follow up period in order to resolve the intricate physio-pathological problems that so frequently arise.", "contents": "[Treatment of extreme obesity]. 23 patients whose weight varied from ninety-eight to 220 kilos were subjected to four different types of jejuno-ileal by pass operations: terminal-lateral (14 X 4) in three, terminal-terminal (14 X 4) in fifteen, (12 X 8) in two, and (10 X 8) in three. The defunctionalized intestine was anastomized to the transverse colon. Liver, jejenum and ileal biopsies as well as profilactic apendectomy were performed in all the cases along with colecistectomy when possible. All our patients were carefully studied in the pre and postoperative periods. The postoperative follow-up varied from 16 to 72 months, during which time a short and long-term mortality of 8.6% was observed. In eight patients it was necessary to reestablish normal intestinal transit for one or two reasons: rapid weight loss or total lack of patient cooperation. During the first few months post-op, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of apetite, weakness, inactivity, depression, electrolyte anormalities, anemia and increased hepatic esteatosis were the clinical and pathological findings most frequently encountered. With the cooperation of the patient it is possible to correct all these alterations: it is for this reason that the importance of right patient selection is emphasized. The rate of post-operative weight loss varied from patient to patient with an ideal weight being achieved between 18 and 24 months after the operation. Only in those patients reoperated upon to establish normal intestinal transit was the lost weight recuperated. Along with rigid patient selection, the success of this operation depends upon interspecialty teamwork during the preoperative evaluation as well as the follow up period in order to resolve the intricate physio-pathological problems that so frequently arise.", "PMID": 616977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2030", "title": "[Morbidity and mortality of appendicitis].", "content": "A retrospective analysis of the case histories of 238 patients who were hospitalized with acute appendicitis in the Clinical Hospital 60 of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social from 1970 to 1971 revealed the following: 36% of the patients were operated in the earliest stage of acute appendicitis, 21.8% presented with perforated appendix and 32.6% with local and systemic septic complications. The group with perforated appendix presented most frequently with high levels of leucocytes and abscesses in incisions. All the cases of residual abscesses were found in this group and also two deaths were reported. It was interesting to find that routine drenage of the apendicectomy did in result in a decrease in local and systemic complications; in fact, they were found to be increased. Similarly it was found that the irrational use of antibiotics did not prevent abscess formation in the incision in the less seriously ill group and only served to confuse the clinical picture and impede the initiation of opportune treatment. Generally the diagnosis can be established from the clinical picture, but ocasionally it is necessary to operate in order to accurately evaluate the gravity of the lesion.", "contents": "[Morbidity and mortality of appendicitis]. A retrospective analysis of the case histories of 238 patients who were hospitalized with acute appendicitis in the Clinical Hospital 60 of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social from 1970 to 1971 revealed the following: 36% of the patients were operated in the earliest stage of acute appendicitis, 21.8% presented with perforated appendix and 32.6% with local and systemic septic complications. The group with perforated appendix presented most frequently with high levels of leucocytes and abscesses in incisions. All the cases of residual abscesses were found in this group and also two deaths were reported. It was interesting to find that routine drenage of the apendicectomy did in result in a decrease in local and systemic complications; in fact, they were found to be increased. Similarly it was found that the irrational use of antibiotics did not prevent abscess formation in the incision in the less seriously ill group and only served to confuse the clinical picture and impede the initiation of opportune treatment. Generally the diagnosis can be established from the clinical picture, but ocasionally it is necessary to operate in order to accurately evaluate the gravity of the lesion.", "PMID": 616979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2031", "title": "[Hepatic changes caused by contraceptive steroids].", "content": "The number and type of contraceptive side effects is constantly increasing. Several abnormalities have been observed regarding liver function, these include: Jaundice, cholestasis, hepatitis, changes in the rate synthesis of many serum proteins and coagulation factors. One of the most dangerous complications in the liver is the risk to develop hepatic adenoma which has been reported in 250 cases. An even more dangerous complication is the development of liver cancer of several histological types which so far has been observed in 21 patients. Women receiving contraceptive steroids should be alert regarding their potential hazards and the physician must be informed of such risks and observe special control care in these patients.", "contents": "[Hepatic changes caused by contraceptive steroids]. The number and type of contraceptive side effects is constantly increasing. Several abnormalities have been observed regarding liver function, these include: Jaundice, cholestasis, hepatitis, changes in the rate synthesis of many serum proteins and coagulation factors. One of the most dangerous complications in the liver is the risk to develop hepatic adenoma which has been reported in 250 cases. An even more dangerous complication is the development of liver cancer of several histological types which so far has been observed in 21 patients. Women receiving contraceptive steroids should be alert regarding their potential hazards and the physician must be informed of such risks and observe special control care in these patients.", "PMID": 616980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2032", "title": "Medicinal iron-induced hepatic cirrhosis: reversal by phlebotomy: studies on pathogenesis.", "content": "A patient with no underlying hematologic or iron metabolic disorder developed iron induced hepatic cirrhosis as a consequence of long term medicinal iron ingestion. Marked improvement in liver histology followed removal of 28 grams of iron by phlebotomy. Radioautographic studies in rats showed a periportal hepatocyte concentration of radioiron absorbed from the intestine while plasma transferrin was saturated. Based on these and other observations an hypothesis is proposed to explain liver damage in disorders of iron overload.", "contents": "Medicinal iron-induced hepatic cirrhosis: reversal by phlebotomy: studies on pathogenesis. A patient with no underlying hematologic or iron metabolic disorder developed iron induced hepatic cirrhosis as a consequence of long term medicinal iron ingestion. Marked improvement in liver histology followed removal of 28 grams of iron by phlebotomy. Radioautographic studies in rats showed a periportal hepatocyte concentration of radioiron absorbed from the intestine while plasma transferrin was saturated. Based on these and other observations an hypothesis is proposed to explain liver damage in disorders of iron overload.", "PMID": 617015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2033", "title": "The natural history of coronary artery disease: an update on surgical and medical management.", "content": "The current series represents the total experience of one institution that has treated concurrently a large number of patients with medical or surgical therapy. As previously reported, surgery offers a greater chance for pain relief but no obvious protection from future myocardial infarction. Patients with single artery disease show no difference in survival or future myocardial infarction rate whether treated medically or surgically. Improvement in survival following surgery, determined by univariate analysis of clinical descriptors, in several subsets of patients in the present series has not been confirmed when multivariate analysis techniques are used. If surgical mortality can be further lowered there may well be subsets of patients with coronary artery disease who will outsurvive similar medically treated patients. The current and future natural history of coronary artery disease, whether treated medically or surgically, is not settled by this or any other series because both forms of therapy are rapidly changing and no current series meets valid statistical criticisms. We are in a state of evaluation concerning not only therapeutic approaches, but also the development of suitable statistical methods for determining the efficacy of various forms of therapy. Only by continual modification of therapeutic approaches and the statistical tools to measure their effectiveness can we approach confident conclusions.", "contents": "The natural history of coronary artery disease: an update on surgical and medical management. The current series represents the total experience of one institution that has treated concurrently a large number of patients with medical or surgical therapy. As previously reported, surgery offers a greater chance for pain relief but no obvious protection from future myocardial infarction. Patients with single artery disease show no difference in survival or future myocardial infarction rate whether treated medically or surgically. Improvement in survival following surgery, determined by univariate analysis of clinical descriptors, in several subsets of patients in the present series has not been confirmed when multivariate analysis techniques are used. If surgical mortality can be further lowered there may well be subsets of patients with coronary artery disease who will outsurvive similar medically treated patients. The current and future natural history of coronary artery disease, whether treated medically or surgically, is not settled by this or any other series because both forms of therapy are rapidly changing and no current series meets valid statistical criticisms. We are in a state of evaluation concerning not only therapeutic approaches, but also the development of suitable statistical methods for determining the efficacy of various forms of therapy. Only by continual modification of therapeutic approaches and the statistical tools to measure their effectiveness can we approach confident conclusions.", "PMID": 617018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2034", "title": "The species of viridans streptococci associated with microbial endocarditis: incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility.", "content": "Streptococcal endocarditis has been well recognized for decades and over the years investigators at The New York Hospital have defined many of the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities currently employed in patients with this disease. In this study, speciation of the viridans streptococci has provided new insights into the relative frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these organisms. Indeed, recent studies also suggest that S. milleri endocarditis is associated with a high incidence of suppurative complications and that patients with S. bovis endocarditis may have a significant incidence of underlying but asymptomatic lower gastrointestinal malignancies. Further studies correlating viridans streptococcal species with other clinical and laboratory parameters of endocarditis should provide additional insights into this disease.", "contents": "The species of viridans streptococci associated with microbial endocarditis: incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility. Streptococcal endocarditis has been well recognized for decades and over the years investigators at The New York Hospital have defined many of the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities currently employed in patients with this disease. In this study, speciation of the viridans streptococci has provided new insights into the relative frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these organisms. Indeed, recent studies also suggest that S. milleri endocarditis is associated with a high incidence of suppurative complications and that patients with S. bovis endocarditis may have a significant incidence of underlying but asymptomatic lower gastrointestinal malignancies. Further studies correlating viridans streptococcal species with other clinical and laboratory parameters of endocarditis should provide additional insights into this disease.", "PMID": 617021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2035", "title": "[Urologic involvement caused by pancreatic cyst].", "content": "Pancreas-cysts seldom occur in surgical practice and rarely cause urological complications. The history of a patient is presented in whom dislocation of the kidney and compression of the ureter together with pyelectasis have been observed. Operation revealed that the urological symptoms were elicited by a cyst on the pancreas. Attention is drawn to this rare disease.", "contents": "[Urologic involvement caused by pancreatic cyst]. Pancreas-cysts seldom occur in surgical practice and rarely cause urological complications. The history of a patient is presented in whom dislocation of the kidney and compression of the ureter together with pyelectasis have been observed. Operation revealed that the urological symptoms were elicited by a cyst on the pancreas. Attention is drawn to this rare disease.", "PMID": 617031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2036", "title": "[Etiology of pancreatitis in 10 years of case material].", "content": "The aetiology of the 166 pancreatitis-casts observed in the authors' department between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 1975 is analysed. In 123 (74%) cases the aetiology could be clarified, while in 3 cases even the autopsy failed to throw light on the pathogenesis of the fatal pancreatitis. The distribution of complications and mortality according to aetiology is presented. The conclusions drawn from the material indicate that the frequency of pancreatitis is increasing and a shift occurs towards the young age groups. The less frequently occurring aetiological factors are pointed out and the importance of a careful history is stressed. Early operation of patients with gallstones is an important factor in the prevention of pancreatitis.", "contents": "[Etiology of pancreatitis in 10 years of case material]. The aetiology of the 166 pancreatitis-casts observed in the authors' department between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 1975 is analysed. In 123 (74%) cases the aetiology could be clarified, while in 3 cases even the autopsy failed to throw light on the pathogenesis of the fatal pancreatitis. The distribution of complications and mortality according to aetiology is presented. The conclusions drawn from the material indicate that the frequency of pancreatitis is increasing and a shift occurs towards the young age groups. The less frequently occurring aetiological factors are pointed out and the importance of a careful history is stressed. Early operation of patients with gallstones is an important factor in the prevention of pancreatitis.", "PMID": 617032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2037", "title": "[Sclerotic occlusion of venous bypass].", "content": "The case of a patient is presented in whom in the course of repeated vascular surgery a venous by-pass was prepared. Eighteen months after the operation a sclerotic plaque occluded the bypass. After successful de-obliteration the patient became free of complaints. A review of the pertaining literature is presented and the possible causal factors are discussed.", "contents": "[Sclerotic occlusion of venous bypass]. The case of a patient is presented in whom in the course of repeated vascular surgery a venous by-pass was prepared. Eighteen months after the operation a sclerotic plaque occluded the bypass. After successful de-obliteration the patient became free of complaints. A review of the pertaining literature is presented and the possible causal factors are discussed.", "PMID": 617033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2038", "title": "Electric activity and oxygen tension of the brain during ischaemic anoxia and reperfusion.", "content": "Electric activity of the cerebral cortex and the mesencephalon and pO2 of the brain surface were analysed in 47 dogs after serial periods of cerebral anoxia induced by clamping of the aorta for less than 3 minutes and subsequent reperfusion. After restoring the circulation, characteristic stages were observed in the normalization of cortical electric activity and pO2. Improvement in cortical oxygen utilization progressed parallel to the return of rapid activity, though normalization of the EEG preceded that of oxygen utilization. The relative duration of the stages determined from the pO2 curve and from the parameters of electric activity allowed conclusions concerning the injury of the brain tissue. It is assumed that [1] after ischaemic anoxia an excess perfusion develops in the brain; [2] during anoxia, autoregulation of the cerebral vascular system ceases simultaneously with the disintegration of the oxidative metabolic processes of the brain; [3] restitution of the cortex is indicated more reliably by its oxygen consumption rate than by the normalization of EEG activity.", "contents": "Electric activity and oxygen tension of the brain during ischaemic anoxia and reperfusion. Electric activity of the cerebral cortex and the mesencephalon and pO2 of the brain surface were analysed in 47 dogs after serial periods of cerebral anoxia induced by clamping of the aorta for less than 3 minutes and subsequent reperfusion. After restoring the circulation, characteristic stages were observed in the normalization of cortical electric activity and pO2. Improvement in cortical oxygen utilization progressed parallel to the return of rapid activity, though normalization of the EEG preceded that of oxygen utilization. The relative duration of the stages determined from the pO2 curve and from the parameters of electric activity allowed conclusions concerning the injury of the brain tissue. It is assumed that [1] after ischaemic anoxia an excess perfusion develops in the brain; [2] during anoxia, autoregulation of the cerebral vascular system ceases simultaneously with the disintegration of the oxidative metabolic processes of the brain; [3] restitution of the cortex is indicated more reliably by its oxygen consumption rate than by the normalization of EEG activity.", "PMID": 617034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2039", "title": "Structural changes in temporarily ischaemized and reperfused dog kidneys.", "content": "The functional and structural study of the ischaemic renal parenchyma has become a central problem from the aspects of kidney transplantation. Reliable data are needed to establish the tolerance of separate or simultaneous cold and warm ischaemia. The changes appearing after 1- and 2-hour ligation of the renal artery (warm ischaemia) followed by autogeneous reperfusion after 3 to 24 hours were analysed on dog kidneys by means of light and electron microscopy. After 1 hour ligation, the changes seem fully reversible as the structures (mitochondria, basal membranes, brush border) suffer no fundamental lesion in spite of a general oedema. In contrast, 2-hour ischaemia caused serious morphological lesions (breaking up of the mitochondrial cristae, decay of the brush border, cell desquamation, necrosis, extensive oedema) leading to no-reflow phenomenon and irreversibility.", "contents": "Structural changes in temporarily ischaemized and reperfused dog kidneys. The functional and structural study of the ischaemic renal parenchyma has become a central problem from the aspects of kidney transplantation. Reliable data are needed to establish the tolerance of separate or simultaneous cold and warm ischaemia. The changes appearing after 1- and 2-hour ligation of the renal artery (warm ischaemia) followed by autogeneous reperfusion after 3 to 24 hours were analysed on dog kidneys by means of light and electron microscopy. After 1 hour ligation, the changes seem fully reversible as the structures (mitochondria, basal membranes, brush border) suffer no fundamental lesion in spite of a general oedema. In contrast, 2-hour ischaemia caused serious morphological lesions (breaking up of the mitochondrial cristae, decay of the brush border, cell desquamation, necrosis, extensive oedema) leading to no-reflow phenomenon and irreversibility.", "PMID": 617035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2040", "title": "Ultrastructure of the liver after 24-hour preservation with various solutions.", "content": "The effect of 24-hour preservation with 5% dextrane solution, Collins C3 solution and 5% human albumin solution, as well as of pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine on the ultrastructure of the rat liver has been studied. It was found that 1. the moment of the irreversible damage of the liver cannot be assessed from the electron microscopic picture; 2. though the ultrastructure offers no clue to the exact length of the effectiveness of a preservation procedure, the different methods can be compared among each other; 3. of the investigated solutions the 5% solution of human albumin appeared to be the most favourable, as with this solution the ultrastructural changes appeared late and in the least pronounced form; 4. phenoxybenzamine pretreatment might be of importance in warm ischaemia as it seems to delay the consequences.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the liver after 24-hour preservation with various solutions. The effect of 24-hour preservation with 5% dextrane solution, Collins C3 solution and 5% human albumin solution, as well as of pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine on the ultrastructure of the rat liver has been studied. It was found that 1. the moment of the irreversible damage of the liver cannot be assessed from the electron microscopic picture; 2. though the ultrastructure offers no clue to the exact length of the effectiveness of a preservation procedure, the different methods can be compared among each other; 3. of the investigated solutions the 5% solution of human albumin appeared to be the most favourable, as with this solution the ultrastructural changes appeared late and in the least pronounced form; 4. phenoxybenzamine pretreatment might be of importance in warm ischaemia as it seems to delay the consequences.", "PMID": 617036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2041", "title": "[Uterine and bladder prolapse causing kidney damage].", "content": "A case of severe renal disturbance caused by uterine and bladder prolapse was observed and successfully treated by vaginal operation. Among the surgical indications of vaginal prolapse the lesions of the urinary system must also be considered.", "contents": "[Uterine and bladder prolapse causing kidney damage]. A case of severe renal disturbance caused by uterine and bladder prolapse was observed and successfully treated by vaginal operation. Among the surgical indications of vaginal prolapse the lesions of the urinary system must also be considered.", "PMID": 617037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2042", "title": "A pulse-position-modulated multichannel radio telemetry system for the study of the avian nest microclimate.", "content": "A multichannel biotelemetry system using pulse position modulation has been developed to monitor continuously the environment in birds' nests. Probes to measure temperature at six points, relative humidity, light and egg attitude, together with a transmitter and power supply are contained in a fibreglass shell, having the shape, size and weight of the egg of the species being studied. The sensing egg is placed in the nest at the completion of a clutch and not removed until the young have hatched. A low-power transponder is used to relay the signals up to 2 miles to a data-logging system in the laboratoy.", "contents": "A pulse-position-modulated multichannel radio telemetry system for the study of the avian nest microclimate. A multichannel biotelemetry system using pulse position modulation has been developed to monitor continuously the environment in birds' nests. Probes to measure temperature at six points, relative humidity, light and egg attitude, together with a transmitter and power supply are contained in a fibreglass shell, having the shape, size and weight of the egg of the species being studied. The sensing egg is placed in the nest at the completion of a clutch and not removed until the young have hatched. A low-power transponder is used to relay the signals up to 2 miles to a data-logging system in the laboratoy.", "PMID": 617043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2043", "title": "A method for the analysis of the data represented by a multiple exponential function.", "content": "A method for the analysis of the data represented by the sum of multiple exponential functions is proposed in which each component of f(t) = n sigma i=1 aie -zetait is expressed as a spectrum. The convolution integral is derived by applying the Laplacian integral to f(t) with suitable transformation of the variables, and the spectrum representation is obtained by using the Fourier transformation. A generalized theoretical analysis is made and several results of numerical evaluations for model data or experimental data are briefly described.", "contents": "A method for the analysis of the data represented by a multiple exponential function. A method for the analysis of the data represented by the sum of multiple exponential functions is proposed in which each component of f(t) = n sigma i=1 aie -zetait is expressed as a spectrum. The convolution integral is derived by applying the Laplacian integral to f(t) with suitable transformation of the variables, and the spectrum representation is obtained by using the Fourier transformation. A generalized theoretical analysis is made and several results of numerical evaluations for model data or experimental data are briefly described.", "PMID": 617044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2044", "title": "The use of hybrid integrated circuit techniques in biotelemetry applications.", "content": "A review is presented of some features of hybrid integrated circuits that make their use advantageous in miniature biotelemetry applications. The various techniques for fabricating resistors, capacitors and interconnections by both thin film and thick film technology are discussed. The use of chip capacitors, resistors, and especially standard IC chips on substrates with fired-on interconnection patterns is emphasized. The review is designed primarily to acquaint biotelemetry users and designers with an overview of this fabrication technique so that they can better communicate their needs with an understanding of its limitations and advantages to facilities specializing in hybrid construction.", "contents": "The use of hybrid integrated circuit techniques in biotelemetry applications. A review is presented of some features of hybrid integrated circuits that make their use advantageous in miniature biotelemetry applications. The various techniques for fabricating resistors, capacitors and interconnections by both thin film and thick film technology are discussed. The use of chip capacitors, resistors, and especially standard IC chips on substrates with fired-on interconnection patterns is emphasized. The review is designed primarily to acquaint biotelemetry users and designers with an overview of this fabrication technique so that they can better communicate their needs with an understanding of its limitations and advantages to facilities specializing in hybrid construction.", "PMID": 617045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2045", "title": "The anti-M\u00fcllerian hormone.", "content": "M\u00fcllerian regression in the male fetus is mediated by a discrete fetal testicular hormone, different from testosterone and synthetized by Sertoli cells. Secretion of AMH begins shortly after testicular differentiation and lasts into the perinatal period; however, the m\u00fcllerian duct is responsive to AMH only during a short \"critical\" period at the end of the ambisexual stage. Species-specificity has not been demonstrated in mammals, but avian m\u00fcllerian ducts do not respond to mammalian AMH, although the mammalian m\u00fcllerian ducts to respond to avian AMH. Investigations concerning the biochemical nature of AMH have been carried out on incubation media of calf fetal testes. Anti-m\u00fcllerian activity of the incubation medium is not affected by dialysis, is enhanced by concentration by ultrafiltration and is not correlated with the testosterone content of the medium. Gel filtration of the incubation medium on Sephadex G 200 and Biogel A-5m indicates that the anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone is a protein of relatively high molecular weight, between 200,000 and 320,000 daltons.", "contents": "The anti-M\u00fcllerian hormone. M\u00fcllerian regression in the male fetus is mediated by a discrete fetal testicular hormone, different from testosterone and synthetized by Sertoli cells. Secretion of AMH begins shortly after testicular differentiation and lasts into the perinatal period; however, the m\u00fcllerian duct is responsive to AMH only during a short \"critical\" period at the end of the ambisexual stage. Species-specificity has not been demonstrated in mammals, but avian m\u00fcllerian ducts do not respond to mammalian AMH, although the mammalian m\u00fcllerian ducts to respond to avian AMH. Investigations concerning the biochemical nature of AMH have been carried out on incubation media of calf fetal testes. Anti-m\u00fcllerian activity of the incubation medium is not affected by dialysis, is enhanced by concentration by ultrafiltration and is not correlated with the testosterone content of the medium. Gel filtration of the incubation medium on Sephadex G 200 and Biogel A-5m indicates that the anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone is a protein of relatively high molecular weight, between 200,000 and 320,000 daltons.", "PMID": 617047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2046", "title": "Retraining in literal alexia: substitution of a right hemisphere perceptual strategy for impaired left hemispheric processing.", "content": "An adult patient with literal alexia, agraphia, slight anomia, and dyscalculia due to a left hemisphere infarct showed lack of sequential skills while pattern recognition remained intact. Some words were recognized as patterns, but could not be read phonetically. Therapy concentrated on forming an association of the visual pattern of the complete word with the retained auditory pattern. In this way the patient learned to read several hundred words and short phrases, even as anomia worsened. The patterns learned could not be generalized to noun declension or verb conjugation, or broken into smaller words. This learning process is characteristic of right hemispheric skills which were utilized as left hemispheric functions deteriorated.", "contents": "Retraining in literal alexia: substitution of a right hemisphere perceptual strategy for impaired left hemispheric processing. An adult patient with literal alexia, agraphia, slight anomia, and dyscalculia due to a left hemisphere infarct showed lack of sequential skills while pattern recognition remained intact. Some words were recognized as patterns, but could not be read phonetically. Therapy concentrated on forming an association of the visual pattern of the complete word with the retained auditory pattern. In this way the patient learned to read several hundred words and short phrases, even as anomia worsened. The patterns learned could not be generalized to noun declension or verb conjugation, or broken into smaller words. This learning process is characteristic of right hemispheric skills which were utilized as left hemispheric functions deteriorated.", "PMID": 617048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2047", "title": "Transcallosal approach to third ventricle tumor: case report. Partial removal of an infundibuloma (grade I astrocytoma arising from the floor of the third ventricle).", "content": "A care is described of an astrocytoma grade 1 arising from the floor of the third ventricle, operated upon transcallosally. No disconnection symptoms were produced. Five years later the patient has above normal intelligence and is attending school at normal grade level in spite of a CT scan suggesting recurrence of the tumor.", "contents": "Transcallosal approach to third ventricle tumor: case report. Partial removal of an infundibuloma (grade I astrocytoma arising from the floor of the third ventricle). A care is described of an astrocytoma grade 1 arising from the floor of the third ventricle, operated upon transcallosally. No disconnection symptoms were produced. Five years later the patient has above normal intelligence and is attending school at normal grade level in spite of a CT scan suggesting recurrence of the tumor.", "PMID": 617049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2048", "title": "Epidural spinal metastases: factors related to selection of cases for decompressive laminectomy.", "content": "We have treated a selected series of patients with spinal epidural metastatic tumors by dorsal decompression according to principles we presumed would produce the most favorable therapeutic results. There was no operative mortality, and morbidity was minor. In the first postoperative week, improvement in motor function was apparent in 44% of cases. By 3 months postoperatively, 40% of the patients were independently ambulatory and an additional 28% were ambulatory with minimal assistance. This 68% composite compares favorably to the 30 to 40% results in several series of unselected cases. On the basis of this data, it is concluded that consideration of the tumor's histological type, biological history, the host's response, the extent of neurological deficit, the progression of neurological deficit, and dissemination of disease will aid in the definition of those cases with epidural metastases which may be expected to benefit from surgical decompression.", "contents": "Epidural spinal metastases: factors related to selection of cases for decompressive laminectomy. We have treated a selected series of patients with spinal epidural metastatic tumors by dorsal decompression according to principles we presumed would produce the most favorable therapeutic results. There was no operative mortality, and morbidity was minor. In the first postoperative week, improvement in motor function was apparent in 44% of cases. By 3 months postoperatively, 40% of the patients were independently ambulatory and an additional 28% were ambulatory with minimal assistance. This 68% composite compares favorably to the 30 to 40% results in several series of unselected cases. On the basis of this data, it is concluded that consideration of the tumor's histological type, biological history, the host's response, the extent of neurological deficit, the progression of neurological deficit, and dissemination of disease will aid in the definition of those cases with epidural metastases which may be expected to benefit from surgical decompression.", "PMID": 617050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2049", "title": "Physiologic secretion of growth hormone and prolactin in male and female rats.", "content": "Growth hormone and prolactin are secreted episodically in man and experimental animals. To investigate physiologic mechanisms of GH and PRL secretion, a series of experiments were performed in individual, unanaesthetized male and female rats. GH secretion in the male rat is characterized by intermittent surges that occur approximately every 3 h and are entrained to the light-dark cycle. Peaks reach 200--400 ng/ml and troughs are unmeasurable. PRL is secreted in more frequent episodes with a pattern distinct from GH. In the female rat, GH surges occur more frequently--approximately once each hour. PRL levels are low (less than 15 ng/ml) except on the afternoon of pro-oestrous when they surge to levels of 100--300 ng/ml. Prolactin rises 4--6 h before delivery. Levels decline rapidly at the onset of parturition and surge with each episode of suckling in the post-partum period. Growth hormone and corticosterone rise during delivery and remain elevated for several hours after delivery. Reinstitution of suckling after removal of pups causes an immediate rise in PRL and GH. The PRL response is sustained for 3--4 h, whereas the GH response is brief with return to baseline within 1 h. The time courses of the two responses are clearly independent. Stress in the male rat causes a rapid rise in PRL and suppression in GH. The PRL surge to stress is brief with return to baseline by 1 h. GH pulses are suppressed for up to 5 h after stress. These studies indicate that separate neuroendocrine control mechanisms exist for regulation of the episodic release of GH and PRL in the rat.", "contents": "Physiologic secretion of growth hormone and prolactin in male and female rats. Growth hormone and prolactin are secreted episodically in man and experimental animals. To investigate physiologic mechanisms of GH and PRL secretion, a series of experiments were performed in individual, unanaesthetized male and female rats. GH secretion in the male rat is characterized by intermittent surges that occur approximately every 3 h and are entrained to the light-dark cycle. Peaks reach 200--400 ng/ml and troughs are unmeasurable. PRL is secreted in more frequent episodes with a pattern distinct from GH. In the female rat, GH surges occur more frequently--approximately once each hour. PRL levels are low (less than 15 ng/ml) except on the afternoon of pro-oestrous when they surge to levels of 100--300 ng/ml. Prolactin rises 4--6 h before delivery. Levels decline rapidly at the onset of parturition and surge with each episode of suckling in the post-partum period. Growth hormone and corticosterone rise during delivery and remain elevated for several hours after delivery. Reinstitution of suckling after removal of pups causes an immediate rise in PRL and GH. The PRL response is sustained for 3--4 h, whereas the GH response is brief with return to baseline within 1 h. The time courses of the two responses are clearly independent. Stress in the male rat causes a rapid rise in PRL and suppression in GH. The PRL surge to stress is brief with return to baseline by 1 h. GH pulses are suppressed for up to 5 h after stress. These studies indicate that separate neuroendocrine control mechanisms exist for regulation of the episodic release of GH and PRL in the rat.", "PMID": 617070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2050", "title": "Prevention and suppression of post-partum lactation with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154).", "content": "Most clinical trials to date have demonstrated the effectiveness of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine in suppressing the onset of puerperal lactation and confirmed the postulative mechanism of action by suppression of serum prolactin concentrations during its administration. The present study involving 112 patients was carried out to demonstrate the dose response and the timing of the administration. The drug was administered in two dose schedules of 1 mg t.i.d. and 2.5 mg b.i.d. commencing immediately after delivery and continued for 14 days. A third group of patients had 2.5 mg administered b.i.d. only after acute engorgement became a problem in the post-partum period. The drug was just as effective in the lower dose schedule and almost complete relief of pain and engorgement spared both the patient and the nursing staff many complaints. A dramatic relief was also obtained within 48 h even after engorgement had occurred and an overall incidence of rebound filling of 19% is similar to that reported by others.", "contents": "Prevention and suppression of post-partum lactation with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154). Most clinical trials to date have demonstrated the effectiveness of 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine in suppressing the onset of puerperal lactation and confirmed the postulative mechanism of action by suppression of serum prolactin concentrations during its administration. The present study involving 112 patients was carried out to demonstrate the dose response and the timing of the administration. The drug was administered in two dose schedules of 1 mg t.i.d. and 2.5 mg b.i.d. commencing immediately after delivery and continued for 14 days. A third group of patients had 2.5 mg administered b.i.d. only after acute engorgement became a problem in the post-partum period. The drug was just as effective in the lower dose schedule and almost complete relief of pain and engorgement spared both the patient and the nursing staff many complaints. A dramatic relief was also obtained within 48 h even after engorgement had occurred and an overall incidence of rebound filling of 19% is similar to that reported by others.", "PMID": 617072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2051", "title": "The theory and practice of psychological medicine in the Ayurvedic tradition.", "content": "In this paper I attempt to elucidate and render intelligible to a non-Western reader the internal logic and the consistency in both theory and practice of Ayurvedic psychological medicine. In Part 1, I deal with the classical metaphysical base (Samkya philosophy) on which the Ayurvedic concept of mind rests. I also deal with the theory of psychological medicine as stated in ancient Sanskrit texts. In Part II, I deal with the manner in which the classic theory is implemented in contemporary practice in Sri Lanka, while Part III deals with case studies of two patients taking Ayurvedic therapy.", "contents": "The theory and practice of psychological medicine in the Ayurvedic tradition. In this paper I attempt to elucidate and render intelligible to a non-Western reader the internal logic and the consistency in both theory and practice of Ayurvedic psychological medicine. In Part 1, I deal with the classical metaphysical base (Samkya philosophy) on which the Ayurvedic concept of mind rests. I also deal with the theory of psychological medicine as stated in ancient Sanskrit texts. In Part II, I deal with the manner in which the classic theory is implemented in contemporary practice in Sri Lanka, while Part III deals with case studies of two patients taking Ayurvedic therapy.", "PMID": 617076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2052", "title": "Order, analogy, and efficacy in Ethiopian medical divination.", "content": "An important source of the efficacy of techniques for managing sickness is their capacity for symbolically ordering the disordered states associated with disease. (The ability to give empirical proofs is another source.) This article describes the symbolic ordering wirked by a method of divination that is practiced by the Amhara of Ethiopia. Emphasis is given to indicating how order is accomplished through linking disease with phenomenological domains that are remote from the biophysical locus of sickness. The point is made that ordering and linking depend on processes of analogy.", "contents": "Order, analogy, and efficacy in Ethiopian medical divination. An important source of the efficacy of techniques for managing sickness is their capacity for symbolically ordering the disordered states associated with disease. (The ability to give empirical proofs is another source.) This article describes the symbolic ordering wirked by a method of divination that is practiced by the Amhara of Ethiopia. Emphasis is given to indicating how order is accomplished through linking disease with phenomenological domains that are remote from the biophysical locus of sickness. The point is made that ordering and linking depend on processes of analogy.", "PMID": 617077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2053", "title": "The scope of ethnomedical science.", "content": "The subject matter of the field of ethnomedicine is outlined in this paper. Basic concepts and problem concerns are described. The linkages which ethnomedicine has with the other social and biologic disciplines are discussed. Ethnomedicine deals with information pertaining to social adaptation, deviant behavior, illness, disease, medical taxonomy, folk medical knowledge, and systems of medical care. Some of the problems inherent in studying these issues are described. Attention is also given potentially rich areas of inquiry which, heretofore, have not been cast in an ethnomedical context.", "contents": "The scope of ethnomedical science. The subject matter of the field of ethnomedicine is outlined in this paper. Basic concepts and problem concerns are described. The linkages which ethnomedicine has with the other social and biologic disciplines are discussed. Ethnomedicine deals with information pertaining to social adaptation, deviant behavior, illness, disease, medical taxonomy, folk medical knowledge, and systems of medical care. Some of the problems inherent in studying these issues are described. Attention is also given potentially rich areas of inquiry which, heretofore, have not been cast in an ethnomedical context.", "PMID": 617078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2054", "title": "Assessment of the trace organic molecular composition of industrial and municipal wastewater effluents by capillary gas chromatography/real-time high-resolution mass spectrometry: a preliminary report.", "content": "In summary, the use of HRGC/HRMS and ECC can provide valuable information on the organic constituents of refinery wastewater samples, even when present in extremely complex mixtures. In many cases, the low-resolution (nominal mass) spectra would not have been interpretable without the availability of the corresponding high-resolution (accurate mass and elemental composition) information, since, even with the use of capillary columns, the components of these complex mixtures were not chromatographically resolved. It is apparent that additional components in these fractions could be identified if additional data processing followed by detailed analysis of the ECC data set is carried out incorporating the retention index information derivable from the series of n-alkanes present, although the incomplete chemical fractionation of the samples is a complicating factor in these particular wastewater extracts.", "contents": "Assessment of the trace organic molecular composition of industrial and municipal wastewater effluents by capillary gas chromatography/real-time high-resolution mass spectrometry: a preliminary report. In summary, the use of HRGC/HRMS and ECC can provide valuable information on the organic constituents of refinery wastewater samples, even when present in extremely complex mixtures. In many cases, the low-resolution (nominal mass) spectra would not have been interpretable without the availability of the corresponding high-resolution (accurate mass and elemental composition) information, since, even with the use of capillary columns, the components of these complex mixtures were not chromatographically resolved. It is apparent that additional components in these fractions could be identified if additional data processing followed by detailed analysis of the ECC data set is carried out incorporating the retention index information derivable from the series of n-alkanes present, although the incomplete chemical fractionation of the samples is a complicating factor in these particular wastewater extracts.", "PMID": 617082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2055", "title": "Induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes by diuron, phenobenzuron, and metabolites in rats.", "content": "Microsomal liver enzymes are induced in rats which are fed a diet containing 1000 ppm of phenobenzuron, a phenylurea herbicide, for 7 days: All parameters measured are about 50% higher than control values. This increase is lower after 14 feeding days. Diuron and 3,4-dichloroaniline have a similar, although lower, effect than phenobenzuron. Two other metabolites have no action on microsomal enzymes. The transitory and weak inducing effect of these phenylureas is interesting when compared to other organochlorine pesticides.", "contents": "Induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes by diuron, phenobenzuron, and metabolites in rats. Microsomal liver enzymes are induced in rats which are fed a diet containing 1000 ppm of phenobenzuron, a phenylurea herbicide, for 7 days: All parameters measured are about 50% higher than control values. This increase is lower after 14 feeding days. Diuron and 3,4-dichloroaniline have a similar, although lower, effect than phenobenzuron. Two other metabolites have no action on microsomal enzymes. The transitory and weak inducing effect of these phenylureas is interesting when compared to other organochlorine pesticides.", "PMID": 617090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2056", "title": "Phthalic acid esters in various foodstuffs and biological materials.", "content": "Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants in Japan. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are the most commonly found of nine PAEs examined. DNBP and DEHP residues in 22 kinds of commerical foodstuffs (55 examples), mostly in plastic containers, are recorded. The level is generally higher in powdered foodstuffs than in other materials and the content of PAEs increased sharply during their storage. A close correlation is found between the content of PAE residues in packing materials and those of foodstuffs. The levels of DNBP and DEHP in human blood samples are found to be much higher than those of PCBs.", "contents": "Phthalic acid esters in various foodstuffs and biological materials. Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants in Japan. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are the most commonly found of nine PAEs examined. DNBP and DEHP residues in 22 kinds of commerical foodstuffs (55 examples), mostly in plastic containers, are recorded. The level is generally higher in powdered foodstuffs than in other materials and the content of PAEs increased sharply during their storage. A close correlation is found between the content of PAE residues in packing materials and those of foodstuffs. The levels of DNBP and DEHP in human blood samples are found to be much higher than those of PCBs.", "PMID": 617094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2057", "title": "Fertilizers for food production vs energy needs and environmental quality.", "content": "The world is experiencing an energy crisis that is restrictive to agricultural requisites production at the same time that food is becoming increasingly short on a global basis. Fertilizers are the most energy demanding of these inputs and have become very expensive and intermittently short in supply with the reduced availability of fossil fuels. They have been indicted, furthermore, as environmental pollutants due to their presumed role in eutrophication and in being a source of excessive NO3-N that may accumulate in some leaf crops and in drinking waters. Exponential growth in fossil fuel consumption cannot continue. Economies can be made in the agricultural sector, which does indeed consume substantial quantities of energy. The energy consumed in this very essential food-producing process, however, is almost insignificant compared with that involved in transport and processing of food beyond the farm and with other energy expenditures in modern society. A shift in priorities will certainly be required in adapting to the real world of the 1970s if man's first need is to be met. Economies in fertilizer use can be made by adherence to known agronomic principles. Savings in fossil fuel energy can probably be effected also in the production of N fertilizer, by far the most fossil-energy-demanding process in the realm of agriculture. Considerable research remains to be done, however, under varied climatic conditions for understanding and controlling processes by which residuals from fertilizers may become environmental pollutants. The various issues in this paper must be resolved promptly in consideration of the now-existing energy crisis and the imminent world food crisis.", "contents": "Fertilizers for food production vs energy needs and environmental quality. The world is experiencing an energy crisis that is restrictive to agricultural requisites production at the same time that food is becoming increasingly short on a global basis. Fertilizers are the most energy demanding of these inputs and have become very expensive and intermittently short in supply with the reduced availability of fossil fuels. They have been indicted, furthermore, as environmental pollutants due to their presumed role in eutrophication and in being a source of excessive NO3-N that may accumulate in some leaf crops and in drinking waters. Exponential growth in fossil fuel consumption cannot continue. Economies can be made in the agricultural sector, which does indeed consume substantial quantities of energy. The energy consumed in this very essential food-producing process, however, is almost insignificant compared with that involved in transport and processing of food beyond the farm and with other energy expenditures in modern society. A shift in priorities will certainly be required in adapting to the real world of the 1970s if man's first need is to be met. Economies in fertilizer use can be made by adherence to known agronomic principles. Savings in fossil fuel energy can probably be effected also in the production of N fertilizer, by far the most fossil-energy-demanding process in the realm of agriculture. Considerable research remains to be done, however, under varied climatic conditions for understanding and controlling processes by which residuals from fertilizers may become environmental pollutants. The various issues in this paper must be resolved promptly in consideration of the now-existing energy crisis and the imminent world food crisis.", "PMID": 617096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2058", "title": "Human poisoning with pentachlorophenol and its treatment.", "content": "A case of intentional intoxication with pentachlorophenol has been described. Salient features observed included pyrexia, diaphoresis, hyperkinesis, muscle twitching, tremors, epigastric tenderness, leg pain, tachypnea, and tachycardia. The patient's restlessness and agitation were controlled with phenytoin and phenobarbital. Forced diuresis with furosemide and mannitol resulted in a large increase in urinary excretion of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that such therapy may be life saving in such intoxications.", "contents": "Human poisoning with pentachlorophenol and its treatment. A case of intentional intoxication with pentachlorophenol has been described. Salient features observed included pyrexia, diaphoresis, hyperkinesis, muscle twitching, tremors, epigastric tenderness, leg pain, tachypnea, and tachycardia. The patient's restlessness and agitation were controlled with phenytoin and phenobarbital. Forced diuresis with furosemide and mannitol resulted in a large increase in urinary excretion of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that such therapy may be life saving in such intoxications.", "PMID": 617097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2059", "title": "Public nuisance and entropy increase.", "content": "Public nuisance if the inevitable physical conclusion of the second law of thermodynamics, the increase of entropy, under which humans make efforts to build up order, that is, to make states of lower entropy, scattering much entropy into the environment. In other words, humans live on negentropy, negative entropy. Saving of negentropy is the first means of conserving the environment. Soon after C. E. Shanon had introduced the idea of entropy in information theory, N. Wiener showed the relation between entropy of thermodynamics and entropy of information. Wiener showed that the paradox of Maxwell is not a contradiction if we consider the entropy of demon's information. This idea is very suggestive. Moral principles, tax systems, and price mechanisms are effective for the conservation of the environment. Good information systems can conserve good environments. This is the second means. The third way is the use of biological systems. For example, in sewage treatment plants the active sludge purifies polluted water. The reason why microorganisms can select some substances in polluted water is that they have received the information by heredity, the information carried by the double helical structure of DNA.", "contents": "Public nuisance and entropy increase. Public nuisance if the inevitable physical conclusion of the second law of thermodynamics, the increase of entropy, under which humans make efforts to build up order, that is, to make states of lower entropy, scattering much entropy into the environment. In other words, humans live on negentropy, negative entropy. Saving of negentropy is the first means of conserving the environment. Soon after C. E. Shanon had introduced the idea of entropy in information theory, N. Wiener showed the relation between entropy of thermodynamics and entropy of information. Wiener showed that the paradox of Maxwell is not a contradiction if we consider the entropy of demon's information. This idea is very suggestive. Moral principles, tax systems, and price mechanisms are effective for the conservation of the environment. Good information systems can conserve good environments. This is the second means. The third way is the use of biological systems. For example, in sewage treatment plants the active sludge purifies polluted water. The reason why microorganisms can select some substances in polluted water is that they have received the information by heredity, the information carried by the double helical structure of DNA.", "PMID": 617098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2060", "title": "Fate of [14C]aldrin in crop rotation under outdoor conditions.", "content": "[14C]Aldrin was applied to soils (about 3kg/ha) in outdoor boxes at various locations (Germany, England, and United States), and crops were cultivated (maize, wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes). In the following year, crop rotation experiments were carried out in the same soils without retreatment; in addition, wheat was grown in soils retreated with [14C]aldrin (3.5 kg/ha). After the harvest of both years, the distribution of aldrin and major metabolites (dieldrin; photodieldrin; hydrophilic metabolites including dihydrochlordene dicarboxylic acid; an unidentified nonpolar compound X; and unextractable metabolites) was determined in plants, soils, and leaching water. Two further conversion products, photoaldrin and aldrin-trans-diol, occurred in trace amounts only in a few samples. Metabolic pathways for aldrin under outdoor conditions are presented. The distribution of radioactive residues in soils and plants as well as their quantitative chemical composition are discussed, and comparisons are made between the different experimental sites, the crops, the first and second year, and retreated and nonretreated samples. The quantitative results are compared to those of field trials.", "contents": "Fate of [14C]aldrin in crop rotation under outdoor conditions. [14C]Aldrin was applied to soils (about 3kg/ha) in outdoor boxes at various locations (Germany, England, and United States), and crops were cultivated (maize, wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes). In the following year, crop rotation experiments were carried out in the same soils without retreatment; in addition, wheat was grown in soils retreated with [14C]aldrin (3.5 kg/ha). After the harvest of both years, the distribution of aldrin and major metabolites (dieldrin; photodieldrin; hydrophilic metabolites including dihydrochlordene dicarboxylic acid; an unidentified nonpolar compound X; and unextractable metabolites) was determined in plants, soils, and leaching water. Two further conversion products, photoaldrin and aldrin-trans-diol, occurred in trace amounts only in a few samples. Metabolic pathways for aldrin under outdoor conditions are presented. The distribution of radioactive residues in soils and plants as well as their quantitative chemical composition are discussed, and comparisons are made between the different experimental sites, the crops, the first and second year, and retreated and nonretreated samples. The quantitative results are compared to those of field trials.", "PMID": 617099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2061", "title": "Halogenated hydrocarbons in the atmosphere.", "content": "The sources, sinks, and tropospheric abundancies of the gaseous halocarbons, so far as they are known, are listed and discussed. The relative importance of natural and of man-made halocarbons is discussed within the context of contemporary concern about the depletion of stratospheric ozone by chlorine-bearing compounds.", "contents": "Halogenated hydrocarbons in the atmosphere. The sources, sinks, and tropospheric abundancies of the gaseous halocarbons, so far as they are known, are listed and discussed. The relative importance of natural and of man-made halocarbons is discussed within the context of contemporary concern about the depletion of stratospheric ozone by chlorine-bearing compounds.", "PMID": 617101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2062", "title": "Comparative ecotoxicology of halogenated hydrocarbon residues.", "content": "The term ecotoxicology is adopted in the sense of a comparative and integrated study of the undesirable effects of trace contaminants on the range of fauna and flora of an \"ecosystem\" or of a defined part or unit thereof. The importance of population changes over long periods of time is stressed. Sources, usage, and global trends of representative halogenated hydrocarbon (HHC) residues which appear as trace contaminants of environment, food, and living organisms are briefly compared: industrial solvents and intermediates, chlorofluoromethanes as an atmospheric pollutant, methyl bromide as a food and soil residue, HCH (hexachlorobenzene) as a fungicide residue, DDT, lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), and dieldrin as insecticide residues, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as industrial contaminants. A simple mathematical approach to the problem of relating inputs, persistence, and steady-state residue levels is explained. Persistence and biodegradation of representative compounds are compared. Attention is drawn to the persistence of hexachlorobenzene, the p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl- and hexachlorocyclopentadiene-derived moities of HHC residues. Ecotoxicological effects and their implications are discussed comparatively under the indirect effects of atmospheric pollutants and direct and indirect effects of trace contaminants of soil and aquatic ecosystems. Some conclusions related to research and \"impact monitoring\" are drawn.", "contents": "Comparative ecotoxicology of halogenated hydrocarbon residues. The term ecotoxicology is adopted in the sense of a comparative and integrated study of the undesirable effects of trace contaminants on the range of fauna and flora of an \"ecosystem\" or of a defined part or unit thereof. The importance of population changes over long periods of time is stressed. Sources, usage, and global trends of representative halogenated hydrocarbon (HHC) residues which appear as trace contaminants of environment, food, and living organisms are briefly compared: industrial solvents and intermediates, chlorofluoromethanes as an atmospheric pollutant, methyl bromide as a food and soil residue, HCH (hexachlorobenzene) as a fungicide residue, DDT, lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), and dieldrin as insecticide residues, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as industrial contaminants. A simple mathematical approach to the problem of relating inputs, persistence, and steady-state residue levels is explained. Persistence and biodegradation of representative compounds are compared. Attention is drawn to the persistence of hexachlorobenzene, the p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl- and hexachlorocyclopentadiene-derived moities of HHC residues. Ecotoxicological effects and their implications are discussed comparatively under the indirect effects of atmospheric pollutants and direct and indirect effects of trace contaminants of soil and aquatic ecosystems. Some conclusions related to research and \"impact monitoring\" are drawn.", "PMID": 617102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2063", "title": "Grocery purchases as a function of obesity and assumed food deprivation.", "content": "Six hundred and four grocery shoppers were observed unobtrusively at three supermarkets to investigate the relationship between grocery purchasing and the factors of obesity, assumed food deprivation, social class, and meal hour. It has been suggested that shoppers will purchase more if they shop prior to eating rather than after (Stuart & Davis, 1972), although such a notion conflicts with Schachter's (1971) internal-external hypothesis and with the conclusions of one field study (Nisbett & Kanouse, 1969). We found that female shoppers who shopped prior to standard meal times consistently purchased more than those who shopped after meal times (P less than 0.001), regardless of social class or meal hour. Males displayed the same tendency though differences were not significant. No obese-normal differences were found for either sex. A negative relationship between obesity and social class was found amoung females (P less than 0.001).", "contents": "Grocery purchases as a function of obesity and assumed food deprivation. Six hundred and four grocery shoppers were observed unobtrusively at three supermarkets to investigate the relationship between grocery purchasing and the factors of obesity, assumed food deprivation, social class, and meal hour. It has been suggested that shoppers will purchase more if they shop prior to eating rather than after (Stuart & Davis, 1972), although such a notion conflicts with Schachter's (1971) internal-external hypothesis and with the conclusions of one field study (Nisbett & Kanouse, 1969). We found that female shoppers who shopped prior to standard meal times consistently purchased more than those who shopped after meal times (P less than 0.001), regardless of social class or meal hour. Males displayed the same tendency though differences were not significant. No obese-normal differences were found for either sex. A negative relationship between obesity and social class was found amoung females (P less than 0.001).", "PMID": 617107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2064", "title": "A long-term evaluation of very low calorie semi-synthetic diets: an inpatient/outpatient study with egg albumin as the protein source.", "content": "Fifty-two obese patients were studied initially for two weeks as inpatients on very low calorie diets, containing 0.76-1.34 MJ (180-320 kcal) as 15-40 g egg albumin, 30-40 g oligosaccharides, vitamins and minerals. Patients were seen weekly after discharge from hospital. Forty-one patients were able to continue treatment for more than eight weeks, and 29 for more than 16 weeks. In terms of weight loss, 41 patients lost at least 10 kg body weight, 29 at least 15 kg, and 14 at least 20 kg; 17 patients came within 15 kg of their ideal body weight. With 40 g/day carbohydrate, the quantity of egg albumin required to give nitrogen equilibrium was estimated to be about 25 g/day. All patients were able to resume their normal activities on discharge from hospital and had no major side-effects from treatment. Routine clinical, biochemical and haematological examinations showed no significant changes. In particular, serum proteins, electrolytes, uric acid, cholesterol and blood haemoglobin and haematocrit were unaffected. Ketosis was minimal or absent. It is concluded that the use of very low calorie semi-synthetic diets is a feasible and safe method of weight reduction for obese patients.", "contents": "A long-term evaluation of very low calorie semi-synthetic diets: an inpatient/outpatient study with egg albumin as the protein source. Fifty-two obese patients were studied initially for two weeks as inpatients on very low calorie diets, containing 0.76-1.34 MJ (180-320 kcal) as 15-40 g egg albumin, 30-40 g oligosaccharides, vitamins and minerals. Patients were seen weekly after discharge from hospital. Forty-one patients were able to continue treatment for more than eight weeks, and 29 for more than 16 weeks. In terms of weight loss, 41 patients lost at least 10 kg body weight, 29 at least 15 kg, and 14 at least 20 kg; 17 patients came within 15 kg of their ideal body weight. With 40 g/day carbohydrate, the quantity of egg albumin required to give nitrogen equilibrium was estimated to be about 25 g/day. All patients were able to resume their normal activities on discharge from hospital and had no major side-effects from treatment. Routine clinical, biochemical and haematological examinations showed no significant changes. In particular, serum proteins, electrolytes, uric acid, cholesterol and blood haemoglobin and haematocrit were unaffected. Ketosis was minimal or absent. It is concluded that the use of very low calorie semi-synthetic diets is a feasible and safe method of weight reduction for obese patients.", "PMID": 617109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2065", "title": "Predictors of successful weight loss in an outpatient obesity clinic.", "content": "Patients attending weight reduction clinics were tested at the beginning of the program to assess a variety of background variables which might influence successful weight loss. These included measures of self-esteem, social acceptance, locus of control, responsiveness to external stimuli, attitudes toward weight loss, and knowledge about nutrition. Success was related to social conformity and desire for social acceptance but not to self esteem or locus of control. Individuals who believed that poor eating habits caused their obesity and those who were less responsive to environmental cues which may trigger feeding, were also more successful.", "contents": "Predictors of successful weight loss in an outpatient obesity clinic. Patients attending weight reduction clinics were tested at the beginning of the program to assess a variety of background variables which might influence successful weight loss. These included measures of self-esteem, social acceptance, locus of control, responsiveness to external stimuli, attitudes toward weight loss, and knowledge about nutrition. Success was related to social conformity and desire for social acceptance but not to self esteem or locus of control. Individuals who believed that poor eating habits caused their obesity and those who were less responsive to environmental cues which may trigger feeding, were also more successful.", "PMID": 617110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2066", "title": "Eating in public places: a review of reports of the direct observation of eating behavior.", "content": "A review of 13 studies of the direct observation of eating was undertaken in an effort to learn what these studies tell us about the causes and control of obesity. The studies assessed several measures of eating behavior but few of them assessed the same measures. There was no agreement about a distinctive 'obese eating style', but two measures showed promise in discriminating obese from non-obese persons. The first was food choice: obese persons chose more food than non-obese persons (and men chose more than women and tall persons more than short ones). The second measure was rate of eating: obese persons consumed more food per minute than non-obese persons. The studies point up the remarkable plasticity of human eating behavior and the wide range of factors which influence it. This plasticity has profound implications for both research and therapy. It means that only unusual care in the identification and control of extraneous variables will permit adequate assessment of the variables under investigation. Its second implication is as important: if eating is so dependent upon environment, it may be easier to modify than previously thought.", "contents": "Eating in public places: a review of reports of the direct observation of eating behavior. A review of 13 studies of the direct observation of eating was undertaken in an effort to learn what these studies tell us about the causes and control of obesity. The studies assessed several measures of eating behavior but few of them assessed the same measures. There was no agreement about a distinctive 'obese eating style', but two measures showed promise in discriminating obese from non-obese persons. The first was food choice: obese persons chose more food than non-obese persons (and men chose more than women and tall persons more than short ones). The second measure was rate of eating: obese persons consumed more food per minute than non-obese persons. The studies point up the remarkable plasticity of human eating behavior and the wide range of factors which influence it. This plasticity has profound implications for both research and therapy. It means that only unusual care in the identification and control of extraneous variables will permit adequate assessment of the variables under investigation. Its second implication is as important: if eating is so dependent upon environment, it may be easier to modify than previously thought.", "PMID": 617111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2067", "title": "Response of plasma insulin to small doses of tolbutamide in obesity and acromegaly.", "content": "The early response of plasma insulin (IRI) to successive intravenous doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg of tolbutamide was studied in nondiabetic obese subjects, in acromegalic patients, and in healthy controls. The smallest dose raised the plasma IRI level within two minutes in all subjects. The insulin response was correlated with the basal IRI in controls and in obese subjects but not in acromegalic patients. At each tolbutamide dose level the mean IRI response of obese subjects was about three times greater than in controls. In acromegalic subjects an increased response was observed only after the 200 mg dose of tolbutamide. The results suggest that in obesity the stimulus-secretion coupling of insulin output is normal but the number of secretory units is increased. In acromegaly the insulin release pattern is compatible with an increased number of secretory units which, however, are relatively insensitive to tolbutamide, probably due to an elevated serum growth hormone level.", "contents": "Response of plasma insulin to small doses of tolbutamide in obesity and acromegaly. The early response of plasma insulin (IRI) to successive intravenous doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg of tolbutamide was studied in nondiabetic obese subjects, in acromegalic patients, and in healthy controls. The smallest dose raised the plasma IRI level within two minutes in all subjects. The insulin response was correlated with the basal IRI in controls and in obese subjects but not in acromegalic patients. At each tolbutamide dose level the mean IRI response of obese subjects was about three times greater than in controls. In acromegalic subjects an increased response was observed only after the 200 mg dose of tolbutamide. The results suggest that in obesity the stimulus-secretion coupling of insulin output is normal but the number of secretory units is increased. In acromegaly the insulin release pattern is compatible with an increased number of secretory units which, however, are relatively insensitive to tolbutamide, probably due to an elevated serum growth hormone level.", "PMID": 617112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2068", "title": "Lowered oxygen consumption and heart rate as early symptoms of the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome in mice (ob/ob).", "content": "Latent obese-hyperglycemic mice exhibit significantly subnormal heart rate and level of oxygen consumption as early as three and eight days post-partum, respectively. Also, loss of body weight during a three-hour fasting period is detectably less extreme in obese than in normal litter mates as early as five days post-partum. Regression analysis of the differences between the latent obese and normal litter mates suggests that these symptoms begin developing at birth.", "contents": "Lowered oxygen consumption and heart rate as early symptoms of the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome in mice (ob/ob). Latent obese-hyperglycemic mice exhibit significantly subnormal heart rate and level of oxygen consumption as early as three and eight days post-partum, respectively. Also, loss of body weight during a three-hour fasting period is detectably less extreme in obese than in normal litter mates as early as five days post-partum. Regression analysis of the differences between the latent obese and normal litter mates suggests that these symptoms begin developing at birth.", "PMID": 617113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2069", "title": "Eating in the laboratory: behavioural aspects of the positive energy balance.", "content": "A survey is made of a number of experiments conducted in our laboratory over the last six years. Our working hypothesis assumes that positive energy balance, which should not be prematurely defined as the cause of obesity, is itself caused by disturbances in appetite and satiation control which, given certain environmental conditions, can favour the occurrence of obesity. Three points are considered: (1) The hyperphagic reaction as a response to stress. The experimental findings suggest that the hyperphagic reaction is not primarily a biologically determined phenomenon but rather a learned response. The hyperphagic reaction is found more frequently in female and overweight persons. Most children react to stress with a decrease in food consumption. (2) Disturbances of satiation control. The food intake of obese Ss has a linear time function, whilst children and normal weight adults reveal a biological, negatively accelerated satiation curve. (3) Increased responsiveness to external cues. The concept of externality is extended to include the aspect of an internal-external stimulus discrepancy. The findings show that not only manifest obese Ss but also latent obese Ss are characterized by an increased responsiveness to external cues. In three different experiments with the same Ss it could be demonstrated that externality is to a greater or lesser extent independent of the experimental procedure. Finally, methodological aspects are discussed, because in studies on human appetite the possibility exists that experimental procedure, sample composition and laboratory conditions can exert a direct influence on the results.", "contents": "Eating in the laboratory: behavioural aspects of the positive energy balance. A survey is made of a number of experiments conducted in our laboratory over the last six years. Our working hypothesis assumes that positive energy balance, which should not be prematurely defined as the cause of obesity, is itself caused by disturbances in appetite and satiation control which, given certain environmental conditions, can favour the occurrence of obesity. Three points are considered: (1) The hyperphagic reaction as a response to stress. The experimental findings suggest that the hyperphagic reaction is not primarily a biologically determined phenomenon but rather a learned response. The hyperphagic reaction is found more frequently in female and overweight persons. Most children react to stress with a decrease in food consumption. (2) Disturbances of satiation control. The food intake of obese Ss has a linear time function, whilst children and normal weight adults reveal a biological, negatively accelerated satiation curve. (3) Increased responsiveness to external cues. The concept of externality is extended to include the aspect of an internal-external stimulus discrepancy. The findings show that not only manifest obese Ss but also latent obese Ss are characterized by an increased responsiveness to external cues. In three different experiments with the same Ss it could be demonstrated that externality is to a greater or lesser extent independent of the experimental procedure. Finally, methodological aspects are discussed, because in studies on human appetite the possibility exists that experimental procedure, sample composition and laboratory conditions can exert a direct influence on the results.", "PMID": 617114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2070", "title": "Effects of severe diet restriction on the oxygen consumption of obese women during exercise.", "content": "Eleven moderately obese, but otherwise healthy, young women were studied for three days while being fed their normal, unrestricted diet and then again for a two week period while being fed an energy-restricted, high-protein diet--220 kcal (0.92 MJ)/day as casein. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured 32 times for each subject, both at rest and during bicycle exercises. For each subject oxygen consumption was significantly lower, at rest and during moderate exercise, when the subjects were being fed the restricted diet. There was no significant difference among the diet treatments at the highest activity levels. The explanation proposed (though without experimental proof) is that, during the restricted diet, the increased reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) would result in a decrease of the aerobic glycolysis and no change in the anaerobic glycolysis.", "contents": "Effects of severe diet restriction on the oxygen consumption of obese women during exercise. Eleven moderately obese, but otherwise healthy, young women were studied for three days while being fed their normal, unrestricted diet and then again for a two week period while being fed an energy-restricted, high-protein diet--220 kcal (0.92 MJ)/day as casein. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured 32 times for each subject, both at rest and during bicycle exercises. For each subject oxygen consumption was significantly lower, at rest and during moderate exercise, when the subjects were being fed the restricted diet. There was no significant difference among the diet treatments at the highest activity levels. The explanation proposed (though without experimental proof) is that, during the restricted diet, the increased reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) would result in a decrease of the aerobic glycolysis and no change in the anaerobic glycolysis.", "PMID": 617115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2071", "title": "Adipose tissue cellularity in relation to prognosis for weight reduction.", "content": "Ninety obese adult women were analysed with respect to adipose tissue cellularity and divided into hypertrophic, hyperplastic and combined groups of obesity. Their spontaneous body weight development was analysed over a period of six years. A reference group, with normal body weight, gained weight at an average of 0.25 kg per year. Patients with hyperplastic and combined forms of obesity gained significantly more (2.5 and 3.1 kg per year, respectively) when essentially untreated. The increase for the patients with hypertrophic obesity did not differ significantly from the reference group. During a standardized treatment period on an energy reduced diet (1100 kcal/day or 4600 kJ/day) the hypertrophic, hyperplastic and combined groups reduced by 11, 15 and 20 kg, respectively. There were strong positive correlations between total weight reduction and rate of weight reduction on the one hand and FCN and initial body weight on the other. The combined and hyperplastic groups were on average able to maintain their reduced weight for 12 and 15 weeks, respectively, while the hypertrophic group managed for 51 weeks. There was a strong negative correlation between duration of steady weight after weight reduction and FCN. When the relapse started the rate of regain was three times faster in the hyperplastic and combined groups than in the hypertrophic group. The rate of regain correlated positively with FCN. Thus, the patients demonstrated a characteristic three phase pattern in weight change with a period of reduction followed by periods of steady weight and of weight gain. The higher FCN, the faster this cycle was completed. It is concluded that the long-term prognosis for weight reduction is worse for hypercellular forms of obesity than for the hypertrophic form. However, this does not mean that patients with hypercellular forms of obesity should not be treated at all since their serious spontaneous weight development might be lessened by repeated treatments.", "contents": "Adipose tissue cellularity in relation to prognosis for weight reduction. Ninety obese adult women were analysed with respect to adipose tissue cellularity and divided into hypertrophic, hyperplastic and combined groups of obesity. Their spontaneous body weight development was analysed over a period of six years. A reference group, with normal body weight, gained weight at an average of 0.25 kg per year. Patients with hyperplastic and combined forms of obesity gained significantly more (2.5 and 3.1 kg per year, respectively) when essentially untreated. The increase for the patients with hypertrophic obesity did not differ significantly from the reference group. During a standardized treatment period on an energy reduced diet (1100 kcal/day or 4600 kJ/day) the hypertrophic, hyperplastic and combined groups reduced by 11, 15 and 20 kg, respectively. There were strong positive correlations between total weight reduction and rate of weight reduction on the one hand and FCN and initial body weight on the other. The combined and hyperplastic groups were on average able to maintain their reduced weight for 12 and 15 weeks, respectively, while the hypertrophic group managed for 51 weeks. There was a strong negative correlation between duration of steady weight after weight reduction and FCN. When the relapse started the rate of regain was three times faster in the hyperplastic and combined groups than in the hypertrophic group. The rate of regain correlated positively with FCN. Thus, the patients demonstrated a characteristic three phase pattern in weight change with a period of reduction followed by periods of steady weight and of weight gain. The higher FCN, the faster this cycle was completed. It is concluded that the long-term prognosis for weight reduction is worse for hypercellular forms of obesity than for the hypertrophic form. However, this does not mean that patients with hypercellular forms of obesity should not be treated at all since their serious spontaneous weight development might be lessened by repeated treatments.", "PMID": 617116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2072", "title": "[Anesthesia of the ambulatory patient].", "content": "The risks associated with general anaesthesia for ambulant patients demand a high standard of organisation, preoperative assessment, and postoperative surveillance and evaluation. Guidelines are presented to help surgeons and anaesthetists to enserve an adequate standard of clinical care.", "contents": "[Anesthesia of the ambulatory patient]. The risks associated with general anaesthesia for ambulant patients demand a high standard of organisation, preoperative assessment, and postoperative surveillance and evaluation. Guidelines are presented to help surgeons and anaesthetists to enserve an adequate standard of clinical care.", "PMID": 617127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2073", "title": "[Intrathoracic pancreatic cysts and fistulas].", "content": "Intrathoracic extension of inflammatory pancreatic diseases is a serious complication. In the course of an acute pancreatitis, a left-sided transdiaphragmatic pleural effusion and empyema most commonly occurs and is well known. Transhiatal pseudocysts into the mediastinum as well as fistula formation to the pleural cavity or bronchial system are less frequent although of great clinical importance. These diseases can lead to serious diagnostic errors and can cause complex therapeutic problems. A case is reported; the morbidity, lethality and complications are discussed on the basis of 34 cases reported in the literature.", "contents": "[Intrathoracic pancreatic cysts and fistulas]. Intrathoracic extension of inflammatory pancreatic diseases is a serious complication. In the course of an acute pancreatitis, a left-sided transdiaphragmatic pleural effusion and empyema most commonly occurs and is well known. Transhiatal pseudocysts into the mediastinum as well as fistula formation to the pleural cavity or bronchial system are less frequent although of great clinical importance. These diseases can lead to serious diagnostic errors and can cause complex therapeutic problems. A case is reported; the morbidity, lethality and complications are discussed on the basis of 34 cases reported in the literature.", "PMID": 617128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2074", "title": "[Adenocarcinoma of the appendix. 6 cases and review of the literature].", "content": "The adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is most frequently discovered at the pathological examination, which causes the problem of a second operation. Our study was done on 145 patients and compares survival according to the attitude taken by the surgeon. It seems that the most favorite treatment is a precocious right hemicolectomy.", "contents": "[Adenocarcinoma of the appendix. 6 cases and review of the literature]. The adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is most frequently discovered at the pathological examination, which causes the problem of a second operation. Our study was done on 145 patients and compares survival according to the attitude taken by the surgeon. It seems that the most favorite treatment is a precocious right hemicolectomy.", "PMID": 617129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2075", "title": "[Thyroid gland metastases: presentation of 2 cases].", "content": "Metastases of the thyroid gland originate mostly from carcinomas of the urogenital tract, the lungs or the digestive organs. Though they are thought to be rather uncommon, they may give rise to delicate therapeutic problems. The two cases of metastases of digestive origin reported by the authors join a series not very important to this day and presenting a rather dark prognosis. The authors consider the surgical problems as regard to aetiology which determines the length of survival. As a rule, an isolated metastasis of the thyroid gland requires a total thyroidectomy, if only to avoid the compressive effect occurring very rapidly. On the other hand, if the thyroid invasion is a part of a general formation of metastases, removal of the gland will not alter the prognosis.", "contents": "[Thyroid gland metastases: presentation of 2 cases]. Metastases of the thyroid gland originate mostly from carcinomas of the urogenital tract, the lungs or the digestive organs. Though they are thought to be rather uncommon, they may give rise to delicate therapeutic problems. The two cases of metastases of digestive origin reported by the authors join a series not very important to this day and presenting a rather dark prognosis. The authors consider the surgical problems as regard to aetiology which determines the length of survival. As a rule, an isolated metastasis of the thyroid gland requires a total thyroidectomy, if only to avoid the compressive effect occurring very rapidly. On the other hand, if the thyroid invasion is a part of a general formation of metastases, removal of the gland will not alter the prognosis.", "PMID": 617130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2076", "title": "[Total gastrectomy with substitute stomach].", "content": "A modified technique of jejunum-reservoir after total gastrectomie for gastric cancer is recommended. The advantages of this method are the simplicity of technique, the preservation of duodenal passage, the avoiding of reflux and the normal emptying time of reservoir.", "contents": "[Total gastrectomy with substitute stomach]. A modified technique of jejunum-reservoir after total gastrectomie for gastric cancer is recommended. The advantages of this method are the simplicity of technique, the preservation of duodenal passage, the avoiding of reflux and the normal emptying time of reservoir.", "PMID": 617131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2077", "title": "[Duodenal duplication. Case report and review of the literature].", "content": "A case of duodenal duplication (cyst) in a 42-year-old male is reported. The late manifestation of this rare, little-known, but noteworthy congenital malformation was characterized by repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis and development of a high, duodenal obstruction. Radiographic examination and fiberoptic endoscopy was followed by exploratory laparotomy which demonstrated the accurate diagnosis. A review of the literature including 39 duodenal duplications in more than 300 duplications of the alimentary tract is presented.", "contents": "[Duodenal duplication. Case report and review of the literature]. A case of duodenal duplication (cyst) in a 42-year-old male is reported. The late manifestation of this rare, little-known, but noteworthy congenital malformation was characterized by repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis and development of a high, duodenal obstruction. Radiographic examination and fiberoptic endoscopy was followed by exploratory laparotomy which demonstrated the accurate diagnosis. A review of the literature including 39 duodenal duplications in more than 300 duplications of the alimentary tract is presented.", "PMID": 617132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2078", "title": "[Results of conservative treatment of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula in children].", "content": "66 children who were admitted to the Surgical Department of the University Children's Hospital in Zurich because of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula were followed up. They were treated conservatively by reduction followed by immobilization in a plaster of Paris cast reaching to the upper thigh; the foot was placed in the equinus position. Perfect axial reposition should be aimed at. If this cannot be achieved, a varus deformity of up to 6 degrees, a valgus deformity of up to 10 degrees and antecurvation of up to 10 degrees are permissible, as this malposition usually cures itself in time. If the malformation exceeds the limits described above, operative reduction and fixation should be carried out in children over 12 years of age. All children with malposition must be followed up for a long time to observe whether the malposition will gradually disappear and to ascertain whether static difficulties will occur and may have to be corrected by osteotomy.", "contents": "[Results of conservative treatment of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula in children]. 66 children who were admitted to the Surgical Department of the University Children's Hospital in Zurich because of transverse fracture of the distal tibia and fibula were followed up. They were treated conservatively by reduction followed by immobilization in a plaster of Paris cast reaching to the upper thigh; the foot was placed in the equinus position. Perfect axial reposition should be aimed at. If this cannot be achieved, a varus deformity of up to 6 degrees, a valgus deformity of up to 10 degrees and antecurvation of up to 10 degrees are permissible, as this malposition usually cures itself in time. If the malformation exceeds the limits described above, operative reduction and fixation should be carried out in children over 12 years of age. All children with malposition must be followed up for a long time to observe whether the malposition will gradually disappear and to ascertain whether static difficulties will occur and may have to be corrected by osteotomy.", "PMID": 617133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2079", "title": "[Subhepatic abscess after cholecystectomy with coagulation active substance].", "content": "4 cases of postoperative subhepatic abscess formation after cholecystectomy are reported, where absorbable hemostatic agents for control of bleeding had been used. The etiology of these complications is discussed. The use of local hemostyptica is strongly disadvised in all possibly bacteriologically contaminated procedures.", "contents": "[Subhepatic abscess after cholecystectomy with coagulation active substance]. 4 cases of postoperative subhepatic abscess formation after cholecystectomy are reported, where absorbable hemostatic agents for control of bleeding had been used. The etiology of these complications is discussed. The use of local hemostyptica is strongly disadvised in all possibly bacteriologically contaminated procedures.", "PMID": 617134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2080", "title": "[Artery ligation as an alternative to hepatic resection in liver injury].", "content": "In severe liver trauma the selective ligation of a lobar branch of the hepatic artery is proposed as an alternative to hepatic resection. The relatively simple procedure stops bleeding efficiently without damaging the liver function, as a collateral circulation is reestablished within 2 weeks.", "contents": "[Artery ligation as an alternative to hepatic resection in liver injury]. In severe liver trauma the selective ligation of a lobar branch of the hepatic artery is proposed as an alternative to hepatic resection. The relatively simple procedure stops bleeding efficiently without damaging the liver function, as a collateral circulation is reestablished within 2 weeks.", "PMID": 617144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2081", "title": "[Postoperative Viscum album therapy after surgery of breast neoplasms].", "content": "From a selection of 547 patients with mamma carcinoma stages I and II it is statistically shown that the 5- and 10-year survival rates are significantly improved with postoperative use of Iscador (Viscum album); this in comparison with the conventional treatment on its own. No toxic side effects have been experienced.", "contents": "[Postoperative Viscum album therapy after surgery of breast neoplasms]. From a selection of 547 patients with mamma carcinoma stages I and II it is statistically shown that the 5- and 10-year survival rates are significantly improved with postoperative use of Iscador (Viscum album); this in comparison with the conventional treatment on its own. No toxic side effects have been experienced.", "PMID": 617173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2082", "title": "[Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder].", "content": "Study of 55 cases of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder treated by the operation of Bankart and Putti-Platt during 10 years. A new dislocation after the operation was present in one single case. The authors opinion is that the most important point of the technique is the correct reinsertion of the anteroinferior part of the capsule. If the glenoidal labrum is detached from the rim, the Bankart technique must be combined with the Putti-Platt. A comprehensive review of the results demonstrates that the patients are rarely disturbed by the limitation of external rotation of the operated shoulder.", "contents": "[Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder]. Study of 55 cases of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder treated by the operation of Bankart and Putti-Platt during 10 years. A new dislocation after the operation was present in one single case. The authors opinion is that the most important point of the technique is the correct reinsertion of the anteroinferior part of the capsule. If the glenoidal labrum is detached from the rim, the Bankart technique must be combined with the Putti-Platt. A comprehensive review of the results demonstrates that the patients are rarely disturbed by the limitation of external rotation of the operated shoulder.", "PMID": 617174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2083", "title": "[Hyperbaric oxygenation in gas gangrene therapy].", "content": "Gas gangrene which is caused by gram-negativ rod-shaped bacilli appeared longtime in war only. Now an increase of infection is noted by heavy traffic accidents. Reporting about 18 patients and treatment results we suggest for therapeutic proceeding: excision of wounds without primary amputation followed by hyperbaric oxygenation. In our opinion, surgical intervention and hyperbaric oxygenation should not be rival but complementary treatment of equal value.", "contents": "[Hyperbaric oxygenation in gas gangrene therapy]. Gas gangrene which is caused by gram-negativ rod-shaped bacilli appeared longtime in war only. Now an increase of infection is noted by heavy traffic accidents. Reporting about 18 patients and treatment results we suggest for therapeutic proceeding: excision of wounds without primary amputation followed by hyperbaric oxygenation. In our opinion, surgical intervention and hyperbaric oxygenation should not be rival but complementary treatment of equal value.", "PMID": 617175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2084", "title": "Necrosis of the proximal epiphyseal plate cartilage of the femur following detachment of the perichondral ring. Its relationship to the etiology of proximal epiphysiolysis of the femur.", "content": "A histological study of the proximal epiphyseal plate cartilage of rabbit femurs following detachment of the perichondral ring was performed. 15 animals were used, 5 of which being controls. Slight to severe necrotic changes in the plate were present in 9 out of 10 animals. In severe necrosis there was formation of fissures similar to those seen in human femoral epiphysiolysis. The necrosis was considered ischemic in nature and due to the detachment of the perichondral ring with involvement of the blood supply for the femoral epiphysis. Also the epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone marrow and bone tissue, as well as the articular cartilage, presented necrotic changes in a few animals. Such necrosis of the epiphyseal plate may be a factor in the pathogenesis of human proximal epiphysiolysis of the femur.", "contents": "Necrosis of the proximal epiphyseal plate cartilage of the femur following detachment of the perichondral ring. Its relationship to the etiology of proximal epiphysiolysis of the femur. A histological study of the proximal epiphyseal plate cartilage of rabbit femurs following detachment of the perichondral ring was performed. 15 animals were used, 5 of which being controls. Slight to severe necrotic changes in the plate were present in 9 out of 10 animals. In severe necrosis there was formation of fissures similar to those seen in human femoral epiphysiolysis. The necrosis was considered ischemic in nature and due to the detachment of the perichondral ring with involvement of the blood supply for the femoral epiphysis. Also the epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone marrow and bone tissue, as well as the articular cartilage, presented necrotic changes in a few animals. Such necrosis of the epiphyseal plate may be a factor in the pathogenesis of human proximal epiphysiolysis of the femur.", "PMID": 617176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2085", "title": "[Results and advantages of simultaneously measured peroperative arterial and central venous pressure].", "content": "Central venous pressure and intravasal arterial pressure have been followed up during different operations in 80 patients of different age and sex. At the same time we have determined an exact fluid balance and blood gas analysis pre-, intra- and postoperatively. These examinations had some interesting results. In our view the most important result is that the anesthetist gets more suitable informations about intraoperative blood volume therapy by continuous measuring of central venous pressure than by the continuous following up of intravasal arterial pressure which is practised very often to-day.", "contents": "[Results and advantages of simultaneously measured peroperative arterial and central venous pressure]. Central venous pressure and intravasal arterial pressure have been followed up during different operations in 80 patients of different age and sex. At the same time we have determined an exact fluid balance and blood gas analysis pre-, intra- and postoperatively. These examinations had some interesting results. In our view the most important result is that the anesthetist gets more suitable informations about intraoperative blood volume therapy by continuous measuring of central venous pressure than by the continuous following up of intravasal arterial pressure which is practised very often to-day.", "PMID": 617177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2086", "title": "[Gas gangrene after abdominal surgery].", "content": "This is a report on nine cases of gas-gangrene which developped after abdominal surgery. In five patients the diagnosis was made at the bedside, three of these patients survived. Cardinal symptoms were rapid deterioration of the general condition, severe pain around the incision, tachycardia, and the appearance of jaundice along with a fall of the hemoglobin.", "contents": "[Gas gangrene after abdominal surgery]. This is a report on nine cases of gas-gangrene which developped after abdominal surgery. In five patients the diagnosis was made at the bedside, three of these patients survived. Cardinal symptoms were rapid deterioration of the general condition, severe pain around the incision, tachycardia, and the appearance of jaundice along with a fall of the hemoglobin.", "PMID": 617178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2087", "title": "[Splenic repercussions after Warren's distal spleno -renal shunt].", "content": "Volume and function of the spleen were checked in 14 patients 6 months to 7.5 years (average: 2.5 years) after Warren distal spleno-renal shunt. In addition to the shunt, the splenic artery was ligated proximally in 5 cases. Splenomegaly decreased in half of the patients. In 8 out of the 13 patients with preoperative hypersplenism, the latter improved or disappeared after operation. Increased splenomegaly or hypersplenism was never found postoperatively. Splenic effects of the distal spleno-renal shunt are related to the improvement of the venous stasis. Efficiency of the splenic artery ligation is so doubtful that we do not recommend such a procedure.", "contents": "[Splenic repercussions after Warren's distal spleno -renal shunt]. Volume and function of the spleen were checked in 14 patients 6 months to 7.5 years (average: 2.5 years) after Warren distal spleno-renal shunt. In addition to the shunt, the splenic artery was ligated proximally in 5 cases. Splenomegaly decreased in half of the patients. In 8 out of the 13 patients with preoperative hypersplenism, the latter improved or disappeared after operation. Increased splenomegaly or hypersplenism was never found postoperatively. Splenic effects of the distal spleno-renal shunt are related to the improvement of the venous stasis. Efficiency of the splenic artery ligation is so doubtful that we do not recommend such a procedure.", "PMID": 617179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2088", "title": "[Amebiasis as surgical emergency].", "content": "Report of 2 cases of systemic complications many years after inappercept infection with amoeba histolytica. Amoebiasis being a rare affection in Switzerland, diagnosis was missed and not revealed till operation. One case with multiple liver abscesses, healed after drainage and chemotherapy with metronidazol and dehydroemetine. In the other case with colonic perforation and multiple liver abscesses combined surgical and drug therapy failed, the patient died in hepatotoxic coma. Short cut of clinics and therapy in amoebiasis, pointing out that surgery is reserved for the complications as great liver abscess, colonic perforation or fistula between abdominal and pleural cavity.", "contents": "[Amebiasis as surgical emergency]. Report of 2 cases of systemic complications many years after inappercept infection with amoeba histolytica. Amoebiasis being a rare affection in Switzerland, diagnosis was missed and not revealed till operation. One case with multiple liver abscesses, healed after drainage and chemotherapy with metronidazol and dehydroemetine. In the other case with colonic perforation and multiple liver abscesses combined surgical and drug therapy failed, the patient died in hepatotoxic coma. Short cut of clinics and therapy in amoebiasis, pointing out that surgery is reserved for the complications as great liver abscess, colonic perforation or fistula between abdominal and pleural cavity.", "PMID": 617181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2089", "title": "[The precision of scintigraphic evaluation of liver metastases].", "content": "In a prospective study 491 liver scintigrams are examined. In 139 cases the precision can be tested by a comparison with the records of operations and/or sections. The evaluation amounts to a 21.6% quota of mistakes. The point is discussed whether in oncological surgery liver scintigraphy should not be abandoned in favour of an invasive procedure such as laparoscopy or laparotomy.", "contents": "[The precision of scintigraphic evaluation of liver metastases]. In a prospective study 491 liver scintigrams are examined. In 139 cases the precision can be tested by a comparison with the records of operations and/or sections. The evaluation amounts to a 21.6% quota of mistakes. The point is discussed whether in oncological surgery liver scintigraphy should not be abandoned in favour of an invasive procedure such as laparoscopy or laparotomy.", "PMID": 617182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2090", "title": "[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen during anticoagulant therapy].", "content": "Three cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen in patients which were on long-term anticoagulant therapy are reported. In patients with the trias faulty coagulation, signs of hemorrhagic shock and of peritonitis in the upper abdominal part the possibility of a spontaneous rupture of the spleen must be considered. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by a positive peritoneal lavage. Once the diagnosis is made, the therapy is splenectomy.", "contents": "[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen during anticoagulant therapy]. Three cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen in patients which were on long-term anticoagulant therapy are reported. In patients with the trias faulty coagulation, signs of hemorrhagic shock and of peritonitis in the upper abdominal part the possibility of a spontaneous rupture of the spleen must be considered. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by a positive peritoneal lavage. Once the diagnosis is made, the therapy is splenectomy.", "PMID": 617183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2091", "title": "[Respiratory complications in acute pancreatitis].", "content": "The analysis of 12 cases of severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis shows the importance of the detection of an early hypoxemia, which should be treated as soon as possible by a sufficient oxygenation. If the arterial p02 does not improve one should not delay the moment of endotracheal intubation with PEEP.", "contents": "[Respiratory complications in acute pancreatitis]. The analysis of 12 cases of severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis shows the importance of the detection of an early hypoxemia, which should be treated as soon as possible by a sufficient oxygenation. If the arterial p02 does not improve one should not delay the moment of endotracheal intubation with PEEP.", "PMID": 617184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2092", "title": "[Treatment of chronic recurrent necrotic pancreatitis].", "content": "22 out of 180 patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis showed an acute hemorrhagic-necrotizing exacerbation. in 11 out of these there was an indication for operative management of the chronic pancreatitis before onset of the acute exacerbation. The clinical picture is similar to that of the acute hemorrhagic-necrotizing pancreatitis. The surgical procedure consisted in digital removal of necrotic tissue and left-sided resection. 13 out of the 22 patients survived.", "contents": "[Treatment of chronic recurrent necrotic pancreatitis]. 22 out of 180 patients with chronic relapsing pancreatitis showed an acute hemorrhagic-necrotizing exacerbation. in 11 out of these there was an indication for operative management of the chronic pancreatitis before onset of the acute exacerbation. The clinical picture is similar to that of the acute hemorrhagic-necrotizing pancreatitis. The surgical procedure consisted in digital removal of necrotic tissue and left-sided resection. 13 out of the 22 patients survived.", "PMID": 617185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2093", "title": "[Serum gastrins after duodeno-pancreatectomy].", "content": "6 patients who have had a duodeno-pancreatectomy were starved and then given a test meal, to stimulate the serumgastrin which was measured by RIA. The fasting gastrin values were, by all the patients, in the lower range of the normal level (25-50 pg/ml). The stimulation with the meat-extract (25 g with 400 ml of water) did not lead to any significant raising of the fasting serum gastrin.", "contents": "[Serum gastrins after duodeno-pancreatectomy]. 6 patients who have had a duodeno-pancreatectomy were starved and then given a test meal, to stimulate the serumgastrin which was measured by RIA. The fasting gastrin values were, by all the patients, in the lower range of the normal level (25-50 pg/ml). The stimulation with the meat-extract (25 g with 400 ml of water) did not lead to any significant raising of the fasting serum gastrin.", "PMID": 617186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2094", "title": "[Entero-mesenteric infarction: survival after subtotal enterectomy and partial colectomy].", "content": "A 55-year-old man, without any particular medical story, presents suddenly an increasing abdominal syndrome. The operation reveals an intestinal gangrene due to an acute mesenteric vascular insufficiency. The massive resection leaves 30 cm of the first jejunum anastomosed with the ascending colon. The patient has been attending follow-up clinic for the past eighteen months and, in spite of a \"short bowel syndrome\", feels well and works part time.", "contents": "[Entero-mesenteric infarction: survival after subtotal enterectomy and partial colectomy]. A 55-year-old man, without any particular medical story, presents suddenly an increasing abdominal syndrome. The operation reveals an intestinal gangrene due to an acute mesenteric vascular insufficiency. The massive resection leaves 30 cm of the first jejunum anastomosed with the ascending colon. The patient has been attending follow-up clinic for the past eighteen months and, in spite of a \"short bowel syndrome\", feels well and works part time.", "PMID": 617187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2095", "title": "[Bronchoplastic methods in the resection treatment of malignant bronchial tumors].", "content": "1548 patients who were hospitalized 1964--1975 for diagnosis and treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma, 779 underwent resection. 17 patients could be operated by lobectomy or bilobectomy and bronchial resection (sleeve resection). Postoperative complications were frequent (n = 8): 4 times bronchopleural fistula, 2 times empyema, once fatal pneumonia and once bronchial stenosis. The overalll mortality and the survival rates are comparable to those of patients with radical resections. Sleeve resection is therefore a suitable alternative to pneumonectomy in elderly patients with reduced pulmonary function, rarely indicated also by a favourable tumor size. Sleeve resection increases the resectability of malignant bronchogenic tumors by 2%. Methods to prevent or cure the postoperative complications consisted in the use of absorbable suture material and long lasting intrathoracic suction.", "contents": "[Bronchoplastic methods in the resection treatment of malignant bronchial tumors]. 1548 patients who were hospitalized 1964--1975 for diagnosis and treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma, 779 underwent resection. 17 patients could be operated by lobectomy or bilobectomy and bronchial resection (sleeve resection). Postoperative complications were frequent (n = 8): 4 times bronchopleural fistula, 2 times empyema, once fatal pneumonia and once bronchial stenosis. The overalll mortality and the survival rates are comparable to those of patients with radical resections. Sleeve resection is therefore a suitable alternative to pneumonectomy in elderly patients with reduced pulmonary function, rarely indicated also by a favourable tumor size. Sleeve resection increases the resectability of malignant bronchogenic tumors by 2%. Methods to prevent or cure the postoperative complications consisted in the use of absorbable suture material and long lasting intrathoracic suction.", "PMID": 617188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2096", "title": "[3 cases of mucoepidermoid bronchial malignant tumors].", "content": "Mucoepidermoid tumors of the lung are extremely uncommon. Like the considerably more common mucoepidermoid tumors of the salivary glands, their histology is characterized by two components: a glandular mucoid element and an epidermoid element. The degree of malignancy is still a subject of discussion, but as with mucoepidermoid tumors of the salivary glands, mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the bronchus may be of either high or low-grade malignancy. The three cases reported here were of high-grade malignancy and metastasized irrespective of the degree of cellular differenciation. We have concluded that mucoepidermoid lung tumors should be considered as malignant lesions and the treatment has to consist in radical resection.", "contents": "[3 cases of mucoepidermoid bronchial malignant tumors]. Mucoepidermoid tumors of the lung are extremely uncommon. Like the considerably more common mucoepidermoid tumors of the salivary glands, their histology is characterized by two components: a glandular mucoid element and an epidermoid element. The degree of malignancy is still a subject of discussion, but as with mucoepidermoid tumors of the salivary glands, mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the bronchus may be of either high or low-grade malignancy. The three cases reported here were of high-grade malignancy and metastasized irrespective of the degree of cellular differenciation. We have concluded that mucoepidermoid lung tumors should be considered as malignant lesions and the treatment has to consist in radical resection.", "PMID": 617189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2097", "title": "[Correlation between immuno-morphological parameters of regional lymph nodes and the mortality of patients with stage I and II bronchial squamos cell carcinoma].", "content": "Histological changes in tracheobronchial and bronchopulmonary lymph nodes of patients with operable (i.e. stages T 0/2, N 0/1, M0) bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma were examined histometrically. Out of 29 patients 10 survived less than 12 months and 19 lived longer than two years after surgery. Quantitive methods were employed for measuring structural changes in lymph node sections at the histological and cellular level. The following parameters reflecting both cellular and humoral immune responses correlated with survival: relative numbers of large lymphoid cells and mitotic figures in the paracortical \"thymus dependent\") area; volume of the follicular (predominantly B-cell) cortex and volume of germinal centers. Pronounced accumulation of histiocytes or dust-loaded marcrophages in the paracortex and presence of \"empty\" lymph sinusoids (i.e. without sinushistiocytosis) correlated inversely with survival. Besides the theoretical importance and considerations of a documented immune response, such data could help in identifying high risk groups within the same stage of bronchogenic carcinoma of a given type.", "contents": "[Correlation between immuno-morphological parameters of regional lymph nodes and the mortality of patients with stage I and II bronchial squamos cell carcinoma]. Histological changes in tracheobronchial and bronchopulmonary lymph nodes of patients with operable (i.e. stages T 0/2, N 0/1, M0) bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma were examined histometrically. Out of 29 patients 10 survived less than 12 months and 19 lived longer than two years after surgery. Quantitive methods were employed for measuring structural changes in lymph node sections at the histological and cellular level. The following parameters reflecting both cellular and humoral immune responses correlated with survival: relative numbers of large lymphoid cells and mitotic figures in the paracortical \"thymus dependent\") area; volume of the follicular (predominantly B-cell) cortex and volume of germinal centers. Pronounced accumulation of histiocytes or dust-loaded marcrophages in the paracortex and presence of \"empty\" lymph sinusoids (i.e. without sinushistiocytosis) correlated inversely with survival. Besides the theoretical importance and considerations of a documented immune response, such data could help in identifying high risk groups within the same stage of bronchogenic carcinoma of a given type.", "PMID": 617190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2098", "title": "[Septicemia in the intensive care of severely injured patients].", "content": "In surgical intensive care septicaemia, confirmed by bacteriological culture, was found in 46 out of 1143 severely injured patients. Source of this complication was infection of the respiratory tract in 43%, intraabdominal infection in 17%, and a septic wound in 15%. Mortality was 50%. Early diagnosis (fever, increase of leucocytes and toxic signs in differential blood count, thrombocythemia, decrease of anorganic phosphate), prophylaxis, and treatment are discussed.", "contents": "[Septicemia in the intensive care of severely injured patients]. In surgical intensive care septicaemia, confirmed by bacteriological culture, was found in 46 out of 1143 severely injured patients. Source of this complication was infection of the respiratory tract in 43%, intraabdominal infection in 17%, and a septic wound in 15%. Mortality was 50%. Early diagnosis (fever, increase of leucocytes and toxic signs in differential blood count, thrombocythemia, decrease of anorganic phosphate), prophylaxis, and treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 617191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2099", "title": "[The technic of tracheotomy: experience with 250 tracheotomies].", "content": "The results of 250 tracheostomies, primarily or secondarily performed at the intensive care unit of the Surgical Department of the Basle University, are presented. The standardized technique of tracheotomy is described, details for the choice and management of large prestretched double-cuff tracheostomy tubes are given, a new method of low-pressure cuff-blocking is outlined. The follow-up studies --autopsy, clinical examination and tracheoscopy--demonstrate a very low complication rate, due to the technique of tracheostomy, the preferred tracheostomy tubes and the method of alternate low-pressure cuff-blocking.", "contents": "[The technic of tracheotomy: experience with 250 tracheotomies]. The results of 250 tracheostomies, primarily or secondarily performed at the intensive care unit of the Surgical Department of the Basle University, are presented. The standardized technique of tracheotomy is described, details for the choice and management of large prestretched double-cuff tracheostomy tubes are given, a new method of low-pressure cuff-blocking is outlined. The follow-up studies --autopsy, clinical examination and tracheoscopy--demonstrate a very low complication rate, due to the technique of tracheostomy, the preferred tracheostomy tubes and the method of alternate low-pressure cuff-blocking.", "PMID": 617192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2100", "title": "[Subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture. Experiences with 99 operations on fresh injuries].", "content": "Influenced by new publications about the conservative treatment of the rupture of the Achilles tendon we reviewed our own material. 99 operations were performed within the first week after the accident. There were 7 slight early complications, one rerupture after 3 months, healed after resuture, and 1 osteodystrophy. 94 patients answered our question forms, and the result of 92 operated ruptures could be examined personally within an average of 5 years after the accident. 2/3 of the patients had a measurable--although unimportant--muscular atrophy but only 1/5 of them felt a weakness. 7 patients had a reduced movement of the ankle joint. Only one patient was disabled by the scar. 85 patients have taken up again the same sport, only one had to give up. The result of the primary suture of fresh Achilles tendon ruptures is good if the operation is performed as soon as possible and by using a strictly atraumatic technique.", "contents": "[Subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture. Experiences with 99 operations on fresh injuries]. Influenced by new publications about the conservative treatment of the rupture of the Achilles tendon we reviewed our own material. 99 operations were performed within the first week after the accident. There were 7 slight early complications, one rerupture after 3 months, healed after resuture, and 1 osteodystrophy. 94 patients answered our question forms, and the result of 92 operated ruptures could be examined personally within an average of 5 years after the accident. 2/3 of the patients had a measurable--although unimportant--muscular atrophy but only 1/5 of them felt a weakness. 7 patients had a reduced movement of the ankle joint. Only one patient was disabled by the scar. 85 patients have taken up again the same sport, only one had to give up. The result of the primary suture of fresh Achilles tendon ruptures is good if the operation is performed as soon as possible and by using a strictly atraumatic technique.", "PMID": 617193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2101", "title": "[An unusual case of neurinofibroma in the distal part of the duodenum].", "content": "A case of a neurinofibroma in the distal part of duodenum is reported by the author. It has caused a so-called blind resection of the stomach by Billroth II-type as the result of not clarified bleeding. But after restoration of the duodenal transit by the procedure reverting into Billroth I-operation there was the possibility of the accurate diagnosis of the origin of bleeding by means of gastroduodenoscopy and X-ray examination by duodenal hypotension and with it the definitive healing.", "contents": "[An unusual case of neurinofibroma in the distal part of the duodenum]. A case of a neurinofibroma in the distal part of duodenum is reported by the author. It has caused a so-called blind resection of the stomach by Billroth II-type as the result of not clarified bleeding. But after restoration of the duodenal transit by the procedure reverting into Billroth I-operation there was the possibility of the accurate diagnosis of the origin of bleeding by means of gastroduodenoscopy and X-ray examination by duodenal hypotension and with it the definitive healing.", "PMID": 617194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2102", "title": "State health manpower poly: an appraisal.", "content": "The health manpower policies of state governments are discussed on the basis of an appraisal of a set of recently completed health manpower studies. Examination suggests that both state health manpower policy processes and outcomes may be limited in fundamental ways. Resolution depends upon changes in the ways in which we perceive health manpower problems and in the institutional mechanisms used to deal with them.", "contents": "State health manpower poly: an appraisal. The health manpower policies of state governments are discussed on the basis of an appraisal of a set of recently completed health manpower studies. Examination suggests that both state health manpower policy processes and outcomes may be limited in fundamental ways. Resolution depends upon changes in the ways in which we perceive health manpower problems and in the institutional mechanisms used to deal with them.", "PMID": 617199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2103", "title": "Emergency medical services in small communities: volunteer ambulance corps.", "content": "This paper examines volunteer ambulance corps that provide emergency medical care and transportation to their communities. The authors have compared volunteer corps to all ambulance services in Michigan and have focused on the relationship between organizational characteristics, such as membership and community characteristics as indicated by town size, and the support base for the volunteer corps. They conclude that governmental support for voluntary associations such as ambulance corps improves health care delivery in small communities.", "contents": "Emergency medical services in small communities: volunteer ambulance corps. This paper examines volunteer ambulance corps that provide emergency medical care and transportation to their communities. The authors have compared volunteer corps to all ambulance services in Michigan and have focused on the relationship between organizational characteristics, such as membership and community characteristics as indicated by town size, and the support base for the volunteer corps. They conclude that governmental support for voluntary associations such as ambulance corps improves health care delivery in small communities.", "PMID": 617200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2104", "title": "The wellness process.", "content": "Wellness is viewed as a continually evolving and changing process related to the developmental stages of man and the individual's completion of certain developmental tasks. Wellness differs from good health; it is a measurable process in which individuals actively participate to become more healthy. The index proposed here for assessing or measuring wellness is based upon the individual's completion of the minimal wellness tasks appropriate to his developmental stage.", "contents": "The wellness process. Wellness is viewed as a continually evolving and changing process related to the developmental stages of man and the individual's completion of certain developmental tasks. Wellness differs from good health; it is a measurable process in which individuals actively participate to become more healthy. The index proposed here for assessing or measuring wellness is based upon the individual's completion of the minimal wellness tasks appropriate to his developmental stage.", "PMID": 617202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2105", "title": "A cooperative pharmacy project: an autopsy on a community health intervention.", "content": "An attempt to implement a cooperative pharmacy project within a public housing project for the elderly is described. It was designed to provide low-cost prescriptions and pharmaceutical counseling as well as a coordinated record system for the elderly residents and other members of the senior citizens association. The resistance of local pharmacists and others caused substantial alterations to be made, eliminating the more consumer-oriented elements and emphasizing the more professional and technical aspects. Because of insufficient participation by the pharmacists and the consumers, the project died. The reasons for this failure are explored.", "contents": "A cooperative pharmacy project: an autopsy on a community health intervention. An attempt to implement a cooperative pharmacy project within a public housing project for the elderly is described. It was designed to provide low-cost prescriptions and pharmaceutical counseling as well as a coordinated record system for the elderly residents and other members of the senior citizens association. The resistance of local pharmacists and others caused substantial alterations to be made, eliminating the more consumer-oriented elements and emphasizing the more professional and technical aspects. Because of insufficient participation by the pharmacists and the consumers, the project died. The reasons for this failure are explored.", "PMID": 617203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2106", "title": "Orungo virus: organ distribution with histopathology and development of experimentally infected Swiss albino mice.", "content": "The organ distribution and pathogenecity of Orungo virus were studied in Swiss Albino mice following intracerebral and intraperitoneal inoculations. There was an age-related response in mice to Orungo virus ic infection. Virus multiplied to higher titres in the brain of newborn (2-day-old) mice than in the other organs. The histopathologic changes which were restricted to the brain included diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration, prominent perivascular and interstitial oedema in the cerebrum and cerebellum. In 10-day-old mice, low level infective virus was detected only in the brain, with resultant mild and focal mononuclear cell infiltration in the cerebral cortex. Recovery from Orungo virus ic infection in 10-day-old animals is accompanied by stunted growth. Orungo virus did not multiply in 21-day-old mice which were found to be histologically unremarkable. Following ip inoculation Orungo virus did not multiply, nor was there an histopathological change in inoculated newborn, 10-day or 21-day-old mice.", "contents": "Orungo virus: organ distribution with histopathology and development of experimentally infected Swiss albino mice. The organ distribution and pathogenecity of Orungo virus were studied in Swiss Albino mice following intracerebral and intraperitoneal inoculations. There was an age-related response in mice to Orungo virus ic infection. Virus multiplied to higher titres in the brain of newborn (2-day-old) mice than in the other organs. The histopathologic changes which were restricted to the brain included diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration, prominent perivascular and interstitial oedema in the cerebrum and cerebellum. In 10-day-old mice, low level infective virus was detected only in the brain, with resultant mild and focal mononuclear cell infiltration in the cerebral cortex. Recovery from Orungo virus ic infection in 10-day-old animals is accompanied by stunted growth. Orungo virus did not multiply in 21-day-old mice which were found to be histologically unremarkable. Following ip inoculation Orungo virus did not multiply, nor was there an histopathological change in inoculated newborn, 10-day or 21-day-old mice.", "PMID": 617208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2107", "title": "Effect of polycations on the early stages of reovirus infection.", "content": "The polycation DEAE-dextran treatment of HeLa cells was found to interfere with the production of reovirus, appearance of viral cytopathology, and the induction of cytotoxicity by UV-irradiated reovirus. The data obtained showed that while the polycation pre-treatment of cells enhanced virus adsorption to cells, its addition early during virus adsorption or 2 h after infection markedly interfered with virus production. The interference was decreasingly effective when the polycation was added during the later stages of the infectious cycle. Isopycnic CsCl buoyant density ultracentrifugation analyses of infected cytoplasmic extracts revealed that there were more subviral particles formed in untreated infected cells than there were in polycation-treated cells. In vitro uncoating studies with infected cytoplasmic extracts indicated that the polycation did not interfere with the removal of the outer capsid structure of the complete virus, and uncoating occurred only in the presence of the polycation. Electron microscopical examination revealed significantly fewer virus particles present in polycation-treated infected cells. The accumulated data strongly indicate that interference by DEAE-dextran is an early event involving viral penetration. Corollary studies using other polycations, such as polybrene (hexadimethrine bromide and poly-l-lysine, revealed that while they also enhanced virus adsorption, they did not interfere with reovirus production, appearance of viral cytopathology, and the induction of cytotoxicity by UV-irradiated reovirus.", "contents": "Effect of polycations on the early stages of reovirus infection. The polycation DEAE-dextran treatment of HeLa cells was found to interfere with the production of reovirus, appearance of viral cytopathology, and the induction of cytotoxicity by UV-irradiated reovirus. The data obtained showed that while the polycation pre-treatment of cells enhanced virus adsorption to cells, its addition early during virus adsorption or 2 h after infection markedly interfered with virus production. The interference was decreasingly effective when the polycation was added during the later stages of the infectious cycle. Isopycnic CsCl buoyant density ultracentrifugation analyses of infected cytoplasmic extracts revealed that there were more subviral particles formed in untreated infected cells than there were in polycation-treated cells. In vitro uncoating studies with infected cytoplasmic extracts indicated that the polycation did not interfere with the removal of the outer capsid structure of the complete virus, and uncoating occurred only in the presence of the polycation. Electron microscopical examination revealed significantly fewer virus particles present in polycation-treated infected cells. The accumulated data strongly indicate that interference by DEAE-dextran is an early event involving viral penetration. Corollary studies using other polycations, such as polybrene (hexadimethrine bromide and poly-l-lysine, revealed that while they also enhanced virus adsorption, they did not interfere with reovirus production, appearance of viral cytopathology, and the induction of cytotoxicity by UV-irradiated reovirus.", "PMID": 617209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2108", "title": "Studies on the bacterial spore coat. 6. Effects of alkali extraction on the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus.", "content": "Thin sections of the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus Matsukawa and Misawa show a characteristic surface structure with five ridges, and a series of three distinct layers. The outer layer of the spore coat was peeled off by SDS sonic treatment, and then the middle layer was solubilized by alkali extraction of the SDS sonic-treated spore. The spores subjected to these treatments were still refractile, heat resistant, and contained dipicolinic acid, but lost their resistance to mechanical shock.", "contents": "Studies on the bacterial spore coat. 6. Effects of alkali extraction on the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus. Thin sections of the spore of Bacillus thiaminolyticus Matsukawa and Misawa show a characteristic surface structure with five ridges, and a series of three distinct layers. The outer layer of the spore coat was peeled off by SDS sonic treatment, and then the middle layer was solubilized by alkali extraction of the SDS sonic-treated spore. The spores subjected to these treatments were still refractile, heat resistant, and contained dipicolinic acid, but lost their resistance to mechanical shock.", "PMID": 617210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2109", "title": "Differential stimulation and inhibition of growth of Rhizobium trifolii strain T1 and other Rhizobium species by various carbon sources.", "content": "The physiological properties of Rhizobium trifolii strain T1 were studied in detail, since this strain has many useful characteristics and appears ideal for development as a reference strain for R. trifolii. Some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and related compounds were found to stimulate growth in the presence of sucrose and arabinose, while others inhibited growth partially or completely. Other R. trifolii strains behaved likewise. Moreover, similar responses were also observed with other Rhizobium species, both fast-growing and slow-growing. On the basis of these growth responses, the various species of fast-growing and slow-growing rhizobia could be differentiated. Of the fast-growers tested, R. trifolii and R. leguminosarum are much more closely related to each other than either is to R. meliloti. Similarly, the slow-growing cowpea rhizobia are more closely related to R. japonicum than either group is to R. lupini. It is proposed that strain T1 should be developed as the reference strain for Rhizobium trifolii.", "contents": "Differential stimulation and inhibition of growth of Rhizobium trifolii strain T1 and other Rhizobium species by various carbon sources. The physiological properties of Rhizobium trifolii strain T1 were studied in detail, since this strain has many useful characteristics and appears ideal for development as a reference strain for R. trifolii. Some tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates and related compounds were found to stimulate growth in the presence of sucrose and arabinose, while others inhibited growth partially or completely. Other R. trifolii strains behaved likewise. Moreover, similar responses were also observed with other Rhizobium species, both fast-growing and slow-growing. On the basis of these growth responses, the various species of fast-growing and slow-growing rhizobia could be differentiated. Of the fast-growers tested, R. trifolii and R. leguminosarum are much more closely related to each other than either is to R. meliloti. Similarly, the slow-growing cowpea rhizobia are more closely related to R. japonicum than either group is to R. lupini. It is proposed that strain T1 should be developed as the reference strain for Rhizobium trifolii.", "PMID": 617211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2110", "title": "Interaction between impulses evoked by stimuli of different modalities in neurons of the parietal associative cortex.", "content": "In acute experiments on cats anesthetized with chloralose and nembutal interaction between visual, auditory, and electrodermal stimuli in neurons of the parietal association cortex was studied. Two types of interaction were found; the first characterized by inhibition or by inhibition followed by facilitation of the response to the test stimulus, the second by facilitation or by facilitation followed by inhibition of spontaneous impulses. Interaction between stimuli of different modalities was shown to depend on the properties of the neuron. In polysensory neurons ability to interact was much higher than in bimodal or monomodal neurons.", "contents": "Interaction between impulses evoked by stimuli of different modalities in neurons of the parietal associative cortex. In acute experiments on cats anesthetized with chloralose and nembutal interaction between visual, auditory, and electrodermal stimuli in neurons of the parietal association cortex was studied. Two types of interaction were found; the first characterized by inhibition or by inhibition followed by facilitation of the response to the test stimulus, the second by facilitation or by facilitation followed by inhibition of spontaneous impulses. Interaction between stimuli of different modalities was shown to depend on the properties of the neuron. In polysensory neurons ability to interact was much higher than in bimodal or monomodal neurons.", "PMID": 617216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2111", "title": "Responses and properties of receptive fields of neurons in the visual projection zone of the pigeon hyperstriatum.", "content": "Unit responses in the hyperstriatal region of the pigeon forebrain to the action of various visual stimuli were investigated. Particular attention was paid to the discovery of retinotopic projection in the Wulst region. It was shown that as the electrode was advanced in the caudal direction in the zone of visual projection of the hyperstriatum the receptive fields of the neurons recorded shifted in the opposite direction in the visual field. The receptive fields of neurons of the ventral and dorsal hyperstriatum lie higher in the visual field and are larger in diameter than those of neurons of the accessory hyperstriatum. Unit responses in the visual projection zone of the Wulst depend on the intensity of illumination, size, and speed and direction of movement of the test objects across the receptive field. The functional role of the retino--thalamo--telencephalic system in visual interpretation in birds is discussed and it is suggested that the Wulst region is comparable with the striatal and also with the frontal regions of the mammalian cortex.", "contents": "Responses and properties of receptive fields of neurons in the visual projection zone of the pigeon hyperstriatum. Unit responses in the hyperstriatal region of the pigeon forebrain to the action of various visual stimuli were investigated. Particular attention was paid to the discovery of retinotopic projection in the Wulst region. It was shown that as the electrode was advanced in the caudal direction in the zone of visual projection of the hyperstriatum the receptive fields of the neurons recorded shifted in the opposite direction in the visual field. The receptive fields of neurons of the ventral and dorsal hyperstriatum lie higher in the visual field and are larger in diameter than those of neurons of the accessory hyperstriatum. Unit responses in the visual projection zone of the Wulst depend on the intensity of illumination, size, and speed and direction of movement of the test objects across the receptive field. The functional role of the retino--thalamo--telencephalic system in visual interpretation in birds is discussed and it is suggested that the Wulst region is comparable with the striatal and also with the frontal regions of the mammalian cortex.", "PMID": 617217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2112", "title": "Investigation of the functional role of the septum.", "content": "A spectral-correlation analysis was made of the EEG recorded from the motor and visual cortex, hippocampus, and septum (in some series of experiments, the lateral geniculate body and mesencephalic reticular formation also) of rabbits in the presence or absence (background) of sensory stimulation. To investigate the functional role of the septum as a pacemaker the method of \"rhythm binding\" by electrical stimulation of the septum (lateral and medial nuclei) was used. By electrical stimulation of the medial nucleus of the septum at a frequency of 4-30 Hz rhythm binding was successfully obtained in all regions studied. Maximal rhythm binding was observed in cortical potentials. It is postulated that cortical rhythmic activity is generated as a result of physiological interaction between cortex and septum.", "contents": "Investigation of the functional role of the septum. A spectral-correlation analysis was made of the EEG recorded from the motor and visual cortex, hippocampus, and septum (in some series of experiments, the lateral geniculate body and mesencephalic reticular formation also) of rabbits in the presence or absence (background) of sensory stimulation. To investigate the functional role of the septum as a pacemaker the method of \"rhythm binding\" by electrical stimulation of the septum (lateral and medial nuclei) was used. By electrical stimulation of the medial nucleus of the septum at a frequency of 4-30 Hz rhythm binding was successfully obtained in all regions studied. Maximal rhythm binding was observed in cortical potentials. It is postulated that cortical rhythmic activity is generated as a result of physiological interaction between cortex and septum.", "PMID": 617218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2113", "title": "[Treatment of the gastric bezoar by endoscopy].", "content": "This paper deals with our experiences in a group of patients with gastric bezoars who were treated endoscopically. A group of 7 patients, 5 women and 2 men, from 41 to 62 years of age, with the diagnosis of bezoar was studied. In 6 cases both the clinical and roentgenographic diagnosis was bezoar; in one case the diagnosis was not established before endoscopy. Endoscopic studies were performed to confirm the diagnosis and for treatment. The bezoars were fragmented, under endoscopic observation, with the biopsy mechanism and, after removal of the endoscope, gastric lavage was done through a 12 mm. tube for removal of the bezoar fragments. Postendoscopically all patients were given metoclopramide and new films were take at one week. Confirmation of complete removal of the bezoars was also obtained by subsequent endoscopic control. No complications were observed in any of the patients. We propose that endoscopic removal of bezoars is the treatment of choice because it lowers morbility, mortality and eliminates the need for surgery as well as lowering hospitalization time.", "contents": "[Treatment of the gastric bezoar by endoscopy]. This paper deals with our experiences in a group of patients with gastric bezoars who were treated endoscopically. A group of 7 patients, 5 women and 2 men, from 41 to 62 years of age, with the diagnosis of bezoar was studied. In 6 cases both the clinical and roentgenographic diagnosis was bezoar; in one case the diagnosis was not established before endoscopy. Endoscopic studies were performed to confirm the diagnosis and for treatment. The bezoars were fragmented, under endoscopic observation, with the biopsy mechanism and, after removal of the endoscope, gastric lavage was done through a 12 mm. tube for removal of the bezoar fragments. Postendoscopically all patients were given metoclopramide and new films were take at one week. Confirmation of complete removal of the bezoars was also obtained by subsequent endoscopic control. No complications were observed in any of the patients. We propose that endoscopic removal of bezoars is the treatment of choice because it lowers morbility, mortality and eliminates the need for surgery as well as lowering hospitalization time.", "PMID": 617236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2114", "title": "[Acute emphysematous cholecystitis. Report of 3 cases].", "content": "Three cases of acute emphysematous cholecystitis are reported. Our experience has been that this disease, compared with the occurrence of common acute cholecystitis, is rare. The clinical picture is discussed and emphasis is made concerning the roentgenographic diagnosis and surgical findings, such as obstruction of the cistic duct, which is probable the cause of the histopathologic changes found in the gall bladder. The negative results from the culture of material obtained from the gall bladder was probably due to antibiotic administration prior to surgery. A review of the recent literature and surgical treatment, after correction of metabolic and hydroelectrolito imbalances, is made.", "contents": "[Acute emphysematous cholecystitis. Report of 3 cases]. Three cases of acute emphysematous cholecystitis are reported. Our experience has been that this disease, compared with the occurrence of common acute cholecystitis, is rare. The clinical picture is discussed and emphasis is made concerning the roentgenographic diagnosis and surgical findings, such as obstruction of the cistic duct, which is probable the cause of the histopathologic changes found in the gall bladder. The negative results from the culture of material obtained from the gall bladder was probably due to antibiotic administration prior to surgery. A review of the recent literature and surgical treatment, after correction of metabolic and hydroelectrolito imbalances, is made.", "PMID": 617238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2115", "title": "[Mixed bezoar].", "content": "The case of an adolescent psychopath who, following traumatic psychological experiences, ingested her own hair and cotton string over a 6 to 8 month period, is presented. This resulted in the formation of a mixed bezoar (hair and cotton string) with subsequent deterioration of her general condition. The diagnosis was made roetgenographically. Curative surgery was performed and psychotherapy was initiated. A review of the current literature is made and the frequency, clinical characteristics, treatment, management and recommended prophylactic considerations are discussed.", "contents": "[Mixed bezoar]. The case of an adolescent psychopath who, following traumatic psychological experiences, ingested her own hair and cotton string over a 6 to 8 month period, is presented. This resulted in the formation of a mixed bezoar (hair and cotton string) with subsequent deterioration of her general condition. The diagnosis was made roetgenographically. Curative surgery was performed and psychotherapy was initiated. A review of the current literature is made and the frequency, clinical characteristics, treatment, management and recommended prophylactic considerations are discussed.", "PMID": 617235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2116", "title": "[Acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis].", "content": "Acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis is a potentially lethal complication of biliary tract obstruction, caused by passage of septic material into the circulation originating from pus under tension in the biliary ducts. Of the three cases presented herein, decompression occurred spontaneously in the second one, and was achieved surgically in the other two. The diagnosis is based in Charcot's triad of: Abdominal Pain, Fever and Jaundice, with or without history of biliary disease. Progression leads to septicemia, shock and death. Treatment is surgical and it should be carried out as soon as the diagnosis is made. Effective decompression of the biliary tract is obtained by cannalization of the choledoccus with a T-Tube. Delayed treatment increases mortality, thus the importance of early recognition.", "contents": "[Acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis]. Acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis is a potentially lethal complication of biliary tract obstruction, caused by passage of septic material into the circulation originating from pus under tension in the biliary ducts. Of the three cases presented herein, decompression occurred spontaneously in the second one, and was achieved surgically in the other two. The diagnosis is based in Charcot's triad of: Abdominal Pain, Fever and Jaundice, with or without history of biliary disease. Progression leads to septicemia, shock and death. Treatment is surgical and it should be carried out as soon as the diagnosis is made. Effective decompression of the biliary tract is obtained by cannalization of the choledoccus with a T-Tube. Delayed treatment increases mortality, thus the importance of early recognition.", "PMID": 617239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2117", "title": "[Familial polyposis of the colon. Analysis of 17 cases].", "content": "Seventeen cases of familiar polyposis of the colon seen in the National Institute of Nutrition are reviewed. In 12 of the cases (70%) there were family histories of colonic polyposis. Ten patients (50%) developed carcinoma and of these 7 were located in the rectosigmoide. Ten patients underwent total colectomy with abdominoperineal resection. Seven already had carcinoma at operation; 5 localized and with survival rates of more than 5 years without evidence of recurrence; the other 2 had distant metastasis at operation. Four patients underwent colectomy with ileoproctoanastomosis. In 2 of these cases subsequent abdominoperineal resection was necessary; another died of recurrent carcinoma and the fourth is alive and asymptomatic. Familiar colonic polyposis is an hereditary disease of the autosomic dominant type with a tendency to develope malignant changes at an early age. The treatment of choice is colectomy; however, controversy exists as to whether or not the rectum should be conserved. Based on our results, and those of other authors, we feel that the treatment of choice is total colectomy with abdominoperineal resection, because of the high probability of malignant recurrence.", "contents": "[Familial polyposis of the colon. Analysis of 17 cases]. Seventeen cases of familiar polyposis of the colon seen in the National Institute of Nutrition are reviewed. In 12 of the cases (70%) there were family histories of colonic polyposis. Ten patients (50%) developed carcinoma and of these 7 were located in the rectosigmoide. Ten patients underwent total colectomy with abdominoperineal resection. Seven already had carcinoma at operation; 5 localized and with survival rates of more than 5 years without evidence of recurrence; the other 2 had distant metastasis at operation. Four patients underwent colectomy with ileoproctoanastomosis. In 2 of these cases subsequent abdominoperineal resection was necessary; another died of recurrent carcinoma and the fourth is alive and asymptomatic. Familiar colonic polyposis is an hereditary disease of the autosomic dominant type with a tendency to develope malignant changes at an early age. The treatment of choice is colectomy; however, controversy exists as to whether or not the rectum should be conserved. Based on our results, and those of other authors, we feel that the treatment of choice is total colectomy with abdominoperineal resection, because of the high probability of malignant recurrence.", "PMID": 617237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2118", "title": "The long-term prognosis in untreated cerebral aneurysms: I. The incidence of late hemorrhage in cerebral aneurysm: a 10-year evaluation of 364 patients.", "content": "Three hundred sixty-four patients who suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage from an aneurysm in either the posterior communicating or anterior communicating artery and who were not surgically treated have been followed for up to 21 years in order to determine the frequency of subsequent hemorrhage. For patients surviving six months: (1) rebleeding occurs on the average of 3.5% per year during the first decade; (2) the mortality associated with a late rebleed is 67%; (3) high blood pressure and female sex predispose to late rebleeding in posterior communicating artery aneurysms; (4) young patients take longer to rebleed than older patients but do so at the same rate; and (5) increase in aneurysm size as judged by routine arteriography six months after the initial hemorrhage did not correlate with rebleeding, although an increase in size had occurred in all patients who were studied angiographically at the time of their late rebleed.", "contents": "The long-term prognosis in untreated cerebral aneurysms: I. The incidence of late hemorrhage in cerebral aneurysm: a 10-year evaluation of 364 patients. Three hundred sixty-four patients who suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage from an aneurysm in either the posterior communicating or anterior communicating artery and who were not surgically treated have been followed for up to 21 years in order to determine the frequency of subsequent hemorrhage. For patients surviving six months: (1) rebleeding occurs on the average of 3.5% per year during the first decade; (2) the mortality associated with a late rebleed is 67%; (3) high blood pressure and female sex predispose to late rebleeding in posterior communicating artery aneurysms; (4) young patients take longer to rebleed than older patients but do so at the same rate; and (5) increase in aneurysm size as judged by routine arteriography six months after the initial hemorrhage did not correlate with rebleeding, although an increase in size had occurred in all patients who were studied angiographically at the time of their late rebleed.", "PMID": 617253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2119", "title": "Alpha-pattern coma: 24 cases with 9 survivors.", "content": "Alpha-pattern coma denotes the association of a comatose state with an electroencephalogram consisting predominately of alpha-frequency activity. Over the past three years we have studied 24 such cases: 14 following cardiopulmonary arrest, 6 following respiratory arrest, and 3 following brainstem infarction. Of the 9 patients who survived, only 1 had a significant neurological deficit. It was found that: (1) alpha-pattern coma can result from a variety of neurological insults; (2) a significant proportion of patients survive, often with little or no deficit; (3) clinical evidence of intact brainstem function implies a favorable outcome; (4) the electroencephalogram was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors and did not differentiate diffuse cerebral dysfunction from focal brainstem disease; and (5) neuropathological studies demonstrated diffuse cortical as well as brainstem changes.", "contents": "Alpha-pattern coma: 24 cases with 9 survivors. Alpha-pattern coma denotes the association of a comatose state with an electroencephalogram consisting predominately of alpha-frequency activity. Over the past three years we have studied 24 such cases: 14 following cardiopulmonary arrest, 6 following respiratory arrest, and 3 following brainstem infarction. Of the 9 patients who survived, only 1 had a significant neurological deficit. It was found that: (1) alpha-pattern coma can result from a variety of neurological insults; (2) a significant proportion of patients survive, often with little or no deficit; (3) clinical evidence of intact brainstem function implies a favorable outcome; (4) the electroencephalogram was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors and did not differentiate diffuse cerebral dysfunction from focal brainstem disease; and (5) neuropathological studies demonstrated diffuse cortical as well as brainstem changes.", "PMID": 617254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2120", "title": "Polyradiculoneuropathy accompanying procainamide-induced lupus erythematosus: evidence for drug-induced enhanced sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin.", "content": "Factors involved in the development of an insidious polyradiculoneuropathy in association with a procainamide-induced, lupuslike syndrome were explored. A 73-year-old man with this clinical syndrome had sural nerve changes consisting of loss of large myelinated fibers with evidence of remyelination and Schwann cell proliferation. The patient's lymphocytes showed marked incorporation of tritiated thymidine when cultured with either procainamide or extracts of human peripheral nerve myelin, and there was an enhanced response with the combination. We also found that procainamide-treated rats showed acceleration of lymphocyte sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin as judged by the early development of inhibition of macrophage migration and positive skin tests to extracts of peripheral nerve myelin. These studies suggest that procainamide can enhance lymphocyte sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin and may have predisposed this individual to development of a polyradiculoneuropathy.", "contents": "Polyradiculoneuropathy accompanying procainamide-induced lupus erythematosus: evidence for drug-induced enhanced sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin. Factors involved in the development of an insidious polyradiculoneuropathy in association with a procainamide-induced, lupuslike syndrome were explored. A 73-year-old man with this clinical syndrome had sural nerve changes consisting of loss of large myelinated fibers with evidence of remyelination and Schwann cell proliferation. The patient's lymphocytes showed marked incorporation of tritiated thymidine when cultured with either procainamide or extracts of human peripheral nerve myelin, and there was an enhanced response with the combination. We also found that procainamide-treated rats showed acceleration of lymphocyte sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin as judged by the early development of inhibition of macrophage migration and positive skin tests to extracts of peripheral nerve myelin. These studies suggest that procainamide can enhance lymphocyte sensitization to peripheral nerve myelin and may have predisposed this individual to development of a polyradiculoneuropathy.", "PMID": 617255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2121", "title": "Nonketotic hyperglycinemia: report of a case and review of the clinical, chemical, and pathological changes.", "content": "A female infant with neonatal hypotonia and lethargy was found to have nonketotic hyperglycinemia. She died at the age of 5 days. Autopsy revealed slightly retarded myelination and severe spongy change in the well-myelinated areas of the brain. Analysis of this and the other 26 reported cases suggests that patients with nonketotic hyperglycinemia develop severe mental retardation, not seen in ketotic hyperglycinemia. Elevated glycine levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid appear to differentiate these two forms of hyperglycinemia better than the presence of ketosis or leukopenia, and high glycine levels apparently occur in the same areas as the spongy change. While both forms show defective glycine cleavage in the liver, defective glycine cleavage in the brain has been reported only in nonketotic hyperglycinemia.", "contents": "Nonketotic hyperglycinemia: report of a case and review of the clinical, chemical, and pathological changes. A female infant with neonatal hypotonia and lethargy was found to have nonketotic hyperglycinemia. She died at the age of 5 days. Autopsy revealed slightly retarded myelination and severe spongy change in the well-myelinated areas of the brain. Analysis of this and the other 26 reported cases suggests that patients with nonketotic hyperglycinemia develop severe mental retardation, not seen in ketotic hyperglycinemia. Elevated glycine levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid appear to differentiate these two forms of hyperglycinemia better than the presence of ketosis or leukopenia, and high glycine levels apparently occur in the same areas as the spongy change. While both forms show defective glycine cleavage in the liver, defective glycine cleavage in the brain has been reported only in nonketotic hyperglycinemia.", "PMID": 617256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2122", "title": "Isolated myopathic involvement of the diaphragmatic musculature in a neonate.", "content": "A myopathy restricted to the diaphragm was found in an infant who died at 3 months of age of respiratory failure due to immobility of the diaphragm. Grossly, the diaphragm was thin and translucent. On microscopical examination few muscle bundles were seen. Most muscle fibers were small, and numerous necrotic fibers with large sarcolemmal nuclei, focal cytoplasmic basophilia, and hyaline or homogeneous eosinophilic degeneration in the center of the fibers were seen.", "contents": "Isolated myopathic involvement of the diaphragmatic musculature in a neonate. A myopathy restricted to the diaphragm was found in an infant who died at 3 months of age of respiratory failure due to immobility of the diaphragm. Grossly, the diaphragm was thin and translucent. On microscopical examination few muscle bundles were seen. Most muscle fibers were small, and numerous necrotic fibers with large sarcolemmal nuclei, focal cytoplasmic basophilia, and hyaline or homogeneous eosinophilic degeneration in the center of the fibers were seen.", "PMID": 617257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2123", "title": "The large apparent work capability of the blood-brain barrier: a study of the mitochondrial content of capillary endothelial cells in brain and other tissues of the rat.", "content": "Volumes of mitochondria in capillary endothelial cells were determined stereologically from electron micrographs of rat cerebellum, cerebral cortex, spinal cord, cauda equina, choroid plexus, anterior pituitary, median eminence of the hypothalamus, renal proximal tubules, skin, cardiac and skeletal muscle, lung, and renal glomerulus. The capillaries of the first four of these tissue types exhibit blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics of permeability and capillary ultrastructure and were found to have mitochondrial contents amounting to 8 to 11% of the endothelial cytoplasmic volume. Tissues from non-BBB regions were determined to have mitochondrial volumes of 2 to 5% of their respective cytoplasmic volumes, with a variety of capillary ultrastructures. The apparent excess metabloic work capability of the BBB suggested by this greater number of mitochondria may be related to maintenance of ion differentials between blood plasma and brain extracellular fluid, to extrachoroidal cerebrospinal fluid formation, or to maintaining the unique structural characteristics of central nervous system capillaries.", "contents": "The large apparent work capability of the blood-brain barrier: a study of the mitochondrial content of capillary endothelial cells in brain and other tissues of the rat. Volumes of mitochondria in capillary endothelial cells were determined stereologically from electron micrographs of rat cerebellum, cerebral cortex, spinal cord, cauda equina, choroid plexus, anterior pituitary, median eminence of the hypothalamus, renal proximal tubules, skin, cardiac and skeletal muscle, lung, and renal glomerulus. The capillaries of the first four of these tissue types exhibit blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics of permeability and capillary ultrastructure and were found to have mitochondrial contents amounting to 8 to 11% of the endothelial cytoplasmic volume. Tissues from non-BBB regions were determined to have mitochondrial volumes of 2 to 5% of their respective cytoplasmic volumes, with a variety of capillary ultrastructures. The apparent excess metabloic work capability of the BBB suggested by this greater number of mitochondria may be related to maintenance of ion differentials between blood plasma and brain extracellular fluid, to extrachoroidal cerebrospinal fluid formation, or to maintaining the unique structural characteristics of central nervous system capillaries.", "PMID": 617259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2124", "title": "Penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in the hippocampal in vitro prepatation.", "content": "An in vitro preparation has been developed in which epileptogenesis in mammalian central nervous system tissue may be studied. Addition of sodium penicillin to the medium bathing slices of guinea pig hippocampus induced epileptiform activity similar to that seen in hippocampal penicillin foci in vivo. Epileptiform events were recorded as synchronous field potentials and correlated cellular bursts that occurred spontaneously and could be triggered by orthodromic stimulation. Intracellular recordings revealed that bursts were generated from large depolarization shifts in some neurons, while in others, burst discharges had little underlying baseline depolarization. This finding, and the presence of fast prepotentials in penicillin-treated preparations, suggested the involvement of dendritic activity in generation of epileptiform discharges.", "contents": "Penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in the hippocampal in vitro prepatation. An in vitro preparation has been developed in which epileptogenesis in mammalian central nervous system tissue may be studied. Addition of sodium penicillin to the medium bathing slices of guinea pig hippocampus induced epileptiform activity similar to that seen in hippocampal penicillin foci in vivo. Epileptiform events were recorded as synchronous field potentials and correlated cellular bursts that occurred spontaneously and could be triggered by orthodromic stimulation. Intracellular recordings revealed that bursts were generated from large depolarization shifts in some neurons, while in others, burst discharges had little underlying baseline depolarization. This finding, and the presence of fast prepotentials in penicillin-treated preparations, suggested the involvement of dendritic activity in generation of epileptiform discharges.", "PMID": 617260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2125", "title": "Ethanol and spinal presynaptic inhibition in man.", "content": "Ethanol, 0.65 gm per kilogram of body weight, was administered orally to 6 normal subjects. The mean blood ethanol levels ranged from 0.74 to 0.99 gm per liter over a subsequent 40-minute testing period. The proportion of the soleus motoneuron pool activated by the Achilles tendon reflex was reduced. Vibratory inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex was used as an estimate of spinal presynaptic inhibition. It was unaffected by ethanol.", "contents": "Ethanol and spinal presynaptic inhibition in man. Ethanol, 0.65 gm per kilogram of body weight, was administered orally to 6 normal subjects. The mean blood ethanol levels ranged from 0.74 to 0.99 gm per liter over a subsequent 40-minute testing period. The proportion of the soleus motoneuron pool activated by the Achilles tendon reflex was reduced. Vibratory inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex was used as an estimate of spinal presynaptic inhibition. It was unaffected by ethanol.", "PMID": 617261} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2126", "title": "An animal model for the production of intracranial pressure plateau waves.", "content": "This communication describes a reproducible model for the generation of intracranial pressure plateau waves by obstructing the spinal cord central canal of cats with experimentally induced hydrocephalus.", "contents": "An animal model for the production of intracranial pressure plateau waves. This communication describes a reproducible model for the generation of intracranial pressure plateau waves by obstructing the spinal cord central canal of cats with experimentally induced hydrocephalus.", "PMID": 617262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2127", "title": "Propranolol for the control of belligerent behavior following acute brain damage.", "content": "The belligerence of 7 patients who had suffered an acute brain insult was effectively controlled by propranolol in doses of 60 to 320 mg per day. Of the 7 patients, 3 were treated in the acute stage after a stroke, a severe closed head injury, and a gunshot wound of the brain, respectively. A chronic postconcussion syndrome associated with chronic irritability was present in 2, and 2 were not chronically irritable but suffered from intermittent attacks of explosive rage in response to minor irritations. In all instances the belligerent behavior was controlled without inducing general sedation.", "contents": "Propranolol for the control of belligerent behavior following acute brain damage. The belligerence of 7 patients who had suffered an acute brain insult was effectively controlled by propranolol in doses of 60 to 320 mg per day. Of the 7 patients, 3 were treated in the acute stage after a stroke, a severe closed head injury, and a gunshot wound of the brain, respectively. A chronic postconcussion syndrome associated with chronic irritability was present in 2, and 2 were not chronically irritable but suffered from intermittent attacks of explosive rage in response to minor irritations. In all instances the belligerent behavior was controlled without inducing general sedation.", "PMID": 617263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2128", "title": "Therapeutic trials in muscular dystrophy: II. Ethylene and its derivatives.", "content": "The plant growth stimulants ethylene dinitramine (EDNA) and ethylene have been reported to increase muscle regeneration. Such chemicals might therefore be of therepeutic benefit in the human muscular dystrophies. This report describes a series of experiments to reinvestigate the effects of EDNA, ethylene, and another plant-stimulating ethylene derivative, 2-chloroethylenephosphoric acid (Ethephon). EDNA and Ethephon administered two days after wounding both produced a significant increase of muscle protein synthesis seven days after the injury of normal muscle, though the increases were only 35 and 22%, respectively. The results suggested that early suppression of regeneration might explain the later increases. Ethylene administered in an identical way to that previously reported failed to increase muscle protein synthesis in murine muscular dystrophy or in wounded normal muscle. These studies suggest that treatment of human muscular dystrophies with ethylene derivatives is unlikely to prove of value.", "contents": "Therapeutic trials in muscular dystrophy: II. Ethylene and its derivatives. The plant growth stimulants ethylene dinitramine (EDNA) and ethylene have been reported to increase muscle regeneration. Such chemicals might therefore be of therepeutic benefit in the human muscular dystrophies. This report describes a series of experiments to reinvestigate the effects of EDNA, ethylene, and another plant-stimulating ethylene derivative, 2-chloroethylenephosphoric acid (Ethephon). EDNA and Ethephon administered two days after wounding both produced a significant increase of muscle protein synthesis seven days after the injury of normal muscle, though the increases were only 35 and 22%, respectively. The results suggested that early suppression of regeneration might explain the later increases. Ethylene administered in an identical way to that previously reported failed to increase muscle protein synthesis in murine muscular dystrophy or in wounded normal muscle. These studies suggest that treatment of human muscular dystrophies with ethylene derivatives is unlikely to prove of value.", "PMID": 617265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2129", "title": "Pedigree testing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.", "content": "Female relatives of 41 Duchenne muscular dystrophy proband cases were studied with a panel of carrier-detection tests. A total of 277 relatives were tested in order to determine which mothers had affected sons as a result of new mutation. In 39 of 41 pedigrees the data demonstrate that a mutation cannot be postulated; the 2 megative pedigrees were inadequately tested. Our data suggest that all mothers of affected sons should be considered genetic carriers (heterozygotes) until proved otherwise. Our findings also raise questions concerning what mechanisms skew the indirect statistical estimates of mutation that are in common use.", "contents": "Pedigree testing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Female relatives of 41 Duchenne muscular dystrophy proband cases were studied with a panel of carrier-detection tests. A total of 277 relatives were tested in order to determine which mothers had affected sons as a result of new mutation. In 39 of 41 pedigrees the data demonstrate that a mutation cannot be postulated; the 2 megative pedigrees were inadequately tested. Our data suggest that all mothers of affected sons should be considered genetic carriers (heterozygotes) until proved otherwise. Our findings also raise questions concerning what mechanisms skew the indirect statistical estimates of mutation that are in common use.", "PMID": 617266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2130", "title": "Quantitation of motion perception in the digits: a psychophysical study in normal human subjects.", "content": "Threshold perception of motion of the digits was obtained in 14 normal subjects. The metacarpophalangeal joint of the index and the fifth finger of each hand and the metatarsophalangeal joint of the hallux of each foot were passively moved up and down with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the palmar or plantar surface. The motion was sinusoidal at frequencies of 0.5 and 5.0 Hz. A mpdified von B\u00e9k\u00e9sy paradigm similar to that used in audiometry was utilized to yield threshold levels of motion sensation. There was little difference in the thresholds obtained for the different joints. The difference between high- and low-frequency stimulation, however, was significant (p less than 0.001): the 0.5 Hz threshold was found to range from 0.8 to 1.0 degree, whereas the 5.0 Hz threshold varied from 0.4 to 0.6 degree. It is thought that motion sense is largely dependent on joint receptor contributions, but muscle and cutaneous receptors may also contribute to this proprioceptive sensation.", "contents": "Quantitation of motion perception in the digits: a psychophysical study in normal human subjects. Threshold perception of motion of the digits was obtained in 14 normal subjects. The metacarpophalangeal joint of the index and the fifth finger of each hand and the metatarsophalangeal joint of the hallux of each foot were passively moved up and down with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the palmar or plantar surface. The motion was sinusoidal at frequencies of 0.5 and 5.0 Hz. A mpdified von B\u00e9k\u00e9sy paradigm similar to that used in audiometry was utilized to yield threshold levels of motion sensation. There was little difference in the thresholds obtained for the different joints. The difference between high- and low-frequency stimulation, however, was significant (p less than 0.001): the 0.5 Hz threshold was found to range from 0.8 to 1.0 degree, whereas the 5.0 Hz threshold varied from 0.4 to 0.6 degree. It is thought that motion sense is largely dependent on joint receptor contributions, but muscle and cutaneous receptors may also contribute to this proprioceptive sensation.", "PMID": 617267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2131", "title": "Familial paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis and its differentiation from related syndromes.", "content": "Four generations of a family are described in which 7 of 8 affected members suffered from prolonged dystonic seizures; the eighth member's attacks were those of paroxysmal choreoathetosis. The attacks lasted up to 4 hours, were precipitated by alcohol, emotion, or fatigue, and responded poorly to phenytoin and barbiturates but were controlled by clonazepam. Autopsy on an affected child who died a \"crib death\" at the age of 2 years disclosed no major abnormality of the brain. This family appears to have the same condition as that described by Mount and Reback in 1940, Forssman in 1961, and Richards and Barnett in 1968, which the last authors termed paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis to distinguish it from the more common movement-induced (kinesigenic) form of the disorder. Analysis of reports of 100 cases of paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis shows that the attacks last less than 5 minutes, are precipitated by sudden movement or startle, and usually respond well to phenytoin or barbiturates. A clinical classification is presented in which the kinesigenic form is divided into a familial group (72% of cases) and a sporadic group (28% of cases) and contrasted with paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis. One family with an intermediate form, in which dystonic choreoathetosis was provoked by continued exertion and lasted for up to 30 minutes, is also reported.", "contents": "Familial paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis and its differentiation from related syndromes. Four generations of a family are described in which 7 of 8 affected members suffered from prolonged dystonic seizures; the eighth member's attacks were those of paroxysmal choreoathetosis. The attacks lasted up to 4 hours, were precipitated by alcohol, emotion, or fatigue, and responded poorly to phenytoin and barbiturates but were controlled by clonazepam. Autopsy on an affected child who died a \"crib death\" at the age of 2 years disclosed no major abnormality of the brain. This family appears to have the same condition as that described by Mount and Reback in 1940, Forssman in 1961, and Richards and Barnett in 1968, which the last authors termed paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis to distinguish it from the more common movement-induced (kinesigenic) form of the disorder. Analysis of reports of 100 cases of paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis shows that the attacks last less than 5 minutes, are precipitated by sudden movement or startle, and usually respond well to phenytoin or barbiturates. A clinical classification is presented in which the kinesigenic form is divided into a familial group (72% of cases) and a sporadic group (28% of cases) and contrasted with paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis. One family with an intermediate form, in which dystonic choreoathetosis was provoked by continued exertion and lasted for up to 30 minutes, is also reported.", "PMID": 617268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2132", "title": "The human thalamocortical sensory path in the internal capsule: evidence from a small capsular hemorrhage causing a pure sensory stroke.", "content": "A patient is presented who suffered a strokelike event during life that resulted in a hemisensory dificit for some modalities. On pathological examination of the brain, the lesion responsible for the deficit was found to be a small slit hemorrhage located in the posterior limb of the internal capsule adjacent to and minimally involving the thalamus. Clinicopathological correlation suggests that the sensory thalamocortical radiations must lie farther posterior in the posterior limb of the internal capsule than the corticospinal motor fibers, and that they probably lie adjacent to the thalamus. The case emphasizes that small slit hemorrhages deep in the brain, although rare, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden hemisensory deficits.", "contents": "The human thalamocortical sensory path in the internal capsule: evidence from a small capsular hemorrhage causing a pure sensory stroke. A patient is presented who suffered a strokelike event during life that resulted in a hemisensory dificit for some modalities. On pathological examination of the brain, the lesion responsible for the deficit was found to be a small slit hemorrhage located in the posterior limb of the internal capsule adjacent to and minimally involving the thalamus. Clinicopathological correlation suggests that the sensory thalamocortical radiations must lie farther posterior in the posterior limb of the internal capsule than the corticospinal motor fibers, and that they probably lie adjacent to the thalamus. The case emphasizes that small slit hemorrhages deep in the brain, although rare, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden hemisensory deficits.", "PMID": 617269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2133", "title": "Inferior branch palsy of the oculomotor nerve.", "content": "Three patients with inferior branch palsies of the oculomotor nerve are described. Two were under 10 years of age and the third was 30 years old at the onset. All 3 presented with painless diplopia. The onset was sudden in 2 patients and progressive in the third. The palsy cleared within a short time in the 2 patients with sudden onset, and a possible viral origin was considered. In the third patient, with progressive palsy, there was no change eight years later.", "contents": "Inferior branch palsy of the oculomotor nerve. Three patients with inferior branch palsies of the oculomotor nerve are described. Two were under 10 years of age and the third was 30 years old at the onset. All 3 presented with painless diplopia. The onset was sudden in 2 patients and progressive in the third. The palsy cleared within a short time in the 2 patients with sudden onset, and a possible viral origin was considered. In the third patient, with progressive palsy, there was no change eight years later.", "PMID": 617270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2134", "title": "Tissue culture studies of demyelinating disease: a critical review.", "content": "Tissue culture studies of human and experimental demyelinating diseases have demonstrated that sera from patients with multiple sclerosis reversibly demyelinate central nervous system cultures. Similar changes are evoked by sera from animals with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced by inoculation with whole central nervous system tissue but not by encephalitogenic myelin basic protein. Sera and buffy coat or lymph node cells from humans with idiopathic polyneuritis and animals with experimental allergic neuritis demyelinate cultures of peripheral nervous system tissue. While these studies have contributed to speculations about pathogenetic mechanisms of demyelinating diseases, including the role of both circulating antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity factors, a number of important questions remain unanswered. Among these are the identity of the antigens that evoke antimyelin antibodies and the precise relationship of serum or cellular antimyelin factors to the pathogenesis or clinical course of the demyelinating diseases. Further studies with this technique may provide more complete information about the role of immunological events in induction of disease.", "contents": "Tissue culture studies of demyelinating disease: a critical review. Tissue culture studies of human and experimental demyelinating diseases have demonstrated that sera from patients with multiple sclerosis reversibly demyelinate central nervous system cultures. Similar changes are evoked by sera from animals with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced by inoculation with whole central nervous system tissue but not by encephalitogenic myelin basic protein. Sera and buffy coat or lymph node cells from humans with idiopathic polyneuritis and animals with experimental allergic neuritis demyelinate cultures of peripheral nervous system tissue. While these studies have contributed to speculations about pathogenetic mechanisms of demyelinating diseases, including the role of both circulating antibodies and delayed hypersensitivity factors, a number of important questions remain unanswered. Among these are the identity of the antigens that evoke antimyelin antibodies and the precise relationship of serum or cellular antimyelin factors to the pathogenesis or clinical course of the demyelinating diseases. Further studies with this technique may provide more complete information about the role of immunological events in induction of disease.", "PMID": 617271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2135", "title": "Possible phenylethylmalondiamide (PEMA) intoxication.", "content": "We have encountered a case of apparent intoxication with primidone (Mysoline) in a patient with severe renal impairment. Of interest were high serum levels of phenylethyl-malondiamide (PEMA), a metabolite of primidone.", "contents": "Possible phenylethylmalondiamide (PEMA) intoxication. We have encountered a case of apparent intoxication with primidone (Mysoline) in a patient with severe renal impairment. Of interest were high serum levels of phenylethyl-malondiamide (PEMA), a metabolite of primidone.", "PMID": 617272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2136", "title": "Nerve-muscle interaction: changes in the cellular organization of a skeletal muscle upon denervation.", "content": "The alterations in the organization of lumbrical muscle of the rat have been investigated following denervation, with emphasis on the structure of cytoplasmic constituents, sarcolemma in the synaptic and non-synaptic regions and acetylcholinesterase activity. The appearance of 15--18 nm intramenbranous particles in the non-synaptic sarcolemma is thought to be related to the known acetylcholine extrajunctional sensitivity which is manifested after denervation. The acetylcholinesterase activity is greatly reduced in the synaptic region in the denervated muscle. These changes are discussed in relation to the known physiological and biochemical data.", "contents": "Nerve-muscle interaction: changes in the cellular organization of a skeletal muscle upon denervation. The alterations in the organization of lumbrical muscle of the rat have been investigated following denervation, with emphasis on the structure of cytoplasmic constituents, sarcolemma in the synaptic and non-synaptic regions and acetylcholinesterase activity. The appearance of 15--18 nm intramenbranous particles in the non-synaptic sarcolemma is thought to be related to the known acetylcholine extrajunctional sensitivity which is manifested after denervation. The acetylcholinesterase activity is greatly reduced in the synaptic region in the denervated muscle. These changes are discussed in relation to the known physiological and biochemical data.", "PMID": 617302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2137", "title": "The ultrastructural cytology and chemical composition of fracture callus cartilage.", "content": "The differentiation and calcification of fracture callus cartilage studied by light microscopy resembles that of the epiphyseal plate cartilage. In this study, a correlation between the ultrastructural cytology and the chemical composition of the various cartilage types found in fracture callus was attempted. Fibrocartilage cells were very active with profuse secretion of collagen into the matrix. Collagen fibres were observed in close proximity to the cell membrane. Cells from hypertrophic and calcifying cartilage showed progressive degeneration while their mitochondria contain dense osmiophilic granules. Mitochondria granules were occasionally seen in fibrocartilage cells. The intercellular matrix of hypertrophic and calcifying cartilage showed needle-shaped crystals quite often arranged as a cluster in a radiated pattern. Chemical analyses of the various types of cartilage found in fracture callus demonstrated the presence of a high molecular weight bound phosphate and an increase of sialic acid in the differentiated types of cartilage.", "contents": "The ultrastructural cytology and chemical composition of fracture callus cartilage. The differentiation and calcification of fracture callus cartilage studied by light microscopy resembles that of the epiphyseal plate cartilage. In this study, a correlation between the ultrastructural cytology and the chemical composition of the various cartilage types found in fracture callus was attempted. Fibrocartilage cells were very active with profuse secretion of collagen into the matrix. Collagen fibres were observed in close proximity to the cell membrane. Cells from hypertrophic and calcifying cartilage showed progressive degeneration while their mitochondria contain dense osmiophilic granules. Mitochondria granules were occasionally seen in fibrocartilage cells. The intercellular matrix of hypertrophic and calcifying cartilage showed needle-shaped crystals quite often arranged as a cluster in a radiated pattern. Chemical analyses of the various types of cartilage found in fracture callus demonstrated the presence of a high molecular weight bound phosphate and an increase of sialic acid in the differentiated types of cartilage.", "PMID": 617303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2138", "title": "Definition of congenital malformations and detection of associations with maternal factors.", "content": "Data collected from a cohort of 2913 pregnancies were analyzed to determine whether the varying definitions of congenital malformations influence the statistical result in the search for possible etiological factors. According to three different definitions of congenital malformations, three study groups were formed, i.e. structural malformations, all congenital defects, and all disorders or abnormalities with possible prenatal etiology. These consisted of 93, 197 and 334 cases, respectively. The control group consisted of 2579 cases. Positive associations were noted between the study groups and some factors concerning pregnancy, and the social history of the parents. The associations were strongest in the group of structural malformations and became weaker when this group was 'diluted' by other defects with questionable prenatal origin. Hence, when comparisons for evaluating the causality of significant associations in different materials are made, the definition of the concept of congenital malformations should be taken into consideration.", "contents": "Definition of congenital malformations and detection of associations with maternal factors. Data collected from a cohort of 2913 pregnancies were analyzed to determine whether the varying definitions of congenital malformations influence the statistical result in the search for possible etiological factors. According to three different definitions of congenital malformations, three study groups were formed, i.e. structural malformations, all congenital defects, and all disorders or abnormalities with possible prenatal etiology. These consisted of 93, 197 and 334 cases, respectively. The control group consisted of 2579 cases. Positive associations were noted between the study groups and some factors concerning pregnancy, and the social history of the parents. The associations were strongest in the group of structural malformations and became weaker when this group was 'diluted' by other defects with questionable prenatal origin. Hence, when comparisons for evaluating the causality of significant associations in different materials are made, the definition of the concept of congenital malformations should be taken into consideration.", "PMID": 617304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2139", "title": "IgG deficiency in association with placental oedema.", "content": "Deficiency of the immunoglobulin C (IgG) in the human newborn is rare in the absence of maternal hypogammaglobulinaemia. Low concentrations of IgG in cord blood were found in 3 conditions--the donor twin in the fetofetal transfusion syndrome, hydrops fetalis and congenital hepatic disease. These were all associated with placental oedema. It is suggested that the oedema may be responsible for a disturbance in maternofetal placental transfer.", "contents": "IgG deficiency in association with placental oedema. Deficiency of the immunoglobulin C (IgG) in the human newborn is rare in the absence of maternal hypogammaglobulinaemia. Low concentrations of IgG in cord blood were found in 3 conditions--the donor twin in the fetofetal transfusion syndrome, hydrops fetalis and congenital hepatic disease. These were all associated with placental oedema. It is suggested that the oedema may be responsible for a disturbance in maternofetal placental transfer.", "PMID": 617305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2140", "title": "Head circumference as an index of brain weight in the fetus and newborn.", "content": "Postmortem brain weight and head circumference were measured in 485 fetuses and newborn infants. A cubic relationship was demonstrated between these two variables in normal infants. Statistically, a significantly larger brain weight for a given head circumference was found in small-for-gestational-age infants.", "contents": "Head circumference as an index of brain weight in the fetus and newborn. Postmortem brain weight and head circumference were measured in 485 fetuses and newborn infants. A cubic relationship was demonstrated between these two variables in normal infants. Statistically, a significantly larger brain weight for a given head circumference was found in small-for-gestational-age infants.", "PMID": 617306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2141", "title": "A comparative study of two developmental scales: the Bayley and the Griffiths.", "content": "50 high-risk infants consecutively selected from the population of a Neonatal Follow-up Clinic were tested using both the Bayley and the Griffiths Scales on the same day by the same psychologist without prior knowledge of the medical history. The mean age at testing was 13.1 mth with a range of 12--15 mth. Scores obtained from the Griffiths Scale were consistently higher than those obtained from either of the Bayley Scales (P less than 0.001). Intercorrelations between the Griffiths and the Bayley test were high at pH 0.01. These results suggest that, although the two tests may be used interchangeably, their numerical scores are not equivalent when administered at this age.", "contents": "A comparative study of two developmental scales: the Bayley and the Griffiths. 50 high-risk infants consecutively selected from the population of a Neonatal Follow-up Clinic were tested using both the Bayley and the Griffiths Scales on the same day by the same psychologist without prior knowledge of the medical history. The mean age at testing was 13.1 mth with a range of 12--15 mth. Scores obtained from the Griffiths Scale were consistently higher than those obtained from either of the Bayley Scales (P less than 0.001). Intercorrelations between the Griffiths and the Bayley test were high at pH 0.01. These results suggest that, although the two tests may be used interchangeably, their numerical scores are not equivalent when administered at this age.", "PMID": 617307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2142", "title": "The narcotic-dependent mother: fetal and neonatal consequences.", "content": "During the years 1971--1974, 230 infants born to drug-dependent women and 33 infants born to ex-addicts were studied. Heroin abuse declined while methadone usage increased during those years. Compared to heroin abuse, methadone maintenance treatment during pregnancy was associated with more consistent prenatal care, more normal fetal growth and reduced fetal mortality. Meconium staining of amniotic fluid was increased in the heroin and heroin-methadone groups; this was not associated, however, with an increase in meconium aspiration or a reduction in Apgar scores. Of special note was the equally severe intrauterine growth retardation of infants of former heroin addicts who were free of narcotic use during pregnancy. Neonatal withdrawal from methadone appeared to be more severe than from heroin, as judged by amount of medication required to control symptoms and duration of treatment. In all groups, central nervous system signs were the most common manifestations of withdrawal. Severity of withdrawal did not correlate with late pregnancy maternal methadone dosage. Neonatal seizures occurred in 1.5% of the heroin group and 10% of the methadone group. Discharge of an infant to a parent rather than to an alternate care-taker was more likely if the mother was enrolled in a methadone treatment program. Methadone maintenance programs appear to offer significant therapeutic benefits, balancing the untoward effects of the drug on the newborn infant.", "contents": "The narcotic-dependent mother: fetal and neonatal consequences. During the years 1971--1974, 230 infants born to drug-dependent women and 33 infants born to ex-addicts were studied. Heroin abuse declined while methadone usage increased during those years. Compared to heroin abuse, methadone maintenance treatment during pregnancy was associated with more consistent prenatal care, more normal fetal growth and reduced fetal mortality. Meconium staining of amniotic fluid was increased in the heroin and heroin-methadone groups; this was not associated, however, with an increase in meconium aspiration or a reduction in Apgar scores. Of special note was the equally severe intrauterine growth retardation of infants of former heroin addicts who were free of narcotic use during pregnancy. Neonatal withdrawal from methadone appeared to be more severe than from heroin, as judged by amount of medication required to control symptoms and duration of treatment. In all groups, central nervous system signs were the most common manifestations of withdrawal. Severity of withdrawal did not correlate with late pregnancy maternal methadone dosage. Neonatal seizures occurred in 1.5% of the heroin group and 10% of the methadone group. Discharge of an infant to a parent rather than to an alternate care-taker was more likely if the mother was enrolled in a methadone treatment program. Methadone maintenance programs appear to offer significant therapeutic benefits, balancing the untoward effects of the drug on the newborn infant.", "PMID": 617308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2143", "title": "Computerized transverse axial tomography in the newborn.", "content": "7 babies, aged 6 days--8 wk, who presented with abnormal neurological signs during the first days of life were investigated by computerized transverse axial tomography. 3 babies had suffered perinatal asphyxia. Only 1 baby required a general anaesthetic to facilitate the investigation. Structural intracranial lesions were seen in 6 babies and comprised hydranencephaly, cerebral agenesis with grossly dilated lateral ventricles, unilateral cerebral oedema, subarachnoid cyst of localized cerebral atrophy.", "contents": "Computerized transverse axial tomography in the newborn. 7 babies, aged 6 days--8 wk, who presented with abnormal neurological signs during the first days of life were investigated by computerized transverse axial tomography. 3 babies had suffered perinatal asphyxia. Only 1 baby required a general anaesthetic to facilitate the investigation. Structural intracranial lesions were seen in 6 babies and comprised hydranencephaly, cerebral agenesis with grossly dilated lateral ventricles, unilateral cerebral oedema, subarachnoid cyst of localized cerebral atrophy.", "PMID": 617309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2144", "title": "Neck extensor hypertonia: a clinical sign of insult to the central nervous system of the newborn.", "content": "Abnormal hypertonia of the neck extensor muscles in newborns may be appreciated by observing spontaneous posture, evaluating resistance to repeated passive flexion of the head, and eliciting the head straightening reflexes. This sign correlates well with other signs of insult to the central nervous system. Of 1743 newborns over 37 wk gestational age, 17 appeared to have signs of cerebral insult according to the classical criteria of abnormal state of consciousness, tone, and reflexes. Of these 17, 12 (70%) had neck extensor hypertonia. 38 newborns appeared to have mild signs of cerebral insult with abnormalities of tone and excitability. Of these 38, 14 (37%) had neck extensor hypertonia. Only 12 (0.7%) of 1655 newborns with otherwise normal neurological examination had neck extensor hypertonia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the prognostic value of neck extensor hypertonia in the neonatal period.", "contents": "Neck extensor hypertonia: a clinical sign of insult to the central nervous system of the newborn. Abnormal hypertonia of the neck extensor muscles in newborns may be appreciated by observing spontaneous posture, evaluating resistance to repeated passive flexion of the head, and eliciting the head straightening reflexes. This sign correlates well with other signs of insult to the central nervous system. Of 1743 newborns over 37 wk gestational age, 17 appeared to have signs of cerebral insult according to the classical criteria of abnormal state of consciousness, tone, and reflexes. Of these 17, 12 (70%) had neck extensor hypertonia. 38 newborns appeared to have mild signs of cerebral insult with abnormalities of tone and excitability. Of these 38, 14 (37%) had neck extensor hypertonia. Only 12 (0.7%) of 1655 newborns with otherwise normal neurological examination had neck extensor hypertonia. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the prognostic value of neck extensor hypertonia in the neonatal period.", "PMID": 617310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2145", "title": "Glucose disappearance in infants of diabetic mothers. I. Relationship to maternal glucose tolerance and insulin production.", "content": "Glucose disappearance and insulin response were determined in mother--infant pairs of normal, gestational diabetic and diabetic pregnancies following an intravenous glucose load. Mothers were studied in the third trimester of pregnancy and at least 6 wk postpartum. Significant differences were present in glucose disappearance and insulin response in both gestational diabetic and diabetic mothers during pregnancy compared with the control group. Infants were studied within 4 h of birth while fasting, and glucose and insulin levels followed through the first 3 days of life. Neonatal hypoglycemia did not occur and glucose disappearance (KT) was not different among the three groups. There was no correlation between maternal glucose tolerance or insulin production and that of their infants. The only distinguishing factor among the infants was higher insulin production in infants of diabetic mothers during the 60-min intravenous glucose tolerance test which persisted up to 4 h following the infusion. It is concluded that factors other than the degree of maternal glucose tolerance are responsible for the development of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers, most notably control of maternal diabetes, the amount of glucose infused immediately before delivery and neonatal glucose production.", "contents": "Glucose disappearance in infants of diabetic mothers. I. Relationship to maternal glucose tolerance and insulin production. Glucose disappearance and insulin response were determined in mother--infant pairs of normal, gestational diabetic and diabetic pregnancies following an intravenous glucose load. Mothers were studied in the third trimester of pregnancy and at least 6 wk postpartum. Significant differences were present in glucose disappearance and insulin response in both gestational diabetic and diabetic mothers during pregnancy compared with the control group. Infants were studied within 4 h of birth while fasting, and glucose and insulin levels followed through the first 3 days of life. Neonatal hypoglycemia did not occur and glucose disappearance (KT) was not different among the three groups. There was no correlation between maternal glucose tolerance or insulin production and that of their infants. The only distinguishing factor among the infants was higher insulin production in infants of diabetic mothers during the 60-min intravenous glucose tolerance test which persisted up to 4 h following the infusion. It is concluded that factors other than the degree of maternal glucose tolerance are responsible for the development of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers, most notably control of maternal diabetes, the amount of glucose infused immediately before delivery and neonatal glucose production.", "PMID": 617312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2146", "title": "Glucose disappearance in infants of diabetic mothers. II. Relationship to lowest neonatal blood glucose and amniotic fluid insulin.", "content": "Neonatal glucose disappearance (KT) was measured in 26 infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers within the first 2 h of life. A significant correlation was found between the KT and the lowest blood glucose (LBG) in the first day of life (r = 0.64, P less than 0.001). None of 21 infants developed a LBG less than 20 mg/dl when the KT was less than 3.0%/min in contrast to 4 of 5 whose KT was greater than 3.0%/min (P less than 0.001). Amniotic fluid (AF) glucose and insulin were determined in 42 samples from 18 of these patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a significant correlation between AF insulin values and the neonatal KT (R = 0.76, P less than 0.001). The correlation was higher when only amniotic fluid values obtained on the day of delivery were considered (n = 17, r = 0.90, P less than 0.001). 1 of 13 infants developed a LBG less than 20 mg/dl when the amniotic fluid insulin was less than 100 mu U/ml on the day of delivery in contrast to 3 of 4 whose AF insulin was greater than 100 mu U/ml (P less than 0.001). No correlation of AF glucose was found with infants' KT or LBG. These data suggest that both neonatal KT and AF insulin are of value for predicting neonatal hypoglycemia and detecting infants who will require treatment for its prevention.", "contents": "Glucose disappearance in infants of diabetic mothers. II. Relationship to lowest neonatal blood glucose and amniotic fluid insulin. Neonatal glucose disappearance (KT) was measured in 26 infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers within the first 2 h of life. A significant correlation was found between the KT and the lowest blood glucose (LBG) in the first day of life (r = 0.64, P less than 0.001). None of 21 infants developed a LBG less than 20 mg/dl when the KT was less than 3.0%/min in contrast to 4 of 5 whose KT was greater than 3.0%/min (P less than 0.001). Amniotic fluid (AF) glucose and insulin were determined in 42 samples from 18 of these patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a significant correlation between AF insulin values and the neonatal KT (R = 0.76, P less than 0.001). The correlation was higher when only amniotic fluid values obtained on the day of delivery were considered (n = 17, r = 0.90, P less than 0.001). 1 of 13 infants developed a LBG less than 20 mg/dl when the amniotic fluid insulin was less than 100 mu U/ml on the day of delivery in contrast to 3 of 4 whose AF insulin was greater than 100 mu U/ml (P less than 0.001). No correlation of AF glucose was found with infants' KT or LBG. These data suggest that both neonatal KT and AF insulin are of value for predicting neonatal hypoglycemia and detecting infants who will require treatment for its prevention.", "PMID": 617313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2147", "title": "Respiratory muscle EMG in newborns: a non-intrusive method.", "content": "A non-intrusive method of recording the EMG of respiratory muscles with electronic suppression of the ECG artifact and averaging with a running window was employed in newborn infants at term to study respiratory patterns in different behavioural states. There are clear state-related differences in the diphragmatic and intercostal activity patterns. During most of the time in state 1 (quiet sleep) sustained tonic activity is found in the diaphragm as well as in intercostal muscles, but is virtually absent during state 2 (active sleep). During state 1 intercostal activity slightly precedes diaphragmatic activity whereas in state 2 both muscles contract about synchronously and vary widely in their amplitude. During periodic breathing the inspiratory EMG activity is absent in the pauses, but tonic activity may be present during periodic breathing in state 1. Isolated respiratory pauses with silence in the respiratory muscles occur in state 1 after sighs and starties with deep inspirations. During state 2 many respiratory pauses accompany gross movements and simultaneous laryngeal muscle activity suggests upper airway occlusion. Respiratory pauses without movements cannot be due to general alpha-motoneuron inhibition, because chin muscle activity may be seen at the same time. Gross movements often act as a reset mechanism for increase or decrease in tonic activity and phasic respiratory activity. Some speculations on the neural mechanisms of respiratory control based on the preliminary findings from the EMG recordings are mentioned.", "contents": "Respiratory muscle EMG in newborns: a non-intrusive method. A non-intrusive method of recording the EMG of respiratory muscles with electronic suppression of the ECG artifact and averaging with a running window was employed in newborn infants at term to study respiratory patterns in different behavioural states. There are clear state-related differences in the diphragmatic and intercostal activity patterns. During most of the time in state 1 (quiet sleep) sustained tonic activity is found in the diaphragm as well as in intercostal muscles, but is virtually absent during state 2 (active sleep). During state 1 intercostal activity slightly precedes diaphragmatic activity whereas in state 2 both muscles contract about synchronously and vary widely in their amplitude. During periodic breathing the inspiratory EMG activity is absent in the pauses, but tonic activity may be present during periodic breathing in state 1. Isolated respiratory pauses with silence in the respiratory muscles occur in state 1 after sighs and starties with deep inspirations. During state 2 many respiratory pauses accompany gross movements and simultaneous laryngeal muscle activity suggests upper airway occlusion. Respiratory pauses without movements cannot be due to general alpha-motoneuron inhibition, because chin muscle activity may be seen at the same time. Gross movements often act as a reset mechanism for increase or decrease in tonic activity and phasic respiratory activity. Some speculations on the neural mechanisms of respiratory control based on the preliminary findings from the EMG recordings are mentioned.", "PMID": 617314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2148", "title": "The functional growth and development of the lung during the first year of life.", "content": "In this article much of the available data on lung volumes and mechanics in normal infants is assessed and summarized, and growth charts for the various parameters of lung function during the first year of life are presented. There is considerable evidence to show that lung development proceeds in a highly organized manner, and that strong linear relationships exist between lung volume and body size, between dynamic compliance and lung volume, and between airway conductance (the reciprocal of airway resistance) and lung volume. However, the latter relationship is affected both by the race and postconceptional age of the infant. Specific Airway conductance is higher during infancy than at any other time during life, and this gives the newborn infant certain advantages with which to counterbalance both the small size of his lungs and the fact that he is an obligatory nose breather.", "contents": "The functional growth and development of the lung during the first year of life. In this article much of the available data on lung volumes and mechanics in normal infants is assessed and summarized, and growth charts for the various parameters of lung function during the first year of life are presented. There is considerable evidence to show that lung development proceeds in a highly organized manner, and that strong linear relationships exist between lung volume and body size, between dynamic compliance and lung volume, and between airway conductance (the reciprocal of airway resistance) and lung volume. However, the latter relationship is affected both by the race and postconceptional age of the infant. Specific Airway conductance is higher during infancy than at any other time during life, and this gives the newborn infant certain advantages with which to counterbalance both the small size of his lungs and the fact that he is an obligatory nose breather.", "PMID": 617315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2149", "title": "Pregnancy after jejuno-ileal bypass.", "content": "The clinical details of two patients who have conceived after jejuno-ileal bypass for gross refractory obesity are presented. One was a twin pregnancy which yielded a stillborn and a normal baby. The other yielded a normal baby. The management of pregnancy in patients with small bowel bypass is discussed.", "contents": "Pregnancy after jejuno-ileal bypass. The clinical details of two patients who have conceived after jejuno-ileal bypass for gross refractory obesity are presented. One was a twin pregnancy which yielded a stillborn and a normal baby. The other yielded a normal baby. The management of pregnancy in patients with small bowel bypass is discussed.", "PMID": 617325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2150", "title": "The free diet: 150 cases personally followed-up after 10 to 18 years.", "content": "One-hundred-and-fifty overweight patients, who were given advice about losing weight during a period of eight years in a suburban general practice of 2000 individuals in the British National Health Service, have been followed up for a minimum of 10 years. Treatment consisting of attempting to modify the individual's eating habits by means of a free diet low in carbohydrate and moderate in fat has resulted in some measure of success in about three-quarters of the individuals and almost one half (48 per cent) maintained significant weight loss at the end of the period. Frequent consultations and the judicious exhibition of anorectic drugs have both played a part in producing these results.", "contents": "The free diet: 150 cases personally followed-up after 10 to 18 years. One-hundred-and-fifty overweight patients, who were given advice about losing weight during a period of eight years in a suburban general practice of 2000 individuals in the British National Health Service, have been followed up for a minimum of 10 years. Treatment consisting of attempting to modify the individual's eating habits by means of a free diet low in carbohydrate and moderate in fat has resulted in some measure of success in about three-quarters of the individuals and almost one half (48 per cent) maintained significant weight loss at the end of the period. Frequent consultations and the judicious exhibition of anorectic drugs have both played a part in producing these results.", "PMID": 617326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2151", "title": "Attitudes of adolescents to their body build and the problem of juvenile obesity.", "content": "Prevalence of obesity, attitude to body weight and dimensions, eating habits, opinions on good nutrition and on the causes and prevention of obesity were studied in two groups of Israeli children, each comprising about 500 boys and girls, 13--14 years old. Mean relative weight was close to median weight for height, although 9 per cent of both boys and girls weighed more than 120 per cent of median weight. Weight was closely related to triceps skinfold thickness. Twenty-six per cent of the boys and 15 per cent of the girls rated themselves as thin, 61 per cent of children of both sexes as medium, and 13 per cent of the boys and 25 per cent of the girls as obese. Self-perception of body build was more closely related to weight than to skinfold thickness. Two-thirds of the boys and over one-half of the girls were satisfied with their weight, but dissatisfaction with size and shape was often expressed. Boys wished to have larger muscles and chest circumference and many girls, even when not obese, wanted to be smaller in size and shape. Most of the obese children wanted to lose weight. Of 499 children examined, 16 boys (7 per cent of the sample) and 58 (21 per cent) girls reported for dietary therapy. While most of these children were obese, by either subjective or objective criteria, an appreciable number of nonobese children were also dieting. The children's own perception of their body build seemed to be a strong motivation to diet for weight control. Most of the dieters did not receive any dietary advice from professional people. Over two-thirds of both boys and girls believed that daily consumption of milk, bread, fruits, eggs, cheese, meat, and tomatoes is desirable. More overweight than thin and normal-weight children indicated that, to prevent obesity, all kinds of food are permissible, but only in limited amounts. Most children believed in the fattening value of cakes, sweets, fried and fatty foods, potatoes, bread and nuts. Overweight children, particularly girls, reported eating less bread, cake and cream, adding less sugar to beverages, and eating sweets and ice cream less frequently than thin and normal-weight children. Overweight teen-agers appear to be more conscious of their food intake than under- and normal-weight children.", "contents": "Attitudes of adolescents to their body build and the problem of juvenile obesity. Prevalence of obesity, attitude to body weight and dimensions, eating habits, opinions on good nutrition and on the causes and prevention of obesity were studied in two groups of Israeli children, each comprising about 500 boys and girls, 13--14 years old. Mean relative weight was close to median weight for height, although 9 per cent of both boys and girls weighed more than 120 per cent of median weight. Weight was closely related to triceps skinfold thickness. Twenty-six per cent of the boys and 15 per cent of the girls rated themselves as thin, 61 per cent of children of both sexes as medium, and 13 per cent of the boys and 25 per cent of the girls as obese. Self-perception of body build was more closely related to weight than to skinfold thickness. Two-thirds of the boys and over one-half of the girls were satisfied with their weight, but dissatisfaction with size and shape was often expressed. Boys wished to have larger muscles and chest circumference and many girls, even when not obese, wanted to be smaller in size and shape. Most of the obese children wanted to lose weight. Of 499 children examined, 16 boys (7 per cent of the sample) and 58 (21 per cent) girls reported for dietary therapy. While most of these children were obese, by either subjective or objective criteria, an appreciable number of nonobese children were also dieting. The children's own perception of their body build seemed to be a strong motivation to diet for weight control. Most of the dieters did not receive any dietary advice from professional people. Over two-thirds of both boys and girls believed that daily consumption of milk, bread, fruits, eggs, cheese, meat, and tomatoes is desirable. More overweight than thin and normal-weight children indicated that, to prevent obesity, all kinds of food are permissible, but only in limited amounts. Most children believed in the fattening value of cakes, sweets, fried and fatty foods, potatoes, bread and nuts. Overweight children, particularly girls, reported eating less bread, cake and cream, adding less sugar to beverages, and eating sweets and ice cream less frequently than thin and normal-weight children. Overweight teen-agers appear to be more conscious of their food intake than under- and normal-weight children.", "PMID": 617327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2152", "title": "The consequences of early overnutrition for fat cell size and number: the pig as an experimental model for human obesity.", "content": "(1) The objectives of these studies were: (a) to determine the period during which fat cells were being formed in different fat depots in the pig; (b) to discover whether total fat cell number could be affected by overfeeding from weaning or later in life, and (c) to examine the domestic pig as a model for human obesity studies especially as to the influence of the energy intake at different stages in life on fat cell size and number. (2) Pigs were weaned at six weeks of age and allocated to one of four diets. Group H was fed to appetite on a high carbohydrate diet and became extremely obese. Group L was fed at half the energy intake of group H; these animals grew steadily but deposited little adipose tissue. Group L-H was fed as group L for 40 weeks and then as group H for the rest of the experiment, while group H-L was fed as group H for 40 weeks and then placed on a very restricted (\"slimming\") diet for the remainder of the experiment. (3) The volume of fat cells in group H was about four-fold greater than in group L at the end of the experiment. Cell volume increased rapidly when group L was fattened after 40 weeks and could be reduced significantly, albeit slowly, when group H was \"slimmed\". (4) There was a significant increase in the apparent number of fat cells in the depots of overfed pigs that did not diminish when the animals were \"slimmed\". However, in restricted pigs subsequently fattened, there was an apparent steady increase in fat cell number that eventually reached the same figure as in pigs overfed from weaning. (5) The standard methodology is inadequate to make broad generalizations about the influence of diet on cellularity. First, the development of fat cell size and number follows different time scales in different depots. It is essential to monitor several sites before attempting to estimate cell number. Secondly, since cells with diameters less than about 15 micrometer are not detected, \"empty\" cells, containing no fat, may be present from birth: subsequently they may be filled when energy intake is appropriate so that later they become visible, and are recorded as fat cells. In these cases there will be an \"apparent\" but not a real increase in cell number.", "contents": "The consequences of early overnutrition for fat cell size and number: the pig as an experimental model for human obesity. (1) The objectives of these studies were: (a) to determine the period during which fat cells were being formed in different fat depots in the pig; (b) to discover whether total fat cell number could be affected by overfeeding from weaning or later in life, and (c) to examine the domestic pig as a model for human obesity studies especially as to the influence of the energy intake at different stages in life on fat cell size and number. (2) Pigs were weaned at six weeks of age and allocated to one of four diets. Group H was fed to appetite on a high carbohydrate diet and became extremely obese. Group L was fed at half the energy intake of group H; these animals grew steadily but deposited little adipose tissue. Group L-H was fed as group L for 40 weeks and then as group H for the rest of the experiment, while group H-L was fed as group H for 40 weeks and then placed on a very restricted (\"slimming\") diet for the remainder of the experiment. (3) The volume of fat cells in group H was about four-fold greater than in group L at the end of the experiment. Cell volume increased rapidly when group L was fattened after 40 weeks and could be reduced significantly, albeit slowly, when group H was \"slimmed\". (4) There was a significant increase in the apparent number of fat cells in the depots of overfed pigs that did not diminish when the animals were \"slimmed\". However, in restricted pigs subsequently fattened, there was an apparent steady increase in fat cell number that eventually reached the same figure as in pigs overfed from weaning. (5) The standard methodology is inadequate to make broad generalizations about the influence of diet on cellularity. First, the development of fat cell size and number follows different time scales in different depots. It is essential to monitor several sites before attempting to estimate cell number. Secondly, since cells with diameters less than about 15 micrometer are not detected, \"empty\" cells, containing no fat, may be present from birth: subsequently they may be filled when energy intake is appropriate so that later they become visible, and are recorded as fat cells. In these cases there will be an \"apparent\" but not a real increase in cell number.", "PMID": 617328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2153", "title": "Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in relation to ponderal index and age in two contrasting populations.", "content": "One hundred and seventy six mentally retarded adult patients had their serum cholesterol, triglycerides and ponderal index determined during a seven week period and compared with those of a normal group of business executives being routinely screened by the same laboratory. A comparison of cholesterol and triglyceride levels showed those of the former group to be significantly lower, as dealt with in a previous paper by Lawlor, O'Hara and Birtwistle (1974). The values in mentally subnormal males showed no correlations with ponderal index, whereas the normal males showed highly significant correlations throughout. Both the normal and subnormal females showed highly significant correlations of cholesterol with triglyceride levels, and of age with cholesterol concentration, but not of ponderal index with either cholesterol or triglyceride levels.", "contents": "Serum cholesterol and triglycerides in relation to ponderal index and age in two contrasting populations. One hundred and seventy six mentally retarded adult patients had their serum cholesterol, triglycerides and ponderal index determined during a seven week period and compared with those of a normal group of business executives being routinely screened by the same laboratory. A comparison of cholesterol and triglyceride levels showed those of the former group to be significantly lower, as dealt with in a previous paper by Lawlor, O'Hara and Birtwistle (1974). The values in mentally subnormal males showed no correlations with ponderal index, whereas the normal males showed highly significant correlations throughout. Both the normal and subnormal females showed highly significant correlations of cholesterol with triglyceride levels, and of age with cholesterol concentration, but not of ponderal index with either cholesterol or triglyceride levels.", "PMID": 617329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2154", "title": "Transient insulin increase in reactive hypoglycemia in obese and non-obese subjects.", "content": "(1). Insulin levels at the moment of glucose-induced reactive hypoglycemia have been compared with zero-hour insulin levels in 108 subjects in whom the blood glucose had decreased to 50 mg percent or less (50 to 31 mg) at the third, fourth, or fifth hour in the course of an oral glucose tolerance test (1.75 g/kg of body weight). (2). Of the 47 obese subjects, insulin levels at the time of the reactive hypoglycemia were inappropriately high, ie exceeded the fasting insulin level by 20 uU/ml or more in 38 percent and by 40 microunits/ml or higher in 26 percent of the tests. (3). In 61 non-obese subjects, employing the same criteria, inappropriately high insulinemia at the time of reactive hypoglycemia was recorded with about the same frequency. (4). In each instance of reactive hypoglycemia of 50 mg percent or less with concomitant insulin levels above the starting value to the degree stipulated, the so-termed inappropriate hyperinsulinemia was transient. In other words, judging by levels preceding and/or following the reactive hypoglycemia, insulin titers were decreasing and hence, the inappropriately high insulin level at the moment of hypoglycemia represented a lag phenomenon. (5). The above data suggest that insulin levels elevated above the starting value may play a role in reactive hypoglycemia. In subjects with insulin levels at the time of reactive hypoglycemia equal to or below the starting value, the low blood glucose level cannot be attributed to insulin. In such instances, delay or lag in hepatic glucose output and/or counter-regulatory responses probably play the dominant or sole role in the reactive hypoglycemia.", "contents": "Transient insulin increase in reactive hypoglycemia in obese and non-obese subjects. (1). Insulin levels at the moment of glucose-induced reactive hypoglycemia have been compared with zero-hour insulin levels in 108 subjects in whom the blood glucose had decreased to 50 mg percent or less (50 to 31 mg) at the third, fourth, or fifth hour in the course of an oral glucose tolerance test (1.75 g/kg of body weight). (2). Of the 47 obese subjects, insulin levels at the time of the reactive hypoglycemia were inappropriately high, ie exceeded the fasting insulin level by 20 uU/ml or more in 38 percent and by 40 microunits/ml or higher in 26 percent of the tests. (3). In 61 non-obese subjects, employing the same criteria, inappropriately high insulinemia at the time of reactive hypoglycemia was recorded with about the same frequency. (4). In each instance of reactive hypoglycemia of 50 mg percent or less with concomitant insulin levels above the starting value to the degree stipulated, the so-termed inappropriate hyperinsulinemia was transient. In other words, judging by levels preceding and/or following the reactive hypoglycemia, insulin titers were decreasing and hence, the inappropriately high insulin level at the moment of hypoglycemia represented a lag phenomenon. (5). The above data suggest that insulin levels elevated above the starting value may play a role in reactive hypoglycemia. In subjects with insulin levels at the time of reactive hypoglycemia equal to or below the starting value, the low blood glucose level cannot be attributed to insulin. In such instances, delay or lag in hepatic glucose output and/or counter-regulatory responses probably play the dominant or sole role in the reactive hypoglycemia.", "PMID": 617330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2155", "title": "Epidemiological aspects and social importance of obesity. The situation in Italy compared with other developed countries.", "content": "Epidemiological aspects of obesity have been the object of few studies in Italy, and the results of these are reviewed and compared with those obtained in other developed countries. The prevalence of obesity has been investigated in pre-school and school-age children, in young conscripts and in workers at the Riuniti Hospital in Parma, and the results show that the problem of obesity in Italy is a serious one. More than 2000 obese subjects, attending the First Medical Clinic of Parma University, have been studied to establish how far overweight is responsible for pathological and disabling complications. Obesity was implicated as a major contributing factor in diabeties, atherosclerosis, hypertension, arthritis and many other disabling diseases. The social aspects of the problems of obesity are discussed, together with possible preventive and curative measures.", "contents": "Epidemiological aspects and social importance of obesity. The situation in Italy compared with other developed countries. Epidemiological aspects of obesity have been the object of few studies in Italy, and the results of these are reviewed and compared with those obtained in other developed countries. The prevalence of obesity has been investigated in pre-school and school-age children, in young conscripts and in workers at the Riuniti Hospital in Parma, and the results show that the problem of obesity in Italy is a serious one. More than 2000 obese subjects, attending the First Medical Clinic of Parma University, have been studied to establish how far overweight is responsible for pathological and disabling complications. Obesity was implicated as a major contributing factor in diabeties, atherosclerosis, hypertension, arthritis and many other disabling diseases. The social aspects of the problems of obesity are discussed, together with possible preventive and curative measures.", "PMID": 617331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2156", "title": "Cardiovascular risk factors in gross obesity.", "content": "In 500 obese patients (146 men, mean age 37 +/- 13 years, Broca index 147 +/- 24; 354 women, mean age 36 +/- 14 years, Broca index 151 +/- 28) cardiovascular risk factors (RF) were investigated. The most frequent RF was hypertension (71 per cent), followed by glucose intolerance (49 per cent), hypertriglyceridemia (31 per cent), hypercholesterolemia (22 per cent) and hyperuricemia (22 per cent). Only 12 per cent of the patients were without RF. These patients were younger and less obese than the patients with RF. The prevalence of RF increased with increasing age and overweight. Analysis revealed significant correlations between overweight and blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin and age. Significant correlations between age and hypertension, blood glucose cholesterol, triglycerides and overweight were detected. The correlation between overweight and the sum of all RF was higher (r = 0.35) than the one between age and the sum of all (r = 0.23). Obese patients had a high prevalence of RF. Increasing overweight and (to a lesser extent) age are both associated with increased prevalence of RF. On the basis of the prevalence of RF, patients with gross obesity (Broca index greater than around 150) were considered to be at a high risk in respect of coronary heart disease.", "contents": "Cardiovascular risk factors in gross obesity. In 500 obese patients (146 men, mean age 37 +/- 13 years, Broca index 147 +/- 24; 354 women, mean age 36 +/- 14 years, Broca index 151 +/- 28) cardiovascular risk factors (RF) were investigated. The most frequent RF was hypertension (71 per cent), followed by glucose intolerance (49 per cent), hypertriglyceridemia (31 per cent), hypercholesterolemia (22 per cent) and hyperuricemia (22 per cent). Only 12 per cent of the patients were without RF. These patients were younger and less obese than the patients with RF. The prevalence of RF increased with increasing age and overweight. Analysis revealed significant correlations between overweight and blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin and age. Significant correlations between age and hypertension, blood glucose cholesterol, triglycerides and overweight were detected. The correlation between overweight and the sum of all RF was higher (r = 0.35) than the one between age and the sum of all (r = 0.23). Obese patients had a high prevalence of RF. Increasing overweight and (to a lesser extent) age are both associated with increased prevalence of RF. On the basis of the prevalence of RF, patients with gross obesity (Broca index greater than around 150) were considered to be at a high risk in respect of coronary heart disease.", "PMID": 617333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2157", "title": "Some psychobiological aspects of adolescent growth and their relevance for the fat/thin syndrome (anorexia nervosa).", "content": "Adolescent attitudes to body shape and weight are radically different between the sexes. Females, within a very short time of crossing their pubertal \"threshold\", usually wish to minimise their shape and often construe themselves as \"fat\" when it is evident that they are not in fact obese. The majority attempt to \"diet\" and often succeed, at least intermittently, in substantially reducing the amount of carbohydrate in their daily food intake. This \"fatness\" of females has important biological and social functions, being closely related to sexual reproductive tasks and being also an important aspect of their appearance and \"attractiveness\". In contrast, males rarely have such concern about their shape unless they are massively obese or have major gender identity problems. Fatness in both sexes is also associated with growth rate, being greater in those who reach puberty early. Such \"puppy fat\" together with the commonplace adolescent female's attitude to her own shape are, in the face of adolescent psychosocial stress, contributory factors to the development of anorexia nervosa (the thin/fat syndrome) in many such women who would otherwise tend to obesity. The relevance of body weight and fatness for the pubertal \"threshold\" process and the mobilisation of this as a central mechanism within the disorder is discussed.", "contents": "Some psychobiological aspects of adolescent growth and their relevance for the fat/thin syndrome (anorexia nervosa). Adolescent attitudes to body shape and weight are radically different between the sexes. Females, within a very short time of crossing their pubertal \"threshold\", usually wish to minimise their shape and often construe themselves as \"fat\" when it is evident that they are not in fact obese. The majority attempt to \"diet\" and often succeed, at least intermittently, in substantially reducing the amount of carbohydrate in their daily food intake. This \"fatness\" of females has important biological and social functions, being closely related to sexual reproductive tasks and being also an important aspect of their appearance and \"attractiveness\". In contrast, males rarely have such concern about their shape unless they are massively obese or have major gender identity problems. Fatness in both sexes is also associated with growth rate, being greater in those who reach puberty early. Such \"puppy fat\" together with the commonplace adolescent female's attitude to her own shape are, in the face of adolescent psychosocial stress, contributory factors to the development of anorexia nervosa (the thin/fat syndrome) in many such women who would otherwise tend to obesity. The relevance of body weight and fatness for the pubertal \"threshold\" process and the mobilisation of this as a central mechanism within the disorder is discussed.", "PMID": 617334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2158", "title": "Anticipated rate of weight loss during dieting.", "content": "Two hundred and thirty-five females anxious to lose weight were asked to state their anticipated rate of weight loss each week or each month after the first few weeks of dieting. They were divided into four groups of 50 subjects, one group enrolling in a slimming club for the first time, one group already attending the same slimming organisation and two groups on first attendance at one of two hospital obesity clinics. The remaining group comprised 35 subjects re-enrolling in a slimming club. Only 27 per cent of those interviewed on their first attendance had a realistic concept of the anticipated rate of weight loss (AROWL) while 60 per cent of those re-enrolling and 90 per cent of those currently attending a slimming club were realistic in their expectations. The younger subjects were significantly more obese and the least realistic concepts of the AROWL were held by those subjects most in excess of their ideal weight. This study highlights the frequency with which unrealistic concepts of the AROWL are held and suggests the need to reinforce realistic concepts of weight loss in the obese.", "contents": "Anticipated rate of weight loss during dieting. Two hundred and thirty-five females anxious to lose weight were asked to state their anticipated rate of weight loss each week or each month after the first few weeks of dieting. They were divided into four groups of 50 subjects, one group enrolling in a slimming club for the first time, one group already attending the same slimming organisation and two groups on first attendance at one of two hospital obesity clinics. The remaining group comprised 35 subjects re-enrolling in a slimming club. Only 27 per cent of those interviewed on their first attendance had a realistic concept of the anticipated rate of weight loss (AROWL) while 60 per cent of those re-enrolling and 90 per cent of those currently attending a slimming club were realistic in their expectations. The younger subjects were significantly more obese and the least realistic concepts of the AROWL were held by those subjects most in excess of their ideal weight. This study highlights the frequency with which unrealistic concepts of the AROWL are held and suggests the need to reinforce realistic concepts of weight loss in the obese.", "PMID": 617335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2159", "title": "Effects of submaximal physical exercise on adipose tissue metabolism in man.", "content": "In order to follow early metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue, which may lead to a decrease in fat cell size and body fat obtained by physical training, two sets of experiments were performed. Obese subjects and a control group exercised on a bicycle at two-thirds of maximal working capacity for one hour. Twenty-four hours thereafter, either on ad libitum diet, or on an isocaloric diet supplemented with calories corresponding to the expanded calories during the work load, an adipose tissue biopsy was taken and fat cell metabolism studied. In obese subjects on and ad libitum or on an isocaloric diet the lipolytic process was increased after the exercise but no significant effects were found on the rates of glucose metabolism. Furthermore, a relationship between cell surface and metabolism was found before, but not after, the work in all groups. No changes were seen in lipoprotein lipase activity. Obese subjects on a controlled diet showed a somewhat higher insulin and catecholamine responsiveness of adipocytes than was the case in the obese subjects on an ad libitum diet. This may well be due to the differences in carbohydrate intake, a factor of importance for hormonal responsiveness of fat cells. The increased basal lipolysis after exercise may be caused by the release of lipolytic hormones, and may well be the first sign of an adaption of the organism to diminish the fat stores as seen in physically trained subjects.", "contents": "Effects of submaximal physical exercise on adipose tissue metabolism in man. In order to follow early metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue, which may lead to a decrease in fat cell size and body fat obtained by physical training, two sets of experiments were performed. Obese subjects and a control group exercised on a bicycle at two-thirds of maximal working capacity for one hour. Twenty-four hours thereafter, either on ad libitum diet, or on an isocaloric diet supplemented with calories corresponding to the expanded calories during the work load, an adipose tissue biopsy was taken and fat cell metabolism studied. In obese subjects on and ad libitum or on an isocaloric diet the lipolytic process was increased after the exercise but no significant effects were found on the rates of glucose metabolism. Furthermore, a relationship between cell surface and metabolism was found before, but not after, the work in all groups. No changes were seen in lipoprotein lipase activity. Obese subjects on a controlled diet showed a somewhat higher insulin and catecholamine responsiveness of adipocytes than was the case in the obese subjects on an ad libitum diet. This may well be due to the differences in carbohydrate intake, a factor of importance for hormonal responsiveness of fat cells. The increased basal lipolysis after exercise may be caused by the release of lipolytic hormones, and may well be the first sign of an adaption of the organism to diminish the fat stores as seen in physically trained subjects.", "PMID": 617337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2160", "title": "Effects of gonadectomy on hypothalamic obesity in male and female rats.", "content": "The effects of ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions on body weight, body composition, and food intake were examined in gonadally intact and gonadectomized adult rats of both sexes. The most striking finding was that, while gonadectomy only modestly augmented the weight gain following VMH lesions in females, castrated VMH males gained twice as much weight as gonadally intact VMH males. Furthermore, the weight gain of the castrated VMH males was comparable to that seen in VMH females. Thus, castration of males eliminates the sex difference in body weight gain that is ordinarily observed in gonadally intact animals following VMH lesions. The degree of weight gain in all VMH animals correlated highly with the amount of food eaten, and additional body weight of all VMH animals was accounted for by increased body fat.", "contents": "Effects of gonadectomy on hypothalamic obesity in male and female rats. The effects of ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions on body weight, body composition, and food intake were examined in gonadally intact and gonadectomized adult rats of both sexes. The most striking finding was that, while gonadectomy only modestly augmented the weight gain following VMH lesions in females, castrated VMH males gained twice as much weight as gonadally intact VMH males. Furthermore, the weight gain of the castrated VMH males was comparable to that seen in VMH females. Thus, castration of males eliminates the sex difference in body weight gain that is ordinarily observed in gonadally intact animals following VMH lesions. The degree of weight gain in all VMH animals correlated highly with the amount of food eaten, and additional body weight of all VMH animals was accounted for by increased body fat.", "PMID": 617338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2161", "title": "Immunoreative insulin in obesity of adult women.", "content": "The levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in 58 obese women and 14 controls were studied. The investigation revealed: (1) higher IRI levels in obese patients compared to controls, with a tendency to normalization after weight reduction (2) a correlation between IRI values and the degree of obesity, the amount of fat and lean body mass. The closest relation was found between stimulated IRI values and the Broca index (3) the ratio glucose/insulin was lower in the obese women before and after a glucose load. After a decrease of body weight by 11 per cent this ratio did not change significantly (4) a negative correlation between the glucose/insulin ratio and body weight, overweight, body fat and lean body mass.", "contents": "Immunoreative insulin in obesity of adult women. The levels of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) in 58 obese women and 14 controls were studied. The investigation revealed: (1) higher IRI levels in obese patients compared to controls, with a tendency to normalization after weight reduction (2) a correlation between IRI values and the degree of obesity, the amount of fat and lean body mass. The closest relation was found between stimulated IRI values and the Broca index (3) the ratio glucose/insulin was lower in the obese women before and after a glucose load. After a decrease of body weight by 11 per cent this ratio did not change significantly (4) a negative correlation between the glucose/insulin ratio and body weight, overweight, body fat and lean body mass.", "PMID": 617339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2162", "title": "Lipodystrophic diabetes treated with fenfluramine.", "content": "Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is considered to be a diencephalic syndrome with disturbance of hypothalamic transmitters. After puberty and arrest of growth the patients develop a serious untreatable diabetes mellitus. One of our patients, a girl 15 years of age, developed a lipodystrophic diabetes with fasting blood glucose levels above 300 mg/100 ml, increased serum insulin with insulin resistance, and hyperlipidaemia. Daily administration of fenfluramine gave a dramatic improvement. The voracious hunger and profuse perspiration were reduced, the patient's serum lipids became normal, her blood glucose fell, and her sensitivity to exogenous insulin increased. A normalization of the urinary excretion of the serotonin metabolite, 5-OH-indole acetic acid, was observed.", "contents": "Lipodystrophic diabetes treated with fenfluramine. Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is considered to be a diencephalic syndrome with disturbance of hypothalamic transmitters. After puberty and arrest of growth the patients develop a serious untreatable diabetes mellitus. One of our patients, a girl 15 years of age, developed a lipodystrophic diabetes with fasting blood glucose levels above 300 mg/100 ml, increased serum insulin with insulin resistance, and hyperlipidaemia. Daily administration of fenfluramine gave a dramatic improvement. The voracious hunger and profuse perspiration were reduced, the patient's serum lipids became normal, her blood glucose fell, and her sensitivity to exogenous insulin increased. A normalization of the urinary excretion of the serotonin metabolite, 5-OH-indole acetic acid, was observed.", "PMID": 617340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2163", "title": "Differential effects of amphetamine and fenfluramine on appetite for palatable food in humans.", "content": "Amphetamine (10 mg), but not fenfluramine (40 mg), suppressed appetite (ie salivation elicited by a palatable food) in ten subjects of normal weight one hour after ingestion. This result supports the hypothesis that the drugs operate through different neural mechanisms. Neither drug affected hunger and food appeal ratings.", "contents": "Differential effects of amphetamine and fenfluramine on appetite for palatable food in humans. Amphetamine (10 mg), but not fenfluramine (40 mg), suppressed appetite (ie salivation elicited by a palatable food) in ten subjects of normal weight one hour after ingestion. This result supports the hypothesis that the drugs operate through different neural mechanisms. Neither drug affected hunger and food appeal ratings.", "PMID": 617341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2164", "title": "Quality patient care through risk management.", "content": "These four areas in risk management are most often the cause of failure to eliminate patient risks. If these four major areas were incorporated into the medical student's curriculum or into the continuing educational upgrading of the physician, he would be developing risk control habits as well as knowledge that would allow him to practice quality medicine. He would also be able to enjoy the practice of medicine with less concern for malpractice reprisal and peer review. The ability to minimize the risk of medical care to the patient is an important responsibility of every physician. It is essential for the provision of quality medical care and for preventing or reducing an adversary relationship between the patient-public and the physician.", "contents": "Quality patient care through risk management. These four areas in risk management are most often the cause of failure to eliminate patient risks. If these four major areas were incorporated into the medical student's curriculum or into the continuing educational upgrading of the physician, he would be developing risk control habits as well as knowledge that would allow him to practice quality medicine. He would also be able to enjoy the practice of medicine with less concern for malpractice reprisal and peer review. The ability to minimize the risk of medical care to the patient is an important responsibility of every physician. It is essential for the provision of quality medical care and for preventing or reducing an adversary relationship between the patient-public and the physician.", "PMID": 617366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2165", "title": "Graphic analysis of forces acting upon a simplified model of the foot.", "content": "Application of a graphical technique to analyse internal forces on a simplified model of the foot in various external loading patterns. The method is applied when the external load is acting purely upon the forefoot, the hindfoot and on both locations. The pes planus situation and the effect of the \"rocker\" and inlay sole are studied.", "contents": "Graphic analysis of forces acting upon a simplified model of the foot. Application of a graphical technique to analyse internal forces on a simplified model of the foot in various external loading patterns. The method is applied when the external load is acting purely upon the forefoot, the hindfoot and on both locations. The pes planus situation and the effect of the \"rocker\" and inlay sole are studied.", "PMID": 617372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2166", "title": "Clinical correlates of neoplastic involvement of the eight cranial nerve in man.", "content": "This study of 25 cases of benign neoplastic involvement of the eighth nerve in man suggests: (1) Eighth nerve auditory dysfunction and minimal structural change in the internal auditory canal are the earliest reliable signs leading to tumor detection. (2) \"Early\" detection does not mean \"small\" tumor. (3) Schwannomas tend to grow more slowly in the elderly patient. (4) Compression and displacement of viable axons may be the primary pathophysiology of dysfunction.", "contents": "Clinical correlates of neoplastic involvement of the eight cranial nerve in man. This study of 25 cases of benign neoplastic involvement of the eighth nerve in man suggests: (1) Eighth nerve auditory dysfunction and minimal structural change in the internal auditory canal are the earliest reliable signs leading to tumor detection. (2) \"Early\" detection does not mean \"small\" tumor. (3) Schwannomas tend to grow more slowly in the elderly patient. (4) Compression and displacement of viable axons may be the primary pathophysiology of dysfunction.", "PMID": 617520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2167", "title": "[Quantitative and qualitative changes in the heart muscle of the left ventricle in male rats during development and maturation in the first 6 months of life].", "content": "In order to characterise the postnatal development and maturation of heart muscle cells the musculature of the left ventricle of male rats has been investigated electronmicroscopically at birth, at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day of life, as well as after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th month. On the basis of these investigations quantitative and qualitative data have been obtained. The development of the heart muscle cells is characterised by 2 processes. 1. Processes of synthesis and development - The ribosomes/polysomes which are to be found in great numbers are a characteristic of the synthesis of the myofilaments which plays an important role in the 1st phase of postnatal development. This synthesis of myofilaments takes place in the sarcoplasm by the formation of new individual myofilaments, in the interior and at the border of existing myofibrils, and at the level of the Z-lines. Mitochondria are developed in particular by the germination of small mitochondria the percentage of which amounts to about 16% at birth. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is developing in its longitudinal as well as transversal forms only during the 1st month. The disci intercalares, however, have been formed in the main already at birth. Cells are furthermore developing by mitotic processes during the first days. 2. Degradation processes - 2.1. The degradation is characterised by focal autophagocytotic processes in mitochondria concerning the cristae as well as the matrix and the outer membrane. During these processes autophagocytotic vacuoles are developing partly with myelin membranes. In addition, whole mitochondria are transformed into autophagocytotic vacuoles. Later on, mitochondria are also condensed and transformed into mitochondrial lipofuscin. 2.2. The autophagocytotic degradation of glycogen together with the sequestration and formation of vacuoles and myelin membranes are particularly striking. Lipofuscin, however, is to be observed in larger quantities only from the 4th month onwards. The investigations have shown that decisive phases of development can be determined: the day of birth, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th, and 14th day, as well as after the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month. This determination of the specific developmental phases of the heart muscle makes it possible to carry out investigations in a more economical and purposeful way.", "contents": "[Quantitative and qualitative changes in the heart muscle of the left ventricle in male rats during development and maturation in the first 6 months of life]. In order to characterise the postnatal development and maturation of heart muscle cells the musculature of the left ventricle of male rats has been investigated electronmicroscopically at birth, at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day of life, as well as after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th month. On the basis of these investigations quantitative and qualitative data have been obtained. The development of the heart muscle cells is characterised by 2 processes. 1. Processes of synthesis and development - The ribosomes/polysomes which are to be found in great numbers are a characteristic of the synthesis of the myofilaments which plays an important role in the 1st phase of postnatal development. This synthesis of myofilaments takes place in the sarcoplasm by the formation of new individual myofilaments, in the interior and at the border of existing myofibrils, and at the level of the Z-lines. Mitochondria are developed in particular by the germination of small mitochondria the percentage of which amounts to about 16% at birth. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is developing in its longitudinal as well as transversal forms only during the 1st month. The disci intercalares, however, have been formed in the main already at birth. Cells are furthermore developing by mitotic processes during the first days. 2. Degradation processes - 2.1. The degradation is characterised by focal autophagocytotic processes in mitochondria concerning the cristae as well as the matrix and the outer membrane. During these processes autophagocytotic vacuoles are developing partly with myelin membranes. In addition, whole mitochondria are transformed into autophagocytotic vacuoles. Later on, mitochondria are also condensed and transformed into mitochondrial lipofuscin. 2.2. The autophagocytotic degradation of glycogen together with the sequestration and formation of vacuoles and myelin membranes are particularly striking. Lipofuscin, however, is to be observed in larger quantities only from the 4th month onwards. The investigations have shown that decisive phases of development can be determined: the day of birth, the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th, and 14th day, as well as after the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month. This determination of the specific developmental phases of the heart muscle makes it possible to carry out investigations in a more economical and purposeful way.", "PMID": 617549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2168", "title": "[The external submucous plexus (Schabadasch) in the small intestine of the swine. I. Form, structure and connections of ganglia and nerve cells].", "content": "1. There are described principles of organization of the plexus submucous externus (Schabadasch) in the small intestine of the pig. They can be summarized under the term of polarization of nerve cells. 2. The principle of polarization is realized for instance by the formation of type I and type II cell aggregates and by the specific course of the processes of both cell types. 3. These criteria of organization which are much clearer in the pig than in other animals, recommend the plexus Schabadasch of the pig as a suitable model for further investigations.", "contents": "[The external submucous plexus (Schabadasch) in the small intestine of the swine. I. Form, structure and connections of ganglia and nerve cells]. 1. There are described principles of organization of the plexus submucous externus (Schabadasch) in the small intestine of the pig. They can be summarized under the term of polarization of nerve cells. 2. The principle of polarization is realized for instance by the formation of type I and type II cell aggregates and by the specific course of the processes of both cell types. 3. These criteria of organization which are much clearer in the pig than in other animals, recommend the plexus Schabadasch of the pig as a suitable model for further investigations.", "PMID": 617550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2169", "title": "The role of mast cells in the development of adrenergic innervation in the rat iris.", "content": "In the rat iris, during the development of the adrenergic ground plexus, intensely fluorescent mast cells, not observable after maturation of the same, could be revealed with the Falck technique. According to the electron microscopic investigations the mast cells are in close connection with the developing nerve fibres and Schwann cells in the early stage of postnatal life. On the basis of signs suggesting degranulation it is concluded that the mast cells can play a role in the regulation of the development of innervation by means of substances released from their granules.", "contents": "The role of mast cells in the development of adrenergic innervation in the rat iris. In the rat iris, during the development of the adrenergic ground plexus, intensely fluorescent mast cells, not observable after maturation of the same, could be revealed with the Falck technique. According to the electron microscopic investigations the mast cells are in close connection with the developing nerve fibres and Schwann cells in the early stage of postnatal life. On the basis of signs suggesting degranulation it is concluded that the mast cells can play a role in the regulation of the development of innervation by means of substances released from their granules.", "PMID": 617551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2170", "title": "[Morphological studies of the matrix in human hypothalamus].", "content": "The variations of matrix and ependyma in the hypothalamus was histologicaly investigated in 120 human brains of both sexes from the 13 week old fetuses up to the end of the first year of postnatal life. The plane of cuts were in the region of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, of the ventromedial nucleus, and the arcuate nucleus. We have found that the exhaustion of the matrix begins in the 14 week old embryo in the anterior and medial hypothalamus. A subependymale zone is present in these areas in the 17 week old embryo and exists up to 23 week. The one-cell-layer ependyma appears in the anterior are of the ventromedial nucleus at first in the 24 week week old embryo. After this the ependyma appears from the 25 to the 28 week old embryo in the regions of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus and the other areas of the ventromedial nucleus. In the immediate surrounding of the arcuate nucleus we observed the first alterations in the 15 week old embryo. The exhaustion of matrix is a continuous process up to the 23rd week. The boundary of the third ventricle remained to be a multilayer and in all stages of development cells were found, which reach into the lumen. Only after birth the multilayer boundary was reduced. At the end of the first year of postnatal life the one-layer ependyma was developed at a few sites. We could not find any significant variations of matrix exhaustion in the different sexes.", "contents": "[Morphological studies of the matrix in human hypothalamus]. The variations of matrix and ependyma in the hypothalamus was histologicaly investigated in 120 human brains of both sexes from the 13 week old fetuses up to the end of the first year of postnatal life. The plane of cuts were in the region of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, of the ventromedial nucleus, and the arcuate nucleus. We have found that the exhaustion of the matrix begins in the 14 week old embryo in the anterior and medial hypothalamus. A subependymale zone is present in these areas in the 17 week old embryo and exists up to 23 week. The one-cell-layer ependyma appears in the anterior are of the ventromedial nucleus at first in the 24 week week old embryo. After this the ependyma appears from the 25 to the 28 week old embryo in the regions of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus and the other areas of the ventromedial nucleus. In the immediate surrounding of the arcuate nucleus we observed the first alterations in the 15 week old embryo. The exhaustion of matrix is a continuous process up to the 23rd week. The boundary of the third ventricle remained to be a multilayer and in all stages of development cells were found, which reach into the lumen. Only after birth the multilayer boundary was reduced. At the end of the first year of postnatal life the one-layer ependyma was developed at a few sites. We could not find any significant variations of matrix exhaustion in the different sexes.", "PMID": 617552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2171", "title": "Studies on the oogonial cycle in Puntius ticto (Ham.) III. Formation of degenerated follicles.", "content": "In Puntius ticto, the atresia has been observed both in mature and empty follicles. In empty follicles, theca becomes highly vascularized and the granulosa layer hypotrophied. The later invades into the lumen of the empty follicle and finally disappears. In yolk laden follicles, both theca and granulosa show hypertrophy in their cells. The granulosa becomes multilayered and finally starts digesting yolk globules after liquefying it.", "contents": "Studies on the oogonial cycle in Puntius ticto (Ham.) III. Formation of degenerated follicles. In Puntius ticto, the atresia has been observed both in mature and empty follicles. In empty follicles, theca becomes highly vascularized and the granulosa layer hypotrophied. The later invades into the lumen of the empty follicle and finally disappears. In yolk laden follicles, both theca and granulosa show hypertrophy in their cells. The granulosa becomes multilayered and finally starts digesting yolk globules after liquefying it.", "PMID": 617553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2172", "title": "Comparative neurohistological observations on the intrinsic innervation of pancreatic artery (blood vessel) in the representative of bird and mammal.", "content": "The present investigation was undertaken for the study of the comparative neurohistological observations of pancreatic-Artery (blood vessel) in Gallus domesticus (white leghorn) and Suncus murinus (Indian musk shrew) by cholinesterase technique. In Gallus, the innervation of arteries (blood vessel) was by a good number of non-myelinated nerevs, which formed the periarterial plexus in participation with the postganglionic fibres at one end and the fibres of the nerve cells of the other end. In Suncus, the periarterial and AChE-positive ganglia were arranged in chain-like fashion on the periphery of the artery. Periarterial plexus was formed by tortuous, myelinated nerves and the nerve fibres of the ganglia.", "contents": "Comparative neurohistological observations on the intrinsic innervation of pancreatic artery (blood vessel) in the representative of bird and mammal. The present investigation was undertaken for the study of the comparative neurohistological observations of pancreatic-Artery (blood vessel) in Gallus domesticus (white leghorn) and Suncus murinus (Indian musk shrew) by cholinesterase technique. In Gallus, the innervation of arteries (blood vessel) was by a good number of non-myelinated nerevs, which formed the periarterial plexus in participation with the postganglionic fibres at one end and the fibres of the nerve cells of the other end. In Suncus, the periarterial and AChE-positive ganglia were arranged in chain-like fashion on the periphery of the artery. Periarterial plexus was formed by tortuous, myelinated nerves and the nerve fibres of the ganglia.", "PMID": 617554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2173", "title": "[Fecal fermentation in meteorism].", "content": "An old test to investigate fecal fermentation was modified with the purpose of changing it from qualitative to quantitative. The modified test consists in placing in stove, at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, 5 grams of feces, suspended in water. The fermentable alimentary residues, present in the feces, suffer the action of bacteria, also there present, yielding gas that is collected and measured. Using the test, fecal fermentation was determined in 3 groups of individuals: a) 40 patients with meteorism that had persisted or improved only slightly or fairly with treatment; b) 28 apparently healthy subjects; and c) 6 patients with meteorism that had disappeared or become minimal with treatment. In the group of 28 apparently healthy subject, the obtained results varied from 0.1 to 1.1 ml gas/24 h., with a mean +/- s.d. of 0.55 +/- 0.29 ml. gas/24 h. When a distribution curve was made with the results obtained in the group of 40 patients with meteorism, these results separated into 2 subgroups: one subgroup with 28 patients, in whom results varied from 1.0 to 13.3 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 4.8 gas/24 h. (only) in 1 of these 28 patients a normal result of 1.0 ml. gas/24 h. was obtained, while in the remaining 27 patients results of 1.5 or more ml. gas/24 h. were obtained); and the other subgroup with 12 patients, in whom results varied from 0.0 to 0.9 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 0.29 ml. gas/24 h. Finally, in the group of 6 patients with successfully treated meteorism, results were from 0.1 to 0.9 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 0.4 ml. gas/24 h. The above mentioned results strongly suggest the existence of a relationship between meteorism and exagerated fecal fermentation. The nature of this relationship has not yet been completely clarified. However, the test used to determine fecal fermentation already promises to be very helpful for a better understanding and management of meteorism.", "contents": "[Fecal fermentation in meteorism]. An old test to investigate fecal fermentation was modified with the purpose of changing it from qualitative to quantitative. The modified test consists in placing in stove, at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, 5 grams of feces, suspended in water. The fermentable alimentary residues, present in the feces, suffer the action of bacteria, also there present, yielding gas that is collected and measured. Using the test, fecal fermentation was determined in 3 groups of individuals: a) 40 patients with meteorism that had persisted or improved only slightly or fairly with treatment; b) 28 apparently healthy subjects; and c) 6 patients with meteorism that had disappeared or become minimal with treatment. In the group of 28 apparently healthy subject, the obtained results varied from 0.1 to 1.1 ml gas/24 h., with a mean +/- s.d. of 0.55 +/- 0.29 ml. gas/24 h. When a distribution curve was made with the results obtained in the group of 40 patients with meteorism, these results separated into 2 subgroups: one subgroup with 28 patients, in whom results varied from 1.0 to 13.3 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 4.8 gas/24 h. (only) in 1 of these 28 patients a normal result of 1.0 ml. gas/24 h. was obtained, while in the remaining 27 patients results of 1.5 or more ml. gas/24 h. were obtained); and the other subgroup with 12 patients, in whom results varied from 0.0 to 0.9 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 0.29 ml. gas/24 h. Finally, in the group of 6 patients with successfully treated meteorism, results were from 0.1 to 0.9 ml. gas/24 h., with a mean of 0.4 ml. gas/24 h. The above mentioned results strongly suggest the existence of a relationship between meteorism and exagerated fecal fermentation. The nature of this relationship has not yet been completely clarified. However, the test used to determine fecal fermentation already promises to be very helpful for a better understanding and management of meteorism.", "PMID": 617555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2174", "title": "[Simple method of measuring the physiological form the velocity of intestinal transit].", "content": "The velocity of intestinal transit was studied in 24 healthy volunteers using as a marker a small rubber bag which contained 7 to 10 microcuries of NaI 131. The bag was ingested and its passage along the digestive tract followed over the abdominal surface with the help of a collimated scintillation counter connected to an automatic counting system. The time elapsing since ingestion of the bag until its expulsion with feces was taken as the intestinal transit time. In a normal subject, transit of the bag was compared with the one of plastic radioopaque pellets whose passage along the intestine can be followed radiologically, and which at present are considered the best existent marker to measure velocity of intestinal transit. The bay and pellets progressed practically together along the digestive tract. The described method is thought to be very useful to measure in a phisiologic and simple way the velocity of intestinal transit.", "contents": "[Simple method of measuring the physiological form the velocity of intestinal transit]. The velocity of intestinal transit was studied in 24 healthy volunteers using as a marker a small rubber bag which contained 7 to 10 microcuries of NaI 131. The bag was ingested and its passage along the digestive tract followed over the abdominal surface with the help of a collimated scintillation counter connected to an automatic counting system. The time elapsing since ingestion of the bag until its expulsion with feces was taken as the intestinal transit time. In a normal subject, transit of the bag was compared with the one of plastic radioopaque pellets whose passage along the intestine can be followed radiologically, and which at present are considered the best existent marker to measure velocity of intestinal transit. The bay and pellets progressed practically together along the digestive tract. The described method is thought to be very useful to measure in a phisiologic and simple way the velocity of intestinal transit.", "PMID": 617556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2175", "title": "[Gastric secretion in hypovolemic rats caused by acute hemorrhage].", "content": "Gastric secretion was studied in two groups of rats in which pyloric ligature with wire was previously peformed. One of the groups was acutely bled until hypovolemia. The following parameters were checked: gastric volume, acid and pepsin secretion, Pu/g of stomach, chloride, potassium, and sodium. A significant decrease in volume, acid and pepsin secretion, Pu/g of stomach and chloride and increase in potassium in the hypovolemic rats found. There was no significant change in sodium concentration. There was no significant difference in the pepsinogen concentration in gastric mucous between both groups of rats.", "contents": "[Gastric secretion in hypovolemic rats caused by acute hemorrhage]. Gastric secretion was studied in two groups of rats in which pyloric ligature with wire was previously peformed. One of the groups was acutely bled until hypovolemia. The following parameters were checked: gastric volume, acid and pepsin secretion, Pu/g of stomach, chloride, potassium, and sodium. A significant decrease in volume, acid and pepsin secretion, Pu/g of stomach and chloride and increase in potassium in the hypovolemic rats found. There was no significant change in sodium concentration. There was no significant difference in the pepsinogen concentration in gastric mucous between both groups of rats.", "PMID": 617557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2176", "title": "The diagnosis of liver hydatid disease in children by scintigraphy.", "content": "The results of scintigraphy in 143 children with suspected hydatid disease are reported. In 65 cases, the presence of cysts as detected by scintigraphy was confirmed at surgery. In 78 cases, scintigraphy ruled out liver hydatid disease. In 52 cases with confirmed liver HC, only conventional colloid scintigraphy was carried out. A review of images is performed. In 13 patients, with a total number of 19 cysts, blood pool liver scintigraphy was done in order to investigate the degree of vascularization of the space-occupying lesion, disclosed earlier by colloid scan, and clarify its nature. A review of images is performed. The importance of the procedure is discussed reaching to the conclusion that it is advantageous to carry out colloid and blood pool liver scintigraphy prior to surgical treatment of liver hydatid disease.", "contents": "The diagnosis of liver hydatid disease in children by scintigraphy. The results of scintigraphy in 143 children with suspected hydatid disease are reported. In 65 cases, the presence of cysts as detected by scintigraphy was confirmed at surgery. In 78 cases, scintigraphy ruled out liver hydatid disease. In 52 cases with confirmed liver HC, only conventional colloid scintigraphy was carried out. A review of images is performed. In 13 patients, with a total number of 19 cysts, blood pool liver scintigraphy was done in order to investigate the degree of vascularization of the space-occupying lesion, disclosed earlier by colloid scan, and clarify its nature. A review of images is performed. The importance of the procedure is discussed reaching to the conclusion that it is advantageous to carry out colloid and blood pool liver scintigraphy prior to surgical treatment of liver hydatid disease.", "PMID": 617558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2177", "title": "Immunoglobulin in intestinal secretions.", "content": "The objective of the present investigation is the study and interpretation of the role played by the immunoglobulins, especially IgA, during acute diarrhea in children. IgA, IGG and IgM values in serum and IgA in intestinal secretions were studied in a group of children (between 3 months and 5 years of age) during diarrhea, convalescence and in normals. The method of simple radial immunodiffusion according to Mancini was employed. IgA is the immunoglobulin which suffers the greastest alteration in acute diarrhea. The precipitation halos (the average values), were lower during the diarrhea than in convalescence and in normals.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin in intestinal secretions. The objective of the present investigation is the study and interpretation of the role played by the immunoglobulins, especially IgA, during acute diarrhea in children. IgA, IGG and IgM values in serum and IgA in intestinal secretions were studied in a group of children (between 3 months and 5 years of age) during diarrhea, convalescence and in normals. The method of simple radial immunodiffusion according to Mancini was employed. IgA is the immunoglobulin which suffers the greastest alteration in acute diarrhea. The precipitation halos (the average values), were lower during the diarrhea than in convalescence and in normals.", "PMID": 617559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2178", "title": "Glycine-receptors in the vertebrate central nervous system.", "content": "Evidence for the existence of glycine-receptors in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) has been reviewed and analyzed. Biochemical studies have supported iontophoretic findings that such receptors exist in several regions of the CNS. Subcellular studies on the displacement of 3H-strychnine binding by glycine and on the effects of strychnine on 3H-glycine binding have revealed that strychnine does not interact directly with glycine-receptors, lending support to studies performed in situ. Approaches toward glycine-receptors remain limited due to the inavailability of a specific glycine-antagonist.", "contents": "Glycine-receptors in the vertebrate central nervous system. Evidence for the existence of glycine-receptors in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) has been reviewed and analyzed. Biochemical studies have supported iontophoretic findings that such receptors exist in several regions of the CNS. Subcellular studies on the displacement of 3H-strychnine binding by glycine and on the effects of strychnine on 3H-glycine binding have revealed that strychnine does not interact directly with glycine-receptors, lending support to studies performed in situ. Approaches toward glycine-receptors remain limited due to the inavailability of a specific glycine-antagonist.", "PMID": 617561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2179", "title": "On the mechanism of the cortical depression induced by afferent stimulation.", "content": "The cortical depression induced by the stimulation of some afferent fibers affects strychnine spikes elicited in two different ways: by direct electrical stimulation, and through the evoked potentials induced at the somatosensory area by single shocks to the radial nerve. The effects on these two types of responses were found to be very similar, which was taken to indicate that the site of action of the mechanism involved is the same, that is, the non-synaptic membranes of the dendrites of pyramidal neurons. It is suggested that the depressant action is mediated through the serotonergic neurons, since the previous administration of 5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT) blocked the changes. The 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) liberated would act as a neurohumoral agent, since the synaptic mechanisms do not seem to be involved and the effects are manifested in a diffuse manner.", "contents": "On the mechanism of the cortical depression induced by afferent stimulation. The cortical depression induced by the stimulation of some afferent fibers affects strychnine spikes elicited in two different ways: by direct electrical stimulation, and through the evoked potentials induced at the somatosensory area by single shocks to the radial nerve. The effects on these two types of responses were found to be very similar, which was taken to indicate that the site of action of the mechanism involved is the same, that is, the non-synaptic membranes of the dendrites of pyramidal neurons. It is suggested that the depressant action is mediated through the serotonergic neurons, since the previous administration of 5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,6-DHT) blocked the changes. The 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) liberated would act as a neurohumoral agent, since the synaptic mechanisms do not seem to be involved and the effects are manifested in a diffuse manner.", "PMID": 617562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2180", "title": "Brain death: I. Angiographic correlation with the radioisotopic bolus technique for evaluation of critical deficit of cerebral blood flow.", "content": "An innocuous intravenous portable radioisotopic test using technetium 99m pertechnetate was employed to demonstrate the deficit of cerebral blood flow associated with brain death. The results are compared to those of bilateral carotid and vertebral angiography in 20 patients. Absence of a bolus tracing from the head in the presence of a control tracing of a bolus from the femoral artery in two successive studies one hour apart reliably correlated with the clinical and electroencephalographic findings signifying cerebral death in comatose, apneic patients. Angiography indicated absence of intracranial circulation in 10 patients. Stasis filling or retrograde emptying of arterial vessels (or both) occurred in 7 patients. There was no evidence of venous filling in any of these 17 patients; all of them had either an absent head bolus or an \"intermediate tracing.\" Results indicate that either form of tracing represents a critical decrease of cerebral blood flow. Two other patients had evidence of severely impaired abnormal posterior fossa circulation without angiographic evidence of cerebral circulation; both of these patients had an absent head bolus. An additional patient had an unusually small head bolus, and angiography revealed extravasation of radiopaque material but no evidence of intracranial circulation. We conclude that the bolus technique is a helpful adjunct in diagnosing brain death.", "contents": "Brain death: I. Angiographic correlation with the radioisotopic bolus technique for evaluation of critical deficit of cerebral blood flow. An innocuous intravenous portable radioisotopic test using technetium 99m pertechnetate was employed to demonstrate the deficit of cerebral blood flow associated with brain death. The results are compared to those of bilateral carotid and vertebral angiography in 20 patients. Absence of a bolus tracing from the head in the presence of a control tracing of a bolus from the femoral artery in two successive studies one hour apart reliably correlated with the clinical and electroencephalographic findings signifying cerebral death in comatose, apneic patients. Angiography indicated absence of intracranial circulation in 10 patients. Stasis filling or retrograde emptying of arterial vessels (or both) occurred in 7 patients. There was no evidence of venous filling in any of these 17 patients; all of them had either an absent head bolus or an \"intermediate tracing.\" Results indicate that either form of tracing represents a critical decrease of cerebral blood flow. Two other patients had evidence of severely impaired abnormal posterior fossa circulation without angiographic evidence of cerebral circulation; both of these patients had an absent head bolus. An additional patient had an unusually small head bolus, and angiography revealed extravasation of radiopaque material but no evidence of intracranial circulation. We conclude that the bolus technique is a helpful adjunct in diagnosing brain death.", "PMID": 617564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2181", "title": "Brain death: II. Neuropathological correlation with the radioisotopic bolus technique for evaluation of critical deficit of cerebral blood flow.", "content": "Diffuse necrosis and autolysis were found in the brains from 6 comatose, respirator-supported patients in whom the bolus technique demonstrated no cerebral blood flow during a period exceeding 20 hours prior to cardiac death. When blood flow was insufficient to produce a bolus, there was no evidence of active tissue response to necrosis. In 6 similar patients, when cerebral blood flow was detected by the bolus technique, less extensive necrosis was observed postmortem and there was active tissue response.", "contents": "Brain death: II. Neuropathological correlation with the radioisotopic bolus technique for evaluation of critical deficit of cerebral blood flow. Diffuse necrosis and autolysis were found in the brains from 6 comatose, respirator-supported patients in whom the bolus technique demonstrated no cerebral blood flow during a period exceeding 20 hours prior to cardiac death. When blood flow was insufficient to produce a bolus, there was no evidence of active tissue response to necrosis. In 6 similar patients, when cerebral blood flow was detected by the bolus technique, less extensive necrosis was observed postmortem and there was active tissue response.", "PMID": 617565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2182", "title": "A prospective study of nontraumatic coma: methods and results in 310 patients.", "content": "Neurological signs and outcome are compared in the first 310 patients from a continuing prospective study of coma not caused by trauma or drugs. Sixteen percent of the patients achieved an independent existence within a month; severe disability or the vegetative state developed in 25% of patients comatose for six hours and in 79% of those still in coma after a week. The chance of regaining an independent existence was greater in patients who, by one day, obeyed commands or moved the limbs appropriately in response to noxious stimuli or who had attained any of the following: orienting eye movements, normal responses to oculocephalic or oculovestibular stimulation, or normal muscle tone. Conversely, the chance of regaining an independent existence fell in patients who, after one day, had either extensor responses of the limbs or failed to move them in response to noxious stimuli or who lacked eye opening, pupillary reactions, corneal responses, or any eye movement in response to oculovestibular or oculocephalic stimulation. Beyond these general guidelines, numbers of patients with particular signs are presently too small for confident prediction of outcome.", "contents": "A prospective study of nontraumatic coma: methods and results in 310 patients. Neurological signs and outcome are compared in the first 310 patients from a continuing prospective study of coma not caused by trauma or drugs. Sixteen percent of the patients achieved an independent existence within a month; severe disability or the vegetative state developed in 25% of patients comatose for six hours and in 79% of those still in coma after a week. The chance of regaining an independent existence was greater in patients who, by one day, obeyed commands or moved the limbs appropriately in response to noxious stimuli or who had attained any of the following: orienting eye movements, normal responses to oculocephalic or oculovestibular stimulation, or normal muscle tone. Conversely, the chance of regaining an independent existence fell in patients who, after one day, had either extensor responses of the limbs or failed to move them in response to noxious stimuli or who lacked eye opening, pupillary reactions, corneal responses, or any eye movement in response to oculovestibular or oculocephalic stimulation. Beyond these general guidelines, numbers of patients with particular signs are presently too small for confident prediction of outcome.", "PMID": 617566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2183", "title": "Pharmacological prophylaxis against the development of kindled amygdaloid seizures.", "content": "The kindling of amygldaloid and cortical seizures in cats was used to study the prophylactic effects of phenobarbital, phenytoin, ethosuximide, acetazolamide, and dexamethason. Phenobarbital prevented the evolution of such seizures beyond stage 4 in all amygdaloid-kindling animals during 160 days of study. The prophylactic effect persisted on periodic challenge after the drug had been discontinued. Phenytoin, ethosuximide, acetazolamide, and dexamethasone appeared to have no prophylactic effect against the development of kindled amygdaloid seizures. With cortical kindling, both phenobarbital and phenytoin retarded the evolution of seizures without achieving true prophylaxis. The drugs appeared to act as suppressants. Prophylaxis was not an \"all-or-none\" phenomenon but rather a limitation of the stage of seizure evolution.", "contents": "Pharmacological prophylaxis against the development of kindled amygdaloid seizures. The kindling of amygldaloid and cortical seizures in cats was used to study the prophylactic effects of phenobarbital, phenytoin, ethosuximide, acetazolamide, and dexamethason. Phenobarbital prevented the evolution of such seizures beyond stage 4 in all amygdaloid-kindling animals during 160 days of study. The prophylactic effect persisted on periodic challenge after the drug had been discontinued. Phenytoin, ethosuximide, acetazolamide, and dexamethasone appeared to have no prophylactic effect against the development of kindled amygdaloid seizures. With cortical kindling, both phenobarbital and phenytoin retarded the evolution of seizures without achieving true prophylaxis. The drugs appeared to act as suppressants. Prophylaxis was not an \"all-or-none\" phenomenon but rather a limitation of the stage of seizure evolution.", "PMID": 617567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2184", "title": "The relationship between Parkinson syndrome and vascular siderosis: an electron microprobe study.", "content": "Vascular siderosis (VS) refers to the presence of mineralized small and medium-sized arteries in the globus pallidus, usually regarded as reflecting an aging process. The electron probe analysis of deposits in vascular siderosis in 10 patients dying of parkinsonism and in 8 other patients without parkinsonism is reported here. The microprobes identified a total of 11 elements in the VS in these 18 patients. Five elements--lead, aluminum, sulfur, manganese, and barium--were present only in VS associated with parkinsonism. Statistically, the association of lead was highly significant while that of aluminum and sulfur in 4. The significance of the presence of sulfur is difficult to assess since its compounds are normally present in large quantities in the brain. These findings raise the question whether lead and aluminum may be associated in some way with the pathogenesis of certain forms of Parkinson disease.", "contents": "The relationship between Parkinson syndrome and vascular siderosis: an electron microprobe study. Vascular siderosis (VS) refers to the presence of mineralized small and medium-sized arteries in the globus pallidus, usually regarded as reflecting an aging process. The electron probe analysis of deposits in vascular siderosis in 10 patients dying of parkinsonism and in 8 other patients without parkinsonism is reported here. The microprobes identified a total of 11 elements in the VS in these 18 patients. Five elements--lead, aluminum, sulfur, manganese, and barium--were present only in VS associated with parkinsonism. Statistically, the association of lead was highly significant while that of aluminum and sulfur in 4. The significance of the presence of sulfur is difficult to assess since its compounds are normally present in large quantities in the brain. These findings raise the question whether lead and aluminum may be associated in some way with the pathogenesis of certain forms of Parkinson disease.", "PMID": 617568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2185", "title": "Biochemical correlates of illness and recovery in Reye's syndrome.", "content": "Eight patients with Reye's syndrome were followed through the course of their disease with serial measurements of serum concentrations of ammonia, short-chain organic acids, and amino acids. Correlations were made between clinical status and biochemical alterations. Elevated short-chain fatty acids, hyperammonemia, and hyperaminoacidemia were found in all patients studied. Clinical improvement appeared to correlate most closely with clearance of short-chain fatty acids from the serum. These observations suggest that the clinical symptoms are at least in part related to organic acidemia and that treatment directed toward the rapid clearance of these compounds from the system is reasonable.", "contents": "Biochemical correlates of illness and recovery in Reye's syndrome. Eight patients with Reye's syndrome were followed through the course of their disease with serial measurements of serum concentrations of ammonia, short-chain organic acids, and amino acids. Correlations were made between clinical status and biochemical alterations. Elevated short-chain fatty acids, hyperammonemia, and hyperaminoacidemia were found in all patients studied. Clinical improvement appeared to correlate most closely with clearance of short-chain fatty acids from the serum. These observations suggest that the clinical symptoms are at least in part related to organic acidemia and that treatment directed toward the rapid clearance of these compounds from the system is reasonable.", "PMID": 617569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2186", "title": "Chronic hydrocephalus associated with short stature and growth hormone deficiency.", "content": "A 28-year-old man with chronic hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis was found to have a subnormal response of growth hormone to arginine infusion. It is postulated that compression of the pituitary by the enlarged third ventricle produced a deficiency of growth hormone and short stature.", "contents": "Chronic hydrocephalus associated with short stature and growth hormone deficiency. A 28-year-old man with chronic hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis was found to have a subnormal response of growth hormone to arginine infusion. It is postulated that compression of the pituitary by the enlarged third ventricle produced a deficiency of growth hormone and short stature.", "PMID": 617571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2187", "title": "The therapeutic use of glucocorticoid hormones in the perinatal period: potential neurological hazards.", "content": "The expanding perinatal use of glucocorticoids entails potentially hazardous effects of these hormones on nervous system development. Neonatal animal experimentation with pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids has revealed immediate effects on brain cell division, differentiation, myelination, and electrophysiological reactions. In addition, delayed (latent) effects include changes in control of circadian periodicity, altered biogenic amine levels, altered response to stress, and changes in ultimate behavior. Thus perinatal hormone therapy during critical periods of brain development is capable of exerting irreversible immediate effects on brain cell division and differentiation, resulting in latent or long-term physiological and behavioral effects.", "contents": "The therapeutic use of glucocorticoid hormones in the perinatal period: potential neurological hazards. The expanding perinatal use of glucocorticoids entails potentially hazardous effects of these hormones on nervous system development. Neonatal animal experimentation with pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids has revealed immediate effects on brain cell division, differentiation, myelination, and electrophysiological reactions. In addition, delayed (latent) effects include changes in control of circadian periodicity, altered biogenic amine levels, altered response to stress, and changes in ultimate behavior. Thus perinatal hormone therapy during critical periods of brain development is capable of exerting irreversible immediate effects on brain cell division and differentiation, resulting in latent or long-term physiological and behavioral effects.", "PMID": 617574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2188", "title": "Growth rates of epidermoid tumors.", "content": "Consideration of the most likely method of growth of epidermoid tumors, either congenital or traumatic in origin, suggests that they grow linearly, at rates approximately those reported for normal human skin, rather than exponentially, as most tumors do. Such a linear rate of growth would be expected of tumors derived from a single layer of basal germinal cells spread out over a surface area.", "contents": "Growth rates of epidermoid tumors. Consideration of the most likely method of growth of epidermoid tumors, either congenital or traumatic in origin, suggests that they grow linearly, at rates approximately those reported for normal human skin, rather than exponentially, as most tumors do. Such a linear rate of growth would be expected of tumors derived from a single layer of basal germinal cells spread out over a surface area.", "PMID": 617575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2189", "title": "Neurological complications of infantile osteopetrosis.", "content": "Seven cases of infantile osteopetrosis are presented. Five of these were available for detailed clinical examination and 2 for retrospective review, including autopsy slides. Neurological deficits in these patients are reviewed. Involvement of the central nervous system parenchyma was suggested by observations of delayed development, ocular abnormalities, and reflex changes as well as radiographic and autopsy findings. Cerebral atrophy was present in several of our patients as well as some reported in the literature and may account for the ventricular enlargement found in many of these patients. Though hydrocephalus may be present, it is unclear that this is frequent or that it can occur without antecedent intracranial hemorrhage. The large head size is not accounted for by calvarial thickening or by hydrocephalus. Despite our patients' small stature, pituitary function appeared to be normal. Surgical decompression may stabilize cranial nerve function, particularly when the optic nerves are involved.", "contents": "Neurological complications of infantile osteopetrosis. Seven cases of infantile osteopetrosis are presented. Five of these were available for detailed clinical examination and 2 for retrospective review, including autopsy slides. Neurological deficits in these patients are reviewed. Involvement of the central nervous system parenchyma was suggested by observations of delayed development, ocular abnormalities, and reflex changes as well as radiographic and autopsy findings. Cerebral atrophy was present in several of our patients as well as some reported in the literature and may account for the ventricular enlargement found in many of these patients. Though hydrocephalus may be present, it is unclear that this is frequent or that it can occur without antecedent intracranial hemorrhage. The large head size is not accounted for by calvarial thickening or by hydrocephalus. Despite our patients' small stature, pituitary function appeared to be normal. Surgical decompression may stabilize cranial nerve function, particularly when the optic nerves are involved.", "PMID": 617576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2190", "title": "An electrooculographic study of internuclear ophthalmoplegia.", "content": "The eye movements of 25 patients with internuclear ophthalmoplegia were recorded by electrooculography. The velocity of adducting saccades was markedly less than normal. The velocity of abducting saccades was within the normal range, but statistically there was a wider distribution. Recordings were made in 2 patients several months after the onset of internuclear ophthalmoplegia, at which time the adducting eye velocity was greater than the abducting eye velocity. A patient with a unilateral medial fasciculus lesion showed marked overshoot of the abducting eye on contralateral saccades and overshoot of both eyes toward the side of the lesion. Optokinetic and postcaloric nystagmus were recorded, and the slow phase showed increasing velocity exponential waveform for the abducting eye. The recordings also showed decreasing velocity exponential waveform for the abducting eye. Downbeat nystagmus was as common as upbeat nystagmus in our patients. The findings appear to confirm the theoretical analysis of the eye movement disorder in internuclear ophthalmoplegia provided by Pola and Robinson as modified by recent experimental work in primates.", "contents": "An electrooculographic study of internuclear ophthalmoplegia. The eye movements of 25 patients with internuclear ophthalmoplegia were recorded by electrooculography. The velocity of adducting saccades was markedly less than normal. The velocity of abducting saccades was within the normal range, but statistically there was a wider distribution. Recordings were made in 2 patients several months after the onset of internuclear ophthalmoplegia, at which time the adducting eye velocity was greater than the abducting eye velocity. A patient with a unilateral medial fasciculus lesion showed marked overshoot of the abducting eye on contralateral saccades and overshoot of both eyes toward the side of the lesion. Optokinetic and postcaloric nystagmus were recorded, and the slow phase showed increasing velocity exponential waveform for the abducting eye. The recordings also showed decreasing velocity exponential waveform for the abducting eye. Downbeat nystagmus was as common as upbeat nystagmus in our patients. The findings appear to confirm the theoretical analysis of the eye movement disorder in internuclear ophthalmoplegia provided by Pola and Robinson as modified by recent experimental work in primates.", "PMID": 617577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2191", "title": "Tonic pupils with acute ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis.", "content": "Two patients with the symmetrical ophthalmoplegic variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis (Fisher's syndrome) developed bilateral dilated pupils with cholinergic supersensitivity and light-near dissociation (tonic pupils), indicating involvement of the postganglionic parasympathetic neuron within the orbit. Supranuclear eye movement dysfunction also was present, indicated by relative levator sparing in both patients and by preservation of Bell's phenomenon in 1 patient despite paralysis of voluntary upward gaze. The lesions that produce the eye signs of ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis are not necessarily restricted to the cranial nerve trunks. The present cases support a relationship between the ophthalmoplegic variant of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome and acute postinfectious encephalomyelitis (brainstem encephalitis) on the one hand, and idiopathic autonomic neuropathies such as the Holmes-Adie syndrome and pandysautonomia on the other.", "contents": "Tonic pupils with acute ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis. Two patients with the symmetrical ophthalmoplegic variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis (Fisher's syndrome) developed bilateral dilated pupils with cholinergic supersensitivity and light-near dissociation (tonic pupils), indicating involvement of the postganglionic parasympathetic neuron within the orbit. Supranuclear eye movement dysfunction also was present, indicated by relative levator sparing in both patients and by preservation of Bell's phenomenon in 1 patient despite paralysis of voluntary upward gaze. The lesions that produce the eye signs of ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis are not necessarily restricted to the cranial nerve trunks. The present cases support a relationship between the ophthalmoplegic variant of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome and acute postinfectious encephalomyelitis (brainstem encephalitis) on the one hand, and idiopathic autonomic neuropathies such as the Holmes-Adie syndrome and pandysautonomia on the other.", "PMID": 617578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2192", "title": "The ocular motor defects in progressive supranuclear palsy.", "content": "The results of quantitative infrared horizontal eye movement recordings in 8 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy are presented. Some of the patients had total paralysis of vertical movements, but none had completely lost the ability to perform horizontal eye movements. All patients had a defect in ocular fixation previously undescribed in this condition: the universal presence of square-wave jerks. Analysis of refixation saccades demonstrated hypometria, slow velocity/amplitude relationships, and profound prolongation of duration. The pursuit abnormality, characterized clinically by \"cogwheel\" eye movements, represented the inability to match eye velocity to target velocity. The ratio of peak eye velocity to peak target velocity (pursuit gain) was 0.2 to 0.5. Defects in the vestibuloocular reflex included inability to increase the gain of the reflex (ratio of peak eye velocity to head velocity) during viewing of a visible, stationary target and failure to suppress the reflex when viewing a target rotating with the head.", "contents": "The ocular motor defects in progressive supranuclear palsy. The results of quantitative infrared horizontal eye movement recordings in 8 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy are presented. Some of the patients had total paralysis of vertical movements, but none had completely lost the ability to perform horizontal eye movements. All patients had a defect in ocular fixation previously undescribed in this condition: the universal presence of square-wave jerks. Analysis of refixation saccades demonstrated hypometria, slow velocity/amplitude relationships, and profound prolongation of duration. The pursuit abnormality, characterized clinically by \"cogwheel\" eye movements, represented the inability to match eye velocity to target velocity. The ratio of peak eye velocity to peak target velocity (pursuit gain) was 0.2 to 0.5. Defects in the vestibuloocular reflex included inability to increase the gain of the reflex (ratio of peak eye velocity to head velocity) during viewing of a visible, stationary target and failure to suppress the reflex when viewing a target rotating with the head.", "PMID": 617579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2193", "title": "WAIS performance in brain-damaged left- and right-handers.", "content": "WAIS performance was compared in 35 pairs of left- and right-handed subjects who had been individually matched for lateralization, cause of brain damage, age, education, and gender. WAIS results were similar in the two groups as well as in two subgroups of subjects with unilateral brain damage. No differences between the unilateral groups were found to support the hypothesis advanced by Levy and Nagylaki in 1972 that left-handers have inferior visual-spatial abilities.", "contents": "WAIS performance in brain-damaged left- and right-handers. WAIS performance was compared in 35 pairs of left- and right-handed subjects who had been individually matched for lateralization, cause of brain damage, age, education, and gender. WAIS results were similar in the two groups as well as in two subgroups of subjects with unilateral brain damage. No differences between the unilateral groups were found to support the hypothesis advanced by Levy and Nagylaki in 1972 that left-handers have inferior visual-spatial abilities.", "PMID": 617580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2194", "title": "\"Release hallucinations\" as the major symptom of posterior cerebral artery occlusion: a report of 2 cases.", "content": "Visual hallucinations were the presenting symptoms in 2 patients with probable infarcts in the territory of a posterior cerebral artery. They occurred in areas of paracentral scotomas, right in Patient 1 and left in Patient 2. In Patient 1 they were formed, prolonged, and not apparently related to past experience. In Patient 2 they were at first paroxysmal and unformed, with more prolonged metamorphopsia; later there appeared to be palinoptic formed images, possibly postictal in nature. Such hallucinations appear to be of a \"release\" type, and may be more common than is generally appreciated in patients with posterior cerebral artery occlusion.", "contents": "\"Release hallucinations\" as the major symptom of posterior cerebral artery occlusion: a report of 2 cases. Visual hallucinations were the presenting symptoms in 2 patients with probable infarcts in the territory of a posterior cerebral artery. They occurred in areas of paracentral scotomas, right in Patient 1 and left in Patient 2. In Patient 1 they were formed, prolonged, and not apparently related to past experience. In Patient 2 they were at first paroxysmal and unformed, with more prolonged metamorphopsia; later there appeared to be palinoptic formed images, possibly postictal in nature. Such hallucinations appear to be of a \"release\" type, and may be more common than is generally appreciated in patients with posterior cerebral artery occlusion.", "PMID": 617581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2195", "title": "Phenytoin-related cerebellar degeneration without seizures.", "content": "Cerebellar changes have been reported in relationship to epilepsy alone as well as to phenytoin therapy for the control of seizures. The cliniconeuropathological correlation between these changes and epilepsy or the anticonvulsant is usually complicated by the presence of both variables. Experimental evidence suggests that phenytoin alone may be sufficient to cause cerebellar changes following intoxication. We report a case of cerebellar degeneration in a patient treated with isoniazid and prophylactically treated wtih phenytoin who never had a seizure.", "contents": "Phenytoin-related cerebellar degeneration without seizures. Cerebellar changes have been reported in relationship to epilepsy alone as well as to phenytoin therapy for the control of seizures. The cliniconeuropathological correlation between these changes and epilepsy or the anticonvulsant is usually complicated by the presence of both variables. Experimental evidence suggests that phenytoin alone may be sufficient to cause cerebellar changes following intoxication. We report a case of cerebellar degeneration in a patient treated with isoniazid and prophylactically treated wtih phenytoin who never had a seizure.", "PMID": 617582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2196", "title": "Persistent cerebellar ataxia after exposure to toluene.", "content": "An optometrist and a glue sniffer exposed independently to toluene vapors developed cerebellar, pyramidal, and cognitive dysfunction. All deficits cleared completely in the former but persisted in the latter. The findings confirm a previous report of a toluene-induced neurological syndrome that is exclusively central, sparing peripheral nerves.", "contents": "Persistent cerebellar ataxia after exposure to toluene. An optometrist and a glue sniffer exposed independently to toluene vapors developed cerebellar, pyramidal, and cognitive dysfunction. All deficits cleared completely in the former but persisted in the latter. The findings confirm a previous report of a toluene-induced neurological syndrome that is exclusively central, sparing peripheral nerves.", "PMID": 617583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2197", "title": "Congenital arachnoid cyst with unusual clinical, radiological, and pathological findings.", "content": "Choroid plexus-like structures were found in the wall of a congenital frontotemporal arachnoid cyst in a 14-year-old girl who presented with temporal lobe seizures since the age of 6. The temporal cortex beneath the cyst was maldeveloped. The clinical, radiological, and pathological aspects of congenital arachnoid cysts are reviewed.", "contents": "Congenital arachnoid cyst with unusual clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. Choroid plexus-like structures were found in the wall of a congenital frontotemporal arachnoid cyst in a 14-year-old girl who presented with temporal lobe seizures since the age of 6. The temporal cortex beneath the cyst was maldeveloped. The clinical, radiological, and pathological aspects of congenital arachnoid cysts are reviewed.", "PMID": 617584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2198", "title": "Paroxysmal choreoathetosis following head injury.", "content": "A 33-year-old man developed paroxysmal choreoathetosis following a severe head injury. Phenobarbital therapy was promptly effective. The family history as well as physical examinations and laboratory studies were unremarkable.", "contents": "Paroxysmal choreoathetosis following head injury. A 33-year-old man developed paroxysmal choreoathetosis following a severe head injury. Phenobarbital therapy was promptly effective. The family history as well as physical examinations and laboratory studies were unremarkable.", "PMID": 617585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2199", "title": "The influence of route of delivery and hyaline membranes on the risk of neonatal intracranial hemorrhages.", "content": "The relationship of route of delivery and hyaline membranes to eight sites of intracranial hemorrhage was evaluated in 513 autopsied newborn infants. Those delivered by cesarian section appeared to be at less risk for most hemorrhages compared with newborns delivered vaginally. However, the reductions in risk were small and did not achieve nominal levels of statistical significance. Thus, \"birth trauma\" probably contributes little to the risk of most neonatal intracranial hemorrhages. Newborns who developed hyaline membranes appeared to be at greater risk for most hemorrhages than those who did not, particularly if the infant had been delivered by cesarian section. This was especially marked for subarachnoid and germinal matrix hemorrhage.", "contents": "The influence of route of delivery and hyaline membranes on the risk of neonatal intracranial hemorrhages. The relationship of route of delivery and hyaline membranes to eight sites of intracranial hemorrhage was evaluated in 513 autopsied newborn infants. Those delivered by cesarian section appeared to be at less risk for most hemorrhages compared with newborns delivered vaginally. However, the reductions in risk were small and did not achieve nominal levels of statistical significance. Thus, \"birth trauma\" probably contributes little to the risk of most neonatal intracranial hemorrhages. Newborns who developed hyaline membranes appeared to be at greater risk for most hemorrhages than those who did not, particularly if the infant had been delivered by cesarian section. This was especially marked for subarachnoid and germinal matrix hemorrhage.", "PMID": 617587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2200", "title": "Globoid cells, glial nodules, and peculiar fibrillary changes in the cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger.", "content": "In addition to a distinct malformation (pachymicrogyria, heterotaxic lamination of the cerebellar cortex, olivary dysplasia), unusual degenerative changes were found in the nervous system of 2 unrelated babies with the Zellweger syndrome. Cerebral clefts were present in 1 case. In both infants there was neuron loss and accumulation of glial nodules and globoid cells in the gray matter as well as degeneration of the white matter. There was fatty change in astrocytes and diffuse gliosis. Neurons in the column of Clarke and the lateral cuneate nucleus showed peculiar fibrillary changes. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were seen in the spinal ganglia. Swelling of cortical astrocytes was remarkable in the older infant. The combination of a rare malformation with the cell changes described here gives the syndrome a unique neuropathological profile.", "contents": "Globoid cells, glial nodules, and peculiar fibrillary changes in the cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger. In addition to a distinct malformation (pachymicrogyria, heterotaxic lamination of the cerebellar cortex, olivary dysplasia), unusual degenerative changes were found in the nervous system of 2 unrelated babies with the Zellweger syndrome. Cerebral clefts were present in 1 case. In both infants there was neuron loss and accumulation of glial nodules and globoid cells in the gray matter as well as degeneration of the white matter. There was fatty change in astrocytes and diffuse gliosis. Neurons in the column of Clarke and the lateral cuneate nucleus showed peculiar fibrillary changes. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were seen in the spinal ganglia. Swelling of cortical astrocytes was remarkable in the older infant. The combination of a rare malformation with the cell changes described here gives the syndrome a unique neuropathological profile.", "PMID": 617589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2201", "title": "Emotional sequelae of head injury.", "content": "The emotional after-effects of head injury in relation to acuteness versus chronicity of the injury and neuropsychological deficits were studied. The results indicate that there is a decline in emotional distress over time after the injury and show that patients with significant initial and residual neuropsychological deficits experience greater emotional distress than those with negligible difficulties.", "contents": "Emotional sequelae of head injury. The emotional after-effects of head injury in relation to acuteness versus chronicity of the injury and neuropsychological deficits were studied. The results indicate that there is a decline in emotional distress over time after the injury and show that patients with significant initial and residual neuropsychological deficits experience greater emotional distress than those with negligible difficulties.", "PMID": 617591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2202", "title": "Rabies: recent advances in pathogenesis and control.", "content": "Current knowledge of rabies is reviewed, with emphasis on recent developments in virology, immunology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prophylaxis. Although only a few cases of human rabies occur annually in the United States, the infection is enzootic in wildlife, and an estimated 30,000 possible exposures requiring treatment occur each year. Rabies belongs to the family rhabdovirus, and its molecular anatomy and biochemistry of replication have been described in some detail. There have been advances in measurement of antirabies antibodies, and techniques for measuring cellular immune response have recently been developed. Early stages of infection are more fully understood, with a hypothesis to explain peripheral sequestration of virus during prolonged incubation periods. Rabies was once thought to be uniformly f fatal, but a few patients have survived with aggressive supportive measures. A newly developed vaccine (soon to be licensed in the United States) has been shown highly potent for preexposure immunization and promises to be very effective for postexposure prophylaxis. Current Public Health Service recommendations for postexposure treatment are summarized. Recent research has suggested a novel approach to control of wildlife rabies through oral immunization.", "contents": "Rabies: recent advances in pathogenesis and control. Current knowledge of rabies is reviewed, with emphasis on recent developments in virology, immunology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prophylaxis. Although only a few cases of human rabies occur annually in the United States, the infection is enzootic in wildlife, and an estimated 30,000 possible exposures requiring treatment occur each year. Rabies belongs to the family rhabdovirus, and its molecular anatomy and biochemistry of replication have been described in some detail. There have been advances in measurement of antirabies antibodies, and techniques for measuring cellular immune response have recently been developed. Early stages of infection are more fully understood, with a hypothesis to explain peripheral sequestration of virus during prolonged incubation periods. Rabies was once thought to be uniformly f fatal, but a few patients have survived with aggressive supportive measures. A newly developed vaccine (soon to be licensed in the United States) has been shown highly potent for preexposure immunization and promises to be very effective for postexposure prophylaxis. Current Public Health Service recommendations for postexposure treatment are summarized. Recent research has suggested a novel approach to control of wildlife rabies through oral immunization.", "PMID": 617592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2203", "title": "Calcification of axons in experimental spinal cord trauma.", "content": "Selective discrete intraaxoplasmic deposits of hydroxyapatite crystallites were observed in adult male rats subjected to experimental trauma to the lumbosacral spinal cord. Although previously unreported in spinal cord trauma, the presence of these deposits in minimally altered axons and during the early posttrauma period suggests that such selective calcification may be of more than secondary significance. In view of the current emphasis on cytotoxicity of calcium, especially in relation to axonal degeneration, an evaluation of the role of calcium in augmenting traumatic spinal cord necrosis is warranted.", "contents": "Calcification of axons in experimental spinal cord trauma. Selective discrete intraaxoplasmic deposits of hydroxyapatite crystallites were observed in adult male rats subjected to experimental trauma to the lumbosacral spinal cord. Although previously unreported in spinal cord trauma, the presence of these deposits in minimally altered axons and during the early posttrauma period suggests that such selective calcification may be of more than secondary significance. In view of the current emphasis on cytotoxicity of calcium, especially in relation to axonal degeneration, an evaluation of the role of calcium in augmenting traumatic spinal cord necrosis is warranted.", "PMID": 617593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2204", "title": "Lower motor neuron disease with spinocerebellar degeneration.", "content": "A patient with polymyositis responded initially to steroid therapy. A muscle biopsy disclosed features of primary myopathy and group atrophy. The patient became refractory to therapy and died with relentlessly progressive weakness. The autopsy disclosed lower motor neuron involvement and degeneration of the spinocerebellar tracts. There was loss of Purkinje cells, which may have occurred secondary to an anoxic episode prior to death. The case is unique because of the limited involvement of the lower motor and spinocerebellar systems.", "contents": "Lower motor neuron disease with spinocerebellar degeneration. A patient with polymyositis responded initially to steroid therapy. A muscle biopsy disclosed features of primary myopathy and group atrophy. The patient became refractory to therapy and died with relentlessly progressive weakness. The autopsy disclosed lower motor neuron involvement and degeneration of the spinocerebellar tracts. There was loss of Purkinje cells, which may have occurred secondary to an anoxic episode prior to death. The case is unique because of the limited involvement of the lower motor and spinocerebellar systems.", "PMID": 617594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2205", "title": "Chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy.", "content": "Two patients with chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy are reported. A 61-year-old woman had symmetrical wasting and weakness of the quadriceps femoris of eight years' duration. A biopsy revealed neuropathic changes, and electromyograms showed neurogenic as well as myopathic patterns in the quadriceps and other muscles. A 29-year-old woman had long-standing wasting limited to the quadriceps and hip muscles. EMG and biopsy were compatible with neurogenic atrophy. She had a brother suffering from a more widespread and severe form of the disease. These cases suggest that chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy is a forme fruste of Kugelberg-Welander disease.", "contents": "Chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy. Two patients with chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy are reported. A 61-year-old woman had symmetrical wasting and weakness of the quadriceps femoris of eight years' duration. A biopsy revealed neuropathic changes, and electromyograms showed neurogenic as well as myopathic patterns in the quadriceps and other muscles. A 29-year-old woman had long-standing wasting limited to the quadriceps and hip muscles. EMG and biopsy were compatible with neurogenic atrophy. She had a brother suffering from a more widespread and severe form of the disease. These cases suggest that chronic neurogenic quadriceps amyotrophy is a forme fruste of Kugelberg-Welander disease.", "PMID": 617595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2206", "title": "Supraclavicular and carotid bruits in hemodialysis patients.", "content": "Auscultation of the neck vessels in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis reveals a high incidence of subclavian and carotid bruits as well as the expected precordial hemic murmurs. These bruits are associated with the high-output hyperdynamic circulatory state. In older patients the finding could be misinterpreted as evidence of extracranial cerebrovascular disease, but clinical considerations should obviate unnecessary neuroradiological diagnostic procedures.", "contents": "Supraclavicular and carotid bruits in hemodialysis patients. Auscultation of the neck vessels in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis reveals a high incidence of subclavian and carotid bruits as well as the expected precordial hemic murmurs. These bruits are associated with the high-output hyperdynamic circulatory state. In older patients the finding could be misinterpreted as evidence of extracranial cerebrovascular disease, but clinical considerations should obviate unnecessary neuroradiological diagnostic procedures.", "PMID": 617596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2207", "title": "Temporal lobe oligodendroglioma developing from infancy into adulthood.", "content": "Clinical, radiological, surgical, and histological features are reported for a patient with a temporal lobe oligodendroglioma that had developed in infancy and was diagnosed and partially resected at age 10. The patient is presently 24 years old and still well. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of an oligodendroglioma with probable onset at 5 months of life and satisfactory course over 24 years.", "contents": "Temporal lobe oligodendroglioma developing from infancy into adulthood. Clinical, radiological, surgical, and histological features are reported for a patient with a temporal lobe oligodendroglioma that had developed in infancy and was diagnosed and partially resected at age 10. The patient is presently 24 years old and still well. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of an oligodendroglioma with probable onset at 5 months of life and satisfactory course over 24 years.", "PMID": 617597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2208", "title": "Computed tomographic arteriography.", "content": "Computed tomographic arteriography is the technique of contrast enhancement by arterial perfusion during computed tomography. This technique appears to have significant advantages over conventional intravenous contrast enhancement in selected cases.", "contents": "Computed tomographic arteriography. Computed tomographic arteriography is the technique of contrast enhancement by arterial perfusion during computed tomography. This technique appears to have significant advantages over conventional intravenous contrast enhancement in selected cases.", "PMID": 617612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2209", "title": "Hemispheric specialization of language: an EEG study of bilingual Hopi indian children.", "content": "Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were obtained from electrode placements over the left and right frontal and parietal lobes of the brain in sixteen Hopi Indian children listening to tape recorded children's stories in the Hopi and English languages. Spectral analysis of the EEG data revealed that, for the parietal leads, alpha desynchronization was relatively greater over the right hemisphere for listening to Hopi than for listening to English, which indicates a greater right hemisphere participation in the processing of the Hopi speech. The results of the experiment are directionally consistent with our hypothesis, and imply that linguistic relativity may exist on a neurolinguistic level, such that languages can differ in the relative degree to which they serve as instruments of thought in a propositional, left hemisphere mode, or in an appositional, right hemisphere mode.", "contents": "Hemispheric specialization of language: an EEG study of bilingual Hopi indian children. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were obtained from electrode placements over the left and right frontal and parietal lobes of the brain in sixteen Hopi Indian children listening to tape recorded children's stories in the Hopi and English languages. Spectral analysis of the EEG data revealed that, for the parietal leads, alpha desynchronization was relatively greater over the right hemisphere for listening to Hopi than for listening to English, which indicates a greater right hemisphere participation in the processing of the Hopi speech. The results of the experiment are directionally consistent with our hypothesis, and imply that linguistic relativity may exist on a neurolinguistic level, such that languages can differ in the relative degree to which they serve as instruments of thought in a propositional, left hemisphere mode, or in an appositional, right hemisphere mode.", "PMID": 617618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2210", "title": "Suggestion as an aid to self-regulation of hand temperature.", "content": "Five subjects were instructed to alter the temperature of the dominant hand (two increase, three decrease) with the aid of an augmented feedback display. On baseline days and on alternate training days, subjects were presented with slide projections and heard a tape-recorded sentence during every other intertrial interval during a 15-minute discrete trial period. On baseline days, the imagery and suggestions were neutral in nature; on training days they suggested thermal conditions appropriate to the subject's task. Subjects displayed a significantly larger temperature change in the instructed direction on suggestion than on nonsuggestion training days.", "contents": "Suggestion as an aid to self-regulation of hand temperature. Five subjects were instructed to alter the temperature of the dominant hand (two increase, three decrease) with the aid of an augmented feedback display. On baseline days and on alternate training days, subjects were presented with slide projections and heard a tape-recorded sentence during every other intertrial interval during a 15-minute discrete trial period. On baseline days, the imagery and suggestions were neutral in nature; on training days they suggested thermal conditions appropriate to the subject's task. Subjects displayed a significantly larger temperature change in the instructed direction on suggestion than on nonsuggestion training days.", "PMID": 617620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2211", "title": "Higher cortical dysfunction associated with long term alcoholism.", "content": "A number of studies during the past decade have described deficits associated with chronic alcoholism. Although several of these studies have used neuropsychological tests, no study has comprehensively surveyed all recognized neuropsychological skills in a single population. The present study compared 41 chronic alcoholics to 41 matched controls during a two-day battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Halstead-Reitan, Wechsler Memory Scale, and other major tests. It was hypothesized that tests reflecting right and anterior brain function would differentiate between the groups. A factor analysis of the tests which differentiated between the groups indicated five primary deficits in chronic alcoholism: spatial conceptual skills, associative conceptual skills, flexibility, spatial-motor integration, and serial integration. The last factor demonstrated a small but significant verbal loss in the alcoholics. The implications of these factors for understanding and treating chronic alcoholism were discussed.", "contents": "Higher cortical dysfunction associated with long term alcoholism. A number of studies during the past decade have described deficits associated with chronic alcoholism. Although several of these studies have used neuropsychological tests, no study has comprehensively surveyed all recognized neuropsychological skills in a single population. The present study compared 41 chronic alcoholics to 41 matched controls during a two-day battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Halstead-Reitan, Wechsler Memory Scale, and other major tests. It was hypothesized that tests reflecting right and anterior brain function would differentiate between the groups. A factor analysis of the tests which differentiated between the groups indicated five primary deficits in chronic alcoholism: spatial conceptual skills, associative conceptual skills, flexibility, spatial-motor integration, and serial integration. The last factor demonstrated a small but significant verbal loss in the alcoholics. The implications of these factors for understanding and treating chronic alcoholism were discussed.", "PMID": 617621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2212", "title": "Ocular-motor function and information processing: implications for the reading process.", "content": "This paper discusses the dichotomy between continually moving eyes and the lack of blurred visual experience. A discontinuous model of visual perception is proposed, with the discontinuities being phase and temporally related to saccadic eye movements. It is further proposed that deviant duration and angular velocity characteristics of saccades in patients with hypertonic motor impairment relate to information processing defects. Stabilized retinal image procedures, which control for the effects of eye movements, significantly increase the ability of these patients actively to recall information presented for periods of less than three sec. A model of the reading process is presented based on these findings that addresses itself to the specific components of an interactions between eye movement, information transmission and information processing.", "contents": "Ocular-motor function and information processing: implications for the reading process. This paper discusses the dichotomy between continually moving eyes and the lack of blurred visual experience. A discontinuous model of visual perception is proposed, with the discontinuities being phase and temporally related to saccadic eye movements. It is further proposed that deviant duration and angular velocity characteristics of saccades in patients with hypertonic motor impairment relate to information processing defects. Stabilized retinal image procedures, which control for the effects of eye movements, significantly increase the ability of these patients actively to recall information presented for periods of less than three sec. A model of the reading process is presented based on these findings that addresses itself to the specific components of an interactions between eye movement, information transmission and information processing.", "PMID": 617622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2213", "title": "An interpretation of implicit judgments in chart review.", "content": "The effects of methods that are commonly employed to summarize implicit judgments about quality-of-care assessments, based on medical records, are examined. A sample of 250 medical records, from three outpatient clinics in a municipal hospital, was studied. Two, or three, reviewers judged the quality of both the process of care and the outcome of care, as reflected in each medical record; the reviewers were medical school faculty members. Thirty-seven combinations of the data were used to summarize the judgments made on each medical record. These combinations resulted in significant differences in interpretation within each clinic, but there were only insignificant differences in interpretation across the three clinics. Hence, the use of a single method to summarize data may distort the conclusions. These results demonstrate that data often should be summarized by several methods and that measures of association should be used to supplement tests of significance so as to develop a comprehensive understanding of a set of data.", "contents": "An interpretation of implicit judgments in chart review. The effects of methods that are commonly employed to summarize implicit judgments about quality-of-care assessments, based on medical records, are examined. A sample of 250 medical records, from three outpatient clinics in a municipal hospital, was studied. Two, or three, reviewers judged the quality of both the process of care and the outcome of care, as reflected in each medical record; the reviewers were medical school faculty members. Thirty-seven combinations of the data were used to summarize the judgments made on each medical record. These combinations resulted in significant differences in interpretation within each clinic, but there were only insignificant differences in interpretation across the three clinics. Hence, the use of a single method to summarize data may distort the conclusions. These results demonstrate that data often should be summarized by several methods and that measures of association should be used to supplement tests of significance so as to develop a comprehensive understanding of a set of data.", "PMID": 617624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2214", "title": "The content of care provided by family nurse practitioners.", "content": "The content of care provided by 30 graduates of the UCLA Primex (Family Nurse Practitioner) program was examined. An encounter form similar to that used in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was employed to code patients' complaints. These practitioners had been specifically trained to provide care for ambulatory patients. Data were collected one year after the completion of the university didactic phase of the program. We found that Primex practitioners spent more time with patients, more often employed traditional nursing functions, and more often used medical investigative procedures, such as x-rays and laboratory tests than did the physicians in the NAMC survey. Although the types of problems seen varied according to the organizational setting, these nurse practitioners were more often assigned routine health examinations and less often saw certain kinds of acute health care problems than had been anticipated in their training; 116 different types of symptoms or problems were presented, with a total of 1,170 encounters.", "contents": "The content of care provided by family nurse practitioners. The content of care provided by 30 graduates of the UCLA Primex (Family Nurse Practitioner) program was examined. An encounter form similar to that used in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was employed to code patients' complaints. These practitioners had been specifically trained to provide care for ambulatory patients. Data were collected one year after the completion of the university didactic phase of the program. We found that Primex practitioners spent more time with patients, more often employed traditional nursing functions, and more often used medical investigative procedures, such as x-rays and laboratory tests than did the physicians in the NAMC survey. Although the types of problems seen varied according to the organizational setting, these nurse practitioners were more often assigned routine health examinations and less often saw certain kinds of acute health care problems than had been anticipated in their training; 116 different types of symptoms or problems were presented, with a total of 1,170 encounters.", "PMID": 617625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2215", "title": "Rating the lecturer: a study of how different disciplines used comparative criteria.", "content": "Faculty members from medicine, nursing, social work, and law, as well as a group of medical students, tested their own criteria for a good lecturer; each group focused on different aspects of the behaviors sought in the good lecture. The \"Dr. Fox\" paradigm was the lecture chosen; all groups failed to identify the deliberately incorporated failings. These results were then compared with the results obtained by using a standardized rating form in current use within a major university.", "contents": "Rating the lecturer: a study of how different disciplines used comparative criteria. Faculty members from medicine, nursing, social work, and law, as well as a group of medical students, tested their own criteria for a good lecturer; each group focused on different aspects of the behaviors sought in the good lecture. The \"Dr. Fox\" paradigm was the lecture chosen; all groups failed to identify the deliberately incorporated failings. These results were then compared with the results obtained by using a standardized rating form in current use within a major university.", "PMID": 617627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2216", "title": "Quality assurance and the continuing education of physicians.", "content": "The rising impetus for mandatory continuing medical education (CME) is based on the assumption that CME presents an effective means of assuring physician competence. The relationship between competence and CME, as it currently exists, is unclear, however. The passage of legislation requiring mandatory CME credits will only serve to obscure this further by emphasizing quantity in credits rather than quality of educational experience.", "contents": "Quality assurance and the continuing education of physicians. The rising impetus for mandatory continuing medical education (CME) is based on the assumption that CME presents an effective means of assuring physician competence. The relationship between competence and CME, as it currently exists, is unclear, however. The passage of legislation requiring mandatory CME credits will only serve to obscure this further by emphasizing quantity in credits rather than quality of educational experience.", "PMID": 617628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2217", "title": "Physician competence and compulsory continuing education: are they compatible?", "content": "Continuing medical education (CME) should be broadly defined as any intervention into the activities of a physician that produces behavioral change. Under this definition, it is unquestionable that CME influences quality of care. However, the current CME-accreditation system, with its narrow emphasis on course work, serves to inhibit the development of individualized educational activities geared to identified needs.", "contents": "Physician competence and compulsory continuing education: are they compatible? Continuing medical education (CME) should be broadly defined as any intervention into the activities of a physician that produces behavioral change. Under this definition, it is unquestionable that CME influences quality of care. However, the current CME-accreditation system, with its narrow emphasis on course work, serves to inhibit the development of individualized educational activities geared to identified needs.", "PMID": 617629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2218", "title": "Patient adherence to antihypertensive medical regimens.", "content": "The initial findings from a long-term study of patient adherence to antihypertensive medical regimens are reported; the research was designed to identify factors related to adherence. Data were collected by means of personal interviews and from medication records for a sample of 132 hypertensive patients of private physicians. Patient beliefs about their susceptibility to the effects of hypertension, about the severity of the condition, and about the efficacy of the regimen prescribed were all associated with compliance, when the self-report and pharmacy records were analyzed. A lesser degree of adherence was found to be related to the patient's feelings of dependence on the physician and to a lesser sense of personal control; those patients who found it difficult, for personal reasons, to comply with the regimen also exhibited a lesser degree of adherence. Although a patient's understanding about the disease was not related to adherence, his awareness of the purpose of the regimen was. Less educated and older patients showed less compliance. The compliance of patients in following dietary advice was less marked than was compliance in taking medication. Although preliminary, the results emphasize the importance of a patient's beliefs and his social situation in decisions to follow medical advice.", "contents": "Patient adherence to antihypertensive medical regimens. The initial findings from a long-term study of patient adherence to antihypertensive medical regimens are reported; the research was designed to identify factors related to adherence. Data were collected by means of personal interviews and from medication records for a sample of 132 hypertensive patients of private physicians. Patient beliefs about their susceptibility to the effects of hypertension, about the severity of the condition, and about the efficacy of the regimen prescribed were all associated with compliance, when the self-report and pharmacy records were analyzed. A lesser degree of adherence was found to be related to the patient's feelings of dependence on the physician and to a lesser sense of personal control; those patients who found it difficult, for personal reasons, to comply with the regimen also exhibited a lesser degree of adherence. Although a patient's understanding about the disease was not related to adherence, his awareness of the purpose of the regimen was. Less educated and older patients showed less compliance. The compliance of patients in following dietary advice was less marked than was compliance in taking medication. Although preliminary, the results emphasize the importance of a patient's beliefs and his social situation in decisions to follow medical advice.", "PMID": 617631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2219", "title": "Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease: effects of a community-based campaign on knowledge and behavior.", "content": "In 1972 the Stanford Heart Disease Prevention Program launched a three-community field study. A multimedia campaign was conducted for two years in two California communities (Watsonville and Gilroy), in one of which (Watsonville) it was supplemented by an intensive-instruction program with high-risk subjects. A third community (Tracy) was used as a control. The campaigns were designed to increase participants' knowledge of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to change such risk-producing behavior as cigarette smoking, and to decrease the participants' dietary intake of calories, salt, sugar, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Results of a sample survey indicate that substantial gains in knowledge, in behavioral modification, and in the estimated risk of cardiovascular disease can be produced by both methods of intervention. The intensive-instruction program, when combined with the mass-medica campaign, emerged as the most effective for those participants who were initially evaluated to be at high risk. The results after two years of intervention are reported for effects on knowledge and behavioral change for the total participant samples and for the high-risk subsamples in each of the three communities.", "contents": "Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease: effects of a community-based campaign on knowledge and behavior. In 1972 the Stanford Heart Disease Prevention Program launched a three-community field study. A multimedia campaign was conducted for two years in two California communities (Watsonville and Gilroy), in one of which (Watsonville) it was supplemented by an intensive-instruction program with high-risk subjects. A third community (Tracy) was used as a control. The campaigns were designed to increase participants' knowledge of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to change such risk-producing behavior as cigarette smoking, and to decrease the participants' dietary intake of calories, salt, sugar, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Results of a sample survey indicate that substantial gains in knowledge, in behavioral modification, and in the estimated risk of cardiovascular disease can be produced by both methods of intervention. The intensive-instruction program, when combined with the mass-medica campaign, emerged as the most effective for those participants who were initially evaluated to be at high risk. The results after two years of intervention are reported for effects on knowledge and behavioral change for the total participant samples and for the high-risk subsamples in each of the three communities.", "PMID": 617630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2220", "title": "Car crashes: perceived vulnerability and willingness to pay for crash protection.", "content": "A national random sample of 1,017 new-car buyers was surveyed. The respondents indicated a clear preference for more, automatic crash protection rather than for protection that must be activated by those to be protected. Respondents were willing to add an average of $12 to their monthly car payments, if the added cost would save 6,000 lives a year--three times the amount that the currently available technology would actually cost to save 8,800 lives per year. Buyer preferences for crash protection and their willingness to pay were unrelated to their feelings of personal vulnerability to death or injury in car crashes.", "contents": "Car crashes: perceived vulnerability and willingness to pay for crash protection. A national random sample of 1,017 new-car buyers was surveyed. The respondents indicated a clear preference for more, automatic crash protection rather than for protection that must be activated by those to be protected. Respondents were willing to add an average of $12 to their monthly car payments, if the added cost would save 6,000 lives a year--three times the amount that the currently available technology would actually cost to save 8,800 lives per year. Buyer preferences for crash protection and their willingness to pay were unrelated to their feelings of personal vulnerability to death or injury in car crashes.", "PMID": 617633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2221", "title": "Sex roles as variables in preventive health behavior.", "content": "Preventive health behavior is broadly defined to encompass a spectrum of actions that range from voluntary exposure to the risk of disease, injury, or death to active efforts at prevention or detection of disease. Data are presented to show that men, in our culture engage in more risk-taking behavior and take preventive measures less frequently than women, while women avoid risks and take preventive action, particularly when this action requires medical intervention. The literature review supports the hypothesis that these differences in behavior arise out of the socialization and adult role patterns that our society defines as appropriate for each sex. Women, in particular, are encouraged to define their problems in medical terms and to seek help for them within the medical care system.", "contents": "Sex roles as variables in preventive health behavior. Preventive health behavior is broadly defined to encompass a spectrum of actions that range from voluntary exposure to the risk of disease, injury, or death to active efforts at prevention or detection of disease. Data are presented to show that men, in our culture engage in more risk-taking behavior and take preventive measures less frequently than women, while women avoid risks and take preventive action, particularly when this action requires medical intervention. The literature review supports the hypothesis that these differences in behavior arise out of the socialization and adult role patterns that our society defines as appropriate for each sex. Women, in particular, are encouraged to define their problems in medical terms and to seek help for them within the medical care system.", "PMID": 617634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2222", "title": "Neighborhood health centers: a decade of experience.", "content": "The first neighborhood health center was funded in 1965 by the Office of Economic Opportunity. Now, 12 years later, 127 federally funded centers are serving over a million people. The centers have offered a high quality of service, delivered comprehensive care that includes preventive services and health supervision, developed a workable team approach in such care, and shown that this can be done at reasonable cost. Evaluative studies made on center effectiveness in disease prevention, in reduction of hospitalization and emergency room usage, and in improving the quality of care show that the centers compare favorably with other methods of providing similar care. Problems of financing are discussed, as well as possible directions for the future.", "contents": "Neighborhood health centers: a decade of experience. The first neighborhood health center was funded in 1965 by the Office of Economic Opportunity. Now, 12 years later, 127 federally funded centers are serving over a million people. The centers have offered a high quality of service, delivered comprehensive care that includes preventive services and health supervision, developed a workable team approach in such care, and shown that this can be done at reasonable cost. Evaluative studies made on center effectiveness in disease prevention, in reduction of hospitalization and emergency room usage, and in improving the quality of care show that the centers compare favorably with other methods of providing similar care. Problems of financing are discussed, as well as possible directions for the future.", "PMID": 617635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2223", "title": "New roles for health care consumers: a study of role transformation.", "content": "The increased emphasis on citizen participation in health planning has caused changes in the traditional roles of health professionals and their clients. Interaction patterns between health care providers and health care consumers as members of planning boards are examined in two health-related organizations: a comprehensive health planning council and a low-income neighborhood health center. Eighteen months of observation, supplemented with an analysis of official records and interviews, provide the basis for the discussion.", "contents": "New roles for health care consumers: a study of role transformation. The increased emphasis on citizen participation in health planning has caused changes in the traditional roles of health professionals and their clients. Interaction patterns between health care providers and health care consumers as members of planning boards are examined in two health-related organizations: a comprehensive health planning council and a low-income neighborhood health center. Eighteen months of observation, supplemented with an analysis of official records and interviews, provide the basis for the discussion.", "PMID": 617636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2224", "title": "Visual bottle inspection performance in highly paced belt-conveyor systems.", "content": "The relation between visual work performance and a few variables with immediate effects, i.e, lighting, work speed, work spell, etc. was studied. At the same time, some physiological and behavioral variations obtained in the study were also discussed. Through experiments and surveys, the optimum conditions were found for each variable. Work performance, however, is affected in such a subtle, interactive and dynamic manner that the working conditions are to be adjusted by taking into account not only these variables having immediate effects but also those indirectly relating ones meeting real needs in the practical working fields. Improvement of some physical working conditions, such as lighting, produces only a transitory increase of performance which is very unstable unless other determinants of performance are simultaneously managed in a proper manner. The same applied to arrangement of the optimum work speed and work spell for highly paced visual inspection, variations in rejection rate and in physiological functions interacting with individual and other determinants. In order to maximize understanding of the integrated and synthesized manner of determinants, it is emphasized that work performance must be pursued in a considerably comprehensive framework from a long-term perspective.", "contents": "Visual bottle inspection performance in highly paced belt-conveyor systems. The relation between visual work performance and a few variables with immediate effects, i.e, lighting, work speed, work spell, etc. was studied. At the same time, some physiological and behavioral variations obtained in the study were also discussed. Through experiments and surveys, the optimum conditions were found for each variable. Work performance, however, is affected in such a subtle, interactive and dynamic manner that the working conditions are to be adjusted by taking into account not only these variables having immediate effects but also those indirectly relating ones meeting real needs in the practical working fields. Improvement of some physical working conditions, such as lighting, produces only a transitory increase of performance which is very unstable unless other determinants of performance are simultaneously managed in a proper manner. The same applied to arrangement of the optimum work speed and work spell for highly paced visual inspection, variations in rejection rate and in physiological functions interacting with individual and other determinants. In order to maximize understanding of the integrated and synthesized manner of determinants, it is emphasized that work performance must be pursued in a considerably comprehensive framework from a long-term perspective.", "PMID": 617648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2225", "title": "Effects of environmental heart on performance and some physiological responses of a man during a psychomotor task.", "content": "In climatic chamber experiments some physiological responses of a young healthy man were studied. He was able to perform a pursuitmeter task in a fairly wide range of warm climates without decrement of performance. The highly trained and heat-acclimatized subject was exposed nearly undressed to various ambient temperatures (28--55 degrees C) and air humidities (10--92%) which were combined in such a way that the conditions were tolerable up to 4 h. In 18 experiments the man was sitting quietly all the time, and in a parallel series of 19 experiments (up to 50 degrees C) he performed the pursuitmeter task during the last 2 hours of each exposure. Under equal climatic conditions work caused a slight increase in oxygen uptake corresponding to an increase in metabolic heat generation by about 70 kj/h (17kcal/h) on the average. Rectal temperature and temperature next to the eardrum were 0.1--0.2 degrees C higher at work as compared with rest. Weight loss at work exceeded weight loss at rest, the difference ocrresponding to an increase in evaporative heat loss by about 110 kj/h (26 kcal/h) which resulted in a decrease of mean skin temperature of 0.5 to 0.9 degrees C. Superelevation of heart rate due to work reached about 10 beats/min in a thermally neutral environment, but up to 30 beats/min in hot dry and warm humid surrounding, reflecting the additional effort for maintaining performance under conditions of increasing heat stress.", "contents": "Effects of environmental heart on performance and some physiological responses of a man during a psychomotor task. In climatic chamber experiments some physiological responses of a young healthy man were studied. He was able to perform a pursuitmeter task in a fairly wide range of warm climates without decrement of performance. The highly trained and heat-acclimatized subject was exposed nearly undressed to various ambient temperatures (28--55 degrees C) and air humidities (10--92%) which were combined in such a way that the conditions were tolerable up to 4 h. In 18 experiments the man was sitting quietly all the time, and in a parallel series of 19 experiments (up to 50 degrees C) he performed the pursuitmeter task during the last 2 hours of each exposure. Under equal climatic conditions work caused a slight increase in oxygen uptake corresponding to an increase in metabolic heat generation by about 70 kj/h (17kcal/h) on the average. Rectal temperature and temperature next to the eardrum were 0.1--0.2 degrees C higher at work as compared with rest. Weight loss at work exceeded weight loss at rest, the difference ocrresponding to an increase in evaporative heat loss by about 110 kj/h (26 kcal/h) which resulted in a decrease of mean skin temperature of 0.5 to 0.9 degrees C. Superelevation of heart rate due to work reached about 10 beats/min in a thermally neutral environment, but up to 30 beats/min in hot dry and warm humid surrounding, reflecting the additional effort for maintaining performance under conditions of increasing heat stress.", "PMID": 617649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2226", "title": "Prediction chart of thermal sensation levels derived from a sweat pore system model.", "content": "Because of the half-way wet-and-dry skin surface, it is very difficult to analyze and predict the heat loss by sweat evaporation It is significant that neither wetness nor wet area ratio can be a universal index under the influences of different air current, the state of being clothed making them less useful. Therefore, in an attempt to predict the dynamic thermal sensation levels by means of the simulation method, a sub-skin wet layer and a sweat pore system regulating sweat evaporation were assumed. It was shown that it is possible to indicate the probable values of moisture permeability through the skin or clothing. On the basis of such a thermal systems approach, conditions of the environment, including radiant and ambient air temperature, humidity, and air movement and those of the human bodyworking and wearing clothes could be related to each other as shown by several examples. Then the scaling method of thermal sensation levels were proposed. Finally, the sub-skin heat capacities were discussed according to the step response simulation using the results of cold shock tests.", "contents": "Prediction chart of thermal sensation levels derived from a sweat pore system model. Because of the half-way wet-and-dry skin surface, it is very difficult to analyze and predict the heat loss by sweat evaporation It is significant that neither wetness nor wet area ratio can be a universal index under the influences of different air current, the state of being clothed making them less useful. Therefore, in an attempt to predict the dynamic thermal sensation levels by means of the simulation method, a sub-skin wet layer and a sweat pore system regulating sweat evaporation were assumed. It was shown that it is possible to indicate the probable values of moisture permeability through the skin or clothing. On the basis of such a thermal systems approach, conditions of the environment, including radiant and ambient air temperature, humidity, and air movement and those of the human bodyworking and wearing clothes could be related to each other as shown by several examples. Then the scaling method of thermal sensation levels were proposed. Finally, the sub-skin heat capacities were discussed according to the step response simulation using the results of cold shock tests.", "PMID": 617650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2227", "title": "Environmental factors and work performance of foundry workers.", "content": "Environmental factors such as atmospheric conditions, lighting, noise, and dust in foundry factories of different sizes were evaluated by direct physical measurements and a subjective rating method using an ergonomic checklist. Working postures and subjective feelings of fatigue of the workers were analyzed in various types of foundry shops. The results showed that work load was highly connected with poor working postures and unfavorable arrangement of work space as well as with poor workplace environment, particularly in terms of dust and noise. Forward bending and squatting positions, which were attributable to the manual working height on or just above the floor level, occupied 70--90% of the actual working time handling large-sized casts, while the work using a table allowed workers more frequent erect standing postures. It seemed essential to redesign the fundamental working processes and to improve the work surface height. A comparison was then made as to performance patterns and electromyographic activities of main muscles between the traditional molding work on the floor and the work at a newly developed hydraulic lift-table operated by foot pedals. The new table assured the worker of an optimal standing position and proved to be an effective means of redesigning the work space.", "contents": "Environmental factors and work performance of foundry workers. Environmental factors such as atmospheric conditions, lighting, noise, and dust in foundry factories of different sizes were evaluated by direct physical measurements and a subjective rating method using an ergonomic checklist. Working postures and subjective feelings of fatigue of the workers were analyzed in various types of foundry shops. The results showed that work load was highly connected with poor working postures and unfavorable arrangement of work space as well as with poor workplace environment, particularly in terms of dust and noise. Forward bending and squatting positions, which were attributable to the manual working height on or just above the floor level, occupied 70--90% of the actual working time handling large-sized casts, while the work using a table allowed workers more frequent erect standing postures. It seemed essential to redesign the fundamental working processes and to improve the work surface height. A comparison was then made as to performance patterns and electromyographic activities of main muscles between the traditional molding work on the floor and the work at a newly developed hydraulic lift-table operated by foot pedals. The new table assured the worker of an optimal standing position and proved to be an effective means of redesigning the work space.", "PMID": 617651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2228", "title": "The physiological costs of box lifting.", "content": "Thirteen male subjects lifted boxes of three different weights for 20 min periods each. Ventilation, oxygen uptake and heart rates were measured. Each subject made subjective estimates of the degree of difficulty of the work he was doing. Oxygen uptake and ventilation were found to reach steady state after about four minutes and remain there for the rest of the work session. Heart rate for the two lighter boxes reached steady state after about thirteen minutes while the heart rate continued to rise when lifting was done with the heaviest box. The relationships between oxygen uptake, heart rate and work load tended to be curvilinear, whereas the ventilation was linear when compared to work load. The heart rate and oxygen uptake relationship was also curvilinear, while ventilation and oxygen uptake had a linear relationship. The subjective ratings were expected to be about one-tenth of the heart rate. Only the ratings made while lifting the lightest box reflected this. The heavier boxes were rated as being more difficult to lift than 10 times the heart rate per minute. The mechanical efficiencies were found to range between 4.4% and 6.2%.", "contents": "The physiological costs of box lifting. Thirteen male subjects lifted boxes of three different weights for 20 min periods each. Ventilation, oxygen uptake and heart rates were measured. Each subject made subjective estimates of the degree of difficulty of the work he was doing. Oxygen uptake and ventilation were found to reach steady state after about four minutes and remain there for the rest of the work session. Heart rate for the two lighter boxes reached steady state after about thirteen minutes while the heart rate continued to rise when lifting was done with the heaviest box. The relationships between oxygen uptake, heart rate and work load tended to be curvilinear, whereas the ventilation was linear when compared to work load. The heart rate and oxygen uptake relationship was also curvilinear, while ventilation and oxygen uptake had a linear relationship. The subjective ratings were expected to be about one-tenth of the heart rate. Only the ratings made while lifting the lightest box reflected this. The heavier boxes were rated as being more difficult to lift than 10 times the heart rate per minute. The mechanical efficiencies were found to range between 4.4% and 6.2%.", "PMID": 617652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2229", "title": "Muscle load and fatigue of film rolling workers.", "content": "Effects of locally concentrated loading by repetitive upper limb operations on the musculature were studied in female workers of ages 19--33 rolling photographic film. They repeated rolling and capping of a 35 mm film every 2.5--5 sec during the whole day shift which had a 60 min lunch recess and two 10 min rests. Increase of dull-drowsy symptoms and shoulder complaints was dominant after work, stiff shoulders complaints being divided into 41.6% for prework and 78.7% for postwork. It was characteristic for these workers to have the trapezius muscle showed continuous electromyographic activities in sustaining arms. The average level of the contraction was estimated at about 10--30% of the maximum contraction. Eighty-four per cent of those studied had tenderness at the ascending part of the trapezius, while the same tenderness was found in only 48% of female office workers of the same firm. The operators having low tenderness threshold of 0.6 kg/cm2 or less had stiff shoulders more frequently as well as lower levels of back muscle and upper arm abduction forces than those having no tenderness. It is thus likely that habitual shoulder muscle fatigue is due to repetitive tasks that results in localized tenderness and possibly in occupational hazards.", "contents": "Muscle load and fatigue of film rolling workers. Effects of locally concentrated loading by repetitive upper limb operations on the musculature were studied in female workers of ages 19--33 rolling photographic film. They repeated rolling and capping of a 35 mm film every 2.5--5 sec during the whole day shift which had a 60 min lunch recess and two 10 min rests. Increase of dull-drowsy symptoms and shoulder complaints was dominant after work, stiff shoulders complaints being divided into 41.6% for prework and 78.7% for postwork. It was characteristic for these workers to have the trapezius muscle showed continuous electromyographic activities in sustaining arms. The average level of the contraction was estimated at about 10--30% of the maximum contraction. Eighty-four per cent of those studied had tenderness at the ascending part of the trapezius, while the same tenderness was found in only 48% of female office workers of the same firm. The operators having low tenderness threshold of 0.6 kg/cm2 or less had stiff shoulders more frequently as well as lower levels of back muscle and upper arm abduction forces than those having no tenderness. It is thus likely that habitual shoulder muscle fatigue is due to repetitive tasks that results in localized tenderness and possibly in occupational hazards.", "PMID": 617653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2230", "title": "Lifting capacity of workers.", "content": "In order to establish a valid criteria on which to establish lifting guidelines, lifting capacity determination must be made. This has been attempted using several approaches mainly psychophysical, physiological, and biomechanical methodologies. Although the data obtained from these approaches yield information about lifting capacity, some conflict in these data can be found. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the three different approaches, the data obtained from these approaches, and some data on the lifting capacity for males and females in the industrial workforce. In addition, the conflicts in these data are also presented.", "contents": "Lifting capacity of workers. In order to establish a valid criteria on which to establish lifting guidelines, lifting capacity determination must be made. This has been attempted using several approaches mainly psychophysical, physiological, and biomechanical methodologies. Although the data obtained from these approaches yield information about lifting capacity, some conflict in these data can be found. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the three different approaches, the data obtained from these approaches, and some data on the lifting capacity for males and females in the industrial workforce. In addition, the conflicts in these data are also presented.", "PMID": 617654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2231", "title": "Occupational cervicobrachial disorder and its causative factors.", "content": "Occupational cervicobrachial disorder often diagnosed as cervicobrachial syndrome, cervical syndrome, or thoracic outlet syndrome has been frequently noticed among workers of the offices and factories in Japan since about 1955. Based on the data of case reports and mass examinations, the prevalence and the causative factors of the disease are described. The factors provoking the disorder can be divided into two categories, i.e, the ways how the workers use the musculature and strain the nerous system and the conditions in which the job is organized into the work system and is controlled. Studies on bank note counting, copying-slips writing, machine sewing, and amplifier assembling work reveal that not only the high density of the task but also time factors such as long work spells and lack of voluntary rests are important in causation of the disorder. Results of health examinations of 117 female workers on a cigarette assembly line confirm a close relation between the clinical severity of the occupational disorder and the subjective complaints at work and at home. The manifestation of clinical symptoms depends on what kinds of the first category factors predominate, but the progress to severer cases is relevant to the work system hampering the recovery from chronic muscular and central fatigue.", "contents": "Occupational cervicobrachial disorder and its causative factors. Occupational cervicobrachial disorder often diagnosed as cervicobrachial syndrome, cervical syndrome, or thoracic outlet syndrome has been frequently noticed among workers of the offices and factories in Japan since about 1955. Based on the data of case reports and mass examinations, the prevalence and the causative factors of the disease are described. The factors provoking the disorder can be divided into two categories, i.e, the ways how the workers use the musculature and strain the nerous system and the conditions in which the job is organized into the work system and is controlled. Studies on bank note counting, copying-slips writing, machine sewing, and amplifier assembling work reveal that not only the high density of the task but also time factors such as long work spells and lack of voluntary rests are important in causation of the disorder. Results of health examinations of 117 female workers on a cigarette assembly line confirm a close relation between the clinical severity of the occupational disorder and the subjective complaints at work and at home. The manifestation of clinical symptoms depends on what kinds of the first category factors predominate, but the progress to severer cases is relevant to the work system hampering the recovery from chronic muscular and central fatigue.", "PMID": 617655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2232", "title": "Model for clinical social work practice in a health care facility.", "content": "A model of clinical social work practice for direct patient service in a health care setting, providing clarity of role and function, was a side benefit of social service department's addressing the accountability issue. This document has provided the structure for a recording and reporting scheme to demonstrate what social service performs, what it accomplishes, and in what quantity. The model has secondary usages for staff education, student training, and definition of programs for administrative purposes.", "contents": "Model for clinical social work practice in a health care facility. A model of clinical social work practice for direct patient service in a health care setting, providing clarity of role and function, was a side benefit of social service department's addressing the accountability issue. This document has provided the structure for a recording and reporting scheme to demonstrate what social service performs, what it accomplishes, and in what quantity. The model has secondary usages for staff education, student training, and definition of programs for administrative purposes.", "PMID": 617762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2233", "title": "The social worker's role in a behavioral management approach to chronic pain.", "content": "The pain treatment program described in this paper teaches chronic pain patients and their families to manage pain in a constructive manner, increasing activity, eliminating pain medications, and reducing use of the health care system. The social worker carries a crucial role in this behavior modification program: working with the patient, family, and rehabilitation team in evaluation for the program, in treatment of the patient and family, and in the transition from hospital to home and the community. Chronic pain is a costly disability, economically and socially. For many patients traditional medical and surgical approaches have failed to bring relief. By attending to and treating the total family system, at least 75% of the patients treated are enabled to lead normally active lives again.", "contents": "The social worker's role in a behavioral management approach to chronic pain. The pain treatment program described in this paper teaches chronic pain patients and their families to manage pain in a constructive manner, increasing activity, eliminating pain medications, and reducing use of the health care system. The social worker carries a crucial role in this behavior modification program: working with the patient, family, and rehabilitation team in evaluation for the program, in treatment of the patient and family, and in the transition from hospital to home and the community. Chronic pain is a costly disability, economically and socially. For many patients traditional medical and surgical approaches have failed to bring relief. By attending to and treating the total family system, at least 75% of the patients treated are enabled to lead normally active lives again.", "PMID": 617763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2234", "title": "Attitudes of adolescent males toward abortion, contraception, and sexuality.", "content": "Younger males appear to be reassessing their roles in preventing unwanted conception. This article reports the findings of a study of the attitudes of 1,017 younger men toward pregnancy, family planning, and sexuality. A questionnaire was used over a 2-year period, administered before educational sessions conducted by the Planned Parenthood Association of the Chicago Area.", "contents": "Attitudes of adolescent males toward abortion, contraception, and sexuality. Younger males appear to be reassessing their roles in preventing unwanted conception. This article reports the findings of a study of the attitudes of 1,017 younger men toward pregnancy, family planning, and sexuality. A questionnaire was used over a 2-year period, administered before educational sessions conducted by the Planned Parenthood Association of the Chicago Area.", "PMID": 617765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2235", "title": "Adolescent pregnancy: an interpersonal skill training approach to prevention.", "content": "The research literature reports numerous negative consequences of adolescent pregnancy. Unfortunately, contemporary approaches to preventing teenage pregnancies have been largely unsuccessful. Recent evidence, however, suggests that interpersonal communication skill training may represent an important step in helping adolescents deal with their sexual and contraceptive behavior. This describes a pilot study of an interpersonal skill training model for sexually active inner-city teenagers. Results show that this training model is a feasible and attractive approach to modifying the youths' communication patterns. Findings indicate that such training is a fruitful direction for future pregnancy prevention research with the adolescent target population.", "contents": "Adolescent pregnancy: an interpersonal skill training approach to prevention. The research literature reports numerous negative consequences of adolescent pregnancy. Unfortunately, contemporary approaches to preventing teenage pregnancies have been largely unsuccessful. Recent evidence, however, suggests that interpersonal communication skill training may represent an important step in helping adolescents deal with their sexual and contraceptive behavior. This describes a pilot study of an interpersonal skill training model for sexually active inner-city teenagers. Results show that this training model is a feasible and attractive approach to modifying the youths' communication patterns. Findings indicate that such training is a fruitful direction for future pregnancy prevention research with the adolescent target population.", "PMID": 617764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2236", "title": "Can private hospitals afford to provide social services?", "content": "This article describes a fee-for-service charging system for social work services in a \"private\" hospital. This system was developed because the financial pressures of the day appear to be causing a trend to decrease the level of social services provided in hospitals. The system has provided the Department of Clinical Social Work the opportunity to demonstrate the marketability of social work and to assure the department's financial viability.", "contents": "Can private hospitals afford to provide social services? This article describes a fee-for-service charging system for social work services in a \"private\" hospital. This system was developed because the financial pressures of the day appear to be causing a trend to decrease the level of social services provided in hospitals. The system has provided the Department of Clinical Social Work the opportunity to demonstrate the marketability of social work and to assure the department's financial viability.", "PMID": 617766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2237", "title": "Myofibre abnormalities of orbicular muscle in malposition of the eyelid.", "content": "Fifty-five cases of senile entropion and ectropion have been studied electron microscopically. In both senile entropion and ectropion significant ultrastructural abnormalities were found in the orbicular muscle fibres, such as a disruption of fibres, Z line streaming, rod formation, Z line duplication and cytoplasmic body formation. These alterations have been described only in neuromuscular disorders and systemic diseases affecting the skeletal muscles. Our observations have confirmed that these abnormalities are not specific signs of any given disease, they rather represent the ultrastructural background of impaired muscle function independently of the aetiology of the disease.", "contents": "Myofibre abnormalities of orbicular muscle in malposition of the eyelid. Fifty-five cases of senile entropion and ectropion have been studied electron microscopically. In both senile entropion and ectropion significant ultrastructural abnormalities were found in the orbicular muscle fibres, such as a disruption of fibres, Z line streaming, rod formation, Z line duplication and cytoplasmic body formation. These alterations have been described only in neuromuscular disorders and systemic diseases affecting the skeletal muscles. Our observations have confirmed that these abnormalities are not specific signs of any given disease, they rather represent the ultrastructural background of impaired muscle function independently of the aetiology of the disease.", "PMID": 617768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2238", "title": "Influence of the intestinal epithelium to the plasma cell differentiation injected into the thymus.", "content": "Physiological saline solution of enzyme-isolated small intestinal epithelium of rat embryos was injected into the thymus of adult rats, thus increasing the number of epithelial cells in the parenchyma. The effect of the cellular composition of the thymus parenchyma was studied with special regard to plasma cells. Considering the functional importance of epithelial elements in the lymphoepithelial organs, the intervention rendered the thymus similar to the lymphoid organs of the intestinal tract; Plasma cells failed to appear in the thymus, but their number in the lymph nodes surrounding the thymus was considerably increased. It is supposed that under normal circumstances the thymus contains an inhibitory factor, which would make it possible to induce plasma cell transformation, but would inhibit maturation during the presence of the cells in the thymus.", "contents": "Influence of the intestinal epithelium to the plasma cell differentiation injected into the thymus. Physiological saline solution of enzyme-isolated small intestinal epithelium of rat embryos was injected into the thymus of adult rats, thus increasing the number of epithelial cells in the parenchyma. The effect of the cellular composition of the thymus parenchyma was studied with special regard to plasma cells. Considering the functional importance of epithelial elements in the lymphoepithelial organs, the intervention rendered the thymus similar to the lymphoid organs of the intestinal tract; Plasma cells failed to appear in the thymus, but their number in the lymph nodes surrounding the thymus was considerably increased. It is supposed that under normal circumstances the thymus contains an inhibitory factor, which would make it possible to induce plasma cell transformation, but would inhibit maturation during the presence of the cells in the thymus.", "PMID": 617769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2239", "title": "Cytoplasmic aggregates in D-galactosamine induced liver injury.", "content": "D-galactosamine treatment leads to the formation of PAS-positive granules or aggregates in the cytoplasm of mouse liver cells. Ultrastructural observations show that the granules consist of particles surrounded by membranes of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Cytochemical results reveal that part of the particles is pronase-sensitive and amylase resistant, staining positively by the Thi\u00e9ry silver proteinate method. The other part is stained positively by EDTA preferentional staining. According to the cyto-and histochemical results the granules consist of ribosomes and abnormal basic glycogen. The aggregates are removed from the cytoplasm mostly by lysosomal degradation.", "contents": "Cytoplasmic aggregates in D-galactosamine induced liver injury. D-galactosamine treatment leads to the formation of PAS-positive granules or aggregates in the cytoplasm of mouse liver cells. Ultrastructural observations show that the granules consist of particles surrounded by membranes of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Cytochemical results reveal that part of the particles is pronase-sensitive and amylase resistant, staining positively by the Thi\u00e9ry silver proteinate method. The other part is stained positively by EDTA preferentional staining. According to the cyto-and histochemical results the granules consist of ribosomes and abnormal basic glycogen. The aggregates are removed from the cytoplasm mostly by lysosomal degradation.", "PMID": 617770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2240", "title": "Blood supply of the rat hypothalamus. V. The medial hypothalamus (nucleus ventromedialis, nucleus dorsomedialis, nucleus perifornicalis).", "content": "Using the India ink double-perfusion technique, the blood vessels of the rat's medial hypothalamus were reconstructed from serial sections. The area studied comprised the ventromedial, dorsomedial and perifornical nuclei. The arterial supply of this territory comes from the middle hypothalamic and the anterior, middle and posterior tuberal arteries. The drainage is strictly undirectional: ventralward by the anterior, middle and posterior ventromedial, the posteromedial and posterolateral hypothalamic veins, all ending in the basal vein. The arteries of the ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei are distinct from those of the arcuate nucleus and median eminence, and their drainage is not connected with the portal vessels. The nuclei studied, even at the levels of their subdivisions, possess own arteries whose territories of supply can well be distinguished with a minimum of overlap. The topography of these arteries is described in detail. The medial hypothalamus has no vascular connections with other regions of the diencephalon including the thalamus.", "contents": "Blood supply of the rat hypothalamus. V. The medial hypothalamus (nucleus ventromedialis, nucleus dorsomedialis, nucleus perifornicalis). Using the India ink double-perfusion technique, the blood vessels of the rat's medial hypothalamus were reconstructed from serial sections. The area studied comprised the ventromedial, dorsomedial and perifornical nuclei. The arterial supply of this territory comes from the middle hypothalamic and the anterior, middle and posterior tuberal arteries. The drainage is strictly undirectional: ventralward by the anterior, middle and posterior ventromedial, the posteromedial and posterolateral hypothalamic veins, all ending in the basal vein. The arteries of the ventromedial and dorsomedial nuclei are distinct from those of the arcuate nucleus and median eminence, and their drainage is not connected with the portal vessels. The nuclei studied, even at the levels of their subdivisions, possess own arteries whose territories of supply can well be distinguished with a minimum of overlap. The topography of these arteries is described in detail. The medial hypothalamus has no vascular connections with other regions of the diencephalon including the thalamus.", "PMID": 617771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2241", "title": "Intermittent hypoxic loading: a model system to study the early stages of myocardial lesions.", "content": "Authors applied the model system of intermittent hypoxic loading to study the development of early myocardial alterations. It was found that a primary role is played by the deficiency of high-energy phosphate synthesis and by the disturbance of energetic and transport processes. The change of Ca2+-control, activation of anaerobic glycolysis and intracellular acidosis were found to be instrumental in decreasing contractility, impairing membranes and finally in a diffuse destruction of myofilaments.", "contents": "Intermittent hypoxic loading: a model system to study the early stages of myocardial lesions. Authors applied the model system of intermittent hypoxic loading to study the development of early myocardial alterations. It was found that a primary role is played by the deficiency of high-energy phosphate synthesis and by the disturbance of energetic and transport processes. The change of Ca2+-control, activation of anaerobic glycolysis and intracellular acidosis were found to be instrumental in decreasing contractility, impairing membranes and finally in a diffuse destruction of myofilaments.", "PMID": 617772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2242", "title": "Post mortem detection of early myocardial infarction by determination of the tissue K+/Na+ ratio.", "content": "The K+/Na+ ratio was determined in myocardial specimens obtained post mortem from a total of 90 patients. The ratio was 1.0 or higher 25 cases in which there was firm evidence against myocardial infarction, and 0.7, or less in 30 cases with grossly visible signs of myocardial narcosis. The remaining 35 cases were suspect of myocardial infarction on the grounds of either clinical observation or sudden death, without gross change. Out of these the K+/Na+ ratio was above 0.7 histological evidence of myocardial infarction was absent, but other changes accounting for death were present in 17 cases. In another 16 cases a K+/Na+ ratio of 0.7 or less was the sole indication of myocardial infarction, and any other change likely to be responsible for death was absent. In two further cases a false negative result was obtained for the K+/Na+ ratio, owing in all probability to some technical error. The findings suggest that determination of the myocardial K+/Na+ ratio is a great aid in detecting early myocardial infarction. The technique is not affected by post mortem autolysis, and is simple enough for routine use.", "contents": "Post mortem detection of early myocardial infarction by determination of the tissue K+/Na+ ratio. The K+/Na+ ratio was determined in myocardial specimens obtained post mortem from a total of 90 patients. The ratio was 1.0 or higher 25 cases in which there was firm evidence against myocardial infarction, and 0.7, or less in 30 cases with grossly visible signs of myocardial narcosis. The remaining 35 cases were suspect of myocardial infarction on the grounds of either clinical observation or sudden death, without gross change. Out of these the K+/Na+ ratio was above 0.7 histological evidence of myocardial infarction was absent, but other changes accounting for death were present in 17 cases. In another 16 cases a K+/Na+ ratio of 0.7 or less was the sole indication of myocardial infarction, and any other change likely to be responsible for death was absent. In two further cases a false negative result was obtained for the K+/Na+ ratio, owing in all probability to some technical error. The findings suggest that determination of the myocardial K+/Na+ ratio is a great aid in detecting early myocardial infarction. The technique is not affected by post mortem autolysis, and is simple enough for routine use.", "PMID": 617773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2243", "title": "Some properties of autoprothrombin II-A anticoagulant.", "content": "Autoprothrombin II-A anticoagulant was isolated from bovine prothrombin. Purified prothrombin was applied to DEAE-cellulose chromatography after incubation with thrombin. Four protein peaks were obtained where the third peak corresponded to the anti-coagulant effect. The fractions under the third peak were pooled together and the anticoagulant effect was evaluated with different methods. From 25,470 +/- 2,800 U of prothrombin, 5,800 +/- 1,400 U of inhibitor were obtained. The inhibitor was found to be most effective at pH 7.2--7.8. In vitro, the inhibitor inhibited the thrombin time and the plasma clotting time highly significantly but had no effect on euglobulin lysis time and fibrin plates. In vivo, when injected into rabbits, the inhibitor effect was also significant on the same tests. The autoprothombin II-A anticoagulant had a protective effect on DIC formation with rabbit brain thromboplastin administration. This protective effect was found to be statistically significant.", "contents": "Some properties of autoprothrombin II-A anticoagulant. Autoprothrombin II-A anticoagulant was isolated from bovine prothrombin. Purified prothrombin was applied to DEAE-cellulose chromatography after incubation with thrombin. Four protein peaks were obtained where the third peak corresponded to the anti-coagulant effect. The fractions under the third peak were pooled together and the anticoagulant effect was evaluated with different methods. From 25,470 +/- 2,800 U of prothrombin, 5,800 +/- 1,400 U of inhibitor were obtained. The inhibitor was found to be most effective at pH 7.2--7.8. In vitro, the inhibitor inhibited the thrombin time and the plasma clotting time highly significantly but had no effect on euglobulin lysis time and fibrin plates. In vivo, when injected into rabbits, the inhibitor effect was also significant on the same tests. The autoprothombin II-A anticoagulant had a protective effect on DIC formation with rabbit brain thromboplastin administration. This protective effect was found to be statistically significant.", "PMID": 617778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2244", "title": "The ethanol gelation test and thrombosis.", "content": "Intravascular fibrin formation takes place during thrombus formation or by activation of coagulation in circulating blood. Incorporation of fibrin in thrombi may be detected by usine 125I-labelled fibrinogen. Soluble fibrin may be present during thrombophilic states or during thromboembolic complications and diseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and may be detected and quantitated by various techniques such as N-terminal amino acid analysi, chromatographic procedures and so-called paracoagulation test, using ethanol or protamine sulfate. Finally, transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin may be indirectly assayed by quantitation of fibrinopeptide A released, by immunological technique. For routine purposes and especially in emergency situation, rapid and simple tests are required. In these circumstances, only the paracoagulation tests are at hand. Below, the present situation with regard to the ethanol gelation test (EGT) is outlined.", "contents": "The ethanol gelation test and thrombosis. Intravascular fibrin formation takes place during thrombus formation or by activation of coagulation in circulating blood. Incorporation of fibrin in thrombi may be detected by usine 125I-labelled fibrinogen. Soluble fibrin may be present during thrombophilic states or during thromboembolic complications and diseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and may be detected and quantitated by various techniques such as N-terminal amino acid analysi, chromatographic procedures and so-called paracoagulation test, using ethanol or protamine sulfate. Finally, transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin may be indirectly assayed by quantitation of fibrinopeptide A released, by immunological technique. For routine purposes and especially in emergency situation, rapid and simple tests are required. In these circumstances, only the paracoagulation tests are at hand. Below, the present situation with regard to the ethanol gelation test (EGT) is outlined.", "PMID": 617779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2245", "title": "Detection of thrombin-induced fibrinogen derivatives in thrombotic states.", "content": "Affinity chromatographic studies using insolubilized fibrinogen (fibrinogen-agarose) revealed that fibrin monomer present in plasma is selectively adsorbed to fibrinogen-agarose and may be quantitatively estimated following desorption. Analysis of plasma samples from patients with myocardial infarction, cirrhosis of the liver malignant diseases and DIC confirmed the presence of considerable amounts of fibrin monomer revealing concentrations between 3 and 15 mg/100 m1 plasma as compared to normal plasma (1.96 +/- 0.37 mg/100 m1, = 27). The method is suitable for the assessment of hypercoagulable states. Standard conditions for the procedure were evaluated using 3H-labelled fibrinogen and fibrin monomer.", "contents": "Detection of thrombin-induced fibrinogen derivatives in thrombotic states. Affinity chromatographic studies using insolubilized fibrinogen (fibrinogen-agarose) revealed that fibrin monomer present in plasma is selectively adsorbed to fibrinogen-agarose and may be quantitatively estimated following desorption. Analysis of plasma samples from patients with myocardial infarction, cirrhosis of the liver malignant diseases and DIC confirmed the presence of considerable amounts of fibrin monomer revealing concentrations between 3 and 15 mg/100 m1 plasma as compared to normal plasma (1.96 +/- 0.37 mg/100 m1, = 27). The method is suitable for the assessment of hypercoagulable states. Standard conditions for the procedure were evaluated using 3H-labelled fibrinogen and fibrin monomer.", "PMID": 617780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2246", "title": "Induced chronic intravascular coagulation in dogs.", "content": "When an emulsion of dog brain thromboplastin was infused continuously into dogs for 1--4 weeks only platelets and factor XI were consistently depressed. The remaining clotting factors fell in a dose-dependent fashion but there was a tendency toward recovery despite continued infusion of thromboplastin. Fibrinogen and factor V were unique in that with weaker emulsions of thromboplastin, they often rose without a preliminary fall.", "contents": "Induced chronic intravascular coagulation in dogs. When an emulsion of dog brain thromboplastin was infused continuously into dogs for 1--4 weeks only platelets and factor XI were consistently depressed. The remaining clotting factors fell in a dose-dependent fashion but there was a tendency toward recovery despite continued infusion of thromboplastin. Fibrinogen and factor V were unique in that with weaker emulsions of thromboplastin, they often rose without a preliminary fall.", "PMID": 617781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2247", "title": "Autoprothrombin ii-a, thrombin, and epinephrine: interrelated effects on platelet aggregation.", "content": "Platelets aggregate with thrombin-free autoprothrombin II-A. Aggregation was dependent on an intact release mechanism since inhibition of aggregation occurred with adenosine, colchicine, or EDTA. Autoprothrombin II-A reduced the sensitivity of platelets to aggregate with thrombin, but enhanced epinephrine-mediated aggregation. Autoprothrombin II-A directly competes for membrane sites sensitive to thrombin. It allows complexes to from with epinephrine. There was no absolute requirement for autoprothrombin II-A since epinephrine aggregated dog platelets at the identical optimum concentration following Coumadin treatment.", "contents": "Autoprothrombin ii-a, thrombin, and epinephrine: interrelated effects on platelet aggregation. Platelets aggregate with thrombin-free autoprothrombin II-A. Aggregation was dependent on an intact release mechanism since inhibition of aggregation occurred with adenosine, colchicine, or EDTA. Autoprothrombin II-A reduced the sensitivity of platelets to aggregate with thrombin, but enhanced epinephrine-mediated aggregation. Autoprothrombin II-A directly competes for membrane sites sensitive to thrombin. It allows complexes to from with epinephrine. There was no absolute requirement for autoprothrombin II-A since epinephrine aggregated dog platelets at the identical optimum concentration following Coumadin treatment.", "PMID": 617782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2248", "title": "Usefulness of new analytical reagents demonstrated with coumadin-modified plasma.", "content": "Prothrombin, factor X or factor IX were removed specifically from bovine plasma by immunological techniques. Each depleted plasma is responsive to the respective purified component, and was used to follow the blood changes produced in a steer's blood by Coumadin administration. A factor IX-VII reagent was also used to follow changes in factor IX and factor VII activity. It is suggested that the new reagents may have practical value for qualitative and quantitative work in blood coagulation studies.", "contents": "Usefulness of new analytical reagents demonstrated with coumadin-modified plasma. Prothrombin, factor X or factor IX were removed specifically from bovine plasma by immunological techniques. Each depleted plasma is responsive to the respective purified component, and was used to follow the blood changes produced in a steer's blood by Coumadin administration. A factor IX-VII reagent was also used to follow changes in factor IX and factor VII activity. It is suggested that the new reagents may have practical value for qualitative and quantitative work in blood coagulation studies.", "PMID": 617784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2249", "title": "Isolation and characterization of factor IX Chapel Hill: comparison to normal human factor IX.", "content": "A classification scheme for patients with hemophilia B has been devised. Assessment of factor IX antigen and factor IX coagulant activity has confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of hemophilia B and has shown that some affected patients have normal amounts of factor IX-like protein. An abnormal factor IX, factor IX Chapel Hill, has been isolated from one of these variants and compared structurally and functionally to the purified normal human factor IX molecule. The major difference between factor IX Chapel Hill and normal human factor IX appears to be defective activation of the abnormal molecule by factor XIa and calcium.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of factor IX Chapel Hill: comparison to normal human factor IX. A classification scheme for patients with hemophilia B has been devised. Assessment of factor IX antigen and factor IX coagulant activity has confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of hemophilia B and has shown that some affected patients have normal amounts of factor IX-like protein. An abnormal factor IX, factor IX Chapel Hill, has been isolated from one of these variants and compared structurally and functionally to the purified normal human factor IX molecule. The major difference between factor IX Chapel Hill and normal human factor IX appears to be defective activation of the abnormal molecule by factor XIa and calcium.", "PMID": 617785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2250", "title": "Comparative aspects of prothrombin activation.", "content": "The activation of the purified prothrombins from human, bovine, and chicken species have been studied. Chicken prothrombin activation, similar to bovine prothrombin, resulted in the formation of a 161 residue prothrombin fragment 1, a 113 residue prothrombin fragment 2, and chicken thrombin with a 49 residue A chain and a B chain of approximately 260 residues. When human prothrombin is converted to thrombin, the resulting thrombin is shorter from the amino-terminus of the A chain by 13 residues (human prothrombin fragment 3). The vitamin K-dependent regions of all three species are very similar in sequence (33 of 46 residues identical for all three species). The regions of internal homology observed within the human and bovine fragments are apparently also present within the chicken fragments, indicating that the partial gene duplication which resulted in the evolution of a prothrombin molecule of greater size than the other vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins occurred prior to the divergence of birds and mammals over 300 million years ago.", "contents": "Comparative aspects of prothrombin activation. The activation of the purified prothrombins from human, bovine, and chicken species have been studied. Chicken prothrombin activation, similar to bovine prothrombin, resulted in the formation of a 161 residue prothrombin fragment 1, a 113 residue prothrombin fragment 2, and chicken thrombin with a 49 residue A chain and a B chain of approximately 260 residues. When human prothrombin is converted to thrombin, the resulting thrombin is shorter from the amino-terminus of the A chain by 13 residues (human prothrombin fragment 3). The vitamin K-dependent regions of all three species are very similar in sequence (33 of 46 residues identical for all three species). The regions of internal homology observed within the human and bovine fragments are apparently also present within the chicken fragments, indicating that the partial gene duplication which resulted in the evolution of a prothrombin molecule of greater size than the other vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins occurred prior to the divergence of birds and mammals over 300 million years ago.", "PMID": 617786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2251", "title": "Prothrombin complex concentrates.", "content": "The use of the prothrombin complex products for the treatment of inhibitor patients is discussed in relation to our difficulty in identifying the effective therapeutic principle, as well as the factors responsible for thrombogenicity. It would appear that combination of factors is responsible for either or both therapeutic and thrombogenic phenomena. Possible intermediate or aggregate forms of the procoagulants are present in the products, protected from the neutralizing effects of antithrombin III.", "contents": "Prothrombin complex concentrates. The use of the prothrombin complex products for the treatment of inhibitor patients is discussed in relation to our difficulty in identifying the effective therapeutic principle, as well as the factors responsible for thrombogenicity. It would appear that combination of factors is responsible for either or both therapeutic and thrombogenic phenomena. Possible intermediate or aggregate forms of the procoagulants are present in the products, protected from the neutralizing effects of antithrombin III.", "PMID": 617787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2252", "title": "Characteristics and thrombogenicity of factor IX concentrate.", "content": "Thrombogenicity of the factor IX concentrate and its clinical use for stoppage of the bleeding in the case of hemophilia A with inhibitor were reported. (1) Factor IX concentrate contained the coagulation factors as prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX and X); Thrombin and factor Xa. (2) Prothrombin in the factor IX concentrate could be converted to thrombin without any additional procoagulant such as thromboplastin or factor V, but in just 2.5M glycine solution by the effect of factor Xa. (3) The infusion of factor IX concentrate into a rabbit induced DIC promptly which was proved by autopsy and coagulation-fibrinolytic studies. (4) Factor IX concentrate showed a great efficacy in stopping the bleeding in the case of hemophilia A with inhibitor.", "contents": "Characteristics and thrombogenicity of factor IX concentrate. Thrombogenicity of the factor IX concentrate and its clinical use for stoppage of the bleeding in the case of hemophilia A with inhibitor were reported. (1) Factor IX concentrate contained the coagulation factors as prothrombin complex (factors II, VII, IX and X); Thrombin and factor Xa. (2) Prothrombin in the factor IX concentrate could be converted to thrombin without any additional procoagulant such as thromboplastin or factor V, but in just 2.5M glycine solution by the effect of factor Xa. (3) The infusion of factor IX concentrate into a rabbit induced DIC promptly which was proved by autopsy and coagulation-fibrinolytic studies. (4) Factor IX concentrate showed a great efficacy in stopping the bleeding in the case of hemophilia A with inhibitor.", "PMID": 617788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2253", "title": "The rehabilitation of adults with acquired hearing loss.", "content": "The problems of adults with acquired hearing loss, together with aspects in the development of the rehabilitative skills of speechreading and auditory training are considered. An investigation carried out over a period of two years demonstrated how these skills may be acquired using single sensory and bisensory modes of instruction. The combined modes of speechreading and auditory training was found to produce the most effective communication. It was concluded that the combination of visual and auditory channels reduced sensory confusions.", "contents": "The rehabilitation of adults with acquired hearing loss. The problems of adults with acquired hearing loss, together with aspects in the development of the rehabilitative skills of speechreading and auditory training are considered. An investigation carried out over a period of two years demonstrated how these skills may be acquired using single sensory and bisensory modes of instruction. The combined modes of speechreading and auditory training was found to produce the most effective communication. It was concluded that the combination of visual and auditory channels reduced sensory confusions.", "PMID": 617789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2254", "title": "Ribonucleic acid labelling perfused livers of protein-fed and protein-deprived rats.", "content": "Several observations suggest an increased RNA synthesis in livers of protein-deprived rats, though the RNA/DNA ratio is decreased. A number of hormones may be involved in these changes. Therefore, we studied in RNA metabolism in isolated perfused livers taken from protein-fed and protein-deprived rats. (3H)-orotic acid was given to the rats 2 h before liver explantation, and (14C)-orotic acid was added to the perfusate. Other rats, called controls in vivo, whose livers were not transplanted were also given (3H)-orotic acid followed by (14C)-orotic acid. The livers of these rats, which were not hormone supplemented, were labelled for the same length of times as the livers in vitro. The ratio specific RNA radioactivity/specific nucleotide radioactivity x RNA/DNA was determined and taken as a measure of the RNA synthesis per liver cell. In the controls in vivo, this ratio was significantly higher for protein-deprived than for protein-fed rats. In livers from the protein-fed rats, labelling in vitro increased significantly when growth hormone, hydrocortisone, insulin and tri-iodothyronine were added to the perfusate. Labelling was also significantly higher in these livers than in the controls in vivo. In livers from protein-deprived rats, the ratio in question was the same whether the hormones were added to the perfusate or not, and was significantly lower than in the controls in vivo. Differences in RNA labelling are thus obtained in our in vitro system. Gel electrophoresis of RNA demonstrated normal RNA labelling, showing that the system is suitable for studying liver RNA synthesis. Further refinement can be made by studying the labelling of UTP and CTP. The results might suggest that the liver from a protein-fed rat, explanted in vitro, may increase its RNA synthesis under the influence of the four hormones in question, and that the RNA synthesis of the liver of a protein-deprived rat is high in-vivo and that it might decrease, when it is explanted to in vitro conditions.", "contents": "Ribonucleic acid labelling perfused livers of protein-fed and protein-deprived rats. Several observations suggest an increased RNA synthesis in livers of protein-deprived rats, though the RNA/DNA ratio is decreased. A number of hormones may be involved in these changes. Therefore, we studied in RNA metabolism in isolated perfused livers taken from protein-fed and protein-deprived rats. (3H)-orotic acid was given to the rats 2 h before liver explantation, and (14C)-orotic acid was added to the perfusate. Other rats, called controls in vivo, whose livers were not transplanted were also given (3H)-orotic acid followed by (14C)-orotic acid. The livers of these rats, which were not hormone supplemented, were labelled for the same length of times as the livers in vitro. The ratio specific RNA radioactivity/specific nucleotide radioactivity x RNA/DNA was determined and taken as a measure of the RNA synthesis per liver cell. In the controls in vivo, this ratio was significantly higher for protein-deprived than for protein-fed rats. In livers from the protein-fed rats, labelling in vitro increased significantly when growth hormone, hydrocortisone, insulin and tri-iodothyronine were added to the perfusate. Labelling was also significantly higher in these livers than in the controls in vivo. In livers from protein-deprived rats, the ratio in question was the same whether the hormones were added to the perfusate or not, and was significantly lower than in the controls in vivo. Differences in RNA labelling are thus obtained in our in vitro system. Gel electrophoresis of RNA demonstrated normal RNA labelling, showing that the system is suitable for studying liver RNA synthesis. Further refinement can be made by studying the labelling of UTP and CTP. The results might suggest that the liver from a protein-fed rat, explanted in vitro, may increase its RNA synthesis under the influence of the four hormones in question, and that the RNA synthesis of the liver of a protein-deprived rat is high in-vivo and that it might decrease, when it is explanted to in vitro conditions.", "PMID": 617793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2255", "title": "The aggregation of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's): effects of agents which affect the acute inflammatory response and correlation with secretory activity.", "content": "Rabbit peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) aggregate in shaken suspensions and their adhesiveness, as judged by the extent of aggregation, can be modified by various agents. Vasoactive amines, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, autonomic agonists, cholinergic agents, and adenine nucleotides have only minor inhibitory effects. Cytochalasin B, ionophore A23187, bacterial endotoxin, and the phagocytosis of bacteria all markedly increase adhesiveness. Enhanced aggregation correlates positively with increased secretion of lysosomal enzymes, although the contents of the secretory granules are mild inhibitors of aggregation. The implications of the linkage between the process of secretion and the increased adhesiveness of the cells are discussed.", "contents": "The aggregation of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's): effects of agents which affect the acute inflammatory response and correlation with secretory activity. Rabbit peritoneal exudate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) aggregate in shaken suspensions and their adhesiveness, as judged by the extent of aggregation, can be modified by various agents. Vasoactive amines, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, autonomic agonists, cholinergic agents, and adenine nucleotides have only minor inhibitory effects. Cytochalasin B, ionophore A23187, bacterial endotoxin, and the phagocytosis of bacteria all markedly increase adhesiveness. Enhanced aggregation correlates positively with increased secretion of lysosomal enzymes, although the contents of the secretory granules are mild inhibitors of aggregation. The implications of the linkage between the process of secretion and the increased adhesiveness of the cells are discussed.", "PMID": 617796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2256", "title": "Ultrastructural characteristics of developing eosinophil leukocytes in human bone marrow during acute leukemia: evidence for extracellular granule release from human eosinophils.", "content": "Developing eosinophils from the bone marrow of a patient with acute \"eosinophilic\" leukemia were characterized by electron microscopy. It was suggested that the first sequential step in granule formation occurred at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum without actual participation of the Golgi complex. Progressive densification of the former profiles, presumably mediated by Golgi vesicles, resulted in the formation of dense immature granules. Ultrastructural observations of the \"leukemic\" eosinophils which were generally arrested at an intermediate stage of maturation revealed also large vacuoles containing sequestered immature granules, without any indication of phagocytic activity. Morphological evidence that has been accumulated indicates that the membrane of these vacuoles fused with the cell membrane, thus being in contact with the extracellular space. These profiles strongly suggested that granules and/or granule-associated material were secreted by developing bone marrow eosinophils.", "contents": "Ultrastructural characteristics of developing eosinophil leukocytes in human bone marrow during acute leukemia: evidence for extracellular granule release from human eosinophils. Developing eosinophils from the bone marrow of a patient with acute \"eosinophilic\" leukemia were characterized by electron microscopy. It was suggested that the first sequential step in granule formation occurred at the level of the endoplasmic reticulum without actual participation of the Golgi complex. Progressive densification of the former profiles, presumably mediated by Golgi vesicles, resulted in the formation of dense immature granules. Ultrastructural observations of the \"leukemic\" eosinophils which were generally arrested at an intermediate stage of maturation revealed also large vacuoles containing sequestered immature granules, without any indication of phagocytic activity. Morphological evidence that has been accumulated indicates that the membrane of these vacuoles fused with the cell membrane, thus being in contact with the extracellular space. These profiles strongly suggested that granules and/or granule-associated material were secreted by developing bone marrow eosinophils.", "PMID": 617797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2257", "title": "Neutrophilic leukocytes in immunologic reactions in vitro: IV. The effect of trypsin.", "content": "Prior trypsinization of rabbit PMN prevented the normal selective release of lysosomal constituents induced by contact with zymosan-C3 and abolished the adherence of these cells to sheep RBC sensitized with IgM antibody and complement (PMN rosettes). The effect of trypsin could be completely reversed by exposure of the cells to soybean trypsin inhibitor after trypsinization. Trypsin did not inhibit the lysosomal release provoked by contact with immune complexes of interfere with rosette formation between PMN and sheep RBC sensitized with IgG antibody. The action of trypsin on the PMN C3b receptor may not be enzymatic.", "contents": "Neutrophilic leukocytes in immunologic reactions in vitro: IV. The effect of trypsin. Prior trypsinization of rabbit PMN prevented the normal selective release of lysosomal constituents induced by contact with zymosan-C3 and abolished the adherence of these cells to sheep RBC sensitized with IgM antibody and complement (PMN rosettes). The effect of trypsin could be completely reversed by exposure of the cells to soybean trypsin inhibitor after trypsinization. Trypsin did not inhibit the lysosomal release provoked by contact with immune complexes of interfere with rosette formation between PMN and sheep RBC sensitized with IgG antibody. The action of trypsin on the PMN C3b receptor may not be enzymatic.", "PMID": 617798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2258", "title": "An overview of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIA).", "content": "Since the rediscovery of willow bark extract (salicin) in 1763, there has been a continuing effort to improve efficacy and reduce the side effects of antiinflammatory agents through chemical modification and innovation. The second-generation NSAIA's, phenylbutazone and indomethacin, provided clear support for the idea that these objectives were obtainable. The success of steroid programs in enhancing potency and modifying side effects, coupled with the development of effective screening techniques for identifying antiinflammatory activity, stimulated an enormous effort to develop new NSAIA's. The products of this effort are now coming to the clinic. Although less successful than the steroid program in enhancing potency, the effort has succeeded in changing and reducing side effects. As a result, the clinician has a greater choice of agents for dealing with individual patient variability and achieving greater patient acceptance.", "contents": "An overview of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIA). Since the rediscovery of willow bark extract (salicin) in 1763, there has been a continuing effort to improve efficacy and reduce the side effects of antiinflammatory agents through chemical modification and innovation. The second-generation NSAIA's, phenylbutazone and indomethacin, provided clear support for the idea that these objectives were obtainable. The success of steroid programs in enhancing potency and modifying side effects, coupled with the development of effective screening techniques for identifying antiinflammatory activity, stimulated an enormous effort to develop new NSAIA's. The products of this effort are now coming to the clinic. Although less successful than the steroid program in enhancing potency, the effort has succeeded in changing and reducing side effects. As a result, the clinician has a greater choice of agents for dealing with individual patient variability and achieving greater patient acceptance.", "PMID": 617799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2259", "title": "Honey bee venom melittin: correlation of nonspecific inflammatory activities with amino acid sequences.", "content": "The nonspecific (nonallergic) inflammatory activity of melittin, a protein toxin from honeybees, was correlated with specific amino acid sequences. Two different amino acid sequences of melittin were found to contribute to nonspecific inflammatory activities in guinea pig skin. Carboxy terminal peptide sequences of 7--10 amino acids induced immediate inflammatory reactions that reached maximum intensities by 15--30 min, then rapidly dissipated. The amino (N) terminal hydrophobic sequence, although not directly inflammatory, intensified the immediate reaction, causing a severe lesion evident by 2 h and characterized by massive polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration. A conceptual model of bee venom-induced inflammation in nonallergic individuals is suggested.", "contents": "Honey bee venom melittin: correlation of nonspecific inflammatory activities with amino acid sequences. The nonspecific (nonallergic) inflammatory activity of melittin, a protein toxin from honeybees, was correlated with specific amino acid sequences. Two different amino acid sequences of melittin were found to contribute to nonspecific inflammatory activities in guinea pig skin. Carboxy terminal peptide sequences of 7--10 amino acids induced immediate inflammatory reactions that reached maximum intensities by 15--30 min, then rapidly dissipated. The amino (N) terminal hydrophobic sequence, although not directly inflammatory, intensified the immediate reaction, causing a severe lesion evident by 2 h and characterized by massive polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration. A conceptual model of bee venom-induced inflammation in nonallergic individuals is suggested.", "PMID": 617800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2260", "title": "Leukocyte chemotaxis: a new in vivo testing technique.", "content": "A new and sensitive technique is introduced for evaluating in vivo leukocyte chemotaxis. A small, disposable plastic chamber is used for holding the test solution, and an electric ink eraser for controlled abrasion of the skin test site. Another innovation is the use of capturing micropore membranes that, when placed between the test solution and the skin, collect cells for a permanent record. The small size of the chamber, the ease of application and immobilization, and the short time needed for cell collection permit experimentation with laboratory animals as well as with human volunteers. The accumulation of leukocytes in the chambers containing previously frozen or complement-activated autologous serum was 20 to 40-fold greater than in buffer controls after 3 h. Cell counts of approximately (1--2) x 10(3) leukocytes per mm3 were obtained in 3 h when serum diluted 1:1 with Hank's solution was applied to human or rabbit skin. Although predominantly polymorphonuclear leukocytes were detected in the chambers after just 3 h, prolonged incubations of 6--12 h found mononuclear cells also invading the chambers. These results clearly simulate the sequences of cellular emigration commonly observed in local inflammation.", "contents": "Leukocyte chemotaxis: a new in vivo testing technique. A new and sensitive technique is introduced for evaluating in vivo leukocyte chemotaxis. A small, disposable plastic chamber is used for holding the test solution, and an electric ink eraser for controlled abrasion of the skin test site. Another innovation is the use of capturing micropore membranes that, when placed between the test solution and the skin, collect cells for a permanent record. The small size of the chamber, the ease of application and immobilization, and the short time needed for cell collection permit experimentation with laboratory animals as well as with human volunteers. The accumulation of leukocytes in the chambers containing previously frozen or complement-activated autologous serum was 20 to 40-fold greater than in buffer controls after 3 h. Cell counts of approximately (1--2) x 10(3) leukocytes per mm3 were obtained in 3 h when serum diluted 1:1 with Hank's solution was applied to human or rabbit skin. Although predominantly polymorphonuclear leukocytes were detected in the chambers after just 3 h, prolonged incubations of 6--12 h found mononuclear cells also invading the chambers. These results clearly simulate the sequences of cellular emigration commonly observed in local inflammation.", "PMID": 617801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2261", "title": "The purification and characterization of a lymphokine chemotactic for lymphocytes--lymphotactin.", "content": "Aqueous extracts of the thymus from vaccinated calves contain a protein specifically chemotactic for lymphocytes (lymphotactin). Lymphotactin has been isolated and purified by ethanol fractionation, ultrafiltration, isoelectric focusing, and preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point is 5.9, and the molecular weight by both SDS electrophoresis and exclusion chromatography is about 10,500. The purified sialoprotein is homogeneous at three different pH's in acrylamide gel electrophoresis. As little as 1 microgram of this material intraperitoneally wlll produce massive lymphocyte infiltration within 4 h in vivo.", "contents": "The purification and characterization of a lymphokine chemotactic for lymphocytes--lymphotactin. Aqueous extracts of the thymus from vaccinated calves contain a protein specifically chemotactic for lymphocytes (lymphotactin). Lymphotactin has been isolated and purified by ethanol fractionation, ultrafiltration, isoelectric focusing, and preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point is 5.9, and the molecular weight by both SDS electrophoresis and exclusion chromatography is about 10,500. The purified sialoprotein is homogeneous at three different pH's in acrylamide gel electrophoresis. As little as 1 microgram of this material intraperitoneally wlll produce massive lymphocyte infiltration within 4 h in vivo.", "PMID": 617802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2262", "title": "Casein-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis: a parallel between surface binding and chemotaxis.", "content": "This study was directed toward demonstrating an interaction between human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the chemotactic factor,casein. Experiments conducted using fluorescein-labeled casein indicated that PMNs have a membrane receptor for this chemotactic factor. This receptor was specific for casein and was not found on lymphocytes. A direct parallel was shown between the binding of FITC--casein and the PMN chemotactic response to this protein. Binding to the receptor was optimal at 25 degrees C, unaffected by sodium azide, and partially reduced by iodoacetate. Enzymatic treatment of PMNs with pronase and trypsin resulted in a loss of both FITC--casein-mediated PMN fluorescence and chemotaxis. Our data indicate that human PMNs have a membrane receptor for casein and that interaction with this receptor results in a chemotactic response.", "contents": "Casein-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis: a parallel between surface binding and chemotaxis. This study was directed toward demonstrating an interaction between human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the chemotactic factor,casein. Experiments conducted using fluorescein-labeled casein indicated that PMNs have a membrane receptor for this chemotactic factor. This receptor was specific for casein and was not found on lymphocytes. A direct parallel was shown between the binding of FITC--casein and the PMN chemotactic response to this protein. Binding to the receptor was optimal at 25 degrees C, unaffected by sodium azide, and partially reduced by iodoacetate. Enzymatic treatment of PMNs with pronase and trypsin resulted in a loss of both FITC--casein-mediated PMN fluorescence and chemotaxis. Our data indicate that human PMNs have a membrane receptor for casein and that interaction with this receptor results in a chemotactic response.", "PMID": 617803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2263", "title": "Antiinflammatory activity: evaluation of a new screening procedure.", "content": "Acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, aspirin, dexamethasone, indomethacin, and phenylbutazone were tested to evaluate a new antiinflammatory screen. The basic methodology of Rassaert (1) was employed with slight modifications. The technique employs a 50-mm length of cotton twine instead of a cotton pellet. The data confirm the ability of this technique to rapidly screen activity of a variety of chemicals having antiinflammatory activity. It appears that statistically significant reductions in granuloma weight range between 10% and 50%, depending on the test compound and dose employed. This technique demonstrates activity for compounds such as aspirin and acetaminophen only at extremely high doses. However, more potent agents are detectable at more reasonable dose levels. Ascorbic acid, which has been shown to have activity in other models, was inactive in this assay. Dexamethasone was the most active agent, followed by indomethacin and phenylbutazone. Duplicate assays of selected agents showed a satisfactory degree of reproducibility.", "contents": "Antiinflammatory activity: evaluation of a new screening procedure. Acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, aspirin, dexamethasone, indomethacin, and phenylbutazone were tested to evaluate a new antiinflammatory screen. The basic methodology of Rassaert (1) was employed with slight modifications. The technique employs a 50-mm length of cotton twine instead of a cotton pellet. The data confirm the ability of this technique to rapidly screen activity of a variety of chemicals having antiinflammatory activity. It appears that statistically significant reductions in granuloma weight range between 10% and 50%, depending on the test compound and dose employed. This technique demonstrates activity for compounds such as aspirin and acetaminophen only at extremely high doses. However, more potent agents are detectable at more reasonable dose levels. Ascorbic acid, which has been shown to have activity in other models, was inactive in this assay. Dexamethasone was the most active agent, followed by indomethacin and phenylbutazone. Duplicate assays of selected agents showed a satisfactory degree of reproducibility.", "PMID": 617804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2264", "title": "Partial purification of human leukocytic pyrogen.", "content": "Human leukocytes stimulated in vitro release leukocytic pyrogen (LP), a protein which is the mediator of fever. In order to study human leukocytic pyrogen, we attempted to purify this molecule from the large quantity and variety of proteins which are present in leukocyte supernates. Human peripheral leukocytes were stimulated in vitro by phagocytosis of killed staphylococci, and several methods were used to isolate the pyrogen protein. First, using isoelectric focusing, it was found that crude leukocyte supernates contained two molecular species of LP which were separable by precipitation in cold alcohol. Isoelectric focusing, although used for confirmation of the molecular homogeneity of LP, could not be employed as a preparative purification technique. Following alcohol precipitation, human LP was chromatographed on ion-exchange materials at various pH with modest recovery of initial activity but marked increase in specific activity. Gel-filtration was also employed and yielded partially purified LP. When alcohol precipitation was combined with ion exchange at alkaline pH and followed by gel-filtration, resulting LP preparations contained 5 or 6 contaminating proteins. These results demonstrate that human LP can be partially purified from the large quantity and variety of proteins present in crude leukocyte supernates and during purification procedures, the pyrogen did not change in either molecular weight or isoelectric point. This work provides reliable techniques for initial purification of human LP.", "contents": "Partial purification of human leukocytic pyrogen. Human leukocytes stimulated in vitro release leukocytic pyrogen (LP), a protein which is the mediator of fever. In order to study human leukocytic pyrogen, we attempted to purify this molecule from the large quantity and variety of proteins which are present in leukocyte supernates. Human peripheral leukocytes were stimulated in vitro by phagocytosis of killed staphylococci, and several methods were used to isolate the pyrogen protein. First, using isoelectric focusing, it was found that crude leukocyte supernates contained two molecular species of LP which were separable by precipitation in cold alcohol. Isoelectric focusing, although used for confirmation of the molecular homogeneity of LP, could not be employed as a preparative purification technique. Following alcohol precipitation, human LP was chromatographed on ion-exchange materials at various pH with modest recovery of initial activity but marked increase in specific activity. Gel-filtration was also employed and yielded partially purified LP. When alcohol precipitation was combined with ion exchange at alkaline pH and followed by gel-filtration, resulting LP preparations contained 5 or 6 contaminating proteins. These results demonstrate that human LP can be partially purified from the large quantity and variety of proteins present in crude leukocyte supernates and during purification procedures, the pyrogen did not change in either molecular weight or isoelectric point. This work provides reliable techniques for initial purification of human LP.", "PMID": 617807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2265", "title": "Metabolism of arachidonic acid in rabbit alveolar macrophages.", "content": "Rabbit alveolar macrophages incorporated radioactive arachidonic acid primarily into phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and triglycerides. When these cells, so labelled, were washed and treated with polystyrene beads, there was a distinct and reproducible decrease in the radioactivity of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides. This decrease was accounted for by the appearance of two major prostaglandins, PGE2 and PGF2alpha, and uncharacterized hydroxy fatty acids, which may be 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, and/or 8-hydroxy-9,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid.", "contents": "Metabolism of arachidonic acid in rabbit alveolar macrophages. Rabbit alveolar macrophages incorporated radioactive arachidonic acid primarily into phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, and triglycerides. When these cells, so labelled, were washed and treated with polystyrene beads, there was a distinct and reproducible decrease in the radioactivity of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides. This decrease was accounted for by the appearance of two major prostaglandins, PGE2 and PGF2alpha, and uncharacterized hydroxy fatty acids, which may be 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, and/or 8-hydroxy-9,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid.", "PMID": 617808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2266", "title": "Mast cell-mediated reactions of host defense and tissue injury: the regulatory role of eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Immunological stimulation of mast cells, by way of either IgE- or IgG-directed reactions, initiates the rapid release of an array of chemical mediators. The predominant local tissue effects of these mediators collectively constitute a defensive response of the host. The early humoral phase of defense is exemplified by the alterations in microvascular permeability induced by histamine which provide a local concentration of immunoglobulins and complement components. The later cellular phase of defense is composed of the PMN leukocytes that accumulate in response to mast cell-derived chemotactic principles and which phagocytose and degrade opsonized foreign material, thus eliminating the inciting stimulus. Of the several endogenous regulatory mechanisms which act to contain the immediate hypersensitivity reaction, the eosinophil has a special role since it is specifically attracted to sites of mast cell activation and has selective concentrations of several enzymes which degrade the mast cell-derived chemical mediators. Failure of the local regulatory processes can permit the mast cell responses of host defense to become pathological reactions leading to tissue injury by virtue of persistence of high levels of humoral mediators and/or increasing infiltration with PMN leukocytes.", "contents": "Mast cell-mediated reactions of host defense and tissue injury: the regulatory role of eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Immunological stimulation of mast cells, by way of either IgE- or IgG-directed reactions, initiates the rapid release of an array of chemical mediators. The predominant local tissue effects of these mediators collectively constitute a defensive response of the host. The early humoral phase of defense is exemplified by the alterations in microvascular permeability induced by histamine which provide a local concentration of immunoglobulins and complement components. The later cellular phase of defense is composed of the PMN leukocytes that accumulate in response to mast cell-derived chemotactic principles and which phagocytose and degrade opsonized foreign material, thus eliminating the inciting stimulus. Of the several endogenous regulatory mechanisms which act to contain the immediate hypersensitivity reaction, the eosinophil has a special role since it is specifically attracted to sites of mast cell activation and has selective concentrations of several enzymes which degrade the mast cell-derived chemical mediators. Failure of the local regulatory processes can permit the mast cell responses of host defense to become pathological reactions leading to tissue injury by virtue of persistence of high levels of humoral mediators and/or increasing infiltration with PMN leukocytes.", "PMID": 617809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2267", "title": "A method for producing synchronized audio signals.", "content": "An examination of the work dealing with dichotic listening reveals that technical problems prevent clear interpretation of the data. One of the most crucial problems is that of achieving simultaneity of output so that dichotic (simultaneous but different) material is introduced into the auditory system. A simple method for achieving such synchrony on stereotape is described together with a method for testing for degree of simultaneity, if possible.", "contents": "A method for producing synchronized audio signals. An examination of the work dealing with dichotic listening reveals that technical problems prevent clear interpretation of the data. One of the most crucial problems is that of achieving simultaneity of output so that dichotic (simultaneous but different) material is introduced into the auditory system. A simple method for achieving such synchrony on stereotape is described together with a method for testing for degree of simultaneity, if possible.", "PMID": 617810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2268", "title": "On the cross hearing of spondaic words.", "content": "Twelve adults with unilateral hearing losses were tested to determine interaural attenuation for spondaic words. Low-pass and band-pass filters were used to simulate hearing loss at the normal ear. Results suggest that in deciding on the possibility of cross hearing, the spondee threshold at the test ear should be compared to the most sensitive bone-conduction threshold at the nontest ear, excluding .25 kc/s.", "contents": "On the cross hearing of spondaic words. Twelve adults with unilateral hearing losses were tested to determine interaural attenuation for spondaic words. Low-pass and band-pass filters were used to simulate hearing loss at the normal ear. Results suggest that in deciding on the possibility of cross hearing, the spondee threshold at the test ear should be compared to the most sensitive bone-conduction threshold at the nontest ear, excluding .25 kc/s.", "PMID": 617811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2269", "title": "Annoyance response to spectrally modified recorded aircraft noise during television-viewing.", "content": "Magnitude estimations of the annoyance of 27 individual noise stimuli were made by 24 Ss while viewing television; 8 different spectrum modifications of a basic aircraft noise were introduced at 3 overall intensities. The basic spectrum was that of an untreated commercial jet aircraft takeoff noise; the other 8 were created by removal of one of two amounts of energy from an octave band centerered at either .315, .8, 1.6, or 4 kc/s. An ANOVA showed significant annoyance differences for spectrum modification, overall noise intensity and their interaction. Annoyance reduction was greatest when energy was removed at the octave band centered at 1.6 kc/s, next at .8, and .315, and least at 4 kc/s. Although greater overall intensity reduction yielded progressively less annoyance with various spectrally-modified noises as well as unmodified noise, the spectrum modification was apparently most effective in reducing annoyance when the overall maximum noise intensity ranged from 88.0 to 89.1 dbA, and was least effective from 83.9 to 85.3 dbA. Annoyance reduction resulting from spectrum modification at a single octave band (centered at either .8 or 1.6 kc/s) was equivalent to that resulting from a 2.7 dbA overall intensity reduction. The results are discussed in terms of speech interference as well as intermodal effects of noise during television viewing.", "contents": "Annoyance response to spectrally modified recorded aircraft noise during television-viewing. Magnitude estimations of the annoyance of 27 individual noise stimuli were made by 24 Ss while viewing television; 8 different spectrum modifications of a basic aircraft noise were introduced at 3 overall intensities. The basic spectrum was that of an untreated commercial jet aircraft takeoff noise; the other 8 were created by removal of one of two amounts of energy from an octave band centerered at either .315, .8, 1.6, or 4 kc/s. An ANOVA showed significant annoyance differences for spectrum modification, overall noise intensity and their interaction. Annoyance reduction was greatest when energy was removed at the octave band centered at 1.6 kc/s, next at .8, and .315, and least at 4 kc/s. Although greater overall intensity reduction yielded progressively less annoyance with various spectrally-modified noises as well as unmodified noise, the spectrum modification was apparently most effective in reducing annoyance when the overall maximum noise intensity ranged from 88.0 to 89.1 dbA, and was least effective from 83.9 to 85.3 dbA. Annoyance reduction resulting from spectrum modification at a single octave band (centered at either .8 or 1.6 kc/s) was equivalent to that resulting from a 2.7 dbA overall intensity reduction. The results are discussed in terms of speech interference as well as intermodal effects of noise during television viewing.", "PMID": 617812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2270", "title": "Stapedial reflexes in normal versus recruiting ears.", "content": "The latency and magnitude of the stapedial reflex was examined in a group of normal-hearing Ss (N: 15) and in 15 Ss with unilateral sensorineural impairment exhibiting abnormal loudness growth in the impaired ear. Reflexes were determined at successive 2-db steps from threshold to 16 db above using a 2-kc/s stimulus tone. Latency and magnitude measurements were not statistically different between groups nor between ears within the pathological group. These results substantiate dependence of the stapedial reflex on loudness. Furthermore, there appears to be a dependence of the reflex magnitude on age, in that the magnitude tends to be less in older Ss.", "contents": "Stapedial reflexes in normal versus recruiting ears. The latency and magnitude of the stapedial reflex was examined in a group of normal-hearing Ss (N: 15) and in 15 Ss with unilateral sensorineural impairment exhibiting abnormal loudness growth in the impaired ear. Reflexes were determined at successive 2-db steps from threshold to 16 db above using a 2-kc/s stimulus tone. Latency and magnitude measurements were not statistically different between groups nor between ears within the pathological group. These results substantiate dependence of the stapedial reflex on loudness. Furthermore, there appears to be a dependence of the reflex magnitude on age, in that the magnitude tends to be less in older Ss.", "PMID": 617813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2271", "title": "Validation norms for speech discrimination scores of normal-hearing subjects in wide-band and in speech-spectrum noise at S/N 0 DB.", "content": "W-22 lists were given at 40 db re SRT with a Maico MA-24B audiometer and attachments to 20 normal-hearing adults in quiet and in combination with either wide-band or speech-spectrum noise at S/N = 0, monaurally by earphone and binaurally by loudspeaker(s). No systematic L-R differences were observed. DS in quiet by any condition was at or near 100%. Mean DS in noise by monaural earphone was 79.80 +/- 13.3 for wide-band noise and 54.7 +/- 12.7 for speech-spectrum noise. When speech and noise were from two different loudspeakers placed +/- 45 degrees from midline, DS was 90.8 +/- 9.5 for wide-band noise and 88.1 +/- 7.8 for speech-spectrum noise. When both speech and noise came from the same loudspeaker, DS was 79.10 +/- 10.3 for wide-band noise and 57.0 +/- 21.8 for speech-spectrum noise. These values are proposed as provisional norms for clinical facilities using these conditions and employing similar instrumentation.", "contents": "Validation norms for speech discrimination scores of normal-hearing subjects in wide-band and in speech-spectrum noise at S/N 0 DB. W-22 lists were given at 40 db re SRT with a Maico MA-24B audiometer and attachments to 20 normal-hearing adults in quiet and in combination with either wide-band or speech-spectrum noise at S/N = 0, monaurally by earphone and binaurally by loudspeaker(s). No systematic L-R differences were observed. DS in quiet by any condition was at or near 100%. Mean DS in noise by monaural earphone was 79.80 +/- 13.3 for wide-band noise and 54.7 +/- 12.7 for speech-spectrum noise. When speech and noise were from two different loudspeakers placed +/- 45 degrees from midline, DS was 90.8 +/- 9.5 for wide-band noise and 88.1 +/- 7.8 for speech-spectrum noise. When both speech and noise came from the same loudspeaker, DS was 79.10 +/- 10.3 for wide-band noise and 57.0 +/- 21.8 for speech-spectrum noise. These values are proposed as provisional norms for clinical facilities using these conditions and employing similar instrumentation.", "PMID": 617815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2272", "title": "Normal-hearing subjects' perception of speech through one-third octave bands.", "content": "Perceptual features of consonants were investigated from normally-hearing Ss' confusions of stimuli perceived through one-third-octave bands; 12 Ss were paid to respond to CVs consisting of 17 consonants, each paired with the vowels /i, a, u/ and filtered through one-third-octave bands centered at 0.5, 1, 2, 3.15 and 4 kc/s and one critical band (500 c/s wide) centered at 3.15 kc/s. An earlier cursory analysis of distinctive features in these data (Chari, N.C.A., Herman, G. and Danhauer, J.L. \"Perception of one-third octave-band filtered speech.\" J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 1977, 61, 576-580) showed that while place features were severely affected by the filtering, manner and voicing features were not. The data were submitted in the present study to INDSCAL for a more a-posteriori investigation of the features and their weights by the Ss. Results showed some differences in the features and their weights across the various filter bands, but that they were similar to those found earlier for hearing-impaired Ss having losses corresponding to frequency cut-offs in this study.", "contents": "Normal-hearing subjects' perception of speech through one-third octave bands. Perceptual features of consonants were investigated from normally-hearing Ss' confusions of stimuli perceived through one-third-octave bands; 12 Ss were paid to respond to CVs consisting of 17 consonants, each paired with the vowels /i, a, u/ and filtered through one-third-octave bands centered at 0.5, 1, 2, 3.15 and 4 kc/s and one critical band (500 c/s wide) centered at 3.15 kc/s. An earlier cursory analysis of distinctive features in these data (Chari, N.C.A., Herman, G. and Danhauer, J.L. \"Perception of one-third octave-band filtered speech.\" J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 1977, 61, 576-580) showed that while place features were severely affected by the filtering, manner and voicing features were not. The data were submitted in the present study to INDSCAL for a more a-posteriori investigation of the features and their weights by the Ss. Results showed some differences in the features and their weights across the various filter bands, but that they were similar to those found earlier for hearing-impaired Ss having losses corresponding to frequency cut-offs in this study.", "PMID": 617816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2273", "title": "Glucose uptake and lactic acid production of adenovirus type 5-infected HEp-2 cells cultured under exponential growth and stationary phase conditions.", "content": "Exponentially growing HEp-2 cells have a higher rate of glucose uptake and lactic acid production than stationary phase cells. Infection of cells with adenovirus type 5 stimulates glycolysis irrespective of the original rate of the host cells. Therefore, infected cells cultured under exponential growth conditions have a higher rate of glycolysis than infected stationary phase cells. The rate of host cell glycolysis does not influence the time required for virus replication, the yield of infectious virus particles produced, or the time of appearance and progression of virus-induced cytopathology.", "contents": "Glucose uptake and lactic acid production of adenovirus type 5-infected HEp-2 cells cultured under exponential growth and stationary phase conditions. Exponentially growing HEp-2 cells have a higher rate of glucose uptake and lactic acid production than stationary phase cells. Infection of cells with adenovirus type 5 stimulates glycolysis irrespective of the original rate of the host cells. Therefore, infected cells cultured under exponential growth conditions have a higher rate of glycolysis than infected stationary phase cells. The rate of host cell glycolysis does not influence the time required for virus replication, the yield of infectious virus particles produced, or the time of appearance and progression of virus-induced cytopathology.", "PMID": 617828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2274", "title": "Regulation of cellvibriocin activity.", "content": "Attempts were made to enhance the production of cellvibriocin, the bacteriocin produced by Cellvibrio sp. NCIB 9916, by a study of cultural conditions in agar (solid) media. In such media cellvibriocin was unstable: within 24 h all activity disappeared at 45 degrees C, 70% at 37 degrees C and more than 50% within 5 days at 5 degrees C. The temperature at which the producer strain was grown was critical, 25 degrees C being optimal. Cellvibriocin activity was markedly affected by the composition of the medium. Small amounts of metallic salts (Cu2+, Mn2+, Sr2+, Zn2+) and carboxylic acids of the citric acid cycle, especially citrate and tartrate, promoted its activity. Protease inhibitors, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, N-ethyl maleimide and iodoacetate, enhanced cellvibriocin activity whereas a promoter of protease activity, casein hydrolysate, decreased activity.", "contents": "Regulation of cellvibriocin activity. Attempts were made to enhance the production of cellvibriocin, the bacteriocin produced by Cellvibrio sp. NCIB 9916, by a study of cultural conditions in agar (solid) media. In such media cellvibriocin was unstable: within 24 h all activity disappeared at 45 degrees C, 70% at 37 degrees C and more than 50% within 5 days at 5 degrees C. The temperature at which the producer strain was grown was critical, 25 degrees C being optimal. Cellvibriocin activity was markedly affected by the composition of the medium. Small amounts of metallic salts (Cu2+, Mn2+, Sr2+, Zn2+) and carboxylic acids of the citric acid cycle, especially citrate and tartrate, promoted its activity. Protease inhibitors, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, N-ethyl maleimide and iodoacetate, enhanced cellvibriocin activity whereas a promoter of protease activity, casein hydrolysate, decreased activity.", "PMID": 617829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2275", "title": "Effect of single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus on visual evoked potentials in anesthetized rabbits.", "content": "During single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei an evoked hypothalamo-cortical response with a short latent period, well-marked primary positive and negative components, and a secondary positive wave of high amplitude was recorded in the visual cortex of rabbits anesthetized with pentobarbital. It is postulated that pathways from the posterior hypothalamus to the cortex are numerous, pass through various subcortical structures, and terminate in different synaptic organizations. Single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei at intervals of between 700 and 100 msec facilitate the visual evoked potential on account of an increase in its negative component. Besides facilitation of the visual response, during single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei the zone of recording of the visual evoked potential is widened.", "contents": "Effect of single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus on visual evoked potentials in anesthetized rabbits. During single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei an evoked hypothalamo-cortical response with a short latent period, well-marked primary positive and negative components, and a secondary positive wave of high amplitude was recorded in the visual cortex of rabbits anesthetized with pentobarbital. It is postulated that pathways from the posterior hypothalamus to the cortex are numerous, pass through various subcortical structures, and terminate in different synaptic organizations. Single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei at intervals of between 700 and 100 msec facilitate the visual evoked potential on account of an increase in its negative component. Besides facilitation of the visual response, during single stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nuclei the zone of recording of the visual evoked potential is widened.", "PMID": 617844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2276", "title": "Method of estimating preference of the female rat for various sound stimuli while searching for pups.", "content": "A rat was placed without her pups in an open T-shaped maze and maternal behavior stimulated by the presentation of pups. The pups were then removed and tone pulses (7 kHz, 14 kHz) and a tape recording of the pup's pain signal were simultaneously presented from different alleys of the maze. Preference was estimated by the predominate direction of sorties during random alternation of the sound sources. Preference for the pup's pain signal was found in eight rats.", "contents": "Method of estimating preference of the female rat for various sound stimuli while searching for pups. A rat was placed without her pups in an open T-shaped maze and maternal behavior stimulated by the presentation of pups. The pups were then removed and tone pulses (7 kHz, 14 kHz) and a tape recording of the pup's pain signal were simultaneously presented from different alleys of the maze. Preference was estimated by the predominate direction of sorties during random alternation of the sound sources. Preference for the pup's pain signal was found in eight rats.", "PMID": 617848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2277", "title": "Dimensions of the hippocampus, memory, and learning in the ontogenesis of rats.", "content": "Damage to the hippocampus in 20-, 50-, and 110-day-old rats impairs the processes of learning and short-term memory in them. In 50-day-old rats, hippocampectomy has less of an influence on the process of learning and memory than for 20- and 110-day-old animals. The anatomic and physiological characteristics of the hippocampus in 20-day-old rats may be evidence of a special importance of this formation at the early stages of ontogenesis, when the cerebral cortex is still insufficiently mature and its associations with other structures have not been entirely formed. The nonlinear nature of the dependence of the disruption of learning in rats of different ages after hippocampectomy suggests that the function of the rat hippocampus undergoes changes during the process of individual development of the animal.", "contents": "Dimensions of the hippocampus, memory, and learning in the ontogenesis of rats. Damage to the hippocampus in 20-, 50-, and 110-day-old rats impairs the processes of learning and short-term memory in them. In 50-day-old rats, hippocampectomy has less of an influence on the process of learning and memory than for 20- and 110-day-old animals. The anatomic and physiological characteristics of the hippocampus in 20-day-old rats may be evidence of a special importance of this formation at the early stages of ontogenesis, when the cerebral cortex is still insufficiently mature and its associations with other structures have not been entirely formed. The nonlinear nature of the dependence of the disruption of learning in rats of different ages after hippocampectomy suggests that the function of the rat hippocampus undergoes changes during the process of individual development of the animal.", "PMID": 617847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2278", "title": "Effects of electrical stimulation of vagal nuclei in anesthetized and unanesthetized cats.", "content": "Changes in the heart rate were studied during stimulation of the effector nuclei of the vagus nerves--the dorsal vagal nucleus and the nucleus ambiguus--in anesthetized and unanesthetized cats. If groups of neurons, stimulation of which in anesthetized cats causes slowing of the heart, were stimulated in unanesthetized cats under conditions of free behavior, the heart rate was increased. Pharmacological beta-adrenergic receptor blockade by injection of Obsidan or Inderal (propranolol) demonstrated the parasympathetic nature of these effects. The fact that they are parasympathetic in nature was also confirmed by the character of the response: its short latent period and rapid disappearance of the effect after removal of the stimulation.", "contents": "Effects of electrical stimulation of vagal nuclei in anesthetized and unanesthetized cats. Changes in the heart rate were studied during stimulation of the effector nuclei of the vagus nerves--the dorsal vagal nucleus and the nucleus ambiguus--in anesthetized and unanesthetized cats. If groups of neurons, stimulation of which in anesthetized cats causes slowing of the heart, were stimulated in unanesthetized cats under conditions of free behavior, the heart rate was increased. Pharmacological beta-adrenergic receptor blockade by injection of Obsidan or Inderal (propranolol) demonstrated the parasympathetic nature of these effects. The fact that they are parasympathetic in nature was also confirmed by the character of the response: its short latent period and rapid disappearance of the effect after removal of the stimulation.", "PMID": 617846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2279", "title": "Evoked responses of the superior olive to amplitude-modulated signals.", "content": "Evoked potentials of some auditory centers of Rhinolophidae bats to amplitude-modulated signals were studied. A synchronization response was found in the cochlear nuclei (with respect to the fast component of the response) and in the superior olivary complex (with respect to both fast and slow components of the response) within the range of frequency modulation from 50 to 2000 Hz. In the inferior colliculus a synchronized response was recorded at modulation frequencies below 150 Hz, but in the medial geniculate bodies no such response was found. Evoked responses of the superior olivary complex were investigated in detail. The lowest frequencies of synchronization were recorded within the carrier frequency range of 15-30 and 80-86 kHz. The amplitude of the synchronized response is a function of the frequency and coefficient of modulation and also of the angle of stimulus presentation.", "contents": "Evoked responses of the superior olive to amplitude-modulated signals. Evoked potentials of some auditory centers of Rhinolophidae bats to amplitude-modulated signals were studied. A synchronization response was found in the cochlear nuclei (with respect to the fast component of the response) and in the superior olivary complex (with respect to both fast and slow components of the response) within the range of frequency modulation from 50 to 2000 Hz. In the inferior colliculus a synchronized response was recorded at modulation frequencies below 150 Hz, but in the medial geniculate bodies no such response was found. Evoked responses of the superior olivary complex were investigated in detail. The lowest frequencies of synchronization were recorded within the carrier frequency range of 15-30 and 80-86 kHz. The amplitude of the synchronized response is a function of the frequency and coefficient of modulation and also of the angle of stimulus presentation.", "PMID": 617845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2280", "title": "Invariability of auditory perception with respect to frequency--time signal transformations in the dolphin Tursiops truncatus.", "content": "The characteristic of hearing in the dolphin Tursiops truncatus were investigated by the method of motor-feeding conditioned reflexes under conditions of frequency--time signal indeterminancy with background noise. It was shown that the effectiveness of auditory detection of tone--pulse signals is invariant with respect to Doppler and shift signal transformations, while the number of waves is a characteristic parameter of the auditory system.", "contents": "Invariability of auditory perception with respect to frequency--time signal transformations in the dolphin Tursiops truncatus. The characteristic of hearing in the dolphin Tursiops truncatus were investigated by the method of motor-feeding conditioned reflexes under conditions of frequency--time signal indeterminancy with background noise. It was shown that the effectiveness of auditory detection of tone--pulse signals is invariant with respect to Doppler and shift signal transformations, while the number of waves is a characteristic parameter of the auditory system.", "PMID": 617849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2281", "title": "Outcome of infants of very low birthweight treated in neonatal intensive care unit.", "content": "The neonatal survival rate of 500 VLBW (less than or equal to 1 500 g) treated in the neonatal unit of the Departement of Paediatrics in Lausanne (C.H.U.V.) was studied according to changing patterns of nursing and medical care occurring in four successive periods (1961 IX-1963, X-1963 - 1965, 1966-1968, IV-1971-1973). The survival rate at 28 days increased from 35.5% to 47.7% between 1961 and 1965. Earlier start of feeding, intravenous fluid therapy, better control of ambient temperature and better oxygenotherapy are the main changes during this period. Further improvement in neonatal care did not affect the 28-day survival rate. 213 VLBW out of 500 (42.6%) survived at 28 days, 13 (6.1%) out of these died within the first two years of life, 36 (16.9%) were lost for the follow-up. The remaining 164 VLBW were followed until ages between 18 months and 8 years. The improvement in neonatal care was associated with a decrease in the incidence of major neurological sequels from 21.1% to 12.2% between 1961 and 1973. Cerebral palsy and epilepsy are responsible for this decrease. The incidence of mental retardation (DQ or IQ less than 80) also decreased from 17.5% to 4.9% during the same period. However, the incidence of retrolental fibroplasia remained stable. The outlook for VLBW infants is now much more encouraging. Further improvement in perinatal care is likely to further reduce the incidence of major handicaps. but it is not clear whether they will affect the incidence of minor problems such as learning difficulties or poor school performances. More prospective studies are necessary to clarify these points and to ensure early detection of these developmental problems.", "contents": "Outcome of infants of very low birthweight treated in neonatal intensive care unit. The neonatal survival rate of 500 VLBW (less than or equal to 1 500 g) treated in the neonatal unit of the Departement of Paediatrics in Lausanne (C.H.U.V.) was studied according to changing patterns of nursing and medical care occurring in four successive periods (1961 IX-1963, X-1963 - 1965, 1966-1968, IV-1971-1973). The survival rate at 28 days increased from 35.5% to 47.7% between 1961 and 1965. Earlier start of feeding, intravenous fluid therapy, better control of ambient temperature and better oxygenotherapy are the main changes during this period. Further improvement in neonatal care did not affect the 28-day survival rate. 213 VLBW out of 500 (42.6%) survived at 28 days, 13 (6.1%) out of these died within the first two years of life, 36 (16.9%) were lost for the follow-up. The remaining 164 VLBW were followed until ages between 18 months and 8 years. The improvement in neonatal care was associated with a decrease in the incidence of major neurological sequels from 21.1% to 12.2% between 1961 and 1973. Cerebral palsy and epilepsy are responsible for this decrease. The incidence of mental retardation (DQ or IQ less than 80) also decreased from 17.5% to 4.9% during the same period. However, the incidence of retrolental fibroplasia remained stable. The outlook for VLBW infants is now much more encouraging. Further improvement in perinatal care is likely to further reduce the incidence of major handicaps. but it is not clear whether they will affect the incidence of minor problems such as learning difficulties or poor school performances. More prospective studies are necessary to clarify these points and to ensure early detection of these developmental problems.", "PMID": 617865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2282", "title": "[Distribution of birth weights and influenza epidemics (author's transl)].", "content": "The possible consequences of influenza during pregnancy on the weight of the new born were studied. It was shown that the major 1969-70 winter influenza epidemic in Alsace was followed by a decrease in the mean birth weight registered in Haguenau's maternity hospital. This study confirms previous work on the subject and shows that birth weight can be used as a valuable tool at the epidemiologic scale.", "contents": "[Distribution of birth weights and influenza epidemics (author's transl)]. The possible consequences of influenza during pregnancy on the weight of the new born were studied. It was shown that the major 1969-70 winter influenza epidemic in Alsace was followed by a decrease in the mean birth weight registered in Haguenau's maternity hospital. This study confirms previous work on the subject and shows that birth weight can be used as a valuable tool at the epidemiologic scale.", "PMID": 617866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2283", "title": "[Functional bucco-dental restoration cost for adolescents aged 16 to 20 in the Geneva resident population (survey 1970-72). I. -- Description of estimates (author's transl)].", "content": "In 1970/72, a random sample of 1392 adolescents of the population irrespective of nationality and sex has been drawn, using computer equipment, from the Geneva (Switzerland) resident population, ages 16 to 20 years. The sampling fraction was 13%. These adolescents were interviewed for case history, and then underwent clinical, radiological and photographic examination by a medically trained team including a dentist and a dental hygienist. The sampling had been designed so as to avoid selection regarding the adolescents' sex and occupation (student/apprentice/young labourer) or the parents' socio-professional category. Comprehensive epidemiological data concerning the main dental and periodontal diseases are thus recorded to allow estimation of the individual cost for a complete functional restoration of the dentition and the periodontium (orthodontic treatments not included). The estimating arithmetic is performed on the computer by means of an original program worked out especially for cost estimation referring to an approved list of fees for medico-dental treatments. The first part of the article, as published below, reports the relative frequency distributions of estimated cost depending on age, sex and occupation separately as well as jointly. Moreover, these distributions are summarized by their basic descriptive statistics (medians, quartiles, ranges, extreme values, etc.). At first sight, it seems that by and large the median cost is higher for boys than for girls, and that there is evidence for an increasing trend with respect to age; young labourers rank somehow between students and apprentices. The data seem to exhibit a decreasing trend of median cost as regards ascending socio-professional category. Besides this trend is maintained when duration of caries prophylaxy by means of fluorine tablets intake is accounted for. Average number of daily tooth brushings also positively correlates with median cost, whereas the latter does not seem to depend very closely on time elapsed since the latest appointment with the adolescent's dentist. In another connection, the present paper indicates the overall cost (as well as cost for certain treatment subgroups) estimated for the sample on the one hand, for the whole population on the other hand.", "contents": "[Functional bucco-dental restoration cost for adolescents aged 16 to 20 in the Geneva resident population (survey 1970-72). I. -- Description of estimates (author's transl)]. In 1970/72, a random sample of 1392 adolescents of the population irrespective of nationality and sex has been drawn, using computer equipment, from the Geneva (Switzerland) resident population, ages 16 to 20 years. The sampling fraction was 13%. These adolescents were interviewed for case history, and then underwent clinical, radiological and photographic examination by a medically trained team including a dentist and a dental hygienist. The sampling had been designed so as to avoid selection regarding the adolescents' sex and occupation (student/apprentice/young labourer) or the parents' socio-professional category. Comprehensive epidemiological data concerning the main dental and periodontal diseases are thus recorded to allow estimation of the individual cost for a complete functional restoration of the dentition and the periodontium (orthodontic treatments not included). The estimating arithmetic is performed on the computer by means of an original program worked out especially for cost estimation referring to an approved list of fees for medico-dental treatments. The first part of the article, as published below, reports the relative frequency distributions of estimated cost depending on age, sex and occupation separately as well as jointly. Moreover, these distributions are summarized by their basic descriptive statistics (medians, quartiles, ranges, extreme values, etc.). At first sight, it seems that by and large the median cost is higher for boys than for girls, and that there is evidence for an increasing trend with respect to age; young labourers rank somehow between students and apprentices. The data seem to exhibit a decreasing trend of median cost as regards ascending socio-professional category. Besides this trend is maintained when duration of caries prophylaxy by means of fluorine tablets intake is accounted for. Average number of daily tooth brushings also positively correlates with median cost, whereas the latter does not seem to depend very closely on time elapsed since the latest appointment with the adolescent's dentist. In another connection, the present paper indicates the overall cost (as well as cost for certain treatment subgroups) estimated for the sample on the one hand, for the whole population on the other hand.", "PMID": 617867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2284", "title": "[The difficulty of choosing a good control group in a retrospective study (author's transl)].", "content": "The choice of either hospital or population controls in retrospective studies is guided by rules implying underlying hypotheses. In a study on aesophageal cancer in relation to alcohol and tobacco consumption, two such control groups were available and were compared. It was found that some of the currently accepted assumptions relating to representativeness of cases or controls were verified but many others were not, particularly in hospital controls. These were found to give less correct estimates of drinking and smoking habits than those obtained from population controls. The limitations in the use of either type of controls is discussed, in relation to the purpose of the study concerned.", "contents": "[The difficulty of choosing a good control group in a retrospective study (author's transl)]. The choice of either hospital or population controls in retrospective studies is guided by rules implying underlying hypotheses. In a study on aesophageal cancer in relation to alcohol and tobacco consumption, two such control groups were available and were compared. It was found that some of the currently accepted assumptions relating to representativeness of cases or controls were verified but many others were not, particularly in hospital controls. These were found to give less correct estimates of drinking and smoking habits than those obtained from population controls. The limitations in the use of either type of controls is discussed, in relation to the purpose of the study concerned.", "PMID": 617869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2285", "title": "[The decline of fertility in Western Europe. II. Which fertility rate would be desirable in France? (author's transl)].", "content": "A way to try and assess the significance of such or such level in long term fertility is to work out population projections based on a variety of assumptions and to compare their different implications. The age pyramids of France until 2100 that derive from four contrasted evolutions of fertility are studied in the present article: completed fertility in birth cohorts ranging from 1.4 to 2.6 children per woman. While some demographic parameters are not much sensitive to the assumption made for the fertility level (e.g. percent of economically active people in total population), others are closely related to fertility (such as total number of inhabitants, percent of younger people or of older people in total population, annual rate of entry into economically active population). In France, where population density is much lower than in most neighbouring countries, a fertility level that would lay at -- or a little higher than -- replacement (i.e. 2.1 children per woman) can be considered as a desirable target.", "contents": "[The decline of fertility in Western Europe. II. Which fertility rate would be desirable in France? (author's transl)]. A way to try and assess the significance of such or such level in long term fertility is to work out population projections based on a variety of assumptions and to compare their different implications. The age pyramids of France until 2100 that derive from four contrasted evolutions of fertility are studied in the present article: completed fertility in birth cohorts ranging from 1.4 to 2.6 children per woman. While some demographic parameters are not much sensitive to the assumption made for the fertility level (e.g. percent of economically active people in total population), others are closely related to fertility (such as total number of inhabitants, percent of younger people or of older people in total population, annual rate of entry into economically active population). In France, where population density is much lower than in most neighbouring countries, a fertility level that would lay at -- or a little higher than -- replacement (i.e. 2.1 children per woman) can be considered as a desirable target.", "PMID": 617870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2286", "title": "Radical cystectomy with or without prior irradiation in the treatment of bladder cancer.", "content": "This is a summary presentation on certain aspects of an experience with the use of radical cystectomy with or without prior irradiation in the treatment of selected patients with bladder cancer at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.", "contents": "Radical cystectomy with or without prior irradiation in the treatment of bladder cancer. This is a summary presentation on certain aspects of an experience with the use of radical cystectomy with or without prior irradiation in the treatment of selected patients with bladder cancer at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.", "PMID": 617902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2287", "title": "Evidence for a new mammalian organ. II. Calcium kinetics.", "content": "The calcium content and calcium kinetics of the fatty tissue complex comprising the renal sinus organ of the rat kidney are reported. A comparison is made to control brown and white fat in the same animal. The calcium content of the renal sinus tissue is significantly greater than controls. Calcium localization in the mitochondria of the sinus tissue complex is demonstrated. Radioactive iostope studies (45Ca, 85Sr and 99mTc) indicate a dynamic exchange of calcium between the systemic pool and the sinus organ. Active accumulation appears to be operative. Supporting evidence for the existence of a portal vascular system joining the renal sinus complex and the renal parenchyma is presented. The significance of a calcium sink in the renal sinus tissue of the rat kidney is discussed.", "contents": "Evidence for a new mammalian organ. II. Calcium kinetics. The calcium content and calcium kinetics of the fatty tissue complex comprising the renal sinus organ of the rat kidney are reported. A comparison is made to control brown and white fat in the same animal. The calcium content of the renal sinus tissue is significantly greater than controls. Calcium localization in the mitochondria of the sinus tissue complex is demonstrated. Radioactive iostope studies (45Ca, 85Sr and 99mTc) indicate a dynamic exchange of calcium between the systemic pool and the sinus organ. Active accumulation appears to be operative. Supporting evidence for the existence of a portal vascular system joining the renal sinus complex and the renal parenchyma is presented. The significance of a calcium sink in the renal sinus tissue of the rat kidney is discussed.", "PMID": 617903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2288", "title": "Intrarenal nephrolithotomy and reconstruction of the solitary kidney.", "content": "There were 30 patients with solitary kidneys containing staghorn claculi who have been subjected to nephrolithotomy with extensive plastic revision of strictured calices using local renal hypothermia. These patients have been followed for 8 months to 16 years and all have had a recent in-hospital evaluation of renal function and recurrent stone formation. No surgical mortality occurred (death within 3 months of operation). Seven patients have died postoperatively, only 1 of whom had associated progressive deterioration of renal function as a contributory cause of death. It is concluded that surgical removal of calculi from a solitary kidney is a relatively safe procedure that results in significant improvement in the patient's well being. The degree of improvement is of such a nature that it may be equated to \"cure of the disease\" in 63 per cent of the patients.", "contents": "Intrarenal nephrolithotomy and reconstruction of the solitary kidney. There were 30 patients with solitary kidneys containing staghorn claculi who have been subjected to nephrolithotomy with extensive plastic revision of strictured calices using local renal hypothermia. These patients have been followed for 8 months to 16 years and all have had a recent in-hospital evaluation of renal function and recurrent stone formation. No surgical mortality occurred (death within 3 months of operation). Seven patients have died postoperatively, only 1 of whom had associated progressive deterioration of renal function as a contributory cause of death. It is concluded that surgical removal of calculi from a solitary kidney is a relatively safe procedure that results in significant improvement in the patient's well being. The degree of improvement is of such a nature that it may be equated to \"cure of the disease\" in 63 per cent of the patients.", "PMID": 617904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2289", "title": "Urodynamic patterns in children with dysfunctional voiding problems.", "content": "Simultaneous measurements of the intravesical pressure, electromyographic activity of the anal sphincter and the urinary flow rate in 17 children with dysfunctional voiding problems have shown a variety of unusual patterns, each distinct for the particular child but all with the common denominator of failure to coordinate detrusor and sphincter activity. We postulate that these patterns represent persistence of the transitional phase in the development of micturitional control whereby the child learns to prevent involuntary wetting by forceful contraction of the external urethral sphincter.", "contents": "Urodynamic patterns in children with dysfunctional voiding problems. Simultaneous measurements of the intravesical pressure, electromyographic activity of the anal sphincter and the urinary flow rate in 17 children with dysfunctional voiding problems have shown a variety of unusual patterns, each distinct for the particular child but all with the common denominator of failure to coordinate detrusor and sphincter activity. We postulate that these patterns represent persistence of the transitional phase in the development of micturitional control whereby the child learns to prevent involuntary wetting by forceful contraction of the external urethral sphincter.", "PMID": 617905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2290", "title": "Malignant hypertension in children secondary to chronic pyelonephritis: laboratory and radiologic indications for partial or total nephrectomy.", "content": "Severe renin-mediated hypertension was noted in 2 children as a result of selective renal damage from vesicoureteral reflux during the early years of life. In each case the reflux had been corrected successfully long before hypertension developed. In 1 case the late damage involved only 1 kidney and nephrectomy resulted in immediate relief of the hypertension. In the second case, even though both kidneys showed segmental scarring from calicectasis and chronic pyelonephritis, removal of the atrophied lower pole of 1 kidney made hypertension amenable to medical treatment and reduced excessive renin output to a fraction of the original high levels. The mechanism of renin-mediated hypertension in kidneys with segmental scars of chronic pyelonephritis is believed to be ischemia of the relatively normal renal cortex in proximity to areas of interstitial fibrosis, within which are tortuous interlobular and smaller arterioles with severe intimal thickening. Hypertrophy of normal renal segment occurs in young patients with segmental chronic pyelonephritis. To accommodate this enlargement the original calix develops an extension or elongation readily distinguishable from other dilated calices.", "contents": "Malignant hypertension in children secondary to chronic pyelonephritis: laboratory and radiologic indications for partial or total nephrectomy. Severe renin-mediated hypertension was noted in 2 children as a result of selective renal damage from vesicoureteral reflux during the early years of life. In each case the reflux had been corrected successfully long before hypertension developed. In 1 case the late damage involved only 1 kidney and nephrectomy resulted in immediate relief of the hypertension. In the second case, even though both kidneys showed segmental scarring from calicectasis and chronic pyelonephritis, removal of the atrophied lower pole of 1 kidney made hypertension amenable to medical treatment and reduced excessive renin output to a fraction of the original high levels. The mechanism of renin-mediated hypertension in kidneys with segmental scars of chronic pyelonephritis is believed to be ischemia of the relatively normal renal cortex in proximity to areas of interstitial fibrosis, within which are tortuous interlobular and smaller arterioles with severe intimal thickening. Hypertrophy of normal renal segment occurs in young patients with segmental chronic pyelonephritis. To accommodate this enlargement the original calix develops an extension or elongation readily distinguishable from other dilated calices.", "PMID": 617906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2291", "title": "Splenorenal bypass in the treatment of renal artery stenosis.", "content": "A retrospective study is presented of our experience from 1962 to 1976 with the splenorenal bypass procedure in the treatment of 32 patients with renovascular hypertension. The over-all results were 53 per cent of the patients cured, 28 per cent improved and 19 per cent failures. Improved results were noted when the splenorenal bypass was performed in relation to specific operative indications. The results were somewhat better in men than in women and poor results were obtained in children. Intraoperative and early postoperative complications were minimal. There were 2 postoperative deaths, for a hospital mortality rate of 6.3 per cent. Late complications were limited to splenic artery graft stenoses, which developed in 3 patients (9.4 per cent). When performed in relation to specific clinical and operative indications the splenorenal bypass is believed to represent an excellent means to achieve safe and effective renal revascularization.", "contents": "Splenorenal bypass in the treatment of renal artery stenosis. A retrospective study is presented of our experience from 1962 to 1976 with the splenorenal bypass procedure in the treatment of 32 patients with renovascular hypertension. The over-all results were 53 per cent of the patients cured, 28 per cent improved and 19 per cent failures. Improved results were noted when the splenorenal bypass was performed in relation to specific operative indications. The results were somewhat better in men than in women and poor results were obtained in children. Intraoperative and early postoperative complications were minimal. There were 2 postoperative deaths, for a hospital mortality rate of 6.3 per cent. Late complications were limited to splenic artery graft stenoses, which developed in 3 patients (9.4 per cent). When performed in relation to specific clinical and operative indications the splenorenal bypass is believed to represent an excellent means to achieve safe and effective renal revascularization.", "PMID": 617907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2292", "title": "Pyelometry: an objective evaluation of obstruction in the upper urinary tract.", "content": "Constant infusion pressure monitoring is proving to be valuable in the clinical evaluation of patients with dilated upper urinary tracts. A sound physiological basis has been established for the method and good results can be achieved with a simple, easily available apparatus.", "contents": "Pyelometry: an objective evaluation of obstruction in the upper urinary tract. Constant infusion pressure monitoring is proving to be valuable in the clinical evaluation of patients with dilated upper urinary tracts. A sound physiological basis has been established for the method and good results can be achieved with a simple, easily available apparatus.", "PMID": 617908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2293", "title": "Technical considerations in distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation.", "content": "The advantages of a distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation have been elaborated upon previously. This method offers simplicity of transvesical exposure, rapidity of execution, excellent visibility of the terminal ureteral segments, minimal dissection and trauma in the paravesical space, the opportunity to advance the ureteral orifices to a physiologic position on the trigone and minimal risk of angulation, kinking or obstruction of the terminal ureter. It is now recognized that this method, with the modifications discussed herein, has wide applicability in the management of vesicoureteral reflux of all varieties and etiologies.", "contents": "Technical considerations in distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation. The advantages of a distal tunnel ureteral reimplantation have been elaborated upon previously. This method offers simplicity of transvesical exposure, rapidity of execution, excellent visibility of the terminal ureteral segments, minimal dissection and trauma in the paravesical space, the opportunity to advance the ureteral orifices to a physiologic position on the trigone and minimal risk of angulation, kinking or obstruction of the terminal ureter. It is now recognized that this method, with the modifications discussed herein, has wide applicability in the management of vesicoureteral reflux of all varieties and etiologies.", "PMID": 617910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2294", "title": "Priapism cured by creation of fistulas between glans penis and corpora cavernosa.", "content": "A simplified method to drain the corpora cavernosa into the spongiosum in cases of priapism is discussed and the advantages are listed.", "contents": "Priapism cured by creation of fistulas between glans penis and corpora cavernosa. A simplified method to drain the corpora cavernosa into the spongiosum in cases of priapism is discussed and the advantages are listed.", "PMID": 617911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2295", "title": "Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence.", "content": "Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.", "contents": "Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence. Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.", "PMID": 617912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2296", "title": "Motion picture: routine perineal urethrotomy for transurethral surgery.", "content": "The concept that perineal urethrotomy is a prodigious time-consuming procedure is no longer tenable. The procedure need not require the use of holding sutures to evert the urethra, a gorget or similar device to aid the manipulation of the instrument into the bladder nor sutures to close the urethra. The procedure can be done smoothly and quickly without any indecision as to its consequences.", "contents": "Motion picture: routine perineal urethrotomy for transurethral surgery. The concept that perineal urethrotomy is a prodigious time-consuming procedure is no longer tenable. The procedure need not require the use of holding sutures to evert the urethra, a gorget or similar device to aid the manipulation of the instrument into the bladder nor sutures to close the urethra. The procedure can be done smoothly and quickly without any indecision as to its consequences.", "PMID": 617913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2297", "title": "Preoperative evaluation of patients with bladder outlet obstruction with particular regard to excretory urography.", "content": "During the last 15 years excretory urography has been a routine preoperative diagnostic procedure for patients with bladder outlet obstruction in our department and, perhaps, for many more years in other urological centers. There are 2 reasons that this investigation should be done: 1) to detect abnormalities of the upper urinary tract that can be important indicators to operate or for the postoperative course and 2) to detect abnormalities in the bladder that should be corrected simultaneously with the prostatectomy or that can interfere with the procedure.", "contents": "Preoperative evaluation of patients with bladder outlet obstruction with particular regard to excretory urography. During the last 15 years excretory urography has been a routine preoperative diagnostic procedure for patients with bladder outlet obstruction in our department and, perhaps, for many more years in other urological centers. There are 2 reasons that this investigation should be done: 1) to detect abnormalities of the upper urinary tract that can be important indicators to operate or for the postoperative course and 2) to detect abnormalities in the bladder that should be corrected simultaneously with the prostatectomy or that can interfere with the procedure.", "PMID": 617914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2298", "title": "Experience with an animal model for the study of prostatic carcinoma.", "content": "We report on the development of the Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma of the Copenhagen rat as a suitable model for human prostatic cancer. Tumors produced by the subcutaneous or intraprostatic injections of viable cells had the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of human disease. Histologically, these tumors were well differentiated adenocarcinomas with the human disease. Histologically, these tumors were well differentiated adenocarcinomas with the formation of glands and acid secretions within the acini. The intraprostatic tumor, although initially confined to the injected lobe, grew to involve the surrounding tissues and eventually metastasized to the lymph nodes and lungs. Occasional metastatic lesions were found in other organs as well. Acid phosphatase could be demonstrated by histochemical staining of frozen tumor sections and elevated levels of the enzyme were seen in the serum of rats bearing long-term subcutaneous tumors. During investigation of the tumor a fast growing line arose that grew equally as well in female as in male rats. The histology of this tumor was of an undifferentiated anaplastic tumor. Treatment by cryosurgery completely destroyed the prostatic tumor within 2 weeks. A tissue culture line derived from R3327 was capable of producing tumors in recipient rats with characteristics similar to the original Dunning tumor.", "contents": "Experience with an animal model for the study of prostatic carcinoma. We report on the development of the Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma of the Copenhagen rat as a suitable model for human prostatic cancer. Tumors produced by the subcutaneous or intraprostatic injections of viable cells had the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of human disease. Histologically, these tumors were well differentiated adenocarcinomas with the human disease. Histologically, these tumors were well differentiated adenocarcinomas with the formation of glands and acid secretions within the acini. The intraprostatic tumor, although initially confined to the injected lobe, grew to involve the surrounding tissues and eventually metastasized to the lymph nodes and lungs. Occasional metastatic lesions were found in other organs as well. Acid phosphatase could be demonstrated by histochemical staining of frozen tumor sections and elevated levels of the enzyme were seen in the serum of rats bearing long-term subcutaneous tumors. During investigation of the tumor a fast growing line arose that grew equally as well in female as in male rats. The histology of this tumor was of an undifferentiated anaplastic tumor. Treatment by cryosurgery completely destroyed the prostatic tumor within 2 weeks. A tissue culture line derived from R3327 was capable of producing tumors in recipient rats with characteristics similar to the original Dunning tumor.", "PMID": 617916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2299", "title": "Micturition urodynamic flow studies in children.", "content": "Voiding abnormalities are encountered frequently in pediatric patients. Symptoms of daytime incontinence, frequency and nocturnal enuresis in any combination may indicate underlying neurophysiologic detrusor imbalance. Incomplete evaluation of these symptoms can result in inappropriate medical therapy or even ineffective operations. Within the preceding 7 months 34 children with hard-core voiding abnormalities were evaluated with urodynamic techniques. Several categories of abnormal voiding patterns were identified, including the hyperactive external sphincter, uninhibited pediatric neurogenic bladder, detrusor hyperreflexia secondary to chronic cystitis, hyperactive external sphincter with hypotonic bladder and the hyperactive external sphincter with detrusor irritability. All patients received specific pharmacotherapy based on presenting signs and symptoms, and voiding pattern abnormality. Of the 24 patients who have been treated in this manner and were evaluated 83.5 per cent have had complete remission of symptoms while on therapy, the remainder being improved but still having occasional symptoms. The technique and data demonstrate that children with hard-core voiding abnormalities can achieve rehabilitation with urodynamic assessment.", "contents": "Micturition urodynamic flow studies in children. Voiding abnormalities are encountered frequently in pediatric patients. Symptoms of daytime incontinence, frequency and nocturnal enuresis in any combination may indicate underlying neurophysiologic detrusor imbalance. Incomplete evaluation of these symptoms can result in inappropriate medical therapy or even ineffective operations. Within the preceding 7 months 34 children with hard-core voiding abnormalities were evaluated with urodynamic techniques. Several categories of abnormal voiding patterns were identified, including the hyperactive external sphincter, uninhibited pediatric neurogenic bladder, detrusor hyperreflexia secondary to chronic cystitis, hyperactive external sphincter with hypotonic bladder and the hyperactive external sphincter with detrusor irritability. All patients received specific pharmacotherapy based on presenting signs and symptoms, and voiding pattern abnormality. Of the 24 patients who have been treated in this manner and were evaluated 83.5 per cent have had complete remission of symptoms while on therapy, the remainder being improved but still having occasional symptoms. The technique and data demonstrate that children with hard-core voiding abnormalities can achieve rehabilitation with urodynamic assessment.", "PMID": 617917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2300", "title": "Eight years of experience with preoperative angiographic and lymphographic staging of bladder cancer.", "content": "Our experience with the preoperative staging of bladder cancer by bilateral selective hypogastric arteriography has been accumulated since 1968. More than 150 patients have been studied by selective angiography before radical cystectomy. Our latest series of 52 patients (1972 to 1976) compares to our previous experience demonstrating angiographic staging accuracy to detect bladder invasion and occult metastases at a rate exceeding that of clinical staging alone. Arteriographic staging of D lesions, when supplemented with lymphography, approaches 100 per cent accuracy. Falsely negative lymphograms currently are extremely uncommon (1.9 per cent). In several illustrated instances angiographic staging was proved to be even more accurate than the pathologic staging of a limited cystectomy specimen. The over-all angiographic and lymphangiographic staging accuracy in our most recent series of cystectomy patients was 78.8 per cent. The techniques and reliability of the data are discussed in detail, including the factors that interfere with the exact arteriographic staging of bladder cancer. However, these factors are more troublesome in early stage lesions. These studies demonstrate the role and value as well as areas of limitation of preoperative arteriography and lymphography in the evaluation of invasive bladder cancer.", "contents": "Eight years of experience with preoperative angiographic and lymphographic staging of bladder cancer. Our experience with the preoperative staging of bladder cancer by bilateral selective hypogastric arteriography has been accumulated since 1968. More than 150 patients have been studied by selective angiography before radical cystectomy. Our latest series of 52 patients (1972 to 1976) compares to our previous experience demonstrating angiographic staging accuracy to detect bladder invasion and occult metastases at a rate exceeding that of clinical staging alone. Arteriographic staging of D lesions, when supplemented with lymphography, approaches 100 per cent accuracy. Falsely negative lymphograms currently are extremely uncommon (1.9 per cent). In several illustrated instances angiographic staging was proved to be even more accurate than the pathologic staging of a limited cystectomy specimen. The over-all angiographic and lymphangiographic staging accuracy in our most recent series of cystectomy patients was 78.8 per cent. The techniques and reliability of the data are discussed in detail, including the factors that interfere with the exact arteriographic staging of bladder cancer. However, these factors are more troublesome in early stage lesions. These studies demonstrate the role and value as well as areas of limitation of preoperative arteriography and lymphography in the evaluation of invasive bladder cancer.", "PMID": 617918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2301", "title": "Partial cystectomy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.", "content": "Between 1950 and 1974, 35 men and 10 women underwent partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Indications, contraindications and the principles of technique for partial cystectomy as therapy for transitional cell tumors of the bladder are discussed. All patients were evaluated postoperatively, with cystoscopic examination every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 3 years and then at yearly intervals if no tumors had been detected. None of the patients received preoperative irradiation. Eight ureters were re-implanted and 6 prostate glands were enucleated at the time of partial cystectomy. There was 1 death in the immediate postoperative period. Complications developed in 12 patients, in 3 of whom they were considered major. When recurrences were noted appropriate therapy was performed as indicated. Irradiation was the most commonly used method to treat distant metastases. The over-all 5-year survival rate is 57.7 per cent (26 patients). Thirty-four patients were followed for 10 years. The survival rate for this group of patients was 32.4 per cent (11 patients). The results of this study correlate well with other published reports.", "contents": "Partial cystectomy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Between 1950 and 1974, 35 men and 10 women underwent partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Indications, contraindications and the principles of technique for partial cystectomy as therapy for transitional cell tumors of the bladder are discussed. All patients were evaluated postoperatively, with cystoscopic examination every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 3 years and then at yearly intervals if no tumors had been detected. None of the patients received preoperative irradiation. Eight ureters were re-implanted and 6 prostate glands were enucleated at the time of partial cystectomy. There was 1 death in the immediate postoperative period. Complications developed in 12 patients, in 3 of whom they were considered major. When recurrences were noted appropriate therapy was performed as indicated. Irradiation was the most commonly used method to treat distant metastases. The over-all 5-year survival rate is 57.7 per cent (26 patients). Thirty-four patients were followed for 10 years. The survival rate for this group of patients was 32.4 per cent (11 patients). The results of this study correlate well with other published reports.", "PMID": 617919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2302", "title": "Secondary polycythaemia.", "content": "The secondary polycythaemias are classified on an aetio-pathological basis and the main pathological and clinical features of the individual types are presented in the light of data in the literature and own observations in 138 cases seen during 15 years. The general lines and possibilities of therapy are discussed.", "contents": "Secondary polycythaemia. The secondary polycythaemias are classified on an aetio-pathological basis and the main pathological and clinical features of the individual types are presented in the light of data in the literature and own observations in 138 cases seen during 15 years. The general lines and possibilities of therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 617924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2303", "title": "In vitro effect of immune complex positive human sera on antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity.", "content": "The effect of immune complex positive and negative (control) sera on the antibody dependent cytotoxicity of normal human lymphocytes was studied in a xenogeneic assay in vitro. Significant inhibitions were obtained with the sera of immune complex positive patients as compared with age and sex matched controls. The possible significance of these findings in autoimmune diseases and malignancies is discussed.", "contents": "In vitro effect of immune complex positive human sera on antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The effect of immune complex positive and negative (control) sera on the antibody dependent cytotoxicity of normal human lymphocytes was studied in a xenogeneic assay in vitro. Significant inhibitions were obtained with the sera of immune complex positive patients as compared with age and sex matched controls. The possible significance of these findings in autoimmune diseases and malignancies is discussed.", "PMID": 617925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2304", "title": "Antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity in normal subjects, patients with SLE, and malignancies.", "content": "Antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity was studied in healthy subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and metastatic tumours. The purified peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy subjects exerted a similar cytotoxic activity on allogeneic K-562 and xenogeneic chicken erythrocyte targets in the antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity tests. There was a stronger correlation between the cytotoxicity measured in the two allogeneic assays than between allogeneic and xenogeneic tests. Allogeneic systems using K-562 targets were more sensitive to changes in cytotoxic activity in systemic lupus erythematosus and metastatic tumours than was the xenogeneic chicken erythrocyte assay.", "contents": "Antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity in normal subjects, patients with SLE, and malignancies. Antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity was studied in healthy subjects and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and metastatic tumours. The purified peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy subjects exerted a similar cytotoxic activity on allogeneic K-562 and xenogeneic chicken erythrocyte targets in the antibody dependent and spontaneous lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity tests. There was a stronger correlation between the cytotoxicity measured in the two allogeneic assays than between allogeneic and xenogeneic tests. Allogeneic systems using K-562 targets were more sensitive to changes in cytotoxic activity in systemic lupus erythematosus and metastatic tumours than was the xenogeneic chicken erythrocyte assay.", "PMID": 617926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2305", "title": "A critical analysis of some thyroid function tests.", "content": "The results of a comparative study of thyroid function tests are reported, the assay for PBI having been used for reference. The merits and sources of error of the Bio-Rad column test, Thyopac-4 test and T3-RIA test are discussed with reference to PBI. The correlation coefficients and the sources of error being taken into consideration, PBI represents a fairly reliable indicator of T4 values and recommends itself on these grounds as a basic routine procedure, the more so as it is simple, cheap and suited for automated analysis. In case of iodine contamination or of the necessity for a selective identification of the T4 factor, the T4 column test is equally reliable. The T3-RIA test will be valuable in special diagnostic problems.", "contents": "A critical analysis of some thyroid function tests. The results of a comparative study of thyroid function tests are reported, the assay for PBI having been used for reference. The merits and sources of error of the Bio-Rad column test, Thyopac-4 test and T3-RIA test are discussed with reference to PBI. The correlation coefficients and the sources of error being taken into consideration, PBI represents a fairly reliable indicator of T4 values and recommends itself on these grounds as a basic routine procedure, the more so as it is simple, cheap and suited for automated analysis. In case of iodine contamination or of the necessity for a selective identification of the T4 factor, the T4 column test is equally reliable. The T3-RIA test will be valuable in special diagnostic problems.", "PMID": 617927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2306", "title": "Biological significance of human prolactin in adult, healthy and infertile males.", "content": "The human prolactin (hP) levels have been studied in adult healthy and infertile males. The hormone level was 8.5--38.0 ng/ml in sperm-plasma and 3.4--32 ng/ml in blood plasma. Values for normo and pathospermic patients showed no significant difference. In normo and hypospermia the hP level was higher in the ejaculate than in blood plasma. There was a close correlation between the hP and fructose levels of the ejaculate, while the correlation between hP and testosterone levels in the ejaculate was not highly significant. There is a certain relationship between the plasma hP and testosterone levels and the sperm count.", "contents": "Biological significance of human prolactin in adult, healthy and infertile males. The human prolactin (hP) levels have been studied in adult healthy and infertile males. The hormone level was 8.5--38.0 ng/ml in sperm-plasma and 3.4--32 ng/ml in blood plasma. Values for normo and pathospermic patients showed no significant difference. In normo and hypospermia the hP level was higher in the ejaculate than in blood plasma. There was a close correlation between the hP and fructose levels of the ejaculate, while the correlation between hP and testosterone levels in the ejaculate was not highly significant. There is a certain relationship between the plasma hP and testosterone levels and the sperm count.", "PMID": 617928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2307", "title": "Early retinal vascular signs in hyperlipoproteinaemia.", "content": "A total of 23 hyperlipoproteinaemic patients between 24 and 46 years of age were subjected to fluorescein retinography. Early microangiopathy was demonstrated in 12 cases. In 3 of these, the oral glucose tolerance test was normal and the family history of diabetes was negative. It is suggested that hyperlipoproteinaemia, mainly hypertriglyceridaemia, constitutes one of the factors accounting for the microangiopathy. The frequency of angiopathy was particularly high in the group marked by a family history of diabetes with a normal glucose tolerance test.", "contents": "Early retinal vascular signs in hyperlipoproteinaemia. A total of 23 hyperlipoproteinaemic patients between 24 and 46 years of age were subjected to fluorescein retinography. Early microangiopathy was demonstrated in 12 cases. In 3 of these, the oral glucose tolerance test was normal and the family history of diabetes was negative. It is suggested that hyperlipoproteinaemia, mainly hypertriglyceridaemia, constitutes one of the factors accounting for the microangiopathy. The frequency of angiopathy was particularly high in the group marked by a family history of diabetes with a normal glucose tolerance test.", "PMID": 617929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2308", "title": "Effect of vasopressin on myocardial reactive hyperaemia in the isolated fibrillating dog heart.", "content": "The effect of 0.15 IU/min vasopressin (VA) administered intracoronarily on postocclusion reactions following 15 sec, 30 sec, 60 sec, and 120 sec occlusions of the left coronaries of the isolated fibrillating dog heart were studied at constant pressure or constant volume perfusion with arterial blood of another dog. Basal perfusion pressure was kept at the level of 150 mmHg. Preocclusion state and postocclusion reactions were characterized by changes in coronary conductance. Peak conductance, maximum conductance, reactivity, time to peak conductance, mean transit time and repayment were computed for characterizing reactive hyperaemia. In the control state the post-occlusive conductance--time curve was higher, but shorter in duration with constant pressure perfusion than with constant volume perfusion. Upon the administration of VA, basal conductance decreased considerably while with constant pressure perfusion the hyperaemic reactions underwent hardly any change. In contrast, using constant volume perfusion, the duration of reactive hyperaemia was shortened by VA. Consequently, the differences in mean transit time observed in the controls resulted from the unequal perfusion techniques disappeared on the application of VA. On both constant pressure and constant volume perfusion, maximum conductance decreased as a result of the decrease in basal conductance, therefore the reactivity of the coronary vessels increased markedly. It is concluded that myogenic vasorelaxation may contribute to reactive hyperaemic responses not only on brief, but also on prolonged occlusion. The basal vascular tone is of importance in the coronary adaptation to ischaemia.", "contents": "Effect of vasopressin on myocardial reactive hyperaemia in the isolated fibrillating dog heart. The effect of 0.15 IU/min vasopressin (VA) administered intracoronarily on postocclusion reactions following 15 sec, 30 sec, 60 sec, and 120 sec occlusions of the left coronaries of the isolated fibrillating dog heart were studied at constant pressure or constant volume perfusion with arterial blood of another dog. Basal perfusion pressure was kept at the level of 150 mmHg. Preocclusion state and postocclusion reactions were characterized by changes in coronary conductance. Peak conductance, maximum conductance, reactivity, time to peak conductance, mean transit time and repayment were computed for characterizing reactive hyperaemia. In the control state the post-occlusive conductance--time curve was higher, but shorter in duration with constant pressure perfusion than with constant volume perfusion. Upon the administration of VA, basal conductance decreased considerably while with constant pressure perfusion the hyperaemic reactions underwent hardly any change. In contrast, using constant volume perfusion, the duration of reactive hyperaemia was shortened by VA. Consequently, the differences in mean transit time observed in the controls resulted from the unequal perfusion techniques disappeared on the application of VA. On both constant pressure and constant volume perfusion, maximum conductance decreased as a result of the decrease in basal conductance, therefore the reactivity of the coronary vessels increased markedly. It is concluded that myogenic vasorelaxation may contribute to reactive hyperaemic responses not only on brief, but also on prolonged occlusion. The basal vascular tone is of importance in the coronary adaptation to ischaemia.", "PMID": 617930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2309", "title": "Modifications of the biological activity of anti-D immunoglobulin caused by heat aggregation.", "content": "Some of the biological activities known to be confined to certain anti-D sera such as Ripley could be simulated using heat-treated human anti-D Ig preparations. Thus, human red cells sensitized with heat-treated anti-D Ig were found to be capable of causing Fc-receptor on lymphocyte surfaces and of fixing complement. In its other effects such as reactivity to rheumatoid factor and to anti-allotype agglutinators, heat-treated anti-D Ig seemed inferior to such anti-D sera as Ripley.", "contents": "Modifications of the biological activity of anti-D immunoglobulin caused by heat aggregation. Some of the biological activities known to be confined to certain anti-D sera such as Ripley could be simulated using heat-treated human anti-D Ig preparations. Thus, human red cells sensitized with heat-treated anti-D Ig were found to be capable of causing Fc-receptor on lymphocyte surfaces and of fixing complement. In its other effects such as reactivity to rheumatoid factor and to anti-allotype agglutinators, heat-treated anti-D Ig seemed inferior to such anti-D sera as Ripley.", "PMID": 617948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2310", "title": "Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity is not affected by adenovirus-induced haemagglutination.", "content": "No correlation was found between adenovirus-induced haemagglutination and AChE activity of human RBCs as ascertained with three different types of virus. The haemagglutination titre of the adenoviruses did not decrease when RBCs with AChE inhibited by dichlorvos or eserine were used. The receptors involved in active haemagglutination by adenoviruses thus seem to differ from those acting in passive haemagglutination. The AChE inactivating effect of substances such as tannic acid and glutaraldehyde, among others, might be due to a non-specific damage of the RBC membrane.", "contents": "Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity is not affected by adenovirus-induced haemagglutination. No correlation was found between adenovirus-induced haemagglutination and AChE activity of human RBCs as ascertained with three different types of virus. The haemagglutination titre of the adenoviruses did not decrease when RBCs with AChE inhibited by dichlorvos or eserine were used. The receptors involved in active haemagglutination by adenoviruses thus seem to differ from those acting in passive haemagglutination. The AChE inactivating effect of substances such as tannic acid and glutaraldehyde, among others, might be due to a non-specific damage of the RBC membrane.", "PMID": 617949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2311", "title": "Occurrence of malignant neoplasms in patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia.", "content": "In a group of 280 patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia, a coexistence of malignant tumours diagnosed simultaneously with the leukaemia was found in 14 cases or 5.0%. No significant difference was observed between the development of the second malignant neoplasm in the patients studied and the expected incidence in the general population, taking into account also the sex and age of patients and their place of residence. No statistically significant relation was found between the duration of CLL and the occurrence of second malignancies. No significant correlation was found between the total dose of cytostatic drugs, corticosteroids or radiotherapy and the incidence of cancer.", "contents": "Occurrence of malignant neoplasms in patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia. In a group of 280 patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia, a coexistence of malignant tumours diagnosed simultaneously with the leukaemia was found in 14 cases or 5.0%. No significant difference was observed between the development of the second malignant neoplasm in the patients studied and the expected incidence in the general population, taking into account also the sex and age of patients and their place of residence. No statistically significant relation was found between the duration of CLL and the occurrence of second malignancies. No significant correlation was found between the total dose of cytostatic drugs, corticosteroids or radiotherapy and the incidence of cancer.", "PMID": 617950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2312", "title": "Some aspects of haemorrheology of metastasis in malignant melanoma.", "content": "A study of 125 patients with malignant melanoma, of which 30 succumbed to metastases, indicated that plasma viscosity and aggregation of red cells are significantly elevated in patients with metastases. Plots of the intervals between the time of the viscosity test and the time of death against plasma viscosity showed a significant negative correlation; while plots of the same intervals against blood viscosity showed a significant positive correlation. Viscosity functions (plasma viscosity vs globulin) showed a significant (P less than 0.005) difference between patients with metastases and patients free from metases. A significant difference was noted in some functions between patients of A and O blood groups.", "contents": "Some aspects of haemorrheology of metastasis in malignant melanoma. A study of 125 patients with malignant melanoma, of which 30 succumbed to metastases, indicated that plasma viscosity and aggregation of red cells are significantly elevated in patients with metastases. Plots of the intervals between the time of the viscosity test and the time of death against plasma viscosity showed a significant negative correlation; while plots of the same intervals against blood viscosity showed a significant positive correlation. Viscosity functions (plasma viscosity vs globulin) showed a significant (P less than 0.005) difference between patients with metastases and patients free from metases. A significant difference was noted in some functions between patients of A and O blood groups.", "PMID": 617951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2313", "title": "I. Increase in bone marrow CFU-S and CFU-C after in vivo phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) administration in mice.", "content": "An absolute increase in bone marrow CFU-S was observed within 4 hours after intraperitoneal administration of 3 mg PHA-M or 250 microgram PHA-P. At that time, there was no increase in spleen CFU-S, while a pronounced decrease in the number of circulating CFU-S was noted. A two to fourfold increase in bone marrow CFU-C was found within 12 hours after intraperitoneal administration of a similar dose of PHA-M or PHA-P. Addition of PHA-M or PHA-P at small concentrations resulted in a marked inhibition of granulocytic colony formation whereas macrophage colony growth became depressed only at very high concentrations.", "contents": "I. Increase in bone marrow CFU-S and CFU-C after in vivo phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) administration in mice. An absolute increase in bone marrow CFU-S was observed within 4 hours after intraperitoneal administration of 3 mg PHA-M or 250 microgram PHA-P. At that time, there was no increase in spleen CFU-S, while a pronounced decrease in the number of circulating CFU-S was noted. A two to fourfold increase in bone marrow CFU-C was found within 12 hours after intraperitoneal administration of a similar dose of PHA-M or PHA-P. Addition of PHA-M or PHA-P at small concentrations resulted in a marked inhibition of granulocytic colony formation whereas macrophage colony growth became depressed only at very high concentrations.", "PMID": 617952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2314", "title": "[Hemolysis after extracorporeal blood irradiation of man?].", "content": "Haemolysis was studied before and after extracorporeal irradiation of the blood of 20 chronic lymphadenosis patients. Free haemoglobin, haptoglobin and haemopexin were not affected by irradiation, indicating that no haemolysis was caused by the transit dose accumulated during the applied procedure.", "contents": "[Hemolysis after extracorporeal blood irradiation of man?]. Haemolysis was studied before and after extracorporeal irradiation of the blood of 20 chronic lymphadenosis patients. Free haemoglobin, haptoglobin and haemopexin were not affected by irradiation, indicating that no haemolysis was caused by the transit dose accumulated during the applied procedure.", "PMID": 617953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2315", "title": "Systemic mastocytosis. Report of a case.", "content": "The case of a 20-year-old woman with systemic mastocytosis is reported. The disorder was not preceded by a clinically diagnosed local form of the disease; fibrous changes in organs, bone changes, eosinophilia and increased serotonin, heparin or histamine levels had not been observed. Clinical symptomatology was typical and the patient died one year after the first signs of the disease.", "contents": "Systemic mastocytosis. Report of a case. The case of a 20-year-old woman with systemic mastocytosis is reported. The disorder was not preceded by a clinically diagnosed local form of the disease; fibrous changes in organs, bone changes, eosinophilia and increased serotonin, heparin or histamine levels had not been observed. Clinical symptomatology was typical and the patient died one year after the first signs of the disease.", "PMID": 617954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2316", "title": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during superacute haemolysis in a patient with ovarian dermatoid cyst treated with rifampicin.", "content": "A 53-year-old female patient with ovarian dermatoid cyst and lung tuberculosis had been treated with rifampicin. During repeated rifampicin treatment she developed an acute haemolytic syndrome with haemorrhagic diathesis. Laboratory findings showed that it was caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Death ensued despite intensive administration of heparin and Trasylol. It is assumed that the repeated rifampicin application had provoked massive haemolysis by an allergic mechanism leading to thrombofibrinolytic haemorrhagic diathesis.", "contents": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during superacute haemolysis in a patient with ovarian dermatoid cyst treated with rifampicin. A 53-year-old female patient with ovarian dermatoid cyst and lung tuberculosis had been treated with rifampicin. During repeated rifampicin treatment she developed an acute haemolytic syndrome with haemorrhagic diathesis. Laboratory findings showed that it was caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Death ensued despite intensive administration of heparin and Trasylol. It is assumed that the repeated rifampicin application had provoked massive haemolysis by an allergic mechanism leading to thrombofibrinolytic haemorrhagic diathesis.", "PMID": 617955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2317", "title": "Cytochalasin B-dependent release of azurophil granule enzymes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "The dose-response effects of phorbol myristate acetate and cytochalasin B on secretion of azurophil and specific granule enzymes from viable human polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been examined. Secretion of the azurophil granule enzymes elastase and beta-glucuronidase from cells exposed to 50 ng/ml of phorbol myristate acetate is dependent on prior exposure of the cells to greater than 0.5 mg/ml of cytochalasin B. In contrast, the secretion of the specific granule enzyme lysozyme is not dependent on pretreatment with cytochalasin B. The concentration of phorbol myristate acetate needed to elicit maximal secretion of specific versus azurophil granule enzymes differs, being 5.0 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml, respectively. The results suggest that cytochalasin B-sensitive cellular components, possibly microfilaments, may selectively modulate some step in the exocytosis of azurophil granule enzymes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to phorbol myristate acetate.", "contents": "Cytochalasin B-dependent release of azurophil granule enzymes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The dose-response effects of phorbol myristate acetate and cytochalasin B on secretion of azurophil and specific granule enzymes from viable human polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been examined. Secretion of the azurophil granule enzymes elastase and beta-glucuronidase from cells exposed to 50 ng/ml of phorbol myristate acetate is dependent on prior exposure of the cells to greater than 0.5 mg/ml of cytochalasin B. In contrast, the secretion of the specific granule enzyme lysozyme is not dependent on pretreatment with cytochalasin B. The concentration of phorbol myristate acetate needed to elicit maximal secretion of specific versus azurophil granule enzymes differs, being 5.0 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml, respectively. The results suggest that cytochalasin B-sensitive cellular components, possibly microfilaments, may selectively modulate some step in the exocytosis of azurophil granule enzymes from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to phorbol myristate acetate.", "PMID": 617956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2318", "title": "Condition-dependent immunoregulatory control of contact sensitivity by levamisole.", "content": "The immunostimulatory activity of levamisole [1-(-),2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo(2,1-beta)-thiazole] was investigated using oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity in C57Bl mice. Oxazolone sensitivity was induced by applying 0.1 ml of 3 or 5% oxazolone in ethanol to the shaved abdomen (day 0). Challenge with oxazolone followed on day 2 (45 h) or day 3, and was accomplished by painting a 1--5% solution of oxazolone in ethanol to the left hind paw. The response at 24 h was determined plethysmographically. Levamisole (50 mg/kg, p.o., days 0--3 or day 0 only) failed to stimulate consistently the oxazolone response in a 3-day (minimal) sensitization period regimen. Use of a subliminal (45 h) sensitization, by contrast, revealed a consistent immunostimulatory effect of levamisole (12.5--100 mg/kg, p.o., day 0 only). It is speculated that the observed difference in levamisole effectiveness is attributable to (1) the ability of levamisole to stimulate both effector and suppressor mechanisms, and (2) the apparent absence of significant suppressor influence at 2-day postsensitization, leaving only the effector mechanism to be stimulated by levamisole.", "contents": "Condition-dependent immunoregulatory control of contact sensitivity by levamisole. The immunostimulatory activity of levamisole [1-(-),2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo(2,1-beta)-thiazole] was investigated using oxazolone-induced contact sensitivity in C57Bl mice. Oxazolone sensitivity was induced by applying 0.1 ml of 3 or 5% oxazolone in ethanol to the shaved abdomen (day 0). Challenge with oxazolone followed on day 2 (45 h) or day 3, and was accomplished by painting a 1--5% solution of oxazolone in ethanol to the left hind paw. The response at 24 h was determined plethysmographically. Levamisole (50 mg/kg, p.o., days 0--3 or day 0 only) failed to stimulate consistently the oxazolone response in a 3-day (minimal) sensitization period regimen. Use of a subliminal (45 h) sensitization, by contrast, revealed a consistent immunostimulatory effect of levamisole (12.5--100 mg/kg, p.o., day 0 only). It is speculated that the observed difference in levamisole effectiveness is attributable to (1) the ability of levamisole to stimulate both effector and suppressor mechanisms, and (2) the apparent absence of significant suppressor influence at 2-day postsensitization, leaving only the effector mechanism to be stimulated by levamisole.", "PMID": 617957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2319", "title": "[Hepatitis B antigen (HBSAG) in hospitalized children].", "content": "Blood samples of 1940 hospitalized children aged 0--18 years were investigated for presence of HBs-Ag by counter-electrophoresis, haemagglutination and radioimmunoassay, HBs-Ag was found in 1.34% of all patients, being distributed evenly amongst boys and girls. The incidence was 1.7% in patients from a large University children's hospital and 0.6% in patients from a group of regional hospitals. Of 26 samples positive by radioimmunoassay, 1 only was found positive by insensitive counter-electrophoresis. In addition to diseases known to be correlated with HBs-antigenaemia in adults, there was an accumulation of inborn deformities as well as perinatal and neurologic disorders in HBs-Ag positive children. Vertical transmission of hepatitis-B virus from pregnant or nursing mothers to their children could not be found. The incidence of HBs-antigenaemia increases little with age, thus infection in early childhood appears probable at least in a part of the cases.", "contents": "[Hepatitis B antigen (HBSAG) in hospitalized children]. Blood samples of 1940 hospitalized children aged 0--18 years were investigated for presence of HBs-Ag by counter-electrophoresis, haemagglutination and radioimmunoassay, HBs-Ag was found in 1.34% of all patients, being distributed evenly amongst boys and girls. The incidence was 1.7% in patients from a large University children's hospital and 0.6% in patients from a group of regional hospitals. Of 26 samples positive by radioimmunoassay, 1 only was found positive by insensitive counter-electrophoresis. In addition to diseases known to be correlated with HBs-antigenaemia in adults, there was an accumulation of inborn deformities as well as perinatal and neurologic disorders in HBs-Ag positive children. Vertical transmission of hepatitis-B virus from pregnant or nursing mothers to their children could not be found. The incidence of HBs-antigenaemia increases little with age, thus infection in early childhood appears probable at least in a part of the cases.", "PMID": 617959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2320", "title": "Acute infectious hepatitis. Clinical and epidemiological study.", "content": "A retrospective study of 120 children from birth to seven years of age suffering from acute infectious hepatitis was carried out from 1971 to 1974 at the Children's Hospital \"La Fe\". Only the most serious cases from the region were admitted to the Hospital and were classified and analyzed according to HBAg+ and HBAg- groups. Clinical and biochemical evaluations were done at admission, and again after 15 and 30 days. The main findings were as follows: hospital incidence was 5%; seasonal distribution did not follow the expected epidemiological pattern; the disease was more common among malnourished children; HBAg+ and HBAg- cases were not randomly distributed among the various blood groups: A+ children were four times more susceptible to HBAg- than to HBAg+, and 0+ children were more than twice more susceptible to HBAg+ than to HBAg-; clinical and biochemical recovery occurred within 30 days after hospital admission; mortality was 2.5%. Steroid therapy was reserved for the most serious cases; however, it was not possible to evaluate in this study its contribution to the course of the disease.", "contents": "Acute infectious hepatitis. Clinical and epidemiological study. A retrospective study of 120 children from birth to seven years of age suffering from acute infectious hepatitis was carried out from 1971 to 1974 at the Children's Hospital \"La Fe\". Only the most serious cases from the region were admitted to the Hospital and were classified and analyzed according to HBAg+ and HBAg- groups. Clinical and biochemical evaluations were done at admission, and again after 15 and 30 days. The main findings were as follows: hospital incidence was 5%; seasonal distribution did not follow the expected epidemiological pattern; the disease was more common among malnourished children; HBAg+ and HBAg- cases were not randomly distributed among the various blood groups: A+ children were four times more susceptible to HBAg- than to HBAg+, and 0+ children were more than twice more susceptible to HBAg+ than to HBAg-; clinical and biochemical recovery occurred within 30 days after hospital admission; mortality was 2.5%. Steroid therapy was reserved for the most serious cases; however, it was not possible to evaluate in this study its contribution to the course of the disease.", "PMID": 617960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2321", "title": "Bile acids in serum and bile of infants with cholestatic syndromes.", "content": "The concentration of individual bile acids in serum was measured in 18 neonates and infants with various cholestatic conditions (extrahepatic biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis syndrome, chronic intrahepatic cholestasis and posthemolytic cholestasis). The cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio in serum was smaller than one in all patients with neonatal hepatitis syndrome or extrahepatic biliary atresia, cholestatic conditions which were accompanied by signs of liver cell injury. It was greater than one in the patients with chronic intrahepatic cholestasis. Administration of cholestyramine to patients with patent extrahepatic bile ducts decreased the total concentration bile acids in serum and elevated the cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio. Thus, cholestyramine administration may be of diagnostic value for evaluation of bile duct patency in cholestasis of infancy. Differences between the bile acid pattern in serum and bile were observed. Thus, the cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio was always higher in bile than in serum. 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid found in serum was not detectable in bile. This finding suggests that impairment of biliary excretion rather than increased hepatic synthesis is responsible for elevation of this monohydroxy bile acid in serum.", "contents": "Bile acids in serum and bile of infants with cholestatic syndromes. The concentration of individual bile acids in serum was measured in 18 neonates and infants with various cholestatic conditions (extrahepatic biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis syndrome, chronic intrahepatic cholestasis and posthemolytic cholestasis). The cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio in serum was smaller than one in all patients with neonatal hepatitis syndrome or extrahepatic biliary atresia, cholestatic conditions which were accompanied by signs of liver cell injury. It was greater than one in the patients with chronic intrahepatic cholestasis. Administration of cholestyramine to patients with patent extrahepatic bile ducts decreased the total concentration bile acids in serum and elevated the cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio. Thus, cholestyramine administration may be of diagnostic value for evaluation of bile duct patency in cholestasis of infancy. Differences between the bile acid pattern in serum and bile were observed. Thus, the cholate/chenodeoxycholate ratio was always higher in bile than in serum. 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid found in serum was not detectable in bile. This finding suggests that impairment of biliary excretion rather than increased hepatic synthesis is responsible for elevation of this monohydroxy bile acid in serum.", "PMID": 617961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2322", "title": "Studies on circulating immunoreactive calcitonin in low birth weight infants during the first 48 hours of life.", "content": "Serum immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT), serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum Ca, Mg, P and total protein levels were determined sequentially at 5 given periods of time from 1 to 48 h of age in 16 low birth weight infants. Mean +/- SD serum Ca levels decreased from 8.99 +/- 0.79 mg/100 ml at time 1--2 h to 7.00 +/- 0.51 mg/100 ml at time 12--14 h; there was a small further decrease at time 22--26 h: 6.79 +/- 1.07 mg/100 ml. There was no significant change in serum Mg, P or total protein during the same periods of time. Serum iPTH levels increased steadily from time 1--2 h to time 44--48 h reaching above normal range values. Serum iCT levels were non detectable (less than 150 pg/ml) in 11 among 15 infants at time 1--2 h. A marked increase in mean +/- SD serum iCT levels was observed at time 12--14 h (1850 +/- 872 pg/ml) and time 22--26 h (1462 +/- 806 pg/ml) followed by a decrease at time 44--48 h. A negative correlation was found between serum iCT levels and respectively gestational age (p less than 0.01) and serum Ca levels (p less than 0.01) at time 22--26 h while serum iCT levels correlated positively with serum iPTH levels (p less than 0.05). Evidence obtained from this study indicates that a secretion of calcitonin takes place during the early neonatal period in low birth weight infants and that this secretion is a contributing factor of the socalled \"early-type\" neonatal hypocalcemia.", "contents": "Studies on circulating immunoreactive calcitonin in low birth weight infants during the first 48 hours of life. Serum immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT), serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum Ca, Mg, P and total protein levels were determined sequentially at 5 given periods of time from 1 to 48 h of age in 16 low birth weight infants. Mean +/- SD serum Ca levels decreased from 8.99 +/- 0.79 mg/100 ml at time 1--2 h to 7.00 +/- 0.51 mg/100 ml at time 12--14 h; there was a small further decrease at time 22--26 h: 6.79 +/- 1.07 mg/100 ml. There was no significant change in serum Mg, P or total protein during the same periods of time. Serum iPTH levels increased steadily from time 1--2 h to time 44--48 h reaching above normal range values. Serum iCT levels were non detectable (less than 150 pg/ml) in 11 among 15 infants at time 1--2 h. A marked increase in mean +/- SD serum iCT levels was observed at time 12--14 h (1850 +/- 872 pg/ml) and time 22--26 h (1462 +/- 806 pg/ml) followed by a decrease at time 44--48 h. A negative correlation was found between serum iCT levels and respectively gestational age (p less than 0.01) and serum Ca levels (p less than 0.01) at time 22--26 h while serum iCT levels correlated positively with serum iPTH levels (p less than 0.05). Evidence obtained from this study indicates that a secretion of calcitonin takes place during the early neonatal period in low birth weight infants and that this secretion is a contributing factor of the socalled \"early-type\" neonatal hypocalcemia.", "PMID": 617962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2323", "title": "Predictive value of renal-vein renin measurements in children with various forms of renal hypertension. An international study.", "content": "Renal-vein renin was determined in 55 children with renovascular or renal hypertension, 33 of whom being treated surgically. The overall cure rate after surgery was 87.9%. Of 23 patients having a renal-vein renin ratio greater than 1.5, 20 were operated successfully, but 9 of 10 operated patients with a ratio of less than 1.5 also benefited from surgery. Taking into account the frequency of \"false-negative ratios\" (27.3%) and the potential risks of catheterization, it is suggested that renal-vein renin measurements are not useful as a routine procedure for investigation of a child with renovascular hypertension.", "contents": "Predictive value of renal-vein renin measurements in children with various forms of renal hypertension. An international study. Renal-vein renin was determined in 55 children with renovascular or renal hypertension, 33 of whom being treated surgically. The overall cure rate after surgery was 87.9%. Of 23 patients having a renal-vein renin ratio greater than 1.5, 20 were operated successfully, but 9 of 10 operated patients with a ratio of less than 1.5 also benefited from surgery. Taking into account the frequency of \"false-negative ratios\" (27.3%) and the potential risks of catheterization, it is suggested that renal-vein renin measurements are not useful as a routine procedure for investigation of a child with renovascular hypertension.", "PMID": 617963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2324", "title": "Hypertriglyceridemia in homozygous beta-thalassemia.", "content": "A case of hypertriglyceridemia in association with homozygous beta-thalassemia in an 11-month-old female infant is reported. The hypertriglyceridemia proved to be secondary, as it was indicated by clinical features as well as laboratory findings. Attention is called to a possible alteration of lipid metabolism in association with thalassemia major.", "contents": "Hypertriglyceridemia in homozygous beta-thalassemia. A case of hypertriglyceridemia in association with homozygous beta-thalassemia in an 11-month-old female infant is reported. The hypertriglyceridemia proved to be secondary, as it was indicated by clinical features as well as laboratory findings. Attention is called to a possible alteration of lipid metabolism in association with thalassemia major.", "PMID": 617966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2325", "title": "Classification at time of diagnosis and subsequent survival in children with cystic fibrosis.", "content": "The survival rates in 204 patients suffering from cystic fibrosis observed between January 1956 and June 1976 were recorded. The patients were divided into five groups according to the symptoms present at the time of diagnosis and survival rates were recorded separately for each group. Survival was less good in the group of patients presenting initially with pulmonary symptoms compared to the group presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. In the group presenting with meconium ileus survival was poor initially, but later in the course of the disease it became similar to that observed in the other groups. The differences in survival between the different categories occurred during the first two years after diagnosis. The study shows that, on clinical grounds, a severe form of the disease which is characterized by early manifestation of pulmonary symptoms and poor survival can be distinguished from a more protracted form with a better survival. Because of the great inter-individual variability large numbers of patients will have to be evaluated in order to achieve statistically significant results in studies which attempt to compare different therapeutic approaches. If such numbers cannot be reached, it may be necessary to compare only patients who belong to the same symptomatic category.", "contents": "Classification at time of diagnosis and subsequent survival in children with cystic fibrosis. The survival rates in 204 patients suffering from cystic fibrosis observed between January 1956 and June 1976 were recorded. The patients were divided into five groups according to the symptoms present at the time of diagnosis and survival rates were recorded separately for each group. Survival was less good in the group of patients presenting initially with pulmonary symptoms compared to the group presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. In the group presenting with meconium ileus survival was poor initially, but later in the course of the disease it became similar to that observed in the other groups. The differences in survival between the different categories occurred during the first two years after diagnosis. The study shows that, on clinical grounds, a severe form of the disease which is characterized by early manifestation of pulmonary symptoms and poor survival can be distinguished from a more protracted form with a better survival. Because of the great inter-individual variability large numbers of patients will have to be evaluated in order to achieve statistically significant results in studies which attempt to compare different therapeutic approaches. If such numbers cannot be reached, it may be necessary to compare only patients who belong to the same symptomatic category.", "PMID": 617968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2326", "title": "Influence of lyophilized total pancreas on plasma lipids and on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis.", "content": "31 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) subdivided into three groups of age were studied before and after treatment with lyophilized pancreas and compared to 27 controls. CF was characterized by lower phospholipid, cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acid plasma concentrations and reduced coefficient of fat absorption. Treatment tended towards normalization of these values. With age polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in normals but not in CF. The significant correlations existing between fat absorption coefficient and polyunsaturated fatty acid percentage in neutral lipids of CF children suggests the use of the latter percentage as index of the stage of malabsorption.", "contents": "Influence of lyophilized total pancreas on plasma lipids and on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis. 31 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) subdivided into three groups of age were studied before and after treatment with lyophilized pancreas and compared to 27 controls. CF was characterized by lower phospholipid, cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acid plasma concentrations and reduced coefficient of fat absorption. Treatment tended towards normalization of these values. With age polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in normals but not in CF. The significant correlations existing between fat absorption coefficient and polyunsaturated fatty acid percentage in neutral lipids of CF children suggests the use of the latter percentage as index of the stage of malabsorption.", "PMID": 617969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2327", "title": "Pericarditis purulenta in children.", "content": "The case history of seven children aged 1 5/12 to 5 9/12 years with non tuberculous bacterial pericarditis, observed in the last 8 years at the University children's hospitals of Basle, Berne and Zurich is reported. The history showed febrile illness of 3--14 days duration, which led to an admission diagnosis of pneumonia, angina or pseudocroup. From the signs of heart failure and cardiomegaly on chest X-ray the differential diagnosis of myocardial disease or pericardial effusion was made. The ECG-changes were uncharacteristic, and a friction rub and pulsus paradoxus was encountered once only. The effusion diagnosis should preferably be substantiated by a non-invasive method (scintigram, echocardiogram) as diagnostic pericardiocentesis does often not allow to aspirate the thick pus through the needle. Diagnostic and therapeutic surgical pericardiotomy with consecutive drainage is therefore mandatory. Halothane should be avoided as an anesthetic for this procedure of hemodynamic reasons. With surgery and antibiotics the recovery rate in our series was 100%, and no pericardial constriction was observed on follow-up 1 to 8 years later.", "contents": "Pericarditis purulenta in children. The case history of seven children aged 1 5/12 to 5 9/12 years with non tuberculous bacterial pericarditis, observed in the last 8 years at the University children's hospitals of Basle, Berne and Zurich is reported. The history showed febrile illness of 3--14 days duration, which led to an admission diagnosis of pneumonia, angina or pseudocroup. From the signs of heart failure and cardiomegaly on chest X-ray the differential diagnosis of myocardial disease or pericardial effusion was made. The ECG-changes were uncharacteristic, and a friction rub and pulsus paradoxus was encountered once only. The effusion diagnosis should preferably be substantiated by a non-invasive method (scintigram, echocardiogram) as diagnostic pericardiocentesis does often not allow to aspirate the thick pus through the needle. Diagnostic and therapeutic surgical pericardiotomy with consecutive drainage is therefore mandatory. Halothane should be avoided as an anesthetic for this procedure of hemodynamic reasons. With surgery and antibiotics the recovery rate in our series was 100%, and no pericardial constriction was observed on follow-up 1 to 8 years later.", "PMID": 617970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2328", "title": "Aortic arch interruption type A with aortopulmonary fenestration in an offspring of a chronic alcoholic mother (\"fetal alcohol syndrome\").", "content": "A case is described of a newborn infant, small for gestational age, with the features of the \"fetal alcohol syndrome\", who presented a murmur within the first few days of life, and died at age 7 days in heart failure. Autopsy revealed interruption of the aortic arch, type A, an aortopulmonary window and intact interventricular septum. The association of \"fetal alcohol syndrome\" and cardiac malformation is discussed, with reference to other cases described in the literature.", "contents": "Aortic arch interruption type A with aortopulmonary fenestration in an offspring of a chronic alcoholic mother (\"fetal alcohol syndrome\"). A case is described of a newborn infant, small for gestational age, with the features of the \"fetal alcohol syndrome\", who presented a murmur within the first few days of life, and died at age 7 days in heart failure. Autopsy revealed interruption of the aortic arch, type A, an aortopulmonary window and intact interventricular septum. The association of \"fetal alcohol syndrome\" and cardiac malformation is discussed, with reference to other cases described in the literature.", "PMID": 617971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2329", "title": "Microcephalic dwarfism with associated low amniotic fluid 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA). Report of a case of Cornelia de Lange syndrome.", "content": "A very low level of 5HIAA in the amniotic fluid was found in a microcephalic dwarf presenting subsequently with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Since both the amount of amniotic fluid and the renal function after birth were normal this observation suggests that low amniotic fluid 5HIAA may be secondary to abnormalities in foetal neurological development.", "contents": "Microcephalic dwarfism with associated low amniotic fluid 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA). Report of a case of Cornelia de Lange syndrome. A very low level of 5HIAA in the amniotic fluid was found in a microcephalic dwarf presenting subsequently with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Since both the amount of amniotic fluid and the renal function after birth were normal this observation suggests that low amniotic fluid 5HIAA may be secondary to abnormalities in foetal neurological development.", "PMID": 617972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2330", "title": "Recurrent hemolytic-uremic syndrome. A report of two cases.", "content": "Two boys suffering from the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) are presented. One of them developed four episodes of the disease beginning at infancy, the other one had at least two episodes which were associated with mild portal fibrosis of the liver. Between the attacks of the disease, the children were completely healthy, and no renal or hematological abnormalities were detected. Both patients are now physically and mentally well developed healthy young men. The relatioship between HUS and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Recurrent hemolytic-uremic syndrome. A report of two cases. Two boys suffering from the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) are presented. One of them developed four episodes of the disease beginning at infancy, the other one had at least two episodes which were associated with mild portal fibrosis of the liver. Between the attacks of the disease, the children were completely healthy, and no renal or hematological abnormalities were detected. Both patients are now physically and mentally well developed healthy young men. The relatioship between HUS and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 617973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2331", "title": "Early detection of neonatal hypothyroidism by serial TSH determination in dried blood. Six months experience with a reliable, efficient and inexpensive method.", "content": "Mass newborn screening for primary hypothyroidism was introduced in Switzerland on January 1st, 1977, using a radioimmunoassay of TSH in dried blood spotted on filter paper. After incubation for 38 h at 20 degrees C, bound and free TSH is separated by double antibody precipitation. The filter paper discs of 6.5 mm diameter remain in the test tubes. At present, one TSH determination costs approx. SFr. 4.40. All reagents used are commercially available and their costs amount to not more than 15% of the total expenses. During the first 8 months of 1977, of 21862 newborns tested routinely on day 5 (together with the Guthrie-test), 7 infants with primary hypothyroidism were discovered owing to blood TSH values of greater than 100 muU/ml. Diagnosis was not recognized clinically although all of the infants showed some symptoms. Thyroxin therapy was started within the second week of life. The incidence of about 1 in 3000 newborns is higher than reported so far. It has to be shown whether this is due to genetic or geographic factors, to the occurrence of transitory forms, or to a higher efficiency of screening by the TSH (versus T4) assay.", "contents": "Early detection of neonatal hypothyroidism by serial TSH determination in dried blood. Six months experience with a reliable, efficient and inexpensive method. Mass newborn screening for primary hypothyroidism was introduced in Switzerland on January 1st, 1977, using a radioimmunoassay of TSH in dried blood spotted on filter paper. After incubation for 38 h at 20 degrees C, bound and free TSH is separated by double antibody precipitation. The filter paper discs of 6.5 mm diameter remain in the test tubes. At present, one TSH determination costs approx. SFr. 4.40. All reagents used are commercially available and their costs amount to not more than 15% of the total expenses. During the first 8 months of 1977, of 21862 newborns tested routinely on day 5 (together with the Guthrie-test), 7 infants with primary hypothyroidism were discovered owing to blood TSH values of greater than 100 muU/ml. Diagnosis was not recognized clinically although all of the infants showed some symptoms. Thyroxin therapy was started within the second week of life. The incidence of about 1 in 3000 newborns is higher than reported so far. It has to be shown whether this is due to genetic or geographic factors, to the occurrence of transitory forms, or to a higher efficiency of screening by the TSH (versus T4) assay.", "PMID": 617976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2332", "title": "Development of visual discrimination (pattern preference) in normal infants.", "content": "Visual discrimination for vertical stripes versus an unpatterned visual stimulus (plain grey) was studied longitudinally in 75 \"normal\" infants born at term, at monthly intervals from 1 to 6 months of age. Total fixation time was found to progressively decrease with increasing age, with a very sharp jump between the values of 2 and 3 months. Correspondingly, the mean duration of a single fixation decreased. The number of single fixations increased by age, doubling at 6 months in comparison to 1 month. A preferential fixation for stripes was already evident at the age of 1 month. A probabilistic method for assessing discrimination in individuals is proposed. The values will be correlated with follow-up results of cognitive development until school-age.", "contents": "Development of visual discrimination (pattern preference) in normal infants. Visual discrimination for vertical stripes versus an unpatterned visual stimulus (plain grey) was studied longitudinally in 75 \"normal\" infants born at term, at monthly intervals from 1 to 6 months of age. Total fixation time was found to progressively decrease with increasing age, with a very sharp jump between the values of 2 and 3 months. Correspondingly, the mean duration of a single fixation decreased. The number of single fixations increased by age, doubling at 6 months in comparison to 1 month. A preferential fixation for stripes was already evident at the age of 1 month. A probabilistic method for assessing discrimination in individuals is proposed. The values will be correlated with follow-up results of cognitive development until school-age.", "PMID": 617978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2333", "title": "Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in childhood. Retrospective analysis of 34 cases.", "content": "Of 47 children with an initial diagnosis of lymphosarcoma, reticulosarcoma or Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 13 had to be excluded at the histologic reevaluation: in 10 an undifferentiated sarcoma, in 2 Hodgkin lymphoma was found; in one patient no definite classification of the tumor was possible. Of the remaining 34 patients there were 26 boys and 8 girls. One patient had a nodular, 33 a diffuse NHL. Of the latter 16 had a Burkitt-type (LB-), 3 a lymphoblastic, convoluted (LC-), 8 a lymphoblastic, \"other\" (LO-) and 6 a histiocytoid (H-) NHL. Primary localization: abdomen: 13/34; \"peripheral\" lymph nodes: 9/34; mediastinum: 5/34; nasopharynx: 4/34; subcutis: 2/34; skeleton: 1/34. Twelve of 17 NHL with primary localization in the abdomen or nasopharynx were LB-NHL, 8/14 NHL with primary localization in \"peripheral\" nodes or mediastinum were LC- or LO-NHL. Only 2/17 NHL with abdominal or nasopharyngeal primary, but 9/14 NHL with \"peripheral\" nodal or mediastinal primary developed leukemic extension and/or CNS involvement. 6 of 34 patients are living without evidence of disease for 1 1/2+ to 13+ years; 5/34 died but lived for 85, 57, 37, 22 and 22 months; 9/34 lived 6--12 months; 14/34 died within less than 6 months. Patients with abdominal primary either died within 5 months or survived (for 165+, 63+ and 25+ months). Aggressive local therapy (surgery and radiotherapy with approximately 4000 R) may be adequate for strictly localized (stage I) disease, particularly if the primary localization is abdominal. In all other diffuse NHL of childhood an early, aggressive chemotherapy, later combined with radiotherapy to bulk disease and prophylactic CNS-treatment is essential for inducing long-term remissions and, possibly, cures. For prognosis the primary localization appeared to be more important than histology and stage. The most decisive factor, however, is therapy.", "contents": "Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in childhood. Retrospective analysis of 34 cases. Of 47 children with an initial diagnosis of lymphosarcoma, reticulosarcoma or Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 13 had to be excluded at the histologic reevaluation: in 10 an undifferentiated sarcoma, in 2 Hodgkin lymphoma was found; in one patient no definite classification of the tumor was possible. Of the remaining 34 patients there were 26 boys and 8 girls. One patient had a nodular, 33 a diffuse NHL. Of the latter 16 had a Burkitt-type (LB-), 3 a lymphoblastic, convoluted (LC-), 8 a lymphoblastic, \"other\" (LO-) and 6 a histiocytoid (H-) NHL. Primary localization: abdomen: 13/34; \"peripheral\" lymph nodes: 9/34; mediastinum: 5/34; nasopharynx: 4/34; subcutis: 2/34; skeleton: 1/34. Twelve of 17 NHL with primary localization in the abdomen or nasopharynx were LB-NHL, 8/14 NHL with primary localization in \"peripheral\" nodes or mediastinum were LC- or LO-NHL. Only 2/17 NHL with abdominal or nasopharyngeal primary, but 9/14 NHL with \"peripheral\" nodal or mediastinal primary developed leukemic extension and/or CNS involvement. 6 of 34 patients are living without evidence of disease for 1 1/2+ to 13+ years; 5/34 died but lived for 85, 57, 37, 22 and 22 months; 9/34 lived 6--12 months; 14/34 died within less than 6 months. Patients with abdominal primary either died within 5 months or survived (for 165+, 63+ and 25+ months). Aggressive local therapy (surgery and radiotherapy with approximately 4000 R) may be adequate for strictly localized (stage I) disease, particularly if the primary localization is abdominal. In all other diffuse NHL of childhood an early, aggressive chemotherapy, later combined with radiotherapy to bulk disease and prophylactic CNS-treatment is essential for inducing long-term remissions and, possibly, cures. For prognosis the primary localization appeared to be more important than histology and stage. The most decisive factor, however, is therapy.", "PMID": 617979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2334", "title": "Treatment of urinary tract infections in children with a single daily dose of gentamicin.", "content": "21 children with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) due to bacteria resistant to the usual antiinfectious drugs were examined to evaluate whether their UTI could be effectively treated with a single daily administration of gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg i.m.) for ten days. From the data obtained it may be concluded that such a scheme of therapy is effective in all cases as far as urine sterilization is concerned during therapy, regardless of the site of infection. However, urine culture controls, 10 and 30 days after therapy was discontinued, showed a further infection in 3 out of 7 children with upper UTI, Since in urine of all our patients the antibiotic level was well above the minimal inhibitory concentration for the infective bacteria, the different therapeutic response could be related to an inadequate antibiotic concentration at the renal interstitial site.", "contents": "Treatment of urinary tract infections in children with a single daily dose of gentamicin. 21 children with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) due to bacteria resistant to the usual antiinfectious drugs were examined to evaluate whether their UTI could be effectively treated with a single daily administration of gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg i.m.) for ten days. From the data obtained it may be concluded that such a scheme of therapy is effective in all cases as far as urine sterilization is concerned during therapy, regardless of the site of infection. However, urine culture controls, 10 and 30 days after therapy was discontinued, showed a further infection in 3 out of 7 children with upper UTI, Since in urine of all our patients the antibiotic level was well above the minimal inhibitory concentration for the infective bacteria, the different therapeutic response could be related to an inadequate antibiotic concentration at the renal interstitial site.", "PMID": 617980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2335", "title": "Hypoglycorrhachia in neonatal intracranial hemorrhage. Relationship to posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.", "content": "The level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose may be lowered after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This was observed in each of 18 cases of proven posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in infants (study group). In one of these children with a hemorrhagic spinal fluid and hypoglycorrhachia unaccompanied by clinical signs of intracranial hemorrhage or hydrocephalus, the axial tomography showed a significant although asymptomatic hydrocephalus. To further evaluate the significance of this finding (hypoglycorrhachia), we compared the incidence of hypoglycorrhachia (CSF glucose less than 40 mg) and lowered CSF glucose/blood glucose ratio (ratio less than 0.4) at three similar time intervals from the presumed time of the intracranial hemorrhage in the study group with that of a control group of 40 neonates with similar neonatal associated pathology (mainly premature infants with hyaline membrane disease) but who did not later develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus or cerebral palsy. There was a statistically greater frequency of these anomalies in the hydrocephalic group. Only 3 of the 40 control patients had hypoglycorrhachia and low ratio. Hypoglycorrhachia in the absence of other known causes for decreased CSF glucose is a good index of a probably significant meningeal hemorrhage with a high risk of secondary hydrocephalus which may or may not be symptomatic. Hypoglycorrhachia may be used as an indication of the frequency of clinically inapparent subarachnoid hemorrhage in these high risk newborns.", "contents": "Hypoglycorrhachia in neonatal intracranial hemorrhage. Relationship to posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. The level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose may be lowered after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This was observed in each of 18 cases of proven posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in infants (study group). In one of these children with a hemorrhagic spinal fluid and hypoglycorrhachia unaccompanied by clinical signs of intracranial hemorrhage or hydrocephalus, the axial tomography showed a significant although asymptomatic hydrocephalus. To further evaluate the significance of this finding (hypoglycorrhachia), we compared the incidence of hypoglycorrhachia (CSF glucose less than 40 mg) and lowered CSF glucose/blood glucose ratio (ratio less than 0.4) at three similar time intervals from the presumed time of the intracranial hemorrhage in the study group with that of a control group of 40 neonates with similar neonatal associated pathology (mainly premature infants with hyaline membrane disease) but who did not later develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus or cerebral palsy. There was a statistically greater frequency of these anomalies in the hydrocephalic group. Only 3 of the 40 control patients had hypoglycorrhachia and low ratio. Hypoglycorrhachia in the absence of other known causes for decreased CSF glucose is a good index of a probably significant meningeal hemorrhage with a high risk of secondary hydrocephalus which may or may not be symptomatic. Hypoglycorrhachia may be used as an indication of the frequency of clinically inapparent subarachnoid hemorrhage in these high risk newborns.", "PMID": 617981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2336", "title": "[Familial nephropathy with retinitis pigmentosa and peripheral dysostosis].", "content": "The paper reports two siblings, 6 and 3 3/4 years old, with a congenital nephropathy (nephronophthisis), retinitis pigmentosa, heart failure and peripheral dysostosis. The severe histological changes of the kidneys with tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis caused the death of the older sister at the age of 7 years. The symptoms of our patients are discussed in comparison to the syndrome described by MAINZER et al.", "contents": "[Familial nephropathy with retinitis pigmentosa and peripheral dysostosis]. The paper reports two siblings, 6 and 3 3/4 years old, with a congenital nephropathy (nephronophthisis), retinitis pigmentosa, heart failure and peripheral dysostosis. The severe histological changes of the kidneys with tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis caused the death of the older sister at the age of 7 years. The symptoms of our patients are discussed in comparison to the syndrome described by MAINZER et al.", "PMID": 617982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2337", "title": "Renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a child suspected of having idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.", "content": "A case of renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a 12-year-old girl suffering from a chronic pulmonary disease is reported. Data from this patient's history, laboratory examination and radiographic evaluation of the pulmonary lesions favour the diagnosis of a long-standing idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. A possible etiologic relationship between the pulmonary lesions and amyloid deposition in the kidney may be assumed.", "contents": "Renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a child suspected of having idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. A case of renal amyloidosis with nephrotic syndrome in a 12-year-old girl suffering from a chronic pulmonary disease is reported. Data from this patient's history, laboratory examination and radiographic evaluation of the pulmonary lesions favour the diagnosis of a long-standing idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. A possible etiologic relationship between the pulmonary lesions and amyloid deposition in the kidney may be assumed.", "PMID": 617983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2338", "title": "Sibship with histidinemia and an unrelated encephalopathy. Clinical and biochemical studies.", "content": "Histidinemia was found in 3 of 4 siblings in one family, while a fatal encephalopathy with mental retardation was present in two of them and in the fourth child who did not have histidinemia. Biochemical studies of the histidinemic subjects showed elevated histidine levels in urine, CSF, and brain, while in a few urine samples histidine related imidazole compounds were found. Plasma levels of other amino acids were positively correlated with plasma histidine levels. Obesity and heart abnormalities appeared to be associated with the encephalopathy, which is probably of a new type. The histidinemia appears to be unrelated to the mental retardation or the encephalopathy in this family.", "contents": "Sibship with histidinemia and an unrelated encephalopathy. Clinical and biochemical studies. Histidinemia was found in 3 of 4 siblings in one family, while a fatal encephalopathy with mental retardation was present in two of them and in the fourth child who did not have histidinemia. Biochemical studies of the histidinemic subjects showed elevated histidine levels in urine, CSF, and brain, while in a few urine samples histidine related imidazole compounds were found. Plasma levels of other amino acids were positively correlated with plasma histidine levels. Obesity and heart abnormalities appeared to be associated with the encephalopathy, which is probably of a new type. The histidinemia appears to be unrelated to the mental retardation or the encephalopathy in this family.", "PMID": 617985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2339", "title": "Sialidosis (mucolipidosis I).", "content": "The term \"sialidosis\" is suggested for the deficiency of alpha-neuraminidase activity in peripheral leukocytes and cultured fibroblasts which results in a considerable urinary excretion of sialyl-oligosaccharides. This defect was found in two siblings with a mild form of mucolipidosis I. 12 sialyl-acid rich oligosacharides have been isolated from the urine of the patients. The structure of ten of them has been determined. The studies of the patients show a remarkable variability of the clinical expression of this disease. The two siblings exhibited a progressive reduction of visual acuity, red-green blindness, a bilateral cherry red macular spot, punctate opacities of the lens, and minimal neurological symptoms. Morphologically, vacuolized lymphocytes, refringent inclusions in cultured fibroblasts, numerous cytoplasmatic inclusions containing a fine protein-like reticulum and some osmiophilic granules mainly in Kupffer's cells were found.", "contents": "Sialidosis (mucolipidosis I). The term \"sialidosis\" is suggested for the deficiency of alpha-neuraminidase activity in peripheral leukocytes and cultured fibroblasts which results in a considerable urinary excretion of sialyl-oligosaccharides. This defect was found in two siblings with a mild form of mucolipidosis I. 12 sialyl-acid rich oligosacharides have been isolated from the urine of the patients. The structure of ten of them has been determined. The studies of the patients show a remarkable variability of the clinical expression of this disease. The two siblings exhibited a progressive reduction of visual acuity, red-green blindness, a bilateral cherry red macular spot, punctate opacities of the lens, and minimal neurological symptoms. Morphologically, vacuolized lymphocytes, refringent inclusions in cultured fibroblasts, numerous cytoplasmatic inclusions containing a fine protein-like reticulum and some osmiophilic granules mainly in Kupffer's cells were found.", "PMID": 617984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2340", "title": "Fanconi's anemia in infancy. Report of a case diagnosed in the pre-anemic stage.", "content": "A 6 1/2-month-old girl is described, in whom the diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia in the pre-anemic stage was made on the basis of the following findings: growth failure, microcephaly, modest epicanthal folds, pigment spots, and chromosomal breaks. 4 months later progressive bone marrow failure developed and dramatically evolved into pancytopenia refractory to therapy.", "contents": "Fanconi's anemia in infancy. Report of a case diagnosed in the pre-anemic stage. A 6 1/2-month-old girl is described, in whom the diagnosis of Fanconi's anemia in the pre-anemic stage was made on the basis of the following findings: growth failure, microcephaly, modest epicanthal folds, pigment spots, and chromosomal breaks. 4 months later progressive bone marrow failure developed and dramatically evolved into pancytopenia refractory to therapy.", "PMID": 617986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2341", "title": "Marihuana: current assessment.", "content": "Some of the controversies surrounding marihuana have been reported. The problems of multiple species and qualifications of the analyst could be resolved by basing the law on the identification and quantitation of tetrahydrocannabinol. Decriminalization of the use and the possession of the drug could help law enforcement officers, the courts, and the user. Recently reported methods for the determination of the drug and its metabolites in biological specimens should provide a basis for establishing the relationship between blood concentrations and drug effects. The short- and long-term effects of the drug are too subtle to cause much concern over any known or potential hazards.", "contents": "Marihuana: current assessment. Some of the controversies surrounding marihuana have been reported. The problems of multiple species and qualifications of the analyst could be resolved by basing the law on the identification and quantitation of tetrahydrocannabinol. Decriminalization of the use and the possession of the drug could help law enforcement officers, the courts, and the user. Recently reported methods for the determination of the drug and its metabolites in biological specimens should provide a basis for establishing the relationship between blood concentrations and drug effects. The short- and long-term effects of the drug are too subtle to cause much concern over any known or potential hazards.", "PMID": 617987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2342", "title": "Gases released from tissue and analyzed by infrared and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy techniques.", "content": "Two techniques for analyzing contaminants released as gases from postmortem tissues were described and compared. One technique used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); the other, infrared spectroscopy (IR). Brain, lung, liver, blood and urine specimens were obtained from suspected drug-overdose victims whose deaths were contributed to or caused by inhalation of unknown gases or vapors during the period immediately preceding death. Gases from the postmortem tissues and liquid samples were separately admitted into an evacuated IR gas cell, the IR spectra recorded, and gas samples then removed for GC/MS analysis. Nitrous oxide, glue, and paint solvent constituents were identified and measured. Only the brain and lung tissues contained measurable amounts of inhalants. Both IR and GC/MS methods were adequate for normal confirmatory analyses; the GC/MS system was judged superior for fast routine efforts normally hampered by incomplete sample history.", "contents": "Gases released from tissue and analyzed by infrared and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy techniques. Two techniques for analyzing contaminants released as gases from postmortem tissues were described and compared. One technique used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); the other, infrared spectroscopy (IR). Brain, lung, liver, blood and urine specimens were obtained from suspected drug-overdose victims whose deaths were contributed to or caused by inhalation of unknown gases or vapors during the period immediately preceding death. Gases from the postmortem tissues and liquid samples were separately admitted into an evacuated IR gas cell, the IR spectra recorded, and gas samples then removed for GC/MS analysis. Nitrous oxide, glue, and paint solvent constituents were identified and measured. Only the brain and lung tissues contained measurable amounts of inhalants. Both IR and GC/MS methods were adequate for normal confirmatory analyses; the GC/MS system was judged superior for fast routine efforts normally hampered by incomplete sample history.", "PMID": 617988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2343", "title": "Analytical problems with putrefaction in a fatal case involving ergotamine and pentazocine.", "content": "A 29-year-old male drug addict was found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Analysis of the acid-hydrolized blood showed the presence of pentazocine and two characteristic compounds that contained L-phenylalanine and D-proline, linked together by peptide bounds. It was shown that the latter two components could emanate from the peptide part of ergotamine under the conditions used. It seemed likely that, at the time of analysis, pentazocine and ergotamine were present at concentrations far above therapeutic values. A third component in the blood could not be identified.", "contents": "Analytical problems with putrefaction in a fatal case involving ergotamine and pentazocine. A 29-year-old male drug addict was found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Analysis of the acid-hydrolized blood showed the presence of pentazocine and two characteristic compounds that contained L-phenylalanine and D-proline, linked together by peptide bounds. It was shown that the latter two components could emanate from the peptide part of ergotamine under the conditions used. It seemed likely that, at the time of analysis, pentazocine and ergotamine were present at concentrations far above therapeutic values. A third component in the blood could not be identified.", "PMID": 617989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2344", "title": "Human body buoyancy: a study of 98 men.", "content": "The specific gravity and buoyancy of 98 men were calculated at various lung volumes. The data indicated that all subjects would be capable of floating in either freshwater or seawater at total lung capacity. At functional residual capacity, the value approximating the lung volume of a recently dead body, 69% of the subjects would float in seawater, whereas only 7% would float in freshwater. Results of this study indicate that while drowned bodies are more likely to sink than bodies dead of other causes, no conclusion regarding the cause of death can be made on the basis of whether bodies float or sink.", "contents": "Human body buoyancy: a study of 98 men. The specific gravity and buoyancy of 98 men were calculated at various lung volumes. The data indicated that all subjects would be capable of floating in either freshwater or seawater at total lung capacity. At functional residual capacity, the value approximating the lung volume of a recently dead body, 69% of the subjects would float in seawater, whereas only 7% would float in freshwater. Results of this study indicate that while drowned bodies are more likely to sink than bodies dead of other causes, no conclusion regarding the cause of death can be made on the basis of whether bodies float or sink.", "PMID": 617991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2345", "title": "Rapid phenotyping of the group specific component by immunofixation on cellulose acetate.", "content": "Determination of the genetically controlled variants of the polymorphic Gc system was achieved by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes followed by immunofixation with a specific anti-Gc antiserum. The method is applicable to plasma, whole hemolyzed blood, and dried blood. Multiple specimens can be analyzed simultaneously within 60 to 80 min. The cellulose acetate electrophoretogram of the Gc variants remains as a permanent record.", "contents": "Rapid phenotyping of the group specific component by immunofixation on cellulose acetate. Determination of the genetically controlled variants of the polymorphic Gc system was achieved by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes followed by immunofixation with a specific anti-Gc antiserum. The method is applicable to plasma, whole hemolyzed blood, and dried blood. Multiple specimens can be analyzed simultaneously within 60 to 80 min. The cellulose acetate electrophoretogram of the Gc variants remains as a permanent record.", "PMID": 617993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2346", "title": "The development of latent fingerprints on human skin: the iodine-silver plate transfer method.", "content": "With the iodine-silver plate transfer method latent fingerprints on human skin can be developed. The continuation of experiments leading to the eventual application to a bona fide case processed through a judicial system will indicate the \"arrival\" of a new and useful tool for the law enforcement officer in identifying the perpetrators of our more serious crimes.", "contents": "The development of latent fingerprints on human skin: the iodine-silver plate transfer method. With the iodine-silver plate transfer method latent fingerprints on human skin can be developed. The continuation of experiments leading to the eventual application to a bona fide case processed through a judicial system will indicate the \"arrival\" of a new and useful tool for the law enforcement officer in identifying the perpetrators of our more serious crimes.", "PMID": 617994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2347", "title": "An unusual tear-gas gun fatality.", "content": "A case of death involving a tear-gas pen gun, firing .45 ACP metallic ammunition, is presented, in which the recoil generated by the cartridge converted the weapon into a missile, penetrating the brain of the shooter. The injury potential to shooter and shooting victim is briefly discussed, and the added hazard to the shooter illustrated by this case is noted.", "contents": "An unusual tear-gas gun fatality. A case of death involving a tear-gas pen gun, firing .45 ACP metallic ammunition, is presented, in which the recoil generated by the cartridge converted the weapon into a missile, penetrating the brain of the shooter. The injury potential to shooter and shooting victim is briefly discussed, and the added hazard to the shooter illustrated by this case is noted.", "PMID": 617995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2348", "title": "Acute ethanol poisoning: a two-year study of deaths in North Carolina.", "content": "A 24-month study of fatalities in North Carolina with high blood ethanol levels (300 mg/100 ml or over) revealed 502 cases with either acute alcoholism or the effects of this range of blood ethanol concentration having caused or contributed to death. This investigation reassessed the criteria for ethanol poisoning, including its cause and manner of death, and revealed recurrent patterns common to this syndrome. This inquiry also contrasted the frequency of ethanol poisoning in different areas of the country.", "contents": "Acute ethanol poisoning: a two-year study of deaths in North Carolina. A 24-month study of fatalities in North Carolina with high blood ethanol levels (300 mg/100 ml or over) revealed 502 cases with either acute alcoholism or the effects of this range of blood ethanol concentration having caused or contributed to death. This investigation reassessed the criteria for ethanol poisoning, including its cause and manner of death, and revealed recurrent patterns common to this syndrome. This inquiry also contrasted the frequency of ethanol poisoning in different areas of the country.", "PMID": 617996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2349", "title": "Some observations concerning blood morphine concentrations in narcotic addicts.", "content": "Blood samples from deceased narcotic addicts were analyzed for morphine, and the results form persons who died from narcotic addiction were compared with those from homicide victims. In most instances morphine was detectable in both types of death, and usually the values obtained were less than 30 microgram/dl. Narcotic addiction deaths involving only morphine, or morphine plus a combination of ethanol, quinine, or diazepam (Valium), were also evaluated. In some cases high quantities of ethanol were present, and death could be attributed to the combined CNS depressant effects of morphine and ethanol. The quinine levels would not normally be considered toxic, however, and it could not be ascertained that the quantity of this drug present contributed to death. Diazepam was present in elevated concentrations, and its depressant effect may have been a factor in some narcotic addiction deaths.", "contents": "Some observations concerning blood morphine concentrations in narcotic addicts. Blood samples from deceased narcotic addicts were analyzed for morphine, and the results form persons who died from narcotic addiction were compared with those from homicide victims. In most instances morphine was detectable in both types of death, and usually the values obtained were less than 30 microgram/dl. Narcotic addiction deaths involving only morphine, or morphine plus a combination of ethanol, quinine, or diazepam (Valium), were also evaluated. In some cases high quantities of ethanol were present, and death could be attributed to the combined CNS depressant effects of morphine and ethanol. The quinine levels would not normally be considered toxic, however, and it could not be ascertained that the quantity of this drug present contributed to death. Diazepam was present in elevated concentrations, and its depressant effect may have been a factor in some narcotic addiction deaths.", "PMID": 617999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2350", "title": "Toxicology and sudden infant death.", "content": "One hundred thirty cases of sudden infant death occurring in Wayne County, Michigan, (population 2.7 million) were analyzed for possible drugs. The toxicological protocol has been outlined. Six cases were found to be positive, and in five of these the drugs found had been prescribed for a variety of illnesses. In one case methadone was found in the blood of an infant whose mother was undergoing methadone treatment for drug addiction, the drug being transmitted through breast milk. In none of the 102 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) included in the study did the toxicological results affect the diagnosis. In our study, toxicological analyses never contradicted an initial diagnosis of SIDS, and, therefore, we feel that this diagnosis should be made promptly based on investigative and autopsy findings.", "contents": "Toxicology and sudden infant death. One hundred thirty cases of sudden infant death occurring in Wayne County, Michigan, (population 2.7 million) were analyzed for possible drugs. The toxicological protocol has been outlined. Six cases were found to be positive, and in five of these the drugs found had been prescribed for a variety of illnesses. In one case methadone was found in the blood of an infant whose mother was undergoing methadone treatment for drug addiction, the drug being transmitted through breast milk. In none of the 102 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) included in the study did the toxicological results affect the diagnosis. In our study, toxicological analyses never contradicted an initial diagnosis of SIDS, and, therefore, we feel that this diagnosis should be made promptly based on investigative and autopsy findings.", "PMID": 618000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2351", "title": "The phase II evaluation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus megestrol acetate in patients with metastatic renal adenocarcinoma.", "content": "The case is reported of a patient with pulmonary metastases from a renal adenocarcinoma who experienced subjective improvement and objective tumor regression on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and megestrol acetate therapy. In a subsequent Phase II trial, no objective responses were noted among 15 patients treated with megestrol acetate (160 mg/day X 56 days) and BCG (five immunizing doses intradermally, every 2 weeks X 5). It is concluded that this treatment regimen is not clinically useful in patients with metastatic renal adenocarcinoma.", "contents": "The phase II evaluation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus megestrol acetate in patients with metastatic renal adenocarcinoma. The case is reported of a patient with pulmonary metastases from a renal adenocarcinoma who experienced subjective improvement and objective tumor regression on Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and megestrol acetate therapy. In a subsequent Phase II trial, no objective responses were noted among 15 patients treated with megestrol acetate (160 mg/day X 56 days) and BCG (five immunizing doses intradermally, every 2 weeks X 5). It is concluded that this treatment regimen is not clinically useful in patients with metastatic renal adenocarcinoma.", "PMID": 618010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2352", "title": "Prognosis in children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.", "content": "Distant metastases were documented in 83 of 161 children with rhabdomyosarcoma seen between 1953 and 1974. Of these, 31 had metastases at diagnosis (Group IV) and 7 were noted to have metastases only at autopsy. Only 6 are living with no evidence of disease activity at 6, 20, 77, 85, 105, and 112 months from time of metastasis. One child is living with disease at 98 months. Late deaths occurred in 2 at 31 and 41 months after metastasis. Sixty-four of the 66 deaths occurred within 24 months. The median durations of life after metastasis were less than 9 months in Groups I and II patients, less than 6 months in Group III patients, and about 12 months in 31 Group IV patients. The median time to metastasis in Groups I, II, and III patients was 9 months.", "contents": "Prognosis in children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. Distant metastases were documented in 83 of 161 children with rhabdomyosarcoma seen between 1953 and 1974. Of these, 31 had metastases at diagnosis (Group IV) and 7 were noted to have metastases only at autopsy. Only 6 are living with no evidence of disease activity at 6, 20, 77, 85, 105, and 112 months from time of metastasis. One child is living with disease at 98 months. Late deaths occurred in 2 at 31 and 41 months after metastasis. Sixty-four of the 66 deaths occurred within 24 months. The median durations of life after metastasis were less than 9 months in Groups I and II patients, less than 6 months in Group III patients, and about 12 months in 31 Group IV patients. The median time to metastasis in Groups I, II, and III patients was 9 months.", "PMID": 618011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2353", "title": "False positive lymphography in Hodgkin's disease: a histologic-lymphadenographic correlation.", "content": "A series of 99 consecutive patients having a staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease was reviewed. Negative lymph nodes removed during the laparotomy were correlated with lymphograms reported as positive or suspicious. Four patients had large nodes with a prominent hilar area or irregular cortical fat deposits. In two other patients a cluster of small lymph nodes accounted for the radiologic misinterpretation.", "contents": "False positive lymphography in Hodgkin's disease: a histologic-lymphadenographic correlation. A series of 99 consecutive patients having a staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease was reviewed. Negative lymph nodes removed during the laparotomy were correlated with lymphograms reported as positive or suspicious. Four patients had large nodes with a prominent hilar area or irregular cortical fat deposits. In two other patients a cluster of small lymph nodes accounted for the radiologic misinterpretation.", "PMID": 618012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2354", "title": "[Epidemiologic evaluation of health program in perinatology. I. Region rh\u00f4ne-Alpes 1972-1975 (author's transl)].", "content": "In 1971, a Health Project was established in order to organize some actions destined for the prevention of perinatal mortality and morbidity. A first examination of these actions was studied in the Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes Region by comparing the results of two surveys, one carried out in 1972 and the other in 1975, both on a representative sample of births. This article successively examines the evolution of morbidity and prevention. The authors note an important improvement in the quality of prevention and a slight progress in the results: perinatal morbidity declined as well as certain signs of fetal distress, while on the other hand, the term and birth weight showed no significant change. In the second part of this article the authors studied the relationships between the socio-cultural characteristics of the parents and the use of prevention measures. They found that certain social inequalities observed in 1972 had decreased while some others increased, new measures seem to be adopted sooner by the higher social classes when they were first envisioned for the interest of better protecting the lower social classes. However, the inequalities diminished for certain fundamental elements of prenatal surveillance, such as the respect for the minimum number of prenatal consultations.", "contents": "[Epidemiologic evaluation of health program in perinatology. I. Region rh\u00f4ne-Alpes 1972-1975 (author's transl)]. In 1971, a Health Project was established in order to organize some actions destined for the prevention of perinatal mortality and morbidity. A first examination of these actions was studied in the Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes Region by comparing the results of two surveys, one carried out in 1972 and the other in 1975, both on a representative sample of births. This article successively examines the evolution of morbidity and prevention. The authors note an important improvement in the quality of prevention and a slight progress in the results: perinatal morbidity declined as well as certain signs of fetal distress, while on the other hand, the term and birth weight showed no significant change. In the second part of this article the authors studied the relationships between the socio-cultural characteristics of the parents and the use of prevention measures. They found that certain social inequalities observed in 1972 had decreased while some others increased, new measures seem to be adopted sooner by the higher social classes when they were first envisioned for the interest of better protecting the lower social classes. However, the inequalities diminished for certain fundamental elements of prenatal surveillance, such as the respect for the minimum number of prenatal consultations.", "PMID": 618014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2355", "title": "[Cardiac mortality among working middle aged Frenchmen according to their socio-economic class and geographic region (author's transl)].", "content": "The cardiac mortality of working Frenchmen aged 44-65 is studied from the national mortality statistics in 1968. Cardiac mortality causes are joined into four categories according to their a priori precision. The distribution of mortality rates for cardiac causes is analysed according to the socio-economic classes (9 classes) and the geographic regions (19 regions). Important differences of the cardiac mortality are put into evidence according these two sampling schemes and particularly high rates are observed in the class of employees and the North East part of France. The cardiac fraction of the global mortality and the ischaemic fraction of the cardiac mortality augment according to the usual hierarchy of the socio-economic classes but are less variable among the geographic regions. Disparities in the notification of mortality causes may partly explain these results.", "contents": "[Cardiac mortality among working middle aged Frenchmen according to their socio-economic class and geographic region (author's transl)]. The cardiac mortality of working Frenchmen aged 44-65 is studied from the national mortality statistics in 1968. Cardiac mortality causes are joined into four categories according to their a priori precision. The distribution of mortality rates for cardiac causes is analysed according to the socio-economic classes (9 classes) and the geographic regions (19 regions). Important differences of the cardiac mortality are put into evidence according these two sampling schemes and particularly high rates are observed in the class of employees and the North East part of France. The cardiac fraction of the global mortality and the ischaemic fraction of the cardiac mortality augment according to the usual hierarchy of the socio-economic classes but are less variable among the geographic regions. Disparities in the notification of mortality causes may partly explain these results.", "PMID": 618015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2356", "title": "[The decline of fertility in Western Europe. III. Some considerations on future evolution and on policy measures aiming at supporting fertility (author's transl)].", "content": "The analysis of recent fertility trends in France lead to hold as plausible that women born after 1950 will not reach replacement level. On the other hand, the period total fertility rate, which has not fallen as low as those observed in some neighbouring countries, might well continue to decline and thus disturb the alimentation of age-pyramid, despite its slower decrease in the course of 1976. Considering present fertility situation in France, an action of the State appears to be desirable. The factors which condition fertility fall largely out of the range of well-established knowledge. Though, it seems that they are deeply rooted in collective consciousness and that the possibilities they leave to voluntary action on fertility trends is relatively modest. Moreover, to be efficient, the means used must be important. The lines of possible action seem, in our view, to relate to two main fields: research of a better conciliation of professional activity and motherhood, increase of family benefits for second but specially for third and following children.", "contents": "[The decline of fertility in Western Europe. III. Some considerations on future evolution and on policy measures aiming at supporting fertility (author's transl)]. The analysis of recent fertility trends in France lead to hold as plausible that women born after 1950 will not reach replacement level. On the other hand, the period total fertility rate, which has not fallen as low as those observed in some neighbouring countries, might well continue to decline and thus disturb the alimentation of age-pyramid, despite its slower decrease in the course of 1976. Considering present fertility situation in France, an action of the State appears to be desirable. The factors which condition fertility fall largely out of the range of well-established knowledge. Though, it seems that they are deeply rooted in collective consciousness and that the possibilities they leave to voluntary action on fertility trends is relatively modest. Moreover, to be efficient, the means used must be important. The lines of possible action seem, in our view, to relate to two main fields: research of a better conciliation of professional activity and motherhood, increase of family benefits for second but specially for third and following children.", "PMID": 618017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2357", "title": "[Priorities in health activities in refugee camps (author's transl)].", "content": "In times of natural or man-made disasters, settlements of refugees in temporary camps face the health authorities with new public health problems. The allocation of priorities and resources among Medical Care, Prevention and Sanitation, and Nutrition are usually not based on objective assessment of the situation. The potential role of epidemiological techniques and particularly of the surveillance is illustrated by the case studies of the Bengladesh civil war and the Niger drought. A rational priority order will usually rank nutrition at the top and individual medical care at the bottom.", "contents": "[Priorities in health activities in refugee camps (author's transl)]. In times of natural or man-made disasters, settlements of refugees in temporary camps face the health authorities with new public health problems. The allocation of priorities and resources among Medical Care, Prevention and Sanitation, and Nutrition are usually not based on objective assessment of the situation. The potential role of epidemiological techniques and particularly of the surveillance is illustrated by the case studies of the Bengladesh civil war and the Niger drought. A rational priority order will usually rank nutrition at the top and individual medical care at the bottom.", "PMID": 618018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2358", "title": "[Attitude toward the risk of epidemics during sudden disasters (author's transl)].", "content": "Following sudden disasters, major outbreaks are rare unless malnutrition and starvation are common. No dramatic increase of water borne diseases has been reported and adequately documented in the aftermath of the earthquakes, cyclones or floods of this decade. However, the attitude of the public, the mass media and of the health services is sometimes irrational leading to impressive but ineffective mass immunizations. An epidemiologic system and accurate information on the actual situation are essential in case of major disasters.", "contents": "[Attitude toward the risk of epidemics during sudden disasters (author's transl)]. Following sudden disasters, major outbreaks are rare unless malnutrition and starvation are common. No dramatic increase of water borne diseases has been reported and adequately documented in the aftermath of the earthquakes, cyclones or floods of this decade. However, the attitude of the public, the mass media and of the health services is sometimes irrational leading to impressive but ineffective mass immunizations. An epidemiologic system and accurate information on the actual situation are essential in case of major disasters.", "PMID": 618020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2359", "title": "[Atmospheric pollution and acute respiratory diseases. Denain and Quievrechain epidemiological study (author's transl)].", "content": "The subject of this study is to evaluate a possible relation between air pollution levels and acute diseases with a special interest in acute respiratory diseases. The study was performed in two towns located in the \"d\u00e9partement du Nord, France\", (Denain and Quievrechain) with mid levels of air pollution. A slight but statistically significant relation was found though the study was performed during an unusually mild winter season. Meteorological conditions have been taken in account in the evaluation of the relation.", "contents": "[Atmospheric pollution and acute respiratory diseases. Denain and Quievrechain epidemiological study (author's transl)]. The subject of this study is to evaluate a possible relation between air pollution levels and acute diseases with a special interest in acute respiratory diseases. The study was performed in two towns located in the \"d\u00e9partement du Nord, France\", (Denain and Quievrechain) with mid levels of air pollution. A slight but statistically significant relation was found though the study was performed during an unusually mild winter season. Meteorological conditions have been taken in account in the evaluation of the relation.", "PMID": 618021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2360", "title": "[Genitourinary infection, smoking and alcohol in the male (author's transl)].", "content": "Among 3 000 patients attending a subfertility clinic, the proportion of cases with a history of urethritis was found to be very high among heavy smokers. A similar increase was observed among those whose daily alcohol consumption was equivalent to more than a litre of wine. When standardised for age, both these differences remained highly significant. The alcohol effect remained clear when smoking was taken into account, but that due to tobacco was less apparent when alcohol was taken into consideration: in particular an increase was found to be strong among the heavier drinkers. Although the more frequent occurrence of urethritis could be explained by a difference in sexual behaviour, it is plausible that there may be a biological explanation in terms of an impairement to the subjects' immune responses.", "contents": "[Genitourinary infection, smoking and alcohol in the male (author's transl)]. Among 3 000 patients attending a subfertility clinic, the proportion of cases with a history of urethritis was found to be very high among heavy smokers. A similar increase was observed among those whose daily alcohol consumption was equivalent to more than a litre of wine. When standardised for age, both these differences remained highly significant. The alcohol effect remained clear when smoking was taken into account, but that due to tobacco was less apparent when alcohol was taken into consideration: in particular an increase was found to be strong among the heavier drinkers. Although the more frequent occurrence of urethritis could be explained by a difference in sexual behaviour, it is plausible that there may be a biological explanation in terms of an impairement to the subjects' immune responses.", "PMID": 618022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2361", "title": "[Long term effects of low concentrations of noxious gases on the respiratory system: results of an epidemiological study among iron mines workers in Lorraine (France). (author's transl)].", "content": "An epidemiological study of 1,178 iron-mine workers in the Lorraine basin was conducted in order to assess the long-term effects on the respiratory system of low concentrations of noxious gases produced by the machinery and explosives in use. The subjects were selected at random from 5,300 workers who were aged between 35 and 55, had been in the mines for at least five years and who were free from radiological abnormalities such as siderosis, tuberculosis, fractured ribs, etc. For each subject a standard questionnaire (E.C.S.C. bronchitis/emphysema questionnaire) was completed and a clinical examination was performed along with the following tests-vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; residual volume; acetylcholine test; steady state CO test for calculation of total and partial transfer functions. A venous blood sample for the determination of blood CO was taken as the subject left his place of work.", "contents": "[Long term effects of low concentrations of noxious gases on the respiratory system: results of an epidemiological study among iron mines workers in Lorraine (France). (author's transl)]. An epidemiological study of 1,178 iron-mine workers in the Lorraine basin was conducted in order to assess the long-term effects on the respiratory system of low concentrations of noxious gases produced by the machinery and explosives in use. The subjects were selected at random from 5,300 workers who were aged between 35 and 55, had been in the mines for at least five years and who were free from radiological abnormalities such as siderosis, tuberculosis, fractured ribs, etc. For each subject a standard questionnaire (E.C.S.C. bronchitis/emphysema questionnaire) was completed and a clinical examination was performed along with the following tests-vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; residual volume; acetylcholine test; steady state CO test for calculation of total and partial transfer functions. A venous blood sample for the determination of blood CO was taken as the subject left his place of work.", "PMID": 618025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2362", "title": "[Public and private hospital care--an economic approach (author's transl)].", "content": "In an investigation involving over 1,000 patients, the LEGOS group (Univ. de Dauphine) has studied the two sectors which co-exist in the French hospital service--the public sector and the private profit--making sector. This paper gives the economic results of the investigation. The private clinics function in a commercial framework and define a privileged area of treatment related to the \"cost\" of the medical activities which occur in this sector. The public hospital aims at satisfying certain needs, in particular those associated with emergencies, and economic considerations are only considered in the last resort. These conclusions are drawn from observations on medically defined situations treated in the two sectors and on medical activities occurring in them.", "contents": "[Public and private hospital care--an economic approach (author's transl)]. In an investigation involving over 1,000 patients, the LEGOS group (Univ. de Dauphine) has studied the two sectors which co-exist in the French hospital service--the public sector and the private profit--making sector. This paper gives the economic results of the investigation. The private clinics function in a commercial framework and define a privileged area of treatment related to the \"cost\" of the medical activities which occur in this sector. The public hospital aims at satisfying certain needs, in particular those associated with emergencies, and economic considerations are only considered in the last resort. These conclusions are drawn from observations on medically defined situations treated in the two sectors and on medical activities occurring in them.", "PMID": 618026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2363", "title": "[Some demographic datas from Ixodes ricinus Linn\u00e9: vector of a virus strain of central european encephalitis in Alsace (author's transl)].", "content": "This work shows the montly variation in the density and stage composition of the population of the tick Ixodes Ricinus in the Rhine forest. Some factors influencing this variation are analysed. These include the locality of egg-laying and of down localisation and the main climatic variables. We also try to link these ecological data with the strains of Central European Encephalitis virus isolated from this arthropod.", "contents": "[Some demographic datas from Ixodes ricinus Linn\u00e9: vector of a virus strain of central european encephalitis in Alsace (author's transl)]. This work shows the montly variation in the density and stage composition of the population of the tick Ixodes Ricinus in the Rhine forest. Some factors influencing this variation are analysed. These include the locality of egg-laying and of down localisation and the main climatic variables. We also try to link these ecological data with the strains of Central European Encephalitis virus isolated from this arthropod.", "PMID": 618028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2364", "title": "[Interest of the prevention of uterine cervix cancer at prenuptial examination (author's transl)].", "content": "The French obligatory prenuptial certificate is issued by a doctor in the light of certain examination results. The medical consultation which it implies offers a special opportunity to obtain from women a cervical smear that would allow the finding of possible pre-cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. Such smears, along with supervision or treatment of the lesions discovered would amount to genuine prevention of cervical cancer. The evaluation made in this article shows that, among 370,000 women, it would be possible to find 5,800 dysplasias and 2,400 in situ cancers each year. This form of prevention would give 165,000 extra years of life and would economise treatment costs amounts to 250 millions francs, whereas the smears taken at prenuptial examination would cost 30 millions francs.", "contents": "[Interest of the prevention of uterine cervix cancer at prenuptial examination (author's transl)]. The French obligatory prenuptial certificate is issued by a doctor in the light of certain examination results. The medical consultation which it implies offers a special opportunity to obtain from women a cervical smear that would allow the finding of possible pre-cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. Such smears, along with supervision or treatment of the lesions discovered would amount to genuine prevention of cervical cancer. The evaluation made in this article shows that, among 370,000 women, it would be possible to find 5,800 dysplasias and 2,400 in situ cancers each year. This form of prevention would give 165,000 extra years of life and would economise treatment costs amounts to 250 millions francs, whereas the smears taken at prenuptial examination would cost 30 millions francs.", "PMID": 618029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2365", "title": "[Etiological study of low fertility in eastern Gaboon. I. Scheme and first findings (author's transl)].", "content": "The etiological study conducted in 1975 in Haut-Ogoou\u00e9 and Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo included 1,548 patients male and female. In the 21 investigated areas the patients were asked questions and examined by a medical team which took swabs so that bacterial, parastic, immunological and genetical assays could be carried out. The object of this article is to review the feasibility of such a local inquiry and state the first findings. Abnormalities of the epididymis are more commonly verified in non-fertile men. Microfilaremia is related to the presence of hydroceles and epididymis lesions. It shows more often in men with less than 3 children. The authors do not refer to any of physiopathology to explain these findings which need to be ascertained in further inquiries.", "contents": "[Etiological study of low fertility in eastern Gaboon. I. Scheme and first findings (author's transl)]. The etiological study conducted in 1975 in Haut-Ogoou\u00e9 and Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo included 1,548 patients male and female. In the 21 investigated areas the patients were asked questions and examined by a medical team which took swabs so that bacterial, parastic, immunological and genetical assays could be carried out. The object of this article is to review the feasibility of such a local inquiry and state the first findings. Abnormalities of the epididymis are more commonly verified in non-fertile men. Microfilaremia is related to the presence of hydroceles and epididymis lesions. It shows more often in men with less than 3 children. The authors do not refer to any of physiopathology to explain these findings which need to be ascertained in further inquiries.", "PMID": 618030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2366", "title": "[Etiological study of low fertility in eastern Gaboon. II. Results according to the geographical distribution and the ethnic group (author's transl)].", "content": "An epidemiological study was conducted in Haut-Ogoou\u00e9 and Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo, and included 875 men and 673 women. The purpose of this article is to precise the geographical distribution of the factors related to low fertility, and to verify the stability of the etiological relations according to the region, the place of residence and the ethny. Among men, hydroceles and epididym lesions are more frequent in Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo, in small villages, and in forest areas. Microfilariae Loa-loa and D. perstans has the same distribution. In both regions and what ever the type of residence (town or village), the epididym lesions are more frequent in non fertile men, microfilariae is linked with genital lesions and is more seldom found in men who are the fathers of more than two children. Among women, leukorrheas, pelvic pains, and adnexal masses are related to low fertility, what ever the place of residence is.", "contents": "[Etiological study of low fertility in eastern Gaboon. II. Results according to the geographical distribution and the ethnic group (author's transl)]. An epidemiological study was conducted in Haut-Ogoou\u00e9 and Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo, and included 875 men and 673 women. The purpose of this article is to precise the geographical distribution of the factors related to low fertility, and to verify the stability of the etiological relations according to the region, the place of residence and the ethny. Among men, hydroceles and epididym lesions are more frequent in Ogoou\u00e9-Lolo, in small villages, and in forest areas. Microfilariae Loa-loa and D. perstans has the same distribution. In both regions and what ever the type of residence (town or village), the epididym lesions are more frequent in non fertile men, microfilariae is linked with genital lesions and is more seldom found in men who are the fathers of more than two children. Among women, leukorrheas, pelvic pains, and adnexal masses are related to low fertility, what ever the place of residence is.", "PMID": 618031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2367", "title": "Fiberscopic diagnosis of gastric carcinoma: results of a two-stage screening.", "content": "After preliminary screening, 162 cases of gastric carcinoma were diagnosed by fiberscopy. Microscopic study revealed that 13 of these cases, i. e. 8% were in the early stage. The clinical features of these early cases are analysed. It is concluded that 1. persistent gastric symptoms call for fiberscopic investigation even if the previous finding was negative. 2. The relative youth dose not exclude early gastric cancers. 3. Improvement of the detection rate of early gastric carcinoma rests with the use of fiberscopy in combination with gastric biopsy.", "contents": "Fiberscopic diagnosis of gastric carcinoma: results of a two-stage screening. After preliminary screening, 162 cases of gastric carcinoma were diagnosed by fiberscopy. Microscopic study revealed that 13 of these cases, i. e. 8% were in the early stage. The clinical features of these early cases are analysed. It is concluded that 1. persistent gastric symptoms call for fiberscopic investigation even if the previous finding was negative. 2. The relative youth dose not exclude early gastric cancers. 3. Improvement of the detection rate of early gastric carcinoma rests with the use of fiberscopy in combination with gastric biopsy.", "PMID": 618053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2368", "title": "HLA antigens in patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction.", "content": "The HLA antigen frequencies in 100 Caucasian patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction were compared with those found in 352 healthy unrelated subjects. Fourteen antigens on the HLA--A locus, seventeen antigens on the HLA--B locus and three antigens on the HLA--C locus were determined using the standard NIH microlymphocytotoxicity test. The frequency of HLA--A1 antigen in the patient group was 49% as compared with 28% in the controls (pcorr less than 0.01). An increased frequency of HLA--B8 and HLA-BW35 antigens was also found, but the difference was not significant. Increased A1--B8 and A1--BW35 haplotype frequencies were observed. The relationship between the HLA system and various endogenous and exogenous factors eliciting hypercorticism, together with complementary family studies indicate that the HLA system may be a useful genetic marker of the disease susceptibility gene.", "contents": "HLA antigens in patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction. The HLA antigen frequencies in 100 Caucasian patients with adrenocortical hyperfunction were compared with those found in 352 healthy unrelated subjects. Fourteen antigens on the HLA--A locus, seventeen antigens on the HLA--B locus and three antigens on the HLA--C locus were determined using the standard NIH microlymphocytotoxicity test. The frequency of HLA--A1 antigen in the patient group was 49% as compared with 28% in the controls (pcorr less than 0.01). An increased frequency of HLA--B8 and HLA-BW35 antigens was also found, but the difference was not significant. Increased A1--B8 and A1--BW35 haplotype frequencies were observed. The relationship between the HLA system and various endogenous and exogenous factors eliciting hypercorticism, together with complementary family studies indicate that the HLA system may be a useful genetic marker of the disease susceptibility gene.", "PMID": 618054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2369", "title": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic activity in patients with Hodgkin disease.", "content": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic activity (ADCC) of twenty-one previously treated patients (stage I--IV) with Hodgkin disease (HD) and eleven healthy controls was studied using specific antibody coated chicken erythrocyte target cells. Cytotoxicity was found to be normal in seven, slightly increased in ten, and considerably increased in four patients. No correlation with the absolute number of lymphocytes, the percentage of spontaneous rosette-forming cells and immunoglobulin bearing lymphocytes was noted. Nor did ADCC correlate with age and clinical or histological classification.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic activity in patients with Hodgkin disease. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic activity (ADCC) of twenty-one previously treated patients (stage I--IV) with Hodgkin disease (HD) and eleven healthy controls was studied using specific antibody coated chicken erythrocyte target cells. Cytotoxicity was found to be normal in seven, slightly increased in ten, and considerably increased in four patients. No correlation with the absolute number of lymphocytes, the percentage of spontaneous rosette-forming cells and immunoglobulin bearing lymphocytes was noted. Nor did ADCC correlate with age and clinical or histological classification.", "PMID": 618055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2370", "title": "Effect of combined immunosuppressive-cytostatic treatment on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated in 25 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis before and after combined vinblastine-cyclophosphamide-6-mercaptopurine-prednisolone therapy. Purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients mediated normal killed activity before the treatment and a strong suppression of their cytotoxic capacity was observed after the therapy. The possible significance of the inhibitory effect of immunosuppressive cytostatic treatment on human antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of combined immunosuppressive-cytostatic treatment on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated in 25 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis before and after combined vinblastine-cyclophosphamide-6-mercaptopurine-prednisolone therapy. Purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients mediated normal killed activity before the treatment and a strong suppression of their cytotoxic capacity was observed after the therapy. The possible significance of the inhibitory effect of immunosuppressive cytostatic treatment on human antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity is discussed.", "PMID": 618056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2371", "title": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from fourty-six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was found to be reduced in two independent test systems. The percentage decrease in cytotoxicity was similar in the tests with allogeneic and xenogeneic targets and it was related to the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from fourty-six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was found to be reduced in two independent test systems. The percentage decrease in cytotoxicity was similar in the tests with allogeneic and xenogeneic targets and it was related to the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus.", "PMID": 618057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2372", "title": "Delta wave changes following attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia in WPW syndrome.", "content": "A case of WPW syndrome associated with recurrent attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia for 25 years, is reported. Vectorcardiograms recorded after an attack offered evidence of multiple anomalous pathways between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The high sensibility of the angle recording channels of the triaxicardiometer, i. e. the polar vectors, is considered to represent a factor essential in delta wave analysis.", "contents": "Delta wave changes following attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia in WPW syndrome. A case of WPW syndrome associated with recurrent attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia for 25 years, is reported. Vectorcardiograms recorded after an attack offered evidence of multiple anomalous pathways between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The high sensibility of the angle recording channels of the triaxicardiometer, i. e. the polar vectors, is considered to represent a factor essential in delta wave analysis.", "PMID": 618058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2373", "title": "Blood coagulation defect in Masugi nephritis.", "content": "The platelet count and the coagulation pattern have been studied on the basic of nine laboratory tests in Masugi nephritis of the delayed type. Platelet consumption was found to constitute the initial manifestation of Masugi nephritis. The prenephritic stage and the manifestation of nephritis were invariably associated with hypercoagulability, as reflected by a loss of the spontaneous fibrinolytic activity of plasma, together with an elevation of the fibrinogen level and an increase in maximal thrombus elasticity. At the onset of nephritis the platelet count declines again. The hypercoagulability is attributed to intravascular coagulation in the kidney.", "contents": "Blood coagulation defect in Masugi nephritis. The platelet count and the coagulation pattern have been studied on the basic of nine laboratory tests in Masugi nephritis of the delayed type. Platelet consumption was found to constitute the initial manifestation of Masugi nephritis. The prenephritic stage and the manifestation of nephritis were invariably associated with hypercoagulability, as reflected by a loss of the spontaneous fibrinolytic activity of plasma, together with an elevation of the fibrinogen level and an increase in maximal thrombus elasticity. At the onset of nephritis the platelet count declines again. The hypercoagulability is attributed to intravascular coagulation in the kidney.", "PMID": 618059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2374", "title": "[A 1-year study of a private pediatrician practicing in a Swiss urban center].", "content": "This paper represents a retrospective statistical study of the private activity of a pediatrician practicing in a Swiss urban center. The study ecompases one year (1974). 1325 infants and children were the object of 4665 contacts with the physician, an average of 3.5 contacts per child per year. These contacts were analyzed with regard to the reason why the contact was sought, to the kind of problem observed, to the precise diagnosis, including accessory diagnoses. These contacts wre also analyzed from the point of view of patient's age, nationality, and socio-economic group of the parents. The incidence of affective and behavioral problems, of referals to a consultant or to the hospital, and of requests for laboratory workup etc. was also studied. The suggestion is made that other similar, if possible prospective studies should be undertaken by pediatricians practicing in somewhat different conditions and in other areas of Switzerland. Such studies could be used to influence the teaching of pediatrics in Switzerland.", "contents": "[A 1-year study of a private pediatrician practicing in a Swiss urban center]. This paper represents a retrospective statistical study of the private activity of a pediatrician practicing in a Swiss urban center. The study ecompases one year (1974). 1325 infants and children were the object of 4665 contacts with the physician, an average of 3.5 contacts per child per year. These contacts were analyzed with regard to the reason why the contact was sought, to the kind of problem observed, to the precise diagnosis, including accessory diagnoses. These contacts wre also analyzed from the point of view of patient's age, nationality, and socio-economic group of the parents. The incidence of affective and behavioral problems, of referals to a consultant or to the hospital, and of requests for laboratory workup etc. was also studied. The suggestion is made that other similar, if possible prospective studies should be undertaken by pediatricians practicing in somewhat different conditions and in other areas of Switzerland. Such studies could be used to influence the teaching of pediatrics in Switzerland.", "PMID": 618077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2375", "title": "Cerebrospinal fluid and serum lysozyme activity in bacterial and viral meningitis.", "content": "Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum lysozyme concentrations were determined in infants and children with and without acute infectious disease of the central nervous system. Serum lysozyme values from patients with bacterial and viral meningitis were found within the normal range. Lysozyme activity was absent or very low (below 0.5 microgram/ml) in normal CSF. High levels (4-12 microgram/ml) in patients with viral meningitis. A decrease of the lysozyme activity coincided with the clinical improvement of the bacterial meningitis. The lysozyme activity in CSF should be of significant value in detecting an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.", "contents": "Cerebrospinal fluid and serum lysozyme activity in bacterial and viral meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum lysozyme concentrations were determined in infants and children with and without acute infectious disease of the central nervous system. Serum lysozyme values from patients with bacterial and viral meningitis were found within the normal range. Lysozyme activity was absent or very low (below 0.5 microgram/ml) in normal CSF. High levels (4-12 microgram/ml) in patients with viral meningitis. A decrease of the lysozyme activity coincided with the clinical improvement of the bacterial meningitis. The lysozyme activity in CSF should be of significant value in detecting an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.", "PMID": 618078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2376", "title": "Principles of a full 'relay toxicity' experiment and results conducted with carbadox, a feed additive used as growth promoter for growing swine.", "content": "Relay toxicity is a new approach which permits an evaluation of the harmlessness of residues found in tissue, for the human consumer. Farm animals, swine for example, received high quantities of the additive over a long period. The swine were sacrificed without any withdrawal. Their meat and liver were added to the feed ration of laboratory animals to study the eventual problems of residue and metabolites. The following experiments were performed using carbadox:--Levels of carbadox up to 200 ppm were added to the swine ration (a maximum of 20 ppm is authorized). The meat and dehydrated liver were given in doses of 20% and 10% respectively, in the rat feed for 2 years or 3 generations.--The fresh meat, frozen then thawed at the time of use, was distributed to dogs daily for 7 1/2 years. No abnormalities were found, either in the growth of the animals or in their descendants. No abnormalities were observed macroscopically or microscopically after sacrifice. Relay toxicity gives high coefficients of security when the additive is used without withdrawal up to the time of sacrifice. This study demonstrated that the use of carbadox in swine doesn't present any disadvantage to the human consumer.", "contents": "Principles of a full 'relay toxicity' experiment and results conducted with carbadox, a feed additive used as growth promoter for growing swine. Relay toxicity is a new approach which permits an evaluation of the harmlessness of residues found in tissue, for the human consumer. Farm animals, swine for example, received high quantities of the additive over a long period. The swine were sacrificed without any withdrawal. Their meat and liver were added to the feed ration of laboratory animals to study the eventual problems of residue and metabolites. The following experiments were performed using carbadox:--Levels of carbadox up to 200 ppm were added to the swine ration (a maximum of 20 ppm is authorized). The meat and dehydrated liver were given in doses of 20% and 10% respectively, in the rat feed for 2 years or 3 generations.--The fresh meat, frozen then thawed at the time of use, was distributed to dogs daily for 7 1/2 years. No abnormalities were found, either in the growth of the animals or in their descendants. No abnormalities were observed macroscopically or microscopically after sacrifice. Relay toxicity gives high coefficients of security when the additive is used without withdrawal up to the time of sacrifice. This study demonstrated that the use of carbadox in swine doesn't present any disadvantage to the human consumer.", "PMID": 618073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2377", "title": "[The Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (myotonia chondrodystrophica)].", "content": "Report on three siblings with typical features of Schwartz-Jampel's syndrome which is transmitted by a rare autosomal recessive gene: odd facies, stiff posture, high pitched voice, myotonic reaction, Perthes-like dysplasia of the femoral head. Biochemical and histological findings are minimal and nonspecific.", "contents": "[The Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (myotonia chondrodystrophica)]. Report on three siblings with typical features of Schwartz-Jampel's syndrome which is transmitted by a rare autosomal recessive gene: odd facies, stiff posture, high pitched voice, myotonic reaction, Perthes-like dysplasia of the femoral head. Biochemical and histological findings are minimal and nonspecific.", "PMID": 618079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2378", "title": "Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of caecal displacement in calves fed reconstituted milk.", "content": "On the basis of a large number of cases the occurrence of displacement of the caecum is reported in calves fed reconstituted milk. This displacement, a classification of which is given, occurs with the movement of the caecum into the left half of the abdomen in contrast to what occurs in animals fed a different diet. After a description of the various clinical and diagnostic aspects, details are given of the surgical technique used for treatment, and an aetiopathogenic hypothesis is formulated to explain the disease process.", "contents": "Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of caecal displacement in calves fed reconstituted milk. On the basis of a large number of cases the occurrence of displacement of the caecum is reported in calves fed reconstituted milk. This displacement, a classification of which is given, occurs with the movement of the caecum into the left half of the abdomen in contrast to what occurs in animals fed a different diet. After a description of the various clinical and diagnostic aspects, details are given of the surgical technique used for treatment, and an aetiopathogenic hypothesis is formulated to explain the disease process.", "PMID": 618074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2379", "title": "Cyclical variations in the excretion of intestinal coccidial oocysts in the rabbit.", "content": "Faecal oocyst counts during subclinical intestinal coccidiosis demonstrated clear correlations between the parasite levels in the does and those in their respective litters. In the does, pregnancy did not seem to have an effect on the course of infection, whereas the effect of season was much greater. Intestinal coccidiosis was found in all the young rabbits examined from the start of the third week of life. However, after a phase of great fluctuation in the parasite levels in the faeces, a phase which extended over the initial period of weaning, the infection tended to become stabilized at extremely moderate levels that permitted an optimum state of health and high productivity.", "contents": "Cyclical variations in the excretion of intestinal coccidial oocysts in the rabbit. Faecal oocyst counts during subclinical intestinal coccidiosis demonstrated clear correlations between the parasite levels in the does and those in their respective litters. In the does, pregnancy did not seem to have an effect on the course of infection, whereas the effect of season was much greater. Intestinal coccidiosis was found in all the young rabbits examined from the start of the third week of life. However, after a phase of great fluctuation in the parasite levels in the faeces, a phase which extended over the initial period of weaning, the infection tended to become stabilized at extremely moderate levels that permitted an optimum state of health and high productivity.", "PMID": 618075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2380", "title": "Evaluation of a photoluminescence technique for the detection of gunshot residue.", "content": "More than 170 gunshot residue samples were analyzed by the inorganic luminescence technique to assess various factors affecting the utility of this and similar methods of elemental gunshot residue detection. Indoor firings consistently produced more residue in samples than did outdoor firings. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of activity after firing on the ability to subsequently detect residue in samples. It was shown that residue can be transferred from hand to hand and can be detected in pockets under suitable conditions. Antimony, when present in the ammunition, was found to be the most useful indicator for the presence of residue, in that nearly all firings resulted in more Sb than was found in any of 45 handblank analyses obtained in these studies. Data obtained with a .32 pistol suggest that Sb normally exceeds environmental levels when residue is collected from the hand following delays up to several hours after firing. However, it will rarely exceed the currently used threshold levels of 0.1 to 0.2 microgram. Therefore, elemental analysis is best suited to screening applications for which threshold levels can be greatly reduced.", "contents": "Evaluation of a photoluminescence technique for the detection of gunshot residue. More than 170 gunshot residue samples were analyzed by the inorganic luminescence technique to assess various factors affecting the utility of this and similar methods of elemental gunshot residue detection. Indoor firings consistently produced more residue in samples than did outdoor firings. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of activity after firing on the ability to subsequently detect residue in samples. It was shown that residue can be transferred from hand to hand and can be detected in pockets under suitable conditions. Antimony, when present in the ammunition, was found to be the most useful indicator for the presence of residue, in that nearly all firings resulted in more Sb than was found in any of 45 handblank analyses obtained in these studies. Data obtained with a .32 pistol suggest that Sb normally exceeds environmental levels when residue is collected from the hand following delays up to several hours after firing. However, it will rarely exceed the currently used threshold levels of 0.1 to 0.2 microgram. Therefore, elemental analysis is best suited to screening applications for which threshold levels can be greatly reduced.", "PMID": 618151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2381", "title": "The use of buffered celite columns in drug extraction techniques and their proposed application in forensic toxicology.", "content": "The recoveries of acidic, basic, and neutral drugs through buffered celite columns are reported. The methods are rapid, simple, clean, and efficient, especially with compounds having a high volatility.", "contents": "The use of buffered celite columns in drug extraction techniques and their proposed application in forensic toxicology. The recoveries of acidic, basic, and neutral drugs through buffered celite columns are reported. The methods are rapid, simple, clean, and efficient, especially with compounds having a high volatility.", "PMID": 618154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2382", "title": "Incidence of drugs and alcohol in fatally injured motor vehicle drivers.", "content": "All motor vehicle accident fatalities occuring in Dallas County during a 1 1/2-year period were studied to determine drug usage at the time of death. Blood samples obtained at autopsy or at the time of hospital admission were analyzed for the presence of drugs and alcohol. Of the drivers, 70% were positive for alcohol or drugs. Ethyl alcohol alone was detected in 52%, drugs in 9%, and both drugs and alcohol in another 9%. Seventy-six percent of the drivers determined to be at fault in their respective accidents had alcohol or drugs detected compared to 41% for not-at-fault drivers. The minor tranquilizer diazepam accounted for over half of all positive drug findings, while barbiturates, antihistamines, methaqualone, propoxyphene, and pentazocine were each detected in more than one instance.", "contents": "Incidence of drugs and alcohol in fatally injured motor vehicle drivers. All motor vehicle accident fatalities occuring in Dallas County during a 1 1/2-year period were studied to determine drug usage at the time of death. Blood samples obtained at autopsy or at the time of hospital admission were analyzed for the presence of drugs and alcohol. Of the drivers, 70% were positive for alcohol or drugs. Ethyl alcohol alone was detected in 52%, drugs in 9%, and both drugs and alcohol in another 9%. Seventy-six percent of the drivers determined to be at fault in their respective accidents had alcohol or drugs detected compared to 41% for not-at-fault drivers. The minor tranquilizer diazepam accounted for over half of all positive drug findings, while barbiturates, antihistamines, methaqualone, propoxyphene, and pentazocine were each detected in more than one instance.", "PMID": 618155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2383", "title": "Cocaine-related death.", "content": "Cocaine use and abuse, an ancient custom, is once again commonplace. While severe toxicity appears to be rare, overt poisoning including death can occur. This report documents nine cases of death associated with cocaine use; in three of these cocaine appears to be causative. Toxicologic analysis of body fluids and tissues was affirmative and levels are reported. Cocaine should be considered in serious drug overdose-reactions, especially after illicit injection.", "contents": "Cocaine-related death. Cocaine use and abuse, an ancient custom, is once again commonplace. While severe toxicity appears to be rare, overt poisoning including death can occur. This report documents nine cases of death associated with cocaine use; in three of these cocaine appears to be causative. Toxicologic analysis of body fluids and tissues was affirmative and levels are reported. Cocaine should be considered in serious drug overdose-reactions, especially after illicit injection.", "PMID": 618156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2384", "title": "Estimation of stature in children from radiographically determined metacarpal length.", "content": "Whether radiographically determined second metacarpal diaphyseal length could provide a reliable estimator of stature in children was investigated. The data consist of measurements of stature and 1597 left hand-wrist radiographs of children from 1 to 7 years of age from rural Guatemala. The errors in estimating stature in children from metacarpal length are comparable to those from equations estimating stature from long bones. It is concluded that second metacarpal length may be a reliable and practicable referent for the estimation of stature in children.", "contents": "Estimation of stature in children from radiographically determined metacarpal length. Whether radiographically determined second metacarpal diaphyseal length could provide a reliable estimator of stature in children was investigated. The data consist of measurements of stature and 1597 left hand-wrist radiographs of children from 1 to 7 years of age from rural Guatemala. The errors in estimating stature in children from metacarpal length are comparable to those from equations estimating stature from long bones. It is concluded that second metacarpal length may be a reliable and practicable referent for the estimation of stature in children.", "PMID": 618162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2385", "title": "[Onset of menarche in Skopje. (Comparative studies on 22,727 women up to the 6th decade of age)].", "content": "Studies of menarche in Skopje have shown that its secular trend is significantly more pronounced in younger than in older generations. While in the young it amounts to 2.5--3 months per decade, in the elderly it is up to one month per decade. The total acceleration in the course of this century has proved to be 13.5 months. The earliest menarche was recorded in Romanies (13.46 +/- 0.92), the latest in Albanians (14.05 +/- 1.22), while Macedonian girls are somewhere in--between, along with other nationalities (14.0 +/- 1.40). Menarche proved to appear earlier in girls from very well-to-do families (13.95 +/- 1.36) than in those from families with a very low income (14.19 +/- 1.43). The latest beginning of the menstruation has been recorded in girls from peasant families (14.38 +/- 1.17). Sporadic repeated investigations of this king in different parts of the country, by using a more modern \"status quo\" method, appear necessary in order to determine differences in the menarcheal age in the country as a whole and to shed more ligh on their underlying causes.", "contents": "[Onset of menarche in Skopje. (Comparative studies on 22,727 women up to the 6th decade of age)]. Studies of menarche in Skopje have shown that its secular trend is significantly more pronounced in younger than in older generations. While in the young it amounts to 2.5--3 months per decade, in the elderly it is up to one month per decade. The total acceleration in the course of this century has proved to be 13.5 months. The earliest menarche was recorded in Romanies (13.46 +/- 0.92), the latest in Albanians (14.05 +/- 1.22), while Macedonian girls are somewhere in--between, along with other nationalities (14.0 +/- 1.40). Menarche proved to appear earlier in girls from very well-to-do families (13.95 +/- 1.36) than in those from families with a very low income (14.19 +/- 1.43). The latest beginning of the menstruation has been recorded in girls from peasant families (14.38 +/- 1.17). Sporadic repeated investigations of this king in different parts of the country, by using a more modern \"status quo\" method, appear necessary in order to determine differences in the menarcheal age in the country as a whole and to shed more ligh on their underlying causes.", "PMID": 618164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2386", "title": "[Ability to conceive after intentional interruption of intrauterine contraception].", "content": "Out of 3415 first insertions, the intrauterine contraceptive device was removed in 152 women (4.45%) owing to planned pregnancy. Nineteen cases dropped out of evidence, so that 133 remained for further analysis. Out of these 133 women, 120 (90.23%) became pregnant, the reamining 13 (9.77%) did not. In the first three months following the removal of the intrauterine contraceptive device, 77 women 57.89% conceived, 3--6 months after the removal 22 (16.54%), 6--12 months 18 (13.53%), and after one year 3 women (2.26%) were recorded pregnant. The ability to conceive is analysed according to the age of the women surveyed, the length of the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices, and the number of previous births and abortions. It is concluded that the use of intrauterine contraception has no influence on the later ability and speed of conception and that, for this reason, this contraception method could be considered fully reversible.", "contents": "[Ability to conceive after intentional interruption of intrauterine contraception]. Out of 3415 first insertions, the intrauterine contraceptive device was removed in 152 women (4.45%) owing to planned pregnancy. Nineteen cases dropped out of evidence, so that 133 remained for further analysis. Out of these 133 women, 120 (90.23%) became pregnant, the reamining 13 (9.77%) did not. In the first three months following the removal of the intrauterine contraceptive device, 77 women 57.89% conceived, 3--6 months after the removal 22 (16.54%), 6--12 months 18 (13.53%), and after one year 3 women (2.26%) were recorded pregnant. The ability to conceive is analysed according to the age of the women surveyed, the length of the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices, and the number of previous births and abortions. It is concluded that the use of intrauterine contraception has no influence on the later ability and speed of conception and that, for this reason, this contraception method could be considered fully reversible.", "PMID": 618165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2387", "title": "[Relationship between the activity of alanine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase in the blood of pregnant women].", "content": "The determination of the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP)--orthophosphate-monoesterphosphohydrolase, EC.3.1.3.1.--and alanine-aminopeptidase (ANA)--alpha-aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (microsomal), EC.3.4.11.2--in the serum of non-gravid and gravid women has shown that in non-gravid women normal ANA values range from 17.0 to 32.0 I. U. and normal AP values from 14.4 to 26.0 I. U., the ANA/AP quotient amounting to 1.28 (S = +/- 0.301 I. U., KV = 23.5%, n = 29). The determination of the activity of the above quoted enzymes has shown that in the course of pregnancy the values of both enzymes increased by the exponential curve which allowed the calculation of the ANA/AP quotient for each month of pregnancy. The ANA/AP quotient determined in this way is proposed to serve as a diagnostic parameter in the routine control of pregnant women.", "contents": "[Relationship between the activity of alanine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase in the blood of pregnant women]. The determination of the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP)--orthophosphate-monoesterphosphohydrolase, EC.3.1.3.1.--and alanine-aminopeptidase (ANA)--alpha-aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (microsomal), EC.3.4.11.2--in the serum of non-gravid and gravid women has shown that in non-gravid women normal ANA values range from 17.0 to 32.0 I. U. and normal AP values from 14.4 to 26.0 I. U., the ANA/AP quotient amounting to 1.28 (S = +/- 0.301 I. U., KV = 23.5%, n = 29). The determination of the activity of the above quoted enzymes has shown that in the course of pregnancy the values of both enzymes increased by the exponential curve which allowed the calculation of the ANA/AP quotient for each month of pregnancy. The ANA/AP quotient determined in this way is proposed to serve as a diagnostic parameter in the routine control of pregnant women.", "PMID": 618166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2388", "title": "[Premature rupture of fetal membranes and intra-amnionic infection].", "content": "Although the group under study was small (90 cases) but compared with the control group of the same size it did reveal some facts: 1. The duration of labour was much shorter (by 8 hours on the average) in the control than in the study group. 2. The result of the assessment of the condition of children by the Apgar score was somewhat better in the control group, which is understandable with regard to the subsequent delivery course in the group of children with a premature bursting of the bag of waters. 3. The percentage of directed labour in the group under study was significantly higher (60%). 4. Surgical completion of labour in the study group (10%) was more frequent than in the control group (4.4%). Breech presentation was observed only in the study group (5.5%) which corroborates the old rule that in any premature bursting of the bag of waters, along with all kinds of delivery complications, also the cephalopelvic disproportion and some irregular presentation of the fetus in labour should be expected. 5. Although in the premature bursting of the bag of waters the duration of labour is longer (14 hours and 19 minutes) than in the control group (5 hours and 40 minutes), no more frequent infection, either in newborns or mothers, has been observed.", "contents": "[Premature rupture of fetal membranes and intra-amnionic infection]. Although the group under study was small (90 cases) but compared with the control group of the same size it did reveal some facts: 1. The duration of labour was much shorter (by 8 hours on the average) in the control than in the study group. 2. The result of the assessment of the condition of children by the Apgar score was somewhat better in the control group, which is understandable with regard to the subsequent delivery course in the group of children with a premature bursting of the bag of waters. 3. The percentage of directed labour in the group under study was significantly higher (60%). 4. Surgical completion of labour in the study group (10%) was more frequent than in the control group (4.4%). Breech presentation was observed only in the study group (5.5%) which corroborates the old rule that in any premature bursting of the bag of waters, along with all kinds of delivery complications, also the cephalopelvic disproportion and some irregular presentation of the fetus in labour should be expected. 5. Although in the premature bursting of the bag of waters the duration of labour is longer (14 hours and 19 minutes) than in the control group (5 hours and 40 minutes), no more frequent infection, either in newborns or mothers, has been observed.", "PMID": 618167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2389", "title": "[First spontaneous micturation in early puerperium].", "content": "The time of the first spontaneous miction after delivery was analysed in 500 primiparae and 500 multiparae, all of them having had a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery. In none of them the first miction was recorded before the fourth hour following labour. In the first six hours, spontaneous miction was recorded in 16.6% of multiparae and 8.4% primiparae, up to 12 hours following labour in 99.6% multiparae and 51.4% primiparae. The latest appearance of miction in multiparae was recorded 22 hours after labour and in primiparae 32 hours after labour. The catheter was not employed in any single case. In the author's opinion, the primiparae is the protracted labour which reversibly or functionally impairs the urinary bladder.", "contents": "[First spontaneous micturation in early puerperium]. The time of the first spontaneous miction after delivery was analysed in 500 primiparae and 500 multiparae, all of them having had a normal pregnancy and a normal delivery. In none of them the first miction was recorded before the fourth hour following labour. In the first six hours, spontaneous miction was recorded in 16.6% of multiparae and 8.4% primiparae, up to 12 hours following labour in 99.6% multiparae and 51.4% primiparae. The latest appearance of miction in multiparae was recorded 22 hours after labour and in primiparae 32 hours after labour. The catheter was not employed in any single case. In the author's opinion, the primiparae is the protracted labour which reversibly or functionally impairs the urinary bladder.", "PMID": 618168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2390", "title": "[Leiomyosarcoma uteri].", "content": "The authors present a 55-year-old patient with leiomyosarcoma uteri who died six months after surgical and subsequent radiation therapy. They point out difficulties in diagnosing the disease owing to a very scarce symptomatology. The fast growth of the myoma is considered very symptomatic of a malign alteration. In the patient presented, in only eight months, a slightly myomatously increased uterus gew to the size of two male fists.", "contents": "[Leiomyosarcoma uteri]. The authors present a 55-year-old patient with leiomyosarcoma uteri who died six months after surgical and subsequent radiation therapy. They point out difficulties in diagnosing the disease owing to a very scarce symptomatology. The fast growth of the myoma is considered very symptomatic of a malign alteration. In the patient presented, in only eight months, a slightly myomatously increased uterus gew to the size of two male fists.", "PMID": 618169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2391", "title": "[Intra-abdominal bleeding due to the rupture of the corpus luteum].", "content": "A total of 28 patients with extensive intraabdominal bleeding caused by the rupture of the corpus luteum in the period from 1961 to 1970 were analysed. In all of them the ovarian lesion was pathohistologically verified. Most of the patients (15) had never been pregnant. In all the patients the rupture occurred in the second half of the cycle. None of them developed any serious hyin 3 patients. A wrong preoperative diagnosis was established in all the patients Its intensity depended directly on the amount of the blood observed in the abdominal cavity. Still active bleeding was found in 8 patients. In 20 patients surgery was applied within 24 hours, in 5 within 48 hours, and in 3 it was delayed 4 days. Oophorectomy was performed in 10, resection of the ovary in 15, and adnexectomy in 3 patients. A wrong preoperative diagnosis was established in all the patients presented.", "contents": "[Intra-abdominal bleeding due to the rupture of the corpus luteum]. A total of 28 patients with extensive intraabdominal bleeding caused by the rupture of the corpus luteum in the period from 1961 to 1970 were analysed. In all of them the ovarian lesion was pathohistologically verified. Most of the patients (15) had never been pregnant. In all the patients the rupture occurred in the second half of the cycle. None of them developed any serious hyin 3 patients. A wrong preoperative diagnosis was established in all the patients Its intensity depended directly on the amount of the blood observed in the abdominal cavity. Still active bleeding was found in 8 patients. In 20 patients surgery was applied within 24 hours, in 5 within 48 hours, and in 3 it was delayed 4 days. Oophorectomy was performed in 10, resection of the ovary in 15, and adnexectomy in 3 patients. A wrong preoperative diagnosis was established in all the patients presented.", "PMID": 618170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2392", "title": "[Acute edema of the uterine cervix in pregnancy].", "content": "A case of the acute edema of the uterine cervix in a woman in the ninth lunar month of pregnancy is described. The cervix was the size of a fist, livid, succulent, with a slightly bloody discharge. No other objective or subjective disorders were obserevd. The swelling disappeared after seven days of rest and antibiotic therapy.", "contents": "[Acute edema of the uterine cervix in pregnancy]. A case of the acute edema of the uterine cervix in a woman in the ninth lunar month of pregnancy is described. The cervix was the size of a fist, livid, succulent, with a slightly bloody discharge. No other objective or subjective disorders were obserevd. The swelling disappeared after seven days of rest and antibiotic therapy.", "PMID": 618171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2393", "title": "[Chemotherapy of malignant tumors in gynecology].", "content": "Chemotherapy is routinely applied in a number of malign tumours of female genital organs, primarily in the tumours of the trophoblast and ovarian carcinoma. Its use is often in discord with the present-day konwledge, either in the choice of cytostatics and the optimal time of application or in the combination of different drugs and their dosage. A brief review is given of the basic aspects of cellular biology, of the characteristics of normal and tumour cells, and the principles underlying present-day chemotherapy. Cytostatics having proved particularly effective in the treatment of gynecological tumours are listed separately, along with their daily and total doses and the toxic effects they produce. Also the most frequent schemes for polychemotherapy are presented. Except for the treatment of choriocarcinoma, chemotherapy in gynecology is still the auxiliary method, and for this reason it should be rendered accordant with the classical treatment by radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy is developing very rapidly and what at present is considered peripheral may become of prime importance tomorrow. An all-round plan in the therapy of genital carcinoma can be established only in institutions in which teams of related experts monitor all advances in this field.", "contents": "[Chemotherapy of malignant tumors in gynecology]. Chemotherapy is routinely applied in a number of malign tumours of female genital organs, primarily in the tumours of the trophoblast and ovarian carcinoma. Its use is often in discord with the present-day konwledge, either in the choice of cytostatics and the optimal time of application or in the combination of different drugs and their dosage. A brief review is given of the basic aspects of cellular biology, of the characteristics of normal and tumour cells, and the principles underlying present-day chemotherapy. Cytostatics having proved particularly effective in the treatment of gynecological tumours are listed separately, along with their daily and total doses and the toxic effects they produce. Also the most frequent schemes for polychemotherapy are presented. Except for the treatment of choriocarcinoma, chemotherapy in gynecology is still the auxiliary method, and for this reason it should be rendered accordant with the classical treatment by radiation and surgery. Chemotherapy is developing very rapidly and what at present is considered peripheral may become of prime importance tomorrow. An all-round plan in the therapy of genital carcinoma can be established only in institutions in which teams of related experts monitor all advances in this field.", "PMID": 618174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2394", "title": "[Suprapubic drainage of the urinary bladder].", "content": "The author describes the method of the suprapubic drainage of the urinary bladder by using the Snaider Urevac of the firm \"Zimmer\". In 20 patients all urinocultures sampled one and five days after the surgery were negative. The method involves no danger, it is simple and comfortable for the patient in comparison with the transurethral drainage. According to the initial experience of the author, the method of suprapubic drainage could be recommended for a more frequent use in the continuous drainage of the urine in the postoperative period of gynecological patients.", "contents": "[Suprapubic drainage of the urinary bladder]. The author describes the method of the suprapubic drainage of the urinary bladder by using the Snaider Urevac of the firm \"Zimmer\". In 20 patients all urinocultures sampled one and five days after the surgery were negative. The method involves no danger, it is simple and comfortable for the patient in comparison with the transurethral drainage. According to the initial experience of the author, the method of suprapubic drainage could be recommended for a more frequent use in the continuous drainage of the urine in the postoperative period of gynecological patients.", "PMID": 618175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2395", "title": "[Epidural analgesia--effect on the fetus and uterine activity].", "content": "The effect of continuous epidural analgesia on the fetus, newborn, and uterine activity was studied in a group of 50 parturients. No untoward effects, either in the fetus or uterine activity, that could be ascribed to this procedure, were observed. The authors use their own modicifation of the epidural block by titrating the amount of the local anesthetic according to the intensity of pain in labour.", "contents": "[Epidural analgesia--effect on the fetus and uterine activity]. The effect of continuous epidural analgesia on the fetus, newborn, and uterine activity was studied in a group of 50 parturients. No untoward effects, either in the fetus or uterine activity, that could be ascribed to this procedure, were observed. The authors use their own modicifation of the epidural block by titrating the amount of the local anesthetic according to the intensity of pain in labour.", "PMID": 618177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2396", "title": "[Role of the partogram in the modern conduction of labor].", "content": "The authors present an original partogram showing the course of labour. The partogram consists of three parts. Its back first contains columns for general data, the position of the fetus, the results of amnioscopy and prepartal cardiotocography with the oxytocin test. The second part contains data on the progressed dilatation of the uterine cervix, the condition of the bag of waters, the quality of the amnionic fluid, uterine contractions, and he results of the pH-metry and the interpretation of cardiotocography in the course of labour. The third part contains the diagnosis of delivery and the newborn's vital symptoms. Six partograms of women with different characteristics and different pathologic conditions are presented. The authors underline the simple way of composing and using the partogram, as well as the benefit deriving from it, especially when several labours are conducted at the same time.", "contents": "[Role of the partogram in the modern conduction of labor]. The authors present an original partogram showing the course of labour. The partogram consists of three parts. Its back first contains columns for general data, the position of the fetus, the results of amnioscopy and prepartal cardiotocography with the oxytocin test. The second part contains data on the progressed dilatation of the uterine cervix, the condition of the bag of waters, the quality of the amnionic fluid, uterine contractions, and he results of the pH-metry and the interpretation of cardiotocography in the course of labour. The third part contains the diagnosis of delivery and the newborn's vital symptoms. Six partograms of women with different characteristics and different pathologic conditions are presented. The authors underline the simple way of composing and using the partogram, as well as the benefit deriving from it, especially when several labours are conducted at the same time.", "PMID": 618178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2397", "title": "[Conization of the portio by Kullander's method].", "content": "The author presents his experience goined in performing 100 conizations after the modified Scott-Burghardt bloodless method reported by Kullander. In this whole series only one case of more serious postoperative bleeding (solved by electrocagulation) was recorded. Time advantages of the method over the previously used Sturmdorf method of conization with the plastic surgery of the portion are emphasized.", "contents": "[Conization of the portio by Kullander's method]. The author presents his experience goined in performing 100 conizations after the modified Scott-Burghardt bloodless method reported by Kullander. In this whole series only one case of more serious postoperative bleeding (solved by electrocagulation) was recorded. Time advantages of the method over the previously used Sturmdorf method of conization with the plastic surgery of the portion are emphasized.", "PMID": 618179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2398", "title": "[Whole-body retention studies of 169Yb-citrate.--Estimation of radiation dose to humans from 169Yb-citrate (author's transl)].", "content": "For purpose of the estimation of the radiation dose to humans from 169Yb-citrate, the whole-body retention studies using five rats were carried out. Following intravenous administration of 169Yb-citrate, the whole-body activity was monitored for 40 days by the animal counter. The whole-body retention curve consisted of three components: the first with a 3.6 hours effective half-time, the second with an 154 hours effective half-time and the third with a 29.9 days effective half-time. Therefore it was assumed that 32% of the administered 169Yb-citrate clears from the kidney with a short biologic half-time (3.6hours), 18% remains in the liver and other soft tissues with a relatively long biologic half-time (194 hours) and 50% remains in the bone with a long biologic half-time (850 days). Based on these biological data and the MIRD Committe method, the average dose to the bone and whole-body were 20.8 rads/mCi and 4.5 rads/mCi respectively.", "contents": "[Whole-body retention studies of 169Yb-citrate.--Estimation of radiation dose to humans from 169Yb-citrate (author's transl)]. For purpose of the estimation of the radiation dose to humans from 169Yb-citrate, the whole-body retention studies using five rats were carried out. Following intravenous administration of 169Yb-citrate, the whole-body activity was monitored for 40 days by the animal counter. The whole-body retention curve consisted of three components: the first with a 3.6 hours effective half-time, the second with an 154 hours effective half-time and the third with a 29.9 days effective half-time. Therefore it was assumed that 32% of the administered 169Yb-citrate clears from the kidney with a short biologic half-time (3.6hours), 18% remains in the liver and other soft tissues with a relatively long biologic half-time (194 hours) and 50% remains in the bone with a long biologic half-time (850 days). Based on these biological data and the MIRD Committe method, the average dose to the bone and whole-body were 20.8 rads/mCi and 4.5 rads/mCi respectively.", "PMID": 618187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2399", "title": "[Clinical application of extracellular fluid measurement using 35S-sodium sulfate (author's transl)].", "content": "ECF (extracellular fluid volume) was measured by 35S-sodium sulfate and the same time value of PV (plasma volume) was determined by 131I-RISA in each subject. In normal ECF was an average of 181 ml/kg, 6.21 l/m2 and PV was 49.1 ml/kg, 1.69 l/m2. Both values of ECF and PV in essential hypertension were almost the same as those in normal. In congestive heart failure ECF was 232 ml/kg, 7.51 l/m2 and PV was 55.8 ml/kg, 1.80 l/m2. In the patients with ascites or edema, ECF was 256 ml/kg, 8.69 l/m2 and PV was 53.0 ml/kg, 1.79 l/m2. The results of the measurement by the two compounds also corresponded to the conditions of the patients who showed electrolytes disorders (ACTH deficiency, SIADH) and was improved by treatment.", "contents": "[Clinical application of extracellular fluid measurement using 35S-sodium sulfate (author's transl)]. ECF (extracellular fluid volume) was measured by 35S-sodium sulfate and the same time value of PV (plasma volume) was determined by 131I-RISA in each subject. In normal ECF was an average of 181 ml/kg, 6.21 l/m2 and PV was 49.1 ml/kg, 1.69 l/m2. Both values of ECF and PV in essential hypertension were almost the same as those in normal. In congestive heart failure ECF was 232 ml/kg, 7.51 l/m2 and PV was 55.8 ml/kg, 1.80 l/m2. In the patients with ascites or edema, ECF was 256 ml/kg, 8.69 l/m2 and PV was 53.0 ml/kg, 1.79 l/m2. The results of the measurement by the two compounds also corresponded to the conditions of the patients who showed electrolytes disorders (ACTH deficiency, SIADH) and was improved by treatment.", "PMID": 618188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2400", "title": "[General problems in long-surviving experimental animals following complete heart replacement].", "content": "Total heart replacement was performed in 7 calves. All animals were alive at 3 weeks, and four survived more than 2 months up to 121 days. Failure of the pumping equipment was responsible for death in each case. At autopsy increase both in size of the right atrium and of liver weight and evidence of thromboembolism were regular findings.", "contents": "[General problems in long-surviving experimental animals following complete heart replacement]. Total heart replacement was performed in 7 calves. All animals were alive at 3 weeks, and four survived more than 2 months up to 121 days. Failure of the pumping equipment was responsible for death in each case. At autopsy increase both in size of the right atrium and of liver weight and evidence of thromboembolism were regular findings.", "PMID": 618287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2401", "title": "[Distribution and causes of injuries in seat belt-wearing automobile passengers].", "content": "We analized 71 car head-on collisions with 100 persons involved wearing seat belts. All 31 passengers with faulty belt function (group II) suffered injuries, 7 of them fatal. 69 passengers with correct belt function were only slightly injured if at all (group I). The majority of the injuries in group I are those of the chest and lower extremities, in group II, however, of the head and lower extremities. The \"absolute degree of trauma\" revealed the maximal extent of trauma for group II in the region of head, chest and pelvis/abdomen. Increased deformation of the vehicle results in an increase of severe injuries especially in passengers of group II.", "contents": "[Distribution and causes of injuries in seat belt-wearing automobile passengers]. We analized 71 car head-on collisions with 100 persons involved wearing seat belts. All 31 passengers with faulty belt function (group II) suffered injuries, 7 of them fatal. 69 passengers with correct belt function were only slightly injured if at all (group I). The majority of the injuries in group I are those of the chest and lower extremities, in group II, however, of the head and lower extremities. The \"absolute degree of trauma\" revealed the maximal extent of trauma for group II in the region of head, chest and pelvis/abdomen. Increased deformation of the vehicle results in an increase of severe injuries especially in passengers of group II.", "PMID": 618288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2402", "title": "[Clinical and biometric studies of the adaptive response of shock parameters in patients with multiple injuries and its prognostic significance].", "content": "In 35 patients with multiple injuries hemodynamic and renal function parameters measured early after trauma were analysed by biometric methods. Statistically significant prognostic results and differences in the cybernetic behaviour could be demonstrated.", "contents": "[Clinical and biometric studies of the adaptive response of shock parameters in patients with multiple injuries and its prognostic significance]. In 35 patients with multiple injuries hemodynamic and renal function parameters measured early after trauma were analysed by biometric methods. Statistically significant prognostic results and differences in the cybernetic behaviour could be demonstrated.", "PMID": 618289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2403", "title": "[Cardiovascular parameters following severe multiple injuries].", "content": "Cardiovascular parameters of 35 patients with multiple injuries are monitored over a period of 7 days. Pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, intrapulmonary shunts and cardiac output appear to have a significant prognostic value.", "contents": "[Cardiovascular parameters following severe multiple injuries]. Cardiovascular parameters of 35 patients with multiple injuries are monitored over a period of 7 days. Pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, intrapulmonary shunts and cardiac output appear to have a significant prognostic value.", "PMID": 618290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2404", "title": "[Comparative study of energy metabolism of the skeletal muscles in man, dogs and rats during long-term ischemia].", "content": "A comparative investigation was made on muscle tissue of man, dog and rat during ischemia of five hours duration. The content of energy rich phosphates was measured. The ATP level decreased after two hours ischemia to 68% in man, to 45% in the dog, and to 23% in the rat. By five hours it had fallen further to 25% in man, 9% in the dog and only 1% in the rat. It is concluded that human muscle has a higher tolerance to ischemia.", "contents": "[Comparative study of energy metabolism of the skeletal muscles in man, dogs and rats during long-term ischemia]. A comparative investigation was made on muscle tissue of man, dog and rat during ischemia of five hours duration. The content of energy rich phosphates was measured. The ATP level decreased after two hours ischemia to 68% in man, to 45% in the dog, and to 23% in the rat. By five hours it had fallen further to 25% in man, 9% in the dog and only 1% in the rat. It is concluded that human muscle has a higher tolerance to ischemia.", "PMID": 618291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2405", "title": "[Changes in liver metabolism following a standardized skin burn and intraperitoneal injection of a burn toxin isolated from burned mice skin. Studies on rat liver using isolation perfusion].", "content": "Parameters of liver metabolism were studied in the isolated perfused rat liver 5 days after a standard skin burn or an i.p. injection of a specific cutaneous burn toxin. Decreased values of the energy quotient ATP/ADP compared with normal controls were found. The absolute content of adenonucleotides was unchanged. The excretion of glucose and urea was also decreased in both groups and glucose synthesis after a lactate load was only slightly stimulated. The results show a direct influence of a burn toxin on hepatic metabolism suggesting a possible disturbance of oxydative phosphorylation.", "contents": "[Changes in liver metabolism following a standardized skin burn and intraperitoneal injection of a burn toxin isolated from burned mice skin. Studies on rat liver using isolation perfusion]. Parameters of liver metabolism were studied in the isolated perfused rat liver 5 days after a standard skin burn or an i.p. injection of a specific cutaneous burn toxin. Decreased values of the energy quotient ATP/ADP compared with normal controls were found. The absolute content of adenonucleotides was unchanged. The excretion of glucose and urea was also decreased in both groups and glucose synthesis after a lactate load was only slightly stimulated. The results show a direct influence of a burn toxin on hepatic metabolism suggesting a possible disturbance of oxydative phosphorylation.", "PMID": 618292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2406", "title": "[Comparative transmission and scanning electron microscopy studies of liver changes in mice followed sublethal skin burns and intraperitoneal injection of a specific skin burn toxin].", "content": "Ultrastructural alterations of the liver were examined on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after a standard burn in mice. Our results can be divided pathogenetically into two groups: 1. Alterations explained by the primary thermal injury including electron-optically empty vacuoles and sinusendothelium destruction. 2. Alteration due to the influence of a specific burn toxin including mitochondrial changes and the formation of autophagic vacuoles. Evidence of this distinction was produced by a second investigation. Burn toxin isolated from the serum of severely burned patients was injected intraperitoneally (15 mg) into 4 mice. The livers were examined by electron microscopy on the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 14th day. Alterations described in 2 above were not observed in any case of this investigation series. The nature and timing of liver alterations were similar to those described in 2 above. In none of the cases were changes similar to those in 1 above observed.", "contents": "[Comparative transmission and scanning electron microscopy studies of liver changes in mice followed sublethal skin burns and intraperitoneal injection of a specific skin burn toxin]. Ultrastructural alterations of the liver were examined on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after a standard burn in mice. Our results can be divided pathogenetically into two groups: 1. Alterations explained by the primary thermal injury including electron-optically empty vacuoles and sinusendothelium destruction. 2. Alteration due to the influence of a specific burn toxin including mitochondrial changes and the formation of autophagic vacuoles. Evidence of this distinction was produced by a second investigation. Burn toxin isolated from the serum of severely burned patients was injected intraperitoneally (15 mg) into 4 mice. The livers were examined by electron microscopy on the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 14th day. Alterations described in 2 above were not observed in any case of this investigation series. The nature and timing of liver alterations were similar to those described in 2 above. In none of the cases were changes similar to those in 1 above observed.", "PMID": 618293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2407", "title": "[Angiographic studies of kidney failure in endotoxinemia].", "content": "Exogeneous endotoxaemia caused vasoconstriction of the juxtaglomerular arteries in otherwise healthy minipigs. This supports the view that reduced renal cortical blood flow in patients with liver disease can be caused by endotoxin. After portocaval anastomosis the efficacy of the liver RES to clear endotoxin was decreased due to the haemodynamic disorder. Thus, a dose of endotoxin, which was sublethal to healthy animals, became lethal owing to decreased RES-function. The increased endotoxin toxicity leads to a Shwartzman-Sanarelli-reaction. A dose of toxin which caused death in all animals with a portocaval shunt alone was not lethel in any animal in which an arterialization procedure was simultaneously performed, suggesting a possible improvement of RES function. These findings are of clinical importance for patients with renal failure in liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure. They suggest that endotoxaemia is of pathogenetic relevance in the development of functional renal failure.", "contents": "[Angiographic studies of kidney failure in endotoxinemia]. Exogeneous endotoxaemia caused vasoconstriction of the juxtaglomerular arteries in otherwise healthy minipigs. This supports the view that reduced renal cortical blood flow in patients with liver disease can be caused by endotoxin. After portocaval anastomosis the efficacy of the liver RES to clear endotoxin was decreased due to the haemodynamic disorder. Thus, a dose of endotoxin, which was sublethal to healthy animals, became lethal owing to decreased RES-function. The increased endotoxin toxicity leads to a Shwartzman-Sanarelli-reaction. A dose of toxin which caused death in all animals with a portocaval shunt alone was not lethel in any animal in which an arterialization procedure was simultaneously performed, suggesting a possible improvement of RES function. These findings are of clinical importance for patients with renal failure in liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure. They suggest that endotoxaemia is of pathogenetic relevance in the development of functional renal failure.", "PMID": 618294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2408", "title": "[The effect of portacaval anastomosis and liver arterialization on the oxygen supply of the normal and the cirrhotic liver].", "content": "The application of the Platinum-Multiwire Surface electrode for local oxygen determination permits the determination of microcirculatory changes in the normal and cirrhotic liver. The normal liver is capable of compensating for portal blood deprivation whereas in the cirrhotic liver shunting of portal blood leads to a striking hypoxia of the liver tissue. Lack of oxygen can be prevented by means of arterialization, but despite oxygen adaptation at the time of operation uncontrollable hyperoxygenation can occur as well.", "contents": "[The effect of portacaval anastomosis and liver arterialization on the oxygen supply of the normal and the cirrhotic liver]. The application of the Platinum-Multiwire Surface electrode for local oxygen determination permits the determination of microcirculatory changes in the normal and cirrhotic liver. The normal liver is capable of compensating for portal blood deprivation whereas in the cirrhotic liver shunting of portal blood leads to a striking hypoxia of the liver tissue. Lack of oxygen can be prevented by means of arterialization, but despite oxygen adaptation at the time of operation uncontrollable hyperoxygenation can occur as well.", "PMID": 618295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2409", "title": "[Liver blood flow studies using cineangiodensitometry].", "content": "In 12 anesthetized beagle dogs breathing spontaneously flow in the hepatic artery (168 ml/min + 10 SEM) and portal vein (576 ml/min +/- 20 SEM) was measured by means of angiodensitometry. Total hepatic blood flow (THBF) was 185 ml/100 g/min +/- 11 SEM. In our opinion this relatively high THBF depends upon the method used.", "contents": "[Liver blood flow studies using cineangiodensitometry]. In 12 anesthetized beagle dogs breathing spontaneously flow in the hepatic artery (168 ml/min + 10 SEM) and portal vein (576 ml/min +/- 20 SEM) was measured by means of angiodensitometry. Total hepatic blood flow (THBF) was 185 ml/100 g/min +/- 11 SEM. In our opinion this relatively high THBF depends upon the method used.", "PMID": 618296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2410", "title": "[Increased myocardial adenine nucleotides induced by adenosine].", "content": "The tissue of adenine nucleotides in the myocardium of rabbits, rats and dogs can be raised up to 40% by the infusion of adenosin. This increase is a function of the applied dose, the duration and the mode of application of adenosin; it does not result from the adenosin-induced reduction in cardiac work.", "contents": "[Increased myocardial adenine nucleotides induced by adenosine]. The tissue of adenine nucleotides in the myocardium of rabbits, rats and dogs can be raised up to 40% by the infusion of adenosin. This increase is a function of the applied dose, the duration and the mode of application of adenosin; it does not result from the adenosin-induced reduction in cardiac work.", "PMID": 618297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2411", "title": "[Functional studies of the cardia muscles in achalasia].", "content": "1. The mechanical properties - extension behaviour and ability to contract per muscle cross-section - were the same for healthy and aganglionic cardiac sphincter. 2. The acetyl choline threshold is higher in aganglionic muscle strips. The maximum effective acetyl choline dose (2 microgram/ml) remained the same. 3. Achalasia is characterized by a considerable reduction of adrenergic beta-receptor activity and alpha-receptor predominance.", "contents": "[Functional studies of the cardia muscles in achalasia]. 1. The mechanical properties - extension behaviour and ability to contract per muscle cross-section - were the same for healthy and aganglionic cardiac sphincter. 2. The acetyl choline threshold is higher in aganglionic muscle strips. The maximum effective acetyl choline dose (2 microgram/ml) remained the same. 3. Achalasia is characterized by a considerable reduction of adrenergic beta-receptor activity and alpha-receptor predominance.", "PMID": 618298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2412", "title": "[Studies of arterial blood flow of the stomach in the application of long-section esophagoplasty].", "content": "The individual supply areas of the stomach arteries are clearly shown by the technovit corrosion methods, angiography and measurement of the circulation by radioactive microspheres. All three methods prove that the right gastro-epiploic artery is capable of maintaining an adequate blood supply of the stomach including the critical fundus region.", "contents": "[Studies of arterial blood flow of the stomach in the application of long-section esophagoplasty]. The individual supply areas of the stomach arteries are clearly shown by the technovit corrosion methods, angiography and measurement of the circulation by radioactive microspheres. All three methods prove that the right gastro-epiploic artery is capable of maintaining an adequate blood supply of the stomach including the critical fundus region.", "PMID": 618299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2413", "title": "[An additional use of the small intestinal invagination valve].", "content": "Extensive small intestine resection (70--90%) as should be done after mesenteric infarction produces a chronic malabsorption syndrome with its consequences. Applying an invagination valve of the small intestine (Kock) and using the isoperistaltic modification, passage of the chyme is delayed and its resorption improved. A small intestine resection of 90% was done in 8 mongrel dogs. After an average of 2--3 months an obvious cachexia as well as a steatorrhea could be observed. By adapting an isoperistaltic small intestine invagination valve near the colon weight reduction could be stopped during another 6 months and the steatorrhea disappeared No ileus occured.", "contents": "[An additional use of the small intestinal invagination valve]. Extensive small intestine resection (70--90%) as should be done after mesenteric infarction produces a chronic malabsorption syndrome with its consequences. Applying an invagination valve of the small intestine (Kock) and using the isoperistaltic modification, passage of the chyme is delayed and its resorption improved. A small intestine resection of 90% was done in 8 mongrel dogs. After an average of 2--3 months an obvious cachexia as well as a steatorrhea could be observed. By adapting an isoperistaltic small intestine invagination valve near the colon weight reduction could be stopped during another 6 months and the steatorrhea disappeared No ileus occured.", "PMID": 618300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2414", "title": "[Radioactive microsphere studies of stomach wall blood flow in dogs following truncular vagotomy].", "content": "Blood flow in the mucosa of fundus and antrum behave quite contrary after TV: Whereas mucosal flow of the fundus is reduced, mucosal flow of the antrum increases significantly. But 3 weeks after TV flow values of the fundus are in the range of the initial blood flow and are decreased significantly in the antrum. The early diminution of the blood flow in the mucosa of the fundus can be partly responsible for the favourable effect of TV, which is observed on erosive bleedings in this region.", "contents": "[Radioactive microsphere studies of stomach wall blood flow in dogs following truncular vagotomy]. Blood flow in the mucosa of fundus and antrum behave quite contrary after TV: Whereas mucosal flow of the fundus is reduced, mucosal flow of the antrum increases significantly. But 3 weeks after TV flow values of the fundus are in the range of the initial blood flow and are decreased significantly in the antrum. The early diminution of the blood flow in the mucosa of the fundus can be partly responsible for the favourable effect of TV, which is observed on erosive bleedings in this region.", "PMID": 618301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2415", "title": "[Electromyographic studies of the stomach following selective proximal vagotomy in the awake dog].", "content": "Electrical and mechanical activity of the stomach following selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) were studied with 79 single experiments in 10 awake dogs. The influence of several pharmacological agents and feeding was tested: 1. The AP-Index of the gastric electrical activity rises to 1. 2. High frequency, atypical electrical activity resulting in mechanical inactivity increases with the postop. time interval. It reaches 60% of measured time on the 7th postop. day. 3. Normal electrical coupling of corpus and antrum is lost. 4. Pentagastrin increases the frequency of AP-rhythm only in the denervated corpus. 5. Carbachol and insulin have no such effect. 6. Feeding decreases electrical frequency in the innervated antrum. The altered electrical activity explains the known impairment of gastric emptying following SPV. The electrical desynchronization of corpus and antrum and the increased incidence of high frequency potentials in the antrum seems to overcome the high AP-Index.", "contents": "[Electromyographic studies of the stomach following selective proximal vagotomy in the awake dog]. Electrical and mechanical activity of the stomach following selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) were studied with 79 single experiments in 10 awake dogs. The influence of several pharmacological agents and feeding was tested: 1. The AP-Index of the gastric electrical activity rises to 1. 2. High frequency, atypical electrical activity resulting in mechanical inactivity increases with the postop. time interval. It reaches 60% of measured time on the 7th postop. day. 3. Normal electrical coupling of corpus and antrum is lost. 4. Pentagastrin increases the frequency of AP-rhythm only in the denervated corpus. 5. Carbachol and insulin have no such effect. 6. Feeding decreases electrical frequency in the innervated antrum. The altered electrical activity explains the known impairment of gastric emptying following SPV. The electrical desynchronization of corpus and antrum and the increased incidence of high frequency potentials in the antrum seems to overcome the high AP-Index.", "PMID": 618302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2416", "title": "[Acute stomach lesions and changes in histamine level of various organs in immobilization stress].", "content": "In the glandular part of the stomach, the histamine content was significantly increased during stress by immobilization. Following 8 hours of restraint these alterations were observed only in lung tissue, but not in other organs investigated. Although the maximum of stress ulcer formation did not correspond with the maximum increase in gastric histamine content as far as the time course is concerned, a role of histamine in stress ulcer disease cannot be excluded.", "contents": "[Acute stomach lesions and changes in histamine level of various organs in immobilization stress]. In the glandular part of the stomach, the histamine content was significantly increased during stress by immobilization. Following 8 hours of restraint these alterations were observed only in lung tissue, but not in other organs investigated. Although the maximum of stress ulcer formation did not correspond with the maximum increase in gastric histamine content as far as the time course is concerned, a role of histamine in stress ulcer disease cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 618304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2417", "title": "[Sympathectomy of the stomach: an effective preventive measure in stress-induced gastric mucosa lesions in swine].", "content": "15 mini-pigs were bled to a mean aortic blood-pressure of 40 mm Hg, which was sustained for 3 hours. 2 groups were studied: Control-Group: Shock alone without splanchnicectomy (n = 8); Test-Group: Shock after splanchnicectomy 14 days previously (n = 7). In all animals a stimulated gastric secretion test was performed 3 days before and 8 days after this operation. All animals of the control-group showed severe gastric mucosal lesions after shock. Piglets with splanchnicectomy (test-group), conversely, developed no (5 animals) or only minor changes (2 animals). The efficiency of splanchnicectomy was proved by a stimulated gastric secretion test: Basal acid output did not change after operation, peak acid output however increased significantly. This study in piglets shows, that splanchnicectomy of the stomach prevents gastric stress-lesions almost completely.", "contents": "[Sympathectomy of the stomach: an effective preventive measure in stress-induced gastric mucosa lesions in swine]. 15 mini-pigs were bled to a mean aortic blood-pressure of 40 mm Hg, which was sustained for 3 hours. 2 groups were studied: Control-Group: Shock alone without splanchnicectomy (n = 8); Test-Group: Shock after splanchnicectomy 14 days previously (n = 7). In all animals a stimulated gastric secretion test was performed 3 days before and 8 days after this operation. All animals of the control-group showed severe gastric mucosal lesions after shock. Piglets with splanchnicectomy (test-group), conversely, developed no (5 animals) or only minor changes (2 animals). The efficiency of splanchnicectomy was proved by a stimulated gastric secretion test: Basal acid output did not change after operation, peak acid output however increased significantly. This study in piglets shows, that splanchnicectomy of the stomach prevents gastric stress-lesions almost completely.", "PMID": 618305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2418", "title": "[Gastrointestinal hormone release in dumping symdrome before and after reconstruction of duodenal passage].", "content": "Serum gastrin, serum-GIP and serum insulin levels were measured before and after interposition operation (Henley-Soupault) in 10 patients with severe dumping-syndrome (PGS). The results were compared to those obtained in 10 normal subjects without any gastrointestinal disease. In the PGS pre-operative group there was a significantly lower serum gastrin concentration compared to normals, while the serum-GIP-concentration was significantly higher. After interposition operation all serum-hormone-levels tended towards normal values. There was no difference between the basal serum insulin levels of the three groups. The change in postprandial insulin release was parallel to the serum-GIP-levels. It is concluded that there is a close connection between disturbed release of gastrointestinal hormones and the dumping syndrome.", "contents": "[Gastrointestinal hormone release in dumping symdrome before and after reconstruction of duodenal passage]. Serum gastrin, serum-GIP and serum insulin levels were measured before and after interposition operation (Henley-Soupault) in 10 patients with severe dumping-syndrome (PGS). The results were compared to those obtained in 10 normal subjects without any gastrointestinal disease. In the PGS pre-operative group there was a significantly lower serum gastrin concentration compared to normals, while the serum-GIP-concentration was significantly higher. After interposition operation all serum-hormone-levels tended towards normal values. There was no difference between the basal serum insulin levels of the three groups. The change in postprandial insulin release was parallel to the serum-GIP-levels. It is concluded that there is a close connection between disturbed release of gastrointestinal hormones and the dumping syndrome.", "PMID": 618306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2419", "title": "[The effect of vagotomy on the gastrin level of serum, of antrum mucosa and of gastrin cells].", "content": "Truncal vagotomy (TV) causes an increase in basal and postprandial serum gastrin levels. Furthermore, TV results in an increase of antral mucosal gastrin content by doubling the antral G-cell-number. The activity of the G-cell and the molecular forms of gastrin are not changed by TV.", "contents": "[The effect of vagotomy on the gastrin level of serum, of antrum mucosa and of gastrin cells]. Truncal vagotomy (TV) causes an increase in basal and postprandial serum gastrin levels. Furthermore, TV results in an increase of antral mucosal gastrin content by doubling the antral G-cell-number. The activity of the G-cell and the molecular forms of gastrin are not changed by TV.", "PMID": 618307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2420", "title": "[The role of the duodenum in the regulation of the lower esophagus sphincter].", "content": "Instillation of a 20% peptone solution into the isolated duodenum causes a significant increase of LES-pressure in the dog. No comparable increase of LES-pressure after instillation of a 0.9% saline solution into the duodenum or of 20% peptone solution into the stomach is observed. As shown in this investigation, it is possible that the duodenum regulates the LES-pressure in the dog.", "contents": "[The role of the duodenum in the regulation of the lower esophagus sphincter]. Instillation of a 20% peptone solution into the isolated duodenum causes a significant increase of LES-pressure in the dog. No comparable increase of LES-pressure after instillation of a 0.9% saline solution into the duodenum or of 20% peptone solution into the stomach is observed. As shown in this investigation, it is possible that the duodenum regulates the LES-pressure in the dog.", "PMID": 618308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2421", "title": "[Kidney preservation by mechanical perfusion and by hypothermic storage: a comparative study].", "content": "72 dog kidneys were stored under hypothermia as described by COLLINS and SACKS between 24 and 72 hrs and then transplanted. The immediate function of the kidneys was measured by PAH and inulin clearances. 24 hrs proved to be the maximum safe preservation time with both methods. The immediate function of the kidneys stored under hypothermia could not be improved by the addition of furosemide to the flushing solution. These results were compared with those gained by mechanical perfusion of the organ: kidney function after 72 hrs of hypothermic mechanical perfusion was significantly better than after 24 hrs of hypothermic storage.", "contents": "[Kidney preservation by mechanical perfusion and by hypothermic storage: a comparative study]. 72 dog kidneys were stored under hypothermia as described by COLLINS and SACKS between 24 and 72 hrs and then transplanted. The immediate function of the kidneys was measured by PAH and inulin clearances. 24 hrs proved to be the maximum safe preservation time with both methods. The immediate function of the kidneys stored under hypothermia could not be improved by the addition of furosemide to the flushing solution. These results were compared with those gained by mechanical perfusion of the organ: kidney function after 72 hrs of hypothermic mechanical perfusion was significantly better than after 24 hrs of hypothermic storage.", "PMID": 618309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2422", "title": "[Gluconeogenesis in perfused rat liver following preservation in various temperature ranges].", "content": "Experiments with perfused rat livers have shown that rates of various metabolic processes are influenced by changes in temperature in different ways. Cytosolic processes exhibit a linear temperature dependence when plotted in an Arrhenius-diagram in the range between 37 degrees and 1 degree C. In contrast, processes which are bound to mitochondrial membranes show phase changes at 22 degrees C. Furthermore, with gluconeogenesis another phase was observed at 11 degrees C. After 24 hour of perfusion at 11 degrees C the livers produced more glucose from gluconeogenic precursors when perfused at 37 degrees C than after perfusion at 4 degrees C. The importance of the balance of metabolism during hypothermia is discussed by comparison with metabolism of poikilothermic animals.", "contents": "[Gluconeogenesis in perfused rat liver following preservation in various temperature ranges]. Experiments with perfused rat livers have shown that rates of various metabolic processes are influenced by changes in temperature in different ways. Cytosolic processes exhibit a linear temperature dependence when plotted in an Arrhenius-diagram in the range between 37 degrees and 1 degree C. In contrast, processes which are bound to mitochondrial membranes show phase changes at 22 degrees C. Furthermore, with gluconeogenesis another phase was observed at 11 degrees C. After 24 hour of perfusion at 11 degrees C the livers produced more glucose from gluconeogenic precursors when perfused at 37 degrees C than after perfusion at 4 degrees C. The importance of the balance of metabolism during hypothermia is discussed by comparison with metabolism of poikilothermic animals.", "PMID": 618310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2423", "title": "[The significance of sodium intake in postoperative aldosteronism].", "content": "The postop. aldosteronism of a control-group with a sodium intake of 1.5 mval/kg bw/d can be suppressed by increasing the sodium intake up to 5 mval/kg bw/d. A postop. increased need for sodium is supposed to be the most possible cause for this aldosteronism.", "contents": "[The significance of sodium intake in postoperative aldosteronism]. The postop. aldosteronism of a control-group with a sodium intake of 1.5 mval/kg bw/d can be suppressed by increasing the sodium intake up to 5 mval/kg bw/d. A postop. increased need for sodium is supposed to be the most possible cause for this aldosteronism.", "PMID": 618311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2424", "title": "[Hormonal and pharmacological modification of the ileocecal sphincter].", "content": "Ileocecal shincter (ICS) pressure was evaluated in response to hormonal and pharmacological stimuli in rabbits. The effect of exogeneous gastrin (pentagastrin) and glucagon, metoclopramide and neostigmin on the ICS pressure was studied. Gastrin, glucagon and metoclopramide increased the pressure whereas neostigmin lowered it. These results suggest that this junctional zone is not only a valve but a real shincter, which is affected by gastrointestinal hormones and pharmacological substances. Further examinations are necessary to study the role of the ICS after gastrointestinal surgery.", "contents": "[Hormonal and pharmacological modification of the ileocecal sphincter]. Ileocecal shincter (ICS) pressure was evaluated in response to hormonal and pharmacological stimuli in rabbits. The effect of exogeneous gastrin (pentagastrin) and glucagon, metoclopramide and neostigmin on the ICS pressure was studied. Gastrin, glucagon and metoclopramide increased the pressure whereas neostigmin lowered it. These results suggest that this junctional zone is not only a valve but a real shincter, which is affected by gastrointestinal hormones and pharmacological substances. Further examinations are necessary to study the role of the ICS after gastrointestinal surgery.", "PMID": 618312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2425", "title": "[Histo-topography of gastric mucosa changes in benign and malignant stomach diseases].", "content": "The incidence and distribution of chronic gastritis, chronicatrophic gastritis and epithelial dysplasia I-III have been investigated in 50 resected stomachs of patients suffering from duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, early or advanced gastric cancer. Only in gastric cancer epithelial dysplasia III has been frequently observed, particularly in the neighbourhood of gastric cancer. Distribution of chronic-atrophic gastritis was similar to the distribution of dysplasia I and II. These mucosal lesions were detectable with the same frequency in patients with or without gastric cancer.", "contents": "[Histo-topography of gastric mucosa changes in benign and malignant stomach diseases]. The incidence and distribution of chronic gastritis, chronicatrophic gastritis and epithelial dysplasia I-III have been investigated in 50 resected stomachs of patients suffering from duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, early or advanced gastric cancer. Only in gastric cancer epithelial dysplasia III has been frequently observed, particularly in the neighbourhood of gastric cancer. Distribution of chronic-atrophic gastritis was similar to the distribution of dysplasia I and II. These mucosal lesions were detectable with the same frequency in patients with or without gastric cancer.", "PMID": 618313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2426", "title": "[Chemically induced stomach carcinomas in rats following vagotomy and Bilroth II gastrectomy].", "content": "180 Wistar-rats were daily exposed to 30 and 100 mg MNNG/1000 ccm tapwater. After an exposure of 7 weeks a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty or a Billroth II-resection was performed in 25 animals of each dosage-group. 80 rats were not operated. The incidence of carcinomas in the Billroth II-rats of both dosage-groups was evidently higher than in the exposed controls. In the vagotomized rats an increased occurrence of carcinomas could not be observed.", "contents": "[Chemically induced stomach carcinomas in rats following vagotomy and Bilroth II gastrectomy]. 180 Wistar-rats were daily exposed to 30 and 100 mg MNNG/1000 ccm tapwater. After an exposure of 7 weeks a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty or a Billroth II-resection was performed in 25 animals of each dosage-group. 80 rats were not operated. The incidence of carcinomas in the Billroth II-rats of both dosage-groups was evidently higher than in the exposed controls. In the vagotomized rats an increased occurrence of carcinomas could not be observed.", "PMID": 618314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2427", "title": "[Improvement of specificity and reactivity of the leukocyte migration test for the diagnosis and follow-up care in stomach cancer].", "content": "The leukocyte migration assay proved to be a very sensitive tool in gastric cancer diagnosis. When patients' leukocytes were exposed to a panel of 3m KCl extracts, positive reactivity was found at a rate of 92%. All patients with non-malignant gastric diseases exhibiting \"positive\" reactivity with gastric tumor extracts also showed a pathological migration index with a 3m KCl extract of normal gastric mucosa, while only in 16% of patients with gastric cancer leukocyte migration was influenced by this extract. Using gastric tumor extracts patients with colorectal cancer showed a cross-reactivity in 67% and patients with carcinoma of the pancreas and oesophagus in 42% of the tests. Three months after curative surgery most patients' leukocyte migration was found to be in the normal range. Positive reactivity reappeared in patients with local recurrence or metastases.", "contents": "[Improvement of specificity and reactivity of the leukocyte migration test for the diagnosis and follow-up care in stomach cancer]. The leukocyte migration assay proved to be a very sensitive tool in gastric cancer diagnosis. When patients' leukocytes were exposed to a panel of 3m KCl extracts, positive reactivity was found at a rate of 92%. All patients with non-malignant gastric diseases exhibiting \"positive\" reactivity with gastric tumor extracts also showed a pathological migration index with a 3m KCl extract of normal gastric mucosa, while only in 16% of patients with gastric cancer leukocyte migration was influenced by this extract. Using gastric tumor extracts patients with colorectal cancer showed a cross-reactivity in 67% and patients with carcinoma of the pancreas and oesophagus in 42% of the tests. Three months after curative surgery most patients' leukocyte migration was found to be in the normal range. Positive reactivity reappeared in patients with local recurrence or metastases.", "PMID": 618315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2428", "title": "[Modifications in bone structure caused by plate osteosynthesis of the long bones in growing experimental animals].", "content": "Periosteal function of growing bones was studied in young sheep. Periosteal devascularisation and tibial plate implantation caused partial cortical necrosis and porosity of endostally vascularized cortex. Plate implantation induced epiphyseal activities. After 8 months differences in bone length of 2.5 mm were observed.", "contents": "[Modifications in bone structure caused by plate osteosynthesis of the long bones in growing experimental animals]. Periosteal function of growing bones was studied in young sheep. Periosteal devascularisation and tibial plate implantation caused partial cortical necrosis and porosity of endostally vascularized cortex. Plate implantation induced epiphyseal activities. After 8 months differences in bone length of 2.5 mm were observed.", "PMID": 618316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2429", "title": "[Animal studies on the modification of neuroma formation].", "content": "In conclusion, the formation of the whole neuroma cannot be prevented completely by the local application of triamcinolon. The outgrowth of the neuronal fibres though, which seem to be responsible for the painful discomfort of the patients, can be suppressed or even prevented completely.", "contents": "[Animal studies on the modification of neuroma formation]. In conclusion, the formation of the whole neuroma cannot be prevented completely by the local application of triamcinolon. The outgrowth of the neuronal fibres though, which seem to be responsible for the painful discomfort of the patients, can be suppressed or even prevented completely.", "PMID": 618317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2430", "title": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor-potential generation by the photoreceptor. I. Photic induction of a change in the permeability of artificial lipid membranes modified by photoreceptor membrane fragments].", "content": "Artificial lipid membranes modified by ultrasonic fragments of rod outer segments increase their conduction in response to illumination. Conduction increase is followed by the spontaneous foll in the dark to the unitial or somewhat higher level. The time constant of conduction increase was about 30 msec at room temperature, the constant of its following drop was about 300 msec; the activation energy of the last process was 19 +/- 3 kcal/mole.", "contents": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor-potential generation by the photoreceptor. I. Photic induction of a change in the permeability of artificial lipid membranes modified by photoreceptor membrane fragments]. Artificial lipid membranes modified by ultrasonic fragments of rod outer segments increase their conduction in response to illumination. Conduction increase is followed by the spontaneous foll in the dark to the unitial or somewhat higher level. The time constant of conduction increase was about 30 msec at room temperature, the constant of its following drop was about 300 msec; the activation energy of the last process was 19 +/- 3 kcal/mole.", "PMID": 618318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2431", "title": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor. II. Identification of the conformational transition of rhodopsin responsible for the leading edge of the photoresponse of artificial lipid membranes modified by fragments of the outer segment of rods].", "content": "Kinetic parameters of photoinduced permeability increase of artificial lipid membranes, modified by ROS fragments (tau20 degrees C = 20 mesec Ea = 33 +/- 2 kcal/mole) coincides with appropriate parameters of photoinduced protein fluorescence intensity decrease and ROS fragments absorption spectra change (metarhodopsin I leads leads to metarhodopsin II transition). Hydroxylamine accelerates this process, its rate is proportional to hydroxylamine at concentrations lower than 0.6 M.", "contents": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor. II. Identification of the conformational transition of rhodopsin responsible for the leading edge of the photoresponse of artificial lipid membranes modified by fragments of the outer segment of rods]. Kinetic parameters of photoinduced permeability increase of artificial lipid membranes, modified by ROS fragments (tau20 degrees C = 20 mesec Ea = 33 +/- 2 kcal/mole) coincides with appropriate parameters of photoinduced protein fluorescence intensity decrease and ROS fragments absorption spectra change (metarhodopsin I leads leads to metarhodopsin II transition). Hydroxylamine accelerates this process, its rate is proportional to hydroxylamine at concentrations lower than 0.6 M.", "PMID": 618319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2432", "title": "[Electrophoretic study of the heterogeneity of chromatin subunits].", "content": "Electrophoretic heterogeneity of chromatin subunits (mononucleosomes) isolated from rat thymus nuclei after mild nuclease digestion has been studied. Just as in the original nuclease hydrolysate of the nuclei and after its fractionation on a Sepharose 4B, mononucleosomes are found to include several fractions (up to four) varying in their protein moieties and sizes of DNA segments Mononucleosomes obtained from the nuclei contain an additional non-histone protein as a minor component. The distribution of rapidly labeled RNA and of newly synthesized DNA among eletrophoretic chromatin fragments has been investigated. Newly synthesized chromatin has a subunit structure typical of the whole chromatin. Rapidly labelled RNA was found in dinucleosomes and mononucleosomes, being predominantly bind to mononucleosome fraction devoid of histone H1.", "contents": "[Electrophoretic study of the heterogeneity of chromatin subunits]. Electrophoretic heterogeneity of chromatin subunits (mononucleosomes) isolated from rat thymus nuclei after mild nuclease digestion has been studied. Just as in the original nuclease hydrolysate of the nuclei and after its fractionation on a Sepharose 4B, mononucleosomes are found to include several fractions (up to four) varying in their protein moieties and sizes of DNA segments Mononucleosomes obtained from the nuclei contain an additional non-histone protein as a minor component. The distribution of rapidly labeled RNA and of newly synthesized DNA among eletrophoretic chromatin fragments has been investigated. Newly synthesized chromatin has a subunit structure typical of the whole chromatin. Rapidly labelled RNA was found in dinucleosomes and mononucleosomes, being predominantly bind to mononucleosome fraction devoid of histone H1.", "PMID": 618321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2433", "title": "[Kinetics of poly-enzyme system reactions. II. Nonsteady-state kinetics. Presteady-state and relation modes in a bi-enzyme system and linear sequences].", "content": "Kinetic aspects of reactions in homogeneous multienzyme systems under nonsteady state conditions were investigated. An analysis of formal-kinetic relationships, describing the time course of system was conducted with a bienzyme system. Presteady state kinetics of processes in lineal multienzyme systems was investigated. Relax-kinetics methods were applied for the analysis of processes in lineal sequences. Methods of determination of number of stages initial substrate transformations and of number of enzymes were developed as well as methods for the analysis of sequences of intermediates in reaction pathway. Methods of determination of Vmax and Kmax for each individual enzyme are considered.", "contents": "[Kinetics of poly-enzyme system reactions. II. Nonsteady-state kinetics. Presteady-state and relation modes in a bi-enzyme system and linear sequences]. Kinetic aspects of reactions in homogeneous multienzyme systems under nonsteady state conditions were investigated. An analysis of formal-kinetic relationships, describing the time course of system was conducted with a bienzyme system. Presteady state kinetics of processes in lineal multienzyme systems was investigated. Relax-kinetics methods were applied for the analysis of processes in lineal sequences. Methods of determination of number of stages initial substrate transformations and of number of enzymes were developed as well as methods for the analysis of sequences of intermediates in reaction pathway. Methods of determination of Vmax and Kmax for each individual enzyme are considered.", "PMID": 618322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2434", "title": "[Effect of magnesium ions on heat denaturation of DNA].", "content": "The dependence of animal DNA denaturation on magnesium ion concentration has been studied in the range (10(-6)--10(-1) M with sodium ion content of 10(-3) and 10(-2) M. Special attention has been given to the effect of multivalent metallic impurities bound to DNA. An increase of DNA thermal stability has been shown to occur in the magnesium concentration rage of 10(-6)--10(-4) M. At concentrations exceeding 10(-3) M the T M begins to decrease. The dependence of the DNA melting range on magnesium ion concentration has a maximum at approximately 10(-5) M Mg2+. At low magnesium and sodium ion concentrations a strong asymmetry of the melting curves has been observed. This effect can be described in terms of the melting theory for DNA complexed with small molecules and is explained by magnesium ion redistribution from the denatured portions of DNA to native ones. The method for calculation of melting curves in the DNA-ligand system has been proposed. Studies of thermal denaturation parameters have been shown to be an effective method for the estimation of binding constants of ligands to native and denatured DNA.", "contents": "[Effect of magnesium ions on heat denaturation of DNA]. The dependence of animal DNA denaturation on magnesium ion concentration has been studied in the range (10(-6)--10(-1) M with sodium ion content of 10(-3) and 10(-2) M. Special attention has been given to the effect of multivalent metallic impurities bound to DNA. An increase of DNA thermal stability has been shown to occur in the magnesium concentration rage of 10(-6)--10(-4) M. At concentrations exceeding 10(-3) M the T M begins to decrease. The dependence of the DNA melting range on magnesium ion concentration has a maximum at approximately 10(-5) M Mg2+. At low magnesium and sodium ion concentrations a strong asymmetry of the melting curves has been observed. This effect can be described in terms of the melting theory for DNA complexed with small molecules and is explained by magnesium ion redistribution from the denatured portions of DNA to native ones. The method for calculation of melting curves in the DNA-ligand system has been proposed. Studies of thermal denaturation parameters have been shown to be an effective method for the estimation of binding constants of ligands to native and denatured DNA.", "PMID": 618320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2435", "title": "[Isolation of the calcium-binding domain of carp parvalbumin].", "content": "Carp parvalbumin has two calcium-binding domains with a similar three-dimensional structure. Using the tryptic hydrolysis at the arginine residue in position 75, it was possible to split off one calcium-binding domain. All lysine residues were protected by maleic groups which were removed at the final stage. The domain (with a peptide thirty-three residues) isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration does not have a secondary structure in a solution and is unable to bind calcium.", "contents": "[Isolation of the calcium-binding domain of carp parvalbumin]. Carp parvalbumin has two calcium-binding domains with a similar three-dimensional structure. Using the tryptic hydrolysis at the arginine residue in position 75, it was possible to split off one calcium-binding domain. All lysine residues were protected by maleic groups which were removed at the final stage. The domain (with a peptide thirty-three residues) isolated by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration does not have a secondary structure in a solution and is unable to bind calcium.", "PMID": 618324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2436", "title": "[Electrostatic interactions of charged groups in an aqueous medium and their effect on the formation of the secondary structures of polypeptide chains].", "content": "Analysis of experimental data shows that interaction of charges in an aqueous medium is satisfactorily evaluated by macroscopic dielectric water permeability even at small (approximately 3--4 A) distances. It has been shown that a non-polar molecule located between the charges weakens their interaction. At the same time interaction between charges situated on the non-polar molecules somewhat increases. An estimate is made of the free energy loss of alpha- and beta-structures of polypeptides, resulting from the insertion of charged groups as well as of the free energy of interactions involving charged groups in different secondary structures.", "contents": "[Electrostatic interactions of charged groups in an aqueous medium and their effect on the formation of the secondary structures of polypeptide chains]. Analysis of experimental data shows that interaction of charges in an aqueous medium is satisfactorily evaluated by macroscopic dielectric water permeability even at small (approximately 3--4 A) distances. It has been shown that a non-polar molecule located between the charges weakens their interaction. At the same time interaction between charges situated on the non-polar molecules somewhat increases. An estimate is made of the free energy loss of alpha- and beta-structures of polypeptides, resulting from the insertion of charged groups as well as of the free energy of interactions involving charged groups in different secondary structures.", "PMID": 618325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2437", "title": "[Splitting of the DNA of new lambdoid bacteriophages by the specific Eco RI endonuclease].", "content": "The number of EcoRI restriction sites in DNAs of several lombdoid phages varies from 2 to 7 and the size of fragments ranges from 0.6 . 10(6) to 25 . 10(6) daltons. Effectiveness of restriction determined in vivo weakly correlates with a number of restriction sites, suggesting different sensitivity of different sites to EcoRI action. No correlation between molecular weights of DNA of different phages and the rate of heat inactivation of the phage has been found. The variability of number of the restriction sites and of the molecular weights of the fragments permits to conclude that: 1) closely-related organisms can be possibly used as convenient sources of certain genes (if a construction of new vector lambdoid phages is essential); 2) there is an opportunity to find phages with different distribution of the restriction sites to other restrictases within a group of phages with non-identical EcoRI restriction sites.", "contents": "[Splitting of the DNA of new lambdoid bacteriophages by the specific Eco RI endonuclease]. The number of EcoRI restriction sites in DNAs of several lombdoid phages varies from 2 to 7 and the size of fragments ranges from 0.6 . 10(6) to 25 . 10(6) daltons. Effectiveness of restriction determined in vivo weakly correlates with a number of restriction sites, suggesting different sensitivity of different sites to EcoRI action. No correlation between molecular weights of DNA of different phages and the rate of heat inactivation of the phage has been found. The variability of number of the restriction sites and of the molecular weights of the fragments permits to conclude that: 1) closely-related organisms can be possibly used as convenient sources of certain genes (if a construction of new vector lambdoid phages is essential); 2) there is an opportunity to find phages with different distribution of the restriction sites to other restrictases within a group of phages with non-identical EcoRI restriction sites.", "PMID": 618326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2438", "title": "[Nuclear magnetic resonance of nucleotidamides. Structure of the intramolecular complex of the methyl ester of deoxyadenylyl-(5'-3')-deoxyadenylyl-(5'--N)-L-phenylalanine].", "content": "The secondary structure of methyl ester of deoxyadenylyl-(5'--3')-deoxyadenylyl-(5' leads to N)-L-phenylalanine [l-pheOMe-d (pApA)] has been investigated by proton magnetic resonance. For this compound folded conformation stabilized by hydrophobic interaction in aqueous solution has been shown; and the anti-anti-conformation has been proved to exist. The investigation of chemical shifts of aromatic protons in L-PheOMe-d (pApA) has permitted us to build the conformation model of this compound.", "contents": "[Nuclear magnetic resonance of nucleotidamides. Structure of the intramolecular complex of the methyl ester of deoxyadenylyl-(5'-3')-deoxyadenylyl-(5'--N)-L-phenylalanine]. The secondary structure of methyl ester of deoxyadenylyl-(5'--3')-deoxyadenylyl-(5' leads to N)-L-phenylalanine [l-pheOMe-d (pApA)] has been investigated by proton magnetic resonance. For this compound folded conformation stabilized by hydrophobic interaction in aqueous solution has been shown; and the anti-anti-conformation has been proved to exist. The investigation of chemical shifts of aromatic protons in L-PheOMe-d (pApA) has permitted us to build the conformation model of this compound.", "PMID": 618323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2439", "title": "[Small-angle diffuse x-ray scattering on fine muscle filaments].", "content": "Theoretical small-angle diffuse scattering curves from muscle thin filament models have been calculated. The curves reveal a maximum at 115' scattering angle. It has been shown that the maximum is due to the pitch of F-actin helix. Theoretical curves are in good agreement with the earlier obtained curves of small-angle diffuse scattering from F-actin dilute solutions.", "contents": "[Small-angle diffuse x-ray scattering on fine muscle filaments]. Theoretical small-angle diffuse scattering curves from muscle thin filament models have been calculated. The curves reveal a maximum at 115' scattering angle. It has been shown that the maximum is due to the pitch of F-actin helix. Theoretical curves are in good agreement with the earlier obtained curves of small-angle diffuse scattering from F-actin dilute solutions.", "PMID": 618328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2440", "title": "[Properties of replicating DNA in the regenerating rat liver isolated during phenol fractionation].", "content": "Using phenol fractionation in the absence of detergents three DNA fractions differing by the incorporation of radioactive thymidine after pulse label are obtained from regenerating rat liver cells. Two fractions extracted under variety of conditions represent the main bulk of cell DNA (85--90%). DNA non-extractable under conditions used (DNA III) incorporates labelled thymidine 10--15 times faster than the first two DNA fractions. DNA III purified from the interphase layer by pronase, sodium dodecylsulfate and phenol sediments at 26S and has a hyperchromic effect about 40% after alkaline denaturation. Alkaline sucrose density gradient centrifugation of pulse-labelled DNA III revealed that nascent DNA consisted of heterogeneous fragments similar in size to the replication fragments in bacterial cells (9--10S). It was shown by CsCl equilibrium centrifugation that buoyant density of heat denatured DNA III labelled for 5 min with [3H]thymidine is heavier than the bulk of DNA prelabelled for 2 h with [14C]thymidine. After hydrolysis with RNase or alkali, buoyant densities of both DNAs became the same. These results support the idea of initiating role of RNA in the synthesis of discontinuous replicating fragments in regenerating rat liver cells. Specific radioactivity of RNA associated with replication fragments which are labelled for 5 min with [14C] orotic acid is 20 times more than of the same RNA labelled for 30 min. These data demonstrate high metabolic activity of initiating RNA.", "contents": "[Properties of replicating DNA in the regenerating rat liver isolated during phenol fractionation]. Using phenol fractionation in the absence of detergents three DNA fractions differing by the incorporation of radioactive thymidine after pulse label are obtained from regenerating rat liver cells. Two fractions extracted under variety of conditions represent the main bulk of cell DNA (85--90%). DNA non-extractable under conditions used (DNA III) incorporates labelled thymidine 10--15 times faster than the first two DNA fractions. DNA III purified from the interphase layer by pronase, sodium dodecylsulfate and phenol sediments at 26S and has a hyperchromic effect about 40% after alkaline denaturation. Alkaline sucrose density gradient centrifugation of pulse-labelled DNA III revealed that nascent DNA consisted of heterogeneous fragments similar in size to the replication fragments in bacterial cells (9--10S). It was shown by CsCl equilibrium centrifugation that buoyant density of heat denatured DNA III labelled for 5 min with [3H]thymidine is heavier than the bulk of DNA prelabelled for 2 h with [14C]thymidine. After hydrolysis with RNase or alkali, buoyant densities of both DNAs became the same. These results support the idea of initiating role of RNA in the synthesis of discontinuous replicating fragments in regenerating rat liver cells. Specific radioactivity of RNA associated with replication fragments which are labelled for 5 min with [14C] orotic acid is 20 times more than of the same RNA labelled for 30 min. These data demonstrate high metabolic activity of initiating RNA.", "PMID": 618327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2441", "title": "[Effect of 6-benzylaminopurine on (14C)leucine incorporation into protein in a cell-free system from isolated squash cotyledons].", "content": "Polysomal preparations from isolated pumpkin cotyledons treated with cytokinin [6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 10 mg/l] were about two-fold more active in the cell-free system of protein synthesis as compared to polysomes from control cotyledons. The time course of 14C-leucine incorporation into protein and its dependence on polysome concentration were studied; sucrose density fractionation have revealed significant differences in polysome distribution between the treated and control cotyledons. All polysomal fractions from BAP-treated cotyledons were more active in protein synthesis than corresponding fractions from control cotyledons. Mixing of BAP-treated and untreated cotyledons before polysome isolation showed that the difference in their activity did not result from isolation procedure. Factors of polysome activation and/or inhibition were tightly bound to polysomes. Treatment of polysomes with 0.175 M KCl reduced markedly their protein-synthesizing activity and abolished the difference between polysomes of BAP-treated and control cotyledons. The initial level of polysome activity could be restored by addition of proteins isolated from the salt wash, but these proteins were not specific in their action. Possible mechanisms of phytohormone action on ribosome activity are discussed. BAP activation of ribosomes in protein synthesis in vitro is fully eliminated by addition of natural inhibitor--abcisic acid--to BAP solution during cotyledons incubation.", "contents": "[Effect of 6-benzylaminopurine on (14C)leucine incorporation into protein in a cell-free system from isolated squash cotyledons]. Polysomal preparations from isolated pumpkin cotyledons treated with cytokinin [6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 10 mg/l] were about two-fold more active in the cell-free system of protein synthesis as compared to polysomes from control cotyledons. The time course of 14C-leucine incorporation into protein and its dependence on polysome concentration were studied; sucrose density fractionation have revealed significant differences in polysome distribution between the treated and control cotyledons. All polysomal fractions from BAP-treated cotyledons were more active in protein synthesis than corresponding fractions from control cotyledons. Mixing of BAP-treated and untreated cotyledons before polysome isolation showed that the difference in their activity did not result from isolation procedure. Factors of polysome activation and/or inhibition were tightly bound to polysomes. Treatment of polysomes with 0.175 M KCl reduced markedly their protein-synthesizing activity and abolished the difference between polysomes of BAP-treated and control cotyledons. The initial level of polysome activity could be restored by addition of proteins isolated from the salt wash, but these proteins were not specific in their action. Possible mechanisms of phytohormone action on ribosome activity are discussed. BAP activation of ribosomes in protein synthesis in vitro is fully eliminated by addition of natural inhibitor--abcisic acid--to BAP solution during cotyledons incubation.", "PMID": 618329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2442", "title": "[Physico-chemical properties of several phages of Bacillus thuringiensis].", "content": "A study was made of biological and physico-chemical properties of phages of Bac. thuringiensis as well as of a number of parameters of nucleic acids isolated from these phages. The phages contain double-stranded DNA. Molecular weights of DNA from three phages--Tg9, Tg10 and Tg13 have been determined by two independent methods: by measuring the contour length of DNA, from the sedimentation constant and for DNA of phage Tg10 also by endonuclease EcRI hydrolysis. These methods gave similar results. On the basis of the temperature of DNA melting the content of GC pairs was found equal to 37.9, 33.4 and 35.1 mole% for DNA's of phage Tg9, Tg10 and Tg13, respectively. On the basis of measuring the intervals of DNA melting a conclusion was made that DNA of the Tg9 and Tg13 phage has a random distribution of base pairs, while DNA of phage Tg10 displays some clustering of base distribution along the molecule. It has been shown that restrictase EcoRI hydrolyses phage Tg10 DNA into 6 fragments of different molecular weights; DNA's of Tg9 and Tg13 phages are not hydrolyzed. A possibility of existance of phage Tg10 DNA in linear and ring forms has been established. The characteristics of phage particles have been determined by electron microscopy.", "contents": "[Physico-chemical properties of several phages of Bacillus thuringiensis]. A study was made of biological and physico-chemical properties of phages of Bac. thuringiensis as well as of a number of parameters of nucleic acids isolated from these phages. The phages contain double-stranded DNA. Molecular weights of DNA from three phages--Tg9, Tg10 and Tg13 have been determined by two independent methods: by measuring the contour length of DNA, from the sedimentation constant and for DNA of phage Tg10 also by endonuclease EcRI hydrolysis. These methods gave similar results. On the basis of the temperature of DNA melting the content of GC pairs was found equal to 37.9, 33.4 and 35.1 mole% for DNA's of phage Tg9, Tg10 and Tg13, respectively. On the basis of measuring the intervals of DNA melting a conclusion was made that DNA of the Tg9 and Tg13 phage has a random distribution of base pairs, while DNA of phage Tg10 displays some clustering of base distribution along the molecule. It has been shown that restrictase EcoRI hydrolyses phage Tg10 DNA into 6 fragments of different molecular weights; DNA's of Tg9 and Tg13 phages are not hydrolyzed. A possibility of existance of phage Tg10 DNA in linear and ring forms has been established. The characteristics of phage particles have been determined by electron microscopy.", "PMID": 618332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2443", "title": "[Relationship between the study of DNA reassociation kinetics of various chromosomal forms of Ellobius and questions concerning the pathways of chromosome rearrangement during evolution].", "content": "Fifteen chromosome forms of Ellobius talpinus (from 2n = 31 to 2n = 54) were found in the small area in the Pamirs. Low-chromosome karyotypes evolved from 54-chromosomal ancestral form by Robertsonia centric fusions. The DNA reassociation kinetics of 34- and 54-chromosome forms of E. talpinus have been studied. For comparison DNA of E. lutescens (2n = 17) the karyotype of which seems to have arisen from 54-chromosome ancestor by Robertsonian and other types rearrangements was examined. Reassociation profiles of Ellobius DNA suggest the existence of several repeated sequences families with different frequences of repetitions. The reassociation curves of DNA from 34- and 54-chromosome forms were identical. These data indicate absence of changes in DNA molecular organization during the evolution of E. talpinus karyotypes by Robertsonian fusions. Comparative analysis of DNA reassociation kinetics of E. talpinus and E. lutescens showed identical characteristics of highly repeated sequences and of one from the three intermediate fractions, however Cot 1/2, complexity and repetitive frequencies of two intermediate fractions of E. talpinus and E. lutescens were different. It is possible that non-robertsonian rearrangements of E. lutescens karyotype affected only intermediate repetitions. The alternative explanation of these data is a simple divergence of repeated sequences during the evolution of E. lutescens DNA.", "contents": "[Relationship between the study of DNA reassociation kinetics of various chromosomal forms of Ellobius and questions concerning the pathways of chromosome rearrangement during evolution]. Fifteen chromosome forms of Ellobius talpinus (from 2n = 31 to 2n = 54) were found in the small area in the Pamirs. Low-chromosome karyotypes evolved from 54-chromosomal ancestral form by Robertsonia centric fusions. The DNA reassociation kinetics of 34- and 54-chromosome forms of E. talpinus have been studied. For comparison DNA of E. lutescens (2n = 17) the karyotype of which seems to have arisen from 54-chromosome ancestor by Robertsonian and other types rearrangements was examined. Reassociation profiles of Ellobius DNA suggest the existence of several repeated sequences families with different frequences of repetitions. The reassociation curves of DNA from 34- and 54-chromosome forms were identical. These data indicate absence of changes in DNA molecular organization during the evolution of E. talpinus karyotypes by Robertsonian fusions. Comparative analysis of DNA reassociation kinetics of E. talpinus and E. lutescens showed identical characteristics of highly repeated sequences and of one from the three intermediate fractions, however Cot 1/2, complexity and repetitive frequencies of two intermediate fractions of E. talpinus and E. lutescens were different. It is possible that non-robertsonian rearrangements of E. lutescens karyotype affected only intermediate repetitions. The alternative explanation of these data is a simple divergence of repeated sequences during the evolution of E. lutescens DNA.", "PMID": 618331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2444", "title": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor-potential generation by the photoreceptor. III. Conformational transition responsible for the tail end of the photoresponse of an artificial lipid membrane modified by fragments of the external segments of rods].", "content": "The kinetics of photoinduced changes of protein fluorescence of cattle visual pigment was studied in the presence of hydroxylamine. The rate constant of fluorescence increase is proportional to NH2OH concentration when it is less than 0.4 M. It reaches the maximal magnitude (3.3 +/- 1 sec-1) at higher hydroxylamine concentration. Fluorescence increase rate is controlled by the rate of chemical reaction of rhodopsin with hydroxylamine. It is limited by conformational rearrangement of opsin. This rearrangement does not induce absorbance spectrum change of visual pigment, but confers to it the capability to react with NH2OH and NaBH4. Kinetic parameters of this rearrangement (tau 20 degrees C approximately 300 msec, Eact = 19 +/- 2 kcal/mole) coincide with kinetic parameters of diminishing of the photoresponse of artificial lipid membrane modified by fragments of rod outer segments in the temperature range studied (+2 divided by +25 degrees C).", "contents": "[Molecular mechanisms of receptor-potential generation by the photoreceptor. III. Conformational transition responsible for the tail end of the photoresponse of an artificial lipid membrane modified by fragments of the external segments of rods]. The kinetics of photoinduced changes of protein fluorescence of cattle visual pigment was studied in the presence of hydroxylamine. The rate constant of fluorescence increase is proportional to NH2OH concentration when it is less than 0.4 M. It reaches the maximal magnitude (3.3 +/- 1 sec-1) at higher hydroxylamine concentration. Fluorescence increase rate is controlled by the rate of chemical reaction of rhodopsin with hydroxylamine. It is limited by conformational rearrangement of opsin. This rearrangement does not induce absorbance spectrum change of visual pigment, but confers to it the capability to react with NH2OH and NaBH4. Kinetic parameters of this rearrangement (tau 20 degrees C approximately 300 msec, Eact = 19 +/- 2 kcal/mole) coincide with kinetic parameters of diminishing of the photoresponse of artificial lipid membrane modified by fragments of rod outer segments in the temperature range studied (+2 divided by +25 degrees C).", "PMID": 618334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2445", "title": "[Isolation and characteristics of 2 transcribing families of pigeon-genome repetitive sequences].", "content": "From pigeon DNA two families of repeats have been isolated: one (frequency of repetitions 30--40 times per haploid genome) actively transcribing and the second (frequency of repetitions 2000--2800 times) weakly transcribing in erythroid cells. The reassociation kinetics, GC-content and size of isolated repeats were investigated. Actively transcribing repeats (average length of 350 nucleotides) contain about 55% GC-nucleotides and alternate in the genome with AT-rich sequences of the unique type. Comparison of isolated families of repeats revealed differences in the structure and posttranscriptional fate of RNA transcribed from them.", "contents": "[Isolation and characteristics of 2 transcribing families of pigeon-genome repetitive sequences]. From pigeon DNA two families of repeats have been isolated: one (frequency of repetitions 30--40 times per haploid genome) actively transcribing and the second (frequency of repetitions 2000--2800 times) weakly transcribing in erythroid cells. The reassociation kinetics, GC-content and size of isolated repeats were investigated. Actively transcribing repeats (average length of 350 nucleotides) contain about 55% GC-nucleotides and alternate in the genome with AT-rich sequences of the unique type. Comparison of isolated families of repeats revealed differences in the structure and posttranscriptional fate of RNA transcribed from them.", "PMID": 618335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2446", "title": "[Molecular structure of plant genomes].", "content": "The genome structure of several species of Graminea and Drosophila was investigated by DNA renaturation method. Kinetics of DNA reassociation was studied by direct optical scanning and the data obout Cot curve were analized by an improved computer programm \"Finger\". Differences between structure DNA animals and plants are shown. Plant genomes have no unique fraction which exists in animal genomes. Slowly reassociating fraction in plants comprises about 20% DNA as compared with more than 60% in animal DNA. An analysis of kinetic complexity indicates that the relative content of the slowly reassociating fraction in the genome both of animal and of plants is much higher than that of the highly repeated DNA fraction.", "contents": "[Molecular structure of plant genomes]. The genome structure of several species of Graminea and Drosophila was investigated by DNA renaturation method. Kinetics of DNA reassociation was studied by direct optical scanning and the data obout Cot curve were analized by an improved computer programm \"Finger\". Differences between structure DNA animals and plants are shown. Plant genomes have no unique fraction which exists in animal genomes. Slowly reassociating fraction in plants comprises about 20% DNA as compared with more than 60% in animal DNA. An analysis of kinetic complexity indicates that the relative content of the slowly reassociating fraction in the genome both of animal and of plants is much higher than that of the highly repeated DNA fraction.", "PMID": 618330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2447", "title": "[Effect of the protein product of phage f1, gene 5, on heat denaturation of synthetic polynucleotides].", "content": "The influence of phage f1 gene 5 protein on melting of the synthetic polynucleotides has been investigated, using UV-spectroscopy. In our experiments we have varied the proteins concentration. It has been shown, that the protein lowers the melting temperature of the studied polynucleotides (d/A--Tn dAndTn, rAndTn, rAn.r n, dAn.rn). The melting temperatures and the shapes of melting curves of various polynucleotides differ when the same protein concentrations are used. We have shown that the protein binds to the double-stranded polynucleotides, containing ribo-ribo-, deoxyribo-ribo-chains. The difference in melting temperatures and shapes of melting curves was explained using the data about the differences in the secondary structure of these polynucleotides. Only for d/A-Tn renaturation was observed after sample cooling. It may reflect the single-stranded hairpin structure of this polynucleotide.", "contents": "[Effect of the protein product of phage f1, gene 5, on heat denaturation of synthetic polynucleotides]. The influence of phage f1 gene 5 protein on melting of the synthetic polynucleotides has been investigated, using UV-spectroscopy. In our experiments we have varied the proteins concentration. It has been shown, that the protein lowers the melting temperature of the studied polynucleotides (d/A--Tn dAndTn, rAndTn, rAn.r n, dAn.rn). The melting temperatures and the shapes of melting curves of various polynucleotides differ when the same protein concentrations are used. We have shown that the protein binds to the double-stranded polynucleotides, containing ribo-ribo-, deoxyribo-ribo-chains. The difference in melting temperatures and shapes of melting curves was explained using the data about the differences in the secondary structure of these polynucleotides. Only for d/A-Tn renaturation was observed after sample cooling. It may reflect the single-stranded hairpin structure of this polynucleotide.", "PMID": 618336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2448", "title": "[Isolation and characteristics of DNA fragments bound to mitochondrial membrane proteins].", "content": "Fragments of rat liver mitochondrial DNA were isolated. In vivo these fragments were able to form the complexes with the proteins of inner mitochondrial membrane. The fragments represent unique DNA regions with the secondary structure, their A-T content being equal to 82%. With the aid of phosphomonoesterase, polynucleotidkinase and gamma-(32P)-ATP mtDNA fragments were labeled and analyzed for oligopyrimidine composition. It was shown that they were enriched in di- and tri-oligo-pyrimidine blocks. The fragments are shown to form in vitro a complex with the membrane proteins. A single protein m. wt. 40,000) was reisolated from the complex.", "contents": "[Isolation and characteristics of DNA fragments bound to mitochondrial membrane proteins]. Fragments of rat liver mitochondrial DNA were isolated. In vivo these fragments were able to form the complexes with the proteins of inner mitochondrial membrane. The fragments represent unique DNA regions with the secondary structure, their A-T content being equal to 82%. With the aid of phosphomonoesterase, polynucleotidkinase and gamma-(32P)-ATP mtDNA fragments were labeled and analyzed for oligopyrimidine composition. It was shown that they were enriched in di- and tri-oligo-pyrimidine blocks. The fragments are shown to form in vitro a complex with the membrane proteins. A single protein m. wt. 40,000) was reisolated from the complex.", "PMID": 618337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2449", "title": "[Comparative analysis of the kinetics of renaturation of newly synthetized and total DNA of eukaryotes as a means of demonstrating selective genome synthesis].", "content": "A simple and sensitive method for determining the selective eucaryotic DNA synthesis (amplification, ordered replication) amounting up to 10(-6)% of genome has been proposed. The essence of the method is measuring of the combined renaturation of total and in vivo labelled newly synthesized DNA. By means of a special computer program a theoretical investigation of amplification (from 50 to 2-fold) was accomplished, based on the experimentally found renaturation curve of rat liver DNA. A new method of graphical analysis of experimental results is also proposed based on the changes in the specific activities against Cot values. Some advantages of the new graphical method, i. e. greater sensitivity and reliability, simplicity of calculation of the amplification level and of the proportion of radioactivity in the amplified sequences are shown. The major patterns of the changes in the specific activities in different examples of amplification were revealed. Evidence is presented that the amplification necessarily brings about essential changes in the specific activities of denatured and renatured DNA fraction at high Cot values. On the basis of the method developed, the mode of liver DNA synthesis in normal and hormone-induced rats was established. Both in the normal and hydrocortison-induced rat livers no selectivity of DNA synthesis was found in the sense that hormonal induction of RNA synthesis is not a consequence of additional synthesis of DNA templates.", "contents": "[Comparative analysis of the kinetics of renaturation of newly synthetized and total DNA of eukaryotes as a means of demonstrating selective genome synthesis]. A simple and sensitive method for determining the selective eucaryotic DNA synthesis (amplification, ordered replication) amounting up to 10(-6)% of genome has been proposed. The essence of the method is measuring of the combined renaturation of total and in vivo labelled newly synthesized DNA. By means of a special computer program a theoretical investigation of amplification (from 50 to 2-fold) was accomplished, based on the experimentally found renaturation curve of rat liver DNA. A new method of graphical analysis of experimental results is also proposed based on the changes in the specific activities against Cot values. Some advantages of the new graphical method, i. e. greater sensitivity and reliability, simplicity of calculation of the amplification level and of the proportion of radioactivity in the amplified sequences are shown. The major patterns of the changes in the specific activities in different examples of amplification were revealed. Evidence is presented that the amplification necessarily brings about essential changes in the specific activities of denatured and renatured DNA fraction at high Cot values. On the basis of the method developed, the mode of liver DNA synthesis in normal and hormone-induced rats was established. Both in the normal and hydrocortison-induced rat livers no selectivity of DNA synthesis was found in the sense that hormonal induction of RNA synthesis is not a consequence of additional synthesis of DNA templates.", "PMID": 618333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2450", "title": "[Relationship between chlorophyll concentration and the energy reaction between protochlorophyll and chlorophyll in mixed associations].", "content": "In the paper results are presented of investigation of protochlorophyll (PChl) and chlorophyll (Chl) mixed associations and of interaction between them within the polymer molecular complex, which forms in mixture of water-dioxane (1 : 4). The initial PChl concentration in all solutions was constant (CPChl = 1 . 10(-5) m/l), and Chl concentration varied from 1.10(-8) m/l up to 2.10(-5) m/l. It is shown that with the rise of Chl proportion in the mixed aggregate the rearrangement of both donor (PChl) and acceptor (Chl) components of complex takes place. The luminescence quenching of PChl and the sensitization of Chl emission in mixed pigment associates were investigated of different Chl levels and the evaluation of efficiency of intracomplex electronic excitation energy transfer, determined from quenching and sensibilization, was performed. Similar dependence of energy transfer effectiveness on Chl concentration, determined by the two above-mentioned methods shows that the excitation migration in an associate takes place without losses. An analysis of results permits to conclude that a small trapping efficiency of PChl excitation by the acceptor part of the complex may be connected with the existence of the prerelaxation reverse energy transfer from Chl to PChl in mixed pigment associates. On the basis of the obtained data a mechanism of energy transfer from protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide in etiolated leaves and homogenates is discussed.", "contents": "[Relationship between chlorophyll concentration and the energy reaction between protochlorophyll and chlorophyll in mixed associations]. In the paper results are presented of investigation of protochlorophyll (PChl) and chlorophyll (Chl) mixed associations and of interaction between them within the polymer molecular complex, which forms in mixture of water-dioxane (1 : 4). The initial PChl concentration in all solutions was constant (CPChl = 1 . 10(-5) m/l), and Chl concentration varied from 1.10(-8) m/l up to 2.10(-5) m/l. It is shown that with the rise of Chl proportion in the mixed aggregate the rearrangement of both donor (PChl) and acceptor (Chl) components of complex takes place. The luminescence quenching of PChl and the sensitization of Chl emission in mixed pigment associates were investigated of different Chl levels and the evaluation of efficiency of intracomplex electronic excitation energy transfer, determined from quenching and sensibilization, was performed. Similar dependence of energy transfer effectiveness on Chl concentration, determined by the two above-mentioned methods shows that the excitation migration in an associate takes place without losses. An analysis of results permits to conclude that a small trapping efficiency of PChl excitation by the acceptor part of the complex may be connected with the existence of the prerelaxation reverse energy transfer from Chl to PChl in mixed pigment associates. On the basis of the obtained data a mechanism of energy transfer from protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide in etiolated leaves and homogenates is discussed.", "PMID": 618338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2451", "title": "[Nucleoprotein fusion. III. Causes and conditions for development of the multiphase character of the DNA--protein fusion curve].", "content": "The influence of proteins reversibly and irreversibly bound to DNA on the shape of melting curve has been considered. It is shown that the melting curve becomes biphasic in two cases: (i) cooperative binding of proteins with DNA (II) STRONG DIFFERENCE IN THE BINDING CONSTANTS WITH HELICAL AND COILED REGIONS. Simple formulae permitting to determine which of two causes stipulate for biphasic profile of a given experimental melting curve are obtained. Melting curves of DNA-basic oligopeptides complexes have been investigated. It is shown that the oligopeptides, when their chain length does not exceed 10, are able to migrate along DNA and biphasic shape of the melting curve is stipulated by the cooperative manner of their binding with DNA.", "contents": "[Nucleoprotein fusion. III. Causes and conditions for development of the multiphase character of the DNA--protein fusion curve]. The influence of proteins reversibly and irreversibly bound to DNA on the shape of melting curve has been considered. It is shown that the melting curve becomes biphasic in two cases: (i) cooperative binding of proteins with DNA (II) STRONG DIFFERENCE IN THE BINDING CONSTANTS WITH HELICAL AND COILED REGIONS. Simple formulae permitting to determine which of two causes stipulate for biphasic profile of a given experimental melting curve are obtained. Melting curves of DNA-basic oligopeptides complexes have been investigated. It is shown that the oligopeptides, when their chain length does not exceed 10, are able to migrate along DNA and biphasic shape of the melting curve is stipulated by the cooperative manner of their binding with DNA.", "PMID": 618339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2452", "title": "[Kinetics of alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis in equilibrium. II. Comparison of ester and amide substrates].", "content": "Kinetic of the alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed reversible hydrolytic reaction of methyl N-acetyl-L-phenylalaninate and N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycinamide at pH 5.5 and equilibrium conditions has been studied. The rates of the labeled reaction products incorporated into the substrate a different methanol concentrations shows that the reaction proceeds by a compulsory mechanism with the formation of N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine-alpha-chymotrypsin complex. For the amide substrate the data obtained are also in agreement with the compulsory mechanism of its hydrolysis. Equilibrium kinetics of ester and amide substrates hydrolysis has been compared.", "contents": "[Kinetics of alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis in equilibrium. II. Comparison of ester and amide substrates]. Kinetic of the alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed reversible hydrolytic reaction of methyl N-acetyl-L-phenylalaninate and N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycinamide at pH 5.5 and equilibrium conditions has been studied. The rates of the labeled reaction products incorporated into the substrate a different methanol concentrations shows that the reaction proceeds by a compulsory mechanism with the formation of N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine-alpha-chymotrypsin complex. For the amide substrate the data obtained are also in agreement with the compulsory mechanism of its hydrolysis. Equilibrium kinetics of ester and amide substrates hydrolysis has been compared.", "PMID": 618342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2453", "title": "[Nomogram for the determination of the size of protein molecules and approximation of their molecular weights].", "content": "A nomograph is suggested using which one can determine from the molecular weight and one of the dimensions of the molecule the remaining dimension and the axial ratio for the ellipsoid of rotation with the volume equivalent to the volume of the protein molecule. The nomograph permits to determine molecular weight from the molecular size of the dry protein and of the protein dissolved in water. From the molecular size of the dry protein corresponding dimensions for the protein molecule in an aqueous solution can be obtained. At last the nomograph can help to evaluate the correctness of the literature data and experimental data on the molecular sizes of proteins and on their molecular weights.", "contents": "[Nomogram for the determination of the size of protein molecules and approximation of their molecular weights]. A nomograph is suggested using which one can determine from the molecular weight and one of the dimensions of the molecule the remaining dimension and the axial ratio for the ellipsoid of rotation with the volume equivalent to the volume of the protein molecule. The nomograph permits to determine molecular weight from the molecular size of the dry protein and of the protein dissolved in water. From the molecular size of the dry protein corresponding dimensions for the protein molecule in an aqueous solution can be obtained. At last the nomograph can help to evaluate the correctness of the literature data and experimental data on the molecular sizes of proteins and on their molecular weights.", "PMID": 618343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2454", "title": "[Use of the antibiotics actinomycin D and distamycin A to limit the action of restriction endonucleases and to map DNA].", "content": "It is shown that distamycin A and actinomycin D protect the recognition sites of certain restriction endonucleases from the attack by these nucleases due to specific interaction of these antibiotics with double-stranded DNA. Distamycin A protects A-T containing sites and actinomycin G-C rich sites. Among Hind II recognition sites which have alternative structure (GTPyPuAC) distamycin A protects only Hpa I similar sites (GTTAAC). It is shown with several restriction endonucleases that antibiotic action depends on the nucleotide sequences in the recognition sites and in their closest environment. Proper concentrations of antibiotic give rise to larger fragments. Use of both distamycin A and actinomycin D allows to obtain a set of overlapping fragments. The data obtained with various DNAs and restriction endonucleases allow to conclude that these antibiotics may be useful for DNA mapping and for preparation of large functional fragments of DNA.", "contents": "[Use of the antibiotics actinomycin D and distamycin A to limit the action of restriction endonucleases and to map DNA]. It is shown that distamycin A and actinomycin D protect the recognition sites of certain restriction endonucleases from the attack by these nucleases due to specific interaction of these antibiotics with double-stranded DNA. Distamycin A protects A-T containing sites and actinomycin G-C rich sites. Among Hind II recognition sites which have alternative structure (GTPyPuAC) distamycin A protects only Hpa I similar sites (GTTAAC). It is shown with several restriction endonucleases that antibiotic action depends on the nucleotide sequences in the recognition sites and in their closest environment. Proper concentrations of antibiotic give rise to larger fragments. Use of both distamycin A and actinomycin D allows to obtain a set of overlapping fragments. The data obtained with various DNAs and restriction endonucleases allow to conclude that these antibiotics may be useful for DNA mapping and for preparation of large functional fragments of DNA.", "PMID": 618340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2455", "title": "Patients' knowledge of heart disease in general practice.", "content": "Interviews with 400 consecutive patients attending a general practice sought their knowledge of the signs and symptoms of an acute heart attack, what action they would take for such an event, and their understanding of the predisposing factors contributing to heart disease. The survey revealed poor recognition of the relevant signs and symptoms of an acute heart attack and lack of knowledge of some of the main predisposing factors associated with heart disease.", "contents": "Patients' knowledge of heart disease in general practice. Interviews with 400 consecutive patients attending a general practice sought their knowledge of the signs and symptoms of an acute heart attack, what action they would take for such an event, and their understanding of the predisposing factors contributing to heart disease. The survey revealed poor recognition of the relevant signs and symptoms of an acute heart attack and lack of knowledge of some of the main predisposing factors associated with heart disease.", "PMID": 618352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2456", "title": "[Comparative study of the tRNA-methylases of normal and tumor tissues. II. Positional specificity of renal and carcinoma RA methylases].", "content": "A comparative study of the position specificity of tRNA-methylases from normal and tumour tissues was performed on yeast tRNA1Val as the substrates using partially purified enzyme preparations from rat kidney and carcinoma RA. As in the case of rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma, two methylated compounds are formed in yeast tRNA1Val under the action of rat kidney and carcinoma enzyme preparations: m5C is formed in the sequence C49--C52 located in the extra loop and A59 in the Tpsi-loop is is converted into m1A. The activity of m5C-methylase [S-Ado-Met-tRNA-(cytosine-5)methyltransferase] (E. C. 2.1.1.29) is approximately equal in both tissues, whereas the activity of m1A-methylase [S-Ado-Met-tRNA-(adenine-1)methyltransferase] (E. C. 2.1.1.36) in carcinoma is twice as high as in the kidney. The two enzymes do not differ in their position specificity.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the tRNA-methylases of normal and tumor tissues. II. Positional specificity of renal and carcinoma RA methylases]. A comparative study of the position specificity of tRNA-methylases from normal and tumour tissues was performed on yeast tRNA1Val as the substrates using partially purified enzyme preparations from rat kidney and carcinoma RA. As in the case of rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma, two methylated compounds are formed in yeast tRNA1Val under the action of rat kidney and carcinoma enzyme preparations: m5C is formed in the sequence C49--C52 located in the extra loop and A59 in the Tpsi-loop is is converted into m1A. The activity of m5C-methylase [S-Ado-Met-tRNA-(cytosine-5)methyltransferase] (E. C. 2.1.1.29) is approximately equal in both tissues, whereas the activity of m1A-methylase [S-Ado-Met-tRNA-(adenine-1)methyltransferase] (E. C. 2.1.1.36) in carcinoma is twice as high as in the kidney. The two enzymes do not differ in their position specificity.", "PMID": 618346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2457", "title": "[Electron microscopy study of fibrin self-assembly].", "content": "The process of fibrin selfassembly has been examined by electron microscopy. Its initial stage is found to consist in fibrin monomer conversion to thin filaments of random shape, probably identical with the well known intermediate polymers of fibrin. When the filaments attain an appropriate size they arrange themselfs into bundles with increasingly ordered structure. At this stage a tendency to form cross bands appears. The cross-band system develops on the basis of substance redistribution within fibrin molecules incorporated into filamentous bundles. It seems hardly warranted to call the complicated process of fibrin fibre formation as \"selfassembly\". This process represents a \"molecular morphopoesis\" and includes: selfassembly of filaments; selfassembly of bundles and transformation leading to the establishment of the ultimate fibril structure.", "contents": "[Electron microscopy study of fibrin self-assembly]. The process of fibrin selfassembly has been examined by electron microscopy. Its initial stage is found to consist in fibrin monomer conversion to thin filaments of random shape, probably identical with the well known intermediate polymers of fibrin. When the filaments attain an appropriate size they arrange themselfs into bundles with increasingly ordered structure. At this stage a tendency to form cross bands appears. The cross-band system develops on the basis of substance redistribution within fibrin molecules incorporated into filamentous bundles. It seems hardly warranted to call the complicated process of fibrin fibre formation as \"selfassembly\". This process represents a \"molecular morphopoesis\" and includes: selfassembly of filaments; selfassembly of bundles and transformation leading to the establishment of the ultimate fibril structure.", "PMID": 618344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2458", "title": "[Translocation mechanism of ribosomes].", "content": "The paper summarizes studies of the molecular mechanism of the dynamic function of the ribosome, i. e. translocation, performed in the author's laboratory during the past decade. The hypothesis of the locking-unlocking of the ribosomal subparticles and the kinematical model of the working ribosome, the processes of spontaneous (factor-free) and factor-dependent translocation, the sequence of events in the factor-dependent translocation, the energetics of translocation and the contribution of the elongation factors with GTP are considered. The following conclusions are made: (1) the translocation mechanism is intrinsic to the structural organization of the ribosome itself but not introduced by the protein elongation factors; (2) the transpeptidation reaction is one of the sources of energy for the work of the translocation mechanism; (3) the protein elongation factors with GTP impart additional energy to the ribosome, including that for translocation, and thus ensure excess power which is realized, in particular, in the increase of the translocation rate and its resistance against inhibitors and hindrances; (4) the promoting role of the elongation factors with GTP does not proceed by a direct conjugation of GTP hydrolysis with translocation, but through the affinity of the elongation factors to the ribosome, with a subsequent compensation of the affinity at the expense of GTP cleavage.", "contents": "[Translocation mechanism of ribosomes]. The paper summarizes studies of the molecular mechanism of the dynamic function of the ribosome, i. e. translocation, performed in the author's laboratory during the past decade. The hypothesis of the locking-unlocking of the ribosomal subparticles and the kinematical model of the working ribosome, the processes of spontaneous (factor-free) and factor-dependent translocation, the sequence of events in the factor-dependent translocation, the energetics of translocation and the contribution of the elongation factors with GTP are considered. The following conclusions are made: (1) the translocation mechanism is intrinsic to the structural organization of the ribosome itself but not introduced by the protein elongation factors; (2) the transpeptidation reaction is one of the sources of energy for the work of the translocation mechanism; (3) the protein elongation factors with GTP impart additional energy to the ribosome, including that for translocation, and thus ensure excess power which is realized, in particular, in the increase of the translocation rate and its resistance against inhibitors and hindrances; (4) the promoting role of the elongation factors with GTP does not proceed by a direct conjugation of GTP hydrolysis with translocation, but through the affinity of the elongation factors to the ribosome, with a subsequent compensation of the affinity at the expense of GTP cleavage.", "PMID": 618348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2459", "title": "The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve in patients with familial hyperchylomicronemia.", "content": "In order to study the effect of marked chylomicronemia on red cell oxygen release, oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curves (ODC's) from zero to full saturation were determined on whole blood from three siblings with familial Type I hyperlipoproteinemia. In these cases the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin was markedly increased, with P50 act. pH varying between 22.1 and 17.7 mm. Hg (normal value, 27.3 mm. Hg; S.D., 1.3) and the Hill coefficient n reflecting the slope of the ODC was increased. The changes in the ODC's are thought to be secondary to the hyperchylomicronemia for the following reasons: (1) the change was minimized by incubating red cells from the patients in normal donor plasma; (2) normal red cells increased their oxygen affinity when incubated in lactescent plasma; (3) the change was not explainable by a decrease in red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate content or in arterial blood hydrogen ion concentration. Based on these findings a decreased erythrocyte oxygen release of one third can be hypothesized. The importance of this observation in relation to the symptomatology of clinical conditions complicating marked chylomicronemia is discussed.", "contents": "The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve in patients with familial hyperchylomicronemia. In order to study the effect of marked chylomicronemia on red cell oxygen release, oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curves (ODC's) from zero to full saturation were determined on whole blood from three siblings with familial Type I hyperlipoproteinemia. In these cases the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin was markedly increased, with P50 act. pH varying between 22.1 and 17.7 mm. Hg (normal value, 27.3 mm. Hg; S.D., 1.3) and the Hill coefficient n reflecting the slope of the ODC was increased. The changes in the ODC's are thought to be secondary to the hyperchylomicronemia for the following reasons: (1) the change was minimized by incubating red cells from the patients in normal donor plasma; (2) normal red cells increased their oxygen affinity when incubated in lactescent plasma; (3) the change was not explainable by a decrease in red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate content or in arterial blood hydrogen ion concentration. Based on these findings a decreased erythrocyte oxygen release of one third can be hypothesized. The importance of this observation in relation to the symptomatology of clinical conditions complicating marked chylomicronemia is discussed.", "PMID": 618355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2460", "title": "[Temporal characteristics of bacteriorhodopsin as a molecular biological generator of current].", "content": "Generation of electric potential difference by bacteriorhodopsin proteoliposomes incorporated into the phospholipid-impregnated collodion film has been studied. It is shown that illumination of this film by continuous light gives rise to the generation of an electric potential difference across the film (plus on the bacteriorhodopsin-free side), which can be as high as 300 mV. Short unsaturating flash inducing single turn-over of bacteriorhodopsin generates the potential difference which is a function of the flash intensity (70 mV at 3 mjoule light). The flash-induced photoelectric response consists of four phases. (1) Very fast (tau less than 1 microsec) generation of a potential difference (minus in the bacteriorhodopsin-free compartment). The amplitude of this phase is rather small (1--5 mV). (2) Fast phase of positive charging of the bacteriorhodopsin-free compartment (tau = 25--50 microsec). (3) Slow phase of positive charging of this compartment (tau = 6--12 msec) Amplitude of the second phase is to that of the third as 1 : 2. (4) A very slow phase of discharge of the flash-induced potential difference (tau = 1 sec at 10(8) ohm X cm2 film resistance). The third phase was specifically inhibited by La3+. Both the second and the third phases are decelerated by substitution of D2O in 4.5--5 and 2 times, respectively, while the amplitude of the first phase increases. Prolonged storage of the system in the dark (tua = 20--25 min) causes the decrease in the amplitudes of the second and the third phases as if the amount of active bacteriorhodopsin molecules were increased by factor 2. Such an inhibition was reversed by 30--60 sec illumination of the system. The dark adaptation is accompanied by some increase in the first phase amplitude. Comparison of these data with results of other studies on bacteriorhodopsin suggests that (1) the first phase is due to the photoinduced change in the retinal dipole; (2) the second phase corresponds to H+ transfer from Schiff base to the water solution in the proteoliposome interior; 3) the third phase represents H+ transfer from the incubation mixture to Schiff base; (4) the dark adaptation is a result of transition of photoelectrochemically active all-trans-retinal to the inactive 13-cis-retinal.", "contents": "[Temporal characteristics of bacteriorhodopsin as a molecular biological generator of current]. Generation of electric potential difference by bacteriorhodopsin proteoliposomes incorporated into the phospholipid-impregnated collodion film has been studied. It is shown that illumination of this film by continuous light gives rise to the generation of an electric potential difference across the film (plus on the bacteriorhodopsin-free side), which can be as high as 300 mV. Short unsaturating flash inducing single turn-over of bacteriorhodopsin generates the potential difference which is a function of the flash intensity (70 mV at 3 mjoule light). The flash-induced photoelectric response consists of four phases. (1) Very fast (tau less than 1 microsec) generation of a potential difference (minus in the bacteriorhodopsin-free compartment). The amplitude of this phase is rather small (1--5 mV). (2) Fast phase of positive charging of the bacteriorhodopsin-free compartment (tau = 25--50 microsec). (3) Slow phase of positive charging of this compartment (tau = 6--12 msec) Amplitude of the second phase is to that of the third as 1 : 2. (4) A very slow phase of discharge of the flash-induced potential difference (tau = 1 sec at 10(8) ohm X cm2 film resistance). The third phase was specifically inhibited by La3+. Both the second and the third phases are decelerated by substitution of D2O in 4.5--5 and 2 times, respectively, while the amplitude of the first phase increases. Prolonged storage of the system in the dark (tua = 20--25 min) causes the decrease in the amplitudes of the second and the third phases as if the amount of active bacteriorhodopsin molecules were increased by factor 2. Such an inhibition was reversed by 30--60 sec illumination of the system. The dark adaptation is accompanied by some increase in the first phase amplitude. Comparison of these data with results of other studies on bacteriorhodopsin suggests that (1) the first phase is due to the photoinduced change in the retinal dipole; (2) the second phase corresponds to H+ transfer from Schiff base to the water solution in the proteoliposome interior; 3) the third phase represents H+ transfer from the incubation mixture to Schiff base; (4) the dark adaptation is a result of transition of photoelectrochemically active all-trans-retinal to the inactive 13-cis-retinal.", "PMID": 618349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2461", "title": "[Comparative study of the tRNA-methylases of normal and tumor tissues. I. Spectrum of renal and carcinoma RA methylases].", "content": "A comparative study of rat kidney and carcinoma RA tRNA-methylase activity has been carried out using partially purified enzyme preparations and total E. coli tRNA. Also the nuclease activity of the methylase preparations from kidney and carcinoma was compared. It was established that the methylase activity in carcinoma preparations is higher, whereas the nuclease activity is lower in comparison to the enzyme preparations from liver. No formation of some specific methylated compounds could be established in the case of carcinoma. It was established that the relative contribution of individual methylases to the elevated level of total tRNA-methylase activity in carcinoma is different. Maximal enhancement of activity was established for the methylase forming m5U, whereas the activity of the enzymes, transfering the methyl group to the fifth position of C is practically equal in kidney and carcinoma tissues. Experimental results and theoretical evaluation of the hypotheses suggested to explain the higher methylase activity in tumor tissues allowed to reject some of them.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the tRNA-methylases of normal and tumor tissues. I. Spectrum of renal and carcinoma RA methylases]. A comparative study of rat kidney and carcinoma RA tRNA-methylase activity has been carried out using partially purified enzyme preparations and total E. coli tRNA. Also the nuclease activity of the methylase preparations from kidney and carcinoma was compared. It was established that the methylase activity in carcinoma preparations is higher, whereas the nuclease activity is lower in comparison to the enzyme preparations from liver. No formation of some specific methylated compounds could be established in the case of carcinoma. It was established that the relative contribution of individual methylases to the elevated level of total tRNA-methylase activity in carcinoma is different. Maximal enhancement of activity was established for the methylase forming m5U, whereas the activity of the enzymes, transfering the methyl group to the fifth position of C is practically equal in kidney and carcinoma tissues. Experimental results and theoretical evaluation of the hypotheses suggested to explain the higher methylase activity in tumor tissues allowed to reject some of them.", "PMID": 618345} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2462", "title": "[Diseases of the central nervous system in diabetes mellitus].", "content": "In a series of examinations of more than 1000 psychiatricneurological patients we tried to state the effects of diabetes mellitus on the nervous system. We attempted to diagnose the diabetic metabolic error by means of using the oral glucose tolerance test (100 g glucose), the plasma insulin levels and many other laboratory-technical examinations (altogether about 23 000 individual tests). It was found that 21,6% of the patients had a pathological glucose tolerance, 29.6% of them had a pathological insulin response and 5,5% of them showed a known and manifest diabetes mellitus. The comparison between the number of patients with a metabolic disturbance and the frequency of sick persons to be expected epidemiologically shows that an influence exercised by the diabetic metabolism may be stated in neurological and psychic disturbances of cerebral sclerosis and polyneuropathy. The central syndromes are more frequent than the peripheric ones. Mainly low plasma insulin is present. As a rule, pathological results may be seen more often during pathological glucose tolerance in electroencephalography, pneumencephalography, CSF-examinations, personality and intelligence states. This suggests that a diffuse disturbance upon the nervous system comes from the diabetic metabolism, without any acute metabolic disturbance which we did not find among our patients. This disturbance is evident clinically as so-called diabetic polyneuropathy and also encephalopathy. In opposition to that very often pathological changes can be seen by technical research methods in other neurological and psychiatric diagnoses without influencing essentially the autonomous progress of the psychiatricneurological illness.", "contents": "[Diseases of the central nervous system in diabetes mellitus]. In a series of examinations of more than 1000 psychiatricneurological patients we tried to state the effects of diabetes mellitus on the nervous system. We attempted to diagnose the diabetic metabolic error by means of using the oral glucose tolerance test (100 g glucose), the plasma insulin levels and many other laboratory-technical examinations (altogether about 23 000 individual tests). It was found that 21,6% of the patients had a pathological glucose tolerance, 29.6% of them had a pathological insulin response and 5,5% of them showed a known and manifest diabetes mellitus. The comparison between the number of patients with a metabolic disturbance and the frequency of sick persons to be expected epidemiologically shows that an influence exercised by the diabetic metabolism may be stated in neurological and psychic disturbances of cerebral sclerosis and polyneuropathy. The central syndromes are more frequent than the peripheric ones. Mainly low plasma insulin is present. As a rule, pathological results may be seen more often during pathological glucose tolerance in electroencephalography, pneumencephalography, CSF-examinations, personality and intelligence states. This suggests that a diffuse disturbance upon the nervous system comes from the diabetic metabolism, without any acute metabolic disturbance which we did not find among our patients. This disturbance is evident clinically as so-called diabetic polyneuropathy and also encephalopathy. In opposition to that very often pathological changes can be seen by technical research methods in other neurological and psychiatric diagnoses without influencing essentially the autonomous progress of the psychiatricneurological illness.", "PMID": 618360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2463", "title": "[Specific hyposensitization in allergic diseases (author's transl)].", "content": "Hyposensitization with semi-depot extracts was effective in 439 of 533 patients (82.4%) with allergic manifestations. The result suggests that treatment will be most effective when (1) the patient is young, (2) the disease is located in the respiratory tract, (3) the disease has been of relatively short duration, (4) the hyposensitization extract contains only one type of allergen, (5) only a few allergens are involved, (6) treatment continues over a long period of time, (7) the final dosage is high, and (8) dosage and time schedules are carefully followed. Success does not depend on the patient's sex or the occurrence of side effects during the treatment.", "contents": "[Specific hyposensitization in allergic diseases (author's transl)]. Hyposensitization with semi-depot extracts was effective in 439 of 533 patients (82.4%) with allergic manifestations. The result suggests that treatment will be most effective when (1) the patient is young, (2) the disease is located in the respiratory tract, (3) the disease has been of relatively short duration, (4) the hyposensitization extract contains only one type of allergen, (5) only a few allergens are involved, (6) treatment continues over a long period of time, (7) the final dosage is high, and (8) dosage and time schedules are carefully followed. Success does not depend on the patient's sex or the occurrence of side effects during the treatment.", "PMID": 618363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2464", "title": "Reversibility of the \"salt-losing\" tendency of chronic renal failure.", "content": "We examined the salt-losing tendency of chronic renal failure in five patients with glomerular filtration rates varying from 5.2 to 16.0 ml per minute. When the studies began, patients were in sodium balance on metabolic diets containing 58 to 342 meq of sodium daily. The sodium content of the diet was then reduced in stages at intervals of at least one week over four to 14 weeks with careful clinical and laboratory monitoring. In four of the patients a salt-losing tendency developed, temporarily requiring intravenous salt replacement in two. At the completion of the studies all the patients remained in sodium balance while ingesting a mean (+/- S.D.) of 5.0 +/- 2.9 meq of sodium per day. There was no change in renal function. Thus, the salt-losing tendency of chronic renal failure is reversible and appears to be a manifestation of the long-term adaptation for sodium excretion.", "contents": "Reversibility of the \"salt-losing\" tendency of chronic renal failure. We examined the salt-losing tendency of chronic renal failure in five patients with glomerular filtration rates varying from 5.2 to 16.0 ml per minute. When the studies began, patients were in sodium balance on metabolic diets containing 58 to 342 meq of sodium daily. The sodium content of the diet was then reduced in stages at intervals of at least one week over four to 14 weeks with careful clinical and laboratory monitoring. In four of the patients a salt-losing tendency developed, temporarily requiring intravenous salt replacement in two. At the completion of the studies all the patients remained in sodium balance while ingesting a mean (+/- S.D.) of 5.0 +/- 2.9 meq of sodium per day. There was no change in renal function. Thus, the salt-losing tendency of chronic renal failure is reversible and appears to be a manifestation of the long-term adaptation for sodium excretion.", "PMID": 618364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2465", "title": "[Supraregional operation control system for rescue and repatriation flights].", "content": "The air rescue service, organized by regions in the Federal Republic of Germany, is conducted by helicopters and comprises 24 operation stations. 9 independently operating airline companies take part in supraregional repatriation flights. The coordination of the availability of regionally controlled rescue helicopters with repatriation flights to be conducted on supraregional level seems to be urgently necessary in order to avoid duplication of operations and futile flights and to control the influx of patients to the specialized hospitals. The ground rescue service has to be included in the overall coordination system. Information and data required for coordinating purposes in a supraregional operation control center will be presented in detail.", "contents": "[Supraregional operation control system for rescue and repatriation flights]. The air rescue service, organized by regions in the Federal Republic of Germany, is conducted by helicopters and comprises 24 operation stations. 9 independently operating airline companies take part in supraregional repatriation flights. The coordination of the availability of regionally controlled rescue helicopters with repatriation flights to be conducted on supraregional level seems to be urgently necessary in order to avoid duplication of operations and futile flights and to control the influx of patients to the specialized hospitals. The ground rescue service has to be included in the overall coordination system. Information and data required for coordinating purposes in a supraregional operation control center will be presented in detail.", "PMID": 618366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2466", "title": "Short term variation of human immunoglobulin levels with an estimation of the day to day physiological variability.", "content": "In this work serum Ig levels were determined daily for 14 days in 12 subjects, every two days for 14 days in 19 subjects, every week for 1 month in 11 subjects and fortnightly in 11 subjects for 6 months. The serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were quantitated by the linear plate method. The day-to-day reproducibility of the technique was checked for a period of one months on seven different samples. The mean coefficient of variation in the reproducibility experiments was found to be 4.8% for IgG, 8.2% for IgM and 5.2% for IgA. Since the observed variation in all groups of subjects was found to be higher than the methodological variation, it appears that physiological variability occurs in the serum Ig levels of an individual. No difference was found between the physiological variances of IgG, IgM and IgA observed in the group with daily analysis and those with determinations every two days. The physiological variations increase when longer periods are considered between consecutive determinations, but the variability of IgG and IgA in the group with fortnightly determinations is less important than that observed in the group with weekly analyses. Some evidence is presented indicating a periodic fluctuation of serum IgG and IgA levels with an amplitude of nearly 20% and with a recurrence rate of two weeks.", "contents": "Short term variation of human immunoglobulin levels with an estimation of the day to day physiological variability. In this work serum Ig levels were determined daily for 14 days in 12 subjects, every two days for 14 days in 19 subjects, every week for 1 month in 11 subjects and fortnightly in 11 subjects for 6 months. The serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were quantitated by the linear plate method. The day-to-day reproducibility of the technique was checked for a period of one months on seven different samples. The mean coefficient of variation in the reproducibility experiments was found to be 4.8% for IgG, 8.2% for IgM and 5.2% for IgA. Since the observed variation in all groups of subjects was found to be higher than the methodological variation, it appears that physiological variability occurs in the serum Ig levels of an individual. No difference was found between the physiological variances of IgG, IgM and IgA observed in the group with daily analysis and those with determinations every two days. The physiological variations increase when longer periods are considered between consecutive determinations, but the variability of IgG and IgA in the group with fortnightly determinations is less important than that observed in the group with weekly analyses. Some evidence is presented indicating a periodic fluctuation of serum IgG and IgA levels with an amplitude of nearly 20% and with a recurrence rate of two weeks.", "PMID": 618370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2467", "title": "[Study of the reference values and nyctohemeral cycle of serum iron].", "content": "Marked variations in the same individual of serum iron levels may be due to a circadian rhythm. We determined the reference values of serum iron in a population of blood donors who had no blood disease. The very wide reference interval found (0.47 to 1.75 mg/l in man and 0.36 to 1.66 mg/l in women) was due to physiological variations rather than analytical variations. We also demonstrated in individuals with a normal life rhythm, a circadian rhythm for iron with maximal levels in the morning (8 to 12) and minimal levels in the evening (8 p.m. to midnight) the ratio of these levels is usually between 1.5 and 2, but may reach much higher figures. On the other hand, the total fixation capacity varies little over 24 hours. In night workers, one may note a displacement of the cycle with a maximum towards 8 p.m. a minimum at 8 a.m. In diabetics, the circadian rhythm exists but with a lower amplitued than in healthy subjects. In a few cases a hemochromatosis, one may note disappearance of the cycle.", "contents": "[Study of the reference values and nyctohemeral cycle of serum iron]. Marked variations in the same individual of serum iron levels may be due to a circadian rhythm. We determined the reference values of serum iron in a population of blood donors who had no blood disease. The very wide reference interval found (0.47 to 1.75 mg/l in man and 0.36 to 1.66 mg/l in women) was due to physiological variations rather than analytical variations. We also demonstrated in individuals with a normal life rhythm, a circadian rhythm for iron with maximal levels in the morning (8 to 12) and minimal levels in the evening (8 p.m. to midnight) the ratio of these levels is usually between 1.5 and 2, but may reach much higher figures. On the other hand, the total fixation capacity varies little over 24 hours. In night workers, one may note a displacement of the cycle with a maximum towards 8 p.m. a minimum at 8 a.m. In diabetics, the circadian rhythm exists but with a lower amplitued than in healthy subjects. In a few cases a hemochromatosis, one may note disappearance of the cycle.", "PMID": 618371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2468", "title": "Failure of plasma from human schistosomiasis mansoni patients to protect mice from Schistosoma mansoni cercarial challenge.", "content": "Plasma samples obtained from patients with well defined Schistosoma mansoni infections, or control subjects, were passively transferred to CF1 mice. Three, 12, or 24 hours after passive transfer, the recipient and control mice were challenged with either 200 or 600 live cercariae, and the adult worm burdens or schistosomula lung recoveries, respectively, were determined 7 weeks or 6 days after challenge. None of the human plasmas afforded the recipient mice protection against the development of schistosomes. Worm and larval yields were equivalent in all cases, even though many of the patient plasmas were shown, as assessed by an in vitro eosinophil-dependent cytotoxic antibody assay, to contain high levels of antischistosomular antibody.", "contents": "Failure of plasma from human schistosomiasis mansoni patients to protect mice from Schistosoma mansoni cercarial challenge. Plasma samples obtained from patients with well defined Schistosoma mansoni infections, or control subjects, were passively transferred to CF1 mice. Three, 12, or 24 hours after passive transfer, the recipient and control mice were challenged with either 200 or 600 live cercariae, and the adult worm burdens or schistosomula lung recoveries, respectively, were determined 7 weeks or 6 days after challenge. None of the human plasmas afforded the recipient mice protection against the development of schistosomes. Worm and larval yields were equivalent in all cases, even though many of the patient plasmas were shown, as assessed by an in vitro eosinophil-dependent cytotoxic antibody assay, to contain high levels of antischistosomular antibody.", "PMID": 618372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2469", "title": "Atrial pacing from the coronary vein. Ten-year experience in 50 patients with implanted pervenous pacemakers.", "content": "During the past ten years, pervenous atrial pacemakers have been implanted in 50 patients (mean age 68 years, 60% males) using an electrode positioned in the coronary vein. The indications for atrial pacing were symptomatic sinus bradycardia (72%), atrial brady-tachy syndrome (20%), and recurrent tachyarrhythmias (8%). Atrial pacemakers have been implanted for a total of 1531 pacing months, average 31 months per patient, median 26 months and range 3-97 months. Effective atrial pacing has been achieved with Medtronic model 5818 and 6904 electrodes. Unipolar or bipolar atrial pacing has been equally effective, and commercially available Medtronic 5950, Cordis 162 and CPI 602 pulse generators have been utilized without difficulty. A total of 11 electrode related malpacing events occurred in the ten-year period with a malpacing event rate of 10% in the first pacing month, 1.1% per paced month during the next six months, and 0.25% per paced month thereafter. Life table analysis reveals that effective atrial pacing was achieved in 76% of the patients during a follow-up of more than five years. This experience substantiates the long-term safety and effectiveness of atrial pacing from the coronary vein using standard pacemaker electrodes and generators.", "contents": "Atrial pacing from the coronary vein. Ten-year experience in 50 patients with implanted pervenous pacemakers. During the past ten years, pervenous atrial pacemakers have been implanted in 50 patients (mean age 68 years, 60% males) using an electrode positioned in the coronary vein. The indications for atrial pacing were symptomatic sinus bradycardia (72%), atrial brady-tachy syndrome (20%), and recurrent tachyarrhythmias (8%). Atrial pacemakers have been implanted for a total of 1531 pacing months, average 31 months per patient, median 26 months and range 3-97 months. Effective atrial pacing has been achieved with Medtronic model 5818 and 6904 electrodes. Unipolar or bipolar atrial pacing has been equally effective, and commercially available Medtronic 5950, Cordis 162 and CPI 602 pulse generators have been utilized without difficulty. A total of 11 electrode related malpacing events occurred in the ten-year period with a malpacing event rate of 10% in the first pacing month, 1.1% per paced month during the next six months, and 0.25% per paced month thereafter. Life table analysis reveals that effective atrial pacing was achieved in 76% of the patients during a follow-up of more than five years. This experience substantiates the long-term safety and effectiveness of atrial pacing from the coronary vein using standard pacemaker electrodes and generators.", "PMID": 618375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2470", "title": "Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in patients with mitral valve prolapse.", "content": "The mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia was evaluated in twelve patients with mitral valve prolapse utilizing standard intracardiac recording and stimulation techniques. Eight patients had normal electrocardiograms, three had a short PR interval and normal QRS (Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome) and one had Wolff-Parkinson-White type A. Six of the eight patients with normal electrocardiograms were demonstrated to have atrioventricular bypass tracts. Five patients had A-V nodal re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia. In two patients the bypass tract could be demonstrated to conduct antegradely when the left atrium was paced via the coronary sinus, while in four the bypass tract only conducted retrogradely. In all seven patients with atrioventricular bypass tracts, the accessory pathway was left-sided. We conclude that a) supraventricular tachycardia in the mitral valve prolapse syndrome appears related to a high frequency of bypass tracts; b) electrophysiological studies are required to diagnose these bypass tracts; and c) the atrioventricular bypass tracts may be related to the mitral valve abnormality since they are always left-sided.", "contents": "Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in patients with mitral valve prolapse. The mechanism of supraventricular tachycardia was evaluated in twelve patients with mitral valve prolapse utilizing standard intracardiac recording and stimulation techniques. Eight patients had normal electrocardiograms, three had a short PR interval and normal QRS (Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome) and one had Wolff-Parkinson-White type A. Six of the eight patients with normal electrocardiograms were demonstrated to have atrioventricular bypass tracts. Five patients had A-V nodal re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia. In two patients the bypass tract could be demonstrated to conduct antegradely when the left atrium was paced via the coronary sinus, while in four the bypass tract only conducted retrogradely. In all seven patients with atrioventricular bypass tracts, the accessory pathway was left-sided. We conclude that a) supraventricular tachycardia in the mitral valve prolapse syndrome appears related to a high frequency of bypass tracts; b) electrophysiological studies are required to diagnose these bypass tracts; and c) the atrioventricular bypass tracts may be related to the mitral valve abnormality since they are always left-sided.", "PMID": 618376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2471", "title": "Efficacy of propranolol in the control of exercise-induced or augmented ventricular ectopic activity.", "content": "The effect of propranolol on exercise-induced or augmented ventricular ectopy was studied in sixteen male patients, six of whom had documented coronary artery disease. Fifteen patients were exercised after two weeks of oral therapy, fourteen after single oral therapy and eight patients after intravenous therapy. Propranolol dosage was titrated to produce maximal beta-adrenergic blockade. Effective reduction of exercise-induced ventricular ectopy occurred in ten of fifteen patients (P less than 0.001), and in five of six patients with coronary disease (P less than 0.02). Propranolol therapy abolished ventricular couplets in eight of twelve patients and ventricular tachycardia in four of the patients. Single oral and intravenous therapy had similar or greater effects. Plasma propranolol levels following different routes of administration did not correlate with exercise-induced maximal heart rates or percent reduction in ventricular ectopy. When compared to exercise in eleven patients, ambulatory monitoring underestimated the severity, particularly the highest grades, of ventricular ectopy.", "contents": "Efficacy of propranolol in the control of exercise-induced or augmented ventricular ectopic activity. The effect of propranolol on exercise-induced or augmented ventricular ectopy was studied in sixteen male patients, six of whom had documented coronary artery disease. Fifteen patients were exercised after two weeks of oral therapy, fourteen after single oral therapy and eight patients after intravenous therapy. Propranolol dosage was titrated to produce maximal beta-adrenergic blockade. Effective reduction of exercise-induced ventricular ectopy occurred in ten of fifteen patients (P less than 0.001), and in five of six patients with coronary disease (P less than 0.02). Propranolol therapy abolished ventricular couplets in eight of twelve patients and ventricular tachycardia in four of the patients. Single oral and intravenous therapy had similar or greater effects. Plasma propranolol levels following different routes of administration did not correlate with exercise-induced maximal heart rates or percent reduction in ventricular ectopy. When compared to exercise in eleven patients, ambulatory monitoring underestimated the severity, particularly the highest grades, of ventricular ectopy.", "PMID": 618377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2472", "title": "Effect of phasic respiration on left ventricular dimension and performance in a normal population. An echocardiographic study.", "content": "Echocardiographic examination of the left ventricle (LV) in 30 normal subjects, 5 to 47 years of age, was performed in order to analyze the effects of phasic respiration on LV dimensions and derived LV function. Peak expiratory and peak inspiratory LV diastolic and systolic dimensions were measured and extrapolated to volume estimates using a standard formula. Although there was wide variation in the individual measurements, and particularly in systolic dimension, the mean peak inspiratory diastolic dimension, derived diastolic volume, and stroke volume all decreased significantly (P less than 0.001); a smaller decrease in ejection fraction was seen (P less than 0.02), while the changes in mean end-systolic dimension and end-systolic volume were not significant. While these observed changes may reflect a true physiologic variation, an artifactual component cannot be excluded. Regardless of their physiologic significance, however, these data show that the effect of phasic respiration is a factor to be considered in correlative echocardiographic studies of LV function in both normal and, possibly, pathologic cardiovascular conditions.", "contents": "Effect of phasic respiration on left ventricular dimension and performance in a normal population. An echocardiographic study. Echocardiographic examination of the left ventricle (LV) in 30 normal subjects, 5 to 47 years of age, was performed in order to analyze the effects of phasic respiration on LV dimensions and derived LV function. Peak expiratory and peak inspiratory LV diastolic and systolic dimensions were measured and extrapolated to volume estimates using a standard formula. Although there was wide variation in the individual measurements, and particularly in systolic dimension, the mean peak inspiratory diastolic dimension, derived diastolic volume, and stroke volume all decreased significantly (P less than 0.001); a smaller decrease in ejection fraction was seen (P less than 0.02), while the changes in mean end-systolic dimension and end-systolic volume were not significant. While these observed changes may reflect a true physiologic variation, an artifactual component cannot be excluded. Regardless of their physiologic significance, however, these data show that the effect of phasic respiration is a factor to be considered in correlative echocardiographic studies of LV function in both normal and, possibly, pathologic cardiovascular conditions.", "PMID": 618378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2473", "title": "Detection of tricuspid regurgitation with two-dimensional echocardiography and peripheral vein injections.", "content": "\"Contrast echocardiography\", utilizing a two-dimensional ultrasound system and peripheral venous injections, was used for the detection of tricuspid regurgitation in 30 patients. The appearance of contrast in the inferior vena cava and the back and forth movement of contrast across the tricuspid valve were considered evidence for tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiographic findings were correlated with clinical and angiographic data. Patients were assigned on the basis of clinical data to one of three groups. Group I included five patients whose clinical findings were diagnostic for tricuspid regurgitation. Group II included patients (15) whose clinical findings were equivocal for tricuspid regurgitation and patients whose recognized primary problem is frequently associated with tricuspid regurgitation. Group III contained ten patients serving as controls. All group I patients had positive echocardiographic studies for tricuspid regurgitation, while all group III patients had negative studies, suggesting that this technique may be specific for tricuspid regurgitation. Among the group II patients were three who had positive echocardiographic studies despite the absence of specific clinical findings of tricuspid regurgitation, suggesting that this technique may be more sensitive than the methods in common use.", "contents": "Detection of tricuspid regurgitation with two-dimensional echocardiography and peripheral vein injections. \"Contrast echocardiography\", utilizing a two-dimensional ultrasound system and peripheral venous injections, was used for the detection of tricuspid regurgitation in 30 patients. The appearance of contrast in the inferior vena cava and the back and forth movement of contrast across the tricuspid valve were considered evidence for tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiographic findings were correlated with clinical and angiographic data. Patients were assigned on the basis of clinical data to one of three groups. Group I included five patients whose clinical findings were diagnostic for tricuspid regurgitation. Group II included patients (15) whose clinical findings were equivocal for tricuspid regurgitation and patients whose recognized primary problem is frequently associated with tricuspid regurgitation. Group III contained ten patients serving as controls. All group I patients had positive echocardiographic studies for tricuspid regurgitation, while all group III patients had negative studies, suggesting that this technique may be specific for tricuspid regurgitation. Among the group II patients were three who had positive echocardiographic studies despite the absence of specific clinical findings of tricuspid regurgitation, suggesting that this technique may be more sensitive than the methods in common use.", "PMID": 618379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2474", "title": "Diffuse coronary artery disease in diabetic patients: fact or fiction?", "content": "To compare angiographically-determined coronary artery disease in diabetic patients with controls, 1,653 patients coming to cardiac catheterization were reviewed retrospectively to find 37 diabetic and 79 control patients matched for sex, age (+/- 3 years), and risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking). The severity of coronary artery disease was assessed using an angiographic grading system. The following results were obtained: 16 of 37 diabetic patients (43%) had three-vessel disease compared to 20 of 79 controls (25%). Seventy-six of 111 (68%) diabetic vessels were diseased compared to 110 of 237 control vessels (46%) (P less than 0.005). The total coronary score reflecting total extent of disease for diabetic patients was 371 (mean 10.0 +/- (SEM) compared to 594 for controls (mean 7.5 +/- 0.7, (P less than 0.01). Diabetic patients had a statistically similar number of diffusely diseased vessels as controls (28% vs 22%). There were only three of 76 diabetic vessels (4%) considered inoperable compared to seven of 110 (6%) control vessels. We conclude that diabetic patients with chest pain have more coronary artery disease than nondiabetics, but no more diffuse or inoperable disease.", "contents": "Diffuse coronary artery disease in diabetic patients: fact or fiction? To compare angiographically-determined coronary artery disease in diabetic patients with controls, 1,653 patients coming to cardiac catheterization were reviewed retrospectively to find 37 diabetic and 79 control patients matched for sex, age (+/- 3 years), and risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking). The severity of coronary artery disease was assessed using an angiographic grading system. The following results were obtained: 16 of 37 diabetic patients (43%) had three-vessel disease compared to 20 of 79 controls (25%). Seventy-six of 111 (68%) diabetic vessels were diseased compared to 110 of 237 control vessels (46%) (P less than 0.005). The total coronary score reflecting total extent of disease for diabetic patients was 371 (mean 10.0 +/- (SEM) compared to 594 for controls (mean 7.5 +/- 0.7, (P less than 0.01). Diabetic patients had a statistically similar number of diffusely diseased vessels as controls (28% vs 22%). There were only three of 76 diabetic vessels (4%) considered inoperable compared to seven of 110 (6%) control vessels. We conclude that diabetic patients with chest pain have more coronary artery disease than nondiabetics, but no more diffuse or inoperable disease.", "PMID": 618380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2475", "title": "Hemodynamic, reflexive, and metabolic alterations induced by acute and chronic timolol therapy in hypertensive man.", "content": "The hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and metabolic effects of acute (intravenous) and prolonged (four weeks oral) timolol treatment were assessed in 16 patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension. Fifteen patients completed the outpatient study and ten showed a fall in mean arterial pressure of at least 10 mm Hg. They also demonstrated a significant fall in supine systolic (7%), diastolic (9%), and mean arterial pressure. Hemodynamic evaluation was performed in 13 patients and cardiac index was found to be reduced with both intravenous (20%) and oral timolol (13%). There was no correlation between the decrease in cardiac index and arterial pressure. Calculated total peripheral resistance rose with intravenous timolol and returned toward, but not below, pretreatment values with the oral therapy. Left ventricular ejection rate also fell significantly with intravenous timolol but returned toward pretreatment levels with oral therapy. Plasma renin activity was reduced similarly with both modes of administration and its reduction also did not correlate with the fall in arterial pressure. Plasma volume fell in eight of 13 patients. Reflexive responses to the Valsalva maneuver were considerably modified by both intravenous and oral timolol but responses to 50 degrees upright tilt and handgrip were not. Timolol is an effective oral antihypertensive agent with similar hemodynamic and metabolic effects to propranolol.", "contents": "Hemodynamic, reflexive, and metabolic alterations induced by acute and chronic timolol therapy in hypertensive man. The hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and metabolic effects of acute (intravenous) and prolonged (four weeks oral) timolol treatment were assessed in 16 patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension. Fifteen patients completed the outpatient study and ten showed a fall in mean arterial pressure of at least 10 mm Hg. They also demonstrated a significant fall in supine systolic (7%), diastolic (9%), and mean arterial pressure. Hemodynamic evaluation was performed in 13 patients and cardiac index was found to be reduced with both intravenous (20%) and oral timolol (13%). There was no correlation between the decrease in cardiac index and arterial pressure. Calculated total peripheral resistance rose with intravenous timolol and returned toward, but not below, pretreatment values with the oral therapy. Left ventricular ejection rate also fell significantly with intravenous timolol but returned toward pretreatment levels with oral therapy. Plasma renin activity was reduced similarly with both modes of administration and its reduction also did not correlate with the fall in arterial pressure. Plasma volume fell in eight of 13 patients. Reflexive responses to the Valsalva maneuver were considerably modified by both intravenous and oral timolol but responses to 50 degrees upright tilt and handgrip were not. Timolol is an effective oral antihypertensive agent with similar hemodynamic and metabolic effects to propranolol.", "PMID": 618381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2476", "title": "Hemodynamic effects of intravenous sodium nitroprusside in the conscious dog.", "content": "The hemodynamic effects of 7 min i.v. sodium nitroprusside (NP) were studied in conscious dogs previously instrumented for measurement of arterial pressure, cardiac output, regional blood flow distribution, left ventricular (LV) pressure, and internal dimensions. Nitroprusside, 25 microgram/kg/min, reduced mean arterial pressure by 23 +/- 3%. Cardiac output increased initially by 39 +/- 7% and returned toward control by the end of the infusion. Regional blood flows increased initially; the relative rise was greatest in the coronary (+ 225 +/- 39%), intermediate in the mesenteric (+ 98 +/- 23%) and iliac (+ 38 +/- 6%), and least in the renal (+ 10 +/- 3%) bed. By the end of the infusion period the vasodilation was unchanged in the iliac bed, less intense in the coronary and mesenteric, while in the iliac bed, blood flow was reduced and resistance was actually increased by 33 +/- 11% above control. A generalized vasonconstriction ensued after cessation of infusion. In contrast, when the drug was administered intra-arterially to the iliac bed, arterial pressure did not fall and only iliac vasodilation was observed. Peak cardiac effects were characterized by increases in heart rate and LV dP/dt, along with marked reduction in LV end-systolic diameter (- 13 +/- 2%), and in end-diastolic diameter (-17 +/- 2%) and pressure. LV end-diastolic diameter fell even heart rate was maintained at a constant rate by pacing. Thus, in the conscious dog, NP reduced LV dimensions substantially, while inducing changes in peripheral beds. The differences in these effects depend on interactions between the direct effects of NP and the opposing effects of reflex adjustments which appear sufficiently powerful to result in net constriction of the iliac bed late during the infusion.", "contents": "Hemodynamic effects of intravenous sodium nitroprusside in the conscious dog. The hemodynamic effects of 7 min i.v. sodium nitroprusside (NP) were studied in conscious dogs previously instrumented for measurement of arterial pressure, cardiac output, regional blood flow distribution, left ventricular (LV) pressure, and internal dimensions. Nitroprusside, 25 microgram/kg/min, reduced mean arterial pressure by 23 +/- 3%. Cardiac output increased initially by 39 +/- 7% and returned toward control by the end of the infusion. Regional blood flows increased initially; the relative rise was greatest in the coronary (+ 225 +/- 39%), intermediate in the mesenteric (+ 98 +/- 23%) and iliac (+ 38 +/- 6%), and least in the renal (+ 10 +/- 3%) bed. By the end of the infusion period the vasodilation was unchanged in the iliac bed, less intense in the coronary and mesenteric, while in the iliac bed, blood flow was reduced and resistance was actually increased by 33 +/- 11% above control. A generalized vasonconstriction ensued after cessation of infusion. In contrast, when the drug was administered intra-arterially to the iliac bed, arterial pressure did not fall and only iliac vasodilation was observed. Peak cardiac effects were characterized by increases in heart rate and LV dP/dt, along with marked reduction in LV end-systolic diameter (- 13 +/- 2%), and in end-diastolic diameter (-17 +/- 2%) and pressure. LV end-diastolic diameter fell even heart rate was maintained at a constant rate by pacing. Thus, in the conscious dog, NP reduced LV dimensions substantially, while inducing changes in peripheral beds. The differences in these effects depend on interactions between the direct effects of NP and the opposing effects of reflex adjustments which appear sufficiently powerful to result in net constriction of the iliac bed late during the infusion.", "PMID": 618382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2477", "title": "Comparison of effects of nitroprusside and prazosin on left ventricular function and the peripheral circulation in chronic refractory congestive heart failure.", "content": "We compared cardiocirculatory actions of nitroprusside (NP) to prazosin (PZ) in eleven chronic coronary patients with refractory congestive heart failure. Each drug equally lowered systemic arterial pressures mildly while heart rate was unaltered. NP decline (P less than .001) in left ventricular filling pressure (28 to 17 mm Hg) and rise (P less than .005) in cardiac index (2.20 to 2.96 L/min/m2) were similar to PZ (30 to 17) and (2.08 to 3.00). PZ and NP equally enhanced cardiac efficiency of stroke work and myocardial oxygen consumption index. Total systemic vascular resistance declined (P less than .001) the same with NP and PZ. Forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and venous tone (FVT) diminished equally with NP and PZ. Similar FVR/FVT percent changes of 0.88 and 0.64 with NP and PZ indicated relatively balanced systemic arteriovenous relaxation. Sinze PZ effects persisted six hours with symptomatic improvement, oral PZ is the best vasodilator for long-term use, extending in-hospital NP-like actions to ambulatory heart failure therapy.", "contents": "Comparison of effects of nitroprusside and prazosin on left ventricular function and the peripheral circulation in chronic refractory congestive heart failure. We compared cardiocirculatory actions of nitroprusside (NP) to prazosin (PZ) in eleven chronic coronary patients with refractory congestive heart failure. Each drug equally lowered systemic arterial pressures mildly while heart rate was unaltered. NP decline (P less than .001) in left ventricular filling pressure (28 to 17 mm Hg) and rise (P less than .005) in cardiac index (2.20 to 2.96 L/min/m2) were similar to PZ (30 to 17) and (2.08 to 3.00). PZ and NP equally enhanced cardiac efficiency of stroke work and myocardial oxygen consumption index. Total systemic vascular resistance declined (P less than .001) the same with NP and PZ. Forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and venous tone (FVT) diminished equally with NP and PZ. Similar FVR/FVT percent changes of 0.88 and 0.64 with NP and PZ indicated relatively balanced systemic arteriovenous relaxation. Sinze PZ effects persisted six hours with symptomatic improvement, oral PZ is the best vasodilator for long-term use, extending in-hospital NP-like actions to ambulatory heart failure therapy.", "PMID": 618383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2478", "title": "The absent pulmonary valve syndrome. Considerations of management.", "content": "The absent pulmonary valve syndrome consists of a severely hypoplastic pulmonary valve with anular stenosis, aneurysmal dilatation of the main pulmonary artery with one or both pulmonary branches also dilated, and a ventricular septal defect. From 1955 to 1975, 15 patients were seen at Texas Children's Hospital with this syndrome. Although anatomically similar to tetralogy of Fallot, the most significant symptoms during early infancy were secondary to bronchial compression resulting from the dilated pulmonary arteries and enlarged left atrium. Intracardiac repair performed on two infants at four months of age failed to ameliorate the respiratory symptoms and both died. Seven patients from 2.3 to 16 years of age were operated upon, with one late postoperative death. Five other patients have not yet received surgical intervention. We recommend vigorous continual respiratory therapy for for infants and small children and intracardiac repair in older children since repair in infancy does not relieve respiratory symptoms. We do not recommend a prosthetic pulmonary valve unless there is persistently elevated main pulmonary artery pressure.", "contents": "The absent pulmonary valve syndrome. Considerations of management. The absent pulmonary valve syndrome consists of a severely hypoplastic pulmonary valve with anular stenosis, aneurysmal dilatation of the main pulmonary artery with one or both pulmonary branches also dilated, and a ventricular septal defect. From 1955 to 1975, 15 patients were seen at Texas Children's Hospital with this syndrome. Although anatomically similar to tetralogy of Fallot, the most significant symptoms during early infancy were secondary to bronchial compression resulting from the dilated pulmonary arteries and enlarged left atrium. Intracardiac repair performed on two infants at four months of age failed to ameliorate the respiratory symptoms and both died. Seven patients from 2.3 to 16 years of age were operated upon, with one late postoperative death. Five other patients have not yet received surgical intervention. We recommend vigorous continual respiratory therapy for for infants and small children and intracardiac repair in older children since repair in infancy does not relieve respiratory symptoms. We do not recommend a prosthetic pulmonary valve unless there is persistently elevated main pulmonary artery pressure.", "PMID": 618384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2479", "title": "The course of the conduction system in dextrocardia.", "content": "This is a serial section examination of the conduction system of five hearts of various types of dextrocardia. In one case of dextroversion the conduction system was found to be normal. In one case of mirror-image dextrocardia the conduction system was normal but in the opposite spatial position. In one heart of mixed (discordant) dextrocardia, the sinoatrial node was in correct morphologic position. There were two atrioventricular nodes - a posterior node close to the coronary sinus and an anterior node in the roof of the morphologic right atrium. They formed two separate bundles which joined in the left ventricle to form a \"sling\". In two cases of presumptive mirror-image dextrocardia, with a common atrium in situs inversus according to the morphology of the atrial appendages, with common atrioventricular orifice (CAVO), the sinoatrial node was situated in wrong positions. Two atrioventricular nodes and bundles again formed a sling. There are various types of slings in discordant dextrocardia.", "contents": "The course of the conduction system in dextrocardia. This is a serial section examination of the conduction system of five hearts of various types of dextrocardia. In one case of dextroversion the conduction system was found to be normal. In one case of mirror-image dextrocardia the conduction system was normal but in the opposite spatial position. In one heart of mixed (discordant) dextrocardia, the sinoatrial node was in correct morphologic position. There were two atrioventricular nodes - a posterior node close to the coronary sinus and an anterior node in the roof of the morphologic right atrium. They formed two separate bundles which joined in the left ventricle to form a \"sling\". In two cases of presumptive mirror-image dextrocardia, with a common atrium in situs inversus according to the morphology of the atrial appendages, with common atrioventricular orifice (CAVO), the sinoatrial node was situated in wrong positions. Two atrioventricular nodes and bundles again formed a sling. There are various types of slings in discordant dextrocardia.", "PMID": 618385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2480", "title": "Effectiveness of unsupervised and supervised high intensity physical training in normalizing serum lipids in men with type iv hyperlipoproteinemia.", "content": "The effect of high intensity physical training (HIPT), conducted in an unsupervised (group A) or supervised (group B) setting, was studied in 23 middle-aged men with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). Following 10 weeks of HIPT intervention, significant metabolic changes were observed such as reductions in both fasting triglyceride and insulin levels, but no changes in fasting serum cholesterol or glucagon levels were found. Other favorable results noted included a significant improvement in physical fitness, as measured by increases in aerobic power, and a decrease in body fatness with only minimal weight losses. There were no significant differences in the results when groups A and B were compared. It was concluded that HIPT is an effective means of lowering fasting triglyceride and insulin levels in Type IV HLP individuals. In addition, such physical training programs can be conducted in either an unsupervised or supervised setting, provided the subjects are highly motivated.", "contents": "Effectiveness of unsupervised and supervised high intensity physical training in normalizing serum lipids in men with type iv hyperlipoproteinemia. The effect of high intensity physical training (HIPT), conducted in an unsupervised (group A) or supervised (group B) setting, was studied in 23 middle-aged men with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). Following 10 weeks of HIPT intervention, significant metabolic changes were observed such as reductions in both fasting triglyceride and insulin levels, but no changes in fasting serum cholesterol or glucagon levels were found. Other favorable results noted included a significant improvement in physical fitness, as measured by increases in aerobic power, and a decrease in body fatness with only minimal weight losses. There were no significant differences in the results when groups A and B were compared. It was concluded that HIPT is an effective means of lowering fasting triglyceride and insulin levels in Type IV HLP individuals. In addition, such physical training programs can be conducted in either an unsupervised or supervised setting, provided the subjects are highly motivated.", "PMID": 618386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2481", "title": "Active valvulitis associated with chronic rheumatic valvular disease and active myocarditis.", "content": "From ten patients aged 15 to 40 years with chronic rheumatic valvular disease and histologically proved Aschoff bodies of active rheumatic myocarditis, the valves were evaluated for incidence, distribution and degree of severity of active inflammation. Prior to death, there had been clinical evidence of active rheumatic fever. In each case, active rheumatic valvulitis was present in at least one valve. Of the individual valves studied, 83% were involved by active inflammation of the leaflets or the anulus or both. The aortic valves was involved in 100% of cases, the mitral valve in 86%, the tricuspid valve in 78% and the pulmonary valve in 70%. The mitral and aortic valves were most frequently involved, but the mitral and tricuspid valves were most severely involved when affected. In every case, active rheumatic lesions of the left atrial appendage were present, but these tended to be less widely distributed than the myocardial Aschoff bodies. The high incidence of active valvulitis supports the concept that chronic fibrosing rheumatic valvular disease results from recurrent active inflammation. Such inflammation may occur without clinical suspicion of active rheumatic fever.", "contents": "Active valvulitis associated with chronic rheumatic valvular disease and active myocarditis. From ten patients aged 15 to 40 years with chronic rheumatic valvular disease and histologically proved Aschoff bodies of active rheumatic myocarditis, the valves were evaluated for incidence, distribution and degree of severity of active inflammation. Prior to death, there had been clinical evidence of active rheumatic fever. In each case, active rheumatic valvulitis was present in at least one valve. Of the individual valves studied, 83% were involved by active inflammation of the leaflets or the anulus or both. The aortic valves was involved in 100% of cases, the mitral valve in 86%, the tricuspid valve in 78% and the pulmonary valve in 70%. The mitral and aortic valves were most frequently involved, but the mitral and tricuspid valves were most severely involved when affected. In every case, active rheumatic lesions of the left atrial appendage were present, but these tended to be less widely distributed than the myocardial Aschoff bodies. The high incidence of active valvulitis supports the concept that chronic fibrosing rheumatic valvular disease results from recurrent active inflammation. Such inflammation may occur without clinical suspicion of active rheumatic fever.", "PMID": 618387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2482", "title": "Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients with mitral valve prolapse: Its advantage over stress electrocardiography in diagnosing associated coronary artery disease and its implications for the etiology of chest pain.", "content": "Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) frequently experience chest pain which may, expecially in older subjects and males, be difficult to differentiate from angina pectoris. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, ventricular arrhythmias, metabolic abnormalities and rare reports of myocardial infarction and sudden death further suggest the presence of an ischemic process in these patients. The recognition of accompanying coronary artery disease (CAD) and exclusion of other causes of ischemia, therefore, may be important in determining the prognosis and appropriate therapy for such patients.", "contents": "Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients with mitral valve prolapse: Its advantage over stress electrocardiography in diagnosing associated coronary artery disease and its implications for the etiology of chest pain. Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) frequently experience chest pain which may, expecially in older subjects and males, be difficult to differentiate from angina pectoris. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, ventricular arrhythmias, metabolic abnormalities and rare reports of myocardial infarction and sudden death further suggest the presence of an ischemic process in these patients. The recognition of accompanying coronary artery disease (CAD) and exclusion of other causes of ischemia, therefore, may be important in determining the prognosis and appropriate therapy for such patients.", "PMID": 618388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2483", "title": "Cryoablation of drug-resistant ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a variant of scleroderma.", "content": "A 37-year-old man with a benign variant of scleroderma (CRST syndrome: calcinosis circumscripta, Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia. Preoperative electrophysiologic study suggested that the mechanism of tachycardia was an ectopic pacemaker focus in the right ventricle. Right ventricular dilatation, tricuspid insufficiency, normal pulmonary pressures, and normal coronary arteries were also demonstrated. At surgery, epicardial mapping localized the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia to the anterior right ventricle near the crista supraventricular. Intramural recordings of the site of tachycardia demonstrated autonomous activity unreflected on the peripheral ECG during brief periods of sinus rhythm. Local epicardial cooling of this area with a cryoprobe promptly terminated ventricular tachycardia with resumption of tachycardia on warming. The focus was ablated by freezing the area at -60 degrees C. The patient remained free of dysrhythmia on no anti-arrhythmic agents for eight months at which time he had a single recurrence of ventricular tachycardia from a different site in the right ventricle. This technique offers a method for ablating sites of dysrhythmia arising in diffusely diseased myocardium.", "contents": "Cryoablation of drug-resistant ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a variant of scleroderma. A 37-year-old man with a benign variant of scleroderma (CRST syndrome: calcinosis circumscripta, Raynaud's phenomenon, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia) presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia. Preoperative electrophysiologic study suggested that the mechanism of tachycardia was an ectopic pacemaker focus in the right ventricle. Right ventricular dilatation, tricuspid insufficiency, normal pulmonary pressures, and normal coronary arteries were also demonstrated. At surgery, epicardial mapping localized the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia to the anterior right ventricle near the crista supraventricular. Intramural recordings of the site of tachycardia demonstrated autonomous activity unreflected on the peripheral ECG during brief periods of sinus rhythm. Local epicardial cooling of this area with a cryoprobe promptly terminated ventricular tachycardia with resumption of tachycardia on warming. The focus was ablated by freezing the area at -60 degrees C. The patient remained free of dysrhythmia on no anti-arrhythmic agents for eight months at which time he had a single recurrence of ventricular tachycardia from a different site in the right ventricle. This technique offers a method for ablating sites of dysrhythmia arising in diffusely diseased myocardium.", "PMID": 618389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2484", "title": "Spontaneous near closure of coronary artery fistula.", "content": "An asymptomatic 14-year-old male was found at cardiac catheterization to have a coronary artery fistula involving a vessel originating from the left main coronary artery and terminating in the right heart. Chest X-ray and electrocardiogram were within normal limits and shunt flow was too small to be detected by oximetry although a large vessel was seen angiographically. One year later, the previously loud continuous murmur had disappeared and repeat catheterization demonstrated near closure of the fistula. This is the first report documenting the spontaneous closure of a coronary artery fistula.", "contents": "Spontaneous near closure of coronary artery fistula. An asymptomatic 14-year-old male was found at cardiac catheterization to have a coronary artery fistula involving a vessel originating from the left main coronary artery and terminating in the right heart. Chest X-ray and electrocardiogram were within normal limits and shunt flow was too small to be detected by oximetry although a large vessel was seen angiographically. One year later, the previously loud continuous murmur had disappeared and repeat catheterization demonstrated near closure of the fistula. This is the first report documenting the spontaneous closure of a coronary artery fistula.", "PMID": 618390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2485", "title": "Evaluation of methods for the quantification of experimental myocardial infarction.", "content": "Several invasive and noninvasive techniques used in determining the size of experimental myocardial infarction were evaluated after acute ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in ten dogs. Systemic blood pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and heart rate did not change significantly for up to 24 hours after coronary occlusion. Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were detected by left ventriculography in the distribution of the LAD but these changes did not correlate well with the infarct weight determined at autopsy. On the other hand, the number of epicardial sites with ST-segment elevation of greater than or equal to 2 mm (mean 15.1 sites +/- 0.6 SEM) and the infarct area as measured by 99mTc-glucoheptonate (TcGH) myocardial imaging (15.7 sq cm +/- 0.6) did correlate strongly with the infarct weight (16.8 g +/- 0.7) determined by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) technique (r = 0.91). TcGH myocardial scintigraphy and epicardial ST-segment mapping allowed early and accurate quantification of experimental myocardial infarcts ranging from less than 1 g to 28 g.", "contents": "Evaluation of methods for the quantification of experimental myocardial infarction. Several invasive and noninvasive techniques used in determining the size of experimental myocardial infarction were evaluated after acute ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in ten dogs. Systemic blood pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and heart rate did not change significantly for up to 24 hours after coronary occlusion. Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were detected by left ventriculography in the distribution of the LAD but these changes did not correlate well with the infarct weight determined at autopsy. On the other hand, the number of epicardial sites with ST-segment elevation of greater than or equal to 2 mm (mean 15.1 sites +/- 0.6 SEM) and the infarct area as measured by 99mTc-glucoheptonate (TcGH) myocardial imaging (15.7 sq cm +/- 0.6) did correlate strongly with the infarct weight (16.8 g +/- 0.7) determined by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) technique (r = 0.91). TcGH myocardial scintigraphy and epicardial ST-segment mapping allowed early and accurate quantification of experimental myocardial infarcts ranging from less than 1 g to 28 g.", "PMID": 618395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2486", "title": "Effects of pharmacologically-induced hypertension on myocardial ischemia and coronary hemodynamics in patients with fixed coronary obstruction.", "content": "Twenty patients with fixed coronary artery obstruction were studied during rapid atrial pacing and methoxamine infusion. During pacing to heart rates of 142 +/- 4 (mean +/- SEM) beats per minute coronary sinus flow increased from 108 +/- 8 to 187 +/- 15 cc/min and myocardial oxygen consumption increased by + 80 +/- 11%. During methoxamine infusion that raised arterial systolic pressure to 196 +/- 5 mm Hg, similar increases in coronary sinus flow (to 179 +/- 13 cc/min) and myocardial oxygen consumption (+ 77 +/- 12%) occurred. Chest pain and ischemic ST segment changes developed in 17 and 14 patients respectively during atrial pacing, an incidence significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than during infusion of methoxamine (6 and 3 patients). Myocardial lactate extraction which averaged 26 +/- 4% during control was decreased to 10 +/- 8% during pacing and to 24 +/- 7% during methoxamine; the difference between decreases was not significant. The data show that at similar increases in myocardial oxygen consumption stress of increased heart rate results in more myocardial ischemia than stress of increased afterload.", "contents": "Effects of pharmacologically-induced hypertension on myocardial ischemia and coronary hemodynamics in patients with fixed coronary obstruction. Twenty patients with fixed coronary artery obstruction were studied during rapid atrial pacing and methoxamine infusion. During pacing to heart rates of 142 +/- 4 (mean +/- SEM) beats per minute coronary sinus flow increased from 108 +/- 8 to 187 +/- 15 cc/min and myocardial oxygen consumption increased by + 80 +/- 11%. During methoxamine infusion that raised arterial systolic pressure to 196 +/- 5 mm Hg, similar increases in coronary sinus flow (to 179 +/- 13 cc/min) and myocardial oxygen consumption (+ 77 +/- 12%) occurred. Chest pain and ischemic ST segment changes developed in 17 and 14 patients respectively during atrial pacing, an incidence significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than during infusion of methoxamine (6 and 3 patients). Myocardial lactate extraction which averaged 26 +/- 4% during control was decreased to 10 +/- 8% during pacing and to 24 +/- 7% during methoxamine; the difference between decreases was not significant. The data show that at similar increases in myocardial oxygen consumption stress of increased heart rate results in more myocardial ischemia than stress of increased afterload.", "PMID": 618396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2487", "title": "Effects of reperfusion on the regional contraction of ischemic and nonischemic myocardium following partial coronary obstruction.", "content": "In 14 dogs the effects on regional tension (Walton-Brodie gauges) and length (mercury-in-silastic) following 50% reduction (52.9 +/- 2.1) in coronary flow for two hours and reperfusion afterwards for one hour were addressed. Within five minutes of partial coronary occlusion, ejection tension in the ischemic zone decreased to 36.3 +/- 7.2% (P less than 0.001) and total tension to 64.4 +/- 5.7% of control (P less than 0.001) while phasic segment length increased to 165.2 +/- 16.3% control. No further significant changes in regional tension or length were observed throughout the two hour period of partial occlusion. Ejection tension remained positive and segment length maintained systolic shortening during the ejection phase throughout the period of occlusion. Following reperfusion, ejection tension in the ischemic zone increased from 35.1 +/- 5.9 to 87.0 +/- 22.0% (P less than 0.05) and total tension increased from 56.6 +/- 5.4 to 70.2 +/- 7.2% (P less than 0.02) while segment length decreased from 149.3 +/- 6.5 to 105.7 +/- 5.7% (P less than 0.001) within five to 15 min of reperfusion. The improvement in both regional tension development and segment length shortening was maintained throughout the one hour period of reperfusion. No significant changes were seen in the nonischemic zone. The present experimental study suggests that partial coronary occlusion producing a 50% reduction in coronary blood flow results in regional contractile changes. These changes are reversible at least twice as long as those following complete occlusion.", "contents": "Effects of reperfusion on the regional contraction of ischemic and nonischemic myocardium following partial coronary obstruction. In 14 dogs the effects on regional tension (Walton-Brodie gauges) and length (mercury-in-silastic) following 50% reduction (52.9 +/- 2.1) in coronary flow for two hours and reperfusion afterwards for one hour were addressed. Within five minutes of partial coronary occlusion, ejection tension in the ischemic zone decreased to 36.3 +/- 7.2% (P less than 0.001) and total tension to 64.4 +/- 5.7% of control (P less than 0.001) while phasic segment length increased to 165.2 +/- 16.3% control. No further significant changes in regional tension or length were observed throughout the two hour period of partial occlusion. Ejection tension remained positive and segment length maintained systolic shortening during the ejection phase throughout the period of occlusion. Following reperfusion, ejection tension in the ischemic zone increased from 35.1 +/- 5.9 to 87.0 +/- 22.0% (P less than 0.05) and total tension increased from 56.6 +/- 5.4 to 70.2 +/- 7.2% (P less than 0.02) while segment length decreased from 149.3 +/- 6.5 to 105.7 +/- 5.7% (P less than 0.001) within five to 15 min of reperfusion. The improvement in both regional tension development and segment length shortening was maintained throughout the one hour period of reperfusion. No significant changes were seen in the nonischemic zone. The present experimental study suggests that partial coronary occlusion producing a 50% reduction in coronary blood flow results in regional contractile changes. These changes are reversible at least twice as long as those following complete occlusion.", "PMID": 618397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2488", "title": "Mummification of the infarcted myocardium by high dose corticosteroids.", "content": "There is evidence that glucocorticoids reduce infarct size but their use in myocardial infarction remains controversial because of their potential adverse effects on healing of the infarct. To investigate the healing process, rats received either four parenteral doses of 50 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP) or saline 5 min, 3,6 and 24 hr after coronary occlusion and their hearts were examined by light and electron microscopy 48 hr and seven days after occlusion. At 48 hr, in five untreated rats, only 12 +/- 7% of injured myocytes showed the persistence of striations and a relatively intact sarcolemma despite loss of nuclei and hence appeared \"mummified\" whereas in six MP-treated rats 72 +/- 8% of myocytes exhibited this appearance (P less than 0.001). In treated rats there were fewer phagocytes than in controls. At seven days, in seven MP-rats, mummified cells were still more prominent than in five untreated rats and there were fewer phagocytes and less collagen. In conclusion, high dose of MP delays the inflammatory process and retards the disintegration of necrotic myocytes, resulting in impaired healing.", "contents": "Mummification of the infarcted myocardium by high dose corticosteroids. There is evidence that glucocorticoids reduce infarct size but their use in myocardial infarction remains controversial because of their potential adverse effects on healing of the infarct. To investigate the healing process, rats received either four parenteral doses of 50 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP) or saline 5 min, 3,6 and 24 hr after coronary occlusion and their hearts were examined by light and electron microscopy 48 hr and seven days after occlusion. At 48 hr, in five untreated rats, only 12 +/- 7% of injured myocytes showed the persistence of striations and a relatively intact sarcolemma despite loss of nuclei and hence appeared \"mummified\" whereas in six MP-treated rats 72 +/- 8% of myocytes exhibited this appearance (P less than 0.001). In treated rats there were fewer phagocytes than in controls. At seven days, in seven MP-rats, mummified cells were still more prominent than in five untreated rats and there were fewer phagocytes and less collagen. In conclusion, high dose of MP delays the inflammatory process and retards the disintegration of necrotic myocytes, resulting in impaired healing.", "PMID": 618398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2489", "title": "The role of the exercise test in the evaluation of patients for ischemic heart disease.", "content": "A cohort of 1472 patients who underwent both exercise stress testing and coronary angiography within six weeks was examined. The data indicated that a combination of exercise parameters is both diagnostically and prognostically important. Almost all patients (greater than 97%) who had positive exercise tests at Stage I or Stage II had significant coronary artery disease. More than half of these (greater than 60%) had three vessel disease and over 25% had significant narrowing (greater than 50%) of the left main coronary artery. Patients who achieved Stage IV or greater exercise durations with either negative or indeterminate ST-segment response had less than a 15% prevalence of three vessel disease and less than a 1% prevalence of left main coronary artery disease. A low risk subgroup (75% of all non-operated patients) was identified with a twelve month survival greater than 99%. A high risk subgroup (11% of all nonoperated patients) was identified with a twelve month survival of less than 85%. The exercise test is a noninvasive, reproducible method to assess the presence and extent of anatomic disease and the prognosis when significant disease has been defined. It should be used in conjunction with other noninvasive tests to determine optimal management in patients evaluated for ischemic heart disease.", "contents": "The role of the exercise test in the evaluation of patients for ischemic heart disease. A cohort of 1472 patients who underwent both exercise stress testing and coronary angiography within six weeks was examined. The data indicated that a combination of exercise parameters is both diagnostically and prognostically important. Almost all patients (greater than 97%) who had positive exercise tests at Stage I or Stage II had significant coronary artery disease. More than half of these (greater than 60%) had three vessel disease and over 25% had significant narrowing (greater than 50%) of the left main coronary artery. Patients who achieved Stage IV or greater exercise durations with either negative or indeterminate ST-segment response had less than a 15% prevalence of three vessel disease and less than a 1% prevalence of left main coronary artery disease. A low risk subgroup (75% of all non-operated patients) was identified with a twelve month survival greater than 99%. A high risk subgroup (11% of all nonoperated patients) was identified with a twelve month survival of less than 85%. The exercise test is a noninvasive, reproducible method to assess the presence and extent of anatomic disease and the prognosis when significant disease has been defined. It should be used in conjunction with other noninvasive tests to determine optimal management in patients evaluated for ischemic heart disease.", "PMID": 618399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2490", "title": "Improved efficiency of treadmill exercise testing using a multiple lead ECG system and basic hemodynamic exercise response.", "content": "One hundred consecutive men with a normal ECG at rest had a maximal treadmill test using 14 leads during and post-exercise. Coronary arteriography performed the following day revealed coronary stenoses greater than or equal to 70% in 66 patients. Test results obtained from a V5 lead were compared to different lead combinations and were correlated with arteriographic findings. A positive exercise test occurred in 37 men using an isolated V5 lead compared to 50 men (P less than 0.05) using 11 leads, 52 men (P less than 0.05) using a combined CM5, CC5, Cl (inferior) lead system and 58 (P less than 0.001) men using all 14 leads. The predictive value of a positive test varied between 89-95% and was not changed significantly by the addition of multiple leads. The 14 lead ECG was positive in 43/45 (96%) patients with multivessel disease. Parameters which helped to predict multivessel disease using 14 leads were 1) the time that ischemia first appeared 2) the pressure-rate product at the time ischemia first appeared, and 3) the maximum workload that could be attained. In general, the magnitude of ST-segment depression and the time required for a positive ECG to return to normal postexercise were not useful predictors of multivessel disease. We conclude that the use of multiple leads improves the sensitivity and efficiency of the maximal treadmill exercise test. The usefulness of exercise test results can be further improved if multiple leads are combined with physiologic data collected during exercise.", "contents": "Improved efficiency of treadmill exercise testing using a multiple lead ECG system and basic hemodynamic exercise response. One hundred consecutive men with a normal ECG at rest had a maximal treadmill test using 14 leads during and post-exercise. Coronary arteriography performed the following day revealed coronary stenoses greater than or equal to 70% in 66 patients. Test results obtained from a V5 lead were compared to different lead combinations and were correlated with arteriographic findings. A positive exercise test occurred in 37 men using an isolated V5 lead compared to 50 men (P less than 0.05) using 11 leads, 52 men (P less than 0.05) using a combined CM5, CC5, Cl (inferior) lead system and 58 (P less than 0.001) men using all 14 leads. The predictive value of a positive test varied between 89-95% and was not changed significantly by the addition of multiple leads. The 14 lead ECG was positive in 43/45 (96%) patients with multivessel disease. Parameters which helped to predict multivessel disease using 14 leads were 1) the time that ischemia first appeared 2) the pressure-rate product at the time ischemia first appeared, and 3) the maximum workload that could be attained. In general, the magnitude of ST-segment depression and the time required for a positive ECG to return to normal postexercise were not useful predictors of multivessel disease. We conclude that the use of multiple leads improves the sensitivity and efficiency of the maximal treadmill exercise test. The usefulness of exercise test results can be further improved if multiple leads are combined with physiologic data collected during exercise.", "PMID": 618400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2491", "title": "Maximal heart rate and treadmill performance of healthy women in relation to age.", "content": "Maximal treadmill exercise heart rate, work capacity and electrocardiographic response were studied in 95 asymptomatic, predominantly sedentary women between the ages of 19 and 69 years. Average maximal heart rate (MHR) was found inversely related to age, such that MHR = 216 -0.88 (years of age) +/- 10 beats/min (X +/- 1 SD). Treadmill exercise endurance was 7.64 min +/- 1.99. The reduction of treadmill endurance with advancing age was not statistically significant. Asymptomatic ST-segment depression occurred in 6% of subjects. In 5% the ST segment sloped upward, and in 1% it was flat. Mean age of women with ST depression was 52 years, compared with 39 years mean age of all subjects. Premature beats during exercise were found in 20 of 95 subjects, and were not related to age. Graded exercise testing of women employing target heart rates should use heart rate tablets developed especially for women. These tables do not require correction for athletically trained for sedentary life-style.", "contents": "Maximal heart rate and treadmill performance of healthy women in relation to age. Maximal treadmill exercise heart rate, work capacity and electrocardiographic response were studied in 95 asymptomatic, predominantly sedentary women between the ages of 19 and 69 years. Average maximal heart rate (MHR) was found inversely related to age, such that MHR = 216 -0.88 (years of age) +/- 10 beats/min (X +/- 1 SD). Treadmill exercise endurance was 7.64 min +/- 1.99. The reduction of treadmill endurance with advancing age was not statistically significant. Asymptomatic ST-segment depression occurred in 6% of subjects. In 5% the ST segment sloped upward, and in 1% it was flat. Mean age of women with ST depression was 52 years, compared with 39 years mean age of all subjects. Premature beats during exercise were found in 20 of 95 subjects, and were not related to age. Graded exercise testing of women employing target heart rates should use heart rate tablets developed especially for women. These tables do not require correction for athletically trained for sedentary life-style.", "PMID": 618401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2492", "title": "Alpha and beta adrenergic effects on human atrial specialized conducting fibers.", "content": "We determined the effects of epinephrine on automaticity and action potential characteristics of right atrial specialized fibers (RAF) from human atria obtained during cardiac surgery. RAF were studied with standard microelectrode techniques during superfusion with Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C. A biphasic response to epinephrine was seen, rate slowing at low agonist concentrations and increasing at high concentrations. The epinephrine-induced slowing of spontaneous rate was due to a decrease in the slope of phase 4 depolarization. At the high epinephrine concentrations RAF hyperpolarized. The alpha-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, shifted the dose-response curve upward and to the left and enhanced the hyperpolarization of RAF. The beta blocker, propranolol, shifted the curve to the right and decreased the degree of hyperpolarization. Our study suggests the presence of alpha and beta receptors in RAF. The alpha response consists of a slowing of rate, the beta response of an acceleration of rate and hyperpolarization of RAF.", "contents": "Alpha and beta adrenergic effects on human atrial specialized conducting fibers. We determined the effects of epinephrine on automaticity and action potential characteristics of right atrial specialized fibers (RAF) from human atria obtained during cardiac surgery. RAF were studied with standard microelectrode techniques during superfusion with Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C. A biphasic response to epinephrine was seen, rate slowing at low agonist concentrations and increasing at high concentrations. The epinephrine-induced slowing of spontaneous rate was due to a decrease in the slope of phase 4 depolarization. At the high epinephrine concentrations RAF hyperpolarized. The alpha-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, shifted the dose-response curve upward and to the left and enhanced the hyperpolarization of RAF. The beta blocker, propranolol, shifted the curve to the right and decreased the degree of hyperpolarization. Our study suggests the presence of alpha and beta receptors in RAF. The alpha response consists of a slowing of rate, the beta response of an acceleration of rate and hyperpolarization of RAF.", "PMID": 618402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2493", "title": "Cardiac trauma from angiographic injections. A quantitative study.", "content": "To relate angiographic injections to potential cardiac trauma, we verified a mathematic theory that allows quantitative definition of the kinetic energy content of contrast jets emanating from the exit holes of angiographic catheters. Cineangiographic recordings of a range of jets of known energy content were obtained in 18 cardiac canine experiments and energy content and dissipation were quantified precisely from center line to jet edge. All contrast jets produced in clinical angiographic practice were turbulent, even those from hand injections into the coronary arteries. Energy content was related to an estimated cardiac wall damage threshold. At energy levels and damage thresholds predicted by the theory and computations, a traumatic spectrum was found by cineradiology and microscopic examination. A unique curve independent of jet Reynolds number was discovered relating the penetration of the contrast jet into the intravascular blood to the potential for cardiac trauma. This curve allowed ready calculation of hydraulic energy dissipation for any clinically used angiographic catheter and the definition of safe operational injection flow rates. Thus potential cardiac trauma can be anticipated and prevented.", "contents": "Cardiac trauma from angiographic injections. A quantitative study. To relate angiographic injections to potential cardiac trauma, we verified a mathematic theory that allows quantitative definition of the kinetic energy content of contrast jets emanating from the exit holes of angiographic catheters. Cineangiographic recordings of a range of jets of known energy content were obtained in 18 cardiac canine experiments and energy content and dissipation were quantified precisely from center line to jet edge. All contrast jets produced in clinical angiographic practice were turbulent, even those from hand injections into the coronary arteries. Energy content was related to an estimated cardiac wall damage threshold. At energy levels and damage thresholds predicted by the theory and computations, a traumatic spectrum was found by cineradiology and microscopic examination. A unique curve independent of jet Reynolds number was discovered relating the penetration of the contrast jet into the intravascular blood to the potential for cardiac trauma. This curve allowed ready calculation of hydraulic energy dissipation for any clinically used angiographic catheter and the definition of safe operational injection flow rates. Thus potential cardiac trauma can be anticipated and prevented.", "PMID": 618403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2494", "title": "Coronary sinus pacing clinical follow-up.", "content": "Coronary sinus pacing is a safe and effective means of pacing from the atrium. In 66 patients with an average follow-up of 14 months, there was a 14% failure rate. There were transient problems in 14% which were subsequently corrected. There was a 6% death rate which was not pacemaker related. Successful atrial pacing with thresholds up to 6.0 mA is feasible. Atrial pacing was successful in 18 of 19 patients with varying degrees of atrioventricular block. Our experience with a new electrode has been very satisfactory.", "contents": "Coronary sinus pacing clinical follow-up. Coronary sinus pacing is a safe and effective means of pacing from the atrium. In 66 patients with an average follow-up of 14 months, there was a 14% failure rate. There were transient problems in 14% which were subsequently corrected. There was a 6% death rate which was not pacemaker related. Successful atrial pacing with thresholds up to 6.0 mA is feasible. Atrial pacing was successful in 18 of 19 patients with varying degrees of atrioventricular block. Our experience with a new electrode has been very satisfactory.", "PMID": 618404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2495", "title": "Changes in gastric glandular cell kinetics after small bowel resection in the rat.", "content": "The proliferation of gastric mucosal cells was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after a 50% resection involving the proximal small intestine. Two months after the operation, resected and control animals were given either a single or four successive intraperitoneal injections of 1 muCi of [3H]thymidine per g of body weight. Animals from each group were killed 1 hr after the single injection and 3, 7, 30, and 60 days after the first multiple dose injection [3H]thymidine. The number of labeled parietal, chief, and mucous cells of the gastric glands were measured. At the 3-, 30-, and 60-day periods, the percentages of labeled parietal and chief cells were significantly increased in animals with small bowel resection when compared with corresponding controls. The percentages of labeled mucous cells of the gastric glands were also increased in animals with small bowel resection at the 3- and 7-day periods. One hour after a single injection of [3H]thymidine, the percentage of labeled gastric mucosal progenitor cells in animals with small bowel resection, although increased, was not significantly different from that in controls. It is, therefore, believed that the increases in percentage labeling of gastric glandular epithelial cells at 3, 7, 30, and 60 days could not solely be explained on the basis of an increased turnover rate of gastric progenitor cells. Rather, it might be concluded that the increase in glandular epithelial cells is accomplished, in part, by increased differentiation of gastric progenitor cells.", "contents": "Changes in gastric glandular cell kinetics after small bowel resection in the rat. The proliferation of gastric mucosal cells was studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats after a 50% resection involving the proximal small intestine. Two months after the operation, resected and control animals were given either a single or four successive intraperitoneal injections of 1 muCi of [3H]thymidine per g of body weight. Animals from each group were killed 1 hr after the single injection and 3, 7, 30, and 60 days after the first multiple dose injection [3H]thymidine. The number of labeled parietal, chief, and mucous cells of the gastric glands were measured. At the 3-, 30-, and 60-day periods, the percentages of labeled parietal and chief cells were significantly increased in animals with small bowel resection when compared with corresponding controls. The percentages of labeled mucous cells of the gastric glands were also increased in animals with small bowel resection at the 3- and 7-day periods. One hour after a single injection of [3H]thymidine, the percentage of labeled gastric mucosal progenitor cells in animals with small bowel resection, although increased, was not significantly different from that in controls. It is, therefore, believed that the increases in percentage labeling of gastric glandular epithelial cells at 3, 7, 30, and 60 days could not solely be explained on the basis of an increased turnover rate of gastric progenitor cells. Rather, it might be concluded that the increase in glandular epithelial cells is accomplished, in part, by increased differentiation of gastric progenitor cells.", "PMID": 618415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2496", "title": "Percutaneous biopsy of the liver as a procedure for outpatients.", "content": "Hepatic biopsy was performed in 107 outpatients and 68 inpatients in the last 18 months at this hospital. Only 1 patient had a complication; he bled from the biopsy site, The minimal cost saved per patient was $153.00. Biopsy of the liver in outpatients is both safe and economical.", "contents": "Percutaneous biopsy of the liver as a procedure for outpatients. Hepatic biopsy was performed in 107 outpatients and 68 inpatients in the last 18 months at this hospital. Only 1 patient had a complication; he bled from the biopsy site, The minimal cost saved per patient was $153.00. Biopsy of the liver in outpatients is both safe and economical.", "PMID": 618416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2497", "title": "Liver biopsy: complications in 1000 inpatients and outpatients.", "content": "We prospectively evaluated risk factors in 1000 consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy: 829 outpatients and 171 inpatients. The two groups were similar except that the outpatient group had a higher percentage of patients with hepatitis-cirrhosis and a lower percentage with neoplasia when compared with the inpatient group (P less than 0.01). The inpatient group had more relative contraindications (P less than 0.01). Among the 1000 patients, none died and none required laparotomy. If moderate to severe pain or hypotension or both developed (5.9%), they first became manifest during a 3-hr period of observation after biopsy. Forty-four outpatients (5.3%) were hospitalized; 39 were dismissed within 36 hr and 5 within 4 days. Complications were more often experienced by those with relative contraindications (P less than 0.05) and increased number of passes (P less than 0.01). Inpatients with hepatitis-cirrhosis experienced more complications (P less than 0.05) than did patients with other diagnoses (12.8 versus 3.8%). Complications were not related to type of needle, site of entry, or experience of operator. Liver biopsy as an outpatient procedure is safe if facilities are available for 3 hr of observation and hospital support; 5% of patients will require immediate hospitalization.", "contents": "Liver biopsy: complications in 1000 inpatients and outpatients. We prospectively evaluated risk factors in 1000 consecutive patients who underwent liver biopsy: 829 outpatients and 171 inpatients. The two groups were similar except that the outpatient group had a higher percentage of patients with hepatitis-cirrhosis and a lower percentage with neoplasia when compared with the inpatient group (P less than 0.01). The inpatient group had more relative contraindications (P less than 0.01). Among the 1000 patients, none died and none required laparotomy. If moderate to severe pain or hypotension or both developed (5.9%), they first became manifest during a 3-hr period of observation after biopsy. Forty-four outpatients (5.3%) were hospitalized; 39 were dismissed within 36 hr and 5 within 4 days. Complications were more often experienced by those with relative contraindications (P less than 0.05) and increased number of passes (P less than 0.01). Inpatients with hepatitis-cirrhosis experienced more complications (P less than 0.05) than did patients with other diagnoses (12.8 versus 3.8%). Complications were not related to type of needle, site of entry, or experience of operator. Liver biopsy as an outpatient procedure is safe if facilities are available for 3 hr of observation and hospital support; 5% of patients will require immediate hospitalization.", "PMID": 618417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2498", "title": "Idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. Report of a case, with intraluminal studies of mechanical and electrical activity, and response to drugs.", "content": "Intraulminal recordings of motility were made from a patient with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudoodstruction. Contractile activity was recorded from esophagus and duodenum with and without cholinergic stimulation. Electrical activity was recorded from duodenum with and without cholinergic stimulation. Contractile and electrical activities were recorded from the sigmoid colon at rest and after morphine. Gastric fundic relaxation was measured during balloon distention. This patient showed abnormalities of esophageal function similar to achalasia, while gastric fundic relation was impared, with a more rapid rise in pressure on distention than is seen in normal persons. Duodenal and colonic electric control and response activities were present on occasion. Duodenal contractions occurred in response to both bethanechol and edrophonium. Therefore, the efferent cholinergic system of the small bowel appears to be functional in this case of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. The nonardrenergic inhibitory control of esophagus and gastric fundus appears to be functioning abnormally.", "contents": "Idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. Report of a case, with intraluminal studies of mechanical and electrical activity, and response to drugs. Intraulminal recordings of motility were made from a patient with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudoodstruction. Contractile activity was recorded from esophagus and duodenum with and without cholinergic stimulation. Electrical activity was recorded from duodenum with and without cholinergic stimulation. Contractile and electrical activities were recorded from the sigmoid colon at rest and after morphine. Gastric fundic relaxation was measured during balloon distention. This patient showed abnormalities of esophageal function similar to achalasia, while gastric fundic relation was impared, with a more rapid rise in pressure on distention than is seen in normal persons. Duodenal and colonic electric control and response activities were present on occasion. Duodenal contractions occurred in response to both bethanechol and edrophonium. Therefore, the efferent cholinergic system of the small bowel appears to be functional in this case of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. The nonardrenergic inhibitory control of esophagus and gastric fundus appears to be functioning abnormally.", "PMID": 618418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2499", "title": "Intrahepatic hematoma resulting in obstructive jaundice. An unusual complication of liver biopsy.", "content": "A patient who developed obstructive jaundice as a complication of a liver biopsy is presented. The jaundice was found to be attributable to obstruction of the biliary tree at the level of the bifurcation by an intrahepatic hematoma. The patient had a complete and spontaneous recovery.", "contents": "Intrahepatic hematoma resulting in obstructive jaundice. An unusual complication of liver biopsy. A patient who developed obstructive jaundice as a complication of a liver biopsy is presented. The jaundice was found to be attributable to obstruction of the biliary tree at the level of the bifurcation by an intrahepatic hematoma. The patient had a complete and spontaneous recovery.", "PMID": 618420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2500", "title": "Intraabdominal bleeding from variceal vessels in cirrhosis.", "content": "A cirrhotic patient with hemoperitoneum was found, at laparotomy, to be bleeding from variceal vessels in the peritoneum lateral to the ascending colon. Radiological in vestigations before surgery did not identify the source of blood loss. Despite hemostasis being obtained, the patient died postoperatively. The 5 previously reported cases of intraabdominal bleeding from variceal vessels are reviewed.", "contents": "Intraabdominal bleeding from variceal vessels in cirrhosis. A cirrhotic patient with hemoperitoneum was found, at laparotomy, to be bleeding from variceal vessels in the peritoneum lateral to the ascending colon. Radiological in vestigations before surgery did not identify the source of blood loss. Despite hemostasis being obtained, the patient died postoperatively. The 5 previously reported cases of intraabdominal bleeding from variceal vessels are reviewed.", "PMID": 618421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2501", "title": "Proximal enterectomy stimulates distal hyperplasia more than bypass or pancreaticobiliary diversion.", "content": "To determine the contribution of intraluminal factors to postresectional intestinal hyperplasia, cell proliferation in the distal intestine of male rats was studied after 50% proximal enterectomy or 50% proximal bypass and also after transposition of the duodenal papilla to the mid small bowel. Within 48 hr all three operations increased RNA and DNA content s in the ileal mucosa 16 to 50% over control values. At 48 hr and 1 week the response distal to resection exceeded that of bypass or pancreaticobiliary diversion; nucleic acid contents, DNA specific activity, villous height, crypt depth, and luminal circumference were greatest 1 week after resection. By 1 month, however, chemical and histological values after resection were equalled or surpassed by those in the other two groups. In excluded jejunum itself, mucosal atrophy lowered RNA and DNA contents to 60% of control levels 1 month postoperatively. Neither pancreaticobiliary diversion nor proximal enteric bypass produces the same rate of distal hyperplasia as proximal resection. Modest colonic hyperplasia may contribute to intestinal adaptation after proximal enterectomy. Adaptive postrescetional cell proliferation appears not to be mediated simply by intraluminal nutrition or enteric secretions; hormonal factors may also be important.", "contents": "Proximal enterectomy stimulates distal hyperplasia more than bypass or pancreaticobiliary diversion. To determine the contribution of intraluminal factors to postresectional intestinal hyperplasia, cell proliferation in the distal intestine of male rats was studied after 50% proximal enterectomy or 50% proximal bypass and also after transposition of the duodenal papilla to the mid small bowel. Within 48 hr all three operations increased RNA and DNA content s in the ileal mucosa 16 to 50% over control values. At 48 hr and 1 week the response distal to resection exceeded that of bypass or pancreaticobiliary diversion; nucleic acid contents, DNA specific activity, villous height, crypt depth, and luminal circumference were greatest 1 week after resection. By 1 month, however, chemical and histological values after resection were equalled or surpassed by those in the other two groups. In excluded jejunum itself, mucosal atrophy lowered RNA and DNA contents to 60% of control levels 1 month postoperatively. Neither pancreaticobiliary diversion nor proximal enteric bypass produces the same rate of distal hyperplasia as proximal resection. Modest colonic hyperplasia may contribute to intestinal adaptation after proximal enterectomy. Adaptive postrescetional cell proliferation appears not to be mediated simply by intraluminal nutrition or enteric secretions; hormonal factors may also be important.", "PMID": 618425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2502", "title": "Pathogenesis of diverticulitis complicating granulomatous colitis.", "content": "The involement of diverticula by granulomatous colitis may cause an increased incidence of diverticulitis. Of 21 patients with Crohn's disease and associated diverticulosis who underwent resection, sigmoid diverticulitis was pathologically confirmed in 10 (48%). The clinical recognition of the coexistence of the two diseases is often difficult. The radiological signs of peridiverticulitis complicating granulomatous colitis usually show clear evidence of the underlying pathological changes. They include localized diverticular performation, perhaps with multiple communications via a paracolonic sinus tract, mass pressure from the paracolicabscess, and occasionally some degree of communication with deep fissuring ulcers of Crohn's disease. Because diverticula breach the colonic wall, histological analysis confirm that their involvement by the transmural process of granulomatous colitis predisposes to peridiverticulitis and/or abscess formation.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of diverticulitis complicating granulomatous colitis. The involement of diverticula by granulomatous colitis may cause an increased incidence of diverticulitis. Of 21 patients with Crohn's disease and associated diverticulosis who underwent resection, sigmoid diverticulitis was pathologically confirmed in 10 (48%). The clinical recognition of the coexistence of the two diseases is often difficult. The radiological signs of peridiverticulitis complicating granulomatous colitis usually show clear evidence of the underlying pathological changes. They include localized diverticular performation, perhaps with multiple communications via a paracolonic sinus tract, mass pressure from the paracolicabscess, and occasionally some degree of communication with deep fissuring ulcers of Crohn's disease. Because diverticula breach the colonic wall, histological analysis confirm that their involvement by the transmural process of granulomatous colitis predisposes to peridiverticulitis and/or abscess formation.", "PMID": 618429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2503", "title": "Removal of gastrin by various organs in dogs.", "content": "In 6 anesthetized dogs receiving 400 pmoles kg-1 hr-1 of natural human little gastrin intravenously, blood samples for radioimmunoassay of gastrin were taken repeatedly from a carotid artery, jugular vein, femoral vein, renal vein, and mesenteric vein. The calculated removal of gastrin in a single passage through these four vascular beds ranged from 21 to 30% and did not differ significantly among them. In 6 additional dogs, the carotid arterial to hepatic venous removal was 40%. We conclude that the percentage removal of gastrin is about the same in all of the major vascular beds of the body.", "contents": "Removal of gastrin by various organs in dogs. In 6 anesthetized dogs receiving 400 pmoles kg-1 hr-1 of natural human little gastrin intravenously, blood samples for radioimmunoassay of gastrin were taken repeatedly from a carotid artery, jugular vein, femoral vein, renal vein, and mesenteric vein. The calculated removal of gastrin in a single passage through these four vascular beds ranged from 21 to 30% and did not differ significantly among them. In 6 additional dogs, the carotid arterial to hepatic venous removal was 40%. We conclude that the percentage removal of gastrin is about the same in all of the major vascular beds of the body.", "PMID": 618430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2504", "title": "Role of caloric intake in the weight loss after jejunoileal bypass for obesity.", "content": "Sixty-five patients were studied prospectively after jejunoileal bypass for obesity. Dietary intake pre- and postoperatively was measured either directly by weighing food or by a research dietary history. Of 65 measurements, 59 were made at least 6 months after operation, when over 75% of weight loss had been achieved. Fat absorption was measured in 42 of the patients. The entire group ate fewer calories (mean +/- SE = 2595 +/- 135) postoperatively than preoperatively (mean +/- SE = 3261 +/- 138). This difference was highly significant (P less than 0.001). Forty-eight patients ate less after their operation. The caloric deficit calculated from the observed weight loss could be accounted for entirely by the estimated decrease in intake in 22 of the 48 patients who ate less postoperatively. Moreover, measured fat malabsorption accounted for only 31% of the observed weight loss in those who ate more postoperatively and 21% in those who ate less. We conclude that a decrease in caloric intake, along with malabsorption, is an important factor in the long term postoperative weight loss (1-9 months) after jejunoileal bypass for obesity.", "contents": "Role of caloric intake in the weight loss after jejunoileal bypass for obesity. Sixty-five patients were studied prospectively after jejunoileal bypass for obesity. Dietary intake pre- and postoperatively was measured either directly by weighing food or by a research dietary history. Of 65 measurements, 59 were made at least 6 months after operation, when over 75% of weight loss had been achieved. Fat absorption was measured in 42 of the patients. The entire group ate fewer calories (mean +/- SE = 2595 +/- 135) postoperatively than preoperatively (mean +/- SE = 3261 +/- 138). This difference was highly significant (P less than 0.001). Forty-eight patients ate less after their operation. The caloric deficit calculated from the observed weight loss could be accounted for entirely by the estimated decrease in intake in 22 of the 48 patients who ate less postoperatively. Moreover, measured fat malabsorption accounted for only 31% of the observed weight loss in those who ate more postoperatively and 21% in those who ate less. We conclude that a decrease in caloric intake, along with malabsorption, is an important factor in the long term postoperative weight loss (1-9 months) after jejunoileal bypass for obesity.", "PMID": 618431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2505", "title": "Cirrhotic portal hypertension: morbidity of continued alcoholism.", "content": "The morbidity of continued alcoholism was examined among 172 cirrhotic patients participating in controlled trials of portacaval shunts. Of 159 surviving more than 30 days, 76 continued drinking (group A), 68 became abstinent (group B), and 15 (group C) were chronically institutionalized (without potential access to alcohol). The mean number of days in hospital postrandomization and prevalence of bleeding varices, ascites, and encephalopathy were similar for A and B (P greater than 0.05 for each comparison). Jaundice at hospital readmission, however, occurred in 50% of group A but in only 28% of B (P less than 0.01). Mortality and complication rates were substantially greater in C than in A or B, emphasizing the significance of progressive liver disease in institutionalized patients. Although continued alcoholism was associated with recurrent jaundice, a major impact on other criteria of morbidity was not demonstrated.", "contents": "Cirrhotic portal hypertension: morbidity of continued alcoholism. The morbidity of continued alcoholism was examined among 172 cirrhotic patients participating in controlled trials of portacaval shunts. Of 159 surviving more than 30 days, 76 continued drinking (group A), 68 became abstinent (group B), and 15 (group C) were chronically institutionalized (without potential access to alcohol). The mean number of days in hospital postrandomization and prevalence of bleeding varices, ascites, and encephalopathy were similar for A and B (P greater than 0.05 for each comparison). Jaundice at hospital readmission, however, occurred in 50% of group A but in only 28% of B (P less than 0.01). Mortality and complication rates were substantially greater in C than in A or B, emphasizing the significance of progressive liver disease in institutionalized patients. Although continued alcoholism was associated with recurrent jaundice, a major impact on other criteria of morbidity was not demonstrated.", "PMID": 618432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2506", "title": "Intrahepatic pigment and crystal forms in patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX).", "content": "Liver specimens from two patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis revealed intracellular inclusions that appeared either as amorphous pigment or in a crystalloid form. The pigment was usually found in assoication with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and occasionally free floating in the cytosol. The chemical nature of these inclusions has not yet been determined. However, the accumulation of such material may indicate the presence of nonmetabolizable bile alcohols resulting from a defect in bile acid synthesis.", "contents": "Intrahepatic pigment and crystal forms in patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Liver specimens from two patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis revealed intracellular inclusions that appeared either as amorphous pigment or in a crystalloid form. The pigment was usually found in assoication with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and occasionally free floating in the cytosol. The chemical nature of these inclusions has not yet been determined. However, the accumulation of such material may indicate the presence of nonmetabolizable bile alcohols resulting from a defect in bile acid synthesis.", "PMID": 618433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2507", "title": "Inhibition of hepatic metabolism of azathioprine in vivo.", "content": "Glutathione-mediated thiolysis of azathioprine in the liver is believed to be the main mechanism for the conversion of this drug to 6-mercaptopurine. This metabolic step was inhibited in vivo by pretreating rats with probenecid as indicated both by less hepatic glutathione depletion and by a greater proportion of unmetabolized azathioprine in the liver. Less hepatic gluthathione depletion was also found in the hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rat. These findings indicate that the conversion of azathioprine to 6-mercaptopurine in vovo is mediated enzymatically by the glutathione S-transferases.", "contents": "Inhibition of hepatic metabolism of azathioprine in vivo. Glutathione-mediated thiolysis of azathioprine in the liver is believed to be the main mechanism for the conversion of this drug to 6-mercaptopurine. This metabolic step was inhibited in vivo by pretreating rats with probenecid as indicated both by less hepatic glutathione depletion and by a greater proportion of unmetabolized azathioprine in the liver. Less hepatic gluthathione depletion was also found in the hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rat. These findings indicate that the conversion of azathioprine to 6-mercaptopurine in vovo is mediated enzymatically by the glutathione S-transferases.", "PMID": 618434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2508", "title": "An X-ray diffraction comparison of myelins from the human nervous system.", "content": "Earlier small-angle X-ray diffraction studies have indicated that central and peripheral nerve myelins may be significantly different structurally, although relatively few examples for each system and for individual species have been examined. In order to understand better the intra- and inter-system relationships, this study has developed more extensive information for a single species: six cases centrally and ten peripherally, featuring cranial nerves and a few others of the human nervous system. Peripheral myelin spacings (membrane pair thicknesses) are relatively similar, 184.4 +/- 1.40 A, and the ratios of diffraction peak height intensities of the second to fourth orders are also closely bunched: 1.85 +/- 0.216. Central myelin spacings and intensity ratios are distinctly different and more variable: spacings 160.3-165.8 A and intensity ratios 2.81-4.46. It appears that within a given species or between closely related (e.g., mammalian) species peripheral myelins possess relatively invariant structures, though significant spacing declines are encountered for both systems as phylogenetic relationships become more distant. The observed greater variability of CNS structures within a single species may correspond to known compositional differences between CNS regions or result from observational difficulties. In any case there is a marked discontinuity between the myelin structures of CNS and PNS nerves.", "contents": "An X-ray diffraction comparison of myelins from the human nervous system. Earlier small-angle X-ray diffraction studies have indicated that central and peripheral nerve myelins may be significantly different structurally, although relatively few examples for each system and for individual species have been examined. In order to understand better the intra- and inter-system relationships, this study has developed more extensive information for a single species: six cases centrally and ten peripherally, featuring cranial nerves and a few others of the human nervous system. Peripheral myelin spacings (membrane pair thicknesses) are relatively similar, 184.4 +/- 1.40 A, and the ratios of diffraction peak height intensities of the second to fourth orders are also closely bunched: 1.85 +/- 0.216. Central myelin spacings and intensity ratios are distinctly different and more variable: spacings 160.3-165.8 A and intensity ratios 2.81-4.46. It appears that within a given species or between closely related (e.g., mammalian) species peripheral myelins possess relatively invariant structures, though significant spacing declines are encountered for both systems as phylogenetic relationships become more distant. The observed greater variability of CNS structures within a single species may correspond to known compositional differences between CNS regions or result from observational difficulties. In any case there is a marked discontinuity between the myelin structures of CNS and PNS nerves.", "PMID": 618435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2509", "title": "Discontinuous transition of myelin structure at the junction between central and peripheral components of the eighth cranial nerve, as disclosed by X-ray diffraction.", "content": "Scanning along human acoustovestibular nerves from cross-sections closely proximal to the brain to locations distinctly peripheral thereto, by means of small-angle X-ray diffraction, has disclosed transitional junctions at which the myelin structure typical of central nervous system (CNS) axons gives way to one characteristic of peripheral (PNS) fibers. The junctions correspond to regions along the nerves, previously recognized histologically, at which the satellite cells responsible for axon myelination change character, from the oligodendrocytes of the CNS to the Schwann cells of the PNS. Thus the structural discontinuity between the CNS and PNS myelins can be ascribed to differences in the biosynthetic processes of the respective satellite cells. Junctions of this kind are to be expected in all cranial and spinal roots near the locations where they leave the CNS.", "contents": "Discontinuous transition of myelin structure at the junction between central and peripheral components of the eighth cranial nerve, as disclosed by X-ray diffraction. Scanning along human acoustovestibular nerves from cross-sections closely proximal to the brain to locations distinctly peripheral thereto, by means of small-angle X-ray diffraction, has disclosed transitional junctions at which the myelin structure typical of central nervous system (CNS) axons gives way to one characteristic of peripheral (PNS) fibers. The junctions correspond to regions along the nerves, previously recognized histologically, at which the satellite cells responsible for axon myelination change character, from the oligodendrocytes of the CNS to the Schwann cells of the PNS. Thus the structural discontinuity between the CNS and PNS myelins can be ascribed to differences in the biosynthetic processes of the respective satellite cells. Junctions of this kind are to be expected in all cranial and spinal roots near the locations where they leave the CNS.", "PMID": 618436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2510", "title": "Physiological and morphological changes in cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus in monocularly-deprived and reverse-sutured cats.", "content": "In the present study the size of large samples of cells and the relative frequency of Y-cells were measured in the lateral geniculate nucleus of monocularly-deprived and reverse-sutured cats. Due to deprivation large cells shrink more than smaller cells. This shrinkage is irreversible even over two years of reverse suture although over the same time the animals showed a remarkable pattern discrimination ability, which, in these animals, depends on the integrity of the geniculo-cortical system. Physiologically, a significant increase in the probability of recording Y-cells in the early-deprived laminae of the LGNd was found after a reverse suture. The relative frequency of Y-cells in the early-deprived layers and in the late-deprived layers was almost equal and not different from normal, although after the early deprivation by itself only 20% Y-cells were found in the deprived layers. The latter results confirm our previous observation (Sherman et al., '72). The increase in the number of recorded Y-cells following a reverse suture after monocular deprivation is accompanied by only small changes in the distribution of cell sizes in the LGNd. The number of very large cells in the early-deprived layers was increased but the mean cell size remained unaltered after long forced usage of the deprived eye.", "contents": "Physiological and morphological changes in cells of the lateral geniculate nucleus in monocularly-deprived and reverse-sutured cats. In the present study the size of large samples of cells and the relative frequency of Y-cells were measured in the lateral geniculate nucleus of monocularly-deprived and reverse-sutured cats. Due to deprivation large cells shrink more than smaller cells. This shrinkage is irreversible even over two years of reverse suture although over the same time the animals showed a remarkable pattern discrimination ability, which, in these animals, depends on the integrity of the geniculo-cortical system. Physiologically, a significant increase in the probability of recording Y-cells in the early-deprived laminae of the LGNd was found after a reverse suture. The relative frequency of Y-cells in the early-deprived layers and in the late-deprived layers was almost equal and not different from normal, although after the early deprivation by itself only 20% Y-cells were found in the deprived layers. The latter results confirm our previous observation (Sherman et al., '72). The increase in the number of recorded Y-cells following a reverse suture after monocular deprivation is accompanied by only small changes in the distribution of cell sizes in the LGNd. The number of very large cells in the early-deprived layers was increased but the mean cell size remained unaltered after long forced usage of the deprived eye.", "PMID": 618437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2511", "title": "Receptive field characteristics of superior colliculus neurons and visually guided behavior in dark-reared hamsters.", "content": "Visual response properties of single neurons in the superior colliculus of golden hamsters reared from birth to adulthood in total darkness were compared to those of normal hamsters. Directional selectivity, speed preferences, and receptive field organization in dark-reared hamsters were essentially the same as those found in normally reared animals. Subtle neurophysiological effects of visual deprivation were indicated by the longer latencies of \"on\" responses to flashed spots of light in the dark-reared animals. Also, in the visually deprived animals three cells were encountered which changed their responses from phasic to tonic as the size of the visual stimulus was increased. In normally reared animals all cells responding to stationary stimuli showed only phasic responses regardless of spot size. Behaviorally, dark-reared animals could not be distinguished from normal animals on the basis of visual orienting and following tests. It was concluded that in the golden hamster visual experience during development has a minimal role in the induction or maintenance of the normal functional development of the superior colliculus.", "contents": "Receptive field characteristics of superior colliculus neurons and visually guided behavior in dark-reared hamsters. Visual response properties of single neurons in the superior colliculus of golden hamsters reared from birth to adulthood in total darkness were compared to those of normal hamsters. Directional selectivity, speed preferences, and receptive field organization in dark-reared hamsters were essentially the same as those found in normally reared animals. Subtle neurophysiological effects of visual deprivation were indicated by the longer latencies of \"on\" responses to flashed spots of light in the dark-reared animals. Also, in the visually deprived animals three cells were encountered which changed their responses from phasic to tonic as the size of the visual stimulus was increased. In normally reared animals all cells responding to stationary stimuli showed only phasic responses regardless of spot size. Behaviorally, dark-reared animals could not be distinguished from normal animals on the basis of visual orienting and following tests. It was concluded that in the golden hamster visual experience during development has a minimal role in the induction or maintenance of the normal functional development of the superior colliculus.", "PMID": 618438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2512", "title": "Anaerobic osteomyelitis.", "content": "We have presented eight case histories of patients with anaerobic osteomyelitis and have reviewed an additional 193 cases from the world literature. The incidence, predisposing factors, clinical localization, bacteriology, modes of presentation and natural history of anaerobic osteomyelitis are discussed. This disease entity appears to be more common than has been previously recognized. Seven distinct clinical syndromes of anaerobic osteomyelitis are described and related to the anatomical locations in which they tend to occur. The signs and symptoms of these entities have been outlined to aid in their recognition by practitioners. An approach to the therapy of anaerobic osteomyelitis is outlined. Emphasis is placed on adequate surgical intervention combined with antimicrobial agents chosen for each particular clinical situation. The lack of definitive data upon which to base a decision regarding dosages and duration of antimicrobial therapy is discussed and the authors' own preferences enumerated.", "contents": "Anaerobic osteomyelitis. We have presented eight case histories of patients with anaerobic osteomyelitis and have reviewed an additional 193 cases from the world literature. The incidence, predisposing factors, clinical localization, bacteriology, modes of presentation and natural history of anaerobic osteomyelitis are discussed. This disease entity appears to be more common than has been previously recognized. Seven distinct clinical syndromes of anaerobic osteomyelitis are described and related to the anatomical locations in which they tend to occur. The signs and symptoms of these entities have been outlined to aid in their recognition by practitioners. An approach to the therapy of anaerobic osteomyelitis is outlined. Emphasis is placed on adequate surgical intervention combined with antimicrobial agents chosen for each particular clinical situation. The lack of definitive data upon which to base a decision regarding dosages and duration of antimicrobial therapy is discussed and the authors' own preferences enumerated.", "PMID": 618443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2513", "title": "Collateral ventilation in man.", "content": "To determine whether collateral ventilation (defined as the ventilation of alveolar structures through passages or channels that bypass the normal airways) changes with age or emphysema, we compared the mechanics of collateral ventilation in seven young normal subjects, three old normal subjects and five patients with emphysema. In supine normal subjects at the end of a quiet expiration, resistance to airflow was greater through collateral channels than through bronchi and bronchioles. In emphysema, airways resistance could exceed collateral resistance, causing air to flow preferentially through collateral pathways. We conclude that high collateral resistance minimizes collateral airflow in supine normal subjects. When peripheral airways become obstructed or obliterated in emphysema, collateral channels may provide for more even distribution of ventilation.", "contents": "Collateral ventilation in man. To determine whether collateral ventilation (defined as the ventilation of alveolar structures through passages or channels that bypass the normal airways) changes with age or emphysema, we compared the mechanics of collateral ventilation in seven young normal subjects, three old normal subjects and five patients with emphysema. In supine normal subjects at the end of a quiet expiration, resistance to airflow was greater through collateral channels than through bronchi and bronchioles. In emphysema, airways resistance could exceed collateral resistance, causing air to flow preferentially through collateral pathways. We conclude that high collateral resistance minimizes collateral airflow in supine normal subjects. When peripheral airways become obstructed or obliterated in emphysema, collateral channels may provide for more even distribution of ventilation.", "PMID": 618444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2514", "title": "A follow-up study of residents in internal-medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology training programs in Massachusetts. Implications for the supply of primary-care physicians.", "content": "A questionnaire survey of physicians who had been residents in internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics-gynecology in Massachusetts during the years 1967-1972 was undertaken to determine that specialties they now practice and the extent to which they deliver primary care. Over 600 physicians (74 per cent) responded. Devoting more than half their practice to a primary-care specialty were only 28 per cent of the former residents in internal medicine as compared with 56 per cent of those in pediatrics and 74 per cent of those in obstetrics-gynecology. For each group the fraction of full-time equivalent primary-care physicians produced was 0.27, 0.42 and 0.39 for the internal-medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology programs respectively. These findings indicate that, although Massachusetts is meeting the requirements of PL 94-484 concerning the percentage of residency positions in the primary-care specialties, such compliance does not guarantee an adequate future supply of primary-care practioners.", "contents": "A follow-up study of residents in internal-medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology training programs in Massachusetts. Implications for the supply of primary-care physicians. A questionnaire survey of physicians who had been residents in internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics-gynecology in Massachusetts during the years 1967-1972 was undertaken to determine that specialties they now practice and the extent to which they deliver primary care. Over 600 physicians (74 per cent) responded. Devoting more than half their practice to a primary-care specialty were only 28 per cent of the former residents in internal medicine as compared with 56 per cent of those in pediatrics and 74 per cent of those in obstetrics-gynecology. For each group the fraction of full-time equivalent primary-care physicians produced was 0.27, 0.42 and 0.39 for the internal-medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology programs respectively. These findings indicate that, although Massachusetts is meeting the requirements of PL 94-484 concerning the percentage of residency positions in the primary-care specialties, such compliance does not guarantee an adequate future supply of primary-care practioners.", "PMID": 618445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2515", "title": "Smokers' polycythemia.", "content": "Twenty-two smokers with elevated hematocrits (mean, 54 per cent) had elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin (mean, 11.6 per cent; normal, less than 1 per cent) and a \"left-shifted\" oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve (mean P50, 21.6 +/- 2.3 [+/- S.D.] torr; normal, 26.7 +/- 1.1). Red-cell volume was increased in 14 of 18, and plasma volume reduced in 14 of 18. Fatigue and headache were common, and syncopal attacks occurred in four patients. Symptoms disappeared and the elevated red-cell volume decreased markedly in all five patients who were able to reduce severely their smoking habit; low plasma volume increased in three of four patients studied. We conclude that carbon monoxide exposure from cigar and cigarette smoke is a frequent cause of an elevated red-cell volume or a reduced plasma volume (or both). Measurement of carboxyhemoglobin should be a routine part of the evaluation of all polycythemic subjects.", "contents": "Smokers' polycythemia. Twenty-two smokers with elevated hematocrits (mean, 54 per cent) had elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin (mean, 11.6 per cent; normal, less than 1 per cent) and a \"left-shifted\" oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve (mean P50, 21.6 +/- 2.3 [+/- S.D.] torr; normal, 26.7 +/- 1.1). Red-cell volume was increased in 14 of 18, and plasma volume reduced in 14 of 18. Fatigue and headache were common, and syncopal attacks occurred in four patients. Symptoms disappeared and the elevated red-cell volume decreased markedly in all five patients who were able to reduce severely their smoking habit; low plasma volume increased in three of four patients studied. We conclude that carbon monoxide exposure from cigar and cigarette smoke is a frequent cause of an elevated red-cell volume or a reduced plasma volume (or both). Measurement of carboxyhemoglobin should be a routine part of the evaluation of all polycythemic subjects.", "PMID": 618465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2516", "title": "Uterine sacculation.", "content": "A case of uterine sacculation is reported in which a classic cesarean section was required for safe delivery. The definition and diagnosis of the condition and some difficulties in management are discussed.", "contents": "Uterine sacculation. A case of uterine sacculation is reported in which a classic cesarean section was required for safe delivery. The definition and diagnosis of the condition and some difficulties in management are discussed.", "PMID": 618466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2517", "title": "Pulmonary embolization of trophoblastic tissue in molar pregnancy.", "content": "A case of pulmonary embolization of trophoblastic tissue is described. The signs and symptoms of this syndrome are discussed, and its optimal management is outlined.", "contents": "Pulmonary embolization of trophoblastic tissue in molar pregnancy. A case of pulmonary embolization of trophoblastic tissue is described. The signs and symptoms of this syndrome are discussed, and its optimal management is outlined.", "PMID": 618467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2518", "title": "Hypertrophic tuberculosis of the vulva.", "content": "Hypertrophic tuberculosis vulvae is a rare genital infection. Treatment is essentially with antitubercular drugs. However, when the hypertrophy is so excessive that it interferes with normal life, surgical treatment is necessary. A case is presented in which combined treatment by surgery and antitubercular drugs restored the patient's health.", "contents": "Hypertrophic tuberculosis of the vulva. Hypertrophic tuberculosis vulvae is a rare genital infection. Treatment is essentially with antitubercular drugs. However, when the hypertrophy is so excessive that it interferes with normal life, surgical treatment is necessary. A case is presented in which combined treatment by surgery and antitubercular drugs restored the patient's health.", "PMID": 618468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2519", "title": "Psychosomatic vulvovaginitis.", "content": "Psychosomatic vulvovaginitis is a real clinical entity that should be suspected in any patient whose vaginal complaints do not correlate with the physical findings. Such patients have usually seen multiple physicians, are \"allergic\" to most vaginal medications, and exhibit signs of emotional lability. In many cases, psychiatric evaluation and therapy can be of great benefit.", "contents": "Psychosomatic vulvovaginitis. Psychosomatic vulvovaginitis is a real clinical entity that should be suspected in any patient whose vaginal complaints do not correlate with the physical findings. Such patients have usually seen multiple physicians, are \"allergic\" to most vaginal medications, and exhibit signs of emotional lability. In many cases, psychiatric evaluation and therapy can be of great benefit.", "PMID": 618469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2520", "title": "The effect of magnesium sulfate on fetal heart rate baseline variability.", "content": "Variability of the baseline fetal heart rate is correlated with good fetal outcome, and loss of baseline variability has been observed as a sign of fetal distress. Central nervous system depressing drugs may also decrease fetal heart rate variability, and thus recognition of the effect of medication on the baseline fetal heart rate is important for accurate interpretation of fetal monitor tracings. In the cases reported, marked decrease in fetal heart rate variability was observed within 4 minutes of intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, and fetal outcome was good in all cases.", "contents": "The effect of magnesium sulfate on fetal heart rate baseline variability. Variability of the baseline fetal heart rate is correlated with good fetal outcome, and loss of baseline variability has been observed as a sign of fetal distress. Central nervous system depressing drugs may also decrease fetal heart rate variability, and thus recognition of the effect of medication on the baseline fetal heart rate is important for accurate interpretation of fetal monitor tracings. In the cases reported, marked decrease in fetal heart rate variability was observed within 4 minutes of intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, and fetal outcome was good in all cases.", "PMID": 618470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2521", "title": "Primary adenocarcinoma of the vulva originating in misplaced cloacal tissue.", "content": "Primary adenocarcinomas of the vulva are rare tumors and usually arise from the Bartholin's gland. However, other potential sources of adenocarcinoma exist. A case is reported where it is believed that the source of the primary adenocarcinoma was a misplaced cloacal remnant. The method of treatment was by radical surgery and the prognosis is uncertain.", "contents": "Primary adenocarcinoma of the vulva originating in misplaced cloacal tissue. Primary adenocarcinomas of the vulva are rare tumors and usually arise from the Bartholin's gland. However, other potential sources of adenocarcinoma exist. A case is reported where it is believed that the source of the primary adenocarcinoma was a misplaced cloacal remnant. The method of treatment was by radical surgery and the prognosis is uncertain.", "PMID": 618471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2522", "title": "Endometrial stromal sarcoma arising from vaginal endometriosis.", "content": "The present case reports the concurrence of endometriosis of the vaginal cuff with endometrial stromal sarcoma in association with high-dose estrogen. This case raises the question of whether chronic high-dose estrogen might be associated with malignant transformation of endometrial stroma. Although there is no definitive evidence of a causal relation between estrogen and endometrial stromal sarcoma, the possibility should be explored further. Therapy of this neoplasm is discussed and salient clinical and pathologic features are reviewed.", "contents": "Endometrial stromal sarcoma arising from vaginal endometriosis. The present case reports the concurrence of endometriosis of the vaginal cuff with endometrial stromal sarcoma in association with high-dose estrogen. This case raises the question of whether chronic high-dose estrogen might be associated with malignant transformation of endometrial stroma. Although there is no definitive evidence of a causal relation between estrogen and endometrial stromal sarcoma, the possibility should be explored further. Therapy of this neoplasm is discussed and salient clinical and pathologic features are reviewed.", "PMID": 618472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2523", "title": "Clear cell adenocarcinoma arising in endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum.", "content": "Malignant transformation in a focus of endometriosis is uncommon (less than 1%). The ovary is by far the most common site, followed in frequency by the rectovaginal septum. A case of clear cell adenocarcinoma arising in endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum is presented and its pathogenesis discussed.", "contents": "Clear cell adenocarcinoma arising in endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum. Malignant transformation in a focus of endometriosis is uncommon (less than 1%). The ovary is by far the most common site, followed in frequency by the rectovaginal septum. A case of clear cell adenocarcinoma arising in endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum is presented and its pathogenesis discussed.", "PMID": 618473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2524", "title": "Fetus papyraceus in twin pregnancy.", "content": "Three cases of fetus papyraceus in twin pregnancy were seen over a 4-month period. They were associated with an antepartum stillbirth and intrauterine growth retardation of the larger twin. Two of the 3 mothers exhibited hypertension. It is concluded, therefore, that the appearance of a fetus papyraceus frequently indicates the presence of a hostile intrauterine environment. We suggest that serial ultrasonic examinations be performed to confirm the diagnosis of fetus papyraceus. In this way, appropriate therapy may be directed toward a better outcome for the second twin.", "contents": "Fetus papyraceus in twin pregnancy. Three cases of fetus papyraceus in twin pregnancy were seen over a 4-month period. They were associated with an antepartum stillbirth and intrauterine growth retardation of the larger twin. Two of the 3 mothers exhibited hypertension. It is concluded, therefore, that the appearance of a fetus papyraceus frequently indicates the presence of a hostile intrauterine environment. We suggest that serial ultrasonic examinations be performed to confirm the diagnosis of fetus papyraceus. In this way, appropriate therapy may be directed toward a better outcome for the second twin.", "PMID": 618474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2525", "title": "A testosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma.", "content": "A third case of a testosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma is presented. It differs from the other 2 cases in additionally having glucocorticoid abnormalities. Clinically, the patient had been considered as having polycystic ovaries and did show some improvement with estrogen therapy. In fact, were it not for enlarging uterine leiomyomata on this therapy which prompted a more in depth investigation to look for alternative therapy, this potentially malignant adrenal lesion may never have been discovered.", "contents": "A testosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma. A third case of a testosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma is presented. It differs from the other 2 cases in additionally having glucocorticoid abnormalities. Clinically, the patient had been considered as having polycystic ovaries and did show some improvement with estrogen therapy. In fact, were it not for enlarging uterine leiomyomata on this therapy which prompted a more in depth investigation to look for alternative therapy, this potentially malignant adrenal lesion may never have been discovered.", "PMID": 618475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2526", "title": "Ligneous cellulitis associated with an IUD.", "content": "Many reports have documented serious pelvic infection associated with an IUD. A case of ligneous pelvic cellulitis with cutaneous sinus tract formation, hydronephrosis, and ureteral obstruction in a patient with an IUD is presented. This is an uncommon manifestation of chronic pelvic infection and responded to antibiotics and steroid administration. The origin and treatment of ligneous cellulitis are discussed.", "contents": "Ligneous cellulitis associated with an IUD. Many reports have documented serious pelvic infection associated with an IUD. A case of ligneous pelvic cellulitis with cutaneous sinus tract formation, hydronephrosis, and ureteral obstruction in a patient with an IUD is presented. This is an uncommon manifestation of chronic pelvic infection and responded to antibiotics and steroid administration. The origin and treatment of ligneous cellulitis are discussed.", "PMID": 618476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2527", "title": "Primary ovarian pregnancy associated with the dalkon shield IUD.", "content": "This is the third case report of an ovarian pregnancy associated witth the Dalkon shield intrauterine device (IUD). The recent theories of mechanism of action of the IUD are described. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy with the IUD is discussed. The authors stress the fact of being alert to the possibility of an ectopic ovarian pregnancy with the IUD in the absence of suggestive signs and symptoms of pregnancy.", "contents": "Primary ovarian pregnancy associated with the dalkon shield IUD. This is the third case report of an ovarian pregnancy associated witth the Dalkon shield intrauterine device (IUD). The recent theories of mechanism of action of the IUD are described. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy with the IUD is discussed. The authors stress the fact of being alert to the possibility of an ectopic ovarian pregnancy with the IUD in the absence of suggestive signs and symptoms of pregnancy.", "PMID": 618477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2528", "title": "Carcinoma of the cervix complicated by a soup spoon.", "content": "A case is reported of a large serving spoon discovered in the abdomen after an abdominal hysterectomy. The surgical use of this item is explained.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the cervix complicated by a soup spoon. A case is reported of a large serving spoon discovered in the abdomen after an abdominal hysterectomy. The surgical use of this item is explained.", "PMID": 618478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2529", "title": "Sigmoidovaginal fistulae due to diverticular disease. Two case reports and an update.", "content": "Sigmoidovaginal fistulae are rare. They occur as a result of malignancy, irradiation, pelvic surgery, or diverticular disease, the latter being the principal cause. Numerous diagnostic techniques are available. Therapeutic modalities for these fistulae are discussed.", "contents": "Sigmoidovaginal fistulae due to diverticular disease. Two case reports and an update. Sigmoidovaginal fistulae are rare. They occur as a result of malignancy, irradiation, pelvic surgery, or diverticular disease, the latter being the principal cause. Numerous diagnostic techniques are available. Therapeutic modalities for these fistulae are discussed.", "PMID": 618479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2530", "title": "Ovarian arteriovenous fistula. An unusual cause of abdominal pain.", "content": "Arteriovenous fistulae of the ovarian artery may develop after gynecologic surgery. A case that occurred 9 years after hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy is presented and discussed. It illustrates an unusual cause of left lower quadrant abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the ovarian arteriovenous fistula resulted in complete relief of the patient's symptoms. This uncommon entity must be considered when dealing with lower quadrant pain and a past history of hysterectomy.", "contents": "Ovarian arteriovenous fistula. An unusual cause of abdominal pain. Arteriovenous fistulae of the ovarian artery may develop after gynecologic surgery. A case that occurred 9 years after hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy is presented and discussed. It illustrates an unusual cause of left lower quadrant abdominal pain. Surgical removal of the ovarian arteriovenous fistula resulted in complete relief of the patient's symptoms. This uncommon entity must be considered when dealing with lower quadrant pain and a past history of hysterectomy.", "PMID": 618480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2531", "title": "Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome and leiomyoma uteri.", "content": "A large leiomyoma found in a patient with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome 8 years following McIndoe's procedure for the creation of an artificial vagina emphasizes the need for continued long-term gynecologic care of these patients who are theoretically at average risk for the development of myometrial or ovarian neoplasia. The fact that with the syndrome leiomyomata have been reported only three times previously and ovarian malignancy never suggests that these patients are often lost to long-term followup.", "contents": "Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome and leiomyoma uteri. A large leiomyoma found in a patient with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome 8 years following McIndoe's procedure for the creation of an artificial vagina emphasizes the need for continued long-term gynecologic care of these patients who are theoretically at average risk for the development of myometrial or ovarian neoplasia. The fact that with the syndrome leiomyomata have been reported only three times previously and ovarian malignancy never suggests that these patients are often lost to long-term followup.", "PMID": 618481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2532", "title": "An unusual complication of fetal blood sampling during labor.", "content": "A female infant was delivered at term after biophysical and biochemical monitoring during the intrapartum period. At birth excessive bleeding was noted from the scalp incision sites, leading to severe anemia. The infant was also found to have congenital syphilis. The clinical course was complicated by the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to death despite intensive management. Identification and appropriate management of excessive pre- and postnatal bleeding from a sampling incision is emphasized.", "contents": "An unusual complication of fetal blood sampling during labor. A female infant was delivered at term after biophysical and biochemical monitoring during the intrapartum period. At birth excessive bleeding was noted from the scalp incision sites, leading to severe anemia. The infant was also found to have congenital syphilis. The clinical course was complicated by the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to death despite intensive management. Identification and appropriate management of excessive pre- and postnatal bleeding from a sampling incision is emphasized.", "PMID": 618482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2533", "title": "Incomplete testicular feminization with multiple congenital abnormalities.", "content": "A female infant presented with absent vagina and uterus, absent left kidney, absent right gonad, growth failure, mental retardation, seizure disorder, and facial, limb, and hand anomalies. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY in her blood and cultured cells, including cells from the sites of both gonads. Her H-Y antigen was positive. Specific dihydrotestosterone binding was reduced in cells from a labial skin biopsy. The case might be due to a minute deletion of the short arm of the X chromosome, resulting in loss of a gene for androgen receptors and of adjacent chromosomal material responsible for the growth failure and the somatic and neurologic anomalies.", "contents": "Incomplete testicular feminization with multiple congenital abnormalities. A female infant presented with absent vagina and uterus, absent left kidney, absent right gonad, growth failure, mental retardation, seizure disorder, and facial, limb, and hand anomalies. The chromosome karyotype was 46, XY in her blood and cultured cells, including cells from the sites of both gonads. Her H-Y antigen was positive. Specific dihydrotestosterone binding was reduced in cells from a labial skin biopsy. The case might be due to a minute deletion of the short arm of the X chromosome, resulting in loss of a gene for androgen receptors and of adjacent chromosomal material responsible for the growth failure and the somatic and neurologic anomalies.", "PMID": 618483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2534", "title": "Familial male pseudohermaphroditism with incomplete virilization.", "content": "A 21-year-old 46 XY individual with familial male pseudohermaphroditism was investigated. Phenotype consisted of pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias with bilateral inguinal gonads and a masculine habitus without gynecomastia. Plasma testosterone, cortisol, follicle stimulating hormone, urinary 17-ketosteroids, and 17-ketogenic steroids were within the normal male range. Plasma dihydrotestosterone was at the lower limit of the normal male range. Plasma luteinizing hormone was three times and plasma estradiol was about one and a half times the upper limit of normal for men. These results are consistent with a partial defect in the mechanism of action of testosterone. The differential diagnosis of various forms of male pseudohermaphroditism is discussed.", "contents": "Familial male pseudohermaphroditism with incomplete virilization. A 21-year-old 46 XY individual with familial male pseudohermaphroditism was investigated. Phenotype consisted of pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias with bilateral inguinal gonads and a masculine habitus without gynecomastia. Plasma testosterone, cortisol, follicle stimulating hormone, urinary 17-ketosteroids, and 17-ketogenic steroids were within the normal male range. Plasma dihydrotestosterone was at the lower limit of the normal male range. Plasma luteinizing hormone was three times and plasma estradiol was about one and a half times the upper limit of normal for men. These results are consistent with a partial defect in the mechanism of action of testosterone. The differential diagnosis of various forms of male pseudohermaphroditism is discussed.", "PMID": 618484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2535", "title": "Bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant diabetic.", "content": "A case of bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant, Class D diabetic patient is presented. The importance of obtaining proper cultures and instituting appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly is emphasized. A favorable outcome was achieved in spite of the combined risk to the fetus of maternal diabetes and listeria endocarditis.", "contents": "Bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant diabetic. A case of bacterial endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes in a pregnant, Class D diabetic patient is presented. The importance of obtaining proper cultures and instituting appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly is emphasized. A favorable outcome was achieved in spite of the combined risk to the fetus of maternal diabetes and listeria endocarditis.", "PMID": 618485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2536", "title": "Problems of resistant thrombolysis and early recurrent thrombosis in streptokinase therapy.", "content": "Problems of resistant thrombolysis and early rethrombosis during and immediately after streptokinase therapy have been studied with sequential phlebography in 39 patients. Early rethrombosis and resistant thrombolysis were found to correlate with the behavior of plasminogen and fibrinogen to streptokinase. Anticoagulants given during streptokinase therapy do not seem to affect these problems in a dramatic way.", "contents": "Problems of resistant thrombolysis and early recurrent thrombosis in streptokinase therapy. Problems of resistant thrombolysis and early rethrombosis during and immediately after streptokinase therapy have been studied with sequential phlebography in 39 patients. Early rethrombosis and resistant thrombolysis were found to correlate with the behavior of plasminogen and fibrinogen to streptokinase. Anticoagulants given during streptokinase therapy do not seem to affect these problems in a dramatic way.", "PMID": 618486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2537", "title": "Choledochoduodenostomy as an adjunct to choledocholithotomy.", "content": "Choledochoduodenostomy was performed in 100 patients for calculus related disease of the common bile duct. There were no significant early or late complications of the anastomotic procedure. The 3 per cent mortality was related to antecedent advanced liver disease in two instances and, in one instance, to intra-abdominal sepsis. The surgical bypass has the advantage of circumventing the retained stone problem or the sequelae of benign obstructive disease in the distal part of the choledochus. It permits postoperative roentgenographic and endoscopic evaluation of the anastomotic site. Cholangitis, blind segment disability and malfunction have not been seen with these indications and this technique. When the common bile duct is at least 1.4 centimeters wide, primary or secondary choledochoduodenostomy with a wide anastomosis has significant advantages over T-tube intubation in the therapeutic and prophylactic management of choledocholithiasis.", "contents": "Choledochoduodenostomy as an adjunct to choledocholithotomy. Choledochoduodenostomy was performed in 100 patients for calculus related disease of the common bile duct. There were no significant early or late complications of the anastomotic procedure. The 3 per cent mortality was related to antecedent advanced liver disease in two instances and, in one instance, to intra-abdominal sepsis. The surgical bypass has the advantage of circumventing the retained stone problem or the sequelae of benign obstructive disease in the distal part of the choledochus. It permits postoperative roentgenographic and endoscopic evaluation of the anastomotic site. Cholangitis, blind segment disability and malfunction have not been seen with these indications and this technique. When the common bile duct is at least 1.4 centimeters wide, primary or secondary choledochoduodenostomy with a wide anastomosis has significant advantages over T-tube intubation in the therapeutic and prophylactic management of choledocholithiasis.", "PMID": 618488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2538", "title": "The significance of elevated peritoneal fluid phosphate level in intestinal infarction.", "content": "Early diagnosis seems mandatory if the mortality of mesenteric vascular occlusion is to be altered. A model has been developed in which intestinal infarction has been produced by ligation of either the superior mesenteric vein or the superior mesenteric artery. Results of earlier work, using this model, have shown a significant rise in the serum inorganic phosphate level and an associated severe metabolic acidosis. This article has confirmed these results as being statistically significant. In this experiment, a significant rise in the inorganic phosphate level of the peritoneal fluid has been shown in the same model. We suggest that, in the patient with possible intestinal infarction, an elevated serum phosphate level, elevated peritoneal fluid phosphate level, base deficit and leukocytosis may be useful in making an earlier diagnosis of this disease. If an earlier diagnosis is accomplished, the morbidity and mortality of this lethal disease hopefully will be reduced.", "contents": "The significance of elevated peritoneal fluid phosphate level in intestinal infarction. Early diagnosis seems mandatory if the mortality of mesenteric vascular occlusion is to be altered. A model has been developed in which intestinal infarction has been produced by ligation of either the superior mesenteric vein or the superior mesenteric artery. Results of earlier work, using this model, have shown a significant rise in the serum inorganic phosphate level and an associated severe metabolic acidosis. This article has confirmed these results as being statistically significant. In this experiment, a significant rise in the inorganic phosphate level of the peritoneal fluid has been shown in the same model. We suggest that, in the patient with possible intestinal infarction, an elevated serum phosphate level, elevated peritoneal fluid phosphate level, base deficit and leukocytosis may be useful in making an earlier diagnosis of this disease. If an earlier diagnosis is accomplished, the morbidity and mortality of this lethal disease hopefully will be reduced.", "PMID": 618490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2539", "title": "The prognosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum complicating ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Thirty-three carcinomas of the colon and rectum occurring in patients with ulcerative colitis have been compared with matched controls from a population without colitis. There is no difference in length of survival between the patients in the two groups. More extensive tumor spread in the control group is due to the method of selection.", "contents": "The prognosis of carcinoma of the colon and rectum complicating ulcerative colitis. Thirty-three carcinomas of the colon and rectum occurring in patients with ulcerative colitis have been compared with matched controls from a population without colitis. There is no difference in length of survival between the patients in the two groups. More extensive tumor spread in the control group is due to the method of selection.", "PMID": 618491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2540", "title": "Thymectomy in patients more than forty years of age with myasthenia gravis.", "content": "Until recently, thymectomy has been reserved for patients with myasthenia gravis in the younger age groups. The use of transcervical thymectomy, with its reduction in morbidity and mortality, has allowed us to study the effects of thymectomy in the older age group. The records of 525 patients who underwent thymectomy were reviewed and divided into two groups: those less than and those more than 40 years of age. The incidence of thymomas was greatest in the older than 40 year group. This age group without thymoma was also noted to have a high incidence of absent germinal centers. The postoperative remission rates as well as the electromyographic improvement rates were comparable for both age groups. The evidence presented indicates that thymectomy improves the clinical course of myasthenia gravis in all age groups studied. We recommend transcervical thymectomy for all patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, regardless of age.", "contents": "Thymectomy in patients more than forty years of age with myasthenia gravis. Until recently, thymectomy has been reserved for patients with myasthenia gravis in the younger age groups. The use of transcervical thymectomy, with its reduction in morbidity and mortality, has allowed us to study the effects of thymectomy in the older age group. The records of 525 patients who underwent thymectomy were reviewed and divided into two groups: those less than and those more than 40 years of age. The incidence of thymomas was greatest in the older than 40 year group. This age group without thymoma was also noted to have a high incidence of absent germinal centers. The postoperative remission rates as well as the electromyographic improvement rates were comparable for both age groups. The evidence presented indicates that thymectomy improves the clinical course of myasthenia gravis in all age groups studied. We recommend transcervical thymectomy for all patients with generalized myasthenia gravis, regardless of age.", "PMID": 618492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2541", "title": "Comparative evaluation of surgical scrub preparations.", "content": "The efficacy of 0.75 per cent available povidone-iodine scrub solution, 4 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate detergent solution and 3 per cent hexachlorophene emulsion against resident and transient flora of the hand has been compared using two currently accepted study designs. Chlorhexidine gluconate produced the greatest initial reductions against resident flora, followed by povidone-iodine and hexachlorophene, respectively. In subsequent washings, all three treatments further reduced the flora, chlorhexidine giving the greatest reduction on any test day. On gloved hands, there was significant regrowth following the use of povidone-iodine; there was no such significant regrowth on gloved hands which had been washed with chlorhexidine gluconate or hexachlorophene. Against transient flora, chlorhexidine gluconate gave the lowest over-all counts, followed by povidone-iodine and hexachlorophene, respectively. The reductions in bacteria counts increased following the repetitive use of chlorhexidine; no such trend was noted with either povidone-iodine or hexachlorophene.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of surgical scrub preparations. The efficacy of 0.75 per cent available povidone-iodine scrub solution, 4 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate detergent solution and 3 per cent hexachlorophene emulsion against resident and transient flora of the hand has been compared using two currently accepted study designs. Chlorhexidine gluconate produced the greatest initial reductions against resident flora, followed by povidone-iodine and hexachlorophene, respectively. In subsequent washings, all three treatments further reduced the flora, chlorhexidine giving the greatest reduction on any test day. On gloved hands, there was significant regrowth following the use of povidone-iodine; there was no such significant regrowth on gloved hands which had been washed with chlorhexidine gluconate or hexachlorophene. Against transient flora, chlorhexidine gluconate gave the lowest over-all counts, followed by povidone-iodine and hexachlorophene, respectively. The reductions in bacteria counts increased following the repetitive use of chlorhexidine; no such trend was noted with either povidone-iodine or hexachlorophene.", "PMID": 618493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2542", "title": "Acute experimental autologous fat embolism in dogs.", "content": "An experimental technique has been devised to study the acute respiratory and hemodynamic results of autologous fat embolism in dogs. By using a commercially available autotransfusion device, fat can be aspirated and reinfused into the venous circulation. Acute rises in pulmonary artery pressure and calculated pulmonary dead space can be produced, and arterial oxygen saturation is impaired. These changes correlate well with the appearance of intravascular embolized fat. Apparent intravascular clot formation is demonstrated, the fat droplet acting as a stimulus or nidus for clot formation. These changes were avoided when the infusate was first passed through a micropore filter.", "contents": "Acute experimental autologous fat embolism in dogs. An experimental technique has been devised to study the acute respiratory and hemodynamic results of autologous fat embolism in dogs. By using a commercially available autotransfusion device, fat can be aspirated and reinfused into the venous circulation. Acute rises in pulmonary artery pressure and calculated pulmonary dead space can be produced, and arterial oxygen saturation is impaired. These changes correlate well with the appearance of intravascular embolized fat. Apparent intravascular clot formation is demonstrated, the fat droplet acting as a stimulus or nidus for clot formation. These changes were avoided when the infusate was first passed through a micropore filter.", "PMID": 618495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2543", "title": "Dose reduction in mammography.", "content": "The Min-R system is more than a satisfactory substitute for xerography. At equal distances, the images obtained are equivalent. Radiation exposure was 25 per cent of xerography, a significant reduction in exposure. By using a long cone and improving geometry, superior images were obtained in 4 per cent of 400 comparison patients. If mammography is to be used as an early detection device in patients with carcinoma of the breast, modalities with lower exposure requirements must be used. Min-R, a new film screen system, fulfills the requirement of reduced patient exposure without loss of diagnostic accuracy.", "contents": "Dose reduction in mammography. The Min-R system is more than a satisfactory substitute for xerography. At equal distances, the images obtained are equivalent. Radiation exposure was 25 per cent of xerography, a significant reduction in exposure. By using a long cone and improving geometry, superior images were obtained in 4 per cent of 400 comparison patients. If mammography is to be used as an early detection device in patients with carcinoma of the breast, modalities with lower exposure requirements must be used. Min-R, a new film screen system, fulfills the requirement of reduced patient exposure without loss of diagnostic accuracy.", "PMID": 618496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2544", "title": "Intraoral field block anesthesia for extraoral lesions.", "content": "Intraoral field block anesthesia for extraoral surgical procedures provides a technique which is both extremely safe and easy to administer. As with all local anesthetics, injected volumes should be monitored at all times. Hemostasis may be augmented, if necessary, with topical epinephrine solution. When vasoconstrictors are contraindicated, mepivacaine, Carbocaine, may be substituted for its inherent properties.", "contents": "Intraoral field block anesthesia for extraoral lesions. Intraoral field block anesthesia for extraoral surgical procedures provides a technique which is both extremely safe and easy to administer. As with all local anesthetics, injected volumes should be monitored at all times. Hemostasis may be augmented, if necessary, with topical epinephrine solution. When vasoconstrictors are contraindicated, mepivacaine, Carbocaine, may be substituted for its inherent properties.", "PMID": 618498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2545", "title": "Geriatric psychiatry training for the general psychiatric resident.", "content": "Although there is a real need in variety of settings for psychiatrists trained in working with older people, a large proportion of psychiatric residency programs do not offer the opportunity for clinical experience with this age group. The author stresses the need to include this subject in the curriculum of residency training programs. He describes the features of one program that offers comprehensive training in this area.", "contents": "Geriatric psychiatry training for the general psychiatric resident. Although there is a real need in variety of settings for psychiatrists trained in working with older people, a large proportion of psychiatric residency programs do not offer the opportunity for clinical experience with this age group. The author stresses the need to include this subject in the curriculum of residency training programs. He describes the features of one program that offers comprehensive training in this area.", "PMID": 618502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2546", "title": "The functions of experimental participatory experiences in the learning-teaching process.", "content": "The author analyzes the process by which experimental approaches and observations are transformed into usable knowledge. She examines her past work within this framework. Flexibility and open-ended beliefs permit the testing of new, unfamiliar data against known theoretical backgrounds and their subsequent organization and incorporation into further learning experiences. This material, in turn, can be formulated into new content that enhances one's learning and teaching potentials.", "contents": "The functions of experimental participatory experiences in the learning-teaching process. The author analyzes the process by which experimental approaches and observations are transformed into usable knowledge. She examines her past work within this framework. Flexibility and open-ended beliefs permit the testing of new, unfamiliar data against known theoretical backgrounds and their subsequent organization and incorporation into further learning experiences. This material, in turn, can be formulated into new content that enhances one's learning and teaching potentials.", "PMID": 618503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2547", "title": "\"Organic brain syndromes\": an empirical study and critical review.", "content": "The authors found that all but 3 of 80 randomly chosen patients in a Veterans Administration hospital who had been given a primary nonspecific neuropsychiatric diagnosis (organic brain syndrome, organic psychosis, chronic brain syndrome, etc.) could be assigned to specific diagnostic categories. Diagnosis was based on chart review and thorough neurological and clinical evaluation. Senile and alcoholic dementia and Korsakoff's syndrome were seen most often, and 15% of the patients were diagnosed as having functional disorders of the mental state. The authors review the organic brain syndrome diagnosis in light of this and other evidence. They believe that fractionation into more specific diagnoses is essential to further understanding of this group of diseases. Use of the general term can result in inappropriate or no treatment; further, it hampers essential psychological, pharmacological, and biomedical research on these disorders.", "contents": "\"Organic brain syndromes\": an empirical study and critical review. The authors found that all but 3 of 80 randomly chosen patients in a Veterans Administration hospital who had been given a primary nonspecific neuropsychiatric diagnosis (organic brain syndrome, organic psychosis, chronic brain syndrome, etc.) could be assigned to specific diagnostic categories. Diagnosis was based on chart review and thorough neurological and clinical evaluation. Senile and alcoholic dementia and Korsakoff's syndrome were seen most often, and 15% of the patients were diagnosed as having functional disorders of the mental state. The authors review the organic brain syndrome diagnosis in light of this and other evidence. They believe that fractionation into more specific diagnoses is essential to further understanding of this group of diseases. Use of the general term can result in inappropriate or no treatment; further, it hampers essential psychological, pharmacological, and biomedical research on these disorders.", "PMID": 618517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2548", "title": "The physician's knowledge of psychotropic drugs: preliminary results.", "content": "A questionnaire about three commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs was administered to physicians and trainees in two specialties and to medical students. Psychiatrists and psychiatric residents had very low levels of knowledge about the physiology, pharmacology, and side effects of diazepam; their scores did not exceed those of medical residents or students. Trainees in internal medicine scored poorly regarding the diagnosis of depressive syndromes and the physiology and pharmacology of imipramine and amitriptyline, whereas psychiatrists performed well. The results of this preliminary study can provide guidelines for improving the teaching of psychopharmacology in general and the psychopharmacological treatment of the medically ill in particular.", "contents": "The physician's knowledge of psychotropic drugs: preliminary results. A questionnaire about three commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs was administered to physicians and trainees in two specialties and to medical students. Psychiatrists and psychiatric residents had very low levels of knowledge about the physiology, pharmacology, and side effects of diazepam; their scores did not exceed those of medical residents or students. Trainees in internal medicine scored poorly regarding the diagnosis of depressive syndromes and the physiology and pharmacology of imipramine and amitriptyline, whereas psychiatrists performed well. The results of this preliminary study can provide guidelines for improving the teaching of psychopharmacology in general and the psychopharmacological treatment of the medically ill in particular.", "PMID": 618526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2549", "title": "Crime and violence among mental patients reconsidered in view of the new legal relationship between the state and the mentally ill.", "content": "The author compared the arrest rates of 301 former state mental hospital patients with those of the local county population and selected U.S. cities. He found that the patients had a markedly higher incidence of arrests for criminal behavior, including violent offenses, than either of the comparison groups. Patients who were female, aged 20-30, and nonwhite had higher arrest rates for violent offenses than the rest of the study group. These findings are at variance with those of earlier studies but are in general agreement with more recent studies. The author suggests the need for further research in order to more completely identify those factors which explain the high crime rate among the mentally ill.", "contents": "Crime and violence among mental patients reconsidered in view of the new legal relationship between the state and the mentally ill. The author compared the arrest rates of 301 former state mental hospital patients with those of the local county population and selected U.S. cities. He found that the patients had a markedly higher incidence of arrests for criminal behavior, including violent offenses, than either of the comparison groups. Patients who were female, aged 20-30, and nonwhite had higher arrest rates for violent offenses than the rest of the study group. These findings are at variance with those of earlier studies but are in general agreement with more recent studies. The author suggests the need for further research in order to more completely identify those factors which explain the high crime rate among the mentally ill.", "PMID": 618527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2550", "title": "Adaptive and pathogenic aspects of sex-role stereotypes: implications for parenting and psychotherapy.", "content": "There has been considerable controversy concerning adaptive versus pathogenic effects of sex-role stereotypes on individual development. The author evaluates both the positive and negative consequences of sex-role stereotypes without regard for any particular sociocultural definition of masculinity or feminity. She hypothesizes that the degree to which sex-role stereotypes are adaptive and facilitative (as opposed to restrictive and pathogenic) is inversely related to the degree to which an individual has consolidated a comfortable and stable gender is identity. Implications for parenting and treatment are elaborated.", "contents": "Adaptive and pathogenic aspects of sex-role stereotypes: implications for parenting and psychotherapy. There has been considerable controversy concerning adaptive versus pathogenic effects of sex-role stereotypes on individual development. The author evaluates both the positive and negative consequences of sex-role stereotypes without regard for any particular sociocultural definition of masculinity or feminity. She hypothesizes that the degree to which sex-role stereotypes are adaptive and facilitative (as opposed to restrictive and pathogenic) is inversely related to the degree to which an individual has consolidated a comfortable and stable gender is identity. Implications for parenting and treatment are elaborated.", "PMID": 618528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2551", "title": "The process of criminal commitment for pretrial psychiatric examination: an evaluation.", "content": "The authors examined the records for 1975 of 87 pretrial commitments to Worcester State Hospital under a 1971 revision of the Massachusetts law regarding such commitments. They also compiled statistics on all admissions to the hospital for 1966-1975. They found that only 2 of the 87 pretrial commitments resulted in a final court disposition of commitment and that pretrial commitments increased during 1972-1975 in contrast to a decrease in other kinds of admissions. On the basis of these findings the authors suggest that serious attention be paid to arguments that pretrial commitment serves to control and sequester deviants. Dr. Alan A. Stone comments on the authors' presentation.", "contents": "The process of criminal commitment for pretrial psychiatric examination: an evaluation. The authors examined the records for 1975 of 87 pretrial commitments to Worcester State Hospital under a 1971 revision of the Massachusetts law regarding such commitments. They also compiled statistics on all admissions to the hospital for 1966-1975. They found that only 2 of the 87 pretrial commitments resulted in a final court disposition of commitment and that pretrial commitments increased during 1972-1975 in contrast to a decrease in other kinds of admissions. On the basis of these findings the authors suggest that serious attention be paid to arguments that pretrial commitment serves to control and sequester deviants. Dr. Alan A. Stone comments on the authors' presentation.", "PMID": 618529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2552", "title": "Sodium amylobarbitone in the differential diagnosis of confusion.", "content": "The authors describe the use of intravenous sodium amylobarbitone to differentiate between functional and organic confusion. Four psychiatric patients with functional confusion developed a clear sensorium on this drug. Since previous studies have demonstrated that organic confusion is increased by sodium amylobarbitone, the authors conclude that the drug can be an aid in the differential diagnosis of confusion. They discuss possible applications.", "contents": "Sodium amylobarbitone in the differential diagnosis of confusion. The authors describe the use of intravenous sodium amylobarbitone to differentiate between functional and organic confusion. Four psychiatric patients with functional confusion developed a clear sensorium on this drug. Since previous studies have demonstrated that organic confusion is increased by sodium amylobarbitone, the authors conclude that the drug can be an aid in the differential diagnosis of confusion. They discuss possible applications.", "PMID": 618531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2553", "title": "Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and psychiatric diagnosis.", "content": "The authors examined the quantities of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in the urine of 11 schizophrenic female patients, 14 primary affective disorder (depressed type) female patients, and 10 healthy comparison women. The primary affective disorder patients had significantly less MHPG in their urine than did the comparison subjects. The schizophrenic patients when compared with the healthy subjects or the depressed patients did not excrete significantly different amounts of MHPG in urine. The variance in MHPG in schizophrenic patients was quite large; some had very low urinary MHPG. There was a significant positive correlation between agitation and urinary MHPG for schizophrenic but not depressed patients. The authors discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings.", "contents": "Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and psychiatric diagnosis. The authors examined the quantities of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in the urine of 11 schizophrenic female patients, 14 primary affective disorder (depressed type) female patients, and 10 healthy comparison women. The primary affective disorder patients had significantly less MHPG in their urine than did the comparison subjects. The schizophrenic patients when compared with the healthy subjects or the depressed patients did not excrete significantly different amounts of MHPG in urine. The variance in MHPG in schizophrenic patients was quite large; some had very low urinary MHPG. There was a significant positive correlation between agitation and urinary MHPG for schizophrenic but not depressed patients. The authors discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings.", "PMID": 618532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2554", "title": "Neurogenic and hysterical seizures in children and adolescents: differential diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.", "content": "For patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication alone, psychotherapeutic intervention can sometimes play a useful adjunctive role in both differential diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic issues include the differentiation between neurogenic and hysterical seizures as well as the delineation of the possible role of psychogenic stress in triggering neurogenic seizures. Therapeutic considerations focus on the alleviation of precipitating stresses as well as the development of a sense of mastery in the patient.", "contents": "Neurogenic and hysterical seizures in children and adolescents: differential diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. For patients whose seizures are not controlled by medication alone, psychotherapeutic intervention can sometimes play a useful adjunctive role in both differential diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic issues include the differentiation between neurogenic and hysterical seizures as well as the delineation of the possible role of psychogenic stress in triggering neurogenic seizures. Therapeutic considerations focus on the alleviation of precipitating stresses as well as the development of a sense of mastery in the patient.", "PMID": 618533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2555", "title": "Platelet monoamine oxidase in chronic schizophrenic patients.", "content": "The authors investigated platelet monoamine (MAO) activity in 40 chronic schizophrenic patients, 55 normal control subjects, and 16 hospitalized control subjects. The mean platelet MAO activity for the chronic schizophrenic patients was significantly lower than the mean in either control group. There were no significant differences between the mean platelet MAO activities in 21 chronic paranoid schizophrenic patients compared with 18 chronic undifferentiated schizophrenic patients.", "contents": "Platelet monoamine oxidase in chronic schizophrenic patients. The authors investigated platelet monoamine (MAO) activity in 40 chronic schizophrenic patients, 55 normal control subjects, and 16 hospitalized control subjects. The mean platelet MAO activity for the chronic schizophrenic patients was significantly lower than the mean in either control group. There were no significant differences between the mean platelet MAO activities in 21 chronic paranoid schizophrenic patients compared with 18 chronic undifferentiated schizophrenic patients.", "PMID": 618534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2556", "title": "Light-mediated reduction of flavoproteins with flavins as catalysts.", "content": "It has been found that small amounts of free flavins greatly accelerate the photochemical reduction of flavoproteins both to the radical and fully reduced oxidation states. This catalytic effect has been shown to be due to the rapid photochemical reduction of the free flavin to its fully reduced state, followed by its reaction with the flavoprotein to yield flavoprotein radical and by its reaction with flavoprotein radical to yield fully reduced flavoprotein. Evidence is presented that the same route may occur with flavoproteins in the absence of added flavins. In this case the photoreduction is mediated by the small equilibrium concentration of free flavin coenzyme present in a flavorprotein solution. Hence, it is suggested that flavoprotein reduction with EDTA as photosubstrate does not involve an excited state of the holoprotein, nor contact of EDTA with the enzyme, but exchange of electrons between enzyme flavin and free reduced flavin.", "contents": "Light-mediated reduction of flavoproteins with flavins as catalysts. It has been found that small amounts of free flavins greatly accelerate the photochemical reduction of flavoproteins both to the radical and fully reduced oxidation states. This catalytic effect has been shown to be due to the rapid photochemical reduction of the free flavin to its fully reduced state, followed by its reaction with the flavoprotein to yield flavoprotein radical and by its reaction with flavoprotein radical to yield fully reduced flavoprotein. Evidence is presented that the same route may occur with flavoproteins in the absence of added flavins. In this case the photoreduction is mediated by the small equilibrium concentration of free flavin coenzyme present in a flavorprotein solution. Hence, it is suggested that flavoprotein reduction with EDTA as photosubstrate does not involve an excited state of the holoprotein, nor contact of EDTA with the enzyme, but exchange of electrons between enzyme flavin and free reduced flavin.", "PMID": 618535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2557", "title": "Biosynthesis of uroporphyrinogens. Interaction among 2-aminomethyltripyrranes and the enzymatic system.", "content": "Many hypotheses on uroporphyrinogen biosynthesis advanced the possibility that 2-aminomethyltripyrranes formed by porphobilinogen deaminase are further substrates or uroporphyrinogen III co-synthase in the presence of porphobilinogen. These proposals were put to test by employing synthetic 2-aminomethyltripyrranes formally derived from porphobilinogen. None of them was found to be by itself a substrate of deaminase or of co-synthase in the presence of porphobilinogen. The tripyrranes chemically formed uroporphyrinogens by dimerization reactions, and the latter had to be deducted in control runs during the enzymatic studies. Two of the tripyrranes examined, the 2-aminomethyltripyrrane 7 and the 2-aminomethyltripyrrane 8, were found to be incorporated into enzymatically formed uroporphyrinogen III in the presence of porphobilinogen and of the deaminase-co-synthase system. While the former gave only a slight incorporation, the latter was incorporated in about 16%. No incorporation of 8 into uroporphyrinogen I was detected. On the basis of these results, and of the previous results obtained with 2-aminomethyldipyrrylmethanes, an outline of the most likely pathway of uroporphyrinogen III biosynthesis from porphobilinogen is given.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of uroporphyrinogens. Interaction among 2-aminomethyltripyrranes and the enzymatic system. Many hypotheses on uroporphyrinogen biosynthesis advanced the possibility that 2-aminomethyltripyrranes formed by porphobilinogen deaminase are further substrates or uroporphyrinogen III co-synthase in the presence of porphobilinogen. These proposals were put to test by employing synthetic 2-aminomethyltripyrranes formally derived from porphobilinogen. None of them was found to be by itself a substrate of deaminase or of co-synthase in the presence of porphobilinogen. The tripyrranes chemically formed uroporphyrinogens by dimerization reactions, and the latter had to be deducted in control runs during the enzymatic studies. Two of the tripyrranes examined, the 2-aminomethyltripyrrane 7 and the 2-aminomethyltripyrrane 8, were found to be incorporated into enzymatically formed uroporphyrinogen III in the presence of porphobilinogen and of the deaminase-co-synthase system. While the former gave only a slight incorporation, the latter was incorporated in about 16%. No incorporation of 8 into uroporphyrinogen I was detected. On the basis of these results, and of the previous results obtained with 2-aminomethyldipyrrylmethanes, an outline of the most likely pathway of uroporphyrinogen III biosynthesis from porphobilinogen is given.", "PMID": 618537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2558", "title": "Lysine transfer RNA2 is the major target for L-ethionine in the rat.", "content": "Ethionine, a hepatocarcinogen, ethylates macromolecules in vivo especially tRNA of rat liver. When rats were injected with L-[ethyl-3H]ethionine, the tRNA fraction of the liver was found to be labeled. One tRNA with the highest specific activity was purified and identified as lysine-tRNA2.", "contents": "Lysine transfer RNA2 is the major target for L-ethionine in the rat. Ethionine, a hepatocarcinogen, ethylates macromolecules in vivo especially tRNA of rat liver. When rats were injected with L-[ethyl-3H]ethionine, the tRNA fraction of the liver was found to be labeled. One tRNA with the highest specific activity was purified and identified as lysine-tRNA2.", "PMID": 618538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2559", "title": "Kinetic and equilibrium studies on steroid interaction with human corticosteroid-binding globulin.", "content": "Kinetic and equilibrium studies on the interaction of steroids with human corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG, transcortin) were performed with pH, temperature, and steroid structure as variables. Dissociation rate constants were determined fluorometrically; the values for cortisol, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and progesterone are 0.031, 0.047, 0.10, and 0.16 s-1, respectively, at 20 degrees C, pH 7.4. The pH dependence of the dissociation rate constant for the corticosterone complex below pH 10.5 at 20 degrees C is given by koff = 0.043 (1 + [H+]/10(-6.50)) s-1; above pH 11, koff = 0.030 (1 + 10(-12.15/[H+] s-1. A temperature-dependence study of koff for the cortisol and progesterone complexes gave values of 0.0028 s-1 and 0.012 s-1 at 4 degrees C, respectively, and 0.88 s-1 and 4.5 s-1 at 37 degrees C, with progesterone dissociating about four to five times faster over the entire temperature range. The affinity constants, determined by equilibrium dialysis, for the binding of cortisol, corticosterone, and progesterone at 4 degrees C were 7.9, 7.2, and 7.0 X 10(8) M-1; values of 0.40 and 0.26 X 10(8) M-1 were determined at 37 degrees C for cortisol and progesterone. The close similarity of the affinity constants of the three steroids combined with differing dissociation rates implies that the association rate changes with steroid structure, in contrast to our earlier findings with progesterone-binding globulin.", "contents": "Kinetic and equilibrium studies on steroid interaction with human corticosteroid-binding globulin. Kinetic and equilibrium studies on the interaction of steroids with human corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG, transcortin) were performed with pH, temperature, and steroid structure as variables. Dissociation rate constants were determined fluorometrically; the values for cortisol, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, and progesterone are 0.031, 0.047, 0.10, and 0.16 s-1, respectively, at 20 degrees C, pH 7.4. The pH dependence of the dissociation rate constant for the corticosterone complex below pH 10.5 at 20 degrees C is given by koff = 0.043 (1 + [H+]/10(-6.50)) s-1; above pH 11, koff = 0.030 (1 + 10(-12.15/[H+] s-1. A temperature-dependence study of koff for the cortisol and progesterone complexes gave values of 0.0028 s-1 and 0.012 s-1 at 4 degrees C, respectively, and 0.88 s-1 and 4.5 s-1 at 37 degrees C, with progesterone dissociating about four to five times faster over the entire temperature range. The affinity constants, determined by equilibrium dialysis, for the binding of cortisol, corticosterone, and progesterone at 4 degrees C were 7.9, 7.2, and 7.0 X 10(8) M-1; values of 0.40 and 0.26 X 10(8) M-1 were determined at 37 degrees C for cortisol and progesterone. The close similarity of the affinity constants of the three steroids combined with differing dissociation rates implies that the association rate changes with steroid structure, in contrast to our earlier findings with progesterone-binding globulin.", "PMID": 618541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2560", "title": "Effect of stacking interactions with poly(riboadenylic acid) on the triplet state properties of tryptophan.", "content": "Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) signals of tryptophan (Trp) have been measured in L-lysyl-L-tryptophyl-L-lysine (Lys-Trp-Lys) and in its complex with poly(riboadenylic acid) [poly(rA)]. Measurements were made with optical narrow band detection through the Trp O-O band. Plots of [D] and [E] vs. lambda are distinctly different for Lys-Trp-Lys and its complex with poly(rA). A reduction of [D], in particular, is consistent with stacking of Trp with adenine in the complex, since this effect is expected from charge-transfer contributions in the excited triplet state. Triplet energy transfer from poly(rA) to Lys-Trp-Lys is nearly complete at 77 K, with a Trp:adenine ratio of 0.1. The energy transfer efficiency is considerably reduced at 4.2 K and below, probably resulting from reduction of the triplet mobility in the polymer. Analysis of the phosphorescence decays shows that the triplet states of poly(rA), Lys-Trp-Lys, and their complex decay nonexponentially. Binding of polylysine to poly(rA) has no effect on the phosphorescence spectrum, but the decay kinetics are changed.", "contents": "Effect of stacking interactions with poly(riboadenylic acid) on the triplet state properties of tryptophan. Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) signals of tryptophan (Trp) have been measured in L-lysyl-L-tryptophyl-L-lysine (Lys-Trp-Lys) and in its complex with poly(riboadenylic acid) [poly(rA)]. Measurements were made with optical narrow band detection through the Trp O-O band. Plots of [D] and [E] vs. lambda are distinctly different for Lys-Trp-Lys and its complex with poly(rA). A reduction of [D], in particular, is consistent with stacking of Trp with adenine in the complex, since this effect is expected from charge-transfer contributions in the excited triplet state. Triplet energy transfer from poly(rA) to Lys-Trp-Lys is nearly complete at 77 K, with a Trp:adenine ratio of 0.1. The energy transfer efficiency is considerably reduced at 4.2 K and below, probably resulting from reduction of the triplet mobility in the polymer. Analysis of the phosphorescence decays shows that the triplet states of poly(rA), Lys-Trp-Lys, and their complex decay nonexponentially. Binding of polylysine to poly(rA) has no effect on the phosphorescence spectrum, but the decay kinetics are changed.", "PMID": 618542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2561", "title": "Molecular size heterogeneity of human leukocyte interferon.", "content": "Molecular sieving of human leukocyte interferon revealed an apparent molecular weight of 26,000. However, after denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of a reducing agent and reactivation by extensive dialysis, a molecular weight of only 21,000 was observed. The reactivated human leukocyte interferon (mol wt 21,000) gave a single peak of activity when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, confirming that a single molecular weight species was generated by the denaturation and reactivation procedure. A partial unfolding of the molecule was evident when the interferon preparation was heated to 50 degrees C in the absence or presence of an unfolding agent and then sieved on Sephadex G-100 Superfine. These results suggest that the interferon molecule undergoes a proteolytic cleavage probably by a protease present in extracellular fluid. Thus, a peptide fragment dissociates from the parent molecule when human leukocyte interferon is denatured in the presence of a reducing agent, resulting in a drop of 5,000 in molecular weight; interestingly, the resultant 21,000 molecular weight form still retains its antiviral activity.", "contents": "Molecular size heterogeneity of human leukocyte interferon. Molecular sieving of human leukocyte interferon revealed an apparent molecular weight of 26,000. However, after denaturation by guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of a reducing agent and reactivation by extensive dialysis, a molecular weight of only 21,000 was observed. The reactivated human leukocyte interferon (mol wt 21,000) gave a single peak of activity when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, confirming that a single molecular weight species was generated by the denaturation and reactivation procedure. A partial unfolding of the molecule was evident when the interferon preparation was heated to 50 degrees C in the absence or presence of an unfolding agent and then sieved on Sephadex G-100 Superfine. These results suggest that the interferon molecule undergoes a proteolytic cleavage probably by a protease present in extracellular fluid. Thus, a peptide fragment dissociates from the parent molecule when human leukocyte interferon is denatured in the presence of a reducing agent, resulting in a drop of 5,000 in molecular weight; interestingly, the resultant 21,000 molecular weight form still retains its antiviral activity.", "PMID": 618543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2562", "title": "Interaction of the peptide bond with solvent water: a vapor phase analysis.", "content": "A dynamic technique, using radioactivity as a means of detection, makes it possible to measure the partial pressures of highly polar compounds in dilute aqueous solution. The results can be expressed in terms of the dimensionless distribution coefficient for transfer of a compound from dilute aqueous solution to the vapor phase. For acetic acid this coefficient is 1.1 X 10(-5), for acetamide 7.6 X 10(-8), for N-methylacetamide 4.1 X 10(-8), and for N,N-dimethylacetamide 5.4 X 10(-7). Thus acetamide is much more strongly solvated than the uncharged acetic acid molecule. The results suggest: (1) that the peptide bond represents an extreme among uncharged functional groups in the degree to which it is stabilized by solvent water; (2) that the very great hydrophilic character of the peptide bond may be associated mainly with hydrogen bonding of the solvent to the carbonyl oxygen atom (rather than the N-H group); and (3) that the observed equilibria of biosynthesis and hydrolysis of peptide bonds in aqueous solution are largely determined by differences between reactants and products in their free energies of solvation. It is anticipated that where \"bound\" water is found in proteins, it will often be found to be associated with peptide bonds, and will tend to be associated with the C-O group rather than with the N-H group.", "contents": "Interaction of the peptide bond with solvent water: a vapor phase analysis. A dynamic technique, using radioactivity as a means of detection, makes it possible to measure the partial pressures of highly polar compounds in dilute aqueous solution. The results can be expressed in terms of the dimensionless distribution coefficient for transfer of a compound from dilute aqueous solution to the vapor phase. For acetic acid this coefficient is 1.1 X 10(-5), for acetamide 7.6 X 10(-8), for N-methylacetamide 4.1 X 10(-8), and for N,N-dimethylacetamide 5.4 X 10(-7). Thus acetamide is much more strongly solvated than the uncharged acetic acid molecule. The results suggest: (1) that the peptide bond represents an extreme among uncharged functional groups in the degree to which it is stabilized by solvent water; (2) that the very great hydrophilic character of the peptide bond may be associated mainly with hydrogen bonding of the solvent to the carbonyl oxygen atom (rather than the N-H group); and (3) that the observed equilibria of biosynthesis and hydrolysis of peptide bonds in aqueous solution are largely determined by differences between reactants and products in their free energies of solvation. It is anticipated that where \"bound\" water is found in proteins, it will often be found to be associated with peptide bonds, and will tend to be associated with the C-O group rather than with the N-H group.", "PMID": 618544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2563", "title": "Binding of carbon monoxide to isolated hemoglobin chains.", "content": "Binding of carbon monoxide to the separated alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin, with and without bound p-mercuribenzoate, has been measured at temperatures from 5 to 340 K for times 2 mus to 1 ks using flash photolysis. All four proteins exhibit three different rebinding processes. The data are interpreted by a model in which the carbon monoxide, moving from the solvent to the binding site at the ferrous heme iron, encounters three barriers. The temperature dependences of the three processes yield activation enthalpies and entropies for the three barriers for all four proteins. Binding at temperatures below about 200 K is nonexponential, implying that the innermost barrier has a distribution of activation enthalpies. The distributions for the four proteins have been determined. At temperatures below 30 K, the CO binding rates approach finite low-temperature limits; binding thus proceeds by quantum-mechanical tunneling. Invoking a simple model, the widths of the innermost barriers are extracted from the measured tunneling rates. The experimental parameters are correlated with structural features of the hemoglobin chains and compared with previously published data on myoglobin and protoheme. A correlation is established between the height of the innermost barrier and the equilibrium CO pressure.", "contents": "Binding of carbon monoxide to isolated hemoglobin chains. Binding of carbon monoxide to the separated alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin, with and without bound p-mercuribenzoate, has been measured at temperatures from 5 to 340 K for times 2 mus to 1 ks using flash photolysis. All four proteins exhibit three different rebinding processes. The data are interpreted by a model in which the carbon monoxide, moving from the solvent to the binding site at the ferrous heme iron, encounters three barriers. The temperature dependences of the three processes yield activation enthalpies and entropies for the three barriers for all four proteins. Binding at temperatures below about 200 K is nonexponential, implying that the innermost barrier has a distribution of activation enthalpies. The distributions for the four proteins have been determined. At temperatures below 30 K, the CO binding rates approach finite low-temperature limits; binding thus proceeds by quantum-mechanical tunneling. Invoking a simple model, the widths of the innermost barriers are extracted from the measured tunneling rates. The experimental parameters are correlated with structural features of the hemoglobin chains and compared with previously published data on myoglobin and protoheme. A correlation is established between the height of the innermost barrier and the equilibrium CO pressure.", "PMID": 618546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2564", "title": "Complexity of nuclear and polysomal polyadenylated RNA in a pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line.", "content": "The base-sequence complexities and relative abundance of polysomal and nuclear polyadenylated [poly(A+)] RNA sequences have been analyzed in a pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line. Polysomal RNA and nuclear poly(A+) RNA have a complexity representing respectively 0.5% and 2.5% of the single copy component of haploid mouse DNA (1.8 X 10(6) K base pairs). By hybridization with specific cDNAs, three abundance classes were found in polysomal poly(A+) RNA, representing respectively 31%, 33%, and 36% of the RNA, with base sequence complexities of 0.1 X 10(3), 0.9 X 10(3), and 14.5 X 10(3) kilobases. This corresponds to 7000-8000 different mRNA species of an average length of 2000 nucleotides, present on an average of 5 to 600 copies per cell. In nuclear RNA, a major class of abundance was found with a complexity of 100 X 10(3) kilobases, each sequence being present in 1 copy per nucleus. The majority of the polysomal poly(A+) RNA sequences are represented in the nuclear poly(A+) RNA but are present in a more restricted range of relative abundance implying posttranscriptional mechanisms of quantitative modulation: polysomal RNA sequences appear to be preferentially transcribed into nuclear cDNA suggesting a preferential location of these sequences close to poly(A) sequences. The presence of a specialized gene product, globin specific RNA, could not be detected either in the nuclear or polysomal compartments of embryonal carcinoma cells, even at levels that would have detected one sequence per 50 cells.", "contents": "Complexity of nuclear and polysomal polyadenylated RNA in a pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line. The base-sequence complexities and relative abundance of polysomal and nuclear polyadenylated [poly(A+)] RNA sequences have been analyzed in a pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cell line. Polysomal RNA and nuclear poly(A+) RNA have a complexity representing respectively 0.5% and 2.5% of the single copy component of haploid mouse DNA (1.8 X 10(6) K base pairs). By hybridization with specific cDNAs, three abundance classes were found in polysomal poly(A+) RNA, representing respectively 31%, 33%, and 36% of the RNA, with base sequence complexities of 0.1 X 10(3), 0.9 X 10(3), and 14.5 X 10(3) kilobases. This corresponds to 7000-8000 different mRNA species of an average length of 2000 nucleotides, present on an average of 5 to 600 copies per cell. In nuclear RNA, a major class of abundance was found with a complexity of 100 X 10(3) kilobases, each sequence being present in 1 copy per nucleus. The majority of the polysomal poly(A+) RNA sequences are represented in the nuclear poly(A+) RNA but are present in a more restricted range of relative abundance implying posttranscriptional mechanisms of quantitative modulation: polysomal RNA sequences appear to be preferentially transcribed into nuclear cDNA suggesting a preferential location of these sequences close to poly(A) sequences. The presence of a specialized gene product, globin specific RNA, could not be detected either in the nuclear or polysomal compartments of embryonal carcinoma cells, even at levels that would have detected one sequence per 50 cells.", "PMID": 618547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2565", "title": "Photoreduction of flavoproteins and other biological compounds catalyzed by deazaflavins.", "content": "Deazaflavins have been found to act as potent catalysts in the photoreduction of flavoproteins in the presence of EDTA and other \"photosubstrates\". In distinction to the catalysis brought about by normal flavins which involves dark reaction of the photoreduced flavin catalyst, the mechanism of the catalysis by deazaflavins has been shown to involve unstable, strongly reducing radicals which are generated by photolysis of a preformed covalent dimer. By this new method it is possible to reduce not only flavoproteins but a variety of other redox proteins, including heme proteins and iron-sulfur proteins. By virtue of its great catalytic efficiency, it is possible to employ concentrations of deazaflavin sufficiently low as not to interfere with the spectral evaluation of the reduced proteins obtained.", "contents": "Photoreduction of flavoproteins and other biological compounds catalyzed by deazaflavins. Deazaflavins have been found to act as potent catalysts in the photoreduction of flavoproteins in the presence of EDTA and other \"photosubstrates\". In distinction to the catalysis brought about by normal flavins which involves dark reaction of the photoreduced flavin catalyst, the mechanism of the catalysis by deazaflavins has been shown to involve unstable, strongly reducing radicals which are generated by photolysis of a preformed covalent dimer. By this new method it is possible to reduce not only flavoproteins but a variety of other redox proteins, including heme proteins and iron-sulfur proteins. By virtue of its great catalytic efficiency, it is possible to employ concentrations of deazaflavin sufficiently low as not to interfere with the spectral evaluation of the reduced proteins obtained.", "PMID": 618550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2566", "title": "Design of new photoaffinity labels for ribosomal peptidyltransferase.", "content": "The chemical syntheses of 6-azido-2'(3')-O-L-phenylalanylpurine ribonucleoside (4a), 2'(3')-O-(4-azido-L-phenylalanyl)adenosine (4b), and cytidylyl(3' leads to 5')-6-azido-2'(3')-O-L-phenylalanylpurine ribonucleoside (7) are described. 6-Azidopurine ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate (10) was also synthesized starting from 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside. All of these compounds (4a, 4b, 7, and 10) are readily photolyzed by ultraviolet (UV) light. Compounds 4a, 4b, and 7 are active in the ribosomal peptidyltransferase-catalyzed release of the Ac-Phe residue from the Ac-Phe-tRNA-70S ribosome-poly(U) complex. It follows that the 6-azidopurine moiety of compounds 4a and 7, as well as the 4-azido-L-phenylalanine moiety of 4b, are recognized by the peptidyltransferase enzyme, and therefore these moieties are suggested for incorporation into tRNA as photoaffinity labeling reagents.", "contents": "Design of new photoaffinity labels for ribosomal peptidyltransferase. The chemical syntheses of 6-azido-2'(3')-O-L-phenylalanylpurine ribonucleoside (4a), 2'(3')-O-(4-azido-L-phenylalanyl)adenosine (4b), and cytidylyl(3' leads to 5')-6-azido-2'(3')-O-L-phenylalanylpurine ribonucleoside (7) are described. 6-Azidopurine ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate (10) was also synthesized starting from 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside. All of these compounds (4a, 4b, 7, and 10) are readily photolyzed by ultraviolet (UV) light. Compounds 4a, 4b, and 7 are active in the ribosomal peptidyltransferase-catalyzed release of the Ac-Phe residue from the Ac-Phe-tRNA-70S ribosome-poly(U) complex. It follows that the 6-azidopurine moiety of compounds 4a and 7, as well as the 4-azido-L-phenylalanine moiety of 4b, are recognized by the peptidyltransferase enzyme, and therefore these moieties are suggested for incorporation into tRNA as photoaffinity labeling reagents.", "PMID": 618551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2567", "title": "Congenital nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia with an unstable hexokinase variant.", "content": "We report a family with a new hexokinase variant that gives rise to nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in one apparently homozygous family member. The variant enzyme has a normal pH optimum, normal reaction kinetics, and normal electrophoretic properties, but has reduced activity and is apparently inactivated rapidly as the affected erythrocytes age.", "contents": "Congenital nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia with an unstable hexokinase variant. We report a family with a new hexokinase variant that gives rise to nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia in one apparently homozygous family member. The variant enzyme has a normal pH optimum, normal reaction kinetics, and normal electrophoretic properties, but has reduced activity and is apparently inactivated rapidly as the affected erythrocytes age.", "PMID": 618553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2568", "title": "Effects of short-term hypoxia on platelet counts of mice.", "content": "Recent studies have shown that long-term hypoxia causes decreased platelet counts in mice and short-term hypoxia increased platelet counts. In an attempt to explain the mechanism that increases platelet counts of mice after exposure to short-term hypoxia, we measured platelet counts, total circulating platelet counts (TCPC), total circulating platelet masses (TCPM), percentages of 35S incorporation, and platelet sizes. Platelet counts, as well as TCPC and TCPM of mice, increased after 1-3 days of hypoxia, but these values were decreased after 6-7 days of hypoxia. Although platelet counts were increased in hypoxic mice, the percentage 35S incorporation into platelets and platelet sizes did not show a concurrent increase. After 6 days of hypoxia, average platelet diameters began to increase as platelet counts decreased. Splenic release did not account for the increase in platelet counts of mice after short-term hypoxia. It seems possible, therefore, that megakaryocytes \"shed\" platelets into the circulation in response to hypoxia. The platelets that enter the circulation in response to short-term hypoxia are smaller and incorporate less 35S than platelets that are produced in response to acute thrombocytopenia.", "contents": "Effects of short-term hypoxia on platelet counts of mice. Recent studies have shown that long-term hypoxia causes decreased platelet counts in mice and short-term hypoxia increased platelet counts. In an attempt to explain the mechanism that increases platelet counts of mice after exposure to short-term hypoxia, we measured platelet counts, total circulating platelet counts (TCPC), total circulating platelet masses (TCPM), percentages of 35S incorporation, and platelet sizes. Platelet counts, as well as TCPC and TCPM of mice, increased after 1-3 days of hypoxia, but these values were decreased after 6-7 days of hypoxia. Although platelet counts were increased in hypoxic mice, the percentage 35S incorporation into platelets and platelet sizes did not show a concurrent increase. After 6 days of hypoxia, average platelet diameters began to increase as platelet counts decreased. Splenic release did not account for the increase in platelet counts of mice after short-term hypoxia. It seems possible, therefore, that megakaryocytes \"shed\" platelets into the circulation in response to hypoxia. The platelets that enter the circulation in response to short-term hypoxia are smaller and incorporate less 35S than platelets that are produced in response to acute thrombocytopenia.", "PMID": 618555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2569", "title": "Marrow culture in diffusion chambers in rabbits. I. Effect of mature granulocytes on cell production.", "content": "Factors influencing granulopoiesis have been evaluated using diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavity of rabbits. An increase in granulopoiesis in chambers implanted in hosts made neutropenic by nitrogen mustard occurs in mice made neutropenic by x-ray or drug. The intraperitoneal injection of leukocytes inhibited the growth of cells in chambers implanted in rabbits. Removal of mature granulocytes from marrow prior to chamber inoculation produced a marked in-increase in cell growth, especially of granulocytes. Mature granulocytes clearly inhibited cell replication and this inhibition involved both myeloid and erythroid elements, although the data suggest a greater effect on myelopoiesis. In contrast to the mouse, erythropoiesis in chambers in rabbits remained prominent for over 1 wk.", "contents": "Marrow culture in diffusion chambers in rabbits. I. Effect of mature granulocytes on cell production. Factors influencing granulopoiesis have been evaluated using diffusion chambers implanted in the peritoneal cavity of rabbits. An increase in granulopoiesis in chambers implanted in hosts made neutropenic by nitrogen mustard occurs in mice made neutropenic by x-ray or drug. The intraperitoneal injection of leukocytes inhibited the growth of cells in chambers implanted in rabbits. Removal of mature granulocytes from marrow prior to chamber inoculation produced a marked in-increase in cell growth, especially of granulocytes. Mature granulocytes clearly inhibited cell replication and this inhibition involved both myeloid and erythroid elements, although the data suggest a greater effect on myelopoiesis. In contrast to the mouse, erythropoiesis in chambers in rabbits remained prominent for over 1 wk.", "PMID": 618556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2570", "title": "Antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated granulocyte cytotoxicity in man.", "content": "Sera from two patients with granulocytopenia associated with collagen vascular disease caused the destruction of normal human granulocytes by autologous lymphocytes in vitro. Granulocyte cytotoxicity was measured by the release of 51Cr during incubation with test sera and lymphocytes in microtiter plates. Between 8% and 46% granulocytoxicity was produced in granulocytes from 8 normal donors by the sera from these two patients. Less than 6% granulocytotoxicity was seen with the sera from 14 normal subjects and 29 patient controls. Treatment of lymphocyte preparations with carbonyl iron and magnetic separation to remove phagocytic cells or treatment with complement-coated red cells followed by repeated gradient centrifugation to remove complement receptor-bearing lymphocytes did not reduce the granulocytotoxicity. There was a dose-response relationship between the concentration of positive sera and granulocytotoxicity. When these sera were fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and by ion-exchange chromatography with DEAE-cellulose, the active component appeared in the IgG-containing fractions. Thus, IgG antibody-dependent, lymphocyte-mediated granulocyte cytotoxicity represents a means of detecting human granulocyte antibodies and is a possible mechanism of autoimmune neutropenia in these two patients.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated granulocyte cytotoxicity in man. Sera from two patients with granulocytopenia associated with collagen vascular disease caused the destruction of normal human granulocytes by autologous lymphocytes in vitro. Granulocyte cytotoxicity was measured by the release of 51Cr during incubation with test sera and lymphocytes in microtiter plates. Between 8% and 46% granulocytoxicity was produced in granulocytes from 8 normal donors by the sera from these two patients. Less than 6% granulocytotoxicity was seen with the sera from 14 normal subjects and 29 patient controls. Treatment of lymphocyte preparations with carbonyl iron and magnetic separation to remove phagocytic cells or treatment with complement-coated red cells followed by repeated gradient centrifugation to remove complement receptor-bearing lymphocytes did not reduce the granulocytotoxicity. There was a dose-response relationship between the concentration of positive sera and granulocytotoxicity. When these sera were fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and by ion-exchange chromatography with DEAE-cellulose, the active component appeared in the IgG-containing fractions. Thus, IgG antibody-dependent, lymphocyte-mediated granulocyte cytotoxicity represents a means of detecting human granulocyte antibodies and is a possible mechanism of autoimmune neutropenia in these two patients.", "PMID": 618559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2571", "title": "Effects of potassium dichromate on nucleic acid and protein syntheses and on precursor uptake in BHK fibroblasts.", "content": "Treatments for 1 to 4 hr with 10-4 m potassium dichromate, a soluble hexavalent chromium salt with a strong oxidizing power, markedly reduce DNA and RNA accumulation rates in hamster fibroblasts grown in vitro (BHK line), as shown by quantitative spectrophotometric determinations. Such inhibitory action is not immediately evident on the basis of the incorporation rates of labeled nucleosides into DNA and RNA, as dichromate affects also the relative concentrations of labeled precursors in the intracellular pool. Dichromate first stimulates and then inhibits nucleoside (mostly thymidine) uptake, whereas amino acid uptake is immediately inhibited. Actual rates of macromolecular syntheses have been calculated by taking into account the induced changes of soluble precursor concentrations; sucn normalized rates point out that dichromate induces a sudden blockage of DNA replication, whereas RNA and protein syntheses are secondarily inhibited. The observed cytotoxic effects of dichromate are tentatively referred to the oxidation of cell components by hexavalent chromium and thereby to the interaction of reduced trivalent chromium with specific biological ligands on cell membrane and on DNA.", "contents": "Effects of potassium dichromate on nucleic acid and protein syntheses and on precursor uptake in BHK fibroblasts. Treatments for 1 to 4 hr with 10-4 m potassium dichromate, a soluble hexavalent chromium salt with a strong oxidizing power, markedly reduce DNA and RNA accumulation rates in hamster fibroblasts grown in vitro (BHK line), as shown by quantitative spectrophotometric determinations. Such inhibitory action is not immediately evident on the basis of the incorporation rates of labeled nucleosides into DNA and RNA, as dichromate affects also the relative concentrations of labeled precursors in the intracellular pool. Dichromate first stimulates and then inhibits nucleoside (mostly thymidine) uptake, whereas amino acid uptake is immediately inhibited. Actual rates of macromolecular syntheses have been calculated by taking into account the induced changes of soluble precursor concentrations; sucn normalized rates point out that dichromate induces a sudden blockage of DNA replication, whereas RNA and protein syntheses are secondarily inhibited. The observed cytotoxic effects of dichromate are tentatively referred to the oxidation of cell components by hexavalent chromium and thereby to the interaction of reduced trivalent chromium with specific biological ligands on cell membrane and on DNA.", "PMID": 618572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2572", "title": "Transplacental lung tumorigenesis in the athymic mouse.", "content": "Female BALB/c nu/+ mice, pregnant by nu/+ males (nu: gene for hairlessness-athymia) were given injections of urethan, a transplacental tumorigen, on Day 17 or 19 of gestation. After an average of 16 weeks under clean conventional conditions, the incidence of primary lung tumors was similar in nude and normal offspring treated with carcinogen on either gestational day, with a higher incidence after treatment of Day 19. Thus, the absence of thymus did not affect the occurrence of transplacentally induced primary lung tumors or alter the well-known perinatal increase in sensitivity. Histologically, the nu/nu tumors differed from normal in the appearance of many atypical basophilic cells and in a tendency to invade both the parenchyma and the pleural surface. These results suggested progression of the lung adenomas to a more atypical, invasive form, a progression that may have occurred prematurely in the absence of thymus-dependent immune response.", "contents": "Transplacental lung tumorigenesis in the athymic mouse. Female BALB/c nu/+ mice, pregnant by nu/+ males (nu: gene for hairlessness-athymia) were given injections of urethan, a transplacental tumorigen, on Day 17 or 19 of gestation. After an average of 16 weeks under clean conventional conditions, the incidence of primary lung tumors was similar in nude and normal offspring treated with carcinogen on either gestational day, with a higher incidence after treatment of Day 19. Thus, the absence of thymus did not affect the occurrence of transplacentally induced primary lung tumors or alter the well-known perinatal increase in sensitivity. Histologically, the nu/nu tumors differed from normal in the appearance of many atypical basophilic cells and in a tendency to invade both the parenchyma and the pleural surface. These results suggested progression of the lung adenomas to a more atypical, invasive form, a progression that may have occurred prematurely in the absence of thymus-dependent immune response.", "PMID": 618573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2573", "title": "Carcinoma of the prostate in irradiated parabiotic rats.", "content": "Twelve hundred fifty-two pairs of male NEDH rats were parabiosed, one partner received a single dose of 1000 R X-radiation, and the other rat was shielded with lead. Eleven hundred twenty pairs survived over 200 days and constitute the basis of this report. Twenty-five of the irradiated partners developed malignant tumors of the prostate, 19 of which were adenocarcinomas. One adenocarcinoma appeared in the shielded partners and one in a control group of 586 parabiosed and single rats. The long-term effect of a single dose of 1000 R whole-body X-radiation is weakly carcinogenic for the rat prostate.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the prostate in irradiated parabiotic rats. Twelve hundred fifty-two pairs of male NEDH rats were parabiosed, one partner received a single dose of 1000 R X-radiation, and the other rat was shielded with lead. Eleven hundred twenty pairs survived over 200 days and constitute the basis of this report. Twenty-five of the irradiated partners developed malignant tumors of the prostate, 19 of which were adenocarcinomas. One adenocarcinoma appeared in the shielded partners and one in a control group of 586 parabiosed and single rats. The long-term effect of a single dose of 1000 R whole-body X-radiation is weakly carcinogenic for the rat prostate.", "PMID": 618574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2574", "title": "Reevaluation of the number of cells involved in the neutron induction of mammary neoplasms.", "content": "The shape of the curve relating carcinogen dose to the number of animals developing neoplasms is reexamined; a family of curves relating expected tumor incidence to carcinogen dose, if tumors arose from one cell or two or more interacting cells, is calculated; and how closely these curves correspond to reported radiation dose inrelation to mammary tumor incidence is tested. The results are in conflict with the conclusion of Rossi and Kellerer that the induction of mammary tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats is dependent on the action of neutron radiation on more than one cell. Indeed, there appears to be no reason to reject the simplest hypothesis that one transformed cell is sufficient to produce a mammary tumor.", "contents": "Reevaluation of the number of cells involved in the neutron induction of mammary neoplasms. The shape of the curve relating carcinogen dose to the number of animals developing neoplasms is reexamined; a family of curves relating expected tumor incidence to carcinogen dose, if tumors arose from one cell or two or more interacting cells, is calculated; and how closely these curves correspond to reported radiation dose inrelation to mammary tumor incidence is tested. The results are in conflict with the conclusion of Rossi and Kellerer that the induction of mammary tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats is dependent on the action of neutron radiation on more than one cell. Indeed, there appears to be no reason to reject the simplest hypothesis that one transformed cell is sufficient to produce a mammary tumor.", "PMID": 618575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2575", "title": "Evidence for metabolic alpha hydroxylation of N-nitrosopyrrolidine.", "content": "Metabolic alpha hydroxylation of cyclic nitrosamines is important in the activation of these compounds to their ultimate carcinogenic forms. Direct evidence for this process is presented. Both alpha-hydroxynitrosopyrrolidine and 3-formyl-1-propanediazohydroxide, which are unstable intermediates resulting from alpha hydroxylation of nitrosopyrrolidine, were generated inaqueous solution from the stable precursors alpha-acetoxynitrosopyrrolidine and 4-(N-carbethoxy-N-nitrosamino)butanal. The major product resulting from the decomposition of slpha-hydroxynitrosopyrrolidine and 3-formyl-1-propanediazohydroxide was 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, the cyclic hemiacetal of 4-hydroxy-butyraldehyde. The same product was isolated as its dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative after incubation of rat liver microsomes with nitrosopyrrolidine and after treatment of rats with nitrosopyrrolidine.", "contents": "Evidence for metabolic alpha hydroxylation of N-nitrosopyrrolidine. Metabolic alpha hydroxylation of cyclic nitrosamines is important in the activation of these compounds to their ultimate carcinogenic forms. Direct evidence for this process is presented. Both alpha-hydroxynitrosopyrrolidine and 3-formyl-1-propanediazohydroxide, which are unstable intermediates resulting from alpha hydroxylation of nitrosopyrrolidine, were generated inaqueous solution from the stable precursors alpha-acetoxynitrosopyrrolidine and 4-(N-carbethoxy-N-nitrosamino)butanal. The major product resulting from the decomposition of slpha-hydroxynitrosopyrrolidine and 3-formyl-1-propanediazohydroxide was 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran, the cyclic hemiacetal of 4-hydroxy-butyraldehyde. The same product was isolated as its dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative after incubation of rat liver microsomes with nitrosopyrrolidine and after treatment of rats with nitrosopyrrolidine.", "PMID": 618576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2576", "title": "A basis for fluoropyrimidine-induced antagonism to methotrexate in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro.", "content": "The inhibitory effect of methotrexate on [3H]deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA is reduced as the basal rate of this reaction is inhibited by pretreatment of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with fluoropyrimidines. This observation is a basis for fluoropyrimidine-methotrexate antagonism in anticancer regimens and supports the concept that the sensitivity of thymidylate synthesis in tumor cells to methotrexate is related, in part, to the basal rate of thymidylate synthesis from deoxyuridylate.", "contents": "A basis for fluoropyrimidine-induced antagonism to methotrexate in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro. The inhibitory effect of methotrexate on [3H]deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA is reduced as the basal rate of this reaction is inhibited by pretreatment of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with fluoropyrimidines. This observation is a basis for fluoropyrimidine-methotrexate antagonism in anticancer regimens and supports the concept that the sensitivity of thymidylate synthesis in tumor cells to methotrexate is related, in part, to the basal rate of thymidylate synthesis from deoxyuridylate.", "PMID": 618577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2577", "title": "Correlation of antitumor chemoimmunotherapy with serum inhibition of tumor cell destruction.", "content": "The administration of cyclophosphamide and Corynebacterium parvum in combination results in tumor growth inhibition greater than that resulting from the use of either agent alone. The precise mechanism(s) by which this chemoimmunotherapy combination results in a synergistic inhibiting effect is not known. The possibility was entertained that the tumor effect might be related to a greater decrease in serum-mediated interference with cellular cytotoxicity, i.e., \"blocking\" activity, by both agents in combination rather than by either alone. The present findings fail to support such an explanation. C. parvum by itself failed to decrease serum inhibition and in conjunction with cyclophosphamide resulted in an effect that was no greater than that produced by cyclophosphamide alone.", "contents": "Correlation of antitumor chemoimmunotherapy with serum inhibition of tumor cell destruction. The administration of cyclophosphamide and Corynebacterium parvum in combination results in tumor growth inhibition greater than that resulting from the use of either agent alone. The precise mechanism(s) by which this chemoimmunotherapy combination results in a synergistic inhibiting effect is not known. The possibility was entertained that the tumor effect might be related to a greater decrease in serum-mediated interference with cellular cytotoxicity, i.e., \"blocking\" activity, by both agents in combination rather than by either alone. The present findings fail to support such an explanation. C. parvum by itself failed to decrease serum inhibition and in conjunction with cyclophosphamide resulted in an effect that was no greater than that produced by cyclophosphamide alone.", "PMID": 618581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2578", "title": "Cardiac performance in patients with anorexia nervosa.", "content": "The heart function in 15 female patients with anorexia nervosa was examined by means of systolic time intervals. In 3 patients, pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output were measured. The findings indicate impaired myocardial contractility in patients with anorexia nervosa.", "contents": "Cardiac performance in patients with anorexia nervosa. The heart function in 15 female patients with anorexia nervosa was examined by means of systolic time intervals. In 3 patients, pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output were measured. The findings indicate impaired myocardial contractility in patients with anorexia nervosa.", "PMID": 618586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2579", "title": "Hemodynamic findings before and after surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type in middle-aged patients.", "content": "84 patients without concomitant pulmonary or cardiac disease, underwent surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type (ASD II) at the age of 40 years or more. Hemodynamics were studied preoperatively at rest, and postoperatively at rest and during exercise during a follow-up investigation which took place 74 months (range 22-174) after surgery. Preoperatively, the pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP) exceeded 20 mm Hg in 24 patients (30%). In the patients aged 50 years or more PAMP was significantly higher than in the younger patients, whereas the shunt ratio did not show any increase with age. After surgery, the pressures in right atrium, right ventricle and PA showed significant changes towards normalization. During exercise, a considerable increase of the PA pressures appeared, and this increase correlated significantly with the PA pressures obtained preoperatively at rest.", "contents": "Hemodynamic findings before and after surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type in middle-aged patients. 84 patients without concomitant pulmonary or cardiac disease, underwent surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type (ASD II) at the age of 40 years or more. Hemodynamics were studied preoperatively at rest, and postoperatively at rest and during exercise during a follow-up investigation which took place 74 months (range 22-174) after surgery. Preoperatively, the pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAMP) exceeded 20 mm Hg in 24 patients (30%). In the patients aged 50 years or more PAMP was significantly higher than in the younger patients, whereas the shunt ratio did not show any increase with age. After surgery, the pressures in right atrium, right ventricle and PA showed significant changes towards normalization. During exercise, a considerable increase of the PA pressures appeared, and this increase correlated significantly with the PA pressures obtained preoperatively at rest.", "PMID": 618587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2580", "title": "Persistent atrial standstill with limb girdle muscular dystrophy.", "content": "A case of persistent atrial standstill associated with muscular dystrophy of the limb girdle type is reported for the first time in the literature, In spite, of advanced myopathy, the patient delivered an apparently normal child. Hemodynamic studies including a normal coronary cinearteriography were performed in the post-partum period. The patient also had clinical and radiological evidence of peptic ulcer which may be the expression of an excessive vagal tone. A congenitial anomaly of the conduction system might explain the association of left anterior hemiblock with persistent atrial standstill, but could not be demonstrated.", "contents": "Persistent atrial standstill with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. A case of persistent atrial standstill associated with muscular dystrophy of the limb girdle type is reported for the first time in the literature, In spite, of advanced myopathy, the patient delivered an apparently normal child. Hemodynamic studies including a normal coronary cinearteriography were performed in the post-partum period. The patient also had clinical and radiological evidence of peptic ulcer which may be the expression of an excessive vagal tone. A congenitial anomaly of the conduction system might explain the association of left anterior hemiblock with persistent atrial standstill, but could not be demonstrated.", "PMID": 618588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2581", "title": "Automated phonocardiographic screening for heart disease in children.", "content": "Mass screening for heart disease in children can be accomplished by automatic analysis of phonocardiograms (PCG) obtained from five routine auscultation points. An ECG signal serves as reference. PCG signals exceeding 20% of the amplitude of the first heart sound S1 in the diastolic interval and 40% of S1 in the systolic interval are considered as abnormal. Signals in the systolic interval with an amplitude between 20 and 40% of S1 are classified as normal if their duration is less than two-thirds of the interval from the first to second heart sound. Thus, the method takes into account innocent murmurs and classifies them as normal. The splitting of the second sound is detected by monitoring its duration at a level of 20% of S1. This method was tested on 2,583 children aged from 3 to 14 years and on 345 children with proven heart disease. The results obtained showed a sensitivity of 96.5% and a specificity of 92.4%.", "contents": "Automated phonocardiographic screening for heart disease in children. Mass screening for heart disease in children can be accomplished by automatic analysis of phonocardiograms (PCG) obtained from five routine auscultation points. An ECG signal serves as reference. PCG signals exceeding 20% of the amplitude of the first heart sound S1 in the diastolic interval and 40% of S1 in the systolic interval are considered as abnormal. Signals in the systolic interval with an amplitude between 20 and 40% of S1 are classified as normal if their duration is less than two-thirds of the interval from the first to second heart sound. Thus, the method takes into account innocent murmurs and classifies them as normal. The splitting of the second sound is detected by monitoring its duration at a level of 20% of S1. This method was tested on 2,583 children aged from 3 to 14 years and on 345 children with proven heart disease. The results obtained showed a sensitivity of 96.5% and a specificity of 92.4%.", "PMID": 618590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2582", "title": "Ventricular premature beats. Reliability in various measurement methods at rest and during exercise.", "content": "The yield and reproducibility of various methods of ventricular premature beat (VPB) detection are examined in otherwise healthy middle-aged men first found to have VPB in a 2-min lead I ECG rhythm strip. With a combination of an isometric and treadmill exercise test, VPB were repeatedly detected in 83%. Test-retest reliability in classifying the subjects by frequency of VPB was 67%. The reliability of detecting complex VPB was 47% for multiform VPB, 35% for pairs of VPB, 17% for runs and 36% for VPB showing the R-on-T phenomenon. These data suggest that simple and complex VPB detected by the described methods among normal men are poorly reproducible in the individual. Taking the VPB reproducibility for the group as a whole, the proportion of subjects having different frequency or kinds of ectopic beats is reasonably stable for the different test occasions.", "contents": "Ventricular premature beats. Reliability in various measurement methods at rest and during exercise. The yield and reproducibility of various methods of ventricular premature beat (VPB) detection are examined in otherwise healthy middle-aged men first found to have VPB in a 2-min lead I ECG rhythm strip. With a combination of an isometric and treadmill exercise test, VPB were repeatedly detected in 83%. Test-retest reliability in classifying the subjects by frequency of VPB was 67%. The reliability of detecting complex VPB was 47% for multiform VPB, 35% for pairs of VPB, 17% for runs and 36% for VPB showing the R-on-T phenomenon. These data suggest that simple and complex VPB detected by the described methods among normal men are poorly reproducible in the individual. Taking the VPB reproducibility for the group as a whole, the proportion of subjects having different frequency or kinds of ectopic beats is reasonably stable for the different test occasions.", "PMID": 618591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2583", "title": "Regional oxygen saturation of small arteries and veins in the canine myocardium.", "content": "Oxygen saturation of small arteries and veins (20-500 micron) was determined microspectrophotometrically in the hearts of 12 pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs. Hearts were removed, quick frozen in liquid propane, and O2 saturation was determined in blood vessels on a regional basis between and within ventricular walls. No significant differences existed in arterial O2 saturation between right, left, and septal walls or regionally within any wall by depth or in base-to-apex comparisons. Although there was variation in arterial saturation, it was independent of vessel size. Arteries were followed by serial section into the left ventricular wall for distances up to 7.5 mm without significant saturation change. The average venous saturations of the right, septal, and left ventricular walls were not significantly different. No regional differences in venous saturation were found within any ventricular wall in comparisons between base and apex. In the left ventricle, subepicardial venous saturation (29.8%) was significantly higher than subendocardial saturation (16.4%). In veins traced from the surface, saturation decreased with depth. Greater variability of saturation was found in small compared to large veins. The greater O2 extraction in the subendocardium may indicate a higher O2 consumption than in the subepicardium.", "contents": "Regional oxygen saturation of small arteries and veins in the canine myocardium. Oxygen saturation of small arteries and veins (20-500 micron) was determined microspectrophotometrically in the hearts of 12 pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs. Hearts were removed, quick frozen in liquid propane, and O2 saturation was determined in blood vessels on a regional basis between and within ventricular walls. No significant differences existed in arterial O2 saturation between right, left, and septal walls or regionally within any wall by depth or in base-to-apex comparisons. Although there was variation in arterial saturation, it was independent of vessel size. Arteries were followed by serial section into the left ventricular wall for distances up to 7.5 mm without significant saturation change. The average venous saturations of the right, septal, and left ventricular walls were not significantly different. No regional differences in venous saturation were found within any ventricular wall in comparisons between base and apex. In the left ventricle, subepicardial venous saturation (29.8%) was significantly higher than subendocardial saturation (16.4%). In veins traced from the surface, saturation decreased with depth. Greater variability of saturation was found in small compared to large veins. The greater O2 extraction in the subendocardium may indicate a higher O2 consumption than in the subepicardium.", "PMID": 618593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2584", "title": "Hemodynamic components of a cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex in dogs.", "content": "The mechanical and hemodynamic components of a cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex were studied in 50 dogs. Within 6 seconds after a single injection of serotonin (100 microgram/ml) into the left atrium, mean pressure (mm Hg) rose in the aorta from 103 to 197 and in the pulmonary artery from 21 to 34. Left ventricular dp/dt virtually doubled. There was an increase (75%) in peripheral vascular resistance that returned to control within 10 seconds. There was no significant change in pulmonary vascular resistance. Aortic and pulmonary arterial hypertension were associated with a profound depression (82%) in atrial force. Atropine transformed this negative inotropic effect on the atria into a positive inotropic action that averaged 65%. In contrast, ventricular force was always sharply increased, more in the right (95%) than in the left ventricle (50%). Bilateral stellectomy did not eliminate the reflex but it completely abolished the initial increase of cardiac contractility; a delayed increase in contractility persisted and was due exclusively to release of catecholamines from the adrenal glands. This cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex uses the vagus for its afferent neural traffic and both the sympathetic and the vagus nerves for its efferent route. The brief and intense systemic vasoconstriction concomitant with an increase in cardiac contractility might represent a kind of \"aortic cough.\" Some possible clinical implications are discussed.", "contents": "Hemodynamic components of a cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex in dogs. The mechanical and hemodynamic components of a cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex were studied in 50 dogs. Within 6 seconds after a single injection of serotonin (100 microgram/ml) into the left atrium, mean pressure (mm Hg) rose in the aorta from 103 to 197 and in the pulmonary artery from 21 to 34. Left ventricular dp/dt virtually doubled. There was an increase (75%) in peripheral vascular resistance that returned to control within 10 seconds. There was no significant change in pulmonary vascular resistance. Aortic and pulmonary arterial hypertension were associated with a profound depression (82%) in atrial force. Atropine transformed this negative inotropic effect on the atria into a positive inotropic action that averaged 65%. In contrast, ventricular force was always sharply increased, more in the right (95%) than in the left ventricle (50%). Bilateral stellectomy did not eliminate the reflex but it completely abolished the initial increase of cardiac contractility; a delayed increase in contractility persisted and was due exclusively to release of catecholamines from the adrenal glands. This cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex uses the vagus for its afferent neural traffic and both the sympathetic and the vagus nerves for its efferent route. The brief and intense systemic vasoconstriction concomitant with an increase in cardiac contractility might represent a kind of \"aortic cough.\" Some possible clinical implications are discussed.", "PMID": 618594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2585", "title": "Fluid dynamics of coronary artery stenosis.", "content": "A large-scale model of the coronary circulation, instrumented to permit detailed pressure and velocity measurements, has been used to study flow through isolated stenotic elements in large coronary arteries. Pulsatile aortic and instantaneous peripheral resistance were stimulated with servovalves. A variety of axisymmetric and asymmetric stenoses were studied and flow separation was found to occur for all but very mild stenoses. Pressure recovery downstream of the stenosis throat was limited and, in some cases, no recovery was observed. Pressure drop was primarily dependent upon the minimum area of the stenosis and relatively independent of stenosis geometry. Flow was quasi-steady at normal heart rates, and simple steady flow theory proved adequate to describe the pressure drop through the stenosis. The theory yielded results that agreed well with published data for dogs and appears promising for predicting effects of hemodynamic variables on a given stenotic lesion. Thus, principal findings of the study are that a relatively severe stenosis behaves essentially like an orifice and that a simple quasi-steady theory appears adequate to predict effects of a stenosis on coronary flow.", "contents": "Fluid dynamics of coronary artery stenosis. A large-scale model of the coronary circulation, instrumented to permit detailed pressure and velocity measurements, has been used to study flow through isolated stenotic elements in large coronary arteries. Pulsatile aortic and instantaneous peripheral resistance were stimulated with servovalves. A variety of axisymmetric and asymmetric stenoses were studied and flow separation was found to occur for all but very mild stenoses. Pressure recovery downstream of the stenosis throat was limited and, in some cases, no recovery was observed. Pressure drop was primarily dependent upon the minimum area of the stenosis and relatively independent of stenosis geometry. Flow was quasi-steady at normal heart rates, and simple steady flow theory proved adequate to describe the pressure drop through the stenosis. The theory yielded results that agreed well with published data for dogs and appears promising for predicting effects of hemodynamic variables on a given stenotic lesion. Thus, principal findings of the study are that a relatively severe stenosis behaves essentially like an orifice and that a simple quasi-steady theory appears adequate to predict effects of a stenosis on coronary flow.", "PMID": 618597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2586", "title": "Plasma vasopressin concentrations and effects of vasopressin antiserum on blood pressure in rats with malignant two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension.", "content": "Male Sprague-Dawley rats with unilateral renal artery stenosis and a contralateral untouched kidney develop a malignant hypertension (MH) which is characterized by high blood pressures, sodium and water depletion, and subsequent activation of the renin-angiotensin system. In the present studies we found plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations-3-fold higher than those in rats with benign renal hypertension, and 4- to 5-fold higher than those in normotensive control rats. Analysis of individual values showed considerable scatter; about 50% of the values fell in the range of benign hypertensive or control rats. When a specific AVP antiserum was injected, iv, into eight conscious unrestrained MH rats, BP transiently fell toward control values in four; in one, BP fell by only 10 mm Hg, and three other MH rats showed no response. In the same rats, injection of a specific angiotensin II antiserum always induced a transient fall in BP. On the basis of these and previously reported observations, we conclude that, subsequent to sodium and water loss and activation of the renin-angiotensin system, vasopressin release is stimulated in a significant number of MH rats and that, in these rats, vasopressin may cause significant systemic vasoconstriction. Thereby vasopressin may contribute to the development of malignant renal hypertension in rats.", "contents": "Plasma vasopressin concentrations and effects of vasopressin antiserum on blood pressure in rats with malignant two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with unilateral renal artery stenosis and a contralateral untouched kidney develop a malignant hypertension (MH) which is characterized by high blood pressures, sodium and water depletion, and subsequent activation of the renin-angiotensin system. In the present studies we found plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations-3-fold higher than those in rats with benign renal hypertension, and 4- to 5-fold higher than those in normotensive control rats. Analysis of individual values showed considerable scatter; about 50% of the values fell in the range of benign hypertensive or control rats. When a specific AVP antiserum was injected, iv, into eight conscious unrestrained MH rats, BP transiently fell toward control values in four; in one, BP fell by only 10 mm Hg, and three other MH rats showed no response. In the same rats, injection of a specific angiotensin II antiserum always induced a transient fall in BP. On the basis of these and previously reported observations, we conclude that, subsequent to sodium and water loss and activation of the renin-angiotensin system, vasopressin release is stimulated in a significant number of MH rats and that, in these rats, vasopressin may cause significant systemic vasoconstriction. Thereby vasopressin may contribute to the development of malignant renal hypertension in rats.", "PMID": 618598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2587", "title": "Failure of chronic sodium chloride loading to protect against norepinephrine-induced acute renal failure in dogs.", "content": "We previously have shown that chronic sodium chloride (NaCl) loading protects against HgCl2-induced acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs. To determine whether NaCl loading protects against an ischemic model of ARF, unilateral oliguric renal failure was produced by the infusion of norepinephrine (NE) into the renal artery of both saline-expanded (SE) and water-drinking (WD) dogs (n = 7). The renal renin content (30 U/g kidney) of SE dogs was suppressed (P less than 0.001) compared to that of WD dogs (132 +/- 18). Forty-eight hours after infusion of NE (1.5 microgram/kg per min X 100 min), inulin clearances from the infused kidney of SE (6 ml/min +/- 2) and WD dogs (7 +/- 2) did not differ; in both groups, respective clearances from the noninfused kidney (43 ml/min +/- 3) and (36 +/- 5) also did not differ from each other. The present fall in renal blood flow to the infused kidney 48 hours after NE in SE (44%) and WD dogs (38%) did not differ. Because of failure to demonstrate protection, a lower dose of NE (0.75 microgram/kg per min X 40 min) was infused into SE and WD animals (n = 6). Forty-eight hours after low dose NE, inulin clearances of the infused kidney of SE (17 ml/min +/- 5) and WD dogs (17 +/- 4) did not differ. Respective clearances in the noninfused kidney of SE (46 ml/min +/- 6) and WD dogs (35 +/- 4) did not differ. Therefore, despite suppression of renal renin content, NaCl loading failed to protect against this ischemic model of ARF. In conclusion, unlike HgCl2-induced ARF, it is unlikely that the renin angiotensin system contributes to the pathogenesis of this ischemic model of ARF.", "contents": "Failure of chronic sodium chloride loading to protect against norepinephrine-induced acute renal failure in dogs. We previously have shown that chronic sodium chloride (NaCl) loading protects against HgCl2-induced acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs. To determine whether NaCl loading protects against an ischemic model of ARF, unilateral oliguric renal failure was produced by the infusion of norepinephrine (NE) into the renal artery of both saline-expanded (SE) and water-drinking (WD) dogs (n = 7). The renal renin content (30 U/g kidney) of SE dogs was suppressed (P less than 0.001) compared to that of WD dogs (132 +/- 18). Forty-eight hours after infusion of NE (1.5 microgram/kg per min X 100 min), inulin clearances from the infused kidney of SE (6 ml/min +/- 2) and WD dogs (7 +/- 2) did not differ; in both groups, respective clearances from the noninfused kidney (43 ml/min +/- 3) and (36 +/- 5) also did not differ from each other. The present fall in renal blood flow to the infused kidney 48 hours after NE in SE (44%) and WD dogs (38%) did not differ. Because of failure to demonstrate protection, a lower dose of NE (0.75 microgram/kg per min X 40 min) was infused into SE and WD animals (n = 6). Forty-eight hours after low dose NE, inulin clearances of the infused kidney of SE (17 ml/min +/- 5) and WD dogs (17 +/- 4) did not differ. Respective clearances in the noninfused kidney of SE (46 ml/min +/- 6) and WD dogs (35 +/- 4) did not differ. Therefore, despite suppression of renal renin content, NaCl loading failed to protect against this ischemic model of ARF. In conclusion, unlike HgCl2-induced ARF, it is unlikely that the renin angiotensin system contributes to the pathogenesis of this ischemic model of ARF.", "PMID": 618599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2588", "title": "The mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation of the coronary vascular bed of the dog.", "content": "We tested a number of hypotheses concerning the mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation of the coronary vascular bed. Blood flow in the circumflex artery was measured in pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs. Intracircumflex artery bolus injections of 40 mumol of isomotic KCl produced decreases in coronary vascular resistance ranging from 34% to 48%, depending on the initial resistance of the vascular bed. K+ administration had no effect on heart rate and produced a 4 mm Hg decrease in mean arterial pressure. K+ injection caused a 0.2 vol% increase in coronary sinus O2 content in a preparation in which left common coronary flow was held constant. The magnitude of K+-induced vasodilation was not significantly affected by the administration of propranolol, atropine, phentolamine, or lidocaine. K+-induced vasodilation was attenuated (50%) by ouabain plus lidocaine. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation was not significantly diminished by ouabain plus lidocaine. We conclude that the mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation does not involve an increase in the metabolic activity of the heart or an interaction between K+ and tissue neural elements. Our data do support the hypothesis that K+-induced vasodilation is at least partly the result of an activation of the electrogenic Na+-K+ transport system of coronary smooth muscle.", "contents": "The mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation of the coronary vascular bed of the dog. We tested a number of hypotheses concerning the mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation of the coronary vascular bed. Blood flow in the circumflex artery was measured in pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs. Intracircumflex artery bolus injections of 40 mumol of isomotic KCl produced decreases in coronary vascular resistance ranging from 34% to 48%, depending on the initial resistance of the vascular bed. K+ administration had no effect on heart rate and produced a 4 mm Hg decrease in mean arterial pressure. K+ injection caused a 0.2 vol% increase in coronary sinus O2 content in a preparation in which left common coronary flow was held constant. The magnitude of K+-induced vasodilation was not significantly affected by the administration of propranolol, atropine, phentolamine, or lidocaine. K+-induced vasodilation was attenuated (50%) by ouabain plus lidocaine. Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation was not significantly diminished by ouabain plus lidocaine. We conclude that the mechanism of K+-induced vasodilation does not involve an increase in the metabolic activity of the heart or an interaction between K+ and tissue neural elements. Our data do support the hypothesis that K+-induced vasodilation is at least partly the result of an activation of the electrogenic Na+-K+ transport system of coronary smooth muscle.", "PMID": 618600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2589", "title": "Enhanced renal prostaglandin production in the dog. The effect of sodium arachidonate in nonfiltering kidney.", "content": "Sodium arachidonate, 10(-5) g/kg per minute, was infused into the renal artery of a nonfiltering canine kidney in situ in order to determine the effects of enhanced prostaglandin synthesis on renal blood flow and its distribution in circumstances where prostaglandins produced in the medulla could not gain access to the cortex via tubular fluid. The contralateral normal kidney was also infused with sodium arachidonate and served as control. Radioactive microspheres were used to calculate the hemodynamic effects. In the nonfiltering kidney, the total renal blood flow increased after sodium arachidonate from a mean of 105 ml/min per 100 g to 146 ml/min per 100 g (P less than 0.01). This increase was completely abolished by prior treatment with indomethacin, 8 mg/kg, intravenously. The normal kidney responded qualitatively the same as the nonfiltering side. In both kidneys, blood flow increased significantly to all cortical zones except the outermost (zone 1), but the fractional distribution of renal blood flow was significantly increased only in the innermost cortex (zone 4). Since the kidneys were nonfiltering, the increase of renal blood flow during infusion of arachidonic acid cannot be explained by prostaglandins being transported from renal medulla to the cortex through renal tubules. Most likely prostaglandins are produced locally in the cortex and have only local effects.", "contents": "Enhanced renal prostaglandin production in the dog. The effect of sodium arachidonate in nonfiltering kidney. Sodium arachidonate, 10(-5) g/kg per minute, was infused into the renal artery of a nonfiltering canine kidney in situ in order to determine the effects of enhanced prostaglandin synthesis on renal blood flow and its distribution in circumstances where prostaglandins produced in the medulla could not gain access to the cortex via tubular fluid. The contralateral normal kidney was also infused with sodium arachidonate and served as control. Radioactive microspheres were used to calculate the hemodynamic effects. In the nonfiltering kidney, the total renal blood flow increased after sodium arachidonate from a mean of 105 ml/min per 100 g to 146 ml/min per 100 g (P less than 0.01). This increase was completely abolished by prior treatment with indomethacin, 8 mg/kg, intravenously. The normal kidney responded qualitatively the same as the nonfiltering side. In both kidneys, blood flow increased significantly to all cortical zones except the outermost (zone 1), but the fractional distribution of renal blood flow was significantly increased only in the innermost cortex (zone 4). Since the kidneys were nonfiltering, the increase of renal blood flow during infusion of arachidonic acid cannot be explained by prostaglandins being transported from renal medulla to the cortex through renal tubules. Most likely prostaglandins are produced locally in the cortex and have only local effects.", "PMID": 618601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2590", "title": "Failure of renin suppression by angiotensin II in hypertension.", "content": "Angiotensin II was infused at rates varying from 0.1 to 10 ng/kg per minute into 49 subjects with hypertension and 26 normotensive subjects and changes in blood pressure, plasma angiotensin II, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined after 20 and 30 minutes at each dose. Similar dose-related increases in angiotensin II and blood pressure occurred with a threshold of 1 ng/kg per minute in the normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Whereas angiotensin II induced a significant, dose-related decrement in renin activity in the normotensive subjects, with a threshold of 1.0 ng/kg per minute, no significant change in renin activity occurred in either the normal-renin or high-renin hypertensive subjects. In a separate study, nine normotensive and six hypertensive sodium-restricted subjects were given a converting enzyme inhibitor, SQ 20881, 30 microgram/kg. Despite a significantly greater fall in blood pressure (P less than 0.006) and angiotensin II concentration (P less than 0.045) in the hypertensive subjects, they did not have a greater rise in plasma renin activity. We conclude that angiotensin II reduces renin release in normal man at infusion rates that yield plasma angiotensin II levels within the physiological range but has a strikingly reduced influence on renin release in hypertension. In high-renin hypertension due to renal artery stenosis or nephrosclerosis, renin release is presumed to be relatively autonomous because of a dominant, intrarenal mechanism. The mechanism in normal-renin essential hypertension is not clear, but the abnormality could well be related to the pathogenesis of the hypertension.", "contents": "Failure of renin suppression by angiotensin II in hypertension. Angiotensin II was infused at rates varying from 0.1 to 10 ng/kg per minute into 49 subjects with hypertension and 26 normotensive subjects and changes in blood pressure, plasma angiotensin II, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined after 20 and 30 minutes at each dose. Similar dose-related increases in angiotensin II and blood pressure occurred with a threshold of 1 ng/kg per minute in the normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Whereas angiotensin II induced a significant, dose-related decrement in renin activity in the normotensive subjects, with a threshold of 1.0 ng/kg per minute, no significant change in renin activity occurred in either the normal-renin or high-renin hypertensive subjects. In a separate study, nine normotensive and six hypertensive sodium-restricted subjects were given a converting enzyme inhibitor, SQ 20881, 30 microgram/kg. Despite a significantly greater fall in blood pressure (P less than 0.006) and angiotensin II concentration (P less than 0.045) in the hypertensive subjects, they did not have a greater rise in plasma renin activity. We conclude that angiotensin II reduces renin release in normal man at infusion rates that yield plasma angiotensin II levels within the physiological range but has a strikingly reduced influence on renin release in hypertension. In high-renin hypertension due to renal artery stenosis or nephrosclerosis, renin release is presumed to be relatively autonomous because of a dominant, intrarenal mechanism. The mechanism in normal-renin essential hypertension is not clear, but the abnormality could well be related to the pathogenesis of the hypertension.", "PMID": 618602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2591", "title": "Detection of experimental pulmonary emboli in dogs by sequential positron imaging after inhalation of 15O-carbon dioxide.", "content": "After inhalation, C15O2 (T1/2 = 2 minutes) rapidly diffuses into pulmonary blood and is cleared from the lungs within 10 seconds. The purpose of this study was to determine whether impaired clearance of inhaled C15O2 from oligemic zones, distal to areas of obstructed pulmonary blood flow, could be detected by serial pulmonary imaging with a positron camera. Experimental obstruction of branches of the pulmonary artery was induced in 19 anesthetized dogs by inflation of balloon-tipped catheters (8-12 mm in diameter), injection of radiopaque silicone spheres (0.5-4.0 mm), and embolization with barium-impregnated autologous blood clots (1-5 mm) via the right external jugular vein. After a single bolus injection of 2 mCi of C15O2 into the endotracheal tube, serial lung images of 15O activity were obtained over 60-180 seconds. Obstruction of pulmonary arterial branches resulted in visualization of discrete zones of impaired 15O clearance which varied in area with catheter diameter. Location and size of these zones were confirmed by repeat imaging after direct injection of 15O-labeled blood through the distal catheter lumen. In dogs receiving autologous clots (n = 8), similar zones of impaired 15O clearance were consistently imaged, and single emboli as small as 2 mm in diameter produced regions of retained 15O activity. Zones of retained 15O activity corresponded to the location of radiopaque emboli on chest radiographs. This study introduces a new technique of radionuclide imaging for detection of pulmonary emboli that is noninvasive, safe, sensitive, and repeatable at short intervals.", "contents": "Detection of experimental pulmonary emboli in dogs by sequential positron imaging after inhalation of 15O-carbon dioxide. After inhalation, C15O2 (T1/2 = 2 minutes) rapidly diffuses into pulmonary blood and is cleared from the lungs within 10 seconds. The purpose of this study was to determine whether impaired clearance of inhaled C15O2 from oligemic zones, distal to areas of obstructed pulmonary blood flow, could be detected by serial pulmonary imaging with a positron camera. Experimental obstruction of branches of the pulmonary artery was induced in 19 anesthetized dogs by inflation of balloon-tipped catheters (8-12 mm in diameter), injection of radiopaque silicone spheres (0.5-4.0 mm), and embolization with barium-impregnated autologous blood clots (1-5 mm) via the right external jugular vein. After a single bolus injection of 2 mCi of C15O2 into the endotracheal tube, serial lung images of 15O activity were obtained over 60-180 seconds. Obstruction of pulmonary arterial branches resulted in visualization of discrete zones of impaired 15O clearance which varied in area with catheter diameter. Location and size of these zones were confirmed by repeat imaging after direct injection of 15O-labeled blood through the distal catheter lumen. In dogs receiving autologous clots (n = 8), similar zones of impaired 15O clearance were consistently imaged, and single emboli as small as 2 mm in diameter produced regions of retained 15O activity. Zones of retained 15O activity corresponded to the location of radiopaque emboli on chest radiographs. This study introduces a new technique of radionuclide imaging for detection of pulmonary emboli that is noninvasive, safe, sensitive, and repeatable at short intervals.", "PMID": 618603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2592", "title": "Gas exchange after pulmonary thromboemoblization in dogs.", "content": "Gas exchange following experimental pulmonary thromboembolization was studied with an inert gas elimination technique in 17 dogs. Pulmonary arterial, systemic arterial, and expired gas concentrations of six gases infused intravenously were measured before embolization and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after embolization. Distributions of ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) ratios were derived from the measured concentrations. In all dogs, embolization caused an increase in blood flow and ventilation to VA/Q ratios less than 1. There were no lung units with VA/Q ratios between 10 and 100 before embolization, but, in two-thirds of the dogs, such regions developed after embolization. Ventilation to unperfused lung showed a transient increase of 2-6%. Radioisotope studies of lobes removed post-mortem indicated that thromboemboli rarely caused complete abolition of lobar blood flow. Pulmonary embolization did not cause arteriovenous shunts to appear. The hypoxemia caused by embolization could be accounted for by the changes in VA/Q distributions. Over the 2-hour period after embolization, lung function improved as the distributions partially returned toward the preembolization patterns.", "contents": "Gas exchange after pulmonary thromboemoblization in dogs. Gas exchange following experimental pulmonary thromboembolization was studied with an inert gas elimination technique in 17 dogs. Pulmonary arterial, systemic arterial, and expired gas concentrations of six gases infused intravenously were measured before embolization and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after embolization. Distributions of ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) ratios were derived from the measured concentrations. In all dogs, embolization caused an increase in blood flow and ventilation to VA/Q ratios less than 1. There were no lung units with VA/Q ratios between 10 and 100 before embolization, but, in two-thirds of the dogs, such regions developed after embolization. Ventilation to unperfused lung showed a transient increase of 2-6%. Radioisotope studies of lobes removed post-mortem indicated that thromboemboli rarely caused complete abolition of lobar blood flow. Pulmonary embolization did not cause arteriovenous shunts to appear. The hypoxemia caused by embolization could be accounted for by the changes in VA/Q distributions. Over the 2-hour period after embolization, lung function improved as the distributions partially returned toward the preembolization patterns.", "PMID": 618605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2593", "title": "Prolonged atrial conduction. A major predisposing factor for the development of atrial flutter.", "content": "Electrophysiological studies were performed during sinus rhythm on 21 patients who had demonstrated the spontaneous occurrence of sustained atrial flutter. The purpose was to determine if atrial conduction disease is a prediposing factor for the development of atrial flutter. Patients with atrial enlargement were excluded from the series. The control group consisted of 11 age-matched patients with normal electrocardiograms and electrophysiology studies. The flutter group showed prolongation of the mean right intra-atrial conduction time at 50 msec (control of 37 msec, P less than 0.05), the mean interatrial conduction time at 92 msec (control of 44 msec, P less than 0.001) and the mean P wave duration at 132 msec (control of 112 msec, P less than 0.01). The flutter group also demonstrated a higher incidence of sinus node dysfunction and ventricular conduction disease compared to the control group. These data indicate that patients who develop atrial flutter have atrial conduction disease. Atrial conduction disease appears to be 1) a major prediposing factor for the development of atrial flutter and 2) a part of the fibro-degenerative conduction disease spectrum.", "contents": "Prolonged atrial conduction. A major predisposing factor for the development of atrial flutter. Electrophysiological studies were performed during sinus rhythm on 21 patients who had demonstrated the spontaneous occurrence of sustained atrial flutter. The purpose was to determine if atrial conduction disease is a prediposing factor for the development of atrial flutter. Patients with atrial enlargement were excluded from the series. The control group consisted of 11 age-matched patients with normal electrocardiograms and electrophysiology studies. The flutter group showed prolongation of the mean right intra-atrial conduction time at 50 msec (control of 37 msec, P less than 0.05), the mean interatrial conduction time at 92 msec (control of 44 msec, P less than 0.001) and the mean P wave duration at 132 msec (control of 112 msec, P less than 0.01). The flutter group also demonstrated a higher incidence of sinus node dysfunction and ventricular conduction disease compared to the control group. These data indicate that patients who develop atrial flutter have atrial conduction disease. Atrial conduction disease appears to be 1) a major prediposing factor for the development of atrial flutter and 2) a part of the fibro-degenerative conduction disease spectrum.", "PMID": 618606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2594", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of sinus node dysfunction in the sick sinus syndrome.", "content": "The intrinsic heart rate (IHR) was determined in 17 patients with symptomatic sinus bradycardia by administering atropine 0.04 mg/kg and propranolol 0.2 mg/kg, i.v. In this way, sick sinus (SSS) patients with intrinsic sinus node (SN) dysfunction could be distinguished from those patients with disturbed autonomic regulation of SN function. Sick sinus syndrome patients with normal corrected sinus node recovery time (SNRTC), adjusted for the magnitude and direction of autonomic chronotrophy, consistently had normal IHRs and therefore abnormalities of autonomic regulation. Sick sinus syndrome patients with abnormal adjusted SNRTC consistently had abnormal IHRs and therefore abnormalities of intrinsic SN function. We conclude that more than one pathophysiologic mechanism can produce the clinical manifestations of sick sinus syndrome and that abnormal prolongation of SNRTC is dependent upon the underlying mechanism of sinus node dysfunction.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of sinus node dysfunction in the sick sinus syndrome. The intrinsic heart rate (IHR) was determined in 17 patients with symptomatic sinus bradycardia by administering atropine 0.04 mg/kg and propranolol 0.2 mg/kg, i.v. In this way, sick sinus (SSS) patients with intrinsic sinus node (SN) dysfunction could be distinguished from those patients with disturbed autonomic regulation of SN function. Sick sinus syndrome patients with normal corrected sinus node recovery time (SNRTC), adjusted for the magnitude and direction of autonomic chronotrophy, consistently had normal IHRs and therefore abnormalities of autonomic regulation. Sick sinus syndrome patients with abnormal adjusted SNRTC consistently had abnormal IHRs and therefore abnormalities of intrinsic SN function. We conclude that more than one pathophysiologic mechanism can produce the clinical manifestations of sick sinus syndrome and that abnormal prolongation of SNRTC is dependent upon the underlying mechanism of sinus node dysfunction.", "PMID": 618607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2595", "title": "The cellular electrophysiologic effects of digitalis on human atrial fibers.", "content": "We used microelectrode techniques to study the indirect and direct actions of ouabain on human atrial fibers (HAF) obtained from patients with congenital heart disease undergoing open heart surgery. At 15 min of superfusion ouabain, 2 X 10(-7) M, induced an increase in maximum diastolic potential (MDP), action potential (AP) amplitude and upstroke velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax) and a decrease in AP duration. Spontaneously beating HAF showed a decrease in automaticity. Acetylcholine (3 X 10(-6) M) induced identical effects on AP characteristics and automaticity. Prior treatment with atropine (1 X 10 (-6) M) blocked these effects of ouabain and acetylcholine. Superfusion with ouabain (2 X 10 (-7) M) for 30 to 90 min resulted in decreased MDP, AP amplitude and Vmax, and a further decrease in AP duration. Phase 4 depolarization and spontaneous rate increased and delayed afterdepolarization and tachyarrythmia occurred. The ACh-like effects of digitalis decrease automaticity and increase MDP of HAF; the direct effects decrease MDP, increase automaticity, and induce tachyarrythmias.", "contents": "The cellular electrophysiologic effects of digitalis on human atrial fibers. We used microelectrode techniques to study the indirect and direct actions of ouabain on human atrial fibers (HAF) obtained from patients with congenital heart disease undergoing open heart surgery. At 15 min of superfusion ouabain, 2 X 10(-7) M, induced an increase in maximum diastolic potential (MDP), action potential (AP) amplitude and upstroke velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax) and a decrease in AP duration. Spontaneously beating HAF showed a decrease in automaticity. Acetylcholine (3 X 10(-6) M) induced identical effects on AP characteristics and automaticity. Prior treatment with atropine (1 X 10 (-6) M) blocked these effects of ouabain and acetylcholine. Superfusion with ouabain (2 X 10 (-7) M) for 30 to 90 min resulted in decreased MDP, AP amplitude and Vmax, and a further decrease in AP duration. Phase 4 depolarization and spontaneous rate increased and delayed afterdepolarization and tachyarrythmia occurred. The ACh-like effects of digitalis decrease automaticity and increase MDP of HAF; the direct effects decrease MDP, increase automaticity, and induce tachyarrythmias.", "PMID": 618608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2596", "title": "Detection of myocardial scar tissue by M-mode echocardiography.", "content": "Wall thicknesses were measured and echo densities were evaluated from the left ventricular echograms of 182 patients. The echogram was considered to reflect scar tissue when 1) either the interventricular septum, the posterior left ventricular wall or the anterior left ventricular wall was less than 7 mm thick in mid-diastole and was more echo-producing than its opposing wall or another area of the same wall in a sector scan, or 2) an area of myocardium was 30% less thick than an adjacent area within a sector scan. Myocardial scarring was diagnosed by echocardiography in 52 of the 182 patients. The echocardiographic presence or absence of scarring was confirmed in 95% (173 of 182) of cases, 34 cases by microscopic examination and 139 by surgical appearance. This study shows that M-mode echocardiography is both a sensitive and specfic method for detecting myocardial scar tissue.", "contents": "Detection of myocardial scar tissue by M-mode echocardiography. Wall thicknesses were measured and echo densities were evaluated from the left ventricular echograms of 182 patients. The echogram was considered to reflect scar tissue when 1) either the interventricular septum, the posterior left ventricular wall or the anterior left ventricular wall was less than 7 mm thick in mid-diastole and was more echo-producing than its opposing wall or another area of the same wall in a sector scan, or 2) an area of myocardium was 30% less thick than an adjacent area within a sector scan. Myocardial scarring was diagnosed by echocardiography in 52 of the 182 patients. The echocardiographic presence or absence of scarring was confirmed in 95% (173 of 182) of cases, 34 cases by microscopic examination and 139 by surgical appearance. This study shows that M-mode echocardiography is both a sensitive and specfic method for detecting myocardial scar tissue.", "PMID": 618609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2597", "title": "Alterations in ventricular mass and performance induced by exercise training in man evaluated by echocardiography.", "content": "Few data are available regarding the effects of exercise training upon cardiac structure and performance in man. We evaluated the echograms of 24 normals before (PRE) and after (POST) 11 weeks of endurance exercise training. Conditioning consisted of a walk-jog-run protocol at 70% maximal heart rate for one hour four days per week. Training reduced heart rate and increased maximal duration and estimated oxygen consumption of treadmill exercise. Compared to PRE, the echogram in the POST training period revealed an increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension (EdD), a decreased end-systolic dimension (EsD) and thus an increased stroke volume (EdD3-EsD3) and shortening fraction (EdD-EsD)/EdD). Cardiac output (CO) and peripheral vascular resistance (BP/CO X 80) were identical PRE and POST conditioning. Importantly, an increase in mean fiber shortening velocity was observed POST training as were increases in LV wall thickness, ECG voltage of S in V1 + R in V5, and LV mass. Thus endurance training was accompanied by increases in both LV dimension and mass as well as LV shortening fraction and contraction velocity as observed by echocardiogram.", "contents": "Alterations in ventricular mass and performance induced by exercise training in man evaluated by echocardiography. Few data are available regarding the effects of exercise training upon cardiac structure and performance in man. We evaluated the echograms of 24 normals before (PRE) and after (POST) 11 weeks of endurance exercise training. Conditioning consisted of a walk-jog-run protocol at 70% maximal heart rate for one hour four days per week. Training reduced heart rate and increased maximal duration and estimated oxygen consumption of treadmill exercise. Compared to PRE, the echogram in the POST training period revealed an increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension (EdD), a decreased end-systolic dimension (EsD) and thus an increased stroke volume (EdD3-EsD3) and shortening fraction (EdD-EsD)/EdD). Cardiac output (CO) and peripheral vascular resistance (BP/CO X 80) were identical PRE and POST conditioning. Importantly, an increase in mean fiber shortening velocity was observed POST training as were increases in LV wall thickness, ECG voltage of S in V1 + R in V5, and LV mass. Thus endurance training was accompanied by increases in both LV dimension and mass as well as LV shortening fraction and contraction velocity as observed by echocardiogram.", "PMID": 618610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2598", "title": "Two-dimensional echocardiographic recognition of ruptured chordae tendineae.", "content": "Real-time, phased-array, two-dimensional echocardiographic studies identified ruptured chordae tendineae in five patients: four patients had a flail mitral valve and one had flail mitral and tricuspid valves. The characteristic abnormality was a rapid systolic motion of the involved leaflet beyond the line of valve closure into the atrium. The maximal abnormal systolic motion was greatest at the tip of the leaflet with a loss of the normal coaptation point. By contrast, the two-dimensional echocardiographic feature of mitral valve prolapse is an abnormal systolic motion that is maximal in the body of the leaflet with intact leaflet coaptation. Thus, two-dimensional echocardiography can identify flail mitral and tricuspid valves and is useful in distinguishing ruptured chorade from valvular prolapse.", "contents": "Two-dimensional echocardiographic recognition of ruptured chordae tendineae. Real-time, phased-array, two-dimensional echocardiographic studies identified ruptured chordae tendineae in five patients: four patients had a flail mitral valve and one had flail mitral and tricuspid valves. The characteristic abnormality was a rapid systolic motion of the involved leaflet beyond the line of valve closure into the atrium. The maximal abnormal systolic motion was greatest at the tip of the leaflet with a loss of the normal coaptation point. By contrast, the two-dimensional echocardiographic feature of mitral valve prolapse is an abnormal systolic motion that is maximal in the body of the leaflet with intact leaflet coaptation. Thus, two-dimensional echocardiography can identify flail mitral and tricuspid valves and is useful in distinguishing ruptured chorade from valvular prolapse.", "PMID": 618611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2599", "title": "Prevalence and characteristics of disproportionate ventricular septal thickening in patients with coronary artery disease.", "content": "Echocardiographic or necropsy studies were performed in 151 patients with coronary artery disease. Prevalence of disproportionate septal thickening (septal to free wall ratio greater than or equal to 1.3) was 11%. An abnormally increased septal-free wall ratio in these patients had two principal etiologies. First, it was a manifestation of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as evidenced by disproportionate septal thickening in first degree relatives. Second, it was due to disproportionate septal thickening which did not appear to be a manifestation of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This latter conclusion was suggested by negative echocardiographic studies in some families of patients with both coronary artery disease and disproportionate septal thickening. In addition, numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells, characteristically present in patients with genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, were absent from the septum of all patients with disproportionate septal thickening studied at necropsy. Although the mechanism responsible for this secondary type of disproportionate septal thickening is unknown, our results indicate that the presence of disproportionate septal thickening in a patient with coronary artery disease does not, per se, indicate the coexistence of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.", "contents": "Prevalence and characteristics of disproportionate ventricular septal thickening in patients with coronary artery disease. Echocardiographic or necropsy studies were performed in 151 patients with coronary artery disease. Prevalence of disproportionate septal thickening (septal to free wall ratio greater than or equal to 1.3) was 11%. An abnormally increased septal-free wall ratio in these patients had two principal etiologies. First, it was a manifestation of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as evidenced by disproportionate septal thickening in first degree relatives. Second, it was due to disproportionate septal thickening which did not appear to be a manifestation of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This latter conclusion was suggested by negative echocardiographic studies in some families of patients with both coronary artery disease and disproportionate septal thickening. In addition, numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells, characteristically present in patients with genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, were absent from the septum of all patients with disproportionate septal thickening studied at necropsy. Although the mechanism responsible for this secondary type of disproportionate septal thickening is unknown, our results indicate that the presence of disproportionate septal thickening in a patient with coronary artery disease does not, per se, indicate the coexistence of genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.", "PMID": 618612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2600", "title": "Aortic stenosis in children. Experience with echocardiographic prediction of severity.", "content": "Fifty-six children with aortic stenosis were investigated both by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. The ratio of end-systolic wall thickness (Ws) to internal diameter (LVES) across the minor axis of the LV as determined by echocardiography and multiplied by a factor of 245 predicts left ventricular pressure (r = 0.83). Subtracting the arm systolic blood pressure from the predicted intraventricular systolic pressure (PISP) gives a predicted systolic pressure gradient (r = 0.91). The technique is found to be useful for both initial and sequential noninvasive assessment of aortic stenosis with normal LV function irrespective of the level of obstruction. It is shown to apply equally well to wide range of LV pressures, is independent of volume load, and is useful in predicting small gradients. Some common problems encountered with the measurements are examined in detail.", "contents": "Aortic stenosis in children. Experience with echocardiographic prediction of severity. Fifty-six children with aortic stenosis were investigated both by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. The ratio of end-systolic wall thickness (Ws) to internal diameter (LVES) across the minor axis of the LV as determined by echocardiography and multiplied by a factor of 245 predicts left ventricular pressure (r = 0.83). Subtracting the arm systolic blood pressure from the predicted intraventricular systolic pressure (PISP) gives a predicted systolic pressure gradient (r = 0.91). The technique is found to be useful for both initial and sequential noninvasive assessment of aortic stenosis with normal LV function irrespective of the level of obstruction. It is shown to apply equally well to wide range of LV pressures, is independent of volume load, and is useful in predicting small gradients. Some common problems encountered with the measurements are examined in detail.", "PMID": 618613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2601", "title": "The reliability and practicality of single crystal echocardiography in the evaluation of single ventricle. Angiographic and pathological correlates.", "content": "A prospective clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of single ventricle was made in 42 patients. Each was evaluated for the number of atrioventricular (A/V) valves, presence of an outflow chamber (OC), A/V valve-semilunar continuity, and orientation of the great arteries. Angiographic correlations were subsequently obtained in 40 and autopsies in 12. The overall diagnosis of single ventricle was substantiated in 39. Two other patients diagnosed as single ventricle by angiography were thought to have large ventricular septal defects on echocardiography. Tricuspid valve was interpreted as septum in one. The angiographic diagnosis of single ventricle was incorrect in another, correctly diagnosed by echocardiography and confirmed at pathology. The differential diagnosis also included A-V canal, L-transposition of the great arteries, double outlet right ventricle, and tricuspid atresia. This last condition has to be differentiated on clinical evidence. The echocardiograms were of particular value in determining the number of A/V valves. Two great arteries were demonstrated in 74% of patients and their relationship was correctly determined in 79% of these. Both imaging techniques agreed closely as to A/V valve-semilunar continuity and presence of an OC, but both showed some inaccuracies compared to pathological specimens. The echocardiogram helps both in planning catheterization and in evaluating the overall diagnosis.", "contents": "The reliability and practicality of single crystal echocardiography in the evaluation of single ventricle. Angiographic and pathological correlates. A prospective clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of single ventricle was made in 42 patients. Each was evaluated for the number of atrioventricular (A/V) valves, presence of an outflow chamber (OC), A/V valve-semilunar continuity, and orientation of the great arteries. Angiographic correlations were subsequently obtained in 40 and autopsies in 12. The overall diagnosis of single ventricle was substantiated in 39. Two other patients diagnosed as single ventricle by angiography were thought to have large ventricular septal defects on echocardiography. Tricuspid valve was interpreted as septum in one. The angiographic diagnosis of single ventricle was incorrect in another, correctly diagnosed by echocardiography and confirmed at pathology. The differential diagnosis also included A-V canal, L-transposition of the great arteries, double outlet right ventricle, and tricuspid atresia. This last condition has to be differentiated on clinical evidence. The echocardiograms were of particular value in determining the number of A/V valves. Two great arteries were demonstrated in 74% of patients and their relationship was correctly determined in 79% of these. Both imaging techniques agreed closely as to A/V valve-semilunar continuity and presence of an OC, but both showed some inaccuracies compared to pathological specimens. The echocardiogram helps both in planning catheterization and in evaluating the overall diagnosis.", "PMID": 618614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2602", "title": "Echocardiographic measurements in normal subjects. Growth-related changes that occur between infancy and early adulthood.", "content": "Echocardiographic measurements of the left ventricular dimensions and wall thicknesses at end diastole and end systole, aortic root and left atrial dimensions, mitral valve E-F slope, left ventricular ejection fraction, percent fractional shortening of the left ventricular internal dimension, estimated left ventricular mass and percentage systolic thickening of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall were obtained in 105 normal subjects ranging from one day to 23 years of age. Each parameter was found to follow a linear regression upon one of three functions of the body surface area. The internal dimensions of left ventricle, the left atrium, and the aortic root, and the mitral valve E-F slope varied in a linear relation to the cube root of the body surface area. Thickness of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall varied in a linear relation to the square root of the body surface area. Estimated left ventricular mass varied linearly with the direct measurement of body surface area. Ejection fraction, percent fractional shortening of the left ventricle and percent systolic thickening of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall were independent of body surface area despite a marked increase in the size of the left ventricle during normal growth and development.", "contents": "Echocardiographic measurements in normal subjects. Growth-related changes that occur between infancy and early adulthood. Echocardiographic measurements of the left ventricular dimensions and wall thicknesses at end diastole and end systole, aortic root and left atrial dimensions, mitral valve E-F slope, left ventricular ejection fraction, percent fractional shortening of the left ventricular internal dimension, estimated left ventricular mass and percentage systolic thickening of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall were obtained in 105 normal subjects ranging from one day to 23 years of age. Each parameter was found to follow a linear regression upon one of three functions of the body surface area. The internal dimensions of left ventricle, the left atrium, and the aortic root, and the mitral valve E-F slope varied in a linear relation to the cube root of the body surface area. Thickness of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall varied in a linear relation to the square root of the body surface area. Estimated left ventricular mass varied linearly with the direct measurement of body surface area. Ejection fraction, percent fractional shortening of the left ventricle and percent systolic thickening of the ventricular septum and left ventricular free wall were independent of body surface area despite a marked increase in the size of the left ventricle during normal growth and development.", "PMID": 618615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2603", "title": "Cardiac structure growth pattern determined by echocardiography.", "content": "Using M-mode echocardiography, we measured dimensions of the ventricular walls and cavities, great vessels, and left atrium and atrioventricular valve excursions on 93 infants and children without heart disease. The data were analyzed by relating each dimension in mm to body surface area in m2 and the 90% tolerance limits for the data were calculated. The tolerance lines of the data were wider than previously recorded. At birth and maturity they were similar to the range defined as normal by studies in neonates and adults. We suggest that the tolerance lines of these normal data may be used for quantitative echocardiography in childhood.", "contents": "Cardiac structure growth pattern determined by echocardiography. Using M-mode echocardiography, we measured dimensions of the ventricular walls and cavities, great vessels, and left atrium and atrioventricular valve excursions on 93 infants and children without heart disease. The data were analyzed by relating each dimension in mm to body surface area in m2 and the 90% tolerance limits for the data were calculated. The tolerance lines of the data were wider than previously recorded. At birth and maturity they were similar to the range defined as normal by studies in neonates and adults. We suggest that the tolerance lines of these normal data may be used for quantitative echocardiography in childhood.", "PMID": 618616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2604", "title": "Echocardiographic and hemodynamic correlation in transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "Echocardiography was performed in 36 patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Twenty patients were studied before a Mustard operation, 14 patients after operation and two patients both before and after operation. Right ventricular end-diastolic dimension (RVED) was larger than normal in each patient and tended to increase postoperatively. In contrast, the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVED) was significantly reduced postoperatively in all patients. A linear relationship was demonstrated between the ratio of LVED/RVED and the ratio of peak systolic pressures in the left and right ventricles in studies both before and after Mustard operation. Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve was observed in 18% of peroperative patients and increased to 44% postoperatively. The incidence of fluttering of the mitral valve increased from 50% to 94% after the operation. Abnormal septal motion was found in 39% of cases. Abnormal movement of the mitral valve and of the interventricular septum seems to be related to a reversed pressure relationship in the ventricles. Shifting of the ventricular septum toward the left ventricle and consequent distortion of the left ventricular cavity and mitral valve apparatus may be responsible for the abnormal echocardiographic findings. Serial echocardiographic studies may be useful as a noninvasive tool in the assessment of left ventricular pressure or the status of the pulmonary vascular bed in TGA.", "contents": "Echocardiographic and hemodynamic correlation in transposition of the great arteries. Echocardiography was performed in 36 patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Twenty patients were studied before a Mustard operation, 14 patients after operation and two patients both before and after operation. Right ventricular end-diastolic dimension (RVED) was larger than normal in each patient and tended to increase postoperatively. In contrast, the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVED) was significantly reduced postoperatively in all patients. A linear relationship was demonstrated between the ratio of LVED/RVED and the ratio of peak systolic pressures in the left and right ventricles in studies both before and after Mustard operation. Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve was observed in 18% of peroperative patients and increased to 44% postoperatively. The incidence of fluttering of the mitral valve increased from 50% to 94% after the operation. Abnormal septal motion was found in 39% of cases. Abnormal movement of the mitral valve and of the interventricular septum seems to be related to a reversed pressure relationship in the ventricles. Shifting of the ventricular septum toward the left ventricle and consequent distortion of the left ventricular cavity and mitral valve apparatus may be responsible for the abnormal echocardiographic findings. Serial echocardiographic studies may be useful as a noninvasive tool in the assessment of left ventricular pressure or the status of the pulmonary vascular bed in TGA.", "PMID": 618617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2605", "title": "Combined double chambered right ventricle and discrete subaortic stenosis.", "content": "Nine cases of combined double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) and discrete subaortic stenosis (DSAS) are presented. A review of 1077 consecutively catheterized patients indicates an association of these two uncommon anomalies nine times greater than expected. One or both obstructive lesions may be hemodynamically significant and require surgery. Whenever DCRV or DSAS is suspected or identified, the cardiac catheterization should include studies of both the right and left ventricles.", "contents": "Combined double chambered right ventricle and discrete subaortic stenosis. Nine cases of combined double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) and discrete subaortic stenosis (DSAS) are presented. A review of 1077 consecutively catheterized patients indicates an association of these two uncommon anomalies nine times greater than expected. One or both obstructive lesions may be hemodynamically significant and require surgery. Whenever DCRV or DSAS is suspected or identified, the cardiac catheterization should include studies of both the right and left ventricles.", "PMID": 618618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2606", "title": "The clinical estimation of acute myocardial infarct size with 99mTechnetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy.", "content": "We evaluated scintigraphic techniques in estimating infarct size. In 26 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction, 99mTechnetium pyrophosphate (TcPYP) infarct scintigraphy, gated cardiac blood pool scintigraphy and 201-Thallium (201-Tl) perfusion scintigraphy were performed. Invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained and serial venous blood specimens taken for measurement of total and MB creatine phosphokinase (CPK). In farct size was estimated from the area of abnormal TcPYP uptake, the extent of reduced 201-Tl uptake, the percentage of abnormally contracting segments, and serial enzyme measurements. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke work index (LVSWI) were calculated. TcPYP infarct area was associated with the extent of reduced 201-Tl uptake (r = 0.66), the percentage of abnormally contracting segments (r = 0.64), and with both LVSWI (r = 0.73) and LVEF (r = 0.58). TcPYP infarct area did not correlate with cumulative total or MB-CPK release or the integrated total CPK-time curve, nor did the enzyme estimates of infarct size correlate with LVSWI or LVEF. Variable perfusion of infarcts of different sizes may explain the lack of correlation between TcPYP infarct area and enzyme estimates of infarct size. A combination of anatomic and functional indices derived from scintigraphic and hemodynamic measurements may provide the best assessment of infarct size.", "contents": "The clinical estimation of acute myocardial infarct size with 99mTechnetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy. We evaluated scintigraphic techniques in estimating infarct size. In 26 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction, 99mTechnetium pyrophosphate (TcPYP) infarct scintigraphy, gated cardiac blood pool scintigraphy and 201-Thallium (201-Tl) perfusion scintigraphy were performed. Invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained and serial venous blood specimens taken for measurement of total and MB creatine phosphokinase (CPK). In farct size was estimated from the area of abnormal TcPYP uptake, the extent of reduced 201-Tl uptake, the percentage of abnormally contracting segments, and serial enzyme measurements. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke work index (LVSWI) were calculated. TcPYP infarct area was associated with the extent of reduced 201-Tl uptake (r = 0.66), the percentage of abnormally contracting segments (r = 0.64), and with both LVSWI (r = 0.73) and LVEF (r = 0.58). TcPYP infarct area did not correlate with cumulative total or MB-CPK release or the integrated total CPK-time curve, nor did the enzyme estimates of infarct size correlate with LVSWI or LVEF. Variable perfusion of infarcts of different sizes may explain the lack of correlation between TcPYP infarct area and enzyme estimates of infarct size. A combination of anatomic and functional indices derived from scintigraphic and hemodynamic measurements may provide the best assessment of infarct size.", "PMID": 618619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2607", "title": "The prognostic implications of acute myocardial infarct scintigraphy with 99mTc-pyrophosphate.", "content": "The predictive value of the myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-pyrophosphate was studied in 100 patients admitted to the coronary care unit with suspected acute myocardial infarction. None of the 21 patients with normal scintigrams had acute myocardial infraction by other criteria. Fifty-five percent of patients with diffuse uptake (pattern B), 73% of patients with focal uptake (pattern C) and all patients with intense focal uptake (pattern D) and massive uptake (pattern E) had acute infarction. The complication rate in the hospital and after discharge (mean followup: 6.1 months) for patients with pattern E was 88% compared to 42% for D, 30% for C, 36% for B and 10% for patients with normal scintigrams (A). For patients with acute infarction with patterns C, D and E, the complication rate rose with increasing size of the myocardial uptake of 99mTc-pyrophosphate. In addition to its diagnostic potential, scintigraphy provides prognostic information which is useful for patient triage and for therapeutic decisions early in the evolution of the infarct.", "contents": "The prognostic implications of acute myocardial infarct scintigraphy with 99mTc-pyrophosphate. The predictive value of the myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-pyrophosphate was studied in 100 patients admitted to the coronary care unit with suspected acute myocardial infarction. None of the 21 patients with normal scintigrams had acute myocardial infraction by other criteria. Fifty-five percent of patients with diffuse uptake (pattern B), 73% of patients with focal uptake (pattern C) and all patients with intense focal uptake (pattern D) and massive uptake (pattern E) had acute infarction. The complication rate in the hospital and after discharge (mean followup: 6.1 months) for patients with pattern E was 88% compared to 42% for D, 30% for C, 36% for B and 10% for patients with normal scintigrams (A). For patients with acute infarction with patterns C, D and E, the complication rate rose with increasing size of the myocardial uptake of 99mTc-pyrophosphate. In addition to its diagnostic potential, scintigraphy provides prognostic information which is useful for patient triage and for therapeutic decisions early in the evolution of the infarct.", "PMID": 618620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2608", "title": "Evaluation of left ventricular function (ejection fraction and segmental wall motion) by single pass radioisotope angiography.", "content": "Changes in ejection fraction (EF) and segmental wall motion (SWM) have been shown to be sensitive indicators of left ventricular (LV) function. This information is only obtainable by contrast angiography or gated blood pool scans. Gated studies assume a fixed geometry for the LV for EF determinations, are lengthy and limited primarily to the LAO projection. We correlated contrast and Tc-99m pertechnetate angiograms by singl pass radioisotope angiography (immediately preceding the contrast study) in 12 patients. EF was calculated from the LV time/activity curve and values ranged from .21 to .72. Angiographic correlation yielded r = 0.97. Regional LV wall motion was evaluated by dividing a summated cardiac cycle into 16 frames and dynamically and sequentially displaying these frames. Regional wall motion evaluation of four LV quadrants correlated well with angiography (r = 0.97). For quantitation these images were divided into four anterior and four inferior segments and the areas of respective segments were compared and expressed as a shortening fraction. SWM compared favorably with angiographic determinations (r ranged from 0.70 to 0.99). Thus, single pass radioisotopic determinations of EF and SWM in the RAO projection correlated well with the angiographic values and provide essential quantitative information of LV function otherwise unobtainable at the bedside.", "contents": "Evaluation of left ventricular function (ejection fraction and segmental wall motion) by single pass radioisotope angiography. Changes in ejection fraction (EF) and segmental wall motion (SWM) have been shown to be sensitive indicators of left ventricular (LV) function. This information is only obtainable by contrast angiography or gated blood pool scans. Gated studies assume a fixed geometry for the LV for EF determinations, are lengthy and limited primarily to the LAO projection. We correlated contrast and Tc-99m pertechnetate angiograms by singl pass radioisotope angiography (immediately preceding the contrast study) in 12 patients. EF was calculated from the LV time/activity curve and values ranged from .21 to .72. Angiographic correlation yielded r = 0.97. Regional LV wall motion was evaluated by dividing a summated cardiac cycle into 16 frames and dynamically and sequentially displaying these frames. Regional wall motion evaluation of four LV quadrants correlated well with angiography (r = 0.97). For quantitation these images were divided into four anterior and four inferior segments and the areas of respective segments were compared and expressed as a shortening fraction. SWM compared favorably with angiographic determinations (r ranged from 0.70 to 0.99). Thus, single pass radioisotopic determinations of EF and SWM in the RAO projection correlated well with the angiographic values and provide essential quantitative information of LV function otherwise unobtainable at the bedside.", "PMID": 618621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2609", "title": "Early redistribution of thallium-201 after temporary ischemia.", "content": "To define the time course of redistribution of thallium-201 (201Tl), ischemia was induced in seven pigs by temporary occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery. After 1 1/2 min of occlusion 201Tl and labeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium. Flow was re-established 4 min after occlusion. Prior to reflow, the relative activities of 201Tl and microspheres in the ischemic area were similar, but as early as 5 min after reflow the relative 201Tl activity was considerably higher than the relative microsphere activity and from 15 to 105 min after reflow, relative 201Tl activity (averabe 69% of that in normal myocardium) continued to be higher than relative microsphere activity (average 6% of normal). Myocardial arteriovenous differences for 201Tl were followed sequentially after 201Tl injection in normal dogs and in dogs with temporary coronary occlusions. The results suggested both loss of 201Tl from normal myocardium beginning 10 min after 201Tl injection and increased extraction of 201Tl from the blood pool immediately after release of a transient occlusion. Redistribution of 201Tl therefore begins very soon after relief of myocardial ischemia and even a short delay in initiating myocardial imaging may decrease the sensitivity of the technique for detecting transient ischemia.", "contents": "Early redistribution of thallium-201 after temporary ischemia. To define the time course of redistribution of thallium-201 (201Tl), ischemia was induced in seven pigs by temporary occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery. After 1 1/2 min of occlusion 201Tl and labeled microspheres were injected into the left atrium. Flow was re-established 4 min after occlusion. Prior to reflow, the relative activities of 201Tl and microspheres in the ischemic area were similar, but as early as 5 min after reflow the relative 201Tl activity was considerably higher than the relative microsphere activity and from 15 to 105 min after reflow, relative 201Tl activity (averabe 69% of that in normal myocardium) continued to be higher than relative microsphere activity (average 6% of normal). Myocardial arteriovenous differences for 201Tl were followed sequentially after 201Tl injection in normal dogs and in dogs with temporary coronary occlusions. The results suggested both loss of 201Tl from normal myocardium beginning 10 min after 201Tl injection and increased extraction of 201Tl from the blood pool immediately after release of a transient occlusion. Redistribution of 201Tl therefore begins very soon after relief of myocardial ischemia and even a short delay in initiating myocardial imaging may decrease the sensitivity of the technique for detecting transient ischemia.", "PMID": 618622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2610", "title": "Hypertensive crises in quadriplegic patients. Changes in cardiac output, blood volume, serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity, and arterial prostaglandin PGE2.", "content": "The syndrome of autonomic dysreflexia often occurs in quadriplegic subjects and is characterized by paroxysmal hypertension, headache, vasoconstriction below and flushing of the skin above the level of transection, and bradycardia. These attacks may cause hypertnesive encephalopathy, cerebral vascular accidents, and death. In five patients during crises, the mean arterial pressure changed from 95 to 154 mm Hg, heart rate 72 to 45 beats/min, cardiac output 4.76 to 4.70 L/min, and peripheral resistance 1650 to 2660 dynes.sec.cm-5. In eight subjects the control plasma, red cell, and total blood volumes were 19.1, 10.5, and 29.6 ml/cm body height, respectively, and when hypertensive, the plasma protein concentration increased by 9.9% and the hematocrit by 9.5%. Plasma volume was only reduced by an estimated 10-15%. At that time, arterial dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) activity increased 65% and prostaglandin E2 concentration by 68%. Thus, the augmented DbetaH activity presented primarily an elevated sympathetic tone and not hemoconcentration of that protein. The rise in prostaglandin may contribute to the severe headaches during hypertensive episodes.", "contents": "Hypertensive crises in quadriplegic patients. Changes in cardiac output, blood volume, serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity, and arterial prostaglandin PGE2. The syndrome of autonomic dysreflexia often occurs in quadriplegic subjects and is characterized by paroxysmal hypertension, headache, vasoconstriction below and flushing of the skin above the level of transection, and bradycardia. These attacks may cause hypertnesive encephalopathy, cerebral vascular accidents, and death. In five patients during crises, the mean arterial pressure changed from 95 to 154 mm Hg, heart rate 72 to 45 beats/min, cardiac output 4.76 to 4.70 L/min, and peripheral resistance 1650 to 2660 dynes.sec.cm-5. In eight subjects the control plasma, red cell, and total blood volumes were 19.1, 10.5, and 29.6 ml/cm body height, respectively, and when hypertensive, the plasma protein concentration increased by 9.9% and the hematocrit by 9.5%. Plasma volume was only reduced by an estimated 10-15%. At that time, arterial dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) activity increased 65% and prostaglandin E2 concentration by 68%. Thus, the augmented DbetaH activity presented primarily an elevated sympathetic tone and not hemoconcentration of that protein. The rise in prostaglandin may contribute to the severe headaches during hypertensive episodes.", "PMID": 618623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2611", "title": "Prediction of late survival in patients with mitral valve disease from clinical, hemodynamic, and quantitative angiographic variables.", "content": "Late follow-up (average = 7.2 years) has been obtained in 249 patients with mitral valve disease who had quantitative angiographic assessment of left ventricular function at thetime of initial catheterization in the 1960s. Surgically treated patients with mitral valve disease had significantly improved survival as compared to medically treated patients with mitral disease. The subgroup with mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation and the subgroup with moderate impairment of ejection fraction account for this improved survival in surgically treated patients, which occurred despite greater functional and hemodynamic impairment in the surgical cohorts. Using univariate life table survival analysis, ten variables were found to be predictive of survival in the medical cohort, and three in the surgical cohort. With multivariate Cox's regression analysis, end-diastolic volume and arteriovenous oxygen difference were significantly predictive of survival in the medical cohort; age was predictive of survival in the surgical cohort.", "contents": "Prediction of late survival in patients with mitral valve disease from clinical, hemodynamic, and quantitative angiographic variables. Late follow-up (average = 7.2 years) has been obtained in 249 patients with mitral valve disease who had quantitative angiographic assessment of left ventricular function at thetime of initial catheterization in the 1960s. Surgically treated patients with mitral valve disease had significantly improved survival as compared to medically treated patients with mitral disease. The subgroup with mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation and the subgroup with moderate impairment of ejection fraction account for this improved survival in surgically treated patients, which occurred despite greater functional and hemodynamic impairment in the surgical cohorts. Using univariate life table survival analysis, ten variables were found to be predictive of survival in the medical cohort, and three in the surgical cohort. With multivariate Cox's regression analysis, end-diastolic volume and arteriovenous oxygen difference were significantly predictive of survival in the medical cohort; age was predictive of survival in the surgical cohort.", "PMID": 618624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2612", "title": "Blood volume prior to and following treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.", "content": "Following onset of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in 21 patients, increases in hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and colloid osmotic pressure were associated with decreases in plasma volume. Accordingly, there was a loss of hypo-oncotic fluid into the extravascular spaces. Following treatment with oxygen, furosemide, and morphine sulfate and reversal of clinical and radiographic signs of pulmonary edema, declines in hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and colloid osmotic pressure were associated with increases in plasma volume. Hypo-oncotic edema fluid was therefore reabsorbed into the vascular compartment. The concept that acute heeart failure with pulmonary edema is associated with an increase in intravascular volume is therefore not supported. To the contrary, there is a reduction of blood volume during acute pulmonary edema. During reversal of acute pulmonary edema with diuresis, there was re-expansion rather than contraction of blood volume.", "contents": "Blood volume prior to and following treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Following onset of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in 21 patients, increases in hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and colloid osmotic pressure were associated with decreases in plasma volume. Accordingly, there was a loss of hypo-oncotic fluid into the extravascular spaces. Following treatment with oxygen, furosemide, and morphine sulfate and reversal of clinical and radiographic signs of pulmonary edema, declines in hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and colloid osmotic pressure were associated with increases in plasma volume. Hypo-oncotic edema fluid was therefore reabsorbed into the vascular compartment. The concept that acute heeart failure with pulmonary edema is associated with an increase in intravascular volume is therefore not supported. To the contrary, there is a reduction of blood volume during acute pulmonary edema. During reversal of acute pulmonary edema with diuresis, there was re-expansion rather than contraction of blood volume.", "PMID": 618625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2613", "title": "The rate of atherosclerosis change during treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia.", "content": "The rate of change of femoral atherosclerosis has been determined in 25 treated hyperlipoproteinemic patients. There were 13 Type II patients and 12 Type IV patients. Serial angiograms had been performed at an interval averaging 13 months. Film densities were analyzed by digigal image processing to yield a computer estimate of atherosclerosis (CEA). Serial measurements of CEA on each patient were used to determine atherosclerosis percent change per month in that patient. CEA percent change per month was significantly correlated ;ith triglyceride and cholesterol level. Lower lipid levels were associated with more rapid regression. When hyperlipoproteinemic types were considered separately, significant single correlates were confined to Type IV. Triglyceride level and CEA/age significantly predicted atherosclerosis change rate and accounted for 72% of the variability observed in Type IV patients.", "contents": "The rate of atherosclerosis change during treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. The rate of change of femoral atherosclerosis has been determined in 25 treated hyperlipoproteinemic patients. There were 13 Type II patients and 12 Type IV patients. Serial angiograms had been performed at an interval averaging 13 months. Film densities were analyzed by digigal image processing to yield a computer estimate of atherosclerosis (CEA). Serial measurements of CEA on each patient were used to determine atherosclerosis percent change per month in that patient. CEA percent change per month was significantly correlated ;ith triglyceride and cholesterol level. Lower lipid levels were associated with more rapid regression. When hyperlipoproteinemic types were considered separately, significant single correlates were confined to Type IV. Triglyceride level and CEA/age significantly predicted atherosclerosis change rate and accounted for 72% of the variability observed in Type IV patients.", "PMID": 618626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2614", "title": "Effect of dopamine on hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism in shock following acute myocardial infarction in man.", "content": "Eight patients in shock associated with acute myocardial infarctions were treated with dopamine. We titrated the dopamine dose to increase mean arterial pressure to 65-70 mm Hg and urine output to greater than 40 ml/hr. Increase of heart rate to 120-125 beats/min and occurrence of potentially dangerous arrhythmias were limiting end-points. Dopamine administration averaged 17.2 microgram/kg/min. Heart rate increased from 95 to 118 beats/min (P less than 0.001), and mean arterial pressure rose from 60 to 65 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). Dopamine increased myocardial contractility as indicated by increase in cardiac index and systolic ejection rate, with only moderate decrease in systemic vascular resistance. Pulmonary wedge pressure and right atrial pressure decreased from 23 to 18 mm Hg (P less than 0.05) and from 10 to 8 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) respectively. Improvement in hemodynamic status by dopamine was associated with deterioration of myocardial metabolism. Myocardial oxygen extraction ratios and arterial-coronary sinus oxygen differences increased from 73 to 76% (P less than 0.05) and from 13.02 to 14.19 ml/100 ml (P less than 0.02) respectively. Myocardial lactate production increased from -8 to -15% (P = 0.05). We conclude that dopamine improved cardiac performance at the expense of myocardial oxygenation and that dopamine is potentially harmful to acutely ischemic myocardium.", "contents": "Effect of dopamine on hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism in shock following acute myocardial infarction in man. Eight patients in shock associated with acute myocardial infarctions were treated with dopamine. We titrated the dopamine dose to increase mean arterial pressure to 65-70 mm Hg and urine output to greater than 40 ml/hr. Increase of heart rate to 120-125 beats/min and occurrence of potentially dangerous arrhythmias were limiting end-points. Dopamine administration averaged 17.2 microgram/kg/min. Heart rate increased from 95 to 118 beats/min (P less than 0.001), and mean arterial pressure rose from 60 to 65 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). Dopamine increased myocardial contractility as indicated by increase in cardiac index and systolic ejection rate, with only moderate decrease in systemic vascular resistance. Pulmonary wedge pressure and right atrial pressure decreased from 23 to 18 mm Hg (P less than 0.05) and from 10 to 8 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) respectively. Improvement in hemodynamic status by dopamine was associated with deterioration of myocardial metabolism. Myocardial oxygen extraction ratios and arterial-coronary sinus oxygen differences increased from 73 to 76% (P less than 0.05) and from 13.02 to 14.19 ml/100 ml (P less than 0.02) respectively. Myocardial lactate production increased from -8 to -15% (P = 0.05). We conclude that dopamine improved cardiac performance at the expense of myocardial oxygenation and that dopamine is potentially harmful to acutely ischemic myocardium.", "PMID": 618627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2615", "title": "Electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of verapamin. Correlation with plasma drug concentrations.", "content": "Verapamil was administered intravenously to 30 open-chest dogs and the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of the drug were correlated with the corresponding plasma concentrations. At concentrations below 152 ng/ml, verapamil prolonged the A-H interval, abolished ventriculoatrial conduction, but did not significantly change sinus rate, cardiac output, left ventricular dp/dt, of systemic vascular resistance. Concentrations above 200 ng/ml were associated with slowing of the sinus rat, high degree atrioventricular block during atrial pacing, 24% decrease in mean aortic pressure, and decreased cardiac output and left ventricular dp/dt. Sinus arrest, high degree atrioventicular block during sinus rhythm, decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure occurred when plasma verapamil concentrations exceeded 400 ng/ml. These results show that plasma verapamil concentrations reliably reflect the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic actions of the drug, and that \"therapeutic\" drug effects can be achieved at plasma concentrations at which myocardial depressant effects are unlikely.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of verapamin. Correlation with plasma drug concentrations. Verapamil was administered intravenously to 30 open-chest dogs and the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of the drug were correlated with the corresponding plasma concentrations. At concentrations below 152 ng/ml, verapamil prolonged the A-H interval, abolished ventriculoatrial conduction, but did not significantly change sinus rate, cardiac output, left ventricular dp/dt, of systemic vascular resistance. Concentrations above 200 ng/ml were associated with slowing of the sinus rat, high degree atrioventricular block during atrial pacing, 24% decrease in mean aortic pressure, and decreased cardiac output and left ventricular dp/dt. Sinus arrest, high degree atrioventicular block during sinus rhythm, decreased systemic vascular resistance and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure occurred when plasma verapamil concentrations exceeded 400 ng/ml. These results show that plasma verapamil concentrations reliably reflect the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic actions of the drug, and that \"therapeutic\" drug effects can be achieved at plasma concentrations at which myocardial depressant effects are unlikely.", "PMID": 618628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2616", "title": "Hemodynamic correlates of saralasin-induced arterial pressure changes.", "content": "Angiotensin antagonists have proved useful in elucidating the clinical role of the renin-angiotensin system; and their diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy in hypertension has been the subject of many reports but the hemodynamic effects remain unknown. Therefore, saralasin was infused intravenously (1.3 mg/min for 30 min) in 26 sodium-depleted patients with hypertension. Systemic hemodynamic alterations were determined before, during, and after infusion. On the basis of mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes, patients were classified as responders, nonresponders, or pressorresponders (MAP changes greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg). MAP fall in responders was achieved through reduced cardiac output and/or total peripheral resistance, with minimal or absent reflexive heart rate increase. In nonresponders, despite no change in MAP, output fell in parallel with stroke index and left ventricular ejection rate, In pressorresponders, saralasin increased vascular resistance. Thus, in addition to variable effects on vascular receptors, saralasin produced inhibitory cardiac effects either through altered venous return or inhibition of contractility.", "contents": "Hemodynamic correlates of saralasin-induced arterial pressure changes. Angiotensin antagonists have proved useful in elucidating the clinical role of the renin-angiotensin system; and their diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy in hypertension has been the subject of many reports but the hemodynamic effects remain unknown. Therefore, saralasin was infused intravenously (1.3 mg/min for 30 min) in 26 sodium-depleted patients with hypertension. Systemic hemodynamic alterations were determined before, during, and after infusion. On the basis of mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes, patients were classified as responders, nonresponders, or pressorresponders (MAP changes greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg). MAP fall in responders was achieved through reduced cardiac output and/or total peripheral resistance, with minimal or absent reflexive heart rate increase. In nonresponders, despite no change in MAP, output fell in parallel with stroke index and left ventricular ejection rate, In pressorresponders, saralasin increased vascular resistance. Thus, in addition to variable effects on vascular receptors, saralasin produced inhibitory cardiac effects either through altered venous return or inhibition of contractility.", "PMID": 618629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2617", "title": "Efficacy of dopamine, dobutamine, and epinephrine during emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass in man.", "content": "Hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and dopamine (both 5, 10, 15 microgram/kg/min) and epinephrine (0.04 microgram/kg/min) were studied immediately following cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass in 34 patients with preoperative evidence of left ventricular dysfunction. Significant increases in mean cardiac index were seen with dobutamine (15, 25, and 26% respectively), and epinephrine (30%). The largest increases occurred with dopamine (44, 53, and 64 percent respectively). Responses varied from patient to patient, however. Seven patients developed marked output increases without concomitant increases in arterial pressure, whereas seven others showed \"satisfying\" increases in arterial pressure without appreciable output increases. Heart rate increases were small and few arrhythmias were noted. We conclude that dopamine, epinephrine, and dobutamine all are effective inotropic agents during the immediate post-bypass period, with variations discussed in detail. None possess the disturbing chronotropic and arrhythmogenic effects of isoproterenol (previously studied). Efficacy of administration of inotropic drugs seems best assessed by serial output measurements during this period.", "contents": "Efficacy of dopamine, dobutamine, and epinephrine during emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass in man. Hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and dopamine (both 5, 10, 15 microgram/kg/min) and epinephrine (0.04 microgram/kg/min) were studied immediately following cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass in 34 patients with preoperative evidence of left ventricular dysfunction. Significant increases in mean cardiac index were seen with dobutamine (15, 25, and 26% respectively), and epinephrine (30%). The largest increases occurred with dopamine (44, 53, and 64 percent respectively). Responses varied from patient to patient, however. Seven patients developed marked output increases without concomitant increases in arterial pressure, whereas seven others showed \"satisfying\" increases in arterial pressure without appreciable output increases. Heart rate increases were small and few arrhythmias were noted. We conclude that dopamine, epinephrine, and dobutamine all are effective inotropic agents during the immediate post-bypass period, with variations discussed in detail. None possess the disturbing chronotropic and arrhythmogenic effects of isoproterenol (previously studied). Efficacy of administration of inotropic drugs seems best assessed by serial output measurements during this period.", "PMID": 618630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2618", "title": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXVIII. Apoplexy of the heart.", "content": "Apoplexy of the heart can be responsible for sudden and for recurring instability of cardiac rhythm and conduction, and for the clinical counterparts of syncope and sudden death. Every pathophysiological mechanism which produces cerebral apoplexy has its counterpart in apoplexy of the heart. Among the mechanisms documented are thrombosis, embolism and rupture of those special vessels supplying the sinus node, atrioventicular (A-V) node and His bundle. Apoplexy of the heart can occur either with or without significant or recognizable ventricular myocardial infarction. Acute vascular accidents within the critical centers of cardiac impulse formation and conduction deserve more frequent consideration in the explanation of unusual cases of \"epilepsy\", of seizure disorders of the elderly, of neurologic manifestations (which may be secondary as well as primary) of systemic diseases such as lupus erythematosus or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and indeed of every case of otherwise unexplanined syncope or sudded death at any age.", "contents": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXVIII. Apoplexy of the heart. Apoplexy of the heart can be responsible for sudden and for recurring instability of cardiac rhythm and conduction, and for the clinical counterparts of syncope and sudden death. Every pathophysiological mechanism which produces cerebral apoplexy has its counterpart in apoplexy of the heart. Among the mechanisms documented are thrombosis, embolism and rupture of those special vessels supplying the sinus node, atrioventicular (A-V) node and His bundle. Apoplexy of the heart can occur either with or without significant or recognizable ventricular myocardial infarction. Acute vascular accidents within the critical centers of cardiac impulse formation and conduction deserve more frequent consideration in the explanation of unusual cases of \"epilepsy\", of seizure disorders of the elderly, of neurologic manifestations (which may be secondary as well as primary) of systemic diseases such as lupus erythematosus or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and indeed of every case of otherwise unexplanined syncope or sudded death at any age.", "PMID": 618631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2619", "title": "Reduction of coronary blood flow during coronary artery spasm occurring spontaneously and after provocation by ergonovine maleate.", "content": "A 50-year-old man suffering from recurrent chest pain accompanied by transient ST-segment elevation developed spasm of the left anterior descending coronary artery after receiving ergonovine maleate. During spontaneous chest pain, thermodilution coronary sinus blood flow fell from 96 ml/min to 46 ml/min, while the coronary sinsu arteriovenous oxygen difference widened from 9.82 volumes percent to 11.3 volumes percent. During spontaneous relief of pain, coincident with resolution of the ST-segment changes, coronary sinus blood flow gradually rose to 135 ml/min, while coronary sinus arteriovenous oxygen difference narrowed to 6.82 volumes percent. Similar aterations in coronoary sinus blood flow accompanied chest pain provoked by ergonovine maleate. A thallium-201 scan confirmed a perfusion defect in the distribution the left anterior descending coronary artery. Thus, coronary artery spasm can produce a marked deficity in coronary blood flow that is associated with increased myocardial oxygen extraction; release of spasm creates a hyperemic response.", "contents": "Reduction of coronary blood flow during coronary artery spasm occurring spontaneously and after provocation by ergonovine maleate. A 50-year-old man suffering from recurrent chest pain accompanied by transient ST-segment elevation developed spasm of the left anterior descending coronary artery after receiving ergonovine maleate. During spontaneous chest pain, thermodilution coronary sinus blood flow fell from 96 ml/min to 46 ml/min, while the coronary sinsu arteriovenous oxygen difference widened from 9.82 volumes percent to 11.3 volumes percent. During spontaneous relief of pain, coincident with resolution of the ST-segment changes, coronary sinus blood flow gradually rose to 135 ml/min, while coronary sinus arteriovenous oxygen difference narrowed to 6.82 volumes percent. Similar aterations in coronoary sinus blood flow accompanied chest pain provoked by ergonovine maleate. A thallium-201 scan confirmed a perfusion defect in the distribution the left anterior descending coronary artery. Thus, coronary artery spasm can produce a marked deficity in coronary blood flow that is associated with increased myocardial oxygen extraction; release of spasm creates a hyperemic response.", "PMID": 618632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2620", "title": "A criss-cross heart with concordant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. Report of a case.", "content": "A distinctive angiographic appearance is described in a case of \"criss-cross\" heart with concordant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. The atrial situs was normal, and the morphological right ventricle was superior to the left ventricle, and the ventricular septum was horizontal in position. Both ventricleswere connected by a small ventricular septal defect. The aorta was situated anteriorly and to the right of the pulmonary artery. Although the cardiac segment was the apparent [S,L,D] type, the heart had conconrdant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. The ventricular rotation of the solitus heart about the longitudinal and the anteroposterior axis affected the atrioventricular flows, the plane of the ventricular septum, the inflow and outflow tracts of the ventricles, the interrelationship of the great arteries, and the course of the left coronary artery. Using the recent definition of criss-cross heart, we classified the heart as solitus-concordant (l-rotated) -normal.", "contents": "A criss-cross heart with concordant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. Report of a case. A distinctive angiographic appearance is described in a case of \"criss-cross\" heart with concordant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. The atrial situs was normal, and the morphological right ventricle was superior to the left ventricle, and the ventricular septum was horizontal in position. Both ventricleswere connected by a small ventricular septal defect. The aorta was situated anteriorly and to the right of the pulmonary artery. Although the cardiac segment was the apparent [S,L,D] type, the heart had conconrdant atrioventriculo-arterial connections. The ventricular rotation of the solitus heart about the longitudinal and the anteroposterior axis affected the atrioventricular flows, the plane of the ventricular septum, the inflow and outflow tracts of the ventricles, the interrelationship of the great arteries, and the course of the left coronary artery. Using the recent definition of criss-cross heart, we classified the heart as solitus-concordant (l-rotated) -normal.", "PMID": 618633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2621", "title": "Automated enzymic measurement of total cholesterol in serum.", "content": "We describe a completely automated enzymic system for measuring total cholesterol in serum. All reagents are contained in an analytical test pack and the test is performed on Du Pont's Automatic Clinical Analyzer (aca), which mixes the sample (20 microliter) and reagents and performs the necessary absorbance measurements and calculations. In the procedure, cholesterol oxidase oxidizes free cholesterol. The oxidation step produces cholest-4-en-3-one and hydrochloride peroxidesterase hydrolyzes cholesterol esters and cholesterol in direct proportion to the amount of cholesterol present. N,N-Diethylaniline hydrochloride and 4-aminoantipyrine react with the hydrogen peroxide to produce a quinoneimine dye (lambda max = 553 nm). Interacting reagents have been optimized simultaneously (co\u00f6ptimization) utilizing response surface designs coupled with computer analysis of the data. Reagent efficiency is high and analytical performance reliable.", "contents": "Automated enzymic measurement of total cholesterol in serum. We describe a completely automated enzymic system for measuring total cholesterol in serum. All reagents are contained in an analytical test pack and the test is performed on Du Pont's Automatic Clinical Analyzer (aca), which mixes the sample (20 microliter) and reagents and performs the necessary absorbance measurements and calculations. In the procedure, cholesterol oxidase oxidizes free cholesterol. The oxidation step produces cholest-4-en-3-one and hydrochloride peroxidesterase hydrolyzes cholesterol esters and cholesterol in direct proportion to the amount of cholesterol present. N,N-Diethylaniline hydrochloride and 4-aminoantipyrine react with the hydrogen peroxide to produce a quinoneimine dye (lambda max = 553 nm). Interacting reagents have been optimized simultaneously (co\u00f6ptimization) utilizing response surface designs coupled with computer analysis of the data. Reagent efficiency is high and analytical performance reliable.", "PMID": 618640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2622", "title": "Faster radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I at 37 degrees C.", "content": "We applied a 1-h radioimmunoassay incubation at 37 degrees C in determining generated angiotensin I in an assay for plasma renin activity. Under these nonequilibrium conditions, 26% of the 125I-labeled angiotensin I was bound at zero dose of unlabeled angiotensin, as compared to 57% at equilibrium after 18 h at 4 degrees C. Sensitivity and useful range for the standard curve remained unchanged. Blanks were not altered. There was a good (r = .971) correlation between renin values in 120 plasma samples from hypertensive patients as measured with both procedures. With isoelectric focusing, we detected no damage to the labeled angiotensin I during incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of diluted plasma, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, hydroxyquinoline, and neomycin. Analytical recovery of unlabeled angiotensin I added to the assay mixture was 98 +/- 2.3% (mean +/- SD). We conclude that our incubation conditions allow rapid and accurate assay of plasma renin activity to be completed in one working day.", "contents": "Faster radioimmunoassay of angiotensin I at 37 degrees C. We applied a 1-h radioimmunoassay incubation at 37 degrees C in determining generated angiotensin I in an assay for plasma renin activity. Under these nonequilibrium conditions, 26% of the 125I-labeled angiotensin I was bound at zero dose of unlabeled angiotensin, as compared to 57% at equilibrium after 18 h at 4 degrees C. Sensitivity and useful range for the standard curve remained unchanged. Blanks were not altered. There was a good (r = .971) correlation between renin values in 120 plasma samples from hypertensive patients as measured with both procedures. With isoelectric focusing, we detected no damage to the labeled angiotensin I during incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of diluted plasma, disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, hydroxyquinoline, and neomycin. Analytical recovery of unlabeled angiotensin I added to the assay mixture was 98 +/- 2.3% (mean +/- SD). We conclude that our incubation conditions allow rapid and accurate assay of plasma renin activity to be completed in one working day.", "PMID": 618641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2623", "title": "Direct analysis for cholesterol in gallstones by use of differential scanning calorimetry transition phase.", "content": "A cholesterol transition phase at 37.5 degrees C has been shown by use of a Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The transition, reversible and reproducible, is useful for analytical purpose. We propose an analytical method for cholesterol in gallstones based on this transition. The method requires no intermediate reactions and cholesterol can be assayed directly in the powdered stone, with no other pretreatment or reagents. The analysis is highly specific, requires about 10 min, and is quite precise (CV about 1.5%) and accurate (about 2%).", "contents": "Direct analysis for cholesterol in gallstones by use of differential scanning calorimetry transition phase. A cholesterol transition phase at 37.5 degrees C has been shown by use of a Differential Scanning Calorimeter. The transition, reversible and reproducible, is useful for analytical purpose. We propose an analytical method for cholesterol in gallstones based on this transition. The method requires no intermediate reactions and cholesterol can be assayed directly in the powdered stone, with no other pretreatment or reagents. The analysis is highly specific, requires about 10 min, and is quite precise (CV about 1.5%) and accurate (about 2%).", "PMID": 618642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2624", "title": "Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in determination of prostatic acid phosphatase in human serum.", "content": "We evaluated counterimmunoelectrophoresis for use in measuring prostatic acid phosphatase in detection of prostatic cancer. After staining for acid phosphatase, we could detect as little as 0.3 ng of purified enzyme standard complexed with antibody by this technique. However, when serum samples were used as antigen, the method was less sensitive (1.5-2.0 ng) because some of the serum proteins migrate with the phosphatase and decrease the intensity of the stain for acid phosphatase. For this reason we could not detect the phosphatase in serum samples of normal persons; only patients with moderately (or greater) increased activity in their serum showed positive results. In contrast, by radioimmunoassay as little as 1.0 ng of the phosphatase can be detected in serum.", "contents": "Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in determination of prostatic acid phosphatase in human serum. We evaluated counterimmunoelectrophoresis for use in measuring prostatic acid phosphatase in detection of prostatic cancer. After staining for acid phosphatase, we could detect as little as 0.3 ng of purified enzyme standard complexed with antibody by this technique. However, when serum samples were used as antigen, the method was less sensitive (1.5-2.0 ng) because some of the serum proteins migrate with the phosphatase and decrease the intensity of the stain for acid phosphatase. For this reason we could not detect the phosphatase in serum samples of normal persons; only patients with moderately (or greater) increased activity in their serum showed positive results. In contrast, by radioimmunoassay as little as 1.0 ng of the phosphatase can be detected in serum.", "PMID": 618643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2625", "title": "Evaluation of the Harleco Micro CO2 system for measurement of total CO2 in serum or plasma.", "content": "In the Harleco Micro CO2 System a volumetric procedure is used to measure total CO2 content in a small volume (0.10 ml) of serum or plasma. CO2 gas is released by mixing specimen and acid, either manually or with a \"Micro CO2 Shaker.\" Within-batch CV's by manual and machine shakings were, respectively, 7.7 and 5.6% for a total CO2 value of 8 mmol/liter, decreasing to 2.0 and 1.4% for a value of 45 mmol/liter. Between-batch CV's were 8.0 and 7.1% at low total CO2, decreasing to 2.4 and 2.0% at high total CO2. Measurements were linear for values from 5 to 60 mmol/liter. Analytical recoveries at low and high concentrations were 97.7 to 98.9%. Correlation coefficients for results obtained with the Technicon \"SMA Plus\" autoAnalyzer and the Radiometer ABL 1 blood gas analyzer were 0.992 and 0.996, respectively. The Harleco Micro CO2 System appears to be a quick, reliable, and inexpensive method for measuring serum or plasma total CO2.", "contents": "Evaluation of the Harleco Micro CO2 system for measurement of total CO2 in serum or plasma. In the Harleco Micro CO2 System a volumetric procedure is used to measure total CO2 content in a small volume (0.10 ml) of serum or plasma. CO2 gas is released by mixing specimen and acid, either manually or with a \"Micro CO2 Shaker.\" Within-batch CV's by manual and machine shakings were, respectively, 7.7 and 5.6% for a total CO2 value of 8 mmol/liter, decreasing to 2.0 and 1.4% for a value of 45 mmol/liter. Between-batch CV's were 8.0 and 7.1% at low total CO2, decreasing to 2.4 and 2.0% at high total CO2. Measurements were linear for values from 5 to 60 mmol/liter. Analytical recoveries at low and high concentrations were 97.7 to 98.9%. Correlation coefficients for results obtained with the Technicon \"SMA Plus\" autoAnalyzer and the Radiometer ABL 1 blood gas analyzer were 0.992 and 0.996, respectively. The Harleco Micro CO2 System appears to be a quick, reliable, and inexpensive method for measuring serum or plasma total CO2.", "PMID": 618644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2626", "title": "The peak monitor of the Technicon SMAC system.", "content": "The peak-monitor software of the Technicon SMAC system has been investigated by experiments designed to test its ability to detect abnormally shaped peaks, deliberately produced by presenting serum samples of inadequate volume for analysis. The software provided by the manufacturer is shown to detect faulty peaks inefficiently, and a set of modified parameters has been identified which greatly improves the performance of the peak-monitor software.", "contents": "The peak monitor of the Technicon SMAC system. The peak-monitor software of the Technicon SMAC system has been investigated by experiments designed to test its ability to detect abnormally shaped peaks, deliberately produced by presenting serum samples of inadequate volume for analysis. The software provided by the manufacturer is shown to detect faulty peaks inefficiently, and a set of modified parameters has been identified which greatly improves the performance of the peak-monitor software.", "PMID": 618645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2627", "title": "Simple determination of high urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid with ferric chloride.", "content": "We describe a method for determination of urinary 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin and tryptophan and a useful indicator of metastasizing carcinoid tumor. The analysis is based on the color development with ferric chloride added to the residue obtained on evaporating a diethyl ether extract of the sample that has been acidified with sulfuric acid and saturated with sodium chloride. The color is measured by 510 nm. The reaction was made highly specific by the acidification so that nonspecific reactions with catecholamines and with other phenolic compounds such as salicylic acid could be eliminated.", "contents": "Simple determination of high urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid with ferric chloride. We describe a method for determination of urinary 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, a metabolite of serotonin and tryptophan and a useful indicator of metastasizing carcinoid tumor. The analysis is based on the color development with ferric chloride added to the residue obtained on evaporating a diethyl ether extract of the sample that has been acidified with sulfuric acid and saturated with sodium chloride. The color is measured by 510 nm. The reaction was made highly specific by the acidification so that nonspecific reactions with catecholamines and with other phenolic compounds such as salicylic acid could be eliminated.", "PMID": 618646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2628", "title": "Plasma glucose measurement with the Yellow Springs Glucose Analyzer.", "content": "The Yellow Springs Glucose Analyzer, a device for the quantitative measurement of glucose concentrations, involves the use of immobilized glucose oxidase, incorporated on a membrane covering a hydrogen peroxide sensor. Operation of the instrument is simple. After an initial calibration, 25 microliter of plasma is injected into a reaction chamber. At 45 s a digital result for glucose is displayed. The within-batch coefficient of variation for the method is 1.2% or less for glucose concentrations of 0.94 to 3.98 g/liter. The between-batch coefficient of variation is 5.8% or less for glucose concentrations of 0.29 to 2.91 g/liter. Concentration and readout are linearly related to at least 4.6 g/liter. Analytical recoveries ranged from 100 to 102%. Carry-over was negligible. Values for glucose concentration obtained with the instrument compared well (r = 0.997) with those obtained with the Beckman Glucose Analyzer.", "contents": "Plasma glucose measurement with the Yellow Springs Glucose Analyzer. The Yellow Springs Glucose Analyzer, a device for the quantitative measurement of glucose concentrations, involves the use of immobilized glucose oxidase, incorporated on a membrane covering a hydrogen peroxide sensor. Operation of the instrument is simple. After an initial calibration, 25 microliter of plasma is injected into a reaction chamber. At 45 s a digital result for glucose is displayed. The within-batch coefficient of variation for the method is 1.2% or less for glucose concentrations of 0.94 to 3.98 g/liter. The between-batch coefficient of variation is 5.8% or less for glucose concentrations of 0.29 to 2.91 g/liter. Concentration and readout are linearly related to at least 4.6 g/liter. Analytical recoveries ranged from 100 to 102%. Carry-over was negligible. Values for glucose concentration obtained with the instrument compared well (r = 0.997) with those obtained with the Beckman Glucose Analyzer.", "PMID": 618647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2629", "title": "Variability among commercially available digoxin radioimmunoassay kits in cross reactivity to dihydrodigoxin.", "content": "We evaluated four commercially available 125I-digoxin radioimmunoassay kits with regard to their ability to cross react with the digoxin metabolite dehydrodigoxin. We prepared dihydrodigoxin serum samples in digoxin-free serum over the concentration range 0.4 to 5.0 microgram/liter and assayed them with each kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. The metabolite was able to displace the 125I-labeled digoxin derivative from the antibody supplied with all four kits. However, the extent of the cross reactivity depended on the kit, ranging from essentially zero to a high degree of interference. Dihydrodigoxin is the only metabolite of digoxin to have been quantitiated in human serum, and may comprise up to 30% of total glycosides. Over the clinical and therapeutic range of serum digoxin concentrations, enough dihydrodigoxin can be produced to interfere in the determination of serum digoxin concentrations by this method. We suggest that laboratories evaluate their specific kit with regard to cross reactivity to this metabolite.", "contents": "Variability among commercially available digoxin radioimmunoassay kits in cross reactivity to dihydrodigoxin. We evaluated four commercially available 125I-digoxin radioimmunoassay kits with regard to their ability to cross react with the digoxin metabolite dehydrodigoxin. We prepared dihydrodigoxin serum samples in digoxin-free serum over the concentration range 0.4 to 5.0 microgram/liter and assayed them with each kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. The metabolite was able to displace the 125I-labeled digoxin derivative from the antibody supplied with all four kits. However, the extent of the cross reactivity depended on the kit, ranging from essentially zero to a high degree of interference. Dihydrodigoxin is the only metabolite of digoxin to have been quantitiated in human serum, and may comprise up to 30% of total glycosides. Over the clinical and therapeutic range of serum digoxin concentrations, enough dihydrodigoxin can be produced to interfere in the determination of serum digoxin concentrations by this method. We suggest that laboratories evaluate their specific kit with regard to cross reactivity to this metabolite.", "PMID": 618648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2630", "title": "Urinary free methyldopa determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "We describe a chromatographic method, in which 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine is used as the internal standard, for determining free methyldopa in human urine. The drug was adsorbed onto alumina, eluted, and the eluate directly injected onto a reversed-phase column (octadecyl-bonded silica stationary phase), with dilute acetate buffer (pH 2.7) as the mobile phase and ultraviolet detection at 280 nm facilitated. Methyldopa is well separated from other urinary biogenic amines present in the alumina extract, and other commonly used antihypertensives and diuretics do not interfere with the analysis. The sensitivity of the method is adequate to quantify 8.0 mg of methyldopa per liter in 30 ml of sample; the lower limit of detection is 25 ng. Analytical recovery for methyldopa varied from 95 to 102% with within-run and day-to-day coefficients of variation of 2.7 (n = 10) and 3.8% (n = 5), respectively. This procedure is readily adaptable for use in studies of the pharmacokinetics of methyldopa and to routine clinical laboratory use.", "contents": "Urinary free methyldopa determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. We describe a chromatographic method, in which 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine is used as the internal standard, for determining free methyldopa in human urine. The drug was adsorbed onto alumina, eluted, and the eluate directly injected onto a reversed-phase column (octadecyl-bonded silica stationary phase), with dilute acetate buffer (pH 2.7) as the mobile phase and ultraviolet detection at 280 nm facilitated. Methyldopa is well separated from other urinary biogenic amines present in the alumina extract, and other commonly used antihypertensives and diuretics do not interfere with the analysis. The sensitivity of the method is adequate to quantify 8.0 mg of methyldopa per liter in 30 ml of sample; the lower limit of detection is 25 ng. Analytical recovery for methyldopa varied from 95 to 102% with within-run and day-to-day coefficients of variation of 2.7 (n = 10) and 3.8% (n = 5), respectively. This procedure is readily adaptable for use in studies of the pharmacokinetics of methyldopa and to routine clinical laboratory use.", "PMID": 618661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2631", "title": "Automated procedure for kinetic measurement of total triglycerides (as glycerol) in serum with the Gilford System 3500.", "content": "An automated procedure is used on the Gilford 3500 Computer-Directed Analyzer to measure serum triglycerides indirectly by using aqueous glycerol standards. Most enzymatic methods require long hydrolysis or awkward saponification. The method of Bucolo and David [clin. Chem. 19, 476 (1973)], in which lipase and glycerol kinase are used, is modified. The kinetic procedure described eliminates the need for a serum blank. It uses \"Eskalab\" bulk reagents and reduces both time and cost per test by measuring the decreasing NADH concentration from the glycerol kinase reaction at 340 nm after enzymatic hydrolysis at room temperature. The change in absorbance of the standard during a 14-s measuring time is used in the ratiometric calculation of the unknowns. The use of a stable aqueous standard that can be reliably and accurately prepared makes this method ideal for the traceability desired by many organizations. Reagent blank drift did not affect the results. A correlation coefficient of 0.991 for comparison with the manual endpoint method and a typical CV of 2.25% show this method to be accurate and reliable.", "contents": "Automated procedure for kinetic measurement of total triglycerides (as glycerol) in serum with the Gilford System 3500. An automated procedure is used on the Gilford 3500 Computer-Directed Analyzer to measure serum triglycerides indirectly by using aqueous glycerol standards. Most enzymatic methods require long hydrolysis or awkward saponification. The method of Bucolo and David [clin. Chem. 19, 476 (1973)], in which lipase and glycerol kinase are used, is modified. The kinetic procedure described eliminates the need for a serum blank. It uses \"Eskalab\" bulk reagents and reduces both time and cost per test by measuring the decreasing NADH concentration from the glycerol kinase reaction at 340 nm after enzymatic hydrolysis at room temperature. The change in absorbance of the standard during a 14-s measuring time is used in the ratiometric calculation of the unknowns. The use of a stable aqueous standard that can be reliably and accurately prepared makes this method ideal for the traceability desired by many organizations. Reagent blank drift did not affect the results. A correlation coefficient of 0.991 for comparison with the manual endpoint method and a typical CV of 2.25% show this method to be accurate and reliable.", "PMID": 618662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2632", "title": "Improved radiochemical assay for carnitine and its derivatives in plasma and tissue extracts.", "content": "We describe the measurement of carnitine and short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitines in perchloric acid extracts of liver and muscle. [1-14C]Acetyl-CoA is used, and labeled acetylcarnitine is measured with a sensitivity of less than 1 to 50 nmol of L-carnitine per 50-microliter sample. Samples frozen at -20 degrees C lost no carnitine during several months. Analytical recovery of carnitine (5 nmol) added to 50-microliter perchloric acid extracts of liver was 103 +/- 2%. This method may be suitable for clinical applications such as screening patients with muscle and metabolic disorders.", "contents": "Improved radiochemical assay for carnitine and its derivatives in plasma and tissue extracts. We describe the measurement of carnitine and short-chain and long-chain acylcarnitines in perchloric acid extracts of liver and muscle. [1-14C]Acetyl-CoA is used, and labeled acetylcarnitine is measured with a sensitivity of less than 1 to 50 nmol of L-carnitine per 50-microliter sample. Samples frozen at -20 degrees C lost no carnitine during several months. Analytical recovery of carnitine (5 nmol) added to 50-microliter perchloric acid extracts of liver was 103 +/- 2%. This method may be suitable for clinical applications such as screening patients with muscle and metabolic disorders.", "PMID": 618663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2633", "title": "Sensitive gas-chromatographic determination of fluphenazine in human plasma.", "content": "We describe a method for quantitative determination of fluphenazine in human plasma, based on gas chromatography of its trimethylsilyl derivative and the use of a structurally similar internal standard. We determined its concentrations in plasma of four patients who were receiving the drug intramuscularly as its decanoate, in doses ranging from 12.5 to 250 mg; the concentrations in the plasma of these patients ranged from 0.25 to 11.8 microgram/liter. The precision (CV) of the method over the range 2 to 17 microgram/liter was 6.8% when fluphenazine was extracted from 5 ml of plasma. Of 18 other drugs tested, only thioridazine and the cis and trans forms of flupenthixol interfere with the determination.", "contents": "Sensitive gas-chromatographic determination of fluphenazine in human plasma. We describe a method for quantitative determination of fluphenazine in human plasma, based on gas chromatography of its trimethylsilyl derivative and the use of a structurally similar internal standard. We determined its concentrations in plasma of four patients who were receiving the drug intramuscularly as its decanoate, in doses ranging from 12.5 to 250 mg; the concentrations in the plasma of these patients ranged from 0.25 to 11.8 microgram/liter. The precision (CV) of the method over the range 2 to 17 microgram/liter was 6.8% when fluphenazine was extracted from 5 ml of plasma. Of 18 other drugs tested, only thioridazine and the cis and trans forms of flupenthixol interfere with the determination.", "PMID": 618664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2634", "title": "Analysis for 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea by chemical ionization mass spectrometry.", "content": "We used chemical ionization mass spectrometry to quantify the cancer chemotherapeutic agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea in biological fluids. A stable isotope-labeled internal standard was added to the fluid being analyzed. Protonated molecular ion intensity ratios were determined by selected ion monitoring of sample extracts inserted directly into the chemical ionization source. Peak ratios were calculated for chlorine isotope ratios in their natural abundance, to verify the integrity of the data acquired, and to compute the drug concentration. The assay was applied to measure the compound in rat blood and plasma and in human plasma, and to monitor in vitro metabolism in rat-liver microsomal preparations. For the analyses we used a quadrupole mass spectrometer interfaced to a commercial computer system. Data-system characteristics are described.", "contents": "Analysis for 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. We used chemical ionization mass spectrometry to quantify the cancer chemotherapeutic agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea in biological fluids. A stable isotope-labeled internal standard was added to the fluid being analyzed. Protonated molecular ion intensity ratios were determined by selected ion monitoring of sample extracts inserted directly into the chemical ionization source. Peak ratios were calculated for chlorine isotope ratios in their natural abundance, to verify the integrity of the data acquired, and to compute the drug concentration. The assay was applied to measure the compound in rat blood and plasma and in human plasma, and to monitor in vitro metabolism in rat-liver microsomal preparations. For the analyses we used a quadrupole mass spectrometer interfaced to a commercial computer system. Data-system characteristics are described.", "PMID": 618665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2635", "title": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of nicotine and cotinine in plasma.", "content": "We report a procedure for determining nicotine and cotinine in plasma. Nicotine is extracted from 1 ml of plasma with diethyl ether, back extracted, and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography with a nitrogen/phosphorus detector. Nicotine and its internal standard, modaline, had retention times of 1.9 and 2.9 min, respectively. Cotinine is then extracted from the same plasma with dichloromethane and similarly analyzed. Cotinine and its internal standard, lidocaine, had retention times of 3.8 and 4.9 min. Day-to-day reproducibilities (CV) within 14% for nicotine and within 6% for cotinine are attainable for the respective concentration ranges 1-100 microgram/liter and 1-200 microgram/liter. Nornicotine and related alkaloids do not interfere. The sensitivity was such that less than 0.1 microgram (0.62 nmol) of nicotine and 0.1 microgram (0.62 nmol) of nicotine and 0.1 microgram (0.57 nmol) of cotinine could be detected per liter.", "contents": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of nicotine and cotinine in plasma. We report a procedure for determining nicotine and cotinine in plasma. Nicotine is extracted from 1 ml of plasma with diethyl ether, back extracted, and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography with a nitrogen/phosphorus detector. Nicotine and its internal standard, modaline, had retention times of 1.9 and 2.9 min, respectively. Cotinine is then extracted from the same plasma with dichloromethane and similarly analyzed. Cotinine and its internal standard, lidocaine, had retention times of 3.8 and 4.9 min. Day-to-day reproducibilities (CV) within 14% for nicotine and within 6% for cotinine are attainable for the respective concentration ranges 1-100 microgram/liter and 1-200 microgram/liter. Nornicotine and related alkaloids do not interfere. The sensitivity was such that less than 0.1 microgram (0.62 nmol) of nicotine and 0.1 microgram (0.62 nmol) of nicotine and 0.1 microgram (0.57 nmol) of cotinine could be detected per liter.", "PMID": 618667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2636", "title": "New automated dye-binding method for serum albumin determination with bromcresol purple.", "content": "We describe a new automated dye-binding method for serum albumin determination with bromcresol purple (BCP) that has several advantages over an existing bromcresol green (BCG) method. The continuous-flow method is sensitive, linear, and precise, with negligible sample interaction at an analytical rate of 60 samples per hour. Unlike BCG, BCP did not react with an albumin-free serum globulin preparation or pure human transferrin solutions. Reaction with serum was instantaneous; in contrast, BCG exhibits a slow nonspecific reaction with some specimens. The specificity of BCP was demonstrated by good agreement with results of \"rocket\" immunoelectrophoresis (EIA) where y(BCP) = 0.95X(EIA) + 1.72. The BCG method overestimated serum albumin concentration where y(BCG) = 1.01X(EIA) + 6.77. Precipitation, which affects the BCG method, was not observed with BCP. Blank corrections were negligible, salicylate did not interfere, and bilirubin affected the method only if present in very high concentration. The method offers a solution to the poor accuracy of existing BCG methods while retaining many of their desirable features.", "contents": "New automated dye-binding method for serum albumin determination with bromcresol purple. We describe a new automated dye-binding method for serum albumin determination with bromcresol purple (BCP) that has several advantages over an existing bromcresol green (BCG) method. The continuous-flow method is sensitive, linear, and precise, with negligible sample interaction at an analytical rate of 60 samples per hour. Unlike BCG, BCP did not react with an albumin-free serum globulin preparation or pure human transferrin solutions. Reaction with serum was instantaneous; in contrast, BCG exhibits a slow nonspecific reaction with some specimens. The specificity of BCP was demonstrated by good agreement with results of \"rocket\" immunoelectrophoresis (EIA) where y(BCP) = 0.95X(EIA) + 1.72. The BCG method overestimated serum albumin concentration where y(BCG) = 1.01X(EIA) + 6.77. Precipitation, which affects the BCG method, was not observed with BCP. Blank corrections were negligible, salicylate did not interfere, and bilirubin affected the method only if present in very high concentration. The method offers a solution to the poor accuracy of existing BCG methods while retaining many of their desirable features.", "PMID": 618669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2637", "title": "Liquid-chromatographic procedure for tricyclic drugs and their metabolites in plasma.", "content": "We describe a procedure for determining amitriptyline and imipramine and their active metabolites nortriptyline and desipramine, respectively, at therapeutic concentrations in human plasma by use of liquid chromatography. The drugs are extracted at pH 10.5 into hexane/isoamyl alcohol, which is evaporated and the residue chromatographed. Protriptyline is used as the internal standard. As little as 10 microgram of each drug per liter could be detected in plasma, the limit being established by variability in drug-free plasmas. The day-to-day coefficient of variation for each drug at a concentration of about 100 microgram/liter was about 7%. Doxepin and diphenhydramine interfere with the analysis of amitriptyline. Total analysis time for a single sample is 20 min.", "contents": "Liquid-chromatographic procedure for tricyclic drugs and their metabolites in plasma. We describe a procedure for determining amitriptyline and imipramine and their active metabolites nortriptyline and desipramine, respectively, at therapeutic concentrations in human plasma by use of liquid chromatography. The drugs are extracted at pH 10.5 into hexane/isoamyl alcohol, which is evaporated and the residue chromatographed. Protriptyline is used as the internal standard. As little as 10 microgram of each drug per liter could be detected in plasma, the limit being established by variability in drug-free plasmas. The day-to-day coefficient of variation for each drug at a concentration of about 100 microgram/liter was about 7%. Doxepin and diphenhydramine interfere with the analysis of amitriptyline. Total analysis time for a single sample is 20 min.", "PMID": 618670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2638", "title": "Applications of a new instrument, the potentiophotometer.", "content": "The Potentiophotometer is a new instrument for measuring the absorption characteristics of solutions. A brief description of its construction and theory of operation is presented, with illustrations of its use in the colorimetric quantitative analysis for inorganic phosphorus and total protein in serum. The potentiophotometric results correlate well (r = 0.97 to 0.98) with measurements made of the same solutions with either of two conventional spectrophotometers, the Gilford 300N and the Coleman Jr. II.", "contents": "Applications of a new instrument, the potentiophotometer. The Potentiophotometer is a new instrument for measuring the absorption characteristics of solutions. A brief description of its construction and theory of operation is presented, with illustrations of its use in the colorimetric quantitative analysis for inorganic phosphorus and total protein in serum. The potentiophotometric results correlate well (r = 0.97 to 0.98) with measurements made of the same solutions with either of two conventional spectrophotometers, the Gilford 300N and the Coleman Jr. II.", "PMID": 618671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2639", "title": "Polyamine compartmentalization in various human disease states.", "content": "Whole blood was separated into preparations of erythrocytes, mononuclear leukocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets and plasma. Each preparation was analyzed for the concentration of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine. This was done in 17 controls, 14 patients with psoriasis, four patients with hereditary elliptocytosis, two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and one patient each with lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sickle cell anemia with mild psoriasis, and progeria. In patients with elevated blood polyamine levels, absorption onto erythrocytes was relatively common, and the spermine/spermidine ratio was useful in localizing abnormalities and characterizing the nature of the polyamine alteration. Proliferative states were associated with elevated spermine/spermidine ratios relative to controls while this relationship was reversed in erythropathies such as hereditary elliptocytosis and sickle cell anemia.", "contents": "Polyamine compartmentalization in various human disease states. Whole blood was separated into preparations of erythrocytes, mononuclear leukocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets and plasma. Each preparation was analyzed for the concentration of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine. This was done in 17 controls, 14 patients with psoriasis, four patients with hereditary elliptocytosis, two patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and one patient each with lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sickle cell anemia with mild psoriasis, and progeria. In patients with elevated blood polyamine levels, absorption onto erythrocytes was relatively common, and the spermine/spermidine ratio was useful in localizing abnormalities and characterizing the nature of the polyamine alteration. Proliferative states were associated with elevated spermine/spermidine ratios relative to controls while this relationship was reversed in erythropathies such as hereditary elliptocytosis and sickle cell anemia.", "PMID": 618672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2640", "title": "A practical routine gas chromatographic determination of phenobarbital, primidone and diphenylhydantoin.", "content": "A gas chromatographic method for the routine determination of phenobarbital, primidone and diphenylhydantoin using alkaline extraction and on-column methylation has been developed. The procedure has been optimized for recovery of all three anticonvulsant drugs with particular attention to primidone. Correlation with photometric methods for phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin show the technique offers significant advantages in both accuracy and precision over other methods.", "contents": "A practical routine gas chromatographic determination of phenobarbital, primidone and diphenylhydantoin. A gas chromatographic method for the routine determination of phenobarbital, primidone and diphenylhydantoin using alkaline extraction and on-column methylation has been developed. The procedure has been optimized for recovery of all three anticonvulsant drugs with particular attention to primidone. Correlation with photometric methods for phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin show the technique offers significant advantages in both accuracy and precision over other methods.", "PMID": 618673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2641", "title": "Doubling time alpha-aminoisobutyrate transport and calcium exchange in cultured fibroblasts from cystic fibrosis and control subjects.", "content": "Population doubling time, kinetics of transport of alpha-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) and calcium (Ca) exchange were studied in skin fibroblast monolayers obtained from 5 subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 5 age- and sex-matched controls. Population doubling time as estimated from cell count, protein and DNA was no different in the two groups. KM, Vmax, maximal uptake and time of half maximal uptake of AIB were no different in the two groups. Intracellular Ca pool size based on exchange of 45Ca with unlabelled Ca was significantly greater in monolayers from CF subjects.", "contents": "Doubling time alpha-aminoisobutyrate transport and calcium exchange in cultured fibroblasts from cystic fibrosis and control subjects. Population doubling time, kinetics of transport of alpha-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) and calcium (Ca) exchange were studied in skin fibroblast monolayers obtained from 5 subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 5 age- and sex-matched controls. Population doubling time as estimated from cell count, protein and DNA was no different in the two groups. KM, Vmax, maximal uptake and time of half maximal uptake of AIB were no different in the two groups. Intracellular Ca pool size based on exchange of 45Ca with unlabelled Ca was significantly greater in monolayers from CF subjects.", "PMID": 618674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2642", "title": "A simplified method for the determination of steroids in diets and faeces.", "content": "A simplified method for the quantitative isolation and determination of sterols and bile acids for application in sterol balance studies in humans consuming mixed general food is described. The recovery of steroids from diets and from faeces was found to be quantitative. By application of temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) pre-separation could be omitted from the multistep analytical procedure. Furthermore, it was possible to use simple internal standards, 5alpha-cholestane and/or 5beta-cholanic acid, instead of labeled compounds for the calculation of overall recoveries.", "contents": "A simplified method for the determination of steroids in diets and faeces. A simplified method for the quantitative isolation and determination of sterols and bile acids for application in sterol balance studies in humans consuming mixed general food is described. The recovery of steroids from diets and from faeces was found to be quantitative. By application of temperature programmed gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) pre-separation could be omitted from the multistep analytical procedure. Furthermore, it was possible to use simple internal standards, 5alpha-cholestane and/or 5beta-cholanic acid, instead of labeled compounds for the calculation of overall recoveries.", "PMID": 618675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2643", "title": "Human serum alpha-L-fucosidase.", "content": "Human serum alpha-L-fucosidase has been purified 241 200-fold with 35% yield by an affinity chromatographic procedure utilizing agarose-epsilon-aminocaproyl-fucosamine. Isoelectric focusing of the purified enzyme indicated the presence of several forms, with the form at pI 5.0 comprising the majority of the activity. Assay of the purified alpha-L-fucosidase showed only trace amounts of contaminating glycosidases present, with beta-galactosidase being the largest contamnant (0.5% by activity). Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of two subunits with very similar molecular weights (56 500 and 54 000). Using the p-nitrophenyl substrate, the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase has an apparent Michaelis constant of 0.52 mM and a broad pH optimum centered around pH 4.8 with a second, minor optimum at pH 6.1. Gel filtration on Sepharose 6-B indicated an apparent molecular weight of 296 000 +/- 30 000. Preincubation with antibodies made previously against purified liver alpha-L-fucosidase led to quantitative immunoprecipitation of the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase. Assay of the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase for sialic acid indicated the presence of 1.7 microgram sialic acid per 100 microgram enzyme, about twice that previously found for the purified liver enzyme.", "contents": "Human serum alpha-L-fucosidase. Human serum alpha-L-fucosidase has been purified 241 200-fold with 35% yield by an affinity chromatographic procedure utilizing agarose-epsilon-aminocaproyl-fucosamine. Isoelectric focusing of the purified enzyme indicated the presence of several forms, with the form at pI 5.0 comprising the majority of the activity. Assay of the purified alpha-L-fucosidase showed only trace amounts of contaminating glycosidases present, with beta-galactosidase being the largest contamnant (0.5% by activity). Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of two subunits with very similar molecular weights (56 500 and 54 000). Using the p-nitrophenyl substrate, the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase has an apparent Michaelis constant of 0.52 mM and a broad pH optimum centered around pH 4.8 with a second, minor optimum at pH 6.1. Gel filtration on Sepharose 6-B indicated an apparent molecular weight of 296 000 +/- 30 000. Preincubation with antibodies made previously against purified liver alpha-L-fucosidase led to quantitative immunoprecipitation of the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase. Assay of the purified serum alpha-L-fucosidase for sialic acid indicated the presence of 1.7 microgram sialic acid per 100 microgram enzyme, about twice that previously found for the purified liver enzyme.", "PMID": 618676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2644", "title": "A selective method for determination of methylguanidine in biological fluids. Its application in normal subjects and uremic patients.", "content": "A selective analytical method for the determination of methylguanidine in plasma in biological fluids has been developed. Methylguanidine is extracted in a column to dichloromethane as an ion pair with hexanitrodiphenylamine (dipicrylamine). It is isolated from coextracted compounds by partition chromatography as the picrate ion-pair. The methylguanidine fraction is collected and after reextraction to a buffer solution the methylguanidine content is quantitatively determined photometrically as picrate. An absolute recovery of 95 +/- 5% was obtained in the concentration range 1.5-10 microgram/ml plasma. The concentration of methylguanidine in plasma was higher in uremic patients, (44.4 +/- 5.71 mumol/l in conservatively-treated and 42.4 +/- 7.87 mumol/l in dialysis-treated patients) than in normal subjects, (4.0 mumol/l), but still lower than reported by other investigators using non-specific methods and also lower than the concentrations found to be toxic in experimental animals. There was a significant correlation between methylguanidine and creatinine concentration but no correlation between methylguanidine and urea concentration in plasma. No obvious relation was found between plasma methylguanidine concentration and various uremic symptoms, mode of treatment or protein intake.", "contents": "A selective method for determination of methylguanidine in biological fluids. Its application in normal subjects and uremic patients. A selective analytical method for the determination of methylguanidine in plasma in biological fluids has been developed. Methylguanidine is extracted in a column to dichloromethane as an ion pair with hexanitrodiphenylamine (dipicrylamine). It is isolated from coextracted compounds by partition chromatography as the picrate ion-pair. The methylguanidine fraction is collected and after reextraction to a buffer solution the methylguanidine content is quantitatively determined photometrically as picrate. An absolute recovery of 95 +/- 5% was obtained in the concentration range 1.5-10 microgram/ml plasma. The concentration of methylguanidine in plasma was higher in uremic patients, (44.4 +/- 5.71 mumol/l in conservatively-treated and 42.4 +/- 7.87 mumol/l in dialysis-treated patients) than in normal subjects, (4.0 mumol/l), but still lower than reported by other investigators using non-specific methods and also lower than the concentrations found to be toxic in experimental animals. There was a significant correlation between methylguanidine and creatinine concentration but no correlation between methylguanidine and urea concentration in plasma. No obvious relation was found between plasma methylguanidine concentration and various uremic symptoms, mode of treatment or protein intake.", "PMID": 618677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2645", "title": "A simplified radioimmunoassay procedure for serum progesterone.", "content": "A simple, rapid radioimmunoassay for progesterone in unextracted serum is described. Cortisol is used to inhibit progesterone binding to corticosteroid binding globulin. The method has been optimised for the determination of progesterone in pregnancy sera or in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.", "contents": "A simplified radioimmunoassay procedure for serum progesterone. A simple, rapid radioimmunoassay for progesterone in unextracted serum is described. Cortisol is used to inhibit progesterone binding to corticosteroid binding globulin. The method has been optimised for the determination of progesterone in pregnancy sera or in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.", "PMID": 618678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2646", "title": "Prevalence of unsuspected urinary bacterial contamination: effects of screening tests for detection of inborn errors of metabolism.", "content": "Hospitals and doctors submitting urine samples to a central reference laboratory screening for inborn errors of metabolism had been given precise instructions on sample handling designed to prevent growth of contaminating bacteria. 140 consecutive samples were examined bacteriologically and 22% had a heavy growth of bacteria (greater than 10(5) organisms/ml). Contamination was commonest in samples from children under 2 years. Normal human urine samples spiked with various amino acids were inoculated with pure cultures of different urinary pathogens and then incubated, with control samples, at 37 degrees C. Urinary amino acids were measured either semi-quantitatively by high-voltage electrophoresis or quantitatively by ion-exchange chromatography. Very wide-ranging changes in amino acid levels were noted in some inoculated samples after incubation. In two urine samples spiked with 8 mg/ml arginine, this had disappeared after 24-48 h. Unsuspected urinary bacterial contamination may be a more important source of false positive and false negative results in the investigation of disorders of amino-acid metabolism than previously supposed.", "contents": "Prevalence of unsuspected urinary bacterial contamination: effects of screening tests for detection of inborn errors of metabolism. Hospitals and doctors submitting urine samples to a central reference laboratory screening for inborn errors of metabolism had been given precise instructions on sample handling designed to prevent growth of contaminating bacteria. 140 consecutive samples were examined bacteriologically and 22% had a heavy growth of bacteria (greater than 10(5) organisms/ml). Contamination was commonest in samples from children under 2 years. Normal human urine samples spiked with various amino acids were inoculated with pure cultures of different urinary pathogens and then incubated, with control samples, at 37 degrees C. Urinary amino acids were measured either semi-quantitatively by high-voltage electrophoresis or quantitatively by ion-exchange chromatography. Very wide-ranging changes in amino acid levels were noted in some inoculated samples after incubation. In two urine samples spiked with 8 mg/ml arginine, this had disappeared after 24-48 h. Unsuspected urinary bacterial contamination may be a more important source of false positive and false negative results in the investigation of disorders of amino-acid metabolism than previously supposed.", "PMID": 618679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2647", "title": "Dipeptidyl peptidases in human muscle disease.", "content": "With the use of selective inhibitors of arylamidase, four dipeptyl peptidases (I, II, III, and IV) capable of hydrolyzing the beta-naphthylamides of Gly-Arg, Lys-Ala, Arg-Arg and Gly-Pro, respectively, were distinguished in homogenates of human muscle. Dipeptidyl peptidase I showed maximum activity at pH 5.0-6.0. Dipeptidyl peptidase II was maximally active at pH 5.0 and inhibited by cations. Dipeptidyl peptidases III and IV were most active at pH 8.5 and 7.5, respectively. When compared to controls, significant increases in muscle dipeptidyl peptidases I and II were observed in patients with muscular dystrophies and polymyositis. Dipeptidyl peptidase III was not altered in the neuromuscular disease examined. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV showed marked increase in a variety of muscle wasting conditions. The increase in dipeptidyl peptidases I and II may be attributed to lysosomal activation that is known to occur in conditions of muscle degeneration. However, the striking increase in a variety of muscle diseases of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, an enzyme shown to be associated with microsomal membranes in other tissues, suggest that in addition to lysosomes other sources also contribute to the total hydrolytic potential of diseased muscles. Dipeptidyl peptidases II and IV were found to be present in human serum. Their levels were not altered in serum of patients with Duchenne dystrophy.", "contents": "Dipeptidyl peptidases in human muscle disease. With the use of selective inhibitors of arylamidase, four dipeptyl peptidases (I, II, III, and IV) capable of hydrolyzing the beta-naphthylamides of Gly-Arg, Lys-Ala, Arg-Arg and Gly-Pro, respectively, were distinguished in homogenates of human muscle. Dipeptidyl peptidase I showed maximum activity at pH 5.0-6.0. Dipeptidyl peptidase II was maximally active at pH 5.0 and inhibited by cations. Dipeptidyl peptidases III and IV were most active at pH 8.5 and 7.5, respectively. When compared to controls, significant increases in muscle dipeptidyl peptidases I and II were observed in patients with muscular dystrophies and polymyositis. Dipeptidyl peptidase III was not altered in the neuromuscular disease examined. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV showed marked increase in a variety of muscle wasting conditions. The increase in dipeptidyl peptidases I and II may be attributed to lysosomal activation that is known to occur in conditions of muscle degeneration. However, the striking increase in a variety of muscle diseases of dipeptidyl peptidase IV, an enzyme shown to be associated with microsomal membranes in other tissues, suggest that in addition to lysosomes other sources also contribute to the total hydrolytic potential of diseased muscles. Dipeptidyl peptidases II and IV were found to be present in human serum. Their levels were not altered in serum of patients with Duchenne dystrophy.", "PMID": 618680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2648", "title": "Quantitative evaluation of insulin antibodies by radiochemical analysis.", "content": "A method is described for determining insulin antibodies, and some applications are reported, concerning 45 patients, 30 with diabetic pathology, 15 of them receiving insulin. The diagnostic tool proved useful.", "contents": "Quantitative evaluation of insulin antibodies by radiochemical analysis. A method is described for determining insulin antibodies, and some applications are reported, concerning 45 patients, 30 with diabetic pathology, 15 of them receiving insulin. The diagnostic tool proved useful.", "PMID": 618682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2649", "title": "Heme synthetase activity in normal human and rat erythroid cells and in sideroblastic anemia.", "content": "The enzyme heme synthetase, involved in the final step of the biosynthesis of heme, has been assessed in rat and human bone marrow and peripheral blood. The pH optimum of the enzyme in bone marrow appeared to be pH 7.6, whereas the Michaelis constant in human and rat bone marrow was found to be 1.6 micrometer and 0.6 micrometer, respectively. Rat reticulocytes showed approximately 100-times higher heme synthetase activities than did rat erythrocytes. By contrast, human reticulocytes did not show significantly higher activities than human erythrocytes. This difference between rat and human reticulocytes could be confirmed by in vitro experiments with intact cells in which iron uptake and heme synthesis of human and rat cells were compared. Finally, heme synthetase activity was assessed in bone marrow cells of two patients with sideroblastic anemia. In both cases the enzyme activities were found to be comparable to those in control bone marrow.", "contents": "Heme synthetase activity in normal human and rat erythroid cells and in sideroblastic anemia. The enzyme heme synthetase, involved in the final step of the biosynthesis of heme, has been assessed in rat and human bone marrow and peripheral blood. The pH optimum of the enzyme in bone marrow appeared to be pH 7.6, whereas the Michaelis constant in human and rat bone marrow was found to be 1.6 micrometer and 0.6 micrometer, respectively. Rat reticulocytes showed approximately 100-times higher heme synthetase activities than did rat erythrocytes. By contrast, human reticulocytes did not show significantly higher activities than human erythrocytes. This difference between rat and human reticulocytes could be confirmed by in vitro experiments with intact cells in which iron uptake and heme synthesis of human and rat cells were compared. Finally, heme synthetase activity was assessed in bone marrow cells of two patients with sideroblastic anemia. In both cases the enzyme activities were found to be comparable to those in control bone marrow.", "PMID": 618683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2650", "title": "The effect of glucose oral administration on hyperammonemia in cirrhotics.", "content": "In order to investigate the controverted effect of glucose on hyperammonemia the diet of eight advanced cirrhotics was supplemented hourly, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with 20 g of glucose orally. Plasma insulin and arterial and median cubital venous ammonia levels were measured hourly and the results were compared to those of a control test performed in the same patients without glucose supplementation. In the control test the lunch (protein meal) induced an identical rise in arterial and venous ammonia levels (+40 +/- 3 and +36 +/- 5 microgram/100 ml, respectively). With glucose supplementation plasma insulin rose significantly and the arterial ammonia increase produced by lunch (+42 +/- 3 microgram/100 ml) did not differ from that observed in the control test; but the rise in venous ammonemia was lower (+12 +/- 4 microgram/100 ml; p less than 0.01) with a significant increase in arterio-venous ammonia difference. These results suggest that oral glucose administration increases the peripheral muscular ammonia uptake through a mechanism which remains to be elucidated but which is inefficient for arterial hyperammonemia.", "contents": "The effect of glucose oral administration on hyperammonemia in cirrhotics. In order to investigate the controverted effect of glucose on hyperammonemia the diet of eight advanced cirrhotics was supplemented hourly, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with 20 g of glucose orally. Plasma insulin and arterial and median cubital venous ammonia levels were measured hourly and the results were compared to those of a control test performed in the same patients without glucose supplementation. In the control test the lunch (protein meal) induced an identical rise in arterial and venous ammonia levels (+40 +/- 3 and +36 +/- 5 microgram/100 ml, respectively). With glucose supplementation plasma insulin rose significantly and the arterial ammonia increase produced by lunch (+42 +/- 3 microgram/100 ml) did not differ from that observed in the control test; but the rise in venous ammonemia was lower (+12 +/- 4 microgram/100 ml; p less than 0.01) with a significant increase in arterio-venous ammonia difference. These results suggest that oral glucose administration increases the peripheral muscular ammonia uptake through a mechanism which remains to be elucidated but which is inefficient for arterial hyperammonemia.", "PMID": 618684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2651", "title": "Nepsilon-(beta-Aspartyl)lysinuria in children with various pathological conditions.", "content": "The isolation, identification, and quantitative determination of an unusual urinary dipeptide, Nepsilon-(beta-aspartyl)lysine, is described, as well as its synthesis. This compound was observed in children in various disease states, but without any correlation with a particular symptom. Its origin is discussed.", "contents": "Nepsilon-(beta-Aspartyl)lysinuria in children with various pathological conditions. The isolation, identification, and quantitative determination of an unusual urinary dipeptide, Nepsilon-(beta-aspartyl)lysine, is described, as well as its synthesis. This compound was observed in children in various disease states, but without any correlation with a particular symptom. Its origin is discussed.", "PMID": 618685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2652", "title": "A new method for determination of oxalate in blood serum by gas chromatography.", "content": "A method for the determination of blood oxalate by gas chromatography is described. After clarification of the serum with acetone, the oxalate was extracted, ethylated and analysed on a gas chromatograph. The concentration of oxalate in the sample was determined by comparison with the elution pattern of diethylmalonate used as an internal standard. Using this technique, the recovery of added oxalate was more than 80%. Normal subjects were found to have blood oxalate levels of 27 mumol/l or less.", "contents": "A new method for determination of oxalate in blood serum by gas chromatography. A method for the determination of blood oxalate by gas chromatography is described. After clarification of the serum with acetone, the oxalate was extracted, ethylated and analysed on a gas chromatograph. The concentration of oxalate in the sample was determined by comparison with the elution pattern of diethylmalonate used as an internal standard. Using this technique, the recovery of added oxalate was more than 80%. Normal subjects were found to have blood oxalate levels of 27 mumol/l or less.", "PMID": 618686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2653", "title": "The variability of metabolite excretion in propionicacidaemia.", "content": "Random urine samples from eight patients with propionicacidaemia were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in order to see if a consistent metabolite pattern with a high diagnostic value could be found. However, wide variations were observed. The presence of 3-hydroxypropionate and/or methylcitrate were considered to be diagnostic of propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency. In addition, samples from ketotic periods frequently contained 3-hydroxy-n-valerate and 3-oxo-n-valerate.", "contents": "The variability of metabolite excretion in propionicacidaemia. Random urine samples from eight patients with propionicacidaemia were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in order to see if a consistent metabolite pattern with a high diagnostic value could be found. However, wide variations were observed. The presence of 3-hydroxypropionate and/or methylcitrate were considered to be diagnostic of propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency. In addition, samples from ketotic periods frequently contained 3-hydroxy-n-valerate and 3-oxo-n-valerate.", "PMID": 618687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2654", "title": "The design of a training program for adolescent medicine. Thoughts of fellows in training.", "content": "Program design for training in Adolescent Medicine is still in an evolutionary state. Postgraduate fellows and program directors have different perceptions with regard to the importance of various components of the ideal training program. Fellows indicate a higher priority for problems associated with the female reproductive system than do their mentors. Inpatient experience received lesser emphasis by the Fellows. Adolescent Medicine as a subspecialty discipline is discouraged.", "contents": "The design of a training program for adolescent medicine. Thoughts of fellows in training. Program design for training in Adolescent Medicine is still in an evolutionary state. Postgraduate fellows and program directors have different perceptions with regard to the importance of various components of the ideal training program. Fellows indicate a higher priority for problems associated with the female reproductive system than do their mentors. Inpatient experience received lesser emphasis by the Fellows. Adolescent Medicine as a subspecialty discipline is discouraged.", "PMID": 618693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2655", "title": "Diabetic day. Setting goals for a child-directed ambulatory program.", "content": "The techniques of management by objective have been used to coordinate and evaluate the activities of a non-traditional program for the medical care and education of children with juvenile diabetes mellitus. \"Diabetic Day\" is an ambulatory child-directed clinic program in which health professionals work together to improve the child's ability to cope with diabetes.", "contents": "Diabetic day. Setting goals for a child-directed ambulatory program. The techniques of management by objective have been used to coordinate and evaluate the activities of a non-traditional program for the medical care and education of children with juvenile diabetes mellitus. \"Diabetic Day\" is an ambulatory child-directed clinic program in which health professionals work together to improve the child's ability to cope with diabetes.", "PMID": 618697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2656", "title": "Caring for parents of sick newborns.", "content": "This paper is concerned with the care needed by parents who give birth to a \"high risk\" infant. Interviews with eight families demonstrate the diversity of responses to this anxiety-producing situation.", "contents": "Caring for parents of sick newborns. This paper is concerned with the care needed by parents who give birth to a \"high risk\" infant. Interviews with eight families demonstrate the diversity of responses to this anxiety-producing situation.", "PMID": 618698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2657", "title": "Who should accept primary responsibility for the encopretic child? A successful pediatric program based on dietary control, bowel training, and family counseling.", "content": "Such a program was used to treat 18 encopretic children; 17 improved and 14 became completely free of soiling. Most encopretic children can be managed by pediatricians and only those children with severe emotional disorders require psychiatric referral.", "contents": "Who should accept primary responsibility for the encopretic child? A successful pediatric program based on dietary control, bowel training, and family counseling. Such a program was used to treat 18 encopretic children; 17 improved and 14 became completely free of soiling. Most encopretic children can be managed by pediatricians and only those children with severe emotional disorders require psychiatric referral.", "PMID": 618700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2658", "title": "The utility of clonazepam in epilepsy of various types. Observations with 22 childhood cases.", "content": "Clonazepam, a new anticonvulsant, appears to be useful for childhood minor motor seizures and for petit mal refractory to Ethosuximide and Trimethadione. It appears less effective in infantile spasms though may be beneficial when there is no response to steroids. It is variably effective in partial complex and focal epilepsy and may exacerbate tonic seizures. A transient disadvantage is the high incidence of side effects, especially lethargy and ataxia, though these may be transitory. Aggressivity and hyperkinesis may necessitate medication withdrawal. Some children who initially respond to therapy and then relapse may respond again to a higher dosage.", "contents": "The utility of clonazepam in epilepsy of various types. Observations with 22 childhood cases. Clonazepam, a new anticonvulsant, appears to be useful for childhood minor motor seizures and for petit mal refractory to Ethosuximide and Trimethadione. It appears less effective in infantile spasms though may be beneficial when there is no response to steroids. It is variably effective in partial complex and focal epilepsy and may exacerbate tonic seizures. A transient disadvantage is the high incidence of side effects, especially lethargy and ataxia, though these may be transitory. Aggressivity and hyperkinesis may necessitate medication withdrawal. Some children who initially respond to therapy and then relapse may respond again to a higher dosage.", "PMID": 618701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2659", "title": "Trichorhinophalangeal dysplasia (Giedion syndrome). A case report.", "content": "This rare syndrome is characterized by short stature, sparse, fine scalp hair, a pear-shaped nose, long philtrum, normal intelligence, and cone-shaped epiphyses of the phalanges with deformities of the fingers.", "contents": "Trichorhinophalangeal dysplasia (Giedion syndrome). A case report. This rare syndrome is characterized by short stature, sparse, fine scalp hair, a pear-shaped nose, long philtrum, normal intelligence, and cone-shaped epiphyses of the phalanges with deformities of the fingers.", "PMID": 618703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2660", "title": "A psychological perspective for double-blind trials.", "content": "Blind breaking is likely to occur in a long-term clinical trial involving subjects at risk. Double-blind conditions require subjects to live with ambiguity regarding their health status. It is unrealistic to expect them to tolerate this ambiguity over an extended period of time. A logical step for a subject is to break the blind and surreptitiously seek the best medical care available. Moreover, the staff assigned to monitor protocol adherence may further contribute to blind breaking because of ambiguity regarding their proper clinical role. Several steps are recommended to manage blind breaking within a trial, including improving the quality of medical care, more rigorous screening procedures, and maintaining a clinical environment that promotes accurate disclosure of blind breaking.", "contents": "A psychological perspective for double-blind trials. Blind breaking is likely to occur in a long-term clinical trial involving subjects at risk. Double-blind conditions require subjects to live with ambiguity regarding their health status. It is unrealistic to expect them to tolerate this ambiguity over an extended period of time. A logical step for a subject is to break the blind and surreptitiously seek the best medical care available. Moreover, the staff assigned to monitor protocol adherence may further contribute to blind breaking because of ambiguity regarding their proper clinical role. Several steps are recommended to manage blind breaking within a trial, including improving the quality of medical care, more rigorous screening procedures, and maintaining a clinical environment that promotes accurate disclosure of blind breaking.", "PMID": 618704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2661", "title": "Hemodynamic effects of trimazosin in patients with left ventricular failure.", "content": "Trimazosin is a new quinazoline derivative vasodilator previously thought to act primarily on resistance vessels. Vasodilators characteristically improve hemodynamics in patients with left ventricular failure. Trimazosin in single oral doses of 100 to 300 mg was given to 6 patients with class III-IV congestive heart failure due to ischemic or primary cardiomyopathy and hemodynamics were monitored for 4 hr. Onset of action was apparent at 1 hr, with peak effects occurring at 1 to 3 hr and significant effects persisting at 4 hr. At peak, mean systemic arterial pressure fell from 91.2 +/- 4.8 (SEM) to 82.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (p less than 0.05), heart rate was unchanged, and cardiac index (by dye dilution) was up to 2.12 +/- 0.27 from 1.76 +/- 0.33 L/min/m2 (NS). Right heart pressures (by Swan-Ganz catheterization) were reduced, right atrial, 11.3 +/- 2.1 to 8.7 +/- 1.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.02), mean pulmonary arterial pressure, 40.7 +/- 4.6 to 33.8 +/- 4.8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), and pulmonary arterial wedge, 30.7 +/- 4.5 to 23.8 +/- 5.0 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). Forearm venous capacitance, by occlusion plethysmography, increased from 0.83 +/- 0.18 ml/100 gm to 1.12 +/- 0.22 ml/100 gm after trimazosin (p less than 0.01). Trimazosin is an orally effective vasodilator that acts on both resistance and capacitance vessels in patients with congestive heart failure.", "contents": "Hemodynamic effects of trimazosin in patients with left ventricular failure. Trimazosin is a new quinazoline derivative vasodilator previously thought to act primarily on resistance vessels. Vasodilators characteristically improve hemodynamics in patients with left ventricular failure. Trimazosin in single oral doses of 100 to 300 mg was given to 6 patients with class III-IV congestive heart failure due to ischemic or primary cardiomyopathy and hemodynamics were monitored for 4 hr. Onset of action was apparent at 1 hr, with peak effects occurring at 1 to 3 hr and significant effects persisting at 4 hr. At peak, mean systemic arterial pressure fell from 91.2 +/- 4.8 (SEM) to 82.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (p less than 0.05), heart rate was unchanged, and cardiac index (by dye dilution) was up to 2.12 +/- 0.27 from 1.76 +/- 0.33 L/min/m2 (NS). Right heart pressures (by Swan-Ganz catheterization) were reduced, right atrial, 11.3 +/- 2.1 to 8.7 +/- 1.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.02), mean pulmonary arterial pressure, 40.7 +/- 4.6 to 33.8 +/- 4.8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), and pulmonary arterial wedge, 30.7 +/- 4.5 to 23.8 +/- 5.0 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). Forearm venous capacitance, by occlusion plethysmography, increased from 0.83 +/- 0.18 ml/100 gm to 1.12 +/- 0.22 ml/100 gm after trimazosin (p less than 0.01). Trimazosin is an orally effective vasodilator that acts on both resistance and capacitance vessels in patients with congestive heart failure.", "PMID": 618705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2662", "title": "Serum digoxin and empiric methods in identification of digitoxicity.", "content": "A prospective study of consecutive patients admitted to a medical service was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac digitalis toxicity and the relative diagnostic values of serum digoxin versus an empiric method, based on calculations of digoxin dose in relation to kidney function and body weight. Of 711 patients admitted, 109 were treated with digitalis on admission. Sixteen of the patients developed cardiac arrhythmias consistent with digitalis intoxication. Five of these, none with serum digoxin above 1.6 ng/ml, were not toxic. The remaining eleven patients, all with serum digoxin levels above 1.6 ng/ml, were either definitely or possibly toxic. A similar borderline between intoxicated and nonintoxicated patients could not be established on the basis of calculations based on body weight and renal function. In all cases in which suspicion of digitalis intoxication was raised, serum digoxin measurements could discriminate between the toxic and the nontoxic patients.", "contents": "Serum digoxin and empiric methods in identification of digitoxicity. A prospective study of consecutive patients admitted to a medical service was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac digitalis toxicity and the relative diagnostic values of serum digoxin versus an empiric method, based on calculations of digoxin dose in relation to kidney function and body weight. Of 711 patients admitted, 109 were treated with digitalis on admission. Sixteen of the patients developed cardiac arrhythmias consistent with digitalis intoxication. Five of these, none with serum digoxin above 1.6 ng/ml, were not toxic. The remaining eleven patients, all with serum digoxin levels above 1.6 ng/ml, were either definitely or possibly toxic. A similar borderline between intoxicated and nonintoxicated patients could not be established on the basis of calculations based on body weight and renal function. In all cases in which suspicion of digitalis intoxication was raised, serum digoxin measurements could discriminate between the toxic and the nontoxic patients.", "PMID": 618706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2663", "title": "Determination of procainamide acetylator status.", "content": "Variation in renal function can obscure the measurement of acetylator status for compounds such as procainamide in which appreciable active drug or acetyl metabolite is excreted in urine. Computer simulations and patient studies were used to compare two common metabolite/drug ratio methods and a proposed clearance technique for phenotyping acetylation rate. The calculation of apparent acetylation clearance from steady-state serum concentrations of procainamide and urinary excretion rates of N-acetyl-procainamide provides the most definitive discrimination between fast and slow acetylators.", "contents": "Determination of procainamide acetylator status. Variation in renal function can obscure the measurement of acetylator status for compounds such as procainamide in which appreciable active drug or acetyl metabolite is excreted in urine. Computer simulations and patient studies were used to compare two common metabolite/drug ratio methods and a proposed clearance technique for phenotyping acetylation rate. The calculation of apparent acetylation clearance from steady-state serum concentrations of procainamide and urinary excretion rates of N-acetyl-procainamide provides the most definitive discrimination between fast and slow acetylators.", "PMID": 618707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2664", "title": "Binding of quinidine to plasma proteins in normal subjects and in patients with hyperlipoproteinemias.", "content": "Quinidine in the plasma binds to various lipoproteins as well as to albumin. With the use of computer simulations the effect of varying the serum level of each of the lipoproteins as well as albumin was examined. The results suggested that the overall binding of quinidine is relatively insensitive to changes in any one serum protein provided the others are present in normal concentrations. Evaluation of the degree of protein binding of quinidine in plasma from normal subjects and patients with types IV and IIa hyperlipoproteinemias supported the computer predictions. The degree of protein binding in plasma from normal subjects and patients with types IV and IIA hyperlipoproteinemias were 71.2% +/- 11.4%, 75.9% +/- 8.7%, and 69.9% +/- 15.0%, respectively. The quinidine binding in plasma of patients with hyperlipoproteinemias did not differ statistically from that in the normal subjects.", "contents": "Binding of quinidine to plasma proteins in normal subjects and in patients with hyperlipoproteinemias. Quinidine in the plasma binds to various lipoproteins as well as to albumin. With the use of computer simulations the effect of varying the serum level of each of the lipoproteins as well as albumin was examined. The results suggested that the overall binding of quinidine is relatively insensitive to changes in any one serum protein provided the others are present in normal concentrations. Evaluation of the degree of protein binding of quinidine in plasma from normal subjects and patients with types IV and IIa hyperlipoproteinemias supported the computer predictions. The degree of protein binding in plasma from normal subjects and patients with types IV and IIA hyperlipoproteinemias were 71.2% +/- 11.4%, 75.9% +/- 8.7%, and 69.9% +/- 15.0%, respectively. The quinidine binding in plasma of patients with hyperlipoproteinemias did not differ statistically from that in the normal subjects.", "PMID": 618708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2665", "title": "Effect of pleural effusion on high-dose methotrexate kinetics.", "content": "The kinetics of methotrexate were followed in a patient given two 6-hr infusions of 400 mg/kg in the presence and absence of a pleural effusion. Although the decline in serum concentrations during the first 30 hr after the infusion was similar for the two treatment courses, the half-life beginning 30 hr after the infusion was 6.7 hr without the pleural effusion and 14.4 hr with the pleural effusion. Comparison of the intercompartment distribution rate constants indicated slower movement of the drug back into the central compartment from the peripheral compartment when a pleural effusion was present. Pleural fluid methotrexate concentrations were consistently higher than serum concentrations. These data indicate that the increased risk of toxicity following high-dose methotrexate in patients with pleural effusions is due to changes in methotrexate kinetics resulting in delayed excretion.", "contents": "Effect of pleural effusion on high-dose methotrexate kinetics. The kinetics of methotrexate were followed in a patient given two 6-hr infusions of 400 mg/kg in the presence and absence of a pleural effusion. Although the decline in serum concentrations during the first 30 hr after the infusion was similar for the two treatment courses, the half-life beginning 30 hr after the infusion was 6.7 hr without the pleural effusion and 14.4 hr with the pleural effusion. Comparison of the intercompartment distribution rate constants indicated slower movement of the drug back into the central compartment from the peripheral compartment when a pleural effusion was present. Pleural fluid methotrexate concentrations were consistently higher than serum concentrations. These data indicate that the increased risk of toxicity following high-dose methotrexate in patients with pleural effusions is due to changes in methotrexate kinetics resulting in delayed excretion.", "PMID": 618710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2666", "title": "A clinical safety trial of stroma-free hemoglobin.", "content": "A stroma-free hemoglobin (SFH) solution was prepared which was sterile, pyrogen free, and contained only 1.2% of the stromal lipid present in unpurified hemolysate, 250 ml of which was administered slowly intravenously to 8 healthy men. Two control subjects received 250 ml of serum albumin. The SFH infusions were generally well tolerated by 7 of the 8 men. One subject developed abdominal pain and costovertebral angle tenderness after infusion, which disappeared within 48 hr. Bradycardia and a mild increase in blood pressure was present during ths SFH infusions and for 4 to 5 hr thereafter. A decrease in urine output and endogenous creatinine clearance appeared during the SFH infusions and for 2 to 4 hr after infusion. A mild prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time developed immediately after infusion. Gross hemoglobinuria appeared as expected during the SFH infusions and completely disappeared by 6 to 10 hr after infusion. All the cardiovascular, renal, and clotting changes were present for only a few hours after the SFH infusion, during the hemoglobinemia (free Hb in plasma). At 24 hr and 7 days after infusion all measurements were normal, and 6 mo follow-up showed no abnormalities or hepatitis.", "contents": "A clinical safety trial of stroma-free hemoglobin. A stroma-free hemoglobin (SFH) solution was prepared which was sterile, pyrogen free, and contained only 1.2% of the stromal lipid present in unpurified hemolysate, 250 ml of which was administered slowly intravenously to 8 healthy men. Two control subjects received 250 ml of serum albumin. The SFH infusions were generally well tolerated by 7 of the 8 men. One subject developed abdominal pain and costovertebral angle tenderness after infusion, which disappeared within 48 hr. Bradycardia and a mild increase in blood pressure was present during ths SFH infusions and for 4 to 5 hr thereafter. A decrease in urine output and endogenous creatinine clearance appeared during the SFH infusions and for 2 to 4 hr after infusion. A mild prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time developed immediately after infusion. Gross hemoglobinuria appeared as expected during the SFH infusions and completely disappeared by 6 to 10 hr after infusion. All the cardiovascular, renal, and clotting changes were present for only a few hours after the SFH infusion, during the hemoglobinemia (free Hb in plasma). At 24 hr and 7 days after infusion all measurements were normal, and 6 mo follow-up showed no abnormalities or hepatitis.", "PMID": 618711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2667", "title": "Renal function studies in normal and toxemic pregnant sheep.", "content": "Renal blood and plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and maximal tubular transport of PAH (TmPAH) were measured in nonpregnant and twin-pregnant sheep. Twin-pregnant animals were studied during normal pregnancy as well as during ovine pregnancy toxemia artificially produced by starvation. All animals were surgically prepared with aortic, post caval and renal vein cannulas at least one week prior to experimentation. Total renal blood and plasma flow was found to be elevated during pregnancy, but if expressed on the basis of body weight no changes were noted. Starvation and the resultant development of hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia caused a 25-30% decline in renal blood and plasma flow. GFR in pregnant fed sheep (193 ml/min or 2.7 ml/kg.min) was significantly higher (P less than .001) than that of nonpregnant ewes (118 or 2.3 ml/kg min). During ovine pregnancy toxemia the GFR was significantly (P less than .001) diminished (142 ml/min or 2.0 ml/kg min). TmPAH also was significantly higher (179 mg/min or 2.5 mg/kg min) in pregnant animals when compared to nonpregnant ewes (98 mg/min or 1.9 mg/kg min.), but starvation had no effect on Tm PAH in pregnant sheep. It thus appears that a functional renal hypertrophy occurs during pregnancy which is similar to that which follows unilateral nephrectomy or renal disease. During ovine pregnancy toxemia the diminution of renal function probably results from the metabolic derangements and is thus not comparable to human preeclampsia.", "contents": "Renal function studies in normal and toxemic pregnant sheep. Renal blood and plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and maximal tubular transport of PAH (TmPAH) were measured in nonpregnant and twin-pregnant sheep. Twin-pregnant animals were studied during normal pregnancy as well as during ovine pregnancy toxemia artificially produced by starvation. All animals were surgically prepared with aortic, post caval and renal vein cannulas at least one week prior to experimentation. Total renal blood and plasma flow was found to be elevated during pregnancy, but if expressed on the basis of body weight no changes were noted. Starvation and the resultant development of hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia caused a 25-30% decline in renal blood and plasma flow. GFR in pregnant fed sheep (193 ml/min or 2.7 ml/kg.min) was significantly higher (P less than .001) than that of nonpregnant ewes (118 or 2.3 ml/kg min). During ovine pregnancy toxemia the GFR was significantly (P less than .001) diminished (142 ml/min or 2.0 ml/kg min). TmPAH also was significantly higher (179 mg/min or 2.5 mg/kg min) in pregnant animals when compared to nonpregnant ewes (98 mg/min or 1.9 mg/kg min.), but starvation had no effect on Tm PAH in pregnant sheep. It thus appears that a functional renal hypertrophy occurs during pregnancy which is similar to that which follows unilateral nephrectomy or renal disease. During ovine pregnancy toxemia the diminution of renal function probably results from the metabolic derangements and is thus not comparable to human preeclampsia.", "PMID": 618713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2668", "title": "Relationships between teat-end bacteria and intramammary infections.", "content": "Teat-end populations of staphylococci and streptococci were studied on teat apices of an experimental herd. Individual cows were found to have higher numbers of some of these microorganisms than other cows and certain teats had consistently higher populations than other teats in the same individual. A positive relationship was found between the numbers of staphylococci on teat-ends and presence of intramammary infections of the quarters. High teat-end bacterial numbers were present prior to the laboratory recognition of intramammary infections.", "contents": "Relationships between teat-end bacteria and intramammary infections. Teat-end populations of staphylococci and streptococci were studied on teat apices of an experimental herd. Individual cows were found to have higher numbers of some of these microorganisms than other cows and certain teats had consistently higher populations than other teats in the same individual. A positive relationship was found between the numbers of staphylococci on teat-ends and presence of intramammary infections of the quarters. High teat-end bacterial numbers were present prior to the laboratory recognition of intramammary infections.", "PMID": 618714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2669", "title": "Anencephaly in calves.", "content": "Anencephaly occurred in four calves and was characterized by cranioschisis, absence of the diencephalon with the cerebral hemispheres and rostral midbrain, various forms of eye defects, and relatively normal development of caudal brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Amorphous dysplastic vestiges of the cerebral tissue protruded into the cranial defects. Morphologic features varied but were essentially similar. The cerebellum was absent in one case. Anencephaly in calves at least those we observed and defined in this study is localized defect confined to the brain, eye and skull. No spinal defect was observed in the calves.", "contents": "Anencephaly in calves. Anencephaly occurred in four calves and was characterized by cranioschisis, absence of the diencephalon with the cerebral hemispheres and rostral midbrain, various forms of eye defects, and relatively normal development of caudal brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Amorphous dysplastic vestiges of the cerebral tissue protruded into the cranial defects. Morphologic features varied but were essentially similar. The cerebellum was absent in one case. Anencephaly in calves at least those we observed and defined in this study is localized defect confined to the brain, eye and skull. No spinal defect was observed in the calves.", "PMID": 618715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2670", "title": "An outbreak of tularemia in mink.", "content": "An outbreak of tularemia in farm raised mink is reported. Twenty-six of approximately 5000 mink succumbed within a 10 day period. Prodromal signs were minimal. Necropsy revealed necrotic nodules scattered in the parenchyma of the lungs, liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Francisella tularensis was isolated from spleens, livers and lungs.", "contents": "An outbreak of tularemia in mink. An outbreak of tularemia in farm raised mink is reported. Twenty-six of approximately 5000 mink succumbed within a 10 day period. Prodromal signs were minimal. Necropsy revealed necrotic nodules scattered in the parenchyma of the lungs, liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Francisella tularensis was isolated from spleens, livers and lungs.", "PMID": 618716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2671", "title": "Serological types of Pasteurella haemolytica in Kenya.", "content": "The 12 known serotypes of P. haemolytica and two biotypes A and T were found to occur in Kenya. Biotype T was more common in disease conditions than biotype A, which was more common in the nasal passages of healthy animals. Only biotypes A strains were recovered from cattle and the majority were serotypes 1 and 2, but serotypes 4 and 11 were also isolated. All serotypes were found to occur in sheep and goats, but serotypes 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were more commonly associated with pneumonia. It was observed that chickens could harbour both biotypes A and T in pathological conditions. Biotype A serotype 2 was isolated from an adult wildebeest, but the prevalence of P. haemolytica in wild animals needs furter investigation.", "contents": "Serological types of Pasteurella haemolytica in Kenya. The 12 known serotypes of P. haemolytica and two biotypes A and T were found to occur in Kenya. Biotype T was more common in disease conditions than biotype A, which was more common in the nasal passages of healthy animals. Only biotypes A strains were recovered from cattle and the majority were serotypes 1 and 2, but serotypes 4 and 11 were also isolated. All serotypes were found to occur in sheep and goats, but serotypes 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were more commonly associated with pneumonia. It was observed that chickens could harbour both biotypes A and T in pathological conditions. Biotype A serotype 2 was isolated from an adult wildebeest, but the prevalence of P. haemolytica in wild animals needs furter investigation.", "PMID": 618717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2672", "title": "A Robertsonian translocations in the female cells of a bull, co-twin to a freemartin.", "content": "A case of 1/29 chromosome translocation in a male calf of the Brown Swiss breed is reported. Except for the aggressive behavious, the subject showed clinically nothing peculiar. A post-mortem examination did not reveal any internal macroscopic malformation. Since many reports indicate that such a type of translocation, found in a wide range of breeds of Bos taurus of several countries, seems to be linked with a lowering of fertility, the authors feel that chromosome screening might play an important role in breeding programs in the immediate future.", "contents": "A Robertsonian translocations in the female cells of a bull, co-twin to a freemartin. A case of 1/29 chromosome translocation in a male calf of the Brown Swiss breed is reported. Except for the aggressive behavious, the subject showed clinically nothing peculiar. A post-mortem examination did not reveal any internal macroscopic malformation. Since many reports indicate that such a type of translocation, found in a wide range of breeds of Bos taurus of several countries, seems to be linked with a lowering of fertility, the authors feel that chromosome screening might play an important role in breeding programs in the immediate future.", "PMID": 618718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2673", "title": "Agenesis of corpus callosum in calves.", "content": "Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a rare brain defect in cattle, and was described in two calves. It was characterized by the total absence of the corpus callosum, septum pellucidum and hippocampal commissure. Fornices were present but separated. Both calves also had moderate internal hydrocephalus, micrencephaly and a CSF-filled cyst in the longitudinal fissure dorsal to the thalamus. Clinical signs were not specific. Etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. No evidence of inflammation or inheritance was found as cause of the defect.", "contents": "Agenesis of corpus callosum in calves. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a rare brain defect in cattle, and was described in two calves. It was characterized by the total absence of the corpus callosum, septum pellucidum and hippocampal commissure. Fornices were present but separated. Both calves also had moderate internal hydrocephalus, micrencephaly and a CSF-filled cyst in the longitudinal fissure dorsal to the thalamus. Clinical signs were not specific. Etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. No evidence of inflammation or inheritance was found as cause of the defect.", "PMID": 618719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2674", "title": "Tri-minocycline: a minocycline complex for parenteral use. I. Antibacterial activity and toxicity data.", "content": "Aqueous solutions of tri-minocycline (equivalent to 20--50 mg/ml minocycline HCl) and preconstituted ready-for-use injections were prepared at the pH of blood; these exert high antibiotic activities equal to those of the parent substance. The chloroform/water distribution coefficients of tri-minocycline in the different types of injections were somewhat lower, but in the same order of magnitude as that of the parent substance. The MIC values of tri-minocycline proved to be very low and the LD50 values very high, their separation covering more than 3 orders of magnitude.", "contents": "Tri-minocycline: a minocycline complex for parenteral use. I. Antibacterial activity and toxicity data. Aqueous solutions of tri-minocycline (equivalent to 20--50 mg/ml minocycline HCl) and preconstituted ready-for-use injections were prepared at the pH of blood; these exert high antibiotic activities equal to those of the parent substance. The chloroform/water distribution coefficients of tri-minocycline in the different types of injections were somewhat lower, but in the same order of magnitude as that of the parent substance. The MIC values of tri-minocycline proved to be very low and the LD50 values very high, their separation covering more than 3 orders of magnitude.", "PMID": 618721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2675", "title": "Inhibition of growth of mouse ehrlich ascites by normal tissue extracts.", "content": "A dialyzable component from the aqueous extracts of mouse skeletal muscle and liver inhibited in vitro growth of a mouse Ehrlich ascites. A similar component was not detected in extracts of spleen, kidney, lung, skin, serum or small intestine. The muscle component appeared to be different from that of the liver in its resistance to heat and its stability in the culture medium. Both components however were stable on storage at 4, 23 and 37 degrees C for 72 h. Intraperitoneal injection of the muscle and liver component into mice previously innoculated with Ehrlich ascites significantly decreased tumor incidence in these animals as compared with the control.", "contents": "Inhibition of growth of mouse ehrlich ascites by normal tissue extracts. A dialyzable component from the aqueous extracts of mouse skeletal muscle and liver inhibited in vitro growth of a mouse Ehrlich ascites. A similar component was not detected in extracts of spleen, kidney, lung, skin, serum or small intestine. The muscle component appeared to be different from that of the liver in its resistance to heat and its stability in the culture medium. Both components however were stable on storage at 4, 23 and 37 degrees C for 72 h. Intraperitoneal injection of the muscle and liver component into mice previously innoculated with Ehrlich ascites significantly decreased tumor incidence in these animals as compared with the control.", "PMID": 618722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2676", "title": "Antibiotic X-63 in experimental candidiasis of mice.", "content": "X-63, a polyene antibiotic of heptaene series showed activity against experimental infection with Candida albicans in mice, by several routes. The oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous activities ranged between dosages of 3.1--50, 0.06--0.5 and 0.25--0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Seven days treatment by intraperitoneal route caused significant progressive reduction of colony-forming units in kidney homogenates of infected mice, which was comparable to amphotericin B. The regression of infection was further demonstrated histopathologically. In vitro, antibiotic X-63 was similar to nystatin against nine strains of Candida used. It also proved active against amphotericin B-resistant strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parakrusei. The use of combined drug therapy in candidiasis has been discussed.", "contents": "Antibiotic X-63 in experimental candidiasis of mice. X-63, a polyene antibiotic of heptaene series showed activity against experimental infection with Candida albicans in mice, by several routes. The oral, intraperitoneal and intravenous activities ranged between dosages of 3.1--50, 0.06--0.5 and 0.25--0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Seven days treatment by intraperitoneal route caused significant progressive reduction of colony-forming units in kidney homogenates of infected mice, which was comparable to amphotericin B. The regression of infection was further demonstrated histopathologically. In vitro, antibiotic X-63 was similar to nystatin against nine strains of Candida used. It also proved active against amphotericin B-resistant strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. krusei, and C. parakrusei. The use of combined drug therapy in candidiasis has been discussed.", "PMID": 618723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2677", "title": "Failure of morphine to increase striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in fasted rats.", "content": "Morphine given to rats fed ad libitum increased the striatal levels of DA and DOPAC while naloxone had no effect. Conversely, after prolonged fasting, morphine failed to increase both DA and DOPAC, while naloxone markedly decreased striatal DOPAC concentration. Intermediate sensitivity to the DOPAC increasing effect of morphine and to the DOPAC decreasing effect of naloxone was present in rats trained to eat their daily meal within 2 h, at different times after feeding. It is concluded that striatal DA synthesis in fasted rats is sustained by an increased endorphin-like activity.", "contents": "Failure of morphine to increase striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in fasted rats. Morphine given to rats fed ad libitum increased the striatal levels of DA and DOPAC while naloxone had no effect. Conversely, after prolonged fasting, morphine failed to increase both DA and DOPAC, while naloxone markedly decreased striatal DOPAC concentration. Intermediate sensitivity to the DOPAC increasing effect of morphine and to the DOPAC decreasing effect of naloxone was present in rats trained to eat their daily meal within 2 h, at different times after feeding. It is concluded that striatal DA synthesis in fasted rats is sustained by an increased endorphin-like activity.", "PMID": 618726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2678", "title": "Imipramine antagonism of apomorphine-induced hypothermia: a non-dopaminergic interaction.", "content": "Imipramine antagonized high dose apomorphine-induced hypothermia, and did not modify small dose apomorphine-induced hypothermia. It is suggested that apomorphine-induced hypothermia is the result of two effects. The first, induced by small doses of apomorphine, and antagonized by pimozide and sulpiride, is probably related to dopaminergic receptor stimulation. The second, induced by high doses of apomorphine, and antagonized by imipramine, is probably not related to dopaminergic receptor stimulation.", "contents": "Imipramine antagonism of apomorphine-induced hypothermia: a non-dopaminergic interaction. Imipramine antagonized high dose apomorphine-induced hypothermia, and did not modify small dose apomorphine-induced hypothermia. It is suggested that apomorphine-induced hypothermia is the result of two effects. The first, induced by small doses of apomorphine, and antagonized by pimozide and sulpiride, is probably related to dopaminergic receptor stimulation. The second, induced by high doses of apomorphine, and antagonized by imipramine, is probably not related to dopaminergic receptor stimulation.", "PMID": 618727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2679", "title": "Naloxone as a GABA antagonist: evidence from iontophoretic, receptor binding and convulsant studies.", "content": "From the following three lines of evidence, it is proposed that at least part of the convulsant activity of naloxone is a result of GABA receptor blockade. Firstly, iontophoretic naloxone reversibly antagonized GABA-evoked depression of firing rate in 21 of 27 neurons tested in the rat olfactory tubercle-nucleus accumbens region, without blocking inhibition evoked in the same cells by glycine (15 cells) or morphine (6 cells). Secondly, i.p. naloxone in high doses caused convulsions in mice, and potentiated the convulsant activity of bicuculline, but not that of strychnine. Diazepam, which protected mice against convulsions elicited by bicuculline, but not by strychnine, also protected mice against naloxone. Thirdly, naloxone, morphine, levorphanol and its non-analgesic enantiomer dextrorphan displaced 3H-GABA from GABA receptor sites in homogenates of human cerebellum, all with comparable low potencies (IC50 = 250--400 micron). There was no correlation with affinities at the stereospecific receptor sites that mediate opiate-induced analgesia, since the potent opiates etorphine and diprenorphine were relatively inactive (IC50 greater than 3 mM). In addition naloxone displaced 3H-GABA from receptor sites in rate forebrain and cerebellum, with similar low potency.", "contents": "Naloxone as a GABA antagonist: evidence from iontophoretic, receptor binding and convulsant studies. From the following three lines of evidence, it is proposed that at least part of the convulsant activity of naloxone is a result of GABA receptor blockade. Firstly, iontophoretic naloxone reversibly antagonized GABA-evoked depression of firing rate in 21 of 27 neurons tested in the rat olfactory tubercle-nucleus accumbens region, without blocking inhibition evoked in the same cells by glycine (15 cells) or morphine (6 cells). Secondly, i.p. naloxone in high doses caused convulsions in mice, and potentiated the convulsant activity of bicuculline, but not that of strychnine. Diazepam, which protected mice against convulsions elicited by bicuculline, but not by strychnine, also protected mice against naloxone. Thirdly, naloxone, morphine, levorphanol and its non-analgesic enantiomer dextrorphan displaced 3H-GABA from GABA receptor sites in homogenates of human cerebellum, all with comparable low potencies (IC50 = 250--400 micron). There was no correlation with affinities at the stereospecific receptor sites that mediate opiate-induced analgesia, since the potent opiates etorphine and diprenorphine were relatively inactive (IC50 greater than 3 mM). In addition naloxone displaced 3H-GABA from receptor sites in rate forebrain and cerebellum, with similar low potency.", "PMID": 618728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2680", "title": "Dantrolene sodium: effects on smooth muscle.", "content": "The effects of dantrolene sodium on smooth muscle were evaluated in vitro using the guinea pig ileum and the guinea pig vas deferens preparations. Dantrolene irreversibly decreased the strength of the responses of the ileum to acetylcholine, histamine, potassium chloride and electrical stimulation. Doubling the concentration of calcium in the bathing media reduced the effect of dantrolene on all agonists. Dantrolene irreversibly decreased the response of the vas deferens to epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and electrical stimulation. Doubling the concentration of calcium in the bathing media reduced the effect of dantrolene on all agonists. Dantrolene seems to depress smooth muscle as it does skeletal muscle. The mechanism of action probably involves the reduction of calcium flux into the muscles.", "contents": "Dantrolene sodium: effects on smooth muscle. The effects of dantrolene sodium on smooth muscle were evaluated in vitro using the guinea pig ileum and the guinea pig vas deferens preparations. Dantrolene irreversibly decreased the strength of the responses of the ileum to acetylcholine, histamine, potassium chloride and electrical stimulation. Doubling the concentration of calcium in the bathing media reduced the effect of dantrolene on all agonists. Dantrolene irreversibly decreased the response of the vas deferens to epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and electrical stimulation. Doubling the concentration of calcium in the bathing media reduced the effect of dantrolene on all agonists. Dantrolene seems to depress smooth muscle as it does skeletal muscle. The mechanism of action probably involves the reduction of calcium flux into the muscles.", "PMID": 618729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2681", "title": "Antiarrhythmic potency of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide in rabbits.", "content": "The antiarrhythmic potency of procainamide (PA) and N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) has been investigated in rabbits using isolated atrial preparations and ouabain-induced ventricular fibrillation in vivo. At concentrations in the range 3 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-3) M, both PA and NAPA decreased the maximum following frequency (MFF) of isolated atria. The dose--response curves were not parallel but at a concentration of 10(-3) M, NAPA had only one tenth of the potency of PA. Threshold level voltage of the atria were increased by PA but NAPA had no significant effect on this parameter. When atria were preincubated with NAPA (1.6 x 10(-4) or 8.0 x 10(-4) M), the dose--response curve for PA on MFF was displaced to the right. Pretreatment of anaesthetised rabbits with either PA (25 mg/kg i.v.) or NAPA (75 mg/kg i.v.) prolonged the time to onset of ouabain-induced ventricular fibrillation. NAPA (25 mg/kg) did not affect the response to PA (25 mg/kg). The data support the view that NAPA is less potent than PA and suggest that, under certain circumstances, NAPA may antagonise the actions of PA.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic potency of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide in rabbits. The antiarrhythmic potency of procainamide (PA) and N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) has been investigated in rabbits using isolated atrial preparations and ouabain-induced ventricular fibrillation in vivo. At concentrations in the range 3 x 10(-5) to 1 x 10(-3) M, both PA and NAPA decreased the maximum following frequency (MFF) of isolated atria. The dose--response curves were not parallel but at a concentration of 10(-3) M, NAPA had only one tenth of the potency of PA. Threshold level voltage of the atria were increased by PA but NAPA had no significant effect on this parameter. When atria were preincubated with NAPA (1.6 x 10(-4) or 8.0 x 10(-4) M), the dose--response curve for PA on MFF was displaced to the right. Pretreatment of anaesthetised rabbits with either PA (25 mg/kg i.v.) or NAPA (75 mg/kg i.v.) prolonged the time to onset of ouabain-induced ventricular fibrillation. NAPA (25 mg/kg) did not affect the response to PA (25 mg/kg). The data support the view that NAPA is less potent than PA and suggest that, under certain circumstances, NAPA may antagonise the actions of PA.", "PMID": 618730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2682", "title": "Development of insulin sensitivity in rat aorta after chronic propranolol treatment.", "content": "Spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Kyoto Wistar controls were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each and treated with phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg once daily), propranolol (25 mg/kg twice daily) or saline (once daily). After 5 weeks the in vitro incorporation of D-[U-14C]-glucose into aortic lipids and glycogen was measured in the presence and absence of insulin (1 mU/ml). In both normotensive and hypertensive rats treated with propranolol 14C-incorporation into triglycerides was reduced. Furthermore, insulin significantly stimulated 14C-incorporation into triglycerides, phospholipids and glycogen in propranolol-treated hypertensive rats. This effect was not statistically significant (0.05 less than p less than 0.1) in propranolol-treated normotensives. Phenoxybenzamine treatment did not significantly modify aortic lipogenesis or glycogen synthesis from glucose. Chronic propranolol treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats resulted in aortic tissue becoming sensitized to insulin. Possible mechanisms and explanations for this are discussed.", "contents": "Development of insulin sensitivity in rat aorta after chronic propranolol treatment. Spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Kyoto Wistar controls were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each and treated with phenoxybenzamine (5 mg/kg once daily), propranolol (25 mg/kg twice daily) or saline (once daily). After 5 weeks the in vitro incorporation of D-[U-14C]-glucose into aortic lipids and glycogen was measured in the presence and absence of insulin (1 mU/ml). In both normotensive and hypertensive rats treated with propranolol 14C-incorporation into triglycerides was reduced. Furthermore, insulin significantly stimulated 14C-incorporation into triglycerides, phospholipids and glycogen in propranolol-treated hypertensive rats. This effect was not statistically significant (0.05 less than p less than 0.1) in propranolol-treated normotensives. Phenoxybenzamine treatment did not significantly modify aortic lipogenesis or glycogen synthesis from glucose. Chronic propranolol treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats resulted in aortic tissue becoming sensitized to insulin. Possible mechanisms and explanations for this are discussed.", "PMID": 618731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2683", "title": "Effects of clonidine on vulnerability to fibrillation in the normal and ischemic canine ventricle.", "content": "Clonidine infusion (10 microgram/kg, i.v.) elicited a 30% increase in repetitive extrasystole (RE) threshold in 6 chloralose-anesthetized dogs. A reduction in heart rate and arterial blood pressure accompanied the increased threshold. Intracisternal injection of clonidine (2 microgram/kg) in 6 dogs caused similar alterations in these parameters. Bilateral vagotomy, performed in 6 dogs prior to intravenous clonidine, prevented the increase in RE threshold but did not prevent the drug-induced bradycardia. Atropine (0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg), however, did not attenuate the effect of clonidine on RE threshold. Clonidine administration did not prevent the reduction in ventricular fibrillation threshold associated with a 10 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery or following reperfusion. We conclude that: (1) clonidine reduces ventricular vulnerability in the normal but not the ischemic heart, and (2) its protective effect is mediated by enhanced afferent vagal input to midbrain cardiovascular regulatory centers. This central nervous system action causes a reduction in sympathetic tone to the heart.", "contents": "Effects of clonidine on vulnerability to fibrillation in the normal and ischemic canine ventricle. Clonidine infusion (10 microgram/kg, i.v.) elicited a 30% increase in repetitive extrasystole (RE) threshold in 6 chloralose-anesthetized dogs. A reduction in heart rate and arterial blood pressure accompanied the increased threshold. Intracisternal injection of clonidine (2 microgram/kg) in 6 dogs caused similar alterations in these parameters. Bilateral vagotomy, performed in 6 dogs prior to intravenous clonidine, prevented the increase in RE threshold but did not prevent the drug-induced bradycardia. Atropine (0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg), however, did not attenuate the effect of clonidine on RE threshold. Clonidine administration did not prevent the reduction in ventricular fibrillation threshold associated with a 10 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery or following reperfusion. We conclude that: (1) clonidine reduces ventricular vulnerability in the normal but not the ischemic heart, and (2) its protective effect is mediated by enhanced afferent vagal input to midbrain cardiovascular regulatory centers. This central nervous system action causes a reduction in sympathetic tone to the heart.", "PMID": 618732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2684", "title": "Effect of ouabain on myocardial metabolic and contractile responses to coronary ligation.", "content": "The effect of pretreatment with ouabain (40 microgram/kg, i.v.) on myocardial metabolic and contractile responses to regional ischemia induced by coronary artery ligation was studied in the canine left ventricle. In control dogs, ischemia increased activity of phosphorylase a and the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and lactate, and decreased the levels of glycogen and phosphocreatine, without affecting the levels of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Ouabain increased the activity of phosphorylase a. In ouabain-treated dogs, ischemia did not further increase the phosphorylase a activity but it increased the epicardial AMP level. Other metabolic responses to ischemia in ouabain-treated dogs were similar to those in control dogs. In control dogs, myocardial contractile force decreased by about 10% after ischemia, but blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. Ouabain increased contractile force by about 32%. In ouabain-treated dogs, ischemia decreased contractile force by about 54% without affecting blood pressure and heart rate. It is concluded that ouabain increases the activity of the myocardial phosphorylase a and that the inotropic action of ouabain can be nullified by coronary artery ligation.", "contents": "Effect of ouabain on myocardial metabolic and contractile responses to coronary ligation. The effect of pretreatment with ouabain (40 microgram/kg, i.v.) on myocardial metabolic and contractile responses to regional ischemia induced by coronary artery ligation was studied in the canine left ventricle. In control dogs, ischemia increased activity of phosphorylase a and the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and lactate, and decreased the levels of glycogen and phosphocreatine, without affecting the levels of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Ouabain increased the activity of phosphorylase a. In ouabain-treated dogs, ischemia did not further increase the phosphorylase a activity but it increased the epicardial AMP level. Other metabolic responses to ischemia in ouabain-treated dogs were similar to those in control dogs. In control dogs, myocardial contractile force decreased by about 10% after ischemia, but blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. Ouabain increased contractile force by about 32%. In ouabain-treated dogs, ischemia decreased contractile force by about 54% without affecting blood pressure and heart rate. It is concluded that ouabain increases the activity of the myocardial phosphorylase a and that the inotropic action of ouabain can be nullified by coronary artery ligation.", "PMID": 618733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2685", "title": "Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on the spasmogenic action of acetate esters on rat uterus.", "content": "Acetate esters, such as phenyl acetate and aspirin, induced atropine-sensitive contractions of isolated uterus only when choline was present. These contractions were selectively and reversibly inhibited by carbamate-type cholinesterase inhibitors, such as neostigmine and eserine, and quaternary ammonium compounds, such as tetraethylammonium and decamethonium. After treatment with organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors, such as di-isopropyl fluorophosphate and tetraethyl pyrophosphate, the uterus failed to respond to the acetate esters, even when high concentrations of choline were present. The inhibition of the response of the uterus by organophosphates was effectively removed by pyridine-2-aldoxime methiodide. Pretreatment of the uterus with neostigmine or simultaneous addition of high concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds prevented the inhibition by organophosphates. The inhibition produced by neostigmine was also reduced by simultaneous addition of quaternary ammonium compounds. These findings suggest that some esterase having an anionic site and an esteratic site, probably cholinesterase, may mediate in the uterine contractions induced by acetate esters in the presence of choline, and that inhibition by organophosphates, carbamates and quaternary ammonium compounds of cholinesterase activity in the preparation may impede the initiation of contractions by the acetate esters in the presence of choline.", "contents": "Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on the spasmogenic action of acetate esters on rat uterus. Acetate esters, such as phenyl acetate and aspirin, induced atropine-sensitive contractions of isolated uterus only when choline was present. These contractions were selectively and reversibly inhibited by carbamate-type cholinesterase inhibitors, such as neostigmine and eserine, and quaternary ammonium compounds, such as tetraethylammonium and decamethonium. After treatment with organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors, such as di-isopropyl fluorophosphate and tetraethyl pyrophosphate, the uterus failed to respond to the acetate esters, even when high concentrations of choline were present. The inhibition of the response of the uterus by organophosphates was effectively removed by pyridine-2-aldoxime methiodide. Pretreatment of the uterus with neostigmine or simultaneous addition of high concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds prevented the inhibition by organophosphates. The inhibition produced by neostigmine was also reduced by simultaneous addition of quaternary ammonium compounds. These findings suggest that some esterase having an anionic site and an esteratic site, probably cholinesterase, may mediate in the uterine contractions induced by acetate esters in the presence of choline, and that inhibition by organophosphates, carbamates and quaternary ammonium compounds of cholinesterase activity in the preparation may impede the initiation of contractions by the acetate esters in the presence of choline.", "PMID": 618734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2686", "title": "Monitoring trends in food utilization: application of an archaeologcial method.", "content": "Archaeological methods were utilized to monitor trends in food purchase and utilization behavior in Tucson, Arizona households through the analysis of household refuse. As a supplement to traditional methods of collecting data on food consumption, the study of household refuse can provide information on short-term trends in behavior and on food discard. Between 1973 and 1975, households studied decreased the amount of food brought into the home and decreased their purchase of selected animal protein foods. Lower-income tracts, in addition, increased their purchase of grain products, substituted cheaper for more expensive food intems, and decreased food discard. While these data do not reflect nutritional status, they provide a unique view of the socioeconomic and behavioral patterns that in large part determine nutritional status.", "contents": "Monitoring trends in food utilization: application of an archaeologcial method. Archaeological methods were utilized to monitor trends in food purchase and utilization behavior in Tucson, Arizona households through the analysis of household refuse. As a supplement to traditional methods of collecting data on food consumption, the study of household refuse can provide information on short-term trends in behavior and on food discard. Between 1973 and 1975, households studied decreased the amount of food brought into the home and decreased their purchase of selected animal protein foods. Lower-income tracts, in addition, increased their purchase of grain products, substituted cheaper for more expensive food intems, and decreased food discard. While these data do not reflect nutritional status, they provide a unique view of the socioeconomic and behavioral patterns that in large part determine nutritional status.", "PMID": 618755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2687", "title": "Towards representative energy data: the Machiguenga study.", "content": "Representative energy data for a human population can be produced by combining randomly sampled time allocation observations with activity-specific energy expenditure measurements. Research to produce representative energy data for adults of a population of Machiguenga Indians has recently been conducted in lowland, southeastern Peru. Marked contrast was found between the sexes for average married adults in energy expended on an average day. Men spent about 3,200 kcals and women, about 1,925; ratio: 1.66 to 1. In general, men tended to work at somewhat more energetic activities and for longer periods than did women. In addition to sex-role-related task differences were contrasts in uses of technological items and in respective work settings. These representative behavior data permit direct estimates of population-level energy requirements for average days, seasons, or for 1 year.", "contents": "Towards representative energy data: the Machiguenga study. Representative energy data for a human population can be produced by combining randomly sampled time allocation observations with activity-specific energy expenditure measurements. Research to produce representative energy data for adults of a population of Machiguenga Indians has recently been conducted in lowland, southeastern Peru. Marked contrast was found between the sexes for average married adults in energy expended on an average day. Men spent about 3,200 kcals and women, about 1,925; ratio: 1.66 to 1. In general, men tended to work at somewhat more energetic activities and for longer periods than did women. In addition to sex-role-related task differences were contrasts in uses of technological items and in respective work settings. These representative behavior data permit direct estimates of population-level energy requirements for average days, seasons, or for 1 year.", "PMID": 618756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2688", "title": "Seasonal effects of dietary intake on Kalahari San.", "content": "San living in the northwestern Kalahari Desert may be grouped according to different kinds and proportions of dietary habits. At one end of a continuous scale are those whose food is obtained almost entirely from wild bush sources; at the other extreme are those who obtain large amounts of food from domestic sources, principally milk and maize meal. The majority fall between these poles. The region is also home to a substantial number of pastoralists and horticulturalists. Data have been collected on the productivity of both the natural and domesticated environments, on resource procurement strategies, and on food consumption during a period of more than 1 year. Seasonal weight fluctuations associated with food production cycles are recorded. Mean weight and serum lipid values are higher in those San who consume substantial amounts of domestic foods than they are in bush food eaters. Seasonal variation in fertility is reported to be coordinated with variations in nutritional status. Some implications for demographic and social processes are mentioned.", "contents": "Seasonal effects of dietary intake on Kalahari San. San living in the northwestern Kalahari Desert may be grouped according to different kinds and proportions of dietary habits. At one end of a continuous scale are those whose food is obtained almost entirely from wild bush sources; at the other extreme are those who obtain large amounts of food from domestic sources, principally milk and maize meal. The majority fall between these poles. The region is also home to a substantial number of pastoralists and horticulturalists. Data have been collected on the productivity of both the natural and domesticated environments, on resource procurement strategies, and on food consumption during a period of more than 1 year. Seasonal weight fluctuations associated with food production cycles are recorded. Mean weight and serum lipid values are higher in those San who consume substantial amounts of domestic foods than they are in bush food eaters. Seasonal variation in fertility is reported to be coordinated with variations in nutritional status. Some implications for demographic and social processes are mentioned.", "PMID": 618757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2689", "title": "Epidermal antihyperplastic effects of contact antiphlogistics.", "content": "The inhibitory effects of six contact antiphlogistics and two dermatocorticoids on hexadecane-induced hyperplasia of the guinea-pig skin were tested and compared. On the basis of the results obtained, the substances can be ranked in the following order of potency (percent inhibition of surface epithelial proliferation): acetylsalicylic acid (7.9%), phenylbutazone (12.5%), bufexamac (16.4%), bendazac (16.6%), oxyphenbutazone (19.5%), indomethacin (20.0%), hydrocortisone (20.6%) and fluocinolone acetonide (32.0%).", "contents": "Epidermal antihyperplastic effects of contact antiphlogistics. The inhibitory effects of six contact antiphlogistics and two dermatocorticoids on hexadecane-induced hyperplasia of the guinea-pig skin were tested and compared. On the basis of the results obtained, the substances can be ranked in the following order of potency (percent inhibition of surface epithelial proliferation): acetylsalicylic acid (7.9%), phenylbutazone (12.5%), bufexamac (16.4%), bendazac (16.6%), oxyphenbutazone (19.5%), indomethacin (20.0%), hydrocortisone (20.6%) and fluocinolone acetonide (32.0%).", "PMID": 618758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2690", "title": "Dyskeratosis congenita with epidermodysplasia verruciformis of Lewandowsky and Lutz.", "content": "The case is reported of a 30-year-old man suffering from dyskeratosis congenita with severe pancytopenia, in association with generalized verrucosis. Viral particles were detected electron microscopically. The importance of an impaired immunological state, demonstrated in this case by lymphocyte stimulation and rosette tests, is discussed.", "contents": "Dyskeratosis congenita with epidermodysplasia verruciformis of Lewandowsky and Lutz. The case is reported of a 30-year-old man suffering from dyskeratosis congenita with severe pancytopenia, in association with generalized verrucosis. Viral particles were detected electron microscopically. The importance of an impaired immunological state, demonstrated in this case by lymphocyte stimulation and rosette tests, is discussed.", "PMID": 618759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2691", "title": "Treatment of basal cell carcinoma of the skin with ultrasoft X-rays.", "content": "The results of a follow-up study carried out in 1975-76 are described. The study involved 454 patients who had received ultrasoft X-ray treatment for basal cell carcinomas during the period 1965-1969. In females, the percentage of recurrence was 4.9, in males, 11.9. The figures indicating the frequency of recurrence are minimum ones; the patients were selected to a certain extent, the large tumors being treated surgically. The most important result of the study was the observation that approximately 30% of the X-ray scars examined were so disfiguring from a cosmetic point of view that they must be characterized as unacceptable. The indications for X-ray treatment of basal cell carcinomas should, consequently, be limited to deep-growing tumors or tumors which are not well demarcated, and to tumors in elderly patients, who should be spared surgery.", "contents": "Treatment of basal cell carcinoma of the skin with ultrasoft X-rays. The results of a follow-up study carried out in 1975-76 are described. The study involved 454 patients who had received ultrasoft X-ray treatment for basal cell carcinomas during the period 1965-1969. In females, the percentage of recurrence was 4.9, in males, 11.9. The figures indicating the frequency of recurrence are minimum ones; the patients were selected to a certain extent, the large tumors being treated surgically. The most important result of the study was the observation that approximately 30% of the X-ray scars examined were so disfiguring from a cosmetic point of view that they must be characterized as unacceptable. The indications for X-ray treatment of basal cell carcinomas should, consequently, be limited to deep-growing tumors or tumors which are not well demarcated, and to tumors in elderly patients, who should be spared surgery.", "PMID": 618761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2692", "title": "Blood flow, collagen components of oral tissue and salivary kallikrein in young to senescent, germfree and conventional rats. A study on the etiologic factors of periodontal disease.", "content": "In oral tissues of rats, progress of age resulted in a gradual reduction of regional blood flow and in decreased levels of eluable (labile) hydroxyproline from the collagen component. These were paralleled by an increment of salivary kallikrein. The presence of the microbial flora in the oral cavity, portrayed by the comparison of conventional and germfree rats, caused an elevation of blood flow in all age groups, without exerting a marked effect on eluable hydroxyproline. In addition to aging and flora effects, the action of chronic hypoxia and of mechanical stress has been observed on the mentioned parameters. The presently used animal models and experimental design permit a critical study of etiologic agents and characteristic lesions of peridontal disease.", "contents": "Blood flow, collagen components of oral tissue and salivary kallikrein in young to senescent, germfree and conventional rats. A study on the etiologic factors of periodontal disease. In oral tissues of rats, progress of age resulted in a gradual reduction of regional blood flow and in decreased levels of eluable (labile) hydroxyproline from the collagen component. These were paralleled by an increment of salivary kallikrein. The presence of the microbial flora in the oral cavity, portrayed by the comparison of conventional and germfree rats, caused an elevation of blood flow in all age groups, without exerting a marked effect on eluable hydroxyproline. In addition to aging and flora effects, the action of chronic hypoxia and of mechanical stress has been observed on the mentioned parameters. The presently used animal models and experimental design permit a critical study of etiologic agents and characteristic lesions of peridontal disease.", "PMID": 618762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2693", "title": "In vivo stimulation of nerve cells by phytohemagglutinin. I. Alterations of some cytological aging parameters in rat brain cells.", "content": "Phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P) was administered in form of intralumbar injection to old (24-27 months) female Wistar rats. PHA-P has an inductive effect also on the nerve cells. The thermal denaturation characteristics of the DNA in situ as well as the numerical density of perichromatin granules being connected to the extranucleolar RNA synthesis returned practically to the young levels in the large brain cortical cells and in the cerebellar granular cells 20 h after the injection. The reversal of these aging phenomena was accompanied by a significant decrease of intranuclear and intracytoplasmic K+ content measured by X-ray microanalysis in the dry mass, whereas Na+ and Cl- remained unchanged. If PHA-P causes also some (1-2%) rehydration of the old neurons, the total ionic strength in the cell due to the monovalents may even reach the young level. The possible regulatory role of the ionic strength and the Na+/K+ ratio in the chromatin function is discussed on the basis of experimental data. It is the first time that the reversibility of some cytological aging parameters has been demonstrated in vivo.", "contents": "In vivo stimulation of nerve cells by phytohemagglutinin. I. Alterations of some cytological aging parameters in rat brain cells. Phytohemagglutinin P (PHA-P) was administered in form of intralumbar injection to old (24-27 months) female Wistar rats. PHA-P has an inductive effect also on the nerve cells. The thermal denaturation characteristics of the DNA in situ as well as the numerical density of perichromatin granules being connected to the extranucleolar RNA synthesis returned practically to the young levels in the large brain cortical cells and in the cerebellar granular cells 20 h after the injection. The reversal of these aging phenomena was accompanied by a significant decrease of intranuclear and intracytoplasmic K+ content measured by X-ray microanalysis in the dry mass, whereas Na+ and Cl- remained unchanged. If PHA-P causes also some (1-2%) rehydration of the old neurons, the total ionic strength in the cell due to the monovalents may even reach the young level. The possible regulatory role of the ionic strength and the Na+/K+ ratio in the chromatin function is discussed on the basis of experimental data. It is the first time that the reversibility of some cytological aging parameters has been demonstrated in vivo.", "PMID": 618763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2694", "title": "Quantitative studies in the cerebral cortex of aging humans.", "content": "The capillary network of the human cerebral cortex was morphometrically investigated in a young, aged and aged hypertonic group. In the aging cortex, augmented values of capillary diameter and volume are accompanied by smaller distances between capillaries and an extended length per unit cortex volume. An increased capillary diameter of the aged hypertonic group is probably due to a high blood pressure. The regulating influence of the surrounding astroglia and the extracellular fluid on capillaries seems to lack. In comparison to normotonic brains, higher distances between capillaries and a decreased capillary length were measured.", "contents": "Quantitative studies in the cerebral cortex of aging humans. The capillary network of the human cerebral cortex was morphometrically investigated in a young, aged and aged hypertonic group. In the aging cortex, augmented values of capillary diameter and volume are accompanied by smaller distances between capillaries and an extended length per unit cortex volume. An increased capillary diameter of the aged hypertonic group is probably due to a high blood pressure. The regulating influence of the surrounding astroglia and the extracellular fluid on capillaries seems to lack. In comparison to normotonic brains, higher distances between capillaries and a decreased capillary length were measured.", "PMID": 618764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2695", "title": "Total free amino acid levels in adult and senescent rat liver.", "content": "The total free amino acid content per gram of liver wet weight does not differ significantly between adult and senescent female rats, being 28.8 +/- 3.3 mumol in adult (13-17 months) and 26.2 +/- 2.2 mumol in senescent (23-29 months) animals. This is the first study in which these two age-groups of rats have been so compared. These results combined with a survey of the literature show that amino acid levels in rat liver do not change much, if at all, throughout the lifespan of the animal.", "contents": "Total free amino acid levels in adult and senescent rat liver. The total free amino acid content per gram of liver wet weight does not differ significantly between adult and senescent female rats, being 28.8 +/- 3.3 mumol in adult (13-17 months) and 26.2 +/- 2.2 mumol in senescent (23-29 months) animals. This is the first study in which these two age-groups of rats have been so compared. These results combined with a survey of the literature show that amino acid levels in rat liver do not change much, if at all, throughout the lifespan of the animal.", "PMID": 618765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2696", "title": "Ageing changes in the human testis: a light-microscopic study.", "content": "A histologic study of ageing testes, removed surgically from 'healthy' men aged 52-100 years, is presented. The age-related changes noted were: tubular sclerosis, Leydig cell hyperplasia, focal mononuclear orchitis, capsular smooth muscle hyperplasia, and dilatation of the rete testis. Great individual variations were seen but the testes, removed from patients with prostatic carcinoma, showed less severe ageing changes than those removed from patients during herniorrhaphy. The aetiology and pathogenesis of these changes are briefly discussed. A plea is made for more systematic studies of the ageing human testis, combining light microscopy with more sophisticated techniques, such as electron microscopy, histochemistry and cytochemistry.", "contents": "Ageing changes in the human testis: a light-microscopic study. A histologic study of ageing testes, removed surgically from 'healthy' men aged 52-100 years, is presented. The age-related changes noted were: tubular sclerosis, Leydig cell hyperplasia, focal mononuclear orchitis, capsular smooth muscle hyperplasia, and dilatation of the rete testis. Great individual variations were seen but the testes, removed from patients with prostatic carcinoma, showed less severe ageing changes than those removed from patients during herniorrhaphy. The aetiology and pathogenesis of these changes are briefly discussed. A plea is made for more systematic studies of the ageing human testis, combining light microscopy with more sophisticated techniques, such as electron microscopy, histochemistry and cytochemistry.", "PMID": 618767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2697", "title": "Age, inactivity and some physiological responses to exercise.", "content": "The quality of life in old age is crucially dependent upon the ability to pursue a variety of physical activities. Factors which affect the capacity for physical activity in the elderly should therefore be of interest both to individuals and to institutions concerned for the elderly. This is a review of literature pertinent to the problem of maintaining an adequate capacity for physical exercise into old age. It includes information about the interrelations between age, physical condition and physical working capacity; and the effects of training and inactivity upon all these parameters. Reduction in levels of habitual activity with age seems likely to cause or exacerbate deterioration in both exercise capacity and physical condition, setting up a vicious circle which eventually jeopardises the capacity for independent living. If so, efforts should be directed towards maintaining effective levels of habitual activity.", "contents": "Age, inactivity and some physiological responses to exercise. The quality of life in old age is crucially dependent upon the ability to pursue a variety of physical activities. Factors which affect the capacity for physical activity in the elderly should therefore be of interest both to individuals and to institutions concerned for the elderly. This is a review of literature pertinent to the problem of maintaining an adequate capacity for physical exercise into old age. It includes information about the interrelations between age, physical condition and physical working capacity; and the effects of training and inactivity upon all these parameters. Reduction in levels of habitual activity with age seems likely to cause or exacerbate deterioration in both exercise capacity and physical condition, setting up a vicious circle which eventually jeopardises the capacity for independent living. If so, efforts should be directed towards maintaining effective levels of habitual activity.", "PMID": 618768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2698", "title": "Neutrophilic turnover rate in human age groups evaluated by serum lysozyme activity.", "content": "Serum lysozyme activity was determined in 135 healthy people classified into five different age groups ranging from 20 to 90 years. A turbidometric method with egg-white lysozyme as standard enzyme using the Fragiligraphy for automatic recording of the serum lysozyme was used. The results show a progressive increase in serum lysozyme activity with age. In the oldest age group of 60-90 years, the increase in serum lysozyme was more than that expected for the diminished glomerular filtration rate in old age. Since the serum level of lysozyme can reflect the rate of neutrophilic turnover, it can be assumed that this rate increases above the age of 60.", "contents": "Neutrophilic turnover rate in human age groups evaluated by serum lysozyme activity. Serum lysozyme activity was determined in 135 healthy people classified into five different age groups ranging from 20 to 90 years. A turbidometric method with egg-white lysozyme as standard enzyme using the Fragiligraphy for automatic recording of the serum lysozyme was used. The results show a progressive increase in serum lysozyme activity with age. In the oldest age group of 60-90 years, the increase in serum lysozyme was more than that expected for the diminished glomerular filtration rate in old age. Since the serum level of lysozyme can reflect the rate of neutrophilic turnover, it can be assumed that this rate increases above the age of 60.", "PMID": 618769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2699", "title": "25-hydroxy-vitamin D, diet and sunlight exposure in patients admitted to a geriatric unit.", "content": "Dietary intake, sunlight exposure and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were estimated in 62 patients admitted to a geriatric assessment unit. There was a significant correlation between vitamin D intake and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels but none between sunlight exposure and these. This suggests that in old age dietary deficiency may be a more important cause of metabolic bone disease than limited sunlight exposure.", "contents": "25-hydroxy-vitamin D, diet and sunlight exposure in patients admitted to a geriatric unit. Dietary intake, sunlight exposure and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were estimated in 62 patients admitted to a geriatric assessment unit. There was a significant correlation between vitamin D intake and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels but none between sunlight exposure and these. This suggests that in old age dietary deficiency may be a more important cause of metabolic bone disease than limited sunlight exposure.", "PMID": 618770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2700", "title": "Metabolism of thyroid hormones during aging.", "content": "The paper presents experimental data on extrathyroidal metabolism of thyroid hormones in rats of various ages (1.5--32 months):: T4-131I distribution in an organism, indices of T4 and T3 kinetics, tissue deiodinative capacity, formation of T4 tissue metabolism products and their clearance from cells and organism, T4 binding with tissue proteins. Essential changes in T4 peripheral tissue metabolism have been found with aging: T4 binding by tissues is decreased; T4 distribution space and metabolic clearance are increased; 125I clearance with urine is decreased; T4 half-time in blood remains unchanged; tissue deiodinative capacity is enhanced. Indices of T3 peripheral metabolism in old rats remain unchanged. All these findings result in shifts of the T4/T3 ratio in favour of the latter and in invariability of its content in tissues, alongside with a decrease of functional activity of the thyroid gland with aging.", "contents": "Metabolism of thyroid hormones during aging. The paper presents experimental data on extrathyroidal metabolism of thyroid hormones in rats of various ages (1.5--32 months):: T4-131I distribution in an organism, indices of T4 and T3 kinetics, tissue deiodinative capacity, formation of T4 tissue metabolism products and their clearance from cells and organism, T4 binding with tissue proteins. Essential changes in T4 peripheral tissue metabolism have been found with aging: T4 binding by tissues is decreased; T4 distribution space and metabolic clearance are increased; 125I clearance with urine is decreased; T4 half-time in blood remains unchanged; tissue deiodinative capacity is enhanced. Indices of T3 peripheral metabolism in old rats remain unchanged. All these findings result in shifts of the T4/T3 ratio in favour of the latter and in invariability of its content in tissues, alongside with a decrease of functional activity of the thyroid gland with aging.", "PMID": 618772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2701", "title": "Restitution of ATP and creatine phosphate after experimental depletion in young, adult, and old rats.", "content": "The rates of restitution of skeletal muscle, heart, and brain creatine phosphate and brain ATP, following experimental depletion, were compared in young (3-5 month), adult (12 month) and old (24 month) rats. In skeletal muscle, restitution of creatine phosphate after 3 min of recovery was greatest in the young rats, minimal in the adult animals, and absent in the old animals. In heart muscle, on the other hand, restitution was rapid in all three age groups, and was essentially complete after 60 sec recovery. In brain, restitution of creatine phosphate was rapid and was complete after 10 min recovery in the young and adult rats; restitution was slower and less complete in the old rats. In the old rats there was no restitution of brain ATP during the first 2 min of recovery, after which the rate of restitution paralleled that of the young and adult rats.", "contents": "Restitution of ATP and creatine phosphate after experimental depletion in young, adult, and old rats. The rates of restitution of skeletal muscle, heart, and brain creatine phosphate and brain ATP, following experimental depletion, were compared in young (3-5 month), adult (12 month) and old (24 month) rats. In skeletal muscle, restitution of creatine phosphate after 3 min of recovery was greatest in the young rats, minimal in the adult animals, and absent in the old animals. In heart muscle, on the other hand, restitution was rapid in all three age groups, and was essentially complete after 60 sec recovery. In brain, restitution of creatine phosphate was rapid and was complete after 10 min recovery in the young and adult rats; restitution was slower and less complete in the old rats. In the old rats there was no restitution of brain ATP during the first 2 min of recovery, after which the rate of restitution paralleled that of the young and adult rats.", "PMID": 618773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2702", "title": "Is there a biological basis for geriatric pharmacotherapy?", "content": "The problem of developing a geriatric pharmacotherapy is briefly discussed. It is stressed that combined scientific knowledge from biological, clinical and pharmacological research should be used as basis. However, in applied (clinical and pharmacological) gerontology, direct relations to basic experimental gerontology are often avoided, because of its seemingly theoretical character. With some examples, it is pointed out that during the recent past, biological-aging research has gained new knowledge, particularly on skeletal muscle and CNS aging, that can be used in the concept of a specific geriatric pharmacotherapy.", "contents": "Is there a biological basis for geriatric pharmacotherapy? The problem of developing a geriatric pharmacotherapy is briefly discussed. It is stressed that combined scientific knowledge from biological, clinical and pharmacological research should be used as basis. However, in applied (clinical and pharmacological) gerontology, direct relations to basic experimental gerontology are often avoided, because of its seemingly theoretical character. With some examples, it is pointed out that during the recent past, biological-aging research has gained new knowledge, particularly on skeletal muscle and CNS aging, that can be used in the concept of a specific geriatric pharmacotherapy.", "PMID": 618774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2703", "title": "Interaction of ergot alkaloids with dopaminergic receptors in the rat striatum and nucleus accumbens.", "content": "Various ergot alkaloids and derivatives were investigated for their interaction with dopaminergic receptors at the level of the rat corpus striatum and nucleus accumbens. Dihydro(DH)-ergotoxine, DH-ergocornine, DH-ergocryptine, DH-ergocristine, 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine, ergotamine and DH-ergotamine were shown to inhibit, at micromolar concentrations, the dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat striatal and nucleus accumbens homogenates. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of the ergot drugs was higher in the nucleus accumbens than in the striatum. Moreover, the ergot drugs were more active in displacing 3H-haloperidol than 3H-dopamine from striatal membranes. The results, which are in apparent contradiction with previously obtained behavioral, pharmacological and clinical data, are discussed in the light of the possible presence in the central nervous system of distinct dopaminergic receptors with different conformations.", "contents": "Interaction of ergot alkaloids with dopaminergic receptors in the rat striatum and nucleus accumbens. Various ergot alkaloids and derivatives were investigated for their interaction with dopaminergic receptors at the level of the rat corpus striatum and nucleus accumbens. Dihydro(DH)-ergotoxine, DH-ergocornine, DH-ergocryptine, DH-ergocristine, 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine, ergotamine and DH-ergotamine were shown to inhibit, at micromolar concentrations, the dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat striatal and nucleus accumbens homogenates. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of the ergot drugs was higher in the nucleus accumbens than in the striatum. Moreover, the ergot drugs were more active in displacing 3H-haloperidol than 3H-dopamine from striatal membranes. The results, which are in apparent contradiction with previously obtained behavioral, pharmacological and clinical data, are discussed in the light of the possible presence in the central nervous system of distinct dopaminergic receptors with different conformations.", "PMID": 618775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2704", "title": "Comparative effects of dihydroergotoxine (DHET) on CBF and metabolism changes produced by experimental cerebral edema, hypoxia and hypertension.", "content": "Dihydroergotoxine (DHET) perfused in the dog (100 microgram/kg) presenting a cerebral per-hypocapno-anemic syndrome reduces cerebral hyperemia, increases cerebral venous PO2, despite the rise in CMRO2 and favors glucose oxidation by the brain. DHET (20 mg/kg p.o.) is able to drop mean, diastolic and systolic arterial blood pressures in renal-hypertensive rats having a cerebral edema induced by triethyltin intoxication without affecting cerebral water and sodium levels which are increased in the controls. DHET (50 microgram/kg i.v.) can also improve EEG changes produced by a traumatic edema but does not exert (200 microgram/kg i.v.) any effect on EEG changes produced in the rabbit by lithium chloride intoxication.", "contents": "Comparative effects of dihydroergotoxine (DHET) on CBF and metabolism changes produced by experimental cerebral edema, hypoxia and hypertension. Dihydroergotoxine (DHET) perfused in the dog (100 microgram/kg) presenting a cerebral per-hypocapno-anemic syndrome reduces cerebral hyperemia, increases cerebral venous PO2, despite the rise in CMRO2 and favors glucose oxidation by the brain. DHET (20 mg/kg p.o.) is able to drop mean, diastolic and systolic arterial blood pressures in renal-hypertensive rats having a cerebral edema induced by triethyltin intoxication without affecting cerebral water and sodium levels which are increased in the controls. DHET (50 microgram/kg i.v.) can also improve EEG changes produced by a traumatic edema but does not exert (200 microgram/kg i.v.) any effect on EEG changes produced in the rabbit by lithium chloride intoxication.", "PMID": 618778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2705", "title": "Action of norepinephrine on microcirculation and PO2 distribution in the isolated perfused rat liver.", "content": "The addition of a potent vasoconstrictor, such as norepinephrine, induces an influx of sodium and an efflux of calcium and potassium in the parenchymal cells of the perfused liver. This reaction can be reversed by the addition of dihydroergotoxine mesylate (active substance of Hydergine). The example shows clearly that very distinct biological signals are generated under such conditions at the membrane level of the hepatocytes and presumably of other cells of liver tissue. At present, our investigations cannot clearly answer the question of whether or not swelling the shrinkage of parenchymal cells and of endothelial cells can serve as an additional mechanism for regulating microcirculation.", "contents": "Action of norepinephrine on microcirculation and PO2 distribution in the isolated perfused rat liver. The addition of a potent vasoconstrictor, such as norepinephrine, induces an influx of sodium and an efflux of calcium and potassium in the parenchymal cells of the perfused liver. This reaction can be reversed by the addition of dihydroergotoxine mesylate (active substance of Hydergine). The example shows clearly that very distinct biological signals are generated under such conditions at the membrane level of the hepatocytes and presumably of other cells of liver tissue. At present, our investigations cannot clearly answer the question of whether or not swelling the shrinkage of parenchymal cells and of endothelial cells can serve as an additional mechanism for regulating microcirculation.", "PMID": 618779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2706", "title": "Dihydroergotoxine-induced modulation of spontaneous activity of cultured rat Purkinje cells.", "content": "We use nerve tissue cultures as a model system for studying the mode of action of centrally acting drugs. Neurons in cerebellar cultures retain a number of organ-specific properties including the formation of complex synaptic networks and characteristic bioelectric activity. Electrical activity may be recorded from Purkinje cells which can be identified by direct visualization. We observed that dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DHET; active substance of Hydergine) modulated the spontaneous activity of cultured neurons. Addition of 10(-8)g/ml DHET to rat cerebellar explants led to a significant regularization of the spontaneous firing of Purkinje cells. Within the 10(-10) - 10(-5)g/ml concentration range used in these experiments, DHET had no detectalbe effect on the average firing rate.", "contents": "Dihydroergotoxine-induced modulation of spontaneous activity of cultured rat Purkinje cells. We use nerve tissue cultures as a model system for studying the mode of action of centrally acting drugs. Neurons in cerebellar cultures retain a number of organ-specific properties including the formation of complex synaptic networks and characteristic bioelectric activity. Electrical activity may be recorded from Purkinje cells which can be identified by direct visualization. We observed that dihydroergotoxine mesylate (DHET; active substance of Hydergine) modulated the spontaneous activity of cultured neurons. Addition of 10(-8)g/ml DHET to rat cerebellar explants led to a significant regularization of the spontaneous firing of Purkinje cells. Within the 10(-10) - 10(-5)g/ml concentration range used in these experiments, DHET had no detectalbe effect on the average firing rate.", "PMID": 618780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2707", "title": "Failure of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid to respond to doxorubicin therapy.", "content": "We describe 3 patients with metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid who were treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin). Serum calcitonin was measured before and after doxorubicin therapy. Doxorubicin failed to arrest the progression of the disease in any of the patients. Although serum calcitonin levels dropped in 1 patient during therapy, they remained markedly elevated in all 3 patients. From the present series it appears that medullary thyroid carcinoma often does not have a response to doxorubicin.", "contents": "Failure of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid to respond to doxorubicin therapy. We describe 3 patients with metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid who were treated with doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin). Serum calcitonin was measured before and after doxorubicin therapy. Doxorubicin failed to arrest the progression of the disease in any of the patients. Although serum calcitonin levels dropped in 1 patient during therapy, they remained markedly elevated in all 3 patients. From the present series it appears that medullary thyroid carcinoma often does not have a response to doxorubicin.", "PMID": 618781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2708", "title": "On the role of the pineal in thermoregulation in the pigeon.", "content": "Diurnal rhythm in body temperature of pigeons subjected to different experimental conditions (pinealectomized, sham-operated, melatonin-implanted, cold-exposed) was studied under a 12 h light and 12 h dark regimen. The body temperature of pigeons during photophase was higher than that during scotophase in the normal as well as every treatment group studied. Pinealectomized pigeons showed higher body temperature in the photophase as well as scotophase, than that of the normal and sham-operated birds when examined 2 or 3 weeks following the post-surgical acclimatization to 25 or 3 degrees C. However, subcutaneous implantation of melatonin pellets into pinealectomized pigeons nullified or even reversed the hyperthermic effect of pinealectomy. Exposure of pigeons to--18 degrees C for 280 min during photophase as well as scotophase, produced a marked drop in body temperature in pinealectomized, sham-operated and normal pigeons. The pinealectomized pigeons exhibited a higher body temperature than that of the sham-operated and normal ones when exposed to--18 degrees C during the photophase, but not during the scotophase. It was concluded that while the pineal is not necessary for maintaining the daily thermal rhythm in the avian body, it has a thermoregulatory role, in that it prevents rise in body temperature in warm (25 degrees C) acclimatized and chronic cold (3 degrees C) exposed birds. In acute short-term cold (--18 degrees C) exposure however, the temperature regulatory role of the pineal was not effective during the scotophase.", "contents": "On the role of the pineal in thermoregulation in the pigeon. Diurnal rhythm in body temperature of pigeons subjected to different experimental conditions (pinealectomized, sham-operated, melatonin-implanted, cold-exposed) was studied under a 12 h light and 12 h dark regimen. The body temperature of pigeons during photophase was higher than that during scotophase in the normal as well as every treatment group studied. Pinealectomized pigeons showed higher body temperature in the photophase as well as scotophase, than that of the normal and sham-operated birds when examined 2 or 3 weeks following the post-surgical acclimatization to 25 or 3 degrees C. However, subcutaneous implantation of melatonin pellets into pinealectomized pigeons nullified or even reversed the hyperthermic effect of pinealectomy. Exposure of pigeons to--18 degrees C for 280 min during photophase as well as scotophase, produced a marked drop in body temperature in pinealectomized, sham-operated and normal pigeons. The pinealectomized pigeons exhibited a higher body temperature than that of the sham-operated and normal ones when exposed to--18 degrees C during the photophase, but not during the scotophase. It was concluded that while the pineal is not necessary for maintaining the daily thermal rhythm in the avian body, it has a thermoregulatory role, in that it prevents rise in body temperature in warm (25 degrees C) acclimatized and chronic cold (3 degrees C) exposed birds. In acute short-term cold (--18 degrees C) exposure however, the temperature regulatory role of the pineal was not effective during the scotophase.", "PMID": 618782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2709", "title": "Dermatoglyphic studies of myocardial infarction patients.", "content": "Dermatoglyphic traits were studied in a sample of 834 subjects selected from a cohort of some 8,000 living Japanese men, under a long-term study of heart disease in Hawaii. All of them were born between 1900 and 1919. Among them, 100 subjects had had positive diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The present study included comparisons between the MI patients and the remaining group of all digital dermal pattern types and ridge counts by digit, by hand, and by individual. The MI patients had significantly higher frequency of true whorls, double loops and less ulnar loops and tented arches. Total and absolute ridge counts were significantly higher (less than 0.05) in all digits in favor of the MI patients. Similar trends were observed in analyses by digit and by hand. These observations suggest an antenatal origin of certain types of coronary disease.", "contents": "Dermatoglyphic studies of myocardial infarction patients. Dermatoglyphic traits were studied in a sample of 834 subjects selected from a cohort of some 8,000 living Japanese men, under a long-term study of heart disease in Hawaii. All of them were born between 1900 and 1919. Among them, 100 subjects had had positive diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The present study included comparisons between the MI patients and the remaining group of all digital dermal pattern types and ridge counts by digit, by hand, and by individual. The MI patients had significantly higher frequency of true whorls, double loops and less ulnar loops and tented arches. Total and absolute ridge counts were significantly higher (less than 0.05) in all digits in favor of the MI patients. Similar trends were observed in analyses by digit and by hand. These observations suggest an antenatal origin of certain types of coronary disease.", "PMID": 618813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2710", "title": "Placental enzyme polymorphisms in Canadian populations. III. Alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Placental alkaline phosphatase phenotypes have been determined for a large Canadian population. The 'common' alleles, PL1, PL2, and PL3 have frequencies similar to those of European populations. Five new phenotypes are described and the incidence of rare phenotypes is compared for several populations.", "contents": "Placental enzyme polymorphisms in Canadian populations. III. Alkaline phosphatase. Placental alkaline phosphatase phenotypes have been determined for a large Canadian population. The 'common' alleles, PL1, PL2, and PL3 have frequencies similar to those of European populations. Five new phenotypes are described and the incidence of rare phenotypes is compared for several populations.", "PMID": 618814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2711", "title": "Gene differentiation among the Dhangar caste-cluster of Maharashtra, India.", "content": "Genetic differentiation among the 22 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, is studied using data on several polymorphic serological and biochemical loci employing Nei's distance measures. The intercaste genetic distances and the coefficient of gene diversity among these caste groups are found to be rather small. The relationship between gene identity and geographic distance is also studied empirically from the gene frequency data. All these analyses indicate that genetic differentiation among the Dhangar castes is at its very early stage only. It is also suggested that these caste groups probably originated from a common stock and are in the process of differentiation by fission with very little intercaste migration in the recent past.", "contents": "Gene differentiation among the Dhangar caste-cluster of Maharashtra, India. Genetic differentiation among the 22 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, is studied using data on several polymorphic serological and biochemical loci employing Nei's distance measures. The intercaste genetic distances and the coefficient of gene diversity among these caste groups are found to be rather small. The relationship between gene identity and geographic distance is also studied empirically from the gene frequency data. All these analyses indicate that genetic differentiation among the Dhangar castes is at its very early stage only. It is also suggested that these caste groups probably originated from a common stock and are in the process of differentiation by fission with very little intercaste migration in the recent past.", "PMID": 618815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2712", "title": "Serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in affective disorders.", "content": "Frequencies of serum groups (Hp and Gc) and red cell enzyme types (PGM1, 6-PGD and ES D) were studied in 195 patients with affective disorders. The patients were classified into four groups: (1) bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis; (2) unipolar, recurrent, depressive psychosis; (3) non-psychotic reactive depression, and (4) unclassifiable. The Hp2 gene was increased in reactive and unclassifiable patients, the PGM1 1 gene was increased in bipolar patients and the ES D1 gene in reactive patients. No associations were found between affective disorders and the Gc and 6-PGD systems.", "contents": "Serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms in affective disorders. Frequencies of serum groups (Hp and Gc) and red cell enzyme types (PGM1, 6-PGD and ES D) were studied in 195 patients with affective disorders. The patients were classified into four groups: (1) bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis; (2) unipolar, recurrent, depressive psychosis; (3) non-psychotic reactive depression, and (4) unclassifiable. The Hp2 gene was increased in reactive and unclassifiable patients, the PGM1 1 gene was increased in bipolar patients and the ES D1 gene in reactive patients. No associations were found between affective disorders and the Gc and 6-PGD systems.", "PMID": 618816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2713", "title": "Blood groups and affective disorders.", "content": "Frequencies of ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy blood groups were studied in a total of 219 patients with affective disorders. The patients were classified into four groups: (1) bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis; (2) unipolar recurrent depressive psychosis; (3) nonpsychotic 'reactive' depression, and (4) 'unclassifiable'. The following statistically significant results were found: an increased frequency of the blood group factor B among psychotic (bipolar and unipolar) patients compared to nonpsychotic patients, a decreased frequency of the SS phenotype in the unclassifiable group and an increased frequency of the K(+) phenotype among the nonpsychotic patients. Previous results concerning differences between bipolar and unipolar patients with respect to the A and O blood types were not confirmed in this investigation.", "contents": "Blood groups and affective disorders. Frequencies of ABO, Rh, MNSs, P, Kell, Lewis and Duffy blood groups were studied in a total of 219 patients with affective disorders. The patients were classified into four groups: (1) bipolar (manic-depressive) psychosis; (2) unipolar recurrent depressive psychosis; (3) nonpsychotic 'reactive' depression, and (4) 'unclassifiable'. The following statistically significant results were found: an increased frequency of the blood group factor B among psychotic (bipolar and unipolar) patients compared to nonpsychotic patients, a decreased frequency of the SS phenotype in the unclassifiable group and an increased frequency of the K(+) phenotype among the nonpsychotic patients. Previous results concerning differences between bipolar and unipolar patients with respect to the A and O blood types were not confirmed in this investigation.", "PMID": 618817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2714", "title": "Hemoglobin S and some other hemoglobinopathies in Eti-Turks.", "content": "Frequencies of various hemoglobinopathies were examined in a total of 1,922 individuals of Eti-Turk origin by electrophoretical techniques. Hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and hemoglobin F (Hb F) determinations were also performed in 651 and 1,642 cases, respectively. Mean hemoglobin S (Hb S) frequency was found to be 15.3%. Variations among the different age groups were insignificant. Hemoglobin E (Hb E) and beta-thalassemia frequencies wer 0.47 and 1.23%, respectively. Hemoglobin Hacettepe and hemoglobin D were found once. Red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was found in 6.5% of males.", "contents": "Hemoglobin S and some other hemoglobinopathies in Eti-Turks. Frequencies of various hemoglobinopathies were examined in a total of 1,922 individuals of Eti-Turk origin by electrophoretical techniques. Hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and hemoglobin F (Hb F) determinations were also performed in 651 and 1,642 cases, respectively. Mean hemoglobin S (Hb S) frequency was found to be 15.3%. Variations among the different age groups were insignificant. Hemoglobin E (Hb E) and beta-thalassemia frequencies wer 0.47 and 1.23%, respectively. Hemoglobin Hacettepe and hemoglobin D were found once. Red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was found in 6.5% of males.", "PMID": 618818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2715", "title": "Adenosine deaminase polymorphism among the Semai, Temuan, Semelai, and Jakun groups of West Malaysian Orang Asli.", "content": "812 West Malaysian Orang Asli belonging to four ethnic groups were surveyed for adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3.5.4.4) using starch gel electrophoresis. Only the common ADA1 and ADA2 alleles were found, with the frequencies of the latter being 0.025, 0.103, 0.115 and 0.028 in the Semai, Semelai, Temuan, and Jakun groups, respectively. A new 'breeding genetic distance' was applied to these gene frequencies and the Semelai and Temuan were found to be more closely related to each other, and to have considerably more evolutionary flexibility on this scale of 'micro-evolution' than the other two groups. The Semai and Jakun were more similar to each other on the basis of these ADA gene frequencies.", "contents": "Adenosine deaminase polymorphism among the Semai, Temuan, Semelai, and Jakun groups of West Malaysian Orang Asli. 812 West Malaysian Orang Asli belonging to four ethnic groups were surveyed for adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3.5.4.4) using starch gel electrophoresis. Only the common ADA1 and ADA2 alleles were found, with the frequencies of the latter being 0.025, 0.103, 0.115 and 0.028 in the Semai, Semelai, Temuan, and Jakun groups, respectively. A new 'breeding genetic distance' was applied to these gene frequencies and the Semelai and Temuan were found to be more closely related to each other, and to have considerably more evolutionary flexibility on this scale of 'micro-evolution' than the other two groups. The Semai and Jakun were more similar to each other on the basis of these ADA gene frequencies.", "PMID": 618819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2716", "title": "The Nubians of Kom Ombo: serum and red cell protein types.", "content": "Phenotype and gene frequencies are presented for eight polymorphic systems among the Nubians of South Egypt, namely, acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, esterase D, phosphoglucomutase I, peptidase A, and haptoglobin. Eleven systems, namely, albumin, ceruloplasmin, hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, phosphohexose isomerase, malate dehydrogenase, peptidase B and C, phosphoglucomutase II, and transferrin were found to be monomorphic. A single electrophoretic variant of phosphohexose isomerase were observed.", "contents": "The Nubians of Kom Ombo: serum and red cell protein types. Phenotype and gene frequencies are presented for eight polymorphic systems among the Nubians of South Egypt, namely, acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, adenylate kinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, esterase D, phosphoglucomutase I, peptidase A, and haptoglobin. Eleven systems, namely, albumin, ceruloplasmin, hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, phosphohexose isomerase, malate dehydrogenase, peptidase B and C, phosphoglucomutase II, and transferrin were found to be monomorphic. A single electrophoretic variant of phosphohexose isomerase were observed.", "PMID": 618820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2717", "title": "Population structure in Kanoya population, Japan.", "content": "The mean inbreeding coefficients found for Minami-cho (366 couples) and Shinsei-cho (511 couples) were 0.00307 and 0.00191, respectively. The mean inbreeding coefficient decreased and the mean marital distance increased as the year of marriage becomes more recent. The mean distances and their standard deviations between birthplaces of mates, father-offspring, mother-offspring, and sibs are 69.05 +/- 229.64, 73.09 +/- 246.66, 49.81 +/- 158.43, and 39.53 +/- 159.51 km, respectively, at Minami-cho. These values are 188.45 +/- 387.05, 187.79 +/- 562.59, 148.26 +/- 326.35, and 73.93 +/- 225.92 km, respectively, at Shinsei-cho. The dimensionality of migration is closest to one dimension.", "contents": "Population structure in Kanoya population, Japan. The mean inbreeding coefficients found for Minami-cho (366 couples) and Shinsei-cho (511 couples) were 0.00307 and 0.00191, respectively. The mean inbreeding coefficient decreased and the mean marital distance increased as the year of marriage becomes more recent. The mean distances and their standard deviations between birthplaces of mates, father-offspring, mother-offspring, and sibs are 69.05 +/- 229.64, 73.09 +/- 246.66, 49.81 +/- 158.43, and 39.53 +/- 159.51 km, respectively, at Minami-cho. These values are 188.45 +/- 387.05, 187.79 +/- 562.59, 148.26 +/- 326.35, and 73.93 +/- 225.92 km, respectively, at Shinsei-cho. The dimensionality of migration is closest to one dimension.", "PMID": 618821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2718", "title": "Dermatoglyphic studies in rheumatic heart disease.", "content": "62 patients suffering from rheumatic heart disease were taken from Institute of Child Health, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, for the present dermatoglyphic investigation. The finger, palm and toe prints were analysed to see if there was an association between rheumatic heart disease and any of the dermatoglyphic traits. The parameters which were significantly different from the controls are: (1) reduced frequency of arches on the finger tips in males and increased frequency of whorls in females; (2) increased frequency of patterns in the III interdigital area in males; (3) decreased d-t ridge count in females, and (4) higher incidence of multiple axial triradii in females.", "contents": "Dermatoglyphic studies in rheumatic heart disease. 62 patients suffering from rheumatic heart disease were taken from Institute of Child Health, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, for the present dermatoglyphic investigation. The finger, palm and toe prints were analysed to see if there was an association between rheumatic heart disease and any of the dermatoglyphic traits. The parameters which were significantly different from the controls are: (1) reduced frequency of arches on the finger tips in males and increased frequency of whorls in females; (2) increased frequency of patterns in the III interdigital area in males; (3) decreased d-t ridge count in females, and (4) higher incidence of multiple axial triradii in females.", "PMID": 618822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2719", "title": "On the nature of the presumed receptor for IgE on mast cells. V. Enhanced binding of 125I-labeled IgE to cell-free particulate fractions in the presence of protease inhibitors.", "content": "Cell-free particulate preparations derived from sonicated, purified rat peritoneal mast cells can be radiolabeled with IgE. The IgE concentration-dependence and the kinetics of the binding reaction at pH 6.6 were very similar to those observed with intact mast cells. The number of IgE molecules bound per mast cell equivalent at saturation varied somewhat from one particulate preparation to the next and, on average, was about 50% of the binding capacity of the intact cells. Incubation of intact mast cells or of particulate fractions with low concentrations of IgE in serum-free media resulted in a decrease in the amount of bindable IgE which remained in the supernatants in excess over the amount of IgE which was bound to the cells. Specific binding of IgE to both particles and to intact cells at limiting IgE concentrations was stimulated up to approximately twofold by a variety of antibiotic, synthetic or high molecular weight (protein) protease inhibitors of which soybean trypsin inhibitor and p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate were the most active. These substances also markedly protected the IgE, leaving more of it bindable to rat basophil leukemic cells in a second incubation. Binding to particulate fractions also occurred at pH 4.8 when bovine serum albumin was added to the incubations. The results are consistent with the view that normal peritoneal mast cells have a membrane-bound protease which has high selectivity for IgE.", "contents": "On the nature of the presumed receptor for IgE on mast cells. V. Enhanced binding of 125I-labeled IgE to cell-free particulate fractions in the presence of protease inhibitors. Cell-free particulate preparations derived from sonicated, purified rat peritoneal mast cells can be radiolabeled with IgE. The IgE concentration-dependence and the kinetics of the binding reaction at pH 6.6 were very similar to those observed with intact mast cells. The number of IgE molecules bound per mast cell equivalent at saturation varied somewhat from one particulate preparation to the next and, on average, was about 50% of the binding capacity of the intact cells. Incubation of intact mast cells or of particulate fractions with low concentrations of IgE in serum-free media resulted in a decrease in the amount of bindable IgE which remained in the supernatants in excess over the amount of IgE which was bound to the cells. Specific binding of IgE to both particles and to intact cells at limiting IgE concentrations was stimulated up to approximately twofold by a variety of antibiotic, synthetic or high molecular weight (protein) protease inhibitors of which soybean trypsin inhibitor and p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate were the most active. These substances also markedly protected the IgE, leaving more of it bindable to rat basophil leukemic cells in a second incubation. Binding to particulate fractions also occurred at pH 4.8 when bovine serum albumin was added to the incubations. The results are consistent with the view that normal peritoneal mast cells have a membrane-bound protease which has high selectivity for IgE.", "PMID": 618823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2720", "title": "Alterations in immune responsiveness in acute measles and chronic post-measles chest disease.", "content": "Immune responses in 24 children with acute measles (AM) were compared with those in 20 children who had chronic pulmonary complications (CPMC) following measles. The immuno-suppressive effects of acute measles were extensive: total white cells were reduced and this reduction was accounted for entirely by lymphopenia which was equally expressed among the major lymphocyte sub-populations studied; the function of 'T' cells, assessed by radio-isotope incorporation into phytohaemagglutin (PHA) transformed lymphocytes and delayed skin hypersensitivity (DHR) to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was depressed. Serum IgA was reduced in AM patients. In contrast there was a relative sparing of the measured indices of immunity in patients with chronic post-measles chest disease, with the major defect being an impaired DHR to DNCB. There were minor alterations of complement components in both groups of patients.", "contents": "Alterations in immune responsiveness in acute measles and chronic post-measles chest disease. Immune responses in 24 children with acute measles (AM) were compared with those in 20 children who had chronic pulmonary complications (CPMC) following measles. The immuno-suppressive effects of acute measles were extensive: total white cells were reduced and this reduction was accounted for entirely by lymphopenia which was equally expressed among the major lymphocyte sub-populations studied; the function of 'T' cells, assessed by radio-isotope incorporation into phytohaemagglutin (PHA) transformed lymphocytes and delayed skin hypersensitivity (DHR) to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), was depressed. Serum IgA was reduced in AM patients. In contrast there was a relative sparing of the measured indices of immunity in patients with chronic post-measles chest disease, with the major defect being an impaired DHR to DNCB. There were minor alterations of complement components in both groups of patients.", "PMID": 618824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2721", "title": "Empiric analysis of the interactions involved in the formation of Fc receptor rosettes.", "content": "Erythrocytes coated with IgG were used in forming rosettes with lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes to investigate Fc receptors. The density of the IgG-Fc coating on erythrocytes predictable influenced the number of rosettes formed with leukocytes. This relationship could be empirically described by application of the Hill equation derived from studies of molecular interactions in other biologic systems. The approximate Hill coefficient for Fc receptors was 2.4. These findings suggest at least two possible models for membrane Fc receptor function.", "contents": "Empiric analysis of the interactions involved in the formation of Fc receptor rosettes. Erythrocytes coated with IgG were used in forming rosettes with lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes to investigate Fc receptors. The density of the IgG-Fc coating on erythrocytes predictable influenced the number of rosettes formed with leukocytes. This relationship could be empirically described by application of the Hill equation derived from studies of molecular interactions in other biologic systems. The approximate Hill coefficient for Fc receptors was 2.4. These findings suggest at least two possible models for membrane Fc receptor function.", "PMID": 618825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2722", "title": "Studies on contact sensitivity to DNCB in guinea pigs by the macrophage migration test.", "content": "Guinea pigs contact-sensitized to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) by foot-pad injections or by topical applications of the hapten were studied by the direct macrophage migration test using DNP-guinea pig albumin (DNP-Alb) and DNP-guinea pig skin extract (DNP-SE) as antigens. Specific inhibition of macrophage migration in the presence of either antigen was found in a significant number of animals exhibiting contact sensitivity to DNCB. However, a wide variation in migration indices was observed in both groups of sensitized animals, with some animals showing a significant enhancement of macrophage migration.", "contents": "Studies on contact sensitivity to DNCB in guinea pigs by the macrophage migration test. Guinea pigs contact-sensitized to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) by foot-pad injections or by topical applications of the hapten were studied by the direct macrophage migration test using DNP-guinea pig albumin (DNP-Alb) and DNP-guinea pig skin extract (DNP-SE) as antigens. Specific inhibition of macrophage migration in the presence of either antigen was found in a significant number of animals exhibiting contact sensitivity to DNCB. However, a wide variation in migration indices was observed in both groups of sensitized animals, with some animals showing a significant enhancement of macrophage migration.", "PMID": 618826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2723", "title": "Ehrlich ascites carcinoma: synchronised ultradian rhythms in certain cell parameters.", "content": "In populations of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells rhythms of near-hourly periods have been demonstrated for several cell parameters - nucleus and cell size, permeability and strength of plasma membranes. These oscillations are characterized by a high degree of synchrony and autonomy.", "contents": "Ehrlich ascites carcinoma: synchronised ultradian rhythms in certain cell parameters. In populations of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells rhythms of near-hourly periods have been demonstrated for several cell parameters - nucleus and cell size, permeability and strength of plasma membranes. These oscillations are characterized by a high degree of synchrony and autonomy.", "PMID": 618828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2724", "title": "Time-course of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus RNA replication.", "content": "In a synchronous infection of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus in cowpea leaves, the three largest viral RNA components were synthesized throughout the infection at relatively constant ratios of two molecules of component 3 to one each of components 1 and 2. Component 4 (the coat protein message) was produced minimally during the initial stages of the infection, and as the infection progressed the proportion of component 4 continuously increased. The replicative forms of components 1, 2, and 3 were produced with kinetics similar to those of the corresponding single-stranded molecules.", "contents": "Time-course of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus RNA replication. In a synchronous infection of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus in cowpea leaves, the three largest viral RNA components were synthesized throughout the infection at relatively constant ratios of two molecules of component 3 to one each of components 1 and 2. Component 4 (the coat protein message) was produced minimally during the initial stages of the infection, and as the infection progressed the proportion of component 4 continuously increased. The replicative forms of components 1, 2, and 3 were produced with kinetics similar to those of the corresponding single-stranded molecules.", "PMID": 618830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2725", "title": "Togaviridae.", "content": "The family Togaviridae is described; it contains four genera--Alphavirus, Flavivirus, Pestivirus and Rubivirus--and additional members. The main characteristics of the family are as follows: single-stranded, linear RNA, molecular weight about 4 X 10(6). Virions have isometric nucleocapsids surrounded by a lipoprotein envelope containing host cell lipid and virus-specified polypeptides including one or more glycopeptides. Virions yield infectious RNA. There are at least 80 members; all the alphaviruses and most flaviviruses are arboviruses in the biological sense.", "contents": "Togaviridae. The family Togaviridae is described; it contains four genera--Alphavirus, Flavivirus, Pestivirus and Rubivirus--and additional members. The main characteristics of the family are as follows: single-stranded, linear RNA, molecular weight about 4 X 10(6). Virions have isometric nucleocapsids surrounded by a lipoprotein envelope containing host cell lipid and virus-specified polypeptides including one or more glycopeptides. Virions yield infectious RNA. There are at least 80 members; all the alphaviruses and most flaviviruses are arboviruses in the biological sense.", "PMID": 618831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2726", "title": "Stability of mutations conferring temperature sensitivity on tobacco mosaic virus.", "content": "Among several temperature-sensitive mutants of tobacco mosaic virus, reversion to wild-type phenotype is an event sufficiently rare that essentially pure stocks of mutant virus can easily be maintained. The temperature-sensitive phenotype of many of these mutants is stringently expressed. Our data show that most of our mutants are suitable for use in biochemical experiments.", "contents": "Stability of mutations conferring temperature sensitivity on tobacco mosaic virus. Among several temperature-sensitive mutants of tobacco mosaic virus, reversion to wild-type phenotype is an event sufficiently rare that essentially pure stocks of mutant virus can easily be maintained. The temperature-sensitive phenotype of many of these mutants is stringently expressed. Our data show that most of our mutants are suitable for use in biochemical experiments.", "PMID": 618832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2727", "title": "The effect of protoplast concentration during inoculation on the infection of tobacco protoplasts.", "content": "When tobacco protoplasts were inoculated with tobacco rattle virus, the proportion infected was inversely related to the protoplast concentration between 0.5 X 10(5) and 4 X 10(5) per milliliter when the inocula contained phosphate or Tris-HCL buffers, but was independent of protoplast concentration when using citrate buffer. The decrease in infection obtained at high protoplast concentrations in phosphate was diminished by increasing the poly-L-ornithine (PLO) concentration. At usual PLO concentrations, inocula in phosphate produced more infection that those in citrate, but at some suboptimal PLO concentrations the position was reversed. These effects may result from differences in the reaction between PLO and the different buffer anions.", "contents": "The effect of protoplast concentration during inoculation on the infection of tobacco protoplasts. When tobacco protoplasts were inoculated with tobacco rattle virus, the proportion infected was inversely related to the protoplast concentration between 0.5 X 10(5) and 4 X 10(5) per milliliter when the inocula contained phosphate or Tris-HCL buffers, but was independent of protoplast concentration when using citrate buffer. The decrease in infection obtained at high protoplast concentrations in phosphate was diminished by increasing the poly-L-ornithine (PLO) concentration. At usual PLO concentrations, inocula in phosphate produced more infection that those in citrate, but at some suboptimal PLO concentrations the position was reversed. These effects may result from differences in the reaction between PLO and the different buffer anions.", "PMID": 618833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2728", "title": "Pea enation mosaic virus genoma RNA contains no polyadenylate sequences and cannot be aminoacylated.", "content": "An active synthetase enzyme preparation from peas (Pisum sativum L.) did not catalyze the aminoacylation of pea enation mosaic virus RNA. The viral RNA was shown not to contain polyadenylic acid sequences.", "contents": "Pea enation mosaic virus genoma RNA contains no polyadenylate sequences and cannot be aminoacylated. An active synthetase enzyme preparation from peas (Pisum sativum L.) did not catalyze the aminoacylation of pea enation mosaic virus RNA. The viral RNA was shown not to contain polyadenylic acid sequences.", "PMID": 618834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2729", "title": "Characterization of germination and activation of Bdellovibrio bdellocysts.", "content": "A simple method of assaying germination of bdellocysts in liquid medium has been devised. Bdellocysts can be induced to germinate by any of eight L-amino acids or the monovalent cations K+ and NH4+. L-Glutamine was the best individual inducer of germination, although the resulting rate of germination was much slower than in a complex medium. The use of a defined germination medium containing L-glutamine, KCl, and NH4Cl produced a faster rate of germination than did complex media. Bdellocysts germinated most rapidly at pH 8.0 and at 35 degrees C and required aerobic conditions. Respiration of bdellocysts began to increase at 3 min after the addition of germinants. Germination was inhibited by respiratory-chain inhibitors and by inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis. When bdellocysts were heat shocked at sublethal temperatures for short periods, there was no effect on the rate of germination in the defined germination medium or in the complex medium. However, heat-shocked bdellocysts germinated at a much faster rate in the presence of single inducers of germination when compared to nonshocked bdellocytes.", "contents": "Characterization of germination and activation of Bdellovibrio bdellocysts. A simple method of assaying germination of bdellocysts in liquid medium has been devised. Bdellocysts can be induced to germinate by any of eight L-amino acids or the monovalent cations K+ and NH4+. L-Glutamine was the best individual inducer of germination, although the resulting rate of germination was much slower than in a complex medium. The use of a defined germination medium containing L-glutamine, KCl, and NH4Cl produced a faster rate of germination than did complex media. Bdellocysts germinated most rapidly at pH 8.0 and at 35 degrees C and required aerobic conditions. Respiration of bdellocysts began to increase at 3 min after the addition of germinants. Germination was inhibited by respiratory-chain inhibitors and by inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis. When bdellocysts were heat shocked at sublethal temperatures for short periods, there was no effect on the rate of germination in the defined germination medium or in the complex medium. However, heat-shocked bdellocysts germinated at a much faster rate in the presence of single inducers of germination when compared to nonshocked bdellocytes.", "PMID": 618835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2730", "title": "Biosynthesis of oligosaccharide-lipid in Streptococcus sanguis.", "content": "An oligosaccharide-lipid containing N-acetyl d-glucosamine (GlcNAc), l-rhamnose, and d-glucose was synthesized when the particulate enzyme from Streptococcus sanguis was incubated with UDP-GlcNAc, TDP-rhamnose, and UDP-glucose. The incorporation of d-glucose into the lipid was dependent on the preincorporation of l-rhamnose, which in turn was dependent on that of GlcNAc. This indicates that the order of sugar incorporation is GlcNAc, l-rhamnose, and d-glucose. The synthesis of GlcNAc-lipid was stimulated twofold by ATP and was inhibited strongly by UDP and slightly by UMP, CDP, and TDP, but not by all other nucleoside diphosphates and nucleoside monophosphates tested. A [gamma-(32)P]ATP labeling experiment indicated that some acceptor lipid was present in nonphosphorylated form. The acid and alkaline stabilities of the GlcNAc-lipid were similar to those of glycosyl undecaprenylphosphate, and the thin-layer chromatographic mobility of the lipid was slightly faster than that of the mannosylphosphorylundecaprenol. The molar ratio of phosphate to GlcNAc in purified GlcNAc-lipid was found to be 0.96:1. These results suggested that the GlcNAc was attached to the lipid moiety, presumably undecaprenol, by phosphodiester bonds. The incorporation of l-rhamnose into the lipid was inhibited by UDP and UMP, respectively, in a manner similar to the incorporation of GlcNAc. This suggested that the oligosaccharide was also linked to the lipid moiety by phosphodiester bonds.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of oligosaccharide-lipid in Streptococcus sanguis. An oligosaccharide-lipid containing N-acetyl d-glucosamine (GlcNAc), l-rhamnose, and d-glucose was synthesized when the particulate enzyme from Streptococcus sanguis was incubated with UDP-GlcNAc, TDP-rhamnose, and UDP-glucose. The incorporation of d-glucose into the lipid was dependent on the preincorporation of l-rhamnose, which in turn was dependent on that of GlcNAc. This indicates that the order of sugar incorporation is GlcNAc, l-rhamnose, and d-glucose. The synthesis of GlcNAc-lipid was stimulated twofold by ATP and was inhibited strongly by UDP and slightly by UMP, CDP, and TDP, but not by all other nucleoside diphosphates and nucleoside monophosphates tested. A [gamma-(32)P]ATP labeling experiment indicated that some acceptor lipid was present in nonphosphorylated form. The acid and alkaline stabilities of the GlcNAc-lipid were similar to those of glycosyl undecaprenylphosphate, and the thin-layer chromatographic mobility of the lipid was slightly faster than that of the mannosylphosphorylundecaprenol. The molar ratio of phosphate to GlcNAc in purified GlcNAc-lipid was found to be 0.96:1. These results suggested that the GlcNAc was attached to the lipid moiety, presumably undecaprenol, by phosphodiester bonds. The incorporation of l-rhamnose into the lipid was inhibited by UDP and UMP, respectively, in a manner similar to the incorporation of GlcNAc. This suggested that the oligosaccharide was also linked to the lipid moiety by phosphodiester bonds.", "PMID": 618836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2731", "title": "Evolution of Pseudomonas R-plasmids: consequences of Tn1 insertion and resultant partial diploidy to chromosome and Tra- R-plasmid mobilization.", "content": "Tn1 transposes from pRO161, a Tra- derivative of RP1, to Pseudomonas aeruginosa sex factor FP2. The acquisition of Tn1 by FP2 results in its ability to mobilize pRO161 to other bacteria. Genetic evidence presented here suggests two sequential mechanisms. Initially, transposition of Tn1 results in trans-diploidy for the Tra+ and Tra- plasmids. This subsequently allows mobilization of the Tra- R-plasmid dependent on a host recombination mechanism. Transconjugants from this mating contain either stable cointegrate R-plasmids or aggregates resulting from dissociation of the cointegrates into a Tra+ and Tra- plasmid. These aggregates have lost at least part of Tn1 from their parent FP2:Tn1 component, but now they mobilize the tra- R-plasmid from a recombination-deficient (Rec-) genetic background as well as from Rec+ donor strains. Transconjugants from these retransfer matings are aggregates. These results suggest a contribution of transposons to R-plasmid evolution and dissemination beyond the mere acquisition of resistance to a given antibiotic.", "contents": "Evolution of Pseudomonas R-plasmids: consequences of Tn1 insertion and resultant partial diploidy to chromosome and Tra- R-plasmid mobilization. Tn1 transposes from pRO161, a Tra- derivative of RP1, to Pseudomonas aeruginosa sex factor FP2. The acquisition of Tn1 by FP2 results in its ability to mobilize pRO161 to other bacteria. Genetic evidence presented here suggests two sequential mechanisms. Initially, transposition of Tn1 results in trans-diploidy for the Tra+ and Tra- plasmids. This subsequently allows mobilization of the Tra- R-plasmid dependent on a host recombination mechanism. Transconjugants from this mating contain either stable cointegrate R-plasmids or aggregates resulting from dissociation of the cointegrates into a Tra+ and Tra- plasmid. These aggregates have lost at least part of Tn1 from their parent FP2:Tn1 component, but now they mobilize the tra- R-plasmid from a recombination-deficient (Rec-) genetic background as well as from Rec+ donor strains. Transconjugants from these retransfer matings are aggregates. These results suggest a contribution of transposons to R-plasmid evolution and dissemination beyond the mere acquisition of resistance to a given antibiotic.", "PMID": 618837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2732", "title": "Changes in cytochrome content and electron transport patterns in Pseudomonas putida as a function of growth phase.", "content": "Optical absorbance difference spectra of membrane vesicles prepared from aerobically grown Pseudomonas putida indicated that, when harvested in logarithmic phase, the cells contained one c-type cytochrome and two or three b-type cytochromes, one of which was cytochrome o. As the cells grew into stationary phase and the oxygen concentration of the medium dropped to essentially zero, an additional component believed to be cytochrome d was produced. Both the o- and d-type cytochromes might function as terminal oxidases. No a-type cytochromes could be detected at any stage of growth. Polarographic measurement of oxygen utilization revealed that cyanide and azide are effective inhibitors of the oxidation of ascorbate coupled with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine in respiratory particles from either log-phase or stationary-phase cells. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- or succinate-dependent oxygen utilization, however, was sensitive to these inhibitors only in log-phase particles. These results indicate that an alternate terminal oxidase may be synthesized by this organism in response to restricted oxygen availability and that branching of the respiratory system may result.", "contents": "Changes in cytochrome content and electron transport patterns in Pseudomonas putida as a function of growth phase. Optical absorbance difference spectra of membrane vesicles prepared from aerobically grown Pseudomonas putida indicated that, when harvested in logarithmic phase, the cells contained one c-type cytochrome and two or three b-type cytochromes, one of which was cytochrome o. As the cells grew into stationary phase and the oxygen concentration of the medium dropped to essentially zero, an additional component believed to be cytochrome d was produced. Both the o- and d-type cytochromes might function as terminal oxidases. No a-type cytochromes could be detected at any stage of growth. Polarographic measurement of oxygen utilization revealed that cyanide and azide are effective inhibitors of the oxidation of ascorbate coupled with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine in respiratory particles from either log-phase or stationary-phase cells. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- or succinate-dependent oxygen utilization, however, was sensitive to these inhibitors only in log-phase particles. These results indicate that an alternate terminal oxidase may be synthesized by this organism in response to restricted oxygen availability and that branching of the respiratory system may result.", "PMID": 618838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2733", "title": "Tween 80 effect on glucosyltransferase synthesis by Streptococcus salivarius.", "content": "Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 25975) produced very low or nondetectable amounts of the extracellular enzyme glucosyltransferase (GTase) when grown in a chemically defined medium. The addition of Tween 80 to this medium resulted in the production of markedly enhanced levels of the enzyme. Oleic acid, the methyl ester of oleic acid, and sucrose each could not substitute for Tween 80 in this regard. The surfactant had no direct activating effect on performed enzyme activity. Tween 80 also stimulated the production of GTase by concentrated cells suspended in defined medium during a time when no measurable growth occurred. Under these conditions, the stimulatory effect of Tween 80 was blocked by chloramphenicol. It was further found that the surfactant dramatically stimulated the differential rate of GTase synthesis. These and other data strongly suggest that Tween 80 stimulates the production of extracellular GTase by acting either directly or indirectly at the level of enzyme synthesis.", "contents": "Tween 80 effect on glucosyltransferase synthesis by Streptococcus salivarius. Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 25975) produced very low or nondetectable amounts of the extracellular enzyme glucosyltransferase (GTase) when grown in a chemically defined medium. The addition of Tween 80 to this medium resulted in the production of markedly enhanced levels of the enzyme. Oleic acid, the methyl ester of oleic acid, and sucrose each could not substitute for Tween 80 in this regard. The surfactant had no direct activating effect on performed enzyme activity. Tween 80 also stimulated the production of GTase by concentrated cells suspended in defined medium during a time when no measurable growth occurred. Under these conditions, the stimulatory effect of Tween 80 was blocked by chloramphenicol. It was further found that the surfactant dramatically stimulated the differential rate of GTase synthesis. These and other data strongly suggest that Tween 80 stimulates the production of extracellular GTase by acting either directly or indirectly at the level of enzyme synthesis.", "PMID": 618839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2734", "title": "Composition and Characterization of tRNA from Methanococcus vannielii.", "content": "Purified bulk tRNA from Methanococcus vanielii (carbon source, formate) showed variation in the modified nucleoside pattern reported for Escherichia coli as analyzed by both ion-exchange and thin-layer chromatography. Ribothymidine and 7-methylguanosine were absent; 1-methyladenosine, 1-methylguanosine, N2-methylguanosine, N2,N2-dimethylguanosine, thiolated nucleosides, pseudouridine, dihydrouridine, and O2'-methylcytidine were quantitated. In vitro methylation by M. Vannielii extracts with S-adenosylmethionine and undermethylated E. coli tRNA revealed active tRNA methyltransferases for formation of methylated residues found in native M. vannielii tRNA, but none for the formation of 7-methylguanosine or ribothymidine. The native M. vannielii tRNA became methylated in the 7-methylguanosine position by E. Coli extracts, but ribothymidine was not formed. Both M. vannielii and E. coli tRNA methyltransferases produced unidentified methylated residues in tRNA's lacking or deficient in ribothymidine.", "contents": "Composition and Characterization of tRNA from Methanococcus vannielii. Purified bulk tRNA from Methanococcus vanielii (carbon source, formate) showed variation in the modified nucleoside pattern reported for Escherichia coli as analyzed by both ion-exchange and thin-layer chromatography. Ribothymidine and 7-methylguanosine were absent; 1-methyladenosine, 1-methylguanosine, N2-methylguanosine, N2,N2-dimethylguanosine, thiolated nucleosides, pseudouridine, dihydrouridine, and O2'-methylcytidine were quantitated. In vitro methylation by M. Vannielii extracts with S-adenosylmethionine and undermethylated E. coli tRNA revealed active tRNA methyltransferases for formation of methylated residues found in native M. vannielii tRNA, but none for the formation of 7-methylguanosine or ribothymidine. The native M. vannielii tRNA became methylated in the 7-methylguanosine position by E. Coli extracts, but ribothymidine was not formed. Both M. vannielii and E. coli tRNA methyltransferases produced unidentified methylated residues in tRNA's lacking or deficient in ribothymidine.", "PMID": 618840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2735", "title": "Fermentation of fumarate and L-malate by Clostridium formicoaceticum.", "content": "The fermentation of fumarate and L-malate by Clostridium formicoaceticum was investigated. Growing and nongrowing cells degraded fumarate by dismutation to succinate, acetate, and CO2; on the other hand, only small amounts of succinate were detected when the organism was grown on L-malate. This dicarboxylic acid was mainly converted to acetate and CO2. The fermentation balances were modified if bicarbonate or formate were present in the medium. When C. formicoaceticum was grown in the presence of both dicarboxylic acids, fumarate was consumed before L-malate. The latter was mainly converted to acetate, whereas fumarate was fermented to acetate and succinate. Molar growth yields were determined to be 6 g of dry weight per mol of fumarate and 8 g of dry weight per mol of L-malate fermented.", "contents": "Fermentation of fumarate and L-malate by Clostridium formicoaceticum. The fermentation of fumarate and L-malate by Clostridium formicoaceticum was investigated. Growing and nongrowing cells degraded fumarate by dismutation to succinate, acetate, and CO2; on the other hand, only small amounts of succinate were detected when the organism was grown on L-malate. This dicarboxylic acid was mainly converted to acetate and CO2. The fermentation balances were modified if bicarbonate or formate were present in the medium. When C. formicoaceticum was grown in the presence of both dicarboxylic acids, fumarate was consumed before L-malate. The latter was mainly converted to acetate, whereas fumarate was fermented to acetate and succinate. Molar growth yields were determined to be 6 g of dry weight per mol of fumarate and 8 g of dry weight per mol of L-malate fermented.", "PMID": 618841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2736", "title": "Early stages of arthrospore maturation in Streptomyces.", "content": "In the sporogenesis of Streptomyces, two basic stages can be considered: sporulation septum synthesis and arthrospore maturation. Most of the information about the ultrastructural changes accompanying the sporogenesis refer to the first stage of the process, but nothing has been published about the evolution of the sporulation septum during maturation. In a previous paper, proposed three basic types of sporulation septum formation in Streptomyces. Our ultrastructural study on the evolution of the sporulation septum during the early stages of arthrospore maturation in seven species of Streptomyces indicates correlation between the sporulation septum type and its evolution during the arthrospore maturation. In types I and II the material of the annuli was incorporated into the lateral walls of the arthrospore, whereas in types II and III the deposits were lysed during the maturation. Only in type III was the arthrospore wall synthesized de novo. In type I there was total integration and in type II there was partial integration of the septum into the arthrospore wall.", "contents": "Early stages of arthrospore maturation in Streptomyces. In the sporogenesis of Streptomyces, two basic stages can be considered: sporulation septum synthesis and arthrospore maturation. Most of the information about the ultrastructural changes accompanying the sporogenesis refer to the first stage of the process, but nothing has been published about the evolution of the sporulation septum during maturation. In a previous paper, proposed three basic types of sporulation septum formation in Streptomyces. Our ultrastructural study on the evolution of the sporulation septum during the early stages of arthrospore maturation in seven species of Streptomyces indicates correlation between the sporulation septum type and its evolution during the arthrospore maturation. In types I and II the material of the annuli was incorporated into the lateral walls of the arthrospore, whereas in types II and III the deposits were lysed during the maturation. Only in type III was the arthrospore wall synthesized de novo. In type I there was total integration and in type II there was partial integration of the septum into the arthrospore wall.", "PMID": 618842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2737", "title": "Electron microscopy of yeastlike cell development from the microconidium of Histoplasma capsulatum.", "content": "Fine details of the sequential morphological events occurring during transition of microconidia (spores less than 5 micrometer in diameter) to the yeastlike phase of Histoplasma capsulatum as seen in ultrathin section are described and illustrated by electron micrographs. Masses of microconidia were obtained when the fungas was grown on a garden soil extract medium. Spores were incubated under in vitro environmental conditions conducive for phase transition (an enriched medium at 37 degrees C). Within 48 h of incubation, the microconidia either germinated to give rise to a short mycelium or the germ tube process became a yeast mother cell without further extension. The wall of the yeast mother cell was thin and smooth, and its cytoplasmic content was ultrastructurally complex, consisting of numerous lipid bodies, vacuoles, glycogen-like deposits, and membrane systems. Within 96 h, the mother cell underwent multipolar budding to form simultaneously linear hyphal and/or ovate yeastlike daughter cells. During the transition, new cell wall materials of the germ tube, the mother cell, and yeastlike daughter cells arose by blastic action from the innermost layer(s) of the wall of the precursor form. Lomasome-like vesicles were often seen in association with areas of new cell wall formation. After organellar migration into and septation of the daughter cells, the yeast mother cell's cytoplasmic content underwent marked degenerative changes.", "contents": "Electron microscopy of yeastlike cell development from the microconidium of Histoplasma capsulatum. Fine details of the sequential morphological events occurring during transition of microconidia (spores less than 5 micrometer in diameter) to the yeastlike phase of Histoplasma capsulatum as seen in ultrathin section are described and illustrated by electron micrographs. Masses of microconidia were obtained when the fungas was grown on a garden soil extract medium. Spores were incubated under in vitro environmental conditions conducive for phase transition (an enriched medium at 37 degrees C). Within 48 h of incubation, the microconidia either germinated to give rise to a short mycelium or the germ tube process became a yeast mother cell without further extension. The wall of the yeast mother cell was thin and smooth, and its cytoplasmic content was ultrastructurally complex, consisting of numerous lipid bodies, vacuoles, glycogen-like deposits, and membrane systems. Within 96 h, the mother cell underwent multipolar budding to form simultaneously linear hyphal and/or ovate yeastlike daughter cells. During the transition, new cell wall materials of the germ tube, the mother cell, and yeastlike daughter cells arose by blastic action from the innermost layer(s) of the wall of the precursor form. Lomasome-like vesicles were often seen in association with areas of new cell wall formation. After organellar migration into and septation of the daughter cells, the yeast mother cell's cytoplasmic content underwent marked degenerative changes.", "PMID": 618843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2738", "title": "Location of protein synthesis during morphogenesis of Mucor racemosus.", "content": "The intracellular location of active protein synthesis was examined during the emergence of germ tubes from both sporangiospores and yeast-phase cells of Mucor racemosus. It was determined that protein synthesis occurs in all regions of the cell and not preferentially at the growing tip.", "contents": "Location of protein synthesis during morphogenesis of Mucor racemosus. The intracellular location of active protein synthesis was examined during the emergence of germ tubes from both sporangiospores and yeast-phase cells of Mucor racemosus. It was determined that protein synthesis occurs in all regions of the cell and not preferentially at the growing tip.", "PMID": 618844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2739", "title": "Pentose metabolism in Mycobacterium smegmatis: comparison of L-arabinose isomerases induced by L-arabinose and D-galactose.", "content": "D-Galactose, which did not serve as a growth substrate, was found to induce an L-arabinose isomerase of similar properties to the L-arabinose-induced L-arabinose isomerase. In both cases the pH profiles, pH stability, optimum temperature, heat stability, substrate specificity, metal ion requirements, mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and kinetic properties of the induced isomerases were identical. It appears possible that D-galactose was incorporated into the cells by an L-arabinose permease system that was alos induced by D-galactose.", "contents": "Pentose metabolism in Mycobacterium smegmatis: comparison of L-arabinose isomerases induced by L-arabinose and D-galactose. D-Galactose, which did not serve as a growth substrate, was found to induce an L-arabinose isomerase of similar properties to the L-arabinose-induced L-arabinose isomerase. In both cases the pH profiles, pH stability, optimum temperature, heat stability, substrate specificity, metal ion requirements, mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and kinetic properties of the induced isomerases were identical. It appears possible that D-galactose was incorporated into the cells by an L-arabinose permease system that was alos induced by D-galactose.", "PMID": 618845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2740", "title": "Physical properties of plasmid Mor174, which determines bacteriocin production in Proteus morganii 174.", "content": "Plasmid Mor174 has a molecular weight of 3.6 X 10(6) and a buoyant density of 1.6994 g/cm3. The covalently closed circular form has a sedimentation coefficient of 22S. These are 30 to 40 plasmid copies per genome equivalent, but growth in chloramphenicol results in amplification of the copy number to 600. In Proteus morganii 174, Mor174 coexists with a cryptic plasmid of molecular weight 15.8 X 10(6) and a buoyant density of 1.7170 g/cm3.", "contents": "Physical properties of plasmid Mor174, which determines bacteriocin production in Proteus morganii 174. Plasmid Mor174 has a molecular weight of 3.6 X 10(6) and a buoyant density of 1.6994 g/cm3. The covalently closed circular form has a sedimentation coefficient of 22S. These are 30 to 40 plasmid copies per genome equivalent, but growth in chloramphenicol results in amplification of the copy number to 600. In Proteus morganii 174, Mor174 coexists with a cryptic plasmid of molecular weight 15.8 X 10(6) and a buoyant density of 1.7170 g/cm3.", "PMID": 618846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2741", "title": "Genetic analysis of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus proline auxotrophs.", "content": "Twenty-six Acinetobacter calcoaceticus proline auxotrophs were isolated after ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis. Studies using the efficient transformation system of this organism indicate that the mutations comprise therr genetically distinct groups.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus proline auxotrophs. Twenty-six Acinetobacter calcoaceticus proline auxotrophs were isolated after ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis. Studies using the efficient transformation system of this organism indicate that the mutations comprise therr genetically distinct groups.", "PMID": 618847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2742", "title": "Properties of the halophilic nuclease of a moderate halophile, Micrococcus varians subsp. halophilus.", "content": "The halophilic nuclease of Micrococcus varians ATCC 21971 hydrolyzed thymidine 5'-monophospho-p-nitrophenyl ester at a rate that increased with the NaCl concentration up to saturation. The nuclease attacked RNA and DNA exonucleolytically and processively, producing 5'-mononucleotides. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 99,000, approximately the same as that previously determined for the native enzyme. Examination of amino acid composition showed that acidic amino acids were in high excess over basic amino acids.", "contents": "Properties of the halophilic nuclease of a moderate halophile, Micrococcus varians subsp. halophilus. The halophilic nuclease of Micrococcus varians ATCC 21971 hydrolyzed thymidine 5'-monophospho-p-nitrophenyl ester at a rate that increased with the NaCl concentration up to saturation. The nuclease attacked RNA and DNA exonucleolytically and processively, producing 5'-mononucleotides. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 99,000, approximately the same as that previously determined for the native enzyme. Examination of amino acid composition showed that acidic amino acids were in high excess over basic amino acids.", "PMID": 618848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2743", "title": "Membrane lipid biosynthesis in Acholeplasma laidlawii b: elongation of medium- and long-chain exogenous fatty acids in growing cells.", "content": "The chain elongation of a wide variety of exogenous fatty acids and the subsequent incorporation of the chain elongation products into the total membrane lipids of Acholeplasma laidlawii B were systematically studied. Within each chemical class of fatty acids examined, the extent of chain elongation increased with increases in chain length, reached a maximum value, and then declined with further increases in chain length. Depending on chemical structure, exogenous fatty acids containing less than 6 to 9 carbon atoms or more than 15 to 18 carbon atoms were not substrates for the chain elongation system. The substrate specificity of this fatty acid elongation system was strikingly broad, and straight-chain, methyl isobranched, and methyl anteisobranched saturated fatty acids, as well as cis- and trans-monounsaturated, cis-cyclopropane, and cis-polyunsaturated fatty acids, underwent chain elongation in vivo. The extent of chain elongation and the average chain length of the primary elongation products correlated well with the physical properties (melting temperatures) of the exogenous fatty acid substrates. The specificity of fatty acid chain elongation in A. laidlawii B maintained the fluidity and physical state of the membrane lipids within a rather wide but definitely limited range. The fatty acid chain elongation system of this organism could be markedly influenced by the presence of a second exogenous fatty acid that was not itself a substrate for the chain elongation system but was incorporated directly into the membrane lipids. The presence of a relatively low-melting exogenous fatty acid increased both the extent of chain elongation and the average chain length of the elongation products generated, whereas the presence of a relatively high-melting fatty acid had the opposite effect. The extent of chain elongation and nature of the elongation products formed were not, however, dependent on the fluidity and physical state of the membrane lipids per se. The second exogenous fatty acid appeared instead to exert its characteristic effect by competing with the chain elongation substrate and elongation products for the stereospecific acylation of positions 1 and 2 of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate. The similar effects of alterations in environmental temperature, cholesterol content, and exposure to the antibiotic cerulenin on the fatty acid chain elongation and de novo biosynthetic activities suggested that the chain elongation system of this organism may be a component of the de novo biosynthetic system.", "contents": "Membrane lipid biosynthesis in Acholeplasma laidlawii b: elongation of medium- and long-chain exogenous fatty acids in growing cells. The chain elongation of a wide variety of exogenous fatty acids and the subsequent incorporation of the chain elongation products into the total membrane lipids of Acholeplasma laidlawii B were systematically studied. Within each chemical class of fatty acids examined, the extent of chain elongation increased with increases in chain length, reached a maximum value, and then declined with further increases in chain length. Depending on chemical structure, exogenous fatty acids containing less than 6 to 9 carbon atoms or more than 15 to 18 carbon atoms were not substrates for the chain elongation system. The substrate specificity of this fatty acid elongation system was strikingly broad, and straight-chain, methyl isobranched, and methyl anteisobranched saturated fatty acids, as well as cis- and trans-monounsaturated, cis-cyclopropane, and cis-polyunsaturated fatty acids, underwent chain elongation in vivo. The extent of chain elongation and the average chain length of the primary elongation products correlated well with the physical properties (melting temperatures) of the exogenous fatty acid substrates. The specificity of fatty acid chain elongation in A. laidlawii B maintained the fluidity and physical state of the membrane lipids within a rather wide but definitely limited range. The fatty acid chain elongation system of this organism could be markedly influenced by the presence of a second exogenous fatty acid that was not itself a substrate for the chain elongation system but was incorporated directly into the membrane lipids. The presence of a relatively low-melting exogenous fatty acid increased both the extent of chain elongation and the average chain length of the elongation products generated, whereas the presence of a relatively high-melting fatty acid had the opposite effect. The extent of chain elongation and nature of the elongation products formed were not, however, dependent on the fluidity and physical state of the membrane lipids per se. The second exogenous fatty acid appeared instead to exert its characteristic effect by competing with the chain elongation substrate and elongation products for the stereospecific acylation of positions 1 and 2 of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate. The similar effects of alterations in environmental temperature, cholesterol content, and exposure to the antibiotic cerulenin on the fatty acid chain elongation and de novo biosynthetic activities suggested that the chain elongation system of this organism may be a component of the de novo biosynthetic system.", "PMID": 618849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2744", "title": "Phosphonate utilization by bacteria.", "content": "Bacteria able to use at least one of 13 ionic alkylphosphonates of O-alkyl or O,O-dialkyl alkylphosphonates as phosphorus sources were isolated from sewage and soil. Four of these isolates used 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid (AEP) as a sole carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus source. None of the other phosphonates served as a carbon source for the organisms. One isolate, identified as Pseudomonas putida, grew with AEP as its sole carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus source and released nearly all of the organic phosphorus as orthophosphate and 72% of the AEP nitrogen as ammonium. This is the first demonstration of utilization of a phosphonoalkyl moiety as a sole carbon source. Cell-free extracts of P. putida contained an inducible enzyme system that required pyruvate and pyridoxal phosphate to release orthophosphate from AEP; acetaldehyde was tentatively identified as a second product. Phosphite inhibited the enzyme system.", "contents": "Phosphonate utilization by bacteria. Bacteria able to use at least one of 13 ionic alkylphosphonates of O-alkyl or O,O-dialkyl alkylphosphonates as phosphorus sources were isolated from sewage and soil. Four of these isolates used 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid (AEP) as a sole carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus source. None of the other phosphonates served as a carbon source for the organisms. One isolate, identified as Pseudomonas putida, grew with AEP as its sole carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus source and released nearly all of the organic phosphorus as orthophosphate and 72% of the AEP nitrogen as ammonium. This is the first demonstration of utilization of a phosphonoalkyl moiety as a sole carbon source. Cell-free extracts of P. putida contained an inducible enzyme system that required pyruvate and pyridoxal phosphate to release orthophosphate from AEP; acetaldehyde was tentatively identified as a second product. Phosphite inhibited the enzyme system.", "PMID": 618850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2745", "title": "Selective restriction endonuclease cleavage of human globin genes.", "content": "Double-stranded human globin DNA synthesized in vitro from sickle cell mRNA has been used as a substrate for a series of restriction endonucleases. The double-stranded DNA contained full length transcripts of the alpha- and beta- globin genes. Of the 10 enzymes tested, only 3 (Hpa I, Sal I, and Kpn I) failed to cleave either alpha- or beta-DNA; 2 (Eco RI and Bam HI) cleaved only beta-DNA; 3 (HindIII, Hpa II, and Hha I) cleaved only alpha-DNA; and 2 (Hae III and Alu I) cleaved both alpha- and beta-DNAs. The selective cleavage of human globin genes by restriction endonucleases should provide a strategy for the identification and purification of DNA fragments of genomic DNA containing globin genes plus their flanking sequences, simplify the preparation of pure, chain-specific globin probes, and permit the isolation of DNA probes for specific regions of the globin genes.", "contents": "Selective restriction endonuclease cleavage of human globin genes. Double-stranded human globin DNA synthesized in vitro from sickle cell mRNA has been used as a substrate for a series of restriction endonucleases. The double-stranded DNA contained full length transcripts of the alpha- and beta- globin genes. Of the 10 enzymes tested, only 3 (Hpa I, Sal I, and Kpn I) failed to cleave either alpha- or beta-DNA; 2 (Eco RI and Bam HI) cleaved only beta-DNA; 3 (HindIII, Hpa II, and Hha I) cleaved only alpha-DNA; and 2 (Hae III and Alu I) cleaved both alpha- and beta-DNAs. The selective cleavage of human globin genes by restriction endonucleases should provide a strategy for the identification and purification of DNA fragments of genomic DNA containing globin genes plus their flanking sequences, simplify the preparation of pure, chain-specific globin probes, and permit the isolation of DNA probes for specific regions of the globin genes.", "PMID": 618852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2746", "title": "On the tyrosine residues of ribonuclease A.", "content": "The six 13Czeta resonances of the 6 tyrosine residues of ribonuclease A have been resolved by high field 13C Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spect=oscopy. Titration studies of these resonances reveal 1 nontitrating or buried tyrosine residue, 1 partially buried residue, and 4 normally titrating residues, which are tentatively identified.", "contents": "On the tyrosine residues of ribonuclease A. The six 13Czeta resonances of the 6 tyrosine residues of ribonuclease A have been resolved by high field 13C Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spect=oscopy. Titration studies of these resonances reveal 1 nontitrating or buried tyrosine residue, 1 partially buried residue, and 4 normally titrating residues, which are tentatively identified.", "PMID": 618853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2747", "title": "Biosynthesis of P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate in calf pancreas microsomes.", "content": "Calf pancreas microsomes incubated with UDP-N-acetyl-D-[14C] glucosamine in the presence of Mn2+ incorporated radioactivity into P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate and P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate. The formation of both glycolipids was enhanced to the same extent by exogenous dolichyl phosphate. Labeled P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate was formed from synthetic P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate and from prelabeled pancreatic P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate without the addition of divalent cation. Upon thin layer chromatography, it had the same mobility as synthetic P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate recently synthesized by Warren et al. (Warren, C. D., Herscovics, A., and Jeanloz, R. W. (1977) Carbohydr. Res., in press), but was different from the synthetic compound prepared by Wedgwood et al. (Wedgwood, J. F., Warren, C. D., Jeanloz, R. W., and Strominger, J. L. (1974) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 71, 5022-5026).", "contents": "Biosynthesis of P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate in calf pancreas microsomes. Calf pancreas microsomes incubated with UDP-N-acetyl-D-[14C] glucosamine in the presence of Mn2+ incorporated radioactivity into P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate and P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate. The formation of both glycolipids was enhanced to the same extent by exogenous dolichyl phosphate. Labeled P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate was formed from synthetic P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate and from prelabeled pancreatic P1-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate without the addition of divalent cation. Upon thin layer chromatography, it had the same mobility as synthetic P1-di-N-acetyl-alpha-chitobiosyl P2-dolichyl pyrophosphate recently synthesized by Warren et al. (Warren, C. D., Herscovics, A., and Jeanloz, R. W. (1977) Carbohydr. Res., in press), but was different from the synthetic compound prepared by Wedgwood et al. (Wedgwood, J. F., Warren, C. D., Jeanloz, R. W., and Strominger, J. L. (1974) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 71, 5022-5026).", "PMID": 618854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2748", "title": "On the stereospecificity of microsomal \"26\"-hydroxylation in bile acid biosynthesis.", "content": "The stereospecificity of microsomal \"26\" -hydroxylation in bile acid biosynthesis was studied. Cholesterol was biosynthesized from [2-14C] mevalonate by a rat liver preparation. The cholesterol was converted stepwise into 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acid by microsomal and soluble fractions of rat liver homogenate. The 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acid was decarboxylated chemically and the carbon dioxide was assayed for 14C. The amount of radioactivity in the liberated carbon dioxide was assayed for 14C. The amount of radioactivity in the liberated carbon dioxide was such as to indicate complete stereospecificity of the microsomal \"26\" -hydroxylase system. The system hydroxylates the methyl group in position C-26 (the 25-pro-R methyl group) and its stereospecificity is opposite that of the mitochondrial \"26\" -hydroxylase system which hydroxylates the methyl group in position C-27 (the 25-pro-S methyl group).", "contents": "On the stereospecificity of microsomal \"26\"-hydroxylation in bile acid biosynthesis. The stereospecificity of microsomal \"26\" -hydroxylation in bile acid biosynthesis was studied. Cholesterol was biosynthesized from [2-14C] mevalonate by a rat liver preparation. The cholesterol was converted stepwise into 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acid by microsomal and soluble fractions of rat liver homogenate. The 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholestan-26-oic acid was decarboxylated chemically and the carbon dioxide was assayed for 14C. The amount of radioactivity in the liberated carbon dioxide was assayed for 14C. The amount of radioactivity in the liberated carbon dioxide was such as to indicate complete stereospecificity of the microsomal \"26\" -hydroxylase system. The system hydroxylates the methyl group in position C-26 (the 25-pro-R methyl group) and its stereospecificity is opposite that of the mitochondrial \"26\" -hydroxylase system which hydroxylates the methyl group in position C-27 (the 25-pro-S methyl group).", "PMID": 618857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2749", "title": "Kinetics of carbon monoxide binding to singly reduced human methemoglobin.", "content": "The kinetics of reaction of singly reduced methemoglobin (HbFe3(3+)Fe2+) with carbon monoxide have been investigated by the pulse radiolysis method. The rate constant for carbon monoxide binding to this form of hemoglobin is 4.1 X 10(6) M-1 S-1 at 24 degrees in our solutions. This value compares with existing values for various forms of hemoglobin ranging from 4 X 10(6) to 6.5 X 10(6) M-1 S-1. Addition of inositol hexaphosphate to the solutions results in a lower rate constant for carbon monoxide binding amounting to 1.1 X 10(5) M-1 S-1.", "contents": "Kinetics of carbon monoxide binding to singly reduced human methemoglobin. The kinetics of reaction of singly reduced methemoglobin (HbFe3(3+)Fe2+) with carbon monoxide have been investigated by the pulse radiolysis method. The rate constant for carbon monoxide binding to this form of hemoglobin is 4.1 X 10(6) M-1 S-1 at 24 degrees in our solutions. This value compares with existing values for various forms of hemoglobin ranging from 4 X 10(6) to 6.5 X 10(6) M-1 S-1. Addition of inositol hexaphosphate to the solutions results in a lower rate constant for carbon monoxide binding amounting to 1.1 X 10(5) M-1 S-1.", "PMID": 618858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2750", "title": "Activation of adenylate cyclase in cultured fibroblasts by trypsin.", "content": "Adenylate cyclase activity measured in membranes of cultured normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts was markedly increased by prior treatment of the intact cells with trypsin. Cell population density influenced the extent of activation observed. Trypsin treatment of sparse cells significantly enhanced adenylate cyclase activity, whereas similar treatment of confluent cells caused only a slight increase in adenylate cyclase activity. The degree of activation noted after trypsin treatment also varied depending on the adenylate cyclase function measured. Activity determined in the presence of GTP alone showed the greatest increase after trypsin treatment. Similar enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity of a washed cell membrane preparation was achieved by the addition of low concentrations of trypsin directly to the adenylate cyclase reaction mixture. The membranes of confluent NRK fibroblasts initially exhibited higher adenylate cyclase activity than did membranes of sparse cells. The present results suggest that this change in adenylate cyclase activity at cell confluence is not due to an increase in the amount of adenylate cyclase in the cell membrane but rather to a change in membrane components that regulate its activity. Proteolytic activation of adenylate cyclase appears to result from degradation of cell membrane proteins that modulate the activity of this enzyme.", "contents": "Activation of adenylate cyclase in cultured fibroblasts by trypsin. Adenylate cyclase activity measured in membranes of cultured normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts was markedly increased by prior treatment of the intact cells with trypsin. Cell population density influenced the extent of activation observed. Trypsin treatment of sparse cells significantly enhanced adenylate cyclase activity, whereas similar treatment of confluent cells caused only a slight increase in adenylate cyclase activity. The degree of activation noted after trypsin treatment also varied depending on the adenylate cyclase function measured. Activity determined in the presence of GTP alone showed the greatest increase after trypsin treatment. Similar enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity of a washed cell membrane preparation was achieved by the addition of low concentrations of trypsin directly to the adenylate cyclase reaction mixture. The membranes of confluent NRK fibroblasts initially exhibited higher adenylate cyclase activity than did membranes of sparse cells. The present results suggest that this change in adenylate cyclase activity at cell confluence is not due to an increase in the amount of adenylate cyclase in the cell membrane but rather to a change in membrane components that regulate its activity. Proteolytic activation of adenylate cyclase appears to result from degradation of cell membrane proteins that modulate the activity of this enzyme.", "PMID": 618859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2751", "title": "Lack of stereospecificity at carbon 6 of methyltetrahydrofolate transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Carrier-mediated transport of both stereoisomers.", "content": "Nonlabeled and tritiated stereoisomers of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate were prepared and were both shown to be substrates for the high affinity H4 folate cofactor membrane transport carrier in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Both the enzymically active form and the isomer having the opposite configuration at carbon 6 inhibited the influx of enzymically synthesized (+)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, methotrexate, and aminopterin. When added to the media of cells preloaded with methotrexate, both isomers stimulated a net efflux of the antifolate from the cell. Influx of the natural and unnatural isomers followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with comparable Km values. Each isomer competitively inhibited influx of the other.", "contents": "Lack of stereospecificity at carbon 6 of methyltetrahydrofolate transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Carrier-mediated transport of both stereoisomers. Nonlabeled and tritiated stereoisomers of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate were prepared and were both shown to be substrates for the high affinity H4 folate cofactor membrane transport carrier in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Both the enzymically active form and the isomer having the opposite configuration at carbon 6 inhibited the influx of enzymically synthesized (+)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, methotrexate, and aminopterin. When added to the media of cells preloaded with methotrexate, both isomers stimulated a net efflux of the antifolate from the cell. Influx of the natural and unnatural isomers followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with comparable Km values. Each isomer competitively inhibited influx of the other.", "PMID": 618860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2752", "title": "Sequential methylation of globin mRNA in nucleated erythroid cells and reticulocytes of mice.", "content": "The order of methylation of the 5'-terminus of globin mRNA of mice was studied by incubation of staged nucleated erythroid cells and peripheral reticulocytes with [methyl-3H] methionine. Methylation of the 5'-termini of alpha and beta- globin mRNAs in enucleated reticulocytes was demonstrated as follows: (a) [methyl-3H] incorporation into poly(A)+ RNA of reticulocytes co-migrated with the alpha- and beta- globin mRNAs on gel electrophoresis, and (b) following digestion of this RNA, radioactivity was localized to the four methyl sites at the 5'-capped structure of mouse globin mRNAs. However, this methylation is only 5 to 8% as efficient as in nucleated erythroid precursor cells, suggesting that most globin mRNA molecules are fully methylated prior to the reticulocyte stage. Incubations of early and late nucleated erythroid precursor cells and pulse-chase experiments with reticulocytes demonstrate that addition of the four 5'-terminal methyl groups follows an orderly sequence. In addition, the pulse-chase experiments suggest the turnover of the N7-methyl group on the 5'-terminal guanosine, but not of the other methyl groups in the 5'-terminus of globin mRNA. Thus, 5'-terminal methylation of globin mRNA is a nonrandom, dynamic process.", "contents": "Sequential methylation of globin mRNA in nucleated erythroid cells and reticulocytes of mice. The order of methylation of the 5'-terminus of globin mRNA of mice was studied by incubation of staged nucleated erythroid cells and peripheral reticulocytes with [methyl-3H] methionine. Methylation of the 5'-termini of alpha and beta- globin mRNAs in enucleated reticulocytes was demonstrated as follows: (a) [methyl-3H] incorporation into poly(A)+ RNA of reticulocytes co-migrated with the alpha- and beta- globin mRNAs on gel electrophoresis, and (b) following digestion of this RNA, radioactivity was localized to the four methyl sites at the 5'-capped structure of mouse globin mRNAs. However, this methylation is only 5 to 8% as efficient as in nucleated erythroid precursor cells, suggesting that most globin mRNA molecules are fully methylated prior to the reticulocyte stage. Incubations of early and late nucleated erythroid precursor cells and pulse-chase experiments with reticulocytes demonstrate that addition of the four 5'-terminal methyl groups follows an orderly sequence. In addition, the pulse-chase experiments suggest the turnover of the N7-methyl group on the 5'-terminal guanosine, but not of the other methyl groups in the 5'-terminus of globin mRNA. Thus, 5'-terminal methylation of globin mRNA is a nonrandom, dynamic process.", "PMID": 618861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2753", "title": "Human antithrombin III. Carbohydrate components and associated glycolipid.", "content": "Human antithrombin III was found to contain covalently linked N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, and sialic acid in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:0.6:1. Sialic acid was released upon treatment with neuraminidase. The modified glycoprotein retained the capability to inhibit thrombin and to bind with heparin. Antithrombin III isolated by different procedures was also found to contain glucose in an approximately equimolar ratio with N-acetylglucosamine. Th\" glucose-containing component was extractable with lipid solvents and shown to be beta-glucosylceramide. This glycolipid is tightly complexed with antithrombin III and could not be separated by fractional precipitations or ion exchange gels. Although it remains to be established whether the inhibitory actions of antithrombin III are affected by glucosylceramide, the relative amounts which are bound suggest that antithrombin III may be a significant carrier of the glycolipid.", "contents": "Human antithrombin III. Carbohydrate components and associated glycolipid. Human antithrombin III was found to contain covalently linked N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, galactose, and sialic acid in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:0.6:1. Sialic acid was released upon treatment with neuraminidase. The modified glycoprotein retained the capability to inhibit thrombin and to bind with heparin. Antithrombin III isolated by different procedures was also found to contain glucose in an approximately equimolar ratio with N-acetylglucosamine. Th\" glucose-containing component was extractable with lipid solvents and shown to be beta-glucosylceramide. This glycolipid is tightly complexed with antithrombin III and could not be separated by fractional precipitations or ion exchange gels. Although it remains to be established whether the inhibitory actions of antithrombin III are affected by glucosylceramide, the relative amounts which are bound suggest that antithrombin III may be a significant carrier of the glycolipid.", "PMID": 618863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2754", "title": "Localization and partial composition of the oligosaccharide units on the propeptide extensions of type I procollagen.", "content": "Type I procollagen secreted by matrix-free chick embryo tendon cells was labeled with L-[3,3'-3H] cystine and purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. After bacterial collagenase digestion, the NH2- and COOH-terminal propeptides were partially characterized by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Similar experiments were then conducted after labeling with either D-[6-3H] glucosamine, D-[2-3H] mannose, or D-[U-14C] glucose. On the basis of these studies and subsequent carbohydrate analysis, it was concluded that the COOH-terminal peptide contained greater than 90% of the radioactive carbohydrate which consisted predominantly of glucosamine and mannose with traces of galactosamine and galactose. Only radioactive glucosamine could be detected in the NH2-terminal propeptide. Under conditions which inhibit hydroxylation of lysine and glycosylation of hydroxylysine, unhydroxylated procollagen (protocollagen) could still be labeled with [3H] glucosamine and [3H] mannose. This suggested that glycosylation of the propeptides is at least initiated at the level of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.", "contents": "Localization and partial composition of the oligosaccharide units on the propeptide extensions of type I procollagen. Type I procollagen secreted by matrix-free chick embryo tendon cells was labeled with L-[3,3'-3H] cystine and purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. After bacterial collagenase digestion, the NH2- and COOH-terminal propeptides were partially characterized by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Similar experiments were then conducted after labeling with either D-[6-3H] glucosamine, D-[2-3H] mannose, or D-[U-14C] glucose. On the basis of these studies and subsequent carbohydrate analysis, it was concluded that the COOH-terminal peptide contained greater than 90% of the radioactive carbohydrate which consisted predominantly of glucosamine and mannose with traces of galactosamine and galactose. Only radioactive glucosamine could be detected in the NH2-terminal propeptide. Under conditions which inhibit hydroxylation of lysine and glycosylation of hydroxylysine, unhydroxylated procollagen (protocollagen) could still be labeled with [3H] glucosamine and [3H] mannose. This suggested that glycosylation of the propeptides is at least initiated at the level of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.", "PMID": 618865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2755", "title": "Quantitation of messenger RNA levels for rat liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.", "content": "Liver poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from rats in different dietary states was translated in a cell free protein synthesizing system employing reticulocyte lysates. Immunoprecipitation of the cell-free reaction products with goat anti-6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea-gel electrophoresis showed that the induction of this lipogenic enzyme was accompanied by a corresponding increase in the concentration of its specific translatable mRNA.", "contents": "Quantitation of messenger RNA levels for rat liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Liver poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from rats in different dietary states was translated in a cell free protein synthesizing system employing reticulocyte lysates. Immunoprecipitation of the cell-free reaction products with goat anti-6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-urea-gel electrophoresis showed that the induction of this lipogenic enzyme was accompanied by a corresponding increase in the concentration of its specific translatable mRNA.", "PMID": 618866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2756", "title": "Biochemical characterization of a mutant asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from Chinese hamster ovary cells.", "content": "The biochemical and physical properties of asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from wild type Chinese hamster ovary cells and a temperature sensitive mutant strain (lys 65a) are compared. The asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase in the mutant strain exhibits a greater temperature lability in vitro, a higher temperature-independent Km for asparagine, and a lower temperature-dependent catalytic capacity than the enzyme from the wild type strain. The mutant enzyme shows no differences in its molecular weight, its Km for tRNAAsn, or its ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn isoacceptor species compared to the wild type enzyme. These observations, as well as the growth properties of the mutant cells as a function of temperature and exogenous asparagine concentrations, are consistent with their decreased ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn in vivo.", "contents": "Biochemical characterization of a mutant asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from Chinese hamster ovary cells. The biochemical and physical properties of asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase from wild type Chinese hamster ovary cells and a temperature sensitive mutant strain (lys 65a) are compared. The asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase in the mutant strain exhibits a greater temperature lability in vitro, a higher temperature-independent Km for asparagine, and a lower temperature-dependent catalytic capacity than the enzyme from the wild type strain. The mutant enzyme shows no differences in its molecular weight, its Km for tRNAAsn, or its ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn isoacceptor species compared to the wild type enzyme. These observations, as well as the growth properties of the mutant cells as a function of temperature and exogenous asparagine concentrations, are consistent with their decreased ability to aminoacylate tRNAAsn in vivo.", "PMID": 618867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2757", "title": "Use of the integrated steady state rate equation to investigate product inhibition of human red cell adenosine deaminase and its relevance to immune dysfunction.", "content": "The analysis of progress curves using the integrated rate equation was applied to the adenosine deaminase-catalyzed conversion of adenosine to inosine. Adenosine deaminase was purified from human red blood cells of phenotypes ADA 1, ADA 2, and ADA 2-1. For all three types, no measurable product inhibition by inosine was observed. These results do not confirm the hypothesis that inosine accumulation in purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency causes adenosine deaminase inhibition, resulting in a common mechanism for the immune defects related to these two enzyme deficiencies.", "contents": "Use of the integrated steady state rate equation to investigate product inhibition of human red cell adenosine deaminase and its relevance to immune dysfunction. The analysis of progress curves using the integrated rate equation was applied to the adenosine deaminase-catalyzed conversion of adenosine to inosine. Adenosine deaminase was purified from human red blood cells of phenotypes ADA 1, ADA 2, and ADA 2-1. For all three types, no measurable product inhibition by inosine was observed. These results do not confirm the hypothesis that inosine accumulation in purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency causes adenosine deaminase inhibition, resulting in a common mechanism for the immune defects related to these two enzyme deficiencies.", "PMID": 618871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2758", "title": "Specific adhesion of rat hepatocytes to beta-galactosides linked to polyacrylamide gels.", "content": "Rat hepatocytes, isolated by a collagenase perfusion technique, specifically bind to polyacrylamide gel containing covalently immobilized 6-aminohexyl beta-D-galactopyranosyl groups. Less than 5% of these cells bind to polyacrylamide or to gels with the following covalently linked ligands: 6-aminohexanol, or the 6-aminohexyl D-pyranosides of alpha-mannose, beta-glucose, beta-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose, beta-cellobiose, beta-maltose, or beta-melibiose. Cell binding to beta-D-galactoside gels occurs after a lag period at 37 degrees and 65 to 100% (depending on the cell preparation) of the cells adhere. The duration of the lag period is inversely related to the beta-D-galactoside content of the gel but preincubation of the cells at 37 degrees reduces the lag period. Cell-gel binding is a threshold phenomenon. Adhesion of cells to gels does not occur when the glycoside concentration is less than about 900 nmol per cm2 x 0.25 mm thick gel piece. Above this critical concentration, cell-gel binding occurs and becomes maximal when the concentration is increased by only 20%. If these in vitro results apply to cellular interactions in vivo, they suggest that slight changes in the levels of cell surface or extracellular matrix carbohydrates may profoundly influence the behavior of neighboring cells.", "contents": "Specific adhesion of rat hepatocytes to beta-galactosides linked to polyacrylamide gels. Rat hepatocytes, isolated by a collagenase perfusion technique, specifically bind to polyacrylamide gel containing covalently immobilized 6-aminohexyl beta-D-galactopyranosyl groups. Less than 5% of these cells bind to polyacrylamide or to gels with the following covalently linked ligands: 6-aminohexanol, or the 6-aminohexyl D-pyranosides of alpha-mannose, beta-glucose, beta-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucose, beta-cellobiose, beta-maltose, or beta-melibiose. Cell binding to beta-D-galactoside gels occurs after a lag period at 37 degrees and 65 to 100% (depending on the cell preparation) of the cells adhere. The duration of the lag period is inversely related to the beta-D-galactoside content of the gel but preincubation of the cells at 37 degrees reduces the lag period. Cell-gel binding is a threshold phenomenon. Adhesion of cells to gels does not occur when the glycoside concentration is less than about 900 nmol per cm2 x 0.25 mm thick gel piece. Above this critical concentration, cell-gel binding occurs and becomes maximal when the concentration is increased by only 20%. If these in vitro results apply to cellular interactions in vivo, they suggest that slight changes in the levels of cell surface or extracellular matrix carbohydrates may profoundly influence the behavior of neighboring cells.", "PMID": 618872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2759", "title": "Isolation and partial characterization of an endogenous inhibitor of ceramide glycosyltransferases from rat brain.", "content": "A heat-stable factor has been extracted from the microsomal membranes of rat brain that inhibits the activities of rat brain ceramide galactosyl- and glucosyltransferases. It is nondialyzable, susceptible to proteolytic enzymes but resistant to DNase and RNase, and has no effect on lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes. The factor could also be prepared from microsomes of bovine, mouse, and rabbit brains and in much lower concentrations, from systemic organs of rats. This inhibitor might play a role in the regulation of ceramide glycosyltransferases in vivo.", "contents": "Isolation and partial characterization of an endogenous inhibitor of ceramide glycosyltransferases from rat brain. A heat-stable factor has been extracted from the microsomal membranes of rat brain that inhibits the activities of rat brain ceramide galactosyl- and glucosyltransferases. It is nondialyzable, susceptible to proteolytic enzymes but resistant to DNase and RNase, and has no effect on lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes. The factor could also be prepared from microsomes of bovine, mouse, and rabbit brains and in much lower concentrations, from systemic organs of rats. This inhibitor might play a role in the regulation of ceramide glycosyltransferases in vivo.", "PMID": 618873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2760", "title": "Comparison of atypical and usual human serum cholinesterase. Purification, number of active sites, substrate affinity, and turnover number.", "content": "Atypical and usual human serum cholinesterases were purified and studied with the fluorescent probe, N-methyl-(7-dimethylcarbamoxy)quinolinium iodide. Four active sites per tetramer were found in each enzyme. The turnover numbers of usual and atypical cholinesterases were the same: 15,000 mumol of benzoylcholine hydrolyzed/min/mumol of active site; 48,000 min-1 for o-nitrophenylbutyrate; and 0.0025 min-1 for N-methyl-(7-dimethylcarbamoxy)quinolinium iodide. They had identical rate constants for carbamylation, (5.0 min-1) and for decarbamylation (0.15 h-1). The major difference between the two genetically determined forms of the enzyme was substrate affinity, KD being 0.16 mM for usual and 5.4 mM for atypical cholinesterase, for the fluorescent probe substrate. Km for the uncharged ester, o-nitrophenylbutyrate, was 0.14 mM for both enzymes, whereas Km for benzoylcholine was 0.005 mM for usual and 0.024 mM for atypical cholinesterase. We interpret these data to mean that the two enzymes differ only in the structure of their anionic site.", "contents": "Comparison of atypical and usual human serum cholinesterase. Purification, number of active sites, substrate affinity, and turnover number. Atypical and usual human serum cholinesterases were purified and studied with the fluorescent probe, N-methyl-(7-dimethylcarbamoxy)quinolinium iodide. Four active sites per tetramer were found in each enzyme. The turnover numbers of usual and atypical cholinesterases were the same: 15,000 mumol of benzoylcholine hydrolyzed/min/mumol of active site; 48,000 min-1 for o-nitrophenylbutyrate; and 0.0025 min-1 for N-methyl-(7-dimethylcarbamoxy)quinolinium iodide. They had identical rate constants for carbamylation, (5.0 min-1) and for decarbamylation (0.15 h-1). The major difference between the two genetically determined forms of the enzyme was substrate affinity, KD being 0.16 mM for usual and 5.4 mM for atypical cholinesterase, for the fluorescent probe substrate. Km for the uncharged ester, o-nitrophenylbutyrate, was 0.14 mM for both enzymes, whereas Km for benzoylcholine was 0.005 mM for usual and 0.024 mM for atypical cholinesterase. We interpret these data to mean that the two enzymes differ only in the structure of their anionic site.", "PMID": 618874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2761", "title": "Human blood group glycosyltransferases. I. Purification of n-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase.", "content": "An N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, which converts blood group O red blood cells to A cells, was purified to homogeneity from plasma of blood group A1 subjects. The enzyme was adsorbed on Sepharose 4B, and after washing out the impurities, the enzyme was eluted with UDP. This procedure resulted in a 70,000- to 100,000-fold increase in specific activity with recovery of about 80%. Further purification of the enzyme was achieved by Bio-Gel P treatment. The final enzyme preparation showed a single protein band, which coincided with enzyme activity, on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and revealed a single protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Judging from the molecular weight (90,000 to 100,000), which was estimated by Sephadex gel filtration, and the subunit size estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the enzyme is presumably in a dimeric form. The enzyme required Mn2+ and had optimum activity at pH 6.5 to 7.0.", "contents": "Human blood group glycosyltransferases. I. Purification of n-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase. An N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, which converts blood group O red blood cells to A cells, was purified to homogeneity from plasma of blood group A1 subjects. The enzyme was adsorbed on Sepharose 4B, and after washing out the impurities, the enzyme was eluted with UDP. This procedure resulted in a 70,000- to 100,000-fold increase in specific activity with recovery of about 80%. Further purification of the enzyme was achieved by Bio-Gel P treatment. The final enzyme preparation showed a single protein band, which coincided with enzyme activity, on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and revealed a single protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Judging from the molecular weight (90,000 to 100,000), which was estimated by Sephadex gel filtration, and the subunit size estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the enzyme is presumably in a dimeric form. The enzyme required Mn2+ and had optimum activity at pH 6.5 to 7.0.", "PMID": 618875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2762", "title": "Human blood group glycosyltransferase. II. Purification of galactosyltransferase.", "content": "A galactosyltransferase, which converts blood group O red bloodcells to B-cells, was purfied to homogeneity from plasma of blood group B subjects. The stepwise purification procedures include: (a) column chromatography with CM-Sephadex, followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation; (b) Sephadex G-200 gel filtration; (c) column chromatogr,phy with DEAE-Sephadex; and (d) column chromatography with hydroxylapatite. The procedures provided about a 400,000-fold increase of specific activity with a 40 to 50% yield. Further purification of the enzyme was performed by small scale preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3. The final enzyme preparation showed a single protein band which coincided with enzyme activity, in acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and revealed a single protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Judging from the molecular weight, which was estimated by Sephadex gel filtration, and subunit size estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the enzyme is presumably in a dimeric form. The enzyme required Mn2+ for its activity and had a pH optimum at 7.0 to 7.5.", "contents": "Human blood group glycosyltransferase. II. Purification of galactosyltransferase. A galactosyltransferase, which converts blood group O red bloodcells to B-cells, was purfied to homogeneity from plasma of blood group B subjects. The stepwise purification procedures include: (a) column chromatography with CM-Sephadex, followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation; (b) Sephadex G-200 gel filtration; (c) column chromatogr,phy with DEAE-Sephadex; and (d) column chromatography with hydroxylapatite. The procedures provided about a 400,000-fold increase of specific activity with a 40 to 50% yield. Further purification of the enzyme was performed by small scale preparative acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3. The final enzyme preparation showed a single protein band which coincided with enzyme activity, in acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and revealed a single protein band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Judging from the molecular weight, which was estimated by Sephadex gel filtration, and subunit size estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, the enzyme is presumably in a dimeric form. The enzyme required Mn2+ for its activity and had a pH optimum at 7.0 to 7.5.", "PMID": 618876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2763", "title": "Comparative studies of Hb Lepore Boston, Hb A2, and Hb A.", "content": "Several functional tests were performed to compare Hb A, Hb A2, and Hb Lepore Boston, which has a delta-beta crossover in the region of residues 87 to 116. Oxygen equilibrium curves determined by an automatic apparatus in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at 20 degrees showed that the p50 was 5.8 mm Hg for Hb Lepore Boston, in contrast to 8.1 and 10.3 mm Hg for Hb A2 and Hb A, respectively. The n values (Hill coefficinets) of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 were slightly smaller than that of Hb A. The effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and inositolhexophosphate on the p50 of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 was less than that on the p50 of Hb A. The molecular stability to mechanical shaking of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 showed that the oxy forms of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 denatured at a rate 3 times faster than that of Hb A. MetHb Lepore Boston was more unstable than MetHb A2 to mechanical shaking. These results indicate that, although the molecular stability of Hb Lepore Boston is more similar to that of Hb A2 than that of Hb A, the oxygen-binding properties of Hb Lepore differ from both Hb A and Hb A2.", "contents": "Comparative studies of Hb Lepore Boston, Hb A2, and Hb A. Several functional tests were performed to compare Hb A, Hb A2, and Hb Lepore Boston, which has a delta-beta crossover in the region of residues 87 to 116. Oxygen equilibrium curves determined by an automatic apparatus in 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at 20 degrees showed that the p50 was 5.8 mm Hg for Hb Lepore Boston, in contrast to 8.1 and 10.3 mm Hg for Hb A2 and Hb A, respectively. The n values (Hill coefficinets) of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 were slightly smaller than that of Hb A. The effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and inositolhexophosphate on the p50 of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 was less than that on the p50 of Hb A. The molecular stability to mechanical shaking of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 showed that the oxy forms of Hb Lepore Boston and Hb A2 denatured at a rate 3 times faster than that of Hb A. MetHb Lepore Boston was more unstable than MetHb A2 to mechanical shaking. These results indicate that, although the molecular stability of Hb Lepore Boston is more similar to that of Hb A2 than that of Hb A, the oxygen-binding properties of Hb Lepore differ from both Hb A and Hb A2.", "PMID": 618877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2764", "title": "Nucleotide sequence of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) ribosomal 5.8 S ribonucleic acid.", "content": "The nucleotide sequence of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) 5.8 S rRNA was determined to be (formula: see text). The major molecular species is 161 nucleotides long; the sequence differs in only eight nucleotides from that of Man. An estimate of the secondary structure retains essentially all of the features previously described in mammalian 5.8 S RNAs with several interesting variations. The very stable G-C-rich hairpin loop is extended by two additional hydrogen bond pairs; the A-U-rich loop is shorter; and a third 2'-O-methylation occurs at residue 8 close to the under methylated U(m) residue at position 14. Comparisons with other known sequences indicate that in eukaryotes 5.8 S rRNA is more highly conserved than 5 S RNA species.", "contents": "Nucleotide sequence of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) ribosomal 5.8 S ribonucleic acid. The nucleotide sequence of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) 5.8 S rRNA was determined to be (formula: see text). The major molecular species is 161 nucleotides long; the sequence differs in only eight nucleotides from that of Man. An estimate of the secondary structure retains essentially all of the features previously described in mammalian 5.8 S RNAs with several interesting variations. The very stable G-C-rich hairpin loop is extended by two additional hydrogen bond pairs; the A-U-rich loop is shorter; and a third 2'-O-methylation occurs at residue 8 close to the under methylated U(m) residue at position 14. Comparisons with other known sequences indicate that in eukaryotes 5.8 S rRNA is more highly conserved than 5 S RNA species.", "PMID": 618879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2765", "title": "Human erythrocyte 5'-AMP aminohydrolase. Purification and characterization.", "content": "Human erythrocyte 5'-AMP aminohydrolase has been obtained using phosphocellulose chromatography and affinity chromatography on a GTP-agarose column to yield a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 285,000, and is comprised of four subunits. Since limited quantities of the homogeneous enzyme were available, the kinetic properties of a nonhomogeneous preparation purified about 20,000-fold over the red blood cell lysate by phosphocellulose chromatography were examined. Like the muscle enzyme, it exhibits a sigmoid AMP saturation curve in the absence of activating monovalent cations; a hyperbolic saturation curve is observed in the presence of 0.15 M KCl. Activation by monovalent cations and ATP, and inhibition by Pi, PPi, GDP, GTP, and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid were studied in more detail.", "contents": "Human erythrocyte 5'-AMP aminohydrolase. Purification and characterization. Human erythrocyte 5'-AMP aminohydrolase has been obtained using phosphocellulose chromatography and affinity chromatography on a GTP-agarose column to yield a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 285,000, and is comprised of four subunits. Since limited quantities of the homogeneous enzyme were available, the kinetic properties of a nonhomogeneous preparation purified about 20,000-fold over the red blood cell lysate by phosphocellulose chromatography were examined. Like the muscle enzyme, it exhibits a sigmoid AMP saturation curve in the absence of activating monovalent cations; a hyperbolic saturation curve is observed in the presence of 0.15 M KCl. Activation by monovalent cations and ATP, and inhibition by Pi, PPi, GDP, GTP, and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid were studied in more detail.", "PMID": 618880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2766", "title": "Independence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated calcium transport from de novo RNA and protein synthesis.", "content": "The administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) to rachitic chicks produces an increase in (a) RNA and protein synthesis, (b) calcium binding protein (CaBP) concentration, and (c) alkaline phosphatase activity in the duodenum. These events occur concomitantly with enhanced calcium transport. We inhibited RNA and protein synthesis in richitic chicks and measured the subsequent response to 1,25(OH)2D3. Actinomycin D, injected prior to and following 1,25(OH)2D3 administration, inhibited intestinal RNA polymerase activity, blocked the rise in serum calcium, reduced the amount of CaBP, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Cycloheximide injected in similar fashion, inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated increase in intestinal protein synthesis, serum calcium, CaBP, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Neither inhibitor blocked the ability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to stimulate calcium transport as measured in isolated duodenal loops in vivo. The ability of either inhibitor to block 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated calcium transport despite inhibition of CaBP production and alkaline phosphatase activity (by cycloheximide) indicates that de novo RNA and protein synthesis, and in particular CaBP and alkaline phosphatase, are not required for the 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation of calcium transport.", "contents": "Independence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated calcium transport from de novo RNA and protein synthesis. The administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) to rachitic chicks produces an increase in (a) RNA and protein synthesis, (b) calcium binding protein (CaBP) concentration, and (c) alkaline phosphatase activity in the duodenum. These events occur concomitantly with enhanced calcium transport. We inhibited RNA and protein synthesis in richitic chicks and measured the subsequent response to 1,25(OH)2D3. Actinomycin D, injected prior to and following 1,25(OH)2D3 administration, inhibited intestinal RNA polymerase activity, blocked the rise in serum calcium, reduced the amount of CaBP, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Cycloheximide injected in similar fashion, inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated increase in intestinal protein synthesis, serum calcium, CaBP, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Neither inhibitor blocked the ability of 1,25(OH)2D3 to stimulate calcium transport as measured in isolated duodenal loops in vivo. The ability of either inhibitor to block 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated calcium transport despite inhibition of CaBP production and alkaline phosphatase activity (by cycloheximide) indicates that de novo RNA and protein synthesis, and in particular CaBP and alkaline phosphatase, are not required for the 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation of calcium transport.", "PMID": 618881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2767", "title": "5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrofolic acid. Conformation of the tetrahydropyrazine ring.", "content": "It is suggested from analysis of proton spin-spin coupling constants that the tetrahydropyrazine ring of tetrahydrofolate is a roughly equal mixture of two half-chair conformations, one with the C-6 proton axial and the other with the C-6 proton equatorial. The chemical shifts and spin-spin coupling constants for the carbon-bound protons of (+/-)-L-, (-)-L-, and (-)-L-[6-2H] 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate were measured at 25 degrees and at 300 MHZ. The resonances corresponding to the two C-7 protons in the deuterated compound constituted an AB quartet with JAB of 12 Hz and chemical shift difference of 92 Hz or 0.307 ppm; the C-7 protons are proposed to be a geminally coupled axial-equatorial pair whose rapid equilibration does not result in equivalence due to the adjacent chiral center at C-6. The spin-spin splitting in the C-7 resonances were 3.0 and 6.6 Hz for the low field and high field resonances, respectively, reflecting coupling to the C-6 proton. These coupling constants reflect the conformational equilibrium. The resonances assignable to C-9 protons are nearly equivalent in the 6-2H compound, but exhibit the resonances corresponding to a complex spin system in the 6-H compound.", "contents": "5,6,7,8-Tetrahydrofolic acid. Conformation of the tetrahydropyrazine ring. It is suggested from analysis of proton spin-spin coupling constants that the tetrahydropyrazine ring of tetrahydrofolate is a roughly equal mixture of two half-chair conformations, one with the C-6 proton axial and the other with the C-6 proton equatorial. The chemical shifts and spin-spin coupling constants for the carbon-bound protons of (+/-)-L-, (-)-L-, and (-)-L-[6-2H] 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate were measured at 25 degrees and at 300 MHZ. The resonances corresponding to the two C-7 protons in the deuterated compound constituted an AB quartet with JAB of 12 Hz and chemical shift difference of 92 Hz or 0.307 ppm; the C-7 protons are proposed to be a geminally coupled axial-equatorial pair whose rapid equilibration does not result in equivalence due to the adjacent chiral center at C-6. The spin-spin splitting in the C-7 resonances were 3.0 and 6.6 Hz for the low field and high field resonances, respectively, reflecting coupling to the C-6 proton. These coupling constants reflect the conformational equilibrium. The resonances assignable to C-9 protons are nearly equivalent in the 6-2H compound, but exhibit the resonances corresponding to a complex spin system in the 6-H compound.", "PMID": 618885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2768", "title": "Gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7. Characterization of the product synthesized by the T7 DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein in the absence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates.", "content": "DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7 catalyze extensive DNA synthesis on duplex phage T7 or PM2 DNA templates containing single strand breaks. A variety of physicochemical techniques have been used to characterize the DNA product synthesized in this reaction in the absence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. Pyknographic and sedimentation analyses reveal that all of the newly synthesized DNA is covalently attached to the template DNA. Analysis by electron microscopy shows the major portion of the product molecules synthesized on duplex T7 DNA templates to consist of a double-stranded branch attached to an intact template molecule. Using PM2 DNA templates, the predominant product consists of a double-stranded branch attached to the circular PM2 DNA template. Analyses of these product molecules indicate that DNA synthesis by the gene 4 protein and T7 DNA polymerase is initiated at single strand breaks in the duplex DNA and that synthesis is accompanied by extensive displacement of one of the parental strands. At later times in the reaction, a portion of the 3'-hydroxyl terminus of the newly synthesized DNA is displaced from the template by branch migration and is used as a primer by the DNA polymerase to copy the displaced 5' single-stranded parental strand to form a duplex branch.", "contents": "Gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7. Characterization of the product synthesized by the T7 DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein in the absence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein of bacteriophage T7 catalyze extensive DNA synthesis on duplex phage T7 or PM2 DNA templates containing single strand breaks. A variety of physicochemical techniques have been used to characterize the DNA product synthesized in this reaction in the absence of ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. Pyknographic and sedimentation analyses reveal that all of the newly synthesized DNA is covalently attached to the template DNA. Analysis by electron microscopy shows the major portion of the product molecules synthesized on duplex T7 DNA templates to consist of a double-stranded branch attached to an intact template molecule. Using PM2 DNA templates, the predominant product consists of a double-stranded branch attached to the circular PM2 DNA template. Analyses of these product molecules indicate that DNA synthesis by the gene 4 protein and T7 DNA polymerase is initiated at single strand breaks in the duplex DNA and that synthesis is accompanied by extensive displacement of one of the parental strands. At later times in the reaction, a portion of the 3'-hydroxyl terminus of the newly synthesized DNA is displaced from the template by branch migration and is used as a primer by the DNA polymerase to copy the displaced 5' single-stranded parental strand to form a duplex branch.", "PMID": 618886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2769", "title": "Regulation of macronuclear DNA content in Paramecium tetraurelia.", "content": "The macronucleus of Paramecium divides amitotically, and daughter macronuclei with different DNA contents are frequently produced. If no regulatory mechanism were present, the variance of macronuclear DNA content would increase continuously. Analysis of variance within cell lines shows that macronuclear DNA content is regulated so that a constant variance is maintained from one cell generation to the next. Variation in macronuclear DNA content is removed from the cell population by the regulatory mechanism at the same rate at which it is introduced through inequality of macronuclear division. Half of the variation in macronuclear DNA content introduced into the population at a particular fission by inequality of division is compensated for during the subsequent period of DNA synthesis. Half of the remaining variation is removed during each subsequent cell cycle. The amount of variation removed in one cell cycle is proportional to the postfission variation. The cell's power to regulate DNA content is substantially greater than that required to compensate for the small differences that arise during division of wild-type cells. For example, a constant variance was still maintained when the mean difference between sister cells was increased to ten times its normal level in a mutant strain. The observations are consistent with a replication model that assumes that each cell synthesizes an approximately constant amount of DNA which is independent of the initial DNA content of the macronucleus. It is suggested that the amount of DNA synthesized may be largely determined by the mass of the cell.", "contents": "Regulation of macronuclear DNA content in Paramecium tetraurelia. The macronucleus of Paramecium divides amitotically, and daughter macronuclei with different DNA contents are frequently produced. If no regulatory mechanism were present, the variance of macronuclear DNA content would increase continuously. Analysis of variance within cell lines shows that macronuclear DNA content is regulated so that a constant variance is maintained from one cell generation to the next. Variation in macronuclear DNA content is removed from the cell population by the regulatory mechanism at the same rate at which it is introduced through inequality of macronuclear division. Half of the variation in macronuclear DNA content introduced into the population at a particular fission by inequality of division is compensated for during the subsequent period of DNA synthesis. Half of the remaining variation is removed during each subsequent cell cycle. The amount of variation removed in one cell cycle is proportional to the postfission variation. The cell's power to regulate DNA content is substantially greater than that required to compensate for the small differences that arise during division of wild-type cells. For example, a constant variance was still maintained when the mean difference between sister cells was increased to ten times its normal level in a mutant strain. The observations are consistent with a replication model that assumes that each cell synthesizes an approximately constant amount of DNA which is independent of the initial DNA content of the macronucleus. It is suggested that the amount of DNA synthesized may be largely determined by the mass of the cell.", "PMID": 618888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2770", "title": "Functional and morphological characterization of isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells.", "content": "Single bovine adrenal medullary cells have been obtained by retrograde perfusion of adrenal medullae with a solution of 0.05% collagenase in Ca++-free Krebs Henseleit buffer. Chromaffin cells were obtained in high yield (5 X 10(6) cells/g medulla), and more than 95% of these were viable as shown by exclusion of trypan blue. The isolated cells were capable of respiring at a linear rate for a minimum of 120 min. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the cells were morphologically intact, and two distinct types of adrenal medullary cells were identified, on the basis of the morphology of their electron-dense vesicles, as (a) adrenaline-containing and (b) noradrenaline-containing cells. Biochemical analysis showed that the cells contained catecholamines and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). The cells released catecholamines and DBH in response to acetylcholine (ACh), and this release was accompanied by changes in the vesicular and surface membranes observed at the ultrastructural level. The time-course of ACh-stimulated catecholamine and DBH release, and the dependence of this release on the concentration of ACh and extracellular Ca++ have been investigated. The isolated cells were pharmacologically sensitive to the action of the cholinergic blocking agents, atropine and hexamethonium.", "contents": "Functional and morphological characterization of isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells. Single bovine adrenal medullary cells have been obtained by retrograde perfusion of adrenal medullae with a solution of 0.05% collagenase in Ca++-free Krebs Henseleit buffer. Chromaffin cells were obtained in high yield (5 X 10(6) cells/g medulla), and more than 95% of these were viable as shown by exclusion of trypan blue. The isolated cells were capable of respiring at a linear rate for a minimum of 120 min. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the cells were morphologically intact, and two distinct types of adrenal medullary cells were identified, on the basis of the morphology of their electron-dense vesicles, as (a) adrenaline-containing and (b) noradrenaline-containing cells. Biochemical analysis showed that the cells contained catecholamines and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). The cells released catecholamines and DBH in response to acetylcholine (ACh), and this release was accompanied by changes in the vesicular and surface membranes observed at the ultrastructural level. The time-course of ACh-stimulated catecholamine and DBH release, and the dependence of this release on the concentration of ACh and extracellular Ca++ have been investigated. The isolated cells were pharmacologically sensitive to the action of the cholinergic blocking agents, atropine and hexamethonium.", "PMID": 618889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2771", "title": "Resolution of electron microscope autoradiography. IV. Application to analysis of autoradiographs.", "content": "The previous publications of this series described the expected grain distributions around model radioactive structures in EM autoradiographs as a function of the specimen resolution. This family of expected distributions was called the \"universal curves\". In the present study, experiments on 14C-sources were compared, significant differences were found depending on the energy of the isotope. These differences were primarily in the tails of the distributions, and are therefore important in correcting for cross-scatter when analyzing electron microscope autoradiographs. Using the universal curves unique for 125I, 3H, and 14C, we designed three sets of transparent overlays, or \"masks\", one set for each of these isotopes. The masks can be used by an investigator in a manner similar to that suggested by Blackett and Parry to generate grain distributions in autoradiographs on the basis of any desired hypothesis regarding the levels of radioactivity in different structures. A subsequent comparison between these generated distributions and those obtained from the observed grains in these autoradiographs leads to a determination of the most likely levels of radioactivity in the tissue. A computer (described in an Appendix by Land and Salpeter) can be used to find the \"best fit\" levels of radioactivity in complex cases. The accuracy of the masks was checked on generated line sources for each of the three isotopes.", "contents": "Resolution of electron microscope autoradiography. IV. Application to analysis of autoradiographs. The previous publications of this series described the expected grain distributions around model radioactive structures in EM autoradiographs as a function of the specimen resolution. This family of expected distributions was called the \"universal curves\". In the present study, experiments on 14C-sources were compared, significant differences were found depending on the energy of the isotope. These differences were primarily in the tails of the distributions, and are therefore important in correcting for cross-scatter when analyzing electron microscope autoradiographs. Using the universal curves unique for 125I, 3H, and 14C, we designed three sets of transparent overlays, or \"masks\", one set for each of these isotopes. The masks can be used by an investigator in a manner similar to that suggested by Blackett and Parry to generate grain distributions in autoradiographs on the basis of any desired hypothesis regarding the levels of radioactivity in different structures. A subsequent comparison between these generated distributions and those obtained from the observed grains in these autoradiographs leads to a determination of the most likely levels of radioactivity in the tissue. A computer (described in an Appendix by Land and Salpeter) can be used to find the \"best fit\" levels of radioactivity in complex cases. The accuracy of the masks was checked on generated line sources for each of the three isotopes.", "PMID": 618890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2772", "title": "Lens differentiation. Crystallin synthesis in isolated epithelia from calf lenses.", "content": "In the calf eye lens, four morphologically distinct cell types can be detected: three in the epithelial monolayer and one in the cortical part. During differentiation, there is a quantitative change in the synthesis of crystallin subunits. A marked increase in alphaA-chains and several beta-crystallin polypeptides accompanies the transition from epithelial to fiberlike lens cells while synthesis of the non-crystallin proteins diminishes significantly.", "contents": "Lens differentiation. Crystallin synthesis in isolated epithelia from calf lenses. In the calf eye lens, four morphologically distinct cell types can be detected: three in the epithelial monolayer and one in the cortical part. During differentiation, there is a quantitative change in the synthesis of crystallin subunits. A marked increase in alphaA-chains and several beta-crystallin polypeptides accompanies the transition from epithelial to fiberlike lens cells while synthesis of the non-crystallin proteins diminishes significantly.", "PMID": 618891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2773", "title": "Isolation of nuclear envelopes with polyanions.", "content": "Optimal conditions for the isolation of nuclear envelopes by the action of heparin on nuclei are established and a morphological and biochemical study of such isolated envelopes is presented. An almost 100% yield of pure nuclear envelopes can be obtained by a single sedimentation step after incubation of nuclei with heparin for 40 min at 4 degrees C. The nuclear membrane pellet obtained in this way contains whole envelopes with a preserved perinuclear space and with ribosomes present on the outher leaflet. A single band with an apparent buoyant density of 1.18 is obtained by sucrose density gradient analysis. The chemical composition of the pellet is similar to that of the purified membranes and corresponds to 62% proteins, 34% phospholipids, 3% RNA, and 0.5% DNA. The presence of low concentrations of sodium phosphate (2-10 mM) is critical for a complete solubilization of the chromatin. A less rapid and complete solubilization is obtained with the potassium salt. Low concentrations of Mg++ (1-3 mM) counteract chromatin solubilization by heparin mainly at the level of chromatin-nuclear membrane association. The presence of EDTA in the medium leads to isolated nuclear envelopes on which neither ribosomes nor nuclear pores are visible, indicating the pore structure is dependent on the presence of Ca++ or Mg++. A comparison with other polyanions indicates a decisive advantage of heparin. However, pure nuclear envelopes can also be obtained by the action of dextran sulfate (mol wt 500,000) on nuclei incubated for 5 min at 37 degrees C, in the presence of phosphate ions.", "contents": "Isolation of nuclear envelopes with polyanions. Optimal conditions for the isolation of nuclear envelopes by the action of heparin on nuclei are established and a morphological and biochemical study of such isolated envelopes is presented. An almost 100% yield of pure nuclear envelopes can be obtained by a single sedimentation step after incubation of nuclei with heparin for 40 min at 4 degrees C. The nuclear membrane pellet obtained in this way contains whole envelopes with a preserved perinuclear space and with ribosomes present on the outher leaflet. A single band with an apparent buoyant density of 1.18 is obtained by sucrose density gradient analysis. The chemical composition of the pellet is similar to that of the purified membranes and corresponds to 62% proteins, 34% phospholipids, 3% RNA, and 0.5% DNA. The presence of low concentrations of sodium phosphate (2-10 mM) is critical for a complete solubilization of the chromatin. A less rapid and complete solubilization is obtained with the potassium salt. Low concentrations of Mg++ (1-3 mM) counteract chromatin solubilization by heparin mainly at the level of chromatin-nuclear membrane association. The presence of EDTA in the medium leads to isolated nuclear envelopes on which neither ribosomes nor nuclear pores are visible, indicating the pore structure is dependent on the presence of Ca++ or Mg++. A comparison with other polyanions indicates a decisive advantage of heparin. However, pure nuclear envelopes can also be obtained by the action of dextran sulfate (mol wt 500,000) on nuclei incubated for 5 min at 37 degrees C, in the presence of phosphate ions.", "PMID": 618892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2774", "title": "Uptake and fate of luminally administered horseradish peroxidase in resting and isoproterenol-stimulated rat parotid acinar cells.", "content": "The formation and fate of apical endocytic vesicles in resting and isoproterenol-stimulated rat parotid acinar cells were studied using luminally administered horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to mark the vesicles. The tracer was taken up from the lumen by endocytosis in small, smooth-surfaces \"c\"- or ring-shaped vesicles. About 1 h after HRP administration the vesicles could be found adjacent to the Golgi apparatus. At later times HRP reaction product was localized in multivesicular bodies and lysosomes; in isoproterenol-stimulated cells it was also present in autophagic vacuoles. HRP reaction product was never localized in any structure associated with secretory granule formation. These results suggest that the apical endocytic vesicles play a role in membrane recovery, but that they are degraded and not reutilized directly in secretory granule formation. Additionally, it was found that when isoproterenol was injected before HRP administration, the apical junctional complexes became permeable to the tracer, allowing it to gain access to the lateral and basal intercellular spaces. This permeability may provide an additional route whereby substances in the extracellular fluid could reach the saliva.", "contents": "Uptake and fate of luminally administered horseradish peroxidase in resting and isoproterenol-stimulated rat parotid acinar cells. The formation and fate of apical endocytic vesicles in resting and isoproterenol-stimulated rat parotid acinar cells were studied using luminally administered horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to mark the vesicles. The tracer was taken up from the lumen by endocytosis in small, smooth-surfaces \"c\"- or ring-shaped vesicles. About 1 h after HRP administration the vesicles could be found adjacent to the Golgi apparatus. At later times HRP reaction product was localized in multivesicular bodies and lysosomes; in isoproterenol-stimulated cells it was also present in autophagic vacuoles. HRP reaction product was never localized in any structure associated with secretory granule formation. These results suggest that the apical endocytic vesicles play a role in membrane recovery, but that they are degraded and not reutilized directly in secretory granule formation. Additionally, it was found that when isoproterenol was injected before HRP administration, the apical junctional complexes became permeable to the tracer, allowing it to gain access to the lateral and basal intercellular spaces. This permeability may provide an additional route whereby substances in the extracellular fluid could reach the saliva.", "PMID": 618893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2775", "title": "Alterations in number of protofilaments in microtubules assembled in vitro.", "content": "Tubulin from bovine brain was polymerized in vitro using a variety of assembly conditions. Many of the formed microtubules were shown to contain 14 wall protofilaments. The number of microtubules containing 14 protofilaments increased with consecutive repetitions of cold-dissociation followed by reassembly in vitro.", "contents": "Alterations in number of protofilaments in microtubules assembled in vitro. Tubulin from bovine brain was polymerized in vitro using a variety of assembly conditions. Many of the formed microtubules were shown to contain 14 wall protofilaments. The number of microtubules containing 14 protofilaments increased with consecutive repetitions of cold-dissociation followed by reassembly in vitro.", "PMID": 618894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2776", "title": "Evidence that biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and triacylglycerol occurs on the cytoplasmic side of microsomal vesicles.", "content": "Experiments were performed to localize the hepatic microsomal enzymes of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol biosynthesis to the cytoplasmic or lumenal surface of microsomal vesicles. Greater than 90 percent of the activities of fatty acid-CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.3), sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.15), lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20), diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.2), and diacylglycerol ethanolaminephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.1) was inactivated by proteolysis of intact microsomal vesicles. The phosphatidic acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.4) was not inactivated by any of the protease tested. Under conditions employed, <5 percent of the luminal mannose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) activity was lost. After microsomal integrity was disrupted with detergents, protease treatment resulted in a loss of >74 percent of the mannose-6-phosphatase activity. The latency of the mannose-6-phosphatase activity was not affected by protease treatment. Mannose-6-phosphatase latency was not decreased by the presence of the assay components of several of the lipid biosynthetic activities, indicating that those components did not disrupt the microsomal vesicles. None of the lipid biosynthetic activities appeared latent. The presence of a protease-sensitive component of these biosynthetic activities on the cytoplasmic surface of microsomal vesicles, and the absence of latency for any of these biosynthetic activities suggest that the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol occurs asymmetrically on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. The location of biosynthetic activities within the transverse plane of the endoplasmic reticulum is of particular interest for enzymes whose products may be either secreted or retained within the cell. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol account for the vast majority of hepatic glycerolipid biosynthesis. The phospholipids are utilized for hepatic membrane biogenesis and for the formation of lipoproteins, and the triacylglycerols are incorporated into lipoproteins or accumulate within the hepatocyte in certain disease states (14). The enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of these glycerolipids (Scheme I) from fatty acids and glycerol-3P have all been localized to the microsomal subcellular fraction (12, 16, 29, 30). Microsomes are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum and are sealed vesicles which maintain proper sidedness. (11, 22). The external surface of these vesicles corresponds to the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. Macromolecules destined for secretion must pass into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (5, 23). Uncharged molecules of up to approximately 600 daltons are able to enter the lumen of rat liver microsomes, but macromolecules and charged molecules of low molecular weight do not cross the vesicle membrane (10, 11). Because proteases neither cross the microsomal membrane nor destroy the permeability barrier of the microsomal vesicles, only the enzymes and proteins located on the cytoplasmic surface of microsomal vesicles are susceptible to proteolysis unless membrane integrity is disrupted (10, 11). By use of this approach, several enzymes and proteins have been localized in the transverse plane of microsomal membranes (11). With the possible exception of cytochrome P 450, all of the enzymes and proteins investigated were localized asymmetrically by the proteolysis technique (11). By studies of this type, as well as by product localization, glucose-6-phosphate (EC 3.1.3.9) has been localized to the luminal surface of microsomal vesicles (11) and of the endoplasmic reticulum (18, 19). All microsomal vesicles contain glucose-6-phosphatase (18, 19) which can effectively utilize mannose-6-P as a substrate, provided the permeability barrier of the vesicles has been disrupted to allow the substrate access to the active site located on the lumenal surface (4). An exact correspondence between mannose- 6-phosphate activity and membrane permeability to EDTA has been established (4). The latency of mannose-6-phosphatase activity provides a quantitative index of microsomal integrity (4.) Few of the microsomal enzymes in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol have been solubilized and/or purified, and little is known about the topography of these enzymes in the transverse or lateral planes of the endoplasmic reticulum. An asymmetric location of these biosynthetic enzymes on the cytoplasmic or lumenal surface of microsomal vesicles may provide a mechanism for regulation of the glycerolipids to be retained or secreted by the cell, and for the biogenesis of asymmetric phospholipid bilayers. In this paper, we report investigations on the localization of all seven microsomal enzymes (Scheme I) in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, using the protease technique with mannose-6-phosphatase serving as luminal control activity. The latency of these lipid biosynthetic enzymes was also investigated, using the latency of mannose-6-phosphatase as an index of microsomal integrity.", "contents": "Evidence that biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and triacylglycerol occurs on the cytoplasmic side of microsomal vesicles. Experiments were performed to localize the hepatic microsomal enzymes of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol biosynthesis to the cytoplasmic or lumenal surface of microsomal vesicles. Greater than 90 percent of the activities of fatty acid-CoA ligase (EC 6.2.1.3), sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.15), lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20), diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.2), and diacylglycerol ethanolaminephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.1) was inactivated by proteolysis of intact microsomal vesicles. The phosphatidic acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.4) was not inactivated by any of the protease tested. Under conditions employed, <5 percent of the luminal mannose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) activity was lost. After microsomal integrity was disrupted with detergents, protease treatment resulted in a loss of >74 percent of the mannose-6-phosphatase activity. The latency of the mannose-6-phosphatase activity was not affected by protease treatment. Mannose-6-phosphatase latency was not decreased by the presence of the assay components of several of the lipid biosynthetic activities, indicating that those components did not disrupt the microsomal vesicles. None of the lipid biosynthetic activities appeared latent. The presence of a protease-sensitive component of these biosynthetic activities on the cytoplasmic surface of microsomal vesicles, and the absence of latency for any of these biosynthetic activities suggest that the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol occurs asymmetrically on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. The location of biosynthetic activities within the transverse plane of the endoplasmic reticulum is of particular interest for enzymes whose products may be either secreted or retained within the cell. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol account for the vast majority of hepatic glycerolipid biosynthesis. The phospholipids are utilized for hepatic membrane biogenesis and for the formation of lipoproteins, and the triacylglycerols are incorporated into lipoproteins or accumulate within the hepatocyte in certain disease states (14). The enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of these glycerolipids (Scheme I) from fatty acids and glycerol-3P have all been localized to the microsomal subcellular fraction (12, 16, 29, 30). Microsomes are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum and are sealed vesicles which maintain proper sidedness. (11, 22). The external surface of these vesicles corresponds to the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum. Macromolecules destined for secretion must pass into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (5, 23). Uncharged molecules of up to approximately 600 daltons are able to enter the lumen of rat liver microsomes, but macromolecules and charged molecules of low molecular weight do not cross the vesicle membrane (10, 11). Because proteases neither cross the microsomal membrane nor destroy the permeability barrier of the microsomal vesicles, only the enzymes and proteins located on the cytoplasmic surface of microsomal vesicles are susceptible to proteolysis unless membrane integrity is disrupted (10, 11). By use of this approach, several enzymes and proteins have been localized in the transverse plane of microsomal membranes (11). With the possible exception of cytochrome P 450, all of the enzymes and proteins investigated were localized asymmetrically by the proteolysis technique (11). By studies of this type, as well as by product localization, glucose-6-phosphate (EC 3.1.3.9) has been localized to the luminal surface of microsomal vesicles (11) and of the endoplasmic reticulum (18, 19). All microsomal vesicles contain glucose-6-phosphatase (18, 19) which can effectively utilize mannose-6-P as a substrate, provided the permeability barrier of the vesicles has been disrupted to allow the substrate access to the active site located on the lumenal surface (4). An exact correspondence between mannose- 6-phosphate activity and membrane permeability to EDTA has been established (4). The latency of mannose-6-phosphatase activity provides a quantitative index of microsomal integrity (4.) Few of the microsomal enzymes in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and triacylglycerol have been solubilized and/or purified, and little is known about the topography of these enzymes in the transverse or lateral planes of the endoplasmic reticulum. An asymmetric location of these biosynthetic enzymes on the cytoplasmic or lumenal surface of microsomal vesicles may provide a mechanism for regulation of the glycerolipids to be retained or secreted by the cell, and for the biogenesis of asymmetric phospholipid bilayers. In this paper, we report investigations on the localization of all seven microsomal enzymes (Scheme I) in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, using the protease technique with mannose-6-phosphatase serving as luminal control activity. The latency of these lipid biosynthetic enzymes was also investigated, using the latency of mannose-6-phosphatase as an index of microsomal integrity.", "PMID": 618895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2777", "title": "Adhesion and detachment characteristics of Chinese hamster cell membrane mutants.", "content": "We have investigated the adhesion and detachment properties of wild-type Chinese hamster cells and of variant lines, which possess altered cell surface glycoproteins as detected by galactose oxidase-[3H]borohydride labeling. The wild-type and variant lines tested all adhered to protein-coated glass surfaces at the same rate; however, the variant cells differed from wild type and from each other in terms of the ease with which they were detached by trypsinization. Morphological differences between the various lines were also apparent. Our results suggest that the carbohydrate moieties of the terminal region of surface glycoproteins are not directly involved in the initial phase of cell-to-substratum attachment, but that they may modulate the proteolytic susceptibility of surface components which are involved in cell detachment.", "contents": "Adhesion and detachment characteristics of Chinese hamster cell membrane mutants. We have investigated the adhesion and detachment properties of wild-type Chinese hamster cells and of variant lines, which possess altered cell surface glycoproteins as detected by galactose oxidase-[3H]borohydride labeling. The wild-type and variant lines tested all adhered to protein-coated glass surfaces at the same rate; however, the variant cells differed from wild type and from each other in terms of the ease with which they were detached by trypsinization. Morphological differences between the various lines were also apparent. Our results suggest that the carbohydrate moieties of the terminal region of surface glycoproteins are not directly involved in the initial phase of cell-to-substratum attachment, but that they may modulate the proteolytic susceptibility of surface components which are involved in cell detachment.", "PMID": 618896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2778", "title": "Observations on the disassembly of isolated mammalian neurofilaments.", "content": "Intact mammalian neurofilaments were separated by centrifugation of osmotically shocked, desheathed segments of rat peripheral nerve. Neurofilament-rich supernates were incubated in different media with varying dilutions or dialysis of samples. Neurofilaments attached to carbon-Formvar-coated grids were exposed to similar incubations. The relative preservation or disruption of neurofilaments during different incubational conditions was monitored through periodic examinations of neurofilaments by negative staining techniques. Maximum structural stability of neurofilaments was manifested during incubation in isotonic NaCl or KCl. Decreasing salinity of incubational media led to increasing disruption of neurofilaments, especially in solutions less than 0.01 M. Hypertonic saline solutions were found to be less disruptive to mammalian neurofilaments. Additional studies examined neurofilamentous alterations effected by pH, protein denaturants, mitotic spindle inhibitors, reducing agents, and freeze-thawing procedures.", "contents": "Observations on the disassembly of isolated mammalian neurofilaments. Intact mammalian neurofilaments were separated by centrifugation of osmotically shocked, desheathed segments of rat peripheral nerve. Neurofilament-rich supernates were incubated in different media with varying dilutions or dialysis of samples. Neurofilaments attached to carbon-Formvar-coated grids were exposed to similar incubations. The relative preservation or disruption of neurofilaments during different incubational conditions was monitored through periodic examinations of neurofilaments by negative staining techniques. Maximum structural stability of neurofilaments was manifested during incubation in isotonic NaCl or KCl. Decreasing salinity of incubational media led to increasing disruption of neurofilaments, especially in solutions less than 0.01 M. Hypertonic saline solutions were found to be less disruptive to mammalian neurofilaments. Additional studies examined neurofilamentous alterations effected by pH, protein denaturants, mitotic spindle inhibitors, reducing agents, and freeze-thawing procedures.", "PMID": 618897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2779", "title": "A freeze-fracture and lanthanum tracer study of the complex junction between Sertoli cells of the canine testis.", "content": "What appear to be true septate junctions by all techniques currently available for the cytological identification of intercellular junctions are part of a complex junction that interconnects the Sertoli cells of the canine testis. In the seminiferous epithelium, septate junctions are located basal to belts of tight junctions. In thin sections, septate junctions appear as double, parallel, transverse connections or septa spanning an approximately 90-A intercellular space between adjacent Sertoli cells. In en face sections of lanthanum-aldehyde-perfused specimens, the septa themselves exclude lanthanum and appear as electron-lucent lines arranged in a series of double, parallel rows on a background of electron-dense lanthanum. In freeze-fracture replicas this vertebrate septate junction appears as double, parallel rows of individual or fused particles which conform to the distribution of the intercellular septa. Septate junctions can be clearly distinguished from tight junctions as tight junctions prevent the movement of lanthanum tracer toward the lumen, appear as single rows of individual or fused particles in interlacing patterns within freeze-fracture replicas, and are seen as areas of close membrane apposition in thin sections. Both the septate junction and the tight junction are associated with specializations of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. This is the first demonstration in a vertebrate tissue of a true septate junction.", "contents": "A freeze-fracture and lanthanum tracer study of the complex junction between Sertoli cells of the canine testis. What appear to be true septate junctions by all techniques currently available for the cytological identification of intercellular junctions are part of a complex junction that interconnects the Sertoli cells of the canine testis. In the seminiferous epithelium, septate junctions are located basal to belts of tight junctions. In thin sections, septate junctions appear as double, parallel, transverse connections or septa spanning an approximately 90-A intercellular space between adjacent Sertoli cells. In en face sections of lanthanum-aldehyde-perfused specimens, the septa themselves exclude lanthanum and appear as electron-lucent lines arranged in a series of double, parallel rows on a background of electron-dense lanthanum. In freeze-fracture replicas this vertebrate septate junction appears as double, parallel rows of individual or fused particles which conform to the distribution of the intercellular septa. Septate junctions can be clearly distinguished from tight junctions as tight junctions prevent the movement of lanthanum tracer toward the lumen, appear as single rows of individual or fused particles in interlacing patterns within freeze-fracture replicas, and are seen as areas of close membrane apposition in thin sections. Both the septate junction and the tight junction are associated with specializations of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. This is the first demonstration in a vertebrate tissue of a true septate junction.", "PMID": 618898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2780", "title": "Particle arrays in earthworm postjunctional membranes.", "content": "Analysis of freeze-fractured earthworm body wall muscle reveals distinctive trough-shaped concavities in the protoplasmic leaflet of the muscle cell membrane which contain diagonally oriented rows of particles sometimes in highly ordered arrays. The troughs correspond to the concave postjunctional patches of sarcolemma seen previously in thin sections of myoneural junctions identified as cholinergic, and the intramembranous particles within the troughs correspond in concentration and arrangement to granular elements present in the outer dense lamina of the postjunctional membrane which were interpreted as acetylcholine receptors. The freeze-fracture data provide a more accurate picture of the arrangement of these putative receptors within the plane of the membrane, and indicate also that they extend into the membrane at least as far as its hydrophobic layer.", "contents": "Particle arrays in earthworm postjunctional membranes. Analysis of freeze-fractured earthworm body wall muscle reveals distinctive trough-shaped concavities in the protoplasmic leaflet of the muscle cell membrane which contain diagonally oriented rows of particles sometimes in highly ordered arrays. The troughs correspond to the concave postjunctional patches of sarcolemma seen previously in thin sections of myoneural junctions identified as cholinergic, and the intramembranous particles within the troughs correspond in concentration and arrangement to granular elements present in the outer dense lamina of the postjunctional membrane which were interpreted as acetylcholine receptors. The freeze-fracture data provide a more accurate picture of the arrangement of these putative receptors within the plane of the membrane, and indicate also that they extend into the membrane at least as far as its hydrophobic layer.", "PMID": 618899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2781", "title": "Passage of serum-destined proteins through the Golgi apparatus of rat liver. An examination of heavy and light Golgi fractions.", "content": "The participation of hepatic Golgi apparatus in the intracellular transport of blood-destined proteins has been analyzed using Golgi fractions enriched in cis and trans components of the Golgi apparatus. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the liver Golgi fractions showed several proteins corresponding in relative proportions and mobilities with serum proteins. After a pulse injection of labeled leucine, the secretory content of the cis Golgi fraction was labeled earlier than the trans Golgi fraction. Taken together, the results show the participation of the liver Golgi apparatus in the secretion of most of the serum proteins and provide documentation for a sequential progression of secretory protein through the cis and trans components of the Golgi apparatus.", "contents": "Passage of serum-destined proteins through the Golgi apparatus of rat liver. An examination of heavy and light Golgi fractions. The participation of hepatic Golgi apparatus in the intracellular transport of blood-destined proteins has been analyzed using Golgi fractions enriched in cis and trans components of the Golgi apparatus. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the liver Golgi fractions showed several proteins corresponding in relative proportions and mobilities with serum proteins. After a pulse injection of labeled leucine, the secretory content of the cis Golgi fraction was labeled earlier than the trans Golgi fraction. Taken together, the results show the participation of the liver Golgi apparatus in the secretion of most of the serum proteins and provide documentation for a sequential progression of secretory protein through the cis and trans components of the Golgi apparatus.", "PMID": 618900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2782", "title": "Studies on phosphoglucose isomerase from cultured human fibroblasts: absence of detectable ageing effects on the enzyme.", "content": "Some properties of the enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) from the foetal lung fibroblast strain MRC-5 have been investigated throughout the in vitro lifespan of this cell strain. No significant age-related alterations in specific activity or thermostability of PGI could be detected. Titration of enzymatic activity with antibody directed against purified PGI showed no detectable differences in PGI from extracts of early passage cells compared with enzyme from senescent cells. The effect of p-fluorophenylalanine incorporation on PGI was examined in early passage fibroblasts. Thermostability studies showed increased heat lability of PGI from analogue treated cells when compared with enzyme from control cells at the same passage. However, no inactive PGI protein could be detected by anti-serum titration in extracts from analogue-treated cells. The results indicate that no significant amount of altered or inactive PGI is produced in ageing fibroblasts.", "contents": "Studies on phosphoglucose isomerase from cultured human fibroblasts: absence of detectable ageing effects on the enzyme. Some properties of the enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) from the foetal lung fibroblast strain MRC-5 have been investigated throughout the in vitro lifespan of this cell strain. No significant age-related alterations in specific activity or thermostability of PGI could be detected. Titration of enzymatic activity with antibody directed against purified PGI showed no detectable differences in PGI from extracts of early passage cells compared with enzyme from senescent cells. The effect of p-fluorophenylalanine incorporation on PGI was examined in early passage fibroblasts. Thermostability studies showed increased heat lability of PGI from analogue treated cells when compared with enzyme from control cells at the same passage. However, no inactive PGI protein could be detected by anti-serum titration in extracts from analogue-treated cells. The results indicate that no significant amount of altered or inactive PGI is produced in ageing fibroblasts.", "PMID": 618901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2783", "title": "Reversible regulation by magnesium of chick embryo fibroblast proliferation.", "content": "The rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation and of cell proliferation in chick embryo fibroblast cultures are reduced coordinately when the [Mg2+] of the external medium is reduced below the physiological concentration of about 0.8 mM. These effects of moderately reduced [Mg2+] and the accompanying change in appearance of the cells, resemble the effects produced by lowering the [serum] of the medium. Cells subjected to severe Mg2+ deprivation, especially at low [Ca2+], die and detach from the culture dish. Cells kept at a reduced rate of proliferation for three days by moderate Mg2+ deprivation are quickly restored to rapid proliferation upon restoration of the normal [Mg2+] of the medium. The rate of proliferation of the chick embryo cells is reduced markedly by lowering [Ca2+] about 100-fold, but unlike the case of Mg2+-deprivation this can occur without significant effect on the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation. More severe Ca2+ deprivation, which does lower the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation, produces retraction of cells from one another and from the dish, and results in a distinctly abnormal, rounded appearance. The results lend weight to the thesis that free [Mg2+] plays a central role within the cell in the coordinate control of metabolism and growth. They also suggest that the effects produced by varying [Ca2+] in the medium are caused by changes at the external surface of the cell.", "contents": "Reversible regulation by magnesium of chick embryo fibroblast proliferation. The rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation and of cell proliferation in chick embryo fibroblast cultures are reduced coordinately when the [Mg2+] of the external medium is reduced below the physiological concentration of about 0.8 mM. These effects of moderately reduced [Mg2+] and the accompanying change in appearance of the cells, resemble the effects produced by lowering the [serum] of the medium. Cells subjected to severe Mg2+ deprivation, especially at low [Ca2+], die and detach from the culture dish. Cells kept at a reduced rate of proliferation for three days by moderate Mg2+ deprivation are quickly restored to rapid proliferation upon restoration of the normal [Mg2+] of the medium. The rate of proliferation of the chick embryo cells is reduced markedly by lowering [Ca2+] about 100-fold, but unlike the case of Mg2+-deprivation this can occur without significant effect on the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation. More severe Ca2+ deprivation, which does lower the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation, produces retraction of cells from one another and from the dish, and results in a distinctly abnormal, rounded appearance. The results lend weight to the thesis that free [Mg2+] plays a central role within the cell in the coordinate control of metabolism and growth. They also suggest that the effects produced by varying [Ca2+] in the medium are caused by changes at the external surface of the cell.", "PMID": 618902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2784", "title": "Polyamine metabolism in regenerating livers from normal and hypocalcemic rats.", "content": "There is a marked increase in the concentration of putrescine during the first ten hours following partial hepatectomy in rats. The concentration of spermidine also increases but to a smaller degree. Putrescine levels return to normal between 10 and 24 hours after the operation, whereas the increased spermidine level is maintained. The production of putrescine and spermidine appears to be initiated by the induction of ornithine decarboxylase which shows a single peak of activity at four hours after hepatectomy. The activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase shows little change following hepatectomy. The changes in polyamine levels and the activities of the enzymes of polyamine metabolism are not affected by thyroparathyroidectomy 72 hours prior to hepatectomy. Thus although these hypocalcemic conditions considerably reduce and delay DNA synthesis and mitosis, the prereplicative changes in polyamine metabolism still occur. These data suggest that the hepatocytes in hypocalcemic animals have become activated and moved to an advanced stage of prereplicative development before being blocked.", "contents": "Polyamine metabolism in regenerating livers from normal and hypocalcemic rats. There is a marked increase in the concentration of putrescine during the first ten hours following partial hepatectomy in rats. The concentration of spermidine also increases but to a smaller degree. Putrescine levels return to normal between 10 and 24 hours after the operation, whereas the increased spermidine level is maintained. The production of putrescine and spermidine appears to be initiated by the induction of ornithine decarboxylase which shows a single peak of activity at four hours after hepatectomy. The activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase shows little change following hepatectomy. The changes in polyamine levels and the activities of the enzymes of polyamine metabolism are not affected by thyroparathyroidectomy 72 hours prior to hepatectomy. Thus although these hypocalcemic conditions considerably reduce and delay DNA synthesis and mitosis, the prereplicative changes in polyamine metabolism still occur. These data suggest that the hepatocytes in hypocalcemic animals have become activated and moved to an advanced stage of prereplicative development before being blocked.", "PMID": 618904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2785", "title": "Arginase activity and other cellular events associated with epidermal hyperplasia.", "content": "The unknown biochemical role of arginase in epidermal metabolism was probed by examining the association of elevated arginase activity with epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratinization. Epidermal hyperplasia was induced experimentally by topical application of 1-decanol to the right side of male hairless mice while the contralateral side served as control. Arginase activity, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA, DNA and protein content were measured in the separated control and experimental epidermis six hours and on days 1 through 5 and 7 after 1-decanol application. After six hours, the epidermis appears damaged histologically, and DNA synthesis is inhibited. By day 1, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA is elevated and a new hyperplastic epidermis has formed beneath the original epidermis. Epidermal arginase is elevated two through seven days after 1-decanol application and always is associated with continuing epidermal hyperplasia. The stimulation of DNA synthesis, which parallels the induction of epidermal hyperplasia by 1-decanol, precedes the induction of epidermal arginase activity. An attempt to relate these results with polyamine synthesis and other metabolic events is made.", "contents": "Arginase activity and other cellular events associated with epidermal hyperplasia. The unknown biochemical role of arginase in epidermal metabolism was probed by examining the association of elevated arginase activity with epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratinization. Epidermal hyperplasia was induced experimentally by topical application of 1-decanol to the right side of male hairless mice while the contralateral side served as control. Arginase activity, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA, DNA and protein content were measured in the separated control and experimental epidermis six hours and on days 1 through 5 and 7 after 1-decanol application. After six hours, the epidermis appears damaged histologically, and DNA synthesis is inhibited. By day 1, incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA is elevated and a new hyperplastic epidermis has formed beneath the original epidermis. Epidermal arginase is elevated two through seven days after 1-decanol application and always is associated with continuing epidermal hyperplasia. The stimulation of DNA synthesis, which parallels the induction of epidermal hyperplasia by 1-decanol, precedes the induction of epidermal arginase activity. An attempt to relate these results with polyamine synthesis and other metabolic events is made.", "PMID": 618905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2786", "title": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in primary immunodeficiency diseases and with normal leukocyte subpopulations. Importance of the type of target.", "content": "To gain insight into a possible role for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vivo, we examined the ability of leukocytes from 28 patients with primary immunodeficiency and from 20 normal controls to lyse three different types of antibody-coated targets in vitro. Mean cytotoxic indices +/-1 SD elicited by unfractionated mononuclear cells from normal controls were 28.74+/-13.26 for human HLA antibody-coated lymphocyte targets, 42.79+/-8.27 for rabbit IgG antibody-coated chicken erythrocyte targets, and 47.58+/-10.34 for human anti-CD (Ripley)-coated O+ erythrocyte targets. Significantly (P=<0.05) lower than normal mean cytotoxic indices against lymphocyte targets were seen with effector cells from 10 patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (3.7+/-4.33), in 10 with common variable agammaglobulinemia (16.05+/-7.74), in 3 with immunodeficiency with hyper IgM (18.41+/-4.88), and in 2 with severe combined immunodeficiency (3.94+/-0.3). Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity against chicken erythrocytes was significantly (P=<0.05) lower than normal only in the common variable agammaglobulinemic group (33.33+/-12.3) and against human erythrocytes only in the common variable (34.36+/-9.59) and hyper IgM (27.54+/-0.66) groups. Rosette and anti-F(ab')(2) depletion studies with normal leukocytes indicated that a nonadherent, nonphagocytic, non-Ig-bearing, non-C receptor-bearing, Fc receptor-bearing lymphocyte was the only effector capable of lysing HLA antiboyd-coated lymphocyte targets. Patients with infantile X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency appear to have a marked deficiency in this type of effector cell function.", "contents": "Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in primary immunodeficiency diseases and with normal leukocyte subpopulations. Importance of the type of target. To gain insight into a possible role for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vivo, we examined the ability of leukocytes from 28 patients with primary immunodeficiency and from 20 normal controls to lyse three different types of antibody-coated targets in vitro. Mean cytotoxic indices +/-1 SD elicited by unfractionated mononuclear cells from normal controls were 28.74+/-13.26 for human HLA antibody-coated lymphocyte targets, 42.79+/-8.27 for rabbit IgG antibody-coated chicken erythrocyte targets, and 47.58+/-10.34 for human anti-CD (Ripley)-coated O+ erythrocyte targets. Significantly (P=<0.05) lower than normal mean cytotoxic indices against lymphocyte targets were seen with effector cells from 10 patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (3.7+/-4.33), in 10 with common variable agammaglobulinemia (16.05+/-7.74), in 3 with immunodeficiency with hyper IgM (18.41+/-4.88), and in 2 with severe combined immunodeficiency (3.94+/-0.3). Antibody-dependent cytotoxicity against chicken erythrocytes was significantly (P=<0.05) lower than normal only in the common variable agammaglobulinemic group (33.33+/-12.3) and against human erythrocytes only in the common variable (34.36+/-9.59) and hyper IgM (27.54+/-0.66) groups. Rosette and anti-F(ab')(2) depletion studies with normal leukocytes indicated that a nonadherent, nonphagocytic, non-Ig-bearing, non-C receptor-bearing, Fc receptor-bearing lymphocyte was the only effector capable of lysing HLA antiboyd-coated lymphocyte targets. Patients with infantile X-linked agammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency appear to have a marked deficiency in this type of effector cell function.", "PMID": 618906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2787", "title": "Effects of glyceraldehyde on the structural and functional properties of sickle erythrocytes.", "content": "The d- and l-isomers of glyceraldehyde are equally effective in the inhibition of SS erythrocyte sickling in vitro. The following compounds at a concentration of 20 mM were ineffective in inhibiting sickling: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, d-erythrose, d-ribose, d-fructose, d-glucose, d-sucrose, dihydroxyacetone, and methylglyoxal. Glyceraldehyde does not reverse the sickling of cells in the deoxy state. The properties of purified hemoglobin after treatment with glyceraldehyde and of the hemoglobin isolated from treated cells are very similar; these results suggest that glyceraldehyde itself is the reactive species within the erythrocyte. Erythrocyte glutathione is decreased by treatment in vitro with the aldehyde. Relatively high concentrations of glyceraldehyde (50 mM) lead to a small amount (3%) of cross-linking between hemoglobin monomers as well as to some cross-linking of erythrocyte membrane proteins. Lower concentrations of dl-glyceraldehyde (5-20 mM), which reduce the sickling of erythrocytes in vitro, lead to proportionally less cross-linking of hemoglobin. Cells that have been treated with those concentrations of the aldehyde show little change in their osmotic fragility, exhibit improved filtration properties, and have a lowered viscosity.", "contents": "Effects of glyceraldehyde on the structural and functional properties of sickle erythrocytes. The d- and l-isomers of glyceraldehyde are equally effective in the inhibition of SS erythrocyte sickling in vitro. The following compounds at a concentration of 20 mM were ineffective in inhibiting sickling: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, d-erythrose, d-ribose, d-fructose, d-glucose, d-sucrose, dihydroxyacetone, and methylglyoxal. Glyceraldehyde does not reverse the sickling of cells in the deoxy state. The properties of purified hemoglobin after treatment with glyceraldehyde and of the hemoglobin isolated from treated cells are very similar; these results suggest that glyceraldehyde itself is the reactive species within the erythrocyte. Erythrocyte glutathione is decreased by treatment in vitro with the aldehyde. Relatively high concentrations of glyceraldehyde (50 mM) lead to a small amount (3%) of cross-linking between hemoglobin monomers as well as to some cross-linking of erythrocyte membrane proteins. Lower concentrations of dl-glyceraldehyde (5-20 mM), which reduce the sickling of erythrocytes in vitro, lead to proportionally less cross-linking of hemoglobin. Cells that have been treated with those concentrations of the aldehyde show little change in their osmotic fragility, exhibit improved filtration properties, and have a lowered viscosity.", "PMID": 618907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2788", "title": "Binding and uptake of transcobalamin II by human fibroblasts.", "content": "We have used purified, (125)I-labeled human transcobalamin II (TC II), saturated with cobalamin (Cbl), to study the uptake process for the TC II-Cbl complex by intact normal cultured human skin fibroblasts. We have also investigated the possibility that a defect in one step of this process underlies that inborn error of Cbl metabolism-designated cbl C-in which mutant cells are unable to retain Cbl intracellularly or convert it to its coenzyme forms. TC II-Cbl binding at 4 degrees C reached a plateau after 3-4 hr; 95% of the bound (125)I was releasable with trypsin. Binding of TC II-Cbl at 4 degrees C could be inhibited by human and rabbit TC II-Cbl and human TC II devoid of Cbl but not by other Cbl-binding proteins, albumin, or free Cbl. Specific binding reached saturation at congruent with5 ng TC II/ml (0.13 nM) and could be inhibited by ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid. At 37 degrees C, the TC II-Cbl complex was internalized as shown by a progressive decrease in the trypsin-releasable fraction of bound (125)I. After 2 h at 37 degrees C, increasing amounts of acid-soluble (125)I were found in the incubation medium indicating that the labeled TC II was being degraded. Chloroquine, an inhibitor of lysosomal proteolysis, prevented this degradation. The binding, internalization, and degradation of TC II-Cbl by cbl C cells was indistingusihable from that by control cells. Our studies provide additional support for the concepts: (a) that the TC II-Cbl complex binds to a specific cell surface receptor through a site on the TC II; (b) that the interaction between the receptor and TC II is calcium dependent; (c) that the TC II-Cbl is internalized via endocytosis; (d) that the degradation of TC II and release of Cbl from the complex occurs in lysosomes. We also conclude that the defect in cbl C must reside at some step beyond this receptor-mediated uptake process.", "contents": "Binding and uptake of transcobalamin II by human fibroblasts. We have used purified, (125)I-labeled human transcobalamin II (TC II), saturated with cobalamin (Cbl), to study the uptake process for the TC II-Cbl complex by intact normal cultured human skin fibroblasts. We have also investigated the possibility that a defect in one step of this process underlies that inborn error of Cbl metabolism-designated cbl C-in which mutant cells are unable to retain Cbl intracellularly or convert it to its coenzyme forms. TC II-Cbl binding at 4 degrees C reached a plateau after 3-4 hr; 95% of the bound (125)I was releasable with trypsin. Binding of TC II-Cbl at 4 degrees C could be inhibited by human and rabbit TC II-Cbl and human TC II devoid of Cbl but not by other Cbl-binding proteins, albumin, or free Cbl. Specific binding reached saturation at congruent with5 ng TC II/ml (0.13 nM) and could be inhibited by ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid. At 37 degrees C, the TC II-Cbl complex was internalized as shown by a progressive decrease in the trypsin-releasable fraction of bound (125)I. After 2 h at 37 degrees C, increasing amounts of acid-soluble (125)I were found in the incubation medium indicating that the labeled TC II was being degraded. Chloroquine, an inhibitor of lysosomal proteolysis, prevented this degradation. The binding, internalization, and degradation of TC II-Cbl by cbl C cells was indistingusihable from that by control cells. Our studies provide additional support for the concepts: (a) that the TC II-Cbl complex binds to a specific cell surface receptor through a site on the TC II; (b) that the interaction between the receptor and TC II is calcium dependent; (c) that the TC II-Cbl is internalized via endocytosis; (d) that the degradation of TC II and release of Cbl from the complex occurs in lysosomes. We also conclude that the defect in cbl C must reside at some step beyond this receptor-mediated uptake process.", "PMID": 618908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2789", "title": "Hepatic accumulation and intracellular binding of conjugated bilirubin.", "content": "After the intravenous injection of unconjugated [(3)H]bilirubin into normal Sprague-Dawley and Wistar R rats, radiolabeled bile pigments rapidly accumulated in the liver. By 1.5 min after injection, an average of 36% of the injected isotope was present in liver homogenates. Between 3 and 15 min, 37-64% of the total intrahepatic radiolabeled bilirubin was conjugated, as demonstrated by extraction of label into the polar phase of a solvent partition system. This indicates both rapid conjugation, and accumulation of conjugated bilirubin within the liver cell. Fluorometric determination of the dissociation constants of purified bilirubin and its mono- and diglucuronides for homogeneous preparations of two human and four rat glutathione S-transferases, including ligandin, revealed avid binding of all three bile pigments to this class of proteins. Hence, the observation that the intrahepatic bile pigment pool contains substantial amounts of conjugated bilirubin can be attributed to the high binding affinities observed. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the (3)H-pigments produced by p-iodoaniline diazotization of homogenates and cytosol demonstrated that the intrahepatic pool of conjugated bilirubin was almost exclusively monoglucuronide. Examination of radiolabeled bilirubin conjugates excreted in bile during the first 20 min after injection of [(3)H]bilirubin showed no preferential excretion of diglucuronide. These studies indicate that (a) both bilirubin and its monoglucuronide accumulate within the liver cell as ligands with the glutathione S-transferase; and (b) bilirubin diglucuronide does not significantly accumulate within the general intrahepatocellular pool of protein-bound bile pigments. The latter observation is compatible with the formation and excretion of bilirubin diglucuronide directly from the canalicular pool of the liver cell.", "contents": "Hepatic accumulation and intracellular binding of conjugated bilirubin. After the intravenous injection of unconjugated [(3)H]bilirubin into normal Sprague-Dawley and Wistar R rats, radiolabeled bile pigments rapidly accumulated in the liver. By 1.5 min after injection, an average of 36% of the injected isotope was present in liver homogenates. Between 3 and 15 min, 37-64% of the total intrahepatic radiolabeled bilirubin was conjugated, as demonstrated by extraction of label into the polar phase of a solvent partition system. This indicates both rapid conjugation, and accumulation of conjugated bilirubin within the liver cell. Fluorometric determination of the dissociation constants of purified bilirubin and its mono- and diglucuronides for homogeneous preparations of two human and four rat glutathione S-transferases, including ligandin, revealed avid binding of all three bile pigments to this class of proteins. Hence, the observation that the intrahepatic bile pigment pool contains substantial amounts of conjugated bilirubin can be attributed to the high binding affinities observed. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the (3)H-pigments produced by p-iodoaniline diazotization of homogenates and cytosol demonstrated that the intrahepatic pool of conjugated bilirubin was almost exclusively monoglucuronide. Examination of radiolabeled bilirubin conjugates excreted in bile during the first 20 min after injection of [(3)H]bilirubin showed no preferential excretion of diglucuronide. These studies indicate that (a) both bilirubin and its monoglucuronide accumulate within the liver cell as ligands with the glutathione S-transferase; and (b) bilirubin diglucuronide does not significantly accumulate within the general intrahepatocellular pool of protein-bound bile pigments. The latter observation is compatible with the formation and excretion of bilirubin diglucuronide directly from the canalicular pool of the liver cell.", "PMID": 618909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2790", "title": "Familial hyperglycerolemia.", "content": "A 70-yr-old mildly diabetic white male was discovered to have an elevated level of serum free glycerol in the range of 75 mg/dl and to excrete about 13 g of free glycerol in the urine per 24 h. During a 24-h fast the urine glycerol loss increased to 21.5 g per 24 h. Studies carried out in vitro using leukocytes prepared from the patient's blood which were incubated with [14C]glycerol demonstrated an almost complete absence of glycerol oxidation to 14CO2 and of glycerol phosphorylation, in contrast to control studies with leukocytes collected from normal subjects. Homogenates of the patient's leukocytes contained negligible activity of ATP:glycerol phosphotransferase (glycerokinase EC 2.7.1.30) as measured by a direct spectrophotometric method. Marked hyperglycerolemia has thus far been detected in one brother and in one son of the daughter of this patient. This evidence suggests an x-linked recessive inheritance pattern of the trait. There is a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this family.", "contents": "Familial hyperglycerolemia. A 70-yr-old mildly diabetic white male was discovered to have an elevated level of serum free glycerol in the range of 75 mg/dl and to excrete about 13 g of free glycerol in the urine per 24 h. During a 24-h fast the urine glycerol loss increased to 21.5 g per 24 h. Studies carried out in vitro using leukocytes prepared from the patient's blood which were incubated with [14C]glycerol demonstrated an almost complete absence of glycerol oxidation to 14CO2 and of glycerol phosphorylation, in contrast to control studies with leukocytes collected from normal subjects. Homogenates of the patient's leukocytes contained negligible activity of ATP:glycerol phosphotransferase (glycerokinase EC 2.7.1.30) as measured by a direct spectrophotometric method. Marked hyperglycerolemia has thus far been detected in one brother and in one son of the daughter of this patient. This evidence suggests an x-linked recessive inheritance pattern of the trait. There is a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this family.", "PMID": 618910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2791", "title": "Evidence that the severity of depletion of inorganic phosphate determines the severity of the disturbance of adenine nucleotide metabolism in the liver and renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat.", "content": "To test the hypothesis that in both the liver and renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat, severity of depletion of inorganic phosphate (P(i)), and not the magnitude of accumulation of fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P), determines the severity of the dose-dependent reduction of ATP, we intraperitoneally injected fed rats with fructose, 20 and 40 mumol/g, alone, and at the higher load, in combination with (a) sodium phosphate, 20 mumol/g, administered shortly beforehand or subsequently or, (b) adenosine, 2 mumol/g, administered beforehand. The following observations were made: (a) With fructose loading alone, at the higher load, both P(i) and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) were reduced by one third in the renal cortex and (as previously observed) by two thirds in the liver; and at either load, the reduction of ATP (and TAN) and the accumulation of F-1-P were less severe in the renal cortex than in the liver. (b) Prior phosphate loading largely prevented the reductions of ATP and TAN in the renal cortex and significantly attenuated them in the liver, yet doubled the renal cortical accumulation of F-1-P. (c) Adenosine loading substantially attenuated the reductions of ATP, TAN, and P(i) only in the renal cortex. (d) ATP varied directly with P(i) (P < 0.001, r = 0.98) in the domain of control and reduced values of P(i) taken from both liver and renal cortex. (e) As judged from tissue and plasma concentrations of fructose and glucose, and tissue concentrations of fructose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate, the rate at which the renal cortex and liver converted fructose to glucose was much lower at the higher fructose load. (f) Prior phosphate loading prevented this decrease in rate in the renal cortex and attenuated it in the liver; adenosine loading attenuated it only in the renal cortex. We conclude that in both the renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat: (a) Depletion of P(i) is critical to the causation of the reductions in both ATP and TAN and, at the higher fructose load, of a decrease in the rate at which ATP is regenerated. (b) The severity of depletion of P(i) determines the severity of these disturbances. (c) By differentially mitigating the depletion of P(i), prior phosphate loading largely prevents these disturbances in the renal cortex, and attenuates them in the liver; and adenosine loading attenuates them only in the renal cortex. The findings provide some basis for the observation that in patients with hereditary fructose intolerance experimentally exposed to fructose, prior loading with sodium phosphate substantially attenuates the renal but not hepatic dysfunction.", "contents": "Evidence that the severity of depletion of inorganic phosphate determines the severity of the disturbance of adenine nucleotide metabolism in the liver and renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat. To test the hypothesis that in both the liver and renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat, severity of depletion of inorganic phosphate (P(i)), and not the magnitude of accumulation of fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P), determines the severity of the dose-dependent reduction of ATP, we intraperitoneally injected fed rats with fructose, 20 and 40 mumol/g, alone, and at the higher load, in combination with (a) sodium phosphate, 20 mumol/g, administered shortly beforehand or subsequently or, (b) adenosine, 2 mumol/g, administered beforehand. The following observations were made: (a) With fructose loading alone, at the higher load, both P(i) and total adenine nucleotides (TAN) were reduced by one third in the renal cortex and (as previously observed) by two thirds in the liver; and at either load, the reduction of ATP (and TAN) and the accumulation of F-1-P were less severe in the renal cortex than in the liver. (b) Prior phosphate loading largely prevented the reductions of ATP and TAN in the renal cortex and significantly attenuated them in the liver, yet doubled the renal cortical accumulation of F-1-P. (c) Adenosine loading substantially attenuated the reductions of ATP, TAN, and P(i) only in the renal cortex. (d) ATP varied directly with P(i) (P < 0.001, r = 0.98) in the domain of control and reduced values of P(i) taken from both liver and renal cortex. (e) As judged from tissue and plasma concentrations of fructose and glucose, and tissue concentrations of fructose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate, the rate at which the renal cortex and liver converted fructose to glucose was much lower at the higher fructose load. (f) Prior phosphate loading prevented this decrease in rate in the renal cortex and attenuated it in the liver; adenosine loading attenuated it only in the renal cortex. We conclude that in both the renal cortex of the fructose-loaded rat: (a) Depletion of P(i) is critical to the causation of the reductions in both ATP and TAN and, at the higher fructose load, of a decrease in the rate at which ATP is regenerated. (b) The severity of depletion of P(i) determines the severity of these disturbances. (c) By differentially mitigating the depletion of P(i), prior phosphate loading largely prevents these disturbances in the renal cortex, and attenuates them in the liver; and adenosine loading attenuates them only in the renal cortex. The findings provide some basis for the observation that in patients with hereditary fructose intolerance experimentally exposed to fructose, prior loading with sodium phosphate substantially attenuates the renal but not hepatic dysfunction.", "PMID": 618911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2792", "title": "Evidence for a parathyroid hormone-dependent influence of calcium on the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient.", "content": "Experiments were performed on 36 plasma-expanded Munich-Wistar rats to examine the effects of acute hypercalcemia on the determinants of glomerular ultrafiltration. Elevation of total plasma calcium concentration to an average value of 13.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, by acute infusion of calcium chloride into nonthyroparathyroidectomized (non-TPTX) rats, resulted in significant declines in single nephron and whole kidney glomerular filtration rate. These declines were due primarily to a fall in the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf), to a mean value approximately 60% below that determined in the pre-infusion period. These changes were not seen in a separate group of sham-treated non-TPTX rats. It is of interest that these effects of acute hypercalcemia were largely abolished in rats that underwent acute TPTX before hypercalcemia. Infusion of a submaximally phosphaturic dose of parathyroid hormone, together with calcium chloride, into a second group of acute TPTX rats, however, had the effect of reproducing the striking declines in filtration rate and Kf noted in non-TPTX rats given calcium chloride alone. These findings suggest that the decline in filtration rate associated with hypercalcemia is due largely to the reduction in Kf, the latter dependent upon the presence of parathyroid hormone.", "contents": "Evidence for a parathyroid hormone-dependent influence of calcium on the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient. Experiments were performed on 36 plasma-expanded Munich-Wistar rats to examine the effects of acute hypercalcemia on the determinants of glomerular ultrafiltration. Elevation of total plasma calcium concentration to an average value of 13.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, by acute infusion of calcium chloride into nonthyroparathyroidectomized (non-TPTX) rats, resulted in significant declines in single nephron and whole kidney glomerular filtration rate. These declines were due primarily to a fall in the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf), to a mean value approximately 60% below that determined in the pre-infusion period. These changes were not seen in a separate group of sham-treated non-TPTX rats. It is of interest that these effects of acute hypercalcemia were largely abolished in rats that underwent acute TPTX before hypercalcemia. Infusion of a submaximally phosphaturic dose of parathyroid hormone, together with calcium chloride, into a second group of acute TPTX rats, however, had the effect of reproducing the striking declines in filtration rate and Kf noted in non-TPTX rats given calcium chloride alone. These findings suggest that the decline in filtration rate associated with hypercalcemia is due largely to the reduction in Kf, the latter dependent upon the presence of parathyroid hormone.", "PMID": 618912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2793", "title": "In vitro action of bombesin on amylase secretion, membrane potential, and membrane resistance in rat and mouse pancreatic acinar cells. A comparison with other secretagogues.", "content": "Bombesin caused depolarization of rat or mouse pancreatic acinar cell membrane, reduction of membrane resistance, and a steep rise in amylase output from superfused pancreatic fragments. These effects were similar to those previously described for acetylcholine, cholecystokinin, and gastrin. The dose-response curves for these three effects of bombesin were very similar, with effects being detectable at concentrations of about 30 pM and maximal effects at about 10 nM. The equilibrium potential for the membrane action of bombesin, i.e., the membrane potential at which bombesin did not cause any change in membrane potential, was -16 mV. Similar values for equilibrium potential were obtained with acetylcholine, caerulein and pentagastrin. Bombesin in the higher dose range (10 nM) caused electrical uncoupling of acinar cells within an acinus, i.e., a marked increase in junctional membrane resistance. Similar uncoupling effects were observed after acetylcholine, caerulein, and pentagastrin stimulation. In conclusion, bombesin acts on the pancreatic acinar plasma membrane in exactly the same way as acetylcholine and cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. The electrical uncoupling caused by stimulation is evidence for an increase in cytosol free calcium ion concentration.", "contents": "In vitro action of bombesin on amylase secretion, membrane potential, and membrane resistance in rat and mouse pancreatic acinar cells. A comparison with other secretagogues. Bombesin caused depolarization of rat or mouse pancreatic acinar cell membrane, reduction of membrane resistance, and a steep rise in amylase output from superfused pancreatic fragments. These effects were similar to those previously described for acetylcholine, cholecystokinin, and gastrin. The dose-response curves for these three effects of bombesin were very similar, with effects being detectable at concentrations of about 30 pM and maximal effects at about 10 nM. The equilibrium potential for the membrane action of bombesin, i.e., the membrane potential at which bombesin did not cause any change in membrane potential, was -16 mV. Similar values for equilibrium potential were obtained with acetylcholine, caerulein and pentagastrin. Bombesin in the higher dose range (10 nM) caused electrical uncoupling of acinar cells within an acinus, i.e., a marked increase in junctional membrane resistance. Similar uncoupling effects were observed after acetylcholine, caerulein, and pentagastrin stimulation. In conclusion, bombesin acts on the pancreatic acinar plasma membrane in exactly the same way as acetylcholine and cholecystokinin-pancreozymin. The electrical uncoupling caused by stimulation is evidence for an increase in cytosol free calcium ion concentration.", "PMID": 618913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2794", "title": "Permselectivity of the glomerular capillary wall. Facilitated filtration of circulating polycations.", "content": "To examine the electrostatic effects of fixed negative charges on the glomerular capillary wall, polydisperse [(3)H]DEAE dextran, a polycationic form of dextran, was infused into 10 Munich-Wistar rats. Fractional clearances of DEAE ranging in radius from 18 to 44A were determined in these rats, together with direct measurements of the forces and flows governing the glomerular filtration rate of water. These results were compared with data previously obtained in Munich-Wistar rats receiving tritiated neutral dextran (D) and polyanionic dextran sulfate (DS). Measured values for the determinants of the glomerular filtration rate of water in rats given DEAE were found to be essentially identical to those in rats given either D or DS. In addition, DEAE was shown to be neither secreted nor reabsorbed. Fractional clearances of polycationic DEAE were increased relative to both D and DS, the increase relative to D being significant for effective molecular radii ranging from 24 to 44A. Fractional DEAE clearances were also measured in a separate group of six Munich-Wistar rats in the early autologous phase of nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN). Fractional DEAE clearances in NSN rats were reduced significantly, relative to values measured in normal rats, for effective DEAE radii ranging from 18 to 42A. Moreover, in NSN rats, fixed negative charges on the glomerular capillary wall were greatly reduced, relative to non-NSN rats, as evidenced by a reduction in intensity of colloidal iron staining. Thus, in NSN rats, DEAE clearances were essentially indistinguishable from values obtained with both neutral D and polyanionic DS.", "contents": "Permselectivity of the glomerular capillary wall. Facilitated filtration of circulating polycations. To examine the electrostatic effects of fixed negative charges on the glomerular capillary wall, polydisperse [(3)H]DEAE dextran, a polycationic form of dextran, was infused into 10 Munich-Wistar rats. Fractional clearances of DEAE ranging in radius from 18 to 44A were determined in these rats, together with direct measurements of the forces and flows governing the glomerular filtration rate of water. These results were compared with data previously obtained in Munich-Wistar rats receiving tritiated neutral dextran (D) and polyanionic dextran sulfate (DS). Measured values for the determinants of the glomerular filtration rate of water in rats given DEAE were found to be essentially identical to those in rats given either D or DS. In addition, DEAE was shown to be neither secreted nor reabsorbed. Fractional clearances of polycationic DEAE were increased relative to both D and DS, the increase relative to D being significant for effective molecular radii ranging from 24 to 44A. Fractional DEAE clearances were also measured in a separate group of six Munich-Wistar rats in the early autologous phase of nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN). Fractional DEAE clearances in NSN rats were reduced significantly, relative to values measured in normal rats, for effective DEAE radii ranging from 18 to 42A. Moreover, in NSN rats, fixed negative charges on the glomerular capillary wall were greatly reduced, relative to non-NSN rats, as evidenced by a reduction in intensity of colloidal iron staining. Thus, in NSN rats, DEAE clearances were essentially indistinguishable from values obtained with both neutral D and polyanionic DS.", "PMID": 618914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2795", "title": "Humoral and cellular sensitivity to collagen in type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats.", "content": "We have recently described a new animal model of arthritis induced by intradermal injection of a distinct type of collagen found in cartilage (type II collagen). Since immunologic sensitivity to collagen could play a role in the pathogenesis of this type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats, the ability of purified types of native collagens to induce cellular and humoral responses was quantified by antigeninduced tritiated thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes by collagen and passive hemagglutination, respectively. Rats injected intradermally with native heterologous or homologous type II collagens in adjuvant developed type-specific cellular as well as humoral reactivity. Types I and III collagens were less immunogenic than was type II. The latter collagen induced brisk cellular and humoral responses that were equivalent whether complete Freund's adjuvant or incomplete Freund's adjuvant were employed. Both responses could be induced by native type II collagens modified by limited pepsin digestion, indicating that they are not attributable to determinants in the telopeptide regions of the molecule. Thus, these studies demonstrate the unique immunogenic as well as arthritogenic properties of the type II collagen molecule and indicate that both result from a helical conformation of its structurally distinct alpha-chains. Further, they suggest that type II collagen may, by humoral or cellular mechanisms, provoke or perpetuate inflammation in other arthritic diseases.", "contents": "Humoral and cellular sensitivity to collagen in type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats. We have recently described a new animal model of arthritis induced by intradermal injection of a distinct type of collagen found in cartilage (type II collagen). Since immunologic sensitivity to collagen could play a role in the pathogenesis of this type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats, the ability of purified types of native collagens to induce cellular and humoral responses was quantified by antigeninduced tritiated thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes by collagen and passive hemagglutination, respectively. Rats injected intradermally with native heterologous or homologous type II collagens in adjuvant developed type-specific cellular as well as humoral reactivity. Types I and III collagens were less immunogenic than was type II. The latter collagen induced brisk cellular and humoral responses that were equivalent whether complete Freund's adjuvant or incomplete Freund's adjuvant were employed. Both responses could be induced by native type II collagens modified by limited pepsin digestion, indicating that they are not attributable to determinants in the telopeptide regions of the molecule. Thus, these studies demonstrate the unique immunogenic as well as arthritogenic properties of the type II collagen molecule and indicate that both result from a helical conformation of its structurally distinct alpha-chains. Further, they suggest that type II collagen may, by humoral or cellular mechanisms, provoke or perpetuate inflammation in other arthritic diseases.", "PMID": 618915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2796", "title": "Bence Jones proteins and light chains of immunoglobulins. XV. Effect of corticosteroids on synthesis and excretion of Bence Jones protein.", "content": "The effect of corticosteroids and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents on the excretion of Bence Jones protein was determined for periods of 1 - 62 mo in 29 patients with multiple myeloma and Bence Jones proteinuria. The amount of protein present in 24-h urine specimens collected before treatment and at frequent intervals during monthly treatment cycles was determined. Striking variations occurred in the amount of Bence Jones protein excretion; these changes were especially evident when 75 mg of prednisone were given daily for 7 days as part of a monthly chemotherapeutic regimen. Within the 7-day period seven patients showed essentially no decrease (<25%), whereas 13 and 9 patients had a moderate decrease (25-75%) or a marked decrease (>75%), respectively, in Bence Jones proteinuria as compared to pre-treatment values. The decrease in excretion of Bence Jones protein during this period was attributed mainly to corticosteroid therapy because of the transient nature of the response in most patients and the lack of such response in three patients when the hormone was omitted. Biosynthetic studies were performed to determine in vitro the effect of corticosteroids on Bence Jones protein synthesis. Plasma cells obtained from the bone marrow of 13 patients were incubated in a growth medium containing (14)C-labeled lysine and isoleucine and prednisone in concentrations up to 240 mug/ml, and the amount of Bence Jones protein synthesized was determined immunochemically. No differences in viability were apparent between untreated and prednisone-treated cells. The type of response exhibited by an individual patient in the percent decrease of Bence Jones protein excreted after 7 days of prednisone treatment was comparable to the percent decrease in newly-synthesized Bence Jones protein secreted by tumor cells when cultured in the presence of prednisone at a concentration of 120 mug/ml. The marked differences in the capacity of corticosteroids to affect Bence Jones protein synthesis appear to reflect a biochemical heterogeneity among plasma cell neoplasms.", "contents": "Bence Jones proteins and light chains of immunoglobulins. XV. Effect of corticosteroids on synthesis and excretion of Bence Jones protein. The effect of corticosteroids and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents on the excretion of Bence Jones protein was determined for periods of 1 - 62 mo in 29 patients with multiple myeloma and Bence Jones proteinuria. The amount of protein present in 24-h urine specimens collected before treatment and at frequent intervals during monthly treatment cycles was determined. Striking variations occurred in the amount of Bence Jones protein excretion; these changes were especially evident when 75 mg of prednisone were given daily for 7 days as part of a monthly chemotherapeutic regimen. Within the 7-day period seven patients showed essentially no decrease (<25%), whereas 13 and 9 patients had a moderate decrease (25-75%) or a marked decrease (>75%), respectively, in Bence Jones proteinuria as compared to pre-treatment values. The decrease in excretion of Bence Jones protein during this period was attributed mainly to corticosteroid therapy because of the transient nature of the response in most patients and the lack of such response in three patients when the hormone was omitted. Biosynthetic studies were performed to determine in vitro the effect of corticosteroids on Bence Jones protein synthesis. Plasma cells obtained from the bone marrow of 13 patients were incubated in a growth medium containing (14)C-labeled lysine and isoleucine and prednisone in concentrations up to 240 mug/ml, and the amount of Bence Jones protein synthesized was determined immunochemically. No differences in viability were apparent between untreated and prednisone-treated cells. The type of response exhibited by an individual patient in the percent decrease of Bence Jones protein excreted after 7 days of prednisone treatment was comparable to the percent decrease in newly-synthesized Bence Jones protein secreted by tumor cells when cultured in the presence of prednisone at a concentration of 120 mug/ml. The marked differences in the capacity of corticosteroids to affect Bence Jones protein synthesis appear to reflect a biochemical heterogeneity among plasma cell neoplasms.", "PMID": 618916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2797", "title": "Relationship of serum and myocardial digoxin concentration to electrocardiographic estimation of digoxin intoxication.", "content": "Serum and myocardial digoxin levels were studied in 18 patients who came to autopsy. An independent analysis of electrocardiograms prior to death was made to ascertain the relationship between serum and tissue levels of digoxin and clinical estimation of drug toxicity. Patients with arrhythmias of digoxin toxicity had higher mean serum and tissue digoxin levels than patients without arrhythmia. There was overlap in the patient groups, however, and the differences were not statistically significant. The tissue to serum ratio was lower in the toxic patients. The latter phenomenon is unexplained but may be related to decreased tissue binding.", "contents": "Relationship of serum and myocardial digoxin concentration to electrocardiographic estimation of digoxin intoxication. Serum and myocardial digoxin levels were studied in 18 patients who came to autopsy. An independent analysis of electrocardiograms prior to death was made to ascertain the relationship between serum and tissue levels of digoxin and clinical estimation of drug toxicity. Patients with arrhythmias of digoxin toxicity had higher mean serum and tissue digoxin levels than patients without arrhythmia. There was overlap in the patient groups, however, and the differences were not statistically significant. The tissue to serum ratio was lower in the toxic patients. The latter phenomenon is unexplained but may be related to decreased tissue binding.", "PMID": 618918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2798", "title": "Connections of the visual cortex in the hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas). II. Corticocortical projections.", "content": "Cortical subdivisions based on cytoarchitectural and myeloarchitectural observations of normal tissue were correlated with the topography of corticocortical connections in the visual system of the Pakistani hedgehog. Large subpial aspiration lesions were made in both visual and non-visual cortical regions to determine the areal limits of the corticocortical connections of the visual cortex. Subsequently, discrete electrolytic lesions were placed within the visual cortex. After appropriate survival periods, the brains were processed and stained with the Fink-Heimer technique. The results of these studies show that the visual cortex may be subdivided into four distinct regions from lateral to medial; the lateral parastriate cortex, the lateral and medial part of striate cortex, and the medial parastriate cortex. Within these regions, interhemispheric connections between visual cortices arise mainly in the lateral striate and lateral parastriate regions and terminate in a single band within the lateral portion of the cytoarchitecturally defined striate cortex. These corticocortical projections, therefore, substantially overlap with the geniculostriate projections. Lateral striate cortex and lateral parastriate cortex project in a reciprocal fashion that correlates well with the physiologically defined mirror image representation of two retinotopic maps of the binocular visual field on cortex. These connections are reflected about a line that is closely correlated with the medial edge of the band of commissural axon terminals that is located within the lateral striate cortex, instead of corresponding exactly with the striate-parastriate border as they do in other mammals. Medial striate cortex projects to medial parastriate cortex, indicating that the monocular portion of V I is related to a separate secondary area of cortex on the medial wall of the hemisphere.", "contents": "Connections of the visual cortex in the hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas). II. Corticocortical projections. Cortical subdivisions based on cytoarchitectural and myeloarchitectural observations of normal tissue were correlated with the topography of corticocortical connections in the visual system of the Pakistani hedgehog. Large subpial aspiration lesions were made in both visual and non-visual cortical regions to determine the areal limits of the corticocortical connections of the visual cortex. Subsequently, discrete electrolytic lesions were placed within the visual cortex. After appropriate survival periods, the brains were processed and stained with the Fink-Heimer technique. The results of these studies show that the visual cortex may be subdivided into four distinct regions from lateral to medial; the lateral parastriate cortex, the lateral and medial part of striate cortex, and the medial parastriate cortex. Within these regions, interhemispheric connections between visual cortices arise mainly in the lateral striate and lateral parastriate regions and terminate in a single band within the lateral portion of the cytoarchitecturally defined striate cortex. These corticocortical projections, therefore, substantially overlap with the geniculostriate projections. Lateral striate cortex and lateral parastriate cortex project in a reciprocal fashion that correlates well with the physiologically defined mirror image representation of two retinotopic maps of the binocular visual field on cortex. These connections are reflected about a line that is closely correlated with the medial edge of the band of commissural axon terminals that is located within the lateral striate cortex, instead of corresponding exactly with the striate-parastriate border as they do in other mammals. Medial striate cortex projects to medial parastriate cortex, indicating that the monocular portion of V I is related to a separate secondary area of cortex on the medial wall of the hemisphere.", "PMID": 618924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2799", "title": "Interlaminar connections of the visual cortex in the hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas).", "content": "The contribution of each cortical lamina to intracortical circuitry was studied in the visual neocortex of the Pakistani hedgehog. Punctate laminar lesions were made electrolytically within the visual cortex, and after five to seven days the brains were processed and stained with the Fink-Heimer technique. The results of this study suggest that both horizontal and vertical connections are important to the organization of visual cortex in the hedgehog. The horizontal projections originate at three distinct cortical depths. Lesions in layer II reveal projections that traverse the inner one-half of layer I; lesions in layers III and IV reveal projections that traverse layer IV and that enter the cortical white matter; lesions in layers V and VI reveal projections that traverse the outer one-half of layer VI and that enter the cortical white matter. The vertical projections are oriented perpendicular to the pial surface. Layers II and III project to underlying layer V. Layers V and VI in turn contribute to a reciprocal projection back to all superficial cortical laminae. This anatomical data about intracortical circuitry is discussed with reference to the functional organization of visual cortex.", "contents": "Interlaminar connections of the visual cortex in the hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas). The contribution of each cortical lamina to intracortical circuitry was studied in the visual neocortex of the Pakistani hedgehog. Punctate laminar lesions were made electrolytically within the visual cortex, and after five to seven days the brains were processed and stained with the Fink-Heimer technique. The results of this study suggest that both horizontal and vertical connections are important to the organization of visual cortex in the hedgehog. The horizontal projections originate at three distinct cortical depths. Lesions in layer II reveal projections that traverse the inner one-half of layer I; lesions in layers III and IV reveal projections that traverse layer IV and that enter the cortical white matter; lesions in layers V and VI reveal projections that traverse the outer one-half of layer VI and that enter the cortical white matter. The vertical projections are oriented perpendicular to the pial surface. Layers II and III project to underlying layer V. Layers V and VI in turn contribute to a reciprocal projection back to all superficial cortical laminae. This anatomical data about intracortical circuitry is discussed with reference to the functional organization of visual cortex.", "PMID": 618925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2800", "title": "Different patterns of cochlear innervation during the development of the kitten.", "content": "The postnatal development of neuro-epithelial junctions inside the kitten cochlea has been investigated by electron microscopy, and correlated with previous electrophysiological results. Two main stages of development are described. During the first postnatal days, outer hair cells look very immature with only a few afferent endings adjoining them. The inner hair cells, on the other hand, are surrounded by numerous endings with mature afferent and efferent synapses. Thus, when the efferent olivo-cochlear system begins to function during the first postnatal day s, it is able to modify only inner hair cell responses. The second postnatal week is characterized by maturation of the large efferent endings below the outer hair cells. At the same time, direct efferent connections become sparce at the level of inner hair cells. The maturation of hearing, at the receptor level, seems to proceed in two steps, one related to inner hair cells and corresponding to a gross and primitive hearing, the other related to outer hair cells and corresponding to more precise and discriminative hearing abilities.", "contents": "Different patterns of cochlear innervation during the development of the kitten. The postnatal development of neuro-epithelial junctions inside the kitten cochlea has been investigated by electron microscopy, and correlated with previous electrophysiological results. Two main stages of development are described. During the first postnatal days, outer hair cells look very immature with only a few afferent endings adjoining them. The inner hair cells, on the other hand, are surrounded by numerous endings with mature afferent and efferent synapses. Thus, when the efferent olivo-cochlear system begins to function during the first postnatal day s, it is able to modify only inner hair cell responses. The second postnatal week is characterized by maturation of the large efferent endings below the outer hair cells. At the same time, direct efferent connections become sparce at the level of inner hair cells. The maturation of hearing, at the receptor level, seems to proceed in two steps, one related to inner hair cells and corresponding to a gross and primitive hearing, the other related to outer hair cells and corresponding to more precise and discriminative hearing abilities.", "PMID": 618927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2801", "title": "Chemosurgery: microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer--past, present and future.", "content": "The development of microscopically controlled surgery, the use of the fixed-tissue technique for advanced, complicated carcinomas and for malignant melanomas, the use of the fresh-tissue technique for less advanced carcinomas, the five-year results, and plans for the future of the method are discussed.", "contents": "Chemosurgery: microscopically controlled surgery for skin cancer--past, present and future. The development of microscopically controlled surgery, the use of the fixed-tissue technique for advanced, complicated carcinomas and for malignant melanomas, the use of the fresh-tissue technique for less advanced carcinomas, the five-year results, and plans for the future of the method are discussed.", "PMID": 618934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2802", "title": "Microscopically controlled excision of malignant neoplasms on and around eyelids followed by immediate surgical reconstruction.", "content": "Mohs' fresh-tissue technique of ablating malignant neoplasms is a highly reliable, yet conservative method of treating cutaneous cancers. Removal of such lesions on eyelids by this technique, followed by immediate reconstruction is a most efficacious way to manage them. Forty-seven cases of recurrent, invasive, or large carcinomas on eyelids and canthi were excised by this method followed by immediate reconstruction. The excisions were done by dermatologists specializing in Mohs' techniques and the reconstruction by an oculoplastic surgeon. The advantages of the combined procedures are: 1) high cure rate, 2) conservation of tissue, 3) reduced operating time, and 4) maximum utilization of specialized competence.", "contents": "Microscopically controlled excision of malignant neoplasms on and around eyelids followed by immediate surgical reconstruction. Mohs' fresh-tissue technique of ablating malignant neoplasms is a highly reliable, yet conservative method of treating cutaneous cancers. Removal of such lesions on eyelids by this technique, followed by immediate reconstruction is a most efficacious way to manage them. Forty-seven cases of recurrent, invasive, or large carcinomas on eyelids and canthi were excised by this method followed by immediate reconstruction. The excisions were done by dermatologists specializing in Mohs' techniques and the reconstruction by an oculoplastic surgeon. The advantages of the combined procedures are: 1) high cure rate, 2) conservation of tissue, 3) reduced operating time, and 4) maximum utilization of specialized competence.", "PMID": 618935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2803", "title": "A case of basal-cell carcinoma in a patient with the Wyburn-Mason syndrome.", "content": "A young man with the Wyburn-Mason syndrome was found to have a large basal-cell carcinoma. It is not known if the lesion was merely coincidental or in some way related to this rare anomaly.", "contents": "A case of basal-cell carcinoma in a patient with the Wyburn-Mason syndrome. A young man with the Wyburn-Mason syndrome was found to have a large basal-cell carcinoma. It is not known if the lesion was merely coincidental or in some way related to this rare anomaly.", "PMID": 618937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2804", "title": "Sclerosing epithelial hamartoma.", "content": "Two cases of sclerosing epithelial hamartoma are presented. This recently described benign fibroepithelial tumor needs to be distinguished from trichoepithelioma, syringoma and morphea-like epithelioma. The distinctive clinical and histologic features are discussed.", "contents": "Sclerosing epithelial hamartoma. Two cases of sclerosing epithelial hamartoma are presented. This recently described benign fibroepithelial tumor needs to be distinguished from trichoepithelioma, syringoma and morphea-like epithelioma. The distinctive clinical and histologic features are discussed.", "PMID": 618938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2805", "title": "The promotion of wound healing following chemosurgery (Mohs' technique) by dressings with a lotion of benzoyl peroxide.", "content": "A lotion of benzoyl peroxide was applied postoperatively to chemosurgical wounds in a small group of patients. The technique of utilizing dressings of benzoyl peroxide is described and illustrated. Enhanced wound healing was observed in all cases. The effects appear to be due, at least in part, to antimicrobial activity, debriding activity, hyperbaric oxygenation, and stimulation of granulation.", "contents": "The promotion of wound healing following chemosurgery (Mohs' technique) by dressings with a lotion of benzoyl peroxide. A lotion of benzoyl peroxide was applied postoperatively to chemosurgical wounds in a small group of patients. The technique of utilizing dressings of benzoyl peroxide is described and illustrated. Enhanced wound healing was observed in all cases. The effects appear to be due, at least in part, to antimicrobial activity, debriding activity, hyperbaric oxygenation, and stimulation of granulation.", "PMID": 618939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2806", "title": "IgE antibody response to mite antigen in the mouse. Suppression of an established IgE antibody response by chemically modified antigen.", "content": "The antibody response to mite antigen in several mouse strains was studied. BALB/c, CBA, C3H/He, and C57B1 strains showed good responses against mite antigen. The AKR strain, on the other hand, showed a relatively poor response. When BALB/c mice were immunized with DNP-mite conjugate in aluminum hydroxide gel (alum), anti-DNP IgE antibody and IgG1 antibody were induced. When these mice were boosted with mite antigen alone in alum, both anti-mite IgE antibody and IgG1 antibody were induced, although these antibodies were not observed after the first immunization. Both IgE antibody responses were high and persistent. Mite antigen was denatured by alkylation and reduction in the presence of 8 M urea. Native antigen remaining in the chemically denatured antigen was removed by an immunoadsorbent method. The modified mite antigen could stimulate the carrier-specific helper cells, at least when it was injected with alum. It was also found that repeated injections of the modified mite antigen resulted in the suppression of an established IgE antibody response against mite antigen. These findings suggest possible clinical application for hyposensitization therapy.", "contents": "IgE antibody response to mite antigen in the mouse. Suppression of an established IgE antibody response by chemically modified antigen. The antibody response to mite antigen in several mouse strains was studied. BALB/c, CBA, C3H/He, and C57B1 strains showed good responses against mite antigen. The AKR strain, on the other hand, showed a relatively poor response. When BALB/c mice were immunized with DNP-mite conjugate in aluminum hydroxide gel (alum), anti-DNP IgE antibody and IgG1 antibody were induced. When these mice were boosted with mite antigen alone in alum, both anti-mite IgE antibody and IgG1 antibody were induced, although these antibodies were not observed after the first immunization. Both IgE antibody responses were high and persistent. Mite antigen was denatured by alkylation and reduction in the presence of 8 M urea. Native antigen remaining in the chemically denatured antigen was removed by an immunoadsorbent method. The modified mite antigen could stimulate the carrier-specific helper cells, at least when it was injected with alum. It was also found that repeated injections of the modified mite antigen resulted in the suppression of an established IgE antibody response against mite antigen. These findings suggest possible clinical application for hyposensitization therapy.", "PMID": 618941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2807", "title": "Allergy to insects in Japan. I. The reaginic sensitivity to moth and butterfly in patients with bronchial asthma.", "content": "A high frequency of reaginic sensitivity to moth and butterfly extracts was shown in 66 randomly selected patients with bronchial asthma. Thirty-seven (56.1%) of these 66 patients showed positive intradermal reactions to 1:10,000 dilution of moth allergen and 34 patients (51.5%) had positive reactions to 1:10,000 butterfly allergen. These positive responses were as frequent as those to Candida or house dust which are recognized as the most commonly reactive allergens in Japan. Radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) showed that 20 of 66 sera were positive to moth and 22 sera were positive to butterfly, which indicates that about 1/3 of patients with bronchial asthma had specific IgE to moth and butterfly in the sera. Bronchial testing revealed that skin reaction-positive and RAST-positive patients were commonly provoked by specific allergen but skin reaction-negative and RAST-negative patients were not. These data suggest that moth and butterfly emanations could cause allergy-induced bronchial asthma in certain patients. Since moths are attracted readily to artificial lights and often fly into houses, these insects are especially suspect as important factors in extrinsic asthma.", "contents": "Allergy to insects in Japan. I. The reaginic sensitivity to moth and butterfly in patients with bronchial asthma. A high frequency of reaginic sensitivity to moth and butterfly extracts was shown in 66 randomly selected patients with bronchial asthma. Thirty-seven (56.1%) of these 66 patients showed positive intradermal reactions to 1:10,000 dilution of moth allergen and 34 patients (51.5%) had positive reactions to 1:10,000 butterfly allergen. These positive responses were as frequent as those to Candida or house dust which are recognized as the most commonly reactive allergens in Japan. Radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) showed that 20 of 66 sera were positive to moth and 22 sera were positive to butterfly, which indicates that about 1/3 of patients with bronchial asthma had specific IgE to moth and butterfly in the sera. Bronchial testing revealed that skin reaction-positive and RAST-positive patients were commonly provoked by specific allergen but skin reaction-negative and RAST-negative patients were not. These data suggest that moth and butterfly emanations could cause allergy-induced bronchial asthma in certain patients. Since moths are attracted readily to artificial lights and often fly into houses, these insects are especially suspect as important factors in extrinsic asthma.", "PMID": 618942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2808", "title": "Adrenergic responses of asthmatic and normal subjects to submaximal and maximal work levels.", "content": "The response of the adrenergic system of asthmatic subjects to exercise and the role of plasma catecholamines in exercise-induced asthma were investigated. Plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured at rest, during and after exercise in 7 asthmatic and 9 matched normal subjects. Exercise-induced bronchospasm occurred in all asthmatic subjects following exercise, while no significant change was observed in the normal subjects. The results showed that plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine at rest and changes that occcurred during and after exercise were similar in both normal and asthmatic subjects. These data suggest that the adrenergic response of asthmatics to the same relative exercise stress as reflected in plasma catecholamine levels does not differ from that of normal subjects. It appears that changes in the circulating catecholamines do not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of exercised-induced asthma.", "contents": "Adrenergic responses of asthmatic and normal subjects to submaximal and maximal work levels. The response of the adrenergic system of asthmatic subjects to exercise and the role of plasma catecholamines in exercise-induced asthma were investigated. Plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine were measured at rest, during and after exercise in 7 asthmatic and 9 matched normal subjects. Exercise-induced bronchospasm occurred in all asthmatic subjects following exercise, while no significant change was observed in the normal subjects. The results showed that plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine at rest and changes that occcurred during and after exercise were similar in both normal and asthmatic subjects. These data suggest that the adrenergic response of asthmatics to the same relative exercise stress as reflected in plasma catecholamine levels does not differ from that of normal subjects. It appears that changes in the circulating catecholamines do not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of exercised-induced asthma.", "PMID": 618943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2809", "title": "Comparison of immune reactivity to polyvalent monomeric and polymeric ragweed antigens.", "content": "The proteins of an aqueous extract of ragweed pollen (RW) were precipitated at 90% saturation with (NH4)2SO4, solubilized, and sieved through Sephadex G-15. The excluded fraction, termed the monomeric form (MRW), was cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to form polymerized ragweed (PRW). As compared with MRW, PRW is more immunogenic in rabbits in the production of antibody against RW antigen E (AgE). MRW and PRW resulted in equal peak reaginic responses in rabbits but the duration of reagin production was longer after immunization with MRW than with PRW. Both MRW and PRW have exposed antigenic determinants of AgE but PRW had approximately 1/3 the number as shown by neutralization of human antibody against RW AgE. PRW had 100-to 1,000-fold less human cutaneous reactivity than MRW. PRW may be a more easily effective therapeutic agent for human RW immunotherapy than currently used aqueous extracts and may be more readily obtainable than polymerized AgE.", "contents": "Comparison of immune reactivity to polyvalent monomeric and polymeric ragweed antigens. The proteins of an aqueous extract of ragweed pollen (RW) were precipitated at 90% saturation with (NH4)2SO4, solubilized, and sieved through Sephadex G-15. The excluded fraction, termed the monomeric form (MRW), was cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to form polymerized ragweed (PRW). As compared with MRW, PRW is more immunogenic in rabbits in the production of antibody against RW antigen E (AgE). MRW and PRW resulted in equal peak reaginic responses in rabbits but the duration of reagin production was longer after immunization with MRW than with PRW. Both MRW and PRW have exposed antigenic determinants of AgE but PRW had approximately 1/3 the number as shown by neutralization of human antibody against RW AgE. PRW had 100-to 1,000-fold less human cutaneous reactivity than MRW. PRW may be a more easily effective therapeutic agent for human RW immunotherapy than currently used aqueous extracts and may be more readily obtainable than polymerized AgE.", "PMID": 618944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2810", "title": "Reappraisal of intracutaneous tests in the diagnosis of reaginic allergy.", "content": "In an attempt to determine the clinical relevance of positive intracutaneous tests when epicutaneous tests are negative, 34 patients with symptoms of perennial rhinitis who had negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests were evaluated by radioallergosorbent (RAST) test, nasal provocation (NP) tests and leukocyte histamine release (LHR) assay. Nineteen patients with perennial rhinitis who had positive epicutaneous tests and 13 normal healthy volunteers were also studied as positive and negative controls, respectively. None of the 34 patients with negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests had positive RASTs or LHR assays, but 1 patient had a positive NP test. In contrast, of the 19 patients with positive epicutaneous tests, 12 patients had positive RASTs, 17 had positive LHR assays, and 17 had positive NP tests. In the negative control group of 13 subjects, none had positive RAST, LHR assays, or NP tests, although 3 subjects showed positive intracutaneous tests. These results indicate that when epicutaneous tests are negative in patients with perennial rhinitis, positive intracutaneous tests are not likely to indicate the presence of reaginic allergy.", "contents": "Reappraisal of intracutaneous tests in the diagnosis of reaginic allergy. In an attempt to determine the clinical relevance of positive intracutaneous tests when epicutaneous tests are negative, 34 patients with symptoms of perennial rhinitis who had negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests were evaluated by radioallergosorbent (RAST) test, nasal provocation (NP) tests and leukocyte histamine release (LHR) assay. Nineteen patients with perennial rhinitis who had positive epicutaneous tests and 13 normal healthy volunteers were also studied as positive and negative controls, respectively. None of the 34 patients with negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests had positive RASTs or LHR assays, but 1 patient had a positive NP test. In contrast, of the 19 patients with positive epicutaneous tests, 12 patients had positive RASTs, 17 had positive LHR assays, and 17 had positive NP tests. In the negative control group of 13 subjects, none had positive RAST, LHR assays, or NP tests, although 3 subjects showed positive intracutaneous tests. These results indicate that when epicutaneous tests are negative in patients with perennial rhinitis, positive intracutaneous tests are not likely to indicate the presence of reaginic allergy.", "PMID": 618945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2811", "title": "The estrogen--cancer controversy.", "content": "Postmenopausal women should not be denied estrogen therapy because of the controversy about the alleged causal relationship of estrogens to endometrial cancer. A prestigious team of biostatisticians reviewed three publications that claimed this relationship and concluded that no such association could be confirmed. Although the incidence of endometrial cancer has doubled in the past 25 years, there is no valid basis for the assumption that the widespread use of estrogens is the cause. The incidence also has increased in Norway and Czechoslovakia where estrogens are rarely used. Moreover, the histologic pattern of endometrial dysplasias is such that many pathologists will make a diagnosis of endometrial cancer as a safeguard for the patient. Thus the statistics for the incidence of endometrial cancer may be inflated. As a test, the administration of 200 mg of an oral progestogen over 5-10 days will convert a histologic pattern of pseudomalignancy, but not of adenocarcinoma, into one of secretory endometrium. Unopposed endogenous or exogenous estrogens may induce hyperplasia, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma in women who are genetically predisposed. To minimize such a possibility, it is advisable to give a 5-7 day course of an oral progestogen so that the endometrium will be shed as monthly intevals. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for the postmenopausal woman far outweigh the putative risk of endometrial cancer.", "contents": "The estrogen--cancer controversy. Postmenopausal women should not be denied estrogen therapy because of the controversy about the alleged causal relationship of estrogens to endometrial cancer. A prestigious team of biostatisticians reviewed three publications that claimed this relationship and concluded that no such association could be confirmed. Although the incidence of endometrial cancer has doubled in the past 25 years, there is no valid basis for the assumption that the widespread use of estrogens is the cause. The incidence also has increased in Norway and Czechoslovakia where estrogens are rarely used. Moreover, the histologic pattern of endometrial dysplasias is such that many pathologists will make a diagnosis of endometrial cancer as a safeguard for the patient. Thus the statistics for the incidence of endometrial cancer may be inflated. As a test, the administration of 200 mg of an oral progestogen over 5-10 days will convert a histologic pattern of pseudomalignancy, but not of adenocarcinoma, into one of secretory endometrium. Unopposed endogenous or exogenous estrogens may induce hyperplasia, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma in women who are genetically predisposed. To minimize such a possibility, it is advisable to give a 5-7 day course of an oral progestogen so that the endometrium will be shed as monthly intevals. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for the postmenopausal woman far outweigh the putative risk of endometrial cancer.", "PMID": 618948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2812", "title": "Renin and the juxtaglomerular apparatus in diabetic nephropathy.", "content": "In order to study the role of the renin-angiotensin system in patients with diabetic nephropathy, renin release and the juxtaglomerular apparatus were studied in 17 diabetic patients with proteinuria and in 23 without proteinuria; 8 normal subjects were used for conctrls. Despite hypertension and marked arteriosclerosis, plasma renin activity (supine posture) was normal; however, the renin response to salt restriction and upright posture was less in the diabetic patients with proteinuria than in the controls. Renal renin content, determined at autopsy, was also normal. Examination of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the diabetic patients with proteinuria revealed hyalinization of the afferent and efferent arterioles in most of the glomeruli and various degrees of destruction of the juxtaglomerular cells. The findings suggest that renin production is not increased in diabetic patients with proteinuria plus marked vascular damage, and that the renin-angiotensin system in patients with diabetic nephropathy apparently does not play an important role in the exacerbation of hypertension or the degree of vascular damage.", "contents": "Renin and the juxtaglomerular apparatus in diabetic nephropathy. In order to study the role of the renin-angiotensin system in patients with diabetic nephropathy, renin release and the juxtaglomerular apparatus were studied in 17 diabetic patients with proteinuria and in 23 without proteinuria; 8 normal subjects were used for conctrls. Despite hypertension and marked arteriosclerosis, plasma renin activity (supine posture) was normal; however, the renin response to salt restriction and upright posture was less in the diabetic patients with proteinuria than in the controls. Renal renin content, determined at autopsy, was also normal. Examination of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the diabetic patients with proteinuria revealed hyalinization of the afferent and efferent arterioles in most of the glomeruli and various degrees of destruction of the juxtaglomerular cells. The findings suggest that renin production is not increased in diabetic patients with proteinuria plus marked vascular damage, and that the renin-angiotensin system in patients with diabetic nephropathy apparently does not play an important role in the exacerbation of hypertension or the degree of vascular damage.", "PMID": 618949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2813", "title": "Clinical utility of a rapid diagnostic test series for elderly psychiatric outpatients.", "content": "Psychiatric evaluation of the elderly is especially difficult for several reasons, e.g., the presence of organic impairment, the effects of multiple drug therapy, and the tendency to confuse the normal concomitants of aging with neurotic symptoms. The authors have developed and evaluated a brief series of self-report assessment tests (GRDB) designed to assist the psychiatrist in the process of diagnosis. Coefficients of the internal consistency of the seven scales are presented. A comparison was make between 28 psychiatric patients attending a geriatric clinic and 48 well-functioning elderly persons matched for age and sex, and living in the same community. Results showed that the geriatric outpatients functioned at a lower level of adaptation than did the control group, on all seven scales - depression, daily living skills, social interaction, cognitive skills, number of illnesses, number of life problems, and the use of drugs and alcohol. These findings provide a measure of discriminant validity. The advantages of this brief assessment instrument are discussed.", "contents": "Clinical utility of a rapid diagnostic test series for elderly psychiatric outpatients. Psychiatric evaluation of the elderly is especially difficult for several reasons, e.g., the presence of organic impairment, the effects of multiple drug therapy, and the tendency to confuse the normal concomitants of aging with neurotic symptoms. The authors have developed and evaluated a brief series of self-report assessment tests (GRDB) designed to assist the psychiatrist in the process of diagnosis. Coefficients of the internal consistency of the seven scales are presented. A comparison was make between 28 psychiatric patients attending a geriatric clinic and 48 well-functioning elderly persons matched for age and sex, and living in the same community. Results showed that the geriatric outpatients functioned at a lower level of adaptation than did the control group, on all seven scales - depression, daily living skills, social interaction, cognitive skills, number of illnesses, number of life problems, and the use of drugs and alcohol. These findings provide a measure of discriminant validity. The advantages of this brief assessment instrument are discussed.", "PMID": 618950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2814", "title": "The social hour for geropsychiatric patients.", "content": "This study was an attempt to evaluate the effects of a controlled alcohol intake in the socialization of a group of geropsychiatric patients in a clinical setting. Although 47 patients of the Geriatric Unit were involved at various times, 16 remained in the study for the entire eight weeks. The Social Hour consisted of a half-hour session every weekday. The alcohol served was whisky, gin, vodka, and wine. Soft drinks were available for those who preferred them. Each patient was rated on a 5-point scale with regard to ward and off-ward activities. A planned four-week placebo period met with so much negativism that it had to be shortened to three days. According to our observations, the socialization process was increased significantly for these mentally ill geriatric patients during this type of Social Hour.", "contents": "The social hour for geropsychiatric patients. This study was an attempt to evaluate the effects of a controlled alcohol intake in the socialization of a group of geropsychiatric patients in a clinical setting. Although 47 patients of the Geriatric Unit were involved at various times, 16 remained in the study for the entire eight weeks. The Social Hour consisted of a half-hour session every weekday. The alcohol served was whisky, gin, vodka, and wine. Soft drinks were available for those who preferred them. Each patient was rated on a 5-point scale with regard to ward and off-ward activities. A planned four-week placebo period met with so much negativism that it had to be shortened to three days. According to our observations, the socialization process was increased significantly for these mentally ill geriatric patients during this type of Social Hour.", "PMID": 618951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2815", "title": "Death and the elderly patient.", "content": "More attention should be paid to the profound needs of dying patients. The family physician can guide the family members and others in forming a team to help dying elderly patients in this life crisis, so that they may have a \"good death.\" The importance of honesty and cooperation by all those involved is emphasized, as is the need to support the patient emotionally and spiritually.", "contents": "Death and the elderly patient. More attention should be paid to the profound needs of dying patients. The family physician can guide the family members and others in forming a team to help dying elderly patients in this life crisis, so that they may have a \"good death.\" The importance of honesty and cooperation by all those involved is emphasized, as is the need to support the patient emotionally and spiritually.", "PMID": 618952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2816", "title": "Optimism in the management of hip fracture in elderly patients.", "content": "The present generation of those past age 70 grew up with the idea that a fractured hip meant \"the beginning of the end\" for the elderly. The results reported here on the treatment of 50 consecutive patients over 70 years of age who had sustained a fractured hip indicate that in this situation the orthopedic surgeon can be an important partner in geriatric medicine. He can improve the functioning and health of this special group of elderly trauma victims through reassuring them that the fracture usually can be successfully treated without undue risk to life. The present improved state of the art of anesthesiology, surgery, and pre- and postoperative medical care makes the surgical risk tolerable, and helps to prevent many of the complications that used to occur in elderly patients confined to bed for long periods following hip fracture.", "contents": "Optimism in the management of hip fracture in elderly patients. The present generation of those past age 70 grew up with the idea that a fractured hip meant \"the beginning of the end\" for the elderly. The results reported here on the treatment of 50 consecutive patients over 70 years of age who had sustained a fractured hip indicate that in this situation the orthopedic surgeon can be an important partner in geriatric medicine. He can improve the functioning and health of this special group of elderly trauma victims through reassuring them that the fracture usually can be successfully treated without undue risk to life. The present improved state of the art of anesthesiology, surgery, and pre- and postoperative medical care makes the surgical risk tolerable, and helps to prevent many of the complications that used to occur in elderly patients confined to bed for long periods following hip fracture.", "PMID": 618953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2817", "title": "Unusual abdominal complications of a suicidal overdose of analgesic and psychotropic drugs in an elderly patient.", "content": "A suicidal 67-year-old woman with manic-depressive psychosis took an overdose of asprin, amitriptyline and diazepam. The initial effects were pyrexia, tachycardia, hyperpnea, metabolic acidosis, electrocardiographic changes, hypoprothrombinemia, gastritis, and pancreatitis. Four to six weeks later, she was examined because of persistent abdominal pain with mausea, anorexia anemia, and possibly a malabsorption syndrome. An exploratory laparotomy was performed. The surgeon found several previous adhesions, a small intestinal volvulus, and a nodular pancreas. This suggested previous perforation of the small bowel from enteritis, causing a \"blind-loop\" syndrone. The invilved section of the small bowel was resected. With appropriate treatment, the patient is well three months after operation.", "contents": "Unusual abdominal complications of a suicidal overdose of analgesic and psychotropic drugs in an elderly patient. A suicidal 67-year-old woman with manic-depressive psychosis took an overdose of asprin, amitriptyline and diazepam. The initial effects were pyrexia, tachycardia, hyperpnea, metabolic acidosis, electrocardiographic changes, hypoprothrombinemia, gastritis, and pancreatitis. Four to six weeks later, she was examined because of persistent abdominal pain with mausea, anorexia anemia, and possibly a malabsorption syndrome. An exploratory laparotomy was performed. The surgeon found several previous adhesions, a small intestinal volvulus, and a nodular pancreas. This suggested previous perforation of the small bowel from enteritis, causing a \"blind-loop\" syndrone. The invilved section of the small bowel was resected. With appropriate treatment, the patient is well three months after operation.", "PMID": 618954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2818", "title": "A multidimensional approach to religiosity and disengagement.", "content": "This study of 106 elderly Central Missourians examines religious behavior as an indication of \"disengagement.\" It is argued that religiosity must be measured in both organizational forms such as attending religious services and the more subjective nonorganizational forms including prayer and listening to religious services and music on radio and television before an assessment of \"disengagement\" is made. Following Hochschild (1975) it is argued that from the perspective of researchers and others it may appear \"engaged\". Data support the thesis that elderly may be disengaged organizationally but engaged non-organizationally.", "contents": "A multidimensional approach to religiosity and disengagement. This study of 106 elderly Central Missourians examines religious behavior as an indication of \"disengagement.\" It is argued that religiosity must be measured in both organizational forms such as attending religious services and the more subjective nonorganizational forms including prayer and listening to religious services and music on radio and television before an assessment of \"disengagement\" is made. Following Hochschild (1975) it is argued that from the perspective of researchers and others it may appear \"engaged\". Data support the thesis that elderly may be disengaged organizationally but engaged non-organizationally.", "PMID": 618958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2819", "title": "Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older americans.", "content": "Thirty years of research among older Americans on life satisfaction, morale, and related constructs has yielded a consistent body of findings. Parallel results for measures of these contructs and high intercorrelations justifies considering them in terms of a single summary construct, subjective well-being. As this research has relied almost exclusively on survey measures, interpretations are limited to the social-psychological level of people's day-to-day verbal behavior. This research shows reported well-being to be most strongly related to health, followed by socioeconomic factors and degree of social interaction, for the general population of Americans over 60. Marital status and aspects of people's living situations are also conclusively related to well-being. Age, sex, race, and employment show no consistent independent relation to well-being. In addition to indicating that negative life situation exigencies, such as poor health and low income are related to lower well-being, the results tentatively indicate that these exigencies create a greater vulnerability to the impact of other negative conditions.", "contents": "Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older americans. Thirty years of research among older Americans on life satisfaction, morale, and related constructs has yielded a consistent body of findings. Parallel results for measures of these contructs and high intercorrelations justifies considering them in terms of a single summary construct, subjective well-being. As this research has relied almost exclusively on survey measures, interpretations are limited to the social-psychological level of people's day-to-day verbal behavior. This research shows reported well-being to be most strongly related to health, followed by socioeconomic factors and degree of social interaction, for the general population of Americans over 60. Marital status and aspects of people's living situations are also conclusively related to well-being. Age, sex, race, and employment show no consistent independent relation to well-being. In addition to indicating that negative life situation exigencies, such as poor health and low income are related to lower well-being, the results tentatively indicate that these exigencies create a greater vulnerability to the impact of other negative conditions.", "PMID": 618959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2820", "title": "Impact of age integration on the well-being of elderly tenants in public housing.", "content": "The social, psychological, and environmental situations of a national area probability sample of 1875 elderly tenants in 153 public housing sites were studied by means of interviews with tenants and project mangers and direct observation of social and environmental characteristics of the housing. In this report the association between the age mix of the housing and the well-being of the tenants was investigated. With a variety of personal, social, and physical environmental characteristics statistically controlled, age segregation showed small but reliable relationships to on-site activity participation, morale, housing satisfaction, and neighborhood motility. The results are discussed in terms of policy and planning designed to maximize options for the individual.", "contents": "Impact of age integration on the well-being of elderly tenants in public housing. The social, psychological, and environmental situations of a national area probability sample of 1875 elderly tenants in 153 public housing sites were studied by means of interviews with tenants and project mangers and direct observation of social and environmental characteristics of the housing. In this report the association between the age mix of the housing and the well-being of the tenants was investigated. With a variety of personal, social, and physical environmental characteristics statistically controlled, age segregation showed small but reliable relationships to on-site activity participation, morale, housing satisfaction, and neighborhood motility. The results are discussed in terms of policy and planning designed to maximize options for the individual.", "PMID": 618960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2821", "title": "Stature change with aging in black americans.", "content": "The study consisted of a sample of 500 black Americans (50-104 years old) to determine whether or not there was a decrease in height among black Americans with increasing age. There is no significant difference between height and arm-span at the start of adult life. In order to study the loss of stature, as a result of senescence, a comparison of height with arm-span measurement was used. It was found that: (1) the black population has a greater decrease in height with aging than does the white population; (2) black males decrease approximately 4.2 cm in height every 20 years compared to 1.2 cm in the white population; (3) the older population sampled had shorter arm-spans as well as shorter stature.", "contents": "Stature change with aging in black americans. The study consisted of a sample of 500 black Americans (50-104 years old) to determine whether or not there was a decrease in height among black Americans with increasing age. There is no significant difference between height and arm-span at the start of adult life. In order to study the loss of stature, as a result of senescence, a comparison of height with arm-span measurement was used. It was found that: (1) the black population has a greater decrease in height with aging than does the white population; (2) black males decrease approximately 4.2 cm in height every 20 years compared to 1.2 cm in the white population; (3) the older population sampled had shorter arm-spans as well as shorter stature.", "PMID": 618961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2822", "title": "Replication of age and physical activity effects on reaction and movement time.", "content": "The latency and consistency of simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and movement time of older men who chronically run or participate in racket sports were compared to those of nonactive men of similar age and also to young men of similar characteristics (young runners, young racketsportsmen, and young nonactive men). The findings of Spirduso's (1975) study, of which this investigation was both a replication and an expansion, that older active men physically reacted to stimuli and moved their forearm over a 20 cm distance as quickly as young sedentary men was reported. The older active men were far superior to older sedentary men in all measures. In addition, the older active group was similar to the groups in terms of group homogeneity and within-subject variability, unlike the older nonactive group, who revealed the commonly reported group heterogeneity and within-subject inconsistency.", "contents": "Replication of age and physical activity effects on reaction and movement time. The latency and consistency of simple reaction time, choice reaction time, and movement time of older men who chronically run or participate in racket sports were compared to those of nonactive men of similar age and also to young men of similar characteristics (young runners, young racketsportsmen, and young nonactive men). The findings of Spirduso's (1975) study, of which this investigation was both a replication and an expansion, that older active men physically reacted to stimuli and moved their forearm over a 20 cm distance as quickly as young sedentary men was reported. The older active men were far superior to older sedentary men in all measures. In addition, the older active group was similar to the groups in terms of group homogeneity and within-subject variability, unlike the older nonactive group, who revealed the commonly reported group heterogeneity and within-subject inconsistency.", "PMID": 618962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2823", "title": "Spectrophotofluorometric and electron microscopic study of lipofuscin accumulation in the testis of aging mice.", "content": "Lipofuscin accumulation in the testis of C57BL/6J mice ranging in age from 4 to 39 mo. was investigated by spectrophotofluorometric and electron microscopic techniques. Chloroform-methanol extracts of the whole organ contained fluorescent substances which increased linearly until about 24 mo. Thereafter, no further increases could be observed. Electron microscopy showed spermatogonia which were completely free of lipofuscin, in striking contrast with both Sertoli and interstitial cells of Leydig, which, in old animals, had accumulated very large amounts of pigment. In the Sertoli cells, a process of mitochondrial vacuolation and densification was apparently linked with the genesis of lipofuscin. On the other hand, in the interstitial cells, densification of lipid droplets played a role in the formation of most pigment granules.", "contents": "Spectrophotofluorometric and electron microscopic study of lipofuscin accumulation in the testis of aging mice. Lipofuscin accumulation in the testis of C57BL/6J mice ranging in age from 4 to 39 mo. was investigated by spectrophotofluorometric and electron microscopic techniques. Chloroform-methanol extracts of the whole organ contained fluorescent substances which increased linearly until about 24 mo. Thereafter, no further increases could be observed. Electron microscopy showed spermatogonia which were completely free of lipofuscin, in striking contrast with both Sertoli and interstitial cells of Leydig, which, in old animals, had accumulated very large amounts of pigment. In the Sertoli cells, a process of mitochondrial vacuolation and densification was apparently linked with the genesis of lipofuscin. On the other hand, in the interstitial cells, densification of lipid droplets played a role in the formation of most pigment granules.", "PMID": 618963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2824", "title": "Dermatoglyphics and aging.", "content": "The objectives of the present study were to compare the frequencies of various dermatoglyphic features among male adults of four different age groups (30-44 years of age, 45-59, 60-74, and 75 years of age and older) and to compare the dermatoglyphic frequencies of a sample of normal 7-year-old males with those of each of the four adult groups. The results indicated that, for the most part, the four adult groups had very similar dermatoglyphic frequencies. The dermatoglyphics of the 7-year-olds were also found to be very similar to those of the 30- to 44-year-old adults; however, they showed, progressively, more significant dermatoglyphic differences as they were compared with succeedingly older age groups.", "contents": "Dermatoglyphics and aging. The objectives of the present study were to compare the frequencies of various dermatoglyphic features among male adults of four different age groups (30-44 years of age, 45-59, 60-74, and 75 years of age and older) and to compare the dermatoglyphic frequencies of a sample of normal 7-year-old males with those of each of the four adult groups. The results indicated that, for the most part, the four adult groups had very similar dermatoglyphic frequencies. The dermatoglyphics of the 7-year-olds were also found to be very similar to those of the 30- to 44-year-old adults; however, they showed, progressively, more significant dermatoglyphic differences as they were compared with succeedingly older age groups.", "PMID": 618964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2825", "title": "The response of arginine vasopressin to intravenous ethanol and hypertonic saline in man: the impact of aging.", "content": "The effect of age on the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-renal axis in normal man was determined by assaying plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) responses to inhibitory and to secretory stimuli. Nine young (21-49 years) and 13 old (54-92 years) subjects received IV ethanol (375 mg/m2 per min). AVP levels fell progressively during the infusion in the young group, but fell for only 30 min in the old group and then rose paradoxically despite the continuing increase in blood ethanol. Eight young (22-48 years) and 8 old (52-66 years) men were provided identical osmolal loads by a 2-hour IV infusion of 3% NaCl at 0.1 ml/kg per min. Serum AVP rose 2.5 times the baseline in the young and 4.5 times the baseline in the old men despite identical free water clearances. Osmoreceptor sensitivity (the slope of AVP on osmolality) was greater in the old subjects. The heightened sensitivity to hyperosomolality helps examine the paradoxical response to ethanol, since osmolality increased during that time. This increased AVP response may severe to compensate for the reduced renal ability to conserve salt and water in aging man.", "contents": "The response of arginine vasopressin to intravenous ethanol and hypertonic saline in man: the impact of aging. The effect of age on the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-renal axis in normal man was determined by assaying plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) responses to inhibitory and to secretory stimuli. Nine young (21-49 years) and 13 old (54-92 years) subjects received IV ethanol (375 mg/m2 per min). AVP levels fell progressively during the infusion in the young group, but fell for only 30 min in the old group and then rose paradoxically despite the continuing increase in blood ethanol. Eight young (22-48 years) and 8 old (52-66 years) men were provided identical osmolal loads by a 2-hour IV infusion of 3% NaCl at 0.1 ml/kg per min. Serum AVP rose 2.5 times the baseline in the young and 4.5 times the baseline in the old men despite identical free water clearances. Osmoreceptor sensitivity (the slope of AVP on osmolality) was greater in the old subjects. The heightened sensitivity to hyperosomolality helps examine the paradoxical response to ethanol, since osmolality increased during that time. This increased AVP response may severe to compensate for the reduced renal ability to conserve salt and water in aging man.", "PMID": 618965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2826", "title": "A study on serum lipids of the elderly.", "content": "The present survey studies the triangular association of serum lipid levels, atherosclerosis, and age in an elderly (50 to 80 + years) population of 469 subjects with various clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis as well as \"healthy\" elderly subjects. In general, the average concentration of serum lipid constituents were not influenced by sex, age, differences in nutritional habits, or by atherosclerotic manifestations. Lipid levels were found to be within the normal range of the entire adult population. These results emphasize that lipid-lowering diets should start in young rather than in elderly people.", "contents": "A study on serum lipids of the elderly. The present survey studies the triangular association of serum lipid levels, atherosclerosis, and age in an elderly (50 to 80 + years) population of 469 subjects with various clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis as well as \"healthy\" elderly subjects. In general, the average concentration of serum lipid constituents were not influenced by sex, age, differences in nutritional habits, or by atherosclerotic manifestations. Lipid levels were found to be within the normal range of the entire adult population. These results emphasize that lipid-lowering diets should start in young rather than in elderly people.", "PMID": 618966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2827", "title": "Illness and health behavior in septuagenarians.", "content": "A random sample of septuagenarians was obtained by taking 400 consecutive names from a city birth register. Information regarding survival and present residence was acquired. The investigation comprised those septuagenarians who were still alive and had not moved abroad. The results showed that one-third reported no physical disease. Only half of those with physical disease considered themselves ill. Hypochondria was observed only in 3.9%, which contrasting with the high proportion of hypochondria in studies based on voluntary subjects. Active interest in physical exercise and a restrictive attitude to smoking and drinking correlated with health.", "contents": "Illness and health behavior in septuagenarians. A random sample of septuagenarians was obtained by taking 400 consecutive names from a city birth register. Information regarding survival and present residence was acquired. The investigation comprised those septuagenarians who were still alive and had not moved abroad. The results showed that one-third reported no physical disease. Only half of those with physical disease considered themselves ill. Hypochondria was observed only in 3.9%, which contrasting with the high proportion of hypochondria in studies based on voluntary subjects. Active interest in physical exercise and a restrictive attitude to smoking and drinking correlated with health.", "PMID": 618967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2828", "title": "Quantitative evaluation of joint motion sensation in an aging population.", "content": "Fifty-two neurologically normal subjects from 61 to 84 years in age were evaluated for sensitivity of perception of joint motion. Right and left metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints were passively moved in an ever-increasing amplitude in a sinusoidal flexion-extension mode. Precise measurements of the amplitude of the angle of deviation where the subjects felt motion were made and stored with the help of a computer. A younger cohort 19 to 34 years in age was also tested. The older subjects did less well in perceiving motion at the lowest frequency in the metatarsophalangeal joints. When the older cohort was separated in semidecades and compared to each other, as well as the younger cohort, all differences of motion threshold perception lost significance. It is concluded that there is no major decline in joint motion sensation with aging.", "contents": "Quantitative evaluation of joint motion sensation in an aging population. Fifty-two neurologically normal subjects from 61 to 84 years in age were evaluated for sensitivity of perception of joint motion. Right and left metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints were passively moved in an ever-increasing amplitude in a sinusoidal flexion-extension mode. Precise measurements of the amplitude of the angle of deviation where the subjects felt motion were made and stored with the help of a computer. A younger cohort 19 to 34 years in age was also tested. The older subjects did less well in perceiving motion at the lowest frequency in the metatarsophalangeal joints. When the older cohort was separated in semidecades and compared to each other, as well as the younger cohort, all differences of motion threshold perception lost significance. It is concluded that there is no major decline in joint motion sensation with aging.", "PMID": 618968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2829", "title": "Examination of stimulus persistence as the basis for superior visual identification performance among older adults.", "content": "Visual identification performance of sequentially presented corresponding word-halves was studied in 12 young (mean 18.9 years, range 18-21) and 12 old (mean 68.0 years, range 59-78) male and female subjects. Corresponding word-halves were composed of straight horizontal and vertical line segments and when superimposed tachistoscopically formed clear, fully closed 3-letter words. Stimulus duration and interstimulus interval (ISI) were systematically varied. Correct word recognition was found to be an inverse function of ISI and stimulus duration for both young and old subjects. An interaction was found between age, sex, and stimulus duration. Recognition scores were significantly higher among older subjects, an effect which was particularly prominent at greater ISIs. The data offer strong support for the stimulus-persistence model as applied to age differences in the sequential integration of form.", "contents": "Examination of stimulus persistence as the basis for superior visual identification performance among older adults. Visual identification performance of sequentially presented corresponding word-halves was studied in 12 young (mean 18.9 years, range 18-21) and 12 old (mean 68.0 years, range 59-78) male and female subjects. Corresponding word-halves were composed of straight horizontal and vertical line segments and when superimposed tachistoscopically formed clear, fully closed 3-letter words. Stimulus duration and interstimulus interval (ISI) were systematically varied. Correct word recognition was found to be an inverse function of ISI and stimulus duration for both young and old subjects. An interaction was found between age, sex, and stimulus duration. Recognition scores were significantly higher among older subjects, an effect which was particularly prominent at greater ISIs. The data offer strong support for the stimulus-persistence model as applied to age differences in the sequential integration of form.", "PMID": 618969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2830", "title": "Principles for identifying structural differences. Some methodological issues related to comparative factor analysis.", "content": "Several recent articles published in the Journal of Gerontology have been concerned with changes in factor structure of various psychological, social, and medical fitness measures. The present article reviews four principles for comparing structures and evaluates several recent articles in terms of these principles. The four principles are concerned with resolving: (1) problems of metric, (2) problems of rotation to similarity, (3) the number of factors problem, and (4) problems related to different extraction or rotational procedures across comparison groups. Utilization of a different metric in each correlation matrix implies that results may be a simple artifact of a different metric for each group. Failure to rotate to similarity and insufficient care with regard to the number of factors problem may result in artificially dissimilar structures. Finally, in comparing results across studies, differences in extraction or rotational procedures across different studies may result in differing results as artifacts of the methods employed.", "contents": "Principles for identifying structural differences. Some methodological issues related to comparative factor analysis. Several recent articles published in the Journal of Gerontology have been concerned with changes in factor structure of various psychological, social, and medical fitness measures. The present article reviews four principles for comparing structures and evaluates several recent articles in terms of these principles. The four principles are concerned with resolving: (1) problems of metric, (2) problems of rotation to similarity, (3) the number of factors problem, and (4) problems related to different extraction or rotational procedures across comparison groups. Utilization of a different metric in each correlation matrix implies that results may be a simple artifact of a different metric for each group. Failure to rotate to similarity and insufficient care with regard to the number of factors problem may result in artificially dissimilar structures. Finally, in comparing results across studies, differences in extraction or rotational procedures across different studies may result in differing results as artifacts of the methods employed.", "PMID": 618970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2831", "title": "Age differences in processing relevant versus irrelevant stimuli in multiple-item recognition learning.", "content": "Age differences in the processing of relevant stimuli were examined under two levels of irrelevant stimulation. The relevant stimuli were the right words of a multiple-item recognition learning task; the two levels of irrelevant stimulation were provided by the pairing of one wrong word (two-alternative items) versus three wrong words (four-alternative items) with each right word. Elderly subjects were inferior to young adults in the learning of four-alternative items, but not in the learning of two-alternative items. This finding supports the hypothesis, derived from previous research on perceptual tasks, that elderly adults direct greater amounts of attention to irrelevant stimuli than do young adults, thus reducing the amount of processing available for the accompanying relevant stimuli. However, despite their presumed greater attention to irrelevant stimuli, elderly subjects recognized fewer individual wrong words on a subsequent memory test than did young adults. This age-related effect was interpreted in terms of depth of processing theory.", "contents": "Age differences in processing relevant versus irrelevant stimuli in multiple-item recognition learning. Age differences in the processing of relevant stimuli were examined under two levels of irrelevant stimulation. The relevant stimuli were the right words of a multiple-item recognition learning task; the two levels of irrelevant stimulation were provided by the pairing of one wrong word (two-alternative items) versus three wrong words (four-alternative items) with each right word. Elderly subjects were inferior to young adults in the learning of four-alternative items, but not in the learning of two-alternative items. This finding supports the hypothesis, derived from previous research on perceptual tasks, that elderly adults direct greater amounts of attention to irrelevant stimuli than do young adults, thus reducing the amount of processing available for the accompanying relevant stimuli. However, despite their presumed greater attention to irrelevant stimuli, elderly subjects recognized fewer individual wrong words on a subsequent memory test than did young adults. This age-related effect was interpreted in terms of depth of processing theory.", "PMID": 618971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2832", "title": "Cautiousness and verbal learning in adulthood.", "content": "Twenty-two young (age 17-21)and 22 old (age 60-74) men and women participated in an investigation designed to determine the extent to which age differences in omission errors and performance in a serial learning task are accounted for by cautiousness. Age differences were found on the measures of cautiousness, and verbal learning, with young adults making more correct responses and proportionately fewer omission errors on the learning task and taking greater risks on the risk-taking tasks. The results indicated that cautiousness measures accounted for age differences in omission errors but not in performance.", "contents": "Cautiousness and verbal learning in adulthood. Twenty-two young (age 17-21)and 22 old (age 60-74) men and women participated in an investigation designed to determine the extent to which age differences in omission errors and performance in a serial learning task are accounted for by cautiousness. Age differences were found on the measures of cautiousness, and verbal learning, with young adults making more correct responses and proportionately fewer omission errors on the learning task and taking greater risks on the risk-taking tasks. The results indicated that cautiousness measures accounted for age differences in omission errors but not in performance.", "PMID": 618972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2833", "title": "Age perceptions and evaluative reactions toward adult speakers.", "content": "This study was designed to assess listeners' ability to judge a taped speaker's age and to measure the extent to which personality ratings are affected by perceived age. In two experiments, undergraduate subjects demonstrated that speaker age can be reliably estimated over a wide range for both female and male voices. Furthermore, female speakers perceived to be older were viewed to be more reserved, passive, out-of-it, and inflexible than younger ones; males sounding older were viewed as less flexible than those sounding younger. In the light of these results, the experimental procedure employed appears to provide a promising approach to the indirect assessment of age stereotypes.", "contents": "Age perceptions and evaluative reactions toward adult speakers. This study was designed to assess listeners' ability to judge a taped speaker's age and to measure the extent to which personality ratings are affected by perceived age. In two experiments, undergraduate subjects demonstrated that speaker age can be reliably estimated over a wide range for both female and male voices. Furthermore, female speakers perceived to be older were viewed to be more reserved, passive, out-of-it, and inflexible than younger ones; males sounding older were viewed as less flexible than those sounding younger. In the light of these results, the experimental procedure employed appears to provide a promising approach to the indirect assessment of age stereotypes.", "PMID": 618973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2834", "title": "Concanavalin A and ricinus communis receptor sites in normal human oral mucosa.", "content": "Fluorescein conjugates of concanavalin A (Con-A) and Ricinus communis fraction 120 (RCA120) were shown to bind to the cell surfaces of basal and spinous cell layers in oral buccal mucosa. Palatal epithelium showed distinct binding to basal and spinous cells; cell membranes in the granular layer occasionally bound Con-A and always RCA120. The ultrastructural localization of Con-A binding sites on exfoliated buccal cells was detected by the Con-A peroxidase staining method. The Con-A receptors were seen on the cell surface in association with the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. The reaction products appeared as a homogeneous, electron-dense layer containing irregularly distributed globules.", "contents": "Concanavalin A and ricinus communis receptor sites in normal human oral mucosa. Fluorescein conjugates of concanavalin A (Con-A) and Ricinus communis fraction 120 (RCA120) were shown to bind to the cell surfaces of basal and spinous cell layers in oral buccal mucosa. Palatal epithelium showed distinct binding to basal and spinous cells; cell membranes in the granular layer occasionally bound Con-A and always RCA120. The ultrastructural localization of Con-A binding sites on exfoliated buccal cells was detected by the Con-A peroxidase staining method. The Con-A receptors were seen on the cell surface in association with the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. The reaction products appeared as a homogeneous, electron-dense layer containing irregularly distributed globules.", "PMID": 618974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2835", "title": "UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in guinea pig skin melanocytes isolated in culture.", "content": "Pigmented melanocytes isolated in culture from the epidermis of guinea pig ears were used to study the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at 254 nm. After irradiation, the cells were labeled for 6 hr with 3H-thymidine (3HTdR), fixed, dehydrated, and flat embedded in Epon. Radioautographs were made on serial 0.5-1 micrometer thick sections of the cultures in order to distinguish silver grains from pigment granules. Cells irradiated with 5, 10, or 50 joules (J) m-2 showed a 3HTdR uptake due to UDS, whereas their proliferative ability, measured by the 3HTdR uptake due to scheduled DNA synthesis, was very low. For the same UV doses, UDS was lower in melanocytes than in guinea pig fibroblasts and keratinocytes.", "contents": "UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in guinea pig skin melanocytes isolated in culture. Pigmented melanocytes isolated in culture from the epidermis of guinea pig ears were used to study the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation at 254 nm. After irradiation, the cells were labeled for 6 hr with 3H-thymidine (3HTdR), fixed, dehydrated, and flat embedded in Epon. Radioautographs were made on serial 0.5-1 micrometer thick sections of the cultures in order to distinguish silver grains from pigment granules. Cells irradiated with 5, 10, or 50 joules (J) m-2 showed a 3HTdR uptake due to UDS, whereas their proliferative ability, measured by the 3HTdR uptake due to scheduled DNA synthesis, was very low. For the same UV doses, UDS was lower in melanocytes than in guinea pig fibroblasts and keratinocytes.", "PMID": 618975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2836", "title": "5-S-cysteinyldopa excretion after treatment with 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light.", "content": "The excretion of the specific melanocytic metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa was studied in patients with psoriasis treated by 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light. A pronounced increase was found after only 2 days treatment, although no increase in pigmentation could yet be observed. Peak values for urinary 5-S-cysteinyldopa were noted after 1 or 2 weeks treatment. Increase in pigmentation persisted after the excretion maxima for 5-S-cysteinyldopa.", "contents": "5-S-cysteinyldopa excretion after treatment with 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light. The excretion of the specific melanocytic metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa was studied in patients with psoriasis treated by 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA light. A pronounced increase was found after only 2 days treatment, although no increase in pigmentation could yet be observed. Peak values for urinary 5-S-cysteinyldopa were noted after 1 or 2 weeks treatment. Increase in pigmentation persisted after the excretion maxima for 5-S-cysteinyldopa.", "PMID": 618976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2837", "title": "Two tris urea mercaptoethanol extractable polypeptides found uniquely in scales of patients with psoriasis.", "content": "This study was designed to chemically characterize the principal structural proteins of psoriatic scales. Cornified cells were obtained from 40 patients with psoriasis, 21 patients with other scaly diseases, and 13 normal individuals. Cells were washed with Tris-HCl buffer and incubated in 8 M urea containing 2-mercaptoethanol (pH 9.0) at 30 degrees C for 7 hr. Extracted proteins were subjected to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein patterns from normal and diseased scales were compared. The 67,000 dalton constituent of normal cornified cells could not be identified in protein from psoriatic scale and instead, a pair of polypeptides of approximately 54,000 and 57,000 daltons appeared. These extra bands were not found in protein extractions from other skin diseases, uninvolved skin of psoriasis patients, or normal skin. In order to analyze further normal and psoriatic scale proteins, the immunoreaction of rabbit antisera to human 67,000 dalton polypeptide with extracted psoriasis protein and with frozen biopsy sections, was studied using immunoprecipitation tests and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Both techniques demonstrated the existence of the 67,000 dalton protein in psoriasis, but as a minor component. These results indicate that additional unique urea mercaptoethanol soluble proteins are formed in psoriatic lesions, and this unusual protein synthesis may reflect the morphological changes in this disease.", "contents": "Two tris urea mercaptoethanol extractable polypeptides found uniquely in scales of patients with psoriasis. This study was designed to chemically characterize the principal structural proteins of psoriatic scales. Cornified cells were obtained from 40 patients with psoriasis, 21 patients with other scaly diseases, and 13 normal individuals. Cells were washed with Tris-HCl buffer and incubated in 8 M urea containing 2-mercaptoethanol (pH 9.0) at 30 degrees C for 7 hr. Extracted proteins were subjected to SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein patterns from normal and diseased scales were compared. The 67,000 dalton constituent of normal cornified cells could not be identified in protein from psoriatic scale and instead, a pair of polypeptides of approximately 54,000 and 57,000 daltons appeared. These extra bands were not found in protein extractions from other skin diseases, uninvolved skin of psoriasis patients, or normal skin. In order to analyze further normal and psoriatic scale proteins, the immunoreaction of rabbit antisera to human 67,000 dalton polypeptide with extracted psoriasis protein and with frozen biopsy sections, was studied using immunoprecipitation tests and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Both techniques demonstrated the existence of the 67,000 dalton protein in psoriasis, but as a minor component. These results indicate that additional unique urea mercaptoethanol soluble proteins are formed in psoriatic lesions, and this unusual protein synthesis may reflect the morphological changes in this disease.", "PMID": 618978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2838", "title": "The effect of antimicrobial agents on leukocyte chemotaxis.", "content": "The effects of several chemotherapeutic agents on the chemotaxis of human leukocytes were studied in an in vitro system using a Sykes-Moore chamber and a double-filter technique. Chemotactic factor was generated by the interaction of normal human serum and zymosan. At concentrations comparable to and below therapeutic blood levels, tetracycline HCl, erythromycin base and clindamycin HCl were all inhibitory, causing marked suppression of leukocyte chemotaxis and slight reduction of random migration. Penicillin G-Na, dapsone, and sulfapyridine did not alter white cell motility at the concentrations of drug tested. It is postulated that the capacity of some of these agents to inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis may account, in part, for their efficacy in inflammatory skin diseases such as acne vulgaris.", "contents": "The effect of antimicrobial agents on leukocyte chemotaxis. The effects of several chemotherapeutic agents on the chemotaxis of human leukocytes were studied in an in vitro system using a Sykes-Moore chamber and a double-filter technique. Chemotactic factor was generated by the interaction of normal human serum and zymosan. At concentrations comparable to and below therapeutic blood levels, tetracycline HCl, erythromycin base and clindamycin HCl were all inhibitory, causing marked suppression of leukocyte chemotaxis and slight reduction of random migration. Penicillin G-Na, dapsone, and sulfapyridine did not alter white cell motility at the concentrations of drug tested. It is postulated that the capacity of some of these agents to inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis may account, in part, for their efficacy in inflammatory skin diseases such as acne vulgaris.", "PMID": 618981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2839", "title": "Quantitation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in human serum by high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "An HPLC method for assaying 25(OH)D3 in extracts of human serum is described. The method involves extraction of serum with methanol-dichloromethane and chromatography on a column of Sephadex LH-20 prior to HPLC with quantitation by UV absorbance. Comparison with a CBP assay for 25(OH)D3 showed no difference between the two methods.", "contents": "Quantitation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in human serum by high-pressure liquid chromatography. An HPLC method for assaying 25(OH)D3 in extracts of human serum is described. The method involves extraction of serum with methanol-dichloromethane and chromatography on a column of Sephadex LH-20 prior to HPLC with quantitation by UV absorbance. Comparison with a CBP assay for 25(OH)D3 showed no difference between the two methods.", "PMID": 618982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2840", "title": "Platelets from \"giant platelet syndrome (BSS)\" are discocytes and normal sized.", "content": "A comparison is made between the shape of human platelets obtained from nine normal donors and two BSS donors. Sizes are evaluated from a cinematographic analysis of freely rotating, unfixed, and glutaraldehyde-hardened platelets in citrated PRP and of platelets on blood smear. On blood smeae, the mean diameters of BSS platelets are 1.7 to 1.8 times larger than those of normal platelets, with a major fraction having a diameter greater than 2.5 micrometer. As for normal donors, 80% to 90% BSS platelets in PRP are in the disc form (discocyte). In addition, they are essentially indistinguishable from a normal discocyte. Echinocytes (spherical forms with pseudopods) for BSS have a main body diameter (i.e., excluding pseudopods) 1.6 times larger than normal and in addition a reduced number of pseudopods. The results demonstrate that the giant size of BSS platelets results from abnormal behavior of these platelets during the preparation of the blood smear. It is suggested that this disorder is associated with a defect in the mechanism of platelet shape change.", "contents": "Platelets from \"giant platelet syndrome (BSS)\" are discocytes and normal sized. A comparison is made between the shape of human platelets obtained from nine normal donors and two BSS donors. Sizes are evaluated from a cinematographic analysis of freely rotating, unfixed, and glutaraldehyde-hardened platelets in citrated PRP and of platelets on blood smear. On blood smeae, the mean diameters of BSS platelets are 1.7 to 1.8 times larger than those of normal platelets, with a major fraction having a diameter greater than 2.5 micrometer. As for normal donors, 80% to 90% BSS platelets in PRP are in the disc form (discocyte). In addition, they are essentially indistinguishable from a normal discocyte. Echinocytes (spherical forms with pseudopods) for BSS have a main body diameter (i.e., excluding pseudopods) 1.6 times larger than normal and in addition a reduced number of pseudopods. The results demonstrate that the giant size of BSS platelets results from abnormal behavior of these platelets during the preparation of the blood smear. It is suggested that this disorder is associated with a defect in the mechanism of platelet shape change.", "PMID": 618983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2841", "title": "Humoral regulation of thrombopoiesis in man.", "content": "Plasma was obtained before and after plateletpheresis-induced thrombocytopenia from two healthy male subjects during periods of ethanol ingestion and abstinence. Autologous reinfusion of these plasmas was performed at a later date when both subjects were hematologically normal. Eight thrombopoietically active plasmas produced an increased percent of immature megakaryocytes 24 hr after reinfusion and a peak rise in platelet count (averaging 148% of baseline values) at 5.8 days. Similar changes were not found with inactive plasmas, plasma collected at the end of a \"sham\" plateletpheresis, or plasma collected after 8 hr of ingestion of 296 gm of ethanol. A transient increase in TSA was found in plasmas collected at the end of plateletpheresis during abstinence, but this activity was not detected 12 hr later. The rapid disappearance of TSA, despite persistent thrombocytopenia, coincided with the appearance of an increased percent of immature magakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Elevated TSA was also noted at the end of plateletpheresis during ethanol ingestion but, in contrast to events during abstinence, remained elevated as long as ethanol ingestion continued.", "contents": "Humoral regulation of thrombopoiesis in man. Plasma was obtained before and after plateletpheresis-induced thrombocytopenia from two healthy male subjects during periods of ethanol ingestion and abstinence. Autologous reinfusion of these plasmas was performed at a later date when both subjects were hematologically normal. Eight thrombopoietically active plasmas produced an increased percent of immature megakaryocytes 24 hr after reinfusion and a peak rise in platelet count (averaging 148% of baseline values) at 5.8 days. Similar changes were not found with inactive plasmas, plasma collected at the end of a \"sham\" plateletpheresis, or plasma collected after 8 hr of ingestion of 296 gm of ethanol. A transient increase in TSA was found in plasmas collected at the end of plateletpheresis during abstinence, but this activity was not detected 12 hr later. The rapid disappearance of TSA, despite persistent thrombocytopenia, coincided with the appearance of an increased percent of immature magakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Elevated TSA was also noted at the end of plateletpheresis during ethanol ingestion but, in contrast to events during abstinence, remained elevated as long as ethanol ingestion continued.", "PMID": 618986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2842", "title": "A noninvasive method for the evaluation of tissue iron deposition in beta-thalassemia major.", "content": "DXS, a noninvasive method for the analysis and quantitation of trace elements in different tissues, was applied to quantitate the degree of iron overload in the skin of 19 patients with beta-thalassemia major. The duration of the test is short, it is not associated with inconvenience to the patient, and it can be repeated at different times at different locations on the outer surface of the body. In patients who receive numerous repeated blood transfusions, there was a close correlation between the dermal iron content and the rate of transfusions when they exeeded 6 units of packed RBC per year. In three patients with the spleen in situ, the dermal iron content was lower than in corresponding splenectomized patients. The rate of dermal iron accumulation was found to be similar to the rate of iron deposition in the liver, as assessed in a similar group of patients by repeated liver biopsies. The monitoring of the degree of iron accumulation in individual patients as a function of time and the effect of treatment with iron chelating agents can be determined noninvasively with the aid of DXS.", "contents": "A noninvasive method for the evaluation of tissue iron deposition in beta-thalassemia major. DXS, a noninvasive method for the analysis and quantitation of trace elements in different tissues, was applied to quantitate the degree of iron overload in the skin of 19 patients with beta-thalassemia major. The duration of the test is short, it is not associated with inconvenience to the patient, and it can be repeated at different times at different locations on the outer surface of the body. In patients who receive numerous repeated blood transfusions, there was a close correlation between the dermal iron content and the rate of transfusions when they exeeded 6 units of packed RBC per year. In three patients with the spleen in situ, the dermal iron content was lower than in corresponding splenectomized patients. The rate of dermal iron accumulation was found to be similar to the rate of iron deposition in the liver, as assessed in a similar group of patients by repeated liver biopsies. The monitoring of the degree of iron accumulation in individual patients as a function of time and the effect of treatment with iron chelating agents can be determined noninvasively with the aid of DXS.", "PMID": 618988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2843", "title": "Heterogeneity of human factor VIII. I. Characterization of factor VIII present in the supernatant of cryoprecipitate.", "content": "Recent observations suggest that plasma F VIII consists of a series of molecules with different molecular weights. The data described in this paper suggest that sup F VIII represents the molecules with relatively low molecular weights whereas the molecules with the highest molecular weights appear in cryo F VIII. Sup F VIII was associated with VIII:C and VIIIR:Ag, but ristocetin cofactor activity was lacking. Although the immunoprecipitation characteristics of sup F VIII with rabbit antifactor VIII were different from those of cryo F VIII, immunological identity was observed in immunodiffusion and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. In 0.8M NaCl sup F VIII dissociated into VIIIR:Ag of relatively high molecular weight and VIII:C of low molecular weight. No indications were obtained that the presence of sup F VIII was the result of proteolytic degradation of factor VIII. VIII:C of sup F VIII was more labile in vitro than VIII:C in plasma. It could be activated by traces of thrombin in a way similar to plasma F VIII. In patients with classic von Willebrand's disease relatively more VIII:C remained in the supernatant after cryoprecipitation of plasma.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of human factor VIII. I. Characterization of factor VIII present in the supernatant of cryoprecipitate. Recent observations suggest that plasma F VIII consists of a series of molecules with different molecular weights. The data described in this paper suggest that sup F VIII represents the molecules with relatively low molecular weights whereas the molecules with the highest molecular weights appear in cryo F VIII. Sup F VIII was associated with VIII:C and VIIIR:Ag, but ristocetin cofactor activity was lacking. Although the immunoprecipitation characteristics of sup F VIII with rabbit antifactor VIII were different from those of cryo F VIII, immunological identity was observed in immunodiffusion and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. In 0.8M NaCl sup F VIII dissociated into VIIIR:Ag of relatively high molecular weight and VIII:C of low molecular weight. No indications were obtained that the presence of sup F VIII was the result of proteolytic degradation of factor VIII. VIII:C of sup F VIII was more labile in vitro than VIII:C in plasma. It could be activated by traces of thrombin in a way similar to plasma F VIII. In patients with classic von Willebrand's disease relatively more VIII:C remained in the supernatant after cryoprecipitation of plasma.", "PMID": 618989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2844", "title": "Interaction of human platelets with heparinized agarose gel.", "content": "Platelet interaction with surfaces to which heparin had been covalently bonded was investigated with a chromatographic technique employing agarose gel beads heparinized via a cyanogen bromide reaction. Heparinization significantly increased platelet retention by the gel. Platelet retention was unchanged after pretreatment of the heparinized gel with albumin but increased after pretreatment with fibrinogen. Pretreatment with plasma or purified AT III decreased platelet retention. Reduction in platelet retention was correlated with the amount of AT III removed from plasma. Plasma with decreased levels of AT III was less effective in surface passivation. Pretreatment of heparinized gel with PF4 or protamine sulfate did not decrease platelet retention, but subsequent exposure to plasma did. The results suggest that a surface with covalently bonded heparin is reactive toward platelets but can be passivated by formation of a heparin/AT III complex.", "contents": "Interaction of human platelets with heparinized agarose gel. Platelet interaction with surfaces to which heparin had been covalently bonded was investigated with a chromatographic technique employing agarose gel beads heparinized via a cyanogen bromide reaction. Heparinization significantly increased platelet retention by the gel. Platelet retention was unchanged after pretreatment of the heparinized gel with albumin but increased after pretreatment with fibrinogen. Pretreatment with plasma or purified AT III decreased platelet retention. Reduction in platelet retention was correlated with the amount of AT III removed from plasma. Plasma with decreased levels of AT III was less effective in surface passivation. Pretreatment of heparinized gel with PF4 or protamine sulfate did not decrease platelet retention, but subsequent exposure to plasma did. The results suggest that a surface with covalently bonded heparin is reactive toward platelets but can be passivated by formation of a heparin/AT III complex.", "PMID": 618990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2845", "title": "Uremic hyperstannum: elevated tissue tin levels associated with uremia.", "content": "Previous work has shown that the concentration of the essential trace element tin is elevated in several tissues of dialyzed uremic patients. Analysis of 80 postmortem liver samples from controls and nondialyzed uremic and dialyzed uremic patients now shows that nondialyzed uremic patients also have abnormally high tin concentrations, averaging about three times that of controls. It is concluded that these elevated tin levels are associated with uremia rather than with dialysis. Abnormally high tin levels were also found in the kidneys of uremic patients at autopsy. This may have special importance, since tin has been shown to be a powerful inducer of heme oxygenase activity in rat kidney. The urinary excretion of tin by nondialysed uremic patients was measured and found to be normal.", "contents": "Uremic hyperstannum: elevated tissue tin levels associated with uremia. Previous work has shown that the concentration of the essential trace element tin is elevated in several tissues of dialyzed uremic patients. Analysis of 80 postmortem liver samples from controls and nondialyzed uremic and dialyzed uremic patients now shows that nondialyzed uremic patients also have abnormally high tin concentrations, averaging about three times that of controls. It is concluded that these elevated tin levels are associated with uremia rather than with dialysis. Abnormally high tin levels were also found in the kidneys of uremic patients at autopsy. This may have special importance, since tin has been shown to be a powerful inducer of heme oxygenase activity in rat kidney. The urinary excretion of tin by nondialysed uremic patients was measured and found to be normal.", "PMID": 618991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2846", "title": "Thrombin binding to thrombasthenic platelets.", "content": "Platelets from two patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia showed decreased iodination of surface glycoproteins GPIIb and GPIII. Despite these changes, the binding of [125I] alpha-thrombin to the thrombasthenic platelets was normal. Binding was linear up to a thrombin concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 U/ml, at which point a change in the slope of the binding curve was observed. At lower concentrations of thrombin, 1,000 to 2,000 molecules of thrombin were bound per platelet, with an apparent Kdiss of 0.1 to 0.3 U/ml. With high concentrations of thrombin, thrombasthenic platelets bound 30,000 to 65,000 molecules of thrombin per platelet at saturation, with an apparent Kdiss of 5 to 10 U/ml. The release of [14C]serotonin by thrombasthenic platelets as a function of thrombin concentration was also similar to release by normal platelets. These studies indicate that the receptor(s) for thrombin on the plasma membrane of platelets from patients with Glanzmann's disease are intact and that membrane glycoproteins GPIIb and GPIII play little or no role in either the initial binding of thrombin to platelets or the transmission of this surface stimulus to release-inducing mechanisms.", "contents": "Thrombin binding to thrombasthenic platelets. Platelets from two patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia showed decreased iodination of surface glycoproteins GPIIb and GPIII. Despite these changes, the binding of [125I] alpha-thrombin to the thrombasthenic platelets was normal. Binding was linear up to a thrombin concentration of 0.1 to 0.2 U/ml, at which point a change in the slope of the binding curve was observed. At lower concentrations of thrombin, 1,000 to 2,000 molecules of thrombin were bound per platelet, with an apparent Kdiss of 0.1 to 0.3 U/ml. With high concentrations of thrombin, thrombasthenic platelets bound 30,000 to 65,000 molecules of thrombin per platelet at saturation, with an apparent Kdiss of 5 to 10 U/ml. The release of [14C]serotonin by thrombasthenic platelets as a function of thrombin concentration was also similar to release by normal platelets. These studies indicate that the receptor(s) for thrombin on the plasma membrane of platelets from patients with Glanzmann's disease are intact and that membrane glycoproteins GPIIb and GPIII play little or no role in either the initial binding of thrombin to platelets or the transmission of this surface stimulus to release-inducing mechanisms.", "PMID": 618992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2847", "title": "Determination of prekallikrein in human plasma: optimal conditions for activating prekallikrein.", "content": "A method for the assay of human plasma prekallikrein in which a chromogenic synthetic tripeptide, PPAN, is used as a substrate for kallikrein is described. The conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein is achieved by cold activation (0 degrees C) with water-soluble dextran sulfate. Conditions for obtaining optimal amounts of free kallikrein with respect to concentration of dextran sulfate, activation time, inhibitors (C-1-inactivator), and requirement of factor XII have been determined. The activation procedure is compared to other known procedures. The assay system was worked out for pooled normal plasma and is applicable to any plasma sample not liable to unwanted preactivation or incomplete inactivation, as revealed by control experiments. A survey in 15 apparently health individuals showed a mean activity of 476 +/- 58 (S.D.) mU/ml with a range of 385 to 586 mU/ml.", "contents": "Determination of prekallikrein in human plasma: optimal conditions for activating prekallikrein. A method for the assay of human plasma prekallikrein in which a chromogenic synthetic tripeptide, PPAN, is used as a substrate for kallikrein is described. The conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein is achieved by cold activation (0 degrees C) with water-soluble dextran sulfate. Conditions for obtaining optimal amounts of free kallikrein with respect to concentration of dextran sulfate, activation time, inhibitors (C-1-inactivator), and requirement of factor XII have been determined. The activation procedure is compared to other known procedures. The assay system was worked out for pooled normal plasma and is applicable to any plasma sample not liable to unwanted preactivation or incomplete inactivation, as revealed by control experiments. A survey in 15 apparently health individuals showed a mean activity of 476 +/- 58 (S.D.) mU/ml with a range of 385 to 586 mU/ml.", "PMID": 618993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2848", "title": "Stressful life events and community mental health center patients.", "content": "This paper reports on the occurrence of stressful life events prior to treatment and at a follow-up timepoint in a general sample of community mental health center patients. Life events scores from the patients, at both timepoints, are compared with scores from a nonpatient sample drawn from the community. Results indicate that patients before entering treatment tend to experience more events (particularly undesirable ones that could be confounded with psychological condition) than nonpatients. The result is no longer true at the follow-up time point. Findings regarding life events and patienthood are basically the same whether all events are used (i.e., the change score) or undesirable events alone. If, however, only events judged to be unconfounded with psychological condition are considered, we find no difference between patients and nonpatients at either timepoint. Implications of the study's results for the direction-of-effect issue with respect to the stress-psychological disorder relationship are discussed.", "contents": "Stressful life events and community mental health center patients. This paper reports on the occurrence of stressful life events prior to treatment and at a follow-up timepoint in a general sample of community mental health center patients. Life events scores from the patients, at both timepoints, are compared with scores from a nonpatient sample drawn from the community. Results indicate that patients before entering treatment tend to experience more events (particularly undesirable ones that could be confounded with psychological condition) than nonpatients. The result is no longer true at the follow-up time point. Findings regarding life events and patienthood are basically the same whether all events are used (i.e., the change score) or undesirable events alone. If, however, only events judged to be unconfounded with psychological condition are considered, we find no difference between patients and nonpatients at either timepoint. Implications of the study's results for the direction-of-effect issue with respect to the stress-psychological disorder relationship are discussed.", "PMID": 618999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2849", "title": "Social functioning and self-care in hospitalized psychogeriatric patients.", "content": "Evaluations of social disability have been found useful in determining factors of diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic significance in the management of psychogeriatric patients. A random sample of 100 psychogeriatric patients aged 65 or over admitted to three Toronto hospitals were studied prospectively. Standardized clinical and social interview schedules were used to assess patients' mental state, self-care capacity, social isolation, burden on the family and household contribution before admission. These assessments were carried out to determine their significance with respect to diagnosis and outcome. Self-care capacity, as measured by the Activities of Daily Living Performance Test or by informant report, was related to diagnosis and outcome measures in this sample. Social isolation was significantly correlated with length of hospital stay. Burden on the family was not found to be significantly associated with diagnosis or outcome although there was a tendency for patients with organic disorders to present more difficulties for their families. The severe burden imposed on relatives suggests the need for utilization of community social and medical services to provide relief for families of psychogeriatric patients. The implications for management are considered in the light of the above findings.", "contents": "Social functioning and self-care in hospitalized psychogeriatric patients. Evaluations of social disability have been found useful in determining factors of diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic significance in the management of psychogeriatric patients. A random sample of 100 psychogeriatric patients aged 65 or over admitted to three Toronto hospitals were studied prospectively. Standardized clinical and social interview schedules were used to assess patients' mental state, self-care capacity, social isolation, burden on the family and household contribution before admission. These assessments were carried out to determine their significance with respect to diagnosis and outcome. Self-care capacity, as measured by the Activities of Daily Living Performance Test or by informant report, was related to diagnosis and outcome measures in this sample. Social isolation was significantly correlated with length of hospital stay. Burden on the family was not found to be significantly associated with diagnosis or outcome although there was a tendency for patients with organic disorders to present more difficulties for their families. The severe burden imposed on relatives suggests the need for utilization of community social and medical services to provide relief for families of psychogeriatric patients. The implications for management are considered in the light of the above findings.", "PMID": 619000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2850", "title": "Drug dependence: a study of the relationship between motivational, cognitive, social and historical factors, and treatment variables.", "content": "The question of why addicts seek and remain in treatment has received very little attention. In the present study, 40 addicts requesting inpatient treatment for drug dependence were interviewed prior to admission about cognitive, motivational, social, and historical factors. These factors were investigated in relation to their association with certain treatment variables--whether or not the individual subsequently presented for admission, the manner in which inpatient treatment was terminated, and the length of stay. The factors most potent as predictors included the addict's evaluation of the drug unit itself, and social pressures from the family. Forensic factors were found to be positively related to length of admission; and motivation for treatment--a problematic concept which has frequently been regarded as tautologous--is also discussed. The results point to the complex interaction of factors associated with the addict's decision to seek treatment.", "contents": "Drug dependence: a study of the relationship between motivational, cognitive, social and historical factors, and treatment variables. The question of why addicts seek and remain in treatment has received very little attention. In the present study, 40 addicts requesting inpatient treatment for drug dependence were interviewed prior to admission about cognitive, motivational, social, and historical factors. These factors were investigated in relation to their association with certain treatment variables--whether or not the individual subsequently presented for admission, the manner in which inpatient treatment was terminated, and the length of stay. The factors most potent as predictors included the addict's evaluation of the drug unit itself, and social pressures from the family. Forensic factors were found to be positively related to length of admission; and motivation for treatment--a problematic concept which has frequently been regarded as tautologous--is also discussed. The results point to the complex interaction of factors associated with the addict's decision to seek treatment.", "PMID": 619001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2851", "title": "Course and prognosis of the syndrome of doubles.", "content": "The course and prognosis of 20 patients with the syndrome of doubles (syndrome of Capgras, syndrome of Fr\u00e9goli, syndrome of intermetamorphosis, syndrome of subjective doubles) were studied. The onset of the syndrome occurred either synchronously or at a later stage than the onset of the associated psychosis. The syndrome failed to remit in seven of the 20 cases, and in the others remission occurred either synchronously with or later than the remission of the basic psychosis. In all cases of depression, the syndrome cleared shortly after remission of the depressive illness. It was, however, more persistent than the accompanying psychosis in the schizophrenic patients with the Capgras variety. Relapse of the basic psychotic condition in the setting of which the syndrome had originally developed was invariably accompanied by reappearance of the syndrome.", "contents": "Course and prognosis of the syndrome of doubles. The course and prognosis of 20 patients with the syndrome of doubles (syndrome of Capgras, syndrome of Fr\u00e9goli, syndrome of intermetamorphosis, syndrome of subjective doubles) were studied. The onset of the syndrome occurred either synchronously or at a later stage than the onset of the associated psychosis. The syndrome failed to remit in seven of the 20 cases, and in the others remission occurred either synchronously with or later than the remission of the basic psychosis. In all cases of depression, the syndrome cleared shortly after remission of the depressive illness. It was, however, more persistent than the accompanying psychosis in the schizophrenic patients with the Capgras variety. Relapse of the basic psychotic condition in the setting of which the syndrome had originally developed was invariably accompanied by reappearance of the syndrome.", "PMID": 619004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2852", "title": "Some issues in research on stressful life events.", "content": "This paper is concerned with the kind of work that is needed in order to provide a more solid scientific foundation for the belief that life stress causes illness. Although indirect evidence from controlled laboratory studies and from extreme situations provides strong indications of the general relationship between stress and illness, the evidence concerning the effects of naturally occurring and more ordinary stressful life events is less clear. Although we have a body of research indicating that life events are associated with a wide range of disorders and distress, it does not provide a clear picture of the nature and strength of this relationship. In order to clarify our understanding of how stressful life events affect health and illness, we will need to deal with methodological issues that have emerged from research to date and to tackle a major substantive problem that has been largely neglected. The methodological issues are three: a) definition of the populations of life events to be studied; b) measurement of the magnitudes of the life events; and c) use of a research design appropriate to the question to be answered. The substantive issue concerns factors that mediate the impact of life events. Each of these issues is examined in turn in this paper.", "contents": "Some issues in research on stressful life events. This paper is concerned with the kind of work that is needed in order to provide a more solid scientific foundation for the belief that life stress causes illness. Although indirect evidence from controlled laboratory studies and from extreme situations provides strong indications of the general relationship between stress and illness, the evidence concerning the effects of naturally occurring and more ordinary stressful life events is less clear. Although we have a body of research indicating that life events are associated with a wide range of disorders and distress, it does not provide a clear picture of the nature and strength of this relationship. In order to clarify our understanding of how stressful life events affect health and illness, we will need to deal with methodological issues that have emerged from research to date and to tackle a major substantive problem that has been largely neglected. The methodological issues are three: a) definition of the populations of life events to be studied; b) measurement of the magnitudes of the life events; and c) use of a research design appropriate to the question to be answered. The substantive issue concerns factors that mediate the impact of life events. Each of these issues is examined in turn in this paper.", "PMID": 619005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2853", "title": "Morphologic and metabolic studies in a case of oculo-cranio-somatic neuromuscular disease.", "content": "A case resembling the syndrome of \"ophthalmoplegia plus\" or \"oculo-cranio-somatic neuromuscular disease\" is reported. A biopsy of deltoid muscle showed that 23% of the fibers were \"ragged-red fibers\" and were all type 1. Study of their ultrastructure revealed clusters of abnormal skeletal muscle mitochondria in subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar spaces. A liver biopsy also revealed a considerable increase in the number and size of the mitochondria. In some instances the mitochondria contained osmiophilic rounded inclusions surrounded by myelin-like structures. Metabolic studies revealed an increase of blood lactate concentration after very light exercise, while the O2 consumption was increased within the expected range. It is concluded that: a) the association of ophthalmoplegia and ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondria in muscle fibers may represent a specific nosographic entity: b) mitochondrial abnormalities are not limited to the skeletal muscles and c) the dysmetabolic basis of such a clinico-pathological entity might lie in an alteration of the mechanism which regulates the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.", "contents": "Morphologic and metabolic studies in a case of oculo-cranio-somatic neuromuscular disease. A case resembling the syndrome of \"ophthalmoplegia plus\" or \"oculo-cranio-somatic neuromuscular disease\" is reported. A biopsy of deltoid muscle showed that 23% of the fibers were \"ragged-red fibers\" and were all type 1. Study of their ultrastructure revealed clusters of abnormal skeletal muscle mitochondria in subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar spaces. A liver biopsy also revealed a considerable increase in the number and size of the mitochondria. In some instances the mitochondria contained osmiophilic rounded inclusions surrounded by myelin-like structures. Metabolic studies revealed an increase of blood lactate concentration after very light exercise, while the O2 consumption was increased within the expected range. It is concluded that: a) the association of ophthalmoplegia and ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondria in muscle fibers may represent a specific nosographic entity: b) mitochondrial abnormalities are not limited to the skeletal muscles and c) the dysmetabolic basis of such a clinico-pathological entity might lie in an alteration of the mechanism which regulates the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.", "PMID": 619006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2854", "title": "Dystopic myelination with hypertrophy of pyramidal tract.", "content": "In a case of hypertrophy of the pyramidal tract the cross section of the hypertrophic pyramids was 174% of controls with an increase (148%) in the total population of myelinated fibers. However, there was no commensurate increase in the density of Betz cells. Confined to the hypertrophic tract there was a peculiar anomaly consisting of tubes of thick myelin sheaths that encompassed columns of glial nuclei instead of axons. This type of change, along with the clinical data, may indicate that the lesion originated in the perinatal period when myelin formation is in progress and is susceptible to derangement.", "contents": "Dystopic myelination with hypertrophy of pyramidal tract. In a case of hypertrophy of the pyramidal tract the cross section of the hypertrophic pyramids was 174% of controls with an increase (148%) in the total population of myelinated fibers. However, there was no commensurate increase in the density of Betz cells. Confined to the hypertrophic tract there was a peculiar anomaly consisting of tubes of thick myelin sheaths that encompassed columns of glial nuclei instead of axons. This type of change, along with the clinical data, may indicate that the lesion originated in the perinatal period when myelin formation is in progress and is susceptible to derangement.", "PMID": 619007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2855", "title": "Pathogenesis of the Arnold-Chiari malformation: the significance of hydrocephalus and aqueduct stenosis.", "content": "In 24 cases of spina bifida, correlations were made comparing the degree of hydrocephalus with the cross-sectional area of the supratentorial compartment, posterior fossa, hindbrain prolapse, size of myelocele, and degree of fibrovascular reaction at the base of the brain. The size and postion of the aqueduct and fourth ventricle were compared with the degree of hydrocephalus. The results demonstrate that the aqueduct stenosis is usually due to external compression of the mesencephalon. The results also suggest that the size of the posterior fossa and hindbrain prolapse are secondary to hydrocephalus. It is postulated that the hydrocephalic process may be initiated by fibrovascular occlusion of the basal subarachnoid space.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of the Arnold-Chiari malformation: the significance of hydrocephalus and aqueduct stenosis. In 24 cases of spina bifida, correlations were made comparing the degree of hydrocephalus with the cross-sectional area of the supratentorial compartment, posterior fossa, hindbrain prolapse, size of myelocele, and degree of fibrovascular reaction at the base of the brain. The size and postion of the aqueduct and fourth ventricle were compared with the degree of hydrocephalus. The results demonstrate that the aqueduct stenosis is usually due to external compression of the mesencephalon. The results also suggest that the size of the posterior fossa and hindbrain prolapse are secondary to hydrocephalus. It is postulated that the hydrocephalic process may be initiated by fibrovascular occlusion of the basal subarachnoid space.", "PMID": 619008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2856", "title": "A critical comparison of neurosurgical and otolaryngological approaches to acoustic neuromas.", "content": "Neurosurgeons have traditionally advocated the transmeatal suboccipital craniectomy as the procedure of choice in treating acoustic neuromas of all sizes. With this technique, complete tumor removal was achieved in 91% of our patients. Facial motor activity was fully preserved in 59% and it was only partially deficient in an additional 29%. Conversely, recent otological reports have proposed a more flexible attitute in which the size of the tumor dictates the form of surgical therapy. In that scheme, the universally applicable and clinically proven suboccipital craniectomy is replaced by a series of procedures (translabyrinthine, middle fossa, transsigmoidal), each of which differs in its anatomical and technical requirements. This necessity for several operations seems to stem from the failure of any particular approach either to provide adequate visualization of the entire pathological process, or to afford maximum opportunity for complete tumor removal. By employing these various techniques, total capsular removal has been generally achieved in only 71% of cases. A careful comparison and analysis of these individual procedures reaffirms the superiority of the posterior fossa approach.", "contents": "A critical comparison of neurosurgical and otolaryngological approaches to acoustic neuromas. Neurosurgeons have traditionally advocated the transmeatal suboccipital craniectomy as the procedure of choice in treating acoustic neuromas of all sizes. With this technique, complete tumor removal was achieved in 91% of our patients. Facial motor activity was fully preserved in 59% and it was only partially deficient in an additional 29%. Conversely, recent otological reports have proposed a more flexible attitute in which the size of the tumor dictates the form of surgical therapy. In that scheme, the universally applicable and clinically proven suboccipital craniectomy is replaced by a series of procedures (translabyrinthine, middle fossa, transsigmoidal), each of which differs in its anatomical and technical requirements. This necessity for several operations seems to stem from the failure of any particular approach either to provide adequate visualization of the entire pathological process, or to afford maximum opportunity for complete tumor removal. By employing these various techniques, total capsular removal has been generally achieved in only 71% of cases. A careful comparison and analysis of these individual procedures reaffirms the superiority of the posterior fossa approach.", "PMID": 619009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2857", "title": "Extrapyramidal disorder with pineal germinoma. Case report.", "content": "Space-occupying lesions of the basal ganglia are a rare cause of extrapyramidal dysfunction in children. Metastatic pineal germinoma in both basal ganglia produced dystonia in a 12-year-old boy. The literature is reviewed. Extrapyramidal manifestations in the child are compared with previously reported cases of basal ganglia neoplasms.", "contents": "Extrapyramidal disorder with pineal germinoma. Case report. Space-occupying lesions of the basal ganglia are a rare cause of extrapyramidal dysfunction in children. Metastatic pineal germinoma in both basal ganglia produced dystonia in a 12-year-old boy. The literature is reviewed. Extrapyramidal manifestations in the child are compared with previously reported cases of basal ganglia neoplasms.", "PMID": 619010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2858", "title": "Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistulae of mixed types with unusual radiological and neuropathological findings.", "content": "This report describes a case of bilateral post-traumatic carotid-carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCF), of both typical and atypical types, with delayed clinical deterioration. Unusual neuropathological lesions, distinctive from those due to direct cerebral trauma, are related to combined arterial ischemia and venous hypertension. Atypical CCF is not necessarily a benign disorder. Radiological monitoring is essential to detect spontaneous progressive intracranial shunting, to predict areas that are at risk from venous hypertension, and to identify remote sites of circulatory vulnerability.", "contents": "Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistulae of mixed types with unusual radiological and neuropathological findings. This report describes a case of bilateral post-traumatic carotid-carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCF), of both typical and atypical types, with delayed clinical deterioration. Unusual neuropathological lesions, distinctive from those due to direct cerebral trauma, are related to combined arterial ischemia and venous hypertension. Atypical CCF is not necessarily a benign disorder. Radiological monitoring is essential to detect spontaneous progressive intracranial shunting, to predict areas that are at risk from venous hypertension, and to identify remote sites of circulatory vulnerability.", "PMID": 619011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2859", "title": "Herniated thoracic disc at T1-2 level associated with Horner's syndrome. Case report.", "content": "A case of symptomatic herniation at the first thoracic disc level is reported. The patient presented with hand weakness, Horner's syndrome, and pain radiating along the medial aspect of the upper extremity. Myelography demonstrated a smooth lateral defect at T1-2. Three sequestrated epidural disc fragments were removed with postoperatvie relief of pain. A slightly miotic pupil remains.", "contents": "Herniated thoracic disc at T1-2 level associated with Horner's syndrome. Case report. A case of symptomatic herniation at the first thoracic disc level is reported. The patient presented with hand weakness, Horner's syndrome, and pain radiating along the medial aspect of the upper extremity. Myelography demonstrated a smooth lateral defect at T1-2. Three sequestrated epidural disc fragments were removed with postoperatvie relief of pain. A slightly miotic pupil remains.", "PMID": 619013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2860", "title": "Spinal cord vasculitis presenting as a spinal cord tumor in a heroin addict. Case report.", "content": "Progressive quadriparesis in a heroin addict was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and myelographic findings as an intramedullary cervical spinal cord tumor. A biopsy of the enlarged cervical spinal cord showed myelomalacia, vasculitis, and many doubly refractile bodies in the parenchyma and vessel walls.", "contents": "Spinal cord vasculitis presenting as a spinal cord tumor in a heroin addict. Case report. Progressive quadriparesis in a heroin addict was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and myelographic findings as an intramedullary cervical spinal cord tumor. A biopsy of the enlarged cervical spinal cord showed myelomalacia, vasculitis, and many doubly refractile bodies in the parenchyma and vessel walls.", "PMID": 619014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2861", "title": "Mobile schwannoma of the cauda equina. Case report.", "content": "A patient with a mobile schwannoma of the cauda equina is described. The wide discrepancy between the myelographic and surgical locations of the tumor is most unusual. Awareness of the possibility of such an extreme degree of motility is important when dealing with cauda equina tumors.", "contents": "Mobile schwannoma of the cauda equina. Case report. A patient with a mobile schwannoma of the cauda equina is described. The wide discrepancy between the myelographic and surgical locations of the tumor is most unusual. Awareness of the possibility of such an extreme degree of motility is important when dealing with cauda equina tumors.", "PMID": 619015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2862", "title": "Camurati-Engelmann disease (progressive hereditary craniodiaphyseal dysplasia). Case report.", "content": "In a patient with Camurati-Engelmann disease, orbital and optic nerve decompression resulted in improvement of papilledema. Subsequent x-ray films of the optic canals, however, revealed reconstitution of osseous optic canals bilaterally, and papilledema has returned in one eye. Definitive treatment of this dysplastic metabolic bone disorder rests in the control of rapid abnormal bone formation.", "contents": "Camurati-Engelmann disease (progressive hereditary craniodiaphyseal dysplasia). Case report. In a patient with Camurati-Engelmann disease, orbital and optic nerve decompression resulted in improvement of papilledema. Subsequent x-ray films of the optic canals, however, revealed reconstitution of osseous optic canals bilaterally, and papilledema has returned in one eye. Definitive treatment of this dysplastic metabolic bone disorder rests in the control of rapid abnormal bone formation.", "PMID": 619016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2863", "title": "Inferior vena cava and hepatic vein thrombosis as a rare complication of ventriculoatrial shunt. Case report.", "content": "A case is reported of hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) complicating ventriculoatrial shunt for tumoral hydrocephalus. The diagnosis of hepatic vein thrombosis requires specific radiographic investigations that are unlikely to be undertaken unless the condition is specifically suspected. An awareness of this rare and frequently fatal complication is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.", "contents": "Inferior vena cava and hepatic vein thrombosis as a rare complication of ventriculoatrial shunt. Case report. A case is reported of hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome) complicating ventriculoatrial shunt for tumoral hydrocephalus. The diagnosis of hepatic vein thrombosis requires specific radiographic investigations that are unlikely to be undertaken unless the condition is specifically suspected. An awareness of this rare and frequently fatal complication is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.", "PMID": 619017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2864", "title": "Migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt into the chest. Case report.", "content": "A case is presented of a baby in whom the abdominal catheter of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt entered the thoracic cavity. It is believed that the catheter migrated along the xiphocostal margin beneath the rectus abdominis muscle.", "contents": "Migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt into the chest. Case report. A case is presented of a baby in whom the abdominal catheter of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt entered the thoracic cavity. It is believed that the catheter migrated along the xiphocostal margin beneath the rectus abdominis muscle.", "PMID": 619018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2865", "title": "Coexisting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas.", "content": "seventeen cases of coexisting secreting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas are presented. The location of the cisternal invagination into the sella was not helpful in predicting the location of the tumor. In patients with endocrine indication of a secreting pituitary neoplasm, the finding of a partially empty sella should not contradict the diagnosis.", "contents": "Coexisting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas. seventeen cases of coexisting secreting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas are presented. The location of the cisternal invagination into the sella was not helpful in predicting the location of the tumor. In patients with endocrine indication of a secreting pituitary neoplasm, the finding of a partially empty sella should not contradict the diagnosis.", "PMID": 619021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2866", "title": "SEM evaluation of endothelial damage following temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in dogs.", "content": "Microsurgical clips and tourniquets were used to occlude middle cerebral arteries of dogs for 45-minute periods. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy studies revealed significant endothelial damage in many of these arteries. Less traumatic microsurgical clips are needed for temporary small vessel occlusion.", "contents": "SEM evaluation of endothelial damage following temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in dogs. Microsurgical clips and tourniquets were used to occlude middle cerebral arteries of dogs for 45-minute periods. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy studies revealed significant endothelial damage in many of these arteries. Less traumatic microsurgical clips are needed for temporary small vessel occlusion.", "PMID": 619023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2867", "title": "Ultrastructural changes in feline arterial endothelium following subarachnoid hemorrhage.", "content": "Scanning electron microscopy of feline basilar arterial endothelium 4 hours, and 1, 3,5, and 7 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) showed longitudinal furrows that correlated with angiographically demonstrated vasospasm. These ridges persisted after fixation at physiological pressure, and probably reflected medial contraction with undulation of the underlying elastic lamina. No change in endothelial cell morphology or thrombogenesis was observed as long as 7 days after SAH. There is no evidence from this study to suggest that ischemia from vasospasm is a product of thromboembolism from damaged endothelial surfaces.", "contents": "Ultrastructural changes in feline arterial endothelium following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Scanning electron microscopy of feline basilar arterial endothelium 4 hours, and 1, 3,5, and 7 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) showed longitudinal furrows that correlated with angiographically demonstrated vasospasm. These ridges persisted after fixation at physiological pressure, and probably reflected medial contraction with undulation of the underlying elastic lamina. No change in endothelial cell morphology or thrombogenesis was observed as long as 7 days after SAH. There is no evidence from this study to suggest that ischemia from vasospasm is a product of thromboembolism from damaged endothelial surfaces.", "PMID": 619024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2868", "title": "Pathological changes from acute to chronic in experimental spinal cord trauma.", "content": "The pathological changes occurring in the thoracic spinal cords of 41 cats were studied by light microscopy at 4 hours, 4 weeks, and 4 months after graded transdural trauma. Alterations characteristic of a vascular injury proportionate to the magnitude of the original trauma which results in tissue hypoxia, destruction, and reparation were identified at each interval studied. In more severely injured animals these changes consisted of an initial hemorrhagic infarction followed by the removal of necrotic parenchyma and the development of an adhesive arachnoiditis and intramedullary carvitation. A comparison of the findings in the present investigation with what has been described in postmortem studies of spinal cord injured patients indicates that the response of the spinal cord to non-disruptive trauma is similar in both cases.", "contents": "Pathological changes from acute to chronic in experimental spinal cord trauma. The pathological changes occurring in the thoracic spinal cords of 41 cats were studied by light microscopy at 4 hours, 4 weeks, and 4 months after graded transdural trauma. Alterations characteristic of a vascular injury proportionate to the magnitude of the original trauma which results in tissue hypoxia, destruction, and reparation were identified at each interval studied. In more severely injured animals these changes consisted of an initial hemorrhagic infarction followed by the removal of necrotic parenchyma and the development of an adhesive arachnoiditis and intramedullary carvitation. A comparison of the findings in the present investigation with what has been described in postmortem studies of spinal cord injured patients indicates that the response of the spinal cord to non-disruptive trauma is similar in both cases.", "PMID": 619028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2869", "title": "Pineal and suprasellar germinomas. Results of radiation treatment.", "content": "The results of radiation treatment of 52 patients with a tumor in the pineal region or a suprasellar germinoma are analyzed. The overall 5-year survival rate was 59%. Ten patients in whom initial biopsy confirmed pineal germinoma were all alive 2 to 121 months from diagnosis, although two developed meningeal seeding at 2 and 7 months. Twelve of 15 patients 25 years old or younger with an unbiopsied tumor in the pineal region were alive 12 to 225 months after irradiation, with a 5-year survival rate of 81%. In comparison only five of 16 patients older than 25 years with a pineal region tumor survived, a 5-year survival rate of 37%. This marked age dependence in survival rates was attributed to a high proportion of germinomas in the younger patients and gliomas in the older patients.", "contents": "Pineal and suprasellar germinomas. Results of radiation treatment. The results of radiation treatment of 52 patients with a tumor in the pineal region or a suprasellar germinoma are analyzed. The overall 5-year survival rate was 59%. Ten patients in whom initial biopsy confirmed pineal germinoma were all alive 2 to 121 months from diagnosis, although two developed meningeal seeding at 2 and 7 months. Twelve of 15 patients 25 years old or younger with an unbiopsied tumor in the pineal region were alive 12 to 225 months after irradiation, with a 5-year survival rate of 81%. In comparison only five of 16 patients older than 25 years with a pineal region tumor survived, a 5-year survival rate of 37%. This marked age dependence in survival rates was attributed to a high proportion of germinomas in the younger patients and gliomas in the older patients.", "PMID": 619029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2870", "title": "Influence of different levels of dietary pyridoxine on milk composition in the rat.", "content": "The effects of five different levels of dietary pyridoxine on milk composition were studied in the rat. Sprague-Dawley strain rats received diets containing 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 or 19.2 mg pyridoxine-HCl/kg diet throughout growth, gestation and lactation. Milk samples obtained on days 10, 11, and 12 of lactation were similar in concentrations of total fat, solids-not-fat, carbohydrate, casein and non-casein protein for rats fed the five levels of pyridoxine. The level of vitamin B-6 in milk was significantly higher for rats fed 9.6 or 19.2 mg pyridoxine.HCl/kg diet compared to values for rats fed the three lower levels of vitamin. A higher level of dietary pyridoxine (9.6 mg/kg diet) was required to increase the levels of the vitamin in mammary gland and milk than was needed for maternal liver (4.8 mg/kg) or muscle tissue (2.4 mg/kg). The findings indicated that as the level of pyridoxine was decreased in the diet from an apparently adequate level, the concentration of the vitamin in milk decreased before that in liver or muscle tissue. This suggested that the concentration of the vitamin in milk was an indicator of marginal deficiency of vitamin B-6.", "contents": "Influence of different levels of dietary pyridoxine on milk composition in the rat. The effects of five different levels of dietary pyridoxine on milk composition were studied in the rat. Sprague-Dawley strain rats received diets containing 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 or 19.2 mg pyridoxine-HCl/kg diet throughout growth, gestation and lactation. Milk samples obtained on days 10, 11, and 12 of lactation were similar in concentrations of total fat, solids-not-fat, carbohydrate, casein and non-casein protein for rats fed the five levels of pyridoxine. The level of vitamin B-6 in milk was significantly higher for rats fed 9.6 or 19.2 mg pyridoxine.HCl/kg diet compared to values for rats fed the three lower levels of vitamin. A higher level of dietary pyridoxine (9.6 mg/kg diet) was required to increase the levels of the vitamin in mammary gland and milk than was needed for maternal liver (4.8 mg/kg) or muscle tissue (2.4 mg/kg). The findings indicated that as the level of pyridoxine was decreased in the diet from an apparently adequate level, the concentration of the vitamin in milk decreased before that in liver or muscle tissue. This suggested that the concentration of the vitamin in milk was an indicator of marginal deficiency of vitamin B-6.", "PMID": 619031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2871", "title": "The effect of litter size on weight gain in mice.", "content": "The body weights of rodents at weaning are generally believed to be inversely related to the number of animals in the litter during the birth-to-weaning period. Quantitative data for rats have been published, but not for mice. Using carefully matched litters, we have measured the average body weights of mice raised in litters containing 2, 4, 6, and 12 pups relative to the average body weight of litters of eight pups. Except for the 2 pup litters, the inverse relation was found to hold. It is also shown that the pattern of average weaning weight as a function of litter size is the same as previously published by two other groups using rats.", "contents": "The effect of litter size on weight gain in mice. The body weights of rodents at weaning are generally believed to be inversely related to the number of animals in the litter during the birth-to-weaning period. Quantitative data for rats have been published, but not for mice. Using carefully matched litters, we have measured the average body weights of mice raised in litters containing 2, 4, 6, and 12 pups relative to the average body weight of litters of eight pups. Except for the 2 pup litters, the inverse relation was found to hold. It is also shown that the pattern of average weaning weight as a function of litter size is the same as previously published by two other groups using rats.", "PMID": 619032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2872", "title": "Influence of dietary potassium on lysine metabolism in the chick.", "content": "High levels of dietary cations have been reported to spare the arginine requirement of chicks fed a diet containing excess lysine. The present studies were conducted to determine the nature of this effect, using potassium as the variable cation. The inclusion of 1.8% potassium in a high lysine diet improved growth but did not affect consistently the efficiency of feed utilization, nor did it have a significant effect on arginine metabolism as measured by renal arginase activity, urea excretion or arginine excretion. Lysine catabolism was markedly increased, however. Chicks fed the potassium supplemented diet converted approximately 23% of an oral loading dose of 14C lysine to respiratory 14CO2 over a 6-hour period, in contrast to approximately 9% of the dose in chicks fed the unsupplemented diet containing 0.4% potassium. The activity of hepatic lysine-alpha-ketoglutarate reductase, an initial enzyme in the catabolism of lysine, was increased in response to potassium or arginine supplementation. It is proposed that high levels of potassium or other cations may improve the growth of chicks fed diets containing excess lysine by increasing lysine catabolism. The effect on growth may be mediated primarily by increasing food intake and to a lesser extent by alleviation of the other metabolic manifestation of the lysine-arginine antagonism.", "contents": "Influence of dietary potassium on lysine metabolism in the chick. High levels of dietary cations have been reported to spare the arginine requirement of chicks fed a diet containing excess lysine. The present studies were conducted to determine the nature of this effect, using potassium as the variable cation. The inclusion of 1.8% potassium in a high lysine diet improved growth but did not affect consistently the efficiency of feed utilization, nor did it have a significant effect on arginine metabolism as measured by renal arginase activity, urea excretion or arginine excretion. Lysine catabolism was markedly increased, however. Chicks fed the potassium supplemented diet converted approximately 23% of an oral loading dose of 14C lysine to respiratory 14CO2 over a 6-hour period, in contrast to approximately 9% of the dose in chicks fed the unsupplemented diet containing 0.4% potassium. The activity of hepatic lysine-alpha-ketoglutarate reductase, an initial enzyme in the catabolism of lysine, was increased in response to potassium or arginine supplementation. It is proposed that high levels of potassium or other cations may improve the growth of chicks fed diets containing excess lysine by increasing lysine catabolism. The effect on growth may be mediated primarily by increasing food intake and to a lesser extent by alleviation of the other metabolic manifestation of the lysine-arginine antagonism.", "PMID": 619034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2873", "title": "Iron deficiency hyperlipidemia in 18-day-old rat pups: effects of milk lipids, lipoprotein lipase, and triglyceride synthesis.", "content": "Three levels of iron (5, 29, 307 ppm iron) were fed to rats from conception through the 18th day of lactation. Dams in the 5 ppm iron group and pups in the 5 and 29 ppm iron groups developed anemia characterized by lower hemoglobin and hematocrit values than control animals. Liver and spleen levels of iron in dams and pups in the 5 and 29 ppm iron groups were lower than in the 307 ppm iron groups. Milk iron was lower in the 5 ppm iron group than in the 29 and 307 ppm iron groups. Pups in the 5 ppm iron group had hyperlipidemia characterized by elevated serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids. Milk lipids and post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase levels in pups did not differ among experimental groups. Triglyceride and CO2 production from [U-14C]glucose were significantly greater in the iron-deficient pups than in control pups. Hyperlipidemia in 18-day-old iron-deficient rat pups appears to be related to increased endogenous production of triglycerides.", "contents": "Iron deficiency hyperlipidemia in 18-day-old rat pups: effects of milk lipids, lipoprotein lipase, and triglyceride synthesis. Three levels of iron (5, 29, 307 ppm iron) were fed to rats from conception through the 18th day of lactation. Dams in the 5 ppm iron group and pups in the 5 and 29 ppm iron groups developed anemia characterized by lower hemoglobin and hematocrit values than control animals. Liver and spleen levels of iron in dams and pups in the 5 and 29 ppm iron groups were lower than in the 307 ppm iron groups. Milk iron was lower in the 5 ppm iron group than in the 29 and 307 ppm iron groups. Pups in the 5 ppm iron group had hyperlipidemia characterized by elevated serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids. Milk lipids and post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase levels in pups did not differ among experimental groups. Triglyceride and CO2 production from [U-14C]glucose were significantly greater in the iron-deficient pups than in control pups. Hyperlipidemia in 18-day-old iron-deficient rat pups appears to be related to increased endogenous production of triglycerides.", "PMID": 619036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2874", "title": "Threonine metabolism in vivo: effect of threonine intake and prior induction of threonine dehydratase in rats.", "content": "The metabolic fate of threonine was investigated in young male rats fed 15% amino acid diets containing from 0.15% to 0.85% of L-threonine. Liver serine-threonine dehydratase (S-TDH) activity did not increase with increasing dietary threonine content. The level of threonine required for maximum weight gain was not greater than 0.55% of the diet (or about 600 mumoles/day). Tissue free threonine content of rats fed the diets with 0.15% or 0.3% of threonine was very low but increased sharply with increasing dietary threonine content above 0.3%. During ad libitum feeding of these diets containing L-[U-14C]threonine, rate of oxidation of threonine was low when intake was in the range of the requirement for maximum growth, but increased, thereafter as threonine intake increased. A 30-fold induction of liver S-TDH, by prior feeding of an 80% casein diet, did not result in increased oxidation of threonine when dietary threonine content was 0.15%. When dietary threonine content was increased to 0.5%, oxidation of threonine increased slightly but significantly. With 3% of threonine in the diet, rats previously fed a 15% casein diet had extremely high tissue threonine concentrations whereas those with high S-TDH activity, due to the previous feeding of the 80% casein diet, oxidized threonine rapidly and tissue threonine concentrations were elevated much less.", "contents": "Threonine metabolism in vivo: effect of threonine intake and prior induction of threonine dehydratase in rats. The metabolic fate of threonine was investigated in young male rats fed 15% amino acid diets containing from 0.15% to 0.85% of L-threonine. Liver serine-threonine dehydratase (S-TDH) activity did not increase with increasing dietary threonine content. The level of threonine required for maximum weight gain was not greater than 0.55% of the diet (or about 600 mumoles/day). Tissue free threonine content of rats fed the diets with 0.15% or 0.3% of threonine was very low but increased sharply with increasing dietary threonine content above 0.3%. During ad libitum feeding of these diets containing L-[U-14C]threonine, rate of oxidation of threonine was low when intake was in the range of the requirement for maximum growth, but increased, thereafter as threonine intake increased. A 30-fold induction of liver S-TDH, by prior feeding of an 80% casein diet, did not result in increased oxidation of threonine when dietary threonine content was 0.15%. When dietary threonine content was increased to 0.5%, oxidation of threonine increased slightly but significantly. With 3% of threonine in the diet, rats previously fed a 15% casein diet had extremely high tissue threonine concentrations whereas those with high S-TDH activity, due to the previous feeding of the 80% casein diet, oxidized threonine rapidly and tissue threonine concentrations were elevated much less.", "PMID": 619037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2875", "title": "Thiamin requirement of channel catfish fingerlings.", "content": "In separate 20 and 12 week feeding studies, channel catfish fingerlings were fed semipurified diets containing five levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/kg) and six levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) of supplemented thiamin hydrochloride respectively. The dietary thiamin level required to provide maximal growth and prevent deficiency symptoms in channel catfish fingerlings was found to be approximately 1 mg/kg of diet. Fish fed unsupplemented diets (thiamin content of less 1 mg/kg diet) demonstrated anorexia, extremely poor growth, dark coloration of the skin and increased mortality rates. Neurological symptoms were not observed. Histological examinations of the heart, hepatopancreas, kidney, lateral muscle, gastrointestinal tract and gills of deficient fish revealed no abnormalities.", "contents": "Thiamin requirement of channel catfish fingerlings. In separate 20 and 12 week feeding studies, channel catfish fingerlings were fed semipurified diets containing five levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg/kg) and six levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) of supplemented thiamin hydrochloride respectively. The dietary thiamin level required to provide maximal growth and prevent deficiency symptoms in channel catfish fingerlings was found to be approximately 1 mg/kg of diet. Fish fed unsupplemented diets (thiamin content of less 1 mg/kg diet) demonstrated anorexia, extremely poor growth, dark coloration of the skin and increased mortality rates. Neurological symptoms were not observed. Histological examinations of the heart, hepatopancreas, kidney, lateral muscle, gastrointestinal tract and gills of deficient fish revealed no abnormalities.", "PMID": 619038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2876", "title": "Effects of dietary corn on hematological response of anemic rats to ferrous sulfate.", "content": "Anemic rats were fed diets containing adequate quantities of all required nutrients, except iron, which was supplied by ferrous sulfate and/or corn grain. Diets were supplemented with the inorganic salt and corn in such a pattern that regression of hematological response on increments of ferrous sulfate intake could be calculated for 0, 25%, 50% and 75% dietary corn. Corn was added to the diets at the expense of starch which served only as a source of energy. Slopes of the regression lines for response (hemoglobin iron gain or final hemoglobin concentration) to ferrous sulfate intake were not altered significantly by inclusion of up to 75% corn in the diets. Results indicate that corn does not contain an inhibitor of iron absorption. Poor iron absorption from diets or meals in which corn provides a significant portion of the total food supply is probably due to a nutritional inadequacy of the corn, possibly its amino acid imbalance.", "contents": "Effects of dietary corn on hematological response of anemic rats to ferrous sulfate. Anemic rats were fed diets containing adequate quantities of all required nutrients, except iron, which was supplied by ferrous sulfate and/or corn grain. Diets were supplemented with the inorganic salt and corn in such a pattern that regression of hematological response on increments of ferrous sulfate intake could be calculated for 0, 25%, 50% and 75% dietary corn. Corn was added to the diets at the expense of starch which served only as a source of energy. Slopes of the regression lines for response (hemoglobin iron gain or final hemoglobin concentration) to ferrous sulfate intake were not altered significantly by inclusion of up to 75% corn in the diets. Results indicate that corn does not contain an inhibitor of iron absorption. Poor iron absorption from diets or meals in which corn provides a significant portion of the total food supply is probably due to a nutritional inadequacy of the corn, possibly its amino acid imbalance.", "PMID": 619040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2877", "title": "Effect of branched-chain keto-acids and dietary protein content on the activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase in rat tissues.", "content": "Rats fed branched-chain keto-acids in place of branched-chain amino acids exhibited increased specific activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase (BATase) in muscle, intestine, brain and liver as compared with controls fed sufficient diet to achieve comparable weight gain. This increase was observed whether or not methionine and phenylalanine were also replaced by their N-free analogues. Kidney BATase was unaffected. Rats fed a protein-free diet exhibited higher BATase specific activity in kidney, brain, liver and intestine than rats fed diets containing 6% casein; but little change in specific activity in these organs was seen as casein intake was progressively increased from 6% to 18%. Muscle BATase specific activity was the same between 0 and 18% dietary casein. The results show that branched-chain keto-analogues augment BATase in several tissues, including muscle. In contrast, varying casein intake from 6% to 18% had little effect, although protein-feeding augments BATase in some organs.", "contents": "Effect of branched-chain keto-acids and dietary protein content on the activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase in rat tissues. Rats fed branched-chain keto-acids in place of branched-chain amino acids exhibited increased specific activity of branched-chain amino acid transferase (BATase) in muscle, intestine, brain and liver as compared with controls fed sufficient diet to achieve comparable weight gain. This increase was observed whether or not methionine and phenylalanine were also replaced by their N-free analogues. Kidney BATase was unaffected. Rats fed a protein-free diet exhibited higher BATase specific activity in kidney, brain, liver and intestine than rats fed diets containing 6% casein; but little change in specific activity in these organs was seen as casein intake was progressively increased from 6% to 18%. Muscle BATase specific activity was the same between 0 and 18% dietary casein. The results show that branched-chain keto-analogues augment BATase in several tissues, including muscle. In contrast, varying casein intake from 6% to 18% had little effect, although protein-feeding augments BATase in some organs.", "PMID": 619041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2878", "title": "Protein intake, hepatic purine enzyme levels and uric acid production in growing chicks.", "content": "Changes in hepatic purine enzyme activities of chicks fed diets containing 11%, 20%, 43% and 80% protein were correlated with protein intake and uric acid production in order to identify those enzymes with activities that parallel closely and may regulate uric acid production. Nucleoside phosphorylase, xanthine dehydrogenase, adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenosine kinase correlated positively with protein intake and uric acid production. Adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase (AMP), adenylate deaminase and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase correlated negatively with protein intake and uric acid production. Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase and 5'-nucleotidase (IMP) were unaffected by protein intake and did not correlate with uric acid production. The ratio of adenosine kinase to adenosine deaminase correlated positively with protein intake and uric acid production. The increased activities of adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenosine kinase, along with the reduced activities of 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate deaminase, in liver from chickens fed the 80% compared with the 11% protein diet demonstrate enhanced synthesis of adenine nucleotides. Since adenine nucleotides are essential cofactors for de novo purine synthesis, it is proposed that adenylosuccinate synthetase, adenosine kinase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate deaminase are key enzymes involved in the regulation of purine biosynthesis.", "contents": "Protein intake, hepatic purine enzyme levels and uric acid production in growing chicks. Changes in hepatic purine enzyme activities of chicks fed diets containing 11%, 20%, 43% and 80% protein were correlated with protein intake and uric acid production in order to identify those enzymes with activities that parallel closely and may regulate uric acid production. Nucleoside phosphorylase, xanthine dehydrogenase, adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenosine kinase correlated positively with protein intake and uric acid production. Adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase (AMP), adenylate deaminase and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase correlated negatively with protein intake and uric acid production. Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase and 5'-nucleotidase (IMP) were unaffected by protein intake and did not correlate with uric acid production. The ratio of adenosine kinase to adenosine deaminase correlated positively with protein intake and uric acid production. The increased activities of adenylosuccinate synthetase and adenosine kinase, along with the reduced activities of 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate deaminase, in liver from chickens fed the 80% compared with the 11% protein diet demonstrate enhanced synthesis of adenine nucleotides. Since adenine nucleotides are essential cofactors for de novo purine synthesis, it is proposed that adenylosuccinate synthetase, adenosine kinase, 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate deaminase are key enzymes involved in the regulation of purine biosynthesis.", "PMID": 619042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2879", "title": "Determination of net protein utilization using whole carcass, hind leg or liver of the rat and its relationship with protein efficiency ratio determination.", "content": "Experiments were conducted to test the simplified NPU method designed by Lachance and Miller with diets of different protein quality and to determine the NPU using the liver nitrogen concentration instead of that in the hind limb. The NPU determination was done after 10- and 21-day periods instead of a 28-day period. The second part of the study was the analysis of the relationship between NPU and PER done with the same rats. The NPU calculated from whole carcass nitrogen concentration showed a high correlation with the NPU calculated from the nitrogen concentration in the leg (r = 0.990) and also with the NPU calculated from the liver nitrogen concentration. The Tukey's \"t\" test showed that in the 10-day experiment discrimination between the effect of the different diets upon NPU was not as good as was the case at 21 days. However, the NPU values at 10 days were in the same sequence as those at 21 days. For practical purposes it is more reliable and easier to perform the NPU determination using the liver instead of the whole carcass or leg. The statistical analysis of PER and NPU showed the same discriminating value when the test diets were isoenergetic.", "contents": "Determination of net protein utilization using whole carcass, hind leg or liver of the rat and its relationship with protein efficiency ratio determination. Experiments were conducted to test the simplified NPU method designed by Lachance and Miller with diets of different protein quality and to determine the NPU using the liver nitrogen concentration instead of that in the hind limb. The NPU determination was done after 10- and 21-day periods instead of a 28-day period. The second part of the study was the analysis of the relationship between NPU and PER done with the same rats. The NPU calculated from whole carcass nitrogen concentration showed a high correlation with the NPU calculated from the nitrogen concentration in the leg (r = 0.990) and also with the NPU calculated from the liver nitrogen concentration. The Tukey's \"t\" test showed that in the 10-day experiment discrimination between the effect of the different diets upon NPU was not as good as was the case at 21 days. However, the NPU values at 10 days were in the same sequence as those at 21 days. For practical purposes it is more reliable and easier to perform the NPU determination using the liver instead of the whole carcass or leg. The statistical analysis of PER and NPU showed the same discriminating value when the test diets were isoenergetic.", "PMID": 619044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2880", "title": "The role of transamination in methionine oxidation in the rat.", "content": "The role of transamination as the initial step in catabolism of methionine in the rat was investigated. [Methyl-14C] or [1-14C]-L-Methionine was added to tissue homogenates and transamination was determined from the counts recovered in a precipitable phenylhydrazone following treatment of the samples with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Transamination of methionine was detected in homogenates of liver, kidney, heart, brain, spleen, skeletal muscle, and small intestines. The product of methionine transamination in the liver was identified as alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. Approximately the same tissue distribution was observed for the conversion of the methyl or carboxyl carbon of methionine or alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate to CO2. alpha-Keto-butyrate could be used as a co-substrate for transamination, but inhibited oxidation of methionine apparently by competing for oxidation of alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine was not a substrate for transamination in the liver homogenate system nor did it inhibit transamination of methionine. Amino-oxyacetic acid inhibited transamination and oxidation of methionine, but not oxidation of alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. These observations are consistent with transamination being an initial step in methionine catabolism and an alternate pathway for methionine oxidation which does not involve its activation to S-adenosyl-L-methionine.", "contents": "The role of transamination in methionine oxidation in the rat. The role of transamination as the initial step in catabolism of methionine in the rat was investigated. [Methyl-14C] or [1-14C]-L-Methionine was added to tissue homogenates and transamination was determined from the counts recovered in a precipitable phenylhydrazone following treatment of the samples with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Transamination of methionine was detected in homogenates of liver, kidney, heart, brain, spleen, skeletal muscle, and small intestines. The product of methionine transamination in the liver was identified as alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. Approximately the same tissue distribution was observed for the conversion of the methyl or carboxyl carbon of methionine or alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate to CO2. alpha-Keto-butyrate could be used as a co-substrate for transamination, but inhibited oxidation of methionine apparently by competing for oxidation of alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine was not a substrate for transamination in the liver homogenate system nor did it inhibit transamination of methionine. Amino-oxyacetic acid inhibited transamination and oxidation of methionine, but not oxidation of alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate. These observations are consistent with transamination being an initial step in methionine catabolism and an alternate pathway for methionine oxidation which does not involve its activation to S-adenosyl-L-methionine.", "PMID": 619045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2881", "title": "Estimation of the fraction of the lactose in a high lactose diet available for fermentation in the cecum and colon of the rat.", "content": "Experiments were conducted to determine the amount of lactose which passed into the large intestine and the lactase activity in the small intestine of rats (200 g) fed a control diet or a diet containing 30% lactose. The fraction of lactose consumed in a single 1-hour meal that escaped hydrolysis in the small intestine was estimated by measuring the area under a smooth curve of a plot of lactose:marker ratio in the terminal ileum expressed as a fraction of intake, against the fraction of the total marker that passed into the large intestine. This amounted to approximately 30% and 31.5% of the lactose consumed for the rats fed the control and 30% lactose diets, respectively. In another experiment in which the rats were fed a diet containing 30% lactose and the Cr-EDTA marker ad libitum for 1 week, approximately 43% of the lactose consumed became available for fermentation in the large intestine. This work suggests that a substantial fraction of the lactose ingested is available for fermentation in the large intestine. The lactase activity of homogenates of the small intestine of rats fed the control or high lactose diet was 106 +/- 5 or 115 +/- 4 mg lactose/30 minutes/rat (P less than 0.05), respectively. The lactase activity in the small intestine homogenate (mucosa + contents) was significantly higher than that actually available in vivo (110 +/- 7 versus 69 +/- 4 mg/30 minutes/rat).", "contents": "Estimation of the fraction of the lactose in a high lactose diet available for fermentation in the cecum and colon of the rat. Experiments were conducted to determine the amount of lactose which passed into the large intestine and the lactase activity in the small intestine of rats (200 g) fed a control diet or a diet containing 30% lactose. The fraction of lactose consumed in a single 1-hour meal that escaped hydrolysis in the small intestine was estimated by measuring the area under a smooth curve of a plot of lactose:marker ratio in the terminal ileum expressed as a fraction of intake, against the fraction of the total marker that passed into the large intestine. This amounted to approximately 30% and 31.5% of the lactose consumed for the rats fed the control and 30% lactose diets, respectively. In another experiment in which the rats were fed a diet containing 30% lactose and the Cr-EDTA marker ad libitum for 1 week, approximately 43% of the lactose consumed became available for fermentation in the large intestine. This work suggests that a substantial fraction of the lactose ingested is available for fermentation in the large intestine. The lactase activity of homogenates of the small intestine of rats fed the control or high lactose diet was 106 +/- 5 or 115 +/- 4 mg lactose/30 minutes/rat (P less than 0.05), respectively. The lactase activity in the small intestine homogenate (mucosa + contents) was significantly higher than that actually available in vivo (110 +/- 7 versus 69 +/- 4 mg/30 minutes/rat).", "PMID": 619046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2882", "title": "Human protein requirements: interrelationships between energy intake and nitrogen balance in young men consuming the 1973 FAO/WHO safe level of egg protein, with added non-essential amino acids.", "content": "Our recent studies have shown that the 1973 FAO/WHO \"safe level of intake\" of egg protein (0.57 g/kg/day) is inadequate for maintaining protein nutritional status in young men receiving generous energy intakes. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine nitrogen (N) balance and the energy intake needed to support it when supplementary N, equivalent to 0.23 g of protein (N X 6.25)/kg/day from a nonessential amino acid mixture, was added to a diet containing 0.57 g of egg protein/kg/day. Four young men, 20 to 21 years old, participated in the 58- to 79-day metabolic N balance study. This group required significantly lower energy intakes to maintain N balance than a previously studied group fed only 0.57 g of egg protein under identical conditions. The energy intakes predicted to maintain N balance were approximately 10 to 15% less than the requirements estimate from body weight and N balance data. Present results, although based on a limited number of subjects, suggest that total N may be the limiting factor in short-term N balance at the 1973 FAO/WHO egg protein intake level for a significant proportion of young adult male populations. Long-term metabolic studies will be necessary before the practical significance of the observations can be determined.", "contents": "Human protein requirements: interrelationships between energy intake and nitrogen balance in young men consuming the 1973 FAO/WHO safe level of egg protein, with added non-essential amino acids. Our recent studies have shown that the 1973 FAO/WHO \"safe level of intake\" of egg protein (0.57 g/kg/day) is inadequate for maintaining protein nutritional status in young men receiving generous energy intakes. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine nitrogen (N) balance and the energy intake needed to support it when supplementary N, equivalent to 0.23 g of protein (N X 6.25)/kg/day from a nonessential amino acid mixture, was added to a diet containing 0.57 g of egg protein/kg/day. Four young men, 20 to 21 years old, participated in the 58- to 79-day metabolic N balance study. This group required significantly lower energy intakes to maintain N balance than a previously studied group fed only 0.57 g of egg protein under identical conditions. The energy intakes predicted to maintain N balance were approximately 10 to 15% less than the requirements estimate from body weight and N balance data. Present results, although based on a limited number of subjects, suggest that total N may be the limiting factor in short-term N balance at the 1973 FAO/WHO egg protein intake level for a significant proportion of young adult male populations. Long-term metabolic studies will be necessary before the practical significance of the observations can be determined.", "PMID": 619047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2883", "title": "Oral theophylline dosage for the management of chronic asthma.", "content": "Theophylline dosage requirements to maintain serum concentrations of 10 to 20 microgram/ml among asthmatic patients were examined in 156 children, ages 2 1/2 months to 16 years, and 33 otherwise health adults. Using 100% bioavailable preparations, low doses were used initially and increased, if tolerated, at three-day intervals. Final dosage was based on serum theophylline measurements which were subsequently repeated after six or more months of therapy. Dosage standardized by weight averaged 24.1 +/- 5.5 mg/kg/day (mean +/- SD) among the 77 children under age 9 years. Age-related variability of weight-adjusted doses were not observed for younger children, but average dose requirements decreased progressively beyound age 9 years to 13 mg/kg/day for patients beyoung 16 years of age. Although interpatient variability in dosage was confirmed at all ages, intrapatient variability in requirements over an average eight-month interval were small; dosage changes to maintain therapeutic serum concentration were primarily associated with growth. These data allow age-specific guidelines for dosage recommendations based on the likelihood of optimally effective and potentially toxic serum theophylline concentrations.", "contents": "Oral theophylline dosage for the management of chronic asthma. Theophylline dosage requirements to maintain serum concentrations of 10 to 20 microgram/ml among asthmatic patients were examined in 156 children, ages 2 1/2 months to 16 years, and 33 otherwise health adults. Using 100% bioavailable preparations, low doses were used initially and increased, if tolerated, at three-day intervals. Final dosage was based on serum theophylline measurements which were subsequently repeated after six or more months of therapy. Dosage standardized by weight averaged 24.1 +/- 5.5 mg/kg/day (mean +/- SD) among the 77 children under age 9 years. Age-related variability of weight-adjusted doses were not observed for younger children, but average dose requirements decreased progressively beyound age 9 years to 13 mg/kg/day for patients beyoung 16 years of age. Although interpatient variability in dosage was confirmed at all ages, intrapatient variability in requirements over an average eight-month interval were small; dosage changes to maintain therapeutic serum concentration were primarily associated with growth. These data allow age-specific guidelines for dosage recommendations based on the likelihood of optimally effective and potentially toxic serum theophylline concentrations.", "PMID": 619054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2884", "title": "Oral antibiotic therapy for skeletal infections of children. I. Antibiotic concentrations in suppurative synovial fluid.", "content": "To evaluate the feasibility of oral antibiotic treatment for pyogenic arthritis, one or more oral doses of antibiotics were substituted for the drugs being used for parenteral therapy. Synovial fluid and serum specimens obtained at randomized times after an oral dose of ampicillin, cephalexin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, or penicillin G were assayed for antibiotic content and antibacterial activity. Seventy specimens from 21 infants and children were studied. Peak synovial fluid concentrations were greater than 60% of peak serum concentrations with all drugs tested and there was adequate inhibitory activity against bacteria commonly causing arthritis. The degree of antibiotic binding to serum protein had no apparent effect on the degree of penetration into pyogenic synovial fluid.", "contents": "Oral antibiotic therapy for skeletal infections of children. I. Antibiotic concentrations in suppurative synovial fluid. To evaluate the feasibility of oral antibiotic treatment for pyogenic arthritis, one or more oral doses of antibiotics were substituted for the drugs being used for parenteral therapy. Synovial fluid and serum specimens obtained at randomized times after an oral dose of ampicillin, cephalexin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, or penicillin G were assayed for antibiotic content and antibacterial activity. Seventy specimens from 21 infants and children were studied. Peak synovial fluid concentrations were greater than 60% of peak serum concentrations with all drugs tested and there was adequate inhibitory activity against bacteria commonly causing arthritis. The degree of antibiotic binding to serum protein had no apparent effect on the degree of penetration into pyogenic synovial fluid.", "PMID": 619055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2885", "title": "Antibiotic concentrations in pus and bone of children with osteomyelitis.", "content": "Pharmacologic data are presented on 39 children treated for osteomyelitis with one of the following antibiotics: methicillin, dicloxacillin, cephaloridine, or cefazolin. The concentrations of drug in pus and bone were correlated with serum concentrations, with the susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the patients, and with the degree of drug protein-binding. The penetration of the antibiotics into pus and bone was similar for the two penicillins and for the two cephalosporins despite the disparate protein-binding affinities of these drugs. The agents attained concentrations in tissues that were at least several fold, and often more than tenfold, greater than the MIC and MBC values of the S. aureus stains. These data provide a basis for selection of antimicrobial agents for treatment of osteomyelitis.", "contents": "Antibiotic concentrations in pus and bone of children with osteomyelitis. Pharmacologic data are presented on 39 children treated for osteomyelitis with one of the following antibiotics: methicillin, dicloxacillin, cephaloridine, or cefazolin. The concentrations of drug in pus and bone were correlated with serum concentrations, with the susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from the patients, and with the degree of drug protein-binding. The penetration of the antibiotics into pus and bone was similar for the two penicillins and for the two cephalosporins despite the disparate protein-binding affinities of these drugs. The agents attained concentrations in tissues that were at least several fold, and often more than tenfold, greater than the MIC and MBC values of the S. aureus stains. These data provide a basis for selection of antimicrobial agents for treatment of osteomyelitis.", "PMID": 619056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2886", "title": "Oral propranolol treatment in infants and children.", "content": "To determine the effectiveness of oral propranolol in children, we administered 0.5 to 4.0 mg/kg/day of the drug to 64 children (age one day to 20 years); 41 with cardiac dysrhythmias, six with isiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, and 17 with paroxysmal hypoxemic spells associated with right ventricular infundibular obstruction. A new liquid form of propranolol (10 mg/ml) was administered to 37 of the younger patients, and tablets were given to the other 27. Propranolol improved the dysrhythmia in 31 of 41 patients, being notably effective in supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia associated with a prolonged QT interval. The drug also eliminated symptoms attributed to IHSS in six of six patients and abolished hypoxemic spells in 12 of 17. The liquid and tablets were equally effective; and the liquid had the advantage of allowing for accurate dose changes in younger children. We conclude that oral propranolol is an excellent drug for use in pediatric patients with certain types of cardiac disease.", "contents": "Oral propranolol treatment in infants and children. To determine the effectiveness of oral propranolol in children, we administered 0.5 to 4.0 mg/kg/day of the drug to 64 children (age one day to 20 years); 41 with cardiac dysrhythmias, six with isiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, and 17 with paroxysmal hypoxemic spells associated with right ventricular infundibular obstruction. A new liquid form of propranolol (10 mg/ml) was administered to 37 of the younger patients, and tablets were given to the other 27. Propranolol improved the dysrhythmia in 31 of 41 patients, being notably effective in supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia associated with a prolonged QT interval. The drug also eliminated symptoms attributed to IHSS in six of six patients and abolished hypoxemic spells in 12 of 17. The liquid and tablets were equally effective; and the liquid had the advantage of allowing for accurate dose changes in younger children. We conclude that oral propranolol is an excellent drug for use in pediatric patients with certain types of cardiac disease.", "PMID": 619057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2887", "title": "A comparison of four toxicology resources in respect to rates of retrieval and time required.", "content": "An evaluation was conducted fo four periodically updated poison control resources widely used by pediatricians, emergency room personnel, and poison information/control centers; i.e., Poisindex, ToxiFile, Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, and the National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers' cards. The frequency of finding entries for substances known to be involved in accidental pediatric ingestions, the extent of the content and management information, and the time required to obtain the information were determined for the four resources. Poisindex was more complete than the other resources. ToxiFile was more useful than the remaining two resources, although the latter should be useful in over 70% of accidental toxic ingestions by children.", "contents": "A comparison of four toxicology resources in respect to rates of retrieval and time required. An evaluation was conducted fo four periodically updated poison control resources widely used by pediatricians, emergency room personnel, and poison information/control centers; i.e., Poisindex, ToxiFile, Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, and the National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers' cards. The frequency of finding entries for substances known to be involved in accidental pediatric ingestions, the extent of the content and management information, and the time required to obtain the information were determined for the four resources. Poisindex was more complete than the other resources. ToxiFile was more useful than the remaining two resources, although the latter should be useful in over 70% of accidental toxic ingestions by children.", "PMID": 619058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2888", "title": "Hepatitis B in children. I. Analysis of 80 cases of acute and chronic hepatitis B.", "content": "From 1971 to 1975, HBV-induced hepatitis was observed in 80 children. The diagnosis was based upon the detection in serum of HBsAg and/or the secondary occurrence of anti-HBs. Thirty-one patients presented with acute viral hepatitis, 16 with severe or fulminant hepatitis, 17 with chronic persistent hepatitis, 12 with chronic active hepatitis, and 4 were asymptomatic chronic carriers of HBsAg. Twenty-nine of 80 children were under one year of age (36%), the peak of frequency occurring from 2 to 5 months. The source of infection, determined in 27 of 29 infants, was administration of blood derivatives in 15 cases and contact with an HBsAg carrier mother in nine instances. In the latter type, the incubation time (103 days) was compartible with an oral route of infection, Persistent antigenemia occurred in only 3 of 29 patients. The overt type of disease developed by most infants, as well as the small number of patients who became HBsAg carriers, suggest that the carrier state, often encountered in neonatally infected infants in other countries, may be related to environmental or genetic factors rather than to immaturity of theimmune system.", "contents": "Hepatitis B in children. I. Analysis of 80 cases of acute and chronic hepatitis B. From 1971 to 1975, HBV-induced hepatitis was observed in 80 children. The diagnosis was based upon the detection in serum of HBsAg and/or the secondary occurrence of anti-HBs. Thirty-one patients presented with acute viral hepatitis, 16 with severe or fulminant hepatitis, 17 with chronic persistent hepatitis, 12 with chronic active hepatitis, and 4 were asymptomatic chronic carriers of HBsAg. Twenty-nine of 80 children were under one year of age (36%), the peak of frequency occurring from 2 to 5 months. The source of infection, determined in 27 of 29 infants, was administration of blood derivatives in 15 cases and contact with an HBsAg carrier mother in nine instances. In the latter type, the incubation time (103 days) was compartible with an oral route of infection, Persistent antigenemia occurred in only 3 of 29 patients. The overt type of disease developed by most infants, as well as the small number of patients who became HBsAg carriers, suggest that the carrier state, often encountered in neonatally infected infants in other countries, may be related to environmental or genetic factors rather than to immaturity of theimmune system.", "PMID": 619070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2889", "title": "Response to experimental challenge in persons immunized with different rubella vaccines.", "content": "The response to experimental challenge with rubella virus was studied in 113 volunteers, ages 13 to 17 years, immunized with three rubella vaccines: HPV-77-DE-5 and Cendehill (inoculated subcutaneously) and RA-27/3 (administered subcutaneously to one group and intranasally to a second group). The occurrence of side effects ranged from 16% in the Cendehill vaccines to 32% in the RA-27/3-intranasal vaccinees. Antibody response to primary vaccination as measured by CF was significantly lower in the Cendehill vaccines. Challenge by intranasal instillation of RA-27/3 a year later produced no adverse effects. Serologic response was measured by testing for CF, HI, and neutralizing and sensitizing antibodies. Booster response, a fourfold increase in antibody fiter after challenge as evidenced by at least one of the tests, occurred in 67% of the Cendehill vaccinees, in 47% of HPV-77 vaccines, and in only 7 to 11% of RA-27/3 vaccinees. Of 37 subjects exhibiting booster response, 27 had an increase in antibody titer demonstrated by two or more serologic tests; 16 of these 27 were Cendehill vaccinees. These results confirm our previous observations and that of others that the RA-27/3 rubella vaccine has the highest immunogenic potential.", "contents": "Response to experimental challenge in persons immunized with different rubella vaccines. The response to experimental challenge with rubella virus was studied in 113 volunteers, ages 13 to 17 years, immunized with three rubella vaccines: HPV-77-DE-5 and Cendehill (inoculated subcutaneously) and RA-27/3 (administered subcutaneously to one group and intranasally to a second group). The occurrence of side effects ranged from 16% in the Cendehill vaccines to 32% in the RA-27/3-intranasal vaccinees. Antibody response to primary vaccination as measured by CF was significantly lower in the Cendehill vaccines. Challenge by intranasal instillation of RA-27/3 a year later produced no adverse effects. Serologic response was measured by testing for CF, HI, and neutralizing and sensitizing antibodies. Booster response, a fourfold increase in antibody fiter after challenge as evidenced by at least one of the tests, occurred in 67% of the Cendehill vaccinees, in 47% of HPV-77 vaccines, and in only 7 to 11% of RA-27/3 vaccinees. Of 37 subjects exhibiting booster response, 27 had an increase in antibody titer demonstrated by two or more serologic tests; 16 of these 27 were Cendehill vaccinees. These results confirm our previous observations and that of others that the RA-27/3 rubella vaccine has the highest immunogenic potential.", "PMID": 619075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2890", "title": "Influenza immunization in immunosuppressed children.", "content": "Optimal influenza immunization of individuals with malignancy and other immunodeficient states requires and understanding of responses to currently recommended regimens. Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and other malignancies between three and 17 years of age were immunized with bivalent influenza vaccine containing A/New Jersey/76 and A/Victoria/75. Folowing a two-dose immunization schedule, only 37% (25468) on cancer chemotherapy seroconverted to a hemagglutination inhibition titer greater than or equal to 20 for A/NJ/76; the seroconversion rate in those not on chemotherapy was 92% (68/74, P less than 0.001). The immune response to the A/Vic/75 antigen was also related to a history of recent chemotherapy. There was no correlation between the immune response and the peripheral white blood cell count except at counts less than or equal to 1,000. The optimum time to immunize children with malignancies is when they have been off chemotherapy for one month and have peripheral white blood counts greater than 1,000.", "contents": "Influenza immunization in immunosuppressed children. Optimal influenza immunization of individuals with malignancy and other immunodeficient states requires and understanding of responses to currently recommended regimens. Children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and other malignancies between three and 17 years of age were immunized with bivalent influenza vaccine containing A/New Jersey/76 and A/Victoria/75. Folowing a two-dose immunization schedule, only 37% (25468) on cancer chemotherapy seroconverted to a hemagglutination inhibition titer greater than or equal to 20 for A/NJ/76; the seroconversion rate in those not on chemotherapy was 92% (68/74, P less than 0.001). The immune response to the A/Vic/75 antigen was also related to a history of recent chemotherapy. There was no correlation between the immune response and the peripheral white blood cell count except at counts less than or equal to 1,000. The optimum time to immunize children with malignancies is when they have been off chemotherapy for one month and have peripheral white blood counts greater than 1,000.", "PMID": 619076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2891", "title": "Premature ventricular contractions in normal children.", "content": "To document the assumed benign prognosis of premature ventricular contractions in children, we followed 17 patients with PVCs and without other heart disease for a mean of seven years (range one to 19 years). Data were collected from the history, physical examination, 15-lead ECG, and treadmill exercise test. Eight of the 17 children still had PVCs at the most recent follow-up. Of these eight children, seven were asymptomatic. The physical examination remained normal in all except one, who developed signs of mitral prolapse. Light exercise abolished the PVCs in all children. We believe that if a careful clinical examination discloses no abnormalities, and if the PVCs are unifocal and disappear with exercise, this dysrhythmia is, in fact, benign in children, and requires no further cardiovascular examination.", "contents": "Premature ventricular contractions in normal children. To document the assumed benign prognosis of premature ventricular contractions in children, we followed 17 patients with PVCs and without other heart disease for a mean of seven years (range one to 19 years). Data were collected from the history, physical examination, 15-lead ECG, and treadmill exercise test. Eight of the 17 children still had PVCs at the most recent follow-up. Of these eight children, seven were asymptomatic. The physical examination remained normal in all except one, who developed signs of mitral prolapse. Light exercise abolished the PVCs in all children. We believe that if a careful clinical examination discloses no abnormalities, and if the PVCs are unifocal and disappear with exercise, this dysrhythmia is, in fact, benign in children, and requires no further cardiovascular examination.", "PMID": 619077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2892", "title": "Cardiac output measured by thermodilution in infants and children.", "content": "To determine the accuracy and reproducibility of cardiac output determination by thermodilution (COT) in children, simultaneous outputs were measured by the Fick technique (COF) (using measured oxygen consumption) and thermodilution in 26 children, ranging in age from 8 to 86 months, who were undergoing cardiac catheterization. There was excellent correlation between mean output by thermodilution and by the Fick technique: COT = 1.10 COF -- 0.2 l/minute, R = 0.91. In three-quarters of the patients with COT differed by 15% or less and in none differed by more than 25%. Serial values of thermodilution outputs were reproducible in each patient with a SD of 5.5%. Our observations indicate that COT is accurate, reproducible, and valuable in the care of critically ill infants and children.", "contents": "Cardiac output measured by thermodilution in infants and children. To determine the accuracy and reproducibility of cardiac output determination by thermodilution (COT) in children, simultaneous outputs were measured by the Fick technique (COF) (using measured oxygen consumption) and thermodilution in 26 children, ranging in age from 8 to 86 months, who were undergoing cardiac catheterization. There was excellent correlation between mean output by thermodilution and by the Fick technique: COT = 1.10 COF -- 0.2 l/minute, R = 0.91. In three-quarters of the patients with COT differed by 15% or less and in none differed by more than 25%. Serial values of thermodilution outputs were reproducible in each patient with a SD of 5.5%. Our observations indicate that COT is accurate, reproducible, and valuable in the care of critically ill infants and children.", "PMID": 619078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2893", "title": "The radiolucent esophageal foreign body: an often-forgotten cause of respiratory symptoms.", "content": "Three children under 2 years of age with a history of respiratory symptoms for one to seven months, secondary to a radiolucent esophageal foreign body, are presented. Delay in diagnosis resulted in an acquired tracheosophageal fistula in two patients and a thoracotomy in all three patients. Physicians alert to the clinical presentation and aware of the proper radiographic investigation of radiolucent esophageal foreign bodies can reduce the morbidity and hospital stay for these patients.", "contents": "The radiolucent esophageal foreign body: an often-forgotten cause of respiratory symptoms. Three children under 2 years of age with a history of respiratory symptoms for one to seven months, secondary to a radiolucent esophageal foreign body, are presented. Delay in diagnosis resulted in an acquired tracheosophageal fistula in two patients and a thoracotomy in all three patients. Physicians alert to the clinical presentation and aware of the proper radiographic investigation of radiolucent esophageal foreign bodies can reduce the morbidity and hospital stay for these patients.", "PMID": 619079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2894", "title": "Brain malformations related to prenatal exposure to ethanol.", "content": "Microcephaly and mental retardation have been principal features of the fetal alcohol syndrome. This article describes the neuropathologic findings in four human neonates who were exposed to large quantities of ethanol at frequent intervals during gestation. The findings suggest that intrauterine exposure to ethanol can result in structural abnormalities of the brain. All four brains displayed similar malformations stemming from errors in migration of neuronal and glial elements. Hydrocephalus was one consequence of the malformations in two of the infants. Futhermore, the brain alterations may be the only distinct abnormality produced by in utero ethanol exposure. Only two of the four subjects were diagnosed as having the fetal alcohol syndrome from external criteria.", "contents": "Brain malformations related to prenatal exposure to ethanol. Microcephaly and mental retardation have been principal features of the fetal alcohol syndrome. This article describes the neuropathologic findings in four human neonates who were exposed to large quantities of ethanol at frequent intervals during gestation. The findings suggest that intrauterine exposure to ethanol can result in structural abnormalities of the brain. All four brains displayed similar malformations stemming from errors in migration of neuronal and glial elements. Hydrocephalus was one consequence of the malformations in two of the infants. Futhermore, the brain alterations may be the only distinct abnormality produced by in utero ethanol exposure. Only two of the four subjects were diagnosed as having the fetal alcohol syndrome from external criteria.", "PMID": 619080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2895", "title": "Glycohemoglobin (HbAIc): a predictor of birth weight in infants of diabetic mothers.", "content": "Hemoglobins AIa-c (fast Hb), minor variants of HbA, are elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Recent studies indicate a relationship of fast hemoglobins, especially HbAIc (glycosylated form), to chronic hyperglycemia. Since infant oversize has been attributed to maternal hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia, the hemoglobin HbAIc fraction was compared to birth weight (actual and relative to gestational age) and to maternal glucose tolerance. Normal (13), probably normal (8), gestational diabetic (10), and insulin-dependent women (14) were studied in the third trimester; women with advanced diabetic vascular disease were excluded. When corrected for gestational age, relative birth weights correlated in a significant linear regression with HbAIc (n = 45, r = 0.57, P less than 0.001). Third trimester maternal glucose tolerance (Kt) of women, not insulin dependent, correlated in a signigicant manner with both HbAIc (P less than 0.05) and birth weight for gestational age (P less than 0.01).", "contents": "Glycohemoglobin (HbAIc): a predictor of birth weight in infants of diabetic mothers. Hemoglobins AIa-c (fast Hb), minor variants of HbA, are elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Recent studies indicate a relationship of fast hemoglobins, especially HbAIc (glycosylated form), to chronic hyperglycemia. Since infant oversize has been attributed to maternal hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia, the hemoglobin HbAIc fraction was compared to birth weight (actual and relative to gestational age) and to maternal glucose tolerance. Normal (13), probably normal (8), gestational diabetic (10), and insulin-dependent women (14) were studied in the third trimester; women with advanced diabetic vascular disease were excluded. When corrected for gestational age, relative birth weights correlated in a significant linear regression with HbAIc (n = 45, r = 0.57, P less than 0.001). Third trimester maternal glucose tolerance (Kt) of women, not insulin dependent, correlated in a signigicant manner with both HbAIc (P less than 0.05) and birth weight for gestational age (P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 619085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2896", "title": "Relationships of mesenteric thromboembolism, oral feeding, and necrotizing enterocolitis.", "content": "Mesenteric blood vessels were examined in postmortem specimens of 30 selected infants. The infants had had necrotizing enterocolitis (16 cases) or other lesions (14 cases). Mesenteric thromboemboli were observed in 12 of the infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (P less than 0.001). Umbilical vessel catheters were apparently responsible for the emboli. Multiple instances of thrombosis and thromboembolism were detected in other organs. Ninety-four percent of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis were orally fed (P less than 0.001). Mesenteric thromboemboli were more frequent in infants who were fed via the digestive route while an umbilical arterial catheter was in place. Mesenteric thromboembolism in these infants was postulated to have been attributable to increased postprandial blood flow in the mesenteric vessels.", "contents": "Relationships of mesenteric thromboembolism, oral feeding, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Mesenteric blood vessels were examined in postmortem specimens of 30 selected infants. The infants had had necrotizing enterocolitis (16 cases) or other lesions (14 cases). Mesenteric thromboemboli were observed in 12 of the infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (P less than 0.001). Umbilical vessel catheters were apparently responsible for the emboli. Multiple instances of thrombosis and thromboembolism were detected in other organs. Ninety-four percent of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis were orally fed (P less than 0.001). Mesenteric thromboemboli were more frequent in infants who were fed via the digestive route while an umbilical arterial catheter was in place. Mesenteric thromboembolism in these infants was postulated to have been attributable to increased postprandial blood flow in the mesenteric vessels.", "PMID": 619091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2897", "title": "Biosynthesis of morphine alkaloids in Papaver bracteatum Lindl.", "content": "Administration of 1-3H-N-methyl-14C-(+/-)-reticuline to Papaver bracteatum gave good incorporation of carbon-14 into thebaine and a decrease in the tritium to carbon-14 ratio indicative of racemization. The incorporation of carbon-14 and the extent of tritium loss were the same whether reticuline was administered to the intact plant or to isolated leaves. Carrier dilution with cold codeine, codeinone, and morphine showed only insignificant incorporation of radioactivity into codeine and none at all into codeinone and morphine. When codeinone was administered to the living plant, it was converted to codeine rapidly and efficiently, but no O-demethylation to morphine could be detected. The experimental data indicate that the biosynthesis of thebaine in P. bracteatum proceeds by the same pathway as in the opium poppy. The limiting step in the sequence is the demethylation of the enol ether group of thebaine to neopinone.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of morphine alkaloids in Papaver bracteatum Lindl. Administration of 1-3H-N-methyl-14C-(+/-)-reticuline to Papaver bracteatum gave good incorporation of carbon-14 into thebaine and a decrease in the tritium to carbon-14 ratio indicative of racemization. The incorporation of carbon-14 and the extent of tritium loss were the same whether reticuline was administered to the intact plant or to isolated leaves. Carrier dilution with cold codeine, codeinone, and morphine showed only insignificant incorporation of radioactivity into codeine and none at all into codeinone and morphine. When codeinone was administered to the living plant, it was converted to codeine rapidly and efficiently, but no O-demethylation to morphine could be detected. The experimental data indicate that the biosynthesis of thebaine in P. bracteatum proceeds by the same pathway as in the opium poppy. The limiting step in the sequence is the demethylation of the enol ether group of thebaine to neopinone.", "PMID": 619094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2898", "title": "Direct and indirect determination of binding constants of drug-protein complexes with microparticles.", "content": "Albumin can be immobilized in microparticles of poly-acrylamide in such a way that its ligand-binding properties are retained. With radiolabeled salicylic acid, warfarin, and tryptophan, the same characteristics are obtained for binding to albumin in the microparticles as in free solution. The particles can be used conveniently to determine association constants and the number of binding sites directly. The association constant of a competitive displacer can be determined indirectly as well, as shown with diazepam-salicylic acid and tryptophan-salicylic acid.", "contents": "Direct and indirect determination of binding constants of drug-protein complexes with microparticles. Albumin can be immobilized in microparticles of poly-acrylamide in such a way that its ligand-binding properties are retained. With radiolabeled salicylic acid, warfarin, and tryptophan, the same characteristics are obtained for binding to albumin in the microparticles as in free solution. The particles can be used conveniently to determine association constants and the number of binding sites directly. The association constant of a competitive displacer can be determined indirectly as well, as shown with diazepam-salicylic acid and tryptophan-salicylic acid.", "PMID": 619095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2899", "title": "Polymer-bound carbonic anhydrides in N-acylation of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid.", "content": "Aminocephalosporanic acid tert-butyl ester was reacted with polystyrene-bound mixed carbonic-carboxylic anhydrides to give the corresponding N-acylated derivatives. Clevage of the tert-butyl protecting group with trifluoroacetic acid gave the corresponding cephalosporanic acid.", "contents": "Polymer-bound carbonic anhydrides in N-acylation of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid. Aminocephalosporanic acid tert-butyl ester was reacted with polystyrene-bound mixed carbonic-carboxylic anhydrides to give the corresponding N-acylated derivatives. Clevage of the tert-butyl protecting group with trifluoroacetic acid gave the corresponding cephalosporanic acid.", "PMID": 619096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2900", "title": "High-performance liquid chromatographic assay of isoquinoline alkaloid formation from reaction of biogenic amines and aldehydes.", "content": "To understand the role that tetrahydroisoquinoline formation may play in alcoholism and drug toxicology, high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was used to monitor the overall rate of reaction, in pH 7.4 buffer, between the catecholamines (dopamine, alpha-methyldopamine, dihydroxyphenylpropanolamine, deoxyepinephrine, levodopa, alpha-methyldopa, epinephrine, levarterenol, ans isoproterenol) and acetaldehyde. The observed overall rate of reaction varied from 0.38 to 0.0013 liter/mole sec. In addition, the reaction rate of the neurotransmitter dopamine was measured for various aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxylic acid, paraldehyde, malonaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, and chloral hydrate). The observed overall rate of reaction varied from 5.3 to 0.0011 liters/mol sec. Penicillamine prevented formation of the tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids when initially present in concentrations equal to or greater than the aldehyde concentration.", "contents": "High-performance liquid chromatographic assay of isoquinoline alkaloid formation from reaction of biogenic amines and aldehydes. To understand the role that tetrahydroisoquinoline formation may play in alcoholism and drug toxicology, high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection was used to monitor the overall rate of reaction, in pH 7.4 buffer, between the catecholamines (dopamine, alpha-methyldopamine, dihydroxyphenylpropanolamine, deoxyepinephrine, levodopa, alpha-methyldopa, epinephrine, levarterenol, ans isoproterenol) and acetaldehyde. The observed overall rate of reaction varied from 0.38 to 0.0013 liter/mole sec. In addition, the reaction rate of the neurotransmitter dopamine was measured for various aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxylic acid, paraldehyde, malonaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, and chloral hydrate). The observed overall rate of reaction varied from 5.3 to 0.0011 liters/mol sec. Penicillamine prevented formation of the tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids when initially present in concentrations equal to or greater than the aldehyde concentration.", "PMID": 619097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2901", "title": "GLC determination of meperidinic and normeperidinic acids in urine.", "content": "A GLC procedure for the determination of meperidinic and normeperidinic acids in human urine is described. After the extraction of any interfering meperidine or normeperidine, the urine samples are dried and the acids are reesterified using ethanol-sulfuric acid. The resulting meperidine and normeperidine are then extracted and quantified. With this method, the urinary excretion of these metabolites was followed in five subjects who received a single meperidine dose of 36 mg/m2 im. This method represents an improvement over the previously described methods for meperidinic and normeperidinic acids and can be applied to clinical situations.", "contents": "GLC determination of meperidinic and normeperidinic acids in urine. A GLC procedure for the determination of meperidinic and normeperidinic acids in human urine is described. After the extraction of any interfering meperidine or normeperidine, the urine samples are dried and the acids are reesterified using ethanol-sulfuric acid. The resulting meperidine and normeperidine are then extracted and quantified. With this method, the urinary excretion of these metabolites was followed in five subjects who received a single meperidine dose of 36 mg/m2 im. This method represents an improvement over the previously described methods for meperidinic and normeperidinic acids and can be applied to clinical situations.", "PMID": 619098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2902", "title": "Simultaneous GLC determination of phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine in urine using a nitrogen selective detector.", "content": "A simple, rapid, and sensitive simultaneous quantitative determination of phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine in human urine by GLC, using a nitrogen specific detector, is described. After alkaline extraction from urine, phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine are analyzed directly by GLC, without a derivatization step. Promethazine was used as the internal standard. The total assay time is less than 30 min. The method is useful in studies of pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions of drug combinations.", "contents": "Simultaneous GLC determination of phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine in urine using a nitrogen selective detector. A simple, rapid, and sensitive simultaneous quantitative determination of phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine in human urine by GLC, using a nitrogen specific detector, is described. After alkaline extraction from urine, phenylpropanolamine and chlorpheniramine are analyzed directly by GLC, without a derivatization step. Promethazine was used as the internal standard. The total assay time is less than 30 min. The method is useful in studies of pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions of drug combinations.", "PMID": 619099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2903", "title": "Convenient synthesis of (RS)-4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid.", "content": "A new three-step synthesis of 4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid from an inexpensive starting material and under mild reaction conditions is described. Crotonic acid was brominated by the Wohl-Ziegler reaction to 4-bromocrotonic acid, which, in turn, was converted with ammonium hydroxide into 4-aminocrotonic acid. This compound, refluxed in water in the presence of a strong acid resin, afforded 4 amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid in good yields.", "contents": "Convenient synthesis of (RS)-4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid. A new three-step synthesis of 4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid from an inexpensive starting material and under mild reaction conditions is described. Crotonic acid was brominated by the Wohl-Ziegler reaction to 4-bromocrotonic acid, which, in turn, was converted with ammonium hydroxide into 4-aminocrotonic acid. This compound, refluxed in water in the presence of a strong acid resin, afforded 4 amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid in good yields.", "PMID": 619100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2904", "title": "Vasodilator activity of adenosine analogs.", "content": "Various adenosine analogs were evaluated as smooth muscle vasodilators. The compounds were screened ititially using a dog hindlimb preparation. Most analogs were less potent than adenosine. The three most potent compounds were tested for coronary vasodilator effects and duration of action on the isolated rabbit heart. 5'-Deoxy-5'-chloroadenosine and 5'-deoxy-5'-bromoadenosine were equipotent with adenosine but possessed a longer duration of action 2',3',5'-Trideoxy-3',5'-dichloroadenosine, an analog lacking both the 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups, had significant vasodilator activity.", "contents": "Vasodilator activity of adenosine analogs. Various adenosine analogs were evaluated as smooth muscle vasodilators. The compounds were screened ititially using a dog hindlimb preparation. Most analogs were less potent than adenosine. The three most potent compounds were tested for coronary vasodilator effects and duration of action on the isolated rabbit heart. 5'-Deoxy-5'-chloroadenosine and 5'-deoxy-5'-bromoadenosine were equipotent with adenosine but possessed a longer duration of action 2',3',5'-Trideoxy-3',5'-dichloroadenosine, an analog lacking both the 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups, had significant vasodilator activity.", "PMID": 619101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2905", "title": "Anhydrocannabisativine, a new alkaloid from Cannabis sativa L.", "content": "Ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of a Mexican variant of Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana) afforded, after partitioning and chromatography, the new spermidine alkaloid, anhydrocannabisativine. The structure was determined by spectral analysis and semisynthesis.", "contents": "Anhydrocannabisativine, a new alkaloid from Cannabis sativa L. Ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of a Mexican variant of Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana) afforded, after partitioning and chromatography, the new spermidine alkaloid, anhydrocannabisativine. The structure was determined by spectral analysis and semisynthesis.", "PMID": 619102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2906", "title": "Synthesis and local anesthetic activity of benzo[b]furan derivatives.", "content": "Several 2-dialkylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarboxylates, 2-dialkylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarbamates, and 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarboxamide derivatives were prepared and tested for local anesthetic activity. Piperidinoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarbamate, 2-diethylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]-furancarboxylate, and N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-methyl-2-benzo[b]-furancarboxamide were the most potent.", "contents": "Synthesis and local anesthetic activity of benzo[b]furan derivatives. Several 2-dialkylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarboxylates, 2-dialkylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarbamates, and 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarboxamide derivatives were prepared and tested for local anesthetic activity. Piperidinoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]furancarbamate, 2-diethylaminoethyl 3-methyl-2-benzo[b]-furancarboxylate, and N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-methyl-2-benzo[b]-furancarboxamide were the most potent.", "PMID": 619103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2907", "title": "Determination of ionization constants in mixed aqueous solvents of varying composition by a single titration.", "content": "A potentiometric titration method is proposed in which only one titration is necessary to obtain pK'a values for different solvent compositions. The method allows the results to be extrapolated to the value for pure water. Examples are given, and the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.", "contents": "Determination of ionization constants in mixed aqueous solvents of varying composition by a single titration. A potentiometric titration method is proposed in which only one titration is necessary to obtain pK'a values for different solvent compositions. The method allows the results to be extrapolated to the value for pure water. Examples are given, and the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.", "PMID": 619104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2908", "title": "Enhancement of ampicillin partition behavior.", "content": "Several ion-pair or adduct forming additives tha\" enhanced ampicillin partition behavior were identified and evaluated. At pH 3, picric acid and trichloroacetic acid increased the ampicillin aqueous-octanol partition coefficient 250 and 30 times, respectively. At pH 7, quaternary compounds gave the most significant increases in the partition coefficient. Values for an aqueous pH 7 chloroform system increased from zero in the absence of additives to 2.28, 1.86, 1.82, and 1.70 for equimolar amounts of benzalkonium, tetraheptylammonium, benzethonium, and cetalkonium chlorides, respectively. Extraction of ampicillin from aqueous pH 7 solution was possible by adding a quaternary agent in an equimolar amount. However, extraction of ampicillin from plasma required large molar excesses. Tetraheptylammonium chloride was added at a molar concentration 10(3) times greater than that of the ampicillin. Plasma samples spiked at the 3-microgram/ml level gave 93% recovery (CV 6.7%, n = 16) when extracted three times. The extracts were quantitated by TLC.", "contents": "Enhancement of ampicillin partition behavior. Several ion-pair or adduct forming additives tha\" enhanced ampicillin partition behavior were identified and evaluated. At pH 3, picric acid and trichloroacetic acid increased the ampicillin aqueous-octanol partition coefficient 250 and 30 times, respectively. At pH 7, quaternary compounds gave the most significant increases in the partition coefficient. Values for an aqueous pH 7 chloroform system increased from zero in the absence of additives to 2.28, 1.86, 1.82, and 1.70 for equimolar amounts of benzalkonium, tetraheptylammonium, benzethonium, and cetalkonium chlorides, respectively. Extraction of ampicillin from aqueous pH 7 solution was possible by adding a quaternary agent in an equimolar amount. However, extraction of ampicillin from plasma required large molar excesses. Tetraheptylammonium chloride was added at a molar concentration 10(3) times greater than that of the ampicillin. Plasma samples spiked at the 3-microgram/ml level gave 93% recovery (CV 6.7%, n = 16) when extracted three times. The extracts were quantitated by TLC.", "PMID": 619106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2909", "title": "Solvent deposition method for enhancement of dissolution rate: importance of drug-to-excipient ratio.", "content": "Dissolution rates and particle sizes of phenylbutazone solvent deposited on lactose, starch, and silicon dioxide, separately, and of norethindrone and digoxin deposited on lactose were investigated. Microparticulate dispersed drugs on the surface of excipients result when drug-to-excipient ratios are low. Fast dissolution rates are observed for such systems. This effect can be extended to higher ratios when silicon dioxide is used as the excipient. Because of adsorption, however, the release from silicon dioxide is more or less limited.", "contents": "Solvent deposition method for enhancement of dissolution rate: importance of drug-to-excipient ratio. Dissolution rates and particle sizes of phenylbutazone solvent deposited on lactose, starch, and silicon dioxide, separately, and of norethindrone and digoxin deposited on lactose were investigated. Microparticulate dispersed drugs on the surface of excipients result when drug-to-excipient ratios are low. Fast dissolution rates are observed for such systems. This effect can be extended to higher ratios when silicon dioxide is used as the excipient. Because of adsorption, however, the release from silicon dioxide is more or less limited.", "PMID": 619105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2910", "title": "Analysis of tricyclic antidepressants in human plasma by GLC--chemical-ionization mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring.", "content": "A method is described for the analysis of amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, desmethyldoxepin, desipramine, and protriptyline in human plasma utlizing GLC-chemical-ionization mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. The assay is highly specific and is quantitative to at least 1 ng/ml with a standard error typically less than 5%. Representative concentrations of the parent compounds and their monodemethylated metabolites, as meeasured in plasma samples from patients under treatment with tertiary amine tricyclic antidepressants, are given.", "contents": "Analysis of tricyclic antidepressants in human plasma by GLC--chemical-ionization mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. A method is described for the analysis of amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, desmethyldoxepin, desipramine, and protriptyline in human plasma utlizing GLC-chemical-ionization mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. The assay is highly specific and is quantitative to at least 1 ng/ml with a standard error typically less than 5%. Representative concentrations of the parent compounds and their monodemethylated metabolites, as meeasured in plasma samples from patients under treatment with tertiary amine tricyclic antidepressants, are given.", "PMID": 619110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2911", "title": "Direct spectrophotometric determination of thebaine in Arya II population capsules of Papaver bracteatum Lindl.", "content": "A simple spectrophotometric determination of thebaine based on the complexation reaction with bromcresol green was developed. The yellow complex was extracted with chloroform over the pH 1.5--4.5 range. The solution of the complex in chloroform showed the maximum absorption at 415 nm and obeyed Beer's law over the concentration range of 4.0--14.0 microgram/ml. The molar absorptivity of the complex was 1.9460 X 10(4). The ratio of thebaine to bromcresol green in the complex was 1:1. The method was applied successfully to the direct determination of thebaine in the Arya II population capsules of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. The thebaine content of the dried capsules was 3.14%.", "contents": "Direct spectrophotometric determination of thebaine in Arya II population capsules of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. A simple spectrophotometric determination of thebaine based on the complexation reaction with bromcresol green was developed. The yellow complex was extracted with chloroform over the pH 1.5--4.5 range. The solution of the complex in chloroform showed the maximum absorption at 415 nm and obeyed Beer's law over the concentration range of 4.0--14.0 microgram/ml. The molar absorptivity of the complex was 1.9460 X 10(4). The ratio of thebaine to bromcresol green in the complex was 1:1. The method was applied successfully to the direct determination of thebaine in the Arya II population capsules of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. The thebaine content of the dried capsules was 3.14%.", "PMID": 619111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2912", "title": "Pharmacokinetic model for salicyclate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues.", "content": "The developed pharmacokinetic model, an extension of the Bischoff--Dedrick model, simultaneously predicts the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues. The model, which is entirely different from conventional compartment models, is derived from basic considerations of drug distribution with biochemical and physiological meaning. The dog was studied at three different dosages of salicylate: therapeutic, moderate intoxication, and severe intoxication. The predicted kinetics of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, plasma, liver, muscle, and adipose tissue by the model agreed well with the experimental data. The effectiveness of hemoperfusion treatment for the severely intoxicated dog by albumin-coated activated carbon and its effect on the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs and tissues were studied. The model was also applied to predict the kinetic changes of salicylate in the body during and after the extracorporeal treatment. The predicted results also agreed with the experimental data.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetic model for salicyclate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues. The developed pharmacokinetic model, an extension of the Bischoff--Dedrick model, simultaneously predicts the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs, and tissues. The model, which is entirely different from conventional compartment models, is derived from basic considerations of drug distribution with biochemical and physiological meaning. The dog was studied at three different dosages of salicylate: therapeutic, moderate intoxication, and severe intoxication. The predicted kinetics of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, plasma, liver, muscle, and adipose tissue by the model agreed well with the experimental data. The effectiveness of hemoperfusion treatment for the severely intoxicated dog by albumin-coated activated carbon and its effect on the kinetic behavior of salicylate in cerebrospinal fluid, blood, organs and tissues were studied. The model was also applied to predict the kinetic changes of salicylate in the body during and after the extracorporeal treatment. The predicted results also agreed with the experimental data.", "PMID": 619112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2913", "title": "Frequency distribution of bilirubin intrinsic clearance in adult male sprague--dawley rats.", "content": "The intrinsic body clearance of bilirubin was determined in 48 adult male Sprague--Dawley rats that received an intravenous infusion of bilirubin. The intrinsic body clearance was calculated from the infusion rate, the steady-state plasma concentration of total (free and protein-bound) bilirubin, and the free fraction of bilirubin in plasma. The intrinsic body clearance of bilirubin ranged from 5.05 to 13.20 liters/kg/min and was bimodally distributed, with half of the animals in each group. The plasma free fraction of bilirubin ranged from 0.00025 to 0.00077 (mean 0.00053) in the 24 intrinsically rapid metabolizers of bilirubin and from 0.00048 to 0.00103 (mean 0.00075) in the intrinsically slow metabolizers of the pigment. Thus, interindividual differences in the total clearance of bilirubin in the rats are due to differences in both intrinsic body clearance and plasma protein binding.", "contents": "Frequency distribution of bilirubin intrinsic clearance in adult male sprague--dawley rats. The intrinsic body clearance of bilirubin was determined in 48 adult male Sprague--Dawley rats that received an intravenous infusion of bilirubin. The intrinsic body clearance was calculated from the infusion rate, the steady-state plasma concentration of total (free and protein-bound) bilirubin, and the free fraction of bilirubin in plasma. The intrinsic body clearance of bilirubin ranged from 5.05 to 13.20 liters/kg/min and was bimodally distributed, with half of the animals in each group. The plasma free fraction of bilirubin ranged from 0.00025 to 0.00077 (mean 0.00053) in the 24 intrinsically rapid metabolizers of bilirubin and from 0.00048 to 0.00103 (mean 0.00075) in the intrinsically slow metabolizers of the pigment. Thus, interindividual differences in the total clearance of bilirubin in the rats are due to differences in both intrinsic body clearance and plasma protein binding.", "PMID": 619113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2914", "title": "USP dissolution test II: Sigmoid dissolution profiles from directly compressed tablets.", "content": "The basic steps involved in the dissolution of a directly compressed tablet in a USP basket dissolution apparatus were examined via data generation. The proposed model explains why a dissolution curve can be sigmoid shaped and why the portion past the lag time has a log-linear undissolved mass versus time correlation.", "contents": "USP dissolution test II: Sigmoid dissolution profiles from directly compressed tablets. The basic steps involved in the dissolution of a directly compressed tablet in a USP basket dissolution apparatus were examined via data generation. The proposed model explains why a dissolution curve can be sigmoid shaped and why the portion past the lag time has a log-linear undissolved mass versus time correlation.", "PMID": 619114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2915", "title": "Evaluation of acceptance criteria for particulate limits for small-volume parenteral products.", "content": "The precision of and correlation between the USP membrane filtration-microscopic method and the instrumental method for sizing and quantifying particulate matter in small-volume parenteral products were determined using simulated products. The total variance for the instrumental counts was lower than the USP method for all products in the 10--25-mum particle range and for most products in the greater than or equal to 25--50-mum range. A linear relationship between the instrumental counts and the USP counts was demonstrated for the 10--25-mum particle range. However, the instrumental reading was higher than the USP method for counts of 10 or more particles/ml. The instrumental and the USP methods failed to correlate on particulate sizes greater than 25 mum. The content of particulate matter in over 100 small-volume parenteral products was sized and quantified by the USP and the instrumental methods. From the instrumental data, a statistical treatment for the analysis of particulate data is presented as an objective method of evaluating acceptance criteria on particulate matter in small-volume parenteral products.", "contents": "Evaluation of acceptance criteria for particulate limits for small-volume parenteral products. The precision of and correlation between the USP membrane filtration-microscopic method and the instrumental method for sizing and quantifying particulate matter in small-volume parenteral products were determined using simulated products. The total variance for the instrumental counts was lower than the USP method for all products in the 10--25-mum particle range and for most products in the greater than or equal to 25--50-mum range. A linear relationship between the instrumental counts and the USP counts was demonstrated for the 10--25-mum particle range. However, the instrumental reading was higher than the USP method for counts of 10 or more particles/ml. The instrumental and the USP methods failed to correlate on particulate sizes greater than 25 mum. The content of particulate matter in over 100 small-volume parenteral products was sized and quantified by the USP and the instrumental methods. From the instrumental data, a statistical treatment for the analysis of particulate data is presented as an objective method of evaluating acceptance criteria on particulate matter in small-volume parenteral products.", "PMID": 619115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2916", "title": "Quantitative determination of amitriptyline in blood.", "content": "An assay was developed and standardized for amitriptyline and its hydroxylated tertiary amine metabolites in blood and other biological tissues. This method is capable of determining 5--15 ng of these compounds/ml and is based on reacting the drug as base with 9-bromomethylacridine to form a quaternary product which, on photolysis, yields fluorescence in a stoichiometric fashion. The precision of the method is usually around +/-5%.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of amitriptyline in blood. An assay was developed and standardized for amitriptyline and its hydroxylated tertiary amine metabolites in blood and other biological tissues. This method is capable of determining 5--15 ng of these compounds/ml and is based on reacting the drug as base with 9-bromomethylacridine to form a quaternary product which, on photolysis, yields fluorescence in a stoichiometric fashion. The precision of the method is usually around +/-5%.", "PMID": 619116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2917", "title": "Potential of liquid membranes for drug overdose treatment: in vitro studies.", "content": "The in vitro removal of six barbiturates from pH 2 donor solutions by liquid membranes with pH control was evaluated. More than 90% of amorbarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital were removed within 10 min by the liquid membranes. Drug transport obeyed first-order kinetics initially, and Fick's law was obeyed. The transport rate of phenobarbital by a liquid membrane was temperature dependent. An Arrhenius plot revealed that the activation energy was 10 kcal/mole. The liquid membranes showed some instability in the presence of bile salts.", "contents": "Potential of liquid membranes for drug overdose treatment: in vitro studies. The in vitro removal of six barbiturates from pH 2 donor solutions by liquid membranes with pH control was evaluated. More than 90% of amorbarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital were removed within 10 min by the liquid membranes. Drug transport obeyed first-order kinetics initially, and Fick's law was obeyed. The transport rate of phenobarbital by a liquid membrane was temperature dependent. An Arrhenius plot revealed that the activation energy was 10 kcal/mole. The liquid membranes showed some instability in the presence of bile salts.", "PMID": 619117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2918", "title": "Three-dimensional molecular illustrations II: Isoelectrostatic energy contour spheres of influence applied to narcotic molecules.", "content": "A computer-generated method using quantum mechanics was applied to the calculation and subsequent plotting of nonperspective three-dimensional illustrations of molecules in vacuo. The purpose was to generate isoelectrostatic energy contour spheres for larger molecules and current drugs. The molecules chosen, morphine, meperidine, and alphaprodine, possess similar pharmacological properties. Minor configurational manipulation of meperidine and alphaprodine molecules was made to approximate the spatial configuration of the rigid morphine molecule so that direct comparisons were possible. Common areas of reactivity, potential energy minima, net atomic charges, spatial regions, and near neighbor influences are considered.", "contents": "Three-dimensional molecular illustrations II: Isoelectrostatic energy contour spheres of influence applied to narcotic molecules. A computer-generated method using quantum mechanics was applied to the calculation and subsequent plotting of nonperspective three-dimensional illustrations of molecules in vacuo. The purpose was to generate isoelectrostatic energy contour spheres for larger molecules and current drugs. The molecules chosen, morphine, meperidine, and alphaprodine, possess similar pharmacological properties. Minor configurational manipulation of meperidine and alphaprodine molecules was made to approximate the spatial configuration of the rigid morphine molecule so that direct comparisons were possible. Common areas of reactivity, potential energy minima, net atomic charges, spatial regions, and near neighbor influences are considered.", "PMID": 619118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2919", "title": "GLC determination of warfarin in human plasma.", "content": "A specific and quantitative GLC method for warfarin in human plasma is described. The procedure uses papaverine as the internal standard and involves a dichloroethane extraction of the acidified specimen. The organic extract is evaporated, and the evaporated extract is dissolved in 50 microliter of chloroform. Aliquots of 2-3 microliter are injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame-ionization detector. The sensitivity of the method is such that 0.3 microgram of intact warfarin can be detected in 1 ml of plasma. Statistical analyses indicate a recovery of 97.26 +/- 1.89% SD. The procedure was successfully applied to plasma drug level studies in humans.", "contents": "GLC determination of warfarin in human plasma. A specific and quantitative GLC method for warfarin in human plasma is described. The procedure uses papaverine as the internal standard and involves a dichloroethane extraction of the acidified specimen. The organic extract is evaporated, and the evaporated extract is dissolved in 50 microliter of chloroform. Aliquots of 2-3 microliter are injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame-ionization detector. The sensitivity of the method is such that 0.3 microgram of intact warfarin can be detected in 1 ml of plasma. Statistical analyses indicate a recovery of 97.26 +/- 1.89% SD. The procedure was successfully applied to plasma drug level studies in humans.", "PMID": 619119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2920", "title": "Determination of time course of tablet disintegration II: Method using continuous functions.", "content": "An analysis of the disintegration-dissolution sequence of drug release from a tablet leads to a mathematical expression relating disintegration to the dissolution profile of the tablet and the dissolution rate of the primary drug particles in the tablet. The equation describing the disintegration of an acetaminophen tablet is determined to demonstrate the application of the theory.", "contents": "Determination of time course of tablet disintegration II: Method using continuous functions. An analysis of the disintegration-dissolution sequence of drug release from a tablet leads to a mathematical expression relating disintegration to the dissolution profile of the tablet and the dissolution rate of the primary drug particles in the tablet. The equation describing the disintegration of an acetaminophen tablet is determined to demonstrate the application of the theory.", "PMID": 619120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2921", "title": "Binding of 3-aminoacridinium and 7-aminoquinolinium monocations to double-stranded DNA: evidence for nonlinear binding isotherm in intercalative region.", "content": "The complexations of the singly charged cations of 3-aminoacridine and 7-aminoquinoline by double-stranded, calf thymus DNA were studied by electronic absorption spectrophotometry. At high ratios of total DNA phosphate concentration to total probe concentration (the region associated with intercalative binding), four DNA phosphate units are associated with each bound monocation. However, a binding isotherm based on four DNA phosphate groups in a single binding site does not yield a reproducible equilibrium constant for the binding process. Rather, the sequestration of the monocations by two binding sites, each containing two DNA phosphate units, yields a satisfactory equilibrium expression. This result suggests that the intercalative mode of binding by DNA is not a simple one-step process, which is in agreement with previous kinetic studies. In the region of low DNA phosphate concentration to monocation concentration (the external binding region), the binding is described adequately by a linear isotherm.", "contents": "Binding of 3-aminoacridinium and 7-aminoquinolinium monocations to double-stranded DNA: evidence for nonlinear binding isotherm in intercalative region. The complexations of the singly charged cations of 3-aminoacridine and 7-aminoquinoline by double-stranded, calf thymus DNA were studied by electronic absorption spectrophotometry. At high ratios of total DNA phosphate concentration to total probe concentration (the region associated with intercalative binding), four DNA phosphate units are associated with each bound monocation. However, a binding isotherm based on four DNA phosphate groups in a single binding site does not yield a reproducible equilibrium constant for the binding process. Rather, the sequestration of the monocations by two binding sites, each containing two DNA phosphate units, yields a satisfactory equilibrium expression. This result suggests that the intercalative mode of binding by DNA is not a simple one-step process, which is in agreement with previous kinetic studies. In the region of low DNA phosphate concentration to monocation concentration (the external binding region), the binding is described adequately by a linear isotherm.", "PMID": 619121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2922", "title": "Estimation of dissolution rate of salicylamide in complexing media using a theoretical diffusion model.", "content": "Dissolution rates of salicylamide in water and caffeine solutions under perfect sink conditions were predicted by theoretical diffusion equations applicable to dissolution in complexing media. Experimental dissolution rates were measured using a compartmentalized rotating-basket apparatus under two sets of conditions. Agreement was found between experimental and predicted rates. Use of the theoretical equation for estimating dissolution rates involves simple calculations of diffusion coefficients and diffusion layer thickness under the operative dissolution conditions. The increase in dissolution rate caused by addition of the complexant can be calculated for diffusion-controlled dissolution directly if the stability constant and the drug solubility in water are known or measured.", "contents": "Estimation of dissolution rate of salicylamide in complexing media using a theoretical diffusion model. Dissolution rates of salicylamide in water and caffeine solutions under perfect sink conditions were predicted by theoretical diffusion equations applicable to dissolution in complexing media. Experimental dissolution rates were measured using a compartmentalized rotating-basket apparatus under two sets of conditions. Agreement was found between experimental and predicted rates. Use of the theoretical equation for estimating dissolution rates involves simple calculations of diffusion coefficients and diffusion layer thickness under the operative dissolution conditions. The increase in dissolution rate caused by addition of the complexant can be calculated for diffusion-controlled dissolution directly if the stability constant and the drug solubility in water are known or measured.", "PMID": 619122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2923", "title": "The effects of subhypnotic doses of ethanol on regional catecholamine turnover.", "content": "A 2 g/kg dose of ethanol given intraperitoneally to rats significantly reduced the turnover of dopamine in the substantia nigra and caudate nucleus, increased dopamine turnover in the olfactory tubercle and had no effect on dopamine turnover in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hypothalamus. The same dose of ethanol decreased the probenecid-induced homovanillic acid accumulation in the caudate nucleus. The turnover of norepinephrine was also decreased in hypothalamus and increased in the pons medulla region. No change in norepinephrine turnover was observed in frontal cortex, parietal cortex, cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus and locus ceruleus region. The distribution of ethanol was similar in cortex, caudate nucleus, hypothalamus and pons-medulla. Catecholamine turnover in different brain regions seems to be differentially sensitive to the effects of ethanol, with most regions being unaffected by ethanol.", "contents": "The effects of subhypnotic doses of ethanol on regional catecholamine turnover. A 2 g/kg dose of ethanol given intraperitoneally to rats significantly reduced the turnover of dopamine in the substantia nigra and caudate nucleus, increased dopamine turnover in the olfactory tubercle and had no effect on dopamine turnover in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hypothalamus. The same dose of ethanol decreased the probenecid-induced homovanillic acid accumulation in the caudate nucleus. The turnover of norepinephrine was also decreased in hypothalamus and increased in the pons medulla region. No change in norepinephrine turnover was observed in frontal cortex, parietal cortex, cerebellum, amygdala, hippocampus and locus ceruleus region. The distribution of ethanol was similar in cortex, caudate nucleus, hypothalamus and pons-medulla. Catecholamine turnover in different brain regions seems to be differentially sensitive to the effects of ethanol, with most regions being unaffected by ethanol.", "PMID": 619123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2924", "title": "Effects of d-amphetamine, monomethoxyamphetamines and hallucinogens on schedule-controlled behavior.", "content": "The effects of 16 drugs were studied in rats responding under fixed-ratio (FR 30) and fixed-interval (FI 2 minute) schedules of food presentation. The drugs tested included lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, d-amphetamine and 12 methoxylated amphetamines. All of the drugs decreased the average rates of responding under both schedules, but their potencies varied widely. For example, with LSD, the most potent drug tested, doses of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg were sufficient to reduce responding while with dimethyltryptamine and mescaline, doses of 10 to 30 mg/kg were required to clearly reduce responding. For the 12 drugs which are known to produce hallucinogenic effects, their potencies in reducing responding were positively correlated with their reported potencies in producing these subjective effects in humans. Although all of the drugs decreased the average rates of responding, alterations in the patterns of responding under the FR and FI schedules varied among the drugs. Analysis of responding under the FI schedule indicated that d-amphetamine, m-methoxyamphetamine, p-methoxyamphetamine, LSD and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine generally increased the low rates of responding occurring at the beginning of each interval and decreased the high rates of responding occurring later in each interval (rate-dependent effects). The other drugs generally decreased responding throughout the interval. These results are discussed in terms of the known neurochemical effects of these drugs.", "contents": "Effects of d-amphetamine, monomethoxyamphetamines and hallucinogens on schedule-controlled behavior. The effects of 16 drugs were studied in rats responding under fixed-ratio (FR 30) and fixed-interval (FI 2 minute) schedules of food presentation. The drugs tested included lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, d-amphetamine and 12 methoxylated amphetamines. All of the drugs decreased the average rates of responding under both schedules, but their potencies varied widely. For example, with LSD, the most potent drug tested, doses of 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg were sufficient to reduce responding while with dimethyltryptamine and mescaline, doses of 10 to 30 mg/kg were required to clearly reduce responding. For the 12 drugs which are known to produce hallucinogenic effects, their potencies in reducing responding were positively correlated with their reported potencies in producing these subjective effects in humans. Although all of the drugs decreased the average rates of responding, alterations in the patterns of responding under the FR and FI schedules varied among the drugs. Analysis of responding under the FI schedule indicated that d-amphetamine, m-methoxyamphetamine, p-methoxyamphetamine, LSD and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine generally increased the low rates of responding occurring at the beginning of each interval and decreased the high rates of responding occurring later in each interval (rate-dependent effects). The other drugs generally decreased responding throughout the interval. These results are discussed in terms of the known neurochemical effects of these drugs.", "PMID": 619124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2925", "title": "Phenylbutazone-induced decrease in renal blood flow.", "content": "Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin), and anti-inflammatory agent, has been reported to decrease renal excretion of sodium and water. Whether or not an alteration in renal hemodynamics could be involved in producing these effects was tested in anesthetized dogs. Renal blood flow (RBF) was monitored with electromagnetic flow probes. After i.v. administration of phenylbutazone, 2 mg/kg, RBF fell by 20%. Glomerular filtration rate, sodium and water excretion were also decreased and blood pressure increased slightly. The reduction of RBF and glomerular filtration rate by phenylbutazone indicates that a hemodynamic mechanism could be involved in the retention of sodium and water induced by this agent. The decreased blood flow was correlated with a depressed renal secretion of prostaglandin E. Also, in animals pretreated with indomethacin, another inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, administration of phenylbutazone did not result in any additional changes in renal hemodynamics or excretion of sodium and water. In addition, phenylbutazone antagonized the ability of furosemide to increase RBF, an inhibition which has previously been shown to occur with indomethacin. Thus, phenylbutazone appears to alter renal mechanisms in a manner similar to indomethacin.", "contents": "Phenylbutazone-induced decrease in renal blood flow. Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin), and anti-inflammatory agent, has been reported to decrease renal excretion of sodium and water. Whether or not an alteration in renal hemodynamics could be involved in producing these effects was tested in anesthetized dogs. Renal blood flow (RBF) was monitored with electromagnetic flow probes. After i.v. administration of phenylbutazone, 2 mg/kg, RBF fell by 20%. Glomerular filtration rate, sodium and water excretion were also decreased and blood pressure increased slightly. The reduction of RBF and glomerular filtration rate by phenylbutazone indicates that a hemodynamic mechanism could be involved in the retention of sodium and water induced by this agent. The decreased blood flow was correlated with a depressed renal secretion of prostaglandin E. Also, in animals pretreated with indomethacin, another inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, administration of phenylbutazone did not result in any additional changes in renal hemodynamics or excretion of sodium and water. In addition, phenylbutazone antagonized the ability of furosemide to increase RBF, an inhibition which has previously been shown to occur with indomethacin. Thus, phenylbutazone appears to alter renal mechanisms in a manner similar to indomethacin.", "PMID": 619125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2926", "title": "Distribution of intracortical renal blood flow induced by bumetanide in the dog.", "content": "Experiments were performed in hydropenic, anesthetized dogs to investigate the effect of two dose levels of bumetanide on sodium excretion, urinary concentration, total renal blood flow and intracortical distribution of blood flow using the radioactive microsphere technique. Intravenous administration of bumetanide (0.025 mg/kg followed by 0.025 mg/min) did not alter blood flow within the kidney. A higher dose of bumetanide (0.1 mg/kg followed by 0.1 mg/min) significantly increased total renal blood flow and lowered renal vascular resistance. The rise in renal blood flow after bumetanide was due entirely to an increase in perfusion to the midcortical and juxtamedullary regions. A transient rise in plasma renin activity was measured only after the higher dose of bumetanide. Both doses of bumetanide increased sodium excretion and depressed solute free water reabsorption, although natriuresis was greater in response to the high dose. The results indicate that higher dose levels of bumetanide can increase total renal blood flow to the inner cortex. However, changes in renal blood flow were apparently not essential for the diuretic action of bumetanide because a significant natriuresis was observed in a setting where no change in intrarenal hemodynamics could be detected.", "contents": "Distribution of intracortical renal blood flow induced by bumetanide in the dog. Experiments were performed in hydropenic, anesthetized dogs to investigate the effect of two dose levels of bumetanide on sodium excretion, urinary concentration, total renal blood flow and intracortical distribution of blood flow using the radioactive microsphere technique. Intravenous administration of bumetanide (0.025 mg/kg followed by 0.025 mg/min) did not alter blood flow within the kidney. A higher dose of bumetanide (0.1 mg/kg followed by 0.1 mg/min) significantly increased total renal blood flow and lowered renal vascular resistance. The rise in renal blood flow after bumetanide was due entirely to an increase in perfusion to the midcortical and juxtamedullary regions. A transient rise in plasma renin activity was measured only after the higher dose of bumetanide. Both doses of bumetanide increased sodium excretion and depressed solute free water reabsorption, although natriuresis was greater in response to the high dose. The results indicate that higher dose levels of bumetanide can increase total renal blood flow to the inner cortex. However, changes in renal blood flow were apparently not essential for the diuretic action of bumetanide because a significant natriuresis was observed in a setting where no change in intrarenal hemodynamics could be detected.", "PMID": 619126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2927", "title": "Effects of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine on the electromechanical properties of guinea-pig myocardium.", "content": "The effects of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) were studied in vitro on transmembrane potential and contractility in guinea-pig myocardium. In electrically driven Langendorff-perfused hearts, the addition of 1 and 5 mM TAP produced an initial dose-dependent positive inotropic response with no change in resting tension. The activation process was studied by means of microelectrode and tension recording from isolated electrically driven guinea-pig left atrial preparations. TAP (1-10 mM) produced dose-dependent changes in both electrical and mechanical properties of the tissue. In particular, 1,5 and 10 mM TAP increased the action potential duration by approximately 20, 40 and 60% while also increasing contractile strength by approximately 30, 60 and 90%, respectively. The mechanical effects of TAP were also observed in the presence of 10 muM propranolol. Experiments on catecholamine-restored hearts which were depolarized by potassium indicated that the inotropic action of TAP was associated with slow calcium influx channels. The inotropic effects of TAP were reduced by D600, a calcium antagonistic agent. These data are consistent with a hypothesis that the inotropic actions of TAP result from a decrease in potassium conductance as a result of the inhibition of Ca++-K+ interactions at the inner surface of the myocardial membrane.", "contents": "Effects of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine on the electromechanical properties of guinea-pig myocardium. The effects of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) were studied in vitro on transmembrane potential and contractility in guinea-pig myocardium. In electrically driven Langendorff-perfused hearts, the addition of 1 and 5 mM TAP produced an initial dose-dependent positive inotropic response with no change in resting tension. The activation process was studied by means of microelectrode and tension recording from isolated electrically driven guinea-pig left atrial preparations. TAP (1-10 mM) produced dose-dependent changes in both electrical and mechanical properties of the tissue. In particular, 1,5 and 10 mM TAP increased the action potential duration by approximately 20, 40 and 60% while also increasing contractile strength by approximately 30, 60 and 90%, respectively. The mechanical effects of TAP were also observed in the presence of 10 muM propranolol. Experiments on catecholamine-restored hearts which were depolarized by potassium indicated that the inotropic action of TAP was associated with slow calcium influx channels. The inotropic effects of TAP were reduced by D600, a calcium antagonistic agent. These data are consistent with a hypothesis that the inotropic actions of TAP result from a decrease in potassium conductance as a result of the inhibition of Ca++-K+ interactions at the inner surface of the myocardial membrane.", "PMID": 619128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2928", "title": "Hydantoin drugs inhibit polymerization of pure microtubular protein.", "content": "5,5-Diphenylhydantoin or 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, 3.6 X 10(-4) M, inhibited polymerization of purified pig brain tubulin 50% as measured by viscosometric assay and estimation of tubulin length by electron microscopy. 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin did not bind to the low molecular weight fraction of tubulin or to guanosinetriphosphate; it displaced colchicine weakly from its binding site. 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin did not depolymerize established microtubules, indicating that it differs from colchicine in site and mode of action.", "contents": "Hydantoin drugs inhibit polymerization of pure microtubular protein. 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin or 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, 3.6 X 10(-4) M, inhibited polymerization of purified pig brain tubulin 50% as measured by viscosometric assay and estimation of tubulin length by electron microscopy. 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin did not bind to the low molecular weight fraction of tubulin or to guanosinetriphosphate; it displaced colchicine weakly from its binding site. 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin did not depolymerize established microtubules, indicating that it differs from colchicine in site and mode of action.", "PMID": 619129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2929", "title": "Morphologic effect of hydantoin drugs on mitosis and microtubules of cultured human lymphocytes.", "content": "A new class of mitotic inhibitors is described. Diphenylhydantoin and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH), its metabolite, increase the mitotic index of cultured human lymphocytes without affecting the second resting phase (G2). Mitotic inhibition by these compounds is time dependent, and not a property of hydantoins in general. HPPH proved to be more potent than diphenylhydantoin. Electron micrographs of HPPH-treated human lymphocytes showed changes in 45% of the cells in metaphase: a decrease in microtubules or the appearance of 100 A microfilaments. These changes resemble those induced by colchicine.", "contents": "Morphologic effect of hydantoin drugs on mitosis and microtubules of cultured human lymphocytes. A new class of mitotic inhibitors is described. Diphenylhydantoin and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (HPPH), its metabolite, increase the mitotic index of cultured human lymphocytes without affecting the second resting phase (G2). Mitotic inhibition by these compounds is time dependent, and not a property of hydantoins in general. HPPH proved to be more potent than diphenylhydantoin. Electron micrographs of HPPH-treated human lymphocytes showed changes in 45% of the cells in metaphase: a decrease in microtubules or the appearance of 100 A microfilaments. These changes resemble those induced by colchicine.", "PMID": 619130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2930", "title": "The effect of hydralazine and other drugs on the kinetics of procainamide acetylation by rat liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase.", "content": "The objectives of this study were to investigate 1) the tissue distribution of procainamide acetylase activity in the rat and 2) the kinetics of procainamide acetylation by rat liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase and 3) to determine the effect of drugs thought to be similarly acetylated on procainamide acetylation. The cytosol fraction (100,000 X g) of tissue homogenates served as the source of N-acetyltransferase. Of the tissues studied the liver possessed the greatest acetylase activity followed by the kidney, lung, intestine and spleen. The apparent procainamide Michalis constant (Km) for liver and kidney was 2.03 X 10(-4) and 2.09 X 10(-4) M in the presence of 4.2 X 10(-4) M acetyl CoA. The liver Km for procainamide with \"infinite\" acetylCoA concentration was 4.36 X 10(-3) M. The liver Km for acetyl CoA in the presence of \"infinite\" PA concentration was 2.44 X 10(-3) M. Hydralazine, para-aminobenzoic acid, isoniazid, and sulfapyridine competitively inhibited procainamide acetylation by liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase.", "contents": "The effect of hydralazine and other drugs on the kinetics of procainamide acetylation by rat liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase. The objectives of this study were to investigate 1) the tissue distribution of procainamide acetylase activity in the rat and 2) the kinetics of procainamide acetylation by rat liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase and 3) to determine the effect of drugs thought to be similarly acetylated on procainamide acetylation. The cytosol fraction (100,000 X g) of tissue homogenates served as the source of N-acetyltransferase. Of the tissues studied the liver possessed the greatest acetylase activity followed by the kidney, lung, intestine and spleen. The apparent procainamide Michalis constant (Km) for liver and kidney was 2.03 X 10(-4) and 2.09 X 10(-4) M in the presence of 4.2 X 10(-4) M acetyl CoA. The liver Km for procainamide with \"infinite\" acetylCoA concentration was 4.36 X 10(-3) M. The liver Km for acetyl CoA in the presence of \"infinite\" PA concentration was 2.44 X 10(-3) M. Hydralazine, para-aminobenzoic acid, isoniazid, and sulfapyridine competitively inhibited procainamide acetylation by liver and kidney N-acetyltransferase.", "PMID": 619131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2931", "title": "The quantitative disposition of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide in the rat.", "content": "The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) the rat acetylator phenotype, 2) the systemic availability of oral procainamide (PA), 3) the kinetic disposition of PA and its N-acetyl metabolite (NAPA) and 4) the relationship between PA dose and steady-state blood PA and NAPA levels. The rat acetylator phenotype seems to be monomorphic in type. The systemic availability of PA was estimated to be 78%. The half-life (T 1/2) of PA elimination was 55 minutes and that of NAPA was 51 minutes. PA clearance was 64 ml/kg/min and NAPA clearance 22.4 ml/kg/min. The apparent distribution volume for PA was 4.92 liters/kg and for NAPA 1.64 liters/kg. Acetylation accounted for 38% of PA disposition, urinary excretion 34% and other metabolism 28%. Urinary excretion of NAPA accounted for 72% of administered drug. Steady-state blood PA levels showed a linear increase with dose whereas NAPA did not. The latter observation suggests saturation of PA acetylation at higher PA doses.", "contents": "The quantitative disposition of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide in the rat. The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) the rat acetylator phenotype, 2) the systemic availability of oral procainamide (PA), 3) the kinetic disposition of PA and its N-acetyl metabolite (NAPA) and 4) the relationship between PA dose and steady-state blood PA and NAPA levels. The rat acetylator phenotype seems to be monomorphic in type. The systemic availability of PA was estimated to be 78%. The half-life (T 1/2) of PA elimination was 55 minutes and that of NAPA was 51 minutes. PA clearance was 64 ml/kg/min and NAPA clearance 22.4 ml/kg/min. The apparent distribution volume for PA was 4.92 liters/kg and for NAPA 1.64 liters/kg. Acetylation accounted for 38% of PA disposition, urinary excretion 34% and other metabolism 28%. Urinary excretion of NAPA accounted for 72% of administered drug. Steady-state blood PA levels showed a linear increase with dose whereas NAPA did not. The latter observation suggests saturation of PA acetylation at higher PA doses.", "PMID": 619132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2932", "title": "Blockade of tissue uptake of the antineoplastic agent, doxorubicin.", "content": "Myocardial uptake of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and its inhibition by digoxin and propranolol were studied in paced, isolated perfused cat hearts using tritiated doxorubicin. Contractility was studied using a Walton-Brody strain gauge arch and its first derivative. Coronary blood flow was measured by collecting the effluent from the heart. The myocardial content of doxorubicin was 0.069 +/- 0.101 nmol/mg after 30 minutes. Combined administration of doxorubicin and digoxin reduced the myocardial content of doxorubicin to 0.025 +/- 0.010 nmol/mg (P less than .02). The combination increased contractility compared with doxorubicin alone and increased coronary blood flow compared with digoxin alone. The reduction in the myocardial content of digoxin by doxorubicin was not significant. Propranolol also reduced the myocardial uptake of doxorubicin (P less than .05) without changing coronary blood flow and without further reducing contractility. Thus, both propranolol and digoxin merit evaluation in preventing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.", "contents": "Blockade of tissue uptake of the antineoplastic agent, doxorubicin. Myocardial uptake of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and its inhibition by digoxin and propranolol were studied in paced, isolated perfused cat hearts using tritiated doxorubicin. Contractility was studied using a Walton-Brody strain gauge arch and its first derivative. Coronary blood flow was measured by collecting the effluent from the heart. The myocardial content of doxorubicin was 0.069 +/- 0.101 nmol/mg after 30 minutes. Combined administration of doxorubicin and digoxin reduced the myocardial content of doxorubicin to 0.025 +/- 0.010 nmol/mg (P less than .02). The combination increased contractility compared with doxorubicin alone and increased coronary blood flow compared with digoxin alone. The reduction in the myocardial content of digoxin by doxorubicin was not significant. Propranolol also reduced the myocardial uptake of doxorubicin (P less than .05) without changing coronary blood flow and without further reducing contractility. Thus, both propranolol and digoxin merit evaluation in preventing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.", "PMID": 619133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2933", "title": "Effects of intravenous and intraventricular prostaglandin E1 on thermoregulatory responses in rabbits.", "content": "The thermal responses produced by both systemic and central administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at the three different ambient temperatures (Ta) of 2, 22 and 32 degrees C were measured to assess the possible involvement of PGE1 in temperature regulation. The body temperatures, metabolic rate, respiratory evaporative heat loss and vasomotor activity in response to PGE1 were measured. Intravenous administration of PGE1 produced dose-dependent hypothermia at Ta's of both 2 and 22 degrees C. The PGE1 hypothermia was due to cutaneous vasodilation. However, at a Ta of 32 degrees C, intravenous PGE1 produced no changes in rectal temperature and ear blood flow. On the other hand, the direct injection of PGE1 into the third ventricle produced dose-dependent hyperthermia. At a Ta of 22 degrees C, PGE1 fever was due to decreased heat loss along with a small increase in heat production. In the cold, PGE1 fever was due to increased heat production while in the heat heat losses were decreased. The data suggest that elevating PGE1 levels in the periphery causes a hypothermia, while elevating PGE1 levels in the central nervous system causes a hyperthermia at Ta's of both 2 and 22 degrees C.", "contents": "Effects of intravenous and intraventricular prostaglandin E1 on thermoregulatory responses in rabbits. The thermal responses produced by both systemic and central administration of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at the three different ambient temperatures (Ta) of 2, 22 and 32 degrees C were measured to assess the possible involvement of PGE1 in temperature regulation. The body temperatures, metabolic rate, respiratory evaporative heat loss and vasomotor activity in response to PGE1 were measured. Intravenous administration of PGE1 produced dose-dependent hypothermia at Ta's of both 2 and 22 degrees C. The PGE1 hypothermia was due to cutaneous vasodilation. However, at a Ta of 32 degrees C, intravenous PGE1 produced no changes in rectal temperature and ear blood flow. On the other hand, the direct injection of PGE1 into the third ventricle produced dose-dependent hyperthermia. At a Ta of 22 degrees C, PGE1 fever was due to decreased heat loss along with a small increase in heat production. In the cold, PGE1 fever was due to increased heat production while in the heat heat losses were decreased. The data suggest that elevating PGE1 levels in the periphery causes a hypothermia, while elevating PGE1 levels in the central nervous system causes a hyperthermia at Ta's of both 2 and 22 degrees C.", "PMID": 619134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2934", "title": "Drug design and development. A realistic appraisal.", "content": "The discovery of new biologically-therapeutically active structures continues to depend on screening and on isolated observations of unexpected drug metabolites and drug activities. The selection of therapeutically improved and useful chemicals requires molecular modification. Refinements in intuitive and physiochemical methodology can provide shortcuts in random choices and permit extrapolations of some facets of activity with a variable degree of accuracy. The final decisions concerning the usefulness of a drug remain in the domain of experimental and clinical pharmacology.", "contents": "Drug design and development. A realistic appraisal. The discovery of new biologically-therapeutically active structures continues to depend on screening and on isolated observations of unexpected drug metabolites and drug activities. The selection of therapeutically improved and useful chemicals requires molecular modification. Refinements in intuitive and physiochemical methodology can provide shortcuts in random choices and permit extrapolations of some facets of activity with a variable degree of accuracy. The final decisions concerning the usefulness of a drug remain in the domain of experimental and clinical pharmacology.", "PMID": 619137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2935", "title": "Nitrogen analogues of 1,4-benzoquinones. Activities against the ascitic sarcoma 180 of mice.", "content": "Compounds having the basic structure N-(R)-substituted ring-substituted 4-iminocyclohexadienone have been synthesized and tested as antitumor agents against the ascitic sarcoma 180 tumor in Swiss mice. Among these compounds, the dimethylindoanilines [R = 4-(CH3)2NC6H4] are most stable in water at pH 7.0 and at 25 degrees C, the oximes (R = oh) are less stable, and the N-halo compounds (R = Br and Cl) are least stable. The N-halo derivatives have the highest redox potentials under the conditions used, the greatest effect against ascitic sarcoma 180 in Swiss mice, and the greatest acute toxicity when injected ip in the Swiss mice. Discriminant analysis of the results indicates that substituents with positive values of F and negative values of pi increase the antitumor activities, whereas those with positive values of sigma and R should lower the toxicity. The redox potential, a molecular parameter, is the best single variable for discriminating between the groups based on antitumor activities.", "contents": "Nitrogen analogues of 1,4-benzoquinones. Activities against the ascitic sarcoma 180 of mice. Compounds having the basic structure N-(R)-substituted ring-substituted 4-iminocyclohexadienone have been synthesized and tested as antitumor agents against the ascitic sarcoma 180 tumor in Swiss mice. Among these compounds, the dimethylindoanilines [R = 4-(CH3)2NC6H4] are most stable in water at pH 7.0 and at 25 degrees C, the oximes (R = oh) are less stable, and the N-halo compounds (R = Br and Cl) are least stable. The N-halo derivatives have the highest redox potentials under the conditions used, the greatest effect against ascitic sarcoma 180 in Swiss mice, and the greatest acute toxicity when injected ip in the Swiss mice. Discriminant analysis of the results indicates that substituents with positive values of F and negative values of pi increase the antitumor activities, whereas those with positive values of sigma and R should lower the toxicity. The redox potential, a molecular parameter, is the best single variable for discriminating between the groups based on antitumor activities.", "PMID": 619138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2936", "title": "Synthesis of 1-deaza-6-thioguanosine and 1-deaza-6-(methylthio)guanosine.", "content": "A synthesis of 1-deaza-6-thioguanosine (8) and 1-deaza-6-(methylthio)guanosine (9) from 2-amino-6-chloro-1-deazapurine (4) is described. The reaction of the N2-acetyl derivative of 4 with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-D-ribofuranosyl chloride in the presence of Linde 4A molecular sieve gave the blocked nucleoside 6. Deacetylation of 6 gave the chloro nucleoside 7 which was treated at high temperature with hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan to give 8 and 9, respectively. The structure of 7 was confirmed by 1H NMR and by conversion to the cyclonucleoside 14. Compound 4 gave a 79% increase in life span in the L1210 mouse leukemia screen.", "contents": "Synthesis of 1-deaza-6-thioguanosine and 1-deaza-6-(methylthio)guanosine. A synthesis of 1-deaza-6-thioguanosine (8) and 1-deaza-6-(methylthio)guanosine (9) from 2-amino-6-chloro-1-deazapurine (4) is described. The reaction of the N2-acetyl derivative of 4 with 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-D-ribofuranosyl chloride in the presence of Linde 4A molecular sieve gave the blocked nucleoside 6. Deacetylation of 6 gave the chloro nucleoside 7 which was treated at high temperature with hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan to give 8 and 9, respectively. The structure of 7 was confirmed by 1H NMR and by conversion to the cyclonucleoside 14. Compound 4 gave a 79% increase in life span in the L1210 mouse leukemia screen.", "PMID": 619139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2937", "title": "Synthesis and some pharmacological properties (4-beta-(2-thienyl)-L-alanine)oxytocin.", "content": "The synthesis and some biological activities of [4-beta-(2-thienyl)-L-alanine]oxytocin are reported. This analogue has been studied in an ongoing exploration of the biological effects of introducing amino acid residues with bulky hydrophobic side chains into the second corner position of the beta turn present in the conformation of the 20-membered ring portion of oxytocin. The analogue was synthesized in stepwise manner by solution techniques utilizing ethylcarbamoyl protection for cysteine side chains. The presence of thienylalanine in position 4 evokes a drastic reduction in both affinity and intrinsic activity; the reduction in intrinsic activity was greater than that found for [Leu4]oxytocin or [Phe4]oxytocin. The analogue possesses 0.51 +/- 0.03 unit/mg of rat uterotonic potency and less than 0.05 unit/mg of rat pressor and rat antidiuretic potency and behaves as a competitive inhibitor of the response to oxytocin in the avian vasodepressor assay with a pA2 value of 7.44 +/- 0.19.", "contents": "Synthesis and some pharmacological properties (4-beta-(2-thienyl)-L-alanine)oxytocin. The synthesis and some biological activities of [4-beta-(2-thienyl)-L-alanine]oxytocin are reported. This analogue has been studied in an ongoing exploration of the biological effects of introducing amino acid residues with bulky hydrophobic side chains into the second corner position of the beta turn present in the conformation of the 20-membered ring portion of oxytocin. The analogue was synthesized in stepwise manner by solution techniques utilizing ethylcarbamoyl protection for cysteine side chains. The presence of thienylalanine in position 4 evokes a drastic reduction in both affinity and intrinsic activity; the reduction in intrinsic activity was greater than that found for [Leu4]oxytocin or [Phe4]oxytocin. The analogue possesses 0.51 +/- 0.03 unit/mg of rat uterotonic potency and less than 0.05 unit/mg of rat pressor and rat antidiuretic potency and behaves as a competitive inhibitor of the response to oxytocin in the avian vasodepressor assay with a pA2 value of 7.44 +/- 0.19.", "PMID": 619140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2938", "title": "Replacement of the disulfide bond in oxytocin by an amide group. Synthesis and some biological properties of (cyclo-(1-L-aspartic acid,6-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid))oxytocin.", "content": "As part of a continuing investigation of the steric and electronic functions of the disulfide group in neurohypophyseal hormones on their biological activity, the synthesis of \"oxytocin lactam\", [cyclo-(1-aspartic acid,6-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid)]oxytocin, has been undertaken. The protected nonapeptide was prepared in a stepwise manner by solution techniques; after removal of side-chain protecting groups, formation of the briding amide bonds was accomplished by oxidation-reduction condensation. The analogue possesses rat uterotonic, avian vasodepressor, and rat antidiuretic potencies of 16 +/- 2, 6.6 +/- 0.6, and 5.6 +/- 3.8 units/mg, respectively.", "contents": "Replacement of the disulfide bond in oxytocin by an amide group. Synthesis and some biological properties of (cyclo-(1-L-aspartic acid,6-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid))oxytocin. As part of a continuing investigation of the steric and electronic functions of the disulfide group in neurohypophyseal hormones on their biological activity, the synthesis of \"oxytocin lactam\", [cyclo-(1-aspartic acid,6-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid)]oxytocin, has been undertaken. The protected nonapeptide was prepared in a stepwise manner by solution techniques; after removal of side-chain protecting groups, formation of the briding amide bonds was accomplished by oxidation-reduction condensation. The analogue possesses rat uterotonic, avian vasodepressor, and rat antidiuretic potencies of 16 +/- 2, 6.6 +/- 0.6, and 5.6 +/- 3.8 units/mg, respectively.", "PMID": 619141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2939", "title": "Synthesis and comparative skeletal muscle relaxant activity of some 2,4-imidazolidinediones and their corresponding 5-hydroxy-2,4-imidazolidinediones.", "content": "A series of 5-hydroxy substitution products of 2,4-imidazolidinediones, including the 5-hydroxy metabolite of the skeletal muscle contraction antagonist, dantrolene sodium, has been synthesized and evaluated for skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Most of these analogues are active in vivo with iv administration and in vitro. While two analogues are also active by oral and ip administration, only 1-[[[5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-5-hydroxy-2,4-imidazolidinedione is sufficiently active in inhibiting the Straub tail in mice. However, none of these analogues has a muscle relaxant efficacy index greater than 1, comparable to dantrolene.", "contents": "Synthesis and comparative skeletal muscle relaxant activity of some 2,4-imidazolidinediones and their corresponding 5-hydroxy-2,4-imidazolidinediones. A series of 5-hydroxy substitution products of 2,4-imidazolidinediones, including the 5-hydroxy metabolite of the skeletal muscle contraction antagonist, dantrolene sodium, has been synthesized and evaluated for skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Most of these analogues are active in vivo with iv administration and in vitro. While two analogues are also active by oral and ip administration, only 1-[[[5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-furanyl]methylene]amino]-5-hydroxy-2,4-imidazolidinedione is sufficiently active in inhibiting the Straub tail in mice. However, none of these analogues has a muscle relaxant efficacy index greater than 1, comparable to dantrolene.", "PMID": 619142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2940", "title": "3-Benzazocine amidinium nitronates. An unusual type of opiate antagonist.", "content": "An interesting type of 3-benzazocine ring system which contains amidine functionality has been found to have significant narcotic antagonist activity. The isomeric 2-benzazocine, which incorporates similar structural features, except for the position of the ring nitrogen and adjacent phenyl substituent, is inactive. These 2- and 3-benzazocines can be synthesized in a single step from appropriately structured amidines and naphthalenes, and such syntheses may provide useful routes to new and interesting types of narcotic antagonists.", "contents": "3-Benzazocine amidinium nitronates. An unusual type of opiate antagonist. An interesting type of 3-benzazocine ring system which contains amidine functionality has been found to have significant narcotic antagonist activity. The isomeric 2-benzazocine, which incorporates similar structural features, except for the position of the ring nitrogen and adjacent phenyl substituent, is inactive. These 2- and 3-benzazocines can be synthesized in a single step from appropriately structured amidines and naphthalenes, and such syntheses may provide useful routes to new and interesting types of narcotic antagonists.", "PMID": 619143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2941", "title": "Anomalous chiroptical properties of warfarin and phenprocoumon.", "content": "The configurationally similar enantiomers of warfarin and phenprocoumon are found to exhibit circular dichroism curves which are nearly mirror related in the range of 240-340 nm. This effect is interpreted as being due to spatial similarities of the preferred conformations of opposite configurations of the two drugs in solution. An inherently dissymmetric chromophore (theta approximately 1.2 x 10(5)) is observed at approximately 220 nm for warfarin, the cyclic hemiketal tautomeric forms, and the cyclic methyl ketals.", "contents": "Anomalous chiroptical properties of warfarin and phenprocoumon. The configurationally similar enantiomers of warfarin and phenprocoumon are found to exhibit circular dichroism curves which are nearly mirror related in the range of 240-340 nm. This effect is interpreted as being due to spatial similarities of the preferred conformations of opposite configurations of the two drugs in solution. An inherently dissymmetric chromophore (theta approximately 1.2 x 10(5)) is observed at approximately 220 nm for warfarin, the cyclic hemiketal tautomeric forms, and the cyclic methyl ketals.", "PMID": 619144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2942", "title": "Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 21. Murine oncolytic and antifertility effect of adamantylaziridine compounds.", "content": "P,P-Bis(1-aziridinyl)-N-adamantylphosphinic amide and N,N'-bis(ethylene)-P-(1-adamantyl)phosphonic diamide were synthesized as potential anticancer and male antifertility agents. Log P values (octanol-water) of the agents were determined and compared to calculated values. Both derivatives displayed intraperitoneal murine antileukemic activity and antifertility effects when given intraperitoneally and orally.", "contents": "Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 21. Murine oncolytic and antifertility effect of adamantylaziridine compounds. P,P-Bis(1-aziridinyl)-N-adamantylphosphinic amide and N,N'-bis(ethylene)-P-(1-adamantyl)phosphonic diamide were synthesized as potential anticancer and male antifertility agents. Log P values (octanol-water) of the agents were determined and compared to calculated values. Both derivatives displayed intraperitoneal murine antileukemic activity and antifertility effects when given intraperitoneally and orally.", "PMID": 619145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2943", "title": "Structure-activity relationships in antitumor aniline mustards.", "content": "Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) have been formulated for the hydrolysis of aniline mustards and their antitumor activity against Walker 256 tumor and L1210 and P388 leukemia. In general, the antitumor activity parallels hydrolysis under the conditions defined by Ross; toxicity (LD50) parallels antitumor efficacy. Chlorambucil is an exception. A most important finding is that ideal lipophilicity for effectiveness against Walker tumor appears to be much higher than for the leukemias which suggests that solid tumors may, in general, require more lipophilic drugs than leukemias.", "contents": "Structure-activity relationships in antitumor aniline mustards. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) have been formulated for the hydrolysis of aniline mustards and their antitumor activity against Walker 256 tumor and L1210 and P388 leukemia. In general, the antitumor activity parallels hydrolysis under the conditions defined by Ross; toxicity (LD50) parallels antitumor efficacy. Chlorambucil is an exception. A most important finding is that ideal lipophilicity for effectiveness against Walker tumor appears to be much higher than for the leukemias which suggests that solid tumors may, in general, require more lipophilic drugs than leukemias.", "PMID": 619146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2944", "title": "Structure and tumor-promoting activity of analogues of anthralin (1,8-dihydroxy-9-anthrone).", "content": "Seventeen analogues of the tumor-promoting agent anthralin were tested for the same biological property by repeated skin application on mouse skin using female ICR/Ha Swiss mice, after a single application of a subcarcinogenic dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Seven of the compounds tested are new compounds. They are 1,8-diacetoxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dimyristoyloxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-acetyl-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-myristoyl-9-anthrone, 1,8,10-trihydroxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracene, and myristoyljuglone. All compounds were used in pure form for the bioassays. Of the 17 test compounds four showed notable tumor-promoting activity. They are 1,8-dihydroxy-10-acetyl-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-myristoyl-9-anthrone, 1-hydroxy-9-anthrone, and juglone. In order to determine whether there is any relationship between tumor-promoting activity and metal chelation in this series, the chelating abilities of anthralin and of its inactive analogue 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone were examined using the bivalent metal ions Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II). No relationship between chelation and tumor-promoting ability was found.", "contents": "Structure and tumor-promoting activity of analogues of anthralin (1,8-dihydroxy-9-anthrone). Seventeen analogues of the tumor-promoting agent anthralin were tested for the same biological property by repeated skin application on mouse skin using female ICR/Ha Swiss mice, after a single application of a subcarcinogenic dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Seven of the compounds tested are new compounds. They are 1,8-diacetoxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dimyristoyloxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-acetyl-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-myristoyl-9-anthrone, 1,8,10-trihydroxy-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracene, and myristoyljuglone. All compounds were used in pure form for the bioassays. Of the 17 test compounds four showed notable tumor-promoting activity. They are 1,8-dihydroxy-10-acetyl-9-anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-myristoyl-9-anthrone, 1-hydroxy-9-anthrone, and juglone. In order to determine whether there is any relationship between tumor-promoting activity and metal chelation in this series, the chelating abilities of anthralin and of its inactive analogue 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone were examined using the bivalent metal ions Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II). No relationship between chelation and tumor-promoting ability was found.", "PMID": 619147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2945", "title": "Potential antitumor agents. 26. Anionic congeners of the 9-anilinoacridines.", "content": "To investigate the possible importance of small levels of sulfonamide anion in the antileukemia (L1210) 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfonanilides, an anionic derivative was prepared, in which -COOH replaced -NHSO2CH3, and shown to have experimental antitumor activity. Analogue synthesis and evaluation show that acceptable placement of the carboxylate function on the 9-anilino ring is restricted to the 1'-position. While the 1'-COOH and 1'-(CH2)2COOH analogues proved active, the intermediate acetate variant (1'-CH2COOH) was inactive. There were marked differences in the effects of added acridine ring substituents, on biologic activity, depending on the function attached to the 9-anilino ring (1'-NHSO2CH3 or 1'-COOH). Consideration of the vector components of possible drug-binding forces, acting on a DNA-intercalated agent, suggests that there may be low-energy barriers to two-dimensional reorientation of a planar, intercalated chromophore in relation to the neighboring purine-pyrimidine base pairs. It is proposed that site forces from an added substituent could lead to modified DNA-binding orientations. Observed acridine-ring substituent effects on biologic activity would then depend on the 9-anilino ring function (1'-NHSO2CH3, 1'-COOH) employed.", "contents": "Potential antitumor agents. 26. Anionic congeners of the 9-anilinoacridines. To investigate the possible importance of small levels of sulfonamide anion in the antileukemia (L1210) 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfonanilides, an anionic derivative was prepared, in which -COOH replaced -NHSO2CH3, and shown to have experimental antitumor activity. Analogue synthesis and evaluation show that acceptable placement of the carboxylate function on the 9-anilino ring is restricted to the 1'-position. While the 1'-COOH and 1'-(CH2)2COOH analogues proved active, the intermediate acetate variant (1'-CH2COOH) was inactive. There were marked differences in the effects of added acridine ring substituents, on biologic activity, depending on the function attached to the 9-anilino ring (1'-NHSO2CH3 or 1'-COOH). Consideration of the vector components of possible drug-binding forces, acting on a DNA-intercalated agent, suggests that there may be low-energy barriers to two-dimensional reorientation of a planar, intercalated chromophore in relation to the neighboring purine-pyrimidine base pairs. It is proposed that site forces from an added substituent could lead to modified DNA-binding orientations. Observed acridine-ring substituent effects on biologic activity would then depend on the 9-anilino ring function (1'-NHSO2CH3, 1'-COOH) employed.", "PMID": 619148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2946", "title": "Analogues of ornithine as inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase. New deductions concerning the topography of the enzyme's active site.", "content": "Fourteen structural analogues of ornithine were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of preparations of the enzyme L-ornithine carboxylase (ODC) (E.C. 4.1.1.17) obtained from rat liver, rat hepatoma cells in culture, or bull prostate. The synthesis of these compounds was achieved either via a Bucherer type reaction or via alkylation of carbanions derived from ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate, methyl isocyanoacetate, benzyl alpha-isocyanopropionate, methylbenzaldimine alanate, and the azlactone derivative of ornithuric acid. (+)-alpha-Methylornithine, which was assigned the L configuration on the basis of rotational criteria, was found to be the most potent reversible inhibitor of ODC among the synthesized compounds. From the degree of inhibition of ODC activity in the presence of the various ornithine analogues, it has been possible to delineate some of the structural features of the substrate L-ornithine which are required for binding to the mammalian ODC active site.", "contents": "Analogues of ornithine as inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase. New deductions concerning the topography of the enzyme's active site. Fourteen structural analogues of ornithine were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of preparations of the enzyme L-ornithine carboxylase (ODC) (E.C. 4.1.1.17) obtained from rat liver, rat hepatoma cells in culture, or bull prostate. The synthesis of these compounds was achieved either via a Bucherer type reaction or via alkylation of carbanions derived from ethyl acetamidocyanoacetate, methyl isocyanoacetate, benzyl alpha-isocyanopropionate, methylbenzaldimine alanate, and the azlactone derivative of ornithuric acid. (+)-alpha-Methylornithine, which was assigned the L configuration on the basis of rotational criteria, was found to be the most potent reversible inhibitor of ODC among the synthesized compounds. From the degree of inhibition of ODC activity in the presence of the various ornithine analogues, it has been possible to delineate some of the structural features of the substrate L-ornithine which are required for binding to the mammalian ODC active site.", "PMID": 619149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2947", "title": "Synthesis and adrenergic activity of benzimidazole bioisosteres of norepinephrine and isoproterenol.", "content": "The concept of bioisosterism between benzimidazole and catechol was applied to the design and synthesis of benzimidazole analogues of norepinephrine, (R,S)-1-[5(6)-benzimidazolyl]-2-aminoethanol (2), and of isoproterenol, (R,S)-1-[5(6)-benzimidazolyl]-2-isopropylaminoethanol (4). Compound 2 was shown to be a partial bioisostere of norepinephrine, with direct agonist activity at the alpha-adrenergic receptor. The ED50 for 2 in contracting the guinea pig isolated aortic strip was determined to be 8.0 x 10(-6) M. Compound 4 was shown to be a partial bioisostere of isoproterenol, with direct activity as a beta-adrenergic agonist. The ED50 values for positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of 4 on the isolated guinea pig atrial preparation were determined to be 6.2 x 10(-6) and 3.8 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The ED50 for 4 on the isolated guinea pig tracheal preparation was determined to be 1.6 x 10(-6) M. These results indicate that 4 shows greater selectively for the beta-2 adrenergic receptor than does isoproterenol. The chemical stability of benzimidazole, compared with that of catechol, suggests that benzimidazole bioisosteres of catecholamines may be of value as adrenergic drugs.", "contents": "Synthesis and adrenergic activity of benzimidazole bioisosteres of norepinephrine and isoproterenol. The concept of bioisosterism between benzimidazole and catechol was applied to the design and synthesis of benzimidazole analogues of norepinephrine, (R,S)-1-[5(6)-benzimidazolyl]-2-aminoethanol (2), and of isoproterenol, (R,S)-1-[5(6)-benzimidazolyl]-2-isopropylaminoethanol (4). Compound 2 was shown to be a partial bioisostere of norepinephrine, with direct agonist activity at the alpha-adrenergic receptor. The ED50 for 2 in contracting the guinea pig isolated aortic strip was determined to be 8.0 x 10(-6) M. Compound 4 was shown to be a partial bioisostere of isoproterenol, with direct activity as a beta-adrenergic agonist. The ED50 values for positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of 4 on the isolated guinea pig atrial preparation were determined to be 6.2 x 10(-6) and 3.8 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The ED50 for 4 on the isolated guinea pig tracheal preparation was determined to be 1.6 x 10(-6) M. These results indicate that 4 shows greater selectively for the beta-2 adrenergic receptor than does isoproterenol. The chemical stability of benzimidazole, compared with that of catechol, suggests that benzimidazole bioisosteres of catecholamines may be of value as adrenergic drugs.", "PMID": 619150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2948", "title": "Thiazolinone analogues of indolmycin with antiviral and antibacterial activity.", "content": "Total synthesis of a series of thiazolinone and thiazolidinone analogues of the antibacterial oxazolinone antibiotic indolmycin is described. The synthetic route involves nucleophilic displacement of mesyloxy and chloro groups from methyl 2-substituted-3-(indol-3-yl)propionates 3 and 4 and butyrate 19 with N-substituted thioureas. The formation of the rearranged chloro esters 29, 43, and 44 from beta(RS,RS)-methyl indolmycenate (27), alpha(RS,SR)-methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(2-methylindol-3-yl)butyrate (39), and alpha-methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(indol-3-yl)valerate (41) supports a reaction mechanism involving neighboring group participation by the indole C-3 carbon during nucleophilic displacement on the beta-carbon of a C-3 substituent. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Although neither indolmycin nor its diastereoisomer isoindolmycin is antiviral, 2-monoalkylaminothiazolinone analogues have in vitro activity against both RNA viruses and bacteria. The most active compound is the sulfur isostere of indolmycin, and only the levorotatory enantiomer 46, with the same absolute stereochemistry as natural indolmycin, has antimicrobial activity.", "contents": "Thiazolinone analogues of indolmycin with antiviral and antibacterial activity. Total synthesis of a series of thiazolinone and thiazolidinone analogues of the antibacterial oxazolinone antibiotic indolmycin is described. The synthetic route involves nucleophilic displacement of mesyloxy and chloro groups from methyl 2-substituted-3-(indol-3-yl)propionates 3 and 4 and butyrate 19 with N-substituted thioureas. The formation of the rearranged chloro esters 29, 43, and 44 from beta(RS,RS)-methyl indolmycenate (27), alpha(RS,SR)-methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(2-methylindol-3-yl)butyrate (39), and alpha-methyl 2-hydroxy-3-(indol-3-yl)valerate (41) supports a reaction mechanism involving neighboring group participation by the indole C-3 carbon during nucleophilic displacement on the beta-carbon of a C-3 substituent. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Although neither indolmycin nor its diastereoisomer isoindolmycin is antiviral, 2-monoalkylaminothiazolinone analogues have in vitro activity against both RNA viruses and bacteria. The most active compound is the sulfur isostere of indolmycin, and only the levorotatory enantiomer 46, with the same absolute stereochemistry as natural indolmycin, has antimicrobial activity.", "PMID": 619151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2949", "title": "Another look at learning style inventory and medical career choice.", "content": "It has been suggested that learning style, as measured by the Learning Style Inventory, can be associated with choice of a particular medical field and that individuals with certain learning styles in making career choices are influenced more than other students by particular learning experiences. In the replication study reported here the Learning Style Inventory was administered to over 200 practicing physicians and medical students. Contrary to the previous findings, the results of this study suggest that there is no association between learning style and career choice in medicine and no association between learning style and the kind of influences which were most important in making a career choice.", "contents": "Another look at learning style inventory and medical career choice. It has been suggested that learning style, as measured by the Learning Style Inventory, can be associated with choice of a particular medical field and that individuals with certain learning styles in making career choices are influenced more than other students by particular learning experiences. In the replication study reported here the Learning Style Inventory was administered to over 200 practicing physicians and medical students. Contrary to the previous findings, the results of this study suggest that there is no association between learning style and career choice in medicine and no association between learning style and the kind of influences which were most important in making a career choice.", "PMID": 619155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2950", "title": "Evaluation of medical students during a clinical clerkship in internal medicine.", "content": "During a three-month clinical clerkship in medicine 175 medical students were evaluated. A proficiency assessment process was developed which included preceptor evaluation of on-the-job performance as well as independent oral and written examinations. Analysis of data from this study disclosed small correlations among the three measurements of clinical competence. Ratings by preceptors, based on direct observations of students, also showed a large intrastudent variation. Although the individual clinical ratings had low reliability, averages taken over a period of time were more consistent. These data have importance not only in the assessment of the clinical competence of medical students but also in other areas of granting medical credentials and certification.", "contents": "Evaluation of medical students during a clinical clerkship in internal medicine. During a three-month clinical clerkship in medicine 175 medical students were evaluated. A proficiency assessment process was developed which included preceptor evaluation of on-the-job performance as well as independent oral and written examinations. Analysis of data from this study disclosed small correlations among the three measurements of clinical competence. Ratings by preceptors, based on direct observations of students, also showed a large intrastudent variation. Although the individual clinical ratings had low reliability, averages taken over a period of time were more consistent. These data have importance not only in the assessment of the clinical competence of medical students but also in other areas of granting medical credentials and certification.", "PMID": 619156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2951", "title": "Personality changes and compatibility in the psychiatric resident--supervisor relationship.", "content": "Seventy-one psychiatric resident-supervisor dyads were studied in terms of Schutz's interpersonal theory of compatibility. Personality changes during the second year of psychiatric residency were also measured by means of Schutz's Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Scale. Predictions relating compatibility to satisfaction with the dyad and to ratings of competence were not confirmed. Personality changes were found, with residents showing a significant decrease in needs for wanting to be included and for expressing affection. Situational factors are proposed for the personality changes, and personality factors are suggested as influencing the selection of psychiatry as a medical specialization.", "contents": "Personality changes and compatibility in the psychiatric resident--supervisor relationship. Seventy-one psychiatric resident-supervisor dyads were studied in terms of Schutz's interpersonal theory of compatibility. Personality changes during the second year of psychiatric residency were also measured by means of Schutz's Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Scale. Predictions relating compatibility to satisfaction with the dyad and to ratings of competence were not confirmed. Personality changes were found, with residents showing a significant decrease in needs for wanting to be included and for expressing affection. Situational factors are proposed for the personality changes, and personality factors are suggested as influencing the selection of psychiatry as a medical specialization.", "PMID": 619157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2952", "title": "Microscopic age changes in the frontal bone of the domestic rabbit.", "content": "This study reveals age related changes in the microscopic structure of the paired frontal bone of the domestic rabbit. Undecalcified ground sections were prepared from anterior frontal bone slices removed from New Zealand White rabbits ranging from birth to 24 months of age. Included were 40 females, 4 males and 6 rabbits less than 14 days old of unknown sex. The ground sections revealed both qualitative and quantitative age changes. Qualitative changes include change in bone tissue types and developmental processes, and presence or absence of primary and secondary osteones. Quantitative changes were measured by counting primary osteones in the outer table of each frontal bone half within 1.6 mm of the metopic suture. In this region, primary osteones were absent at birth, limited in number at 14 days and generally numerous between one and three months of age. In animals older than three months, numbers of primary osteones generally decreased with increasing age. No animals older than 16 months revealed primary osteones. Possible sources of variability in the relationship between observed primary osteone number and age include ability to recognize primary osteones, methods of sampling and processing bone slices, sex related differences and diseases afflicting specimen. Significance of this study includes increased knowledge of frontal bone growth and histology.", "contents": "Microscopic age changes in the frontal bone of the domestic rabbit. This study reveals age related changes in the microscopic structure of the paired frontal bone of the domestic rabbit. Undecalcified ground sections were prepared from anterior frontal bone slices removed from New Zealand White rabbits ranging from birth to 24 months of age. Included were 40 females, 4 males and 6 rabbits less than 14 days old of unknown sex. The ground sections revealed both qualitative and quantitative age changes. Qualitative changes include change in bone tissue types and developmental processes, and presence or absence of primary and secondary osteones. Quantitative changes were measured by counting primary osteones in the outer table of each frontal bone half within 1.6 mm of the metopic suture. In this region, primary osteones were absent at birth, limited in number at 14 days and generally numerous between one and three months of age. In animals older than three months, numbers of primary osteones generally decreased with increasing age. No animals older than 16 months revealed primary osteones. Possible sources of variability in the relationship between observed primary osteone number and age include ability to recognize primary osteones, methods of sampling and processing bone slices, sex related differences and diseases afflicting specimen. Significance of this study includes increased knowledge of frontal bone growth and histology.", "PMID": 619161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2953", "title": "A microscopical study of the innervation of flight muscles in the tsetse fly.", "content": "The gross morphology of the nervous system supplying the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles of tsetse flies is described. Electron microscopical investigation of the nerves reveals that the dorsal longitudinal muscles are innervated by branches from four main axons. A detailed description of the neuromuscular junctions in the flight muscle is presented.", "contents": "A microscopical study of the innervation of flight muscles in the tsetse fly. The gross morphology of the nervous system supplying the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles of tsetse flies is described. Electron microscopical investigation of the nerves reveals that the dorsal longitudinal muscles are innervated by branches from four main axons. A detailed description of the neuromuscular junctions in the flight muscle is presented.", "PMID": 619162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2954", "title": "Survey of continuing education needs for nonemergency physicians in emergency medicine.", "content": "A questionnaire was mailed to every physician in Iowa (2,551) to determine their need for continued education in emergency medicine. There 884 usable responses (34.7%). Results revealed a low incidence of formal education in emergency medicine, particularly at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a great incidence of continued education in the field. Approximately half of the responding physicians felt they treat an emergency patient at least once a week. The primary conclusion of the study is that continued education in basic emergency medical care is perceived as being necessary by physicians who are not specialists in emergency medicine, but, nevertheless, treat patients with medical emergencies. Physicians were most interested in education in basic life saving procedures, such as airway maintenance and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.", "contents": "Survey of continuing education needs for nonemergency physicians in emergency medicine. A questionnaire was mailed to every physician in Iowa (2,551) to determine their need for continued education in emergency medicine. There 884 usable responses (34.7%). Results revealed a low incidence of formal education in emergency medicine, particularly at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with a great incidence of continued education in the field. Approximately half of the responding physicians felt they treat an emergency patient at least once a week. The primary conclusion of the study is that continued education in basic emergency medical care is perceived as being necessary by physicians who are not specialists in emergency medicine, but, nevertheless, treat patients with medical emergencies. Physicians were most interested in education in basic life saving procedures, such as airway maintenance and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.", "PMID": 619167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2955", "title": "Emergency, emergentology, emergentologist.", "content": "No word exists that identifies the branch of knowledge of emergency medicine. The potpourri of names applied to those specializing in emergency medicine creates an aura of amorphism. Emergentology and emergentologist, derived from the Latin emergent, are recommended primarily because they are easily pronounced, appropriately descriptive single words that are obviously related to emergency medicine's foundation word--emergency.", "contents": "Emergency, emergentology, emergentologist. No word exists that identifies the branch of knowledge of emergency medicine. The potpourri of names applied to those specializing in emergency medicine creates an aura of amorphism. Emergentology and emergentologist, derived from the Latin emergent, are recommended primarily because they are easily pronounced, appropriately descriptive single words that are obviously related to emergency medicine's foundation word--emergency.", "PMID": 619170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2956", "title": "Nonemergency visits to a pediatric emergency department.", "content": "We examined six factors that may help to explain why parents take their children to hospital emergency departments: arrival time; travel time; who decided the patient should go; did the patient have a physician; did the parent attempt physician contact, and where the parent would have preferred to have gone for treatment. Results indicate that 47% of the nonemergency visits occurred during the time when physicians maintain office hours. Most visits were made by patients living less than 15 minutes away from the hospital. Physicians decided that the patient should go to the emergency department 18% of the time. Patients with a private physician accounted for 80% of the visits. Most parents did not try to contact a physician prior to the visit. Indeed, 46% of the parents preferred to take their children to the emergency department rather than to a physician's office. Finally, 74% of the parents who attempted some contact with a member of the health care system were referred to the emergengy department for care.", "contents": "Nonemergency visits to a pediatric emergency department. We examined six factors that may help to explain why parents take their children to hospital emergency departments: arrival time; travel time; who decided the patient should go; did the patient have a physician; did the parent attempt physician contact, and where the parent would have preferred to have gone for treatment. Results indicate that 47% of the nonemergency visits occurred during the time when physicians maintain office hours. Most visits were made by patients living less than 15 minutes away from the hospital. Physicians decided that the patient should go to the emergency department 18% of the time. Patients with a private physician accounted for 80% of the visits. Most parents did not try to contact a physician prior to the visit. Indeed, 46% of the parents preferred to take their children to the emergency department rather than to a physician's office. Finally, 74% of the parents who attempted some contact with a member of the health care system were referred to the emergengy department for care.", "PMID": 619171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2957", "title": "Drug injection injuries of the hands: evaluation and treatment.", "content": "Twenty-six patients with hand infections caused by drug injection were seen at Detroit General Hospital between 1974 and 1976 and were followed up. The duration of drug abuse was 2 to 25 years. The time before the patient sought medical help ranged from three days to 20 weeks. Among the 26 patients were three webspace infections, three finger abscesses, four gangrene of distal phalanx, nine cellulitis and abscess, one ulceration of the thenar eminence, and two ulcerations of the volar aspect. Follow-up was difficult due to unreliability of drug addicts.", "contents": "Drug injection injuries of the hands: evaluation and treatment. Twenty-six patients with hand infections caused by drug injection were seen at Detroit General Hospital between 1974 and 1976 and were followed up. The duration of drug abuse was 2 to 25 years. The time before the patient sought medical help ranged from three days to 20 weeks. Among the 26 patients were three webspace infections, three finger abscesses, four gangrene of distal phalanx, nine cellulitis and abscess, one ulceration of the thenar eminence, and two ulcerations of the volar aspect. Follow-up was difficult due to unreliability of drug addicts.", "PMID": 619174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2958", "title": "Inflammatory pseudotumor of the sternum. A complication of polymer application during sternotomy repair.", "content": "A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the sternum resulting from the application of polyurethane foam is discussed. The past use of polymers in bone repair is reviewed.", "contents": "Inflammatory pseudotumor of the sternum. A complication of polymer application during sternotomy repair. A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the sternum resulting from the application of polyurethane foam is discussed. The past use of polymers in bone repair is reviewed.", "PMID": 619176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2959", "title": "Successful surgical correction of infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return into the inferior vena cava. A fourteen-year follow-up.", "content": "This case report describes the long-term follow-up of a patient who, at 7 weeks of age, underwent surgical correction of infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) to the inferior vena cava. Fourteen years after operation, the patient has normal anatomy and nearly normal hemodynamics. The difference between this type of infradiaphragmatic TAPVR with posthepatic drainage is compared with the more common type which drains prehepatically.", "contents": "Successful surgical correction of infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return into the inferior vena cava. A fourteen-year follow-up. This case report describes the long-term follow-up of a patient who, at 7 weeks of age, underwent surgical correction of infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) to the inferior vena cava. Fourteen years after operation, the patient has normal anatomy and nearly normal hemodynamics. The difference between this type of infradiaphragmatic TAPVR with posthepatic drainage is compared with the more common type which drains prehepatically.", "PMID": 619178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2960", "title": "Mycobacterium fortuitum epidemics after open-heart surgery.", "content": "We present the clinical and epidemiological features of Mycobacterium fortuitum epidemics involving 19 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. The source of the infection could not be identified. However, bone wax and homografts utilized at that time have been suspected. The infected patients responded poorly to antibiotic management and their courses in most cases were influenced beneficially by total sternectomy and transplantation of the omentum into the mediastinum. The emergence of M. fortuitum may represent an aggressive bacterial strain resistant to presently used broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs.", "contents": "Mycobacterium fortuitum epidemics after open-heart surgery. We present the clinical and epidemiological features of Mycobacterium fortuitum epidemics involving 19 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. The source of the infection could not be identified. However, bone wax and homografts utilized at that time have been suspected. The infected patients responded poorly to antibiotic management and their courses in most cases were influenced beneficially by total sternectomy and transplantation of the omentum into the mediastinum. The emergence of M. fortuitum may represent an aggressive bacterial strain resistant to presently used broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs.", "PMID": 619181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2961", "title": "Mechanical circulatory support in postoperative cardiogenic shock.", "content": "A 38-year-old white woman had cardiogenic shock after elective mitral valve replacement and was unresponsive to pressor drugs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. A left ventricular assist device (left ventricle to ascending aorta) was implanted 16 hours after the initial operation and provided circulatory support for 8 days. Improvement in the patient's own cardiac performance was documented, and there were no complications attributable to the assist device. However, intercurrent medical problems resulted in clinical deterioration on the fifth day after operation, and the patient died 8 days after operation. The findings in this patient suggest a potential role for this left ventricular assist device in future cases of acute, intractable, but potentially reversible myocardial failure.", "contents": "Mechanical circulatory support in postoperative cardiogenic shock. A 38-year-old white woman had cardiogenic shock after elective mitral valve replacement and was unresponsive to pressor drugs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. A left ventricular assist device (left ventricle to ascending aorta) was implanted 16 hours after the initial operation and provided circulatory support for 8 days. Improvement in the patient's own cardiac performance was documented, and there were no complications attributable to the assist device. However, intercurrent medical problems resulted in clinical deterioration on the fifth day after operation, and the patient died 8 days after operation. The findings in this patient suggest a potential role for this left ventricular assist device in future cases of acute, intractable, but potentially reversible myocardial failure.", "PMID": 619182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2962", "title": "Aerodynamic relationships associated with normal phonation and paralytic dysphonia.", "content": "Physiological differences between normal speakers and those with unilateral vocal cord paralysis are presented. Pressure readings taken intraorally and subglotically are compared during phonation of consonants requiring laryngeal closure and those not requiring cord approximation. From our studies, it is apparent that: (1) a significant difference in air pressure patterns exists between normal speakers and those with vocal cord paralysis, (2) the respiratory apparatus tends to alter normally constant airflow in cases of vocal fold paralysis and (3) either voice therapy or teflon cord injection will significantly alter the aerodynamic relationships from the untreated paralyzed state.", "contents": "Aerodynamic relationships associated with normal phonation and paralytic dysphonia. Physiological differences between normal speakers and those with unilateral vocal cord paralysis are presented. Pressure readings taken intraorally and subglotically are compared during phonation of consonants requiring laryngeal closure and those not requiring cord approximation. From our studies, it is apparent that: (1) a significant difference in air pressure patterns exists between normal speakers and those with vocal cord paralysis, (2) the respiratory apparatus tends to alter normally constant airflow in cases of vocal fold paralysis and (3) either voice therapy or teflon cord injection will significantly alter the aerodynamic relationships from the untreated paralyzed state.", "PMID": 619184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2963", "title": "Sinusitis, otitis and adenotonsillitis in children: a retrospective study.", "content": "A retrospective study of 93 cases in which ventilating tubes were required in the therapy of persistent otitis media. Paranasal sinus radiographs, antral washes and cultures of positive washes were used to demonstrate active sinusitis associated with persistent otitis media. Other factors are also of importance, such as allergic or other immune-related disease processes. However, active sinusitis was demonstrated in 25-49% of the cases studied, depending on criteria used.", "contents": "Sinusitis, otitis and adenotonsillitis in children: a retrospective study. A retrospective study of 93 cases in which ventilating tubes were required in the therapy of persistent otitis media. Paranasal sinus radiographs, antral washes and cultures of positive washes were used to demonstrate active sinusitis associated with persistent otitis media. Other factors are also of importance, such as allergic or other immune-related disease processes. However, active sinusitis was demonstrated in 25-49% of the cases studied, depending on criteria used.", "PMID": 619185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2964", "title": "Monitoring occlusion and accidental extubation of tracheostomy tubes in children.", "content": "Twelve infants and children with tracheostomies have been monitored for occlusion or accidental extubation in hospital and at home using a thermistor-electronic monitor. The patients ranged from 1 month to 6 years of age and have been monitored for 1 to 16 months. The device sounds an alarm when it fails to sense the warming of air on expiration. It is electrically safe, simple to operate and has been well accepted by parents. The thermistor-monitor has permitted the psychologic and economic advantages of earlier hospital discharge especially for the smaller infants. In two infants, and on three occasions in one, use of the device was life-saving. The device is applicable for use in patients of any age, with endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes.", "contents": "Monitoring occlusion and accidental extubation of tracheostomy tubes in children. Twelve infants and children with tracheostomies have been monitored for occlusion or accidental extubation in hospital and at home using a thermistor-electronic monitor. The patients ranged from 1 month to 6 years of age and have been monitored for 1 to 16 months. The device sounds an alarm when it fails to sense the warming of air on expiration. It is electrically safe, simple to operate and has been well accepted by parents. The thermistor-monitor has permitted the psychologic and economic advantages of earlier hospital discharge especially for the smaller infants. In two infants, and on three occasions in one, use of the device was life-saving. The device is applicable for use in patients of any age, with endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes.", "PMID": 619188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2965", "title": "Guidelines for prognosis in head and neck cancer with nodal metastasis.", "content": "Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with cervical node metastasis were studied retrospectively to delineate the prognostic significance of certain clinical and histologic parameters. The patients were divided into radiated and non-radiated groups for analysis purposes. A good prognosis was found in non-radiated patients with an active nodal plasmacytic inflammatory response. No prognostic information was obtainable in observing the inflammatory response of nodes altered by radiation effects. Extranodal spread of the tumor indicated a poor prognosis for radiated and non-radiated patients, being more significant in the non-radiated ones. Patients receiving preoperative radiation must be separated from non-radiated patients in evaluating host response parameters for prognostic purposes.", "contents": "Guidelines for prognosis in head and neck cancer with nodal metastasis. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with cervical node metastasis were studied retrospectively to delineate the prognostic significance of certain clinical and histologic parameters. The patients were divided into radiated and non-radiated groups for analysis purposes. A good prognosis was found in non-radiated patients with an active nodal plasmacytic inflammatory response. No prognostic information was obtainable in observing the inflammatory response of nodes altered by radiation effects. Extranodal spread of the tumor indicated a poor prognosis for radiated and non-radiated patients, being more significant in the non-radiated ones. Patients receiving preoperative radiation must be separated from non-radiated patients in evaluating host response parameters for prognostic purposes.", "PMID": 619189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2966", "title": "An anatomic study of the hypotympanic branch of Jacobson's nerve.", "content": "Microscopic dissection of 20 human temporal bones revealed that the nerve of Jacobson gave rise to a hypotympanic branch in 50% of the specimens. The fact that the branch was frequently covered by promontory bone and was difficult to approach by the standard tympanotomy technique may explain the 21% failure rate as reported in the literature.", "contents": "An anatomic study of the hypotympanic branch of Jacobson's nerve. Microscopic dissection of 20 human temporal bones revealed that the nerve of Jacobson gave rise to a hypotympanic branch in 50% of the specimens. The fact that the branch was frequently covered by promontory bone and was difficult to approach by the standard tympanotomy technique may explain the 21% failure rate as reported in the literature.", "PMID": 619195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2967", "title": "Experiences with parieto-occipital flaps in hair transplantation.", "content": "Parieto-occipital flap operations were successfully performed on patients with hereditary or traumatic baldness. The indications for this procedure, the techniques of the operation, and the postoperative morbidity and complications are described.", "contents": "Experiences with parieto-occipital flaps in hair transplantation. Parieto-occipital flap operations were successfully performed on patients with hereditary or traumatic baldness. The indications for this procedure, the techniques of the operation, and the postoperative morbidity and complications are described.", "PMID": 619196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2968", "title": "A technique of nasolabioplasty.", "content": "There are several techniques available for the improvement of the deep nasolabial folds. The standard face-lift operation is the most acceptable and popular technique as it leaves no scars on the face. Occasionally, the aesthetic surgeon encounters patients who, because of economic or health reasons, cannot undergo the face-lift operation. They may also be too old to want a full face-lift. In these individuals, a nasolabioplasty has been found very useful. The operation may also be used as an adjunct to rhytidectomy in patients with persistent sagging of the cheeks and deep nasolabial folds after a face-lift operation. Two incisions are placed on each side; one precisely on the nasolabial groove and the other lateral to the groove. The amount of skin outlined between the two incisions is proportional to the degree of pull desired. The island of skin between the incisions is not removed. Instead, it is de-epithelialized, rolled on itself into a tube and left in situ under the nasolabial fold to minimize recurrent deepening with time. Other techniques of nasolabioplasty are reviewed. The results of the operation in 14 patients are analyzed, and complications are discussed.", "contents": "A technique of nasolabioplasty. There are several techniques available for the improvement of the deep nasolabial folds. The standard face-lift operation is the most acceptable and popular technique as it leaves no scars on the face. Occasionally, the aesthetic surgeon encounters patients who, because of economic or health reasons, cannot undergo the face-lift operation. They may also be too old to want a full face-lift. In these individuals, a nasolabioplasty has been found very useful. The operation may also be used as an adjunct to rhytidectomy in patients with persistent sagging of the cheeks and deep nasolabial folds after a face-lift operation. Two incisions are placed on each side; one precisely on the nasolabial groove and the other lateral to the groove. The amount of skin outlined between the two incisions is proportional to the degree of pull desired. The island of skin between the incisions is not removed. Instead, it is de-epithelialized, rolled on itself into a tube and left in situ under the nasolabial fold to minimize recurrent deepening with time. Other techniques of nasolabioplasty are reviewed. The results of the operation in 14 patients are analyzed, and complications are discussed.", "PMID": 619197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2969", "title": "Tests for cataglykin activity on a cyanogen bromide fragment of human growth hormone.", "content": "A peptide having the reputed essential amino acid sequence to show cataglykin-like effects was prepared from human growth hormone (hGH) by cyanogen bromide cleavage and was tested in two systems in which cataglykin has effects. The peptide prolonged the depression of blood glucose concentration brought about by insulin during intravenous insulin tolerance tests in rats. However, the magnitude of the depression caused by insulin was not increased. There was no stimulation by the peptide of glucose uptake by rat hemidiaphragrams in the presence of insulin in vitro. Thus, this peptide does not duplicate the effects of cataglykin.", "contents": "Tests for cataglykin activity on a cyanogen bromide fragment of human growth hormone. A peptide having the reputed essential amino acid sequence to show cataglykin-like effects was prepared from human growth hormone (hGH) by cyanogen bromide cleavage and was tested in two systems in which cataglykin has effects. The peptide prolonged the depression of blood glucose concentration brought about by insulin during intravenous insulin tolerance tests in rats. However, the magnitude of the depression caused by insulin was not increased. There was no stimulation by the peptide of glucose uptake by rat hemidiaphragrams in the presence of insulin in vitro. Thus, this peptide does not duplicate the effects of cataglykin.", "PMID": 619223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2970", "title": "C-peptide secretion and insulin antibodies as determinants of stability in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "The relative significance of residual beta-cell secretory activity and human insulin antibodies in determining diabetic stability has been examined in 35 diabetic subjects. The response of plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity following 50 g oral glucose has been used as an index of beta-cell function. Glucose-stimulated C-peptide secretion was observed in 58% of stable diabetics, but in no labile diabetics. When present, C-peptide secretion following a glucose load in diabetics was of smaller amplitude and slower in onset, but more prolonged than in normal subjects. In secretors, stability of diabetes was significantly correlated with the magnitude of the C-peptide response. As a group, labile diabetics had lower insulin antibody levels than stable patients, but stability and antibody levels were not correlated in individual patients. In non-secretors there was no difference in antibody levels between the stable and labile groups. Neither the equilibrium binding affinities nor the dissociation rate constants differed significantly for antibodies from stable and labile diabetics. Thus stability of diabetes depends upon residual beta-cell secretory activity, but not on the concentration or binding characteristics of insulin antibodies.", "contents": "C-peptide secretion and insulin antibodies as determinants of stability in diabetes mellitus. The relative significance of residual beta-cell secretory activity and human insulin antibodies in determining diabetic stability has been examined in 35 diabetic subjects. The response of plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity following 50 g oral glucose has been used as an index of beta-cell function. Glucose-stimulated C-peptide secretion was observed in 58% of stable diabetics, but in no labile diabetics. When present, C-peptide secretion following a glucose load in diabetics was of smaller amplitude and slower in onset, but more prolonged than in normal subjects. In secretors, stability of diabetes was significantly correlated with the magnitude of the C-peptide response. As a group, labile diabetics had lower insulin antibody levels than stable patients, but stability and antibody levels were not correlated in individual patients. In non-secretors there was no difference in antibody levels between the stable and labile groups. Neither the equilibrium binding affinities nor the dissociation rate constants differed significantly for antibodies from stable and labile diabetics. Thus stability of diabetes depends upon residual beta-cell secretory activity, but not on the concentration or binding characteristics of insulin antibodies.", "PMID": 619224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2971", "title": "Spontaneous Fanconi syndrome in the dog.", "content": "Three dogs with spontaneous renal tubular defects similar to idiopathic Fanconi syndrome are characterized. Renal clearance studies revealed a fractional reabsorption of glucose ranging from 31% to 82%. Abnormal glucose thulium values were present in all dogs. A generalized aminoaciduria occurred in two dogs while one had aminoaciduria characteristic of canine cystinuria. Fractional reabsorption of phosphate ranged from 47% to 79%. In vitro uptake of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside was significantly depressed (p less than 0.001). In vitro uptake of amino isobutyric acid was similar to controls. Renal biopsy revealed nonspecific interstitial change in two dogs and normal histology in the other. These animals represent a useful new model for the study of renal tubular transport defects.", "contents": "Spontaneous Fanconi syndrome in the dog. Three dogs with spontaneous renal tubular defects similar to idiopathic Fanconi syndrome are characterized. Renal clearance studies revealed a fractional reabsorption of glucose ranging from 31% to 82%. Abnormal glucose thulium values were present in all dogs. A generalized aminoaciduria occurred in two dogs while one had aminoaciduria characteristic of canine cystinuria. Fractional reabsorption of phosphate ranged from 47% to 79%. In vitro uptake of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside was significantly depressed (p less than 0.001). In vitro uptake of amino isobutyric acid was similar to controls. Renal biopsy revealed nonspecific interstitial change in two dogs and normal histology in the other. These animals represent a useful new model for the study of renal tubular transport defects.", "PMID": 619225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2972", "title": "Heparin resistance and decreased hepatic triglyceride hydrolase release during long-term estrogen-progestin treatment.", "content": "These studies were undertaken to define the mechanism for the depression of post-heparin triglyceride hydrolase activity in women treated with estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives. Six treated and six control women were studied. Total, protamine-inhibited, and protamine-resistant triglyceride hydrolase activities were measured after six different intravenous doses of heparin in each subject in order to determine the dose-response relationships for lipase release. As has been reported during short-term treatment with estrogens, long-term treatment with oral contraceptive agents is accompanied by selective depression of protamine-resistant (hepatic) lipase activity. This depression can be partly reversed by the administration of large heparin doses, but maximally releasing heparin does fail to restore postheparin protamine-resistant activity to control values. These data are compatible with the idea that the releasable pool of hepatic triglyceride hydrolase activity is diminished in women who receive oral contraceptive agents and that the pharmacokinetics of its release are altered in such a way that only relatively high concentrations of heparin displace the enzyme from this pool.", "contents": "Heparin resistance and decreased hepatic triglyceride hydrolase release during long-term estrogen-progestin treatment. These studies were undertaken to define the mechanism for the depression of post-heparin triglyceride hydrolase activity in women treated with estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives. Six treated and six control women were studied. Total, protamine-inhibited, and protamine-resistant triglyceride hydrolase activities were measured after six different intravenous doses of heparin in each subject in order to determine the dose-response relationships for lipase release. As has been reported during short-term treatment with estrogens, long-term treatment with oral contraceptive agents is accompanied by selective depression of protamine-resistant (hepatic) lipase activity. This depression can be partly reversed by the administration of large heparin doses, but maximally releasing heparin does fail to restore postheparin protamine-resistant activity to control values. These data are compatible with the idea that the releasable pool of hepatic triglyceride hydrolase activity is diminished in women who receive oral contraceptive agents and that the pharmacokinetics of its release are altered in such a way that only relatively high concentrations of heparin displace the enzyme from this pool.", "PMID": 619226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2973", "title": "Dose-response studies on the inhibitory effect of thyroid hormones on insulin secretion in the rat.", "content": "Dose-response studies have been performed to investigate the effect of thyroid hormones on insulin secretion from the rat pancreas with special reference to the time course of the hormone effect, doses of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and glucose concentration in the perfusion medium. The prominent effect of thyroid hormones was the inhibition of the late phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion. As the late phase comprises at least 98%-99% of insulin released from the pancreas during a 60-min stimulation period with glucose, 60-min cumulative values were calculated. Both T3 and T4 inhibited insulin secretion and induced concomitant inhibitory effects on plasma cholesterol levels, a parameter of experimental hyperthyroidism. The correlation demonstrates that inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion from the pancreas is a specific effect of thyroid hormones. The inhibitory effect of T3 was five times greater than the inhibitory effect of T4. An excess of thyroid hormones induced hyperthyroidism, with its well-known increased incidence of diabetes.", "contents": "Dose-response studies on the inhibitory effect of thyroid hormones on insulin secretion in the rat. Dose-response studies have been performed to investigate the effect of thyroid hormones on insulin secretion from the rat pancreas with special reference to the time course of the hormone effect, doses of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and glucose concentration in the perfusion medium. The prominent effect of thyroid hormones was the inhibition of the late phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion. As the late phase comprises at least 98%-99% of insulin released from the pancreas during a 60-min stimulation period with glucose, 60-min cumulative values were calculated. Both T3 and T4 inhibited insulin secretion and induced concomitant inhibitory effects on plasma cholesterol levels, a parameter of experimental hyperthyroidism. The correlation demonstrates that inhibition of glucose-induced insulin secretion from the pancreas is a specific effect of thyroid hormones. The inhibitory effect of T3 was five times greater than the inhibitory effect of T4. An excess of thyroid hormones induced hyperthyroidism, with its well-known increased incidence of diabetes.", "PMID": 619228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2974", "title": "The influence of ethanol on splanchnic and skeletal muscle metabolism in man.", "content": "Splanchnic and leg exchange of ethanol, acetate, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and free fatty acids was studied in five healthy volunteers before and after a 60-min infusion of ethanol. Leg and splanchnic blood flows were determined simultaneously using a modified indicator dilution technique. The blood alcohol concentration obtained was 1.88 mmoles/liter and splanchnic uptake of ethanol was calculated to be 1.18 mmoles/min. All subjects showed an acetate uptake over the legs with a mean of 0.25 mmole/min. Splanchnic glucose production was attenuated in four of five subjects after ethanol treatment, and glucose uptake by the legs was significantly reduced. The normal splanchnic uptake of lactate was changed by ethanol to a release, and the arterial concentration was nearly doubled. Net leg release of lactate decreased significantly. Splanchnic blood flow and oxygen uptake were uninfluenced by ethanol, whereas leg blood flow decreased from a mean of 0.77 to 0.65 liter/min. It is concluded that, following ethanol treatment, (1) a major part of acetate released from the splanchnic region is taken up by the muscles, (2) leg glucose uptake is decreased by a reduction of the same magnitude as the actate uptake, and (3) leg blood flow is reduced, probably owing to a constriction of muscle vessels.", "contents": "The influence of ethanol on splanchnic and skeletal muscle metabolism in man. Splanchnic and leg exchange of ethanol, acetate, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, and free fatty acids was studied in five healthy volunteers before and after a 60-min infusion of ethanol. Leg and splanchnic blood flows were determined simultaneously using a modified indicator dilution technique. The blood alcohol concentration obtained was 1.88 mmoles/liter and splanchnic uptake of ethanol was calculated to be 1.18 mmoles/min. All subjects showed an acetate uptake over the legs with a mean of 0.25 mmole/min. Splanchnic glucose production was attenuated in four of five subjects after ethanol treatment, and glucose uptake by the legs was significantly reduced. The normal splanchnic uptake of lactate was changed by ethanol to a release, and the arterial concentration was nearly doubled. Net leg release of lactate decreased significantly. Splanchnic blood flow and oxygen uptake were uninfluenced by ethanol, whereas leg blood flow decreased from a mean of 0.77 to 0.65 liter/min. It is concluded that, following ethanol treatment, (1) a major part of acetate released from the splanchnic region is taken up by the muscles, (2) leg glucose uptake is decreased by a reduction of the same magnitude as the actate uptake, and (3) leg blood flow is reduced, probably owing to a constriction of muscle vessels.", "PMID": 619229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2975", "title": "Are paranoid schizophrenics biologically different from other schizophrenics?", "content": "Two studies were undertaken to verify the presence of lowered platelet monoamine oxidase activity in chronic schizophrenia. In the first study, a retrospective chart analysis, the mean platelet activity of patients with chronic schizophrenia (7.73+/-0.64 nmol of benzylaldehyde product per 10(8) platelets per hour [S.E.M.]) differed significantly from that of normal controls (12.13+/-0.2, P less than 0.001). Chronic paranoid schizophrenics (4.81+/-0.46) differed significantly from chronic nonparanoid schizophrenics (8.6+/-0.75, P less than 0.03). A separate prospective study confirmed significantly lower values for monoamine oxidase activity in chronic schizophrenic patients diagnosed as paranoid (5.97+/-1.17) or as having secondary paranoid features (6.28+/-0.71) as compared to chronic nonparanoid schizophrenics (9.81+/-0.87, P less than 0.001). Chronic paranoid schizophrenia may be a separate disorder from the other chronic forms of schizophrenia, and this difference may be related, at least in part, to biochemical characteristics.", "contents": "Are paranoid schizophrenics biologically different from other schizophrenics? Two studies were undertaken to verify the presence of lowered platelet monoamine oxidase activity in chronic schizophrenia. In the first study, a retrospective chart analysis, the mean platelet activity of patients with chronic schizophrenia (7.73+/-0.64 nmol of benzylaldehyde product per 10(8) platelets per hour [S.E.M.]) differed significantly from that of normal controls (12.13+/-0.2, P less than 0.001). Chronic paranoid schizophrenics (4.81+/-0.46) differed significantly from chronic nonparanoid schizophrenics (8.6+/-0.75, P less than 0.03). A separate prospective study confirmed significantly lower values for monoamine oxidase activity in chronic schizophrenic patients diagnosed as paranoid (5.97+/-1.17) or as having secondary paranoid features (6.28+/-0.71) as compared to chronic nonparanoid schizophrenics (9.81+/-0.87, P less than 0.001). Chronic paranoid schizophrenia may be a separate disorder from the other chronic forms of schizophrenia, and this difference may be related, at least in part, to biochemical characteristics.", "PMID": 619236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2976", "title": "Effects of leg exercise on insulin absorption in diabetic patients.", "content": "To examine the effects of leg exercise on insulin absorption from various injection sites, 125I-labelled rapid actin insulin (9 units) was injected subcutaneously into the leg, arm or abdomen of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes before one hour of intermittent leg (bicycle) exercise and on a resting, control day. Insulin disappearance from the leg increased by 135 per cent during the first 10 minutes of leg exercise (P less than 0.05) and remained 50 per cent above resting levels after 60 minutes (P less than 0.02). Leg exercise had no effect on insulin disappearance from the arm, but insulin disappearance from the abdomen was reduced during the post-exercise recovery period (P less than 0.02). As compared to leg injection, arm or abdominal injection reduced the hypoglycemic effect of exercise by 57 per cent (P less than 0.02) and 89 per cent (P less than 0.005), respectively. Leg exercise accelerates insulin absorption from the leg. Arm or abdominal injection avoids this acceleration during leg exercise and reduces exercise-induced hypoglycemia.", "contents": "Effects of leg exercise on insulin absorption in diabetic patients. To examine the effects of leg exercise on insulin absorption from various injection sites, 125I-labelled rapid actin insulin (9 units) was injected subcutaneously into the leg, arm or abdomen of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes before one hour of intermittent leg (bicycle) exercise and on a resting, control day. Insulin disappearance from the leg increased by 135 per cent during the first 10 minutes of leg exercise (P less than 0.05) and remained 50 per cent above resting levels after 60 minutes (P less than 0.02). Leg exercise had no effect on insulin disappearance from the arm, but insulin disappearance from the abdomen was reduced during the post-exercise recovery period (P less than 0.02). As compared to leg injection, arm or abdominal injection reduced the hypoglycemic effect of exercise by 57 per cent (P less than 0.02) and 89 per cent (P less than 0.005), respectively. Leg exercise accelerates insulin absorption from the leg. Arm or abdominal injection avoids this acceleration during leg exercise and reduces exercise-induced hypoglycemia.", "PMID": 619237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2977", "title": "Familial azotemia. Impaired urea excretion despite normal renal function.", "content": "We performed detailed studies of renal function in two of five related patients with normal serum creatinine levels to determine the mechanism of their chronic azotemia. Inulin and para-amino-hippurate clearances, maximum tubular transport of para-aminohippurate, and renal acidification were within normal limits. In addition, renal concentrating and diluting abilities of these patients were similar to those of four normal controls. Urea clearances of both patients during maximum water diuresis (27.6 and 40.8 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) and antidiuresis (5.3 and 4.0), however, were much lower than mean (+/- S.E.M.) values in the normal controls (70.4 +/- 3.7 and 30.0 +/- 3.42 ml per minute per 1.73 m2, respectively). Thus decreased urea excretion despite otherwise normal renal function was responsible for the chronic azotemia of these patients. The genetic defect in renal urea clearance appeared to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.", "contents": "Familial azotemia. Impaired urea excretion despite normal renal function. We performed detailed studies of renal function in two of five related patients with normal serum creatinine levels to determine the mechanism of their chronic azotemia. Inulin and para-amino-hippurate clearances, maximum tubular transport of para-aminohippurate, and renal acidification were within normal limits. In addition, renal concentrating and diluting abilities of these patients were similar to those of four normal controls. Urea clearances of both patients during maximum water diuresis (27.6 and 40.8 ml per minute per 1.73 m2) and antidiuresis (5.3 and 4.0), however, were much lower than mean (+/- S.E.M.) values in the normal controls (70.4 +/- 3.7 and 30.0 +/- 3.42 ml per minute per 1.73 m2, respectively). Thus decreased urea excretion despite otherwise normal renal function was responsible for the chronic azotemia of these patients. The genetic defect in renal urea clearance appeared to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.", "PMID": 619239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2978", "title": "Preservation of function in experimental renal disease by dietary restriction of phosphate.", "content": "We sought to determine the importance of calcium phosphate deposition in the functional deterioration of damaged or diseased kidneys. Using the remnant-kidney model in rats, we found that dietary phosphate restriction prevented proteinuria, renal calcification, histologic changes, functional deterioration and death in uremia. Histologic examination of the remnant kidney in the nonrestricted animals showed calcium and phosphorus deposits in the cortical tubular cells, basement membranes and interstitium. A similar degree and pattern of calcification have been found in preliminary studies of human end-stage kidneys. Our results suggest that the calcification produced by the altered phosphorus metabolism present in the uremic state incites an inflammatory and fibrotic reaction leading to destruction of the remnant kidney. Phosphate restriction prevents this response in the remnant kidney. The potential applicability of these findings to other forms of experimental renal disease and to clinical uremia remains to be explored.", "contents": "Preservation of function in experimental renal disease by dietary restriction of phosphate. We sought to determine the importance of calcium phosphate deposition in the functional deterioration of damaged or diseased kidneys. Using the remnant-kidney model in rats, we found that dietary phosphate restriction prevented proteinuria, renal calcification, histologic changes, functional deterioration and death in uremia. Histologic examination of the remnant kidney in the nonrestricted animals showed calcium and phosphorus deposits in the cortical tubular cells, basement membranes and interstitium. A similar degree and pattern of calcification have been found in preliminary studies of human end-stage kidneys. Our results suggest that the calcification produced by the altered phosphorus metabolism present in the uremic state incites an inflammatory and fibrotic reaction leading to destruction of the remnant kidney. Phosphate restriction prevents this response in the remnant kidney. The potential applicability of these findings to other forms of experimental renal disease and to clinical uremia remains to be explored.", "PMID": 619240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2979", "title": "Circulating immune complexes in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "We analyzed serums from 39 children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome for the presence of circulating soluble immune complexes. Seventeen of 18 children in relapse had raised levels of IgG complexes: median titers were significantly higher in these patients than in control children (P less than 0.001) or in nephrotic children in sustained remission (P less than 0.001). Seven of nine children followed sequentially had raised complex levels in early remission but became normal after six weeks in remission. In contrast to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus these IgG complexes were not able to bind C1q. Serums from five patients in relapse contained complexes intermediate in size (2 to 2.5 X 10(6) daltons) as compared to those seen in systemic lupus erythematosus, and four of the five had small complexes as well (3 to 5 X 10(5) daltons). These findings suggest that immune complexes may have a pathologic role in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome, but the mechanism by which proteinuria is effected remains unclear.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome. We analyzed serums from 39 children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome for the presence of circulating soluble immune complexes. Seventeen of 18 children in relapse had raised levels of IgG complexes: median titers were significantly higher in these patients than in control children (P less than 0.001) or in nephrotic children in sustained remission (P less than 0.001). Seven of nine children followed sequentially had raised complex levels in early remission but became normal after six weeks in remission. In contrast to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus these IgG complexes were not able to bind C1q. Serums from five patients in relapse contained complexes intermediate in size (2 to 2.5 X 10(6) daltons) as compared to those seen in systemic lupus erythematosus, and four of the five had small complexes as well (3 to 5 X 10(5) daltons). These findings suggest that immune complexes may have a pathologic role in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome, but the mechanism by which proteinuria is effected remains unclear.", "PMID": 619241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2980", "title": "Telephone management of acute pediatric illnesses.", "content": "To evaluate the telephone management of five common acute pediatric problems, a \"programmed mother\" made unidentified cells to five pediatric nurse practitioners, 28 pediatric house officers and 23 pediatricians in practice. Calls were tape recorded and scored for history taking, disposition and interviewing skill. Nurse practitioners averaged 79.6 per cent of the total possible theoretical score for history taking, house officers 69.1 per cent, and practicing pediatricians 52.6 per cent (P less than 0.001). For disposition, nurse practitioners averaged 71.1 per cent of the maximum score, in contrast to 60.1 per cent for house officers and 58.9 per cent for practicing pediatricians. Similarly, nurse practitioners had significantly higher (P less than 0.001) scores for interviewing skills. No significant differences were found among house officers in the first, second and third years in history taking, disposition or interviewing skills. We conclude that pediatric nurse practitioners manage common pediatric problems by telephone better than house officers or practicing pediatricians and that better training for this aspect of practice is needed.", "contents": "Telephone management of acute pediatric illnesses. To evaluate the telephone management of five common acute pediatric problems, a \"programmed mother\" made unidentified cells to five pediatric nurse practitioners, 28 pediatric house officers and 23 pediatricians in practice. Calls were tape recorded and scored for history taking, disposition and interviewing skill. Nurse practitioners averaged 79.6 per cent of the total possible theoretical score for history taking, house officers 69.1 per cent, and practicing pediatricians 52.6 per cent (P less than 0.001). For disposition, nurse practitioners averaged 71.1 per cent of the maximum score, in contrast to 60.1 per cent for house officers and 58.9 per cent for practicing pediatricians. Similarly, nurse practitioners had significantly higher (P less than 0.001) scores for interviewing skills. No significant differences were found among house officers in the first, second and third years in history taking, disposition or interviewing skills. We conclude that pediatric nurse practitioners manage common pediatric problems by telephone better than house officers or practicing pediatricians and that better training for this aspect of practice is needed.", "PMID": 619242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2981", "title": "Effect of lithium on neutrophil mass and production.", "content": "We measured the effect of lithium on the blood neutrophil mass and neutrophil production, using standard di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DF32P) methods. In 12 lithium-treated patients the total blood neutrophil pool was 105 (42 to 270) x 10(7) cells per kilogram (median and 95 per cent limits) as compared with 61 (27 to 138 x 10(7) in 71 controls (P less than 0.001). The neutrophil turnover rate, a measure of effective neutrophil production, was 230 (108 to 380) x 10(7) cells per kilogram per day in the lithium-treated group and 160 (62 to 400) x 10(7) in the controls (P less than 0.05). Neutrophil migration into skin lesions ranged from 34 to 469 x 10(5) cells per day in the lithium-treated patients, as compared with 1.7 to 68 x 10(5) in 10 controls. Lithium causes enlargement of the total circulating neutrophil mass and accelerates neutrophil production without impairing neutrophil migration into skin lesions.", "contents": "Effect of lithium on neutrophil mass and production. We measured the effect of lithium on the blood neutrophil mass and neutrophil production, using standard di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DF32P) methods. In 12 lithium-treated patients the total blood neutrophil pool was 105 (42 to 270) x 10(7) cells per kilogram (median and 95 per cent limits) as compared with 61 (27 to 138 x 10(7) in 71 controls (P less than 0.001). The neutrophil turnover rate, a measure of effective neutrophil production, was 230 (108 to 380) x 10(7) cells per kilogram per day in the lithium-treated group and 160 (62 to 400) x 10(7) in the controls (P less than 0.05). Neutrophil migration into skin lesions ranged from 34 to 469 x 10(5) cells per day in the lithium-treated patients, as compared with 1.7 to 68 x 10(5) in 10 controls. Lithium causes enlargement of the total circulating neutrophil mass and accelerates neutrophil production without impairing neutrophil migration into skin lesions.", "PMID": 619259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2982", "title": "Circulating immune complexes and complement activation in primary biliary cirrhosis.", "content": "We evaluated 20 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and seven controls with extrahepatic biliary obstruction for presence of circulating immune complexes, having found serologic evidence of alternate complement-pathway activation in eight of the 20. Immune complexes were isolated by cryoprecipitation from serum and measured directly by the sensitive Raji-cell radioimmunoassay. Cryoproteins, found in high concentrations in 90 per cent of the patients with cirrhosis but undetectable in the controls, were composed of IgM (60 per cent), IgG-IgM (25 per cent) and IgA-IgM (5 per cent) and were capable of activating the complement system in vitro. Immune complexes detected by the Raji assay were found in 95 per cent of the patients with cirrhosis and circulated in exceedingly high concentrations (474 microgram per milliliter; range, 16.2 to 2192) but were absent in the controls. Furthermore, the alternate complement pathway was activated in eight cirrhotic patients. These complement-fixing immune complexes differ from immune complexes isolated from other types of liver diseases and may be important in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes and complement activation in primary biliary cirrhosis. We evaluated 20 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and seven controls with extrahepatic biliary obstruction for presence of circulating immune complexes, having found serologic evidence of alternate complement-pathway activation in eight of the 20. Immune complexes were isolated by cryoprecipitation from serum and measured directly by the sensitive Raji-cell radioimmunoassay. Cryoproteins, found in high concentrations in 90 per cent of the patients with cirrhosis but undetectable in the controls, were composed of IgM (60 per cent), IgG-IgM (25 per cent) and IgA-IgM (5 per cent) and were capable of activating the complement system in vitro. Immune complexes detected by the Raji assay were found in 95 per cent of the patients with cirrhosis and circulated in exceedingly high concentrations (474 microgram per milliliter; range, 16.2 to 2192) but were absent in the controls. Furthermore, the alternate complement pathway was activated in eight cirrhotic patients. These complement-fixing immune complexes differ from immune complexes isolated from other types of liver diseases and may be important in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis.", "PMID": 619265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2983", "title": "Peritoneal dialysis in rabbits. A study of transperitoneal theophylline flux and peritoneal permeability.", "content": "Since vasodilators can restore toward normal the decreased peritoneal clearances associated with vascular disease, the influence of aminophylline on peritoneal solute transport was studied in unanesthetized rabbits. Mean control creatinine clearance was 0.56 ml/kg/min and urea clearance 0.80 ml/kg/min. Neither intraperitoneal nor intravenous aminophylline increased peritoneal clearances, nor did the ratio creatinine clearance/urea clearance change from the control value, 0.70. Bidirectional flux of theophylline occurred at clearances of 0.70 ml/kg/min efflux and 0.64 ml/min influx. The removal rate of theophylline was 0.05% min, allowing therapeutic removal of excess aminophylline and warranting supplemental therapy during dialysis if therapeutic theophylline concentrations are required. As the intraperitoneal aminophylline was well tolerated, this route can be considered for therapeutic administration.", "contents": "Peritoneal dialysis in rabbits. A study of transperitoneal theophylline flux and peritoneal permeability. Since vasodilators can restore toward normal the decreased peritoneal clearances associated with vascular disease, the influence of aminophylline on peritoneal solute transport was studied in unanesthetized rabbits. Mean control creatinine clearance was 0.56 ml/kg/min and urea clearance 0.80 ml/kg/min. Neither intraperitoneal nor intravenous aminophylline increased peritoneal clearances, nor did the ratio creatinine clearance/urea clearance change from the control value, 0.70. Bidirectional flux of theophylline occurred at clearances of 0.70 ml/kg/min efflux and 0.64 ml/min influx. The removal rate of theophylline was 0.05% min, allowing therapeutic removal of excess aminophylline and warranting supplemental therapy during dialysis if therapeutic theophylline concentrations are required. As the intraperitoneal aminophylline was well tolerated, this route can be considered for therapeutic administration.", "PMID": 619296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2984", "title": "Revision of light-microscopic kidney biopsy diagnosis in glomerular disease.", "content": "Paraffin-embedded kidney biopsies sent to our laboratory in 1967 were re-embedded in Epon and studied with electron and light microscopy (1-micrometer thick sections). Of 28 biopsies with enough material 18 were cases with clinical suspicion and symptoms of glomerular disease. In electron microscopy all of these were shown to be of glomerular origin by demonstrating either dark deposits in or at the basement membrane, or amyloid fibrils, or areas with retraction of the foot processes of the epithelial cells. Original light microscopy in 1967 had given proof of glomerular origin in 9 of these 18 cases. Light microscopy of plastic sections of these originally paraffin-embedded biopsies was also helpful in diagnosis and showed deposits in 9 out of 14 cases with ultrastructural deposits. The study shows that considerable benefits can be gained through re-embedding biopsies in plastic, especially in cases with minor alterations.", "contents": "Revision of light-microscopic kidney biopsy diagnosis in glomerular disease. Paraffin-embedded kidney biopsies sent to our laboratory in 1967 were re-embedded in Epon and studied with electron and light microscopy (1-micrometer thick sections). Of 28 biopsies with enough material 18 were cases with clinical suspicion and symptoms of glomerular disease. In electron microscopy all of these were shown to be of glomerular origin by demonstrating either dark deposits in or at the basement membrane, or amyloid fibrils, or areas with retraction of the foot processes of the epithelial cells. Original light microscopy in 1967 had given proof of glomerular origin in 9 of these 18 cases. Light microscopy of plastic sections of these originally paraffin-embedded biopsies was also helpful in diagnosis and showed deposits in 9 out of 14 cases with ultrastructural deposits. The study shows that considerable benefits can be gained through re-embedding biopsies in plastic, especially in cases with minor alterations.", "PMID": 619297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2985", "title": "High concentration of sweat calcium, magnesium and phosphate in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Sweat collected from the forearm of chronic renal failure and control patients, after iontophoretic stimulation with pilocarpine, was analyzed for Na, K, Cl, Mg, phosphate and urea. Concentrations of Ca, Mg and phosphate in sweat from chronic renal failure patients were significantly elevated (p less than 0.05) as compared to controls, while the concentrations of Na, K, and Cl were normal. The mean sweat rates and apparent skin conductivities were lower in uremics, but not significantly different from controls (0.05 less than p less than 0.10). Tentatively it is concluded that the increase of Ca, Mg and phosphate in uremic sweat is due to an increase in the secretion of these electrolytes in the secretory portion of the sweat gland, while the reabsorptive duct is normal.", "contents": "High concentration of sweat calcium, magnesium and phosphate in chronic renal failure. Sweat collected from the forearm of chronic renal failure and control patients, after iontophoretic stimulation with pilocarpine, was analyzed for Na, K, Cl, Mg, phosphate and urea. Concentrations of Ca, Mg and phosphate in sweat from chronic renal failure patients were significantly elevated (p less than 0.05) as compared to controls, while the concentrations of Na, K, and Cl were normal. The mean sweat rates and apparent skin conductivities were lower in uremics, but not significantly different from controls (0.05 less than p less than 0.10). Tentatively it is concluded that the increase of Ca, Mg and phosphate in uremic sweat is due to an increase in the secretion of these electrolytes in the secretory portion of the sweat gland, while the reabsorptive duct is normal.", "PMID": 619298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2986", "title": "Binding of hippurate in normal plasma and in uremic plasma pre- and postdialysis.", "content": "The protein binding of 14C-hippurate has been measured by conventional ultrafiltration techniques in the plasma of normal subjects and in uremic subjects pre- and postdialysis. In addition, the clearance of 14C-hippurate was determined in vitro in both isotonic saline and plasma to assess binding limitations on hippurate removal during dialysis. Binding levels of hippurate in normal subjects of 68+/-1.8% (n = 5) were significantly higher than either postdialysis (48.3+/-15.4%; n = 7) or predialysis (36.6+/-11.7%; n = 7) levels in the same uremic subjects. Actual levels of plasma hippurate were, however, considerably greater in uremics (24.7+/-11.2 mg/dl' n = 7) than in normal subjects (congruent to 0.5 mg%). The difference in hippurate binding between pre- and postdialysis samples in uremics was significantly different from zero (p less than 0.01, t = 5.36), indicating depletion of competitive site-binding species during dialysis. The saline clearance of hippuric acid (99.1 +/-0.5 ml/min; n = 6) under standard conditions in a capillary dialyzer (CDAK-4) was consistent with the expected clearance of a solute of its molecular weight. Hippurate clearance in citrated plasma, where binding was determined as 50+/-3%, was 65+/-0.7 ml/min (n = 6), in good agreement with a theoretically predicted clearance of 60 ml/min for this level of binding. High serum levels of hippurate and its derivatives, may depress effective function of various organs. In addition to the normal dietary intake of hippurate and its precursors, patients on dialysis receive a further burden of hippurate precursor in the form of benzyl alcohol, the common preservative in heparin solutions. The large body burdens of hippurate in dialysis patients, coupled with its impaired removal on dialysis due to binding, point to the necessity for a through investigation of the potential toxicity of this compound.", "contents": "Binding of hippurate in normal plasma and in uremic plasma pre- and postdialysis. The protein binding of 14C-hippurate has been measured by conventional ultrafiltration techniques in the plasma of normal subjects and in uremic subjects pre- and postdialysis. In addition, the clearance of 14C-hippurate was determined in vitro in both isotonic saline and plasma to assess binding limitations on hippurate removal during dialysis. Binding levels of hippurate in normal subjects of 68+/-1.8% (n = 5) were significantly higher than either postdialysis (48.3+/-15.4%; n = 7) or predialysis (36.6+/-11.7%; n = 7) levels in the same uremic subjects. Actual levels of plasma hippurate were, however, considerably greater in uremics (24.7+/-11.2 mg/dl' n = 7) than in normal subjects (congruent to 0.5 mg%). The difference in hippurate binding between pre- and postdialysis samples in uremics was significantly different from zero (p less than 0.01, t = 5.36), indicating depletion of competitive site-binding species during dialysis. The saline clearance of hippuric acid (99.1 +/-0.5 ml/min; n = 6) under standard conditions in a capillary dialyzer (CDAK-4) was consistent with the expected clearance of a solute of its molecular weight. Hippurate clearance in citrated plasma, where binding was determined as 50+/-3%, was 65+/-0.7 ml/min (n = 6), in good agreement with a theoretically predicted clearance of 60 ml/min for this level of binding. High serum levels of hippurate and its derivatives, may depress effective function of various organs. In addition to the normal dietary intake of hippurate and its precursors, patients on dialysis receive a further burden of hippurate precursor in the form of benzyl alcohol, the common preservative in heparin solutions. The large body burdens of hippurate in dialysis patients, coupled with its impaired removal on dialysis due to binding, point to the necessity for a through investigation of the potential toxicity of this compound.", "PMID": 619299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2987", "title": "Serial studies of the renin system in rats with glycerol-induced renal failure.", "content": "Serial changes in plasma of renin concentration (PRC), renin-substrate concentration (PSC) and renin activity (PRA) were followed in rats during glycerol-induced acute renal failure. There was an early but transient increase in PRC and a more delayed and prolonged rise in PSC. PRA began to rise a few hours after glycerol administration at the expense of increases in renin, but by 24 h the high activity was maintained largely by increases in renin-substrate. No correlations between PSC, PRC, or PRA changes and severity of renal failure could be demonstrated. These results suggest that these changes are not causally related to the development of kidney failure.", "contents": "Serial studies of the renin system in rats with glycerol-induced renal failure. Serial changes in plasma of renin concentration (PRC), renin-substrate concentration (PSC) and renin activity (PRA) were followed in rats during glycerol-induced acute renal failure. There was an early but transient increase in PRC and a more delayed and prolonged rise in PSC. PRA began to rise a few hours after glycerol administration at the expense of increases in renin, but by 24 h the high activity was maintained largely by increases in renin-substrate. No correlations between PSC, PRC, or PRA changes and severity of renal failure could be demonstrated. These results suggest that these changes are not causally related to the development of kidney failure.", "PMID": 619300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2988", "title": "Red blood cell Li+ to plasma Li+ ratios. Are they related to plasma Li+ concentrations?", "content": "The relationship between the lithium ratio (ratio of lithium in blood cells to that in plasma) and plasma lithium concentration was examined in a group of male inpatients taking lithium carbonate for affective disorders. The lithium ratio was found to increase in the majority of these patients as plasma lithium concentration increased. However, the magnitude of variation of the lithium ratio with plasma lithium concentration observed in these patients is not sufficient to seriously affect the value of determining the lithium ratio in the clinical situation.", "contents": "Red blood cell Li+ to plasma Li+ ratios. Are they related to plasma Li+ concentrations? The relationship between the lithium ratio (ratio of lithium in blood cells to that in plasma) and plasma lithium concentration was examined in a group of male inpatients taking lithium carbonate for affective disorders. The lithium ratio was found to increase in the majority of these patients as plasma lithium concentration increased. However, the magnitude of variation of the lithium ratio with plasma lithium concentration observed in these patients is not sufficient to seriously affect the value of determining the lithium ratio in the clinical situation.", "PMID": 619303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2989", "title": "[Uptake of tryptophan and tyrosine in some cases of manic depressive psychosis and schizophrenia (author's transl)].", "content": "The uptake of tryptophan and tyrosine by the brain has been studied in 6 manic-depressive patients and in 8 schizophrenics. In an attempt to saturate the blood-brain transport mechanisms, this uptake has been evaluated by measuring the arteriovenous differences (arterial plasma-internal jugular plasma) of these two amino acids before and after perfusion with L-dopa and L-5-HTP. Considering a positive difference as an uptake and a negative one as an outflow, results show (1) in melancholia an uptake of tryptophan and an outflow of tyrosine; (2) in mania an uptake of tyrosine and an outflow of tryptophan, and (3) in schizophrenia an outflow of tryptophan accompanied with either an uptake or an outflow of tyrosine. In addition, the kinetics of tryptophan binding to plasma proteins and the ratio of tryptophan/tyrosine uptake are different in manic-depressive illness and in schizophrenia. These results support the view that a disturbance in the blood-brain transport mechanisms of tryptophan and tyrosine could be involved in the physiopathology of manic-depressive illness and schizophrenia.", "contents": "[Uptake of tryptophan and tyrosine in some cases of manic depressive psychosis and schizophrenia (author's transl)]. The uptake of tryptophan and tyrosine by the brain has been studied in 6 manic-depressive patients and in 8 schizophrenics. In an attempt to saturate the blood-brain transport mechanisms, this uptake has been evaluated by measuring the arteriovenous differences (arterial plasma-internal jugular plasma) of these two amino acids before and after perfusion with L-dopa and L-5-HTP. Considering a positive difference as an uptake and a negative one as an outflow, results show (1) in melancholia an uptake of tryptophan and an outflow of tyrosine; (2) in mania an uptake of tyrosine and an outflow of tryptophan, and (3) in schizophrenia an outflow of tryptophan accompanied with either an uptake or an outflow of tyrosine. In addition, the kinetics of tryptophan binding to plasma proteins and the ratio of tryptophan/tyrosine uptake are different in manic-depressive illness and in schizophrenia. These results support the view that a disturbance in the blood-brain transport mechanisms of tryptophan and tyrosine could be involved in the physiopathology of manic-depressive illness and schizophrenia.", "PMID": 619304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2990", "title": "Discriminant analysis of EEG in children with situational, learning and impulse disorders.", "content": "Neurological and EEG findings were studied in 113 children diagnosed as adjustment reaction, behavior disorder, and minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). The MBD patients were subdivided into MBD behavior and MBD learning groups, thus yielding four patient groups in all. The presence of soft neurological signs and abnormal EEG examinations increased in stepwise fashion from the adjustment reaction group to the behavior disorder group, to the MBD behavior group, to the MBD learning group. The EEG records were rated on 16 variables, including amounts and frequencies of a variety of normal EEG features as well as abnormal features. The EEG ratings were then subject to a discriminant analysis. Three discriminant functions were found to be necessary to describe the relation of the four groups. The functions were identified as cortical maturity, cortical abnormality, and cortical reactivity. This implies that the groups do not just differ along one dimension, but along three dimensions. The discriminant program correctly classified 53% of the patients.", "contents": "Discriminant analysis of EEG in children with situational, learning and impulse disorders. Neurological and EEG findings were studied in 113 children diagnosed as adjustment reaction, behavior disorder, and minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). The MBD patients were subdivided into MBD behavior and MBD learning groups, thus yielding four patient groups in all. The presence of soft neurological signs and abnormal EEG examinations increased in stepwise fashion from the adjustment reaction group to the behavior disorder group, to the MBD behavior group, to the MBD learning group. The EEG records were rated on 16 variables, including amounts and frequencies of a variety of normal EEG features as well as abnormal features. The EEG ratings were then subject to a discriminant analysis. Three discriminant functions were found to be necessary to describe the relation of the four groups. The functions were identified as cortical maturity, cortical abnormality, and cortical reactivity. This implies that the groups do not just differ along one dimension, but along three dimensions. The discriminant program correctly classified 53% of the patients.", "PMID": 619305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2991", "title": "An ultradian rhythm of reaction time measurements in man.", "content": "Repeated measurements of reaction times were made individually in 53 healthy subjects at 60-sec intervals and continued for 30 min. The subject's visual perceptual task each minute was to determine the momentary cessation of the second hand of a clock and his reaction times were automatically recorded. The results showed that the subject's reaction times followed a free-running cycle ranging in frequency between 4 and 15 min when their reaction times were submitted to spectral analysis and autocorrelograms obtained. Error scores during the procedure showed significant correlations with chronological age but not with gender. The biological implications of these oscillations are discussed.", "contents": "An ultradian rhythm of reaction time measurements in man. Repeated measurements of reaction times were made individually in 53 healthy subjects at 60-sec intervals and continued for 30 min. The subject's visual perceptual task each minute was to determine the momentary cessation of the second hand of a clock and his reaction times were automatically recorded. The results showed that the subject's reaction times followed a free-running cycle ranging in frequency between 4 and 15 min when their reaction times were submitted to spectral analysis and autocorrelograms obtained. Error scores during the procedure showed significant correlations with chronological age but not with gender. The biological implications of these oscillations are discussed.", "PMID": 619307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2992", "title": "Alcohol, prolonged isolation and barbiturate sedation in two strains of mice.", "content": "Mice subjected to prolonged socioenvironmental deprivation gradually develop hyperirritability and hyperreactivity to physical stimuli. This heightened neuroexcitability may or may not debouch into aggressiveness according to strain and sex of the animals, and it is accompanied by a reduced sensitivity to CNS depressants. Socioenvironmental deprivation or isolation is shown to decrease the sensitivity either to pentobarbital or to ethanol potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time in male mice from two different strains.", "contents": "Alcohol, prolonged isolation and barbiturate sedation in two strains of mice. Mice subjected to prolonged socioenvironmental deprivation gradually develop hyperirritability and hyperreactivity to physical stimuli. This heightened neuroexcitability may or may not debouch into aggressiveness according to strain and sex of the animals, and it is accompanied by a reduced sensitivity to CNS depressants. Socioenvironmental deprivation or isolation is shown to decrease the sensitivity either to pentobarbital or to ethanol potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time in male mice from two different strains.", "PMID": 619306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2993", "title": "Hormones, electrolytes, and cerebrospinal fluid proteins in manic-melancholic patients.", "content": "The concentrations of insulin and thyroid hormones, tryptophan, electrolytes, urea, plasma proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid, and glucose in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in manic-melancholic patients were studied. As control groups served patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders as well as neurological and orthopedic patients. Apart from the blood values of thyroid hormones, the results showed no differences between the various diagnostic groups, neither in the abnormal states nor when recovered. For blood thyroxine and free thyroxine index, a statistically significant differences was seen in unipolar (melancholic) patients, namely a decrease concomitant with the clinical improvement. A tendency in the opposite direction of the thyroxine values was found in bipolar (melancholic) patients. In the manic group a marked decrease in the thyroxine values was obtained in the lithium-treated patients.", "contents": "Hormones, electrolytes, and cerebrospinal fluid proteins in manic-melancholic patients. The concentrations of insulin and thyroid hormones, tryptophan, electrolytes, urea, plasma proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid, and glucose in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in manic-melancholic patients were studied. As control groups served patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders as well as neurological and orthopedic patients. Apart from the blood values of thyroid hormones, the results showed no differences between the various diagnostic groups, neither in the abnormal states nor when recovered. For blood thyroxine and free thyroxine index, a statistically significant differences was seen in unipolar (melancholic) patients, namely a decrease concomitant with the clinical improvement. A tendency in the opposite direction of the thyroxine values was found in bipolar (melancholic) patients. In the manic group a marked decrease in the thyroxine values was obtained in the lithium-treated patients.", "PMID": 619308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2994", "title": "Protein depletion and energy retention in rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions.", "content": "The catabolic effect of bilateral lesions in the ventromedial are of the hypothalamus (VMH) was studied in nitrogen-balance experiments and compared with the effect of a sham-operation in control animals. A transitory (24 h) increase in urine nitrogen was found in the controls, while in the lesioned animals, a persistent increase was found as long as the animals were fed. Fasting (48 h) eliminated the difference in urea excretion between the groups. Food-dependent effects of the VMH lesion are suggested. The changes in body and organ composition of VMH-lesioned animals, kept for 4 months on a food intake close to normal, were studied. The massive increase of body lipids and marked decrease of body protein and water was primarily due to increased subcutaneous-and abdominal-fat, and reduced skeletal and skin protein. An almost normal composition of the liver and close to normal amounts of protein in the viscera demonstrate that at least some tissues in VMH animals are able to maintain a normal protein content. Hyperphagia as a means to counteract the increased amino acid catabolism and to sustain the lean body mass is discussed.", "contents": "Protein depletion and energy retention in rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions. The catabolic effect of bilateral lesions in the ventromedial are of the hypothalamus (VMH) was studied in nitrogen-balance experiments and compared with the effect of a sham-operation in control animals. A transitory (24 h) increase in urine nitrogen was found in the controls, while in the lesioned animals, a persistent increase was found as long as the animals were fed. Fasting (48 h) eliminated the difference in urea excretion between the groups. Food-dependent effects of the VMH lesion are suggested. The changes in body and organ composition of VMH-lesioned animals, kept for 4 months on a food intake close to normal, were studied. The massive increase of body lipids and marked decrease of body protein and water was primarily due to increased subcutaneous-and abdominal-fat, and reduced skeletal and skin protein. An almost normal composition of the liver and close to normal amounts of protein in the viscera demonstrate that at least some tissues in VMH animals are able to maintain a normal protein content. Hyperphagia as a means to counteract the increased amino acid catabolism and to sustain the lean body mass is discussed.", "PMID": 619311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2995", "title": "[Effect of gum guar in diet on nitrogen balance, protein metabolism and food transit time in rats].", "content": "The addition of 5% gum guar to a diet containing 10% casein did not change the overall N retention of young rats but induced a significant shift in the N excretion from urine to feces, resulting in a markedly decreased apparent protein digestibility. The increase in total fecal dry matter over control values accounted for only 30% of the ingested gum guar implying that 70% was absorbed, possibly after being degraded by intestinal micro-organisms. The elimination of 14C activity following oral application of 14C protein indicated an accelerated turnover of amino acids during the first 3 h. After 25 h no difference between experimental and control animals was evident with respect to 14C activity remaining in the carcass. The transit time of food, as determined by neutron activation analysis of an Ytterbium marker, was somewhat decreased in the presence of gum guar.", "contents": "[Effect of gum guar in diet on nitrogen balance, protein metabolism and food transit time in rats]. The addition of 5% gum guar to a diet containing 10% casein did not change the overall N retention of young rats but induced a significant shift in the N excretion from urine to feces, resulting in a markedly decreased apparent protein digestibility. The increase in total fecal dry matter over control values accounted for only 30% of the ingested gum guar implying that 70% was absorbed, possibly after being degraded by intestinal micro-organisms. The elimination of 14C activity following oral application of 14C protein indicated an accelerated turnover of amino acids during the first 3 h. After 25 h no difference between experimental and control animals was evident with respect to 14C activity remaining in the carcass. The transit time of food, as determined by neutron activation analysis of an Ytterbium marker, was somewhat decreased in the presence of gum guar.", "PMID": 619312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2996", "title": "Albumin metabolism and gastric surgery.", "content": "Albumin metabolism was followed in 7 patients suffering from benign gastric diseases. The study was performed using human serum albumin-125 I before gastric surgery and after operation. The total albumin pool decreased after the operation by about 15%. The decrease in extravascular albumin pool was stronger (by about 19%) than the decrease in intravascular albumin pool (at about 11%). The causes of changes in albumin metabolism after surgery are discussed.", "contents": "Albumin metabolism and gastric surgery. Albumin metabolism was followed in 7 patients suffering from benign gastric diseases. The study was performed using human serum albumin-125 I before gastric surgery and after operation. The total albumin pool decreased after the operation by about 15%. The decrease in extravascular albumin pool was stronger (by about 19%) than the decrease in intravascular albumin pool (at about 11%). The causes of changes in albumin metabolism after surgery are discussed.", "PMID": 619313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2997", "title": "Utilization of 35S from radioactive methionine or sulfate in the detoxification of cyanide by rats.", "content": "Weanling rats were fed a semipurified diet based on 10% casein and 1,500 ppm potassium cyanide. The diet was supplemented with varying levels of DL-methionine and/or potassium sulfate such that all diets were iso-sulfurous except for the basal which had no additional sulfur. The animals were fed for 2 weeks after which half of the rats in all groups except the basal were used in a radioactive study. Urine was collected and analyzed for thiocyanate. Animals which received labeled methionine were more efficient in producing labeled thiocyanate than those which received labeled sodium sulfate, although the latter did contribute to the detoxification of cyanide. Increases due to additional methionine were larger for weight gain, feed consumption, and urinary and plasma thiocyanate than with supplemental sulfate.", "contents": "Utilization of 35S from radioactive methionine or sulfate in the detoxification of cyanide by rats. Weanling rats were fed a semipurified diet based on 10% casein and 1,500 ppm potassium cyanide. The diet was supplemented with varying levels of DL-methionine and/or potassium sulfate such that all diets were iso-sulfurous except for the basal which had no additional sulfur. The animals were fed for 2 weeks after which half of the rats in all groups except the basal were used in a radioactive study. Urine was collected and analyzed for thiocyanate. Animals which received labeled methionine were more efficient in producing labeled thiocyanate than those which received labeled sodium sulfate, although the latter did contribute to the detoxification of cyanide. Increases due to additional methionine were larger for weight gain, feed consumption, and urinary and plasma thiocyanate than with supplemental sulfate.", "PMID": 619314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2998", "title": "[Comparative study of effects of tannic acid and oxidized tannic acid on growth, body composition and biological utilization of nutriments in rats].", "content": "The nutritional effects of oxidized tannic acid in rats have been compared with the effects of tannic acid supplemented or not with a reductor: sodium sulfite. The results indicate that in the group which ingested oxidized tannic acid, fecal nitrogen excretion is lower than in the group which ingested tannic acid; its action on growth is mainly exerted by reduction of the retention coefficient; urinary nitrogen excretion being increased. With regard to the other groups of animals, oxidized tannic acid decreases the weight gain of the thymus and slightly increases the weight gain of the heart. Sulfite supplementation does not change the effects of tannic acid on growth; nevertheless, a higher weight gain of the kidneys is noted.", "contents": "[Comparative study of effects of tannic acid and oxidized tannic acid on growth, body composition and biological utilization of nutriments in rats]. The nutritional effects of oxidized tannic acid in rats have been compared with the effects of tannic acid supplemented or not with a reductor: sodium sulfite. The results indicate that in the group which ingested oxidized tannic acid, fecal nitrogen excretion is lower than in the group which ingested tannic acid; its action on growth is mainly exerted by reduction of the retention coefficient; urinary nitrogen excretion being increased. With regard to the other groups of animals, oxidized tannic acid decreases the weight gain of the thymus and slightly increases the weight gain of the heart. Sulfite supplementation does not change the effects of tannic acid on growth; nevertheless, a higher weight gain of the kidneys is noted.", "PMID": 619315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_2999", "title": "Homeostatic adjustments in zinc digestion to widely varying dietary zinc intake.", "content": "A 15-day Zn balance study was conducted with 36 growing rats maintained on a casein diet with 18.2 microgram Zn/g from day 0 to 3. Thereafter, six rats each were given the diet with the following variates of Zn content (microgram Zn/g): 5.6, 10.6, 18.2, 39, 70, 141. Zn digestion adjusted to the change in dietary Zn intake within the first 6 days via control of the extent of intestinal Zn absorption and fecal excretion of endogenous Zn. From day 9 to 15, mean apparent Zn digestion ranged from 92 to 18% and Zn absorption from 100 to 34% in an inverse relation to Zn intake. At the supply of 39 and 70 microgram Zn/g of diet, fecal excretion of endogenous Zn amounted to nearly one fourth of the dietary Zn intake. Reduction of intestinal absorption became the major factor to confine Zn accretion by the body when Zn intake was in great excess above requirement. Endogenous fecal Zn excretion exhibited its greatest homeostatic response in the range of optimum Zn intake. Zn excretion via the kidneys did not partake in Zn homeostasis, except that it was a major drain of body Zn compared to the intestinal route at low Zn intakes.", "contents": "Homeostatic adjustments in zinc digestion to widely varying dietary zinc intake. A 15-day Zn balance study was conducted with 36 growing rats maintained on a casein diet with 18.2 microgram Zn/g from day 0 to 3. Thereafter, six rats each were given the diet with the following variates of Zn content (microgram Zn/g): 5.6, 10.6, 18.2, 39, 70, 141. Zn digestion adjusted to the change in dietary Zn intake within the first 6 days via control of the extent of intestinal Zn absorption and fecal excretion of endogenous Zn. From day 9 to 15, mean apparent Zn digestion ranged from 92 to 18% and Zn absorption from 100 to 34% in an inverse relation to Zn intake. At the supply of 39 and 70 microgram Zn/g of diet, fecal excretion of endogenous Zn amounted to nearly one fourth of the dietary Zn intake. Reduction of intestinal absorption became the major factor to confine Zn accretion by the body when Zn intake was in great excess above requirement. Endogenous fecal Zn excretion exhibited its greatest homeostatic response in the range of optimum Zn intake. Zn excretion via the kidneys did not partake in Zn homeostasis, except that it was a major drain of body Zn compared to the intestinal route at low Zn intakes.", "PMID": 619316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3000", "title": "Influence of hyperthyroidism on the rate of ethanol metabolism in man.", "content": "The rate of ethanol metabolism was studied in 3 hyperthyroidism patients without therapy and in 2 after 1 week of treatment with propylthiouracil and reserpine. The rate of ethanol metabolism (mg/kg/h +/- SEM) was 386 +/- 57 in the 3 hyperthyroid patients, 184.5 +/- 2.5 in the 2 treated patients and 159 +/- 15 in 12 euthyroid non-alcoholic subjects. The results suggest that hyperthyroidism markedly increases ethanol metabolism.", "contents": "Influence of hyperthyroidism on the rate of ethanol metabolism in man. The rate of ethanol metabolism was studied in 3 hyperthyroidism patients without therapy and in 2 after 1 week of treatment with propylthiouracil and reserpine. The rate of ethanol metabolism (mg/kg/h +/- SEM) was 386 +/- 57 in the 3 hyperthyroid patients, 184.5 +/- 2.5 in the 2 treated patients and 159 +/- 15 in 12 euthyroid non-alcoholic subjects. The results suggest that hyperthyroidism markedly increases ethanol metabolism.", "PMID": 619317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3001", "title": "Intersexual differences in the serum-free amino acid pattern of young adults, normal obese aged subjects.", "content": "In a group of ethnically homogeneous subjects, intersexual differences and the effect of ageing on the pattern of serum free amino acid were studied. The amount of the amino acids: valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and ornithine was significantly greater in young males than in young females. Such intersexual differences were not observed in aged subjects. When comparing a group of aged obese females with a control group, no difference in the pattern of serum free amino acid was observed.", "contents": "Intersexual differences in the serum-free amino acid pattern of young adults, normal obese aged subjects. In a group of ethnically homogeneous subjects, intersexual differences and the effect of ageing on the pattern of serum free amino acid were studied. The amount of the amino acids: valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid and ornithine was significantly greater in young males than in young females. Such intersexual differences were not observed in aged subjects. When comparing a group of aged obese females with a control group, no difference in the pattern of serum free amino acid was observed.", "PMID": 619318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3002", "title": "Rat hepatic lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase activity. Induction by lysine, glucagon and cycloheximide administration.", "content": "The activity of hepatic lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase was determined in white female rats maintained on one of two dietary lysine levels (0.23 and 0.54% in diets A and B, respectively). The high dietary lysine increased the enzyme activity (p less than 0.05) twofold compared with the activity obtained with the diet A (67 vs. 27 mumol saccharopine/30 min/g liver protein). Repeated intraperitoneal injection of glucagon (259 microgram/100 g body weight/day) showed a short initial drop in the enzyme activity, followed by a marked rise, which remained above the basal level after withdrawal of the drug. Repeated injections of cycloheximide increased the enzyme activity, and the findings suggested that the apparent increase was due to the inhibition of the system responsible for the degradation of the enzyme. The individual free amino acids of the livers varied as a function of treatment. The ratio of E/N amino acids was found to be a good measure of the physiological condition of the animal, with the lowest value in animals treated with cycloheximide.", "contents": "Rat hepatic lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase activity. Induction by lysine, glucagon and cycloheximide administration. The activity of hepatic lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase was determined in white female rats maintained on one of two dietary lysine levels (0.23 and 0.54% in diets A and B, respectively). The high dietary lysine increased the enzyme activity (p less than 0.05) twofold compared with the activity obtained with the diet A (67 vs. 27 mumol saccharopine/30 min/g liver protein). Repeated intraperitoneal injection of glucagon (259 microgram/100 g body weight/day) showed a short initial drop in the enzyme activity, followed by a marked rise, which remained above the basal level after withdrawal of the drug. Repeated injections of cycloheximide increased the enzyme activity, and the findings suggested that the apparent increase was due to the inhibition of the system responsible for the degradation of the enzyme. The individual free amino acids of the livers varied as a function of treatment. The ratio of E/N amino acids was found to be a good measure of the physiological condition of the animal, with the lowest value in animals treated with cycloheximide.", "PMID": 619319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3003", "title": "Lipid metabolism in the vitamin-B12-deprived rat.", "content": "Rats were deprived of vitamin B12 in order to study the effect of this deprivation on the metabolism of lipids in the liver and the nervous system. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations of 102.7 and 78 pg/ml were found at sacrifice after 5 and 6 months, respectively. Neurological testing failed to reveal signs of neuropathy. The total liver lipids were decreased in the vitamin-B12-deprived animals, but no changes were detected in the lipid concentration or in the phospholipid composition of the nervous system. Some animals were given propionate, and in these, contrary to expectations, pentadecanoic acid and heptadecanoic acid were found in smaller amounts in the liver triglycerides of the vitamin B12-deprived rats than in the control rats. This could be due to the inhibitory effect of methylmalonyl CoA on fatty-acid synthesis, demonstrated by others in vitro.", "contents": "Lipid metabolism in the vitamin-B12-deprived rat. Rats were deprived of vitamin B12 in order to study the effect of this deprivation on the metabolism of lipids in the liver and the nervous system. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations of 102.7 and 78 pg/ml were found at sacrifice after 5 and 6 months, respectively. Neurological testing failed to reveal signs of neuropathy. The total liver lipids were decreased in the vitamin-B12-deprived animals, but no changes were detected in the lipid concentration or in the phospholipid composition of the nervous system. Some animals were given propionate, and in these, contrary to expectations, pentadecanoic acid and heptadecanoic acid were found in smaller amounts in the liver triglycerides of the vitamin B12-deprived rats than in the control rats. This could be due to the inhibitory effect of methylmalonyl CoA on fatty-acid synthesis, demonstrated by others in vitro.", "PMID": 619320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3004", "title": "Vitamin B12 deprivation in the rat: effects on folate metabolism with emphasis on the nervous system.", "content": "Rats were subjected to deprivation of vitamin B12 in order to induce neuropathy and to study effect on folate metabolism. Plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were maintained at about 100 pg/ml for 5 months. Neurological testing failed to reveal signs of neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deprivation induced high plasma folate levels but had no effects on the levels of total folate in the liver or the nervous system, probably because of an adequate methionine supply. If the rats were starved, a smaller proportion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was found both in liver and brain of the vitamin-B12-deprived animals. The folate concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was lower than in the plasma but the values were correlated. There was a striking similarity between the liver and the brain in the way of handling 3H-folic acid and 14C-methyltetrahydrofolic acid. However, both substances showed a higher specific activity in the brain than in the liver, indicating a more dynamic state of brain folate.", "contents": "Vitamin B12 deprivation in the rat: effects on folate metabolism with emphasis on the nervous system. Rats were subjected to deprivation of vitamin B12 in order to induce neuropathy and to study effect on folate metabolism. Plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were maintained at about 100 pg/ml for 5 months. Neurological testing failed to reveal signs of neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deprivation induced high plasma folate levels but had no effects on the levels of total folate in the liver or the nervous system, probably because of an adequate methionine supply. If the rats were starved, a smaller proportion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was found both in liver and brain of the vitamin-B12-deprived animals. The folate concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was lower than in the plasma but the values were correlated. There was a striking similarity between the liver and the brain in the way of handling 3H-folic acid and 14C-methyltetrahydrofolic acid. However, both substances showed a higher specific activity in the brain than in the liver, indicating a more dynamic state of brain folate.", "PMID": 619321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3005", "title": "Androgen and estrogen formation in women with ovarian hyperthecosis.", "content": "Women with ovarian hyperthecosis were studied and found to have a plasma testosterone production rate of 2.1 mg/day, a value eight times greater than that of nonhirsute, ovulatory women. The severity of hirsutism and virilization in these women was more closely correlated with the amount of testosterone produced than with plasma testosterone concentrations. The mean plasma production rates of androstenedione in these women, 8.6 mg/day, was more than three times that found in young women with no evidence of androgen excess. There was a marked gradient between ovarian and peripheral venous plasma concentrations for both C19 steroids. Following ovarian wedge resection or oophorectomy, there was a precipitous fall in the peripheral venous concentrations of these steroids. These observations support the view that the major source of excess androstenedione and testosterone secretion in these subjects was the ovaries. The rate of estrone formation in these women, 106-345 microgram/day, was the result of extraglandular aromatization of plasma androstenedione.", "contents": "Androgen and estrogen formation in women with ovarian hyperthecosis. Women with ovarian hyperthecosis were studied and found to have a plasma testosterone production rate of 2.1 mg/day, a value eight times greater than that of nonhirsute, ovulatory women. The severity of hirsutism and virilization in these women was more closely correlated with the amount of testosterone produced than with plasma testosterone concentrations. The mean plasma production rates of androstenedione in these women, 8.6 mg/day, was more than three times that found in young women with no evidence of androgen excess. There was a marked gradient between ovarian and peripheral venous plasma concentrations for both C19 steroids. Following ovarian wedge resection or oophorectomy, there was a precipitous fall in the peripheral venous concentrations of these steroids. These observations support the view that the major source of excess androstenedione and testosterone secretion in these subjects was the ovaries. The rate of estrone formation in these women, 106-345 microgram/day, was the result of extraglandular aromatization of plasma androstenedione.", "PMID": 619322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3006", "title": "Estrogen excretion patterns in induced ovulation.", "content": "Observation of response to gonadotropins in the treatment of anovulation has allowed us to define the estrogen excretion pattern which leads to a successful single pregnancy. The typical pattern shows a low pretreatment urinary total estrogen excretion; treatment with gonadotropins, of human pituitary origin, is continued for about 14 days. There is a predictable rate of rise of preovulatory estrogen excretion (30 microgram/24 hr2). Human choronic gonadotropin--about 4000 IU--should be given when an estrogen excretion of 75-100 microgram/24 hr has been obtained. The use of this pattern of ovarian response is put forward as a useful guide in the planning of gonadotropin therapy.", "contents": "Estrogen excretion patterns in induced ovulation. Observation of response to gonadotropins in the treatment of anovulation has allowed us to define the estrogen excretion pattern which leads to a successful single pregnancy. The typical pattern shows a low pretreatment urinary total estrogen excretion; treatment with gonadotropins, of human pituitary origin, is continued for about 14 days. There is a predictable rate of rise of preovulatory estrogen excretion (30 microgram/24 hr2). Human choronic gonadotropin--about 4000 IU--should be given when an estrogen excretion of 75-100 microgram/24 hr has been obtained. The use of this pattern of ovarian response is put forward as a useful guide in the planning of gonadotropin therapy.", "PMID": 619323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3007", "title": "Chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma recurrent after radiation therapy.", "content": "Fifty-seven patients referred to Roswell Park Memorial Institute between 1971-1975 with Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer treated with prior radiation therapy were randomly allocated to treatment with melphalan, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) plus melphalan (FUME), actinomycin-D plus 5-fluorouracil plus melphalan (ACFUME), actinomycin-D, or 5-fluorouracil plus cyclophosphamide (ACFUCY). These patients receiving 5-FU plus melphalan had longer median duration of survival with better quality of life. Combination chemotherapeutic agents effected significantly. better responses (P less than 0.05) than single agent chemotherapy. The ACFUME and ACFUCY combinations resulted in higher incidence of severe and life-threatening toxicity. Patients showing complete response had maximum median duration of survival.", "contents": "Chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma recurrent after radiation therapy. Fifty-seven patients referred to Roswell Park Memorial Institute between 1971-1975 with Stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer treated with prior radiation therapy were randomly allocated to treatment with melphalan, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) plus melphalan (FUME), actinomycin-D plus 5-fluorouracil plus melphalan (ACFUME), actinomycin-D, or 5-fluorouracil plus cyclophosphamide (ACFUCY). These patients receiving 5-FU plus melphalan had longer median duration of survival with better quality of life. Combination chemotherapeutic agents effected significantly. better responses (P less than 0.05) than single agent chemotherapy. The ACFUME and ACFUCY combinations resulted in higher incidence of severe and life-threatening toxicity. Patients showing complete response had maximum median duration of survival.", "PMID": 619324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3008", "title": "The fallability of X-chromatin as a screening test for anomalies of the X chromosome.", "content": "In 13 of 148 patients suspected of anomalies of the X chromosome, the X-chromatin test was misleading. Therefore, if an anomaly is suspected, a karyotype as well as an X-chromatin study is indicated.", "contents": "The fallability of X-chromatin as a screening test for anomalies of the X chromosome. In 13 of 148 patients suspected of anomalies of the X chromosome, the X-chromatin test was misleading. Therefore, if an anomaly is suspected, a karyotype as well as an X-chromatin study is indicated.", "PMID": 619326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3009", "title": "Comparison of fetal maturity evaluation with ultrasonic biparietal diameter and amniotic fluid lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio.", "content": "Fetal head biparietal (BP) measurements by ultrasonic techniques and amniotic fluid lecithin-sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios were simultaneously determined (within 2 days) on 84 occasions in 72 women. Using the criteria for maturity of an L/S ratio of 2.0 or more or a BP measurement of 9.0 cm or more, there was agreement between these test results in 66.7% of the cases. The BP incorrectly predicted the L/S ratio 33.3% of the time, with a false positive rate of 27.3% and a false negative rate of 6.0%. If an L/S ratio of 1.5 were used as the critical determinant, the BP false positive rate remained high (9.5%). A high false negative error (21.4%) occurred if a BP value of 9.3 cm was used. These results suggest that ultrasonic BP measurements should not be used as the only criteria of fetal maturity in the management of high-risk pregnancies.", "contents": "Comparison of fetal maturity evaluation with ultrasonic biparietal diameter and amniotic fluid lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio. Fetal head biparietal (BP) measurements by ultrasonic techniques and amniotic fluid lecithin-sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios were simultaneously determined (within 2 days) on 84 occasions in 72 women. Using the criteria for maturity of an L/S ratio of 2.0 or more or a BP measurement of 9.0 cm or more, there was agreement between these test results in 66.7% of the cases. The BP incorrectly predicted the L/S ratio 33.3% of the time, with a false positive rate of 27.3% and a false negative rate of 6.0%. If an L/S ratio of 1.5 were used as the critical determinant, the BP false positive rate remained high (9.5%). A high false negative error (21.4%) occurred if a BP value of 9.3 cm was used. These results suggest that ultrasonic BP measurements should not be used as the only criteria of fetal maturity in the management of high-risk pregnancies.", "PMID": 619327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3010", "title": "Duration of colposcopic changes associated with trichomonas vaginitis.", "content": "The possibility that an abnormal Papanicolaou smear of the uterine cervix may be associated with vaginitis due to trichomonas vaginalis has been known for some time. Since colposcopy is being used with increased frequency to evaluate patients with cytologic abnormalities noted on the cervical smear and the colposcopic changes produced by trichomonal vaginitis are quite typical, a study was designed to evaluate the duration of these changes after effective eradication of the parasite. Among 12 patients in whom the infection was successfully treated, none showed evidence of colposcopically detected abnormalities due to the trichomonal vaginitis at 2 weeks and again at 4 weeks after initiation of therapy.", "contents": "Duration of colposcopic changes associated with trichomonas vaginitis. The possibility that an abnormal Papanicolaou smear of the uterine cervix may be associated with vaginitis due to trichomonas vaginalis has been known for some time. Since colposcopy is being used with increased frequency to evaluate patients with cytologic abnormalities noted on the cervical smear and the colposcopic changes produced by trichomonal vaginitis are quite typical, a study was designed to evaluate the duration of these changes after effective eradication of the parasite. Among 12 patients in whom the infection was successfully treated, none showed evidence of colposcopically detected abnormalities due to the trichomonal vaginitis at 2 weeks and again at 4 weeks after initiation of therapy.", "PMID": 619328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3011", "title": "Suppression of puerperal lactation by metergoline.", "content": "Based on the known stimulatory effect of serotonin on prolactin secretion, a trial of suppression of puerperal lactation by a potent serotonin antagonist, metergoline, was carried out in 30 puerperal women who did not want to nurse. The drug was administered orally at the dose of 4 mg tid for 5 days to all subjects, starting between 24 and 72 hours from delivery. Lactation was either prevented or rapidly suppressed in all subjects. Rebound of lactation after the end of treatment was observed in 10% of cases. Metergoline administration was associated with a significant suppression of the plasma prolactin levels.", "contents": "Suppression of puerperal lactation by metergoline. Based on the known stimulatory effect of serotonin on prolactin secretion, a trial of suppression of puerperal lactation by a potent serotonin antagonist, metergoline, was carried out in 30 puerperal women who did not want to nurse. The drug was administered orally at the dose of 4 mg tid for 5 days to all subjects, starting between 24 and 72 hours from delivery. Lactation was either prevented or rapidly suppressed in all subjects. Rebound of lactation after the end of treatment was observed in 10% of cases. Metergoline administration was associated with a significant suppression of the plasma prolactin levels.", "PMID": 619329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3012", "title": "A rapid method for the presurgical cleansing of hands.", "content": "A new rapid method of presurgical cleansing of the hands has been evaluated in a clinical setting. The effectiveness of a 90 second jet wash has been compared with a standard 10-minute presurgical scrub. Bacteriologic cultures were obtained from the fingertips of interns, residents, and staff of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center before and after 90-second jet washings and 10-minute conventional scrubs. The results showed that the 90-second jet wash was more effective in degerming the hands than the 10-minute standard brush scrub. Other advantages of the new method, such as the amount of time saved, the standardization of cleansing, and reduced skin irritation are discussed.", "contents": "A rapid method for the presurgical cleansing of hands. A new rapid method of presurgical cleansing of the hands has been evaluated in a clinical setting. The effectiveness of a 90 second jet wash has been compared with a standard 10-minute presurgical scrub. Bacteriologic cultures were obtained from the fingertips of interns, residents, and staff of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center before and after 90-second jet washings and 10-minute conventional scrubs. The results showed that the 90-second jet wash was more effective in degerming the hands than the 10-minute standard brush scrub. Other advantages of the new method, such as the amount of time saved, the standardization of cleansing, and reduced skin irritation are discussed.", "PMID": 619330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3013", "title": "A new topical hemostatic agent in gynecologic surgery.", "content": "Experiences with a topical hemostatic agent, microfibrillar collagen (MFC), material made from beef hide dermis are recounted. Topical hemostasis is facilitated by virtue of its fibrillar structure forming a sticky matrix for platelet aggregation. The material was used in women undergoing cervical conization to determine its absorption at hysterectomy 6 weeks later. In another group, it was used as the sole hemostatic agent at conization and compared with a control group in which conventional sutures were used. A larger group who underwent abdominal hysterectomy allowed comparison between MFC on the bladder muscularis and conventional suture ligature in terms of blood loss, operating time success of method used, and complications.", "contents": "A new topical hemostatic agent in gynecologic surgery. Experiences with a topical hemostatic agent, microfibrillar collagen (MFC), material made from beef hide dermis are recounted. Topical hemostasis is facilitated by virtue of its fibrillar structure forming a sticky matrix for platelet aggregation. The material was used in women undergoing cervical conization to determine its absorption at hysterectomy 6 weeks later. In another group, it was used as the sole hemostatic agent at conization and compared with a control group in which conventional sutures were used. A larger group who underwent abdominal hysterectomy allowed comparison between MFC on the bladder muscularis and conventional suture ligature in terms of blood loss, operating time success of method used, and complications.", "PMID": 619331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3014", "title": "New observations on the physiology of menstruation.", "content": "Endometrium was studies histologically, histochemically, and ultrastructurally in a series of biopsies taken from 3 normal, ovulating patients on Days 1-9 of the cycle. The occurrence of ovulation and the adequacy of progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The most striking feature of menstruating endometrium was its vigorous attempt to survive. This was manifested by lysosomal activity, lipid accumulation, expulsion of glycoproteins, and the uptake of stromal debris by epithelial cells for passage to the uterine cavity. Regression, rather than cell death, was the chief event of menstruation. While some cells of the spongiosa underwent necrosis, the vast majority remained viable and underwent remodeling to participate in the new cycle. These studies may lead to further understanding of the process of menstruation and the pathophysiology of anovulatory bleeding and irregular shedding of the endometrium.", "contents": "New observations on the physiology of menstruation. Endometrium was studies histologically, histochemically, and ultrastructurally in a series of biopsies taken from 3 normal, ovulating patients on Days 1-9 of the cycle. The occurrence of ovulation and the adequacy of progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The most striking feature of menstruating endometrium was its vigorous attempt to survive. This was manifested by lysosomal activity, lipid accumulation, expulsion of glycoproteins, and the uptake of stromal debris by epithelial cells for passage to the uterine cavity. Regression, rather than cell death, was the chief event of menstruation. While some cells of the spongiosa underwent necrosis, the vast majority remained viable and underwent remodeling to participate in the new cycle. These studies may lead to further understanding of the process of menstruation and the pathophysiology of anovulatory bleeding and irregular shedding of the endometrium.", "PMID": 619333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3015", "title": "Endometrial biopsy interpretation. Shortcomings and problems in current gynecologic practice.", "content": "The analysis of 345 endometrial biopsies was carried out with special regard to the relation between pathologic findings and presenting symptoms or complaints. Only 52.4% of the biopsies showed microscopic features possibly related to the complaints. Endometrial polyps and chronic endometritis were diagnosed in 21.1 and 9.8%, respectively, of the entire study group. The currently accepted definitions of dysfunctional uterine bleeding raise the question whether endometrial polyps and atypical secretory changes may or may not be included in the syndrome.", "contents": "Endometrial biopsy interpretation. Shortcomings and problems in current gynecologic practice. The analysis of 345 endometrial biopsies was carried out with special regard to the relation between pathologic findings and presenting symptoms or complaints. Only 52.4% of the biopsies showed microscopic features possibly related to the complaints. Endometrial polyps and chronic endometritis were diagnosed in 21.1 and 9.8%, respectively, of the entire study group. The currently accepted definitions of dysfunctional uterine bleeding raise the question whether endometrial polyps and atypical secretory changes may or may not be included in the syndrome.", "PMID": 619334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3016", "title": "Therapy of heavy drinking during pregnancy.", "content": "A survey of patients registering at the Boston City Hospital Prenatal Clinic had demonstrated that 9 percent were heavy drinkers. To reduce the health hazards to mothers and children, treatment of heavy alcohol use was integrated with prenatal care. A pediatric neurologist independently examined 322 offspring, including 42 whose mothers were heavy drinkers. Frequency of congenital anomalies, growth retardation, or functional abnormalities among these 42 was twice that of infants born to abstinent or moderate drinking mothers P less than .001). Within that group of 42, there were 15 whose mothers were able to abstain or reduce alcohol intake during the third trimester. These 15 demonstrated fewer abnormalities than those 27 whose mothers had continued heavy drinking (P less than .001). Since pregnant women can be motivated to reduce heavy drinking, treatment programs can benefit both mothers and infants.", "contents": "Therapy of heavy drinking during pregnancy. A survey of patients registering at the Boston City Hospital Prenatal Clinic had demonstrated that 9 percent were heavy drinkers. To reduce the health hazards to mothers and children, treatment of heavy alcohol use was integrated with prenatal care. A pediatric neurologist independently examined 322 offspring, including 42 whose mothers were heavy drinkers. Frequency of congenital anomalies, growth retardation, or functional abnormalities among these 42 was twice that of infants born to abstinent or moderate drinking mothers P less than .001). Within that group of 42, there were 15 whose mothers were able to abstain or reduce alcohol intake during the third trimester. These 15 demonstrated fewer abnormalities than those 27 whose mothers had continued heavy drinking (P less than .001). Since pregnant women can be motivated to reduce heavy drinking, treatment programs can benefit both mothers and infants.", "PMID": 619335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3017", "title": "Plasma prostaglandins in pregnancy.", "content": "Plasma prostaglandins were determined by radioimmunoassay in 92 pregnant and 14 nonpregnant women. There was significant elevation of PGA-like material in the first trimester of pregnancy (1744 pg/ml) over that seen in nonpregnant women (576 pg/ml) with continuation of that elevation in the second and third trimesters. No significant difference existed among PGE levels of the nonpregnant group (251 pg/ml) and the first two trimesters of pregnancy (384 pg/ml and 294 pg/ml); the PGE level of the third trimester group (443 pg/ml) was significantly elevated over that of the nonpregnant group. PGF levels remained constant during all trimesters (135 pg/ml, 144 pg/ml, and 130 pg/ml) but exhibited plasma concentrations significantly higher than the nonpregnant group (78 pg/ml). Potential role (s) of prostaglandins as mediators of cardiovascular and renal changes of pregnancy are discussed.", "contents": "Plasma prostaglandins in pregnancy. Plasma prostaglandins were determined by radioimmunoassay in 92 pregnant and 14 nonpregnant women. There was significant elevation of PGA-like material in the first trimester of pregnancy (1744 pg/ml) over that seen in nonpregnant women (576 pg/ml) with continuation of that elevation in the second and third trimesters. No significant difference existed among PGE levels of the nonpregnant group (251 pg/ml) and the first two trimesters of pregnancy (384 pg/ml and 294 pg/ml); the PGE level of the third trimester group (443 pg/ml) was significantly elevated over that of the nonpregnant group. PGF levels remained constant during all trimesters (135 pg/ml, 144 pg/ml, and 130 pg/ml) but exhibited plasma concentrations significantly higher than the nonpregnant group (78 pg/ml). Potential role (s) of prostaglandins as mediators of cardiovascular and renal changes of pregnancy are discussed.", "PMID": 619337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3018", "title": "Amniotic fluid analysis. Its role in maternal neonatal infection.", "content": "Indirect evidence suggests that amnionitis, in the absence of maternal symptoms, contributes to neonatal morbidity. The incidence is unknown because diagnostic techniques are not available. A quantitative amniotic fluid analysis of bacteria, white blood cells, and lactic dehydrogenase levels was performed during labor among 28 patients considered to be a risk for infection. Thirteen of 16 patients with bacterial colony counts greater than 10(3)/ml subsequently developed maternal infection had a premature delivery, neonatal sepsis, or a combination of these factors. Maternal fever was a late sign in clinical infection and was frequently absent in cases of premature delivery associated with microbiologic evidence of amnionitis. Amniotic fluid analysis may be of value in diagnosing unrecognized amnionitis among patients delivering prematurely and those requiring nonelective cesarean section.", "contents": "Amniotic fluid analysis. Its role in maternal neonatal infection. Indirect evidence suggests that amnionitis, in the absence of maternal symptoms, contributes to neonatal morbidity. The incidence is unknown because diagnostic techniques are not available. A quantitative amniotic fluid analysis of bacteria, white blood cells, and lactic dehydrogenase levels was performed during labor among 28 patients considered to be a risk for infection. Thirteen of 16 patients with bacterial colony counts greater than 10(3)/ml subsequently developed maternal infection had a premature delivery, neonatal sepsis, or a combination of these factors. Maternal fever was a late sign in clinical infection and was frequently absent in cases of premature delivery associated with microbiologic evidence of amnionitis. Amniotic fluid analysis may be of value in diagnosing unrecognized amnionitis among patients delivering prematurely and those requiring nonelective cesarean section.", "PMID": 619338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3019", "title": "Osteogenesis imperfecta as a complication of pregnancy.", "content": "Osteogenesis imperfecta is a complex disorder that rarely complicates pregancy. The successful obstetric management of a patient with severe osteogensis imperfecta is presented along with a detailed review of maternal osteogenesis imperfecta in the recent English literature. A review of the disease process, its complications, and associated disorders is presented.", "contents": "Osteogenesis imperfecta as a complication of pregnancy. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a complex disorder that rarely complicates pregancy. The successful obstetric management of a patient with severe osteogensis imperfecta is presented along with a detailed review of maternal osteogenesis imperfecta in the recent English literature. A review of the disease process, its complications, and associated disorders is presented.", "PMID": 619339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3020", "title": "Inidcations for prenatal diagnosis in relatives of patients with neural tube defects.", "content": "We have reviewed the family histories of children with neural tube defects to determine which relatives are at sufficient risk to be offered amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis. The recurrence risks for sibs was 6%; therefore, women with one affected child should be made aware of the availability of this test for monitoring subsequent pregnancies. The empiric recurrence risks for various groups of second and third degree relative exceeds 1% only for mothers' sisters' children. The lower values for the other groups may reflect either true biologic differences of reporting biases. Unit the matter is clarified, all sibs of affected children and all sibs of the parents of affected children should be informed of the availability of amniocentesis for monitoring their (or their spouse's) pregnancies.", "contents": "Inidcations for prenatal diagnosis in relatives of patients with neural tube defects. We have reviewed the family histories of children with neural tube defects to determine which relatives are at sufficient risk to be offered amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis. The recurrence risks for sibs was 6%; therefore, women with one affected child should be made aware of the availability of this test for monitoring subsequent pregnancies. The empiric recurrence risks for various groups of second and third degree relative exceeds 1% only for mothers' sisters' children. The lower values for the other groups may reflect either true biologic differences of reporting biases. Unit the matter is clarified, all sibs of affected children and all sibs of the parents of affected children should be informed of the availability of amniocentesis for monitoring their (or their spouse's) pregnancies.", "PMID": 619340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3021", "title": "Induction of labor in the high-risk pregnancy with PGF 2 alpha.", "content": "The induction of labor in the high-risk patient is accompanied by an increased incidence of cesarean section partly due to failed induction. A series of 50 high-risk patients induced with intravenous prostaglandin F 2 alpha is presented. Forty-five were successfully induced, 35 of whom delivered vaginally. Failed inductions occurred in 5 patients. The overall success rate was 90%, and cesarean section rate was 25.5%. There was an increased incidence of late decelerations in the PGF 2 alpha groups as compared to spontaneous and Pitocin-stimulated labors. While the success was high, the use of a drug which itself may caused fetal cardiovascular changes is not desirable, especially in those pregnancies already at risk.", "contents": "Induction of labor in the high-risk pregnancy with PGF 2 alpha. The induction of labor in the high-risk patient is accompanied by an increased incidence of cesarean section partly due to failed induction. A series of 50 high-risk patients induced with intravenous prostaglandin F 2 alpha is presented. Forty-five were successfully induced, 35 of whom delivered vaginally. Failed inductions occurred in 5 patients. The overall success rate was 90%, and cesarean section rate was 25.5%. There was an increased incidence of late decelerations in the PGF 2 alpha groups as compared to spontaneous and Pitocin-stimulated labors. While the success was high, the use of a drug which itself may caused fetal cardiovascular changes is not desirable, especially in those pregnancies already at risk.", "PMID": 619341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3022", "title": "Absence of capillary microangiopathy in oral contraceptive users with glucose intolerance.", "content": "The possible vascular hazard associated with carbohydrate intolerance produced by long-term use of oral contraceptives was investigated by examining the capillary basement membrane thickness in quadriceps muscle biopsies, a highly sensitive and reliable indicator of diabetic microangiopathy. The average basement thickness of 18 long-term (4-9 years) contraceptive users with diminished carbohydrate tolerance was 1644 A, compared to normal pregnant women (1711 A) prediabetic pregnant women (1854 A), and overt diabetic women (2593 A). Contraceptive steroid-induced carbohydrate intolerance appears to carry little, if any, increased risk for the development of diabetic vascular disease, even as assessed by the sensitive electron microscopic technique.", "contents": "Absence of capillary microangiopathy in oral contraceptive users with glucose intolerance. The possible vascular hazard associated with carbohydrate intolerance produced by long-term use of oral contraceptives was investigated by examining the capillary basement membrane thickness in quadriceps muscle biopsies, a highly sensitive and reliable indicator of diabetic microangiopathy. The average basement thickness of 18 long-term (4-9 years) contraceptive users with diminished carbohydrate tolerance was 1644 A, compared to normal pregnant women (1711 A) prediabetic pregnant women (1854 A), and overt diabetic women (2593 A). Contraceptive steroid-induced carbohydrate intolerance appears to carry little, if any, increased risk for the development of diabetic vascular disease, even as assessed by the sensitive electron microscopic technique.", "PMID": 619342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3023", "title": "Endometrial adenocarcinoma and the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.", "content": "Six cases of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium associated with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome are presented. The average age of the patients was 27.8 years. All patients were treated surgically; 2 had preoperative intracavitary irradiation, and 1 had postoperative intravaginal cesium-137 application. At follow-up, ranging from 1 to 15 years, all patients are alive and free of disease. Almost 90% of endometrial adenocarcinoma in association with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome is well differentiated, and appropriate treatment is associated with a good prognosis. Conservative therapy carries the risk of progression of the cancer to more advanced stages and has very little to offer for future fertility. It is suggested that these patients be treated as are any other patients with endometrial cancer.", "contents": "Endometrial adenocarcinoma and the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Six cases of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium associated with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome are presented. The average age of the patients was 27.8 years. All patients were treated surgically; 2 had preoperative intracavitary irradiation, and 1 had postoperative intravaginal cesium-137 application. At follow-up, ranging from 1 to 15 years, all patients are alive and free of disease. Almost 90% of endometrial adenocarcinoma in association with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome is well differentiated, and appropriate treatment is associated with a good prognosis. Conservative therapy carries the risk of progression of the cancer to more advanced stages and has very little to offer for future fertility. It is suggested that these patients be treated as are any other patients with endometrial cancer.", "PMID": 619343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3024", "title": "Meconium screening for cystic fibrosis.", "content": "In our hands, the BMC-Test Meconium has been a significant step towards the goal of developing an ideal newborn screening test for CF. It is easily performed, is highly specific, has reasonably high sensitivity, and--given its limitation of identifying only patients with CF who have intrauterine pancreatic insufficiency--is the best method of screening newborns for CF that has been devised to date. Many technical problems remain to be solved before the test can be endorsed without reservation. Because the test, as currently constituted, does not identify all potential subjects for further testing who might have CF, it should not be made mandatory. It is, however, better than other available screening methods for CF and can be praised for that benefit. The concept has indicated a valuable new direction for mass-screening possibilities and perhaps can, by future modification, be made sensitive enough to warrant universal usage.", "contents": "Meconium screening for cystic fibrosis. In our hands, the BMC-Test Meconium has been a significant step towards the goal of developing an ideal newborn screening test for CF. It is easily performed, is highly specific, has reasonably high sensitivity, and--given its limitation of identifying only patients with CF who have intrauterine pancreatic insufficiency--is the best method of screening newborns for CF that has been devised to date. Many technical problems remain to be solved before the test can be endorsed without reservation. Because the test, as currently constituted, does not identify all potential subjects for further testing who might have CF, it should not be made mandatory. It is, however, better than other available screening methods for CF and can be praised for that benefit. The concept has indicated a valuable new direction for mass-screening possibilities and perhaps can, by future modification, be made sensitive enough to warrant universal usage.", "PMID": 619344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3025", "title": "The use of new antibiotic agents for chronic pulmonary disease.", "content": "Modern advances in the development of antimicrobial agents and in chemotherapy have made available potent aminoglycoside antibiotics, with more effective ones to come. Their effectiveness against P. aeruginosa is a great contribution to patients with cystic fibrosis and other chronic disorders. The development of carbenicillin has augmented the effectiveness of the aminoglycoside antibiotics. Ticarcillin is similar to carbenicillin and will play a similar role in antibiotic therapy. The cephalosporins serve as alternative agents principally for their antistaphylococcal activity. We are urgently in need of a potent antibiotic agent against P. aeruginosa that can be given by the oral route. The TMP-SMX combination is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that can be administered by the oral route. It is effective in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia, which is very common owing to the extended survival of patients with leukemia and other malignancies or with allografts who are prone to develop infections with immunosuppressive therapy.", "contents": "The use of new antibiotic agents for chronic pulmonary disease. Modern advances in the development of antimicrobial agents and in chemotherapy have made available potent aminoglycoside antibiotics, with more effective ones to come. Their effectiveness against P. aeruginosa is a great contribution to patients with cystic fibrosis and other chronic disorders. The development of carbenicillin has augmented the effectiveness of the aminoglycoside antibiotics. Ticarcillin is similar to carbenicillin and will play a similar role in antibiotic therapy. The cephalosporins serve as alternative agents principally for their antistaphylococcal activity. We are urgently in need of a potent antibiotic agent against P. aeruginosa that can be given by the oral route. The TMP-SMX combination is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that can be administered by the oral route. It is effective in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia, which is very common owing to the extended survival of patients with leukemia and other malignancies or with allografts who are prone to develop infections with immunosuppressive therapy.", "PMID": 619346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3026", "title": "Atypical mycobacteria.", "content": "The atypical mycobacteria are common human saprophytes. Their presence, particularly in a healthy person, is not associated with disease. In the child they cause two conditions, cervical adenitis and swimming-pool granuloma. Both of these diseases tend to be localized and nonprogressive. The former can be treated with reasonably nontoxic drugs; if this falls, total excision can be employed. The latter is best left to heal by itself. Occasionally, the atypical mycobacteria will cause widespread systemic disease, particularly in the patient whose immunity has been compromised.", "contents": "Atypical mycobacteria. The atypical mycobacteria are common human saprophytes. Their presence, particularly in a healthy person, is not associated with disease. In the child they cause two conditions, cervical adenitis and swimming-pool granuloma. Both of these diseases tend to be localized and nonprogressive. The former can be treated with reasonably nontoxic drugs; if this falls, total excision can be employed. The latter is best left to heal by itself. Occasionally, the atypical mycobacteria will cause widespread systemic disease, particularly in the patient whose immunity has been compromised.", "PMID": 619348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3027", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of reflex vasodilatation. The cholinergic component in the baroreceptorial reflex in the dog.", "content": "This study was designed to investigate whether the cholinergic system is involved in the genesis of the reflex vasodilatation which follows the systemic hypertension induced by fast intravenous injection of norepinephrine in the dog. Accordingly, in 7 dogs the gracilis muscle was isolated and perfused and the reflex evoked. The analysis of the integrated areas of vasodilatation after atropine pretreatment showed a significant decrease of the reflex response in the perfused circulation. In fact, the mean value of the integrated areas of vasodilatation which was 66 +/- 8 mm Hg/min in the control condition, was reduced to 45 +/- 4 mm Hg/min after administration of atropine in the gracilis artery; meanwhile the integrated areas of systemic hypertension did not show any change. Phentolamine intra-arterial administration completely abolished the reflex. These results suggest the existence of a cholinergic component in the reflex vasodilatation induced by transitory baroreceptorial stimulation.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of reflex vasodilatation. The cholinergic component in the baroreceptorial reflex in the dog. This study was designed to investigate whether the cholinergic system is involved in the genesis of the reflex vasodilatation which follows the systemic hypertension induced by fast intravenous injection of norepinephrine in the dog. Accordingly, in 7 dogs the gracilis muscle was isolated and perfused and the reflex evoked. The analysis of the integrated areas of vasodilatation after atropine pretreatment showed a significant decrease of the reflex response in the perfused circulation. In fact, the mean value of the integrated areas of vasodilatation which was 66 +/- 8 mm Hg/min in the control condition, was reduced to 45 +/- 4 mm Hg/min after administration of atropine in the gracilis artery; meanwhile the integrated areas of systemic hypertension did not show any change. Phentolamine intra-arterial administration completely abolished the reflex. These results suggest the existence of a cholinergic component in the reflex vasodilatation induced by transitory baroreceptorial stimulation.", "PMID": 619358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3028", "title": "Sex differences in diazepam protein binding in patients with renal insufficiency.", "content": "Sex differences in the extent of binding of diazepam to plasma protein were assessed in a series of patients with renal insufficiency previously described by Kangas et al. Among identifiable independent variables, sex alone accounted for the greatest proportion of variability in percent unbound diazepam (r = 0.33), whereas age and serum creatinine accounted for practically none. The mean (+/- SE) percent unbound among females (10.8 +/- 2.8%) was larger (p less than 0.1) than among males (5.8 +/- 1.3%). Since only the unbound fraction of diazepam in plasma is available for pharmacologic activity, the intensity and duration of diazepam's clinical action in patients with renal insufficiency might differ between males and females.", "contents": "Sex differences in diazepam protein binding in patients with renal insufficiency. Sex differences in the extent of binding of diazepam to plasma protein were assessed in a series of patients with renal insufficiency previously described by Kangas et al. Among identifiable independent variables, sex alone accounted for the greatest proportion of variability in percent unbound diazepam (r = 0.33), whereas age and serum creatinine accounted for practically none. The mean (+/- SE) percent unbound among females (10.8 +/- 2.8%) was larger (p less than 0.1) than among males (5.8 +/- 1.3%). Since only the unbound fraction of diazepam in plasma is available for pharmacologic activity, the intensity and duration of diazepam's clinical action in patients with renal insufficiency might differ between males and females.", "PMID": 619359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3029", "title": "Plasma levels and protein binding of phenytoin during exercise in man: the effect of elevated free fatty acids.", "content": "Five healthy subjects performed submaximal physical exercise approximately 20 h after a single oral dose of phenytoin (5 mg/kg of the sodium salt). The plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) increased 2- to 3-fold in the post-exercise period. In spite of this, the degree of plasma binding of phenytoin and its total concentration in plasma were unaffected. Thus FFA at the levels reached (1.5-2.9 mEq/l), did not displace phenytoin from its binding sites on albumin. Furthermore, during the FFA peak the plasma protein binding of warfarin, as measured in vitro, did not decrease as compared to the pre-exercise period. These findings contrast to previous observations in rats and dogs, where FFA caused a considerable displacement of warfarin and phenytoin at relatively low FFA/albumin molar ratios.", "contents": "Plasma levels and protein binding of phenytoin during exercise in man: the effect of elevated free fatty acids. Five healthy subjects performed submaximal physical exercise approximately 20 h after a single oral dose of phenytoin (5 mg/kg of the sodium salt). The plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) increased 2- to 3-fold in the post-exercise period. In spite of this, the degree of plasma binding of phenytoin and its total concentration in plasma were unaffected. Thus FFA at the levels reached (1.5-2.9 mEq/l), did not displace phenytoin from its binding sites on albumin. Furthermore, during the FFA peak the plasma protein binding of warfarin, as measured in vitro, did not decrease as compared to the pre-exercise period. These findings contrast to previous observations in rats and dogs, where FFA caused a considerable displacement of warfarin and phenytoin at relatively low FFA/albumin molar ratios.", "PMID": 619360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3030", "title": "Effects of isoprenaline and orciprenaline on the vascular bed of the mouse placenta.", "content": "High doses of isoprenaline or orciprenaline decreased the rate of transfer of tritium-labelled water from mother to fetus. The effect was blocked by propranolol. Maternal blood spaces of the placental labyrinth in the treated animals were congested with masses of red blood cells. These observations suggest that the placental circulation is impaired by high doses of beta-sympathomimetic drugs.", "contents": "Effects of isoprenaline and orciprenaline on the vascular bed of the mouse placenta. High doses of isoprenaline or orciprenaline decreased the rate of transfer of tritium-labelled water from mother to fetus. The effect was blocked by propranolol. Maternal blood spaces of the placental labyrinth in the treated animals were congested with masses of red blood cells. These observations suggest that the placental circulation is impaired by high doses of beta-sympathomimetic drugs.", "PMID": 619361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3031", "title": "Effect of cartilage bone-marrow extract on articular cartilage collagen formation.", "content": "Cartilage bone-marrow extract has stimulated the collagen formation of articular as well as sternal cartilage collagen in chick embryo. Collagen biosynthesis has been stimulated also in other investigated tissues, i.e. in cornea and sclera of chick embryo as well as in sponge granuloma of rats, where mainly formation of collagen type I was stimulated. Glycosaminoglycans formation has also been increased after administration of cartilage bone-marrow extract.", "contents": "Effect of cartilage bone-marrow extract on articular cartilage collagen formation. Cartilage bone-marrow extract has stimulated the collagen formation of articular as well as sternal cartilage collagen in chick embryo. Collagen biosynthesis has been stimulated also in other investigated tissues, i.e. in cornea and sclera of chick embryo as well as in sponge granuloma of rats, where mainly formation of collagen type I was stimulated. Glycosaminoglycans formation has also been increased after administration of cartilage bone-marrow extract.", "PMID": 619362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3032", "title": "Influence of hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep, lidoflazine, inosine and purine riboside on adenosine uptake by the isolated epithelium of guinea pig jejunum.", "content": "The uptake of (14C)adenosine by isolated epithelium of guinea pig jejunum, administered on the blood side, was inhibited by hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep and lidoflazine. On the lumen side, however, weak inhibition was observed with lidoflazine only and no significant change was recorded with hexobendine, dipyridamole or dilazep. This difference was not altered when the degradation of hexobendine by the jejunal epithelium was blocked by physostigmine. When adenosine uptake was already reduced by purine riboside, further addition of hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep or lidoflazine caused divergent changes depending on the side of administration. Adenosine uptake was further diminished on the blood side, but raised towards control values on the lumen side. By contrast, inosine inhibited adenosine uptake on both sides of the epithleium. The results suggest that the mechanism of adenosine uptake is different on either side with respect to inhibition characteristics, corresponding to differences in morphology and function of the two sides of the intestinal epithelium.", "contents": "Influence of hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep, lidoflazine, inosine and purine riboside on adenosine uptake by the isolated epithelium of guinea pig jejunum. The uptake of (14C)adenosine by isolated epithelium of guinea pig jejunum, administered on the blood side, was inhibited by hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep and lidoflazine. On the lumen side, however, weak inhibition was observed with lidoflazine only and no significant change was recorded with hexobendine, dipyridamole or dilazep. This difference was not altered when the degradation of hexobendine by the jejunal epithelium was blocked by physostigmine. When adenosine uptake was already reduced by purine riboside, further addition of hexobendine, dipyridamole, dilazep or lidoflazine caused divergent changes depending on the side of administration. Adenosine uptake was further diminished on the blood side, but raised towards control values on the lumen side. By contrast, inosine inhibited adenosine uptake on both sides of the epithleium. The results suggest that the mechanism of adenosine uptake is different on either side with respect to inhibition characteristics, corresponding to differences in morphology and function of the two sides of the intestinal epithelium.", "PMID": 619363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3033", "title": "Cholinergic receptor mechanisms in amphibian vasoconstrictor responses.", "content": "The four choline esters, namely acetylcholine, carbachol, methacholine and bethanechol, produced constriction of frog's perfused systemic blood vessels, acetylcholine and carbachol being more potent than methacholine and bethanechol. Pentolinium and dihydroergotamine, in submaximal receptor-blocking doses, also produced a uniform partial inhibition of all choline esters and other agonists including the direct-acting barium chloride. On the other hand atropine markedly inhibited the responses of the four choline esters without affecting the adrenaline and barium responses. Compound AHR-602, a specific ganglionic muscarinic excitatory receptor stimulant, did not produce any effect in these experiments. Eserine in higher doses produced slight vasoconstriction and markedly potentiated acetylcholine responses, but it inhibited partially those of the other three choline esters without significantly affecting adrenaline and barium responses. The results provide strong evidence in favor of involvement of the postganglionic muscarinic receptors only in vasoconstriction after choline esters. There seems to be a considerable nonspecific inhibitory activity in ganglionic and alpha-adrenergic blockers in their submaximal receptor-blocking doses. It may be that in frog the adrenergic and nicotinic receptors are not as well differentiated as muscarinic receptors are. The ganglionic muscarinic receptors also seem to be absent in the frog.", "contents": "Cholinergic receptor mechanisms in amphibian vasoconstrictor responses. The four choline esters, namely acetylcholine, carbachol, methacholine and bethanechol, produced constriction of frog's perfused systemic blood vessels, acetylcholine and carbachol being more potent than methacholine and bethanechol. Pentolinium and dihydroergotamine, in submaximal receptor-blocking doses, also produced a uniform partial inhibition of all choline esters and other agonists including the direct-acting barium chloride. On the other hand atropine markedly inhibited the responses of the four choline esters without affecting the adrenaline and barium responses. Compound AHR-602, a specific ganglionic muscarinic excitatory receptor stimulant, did not produce any effect in these experiments. Eserine in higher doses produced slight vasoconstriction and markedly potentiated acetylcholine responses, but it inhibited partially those of the other three choline esters without significantly affecting adrenaline and barium responses. The results provide strong evidence in favor of involvement of the postganglionic muscarinic receptors only in vasoconstriction after choline esters. There seems to be a considerable nonspecific inhibitory activity in ganglionic and alpha-adrenergic blockers in their submaximal receptor-blocking doses. It may be that in frog the adrenergic and nicotinic receptors are not as well differentiated as muscarinic receptors are. The ganglionic muscarinic receptors also seem to be absent in the frog.", "PMID": 619364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3034", "title": "A behavioral and autonomic nervous system study of chronic imipramine administration to conscious dogs.", "content": "The clinically effective antidepressant imipramine, an iminodibenzyl structure, was examined in two experimental methods which had previously demonstrated high prediction ability in descerning and categorizing potential psychotherapeutic drugs. The chronic administration of imipramine produced a significant reduction in the scores of aberrant behavioral response evoked by the fixed-dose with Ditran seen as early as 1 week after treatment was initiated and continuing through the 8-week treatment duration. This chronic per oral treatment with impramine was also associated with a significant potentiation of mean arterial pressure responses to fixed-dose treatment with serotonin, noradrenaline, yohimbine and adrenaline, while significantly inhibiting the histamine-induced depressor response. The results of this study support the speculation that, in dogs, the clinically effective antidepressants antagonize or reverse the Ditran-induced response and produce an associated response of sympathetic nervous system arousal or sensitization.", "contents": "A behavioral and autonomic nervous system study of chronic imipramine administration to conscious dogs. The clinically effective antidepressant imipramine, an iminodibenzyl structure, was examined in two experimental methods which had previously demonstrated high prediction ability in descerning and categorizing potential psychotherapeutic drugs. The chronic administration of imipramine produced a significant reduction in the scores of aberrant behavioral response evoked by the fixed-dose with Ditran seen as early as 1 week after treatment was initiated and continuing through the 8-week treatment duration. This chronic per oral treatment with impramine was also associated with a significant potentiation of mean arterial pressure responses to fixed-dose treatment with serotonin, noradrenaline, yohimbine and adrenaline, while significantly inhibiting the histamine-induced depressor response. The results of this study support the speculation that, in dogs, the clinically effective antidepressants antagonize or reverse the Ditran-induced response and produce an associated response of sympathetic nervous system arousal or sensitization.", "PMID": 619365} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3035", "title": "Effect of secretin on mucinous secretion by the isolated canine stomach perfused extracorporeally.", "content": "Principal glycoproteins, uronic acid and amino acids were determined in canine gastric secretion, obtained from isolated canine stomachs perfused extracorporeally with homologous blood. Gastric secretion was collected during intraarterial infusion of pentagastrin alone for 3 h, and of secretin + pentagastrin for the next 3 h. Secretin produced a significant increase in the output of D-galactose, D-glucosamine, L-fucose, D-glucose, total sugars, total sulfate and uronic acid. Secretin had no significant effect on the output of most of amino acids of gastric secretion.", "contents": "Effect of secretin on mucinous secretion by the isolated canine stomach perfused extracorporeally. Principal glycoproteins, uronic acid and amino acids were determined in canine gastric secretion, obtained from isolated canine stomachs perfused extracorporeally with homologous blood. Gastric secretion was collected during intraarterial infusion of pentagastrin alone for 3 h, and of secretin + pentagastrin for the next 3 h. Secretin produced a significant increase in the output of D-galactose, D-glucosamine, L-fucose, D-glucose, total sugars, total sulfate and uronic acid. Secretin had no significant effect on the output of most of amino acids of gastric secretion.", "PMID": 619366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3036", "title": "EMG feedback as a muscle reeducation technique: a controlled study.", "content": "In an effort to evaluate the efficacy and function of EMG feedback in muscle reeducation, improvement of the abductor function of the abductor hallucis muscle was studied under three training conditions involving 1) EMG feedback, 2) sensory stimulation or 3) equal time for unassisted practice; and a fourth, control condition involving testing without training. Active range of motion was measured before and after training to assess ability to use the muscle as an abductor. EMG activity was quantified for a 1-minute test contraction to evaluate ability to maintain and maximize a voluntary contraction of the target muscle. The results indicated that EMG feedback was highly effective when subjects had little initial use of the target muscle. EMG feedback improved the ability of these subjects to maintain and maximize voluntary muscle contractions, as demonstrated on the EMG measure. EMG feedback did not add to the learning situation when only a relatively brief, phasic contraction was required, as on the range-of-motion measure; similar gains were made with equivalent practive without EMG feedback. When subjects already had considerable use of the target muscle prior to training, EMG feedback may have actually interfered with training; in this case unassisted practice was more effective.", "contents": "EMG feedback as a muscle reeducation technique: a controlled study. In an effort to evaluate the efficacy and function of EMG feedback in muscle reeducation, improvement of the abductor function of the abductor hallucis muscle was studied under three training conditions involving 1) EMG feedback, 2) sensory stimulation or 3) equal time for unassisted practice; and a fourth, control condition involving testing without training. Active range of motion was measured before and after training to assess ability to use the muscle as an abductor. EMG activity was quantified for a 1-minute test contraction to evaluate ability to maintain and maximize a voluntary contraction of the target muscle. The results indicated that EMG feedback was highly effective when subjects had little initial use of the target muscle. EMG feedback improved the ability of these subjects to maintain and maximize voluntary muscle contractions, as demonstrated on the EMG measure. EMG feedback did not add to the learning situation when only a relatively brief, phasic contraction was required, as on the range-of-motion measure; similar gains were made with equivalent practive without EMG feedback. When subjects already had considerable use of the target muscle prior to training, EMG feedback may have actually interfered with training; in this case unassisted practice was more effective.", "PMID": 619369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3037", "title": "Essential considerations in the use of EMG biofeedback.", "content": "In light of a developing, widespread interest in electromyographic biofeedback as both a clinical and research modality, this article reviews basic factors that the physical therapist must consider for successful biofeedback applications. These factors include the proper use and care of electrodes, correct grounding procedures, and appropriate feedback displays.", "contents": "Essential considerations in the use of EMG biofeedback. In light of a developing, widespread interest in electromyographic biofeedback as both a clinical and research modality, this article reviews basic factors that the physical therapist must consider for successful biofeedback applications. These factors include the proper use and care of electrodes, correct grounding procedures, and appropriate feedback displays.", "PMID": 619370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3038", "title": "Antibiotic iontophoresis in the treatment of ear chondritis.", "content": "This apparently successful management of suppurative ear chondritis by employing antibiotic iontophoresis does suggest a clinical potential for the use of the procedure. The authors recommend further research to document the efficacy of this procedure as this clinical report does not involve a large sample or sufficient experimental controls, such as selection of medication, dosage values, and confirmation of tissue content of the medication. Factors favoring the trial use of antibiotic iontophoresis, particularly before the permanent disfigurement of extensive chondrectomy or amputation, are 1) reported past experimental confirmation of the effectiveness of iontherapy, 2) the expected small incidence of procedural complications, 3) the ease of application, and 4) the usual absence of discomfort.", "contents": "Antibiotic iontophoresis in the treatment of ear chondritis. This apparently successful management of suppurative ear chondritis by employing antibiotic iontophoresis does suggest a clinical potential for the use of the procedure. The authors recommend further research to document the efficacy of this procedure as this clinical report does not involve a large sample or sufficient experimental controls, such as selection of medication, dosage values, and confirmation of tissue content of the medication. Factors favoring the trial use of antibiotic iontophoresis, particularly before the permanent disfigurement of extensive chondrectomy or amputation, are 1) reported past experimental confirmation of the effectiveness of iontherapy, 2) the expected small incidence of procedural complications, 3) the ease of application, and 4) the usual absence of discomfort.", "PMID": 619371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3039", "title": "The effect of verticality perception on body balance in normal subjects.", "content": "The relation between verticality perception and body balance as influenced by perceptual style, age, and sex was investigated in 100 subjects. Perceptual style was measured by the Rod and Frame Test. Body balance data were obtained by two electromechanical force plates. The results of the measurements of perceptual style indicated that the younger groups were more accurate in estimating verticality than the older groups and that men were more accurate than women. With regard to the body balance shift data, however, no significant differences relative to age, sex, or perceptual style were found. The rejection of the hypothesis concerning body balance shift was interpreted in terms of the dominant influence of proprioceptive cues over visual cues in maintaining body balance. In normal standing activities, as long as the neuromuscular system is intact, conflicting stimuli from the visual field appear to have little effect on modifying body balance.", "contents": "The effect of verticality perception on body balance in normal subjects. The relation between verticality perception and body balance as influenced by perceptual style, age, and sex was investigated in 100 subjects. Perceptual style was measured by the Rod and Frame Test. Body balance data were obtained by two electromechanical force plates. The results of the measurements of perceptual style indicated that the younger groups were more accurate in estimating verticality than the older groups and that men were more accurate than women. With regard to the body balance shift data, however, no significant differences relative to age, sex, or perceptual style were found. The rejection of the hypothesis concerning body balance shift was interpreted in terms of the dominant influence of proprioceptive cues over visual cues in maintaining body balance. In normal standing activities, as long as the neuromuscular system is intact, conflicting stimuli from the visual field appear to have little effect on modifying body balance.", "PMID": 619372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3040", "title": "Isometric torque of the finger extensors at the metacarpophalangeal joints.", "content": "A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the isometric torque produced at the metacarpophalangeal joint during finger extension. Fifteen women with normal right hands, aged 21 to 29 years, participated. Each subject was tested for maximal force of isometric extension at the metacarpophalangeal joint angles of 0, 30, and 60 degrees on each of the four fingers. Torque was computed by multiplying the recorded tension and measured length of the proximal phalanx (lever arm). The mean torque for the long finger was significantly greater than the average torque for each of the other three fingers. The mean torque at the joint angle of 60 degrees was significantly greater than at 0 degrees but not at 30 degrees. Reasons for the findings are discussed.", "contents": "Isometric torque of the finger extensors at the metacarpophalangeal joints. A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the isometric torque produced at the metacarpophalangeal joint during finger extension. Fifteen women with normal right hands, aged 21 to 29 years, participated. Each subject was tested for maximal force of isometric extension at the metacarpophalangeal joint angles of 0, 30, and 60 degrees on each of the four fingers. Torque was computed by multiplying the recorded tension and measured length of the proximal phalanx (lever arm). The mean torque for the long finger was significantly greater than the average torque for each of the other three fingers. The mean torque at the joint angle of 60 degrees was significantly greater than at 0 degrees but not at 30 degrees. Reasons for the findings are discussed.", "PMID": 619373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3041", "title": "Revascularized periosteal grafts--a new method to produce functional new bone without bone grafting.", "content": "Rib periosteum was transplanted to the groins of 9 dogs. In half of the periosteal grafts, no microvascular anastomoses were done (free grafts); at 6 weeks after grafting they had become resorbed. The other periosteal grafts were revascularized by microvascular anastomoses of the intercostal vessels to local muscular vessels; at 6 weeks those with confirmed vascular patency had all formed substantial amounts of new bone. Five cm, full-thickness defects were created in the tibias of 10 dogs. The control animals (without grafting) did not heal in two months. However, the experimental dogs, with vascularized periosteal grafts in the defects regenerated their tibias with healthy new bone by 6 weeks--and were walking on them then.", "contents": "Revascularized periosteal grafts--a new method to produce functional new bone without bone grafting. Rib periosteum was transplanted to the groins of 9 dogs. In half of the periosteal grafts, no microvascular anastomoses were done (free grafts); at 6 weeks after grafting they had become resorbed. The other periosteal grafts were revascularized by microvascular anastomoses of the intercostal vessels to local muscular vessels; at 6 weeks those with confirmed vascular patency had all formed substantial amounts of new bone. Five cm, full-thickness defects were created in the tibias of 10 dogs. The control animals (without grafting) did not heal in two months. However, the experimental dogs, with vascularized periosteal grafts in the defects regenerated their tibias with healthy new bone by 6 weeks--and were walking on them then.", "PMID": 619374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3042", "title": "A transaxillary incision for gynecomastia.", "content": "The transaxillary approach for excision of gynecomastia has been used in 7 patients, with good results. The lack of any visible scar on the chest is a worthwhile advantage.", "contents": "A transaxillary incision for gynecomastia. The transaxillary approach for excision of gynecomastia has been used in 7 patients, with good results. The lack of any visible scar on the chest is a worthwhile advantage.", "PMID": 619379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3043", "title": "Replacement of damaged arteries and veins with vein grafts when replanting crushed, amputated fingers.", "content": "Two cases are presented in which multiple vein grafts were used to revascularize several digits in hands injured by severe crushes. One case had partial amputations of 4 digits, and the other had 4 complete amputations. After debriding the damaged parts of the vessels, we interposed vein grafts in both the arterial and venous circulations to the digits. Seven of 8 revascularized digits survived. In crushing injuries, it is essential to debride the vessels proximally and distally to where the intima has not been injured. To bridge the gaps, vein grafts can be used successfully where other methods are undesirable or impossible.", "contents": "Replacement of damaged arteries and veins with vein grafts when replanting crushed, amputated fingers. Two cases are presented in which multiple vein grafts were used to revascularize several digits in hands injured by severe crushes. One case had partial amputations of 4 digits, and the other had 4 complete amputations. After debriding the damaged parts of the vessels, we interposed vein grafts in both the arterial and venous circulations to the digits. Seven of 8 revascularized digits survived. In crushing injuries, it is essential to debride the vessels proximally and distally to where the intima has not been injured. To bridge the gaps, vein grafts can be used successfully where other methods are undesirable or impossible.", "PMID": 619381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3044", "title": "Use of rotation scalp flaps for treatment of occipital baldness.", "content": "We have used 25 rotation scalp flaps to treat occipital baldness associated with fronto-parietal baldness (the third flap), and 35 such flaps for the correction of isolated occipital baldness. We have not had any flap necrosis, and our patients have been well satisfied with the results of this surgery.", "contents": "Use of rotation scalp flaps for treatment of occipital baldness. We have used 25 rotation scalp flaps to treat occipital baldness associated with fronto-parietal baldness (the third flap), and 35 such flaps for the correction of isolated occipital baldness. We have not had any flap necrosis, and our patients have been well satisfied with the results of this surgery.", "PMID": 619382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3045", "title": "Reduction mammaplasty: nipple-areola survival on a single breast quadrant.", "content": "Nipple viability was retained in 165 breasts undergoing reduction mammaplasty without dermal pedicles--even when 3 quadrants of the breast were excised. This technique adds versatility in shaping the breast and permits resection of the hypertrophied portions of the breast, rather than predetermined segments. It allows one to translocate and reposition the nipple-areola without tension or kinking of the breast parenchyma. It gives the patient esthetically pleasing breasts.", "contents": "Reduction mammaplasty: nipple-areola survival on a single breast quadrant. Nipple viability was retained in 165 breasts undergoing reduction mammaplasty without dermal pedicles--even when 3 quadrants of the breast were excised. This technique adds versatility in shaping the breast and permits resection of the hypertrophied portions of the breast, rather than predetermined segments. It allows one to translocate and reposition the nipple-areola without tension or kinking of the breast parenchyma. It gives the patient esthetically pleasing breasts.", "PMID": 619383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3046", "title": "Importance of the ribbon sign, indicating unsuitability of the vessel, in replanting a finger.", "content": "A marked tortuosity of the digital arteries (\"ribbon\" sign) at the site of a digit amputation is a sign of a severe avulsion injury to the neurovascular bundles. When this finding is present, the artery should be resected and the gap bridged by a vein graft, if revascularization is attempted.", "contents": "Importance of the ribbon sign, indicating unsuitability of the vessel, in replanting a finger. A marked tortuosity of the digital arteries (\"ribbon\" sign) at the site of a digit amputation is a sign of a severe avulsion injury to the neurovascular bundles. When this finding is present, the artery should be resected and the gap bridged by a vein graft, if revascularization is attempted.", "PMID": 619384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3047", "title": "Face-lift complications: a study of 922 cases performed in a 6-year period.", "content": "A positive correlation between nausea and vomiting and the occurrence of postoperative hematoma was demonstrated in a series of 922 consecutive face lifts during the past 6 years. Intraoperative or postoperative hypertension did not play a statistically significant role in hematoma formation. Establishment of good patient rapport, conservative management of complications, and judicious revision of disfiguring scars are most important in dealing with the inevitable problems which arise following face lift operations.", "contents": "Face-lift complications: a study of 922 cases performed in a 6-year period. A positive correlation between nausea and vomiting and the occurrence of postoperative hematoma was demonstrated in a series of 922 consecutive face lifts during the past 6 years. Intraoperative or postoperative hypertension did not play a statistically significant role in hematoma formation. Establishment of good patient rapport, conservative management of complications, and judicious revision of disfiguring scars are most important in dealing with the inevitable problems which arise following face lift operations.", "PMID": 619386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3048", "title": "Can one muscle reinnervate another? A preliminary study of muscular neurotization in the rabbit.", "content": "A laboratory model for study of possible reinnervation at the muscle level is presented. The preliminary histochemical results suggest that muscular neurotization occurs following removal of the investing fascia. However, the muscle atrophy (which follows denervation) continues to take place in spite of such reinnervation. The potential clinical relevance of these findings to free muscle grafting is discussed.", "contents": "Can one muscle reinnervate another? A preliminary study of muscular neurotization in the rabbit. A laboratory model for study of possible reinnervation at the muscle level is presented. The preliminary histochemical results suggest that muscular neurotization occurs following removal of the investing fascia. However, the muscle atrophy (which follows denervation) continues to take place in spite of such reinnervation. The potential clinical relevance of these findings to free muscle grafting is discussed.", "PMID": 619387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3049", "title": "Experience with malignant melanoma of the head and neck.", "content": "Data on 127 patients with malignant melanoma who had a minimum 5-year follow-up have been analyzed. A good, though not yet significant, correlation appears to exist between length of survival and the diameter and the thickness of the primary lesion, the level of the tumor invasion, and the type of melanoma. A further analysis of patients with Stage I disease lends support to the use of \"prophylactic\" node dissection when the primary lesions penetrate to levels 4 or 5, or when they are 1.5 mm or greater in thickness. Our current overall approach to the management of malignant melanoma of the head and neck is outlined.", "contents": "Experience with malignant melanoma of the head and neck. Data on 127 patients with malignant melanoma who had a minimum 5-year follow-up have been analyzed. A good, though not yet significant, correlation appears to exist between length of survival and the diameter and the thickness of the primary lesion, the level of the tumor invasion, and the type of melanoma. A further analysis of patients with Stage I disease lends support to the use of \"prophylactic\" node dissection when the primary lesions penetrate to levels 4 or 5, or when they are 1.5 mm or greater in thickness. Our current overall approach to the management of malignant melanoma of the head and neck is outlined.", "PMID": 619388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3050", "title": "Ten years of experience in managing patients with burn contractures of axilla, elbow, wrist, and knee joints.", "content": "An analysis of 625 patients who had sustained burns across the axillae, elbows, wrists, or knee joints indicates that the use of splints and pressure across these joints will not only greatly decrease the incidence of contractures but will also reduce the frequency and need for release operations. However, these appliances must be used for at least 6 months (longer, if possible), if substantial benefits are to be obtained.", "contents": "Ten years of experience in managing patients with burn contractures of axilla, elbow, wrist, and knee joints. An analysis of 625 patients who had sustained burns across the axillae, elbows, wrists, or knee joints indicates that the use of splints and pressure across these joints will not only greatly decrease the incidence of contractures but will also reduce the frequency and need for release operations. However, these appliances must be used for at least 6 months (longer, if possible), if substantial benefits are to be obtained.", "PMID": 619389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3051", "title": "Immediate insertion of silicone rubber rods in fingers with cut flexor tendons.", "content": "In 7 patients with cut flexor tendons of the hand, we did an immediate quantitative bacterial analysis of the wounds. These showed fewer than 10(5) bacteria per gram of tissue, so we inserted silicone rubber rods in 10 of these fingers. All healed without infection, and this shortened the reconstruction. In retrospect, we believe it best not to insert the rods primarily in crush injuries. However, this seems to be a safe, worthwhile measure for those patients with sharp injuries of the tendons.", "contents": "Immediate insertion of silicone rubber rods in fingers with cut flexor tendons. In 7 patients with cut flexor tendons of the hand, we did an immediate quantitative bacterial analysis of the wounds. These showed fewer than 10(5) bacteria per gram of tissue, so we inserted silicone rubber rods in 10 of these fingers. All healed without infection, and this shortened the reconstruction. In retrospect, we believe it best not to insert the rods primarily in crush injuries. However, this seems to be a safe, worthwhile measure for those patients with sharp injuries of the tendons.", "PMID": 619390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3052", "title": "Fibrinolytic activity in vascular grafts.", "content": "We have demonstrated the absence of tissue fibrinolytic activator for 11 days following the transplantation of vascular grafts in dogs. The lack of a local tissue fibrinolytic activator (to dissolve intravascular thrombi) is suggested as an etiological factor in losses which occur during the first 11 days after digital replantation.", "contents": "Fibrinolytic activity in vascular grafts. We have demonstrated the absence of tissue fibrinolytic activator for 11 days following the transplantation of vascular grafts in dogs. The lack of a local tissue fibrinolytic activator (to dissolve intravascular thrombi) is suggested as an etiological factor in losses which occur during the first 11 days after digital replantation.", "PMID": 619391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3053", "title": "Angiographic diagnosis of renal tumors associated with polycystic disease.", "content": "Two cases of renal cell carcinoma associated with polycystic disease of the kidney are presented. The literature is reviewed and the angiographic findings are discussed. These cases suggest that angiography is necessary to make the diagnosis of renal tumors associated with renal polycystic disease.", "contents": "Angiographic diagnosis of renal tumors associated with polycystic disease. Two cases of renal cell carcinoma associated with polycystic disease of the kidney are presented. The literature is reviewed and the angiographic findings are discussed. These cases suggest that angiography is necessary to make the diagnosis of renal tumors associated with renal polycystic disease.", "PMID": 619392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3054", "title": "Biplane arteriography in ischemia of the lower extremity.", "content": "A technique for simultaneous bilateral biplane arteriography of the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities is described. The biplane views provided clinically significant information in approximately 40% of cases.", "contents": "Biplane arteriography in ischemia of the lower extremity. A technique for simultaneous bilateral biplane arteriography of the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities is described. The biplane views provided clinically significant information in approximately 40% of cases.", "PMID": 619393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3055", "title": "Xeromammographic automatic exposure termination.", "content": "A method of automatic exposure termination (AET) for xeromammography has been devised, significantly reducing the rate of repeat exposures due to poor choice of manual exposure factors. AET images are of good quality and are reliably produced. The concept of AET is based on the existence of an optimal transmitted exposure to the selenium plate, which is easily determined experimentally. In routine clinical xeromammography, a repeat rate of 20% was eliminated by the use of AET.", "contents": "Xeromammographic automatic exposure termination. A method of automatic exposure termination (AET) for xeromammography has been devised, significantly reducing the rate of repeat exposures due to poor choice of manual exposure factors. AET images are of good quality and are reliably produced. The concept of AET is based on the existence of an optimal transmitted exposure to the selenium plate, which is easily determined experimentally. In routine clinical xeromammography, a repeat rate of 20% was eliminated by the use of AET.", "PMID": 619394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3056", "title": "Assessment of the radiologist's work load as related to various examinations and clinical departments.", "content": "Results obtained from Roentgen-Tele-Data, an automatic data processing system, and the Scandinavian point system are described. The point system is based on time studies for radiolodiagnostic examinations, including special techniques. The radiologist's work load for various examinations is analyzed. The resultant survey of departmental activities based on examinations versus point values differs significantly; point values better evaluate departmental efficiency and future planning.", "contents": "Assessment of the radiologist's work load as related to various examinations and clinical departments. Results obtained from Roentgen-Tele-Data, an automatic data processing system, and the Scandinavian point system are described. The point system is based on time studies for radiolodiagnostic examinations, including special techniques. The radiologist's work load for various examinations is analyzed. The resultant survey of departmental activities based on examinations versus point values differs significantly; point values better evaluate departmental efficiency and future planning.", "PMID": 619395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3057", "title": "Computed tomography of the thorax.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) provides a valuable new perspective in assessing abnormalities of the thorax. In the patient with a mediastinal mass or widening detected by plain chest radiography, a definitive diagnosis is sometimes possible which would not be obtainable by conventional noninvasive radiological techniques. In certain clinical situations, CT is a highly sensitive modality for examining the lungs. The proved and potential clinical uses of CT in solving diagnostic problems of the thorax are discussed.", "contents": "Computed tomography of the thorax. Computed tomography (CT) provides a valuable new perspective in assessing abnormalities of the thorax. In the patient with a mediastinal mass or widening detected by plain chest radiography, a definitive diagnosis is sometimes possible which would not be obtainable by conventional noninvasive radiological techniques. In certain clinical situations, CT is a highly sensitive modality for examining the lungs. The proved and potential clinical uses of CT in solving diagnostic problems of the thorax are discussed.", "PMID": 619396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3058", "title": "Spectrum of medulloblastomas demonstrated by computed tomography.", "content": "Twenty-two patients with medulloblastomas were evaluated by computed tomography. Pretreatment evaluation in 13 patients has shown the various presentations of the tumor. Eighteen of the patients have had post-therapy computed tomographic studies. Computed tomography is sensitive in detecting residual and locally recurrent tumor as well as tumor seeding by cereborspinal fluid pathways. Computed tomography has proved to be valuable in patient management and in evaluating the effectiveness of various forms of treatment. The present group of medulloblastomas is compared to other pediatric posterior fossa tumors and differential diagnoses are discussed.", "contents": "Spectrum of medulloblastomas demonstrated by computed tomography. Twenty-two patients with medulloblastomas were evaluated by computed tomography. Pretreatment evaluation in 13 patients has shown the various presentations of the tumor. Eighteen of the patients have had post-therapy computed tomographic studies. Computed tomography is sensitive in detecting residual and locally recurrent tumor as well as tumor seeding by cereborspinal fluid pathways. Computed tomography has proved to be valuable in patient management and in evaluating the effectiveness of various forms of treatment. The present group of medulloblastomas is compared to other pediatric posterior fossa tumors and differential diagnoses are discussed.", "PMID": 619397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3059", "title": "Complementary use of ultrasound and computed tomography in studies of the pancreas and kidney.", "content": "113 cases of pancreatic and renal disease studied by both ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were analyzed retrospectively. CT provided a diagnosis when pancreatic ultrasound was unsuccessful due to overlying bowel gas or obesity and when renal ultrasound was unsuccessful due to obesity, reverberations from ribs, small lesions, or multiple lesions. Conversely, ultrasound provided a diagnosis when CT was unsuccessful due to lack of fat planes or respiratory motion. CT usualy distinguished carcinoma from pancreatitis when ultrasound showed a focal echogenic mass. CT resolved renal cyst from neoplasm when ultrasound showed a mixed echo pattern mass.", "contents": "Complementary use of ultrasound and computed tomography in studies of the pancreas and kidney. 113 cases of pancreatic and renal disease studied by both ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were analyzed retrospectively. CT provided a diagnosis when pancreatic ultrasound was unsuccessful due to overlying bowel gas or obesity and when renal ultrasound was unsuccessful due to obesity, reverberations from ribs, small lesions, or multiple lesions. Conversely, ultrasound provided a diagnosis when CT was unsuccessful due to lack of fat planes or respiratory motion. CT usualy distinguished carcinoma from pancreatitis when ultrasound showed a focal echogenic mass. CT resolved renal cyst from neoplasm when ultrasound showed a mixed echo pattern mass.", "PMID": 619398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3060", "title": "CT scanning and ultrasound in the evaluation of pancreatic pseudocysts: a preliminary comparison.", "content": "A retrospective review of 12 surgically proved cases of pancreatic pseudocyst was performed. CT correctly demonstrated 6/8 uncomplicated pseudocysts and 4/4 infected pseudocysts. Ultrasound identified 7/8 uncomplicated and 2/4 infected pseudocysts. Errors by one modality are due to limitations not shared by the other method. This suggests a basis for the complementary use of CT scanning and ultrasound in the evaluation of suspected pancreatic pseudocysts.", "contents": "CT scanning and ultrasound in the evaluation of pancreatic pseudocysts: a preliminary comparison. A retrospective review of 12 surgically proved cases of pancreatic pseudocyst was performed. CT correctly demonstrated 6/8 uncomplicated pseudocysts and 4/4 infected pseudocysts. Ultrasound identified 7/8 uncomplicated and 2/4 infected pseudocysts. Errors by one modality are due to limitations not shared by the other method. This suggests a basis for the complementary use of CT scanning and ultrasound in the evaluation of suspected pancreatic pseudocysts.", "PMID": 619399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3061", "title": "CT-pathologic correlations in Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "content": "In order to assess its potential uses in the staging and treatment planning of lymphoma, CT was performed in 27 newly diagnosed, previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 18 staging laparotomies provided pathologic correlations. CT detected and defined disease in areas not well evaluated by conventional techniques (high para-aortic, mesenteric, splenic hilar nodes). CT interpretation of splenic size and weight correlated well with splenic weight confirmed at pathology. Nodules were identified in several spleens containing foci of lymphoma.", "contents": "CT-pathologic correlations in Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In order to assess its potential uses in the staging and treatment planning of lymphoma, CT was performed in 27 newly diagnosed, previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 18 staging laparotomies provided pathologic correlations. CT detected and defined disease in areas not well evaluated by conventional techniques (high para-aortic, mesenteric, splenic hilar nodes). CT interpretation of splenic size and weight correlated well with splenic weight confirmed at pathology. Nodules were identified in several spleens containing foci of lymphoma.", "PMID": 619400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3062", "title": "An evaluation of current diagnostic radiologic modalities in the investigation of acoustic neurilemmomas.", "content": "The radiologic investigation of patients with suspected acoustic neurilemmomas may include specialized plain films, thin-section tomography, CT scanning with intravenous contrast enhancement, Pantopaque cisternography, radionuclide scanning, angiography, and pneumoencephalography. Recently we have used intrathecally enhanced (Amipaque)2 CT cisternography tostudy the cerebellopontine angles and fourth ventricle. An assessment is made of the differential diagnostic value and limitations of radiologic modalities both in tumor detection and in accurate localization. A protocol designed to optimize use of the available radiologic modalities is projected from 30 patients with acoustic neurilemmomas.", "contents": "An evaluation of current diagnostic radiologic modalities in the investigation of acoustic neurilemmomas. The radiologic investigation of patients with suspected acoustic neurilemmomas may include specialized plain films, thin-section tomography, CT scanning with intravenous contrast enhancement, Pantopaque cisternography, radionuclide scanning, angiography, and pneumoencephalography. Recently we have used intrathecally enhanced (Amipaque)2 CT cisternography tostudy the cerebellopontine angles and fourth ventricle. An assessment is made of the differential diagnostic value and limitations of radiologic modalities both in tumor detection and in accurate localization. A protocol designed to optimize use of the available radiologic modalities is projected from 30 patients with acoustic neurilemmomas.", "PMID": 619402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3063", "title": "CT determination of parameters for inhomogeneity corrections in radiation therapy of the esophagus.", "content": "Accurate dose prediction for megavoltage photon therapy of carcinoma of the esophagus requires information on tumor depth, lung thickness, and lung density. The authors found that CT localization of internal and external contours is accurate within +/- 1 mm. Lung density can be measured with an error of less than 0.02 g/cm3 in the range 0.25-1.00 g/cm3. Variance between predicted and measured dosage was less than 3% in all patients and in most RANDO phantom measurements. Accurate radiation therapy planning is possible with CT information from a commercial scanner.", "contents": "CT determination of parameters for inhomogeneity corrections in radiation therapy of the esophagus. Accurate dose prediction for megavoltage photon therapy of carcinoma of the esophagus requires information on tumor depth, lung thickness, and lung density. The authors found that CT localization of internal and external contours is accurate within +/- 1 mm. Lung density can be measured with an error of less than 0.02 g/cm3 in the range 0.25-1.00 g/cm3. Variance between predicted and measured dosage was less than 3% in all patients and in most RANDO phantom measurements. Accurate radiation therapy planning is possible with CT information from a commercial scanner.", "PMID": 619401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3064", "title": "Radionuclide imaging in herpes simplex encephalitis.", "content": "Eight patients with herpes simplex encephalitis among the 10 cases diagnosed at the University of Kansas Medical Center from 1966 to 1976 were studied with 99mTc early in their diagnostic work-up. The images were unilaterally positive in the temporal lobe area in all 8 patients. Radionuclide studies can suggest herpes simplex as the specific etiology in cases of encephalitis and can also indicate the best site for brain biopsy to confirm the diagnosis by fluorescent antibody techniques. Appropriate antiviral therapy should be instituted as soon as possible to alter the course of this destructive form of viral encephalitis.", "contents": "Radionuclide imaging in herpes simplex encephalitis. Eight patients with herpes simplex encephalitis among the 10 cases diagnosed at the University of Kansas Medical Center from 1966 to 1976 were studied with 99mTc early in their diagnostic work-up. The images were unilaterally positive in the temporal lobe area in all 8 patients. Radionuclide studies can suggest herpes simplex as the specific etiology in cases of encephalitis and can also indicate the best site for brain biopsy to confirm the diagnosis by fluorescent antibody techniques. Appropriate antiviral therapy should be instituted as soon as possible to alter the course of this destructive form of viral encephalitis.", "PMID": 619403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3065", "title": "Ratio of late to early radionuclide uptake: a method for distinguishing osteoporosis from osteomalacia in animal models.", "content": "The ration of late to early uptake of several radionuclides was examined as a method for distinguishing states of abnormal bone metabolism. Nutritional osteoporosis (secondary hyperparathyroidism) and osteomalacia were produced in young rats and compared to a control group. The ratio of early (3-6 hrs.) to late (4-6 days) uptake of barium-131, nitrate, indium-111 EDTMP, and lead-203 were studied, as was that of strontium-85 chloride, a calcium analogue. Ratios of late to early uptake were found to distinguish osteomalacia from osteoporosis in the models when strontium-85 or barium-131 were used. Barium-131 may be a clinically useful alternative to strontium-85 in the evaluation of metabolic bone disease due to its shorter half-life and lower radiation dose.", "contents": "Ratio of late to early radionuclide uptake: a method for distinguishing osteoporosis from osteomalacia in animal models. The ration of late to early uptake of several radionuclides was examined as a method for distinguishing states of abnormal bone metabolism. Nutritional osteoporosis (secondary hyperparathyroidism) and osteomalacia were produced in young rats and compared to a control group. The ratio of early (3-6 hrs.) to late (4-6 days) uptake of barium-131, nitrate, indium-111 EDTMP, and lead-203 were studied, as was that of strontium-85 chloride, a calcium analogue. Ratios of late to early uptake were found to distinguish osteomalacia from osteoporosis in the models when strontium-85 or barium-131 were used. Barium-131 may be a clinically useful alternative to strontium-85 in the evaluation of metabolic bone disease due to its shorter half-life and lower radiation dose.", "PMID": 619404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3066", "title": "Unilateral pulmonary edema.", "content": "Unilateral pulmonary edema was found to occur following or in conjunction with 18 different clinical situations. In half of them the edema developed on the same side as the causative factor and was related to conditions altering the delicate balance at the alveolar-capillary interface. In the other situations, pulmonary capillary perfusion was deficient on the opposite side prior to the onset of edema.", "contents": "Unilateral pulmonary edema. Unilateral pulmonary edema was found to occur following or in conjunction with 18 different clinical situations. In half of them the edema developed on the same side as the causative factor and was related to conditions altering the delicate balance at the alveolar-capillary interface. In the other situations, pulmonary capillary perfusion was deficient on the opposite side prior to the onset of edema.", "PMID": 619405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3067", "title": "Accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate in hepatic neoplasm.", "content": "Bone images revealed excessive accumulation of radionuclide within a lesion in the liver which was suspected to be a metastasis from a primary carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract. A \"doughnut sign\" of the liver with 99mTc-diphosphonate is rare, and the possibility of specific tumor uptake of this nuclide should be kept in mind.", "contents": "Accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate in hepatic neoplasm. Bone images revealed excessive accumulation of radionuclide within a lesion in the liver which was suspected to be a metastasis from a primary carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract. A \"doughnut sign\" of the liver with 99mTc-diphosphonate is rare, and the possibility of specific tumor uptake of this nuclide should be kept in mind.", "PMID": 619406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3068", "title": "The in vivo measurement of the total iodine content of the thyroid gland by x-ray fluorescence.", "content": "An accurate, in vivo Am-241 excited x-ray fluorescence techniques was investigated for exploring the correlation between thyroid iodine content (TIC) and various thyroid disorders. The correction for fluorescent x-ray absorption by overlying tissues was made by using the x-ray to gamma ray peak ratio from administered I-123 as an index of thyroid gland depth. In a series of phantom studies, TIC was measured with an uncertainty of +/- 11%, and the depth correction added another +/- 26% error. Radiation doses to the patient were estimated with TLD measurements to be about 15 mrem from I-123, and 13 mrem from Am-241.", "contents": "The in vivo measurement of the total iodine content of the thyroid gland by x-ray fluorescence. An accurate, in vivo Am-241 excited x-ray fluorescence techniques was investigated for exploring the correlation between thyroid iodine content (TIC) and various thyroid disorders. The correction for fluorescent x-ray absorption by overlying tissues was made by using the x-ray to gamma ray peak ratio from administered I-123 as an index of thyroid gland depth. In a series of phantom studies, TIC was measured with an uncertainty of +/- 11%, and the depth correction added another +/- 26% error. Radiation doses to the patient were estimated with TLD measurements to be about 15 mrem from I-123, and 13 mrem from Am-241.", "PMID": 619407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3069", "title": "The persistent loop sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: a new indication for surgical intervention?", "content": "A new radiographic sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is described. Five patients with necrotizing enterocolitis exhibited an unchanging dilated loop of small bowel, which was followed by perforation in 3 infants; the other 2 had surgical and/or autopsy corroboration of profound bowel-wall necrosis. It is suggested that infants with a \"persistent loop\" be considered candidates for laparotomy.", "contents": "The persistent loop sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: a new indication for surgical intervention? A new radiographic sign in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is described. Five patients with necrotizing enterocolitis exhibited an unchanging dilated loop of small bowel, which was followed by perforation in 3 infants; the other 2 had surgical and/or autopsy corroboration of profound bowel-wall necrosis. It is suggested that infants with a \"persistent loop\" be considered candidates for laparotomy.", "PMID": 619408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3070", "title": "Measurement of vesicoureteral reflux with intravenous 99mTc-DTPA compared to radiographic cystography.", "content": "The results of a 99mTc-DTPA study of vesicoureteral reflux in 51 children with recurrent urinary tract infections were compared with those of radiographic micturition cystourethrography. Reflux, shown by either of the two methods, was regarded as an indication of the disorder. Neither method was regarded as a standard reference method. Agreement between the two methods was obtained in 90 of 102 renal units, i.e., ureter and/or renal pelvis (88%). Statistical analysis performed on the remaining 12 cases showed that the two procedures usually gave similar results.", "contents": "Measurement of vesicoureteral reflux with intravenous 99mTc-DTPA compared to radiographic cystography. The results of a 99mTc-DTPA study of vesicoureteral reflux in 51 children with recurrent urinary tract infections were compared with those of radiographic micturition cystourethrography. Reflux, shown by either of the two methods, was regarded as an indication of the disorder. Neither method was regarded as a standard reference method. Agreement between the two methods was obtained in 90 of 102 renal units, i.e., ureter and/or renal pelvis (88%). Statistical analysis performed on the remaining 12 cases showed that the two procedures usually gave similar results.", "PMID": 619409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3071", "title": "Comparison radiographs in extremity injuries of childhood: current application in radiological practice.", "content": "Comparison radiographs may be used to confirm subtle extremity fractures or dislocations in children. Some suggest that such views be routinely obtained. As determined by questionnaire, however, a clear majority (2:1) of pediatric radiologists do not currently utilize this procedure. Factors determining this are discussed.", "contents": "Comparison radiographs in extremity injuries of childhood: current application in radiological practice. Comparison radiographs may be used to confirm subtle extremity fractures or dislocations in children. Some suggest that such views be routinely obtained. As determined by questionnaire, however, a clear majority (2:1) of pediatric radiologists do not currently utilize this procedure. Factors determining this are discussed.", "PMID": 619410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3072", "title": "Problems in the application of ultrasonography for the evaluation of pleural opacities.", "content": "Fifty-nine patients with pleural abnormalities on chest radiographs were evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography; the lesions were categorized as echo-free or complex. Echo-free lesions included pleural fluid collections, and abnormalities which did not yield \"fluid\" through an appropriately positioned large caliber needle. \"Complex appearing\" lesions yielded fluid through a needle in all cases. Ultrasonography could not accurately predict which lesions were amenable to successful thoracocentesis. Findings from recent radiographs and clinical history must be known when the ultrasonographic findings in patients with chest abnormalities are interpreted.", "contents": "Problems in the application of ultrasonography for the evaluation of pleural opacities. Fifty-nine patients with pleural abnormalities on chest radiographs were evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography; the lesions were categorized as echo-free or complex. Echo-free lesions included pleural fluid collections, and abnormalities which did not yield \"fluid\" through an appropriately positioned large caliber needle. \"Complex appearing\" lesions yielded fluid through a needle in all cases. Ultrasonography could not accurately predict which lesions were amenable to successful thoracocentesis. Findings from recent radiographs and clinical history must be known when the ultrasonographic findings in patients with chest abnormalities are interpreted.", "PMID": 619411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3073", "title": "Grey scale ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.", "content": "Grey scale pelvic ultrasonography was performed in 36 patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy and in 3 with pelvic mass and bleeding. Thirteen cases were diagnosed as extrauterine pregnancy which was confirmed at operation. There were one false-positive and 2 false-negative studies. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 92.3%. The major diagnostic criteria in unruptured ectopic pregnancy were an extrauterine gestational sac or fetus and an abnormal uterine echo pattern. In addition, a complex mass due to hematoma was seen in ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Chronic ruptured ectopic pregnancy simulated pelvic inflammatory disease and was difficult to diagnose.", "contents": "Grey scale ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Grey scale pelvic ultrasonography was performed in 36 patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy and in 3 with pelvic mass and bleeding. Thirteen cases were diagnosed as extrauterine pregnancy which was confirmed at operation. There were one false-positive and 2 false-negative studies. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 92.3%. The major diagnostic criteria in unruptured ectopic pregnancy were an extrauterine gestational sac or fetus and an abnormal uterine echo pattern. In addition, a complex mass due to hematoma was seen in ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Chronic ruptured ectopic pregnancy simulated pelvic inflammatory disease and was difficult to diagnose.", "PMID": 619412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3074", "title": "The unsoftened portion of the uterus: a pitfall in gray-scale ultrasound studies during mid-trimester pregnancy.", "content": "A review of 322 second-trimester gestations evaluated with gray-scale ultrasound frequently revealed a locally thickened or \"unsoftened\" portion of the uterus. The texture and gray-tone patterns of this region as well as the other gestational components are reviewed; pitfalls in identification are outlined, and factors responsible for difficulty in amniocentesis are reported.", "contents": "The unsoftened portion of the uterus: a pitfall in gray-scale ultrasound studies during mid-trimester pregnancy. A review of 322 second-trimester gestations evaluated with gray-scale ultrasound frequently revealed a locally thickened or \"unsoftened\" portion of the uterus. The texture and gray-tone patterns of this region as well as the other gestational components are reviewed; pitfalls in identification are outlined, and factors responsible for difficulty in amniocentesis are reported.", "PMID": 619413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3075", "title": "Reexamination of the deleterious effects of gastrointestinal contrast material on abdominal echography.", "content": "Diagnostic ultrasound examinations of the abdomen are usually performed prior to barium studies due to deleterious effects of gastrointestinal contrast material on abdominal echography, as demonstrated by Leopold. The authors repeat the classic in vitro study, extending the time of the experiment. As barium settles, ultrasound is able to penetrate barium filled masses. A clinical case of barium filled stomach secondary to gastric outlet obstruction is presented in support of the in vitro findings. Patients with persistent collections of barium of one or two days' duration may undergo abdominal ultrasonic examinations.", "contents": "Reexamination of the deleterious effects of gastrointestinal contrast material on abdominal echography. Diagnostic ultrasound examinations of the abdomen are usually performed prior to barium studies due to deleterious effects of gastrointestinal contrast material on abdominal echography, as demonstrated by Leopold. The authors repeat the classic in vitro study, extending the time of the experiment. As barium settles, ultrasound is able to penetrate barium filled masses. A clinical case of barium filled stomach secondary to gastric outlet obstruction is presented in support of the in vitro findings. Patients with persistent collections of barium of one or two days' duration may undergo abdominal ultrasonic examinations.", "PMID": 619414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3076", "title": "Gray-scale echographic visualization of a parathyroid adenoma.", "content": "A large parathyroid adenoma and a smaller follicular thyroid adenoma were visualized with a combination of radionuclide imaging and gray-scale ultrasound in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.", "contents": "Gray-scale echographic visualization of a parathyroid adenoma. A large parathyroid adenoma and a smaller follicular thyroid adenoma were visualized with a combination of radionuclide imaging and gray-scale ultrasound in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.", "PMID": 619415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3077", "title": "The effectiveness of radiation therapy in the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer.", "content": "The authors studied 75 patients with 158 areas of bone metastases from breast cancer treated by radiation therapy. The treatment regimen used was usually 2000 to 2500 rads delivered over a period of 2 weeks. Both subjective and objective responses were evaluated. This dose schedule proved to be highly effective in symptomatic relief and in healing osteolytic lesions; various levels of pain relief for about one year were observed in 96% (151/158 treatment areas), and radiographic evidence of recalcification was observed in 78% (73/94 treatment areas examined by serial radiography). After cases from previous studies were incorporated, the subjective response rate of the overall group was 91% (191/212) for a mean duration of 12 months, and the objective response rate was 75% (151/202) for a mean duration of 9 months.", "contents": "The effectiveness of radiation therapy in the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer. The authors studied 75 patients with 158 areas of bone metastases from breast cancer treated by radiation therapy. The treatment regimen used was usually 2000 to 2500 rads delivered over a period of 2 weeks. Both subjective and objective responses were evaluated. This dose schedule proved to be highly effective in symptomatic relief and in healing osteolytic lesions; various levels of pain relief for about one year were observed in 96% (151/158 treatment areas), and radiographic evidence of recalcification was observed in 78% (73/94 treatment areas examined by serial radiography). After cases from previous studies were incorporated, the subjective response rate of the overall group was 91% (191/212) for a mean duration of 12 months, and the objective response rate was 75% (151/202) for a mean duration of 9 months.", "PMID": 619416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3078", "title": "Spinal cord protection during cross-fire irradiation of the intrathoracic esophagus: tube-tilt vs. Shielding.", "content": "The protection of the upper thoracic spine achieved by a tube-tilt technique was found to be comparable to that obtained from direct shielding during cross-fire therapy of the intrathoracic esophagus. An isocentric technique was utilized which included one anterior and two posterior-oblique fields. Significant underdosages to the esophagus at levels superior to the isocenter are caused by tube-tilt, whereas direct shielding resulted in a uniformity of esophageal doses to within 5%. The need for a tissue compensator for the anterior field must be assessed on an individual basis from off-axis treatment planning.", "contents": "Spinal cord protection during cross-fire irradiation of the intrathoracic esophagus: tube-tilt vs. Shielding. The protection of the upper thoracic spine achieved by a tube-tilt technique was found to be comparable to that obtained from direct shielding during cross-fire therapy of the intrathoracic esophagus. An isocentric technique was utilized which included one anterior and two posterior-oblique fields. Significant underdosages to the esophagus at levels superior to the isocenter are caused by tube-tilt, whereas direct shielding resulted in a uniformity of esophageal doses to within 5%. The need for a tissue compensator for the anterior field must be assessed on an individual basis from off-axis treatment planning.", "PMID": 619417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3079", "title": "The intensity of scattered radiation in mammography.", "content": "The ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation has been measured for a range of x-ray tube voltages, field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical mammographic situations. The relative intensity of scattered radiation measured was essentially independent of kVp but increased as the phantom thickness and radiation field size increased. For the range of field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical situations the intensity of scattered radiation varied from about 40 to 85% of the primary beam intensity indicating that only from about 54 to 71% of the primary beam contrast is imaged in mammography.", "contents": "The intensity of scattered radiation in mammography. The ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation has been measured for a range of x-ray tube voltages, field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical mammographic situations. The relative intensity of scattered radiation measured was essentially independent of kVp but increased as the phantom thickness and radiation field size increased. For the range of field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical situations the intensity of scattered radiation varied from about 40 to 85% of the primary beam intensity indicating that only from about 54 to 71% of the primary beam contrast is imaged in mammography.", "PMID": 619418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3080", "title": "Effect of air space and depth dose in electron beam therapy.", "content": "In electron beam therapy, alterations in dosimetry occur as a result of air space between the end-of-treatment cone and the skin surface. A large air gap may be introduced in order to obtain a field size larger than that available at the cone end. Needed dosimetry corrections related to these air space problems are discussed, along with a proposed method of measuring effective source-to-cone end distance. Data presented show the modifications of a dosimetric field which occur with an increase in the air space below the treatment cone.", "contents": "Effect of air space and depth dose in electron beam therapy. In electron beam therapy, alterations in dosimetry occur as a result of air space between the end-of-treatment cone and the skin surface. A large air gap may be introduced in order to obtain a field size larger than that available at the cone end. Needed dosimetry corrections related to these air space problems are discussed, along with a proposed method of measuring effective source-to-cone end distance. Data presented show the modifications of a dosimetric field which occur with an increase in the air space below the treatment cone.", "PMID": 619419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3081", "title": "Pulmonary steal syndrome: an unusual case of coronary-bronchial pulmonary artery communication.", "content": "The authors report a patient with angina pectoris in whom selective left coronary angiography demonstrated that the pulmonary artery branch to an apical lung segment was supplied by a bronchial collateral vessel which arose from the left circumflex artery. The anatomic and physiological developmental mechanisms, and the clinical implications, are discussed. Relief of the patient's angina following ligation of the pulmonary artery branch indicated the development of a form of pulmonary steal syndrome.", "contents": "Pulmonary steal syndrome: an unusual case of coronary-bronchial pulmonary artery communication. The authors report a patient with angina pectoris in whom selective left coronary angiography demonstrated that the pulmonary artery branch to an apical lung segment was supplied by a bronchial collateral vessel which arose from the left circumflex artery. The anatomic and physiological developmental mechanisms, and the clinical implications, are discussed. Relief of the patient's angina following ligation of the pulmonary artery branch indicated the development of a form of pulmonary steal syndrome.", "PMID": 619420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3082", "title": "Time-dose effects in the matching of adjacent radiotherapy fields.", "content": "When adjacent radiotherapy fields are treated in different times, the dose fraction at the junction of the fields is different from that within the portals. When the width of the gab between the fields is adjusted to produce equality of dose at the junction, it will not give equality with respect to radiobiological effect. The authors have used Ellis's NSD equation to take into account time-dose relationships in the matching of adjacent fields. Distribution of physical dose and biologically effective dose in the region near the junction of opposed pairs of parallel 60Co fields are given.", "contents": "Time-dose effects in the matching of adjacent radiotherapy fields. When adjacent radiotherapy fields are treated in different times, the dose fraction at the junction of the fields is different from that within the portals. When the width of the gab between the fields is adjusted to produce equality of dose at the junction, it will not give equality with respect to radiobiological effect. The authors have used Ellis's NSD equation to take into account time-dose relationships in the matching of adjacent fields. Distribution of physical dose and biologically effective dose in the region near the junction of opposed pairs of parallel 60Co fields are given.", "PMID": 619421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3083", "title": "Split-detector computed tomography: a preliminary report.", "content": "A split-detector system, consisting of a thin CaF2 scintillator followed by a thick Nal crystal, was installed in an EMI Mark I scanner. Energy discrimination is possible because the CaF2 crystal responds primarily to low-energy photons; dual-energy images can be obtained from only one scan. Calculations and preliminary experiments show that the split-detector separates energies better than the 100-140 kVp method. It was possibel with the split detector to differentiate between two weak solutions of CaCl2 and Kl which had the same computed tomography number (44 H), under normal scanning conditions.", "contents": "Split-detector computed tomography: a preliminary report. A split-detector system, consisting of a thin CaF2 scintillator followed by a thick Nal crystal, was installed in an EMI Mark I scanner. Energy discrimination is possible because the CaF2 crystal responds primarily to low-energy photons; dual-energy images can be obtained from only one scan. Calculations and preliminary experiments show that the split-detector separates energies better than the 100-140 kVp method. It was possibel with the split detector to differentiate between two weak solutions of CaCl2 and Kl which had the same computed tomography number (44 H), under normal scanning conditions.", "PMID": 619422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3084", "title": "A whole body repositioning system.", "content": "A versatile and easily used whole body repositioning system is described. It may be quickly and inexpensively constructed. The system has been found to be particularly helpful in the extended field treatment of Hodgkin disease, head and neck treatments, and in tumors of the abdomen and pelvis.", "contents": "A whole body repositioning system. A versatile and easily used whole body repositioning system is described. It may be quickly and inexpensively constructed. The system has been found to be particularly helpful in the extended field treatment of Hodgkin disease, head and neck treatments, and in tumors of the abdomen and pelvis.", "PMID": 619423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3085", "title": "Electron beam calibration constants.", "content": "Electron treatment beam calibration constants are tabulated in a convenient form for mean incident electron energies, Eo, of 6 to 21 MeV; and practical reanges, Rp, of 2.75 to 10.53 cm of water. Values of mean electron energy at depth Ed, chamber radius correction factors (Kp), and CE factors may be readily obtained from this chart.", "contents": "Electron beam calibration constants. Electron treatment beam calibration constants are tabulated in a convenient form for mean incident electron energies, Eo, of 6 to 21 MeV; and practical reanges, Rp, of 2.75 to 10.53 cm of water. Values of mean electron energy at depth Ed, chamber radius correction factors (Kp), and CE factors may be readily obtained from this chart.", "PMID": 619424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3086", "title": "A device for insuring the congruency of opposed irregularly blocked fields.", "content": "A device for insuring the congruency of opposed irregularly blocked fields has been developed which permits the treatment of both fields of a parallel opposed pair without the realignment of any field-shaping standard non-divergent blocks. The device is an adaptor which attaches directly to the shadow tray or wedge holder and provides 2 channels for 1 Lucite shadow tray. A mirrow-image field is obtained without disturbing the position of the blocking array. Set-up times are decreased.", "contents": "A device for insuring the congruency of opposed irregularly blocked fields. A device for insuring the congruency of opposed irregularly blocked fields has been developed which permits the treatment of both fields of a parallel opposed pair without the realignment of any field-shaping standard non-divergent blocks. The device is an adaptor which attaches directly to the shadow tray or wedge holder and provides 2 channels for 1 Lucite shadow tray. A mirrow-image field is obtained without disturbing the position of the blocking array. Set-up times are decreased.", "PMID": 619426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3087", "title": "Direct serial magnification angiography applied to cerebral aneurysms.", "content": "High-resolution radiographic images may be obtained by using direct serial 4X angiographic magnification with a microfocus 0.05-mm x-ray tube. This technique provides more highly detailed views of cerebral aneurysms than does normal angiography, while lowering the total radiation dosage.", "contents": "Direct serial magnification angiography applied to cerebral aneurysms. High-resolution radiographic images may be obtained by using direct serial 4X angiographic magnification with a microfocus 0.05-mm x-ray tube. This technique provides more highly detailed views of cerebral aneurysms than does normal angiography, while lowering the total radiation dosage.", "PMID": 619427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3088", "title": "On \"conservative\" estimates of radiation hazards.", "content": "The problem of extrapolating radiation hazard risks from high doses to low doses is analyzed in regard to the controversy surrounding mammography in screening women under age 50 for breast cancer. The problem of faulty risk/benefit analysis based on an erroneously high estimate of risk is discussed. The author concludes that a conservative view of risk/benefit ratios is not possible, because equal risk may be associated with performing or not performing a particular radiological procedure.", "contents": "On \"conservative\" estimates of radiation hazards. The problem of extrapolating radiation hazard risks from high doses to low doses is analyzed in regard to the controversy surrounding mammography in screening women under age 50 for breast cancer. The problem of faulty risk/benefit analysis based on an erroneously high estimate of risk is discussed. The author concludes that a conservative view of risk/benefit ratios is not possible, because equal risk may be associated with performing or not performing a particular radiological procedure.", "PMID": 619428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3089", "title": "The natural history of the double pylorus.", "content": "A study of 11 patients with \"double pylorus\" revealed that a second channel between the gastric antrum and the duodenal bulb is the result of ulcer penetration. The fistula can be a sign of spontaneous recovery from ulcerative disease; the fistula occurred in conjunction with clinical improvement in the majority of the patients. The advantages of radiological vs. endoscopic diagnostic procedures are discussed.", "contents": "The natural history of the double pylorus. A study of 11 patients with \"double pylorus\" revealed that a second channel between the gastric antrum and the duodenal bulb is the result of ulcer penetration. The fistula can be a sign of spontaneous recovery from ulcerative disease; the fistula occurred in conjunction with clinical improvement in the majority of the patients. The advantages of radiological vs. endoscopic diagnostic procedures are discussed.", "PMID": 619430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3090", "title": "Retractile mesenteritis: initial presentation as colonic obstruction.", "content": "Retroperitoneal fibrosis has been associated with a variety of sclerosing diseases. Among these is the variant known as retractile mesenteritis, which involves predominantly the mesentery of the small intestine and associated vessels; involvement of the mesocolon and the colon is less frequent. Two patients with a dominating clinical picture of colonic obstruction are described. The radiographic presentations were similar and should serve to remind radiologists and clinicians of this entity.", "contents": "Retractile mesenteritis: initial presentation as colonic obstruction. Retroperitoneal fibrosis has been associated with a variety of sclerosing diseases. Among these is the variant known as retractile mesenteritis, which involves predominantly the mesentery of the small intestine and associated vessels; involvement of the mesocolon and the colon is less frequent. Two patients with a dominating clinical picture of colonic obstruction are described. The radiographic presentations were similar and should serve to remind radiologists and clinicians of this entity.", "PMID": 619431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3091", "title": "Manitoba barium enema efficacy study.", "content": "Claims analysis and efficacy study are two new methods of evaluating medical services. In Manitoba, with a 1974 population of 1,053,382, approximately 100,000 patient-physician interfaces resulted in 16,594 barium enema examinations; 1,000 significant abnormalities were discovered, and the referring physician was unusally perceptive in predicting the likelihood of these abnormalities. It is estimated that a 10% reduction in the use of barium enemas could be achieved by referring physicians with no deterioration in the care of patients.", "contents": "Manitoba barium enema efficacy study. Claims analysis and efficacy study are two new methods of evaluating medical services. In Manitoba, with a 1974 population of 1,053,382, approximately 100,000 patient-physician interfaces resulted in 16,594 barium enema examinations; 1,000 significant abnormalities were discovered, and the referring physician was unusally perceptive in predicting the likelihood of these abnormalities. It is estimated that a 10% reduction in the use of barium enemas could be achieved by referring physicians with no deterioration in the care of patients.", "PMID": 619432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3092", "title": "Splenosis simulating an intramural gastric mass.", "content": "A case of splenosis simulating a fundal intramural gastric mass in a patient with leiomyoblastoma is presented. Splenosis should be included in the list of differential possibilities of intramural or exogastric lesions when previous splenectomy has been performed, either secondary to trauma or surgical laceration of the splenic capsule. The absence of the spleen makes splenosis a diagnostic consideration.", "contents": "Splenosis simulating an intramural gastric mass. A case of splenosis simulating a fundal intramural gastric mass in a patient with leiomyoblastoma is presented. Splenosis should be included in the list of differential possibilities of intramural or exogastric lesions when previous splenectomy has been performed, either secondary to trauma or surgical laceration of the splenic capsule. The absence of the spleen makes splenosis a diagnostic consideration.", "PMID": 619433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3093", "title": "Splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis: an unusual cause of massive splenomegaly.", "content": "Two unusual cases of massively enlarged spleens occupied by numerous lymphangiomatous cysts are described. Both angiography and pathology confirm the pathognomonic appearance.", "contents": "Splenic cystic lymphangiomatosis: an unusual cause of massive splenomegaly. Two unusual cases of massively enlarged spleens occupied by numerous lymphangiomatous cysts are described. Both angiography and pathology confirm the pathognomonic appearance.", "PMID": 619434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3094", "title": "Arterial changes during treatment with intrahepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil.", "content": "Changes in the liver arteries ranging from minimal irregularities in occlusions and development of aneurysms were investigated in 27 patients who received intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU in the hepatic artery. Variations in the arterial caliber peripheral to the hilum of the liver were noted in 13 of the patients. Further investigation of such arterial changes may be important in controlling the growth of liver metastases.", "contents": "Arterial changes during treatment with intrahepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil. Changes in the liver arteries ranging from minimal irregularities in occlusions and development of aneurysms were investigated in 27 patients who received intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU in the hepatic artery. Variations in the arterial caliber peripheral to the hilum of the liver were noted in 13 of the patients. Further investigation of such arterial changes may be important in controlling the growth of liver metastases.", "PMID": 619435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3095", "title": "Complications of wedge hepatic venography.", "content": "During wedge hepatic venography, mechanical injection should be accomplished at the lowest possible rate in order to avoid hemorrhagic infarction. Small amounts of contrast material should be administered. Hepatic angiography may result in an area of tumor blush at the site of a previous wedge injection.", "contents": "Complications of wedge hepatic venography. During wedge hepatic venography, mechanical injection should be accomplished at the lowest possible rate in order to avoid hemorrhagic infarction. Small amounts of contrast material should be administered. Hepatic angiography may result in an area of tumor blush at the site of a previous wedge injection.", "PMID": 619436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3096", "title": "A roentgenologic study of cortical bone resorption in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Periosteal, intracortical, and endosteal resorptive changes were evaluated in both hands and the proximal radius in 161 chronic renal-failure patients by microradioscopy, radiographic morphometry, and photodensitometry. These changes were compared to abnormalities found in skeletal surveys. A combination of microradioscopy and morphometry of hand bones was sufficiently sensitive for early detection of bone loss in renal osteodystrophy in 61% of the patients. Intracortical resorption in metacarpals appeared to be a sign of more advanced renal osteodystrophy than subperiosteal resorption in phalanges. Photodensitometric findings in the radius generally agreed with microradioscopic and morphometric findings in hand bones.", "contents": "A roentgenologic study of cortical bone resorption in chronic renal failure. Periosteal, intracortical, and endosteal resorptive changes were evaluated in both hands and the proximal radius in 161 chronic renal-failure patients by microradioscopy, radiographic morphometry, and photodensitometry. These changes were compared to abnormalities found in skeletal surveys. A combination of microradioscopy and morphometry of hand bones was sufficiently sensitive for early detection of bone loss in renal osteodystrophy in 61% of the patients. Intracortical resorption in metacarpals appeared to be a sign of more advanced renal osteodystrophy than subperiosteal resorption in phalanges. Photodensitometric findings in the radius generally agreed with microradioscopic and morphometric findings in hand bones.", "PMID": 619437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3097", "title": "Post-traumatic abnormalities of the pubic bone simulating malignancy.", "content": "Three cases are presented in which unusual healing patterns of pubic features simulated malignant processes. Consideration of trauma as an etiologic factor in such cases may obviate the need for extensive clinical and histologic evaluation.", "contents": "Post-traumatic abnormalities of the pubic bone simulating malignancy. Three cases are presented in which unusual healing patterns of pubic features simulated malignant processes. Consideration of trauma as an etiologic factor in such cases may obviate the need for extensive clinical and histologic evaluation.", "PMID": 619439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3098", "title": "Primary and secondary aneurysmal bone cyst: a radiological study of 75 cases.", "content": "Radiological findings in 75 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst were analyzed. Sixty-five per cent were primary or simple and 35% were secondary, the aneurysmal bone cyst being combined with other osseous lesions. A primary aneurysmal bone cyst can be diagnosed with a high degree of certainty, but only 20% of secondary forms had the radiological appearance of aneurysmal bone cyst; in the other 80% the associated lesion dominated the radiological picture, particularly when it was malignant. In the secondary form a small biopsy specimen may show the features of aneurysmal bone cyst only; without radiological assistance a concomitant malignant lesion may be missed. Therefore, there must be close collaboration between the radiologist and and the pathologist.", "contents": "Primary and secondary aneurysmal bone cyst: a radiological study of 75 cases. Radiological findings in 75 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst were analyzed. Sixty-five per cent were primary or simple and 35% were secondary, the aneurysmal bone cyst being combined with other osseous lesions. A primary aneurysmal bone cyst can be diagnosed with a high degree of certainty, but only 20% of secondary forms had the radiological appearance of aneurysmal bone cyst; in the other 80% the associated lesion dominated the radiological picture, particularly when it was malignant. In the secondary form a small biopsy specimen may show the features of aneurysmal bone cyst only; without radiological assistance a concomitant malignant lesion may be missed. Therefore, there must be close collaboration between the radiologist and and the pathologist.", "PMID": 619438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3099", "title": "Buckled meniscus.", "content": "Normal menisci may show transient distortion during knee arthrography. This usually results from intermittent visualization of the meniscus out of direct profile to the x-ray beam. Similar transient distortion may result from actual buckling of an anatomically normal meniscus during stressful maneuvers in young individuals.", "contents": "Buckled meniscus. Normal menisci may show transient distortion during knee arthrography. This usually results from intermittent visualization of the meniscus out of direct profile to the x-ray beam. Similar transient distortion may result from actual buckling of an anatomically normal meniscus during stressful maneuvers in young individuals.", "PMID": 619440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3100", "title": "Neural tumors of the thorax: subject review from the AFIP.", "content": "160 tumors of neural origin occurring in the thorax were analyzed. The major histological features of schwannoma, neurofibroma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, and paraganglioma are described. Radiological analysis emphasized shape and location. Calcification was relatively uncommon but may be specific. The comparatively low figures on incidence of rib and vertebral abnormalities might be increased by special studies, including vertebral tomography. Evidence of local spread such as pleura-based nodules and pleural effusion constitutes evidence of malignancy. Age may be the most important clinical parameter for distinguishing between histological types.", "contents": "Neural tumors of the thorax: subject review from the AFIP. 160 tumors of neural origin occurring in the thorax were analyzed. The major histological features of schwannoma, neurofibroma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, and paraganglioma are described. Radiological analysis emphasized shape and location. Calcification was relatively uncommon but may be specific. The comparatively low figures on incidence of rib and vertebral abnormalities might be increased by special studies, including vertebral tomography. Evidence of local spread such as pleura-based nodules and pleural effusion constitutes evidence of malignancy. Age may be the most important clinical parameter for distinguishing between histological types.", "PMID": 619441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3101", "title": "Multiple aneurysm formation as a complication of interventive angiography.", "content": "The authors describe a case in which transcatheter embolization was used to treat a large arteriovenous malformation of the scalp (cirsoid aneurysm), with subsequent development of multiple aneurysms at the embolization sites. This previously unreported complication may have far reaching implications in treatment modality selection.", "contents": "Multiple aneurysm formation as a complication of interventive angiography. The authors describe a case in which transcatheter embolization was used to treat a large arteriovenous malformation of the scalp (cirsoid aneurysm), with subsequent development of multiple aneurysms at the embolization sites. This previously unreported complication may have far reaching implications in treatment modality selection.", "PMID": 619442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3102", "title": "Arterial embolization of malignant tumor: report of two cases with angiographic findings.", "content": "Two patients with malignant arterial emboli, one from a renal cell carcinoma and the other from a squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, are described. Both patients had typical radiographic features of emboli on angiography. The origin of such arterial emboli is most probably a chest metastasis involving a pulmonary vein.", "contents": "Arterial embolization of malignant tumor: report of two cases with angiographic findings. Two patients with malignant arterial emboli, one from a renal cell carcinoma and the other from a squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, are described. Both patients had typical radiographic features of emboli on angiography. The origin of such arterial emboli is most probably a chest metastasis involving a pulmonary vein.", "PMID": 619443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3103", "title": "Hamartoma of the breast: diagnostic observation of 16 cases.", "content": "Of 10,000 mammographies done over a 9-year period, 16 cases of hamartoma of the breast were diagnosed. The entity is a well delimited mass composed of dysplastic-appearing mammary tissue admixed to fat. It can be readily recognized and should not be confused with fibroadenoma or mammary dysplasia. The accuracy with which it can be diagnosed by mammography makes possible the avoidance of surgical excision in selected patients.", "contents": "Hamartoma of the breast: diagnostic observation of 16 cases. Of 10,000 mammographies done over a 9-year period, 16 cases of hamartoma of the breast were diagnosed. The entity is a well delimited mass composed of dysplastic-appearing mammary tissue admixed to fat. It can be readily recognized and should not be confused with fibroadenoma or mammary dysplasia. The accuracy with which it can be diagnosed by mammography makes possible the avoidance of surgical excision in selected patients.", "PMID": 619444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3104", "title": "Urographic findings in homozygous sickle cell disease.", "content": "A prospective study of the renal abnormalities on excretion urography in 189 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease is presented. Demonstrable abnormalities were present in 69% but there was no correlation with symptomatology. Calyceal clubbing was the most common abnormality occurring in 39% of cases and its incidence increased with age. An unexpectedly high prevalence (23%) of papillary necrosis occurred and both sinuses and cavities were demonstrated. The reasons for this high prevalence are discussed. The urographic findings did not correlate significantly with hematological features of the disease.", "contents": "Urographic findings in homozygous sickle cell disease. A prospective study of the renal abnormalities on excretion urography in 189 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease is presented. Demonstrable abnormalities were present in 69% but there was no correlation with symptomatology. Calyceal clubbing was the most common abnormality occurring in 39% of cases and its incidence increased with age. An unexpectedly high prevalence (23%) of papillary necrosis occurred and both sinuses and cavities were demonstrated. The reasons for this high prevalence are discussed. The urographic findings did not correlate significantly with hematological features of the disease.", "PMID": 619445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3105", "title": "[A propos of 3 cases of Richter's syndrome].", "content": "Richter's syndrome is characterized by the association of malignant lymphoma with chronic lymphatic leukemia. Three new cases of this syndrome are reported and compared with those previously reported in the world literature. The relationship between the two lymphoid neoplasms is discussed.", "contents": "[A propos of 3 cases of Richter's syndrome]. Richter's syndrome is characterized by the association of malignant lymphoma with chronic lymphatic leukemia. Three new cases of this syndrome are reported and compared with those previously reported in the world literature. The relationship between the two lymphoid neoplasms is discussed.", "PMID": 619446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3106", "title": "[Diagnostic value of the myocardium-specific isoenzyme creatinephosphokinase (CK-MB)].", "content": "In 150 ambulatory and 155 hospitalized patients the normal values for creatine phosphokinase (CK) and the isoenzyme CK-MB were determined using a simple test with inhibiting antibodies. In a series of 100 consecutive patients hospitalized for chest pain, CK-MB was measured over a 72-hour period in 6- to 12-hourly intervals. The results were compared to the clinical findings, ECG, total CK and SGOT. In addition, CK-MB was determined after elective DC countershock and intramuscular injections (12 patients in each group). Normal values for CK-MB were found to be less than or equal to 10 U/1 in all patients, whereas the values for total CK turned out to be male less than 125 U/1, female less than 100 U/1 in ambulatory patients and less than 50 U/1 in hospitalized patients. In 68 of the 100 patients hospitalized for chest pain, acute myocardial infarction was found. The specificity of CK-MB in patients with transmural infarction was calculated as 100%, and the sensitivity as 97%. After DC countershock and intramuscular injections, CK was markedly elevated whereas CK-MB only rose after cardioversion. We conclude that CK-MB may be of considerable value for the differential diagnosis of elevated total CK activities of unknown origin. It is a very specific and a sensitive parameter for the diagnosis and exclusion of acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "[Diagnostic value of the myocardium-specific isoenzyme creatinephosphokinase (CK-MB)]. In 150 ambulatory and 155 hospitalized patients the normal values for creatine phosphokinase (CK) and the isoenzyme CK-MB were determined using a simple test with inhibiting antibodies. In a series of 100 consecutive patients hospitalized for chest pain, CK-MB was measured over a 72-hour period in 6- to 12-hourly intervals. The results were compared to the clinical findings, ECG, total CK and SGOT. In addition, CK-MB was determined after elective DC countershock and intramuscular injections (12 patients in each group). Normal values for CK-MB were found to be less than or equal to 10 U/1 in all patients, whereas the values for total CK turned out to be male less than 125 U/1, female less than 100 U/1 in ambulatory patients and less than 50 U/1 in hospitalized patients. In 68 of the 100 patients hospitalized for chest pain, acute myocardial infarction was found. The specificity of CK-MB in patients with transmural infarction was calculated as 100%, and the sensitivity as 97%. After DC countershock and intramuscular injections, CK was markedly elevated whereas CK-MB only rose after cardioversion. We conclude that CK-MB may be of considerable value for the differential diagnosis of elevated total CK activities of unknown origin. It is a very specific and a sensitive parameter for the diagnosis and exclusion of acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 619447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3107", "title": "[Cutaneous plasmacytosis and polyclonal cryo-immunoglobulinemia].", "content": "A 65-year-old male patient is described who presented with (1) large violet cutaneous plaques on the left side of the body, characterized by dense plasmocyte infiltration of the dermis which appeared benign and largely negative to immunofluorescence, (2) massive polyclonal cryoglobulinemia (type III) without paraproteins, and (3) intermittently marked peripheral monocytosis and thrombopenia without significant medullary changes. Compared with the cases reported in the literature, and after a thorough immunological investigation, this syndrome cannot be entirely assimilated to any entity described up to the present time. Hypothetically, a reactional disorder is the most likely.", "contents": "[Cutaneous plasmacytosis and polyclonal cryo-immunoglobulinemia]. A 65-year-old male patient is described who presented with (1) large violet cutaneous plaques on the left side of the body, characterized by dense plasmocyte infiltration of the dermis which appeared benign and largely negative to immunofluorescence, (2) massive polyclonal cryoglobulinemia (type III) without paraproteins, and (3) intermittently marked peripheral monocytosis and thrombopenia without significant medullary changes. Compared with the cases reported in the literature, and after a thorough immunological investigation, this syndrome cannot be entirely assimilated to any entity described up to the present time. Hypothetically, a reactional disorder is the most likely.", "PMID": 619448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3108", "title": "Zinc deficiency in murine milk underlies expression of the lethal milk (lm) mutation.", "content": "The inability of nursing pups to survive on milk of mice homozygous for the recessive mutation, lethal milk (lm), is correlated with a reduction in zinc levels of both milk and pup carcass. Administration of zinc to pups nursing on lmlm dams reduces the observed mortality and morbidity. It is suggested that lm alters zinc transport from maternal blood to milk and that its study may provide useful information for understanding the rare human disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica.", "contents": "Zinc deficiency in murine milk underlies expression of the lethal milk (lm) mutation. The inability of nursing pups to survive on milk of mice homozygous for the recessive mutation, lethal milk (lm), is correlated with a reduction in zinc levels of both milk and pup carcass. Administration of zinc to pups nursing on lmlm dams reduces the observed mortality and morbidity. It is suggested that lm alters zinc transport from maternal blood to milk and that its study may provide useful information for understanding the rare human disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica.", "PMID": 619449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3109", "title": "Costae of Tritrichomonas foetus: purification and chemical composition.", "content": "The costa is an intracellular organelle common to all trichomonads. Costae from Tritrichomonas foetus have been purified by a method which involves lysis of T. foetus with the heat-stable hemolysin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by differential centrifugation. Analysis of the purified costae demonstrated that the organelle is composed of 95 percent carbohydrate and 5 percent protein. The carbohydrate moiety, probably a polysaccharide, consisted of glucose (95 percent), mannose (0.4 percent), glucosamine (1.4 percent), ribose (0.6 percent), and an unidentified sugar (2.6 percent). The kinetosomal complex was attached to the costa after initial lysis of cells but was separated from the costa during purification.", "contents": "Costae of Tritrichomonas foetus: purification and chemical composition. The costa is an intracellular organelle common to all trichomonads. Costae from Tritrichomonas foetus have been purified by a method which involves lysis of T. foetus with the heat-stable hemolysin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by differential centrifugation. Analysis of the purified costae demonstrated that the organelle is composed of 95 percent carbohydrate and 5 percent protein. The carbohydrate moiety, probably a polysaccharide, consisted of glucose (95 percent), mannose (0.4 percent), glucosamine (1.4 percent), ribose (0.6 percent), and an unidentified sugar (2.6 percent). The kinetosomal complex was attached to the costa after initial lysis of cells but was separated from the costa during purification.", "PMID": 619450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3110", "title": "Maculotoxin: a neurotoxin from the venom glands of the octopus Hapalochlaena maculosa identified as tetrodotoxin.", "content": "Maculotoxin, a potent neurotoxin isolated from the posterior salivary glands of the blue-ringed octopus. Hapalochlaena maculosa, has now been identified as tetrodotoxin. This is the first reported case in which tetrodotoxin has been found to occur in a venom.", "contents": "Maculotoxin: a neurotoxin from the venom glands of the octopus Hapalochlaena maculosa identified as tetrodotoxin. Maculotoxin, a potent neurotoxin isolated from the posterior salivary glands of the blue-ringed octopus. Hapalochlaena maculosa, has now been identified as tetrodotoxin. This is the first reported case in which tetrodotoxin has been found to occur in a venom.", "PMID": 619451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3111", "title": "Eyes transplanted to tadpole tails send axons rostrally in two spinal-cord tracts.", "content": "Axons from eyes transplanted to the tail in Xenopus larvae enter the caudal spinal cord and follow two adjacent tracts rostrally to the level of the cerebellum. When eyes are transplanted to the ear area, optic axons enter the hindbrain and follow the same tracts rostrally and caudally. These sensory pathways normally contain the embryonic sensory system of the Rohon-Beard axons and the descending and ascending tracts of nerve V. We propose that the transplanted optic axons have followed a continuous substrate sensory pathway normally shared by a number of different sensory tracts.", "contents": "Eyes transplanted to tadpole tails send axons rostrally in two spinal-cord tracts. Axons from eyes transplanted to the tail in Xenopus larvae enter the caudal spinal cord and follow two adjacent tracts rostrally to the level of the cerebellum. When eyes are transplanted to the ear area, optic axons enter the hindbrain and follow the same tracts rostrally and caudally. These sensory pathways normally contain the embryonic sensory system of the Rohon-Beard axons and the descending and ascending tracts of nerve V. We propose that the transplanted optic axons have followed a continuous substrate sensory pathway normally shared by a number of different sensory tracts.", "PMID": 619452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3112", "title": "Science centers: a potential for learning.", "content": "The past decade has witnessed a proliferation of science-technology centers, or public places for informal learning about science and technology. Science centers are the only institutions that can provide the general public with participatory exhibits and experiences, together with an accurate scientific interpretation of the materials that are involved. The dramatic rise in attendance and the enthusiasm of repeat visitors to science centers reflect a strong public demand for exhibits designed to help the visitor develop a better understanding of the contemporary scientific issues of society.", "contents": "Science centers: a potential for learning. The past decade has witnessed a proliferation of science-technology centers, or public places for informal learning about science and technology. Science centers are the only institutions that can provide the general public with participatory exhibits and experiences, together with an accurate scientific interpretation of the materials that are involved. The dramatic rise in attendance and the enthusiasm of repeat visitors to science centers reflect a strong public demand for exhibits designed to help the visitor develop a better understanding of the contemporary scientific issues of society.", "PMID": 619454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3113", "title": "Vasopressin analog with extraordinarily high antidiuretic potency: a study of conformation and activity.", "content": "Application of information derived from a three-dimensional model of vasopressin bound to its antidiuretic receptor has resulted in the design and synthesis of a potent analog, [1-deamino, 2-phenylalanine, 7-(3,4-dehydroproline)]-arginine vasopressin; this analog has a specific antidiuretic activity of 13,000 +/- 1,250 units per milligram; noteworthy at these doses is the absence of any detectable pressor activity. Three modifications based on conformational considerations were introduced into the vasopressin molecule in preparing the analog: (i) to enhance binding, a double bond was introduced into the side chain of an amino acid residue occupying a corner position of a beta turn in the vasopressin conformation, (ii) the hydroxyl moiety was deleted from Tyr2, and (iii) to tighten the backbone structure and to enhance the enzymatic resistance of the analog, the NH2-terminal amino group was deleted.", "contents": "Vasopressin analog with extraordinarily high antidiuretic potency: a study of conformation and activity. Application of information derived from a three-dimensional model of vasopressin bound to its antidiuretic receptor has resulted in the design and synthesis of a potent analog, [1-deamino, 2-phenylalanine, 7-(3,4-dehydroproline)]-arginine vasopressin; this analog has a specific antidiuretic activity of 13,000 +/- 1,250 units per milligram; noteworthy at these doses is the absence of any detectable pressor activity. Three modifications based on conformational considerations were introduced into the vasopressin molecule in preparing the analog: (i) to enhance binding, a double bond was introduced into the side chain of an amino acid residue occupying a corner position of a beta turn in the vasopressin conformation, (ii) the hydroxyl moiety was deleted from Tyr2, and (iii) to tighten the backbone structure and to enhance the enzymatic resistance of the analog, the NH2-terminal amino group was deleted.", "PMID": 619455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3114", "title": "Perfusion preservation of hearts for 6 to 9 days at room temperature.", "content": "The combination of a defined medium with single-pass perfusion has made possible long-term maintenance of beating rat hearts at 22 degrees C in vitro. The 6- to 9-day survival period appears to be the longest so far reported for hearts. This method provides a stable system which should be useful for investigating the role of single factors in myocardial preservation and evaluating the effects of exposure to pharmacological and toxicological agents.", "contents": "Perfusion preservation of hearts for 6 to 9 days at room temperature. The combination of a defined medium with single-pass perfusion has made possible long-term maintenance of beating rat hearts at 22 degrees C in vitro. The 6- to 9-day survival period appears to be the longest so far reported for hearts. This method provides a stable system which should be useful for investigating the role of single factors in myocardial preservation and evaluating the effects of exposure to pharmacological and toxicological agents.", "PMID": 619456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3115", "title": "Spinal fluid differences in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.", "content": "The spinal fluid of sheep with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis contains myelin basic protein (6 to 18 nanograms per milliliter) bound to antibody as well as excess free antibody. This bound myelin basic protein appeared concurrently with the onset of the disease and remained elevated until death. In contrast, in active multiple sclerosis, the spinal fluid contains free myelin basic protein and there are no detectable levels of antibody. The results indicate that the antibodies enter the spinal fluid from the serum by passive diffusion. This mechanism may also explain the presence of viral antibodies in the spinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.", "contents": "Spinal fluid differences in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. The spinal fluid of sheep with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis contains myelin basic protein (6 to 18 nanograms per milliliter) bound to antibody as well as excess free antibody. This bound myelin basic protein appeared concurrently with the onset of the disease and remained elevated until death. In contrast, in active multiple sclerosis, the spinal fluid contains free myelin basic protein and there are no detectable levels of antibody. The results indicate that the antibodies enter the spinal fluid from the serum by passive diffusion. This mechanism may also explain the presence of viral antibodies in the spinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.", "PMID": 619457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3116", "title": "Nicotine in breast fluid of nonlactating women.", "content": "Using a combination of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and selected ion recording techniques, we have identified nicotine and its major metabolite, continine, in the breast fluid of nonlactating women smokers. As little as 25 picograms could be measured by using the deuterated variants, [5',5'-2H]nicotine and [3,3-2H]cotinine, both as internal standards and as carriers in an inverse isotope dilution method.", "contents": "Nicotine in breast fluid of nonlactating women. Using a combination of gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and selected ion recording techniques, we have identified nicotine and its major metabolite, continine, in the breast fluid of nonlactating women smokers. As little as 25 picograms could be measured by using the deuterated variants, [5',5'-2H]nicotine and [3,3-2H]cotinine, both as internal standards and as carriers in an inverse isotope dilution method.", "PMID": 619458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3117", "title": "beta-Glucuronidase catalyzed hydrolysis of benzo(a)pyrene-3-glucuronide and binding to DNA.", "content": "beta-Glucuronidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of benzo[a]pyrene-3-glucuronide to 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene. During the enzymatic hydrolysis, a benzo[a]pyrene derivative is formed which binds to DNA to a far greater extent than either the 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene or its glucuronide. These results suggest that conjugates of benzo(a)pyrene may be converted by beta-glucuronidase at intracellular and organ sites distal to the initial sites of oxygenation and conjugation of benzo(a)pyrene to activated intermediates that are possibly carcinogenic.", "contents": "beta-Glucuronidase catalyzed hydrolysis of benzo(a)pyrene-3-glucuronide and binding to DNA. beta-Glucuronidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of benzo[a]pyrene-3-glucuronide to 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene. During the enzymatic hydrolysis, a benzo[a]pyrene derivative is formed which binds to DNA to a far greater extent than either the 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene or its glucuronide. These results suggest that conjugates of benzo(a)pyrene may be converted by beta-glucuronidase at intracellular and organ sites distal to the initial sites of oxygenation and conjugation of benzo(a)pyrene to activated intermediates that are possibly carcinogenic.", "PMID": 619459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3118", "title": "Precocious cardiac orienting in a human anencephalic infant.", "content": "An anencephalic infant, 3 to 6 weeks old, responded to acoustic stimulation with cardiac decelerations typical of the response pattern seen in normal, older infants. Such precocity implies unexpected competence of lower brain structures and suggests that, in the normal infant, feedback from immature higher centers may sometimes interfere with rather than modulate the functioning of lower centers.", "contents": "Precocious cardiac orienting in a human anencephalic infant. An anencephalic infant, 3 to 6 weeks old, responded to acoustic stimulation with cardiac decelerations typical of the response pattern seen in normal, older infants. Such precocity implies unexpected competence of lower brain structures and suggests that, in the normal infant, feedback from immature higher centers may sometimes interfere with rather than modulate the functioning of lower centers.", "PMID": 619460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3119", "title": "Memory: modification of anisomycin-induced amnesia by stimulants and depressants.", "content": "Mice were trained in a passive (foot shock)avoidance task. When administered after training, the stimulants caffeine or nicotine blocked amnesia for the task that had been produced by injections of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin given prior to training. With foot shock at a higher intensity, anisomycin did not produce amnesia by itself, but the administration of the depressants chloral hydrate or sodium phenobarbital after training did cause amnesia. Stimulants and depressants did not have an appreciable influence on the overall degree of protein synthesis inhibition produced by anisomycin. The results support the hypothesis that arousal after training is an important factor in the conversion of short-term to long-term memory.", "contents": "Memory: modification of anisomycin-induced amnesia by stimulants and depressants. Mice were trained in a passive (foot shock)avoidance task. When administered after training, the stimulants caffeine or nicotine blocked amnesia for the task that had been produced by injections of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin given prior to training. With foot shock at a higher intensity, anisomycin did not produce amnesia by itself, but the administration of the depressants chloral hydrate or sodium phenobarbital after training did cause amnesia. Stimulants and depressants did not have an appreciable influence on the overall degree of protein synthesis inhibition produced by anisomycin. The results support the hypothesis that arousal after training is an important factor in the conversion of short-term to long-term memory.", "PMID": 619461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3120", "title": "Far-ultraviolet stopped-flow circular dichroism.", "content": "A stopped-flow circular dichroism instrument, with a total accessible wavelength range of 200 to 750 nanometers, has been constructed and provides a spectroscopic method for kinetic investigations of a wide array of fast reactions in which optical activity changes in absorbing regions are involved. An important biochemical application depends on the far-ultraviolet capability, which allows observation of the rapid alterations in backbone conformation associated with folding and unfolding reactions of proteins. Results obtained by following two such reactions at 222 nanometers represent direct monitoring by circular dichroism of rapid secondary structure changes in proteins.", "contents": "Far-ultraviolet stopped-flow circular dichroism. A stopped-flow circular dichroism instrument, with a total accessible wavelength range of 200 to 750 nanometers, has been constructed and provides a spectroscopic method for kinetic investigations of a wide array of fast reactions in which optical activity changes in absorbing regions are involved. An important biochemical application depends on the far-ultraviolet capability, which allows observation of the rapid alterations in backbone conformation associated with folding and unfolding reactions of proteins. Results obtained by following two such reactions at 222 nanometers represent direct monitoring by circular dichroism of rapid secondary structure changes in proteins.", "PMID": 619462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3121", "title": "Inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma: a final monoclonal mutation in one of multiple clones of susceptible cells.", "content": "Inherited medullary thyroid carcinomas contain one form of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in black female patients who are mosaic in normal tissues for G6PD types A and B. The same individual may have several tumors each containing either G6PD A or G6PD B. The data suggest that the inherited defect is an initial mutation producing multiple clones of defective cells; each tumor then arises as a final mutation in one clone of these cells.", "contents": "Inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma: a final monoclonal mutation in one of multiple clones of susceptible cells. Inherited medullary thyroid carcinomas contain one form of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in black female patients who are mosaic in normal tissues for G6PD types A and B. The same individual may have several tumors each containing either G6PD A or G6PD B. The data suggest that the inherited defect is an initial mutation producing multiple clones of defective cells; each tumor then arises as a final mutation in one clone of these cells.", "PMID": 619463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3122", "title": "Ammonia intoxication in the near-adult cat as a result of a dietary deficiency of arginine.", "content": "Near-adult cats, fasted overnight, and given a single meal of a complete amino acid diet without arginine, developed hyperammonemia and showed clinical symptoms of ammonia toxicity within 2 hours. One cat (2.7 kilograms) died 4.5 hours after ingesting only 8 grams of the diet. Since ornithine also prevented hyperammonemia, it appears that the domestic cat cannot synthesize ornithine.", "contents": "Ammonia intoxication in the near-adult cat as a result of a dietary deficiency of arginine. Near-adult cats, fasted overnight, and given a single meal of a complete amino acid diet without arginine, developed hyperammonemia and showed clinical symptoms of ammonia toxicity within 2 hours. One cat (2.7 kilograms) died 4.5 hours after ingesting only 8 grams of the diet. Since ornithine also prevented hyperammonemia, it appears that the domestic cat cannot synthesize ornithine.", "PMID": 619464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3123", "title": "Pharmacologic effects in man of a specific serotonin-reuptake inhibitor.", "content": "Fluoxetine (Li-ly 110140) caused a 63 percent inhibition of [3H]serotonin uptake into platelets obtained from normal volunteers to whom the drug was administered daily for 7 days. This dose had no effect on the usual pressor response produced by injections of norepinephrine or tyramine.", "contents": "Pharmacologic effects in man of a specific serotonin-reuptake inhibitor. Fluoxetine (Li-ly 110140) caused a 63 percent inhibition of [3H]serotonin uptake into platelets obtained from normal volunteers to whom the drug was administered daily for 7 days. This dose had no effect on the usual pressor response produced by injections of norepinephrine or tyramine.", "PMID": 619465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3124", "title": "Silicon identification in prosthesis-associated fibrous capsules.", "content": "The use of correlated microscopic techniques, including the scanning electron microscopic modes of backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, aid in defining the process of dispersion of silicon-containing material around silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane) prosthetic devices.", "contents": "Silicon identification in prosthesis-associated fibrous capsules. The use of correlated microscopic techniques, including the scanning electron microscopic modes of backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, aid in defining the process of dispersion of silicon-containing material around silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane) prosthetic devices.", "PMID": 619466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3125", "title": "Glutamine-selective membrane electrode that uses living bacterial cells.", "content": "A novel bioselective membrane electrode for L-glutamine has been constructed by coupling living bacteria of the strain Sarcina flava to a potentiometric ammonia gas sensor. Tests in aqueous standards and human serum show that the electrode combines excellent sensitivity and selectivity with rapid response and a useful lifetime of at least 2 weeks.", "contents": "Glutamine-selective membrane electrode that uses living bacterial cells. A novel bioselective membrane electrode for L-glutamine has been constructed by coupling living bacteria of the strain Sarcina flava to a potentiometric ammonia gas sensor. Tests in aqueous standards and human serum show that the electrode combines excellent sensitivity and selectivity with rapid response and a useful lifetime of at least 2 weeks.", "PMID": 619467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3126", "title": "Neural factors contribute to atherogenesis.", "content": "Electron microscopic evidence of early atherogenic changes in the aorta and coronary arteries was obtained in normal fed, conscious, unrestrained rats receiving electrical stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus for periods of up to 62 days. Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were not etiologic factors. In view of recent observations concerning neuropsychological mechanisms in human ischemic heart disease, the findings raise the possibility that the human central nervous system has a role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.", "contents": "Neural factors contribute to atherogenesis. Electron microscopic evidence of early atherogenic changes in the aorta and coronary arteries was obtained in normal fed, conscious, unrestrained rats receiving electrical stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus for periods of up to 62 days. Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were not etiologic factors. In view of recent observations concerning neuropsychological mechanisms in human ischemic heart disease, the findings raise the possibility that the human central nervous system has a role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.", "PMID": 619468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3127", "title": "Spinal cord damage in surgery of the abdominal aorta.", "content": "The incidence, etiology, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord damage after abdominal aortic operations and abdominal aortography are defined on grounds of the authors' experience and of a survey of the pertinent literature. In the authors' experience the incidence of cord damage was 0.25% (three of 3,164) after abdominal aortic operations and 0.01% (two of 17,494) after abdominal aortography. As regards postoperative cord complications in the authors' series, they occurred only in cases of aneurysm, were 10 times more common in ruptured than in unruptured aneurysms, and the neurological loss usually was complete flaccid paraplegia (five of eight or 62%) with high mortality (three of eight or 38%), and rare partial (two of eight or 25%) or complete (one of eight or 13%) recovery. Recovery was more likely the lesser than neurological loss. The cause of postoperative spinal cord damage was ischemia resulting from the interruption of a critical radicular artery at the lower thoracic or high lumbar vertebral levels in the presence of anomalously located greater radicular or infrarenal radicular arteries. High aortic clamping and hypotension increased the probability of this occurrence, which essentially was unpredictable and, therefore, unavoidable. In postartographic cases the cord damage is more variable in its extent, and its cause is a chemical insult brought about by flooding the anterior spinal artery with contrast medium to which the patient probably is hypersensitive. In both groups treatment of the established clinical picture (paraplegia) is confined to support and rehabilitation.", "contents": "Spinal cord damage in surgery of the abdominal aorta. The incidence, etiology, and clinical manifestations of spinal cord damage after abdominal aortic operations and abdominal aortography are defined on grounds of the authors' experience and of a survey of the pertinent literature. In the authors' experience the incidence of cord damage was 0.25% (three of 3,164) after abdominal aortic operations and 0.01% (two of 17,494) after abdominal aortography. As regards postoperative cord complications in the authors' series, they occurred only in cases of aneurysm, were 10 times more common in ruptured than in unruptured aneurysms, and the neurological loss usually was complete flaccid paraplegia (five of eight or 62%) with high mortality (three of eight or 38%), and rare partial (two of eight or 25%) or complete (one of eight or 13%) recovery. Recovery was more likely the lesser than neurological loss. The cause of postoperative spinal cord damage was ischemia resulting from the interruption of a critical radicular artery at the lower thoracic or high lumbar vertebral levels in the presence of anomalously located greater radicular or infrarenal radicular arteries. High aortic clamping and hypotension increased the probability of this occurrence, which essentially was unpredictable and, therefore, unavoidable. In postartographic cases the cord damage is more variable in its extent, and its cause is a chemical insult brought about by flooding the anterior spinal artery with contrast medium to which the patient probably is hypersensitive. In both groups treatment of the established clinical picture (paraplegia) is confined to support and rehabilitation.", "PMID": 619471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3128", "title": "Routine operative arteriography during carotid endarterectomy: a reassessment.", "content": "One hundred and thirty-one consecutive operative arteriograms done in conjunction with carotid endarterectomy are reported. Radiographically obtrusive defects were found in 5.3% of arteriograms, with 1.5% in the common carotid artery, 2.3% in the external carotid artery, and 1.5% in the internal carotid artery. Potential complications were introduced by the operative arteriograms in 2.3% of the patients. One patient developed a persistent hemiparesis thought to be related directly to the performance of the arteriogram. On the basis of this review, routine operative arteriography as an adjunct to carotid endarterectomy has been discontinued at out institution. Specific indications for obtaining operative arteriograms are outlined.", "contents": "Routine operative arteriography during carotid endarterectomy: a reassessment. One hundred and thirty-one consecutive operative arteriograms done in conjunction with carotid endarterectomy are reported. Radiographically obtrusive defects were found in 5.3% of arteriograms, with 1.5% in the common carotid artery, 2.3% in the external carotid artery, and 1.5% in the internal carotid artery. Potential complications were introduced by the operative arteriograms in 2.3% of the patients. One patient developed a persistent hemiparesis thought to be related directly to the performance of the arteriogram. On the basis of this review, routine operative arteriography as an adjunct to carotid endarterectomy has been discontinued at out institution. Specific indications for obtaining operative arteriograms are outlined.", "PMID": 619473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3129", "title": "Renal injury by companion kidney during hypothermic pulsatile perfusion.", "content": "To study possible deleterious effects of traumatized kidneys on well harvested ones during hypothermic pulsatile perfusion, paired dog kidneys were monitored on two separate MOX-100 machines connected to pool a common perfusate. First kidneys were optimally harvested and baseline renal vascular resistance (RVR) calculated from pressure divided by flow (mm Hg/ml minute). After 1 hour second kidneys were added and observation was continued for an additional 3 hours. RVR in first kidneys increased immediately and doubled by 3 hours when ischemic traumatized second kidneys were added, 0.70 +/- 0.07 to 1.37 +/- 0.15 (p less than 0.001). No change in RVR was noted when second kidneys were optimally retrieved or if the dogs were heparinized prior to nephrectomy. Histological examination showed no evidence of vascular obstruction in any kidney, but only tubular necrosis in nonheparinized, traumatized second kidneys. Weight gain in optimally removed kidneys was 41%, but only 8% in ischemic kidneys. RVR decreased unexpectedly in ischemic kidneys during 3 hours of perfusion (p less than 0.01). Release of vasoactive substances by damaged kidneys and arteriovenous shunting may explain these findings. Separate perfusion systems seem to be justified when one of two cadaver kidneys is of marginal quality.", "contents": "Renal injury by companion kidney during hypothermic pulsatile perfusion. To study possible deleterious effects of traumatized kidneys on well harvested ones during hypothermic pulsatile perfusion, paired dog kidneys were monitored on two separate MOX-100 machines connected to pool a common perfusate. First kidneys were optimally harvested and baseline renal vascular resistance (RVR) calculated from pressure divided by flow (mm Hg/ml minute). After 1 hour second kidneys were added and observation was continued for an additional 3 hours. RVR in first kidneys increased immediately and doubled by 3 hours when ischemic traumatized second kidneys were added, 0.70 +/- 0.07 to 1.37 +/- 0.15 (p less than 0.001). No change in RVR was noted when second kidneys were optimally retrieved or if the dogs were heparinized prior to nephrectomy. Histological examination showed no evidence of vascular obstruction in any kidney, but only tubular necrosis in nonheparinized, traumatized second kidneys. Weight gain in optimally removed kidneys was 41%, but only 8% in ischemic kidneys. RVR decreased unexpectedly in ischemic kidneys during 3 hours of perfusion (p less than 0.01). Release of vasoactive substances by damaged kidneys and arteriovenous shunting may explain these findings. Separate perfusion systems seem to be justified when one of two cadaver kidneys is of marginal quality.", "PMID": 619474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3130", "title": "Augmentation of wound tensile strength in rats by induction of inflammation with autogenous blood.", "content": "Accelerated wound healing should be possible if one could eliminate the lag phase, a period of time when the wound is quite weak while the building blocks of collagen are being brought into the wound. In the present experiments injection of autogenous blood into the skin and fascia of rats initiated a response characterized by vasodilatation, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and proliferation of capillaries and fibroblasts. During the first week of healing, wounds made in areas injected with blood 2 days prior to wounding were up to twice as strong as controls.", "contents": "Augmentation of wound tensile strength in rats by induction of inflammation with autogenous blood. Accelerated wound healing should be possible if one could eliminate the lag phase, a period of time when the wound is quite weak while the building blocks of collagen are being brought into the wound. In the present experiments injection of autogenous blood into the skin and fascia of rats initiated a response characterized by vasodilatation, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and proliferation of capillaries and fibroblasts. During the first week of healing, wounds made in areas injected with blood 2 days prior to wounding were up to twice as strong as controls.", "PMID": 619475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3131", "title": "Medical adrenalectomy and plasma steroids in advanced breast carcinoma.", "content": "Aminoglutethimide and dexamethasone were administered for 3 months to 11 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. During initial in-hospital studies, there was uniform suppression of plasma cortisol (0.23 microgram/100 ml), androstenedione (8.3 ng/ 100 ml), estrone (0.44 ng/100 ml), and estradiol (0.32 ng/100 ml) to concentrations indistinguishable from those after surgical adrenalectomy. Eight of the 11 patients maintained this degree of suppression for 3 months. The other three patients may have taken inadequate amounts of dexamethasone, as evidenced by plasma steroid patterns characteristic of aminoglutethimide alone, that is, partial cortisol suppression (3.6 microgram/100 ml) and markedly increased androstenedione (355 ng/100 ml) with low estrone (0.54 ng/100 ml) and estradiol (0.61 ng/100 ml) concentrations. This apparent block in the aromatization of androstenedione to estrogens may be a feature important to the effectiveness of the regimen in sporadically noncompliant patients. After 3 months of therapy, return of resting plasma cortisol values to normal occurred within 3 to 4 days after cessation of the regimen and pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to surgical stress was demonstrable. This regimen is capable of maintaining an effective, reversible suppression of plasma steroids considered to be relevant to estrogen-dependent breast cancer.", "contents": "Medical adrenalectomy and plasma steroids in advanced breast carcinoma. Aminoglutethimide and dexamethasone were administered for 3 months to 11 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. During initial in-hospital studies, there was uniform suppression of plasma cortisol (0.23 microgram/100 ml), androstenedione (8.3 ng/ 100 ml), estrone (0.44 ng/100 ml), and estradiol (0.32 ng/100 ml) to concentrations indistinguishable from those after surgical adrenalectomy. Eight of the 11 patients maintained this degree of suppression for 3 months. The other three patients may have taken inadequate amounts of dexamethasone, as evidenced by plasma steroid patterns characteristic of aminoglutethimide alone, that is, partial cortisol suppression (3.6 microgram/100 ml) and markedly increased androstenedione (355 ng/100 ml) with low estrone (0.54 ng/100 ml) and estradiol (0.61 ng/100 ml) concentrations. This apparent block in the aromatization of androstenedione to estrogens may be a feature important to the effectiveness of the regimen in sporadically noncompliant patients. After 3 months of therapy, return of resting plasma cortisol values to normal occurred within 3 to 4 days after cessation of the regimen and pituitary-adrenal responsiveness to surgical stress was demonstrable. This regimen is capable of maintaining an effective, reversible suppression of plasma steroids considered to be relevant to estrogen-dependent breast cancer.", "PMID": 619476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3132", "title": "Concentrations of gastrin and secretin in the alimentary tract of the cat.", "content": "The distribution of gastrin and secretin in the alimentary tract of the cat was determined from the esophagogastric junction to the ileocecum. The total content and concentration of each of these hormones in mucosal extracts taken from the gastric fundus, gastric antrum, proximal and distal duodenum, proximal and distal jejunum, and ileum were measured with specific radioimmunoassays. The gastric antrum contained the highest concentration of gastrin, but appreciable amounts also were found in the duodenum. The highest concentrations of secretin were found in the duodenum, but impressive quantities were measured in the jejunum. The role of extra-antral gastrin and of those stores of secretin beyond the proximal duodenum (where the pH probably never falls to levels associated with release of secretin) currently are unknown.", "contents": "Concentrations of gastrin and secretin in the alimentary tract of the cat. The distribution of gastrin and secretin in the alimentary tract of the cat was determined from the esophagogastric junction to the ileocecum. The total content and concentration of each of these hormones in mucosal extracts taken from the gastric fundus, gastric antrum, proximal and distal duodenum, proximal and distal jejunum, and ileum were measured with specific radioimmunoassays. The gastric antrum contained the highest concentration of gastrin, but appreciable amounts also were found in the duodenum. The highest concentrations of secretin were found in the duodenum, but impressive quantities were measured in the jejunum. The role of extra-antral gastrin and of those stores of secretin beyond the proximal duodenum (where the pH probably never falls to levels associated with release of secretin) currently are unknown.", "PMID": 619477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3133", "title": "[Developments in research on and treatment of cancer (author's transl)].", "content": "The epidemiology of cancer is reviewed with particular emphasis on the geographic variations in the incidence of certain types of cancer. Several new developments in the prevention and treatment of cancer are discussed. The main advance in the results of treatment is due to chemotherapy, preferably in conjunction with radiotherapy and surgery. Much is expected of this procedure for the future.", "contents": "[Developments in research on and treatment of cancer (author's transl)]. The epidemiology of cancer is reviewed with particular emphasis on the geographic variations in the incidence of certain types of cancer. Several new developments in the prevention and treatment of cancer are discussed. The main advance in the results of treatment is due to chemotherapy, preferably in conjunction with radiotherapy and surgery. Much is expected of this procedure for the future.", "PMID": 619479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3134", "title": "Effect of cortisone acetate on effector cells for antibody-mediated cytotoxicity in mouse and rat.", "content": "We have looked at the effect of in vivo cortisone acetate treatment on effector cells for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mice and rats, using both chicken erythrocytes and the mouse lymphoma cell line AKR.A as target cells, since the AKR.A cell line is susceptible to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity killing only by the lymphoid effector cell, whereas a wide variety of effector cells will lyse chicken erythrocytes in the presence of antibody. The lymphoid K cell, detectable in rat spleen and blood, was unaffected by steroid treatment sufficient to cause lymphopenia, whereas splenic anti-chicken erythrocyte cytotoxicity of whole spleen and of phagocyte-free spleen was depressed in mice and rats. The greatest suppression was seen with nonphagocytic mouse spleen, and may have been in part attributable to steroid-induced redistribution of the effector cell(s), since the cytotoxic capacity of nonphagocytic bone marrow cells was increased by 70% at a time when the activity in spleen was 25% of normal.", "contents": "Effect of cortisone acetate on effector cells for antibody-mediated cytotoxicity in mouse and rat. We have looked at the effect of in vivo cortisone acetate treatment on effector cells for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mice and rats, using both chicken erythrocytes and the mouse lymphoma cell line AKR.A as target cells, since the AKR.A cell line is susceptible to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity killing only by the lymphoid effector cell, whereas a wide variety of effector cells will lyse chicken erythrocytes in the presence of antibody. The lymphoid K cell, detectable in rat spleen and blood, was unaffected by steroid treatment sufficient to cause lymphopenia, whereas splenic anti-chicken erythrocyte cytotoxicity of whole spleen and of phagocyte-free spleen was depressed in mice and rats. The greatest suppression was seen with nonphagocytic mouse spleen, and may have been in part attributable to steroid-induced redistribution of the effector cell(s), since the cytotoxic capacity of nonphagocytic bone marrow cells was increased by 70% at a time when the activity in spleen was 25% of normal.", "PMID": 619483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3135", "title": "Electron-microscopic analysis of the mouse facial nerve near the geniculate ganglion.", "content": "An electron-microscopic analysis of the mouse facial nerve near the geniculate ganglion shows that there are, on the everage, 603 more nerve fibers in the portion of the nerve distal to the geniculate ganglion than there are in the part proximal to the ganglion. The average distal increase in the number of unmyelinated fibers is 444 and that in the myelinated fibers is 165. The somatic motor nerve fibers and the parasympathetic fibers in the mouse facial nerve may not contribute to the distal excess. It is possible that the increase in the number of unmyelinated fibers distal to the geniculate ganglion is mainly due to the presence of postganglionic sympathetic fibers in the facial trunk distal to the geniculate ganglion and the greater petrosal nerve. The distal increase in the number of myelinated fibers may be mainly contributed by the sensory fibers.", "contents": "Electron-microscopic analysis of the mouse facial nerve near the geniculate ganglion. An electron-microscopic analysis of the mouse facial nerve near the geniculate ganglion shows that there are, on the everage, 603 more nerve fibers in the portion of the nerve distal to the geniculate ganglion than there are in the part proximal to the ganglion. The average distal increase in the number of unmyelinated fibers is 444 and that in the myelinated fibers is 165. The somatic motor nerve fibers and the parasympathetic fibers in the mouse facial nerve may not contribute to the distal excess. It is possible that the increase in the number of unmyelinated fibers distal to the geniculate ganglion is mainly due to the presence of postganglionic sympathetic fibers in the facial trunk distal to the geniculate ganglion and the greater petrosal nerve. The distal increase in the number of myelinated fibers may be mainly contributed by the sensory fibers.", "PMID": 619495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3136", "title": "Surface coat in steroid-secreting cells of the mouse ovary.", "content": "Steroid-secreting cells (luteal, thecal and interstitial cells) of the mouse ovary have been studied with the ruthenium red method to stain the \"cell coat\". The results showed that a typical cell coat covers the entire surface of the plasma membrane except where the cells are connected by specific cell junctions. Further, particularly heavy concentration of ruthenium-red-reacting material was demonstrated in pericapillary and intercellular spaces. The differences in the thickness of the cell coat and its topographical modifications among different groups of steroidogenic cells may be related not only to intercellular adhesion and interactions but also concerned with a function of control in which the cell permeability is modified in relation with phenomena of cell recognition.", "contents": "Surface coat in steroid-secreting cells of the mouse ovary. Steroid-secreting cells (luteal, thecal and interstitial cells) of the mouse ovary have been studied with the ruthenium red method to stain the \"cell coat\". The results showed that a typical cell coat covers the entire surface of the plasma membrane except where the cells are connected by specific cell junctions. Further, particularly heavy concentration of ruthenium-red-reacting material was demonstrated in pericapillary and intercellular spaces. The differences in the thickness of the cell coat and its topographical modifications among different groups of steroidogenic cells may be related not only to intercellular adhesion and interactions but also concerned with a function of control in which the cell permeability is modified in relation with phenomena of cell recognition.", "PMID": 619496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3137", "title": "Study on the morphology of the gall-bladder of the goat.", "content": "200 gall-bladders of goat were studied for histology and histochemistry. The lining epithelium is tall columnar with striated border. The glands are mucous and serous, and the secretion of both surface and glands is a polyssaccharide-protein complex. The regional differences at neck, body and fundus of the gall-bladder are described. Few enterochromaffin cells with granules, which are PAS-positive and contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, are encountered at the wedge between the granular epithelial cells and the cells lining the crypts. The relationship between these cells and lymphocytic infiltration is discussed. The thick circular muscle layer at the neck region is considered a sphincter of the gall-bladder.", "contents": "Study on the morphology of the gall-bladder of the goat. 200 gall-bladders of goat were studied for histology and histochemistry. The lining epithelium is tall columnar with striated border. The glands are mucous and serous, and the secretion of both surface and glands is a polyssaccharide-protein complex. The regional differences at neck, body and fundus of the gall-bladder are described. Few enterochromaffin cells with granules, which are PAS-positive and contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, are encountered at the wedge between the granular epithelial cells and the cells lining the crypts. The relationship between these cells and lymphocytic infiltration is discussed. The thick circular muscle layer at the neck region is considered a sphincter of the gall-bladder.", "PMID": 619497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3138", "title": "Seasonal changes in the testes of a hill stream teleost, Garra gotyla (Gray).", "content": "The cephalic, middle and posterior regions of the testes in Garra gotyla are identical in structure and function. The spermatogenetic activity starts in the month of October reaching its peak in April and May. Spawning takes place in June and July followed by a brief resting period. Spermiation appears to be intermittent. Six stages of spermatogenesis have been described. New crop of germ cells appears to arise from the resting spermatogonia. Both the interstitial and the lobule boundary cells were observed. The gonosomatic index shows correlatation between the rise in water temperature and the volume of the testes.", "contents": "Seasonal changes in the testes of a hill stream teleost, Garra gotyla (Gray). The cephalic, middle and posterior regions of the testes in Garra gotyla are identical in structure and function. The spermatogenetic activity starts in the month of October reaching its peak in April and May. Spawning takes place in June and July followed by a brief resting period. Spermiation appears to be intermittent. Six stages of spermatogenesis have been described. New crop of germ cells appears to arise from the resting spermatogonia. Both the interstitial and the lobule boundary cells were observed. The gonosomatic index shows correlatation between the rise in water temperature and the volume of the testes.", "PMID": 619498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3139", "title": "Localization of radioactively labelled serotonin in the nucleus of adrenal medulla cells.", "content": "After treatment of rats with 3H-5-hydroxytryptophan, grains indicating the presence of serotonin could be demonstrated in the adrenal medulla. In the beginning, the label is mainly found in the cytoplasm, later, more and more it appears in the nucleus, primarily above the heterochromatin.", "contents": "Localization of radioactively labelled serotonin in the nucleus of adrenal medulla cells. After treatment of rats with 3H-5-hydroxytryptophan, grains indicating the presence of serotonin could be demonstrated in the adrenal medulla. In the beginning, the label is mainly found in the cytoplasm, later, more and more it appears in the nucleus, primarily above the heterochromatin.", "PMID": 619499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3140", "title": "An electron microscope study of the effects of acute ischaemia in the brain.", "content": "The structural changes in the CNS of cats subjected to periods of 10 and 20 min of eschaemia have been studied. After 10 min of ischaemia the neurons show loss of granular endoplasmic reticulum and vacuolation of the persisting endoplasmic reticulum. After 20 min of ischaemia there is neuronal cell death, some synaptic degeneration. Glial foot processes swell and occlude the lumen of vessels. The significance of these changes is discussed.", "contents": "An electron microscope study of the effects of acute ischaemia in the brain. The structural changes in the CNS of cats subjected to periods of 10 and 20 min of eschaemia have been studied. After 10 min of ischaemia the neurons show loss of granular endoplasmic reticulum and vacuolation of the persisting endoplasmic reticulum. After 20 min of ischaemia there is neuronal cell death, some synaptic degeneration. Glial foot processes swell and occlude the lumen of vessels. The significance of these changes is discussed.", "PMID": 619500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3141", "title": "Origin and development of the septum primum.", "content": "Based on the study of ten hearts of human embryos from the Orts Llorca collection in Madrid, comprising stages 12-17 of O'Rahilly, the origin of the septum primum was analyzed. The septum referred to has its origin in the dorsocaudal part of the common auricle starting from the cells of the lower cushion which makes contact with the wall of the auricle referred to. The closure of the atrioventricular canal is due to the introduction of the spina vestibuli of the septum primum between the two endocardial cushions. The foramen primum is formed in the human species in the same way as in the rest of the most highly developed vertebrates.", "contents": "Origin and development of the septum primum. Based on the study of ten hearts of human embryos from the Orts Llorca collection in Madrid, comprising stages 12-17 of O'Rahilly, the origin of the septum primum was analyzed. The septum referred to has its origin in the dorsocaudal part of the common auricle starting from the cells of the lower cushion which makes contact with the wall of the auricle referred to. The closure of the atrioventricular canal is due to the introduction of the spina vestibuli of the septum primum between the two endocardial cushions. The foramen primum is formed in the human species in the same way as in the rest of the most highly developed vertebrates.", "PMID": 619501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3142", "title": "Human coronary arteries. II. Branching anatomical pattern and arterial wall microarchitecture.", "content": "A study on 22 pairs, including subjects of similar age, sex and cause of death but with different branching anatomical patterns, shows, that the amount and structural organization of elastic and muscular tissue of the thickened intima are strongly influenced by (a) the size, length, mode of ramification of the parent vessels of the coronary tree; (b) the number of branch orifices in a given arterial segment, and (c) the collateral or terminal character of certain daughter branches.", "contents": "Human coronary arteries. II. Branching anatomical pattern and arterial wall microarchitecture. A study on 22 pairs, including subjects of similar age, sex and cause of death but with different branching anatomical patterns, shows, that the amount and structural organization of elastic and muscular tissue of the thickened intima are strongly influenced by (a) the size, length, mode of ramification of the parent vessels of the coronary tree; (b) the number of branch orifices in a given arterial segment, and (c) the collateral or terminal character of certain daughter branches.", "PMID": 619502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3143", "title": "An analysis of molar tooth form.", "content": "The maxillary first permanent molars of different human population samples were compared by multivariate analysis of two-dimensional coordinates of datum points defining the occlusal surface and periphery of the crown. This technique proved that discrimination was possible between teeth which could not be discriminated visually or by analysis of the mesiodistal or buccolingual diameters.", "contents": "An analysis of molar tooth form. The maxillary first permanent molars of different human population samples were compared by multivariate analysis of two-dimensional coordinates of datum points defining the occlusal surface and periphery of the crown. This technique proved that discrimination was possible between teeth which could not be discriminated visually or by analysis of the mesiodistal or buccolingual diameters.", "PMID": 619503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3144", "title": "Observations on the ultrastructure of ganglion cells in the circumvallate papilla of rat and mouse.", "content": "Ganglion cells in the circumvallate papilla of adult rodents are described as typical autonomic neurons. Some neurons are aggregated to form a discrete structure in the base of the papilla; others are scattered through the core, along the nerve bundles, and particularly near the dome. The term \"circumvallate ganglion\" is applied to the entire population. Satellite cells completely ensheathe each neuron. Preganglionic fibers, containing clear vesicles, synapse on the soma and stumpy dendrites of the neurons. Axons, containing dense-cored vesicles, are observed in close proximity to the neurons. However, these fibers do not establish true morphological synaptic contacts with the neurons. We have not observed serial or reciprocal synapses on or in the vicinity of the ganglion cells. The hypothesis that the axons of the circumvallate ganglion neurons act as parasympathetic vasodilators is indicated by the proximity of the two structures and by nerve terminations on the arteriole muscle cells. Direct modulation of taste transduction by these neurons is ruled out.", "contents": "Observations on the ultrastructure of ganglion cells in the circumvallate papilla of rat and mouse. Ganglion cells in the circumvallate papilla of adult rodents are described as typical autonomic neurons. Some neurons are aggregated to form a discrete structure in the base of the papilla; others are scattered through the core, along the nerve bundles, and particularly near the dome. The term \"circumvallate ganglion\" is applied to the entire population. Satellite cells completely ensheathe each neuron. Preganglionic fibers, containing clear vesicles, synapse on the soma and stumpy dendrites of the neurons. Axons, containing dense-cored vesicles, are observed in close proximity to the neurons. However, these fibers do not establish true morphological synaptic contacts with the neurons. We have not observed serial or reciprocal synapses on or in the vicinity of the ganglion cells. The hypothesis that the axons of the circumvallate ganglion neurons act as parasympathetic vasodilators is indicated by the proximity of the two structures and by nerve terminations on the arteriole muscle cells. Direct modulation of taste transduction by these neurons is ruled out.", "PMID": 619504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3145", "title": "Adrenergic innervation of the coronary arteries and the myocardium.", "content": "The monoaminergic innervation of the coronary vessels and myocardium in the dog was studied by means of the histochemical fluorescence method. The distribution of monoaminergic terminals in the arterial wall depends on the diameter of the artery. In large arteries, the terminals are regularly distributed around the entire circumference, the fibres being situated between the elastic lamellae of the adventitia. The terminals within the media could not be detected. In small arteries, the sympathetic ground plexus aggregates in two parallel strands, the artery being between them. In arterioles, two thick fibres only accompany the vellel. The myocardium is innervated by means of a three-dimensional sympathetic ground plexus distributed between the myocardial cells independently of vessels. No difference in density of innervation was found between the right and left heart. The point-counting method, on the other hand, has revealed that the density of innervation in the left auricle is nearly twice as dense as in the left ventricle. The terminals innervating the myocardium are markedly thinner than the fibres innervating the arteries. Two-dimensional plexuses innervate the epicardium, endocardium and valves.", "contents": "Adrenergic innervation of the coronary arteries and the myocardium. The monoaminergic innervation of the coronary vessels and myocardium in the dog was studied by means of the histochemical fluorescence method. The distribution of monoaminergic terminals in the arterial wall depends on the diameter of the artery. In large arteries, the terminals are regularly distributed around the entire circumference, the fibres being situated between the elastic lamellae of the adventitia. The terminals within the media could not be detected. In small arteries, the sympathetic ground plexus aggregates in two parallel strands, the artery being between them. In arterioles, two thick fibres only accompany the vellel. The myocardium is innervated by means of a three-dimensional sympathetic ground plexus distributed between the myocardial cells independently of vessels. No difference in density of innervation was found between the right and left heart. The point-counting method, on the other hand, has revealed that the density of innervation in the left auricle is nearly twice as dense as in the left ventricle. The terminals innervating the myocardium are markedly thinner than the fibres innervating the arteries. Two-dimensional plexuses innervate the epicardium, endocardium and valves.", "PMID": 619505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3146", "title": "Arterial supply to the human rectum.", "content": "The arterial supply to the human rectum was studied in 42 autopsy specimens. 32 were fixed in formalin and dissected. Five were radiographed after filling their arterial bed with a radio-opaque substance. The remaining five specimens were used to prepare plastic casts of the arterial bed. The superior rectal artery is the chief rectal artery. It forms a recto-sigmoid branch, an upper rectal branch and then divides into right and left terminal branches. Terminal branches extend downwards and forwards around the lower two thirds of the rectum to the level of the levator ani. The middle rectal artery, of appreciable diameter, on one or both sides of the rectum, is found supplying a limited part of the rectum in 12% of the specimens. Its presence can be anticipated by observing the diameter of the superior rectal artery and its two terminal branches. The inferior rectal artery supplies the anal canal below the levator ani. Rectal twigs of other pelvic arteries terminate at the pararectal tissues occasionally reaching the wall of the rectum. Extramural anastomoses were not observed between the main rectal arteries, but intramural ones were present, mainly between the superior and the inferior rectal arteries.", "contents": "Arterial supply to the human rectum. The arterial supply to the human rectum was studied in 42 autopsy specimens. 32 were fixed in formalin and dissected. Five were radiographed after filling their arterial bed with a radio-opaque substance. The remaining five specimens were used to prepare plastic casts of the arterial bed. The superior rectal artery is the chief rectal artery. It forms a recto-sigmoid branch, an upper rectal branch and then divides into right and left terminal branches. Terminal branches extend downwards and forwards around the lower two thirds of the rectum to the level of the levator ani. The middle rectal artery, of appreciable diameter, on one or both sides of the rectum, is found supplying a limited part of the rectum in 12% of the specimens. Its presence can be anticipated by observing the diameter of the superior rectal artery and its two terminal branches. The inferior rectal artery supplies the anal canal below the levator ani. Rectal twigs of other pelvic arteries terminate at the pararectal tissues occasionally reaching the wall of the rectum. Extramural anastomoses were not observed between the main rectal arteries, but intramural ones were present, mainly between the superior and the inferior rectal arteries.", "PMID": 619506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3147", "title": "Neural tube lesions in the offspring of hamsters given single oral doses of lathyrogens early in gestation.", "content": "The lathyrogens aminoacetonitrile, D-penicillamine and semicarbazide were tested for their teratogenicity in hamster on day 7 of gestation at three different dose levels. The results showed that aminoacetonitrile and penicillamine were typical teratogens in hamsters, capable of causing significant embryotoxic effects consisting of increased fetal mortality, growth retardation and malformation. Semicarbazide at a dose of 100 mg/kg had only minor teratogenic effects, while slightly higher doses were lethal to the dams. The most severe fetal malformations following maternal exposure to aminoacetonitrile or penicillamine were exencephaly and encephalocele. Since lathyrogens inhibit the process of collagen cross-linking, the results of this study indicate that there may be an important relationship between collagen fiber formation in the embryo and neural tube closure.", "contents": "Neural tube lesions in the offspring of hamsters given single oral doses of lathyrogens early in gestation. The lathyrogens aminoacetonitrile, D-penicillamine and semicarbazide were tested for their teratogenicity in hamster on day 7 of gestation at three different dose levels. The results showed that aminoacetonitrile and penicillamine were typical teratogens in hamsters, capable of causing significant embryotoxic effects consisting of increased fetal mortality, growth retardation and malformation. Semicarbazide at a dose of 100 mg/kg had only minor teratogenic effects, while slightly higher doses were lethal to the dams. The most severe fetal malformations following maternal exposure to aminoacetonitrile or penicillamine were exencephaly and encephalocele. Since lathyrogens inhibit the process of collagen cross-linking, the results of this study indicate that there may be an important relationship between collagen fiber formation in the embryo and neural tube closure.", "PMID": 619507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3148", "title": "Electron-microscopic study of the rat masseter muscle following injection of lidocaine.", "content": "The ultrastructure of rat masseter muscle was examined at 15 min, 1 and 6 h, and 1 and 2 days following a single injection of 2% lidocaine. Lesions developed within 15 min. The plasma membrane was disrupted and invaginated. The nuclei were pyknotic and the mitochondria appeared swollen. The myofibrils separated and became disoriented. By 1 and 6 h, these changes were severe. By 1 day, the macrophages appeared in damaged myofibers. The presence of a few presumptive myoblasts signaled the onset of regeneration. By 2 days, presumptive myoblasts formed within the basement membrane. The basal lamina proved most resistant to injury. Regeneration of masseter muscle following the damage produced by lidocaine appeared discontinuous in nature. The singly nucleated presumptive myoblasts seemed to arise within the lesions.", "contents": "Electron-microscopic study of the rat masseter muscle following injection of lidocaine. The ultrastructure of rat masseter muscle was examined at 15 min, 1 and 6 h, and 1 and 2 days following a single injection of 2% lidocaine. Lesions developed within 15 min. The plasma membrane was disrupted and invaginated. The nuclei were pyknotic and the mitochondria appeared swollen. The myofibrils separated and became disoriented. By 1 and 6 h, these changes were severe. By 1 day, the macrophages appeared in damaged myofibers. The presence of a few presumptive myoblasts signaled the onset of regeneration. By 2 days, presumptive myoblasts formed within the basement membrane. The basal lamina proved most resistant to injury. Regeneration of masseter muscle following the damage produced by lidocaine appeared discontinuous in nature. The singly nucleated presumptive myoblasts seemed to arise within the lesions.", "PMID": 619508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3149", "title": "[Development and topography of the ganglion pelvinum in the gerbil].", "content": "In the gerbil the nerve cells of the plexus pelvinus are concentrated on each side in a solid glanglion pelvinum. This deviates essentially from the pattern in man and the domestic animals where these cells are scattered all over the plexus pelvinus. The large ganglion pelvinum is connected craniodorsally with the nervus hypogastricus and dorsally with the nervi pelvini (from the first 2 or 3 sacral nerves and the last lumbar nerve). The apertura pelvis cranialis appears long and very oblique and, therefore, in the gerbil the ganglion pelvinum is located on each side cranially to the corpus ossis pubis and can be reached by a ventral laparotomy.", "contents": "[Development and topography of the ganglion pelvinum in the gerbil]. In the gerbil the nerve cells of the plexus pelvinus are concentrated on each side in a solid glanglion pelvinum. This deviates essentially from the pattern in man and the domestic animals where these cells are scattered all over the plexus pelvinus. The large ganglion pelvinum is connected craniodorsally with the nervus hypogastricus and dorsally with the nervi pelvini (from the first 2 or 3 sacral nerves and the last lumbar nerve). The apertura pelvis cranialis appears long and very oblique and, therefore, in the gerbil the ganglion pelvinum is located on each side cranially to the corpus ossis pubis and can be reached by a ventral laparotomy.", "PMID": 619509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3150", "title": "Surgical implications of pulmonary hypertension in congenital heart disease.", "content": "The effects of pulmonary vascular disease on the results of surgical closure of single large ventricular septal defects are reviewed. Hospital mortality in infants was not affected by the presence of preoperative pulmonary vascular disease. The late results were clearly related to age at operation, preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary artery pressure. Probability of event analysis allows selection of the optimal age for elective repair of large ventricular septal defects.", "contents": "Surgical implications of pulmonary hypertension in congenital heart disease. The effects of pulmonary vascular disease on the results of surgical closure of single large ventricular septal defects are reviewed. Hospital mortality in infants was not affected by the presence of preoperative pulmonary vascular disease. The late results were clearly related to age at operation, preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary artery pressure. Probability of event analysis allows selection of the optimal age for elective repair of large ventricular septal defects.", "PMID": 619518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3151", "title": "Effect of premature stimulation on fast and slow excitation channels in cultured myocardial cells.", "content": "Myocardial cells from chick embryos were cultured using a method which results in cell morphology and action potentials showing greater similarity to that of adult cells than to cells grown with standard methods of culture. The cells were paced by means of rectangular field stimuli (2 msec 2-5 times diastolic threshold). When the stimulus was given during the descending branch of the previous action potential, the action potential developed dissociation between a fast-rise component with short duration and a slow-rise component with longer duration. This dissociation was best in cells with an intermediate rate of rise of the spontaneous action potential and may be caused by different rates of reactivation of the slow and fast membrane excitation channels.", "contents": "Effect of premature stimulation on fast and slow excitation channels in cultured myocardial cells. Myocardial cells from chick embryos were cultured using a method which results in cell morphology and action potentials showing greater similarity to that of adult cells than to cells grown with standard methods of culture. The cells were paced by means of rectangular field stimuli (2 msec 2-5 times diastolic threshold). When the stimulus was given during the descending branch of the previous action potential, the action potential developed dissociation between a fast-rise component with short duration and a slow-rise component with longer duration. This dissociation was best in cells with an intermediate rate of rise of the spontaneous action potential and may be caused by different rates of reactivation of the slow and fast membrane excitation channels.", "PMID": 619550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3152", "title": "Local potential gradients as a unifying measure for thresholds of stimulation, standstill, tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation appearing after strong capacitor discharges.", "content": "The pattern of arrhythmias following capacitor discharges of increasing amplitude, which have been observed by the authors in cultured myocardial cells from chick embryos, was compared to the arrhythmia patterns caused by similar discharges in experimental animals and humans, as reported in the literature. While the absolute voltages and currents causing each type of arrhythmia showed great variation, the scatter decreased considerably when the stimulus level was recalculated on the basis of peak current density in myocardial tissue, and was reduced further when the peak potential gradient at the cell level was used as the common basis of comparison. The similarity in the arrhythmia patterns and in the voltage gradients at which they occur indicates that the mechanism of these arrhythmias may be similar in cultured cells and intact animals and humans.", "contents": "Local potential gradients as a unifying measure for thresholds of stimulation, standstill, tachyarrhythmia and fibrillation appearing after strong capacitor discharges. The pattern of arrhythmias following capacitor discharges of increasing amplitude, which have been observed by the authors in cultured myocardial cells from chick embryos, was compared to the arrhythmia patterns caused by similar discharges in experimental animals and humans, as reported in the literature. While the absolute voltages and currents causing each type of arrhythmia showed great variation, the scatter decreased considerably when the stimulus level was recalculated on the basis of peak current density in myocardial tissue, and was reduced further when the peak potential gradient at the cell level was used as the common basis of comparison. The similarity in the arrhythmia patterns and in the voltage gradients at which they occur indicates that the mechanism of these arrhythmias may be similar in cultured cells and intact animals and humans.", "PMID": 619552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3153", "title": "An approach to inverse calculation of epicardial potentials from body surface maps.", "content": "The inverse problem of evaluating epicardial potentials from a knowledge of heart and torso geometry as well as body surface potentials is here formulated as a problem in control theory. As is well known, such an inverse problem is ill-posed and a regularization technique has been devised to overrun this difficulty. The resulting regularized problem is well-posed and requires the minimization of a cost function including, besides the square distance of any predicted surface potential distribution from the experimental one, a regularization term involving the second derivatives of the identified epicardial potentials. The results here presented were obtained on a model problem for a plane geometry. Surface potentials generated by multipoles and perturbated with a noise level reflecting both instrumentation and electrode placement uncertainties were fitted by the proposed method and 'epicardial potentials' were determined with a maximum sum square relative error of 15%. The results suggest that by introducing suited regularity constraints, the a priori difficulties inherent to the problem of computing epicardial potentials from torso potentials, can be overcome.", "contents": "An approach to inverse calculation of epicardial potentials from body surface maps. The inverse problem of evaluating epicardial potentials from a knowledge of heart and torso geometry as well as body surface potentials is here formulated as a problem in control theory. As is well known, such an inverse problem is ill-posed and a regularization technique has been devised to overrun this difficulty. The resulting regularized problem is well-posed and requires the minimization of a cost function including, besides the square distance of any predicted surface potential distribution from the experimental one, a regularization term involving the second derivatives of the identified epicardial potentials. The results here presented were obtained on a model problem for a plane geometry. Surface potentials generated by multipoles and perturbated with a noise level reflecting both instrumentation and electrode placement uncertainties were fitted by the proposed method and 'epicardial potentials' were determined with a maximum sum square relative error of 15%. The results suggest that by introducing suited regularity constraints, the a priori difficulties inherent to the problem of computing epicardial potentials from torso potentials, can be overcome.", "PMID": 619568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3154", "title": "Computational reconstruction of body surfact isopotential maps in myocardial infarction: comparison between nontransmural and transmural infarction.", "content": "The relationship between the lack of electromotive force in myocardial infarction and body surface potential distribution was investigated on maps reconstructed from a simulated heart model and transfer impedance vectors of human torso model. The heart model, a cluster of 3-mm cubic blocks, was stored in the memory of a computer. Transfer impedance vectors between 81 lead points on the human torso model and 392 positions covering ventricular areas in the torso were measure. Body surface potential values were calculated mathematically by summing up scalar products between the electromotive force of the heart model and the measured transfer impedance vectors. Thus, reconstructed maps changed in their patterns with the alternation in lacation and/or extent of infarcted region in the heart model. In particular, the appearance of the abnormal potential minimum, which projects the infarcted region in the heart model onto the torso surface, was characteristic in both transmural and subendocardial infarction. In addition, delayed activation in the intact layer of the epicardium overlying the infarcted region produced a potential maximum on the same place as the abnormal potential minimum appeared previously.", "contents": "Computational reconstruction of body surfact isopotential maps in myocardial infarction: comparison between nontransmural and transmural infarction. The relationship between the lack of electromotive force in myocardial infarction and body surface potential distribution was investigated on maps reconstructed from a simulated heart model and transfer impedance vectors of human torso model. The heart model, a cluster of 3-mm cubic blocks, was stored in the memory of a computer. Transfer impedance vectors between 81 lead points on the human torso model and 392 positions covering ventricular areas in the torso were measure. Body surface potential values were calculated mathematically by summing up scalar products between the electromotive force of the heart model and the measured transfer impedance vectors. Thus, reconstructed maps changed in their patterns with the alternation in lacation and/or extent of infarcted region in the heart model. In particular, the appearance of the abnormal potential minimum, which projects the infarcted region in the heart model onto the torso surface, was characteristic in both transmural and subendocardial infarction. In addition, delayed activation in the intact layer of the epicardium overlying the infarcted region produced a potential maximum on the same place as the abnormal potential minimum appeared previously.", "PMID": 619574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3155", "title": "Use of techniques from communication analysis in diagnosis of myocardial infarction from body surface potential maps.", "content": "A correlation test was applied to superimposed plots of partial body surface potential maps in order to distinguish between normal subjects and those with independently diagnosed myocardial infarction. The reference waveform is determined by means of a gradient-search algorithm.", "contents": "Use of techniques from communication analysis in diagnosis of myocardial infarction from body surface potential maps. A correlation test was applied to superimposed plots of partial body surface potential maps in order to distinguish between normal subjects and those with independently diagnosed myocardial infarction. The reference waveform is determined by means of a gradient-search algorithm.", "PMID": 619577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3156", "title": "The effects of exercise on the amplitude of the first heart sound in normal subjects.", "content": "The cardiovascular responses to isometric and dynamic exercise have been studied in six normal subjects, before and after intravenous propranolol, using the amplitude of the first heart sound (S1), measured from an ultra-low frequency phonocardiogram, as an index of left ventricular mechanical performance. Dynamic exercise caused significant increases in heart rate and S1 amplitude which were largely inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade. Isometric exercise also produced increases in heart rate and blood pressure, but a decrease in S1 amplitude. Propranolol had no significant effect on the cardiovascular response to isometric exercise. These results confirm previous suggestions that, in contrast to dynamic exercise, the normal cardiovascular responses to isometric exercise are relatively independent of the beta-adrenergic nervous system. Possible reasons why the improvement in left ventricular performance, which has previously been shown to occur during isometric handgrip, was not reflected in the phonocardiogram, are also discussed.", "contents": "The effects of exercise on the amplitude of the first heart sound in normal subjects. The cardiovascular responses to isometric and dynamic exercise have been studied in six normal subjects, before and after intravenous propranolol, using the amplitude of the first heart sound (S1), measured from an ultra-low frequency phonocardiogram, as an index of left ventricular mechanical performance. Dynamic exercise caused significant increases in heart rate and S1 amplitude which were largely inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade. Isometric exercise also produced increases in heart rate and blood pressure, but a decrease in S1 amplitude. Propranolol had no significant effect on the cardiovascular response to isometric exercise. These results confirm previous suggestions that, in contrast to dynamic exercise, the normal cardiovascular responses to isometric exercise are relatively independent of the beta-adrenergic nervous system. Possible reasons why the improvement in left ventricular performance, which has previously been shown to occur during isometric handgrip, was not reflected in the phonocardiogram, are also discussed.", "PMID": 619588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3157", "title": "A possible role of noradrenaline in the development of myocardial infarction: an experimental study in the isolated rat heart.", "content": "Isolated rat hearts were perfused with buffer containing noradrenaline 10(-7) to 10(-4) M. A dose-dependent depletion of glycogen and ATP were seen together with a leakage of ASAT and creatine phosphokinase (CK). The damage induced by noradrenaline could be prevented by addition of a beta-blocker (metoprolol), verapamil, or lidocaine to the perfusion medium. When the endogenous myocardial stores of noradrenaline are rapidly depleted by perfusion with tyramine a similar cell damage was demonstrated. Electron micrographs from hearts subjected to noradrenaline showed three different types of cell damage that could be correlated to earlier described findings. The importance of noradrenaline for the ischemic injury was demonstrated. It was hypothesized that acute myocardial infarction may start because of a sudden release of endogenous noradrenaline.", "contents": "A possible role of noradrenaline in the development of myocardial infarction: an experimental study in the isolated rat heart. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with buffer containing noradrenaline 10(-7) to 10(-4) M. A dose-dependent depletion of glycogen and ATP were seen together with a leakage of ASAT and creatine phosphokinase (CK). The damage induced by noradrenaline could be prevented by addition of a beta-blocker (metoprolol), verapamil, or lidocaine to the perfusion medium. When the endogenous myocardial stores of noradrenaline are rapidly depleted by perfusion with tyramine a similar cell damage was demonstrated. Electron micrographs from hearts subjected to noradrenaline showed three different types of cell damage that could be correlated to earlier described findings. The importance of noradrenaline for the ischemic injury was demonstrated. It was hypothesized that acute myocardial infarction may start because of a sudden release of endogenous noradrenaline.", "PMID": 619589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3158", "title": "Detection of myoglobin by radioimmmunoassay in human sera: its usefulness and limitations as an emergency room screening test for acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "The results indicate that serum myoglobin determinations may be obtained by radioimmunoassay utilizing time periods for the testing which allow more useful clinical evaluation of patients. The data also demonstrate, however, that there are important temporal considerations in using serum myoglobin levels for the detection of acute myocardial infarcts and, if this test is used to determine in the Emergency Room whether patients have had acute myocardial infarcts, these limitations will have to be kept in mind. In addition, three other patient subgroups that might be expected to have elevated serum myoglobin levels by radioimmunoassay have been determined. These include patients with shock (irrespective of etiology), patients with severe renal insufficiency, i.e., those with serum creatinine levels equal to or greater than 8 mg. per cent, and possibly patients who have been on alcohol binges immediately prior to being seen in the Emergency Room.", "contents": "Detection of myoglobin by radioimmmunoassay in human sera: its usefulness and limitations as an emergency room screening test for acute myocardial infarction. The results indicate that serum myoglobin determinations may be obtained by radioimmunoassay utilizing time periods for the testing which allow more useful clinical evaluation of patients. The data also demonstrate, however, that there are important temporal considerations in using serum myoglobin levels for the detection of acute myocardial infarcts and, if this test is used to determine in the Emergency Room whether patients have had acute myocardial infarcts, these limitations will have to be kept in mind. In addition, three other patient subgroups that might be expected to have elevated serum myoglobin levels by radioimmunoassay have been determined. These include patients with shock (irrespective of etiology), patients with severe renal insufficiency, i.e., those with serum creatinine levels equal to or greater than 8 mg. per cent, and possibly patients who have been on alcohol binges immediately prior to being seen in the Emergency Room.", "PMID": 619592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3159", "title": "Effect of saralasin upon plasma catecholamines in hypertensive patients.", "content": "The effect of saralasin, a clinically employed angiotensin antagonist, upon hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine concentration was compared to the infusion of noradrenaline. These studies were carried out to determine if a transient pressor effect frequently observed during saralasin infusion might be mediated by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. After five minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure rose significantly, pulse rate fell slightly, and plasma noradrenaline increased by 115 +/- 28 pg./ml. Plasma adrenaline was unchanged. After 30 minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure was at control levels and plasma catecholamine concentrations were also no different from pre-infusion levels. Infusion of noradrenaline produced a hemodynamic pattern similar to that observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. However, there was a thirteen-fold increase of plasma noradrenaline observed when compared to the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. It was concluded that the transient pressor action of saralasin could not be explained by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. However, the very slight increase in plasma norepinephrine observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion may imply altered function of sympathetic neurons.", "contents": "Effect of saralasin upon plasma catecholamines in hypertensive patients. The effect of saralasin, a clinically employed angiotensin antagonist, upon hemodynamics and plasma catecholamine concentration was compared to the infusion of noradrenaline. These studies were carried out to determine if a transient pressor effect frequently observed during saralasin infusion might be mediated by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. After five minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure rose significantly, pulse rate fell slightly, and plasma noradrenaline increased by 115 +/- 28 pg./ml. Plasma adrenaline was unchanged. After 30 minutes of saralasin infusion, mean arterial pressure was at control levels and plasma catecholamine concentrations were also no different from pre-infusion levels. Infusion of noradrenaline produced a hemodynamic pattern similar to that observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. However, there was a thirteen-fold increase of plasma noradrenaline observed when compared to the first five minutes of saralasin infusion. It was concluded that the transient pressor action of saralasin could not be explained by release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla. However, the very slight increase in plasma norepinephrine observed during the first five minutes of saralasin infusion may imply altered function of sympathetic neurons.", "PMID": 619593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3160", "title": "Relationship between myocardial infarction and preinfarction angina: a histopathological study of coronary arteries in two sudden death cases employing serial section.", "content": "Two patients who had previously experienced old myocardial infarction and who died suddenly after an attack of chest pain were examined and discussed. In both cases two of the three main coronary arteries showed severe stenosis with canalization. Ruptured atheromatous plaque was found in the unblocked coronary artery. Fibrin was already formed and surrounded the fractured intimal collagen fiber, foam cells, and cholesterin clefts, but a luminal thrombi had not yet been formed. Fresh occluding thrombi were formed at the site of the ruptured atheromatous plaque. Coronary thrombi containing abscess components such as foam cells, cholesterin clefts, and the fractured intimal collagen fiber were found in our preliminary study. These views support the supposition that this fracture between the lumen and the plaque might precede and be responsible for the formation of the thrombus and the onset of acute myocardial infarction. It was confirmed that the attack of preinfarction angina occurred at the time of the rupture of the atheromatous plaque. The rupture of the atheromatous plaque plays an important part as an initiating factor of peinfarction angina and myocardial infarction. Thus, it is necessary to examine coronary arteries by serial histopathological section method.", "contents": "Relationship between myocardial infarction and preinfarction angina: a histopathological study of coronary arteries in two sudden death cases employing serial section. Two patients who had previously experienced old myocardial infarction and who died suddenly after an attack of chest pain were examined and discussed. In both cases two of the three main coronary arteries showed severe stenosis with canalization. Ruptured atheromatous plaque was found in the unblocked coronary artery. Fibrin was already formed and surrounded the fractured intimal collagen fiber, foam cells, and cholesterin clefts, but a luminal thrombi had not yet been formed. Fresh occluding thrombi were formed at the site of the ruptured atheromatous plaque. Coronary thrombi containing abscess components such as foam cells, cholesterin clefts, and the fractured intimal collagen fiber were found in our preliminary study. These views support the supposition that this fracture between the lumen and the plaque might precede and be responsible for the formation of the thrombus and the onset of acute myocardial infarction. It was confirmed that the attack of preinfarction angina occurred at the time of the rupture of the atheromatous plaque. The rupture of the atheromatous plaque plays an important part as an initiating factor of peinfarction angina and myocardial infarction. Thus, it is necessary to examine coronary arteries by serial histopathological section method.", "PMID": 619594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3161", "title": "Food iron absorption in iron deficiency.", "content": "The absorption of food iron in relation to the diet was studied in 10 phlebotomized normal young male subjects during 3 to 5 months. The iron absorption was calculated from the net increase of the hemoglobin mass. There was pronounced individual variation in the mean dietary absorption ranging between 1.9 and 5.0 mg. There was no correlation between the amount of iron absorbed and the amount of iron ingested. There was no apparent influence of a high or a low intake of animal products, cereals, vegetables, tea, or alcohol on the individual absorption values. A negative correlation between the iron absorption and the total amount of fecal dry substance was observed. This might be ascribed to an influence of dietary fibers on the absorption of food iron.", "contents": "Food iron absorption in iron deficiency. The absorption of food iron in relation to the diet was studied in 10 phlebotomized normal young male subjects during 3 to 5 months. The iron absorption was calculated from the net increase of the hemoglobin mass. There was pronounced individual variation in the mean dietary absorption ranging between 1.9 and 5.0 mg. There was no correlation between the amount of iron absorbed and the amount of iron ingested. There was no apparent influence of a high or a low intake of animal products, cereals, vegetables, tea, or alcohol on the individual absorption values. A negative correlation between the iron absorption and the total amount of fecal dry substance was observed. This might be ascribed to an influence of dietary fibers on the absorption of food iron.", "PMID": 619597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3162", "title": "Altered taste thresholds in lung cancer.", "content": "Taste threshold levels for the four basic taste modalities were determined in 30 male lung cancer subjects and 30 male control subjects who had no history of malignant disease. Lung cancer patients demonstrated significant alteration in taste recognition for sour but not for bitter, sweet, or salt. There were, however, quantitative differences between cancer patients and control subjects in recognition thresholds for the sweet taste modality. Some of the lung cancer subjects had demonstrated greater sensitivity to the taste of bitter than the control subjects and others were less sensitive. These alterations may account in part for the reduction of intake and for the aviodance of certain food items by lung cancer subjects. Dietary histories should be taken on all cancer patients in order to individualize dietary management, thereby improving the nutritional intake.", "contents": "Altered taste thresholds in lung cancer. Taste threshold levels for the four basic taste modalities were determined in 30 male lung cancer subjects and 30 male control subjects who had no history of malignant disease. Lung cancer patients demonstrated significant alteration in taste recognition for sour but not for bitter, sweet, or salt. There were, however, quantitative differences between cancer patients and control subjects in recognition thresholds for the sweet taste modality. Some of the lung cancer subjects had demonstrated greater sensitivity to the taste of bitter than the control subjects and others were less sensitive. These alterations may account in part for the reduction of intake and for the aviodance of certain food items by lung cancer subjects. Dietary histories should be taken on all cancer patients in order to individualize dietary management, thereby improving the nutritional intake.", "PMID": 619598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3163", "title": "Estimation of available dietary iron.", "content": "Dietary iron requirements are dependent on the amount and availability of food iron ingested. On the basis of recent studies of food iron absorption employing extrinsic tag techniques, the availability of heme iron has been defined and estimates of the availability of nonheme iron based on the amounts of enhancing substances appear possible. A model has been developed whereby the availability of iron in a given meal may be estimated. Calculations are made on a meal basis of 1) the amount of heme iron and its availability, and 2) the amount of nonheme iron and its availability as influenced by the meal's content of enhancing factors. Examples of these calculations are provided.", "contents": "Estimation of available dietary iron. Dietary iron requirements are dependent on the amount and availability of food iron ingested. On the basis of recent studies of food iron absorption employing extrinsic tag techniques, the availability of heme iron has been defined and estimates of the availability of nonheme iron based on the amounts of enhancing substances appear possible. A model has been developed whereby the availability of iron in a given meal may be estimated. Calculations are made on a meal basis of 1) the amount of heme iron and its availability, and 2) the amount of nonheme iron and its availability as influenced by the meal's content of enhancing factors. Examples of these calculations are provided.", "PMID": 619599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3164", "title": "Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. I. Social and economic aspects.", "content": "Adequacy of lactation was assessed in Teheran women of low (LSE) and lower-middle (MSE) socioeconomic status in the third month postpartum, as part of a study linking nutrition, hormonal status, and lactation. Methods of assessment of nutritional adequacy are discussed. Characteristics of the socioeconomic groups, infant mortality, food beliefs related to lactation, and supplemental feeding practices are described. Of the LSE mothers 15 to 30% and of the MSE mothers 40 to 55% had a fully adequate milk supply in the third month. Substitutes used and affordable by the LSE were nutritionally inadequate. LSE mothers were traditional in their food beliefs. MSE mothers demonstrate the influence of scientific nutrition knowledge. The low percentage of lactation adequacy even in the MSE indicates that other social or health factors associated with urban living conditions may be just as important as economic and nutritional factors in lactation failure.", "contents": "Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. I. Social and economic aspects. Adequacy of lactation was assessed in Teheran women of low (LSE) and lower-middle (MSE) socioeconomic status in the third month postpartum, as part of a study linking nutrition, hormonal status, and lactation. Methods of assessment of nutritional adequacy are discussed. Characteristics of the socioeconomic groups, infant mortality, food beliefs related to lactation, and supplemental feeding practices are described. Of the LSE mothers 15 to 30% and of the MSE mothers 40 to 55% had a fully adequate milk supply in the third month. Substitutes used and affordable by the LSE were nutritionally inadequate. LSE mothers were traditional in their food beliefs. MSE mothers demonstrate the influence of scientific nutrition knowledge. The low percentage of lactation adequacy even in the MSE indicates that other social or health factors associated with urban living conditions may be just as important as economic and nutritional factors in lactation failure.", "PMID": 619600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3165", "title": "Influence of diet on leg uptake of glucose during heavy exercise.", "content": "Four young men each performed three treadmill walks to exhaustion at 70% of their respective O2 uptake maxima. Each walk followed 3 days consumption of either a normal mixed (M), high fat and protein (F-P), or high carbohydrate (CHO) diet. The fractional use of carbohydrates for energy during the initial 1/2-hr of work was significantly reduced following the F-P diet as compared with the M or CHO diets (P less than 0.005), averaging 38.2% (F-P), 69.9% (M), and 71.9 (CHO). Carbohydrates energy production was negatively correlated with blood levels of both free fatty acids ( r = -0.62, P less than 0.05) and beta-OH-butyrate (r = - 0.79, P less than 0.005). Work time to exhaustion was closely correlated with the fractional usage of carbohydrates for energy (r = 0.86, P less than 0.001). The femoral arteriovenous blood glucose difference was directly related to the pre-work dietary carbohydrate fraction, with the 30-min work means 0.25 mM (F-P), 0.34 mM (M), and 0.52 mM (CHO). Estimation of leg arteriovenous O2 difference indicated that leg uptake of blood-borne glucose provided approximately 23 +/- 10% (F-P), 30 +/- 8% (M), and 46 +/- 13% (CHO) of the legs' aerobic substrate during the first 30 min of work. These results provide further evidence for the shift from noncarbohydrate to carbohydrate energy sources during exercise as the carbohydrate fraction of the diet is elevated.", "contents": "Influence of diet on leg uptake of glucose during heavy exercise. Four young men each performed three treadmill walks to exhaustion at 70% of their respective O2 uptake maxima. Each walk followed 3 days consumption of either a normal mixed (M), high fat and protein (F-P), or high carbohydrate (CHO) diet. The fractional use of carbohydrates for energy during the initial 1/2-hr of work was significantly reduced following the F-P diet as compared with the M or CHO diets (P less than 0.005), averaging 38.2% (F-P), 69.9% (M), and 71.9 (CHO). Carbohydrates energy production was negatively correlated with blood levels of both free fatty acids ( r = -0.62, P less than 0.05) and beta-OH-butyrate (r = - 0.79, P less than 0.005). Work time to exhaustion was closely correlated with the fractional usage of carbohydrates for energy (r = 0.86, P less than 0.001). The femoral arteriovenous blood glucose difference was directly related to the pre-work dietary carbohydrate fraction, with the 30-min work means 0.25 mM (F-P), 0.34 mM (M), and 0.52 mM (CHO). Estimation of leg arteriovenous O2 difference indicated that leg uptake of blood-borne glucose provided approximately 23 +/- 10% (F-P), 30 +/- 8% (M), and 46 +/- 13% (CHO) of the legs' aerobic substrate during the first 30 min of work. These results provide further evidence for the shift from noncarbohydrate to carbohydrate energy sources during exercise as the carbohydrate fraction of the diet is elevated.", "PMID": 619604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3166", "title": "Adipose tissue cellularity in obese school girls before and after dietary treatment.", "content": "Mean fat cell size and adipose tissue cellularity were studied in 18 grossly obese girls and 17 age-matched reference girls. The obese girls had a combined hypertrophic-hyperplastic obesity with increments in fat cell size as well as in fat cell number. High insulin levels were found in the obese girls and the levels correlated with fat cell size. The obese girls had higher serum triglyceride levels than the reference group but the cholesterol levels were similar. After dietary treatment and advice for increased physical activity of the obese group, both groups were re-investigated with respect to adipose tissue cellularity after 1.5 to 1.9 years. Fat cell number was unchanged in the reference group while the obese girls in spite of treatment increased their cell number significantly. The obese girls who were most successfully treated had the lowest increase in fat cell number. The results suggest that treatment of childhood obesity may be of importance for the prevention of obesity later in life.", "contents": "Adipose tissue cellularity in obese school girls before and after dietary treatment. Mean fat cell size and adipose tissue cellularity were studied in 18 grossly obese girls and 17 age-matched reference girls. The obese girls had a combined hypertrophic-hyperplastic obesity with increments in fat cell size as well as in fat cell number. High insulin levels were found in the obese girls and the levels correlated with fat cell size. The obese girls had higher serum triglyceride levels than the reference group but the cholesterol levels were similar. After dietary treatment and advice for increased physical activity of the obese group, both groups were re-investigated with respect to adipose tissue cellularity after 1.5 to 1.9 years. Fat cell number was unchanged in the reference group while the obese girls in spite of treatment increased their cell number significantly. The obese girls who were most successfully treated had the lowest increase in fat cell number. The results suggest that treatment of childhood obesity may be of importance for the prevention of obesity later in life.", "PMID": 619605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3167", "title": "The physical and neuromotor development of progeny of female rats fed graded levels of pyridoxine during lactation.", "content": "Female rats were maintained throughout gestation on a control diet containing 400% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation for pyridoxine and transferred to purified diets containing 400, 100, 75, 50, 25, or 0% of the NRC recommendations for B6 during lactation. Physical development of the offspring was assessed by measuring body weight and the occurrence of physical features, for example: eye opening, eruption of incisors, and growth of the hair to obscure the genitalia. Development of reflex reactions, neuromotor skills and coordination were also observed. Grooming was assessed as a measure of spontaneous activity. Retardation of growth, delay in the onset of reflexes such as palmar grasp, vibrissa placing, visual placing, and audicular startle, and a delay in the onset of advanced neuromotor coordination such as standing and grooming were observed in the pups of pyridoxine-restricted dams. Even progeny of dams, receiving 100% of the NRC recommendations of B6 during lactation exhibited inferior performance of skills requiring advanced neuromotor coordination such as standing, either supported or alone. These animals had weight gains comparable to neonates of maternal animals receiving 400% of the NRC recommendations for pyridoxine. The importance of factors other than growth in the assessment of nutritional requirements is demonstrated.", "contents": "The physical and neuromotor development of progeny of female rats fed graded levels of pyridoxine during lactation. Female rats were maintained throughout gestation on a control diet containing 400% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation for pyridoxine and transferred to purified diets containing 400, 100, 75, 50, 25, or 0% of the NRC recommendations for B6 during lactation. Physical development of the offspring was assessed by measuring body weight and the occurrence of physical features, for example: eye opening, eruption of incisors, and growth of the hair to obscure the genitalia. Development of reflex reactions, neuromotor skills and coordination were also observed. Grooming was assessed as a measure of spontaneous activity. Retardation of growth, delay in the onset of reflexes such as palmar grasp, vibrissa placing, visual placing, and audicular startle, and a delay in the onset of advanced neuromotor coordination such as standing and grooming were observed in the pups of pyridoxine-restricted dams. Even progeny of dams, receiving 100% of the NRC recommendations of B6 during lactation exhibited inferior performance of skills requiring advanced neuromotor coordination such as standing, either supported or alone. These animals had weight gains comparable to neonates of maternal animals receiving 400% of the NRC recommendations for pyridoxine. The importance of factors other than growth in the assessment of nutritional requirements is demonstrated.", "PMID": 619606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3168", "title": "Effect of diphenylhydantoin on the bioavailability of citrus folate.", "content": "Long term use of the drug diphenylhydantoin (DPH) has been associated with biochemical evidence of folic acid deficiency and rarely with megaloblastic anemia. The mechanism of this nutritional deficiency is uncertain but is thought to result from DPH-induced alteration in the intestinal absorption of conjugated and/or free dietary folate. The effect of DPH on the intestinal absorption of free folates from a food source has heretofore not been reported. In this study triple lumen tube perfusion of the human jejunum was used to quantitate folate absorption from a control solution of orange juice and from an identical solution containing DPH. The results in eleven volunteers serving as their own controls indicate no effectof DPH at a concentration of 20 microgram/ml on folate absorption from this food source. The predominant form of folate in orange juice as determined by differential microbiologic assay is N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate. DPH does not appear to interfere with the absorption of free food folate which is both methylated and reduced.", "contents": "Effect of diphenylhydantoin on the bioavailability of citrus folate. Long term use of the drug diphenylhydantoin (DPH) has been associated with biochemical evidence of folic acid deficiency and rarely with megaloblastic anemia. The mechanism of this nutritional deficiency is uncertain but is thought to result from DPH-induced alteration in the intestinal absorption of conjugated and/or free dietary folate. The effect of DPH on the intestinal absorption of free folates from a food source has heretofore not been reported. In this study triple lumen tube perfusion of the human jejunum was used to quantitate folate absorption from a control solution of orange juice and from an identical solution containing DPH. The results in eleven volunteers serving as their own controls indicate no effectof DPH at a concentration of 20 microgram/ml on folate absorption from this food source. The predominant form of folate in orange juice as determined by differential microbiologic assay is N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate. DPH does not appear to interfere with the absorption of free food folate which is both methylated and reduced.", "PMID": 619607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3169", "title": "Rehabilitating effect of vitamin E therapy on the ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscles of vitamin E-deficient rabbits.", "content": "Ultrastructural repair of the morphological damages produced in nutritional muscular dystrophy was studied by refeeding dystrophic rabbits with vitamin E. Weanling (1.2 kg body weight) rabbits were fed a vitamin E-deficient diet for 24 days. Half of this group was then sacrificed and the remainder was given an initial oral dose of 50 mg of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate and a vitamin E supplemented diet for 28 days. Control animals were fed a vitamin E supplemented diet with 50 mg of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate per kilogram of diet. Abnormalities of dystrophic muscles included streaming Z-disk, degenerated mitochondria, fragmented sacroplasmic reticulum and development and aggregation of myelin figures. The effect of vitamin E therapy resulted in significant repair of the dystrophic muscle. Small localized sections of rehabilitated muscle revealed abnormal mitochondria and residual myelin figures.", "contents": "Rehabilitating effect of vitamin E therapy on the ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscles of vitamin E-deficient rabbits. Ultrastructural repair of the morphological damages produced in nutritional muscular dystrophy was studied by refeeding dystrophic rabbits with vitamin E. Weanling (1.2 kg body weight) rabbits were fed a vitamin E-deficient diet for 24 days. Half of this group was then sacrificed and the remainder was given an initial oral dose of 50 mg of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate and a vitamin E supplemented diet for 28 days. Control animals were fed a vitamin E supplemented diet with 50 mg of DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate per kilogram of diet. Abnormalities of dystrophic muscles included streaming Z-disk, degenerated mitochondria, fragmented sacroplasmic reticulum and development and aggregation of myelin figures. The effect of vitamin E therapy resulted in significant repair of the dystrophic muscle. Small localized sections of rehabilitated muscle revealed abnormal mitochondria and residual myelin figures.", "PMID": 619609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3170", "title": "Percentile estimates of reference values for fourteen chemical constituents in sera of children and adolescents.", "content": "The concentrations of 14 chemical constituents in sera of 1,062 children and adolescents aged 4 to 20 years were measured and their 5th and 95th percentiles were calculated. The distribution of values for all constituents showed significant deviation from the gaussian when the results were combined, regardless of age and sex, except for magnesium. Although certain chemical constituents showed statistically significant relationships with age and sex, two additional criteria based upon the coefficient of variation of the method employed were utilized to judge the effectiveness of computing stratified reference values. After applying these corrections the reference values established were classified into three categories, viz. (1) those where the relationship to age and sex remained significant (inorganic phosphorus and creatinine); (2) those where the relationship to age only remained significant (total protein); (3) those where no significant relationship to age and sex was obtained (all other constituents).", "contents": "Percentile estimates of reference values for fourteen chemical constituents in sera of children and adolescents. The concentrations of 14 chemical constituents in sera of 1,062 children and adolescents aged 4 to 20 years were measured and their 5th and 95th percentiles were calculated. The distribution of values for all constituents showed significant deviation from the gaussian when the results were combined, regardless of age and sex, except for magnesium. Although certain chemical constituents showed statistically significant relationships with age and sex, two additional criteria based upon the coefficient of variation of the method employed were utilized to judge the effectiveness of computing stratified reference values. After applying these corrections the reference values established were classified into three categories, viz. (1) those where the relationship to age and sex remained significant (inorganic phosphorus and creatinine); (2) those where the relationship to age only remained significant (total protein); (3) those where no significant relationship to age and sex was obtained (all other constituents).", "PMID": 619611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3171", "title": "The predictive value of clinical laboratory test results.", "content": "Bayes' formula is being used with increasing frequency to calculate predictive values for positive and negative clinical laboratory test results. Because of its nonlinear form, however, it is difficult to visualize how changes in the test characteristics or disease prevalence will effect predictive values. This paper shows that Bayes' formula is transformed to a linear function through the use of odds, rather than probabilities, thus facilitating conceptualization, understanding, and memory.", "contents": "The predictive value of clinical laboratory test results. Bayes' formula is being used with increasing frequency to calculate predictive values for positive and negative clinical laboratory test results. Because of its nonlinear form, however, it is difficult to visualize how changes in the test characteristics or disease prevalence will effect predictive values. This paper shows that Bayes' formula is transformed to a linear function through the use of odds, rather than probabilities, thus facilitating conceptualization, understanding, and memory.", "PMID": 619612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3172", "title": "Enumeration of platelets.", "content": "A correlation of the enumeration of platelets in peripheral smears with platelet counts performed by a direct method is presented. A ratio of 1 platelet per oil-immersion field for every 21,000 platelets of the chamber count indicates the normal average range of platelets to be approximately 7--21 per oil-immersion field.", "contents": "Enumeration of platelets. A correlation of the enumeration of platelets in peripheral smears with platelet counts performed by a direct method is presented. A ratio of 1 platelet per oil-immersion field for every 21,000 platelets of the chamber count indicates the normal average range of platelets to be approximately 7--21 per oil-immersion field.", "PMID": 619613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3173", "title": "Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath and pigmented villonodular synovitis: an ultrastructural study.", "content": "The ultrastructures of five examples of giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath and one example of pigmented villonodular synovitis were studied. The giant cell tumors were composed mostly of A and B types of synovial cells. Also present were fibroblastic cells with intracytoplasmic filaments with densities (myofibroblasts) as well as \"monocytic\" and \"lymphocytic\" cells. The giant cells seemingly were derived from the fusion of synovial cells of A type, whereas foam cells were derived from both A and B cells. Both the giant cell tumors and the pigmented synovitis are considered to be reactive and borderline proliferative lesions of the synovial cells.", "contents": "Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath and pigmented villonodular synovitis: an ultrastructural study. The ultrastructures of five examples of giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath and one example of pigmented villonodular synovitis were studied. The giant cell tumors were composed mostly of A and B types of synovial cells. Also present were fibroblastic cells with intracytoplasmic filaments with densities (myofibroblasts) as well as \"monocytic\" and \"lymphocytic\" cells. The giant cells seemingly were derived from the fusion of synovial cells of A type, whereas foam cells were derived from both A and B cells. Both the giant cell tumors and the pigmented synovitis are considered to be reactive and borderline proliferative lesions of the synovial cells.", "PMID": 619614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3174", "title": "A multi-station gravity delivery system.", "content": "In May 1974, New York University Hospital began testing an experimental system using gravity for the slow-speed transport of laboratory specimens. This experiment demonstrated that the system was safe and easy to use. Consequently, in February 1975, a second station was installed adjacent to the intensive care unit to serve as a pilot for a multi-station system. The pilot was 42 m high. All routine laboratory specimens, except 24-hour urines, were transported inside closed transparent cylinders that descend at velocities between 50 and 100 cm/sec. Between April and October 1975, about 2,000 deliveries were made monthly, and each often carried only one or two tubes of blood or urine. At times, however, as many as 15 blood tubes or two body-fluid containers were handled. The overall operating reliability was greater than 98%. The mechanical performance of the new equipment was excellent. Novel design features guaranteed users at both stations immediate access for dispatching containers. Instrumentation was designed to detect all problems rapidly and to correct some automatically. In October 1975, New York University Hospital approved installation of a permanent slow-speed transport system to serve all patient-care areas.", "contents": "A multi-station gravity delivery system. In May 1974, New York University Hospital began testing an experimental system using gravity for the slow-speed transport of laboratory specimens. This experiment demonstrated that the system was safe and easy to use. Consequently, in February 1975, a second station was installed adjacent to the intensive care unit to serve as a pilot for a multi-station system. The pilot was 42 m high. All routine laboratory specimens, except 24-hour urines, were transported inside closed transparent cylinders that descend at velocities between 50 and 100 cm/sec. Between April and October 1975, about 2,000 deliveries were made monthly, and each often carried only one or two tubes of blood or urine. At times, however, as many as 15 blood tubes or two body-fluid containers were handled. The overall operating reliability was greater than 98%. The mechanical performance of the new equipment was excellent. Novel design features guaranteed users at both stations immediate access for dispatching containers. Instrumentation was designed to detect all problems rapidly and to correct some automatically. In October 1975, New York University Hospital approved installation of a permanent slow-speed transport system to serve all patient-care areas.", "PMID": 619615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3175", "title": "Enteritis cystica profunda.", "content": "In addition to hamartomatous polyps of the small intestine, a patient with Peutz-Jeghers disease had gross and microscopic lesions of the ileum that were analogous to colitis cystica profunda in the large intestine and rectum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case in an adult to be reported. They suggest the designation, \"enteritis cystica profunda.\" The histology of the lesions and their association with a disease known to produce hamartomatous lesions lend support to the proposition that some cases of colitis cystica are also hamartamatous. It is also believed that some reported cases of small-intestinal adenocarcinoma in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are in reality examples of the benign process of enteritis cystica profunda.", "contents": "Enteritis cystica profunda. In addition to hamartomatous polyps of the small intestine, a patient with Peutz-Jeghers disease had gross and microscopic lesions of the ileum that were analogous to colitis cystica profunda in the large intestine and rectum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case in an adult to be reported. They suggest the designation, \"enteritis cystica profunda.\" The histology of the lesions and their association with a disease known to produce hamartomatous lesions lend support to the proposition that some cases of colitis cystica are also hamartamatous. It is also believed that some reported cases of small-intestinal adenocarcinoma in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are in reality examples of the benign process of enteritis cystica profunda.", "PMID": 619616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3176", "title": "Multicentric giant lymph node hyperplasia.", "content": "A patient with retroperitoneal and axillary lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly was demonstrated histologically to have the hyaline vascular type of giant lymph node hyperplasia, with plasma cell infiltrates in each region. The abdominal lesions were not surgically resectable and did not respond to radiotherapy. The clinical findings included polyclonal gammopathy, high cold agglutinin titers, neuropathy, and bilateral papilledema. All of these abnormalities have persisted three years since the initial diagnosis.", "contents": "Multicentric giant lymph node hyperplasia. A patient with retroperitoneal and axillary lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly was demonstrated histologically to have the hyaline vascular type of giant lymph node hyperplasia, with plasma cell infiltrates in each region. The abdominal lesions were not surgically resectable and did not respond to radiotherapy. The clinical findings included polyclonal gammopathy, high cold agglutinin titers, neuropathy, and bilateral papilledema. All of these abnormalities have persisted three years since the initial diagnosis.", "PMID": 619617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3177", "title": "Effects of magnesium deficiency on duodenal and ileal magnesium absorption and secretion.", "content": "Intestinal adaptation by the growing rat to a low-magnesium diet was studied by in situ perfusion of duodenum and ileum in vivo. Rats were fed diets containing either 0.066 or 0.022% Mg for 3 weeks. Magnesium-restricted rats became hypomagnesemic and hypercalcemic. Net magnesium secretion was studied by perfusing an initially magnesium-free saline solution; secretion was higher in duodenum than in ileum, and decreased significantly in the duodenum in response to magnesium restriction. Net magnesium adsorption studied by intraluminal perfusion of 2.5 mM magnesium in saline was greater in duodenum than ileum in rats taking a low-magnesium diet, but duodenal and ileal absorption did not differ in animals taking the normal magnesium diet. Absorption did not adapt significantly to magnesium restriction in either segment. Adaptation of small-intestinal magnesium transport to a low magnesium diet is minimal, consisting mainly of reduced duodenal magnesium secretion.", "contents": "Effects of magnesium deficiency on duodenal and ileal magnesium absorption and secretion. Intestinal adaptation by the growing rat to a low-magnesium diet was studied by in situ perfusion of duodenum and ileum in vivo. Rats were fed diets containing either 0.066 or 0.022% Mg for 3 weeks. Magnesium-restricted rats became hypomagnesemic and hypercalcemic. Net magnesium secretion was studied by perfusing an initially magnesium-free saline solution; secretion was higher in duodenum than in ileum, and decreased significantly in the duodenum in response to magnesium restriction. Net magnesium adsorption studied by intraluminal perfusion of 2.5 mM magnesium in saline was greater in duodenum than ileum in rats taking a low-magnesium diet, but duodenal and ileal absorption did not differ in animals taking the normal magnesium diet. Absorption did not adapt significantly to magnesium restriction in either segment. Adaptation of small-intestinal magnesium transport to a low magnesium diet is minimal, consisting mainly of reduced duodenal magnesium secretion.", "PMID": 619620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3178", "title": "Characterization and effect of phospholipid on bile acid absorption by villi isolated from hamster small intestine.", "content": "The effects of phospholipid on absorption of bile acids by hamster small intestine were studied to determine if this compound inhibits absorption of bile acids. Absorption of taurocholic and cholic acids was studied using a new in vitro technique that relates uptake rates to the weight of the villi present on the intestinal sample rather than to the weight of the entire segment of intestine used for the study. This procedure removes from consideration various components of the intestinal wall that are not directly involved with the absorptive process. Using radioactive techniques absorption of each type of bile acid was determined over a broad range of concentrations both in the presence and absence of phospholipid in the incubation medium. Absorption of taurocholic acid by villi from jejunum was determined to be a passive process, as previously reported by others. Villi from ileum absorbed both bile acids by an apparent active process when initial concentrations of bile acids were below 2.0 mM. Above this concentration bile acid absorption by the ileum appeared to be mainly passive. Phospholipid was found to inhibit bile acid absorption by ileum when initial bile acid concentrations were moderately high. However, at low substrate concentration, phospholipid has no appreciable effect on bile acid transport.", "contents": "Characterization and effect of phospholipid on bile acid absorption by villi isolated from hamster small intestine. The effects of phospholipid on absorption of bile acids by hamster small intestine were studied to determine if this compound inhibits absorption of bile acids. Absorption of taurocholic and cholic acids was studied using a new in vitro technique that relates uptake rates to the weight of the villi present on the intestinal sample rather than to the weight of the entire segment of intestine used for the study. This procedure removes from consideration various components of the intestinal wall that are not directly involved with the absorptive process. Using radioactive techniques absorption of each type of bile acid was determined over a broad range of concentrations both in the presence and absence of phospholipid in the incubation medium. Absorption of taurocholic acid by villi from jejunum was determined to be a passive process, as previously reported by others. Villi from ileum absorbed both bile acids by an apparent active process when initial concentrations of bile acids were below 2.0 mM. Above this concentration bile acid absorption by the ileum appeared to be mainly passive. Phospholipid was found to inhibit bile acid absorption by ileum when initial bile acid concentrations were moderately high. However, at low substrate concentration, phospholipid has no appreciable effect on bile acid transport.", "PMID": 619621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3179", "title": "Selectivity of small intestinal exudate in celiac disease and Crohn's disease.", "content": "The small intestinal exudates of patients with protein-losing enteropathies produced by celiac disease or proximal jejunal Crohn's disease were compared with controls. The exudates in control subjects were highly selective, whereas those of the celiac and Crohn's disease subjects were relatively nonselective. It is believed that this loss of selectivity is secondary to basement membrane damage. An analogy is drawn with the renal lesion in nephrotic syndrome where basement membrane damage is associated with nonselective proteinuria.", "contents": "Selectivity of small intestinal exudate in celiac disease and Crohn's disease. The small intestinal exudates of patients with protein-losing enteropathies produced by celiac disease or proximal jejunal Crohn's disease were compared with controls. The exudates in control subjects were highly selective, whereas those of the celiac and Crohn's disease subjects were relatively nonselective. It is believed that this loss of selectivity is secondary to basement membrane damage. An analogy is drawn with the renal lesion in nephrotic syndrome where basement membrane damage is associated with nonselective proteinuria.", "PMID": 619623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3180", "title": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in nonamebic liver abscesses.", "content": "Two cases of liver abscess are reported in whom the diagnosis was suggested by a combination of liver scanning, ultrasonography, arteriography, and liver biopsy. The diagnosis was confirmed by ERC which showed intrahepatic extravasation of contrast from the biliary tree, a characteristic of liver abscess. The value of ERC in the search for an underlying cause as well as in delineating certain features of the absceses is shown.", "contents": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in nonamebic liver abscesses. Two cases of liver abscess are reported in whom the diagnosis was suggested by a combination of liver scanning, ultrasonography, arteriography, and liver biopsy. The diagnosis was confirmed by ERC which showed intrahepatic extravasation of contrast from the biliary tree, a characteristic of liver abscess. The value of ERC in the search for an underlying cause as well as in delineating certain features of the absceses is shown.", "PMID": 619624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3181", "title": "Effect of various pyloroplasties on fecal fat excretion in dogs and humans.", "content": "Fecal fat excretion has been measured both before and after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in patients with chronic duodenal ulcer, and pyloroplasty alone, in dogs. In 13 patients the mean increase in fecal fat after truncal vagotomy and Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty was 2.34 g/24 hr. After truncal vagotomy and Finney pyloroplasty in 12 patients the increase was similar and was 3.09 g/24 hr. Fecal fat was also measured before and after a 3-cm, a 6-cm Heineke-Mikulicz, and a Finney type of pyloroplasty in dogs. The area resulting from the pyloroplasties was measured. Pyloroplasty by itself resulted in a significant increase in fecal fat but no correlation could be found between the magnitude of the increase and the area that resulted from the pyloroplasties.", "contents": "Effect of various pyloroplasties on fecal fat excretion in dogs and humans. Fecal fat excretion has been measured both before and after truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty in patients with chronic duodenal ulcer, and pyloroplasty alone, in dogs. In 13 patients the mean increase in fecal fat after truncal vagotomy and Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty was 2.34 g/24 hr. After truncal vagotomy and Finney pyloroplasty in 12 patients the increase was similar and was 3.09 g/24 hr. Fecal fat was also measured before and after a 3-cm, a 6-cm Heineke-Mikulicz, and a Finney type of pyloroplasty in dogs. The area resulting from the pyloroplasties was measured. Pyloroplasty by itself resulted in a significant increase in fecal fat but no correlation could be found between the magnitude of the increase and the area that resulted from the pyloroplasties.", "PMID": 619625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3182", "title": "Effects of ethanol on sodium, 3-O-methyl glucose, and L-alanine transport in the jejunum.", "content": "Effects of ethanol on Na+, Cl-, 3-O-methyl glucose (3-O-MG), and L-alanine fluxes were studied in the isolated rattit jejunal mucosa. Ethanol (3% v/v present on both sides of the mucosa) decreased electrical potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc) and inhibited active transport of Na+, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. This concentration also increased the permeability of the mucosa for Cl-, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. Ethanol at 5.4% potentiated the effects on PD, Isc, and the permeability for electrolytes and organic substances. These effects of ethanol could not be fully explained by an osmotic action.", "contents": "Effects of ethanol on sodium, 3-O-methyl glucose, and L-alanine transport in the jejunum. Effects of ethanol on Na+, Cl-, 3-O-methyl glucose (3-O-MG), and L-alanine fluxes were studied in the isolated rattit jejunal mucosa. Ethanol (3% v/v present on both sides of the mucosa) decreased electrical potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc) and inhibited active transport of Na+, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. This concentration also increased the permeability of the mucosa for Cl-, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. Ethanol at 5.4% potentiated the effects on PD, Isc, and the permeability for electrolytes and organic substances. These effects of ethanol could not be fully explained by an osmotic action.", "PMID": 619626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3183", "title": "Quantitation and immunochemical characterization of carcinoembryonic antigen and glucose phosphate isomerase in blood and washings of patients with gastric and colonic diseases.", "content": "Circulating levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) have been measured and compared in 51 subjects with gastric and colonic diseases. Levels were higher in gastric and colonic cancer patients than in normals or patients with other diseases. Elevations of both these markers were most frequent in patients with metastases. Concentrations of CEA and GPI in gastrointestinal washings were also measured. No correlation was found between total protein content and concentrations of CEA or GPI in the washings. Further characterization of the perchloric acid-soluble material from colon washings by gel filtration indicated that the CEA-like substance from colon cancer patients was higher in molecular weight than standard radiolabeled CEA and CEA from normal colon washings. When tested against anti-CEA antiserum and pure CEA from a colonic cancer metastasis, all CEA preparations showed immunological identity in gel-diffusion plates; on immunoelectrophoresis similar mobility was indicative of a similar charge.", "contents": "Quantitation and immunochemical characterization of carcinoembryonic antigen and glucose phosphate isomerase in blood and washings of patients with gastric and colonic diseases. Circulating levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) have been measured and compared in 51 subjects with gastric and colonic diseases. Levels were higher in gastric and colonic cancer patients than in normals or patients with other diseases. Elevations of both these markers were most frequent in patients with metastases. Concentrations of CEA and GPI in gastrointestinal washings were also measured. No correlation was found between total protein content and concentrations of CEA or GPI in the washings. Further characterization of the perchloric acid-soluble material from colon washings by gel filtration indicated that the CEA-like substance from colon cancer patients was higher in molecular weight than standard radiolabeled CEA and CEA from normal colon washings. When tested against anti-CEA antiserum and pure CEA from a colonic cancer metastasis, all CEA preparations showed immunological identity in gel-diffusion plates; on immunoelectrophoresis similar mobility was indicative of a similar charge.", "PMID": 619627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3184", "title": "Time course of pancreatic protein synthesis following feeding.", "content": "It is now well established that hormonal stimulation of the exocrine pancreas by pancreozymin and secretin results in enhanced enzyme secretion and a decrease in total protein synthesis in the early moments following application of the stimulus. The aim of the present study was to establish if the effects previously observed by these secretagogues were physiological. We thus verified the effects of feeding on pancreatic protein synthesis; data show that 45 min after a 15-min meal, protein synthesis is reduced by 18% while increases are observed at 90 and 105 min. These results indicate that the reduction in protein synthesis observed following feeding or hormonal stimulation is a physiological process.", "contents": "Time course of pancreatic protein synthesis following feeding. It is now well established that hormonal stimulation of the exocrine pancreas by pancreozymin and secretin results in enhanced enzyme secretion and a decrease in total protein synthesis in the early moments following application of the stimulus. The aim of the present study was to establish if the effects previously observed by these secretagogues were physiological. We thus verified the effects of feeding on pancreatic protein synthesis; data show that 45 min after a 15-min meal, protein synthesis is reduced by 18% while increases are observed at 90 and 105 min. These results indicate that the reduction in protein synthesis observed following feeding or hormonal stimulation is a physiological process.", "PMID": 619628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3185", "title": "Urinary excretion of dye in dogs infused with BSP or its glutathione conjugate.", "content": "Renal clearance of BSP compounds was investigated in dogs during infusion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) or its glutathione conjugate (BSP-GSH). Conjugated BSP compounds are more readily excreted into urine than unconjugated BSP. Dye clearance into urine was much less than simultaneously measured inulin clearance. This suggests that protein binding of BSP compounds significantly retards the glomerular filtration of the dye. BSP was found to bind more avidly to albumin than BSP-GSH. The ratio of dye clearance to inulin clearance remained relatively constant over a broad range of plasma concentrations of dye. The data support but do not prove glomerular filtration of non-protein-bound dye as the major mechanism accounting of urinary elimination of BSP compounds in the dog.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of dye in dogs infused with BSP or its glutathione conjugate. Renal clearance of BSP compounds was investigated in dogs during infusion of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) or its glutathione conjugate (BSP-GSH). Conjugated BSP compounds are more readily excreted into urine than unconjugated BSP. Dye clearance into urine was much less than simultaneously measured inulin clearance. This suggests that protein binding of BSP compounds significantly retards the glomerular filtration of the dye. BSP was found to bind more avidly to albumin than BSP-GSH. The ratio of dye clearance to inulin clearance remained relatively constant over a broad range of plasma concentrations of dye. The data support but do not prove glomerular filtration of non-protein-bound dye as the major mechanism accounting of urinary elimination of BSP compounds in the dog.", "PMID": 619629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3186", "title": "Biliary lipid excretion in patients with pigment gallstones. A comparison with cholesterol gallstone patients.", "content": "Pigment gallstone patients are believed to have normal biliary lipid excretion. In order to measure this and to better understand cholesterol gallstone formation, the kinetics of biliary lipid excretion were studied in three patients who had been cholecystectomized for pigment gallstones and the results compared to those previously obtained in patients cholecystectomized for cholesterol gallstone. Pigment-stone patients had hyperbolic relationships between cholesterol and phospholipid outputs and bile salt output which were similar to those seen in cholesterol-stone patients. However, pigment-stone patients excreted more cholesterol and phospholipid at high bile salt output but approached those levels more gradually than cholesterol-stone patients. As a result, pigment-stone patients produced bile undersaturated with cholesterol at a lower bile salt output than cholesterol-stone patients, and thus they would be less likely to produce supersaturated bile during low bile salt output such as that occurring during an overnight fast. The data suggest that cholesterol-stone patients, in addition to excreting more cholesterol and less bile salts than normals, have a defect in the rate of lipid output in response to decreasing bile salt output.", "contents": "Biliary lipid excretion in patients with pigment gallstones. A comparison with cholesterol gallstone patients. Pigment gallstone patients are believed to have normal biliary lipid excretion. In order to measure this and to better understand cholesterol gallstone formation, the kinetics of biliary lipid excretion were studied in three patients who had been cholecystectomized for pigment gallstones and the results compared to those previously obtained in patients cholecystectomized for cholesterol gallstone. Pigment-stone patients had hyperbolic relationships between cholesterol and phospholipid outputs and bile salt output which were similar to those seen in cholesterol-stone patients. However, pigment-stone patients excreted more cholesterol and phospholipid at high bile salt output but approached those levels more gradually than cholesterol-stone patients. As a result, pigment-stone patients produced bile undersaturated with cholesterol at a lower bile salt output than cholesterol-stone patients, and thus they would be less likely to produce supersaturated bile during low bile salt output such as that occurring during an overnight fast. The data suggest that cholesterol-stone patients, in addition to excreting more cholesterol and less bile salts than normals, have a defect in the rate of lipid output in response to decreasing bile salt output.", "PMID": 619630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3187", "title": "Pancreatic hypersecretion in liver disease.", "content": "Abnormally large duodenal aspirates have been reported in a large percentage of patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The source of this fluid has been variously ascribed to the liver and/or pancreas. The present study was undertaken to clarify its source. Eleven patients with cirrhosis of the liver and one with cholestatic hepatitis underwent an intraductal secretin test during endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic duct. Six patients with cirrhosis had pancreatic hypersecretion ranging from 7.8 to 26.0 ml/min, while three patients demonstrated low secretory flow rates. Bile flow was negligible or nonexistent in ten patients, while in two others, larger but unmeasurable amounts of bile secretion were present. This study conclusively demonstrates that pancreatic hypersecretion may occur in patients with cirrhosis during secretin stimulation. Impaired metabolism of secretin or the associated pancreatic hypersecretion of early pancreatitis may be responsible for this finding.", "contents": "Pancreatic hypersecretion in liver disease. Abnormally large duodenal aspirates have been reported in a large percentage of patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The source of this fluid has been variously ascribed to the liver and/or pancreas. The present study was undertaken to clarify its source. Eleven patients with cirrhosis of the liver and one with cholestatic hepatitis underwent an intraductal secretin test during endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic duct. Six patients with cirrhosis had pancreatic hypersecretion ranging from 7.8 to 26.0 ml/min, while three patients demonstrated low secretory flow rates. Bile flow was negligible or nonexistent in ten patients, while in two others, larger but unmeasurable amounts of bile secretion were present. This study conclusively demonstrates that pancreatic hypersecretion may occur in patients with cirrhosis during secretin stimulation. Impaired metabolism of secretin or the associated pancreatic hypersecretion of early pancreatitis may be responsible for this finding.", "PMID": 619631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3188", "title": "The effect of prostaglandins and other vasoactive substances on uterine blood flow and myometrial activity.", "content": "The effects of prostaglandins (PG's), bradykinin, and adenosine on uterine blood flow (UBF) and intrauterine pressure (IUP) were investigated in conscious oophorectomized ewes. PGE1 and adenosine increased UBF to levels comparable to those induced by estradiol-17beta, whereas PGE2 and PGA1 achieved only 20 and 36 per cent of peak estradiol-induced levels, respectively. PGE1, PGE2, and adenosine all caused transient increases in IUP while PGA1 had no effect on myometrial activity. Bradykinin increased UBF to 60 per cent of peak estradiol-induced levels, with concomitant increases in IUP tonus. PGE2 and PGF2alpha decreased peak estrogen-induced UBF by 50 and 70 per cent, respectively, while inducing related increases in IUP. When compared with oxytocin, the effects of PGE2 at high flow appeared to be mediated only my myometrial activity, whereas PGF2alpha apparently caused vasoconstriction as well. These findings support the concept that PGE1 could play a role in mediating estrogen-induced uterine vasodilatation.", "contents": "The effect of prostaglandins and other vasoactive substances on uterine blood flow and myometrial activity. The effects of prostaglandins (PG's), bradykinin, and adenosine on uterine blood flow (UBF) and intrauterine pressure (IUP) were investigated in conscious oophorectomized ewes. PGE1 and adenosine increased UBF to levels comparable to those induced by estradiol-17beta, whereas PGE2 and PGA1 achieved only 20 and 36 per cent of peak estradiol-induced levels, respectively. PGE1, PGE2, and adenosine all caused transient increases in IUP while PGA1 had no effect on myometrial activity. Bradykinin increased UBF to 60 per cent of peak estradiol-induced levels, with concomitant increases in IUP tonus. PGE2 and PGF2alpha decreased peak estrogen-induced UBF by 50 and 70 per cent, respectively, while inducing related increases in IUP. When compared with oxytocin, the effects of PGE2 at high flow appeared to be mediated only my myometrial activity, whereas PGF2alpha apparently caused vasoconstriction as well. These findings support the concept that PGE1 could play a role in mediating estrogen-induced uterine vasodilatation.", "PMID": 619633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3189", "title": "Missed abortion and uterine contractility.", "content": "In missed abortion myometrial contractility is thought to be suppressed. However, such a simple procedure as sweeping of the fetal membranes by physiologic saline solution was found to provoke abortion within 24 hours in 10 of 12 cases of missed abortion, but not in any of 10 women admitted for therapeutic abortion. Myometrial contractility thus seems not to be diminished in missed abortion.", "contents": "Missed abortion and uterine contractility. In missed abortion myometrial contractility is thought to be suppressed. However, such a simple procedure as sweeping of the fetal membranes by physiologic saline solution was found to provoke abortion within 24 hours in 10 of 12 cases of missed abortion, but not in any of 10 women admitted for therapeutic abortion. Myometrial contractility thus seems not to be diminished in missed abortion.", "PMID": 619644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3190", "title": "Quantitative indices of short- and long-term heart rate variability.", "content": "Two quantitative indices of heart rate variability are proposed. Instantaneous variability is defined as the average of the absolute value of instantaneous rate differences over a 30 second interval. It is sensitive to short-term variability changes. Bandwidth variability is defined as twice the standard deviation of instantaneous heart rates over a 30 second interval, and it is a measure of long-term variability. The rationale for the choice of these indices is discussed, and they are compared with other published indices of variability. Samples of computer printout of instantaneous and bandwidth variability obtained from fetal heart rate records are given.", "contents": "Quantitative indices of short- and long-term heart rate variability. Two quantitative indices of heart rate variability are proposed. Instantaneous variability is defined as the average of the absolute value of instantaneous rate differences over a 30 second interval. It is sensitive to short-term variability changes. Bandwidth variability is defined as twice the standard deviation of instantaneous heart rates over a 30 second interval, and it is a measure of long-term variability. The rationale for the choice of these indices is discussed, and they are compared with other published indices of variability. Samples of computer printout of instantaneous and bandwidth variability obtained from fetal heart rate records are given.", "PMID": 619645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3191", "title": "Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid and its value for the prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women.", "content": "In 101 diabetic pregnant women (Classes A through D) 146 determinations of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio were carried out. Gestational ages were verified by serial fetal cephalometry. No L/S ratios of more than 2.0 were found before 34-1/2 weeks' gestation; however, in 42 per cent of patients the L/S ratio was below 2.0 at 36 weeks' gestation or later. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was found in 16 neonates of women with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher; however, RDS incidence varied depending on the mode of delivery. Abdominal delivery was performed before 37 weeks' gestation in 19 patients with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher and resulted in neonates with RDS in 41 per cent of cases. Vaginal delivery was accomplished below 37 weeks' gestation in 10 patients with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher and no subsequent neonatal RDS was observed. After 37 weeks' gestation neonatal RDS is rare, irrespective of mode of delivery. The data presented suggest that similar numerical values of the L/S ratio at different gestational ages have a different predictive value for the occurrence of neonatal RDS.", "contents": "Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid and its value for the prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women. In 101 diabetic pregnant women (Classes A through D) 146 determinations of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio were carried out. Gestational ages were verified by serial fetal cephalometry. No L/S ratios of more than 2.0 were found before 34-1/2 weeks' gestation; however, in 42 per cent of patients the L/S ratio was below 2.0 at 36 weeks' gestation or later. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was found in 16 neonates of women with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher; however, RDS incidence varied depending on the mode of delivery. Abdominal delivery was performed before 37 weeks' gestation in 19 patients with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher and resulted in neonates with RDS in 41 per cent of cases. Vaginal delivery was accomplished below 37 weeks' gestation in 10 patients with L/S ratios of 2.0 or higher and no subsequent neonatal RDS was observed. After 37 weeks' gestation neonatal RDS is rare, irrespective of mode of delivery. The data presented suggest that similar numerical values of the L/S ratio at different gestational ages have a different predictive value for the occurrence of neonatal RDS.", "PMID": 619646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3192", "title": "Antigonadotropin (danazol) in the treatment of endometriosis. Evaluation of posttreatment fertility and three-year follow-up data.", "content": "Ninety-nine women who completed danazol treatment for endometriosis proved by operation were re-evaluated clinically an average of 37 months later. The recurrence of symptoms was reported by 39 per cent and pelvic findings suggestive of endometriosis were noted in 33 per cent. An average time interval between the end of treatment and the recurrence was 15 months for the entire group. However, 31 women who conceived subsequent to treatment had a much lower recurrence rate of the disease (15 per cent) and a much longer average time until the recurrence (31 months). Of 84 infertile women who desired pregnancy after treatment, 39 conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 46.4 per cent. However, when patients with absolute sterility due to other causes were excluded, the corrected pregnancy rate was 72.2 per cent. The majority of conceptions (23) occurred within the first six months after discontinuation of danazol and a total of 30 occurred within the first year. Four second- and third-trimester intrauterine fetal deaths were observed among women who conceived within the first three cycles after discontinuation of the drug.", "contents": "Antigonadotropin (danazol) in the treatment of endometriosis. Evaluation of posttreatment fertility and three-year follow-up data. Ninety-nine women who completed danazol treatment for endometriosis proved by operation were re-evaluated clinically an average of 37 months later. The recurrence of symptoms was reported by 39 per cent and pelvic findings suggestive of endometriosis were noted in 33 per cent. An average time interval between the end of treatment and the recurrence was 15 months for the entire group. However, 31 women who conceived subsequent to treatment had a much lower recurrence rate of the disease (15 per cent) and a much longer average time until the recurrence (31 months). Of 84 infertile women who desired pregnancy after treatment, 39 conceived, for a pregnancy rate of 46.4 per cent. However, when patients with absolute sterility due to other causes were excluded, the corrected pregnancy rate was 72.2 per cent. The majority of conceptions (23) occurred within the first six months after discontinuation of danazol and a total of 30 occurred within the first year. Four second- and third-trimester intrauterine fetal deaths were observed among women who conceived within the first three cycles after discontinuation of the drug.", "PMID": 619647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3193", "title": "Influence of jejunoileal bypass on protein metabolism during pregnancy.", "content": "Management of the pregnant patient who has undergone operation for jejunoileal bypass poses many problems for the attending obstetrician. Several recent studies have broadened our knowledge of this group of patients. Unfortunately, the significance of this form of weight loss upon the developing fetus is at best only poorly understood. In our study, amino acid chromatography was performed at 34 weeks' gestation and at delivery in order to assess the impact of this procedure upon maternal and fetal (cord blood) amino acid concentrations. Results suggest that protein metabolism in the patient who has had intestinal bypass without resulting complications and in her fetus is comparable to that in normal pregnancy. Altered amino acid profiles were observed in one twin gestation and in one patient who continued to lose weight throughout pregnancy. The significance of these observations is discussed with respect to the relationship of protein deprivation to neonatal development.", "contents": "Influence of jejunoileal bypass on protein metabolism during pregnancy. Management of the pregnant patient who has undergone operation for jejunoileal bypass poses many problems for the attending obstetrician. Several recent studies have broadened our knowledge of this group of patients. Unfortunately, the significance of this form of weight loss upon the developing fetus is at best only poorly understood. In our study, amino acid chromatography was performed at 34 weeks' gestation and at delivery in order to assess the impact of this procedure upon maternal and fetal (cord blood) amino acid concentrations. Results suggest that protein metabolism in the patient who has had intestinal bypass without resulting complications and in her fetus is comparable to that in normal pregnancy. Altered amino acid profiles were observed in one twin gestation and in one patient who continued to lose weight throughout pregnancy. The significance of these observations is discussed with respect to the relationship of protein deprivation to neonatal development.", "PMID": 619651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3194", "title": "Surgical management of rectovaginal fistulas and complete perineal tears.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with traumatic rectovaginal fistulas and 27 patients with complete perineal tears underwent secondary operative repair. Primary healing occurred in 50 cases and partial healing in the 51st case. Six patients had previously undergone one to three unsuccessful repairs. The advisability of early repair and the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics and of use of a Martius graft for operative failures are discussed.", "contents": "Surgical management of rectovaginal fistulas and complete perineal tears. Twenty-four patients with traumatic rectovaginal fistulas and 27 patients with complete perineal tears underwent secondary operative repair. Primary healing occurred in 50 cases and partial healing in the 51st case. Six patients had previously undergone one to three unsuccessful repairs. The advisability of early repair and the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics and of use of a Martius graft for operative failures are discussed.", "PMID": 619652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3195", "title": "The forensic laboratory evaluation of evidence in alleged rape.", "content": "Serial vaginal fluid samples were obtained for laboratory analysis in 15 couples after voluntary intercourse. These samples were analyzed to determine the rate of decay of sperm and prostatic acid phosphatase as it pertains to alleged rape. An attempt was made to identify the male partner by laboratory examination of pubic hair combings and for foreign ABO antigens in vaginal fluid. If consideration is given to proper laboratory controls, examination for spermatozoa and prostatic acid phosphatase remains the primary test in alleged rape.", "contents": "The forensic laboratory evaluation of evidence in alleged rape. Serial vaginal fluid samples were obtained for laboratory analysis in 15 couples after voluntary intercourse. These samples were analyzed to determine the rate of decay of sperm and prostatic acid phosphatase as it pertains to alleged rape. An attempt was made to identify the male partner by laboratory examination of pubic hair combings and for foreign ABO antigens in vaginal fluid. If consideration is given to proper laboratory controls, examination for spermatozoa and prostatic acid phosphatase remains the primary test in alleged rape.", "PMID": 619653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3196", "title": "Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and norepinephrine levels during the human menstrual cycle.", "content": "Plasma samples obtained throughout the normal menstrual cycles of six women were analyzed for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH), norepinephrine (NE), follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. Neither DBH activity nor NE concentrations paralleled changes in plasma gonadotropins and prolactin. No consistent pattern of either plasma DBH activity or NE concentrations during the normal menstrual cycle was noted. Thus, an association between peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity and the midcycle surge in plasma gonadotropins reported by others was not reproducible in our study of normally menstruating women.", "contents": "Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and norepinephrine levels during the human menstrual cycle. Plasma samples obtained throughout the normal menstrual cycles of six women were analyzed for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH), norepinephrine (NE), follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. Neither DBH activity nor NE concentrations paralleled changes in plasma gonadotropins and prolactin. No consistent pattern of either plasma DBH activity or NE concentrations during the normal menstrual cycle was noted. Thus, an association between peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity and the midcycle surge in plasma gonadotropins reported by others was not reproducible in our study of normally menstruating women.", "PMID": 619654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3197", "title": "A three-dimensional study of endometrial mitochondria during the menstrual cycle.", "content": "Three-dimensional reconstruction of endometrial mitochondria during the menstrual cycle in the woman has produced three mitochondrial populations. These populations are seen to change in size, in number, and in complexity of structure as the menstrual cycle progresses. Through reconstruction and statistical analysis, morphologic data seem to support histochemical data relating to anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in endometrial gland cells.", "contents": "A three-dimensional study of endometrial mitochondria during the menstrual cycle. Three-dimensional reconstruction of endometrial mitochondria during the menstrual cycle in the woman has produced three mitochondrial populations. These populations are seen to change in size, in number, and in complexity of structure as the menstrual cycle progresses. Through reconstruction and statistical analysis, morphologic data seem to support histochemical data relating to anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in endometrial gland cells.", "PMID": 619655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3198", "title": "Evaluation of a balloon dilator to augment midtrimester abortion.", "content": "A new balloon-type cervical dilating device (CDD) was inserted just after intra-amniotic infusion of a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and hypertonic saline in an effort to shorten the interval from infusion to abortion. The CDD has both dilator and anchor balloons which are inflated with normal saline after insertion into the cervical canal. The infusion-to-abortion interval was shorter in patients with the CDD dilator inflated (14.6 +/- 2.1 hours) than in those with both dilating and anchor balloons inflated or in those aborting without the device in place at all (23.0 +/- 1.7 and 18.8 +/- 1.0 hours, respectively).", "contents": "Evaluation of a balloon dilator to augment midtrimester abortion. A new balloon-type cervical dilating device (CDD) was inserted just after intra-amniotic infusion of a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and hypertonic saline in an effort to shorten the interval from infusion to abortion. The CDD has both dilator and anchor balloons which are inflated with normal saline after insertion into the cervical canal. The infusion-to-abortion interval was shorter in patients with the CDD dilator inflated (14.6 +/- 2.1 hours) than in those with both dilating and anchor balloons inflated or in those aborting without the device in place at all (23.0 +/- 1.7 and 18.8 +/- 1.0 hours, respectively).", "PMID": 619656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3199", "title": "Changes in fetal heart rate-uterine contraction patterns associated with eclampsia.", "content": "Eclamptic seizures have been associated with fetal bradycardia and rapid onset or progression of labor. The fetal heart rate (FHR)-uterine contraction patterns during 14 seizures in 10 eclamptic patients were studied. Some seizures occurred in patients in whom magnesium sulfate levels were in the therapeutic range. The FHR response during an eclamptic episode was generally prolonged bradycardia. Uterine activity was noted to increase during seizure activity and preceded the fall in FHR. As seizure activity subsided, uterine hyperactivity diminished and the FHR rose, frequently demonstrating compensatory tachycardia. The clinical implications and possible pathophysiologic mechanisms of the FHR-uterine contraction observations are discussed.", "contents": "Changes in fetal heart rate-uterine contraction patterns associated with eclampsia. Eclamptic seizures have been associated with fetal bradycardia and rapid onset or progression of labor. The fetal heart rate (FHR)-uterine contraction patterns during 14 seizures in 10 eclamptic patients were studied. Some seizures occurred in patients in whom magnesium sulfate levels were in the therapeutic range. The FHR response during an eclamptic episode was generally prolonged bradycardia. Uterine activity was noted to increase during seizure activity and preceded the fall in FHR. As seizure activity subsided, uterine hyperactivity diminished and the FHR rose, frequently demonstrating compensatory tachycardia. The clinical implications and possible pathophysiologic mechanisms of the FHR-uterine contraction observations are discussed.", "PMID": 619657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3200", "title": "Catecholamines during therapeutic abortion induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha.", "content": "Serial plasma, amniotic fluid, and urine samples were analyzed for epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in eight subjects during midtrimester abortion induced by intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). After PGF2alpha administration, plasma E increased and there was no change in plasma NE levels. Amniotic fluid levels of E and NE decreased initially. During the course of abortion the mean level of E in the amniotic fluid increased after fetal distress and decreased after fetal death, indicating that the midtrimester fetus of both E and NE increased following PGF2alpha. The observation that mean plasma levels and urinary excretion rate changes correlated better with the course of abortion and uterine contractility rather than with the time of PGF2alpha administration was consistent with the hypothesis that the catecholamine response may be due to the stress of labor rather than to the PGF2alpha per se.", "contents": "Catecholamines during therapeutic abortion induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha. Serial plasma, amniotic fluid, and urine samples were analyzed for epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in eight subjects during midtrimester abortion induced by intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). After PGF2alpha administration, plasma E increased and there was no change in plasma NE levels. Amniotic fluid levels of E and NE decreased initially. During the course of abortion the mean level of E in the amniotic fluid increased after fetal distress and decreased after fetal death, indicating that the midtrimester fetus of both E and NE increased following PGF2alpha. The observation that mean plasma levels and urinary excretion rate changes correlated better with the course of abortion and uterine contractility rather than with the time of PGF2alpha administration was consistent with the hypothesis that the catecholamine response may be due to the stress of labor rather than to the PGF2alpha per se.", "PMID": 619658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3201", "title": "Arachidonic acid and other free fatty acid changes during abortion induced by prostaglandin F2alpha.", "content": "Serum free fatty acids (FFA's) were measured after intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) for the induction of abortion in eight healthy women in the midtrimester of pregnancy. The total FFA levels increased in all cases during the period between PGF2alpha administration and abortion. This lipolysis most likely is secondary to the effect of the catecholamines as indicated by the temporal relationship between increased plasma and urine catecholamine and serum FFA levels. The percentage of arachidonic acid in the total amount of FFA's decreased after administration of PGF2alpha. This proportional decrease in arachidonic acid (p less than 0.05) may be due to selective utilization for the production of endogenous prostaglandins.", "contents": "Arachidonic acid and other free fatty acid changes during abortion induced by prostaglandin F2alpha. Serum free fatty acids (FFA's) were measured after intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) for the induction of abortion in eight healthy women in the midtrimester of pregnancy. The total FFA levels increased in all cases during the period between PGF2alpha administration and abortion. This lipolysis most likely is secondary to the effect of the catecholamines as indicated by the temporal relationship between increased plasma and urine catecholamine and serum FFA levels. The percentage of arachidonic acid in the total amount of FFA's decreased after administration of PGF2alpha. This proportional decrease in arachidonic acid (p less than 0.05) may be due to selective utilization for the production of endogenous prostaglandins.", "PMID": 619659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3202", "title": "Inferior vena cava compression in the pregnant dog.", "content": "Attempts were made to produce inferior vena cava (IVC) compression in 14 pregnant and 12 nonpregnant bitches. Ligation of the iliac veins, the IVC below the renal veins, or the left renal vein separately produced minimal hemodynamic disturbances. Only ligation of the two renal veins or of the IVC above the renal veins produced a moderate drop in blood pressure and blood flow. Shock and bradycardia, characteristic of the supine hypotension syndrome (SHS) as observed in human subjects, were never observed. Satisfactory collateral circulation was demonstrated radiologically. Since human SHS was not reproduced in the pregnant bitch by compression of the IVC alone, one may conclude that the SHS is not solely caused by the compression.", "contents": "Inferior vena cava compression in the pregnant dog. Attempts were made to produce inferior vena cava (IVC) compression in 14 pregnant and 12 nonpregnant bitches. Ligation of the iliac veins, the IVC below the renal veins, or the left renal vein separately produced minimal hemodynamic disturbances. Only ligation of the two renal veins or of the IVC above the renal veins produced a moderate drop in blood pressure and blood flow. Shock and bradycardia, characteristic of the supine hypotension syndrome (SHS) as observed in human subjects, were never observed. Satisfactory collateral circulation was demonstrated radiologically. Since human SHS was not reproduced in the pregnant bitch by compression of the IVC alone, one may conclude that the SHS is not solely caused by the compression.", "PMID": 619660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3203", "title": "The effects of dopamine of blood pressure and heart rate of the unanesthetized fetal lamb.", "content": "The effects of dopamine on blood pressure and heart rate have been studied in continuously cannulated fetal lambs and adult sheep. Drugs were administered by direct intravenous injection into either the fetus or the adult sheep, and blood pressure was measured from an arterial cannula and heart rate was computed from the electrocardiogram (ECG). The magnitude of the fetal pressor response to dopamine increased slightly as the dose of dopamine (1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mcg. per kilogram was increased, but the magnitude of the response did not increase with advancing gestation (112 to 145 days). However, in the adult sheep, the dose-response relationship was much steeper. In both cases the pressor response was accompanied by a reflex bradycardia that was blocked by atropine (1 mg. per kilogram). In the atropinized fetus, doses of 50 to 200 mcg. per kilogram of dopamine produced tachycardia (30 to 120 b.p.m) and a greater pressor response than that in the unatropinized fetus. Thus, the fetal cardiovascular system is capable of responding to relatively large amounts of dopamine injected as a bolus, suggesting that relatively large amounts of endogenous dopamine would have to be secreted by the mast cells to significantly alter fetal cardiovascular function.", "contents": "The effects of dopamine of blood pressure and heart rate of the unanesthetized fetal lamb. The effects of dopamine on blood pressure and heart rate have been studied in continuously cannulated fetal lambs and adult sheep. Drugs were administered by direct intravenous injection into either the fetus or the adult sheep, and blood pressure was measured from an arterial cannula and heart rate was computed from the electrocardiogram (ECG). The magnitude of the fetal pressor response to dopamine increased slightly as the dose of dopamine (1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mcg. per kilogram was increased, but the magnitude of the response did not increase with advancing gestation (112 to 145 days). However, in the adult sheep, the dose-response relationship was much steeper. In both cases the pressor response was accompanied by a reflex bradycardia that was blocked by atropine (1 mg. per kilogram). In the atropinized fetus, doses of 50 to 200 mcg. per kilogram of dopamine produced tachycardia (30 to 120 b.p.m) and a greater pressor response than that in the unatropinized fetus. Thus, the fetal cardiovascular system is capable of responding to relatively large amounts of dopamine injected as a bolus, suggesting that relatively large amounts of endogenous dopamine would have to be secreted by the mast cells to significantly alter fetal cardiovascular function.", "PMID": 619661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3204", "title": "Detectability and pattern of immunoglobulins in normal amniotic fluid throughout gestation.", "content": "Immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, and IgD class and IgA, and IgA2 subclass levels were detected in normal amniotic fluid throughout gestation with a hemagglutination-inhibition assay: IgG was measured by single radial immunodiffusion. In 161 tested samples, IgA, IgA, IgA2, and IgG were measurable in all cases; IgM was measurable in 99.4 per cent and IgD, in 90.6 per cent of the fluids. IgA, IgG, and IgD concentrations increased toward midpregnancy and thereafter decreased to term in a pattern similar to that for amniotic fluid total protein. IgM, on the other hand, remained relatively constant through week 35 of gestation; thereafter, it increased to term. There was no correlation in this normal group between amniotic fluid and cord blood levels of Ig class or subclass at term. Mean IgA values were 2.2 times higher in amniotic fluid than in cord serum. This was in sharp contrast to IgM, which was 16 times higher, IgG, which was 66 times higher, and IgD, which was 2.4 times higher in cord serum than in amniotic fluid. The inverse data for IgA as compared to other Ig classes suggest that amniotic fluid IgA may be partially derived from IgA in fetal gastrointestinal and pulmonary secretions. Determination of the concentration of the different Ig classes (and eventually subclasses) in amniotic fluid may be useful in diagnosis of intrauterine infections, malformations, and immunodeficiencies.", "contents": "Detectability and pattern of immunoglobulins in normal amniotic fluid throughout gestation. Immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, and IgD class and IgA, and IgA2 subclass levels were detected in normal amniotic fluid throughout gestation with a hemagglutination-inhibition assay: IgG was measured by single radial immunodiffusion. In 161 tested samples, IgA, IgA, IgA2, and IgG were measurable in all cases; IgM was measurable in 99.4 per cent and IgD, in 90.6 per cent of the fluids. IgA, IgG, and IgD concentrations increased toward midpregnancy and thereafter decreased to term in a pattern similar to that for amniotic fluid total protein. IgM, on the other hand, remained relatively constant through week 35 of gestation; thereafter, it increased to term. There was no correlation in this normal group between amniotic fluid and cord blood levels of Ig class or subclass at term. Mean IgA values were 2.2 times higher in amniotic fluid than in cord serum. This was in sharp contrast to IgM, which was 16 times higher, IgG, which was 66 times higher, and IgD, which was 2.4 times higher in cord serum than in amniotic fluid. The inverse data for IgA as compared to other Ig classes suggest that amniotic fluid IgA may be partially derived from IgA in fetal gastrointestinal and pulmonary secretions. Determination of the concentration of the different Ig classes (and eventually subclasses) in amniotic fluid may be useful in diagnosis of intrauterine infections, malformations, and immunodeficiencies.", "PMID": 619662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3205", "title": "Conjunctival resection treatment and ultrastructural histopathology of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.", "content": "Four patients with symptomatic superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis underwent resection of the superior bulbar conjunctiva. One of these patients also underwent a tarsal conjunctival resection in the other eye. Three of the patients had previously been treated by various regimens without resolution; the fourth had had no prior treatment. All four patients had immediate and continued relief of the ocular symptoms after the superior bulbar conjunctiva was excised. The patient who underwent tarsal conjunctival resection experienced only short-term relief. We studied the conjunctival tissue by light and transmission electron microscopy. Both techniques revealed abnormalities related to the bulbar conjunctival surface with keratinization of the epithelium, acanthosis, degeneration of the nuclei, and intracellular accumulation of glycogen. Inflammatory cells were minimally present. The tarsal conjunctiva appeared essentially normal.", "contents": "Conjunctival resection treatment and ultrastructural histopathology of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis. Four patients with symptomatic superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis underwent resection of the superior bulbar conjunctiva. One of these patients also underwent a tarsal conjunctival resection in the other eye. Three of the patients had previously been treated by various regimens without resolution; the fourth had had no prior treatment. All four patients had immediate and continued relief of the ocular symptoms after the superior bulbar conjunctiva was excised. The patient who underwent tarsal conjunctival resection experienced only short-term relief. We studied the conjunctival tissue by light and transmission electron microscopy. Both techniques revealed abnormalities related to the bulbar conjunctival surface with keratinization of the epithelium, acanthosis, degeneration of the nuclei, and intracellular accumulation of glycogen. Inflammatory cells were minimally present. The tarsal conjunctiva appeared essentially normal.", "PMID": 619676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3206", "title": "Neuroparalytic keratitis in Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome.", "content": "A 2-year-old boy had bilateral corneal ulceration with the Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. Initially, the patient received subconjunctival and topical antibiotics with minimal effect. With subsequent treatment of atropine, sterile ophthalmic petrolatum ointment, and humidification of the patient's crib, ulcers in both eyes healed in two weeks without further problems. He had a neuroparalytic keratitis with corneal anesthesia and decreased tear production bilaterally. Our evidence suggested that aplasia or hypoplasia of the trigeminal nuclei was the probable cause.", "contents": "Neuroparalytic keratitis in Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. A 2-year-old boy had bilateral corneal ulceration with the Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. Initially, the patient received subconjunctival and topical antibiotics with minimal effect. With subsequent treatment of atropine, sterile ophthalmic petrolatum ointment, and humidification of the patient's crib, ulcers in both eyes healed in two weeks without further problems. He had a neuroparalytic keratitis with corneal anesthesia and decreased tear production bilaterally. Our evidence suggested that aplasia or hypoplasia of the trigeminal nuclei was the probable cause.", "PMID": 619677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3207", "title": "Aeromonas hydrophila corneal ulcer.", "content": "Two healthy men developed acute corneal ulcers caused by Aeromonas hydrophila after receiving traumatic foreign body injuries to the cornea. The ulcers resolved after treatment for gram-negative bacterial corneal ulceration. A history of contamination by water, soil, or material from an aquatic source was a significant factor in each case.", "contents": "Aeromonas hydrophila corneal ulcer. Two healthy men developed acute corneal ulcers caused by Aeromonas hydrophila after receiving traumatic foreign body injuries to the cornea. The ulcers resolved after treatment for gram-negative bacterial corneal ulceration. A history of contamination by water, soil, or material from an aquatic source was a significant factor in each case.", "PMID": 619678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3208", "title": "Tobramycin levels in human eyes.", "content": "Tobramycin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, penetrated the aqueous humor of human eyes after parenteral administration, either intramuscularly or intravenously, in 36 cataract patients with a presumably normal blood aqueous barrier. Tobramycin administered subconjunctivally to eyes with a normal blood aqueous barrier is capable of achieving therapeutic aqueous humor levels that exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration of most isolates of Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. No adverse effects were noted in the subjects studied. This drug may be used in the treatment of acute ocular infections.", "contents": "Tobramycin levels in human eyes. Tobramycin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, penetrated the aqueous humor of human eyes after parenteral administration, either intramuscularly or intravenously, in 36 cataract patients with a presumably normal blood aqueous barrier. Tobramycin administered subconjunctivally to eyes with a normal blood aqueous barrier is capable of achieving therapeutic aqueous humor levels that exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration of most isolates of Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. No adverse effects were noted in the subjects studied. This drug may be used in the treatment of acute ocular infections.", "PMID": 619679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3209", "title": "A new iris retractor.", "content": "I successfully used the iris-lasso, a new iris retractor in the form of a stainlless steel wire. The iris-lasso is simple to maneuver, suitable for microsurgery, and particularly useful in patients with small pupils.", "contents": "A new iris retractor. I successfully used the iris-lasso, a new iris retractor in the form of a stainlless steel wire. The iris-lasso is simple to maneuver, suitable for microsurgery, and particularly useful in patients with small pupils.", "PMID": 619681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3210", "title": "A comparison of 500 Binkhorst implants with 500 routine intracapsular cataract extractions.", "content": "We compared 500 Binkhorst lens implants with 500 routine intracapsular cataract extractions. The two groups consisted of consecutive cases matched according to surgeons, surgical technique, time interval of the study, and ocular status. The results of visual acuity were comparable in the two groups; 89.0% of the implant group and 85.4% of the routine intracapsular group achieved 6/12 (20/40) or better visual acuity. The rate of complications in each group was comparable except in the case of corneal edema, which was higher in the implant group (1.2%) than in the routine intracapsular group (0.4%). The rate of clinically significant cystoid macular edema was higher in the routine intracapsular group (2.2%) than in the implant group (1.4%).", "contents": "A comparison of 500 Binkhorst implants with 500 routine intracapsular cataract extractions. We compared 500 Binkhorst lens implants with 500 routine intracapsular cataract extractions. The two groups consisted of consecutive cases matched according to surgeons, surgical technique, time interval of the study, and ocular status. The results of visual acuity were comparable in the two groups; 89.0% of the implant group and 85.4% of the routine intracapsular group achieved 6/12 (20/40) or better visual acuity. The rate of complications in each group was comparable except in the case of corneal edema, which was higher in the implant group (1.2%) than in the routine intracapsular group (0.4%). The rate of clinically significant cystoid macular edema was higher in the routine intracapsular group (2.2%) than in the implant group (1.4%).", "PMID": 619682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3211", "title": "Prevalence of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, senile macular degeneration, and open-angle glaucoma in the Framingham eye study.", "content": "Of the Framingham, Massachusetts Heart Study population, 2,675 individuals underwent an ophthalmologic evaluation that stressed detection of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, open-angle glaucoma, and senile macular degeneration. Those examined were 52 to 85 years old at the time this study was initiated. The prevalence rate of each of these ocular conditions increased with age. Prevalence of senile cataracts ranged from 4.6% for those between the ages of 52 to 64 years to 46% for those 75 to 85 years of age. Diabetic retinopathy was present in 2% of those between 52 and 64 years of age or older. Overall prevalence of senile macular degeneration was 9%, with a prevalence rate of 2% in our youngest age group and 28% in the oldest age group. Open-angle glaucoma had an overall prevalence of approximately 3%. This disease also showed a statistically significant (P less than .01) increase with age from 1.4% (52 to 64 years old) to 7.2% (75 to 85 years old).", "contents": "Prevalence of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, senile macular degeneration, and open-angle glaucoma in the Framingham eye study. Of the Framingham, Massachusetts Heart Study population, 2,675 individuals underwent an ophthalmologic evaluation that stressed detection of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, open-angle glaucoma, and senile macular degeneration. Those examined were 52 to 85 years old at the time this study was initiated. The prevalence rate of each of these ocular conditions increased with age. Prevalence of senile cataracts ranged from 4.6% for those between the ages of 52 to 64 years to 46% for those 75 to 85 years of age. Diabetic retinopathy was present in 2% of those between 52 and 64 years of age or older. Overall prevalence of senile macular degeneration was 9%, with a prevalence rate of 2% in our youngest age group and 28% in the oldest age group. Open-angle glaucoma had an overall prevalence of approximately 3%. This disease also showed a statistically significant (P less than .01) increase with age from 1.4% (52 to 64 years old) to 7.2% (75 to 85 years old).", "PMID": 619683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3212", "title": "Measurement of episcleral venous pressure.", "content": "Using materials available in any ophthalmology clinic, we constructed a useful and reliable instrument for measuring episcleral venous pressure. The instrument, a modification of the pressure chamber method of Seidel, utilizes a latex membrane and an air-filled chamber. These modifications facilitated ease of preparation for the measurement. Episcleral venous pressure in normal subjects was 9.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg (mean +/- S.D.). Measurement of episcleral venous pressure facilitated diagnosis of diseases such as arteriovenous fistula and superior vena caval obstruction, which block drainage of venous blood from the orbit.", "contents": "Measurement of episcleral venous pressure. Using materials available in any ophthalmology clinic, we constructed a useful and reliable instrument for measuring episcleral venous pressure. The instrument, a modification of the pressure chamber method of Seidel, utilizes a latex membrane and an air-filled chamber. These modifications facilitated ease of preparation for the measurement. Episcleral venous pressure in normal subjects was 9.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg (mean +/- S.D.). Measurement of episcleral venous pressure facilitated diagnosis of diseases such as arteriovenous fistula and superior vena caval obstruction, which block drainage of venous blood from the orbit.", "PMID": 619684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3213", "title": "Phenylephrine provocative testing in the pigmentary dispersion syndrome.", "content": "Forty-nine patients with bilateral pigmentary dispersion syndrome (abnormal accumulation of pigment in the anterior chamber, principally from the posterior layers of the iris), including 31 patients with pigmentary glaucoma, underwent 10% phenylephrine testing in one eye for evaluation of liberation of pigment floaters into the anterior chamber and the influence of phenylephrine on the intraocular pressure. Ten patients with pigmentary glaucoma developed a 3+ to 4+ pigment response, but only two demonstrated a pressure rise greater than 2 mm Hg. The highest pressure rise observed was 7 mm Hg. Nine patients with pigmentary dispersion syndrome but without glaucoma also developed a 3+ to 4+ pigment response, but none of these had a pressure rise. The incidence of pigment liberation was higher in older patients and in pigmentary glaucoma patients receiving topical antiglaucoma therapy at the time of testing. The extent of iris transillumination did not correlate with the grade of phenylephrine-induced pigment liberation. Two pigmentary glaucoma patients, who did not liberate pigment or have a pressure rise when tested with phenylephrine, did exhibit spontaneous or exercise-induced liberations of pigment into the anterior chamber, with marked rises of intraocular pressure and obstruction of aqueous outflow.", "contents": "Phenylephrine provocative testing in the pigmentary dispersion syndrome. Forty-nine patients with bilateral pigmentary dispersion syndrome (abnormal accumulation of pigment in the anterior chamber, principally from the posterior layers of the iris), including 31 patients with pigmentary glaucoma, underwent 10% phenylephrine testing in one eye for evaluation of liberation of pigment floaters into the anterior chamber and the influence of phenylephrine on the intraocular pressure. Ten patients with pigmentary glaucoma developed a 3+ to 4+ pigment response, but only two demonstrated a pressure rise greater than 2 mm Hg. The highest pressure rise observed was 7 mm Hg. Nine patients with pigmentary dispersion syndrome but without glaucoma also developed a 3+ to 4+ pigment response, but none of these had a pressure rise. The incidence of pigment liberation was higher in older patients and in pigmentary glaucoma patients receiving topical antiglaucoma therapy at the time of testing. The extent of iris transillumination did not correlate with the grade of phenylephrine-induced pigment liberation. Two pigmentary glaucoma patients, who did not liberate pigment or have a pressure rise when tested with phenylephrine, did exhibit spontaneous or exercise-induced liberations of pigment into the anterior chamber, with marked rises of intraocular pressure and obstruction of aqueous outflow.", "PMID": 619685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3214", "title": "Orbital dermoid diagnosed by computed tomographic scanning.", "content": "In a 20-year-old man, computed tomography revealed that an orbital mass in the region of the lacrimal gland fossa had low density attenuation values (below water), indicating a fat-containing tumor. At surgery, we found a dermoid cyst of the oil cyst type.", "contents": "Orbital dermoid diagnosed by computed tomographic scanning. In a 20-year-old man, computed tomography revealed that an orbital mass in the region of the lacrimal gland fossa had low density attenuation values (below water), indicating a fat-containing tumor. At surgery, we found a dermoid cyst of the oil cyst type.", "PMID": 619686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3215", "title": "Choroidal melanoma clinically simulating a retinal angioma.", "content": "An amelanotic fundus lesion in a 35-year-old man was associated with a dilated retinal vessel, thus suggesting the diagnosis of retinal angioma. Fluorescein angiography and B-scan ultrasonography were not diagnostic, but a radioactive phosphorus uptake test suggested the lesion was malignant. The enucleated globe showed a malignant choroidal melanoma drained by a large retinal vein.", "contents": "Choroidal melanoma clinically simulating a retinal angioma. An amelanotic fundus lesion in a 35-year-old man was associated with a dilated retinal vessel, thus suggesting the diagnosis of retinal angioma. Fluorescein angiography and B-scan ultrasonography were not diagnostic, but a radioactive phosphorus uptake test suggested the lesion was malignant. The enucleated globe showed a malignant choroidal melanoma drained by a large retinal vein.", "PMID": 619687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3216", "title": "The incidence of macular pucker after retinal detachment surgery.", "content": "In a study of 63 cases of macular pucker among 857 patients who underwent retinal detachment repair, we isolated several statistically significant risk factors: preoperative vision of less than 6/15 (20/50); preoperative presence of rolled edges, starfolds, or equatorial ridges; re-operations; choroidal hemorrhage; and age past 30 years. We were unable to confirm the risk associated with vitreous loss, vitreous hemorrhage, and degeneration. Results suggested that macular pucker after detachment surgery is produced by a membrane similar in origin to those causing other forms of periretinal proliferation.", "contents": "The incidence of macular pucker after retinal detachment surgery. In a study of 63 cases of macular pucker among 857 patients who underwent retinal detachment repair, we isolated several statistically significant risk factors: preoperative vision of less than 6/15 (20/50); preoperative presence of rolled edges, starfolds, or equatorial ridges; re-operations; choroidal hemorrhage; and age past 30 years. We were unable to confirm the risk associated with vitreous loss, vitreous hemorrhage, and degeneration. Results suggested that macular pucker after detachment surgery is produced by a membrane similar in origin to those causing other forms of periretinal proliferation.", "PMID": 619688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3217", "title": "Rubella retinopathy and subretinal neovascularization.", "content": "Diseases that primarily affect the pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, or the choroid may lead to secondary subretinal neovascularization and its sequelae of hemorrhage and scarring. We studied three cases of presumed congenital rubella retinopathy with congenital deafness, which developed unilateral subretinal neovascularization, hemorrhage, and scarring.", "contents": "Rubella retinopathy and subretinal neovascularization. Diseases that primarily affect the pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, or the choroid may lead to secondary subretinal neovascularization and its sequelae of hemorrhage and scarring. We studied three cases of presumed congenital rubella retinopathy with congenital deafness, which developed unilateral subretinal neovascularization, hemorrhage, and scarring.", "PMID": 619689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3218", "title": "Inferior oblique muscle recession.", "content": "Surgical recession of the inferior oblique muscle is simpler to perform if the inferior rectus muscle, rather than either the lateral rectus muscle or the inferior oblique muscle insertion, is used as a landmark. We measured 200 consecutive autopsy eyes to determine the distance from the commonly used 8-mm recession site determined by the Fink technique to the lateral border of the inferior rectus muscle insertion. It was easier to reach this point by measuring 4.0 mm posterior and 4.4 mm superior to the lateral insertion of the inferior rectus muscle, or 2.9 mm superior (on a line parallel to the corneoscleral limbus) and 5.1 mm posterior (on the line perpendicular to the corneoscleral limbus) to the lateral insertion of the inferior rectus muscle. We made anatomical studies to grade the amount of inferior oblique muscle recession and to evaluate the proper placement of the posterior border of the recessed inferior oblique muscle.", "contents": "Inferior oblique muscle recession. Surgical recession of the inferior oblique muscle is simpler to perform if the inferior rectus muscle, rather than either the lateral rectus muscle or the inferior oblique muscle insertion, is used as a landmark. We measured 200 consecutive autopsy eyes to determine the distance from the commonly used 8-mm recession site determined by the Fink technique to the lateral border of the inferior rectus muscle insertion. It was easier to reach this point by measuring 4.0 mm posterior and 4.4 mm superior to the lateral insertion of the inferior rectus muscle, or 2.9 mm superior (on a line parallel to the corneoscleral limbus) and 5.1 mm posterior (on the line perpendicular to the corneoscleral limbus) to the lateral insertion of the inferior rectus muscle. We made anatomical studies to grade the amount of inferior oblique muscle recession and to evaluate the proper placement of the posterior border of the recessed inferior oblique muscle.", "PMID": 619690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3219", "title": "A comparison of the migration patterns of normal and malignant cells in two assay systems.", "content": "The migration patterns of normal mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells and mouse fibrosarcoma (FS) cells were compared in two assay systems. The two assay systems used were themodified Boyden chamber (micropore membrane) assay and the agarose drop explant assay. In both assays the major population of MEF cells exhibited a greater rate of migration than the major population of FS cells. However, a small subpopulation of FS cells which had a much greater rate of migration than the major population of either MEF or FS cells was detected in the agarose drop assay. A number of drugs which are known to inhibit the migration of leukocytes were tested against the MEF and FS cells. Concentrations were found that inhibited the major population of both groups by greater than 90%. However, at concentrations which inhibited the migration of the major population of FS cells by greater than 90%, a small group of fast-moving cells was still detected. Although the fast-moving cells were relatively resistant to treatment with the various drugs, this group was sensitive to a factor in serum. When normal human serum was used in place of fetal calf serum, the migration of the major population of FS cells was inhibited very little but movement of the fast-moving population was completely eliminated. We speculate that the small subgroup of fast-moving cells may be responsible for the invasive nature of the FS cells.", "contents": "A comparison of the migration patterns of normal and malignant cells in two assay systems. The migration patterns of normal mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells and mouse fibrosarcoma (FS) cells were compared in two assay systems. The two assay systems used were themodified Boyden chamber (micropore membrane) assay and the agarose drop explant assay. In both assays the major population of MEF cells exhibited a greater rate of migration than the major population of FS cells. However, a small subpopulation of FS cells which had a much greater rate of migration than the major population of either MEF or FS cells was detected in the agarose drop assay. A number of drugs which are known to inhibit the migration of leukocytes were tested against the MEF and FS cells. Concentrations were found that inhibited the major population of both groups by greater than 90%. However, at concentrations which inhibited the migration of the major population of FS cells by greater than 90%, a small group of fast-moving cells was still detected. Although the fast-moving cells were relatively resistant to treatment with the various drugs, this group was sensitive to a factor in serum. When normal human serum was used in place of fetal calf serum, the migration of the major population of FS cells was inhibited very little but movement of the fast-moving population was completely eliminated. We speculate that the small subgroup of fast-moving cells may be responsible for the invasive nature of the FS cells.", "PMID": 619691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3220", "title": "A stereologic study of glomerular hypertrophy in the subtotally nephrectomized rat.", "content": "Subtotal nephrectomy in the rat is followed by glomerular hypertrophy, glomerulosclerosis, and, ultimately, renal failure. To gain more insight into this sequence, we have made a morphometric study of the glomerular changes following subtotal nephrectomy in the rat during the period of functional compensation before glomerulosclerosis appears. We found a twofold increase in glomerular volume as compared with controls 2 weeks after operation (to approximately 2 X 10(6) cu mu) followed by a linear increase to approximately 5 X 10(6) cu mu at 21 weeks. The rate of increase in glomerular volume in controls did not significantly exceed that of body weight. The volume increase after subtotal nephrectomy is a true hypertrophy, since other morphometric parameters expressed per unit glomerular volume (surface and length densities) were approximately 80% of control values at 2 weeks and constant thereafter. Glomerular hypertrophy up to 21 weeks is accompanied by a stable BUN and a gradually increasing proteinuria. We conclude that glomerular hypertrophy in this system is a pathologic rather than a compensatory process and suggest that it may represent a counter-productive response to hemodynamic changes serving to increase the glomerular filtration rate.", "contents": "A stereologic study of glomerular hypertrophy in the subtotally nephrectomized rat. Subtotal nephrectomy in the rat is followed by glomerular hypertrophy, glomerulosclerosis, and, ultimately, renal failure. To gain more insight into this sequence, we have made a morphometric study of the glomerular changes following subtotal nephrectomy in the rat during the period of functional compensation before glomerulosclerosis appears. We found a twofold increase in glomerular volume as compared with controls 2 weeks after operation (to approximately 2 X 10(6) cu mu) followed by a linear increase to approximately 5 X 10(6) cu mu at 21 weeks. The rate of increase in glomerular volume in controls did not significantly exceed that of body weight. The volume increase after subtotal nephrectomy is a true hypertrophy, since other morphometric parameters expressed per unit glomerular volume (surface and length densities) were approximately 80% of control values at 2 weeks and constant thereafter. Glomerular hypertrophy up to 21 weeks is accompanied by a stable BUN and a gradually increasing proteinuria. We conclude that glomerular hypertrophy in this system is a pathologic rather than a compensatory process and suggest that it may represent a counter-productive response to hemodynamic changes serving to increase the glomerular filtration rate.", "PMID": 619692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3221", "title": "A microanalysis approach to investigate problems encountered in mycology.", "content": "X-ray microanalysis has been applied to the study of pathogenic fungi for the acquisition of chemical information. The technique of combined scanning electron microscopy and wavelength dispersive spectrometry is described. The chemical analysis depends on the characteristic x-ray spectrum excited by the electrons passing through the sample. This spectrum is analyzed by x-ray wavelength dispersion using crystal spectrometers. All the elements of the periodic system above beryllium can be detected with good sensitivity.", "contents": "A microanalysis approach to investigate problems encountered in mycology. X-ray microanalysis has been applied to the study of pathogenic fungi for the acquisition of chemical information. The technique of combined scanning electron microscopy and wavelength dispersive spectrometry is described. The chemical analysis depends on the characteristic x-ray spectrum excited by the electrons passing through the sample. This spectrum is analyzed by x-ray wavelength dispersion using crystal spectrometers. All the elements of the periodic system above beryllium can be detected with good sensitivity.", "PMID": 619693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3222", "title": "Neuroendocrine cells in dysplastic bronchi: ultrastructural observations and quantitative analysis of secretory granules and the golgi complex.", "content": "Ultrastructural and biochemical studies have suggested that bronchopulmonary carcinoids and oat cell carcinomas may be derivatives of neuroendocrine cells; their amine and/or peptide secretory capabilities may at times be reflected in clinical hormonal syndromes. This investigation was prompted by the hypothesis that dysplastic neuroendocrine bronchial cells may also exhibit structural and functional aberrations of their secretory apparatus. Surgical specimen samples from 5 human dysplastic bronchi were studied ultrastructurally; 7 normal bronchi served as controls. Golgi complexes of dysplastic cells were distinctly less prominent than those of the controls. Moreover, the Golgi vesicles of dysplastic cells appeared significantly smaller than their counterparts in normal cells (P less than 0.01). Also, dysplastic neuroendocrine cells displayed significantly fewer secretory granules per cell than the controls (P less than 0.05). These findings indicate structural abnormalities in the secretory apparatus of neuroendocrine cells in dysplastic bronchi and correlate with experimental observations of aberrant hormonal production associated with bronchial dysplasia. Thus, the possibility arises that bronchial epithelial dysplasias may be detected and monitored through laboratory determinations of their secretory products.", "contents": "Neuroendocrine cells in dysplastic bronchi: ultrastructural observations and quantitative analysis of secretory granules and the golgi complex. Ultrastructural and biochemical studies have suggested that bronchopulmonary carcinoids and oat cell carcinomas may be derivatives of neuroendocrine cells; their amine and/or peptide secretory capabilities may at times be reflected in clinical hormonal syndromes. This investigation was prompted by the hypothesis that dysplastic neuroendocrine bronchial cells may also exhibit structural and functional aberrations of their secretory apparatus. Surgical specimen samples from 5 human dysplastic bronchi were studied ultrastructurally; 7 normal bronchi served as controls. Golgi complexes of dysplastic cells were distinctly less prominent than those of the controls. Moreover, the Golgi vesicles of dysplastic cells appeared significantly smaller than their counterparts in normal cells (P less than 0.01). Also, dysplastic neuroendocrine cells displayed significantly fewer secretory granules per cell than the controls (P less than 0.05). These findings indicate structural abnormalities in the secretory apparatus of neuroendocrine cells in dysplastic bronchi and correlate with experimental observations of aberrant hormonal production associated with bronchial dysplasia. Thus, the possibility arises that bronchial epithelial dysplasias may be detected and monitored through laboratory determinations of their secretory products.", "PMID": 619695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3223", "title": "Experimental myocardial infarction in the rat: qualitative and quantitative changes during pathologic evolution.", "content": "Surgical occlusion of the left coronary artery of the rat is a relatively simple, economical technique for producing experimental myocardial infarction (MI). Histologic study of 1- to 21-day-old MI in rats showed that following a mild and brief acute inflammatory response at the margins of the necrotic myocardium, there is chronic inflammation, vascular and collagenous proliferation, and resorption of necrostic tissue which progresses until scar formation is complete, usually by 21 days. From Day 1 to Day 21 the volume of infarcted myocardium decreases from 45.9 +/- 5.9% (mean +/- SEM) to 26.1 +/- 3.2% of the left ventricle and infarct thickness decreases from 1.30 +/- 0.06 mm to 0.47 +/- 0.02 mm. Concomitantly, the percent of the surface area of the left ventricle which is infarcted decreases insignificantly from 55.7 +/- 7.2% to 48.3 +/- 4.2%, indicating that the decrease in volume of the infarcted tissue occurs primarily as a result of thinning of the MI. This study provides qualitative and quantitative information on the natural history of MI in rats, which should be useful as a baseline for future studies.", "contents": "Experimental myocardial infarction in the rat: qualitative and quantitative changes during pathologic evolution. Surgical occlusion of the left coronary artery of the rat is a relatively simple, economical technique for producing experimental myocardial infarction (MI). Histologic study of 1- to 21-day-old MI in rats showed that following a mild and brief acute inflammatory response at the margins of the necrotic myocardium, there is chronic inflammation, vascular and collagenous proliferation, and resorption of necrostic tissue which progresses until scar formation is complete, usually by 21 days. From Day 1 to Day 21 the volume of infarcted myocardium decreases from 45.9 +/- 5.9% (mean +/- SEM) to 26.1 +/- 3.2% of the left ventricle and infarct thickness decreases from 1.30 +/- 0.06 mm to 0.47 +/- 0.02 mm. Concomitantly, the percent of the surface area of the left ventricle which is infarcted decreases insignificantly from 55.7 +/- 7.2% to 48.3 +/- 4.2%, indicating that the decrease in volume of the infarcted tissue occurs primarily as a result of thinning of the MI. This study provides qualitative and quantitative information on the natural history of MI in rats, which should be useful as a baseline for future studies.", "PMID": 619696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3224", "title": "Acute lung injury induced by cadmium aerosol. II. Free airway cell response during injury and repair.", "content": "This paper presents a study of the effects of cadmium chloride aerosol on free airway cell populations. Rats were given a single exposure to aerosolized 0.005 M CdCl2 dissolved in physiologic saline. CdCl2 exposure induced a fivefold increase to 43.2 X 10(6) total cells at 4 days as compared with 11.1 X 10(6) in saline-exposed controls and 8.4 X 10(6) in unexposed rats (P less than 0.001). Differential counts showed a peak of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) at 3 days after CdCl2 exposure, whereas values for saline-exposed animals showed no change from values for unexposed animals (P less than 0.001). Four days after CdCl2 exposure thepredominant cell was the alveolar macrophage (AM), which showed a highly significant increase in number and size over saline-exposed and unexposed animals. A significant increase in lymphocytes also occurred, with a peak at 4 days. At 10 days after exposure, AM were still more numerous after CdCl2 exposure (P less than 0.001), but all other cell types had returned to control levels. Correlation with previous ultrastructural studies on CdCl2 exposure suggested the peak of PMN coincided with Type I cell necrosis. In contrast, AM predominated durion and phagocytosis occur.", "contents": "Acute lung injury induced by cadmium aerosol. II. Free airway cell response during injury and repair. This paper presents a study of the effects of cadmium chloride aerosol on free airway cell populations. Rats were given a single exposure to aerosolized 0.005 M CdCl2 dissolved in physiologic saline. CdCl2 exposure induced a fivefold increase to 43.2 X 10(6) total cells at 4 days as compared with 11.1 X 10(6) in saline-exposed controls and 8.4 X 10(6) in unexposed rats (P less than 0.001). Differential counts showed a peak of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) at 3 days after CdCl2 exposure, whereas values for saline-exposed animals showed no change from values for unexposed animals (P less than 0.001). Four days after CdCl2 exposure thepredominant cell was the alveolar macrophage (AM), which showed a highly significant increase in number and size over saline-exposed and unexposed animals. A significant increase in lymphocytes also occurred, with a peak at 4 days. At 10 days after exposure, AM were still more numerous after CdCl2 exposure (P less than 0.001), but all other cell types had returned to control levels. Correlation with previous ultrastructural studies on CdCl2 exposure suggested the peak of PMN coincided with Type I cell necrosis. In contrast, AM predominated durion and phagocytosis occur.", "PMID": 619697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3225", "title": "The type 1 alveolar lining cells of the mammalian lung. I. Isolation and enrichment from dissociated adult rabbit lung.", "content": "With removal of large numbers of macrophages by airway lavage, Type 1 cells were isolated in heterogeneous cell populations following the stepwise dissociation of lung tissue. Using a carefully timed collagenase-trypsin digestive sequence at 37 C, unwanted cellular and noncellular lung components were minimized prior to selective release of Type 1 cells. Resulting heterogeneous cell suspensions containing well-preserved Type 1 cells, as determined by electron microscopy, were layered onto a shallow gradient (3 to 6% Ficoll in minimal essential medium [MEM]) and separated at unit gravity into enriched subpopulations of various cell types. These included various fractions enriched with respect to Type 1 cells (70%), Type 2 cells (82%), and macrophages (81%). Identification of Type 1 cells following their isolation and gradient enrichment was established by light microscopic staining techniques and by specific cell surface characteristics in vitro as visualized by electron microscopy.", "contents": "The type 1 alveolar lining cells of the mammalian lung. I. Isolation and enrichment from dissociated adult rabbit lung. With removal of large numbers of macrophages by airway lavage, Type 1 cells were isolated in heterogeneous cell populations following the stepwise dissociation of lung tissue. Using a carefully timed collagenase-trypsin digestive sequence at 37 C, unwanted cellular and noncellular lung components were minimized prior to selective release of Type 1 cells. Resulting heterogeneous cell suspensions containing well-preserved Type 1 cells, as determined by electron microscopy, were layered onto a shallow gradient (3 to 6% Ficoll in minimal essential medium [MEM]) and separated at unit gravity into enriched subpopulations of various cell types. These included various fractions enriched with respect to Type 1 cells (70%), Type 2 cells (82%), and macrophages (81%). Identification of Type 1 cells following their isolation and gradient enrichment was established by light microscopic staining techniques and by specific cell surface characteristics in vitro as visualized by electron microscopy.", "PMID": 619698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3226", "title": "Fetotoxicity in rats following chronic exposure to halothane, nitrous oxide, or methoxyflurane.", "content": "An animal model was used to investigate the comparative fetal toxicities of three inhalational anesthetics. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for eight hours a day throughout the 21 days of gestation to graded concentrations of halothane (0.16-0.32 per cent), or nitrous oxide (1-50 per cent), or a nitrous oxide (10 per cent) and halothane (0.16 per cent) mixture, or methoxyflurane (0.01-0.08 per cent). High subanesthetic concentrations of all the inhalational anesthetics could cause fetal growth retardation (e.g., 3-21 per cent decreases in normal fetal weights), but this was unaccompanied by significant fetal loss (overall rate: 4.8 +/- 1.2 per cent, mean +/- SE, in anesthetic groups) or any evidence of skeletal or gross abnormalities related to treatment. It is concluded that these rodent studies do not implicate any specific inhalational anesthetic agent in fetal toxicity, and that the effects of additional factors, such as stress, must be considered.", "contents": "Fetotoxicity in rats following chronic exposure to halothane, nitrous oxide, or methoxyflurane. An animal model was used to investigate the comparative fetal toxicities of three inhalational anesthetics. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed for eight hours a day throughout the 21 days of gestation to graded concentrations of halothane (0.16-0.32 per cent), or nitrous oxide (1-50 per cent), or a nitrous oxide (10 per cent) and halothane (0.16 per cent) mixture, or methoxyflurane (0.01-0.08 per cent). High subanesthetic concentrations of all the inhalational anesthetics could cause fetal growth retardation (e.g., 3-21 per cent decreases in normal fetal weights), but this was unaccompanied by significant fetal loss (overall rate: 4.8 +/- 1.2 per cent, mean +/- SE, in anesthetic groups) or any evidence of skeletal or gross abnormalities related to treatment. It is concluded that these rodent studies do not implicate any specific inhalational anesthetic agent in fetal toxicity, and that the effects of additional factors, such as stress, must be considered.", "PMID": 619703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3227", "title": "Hemodynamics of increased intra-abdominal pressure: Interaction with hypovolemia and halothane anesthesia.", "content": "The hemodynamic interaction of acute hypovolemia and halothane anesthesia in dogs with increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by intraperitoneal instillation of N2, N2O and CO2 was studied. During normovolemia and just basal pentobarbital anesthesia, the response to increase of intra-abdominal pressure to 40 torr consisted of a 35 per cent decrease in cardiac output, which was equal to the decrease in magnitude of inferior vena caval blood flow. During basal pentobarbital anesthesia, the addition of halothane anesthesia (1 MAC) in combination with hypovolemia (15 per cent blood volume loss) depressed the pre-inflation cardiac output more than addition of halothane anesthesia alone or induction of hypovolemia alone. During each of these conditions, superimposition of increased intra-abdominal pressure to 40 torr caused a further 26-43 per cent decrease in cardiac output compared with the pre-inflation value. Therefore, the greatest cardiovascular depression occurred when the animals were both hypovolemic and anesthetized with halothane. There was no difference in the responses to increased intra-abdominal pressure with the different inflating gases at any time. These findings indicate that in the presence of halothane anesthesia or hypovolemia, induction of pneumoperitoneum may cause severe cardiovascular depression.", "contents": "Hemodynamics of increased intra-abdominal pressure: Interaction with hypovolemia and halothane anesthesia. The hemodynamic interaction of acute hypovolemia and halothane anesthesia in dogs with increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by intraperitoneal instillation of N2, N2O and CO2 was studied. During normovolemia and just basal pentobarbital anesthesia, the response to increase of intra-abdominal pressure to 40 torr consisted of a 35 per cent decrease in cardiac output, which was equal to the decrease in magnitude of inferior vena caval blood flow. During basal pentobarbital anesthesia, the addition of halothane anesthesia (1 MAC) in combination with hypovolemia (15 per cent blood volume loss) depressed the pre-inflation cardiac output more than addition of halothane anesthesia alone or induction of hypovolemia alone. During each of these conditions, superimposition of increased intra-abdominal pressure to 40 torr caused a further 26-43 per cent decrease in cardiac output compared with the pre-inflation value. Therefore, the greatest cardiovascular depression occurred when the animals were both hypovolemic and anesthetized with halothane. There was no difference in the responses to increased intra-abdominal pressure with the different inflating gases at any time. These findings indicate that in the presence of halothane anesthesia or hypovolemia, induction of pneumoperitoneum may cause severe cardiovascular depression.", "PMID": 619705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3228", "title": "Acetylcholine concentrations and turnover in rat brain structures during anesthesia with halothane, enflurane, and ketamine.", "content": "Acetylcholine and choline concentrations in brain structures of rats during anesthesia with halothane (0.7-1.0 per cent inspired), enflurane (2.7-3.0 per cent, inspired) and ketamine (40 mg/kg, iv) were measured by gas chromatography. The turnover rate (biosynthesis) of acetylcholine in vivo was estimated by infusing phosphoryl(Me-14C)choline intravenously, determining specific activities of choline and acetylcholine, and applying principles of steady-state kinetics to compute the fractional rate constant of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine concentrations in brain structures did not change during anesthesia. Halothane decreased the acetylcholine turnover rates in all parts of the brain. Enflurane decreased the acetylcholine turnover rate in the cerebral cortex only, but not in the caudate nucleus, the hippocampus, and the hypothalamic and thalamic regions. During anesthesia with ketamine, acetylcholine turnover rates were reduced in the caudate nucleus and the hippocampus, but not in the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamic and thalamic regions. The results suggest that acetylcholine turnover rate and utilization are related to anesthetic induced electrophysiologic changes in cortical and subcortical structures.", "contents": "Acetylcholine concentrations and turnover in rat brain structures during anesthesia with halothane, enflurane, and ketamine. Acetylcholine and choline concentrations in brain structures of rats during anesthesia with halothane (0.7-1.0 per cent inspired), enflurane (2.7-3.0 per cent, inspired) and ketamine (40 mg/kg, iv) were measured by gas chromatography. The turnover rate (biosynthesis) of acetylcholine in vivo was estimated by infusing phosphoryl(Me-14C)choline intravenously, determining specific activities of choline and acetylcholine, and applying principles of steady-state kinetics to compute the fractional rate constant of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine concentrations in brain structures did not change during anesthesia. Halothane decreased the acetylcholine turnover rates in all parts of the brain. Enflurane decreased the acetylcholine turnover rate in the cerebral cortex only, but not in the caudate nucleus, the hippocampus, and the hypothalamic and thalamic regions. During anesthesia with ketamine, acetylcholine turnover rates were reduced in the caudate nucleus and the hippocampus, but not in the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamic and thalamic regions. The results suggest that acetylcholine turnover rate and utilization are related to anesthetic induced electrophysiologic changes in cortical and subcortical structures.", "PMID": 619706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3229", "title": "Platelet aggregation following heparin and protamine administration.", "content": "The effects of heparin, protamine, and the heparin-protamine complex on the abilities of platelets to aggregate in vitro in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine were determined. Citrated blood was obtained from normal volunteers and portions were treated with heparin, protamine, and three different ratios of heparin and protamine. The threshold concentrations of ADP and epinephrine required to produce complete platelet aggregation were then determined. Compared with control citrated plasma, the geometric mean of the threshold concentration for ADP in the heparinized sample was decreased twofold, from 1.88 to 0.94 micrometer; and that for epinephrine more than threefold, from 0.5 to 0.14 micrometer. In contrast, the threshold concentration for ADP was increased to 3.68 micrometer in the neutralized and to 2.78 micrometer in the overneutralized samples and that for epinephrine to 1.62 micrometer in the neutralized and 1.82 micrometer in the overneutralized samples. These data indicate that heparin increases the sensitivity of platelets to ADP and epinephrine as determined by platelet aggregation, and protamine added to heparinized blood not only reverses this effect, but decreases platelet sensitivity when it is added in concentration that neutralize heparin. Additional protamine has no further effect, and protamine alone has no effect on platelet aggregation.", "contents": "Platelet aggregation following heparin and protamine administration. The effects of heparin, protamine, and the heparin-protamine complex on the abilities of platelets to aggregate in vitro in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine were determined. Citrated blood was obtained from normal volunteers and portions were treated with heparin, protamine, and three different ratios of heparin and protamine. The threshold concentrations of ADP and epinephrine required to produce complete platelet aggregation were then determined. Compared with control citrated plasma, the geometric mean of the threshold concentration for ADP in the heparinized sample was decreased twofold, from 1.88 to 0.94 micrometer; and that for epinephrine more than threefold, from 0.5 to 0.14 micrometer. In contrast, the threshold concentration for ADP was increased to 3.68 micrometer in the neutralized and to 2.78 micrometer in the overneutralized samples and that for epinephrine to 1.62 micrometer in the neutralized and 1.82 micrometer in the overneutralized samples. These data indicate that heparin increases the sensitivity of platelets to ADP and epinephrine as determined by platelet aggregation, and protamine added to heparinized blood not only reverses this effect, but decreases platelet sensitivity when it is added in concentration that neutralize heparin. Additional protamine has no further effect, and protamine alone has no effect on platelet aggregation.", "PMID": 619707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3230", "title": "Unilateral hyperlucent lung (Swyer-James syndrome) after severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.", "content": "An 11-year-old girl contracted pneumonia with consolidation of the left lower lobe, infiltrates in the lingula and left upper lobe, and a large left pleural effusion, accompanied by a Mycoplasma complement-fixation titer increasing to 1:16,384. Serial chest radiographs demonstrated resolution of the pneumonia and effusion, followed by development of a hyperlucent left lower lobe. This diagnosis was supported by abnormalities discovered by chest cinefluoroscopic examination and lung scans of ventilation and perfusion. Unilateral hyperlucent lung should be considered as a possible sequel to severe Mycoplasma pulmonary infection.", "contents": "Unilateral hyperlucent lung (Swyer-James syndrome) after severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. An 11-year-old girl contracted pneumonia with consolidation of the left lower lobe, infiltrates in the lingula and left upper lobe, and a large left pleural effusion, accompanied by a Mycoplasma complement-fixation titer increasing to 1:16,384. Serial chest radiographs demonstrated resolution of the pneumonia and effusion, followed by development of a hyperlucent left lower lobe. This diagnosis was supported by abnormalities discovered by chest cinefluoroscopic examination and lung scans of ventilation and perfusion. Unilateral hyperlucent lung should be considered as a possible sequel to severe Mycoplasma pulmonary infection.", "PMID": 619715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3231", "title": "Immunologic reactivity of the lung: the in vivo and in vitro generation of a neutrophil chemotactic factor by alveolar macrophages.", "content": "The generation of a chemotactic factor by guinea pig alveolar macrophages after phagocytosis of heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus was studied. These studies demonstrated that after phagocytosis, alveolar macrophages secrete a small molecular weight (less than 5,000 daltons) chemotactic factor that preferentially attracts neutrophils. The chemotactic factor can be generated in vivo and in vitro, and its chemotactic activity can be detected both in vitro by a chemotactic assay and in vivo by an increase in the absolute number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in lung tissue histologic specimens. Generation of the chemotactic factor was inhibited by 20 microgram of actinomycin D per ml and by 10 microgram of cycloheximide per ml. The factors were stable after incubation at 56 degrees C for 45 min, but not after incubation at 100 degreeg C for 10 min. These studies show that alveolar macrophages can serve as an initiator of pulmonary inflammatory responses by secreting a potent mediator of neutrophil locomotion.", "contents": "Immunologic reactivity of the lung: the in vivo and in vitro generation of a neutrophil chemotactic factor by alveolar macrophages. The generation of a chemotactic factor by guinea pig alveolar macrophages after phagocytosis of heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus was studied. These studies demonstrated that after phagocytosis, alveolar macrophages secrete a small molecular weight (less than 5,000 daltons) chemotactic factor that preferentially attracts neutrophils. The chemotactic factor can be generated in vivo and in vitro, and its chemotactic activity can be detected both in vitro by a chemotactic assay and in vivo by an increase in the absolute number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in lung tissue histologic specimens. Generation of the chemotactic factor was inhibited by 20 microgram of actinomycin D per ml and by 10 microgram of cycloheximide per ml. The factors were stable after incubation at 56 degrees C for 45 min, but not after incubation at 100 degreeg C for 10 min. These studies show that alveolar macrophages can serve as an initiator of pulmonary inflammatory responses by secreting a potent mediator of neutrophil locomotion.", "PMID": 619716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3232", "title": "Mycobacterium terrae synovitis and osteomyelitis.", "content": "An immunocompromised patient with Mycobacterium terrae synovitis and osteomyelitis is presented. Therapeutic recommendations are made based upon existing knowledge of the pathogenesis, course, and outcome of similar infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria.", "contents": "Mycobacterium terrae synovitis and osteomyelitis. An immunocompromised patient with Mycobacterium terrae synovitis and osteomyelitis is presented. Therapeutic recommendations are made based upon existing knowledge of the pathogenesis, course, and outcome of similar infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria.", "PMID": 619717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3233", "title": "Ear oximetry in clinical practice.", "content": "The arterial blood O2 saturation measurement obtained by the Hewlett-Packard ear oximeter was compared to that derived from the arterial PO2 in 41 patients with various pulmonary diseases and in 11 jaundiced patients with serum bilirubin concentrations between 2.7 and 35 mg per 100 ml. There was a good correlation between results obtained with the 2 methods in the jaundiced group (r = + 0.85, n = 19) and in the patients with pulmonary disease (r = + 0.90, n = 57); however, in the jaundiced patients, the ear oximeter arterial O2 saturation was significantly lower (-6.06 per cent, n = 19, P less than 0.01) than the arterial O2 saturation derived from the arterial PO2. There was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin concentration and the magnitude of difference between the oximeter arterial O2 saturation and the arterial PO2-derived arterial O2 saturation (r = + 0.848, n = 16, P less than 0.001). In the nonjaundiced patients, the difference between the 2 measurements was small when the arterial P(02) was greater than 61 mm Hg; the variation increased with lower arterial PO2 concentrations, but the difference was not significant.", "contents": "Ear oximetry in clinical practice. The arterial blood O2 saturation measurement obtained by the Hewlett-Packard ear oximeter was compared to that derived from the arterial PO2 in 41 patients with various pulmonary diseases and in 11 jaundiced patients with serum bilirubin concentrations between 2.7 and 35 mg per 100 ml. There was a good correlation between results obtained with the 2 methods in the jaundiced group (r = + 0.85, n = 19) and in the patients with pulmonary disease (r = + 0.90, n = 57); however, in the jaundiced patients, the ear oximeter arterial O2 saturation was significantly lower (-6.06 per cent, n = 19, P less than 0.01) than the arterial O2 saturation derived from the arterial PO2. There was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin concentration and the magnitude of difference between the oximeter arterial O2 saturation and the arterial PO2-derived arterial O2 saturation (r = + 0.848, n = 16, P less than 0.001). In the nonjaundiced patients, the difference between the 2 measurements was small when the arterial P(02) was greater than 61 mm Hg; the variation increased with lower arterial PO2 concentrations, but the difference was not significant.", "PMID": 619718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3234", "title": "A graphic approach to assessing interrelationships among minute ventilation, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume in patients on respirators.", "content": "A graphic analysis of the relationships among minute ventilation, arterial PCO2, and the ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume is presented for the bedside clinical evaluation of patients receiving continuous respiratory support. With simultaneous measurement of minute ventilation and arterial PCO2, the graph can be used to determine the patient's ratio of dead space to tidal volume. This information can subsequently be used (1) for respirator adjustments to obtain the desired arterial PCO2; (2) to assess the severity of ventilation/perfusion unevenness; and (3) to follow the patient's response to respiratory therapy. It provides the clinician with a conceptual tool with which he can assess the status of a patient's gas exchange and more accurately evaluate and plan his course of treatment.", "contents": "A graphic approach to assessing interrelationships among minute ventilation, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume in patients on respirators. A graphic analysis of the relationships among minute ventilation, arterial PCO2, and the ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume is presented for the bedside clinical evaluation of patients receiving continuous respiratory support. With simultaneous measurement of minute ventilation and arterial PCO2, the graph can be used to determine the patient's ratio of dead space to tidal volume. This information can subsequently be used (1) for respirator adjustments to obtain the desired arterial PCO2; (2) to assess the severity of ventilation/perfusion unevenness; and (3) to follow the patient's response to respiratory therapy. It provides the clinician with a conceptual tool with which he can assess the status of a patient's gas exchange and more accurately evaluate and plan his course of treatment.", "PMID": 619719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3235", "title": "Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic evolution in chronic bronchitis.", "content": "Hemodynamic values obtained during right heart catheterization in about 35 patients with chronic bronchitis were compared with the same variables 3.3 years later (range, 2 to 5 years). In the group of 13 patients with mean pulmonary arterial pressure less than 20 mm Hg at the first catheterization, the average value was 15.8 mm Hg at rest and 25.2 mm Hg during moderate exercise at the first investigation, and 16.9 and 26.3 mm Hg, respectively at the second catherization; the changes were not significant. In the group of pulmonary hypertensive patients, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 27.0 mm Hg at rest and 44.1 mm Hg during moderate exercise at the first catheterization, and 26.8 and 38.9 mm Hg, respectively, at the second catheterization. Thus, even in this group, there was no deterioration in pulmonary hemodynamics, because there was no significant change in right or left filling pressure, or in cardiac output. There was, however, a marked decrease in systemic arterial pressure, which was significant in the group with pulmonary hypertension. This decrease in left ventricular afterload could be partly responsible for the stabilization of pulmonary hemodynamics, and it could be due to the peripheral vasodilating effect of hypoxia and hypercapnia.", "contents": "Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic evolution in chronic bronchitis. Hemodynamic values obtained during right heart catheterization in about 35 patients with chronic bronchitis were compared with the same variables 3.3 years later (range, 2 to 5 years). In the group of 13 patients with mean pulmonary arterial pressure less than 20 mm Hg at the first catheterization, the average value was 15.8 mm Hg at rest and 25.2 mm Hg during moderate exercise at the first investigation, and 16.9 and 26.3 mm Hg, respectively at the second catherization; the changes were not significant. In the group of pulmonary hypertensive patients, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 27.0 mm Hg at rest and 44.1 mm Hg during moderate exercise at the first catheterization, and 26.8 and 38.9 mm Hg, respectively, at the second catheterization. Thus, even in this group, there was no deterioration in pulmonary hemodynamics, because there was no significant change in right or left filling pressure, or in cardiac output. There was, however, a marked decrease in systemic arterial pressure, which was significant in the group with pulmonary hypertension. This decrease in left ventricular afterload could be partly responsible for the stabilization of pulmonary hemodynamics, and it could be due to the peripheral vasodilating effect of hypoxia and hypercapnia.", "PMID": 619721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3236", "title": "Effect of aminophylline on ventilatory responses in normal man.", "content": "The bronchodilator effects of aminophylline have been well documented but its effect on ventilatory drives has not been systematically evaluated. Accordingly, the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and to hypercapnia were measured before and after the intravenous administration of 5 mg of aminophylline per kg of body weight to 6 normal subjects. Hypoxic ventilatory response, as measured by an index of the relation between ventilation and hypoxia (parameter A) increased from a mean +/- SE control value of 146 +/- 25 to 254 +/- 35 75 min after the infusion (P less than 0.05). Significant increases in A were also noticed immediately after and 35 and 50 min after the aminophylline infusion. Oxygen consumption increased from a control value of 235 +/- 21 to 263 +/- 21 ml per min STPD (P less than 0.03), and CO2 production increased from 184 +/- 12 to 202 +/- 13 ml per min STPD (P less than 0.01) after aminophylline. Hypercapnic ventilatory response, measured as the slope of the ventilatory response to hypercapnia, was not altered after the aminophylline. Thus, in addition to bronchodilation, the augmentation of the ventilatory response to hypoxia may be a useful factor when this drug is used in acute respiratory failure secondary to airway obstruction.", "contents": "Effect of aminophylline on ventilatory responses in normal man. The bronchodilator effects of aminophylline have been well documented but its effect on ventilatory drives has not been systematically evaluated. Accordingly, the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and to hypercapnia were measured before and after the intravenous administration of 5 mg of aminophylline per kg of body weight to 6 normal subjects. Hypoxic ventilatory response, as measured by an index of the relation between ventilation and hypoxia (parameter A) increased from a mean +/- SE control value of 146 +/- 25 to 254 +/- 35 75 min after the infusion (P less than 0.05). Significant increases in A were also noticed immediately after and 35 and 50 min after the aminophylline infusion. Oxygen consumption increased from a control value of 235 +/- 21 to 263 +/- 21 ml per min STPD (P less than 0.03), and CO2 production increased from 184 +/- 12 to 202 +/- 13 ml per min STPD (P less than 0.01) after aminophylline. Hypercapnic ventilatory response, measured as the slope of the ventilatory response to hypercapnia, was not altered after the aminophylline. Thus, in addition to bronchodilation, the augmentation of the ventilatory response to hypoxia may be a useful factor when this drug is used in acute respiratory failure secondary to airway obstruction.", "PMID": 619722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3237", "title": "A comparative study of tuberculous and other mycobacterial infections and their associations with malignancy.", "content": "We reviewed 162 cases of bacteriologically proved mycobacterial disease. Nontuberculous acid-fast bacilli were responsible for 27 per cent of the infections, a higher frequency than has previously been reported, and Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare were isolated with equal frequency. This indicates that Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare may be a significant agent of disease in the Midwest as well as the Southeast. There are no useful clinical, radiographic, or laboratory features to distinguish between tuberculous and other mycobacterial infections. Mycobacteria act as opportunistic pathogens in persons with malignant diseases. The attack rate was 607 of 100,000 persons verus 95 of 100,000 persons in our general hospital population. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the nontuberculous mycobacteria were of equal virulence in this regard.", "contents": "A comparative study of tuberculous and other mycobacterial infections and their associations with malignancy. We reviewed 162 cases of bacteriologically proved mycobacterial disease. Nontuberculous acid-fast bacilli were responsible for 27 per cent of the infections, a higher frequency than has previously been reported, and Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare were isolated with equal frequency. This indicates that Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare may be a significant agent of disease in the Midwest as well as the Southeast. There are no useful clinical, radiographic, or laboratory features to distinguish between tuberculous and other mycobacterial infections. Mycobacteria act as opportunistic pathogens in persons with malignant diseases. The attack rate was 607 of 100,000 persons verus 95 of 100,000 persons in our general hospital population. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the nontuberculous mycobacteria were of equal virulence in this regard.", "PMID": 619723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3238", "title": "Spirometric changes in normal children with upper respiratory infections.", "content": "Recent evidence that certain uncomplicated upper respiratory infections induce pulmonary function abnormalities in adults prompted a prospective study in children, in whom such infections occur more frequently. In a longitudinal study, 55 children 2.5 to 11 years of age were observed for a mean duration of 2 years. Spirometry and lung volume studies were obtained routinely every 3 months, during each upper respiratory infection, and 4 weeks after illnes, providing data for 617 \"well\" and 237 \"illness\" observations. After grouping of data by sex and age (less than 84 of greater than 84 months), each spirometric parameter was analyzed using linear regression with individual identification, height, and clinical status (normal versus upper respiratory illness) as independent variables. Adjusted mean values of forced vital capacity, 1-sec forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow, maximal mid-expiratory flow, and expiratory flow at 50 per cent of the forced vital capacity all decreased during upper respiratory illness. The data suggest that lower respiratory tract involvement without signs or symptoms of lower airway or alveolar disease occurs with upper respiratory illnesses of varied etiologic origin in childhood.", "contents": "Spirometric changes in normal children with upper respiratory infections. Recent evidence that certain uncomplicated upper respiratory infections induce pulmonary function abnormalities in adults prompted a prospective study in children, in whom such infections occur more frequently. In a longitudinal study, 55 children 2.5 to 11 years of age were observed for a mean duration of 2 years. Spirometry and lung volume studies were obtained routinely every 3 months, during each upper respiratory infection, and 4 weeks after illnes, providing data for 617 \"well\" and 237 \"illness\" observations. After grouping of data by sex and age (less than 84 of greater than 84 months), each spirometric parameter was analyzed using linear regression with individual identification, height, and clinical status (normal versus upper respiratory illness) as independent variables. Adjusted mean values of forced vital capacity, 1-sec forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow, maximal mid-expiratory flow, and expiratory flow at 50 per cent of the forced vital capacity all decreased during upper respiratory illness. The data suggest that lower respiratory tract involvement without signs or symptoms of lower airway or alveolar disease occurs with upper respiratory illnesses of varied etiologic origin in childhood.", "PMID": 619724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3239", "title": "Cell-mediated immune responses in sarcoidosis.", "content": "In an attempt to understand divergent observations regarding the in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to antigens and mitogens, the frequency of cutaneous reactivity, and the relationship of these variables to clinical features of sarcoidosis, we examined cell-mediated immune responses in 75 untreated patients. In vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were significantly decreased among the group of patients with chronic active disease. In vitro lymphocyte responses to streptococcal antigen paralleled the patient's cutaneous reactivity; however, when compared to healthy persons, patients with sarcoidosis responded significantly less often to streptococcal skin tests. Twelve of 13 persons expected to be tuberculin positive by clinical history were found to be dermally reactive, and 11 these 12 exhibited positive in vitro lymphocyte responses to purified protein derivative. Among the remaining 62 patients, failure to respond to all stimuli in vivo and in vitro occurred in only 10. No evidence was found to support the general view that sarcoidosis is characterized by anergy to specific antigens. The patterns of responses to mitogens were neither characteristic nor unique for sarcoidosis. In patients in whom diminished specific cellular immune reactivity was observed, no correlation was evident with specific clinical features of the disease.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immune responses in sarcoidosis. In an attempt to understand divergent observations regarding the in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness to antigens and mitogens, the frequency of cutaneous reactivity, and the relationship of these variables to clinical features of sarcoidosis, we examined cell-mediated immune responses in 75 untreated patients. In vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were significantly decreased among the group of patients with chronic active disease. In vitro lymphocyte responses to streptococcal antigen paralleled the patient's cutaneous reactivity; however, when compared to healthy persons, patients with sarcoidosis responded significantly less often to streptococcal skin tests. Twelve of 13 persons expected to be tuberculin positive by clinical history were found to be dermally reactive, and 11 these 12 exhibited positive in vitro lymphocyte responses to purified protein derivative. Among the remaining 62 patients, failure to respond to all stimuli in vivo and in vitro occurred in only 10. No evidence was found to support the general view that sarcoidosis is characterized by anergy to specific antigens. The patterns of responses to mitogens were neither characteristic nor unique for sarcoidosis. In patients in whom diminished specific cellular immune reactivity was observed, no correlation was evident with specific clinical features of the disease.", "PMID": 619725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3240", "title": "A noninvasive method for measuring the PCO2 of mixed venous blood.", "content": "A breath-holding method for measuring the PCO2 of mixed venous blood has been developed. Two gas mixtures, 100 per cent O2 and 12 per cent CO2 in O2, were inspired, and the expired gas was analyzed after 5 and 15 sec of breathholding. The oxygenated mixed venous PCO2 was calculated using an exponential equation. The method was applied in healthy subjects, patients with lung disease, and unconscious mechanically ventilated patients. The mixed venous PCO2 correlated well with arterial PCO2 (r = 0.96), the PCO2 obtained by rebreathing (r = 0.97), and the PCO2 in blood drawn from the pulmonary artery (r = 0.97). The method is noninvasive, has a low coefficient of variance, and allows arterial PCO2 to be estimated by multiplying the breath-holding mixed venous PCO2 by 0.8.", "contents": "A noninvasive method for measuring the PCO2 of mixed venous blood. A breath-holding method for measuring the PCO2 of mixed venous blood has been developed. Two gas mixtures, 100 per cent O2 and 12 per cent CO2 in O2, were inspired, and the expired gas was analyzed after 5 and 15 sec of breathholding. The oxygenated mixed venous PCO2 was calculated using an exponential equation. The method was applied in healthy subjects, patients with lung disease, and unconscious mechanically ventilated patients. The mixed venous PCO2 correlated well with arterial PCO2 (r = 0.96), the PCO2 obtained by rebreathing (r = 0.97), and the PCO2 in blood drawn from the pulmonary artery (r = 0.97). The method is noninvasive, has a low coefficient of variance, and allows arterial PCO2 to be estimated by multiplying the breath-holding mixed venous PCO2 by 0.8.", "PMID": 619726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3241", "title": "Physiologic and morphologic observations of the effects of intravenous elastase on the lung.", "content": "Intravenous administration of porcine pancreatic elastase to hamsters produced significant loss of elastic recoil at low volumes. Histology and mean linear intercept of the lungs fixed at a pressure of 20 cm H2O and studied for 3 weeks after administration of elastase were normal. Larger doses of elastase caused immediate fatal, hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. These results confirmed previous morphologic observations of the effects of intravenously administered elastase, but demonstrated that the loss of elastic recoil at low lung volumes is not invariably associated with histologic changes or morphologically with loss of elastin fibers. These observations suggest that submicroscopic lesions may be present and may antedate the earliest morphologic evidence of emphysema and aging in the lung.", "contents": "Physiologic and morphologic observations of the effects of intravenous elastase on the lung. Intravenous administration of porcine pancreatic elastase to hamsters produced significant loss of elastic recoil at low volumes. Histology and mean linear intercept of the lungs fixed at a pressure of 20 cm H2O and studied for 3 weeks after administration of elastase were normal. Larger doses of elastase caused immediate fatal, hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. These results confirmed previous morphologic observations of the effects of intravenously administered elastase, but demonstrated that the loss of elastic recoil at low lung volumes is not invariably associated with histologic changes or morphologically with loss of elastin fibers. These observations suggest that submicroscopic lesions may be present and may antedate the earliest morphologic evidence of emphysema and aging in the lung.", "PMID": 619730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3242", "title": "Natural history of sickle cell anemia in Saudi Arabs. A study of 270 subjects.", "content": "We studied 270 Saudi Arabs with homozygous sickle cell anemia, using chart review, a register (since 1969), and home visiting in 42 cases. Average follow-up for the total group was 10 years. Seventy-four percent of those diagnosed by age 3 years presented on screening or with merely anemia; 26% presented with illness, abnormal physical findings, or pain. Compared with American or Jamaican blacks, serious complications occurred only 6% to 25% as frequently; leg ulcers did not occur at all; the mortality under age 15 years was 10% as great; mean levels of blood hemoglobin were higher (10 g/dl), reticulocyte count was lower (5% to 6%), and mean fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which was inversely correlated with reticulocytes, was higher (22% to 26.8%). The high HbF is believed to account for the very mild clinical manifestations.", "contents": "Natural history of sickle cell anemia in Saudi Arabs. A study of 270 subjects. We studied 270 Saudi Arabs with homozygous sickle cell anemia, using chart review, a register (since 1969), and home visiting in 42 cases. Average follow-up for the total group was 10 years. Seventy-four percent of those diagnosed by age 3 years presented on screening or with merely anemia; 26% presented with illness, abnormal physical findings, or pain. Compared with American or Jamaican blacks, serious complications occurred only 6% to 25% as frequently; leg ulcers did not occur at all; the mortality under age 15 years was 10% as great; mean levels of blood hemoglobin were higher (10 g/dl), reticulocyte count was lower (5% to 6%), and mean fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which was inversely correlated with reticulocytes, was higher (22% to 26.8%). The high HbF is believed to account for the very mild clinical manifestations.", "PMID": 619731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3243", "title": "Renal vasculature in essential hypertension: racial differences.", "content": "In an attempt to explain the greater morbidity from essential hypertension in the black as compared with the white race, we evaluated the intrarenal vasculature of 27 patients with hypertension (19 white and 8 black). All patients had mild-to-moderate hypertension (mean arterial pressure, 110 to 125 mm Hg), normal renal function, and minimal target-organ damage. All patients had selective renal angiograms, which were evaluated for arterial nephrosclerosis. Additionally, renal blood flow was estimated by the clearance of para-aminohippurate. Patient age, blood pressure, and plasma renin activity did not differ between the two races. Black hypertensives had significantly (P less 0.01) more severe nephrosclerosis than the white patients. Renal blood flow was lower (P less than 0.05) in black patients (390 +/- 35 ml/min - m2 body surface area) than white patients (473 +/- 19 ml/min - m2 body surface area). These findings may help to explain racial differences in morbidity and mortality from essential hypertension.", "contents": "Renal vasculature in essential hypertension: racial differences. In an attempt to explain the greater morbidity from essential hypertension in the black as compared with the white race, we evaluated the intrarenal vasculature of 27 patients with hypertension (19 white and 8 black). All patients had mild-to-moderate hypertension (mean arterial pressure, 110 to 125 mm Hg), normal renal function, and minimal target-organ damage. All patients had selective renal angiograms, which were evaluated for arterial nephrosclerosis. Additionally, renal blood flow was estimated by the clearance of para-aminohippurate. Patient age, blood pressure, and plasma renin activity did not differ between the two races. Black hypertensives had significantly (P less 0.01) more severe nephrosclerosis than the white patients. Renal blood flow was lower (P less than 0.05) in black patients (390 +/- 35 ml/min - m2 body surface area) than white patients (473 +/- 19 ml/min - m2 body surface area). These findings may help to explain racial differences in morbidity and mortality from essential hypertension.", "PMID": 619732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3244", "title": "Radiofrequency-triggered pacemakers: uses and limitations. A long-term study.", "content": "Seven patients with either recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (five), alternatinng bradycardiatachycardia (one), or ventricular tachycardia (one) underwent insertion of permanent radiofrequency-triggered pacemakers. Follow-up evaluation (36 +/- 24 months, mean +/- SD) revealed that arrhythmias were well controlled in five of seven patients, although three of the five required medication to decrease frequency of arrhythmias. Overdrive pacing was ineffective in one patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who had recurrent bouts of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. One additional patient with ventricular tachycardia became refractory to overdrive atrial pacing. These studies document the long-term effectiveness of radiofrequency pacemakers in some patients with recurrent refractory arrhythmias. Careful patient selection and electrophysiologic studies are mandatory before implantation of a permanent radiofrequency pacemaker. Physicians must be aware of both the benefits and possible limitations of radiofrequency pacemakers in order to choose between pacemaker versus surgical intervention in patients with cardiac arrhythmias refractory to standard drug therapy.", "contents": "Radiofrequency-triggered pacemakers: uses and limitations. A long-term study. Seven patients with either recurrent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (five), alternatinng bradycardiatachycardia (one), or ventricular tachycardia (one) underwent insertion of permanent radiofrequency-triggered pacemakers. Follow-up evaluation (36 +/- 24 months, mean +/- SD) revealed that arrhythmias were well controlled in five of seven patients, although three of the five required medication to decrease frequency of arrhythmias. Overdrive pacing was ineffective in one patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who had recurrent bouts of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. One additional patient with ventricular tachycardia became refractory to overdrive atrial pacing. These studies document the long-term effectiveness of radiofrequency pacemakers in some patients with recurrent refractory arrhythmias. Careful patient selection and electrophysiologic studies are mandatory before implantation of a permanent radiofrequency pacemaker. Physicians must be aware of both the benefits and possible limitations of radiofrequency pacemakers in order to choose between pacemaker versus surgical intervention in patients with cardiac arrhythmias refractory to standard drug therapy.", "PMID": 619753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3245", "title": "Effect of saralasin in hypertensive patients on chronic hemodialysis.", "content": "Hypertension in patients on chronic hemodialysis is thought to be largely of two types--volume dependent or renin dependent. If renin-dependent hypertension is mediated by angiotensin II, then angiotensin II antagonism should lower blood pressure. To test this hypothesis, the angiotensin II antagonist saralasin was given to 15 hypertensive patients on chronic hemodialysis. Patients were separated into two groups by their blood pressure response. In responders blood pressure was 191/112 mm Hg and fell to 147/85 during saralasin administration (P less than 0.01). In contrast, nonresponders had blood pressures of 190/111 mm Hg before and 188/110 during saralasin administration. Five responders subsequently ahd nephrectomies with normalization of their blood pressures. Plasma renin activity averaged 70 ng/ml . 3 h of angiotensin I in responders and increased to 110 after saralasin (P less than 0.05), while nonresponders had values of 21 before and after saralasin. These results offer strong support for the hypothesis that renin-dependent hypertension is an important mechanism in certain patients on chronic hemodialysis and that such patients will respond to angiotensin II antagonism.", "contents": "Effect of saralasin in hypertensive patients on chronic hemodialysis. Hypertension in patients on chronic hemodialysis is thought to be largely of two types--volume dependent or renin dependent. If renin-dependent hypertension is mediated by angiotensin II, then angiotensin II antagonism should lower blood pressure. To test this hypothesis, the angiotensin II antagonist saralasin was given to 15 hypertensive patients on chronic hemodialysis. Patients were separated into two groups by their blood pressure response. In responders blood pressure was 191/112 mm Hg and fell to 147/85 during saralasin administration (P less than 0.01). In contrast, nonresponders had blood pressures of 190/111 mm Hg before and 188/110 during saralasin administration. Five responders subsequently ahd nephrectomies with normalization of their blood pressures. Plasma renin activity averaged 70 ng/ml . 3 h of angiotensin I in responders and increased to 110 after saralasin (P less than 0.05), while nonresponders had values of 21 before and after saralasin. These results offer strong support for the hypothesis that renin-dependent hypertension is an important mechanism in certain patients on chronic hemodialysis and that such patients will respond to angiotensin II antagonism.", "PMID": 619754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3246", "title": "Septicemia in patients on chronic hemodialysis.", "content": "Bacterial sepsis, a major complication of chronic hemodialysis, is due mainly to infections of the vascular access site despite increasing use of internal fistulas. Sixty episodes of septicemia occurred in two chronic dialysis centers, with an incidence of 0.15 episodes of significant bacteremia per patient-dialysis-year in each. Forty-four of the 60 episodes were judged to be due to vascular access site infection by clinical, bacteriologic, and histologic criteria. Seventy percent (31 of 44) of the vascular access site-related episodes were due to staphylococci and 25% (11 of 44) to Gram-negative bacilli; nonvascular access site-related episodes were often due to transplant site infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli or streptococci. Mortality was about 18% in both vascular access site-related and nonrelated septic episodes. Bovine heterograft arteriovenous fistulas more often led to sepsis than did Brescia arteriovenous fistulas. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics was successful in most cases. Routine removal or ligation of the vascular access site was not necessary.", "contents": "Septicemia in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Bacterial sepsis, a major complication of chronic hemodialysis, is due mainly to infections of the vascular access site despite increasing use of internal fistulas. Sixty episodes of septicemia occurred in two chronic dialysis centers, with an incidence of 0.15 episodes of significant bacteremia per patient-dialysis-year in each. Forty-four of the 60 episodes were judged to be due to vascular access site infection by clinical, bacteriologic, and histologic criteria. Seventy percent (31 of 44) of the vascular access site-related episodes were due to staphylococci and 25% (11 of 44) to Gram-negative bacilli; nonvascular access site-related episodes were often due to transplant site infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli or streptococci. Mortality was about 18% in both vascular access site-related and nonrelated septic episodes. Bovine heterograft arteriovenous fistulas more often led to sepsis than did Brescia arteriovenous fistulas. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics was successful in most cases. Routine removal or ligation of the vascular access site was not necessary.", "PMID": 619755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3247", "title": "Rectilinear thyroid scanning as a predictor of malignancy.", "content": "Rectilinear scan findings were correlated with the surgically documented size, location, and histology of thyroid carcinoma in 67 patients. At the site of the carcinoma, 36 (54%) had hypofunction, associated with a palpable abnormality in all but one patient; 16 (24%) had an abnormality on palpation but not on scanning; 11 (16%) had both a normal clinical examination and a normal scan, associated with a benign abnormality in another part of the thyroid; and four (6%) had a patchy uptake. A literature review established that use of the gamma camera with pinhole collimator does not increase the specificity of carcinoma predictability, despite the enhanced sensitivity. The scan may still be used in evaluating the clinically solitary nodule that is not obviously malignant. However, unless that module is hyperfunctioning, clinical criteria rather than appearance of the scan should contribute most to the decision of whether to treat surgically.", "contents": "Rectilinear thyroid scanning as a predictor of malignancy. Rectilinear scan findings were correlated with the surgically documented size, location, and histology of thyroid carcinoma in 67 patients. At the site of the carcinoma, 36 (54%) had hypofunction, associated with a palpable abnormality in all but one patient; 16 (24%) had an abnormality on palpation but not on scanning; 11 (16%) had both a normal clinical examination and a normal scan, associated with a benign abnormality in another part of the thyroid; and four (6%) had a patchy uptake. A literature review established that use of the gamma camera with pinhole collimator does not increase the specificity of carcinoma predictability, despite the enhanced sensitivity. The scan may still be used in evaluating the clinically solitary nodule that is not obviously malignant. However, unless that module is hyperfunctioning, clinical criteria rather than appearance of the scan should contribute most to the decision of whether to treat surgically.", "PMID": 619756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3248", "title": "Endogenous activation in blastomycosis.", "content": "Recent work established the fact that the portal of entry in blastomycosis is the lung. After the initial exposure to the fungus, a pneumonic process develops that may heal spontaneously or progress locally or at distant sites, or both. Frequently, however, patients present with disseminated disease, whose chest roentgenograms do not show any lesions. We have recently seen three patients with disseminated blastomycosis with negative chest roentgenograms at the time of diagnosis. Past history showed a pneumonic illness 33, 32, and 4 months before diagnosis. Chest roentgenograms from the time of the original illness showed a pneumonic process compatible with blastomycosis in all three. Examination of postbronchoscopy sputa showed the characteristic yeasts of Blastomyces dermatitidis. These three patients document for the first time apparent endogenous activation in blastomycosis. A possible explanation for this apparent endogenous activation may reside in the histopathologic similarity between blastomycosis and other chronic granulomatous diseases, especially tuberculosis.", "contents": "Endogenous activation in blastomycosis. Recent work established the fact that the portal of entry in blastomycosis is the lung. After the initial exposure to the fungus, a pneumonic process develops that may heal spontaneously or progress locally or at distant sites, or both. Frequently, however, patients present with disseminated disease, whose chest roentgenograms do not show any lesions. We have recently seen three patients with disseminated blastomycosis with negative chest roentgenograms at the time of diagnosis. Past history showed a pneumonic illness 33, 32, and 4 months before diagnosis. Chest roentgenograms from the time of the original illness showed a pneumonic process compatible with blastomycosis in all three. Examination of postbronchoscopy sputa showed the characteristic yeasts of Blastomyces dermatitidis. These three patients document for the first time apparent endogenous activation in blastomycosis. A possible explanation for this apparent endogenous activation may reside in the histopathologic similarity between blastomycosis and other chronic granulomatous diseases, especially tuberculosis.", "PMID": 619757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3249", "title": "Effects of disulfiram and pyridoxine on serum cholesterol.", "content": "Disulfiram, 500 mg/day, raised serum cholesterol levels in alcoholic persons from a mean of 193 +/- 16.4 mg/dl to 227.2 +/- 17.2 mg/dl after 3 weeks and 264 +/- 40 mg/dl after 6 weeks. This increase was not seen in a group taking pyridoxine 50 mg/day in addition to disulfiram 500 mg/day. In contrast to the disulfiram and disulfiram-pyridoxine treatment groups, control groups receiving pyridoxine alone, or no drug, had a 33 mg/dl reduction in serum cholesterol during the first 3 weeks of abstinence, a finding consistent with other evidence showing a rapid decrease in serum lipids on abstinence from alcohol. Patients taking disulfiram 250 mg/day, with or without pyridoxine, did not have this expected decrease in serum cholesterol. Since increased serum cholesterol is one of the risk factors in a coronary heart disease, chronic disulfirm therapy may increase the incidence of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as has been the case with chronic exposure to carbon disulfide, a principal metabolite of disulfiram.", "contents": "Effects of disulfiram and pyridoxine on serum cholesterol. Disulfiram, 500 mg/day, raised serum cholesterol levels in alcoholic persons from a mean of 193 +/- 16.4 mg/dl to 227.2 +/- 17.2 mg/dl after 3 weeks and 264 +/- 40 mg/dl after 6 weeks. This increase was not seen in a group taking pyridoxine 50 mg/day in addition to disulfiram 500 mg/day. In contrast to the disulfiram and disulfiram-pyridoxine treatment groups, control groups receiving pyridoxine alone, or no drug, had a 33 mg/dl reduction in serum cholesterol during the first 3 weeks of abstinence, a finding consistent with other evidence showing a rapid decrease in serum lipids on abstinence from alcohol. Patients taking disulfiram 250 mg/day, with or without pyridoxine, did not have this expected decrease in serum cholesterol. Since increased serum cholesterol is one of the risk factors in a coronary heart disease, chronic disulfirm therapy may increase the incidence of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as has been the case with chronic exposure to carbon disulfide, a principal metabolite of disulfiram.", "PMID": 619758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3250", "title": "Platelet hyperaggregability and thrombosis in patients with thrombocythemia.", "content": "The relation between platelet hyperaggregability and thrombosis was assessed in 28 patients with thrombocythemia due to myeloproliferative diseases and 11 with reactive thrombocytosis. None of the patients with reactive thrombocytosis had thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications, but thrombosis was noted in seven patients and bleeding in two patients with thrombocythemia. Nineteen were asymptomatic. In patients with thrombosis, bleeding time, platelet glass retention, and clot retraction were normal, but evidence of platelet hyperaggregability was present in all but one. Serial studies on six patients revealed a close association between platelet hyperaggregability and ischemic attacks. Neither patient with bleeding complications had evidence of platelet hyperaggregability, although poor platelet function was found in one. Platelet function in asymptomatic patients can be classified as hyperactive, hypoactive, or normal.", "contents": "Platelet hyperaggregability and thrombosis in patients with thrombocythemia. The relation between platelet hyperaggregability and thrombosis was assessed in 28 patients with thrombocythemia due to myeloproliferative diseases and 11 with reactive thrombocytosis. None of the patients with reactive thrombocytosis had thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications, but thrombosis was noted in seven patients and bleeding in two patients with thrombocythemia. Nineteen were asymptomatic. In patients with thrombosis, bleeding time, platelet glass retention, and clot retraction were normal, but evidence of platelet hyperaggregability was present in all but one. Serial studies on six patients revealed a close association between platelet hyperaggregability and ischemic attacks. Neither patient with bleeding complications had evidence of platelet hyperaggregability, although poor platelet function was found in one. Platelet function in asymptomatic patients can be classified as hyperactive, hypoactive, or normal.", "PMID": 619762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3251", "title": "Amebiasis: epidemiologic studies in the United States, 1971-1974.", "content": "Seven investigations of suspected foci of amebiasis between October 1971 and June 1974 lead to three conclusions. (1) A number of laboratories have vastly overdiagnosed amebiasis and have reported leukocytes in stools as Entamoeba histolytica. Two laboratories found to be in error were in community hospitals, and one was at a teaching hospital associated with a medical school and a school of public health. These three laboratories had been diagnosing more than 1200 cases of amebiasis a year for 20 years. (2) When amebiasis does occur, it is likely to be misdiagnosed. In one outbreak with four cases and three deaths, amebiasis was not diagnosed until two patients had died and another was critically ill. Sporadic cases may be mistakenly diagnosed as ulcerative colitis and inappropriately treated with steroids. (3) Foci of endemic amebiasis continue to exist in the United States, both in institutions and in noninstitutional settings.", "contents": "Amebiasis: epidemiologic studies in the United States, 1971-1974. Seven investigations of suspected foci of amebiasis between October 1971 and June 1974 lead to three conclusions. (1) A number of laboratories have vastly overdiagnosed amebiasis and have reported leukocytes in stools as Entamoeba histolytica. Two laboratories found to be in error were in community hospitals, and one was at a teaching hospital associated with a medical school and a school of public health. These three laboratories had been diagnosing more than 1200 cases of amebiasis a year for 20 years. (2) When amebiasis does occur, it is likely to be misdiagnosed. In one outbreak with four cases and three deaths, amebiasis was not diagnosed until two patients had died and another was critically ill. Sporadic cases may be mistakenly diagnosed as ulcerative colitis and inappropriately treated with steroids. (3) Foci of endemic amebiasis continue to exist in the United States, both in institutions and in noninstitutional settings.", "PMID": 619763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3252", "title": "Ichthyosiform sarcoidosis.", "content": "A 31-year-old black woman had acquired ichthyosis. Histologic examination of her skin revealed a sarcoidal reaction in the dermis. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was supported by negative tuberculin (intermediate strength purified protein derivative) and Candida albicans extract intradermal skin tests; by a positive Kveim test; and by roentgenographic evidence of bilateral hilar adenopathy, paratracheal node enlargement, and diffuse pulmonary parenchymal changes. Sarcoidosis must be considered when acquired ichthyosis develops in a patient.", "contents": "Ichthyosiform sarcoidosis. A 31-year-old black woman had acquired ichthyosis. Histologic examination of her skin revealed a sarcoidal reaction in the dermis. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was supported by negative tuberculin (intermediate strength purified protein derivative) and Candida albicans extract intradermal skin tests; by a positive Kveim test; and by roentgenographic evidence of bilateral hilar adenopathy, paratracheal node enlargement, and diffuse pulmonary parenchymal changes. Sarcoidosis must be considered when acquired ichthyosis develops in a patient.", "PMID": 619764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3253", "title": "Dystrophic xanthomatosis in mycosis fungoides.", "content": "The condition of a patient with advanced mycosis fungoides was treated with cyclic combination chemotherapy. At the sites of regressing tumors, yellow nodules appeared that were clinically and histologically benign xanthomata. The probable multifactorial pathogenesis of dystrophic xanthomata is discussed and previous case reports are reviewed.", "contents": "Dystrophic xanthomatosis in mycosis fungoides. The condition of a patient with advanced mycosis fungoides was treated with cyclic combination chemotherapy. At the sites of regressing tumors, yellow nodules appeared that were clinically and histologically benign xanthomata. The probable multifactorial pathogenesis of dystrophic xanthomata is discussed and previous case reports are reviewed.", "PMID": 619765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3254", "title": "Smooth muscle hamartoma associated with Becker's nevus.", "content": "Two cases of smooth muscle hamartoma with Becker's nevus are reported. Clinically and histologically the lesions resemble Becker's nevi with the exception that on histologic examination a hamartomatous proliferation of smooth muscle is prominent.", "contents": "Smooth muscle hamartoma associated with Becker's nevus. Two cases of smooth muscle hamartoma with Becker's nevus are reported. Clinically and histologically the lesions resemble Becker's nevi with the exception that on histologic examination a hamartomatous proliferation of smooth muscle is prominent.", "PMID": 619766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3255", "title": "Subcutaneous cysticercosis.", "content": "Subcutaneous cysticercosis occurred in a 34-year-old man who had multiple asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules. Surgical excision of one lesion revealed a cystic structure with a fibrous capsule that embraced a pork tapeworm larva (Cysticercus cellulosae). Such esoteric afflictions as cysticercosis may be seen with increasing frequency in an age of accelerated international travel.", "contents": "Subcutaneous cysticercosis. Subcutaneous cysticercosis occurred in a 34-year-old man who had multiple asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules. Surgical excision of one lesion revealed a cystic structure with a fibrous capsule that embraced a pork tapeworm larva (Cysticercus cellulosae). Such esoteric afflictions as cysticercosis may be seen with increasing frequency in an age of accelerated international travel.", "PMID": 619767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3256", "title": "Balloon cell nevus. Summary of the clinical and histologic characteristics.", "content": "A 45-year-old man requested excision of an ordinary intradermal nevus. Histologic examination showed that it was composed entirely of balloon cells; to our knowledge, this is only the fifth such case reported.", "contents": "Balloon cell nevus. Summary of the clinical and histologic characteristics. A 45-year-old man requested excision of an ordinary intradermal nevus. Histologic examination showed that it was composed entirely of balloon cells; to our knowledge, this is only the fifth such case reported.", "PMID": 619768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3257", "title": "Pathogenesis of erythromelalgia.", "content": "A defective prostaglandin metabolism in patients with erythromelalgia may explain several of the clinical features of this condition, such as the red discoloration and burning sensations of the skin. In two patients with erythromelalgia a grossly abnormal bullous reaction to intradermally injected PGE1, PGE2, and PGF1alpha occurred, whereas a normal reaction appeared after injection of histamine, serotonin, and bradykinin. Furthermore, prostaglandin-like material was detected in increased concentration in skin perfusates from these patient. In PGE1-equivalents the concentration amounted to 2.0 and 3.2 ng/ml of the original perfusate, as compared to 0.1 ng/ml in normal skin. The capacity of synthesizing prostaglandins was increased in skin biopsy material from both patients. At least part of the therapeutic effect of aspirin in these patients may be due to the influence of this drug on prostaglandin metabolism.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of erythromelalgia. A defective prostaglandin metabolism in patients with erythromelalgia may explain several of the clinical features of this condition, such as the red discoloration and burning sensations of the skin. In two patients with erythromelalgia a grossly abnormal bullous reaction to intradermally injected PGE1, PGE2, and PGF1alpha occurred, whereas a normal reaction appeared after injection of histamine, serotonin, and bradykinin. Furthermore, prostaglandin-like material was detected in increased concentration in skin perfusates from these patient. In PGE1-equivalents the concentration amounted to 2.0 and 3.2 ng/ml of the original perfusate, as compared to 0.1 ng/ml in normal skin. The capacity of synthesizing prostaglandins was increased in skin biopsy material from both patients. At least part of the therapeutic effect of aspirin in these patients may be due to the influence of this drug on prostaglandin metabolism.", "PMID": 619769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3258", "title": "Trichophyton simii infection in the United States not traceable to India.", "content": "To our knowledge, this communication reports the first case of Trichophyton simii infection in the United States not traceable to India, The patient was a 40-year-old Nigerian male student who had not been out of the United States for more than three years. He had never been in India or had contact with animals or poultry. A brief review of the literature is included.", "contents": "Trichophyton simii infection in the United States not traceable to India. To our knowledge, this communication reports the first case of Trichophyton simii infection in the United States not traceable to India, The patient was a 40-year-old Nigerian male student who had not been out of the United States for more than three years. He had never been in India or had contact with animals or poultry. A brief review of the literature is included.", "PMID": 619770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3259", "title": "Crude coal tar plus near ultraviolet light suppresses DNA synthesis in epidermis.", "content": "Crude coal tar and a refined product, when they are combined with near ultraviolet (UV) light (UVA, 320-400 nm), depress DNA synthesis in vivo in normal and proliferating skin of the hairless mouse. Near ultraviolet light alone does not interfere with DNA synthesis, but coal tar without UVA does have an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis of normal skin. This effect of coal tar without UVA is not as great as the effect of the combination of UVA and coal tar. Between 0.9 and 1.6 joules/sq cm of UVA are required for its biologic effect on DNA synthesis in coal-tar-treated skin.", "contents": "Crude coal tar plus near ultraviolet light suppresses DNA synthesis in epidermis. Crude coal tar and a refined product, when they are combined with near ultraviolet (UV) light (UVA, 320-400 nm), depress DNA synthesis in vivo in normal and proliferating skin of the hairless mouse. Near ultraviolet light alone does not interfere with DNA synthesis, but coal tar without UVA does have an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis of normal skin. This effect of coal tar without UVA is not as great as the effect of the combination of UVA and coal tar. Between 0.9 and 1.6 joules/sq cm of UVA are required for its biologic effect on DNA synthesis in coal-tar-treated skin.", "PMID": 619781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3260", "title": "Sunburn protection by longwave ultraviolet radiation-induced pigmentation.", "content": "The role of melanin pigment in sunburn protection was investigated. Deep tans were induced over the backs of volunteers with repeated exposure to longwave ultraviolet radiation (UV-A). Melanogenesis was stimulated without an appreciable thickening of the stratum corneum. Two to three times the minimal erythema dose was required to produce redness in UV-A-tanned skin. Transmission studies through isolated corneum sheets revealed that specimens from tanned skin were about twice as efficient in filtering sunburn rays as stratum corneum from untanned skin. Tanning with UV-A does not provide a substantial resistance against sunburn.", "contents": "Sunburn protection by longwave ultraviolet radiation-induced pigmentation. The role of melanin pigment in sunburn protection was investigated. Deep tans were induced over the backs of volunteers with repeated exposure to longwave ultraviolet radiation (UV-A). Melanogenesis was stimulated without an appreciable thickening of the stratum corneum. Two to three times the minimal erythema dose was required to produce redness in UV-A-tanned skin. Transmission studies through isolated corneum sheets revealed that specimens from tanned skin were about twice as efficient in filtering sunburn rays as stratum corneum from untanned skin. Tanning with UV-A does not provide a substantial resistance against sunburn.", "PMID": 619782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3261", "title": "Large cell acanthoma. One of the actinic keratoses.", "content": "Large cell acanthoma (LCA), which was first introduced to the dermatologic literature in 1970 and has had no major presentation since then, is not an uncommon lesion. The lesion is a circumscribed hyperkeratotic epidermal growth with the outstanding pathologic feature being large cells. Clinical diagnoses have included several benign and malignant skin conditions. Large cell acanthoma may be related to lichen planus-like keratosis and lentigo senilis. We diagnosed 38 instances of LCA among 34,000 specimens received in our dermatopathology laboratory.", "contents": "Large cell acanthoma. One of the actinic keratoses. Large cell acanthoma (LCA), which was first introduced to the dermatologic literature in 1970 and has had no major presentation since then, is not an uncommon lesion. The lesion is a circumscribed hyperkeratotic epidermal growth with the outstanding pathologic feature being large cells. Clinical diagnoses have included several benign and malignant skin conditions. Large cell acanthoma may be related to lichen planus-like keratosis and lentigo senilis. We diagnosed 38 instances of LCA among 34,000 specimens received in our dermatopathology laboratory.", "PMID": 619783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3262", "title": "Radiation dermatitis following electron beam therapy. An evaluation of patients ten years after total skin irradiation for mycosis fungoides.", "content": "Ten patients, who had been treated for mycosis fungoides with electron beam radiation ten or more years previously, were examined for signs of radiation dermatitis. Although most patients had had acute radiation dermatitis, only a few manifested signs of mild chronic changes after having received between 1,000 and 2,800 rads.", "contents": "Radiation dermatitis following electron beam therapy. An evaluation of patients ten years after total skin irradiation for mycosis fungoides. Ten patients, who had been treated for mycosis fungoides with electron beam radiation ten or more years previously, were examined for signs of radiation dermatitis. Although most patients had had acute radiation dermatitis, only a few manifested signs of mild chronic changes after having received between 1,000 and 2,800 rads.", "PMID": 619784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3263", "title": "Epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma. Differentiating malignant melanoma metastatic to the epidermis from malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis.", "content": "In four instances, metastases to epidermis from primary cutaneous malignant melanomas at different sites showed histological features similar to those of cutaneous malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis. In these metastases, atypical melanocytes were present within the epidermis and in the upper part of the dermis much as in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. Therefore, the presence of atypical melanocytes within the epidermis is not in itself an absolute criterion of malignant melanoma primary in skin. Nor does that finding absolutely deny malignant melanoma metastastic to the skin. Features that may enable histologic differentiation of epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma from primary cutaneous malignant melanoma are emphasized.", "contents": "Epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma. Differentiating malignant melanoma metastatic to the epidermis from malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis. In four instances, metastases to epidermis from primary cutaneous malignant melanomas at different sites showed histological features similar to those of cutaneous malignant melanoma primary in the epidermis. In these metastases, atypical melanocytes were present within the epidermis and in the upper part of the dermis much as in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. Therefore, the presence of atypical melanocytes within the epidermis is not in itself an absolute criterion of malignant melanoma primary in skin. Nor does that finding absolutely deny malignant melanoma metastastic to the skin. Features that may enable histologic differentiation of epidermotropically metastatic malignant melanoma from primary cutaneous malignant melanoma are emphasized.", "PMID": 619785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3264", "title": "Cutaneous ciliated cysts.", "content": "We studied 11 patients with a cutaneous cyst lined by a simple columnar ciliated epithelium. All of the patients were women in the second or third decade of life. Each had only a single lesion, located on the lower extremity. Clinical examination showed a cyst without specific identifying characteristics. The cyst is considered benign, because of the high degree of differentiation and lack of cellular atypia. The origin of the cyst is unknown. We favor the theory of sequestration and migration over that of transplantation or metaplasia.", "contents": "Cutaneous ciliated cysts. We studied 11 patients with a cutaneous cyst lined by a simple columnar ciliated epithelium. All of the patients were women in the second or third decade of life. Each had only a single lesion, located on the lower extremity. Clinical examination showed a cyst without specific identifying characteristics. The cyst is considered benign, because of the high degree of differentiation and lack of cellular atypia. The origin of the cyst is unknown. We favor the theory of sequestration and migration over that of transplantation or metaplasia.", "PMID": 619786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3265", "title": "Clinical syndrome of chemotaxis defect, infections, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. A case report.", "content": "A 17-year-old girl had a clinical syndrome that consisted of neutrophil chemotaxis defect, recurrent bacterial infections, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. Neutrophil chemotaxis was quantitated by a radioassay technique that used 51Cr-labeled neutrophils and a double micropore filter chemotaxis chamber. A table of the features of other cases of this syndrome is presented. Since ten of the 13 patients who are described had a chronic eczematoid dermatitis, we suggest that this may be a fourth feature of this syndrome. Red hair and fair skin were not consistent findings in these patients. In the evaluation of patients with chronic, recurrent bacterial infections of the skin of undetermined origin, we recommend determination of serum IgE levels. If IgE is found to be elevated, one should consider the presence of this syndrome, and neutrophil chemotaxis should then be examined.", "contents": "Clinical syndrome of chemotaxis defect, infections, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. A case report. A 17-year-old girl had a clinical syndrome that consisted of neutrophil chemotaxis defect, recurrent bacterial infections, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E. Neutrophil chemotaxis was quantitated by a radioassay technique that used 51Cr-labeled neutrophils and a double micropore filter chemotaxis chamber. A table of the features of other cases of this syndrome is presented. Since ten of the 13 patients who are described had a chronic eczematoid dermatitis, we suggest that this may be a fourth feature of this syndrome. Red hair and fair skin were not consistent findings in these patients. In the evaluation of patients with chronic, recurrent bacterial infections of the skin of undetermined origin, we recommend determination of serum IgE levels. If IgE is found to be elevated, one should consider the presence of this syndrome, and neutrophil chemotaxis should then be examined.", "PMID": 619787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3266", "title": "Primary cutaneous aspergillosis in a leukemic child.", "content": "Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is rare. In this report we describe a primary skin infection by Aspergillus flavus in a child with leukemia. The lesions were characterized by erythematous macules and papules associated with pain and itching, followed by a rapid progression to ulcers and central black eschars with a raised erythematous border. A favorable response to topical nystatin therapy was observed. The multiple cutaneous lesions seen in our patient were most likely due to primary inoculation near the site of intravenous infusion with subsequent local lymphatic spread.", "contents": "Primary cutaneous aspergillosis in a leukemic child. Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is rare. In this report we describe a primary skin infection by Aspergillus flavus in a child with leukemia. The lesions were characterized by erythematous macules and papules associated with pain and itching, followed by a rapid progression to ulcers and central black eschars with a raised erythematous border. A favorable response to topical nystatin therapy was observed. The multiple cutaneous lesions seen in our patient were most likely due to primary inoculation near the site of intravenous infusion with subsequent local lymphatic spread.", "PMID": 619788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3267", "title": "Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease in a septuagenarian.", "content": "Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease is a disease primarily affecting children, occasionally young adults, and rarely older adults. Very few cases have been reported in individuals past their fifth decade. A review of the English language literature indicates that the onset of Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease occurs after the fifth decade in less than 4% of reported cases. A 75-year-old woman's symptoms of Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease began in her 76th year, and her cutaneous symptoms were controlled with a topically applied nitrogen mustard.", "contents": "Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease in a septuagenarian. Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease is a disease primarily affecting children, occasionally young adults, and rarely older adults. Very few cases have been reported in individuals past their fifth decade. A review of the English language literature indicates that the onset of Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease occurs after the fifth decade in less than 4% of reported cases. A 75-year-old woman's symptoms of Hand-Sch\u00fcller-Christian disease began in her 76th year, and her cutaneous symptoms were controlled with a topically applied nitrogen mustard.", "PMID": 619789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3268", "title": "Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with lymph node involvement. A case report of simultaneous occurrence with an atypical fibroxanthoma of the skin.", "content": "A 40-year-old man had dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the neck with rapid local recurrence, satellite nodules, and a cervical lymph node metastasis, occurring simultaneously with an atypical fibroxanthoma of the scrotum. These two tumors, with distinct clinical and pathologic features, are classified as histogenetically related lesions within the spectrum of the fibrous histiocytomas. The place for the dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans at the malignant end of this spectrum is clinically and ultrastructurally documented further in our patient.", "contents": "Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with lymph node involvement. A case report of simultaneous occurrence with an atypical fibroxanthoma of the skin. A 40-year-old man had dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the neck with rapid local recurrence, satellite nodules, and a cervical lymph node metastasis, occurring simultaneously with an atypical fibroxanthoma of the scrotum. These two tumors, with distinct clinical and pathologic features, are classified as histogenetically related lesions within the spectrum of the fibrous histiocytomas. The place for the dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans at the malignant end of this spectrum is clinically and ultrastructurally documented further in our patient.", "PMID": 619790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3269", "title": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. A generalized lymphoproliferative disorder with cutaneous manifestations.", "content": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIBL) is a recently described, systemic disorder characterized by an excessive proliferation of transformed lymphocytes, possibly the result of chronic antigenic stimulation, frequently by drugs. Cutaneous involvement, usually in the form of a pruritic, generalized, maculopapular rash, occurs in about 40% of cases. We saw a patient with AIBL who had an unusual, primarily plaque- and nodular-type of skin involvement and who had been receiving drugs not previously reported as being associated with this disorder. Because cutaneous involvement is a frequent, presenting complaint, dermatologists should be able to recognize this unusual, clinicopathologic entity.", "contents": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. A generalized lymphoproliferative disorder with cutaneous manifestations. Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AIBL) is a recently described, systemic disorder characterized by an excessive proliferation of transformed lymphocytes, possibly the result of chronic antigenic stimulation, frequently by drugs. Cutaneous involvement, usually in the form of a pruritic, generalized, maculopapular rash, occurs in about 40% of cases. We saw a patient with AIBL who had an unusual, primarily plaque- and nodular-type of skin involvement and who had been receiving drugs not previously reported as being associated with this disorder. Because cutaneous involvement is a frequent, presenting complaint, dermatologists should be able to recognize this unusual, clinicopathologic entity.", "PMID": 619791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3270", "title": "Linear unilateral basal cell nevus with comedo-like lesions.", "content": "A 20-year-old woman had linear unilateral basal cell nevus with comedo-like lesions. Numerous papules were distributed on the left side of the upper aspect of the trunk in a zosteriform fashion. The indivisual lesions were hemispherical, pearly, and waxy tumors, some of which had central plugs. Histologic examination revealed polymorphous patterns that suggested that the tumor cells differentiated toward the apocrine glands, hair structures, and sebaceous glands. Ultrastructurally, the tumor strands were composed of fairly mature basal cells with well-developed tonofilaments and desmosomes.", "contents": "Linear unilateral basal cell nevus with comedo-like lesions. A 20-year-old woman had linear unilateral basal cell nevus with comedo-like lesions. Numerous papules were distributed on the left side of the upper aspect of the trunk in a zosteriform fashion. The indivisual lesions were hemispherical, pearly, and waxy tumors, some of which had central plugs. Histologic examination revealed polymorphous patterns that suggested that the tumor cells differentiated toward the apocrine glands, hair structures, and sebaceous glands. Ultrastructurally, the tumor strands were composed of fairly mature basal cells with well-developed tonofilaments and desmosomes.", "PMID": 619792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3271", "title": "Progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation.", "content": "Five cases of progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation are described. The following criteria were fulfilled: (1) uniformly tan cribriform macular pigmentation in a zosteriform distribution; (2) a histologic pattern that consisted of a mild increase in melanin pigment in the basal cell layer and complete absence of nevus cells; (3) no history of rash, injury, or inflammation to suggest postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; (4) onset well after birth with gradual extension; and (5) lack of other associated cutaneous or internal abnormalities. This appears to be a newly described entity, although it resembles a Becker's nevus without hypertrichosis or an typical caf\u00e9 au lait spot. We believe that such progressive cribriform and zosteriform pigmentation is not uncommon.", "contents": "Progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation. Five cases of progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation are described. The following criteria were fulfilled: (1) uniformly tan cribriform macular pigmentation in a zosteriform distribution; (2) a histologic pattern that consisted of a mild increase in melanin pigment in the basal cell layer and complete absence of nevus cells; (3) no history of rash, injury, or inflammation to suggest postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; (4) onset well after birth with gradual extension; and (5) lack of other associated cutaneous or internal abnormalities. This appears to be a newly described entity, although it resembles a Becker's nevus without hypertrichosis or an typical caf\u00e9 au lait spot. We believe that such progressive cribriform and zosteriform pigmentation is not uncommon.", "PMID": 619793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3272", "title": "The clinical use of the naso-gastric duodenal mercury tip sump tube in abdominal surgery and in the management of intestinal obstruction.", "content": "A naso-gastric duodenal mercury tip weighted sump tube has been developed that will efficaciously decompress small bowel in cases of paralytic ileus, partial or complete mechanical obstruction, and can easily be introduced into the duodenum by a nurse, house staff or attending physician. The tube also may be used for diagnostic purposes to obtain gastrointestinal, pancreatic or biliary secretions.", "contents": "The clinical use of the naso-gastric duodenal mercury tip sump tube in abdominal surgery and in the management of intestinal obstruction. A naso-gastric duodenal mercury tip weighted sump tube has been developed that will efficaciously decompress small bowel in cases of paralytic ileus, partial or complete mechanical obstruction, and can easily be introduced into the duodenum by a nurse, house staff or attending physician. The tube also may be used for diagnostic purposes to obtain gastrointestinal, pancreatic or biliary secretions.", "PMID": 619794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3273", "title": "Reserpine treatment of Raynaud's disease.", "content": "Six patients with primary Raynaud's disease were investigated with magnification hand arteriography, measurement of finger systolic pressure and response to a newly devised local cooling test. They were treated with reserpine 0.5 mg injected into the brachial artery, and the clinical effects were followed by a scoring system and by the change in digital arterial tone during local cooling. The latter was registered as the change in systolic finger blood pressure measured indirectly by a finger-plethysmograph during stepwise decrease in finger temperature, until at a critical temperature complete closure of the digital arteries occurred. Shortly after injection the clinical condition improved, and closure of the digital arteries during local cooling was impeded. But within a week the cooling test showed a transient deterioration with closure of the digital arteries at the same or a somewhat higher temperature than before the reserpine injection. The clinical score followed this trend. According to animal experiments the shortlasting vascular effect of reserpine on primary Raynaud's disease might be due to depletion of the sympathetic nerve terminals for norepinephrine.", "contents": "Reserpine treatment of Raynaud's disease. Six patients with primary Raynaud's disease were investigated with magnification hand arteriography, measurement of finger systolic pressure and response to a newly devised local cooling test. They were treated with reserpine 0.5 mg injected into the brachial artery, and the clinical effects were followed by a scoring system and by the change in digital arterial tone during local cooling. The latter was registered as the change in systolic finger blood pressure measured indirectly by a finger-plethysmograph during stepwise decrease in finger temperature, until at a critical temperature complete closure of the digital arteries occurred. Shortly after injection the clinical condition improved, and closure of the digital arteries during local cooling was impeded. But within a week the cooling test showed a transient deterioration with closure of the digital arteries at the same or a somewhat higher temperature than before the reserpine injection. The clinical score followed this trend. According to animal experiments the shortlasting vascular effect of reserpine on primary Raynaud's disease might be due to depletion of the sympathetic nerve terminals for norepinephrine.", "PMID": 619795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3274", "title": "Frozen section diagnosis of breast lesions. Recent experience with 556 consecutive biopsies.", "content": "Experiences with frozen sections performed on 556 consecutive breast biopsies were reviewed. There were no false positive reports among the 145 (26%) lesions interpreted as carcinoma. Among 381 (68.6%) biopsies in which no carcinoma was found on frozen section, eight proved to contain carcinoma in other areas. Seven of the false negatives contained noninvasive carcinoma (six--in situ lobular; 1--intraductal). A small infiltrating lesion was found in the eighth case. The diagnosis was deferred to paraffin section in 30 (5.4%) of biopsies. Ten lesions proved to be noninvasive carcinoma and one was an infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Frozen section diagnosis is a highly reliable procedure for the diagnosis of infiltrating breast carcinoma. Noninvasive carcinoma may be overlooked at frozen section because of the limitations of sampling. Consequently, patients should be cautioned to await the paraffin section report if the frozen section does not reveal carcinoma. A frozen section diagnosis of carcinoma does not necessarily commit the surgeon to further surgery at that time and the information obtained from the frozen section may be helpful in beginning to plan further treatment with the patient.", "contents": "Frozen section diagnosis of breast lesions. Recent experience with 556 consecutive biopsies. Experiences with frozen sections performed on 556 consecutive breast biopsies were reviewed. There were no false positive reports among the 145 (26%) lesions interpreted as carcinoma. Among 381 (68.6%) biopsies in which no carcinoma was found on frozen section, eight proved to contain carcinoma in other areas. Seven of the false negatives contained noninvasive carcinoma (six--in situ lobular; 1--intraductal). A small infiltrating lesion was found in the eighth case. The diagnosis was deferred to paraffin section in 30 (5.4%) of biopsies. Ten lesions proved to be noninvasive carcinoma and one was an infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Frozen section diagnosis is a highly reliable procedure for the diagnosis of infiltrating breast carcinoma. Noninvasive carcinoma may be overlooked at frozen section because of the limitations of sampling. Consequently, patients should be cautioned to await the paraffin section report if the frozen section does not reveal carcinoma. A frozen section diagnosis of carcinoma does not necessarily commit the surgeon to further surgery at that time and the information obtained from the frozen section may be helpful in beginning to plan further treatment with the patient.", "PMID": 619796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3275", "title": "Albumin uptake by skin, skeletal muscle and lung in living and dying patients.", "content": "Quantitative changes in albumin and water content which occur in skin and muscle tissue obtained by biopsy from clean surgical incisions at the time of skin incision and at the time of wound closure were assessed in seven patients who had major abdominal and vascular operations. Biopsies from skin, muscle and pulmonary tissue were obtained in a second group of nine patients who had thoracotomy for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. The intravascular albumin mass decreased linearly with the duration of the operation (r = 0.69, p <0.01) and was correlated significantly with a linear increase of extravascular albumin content in muscle (r = 0.63, p < 0.01). A significant increase of extravascular albumin occurred from the time of incision to the time of wound closure in the skin and muscle samples from both groups (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). Extravascular albumin and water content were assessed in a third group of three postoperative patients who died with acute respiratory failure. Although the concentration of extravascular albumin in pulmonary tissue taken from this group was not different from the thoracotomy group, calculations based on the mean combined post mortem lung weights showed two to three times more extravascular albumin content. The histopathological findings are consistent with these changes. Thoracotomy was not associated with an abnormal increase in pulmonary extravascular albumin and water content, possibly because albumin does not gain access to the pulmonary extravascular space in increased amounts during operation in this clinical setting.", "contents": "Albumin uptake by skin, skeletal muscle and lung in living and dying patients. Quantitative changes in albumin and water content which occur in skin and muscle tissue obtained by biopsy from clean surgical incisions at the time of skin incision and at the time of wound closure were assessed in seven patients who had major abdominal and vascular operations. Biopsies from skin, muscle and pulmonary tissue were obtained in a second group of nine patients who had thoracotomy for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma. The intravascular albumin mass decreased linearly with the duration of the operation (r = 0.69, p <0.01) and was correlated significantly with a linear increase of extravascular albumin content in muscle (r = 0.63, p < 0.01). A significant increase of extravascular albumin occurred from the time of incision to the time of wound closure in the skin and muscle samples from both groups (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). Extravascular albumin and water content were assessed in a third group of three postoperative patients who died with acute respiratory failure. Although the concentration of extravascular albumin in pulmonary tissue taken from this group was not different from the thoracotomy group, calculations based on the mean combined post mortem lung weights showed two to three times more extravascular albumin content. The histopathological findings are consistent with these changes. Thoracotomy was not associated with an abnormal increase in pulmonary extravascular albumin and water content, possibly because albumin does not gain access to the pulmonary extravascular space in increased amounts during operation in this clinical setting.", "PMID": 619797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3276", "title": "Dearterialization of the liver for metastatic cancer. Clinical, angiographic and pathologic observations.", "content": "Five cases of dearterialization of the liver for metastatic cancer are presented. Subjective and objective improvement was accomplished in three patients. Pre- and postoperative arteriography demonstrates the extent of devascularization and the routes of reestablished collateral. Microscopic studies demonstrated effects on tumor and on hepatic parenchyma and biochemical data indicate the extent and duration of hepatic dysfunction.", "contents": "Dearterialization of the liver for metastatic cancer. Clinical, angiographic and pathologic observations. Five cases of dearterialization of the liver for metastatic cancer are presented. Subjective and objective improvement was accomplished in three patients. Pre- and postoperative arteriography demonstrates the extent of devascularization and the routes of reestablished collateral. Microscopic studies demonstrated effects on tumor and on hepatic parenchyma and biochemical data indicate the extent and duration of hepatic dysfunction.", "PMID": 619798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3277", "title": "A \"new\" diaphragm following prosthetic repair of experimental hemidiaphragmatic defects in the pup.", "content": "Hemidiaphragmatic defects were created in ten pups and repaired with Silastic Sheeting (Dow-Corning .007 u) to determine the long-term results of prosthetic replacement of the diaphragm in growing subjects. All animals survived the operation without complication and grew and developed normally, weighing between 35 and 40 pounds at one year of age. The prosthesis gradually became located in the extreme left anterolateral costophrenic sulcus in nine of the ten dogs studied by sequential chest x-rays. Slight paradoxical movement was visible to fluoroscopy without eventration of the diaphragm. One animal developed an asymptomatic posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia nine months following operation. The other animals were sacrificed at one year of age. The liver, spleen and stomach were partially covered by a \"new\" muscle containing diaphragm having a mean area of 176 +/- 8.3 cm, compared to the original defect which measured 15.89 +/- 1.2 cm. Skeletal muscle cells extended into the margins of the prosthesis. The dorsolateral location of the \"new\" diaphragm is evidence that postnatal skeletal muscle growth may be derived from persisting precursor tissues.", "contents": "A \"new\" diaphragm following prosthetic repair of experimental hemidiaphragmatic defects in the pup. Hemidiaphragmatic defects were created in ten pups and repaired with Silastic Sheeting (Dow-Corning .007 u) to determine the long-term results of prosthetic replacement of the diaphragm in growing subjects. All animals survived the operation without complication and grew and developed normally, weighing between 35 and 40 pounds at one year of age. The prosthesis gradually became located in the extreme left anterolateral costophrenic sulcus in nine of the ten dogs studied by sequential chest x-rays. Slight paradoxical movement was visible to fluoroscopy without eventration of the diaphragm. One animal developed an asymptomatic posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia nine months following operation. The other animals were sacrificed at one year of age. The liver, spleen and stomach were partially covered by a \"new\" muscle containing diaphragm having a mean area of 176 +/- 8.3 cm, compared to the original defect which measured 15.89 +/- 1.2 cm. Skeletal muscle cells extended into the margins of the prosthesis. The dorsolateral location of the \"new\" diaphragm is evidence that postnatal skeletal muscle growth may be derived from persisting precursor tissues.", "PMID": 619799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3278", "title": "The effect of jejunoileal bypass on bile composition and the formation of billiary calculi.", "content": "In our series of 101 patients with small bowel bypass for morbid obesity, nine developed biliary calculi postoperatively during a mean follow-up of 29.6 months. The development of gallstones depends in part on biliary cholesterol saturation and on the zeta potential of bile. In eight consecutive patients, the lithogenicity of bile was assessed by the methods of Small, Swell and Isaksson, which are dependent on cholesterol saturation. Postoperatively, the lithogenic score decreased in six and increased in two patients, one of which developed gallstones. Taurine bile salt conjugation tends to prevent aggregation of micelles by increasing the zeta potential. The biliary glycine/taurine ratio increased (p less than 0.05) from 4.6 to 5.9 postoperatively. These results suggest that the increased incidence of cholelithiasis following small bowel bypass is not only due to a relative change in bile composition but is probably more significantly due to an increase in the biliary glycine/taurine ratio and a consequent decrease in the biliary zeta potential.", "contents": "The effect of jejunoileal bypass on bile composition and the formation of billiary calculi. In our series of 101 patients with small bowel bypass for morbid obesity, nine developed biliary calculi postoperatively during a mean follow-up of 29.6 months. The development of gallstones depends in part on biliary cholesterol saturation and on the zeta potential of bile. In eight consecutive patients, the lithogenicity of bile was assessed by the methods of Small, Swell and Isaksson, which are dependent on cholesterol saturation. Postoperatively, the lithogenic score decreased in six and increased in two patients, one of which developed gallstones. Taurine bile salt conjugation tends to prevent aggregation of micelles by increasing the zeta potential. The biliary glycine/taurine ratio increased (p less than 0.05) from 4.6 to 5.9 postoperatively. These results suggest that the increased incidence of cholelithiasis following small bowel bypass is not only due to a relative change in bile composition but is probably more significantly due to an increase in the biliary glycine/taurine ratio and a consequent decrease in the biliary zeta potential.", "PMID": 619800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3279", "title": "A density test for the intraoperative differentiation of parathyroid hyperplasia from neoplasia.", "content": "A simple, instant, and reliable test called the Density Test, based on the difference in density between the normal and the diseased parathyroid tissue, was performed intraoperatively in 73 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Whereas the normal parathyroid tissue floated, the diseased tissue invariably sank in a mannitol solution with a density range between 1.049 and 1.069. With the aid of this test, a diagnosis of adenoma was made in 66 patients and of primary hyperplasia in the remaining seven. In every case the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed. Forty-two of the 66 patients with an adenoma (64%) had a unilateral exploration of the neck. The Density Test saved these patients from an unnecessary contralateral exploration by the finding of an adenoma and a normal second gland in the same side of the neck. These data show that the Density Test is useful in the intraoperative diagnosis of a diseased from a normal parathyroid tissue. Tissue that sinks within the density range of 1.049 and 1.069 is without exception diseased and should therefore be either partially or completely excised even if the gland is of average size or only of slight enlargement. If it does not sink, it is virtually certain to be normal and should be spared. The Density Test provides a valuable clue in the differentiation of primary parathyroid hyperplasia from neoplasia.", "contents": "A density test for the intraoperative differentiation of parathyroid hyperplasia from neoplasia. A simple, instant, and reliable test called the Density Test, based on the difference in density between the normal and the diseased parathyroid tissue, was performed intraoperatively in 73 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Whereas the normal parathyroid tissue floated, the diseased tissue invariably sank in a mannitol solution with a density range between 1.049 and 1.069. With the aid of this test, a diagnosis of adenoma was made in 66 patients and of primary hyperplasia in the remaining seven. In every case the diagnosis was subsequently confirmed. Forty-two of the 66 patients with an adenoma (64%) had a unilateral exploration of the neck. The Density Test saved these patients from an unnecessary contralateral exploration by the finding of an adenoma and a normal second gland in the same side of the neck. These data show that the Density Test is useful in the intraoperative diagnosis of a diseased from a normal parathyroid tissue. Tissue that sinks within the density range of 1.049 and 1.069 is without exception diseased and should therefore be either partially or completely excised even if the gland is of average size or only of slight enlargement. If it does not sink, it is virtually certain to be normal and should be spared. The Density Test provides a valuable clue in the differentiation of primary parathyroid hyperplasia from neoplasia.", "PMID": 619801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3280", "title": "Multiple carcinomas of the large bowel: a natural experiment in etiology and pathogenesis.", "content": "One hundred twenty-one patients with two or more large bowel cancers have been studied. An evaluation of the site of incidence of second cancers in patients presenting with metachronous disease supports the concept that increased delivery of bile acids to the colon may play a role in tumor pathogenesis. Because of the extremely high incidence of advanced tumors in patients with metachronous disease, every effort should be made to identify those patients who should undergo a preventive total abdominal colectomy. Newer methods with increased sensitivity are required to improve the follow-up of patients who are prone to develop second neoplasms of the large bowel.", "contents": "Multiple carcinomas of the large bowel: a natural experiment in etiology and pathogenesis. One hundred twenty-one patients with two or more large bowel cancers have been studied. An evaluation of the site of incidence of second cancers in patients presenting with metachronous disease supports the concept that increased delivery of bile acids to the colon may play a role in tumor pathogenesis. Because of the extremely high incidence of advanced tumors in patients with metachronous disease, every effort should be made to identify those patients who should undergo a preventive total abdominal colectomy. Newer methods with increased sensitivity are required to improve the follow-up of patients who are prone to develop second neoplasms of the large bowel.", "PMID": 619802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3281", "title": "Human parathyroid cryopreservation: in vitro testing of function by parathyroid hormone release.", "content": "The functional viability of cryopreserved human parathyroid tissue was assessed by determining suppressibility of parathyroid hormone release by evaluation of ambient calcium concentration. Parathyroid hormone release from dispersed human parathyroid cells prepared from both fresh tissue and tissue cryopreserved for up to 200 days was suppressed 0-90% in response to four-fold increases in calcium concentration. In the tissue that demonstrated suppression precryopreservation, the suppression curve was similar in form postcryopreservation. The ability to retain functional integrity within human parathyroid cells by cryopreservation, allows preservation for periods of time probably sufficient to determine the presence of the aparathyroid state, and allows for subsequent successful parathyroid autotransplantation. This technique has particular applicability to patients reoperated upon for persistent hyperparathyroidism where the remaining amount of normal parathyroid tissue is obscure or unknown.", "contents": "Human parathyroid cryopreservation: in vitro testing of function by parathyroid hormone release. The functional viability of cryopreserved human parathyroid tissue was assessed by determining suppressibility of parathyroid hormone release by evaluation of ambient calcium concentration. Parathyroid hormone release from dispersed human parathyroid cells prepared from both fresh tissue and tissue cryopreserved for up to 200 days was suppressed 0-90% in response to four-fold increases in calcium concentration. In the tissue that demonstrated suppression precryopreservation, the suppression curve was similar in form postcryopreservation. The ability to retain functional integrity within human parathyroid cells by cryopreservation, allows preservation for periods of time probably sufficient to determine the presence of the aparathyroid state, and allows for subsequent successful parathyroid autotransplantation. This technique has particular applicability to patients reoperated upon for persistent hyperparathyroidism where the remaining amount of normal parathyroid tissue is obscure or unknown.", "PMID": 619803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3282", "title": "Control of gastric emptying: interaction of the vagus and pyloric antrum.", "content": "Gastric emptying of liquids and solids was evaluated in ten dogs with gastric fistula before and after either truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, or pyloroplasty. In subsequent operations, the vagotomy group underwent either antrectomy or pyloroplasty, and the antrectomy and pyloroplasty groups were vagotomized. Vagotomy significantly inhibited the emptying of both liquids and solids (p less than 0.001) when the pyloric antrum was intact. When the antropyloric mechanism was removed by antrectomy, the effect of vagotomy was to accelerate the emptying of liquids (p less than 0.05) but to impair the emptying of solids (p less than 0.001). When the pylorus was destroyed by pyloroplasty, vagotomy markedly accelerated the emptying of liquids but had little effect on the emptying of solids. Neither antrectomy nor pyloroplasty had any significant effect on the emptying of solids. Pyloroplasty caused minor acceleration of emptying of liquids while antrectomy had no effect.", "contents": "Control of gastric emptying: interaction of the vagus and pyloric antrum. Gastric emptying of liquids and solids was evaluated in ten dogs with gastric fistula before and after either truncal vagotomy, antrectomy, or pyloroplasty. In subsequent operations, the vagotomy group underwent either antrectomy or pyloroplasty, and the antrectomy and pyloroplasty groups were vagotomized. Vagotomy significantly inhibited the emptying of both liquids and solids (p less than 0.001) when the pyloric antrum was intact. When the antropyloric mechanism was removed by antrectomy, the effect of vagotomy was to accelerate the emptying of liquids (p less than 0.05) but to impair the emptying of solids (p less than 0.001). When the pylorus was destroyed by pyloroplasty, vagotomy markedly accelerated the emptying of liquids but had little effect on the emptying of solids. Neither antrectomy nor pyloroplasty had any significant effect on the emptying of solids. Pyloroplasty caused minor acceleration of emptying of liquids while antrectomy had no effect.", "PMID": 619804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3283", "title": "Studies in pharmacokinetics and tolerance of substances temporarily retained in the liver by microsphere embolization.", "content": "Earlier investigation has shown that a temporary arrest of arterial blood flow can be achieved by embolization with degradable microspheres. This study was made to investigate the change in pharmacokinetics, and drug tolerance which takes place when a substance is retained in the liver by a microsphere embolization. 14C-labelled inulin and 5-fluorouracil were studied. The administration of these substances with microspheres led to a delay in their systemic distribution. Furthermore there was an increased tolerance to 5-fluoro-uracil, probably due to a prolonged first pass effect when the substance was temporarily retained in the liver by a microsphere embolization.", "contents": "Studies in pharmacokinetics and tolerance of substances temporarily retained in the liver by microsphere embolization. Earlier investigation has shown that a temporary arrest of arterial blood flow can be achieved by embolization with degradable microspheres. This study was made to investigate the change in pharmacokinetics, and drug tolerance which takes place when a substance is retained in the liver by a microsphere embolization. 14C-labelled inulin and 5-fluorouracil were studied. The administration of these substances with microspheres led to a delay in their systemic distribution. Furthermore there was an increased tolerance to 5-fluoro-uracil, probably due to a prolonged first pass effect when the substance was temporarily retained in the liver by a microsphere embolization.", "PMID": 619805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3284", "title": "Massive pulmonary hemorrhage: surgical approach as choice of treatment.", "content": "Massive pulmonary hemorrhage is still a life-threatening problem with high mortality. The surgical versus medical approach to this condition was compared in 146 patients who were treated over a ten-year period. Our evidence shows that early operation is the only choice of treatment.", "contents": "Massive pulmonary hemorrhage: surgical approach as choice of treatment. Massive pulmonary hemorrhage is still a life-threatening problem with high mortality. The surgical versus medical approach to this condition was compared in 146 patients who were treated over a ten-year period. Our evidence shows that early operation is the only choice of treatment.", "PMID": 619806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3285", "title": "The effect of hemodilution with albumin or Ringer's lactate on water balance and blood use in open-heart surgery.", "content": "To determine the effect of intraoperative albumin administration on blood use, water balance, and postoperative clinical course, we studied two groups of adult cardiac surgical patients. Group I (30 patients) received 25 gm of albumin during withdrawal of 2 units of blood prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 50 gm of albumin in the oxygenator prime. Group II (32 patients) received no albumin prior to the end of CPB. No difference in clinical course could be identified, nor was there a significant difference in blood use. Group I patients had lower hematocrit values intraoperatively from the time of blood withdrawal until the conclusion of operation. Coronary artery bypass operations were associated with greater positive water balance than were heat valve operations. Forty-three percent of the patients having coronary artery bypass grafting had a positive water balance greater than 5 liters, whereas 50% of those undergoing valve procedures had a balance less than 3 liters. We conclude that the principal effect of withholding albumin under these circumstances is to increase net positive water balance. The greater positive water balance does not appear to be detrimental.", "contents": "The effect of hemodilution with albumin or Ringer's lactate on water balance and blood use in open-heart surgery. To determine the effect of intraoperative albumin administration on blood use, water balance, and postoperative clinical course, we studied two groups of adult cardiac surgical patients. Group I (30 patients) received 25 gm of albumin during withdrawal of 2 units of blood prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 50 gm of albumin in the oxygenator prime. Group II (32 patients) received no albumin prior to the end of CPB. No difference in clinical course could be identified, nor was there a significant difference in blood use. Group I patients had lower hematocrit values intraoperatively from the time of blood withdrawal until the conclusion of operation. Coronary artery bypass operations were associated with greater positive water balance than were heat valve operations. Forty-three percent of the patients having coronary artery bypass grafting had a positive water balance greater than 5 liters, whereas 50% of those undergoing valve procedures had a balance less than 3 liters. We conclude that the principal effect of withholding albumin under these circumstances is to increase net positive water balance. The greater positive water balance does not appear to be detrimental.", "PMID": 619807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3286", "title": "Similarity of clinical and laboratory results obtained with microporous teflon membrane oxygenator and bubble-film hybrid oxygenator.", "content": "For 80 elective clinical cardiopulmonary bypasses we alternately used either a commercial microporous Teflon membrane oxygenator or a commercial hybrid bubble-film oxygenator. Setup time was a little longer with the membrane unit (20 minutes), but priming volume (2,250 ml) was the same. No problems were encountered with the hybrid oxygenator. However, despite our monitoring of additional variables, including shim and inlet pressure and recirculation flow, gas exchange abnormalities were encountered in 5 patients on whom the membrane oxygenator was used; in 4 of these cases the abnormalities were encountered prior to our recognition of the potential for occasional internal shunting with this device. There were no hospital deaths. When the two groups, matched except for oxygenator selection, were compared, there were no significant differences clinically or hematologically. For cardiopulmonary bypass of 2 hours or less, both oxygenators studied are definite improvements over previous silicone membrane and high-gas-flow bubble oxygenators. However, lower cost and reduced complexity favor the hybrid oxygenator.", "contents": "Similarity of clinical and laboratory results obtained with microporous teflon membrane oxygenator and bubble-film hybrid oxygenator. For 80 elective clinical cardiopulmonary bypasses we alternately used either a commercial microporous Teflon membrane oxygenator or a commercial hybrid bubble-film oxygenator. Setup time was a little longer with the membrane unit (20 minutes), but priming volume (2,250 ml) was the same. No problems were encountered with the hybrid oxygenator. However, despite our monitoring of additional variables, including shim and inlet pressure and recirculation flow, gas exchange abnormalities were encountered in 5 patients on whom the membrane oxygenator was used; in 4 of these cases the abnormalities were encountered prior to our recognition of the potential for occasional internal shunting with this device. There were no hospital deaths. When the two groups, matched except for oxygenator selection, were compared, there were no significant differences clinically or hematologically. For cardiopulmonary bypass of 2 hours or less, both oxygenators studied are definite improvements over previous silicone membrane and high-gas-flow bubble oxygenators. However, lower cost and reduced complexity favor the hybrid oxygenator.", "PMID": 619809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3287", "title": "Atrial septal defect: acute left heart failure after surgical closure.", "content": "Sixteen of 766 patients operated on for isolated arterial septal defect developed severe acute left heart failure that necessitated partial reopening of the defect; 6 died. The prognosis depended mainly on prompt surgical intervention. The most frequent pathological and anatomical finding was marked hypoplasia of the left ventricle. Pulmonary hypertension appeared to be of minor importance. Hemodynamic data published by others support the hypothesis that this complication is often the result of markedly impaired left ventricular compliance associated with left ventricular hypoplasia.", "contents": "Atrial septal defect: acute left heart failure after surgical closure. Sixteen of 766 patients operated on for isolated arterial septal defect developed severe acute left heart failure that necessitated partial reopening of the defect; 6 died. The prognosis depended mainly on prompt surgical intervention. The most frequent pathological and anatomical finding was marked hypoplasia of the left ventricle. Pulmonary hypertension appeared to be of minor importance. Hemodynamic data published by others support the hypothesis that this complication is often the result of markedly impaired left ventricular compliance associated with left ventricular hypoplasia.", "PMID": 619810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3288", "title": "Sinus venosus atrial septal defect: early and late results following closure in 109 patients.", "content": "The clinical course of 109 patients who underwent closure of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect is reviewed, with emphasis on the incidence, type, and severity of arrhythmias before and after operation. There were no operative deaths and only 1 late death. No instances of obstruction of the superior vena cava were detected clinically. One patient had a probable hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction that cleared; another may have a persistent left-to-right shunt. Excellent results were achieved in 72% of the patients, good results in 5%, and poor results in 3%. The type of arrhythmia, both before and after operation, varied with the age of the patient: younger patients had bradyarrhythmias, and older patients had tachyarrhythmias. Ten patients experienced persistent new arrhythmias postoperatively, but none were disabled, required a pacemaker, or died. The arrhythmias in all severely symptomatic patients were supraventricular tachycardias that had occurred before operation. Although functional classification after operation was clearly related to age at the time of the procedure (with younger patients having the best functional results), 19 of 21 patients over age 40 were noticeably improved after surgical closure of the sinus venosus atrial septal defect.", "contents": "Sinus venosus atrial septal defect: early and late results following closure in 109 patients. The clinical course of 109 patients who underwent closure of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect is reviewed, with emphasis on the incidence, type, and severity of arrhythmias before and after operation. There were no operative deaths and only 1 late death. No instances of obstruction of the superior vena cava were detected clinically. One patient had a probable hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction that cleared; another may have a persistent left-to-right shunt. Excellent results were achieved in 72% of the patients, good results in 5%, and poor results in 3%. The type of arrhythmia, both before and after operation, varied with the age of the patient: younger patients had bradyarrhythmias, and older patients had tachyarrhythmias. Ten patients experienced persistent new arrhythmias postoperatively, but none were disabled, required a pacemaker, or died. The arrhythmias in all severely symptomatic patients were supraventricular tachycardias that had occurred before operation. Although functional classification after operation was clearly related to age at the time of the procedure (with younger patients having the best functional results), 19 of 21 patients over age 40 were noticeably improved after surgical closure of the sinus venosus atrial septal defect.", "PMID": 619811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3289", "title": "Tetralogy of Fallot with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect.", "content": "Among a total of 608 patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 35 with tetralogy and subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (VSD) have undergone intracardiac repair at the Children's Hospital, Buenos Aires. The crista supraventricular was absent in 62.9% of these patients; it was hypoplastic in 37.1%. Only 3 patients (8.6%) were severely cyanotic and required operation in infancy. The main and left and right pulmonary arteries were relatively large in all but 1 patient. Nevertheless, patch-graft enlargement across the pulmonary valve ring was necessary in 20 (57.1%). We believe that closure of the subpulmonary VSD increase the apparent severity of the pulmonary stenosis and necessitates patch-graft enlargement in patients in whom the appearance of the right ventricular outflow tract before repair would not have suggested its need.", "contents": "Tetralogy of Fallot with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect. Among a total of 608 patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 35 with tetralogy and subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (VSD) have undergone intracardiac repair at the Children's Hospital, Buenos Aires. The crista supraventricular was absent in 62.9% of these patients; it was hypoplastic in 37.1%. Only 3 patients (8.6%) were severely cyanotic and required operation in infancy. The main and left and right pulmonary arteries were relatively large in all but 1 patient. Nevertheless, patch-graft enlargement across the pulmonary valve ring was necessary in 20 (57.1%). We believe that closure of the subpulmonary VSD increase the apparent severity of the pulmonary stenosis and necessitates patch-graft enlargement in patients in whom the appearance of the right ventricular outflow tract before repair would not have suggested its need.", "PMID": 619812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3290", "title": "Repair of aortic coarctation in the first year of life.", "content": "Twenty-five infants under 1 year of age (mean, 10.3 weeks and 4.0 kg) underwent coarctation repair. Eight had ventricular septal defect (VSD), 3 had transposition of the great arteries with VSD, and 5 had severe tubular hypoplasia. One infant required mitral valve replacement, and 1 required repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Fifteen had repair by primary anastomosis. Seven underwent Dacron or subclavian aortoplasty; the advantages and technique of angioplasty are reviewed. Three patients required bypass grafts. Seventeen patients survived operation. All 5 patients who had severe tubular hypoplasia died postoperatively. The mortality for repair of coarctation with VSD by simultaneous pulmonary artery banding was high; for coarctation with VSD we currently recommend repair without banding, followed by VSD closure if indicated. Three infants have been treated successfully in this manner, with early VSD closure in 1 and regression of the VSD during follow-up in 2. The 17 survivors have been followed for a mean of 41 months with 3 late deaths. Of the 17 survivors, all of whom had a primary anastomosis, 3 have residual gradients. Of the 11 survivors who had preoperative hypertension, 6 are still hypertensive; 3 of these have a gradient between the upper and lower extremities. It is striking that 3 have persistent hypertension despite repair under the age of 1 year.", "contents": "Repair of aortic coarctation in the first year of life. Twenty-five infants under 1 year of age (mean, 10.3 weeks and 4.0 kg) underwent coarctation repair. Eight had ventricular septal defect (VSD), 3 had transposition of the great arteries with VSD, and 5 had severe tubular hypoplasia. One infant required mitral valve replacement, and 1 required repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Fifteen had repair by primary anastomosis. Seven underwent Dacron or subclavian aortoplasty; the advantages and technique of angioplasty are reviewed. Three patients required bypass grafts. Seventeen patients survived operation. All 5 patients who had severe tubular hypoplasia died postoperatively. The mortality for repair of coarctation with VSD by simultaneous pulmonary artery banding was high; for coarctation with VSD we currently recommend repair without banding, followed by VSD closure if indicated. Three infants have been treated successfully in this manner, with early VSD closure in 1 and regression of the VSD during follow-up in 2. The 17 survivors have been followed for a mean of 41 months with 3 late deaths. Of the 17 survivors, all of whom had a primary anastomosis, 3 have residual gradients. Of the 11 survivors who had preoperative hypertension, 6 are still hypertensive; 3 of these have a gradient between the upper and lower extremities. It is striking that 3 have persistent hypertension despite repair under the age of 1 year.", "PMID": 619813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3291", "title": "Epicardial atrial pacing.", "content": "A modification of the technique for placing a permanent epicardial electrode to the atrium is described. It results in long-term atrial pacing and low sensing thresholds. The method requires meticulous surgical technique but is reliable, safe, and free from serious or long-term complications.", "contents": "Epicardial atrial pacing. A modification of the technique for placing a permanent epicardial electrode to the atrium is described. It results in long-term atrial pacing and low sensing thresholds. The method requires meticulous surgical technique but is reliable, safe, and free from serious or long-term complications.", "PMID": 619814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3292", "title": "Cecal necrosis after open-heart operation.", "content": "Two patients with isolated transmural ischemic necrosis of the cecum after cardiopulmonary bypass are discussed. Superimposed upon the multiple cardiovascular abnormalities in these patients, cardiopulmonary bypass adds another risk factor for nonocclusive intestinal infarction. In patients undergoing open-heart procedures, postoperative nonspecific abdominal complaints should be evaluated with a high degree of suspicion for this lethal complication. An intensive diagnostic effort is indicated, including contrast and angiographic radiological studies. Consideration of early abdominal exploration is indicated.", "contents": "Cecal necrosis after open-heart operation. Two patients with isolated transmural ischemic necrosis of the cecum after cardiopulmonary bypass are discussed. Superimposed upon the multiple cardiovascular abnormalities in these patients, cardiopulmonary bypass adds another risk factor for nonocclusive intestinal infarction. In patients undergoing open-heart procedures, postoperative nonspecific abdominal complaints should be evaluated with a high degree of suspicion for this lethal complication. An intensive diagnostic effort is indicated, including contrast and angiographic radiological studies. Consideration of early abdominal exploration is indicated.", "PMID": 619815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3293", "title": "Esophagopleural fistula following pulmonary resection.", "content": "The development of esophagopleural fistula following pulmonary resection is an uncommon but serious complication. The fistula may appear either soon after operation, due to direct trauma to the esophagus or to its blood supply during extensive dissection, or later, in association with the development of a bronchopleural fistula and empyema following the pulmonary resection. Treatment of these fistulas is usually complicated, and the recovery period is prolonged. Control of infection, hyperalimentation, obliteration of the empyema space, and closure of the fistula with a muscle or pleural flap are recommended methods of management. The pathogenesis, treatment, results, and prevention of this complication are discussed.", "contents": "Esophagopleural fistula following pulmonary resection. The development of esophagopleural fistula following pulmonary resection is an uncommon but serious complication. The fistula may appear either soon after operation, due to direct trauma to the esophagus or to its blood supply during extensive dissection, or later, in association with the development of a bronchopleural fistula and empyema following the pulmonary resection. Treatment of these fistulas is usually complicated, and the recovery period is prolonged. Control of infection, hyperalimentation, obliteration of the empyema space, and closure of the fistula with a muscle or pleural flap are recommended methods of management. The pathogenesis, treatment, results, and prevention of this complication are discussed.", "PMID": 619816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3294", "title": "Pancreatic cancer treated with carmustine, fluorouracil, and spironolactone: a randomized study.", "content": "A prospective randomized trial between two drug regimens in 38 patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma was performed. The two-drug regimen consisted of carmustine and fluorouracil. The survival rate and response to these two drugs was compared to a three-drug regimen consisting of these same two drugs plus spironolactone. Objective partial responses were rare in both groups, being 3/18 in the two-drug group and 2/20 in the three-drug group. Life table analysis in previously untreated patients from time of treatment shows longer survival for the three-drug group, but this difference was not statistically significant.", "contents": "Pancreatic cancer treated with carmustine, fluorouracil, and spironolactone: a randomized study. A prospective randomized trial between two drug regimens in 38 patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma was performed. The two-drug regimen consisted of carmustine and fluorouracil. The survival rate and response to these two drugs was compared to a three-drug regimen consisting of these same two drugs plus spironolactone. Objective partial responses were rare in both groups, being 3/18 in the two-drug group and 2/20 in the three-drug group. Life table analysis in previously untreated patients from time of treatment shows longer survival for the three-drug group, but this difference was not statistically significant.", "PMID": 619817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3295", "title": "Nerve conduction velocity in hypertensive patients.", "content": "Due to conflicting reports in the literature regarding nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) in hypertensives, peroneal and sural NCVs and facial nerve conduction latencies were studied in 30 hypertensives and in 30 controls. An improved technique of NCV measurement was used. Twenty-one of the hypertensives were retested after five weeks, and five of them were tested for motor and sensory NCVs of the median nerve during a short period of partial occlusion of blood flow in the arm. No changes were found that could be related to blood pressure, duration of hypertension, eyeground changes, or partial restriction of blood flow.", "contents": "Nerve conduction velocity in hypertensive patients. Due to conflicting reports in the literature regarding nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) in hypertensives, peroneal and sural NCVs and facial nerve conduction latencies were studied in 30 hypertensives and in 30 controls. An improved technique of NCV measurement was used. Twenty-one of the hypertensives were retested after five weeks, and five of them were tested for motor and sensory NCVs of the median nerve during a short period of partial occlusion of blood flow in the arm. No changes were found that could be related to blood pressure, duration of hypertension, eyeground changes, or partial restriction of blood flow.", "PMID": 619818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3296", "title": "On reporting cases of acute nontransmural myocardial infarction.", "content": "ST-segment elevation in the electrocardiogram with development of Q waves in the presence of enzyme changes and chest pain have been thought to be adequate for the unequivocal diagnosis of transmural myocardial infarction. Unlikely, detection of nontransmural myocardial infarction (NMTI) is often difficult. A variety of ECG alterations, enzymatic criteria, and chest pain patterns have been used in the diagnosis of this type of infarct. Since ECG criteria used in the diagnosis of NMTI are not specific for this entity, enzymes, isoenzymes, and myocardial imaging should be used for differentiation of NMTI from other ischemic syndromes. Characterization of the entity of NMTI will improve by acquiring information on chest pain patterns, serial enzyme and isoenzyme changes , sequential ECG alterations, myocardial imaging profiles, and autopsy data from patients with myocardial necrosis and atypical ECG pictures.", "contents": "On reporting cases of acute nontransmural myocardial infarction. ST-segment elevation in the electrocardiogram with development of Q waves in the presence of enzyme changes and chest pain have been thought to be adequate for the unequivocal diagnosis of transmural myocardial infarction. Unlikely, detection of nontransmural myocardial infarction (NMTI) is often difficult. A variety of ECG alterations, enzymatic criteria, and chest pain patterns have been used in the diagnosis of this type of infarct. Since ECG criteria used in the diagnosis of NMTI are not specific for this entity, enzymes, isoenzymes, and myocardial imaging should be used for differentiation of NMTI from other ischemic syndromes. Characterization of the entity of NMTI will improve by acquiring information on chest pain patterns, serial enzyme and isoenzyme changes , sequential ECG alterations, myocardial imaging profiles, and autopsy data from patients with myocardial necrosis and atypical ECG pictures.", "PMID": 619820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3297", "title": "Aspirin, hyperventilation, and cerebellar infarction in sickle cell disease.", "content": "Aspirin ingestion was followed by hyperventilation, cerebellar signs, and fatal brain stem dysfunction in a patient with sickle cell disease. Autopsy showed a swollen, recently infarcted cerebellum with tonsillar herniation compressing the medulla. We propose that hypocapnea from aspirin-induced hyperventilation caused carotid artery constriction and focal cerebral hypoxia, resulting in cerebellar sickling nad infarction. Hypocapnea should be treated promptly to prevent brain damage in patients with sickle cell disease.", "contents": "Aspirin, hyperventilation, and cerebellar infarction in sickle cell disease. Aspirin ingestion was followed by hyperventilation, cerebellar signs, and fatal brain stem dysfunction in a patient with sickle cell disease. Autopsy showed a swollen, recently infarcted cerebellum with tonsillar herniation compressing the medulla. We propose that hypocapnea from aspirin-induced hyperventilation caused carotid artery constriction and focal cerebral hypoxia, resulting in cerebellar sickling nad infarction. Hypocapnea should be treated promptly to prevent brain damage in patients with sickle cell disease.", "PMID": 619821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3298", "title": "Survival in patients with intraventricular conduction defects.", "content": "All 42,000 electrocardiograms taken at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center from 1969 through 1971 were reviewed; 325 patients (0.77%) had left bundle-branch block (LBBB) or right bundle-branch block (RBBB) with axis deviation (AD). In December 1974, 90% were contacted or found to be dead. The five-year survival rate (actuarial technique) (mean +/- SE) was 45.5 +/- 2.9%. It was significantly worse than that of age- and sex-matched \"controls.\" In most patients the cause of death could not be determined. Survival of 164 LBBB patients (40.7 +/- 4.1%) at five years was not significantly worse than that of 161 RBBB and AD patients (49.5 +/- 4.2%). Those with syncope did no worse in terms of survival than did those without. The five-year survival in coronary artery disease patients was 33.7 +/- 4.4%, in those with primary conduction system disease (20% of patients), it was 50.6 +/- 6.6%. It will be necessary to know the causes of death and of syncope in conduction disease patients before it can be determined whether or not pacemakers can prevent either.", "contents": "Survival in patients with intraventricular conduction defects. All 42,000 electrocardiograms taken at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center from 1969 through 1971 were reviewed; 325 patients (0.77%) had left bundle-branch block (LBBB) or right bundle-branch block (RBBB) with axis deviation (AD). In December 1974, 90% were contacted or found to be dead. The five-year survival rate (actuarial technique) (mean +/- SE) was 45.5 +/- 2.9%. It was significantly worse than that of age- and sex-matched \"controls.\" In most patients the cause of death could not be determined. Survival of 164 LBBB patients (40.7 +/- 4.1%) at five years was not significantly worse than that of 161 RBBB and AD patients (49.5 +/- 4.2%). Those with syncope did no worse in terms of survival than did those without. The five-year survival in coronary artery disease patients was 33.7 +/- 4.4%, in those with primary conduction system disease (20% of patients), it was 50.6 +/- 6.6%. It will be necessary to know the causes of death and of syncope in conduction disease patients before it can be determined whether or not pacemakers can prevent either.", "PMID": 619828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3299", "title": "Does intervention by a nurse improve medication compliance?", "content": "A random sample of patients taking two or more drugs, at least one of which was digoxin or methyldopa, was drawn from a medical clinic population. After giving informed consent, the patients were randomized into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was seen by a specially prepared nurse interventionist who attempted to improve medication compliance. The levels of the drugs in the blood were taken as indicators of medication compliance. Our results document that patients exposed to nurse intervention were more compliant than the general clinic population, but were not more compliant than a nonintervention control group. Problems encountered in the collection and interpretation of compliance study data were identified and discussed.", "contents": "Does intervention by a nurse improve medication compliance? A random sample of patients taking two or more drugs, at least one of which was digoxin or methyldopa, was drawn from a medical clinic population. After giving informed consent, the patients were randomized into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was seen by a specially prepared nurse interventionist who attempted to improve medication compliance. The levels of the drugs in the blood were taken as indicators of medication compliance. Our results document that patients exposed to nurse intervention were more compliant than the general clinic population, but were not more compliant than a nonintervention control group. Problems encountered in the collection and interpretation of compliance study data were identified and discussed.", "PMID": 619829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3300", "title": "Hemostatic effects of uniform, low-dose subcutaneous heparin in surgical patients.", "content": "Two hours before surgery and every 12 hours thereafter 5,000 units of heparin sodium was administered subcutaneously to 100 general surgical patients. Hemostasis was evaluated by a template bleeding time and an activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The latter was sensitive to 0.05 units/ml of heparin and gave a straight-line response up to 0.2 units/ml. In the great majority of patients, only a modest elevation of the PTT occurred two and four hours after heparin therapy. However, in 10% to 15% the PTT was prolonged two times or more and in a similar number, PTT after surgery was shorter than baseline values despite heparin. No correlation between PTT prolongation and weight, ponderal index, age, or sex was found. Significant bleeding occurrred in three patients, two from the group of hyperresponders to heparin. Recent aspirin ingestion was implicated in one patient and our evidence indicates that low-dose heparin potentiates aspirin-induced prolongation of bleeding time in certain individuals. Local hematoma formation and discomfort from the injections was not a problem.", "contents": "Hemostatic effects of uniform, low-dose subcutaneous heparin in surgical patients. Two hours before surgery and every 12 hours thereafter 5,000 units of heparin sodium was administered subcutaneously to 100 general surgical patients. Hemostasis was evaluated by a template bleeding time and an activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). The latter was sensitive to 0.05 units/ml of heparin and gave a straight-line response up to 0.2 units/ml. In the great majority of patients, only a modest elevation of the PTT occurred two and four hours after heparin therapy. However, in 10% to 15% the PTT was prolonged two times or more and in a similar number, PTT after surgery was shorter than baseline values despite heparin. No correlation between PTT prolongation and weight, ponderal index, age, or sex was found. Significant bleeding occurrred in three patients, two from the group of hyperresponders to heparin. Recent aspirin ingestion was implicated in one patient and our evidence indicates that low-dose heparin potentiates aspirin-induced prolongation of bleeding time in certain individuals. Local hematoma formation and discomfort from the injections was not a problem.", "PMID": 619830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3301", "title": "Typical and atypical ('silent') subacute thyroiditis in a wife and husband.", "content": "Typical subacute thyroiditis was diagnosed in a woman. Three weeks later, signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism developed in her husband. Although the right lobe of his thyroid gland was slightly enlarged, pain and tenderness were absent throughout the course of his illness. The free thyroxine equivalent (FTE) value and the sedimentation rate were elevated; the low uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland was consistent with \"silent\" subacute thyroiditis. We postulate that a common etiolgoy, probably viral, was operative in both cases. Nine additional cases of hyperthyroidism with low levels of thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine are described. The thyroid glands of these patients were normal or slightly enlarged. Antithyroglobulin antibody levels determined in seven patients were not substantially elevated. The clinical course of these patients was characteristic of \"silent\" subacute thyroiditis. Although the origin of the syndrome remains unclear, the disease is self-limited and therapy, if any, is supportive.", "contents": "Typical and atypical ('silent') subacute thyroiditis in a wife and husband. Typical subacute thyroiditis was diagnosed in a woman. Three weeks later, signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism developed in her husband. Although the right lobe of his thyroid gland was slightly enlarged, pain and tenderness were absent throughout the course of his illness. The free thyroxine equivalent (FTE) value and the sedimentation rate were elevated; the low uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland was consistent with \"silent\" subacute thyroiditis. We postulate that a common etiolgoy, probably viral, was operative in both cases. Nine additional cases of hyperthyroidism with low levels of thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine are described. The thyroid glands of these patients were normal or slightly enlarged. Antithyroglobulin antibody levels determined in seven patients were not substantially elevated. The clinical course of these patients was characteristic of \"silent\" subacute thyroiditis. Although the origin of the syndrome remains unclear, the disease is self-limited and therapy, if any, is supportive.", "PMID": 619831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3302", "title": "Treatment of alcoholic acidosis: the role of dextrose and phosphorus.", "content": "We have made serial metabolic observations in 18 acute episodes of alcoholic ketoacidosis in ten patients. Data from patients treated with only saline initially were compared to data from patients who received modest amounts of intravenous dextrose (7.0 to 7.5 gm/hr). More rapid improvement in the acidotic state was seen in the latter group (P less than .001). The quicker decline in absolute levels and ratio of beta-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate when glucose was given suggests that this treatment induced mitochondrial oxidation of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Since phosphorus is a critical cofactor necessary for NADH oxidation and the glucose-induced correction of the acidosis was associated with a rapid decline in serum phosphorus from an initial mean of 6.79 +/- .82 mg/100 ml SEM to 0.96 +/- 0.12 mg/100 ml in 24 hours, we propose that glucose enhanced the mitochondrial capacity to oxidize NADH by increasing hepatocyte phosphorus. This effect combined with decline in free fatty acid levels results in reversal of acidosis. Our data suggest that glucose provides the safest, most effective treatment for this disorder; addition of either insulin or bicarbonate is usually unnecessary.", "contents": "Treatment of alcoholic acidosis: the role of dextrose and phosphorus. We have made serial metabolic observations in 18 acute episodes of alcoholic ketoacidosis in ten patients. Data from patients treated with only saline initially were compared to data from patients who received modest amounts of intravenous dextrose (7.0 to 7.5 gm/hr). More rapid improvement in the acidotic state was seen in the latter group (P less than .001). The quicker decline in absolute levels and ratio of beta-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate when glucose was given suggests that this treatment induced mitochondrial oxidation of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Since phosphorus is a critical cofactor necessary for NADH oxidation and the glucose-induced correction of the acidosis was associated with a rapid decline in serum phosphorus from an initial mean of 6.79 +/- .82 mg/100 ml SEM to 0.96 +/- 0.12 mg/100 ml in 24 hours, we propose that glucose enhanced the mitochondrial capacity to oxidize NADH by increasing hepatocyte phosphorus. This effect combined with decline in free fatty acid levels results in reversal of acidosis. Our data suggest that glucose provides the safest, most effective treatment for this disorder; addition of either insulin or bicarbonate is usually unnecessary.", "PMID": 619832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3303", "title": "A university medical center occupational health service: shoes for the cobbler's children.", "content": "A university medical teaching center can provide adequate health care for its employees by using the medical manpower and facilities it already possesses. Certain elements are of prime importance in the success of the development of such a service: (1) organization--concise knowledge of objectives, cost, and benefits, with emphasis on employee satisfaction; (2) staff--selection of interested, imaginative medical personnel and use of expanded role nurses as full-time health providers requiring a minimum of direct medical supervision; (3) collaboration--participation by both medical and nursing professions, educators as well as clinicians, in the formulation and direction of the service.", "contents": "A university medical center occupational health service: shoes for the cobbler's children. A university medical teaching center can provide adequate health care for its employees by using the medical manpower and facilities it already possesses. Certain elements are of prime importance in the success of the development of such a service: (1) organization--concise knowledge of objectives, cost, and benefits, with emphasis on employee satisfaction; (2) staff--selection of interested, imaginative medical personnel and use of expanded role nurses as full-time health providers requiring a minimum of direct medical supervision; (3) collaboration--participation by both medical and nursing professions, educators as well as clinicians, in the formulation and direction of the service.", "PMID": 619833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3304", "title": "HLA in maturity-onset type of hyperglycemia in the young.", "content": "HLA haplotypes in a kindred with a maturity-onset type of hyperglycemia in the young (MOHY) were studied. All diabetics had mild hyperglycemia of early onset, and the inheritance pattern suggested an autosomal dominant trait. Eight of 11 subjects with hyperglycemia shared haplotype A3, Bw15. When only this haplotype was considered, there appeared to be a significant association with hyperglycemia chi2 = 6.36). However, since both haplotypes in the proband could be associated with hyperglycemia (both proband's parents had hyperglycemia), the data for both haplotypes were combined, and analysis for an association between both haplotypes and hyperglycemia was not significant (chi2 = 2.53). Linkage between a diabetes gene causing MOHY and the HLA, evaluated by lod score analysis, was suggested, but the values were not significant.", "contents": "HLA in maturity-onset type of hyperglycemia in the young. HLA haplotypes in a kindred with a maturity-onset type of hyperglycemia in the young (MOHY) were studied. All diabetics had mild hyperglycemia of early onset, and the inheritance pattern suggested an autosomal dominant trait. Eight of 11 subjects with hyperglycemia shared haplotype A3, Bw15. When only this haplotype was considered, there appeared to be a significant association with hyperglycemia chi2 = 6.36). However, since both haplotypes in the proband could be associated with hyperglycemia (both proband's parents had hyperglycemia), the data for both haplotypes were combined, and analysis for an association between both haplotypes and hyperglycemia was not significant (chi2 = 2.53). Linkage between a diabetes gene causing MOHY and the HLA, evaluated by lod score analysis, was suggested, but the values were not significant.", "PMID": 619834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3305", "title": "Iron-containing plasma cells.", "content": "Iron in plasma cells has been described in patients with diseases characterized by iron overload. We observed iron-containing plasma cells in 21 anemic alcoholic patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of complications of alcoholism. The presence of iron-containing plasma cells is suggestive of alcoholism and its complications, and diseases associated with iron overload or inability of RBCs to utilize iron. The mechanism of entry of iron into plasma cells is unknown.", "contents": "Iron-containing plasma cells. Iron in plasma cells has been described in patients with diseases characterized by iron overload. We observed iron-containing plasma cells in 21 anemic alcoholic patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of complications of alcoholism. The presence of iron-containing plasma cells is suggestive of alcoholism and its complications, and diseases associated with iron overload or inability of RBCs to utilize iron. The mechanism of entry of iron into plasma cells is unknown.", "PMID": 619835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3306", "title": "Psychiatric manpower for state mental hospitals. A continuing dilemma.", "content": "A shortage of psychiatrists continues to exist in state mental hospitals (SMHs), and Public Law 94-484 is likely to aggravate this problem. A telephone survey was done of 50 state departments of mental health to collect data about (1) the number and kinds of SMHs in each state;(2) the percentage of psychiatrists in SMHs who are foreign medical graduates; and (3) strategies for attractiing psychiatrists to SMHs. States with SMH residency training programs employed significantly more psychiatrists and paid significantly lower salaries than did states without these programs. Nine states reported no or few problems obtaining psychiatric staff. These nine states employed more psychiatrists and had a smaller proportion of foreign medical graduates than the remaining 41; salaries were similar. Sets of strategies for obtaining psychiatrists were identified for all 50 states. The strategies of competitive salaries, university affillation, and incorporating the SMH into an interdependent network of quality mental health care delivery systems are examined in detail.", "contents": "Psychiatric manpower for state mental hospitals. A continuing dilemma. A shortage of psychiatrists continues to exist in state mental hospitals (SMHs), and Public Law 94-484 is likely to aggravate this problem. A telephone survey was done of 50 state departments of mental health to collect data about (1) the number and kinds of SMHs in each state;(2) the percentage of psychiatrists in SMHs who are foreign medical graduates; and (3) strategies for attractiing psychiatrists to SMHs. States with SMH residency training programs employed significantly more psychiatrists and paid significantly lower salaries than did states without these programs. Nine states reported no or few problems obtaining psychiatric staff. These nine states employed more psychiatrists and had a smaller proportion of foreign medical graduates than the remaining 41; salaries were similar. Sets of strategies for obtaining psychiatrists were identified for all 50 states. The strategies of competitive salaries, university affillation, and incorporating the SMH into an interdependent network of quality mental health care delivery systems are examined in detail.", "PMID": 619836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3307", "title": "Teaching behavioral sciences to medical students. Education or training?", "content": "Accepted paradigms in medical behavioral science education are development, conflict and defense, and disease. Teaching under these paradigms blurs distinctions between preclinical and clinical education, and between education and training--most commonly by including an introduction to clinical psychiatry in preclinical courses. Such approaches may provide students with technical skills at the expense of their developing conceptual bases for continuing self-education. We developed a first-year behavioral sciences course using the paradigm of symbolic function and language. This paradigm can organize knowledge that underlies clinical skills involved in talking with patients and establishing an effective physician-patient relationship. Believing that fostering knowledge should be the primary goal of preclinical education, we emphasized primary sources and classics. Our goal was to encourage analysis and synthesis rather than memorization; evaluating such higher taxonomic levels of education is extraordinarily difficult.", "contents": "Teaching behavioral sciences to medical students. Education or training? Accepted paradigms in medical behavioral science education are development, conflict and defense, and disease. Teaching under these paradigms blurs distinctions between preclinical and clinical education, and between education and training--most commonly by including an introduction to clinical psychiatry in preclinical courses. Such approaches may provide students with technical skills at the expense of their developing conceptual bases for continuing self-education. We developed a first-year behavioral sciences course using the paradigm of symbolic function and language. This paradigm can organize knowledge that underlies clinical skills involved in talking with patients and establishing an effective physician-patient relationship. Believing that fostering knowledge should be the primary goal of preclinical education, we emphasized primary sources and classics. Our goal was to encourage analysis and synthesis rather than memorization; evaluating such higher taxonomic levels of education is extraordinarily difficult.", "PMID": 619837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3308", "title": "Biorhythms and highway crashes. Are they related?", "content": "Biorhythm, a theory that purports to identify periods of increased individual susceptibility to accident or misfortune on the basis of recurring biological cycles, is currently enjoying world-wide popularity. In view of the implications of such a theory for both public health and safety, the present study was undertaken as an empirical test of its validity. Using data from 205 carefully investigated highway crashes (135 fatal; 70 nonfatal) in which the drivers were clearly at fault, the authors computed specific points in drivers' biorhythm cycles at which the accidents occurred. The observed frequencies of accidents occurring during so-called critical and minus periods were then compared with the frequencies to be expected on a chance basis alone. The results provided no evidence for a relationship between purported biorhythm cycles and accident likelihood.", "contents": "Biorhythms and highway crashes. Are they related? Biorhythm, a theory that purports to identify periods of increased individual susceptibility to accident or misfortune on the basis of recurring biological cycles, is currently enjoying world-wide popularity. In view of the implications of such a theory for both public health and safety, the present study was undertaken as an empirical test of its validity. Using data from 205 carefully investigated highway crashes (135 fatal; 70 nonfatal) in which the drivers were clearly at fault, the authors computed specific points in drivers' biorhythm cycles at which the accidents occurred. The observed frequencies of accidents occurring during so-called critical and minus periods were then compared with the frequencies to be expected on a chance basis alone. The results provided no evidence for a relationship between purported biorhythm cycles and accident likelihood.", "PMID": 619838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3309", "title": "The effects of hyperbaric and normobaric oxygen on cognitive impairment in the elderly.", "content": "Eighty-two elderly subjects with significant cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to treatment with either hyperbaric oxygen, hyperbaric air, normobaric oxygen, or normobaric air. Treatment consisted of two 90-minute sessions a day for 15 consecutive days. Subjects were evaluated on measures of memory and intellectual capacity, as well as on psychiatric symptom rating scales. Results immediately after treatment and at one, two, three, and eight weeks following treatment did not show enhanced cognitive functioning or significantly greater symptom reduction in experimental subjects who received either normobaric or hyperbaric oxygen as compared to controls who received hyperbaric or normobaric air. There was also no evidence of differential treatment effects as a function of initial severity of illness, sex, response to a CO2 loading test, or presumed evidence of cerebrovascular disease.", "contents": "The effects of hyperbaric and normobaric oxygen on cognitive impairment in the elderly. Eighty-two elderly subjects with significant cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to treatment with either hyperbaric oxygen, hyperbaric air, normobaric oxygen, or normobaric air. Treatment consisted of two 90-minute sessions a day for 15 consecutive days. Subjects were evaluated on measures of memory and intellectual capacity, as well as on psychiatric symptom rating scales. Results immediately after treatment and at one, two, three, and eight weeks following treatment did not show enhanced cognitive functioning or significantly greater symptom reduction in experimental subjects who received either normobaric or hyperbaric oxygen as compared to controls who received hyperbaric or normobaric air. There was also no evidence of differential treatment effects as a function of initial severity of illness, sex, response to a CO2 loading test, or presumed evidence of cerebrovascular disease.", "PMID": 619839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3310", "title": "Are there social class differences in patients' treatment conceptions?", "content": "Traditionally, lower-class individuals who have sought psychiatric help have been hampered in their efforts by classrelated inequities in the delivery of psychiatric services. A common explanation for this phenomenon has been that the treatment conceptions of lower-class individuals are \"inappropriate.\" This report presents theoretical and research evidence challenging this notion. A review of the literature from 1954 through 1974 yielded no good evidence that lower-class patients need, expect, or want treatments incongruent with those of upper-middle-class therapists. An experimental study of the requests for help made by 278 walk-in clinic patients confirmed this observation. Patient requests, as measured by an 84-item, self-rated questionnaire, were largely independent of social class. It was concluded that social class differences in treatment disposition and outcome cannot be attributed to social class differences in patients' treatment conceptions. The possibility that methodological and sociological factors can account for the discrepancies between the findings of this study and past studies is discussed. Strategies for minimizing treatment biases against lower-class patients and for maximizing treatment effectiveness with higher-class patients are also suggested.", "contents": "Are there social class differences in patients' treatment conceptions? Traditionally, lower-class individuals who have sought psychiatric help have been hampered in their efforts by classrelated inequities in the delivery of psychiatric services. A common explanation for this phenomenon has been that the treatment conceptions of lower-class individuals are \"inappropriate.\" This report presents theoretical and research evidence challenging this notion. A review of the literature from 1954 through 1974 yielded no good evidence that lower-class patients need, expect, or want treatments incongruent with those of upper-middle-class therapists. An experimental study of the requests for help made by 278 walk-in clinic patients confirmed this observation. Patient requests, as measured by an 84-item, self-rated questionnaire, were largely independent of social class. It was concluded that social class differences in treatment disposition and outcome cannot be attributed to social class differences in patients' treatment conceptions. The possibility that methodological and sociological factors can account for the discrepancies between the findings of this study and past studies is discussed. Strategies for minimizing treatment biases against lower-class patients and for maximizing treatment effectiveness with higher-class patients are also suggested.", "PMID": 619840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3311", "title": "Prognosis in schizophrenia. Prognostic predictors and outcome.", "content": "Eighty-eight of 92 first-admission schizophrenics from 1963, an incidence by first admission cohort, were followed up in 1974 and 1975. Epidemiologically the sample was more comparable to lower European rates and expectancy rather than to higher American figures. Prior to follow-up, factors said to predict outcome were scored. This prognostic information was complete for 79 cases. Outcome was measured on a variety of criteria. The patients fell into a \"poor prognosis\" group based on the prognostic indicators, which were of little value in predicting prognosis within this group. However, patients who received extensive service during the follow-up period had poorer outcomes. Outcome was better than in most earlier studies of schizophrenia, but similar to that in some other recent studies of first-admission patients; also, the use of phenothiazines, short-term hospitalization, and community services may play a part. The failure of prognostic indicators to predict more than about 25% of the outcome variance for this group of \"poor prognosis\" patients supports the viewpoint that \"good\" and \"poor\" prognosis schizophrenia are two different entities.", "contents": "Prognosis in schizophrenia. Prognostic predictors and outcome. Eighty-eight of 92 first-admission schizophrenics from 1963, an incidence by first admission cohort, were followed up in 1974 and 1975. Epidemiologically the sample was more comparable to lower European rates and expectancy rather than to higher American figures. Prior to follow-up, factors said to predict outcome were scored. This prognostic information was complete for 79 cases. Outcome was measured on a variety of criteria. The patients fell into a \"poor prognosis\" group based on the prognostic indicators, which were of little value in predicting prognosis within this group. However, patients who received extensive service during the follow-up period had poorer outcomes. Outcome was better than in most earlier studies of schizophrenia, but similar to that in some other recent studies of first-admission patients; also, the use of phenothiazines, short-term hospitalization, and community services may play a part. The failure of prognostic indicators to predict more than about 25% of the outcome variance for this group of \"poor prognosis\" patients supports the viewpoint that \"good\" and \"poor\" prognosis schizophrenia are two different entities.", "PMID": 619841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3312", "title": "Therapist characteristics and the outcome of treatment in schizophrenia.", "content": "The broad task of identifying and characterizing specific components of personality and behaviours of therapists that may be differentially helpful in the treatment of schizophrenia still remains to be addressed. This report presents data systematically collected in the course of a controlled study of the outcome of five different treatment methods in schizophrenia. Therapists seem to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the treatment of schizophrenia by drugs and by psychotherapy plus drugs. The salient therapist behaviors that seem to make a difference in outcome are yet to be identified and studied. The A-B dimension as customarily defined seems of little value for this task. The findings show a distinct need to identify cognitive and affective personality characteristics of the therapist relevant to eliciting patient cooperation, and the degree of knowledge and sophistication in the use of particular methods of treatment necessary for good results.", "contents": "Therapist characteristics and the outcome of treatment in schizophrenia. The broad task of identifying and characterizing specific components of personality and behaviours of therapists that may be differentially helpful in the treatment of schizophrenia still remains to be addressed. This report presents data systematically collected in the course of a controlled study of the outcome of five different treatment methods in schizophrenia. Therapists seem to play a significant role in determining the outcome of the treatment of schizophrenia by drugs and by psychotherapy plus drugs. The salient therapist behaviors that seem to make a difference in outcome are yet to be identified and studied. The A-B dimension as customarily defined seems of little value for this task. The findings show a distinct need to identify cognitive and affective personality characteristics of the therapist relevant to eliciting patient cooperation, and the degree of knowledge and sophistication in the use of particular methods of treatment necessary for good results.", "PMID": 619842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3313", "title": "Sex differences in psychiatric evaluation and treatment. An empirical review.", "content": "This article reviews the research evidence concerning sex-related differences in psychiatric/psychological assessment and treatment. The effects of both sex of patient and sex of judge are considered. The article also raises methodological criticisms of the existing research, and draws some tentative conclusions.", "contents": "Sex differences in psychiatric evaluation and treatment. An empirical review. This article reviews the research evidence concerning sex-related differences in psychiatric/psychological assessment and treatment. The effects of both sex of patient and sex of judge are considered. The article also raises methodological criticisms of the existing research, and draws some tentative conclusions.", "PMID": 619843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3314", "title": "Dopamine excretion and vulnerability to drug-induced Parkinsonism. Schizophrenic patients.", "content": "Before and during a standardized course of trifluoperazine therapy, 18 schizophrenic patients underwent repeated examinations for extrapyramidal motor signs, clinical psychopathology, and urinary excretion of free and conjugated forms of dopamine and its metabolites. Patients excreting more free dopamine and metabolites, or showing less complete conjugation, before drug treatment, were much less likely than others to develop parkinsonian akinesia and rigidity during drug treatment. Neither catatonic rigidity nor akinesia before treatment was predictive of a parkinsonian response to trifluoperazine, but pretreatment tremor may have been. The severity of schizophrenic psychopathology was unrelated to dopamine excretion. This study of schizophrenic patients, and our previous research in Parkinson's disease, suggest that urinary dopamine excretion may reflect dopaminergic function of the extrapyramidal motor system in both conditions.", "contents": "Dopamine excretion and vulnerability to drug-induced Parkinsonism. Schizophrenic patients. Before and during a standardized course of trifluoperazine therapy, 18 schizophrenic patients underwent repeated examinations for extrapyramidal motor signs, clinical psychopathology, and urinary excretion of free and conjugated forms of dopamine and its metabolites. Patients excreting more free dopamine and metabolites, or showing less complete conjugation, before drug treatment, were much less likely than others to develop parkinsonian akinesia and rigidity during drug treatment. Neither catatonic rigidity nor akinesia before treatment was predictive of a parkinsonian response to trifluoperazine, but pretreatment tremor may have been. The severity of schizophrenic psychopathology was unrelated to dopamine excretion. This study of schizophrenic patients, and our previous research in Parkinson's disease, suggest that urinary dopamine excretion may reflect dopaminergic function of the extrapyramidal motor system in both conditions.", "PMID": 619844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3315", "title": "Sensory nerve conduction velocity in children using cerebral evoked potentials.", "content": "Sensory nerve conduction velocity was measured in 16 healthy volunteers from 3 to 16 years of age by using evoked cortical potentials. Using the latencies to the peaks of the 2nd and 3rd components (N1 and P2) of the average evoked response, conduction velocities for the wrist-to-elbow segment of the median nerve were found to have a range of 58 to 74 meters/second (m/s). Mean values using N1 and P2 were not significantly different. Conduction velocities in the same children obtained by stimulation of the median nerve at the elbow and wrist while recording the digital nerve action potential from the index finger had a range of 58 to 70 m/s. Mean values determined using cortical and digital potentials were not significantly different. In individual subjects, values obtained with the two techniques differed by 0 to 9 m/s using the N1 peak and 0 to 11 m/s using the P2 peak of the of the cortical potential. Reliable conduction velocity measurements for sensory nerves can be obtained in children using evoked cortical potentials with relatively simple methods. This technique has been successful when conventional methods did not detect peripheral sensory responses.", "contents": "Sensory nerve conduction velocity in children using cerebral evoked potentials. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was measured in 16 healthy volunteers from 3 to 16 years of age by using evoked cortical potentials. Using the latencies to the peaks of the 2nd and 3rd components (N1 and P2) of the average evoked response, conduction velocities for the wrist-to-elbow segment of the median nerve were found to have a range of 58 to 74 meters/second (m/s). Mean values using N1 and P2 were not significantly different. Conduction velocities in the same children obtained by stimulation of the median nerve at the elbow and wrist while recording the digital nerve action potential from the index finger had a range of 58 to 70 m/s. Mean values determined using cortical and digital potentials were not significantly different. In individual subjects, values obtained with the two techniques differed by 0 to 9 m/s using the N1 peak and 0 to 11 m/s using the P2 peak of the of the cortical potential. Reliable conduction velocity measurements for sensory nerves can be obtained in children using evoked cortical potentials with relatively simple methods. This technique has been successful when conventional methods did not detect peripheral sensory responses.", "PMID": 619845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3316", "title": "Urinary output and incidence of acute urinary tract infection in patients with indwelling bladder catheters.", "content": "This study was designed to test the hypothesis that high urinary output in patients with an indwelling bladder catheter tends to protect the patients from acute urinary tract infection. Thirty-five cases of acute spinal cord injury were analyzed for average daily urine volume and frequency of acute urinary infection (defined as oral temperature above 101 F and requiring treatment for the infection). The study period encompassed the time from entry into the Rehabilitation Unit until a definitive effort was made to remove the catheter, a mean of 59 days. Twenty-six patients developed acute urinary infections while nine did not. Mean 24-hour urine output in the two groups was 2530 cc and 2540 cc, respectively. The only difference which could be found was a significant decrease in urinary output in the symptomatic group during the seven days preceding onset of acute infection.", "contents": "Urinary output and incidence of acute urinary tract infection in patients with indwelling bladder catheters. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that high urinary output in patients with an indwelling bladder catheter tends to protect the patients from acute urinary tract infection. Thirty-five cases of acute spinal cord injury were analyzed for average daily urine volume and frequency of acute urinary infection (defined as oral temperature above 101 F and requiring treatment for the infection). The study period encompassed the time from entry into the Rehabilitation Unit until a definitive effort was made to remove the catheter, a mean of 59 days. Twenty-six patients developed acute urinary infections while nine did not. Mean 24-hour urine output in the two groups was 2530 cc and 2540 cc, respectively. The only difference which could be found was a significant decrease in urinary output in the symptomatic group during the seven days preceding onset of acute infection.", "PMID": 619846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3317", "title": "Sensory conduction in the musculocutaneous nerve.", "content": "This report describes an antidromic technique for studying conduction in the sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve, the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm. Surface stimulation was done at the elbow where the nerve becomes superficial, and surface recordings were made 12 cm distally over the course of the nerve. Sixty nerves in 30 normal persons were examined. The mean latency to onset of the action potential was 1.8 +/- 0.1 msec with a mean conduction velocity of 65 +/- 3.6 meters/sec. Mean amplitude of the action potential was 24 +/- 7.2 muv.", "contents": "Sensory conduction in the musculocutaneous nerve. This report describes an antidromic technique for studying conduction in the sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve, the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm. Surface stimulation was done at the elbow where the nerve becomes superficial, and surface recordings were made 12 cm distally over the course of the nerve. Sixty nerves in 30 normal persons were examined. The mean latency to onset of the action potential was 1.8 +/- 0.1 msec with a mean conduction velocity of 65 +/- 3.6 meters/sec. Mean amplitude of the action potential was 24 +/- 7.2 muv.", "PMID": 619847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3318", "title": "Residual latency: new applications of an old technique.", "content": "Median and ulnar nerve conduction velocity was studied using residual latency techniques in a control population and in a population with neuropathy. Midpalmar stimulation sites were used to determine the residual latency of the distal short segment. The residual latency index (RLI) was the short segment residual latency divided by the residual latency for the entire terminal nerve segment. While it was 0.61 in the control population, it increased to 0.69 in the patients with ulnar neuropathy distal to the wrist and decreased to 0.36 in patients with neuropathy of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. In five cases of median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel, muscle biopsy specimens revealed evidence consistent with neuropathic processes. The RLI is an accurate and relevant method of evaluating the sensory and motor conduction of very small nerve segments.", "contents": "Residual latency: new applications of an old technique. Median and ulnar nerve conduction velocity was studied using residual latency techniques in a control population and in a population with neuropathy. Midpalmar stimulation sites were used to determine the residual latency of the distal short segment. The residual latency index (RLI) was the short segment residual latency divided by the residual latency for the entire terminal nerve segment. While it was 0.61 in the control population, it increased to 0.69 in the patients with ulnar neuropathy distal to the wrist and decreased to 0.36 in patients with neuropathy of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. In five cases of median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel, muscle biopsy specimens revealed evidence consistent with neuropathic processes. The RLI is an accurate and relevant method of evaluating the sensory and motor conduction of very small nerve segments.", "PMID": 619848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3319", "title": "Electromyographic effect on serum creatine phosphokinase in normal individuals.", "content": "Seven normal healthy individuals were investigated to determine the effect of needle electromyography (EMG) on serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. No changes were noted as the result of EMG. Exercise resulted in increased serum CPK activity and persons with large muscle mass showed higher initial CPK levels.", "contents": "Electromyographic effect on serum creatine phosphokinase in normal individuals. Seven normal healthy individuals were investigated to determine the effect of needle electromyography (EMG) on serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. No changes were noted as the result of EMG. Exercise resulted in increased serum CPK activity and persons with large muscle mass showed higher initial CPK levels.", "PMID": 619849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3320", "title": "Sexual adjustment of spinal cord injured veterans living in the community.", "content": "Data were gathered from interviews conducted by the investigators with 145 spinal cord injured outpatients from the Veterans Administration Hospital, Bronx, NY. The index of Sexual Adjustment was developed based on factors such as adaptation to sexual limitations, partner satisfaction, sexual self-concept, and regularity of sexual contact. The index was correlated with 21 variables permitting a description of significant factors which are related to successful rehabilitation. Higher scores on the index were significantly and positively associated with better physical function, higher level of income, the roles of worker and community participant, higher morale, injury at an earlier age, younger current age, positive attitudes of self-acceptance and independence. Abstinence from sexual relations as a form of adjustment is also considered. Results of this study support the hypothesis that sexual adjustment is related to psychologic, social and physical factors that are relevant for successful rehabilitation. These findings suggest that sexuality is an integral part of the disabled person's personality and behavior and that adjustment to disability includes a sexual dimension.", "contents": "Sexual adjustment of spinal cord injured veterans living in the community. Data were gathered from interviews conducted by the investigators with 145 spinal cord injured outpatients from the Veterans Administration Hospital, Bronx, NY. The index of Sexual Adjustment was developed based on factors such as adaptation to sexual limitations, partner satisfaction, sexual self-concept, and regularity of sexual contact. The index was correlated with 21 variables permitting a description of significant factors which are related to successful rehabilitation. Higher scores on the index were significantly and positively associated with better physical function, higher level of income, the roles of worker and community participant, higher morale, injury at an earlier age, younger current age, positive attitudes of self-acceptance and independence. Abstinence from sexual relations as a form of adjustment is also considered. Results of this study support the hypothesis that sexual adjustment is related to psychologic, social and physical factors that are relevant for successful rehabilitation. These findings suggest that sexuality is an integral part of the disabled person's personality and behavior and that adjustment to disability includes a sexual dimension.", "PMID": 619850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3321", "title": "Metastatic disease of the paraspinal muscles: electromyographic and histopathologic correlation in early detection.", "content": "Electromyographic examination may demonstrate severe segmental compromise of the posterior primary ramus and relative sparing of the anterior ramus as the earliest objective evidences of spinal and paraspinal metastases. Antecedent studies, including roentgenographic, radioisotopic and neurologic investigations, are often initially normal, failing to reveal the underlying cause of the progressive back pain. The present report demonstrates metastatic spread both through the paravertebral venous plexus and by direct extension in contiguous muscle. In this special instance, segmental 4+ fibrillations in the paraspinal muscles are electrophysiologic manifestations of a local, active process of denervation rather than a remote effect of the malignant disease, as has been suggested by others.", "contents": "Metastatic disease of the paraspinal muscles: electromyographic and histopathologic correlation in early detection. Electromyographic examination may demonstrate severe segmental compromise of the posterior primary ramus and relative sparing of the anterior ramus as the earliest objective evidences of spinal and paraspinal metastases. Antecedent studies, including roentgenographic, radioisotopic and neurologic investigations, are often initially normal, failing to reveal the underlying cause of the progressive back pain. The present report demonstrates metastatic spread both through the paravertebral venous plexus and by direct extension in contiguous muscle. In this special instance, segmental 4+ fibrillations in the paraspinal muscles are electrophysiologic manifestations of a local, active process of denervation rather than a remote effect of the malignant disease, as has been suggested by others.", "PMID": 619851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3322", "title": "Intermittent catheterization to obtain catheter-free bladder function in spinal cord injury.", "content": "The intermittent bladder catheterization technique has been proposed as an effective way of eliminating the need for an inlying. Foley catheter in patients with neurovesical dysfunction following spinal cord injury. In the study reported here, a group of 41 male patients with spinal cord injuries achieved a catheter-free state with this method. Of these 41 patients, 19 have been followed for 1 year. Data obtained from the 19 patients are presented here for comparison with data from other recent studies. In the present study, the patients' fluid intake was restricted to 2,000 cc daily. A detrusor reflex was triggered by lower abdominal percussion followed by a Cred\u00e9 maneuver. A 6-hour catheterization schedule was used unless autonomic dysreflexia required more frequent catheterizations. Ascorbic acid, methenamine mandelate and nitrofurantoin were routinely administered, and specific antibiotics were also given following trial off-catheter, depending on the results of urine cultures and sensitivity studies. All patients achieved a catheter-free state in an average time of 17.1 days; no late failures have occurred. Two patients developed vesicoureteral reflux, but no evidence of hydronephrosis was observed. At 1 year only 16% of the patients were found to have infected urine, as compared to 100% at initiation of the trial off-catheter.", "contents": "Intermittent catheterization to obtain catheter-free bladder function in spinal cord injury. The intermittent bladder catheterization technique has been proposed as an effective way of eliminating the need for an inlying. Foley catheter in patients with neurovesical dysfunction following spinal cord injury. In the study reported here, a group of 41 male patients with spinal cord injuries achieved a catheter-free state with this method. Of these 41 patients, 19 have been followed for 1 year. Data obtained from the 19 patients are presented here for comparison with data from other recent studies. In the present study, the patients' fluid intake was restricted to 2,000 cc daily. A detrusor reflex was triggered by lower abdominal percussion followed by a Cred\u00e9 maneuver. A 6-hour catheterization schedule was used unless autonomic dysreflexia required more frequent catheterizations. Ascorbic acid, methenamine mandelate and nitrofurantoin were routinely administered, and specific antibiotics were also given following trial off-catheter, depending on the results of urine cultures and sensitivity studies. All patients achieved a catheter-free state in an average time of 17.1 days; no late failures have occurred. Two patients developed vesicoureteral reflux, but no evidence of hydronephrosis was observed. At 1 year only 16% of the patients were found to have infected urine, as compared to 100% at initiation of the trial off-catheter.", "PMID": 619852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3323", "title": "Intermittent catheterization failure and an approach to bladder rehabilitation in spinal cord injury patients.", "content": "Forty-six patients with spinal injury with dysfunctional neurogenic bladder were analyzed. Fourteen patients on prolonged intermittent catheterization from 12 weeks to more than 1 year did not develop a balanced bladder, 14 patients had indwelling catheters after intermittent catheterization failed elsewhere and 18 patients on external condom drainage presented with difficult voiding and repeated infections. There were 16 quadriplegics (1 incomplete), 21 paraplegics, and 9 incomplete cauda equina lesions. Urologic and urodynamic evaluation revealed detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 15 patients, vesicoureteral reflux in 10, and areflexic bladders in 11. Five patients over the age of 55 years showed slight enlargement of the prostrate. Some degree of bladder neck fibrosis was suspected in 26. More than one urologic pathology was encountered in the same patient. Transurethral sphincterotomy was carried out in 38 patients and only one transurethral resection of the prostrate (TURP) in an incomplete quadriplegic patient. In seven patients with no obvious urodynamic abnormality, a balanced bladder was achieved with intermittent catheterization; however, one of these patients needed a transurethral sphincterotomy on subsequent admission. A balanced bladder was achieved in all patients except the one with incomplete quadriplegia. Significant improvement in vesicoureteral reflux and relief from autonomic dysreflexic symptoms were recorded in all patients.", "contents": "Intermittent catheterization failure and an approach to bladder rehabilitation in spinal cord injury patients. Forty-six patients with spinal injury with dysfunctional neurogenic bladder were analyzed. Fourteen patients on prolonged intermittent catheterization from 12 weeks to more than 1 year did not develop a balanced bladder, 14 patients had indwelling catheters after intermittent catheterization failed elsewhere and 18 patients on external condom drainage presented with difficult voiding and repeated infections. There were 16 quadriplegics (1 incomplete), 21 paraplegics, and 9 incomplete cauda equina lesions. Urologic and urodynamic evaluation revealed detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 15 patients, vesicoureteral reflux in 10, and areflexic bladders in 11. Five patients over the age of 55 years showed slight enlargement of the prostrate. Some degree of bladder neck fibrosis was suspected in 26. More than one urologic pathology was encountered in the same patient. Transurethral sphincterotomy was carried out in 38 patients and only one transurethral resection of the prostrate (TURP) in an incomplete quadriplegic patient. In seven patients with no obvious urodynamic abnormality, a balanced bladder was achieved with intermittent catheterization; however, one of these patients needed a transurethral sphincterotomy on subsequent admission. A balanced bladder was achieved in all patients except the one with incomplete quadriplegia. Significant improvement in vesicoureteral reflux and relief from autonomic dysreflexic symptoms were recorded in all patients.", "PMID": 619856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3324", "title": "Hereditary neonatal hyperparathyroidism.", "content": "Neonatal hyperparathyroidism usually presents as a \"failure to thrive\" syndrome. It may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and may involve more than one offspring. We report on two brothers with neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism. One underwent a total parathyroidectomy and has lived for 14 years. Hyperparathyroidism was found in their father, suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance. The disease is fatal unless recognized early and treated. The characteristic pathological change is chief cell hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Near-total parathyroidectomy is the minimal operation required to control the hypercalcemia. Permanent hypoparathyroidism may be the sequel of appropriate surgical management. Treatment of the totally parathyroidectomized infant, however, is possible and can result in normal growth and development.", "contents": "Hereditary neonatal hyperparathyroidism. Neonatal hyperparathyroidism usually presents as a \"failure to thrive\" syndrome. It may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait and may involve more than one offspring. We report on two brothers with neonatal primary hyperparathyroidism. One underwent a total parathyroidectomy and has lived for 14 years. Hyperparathyroidism was found in their father, suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance. The disease is fatal unless recognized early and treated. The characteristic pathological change is chief cell hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Near-total parathyroidectomy is the minimal operation required to control the hypercalcemia. Permanent hypoparathyroidism may be the sequel of appropriate surgical management. Treatment of the totally parathyroidectomized infant, however, is possible and can result in normal growth and development.", "PMID": 619857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3325", "title": "Testing the lipid hypothesis. Clinical trials.", "content": "It is generally accepted that we still lack a conclusive answer, to whether lowering of the lipid level will prevent the development or reverse the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Multiple risk factor intervention trials now have the merit of addressing themselves to probable and practical needs for intervening on several of the major risk factors to obtain the maximum impact on populations at risk.", "contents": "Testing the lipid hypothesis. Clinical trials. It is generally accepted that we still lack a conclusive answer, to whether lowering of the lipid level will prevent the development or reverse the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Multiple risk factor intervention trials now have the merit of addressing themselves to probable and practical needs for intervening on several of the major risk factors to obtain the maximum impact on populations at risk.", "PMID": 619863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3326", "title": "Effect of vagal stimulation on the concentration of gastrin in serum and antral mucosa in dogs.", "content": "The concentration of gastrin in serum and antral mucosa was studied in anesthetized dogs after electrical stimulation of the antral branch vagus nerve. Vagal stimulation caused immediate and sustained release of gastrin into the circulation. After stimulation for one hour, the gastrin concentration of antral mucosa increased significantly. This suggests that vagal release of gastrin triggers its rapid synthesis.", "contents": "Effect of vagal stimulation on the concentration of gastrin in serum and antral mucosa in dogs. The concentration of gastrin in serum and antral mucosa was studied in anesthetized dogs after electrical stimulation of the antral branch vagus nerve. Vagal stimulation caused immediate and sustained release of gastrin into the circulation. After stimulation for one hour, the gastrin concentration of antral mucosa increased significantly. This suggests that vagal release of gastrin triggers its rapid synthesis.", "PMID": 619864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3327", "title": "Reactive hyperemia vs treadmill exercise testing in arterial disease.", "content": "We compared the ankle pressure response during reactive hyperemia to the response to treadmill exercise in 28 limbs of 14 normal individuals and 26 legs of 15 patients with arterial occlusive disease. The mean percent maximum drop in ankle blood pressure during reactive hyperemia in normal limbs, 17% +/- 11% (+/- 1 SD) was significantly less than that of legs with arterial disease, 54% +/- 15% (P less than .001). Abnormal values were recorded in all but three diseased limbs. There was good correlation between the ankle pressure responses to reactive hyperemia and treadmill exercise (r = 0.71, P less than .001). This study suggests that measurement of ankle pressure during reactive hyperemia may be a useful substitute for treadmill testing to determine the functional capacity of the circulation during stress in patients with arterial occlusive disease. Reactive hyperemia testing requires less time and equipment and may be performed in patients who might be at risk or unable to carry out treadmill exercise.", "contents": "Reactive hyperemia vs treadmill exercise testing in arterial disease. We compared the ankle pressure response during reactive hyperemia to the response to treadmill exercise in 28 limbs of 14 normal individuals and 26 legs of 15 patients with arterial occlusive disease. The mean percent maximum drop in ankle blood pressure during reactive hyperemia in normal limbs, 17% +/- 11% (+/- 1 SD) was significantly less than that of legs with arterial disease, 54% +/- 15% (P less than .001). Abnormal values were recorded in all but three diseased limbs. There was good correlation between the ankle pressure responses to reactive hyperemia and treadmill exercise (r = 0.71, P less than .001). This study suggests that measurement of ankle pressure during reactive hyperemia may be a useful substitute for treadmill testing to determine the functional capacity of the circulation during stress in patients with arterial occlusive disease. Reactive hyperemia testing requires less time and equipment and may be performed in patients who might be at risk or unable to carry out treadmill exercise.", "PMID": 619865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3328", "title": "The effect of size, histologic elements, and water content on the visualization of cerebral infarcts.", "content": "We correlated the radiologic and pathologic examination of 13 human brains, analyzing the size, different histologic elements, and water content in 40 ischemic and hemorrhagic infarcts. Acute infarcts appear in the computerized cranial tomographic (CT) image as low density areas due to high content of fluid, however, a histological-chemical correlation is not concomitant. The addition of blood in hemorrhagic infarcts may result in a normal CT image. Subacute infarcts appear as low density areas, with lower attenuation values due to the presence of large amounts of lipids. Subacute lesions with prominent mineral deposits may be negative on CT scan. Chronic infarcts also appear as low density areas due to cavitation and residual fats. Attenuation values are slightly higher than those of subacute infarcts, possibly due to gliosis. Infarcts smaller than 2 cm in diameter are usually not visualized.", "contents": "The effect of size, histologic elements, and water content on the visualization of cerebral infarcts. We correlated the radiologic and pathologic examination of 13 human brains, analyzing the size, different histologic elements, and water content in 40 ischemic and hemorrhagic infarcts. Acute infarcts appear in the computerized cranial tomographic (CT) image as low density areas due to high content of fluid, however, a histological-chemical correlation is not concomitant. The addition of blood in hemorrhagic infarcts may result in a normal CT image. Subacute infarcts appear as low density areas, with lower attenuation values due to the presence of large amounts of lipids. Subacute lesions with prominent mineral deposits may be negative on CT scan. Chronic infarcts also appear as low density areas due to cavitation and residual fats. Attenuation values are slightly higher than those of subacute infarcts, possibly due to gliosis. Infarcts smaller than 2 cm in diameter are usually not visualized.", "PMID": 619866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3329", "title": "Development of cerebrovascular architecture and its relationship to periventricular leukomalacia.", "content": "Using microangiography combined with benzidine stains, we studied the development of vessels in the meninges, cortex, and white matter in 30 neonates, 16 infants and children, and eight neonates with periventricular leukomalacia. The vessels of the deep white matter, especially the ventriculofugal arteries, are useful as an index of cerebrovascular maturity. The lesions of primary leukomalacia utilizing the combined radiographic-histological techniques are localized to the ends of ventriculofugal arteries or between medullary arteries. The infants with leukomalacia have either poorly developed vessels or severe clinical complications producing ischemia or both.", "contents": "Development of cerebrovascular architecture and its relationship to periventricular leukomalacia. Using microangiography combined with benzidine stains, we studied the development of vessels in the meninges, cortex, and white matter in 30 neonates, 16 infants and children, and eight neonates with periventricular leukomalacia. The vessels of the deep white matter, especially the ventriculofugal arteries, are useful as an index of cerebrovascular maturity. The lesions of primary leukomalacia utilizing the combined radiographic-histological techniques are localized to the ends of ventriculofugal arteries or between medullary arteries. The infants with leukomalacia have either poorly developed vessels or severe clinical complications producing ischemia or both.", "PMID": 619867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3330", "title": "Febrile seizures and later intellectual performance.", "content": "The relationship of febrile seizures to later intellectual and academic performance was examined in a sibling-control study. Amont 431 sibling pairs tested at the age of 7 years, the mean full scale IQ on the Vechsler Intelligence Scales for Children was not different for children who had febrile seizures as compared with siblings who were seizure-free. Neither recurrent seizures nor those lasting 30 minutes or longer were associated with IQ deficit. Poor academic achievement, defined as Wide Range Achievement Test performance more than one grade level below school placement in children with IQs of 90 or above, was equally frequent in index cases and control patients. Febrile seizures were not associated with a decrement in IQ or early academic performance, as judged by comparison of affected children with their siblings.", "contents": "Febrile seizures and later intellectual performance. The relationship of febrile seizures to later intellectual and academic performance was examined in a sibling-control study. Amont 431 sibling pairs tested at the age of 7 years, the mean full scale IQ on the Vechsler Intelligence Scales for Children was not different for children who had febrile seizures as compared with siblings who were seizure-free. Neither recurrent seizures nor those lasting 30 minutes or longer were associated with IQ deficit. Poor academic achievement, defined as Wide Range Achievement Test performance more than one grade level below school placement in children with IQs of 90 or above, was equally frequent in index cases and control patients. Febrile seizures were not associated with a decrement in IQ or early academic performance, as judged by comparison of affected children with their siblings.", "PMID": 619868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3331", "title": "Binding of iodine 125 alpha-bungarotoxin to the thymus of mice.", "content": "alpha-Bungarotoxin is known to bind with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of skeletal muscle. Binding of iodine 125-labeled alpha bungarotoxin to the murine thymus, muscle, and liver was estimated. The toxin was bound to the muscle. The thymus was also capable of binding a considerable amount of the toxin, and the binding was obviously blocked by tubocurarine chloride. Binding to the liver, an organ containing no nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, was very slight. These results may indicate the presence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the thymus, which could have implications in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. Degenerating myoid cells and their receptors may represent autoantigens that induce an immunological cross-reaction with the receptors of skeletal muscles, giving rise to myasthenia gravis.", "contents": "Binding of iodine 125 alpha-bungarotoxin to the thymus of mice. alpha-Bungarotoxin is known to bind with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of skeletal muscle. Binding of iodine 125-labeled alpha bungarotoxin to the murine thymus, muscle, and liver was estimated. The toxin was bound to the muscle. The thymus was also capable of binding a considerable amount of the toxin, and the binding was obviously blocked by tubocurarine chloride. Binding to the liver, an organ containing no nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, was very slight. These results may indicate the presence of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the thymus, which could have implications in the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis. Degenerating myoid cells and their receptors may represent autoantigens that induce an immunological cross-reaction with the receptors of skeletal muscles, giving rise to myasthenia gravis.", "PMID": 619869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3332", "title": "Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: a clinicopathologic study.", "content": "A clinicopathologic study was done of a Japanese patient with symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine. Post-mortem specimen showed characteristic distribution of degenerations at C5-6 segments similar to chronic cervical spondylosis or disk protrusion. The degenerative changes were confined to the ventral two thirds of the posterior and lateral columns. In addition to demyelination, loss of axons, and neuronal cell death, thickening of venular wall and fine capillary neovascularization strongly suggested chronic circulatory insufficiency. Spinal immobilization produced by the ossified ligament may have contributed to the long clinical course, lasting for 30 years. Review of literature showed that the myelopathy can be distinguished clinically and radiographically from that produced by cervical spondylosis.", "contents": "Cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: a clinicopathologic study. A clinicopathologic study was done of a Japanese patient with symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine. Post-mortem specimen showed characteristic distribution of degenerations at C5-6 segments similar to chronic cervical spondylosis or disk protrusion. The degenerative changes were confined to the ventral two thirds of the posterior and lateral columns. In addition to demyelination, loss of axons, and neuronal cell death, thickening of venular wall and fine capillary neovascularization strongly suggested chronic circulatory insufficiency. Spinal immobilization produced by the ossified ligament may have contributed to the long clinical course, lasting for 30 years. Review of literature showed that the myelopathy can be distinguished clinically and radiographically from that produced by cervical spondylosis.", "PMID": 619870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3333", "title": "The clinical significance of spontaneous pulsations of the retinal vein.", "content": "A search for spontaneous retinal venous pulsations was carried out in 218 subjects. Spontaneous venous pulsations were present in 87.6% of 146 unselected subjects 20 to 90 years of age and absent in 100% of 33 patients with raised intracranial pressure without papilledema and ten patients with papilledema. Lumbar puncture in nine patients with raised intracranial pressure established the upper level at which spontaneous pulsations disappear as 190 mm H2O, and no pressure above 180 mm H2O was found in 29 patients with venous pulsations present prior to lumbar puncture. There was no correlation between the presence or absence of venous pulsations and blood pressure. Some normal subjects with absent pulsations showed definite pulsations on subsequent examinations. These findings confirm that the presence of spontaneous venous pulsations is a reliable indicator of an intracranial pressure below 180 to 190 mm H2O, while the absence of pulsations may be found with normal intracranial pressure and is therefore not a reliable guide to raised intracranial pressure.", "contents": "The clinical significance of spontaneous pulsations of the retinal vein. A search for spontaneous retinal venous pulsations was carried out in 218 subjects. Spontaneous venous pulsations were present in 87.6% of 146 unselected subjects 20 to 90 years of age and absent in 100% of 33 patients with raised intracranial pressure without papilledema and ten patients with papilledema. Lumbar puncture in nine patients with raised intracranial pressure established the upper level at which spontaneous pulsations disappear as 190 mm H2O, and no pressure above 180 mm H2O was found in 29 patients with venous pulsations present prior to lumbar puncture. There was no correlation between the presence or absence of venous pulsations and blood pressure. Some normal subjects with absent pulsations showed definite pulsations on subsequent examinations. These findings confirm that the presence of spontaneous venous pulsations is a reliable indicator of an intracranial pressure below 180 to 190 mm H2O, while the absence of pulsations may be found with normal intracranial pressure and is therefore not a reliable guide to raised intracranial pressure.", "PMID": 619871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3334", "title": "Psychological factors in the face-hand test.", "content": "Young children's failure to report double-simultaneous stimulations of the side of the face and the contralateral hand has been attributed to cerebral deficiencies. When tested under optimal psychological conditions, 3- to 6-year-old children correctly report simultaneous stimulations of the face and contralateral hand. Performance on the face-hand test, which has been used as an index of cerebral functioning, is influenced in a significant way by the child's ease in the testing situation and understanding of the task.", "contents": "Psychological factors in the face-hand test. Young children's failure to report double-simultaneous stimulations of the side of the face and the contralateral hand has been attributed to cerebral deficiencies. When tested under optimal psychological conditions, 3- to 6-year-old children correctly report simultaneous stimulations of the face and contralateral hand. Performance on the face-hand test, which has been used as an index of cerebral functioning, is influenced in a significant way by the child's ease in the testing situation and understanding of the task.", "PMID": 619872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3335", "title": "Acute encephalopathy, streptococcal infection, and cryoglobulinemia.", "content": "A 9-year-old girl had an acute encephalopathic illness characterized by disordered consciousness, seizures, and multiple cortical deficits. The acute illness was associated with serologic evidence of an antecedent streptococcal infection and the presence of a mixed cryoglobulin with specific antistreptococcal antibody activity. Although the patient had no other evidence of a systemic or central nervous system vasculitis, computerized tomography demonstrated changes compatible with a vasculitic process. Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with resolution of the cryoglobulinemia and complete clinical recovery.", "contents": "Acute encephalopathy, streptococcal infection, and cryoglobulinemia. A 9-year-old girl had an acute encephalopathic illness characterized by disordered consciousness, seizures, and multiple cortical deficits. The acute illness was associated with serologic evidence of an antecedent streptococcal infection and the presence of a mixed cryoglobulin with specific antistreptococcal antibody activity. Although the patient had no other evidence of a systemic or central nervous system vasculitis, computerized tomography demonstrated changes compatible with a vasculitic process. Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with resolution of the cryoglobulinemia and complete clinical recovery.", "PMID": 619873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3336", "title": "Changes in the symptoms of neglect induced by changing task strategy.", "content": "Six patients with left side unilateral neglect from lesions of the right cerebral hemisphere were tested with verbal and visuospatial crossing-out tasks. The symptoms of neglect were less severe with the visuospatial than with verbal tasks. We hypothesize that changes in the symptoms of neglect were produced because the tasks altered hemispheric arousal.", "contents": "Changes in the symptoms of neglect induced by changing task strategy. Six patients with left side unilateral neglect from lesions of the right cerebral hemisphere were tested with verbal and visuospatial crossing-out tasks. The symptoms of neglect were less severe with the visuospatial than with verbal tasks. We hypothesize that changes in the symptoms of neglect were produced because the tasks altered hemispheric arousal.", "PMID": 619874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3337", "title": "The effect of pharmacologic acetylcholine receptor on fibrillation and myotonia in rat skeletal muscle.", "content": "Myotonic discharges in rats given 20, 25-diazacholesterol hydrochloride and fibrillation discharges in denervated rat muscle both were silenced by procaine hydrochloride, tetrodotoxin or ischemia, or potassium chloride (after initial activation). They both were activated by succinylcholine, but only the fibrillations were silenced by alpha-bungarotoxin or atropine sulfate. It is hypothesized that fibrillations and diazacholesterol-induced myotonia are mediated through mechanisms involving ionic channels, that both can be produced by activation of the junctional/nonjunctional acetylcholine receptors (or some mechanism coupled to the receptors), but that an unfettered alpha-bungarotoxin-binding portion of the acetylcholine-receptor molecule and an unblocked atropine-binding site are obligatory only for production of fibrillations.", "contents": "The effect of pharmacologic acetylcholine receptor on fibrillation and myotonia in rat skeletal muscle. Myotonic discharges in rats given 20, 25-diazacholesterol hydrochloride and fibrillation discharges in denervated rat muscle both were silenced by procaine hydrochloride, tetrodotoxin or ischemia, or potassium chloride (after initial activation). They both were activated by succinylcholine, but only the fibrillations were silenced by alpha-bungarotoxin or atropine sulfate. It is hypothesized that fibrillations and diazacholesterol-induced myotonia are mediated through mechanisms involving ionic channels, that both can be produced by activation of the junctional/nonjunctional acetylcholine receptors (or some mechanism coupled to the receptors), but that an unfettered alpha-bungarotoxin-binding portion of the acetylcholine-receptor molecule and an unblocked atropine-binding site are obligatory only for production of fibrillations.", "PMID": 619877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3338", "title": "Central auditory testing with peripheral hearing loss.", "content": "Seventy subjects with sensorineural hearing losses participated in this study. The goal of the study was to examine the effect of peripheral hearing loss on auditory tasks that are used to assess dysfunction within the central auditory pathways. Each subject received a central auditory processing (CAP) test battery that consisted of: (1) a dichotic sentence listening task; (2) a monosyllabic filtered word task; (3) a spondaic word binaural fusion task; and (4) a rapidly alternating speech task. All of these tasks were affected by certain degrees/configurations of sensorineural hearing loss, with the monosyllabic filtered word task being the most seriously affected. From the results of this study, it was concluded that while the CAP test battery can be administered to certain persons with sensorineural hearing losses, all results must be interpreted with caution and in view of the basic audiological assessment.", "contents": "Central auditory testing with peripheral hearing loss. Seventy subjects with sensorineural hearing losses participated in this study. The goal of the study was to examine the effect of peripheral hearing loss on auditory tasks that are used to assess dysfunction within the central auditory pathways. Each subject received a central auditory processing (CAP) test battery that consisted of: (1) a dichotic sentence listening task; (2) a monosyllabic filtered word task; (3) a spondaic word binaural fusion task; and (4) a rapidly alternating speech task. All of these tasks were affected by certain degrees/configurations of sensorineural hearing loss, with the monosyllabic filtered word task being the most seriously affected. From the results of this study, it was concluded that while the CAP test battery can be administered to certain persons with sensorineural hearing losses, all results must be interpreted with caution and in view of the basic audiological assessment.", "PMID": 619879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3339", "title": "Nasal tip projection changes related to cheeks and lip.", "content": "Nasal profiles are altered in almost every rhinoplasty operation. Often neglected in diagnosis and surgery are alterations in profiles of the cheeks and upper lip that should be made at the same time. We show aesthetic effects produced by alterations in these structures and describe how we measure and record the adjustment. A few examples of results are presented to indicate the techniques used and the importance of including changes in profiles of the cheeks and upper lip in cosmetic rhinoplastic diagnosis and treatment.", "contents": "Nasal tip projection changes related to cheeks and lip. Nasal profiles are altered in almost every rhinoplasty operation. Often neglected in diagnosis and surgery are alterations in profiles of the cheeks and upper lip that should be made at the same time. We show aesthetic effects produced by alterations in these structures and describe how we measure and record the adjustment. A few examples of results are presented to indicate the techniques used and the importance of including changes in profiles of the cheeks and upper lip in cosmetic rhinoplastic diagnosis and treatment.", "PMID": 619880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3340", "title": "Histologic findings in the temporal bone in trisomy D (D/D translocation).", "content": "The temporal bones of an infant in whom the diagnosis of unblaanced trisomy D (D/D translocation) had been made by chromosomal analysis during life were studied histologically. Most of the findings resembled those that have been described by others in trisomy D (13-15) syndrome. A previously unreported abnoramlity was substrial edema displacing the stria vascularis. The importance of this finding remains to be defined by further study.", "contents": "Histologic findings in the temporal bone in trisomy D (D/D translocation). The temporal bones of an infant in whom the diagnosis of unblaanced trisomy D (D/D translocation) had been made by chromosomal analysis during life were studied histologically. Most of the findings resembled those that have been described by others in trisomy D (13-15) syndrome. A previously unreported abnoramlity was substrial edema displacing the stria vascularis. The importance of this finding remains to be defined by further study.", "PMID": 619881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3341", "title": "The frontal lift.", "content": "Indications and advantages of the frontal lift are seen in comparison to the limitations of the conventional browplasty. The anatomy is reviewed, including the planes of dissection, nerves, vessels, muscles, and bony landmarks. Temporal and frontal ptosis, as well as glabellar and frontal creases are treated through this approach. The surgical procedure includes site of incision, extent and plane of dissection, and treatment of frontalis, procerus, and corrugator muscles. Some variations of technique have been performed. These include the V-Y shaped closure technique in the temple area and retaining separate anatomic compartments when combined with meloplasty.", "contents": "The frontal lift. Indications and advantages of the frontal lift are seen in comparison to the limitations of the conventional browplasty. The anatomy is reviewed, including the planes of dissection, nerves, vessels, muscles, and bony landmarks. Temporal and frontal ptosis, as well as glabellar and frontal creases are treated through this approach. The surgical procedure includes site of incision, extent and plane of dissection, and treatment of frontalis, procerus, and corrugator muscles. Some variations of technique have been performed. These include the V-Y shaped closure technique in the temple area and retaining separate anatomic compartments when combined with meloplasty.", "PMID": 619882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3342", "title": "Influence of alcohol on the acoustic reflex and temporary threshold shift.", "content": "Blood alcohol levels between 0.09% and 0.15% were found to reduce the protective action of the acoustic reflex in five human subjects with normal hearing. Specifically, acoustic reflex thresholds were raised, reflex magnitude decreased, and temporary threshold shift increased under alcohol conditions. Stimuli consisted of a narrowband noise (500 to 1,000 Hz) and a 500-Hz pure tone. Measurements were made at blood alcohol concentrations from 0.05% to 0.15%. Temporary threshold shift at 1,000 Hz was determined three minutes after a ten minute exposure of narrowband noise at -5, +5, and +20 dB relative to the subject's prealcohol acoustic reflex threshold.", "contents": "Influence of alcohol on the acoustic reflex and temporary threshold shift. Blood alcohol levels between 0.09% and 0.15% were found to reduce the protective action of the acoustic reflex in five human subjects with normal hearing. Specifically, acoustic reflex thresholds were raised, reflex magnitude decreased, and temporary threshold shift increased under alcohol conditions. Stimuli consisted of a narrowband noise (500 to 1,000 Hz) and a 500-Hz pure tone. Measurements were made at blood alcohol concentrations from 0.05% to 0.15%. Temporary threshold shift at 1,000 Hz was determined three minutes after a ten minute exposure of narrowband noise at -5, +5, and +20 dB relative to the subject's prealcohol acoustic reflex threshold.", "PMID": 619883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3343", "title": "Tympanometry as a predictor of middle ear effusion.", "content": "Tympanometry is often used as a major component of medical referral criteria in both diagnostic audiometry and hearing screening programs. This use is based on an assumption that a relationship exists between the tympanogram type and the presence of middle ear effusion. The present investigation examined this relationship in 142 ears immediately prior to myringotomy. The results suggest that prediction of middle ear effusion on the basis of tympanometric data alone is difficult at best. The only exception is in the case of a flat tympanometric curve (type B), when a 90% occurrence of notable effusion was found. The clinical implications of these data are discussed.", "contents": "Tympanometry as a predictor of middle ear effusion. Tympanometry is often used as a major component of medical referral criteria in both diagnostic audiometry and hearing screening programs. This use is based on an assumption that a relationship exists between the tympanogram type and the presence of middle ear effusion. The present investigation examined this relationship in 142 ears immediately prior to myringotomy. The results suggest that prediction of middle ear effusion on the basis of tympanometric data alone is difficult at best. The only exception is in the case of a flat tympanometric curve (type B), when a 90% occurrence of notable effusion was found. The clinical implications of these data are discussed.", "PMID": 619884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3344", "title": "Aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus.", "content": "Three of the four previously described patients with isolated aspergilosis of the sphenois sinus died, owing to intracranial extension of the infection. The case reports of two patients with sphenoid aspergillosis are presented in which surgical exteriorization and aeration of the involved sinus was curative.", "contents": "Aspergillosis of the sphenoid sinus. Three of the four previously described patients with isolated aspergilosis of the sphenois sinus died, owing to intracranial extension of the infection. The case reports of two patients with sphenoid aspergillosis are presented in which surgical exteriorization and aeration of the involved sinus was curative.", "PMID": 619885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3345", "title": "Effect of the menstrual cycle on voice quality.", "content": "The question addressed was whether most young women with no vocal training exhibit premenstrual hoarseness. Spectral (acoustical) analyses of the sustained productions of three vowels produced by 20 undergraduates at and at premenstruation were rated for degree of hoarseness. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the typical subject was no more hoarse of premenstruation than at ovulation. To determine whether this finding represented a genuine characteristic of women's voices or a type II statistical error, a systematic replication was undertaken with another sample of 27 undergraduates. The finding replicated that of the original investigation, suggesting that premenstrual hoarseness is a rarely occurring condition among young women with no vocal training. The apparent differential effect of the menstrual cycle on trained as opposed to untrained voices deserves systematic investigation.", "contents": "Effect of the menstrual cycle on voice quality. The question addressed was whether most young women with no vocal training exhibit premenstrual hoarseness. Spectral (acoustical) analyses of the sustained productions of three vowels produced by 20 undergraduates at and at premenstruation were rated for degree of hoarseness. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that the typical subject was no more hoarse of premenstruation than at ovulation. To determine whether this finding represented a genuine characteristic of women's voices or a type II statistical error, a systematic replication was undertaken with another sample of 27 undergraduates. The finding replicated that of the original investigation, suggesting that premenstrual hoarseness is a rarely occurring condition among young women with no vocal training. The apparent differential effect of the menstrual cycle on trained as opposed to untrained voices deserves systematic investigation.", "PMID": 619890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3346", "title": "[Finding of anaerobic bacteria in blood cultures].", "content": "Out of the blood cultures sent to the Bacteriology Laboratory of Hospital del Ni\u00f1o DIF, during the period of one year, in 1.4% of samples, isolation of anaerobic bacteria was obtained. Isolation was more frequent in infants under one year of age, but specially in newborns. The species most frequently found were Propionibacterium acnes, Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Clostridium subterminale. The presence of this finding in blood cultures of infants is noted, but there is no purpose to establish a clinical relationship with the finding of this group of bacteria.", "contents": "[Finding of anaerobic bacteria in blood cultures]. Out of the blood cultures sent to the Bacteriology Laboratory of Hospital del Ni\u00f1o DIF, during the period of one year, in 1.4% of samples, isolation of anaerobic bacteria was obtained. Isolation was more frequent in infants under one year of age, but specially in newborns. The species most frequently found were Propionibacterium acnes, Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Clostridium subterminale. The presence of this finding in blood cultures of infants is noted, but there is no purpose to establish a clinical relationship with the finding of this group of bacteria.", "PMID": 619923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3347", "title": "[Clinicopathologic study in children of a diabetic mother. Review of 16 cases].", "content": "16 cases of infants of diabetic mothers were analyzed; 10 of them were live-born and died shortly afterwards; the other 6 were born dead. Among the live-born there was a high frequency of respiratory illnesses, neonatal jaundice and hemorrhagic tendency more often in lungs and C.N.S. At the necropsy, together with the findings atributtable to the mentioned illnesses there was also hyperplasia of the pancreatic islands in 100%, a high tendency to the visceral gigantism, specially in the liver, heart and lesser in the brain. And 20% had congenital malformations, chiefly in the C.N.S. genitourinary and lymphohematopoietic system. The descriptions are accompanied by a brief review of the literature.", "contents": "[Clinicopathologic study in children of a diabetic mother. Review of 16 cases]. 16 cases of infants of diabetic mothers were analyzed; 10 of them were live-born and died shortly afterwards; the other 6 were born dead. Among the live-born there was a high frequency of respiratory illnesses, neonatal jaundice and hemorrhagic tendency more often in lungs and C.N.S. At the necropsy, together with the findings atributtable to the mentioned illnesses there was also hyperplasia of the pancreatic islands in 100%, a high tendency to the visceral gigantism, specially in the liver, heart and lesser in the brain. And 20% had congenital malformations, chiefly in the C.N.S. genitourinary and lymphohematopoietic system. The descriptions are accompanied by a brief review of the literature.", "PMID": 619922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3348", "title": "[Concentric centering of the normal hip and concentric reduction of the dislocated hip. Radiological study on their determination and clinical application].", "content": "A radiological method to determine the ideal, geometrical, center of the acetabulum and femoral head is described by the author; the proceedings for these localizations and the interrelationship between them, are also described. These factors were taken from a series of simple radiography and arthograms, which is called; \"Concentrical Centring\" in normal hips, as well as other seires of dislocated hips, which were radiographed in anteroopsterior view, and in frog position, as well as in histological sections. The necessity to look for the concentrical reduction of the dislocated hips is also emphasized, as a basic point for the good development of the acetabulum, which is achieved, at the time of treatment, if the location is made of the point of the femoral head with that of the acetabulum (Concentrical Reduction). This method will permit to evaluate this interrelationship easily in a numerical scale figure and with a minimum of error. This is a useful resource previous to the arthrography in those hips which have been just recently reduced; and latter, in their follow-up.", "contents": "[Concentric centering of the normal hip and concentric reduction of the dislocated hip. Radiological study on their determination and clinical application]. A radiological method to determine the ideal, geometrical, center of the acetabulum and femoral head is described by the author; the proceedings for these localizations and the interrelationship between them, are also described. These factors were taken from a series of simple radiography and arthograms, which is called; \"Concentrical Centring\" in normal hips, as well as other seires of dislocated hips, which were radiographed in anteroopsterior view, and in frog position, as well as in histological sections. The necessity to look for the concentrical reduction of the dislocated hips is also emphasized, as a basic point for the good development of the acetabulum, which is achieved, at the time of treatment, if the location is made of the point of the femoral head with that of the acetabulum (Concentrical Reduction). This method will permit to evaluate this interrelationship easily in a numerical scale figure and with a minimum of error. This is a useful resource previous to the arthrography in those hips which have been just recently reduced; and latter, in their follow-up.", "PMID": 619924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3349", "title": "[Complications of chickenpox].", "content": "A patient with typical varicella (chickenpox) developed several complications: nephrotic syndrome following glomerulonephritis, trombocytopenic purpura, gastrointestinal bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, encephalitis and bronchopneumonia. The course was satisfactory having been given antibiotics, heparin and peritoneal dialysis. Recovery was 100%.", "contents": "[Complications of chickenpox]. A patient with typical varicella (chickenpox) developed several complications: nephrotic syndrome following glomerulonephritis, trombocytopenic purpura, gastrointestinal bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, encephalitis and bronchopneumonia. The course was satisfactory having been given antibiotics, heparin and peritoneal dialysis. Recovery was 100%.", "PMID": 619925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3350", "title": "[Diphenoxylate poisoning].", "content": "During the year 1976, 18 patients intoxicated with lomotil were admitted to the Emergency Service of the Centro Medico La Raza, I.M.S.S. with ages fluctuating between 4 months and 3 years; the average age was 22 mos. 88.8% of intoxications were accidental. Initial manifestations of atropinism and diphenoxylate showed the same proportion and 22% showed mixed symptoms. There were no deaths. All patients were given stomach washings and it was seen that the earlier the washing was given, the lesser the symptoms showed. The specific treatment given was with naloxone chloride (Narcanti) at a dose of 10 micrograms, per kilo and per dose intravenously and was repeated as often as necessary. Response was spectacular with improvement within 15 seconds. No patient showed side-effects to the application of the antagonist. Lomotil intoxication rated up to 15% of the total sum of intoxications admitted.", "contents": "[Diphenoxylate poisoning]. During the year 1976, 18 patients intoxicated with lomotil were admitted to the Emergency Service of the Centro Medico La Raza, I.M.S.S. with ages fluctuating between 4 months and 3 years; the average age was 22 mos. 88.8% of intoxications were accidental. Initial manifestations of atropinism and diphenoxylate showed the same proportion and 22% showed mixed symptoms. There were no deaths. All patients were given stomach washings and it was seen that the earlier the washing was given, the lesser the symptoms showed. The specific treatment given was with naloxone chloride (Narcanti) at a dose of 10 micrograms, per kilo and per dose intravenously and was repeated as often as necessary. Response was spectacular with improvement within 15 seconds. No patient showed side-effects to the application of the antagonist. Lomotil intoxication rated up to 15% of the total sum of intoxications admitted.", "PMID": 619926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3351", "title": "Some aspects of the cardiovascular pharmacology of UK 14,275 in patients with coronary artery disease.", "content": "1. A phosphodiesterase inhibitor, UK 14,275 (Pfizer) was administered intravenously to six patients with suspected coronary artery disease under-going diagnostic cardiac catheterisation to assess its inotropic activity. 2. Intracardiac haemodynamic measurements included pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure. Left ventricular end diastolic pressure and left ventricular dP/dtmax were also measured, in addition to cardiac output using the indocyanine green dye technique. 3. UK 14,275 resulted in a significant increase in LV dP/dtmax and cardiac output. 4. No chronotropic action was observed using this agent. 5. This agent may have potential therapeutic value in the management of cardiovascular failure associated with low cardiac output.", "contents": "Some aspects of the cardiovascular pharmacology of UK 14,275 in patients with coronary artery disease. 1. A phosphodiesterase inhibitor, UK 14,275 (Pfizer) was administered intravenously to six patients with suspected coronary artery disease under-going diagnostic cardiac catheterisation to assess its inotropic activity. 2. Intracardiac haemodynamic measurements included pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure. Left ventricular end diastolic pressure and left ventricular dP/dtmax were also measured, in addition to cardiac output using the indocyanine green dye technique. 3. UK 14,275 resulted in a significant increase in LV dP/dtmax and cardiac output. 4. No chronotropic action was observed using this agent. 5. This agent may have potential therapeutic value in the management of cardiovascular failure associated with low cardiac output.", "PMID": 619931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3352", "title": "[Intestinal obstruction ducts ascarides in childhood].", "content": "Intestinal ascariasis is the first among the most frequent parasitosis in Acapulco, Gro. Studying one of its most frequent complications, such as intestinal obstruction or subobstruction, it was found to occupy the 5th place as cause of admission to this service. The number of admissions was 1461 pediatric patients in a year, out of which there were 85 cases with total or partial obstruction due to ascarides. Routine studies were made including plain and barium X-ray plates. With the treatment instituted and adequate management there was no mortality. Only 8 cases required surgery. Stress is placed on X-ray studies to confirm the diagnosis.", "contents": "[Intestinal obstruction ducts ascarides in childhood]. Intestinal ascariasis is the first among the most frequent parasitosis in Acapulco, Gro. Studying one of its most frequent complications, such as intestinal obstruction or subobstruction, it was found to occupy the 5th place as cause of admission to this service. The number of admissions was 1461 pediatric patients in a year, out of which there were 85 cases with total or partial obstruction due to ascarides. Routine studies were made including plain and barium X-ray plates. With the treatment instituted and adequate management there was no mortality. Only 8 cases required surgery. Stress is placed on X-ray studies to confirm the diagnosis.", "PMID": 619927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3353", "title": "The role of the clinical pharmacologist in district general hospitals.", "content": "Since its inception, the Clinical Pharmacology Section of the British Pharmacological Society has been discussing the wider role and responsibility of the clinical pharmacologist beyond the university department, in the district general hospital. The following policy statement is the product of these discussions, and is published in this international journal because, although the organization of the health service and its hospitals is peculiar to the United Kingdom, the concept of a clinical pharmacology service in general hospitals has far-reaching implications. The Editorial Board hopes that its publication will lead to recognition of the part that a general physician with a special interest in clinical pharmacology can play in patient care.", "contents": "The role of the clinical pharmacologist in district general hospitals. Since its inception, the Clinical Pharmacology Section of the British Pharmacological Society has been discussing the wider role and responsibility of the clinical pharmacologist beyond the university department, in the district general hospital. The following policy statement is the product of these discussions, and is published in this international journal because, although the organization of the health service and its hospitals is peculiar to the United Kingdom, the concept of a clinical pharmacology service in general hospitals has far-reaching implications. The Editorial Board hopes that its publication will lead to recognition of the part that a general physician with a special interest in clinical pharmacology can play in patient care.", "PMID": 619933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3354", "title": "[Psoas abscess in children. Report of 6 cases].", "content": "Six children with abscess of the psoas muscle are presented. Previous trauma pain, claudication and antalgic position of a lower limb, fever, abdominal tenderness and leukocytosis were prominet features. Four patients improved and two died. Treatment included surgical drainage and antibiotics. Differential diagnosis and possible pathogenesis are discussed.", "contents": "[Psoas abscess in children. Report of 6 cases]. Six children with abscess of the psoas muscle are presented. Previous trauma pain, claudication and antalgic position of a lower limb, fever, abdominal tenderness and leukocytosis were prominet features. Four patients improved and two died. Treatment included surgical drainage and antibiotics. Differential diagnosis and possible pathogenesis are discussed.", "PMID": 619929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3355", "title": "A controlled release papaverine tablet (Papacontin): a study in normal volunteers.", "content": "1. A controlled release tablet containing 300 mg of papaverine hydrochloride was compared with a capsule containing the same dose. 2. The in vitro release pattern showed a steady dissolution of the tablet, with release of the papaverine over 10 h, whereas the capsule release time was 40 min. 3. Plasma levels in volunteers who were given the tablet showed a rapid rise to therapeutic levels (150-300 ng/ml) within 1 h, and maintenance of these levels for 10-12 h, with no accumulation on repeated 12 hourly dosage. Administration of the capsule produced early peaking and a subsequent rapid fall in plasma levels.", "contents": "A controlled release papaverine tablet (Papacontin): a study in normal volunteers. 1. A controlled release tablet containing 300 mg of papaverine hydrochloride was compared with a capsule containing the same dose. 2. The in vitro release pattern showed a steady dissolution of the tablet, with release of the papaverine over 10 h, whereas the capsule release time was 40 min. 3. Plasma levels in volunteers who were given the tablet showed a rapid rise to therapeutic levels (150-300 ng/ml) within 1 h, and maintenance of these levels for 10-12 h, with no accumulation on repeated 12 hourly dosage. Administration of the capsule produced early peaking and a subsequent rapid fall in plasma levels.", "PMID": 619934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3356", "title": "[Chronic peptic ulcer among students and adolescents].", "content": "The clinical records of 13 school-age children and of 22 adolescents with chronic peptic ulcer were reviewed. There was a predominance of the male sex and duodenal localization showed greater frequency than the gastric. The duration of symptoms previous to the diagnosis was greater in adolescents and repeated X-ray studies were required in school-agers to confirm the presence of an ulcer niche. The common symptoms were abdominal pain and vomiting. However, in 43% of the patients, abdominal pain was not typical of ulcer; therefore, all school-age children and adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain should be submitted to careful investigation. Anxiety and depression were found in 92.3% of the cases. Special ulcer diets and antiacids were given to all patients, but 8 cases showed no improvement. Psychiatric treatment and administration of psychodrugs may be useful. Diazepam was given to 50% of the patients who recovered and to one who did not recover.", "contents": "[Chronic peptic ulcer among students and adolescents]. The clinical records of 13 school-age children and of 22 adolescents with chronic peptic ulcer were reviewed. There was a predominance of the male sex and duodenal localization showed greater frequency than the gastric. The duration of symptoms previous to the diagnosis was greater in adolescents and repeated X-ray studies were required in school-agers to confirm the presence of an ulcer niche. The common symptoms were abdominal pain and vomiting. However, in 43% of the patients, abdominal pain was not typical of ulcer; therefore, all school-age children and adolescents with recurrent abdominal pain should be submitted to careful investigation. Anxiety and depression were found in 92.3% of the cases. Special ulcer diets and antiacids were given to all patients, but 8 cases showed no improvement. Psychiatric treatment and administration of psychodrugs may be useful. Diazepam was given to 50% of the patients who recovered and to one who did not recover.", "PMID": 619928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3357", "title": "[Acid-base balance in the newborn infant. II. 3 technics of sample collection and the difference between amniotomy].", "content": "The study included 32 healthy newborns to evaluate the acid-base balance between two groups of newborns whose mothers underwent early or late amniotomy. The results were compared to the first study finding important differences, unquestionable due to amniotomy and age. Significant difference was found only in PO2 between arterial blood and arterialized capillary showing difference in pH, PCO2 and CO2 between the two capillaries. With the criterion pointed out in this work, the usefulness of late amniotomy and the stabilization of acid-base balance is established in newborns under 4 hours of age. Arterial blood is still being proposed to obtain an \"ideal\" acid-base balance and the arterialized capillary as a practical and useful method.", "contents": "[Acid-base balance in the newborn infant. II. 3 technics of sample collection and the difference between amniotomy]. The study included 32 healthy newborns to evaluate the acid-base balance between two groups of newborns whose mothers underwent early or late amniotomy. The results were compared to the first study finding important differences, unquestionable due to amniotomy and age. Significant difference was found only in PO2 between arterial blood and arterialized capillary showing difference in pH, PCO2 and CO2 between the two capillaries. With the criterion pointed out in this work, the usefulness of late amniotomy and the stabilization of acid-base balance is established in newborns under 4 hours of age. Arterial blood is still being proposed to obtain an \"ideal\" acid-base balance and the arterialized capillary as a practical and useful method.", "PMID": 619930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3358", "title": "Monitoring digoxin therapy: III. How useful are the nomograms?", "content": "1. A previously described set of guidelines for digoxin therapy has been evaluated in twenty-four patients. 2. Six different published methods (nomograms and equations) for predicting digoxin requirements have been studied to determine their clinical usefulness in the context of the twenty-four patients. 3. The limitations of the nomograms and equations are discussed.", "contents": "Monitoring digoxin therapy: III. How useful are the nomograms? 1. A previously described set of guidelines for digoxin therapy has been evaluated in twenty-four patients. 2. Six different published methods (nomograms and equations) for predicting digoxin requirements have been studied to determine their clinical usefulness in the context of the twenty-four patients. 3. The limitations of the nomograms and equations are discussed.", "PMID": 619935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3359", "title": "The inotropic effects of UK 14,275, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in man.", "content": "1. UK 14,275 (Pfizer) an inotropic agent with cardiac phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity, was administered to ten healthy male volunteers. 2. The inotropic activity was assessed by non-invasive measurement of systolic time intervals (STI). 3. The compound had significant inotropic activity in the doses administered, as judged by the shortening of pre-ejection period (PEP), without any significant chronotropic activity. 4. The inotropic effect was abolished when measurements were repeated following beta-adrenoceptor blockade with oral propranolol. 5. The inotropic activity was compared to that of intravenous isoprenaline.", "contents": "The inotropic effects of UK 14,275, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in man. 1. UK 14,275 (Pfizer) an inotropic agent with cardiac phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity, was administered to ten healthy male volunteers. 2. The inotropic activity was assessed by non-invasive measurement of systolic time intervals (STI). 3. The compound had significant inotropic activity in the doses administered, as judged by the shortening of pre-ejection period (PEP), without any significant chronotropic activity. 4. The inotropic effect was abolished when measurements were repeated following beta-adrenoceptor blockade with oral propranolol. 5. The inotropic activity was compared to that of intravenous isoprenaline.", "PMID": 619936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3360", "title": "Drug metabolism in epileptics: in vivo and in vitro correlations.", "content": "1. The effect of inducing drug therapy on the relationship between in vitro (cytochrome P-450 content) and in vivo (antipyrine kinetics) was investigated by comparing eleven consecutively treated epileptics with two groups of controls, eleven subjects with normal liver histology and eleven disease matched non-epileptics, all underwent diagnostice liver biopsy. 2. The epileptics had significantly higher cytochrom P-450 level in biopsies and they also metabolized antipyrine faster than the controls. 3. Decrease in antipyrine half-life in epileptics was related with alterations in liver histology, whereas the level of cytochrome P-450 was not. 4. There was a linear relationship between these two indices of enzyme induction when regressed on logarithmic data.", "contents": "Drug metabolism in epileptics: in vivo and in vitro correlations. 1. The effect of inducing drug therapy on the relationship between in vitro (cytochrome P-450 content) and in vivo (antipyrine kinetics) was investigated by comparing eleven consecutively treated epileptics with two groups of controls, eleven subjects with normal liver histology and eleven disease matched non-epileptics, all underwent diagnostice liver biopsy. 2. The epileptics had significantly higher cytochrom P-450 level in biopsies and they also metabolized antipyrine faster than the controls. 3. Decrease in antipyrine half-life in epileptics was related with alterations in liver histology, whereas the level of cytochrome P-450 was not. 4. There was a linear relationship between these two indices of enzyme induction when regressed on logarithmic data.", "PMID": 619937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3361", "title": "Evaluation of the anticholinergic actions of glycopyrronium bromide.", "content": "1. Glycopyrronium was evaluated by intramuscular, intravenous and oral routes in six adult volunteers for its efficacy as an antisialogogue as also for its action on other aspects of cholinergic activity. 2. It was found to be an effective antisialogogue of long duration of action by all three routes. When given orally the effects were delayed in onset and persisted for too long. Intramuscular and intravenous routes were useful. The intramuscular absorption of the drug is rapid and consistent. 3. Sweat gland activity was affected in a similar fashion but less consistently and other parameters were mostly unaffected. 4. Glycopyrronium 0.2 mg intramuscularly was found to be the optimal dose. Larger doses produced subjective discomfort out of proportion to a further reduction in salivary secretion. 5. Intravenous administration causes no changes in cardiovascular stability.", "contents": "Evaluation of the anticholinergic actions of glycopyrronium bromide. 1. Glycopyrronium was evaluated by intramuscular, intravenous and oral routes in six adult volunteers for its efficacy as an antisialogogue as also for its action on other aspects of cholinergic activity. 2. It was found to be an effective antisialogogue of long duration of action by all three routes. When given orally the effects were delayed in onset and persisted for too long. Intramuscular and intravenous routes were useful. The intramuscular absorption of the drug is rapid and consistent. 3. Sweat gland activity was affected in a similar fashion but less consistently and other parameters were mostly unaffected. 4. Glycopyrronium 0.2 mg intramuscularly was found to be the optimal dose. Larger doses produced subjective discomfort out of proportion to a further reduction in salivary secretion. 5. Intravenous administration causes no changes in cardiovascular stability.", "PMID": 619938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3362", "title": "Contribution of individual differences in gastric emptying to variability in plasma propranolol concentrations.", "content": "1 No correlation was found between the rate of gastric emptying and peak plasma propranolol concentrations in six hypertensive patients after single oral doses of 80 mg. 2 In four normal subjects given oral propranolol the peak plasma concentration was highest when a simultaneous injection of metoclopramide and lowest when propantheline was given. The mean time to peak was 1.5 h after metoclopramide, 2.8 h after normal saline and 4.5 h after propantheline. 3 Gastric emptying has some influence on the time of peak plasma propranolol concentrations but individual variation in its bioavailability is determined mainly by first-pass metabolism in the liver.", "contents": "Contribution of individual differences in gastric emptying to variability in plasma propranolol concentrations. 1 No correlation was found between the rate of gastric emptying and peak plasma propranolol concentrations in six hypertensive patients after single oral doses of 80 mg. 2 In four normal subjects given oral propranolol the peak plasma concentration was highest when a simultaneous injection of metoclopramide and lowest when propantheline was given. The mean time to peak was 1.5 h after metoclopramide, 2.8 h after normal saline and 4.5 h after propantheline. 3 Gastric emptying has some influence on the time of peak plasma propranolol concentrations but individual variation in its bioavailability is determined mainly by first-pass metabolism in the liver.", "PMID": 619945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3363", "title": "The effect of tubocurarine and suxamethonium on directly and indirectly elicited contractions of skeletal muscle in unanaesthetized man using single and train of four impulses.", "content": "1 Contractions of adductor pollicis in unanaesthetized man were elicited by direct and indirect stimulation. Single twitch responses as well as those by a train of four impulses at 2 Hz for 2 s were elicited for indirect stimulation. 2 After a suitable control period, tubocurarine (0.05 mg/kg) or suxamethonium (0.08 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. 3 A stepwise diminution in the train of four impulses was noticed after tubocurarine. Indirectly elicited contractions due to single stimulus and direct muscle stimulation remained unaltered. 4 Partial blockade of transient duration occured after suxamethonium for single as well as train of four stimuli. Directly elicited contractions remained unchanged. The intensity of blockade depended on the rate of injection of suxamethonium. 5 Indirectly elicited contractions by train of four impulses is a reliable and sensitive method for testing neuromuscular blocking drugs in unanaesthetized man.", "contents": "The effect of tubocurarine and suxamethonium on directly and indirectly elicited contractions of skeletal muscle in unanaesthetized man using single and train of four impulses. 1 Contractions of adductor pollicis in unanaesthetized man were elicited by direct and indirect stimulation. Single twitch responses as well as those by a train of four impulses at 2 Hz for 2 s were elicited for indirect stimulation. 2 After a suitable control period, tubocurarine (0.05 mg/kg) or suxamethonium (0.08 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. 3 A stepwise diminution in the train of four impulses was noticed after tubocurarine. Indirectly elicited contractions due to single stimulus and direct muscle stimulation remained unaltered. 4 Partial blockade of transient duration occured after suxamethonium for single as well as train of four stimuli. Directly elicited contractions remained unchanged. The intensity of blockade depended on the rate of injection of suxamethonium. 5 Indirectly elicited contractions by train of four impulses is a reliable and sensitive method for testing neuromuscular blocking drugs in unanaesthetized man.", "PMID": 619946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3364", "title": "A comparison of some physiological and psychological effects of Motival (fluphenazine and nortriptyline) and diazepam in normal subjects.", "content": "1 The effects in normal subjects of a single oral dose of Motival (one tablet, containing fluphenazine 0.5 mg and nortriptyline 10 mg) on the contingent negative variation (CNV), reaction time, heart rate, blood pressure and self-rating scales for alertness, anxiety, tension, detachment and depression were compared with those of diazepam (5 mg and 7.5 mg) and placebo or propranolol (60 mg). 2 After diazepam (5 mg: twelve subjects and 7.5 mg: seven subjects) there was a significant decrease in CNV magnitude while after Motival (twelve subjects) there was no significant alteration in CNV magnitude compared to placebo. 3 After diazepam (7.5 mg: seven subjects) there was also a fall in subjective ratings for alertness and tension; this fall was significantly greater than the changes after Motival which did not reduce subjective ratings for alterness or tension below \"average\" levels. Anxiety ratings did not differ significantly between the two drugs. Changes after propranolol were intermediate in all scales. 4 It is concluded that under these conditions diazepam caused central nervous system depression while Motival did not.", "contents": "A comparison of some physiological and psychological effects of Motival (fluphenazine and nortriptyline) and diazepam in normal subjects. 1 The effects in normal subjects of a single oral dose of Motival (one tablet, containing fluphenazine 0.5 mg and nortriptyline 10 mg) on the contingent negative variation (CNV), reaction time, heart rate, blood pressure and self-rating scales for alertness, anxiety, tension, detachment and depression were compared with those of diazepam (5 mg and 7.5 mg) and placebo or propranolol (60 mg). 2 After diazepam (5 mg: twelve subjects and 7.5 mg: seven subjects) there was a significant decrease in CNV magnitude while after Motival (twelve subjects) there was no significant alteration in CNV magnitude compared to placebo. 3 After diazepam (7.5 mg: seven subjects) there was also a fall in subjective ratings for alertness and tension; this fall was significantly greater than the changes after Motival which did not reduce subjective ratings for alterness or tension below \"average\" levels. Anxiety ratings did not differ significantly between the two drugs. Changes after propranolol were intermediate in all scales. 4 It is concluded that under these conditions diazepam caused central nervous system depression while Motival did not.", "PMID": 619948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3365", "title": "Effect of aluminium hydroxide and glycopyrrhonium on the absorption of ethambutol and alcohol in man.", "content": "1 The effect of aluminium hydroxide and/or of glycopyrrhonium on the absorption of a single oral 50 mg/kg dose of ethambutol (EMB) was investigated on thirteen tuberculous in-patients and on two groups of healthy volunteers with six subjects each. The EMB concentrations in serum and 10+h urine were measured by colorimetry. 2 In order to assess gastric emptying the healthy volunteers ingested ethanol, either 0.5 g/kg in 10% solution or 0.8 g/kg in 20% solution, simultaneously with the drug, and breath alcohol levels were measured repetitively. 3 Aluminium hydroxide significantly lowered the serum EMB levels of the patients during the first 4 h after the EMB intake. No consistent effect was found in the first student experiment, whereas in the second experiment aluminium hydroxide and glycopyrrhonium, alone or in combination, clearly retarded the EMB absorption. 4 Repeated breath alcohol analysis proved unsuitable to indicate the time course of gastric emptying in these circumstances.", "contents": "Effect of aluminium hydroxide and glycopyrrhonium on the absorption of ethambutol and alcohol in man. 1 The effect of aluminium hydroxide and/or of glycopyrrhonium on the absorption of a single oral 50 mg/kg dose of ethambutol (EMB) was investigated on thirteen tuberculous in-patients and on two groups of healthy volunteers with six subjects each. The EMB concentrations in serum and 10+h urine were measured by colorimetry. 2 In order to assess gastric emptying the healthy volunteers ingested ethanol, either 0.5 g/kg in 10% solution or 0.8 g/kg in 20% solution, simultaneously with the drug, and breath alcohol levels were measured repetitively. 3 Aluminium hydroxide significantly lowered the serum EMB levels of the patients during the first 4 h after the EMB intake. No consistent effect was found in the first student experiment, whereas in the second experiment aluminium hydroxide and glycopyrrhonium, alone or in combination, clearly retarded the EMB absorption. 4 Repeated breath alcohol analysis proved unsuitable to indicate the time course of gastric emptying in these circumstances.", "PMID": 619949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3366", "title": "The effect of vitamin supplementation upon antipyrine metabolism in the elderly.", "content": "1 Antipyrine plasma half-life and clearance rates were studied in 19 elderly patients shortly after admission to a geriatric ward and again 2 weeks after a course of dietary supplementation with Vitamins A, B complex, C and D. 2 Antipyrine half-life fell and clearance increased in the nine who had sub-clinical evidence of ascorbic acid deficiency. No correlation was found with other indices of nutritional status. 3 Vitamin supplementation in elderly people with no demonstrable deficiencies did not alter the metabolism of antipyrine.", "contents": "The effect of vitamin supplementation upon antipyrine metabolism in the elderly. 1 Antipyrine plasma half-life and clearance rates were studied in 19 elderly patients shortly after admission to a geriatric ward and again 2 weeks after a course of dietary supplementation with Vitamins A, B complex, C and D. 2 Antipyrine half-life fell and clearance increased in the nine who had sub-clinical evidence of ascorbic acid deficiency. No correlation was found with other indices of nutritional status. 3 Vitamin supplementation in elderly people with no demonstrable deficiencies did not alter the metabolism of antipyrine.", "PMID": 619951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3367", "title": "Effect of route of administration of 5-fluorouracil on its concentration in blood and lymph.", "content": "The concentration of 5-fluorouracil (FU) in thoracic-duct lymph, portal-vein blood and peripheral arterial blood of beagle dogs was greater after administration into the submucosa of the stomach than after the bolus i.v. injection. The concentration of FU in thoracic-duct lymph, portal-vein blood and arterial blood was least following administration into the lumen of the stomach. The total FU recovered over 6 h from thoracic-duct lymph was compared following the three routes of administration and was found to be greatest following injection into the submucosa of stomach.", "contents": "Effect of route of administration of 5-fluorouracil on its concentration in blood and lymph. The concentration of 5-fluorouracil (FU) in thoracic-duct lymph, portal-vein blood and peripheral arterial blood of beagle dogs was greater after administration into the submucosa of the stomach than after the bolus i.v. injection. The concentration of FU in thoracic-duct lymph, portal-vein blood and arterial blood was least following administration into the lumen of the stomach. The total FU recovered over 6 h from thoracic-duct lymph was compared following the three routes of administration and was found to be greatest following injection into the submucosa of stomach.", "PMID": 619953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3368", "title": "Space-time clustering of Burkitt's lymphoma in the West Nile district of Uganda: 1961-1975.", "content": "Epidemiological data relating to all 202 patients diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL) in the West Nile District of Uganda in the period 1961 to 1975 have been reviewed and analysed. Statistically significant evidence of space-time clustering of cases, first reported for the period 1961-65, was also present during 1972-73, but not during other periods. The patients involved in such clusters were found to be older than other patients (P less than 0.001). The average annual incidence of BL in the District was 2.45 x 10(-5) and overall there was no change in the incidence during the study period. However, there were statistically significant changes in incidence in different counties, which could not be explained as case-ascertainment artifacts. One sib pair of patients with BL was found and the series also included 7 instances of BL in two cousins. It is suggested that study of variation in the intensity and type of malarial infestation in different areas at different times may help explain the epidemiological findings and suggest what, if any, aspects of this infection are critical for inducing BL.", "contents": "Space-time clustering of Burkitt's lymphoma in the West Nile district of Uganda: 1961-1975. Epidemiological data relating to all 202 patients diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL) in the West Nile District of Uganda in the period 1961 to 1975 have been reviewed and analysed. Statistically significant evidence of space-time clustering of cases, first reported for the period 1961-65, was also present during 1972-73, but not during other periods. The patients involved in such clusters were found to be older than other patients (P less than 0.001). The average annual incidence of BL in the District was 2.45 x 10(-5) and overall there was no change in the incidence during the study period. However, there were statistically significant changes in incidence in different counties, which could not be explained as case-ascertainment artifacts. One sib pair of patients with BL was found and the series also included 7 instances of BL in two cousins. It is suggested that study of variation in the intensity and type of malarial infestation in different areas at different times may help explain the epidemiological findings and suggest what, if any, aspects of this infection are critical for inducing BL.", "PMID": 619954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3369", "title": "Immunoadherence and complement in cancer-bearing mice.", "content": "Shortly after grafting of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, the serum of tumour-bearing mice loses the capacity to mediate immunoadherence phenomena, because of a sharp decrease in the concentration of C3b and C3d, while the cellular receptors for such factors are unaffected by tumour growth. It is suggested that complement is consumed through the alternative pathway which is activated during the inflammatory responses accompanying tumour growth.", "contents": "Immunoadherence and complement in cancer-bearing mice. Shortly after grafting of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, the serum of tumour-bearing mice loses the capacity to mediate immunoadherence phenomena, because of a sharp decrease in the concentration of C3b and C3d, while the cellular receptors for such factors are unaffected by tumour growth. It is suggested that complement is consumed through the alternative pathway which is activated during the inflammatory responses accompanying tumour growth.", "PMID": 619956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3370", "title": "High incidence of spontaneous transplantable tumours in BDX rats.", "content": "Untreated male and female BDX rats were observed over a period of 30 months for spontaneous tumours of a size suitable for transplantation. At the age of 13-30 months 60/97 animals developed tumours, 53 of which were considered as malignant, and 7 as benign tumours. The spectrum of malignant tumours included sarcomas of connective tissue and bone, skin carcinomas, tumours of the lung, the gastrointestinal tract, the genito-urinary tract, the mammary glands, the testis, the adrenal glands and also sarcomas of the neural system and malignancies of the lymphoreticular system. Out of 41 tumours implanted s.c., 34 of them could be passaged further. The primary latent period varied between 1 and 12 months.", "contents": "High incidence of spontaneous transplantable tumours in BDX rats. Untreated male and female BDX rats were observed over a period of 30 months for spontaneous tumours of a size suitable for transplantation. At the age of 13-30 months 60/97 animals developed tumours, 53 of which were considered as malignant, and 7 as benign tumours. The spectrum of malignant tumours included sarcomas of connective tissue and bone, skin carcinomas, tumours of the lung, the gastrointestinal tract, the genito-urinary tract, the mammary glands, the testis, the adrenal glands and also sarcomas of the neural system and malignancies of the lymphoreticular system. Out of 41 tumours implanted s.c., 34 of them could be passaged further. The primary latent period varied between 1 and 12 months.", "PMID": 619957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3371", "title": "Influence of carbon tetrachloride on induction of tumours of the liver and kidneys in mice by netrosamines.", "content": "Mice were given a single dose of nitrosolimethylamine, nitrosoliethylamine or nitrosomethylethylamine and the yield of tumours and related lesions in the livers determined 12 months later. A hepatonecrotic dose of CCl4 24 or 48 h before the nitrosamines, increased the yields of hepatocellular tumours and proliferative foci in the livers, whereas when given 60 h before the nitrosamines there was no significant effect.", "contents": "Influence of carbon tetrachloride on induction of tumours of the liver and kidneys in mice by netrosamines. Mice were given a single dose of nitrosolimethylamine, nitrosoliethylamine or nitrosomethylethylamine and the yield of tumours and related lesions in the livers determined 12 months later. A hepatonecrotic dose of CCl4 24 or 48 h before the nitrosamines, increased the yields of hepatocellular tumours and proliferative foci in the livers, whereas when given 60 h before the nitrosamines there was no significant effect.", "PMID": 619958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3372", "title": "Influence of lodgement site on the proliferation of metastases of Walker 256 carcinoma in the rat.", "content": "The growth of s.c. Walker 256 carcinoma was found to be independent of secondary growths induced by i.v. injection. Tumour cells injected i.v. lodged mainly in the lungs, with small clusters of cells in the lymph nodes. The rate of cellular proliferation of these secondary growths of Walker carcinoma was significantly higher than that observed in the s.c. tumour. In addition, host lung tissue was found to inhibit the development of metastases, and it is postulated that the host tissue may produce a diffusible inhibitor and that differences in the effectiveness of these humoral factors may account, in part, for locational differences in tumour growth patterns.", "contents": "Influence of lodgement site on the proliferation of metastases of Walker 256 carcinoma in the rat. The growth of s.c. Walker 256 carcinoma was found to be independent of secondary growths induced by i.v. injection. Tumour cells injected i.v. lodged mainly in the lungs, with small clusters of cells in the lymph nodes. The rate of cellular proliferation of these secondary growths of Walker carcinoma was significantly higher than that observed in the s.c. tumour. In addition, host lung tissue was found to inhibit the development of metastases, and it is postulated that the host tissue may produce a diffusible inhibitor and that differences in the effectiveness of these humoral factors may account, in part, for locational differences in tumour growth patterns.", "PMID": 619960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3373", "title": "Life span, leukaemia and amyloid incidences of untreated and polycation-treated AKR mice.", "content": "AKR mice, which have a short mean survival time and usually die with leukaemia, were studied from one month of age for correlation between these two parameters. For untreated animals we found the same mean survival time whether or not leukaemia occurred. By treating sucklings with the polycations diethylaminoethyl-dextran or hexadimethrine bromide the leukaemia incidence was significantly reduced. However, the mean survival time was unchanged, and remained the same in leukaemic and non-leukaemic animals. It is therefore suggested that the early death of AKR mice results from an ageing process and does not require leukaemia for implementation. Our prophylactic polycation treatment was furthermore found to induce spleen amyloid in some but not all of the mice that remained non-leukaemic.", "contents": "Life span, leukaemia and amyloid incidences of untreated and polycation-treated AKR mice. AKR mice, which have a short mean survival time and usually die with leukaemia, were studied from one month of age for correlation between these two parameters. For untreated animals we found the same mean survival time whether or not leukaemia occurred. By treating sucklings with the polycations diethylaminoethyl-dextran or hexadimethrine bromide the leukaemia incidence was significantly reduced. However, the mean survival time was unchanged, and remained the same in leukaemic and non-leukaemic animals. It is therefore suggested that the early death of AKR mice results from an ageing process and does not require leukaemia for implementation. Our prophylactic polycation treatment was furthermore found to induce spleen amyloid in some but not all of the mice that remained non-leukaemic.", "PMID": 619959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3374", "title": "Influence of secondary inoculum of tumour cells on growth of primary tumour.", "content": "The effect of successive inocula of tumour cells given to rats at intervals of 1 to 10 days was examined. If W256 cells were injected on both occasions, the second inoculum failed to grow if given into the footpad as early as 1 day, or intravenously as soon as 4 days, after the first administration. However, although a second inoculum failed to grow, it produced significant augmentation of the growth of the primary implant if given during its latent or growth phases. If the second inoculum contained cells from a fibrosarcoma unrelated to W256, its growth was effectively curtailed if the initial inoculum had preceded it by 24 h or more. However, secondary inocula of fibrosarcoma cells did not augment the growth of the primary W256 tumour.", "contents": "Influence of secondary inoculum of tumour cells on growth of primary tumour. The effect of successive inocula of tumour cells given to rats at intervals of 1 to 10 days was examined. If W256 cells were injected on both occasions, the second inoculum failed to grow if given into the footpad as early as 1 day, or intravenously as soon as 4 days, after the first administration. However, although a second inoculum failed to grow, it produced significant augmentation of the growth of the primary implant if given during its latent or growth phases. If the second inoculum contained cells from a fibrosarcoma unrelated to W256, its growth was effectively curtailed if the initial inoculum had preceded it by 24 h or more. However, secondary inocula of fibrosarcoma cells did not augment the growth of the primary W256 tumour.", "PMID": 619961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3375", "title": "Effect of toxic thioureas on resistance of rats to growth in the lungs of intravenously and intratracheally seeded tumour cells.", "content": "Clonogenic growth (colony-forming efficiency, CFE) of i.v. injected allogeneic W256 tumour cells in the lungs was markedly enhanced by treatment of rats with alpha-naphthyl thiourea (ANTU) injected i.p. from 2 h before to 2 h after the tumour cells. ANTU specifically increases pulmonary vascular permeability in adult rats and causes acute pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion. Inhibition of drug toxicity to the lungs by tachyphylaxis, specific antimetabolites or iodides did not abolish the effect of ANTU on CFE. CFE was not increased when cells were seeded by i.v. injection the lungs affected by advanced pulmonary oedema at 6 to 24 h after treatment with drug. ANTU did not enhance growth of intratracheally injected cells. Although ANTU has no cytotoxic or immunosuppressive action, treatment of tumour-immunized rats with ANTU caused apparent \"breakdown\" of tumour immunity in 50% of rats, by causing growth of tumour colonies in the lungs. Possible mechanisms for the ANTU-induced decrease in innate resistance to growth of tumour in the lungs are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of toxic thioureas on resistance of rats to growth in the lungs of intravenously and intratracheally seeded tumour cells. Clonogenic growth (colony-forming efficiency, CFE) of i.v. injected allogeneic W256 tumour cells in the lungs was markedly enhanced by treatment of rats with alpha-naphthyl thiourea (ANTU) injected i.p. from 2 h before to 2 h after the tumour cells. ANTU specifically increases pulmonary vascular permeability in adult rats and causes acute pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion. Inhibition of drug toxicity to the lungs by tachyphylaxis, specific antimetabolites or iodides did not abolish the effect of ANTU on CFE. CFE was not increased when cells were seeded by i.v. injection the lungs affected by advanced pulmonary oedema at 6 to 24 h after treatment with drug. ANTU did not enhance growth of intratracheally injected cells. Although ANTU has no cytotoxic or immunosuppressive action, treatment of tumour-immunized rats with ANTU caused apparent \"breakdown\" of tumour immunity in 50% of rats, by causing growth of tumour colonies in the lungs. Possible mechanisms for the ANTU-induced decrease in innate resistance to growth of tumour in the lungs are discussed.", "PMID": 619962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3376", "title": "The B-vitamin group and the activity of hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases of the growing Wistar rat.", "content": "1. Male Wistar rats were given isoenergetic, semi-synthetic diets deficient in thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine or all the B-vitamins. 2. In rats given these deficient diets the 'sleeping time' induced with pentobarbital (PB) and the 'paralysis time' with zoxazolamine (Zz) were prolonged. 3. The tolerance effect against both drugs was nearly independent of the levels of B-vitamins in the diets. 4. In preparations from vitamin-B deficient animals the activities of the following hepatic microsomal enzymes were reduced: the aliphatic hydroxylase of PB, the aromatic hydroxylases of aniline (EC 1.14.14.1) and of Zz, the N-demethylase of aminopyrine, the UDP glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) of p-nitrophenol. The reactions most influenced were those of 'type-1' substrates, particularly those involving the hydroxylases. 5. The effects observed were caused mainly by deficiency of riboflavin and to a lesser extent of thiamin or pyridoxine.", "contents": "The B-vitamin group and the activity of hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases of the growing Wistar rat. 1. Male Wistar rats were given isoenergetic, semi-synthetic diets deficient in thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine or all the B-vitamins. 2. In rats given these deficient diets the 'sleeping time' induced with pentobarbital (PB) and the 'paralysis time' with zoxazolamine (Zz) were prolonged. 3. The tolerance effect against both drugs was nearly independent of the levels of B-vitamins in the diets. 4. In preparations from vitamin-B deficient animals the activities of the following hepatic microsomal enzymes were reduced: the aliphatic hydroxylase of PB, the aromatic hydroxylases of aniline (EC 1.14.14.1) and of Zz, the N-demethylase of aminopyrine, the UDP glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) of p-nitrophenol. The reactions most influenced were those of 'type-1' substrates, particularly those involving the hydroxylases. 5. The effects observed were caused mainly by deficiency of riboflavin and to a lesser extent of thiamin or pyridoxine.", "PMID": 619964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3377", "title": "Protein utilization in rats receiving a low-protein diet with various limiting amino acids.", "content": "1. A study was made of protein utilization in rats given a variety of low-protein diets containing (g/kg) egg albumin 18, casein 49, gluten 50, or mixtures of either maize protein and gelatine 58, or casein and gelatin 37, each with supplemental methionine. The diets were limiting in leucine, tryptophan or lysine, or in both tryptophan and the sulphur-containing amino acids. 2. Values obtained for net protein utilization (NPU) at these low levels of nitrogen intake were markedly higher than the amino acid score calculated for the different test proteins, except with casein for which the two values were similar. The NPU values agreed more closely with chemical score values based on the content of S-amino acids or isoleucine in the dietary protein.", "contents": "Protein utilization in rats receiving a low-protein diet with various limiting amino acids. 1. A study was made of protein utilization in rats given a variety of low-protein diets containing (g/kg) egg albumin 18, casein 49, gluten 50, or mixtures of either maize protein and gelatine 58, or casein and gelatin 37, each with supplemental methionine. The diets were limiting in leucine, tryptophan or lysine, or in both tryptophan and the sulphur-containing amino acids. 2. Values obtained for net protein utilization (NPU) at these low levels of nitrogen intake were markedly higher than the amino acid score calculated for the different test proteins, except with casein for which the two values were similar. The NPU values agreed more closely with chemical score values based on the content of S-amino acids or isoleucine in the dietary protein.", "PMID": 619965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3378", "title": "Leucocyte ascorbic acid and pregnancy.", "content": "1. Leucocyte ascorbic acid concentrations have been measured in 1147 females during early pregnancy and in smaller numbers of women before conception, throughout pregnancy and at 6 months post partum. 2. The leucocyte concentration in the 1st trimester was found to be affected by season, social class and smoking. Selecting individuals by extremes of social class, season and smoking produced two small populations with almost separate ascorbic acid distributions and mean concentrations of 21.7 and 45.1 microgram/10(8) leucocytes. 3. Early pregnancy had little effect on leucocyte ascorbic acid concentrations but values decreased in the second trimester. However, this was associated with a leucocytosis so that the total leucocyte ascorbic acid content of blood was unchanged. 4. Low ascorbic acid concentrations during the 1st trimester were not associated with subsequent spontaneous abortions, still-births or neonatal deaths, but there was an increased frequency of low values in women who gave birth to infants smaller than 3250 g. 5. The adequacy of ascorbic acid reserves in early pregnancy is discussed.", "contents": "Leucocyte ascorbic acid and pregnancy. 1. Leucocyte ascorbic acid concentrations have been measured in 1147 females during early pregnancy and in smaller numbers of women before conception, throughout pregnancy and at 6 months post partum. 2. The leucocyte concentration in the 1st trimester was found to be affected by season, social class and smoking. Selecting individuals by extremes of social class, season and smoking produced two small populations with almost separate ascorbic acid distributions and mean concentrations of 21.7 and 45.1 microgram/10(8) leucocytes. 3. Early pregnancy had little effect on leucocyte ascorbic acid concentrations but values decreased in the second trimester. However, this was associated with a leucocytosis so that the total leucocyte ascorbic acid content of blood was unchanged. 4. Low ascorbic acid concentrations during the 1st trimester were not associated with subsequent spontaneous abortions, still-births or neonatal deaths, but there was an increased frequency of low values in women who gave birth to infants smaller than 3250 g. 5. The adequacy of ascorbic acid reserves in early pregnancy is discussed.", "PMID": 619966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3379", "title": "Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and heart disease of nomadic and sedentary tribesmen consuming isoenergetic diets of high and low fat content.", "content": "1. The effects were examined of two approximately isoenergetic diets differing widely in saturated fat content on the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides of nomads and non-nomads in eastern Niger. Each person was also examined for clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of heart disease. 2. No significant differences could be found between serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of 297 Anagamba nomad men consuming 73% energy as fat and 303 Kanouri sedentary men consuming 9% energy as fat. 3. Rheumatic heart disease was common in nomads and four possible cases of ischaemic heart disease were found in sedentary men only.", "contents": "Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and heart disease of nomadic and sedentary tribesmen consuming isoenergetic diets of high and low fat content. 1. The effects were examined of two approximately isoenergetic diets differing widely in saturated fat content on the levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides of nomads and non-nomads in eastern Niger. Each person was also examined for clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of heart disease. 2. No significant differences could be found between serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of 297 Anagamba nomad men consuming 73% energy as fat and 303 Kanouri sedentary men consuming 9% energy as fat. 3. Rheumatic heart disease was common in nomads and four possible cases of ischaemic heart disease were found in sedentary men only.", "PMID": 619967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3380", "title": "The effects of dietary nitrogen level on the collagen of rat skin.", "content": "1. Male rats of approximately 120 g body-weight were maintained on a commercial stock diet containing 204 g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25)/kg, a hydroxyproline-free high-protein (HP) diet containing 200 g casein/kg as the only protein source, or a low-protein (LP) diet containing 40 g casein/kg. After 6 weeks on these diets half of each group was transferred to a non-protein (NP) diet and the experiment was continued for a further 6 weeks. Animals from each group were killed at 4 d, 3 weeks and 6 weeks after the transfer to the NP diet. 2. Throughout the experiment the urinary excretion of N, hydroxyproline and creatinine, and the content and solubility of the skin collagen were determined. 3. When compared with a control group killed at the beginning of the experiment the rats maintained on the LP diet showed an increase of 25% in total N content of the skin but collagen content increased by 100%. Rats transferred from the HP to the NP diet lost both N and collagen from the skin, but those transferred from the LP to the NP diet lost N but increased the collagen content by 42%. 4. Protein deprivation brought about marked changes in the solubility of the skin collagen, suggesting an increase in the rate of maturation of skin collagen.", "contents": "The effects of dietary nitrogen level on the collagen of rat skin. 1. Male rats of approximately 120 g body-weight were maintained on a commercial stock diet containing 204 g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25)/kg, a hydroxyproline-free high-protein (HP) diet containing 200 g casein/kg as the only protein source, or a low-protein (LP) diet containing 40 g casein/kg. After 6 weeks on these diets half of each group was transferred to a non-protein (NP) diet and the experiment was continued for a further 6 weeks. Animals from each group were killed at 4 d, 3 weeks and 6 weeks after the transfer to the NP diet. 2. Throughout the experiment the urinary excretion of N, hydroxyproline and creatinine, and the content and solubility of the skin collagen were determined. 3. When compared with a control group killed at the beginning of the experiment the rats maintained on the LP diet showed an increase of 25% in total N content of the skin but collagen content increased by 100%. Rats transferred from the HP to the NP diet lost both N and collagen from the skin, but those transferred from the LP to the NP diet lost N but increased the collagen content by 42%. 4. Protein deprivation brought about marked changes in the solubility of the skin collagen, suggesting an increase in the rate of maturation of skin collagen.", "PMID": 619969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3381", "title": "Efficiency of use of nitrogen from dried microbial cells after a period of N deprivation in growing pigs.", "content": "1. Semi-synthetic diets, with dried microbial cells (Pruteen) as the nitrogen source, were used to measure N retention in 50 kg pigs which had been given only sufficient N (5.3 g/d) to maintain N equilibrium for the previous 12 d. Control pigs were given 33.2 gN/d. 2. Metabolic faecal N losses were 1.62 g/d (1.2 g/kg dry matter eaten) and endogenous urinary losses were 3.90 g/d. 3. Realimentation of N-deprived pigs was achieved with diets providing 20.0, 33.2 and 67.4 g N/d and daily rates for N retention were 11.2, 17.8 and 25.9 respectively; the corresponding value for control pigs was 15.0 g. 'Catch-up' protein growth was demonstrated in pigs given both 33.2 and 67.4 g N/d. In the former instance, this was associated with an increase in the efficiency of utilization of dietary N. 4. The biological value of the protein in Pruteen was 0.85, and it appeared that under conditions of increased demand for N the pig could utilize some of the nucleic acid-N fraction of this protein source.", "contents": "Efficiency of use of nitrogen from dried microbial cells after a period of N deprivation in growing pigs. 1. Semi-synthetic diets, with dried microbial cells (Pruteen) as the nitrogen source, were used to measure N retention in 50 kg pigs which had been given only sufficient N (5.3 g/d) to maintain N equilibrium for the previous 12 d. Control pigs were given 33.2 gN/d. 2. Metabolic faecal N losses were 1.62 g/d (1.2 g/kg dry matter eaten) and endogenous urinary losses were 3.90 g/d. 3. Realimentation of N-deprived pigs was achieved with diets providing 20.0, 33.2 and 67.4 g N/d and daily rates for N retention were 11.2, 17.8 and 25.9 respectively; the corresponding value for control pigs was 15.0 g. 'Catch-up' protein growth was demonstrated in pigs given both 33.2 and 67.4 g N/d. In the former instance, this was associated with an increase in the efficiency of utilization of dietary N. 4. The biological value of the protein in Pruteen was 0.85, and it appeared that under conditions of increased demand for N the pig could utilize some of the nucleic acid-N fraction of this protein source.", "PMID": 619971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3382", "title": "The nutritional and metabolic impact of gamma-linolenic acid (18:3omega6) on cats deprived of animal lipid.", "content": "1. The syndrome induced by depriving cats of animal lipid is partially cured by feeding 18:3omega6. This is associated with an increase in levels of 20:3omega6, but not 20:4omega6, in plasma phospholipids. 2. It is concluded that the cat lacks delta5 desaturase activity and has a dietary requirement for 18:3omega6 and possible 20:4omega6.", "contents": "The nutritional and metabolic impact of gamma-linolenic acid (18:3omega6) on cats deprived of animal lipid. 1. The syndrome induced by depriving cats of animal lipid is partially cured by feeding 18:3omega6. This is associated with an increase in levels of 20:3omega6, but not 20:4omega6, in plasma phospholipids. 2. It is concluded that the cat lacks delta5 desaturase activity and has a dietary requirement for 18:3omega6 and possible 20:4omega6.", "PMID": 619975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3383", "title": "Influence of overfeeding on growth, obesity and intestinal tract in young chicks of light and heavy breeds.", "content": "1. Heavy-breed (HB) chicks differed from light-breed (LB) ones in their propensity to be overfed. Whereas in the LB chicks the amount by which they could be overfed reached 70% more than the food consumed daily by the ad lib.-fed chicks, in the HB chicks the maximal excess was only 13%. 2. Overfeeding caused a slight but statistically significant increase in the linear growth rate (shank length) of the LB chicks, with an opposite effect in the HB chicks. 3. Overfeeding increased the weight of the crop, proventriculus, small intestine, pancreas, liver and adipose tissue but had no such effect on the heart, cerebrum or cerebellum. 4. Overfeeding had no effect on the specific activities of the pancreatic digestive enzymes, liver xanthine dehydrogenase, or tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13.1.12). The increase in the total activities was due entirely to organ hypertrophy. 5. Obesity induced in young chicks had no residual effects on the adult LB chicks, but reduced the linear growth of the adult HB chicks. 6. An explanation for the difference between breeds in response to overfeeding at an early age is discussed.", "contents": "Influence of overfeeding on growth, obesity and intestinal tract in young chicks of light and heavy breeds. 1. Heavy-breed (HB) chicks differed from light-breed (LB) ones in their propensity to be overfed. Whereas in the LB chicks the amount by which they could be overfed reached 70% more than the food consumed daily by the ad lib.-fed chicks, in the HB chicks the maximal excess was only 13%. 2. Overfeeding caused a slight but statistically significant increase in the linear growth rate (shank length) of the LB chicks, with an opposite effect in the HB chicks. 3. Overfeeding increased the weight of the crop, proventriculus, small intestine, pancreas, liver and adipose tissue but had no such effect on the heart, cerebrum or cerebellum. 4. Overfeeding had no effect on the specific activities of the pancreatic digestive enzymes, liver xanthine dehydrogenase, or tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13.1.12). The increase in the total activities was due entirely to organ hypertrophy. 5. Obesity induced in young chicks had no residual effects on the adult LB chicks, but reduced the linear growth of the adult HB chicks. 6. An explanation for the difference between breeds in response to overfeeding at an early age is discussed.", "PMID": 619976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3384", "title": "Effect of leucine at different levels of pyridoxine on hepatic quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (EC 2.4.2.19) and leucine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.6) in rats.", "content": "1. Effects of incorporating 30 g leucine/kg into diets on quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRT; EC 2.4.2.19) activity and leucine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.6) activity were studied in groups of rats receiving 5, 30 and 60 micrograms of pyridoxine/10 g diet. 2. The results indicated that 30 g leucine/kg diet significantly reduced the QPRT activity when the diets provided 5 micrograms pyridoxine/10 g and that the effect was only marginal when the diet included 30 micrograms pyridoxine/10 g. The inhibitory effect was completely absent when the diet provided higher amounts of pyridoxine (60 microgram/10 g). 3. These results suggest that additional amounts of pyridoxine are necessary to counteract the effects of excess of leucine in the diet. 4. Leucine aminotransferase activity was increased in rats given diets containing higher amounts of pyridoxine; supplementary leucine also increased the enzyme activity.", "contents": "Effect of leucine at different levels of pyridoxine on hepatic quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (EC 2.4.2.19) and leucine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.6) in rats. 1. Effects of incorporating 30 g leucine/kg into diets on quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRT; EC 2.4.2.19) activity and leucine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.6) activity were studied in groups of rats receiving 5, 30 and 60 micrograms of pyridoxine/10 g diet. 2. The results indicated that 30 g leucine/kg diet significantly reduced the QPRT activity when the diets provided 5 micrograms pyridoxine/10 g and that the effect was only marginal when the diet included 30 micrograms pyridoxine/10 g. The inhibitory effect was completely absent when the diet provided higher amounts of pyridoxine (60 microgram/10 g). 3. These results suggest that additional amounts of pyridoxine are necessary to counteract the effects of excess of leucine in the diet. 4. Leucine aminotransferase activity was increased in rats given diets containing higher amounts of pyridoxine; supplementary leucine also increased the enzyme activity.", "PMID": 619980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3385", "title": "Quantitative aspects of the transformations of sulphur in sheep.", "content": "1. [35S]sulphate was used to obtain quantitative estimates of the transfer of sulphur between the blood, rumen and postruminal tract of four sheep given brome grass (Bromus inermis) pellets or lucerne (Medicago sativa) pellets at the rate of 33 or 66 g/h. Sodium sulphate (0-4 g S/d) was infused into the rumen or abomasum of sheep given brome grass during four periods of 19 d and was not infused into the sheep during a subsequent period in which lucerne was given. The flow of sulphide, sulphate, microbial S and non-microbial organic S from the abomasum was estimated using 103Ru and 51Cr. 2. The concentration of inorganic sulphate in serum was increased to maximum values of 35-46 mg S/l by infusion of sulphate into the rumen or abomasum. The rate of irreversible loss of serum sulphate and rumen sulphide was positively related to the amount of sulphate infused. 3. Reabsorption of sulphate by the kidney reached a maximum of 0.69-1.1 mmol sulphate/l glomerular filtrate. 4. The transfer of sulphate from blood to the rumen was related to the concentration of inorganic sulphate in serum, attaining maximum values of 133 (+/- 13) mg S/d for sheep given brome grass plus sulphate, and 127-159 mg S/d for sheep given lucerne. 5. Bacteria derived 0.52-0.67 of organic S from rumen sulphide in sheep given brome grass, and approximately 0.45 of bacterial organic S was derived from sulphide for sheep given lucerne. Protozoa derived approximately 0.90 of organic S from bacteria. 6. It was estimated that endogenous organic S contributed 300-340 mg S/d to the rumen, and that 0.24-0.45 of S digested in the rumen was derived from endogenous sources.", "contents": "Quantitative aspects of the transformations of sulphur in sheep. 1. [35S]sulphate was used to obtain quantitative estimates of the transfer of sulphur between the blood, rumen and postruminal tract of four sheep given brome grass (Bromus inermis) pellets or lucerne (Medicago sativa) pellets at the rate of 33 or 66 g/h. Sodium sulphate (0-4 g S/d) was infused into the rumen or abomasum of sheep given brome grass during four periods of 19 d and was not infused into the sheep during a subsequent period in which lucerne was given. The flow of sulphide, sulphate, microbial S and non-microbial organic S from the abomasum was estimated using 103Ru and 51Cr. 2. The concentration of inorganic sulphate in serum was increased to maximum values of 35-46 mg S/l by infusion of sulphate into the rumen or abomasum. The rate of irreversible loss of serum sulphate and rumen sulphide was positively related to the amount of sulphate infused. 3. Reabsorption of sulphate by the kidney reached a maximum of 0.69-1.1 mmol sulphate/l glomerular filtrate. 4. The transfer of sulphate from blood to the rumen was related to the concentration of inorganic sulphate in serum, attaining maximum values of 133 (+/- 13) mg S/d for sheep given brome grass plus sulphate, and 127-159 mg S/d for sheep given lucerne. 5. Bacteria derived 0.52-0.67 of organic S from rumen sulphide in sheep given brome grass, and approximately 0.45 of bacterial organic S was derived from sulphide for sheep given lucerne. Protozoa derived approximately 0.90 of organic S from bacteria. 6. It was estimated that endogenous organic S contributed 300-340 mg S/d to the rumen, and that 0.24-0.45 of S digested in the rumen was derived from endogenous sources.", "PMID": 619981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3386", "title": "The influence of the gut microflora and of dietary fibre on epithelial cell migration in the chick intestine.", "content": "1. The renewal of the intestinal mucosal epithelium has been investigated in germ-free and conventional chicks given a practical chick diet and a low- and high-fibre diet, using tritiated thymidine to label the nuclei of mucosal cells undergoing division. 2. Villus height, crypt depth and number of mitoses in the crypt were generally, although not always significantly, greater for conventional chicks than for germ-free chicks at all sites investigated in the intestine, and all became progressively lower from the upper intestine to the lower intestine. 3. There was a linear relationship between the height of the radioactively labelled mucosal cells on the villus and the period after injection, and the rates of epithelial cell migration were higher for conventional than for germ-free chicks, the relative differences being greater in the lower intestine than the upper intestine. 4. The inclusion of wheat bran as a source of dietary fibre had no effect on the rate of epithelial renewal, either in germ-free or conventional birds.", "contents": "The influence of the gut microflora and of dietary fibre on epithelial cell migration in the chick intestine. 1. The renewal of the intestinal mucosal epithelium has been investigated in germ-free and conventional chicks given a practical chick diet and a low- and high-fibre diet, using tritiated thymidine to label the nuclei of mucosal cells undergoing division. 2. Villus height, crypt depth and number of mitoses in the crypt were generally, although not always significantly, greater for conventional chicks than for germ-free chicks at all sites investigated in the intestine, and all became progressively lower from the upper intestine to the lower intestine. 3. There was a linear relationship between the height of the radioactively labelled mucosal cells on the villus and the period after injection, and the rates of epithelial cell migration were higher for conventional than for germ-free chicks, the relative differences being greater in the lower intestine than the upper intestine. 4. The inclusion of wheat bran as a source of dietary fibre had no effect on the rate of epithelial renewal, either in germ-free or conventional birds.", "PMID": 619982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3387", "title": "Inhibition of lipase adsorption at interfaces. Role of bile salt micelles and colipase.", "content": "The effects of bile salts and colipase on the adsorption of lipase at an interface were studied by hydrophobic affinity chromatography on phenyl- and octyl-Sepharose. In the absence of bile salts, lipase or colipase binds separately to the gel. This is unchanged in the presence of adsorbed bile salts, when one bile salt molecule is associated per hydrophobic ligand. The same data are obtained in the presence of monomeric bile salt solutions. In contrast, lipase adsorption is totally prevented in a micellar bile salt solution. These results favor the idea that the formation of a lipase-bile salt complex in solution is responsible for the lack of interfacial lipase adsorption.", "contents": "Inhibition of lipase adsorption at interfaces. Role of bile salt micelles and colipase. The effects of bile salts and colipase on the adsorption of lipase at an interface were studied by hydrophobic affinity chromatography on phenyl- and octyl-Sepharose. In the absence of bile salts, lipase or colipase binds separately to the gel. This is unchanged in the presence of adsorbed bile salts, when one bile salt molecule is associated per hydrophobic ligand. The same data are obtained in the presence of monomeric bile salt solutions. In contrast, lipase adsorption is totally prevented in a micellar bile salt solution. These results favor the idea that the formation of a lipase-bile salt complex in solution is responsible for the lack of interfacial lipase adsorption.", "PMID": 619984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3388", "title": "In vitro metabolism of 4-chlorobiphenyl by control and induced rat liver microsomes.", "content": "The in vitro metabolism, mechanism of metabolism, and macromolecular binding of a monochlorobiphenyl component of commercial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been investigated. 4-Chlorobiphenyl was metabolized by rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH to yield a major metabolite, 4'-chloro-4-biphenylol, and a number of minor metabolites. The metabolism of deuterium-labeled 4-chlorobiphenyl proceeded with the NIH shift of the isotope and no observed isotope effect thus indicating the intermediacy of an arene oxide. Noninduced rat liver microsomes mediated the covalent binding between the 4-chlorobiphenyl and 4'-chloro-4-biphenylol substrates and endogenous microsomal protein. Prior in vivo administration of a commericial PCB preparation, Aroclor 1248 (Monsanto Chemical Co., containing 48 percent by weight of chlorine), resulted in an induced microsomal preparation which significantly increased the substrate-protein binding. The effect of various inhibitors on protein binding was investigated. Aroclor 1248 induced microsomes mediated binding of 4-chlorobiphenyl to endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids, indicating a possible mechanism for the previously reported mutagenic action of this chlorobiphenyl. The spectral properties of Aroclor 1248 induced cytochrome P-450 were investigated and compared with the pentobarbital-induced cytochrome fraction.", "contents": "In vitro metabolism of 4-chlorobiphenyl by control and induced rat liver microsomes. The in vitro metabolism, mechanism of metabolism, and macromolecular binding of a monochlorobiphenyl component of commercial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been investigated. 4-Chlorobiphenyl was metabolized by rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH to yield a major metabolite, 4'-chloro-4-biphenylol, and a number of minor metabolites. The metabolism of deuterium-labeled 4-chlorobiphenyl proceeded with the NIH shift of the isotope and no observed isotope effect thus indicating the intermediacy of an arene oxide. Noninduced rat liver microsomes mediated the covalent binding between the 4-chlorobiphenyl and 4'-chloro-4-biphenylol substrates and endogenous microsomal protein. Prior in vivo administration of a commericial PCB preparation, Aroclor 1248 (Monsanto Chemical Co., containing 48 percent by weight of chlorine), resulted in an induced microsomal preparation which significantly increased the substrate-protein binding. The effect of various inhibitors on protein binding was investigated. Aroclor 1248 induced microsomes mediated binding of 4-chlorobiphenyl to endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids, indicating a possible mechanism for the previously reported mutagenic action of this chlorobiphenyl. The spectral properties of Aroclor 1248 induced cytochrome P-450 were investigated and compared with the pentobarbital-induced cytochrome fraction.", "PMID": 619985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3389", "title": "Conversion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin by organic and inorganic reductants.", "content": "Human oxyhemoglobin is converted to methemoglobin by a wide array of organic and inorganic reductants. Depending upon the concentration and nature of the reductant, varying amounts of deoxyhemoglobin are produced. The general overall sequence is: FeO2 leads to (1) FeIII leads to (2) FeII. The intermediacy of methemoglobin can be demonstrated by direct spectral observation and by cyanide trapping. For organic reductants, the second-order rate constants for (1) vary from greater than 300 (phenylhydroxylamine) to 1.4 X 10(-4) M-1 s-1 (malononitrile). Generally the rates parallel the ease of hydrogen abstraction by iron-bound oxygen from the substrate, and simply hydrocarbons are reactive. Rates for these processes have been ascertained with recrystallized protein, lysed cells, and intact human erythrocytes. At room temperature oxyhemoglobin quantitatively converts benzaldehyde to benzoic acid and hydroquinone to benzoquinone. Rates for inorganic species (process 1) range from greater than 7 X 10(3) (chromous ion) to 0.015 M-1 s-1 (ferrocyanide). Ferrous ion rapidly deoxygenates oxyhemoglobin by direct attack on the oxy complex but methemoglobin is not an intermediate with this reagent. Taken together the results support the theoretical prediction that reductants should oxidize oxyhemoglobin, and they demonstrate at least some degree of radical character to the oxy complex.", "contents": "Conversion of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin by organic and inorganic reductants. Human oxyhemoglobin is converted to methemoglobin by a wide array of organic and inorganic reductants. Depending upon the concentration and nature of the reductant, varying amounts of deoxyhemoglobin are produced. The general overall sequence is: FeO2 leads to (1) FeIII leads to (2) FeII. The intermediacy of methemoglobin can be demonstrated by direct spectral observation and by cyanide trapping. For organic reductants, the second-order rate constants for (1) vary from greater than 300 (phenylhydroxylamine) to 1.4 X 10(-4) M-1 s-1 (malononitrile). Generally the rates parallel the ease of hydrogen abstraction by iron-bound oxygen from the substrate, and simply hydrocarbons are reactive. Rates for these processes have been ascertained with recrystallized protein, lysed cells, and intact human erythrocytes. At room temperature oxyhemoglobin quantitatively converts benzaldehyde to benzoic acid and hydroquinone to benzoquinone. Rates for inorganic species (process 1) range from greater than 7 X 10(3) (chromous ion) to 0.015 M-1 s-1 (ferrocyanide). Ferrous ion rapidly deoxygenates oxyhemoglobin by direct attack on the oxy complex but methemoglobin is not an intermediate with this reagent. Taken together the results support the theoretical prediction that reductants should oxidize oxyhemoglobin, and they demonstrate at least some degree of radical character to the oxy complex.", "PMID": 619988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3390", "title": "Oxidation-reduction reactions of hemoglobin A, hemoglobin M Iwate, and hemoglobin M Hyde Park.", "content": "The kinetics and equilibrium of the redox reactions of hemoglobin A, hemoglobin M Iwate, and hemoglobin M Hyde Park using the iron (II) and iron (III) complexes of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (CDTA4-) as the reducing and oxidizing agents have been studied. With respect to the equilibrium it was found that hemoglobin M Iwate (where the beta chains were reduced) was more readily reduced than hemoglobin M Hyde Park (where the alpha chains are reduced). This difference was shown to be a result of a difference in the rate constant for reduction but not oxidation. The observed rate contants for the reduction of all three hemoglobins were shown to decrease with increasing pH. This was attributed to a decrease in the [T]/[R] ratio. The observed rate contants for the oxidation reaction were shown to increase with increasing pH. Accompanying this increase was a change in the kinetic profile for hemoglobin A from pseudo first order to one in which the rate increased as the extent of reaction increased. Inositol hexaphosphate had no effect on the rate of oxidation of deoxyhemoglobin A. This was a result of binding of FeCDTA2- or HCDTA3- to the protein. However, in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate, the reduction of methemoglobin A exhibited biphasic kinetics. This result was interpreted in terms of the production of a small amount of a conformation which was more readily reduced.", "contents": "Oxidation-reduction reactions of hemoglobin A, hemoglobin M Iwate, and hemoglobin M Hyde Park. The kinetics and equilibrium of the redox reactions of hemoglobin A, hemoglobin M Iwate, and hemoglobin M Hyde Park using the iron (II) and iron (III) complexes of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate (CDTA4-) as the reducing and oxidizing agents have been studied. With respect to the equilibrium it was found that hemoglobin M Iwate (where the beta chains were reduced) was more readily reduced than hemoglobin M Hyde Park (where the alpha chains are reduced). This difference was shown to be a result of a difference in the rate constant for reduction but not oxidation. The observed rate contants for the reduction of all three hemoglobins were shown to decrease with increasing pH. This was attributed to a decrease in the [T]/[R] ratio. The observed rate contants for the oxidation reaction were shown to increase with increasing pH. Accompanying this increase was a change in the kinetic profile for hemoglobin A from pseudo first order to one in which the rate increased as the extent of reaction increased. Inositol hexaphosphate had no effect on the rate of oxidation of deoxyhemoglobin A. This was a result of binding of FeCDTA2- or HCDTA3- to the protein. However, in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate, the reduction of methemoglobin A exhibited biphasic kinetics. This result was interpreted in terms of the production of a small amount of a conformation which was more readily reduced.", "PMID": 619989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3391", "title": "Magnetic resonance studies of the binding site interactions between 19F-labeled nitrophenyl haptens and specific mouse myeloma immunoglobulin MOPC-315.", "content": "The interactions between MOPC-315, a mouse myeloma protein with specificity for nitrophenyl haptens, and 19F-substituted haptens have been investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The haptens studied are mono- or dinitrophenyl derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid, lysine, or glycine which have trifuoromethyl groups attached to the phenyl rings. Upon binding to immunoglobulin, the 19F nucleus experiences a downfield shift whose magnitude depends on the position of the trifluoromethyl group on the phenyl ring but is independent of other structural changes in the hapten such as the number of nitro groups attached to the phenyl ring. Further, the chemical shift of bound hapten is not influenced by the amount of the constant region attached to the binding site; we accordingly conclude that the presence of the distal, constant regions of the immunoglobulin molecule does not influence binding site interactions.", "contents": "Magnetic resonance studies of the binding site interactions between 19F-labeled nitrophenyl haptens and specific mouse myeloma immunoglobulin MOPC-315. The interactions between MOPC-315, a mouse myeloma protein with specificity for nitrophenyl haptens, and 19F-substituted haptens have been investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The haptens studied are mono- or dinitrophenyl derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid, lysine, or glycine which have trifuoromethyl groups attached to the phenyl rings. Upon binding to immunoglobulin, the 19F nucleus experiences a downfield shift whose magnitude depends on the position of the trifluoromethyl group on the phenyl ring but is independent of other structural changes in the hapten such as the number of nitro groups attached to the phenyl ring. Further, the chemical shift of bound hapten is not influenced by the amount of the constant region attached to the binding site; we accordingly conclude that the presence of the distal, constant regions of the immunoglobulin molecule does not influence binding site interactions.", "PMID": 619995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3392", "title": "Ligand binding to the adenine analogue binding protein of the rabbit erythrocyte.", "content": "Adenine analogue binding protein of rabbit erythrocytes reversibly binds [3H] adenosine with a KD of 5.3 X 10(-9) M, an association rate constant of 1.4 X 10(-12) M-1 min-1 and a dissociation rate constant of 7.5 X 10(-3) min-1, as estimated by a nonlinear curve-fitting program applied to data on the time course of the binding reaction. Independent estimates of KD by Scatchard plots and of the dissociation rate constant by dilution or adsorption of free [3H] adenosine on charcoal or by the addition of excess adenosine agreed closely with the estimates from the curve-fitting program. Inhibition of [3H] adenosine binding by a series of 77 adenosine analogues was used to define the factors determining the binding affinity of this nucleoside. These are: (1) the size and aromaticity of the purine base; (2) a glycosylic torsion angle of approximately -120 degrees; (3) the ribo configuration of the 2'-and 3'-hydroxyls and also the 5'-hydroxyl. Bulky substituents in the region of C-2' and to a lesser extent in the region of C-3' reduce binding affinity.", "contents": "Ligand binding to the adenine analogue binding protein of the rabbit erythrocyte. Adenine analogue binding protein of rabbit erythrocytes reversibly binds [3H] adenosine with a KD of 5.3 X 10(-9) M, an association rate constant of 1.4 X 10(-12) M-1 min-1 and a dissociation rate constant of 7.5 X 10(-3) min-1, as estimated by a nonlinear curve-fitting program applied to data on the time course of the binding reaction. Independent estimates of KD by Scatchard plots and of the dissociation rate constant by dilution or adsorption of free [3H] adenosine on charcoal or by the addition of excess adenosine agreed closely with the estimates from the curve-fitting program. Inhibition of [3H] adenosine binding by a series of 77 adenosine analogues was used to define the factors determining the binding affinity of this nucleoside. These are: (1) the size and aromaticity of the purine base; (2) a glycosylic torsion angle of approximately -120 degrees; (3) the ribo configuration of the 2'-and 3'-hydroxyls and also the 5'-hydroxyl. Bulky substituents in the region of C-2' and to a lesser extent in the region of C-3' reduce binding affinity.", "PMID": 619996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3393", "title": "Influence of cholesterol on the polar region of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers.", "content": "The structural changes in the polar head group region of unsonicated bilayer membranes of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine produced by addition of cholesterol have been determined using deuterium and phosphorus-31 NMR. Incorportion of up to 50 mol percent cholesterol produces little change in the phosphorus-31 chemical shielding anisotropies, compared with the values in pure bilayers above the phase transition temperatures, while some of the deuterium quadrupole splittings are reduced by almost a factor of two. Adjustment of the head group torsion angles by only a few degrees accounts for the observed spectral changes. Addition of cholesterol therefore has opposite effects on the hydrocarbon and polar regions of membranes: although cholesterol makes the hydrocarbon region gel-like, with an increased probability of trans conformations, the conformation of the polar head groups is very similar to that found in the liquid crystalline phase of pure phospholipid bilayers.", "contents": "Influence of cholesterol on the polar region of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers. The structural changes in the polar head group region of unsonicated bilayer membranes of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine produced by addition of cholesterol have been determined using deuterium and phosphorus-31 NMR. Incorportion of up to 50 mol percent cholesterol produces little change in the phosphorus-31 chemical shielding anisotropies, compared with the values in pure bilayers above the phase transition temperatures, while some of the deuterium quadrupole splittings are reduced by almost a factor of two. Adjustment of the head group torsion angles by only a few degrees accounts for the observed spectral changes. Addition of cholesterol therefore has opposite effects on the hydrocarbon and polar regions of membranes: although cholesterol makes the hydrocarbon region gel-like, with an increased probability of trans conformations, the conformation of the polar head groups is very similar to that found in the liquid crystalline phase of pure phospholipid bilayers.", "PMID": 619997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3394", "title": "By-product analogues for bovine carboxypeptidase B.", "content": "A series of monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acid sulfur-containing by-product analogues of lysine and arginine has been synthesized and tested as competitive inhibitors of bovine carboxypeptidase B. The most effective derivatives were guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid and aminopropylmer-captosuccinic acid with Kis of 4 and 8 X 10(-6) M, respectively. Kinetics studies established the pure competitive nature of the inhibition. Mixed studies with the alkylating reagents bromoacetyl-D-arginine and bromoacetamidobutylguanidine established their efficiency in protecting the active-center glutamic acid and tyrosine of bovine carboxypeptidase B, respectively, from irreversible alkylation. Kinetic studies with bovine carboxypeptidase A and porcine carboxypeptidase B showed a lack of efficiency for A and high degree of efficiency for B.", "contents": "By-product analogues for bovine carboxypeptidase B. A series of monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acid sulfur-containing by-product analogues of lysine and arginine has been synthesized and tested as competitive inhibitors of bovine carboxypeptidase B. The most effective derivatives were guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid and aminopropylmer-captosuccinic acid with Kis of 4 and 8 X 10(-6) M, respectively. Kinetics studies established the pure competitive nature of the inhibition. Mixed studies with the alkylating reagents bromoacetyl-D-arginine and bromoacetamidobutylguanidine established their efficiency in protecting the active-center glutamic acid and tyrosine of bovine carboxypeptidase B, respectively, from irreversible alkylation. Kinetic studies with bovine carboxypeptidase A and porcine carboxypeptidase B showed a lack of efficiency for A and high degree of efficiency for B.", "PMID": 619998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3395", "title": "Amino acid sequence of the diazooxonorleucine binding site of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas 7A glutaminase--asparaginase enzymes.", "content": "Acinetobactor glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine, reduced with sodium borohydride, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. Radioactivity was present only in a 96-residue-N-terminal peptide which eluted as the second peptide peak on Sephadex G-50. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in position 12 during automatic sequencing of this peptide. The amino acid sequence of a 60-residue tn-terminal segment and a 16-residue C-terminal segment of this peptide was determined. Pseudomonas 7 A glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine and reduced with sodium borohydride. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in residue 20 during automatic sequencing of the whole enzyme. Analysis of 26 N-terminal residues showed that an 8-residue segment containing the radioactive threonine was identical with that in Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase and in Escherichia coli asparaginase. Additional identical residues were noted in the N-terminal regions of these enzymes.", "contents": "Amino acid sequence of the diazooxonorleucine binding site of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas 7A glutaminase--asparaginase enzymes. Acinetobactor glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine, reduced with sodium borohydride, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. Radioactivity was present only in a 96-residue-N-terminal peptide which eluted as the second peptide peak on Sephadex G-50. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in position 12 during automatic sequencing of this peptide. The amino acid sequence of a 60-residue tn-terminal segment and a 16-residue C-terminal segment of this peptide was determined. Pseudomonas 7 A glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine and reduced with sodium borohydride. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in residue 20 during automatic sequencing of the whole enzyme. Analysis of 26 N-terminal residues showed that an 8-residue segment containing the radioactive threonine was identical with that in Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase and in Escherichia coli asparaginase. Additional identical residues were noted in the N-terminal regions of these enzymes.", "PMID": 619999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3396", "title": "Hydrolysis of proteins using dipeptidyl aminopeptidases: analysis of the N-terminal portion of spinach plastocyanin.", "content": "The exopeptidases dipeptidyl aminopeptidases I and IV were used to hydrolyze the N-terminal portion of spinach plastocyanin to dipeptides. The enzymes were used individually as well as in a mixture and the dipeptides were analyzed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Data are presented for native plastocyanin and the S-methylated protein. Of the 98 residues which make up this protein, the first 44 were released in the form of 22 dipeptides by the combined action of DAP I and DAP IV. These dipeptides were aligned by homology to other plastocyanins of known sequence. The results demonstrate the versatility of the two enzymes in hydrolyzing proteins to obtain information on their primary sequence.", "contents": "Hydrolysis of proteins using dipeptidyl aminopeptidases: analysis of the N-terminal portion of spinach plastocyanin. The exopeptidases dipeptidyl aminopeptidases I and IV were used to hydrolyze the N-terminal portion of spinach plastocyanin to dipeptides. The enzymes were used individually as well as in a mixture and the dipeptides were analyzed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Data are presented for native plastocyanin and the S-methylated protein. Of the 98 residues which make up this protein, the first 44 were released in the form of 22 dipeptides by the combined action of DAP I and DAP IV. These dipeptides were aligned by homology to other plastocyanins of known sequence. The results demonstrate the versatility of the two enzymes in hydrolyzing proteins to obtain information on their primary sequence.", "PMID": 620000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3397", "title": "Heterogeneity in the 3'-terminal sequence of ribosomal 5S RNA synthesized by isolated HeLa cell nuclei in vitro.", "content": "Isolated HeLa cell nuclei synthesize ribosomal 5S RNA of very nearly correct sequence and size. The in vitro product was resolved according to size on formamide-containing polyacrylamide gels and the fractions were subsequently hybridized to recombinant DNA containing the 5S genes from Xenopus mulleri. It could be shown that the 5S RNA synthesized in vitro differed only very slightly in size from the mature species labeled in vivo and contained a few extra nucleotides in some of the molecules. Analysis of the 3'-terminal base of molecules synthesized independently with four different nucleotides showed that the chains were almost exclusively terminated with uridine. Digestion of the in vitro product with ribonuclease T1 and analysis of the oligonucleotides on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 in the presence of 7 M urea revealed that the molar yield of the internal fragments agreed well with the expected theoretical values. The 3'-terminal fragments, however, were found to be present in three different species with the sequences CUUOH, CUUUOH, CUUUUOH which occurred with a frequency of about 60%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. From these data we conclude that 5S RNA synthesis in isolated HeLa cell nuclei was correctly initiated but that termination occurred with a slight ambiguity, adding either one or two uridine residues to some of the chains.", "contents": "Heterogeneity in the 3'-terminal sequence of ribosomal 5S RNA synthesized by isolated HeLa cell nuclei in vitro. Isolated HeLa cell nuclei synthesize ribosomal 5S RNA of very nearly correct sequence and size. The in vitro product was resolved according to size on formamide-containing polyacrylamide gels and the fractions were subsequently hybridized to recombinant DNA containing the 5S genes from Xenopus mulleri. It could be shown that the 5S RNA synthesized in vitro differed only very slightly in size from the mature species labeled in vivo and contained a few extra nucleotides in some of the molecules. Analysis of the 3'-terminal base of molecules synthesized independently with four different nucleotides showed that the chains were almost exclusively terminated with uridine. Digestion of the in vitro product with ribonuclease T1 and analysis of the oligonucleotides on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 in the presence of 7 M urea revealed that the molar yield of the internal fragments agreed well with the expected theoretical values. The 3'-terminal fragments, however, were found to be present in three different species with the sequences CUUOH, CUUUOH, CUUUUOH which occurred with a frequency of about 60%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. From these data we conclude that 5S RNA synthesis in isolated HeLa cell nuclei was correctly initiated but that termination occurred with a slight ambiguity, adding either one or two uridine residues to some of the chains.", "PMID": 620001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3398", "title": "Occurrence of an uncoupler-resistant intermediate type of phosphate-water oxygen exchange reaction catalyzed by heart submitochondrial particles.", "content": "The hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by phosphorylating vesicles prepared from bovine heart mitochondria by ultrasonic disruption was studied in H218O. Provided that an ATP-generating system was included to prevent accumulation of ADP due to hydrolysis, the addition of 20 mM arsenate or 0.5 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol to the incubation mixture either singly or together, had little or no effect on the number of oxygen atoms from H2O incorporated (on the average) into each molecule of Pi formed by hydrolysis (the O:P ratio). As the ATP concentration was reduced from 2.0 to 0.05 mM, the O:P ratio increased from about 1.4 to over 2.0 and, although dinitrophenol significantly increased the ATPase activity, it did not significantly alter the O:P ratio for a given ATP level. This implies that the uncoupler does not act directly on the terminal transphosphorylation step. Companion experiments were performed in which 18O label was placed either initially in H2O or Pi. Under conditions where extensive exchange from H218O into Pi occurred, no 18O was lost from medium Pi under identical circumstances, thus showing that the exchange was intermediate and did not involve medium Pi. Kinetic plots of v vs. v/S were nonlinear with respect to ATPase activity. The kinetic data, as well as the Pi = H218O exchange data, are consistent with enzyme models having multiple forms of catalytic sites. Several models are evaluated and attempts are made to distinguish between some of the simpler cases of these models.", "contents": "Occurrence of an uncoupler-resistant intermediate type of phosphate-water oxygen exchange reaction catalyzed by heart submitochondrial particles. The hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by phosphorylating vesicles prepared from bovine heart mitochondria by ultrasonic disruption was studied in H218O. Provided that an ATP-generating system was included to prevent accumulation of ADP due to hydrolysis, the addition of 20 mM arsenate or 0.5 mM 2,4-dinitrophenol to the incubation mixture either singly or together, had little or no effect on the number of oxygen atoms from H2O incorporated (on the average) into each molecule of Pi formed by hydrolysis (the O:P ratio). As the ATP concentration was reduced from 2.0 to 0.05 mM, the O:P ratio increased from about 1.4 to over 2.0 and, although dinitrophenol significantly increased the ATPase activity, it did not significantly alter the O:P ratio for a given ATP level. This implies that the uncoupler does not act directly on the terminal transphosphorylation step. Companion experiments were performed in which 18O label was placed either initially in H2O or Pi. Under conditions where extensive exchange from H218O into Pi occurred, no 18O was lost from medium Pi under identical circumstances, thus showing that the exchange was intermediate and did not involve medium Pi. Kinetic plots of v vs. v/S were nonlinear with respect to ATPase activity. The kinetic data, as well as the Pi = H218O exchange data, are consistent with enzyme models having multiple forms of catalytic sites. Several models are evaluated and attempts are made to distinguish between some of the simpler cases of these models.", "PMID": 620002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3399", "title": "Oxidation of low-spin iron(II) porphyrins by molecular oxygen. An outer sphere mechanism.", "content": "Hexacoordinate low-spin iron(II) porphyrins are oxidized by molecular oxygen in amine solvents at room temperature by a process that is acid dependent. The visible and NMR spectra of solutions of the iron complexes and the influence of axial ligands upon the rate of oxidation are consistent with an outer sphere mechanism that entails the dissociation of a protonated 1:1 iron porphyrin-oxygen pi complex as the rate-limiting step.", "contents": "Oxidation of low-spin iron(II) porphyrins by molecular oxygen. An outer sphere mechanism. Hexacoordinate low-spin iron(II) porphyrins are oxidized by molecular oxygen in amine solvents at room temperature by a process that is acid dependent. The visible and NMR spectra of solutions of the iron complexes and the influence of axial ligands upon the rate of oxidation are consistent with an outer sphere mechanism that entails the dissociation of a protonated 1:1 iron porphyrin-oxygen pi complex as the rate-limiting step.", "PMID": 620003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3400", "title": "Extracellular hydrolases of the lung.", "content": "A pool of acid hydrolases exists within the acellular lining material of the alveoli and distal airways of the lungs. These extracellular hydrolases, obtained using pulmonary lavage procedures, appear to be of a selected variety insofar as some hydrolases (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and alpha-mannosidase) are highly active while others (beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase) are barely detectable. The origins of these hydrolases were investigated. Neither leakage of serum nor cell damage can account for the presence of the extracellular hydrolases in lavage effluents. Electrophoretic mobilities on acrylamide gels indicate that the extracellular hydrolases generally differ from those found in serum. Cytoplasmic soluble enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase were used to monitor cell damage and show that the extracellular hydrolases did not originate from cell leakage during the lavage procedure. Hydrolases similar to those found extracellularly are associated with highly purified lysosome-free lamellar bodies isolated from homogenates of lung. The extracellular hydrolases are probably selected by the type 2 cells of the pulmonary alveolar epithelium during their selection of lamellar bodies.", "contents": "Extracellular hydrolases of the lung. A pool of acid hydrolases exists within the acellular lining material of the alveoli and distal airways of the lungs. These extracellular hydrolases, obtained using pulmonary lavage procedures, appear to be of a selected variety insofar as some hydrolases (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and alpha-mannosidase) are highly active while others (beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase) are barely detectable. The origins of these hydrolases were investigated. Neither leakage of serum nor cell damage can account for the presence of the extracellular hydrolases in lavage effluents. Electrophoretic mobilities on acrylamide gels indicate that the extracellular hydrolases generally differ from those found in serum. Cytoplasmic soluble enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase were used to monitor cell damage and show that the extracellular hydrolases did not originate from cell leakage during the lavage procedure. Hydrolases similar to those found extracellularly are associated with highly purified lysosome-free lamellar bodies isolated from homogenates of lung. The extracellular hydrolases are probably selected by the type 2 cells of the pulmonary alveolar epithelium during their selection of lamellar bodies.", "PMID": 620005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3401", "title": "Purification and characterization of a DNA single strand specific endonculease from human cells.", "content": "An endonuclease with DNA single-strand specificity has been purified from KB cells. The enzyme has a pH optimum at 9.2, requires Mg2+ for activity, and is inhibited by mono- or divalent cations. Its sedimentation coefficient of 4.6 S is based on sucrose gradient sedimentation, and it has a molecular weight of 54 000 as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme specifically catalyzes the endonucleolytic cleavage of denatured DNA, yielding acid-soluble oligonucleotides which contain 5'-phosphoryl termini. The rate of hydrolysis of poly(dT) is approximately eightfold greater than that observed with denatured DNA, although the Km for both substrates is 1.74 X 10(-5) M. The relative rates of hydrolysis of homopolymers by the endonuclease are: poly(dG) greater than poly(dT) greater than poly(dA) greater than poly (dC). Purified enzyme preparations also hydrolyze poly(U), releasing acid-soluble products. This activity cosediments in sucrose gradients with the DNA endonuclease activity, suggesting that both activities are contained in the same enzyme molecule.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of a DNA single strand specific endonculease from human cells. An endonuclease with DNA single-strand specificity has been purified from KB cells. The enzyme has a pH optimum at 9.2, requires Mg2+ for activity, and is inhibited by mono- or divalent cations. Its sedimentation coefficient of 4.6 S is based on sucrose gradient sedimentation, and it has a molecular weight of 54 000 as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme specifically catalyzes the endonucleolytic cleavage of denatured DNA, yielding acid-soluble oligonucleotides which contain 5'-phosphoryl termini. The rate of hydrolysis of poly(dT) is approximately eightfold greater than that observed with denatured DNA, although the Km for both substrates is 1.74 X 10(-5) M. The relative rates of hydrolysis of homopolymers by the endonuclease are: poly(dG) greater than poly(dT) greater than poly(dA) greater than poly (dC). Purified enzyme preparations also hydrolyze poly(U), releasing acid-soluble products. This activity cosediments in sucrose gradients with the DNA endonuclease activity, suggesting that both activities are contained in the same enzyme molecule.", "PMID": 620006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3402", "title": "Recombination of the biologically active peptides from a tryptic digest of bovine growth hormone.", "content": "Two bovine growth hormone peptides containing residues 96 to 133 in one and a larger peptide corresponding to residues 1 to 95 and 151 to 191 linked by a disulfide bond have been recombined. Recombination was performed in 1.0 N acetic acid without and with 8 M urea and the recombined peptides were purified by gel filtration. Evidence of recombination of the peptides has been established by gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis, amino acid composition, ultraviolet absorption, circular dichroism, and intrinsic fluorescence. The molar growth promoting activity of the recombined peptides measured by tibial width assay in hypophysectomized rats was 10% that of the native hormone and greater than the sum (1%) of the growth promoting activities of the individual peptides. These studies suggest that some contribution of the larger peptide is necessary for more complete expression of the growth promoting activity of the bovine growth peptide corresponding to residues 96 to 133.", "contents": "Recombination of the biologically active peptides from a tryptic digest of bovine growth hormone. Two bovine growth hormone peptides containing residues 96 to 133 in one and a larger peptide corresponding to residues 1 to 95 and 151 to 191 linked by a disulfide bond have been recombined. Recombination was performed in 1.0 N acetic acid without and with 8 M urea and the recombined peptides were purified by gel filtration. Evidence of recombination of the peptides has been established by gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis, amino acid composition, ultraviolet absorption, circular dichroism, and intrinsic fluorescence. The molar growth promoting activity of the recombined peptides measured by tibial width assay in hypophysectomized rats was 10% that of the native hormone and greater than the sum (1%) of the growth promoting activities of the individual peptides. These studies suggest that some contribution of the larger peptide is necessary for more complete expression of the growth promoting activity of the bovine growth peptide corresponding to residues 96 to 133.", "PMID": 620007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3403", "title": "Biosynthesis of the macrolide antibiotic chlorothricin: basic building blocks.", "content": "The biosynthesis of chlorothricin (I), a macrolide antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces antibioticus T\u00fc 99, has been studied by feeding experiments with 14C- and 3H-labeled precursors. Acetate and propionate, but not methionine and mevalonate, were incorporated into the macrocylic aglycone of the antibiotic. Glucose and the various carbon atoms of tyrosine, except the carboxyl carbon, also contributed label to the aglycone. Glucose also seems to be a specific precursor of the 2-deoxyrhamnose moiety, probably via a process involving a hydrogen shift from C-4 to C-6 of the hexose. The substituted 6-methylsalicylic acid moiety seems to be derived from acetate and one O-methyl group provided by methionine; shikimic acid is not incorporated.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of the macrolide antibiotic chlorothricin: basic building blocks. The biosynthesis of chlorothricin (I), a macrolide antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces antibioticus T\u00fc 99, has been studied by feeding experiments with 14C- and 3H-labeled precursors. Acetate and propionate, but not methionine and mevalonate, were incorporated into the macrocylic aglycone of the antibiotic. Glucose and the various carbon atoms of tyrosine, except the carboxyl carbon, also contributed label to the aglycone. Glucose also seems to be a specific precursor of the 2-deoxyrhamnose moiety, probably via a process involving a hydrogen shift from C-4 to C-6 of the hexose. The substituted 6-methylsalicylic acid moiety seems to be derived from acetate and one O-methyl group provided by methionine; shikimic acid is not incorporated.", "PMID": 620008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3404", "title": "Primary photochemical processes in isolated reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas viridis.", "content": "Picosecond and nanosecond spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the primary electron transfer processes in reaction centers isolated from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Following flash excitation, the first excited singlet state (P*) of the bacteriochlorophyll complex (P) transfers an electron to an intermediate acceptor (I) in less than 20 ps. The radical pair state P+I-) subsequently transfers an electron to another acceptor (X) in about 230 ps. There is an additional step of unknown significance exhibiting 35 ps kinetics. P+ subsequently extracts an electron from a cytochrome, with a time constant of about 270 ns. At low redox potential (X reduced before the flash), the state P+I- (or PF) lives approx. 15 ns. It decays, in part, into a longer lived state (PR), which appears to be a triplet state. State PR decays with an exponential time of approx. 55 microseconds. After continuous illumination at low redox potential (I and X both reduced), excitation with an 8-ps flash produces absorption changes reflecting the formation of the first excited singlet state, P*. Most of P* then decays with a time constant of 20 ps. The spectra of the absorbance changes associated with the conversion of P to P* or P+ support the view that P involves two or more interacting bacteriochlorophylls. The absorbance changes associated with the reduction of I to I- suggest that I is a bacteriopheophytin interacting strongly with one or more bacteriochlorophylls in the reaction center.", "contents": "Primary photochemical processes in isolated reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Picosecond and nanosecond spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the primary electron transfer processes in reaction centers isolated from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Following flash excitation, the first excited singlet state (P*) of the bacteriochlorophyll complex (P) transfers an electron to an intermediate acceptor (I) in less than 20 ps. The radical pair state P+I-) subsequently transfers an electron to another acceptor (X) in about 230 ps. There is an additional step of unknown significance exhibiting 35 ps kinetics. P+ subsequently extracts an electron from a cytochrome, with a time constant of about 270 ns. At low redox potential (X reduced before the flash), the state P+I- (or PF) lives approx. 15 ns. It decays, in part, into a longer lived state (PR), which appears to be a triplet state. State PR decays with an exponential time of approx. 55 microseconds. After continuous illumination at low redox potential (I and X both reduced), excitation with an 8-ps flash produces absorption changes reflecting the formation of the first excited singlet state, P*. Most of P* then decays with a time constant of 20 ps. The spectra of the absorbance changes associated with the conversion of P to P* or P+ support the view that P involves two or more interacting bacteriochlorophylls. The absorbance changes associated with the reduction of I to I- suggest that I is a bacteriopheophytin interacting strongly with one or more bacteriochlorophylls in the reaction center.", "PMID": 620009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3405", "title": "Picosecond time-resolved study of MgCl2-induced chlorophyll fluorescence yield changes from chloroplasts.", "content": "The MgCl2-induced chlorophyll fluorescence yield changes in broken chloroplasts, suspended in a cation-free medium, treated with 3,-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and pre-illuminated, has been investigated on a pico-second time scale. Chloroplasts in the low fluorescing state showed a fluorescence decay law of the form exp --At1/2, where A was found to be 0.052 ps-1/2, and may be attributed to the rate of spillover from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. Addition of 10 mM MgCl2 produced a 50% increase in the steady-state fluorescence quantum yield and caused a marked decrease in the decay rate. The fluorescence deday law was found to be predominantly exponential with a 1/e lifetime of 1.6 ns. These results support the hypothesis that cation-induced changes in the fluorescence yield of chlorophyll are related to the variations in the rate of energy transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I, rather than to changes in the partitioning of absorbed quanta between the two systems.", "contents": "Picosecond time-resolved study of MgCl2-induced chlorophyll fluorescence yield changes from chloroplasts. The MgCl2-induced chlorophyll fluorescence yield changes in broken chloroplasts, suspended in a cation-free medium, treated with 3,-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and pre-illuminated, has been investigated on a pico-second time scale. Chloroplasts in the low fluorescing state showed a fluorescence decay law of the form exp --At1/2, where A was found to be 0.052 ps-1/2, and may be attributed to the rate of spillover from Photosystem II to Photosystem I. Addition of 10 mM MgCl2 produced a 50% increase in the steady-state fluorescence quantum yield and caused a marked decrease in the decay rate. The fluorescence deday law was found to be predominantly exponential with a 1/e lifetime of 1.6 ns. These results support the hypothesis that cation-induced changes in the fluorescence yield of chlorophyll are related to the variations in the rate of energy transfer from Photosystem II to Photosystem I, rather than to changes in the partitioning of absorbed quanta between the two systems.", "PMID": 620010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3406", "title": "Picosecond time-resolved energy transfer in Porphyridium cruentum. Part I. In the intact alga.", "content": "The wavelength-resolved fluorescence emission kinetics of the accessory pigments and chlorophyll a in Porphyridium cruentum have been studied by pico-second laser spectroscopy. Direct excitation of the pigment B-phycoerythrin with a 530 nm, 6 ps pulse produced fluorescence emission from all of the pigments as a result of energy transfer between the pigments to the reaction centre of Photosystem II. The emission from B-phycoerythrin at 576 nm follows a nonexponential decay law with a mean fluorescence lifetime of 70 ps, whereas the fluorescence from R-phycocyanin (640 nm), allophycocyanin (660 nm) and chlorophyll a (685 nm) all appeared to follow an exponential decay law with lifetimes of 90 ps, 118 ps and 175 ps respectively. Upon closure of the Photosystem II reaction centres with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and preillumination the chlorophyll a decay became non-exponential, having a long component with an apparent lifetime of 840 ps. The fluorescence from the latter three pigments all showed finite risetimes to the maximum emission intensity of 12 ps for R-phycocyanin, 24 ps for allophycocyanin and 50 ps for chlorophyll a. A kinetic analysis of these results indicates that energy transfer between the pigments is at least 99% efficient and is governed by an exp --At1/2 transfer function. The apparent exponential behaviour of the fluorescence decay functions of the latter three pigments is shown to be a direct result of the energy transfer kinetics, as are the observed risetimes in the fluorescence emissions.", "contents": "Picosecond time-resolved energy transfer in Porphyridium cruentum. Part I. In the intact alga. The wavelength-resolved fluorescence emission kinetics of the accessory pigments and chlorophyll a in Porphyridium cruentum have been studied by pico-second laser spectroscopy. Direct excitation of the pigment B-phycoerythrin with a 530 nm, 6 ps pulse produced fluorescence emission from all of the pigments as a result of energy transfer between the pigments to the reaction centre of Photosystem II. The emission from B-phycoerythrin at 576 nm follows a nonexponential decay law with a mean fluorescence lifetime of 70 ps, whereas the fluorescence from R-phycocyanin (640 nm), allophycocyanin (660 nm) and chlorophyll a (685 nm) all appeared to follow an exponential decay law with lifetimes of 90 ps, 118 ps and 175 ps respectively. Upon closure of the Photosystem II reaction centres with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and preillumination the chlorophyll a decay became non-exponential, having a long component with an apparent lifetime of 840 ps. The fluorescence from the latter three pigments all showed finite risetimes to the maximum emission intensity of 12 ps for R-phycocyanin, 24 ps for allophycocyanin and 50 ps for chlorophyll a. A kinetic analysis of these results indicates that energy transfer between the pigments is at least 99% efficient and is governed by an exp --At1/2 transfer function. The apparent exponential behaviour of the fluorescence decay functions of the latter three pigments is shown to be a direct result of the energy transfer kinetics, as are the observed risetimes in the fluorescence emissions.", "PMID": 620014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3407", "title": "Picosecond time-resolved energy transfer in Porphyridium cruentum. Part II. In the isolated light harvesting complex (phycobilisomes).", "content": "The transfer of excitation energy between phycobiliproteins in isolated phycobilisomes has been observed on a picosecond time scale. The photon density of the excitation pulse has been carefully varied so as to control the level of exciton interactions induced in the pigment bed. The 530 nm light pulse is absorbed predominantly by B-phycoerythrin, and the fluorescence of this component rises within the pulse duration and shows a mean 1/e decay time of 70 ps. The main emission band, centred at 672 nm, is due to allophycocyanin and is prominent because of the absence of energy transfer to chlorophyll. Energy transfer to this pigment from B-phycoerythrin via R-phycocyanin produces a risetime of 120 ps to the fluorescence maximum. The lifetime of the allophycocyanin fluorescence is found to be about 4 ns using excitation pulses of low photon densities (10(13) photons.cm-2), but decreases to about 2 ns at higher photon densities. The relative quantum yield of the allophycocyanin fluorescence decreases almost 10 fold over the range of laser pulse intensities, 10(13)--10(16) photons-cm-2. Fluorescence quenching by exciton-exciton annihilation is only observed in allophycocyanin and could be a consequence of the long lifetime of the single exciton in this pigment.", "contents": "Picosecond time-resolved energy transfer in Porphyridium cruentum. Part II. In the isolated light harvesting complex (phycobilisomes). The transfer of excitation energy between phycobiliproteins in isolated phycobilisomes has been observed on a picosecond time scale. The photon density of the excitation pulse has been carefully varied so as to control the level of exciton interactions induced in the pigment bed. The 530 nm light pulse is absorbed predominantly by B-phycoerythrin, and the fluorescence of this component rises within the pulse duration and shows a mean 1/e decay time of 70 ps. The main emission band, centred at 672 nm, is due to allophycocyanin and is prominent because of the absence of energy transfer to chlorophyll. Energy transfer to this pigment from B-phycoerythrin via R-phycocyanin produces a risetime of 120 ps to the fluorescence maximum. The lifetime of the allophycocyanin fluorescence is found to be about 4 ns using excitation pulses of low photon densities (10(13) photons.cm-2), but decreases to about 2 ns at higher photon densities. The relative quantum yield of the allophycocyanin fluorescence decreases almost 10 fold over the range of laser pulse intensities, 10(13)--10(16) photons-cm-2. Fluorescence quenching by exciton-exciton annihilation is only observed in allophycocyanin and could be a consequence of the long lifetime of the single exciton in this pigment.", "PMID": 620015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3408", "title": "On the rate-limiting step in the transfer of long-chain acyl groups across the inner membrane of brown adipose tissue mitochondria.", "content": "Brown adipose tissue mitochondria predominantly oxidize fatty acids in order to generate heat for non-shivering thermogenesis, and have an unusually high capacity for net transfer of long-chain fatty acyl groups from the outer to the inner (matrix) compartment. The activities of the \"outer\" and \"inner\" carnitine long-chain acyltransferases have been estimated in isolated mitochondria of cold-acclimated guinea pits by the continuous spectrophotometric recording of the redox level of flavoproteins in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase pathway. This redox level is determined by the intramitochondrial content of acyl-CoA under the selected experimental conditions. The apparent initial rate of the \"inner\" acyltransferase (palmitoyl-L-carnitine added) is three order of magnitudes higher than the \"outer\" acyltransferase (palmitoyl-CoA added), and this difference is not influenced by the substrate concentration, pH and reaction temperature. Thus, the \"outer\" acyltransferase reaction is rate limiting in the transfer of long-chain acyl groups across the inner membrane of these mitochondria and catalyzes a non-equilibrium reaction in the intact organelle. Estimates of the absolute rate of the \"outer\" long-chain acyltransferase indicate that it exceeds that of rat liver mitochondria by a factor of 20.", "contents": "On the rate-limiting step in the transfer of long-chain acyl groups across the inner membrane of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Brown adipose tissue mitochondria predominantly oxidize fatty acids in order to generate heat for non-shivering thermogenesis, and have an unusually high capacity for net transfer of long-chain fatty acyl groups from the outer to the inner (matrix) compartment. The activities of the \"outer\" and \"inner\" carnitine long-chain acyltransferases have been estimated in isolated mitochondria of cold-acclimated guinea pits by the continuous spectrophotometric recording of the redox level of flavoproteins in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase pathway. This redox level is determined by the intramitochondrial content of acyl-CoA under the selected experimental conditions. The apparent initial rate of the \"inner\" acyltransferase (palmitoyl-L-carnitine added) is three order of magnitudes higher than the \"outer\" acyltransferase (palmitoyl-CoA added), and this difference is not influenced by the substrate concentration, pH and reaction temperature. Thus, the \"outer\" acyltransferase reaction is rate limiting in the transfer of long-chain acyl groups across the inner membrane of these mitochondria and catalyzes a non-equilibrium reaction in the intact organelle. Estimates of the absolute rate of the \"outer\" long-chain acyltransferase indicate that it exceeds that of rat liver mitochondria by a factor of 20.", "PMID": 620016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3409", "title": "Proton electrochemical gradient and rate of controlled respiration in mitochondria.", "content": "The correlation between deltamuH, the proton electrochemical potential difference, and the rate of controlled respiration is analyzed. deltamuH (the proton concentration gradient) is measured on the distribution of [3H]acetate, and deltapsi (the membrane potential) on the distribution of 86Rb+, 45Ca2+ and [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium used either alone or simultaneously. The effects of the addition of ADP + hexokinase (state-3 ADP) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (state-3 uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than ADP at equivalent respiratory rates. The effects of the additions of nigericin-valinomycin and of ionophore A23187 (state-3 cation transport) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (state 3-uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are also not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than A23187 and nigericin + valinomycin at equivalent respiratory rate. A23187 is very efficient in stimulating respiration with negligible deltamuH changes.", "contents": "Proton electrochemical gradient and rate of controlled respiration in mitochondria. The correlation between deltamuH, the proton electrochemical potential difference, and the rate of controlled respiration is analyzed. deltamuH (the proton concentration gradient) is measured on the distribution of [3H]acetate, and deltapsi (the membrane potential) on the distribution of 86Rb+, 45Ca2+ and [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium used either alone or simultaneously. The effects of the addition of ADP + hexokinase (state-3 ADP) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (state-3 uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than ADP at equivalent respiratory rates. The effects of the additions of nigericin-valinomycin and of ionophore A23187 (state-3 cation transport) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (state 3-uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are also not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than A23187 and nigericin + valinomycin at equivalent respiratory rate. A23187 is very efficient in stimulating respiration with negligible deltamuH changes.", "PMID": 620017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3410", "title": "Proton electrochemical gradient and phosphate potential in mitochondria.", "content": "The paper reports an analysis of the relationship between deltamuH the proton electrochemical potential difference, and deltaGp, the phosphate potential. Depression of deltamuH and deltaGp has been obtained by titration with: (a) carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; (b) nigericin (+ valinomycin); (c) KCl (+ valinomycin); and (d) rotenone. The uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than nigericin (+ valinomycin), KCl (+ valinomycin) and rotenone at equivalent deltaGp. The deltaGp/deltamuH ratio is about 3 at high values of deltamuH. When deltaGp and deltamuH are depressed by nigericin (4 valinomycin) the deltaGp/deltamuH ratio remains constant. When deltaGp and deltamuH are depressed by uncouplers, the deltaGp/deltamuH ratio increases hyperbolically tending to infinity while deltamuH tends to zero. The absence of constant proportionality between deltaGp and deltamuH indicates that the proton gradients driving ATP synthesis presumably operate within microscopic environments.", "contents": "Proton electrochemical gradient and phosphate potential in mitochondria. The paper reports an analysis of the relationship between deltamuH the proton electrochemical potential difference, and deltaGp, the phosphate potential. Depression of deltamuH and deltaGp has been obtained by titration with: (a) carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; (b) nigericin (+ valinomycin); (c) KCl (+ valinomycin); and (d) rotenone. The uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than nigericin (+ valinomycin), KCl (+ valinomycin) and rotenone at equivalent deltaGp. The deltaGp/deltamuH ratio is about 3 at high values of deltamuH. When deltaGp and deltamuH are depressed by nigericin (4 valinomycin) the deltaGp/deltamuH ratio remains constant. When deltaGp and deltamuH are depressed by uncouplers, the deltaGp/deltamuH ratio increases hyperbolically tending to infinity while deltamuH tends to zero. The absence of constant proportionality between deltaGp and deltamuH indicates that the proton gradients driving ATP synthesis presumably operate within microscopic environments.", "PMID": 620018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3411", "title": "Galactose transport in human erythrocytes. The transport mechanism is resolved into two simple asymmetric antiparallel carriers.", "content": "The kinetic properties of the mediated transport of galactose in human erythrocytes are investigated at 20 degrees C. Different methodological procedures are used to acquire a complete kinetic description of the system. Under zero-trans conditions the uptake of galactose is mediated by two distinctly different carriers (defined as alpha and beta) having significantly different Mic;aelis parameters: alpha K = 12.7 mM and beta K = 81.5 mM, but similar maximal velocities, approx. 40 nM.min-1. The zero-trans efflux procedure reveals apparently one single carrier with K = 74.4 mM and V = 241 mM.min-1. Under equilibrium-exchange conditions the galactose transport is mediated apparently by a single site with K = 146 mM and V = 521 mM.min-1. The data for the alpha-carrier are analyzed in terms of the simple carrier model as formulated by Lieb and Stein (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1974) 373, 178). Application of several rejection criteria for the simple carrier failed to indicate lack of fitness of the alpha-carrier to a simple asymmetric carrier. From the analysis of the kinetic data it is inferred that the transport of galactose across the human erythrocyte membrane is mediated by two simple asymmetric carriers operating in antiparallel fashion. Using this model and the data of zero-trans and equilibrium-exchange, it is shown that the predicted half-saturation constants for both uptake and efflux in infinite-cis conditions fully agree with the experimentally derived values. Further analysis of the kinetic data indicate that the translocation of the unloaded alpha-carrier is the rate-limiting step in galactose uptake. Under equilibrium-exchange conditions the unloaded carrier is asymmetrically distributed across the membrane so that its concentration is 8 times higher on the inner side of the membrane. Using the value of 3.3.10(5) hexose carriers per cell, the turnover number of galactose exchange is 6.5.10(4) molecules/carriers per min.", "contents": "Galactose transport in human erythrocytes. The transport mechanism is resolved into two simple asymmetric antiparallel carriers. The kinetic properties of the mediated transport of galactose in human erythrocytes are investigated at 20 degrees C. Different methodological procedures are used to acquire a complete kinetic description of the system. Under zero-trans conditions the uptake of galactose is mediated by two distinctly different carriers (defined as alpha and beta) having significantly different Mic;aelis parameters: alpha K = 12.7 mM and beta K = 81.5 mM, but similar maximal velocities, approx. 40 nM.min-1. The zero-trans efflux procedure reveals apparently one single carrier with K = 74.4 mM and V = 241 mM.min-1. Under equilibrium-exchange conditions the galactose transport is mediated apparently by a single site with K = 146 mM and V = 521 mM.min-1. The data for the alpha-carrier are analyzed in terms of the simple carrier model as formulated by Lieb and Stein (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1974) 373, 178). Application of several rejection criteria for the simple carrier failed to indicate lack of fitness of the alpha-carrier to a simple asymmetric carrier. From the analysis of the kinetic data it is inferred that the transport of galactose across the human erythrocyte membrane is mediated by two simple asymmetric carriers operating in antiparallel fashion. Using this model and the data of zero-trans and equilibrium-exchange, it is shown that the predicted half-saturation constants for both uptake and efflux in infinite-cis conditions fully agree with the experimentally derived values. Further analysis of the kinetic data indicate that the translocation of the unloaded alpha-carrier is the rate-limiting step in galactose uptake. Under equilibrium-exchange conditions the unloaded carrier is asymmetrically distributed across the membrane so that its concentration is 8 times higher on the inner side of the membrane. Using the value of 3.3.10(5) hexose carriers per cell, the turnover number of galactose exchange is 6.5.10(4) molecules/carriers per min.", "PMID": 620020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3412", "title": "A modified procedure for the rapid preparation of efficiently transporting vesicles from small intestinal brush border membranes. Their use in investigating some properties of D-glucose and choline transport systems.", "content": "We have worked out a simplification of the procedure described by Schmitz et al. (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1973) 323, 98--112) for the preparation of brush border membranes from small intestine. The procedure ultimately adopted is simple, rapid, does not necessarily require scraping and can be started from fresh or frozen material. It can be scaled up easily, allowing a quick production of large amounts of brush border membrane vesicles. These vesicles prove to be excellently suited for transport studies, as suggested by our measurements of D-glucose transport. Using these vesicles, the mode of choline transport across the brush border membrane was also investigated. Choline transport was found to occur by a saturable component with a Km of 83 +/- 4 micrometer (at 20 degrees C) and by a non-saturable component. It is independent of the presence of Na+ and appears to be non-electrogenic.", "contents": "A modified procedure for the rapid preparation of efficiently transporting vesicles from small intestinal brush border membranes. Their use in investigating some properties of D-glucose and choline transport systems. We have worked out a simplification of the procedure described by Schmitz et al. (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1973) 323, 98--112) for the preparation of brush border membranes from small intestine. The procedure ultimately adopted is simple, rapid, does not necessarily require scraping and can be started from fresh or frozen material. It can be scaled up easily, allowing a quick production of large amounts of brush border membrane vesicles. These vesicles prove to be excellently suited for transport studies, as suggested by our measurements of D-glucose transport. Using these vesicles, the mode of choline transport across the brush border membrane was also investigated. Choline transport was found to occur by a saturable component with a Km of 83 +/- 4 micrometer (at 20 degrees C) and by a non-saturable component. It is independent of the presence of Na+ and appears to be non-electrogenic.", "PMID": 620021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3413", "title": "Non-isothermal potential of phospholipid bilayer films.", "content": "The thermal electrical potential generated in isochemical conditions by a temperature gradient at the two sides of lipid bilayer leaflets is measured. The experimental results agree rather well with the theoretical predictions. The cephaline (from sheep brain) bilayer behaves like a film with zero charge while the phosphatidylcholine (from egg yolk) film performs like a charged membrane. The results presented suggest that the measurement of electrical thermal potential is an interesting method to investigate the electrical behaviour of bilayer membranes.", "contents": "Non-isothermal potential of phospholipid bilayer films. The thermal electrical potential generated in isochemical conditions by a temperature gradient at the two sides of lipid bilayer leaflets is measured. The experimental results agree rather well with the theoretical predictions. The cephaline (from sheep brain) bilayer behaves like a film with zero charge while the phosphatidylcholine (from egg yolk) film performs like a charged membrane. The results presented suggest that the measurement of electrical thermal potential is an interesting method to investigate the electrical behaviour of bilayer membranes.", "PMID": 620022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3414", "title": "Coupling polylysine to glass beads for plasma membrane isolation.", "content": "Solid glass beads for use in isolating cell membranes were coated with a stable, covalently attached layer of polylysine. The optimal conditions for coating the bead surface were established and the beads were tested by measuring the attachment of human erythrocyte plasma membranes. When compared to other beads, such as those with absorbed polylysine or protamine, none retained red-cell membranes as well as glass beads with covalently linked polylysine.", "contents": "Coupling polylysine to glass beads for plasma membrane isolation. Solid glass beads for use in isolating cell membranes were coated with a stable, covalently attached layer of polylysine. The optimal conditions for coating the bead surface were established and the beads were tested by measuring the attachment of human erythrocyte plasma membranes. When compared to other beads, such as those with absorbed polylysine or protamine, none retained red-cell membranes as well as glass beads with covalently linked polylysine.", "PMID": 620023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3415", "title": "Membrane isolation on polylysine-coated glass beads. Asymmetry of bound membrane.", "content": "Erythrocyte membranes isolated on polylysine-coated glass beads exhibit many of the properties of the native membrane. Gel electrophoresis indicates that all major protein components of the membrane are retained during membrane isolation. The membrane integrity and accessibility of selected components was tested using non-penetrating probes. In general, membranes on beads displayed accessibility properties typical of inside-out vesicles. The accessibility of membrane acetylcholinesterase to assay reagents, as well as membrane accessibility to the actions of neuraminidase, trypsin and galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 demonstrated that the protoplasmic surface of membrane isolated on beads was exposed, while the extracellular surface was inaccessible. The differential accessibility of the membrane surfaces demonstrates the feasibility of investigating asymmetry of membranes isolated on cationic glass beads.", "contents": "Membrane isolation on polylysine-coated glass beads. Asymmetry of bound membrane. Erythrocyte membranes isolated on polylysine-coated glass beads exhibit many of the properties of the native membrane. Gel electrophoresis indicates that all major protein components of the membrane are retained during membrane isolation. The membrane integrity and accessibility of selected components was tested using non-penetrating probes. In general, membranes on beads displayed accessibility properties typical of inside-out vesicles. The accessibility of membrane acetylcholinesterase to assay reagents, as well as membrane accessibility to the actions of neuraminidase, trypsin and galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 demonstrated that the protoplasmic surface of membrane isolated on beads was exposed, while the extracellular surface was inaccessible. The differential accessibility of the membrane surfaces demonstrates the feasibility of investigating asymmetry of membranes isolated on cationic glass beads.", "PMID": 620024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3416", "title": "Interactions of acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase with lipid monolayers.", "content": "The interaction of acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase with lipid monolayers was followed by measuring changes in surface pressure. When injected into the subphase of a lipid monolayer, the proteins caused increases in surface pressure from 5 to 10 dynes/cm, indicating a penetration of protein into the monolayer. At pH values below the isoelectric point of the proteins the incorporation was improved. The same was observed when Ca2+ (2mM) was added. The presence of the enzyme in the mixed film could be demonstrated by using diiso [3H] propyl fluorophosphate-labelled acetylcholinesterase as well as by measuring enzyme activity. Acetylcholine receptor was shown to be present in the mixed film by using a complex made of the receptor and alpha-[3H]neurotoxin.", "contents": "Interactions of acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase with lipid monolayers. The interaction of acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase with lipid monolayers was followed by measuring changes in surface pressure. When injected into the subphase of a lipid monolayer, the proteins caused increases in surface pressure from 5 to 10 dynes/cm, indicating a penetration of protein into the monolayer. At pH values below the isoelectric point of the proteins the incorporation was improved. The same was observed when Ca2+ (2mM) was added. The presence of the enzyme in the mixed film could be demonstrated by using diiso [3H] propyl fluorophosphate-labelled acetylcholinesterase as well as by measuring enzyme activity. Acetylcholine receptor was shown to be present in the mixed film by using a complex made of the receptor and alpha-[3H]neurotoxin.", "PMID": 620025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3417", "title": "13C NMR studies on [4-13C] cholesterol incorporated in sonicated phosphatidylcholine vesicles.", "content": "1. 90.5 MHz 13C NMR linewidth measurements were performed on mixed sonicated [4-13C] cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine vesicles of different fatty acid composition. 2. From the Dy3+ -induced shift of the C4 resonance of cholesterol it suggested that this part of the molecule is localized in the ester bond region of the bilayer. 3. The local motion of the cholesterol ring system is restricted and independent of fatty acid composition. 4. At cholesterol concentrations below 30 mol percent the ring system becomes more immobilised when the fatty acids of the phosphatidylcholine molecules enter the gel state.", "contents": "13C NMR studies on [4-13C] cholesterol incorporated in sonicated phosphatidylcholine vesicles. 1. 90.5 MHz 13C NMR linewidth measurements were performed on mixed sonicated [4-13C] cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine vesicles of different fatty acid composition. 2. From the Dy3+ -induced shift of the C4 resonance of cholesterol it suggested that this part of the molecule is localized in the ester bond region of the bilayer. 3. The local motion of the cholesterol ring system is restricted and independent of fatty acid composition. 4. At cholesterol concentrations below 30 mol percent the ring system becomes more immobilised when the fatty acids of the phosphatidylcholine molecules enter the gel state.", "PMID": 620026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3418", "title": "Phase transitions in phospholipid model membranes of different curvature.", "content": "1. Nuclear magnetic resonance, light scattering and freeze fracturing electron microscopic techniques were used to characterize the size of unilamellar phospholipid vesicles of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 2. Differential scanning calorimetric and light scattering analyses showed that very small unilamellar vesicles obtained by the sonication method exhibit a downward shifted, largely broadened phase transition with a slightly decreased enthalpy change when compared with multilayered liposomes. 3. The phase transition of vesicles with variable diameter as obtained by injection methods resembled the pattern of multilayered liposomes the more the diameter was increased. 4. Repeated cycling through the lipid phase transition was shown to have a progressive effect on a fusion process. This effect was strongly increased when the osmolarity of the medium was enhanced (e.g. by the addition of cryoprotectors). Furthermore it was shown that ice-water of the systems caused abrupt fusion of the lipid structures. 5. Controversial results in the literature on the thermotropic behavior of vesicles could be explained in terms of these fusion processes.", "contents": "Phase transitions in phospholipid model membranes of different curvature. 1. Nuclear magnetic resonance, light scattering and freeze fracturing electron microscopic techniques were used to characterize the size of unilamellar phospholipid vesicles of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 2. Differential scanning calorimetric and light scattering analyses showed that very small unilamellar vesicles obtained by the sonication method exhibit a downward shifted, largely broadened phase transition with a slightly decreased enthalpy change when compared with multilayered liposomes. 3. The phase transition of vesicles with variable diameter as obtained by injection methods resembled the pattern of multilayered liposomes the more the diameter was increased. 4. Repeated cycling through the lipid phase transition was shown to have a progressive effect on a fusion process. This effect was strongly increased when the osmolarity of the medium was enhanced (e.g. by the addition of cryoprotectors). Furthermore it was shown that ice-water of the systems caused abrupt fusion of the lipid structures. 5. Controversial results in the literature on the thermotropic behavior of vesicles could be explained in terms of these fusion processes.", "PMID": 620027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3419", "title": "Use of deuterated phospholipids in Raman spectroscopic studies of membrane structure. I. Multilayers of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (and its -d54 derivative) with distearoyl phosphatidylcholine.", "content": "The temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum has been studied for binary phospholipid mixtures of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (and its chain deuterated -d54 derivative) with distearoyl phosphatidylcholine. Two distinct melting regions are observed for the 1 : 1 mole ratio mixture. The use of deuterated phospholipid permits the identification of the lower (approximately 22 degrees C) transition with primarily the melting of the shorter chain component, and the higher (approximately 47 degrees C) transition primarily with the melting of the longer chains. The C-H stretching vibrations of the distearoyl component respond to the melting of the dimyristoyl component, an apparent consequence of alterations in the lateral interactions of the distearoyl chains. These changes in the C-H spectral region suggest that phase separation does not occur in the gel state for this system. The results are in reasonable accord with recent calorimetric studies (Mabrey, S. and Sturtevant, J.M. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 73, 3862-3866). The feasibility of using deuterated phospholipids to monitor the conformation of each component in a binary phospholipid mixture is demonstrated.", "contents": "Use of deuterated phospholipids in Raman spectroscopic studies of membrane structure. I. Multilayers of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (and its -d54 derivative) with distearoyl phosphatidylcholine. The temperature dependence of the Raman spectrum has been studied for binary phospholipid mixtures of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (and its chain deuterated -d54 derivative) with distearoyl phosphatidylcholine. Two distinct melting regions are observed for the 1 : 1 mole ratio mixture. The use of deuterated phospholipid permits the identification of the lower (approximately 22 degrees C) transition with primarily the melting of the shorter chain component, and the higher (approximately 47 degrees C) transition primarily with the melting of the longer chains. The C-H stretching vibrations of the distearoyl component respond to the melting of the dimyristoyl component, an apparent consequence of alterations in the lateral interactions of the distearoyl chains. These changes in the C-H spectral region suggest that phase separation does not occur in the gel state for this system. The results are in reasonable accord with recent calorimetric studies (Mabrey, S. and Sturtevant, J.M. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 73, 3862-3866). The feasibility of using deuterated phospholipids to monitor the conformation of each component in a binary phospholipid mixture is demonstrated.", "PMID": 620028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3420", "title": "Inhibition of protein phosphorylation and induction of protein cross-linking in erythrocyte membranes by diamide.", "content": "This report presents studies on the effect of diamide on protein phosphorylation in erythrocyte membranes. Diamide, a thiol-oxidizing reagent, nonspecifically inhibits cyclic Amp-dependent and -independent autophosphorylation of red cell memvranes, but not the activity of the solubilized membrane cycle AMP-independent protein kinases. Analysis of diamide-treated membranes by gel electrophoresis indicates that diamide is capable of inducing cross-linking of membrane proteins. The action of diamide, both in the inhibition of membrane autophosphorylation and in the cross-linking of membrane proteins, is very similar to that of Cu2+. o-phenanthroline complex. Our data indicate that diamide inhibits erythrocyte membrane autophosphorylation by perturbing the protein substrates.", "contents": "Inhibition of protein phosphorylation and induction of protein cross-linking in erythrocyte membranes by diamide. This report presents studies on the effect of diamide on protein phosphorylation in erythrocyte membranes. Diamide, a thiol-oxidizing reagent, nonspecifically inhibits cyclic Amp-dependent and -independent autophosphorylation of red cell memvranes, but not the activity of the solubilized membrane cycle AMP-independent protein kinases. Analysis of diamide-treated membranes by gel electrophoresis indicates that diamide is capable of inducing cross-linking of membrane proteins. The action of diamide, both in the inhibition of membrane autophosphorylation and in the cross-linking of membrane proteins, is very similar to that of Cu2+. o-phenanthroline complex. Our data indicate that diamide inhibits erythrocyte membrane autophosphorylation by perturbing the protein substrates.", "PMID": 620030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3421", "title": "Factors affecting the relative magnitudes of the ouabain-sensitive and the ouabain-insensitive fluxes of thallium ion in erythrocytes.", "content": "A maximal rate of the ouabain-sensitive 204-Tl influx in human erythrocytes can be attained at trace concentrations of Tl+ in Mg2+ isotonic media free of K+ and Na+. The maximal influx of Tl+ from isotonic Mg(NO3)2 at 20 degrees C and pH 7.4 was 0.45 mM.l(-1).h-1 with a Km of 0.025 mM. In contrast to the active influx of Tl+, the passive Tl+ fluxes were neither saturated nor influenced by external cations in the range of concentrations of Tl+ and K+ studied. The rate constants of Tl+ passive fluxes in human and cat erythrocytes can be related to pH by the equation log kin(OUT)= -A + B.pH, where A and B are empirical constants for particular conditions. The apparent activation energy was 16 and 11 kcal/mol in sulphate and nitrate media, respectively. Tl+ and the alkali metal cations seem to overcome a common barrier in the erythrocyte membrane. Nevertheless, the rate of the passive penetration of Tl+ is about two orders of magnitude faster than those of K+ or Rb+. An extra non-Coulombic interaction between Tl+ and membrane ligands appears to be involved providing an accumulation of Tl+ somewhere in the vicinity of the membrane barrier and increasing the diffusion fluxes of Tl+ in both directions.", "contents": "Factors affecting the relative magnitudes of the ouabain-sensitive and the ouabain-insensitive fluxes of thallium ion in erythrocytes. A maximal rate of the ouabain-sensitive 204-Tl influx in human erythrocytes can be attained at trace concentrations of Tl+ in Mg2+ isotonic media free of K+ and Na+. The maximal influx of Tl+ from isotonic Mg(NO3)2 at 20 degrees C and pH 7.4 was 0.45 mM.l(-1).h-1 with a Km of 0.025 mM. In contrast to the active influx of Tl+, the passive Tl+ fluxes were neither saturated nor influenced by external cations in the range of concentrations of Tl+ and K+ studied. The rate constants of Tl+ passive fluxes in human and cat erythrocytes can be related to pH by the equation log kin(OUT)= -A + B.pH, where A and B are empirical constants for particular conditions. The apparent activation energy was 16 and 11 kcal/mol in sulphate and nitrate media, respectively. Tl+ and the alkali metal cations seem to overcome a common barrier in the erythrocyte membrane. Nevertheless, the rate of the passive penetration of Tl+ is about two orders of magnitude faster than those of K+ or Rb+. An extra non-Coulombic interaction between Tl+ and membrane ligands appears to be involved providing an accumulation of Tl+ somewhere in the vicinity of the membrane barrier and increasing the diffusion fluxes of Tl+ in both directions.", "PMID": 620031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3422", "title": "Transbilayer movement of cholesterol in phospholipid vesicles under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions.", "content": "1. The exchange of [3H] cholesterol between phospholipid: cholesterol vesicles and an excess of red cell ghosts is examined. 2. Using a number of different phophatidylcholines, only the cholesterol thought to be associated with the outer half of the bilayer (about 70 percent) is available for exchange, suggesting that at least at equilibrium the transbilayer movement of cholesterol or \"flip-flop\", occurs very slowly, if it occurs at all. 3. The rate of exchange of cholesterol between the vesicles and the ghosts is dependent on the nature of the fatty acid chain of the phospholipids, being a function of both the fatty acid chain length and the degree of unsaturation. 4. Under non-equilibrium conditions, when cholesterol is being both exchanged and depleted from the lipid vesicles to red cell ghosts, the previously non-exchangeable vesicle cholesterol becomes available for exchange, suggesting that under these conditions \"flip-flop\" can occur.", "contents": "Transbilayer movement of cholesterol in phospholipid vesicles under equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. 1. The exchange of [3H] cholesterol between phospholipid: cholesterol vesicles and an excess of red cell ghosts is examined. 2. Using a number of different phophatidylcholines, only the cholesterol thought to be associated with the outer half of the bilayer (about 70 percent) is available for exchange, suggesting that at least at equilibrium the transbilayer movement of cholesterol or \"flip-flop\", occurs very slowly, if it occurs at all. 3. The rate of exchange of cholesterol between the vesicles and the ghosts is dependent on the nature of the fatty acid chain of the phospholipids, being a function of both the fatty acid chain length and the degree of unsaturation. 4. Under non-equilibrium conditions, when cholesterol is being both exchanged and depleted from the lipid vesicles to red cell ghosts, the previously non-exchangeable vesicle cholesterol becomes available for exchange, suggesting that under these conditions \"flip-flop\" can occur.", "PMID": 620032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3423", "title": "Specificity of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to phosphatidylserine vesicles and resultant phase changes of bilayer membrane structure.", "content": "Differences in the interaction of Ca2+ and Mg2+ with phosphatidylserine vesicles were revealed by binding studies, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The two cations produced structurally different complexes with phosphatidylserine as evidenced by phase transition characteristics, lamellar spacings, and hydrocarbon packing. Ca2+ effectively completes with Mg2+ for phosphatidylserine binding sites. Analysis of the binding data showed that Ca2+ had a ten-fold greater intrinsic binding constant for phosphatidylserine.", "contents": "Specificity of Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to phosphatidylserine vesicles and resultant phase changes of bilayer membrane structure. Differences in the interaction of Ca2+ and Mg2+ with phosphatidylserine vesicles were revealed by binding studies, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The two cations produced structurally different complexes with phosphatidylserine as evidenced by phase transition characteristics, lamellar spacings, and hydrocarbon packing. Ca2+ effectively completes with Mg2+ for phosphatidylserine binding sites. Analysis of the binding data showed that Ca2+ had a ten-fold greater intrinsic binding constant for phosphatidylserine.", "PMID": 620034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3424", "title": "Association of glycolytic enzymes with particulate fractions from nerve endings.", "content": "Several glycolytic enzymes were observed to have between 40-90% of their activities associated with the particulate fractions of lysed nerve endings. The enzymes showing high particulate activity in lysed nerve endings were hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1), aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13), glucosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9), phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12), pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) and lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.27). With the exception of phosphofructokinase, 80% or more of the particle associated activity of each enzyme was solubilized by salt treatment indicating the association with particles was ionic. Sub-fractionation of lysed nerve endings showed hexokinase and fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) had the highest specific activity in the same fractions which is consistent with observations indicating that hexokinase is associated with mitochondria. The other glycolytic zymes having high particulate activity, aldolase, glucosephosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, showed enrichment in fractions containing synaptosomal membranes, i.e. the fractions having highest specific activity of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3).", "contents": "Association of glycolytic enzymes with particulate fractions from nerve endings. Several glycolytic enzymes were observed to have between 40-90% of their activities associated with the particulate fractions of lysed nerve endings. The enzymes showing high particulate activity in lysed nerve endings were hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1), aldolase (EC 4.1.2.13), glucosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9), phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12), pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40) and lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.27). With the exception of phosphofructokinase, 80% or more of the particle associated activity of each enzyme was solubilized by salt treatment indicating the association with particles was ionic. Sub-fractionation of lysed nerve endings showed hexokinase and fumarase (EC 4.2.1.2) had the highest specific activity in the same fractions which is consistent with observations indicating that hexokinase is associated with mitochondria. The other glycolytic zymes having high particulate activity, aldolase, glucosephosphate isomerase, phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, showed enrichment in fractions containing synaptosomal membranes, i.e. the fractions having highest specific activity of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3).", "PMID": 620035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3425", "title": "Purification of two forms of the associated 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase and shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase in Phaseolus mungo seedlings.", "content": "Two associated enzymes, 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase (EC 4.2.1.10) and shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.25), have been purified from Phaseolus mungo seedlings. These enzymes were purified 6900- and 9700-fold, respectively, but they were not separable. Moreover, two activity bands of the shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase were detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the two peaks also have 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase activity. The two forms of the associated enzymes showed only small differences in molecular weight, Km value, pH optimum and the responses to some inhibitors.", "contents": "Purification of two forms of the associated 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase and shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase in Phaseolus mungo seedlings. Two associated enzymes, 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase (EC 4.2.1.10) and shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.25), have been purified from Phaseolus mungo seedlings. These enzymes were purified 6900- and 9700-fold, respectively, but they were not separable. Moreover, two activity bands of the shikimate:NADP+ oxidoreductase were detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the two peaks also have 3-dehydroquinate hydro-lyase activity. The two forms of the associated enzymes showed only small differences in molecular weight, Km value, pH optimum and the responses to some inhibitors.", "PMID": 620036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3426", "title": "Interaction of methylchymotrypsin with Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor.", "content": "The effect of methylation of histidine-57 of alpha-chymotrypsin with Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor was examined. Methylchymotrypsin was isolated by affinity chromatography on inhibitor-Sepharose, and the interaction of this inactive enzyme with inhibitor was quantitatively analyzed by two different methods: the spectrophotometric titration of difference spectrum resulted in the complex formation and the application of competitive enzyme assay by using substrates of large Km values. The former method gave values of 8.6 . 10(-6) M as dissociation constant (Kd) of methylchymotrypsin . inhibitor complex and 0.91 as the number of binding sites (n) per inhibitor monomer, both of which were almost equivalent to those for native enzyme . inhibitor complex. By the latter novel method, values of 7.9 . 10(-6) M and 1.08 were obtained for Kd and n, respectively, for interaction of inhibitor with alpha-chymotrypsin, and 8 . 10(-6) M as Kd for methylchymotrypsin . inhibitor complex. These results indicate that methylation of histidine-57 of active site in alpha-chymotrypsin molecule does not affect essentially the binding ability to inhibitor and the modified enzyme binds stoichiometrically to inhibitor, as the native enzyme does, with a molar ratio of 1:1 per inhibitor monomer.", "contents": "Interaction of methylchymotrypsin with Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor. The effect of methylation of histidine-57 of alpha-chymotrypsin with Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor was examined. Methylchymotrypsin was isolated by affinity chromatography on inhibitor-Sepharose, and the interaction of this inactive enzyme with inhibitor was quantitatively analyzed by two different methods: the spectrophotometric titration of difference spectrum resulted in the complex formation and the application of competitive enzyme assay by using substrates of large Km values. The former method gave values of 8.6 . 10(-6) M as dissociation constant (Kd) of methylchymotrypsin . inhibitor complex and 0.91 as the number of binding sites (n) per inhibitor monomer, both of which were almost equivalent to those for native enzyme . inhibitor complex. By the latter novel method, values of 7.9 . 10(-6) M and 1.08 were obtained for Kd and n, respectively, for interaction of inhibitor with alpha-chymotrypsin, and 8 . 10(-6) M as Kd for methylchymotrypsin . inhibitor complex. These results indicate that methylation of histidine-57 of active site in alpha-chymotrypsin molecule does not affect essentially the binding ability to inhibitor and the modified enzyme binds stoichiometrically to inhibitor, as the native enzyme does, with a molar ratio of 1:1 per inhibitor monomer.", "PMID": 620038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3427", "title": "Photodynamic properties of pyridoxal phosphate bound to cystathionase-gamma-lyase.", "content": "The cofactor pyridoxal phosphate bound through an aldimine linkage to lysine residues of the enzyme cystathionase (L-Cystathione cysteine-lyase (deaminating), EC 4.4.1.1) is very stable to irradiation with light of 420 nm. The catalytic function of the enzyme remains unaffected indicating that the cofactor is not an efficient photosensitizer of essential amino acid residues. This unusual stability of the cofactor to irradiation can be ascribed to the presence of aldimine linkages as demonstrated by studies conducted on model compounds. The binding of a reversible inhibitor (L-allylglycine) to the catalytic site of the enzyme does not facilitate photooxidation of the cofactor. On the contrary, irradiation of the cofactor in the presence of the inhibitor results in photodestruction of the inhibitor.", "contents": "Photodynamic properties of pyridoxal phosphate bound to cystathionase-gamma-lyase. The cofactor pyridoxal phosphate bound through an aldimine linkage to lysine residues of the enzyme cystathionase (L-Cystathione cysteine-lyase (deaminating), EC 4.4.1.1) is very stable to irradiation with light of 420 nm. The catalytic function of the enzyme remains unaffected indicating that the cofactor is not an efficient photosensitizer of essential amino acid residues. This unusual stability of the cofactor to irradiation can be ascribed to the presence of aldimine linkages as demonstrated by studies conducted on model compounds. The binding of a reversible inhibitor (L-allylglycine) to the catalytic site of the enzyme does not facilitate photooxidation of the cofactor. On the contrary, irradiation of the cofactor in the presence of the inhibitor results in photodestruction of the inhibitor.", "PMID": 620039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3428", "title": "Partial purification and some properties of pyruvate carboxylase from the flight muscle of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria).", "content": "A procedure is described for the partial purification of pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate:CO2 ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.1) from the flight muscle of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Characterisation of the kinetic properties of this enzyme indicates that it is activated by acetyl-CoA, is insensitive to inhibition by di- and tricarboxylic acids and exhibits an apparent Km for HCO3-(16 mM) which differs by an order of magnitude from that observed for other pyruvate carboxylases. It is suggested that activation of this locust flight muscle pyruvate carboxylase during the rest leads to flight transition may result from increases in the concentrations of pyruvate and HCO3- under these conditions.", "contents": "Partial purification and some properties of pyruvate carboxylase from the flight muscle of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria). A procedure is described for the partial purification of pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate:CO2 ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.1) from the flight muscle of the locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Characterisation of the kinetic properties of this enzyme indicates that it is activated by acetyl-CoA, is insensitive to inhibition by di- and tricarboxylic acids and exhibits an apparent Km for HCO3-(16 mM) which differs by an order of magnitude from that observed for other pyruvate carboxylases. It is suggested that activation of this locust flight muscle pyruvate carboxylase during the rest leads to flight transition may result from increases in the concentrations of pyruvate and HCO3- under these conditions.", "PMID": 620040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3429", "title": "Purification and characterisation of D-amino acid aminotransferase from Rhizobium japonicum.", "content": "Rhizobium japonicum has D-amino acid aminotransferase and alanine racemase activities. The D-amino-acid aminotransferase has been partially purified and characterized. This enzyme has a broad specificity and is very active with D-alpha-aminobutyrate and D-aspartate as well as D-alanine and D-glutamate. The stereospecificity of the enzyme for D-amino acids was apparently absolute with respect to product inhibition, pyridoxamine formation as well as catalytic activity. The apparent molecular weight was 58,000 and the pH optimum was 7.8-7.9. The equilibrium constant in the direction of D-glutamate formation was 1.9. Initial-velocity kinetic studies indicate the enzyme acts by a ping-pong mechanism. The dissociation constant for pyridoxal phosphate and the Michaelis constants (+/- standard errors) for D-alanine and 2-oxoglutarate were determined to be 0.51 +/- 0.06 micrometer, and 2.13 +/- 0.18 and 0.058 +/- 0.005 mM respectively. The enzyme is moderately inhibited (30%) by 4 mM p-chloromercuribenzoate.", "contents": "Purification and characterisation of D-amino acid aminotransferase from Rhizobium japonicum. Rhizobium japonicum has D-amino acid aminotransferase and alanine racemase activities. The D-amino-acid aminotransferase has been partially purified and characterized. This enzyme has a broad specificity and is very active with D-alpha-aminobutyrate and D-aspartate as well as D-alanine and D-glutamate. The stereospecificity of the enzyme for D-amino acids was apparently absolute with respect to product inhibition, pyridoxamine formation as well as catalytic activity. The apparent molecular weight was 58,000 and the pH optimum was 7.8-7.9. The equilibrium constant in the direction of D-glutamate formation was 1.9. Initial-velocity kinetic studies indicate the enzyme acts by a ping-pong mechanism. The dissociation constant for pyridoxal phosphate and the Michaelis constants (+/- standard errors) for D-alanine and 2-oxoglutarate were determined to be 0.51 +/- 0.06 micrometer, and 2.13 +/- 0.18 and 0.058 +/- 0.005 mM respectively. The enzyme is moderately inhibited (30%) by 4 mM p-chloromercuribenzoate.", "PMID": 620041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3430", "title": "Effects of saturated and unsaturated fats given with and without dietary cholesterol on hepatic cholesterol synthesis and hepatic lipid metabolism.", "content": "Hepatic cholesterol synthesis was studied in rats after consuming diets of varying neutral lipid and cholesterol content. Cholesterol synthesis was evaluated by measuring 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and by determining the rate of 3H-labeled sterol production from [3H]mevalonate. Results were correlated with sterol balance data and hepatic lipid content. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis was relatively great when cholesterol was excluded from the diet. The source of neutral dietary lipids, saturated vs. unsaturated, produced no change in hepatic sterol synthesis. Values for fecal sterol outputs and hepatic cholesterol levels were also similar in rats consuming either saturated or unsaturated fats. When 1% cholesterol was added to the diet, hepatic cholesterol synthesis was suppressed but the degree of suppression was greater in rats consuming unsaturated vs. saturated fats. This was associated with greater accumulation of cholesterol in livers from rats consuming unsaturates and a reduction in fecal neutral sterol output in this group as opposed to results from rats on saturated fats. Cholesterol consumption also altered the fatty acid composition of hepatic phospholipids producing decreases in the percentages of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is concluded that dietary cholesterol alters cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in the liver and that this effect is enhanced by dietary unsaturated fats.", "contents": "Effects of saturated and unsaturated fats given with and without dietary cholesterol on hepatic cholesterol synthesis and hepatic lipid metabolism. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis was studied in rats after consuming diets of varying neutral lipid and cholesterol content. Cholesterol synthesis was evaluated by measuring 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and by determining the rate of 3H-labeled sterol production from [3H]mevalonate. Results were correlated with sterol balance data and hepatic lipid content. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis was relatively great when cholesterol was excluded from the diet. The source of neutral dietary lipids, saturated vs. unsaturated, produced no change in hepatic sterol synthesis. Values for fecal sterol outputs and hepatic cholesterol levels were also similar in rats consuming either saturated or unsaturated fats. When 1% cholesterol was added to the diet, hepatic cholesterol synthesis was suppressed but the degree of suppression was greater in rats consuming unsaturated vs. saturated fats. This was associated with greater accumulation of cholesterol in livers from rats consuming unsaturates and a reduction in fecal neutral sterol output in this group as opposed to results from rats on saturated fats. Cholesterol consumption also altered the fatty acid composition of hepatic phospholipids producing decreases in the percentages of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is concluded that dietary cholesterol alters cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in the liver and that this effect is enhanced by dietary unsaturated fats.", "PMID": 620042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3431", "title": "Monoacylglycerol hydrolase activity of isolated rat small intestinal epithelial cells.", "content": "1. Albumin is the preferred stabilizer of the higher monoacylglycerol substrates, since the highest activity was measured with albumin rather than with Triton X-100 or other detergents tested. 2. The monoacylglycerol hydrolase activity may be strongly influenced by the amount of albumin used as the only emulsifier. Possible models for the physical states of the substrate are discussed. 3. The reaction rates with 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols are generally similar but may vary according to the physical states of the substrates. 4. The same enzyme hydrolyzes both 1- and 2-isomers since the hydrolytic activities were found to be competitive rather than additive. For both isomers identical apparent Km values less than 0.1 mM were obtained. 5. A comparison of the rates of hydrolysis of 1- and 2-monopalmitoylglycerol by the villus preparation at various temperatures confirmed that generally the reaction rates are similar and that the energy of activation is about 15 kcal/mol, so that the Q10 is about 1.8. 6. It is speculated that the microsomal level of long-chain acyl-CoA is an important determinant in the fate of the resorbed monoacylglycerol, since acylCoA is not only a substrate for the reacylation reactions but also an inhibitor of monoacylglycerol hydrolase.", "contents": "Monoacylglycerol hydrolase activity of isolated rat small intestinal epithelial cells. 1. Albumin is the preferred stabilizer of the higher monoacylglycerol substrates, since the highest activity was measured with albumin rather than with Triton X-100 or other detergents tested. 2. The monoacylglycerol hydrolase activity may be strongly influenced by the amount of albumin used as the only emulsifier. Possible models for the physical states of the substrate are discussed. 3. The reaction rates with 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols are generally similar but may vary according to the physical states of the substrates. 4. The same enzyme hydrolyzes both 1- and 2-isomers since the hydrolytic activities were found to be competitive rather than additive. For both isomers identical apparent Km values less than 0.1 mM were obtained. 5. A comparison of the rates of hydrolysis of 1- and 2-monopalmitoylglycerol by the villus preparation at various temperatures confirmed that generally the reaction rates are similar and that the energy of activation is about 15 kcal/mol, so that the Q10 is about 1.8. 6. It is speculated that the microsomal level of long-chain acyl-CoA is an important determinant in the fate of the resorbed monoacylglycerol, since acylCoA is not only a substrate for the reacylation reactions but also an inhibitor of monoacylglycerol hydrolase.", "PMID": 620043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3432", "title": "The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba.", "content": "The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, has been quantitatively determined. Triglycerides accounted for 20% of the cell dry weight and 87% of the total lipids. Smaller amounts of 1,2- and 1,3-diglycerides, free sterol (24-methylene cholesterol), hydrocarbons and an unknown component were the remaining neutral lipids detected. Phosphatidylsulfocholine (phosphatidyl S,S-dimethylmercaptoethanol), present in amounts of 0.8% of cell dry weight (35% of total polar lipids), was the major polar lipid component. Other phospholipids were lysophosphatidylsulfocholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin, but both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were completely absent. Another novel sulfolipid, deoxyceramide sulfonic acid, as well as the sulfate ester of the free sterol, were also present. Considerable amounts of the four lipids often associated with photosynthetic organisms, mono- and di-galactosyl diglycerides, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidylglycerol, were identified in N. alba. However, the fatty acid components of the glycosyl diglycerides did not show the high amounts of polyunsaturated acids (18 : 2, 18 : 3) normally found in photosynthesizing organisms. All polar lipids were found to be associated with various cell membrane fractions in N. alba.", "contents": "The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba. The lipid composition of the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, has been quantitatively determined. Triglycerides accounted for 20% of the cell dry weight and 87% of the total lipids. Smaller amounts of 1,2- and 1,3-diglycerides, free sterol (24-methylene cholesterol), hydrocarbons and an unknown component were the remaining neutral lipids detected. Phosphatidylsulfocholine (phosphatidyl S,S-dimethylmercaptoethanol), present in amounts of 0.8% of cell dry weight (35% of total polar lipids), was the major polar lipid component. Other phospholipids were lysophosphatidylsulfocholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin, but both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were completely absent. Another novel sulfolipid, deoxyceramide sulfonic acid, as well as the sulfate ester of the free sterol, were also present. Considerable amounts of the four lipids often associated with photosynthetic organisms, mono- and di-galactosyl diglycerides, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidylglycerol, were identified in N. alba. However, the fatty acid components of the glycosyl diglycerides did not show the high amounts of polyunsaturated acids (18 : 2, 18 : 3) normally found in photosynthesizing organisms. All polar lipids were found to be associated with various cell membrane fractions in N. alba.", "PMID": 620044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3433", "title": "Identification of the sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba.", "content": "The four major sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, were isolated in pure form and their structures were established spectrometrically and by identification of their hydrolysis products as (a) 24-methylene cholesterol sulfate, (b) 1-deoxyceramide-1-sulfonate, (c) phosphatidyl sulfocholine (a sulfonium analogue of phosphatidylcholine) and (d) sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride. The major characteristic fatty acids of the sulfolipids were: for the deoxyceramide sulfonate, 16 : 0 (26%) and 16 : 1-delta3-trans (64%); for the sulfonium analogue, 14 : 0 (30%), 18 : 1 (12%), 18 : 2 (8%), 20 : 5 (27%) and 22 : 6 (4%); and for the sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride (two species, respectively), 14 : 0 (9%, 22%), 16 : 0 (16%, 28%), 18 : 1 (8%, 22%), 20 : 5 (42%, 23%) and 22 : 6 (14%, 2%). Traces of lyso-derivatives of sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl sulfocholine were also detected. The deoxyceramide sulfonate and the phosphatidyl sulfocholine represent novel membrane lipid components not previously detected in other organisms. They may however have a widespread distribution in marine diatoms and perhaps in marine organisms generally.", "contents": "Identification of the sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic diatom Nitzschia alba. The four major sulfolipids in the non-photosynthetic marine diatom, Nitzschia alba, were isolated in pure form and their structures were established spectrometrically and by identification of their hydrolysis products as (a) 24-methylene cholesterol sulfate, (b) 1-deoxyceramide-1-sulfonate, (c) phosphatidyl sulfocholine (a sulfonium analogue of phosphatidylcholine) and (d) sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride. The major characteristic fatty acids of the sulfolipids were: for the deoxyceramide sulfonate, 16 : 0 (26%) and 16 : 1-delta3-trans (64%); for the sulfonium analogue, 14 : 0 (30%), 18 : 1 (12%), 18 : 2 (8%), 20 : 5 (27%) and 22 : 6 (4%); and for the sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride (two species, respectively), 14 : 0 (9%, 22%), 16 : 0 (16%, 28%), 18 : 1 (8%, 22%), 20 : 5 (42%, 23%) and 22 : 6 (14%, 2%). Traces of lyso-derivatives of sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl sulfocholine were also detected. The deoxyceramide sulfonate and the phosphatidyl sulfocholine represent novel membrane lipid components not previously detected in other organisms. They may however have a widespread distribution in marine diatoms and perhaps in marine organisms generally.", "PMID": 620045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3434", "title": "Structural studies on glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat skeletal muscle.", "content": "The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of rat skeletal muscle glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase (D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate : NAD+ oxidoreductase(physphorylating), EC 1.2.1.12) was determined to be Val-Lys-Val-Gly-Val-Asn-Gly-Phe-Gly-Arg-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu-Val-Thr-Arg-Ala-Ala-Phe-Ser-Ser-(-)-(-)--Val-Asx-Ile-Val-Ala-Ile. The presence of Asn instead of Asp in position 6 differentiates this enzyme from other glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases so far sequenced with the exception of the enzymes isolated from liver. The location of Asn in position 6 has been considered as a specific property of liver glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Kulbe, K.D., Jackson, K.W. and Tang, J. (1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 67, 35--42); this suggestion is not sustained by the results of the present investigation. The amino acid composition of the rat skeletal muscle dehydrogenase demonstrates the unusually low histidine content of this enzyme as compared to other mammalian muscle glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenases.", "contents": "Structural studies on glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat skeletal muscle. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of rat skeletal muscle glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase (D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate : NAD+ oxidoreductase(physphorylating), EC 1.2.1.12) was determined to be Val-Lys-Val-Gly-Val-Asn-Gly-Phe-Gly-Arg-Ile-Gly-Arg-Leu-Val-Thr-Arg-Ala-Ala-Phe-Ser-Ser-(-)-(-)--Val-Asx-Ile-Val-Ala-Ile. The presence of Asn instead of Asp in position 6 differentiates this enzyme from other glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases so far sequenced with the exception of the enzymes isolated from liver. The location of Asn in position 6 has been considered as a specific property of liver glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Kulbe, K.D., Jackson, K.W. and Tang, J. (1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 67, 35--42); this suggestion is not sustained by the results of the present investigation. The amino acid composition of the rat skeletal muscle dehydrogenase demonstrates the unusually low histidine content of this enzyme as compared to other mammalian muscle glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenases.", "PMID": 620046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3435", "title": "Isolation of a sulfobromophthalein-binding protein from hepatocyte plasma membrane.", "content": "This paper deals with the isolation and partial characterization of a protein capable of high affinity sulfobromophthalein-binding from liver plasma membrane. The purification involves acetone powder of a crude preparation of rat liver plasma membrane, salt extraction and purification through two chromatographic steps. Based on sulfobromophthalein binding, the process gives a yield of approximately 40%, with a purification of about 300 times with respect to the starting homogenate. The best preparation can bind more than 100 nmol sulfobromophthalein/mg protein. The protein behaves as a single species in dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an apparent molecular weight of 1.7 . 10(5). The molecule does not contain sugars. The dissociation constant of the protein . sulfobromophthalein complex has been found to be 4. 10(-6) M, a value in agreement with that of high affinity binding sites described on isolated liver plasma membrane.", "contents": "Isolation of a sulfobromophthalein-binding protein from hepatocyte plasma membrane. This paper deals with the isolation and partial characterization of a protein capable of high affinity sulfobromophthalein-binding from liver plasma membrane. The purification involves acetone powder of a crude preparation of rat liver plasma membrane, salt extraction and purification through two chromatographic steps. Based on sulfobromophthalein binding, the process gives a yield of approximately 40%, with a purification of about 300 times with respect to the starting homogenate. The best preparation can bind more than 100 nmol sulfobromophthalein/mg protein. The protein behaves as a single species in dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with an apparent molecular weight of 1.7 . 10(5). The molecule does not contain sugars. The dissociation constant of the protein . sulfobromophthalein complex has been found to be 4. 10(-6) M, a value in agreement with that of high affinity binding sites described on isolated liver plasma membrane.", "PMID": 620047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3436", "title": "Fractionation of nonhistone proeins on a column of daunomycin-CH-Sepharose 4B.", "content": "Daunomycin was coupled via its amino group to omega-carboxypentyl agarose (CH-Sepharose 4B). Nonhistone proteins from rat leukemia cells (DBLA-6) were fractionated on a column of the adsorbent. The adsorption of nonhistone proteins to the column was increased by high salt concentration (4 M NaCl) and was reversed by 20% glycerol (v/v), indicating a hydrophobic interaction. Complexity of the chromatographic patterns may reflect the occurrence of several species of binding protein in the tumor cells used. Thus the hydrophobic chromatography in the presence of a high concentration of salt was a useful method for fractionation of nonhistone proteins under non-rigorous conditions.", "contents": "Fractionation of nonhistone proeins on a column of daunomycin-CH-Sepharose 4B. Daunomycin was coupled via its amino group to omega-carboxypentyl agarose (CH-Sepharose 4B). Nonhistone proteins from rat leukemia cells (DBLA-6) were fractionated on a column of the adsorbent. The adsorption of nonhistone proteins to the column was increased by high salt concentration (4 M NaCl) and was reversed by 20% glycerol (v/v), indicating a hydrophobic interaction. Complexity of the chromatographic patterns may reflect the occurrence of several species of binding protein in the tumor cells used. Thus the hydrophobic chromatography in the presence of a high concentration of salt was a useful method for fractionation of nonhistone proteins under non-rigorous conditions.", "PMID": 620048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3437", "title": "Nuclear proteins. V. Studies of histone-binding proteins from mouse liver by affinity chromatography.", "content": "We examined four extracts of mouse liver for histone-binding proteins using histone affinity chromatography and positively charged resins. The extracts used were cytoplasm and washes from isolated nuclei with buffers containing 0.05 M Tris, 0.15 M NaCl or 0.35 M NaCl. Proteins from the nuclear washes showed greater binding to the columns than proteins from the cytoplasm. The binding fractions were heterogeneous in gel electrophoresis systems. Proteins bound to affinity columns of individual histones were similar to those bound to columns of whole histone, polylysine and DEAE. A 25,000 dalton polypeptide (J2), found only in nuclear washes was a prominent histone-binding protein. It could be competitively eluted from DEAE with histones, suggesting polypeptide J2 may show a specific affinity for histones. Polypeptide J2 has an acidic to basic amino acid ratio of 1.58, and its amino acid composition is not similar to that of the high mobility group 1 protein. Polypeptide J2 binds to hydrophobic columns and may play a role in modifying histone-histone and histone-DNA interactions.", "contents": "Nuclear proteins. V. Studies of histone-binding proteins from mouse liver by affinity chromatography. We examined four extracts of mouse liver for histone-binding proteins using histone affinity chromatography and positively charged resins. The extracts used were cytoplasm and washes from isolated nuclei with buffers containing 0.05 M Tris, 0.15 M NaCl or 0.35 M NaCl. Proteins from the nuclear washes showed greater binding to the columns than proteins from the cytoplasm. The binding fractions were heterogeneous in gel electrophoresis systems. Proteins bound to affinity columns of individual histones were similar to those bound to columns of whole histone, polylysine and DEAE. A 25,000 dalton polypeptide (J2), found only in nuclear washes was a prominent histone-binding protein. It could be competitively eluted from DEAE with histones, suggesting polypeptide J2 may show a specific affinity for histones. Polypeptide J2 has an acidic to basic amino acid ratio of 1.58, and its amino acid composition is not similar to that of the high mobility group 1 protein. Polypeptide J2 binds to hydrophobic columns and may play a role in modifying histone-histone and histone-DNA interactions.", "PMID": 620049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3438", "title": "Chemical and functional homology of myotoxin a from prairie rattlesnake venom and crotamine from South American rattlesnake venom.", "content": "Myonecrosis is a serious result of rattlesnake bite and constitutes a persistent clinical problem. In the current study we have isolated crotamine from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus to test its ability to cause structural damage to skeletal muscle, and to make direct chemical comparisons with Myotoxin a, a myotoxic polypeptide we recently isolated from prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) venom. Disc gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, circular dichroic spectroscopy, and amino acid analysis, all indicated a high degree of chemical similarity. Light microscope histology revealed that crotamine caused vacuolizationof skeletal muscle fibers, qualitatively the same as the vacuolization caused by Myotoxin a. The ability of these two basic snake venom polypeptides to cause structural damage to skeletal muscle fibers has significant implications toward more complete understanding of the cause of snake venom-induced myonecrosis.", "contents": "Chemical and functional homology of myotoxin a from prairie rattlesnake venom and crotamine from South American rattlesnake venom. Myonecrosis is a serious result of rattlesnake bite and constitutes a persistent clinical problem. In the current study we have isolated crotamine from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus to test its ability to cause structural damage to skeletal muscle, and to make direct chemical comparisons with Myotoxin a, a myotoxic polypeptide we recently isolated from prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) venom. Disc gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, circular dichroic spectroscopy, and amino acid analysis, all indicated a high degree of chemical similarity. Light microscope histology revealed that crotamine caused vacuolizationof skeletal muscle fibers, qualitatively the same as the vacuolization caused by Myotoxin a. The ability of these two basic snake venom polypeptides to cause structural damage to skeletal muscle fibers has significant implications toward more complete understanding of the cause of snake venom-induced myonecrosis.", "PMID": 620050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3439", "title": "Photooxidation of fibrinogen in the presence of methylene blue and its effect on polymerization.", "content": "Human fibrinogen was illuminated in the presence of methylene blue. The resulting photooxidized fibrinogen was devoid of polymerization activity and thrombin-induced coagulability. The initial rate of the thrombin catalysed release of fibrinopeptides from photooxidized fibrinogen was normal. It was shown that illumination of photooxidized fibrinogen and photooxidized fragment N-DSK caused the modification of histidine residues. Tryptophan residues were also modified. When fibrinogen was photooxidized immediately after the addition of thrombin, the capacity to polymerize was lost. The inhibition of polymerization was less marked when oxidation was initiated at the time when polymerization began or thereafter. Photooxidized fibrinogen acts as an inhibitor of the polymerization of fibrin monomers. Photooxidized fibrinogen has affinity for thrombin-activated fibrinogen-Sepharose and thrombin-activated fragment N-DSK-Sepharose. When the former conjugate is illuminated in the presence of methylene blue its affinity for fibrinogen is decreased. It is concluded that the fragment N-DSK domain of fibrinogen is affected by photooxidation.", "contents": "Photooxidation of fibrinogen in the presence of methylene blue and its effect on polymerization. Human fibrinogen was illuminated in the presence of methylene blue. The resulting photooxidized fibrinogen was devoid of polymerization activity and thrombin-induced coagulability. The initial rate of the thrombin catalysed release of fibrinopeptides from photooxidized fibrinogen was normal. It was shown that illumination of photooxidized fibrinogen and photooxidized fragment N-DSK caused the modification of histidine residues. Tryptophan residues were also modified. When fibrinogen was photooxidized immediately after the addition of thrombin, the capacity to polymerize was lost. The inhibition of polymerization was less marked when oxidation was initiated at the time when polymerization began or thereafter. Photooxidized fibrinogen acts as an inhibitor of the polymerization of fibrin monomers. Photooxidized fibrinogen has affinity for thrombin-activated fibrinogen-Sepharose and thrombin-activated fragment N-DSK-Sepharose. When the former conjugate is illuminated in the presence of methylene blue its affinity for fibrinogen is decreased. It is concluded that the fragment N-DSK domain of fibrinogen is affected by photooxidation.", "PMID": 620051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3440", "title": "A new hemoglobin variant. HB Yatsushiro alpha 2 A beta 2 60 Val replaced by Leu.", "content": "This study was performed to establish the structural abnormality of a new hemoglobin variant discover-d in a Japanese patient with angina pectoris. The hybridization of the separated hemoglobin with canine hemoglobin revealed a beta-chain anomaly. Peptide betaTp-6 was found to be abnormally located on the peptide map of tryptic digests of the S-carboxymethylated beta-chain from the variant hemoglobin. A structural study on the abnormal betaTp-6 revealed that the variant hemoglobin differs from hemoglobin A by substitution of leucine for valine at residue 60 of the beta-chain. This new variant hemoglobin is designated as hemoglobin Yatsushiro after the name of the city where the propositus lived. The patient is hematologically healthy and his clinical history has nothing to do with this abnormal hemoglobin.", "contents": "A new hemoglobin variant. HB Yatsushiro alpha 2 A beta 2 60 Val replaced by Leu. This study was performed to establish the structural abnormality of a new hemoglobin variant discover-d in a Japanese patient with angina pectoris. The hybridization of the separated hemoglobin with canine hemoglobin revealed a beta-chain anomaly. Peptide betaTp-6 was found to be abnormally located on the peptide map of tryptic digests of the S-carboxymethylated beta-chain from the variant hemoglobin. A structural study on the abnormal betaTp-6 revealed that the variant hemoglobin differs from hemoglobin A by substitution of leucine for valine at residue 60 of the beta-chain. This new variant hemoglobin is designated as hemoglobin Yatsushiro after the name of the city where the propositus lived. The patient is hematologically healthy and his clinical history has nothing to do with this abnormal hemoglobin.", "PMID": 620052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3441", "title": "Multiple isoferritins in mouse liver: demonstration by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "content": "Unfractionated pure ferritin isolated from the livers of female or male mice forms five narrow protein-positive bands on standard 5% polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis (pH 9.0). Since all of these sub-bands also contain iron, they are interpreted as being isoferritins. The multiple sub-bands are very unlikely to be artifactually generated by the analytical procedure used since they are not found in horse spleen ferritin when this is coelectrophoresed with female mouse liver ferritin. The present results provide an independnet indication that many isoferritins indeed can be found within a single organ.", "contents": "Multiple isoferritins in mouse liver: demonstration by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Unfractionated pure ferritin isolated from the livers of female or male mice forms five narrow protein-positive bands on standard 5% polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis (pH 9.0). Since all of these sub-bands also contain iron, they are interpreted as being isoferritins. The multiple sub-bands are very unlikely to be artifactually generated by the analytical procedure used since they are not found in horse spleen ferritin when this is coelectrophoresed with female mouse liver ferritin. The present results provide an independnet indication that many isoferritins indeed can be found within a single organ.", "PMID": 620054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3442", "title": "Interaction of rabbit hemopexin with bilirubin.", "content": "The interaction of hemopexin with bilirubin was characterized by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and circular dichroic techniques. Hemopexin rapidly forms an equimolar complex with libirubin that has an apparent dissociation constant Kd, of 7.5.10(-7) M. The association alters the absorption band of bilirubin near 150 nm, quenches the fluorescence of tryptophan residues of hemopexin, enhances the fluorescence of bilirubin, and induces strong ellipticity extrema in bilirubin of --60 . 10(3) deg . cm2 . dmol-1 at 465 nm and +70 . 10(3) deg . cm2 . dmol-1 at 415 nm. However, the conformation-sensitive ellipticity aband at 231 nm of hemopexin is not altered. In displacement experiments using circular dichroism, heme readily replaced bound bilirubin, indicating that bilirubin and heme are bound at the same site on hemopexin. Even at molar ratios of hemopexin to albumin of 3 to 1, human serum albumin removes bilirubin from hemopexin. Hemopexin is thus unlikely to have a role in the transport of bilirubin in serum.", "contents": "Interaction of rabbit hemopexin with bilirubin. The interaction of hemopexin with bilirubin was characterized by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and circular dichroic techniques. Hemopexin rapidly forms an equimolar complex with libirubin that has an apparent dissociation constant Kd, of 7.5.10(-7) M. The association alters the absorption band of bilirubin near 150 nm, quenches the fluorescence of tryptophan residues of hemopexin, enhances the fluorescence of bilirubin, and induces strong ellipticity extrema in bilirubin of --60 . 10(3) deg . cm2 . dmol-1 at 465 nm and +70 . 10(3) deg . cm2 . dmol-1 at 415 nm. However, the conformation-sensitive ellipticity aband at 231 nm of hemopexin is not altered. In displacement experiments using circular dichroism, heme readily replaced bound bilirubin, indicating that bilirubin and heme are bound at the same site on hemopexin. Even at molar ratios of hemopexin to albumin of 3 to 1, human serum albumin removes bilirubin from hemopexin. Hemopexin is thus unlikely to have a role in the transport of bilirubin in serum.", "PMID": 620056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3443", "title": "Effect of some alcohols on in vivo and in vitro aged collagen.", "content": "1. The effects of mixtures of ethanol or n-propanol with 0.15 M NaCl or 0.1 N HCl on the isometric melting and load/extension behaviour of rat tail tendon were examined. 2. Both intra and intermolecular effects were observed but aging of the sample had little effect upon these. 3. The extension modulus in 0.15 M NaCl begins to decrease rapidly at temperatures above the molecular melting temperature (TD). This reduction in modulus is accelerated by alcohol, although the alcohol is not effective below TD.", "contents": "Effect of some alcohols on in vivo and in vitro aged collagen. 1. The effects of mixtures of ethanol or n-propanol with 0.15 M NaCl or 0.1 N HCl on the isometric melting and load/extension behaviour of rat tail tendon were examined. 2. Both intra and intermolecular effects were observed but aging of the sample had little effect upon these. 3. The extension modulus in 0.15 M NaCl begins to decrease rapidly at temperatures above the molecular melting temperature (TD). This reduction in modulus is accelerated by alcohol, although the alcohol is not effective below TD.", "PMID": 620058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3444", "title": "Studies on lectins. XXXVII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from Jimson-weed seeds (Datura stramonium L.).", "content": "The lectin of Jimson-weed seeds (Datura stramonium L.) was isolated by affinity chromatography on a polysaccharide mixture from mycelium of Aspergillus niger. The lectin yields two bands on disc electrophoresis, it has sedimentation coefficient s20,w = 3.8 S and its apparent molecular weight estimated by thin layer gel chromatography is 120,000. The lectin reduced with mercaptoethanol yields on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate three zones corresponding to subunits of molecular weight 72,000, 45,000 and 25,000. The lectin contains large amounts of cystine, glycine, 6.3% of hydroxyproline residues, 4.5% glucosamine and 28% of neutral sugar, predominantly arabinose. The lectin is nonspecific in human erythrocyte ABO system, it is not inhibited by simple sugars but is inhibited by a partial hydrolysate of chitin-containing mixture of polysaccharides from Aspergillus niger.", "contents": "Studies on lectins. XXXVII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from Jimson-weed seeds (Datura stramonium L.). The lectin of Jimson-weed seeds (Datura stramonium L.) was isolated by affinity chromatography on a polysaccharide mixture from mycelium of Aspergillus niger. The lectin yields two bands on disc electrophoresis, it has sedimentation coefficient s20,w = 3.8 S and its apparent molecular weight estimated by thin layer gel chromatography is 120,000. The lectin reduced with mercaptoethanol yields on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate three zones corresponding to subunits of molecular weight 72,000, 45,000 and 25,000. The lectin contains large amounts of cystine, glycine, 6.3% of hydroxyproline residues, 4.5% glucosamine and 28% of neutral sugar, predominantly arabinose. The lectin is nonspecific in human erythrocyte ABO system, it is not inhibited by simple sugars but is inhibited by a partial hydrolysate of chitin-containing mixture of polysaccharides from Aspergillus niger.", "PMID": 620059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3445", "title": "Studies on lectins. XXXVIII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from black locust bark (Robinia pseudacacia L.).", "content": "The lectin of black locust (Robinia pseudacacia) bark was isolated by specific adsorption on formaldehyde-fixed human erythrocytes and elution with a borate solution. The lectin is homogeneous on disc electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation (s20,w = 5.8 S) but yields three bands on isoelectric focusing. It has a molecular weight of approximately 110,000 and consists of two types of subunit (mol. wt 29,000 and 31,500). Its pI is approximately 5.9; it contains high amounts of aspartic acid, threonine and serine, no cysteine and very little methionine. Also 7.2% of covalently bound neutral sugar and 0.47% of glucosamine are present. The lectin is nonspecific in agglutination of human erythrocytes, it is inhibited by high concentrations of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and is mitogenic in rabbit lymph node lymphocytes.", "contents": "Studies on lectins. XXXVIII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from black locust bark (Robinia pseudacacia L.). The lectin of black locust (Robinia pseudacacia) bark was isolated by specific adsorption on formaldehyde-fixed human erythrocytes and elution with a borate solution. The lectin is homogeneous on disc electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation (s20,w = 5.8 S) but yields three bands on isoelectric focusing. It has a molecular weight of approximately 110,000 and consists of two types of subunit (mol. wt 29,000 and 31,500). Its pI is approximately 5.9; it contains high amounts of aspartic acid, threonine and serine, no cysteine and very little methionine. Also 7.2% of covalently bound neutral sugar and 0.47% of glucosamine are present. The lectin is nonspecific in agglutination of human erythrocytes, it is inhibited by high concentrations of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and is mitogenic in rabbit lymph node lymphocytes.", "PMID": 620060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3446", "title": "Intestinal response to 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. I. RNA polymerase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus uptake in vitro, and in vivo calcium transport and accumulation.", "content": "The dynamics of intestinal response in rachitic chicks to 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were evaluated by various biochemical parameters. The following observations were made: 1. The earliest detected intestinal response to 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol was increased in vitro calcium uptake and in vivo calcium transport, occurring by 2 h and 2.5 h respectively. 2. Increased RNA polymerase activity was observed by 4 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 3. Calcium binding protein was detected by 5 h, but could not be detected 2.5 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 4. Increased alkaline phosphatase activity and in vitro accumulation of inorganic phosphate were first demonstrable 6 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 5. In vivo duodenal calcium accumulation in the mucosa was elevated after 5 h, peaked at 6.5 h, and then began to decrease at 9 h. In vitro duodenal calcium accumulation was elevated at 2 h, peaked at 12 h, and decreased to control level by 18 h. Our data emphasize the lack of correlation between the appearance of calcium binding protein or increased alkaline phosphatase activity and the transport rate of calcium across the duodenum after treatment with 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. The data suggest a correlation between duodenal calcium accumulation and the appearance of calcium binding protein or increased alkaline phosphatase activity.", "contents": "Intestinal response to 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. I. RNA polymerase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus uptake in vitro, and in vivo calcium transport and accumulation. The dynamics of intestinal response in rachitic chicks to 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were evaluated by various biochemical parameters. The following observations were made: 1. The earliest detected intestinal response to 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol was increased in vitro calcium uptake and in vivo calcium transport, occurring by 2 h and 2.5 h respectively. 2. Increased RNA polymerase activity was observed by 4 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 3. Calcium binding protein was detected by 5 h, but could not be detected 2.5 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 4. Increased alkaline phosphatase activity and in vitro accumulation of inorganic phosphate were first demonstrable 6 h after 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment. 5. In vivo duodenal calcium accumulation in the mucosa was elevated after 5 h, peaked at 6.5 h, and then began to decrease at 9 h. In vitro duodenal calcium accumulation was elevated at 2 h, peaked at 12 h, and decreased to control level by 18 h. Our data emphasize the lack of correlation between the appearance of calcium binding protein or increased alkaline phosphatase activity and the transport rate of calcium across the duodenum after treatment with 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. The data suggest a correlation between duodenal calcium accumulation and the appearance of calcium binding protein or increased alkaline phosphatase activity.", "PMID": 620061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3447", "title": "Some phytotoxic glycopeptides from Ceratocystis ulmi, the Dutch Elm Disease pathogen.", "content": "Ceratocystis ulmi, the causal agent of Dutch Elm Disease, produces phytotoxic glycopeptides in culture. A mixture of phytotoxic glycopeptides has been prepared by affinity chromatography on a concanavalin A-Sepharose column and collectively they have been termed the toxin. The polydisperse component that makes up the majority of toxin (80%) by weight has a molecular weight of about 2.7.10(5). The large molecular weight component (less than 5%) elutes at the void volume of a Bio-Gel A 50 m column. The other component (15%) appears as a trailing peak on the edge of the major component and has an approximate molecular weight of 7.10(4). The toxin is composed of 83% sugar residues, primarily rhamnose and mannose, and 7% amino acid residues. Methylation analysis coupled with mild acid hydrolysis indicates that the backbone of the polysaccharide portion of the toxin is composed of alpha -1,6-linked mannosyl residues with a 3-linked terminal rhamnosyl residue linked to C-3 of almost every mannosyl residue. The carbohydrate portion of the molecule is linked to the peptide via O-glycosidic linkages to both threonyl and seryl residues. All three components of the toxin are capable of causing wilt in stem cuttings of American elm.", "contents": "Some phytotoxic glycopeptides from Ceratocystis ulmi, the Dutch Elm Disease pathogen. Ceratocystis ulmi, the causal agent of Dutch Elm Disease, produces phytotoxic glycopeptides in culture. A mixture of phytotoxic glycopeptides has been prepared by affinity chromatography on a concanavalin A-Sepharose column and collectively they have been termed the toxin. The polydisperse component that makes up the majority of toxin (80%) by weight has a molecular weight of about 2.7.10(5). The large molecular weight component (less than 5%) elutes at the void volume of a Bio-Gel A 50 m column. The other component (15%) appears as a trailing peak on the edge of the major component and has an approximate molecular weight of 7.10(4). The toxin is composed of 83% sugar residues, primarily rhamnose and mannose, and 7% amino acid residues. Methylation analysis coupled with mild acid hydrolysis indicates that the backbone of the polysaccharide portion of the toxin is composed of alpha -1,6-linked mannosyl residues with a 3-linked terminal rhamnosyl residue linked to C-3 of almost every mannosyl residue. The carbohydrate portion of the molecule is linked to the peptide via O-glycosidic linkages to both threonyl and seryl residues. All three components of the toxin are capable of causing wilt in stem cuttings of American elm.", "PMID": 620063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3448", "title": "The synthesis of oxylate from hydroxypyruvate by isolated perfused rat liver. The mechanism of hyperoxaluria in L-glyceric aciduria.", "content": "Hydroxypyruvate and glycolate inhibited the oxidation of [U-14C]glyoxylate to [14C]oxalate in isolated perfused rat liver, but stimulated total oxalate and glycolate synthesis. [14C]Oxalate synthesis from [14C]glycine was similarly inhibited by hydroxypyruvate, but conversion of [14C1]glycolate to [14C]oxalate was increased three-fold. Pyruvate had no effect on the synthesis of [14C]-oxalate or total oxalate. The inhibition studies suggest that hydroxypyruvate is a precursor of glycolate and oxalate and that the conversion of glycolate to oxalate does not involve free glyoxylate as an intermediate. [14C35Hydroxypyruvate, but not [14C1]hydroxypyruvate, was oxidized to [14C]oxalate in isolated perfused rat liver. Isotope dilution studies indicate the major pathway involves the decarboxylation of hydroxypyruvate forming glycolaldehyde which is subsequently oxidized to oxalate via glycolate. The oxidation of serine which is subsequently oxidized to oxalate via glycolate. The oxidation of serine to oxalate appears to proceed predominantly via hydroxypyruvate rather than glycine or ethanolamine. The hyperoxaluria of L-glyceric aciduria, primary hyperoxaluria type II, is induced by the oxidation of the hydroxypyruvate, which accumulates because of the deficiency of D-glyceric dehydrogenase, to oxalate.", "contents": "The synthesis of oxylate from hydroxypyruvate by isolated perfused rat liver. The mechanism of hyperoxaluria in L-glyceric aciduria. Hydroxypyruvate and glycolate inhibited the oxidation of [U-14C]glyoxylate to [14C]oxalate in isolated perfused rat liver, but stimulated total oxalate and glycolate synthesis. [14C]Oxalate synthesis from [14C]glycine was similarly inhibited by hydroxypyruvate, but conversion of [14C1]glycolate to [14C]oxalate was increased three-fold. Pyruvate had no effect on the synthesis of [14C]-oxalate or total oxalate. The inhibition studies suggest that hydroxypyruvate is a precursor of glycolate and oxalate and that the conversion of glycolate to oxalate does not involve free glyoxylate as an intermediate. [14C35Hydroxypyruvate, but not [14C1]hydroxypyruvate, was oxidized to [14C]oxalate in isolated perfused rat liver. Isotope dilution studies indicate the major pathway involves the decarboxylation of hydroxypyruvate forming glycolaldehyde which is subsequently oxidized to oxalate via glycolate. The oxidation of serine which is subsequently oxidized to oxalate via glycolate. The oxidation of serine to oxalate appears to proceed predominantly via hydroxypyruvate rather than glycine or ethanolamine. The hyperoxaluria of L-glyceric aciduria, primary hyperoxaluria type II, is induced by the oxidation of the hydroxypyruvate, which accumulates because of the deficiency of D-glyceric dehydrogenase, to oxalate.", "PMID": 620064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3449", "title": "Effect of colchicine on estrogen action. I. Inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol-induced water and potassium uptake in the immature rat uterus.", "content": "The effects of colchicine on 17 beta-estradiol-induced water and electrolyte uptake in the uterus of the immature rat have been examined 6 h after treatment with this estrogen. Estradiol stimulates an increase in total uterine Na+, K+ and water while intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations remain relatively unchanged. Assuming the sodium space is equivalent to the extracellular space, the extracellular fluid compartment increases about 84% in response to estradiol. Similarly, the intracellular compartment increases by about 62%. The uptake of water into the cellular compartment may be a direct response to a stimulation of K+ accumulation by uterine cells. Colchicine inhibits both estradiol-induced rise in intracellular potassium and both intra- and extracellular water.", "contents": "Effect of colchicine on estrogen action. I. Inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol-induced water and potassium uptake in the immature rat uterus. The effects of colchicine on 17 beta-estradiol-induced water and electrolyte uptake in the uterus of the immature rat have been examined 6 h after treatment with this estrogen. Estradiol stimulates an increase in total uterine Na+, K+ and water while intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations remain relatively unchanged. Assuming the sodium space is equivalent to the extracellular space, the extracellular fluid compartment increases about 84% in response to estradiol. Similarly, the intracellular compartment increases by about 62%. The uptake of water into the cellular compartment may be a direct response to a stimulation of K+ accumulation by uterine cells. Colchicine inhibits both estradiol-induced rise in intracellular potassium and both intra- and extracellular water.", "PMID": 620066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3450", "title": "Effect of colchicine on estrogen action. II. Translocation of 17 beta-estradiol cytosol receptor complex into the nucleus.", "content": "Colchicine has previously been shown in our laboratory to inhibit 17 beta-estradiol stimulation of uterine water uptake in the immature rat measured 6 h after administration of the agents. We sought to determine whether this effect was mediated through colchicine action on translocation of estradiol receptor complex into the uterine cell nucleus. The time course of estradiol effect on uterine water uptake was followed with and without concurrent colchicine administration up to 6 h after administration. At no time during this period did there appear to be any influence of colchicine on translocation of the estradiol receptor complex into the nucleus. Examination of physical chemical characteristics of the nuclear estradiol receptr complex after estradiol and estradiol plus colchicine treatments revealed no observable differences. Thus, colchicine inhibition of estradiol-stimulated uterine water retention does not appear to be mediated through inhibition of nuclear translocation of estradiol-receptor complex nor to be due to any reduced retention time of estradiol-receptor complex in uterine nuclei.", "contents": "Effect of colchicine on estrogen action. II. Translocation of 17 beta-estradiol cytosol receptor complex into the nucleus. Colchicine has previously been shown in our laboratory to inhibit 17 beta-estradiol stimulation of uterine water uptake in the immature rat measured 6 h after administration of the agents. We sought to determine whether this effect was mediated through colchicine action on translocation of estradiol receptor complex into the uterine cell nucleus. The time course of estradiol effect on uterine water uptake was followed with and without concurrent colchicine administration up to 6 h after administration. At no time during this period did there appear to be any influence of colchicine on translocation of the estradiol receptor complex into the nucleus. Examination of physical chemical characteristics of the nuclear estradiol receptr complex after estradiol and estradiol plus colchicine treatments revealed no observable differences. Thus, colchicine inhibition of estradiol-stimulated uterine water retention does not appear to be mediated through inhibition of nuclear translocation of estradiol-receptor complex nor to be due to any reduced retention time of estradiol-receptor complex in uterine nuclei.", "PMID": 620067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3451", "title": "Oxidative and phosphorylative activities of the gastric mucosa of animals and humans in relation to the mechanism of stress ulcer.", "content": "In order to elucidate the mechanism of stress ulceration, which is mainly involved with the corpus mucosa of the stomach, the aerobic energy metabolism of the corpus mucosa of rats, rabbits and humans was investigated and compared with those of the antral mucosa as well as other organs such as heart, kidney and liver. The results showed that the activities of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation and the concentration of the respiratory chain components were far greater in the corpus mucosa than in the antral mucosa, the activities in the former being almost equal to that of the highly aerobic tissue, kidney cortex. Furthermore, the endogenous respiratory rate (in the absence of added substrate) was also much higher in the corpus mucosa than in the antral mucosa, indicating that oxygen demand at resting state (during the period of H+ secretion) is also higher in the corpus mucosa. We conclude that in the corpus mucosa of the stomach the aerobic energy metabolism is predominant. It is suggested that circulatory insufficiency may easily result in cell damage mainly of the corpus mucosa due to energy deficit.", "contents": "Oxidative and phosphorylative activities of the gastric mucosa of animals and humans in relation to the mechanism of stress ulcer. In order to elucidate the mechanism of stress ulceration, which is mainly involved with the corpus mucosa of the stomach, the aerobic energy metabolism of the corpus mucosa of rats, rabbits and humans was investigated and compared with those of the antral mucosa as well as other organs such as heart, kidney and liver. The results showed that the activities of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation and the concentration of the respiratory chain components were far greater in the corpus mucosa than in the antral mucosa, the activities in the former being almost equal to that of the highly aerobic tissue, kidney cortex. Furthermore, the endogenous respiratory rate (in the absence of added substrate) was also much higher in the corpus mucosa than in the antral mucosa, indicating that oxygen demand at resting state (during the period of H+ secretion) is also higher in the corpus mucosa. We conclude that in the corpus mucosa of the stomach the aerobic energy metabolism is predominant. It is suggested that circulatory insufficiency may easily result in cell damage mainly of the corpus mucosa due to energy deficit.", "PMID": 620068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3452", "title": "Dihydropyridine precursors of elastin crosslinks.", "content": "Dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodemosine are dihydropyridines which are believed to be the immediate biosynthetic precursors of desmosine and isodesmosine, the stable pyridinium ion crosslinks of elastin. It has recently been reported that appreciably amounts of dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine accumulate in elastin. In view of the ease with which such dihydropyridines are oxidized to the corresponding pyridinium ions by O2 and other mild oxidants, dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine would not be expected to accumulate in elastic tissues. It therefore seemed appropriate to analyse elastin samples for dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine using techniques different from these previously employed for this purpose. The results of these investigations indicate that dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine do not accumulate to a measurable extent in elastin.", "contents": "Dihydropyridine precursors of elastin crosslinks. Dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodemosine are dihydropyridines which are believed to be the immediate biosynthetic precursors of desmosine and isodesmosine, the stable pyridinium ion crosslinks of elastin. It has recently been reported that appreciably amounts of dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine accumulate in elastin. In view of the ease with which such dihydropyridines are oxidized to the corresponding pyridinium ions by O2 and other mild oxidants, dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine would not be expected to accumulate in elastic tissues. It therefore seemed appropriate to analyse elastin samples for dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine using techniques different from these previously employed for this purpose. The results of these investigations indicate that dihydrodesmosine and dihydroisodesmosine do not accumulate to a measurable extent in elastin.", "PMID": 620069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3453", "title": "Sodium exchange between two sites. The binding of sodium to halotolerant bacteria.", "content": "The longitudinal and transverse relaxation curves of sodium undergoing exchange between two sites are presented. When the two sites are 'bound' and 'free' sodium respectively, the relaxation curves are, in general, not exponential. It is shown that in some cases only one exponential decay could be detected experimentally though the true decay curve is much more complicated. In such cases where the population of 'free' and 'bound' sodium are equal, only 40-70% of the total intensity would be detected, depending on the lifetime of sodium in the two sites. It is also shown that the fast exchange approximation, usually applied in the interpretation of sodium relaxation curves, might lead to wrong conclusions. Measurements of sodium relaxation times in halotolerant bacteria show that T1 and T2 are different and frequency-dependent. The intensity of the sodium sugnal is 40% of the total sodium concentration. It was possible to simulate the relaxation behaviour and intensity measurements by applying the following model. There are three types of sodium, the extracellular sodium (A) which exchanges with part of the intracellular sodium (B) and a fraction (C) which is bound but does not exchange with the extracellular sodium. It was possible to estimate the physical properties of sodium at site B. The quadrupole coupling constant (e2qQ/H)B = 9.10(6) rad/s, the correlation time taucB = 5.5.10(-7) s and the lifetime of sodium at site B, tauB = 6.10(-4) s.", "contents": "Sodium exchange between two sites. The binding of sodium to halotolerant bacteria. The longitudinal and transverse relaxation curves of sodium undergoing exchange between two sites are presented. When the two sites are 'bound' and 'free' sodium respectively, the relaxation curves are, in general, not exponential. It is shown that in some cases only one exponential decay could be detected experimentally though the true decay curve is much more complicated. In such cases where the population of 'free' and 'bound' sodium are equal, only 40-70% of the total intensity would be detected, depending on the lifetime of sodium in the two sites. It is also shown that the fast exchange approximation, usually applied in the interpretation of sodium relaxation curves, might lead to wrong conclusions. Measurements of sodium relaxation times in halotolerant bacteria show that T1 and T2 are different and frequency-dependent. The intensity of the sodium sugnal is 40% of the total sodium concentration. It was possible to simulate the relaxation behaviour and intensity measurements by applying the following model. There are three types of sodium, the extracellular sodium (A) which exchanges with part of the intracellular sodium (B) and a fraction (C) which is bound but does not exchange with the extracellular sodium. It was possible to estimate the physical properties of sodium at site B. The quadrupole coupling constant (e2qQ/H)B = 9.10(6) rad/s, the correlation time taucB = 5.5.10(-7) s and the lifetime of sodium at site B, tauB = 6.10(-4) s.", "PMID": 620070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3454", "title": "Studies on lectins. XXXV. Water-soluble O-glycosyl polyacrylamide derivatives for specific precipitation of lectins.", "content": "By copolymerization of acrylamide and allyl glycosides of various sugars, O-glycosyl derivatives of polyacrylamide copolymers were prepared. The sugar content of the copolymers can be varied in the range 0--40%, their sedimentation coefficient shows the vales of 2.5-5.7 S; the molecular weight of an O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl polyacrylamide copolymer (29% mannose, so20,w = 2.9 S) was estimated as 44 500. Copolymers with incorporated glycosyl residues interacting specifically with lectins yield precipitates with them upon immunodiffusion in cellulose acetate. The quantitative precipitin curves obtained with these copolymers are similar to those produced by quantitative precipitation of lectins with natural polysaccharides. The copolymers may serve as model substances of natural polysaccharides.", "contents": "Studies on lectins. XXXV. Water-soluble O-glycosyl polyacrylamide derivatives for specific precipitation of lectins. By copolymerization of acrylamide and allyl glycosides of various sugars, O-glycosyl derivatives of polyacrylamide copolymers were prepared. The sugar content of the copolymers can be varied in the range 0--40%, their sedimentation coefficient shows the vales of 2.5-5.7 S; the molecular weight of an O-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl polyacrylamide copolymer (29% mannose, so20,w = 2.9 S) was estimated as 44 500. Copolymers with incorporated glycosyl residues interacting specifically with lectins yield precipitates with them upon immunodiffusion in cellulose acetate. The quantitative precipitin curves obtained with these copolymers are similar to those produced by quantitative precipitation of lectins with natural polysaccharides. The copolymers may serve as model substances of natural polysaccharides.", "PMID": 620071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3455", "title": "Microbial metabolism of aliphatic glycols. Bacterial metabolism of ethylene glycol.", "content": "A species of Flavobacterium isolated from pond water by its ability to grow aerobically on ethylene glycol as the role source of carbon initially oxidised the diol to glyoxylate via glycollate. The glyoxylate was metabolised by the glycerate pathway to acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA was further metabolised by the tricarboxylic acid cycle plus malate synthase acting anaplerotically.", "contents": "Microbial metabolism of aliphatic glycols. Bacterial metabolism of ethylene glycol. A species of Flavobacterium isolated from pond water by its ability to grow aerobically on ethylene glycol as the role source of carbon initially oxidised the diol to glyoxylate via glycollate. The glyoxylate was metabolised by the glycerate pathway to acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA was further metabolised by the tricarboxylic acid cycle plus malate synthase acting anaplerotically.", "PMID": 620072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3456", "title": "Estrogen-induced synthesis of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks. Kinetics and hormonal specificity.", "content": "The kinetics of estrogen-induced elevation in the plasma concentration of riboflavin-binding protein, a minor yolk constituent, was investigated in immature male chicks, using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure. Following a single injection of the hormone, the plasma riboflavin-binding protein content was enhanced several-fold at 6 h, reaching peak levels around 48 h and declining thereafter. A two-fold amplification of the response was evident on secondary stimulation with the hormone. A 4-h lag phase prior to onset of induction was noticed during both primary and secondary stimulations with the steroid hormone. The magnitude of the response was dependent on the hormonal dose whereas the initial lag phase and the time of peak riboflavin-binding protein accumulation were unaltered within the range of hormonal doses tested. The half-life of riboflavin-binding protein in the circulation was 10 h, as calculated from measurement of the rate of disappearance of exogenously administered 125I-labelled protein. Simultaneous administration of progesterone did not affect the kinetics of riboflavin-binding protein production. On the other hand, the antiestrogens, cis- and trans-clomiphene citrates, given 30 min prior to estrogen and cycloheximide, effectively counteracted the hormone-induced riboflavin-binding protein elaboration. Both progesterone and the antiestrogens per se were completely ineffective in substituting for estrogen in the inductive process.", "contents": "Estrogen-induced synthesis of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks. Kinetics and hormonal specificity. The kinetics of estrogen-induced elevation in the plasma concentration of riboflavin-binding protein, a minor yolk constituent, was investigated in immature male chicks, using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure. Following a single injection of the hormone, the plasma riboflavin-binding protein content was enhanced several-fold at 6 h, reaching peak levels around 48 h and declining thereafter. A two-fold amplification of the response was evident on secondary stimulation with the hormone. A 4-h lag phase prior to onset of induction was noticed during both primary and secondary stimulations with the steroid hormone. The magnitude of the response was dependent on the hormonal dose whereas the initial lag phase and the time of peak riboflavin-binding protein accumulation were unaltered within the range of hormonal doses tested. The half-life of riboflavin-binding protein in the circulation was 10 h, as calculated from measurement of the rate of disappearance of exogenously administered 125I-labelled protein. Simultaneous administration of progesterone did not affect the kinetics of riboflavin-binding protein production. On the other hand, the antiestrogens, cis- and trans-clomiphene citrates, given 30 min prior to estrogen and cycloheximide, effectively counteracted the hormone-induced riboflavin-binding protein elaboration. Both progesterone and the antiestrogens per se were completely ineffective in substituting for estrogen in the inductive process.", "PMID": 620073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3457", "title": "Precocious differentiation of mouse parotid glands and pancreas induced by hormones.", "content": "Changes of alpha-amylase activity (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) in mouse parotid gland and pancreas were investigated during embryonic and postnatal development. Amylase activity in the parotid gland increased from around day 12 and reached the adult level on day 30. On the other hand, the activity in the pancreas increased during the last stage of gestation, decreased after birth, and then gradually increased from around day 15, reaching the adult level on day 35. Precocious differentiation of the parotid gland was induced by injections of hydrocortisone or thyroxine after birth, but these hormones did not have additive effects on the parotid gland. Injection of insulin had little effect when given alone, but suppressed the effects of the other two hormones on the gland. Only hydrocortisone increased the amylase activity in mouse pancreas during postnatal development, the other two hormones causing slight decrease in pancreatic amylase. Adrenalectomy and injection of hydrocortisone affected the parotid gland but not the pancreas of adult mice. These results suggest that hydrocortisone is involved in cytodifferentiations of the parotid gland and pancreas, and in maintenance of the parotid gland. Thyroxine may also be important in differentiation of the parotid gland.", "contents": "Precocious differentiation of mouse parotid glands and pancreas induced by hormones. Changes of alpha-amylase activity (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1) in mouse parotid gland and pancreas were investigated during embryonic and postnatal development. Amylase activity in the parotid gland increased from around day 12 and reached the adult level on day 30. On the other hand, the activity in the pancreas increased during the last stage of gestation, decreased after birth, and then gradually increased from around day 15, reaching the adult level on day 35. Precocious differentiation of the parotid gland was induced by injections of hydrocortisone or thyroxine after birth, but these hormones did not have additive effects on the parotid gland. Injection of insulin had little effect when given alone, but suppressed the effects of the other two hormones on the gland. Only hydrocortisone increased the amylase activity in mouse pancreas during postnatal development, the other two hormones causing slight decrease in pancreatic amylase. Adrenalectomy and injection of hydrocortisone affected the parotid gland but not the pancreas of adult mice. These results suggest that hydrocortisone is involved in cytodifferentiations of the parotid gland and pancreas, and in maintenance of the parotid gland. Thyroxine may also be important in differentiation of the parotid gland.", "PMID": 620074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3458", "title": "Carbohydrate-binding specificity of pokeweed mitogens.", "content": "The carbohydrate-binding specificity of two pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) mitogens (Pa-1 and Pa-2) was investigated by means of hemagglutination inhibition assays and the quantitative inhibition of the binding of 125I-labeled lectins to human erythrocytes using various oligosaccharides, glycopeptides and glycoproteins as hapten inhibitors. Among the inhibitors employed in this study, chitin oligosaccharides and the glycopeptides and glycoproteins which bear sugar chains of the type found in serum glycoproteins, particularly PAS-1 glycoprotein and band-3 glycoprotein of human erythrocyte membranes, exerted strong inhibitory activity. The inhibitory constants of band-3 glycoprotein toward the binding of both mitogens to human erythrocytes were found to be very close to the association constants of the mitogens to the cells. Furthermore, the results of competitive binding studies between Pa-1 and Pa-2 indicated that these mitogens share a common oligosaccharide chains on the erythrocyte surface. To isolate the membrane receptors for these two mitogens, the solubilized membranes of human erythrocytes were subjected to affinity chromatographies using Pa-1-Sepharose 4B and Pa-2-Sepharose 4B as specific adsorbents. In both cases of these two specific adsorbents, band-3 glycoprotein was found to bind most strongly. These results suggest that two pokeweed mitogens have essentially the same carbohydrate-binding specificity and they bind primarily to the sugar chains of band-3 glycoprotein, possibly to the core structure of the sugar chains containing a di-N-acetylchitobiose moiety, on human erythrocytes.", "contents": "Carbohydrate-binding specificity of pokeweed mitogens. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of two pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) mitogens (Pa-1 and Pa-2) was investigated by means of hemagglutination inhibition assays and the quantitative inhibition of the binding of 125I-labeled lectins to human erythrocytes using various oligosaccharides, glycopeptides and glycoproteins as hapten inhibitors. Among the inhibitors employed in this study, chitin oligosaccharides and the glycopeptides and glycoproteins which bear sugar chains of the type found in serum glycoproteins, particularly PAS-1 glycoprotein and band-3 glycoprotein of human erythrocyte membranes, exerted strong inhibitory activity. The inhibitory constants of band-3 glycoprotein toward the binding of both mitogens to human erythrocytes were found to be very close to the association constants of the mitogens to the cells. Furthermore, the results of competitive binding studies between Pa-1 and Pa-2 indicated that these mitogens share a common oligosaccharide chains on the erythrocyte surface. To isolate the membrane receptors for these two mitogens, the solubilized membranes of human erythrocytes were subjected to affinity chromatographies using Pa-1-Sepharose 4B and Pa-2-Sepharose 4B as specific adsorbents. In both cases of these two specific adsorbents, band-3 glycoprotein was found to bind most strongly. These results suggest that two pokeweed mitogens have essentially the same carbohydrate-binding specificity and they bind primarily to the sugar chains of band-3 glycoprotein, possibly to the core structure of the sugar chains containing a di-N-acetylchitobiose moiety, on human erythrocytes.", "PMID": 620075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3459", "title": "Voltage-dependent capacitance in lipid bilayers made from monolayers.", "content": "Electrocompression has been measured in lipid bilayers made by apposition of two monolayers. The capacitance C(V), as a function of membrane potential, V, was found to be well described by C(V) = C(O) [1 + alpha(V + delta psi)2] where C(O) is the capacitance at V = O, alpha is the fractional increase in capacitance per square volt, and delta psi is the surface potential difference. In lipid bilayers made from monolayers alpha has a value of 0.02 V-2, which is ca. 500-fold smaller than the value found in solvent containing membranes. In asymmetric bilayers made of one neutral and one negatively charged monolayer, delta psi values were found to be those expected from independent measurements of surface charge density. If the fractional increase in capacitance found here is a good approximation to that of biological membranes, nonlinear capacitative charge displacement derived from electrostriction is expected to be less than 1% of the total gating charge displacement found in squid axons.", "contents": "Voltage-dependent capacitance in lipid bilayers made from monolayers. Electrocompression has been measured in lipid bilayers made by apposition of two monolayers. The capacitance C(V), as a function of membrane potential, V, was found to be well described by C(V) = C(O) [1 + alpha(V + delta psi)2] where C(O) is the capacitance at V = O, alpha is the fractional increase in capacitance per square volt, and delta psi is the surface potential difference. In lipid bilayers made from monolayers alpha has a value of 0.02 V-2, which is ca. 500-fold smaller than the value found in solvent containing membranes. In asymmetric bilayers made of one neutral and one negatively charged monolayer, delta psi values were found to be those expected from independent measurements of surface charge density. If the fractional increase in capacitance found here is a good approximation to that of biological membranes, nonlinear capacitative charge displacement derived from electrostriction is expected to be less than 1% of the total gating charge displacement found in squid axons.", "PMID": 620076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3460", "title": "Inner voltage clamping. A method for studying interactions among hydrophobic ions in a lipid bilayer.", "content": "Ketterer, et al. (1971) have suggested that a combination of electrostatic and chemical interactions may cause hydrophobic ions absorbed within a bilayer lipid membrane to reside in two potential wells, each close to a membrane surface. The resulting two planes of charges would define three regions of membrane dielectric: two identical outer regions each between a plane of absorbed charges and the plane of closest approach of ions in the aqueous phase; and the inner region between the two planes of adsorbed charges. The theory describing charge translocation across the inner region is based on a simple three-capacitor model. A significant theoretical conclusion is that the difference between the voltage across the inner region, V(i), and the voltage across the entire membrane, V(m), is directly proportional to the amount of charge that has flowed in a voltage clamp experiment. We demonstrate that we can construct an \"inner voltage clamp\" that can maintain, with positive feedback, a constant inner voltage, V(i). The manifestation of proper feedback is that the clamp current (after a voltage step) will exhibit pure (i.e., single time-constant) exponential decay, because the voltage dependent rate constants governing translocation will be independent of time. The \"pureness\" of the exponential is maximized when the standard deviation of the least-square fit of the appropriate exponential equation to the experimental data is minimized. The concomitant feedback is directly related to the capacitances of the inner and outer membrane regions, C(i) and C(o).Experimental results with tetraphenylborate ion adsorbed in bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine/n-decane bilayers indicate C(i) approximately 5 . 10(-7)F/cm(2) and C(o) approximately 5 . 10(-5)F/cm(2).", "contents": "Inner voltage clamping. A method for studying interactions among hydrophobic ions in a lipid bilayer. Ketterer, et al. (1971) have suggested that a combination of electrostatic and chemical interactions may cause hydrophobic ions absorbed within a bilayer lipid membrane to reside in two potential wells, each close to a membrane surface. The resulting two planes of charges would define three regions of membrane dielectric: two identical outer regions each between a plane of absorbed charges and the plane of closest approach of ions in the aqueous phase; and the inner region between the two planes of adsorbed charges. The theory describing charge translocation across the inner region is based on a simple three-capacitor model. A significant theoretical conclusion is that the difference between the voltage across the inner region, V(i), and the voltage across the entire membrane, V(m), is directly proportional to the amount of charge that has flowed in a voltage clamp experiment. We demonstrate that we can construct an \"inner voltage clamp\" that can maintain, with positive feedback, a constant inner voltage, V(i). The manifestation of proper feedback is that the clamp current (after a voltage step) will exhibit pure (i.e., single time-constant) exponential decay, because the voltage dependent rate constants governing translocation will be independent of time. The \"pureness\" of the exponential is maximized when the standard deviation of the least-square fit of the appropriate exponential equation to the experimental data is minimized. The concomitant feedback is directly related to the capacitances of the inner and outer membrane regions, C(i) and C(o).Experimental results with tetraphenylborate ion adsorbed in bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine/n-decane bilayers indicate C(i) approximately 5 . 10(-7)F/cm(2) and C(o) approximately 5 . 10(-5)F/cm(2).", "PMID": 620078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3461", "title": "Electrostatic interactions among hydrophobic ions in lipid bilayer membranes.", "content": "We have shown that the absorption of tetraphenylborate into black lipid membranes formed from either bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine or glycerolmonooleate produces concentration-dependent changes in the electrostatic potential between the membrane interior and the bulk aqueous phases. These potential changes were studied by a variety of techniques: voltage clamp, charge pulse, and \"probe\" measurements on black lipid membranes; electrophroetic mobility measurements on phospholipid vesicles; and surface potential measurements on phospholipid monolayers. The magnitude of the potential changes indicates that tetraphenylborate absorbs into a region of the membrane with a low dielectric constant, where it produces substantial boundary potentials, as first suggested by Markin et al. (1971). Many features of our data can be explained by a simple three-capacitor model, which we develop in a self-consistent manner. Some discrepancies between our data and the simple model suggest that discrete charge phenomena may be important within these thin membranes.", "contents": "Electrostatic interactions among hydrophobic ions in lipid bilayer membranes. We have shown that the absorption of tetraphenylborate into black lipid membranes formed from either bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine or glycerolmonooleate produces concentration-dependent changes in the electrostatic potential between the membrane interior and the bulk aqueous phases. These potential changes were studied by a variety of techniques: voltage clamp, charge pulse, and \"probe\" measurements on black lipid membranes; electrophroetic mobility measurements on phospholipid vesicles; and surface potential measurements on phospholipid monolayers. The magnitude of the potential changes indicates that tetraphenylborate absorbs into a region of the membrane with a low dielectric constant, where it produces substantial boundary potentials, as first suggested by Markin et al. (1971). Many features of our data can be explained by a simple three-capacitor model, which we develop in a self-consistent manner. Some discrepancies between our data and the simple model suggest that discrete charge phenomena may be important within these thin membranes.", "PMID": 620077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3462", "title": "A mechanism for 1/f noise in diffusing membrane channels.", "content": "The diffusion polarization effect is shown to produce 1/f (omega-1) noise in the conductance of membranes containing diffusing ion channels. The magnitude and frequency range of the effect are calculated.", "contents": "A mechanism for 1/f noise in diffusing membrane channels. The diffusion polarization effect is shown to produce 1/f (omega-1) noise in the conductance of membranes containing diffusing ion channels. The magnitude and frequency range of the effect are calculated.", "PMID": 620079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3463", "title": "Myosin subfragment-1 attachment to actin. Expected effect on equatorial reflections.", "content": "The characteristic equatorial X-ray pattern from a relaxed vertebrate skeletal muscle changes when the muscle is activated. In particular, there is a simultaneous decrease in the intensity of the first reflection (I10) and increase in the intensity of the second (I11). This observed change is almost reciprocal. When compared with the predictions of computer modeling, it produces a strong argument that the intensity change is due to a redistribution of myosin heads (myosin subfragment-1 or S-1), which results from the formation and configuration changes of actin-myosin links. Computer modeling shows that different actin-S-1 configurations will give different numerical values for I10 and I11, assuming the same number of attachments. For a given configuration, the intensity changes are a nonlinear function of attachment number, so that direct scaling of force to reflection intensity may be difficult. Data from active muscle are consistent with the notion that in different states of active muscle, i.e. shortening or isometric, there are different average configurations of actin-myosin attachment and different numbers of actin-myosin links.", "contents": "Myosin subfragment-1 attachment to actin. Expected effect on equatorial reflections. The characteristic equatorial X-ray pattern from a relaxed vertebrate skeletal muscle changes when the muscle is activated. In particular, there is a simultaneous decrease in the intensity of the first reflection (I10) and increase in the intensity of the second (I11). This observed change is almost reciprocal. When compared with the predictions of computer modeling, it produces a strong argument that the intensity change is due to a redistribution of myosin heads (myosin subfragment-1 or S-1), which results from the formation and configuration changes of actin-myosin links. Computer modeling shows that different actin-S-1 configurations will give different numerical values for I10 and I11, assuming the same number of attachments. For a given configuration, the intensity changes are a nonlinear function of attachment number, so that direct scaling of force to reflection intensity may be difficult. Data from active muscle are consistent with the notion that in different states of active muscle, i.e. shortening or isometric, there are different average configurations of actin-myosin attachment and different numbers of actin-myosin links.", "PMID": 620080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3464", "title": "Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia: a clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells with secondary myelofibrosis.", "content": "The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) types and chromosomes of hematopoietic and other tissues were determined in a woman with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. The patient was heterozygous at the X-linked G-6-PD locus so that both B and A isoenzymes were found in nonhematopoietic cells. In contrast, only one G-6-PD type was found in granulocytes, red cells, and platelets. She also had a distinctive chromosome abnormality in blood cells but not in other tissues. These results indicate that agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is a disorder of a pluripotent stem cell and provide strong evidence that it is of clonal origin. In contrast to blood cells, the patient's cultured marrow \"fibroblasts\" had normal chromosomes and both B and A G-6-PD types, suggesting that the marrow fibrosis is a secondary abnormality. Thus, at least in this case of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, the hematopoietic cell proliferation appears to be clonal, and, by inference, possibly neoplastic, whereas the marrow fibrosis is probably not clonal, and therefore appears to be secondary.", "contents": "Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia: a clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells with secondary myelofibrosis. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) types and chromosomes of hematopoietic and other tissues were determined in a woman with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. The patient was heterozygous at the X-linked G-6-PD locus so that both B and A isoenzymes were found in nonhematopoietic cells. In contrast, only one G-6-PD type was found in granulocytes, red cells, and platelets. She also had a distinctive chromosome abnormality in blood cells but not in other tissues. These results indicate that agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is a disorder of a pluripotent stem cell and provide strong evidence that it is of clonal origin. In contrast to blood cells, the patient's cultured marrow \"fibroblasts\" had normal chromosomes and both B and A G-6-PD types, suggesting that the marrow fibrosis is a secondary abnormality. Thus, at least in this case of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, the hematopoietic cell proliferation appears to be clonal, and, by inference, possibly neoplastic, whereas the marrow fibrosis is probably not clonal, and therefore appears to be secondary.", "PMID": 620081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3465", "title": "Heterogeneity of human colony-forming cells.", "content": "Culture supernatants from established human fibroblast cell lines (FCM) and from phytahemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood leukocytes (LCM) were compared with respect to their stimulatory effects on the colony formation by human marrow leukocyte precursors in vitro using the methylcellulose culture system. The cultures were performed using specimens from children with a variety of disorders. LCM stimulation consistently produced a significantly higher proportion of macrophage colonies than did FCM stimulation, whereas FCM stimulation resulted in a significantly higher number of number of neutrophil colonies. Based on the sequential examination of colony numbers in 35 FCM-and 11 LCM-stimulated cultures, the colonies in LCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly macrophage colonies) survived much longer than those in FCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly neutrophil colonies). Cell fractionation experiments by velocity sedimentation on four different specimens revealed that the majority of FCM-responsive cells were large and formed pure neutrophil colonies, while the majority of LCM-responsive cells were smaller and formed either pure macrophage or mixed neutrophil-macrophage colonies. These observations suggest that human colony-forming cells consist of at least two distinct cell populations different in (1) cell size, (2) response to two different conditioned media, LCM and FCM, and (3) type of colonies each population forms.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of human colony-forming cells. Culture supernatants from established human fibroblast cell lines (FCM) and from phytahemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood leukocytes (LCM) were compared with respect to their stimulatory effects on the colony formation by human marrow leukocyte precursors in vitro using the methylcellulose culture system. The cultures were performed using specimens from children with a variety of disorders. LCM stimulation consistently produced a significantly higher proportion of macrophage colonies than did FCM stimulation, whereas FCM stimulation resulted in a significantly higher number of number of neutrophil colonies. Based on the sequential examination of colony numbers in 35 FCM-and 11 LCM-stimulated cultures, the colonies in LCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly macrophage colonies) survived much longer than those in FCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly neutrophil colonies). Cell fractionation experiments by velocity sedimentation on four different specimens revealed that the majority of FCM-responsive cells were large and formed pure neutrophil colonies, while the majority of LCM-responsive cells were smaller and formed either pure macrophage or mixed neutrophil-macrophage colonies. These observations suggest that human colony-forming cells consist of at least two distinct cell populations different in (1) cell size, (2) response to two different conditioned media, LCM and FCM, and (3) type of colonies each population forms.", "PMID": 620082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3466", "title": "Proliferative state of normal in vitro colony-forming cells during development of L5222 rat leukemia and their reaction to chemotherapy.", "content": "In the experimental rat leukemia, L5222, the decrease of normal in vitro colony-forming cells (CFU-C) after chemotherapy with daunomycin is much less than in nonleukemic controls. The leukemia is therefore used here to test the hypothesis that in leukemia the CFU-C are expelled from the active cell cycle to a resting state and are thereby less sensitive to cycle-dependent chemotherapeutic agents. The L5222 leukemia has the advantage that the leukemic blast cells do not form colonies in agar culture so that normal CFU-C can be assessed under leukemic conditions. To compare the proportions of CFU-C in the S-phase in normal and leukemic rats, two S-phase-specific agents, 3H-thymidine and hydroxyurea, were used to kill proliferating bone marrow cells. Following treatment with 3H-thymidine in vitro, about 41% of the CFU-C were killed in normal and about 25% in leukemic bone marrow. Hydroxyurea administered in vivo resulted in the death of about 33% and 26%, respectively. The results indicate that fewer normal CFU-C are in S-phase in the L5222 leukemia, which might help to explain how enough normal stem cells survive chemotherapy to regenerate the bone marrow.", "contents": "Proliferative state of normal in vitro colony-forming cells during development of L5222 rat leukemia and their reaction to chemotherapy. In the experimental rat leukemia, L5222, the decrease of normal in vitro colony-forming cells (CFU-C) after chemotherapy with daunomycin is much less than in nonleukemic controls. The leukemia is therefore used here to test the hypothesis that in leukemia the CFU-C are expelled from the active cell cycle to a resting state and are thereby less sensitive to cycle-dependent chemotherapeutic agents. The L5222 leukemia has the advantage that the leukemic blast cells do not form colonies in agar culture so that normal CFU-C can be assessed under leukemic conditions. To compare the proportions of CFU-C in the S-phase in normal and leukemic rats, two S-phase-specific agents, 3H-thymidine and hydroxyurea, were used to kill proliferating bone marrow cells. Following treatment with 3H-thymidine in vitro, about 41% of the CFU-C were killed in normal and about 25% in leukemic bone marrow. Hydroxyurea administered in vivo resulted in the death of about 33% and 26%, respectively. The results indicate that fewer normal CFU-C are in S-phase in the L5222 leukemia, which might help to explain how enough normal stem cells survive chemotherapy to regenerate the bone marrow.", "PMID": 620083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3467", "title": "Regulation of megakaryopoiesis in long-term murine bone marrow cultures.", "content": "Megakaryocytes and their precursor cells were sustained in mouse bone marrow suspension cultures for over 4-6 wk. Megakaryocyte precursor cells were detected by their capacity to form colonies of megakaryocytes in semisolid agar cultures. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of medium conditioned by a myelomonocytic leukemic cell line (WEHI-3CM). Megakaryocytes from the liquid and semisolid cultures were identified by cytoplasmic acetylcholine esterase and by ultrastructural analysis. The suspension medium from the bone marrow liquid cultures which sustained megakaryopoiesis was not directly acitive in stimulating megakaryocyte colony formation in the semisolid agar cultures, but potentiated the number of colonies detected when WEHI-3CM was present. Bone marrow-conditioned medium increased the sensitivity of megakaryocyte progenitor cells to the stimulus in WEHI-3CM. Addition of the activities present in the two sources produced a quantitative assay for the detection of mouse megakaryocyte progenitor cells. These studies showed: (1) that no inductive regulator of in vitro clones of megakaryocytes was present in the supernatants from the long-term marrow cultures and, (2) that at least two factors were necessary for the induction of megakaryocyte progenitors to proliferate and differentiate in semisolid cultures in vitro.", "contents": "Regulation of megakaryopoiesis in long-term murine bone marrow cultures. Megakaryocytes and their precursor cells were sustained in mouse bone marrow suspension cultures for over 4-6 wk. Megakaryocyte precursor cells were detected by their capacity to form colonies of megakaryocytes in semisolid agar cultures. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of medium conditioned by a myelomonocytic leukemic cell line (WEHI-3CM). Megakaryocytes from the liquid and semisolid cultures were identified by cytoplasmic acetylcholine esterase and by ultrastructural analysis. The suspension medium from the bone marrow liquid cultures which sustained megakaryopoiesis was not directly acitive in stimulating megakaryocyte colony formation in the semisolid agar cultures, but potentiated the number of colonies detected when WEHI-3CM was present. Bone marrow-conditioned medium increased the sensitivity of megakaryocyte progenitor cells to the stimulus in WEHI-3CM. Addition of the activities present in the two sources produced a quantitative assay for the detection of mouse megakaryocyte progenitor cells. These studies showed: (1) that no inductive regulator of in vitro clones of megakaryocytes was present in the supernatants from the long-term marrow cultures and, (2) that at least two factors were necessary for the induction of megakaryocyte progenitors to proliferate and differentiate in semisolid cultures in vitro.", "PMID": 620084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3468", "title": "Hypoprothrombinemia: case report.", "content": "A patient with a significant history of spontaneous and posttraumatic bleeding was found to have hypoprothrombinemia. His prothrombin (factor II) activity by clotting assay was 9.5% and his factor II antigen was 5%. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation of the patient's plasma showed his prothrombin to be qualitatively indistinguishable from normal prothrombin by these techniques.", "contents": "Hypoprothrombinemia: case report. A patient with a significant history of spontaneous and posttraumatic bleeding was found to have hypoprothrombinemia. His prothrombin (factor II) activity by clotting assay was 9.5% and his factor II antigen was 5%. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation of the patient's plasma showed his prothrombin to be qualitatively indistinguishable from normal prothrombin by these techniques.", "PMID": 620085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3469", "title": "Differences in the terminal steps of complement lysis of normal and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria red cells.", "content": "The number of microscopically visible lesions produced on the membrane for a given degree of lysis on normal cells as on PNH cells. Since complement lesions were not formed until C8 or C9 was incorporated into the complement sequence, the results suggest that increased lysis of red cells in PNH is due at least in part to more efficient penetration of the PNH membrane by the terminal lytic sequence of complement. Furthermore, the efficiency of the terminal lytic sequence in the lysis of PNH cells when complement was activated by the alternative pathway and the classical pathway was analyzed. There was no significant difference (p less than 0.01) in the number of lesion present at an equivalent degree of lysis when initiated by antibody, cobra venom factor, or acidification. Thus, the efficiency of the terminal lytic sequence does not vary with different modes of activation.", "contents": "Differences in the terminal steps of complement lysis of normal and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria red cells. The number of microscopically visible lesions produced on the membrane for a given degree of lysis on normal cells as on PNH cells. Since complement lesions were not formed until C8 or C9 was incorporated into the complement sequence, the results suggest that increased lysis of red cells in PNH is due at least in part to more efficient penetration of the PNH membrane by the terminal lytic sequence of complement. Furthermore, the efficiency of the terminal lytic sequence in the lysis of PNH cells when complement was activated by the alternative pathway and the classical pathway was analyzed. There was no significant difference (p less than 0.01) in the number of lesion present at an equivalent degree of lysis when initiated by antibody, cobra venom factor, or acidification. Thus, the efficiency of the terminal lytic sequence does not vary with different modes of activation.", "PMID": 620087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3470", "title": "Interaction between Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia: an approach to the problem of the number of human alpha loci.", "content": "We report the case of an Italian infant girl from Polesine (Po delta region in northern Italy) who was heterozygous for Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia, did not synthesize any normal HbA, and had 3% HbH on electrophoresis. Hematologic and biosynthetic studies on Hb Hasharon carriers of the propositus' family suggest the possibility that the Hb Hasharon gene is linked to an alpha-thalassemia gene. On the other hand, in the Askenazy carriers of Hb Hasharon, Hb Harsharon is probably linked to a normal alpha gene. In comparing Hb Hasharon's behavior with that of other alpha variants, particularly HbG Philadelphia, frequent recombinations between alpha structural genes were suggested. The possible identity between the single alpha locus and the alpha2-thalassemia genotype is discussed.", "contents": "Interaction between Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia: an approach to the problem of the number of human alpha loci. We report the case of an Italian infant girl from Polesine (Po delta region in northern Italy) who was heterozygous for Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia, did not synthesize any normal HbA, and had 3% HbH on electrophoresis. Hematologic and biosynthetic studies on Hb Hasharon carriers of the propositus' family suggest the possibility that the Hb Hasharon gene is linked to an alpha-thalassemia gene. On the other hand, in the Askenazy carriers of Hb Hasharon, Hb Harsharon is probably linked to a normal alpha gene. In comparing Hb Hasharon's behavior with that of other alpha variants, particularly HbG Philadelphia, frequent recombinations between alpha structural genes were suggested. The possible identity between the single alpha locus and the alpha2-thalassemia genotype is discussed.", "PMID": 620088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3471", "title": "Defective iron uptake and globin synthesis by erythroid cells in the anemia of the Belgrade laboratory rat.", "content": "Erythroid cell iron uptake and globin synthesis were studied in the anemia of the Belgrade Laboratory rat (gene symbol, b), an autosomal recessive trait characterized by hypochromia and hyperferrinemia. Reticulocyte protein and globin synthesis, as measured in vitro by the incorporation of 3H-L-leucine, were significantly diminished in b/b animals, although no major imbalance between alpha-and beta-chain production was observed in b/b reticulocytes. The incorporation in vitro of 3H-L-methionine into marrow cell globin demonstrated no difference between b/b animals and +/? control animals in the proportion of alpha-to beta-chain production. The transfer of iron from plasma to reticulocytes, as measured in vitro by the uptake of 59Fe, was significantly decreased in b/b animals; Sephadex G 200 chromatography of b/b red cell lysates did not reveal the accumulation of 59Fe in nonhemoglobin fractions found when heme synthesis was inhibited with isoniazid. The magnitude of the reticulocyte iron-uptake defect was greater than the reticulocyte globin-synthesis defect, suggesting that the former is the primary lesion.", "contents": "Defective iron uptake and globin synthesis by erythroid cells in the anemia of the Belgrade laboratory rat. Erythroid cell iron uptake and globin synthesis were studied in the anemia of the Belgrade Laboratory rat (gene symbol, b), an autosomal recessive trait characterized by hypochromia and hyperferrinemia. Reticulocyte protein and globin synthesis, as measured in vitro by the incorporation of 3H-L-leucine, were significantly diminished in b/b animals, although no major imbalance between alpha-and beta-chain production was observed in b/b reticulocytes. The incorporation in vitro of 3H-L-methionine into marrow cell globin demonstrated no difference between b/b animals and +/? control animals in the proportion of alpha-to beta-chain production. The transfer of iron from plasma to reticulocytes, as measured in vitro by the uptake of 59Fe, was significantly decreased in b/b animals; Sephadex G 200 chromatography of b/b red cell lysates did not reveal the accumulation of 59Fe in nonhemoglobin fractions found when heme synthesis was inhibited with isoniazid. The magnitude of the reticulocyte iron-uptake defect was greater than the reticulocyte globin-synthesis defect, suggesting that the former is the primary lesion.", "PMID": 620089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3472", "title": "The effects of glycerol detubulation, of manganese ions, of dantrolene and of nitrate ions on the responses of isolated chronically denervated soleus muscles of the mouse to acetylcholine.", "content": "1 In the isolated chronically denervated soleus muscle of the mouse acetylcholine produced a biphasic contraction. 2 In muscles detubulated by glycerol treatment, the first phase of the acetylcholine contraction was almost abolished, but the second was only slightly reduced or was unaffected. 3 Manganese ions (10 mM) reduced the first phase of the acetylcholine response, but enhanced the second. 4 Dantrolene sodium (5.94 x 10(-5) M) reduced the first phase of the acetylcholine response, but not the second. 5 Nitrate ions (118 mM) augmented the first phase but not the second. 6 It was concluded that the first phase requires the excitation-contraction-coupling sequence: membrane depolarization-T-tubules-Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, the second phase appears to occur independently of these processes.", "contents": "The effects of glycerol detubulation, of manganese ions, of dantrolene and of nitrate ions on the responses of isolated chronically denervated soleus muscles of the mouse to acetylcholine. 1 In the isolated chronically denervated soleus muscle of the mouse acetylcholine produced a biphasic contraction. 2 In muscles detubulated by glycerol treatment, the first phase of the acetylcholine contraction was almost abolished, but the second was only slightly reduced or was unaffected. 3 Manganese ions (10 mM) reduced the first phase of the acetylcholine response, but enhanced the second. 4 Dantrolene sodium (5.94 x 10(-5) M) reduced the first phase of the acetylcholine response, but not the second. 5 Nitrate ions (118 mM) augmented the first phase but not the second. 6 It was concluded that the first phase requires the excitation-contraction-coupling sequence: membrane depolarization-T-tubules-Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, the second phase appears to occur independently of these processes.", "PMID": 620091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3473", "title": "Functional changes in cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in the mouse induced by anticonvulsant drugs.", "content": "1 Acute administration of clonazepam, diazepam, and diphenylhydantoin to mice elevated cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA); chronic administration had less effect. 2 Acute administration of clonazepam and diazepam but not diphenylhydantoin raised cerebral trytophan levels; chronic administration of clonazepam caused a smaller elevation of cerebral tryptophan but chronic administration of diazepam still caused a large rise in cerebral tryptophan. 3 Neither clonazepam nor diazepam caused induction of drug metabolizing enzymes on chronic administration but diphenylhydantoin had a marked effect. 4 These data suggest that the altered 5-HT metabolism caused by these compounds is unrelated to a common action on tryptophan levels, and that the reduced effect of clonazepam and diazepam on chronic administration cannot be attributed to increased metabolism of these compounds. 5 Clonazepam induced abnormal head movements in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of animals with tranylcypromine increased the intensity of movement, although pargyline was without effect. Similar effects were observed with diazepam and diphenylhydantoin, suggesting that the increase in cerebral 5-HT caused by these compounds is of functional significance in stimulating 5-HT receptors.", "contents": "Functional changes in cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in the mouse induced by anticonvulsant drugs. 1 Acute administration of clonazepam, diazepam, and diphenylhydantoin to mice elevated cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA); chronic administration had less effect. 2 Acute administration of clonazepam and diazepam but not diphenylhydantoin raised cerebral trytophan levels; chronic administration of clonazepam caused a smaller elevation of cerebral tryptophan but chronic administration of diazepam still caused a large rise in cerebral tryptophan. 3 Neither clonazepam nor diazepam caused induction of drug metabolizing enzymes on chronic administration but diphenylhydantoin had a marked effect. 4 These data suggest that the altered 5-HT metabolism caused by these compounds is unrelated to a common action on tryptophan levels, and that the reduced effect of clonazepam and diazepam on chronic administration cannot be attributed to increased metabolism of these compounds. 5 Clonazepam induced abnormal head movements in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of animals with tranylcypromine increased the intensity of movement, although pargyline was without effect. Similar effects were observed with diazepam and diphenylhydantoin, suggesting that the increase in cerebral 5-HT caused by these compounds is of functional significance in stimulating 5-HT receptors.", "PMID": 620092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3474", "title": "The effect of lithium on the increase in forebrain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid produced by raphe stimulation.", "content": "1 The change in forebrain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration induced by raphe stimulation has been studied in rats treated with Li+ or 0.9% w/v NaCl solution (saline) for 10 days. 2 Raphe stimulation increased the forebrain concentration of 5-HIAA in both groups of animals. Chlorimipramine abolished this effect in the control group, but not in the Li+ group. 3 The inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake by chlorimipramine was not affected by pretreatment with Li+ or by the addition of Li+ to synaptosomal suspensions in vitro. 4 It is suggested that the production of 5-HIAA following raphe stimulation in Li+-treated animals is derived from the metabolism of 5-HT which remains within the intracellular environment. The consequence of this in relation to transmitter release is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of lithium on the increase in forebrain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid produced by raphe stimulation. 1 The change in forebrain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration induced by raphe stimulation has been studied in rats treated with Li+ or 0.9% w/v NaCl solution (saline) for 10 days. 2 Raphe stimulation increased the forebrain concentration of 5-HIAA in both groups of animals. Chlorimipramine abolished this effect in the control group, but not in the Li+ group. 3 The inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake by chlorimipramine was not affected by pretreatment with Li+ or by the addition of Li+ to synaptosomal suspensions in vitro. 4 It is suggested that the production of 5-HIAA following raphe stimulation in Li+-treated animals is derived from the metabolism of 5-HT which remains within the intracellular environment. The consequence of this in relation to transmitter release is discussed.", "PMID": 620093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3475", "title": "Effects of minoxidil and nitroprusside on reflex increases in myocardial contractility.", "content": "1 The effects of nitroprusside and minoxidil on increases in myocardial contractility resulting from carotid artery occlusion were investigated in anaesthetized dogs. The results were compared with those produced by intravenous influsion of noradrenaline. 2 Nitroprusside and minoxidil attenuated the pressor responses produced by carotid artery occlusion. 3 Nitroprusside, but not minoxidil, attenuated the maximal myocardial contractility resulting from carotid occlusion. 4 The pressor and contractility responses to noradrenaline infusion were unaffected by either agent. 5 Nitroprusside failed to alter the myocardial responses produced by dimethylphenylpiperazinium. 6 These results, in conjunction with those of other investigators who have demonstrated that nitroprusside does not affect the release of noradrenaline from adrenergic neurons, suggest that nitroprusside may inhibit sympathetic nervous system reflex activity via an afferent and/or central component.", "contents": "Effects of minoxidil and nitroprusside on reflex increases in myocardial contractility. 1 The effects of nitroprusside and minoxidil on increases in myocardial contractility resulting from carotid artery occlusion were investigated in anaesthetized dogs. The results were compared with those produced by intravenous influsion of noradrenaline. 2 Nitroprusside and minoxidil attenuated the pressor responses produced by carotid artery occlusion. 3 Nitroprusside, but not minoxidil, attenuated the maximal myocardial contractility resulting from carotid occlusion. 4 The pressor and contractility responses to noradrenaline infusion were unaffected by either agent. 5 Nitroprusside failed to alter the myocardial responses produced by dimethylphenylpiperazinium. 6 These results, in conjunction with those of other investigators who have demonstrated that nitroprusside does not affect the release of noradrenaline from adrenergic neurons, suggest that nitroprusside may inhibit sympathetic nervous system reflex activity via an afferent and/or central component.", "PMID": 620094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3476", "title": "Effects of delta1-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol on mechanical performance of isolated heart muscle preparations.", "content": "1 The effects of four concentrations of delta1-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta1-THC) (0.1, 1, 5 and 20 microgram/ml) were compared to that of the vehicle (ethanol, 0.5 microliter/ml) on the mechanical performance of isolated cardiac muscle of the cat and rat. 2 In rat isolated papillary muscles, delta1-THC (20 microgram/ml) caused a decline in mechanical performance (-8% in developed tension and -11% in Vmax) in contrast to the apparent lack of effect of ethanol. 3 All other parameters of mechanical performance studied in both rat and cat papillary muscles were unaffected by delta1-THC when compared with ethanol. 4 It was concluded that delta1-THC in concentrations up to 20 microgram/ml had negligible effect on contractile performance, the time course of contraction or muscle elasticity in rat and cat isolated papillary muscle preparations under the conditions studied.", "contents": "Effects of delta1-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol on mechanical performance of isolated heart muscle preparations. 1 The effects of four concentrations of delta1-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta1-THC) (0.1, 1, 5 and 20 microgram/ml) were compared to that of the vehicle (ethanol, 0.5 microliter/ml) on the mechanical performance of isolated cardiac muscle of the cat and rat. 2 In rat isolated papillary muscles, delta1-THC (20 microgram/ml) caused a decline in mechanical performance (-8% in developed tension and -11% in Vmax) in contrast to the apparent lack of effect of ethanol. 3 All other parameters of mechanical performance studied in both rat and cat papillary muscles were unaffected by delta1-THC when compared with ethanol. 4 It was concluded that delta1-THC in concentrations up to 20 microgram/ml had negligible effect on contractile performance, the time course of contraction or muscle elasticity in rat and cat isolated papillary muscle preparations under the conditions studied.", "PMID": 620095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3477", "title": "Characterization of the adrenoceptor in the isolated cremaster muscle of the guinea-pig.", "content": "1 Contractions of the isolated cremaster muscle of the guinea-pig obtained in response to direct electrical stimulation were augmented by salbutamol, isoprenaline, adrenaline, noradrenaline and orciprenaline (in that order of potency), and by potassium chloride. Phenylephrine and xylometazoline had no effect. 2 The augmenting effect of isoprenaline on the twitch response was not altered by yohimbine or tolazoline, but was totally prevented by butoxamine, (--)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-isopropylamino-ethanol (INPEA), (+/-)-INPEA, sotalol, metalol and practolol; (+)-INPEA was much less effective. The augmenting effect of potassium was not altered by beta-adrenoceptor blockade. 3 The results are consistent with the view that the augmenting effect of the sympathomimetic agents is mediated through beta2-type of adrenoceptor in the skeletal muscle fibres.", "contents": "Characterization of the adrenoceptor in the isolated cremaster muscle of the guinea-pig. 1 Contractions of the isolated cremaster muscle of the guinea-pig obtained in response to direct electrical stimulation were augmented by salbutamol, isoprenaline, adrenaline, noradrenaline and orciprenaline (in that order of potency), and by potassium chloride. Phenylephrine and xylometazoline had no effect. 2 The augmenting effect of isoprenaline on the twitch response was not altered by yohimbine or tolazoline, but was totally prevented by butoxamine, (--)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-isopropylamino-ethanol (INPEA), (+/-)-INPEA, sotalol, metalol and practolol; (+)-INPEA was much less effective. The augmenting effect of potassium was not altered by beta-adrenoceptor blockade. 3 The results are consistent with the view that the augmenting effect of the sympathomimetic agents is mediated through beta2-type of adrenoceptor in the skeletal muscle fibres.", "PMID": 620096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3478", "title": "Subcellular distribution of etorphine in rat brain and evidence for in vitro stereospecific binding.", "content": "1 Control experiments were carried out by homogenizing rat brain at 0 degrees C with sucrose containing various concentrations of [3H]-etorphine. Subcellular fractionation of this homogenate showed that the distribution of the labelled drug amongst the primary fractions was dependent on the concentration of etorphine in the homogenate. 2 Rats were injected intravenously with 0.2 and 20 microgram/kg of [3H]-etorphine. The brains were homogenized and fractionated in sucrose containing 4.2 x 10(-5) M unlabelled etorphine in order to control redistribution artifacts. Different distribution profiles in the subcellular fractions were observed at these two dose levels. 3 Concurrent administration of either cyprenorphine or naloxone with intravenous etorphine, caused a shift of the labelled drug from the P3 fraction to the supernatant fraction. 4 The subcellular distribution of intravenously administered [3H]-etorphine was also studied by homogenizing brains in etorphine-free sucrose, and sucrose containing either levorphanol or dextrorphan. From these experiments it was concluded that the P3 microsomal fraction is a major site to which in vivo etorphine is stereospecifically bound in the rat brain.", "contents": "Subcellular distribution of etorphine in rat brain and evidence for in vitro stereospecific binding. 1 Control experiments were carried out by homogenizing rat brain at 0 degrees C with sucrose containing various concentrations of [3H]-etorphine. Subcellular fractionation of this homogenate showed that the distribution of the labelled drug amongst the primary fractions was dependent on the concentration of etorphine in the homogenate. 2 Rats were injected intravenously with 0.2 and 20 microgram/kg of [3H]-etorphine. The brains were homogenized and fractionated in sucrose containing 4.2 x 10(-5) M unlabelled etorphine in order to control redistribution artifacts. Different distribution profiles in the subcellular fractions were observed at these two dose levels. 3 Concurrent administration of either cyprenorphine or naloxone with intravenous etorphine, caused a shift of the labelled drug from the P3 fraction to the supernatant fraction. 4 The subcellular distribution of intravenously administered [3H]-etorphine was also studied by homogenizing brains in etorphine-free sucrose, and sucrose containing either levorphanol or dextrorphan. From these experiments it was concluded that the P3 microsomal fraction is a major site to which in vivo etorphine is stereospecifically bound in the rat brain.", "PMID": 620097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3479", "title": "The cardiovascular effects of cyclopropane in the intact, decerebrate and pithed rabbit preparations.", "content": "1 The anaesthetic cyclopropane was given to intact, decerebrate and pithed unanaesthetized rabbit preparations to determine the relative importance in vivo of its central and peripheral cardiovascular effects. 2 Cyclopropane elevated both the heart rate and the mean arterial pressure in the intact rabbit. 3 In the decerebrate rabbit, cyclopropane elevated the heart rate and efferent cervical preganglionic nerve activity and diminished the magnitude of these components of the aortic baroreceptor reflex, the mean arterial pressure being unaffected. 4 Apart from slight myocardial depression, cyclopropane was largely without effect in the pithed rabbit. 5 It is concluded that cyclopropane produces its cardiovascular effects by supra-collicular activation eliciting an elevation of mean arterial pressure, a central sub-collicular activation producing an increase in heart rate, and that in vivo the peripheral effects of cyclopropane are of minimal importance in comparison to these central effects.", "contents": "The cardiovascular effects of cyclopropane in the intact, decerebrate and pithed rabbit preparations. 1 The anaesthetic cyclopropane was given to intact, decerebrate and pithed unanaesthetized rabbit preparations to determine the relative importance in vivo of its central and peripheral cardiovascular effects. 2 Cyclopropane elevated both the heart rate and the mean arterial pressure in the intact rabbit. 3 In the decerebrate rabbit, cyclopropane elevated the heart rate and efferent cervical preganglionic nerve activity and diminished the magnitude of these components of the aortic baroreceptor reflex, the mean arterial pressure being unaffected. 4 Apart from slight myocardial depression, cyclopropane was largely without effect in the pithed rabbit. 5 It is concluded that cyclopropane produces its cardiovascular effects by supra-collicular activation eliciting an elevation of mean arterial pressure, a central sub-collicular activation producing an increase in heart rate, and that in vivo the peripheral effects of cyclopropane are of minimal importance in comparison to these central effects.", "PMID": 620098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3480", "title": "Reversal of guanethidine blockade of sympathetic nerve terminals by tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine.", "content": "1 The effect of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on the inhibitory effect of guanethidine on noradrenaline (NA) release was investigated in the perfused spleen of the cat. 2 Guanethidine blocked the release of NA evoked by nerve stimulation. TEA and 4-AP readily reversed this inhibitory effect, and the NA output was nearly doubled after repeated stimulation of the nerves. On subsequent perfusion with Krebs solution without TEA or 4-AP, the inhibitory effect of guanethidine reappeared. 3 The reversal of guanethidine blockade of sympathetic nerves by TEA and 4-AP is discussed.", "contents": "Reversal of guanethidine blockade of sympathetic nerve terminals by tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. 1 The effect of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on the inhibitory effect of guanethidine on noradrenaline (NA) release was investigated in the perfused spleen of the cat. 2 Guanethidine blocked the release of NA evoked by nerve stimulation. TEA and 4-AP readily reversed this inhibitory effect, and the NA output was nearly doubled after repeated stimulation of the nerves. On subsequent perfusion with Krebs solution without TEA or 4-AP, the inhibitory effect of guanethidine reappeared. 3 The reversal of guanethidine blockade of sympathetic nerves by TEA and 4-AP is discussed.", "PMID": 620099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3481", "title": "Phospholipase A2 activity of guinea-pig isolated perfused lungs: stimulation, and inhibition by anti-inflammatory steroids.", "content": "1 A simple double-isotope assay for phospholipase A2 activity of perfused organs is described; Guinea-pig lungs perfused through the pulmonary circulation exhibit a low background enzyme activity. This activity is blocked by dexamethasone, betamethasone and hydrocortisone, mepacrine, procaine or chlorpromazine. Aspirin and indomethacin are without effect. 3 Mechanical trauma, antigen challenge or injections of bradykinin, rabbit aorta contracting substance-releasing factor (RCS-RF) or histamine increase \"basal\" phospholipase activity. The effect of these agents, except that of bradykinin, is blocked by dexamethasone or mepacrine. 4 The blocking effect of steroids is cumulative and dose-dependent. They do not work in cell-free systems. Inhibition by mepacrine is rapid and is effective in cell-free lung homogenates. 5 It is suggested that agents which liberate prostaglandin endoperoxides and thromboxane A2 from perfused lungs do so by activating phospholipase A2.", "contents": "Phospholipase A2 activity of guinea-pig isolated perfused lungs: stimulation, and inhibition by anti-inflammatory steroids. 1 A simple double-isotope assay for phospholipase A2 activity of perfused organs is described; Guinea-pig lungs perfused through the pulmonary circulation exhibit a low background enzyme activity. This activity is blocked by dexamethasone, betamethasone and hydrocortisone, mepacrine, procaine or chlorpromazine. Aspirin and indomethacin are without effect. 3 Mechanical trauma, antigen challenge or injections of bradykinin, rabbit aorta contracting substance-releasing factor (RCS-RF) or histamine increase \"basal\" phospholipase activity. The effect of these agents, except that of bradykinin, is blocked by dexamethasone or mepacrine. 4 The blocking effect of steroids is cumulative and dose-dependent. They do not work in cell-free systems. Inhibition by mepacrine is rapid and is effective in cell-free lung homogenates. 5 It is suggested that agents which liberate prostaglandin endoperoxides and thromboxane A2 from perfused lungs do so by activating phospholipase A2.", "PMID": 620100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3482", "title": "Vasopressin release produced in anaesthetized cats by antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycine.", "content": "1 In cats anaesthetized with chloralose, the central excitatory substances, tubocurarine, picrotoxin, bicuculline, leptazol and strychnine, were applied to the exposed ventral surface of the brain stem through paired Perspex rings placed across the medulla and their effects on vasopressin release and arterial blood pressure were examined.2 The excitatory substances released large amounts of vasopressin when applied to an area 6-9 mm caudal to the trapezoid bodies. From this area vasopressin release was previously obtained with nicotine.3 With nicotine, the vasopressin release occurred almost instantaneously and tachyphylaxis developed rapidly. With the excitatory substances the release increased gradually and there was no tachyphylaxis. When these substances were applied for several minutes, the release reached its maximum a considerable time after their removal, except with leptazol when release diminished at once after removal.4 The excitatory substances had little or no effect on arterial blood pressure when applied to the vasopressin releasing area, but produced strong pressor responses when applied to a more rostrally situated area.5 It is concluded that the excitatory substances release vasopressin and raise arterial blood pressure because they are antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid and/or glycine and that numerous inhibitory neurones which release these amino-acids synapse at the ventral surface of the medulla. The physiological function of those which synapse at the vasopressin releasing area may be to act as a brake on vasopressin release, and of those which synapse at the more rostrally situated area to act as a brake on arterial blood pressure.", "contents": "Vasopressin release produced in anaesthetized cats by antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycine. 1 In cats anaesthetized with chloralose, the central excitatory substances, tubocurarine, picrotoxin, bicuculline, leptazol and strychnine, were applied to the exposed ventral surface of the brain stem through paired Perspex rings placed across the medulla and their effects on vasopressin release and arterial blood pressure were examined.2 The excitatory substances released large amounts of vasopressin when applied to an area 6-9 mm caudal to the trapezoid bodies. From this area vasopressin release was previously obtained with nicotine.3 With nicotine, the vasopressin release occurred almost instantaneously and tachyphylaxis developed rapidly. With the excitatory substances the release increased gradually and there was no tachyphylaxis. When these substances were applied for several minutes, the release reached its maximum a considerable time after their removal, except with leptazol when release diminished at once after removal.4 The excitatory substances had little or no effect on arterial blood pressure when applied to the vasopressin releasing area, but produced strong pressor responses when applied to a more rostrally situated area.5 It is concluded that the excitatory substances release vasopressin and raise arterial blood pressure because they are antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid and/or glycine and that numerous inhibitory neurones which release these amino-acids synapse at the ventral surface of the medulla. The physiological function of those which synapse at the vasopressin releasing area may be to act as a brake on vasopressin release, and of those which synapse at the more rostrally situated area to act as a brake on arterial blood pressure.", "PMID": 620101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3483", "title": "The interpretation of posture through an alternative methodology to role play.", "content": "The purpose of this experiment was to develop a methodology to investigate the postural expression of different emotions and attitudes using a technique which avoided the artificiality implicit in the use of a role play design. Subjects were asked to categorize tape-recorded extracts as either funny, sad, interesting or boring and to rate them in order of intensity. The posture displayed when listening to the recordings were then analysed according to these ratings, the whole interview being recorded on videotape without the subject's knowledge. Results showed distinctive postures for all four categories, such as dropping the head for sadness and leaning the head on one hand for boredom, thus providing empirical support for the utility of this methodology as a way of obtaining observations of non-verbal cues under controlled conditions without inducing any artificial self-consciousness in the subjects.", "contents": "The interpretation of posture through an alternative methodology to role play. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a methodology to investigate the postural expression of different emotions and attitudes using a technique which avoided the artificiality implicit in the use of a role play design. Subjects were asked to categorize tape-recorded extracts as either funny, sad, interesting or boring and to rate them in order of intensity. The posture displayed when listening to the recordings were then analysed according to these ratings, the whole interview being recorded on videotape without the subject's knowledge. Results showed distinctive postures for all four categories, such as dropping the head for sadness and leaning the head on one hand for boredom, thus providing empirical support for the utility of this methodology as a way of obtaining observations of non-verbal cues under controlled conditions without inducing any artificial self-consciousness in the subjects.", "PMID": 620102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3484", "title": "Bodily communication and personality.", "content": "Fifteen measures of non-verbal communication were coded from videotaped interactions between a female confederate and 18-21 year old female subjects (n = 46). Three measures of extraversion and neuroticism had previously been taken from the subjects, as was a measure of IQ. Correlation and factor analysis revealed significant relationships between certain of the variables. Extraversion was strongly associated with speaking more; a teacher's rating of neuroticism was associated with touching the self, pausing during conversation, and an absence of expressive gesture; lower IQ was associated with smiling while listening; and self-report personality questionnaire neuroticism was associated with gaze aversion.", "contents": "Bodily communication and personality. Fifteen measures of non-verbal communication were coded from videotaped interactions between a female confederate and 18-21 year old female subjects (n = 46). Three measures of extraversion and neuroticism had previously been taken from the subjects, as was a measure of IQ. Correlation and factor analysis revealed significant relationships between certain of the variables. Extraversion was strongly associated with speaking more; a teacher's rating of neuroticism was associated with touching the self, pausing during conversation, and an absence of expressive gesture; lower IQ was associated with smiling while listening; and self-report personality questionnaire neuroticism was associated with gaze aversion.", "PMID": 620103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3485", "title": "Sex differences in 'fear of success' among British students.", "content": "Using a measure derived from Horner's studies of 'fear of success', the attitudes of three groups of British undergraduates towards success and failure were investigated. The results indicate ambivalence towards success and failure among both sexes, but neither the numerical analysis nor the kinds of responses indicated much of the overt sex-stereotype-based 'fear of success' found in the earlier American studies. Both sexes indicated some disillusionment with the 'success ethic'. Males showed somewhat greater anxiety about failure.", "contents": "Sex differences in 'fear of success' among British students. Using a measure derived from Horner's studies of 'fear of success', the attitudes of three groups of British undergraduates towards success and failure were investigated. The results indicate ambivalence towards success and failure among both sexes, but neither the numerical analysis nor the kinds of responses indicated much of the overt sex-stereotype-based 'fear of success' found in the earlier American studies. Both sexes indicated some disillusionment with the 'success ethic'. Males showed somewhat greater anxiety about failure.", "PMID": 620104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3486", "title": "Levels of arousal in the premenstrual phase.", "content": "The inconsistent findings of studies of physical and psychological changes throughout the menstrual cycle are reviewed in terms of three different forms of arousal-behavioural , autonomic, cortical. The review indicates that the premenstrual phase is characterized by increased levels of behavioural and of autonomic arousal. The nature of premenstrual changes in cortical arousal is unclear. It is suggested that differentiation and measurement of the various aspects of arousal throughout the cycle may lead to better understanding of the processes underlying the reported changes and of the practical implications of such information.", "contents": "Levels of arousal in the premenstrual phase. The inconsistent findings of studies of physical and psychological changes throughout the menstrual cycle are reviewed in terms of three different forms of arousal-behavioural , autonomic, cortical. The review indicates that the premenstrual phase is characterized by increased levels of behavioural and of autonomic arousal. The nature of premenstrual changes in cortical arousal is unclear. It is suggested that differentiation and measurement of the various aspects of arousal throughout the cycle may lead to better understanding of the processes underlying the reported changes and of the practical implications of such information.", "PMID": 620105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3487", "title": "Self-management programmes with mentally retarded workers: implications for developing independent vocational behaviour.", "content": "Three research studies were conducted to investigate the differential effects of externally administered, self-administered and self-determined reinforcement contingencies on the work production rates of developmentally disabled workers. The results of Expt. I indicated that Client 1, a profoundly retarded male, would work at equivalent rates under externally administered or self-administered reinforcers. Experiment II indicated that a severely retarded male would also work at a high work rate under a self-determined reinforcement contingency. The results of Expt. III replicated these findings in a more controlled design. Different tasks adapted from community workshops were utilized in each study. The implications of these studies for developing independent vocational behaviour in the retarded were discussed.", "contents": "Self-management programmes with mentally retarded workers: implications for developing independent vocational behaviour. Three research studies were conducted to investigate the differential effects of externally administered, self-administered and self-determined reinforcement contingencies on the work production rates of developmentally disabled workers. The results of Expt. I indicated that Client 1, a profoundly retarded male, would work at equivalent rates under externally administered or self-administered reinforcers. Experiment II indicated that a severely retarded male would also work at a high work rate under a self-determined reinforcement contingency. The results of Expt. III replicated these findings in a more controlled design. Different tasks adapted from community workshops were utilized in each study. The implications of these studies for developing independent vocational behaviour in the retarded were discussed.", "PMID": 620106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3488", "title": "The effects of reducing frequency of negative thoughts on the mood of depressed patients-tests of a cognitive model of depression.", "content": "Cognitive theories of depression propose that depressed mood is caused by depressing cognitions (negative thoughts). In two studies of depressed patients, presentation of external information at a high rate was used to reduce the frequency of negative thoughts, and the subsequent effect on depressed mood examined. Single-case designs were employed in both studies. In the first study, significant reduction in negative thoughts and depressed mood was achieved in each of two selected patients. In the second study, the same procedure produced reduction in negative thoughts which was individually significant for seven of 13 unselected depressed patients, and also significant for the 13 patients as a group. However, this led to little improvement in depressed mood. This appeared to be due to the small extent of thought reduction achieved. Reduction in negative thought frequency correlated significantly with score on the Newcastle diagnosis scale, being greater for neurotic compared to endogenous depression. Mean depressed mood and mean negative thought frequency were significantly positively correlated across subjects.", "contents": "The effects of reducing frequency of negative thoughts on the mood of depressed patients-tests of a cognitive model of depression. Cognitive theories of depression propose that depressed mood is caused by depressing cognitions (negative thoughts). In two studies of depressed patients, presentation of external information at a high rate was used to reduce the frequency of negative thoughts, and the subsequent effect on depressed mood examined. Single-case designs were employed in both studies. In the first study, significant reduction in negative thoughts and depressed mood was achieved in each of two selected patients. In the second study, the same procedure produced reduction in negative thoughts which was individually significant for seven of 13 unselected depressed patients, and also significant for the 13 patients as a group. However, this led to little improvement in depressed mood. This appeared to be due to the small extent of thought reduction achieved. Reduction in negative thought frequency correlated significantly with score on the Newcastle diagnosis scale, being greater for neurotic compared to endogenous depression. Mean depressed mood and mean negative thought frequency were significantly positively correlated across subjects.", "PMID": 620107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3489", "title": "Language and social behaviour in severely educationally subnormal children.", "content": "There is a strong positive relationship between age and the number of social interactions a child is likely to initiate during a typical classroom free-play period. The type of interaction which shows the largest increase is verbally initiated child-child interactions. Verbally initiated child-teacher interactions also increase with age, though not so markedly as child-child interactions. There appears to be no significant change in non-verbal initiations of interactions with age, either to the teacher or to peers. These results give support to the use of observational techniques for language assessment in that they give further information about the growth of productive language skills as reported in a population survey of language abilities in mentally handicapped school children.", "contents": "Language and social behaviour in severely educationally subnormal children. There is a strong positive relationship between age and the number of social interactions a child is likely to initiate during a typical classroom free-play period. The type of interaction which shows the largest increase is verbally initiated child-child interactions. Verbally initiated child-teacher interactions also increase with age, though not so markedly as child-child interactions. There appears to be no significant change in non-verbal initiations of interactions with age, either to the teacher or to peers. These results give support to the use of observational techniques for language assessment in that they give further information about the growth of productive language skills as reported in a population survey of language abilities in mentally handicapped school children.", "PMID": 620108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3490", "title": "A study of work behaviour in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit.", "content": "A rating scale developed by Griffiths (1973) was used to assess four separate areas of the work behaviour of patients in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit. Assessments were made at an early and a late stage of rehabilitation. The ability of ratings on this scale to predict resettlement was confirmed in a prospective study. The scale was also used to provide information about four separate areas of work behaviour. Social relationships provided the strongest predictor of resettlement in employment, response to supervision and enthusiasm predicted only in psychotic patients; task competence failed to predict. Changes in work behaviour during rehabilitation, and the relationships between self-reported attitudes and work behaviour were also examined.", "contents": "A study of work behaviour in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit. A rating scale developed by Griffiths (1973) was used to assess four separate areas of the work behaviour of patients in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit. Assessments were made at an early and a late stage of rehabilitation. The ability of ratings on this scale to predict resettlement was confirmed in a prospective study. The scale was also used to provide information about four separate areas of work behaviour. Social relationships provided the strongest predictor of resettlement in employment, response to supervision and enthusiasm predicted only in psychotic patients; task competence failed to predict. Changes in work behaviour during rehabilitation, and the relationships between self-reported attitudes and work behaviour were also examined.", "PMID": 620109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3491", "title": "Vulnerability and defensive reactions in relation to the human menstrual cycle.", "content": "The effects of alterations of the organism's internal state, attributable to the menstrual cycle, upon heart-rate responsivity and conditioning are reported. Two groups of 24 female phobic patients (one with natural cycles and the other taking the oral contraceptive) were tested, either premenstrually or intermenstrually, using a conditioning procedure in which a small blue light was the CS and white noise the UCS. Subjects tested premenstrually were significantly differentiated from those tested intermenstrually respecting HR responsivity to the first UCS. Significant differences were also found in conditioned responses following three acquisition trials. The type of reactions observed are similar to those which have been called defensive reactions. Subjects taking the oral contraceptives showed increased susceptibility to acquisition of conditioned responses.", "contents": "Vulnerability and defensive reactions in relation to the human menstrual cycle. The effects of alterations of the organism's internal state, attributable to the menstrual cycle, upon heart-rate responsivity and conditioning are reported. Two groups of 24 female phobic patients (one with natural cycles and the other taking the oral contraceptive) were tested, either premenstrually or intermenstrually, using a conditioning procedure in which a small blue light was the CS and white noise the UCS. Subjects tested premenstrually were significantly differentiated from those tested intermenstrually respecting HR responsivity to the first UCS. Significant differences were also found in conditioned responses following three acquisition trials. The type of reactions observed are similar to those which have been called defensive reactions. Subjects taking the oral contraceptives showed increased susceptibility to acquisition of conditioned responses.", "PMID": 620110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3492", "title": "Computed tomography in pancreatic disease.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) of the pancreas has been evaluated in 50 patients with established exocrine pancreatic disease and 20 patients without pancreatic disease. Increase in size, irregularity in outline and heterogeneity of composition of the pancreas implied disease but were in no way specific to any particular disease entity. In acute pancreatitis, following complete resolution, the pancreas appeared normal whereas incomplete resolution was associated with non-specific swelling and heterogeneity of density. The extent and location of pseudocysts could be accurately delineated. In chronic pancreatitis, duct calculi, duct dilatation and large intrapancreatic cysts aided the differentiation between focal enlargement due to chronic pancreatitis and expansion due to cancer. Hepatic metastases and abnormalities of the biliary system seen in association with cancer further aided this differentiation.", "contents": "Computed tomography in pancreatic disease. Computed tomography (CT) of the pancreas has been evaluated in 50 patients with established exocrine pancreatic disease and 20 patients without pancreatic disease. Increase in size, irregularity in outline and heterogeneity of composition of the pancreas implied disease but were in no way specific to any particular disease entity. In acute pancreatitis, following complete resolution, the pancreas appeared normal whereas incomplete resolution was associated with non-specific swelling and heterogeneity of density. The extent and location of pseudocysts could be accurately delineated. In chronic pancreatitis, duct calculi, duct dilatation and large intrapancreatic cysts aided the differentiation between focal enlargement due to chronic pancreatitis and expansion due to cancer. Hepatic metastases and abnormalities of the biliary system seen in association with cancer further aided this differentiation.", "PMID": 620111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3493", "title": "A simple spectrophotometric method for measuring biliary ioglycamide (Biligram) concentration.", "content": "An extremely simple spectrophotometric method for measuring biliary ioglycamide (meglumine ioglycamate) concentration is described. It was validated by a radioactive technique.", "contents": "A simple spectrophotometric method for measuring biliary ioglycamide (Biligram) concentration. An extremely simple spectrophotometric method for measuring biliary ioglycamide (meglumine ioglycamate) concentration is described. It was validated by a radioactive technique.", "PMID": 620113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3494", "title": "A simple coding system for a diagnostic X-ray department.", "content": "A simple coding system that codes the work done and diagnoses is described. It is economical and designed to withstand changes in staff.", "contents": "A simple coding system for a diagnostic X-ray department. A simple coding system that codes the work done and diagnoses is described. It is economical and designed to withstand changes in staff.", "PMID": 620114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3495", "title": "Bone mineral measurement using an EMI scanner and standard methods: a comparative study.", "content": "The established techniques of scanning photon densitometry and radiographic microdenstiometry for the analysis of bone mineral content are compared with results obtained using a modified EMI brain scanner. The EMI method shows significantly greater sensitivity to changes in bone density than either of the other two methods. This latter method also has the added advantage of being able to visualize and measure the density of trabecular bone, which is a very sensitive indicator of bone mineral changes.", "contents": "Bone mineral measurement using an EMI scanner and standard methods: a comparative study. The established techniques of scanning photon densitometry and radiographic microdenstiometry for the analysis of bone mineral content are compared with results obtained using a modified EMI brain scanner. The EMI method shows significantly greater sensitivity to changes in bone density than either of the other two methods. This latter method also has the added advantage of being able to visualize and measure the density of trabecular bone, which is a very sensitive indicator of bone mineral changes.", "PMID": 620115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3496", "title": "Penetrameter cassette calibration to 400 kV and effects of extra-focal radiation when measuring tube filtration.", "content": "The penetrameter cassette, when used with suitable filters and calibrated against the same average wave form, can detect changes of less than 1 kV in the range 20-50 kV, 1 kV from 50-100 and from 1-4 Kv from 100-400 kV. Problems of calibration are discussed together with the necessity to use a suitable shutter with equipment which has a significant build-up and decay time during which the radiation quality may be varying. Extra-focal radiation does not normally present a significant problem in the measurement of kV, but when the penetrameter is used to measure inherent or total filtration extra-focal radiation can be a problem and may be similar in degree to the effects of varying target angles. When used to determine filtration, the generator used for calibration of the penetrameter and the one being measured should be adjusted to have the same target angle and similar degrees of extra-focal radiation by altering the size of the tube aperture as close to the focal spot as practicable. The results presented confirm the accuracy and convenience of the penetrameter for the measurement of kV and filtration over the extended range of energies.", "contents": "Penetrameter cassette calibration to 400 kV and effects of extra-focal radiation when measuring tube filtration. The penetrameter cassette, when used with suitable filters and calibrated against the same average wave form, can detect changes of less than 1 kV in the range 20-50 kV, 1 kV from 50-100 and from 1-4 Kv from 100-400 kV. Problems of calibration are discussed together with the necessity to use a suitable shutter with equipment which has a significant build-up and decay time during which the radiation quality may be varying. Extra-focal radiation does not normally present a significant problem in the measurement of kV, but when the penetrameter is used to measure inherent or total filtration extra-focal radiation can be a problem and may be similar in degree to the effects of varying target angles. When used to determine filtration, the generator used for calibration of the penetrameter and the one being measured should be adjusted to have the same target angle and similar degrees of extra-focal radiation by altering the size of the tube aperture as close to the focal spot as practicable. The results presented confirm the accuracy and convenience of the penetrameter for the measurement of kV and filtration over the extended range of energies.", "PMID": 620116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3497", "title": "Clinical radionuclide perfusion lymphangiography.", "content": "In an initial pilot study technetium-99m-labelled human serum albumin was perfused directly into bipedal lymphatic cannulae prior to a standard lymphangiogram, in order to assess rapidly normal and abnormal lymph flow patterns in the lower extremity, pelvic and para-aortic lymph chains. A continuing study of these patients has lent further support to the hypothesis that the radionuclide perfusion study, when negative, may prove more accurate in some patients than the standard lymphangiogram in predicting the clinical course and/or the results of histopathological lymph node examination. The radionuclide technique also seems to meet, in this preliminary evaluation, the requirements for a pre-lymphangiogram screening study, particularly for use in high-risk patients.", "contents": "Clinical radionuclide perfusion lymphangiography. In an initial pilot study technetium-99m-labelled human serum albumin was perfused directly into bipedal lymphatic cannulae prior to a standard lymphangiogram, in order to assess rapidly normal and abnormal lymph flow patterns in the lower extremity, pelvic and para-aortic lymph chains. A continuing study of these patients has lent further support to the hypothesis that the radionuclide perfusion study, when negative, may prove more accurate in some patients than the standard lymphangiogram in predicting the clinical course and/or the results of histopathological lymph node examination. The radionuclide technique also seems to meet, in this preliminary evaluation, the requirements for a pre-lymphangiogram screening study, particularly for use in high-risk patients.", "PMID": 620117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3498", "title": "A search for an effect of ultrasound alone and in combination with X rays on chromosomes in vivo.", "content": "Experiments were aimed to establish whether therapeutic doses of ultrasound are liable to cause demonstrable chromosomal damage in marrow cells of the mouse. On evaluation of the chromosome aberrations no significant increase was found after treatment with three different doses of ultrasound. In contrast, our \"positive control group\" irradiated with 50 R of X rays showed clearly demonstrable chromosomal damage. In another group of animals treated with ultrasound plus X rays, the ultrasonic pretreatment did not increase the damaging effect of X rays significantly.", "contents": "A search for an effect of ultrasound alone and in combination with X rays on chromosomes in vivo. Experiments were aimed to establish whether therapeutic doses of ultrasound are liable to cause demonstrable chromosomal damage in marrow cells of the mouse. On evaluation of the chromosome aberrations no significant increase was found after treatment with three different doses of ultrasound. In contrast, our \"positive control group\" irradiated with 50 R of X rays showed clearly demonstrable chromosomal damage. In another group of animals treated with ultrasound plus X rays, the ultrasonic pretreatment did not increase the damaging effect of X rays significantly.", "PMID": 620118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3499", "title": "Pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery.", "content": "In a ten-year period, 31 cases of pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery were seen; 42 carotid angiograms were available for analysis. On the first film of the series the contrast came to a tapered end in the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery in 16; extended to the carotid canal in 11; to the siphon in eight and to proximal intracranial vessels in seven. In 17 patients later films showed advance of the contrast. In four it did not get beyond the foramen lacerum; in eight it reached the siphon and in five the proximal intracranial vessels. Eight angiograms of patients with intracranial occlusion were examined and showed identical appearances. Contrast opacified the middle menigeal artery in 29 of the 31 pseudo-occlusion cases. The circulation time was slow in 28. The circulation times through the middle menigeal artery were more or less identical with those in the superficial temporal arteries and unaffected by systolic blood pressure. Twenty-three of the pseudo-occlusion cases were being ventilated and 25 had fixed dilated pupils. The commonest aetiological factors were trauma, haematoma due to ruptured aneurysm and primary tumour. In the occlusion group no case was being ventilated and only one had fixed dilated pupils. Course of action on finding the appearances of pseudo-occlusion is suggested.", "contents": "Pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery. In a ten-year period, 31 cases of pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery were seen; 42 carotid angiograms were available for analysis. On the first film of the series the contrast came to a tapered end in the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery in 16; extended to the carotid canal in 11; to the siphon in eight and to proximal intracranial vessels in seven. In 17 patients later films showed advance of the contrast. In four it did not get beyond the foramen lacerum; in eight it reached the siphon and in five the proximal intracranial vessels. Eight angiograms of patients with intracranial occlusion were examined and showed identical appearances. Contrast opacified the middle menigeal artery in 29 of the 31 pseudo-occlusion cases. The circulation time was slow in 28. The circulation times through the middle menigeal artery were more or less identical with those in the superficial temporal arteries and unaffected by systolic blood pressure. Twenty-three of the pseudo-occlusion cases were being ventilated and 25 had fixed dilated pupils. The commonest aetiological factors were trauma, haematoma due to ruptured aneurysm and primary tumour. In the occlusion group no case was being ventilated and only one had fixed dilated pupils. Course of action on finding the appearances of pseudo-occlusion is suggested.", "PMID": 620119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3500", "title": "Study of 8-year-old children with a history of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy.", "content": "Thirty-five children known to have had respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy were examined at the age of 8 and their respiratory function tested. The results were compared with those in 35 controls matched for age, sex, and social class. Although 18 of the children who had had bronchiolitis in infancy had experienced subsequent episodes of wheezing, these were neither severe nor frequent in most cases and had apparently ceased by the age of 8. Nevertheless, the mean exercise bronchial lability of the children who had had bronchiolitis was significantly higher than that of the control children and the mean peak expiratory flow rate at rest significantly lower. Atopy, assessed by family and personal history alone, did not seem to be related to either bronchiolitis or wheezing episodes after bronchiolitis. The parents of the children who had had bronchiolitis smoked significantly more cigarettes during the infant's first year of life than those of the control children. The results suggest that bronchiolitis and childhood asthma are not closely related. Bronchial hyperreactivity might be inherited independently of atopy, but environmental factors seem the most likely link between severe respiratory infection in infancy and chronic or recurrent respiratory illness in adult life.", "contents": "Study of 8-year-old children with a history of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy. Thirty-five children known to have had respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in infancy were examined at the age of 8 and their respiratory function tested. The results were compared with those in 35 controls matched for age, sex, and social class. Although 18 of the children who had had bronchiolitis in infancy had experienced subsequent episodes of wheezing, these were neither severe nor frequent in most cases and had apparently ceased by the age of 8. Nevertheless, the mean exercise bronchial lability of the children who had had bronchiolitis was significantly higher than that of the control children and the mean peak expiratory flow rate at rest significantly lower. Atopy, assessed by family and personal history alone, did not seem to be related to either bronchiolitis or wheezing episodes after bronchiolitis. The parents of the children who had had bronchiolitis smoked significantly more cigarettes during the infant's first year of life than those of the control children. The results suggest that bronchiolitis and childhood asthma are not closely related. Bronchial hyperreactivity might be inherited independently of atopy, but environmental factors seem the most likely link between severe respiratory infection in infancy and chronic or recurrent respiratory illness in adult life.", "PMID": 620129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3501", "title": "Osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy: a trial of phosphate-enriched dialysis fluid.", "content": "To assess whether phosphate depletion is an aetiological factor in osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy we undertook a prospective trial of phosphate-enriched dialysis fluid, in association with oral 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, for this condition. Thirty patients started the trial; of the 27 who completed more than 6 months' treatment, 14 had iliac crest bone biopsies at the beginning and end of the treatment period. Side effects included pruritus, stiffness, and increase in corneal and vascular calcification. Only one patient showed histological improvement of osteomalacia, and eight deteriorated; in seven the osteitis fibrosa worsened. Myopathy showed some improvement in four patients, but became worse in four. This treatment does not seem to have a place in the routine management of non-hypophosphataemic patients on dialysis.", "contents": "Osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy: a trial of phosphate-enriched dialysis fluid. To assess whether phosphate depletion is an aetiological factor in osteomalacic dialysis osteodystrophy we undertook a prospective trial of phosphate-enriched dialysis fluid, in association with oral 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, for this condition. Thirty patients started the trial; of the 27 who completed more than 6 months' treatment, 14 had iliac crest bone biopsies at the beginning and end of the treatment period. Side effects included pruritus, stiffness, and increase in corneal and vascular calcification. Only one patient showed histological improvement of osteomalacia, and eight deteriorated; in seven the osteitis fibrosa worsened. Myopathy showed some improvement in four patients, but became worse in four. This treatment does not seem to have a place in the routine management of non-hypophosphataemic patients on dialysis.", "PMID": 620130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3502", "title": "Area security unit in a psychiatric hospital.", "content": "Since 1974 a psychiatric hospital security unit, designed to serve the whole catchment area, has cared for mentally ill (mostly psychotic) patients with disturbed behaviour that cannot be managed in open wards. There are a few long-term dangerous patients but most stay only briefly. The admission of women to the unit was not followed by the expected reduction in violence. The unit has facilities for occupational therapy, physical recreation, work, and study, which are particularly important for those who are too dangerous to leave it. The unit's calming influence depends as much on the supportive effect of the high staff ratio as on the use of tranquillisers. This type of unit is not suitable for patients with personality disturbances who \"act out\" or for mentally abnormal offenders; but it functions well as a crisis centre for the disturbed mentally ill, and there is an increasing demand for its services.", "contents": "Area security unit in a psychiatric hospital. Since 1974 a psychiatric hospital security unit, designed to serve the whole catchment area, has cared for mentally ill (mostly psychotic) patients with disturbed behaviour that cannot be managed in open wards. There are a few long-term dangerous patients but most stay only briefly. The admission of women to the unit was not followed by the expected reduction in violence. The unit has facilities for occupational therapy, physical recreation, work, and study, which are particularly important for those who are too dangerous to leave it. The unit's calming influence depends as much on the supportive effect of the high staff ratio as on the use of tranquillisers. This type of unit is not suitable for patients with personality disturbances who \"act out\" or for mentally abnormal offenders; but it functions well as a crisis centre for the disturbed mentally ill, and there is an increasing demand for its services.", "PMID": 620137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3503", "title": "Mastalgia: psychoneurosis or organic disease?", "content": "To test the traditional surgical view that pain in the breast is largely an expression of psychoneurosis, the Middelesex Hospital Questionnaire was given to 317 women with mastalgia and 170 controls with varicose veins. Their scores were compared with those of 173 women psychiatric outpatients tested by the designers of the questionnaire. The results were broadly similar in the mastalgia and varicose veins groups, and where there were significant differences women with varicose veins had a higher psychoneurotic score in each case. Within the mastalgia group no difference in scores was observed between patients with cyclical mastalgia and those with mastalgia due to periductal mastitis. Both groups of surgical outpatients had significantly lower scores in major traits than the psychiatric group, except for a small group of patients with breast pain who persistently failed to respond to treatment. Patients with mastalgia are therefore no more \"neurotic\" than those with varicose veins, and differ greatly from patients with recognized psychoneurosis. Most patients have a physiological or pathological basis for their breast pain, and they deserve an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach.", "contents": "Mastalgia: psychoneurosis or organic disease? To test the traditional surgical view that pain in the breast is largely an expression of psychoneurosis, the Middelesex Hospital Questionnaire was given to 317 women with mastalgia and 170 controls with varicose veins. Their scores were compared with those of 173 women psychiatric outpatients tested by the designers of the questionnaire. The results were broadly similar in the mastalgia and varicose veins groups, and where there were significant differences women with varicose veins had a higher psychoneurotic score in each case. Within the mastalgia group no difference in scores was observed between patients with cyclical mastalgia and those with mastalgia due to periductal mastitis. Both groups of surgical outpatients had significantly lower scores in major traits than the psychiatric group, except for a small group of patients with breast pain who persistently failed to respond to treatment. Patients with mastalgia are therefore no more \"neurotic\" than those with varicose veins, and differ greatly from patients with recognized psychoneurosis. Most patients have a physiological or pathological basis for their breast pain, and they deserve an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach.", "PMID": 620138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3504", "title": "Treatment of severe side effects after vagotomy and gastroenterostomy by closure of gastroenterostomy without pyloroplasty.", "content": "We describe nine patients who had severe, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, dumping, or diarrhoea several years after truncal vagotomy and gastroenterostomy had been performed for duodenal ulceration. Each patient was judged to have a bad clinical result (Visick grade 4). There was no evidence of recurrent ulceration in any of the patients, and in each the patency of the pyloric canal was confirmed radiologically or endoscopically. Each patient was treated by simply dismantling the gastroenterostomy without addition for a pyloroplasty. In one patient the surgeon suspected that a vagal trunk might have been left intact, and a revagotomy was performed by the \"highly selective\" technique. Postoperatively, none of the patients developed gastric retention. Symptomatic improvement occurred in eight patients, and four of them achieved perfect results (Visick grade 1). Side effects are common after vagotomy and gastroenterostomy, and are largely attributable to the presence of the gastroenterostomy stoma. Our results show that the symptoms may be alleviated by closing the gastroenterostomy, without precipitating gastric retention.", "contents": "Treatment of severe side effects after vagotomy and gastroenterostomy by closure of gastroenterostomy without pyloroplasty. We describe nine patients who had severe, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, dumping, or diarrhoea several years after truncal vagotomy and gastroenterostomy had been performed for duodenal ulceration. Each patient was judged to have a bad clinical result (Visick grade 4). There was no evidence of recurrent ulceration in any of the patients, and in each the patency of the pyloric canal was confirmed radiologically or endoscopically. Each patient was treated by simply dismantling the gastroenterostomy without addition for a pyloroplasty. In one patient the surgeon suspected that a vagal trunk might have been left intact, and a revagotomy was performed by the \"highly selective\" technique. Postoperatively, none of the patients developed gastric retention. Symptomatic improvement occurred in eight patients, and four of them achieved perfect results (Visick grade 1). Side effects are common after vagotomy and gastroenterostomy, and are largely attributable to the presence of the gastroenterostomy stoma. Our results show that the symptoms may be alleviated by closing the gastroenterostomy, without precipitating gastric retention.", "PMID": 620169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3505", "title": "Acute mitral valve obstruction during infective endocarditis.", "content": "Five patients were found during surgery or at necropsy to have the mitral valve orifice obstructed by vegetations. They had had unexplained severe and recurrent episodes of acute febrile pulmonary oedema, and four had few cardiac ausculatory findings. Three patients died suddenly and unexpectedly; the other two were operated on and survived. In view of its ominous prognosis, acute mitral valve obstruction should be considered in patients whose pulmonary symptoms are compatible with endocarditis and are not adequately explained by the findings on examination of the heart. The condition, which should be confirmed by echocardiography, requires emergency surgery.", "contents": "Acute mitral valve obstruction during infective endocarditis. Five patients were found during surgery or at necropsy to have the mitral valve orifice obstructed by vegetations. They had had unexplained severe and recurrent episodes of acute febrile pulmonary oedema, and four had few cardiac ausculatory findings. Three patients died suddenly and unexpectedly; the other two were operated on and survived. In view of its ominous prognosis, acute mitral valve obstruction should be considered in patients whose pulmonary symptoms are compatible with endocarditis and are not adequately explained by the findings on examination of the heart. The condition, which should be confirmed by echocardiography, requires emergency surgery.", "PMID": 620170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3506", "title": "Regional variations in the incidence of upper urinary tract stones in England and Wales.", "content": "Data from the Hospital In-patient Enquiry were used to define the regional patterns of hospital discharge rates for upper urinary tract stones and renal colic in England and Wales. By combining the rates for stones and colic, and by distinguishing emergency from planned admissions, the biases produced by repeated admissions of the same patient and by regional variations in diagnosis and coding may be reduced. There are regional variations in incidence of upper urinary tract stones: Wales and the southern regions of England have a generally higher incidence than northern regions. These variations may be related to regional differences in diet or occupation; or they may partly depend on associations between stone incidence and atmospheric temperature, exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, and hardness of drinking water.", "contents": "Regional variations in the incidence of upper urinary tract stones in England and Wales. Data from the Hospital In-patient Enquiry were used to define the regional patterns of hospital discharge rates for upper urinary tract stones and renal colic in England and Wales. By combining the rates for stones and colic, and by distinguishing emergency from planned admissions, the biases produced by repeated admissions of the same patient and by regional variations in diagnosis and coding may be reduced. There are regional variations in incidence of upper urinary tract stones: Wales and the southern regions of England have a generally higher incidence than northern regions. These variations may be related to regional differences in diet or occupation; or they may partly depend on associations between stone incidence and atmospheric temperature, exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, and hardness of drinking water.", "PMID": 620201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3507", "title": "Birth ranks of spontaneous abortions in sibships of children affected by anencephaly or spina bifida.", "content": "Data on the birth ranks of miscarriages within sibships in which a case of anencephaly or spina bifida (ASB) had occurred were analysed by the Haldane-Smith statistical test. This showed that miscarriages in ASB sibships tend to have a negative birth order effect--that is, they occur in earlier rather than later pregnancies within the sibship. The strongest source of bias in this analysis--the fact that mothers tend to forget early spontaneous abortions--worked against this finding, so the negative birth order effect is probably genuine. Because ASB itself shows a negative birth order effect and because spontaneous abortions in normal sibships do not show such an effect, the additional spontaneous abortions in ASB sibships are probably of fetuses affected by ASB.", "contents": "Birth ranks of spontaneous abortions in sibships of children affected by anencephaly or spina bifida. Data on the birth ranks of miscarriages within sibships in which a case of anencephaly or spina bifida (ASB) had occurred were analysed by the Haldane-Smith statistical test. This showed that miscarriages in ASB sibships tend to have a negative birth order effect--that is, they occur in earlier rather than later pregnancies within the sibship. The strongest source of bias in this analysis--the fact that mothers tend to forget early spontaneous abortions--worked against this finding, so the negative birth order effect is probably genuine. Because ASB itself shows a negative birth order effect and because spontaneous abortions in normal sibships do not show such an effect, the additional spontaneous abortions in ASB sibships are probably of fetuses affected by ASB.", "PMID": 620202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3508", "title": "Adrenocortical suppression in workers manufacturing synthetic glucocorticoids.", "content": "A man who had worked for 16 years in the manufacture of a potent corticosteroid was found to be suffering from chronic adrenocortical insufficiency attributed to chronic absorption of the glucocorticoid. Eleven other symptom-free workers were therefore screened. Two of these workers, like the first patient, gave grossly abnormal responses to the Synacthen (tetracosactrin) test; one had been employed for only seven months. All 12 men had facial plethora, suggesting absorption of the drug in spite of their having adhered to the safety precautions. All workers manufacturing potent steroids should therfore be screened regularly by measurement of their plasma cortisol concentrations and should be moved regularly to processing other drugs.", "contents": "Adrenocortical suppression in workers manufacturing synthetic glucocorticoids. A man who had worked for 16 years in the manufacture of a potent corticosteroid was found to be suffering from chronic adrenocortical insufficiency attributed to chronic absorption of the glucocorticoid. Eleven other symptom-free workers were therefore screened. Two of these workers, like the first patient, gave grossly abnormal responses to the Synacthen (tetracosactrin) test; one had been employed for only seven months. All 12 men had facial plethora, suggesting absorption of the drug in spite of their having adhered to the safety precautions. All workers manufacturing potent steroids should therfore be screened regularly by measurement of their plasma cortisol concentrations and should be moved regularly to processing other drugs.", "PMID": 620203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3509", "title": "Parenteral 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in hepatic osteomalacia.", "content": "Despite regular long-term parenteral vitamin D2 treatment, four patients with biliary cirrhosis had multiple symptoms of bone disease and bone biopsy specimens showed osteomalacia without osteoporosis. Three patients also had a proximal myopathy. Plasma calcium values (after correction for albumin), phosphorus, magnesium, and serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D were within normal limits. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) relieved symptoms in three of the four patients and improved those in the fourth. Histological examination of bone showed improvement in all four patients, but serum and urinary biochemical changes were not pronounced. We conclude that 1,25-(0H)2D3 treatment has a beneficial effect on bone and muscle in hepatic osteomalacia, either because vitamin D 1-hydroxylation fails in biliary cirrhosis or because hepatic osteomalacia is resistant to vitamin D2 metabolites.", "contents": "Parenteral 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in hepatic osteomalacia. Despite regular long-term parenteral vitamin D2 treatment, four patients with biliary cirrhosis had multiple symptoms of bone disease and bone biopsy specimens showed osteomalacia without osteoporosis. Three patients also had a proximal myopathy. Plasma calcium values (after correction for albumin), phosphorus, magnesium, and serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D were within normal limits. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) relieved symptoms in three of the four patients and improved those in the fourth. Histological examination of bone showed improvement in all four patients, but serum and urinary biochemical changes were not pronounced. We conclude that 1,25-(0H)2D3 treatment has a beneficial effect on bone and muscle in hepatic osteomalacia, either because vitamin D 1-hydroxylation fails in biliary cirrhosis or because hepatic osteomalacia is resistant to vitamin D2 metabolites.", "PMID": 620204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3510", "title": "NHS locally organised research scheme: regional research committees and the way they work.", "content": "Regional research committees vary so widely in size, composition, and their methods of judging proposals that the standards of adjudication may also vary. Once the research has started it tends to be poorly monitored, and comparatively little attempt is made to discover whether the inexperienced researcher's ability has been promoted. Fostering the research spirit entails more than the provision of funds, and some regional health authorities may need to establish more formal ways of supervising and evaluating the research they support.", "contents": "NHS locally organised research scheme: regional research committees and the way they work. Regional research committees vary so widely in size, composition, and their methods of judging proposals that the standards of adjudication may also vary. Once the research has started it tends to be poorly monitored, and comparatively little attempt is made to discover whether the inexperienced researcher's ability has been promoted. Fostering the research spirit entails more than the provision of funds, and some regional health authorities may need to establish more formal ways of supervising and evaluating the research they support.", "PMID": 620213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3511", "title": "Scleritis and associated disease.", "content": "One hundred patients (66 women and 34 men) who presented consecutively to Moorfields Eye Hospital with scleral disease underwent medical examination. Thirteen were found to have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and another 16 also had rheumatoid factor present (Rheumaton test). Autoantibodies were present in 35% of patients, being most common in the elderly and most frequent in cases of necrotising and diffuse scleritis. Although scleral disease is uncommon, it is associated with connective-tissue disorders. Scleritis may be severe and destructive locally, and one series showed that 27% of patients who develop necrotising scleritis are dead from systemic complications within five years. It is therefore important for it to be correctly diagnosed and effectively treated at an early stage.", "contents": "Scleritis and associated disease. One hundred patients (66 women and 34 men) who presented consecutively to Moorfields Eye Hospital with scleral disease underwent medical examination. Thirteen were found to have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and another 16 also had rheumatoid factor present (Rheumaton test). Autoantibodies were present in 35% of patients, being most common in the elderly and most frequent in cases of necrotising and diffuse scleritis. Although scleral disease is uncommon, it is associated with connective-tissue disorders. Scleritis may be severe and destructive locally, and one series showed that 27% of patients who develop necrotising scleritis are dead from systemic complications within five years. It is therefore important for it to be correctly diagnosed and effectively treated at an early stage.", "PMID": 620214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3512", "title": "Changing pattern of drugs used for self-poisoning.", "content": "In 1967-76 the annual number of admissions to a poisoning treatment centre rose from 964 to 2134. The proportion of admissions caused by taking barbiturate hypnotics and methaqualone fell considerably while that caused by taking benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants increased. As a result the proportion of patients admitted unconscious fell from 23% to 15%. The declining contributions of barbiturates and methaqualone and increased importance of tricyclic antidepressants were significant in all grades of coma. The change in drugs taken, however, has not yet reduced the percentage of unconscious patients needing endotracheal intubation or assisted ventilation, and hypothermia remains as common. Only hypotension has become less frequent as antidepressants replace barbiturates as the main cause of drug-induced coma. The use of salicylates for self-poisoning is declining slowly, and paracetamol poisoning is now as common.", "contents": "Changing pattern of drugs used for self-poisoning. In 1967-76 the annual number of admissions to a poisoning treatment centre rose from 964 to 2134. The proportion of admissions caused by taking barbiturate hypnotics and methaqualone fell considerably while that caused by taking benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants increased. As a result the proportion of patients admitted unconscious fell from 23% to 15%. The declining contributions of barbiturates and methaqualone and increased importance of tricyclic antidepressants were significant in all grades of coma. The change in drugs taken, however, has not yet reduced the percentage of unconscious patients needing endotracheal intubation or assisted ventilation, and hypothermia remains as common. Only hypotension has become less frequent as antidepressants replace barbiturates as the main cause of drug-induced coma. The use of salicylates for self-poisoning is declining slowly, and paracetamol poisoning is now as common.", "PMID": 620215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3513", "title": "Familial thrombosis: inherited deficiency of antithrombin III.", "content": "Several members of a family living on the west coast of Scotland and on one of the islands off the coast had serious thrombotic disease. The plasma antithrombin III (ATIII) concentrations were measured by both functional and immunological assay in all available members of the family. Concentrations were 25% to 66% of normal in 12 people, including all seven with thrombotic disease. The inheritance pattern was characteristic of an autosomal dominant disorder. Thrombotic disease generally affected the leg, mesenteric, and axillary veins, although one man who had died before the study began had had severe arterial atheroma. In women the first thrombotic symptoms usually occurred during pregnancy. None of these patients have developed thrombotic symptoms until they were at least 18, so four younger members of the family who have ATIII deficiency but no thrombotic disease may eventually develop symptoms.", "contents": "Familial thrombosis: inherited deficiency of antithrombin III. Several members of a family living on the west coast of Scotland and on one of the islands off the coast had serious thrombotic disease. The plasma antithrombin III (ATIII) concentrations were measured by both functional and immunological assay in all available members of the family. Concentrations were 25% to 66% of normal in 12 people, including all seven with thrombotic disease. The inheritance pattern was characteristic of an autosomal dominant disorder. Thrombotic disease generally affected the leg, mesenteric, and axillary veins, although one man who had died before the study began had had severe arterial atheroma. In women the first thrombotic symptoms usually occurred during pregnancy. None of these patients have developed thrombotic symptoms until they were at least 18, so four younger members of the family who have ATIII deficiency but no thrombotic disease may eventually develop symptoms.", "PMID": 620225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3514", "title": "Comparison of serum oestrogen concentrations in post-menopausal women taking oestrone sulphate and oestradiol.", "content": "Mean serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta, oestrone, and oestrone sulphate in postmenopausal women were the same when measured up to six hours after treatment with either piperazine oestrone sulphate 1.5 mg or oestradiol valerate 2 mg. Maximum concentrations of oestradiol were less than those of oestrone, but oestrone sulphate reached concentrations about 30 times higher than those of oestrone. The rapid conversion of oestradiol valerate to oestrone and oestrone sulphate does not support the suggestion that in menopausal women oestradiol is less likely to be associated with a risk of endometrial carcinoma than oestrone sulphate, since the two preparations appear to become identical after ingestion.", "contents": "Comparison of serum oestrogen concentrations in post-menopausal women taking oestrone sulphate and oestradiol. Mean serum concentrations of oestradiol-17beta, oestrone, and oestrone sulphate in postmenopausal women were the same when measured up to six hours after treatment with either piperazine oestrone sulphate 1.5 mg or oestradiol valerate 2 mg. Maximum concentrations of oestradiol were less than those of oestrone, but oestrone sulphate reached concentrations about 30 times higher than those of oestrone. The rapid conversion of oestradiol valerate to oestrone and oestrone sulphate does not support the suggestion that in menopausal women oestradiol is less likely to be associated with a risk of endometrial carcinoma than oestrone sulphate, since the two preparations appear to become identical after ingestion.", "PMID": 620226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3515", "title": "Serum tolbutamide and chlorpropamide concentrations in patients with diabetes mellitus.", "content": "A selective and sensitive gas chromatographic technique was used to measure the steady-state serum concentrations of tolbutamide and chlorpropamide in 97 patients with maturity-onset diabetes mellitus who had been taking these drugs (37 tolbutamide, 60 chlorpropamide) for at least a year. No other antidiabetic agents had been given. The serum tolbutamide concentrations varied widely between the patients (from close to zero to 370 mumol/l (100 mug/ml)), yet the variation in dosage was only sixfold (0.5-3.9 g daily). The serum chlorpropamide concentrations varied even more widely (from close to zero to 882 mumol/l (244 mug/ml)), though the dosage variation was fourfold (125-500 mg daily). There was no systematic relation between dosage and serum concentrations of the drugs.Only 2 (5.4%) of the tolbutamide-treated patients and 10 (16.7%) of the chlorpropamide-treated patients had normal fasting blood glucose concentrations (below 5.5 mmol/l (99 mg/100 ml)), and fewer than half had values below 8.0 mmol/l (144 mg/100 ml). In most cases, therefore, the treatment was insufficient.There was no significant difference in mean fasting blood glucose concentrations between the two treatment groups. The mean steady-state concentration of chlorpropamide, however, was significantly higher than that of tolbutamide. Thus, contrary to common belief, the intrinsic activity of chlorpropamide is apparently not greater than that of tolbutamide. The alleged greater potency of chlorpropamide seems to be related wholly to kinetic differences, such as the less extensive metabolic degradation and slower elimination of the drug.We conclude that treatment with sulphonylureas in conventional dosage is far from optimal and that monitoring the concentrations of these drugs in the blood may help to improve their efficacy.", "contents": "Serum tolbutamide and chlorpropamide concentrations in patients with diabetes mellitus. A selective and sensitive gas chromatographic technique was used to measure the steady-state serum concentrations of tolbutamide and chlorpropamide in 97 patients with maturity-onset diabetes mellitus who had been taking these drugs (37 tolbutamide, 60 chlorpropamide) for at least a year. No other antidiabetic agents had been given. The serum tolbutamide concentrations varied widely between the patients (from close to zero to 370 mumol/l (100 mug/ml)), yet the variation in dosage was only sixfold (0.5-3.9 g daily). The serum chlorpropamide concentrations varied even more widely (from close to zero to 882 mumol/l (244 mug/ml)), though the dosage variation was fourfold (125-500 mg daily). There was no systematic relation between dosage and serum concentrations of the drugs.Only 2 (5.4%) of the tolbutamide-treated patients and 10 (16.7%) of the chlorpropamide-treated patients had normal fasting blood glucose concentrations (below 5.5 mmol/l (99 mg/100 ml)), and fewer than half had values below 8.0 mmol/l (144 mg/100 ml). In most cases, therefore, the treatment was insufficient.There was no significant difference in mean fasting blood glucose concentrations between the two treatment groups. The mean steady-state concentration of chlorpropamide, however, was significantly higher than that of tolbutamide. Thus, contrary to common belief, the intrinsic activity of chlorpropamide is apparently not greater than that of tolbutamide. The alleged greater potency of chlorpropamide seems to be related wholly to kinetic differences, such as the less extensive metabolic degradation and slower elimination of the drug.We conclude that treatment with sulphonylureas in conventional dosage is far from optimal and that monitoring the concentrations of these drugs in the blood may help to improve their efficacy.", "PMID": 620227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3516", "title": "Immediate heart-rate response to standing: simple test for autonomic neuropathy in diabetes.", "content": "The immediate heart-rate response to standing was measured in 22 normal controls and 25 patients with diabetes, 15 of whom had autonomic neuropathy. The response in the controls and patients without autonomic neuropathy was characteristic and consistent, with tachycardia maximal at around the 15th beat and relative bradycardia maximal at around the 30th beat. The diabetics with autonomic neuropathy, however, showed a flat response. In three controls the response was abolished with intravenous atropine but not with propranolol, showing that it is mediated through the vagus. A simplified test using routine ECGs and measuring the R-R interval at beats 15 and 30 with a ruler is easily performed as an outpatient procedure and may be used as a measure of autonomic function in diabetes.", "contents": "Immediate heart-rate response to standing: simple test for autonomic neuropathy in diabetes. The immediate heart-rate response to standing was measured in 22 normal controls and 25 patients with diabetes, 15 of whom had autonomic neuropathy. The response in the controls and patients without autonomic neuropathy was characteristic and consistent, with tachycardia maximal at around the 15th beat and relative bradycardia maximal at around the 30th beat. The diabetics with autonomic neuropathy, however, showed a flat response. In three controls the response was abolished with intravenous atropine but not with propranolol, showing that it is mediated through the vagus. A simplified test using routine ECGs and measuring the R-R interval at beats 15 and 30 with a ruler is easily performed as an outpatient procedure and may be used as a measure of autonomic function in diabetes.", "PMID": 620228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3517", "title": "Fall in admission rate of old people to psychiatric units.", "content": "The numbers of the elderly, and particularly the very old, have been increasing and continue to increase rapidly; but admission rates of old people to psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales suddenly started to fall in 1970. They were still generally falling in 1974 (the most recent year for which figures are available). There is no evidence that the incidence of dementia has suddenly fallen, or that expansion of extramural or other non-psychiatric services is everywhere coping with the severely demented. It is probably becoming more difficult for demented people to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals that are often still overcrowded, in view of the greater scrutiny of institutional care that has become established since the Ely Report of 1969. If this is so the cost to the demented and those who care for them of the undoubted improvements in conditions in psychiatric hospitals needs to be counted.", "contents": "Fall in admission rate of old people to psychiatric units. The numbers of the elderly, and particularly the very old, have been increasing and continue to increase rapidly; but admission rates of old people to psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales suddenly started to fall in 1970. They were still generally falling in 1974 (the most recent year for which figures are available). There is no evidence that the incidence of dementia has suddenly fallen, or that expansion of extramural or other non-psychiatric services is everywhere coping with the severely demented. It is probably becoming more difficult for demented people to be admitted to psychiatric hospitals that are often still overcrowded, in view of the greater scrutiny of institutional care that has become established since the Ely Report of 1969. If this is so the cost to the demented and those who care for them of the undoubted improvements in conditions in psychiatric hospitals needs to be counted.", "PMID": 620236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3518", "title": "Thyroid function in lung cancer.", "content": "Thyroid function was assessed at the time of initial diagnosis in 204 patients with lung cancer and compared with that of age and sex-matched patients with non-malignant lung disease. Abnormalities in thyroid function were found in 67 patients (33%). The most prevalent abnormality was a low T3 concentration; this was not associated with other clinical or biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism, but the short-term prognosis of these patients was worse than that of matched patients with lung cancer having normal T3 concentrations. Primary hypothyroidism occurred in three patients, low T4 concentrations and free thyroxine index (FTI) with normal thyrotrophin (TSH) concentrations in four patients, and moderately raised TSH with normal thyroid hormone concentrations in six patients; nine patients had a raised FTI with or without raised T4 concentration as the sole abnormality.Overall, the pattern of thyroid hormone metabolism in lung cancer was a tendency towards reduced T3 concentrations with significantly increased T4/T3 ratios and modestly increased 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) concentrations. The altered T4/T3 ratio was particularly noticeable in patients with anaplastic tumours of small (\"oat cell\") and large cell types, but was not apparently related to detectable extrathoracic metastases.These data suggest that thyroid hormone metabolism is altered in patients with lung cancer by decreased 5'-monodeiodination of T4. The resulting low T3 concentrations and altered T4/T3 ratio may be partly responsible for the reduced ratio of androsterone to aetiocholanolone observed in lung cancer, which is known to be a poor prognostic sign.", "contents": "Thyroid function in lung cancer. Thyroid function was assessed at the time of initial diagnosis in 204 patients with lung cancer and compared with that of age and sex-matched patients with non-malignant lung disease. Abnormalities in thyroid function were found in 67 patients (33%). The most prevalent abnormality was a low T3 concentration; this was not associated with other clinical or biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism, but the short-term prognosis of these patients was worse than that of matched patients with lung cancer having normal T3 concentrations. Primary hypothyroidism occurred in three patients, low T4 concentrations and free thyroxine index (FTI) with normal thyrotrophin (TSH) concentrations in four patients, and moderately raised TSH with normal thyroid hormone concentrations in six patients; nine patients had a raised FTI with or without raised T4 concentration as the sole abnormality.Overall, the pattern of thyroid hormone metabolism in lung cancer was a tendency towards reduced T3 concentrations with significantly increased T4/T3 ratios and modestly increased 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) concentrations. The altered T4/T3 ratio was particularly noticeable in patients with anaplastic tumours of small (\"oat cell\") and large cell types, but was not apparently related to detectable extrathoracic metastases.These data suggest that thyroid hormone metabolism is altered in patients with lung cancer by decreased 5'-monodeiodination of T4. The resulting low T3 concentrations and altered T4/T3 ratio may be partly responsible for the reduced ratio of androsterone to aetiocholanolone observed in lung cancer, which is known to be a poor prognostic sign.", "PMID": 620266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3519", "title": "Metacarpal morphometry in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta.", "content": "Osteogenesis imperfecta is often regarded as a form of osteoporosis. In many cases, particularly those in whom the first fracture occurs outside the neonatal period, bones that have not been fractured may appear radiologically normal. In a group of 24 adults with osteogenesis imperfecta the thickness of the metacarpal cortex was normal but their bones were often slender. Osteoporosis is probably not an inevitable feature of such cases, and some of the radiological abnormalities reported may be the results of previous fractures and their treatment.", "contents": "Metacarpal morphometry in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteogenesis imperfecta is often regarded as a form of osteoporosis. In many cases, particularly those in whom the first fracture occurs outside the neonatal period, bones that have not been fractured may appear radiologically normal. In a group of 24 adults with osteogenesis imperfecta the thickness of the metacarpal cortex was normal but their bones were often slender. Osteoporosis is probably not an inevitable feature of such cases, and some of the radiological abnormalities reported may be the results of previous fractures and their treatment.", "PMID": 620267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3520", "title": "Fertility after stopping different methods of contraception.", "content": "Data on the return of fertility after discontinuing various methods of contraception were collected from among the women taking part in the Oxford-Family Planning Association contraceptive study. Return of fertility was measured as the time taken to give birth to a child. The fertility of both nulligravid and parous women who stopped taking oral contraceptives was initially impaired in comparison with that of women who stopped using other methods of contraception. But the effect of oral contraceptives on fertility had become negligible by 42 months after cessation of contraception in nulligravidae and by 30 months in multiparae. Impairment seemed to be independent of the length of use of oral contraceptives. Data relating to IUD users were sparse, but the figures that were available were reassuring. These results suggest that, although women may have temporary impairment of fertility after discontinuing oral contraception, they are unlikely to become permanently sterile through taking the pill.", "contents": "Fertility after stopping different methods of contraception. Data on the return of fertility after discontinuing various methods of contraception were collected from among the women taking part in the Oxford-Family Planning Association contraceptive study. Return of fertility was measured as the time taken to give birth to a child. The fertility of both nulligravid and parous women who stopped taking oral contraceptives was initially impaired in comparison with that of women who stopped using other methods of contraception. But the effect of oral contraceptives on fertility had become negligible by 42 months after cessation of contraception in nulligravidae and by 30 months in multiparae. Impairment seemed to be independent of the length of use of oral contraceptives. Data relating to IUD users were sparse, but the figures that were available were reassuring. These results suggest that, although women may have temporary impairment of fertility after discontinuing oral contraception, they are unlikely to become permanently sterile through taking the pill.", "PMID": 620301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3521", "title": "Smoking, carbon monoxide, and atherosclerotic diseases.", "content": "Smoking habits and random measurements of the proportion of haemoglobin bound to carbon monoxide (COHb%) were examined for their association with atherosclerotic diseases in 1068 men aged 55 to 74 years from rural areas of Finland. COHb% and smoking history were similarly associated with claudication and coronary heart disease. Random measurements of COHb% did not show a better overall relation to the prevalence of atherosclerotic diseases than smoking history, though COHb% showed a stronger association with a probable previous myocardial infarction. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of carbon monoxide in atherosclerosis.", "contents": "Smoking, carbon monoxide, and atherosclerotic diseases. Smoking habits and random measurements of the proportion of haemoglobin bound to carbon monoxide (COHb%) were examined for their association with atherosclerotic diseases in 1068 men aged 55 to 74 years from rural areas of Finland. COHb% and smoking history were similarly associated with claudication and coronary heart disease. Random measurements of COHb% did not show a better overall relation to the prevalence of atherosclerotic diseases than smoking history, though COHb% showed a stronger association with a probable previous myocardial infarction. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of carbon monoxide in atherosclerosis.", "PMID": 620302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3522", "title": "Influence of induced abortion on gestational duration in subsequent pregnancies.", "content": "We studied the effect of previous induced and spontaneous abortion on gestational duration in subsequent pregnancies in 12 obstetric departments in the Netherlands. Only primiparae were studied. Of 504 women who had had a previous induced abortion, 18 (3.6%) delivered before 32 weeks' gestational age. Forty of 1313 women with a history of spontaneous abortion (3.0%) and 259 of 12 678 women with no history of abortion (2.1%) also delivered before 32 weeks. The differences between the three groups were not significant. In the Netherlands there are no significant indications that spontaneous midtrimester abortions or premature deliveries are caused by a previous induced abortion.", "contents": "Influence of induced abortion on gestational duration in subsequent pregnancies. We studied the effect of previous induced and spontaneous abortion on gestational duration in subsequent pregnancies in 12 obstetric departments in the Netherlands. Only primiparae were studied. Of 504 women who had had a previous induced abortion, 18 (3.6%) delivered before 32 weeks' gestational age. Forty of 1313 women with a history of spontaneous abortion (3.0%) and 259 of 12 678 women with no history of abortion (2.1%) also delivered before 32 weeks. The differences between the three groups were not significant. In the Netherlands there are no significant indications that spontaneous midtrimester abortions or premature deliveries are caused by a previous induced abortion.", "PMID": 620303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3523", "title": "Bronchopulmonary infection due to Branhamella catarrhalis: 11 cases assessed by transtracheal puncture.", "content": "Transtracheal punctures were performed in 193 miners of anthracosilicotic coal who presented with an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. The transtracheal aspirates were bacteriologically positive in 104 patients. Branhamella catarrhalis was isolated in 15 patients; 10 of these responded to chemotherapy, as shown by the resolution of all symptoms and the disappearance of the organism on a repeat transtracheal puncture performed 48 hours after the end of treatment. One ampicillin-treated patient, whose bronchial secretions yielded a beta-lactamase-producing B catarrhalis, showed no improvement. But subsequent treatment with cefuroxime was followed by clinical and bacteriological recovery. B catarrhalis probably acted as an opportunistic respiratory pathogen in these patients, who were probably compromised hosts in view of their clinical history. B catarrhalis normally responds to the penicillins commonly used for respiratory infections, but if treatment fails a transtracheal puncture is essential to identify the strain and determine an appropriate antibiotic.", "contents": "Bronchopulmonary infection due to Branhamella catarrhalis: 11 cases assessed by transtracheal puncture. Transtracheal punctures were performed in 193 miners of anthracosilicotic coal who presented with an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. The transtracheal aspirates were bacteriologically positive in 104 patients. Branhamella catarrhalis was isolated in 15 patients; 10 of these responded to chemotherapy, as shown by the resolution of all symptoms and the disappearance of the organism on a repeat transtracheal puncture performed 48 hours after the end of treatment. One ampicillin-treated patient, whose bronchial secretions yielded a beta-lactamase-producing B catarrhalis, showed no improvement. But subsequent treatment with cefuroxime was followed by clinical and bacteriological recovery. B catarrhalis probably acted as an opportunistic respiratory pathogen in these patients, who were probably compromised hosts in view of their clinical history. B catarrhalis normally responds to the penicillins commonly used for respiratory infections, but if treatment fails a transtracheal puncture is essential to identify the strain and determine an appropriate antibiotic.", "PMID": 620304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3524", "title": "Value of a testicular biopsy rating for prognosis in oligozoospermia.", "content": "Testicular biopsies of 142 oligozoospermic men were used to obtain a testicular biopsy score count. These scores were clearly related to the chance of fertility, in contra-distinction to data on hormone concentrations and from analysis of semen. In 36 patients with a score of 9-10 there were 15 pregnancies; in 59 patients with a score of 8-9, 12; and in 47 patients with scores below 8 there was only one successful pregnancy, though this last group also contained an additional three patients whose wives' pregnancies ended in miscarriages. Rating of testicular biopsies is more useful for proper evaluation of oligozoospermic patients than are data on hormone concentrations and from semen analysis. Proper evaluation of new treatments should be based on trials where experimental and control groups are matched on these ratings.", "contents": "Value of a testicular biopsy rating for prognosis in oligozoospermia. Testicular biopsies of 142 oligozoospermic men were used to obtain a testicular biopsy score count. These scores were clearly related to the chance of fertility, in contra-distinction to data on hormone concentrations and from analysis of semen. In 36 patients with a score of 9-10 there were 15 pregnancies; in 59 patients with a score of 8-9, 12; and in 47 patients with scores below 8 there was only one successful pregnancy, though this last group also contained an additional three patients whose wives' pregnancies ended in miscarriages. Rating of testicular biopsies is more useful for proper evaluation of oligozoospermic patients than are data on hormone concentrations and from semen analysis. Proper evaluation of new treatments should be based on trials where experimental and control groups are matched on these ratings.", "PMID": 620312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3525", "title": "Intracellular recording and staining of cat's lateral geniculate neurons.", "content": "Intracellular staining with recording micropipettes filled with a Procion yellow solution was attempted on 11 lateral geniculate neurons of chloralose-anesthetized cats for the purpose of correlating electrophysiologically identified cell types with morphologically identified cell types. Five neurons were successfully stained: one was located in lamina A and the others in lamina A1. They were all identified as P-cells on the basis of their responsiveness to electrical stimulation of optic disc, optic chiasm and visual cortex. The conduction velocities and synaptic delays for specific optic nerve fibers concerned with these P-cells were estimated from the relationship between latency and conduction distance. Intracellular staining has revealed that a neuron located in lamina A and three of four neurons located in lamina A1 had multipolar configuration, with their main dendrites oriented parallel to the plane of the laminae; while one neuron located in lamina A1 had a configuration similar to that of a class II-type neuron described by Guillery in his Golgi preparations. In these experiments no neurons located in lamina B, central interlaminar nucleus and medial interlaminar nucleus were stained. No interneurons were obtained, either.", "contents": "Intracellular recording and staining of cat's lateral geniculate neurons. Intracellular staining with recording micropipettes filled with a Procion yellow solution was attempted on 11 lateral geniculate neurons of chloralose-anesthetized cats for the purpose of correlating electrophysiologically identified cell types with morphologically identified cell types. Five neurons were successfully stained: one was located in lamina A and the others in lamina A1. They were all identified as P-cells on the basis of their responsiveness to electrical stimulation of optic disc, optic chiasm and visual cortex. The conduction velocities and synaptic delays for specific optic nerve fibers concerned with these P-cells were estimated from the relationship between latency and conduction distance. Intracellular staining has revealed that a neuron located in lamina A and three of four neurons located in lamina A1 had multipolar configuration, with their main dendrites oriented parallel to the plane of the laminae; while one neuron located in lamina A1 had a configuration similar to that of a class II-type neuron described by Guillery in his Golgi preparations. In these experiments no neurons located in lamina B, central interlaminar nucleus and medial interlaminar nucleus were stained. No interneurons were obtained, either.", "PMID": 620350} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3526", "title": "Symposium on peptic ulcer disease: 2. Vagotomy and its variations.", "content": "All the forms of vagotomy that are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease lower the acid secretion by the gastric parietal cells. The preferred operation is the proximal selective vagotomy in which the innervation to the antrum and pylorus is undisturbed. Therefore the necessity for any type of drainage procedure is obviated. The results of a number of clinical trials can be considered highly satisfactory. The undue rate of ulcer recurrence sometimes reported after the operation is possibly attributable to its incorrect performance.", "contents": "Symposium on peptic ulcer disease: 2. Vagotomy and its variations. All the forms of vagotomy that are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease lower the acid secretion by the gastric parietal cells. The preferred operation is the proximal selective vagotomy in which the innervation to the antrum and pylorus is undisturbed. Therefore the necessity for any type of drainage procedure is obviated. The results of a number of clinical trials can be considered highly satisfactory. The undue rate of ulcer recurrence sometimes reported after the operation is possibly attributable to its incorrect performance.", "PMID": 620361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3527", "title": "Symposium on peptic ulcer disease: 3. Practical management of recurrent peptic ulcer.", "content": "Recurrent peptic ulcer usually develops as the result of an ill-advised or poorly executed operation. The commonest surgical error is an incomplete vagotomy. Diagnosis is made best by endoscopy. Mandatory investigation includes determination of serum gastrin and calcium, and measurement of basal and maximal acid output. Management is surgical and depends on the initial ulcer operation. Decision-making is aided by the Hollander insulin test, the secretin infusion test and occasionally by a technetium scan. There is no place for procedures that do not reduce acid output. Emergency treatment of a complication should be followed by full investigation and the appropriate operation. Recurrent gastric ulcer should be treated by gastrectomy and excision of the ulcer.", "contents": "Symposium on peptic ulcer disease: 3. Practical management of recurrent peptic ulcer. Recurrent peptic ulcer usually develops as the result of an ill-advised or poorly executed operation. The commonest surgical error is an incomplete vagotomy. Diagnosis is made best by endoscopy. Mandatory investigation includes determination of serum gastrin and calcium, and measurement of basal and maximal acid output. Management is surgical and depends on the initial ulcer operation. Decision-making is aided by the Hollander insulin test, the secretin infusion test and occasionally by a technetium scan. There is no place for procedures that do not reduce acid output. Emergency treatment of a complication should be followed by full investigation and the appropriate operation. Recurrent gastric ulcer should be treated by gastrectomy and excision of the ulcer.", "PMID": 620362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3528", "title": "Symposium on carcinoma of colon and rectum: 2. Sphincter-preserving operations for rectal cancer.", "content": "At St. Mark's Hospital in London, England there has been a steady improvement over 20 years in the results of treatment of rectal cancer. The resectability rate has reached 95% and the overall operative mortality rate has declined to 2%. The corrected 5-year survival rate is about 70% for all who recover from the operation. It is unlikely that these figures can be bettered, so attention has been directed to the use of radiation therapy and adjuvant cytotoxic therapy, but so far no firm conclusions are possible on the benefits of either modality. In order to spare the patient a colostomy, local excision of the growth or the use of a transsphincteric approach can be considered, but few cases are suitable for either procedure or their more radical alternatives.", "contents": "Symposium on carcinoma of colon and rectum: 2. Sphincter-preserving operations for rectal cancer. At St. Mark's Hospital in London, England there has been a steady improvement over 20 years in the results of treatment of rectal cancer. The resectability rate has reached 95% and the overall operative mortality rate has declined to 2%. The corrected 5-year survival rate is about 70% for all who recover from the operation. It is unlikely that these figures can be bettered, so attention has been directed to the use of radiation therapy and adjuvant cytotoxic therapy, but so far no firm conclusions are possible on the benefits of either modality. In order to spare the patient a colostomy, local excision of the growth or the use of a transsphincteric approach can be considered, but few cases are suitable for either procedure or their more radical alternatives.", "PMID": 620366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3529", "title": "Symposium on carcinoma of colon and rectum: 3. Radiation therapy in rectal cancer.", "content": "In a number of studies preoperative irradiation of cancer of the rectum has procured 5-year survival rates higher than those obtained with conventional surgical techniques, whether or not the tumour has spread to lymph nodes. There appears, as well, to be a lower rate of local recurrence and possibly of the development of distant metastases. Also, some tumours of questionable operability are reduced in size to make resection possible. The effectiveness of postoperative radiation therapy is not yet firmly established. Radiation therapy as the primary method of treatment of rectal carcinoma has been used at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto in 79 patients over a period of 18 years. The overall 5-year survival rate is 28%; this rises to 38% when the tumour is not fixed but falls to half this figure when fixity of the growth is evident. These results offer grounds for investigating radical radiation therapy as an alternative to surgical methods of dealing with low-lying carcinomas of the rectum.", "contents": "Symposium on carcinoma of colon and rectum: 3. Radiation therapy in rectal cancer. In a number of studies preoperative irradiation of cancer of the rectum has procured 5-year survival rates higher than those obtained with conventional surgical techniques, whether or not the tumour has spread to lymph nodes. There appears, as well, to be a lower rate of local recurrence and possibly of the development of distant metastases. Also, some tumours of questionable operability are reduced in size to make resection possible. The effectiveness of postoperative radiation therapy is not yet firmly established. Radiation therapy as the primary method of treatment of rectal carcinoma has been used at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto in 79 patients over a period of 18 years. The overall 5-year survival rate is 28%; this rises to 38% when the tumour is not fixed but falls to half this figure when fixity of the growth is evident. These results offer grounds for investigating radical radiation therapy as an alternative to surgical methods of dealing with low-lying carcinomas of the rectum.", "PMID": 620367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3530", "title": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 2. Surgical management of acute pancreatitis.", "content": "While there is general agreement on the indications for surgery in acute pancreatitis, the preferred operation is controversial and the approach ranges from one that is very conservative to one that is extremely aggressive. The author believes that in all cases the gallbladder should be opened to permit exploration and that cholangiography should be performed. If gallstones are discovered they should be removed and the organ drained; cholecystectomy is advised if the procedure is at all feasible. In a personal series of 50 cases of acute pancreatitis, 10 patients had early operation and 19 surgical procedures were performed.", "contents": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 2. Surgical management of acute pancreatitis. While there is general agreement on the indications for surgery in acute pancreatitis, the preferred operation is controversial and the approach ranges from one that is very conservative to one that is extremely aggressive. The author believes that in all cases the gallbladder should be opened to permit exploration and that cholangiography should be performed. If gallstones are discovered they should be removed and the organ drained; cholecystectomy is advised if the procedure is at all feasible. In a personal series of 50 cases of acute pancreatitis, 10 patients had early operation and 19 surgical procedures were performed.", "PMID": 620369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3531", "title": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 3. Diagnostic tools in the management of chronic pancreatitis.", "content": "The chief diagnostic tools used in planning the management of chronic pancreatitis require close collaboration of the surgeon and radiologist. Barium meal, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), ultrasonography and angiography are the most useful procedures. The barium meal is the initial screening procedure. Uultrasonography should follow if there is suspicion of a pseudocyst or pancreatic abscess. It is also may be of value in demonstrating localized chronic pancreatitis. The most useful of all the tests is ERCP. This shows the pancreatic duct, the common bile duct, or both ducts, so that the surgeon may avoid operation where there is no defect to correct, or it may guide him in selecting an operation that is designed to correct the anatomical abnormalities of either duct. Angiography is occasionally of use when the foregoing procedures have not provided enough information. In over 80% of patients it is possible for the surgeon to undertake an operation with foreknowledge of the pancreas that will help him select the correct procedure to alleviate the patient's symptoms.", "contents": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 3. Diagnostic tools in the management of chronic pancreatitis. The chief diagnostic tools used in planning the management of chronic pancreatitis require close collaboration of the surgeon and radiologist. Barium meal, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), ultrasonography and angiography are the most useful procedures. The barium meal is the initial screening procedure. Uultrasonography should follow if there is suspicion of a pseudocyst or pancreatic abscess. It is also may be of value in demonstrating localized chronic pancreatitis. The most useful of all the tests is ERCP. This shows the pancreatic duct, the common bile duct, or both ducts, so that the surgeon may avoid operation where there is no defect to correct, or it may guide him in selecting an operation that is designed to correct the anatomical abnormalities of either duct. Angiography is occasionally of use when the foregoing procedures have not provided enough information. In over 80% of patients it is possible for the surgeon to undertake an operation with foreknowledge of the pancreas that will help him select the correct procedure to alleviate the patient's symptoms.", "PMID": 620370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3532", "title": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 4. Surgery in chronic pancreatitis.", "content": "When the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis is due to ductal obstruction, it is logical that surgical management should be designed to relieve that obstruction while preserving as much of the functioning gland as possible. A number of cases are described to illustrate the various procedures available and to indicate the features that govern the selection of the one most appropriate for a particular patient. The operations include partial pancreatectomy, Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy and longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy; these can be modified to suit the peculiar circumstances of a given case.", "contents": "Symposium on pancreatitis: 4. Surgery in chronic pancreatitis. When the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis is due to ductal obstruction, it is logical that surgical management should be designed to relieve that obstruction while preserving as much of the functioning gland as possible. A number of cases are described to illustrate the various procedures available and to indicate the features that govern the selection of the one most appropriate for a particular patient. The operations include partial pancreatectomy, Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy and longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy; these can be modified to suit the peculiar circumstances of a given case.", "PMID": 620371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3533", "title": "Symposium on intensive care: 1. Monitoring of the critically ill surgical patient.", "content": "The skill and experience of the medical and nursing staff are the factors that have the greatest impact on the quality of monitoring and treatment of the critically ill surgical patient. Basic determinations at the bedside together with periodic evaluation of the whole patient by the medical staff may, in selected cases, be supplemented usefully by more invasive monitoring techniques. The specific complications and technical pitfalls of these techniques should be known, and caution should always be exercised that the values provided are not misinterpreted. A critical care area serving a major teritary referral hospital should be able to measure pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output. Mixed venous oxygen content and arterial lactate concentration, as indices of oxygen delivery, are also useful measures.", "contents": "Symposium on intensive care: 1. Monitoring of the critically ill surgical patient. The skill and experience of the medical and nursing staff are the factors that have the greatest impact on the quality of monitoring and treatment of the critically ill surgical patient. Basic determinations at the bedside together with periodic evaluation of the whole patient by the medical staff may, in selected cases, be supplemented usefully by more invasive monitoring techniques. The specific complications and technical pitfalls of these techniques should be known, and caution should always be exercised that the values provided are not misinterpreted. A critical care area serving a major teritary referral hospital should be able to measure pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output. Mixed venous oxygen content and arterial lactate concentration, as indices of oxygen delivery, are also useful measures.", "PMID": 620373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3534", "title": "Symposium on intensive care: 2. Infection control in the surgical intensive care unit.", "content": "Control of infection in the surgical intensive care unit demands unfailing attention to three distinct areas: a) The bacteria responsible may be endogenous or exogenous. The effects of the former can be limited by careful surgical techniques and judicious use of antibiotics, of the latter by the practice of asepsis and antisepsis, essentially of scrupulous cleanliness. b) The environment of infection concerns the support of natural barriers to infection (notably the integrity of the skin and the adequate drainage of the pulmonary system), and the sterility and appropriate care and use of the many invasive devices currently available. c) The patient's natural defence mechanisms show considerable variation, and those at increased risk can be detected by skin-testing with a number of antigens as well as by recognized clinical features. It is in these patients with anergy and abnormal natural defences that total parenteral nutrition can be of the greatest value.", "contents": "Symposium on intensive care: 2. Infection control in the surgical intensive care unit. Control of infection in the surgical intensive care unit demands unfailing attention to three distinct areas: a) The bacteria responsible may be endogenous or exogenous. The effects of the former can be limited by careful surgical techniques and judicious use of antibiotics, of the latter by the practice of asepsis and antisepsis, essentially of scrupulous cleanliness. b) The environment of infection concerns the support of natural barriers to infection (notably the integrity of the skin and the adequate drainage of the pulmonary system), and the sterility and appropriate care and use of the many invasive devices currently available. c) The patient's natural defence mechanisms show considerable variation, and those at increased risk can be detected by skin-testing with a number of antigens as well as by recognized clinical features. It is in these patients with anergy and abnormal natural defences that total parenteral nutrition can be of the greatest value.", "PMID": 620374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3535", "title": "Problems in the control of hypertension in the community.", "content": "A hypertension survey was conducted in Montreal to determine the extent, nature and distribution of the control of hypertension. Of the 12 055 persons screened in shopping centres, workplaces and a random sample of homes in four census tracts the hypertension was not controlled in 69.0% to 80.3% of those with the condition in each setting. Nearly two thirds of those with hypertension were aware of their condition, 13% were aware but had never been treated, 13% were receiving treatment inadequate to control their hypertension, and 11% had discontinued treatment, most reporting that they had done so on the advice of their physician. Among those screened in their home, discontinuance of therapy was most often reported by those with a low income, but lack of awareness of their condition was no more prevalent in this group than in the other income groups. Efforts to control hypertension should be directed to the variety of causes of lack of control, which may occur with various frequencies in different communities, and for which screening alone may be inadequate.", "contents": "Problems in the control of hypertension in the community. A hypertension survey was conducted in Montreal to determine the extent, nature and distribution of the control of hypertension. Of the 12 055 persons screened in shopping centres, workplaces and a random sample of homes in four census tracts the hypertension was not controlled in 69.0% to 80.3% of those with the condition in each setting. Nearly two thirds of those with hypertension were aware of their condition, 13% were aware but had never been treated, 13% were receiving treatment inadequate to control their hypertension, and 11% had discontinued treatment, most reporting that they had done so on the advice of their physician. Among those screened in their home, discontinuance of therapy was most often reported by those with a low income, but lack of awareness of their condition was no more prevalent in this group than in the other income groups. Efforts to control hypertension should be directed to the variety of causes of lack of control, which may occur with various frequencies in different communities, and for which screening alone may be inadequate.", "PMID": 620381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3536", "title": "Nutritional status of a select group of free-living elderly people in Vancouver.", "content": "A study was conducted to determine the nutritional status of the free-living elderly population in Vancouver. The response rate of the sample was low. Dietary information from 104 single men and women and 23 couples was collected by the 24-hour recall method. Biochemical tests in 56 single individuals and 13 couples included measurement of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, plasma analysis for concentrations of total protein, iron, carotene, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and cholesterol and for transferrin saturation, and urine analysis for concentrations of creatinine, thiamin, riboflavin and N(1)-methylnicotinamide.Mean energy intakes were considerably below the Dietary Standard for Canada. However, mean intakes of individual nutrients were similar to or in excess of the Dietary Standard for Canada for single men and women and for married men. Married women had low average intakes of calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin but adequate intakes of other nutrients. Mean values for biochemical variables were within the accepted range as defined by the Interdepartmental Committee of Nutrition for National Defense in the United States. According to the Nutrition Canada definitions of \"high risk\" there were no individuals in high-risk categories for any biochemical variable except plasma cholesterol concentration and transferrin saturation. The dietary and biochemical data indicated that the nutritional status in this select group of elderly persons was good except for intake of total energy and, in married women, of calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin.", "contents": "Nutritional status of a select group of free-living elderly people in Vancouver. A study was conducted to determine the nutritional status of the free-living elderly population in Vancouver. The response rate of the sample was low. Dietary information from 104 single men and women and 23 couples was collected by the 24-hour recall method. Biochemical tests in 56 single individuals and 13 couples included measurement of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, plasma analysis for concentrations of total protein, iron, carotene, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and cholesterol and for transferrin saturation, and urine analysis for concentrations of creatinine, thiamin, riboflavin and N(1)-methylnicotinamide.Mean energy intakes were considerably below the Dietary Standard for Canada. However, mean intakes of individual nutrients were similar to or in excess of the Dietary Standard for Canada for single men and women and for married men. Married women had low average intakes of calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin but adequate intakes of other nutrients. Mean values for biochemical variables were within the accepted range as defined by the Interdepartmental Committee of Nutrition for National Defense in the United States. According to the Nutrition Canada definitions of \"high risk\" there were no individuals in high-risk categories for any biochemical variable except plasma cholesterol concentration and transferrin saturation. The dietary and biochemical data indicated that the nutritional status in this select group of elderly persons was good except for intake of total energy and, in married women, of calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin.", "PMID": 620382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3537", "title": "Detection and pathogenesis of visceral calcification in dialysis patients and patients with malignant disease.", "content": "Scintiscanning to detect the uptake of bone-seeking radioactive isotopes by soft tissue is a promising technique for the in vivo study of visceral calcification. Visceral uptake of such radioisotopes was studied in 40 patients: 22 undergoing long-term dialysis, 9 with malignant disease and hypercalcemia and 9 with primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia.Fifteen patients, 11 undergoing dialysis and 4 with malignant disease, had radioisotope uptake in the lungs, and 5, 3 undergoing dialysis and 2 with malignant disease, had uptake in the stomach. None of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had visceral uptake, nor did the patients with uptake have radiologic evidence of pulmonary or gastric calcification. The dialysis patients with visceral uptake had a mean calcium x phosphate product of 84.3 +/- 23.7 (standard deviation), which was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that of patients without such uptake (59.2 +/- 14.0). Similarly, in patients with malignant disease and visceral uptake the Ca x P product was 72.2 +/- 6.4 - significantly greater (P < 0.005) than that of patients without such uptake (49.3 +/- 6.7).These findings indicate that scintiscanning for the visceral uptake of a bone-seeking radioisotope is a simple and effective technique for the in vivo study of visceral calcification. An elevation in the Ca x P product seems to be the single most important factor in the production of visceral calcification.", "contents": "Detection and pathogenesis of visceral calcification in dialysis patients and patients with malignant disease. Scintiscanning to detect the uptake of bone-seeking radioactive isotopes by soft tissue is a promising technique for the in vivo study of visceral calcification. Visceral uptake of such radioisotopes was studied in 40 patients: 22 undergoing long-term dialysis, 9 with malignant disease and hypercalcemia and 9 with primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia.Fifteen patients, 11 undergoing dialysis and 4 with malignant disease, had radioisotope uptake in the lungs, and 5, 3 undergoing dialysis and 2 with malignant disease, had uptake in the stomach. None of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had visceral uptake, nor did the patients with uptake have radiologic evidence of pulmonary or gastric calcification. The dialysis patients with visceral uptake had a mean calcium x phosphate product of 84.3 +/- 23.7 (standard deviation), which was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that of patients without such uptake (59.2 +/- 14.0). Similarly, in patients with malignant disease and visceral uptake the Ca x P product was 72.2 +/- 6.4 - significantly greater (P < 0.005) than that of patients without such uptake (49.3 +/- 6.7).These findings indicate that scintiscanning for the visceral uptake of a bone-seeking radioisotope is a simple and effective technique for the in vivo study of visceral calcification. An elevation in the Ca x P product seems to be the single most important factor in the production of visceral calcification.", "PMID": 620383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3538", "title": "Management of anemia in a general city hospital: value of chart review in establishing deficiencies in care.", "content": "A retrospective review was done of the charts of 50 persons admitted to hospital for investigation of primary anemia. The duration of hospital stay was considered excessive for 80% of the patients and investigation was considered excessive for 34%. Nevertheless, underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis by the time of discharge was evident in 48% and was the result of inadequate investigation or faulty analysis of the results or both. Even when the type of anemia was established, investigations to determine the cause of specific deficiencies were frequently inadequate. Understandably treatment was inadequate for undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions but it was also inadequate for many correctly diagnosed conditions. Parenteral administration of iron was prescribed more often than oral administration, and 30% of patients with iron deficiency anemia failed to receive iron by either route. Most patients with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia received treatment late. Blood transfusion was given to 40% of patients but could be justified in only 16%.", "contents": "Management of anemia in a general city hospital: value of chart review in establishing deficiencies in care. A retrospective review was done of the charts of 50 persons admitted to hospital for investigation of primary anemia. The duration of hospital stay was considered excessive for 80% of the patients and investigation was considered excessive for 34%. Nevertheless, underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis by the time of discharge was evident in 48% and was the result of inadequate investigation or faulty analysis of the results or both. Even when the type of anemia was established, investigations to determine the cause of specific deficiencies were frequently inadequate. Understandably treatment was inadequate for undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions but it was also inadequate for many correctly diagnosed conditions. Parenteral administration of iron was prescribed more often than oral administration, and 30% of patients with iron deficiency anemia failed to receive iron by either route. Most patients with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia received treatment late. Blood transfusion was given to 40% of patients but could be justified in only 16%.", "PMID": 620384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3539", "title": "The intrauterine contraceptive device.", "content": "This presentation brings into perspective the most recent information on intrauterine contraceptive devices. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented in a manner meaningful to the clinician. The advantages and disadvantages of this method of contraception, the problems that arise and the recommended methods of management are discussed. An updated review of the literature with regard to bleeding, pain, expulsion of the device, infection, uterine perforation and pregnancy is also presented.", "contents": "The intrauterine contraceptive device. This presentation brings into perspective the most recent information on intrauterine contraceptive devices. A comprehensive review of the literature is presented in a manner meaningful to the clinician. The advantages and disadvantages of this method of contraception, the problems that arise and the recommended methods of management are discussed. An updated review of the literature with regard to bleeding, pain, expulsion of the device, infection, uterine perforation and pregnancy is also presented.", "PMID": 620385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3540", "title": "Sensitivity of human and murine hematopoietic precursor cells to 2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-D-glucopyranose and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.", "content": "The sensitivity of mouse and human bone marrow hematopoietic precursor cells [colony-forming units committed to granulocyte-macrophage differentiatin (CFU-C)] was determined after in vitro incubation with chlorozotocin (2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-D-glucopyranose), or 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), with the use of drug concentrations achieved during clinical administration. Chlorozotocin, at a concentration of 1 X 10(-4) M, did not decrease mouse CFU-C below the control of 44 colonies/10(5) nucleated cells; 5 X 10(-4) M produced a 70% reduction in CFU-C, and 1 X 10(-3) M chlorozotocin eliminated all colony formation. In contrast, BCNU at 1 X 10(-4) M resulted in a 55% reduction in CFU-C, and at 5 X 10(-4) M it eliminated all colony formation. For human marrow the threshold concentration for chlorozotocin toxicity was 1 X 10(4) M, which resulted in 25% reduction in CFU-C as compared to the control of 32 colonies/10(5) nucleated cells. In contrast, BCNU at 5 X 10(-5) M decreased human CFU-C to 47% of control, and at 1 X 10(-4) M it eliminated all colony formation. Twenty-four hr after in vitro exposure to 1 X 10(-4) M chlorozotocin, there was no reduction in human bone marrow DNA synthesis in contrast to a 42% reduction with 1 X 10(-4) M BCNU. The plasma concentration of drugs following a therapeutic dose in patients was measured and was found to correspond to the concentration range used in the in vitro studies of marrow toxicity.", "contents": "Sensitivity of human and murine hematopoietic precursor cells to 2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-D-glucopyranose and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. The sensitivity of mouse and human bone marrow hematopoietic precursor cells [colony-forming units committed to granulocyte-macrophage differentiatin (CFU-C)] was determined after in vitro incubation with chlorozotocin (2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-D-glucopyranose), or 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), with the use of drug concentrations achieved during clinical administration. Chlorozotocin, at a concentration of 1 X 10(-4) M, did not decrease mouse CFU-C below the control of 44 colonies/10(5) nucleated cells; 5 X 10(-4) M produced a 70% reduction in CFU-C, and 1 X 10(-3) M chlorozotocin eliminated all colony formation. In contrast, BCNU at 1 X 10(-4) M resulted in a 55% reduction in CFU-C, and at 5 X 10(-4) M it eliminated all colony formation. For human marrow the threshold concentration for chlorozotocin toxicity was 1 X 10(4) M, which resulted in 25% reduction in CFU-C as compared to the control of 32 colonies/10(5) nucleated cells. In contrast, BCNU at 5 X 10(-5) M decreased human CFU-C to 47% of control, and at 1 X 10(-4) M it eliminated all colony formation. Twenty-four hr after in vitro exposure to 1 X 10(-4) M chlorozotocin, there was no reduction in human bone marrow DNA synthesis in contrast to a 42% reduction with 1 X 10(-4) M BCNU. The plasma concentration of drugs following a therapeutic dose in patients was measured and was found to correspond to the concentration range used in the in vitro studies of marrow toxicity.", "PMID": 620400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3541", "title": "Demonstration of nonspecific suppressor cells in the peripheral lymphocytes of cancer patients.", "content": "The response to phytohemagglutinin of peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 169 cancer patients. There was a significant decrease compared with control groups (normal persons and those with benign disease). By selecting cancer leukocyte samples with reactivity to phytohemagglutinin that was increased by carrageenan, a macrophage-toxic agent, and by mixing them with normal lymphocytes, we have demonstrated that the depressed phytohemagglutinin of six cancer patients' lymphoyctes was due to the presence of suppressor cells that possibly were monocytes.", "contents": "Demonstration of nonspecific suppressor cells in the peripheral lymphocytes of cancer patients. The response to phytohemagglutinin of peripheral blood lymphocytes was studied in 169 cancer patients. There was a significant decrease compared with control groups (normal persons and those with benign disease). By selecting cancer leukocyte samples with reactivity to phytohemagglutinin that was increased by carrageenan, a macrophage-toxic agent, and by mixing them with normal lymphocytes, we have demonstrated that the depressed phytohemagglutinin of six cancer patients' lymphoyctes was due to the presence of suppressor cells that possibly were monocytes.", "PMID": 620401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3542", "title": "In vitro plasminogen activator activity in human brain tumors.", "content": "Cell cultures were prepared from nine human brain tumors. Fibrin plate assays showed plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity in lysates and in material released by these neoplastic cells but not in those from normal adult human white matter. Antibodies against human urokinase caused catalytic inhibition of the urokinase and of the plasminogen activator from WI-38 cells, simian virus 40-transformed WI-38 cells, human prostatic cells, and human ovarian carcinoma cells. However, the anti-urokinase immunoglobulin G did not inhibit the plasminogen activator activity of any of the human brain tumor preparations. These studies indicate that the plasminogen activator produced by human brain tumor cells is antigenically different from the plasminogen activator of other human normal and neoplastic cells.", "contents": "In vitro plasminogen activator activity in human brain tumors. Cell cultures were prepared from nine human brain tumors. Fibrin plate assays showed plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity in lysates and in material released by these neoplastic cells but not in those from normal adult human white matter. Antibodies against human urokinase caused catalytic inhibition of the urokinase and of the plasminogen activator from WI-38 cells, simian virus 40-transformed WI-38 cells, human prostatic cells, and human ovarian carcinoma cells. However, the anti-urokinase immunoglobulin G did not inhibit the plasminogen activator activity of any of the human brain tumor preparations. These studies indicate that the plasminogen activator produced by human brain tumor cells is antigenically different from the plasminogen activator of other human normal and neoplastic cells.", "PMID": 620402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3543", "title": "Retrospective study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya.", "content": "A clinical, radiological, histological, and geographical study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya is reported. It was found that this cancer is diagnosed more often in males than in females, with a ration of 8:1 (Kenya Cancer Registry). The most common age in males and females is 50 to 59 years. The regions of the esophagus most commonly involved are the middle and lower thirds, in almost equal proportions. An unexplained tendency for the tumor to be poorly differentiated towards the lower third is noted. In addition a review on the possible etiological factors is presented.", "contents": "Retrospective study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya. A clinical, radiological, histological, and geographical study of carcinoma of the esophagus in Kenya is reported. It was found that this cancer is diagnosed more often in males than in females, with a ration of 8:1 (Kenya Cancer Registry). The most common age in males and females is 50 to 59 years. The regions of the esophagus most commonly involved are the middle and lower thirds, in almost equal proportions. An unexplained tendency for the tumor to be poorly differentiated towards the lower third is noted. In addition a review on the possible etiological factors is presented.", "PMID": 620403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3544", "title": "Tumorigenicity studies with diol-epoxides of benzo(a)pyrene which indicate that (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene is an ultimate carcinogen in newborn mice.", "content": "The tumorigenic activities of benzo(a)pyrene(BP), (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol-epoxide 1), (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol-epoxide 2), (+/-)-trans-7,8,-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BP 7,8-dihydrodiol), and the tetraols derived from the hydrolysis of diol-epoxide 2 were evaluated in newborn mice. The mice were given injections sequentially of 4, 8, and 16 nmoles of each compound on the first, eighth, and fifteenth days of life, and the animals were killed when they were 28 weeks old. Diol-epoxide 1 was highly toxic in newborn mice, and most of the animals treated with this compound died before weaning. Diol-epoxide 2 and BP 7,8-dihydrodiol were, respectively, about 40- and 15-fold more active than BP in causing pulmonary adenomas. Vehicle-treated control animals had an average of 0.13 lung adenoma/mouse, whereas animals treated with BP, BP 7,8-dihydrodiol, or diol-epoxide 2 had, respectively, 0.24, 1.77 and 4.42 pulmonary adenomas/mouse. Diol-epoxide 1 and the tetraols derived from diol-epoxide 2 did not induce pulmonary adenomas. The inactivity of diol-epoxide 1 under the conditions of our study should be interpreted with caution because of the high toxicity of this compound. The results of our study provide evidence that BP 7,8-dihydrodiol is a proximate carcinogenic metabolite and that diol-epoxide 2 is an ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BP in the newborn mouse.", "contents": "Tumorigenicity studies with diol-epoxides of benzo(a)pyrene which indicate that (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene is an ultimate carcinogen in newborn mice. The tumorigenic activities of benzo(a)pyrene(BP), (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9beta,10beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol-epoxide 1), (+/-)-trans-7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (diol-epoxide 2), (+/-)-trans-7,8,-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene (BP 7,8-dihydrodiol), and the tetraols derived from the hydrolysis of diol-epoxide 2 were evaluated in newborn mice. The mice were given injections sequentially of 4, 8, and 16 nmoles of each compound on the first, eighth, and fifteenth days of life, and the animals were killed when they were 28 weeks old. Diol-epoxide 1 was highly toxic in newborn mice, and most of the animals treated with this compound died before weaning. Diol-epoxide 2 and BP 7,8-dihydrodiol were, respectively, about 40- and 15-fold more active than BP in causing pulmonary adenomas. Vehicle-treated control animals had an average of 0.13 lung adenoma/mouse, whereas animals treated with BP, BP 7,8-dihydrodiol, or diol-epoxide 2 had, respectively, 0.24, 1.77 and 4.42 pulmonary adenomas/mouse. Diol-epoxide 1 and the tetraols derived from diol-epoxide 2 did not induce pulmonary adenomas. The inactivity of diol-epoxide 1 under the conditions of our study should be interpreted with caution because of the high toxicity of this compound. The results of our study provide evidence that BP 7,8-dihydrodiol is a proximate carcinogenic metabolite and that diol-epoxide 2 is an ultimate carcinogenic metabolite of BP in the newborn mouse.", "PMID": 620406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3545", "title": "Hepatobiliary metabolism and excretion of adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate in the rat.", "content": "In connection with mechanism of action studies with N-trifluoroacetlyadriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32), a superior Adriamycin (ADR) analog under development in these laboratories, serial bile samples were collected from male Sprague-Dawley rats given a single i.v. dose of either ADR (4 mg/kg) or AD 32 (20 mg/kg) and were analyzed for anthracyclines by thin-layer chromatography-fluorometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. For ADR, 20% of the administered dose was accounted for at 24 hr, whereas 80% of the AD 32 dose were excreted into the bile by this time. ADR underwent little biotransformation; 80% of the 48-hr cumulative fluorescence excretion was attributable to unchanged drug, one-half the remainder was adriamycinol, and the balance was polar conjugates. In contrast, AD 32 underwent extensive metabolism to N-trifluoracetyladriamycin, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycinol, and polar conjugates, mostly glucuronides of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycinol. Based on direct and indirect evidence, ADR was not a metabolite of AD 32.", "contents": "Hepatobiliary metabolism and excretion of adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate in the rat. In connection with mechanism of action studies with N-trifluoroacetlyadriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32), a superior Adriamycin (ADR) analog under development in these laboratories, serial bile samples were collected from male Sprague-Dawley rats given a single i.v. dose of either ADR (4 mg/kg) or AD 32 (20 mg/kg) and were analyzed for anthracyclines by thin-layer chromatography-fluorometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. For ADR, 20% of the administered dose was accounted for at 24 hr, whereas 80% of the AD 32 dose were excreted into the bile by this time. ADR underwent little biotransformation; 80% of the 48-hr cumulative fluorescence excretion was attributable to unchanged drug, one-half the remainder was adriamycinol, and the balance was polar conjugates. In contrast, AD 32 underwent extensive metabolism to N-trifluoracetyladriamycin, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycinol, and polar conjugates, mostly glucuronides of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycinol. Based on direct and indirect evidence, ADR was not a metabolite of AD 32.", "PMID": 620407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3546", "title": "Dependence on chain length of antitumor activity of (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucan from Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes, IFO 13140, and its acid-degraded products.", "content": "The well-defined (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucan with (DPn) 540, produced by cultivation of Alcaligenes faecalis var. Myxogenes (IFO 13140), a mutant of a soil bacterium, had marked inhibitory activity against the s.c.-implanted Sarcoma 180 at 5 to 50 mg/kg for 10 days. It also exhibited very high activity in doses of 60 and 100 mg/kg i.p. by a single injection at 7 days after the initial s.c. transplantation of Sarcoma 180. The inhibition ratios observed with Ehrlich carcinoma, NTF (Nakahara-Tokuzen-Fukuoka) reticulum cell sarcoma, and CCM adenocarcinoma were somewhat less but were still significant. On the other hand the treatment failed to inhibit the growth of ascites Sarcoma 180 or to induce prolongation of life span. The mechanism of action of this glucan was considered to be host mediated because of a lack of effect in vitro and also because of the effectiveness of pretreatment of animals by injection before transplantation of a tumor. The results from the bioassay study of the low-molecular-weight (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucans prepared from the glucan with number-average degrees of polymerization (DPn) 540 by hydrolysis with formic acid or sulfuric acid showed that the glucans with DPn greater than 50 inhibited the growth of Sarcoma 180 implanted s.c. in mice, whereas the result of the schedule-dependent effect was obtained in the pretreatment of animals by the glucan with DPn 50. By i.v. administration, even the glucan with DPn 16 showed a strong antitumor effect comparable to that of the glucan with DPn 540.", "contents": "Dependence on chain length of antitumor activity of (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucan from Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes, IFO 13140, and its acid-degraded products. The well-defined (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucan with (DPn) 540, produced by cultivation of Alcaligenes faecalis var. Myxogenes (IFO 13140), a mutant of a soil bacterium, had marked inhibitory activity against the s.c.-implanted Sarcoma 180 at 5 to 50 mg/kg for 10 days. It also exhibited very high activity in doses of 60 and 100 mg/kg i.p. by a single injection at 7 days after the initial s.c. transplantation of Sarcoma 180. The inhibition ratios observed with Ehrlich carcinoma, NTF (Nakahara-Tokuzen-Fukuoka) reticulum cell sarcoma, and CCM adenocarcinoma were somewhat less but were still significant. On the other hand the treatment failed to inhibit the growth of ascites Sarcoma 180 or to induce prolongation of life span. The mechanism of action of this glucan was considered to be host mediated because of a lack of effect in vitro and also because of the effectiveness of pretreatment of animals by injection before transplantation of a tumor. The results from the bioassay study of the low-molecular-weight (1 leads to 3)-beta-D-glucans prepared from the glucan with number-average degrees of polymerization (DPn) 540 by hydrolysis with formic acid or sulfuric acid showed that the glucans with DPn greater than 50 inhibited the growth of Sarcoma 180 implanted s.c. in mice, whereas the result of the schedule-dependent effect was obtained in the pretreatment of animals by the glucan with DPn 50. By i.v. administration, even the glucan with DPn 16 showed a strong antitumor effect comparable to that of the glucan with DPn 540.", "PMID": 620409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3547", "title": "Quantitation by gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry of cyclophosphamide, phosphoramide mustard, and nornitrogen mustard in the plasma and urine of patients receiving cyclophosphamide therapy.", "content": "Unambiguous and sensitive methods based on gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry have been developed to quantitate cyclophosphamide and two alkylating and cytotoxic metabolites, phosphoramide mustard and nornitrogen mustard. The levels of these materials have been determined in the plasma and urine of five patients receiving cyclophosphamide, 60 or 75 mg/kg i.v. Peak plasma levels of phosphoramide mustard of 50 to 100 nmoles/ml were found at 3 hr after cyclophosphamide administration. Variable levels of nornitrogen mustard were found in the plasma. This product may be arising in part from the decomposition of other metabolites during sample storage and preparation.", "contents": "Quantitation by gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry of cyclophosphamide, phosphoramide mustard, and nornitrogen mustard in the plasma and urine of patients receiving cyclophosphamide therapy. Unambiguous and sensitive methods based on gas chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry have been developed to quantitate cyclophosphamide and two alkylating and cytotoxic metabolites, phosphoramide mustard and nornitrogen mustard. The levels of these materials have been determined in the plasma and urine of five patients receiving cyclophosphamide, 60 or 75 mg/kg i.v. Peak plasma levels of phosphoramide mustard of 50 to 100 nmoles/ml were found at 3 hr after cyclophosphamide administration. Variable levels of nornitrogen mustard were found in the plasma. This product may be arising in part from the decomposition of other metabolites during sample storage and preparation.", "PMID": 620410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3548", "title": "DNA synthesis and DNA polymerase activity in Leydig cells of diethylstilbestrol-stimulated mouse testes.", "content": "Using a modification of the collagenase dispersion method of Dufau et al., we examined changes in DNA synthesis produced by estrogens in the interstitial cells of mice that develop malignant Leydig cell tumors after prolonged estrogen administration. Previous work in cryptorchid mice indicated that during continuous estrogen administration [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA rises to a maximum in 3 to 4 days and then falls to approximately base levels within 2 to 3 weeks. This was confirmed both in Leydig cell concentrates of estrogen-treated mice after either injection with [3H]thymidine or incubation with [3H]thymidine in vitro. This DNA synthesis was blocked by hydroxyurea. DNA synthesis in cells of estrogen-treated BALB/c mice of the Huseby substrain, which have a high incidence of Leydig cell tumors, was 5 to 11 times that in untreated controls. Cells from estrogen-treated C3H/Bi mice, which have a low incidence of Leydig cell tumors, showed only a 2- to 3-fold increase. In the Huseby substrain the rise of DNA synthesis is a peak and subsequent recession were paralleled by a rise and fall in DNA polymerase alpha activity. DNA polymerase beta did not show this variation. In C3H/Bi mice, neither polymerase showed significant change. The evidence suggests that the early estrogen-stimulated DNA synthesis is probably replicative and is associated with increased DNA polymerase alpha activity.", "contents": "DNA synthesis and DNA polymerase activity in Leydig cells of diethylstilbestrol-stimulated mouse testes. Using a modification of the collagenase dispersion method of Dufau et al., we examined changes in DNA synthesis produced by estrogens in the interstitial cells of mice that develop malignant Leydig cell tumors after prolonged estrogen administration. Previous work in cryptorchid mice indicated that during continuous estrogen administration [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA rises to a maximum in 3 to 4 days and then falls to approximately base levels within 2 to 3 weeks. This was confirmed both in Leydig cell concentrates of estrogen-treated mice after either injection with [3H]thymidine or incubation with [3H]thymidine in vitro. This DNA synthesis was blocked by hydroxyurea. DNA synthesis in cells of estrogen-treated BALB/c mice of the Huseby substrain, which have a high incidence of Leydig cell tumors, was 5 to 11 times that in untreated controls. Cells from estrogen-treated C3H/Bi mice, which have a low incidence of Leydig cell tumors, showed only a 2- to 3-fold increase. In the Huseby substrain the rise of DNA synthesis is a peak and subsequent recession were paralleled by a rise and fall in DNA polymerase alpha activity. DNA polymerase beta did not show this variation. In C3H/Bi mice, neither polymerase showed significant change. The evidence suggests that the early estrogen-stimulated DNA synthesis is probably replicative and is associated with increased DNA polymerase alpha activity.", "PMID": 620411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3549", "title": "Enhancement of X-ray transformation by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate in a cloned line of C3H mouse embryo cells.", "content": "A phorbol ester promoting agent, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, enhances X-ray transformation in vitro in a two-stage fashion similar to that shown previously for ultraviolet radiation and chemical carcinogens. In studies with a mouse embryo-derived cell line (C3H/1OT 1/2 clone 8), there were clear interactive effects between X-radiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These were particularly marked when a minimally transforming X-ray dose (50 or 100 rads) was followed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment beginning either immediately after the radiation exposure or 48 to 96 hr later.", "contents": "Enhancement of X-ray transformation by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate in a cloned line of C3H mouse embryo cells. A phorbol ester promoting agent, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, enhances X-ray transformation in vitro in a two-stage fashion similar to that shown previously for ultraviolet radiation and chemical carcinogens. In studies with a mouse embryo-derived cell line (C3H/1OT 1/2 clone 8), there were clear interactive effects between X-radiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These were particularly marked when a minimally transforming X-ray dose (50 or 100 rads) was followed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment beginning either immediately after the radiation exposure or 48 to 96 hr later.", "PMID": 620412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3550", "title": "Restoration of growth control in malignantly transformed mouse fibroblasts grown in a chemically defined medium.", "content": "The expression of growth control and morphological transformation was studied in methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 CL8 cells serially propagated in CDM by first exposing cells to albumin (0.1%) before dispersing them with trypsin (50 microgram/ml). In serum-supplemented media, methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 CL8 cells exhibit various aspects of the transformed phenotype such as irregular morphology, extensive cell overlap, lack of density-dependent inhibition of division, a saturation density of 1.1 X 10(5) cells/sq cm and tumorigenicity in vivo. Cell phenotype in CDM was dramatically altered. Methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 1/2 CL8 cells adapted to CDM exhibited a regular epithelioid morphology with no cell overlap and formed confluent monolayers of nonproliferating cells at a saturation density of 5 X 10(4) cells/sq cm. The mean generation time of logarithmic-phase cells was 25 to 27 hr. Reversion to the transformed phenotype followed addition of albumin (0.1%) or serum (2%) to logarithmic-phase cultures or exposure (30 to 60 sec) to trypsin (10 microgram/ml). Cultures in CDM reexposed to serum remained highly tumorigenic in vivo. The data suggest that absorbed proteins may block transformation-sensitive cell surface sites responsible for growth control and that these sites are inactivated by trypsin.", "contents": "Restoration of growth control in malignantly transformed mouse fibroblasts grown in a chemically defined medium. The expression of growth control and morphological transformation was studied in methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 CL8 cells serially propagated in CDM by first exposing cells to albumin (0.1%) before dispersing them with trypsin (50 microgram/ml). In serum-supplemented media, methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 CL8 cells exhibit various aspects of the transformed phenotype such as irregular morphology, extensive cell overlap, lack of density-dependent inhibition of division, a saturation density of 1.1 X 10(5) cells/sq cm and tumorigenicity in vivo. Cell phenotype in CDM was dramatically altered. Methylcholanthrene-transformed C3H/10T 1/2 1/2 CL8 cells adapted to CDM exhibited a regular epithelioid morphology with no cell overlap and formed confluent monolayers of nonproliferating cells at a saturation density of 5 X 10(4) cells/sq cm. The mean generation time of logarithmic-phase cells was 25 to 27 hr. Reversion to the transformed phenotype followed addition of albumin (0.1%) or serum (2%) to logarithmic-phase cultures or exposure (30 to 60 sec) to trypsin (10 microgram/ml). Cultures in CDM reexposed to serum remained highly tumorigenic in vivo. The data suggest that absorbed proteins may block transformation-sensitive cell surface sites responsible for growth control and that these sites are inactivated by trypsin.", "PMID": 620413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3551", "title": "Isolation, partial characterization, and biological properties of polysaccharides from crude papain.", "content": "Two polysaccharides have been isolated from crude papain by precipitation of papain with ammonium sulfate, further precipitation of other proteins with trichloroacetic acid, and chromatography of the supernatant on DEAE-cellulose. The first polysaccharide to be eluted, designated PP-I, contained D-glucuronic acid, D-glucose, D-galactose, L-arabinose, and L-rhamnose, in the approximate molar ratios of 4:1:12:10:4. The other (PP-II), eluted at a higher salt-concentration, contained the same sugars (with about one-third less glucose and more uronic acid) in the approximate molar ratios of 13:1:40:26:12. Reduction of the uronic acid groups of PP-II produced a polysaccharide (PP-II-R) containing the same sugars in the approximate molar ratios of 2:11:37:28:12. Hydrolysis of a mixture of the two polysaccharides yielded an aldobiouronic acid, D-glucosyluronic acid-D-galactose. Neither polysaccharide preparation contained protein. These polysaccharides dramatically affected aggregation and alignment of normal human fibroblasts but had no effect on a mouse embryo fibroblast aneuploid cell-line that does not exhibit contact inhibition of growth or movement. In aggregating cells, these polysaccharides caused the cells to behave as contact-inhibited cells, that is, cell division and nuclear area were decreased.", "contents": "Isolation, partial characterization, and biological properties of polysaccharides from crude papain. Two polysaccharides have been isolated from crude papain by precipitation of papain with ammonium sulfate, further precipitation of other proteins with trichloroacetic acid, and chromatography of the supernatant on DEAE-cellulose. The first polysaccharide to be eluted, designated PP-I, contained D-glucuronic acid, D-glucose, D-galactose, L-arabinose, and L-rhamnose, in the approximate molar ratios of 4:1:12:10:4. The other (PP-II), eluted at a higher salt-concentration, contained the same sugars (with about one-third less glucose and more uronic acid) in the approximate molar ratios of 13:1:40:26:12. Reduction of the uronic acid groups of PP-II produced a polysaccharide (PP-II-R) containing the same sugars in the approximate molar ratios of 2:11:37:28:12. Hydrolysis of a mixture of the two polysaccharides yielded an aldobiouronic acid, D-glucosyluronic acid-D-galactose. Neither polysaccharide preparation contained protein. These polysaccharides dramatically affected aggregation and alignment of normal human fibroblasts but had no effect on a mouse embryo fibroblast aneuploid cell-line that does not exhibit contact inhibition of growth or movement. In aggregating cells, these polysaccharides caused the cells to behave as contact-inhibited cells, that is, cell division and nuclear area were decreased.", "PMID": 620417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3552", "title": "Determination of the sugar sequences and the glycosidic-bond arrangements of immunogenic heteroglycans.", "content": "The complete sugar sequences and glycosidic-bond arrangements have been determined by a combined analytical scheme for a diheteroglycan of D-glucose and D-galactose and a tetraheteroglycan of 6-deoxy-L-talose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, and D-glucuronic acid. The analytical scheme included methylation analysis by g.l.c. and mass spectrometry, periodate oxidation followed by borohydride reduction and identification of the residual fragments, enzymic hydrolysis followed by characterization of the modified glycan, and chemical degradation followed by characterization of the resulting fragments. The diheteroglycan and the tetraheteroglycan are immunogenic substances on the cell surface of the organisms, and are the group specific carbohydrates in the cell walls of Streptococcus faecalis, strain N, and Streptococcus bovis, strain C3. The combined analytical scheme should be of general applicability for the structural analysis of heteroglycans for which selective-degradation procedures can be devised.", "contents": "Determination of the sugar sequences and the glycosidic-bond arrangements of immunogenic heteroglycans. The complete sugar sequences and glycosidic-bond arrangements have been determined by a combined analytical scheme for a diheteroglycan of D-glucose and D-galactose and a tetraheteroglycan of 6-deoxy-L-talose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose, and D-glucuronic acid. The analytical scheme included methylation analysis by g.l.c. and mass spectrometry, periodate oxidation followed by borohydride reduction and identification of the residual fragments, enzymic hydrolysis followed by characterization of the modified glycan, and chemical degradation followed by characterization of the resulting fragments. The diheteroglycan and the tetraheteroglycan are immunogenic substances on the cell surface of the organisms, and are the group specific carbohydrates in the cell walls of Streptococcus faecalis, strain N, and Streptococcus bovis, strain C3. The combined analytical scheme should be of general applicability for the structural analysis of heteroglycans for which selective-degradation procedures can be devised.", "PMID": 620418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3553", "title": "Opposite end assembly and disassembly of microtubules at steady state in vitro.", "content": "Measurements of tubulin exchange into and from bovine brain microtubules at steady state in vitro were made with 3H-GTP as a marker for tubulin addition to or loss from microtubules. Tubulin has an exchangeable GTP binding site that becomes nonexchangeable in the microtubule. We found that tubulin addition to and loss from microtubules under steady state conditions occurred at equivalent rates, that loss and gain were linear, and that exchange rates (percentage of total tubulin in microtubules lost or gained per hour) were dependent upon microtubule length. Furthermore, we found that podophyllotoxin blocked steady state assembly, but did not alter the rate of steady state tubulin loss. When the assembling microtubule end was pulsed with 3H-GTP at steady state, the label was almost completely retained during a subsequent chase. We conclude that the microtubule assembly-disassembly \"equilibrium\" is a steady state summation of two different reactions which occur at opposite ends of the microtubule, and that assembly and disassembly occur predominantly and perhaps exclusively at the opposite ends under steady state conditions in vitro.", "contents": "Opposite end assembly and disassembly of microtubules at steady state in vitro. Measurements of tubulin exchange into and from bovine brain microtubules at steady state in vitro were made with 3H-GTP as a marker for tubulin addition to or loss from microtubules. Tubulin has an exchangeable GTP binding site that becomes nonexchangeable in the microtubule. We found that tubulin addition to and loss from microtubules under steady state conditions occurred at equivalent rates, that loss and gain were linear, and that exchange rates (percentage of total tubulin in microtubules lost or gained per hour) were dependent upon microtubule length. Furthermore, we found that podophyllotoxin blocked steady state assembly, but did not alter the rate of steady state tubulin loss. When the assembling microtubule end was pulsed with 3H-GTP at steady state, the label was almost completely retained during a subsequent chase. We conclude that the microtubule assembly-disassembly \"equilibrium\" is a steady state summation of two different reactions which occur at opposite ends of the microtubule, and that assembly and disassembly occur predominantly and perhaps exclusively at the opposite ends under steady state conditions in vitro.", "PMID": 620419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3554", "title": "Inhibition of mycoplasma cell division by cytochalasin B.", "content": "Mycoplasma gallisepticum has subcellular organelles which may function as a primitive \"mitotic-like\" apparatus. To investigate these further, we have studied the effects of cytochalasin B (CB) on M. gallisepticum. We found that CB inhibits cell division; this is the only procaryote thus far reported to be inhibited by CB. CB does not inhibit glucose or macromolecule precursor uptake. It stops cellular DNA synthesis, however, although RNA and protein synthesis continue (at a reduced rate). CB removal results in a resumption of DNA synthesis, followed by cell division. There appears to be some degree of cell synchrony in this first division after CB removal. These results, together with morphological data, indicate that CB blocks at two points in the cell cycle: at the time \"mitotic-like\" structures are formed and at the time of cell division. It is suggested that the CB blocks may result from a disruption of actin-like protein structures required at these points in the cell cycle.", "contents": "Inhibition of mycoplasma cell division by cytochalasin B. Mycoplasma gallisepticum has subcellular organelles which may function as a primitive \"mitotic-like\" apparatus. To investigate these further, we have studied the effects of cytochalasin B (CB) on M. gallisepticum. We found that CB inhibits cell division; this is the only procaryote thus far reported to be inhibited by CB. CB does not inhibit glucose or macromolecule precursor uptake. It stops cellular DNA synthesis, however, although RNA and protein synthesis continue (at a reduced rate). CB removal results in a resumption of DNA synthesis, followed by cell division. There appears to be some degree of cell synchrony in this first division after CB removal. These results, together with morphological data, indicate that CB blocks at two points in the cell cycle: at the time \"mitotic-like\" structures are formed and at the time of cell division. It is suggested that the CB blocks may result from a disruption of actin-like protein structures required at these points in the cell cycle.", "PMID": 620423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3555", "title": "The primary sequence of a crustacean satellite DNA containing a family of repeats.", "content": "The repeating sequence of isopycnic twin Satellite II of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicaris, has been determined. More than 95% of the primary sequence of the light strand is composed of (CAG)nCTGCACT. The only detectable variation on the repeating sequence is the number of CAGs included in each repeat which varies from 3-12. The sequence of Satellite II differs markedly from that of its twin, whose light strand is greater than 95% CCTA (Skinner et al., 1974). The absence from Satellite II of repeats where (CAG)n less than or equal to 2 further defines the constraints on a recent model for the origin of satellites (Smith, 1976).", "contents": "The primary sequence of a crustacean satellite DNA containing a family of repeats. The repeating sequence of isopycnic twin Satellite II of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicaris, has been determined. More than 95% of the primary sequence of the light strand is composed of (CAG)nCTGCACT. The only detectable variation on the repeating sequence is the number of CAGs included in each repeat which varies from 3-12. The sequence of Satellite II differs markedly from that of its twin, whose light strand is greater than 95% CCTA (Skinner et al., 1974). The absence from Satellite II of repeats where (CAG)n less than or equal to 2 further defines the constraints on a recent model for the origin of satellites (Smith, 1976).", "PMID": 620424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3556", "title": "Diameter of afferent arterioles during autoregulation estimated from microsphere data in the dog kidney.", "content": "Afferent arteiolar diameters, relative flow distribution, and flow conductance factors are estimated by nonlinear regression analysis of the sieving effect on microspheres in different vascular structures of the dog renal cortex. The data presented are from experiments in which microspheres of 10-30 microgram were injected into the abdominal aorta during normotension and after lowering the blood pressure to the lower limit of autoregulation. Microscopic examination of the spheres trapped in the glomeruli and the renal arteries showed an increasing exclusion of microspheres greater than 15 micrometer from the afferent arterioles during normotension. This effect was most pronounced for the deeper cortical layers and can be explained mainly as geometrical exclusion of spheres from afferent arterioles. During hypotension, progressively larger microspheres entered glomeruli and afferent arterioles, presumably due to vasodilation of the vessels. There was a significant redistribution of microspheres larger than 15 micrometer from the outer to the inner cortex during hypotension without a corresponding redistribution of smaller spheres or the estimated blood flow. Approximately the same degree of dilation of afferent arterioles was observed during autoregulatory hypotension in three cortical layers.", "contents": "Diameter of afferent arterioles during autoregulation estimated from microsphere data in the dog kidney. Afferent arteiolar diameters, relative flow distribution, and flow conductance factors are estimated by nonlinear regression analysis of the sieving effect on microspheres in different vascular structures of the dog renal cortex. The data presented are from experiments in which microspheres of 10-30 microgram were injected into the abdominal aorta during normotension and after lowering the blood pressure to the lower limit of autoregulation. Microscopic examination of the spheres trapped in the glomeruli and the renal arteries showed an increasing exclusion of microspheres greater than 15 micrometer from the afferent arterioles during normotension. This effect was most pronounced for the deeper cortical layers and can be explained mainly as geometrical exclusion of spheres from afferent arterioles. During hypotension, progressively larger microspheres entered glomeruli and afferent arterioles, presumably due to vasodilation of the vessels. There was a significant redistribution of microspheres larger than 15 micrometer from the outer to the inner cortex during hypotension without a corresponding redistribution of smaller spheres or the estimated blood flow. Approximately the same degree of dilation of afferent arterioles was observed during autoregulatory hypotension in three cortical layers.", "PMID": 620438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3557", "title": "Effects of bilateral and unilateral stellate stimulation on canine ventricular refractory periods at sites overlapping innervation.", "content": "The efffects of unilateral right, unilateral left, and bilateral stellate stimulation on ventricular refractory periods at sites of overlapping cardiac sympathetic innervation were studied in 11 pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. The stellates were stimulated with 10 Hz pulses 4 msec in duration with intensities strong enough to produce T wave changes in a vertical ECG lead and just below the intensity at which control of drive of the ventricle at a 400-msec cycle length was lost. Refractory periods shortened more with left stellate stimulation, 17.8 +/- 5.9 msec (mean +/- SD) than with right stellate stimulation, 10.3 +/- 5.1 msec, P less than 0.001. During bilateral stimulation, shortening of refractory periods was no greater whether stimulation was applied first to the left and then right stimulation was added, 19.7 +/- 6.9 msec, or the stimulation was applied first to the left and then right stimulation was added, 18.3 +/- 6.5 msec. The shortening of refractory periods with bilateral stellate stimulation was not significantly different from that with left stellate stimulation alone. The results of this study suggest that ventricular recovery properties in areas of overlapping cardiac sympathetic innervation are less influenced by increases in tone of the right sympathetics than by increases in left sympathetic tone. In addition, the findings indicate that a bilateral increase in cardiac sympathetic tone has no greater effect on recovery properties than the effects of the left cardiac sympathetics alone.", "contents": "Effects of bilateral and unilateral stellate stimulation on canine ventricular refractory periods at sites overlapping innervation. The efffects of unilateral right, unilateral left, and bilateral stellate stimulation on ventricular refractory periods at sites of overlapping cardiac sympathetic innervation were studied in 11 pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. The stellates were stimulated with 10 Hz pulses 4 msec in duration with intensities strong enough to produce T wave changes in a vertical ECG lead and just below the intensity at which control of drive of the ventricle at a 400-msec cycle length was lost. Refractory periods shortened more with left stellate stimulation, 17.8 +/- 5.9 msec (mean +/- SD) than with right stellate stimulation, 10.3 +/- 5.1 msec, P less than 0.001. During bilateral stimulation, shortening of refractory periods was no greater whether stimulation was applied first to the left and then right stimulation was added, 19.7 +/- 6.9 msec, or the stimulation was applied first to the left and then right stimulation was added, 18.3 +/- 6.5 msec. The shortening of refractory periods with bilateral stellate stimulation was not significantly different from that with left stellate stimulation alone. The results of this study suggest that ventricular recovery properties in areas of overlapping cardiac sympathetic innervation are less influenced by increases in tone of the right sympathetics than by increases in left sympathetic tone. In addition, the findings indicate that a bilateral increase in cardiac sympathetic tone has no greater effect on recovery properties than the effects of the left cardiac sympathetics alone.", "PMID": 620439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3558", "title": "Mechanism of suppression of renin secretion by clonidine in the dog.", "content": "The mechanism by which clonidine suppresses renin secretion was investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs in which renal perfusion pressure was controlled by means of an aortic clamp. Clonidine (30 microgram/kg, iv) lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 124 +/- 8 to 104 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and reduced plasma renin activity (PRA) to 32 +/- 4 percent of the control value (P less than 0.01) after 60 minutes. Ganglion blockade with pentolinium (3 mg/kg, im) decreased MAP from 148+/- 7 to 117 +/- 3 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and reduced PRA to 55 +/- 13 percent of the control value (P less than 0.05) after 45 minutes. Pentolinium converted the hypotension produced by clonidine to hypertension (108 +/- 9 to 146 +/- 10 mm Hg at 60 minutes, P less than 0.05) and abolished the suppression of PRA (105 +/- 14 percent of control at 60 minutes, P less than 0.05). In a further series of experiments, the effects of oxymetazoline, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist which is closely related to clonidine but which does not cross the blood brain barrier, were studied. Oxymetazoline (10 microgram/kg, iv) increased MAP from 127 +/- 3 to 154 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and elevated PRA TO 176 +/- 22 percent of the control value (P less than 0.02) after 30 minutes. A higher dose of oxymetazoline (30 microgram/kg) increased MAP from 129 +/- 10 to 161 +/- 9 mm Hg (P less than 0.05) and increased PRA to 256+/- 37 percent of control (P less than 0.05) after 30 minutes. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that the inhibition of renin secretion by clonidine results from a centrally mediated decrease in sympathetic neural activity.", "contents": "Mechanism of suppression of renin secretion by clonidine in the dog. The mechanism by which clonidine suppresses renin secretion was investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs in which renal perfusion pressure was controlled by means of an aortic clamp. Clonidine (30 microgram/kg, iv) lowered mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 124 +/- 8 to 104 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and reduced plasma renin activity (PRA) to 32 +/- 4 percent of the control value (P less than 0.01) after 60 minutes. Ganglion blockade with pentolinium (3 mg/kg, im) decreased MAP from 148+/- 7 to 117 +/- 3 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and reduced PRA to 55 +/- 13 percent of the control value (P less than 0.05) after 45 minutes. Pentolinium converted the hypotension produced by clonidine to hypertension (108 +/- 9 to 146 +/- 10 mm Hg at 60 minutes, P less than 0.05) and abolished the suppression of PRA (105 +/- 14 percent of control at 60 minutes, P less than 0.05). In a further series of experiments, the effects of oxymetazoline, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist which is closely related to clonidine but which does not cross the blood brain barrier, were studied. Oxymetazoline (10 microgram/kg, iv) increased MAP from 127 +/- 3 to 154 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.01) and elevated PRA TO 176 +/- 22 percent of the control value (P less than 0.02) after 30 minutes. A higher dose of oxymetazoline (30 microgram/kg) increased MAP from 129 +/- 10 to 161 +/- 9 mm Hg (P less than 0.05) and increased PRA to 256+/- 37 percent of control (P less than 0.05) after 30 minutes. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that the inhibition of renin secretion by clonidine results from a centrally mediated decrease in sympathetic neural activity.", "PMID": 620441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3559", "title": "Effects of norepinephine, calcium, and rate of discharge on 42K movements in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.", "content": "We studied the effect of norepinephrine, calcium concentration, and rate of discharge in the presence of different [Ca2+]0 on radioactive potassium movements in cardiac Purkinje fibers. The following results were obtained: (1) norepinephrine increases potassium uptake in quiescent fibers and in fibers driven at constant rate, but more in the latter; (2) norepinephrine also increases potassium uptake in quiescent fibers depolarized at the plateau; (3) increasing [Ca2+]0 increases potassium uptake in fibers driven at constant rate; (4) increasing [Ca2+]0 may decrease K+ uptake in quiescent fibers; (5) increasing [Ca2+]0 decreases the rate of loss of tissue radioactivity in quiescent fibers and increases it in a driven fiber; (6) increasing the driving rate increases potassium uptake in low and high [Ca2+]0; (7) high [Ca2+]0 increases K+ uptake, especially at low rates; (8) norepinephrine is less effective in increasing K+ uptake in the presence of a high [Ca2+]0. We conclude that: (a) norepinephrine increases potassium uptake by different mechanisms; (b) calcium affects potassium movements when it is allowed to enter the cell, presumably by affecting potassium conductance; (c) the effect of an increased rate of discharge on K+ uptake may involve stimulation of active K+ uptake and may include a calcium-dependent component which is largest at high [Ca2+]0 and a slow rate of drive; (d) simultaneous application of two interventions results in a summation that is smallest when one of the mechanisms is already substantially activated.", "contents": "Effects of norepinephine, calcium, and rate of discharge on 42K movements in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. We studied the effect of norepinephrine, calcium concentration, and rate of discharge in the presence of different [Ca2+]0 on radioactive potassium movements in cardiac Purkinje fibers. The following results were obtained: (1) norepinephrine increases potassium uptake in quiescent fibers and in fibers driven at constant rate, but more in the latter; (2) norepinephrine also increases potassium uptake in quiescent fibers depolarized at the plateau; (3) increasing [Ca2+]0 increases potassium uptake in fibers driven at constant rate; (4) increasing [Ca2+]0 may decrease K+ uptake in quiescent fibers; (5) increasing [Ca2+]0 decreases the rate of loss of tissue radioactivity in quiescent fibers and increases it in a driven fiber; (6) increasing the driving rate increases potassium uptake in low and high [Ca2+]0; (7) high [Ca2+]0 increases K+ uptake, especially at low rates; (8) norepinephrine is less effective in increasing K+ uptake in the presence of a high [Ca2+]0. We conclude that: (a) norepinephrine increases potassium uptake by different mechanisms; (b) calcium affects potassium movements when it is allowed to enter the cell, presumably by affecting potassium conductance; (c) the effect of an increased rate of discharge on K+ uptake may involve stimulation of active K+ uptake and may include a calcium-dependent component which is largest at high [Ca2+]0 and a slow rate of drive; (d) simultaneous application of two interventions results in a summation that is smallest when one of the mechanisms is already substantially activated.", "PMID": 620447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3560", "title": "Determination of chromium sesquioxide in faeces by a spectrophotometric method.", "content": "Chromium sesquioxide Cr2O3, present as a non-absorbable marker in faeces, may be determined spectrophotometrically as chromate ion in aqueous solution after ashing and alkaline fusion. Recovery of this substance is excellent. The method described is simpler, more suited to the clinical laboratory and less hazardous than previously reported methods.", "contents": "Determination of chromium sesquioxide in faeces by a spectrophotometric method. Chromium sesquioxide Cr2O3, present as a non-absorbable marker in faeces, may be determined spectrophotometrically as chromate ion in aqueous solution after ashing and alkaline fusion. Recovery of this substance is excellent. The method described is simpler, more suited to the clinical laboratory and less hazardous than previously reported methods.", "PMID": 620448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3561", "title": "Glomerular basement membrane collagen and activities of the intracellular enzymes of collagen biosynthesis in congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type.", "content": "The composition of pepsin-solubilized glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen was studied in kidneys from patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF). The 3-hydroxyproline content in the GBM collagen in CNF was only about one half of that noted in the controls. The alanine content was slightly higher in CNF, but no differences were found in the contents of the other amino acids or carbohydrates. Analysis of the GBM collagen by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction indicated a lower proportion of one of the major polypeptide chains in CNF than in the controls, while a higher proportion of one low molecular weight minor component was noted. The activities of the five intracellular enzymes of collagen biosynthesis, including prolyl 3-hydroxylase, were not significancy altered in the CNF kidney cortex samples when compared with the controls.", "contents": "Glomerular basement membrane collagen and activities of the intracellular enzymes of collagen biosynthesis in congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type. The composition of pepsin-solubilized glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen was studied in kidneys from patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF). The 3-hydroxyproline content in the GBM collagen in CNF was only about one half of that noted in the controls. The alanine content was slightly higher in CNF, but no differences were found in the contents of the other amino acids or carbohydrates. Analysis of the GBM collagen by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction indicated a lower proportion of one of the major polypeptide chains in CNF than in the controls, while a higher proportion of one low molecular weight minor component was noted. The activities of the five intracellular enzymes of collagen biosynthesis, including prolyl 3-hydroxylase, were not significancy altered in the CNF kidney cortex samples when compared with the controls.", "PMID": 620450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3562", "title": "The derivation of reference ranges adjusted for age, sex and other variables.", "content": "A method for deriving reference ranges has been developed that has wide applications in clinical medicine. Data that is not homogenous but has subgroups (e.g. age, sex or social class) can be analysed and mean values for the subgroups determined. Facilities are included which enable outliers to be identified and the form of the distribution to be examined.", "contents": "The derivation of reference ranges adjusted for age, sex and other variables. A method for deriving reference ranges has been developed that has wide applications in clinical medicine. Data that is not homogenous but has subgroups (e.g. age, sex or social class) can be analysed and mean values for the subgroups determined. Facilities are included which enable outliers to be identified and the form of the distribution to be examined.", "PMID": 620451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3563", "title": "Lanthionine detected in human urine.", "content": "Lanthionine has been detected incidentally in the urine of a patient with an abdominal pseudo-tumor, possibly caused by a Yersinia infection. The L- and/or D-form together with the meso-form were present. The identity of the amino acid was confirmed by GC-MS of the N-trifluoroacetyl methyl ester derivative. The abnormal amino acid was thought to be not of endogenous origin. The possibility that it was produced by gut bacteria is considered.", "contents": "Lanthionine detected in human urine. Lanthionine has been detected incidentally in the urine of a patient with an abdominal pseudo-tumor, possibly caused by a Yersinia infection. The L- and/or D-form together with the meso-form were present. The identity of the amino acid was confirmed by GC-MS of the N-trifluoroacetyl methyl ester derivative. The abnormal amino acid was thought to be not of endogenous origin. The possibility that it was produced by gut bacteria is considered.", "PMID": 620452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3564", "title": "Electronic pipetting device for repetitive deliveries.", "content": "An automatic pipette for dispensing liquids is described. It is simple to operate and deliveries show a precision of 0.2% or better for volumes ranging between 2 and 50 ml, the dispensing rate depending upon pipette used.", "contents": "Electronic pipetting device for repetitive deliveries. An automatic pipette for dispensing liquids is described. It is simple to operate and deliveries show a precision of 0.2% or better for volumes ranging between 2 and 50 ml, the dispensing rate depending upon pipette used.", "PMID": 620453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3565", "title": "The stability of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in blood samples.", "content": "Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity was measured in serum samples that were incubated at 37 degrees C for up to seven days and were compared with preincubation values. No change of activity was observed.", "contents": "The stability of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in blood samples. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity was measured in serum samples that were incubated at 37 degrees C for up to seven days and were compared with preincubation values. No change of activity was observed.", "PMID": 620454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3566", "title": "Automated immunoprecipitation of meconium albumin for cystic fibrosis screening in the newborn.", "content": "Cystic fibrosis is the most frequent substantially lethal inherited disease in the United States. Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis has been suggested because early diagnosis permits genetic counselling of parents and improved treatment and prognosis for cystic fibrosis patients. The fact that cystic fibrosis newborns have abnormally high meconium albumin seems to offer the best screening approach. Because we have had equivocal and false positive results with meconium albumin test strips, we have developed a nephelometric automated immunoprecipitation method for the quantitative and specific analysis of meconium albumin. On a total of 3895 meconiums so far examined, eleven albumin elevations of undetermined origin have been detected. Nine of these were associated with prematurity. There have been, so far, no detected true positives and no known false negatives. The normal range for meconium albumin is in agreement with previously published ranges determined using manual immunochemical methods. This method is rapid and economic. The question of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of this and other detection methods is discussed.", "contents": "Automated immunoprecipitation of meconium albumin for cystic fibrosis screening in the newborn. Cystic fibrosis is the most frequent substantially lethal inherited disease in the United States. Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis has been suggested because early diagnosis permits genetic counselling of parents and improved treatment and prognosis for cystic fibrosis patients. The fact that cystic fibrosis newborns have abnormally high meconium albumin seems to offer the best screening approach. Because we have had equivocal and false positive results with meconium albumin test strips, we have developed a nephelometric automated immunoprecipitation method for the quantitative and specific analysis of meconium albumin. On a total of 3895 meconiums so far examined, eleven albumin elevations of undetermined origin have been detected. Nine of these were associated with prematurity. There have been, so far, no detected true positives and no known false negatives. The normal range for meconium albumin is in agreement with previously published ranges determined using manual immunochemical methods. This method is rapid and economic. The question of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of this and other detection methods is discussed.", "PMID": 620457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3567", "title": "Improved assay procedures for thyroid peroxidase; application to normal and adenomatous human thyroid tissue.", "content": "We have developed assays for thyroid peroxidase in crude thyroid tissue preparations, in which a linear relationship between activity and amount of tissue could be demonstrated. Linear assays were developed based on the following peroxidase catalyzed reactions in the presence of H2O2:(1) oxidation of I- to I(-3), (2) oxidation of guaiacol, and (3) iodination of human goiter thyroglobulin. To attain satisfactory linearity we found it necessary to solubilize the enzyme beforehand. This was accomplished by a brief treatment of the particulate fraction with trypsin and deoxycholate, followed by centrifugation at 40 000 X g and dialysis. Not only did this treatment facilitate the development of linear assays, but it also resulted in a substantial increase in enzyme activity compared with that in the untreated particulate fraction. The use of a Polytron homogenizer for the initial disruption of the tissue also proved helpful in developing these assay procedures. The three different assays were used to measure peroxidase activities in human thyroid adenomas and in normal tissue derived from adenomatous glands. T he adenomas generally displayed a higher level of peroxidase activity than normal tissue. The greatest difference was observed with the iodination assay and the smallest difference with the guaiacol assay.", "contents": "Improved assay procedures for thyroid peroxidase; application to normal and adenomatous human thyroid tissue. We have developed assays for thyroid peroxidase in crude thyroid tissue preparations, in which a linear relationship between activity and amount of tissue could be demonstrated. Linear assays were developed based on the following peroxidase catalyzed reactions in the presence of H2O2:(1) oxidation of I- to I(-3), (2) oxidation of guaiacol, and (3) iodination of human goiter thyroglobulin. To attain satisfactory linearity we found it necessary to solubilize the enzyme beforehand. This was accomplished by a brief treatment of the particulate fraction with trypsin and deoxycholate, followed by centrifugation at 40 000 X g and dialysis. Not only did this treatment facilitate the development of linear assays, but it also resulted in a substantial increase in enzyme activity compared with that in the untreated particulate fraction. The use of a Polytron homogenizer for the initial disruption of the tissue also proved helpful in developing these assay procedures. The three different assays were used to measure peroxidase activities in human thyroid adenomas and in normal tissue derived from adenomatous glands. T he adenomas generally displayed a higher level of peroxidase activity than normal tissue. The greatest difference was observed with the iodination assay and the smallest difference with the guaiacol assay.", "PMID": 620458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3568", "title": "Myotonic dystrophy: studies on the lipid composition and metabolism of erythrocytes and skin fibroblasts.", "content": "With the aim of establishing the underlying biochemical lesion in myotonic dystrophy, the lipids of plasma and of the membranes of erythrocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts were investigated in patients with this disorder and normal age- and sex-matched controls. No qualitative or quantitative differences could be detected in the lipid constituents of either plasma or erythrocytes from patients and controls. Similar growth characteristics and levels of sodium [1-14C]acetate incorporation were found in skin fibroblasts from both groups when grown in medium supplemented with either normal serum or delipidated serum. It is concluded that despite the previous evidence that drug induced myotonia results from a primary disturbance of membrane lipids, and suggestions that myotonic dystrophy might have a similar basis, our results did not support this hypothesis. They do not however exclude a primary membrane enzyme abnormality as the basic defect for the disorder.", "contents": "Myotonic dystrophy: studies on the lipid composition and metabolism of erythrocytes and skin fibroblasts. With the aim of establishing the underlying biochemical lesion in myotonic dystrophy, the lipids of plasma and of the membranes of erythrocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts were investigated in patients with this disorder and normal age- and sex-matched controls. No qualitative or quantitative differences could be detected in the lipid constituents of either plasma or erythrocytes from patients and controls. Similar growth characteristics and levels of sodium [1-14C]acetate incorporation were found in skin fibroblasts from both groups when grown in medium supplemented with either normal serum or delipidated serum. It is concluded that despite the previous evidence that drug induced myotonia results from a primary disturbance of membrane lipids, and suggestions that myotonic dystrophy might have a similar basis, our results did not support this hypothesis. They do not however exclude a primary membrane enzyme abnormality as the basic defect for the disorder.", "PMID": 620459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3569", "title": "Further observations on the differential precipitation of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes by ethanol.", "content": "The proportions of the total activities of different isoenzymes of human alkaline phosphatase precipitated from serum by ethanol (20% v/v) were: liver phosphatase, 37%; placental phosphatase, 23%; bone phosphatase, 8.0%, and small-intestinal phosphatase, 3.7%. Treatment of the isoenzymes with neuraminidase reduced the percentages of non-intestinal phosphatases precipitated by ethanol to below 10%. Precipitation of intestinal alkaline phosphatase was unaffected by this treatment. The degree of solubility in ethanol therefore appears to be largely determined by the content of terminal sialic acid residues in the alkaline phosphatase molecules. In contrast the stabilities of the isoenzymes to heating at 56 degrees C were not significantly altered by neuraminidase digestion.", "contents": "Further observations on the differential precipitation of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes by ethanol. The proportions of the total activities of different isoenzymes of human alkaline phosphatase precipitated from serum by ethanol (20% v/v) were: liver phosphatase, 37%; placental phosphatase, 23%; bone phosphatase, 8.0%, and small-intestinal phosphatase, 3.7%. Treatment of the isoenzymes with neuraminidase reduced the percentages of non-intestinal phosphatases precipitated by ethanol to below 10%. Precipitation of intestinal alkaline phosphatase was unaffected by this treatment. The degree of solubility in ethanol therefore appears to be largely determined by the content of terminal sialic acid residues in the alkaline phosphatase molecules. In contrast the stabilities of the isoenzymes to heating at 56 degrees C were not significantly altered by neuraminidase digestion.", "PMID": 620461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3570", "title": "Comparisons of the concentrations of palmitate and cortisol in amniotic fluid for the prediction of pulmonary maturity.", "content": "The concentrations of palmitic acid, derived from lecithin, and of cortisol in samples of amniotic fluid collected during the last trimester of human pregnancy, ranged from 28 to 420 mumol/l and from 16 to 104 nmol/l, respectively. There was a weak (r = 0.43) but significant (p less than 0.01) correlation between the concentrations of cortisol and palmitate in the samples. Measurement of the cortisol concentration in amniotic fluid provided an unreliable index of pulmonary immaturity, whether this was assessed with reference to the concentration of palmitate or from subsequent development of the respiratory distress syndrome. Measurement of cortisol in amniotic fluid cannot be recommended for this purpose.", "contents": "Comparisons of the concentrations of palmitate and cortisol in amniotic fluid for the prediction of pulmonary maturity. The concentrations of palmitic acid, derived from lecithin, and of cortisol in samples of amniotic fluid collected during the last trimester of human pregnancy, ranged from 28 to 420 mumol/l and from 16 to 104 nmol/l, respectively. There was a weak (r = 0.43) but significant (p less than 0.01) correlation between the concentrations of cortisol and palmitate in the samples. Measurement of the cortisol concentration in amniotic fluid provided an unreliable index of pulmonary immaturity, whether this was assessed with reference to the concentration of palmitate or from subsequent development of the respiratory distress syndrome. Measurement of cortisol in amniotic fluid cannot be recommended for this purpose.", "PMID": 620462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3571", "title": "A simplified procedure for the analysis of cholesterol, phospholipids and bile salts in human bile.", "content": "Cholesterol, total bile salts and phospholipids have been measured on alcoholic extracts from human bile-rich duodenal contents. Folch extraction before phospholipid assay was found to be unnecessary and, unless fresh samples are used, it is liable to give misleadingly low values. Removal of bile pigment before measuring cholesterol was unnecessary because this estimation was done by gas-liquid chromatography. The methods described provide a simple, reproducible analysis of bile lipids.", "contents": "A simplified procedure for the analysis of cholesterol, phospholipids and bile salts in human bile. Cholesterol, total bile salts and phospholipids have been measured on alcoholic extracts from human bile-rich duodenal contents. Folch extraction before phospholipid assay was found to be unnecessary and, unless fresh samples are used, it is liable to give misleadingly low values. Removal of bile pigment before measuring cholesterol was unnecessary because this estimation was done by gas-liquid chromatography. The methods described provide a simple, reproducible analysis of bile lipids.", "PMID": 620463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3572", "title": "Radioimmunoassay for saralasin by means of anti-angiotensin II sera.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay for the angiotensin II-inhibitor saralasin has been developed. The assay is based upon an exploitation of the cross-reactivity of antisera raised against angiotensin II, with radioiodinated saralasin as the tracer peptide. Performance data for the assay and results obtained in clinical infusion studies are presented.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay for saralasin by means of anti-angiotensin II sera. A radioimmunoassay for the angiotensin II-inhibitor saralasin has been developed. The assay is based upon an exploitation of the cross-reactivity of antisera raised against angiotensin II, with radioiodinated saralasin as the tracer peptide. Performance data for the assay and results obtained in clinical infusion studies are presented.", "PMID": 620465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3573", "title": "The uri nary excretion of 2-phenylethylamine in phenylketonuria.", "content": "The urinary concentrations of free and conjugated 2-phenylethylamine were determined in phenylketonuric patients and normal subjects by solvent extraction and gas chromatography. Free 2-phenylethylamine excretion was found to be significantly elevated above normal in phenylketonuric adults and children receiving a normal or a slightly restricted intake of phenylalanine. Urinary 2-phenylethylamine was also significantly increased in phenylketonuric children receiving low phenylalaine dietary therapy. Conjugated 2-phenylethylamine excretion was found not to be increased above normal. In the light of these results, a relationship between blood phenylalanine concentration and 2-phenylethylamine excretion is proposed, and the possible role of this amine in phenylketonuria is discussed.", "contents": "The uri nary excretion of 2-phenylethylamine in phenylketonuria. The urinary concentrations of free and conjugated 2-phenylethylamine were determined in phenylketonuric patients and normal subjects by solvent extraction and gas chromatography. Free 2-phenylethylamine excretion was found to be significantly elevated above normal in phenylketonuric adults and children receiving a normal or a slightly restricted intake of phenylalanine. Urinary 2-phenylethylamine was also significantly increased in phenylketonuric children receiving low phenylalaine dietary therapy. Conjugated 2-phenylethylamine excretion was found not to be increased above normal. In the light of these results, a relationship between blood phenylalanine concentration and 2-phenylethylamine excretion is proposed, and the possible role of this amine in phenylketonuria is discussed.", "PMID": 620466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3574", "title": "Nuclear binding of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in lymphocytes from subjects with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and resistance to thyroid hormones.", "content": "Binding of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) to nuclei of intact human lymphocytes was studied. The binding characteristics were analysed by Scatchard's method. In lymphocytes from euthyroid healthy subjects there was a single set of saturable nuclear T3 and T4 binding sites with an apparent mean equilibrium association constant of 3.3 X 10(10) l/mol and 1.7 X 10(10) l/mol, respectively. The estimated mean maximal specific binding capacity for T3 was 50 fmol/mg DNA and for T4 was 55 fmol/mg DNA, indicating that these two hormones may have a common receptor. In hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients nuclear affinity for T3 and T4 was very similar to that for euthyroid reference subjects. In hyperthyroidism, T3 and T4 binding capacity was unaltered, whereas in hypothyroidism it was nearly twice as high as in euthyroidism. Lymphocytes from three members of a family with hereditary peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone action were studied. One set of saturable T3 and T4 nuclear binding sites with affinity constants similar to those in the euthyroid group was found. However, in these subjects the estimated binding capacity for T3 and T4 was rather low, indicating that the biochemical defect in this family might be a mild deficiency of nuclear receptor protein. Incubation with diphenylhydantoin and salicylate added in vitro did not alter the binding of T3 and T4 to lymphocyte nuclei. Nuclear binding was also not affected in patients receiving therapeutic amounts of diphenylhydantoin.", "contents": "Nuclear binding of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in lymphocytes from subjects with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and resistance to thyroid hormones. Binding of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) to nuclei of intact human lymphocytes was studied. The binding characteristics were analysed by Scatchard's method. In lymphocytes from euthyroid healthy subjects there was a single set of saturable nuclear T3 and T4 binding sites with an apparent mean equilibrium association constant of 3.3 X 10(10) l/mol and 1.7 X 10(10) l/mol, respectively. The estimated mean maximal specific binding capacity for T3 was 50 fmol/mg DNA and for T4 was 55 fmol/mg DNA, indicating that these two hormones may have a common receptor. In hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients nuclear affinity for T3 and T4 was very similar to that for euthyroid reference subjects. In hyperthyroidism, T3 and T4 binding capacity was unaltered, whereas in hypothyroidism it was nearly twice as high as in euthyroidism. Lymphocytes from three members of a family with hereditary peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone action were studied. One set of saturable T3 and T4 nuclear binding sites with affinity constants similar to those in the euthyroid group was found. However, in these subjects the estimated binding capacity for T3 and T4 was rather low, indicating that the biochemical defect in this family might be a mild deficiency of nuclear receptor protein. Incubation with diphenylhydantoin and salicylate added in vitro did not alter the binding of T3 and T4 to lymphocyte nuclei. Nuclear binding was also not affected in patients receiving therapeutic amounts of diphenylhydantoin.", "PMID": 620467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3575", "title": "A routine method for determination of glycine and taurine distribution in bile acids.", "content": "A procedure is described in which the content of glycine and taurine in bile acids is determined. Following an alkaline hydrolysis, the amino acids are separated on a column of Dowex 50-X8 and quantitatively estimated by a ninhydrin colorimetric method. The taurine/taurine + glycine ratios in a series of samples were determined by this method and by an enzymatic bile acid analysis and a good accordance between the two methods was obtained.", "contents": "A routine method for determination of glycine and taurine distribution in bile acids. A procedure is described in which the content of glycine and taurine in bile acids is determined. Following an alkaline hydrolysis, the amino acids are separated on a column of Dowex 50-X8 and quantitatively estimated by a ninhydrin colorimetric method. The taurine/taurine + glycine ratios in a series of samples were determined by this method and by an enzymatic bile acid analysis and a good accordance between the two methods was obtained.", "PMID": 620468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3576", "title": "Skin porphyrin assay in porphyria.", "content": "The analysis of skin porphyrins in biopsies in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda has been achieved by high pressure liquid chromatography. Porphyrins were determined as their methyl ester copper-chelates and 2-,4-,5-,6-,7- and 8-carboxylic porphyrins distinguished and quantified.", "contents": "Skin porphyrin assay in porphyria. The analysis of skin porphyrins in biopsies in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda has been achieved by high pressure liquid chromatography. Porphyrins were determined as their methyl ester copper-chelates and 2-,4-,5-,6-,7- and 8-carboxylic porphyrins distinguished and quantified.", "PMID": 620469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3577", "title": "Abnormal electrophoretic pattern of albumin in diabetic sera.", "content": "Human sera collected from normal subjects and diabetic patients were electrophoresed in an urea-containing gel. The albumin fraction separated into several bands. In normal fasting serum the fast-migrating Bands 1 and 2 were observed and the slower-migrating Bands 4 and 5 did not appear. After glucose administration Band 1 disappeared and Bands 4 and 5 appeared for the first time. In diabetic serum Bands 4 and 5 did not appear before or after glucose administration and this abnormality resembles the pattern in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice but not C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice.", "contents": "Abnormal electrophoretic pattern of albumin in diabetic sera. Human sera collected from normal subjects and diabetic patients were electrophoresed in an urea-containing gel. The albumin fraction separated into several bands. In normal fasting serum the fast-migrating Bands 1 and 2 were observed and the slower-migrating Bands 4 and 5 did not appear. After glucose administration Band 1 disappeared and Bands 4 and 5 appeared for the first time. In diabetic serum Bands 4 and 5 did not appear before or after glucose administration and this abnormality resembles the pattern in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice but not C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice.", "PMID": 620470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3578", "title": "Serum ferritin and iron stores during pregnancy.", "content": "The iron status of two groups of pregnant women was investigated. One group did not receive iron (group B), the other erceived 100 mg iron/day (group A). 1. In all individuals concentrations of hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin and serum ferritin were determined at regular intervals from the third month until delivery and at 3 months after delivery. The same determinations were performed in cord blood. 2. Changes in iron status appeared to be less in individuals with iron supplement than in those without iron supplement. A fall in Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin is observed in all individuals. 3. Three months after delivery the Hb concentration has generally returned to the normal female value, but the serum ferritin concentration is still very low. 4. The fetus does not discriminate as to the iron status of the mother. In both groups (A and B) cord blood values appeard to be not significantly different.", "contents": "Serum ferritin and iron stores during pregnancy. The iron status of two groups of pregnant women was investigated. One group did not receive iron (group B), the other erceived 100 mg iron/day (group A). 1. In all individuals concentrations of hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin and serum ferritin were determined at regular intervals from the third month until delivery and at 3 months after delivery. The same determinations were performed in cord blood. 2. Changes in iron status appeared to be less in individuals with iron supplement than in those without iron supplement. A fall in Hb, serum iron and serum ferritin is observed in all individuals. 3. Three months after delivery the Hb concentration has generally returned to the normal female value, but the serum ferritin concentration is still very low. 4. The fetus does not discriminate as to the iron status of the mother. In both groups (A and B) cord blood values appeard to be not significantly different.", "PMID": 620471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3579", "title": "A reappraisal of the Coulter Counter technique for measuring calcium oxalate crystal size.", "content": "A modification of the technique for measuring crystal size using a Coulter Counter is described. The method differs from that previously published in that counts are taken at equal size increments rather than at constant threshold settings. This ensures that equal emphasis is placed on all particles, regardless of size, thereby preventing the contribution of the larger particles being artificially magnified in relation to the smaller particles as has previously been the case. A mixture of latex particles of three known sizes is used to demonstrate the improvement in resolution and accuracy afforded by the modified technique.", "contents": "A reappraisal of the Coulter Counter technique for measuring calcium oxalate crystal size. A modification of the technique for measuring crystal size using a Coulter Counter is described. The method differs from that previously published in that counts are taken at equal size increments rather than at constant threshold settings. This ensures that equal emphasis is placed on all particles, regardless of size, thereby preventing the contribution of the larger particles being artificially magnified in relation to the smaller particles as has previously been the case. A mixture of latex particles of three known sizes is used to demonstrate the improvement in resolution and accuracy afforded by the modified technique.", "PMID": 620472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3580", "title": "Absorption of nicotine from small cigars.", "content": "The absorption of nicotine from cigars was measured in 7 male subjects who each smoked a single small cigar containing 14C-nicotine. The proportion of nicotine in the mainstream smoke delivered to the smoker's mouth was greater than that observed for cigarettes, but the proportion of nicotine in the cigar smoke which was retained by the smoker was about the same. The total dose of nicotine retained varied between 1 and 4.5 mg. Arterial plasma concentrations of nicotine were as high as those achieved by cigarette smoking but rose more slowly. Some nicotine from small cigars is absorbed by inhalation of the smoke into the lungs and some by buccal absorption.", "contents": "Absorption of nicotine from small cigars. The absorption of nicotine from cigars was measured in 7 male subjects who each smoked a single small cigar containing 14C-nicotine. The proportion of nicotine in the mainstream smoke delivered to the smoker's mouth was greater than that observed for cigarettes, but the proportion of nicotine in the cigar smoke which was retained by the smoker was about the same. The total dose of nicotine retained varied between 1 and 4.5 mg. Arterial plasma concentrations of nicotine were as high as those achieved by cigarette smoking but rose more slowly. Some nicotine from small cigars is absorbed by inhalation of the smoke into the lungs and some by buccal absorption.", "PMID": 620474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3581", "title": "Methadone maintenance: plasma levels and therapeutic outcome.", "content": "Twenty-one opiate-dependent subjects were inducted into methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in a closed metabolic ward. A daily dose of 30 mg of d, 1-methadone was given for 10 to 24 days followed by 60 mg/day for another 10 to 24 days. Analysis of plasma levels at 4-day intervals showed accumulation to a peak followed by a decrease to a lower level, indicative development of dispositional tolerance. The outcome of treatment was assessed after 21 to 43 mo (median, 33 mo). The best record of rehabilitation was obtained in subjects discharged with steady-state plasma concentrations above 200 ng/ml. Lower levels of plasma methadone were associated with higher frequency of urines containing illicit drugs and poorer psychosocial rehabilitation. This study indicates that a pharmacokinetically optimized dosage regimen would be useful in increasing the therapeutic effectiveness of MMT.", "contents": "Methadone maintenance: plasma levels and therapeutic outcome. Twenty-one opiate-dependent subjects were inducted into methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in a closed metabolic ward. A daily dose of 30 mg of d, 1-methadone was given for 10 to 24 days followed by 60 mg/day for another 10 to 24 days. Analysis of plasma levels at 4-day intervals showed accumulation to a peak followed by a decrease to a lower level, indicative development of dispositional tolerance. The outcome of treatment was assessed after 21 to 43 mo (median, 33 mo). The best record of rehabilitation was obtained in subjects discharged with steady-state plasma concentrations above 200 ng/ml. Lower levels of plasma methadone were associated with higher frequency of urines containing illicit drugs and poorer psychosocial rehabilitation. This study indicates that a pharmacokinetically optimized dosage regimen would be useful in increasing the therapeutic effectiveness of MMT.", "PMID": 620477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3582", "title": "Kinetics of chlormethiazole in patients with alcohol withdrawal manifestations.", "content": "Chlormethiazole administered orally to patients in mild degrees of alcohol withdrawal was generally rapidly absorbed, showed a rapid distributive phase, and had an elimination phase 1 1/2 of 2.6 to 4.7 hr. The plasma concentrations of drug attained following higher oral doses were greater than is usually the case with augmentation of dose. Intravenously infused chlormethiazole in similar patients produced relatively high plasma concentrations of the drug, with distributive and eliminative 1 1/2 similar to those of oral doses. These pharmacokinetic patterns in alcoholic patients more closely resemble those previously reported for normal young subjects than they do for normal aged subjects.", "contents": "Kinetics of chlormethiazole in patients with alcohol withdrawal manifestations. Chlormethiazole administered orally to patients in mild degrees of alcohol withdrawal was generally rapidly absorbed, showed a rapid distributive phase, and had an elimination phase 1 1/2 of 2.6 to 4.7 hr. The plasma concentrations of drug attained following higher oral doses were greater than is usually the case with augmentation of dose. Intravenously infused chlormethiazole in similar patients produced relatively high plasma concentrations of the drug, with distributive and eliminative 1 1/2 similar to those of oral doses. These pharmacokinetic patterns in alcoholic patients more closely resemble those previously reported for normal young subjects than they do for normal aged subjects.", "PMID": 620478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3583", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl as determined by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of fentanyl were determined in human surgical patients using radioimmunoassay. Fentanyl was measured in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine of patients receiving 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/m2 of fentanyl intravenously. The kinetics of the disappearance of fentanyl from the serum were very similar at the three administered doses. At all doses, levels fell rapidly in the first five minutes to approximately 20% of the peak value. Thereafter, serum levels fell more slowly with an observed half-life (t 1/2) of approximately 10 to 20 min. depending on dose. By 2 hr serum levels had stabilized at low values (1, 5, and 8 ng/ml) and continued to decrease very slowly thereafter, with an observed t 1/2 of 1 to 2 hr at the low dose (0.1 mg/m2) and greater than 4 hr at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/m2. The serum elimination curves were dissected and described mathematically in terms of a three-compartment model. Urinary excretion of fentanyl accounted for 15% to 20% of the administered dose. Urinary excretion was very low during the first 2 hr, suggesting that this route of elimination is not important in terminating the actions of fentanyl in man. Fentanyl levels in the CSF of patients given terminating the actions of fentanyl in man. Fentanyl levels in the CSF of patients given the high dose (1 mg/m2) were low, and never exceeded 4 ng/ml. Peak levels of fentanyl in the CSF were not seen until at least 15 min after administration.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl as determined by radioimmunoassay. The pharmacokinetics of fentanyl were determined in human surgical patients using radioimmunoassay. Fentanyl was measured in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine of patients receiving 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/m2 of fentanyl intravenously. The kinetics of the disappearance of fentanyl from the serum were very similar at the three administered doses. At all doses, levels fell rapidly in the first five minutes to approximately 20% of the peak value. Thereafter, serum levels fell more slowly with an observed half-life (t 1/2) of approximately 10 to 20 min. depending on dose. By 2 hr serum levels had stabilized at low values (1, 5, and 8 ng/ml) and continued to decrease very slowly thereafter, with an observed t 1/2 of 1 to 2 hr at the low dose (0.1 mg/m2) and greater than 4 hr at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/m2. The serum elimination curves were dissected and described mathematically in terms of a three-compartment model. Urinary excretion of fentanyl accounted for 15% to 20% of the administered dose. Urinary excretion was very low during the first 2 hr, suggesting that this route of elimination is not important in terminating the actions of fentanyl in man. Fentanyl levels in the CSF of patients given terminating the actions of fentanyl in man. Fentanyl levels in the CSF of patients given the high dose (1 mg/m2) were low, and never exceeded 4 ng/ml. Peak levels of fentanyl in the CSF were not seen until at least 15 min after administration.", "PMID": 620479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3584", "title": "Cyproheptadine in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in parkinsonism.", "content": "The neuroendocrine properties and the beneficial effects of cyproheptadine in tardive dyskinesia led to the testing of this drug in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Cyproheptadine administered to 6 parkinsonian patients in doses of up to 42 mg/day was of no significant benefit in either dyskinesia or symptom control. Improvement in appetite was reported by 3 patients. These observations suggested that different mechanisms may be responsible in the pathogenesis of phenothiazine and amine-induced dyskinesia. The failure to control levodopa-induced dyskinesia selectively with serotonin agonists and antagonists and the accentuation of the dyskinesia in the presence of anticholinergic agents further suggest that substances that increase directly central cholinergic activity may be effective in the control of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.", "contents": "Cyproheptadine in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in parkinsonism. The neuroendocrine properties and the beneficial effects of cyproheptadine in tardive dyskinesia led to the testing of this drug in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Cyproheptadine administered to 6 parkinsonian patients in doses of up to 42 mg/day was of no significant benefit in either dyskinesia or symptom control. Improvement in appetite was reported by 3 patients. These observations suggested that different mechanisms may be responsible in the pathogenesis of phenothiazine and amine-induced dyskinesia. The failure to control levodopa-induced dyskinesia selectively with serotonin agonists and antagonists and the accentuation of the dyskinesia in the presence of anticholinergic agents further suggest that substances that increase directly central cholinergic activity may be effective in the control of levodopa-induced dyskinesia.", "PMID": 620480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3585", "title": "No circadian effect on nortriptyline kinetics in man.", "content": "Kinetics of a single 100-mg dose of nortriptyline were studied in 10 normal men who took this dose at 9 A.M. in the morning and on another occasion at 9 P.M. Only minimal differences in kinetic parameters were observed, none enough to be of any clinical consequence. A rather high first-pass metabolism of the drug was evident by high plasma concentrations of 10-hydroxynortriptyline. It is thus unlikely that the recent custom of giving single daily doses of tricyclic antidepressants in the evening excludes regimens with more favorable drug kinetics.", "contents": "No circadian effect on nortriptyline kinetics in man. Kinetics of a single 100-mg dose of nortriptyline were studied in 10 normal men who took this dose at 9 A.M. in the morning and on another occasion at 9 P.M. Only minimal differences in kinetic parameters were observed, none enough to be of any clinical consequence. A rather high first-pass metabolism of the drug was evident by high plasma concentrations of 10-hydroxynortriptyline. It is thus unlikely that the recent custom of giving single daily doses of tricyclic antidepressants in the evening excludes regimens with more favorable drug kinetics.", "PMID": 620481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3586", "title": "Dose-dependent changes in sulfamethazine kinetics in rapid and slow isoniazid acetylators.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of sulfamethazine (SMZ) was studied in 44 healthy volunteers. After an oral dose of 10 mg/kg we found the usual distribution of rapid and slow acetylators. The differences in the t1/2s between the phenotypes were not due to variations in renal clearance. Repeat studies at this dose showed very little intraindividual variation in t1/2s. After a 40 mg/kg dose there was an increase in the t1/2 of SMZ in every subject. The implications of these results on methods of phenotyping are discussed.", "contents": "Dose-dependent changes in sulfamethazine kinetics in rapid and slow isoniazid acetylators. The pharmacokinetics of sulfamethazine (SMZ) was studied in 44 healthy volunteers. After an oral dose of 10 mg/kg we found the usual distribution of rapid and slow acetylators. The differences in the t1/2s between the phenotypes were not due to variations in renal clearance. Repeat studies at this dose showed very little intraindividual variation in t1/2s. After a 40 mg/kg dose there was an increase in the t1/2 of SMZ in every subject. The implications of these results on methods of phenotyping are discussed.", "PMID": 620482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3587", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers: a search for intrasubject correlations.", "content": "The total body clearance of single doses of R(+)-, S(-)-, and racemic warfarin and the plasma concentration-anticoagulant effect curves for these drugs were determined in 10 healthy men, 21 to 51 yr old. This information was used to calculate the steady-state dose required to decrease prothrombin complex activity to about 30% of normal. This dose (mean +/- SD in mg/70 kg/day) is 17.8 +/- 9.3 for R(+)-warfarin, 6.63 +/- 2.19 for S(-)-warfarin, and 9.4 +/- 1.7 for racemic warfarin. There is a correlation between the maintenance doses of racemic and S(-)-warfarin (r = 0.89, p less than 0.01) but not between those of racemic and R(+)-warfarin (r = 0.30, NS). According to these calculations, the maintenance dose of racemic warfarin required by an individual patient may be a useful predictor of maintenance dose of S(-)-warfarin which will produce a comparable degree of anticoagulation. No such predictability is evident with respect to R(+)-warfarin. The slopes of the log plasma concentration-anticoagulant effect curves for R(+)-and S(-)-warfarin differ significantly. Therefore, the potency ratio of these enantiomers is dose-and concentration-dependent.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers: a search for intrasubject correlations. The total body clearance of single doses of R(+)-, S(-)-, and racemic warfarin and the plasma concentration-anticoagulant effect curves for these drugs were determined in 10 healthy men, 21 to 51 yr old. This information was used to calculate the steady-state dose required to decrease prothrombin complex activity to about 30% of normal. This dose (mean +/- SD in mg/70 kg/day) is 17.8 +/- 9.3 for R(+)-warfarin, 6.63 +/- 2.19 for S(-)-warfarin, and 9.4 +/- 1.7 for racemic warfarin. There is a correlation between the maintenance doses of racemic and S(-)-warfarin (r = 0.89, p less than 0.01) but not between those of racemic and R(+)-warfarin (r = 0.30, NS). According to these calculations, the maintenance dose of racemic warfarin required by an individual patient may be a useful predictor of maintenance dose of S(-)-warfarin which will produce a comparable degree of anticoagulation. No such predictability is evident with respect to R(+)-warfarin. The slopes of the log plasma concentration-anticoagulant effect curves for R(+)-and S(-)-warfarin differ significantly. Therefore, the potency ratio of these enantiomers is dose-and concentration-dependent.", "PMID": 620483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3588", "title": "Optimal phenytoin therapy: a new technique for individualizing dosage.", "content": "A simple, new technique (the direct linear plot) for predicting steady-state serum phenytoin concentrations is described. Although no calculations are required, reliable estimates (comparable with those derived by computer) of the Michaelis-Menten parameters can be readily determined and used graphically to predict the individualized dose required to achieve a desired serum concentration.", "contents": "Optimal phenytoin therapy: a new technique for individualizing dosage. A simple, new technique (the direct linear plot) for predicting steady-state serum phenytoin concentrations is described. Although no calculations are required, reliable estimates (comparable with those derived by computer) of the Michaelis-Menten parameters can be readily determined and used graphically to predict the individualized dose required to achieve a desired serum concentration.", "PMID": 620485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3589", "title": "Kinetics of polythiazide.", "content": "An assay for polythiazide, sufficiently sensitive to measure plasma concentrations of this high-potency diuretic agent, has been developed. The assay is based on acid hydrolysis to trifluoroethylthioacetaldehyde and electron-capture gas chromatography. Sensitivity down to 0.2 ng/ml was achieved. In a study in normal human subjects receiving single 1-mg oral doses of polythiazide, the mean plasma half-lives for absorption and elimination were 1.2 and 25.7 hr, respectively. The latter is consistent with the extended duration of action of polythiazide. Approximately 25% of the drug was excreted unchanged in the urine.", "contents": "Kinetics of polythiazide. An assay for polythiazide, sufficiently sensitive to measure plasma concentrations of this high-potency diuretic agent, has been developed. The assay is based on acid hydrolysis to trifluoroethylthioacetaldehyde and electron-capture gas chromatography. Sensitivity down to 0.2 ng/ml was achieved. In a study in normal human subjects receiving single 1-mg oral doses of polythiazide, the mean plasma half-lives for absorption and elimination were 1.2 and 25.7 hr, respectively. The latter is consistent with the extended duration of action of polythiazide. Approximately 25% of the drug was excreted unchanged in the urine.", "PMID": 620486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3590", "title": "The metabolic response to galactose as a measure of hepatic glucose release in man.", "content": "1. Galactose utilization after intravenous injection was measured in fed and fasted man together with changes in blood glucose, lactate and insulin. 2. Feeding did not alter blood galactose half-life. 3. The mean increases in blood glucose and lactate were greater in the fasted subjects but their concentrations reached similar values in both fed and fasted states. 4. Plasma insulin increased after galactose in the fasted state, but there was no change in the fed state, indicating that galactose is not insulinogenic. 5. After an intravenous galactose load in the fed state insulin appears to inhibit hepatic glucose release. 6. An intravenous galactose test might be a useful measure of hepatic glucose release under different physiological and pathological conditions.", "contents": "The metabolic response to galactose as a measure of hepatic glucose release in man. 1. Galactose utilization after intravenous injection was measured in fed and fasted man together with changes in blood glucose, lactate and insulin. 2. Feeding did not alter blood galactose half-life. 3. The mean increases in blood glucose and lactate were greater in the fasted subjects but their concentrations reached similar values in both fed and fasted states. 4. Plasma insulin increased after galactose in the fasted state, but there was no change in the fed state, indicating that galactose is not insulinogenic. 5. After an intravenous galactose load in the fed state insulin appears to inhibit hepatic glucose release. 6. An intravenous galactose test might be a useful measure of hepatic glucose release under different physiological and pathological conditions.", "PMID": 620487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3591", "title": "Bone blood flow and age in the rat.", "content": "1. The proportion of the cardiac output delivered to the skeleton and individual bones has been determined in rats of differing ages and weights with radioactive microspheres. 2. There was a decrease in the blood flow to the tibia--fibula, jaw, femur, pelvis, humerus, radius and ulna, and scapula with increase in age and weight of rats, but no change was seen in blood flow to the ribs, spine, skull or whole skeleton. 3. The proportion of the cardiac output delivered to the whole skeleton was approximately 3%. 4. The derived values for skeletal blood flow agree well with estimates by other authors using the technique of bone uptake and blood clearance of 45Ca.", "contents": "Bone blood flow and age in the rat. 1. The proportion of the cardiac output delivered to the skeleton and individual bones has been determined in rats of differing ages and weights with radioactive microspheres. 2. There was a decrease in the blood flow to the tibia--fibula, jaw, femur, pelvis, humerus, radius and ulna, and scapula with increase in age and weight of rats, but no change was seen in blood flow to the ribs, spine, skull or whole skeleton. 3. The proportion of the cardiac output delivered to the whole skeleton was approximately 3%. 4. The derived values for skeletal blood flow agree well with estimates by other authors using the technique of bone uptake and blood clearance of 45Ca.", "PMID": 620488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3592", "title": "Bartter's syndrome: contrasting patterns of prostaglandin excretion in children and adults.", "content": "1. The daily urine excretion has been studied of prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2alpha, as measured by radioimmunoassay, in eight children and seven adults with Bartter's syndrome. 2. Excretion of both PGE2 and PGF2alpha was significantly higher in the patients with Bartter's syndrome than in 17 normal children. 3. Twelve normal adults excreted significantly more PGE2 and PGF2alpha than did the normal children. In contrast, adults with Bartter's syndrome did not show an increase in prostaglandin excretion.", "contents": "Bartter's syndrome: contrasting patterns of prostaglandin excretion in children and adults. 1. The daily urine excretion has been studied of prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2alpha, as measured by radioimmunoassay, in eight children and seven adults with Bartter's syndrome. 2. Excretion of both PGE2 and PGF2alpha was significantly higher in the patients with Bartter's syndrome than in 17 normal children. 3. Twelve normal adults excreted significantly more PGE2 and PGF2alpha than did the normal children. In contrast, adults with Bartter's syndrome did not show an increase in prostaglandin excretion.", "PMID": 620489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3593", "title": "Motion of the rib cage and the abdomen in tetraplegic patients.", "content": "1. We have studied the motion of the abdomen and the rib cage in patients with a transection of the lower cervical spinal cord during normal breathing both in the supine and sitting posture, and compared it with that of normal subjects. 2. In the supine posture the rib cage of a patient moves paradoxically inward, therefore his chest wall is deformed, which explains the high work of breathing. 3. During expiration, beside the recoil of the respiratory system, there is also the recoil of the deformed chest wall, toward its passive configuration, with an expansion of the rib cage above its resting position during the first part of expiration and an alteration of the expiratory flow profile. 4. In a sitting 'relaxed' posture the paradoxical inward motion disappears in the lower rib cage, and it is reduced but still present in the higher rib cage. 5. We conclude that contraction of the diaphragm constricts the 'passive rib cage', either directly through its insertions or indirectly through the reduction of intrathoracic pressure. In seated subjects the diaphragm causes some expansion of the rib cage at its lower level. Therefore the motion of the rib cage is not only related to the balance between the forces developed by the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles, but also to the diaphragm dome configuration, the geometry of the rib cage and the lung volume.", "contents": "Motion of the rib cage and the abdomen in tetraplegic patients. 1. We have studied the motion of the abdomen and the rib cage in patients with a transection of the lower cervical spinal cord during normal breathing both in the supine and sitting posture, and compared it with that of normal subjects. 2. In the supine posture the rib cage of a patient moves paradoxically inward, therefore his chest wall is deformed, which explains the high work of breathing. 3. During expiration, beside the recoil of the respiratory system, there is also the recoil of the deformed chest wall, toward its passive configuration, with an expansion of the rib cage above its resting position during the first part of expiration and an alteration of the expiratory flow profile. 4. In a sitting 'relaxed' posture the paradoxical inward motion disappears in the lower rib cage, and it is reduced but still present in the higher rib cage. 5. We conclude that contraction of the diaphragm constricts the 'passive rib cage', either directly through its insertions or indirectly through the reduction of intrathoracic pressure. In seated subjects the diaphragm causes some expansion of the rib cage at its lower level. Therefore the motion of the rib cage is not only related to the balance between the forces developed by the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles, but also to the diaphragm dome configuration, the geometry of the rib cage and the lung volume.", "PMID": 620490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3594", "title": "Effect of isometric hand-grip exercise on the carotid sinus baroreceptor reflex in man.", "content": "1. The changes in R--R heart interval that result from step-increase and step-decrease in carotid sinus transmural pressure induced by a variable pressure neck chamber were measured in seven normal men. Observations were made at rest, and during isometric hand-grip exercise at 24%, 44% and 64% of maximal voluntary contraction. 2. The response of heart interval to increase in carotid sinus transmural pressure was progressively and markedly diminished according to the strength of hand-grip. This effect was fully developed from the moment of onset of the exertion. 3. The response of heart interval to decrease in carotid sinus transmural pressure was much less consistently affected by hand-grip exercise.", "contents": "Effect of isometric hand-grip exercise on the carotid sinus baroreceptor reflex in man. 1. The changes in R--R heart interval that result from step-increase and step-decrease in carotid sinus transmural pressure induced by a variable pressure neck chamber were measured in seven normal men. Observations were made at rest, and during isometric hand-grip exercise at 24%, 44% and 64% of maximal voluntary contraction. 2. The response of heart interval to increase in carotid sinus transmural pressure was progressively and markedly diminished according to the strength of hand-grip. This effect was fully developed from the moment of onset of the exertion. 3. The response of heart interval to decrease in carotid sinus transmural pressure was much less consistently affected by hand-grip exercise.", "PMID": 620491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3595", "title": "The relationship of urinary kallikrein activity to renal salt and water excretion.", "content": "1. We measured urinary kallikrein (kininogenin) excretion in black and white normotensive subjects during a variety of manipulations of salt and water balance. 2. A large intravenous saline load administered while the subjects were on an unrestricted sodium diet did not significantly change urinary kallikrein activity in either racial group. 3. After several days of dietary sodium restriction both racial groups increased their urinary kallikrein activity. An intravenous water load given then further increased urinary kallikrein activity. White subjects were studied for an additional 24 h period, and urinary kallikrein activity returned to pre-water load values, indicating that the excretion of a water load in sodium-depleted subjects is associated with an increase in kallikrein excretion. 4. Black subjects excreted less kallikrein in the urine than white subjects during the initial 24 h periods of unrestricted dietary sodium intake, but there were no other significant racial differences during the other experimental conditions.", "contents": "The relationship of urinary kallikrein activity to renal salt and water excretion. 1. We measured urinary kallikrein (kininogenin) excretion in black and white normotensive subjects during a variety of manipulations of salt and water balance. 2. A large intravenous saline load administered while the subjects were on an unrestricted sodium diet did not significantly change urinary kallikrein activity in either racial group. 3. After several days of dietary sodium restriction both racial groups increased their urinary kallikrein activity. An intravenous water load given then further increased urinary kallikrein activity. White subjects were studied for an additional 24 h period, and urinary kallikrein activity returned to pre-water load values, indicating that the excretion of a water load in sodium-depleted subjects is associated with an increase in kallikrein excretion. 4. Black subjects excreted less kallikrein in the urine than white subjects during the initial 24 h periods of unrestricted dietary sodium intake, but there were no other significant racial differences during the other experimental conditions.", "PMID": 620492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3596", "title": "Intracellular free amino acids in muscle tissue of patients with chronic uraemia: effect of peritoneal dialysis and infusion of essential amino acids.", "content": "1. Free amino acids were determined in the plasma and in the muscle tissue of 14 patients with chronic uraemia; eight were not on dialysis and six were having regular peritoneal dialysis. The concentration of each amino acid in muscle water was calculated with the chloride method. 2. In both groups of patients there were low intracellular concentrations of threonine, valine, tyrosine and carnosine, and high glycine/valine and phenylalanine/tyrosine ratios. Both groups of patients had increased amounts of 1- and 3-methyl-histidine in plasma and in muscle water. 3. The non-dialysed patients had low intracellular concentrations of lysine, and the dialysed patients had high intracellular concentrations of lysine, isoleucine, leucine and of some of the non-essential amino acids. 4. After peritoneal dialysis for 22 h, the plasma concentration of several amino acids decreased but the intracellular concentrations of most amino acids did not change significantly. 5. Intravenous administration of essential amino acids and histidine during the last 4 h of dialysis increased in muscle the total free amino acids, the ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids and the valine and phenylalanine concentrations. 6. The results demonstrated that the plasma and muscle concentrations of several amino acids are grossly abnormal in chronic uraemia. Non-dialysed and dialysed patients exhibit important differences, especially in the intracellular amino acid patterns. Infusion of essential amino acids may result in enhancement of protein synthesis.", "contents": "Intracellular free amino acids in muscle tissue of patients with chronic uraemia: effect of peritoneal dialysis and infusion of essential amino acids. 1. Free amino acids were determined in the plasma and in the muscle tissue of 14 patients with chronic uraemia; eight were not on dialysis and six were having regular peritoneal dialysis. The concentration of each amino acid in muscle water was calculated with the chloride method. 2. In both groups of patients there were low intracellular concentrations of threonine, valine, tyrosine and carnosine, and high glycine/valine and phenylalanine/tyrosine ratios. Both groups of patients had increased amounts of 1- and 3-methyl-histidine in plasma and in muscle water. 3. The non-dialysed patients had low intracellular concentrations of lysine, and the dialysed patients had high intracellular concentrations of lysine, isoleucine, leucine and of some of the non-essential amino acids. 4. After peritoneal dialysis for 22 h, the plasma concentration of several amino acids decreased but the intracellular concentrations of most amino acids did not change significantly. 5. Intravenous administration of essential amino acids and histidine during the last 4 h of dialysis increased in muscle the total free amino acids, the ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids and the valine and phenylalanine concentrations. 6. The results demonstrated that the plasma and muscle concentrations of several amino acids are grossly abnormal in chronic uraemia. Non-dialysed and dialysed patients exhibit important differences, especially in the intracellular amino acid patterns. Infusion of essential amino acids may result in enhancement of protein synthesis.", "PMID": 620493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3597", "title": "Elimination of porcine secretin in pigs.", "content": "1. The elimination of immunoreactive secretin was studied in anaesthetized pigs by using constant infusions of pure natural porcine secretin. 2. The mean metabolic clearance rate was 15.4 ml min-1 kg-1, and was independent of the level at which it was determined. The mean distribution space was 64.4 ml/kg. The half-life of secretin after termination of the infusion averaged 2.6 min. 3. During intravenous infusion of secretin in a dose of 27.8 pmol h-1 kg-1 the renal extraction was 52%. Exclusion of the kidneys increased plasma secretin concentration from 26.5 pmol/l to 47.3 pmol/l and increased the half-life to 4.4 min. 4. Exclusion of the liver during infusion of secretin in a dose of 27.8 pmol h-1 kg-1 resulted in an increment in plasma secretin concentration of 7.8 pmol/l and an increase of the half-life to 3.6 min. 5. A gradient of endogenous secretin across the liver was present but no arteriovenous difference was found across the foreleg. 6. Incubation of secretin with whole blood or serum for 20 min at 37 degrees C did not result in any degradation of secretin.", "contents": "Elimination of porcine secretin in pigs. 1. The elimination of immunoreactive secretin was studied in anaesthetized pigs by using constant infusions of pure natural porcine secretin. 2. The mean metabolic clearance rate was 15.4 ml min-1 kg-1, and was independent of the level at which it was determined. The mean distribution space was 64.4 ml/kg. The half-life of secretin after termination of the infusion averaged 2.6 min. 3. During intravenous infusion of secretin in a dose of 27.8 pmol h-1 kg-1 the renal extraction was 52%. Exclusion of the kidneys increased plasma secretin concentration from 26.5 pmol/l to 47.3 pmol/l and increased the half-life to 4.4 min. 4. Exclusion of the liver during infusion of secretin in a dose of 27.8 pmol h-1 kg-1 resulted in an increment in plasma secretin concentration of 7.8 pmol/l and an increase of the half-life to 3.6 min. 5. A gradient of endogenous secretin across the liver was present but no arteriovenous difference was found across the foreleg. 6. Incubation of secretin with whole blood or serum for 20 min at 37 degrees C did not result in any degradation of secretin.", "PMID": 620494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3598", "title": "Skeletal blood flow in Paget's disease of bone and its response to calcitonin therapy.", "content": "1. Blood flow to the skeleton was measured by the 18F clearance method of Wooton, Reeve & Veall (1976) in 24 patients with untreated Paget's disease. In every patient but one, resting skeletal blood flow was increased. There was a significant positive correlation between skeletal blood flow and serum alkaline phosphatase and between skeletal blood flow and urinary total hydroxyproline excretion. 2. Fourteen patients were re-studied after they had received short-term (7 days or less) or long-term (7 weeks or more) calcitonin. Skeletal blood flow, alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxy-proline excretion fell towards normal in every case. There was some evidence from the short-term studies that calcitonin produced a more rapid fall in skeletal blood flow than in alkaline phosphatase. 3. Glomerular filtration rate appeared to increase transiently in response to calcitonin.", "contents": "Skeletal blood flow in Paget's disease of bone and its response to calcitonin therapy. 1. Blood flow to the skeleton was measured by the 18F clearance method of Wooton, Reeve & Veall (1976) in 24 patients with untreated Paget's disease. In every patient but one, resting skeletal blood flow was increased. There was a significant positive correlation between skeletal blood flow and serum alkaline phosphatase and between skeletal blood flow and urinary total hydroxyproline excretion. 2. Fourteen patients were re-studied after they had received short-term (7 days or less) or long-term (7 weeks or more) calcitonin. Skeletal blood flow, alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxy-proline excretion fell towards normal in every case. There was some evidence from the short-term studies that calcitonin produced a more rapid fall in skeletal blood flow than in alkaline phosphatase. 3. Glomerular filtration rate appeared to increase transiently in response to calcitonin.", "PMID": 620495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3599", "title": "Angiotensin II blockade before and after marked sodium depletion in patients with hypertension.", "content": "1. Angiotensin II blockade before and after marked sodium depletion in patients with hypertension [unilateral renovascular (eight), bilateral renovascular (four) and essential (four)] was performed by intravenous administration of the angiotensin II antagonist Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II (saralasin). 2. On normal sodium intake, saralasin decreased mean blood pressure by 8 mmHg in the unilateral renovascular group, by 6 mmHg in the bilateral renovascular group and increased it by 3 mmHg in the essential hypertensive group. After sodium depletion saralasin decreased mean blood pressure by 33 mmHg, 35 mmHg and 18 mmHg respectively. The saralasin-induced decrease in blood pressure significantly correlated with the log of the initial plasma renin activity. 3. Saralasin infusion decreased effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) in all three hypertension subgroups, both on normal sodium intake and after sodium depletion. Glomerular filtration rate decreased in direct relation to the hypotensive effect of saralasin but ERPF showed this relationship only after sodium depletion. On normal sodium intake saralasin increased filtration fraction by 17%, but decreased it by 7% after sodium depletion. 4. It is concluded that the hypotensive action of saralasin closely correlates with the value of circulating plasma renin activity, apparently independent of the aetiology of the hypertension. The decrease in ERPF during saralasin infusion in the patients on normal sodium intake seems mainly related to the agonistic activity of saralasin, but that after sodium depletion to the hypotensive effect of saralasin.", "contents": "Angiotensin II blockade before and after marked sodium depletion in patients with hypertension. 1. Angiotensin II blockade before and after marked sodium depletion in patients with hypertension [unilateral renovascular (eight), bilateral renovascular (four) and essential (four)] was performed by intravenous administration of the angiotensin II antagonist Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II (saralasin). 2. On normal sodium intake, saralasin decreased mean blood pressure by 8 mmHg in the unilateral renovascular group, by 6 mmHg in the bilateral renovascular group and increased it by 3 mmHg in the essential hypertensive group. After sodium depletion saralasin decreased mean blood pressure by 33 mmHg, 35 mmHg and 18 mmHg respectively. The saralasin-induced decrease in blood pressure significantly correlated with the log of the initial plasma renin activity. 3. Saralasin infusion decreased effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) in all three hypertension subgroups, both on normal sodium intake and after sodium depletion. Glomerular filtration rate decreased in direct relation to the hypotensive effect of saralasin but ERPF showed this relationship only after sodium depletion. On normal sodium intake saralasin increased filtration fraction by 17%, but decreased it by 7% after sodium depletion. 4. It is concluded that the hypotensive action of saralasin closely correlates with the value of circulating plasma renin activity, apparently independent of the aetiology of the hypertension. The decrease in ERPF during saralasin infusion in the patients on normal sodium intake seems mainly related to the agonistic activity of saralasin, but that after sodium depletion to the hypotensive effect of saralasin.", "PMID": 620496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3600", "title": "Oxygen transport in children on maintenance haemodialysis.", "content": "1. Adaptive mechanisms of oxygen transport by blood have been studied in severely anaemic young patients on maintenance haemodialysis, in conditions of hyperphosphataemia (Pi greater than or equal to 2.2 mmol/l) or normophosphataemia. 2. In hyperphosphataemia whole-blood affinity for oxygen was slightly decreased, as measured by an increase in P50 (the partial pressure of oxygen necessary to half saturate haemoglobin). 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate was increased by 10% (P less than 0.10) whereas Pi, total erythrocyte phosphate and ATP were increased by 100%, 47% and 36% respectively, compared with control values. 3. After correction of hyperphosphataemia a small but significant decrease in P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, to normal values, was observed whereas the other variables, although significantly lowered, remained above control values. 4. In these severely anaemic and hyperphosphataemic patients P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate are only slightly increased. ATP synthesis appears to be favoured over that of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. This is possibly due to alterations in the erythrocyte membrane elicited by bi-weekly extracorporeal circulation. Adequate oxygen transport can be achieved only through a drastic increase in blood flow. Correction of hyperphosphataemia adds further to the abnormality. It is concluded that this condition could induce a long-term myocardial fatigue, which might be prevented with occasional small blood transfusions.", "contents": "Oxygen transport in children on maintenance haemodialysis. 1. Adaptive mechanisms of oxygen transport by blood have been studied in severely anaemic young patients on maintenance haemodialysis, in conditions of hyperphosphataemia (Pi greater than or equal to 2.2 mmol/l) or normophosphataemia. 2. In hyperphosphataemia whole-blood affinity for oxygen was slightly decreased, as measured by an increase in P50 (the partial pressure of oxygen necessary to half saturate haemoglobin). 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate was increased by 10% (P less than 0.10) whereas Pi, total erythrocyte phosphate and ATP were increased by 100%, 47% and 36% respectively, compared with control values. 3. After correction of hyperphosphataemia a small but significant decrease in P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, to normal values, was observed whereas the other variables, although significantly lowered, remained above control values. 4. In these severely anaemic and hyperphosphataemic patients P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate are only slightly increased. ATP synthesis appears to be favoured over that of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. This is possibly due to alterations in the erythrocyte membrane elicited by bi-weekly extracorporeal circulation. Adequate oxygen transport can be achieved only through a drastic increase in blood flow. Correction of hyperphosphataemia adds further to the abnormality. It is concluded that this condition could induce a long-term myocardial fatigue, which might be prevented with occasional small blood transfusions.", "PMID": 620497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3601", "title": "Ventilatory responses to exercise and to carbon dioxide in mitral stenosis before and after valvulotomy: causes of tachypnoea.", "content": "1. The ventilation and cardiac frequency during progressive exercise and the respiratory responses to breathing carbon dioxide have been measured in 33 female patients with mitral stenosis and in 31 control subjects. Compared with the control subjects, the patients' exercise ventilation and cardiac frequency were increased; the exercise tidal volume at standard minute volume, the vital capacity and the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide were reduced. The extent to which the standardized tidal volume was lower during exercise than during breathing carbon dioxide was correlated with the severity of the stenosis, as gauged by the increase in exercise cardiac frequency above the level predicted from anthropometric measurements. 2. Twenty patients were studied postoperatively. In the 12 who showed clinical improvement the exercise ventilation and cardiac frequency were reduced and the exercise tidal volume at a given minute ventilation was increased. The latter change occurred despite a reduction in vital capacity, which was probably a residual effect of thoractomy. There was no significant change in the response to breathing carbon dioxide. No material change in function was observed in the patients whose condition was not improved by the operation. 3. It is suggested that in mitral stenosis the tachypnoea which occurs during exercise, whilst mainly a mechanical consequence of the reduced vital capacity, is also partly due to pulmonary congestion stimulating intrapulmonary receptors.", "contents": "Ventilatory responses to exercise and to carbon dioxide in mitral stenosis before and after valvulotomy: causes of tachypnoea. 1. The ventilation and cardiac frequency during progressive exercise and the respiratory responses to breathing carbon dioxide have been measured in 33 female patients with mitral stenosis and in 31 control subjects. Compared with the control subjects, the patients' exercise ventilation and cardiac frequency were increased; the exercise tidal volume at standard minute volume, the vital capacity and the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide were reduced. The extent to which the standardized tidal volume was lower during exercise than during breathing carbon dioxide was correlated with the severity of the stenosis, as gauged by the increase in exercise cardiac frequency above the level predicted from anthropometric measurements. 2. Twenty patients were studied postoperatively. In the 12 who showed clinical improvement the exercise ventilation and cardiac frequency were reduced and the exercise tidal volume at a given minute ventilation was increased. The latter change occurred despite a reduction in vital capacity, which was probably a residual effect of thoractomy. There was no significant change in the response to breathing carbon dioxide. No material change in function was observed in the patients whose condition was not improved by the operation. 3. It is suggested that in mitral stenosis the tachypnoea which occurs during exercise, whilst mainly a mechanical consequence of the reduced vital capacity, is also partly due to pulmonary congestion stimulating intrapulmonary receptors.", "PMID": 620498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3602", "title": "The measurement of calcium absorption and absorption rate with an external arm radioactivity counter.", "content": "1. A large-volume scintillation counter was used to measure calcium absorption from the ratio of forearm uptake of 47Ca after oral 47CaCl2 (administered with milk) to forearm uptake after intravenously administered 47CaCl2. 2. In some subjects serial measurements of both forearm uptake of 47Ca and blood 47Ca radioactivity were also recorded, and by using deconvolution both total calcium absorption and calcium absorption rate were determined. 3. The forearm ratio determination of 47Ca absorption correlated well with that obtained by deconvolution of either serial blood 47Ca or forearm 47Ca measurements provided that the forearm radioactivity measurements were made at least 8 h after the administration of 47CaCL2. 4. Although the two deconvolution techniques gave similar estimates of total calcium absorption there were discrepancies between their measurements of calcium absorption rate. These discrepancies were reduced but not eliminated by the use of additional lead shielding around the Armac counter.", "contents": "The measurement of calcium absorption and absorption rate with an external arm radioactivity counter. 1. A large-volume scintillation counter was used to measure calcium absorption from the ratio of forearm uptake of 47Ca after oral 47CaCl2 (administered with milk) to forearm uptake after intravenously administered 47CaCl2. 2. In some subjects serial measurements of both forearm uptake of 47Ca and blood 47Ca radioactivity were also recorded, and by using deconvolution both total calcium absorption and calcium absorption rate were determined. 3. The forearm ratio determination of 47Ca absorption correlated well with that obtained by deconvolution of either serial blood 47Ca or forearm 47Ca measurements provided that the forearm radioactivity measurements were made at least 8 h after the administration of 47CaCL2. 4. Although the two deconvolution techniques gave similar estimates of total calcium absorption there were discrepancies between their measurements of calcium absorption rate. These discrepancies were reduced but not eliminated by the use of additional lead shielding around the Armac counter.", "PMID": 620499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3603", "title": "Intensive iron-chelation therapy with desferrioxamine in iron-loading anaemias.", "content": "1. Urinary iron excretion after desferrioxamine has been examined in nine patinets with different iron-loading anaemias. Particular attention has been paid to individual variation in response and the kinetics of iron removal in order to determine the most efficient and convenient method of administration. 2. Twelve-hour subcutaneous infusions of desferrioxamine were comparable with intravenous infusions and gave a mean value of 62% more iron excretion than similar intramuscular bolus doses (range 20--125%). 3. Increasing doses as 12 h subcutaneous infusions produced a linear increase in iron excretion, which was followed by a tendency to reach a plateau. Iron excretion varied greatly between patients, was not related solely to age or estimated iron load, and in most cases was increased by ascorbic acid saturation. 4. Maximum iron-excretion rates were achieved after 3--6 and then maintained throughout an infusion. With bolus injections excretion rates declined rapidly after the first 6 h, during which approximately 60% of the total iron excretion occurred. 5. The dose and method of administration should be 'tailor-made' for each patient. Overnight 12 h subcutaneous infusions can be both as effective as similar doses given over 24 h and a practical way of achieving substantial negative iron balance. 6. Since children receiving regular blood transfusions for congenital anaemias such as thalassaemia usually die at the end of the second decade, this approach to iron chelation offers the possibility of alleviating what have hitherto been fatal-iron loading states.", "contents": "Intensive iron-chelation therapy with desferrioxamine in iron-loading anaemias. 1. Urinary iron excretion after desferrioxamine has been examined in nine patinets with different iron-loading anaemias. Particular attention has been paid to individual variation in response and the kinetics of iron removal in order to determine the most efficient and convenient method of administration. 2. Twelve-hour subcutaneous infusions of desferrioxamine were comparable with intravenous infusions and gave a mean value of 62% more iron excretion than similar intramuscular bolus doses (range 20--125%). 3. Increasing doses as 12 h subcutaneous infusions produced a linear increase in iron excretion, which was followed by a tendency to reach a plateau. Iron excretion varied greatly between patients, was not related solely to age or estimated iron load, and in most cases was increased by ascorbic acid saturation. 4. Maximum iron-excretion rates were achieved after 3--6 and then maintained throughout an infusion. With bolus injections excretion rates declined rapidly after the first 6 h, during which approximately 60% of the total iron excretion occurred. 5. The dose and method of administration should be 'tailor-made' for each patient. Overnight 12 h subcutaneous infusions can be both as effective as similar doses given over 24 h and a practical way of achieving substantial negative iron balance. 6. Since children receiving regular blood transfusions for congenital anaemias such as thalassaemia usually die at the end of the second decade, this approach to iron chelation offers the possibility of alleviating what have hitherto been fatal-iron loading states.", "PMID": 620500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3604", "title": "The relation between plasma androstenedione, plasma oestrone and androstenedione to oestrone conversion rates in post-menopausal women with and without fractures.", "content": "1. Plasma androstenedione, plasma oestrone and the conversion of plasma androstenedione into oestrone were measured in 19 post-menopausal women without fractures (six of them oophorectomized) and 18 with vertebral or femoral neck fractures (four of them oophorectomized). 2. In the series as a whole, the main determinant of the plasma oestrone level was the plasma androstenedione concentration. Only in the small oophorectomized group did the variation in conversion rate make a significant contribution to the variation in plasma oestrone. 3. The conversion rates were not different as between non-fracture and fracture cases but the mean plasma androstenedione and oestrone concentrations were lower (though not significantly) in the latter.", "contents": "The relation between plasma androstenedione, plasma oestrone and androstenedione to oestrone conversion rates in post-menopausal women with and without fractures. 1. Plasma androstenedione, plasma oestrone and the conversion of plasma androstenedione into oestrone were measured in 19 post-menopausal women without fractures (six of them oophorectomized) and 18 with vertebral or femoral neck fractures (four of them oophorectomized). 2. In the series as a whole, the main determinant of the plasma oestrone level was the plasma androstenedione concentration. Only in the small oophorectomized group did the variation in conversion rate make a significant contribution to the variation in plasma oestrone. 3. The conversion rates were not different as between non-fracture and fracture cases but the mean plasma androstenedione and oestrone concentrations were lower (though not significantly) in the latter.", "PMID": 620501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3605", "title": "Hepatic metabolism of aminopyrine in patients with chronic renal failure.", "content": "1. To evaluate potential alterations in hepatic metabolism of drugs occurring in patients with renal insufficiency the fate of aminopyrine was studied in 17 patients with chronic renal failure and in 27 normal subjects. 2. Although patients with chronic renal failure exhibited large variations, their aminopyrine plasma disappearance times (mean 0.62 +/- SD 0.24 h-1) were significantly higher than those found in normal subjects (0.30 +/- 0.07 h-1, P less than 0.002). 3. 14CO2 derived from [dimethylamine-14C]aminopyrine disappeared from breath more rapidly in patients with chronic renal failure and a history of analgesic abuse (0.40 +/- 0.04 h-1) than in control subjects (0.22 +/- 0.03 h-1, P less than 0.01) and in other patients with chronic renal failure (0.24 +/- 0.04 h-1). 4. Dialysis treatment and serum creatinine concentrations were not correlated with the rates of aminopyrine metabolism. Two additional patients, however, with combined renal and hepatic disease, exhibited markedly slowed rates of aminopyrine demethylation. 5. Although chronic renal failure by itself might not alter microsomal drug metabolism it is concluded that, in patients with a history of abuse of phenacetin-containing analgesics, marked acceleration in aminopyrine N-demethylation may be observed.", "contents": "Hepatic metabolism of aminopyrine in patients with chronic renal failure. 1. To evaluate potential alterations in hepatic metabolism of drugs occurring in patients with renal insufficiency the fate of aminopyrine was studied in 17 patients with chronic renal failure and in 27 normal subjects. 2. Although patients with chronic renal failure exhibited large variations, their aminopyrine plasma disappearance times (mean 0.62 +/- SD 0.24 h-1) were significantly higher than those found in normal subjects (0.30 +/- 0.07 h-1, P less than 0.002). 3. 14CO2 derived from [dimethylamine-14C]aminopyrine disappeared from breath more rapidly in patients with chronic renal failure and a history of analgesic abuse (0.40 +/- 0.04 h-1) than in control subjects (0.22 +/- 0.03 h-1, P less than 0.01) and in other patients with chronic renal failure (0.24 +/- 0.04 h-1). 4. Dialysis treatment and serum creatinine concentrations were not correlated with the rates of aminopyrine metabolism. Two additional patients, however, with combined renal and hepatic disease, exhibited markedly slowed rates of aminopyrine demethylation. 5. Although chronic renal failure by itself might not alter microsomal drug metabolism it is concluded that, in patients with a history of abuse of phenacetin-containing analgesics, marked acceleration in aminopyrine N-demethylation may be observed.", "PMID": 620502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3606", "title": "Characterization of immunoreactive angiotensin in canine cerebrospinal fluid as Des-Asp1-angiotensin II.", "content": "1. Immunoreactive angiotensin II was measured in cerebrospinal fluid of four normal dogs. 2. The migration of this immunoreactive angiotensin II on polyacrylamide-slab gel electrophoresis was identical with the migration of the heptapeptide, Des-Asp1-angiotensin II, in each case. 3. The biological activity of the material from canine cerebrospinal fluid in a pressor bioassay was similar to that of Des-Asp1-angiotensin II. 4. The pressor activity of the canine material was abolished by treating the pressor bioassay rat with a competitive antagonistic analogue, Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II. 5. The results suggest that the biologically active immunoreactive angiotension II present in normal canine cerebrospinal fluid is composed mainly of the heptapeptide fragment of angiotensin II, Des-Asp1-angiotensin II.", "contents": "Characterization of immunoreactive angiotensin in canine cerebrospinal fluid as Des-Asp1-angiotensin II. 1. Immunoreactive angiotensin II was measured in cerebrospinal fluid of four normal dogs. 2. The migration of this immunoreactive angiotensin II on polyacrylamide-slab gel electrophoresis was identical with the migration of the heptapeptide, Des-Asp1-angiotensin II, in each case. 3. The biological activity of the material from canine cerebrospinal fluid in a pressor bioassay was similar to that of Des-Asp1-angiotensin II. 4. The pressor activity of the canine material was abolished by treating the pressor bioassay rat with a competitive antagonistic analogue, Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II. 5. The results suggest that the biologically active immunoreactive angiotension II present in normal canine cerebrospinal fluid is composed mainly of the heptapeptide fragment of angiotensin II, Des-Asp1-angiotensin II.", "PMID": 620503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3607", "title": "Metabolism in vitro of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in chicks fed on phosphorus-deficient diets.", "content": "1. Three groups of 10-days-old chicks were fed on one of three diets having phosphorus contents of 0.08 mol/kg, 0.14 mol/kg or 0.21 mol/kg. Ten days later duodenal calcium absorption by the ligated loop technique in vivo, and plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations, were measured. In addition the metabolism in vitro of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3] by kidney homogenates was studied. 2. In the low phosphorus group (0.08 mol/kg) calcium absorption and the activity of 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase were significantly higher than those of the high phosphorus group (0.21 mol/kg). However, in the medium phosphorus group (0.14 mol/kg), calcium absorption was significantly higher although the activity of 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase was not significantly higher when compared with the high phosphorus group (0.21 mol/kg). 3. It is concluded that in phosphorus deprivation, unlike in calcium deprivation, a diet very low in phosphorus is required to stimulate the renal 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase activity.", "contents": "Metabolism in vitro of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in chicks fed on phosphorus-deficient diets. 1. Three groups of 10-days-old chicks were fed on one of three diets having phosphorus contents of 0.08 mol/kg, 0.14 mol/kg or 0.21 mol/kg. Ten days later duodenal calcium absorption by the ligated loop technique in vivo, and plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations, were measured. In addition the metabolism in vitro of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3] by kidney homogenates was studied. 2. In the low phosphorus group (0.08 mol/kg) calcium absorption and the activity of 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase were significantly higher than those of the high phosphorus group (0.21 mol/kg). However, in the medium phosphorus group (0.14 mol/kg), calcium absorption was significantly higher although the activity of 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase was not significantly higher when compared with the high phosphorus group (0.21 mol/kg). 3. It is concluded that in phosphorus deprivation, unlike in calcium deprivation, a diet very low in phosphorus is required to stimulate the renal 25-(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase activity.", "PMID": 620506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3608", "title": "Lipolytic activities in post-heparin plasma in man measured with different substrate emulsions.", "content": "1. Post-heparin lipolytic activity in man has been studied by using a triglyceride substrate emulsion containing different emulsifiers. 2. The lipolytic activity measured was profoundly influenced by the type of emulsifier used in the substrate. Substrate stabilized by synthetic emulsifiers give higher lipolytic activity than Intralipid, which contains egg phospholipids as emulsifiers. This difference was solely explained by higher salt-resistant lipase activities found with emulsions containing synthetic emulsifiers. The salt-inhibited lipase activity, which has properties as a lipoprotein lipase, was not influenced by the type of emulsifier. 3. When used under specified conditions Intralipid seems to be virtually specific for extrahepatic post-heparin lipolytic activity.", "contents": "Lipolytic activities in post-heparin plasma in man measured with different substrate emulsions. 1. Post-heparin lipolytic activity in man has been studied by using a triglyceride substrate emulsion containing different emulsifiers. 2. The lipolytic activity measured was profoundly influenced by the type of emulsifier used in the substrate. Substrate stabilized by synthetic emulsifiers give higher lipolytic activity than Intralipid, which contains egg phospholipids as emulsifiers. This difference was solely explained by higher salt-resistant lipase activities found with emulsions containing synthetic emulsifiers. The salt-inhibited lipase activity, which has properties as a lipoprotein lipase, was not influenced by the type of emulsifier. 3. When used under specified conditions Intralipid seems to be virtually specific for extrahepatic post-heparin lipolytic activity.", "PMID": 620507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3609", "title": "Subcellular distribution of hydrolase activities for glycine and leucine homopeptides in human jejunum.", "content": "1. The subcellular distribution of peptidase activities in the normal human jejunum against glycine and leucine homopeptides has been investigated with an analytical fractionation technique. 2. An 8000 g-min supernatant was prepared from homogenates of Crosby capsule biopsy specimens and subjected to isopycnic centrifugation in a Beaufay automatic zonal rotor. 3. The distribution of subcellular organelles in the gradient was established by measurement of organelle-specific marker enzymes. 4. A sensitive fluorimetric assay for glycine peptidase was developed and used for the localization of peptidase activity with peptides composed of from two to five glycine residues as substrates. 5. Glycine peptidase activity was located in the cytosol and in the brush-border membrane but the distribution of activity varied markedly with the chain-length of substrate; the longer the peptide the greater the proportion of activity associated with the brush border. Leucine peptidase showed a similar variation in cytosol--brush border distributions. 6. The results are consistent with concepts that suggest absorption and intracellular hydrolysis of small peptides and brush-border digestion of larger peptides.", "contents": "Subcellular distribution of hydrolase activities for glycine and leucine homopeptides in human jejunum. 1. The subcellular distribution of peptidase activities in the normal human jejunum against glycine and leucine homopeptides has been investigated with an analytical fractionation technique. 2. An 8000 g-min supernatant was prepared from homogenates of Crosby capsule biopsy specimens and subjected to isopycnic centrifugation in a Beaufay automatic zonal rotor. 3. The distribution of subcellular organelles in the gradient was established by measurement of organelle-specific marker enzymes. 4. A sensitive fluorimetric assay for glycine peptidase was developed and used for the localization of peptidase activity with peptides composed of from two to five glycine residues as substrates. 5. Glycine peptidase activity was located in the cytosol and in the brush-border membrane but the distribution of activity varied markedly with the chain-length of substrate; the longer the peptide the greater the proportion of activity associated with the brush border. Leucine peptidase showed a similar variation in cytosol--brush border distributions. 6. The results are consistent with concepts that suggest absorption and intracellular hydrolysis of small peptides and brush-border digestion of larger peptides.", "PMID": 620508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3610", "title": "Prosthetic valve endocarditis.", "content": "PVE is increasingly frequent and often lethal. The classic features of infective endocarditis may be absent early in the course of the illess. Therefore, patients with prosthetic heart valves and fever must be considered candidates for this infection until another cause for the fever can be established. Five to six blood cultures will document the persistent bacteremia of PVE in most cases. Treatment consists of parenteral penicillins for sensitive organisms plus valvular re-replacement for intractable heart failure mechanical malfunction of the valve, persistent sepsis, or multiple major emboli. In spite of aggressive therapy, the mortality remains high. Therefore, appropriate prophylaxis is warranted in patients with prosthetic valves who must undergo procedures that might lead to bacteremia.", "contents": "Prosthetic valve endocarditis. PVE is increasingly frequent and often lethal. The classic features of infective endocarditis may be absent early in the course of the illess. Therefore, patients with prosthetic heart valves and fever must be considered candidates for this infection until another cause for the fever can be established. Five to six blood cultures will document the persistent bacteremia of PVE in most cases. Treatment consists of parenteral penicillins for sensitive organisms plus valvular re-replacement for intractable heart failure mechanical malfunction of the valve, persistent sepsis, or multiple major emboli. In spite of aggressive therapy, the mortality remains high. Therefore, appropriate prophylaxis is warranted in patients with prosthetic valves who must undergo procedures that might lead to bacteremia.", "PMID": 620513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3611", "title": "Treatment of acquired chronic esophagopleural fistula by endoscopic cauterization.", "content": "Successful treatment of an eight-year-old esophagopleural fistula by means of endoscopic cauterization with an alkaline solution is reported. Previous therapeutic attempts with other more conventional measures had failed. The technique of the successful treatment is described. No complications could be attributed to its use.", "contents": "Treatment of acquired chronic esophagopleural fistula by endoscopic cauterization. Successful treatment of an eight-year-old esophagopleural fistula by means of endoscopic cauterization with an alkaline solution is reported. Previous therapeutic attempts with other more conventional measures had failed. The technique of the successful treatment is described. No complications could be attributed to its use.", "PMID": 620538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3612", "title": "Audible atrial sounds in atrial flutter modulating an aortic regurgitant murmur. Echocardiographic and phonocardiographic correlates.", "content": "The findings in a patient with atrial flutter whose audible atrial sounds uniquely modulated an aortic regurgitant murmur are presented, with phonocardiographic and echocardiographic correlates, which suggest a ventricular origin for these sounds.", "contents": "Audible atrial sounds in atrial flutter modulating an aortic regurgitant murmur. Echocardiographic and phonocardiographic correlates. The findings in a patient with atrial flutter whose audible atrial sounds uniquely modulated an aortic regurgitant murmur are presented, with phonocardiographic and echocardiographic correlates, which suggest a ventricular origin for these sounds.", "PMID": 620539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3613", "title": "Acute cavitary histoplasmosis.", "content": "A case of acute cavitary histoplasmosis in the upper lobes is documented. The relationship of this entity to chronic cavitary histoplasmosis is discussed.", "contents": "Acute cavitary histoplasmosis. A case of acute cavitary histoplasmosis in the upper lobes is documented. The relationship of this entity to chronic cavitary histoplasmosis is discussed.", "PMID": 620540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3614", "title": "Echocardiographic features of an aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva.", "content": "The echocardiographic features of an aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva are described and correlated with angiographic findings. The echocardiogram showed the presence of a thin line of echoes occurring proximal to the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and moving in and out of apposition with the posterior aortic wall. During systole, this line of echoes moved away from the aorta into the left atrium, and during diastole, the line moved into the aorta. Recognition of these features provides a potential noninvasive way to diagnose aneurysms of the left sinus of Valsalva prior to rupture.", "contents": "Echocardiographic features of an aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva. The echocardiographic features of an aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva are described and correlated with angiographic findings. The echocardiogram showed the presence of a thin line of echoes occurring proximal to the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and moving in and out of apposition with the posterior aortic wall. During systole, this line of echoes moved away from the aorta into the left atrium, and during diastole, the line moved into the aorta. Recognition of these features provides a potential noninvasive way to diagnose aneurysms of the left sinus of Valsalva prior to rupture.", "PMID": 620541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3615", "title": "Fatal tension pneumopericardium complicating tracheostomy.", "content": "The findings in a patient who developed a fatal pneumopericardium following tracheostomy are reported. This complication of tracheostomy does not appear to have been reported previously in the literature.. When recognized, pneumopericardium is a treatable lesion, and clinicians should be aware of this potential complication.", "contents": "Fatal tension pneumopericardium complicating tracheostomy. The findings in a patient who developed a fatal pneumopericardium following tracheostomy are reported. This complication of tracheostomy does not appear to have been reported previously in the literature.. When recognized, pneumopericardium is a treatable lesion, and clinicians should be aware of this potential complication.", "PMID": 620542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3616", "title": "Anterograde and retrograde bradycardiac block in the His-Purkinje system. Finding in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "A patient with an acute inferior myocardial infarction developed a complete atrioventricular block and intermitent periods of atrioventricular conduction with QRS complexes showing right bundle branch block associated with left anterior hemiblock. Recordings of the His bundle electrogram showed that the atrioventricular block was infrahisian and that in periods of resumed atrioventricular conduction, the His-ventricle (H-V) interval was long. Ventricular escape beats showed concealed conduction to the atrioventricular node. Anterograde atrioventricular conduction was always resumed through the left posterior division when the preceding division when the preceding intervals between ventricular escape beats and the atrium (V-A intervals) were shorter than 580 msec. The same phenomenon occurred with right ventricular pacing. A retrograde His potential could be observed. Retrograde conduction of ventricular escape beats and ventricular paced beats was blocked if the H-V interval and the interval between the His bundle and the ventricular paced beat (H-V interval) were long (more than 600 msec and 550 msec, respectively). The existence of an intermittent anterograde and retrograde bradycardiac infrahisian block was inferred from the previously mentioned data; a fixed retrograde atrial nodal block was also present.", "contents": "Anterograde and retrograde bradycardiac block in the His-Purkinje system. Finding in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. A patient with an acute inferior myocardial infarction developed a complete atrioventricular block and intermitent periods of atrioventricular conduction with QRS complexes showing right bundle branch block associated with left anterior hemiblock. Recordings of the His bundle electrogram showed that the atrioventricular block was infrahisian and that in periods of resumed atrioventricular conduction, the His-ventricle (H-V) interval was long. Ventricular escape beats showed concealed conduction to the atrioventricular node. Anterograde atrioventricular conduction was always resumed through the left posterior division when the preceding division when the preceding intervals between ventricular escape beats and the atrium (V-A intervals) were shorter than 580 msec. The same phenomenon occurred with right ventricular pacing. A retrograde His potential could be observed. Retrograde conduction of ventricular escape beats and ventricular paced beats was blocked if the H-V interval and the interval between the His bundle and the ventricular paced beat (H-V interval) were long (more than 600 msec and 550 msec, respectively). The existence of an intermittent anterograde and retrograde bradycardiac infrahisian block was inferred from the previously mentioned data; a fixed retrograde atrial nodal block was also present.", "PMID": 620543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3617", "title": "Idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus. Postmortem incidental finding in six cases and review of the literature.", "content": "Six cases of idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus were found at autopsy in a relatively short period of time. As has been the experience in previously reported cases, our finding was incidental at the autopsy in all of the cases. In only one of our patients were there relevant symptoms and radiographic changes that could be attributed to the disease. How often patients with muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus have the clinical syndrome of diffuse esophageal spasm remains unclear. It is therefore evident that only by awareness of this entity can studies of esophageal funtion, x-ray films, and appropriate treatment prevent serious morbidity and occasional mortality from the disease.", "contents": "Idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus. Postmortem incidental finding in six cases and review of the literature. Six cases of idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus were found at autopsy in a relatively short period of time. As has been the experience in previously reported cases, our finding was incidental at the autopsy in all of the cases. In only one of our patients were there relevant symptoms and radiographic changes that could be attributed to the disease. How often patients with muscular hypertrophy of the esophagus have the clinical syndrome of diffuse esophageal spasm remains unclear. It is therefore evident that only by awareness of this entity can studies of esophageal funtion, x-ray films, and appropriate treatment prevent serious morbidity and occasional mortality from the disease.", "PMID": 620554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3618", "title": "The adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with miliary tuberculosis.", "content": "Miliary tuberculosis is an unusual cause of acute, catastrophic pulmonary failure. In this report, we describe three patients with miliary tuberculosis who developed the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was suspected early, appropriate therapy was initiated, and two patients survived. The experience with these cases serves to reemphasize the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for treatable precipitating disorders in patients with acute respiratory failure.", "contents": "The adult respiratory distress syndrome associated with miliary tuberculosis. Miliary tuberculosis is an unusual cause of acute, catastrophic pulmonary failure. In this report, we describe three patients with miliary tuberculosis who developed the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was suspected early, appropriate therapy was initiated, and two patients survived. The experience with these cases serves to reemphasize the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for treatable precipitating disorders in patients with acute respiratory failure.", "PMID": 620556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3619", "title": "The Philadelphia Pulmonary Neoplasm Research Project. Symptoms in occult lung cancer.", "content": "In a prospective study of 6,027 older men screened every six months for ten years by means of chest photofluorograms and questionnaires regarding symptoms, 121 developed lung cancer after the first examination. Eighty-five men with lung cancer had the opportunity to be screened eight times before the tumor was detected by chest x-ray film, but only 33 actually reported that often. These 33 men were compared with matched controls for symptoms before the neoplasm was detected radiologically. The common symptoms of expectoration and chronic cough showed a significant increase in frequency over time in the cases of cancer, while only expectoration showed a slight increase in the controls. Uncommon symptoms more suggestive of lung cancer (hemoptysis and worsening cough) occurred in only four men prior to detection of cancer. Symptoms are seldom useful in the detection of occult lung cancer, but the appearance of expectoration and chronic cough in older male smokers should raise a suspicion of this disease.", "contents": "The Philadelphia Pulmonary Neoplasm Research Project. Symptoms in occult lung cancer. In a prospective study of 6,027 older men screened every six months for ten years by means of chest photofluorograms and questionnaires regarding symptoms, 121 developed lung cancer after the first examination. Eighty-five men with lung cancer had the opportunity to be screened eight times before the tumor was detected by chest x-ray film, but only 33 actually reported that often. These 33 men were compared with matched controls for symptoms before the neoplasm was detected radiologically. The common symptoms of expectoration and chronic cough showed a significant increase in frequency over time in the cases of cancer, while only expectoration showed a slight increase in the controls. Uncommon symptoms more suggestive of lung cancer (hemoptysis and worsening cough) occurred in only four men prior to detection of cancer. Symptoms are seldom useful in the detection of occult lung cancer, but the appearance of expectoration and chronic cough in older male smokers should raise a suspicion of this disease.", "PMID": 620558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3620", "title": "Electrocardiographic manifestations and clinical significance of atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckbach periods.", "content": "Atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckebach periods were defined as episodes of 2:1 atrioventricular block in which there was a gradual increase in transmission intervals of conducted beats ending in two or three consecutively blocked atrial impulses. This is one of the mechanisms whereby 2:1 atrioventricular block progresses into 3:1 or 4:1 atrioventricular block. Alternating Wenckebach periods appear during rapid atrial pac,ng (even in the absence of depressed atrioventricular nodal function), provided that the atria can be captured at a rate fast enough to allow for the occurrence of this phenomenon. Treatment of atrial flutter with digoxin and quinidine produces alternating Wenckebach's periods, with associated electrocardiographic changes specific for the type of drug given. In patients with \"atrial tachycardia with atrioventricular block\" due to digitalis intoxication or with primary disease of the conducting system or with acute myocardial infarction, there are coexisting severe arrhythmias and clinical symptoms requiring almost immediate pharmacologic or electrical therapy. We conclude that atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckebach's periods are common and frequentyly transient and that they occur in a variety of clinical conditions, most of which are benign; however, contrary to what is commonly accepted, some episodes appear in clinical settings requiring prompt pharmacologic or electrical treatment.", "contents": "Electrocardiographic manifestations and clinical significance of atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckbach periods. Atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckebach periods were defined as episodes of 2:1 atrioventricular block in which there was a gradual increase in transmission intervals of conducted beats ending in two or three consecutively blocked atrial impulses. This is one of the mechanisms whereby 2:1 atrioventricular block progresses into 3:1 or 4:1 atrioventricular block. Alternating Wenckebach periods appear during rapid atrial pac,ng (even in the absence of depressed atrioventricular nodal function), provided that the atria can be captured at a rate fast enough to allow for the occurrence of this phenomenon. Treatment of atrial flutter with digoxin and quinidine produces alternating Wenckebach's periods, with associated electrocardiographic changes specific for the type of drug given. In patients with \"atrial tachycardia with atrioventricular block\" due to digitalis intoxication or with primary disease of the conducting system or with acute myocardial infarction, there are coexisting severe arrhythmias and clinical symptoms requiring almost immediate pharmacologic or electrical therapy. We conclude that atrioventricular nodal alternating Wenckebach's periods are common and frequentyly transient and that they occur in a variety of clinical conditions, most of which are benign; however, contrary to what is commonly accepted, some episodes appear in clinical settings requiring prompt pharmacologic or electrical treatment.", "PMID": 620560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3621", "title": "The role of leukocytes in ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema.", "content": "Intravenous administration of ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) is known to produce noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in animals and humans. Since intrapulmonary sequestration of leukocytes has been observed to occur following injection of ethchlorvynol, we evaluated the role of these elements of the blood in producing pulmonary edema. In vivo studies in dogs showed intrapulmonary trapping of leukocytes, as evidenced by increasing leukocyte differences between blood from the pulmonary artery and arterial blood. In both animals with normal leukocyte counts and those depleted of leukocytes (less than 500 cells per millimeter), pulmonary edema occurred, as evidenced by increased pulmonary water after injection of ethchlorvynol. Preparations of isolated lung perfused with either whole blood or leukocyte-poor plasma had similar gains in weight following injection of ethchlorvynol, in spite of marked differences in leukocyte counts. We conclude that intrapulmonary sequestered leukocytes do not play a role in ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema.", "contents": "The role of leukocytes in ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema. Intravenous administration of ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) is known to produce noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in animals and humans. Since intrapulmonary sequestration of leukocytes has been observed to occur following injection of ethchlorvynol, we evaluated the role of these elements of the blood in producing pulmonary edema. In vivo studies in dogs showed intrapulmonary trapping of leukocytes, as evidenced by increasing leukocyte differences between blood from the pulmonary artery and arterial blood. In both animals with normal leukocyte counts and those depleted of leukocytes (less than 500 cells per millimeter), pulmonary edema occurred, as evidenced by increased pulmonary water after injection of ethchlorvynol. Preparations of isolated lung perfused with either whole blood or leukocyte-poor plasma had similar gains in weight following injection of ethchlorvynol, in spite of marked differences in leukocyte counts. We conclude that intrapulmonary sequestered leukocytes do not play a role in ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema.", "PMID": 620561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3622", "title": "Intrathoracic manifestations of Degos' disease (malignant atrophic papulosis).", "content": "Degos' disease (malignant atrophic papulosis) is a rare multisystemic disease with characteristic cutaneous lesions, abdominal symptoms and often rapidly fatal course. Our review of the reported intrathoracic involvement in the more than 60 reported cases of Degos' disease suggests that pleuritis and pericarditis are manifestations of the underlying pathophysiologic process. Seventeen of these reported cases were said to have intrathoracic lesions, which were, in most cases, incidental findings at autopsy. We present an illustrative report of a case in which chronic pleuritis and pericarditis were the major causes of morbidity in a 32-year-old woman with Degos' disease.", "contents": "Intrathoracic manifestations of Degos' disease (malignant atrophic papulosis). Degos' disease (malignant atrophic papulosis) is a rare multisystemic disease with characteristic cutaneous lesions, abdominal symptoms and often rapidly fatal course. Our review of the reported intrathoracic involvement in the more than 60 reported cases of Degos' disease suggests that pleuritis and pericarditis are manifestations of the underlying pathophysiologic process. Seventeen of these reported cases were said to have intrathoracic lesions, which were, in most cases, incidental findings at autopsy. We present an illustrative report of a case in which chronic pleuritis and pericarditis were the major causes of morbidity in a 32-year-old woman with Degos' disease.", "PMID": 620562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3623", "title": "Echocardiographic features of flail aortic valve.", "content": "This patient had an attack of subacute bacterial endocarditis involving the aortic valve. He developed fulminating congestive heart failure secondary to acute aortic regurgitation, terminating in the prosthetic replacement of his aortic valve. The echo from the aortic valve demonstrated marked coarse fluttering of the cusps, both in systole and in diastole. The two cusps did not coapt in diastole. The echo from the mitral valve showed features of acute regurgitation. The carotid pulse tracing showed marked slurring in its descending limb. The postoperative echocardiogram showed absence of these findings. We suggest that a diagnosis of flail aortic valve be considered in patients suffering from significant isolated aortic regurgitation in the absence of calcification of the aortic valve and with a negative VDRL test for syphilis.", "contents": "Echocardiographic features of flail aortic valve. This patient had an attack of subacute bacterial endocarditis involving the aortic valve. He developed fulminating congestive heart failure secondary to acute aortic regurgitation, terminating in the prosthetic replacement of his aortic valve. The echo from the aortic valve demonstrated marked coarse fluttering of the cusps, both in systole and in diastole. The two cusps did not coapt in diastole. The echo from the mitral valve showed features of acute regurgitation. The carotid pulse tracing showed marked slurring in its descending limb. The postoperative echocardiogram showed absence of these findings. We suggest that a diagnosis of flail aortic valve be considered in patients suffering from significant isolated aortic regurgitation in the absence of calcification of the aortic valve and with a negative VDRL test for syphilis.", "PMID": 620566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3624", "title": "Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Preoperative evaluation with a Swan-Ganz catheter.", "content": "A balloon-tipped catheter was used in the preoperative assessment of a patient with a solitary pulmonary arteriovenous fistula and coexistent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischemic heart disease. Studies before and two months following surgical excision of the fistula showed that the increase in arterial oxygenation (49 mm Hg vs 77 mm Hg) and the reduction in the fraction of the shunted cardiac output (37% vs 6%) closely approximated the predicted preoperative estimates.", "contents": "Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Preoperative evaluation with a Swan-Ganz catheter. A balloon-tipped catheter was used in the preoperative assessment of a patient with a solitary pulmonary arteriovenous fistula and coexistent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ischemic heart disease. Studies before and two months following surgical excision of the fistula showed that the increase in arterial oxygenation (49 mm Hg vs 77 mm Hg) and the reduction in the fraction of the shunted cardiac output (37% vs 6%) closely approximated the predicted preoperative estimates.", "PMID": 620567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3625", "title": "Endobronchial metastasis from cancer of the breast.", "content": "Endobronchial metastasis is reported to occur in less than 5% of the autopsies of patients dying with extrathoracic malignant neoplasms. Frequently associated primary tumors include those of the kidney, pancreas, colon, ovary, and thyroid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of cancer of the breast which metastasized to the mucosa of a major bronchus. The possible factors involved in the widespread, early unusual spread in this 25-year-old woman are discussed.", "contents": "Endobronchial metastasis from cancer of the breast. Endobronchial metastasis is reported to occur in less than 5% of the autopsies of patients dying with extrathoracic malignant neoplasms. Frequently associated primary tumors include those of the kidney, pancreas, colon, ovary, and thyroid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of cancer of the breast which metastasized to the mucosa of a major bronchus. The possible factors involved in the widespread, early unusual spread in this 25-year-old woman are discussed.", "PMID": 620568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3626", "title": "Right ventricular infarction.", "content": "Serial hemodynamic measurements were made in a patient with a massive infarction of the right ventricle complicated by cardiogenic shock, right ventricular failure, and tricuspid insufficiency. A favorable hemodynamic response was obtained by reducing afterload with administration of sodium nitroferricyanide (nitroprusside) while maintaining preload with infusion of fluids.", "contents": "Right ventricular infarction. Serial hemodynamic measurements were made in a patient with a massive infarction of the right ventricle complicated by cardiogenic shock, right ventricular failure, and tricuspid insufficiency. A favorable hemodynamic response was obtained by reducing afterload with administration of sodium nitroferricyanide (nitroprusside) while maintaining preload with infusion of fluids.", "PMID": 620569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3627", "title": "Intermediate coronary care. Observations on the validity of the concept.", "content": "Recognition of significant mortality among hospitalized patients with myocardial infarction after dismissal from the coronary care unit (CCU) has led to the introduction of the intermediate coronary care unit (ICCU). It had been hoped that protracted monitoring during the convalescent phase of acute myocardial infarction might prevent sudden death, as in the CCU. Study of patterns of survival among 1,361 patients with acute myocardial infarction included 814 patients treated prior to the establishment of an ICCU and 557 managed in such a unit. Analysis of the two groups (including such high-risk factors as congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, previous infarction, cardiac enlargement, and other unfavorable manifestations) failed to reveal a reduction in mortality after introduction of the ICCU. Thus, the value of the ICCU cannot be demonstrated in terms of mortality. Other benefits of the ICCU are projected, which include more sophisticated evaluation of the patient prior to discharge from the hospital and expanded opportunities for education of patients. A definite role of the ICCU in the total management of the patient with coronary arterial disease is postulated.", "contents": "Intermediate coronary care. Observations on the validity of the concept. Recognition of significant mortality among hospitalized patients with myocardial infarction after dismissal from the coronary care unit (CCU) has led to the introduction of the intermediate coronary care unit (ICCU). It had been hoped that protracted monitoring during the convalescent phase of acute myocardial infarction might prevent sudden death, as in the CCU. Study of patterns of survival among 1,361 patients with acute myocardial infarction included 814 patients treated prior to the establishment of an ICCU and 557 managed in such a unit. Analysis of the two groups (including such high-risk factors as congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmias, previous infarction, cardiac enlargement, and other unfavorable manifestations) failed to reveal a reduction in mortality after introduction of the ICCU. Thus, the value of the ICCU cannot be demonstrated in terms of mortality. Other benefits of the ICCU are projected, which include more sophisticated evaluation of the patient prior to discharge from the hospital and expanded opportunities for education of patients. A definite role of the ICCU in the total management of the patient with coronary arterial disease is postulated.", "PMID": 620575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3628", "title": "Pulmonary resection in metastatic carcinoma.", "content": "Resection of pulmonary metastases in osteogenic sarcoma has been reported by us to result in a five-year survival rate of 27 percent. A later report of surgical management of pulmonary metastases from all types of sarcomas showed a five-year survival rate of 26%. This report reviews the experience with 188 patients treated surgically for pulmonary metastasis from a variety of carcinomas, demonstrating that a similar rate of survival is obtainable by surgical excision of these metastases. A total of 188 patients underwent 242 thoractomies for metastatic pulmonary carcinomas. The most frequent sites of origin were the colon, melanoma, breast, and testicular carcinoma. Surgical treatment of these metastases is justified when the following criteria are adhered to: (1) primary site controlled or controllable; (2) no extrapulmonary metastatic sites demonstrable; (3) good surgical risk; and (4) no effective treatment available by nonsurgical means.", "contents": "Pulmonary resection in metastatic carcinoma. Resection of pulmonary metastases in osteogenic sarcoma has been reported by us to result in a five-year survival rate of 27 percent. A later report of surgical management of pulmonary metastases from all types of sarcomas showed a five-year survival rate of 26%. This report reviews the experience with 188 patients treated surgically for pulmonary metastasis from a variety of carcinomas, demonstrating that a similar rate of survival is obtainable by surgical excision of these metastases. A total of 188 patients underwent 242 thoractomies for metastatic pulmonary carcinomas. The most frequent sites of origin were the colon, melanoma, breast, and testicular carcinoma. Surgical treatment of these metastases is justified when the following criteria are adhered to: (1) primary site controlled or controllable; (2) no extrapulmonary metastatic sites demonstrable; (3) good surgical risk; and (4) no effective treatment available by nonsurgical means.", "PMID": 620576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3629", "title": "Pulmonary consolidation associated with infusion of a glucose-insulin-potassium solution in acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "From 1972 to 1975, we have observed seven patients with localized pulmonary consolidation distal to the tip of a Swan-Ganz catheter. These seven instances occurred in a population of over 300 patients receiving a hypertonic solution of glucose, insulin, and potassium for acute myocardial infarction. In four patients the glucose-insulin-potassium solution was instilled directly into the right pulmonary artery from the tip of the Swan-Ganz catheter. In the subsequent three patients the solution was administered via the right atrial port and thus perfused the entire pulmonary vascular bed. The roentgenographic appearance of this localized pulmonary consolidation is indistinguishable from infarction caused by pulmonary thromboembolus or wedging of the catheter.", "contents": "Pulmonary consolidation associated with infusion of a glucose-insulin-potassium solution in acute myocardial infarction. From 1972 to 1975, we have observed seven patients with localized pulmonary consolidation distal to the tip of a Swan-Ganz catheter. These seven instances occurred in a population of over 300 patients receiving a hypertonic solution of glucose, insulin, and potassium for acute myocardial infarction. In four patients the glucose-insulin-potassium solution was instilled directly into the right pulmonary artery from the tip of the Swan-Ganz catheter. In the subsequent three patients the solution was administered via the right atrial port and thus perfused the entire pulmonary vascular bed. The roentgenographic appearance of this localized pulmonary consolidation is indistinguishable from infarction caused by pulmonary thromboembolus or wedging of the catheter.", "PMID": 620577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3630", "title": "Tuberculosis and alcoholism. A partial solution through detection.", "content": "Alcoholism and tuberculosis often coexist, and patients with this combination have the most frequent failures of therapy. Several intriguing alternatives to standard outpatient chemotherapy are now available. The brief MAST interview (a shortened version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test) has been demonstrated to be effective in identifying alcoholism in public health clinics for tuberculosis in New Orleans and Birmingham, Ala., with scores indicating populations of alcoholic patients of 25% and 28%, respectively. The test could be administered without interrupting the routine of the clinic. We believe that the problem of inadequate therapy in the alcoholic patient with tuberculosis is significant and widespread and is not being handled well is most places. Identification of the potential problem patient at first contact will be most helpful in choosing candidates for specialized forms of therapy, including short-term and supervised treatment, begun before failure of therapy ensues.", "contents": "Tuberculosis and alcoholism. A partial solution through detection. Alcoholism and tuberculosis often coexist, and patients with this combination have the most frequent failures of therapy. Several intriguing alternatives to standard outpatient chemotherapy are now available. The brief MAST interview (a shortened version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test) has been demonstrated to be effective in identifying alcoholism in public health clinics for tuberculosis in New Orleans and Birmingham, Ala., with scores indicating populations of alcoholic patients of 25% and 28%, respectively. The test could be administered without interrupting the routine of the clinic. We believe that the problem of inadequate therapy in the alcoholic patient with tuberculosis is significant and widespread and is not being handled well is most places. Identification of the potential problem patient at first contact will be most helpful in choosing candidates for specialized forms of therapy, including short-term and supervised treatment, begun before failure of therapy ensues.", "PMID": 620578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3631", "title": "Clinicopathologic characteristics of pulmonary acinar sarcoidosis.", "content": "In 101 patients with histopathologic and clinical features compatible with sarcoidosis, a radiologic acinar pattern occurred in about 20% and was always accompanied by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. The radiologically acinar pattern histopathologically revealed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas and accumulations of macrophages in the alveolar spaces. Blood vessels were usually not affected by granulomas. On the other hand, a reticulonodular pattern histopathologically showed granulomas with centrally situated veins. The acinar form seems to represent the early stage of pulmonary sarcoldosis, producing primarily intra-alveolar lesions.", "contents": "Clinicopathologic characteristics of pulmonary acinar sarcoidosis. In 101 patients with histopathologic and clinical features compatible with sarcoidosis, a radiologic acinar pattern occurred in about 20% and was always accompanied by bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. The radiologically acinar pattern histopathologically revealed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas and accumulations of macrophages in the alveolar spaces. Blood vessels were usually not affected by granulomas. On the other hand, a reticulonodular pattern histopathologically showed granulomas with centrally situated veins. The acinar form seems to represent the early stage of pulmonary sarcoldosis, producing primarily intra-alveolar lesions.", "PMID": 620579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3632", "title": "Diastolic rumbles in normally functioning porcine mitral valves.", "content": "Fourteen of 22 patients (64%) with normally functioning porcine prosthetic valves in the mitral position had apical diastolic rumbles on phonocardiogram and by auscultation. Six (27%) had opening snaps. Factors necessary for the production of a diastolic rumble appear to include central flow, a flexible stent, and the presence of biologic material. Clinicians should be aware that diastolic murmurs and snaps occur in the normally functioning porcine valve.", "contents": "Diastolic rumbles in normally functioning porcine mitral valves. Fourteen of 22 patients (64%) with normally functioning porcine prosthetic valves in the mitral position had apical diastolic rumbles on phonocardiogram and by auscultation. Six (27%) had opening snaps. Factors necessary for the production of a diastolic rumble appear to include central flow, a flexible stent, and the presence of biologic material. Clinicians should be aware that diastolic murmurs and snaps occur in the normally functioning porcine valve.", "PMID": 620580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3633", "title": "Clinical experience with a new transvenous atrial lead.", "content": "Although systems using atrial pacemakers offer potential clinical advantages for many patients now receiving ventricular devices, atrial systems have been used in less than 1% of the implantations of permanent pacemakers. The unavailability of clinically successful, easily positioned atrial leads is regarded as the most significant factor in the underutilization of atrial pacing systems. A permanent transvenous atrial lead has been developed and has performed well in 16 months of evaluation in 28 patients. Acute thresholds for voltage at a pulse width of 1 msec ranged from 0.40 v to 2.0 v (average, 1.1 v). Acute peak-to-peak amplitudes of the atrial electrogram were notably high, ranging from 2.5 mv to 7.5 mv (average, 5.1 mv) as measured oscilloscopically. Intermittent failure of sensing occurred in three patients during the period immediately after implantations. Spontaneous dislodgment of the lead from the right atrial appendage occurred in two patients. Atrial sensing and pacing functions remained intact in the first case, and no revision was performed. The lead was repositioned in the second patient and has remained in good position. No complications relating to the lead have been noted in the remaining patients.", "contents": "Clinical experience with a new transvenous atrial lead. Although systems using atrial pacemakers offer potential clinical advantages for many patients now receiving ventricular devices, atrial systems have been used in less than 1% of the implantations of permanent pacemakers. The unavailability of clinically successful, easily positioned atrial leads is regarded as the most significant factor in the underutilization of atrial pacing systems. A permanent transvenous atrial lead has been developed and has performed well in 16 months of evaluation in 28 patients. Acute thresholds for voltage at a pulse width of 1 msec ranged from 0.40 v to 2.0 v (average, 1.1 v). Acute peak-to-peak amplitudes of the atrial electrogram were notably high, ranging from 2.5 mv to 7.5 mv (average, 5.1 mv) as measured oscilloscopically. Intermittent failure of sensing occurred in three patients during the period immediately after implantations. Spontaneous dislodgment of the lead from the right atrial appendage occurred in two patients. Atrial sensing and pacing functions remained intact in the first case, and no revision was performed. The lead was repositioned in the second patient and has remained in good position. No complications relating to the lead have been noted in the remaining patients.", "PMID": 620581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3634", "title": "Therapeutic properties of oral ambruticin (W7783) in experimental pulmonary coccidioidomycosis of mice.", "content": "Oral administration of ambruticin (W7783) (by gavage) was lifesaving in mice infected intranasally with arthrospores of Coccidioides immitis. Doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg of body weight, given twice daily by different schedules for from 17 to 60 days, eradicated the fungus from 71 to 100% of the infected mice. Lower doses (5 or 10 mg/kg once or twice daily by an intermittent 50-day regimen) prevented death in all instances but produced many fewer biologic cures. The animals tolerated all these doses well but were adversely affected by doses of 200 mg/kg given daily. Resistance to the drug was not induced by prolonged treatment. Dose-related fungicidal and fungistatic properties in vitro correlated with doses that were life-sustaining or curative (or both) in vivo.", "contents": "Therapeutic properties of oral ambruticin (W7783) in experimental pulmonary coccidioidomycosis of mice. Oral administration of ambruticin (W7783) (by gavage) was lifesaving in mice infected intranasally with arthrospores of Coccidioides immitis. Doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg of body weight, given twice daily by different schedules for from 17 to 60 days, eradicated the fungus from 71 to 100% of the infected mice. Lower doses (5 or 10 mg/kg once or twice daily by an intermittent 50-day regimen) prevented death in all instances but produced many fewer biologic cures. The animals tolerated all these doses well but were adversely affected by doses of 200 mg/kg given daily. Resistance to the drug was not induced by prolonged treatment. Dose-related fungicidal and fungistatic properties in vitro correlated with doses that were life-sustaining or curative (or both) in vivo.", "PMID": 620582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3635", "title": "Elimination of the delta wave in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. A misleading indicator of therapeutic effectiveness.", "content": "A 66-year-old white woman with a greater than 20-year history of electrocardiographic evidence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, including documented recurrent supraventricular tachycardias, was studied. Despite the disappearance of the delta wave after initiation of therapy with digoxin and quinidine sulfate, the patient continued to have frequent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. At a time when the serum levels of digoxin and quinidine were in the therapeutic range, extensive electrophysiologic studies were performed. Supraventricular tachycardia at a rate of 160 beats per minute was initiated by induced atrial premature depolarizations. The circuit of tachycardia involved anterograde conduction through the pathway of the atrioventricular node and His bundle and retrograde conduction through the bypass tract. We concluded that elimination of the delta wave and other electrocardiographic characteristics of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome cannot be relied upon to indicate successful pharmacologic prophylaxis for induction of tachyarrhythmia associated with this syndrome.", "contents": "Elimination of the delta wave in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. A misleading indicator of therapeutic effectiveness. A 66-year-old white woman with a greater than 20-year history of electrocardiographic evidence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, including documented recurrent supraventricular tachycardias, was studied. Despite the disappearance of the delta wave after initiation of therapy with digoxin and quinidine sulfate, the patient continued to have frequent episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. At a time when the serum levels of digoxin and quinidine were in the therapeutic range, extensive electrophysiologic studies were performed. Supraventricular tachycardia at a rate of 160 beats per minute was initiated by induced atrial premature depolarizations. The circuit of tachycardia involved anterograde conduction through the pathway of the atrioventricular node and His bundle and retrograde conduction through the bypass tract. We concluded that elimination of the delta wave and other electrocardiographic characteristics of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome cannot be relied upon to indicate successful pharmacologic prophylaxis for induction of tachyarrhythmia associated with this syndrome.", "PMID": 620586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3636", "title": "Body surface and intracardiac recordings in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (type A) with complete infra-His bundle block.", "content": "Electrocardiograms, vectorcardiograms and His bundle electrograms were recorded in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (type A) who developed complete infra-Hisian block and advanced A-V block in the Kent bundle. The atrial impulses reaching the ventricles exclusively through the Kent bundle produced QRS complexes and vector loops showing diffuse (leftward initial and rightward pre-terminal) delays and slurrings. These abnormalities were not due to Wolff-Parkinson-White type A coexisting with right bundle branch block, but reflected the activation sequence characteristic of arrival of excitation; spontaneous impulse formation; or electrical stimulation, at the postero-superior wall of the left ventricle. Intracardiac recordings were a complement to body surface recordings in the study of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome complicated by A-V conduction disturbances.", "contents": "Body surface and intracardiac recordings in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (type A) with complete infra-His bundle block. Electrocardiograms, vectorcardiograms and His bundle electrograms were recorded in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (type A) who developed complete infra-Hisian block and advanced A-V block in the Kent bundle. The atrial impulses reaching the ventricles exclusively through the Kent bundle produced QRS complexes and vector loops showing diffuse (leftward initial and rightward pre-terminal) delays and slurrings. These abnormalities were not due to Wolff-Parkinson-White type A coexisting with right bundle branch block, but reflected the activation sequence characteristic of arrival of excitation; spontaneous impulse formation; or electrical stimulation, at the postero-superior wall of the left ventricle. Intracardiac recordings were a complement to body surface recordings in the study of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome complicated by A-V conduction disturbances.", "PMID": 620587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3637", "title": "Transient unilateral hypoperfusion of the lung following mediastinoscopy.", "content": "Two cases of pulmonary hypoperfusion occurring after mediastinoscopic examination were demonstrated on lung scans. In one case, this finding on the ninth day required a pulmonary angiographic study that yielded normal findings. Repeat lung scans were normal. We propose that localized mediastinal edema or bleeding after mediastinoscopic examination can produce defects of hypoperfusion, and we urge caution in the interpretation of lung scans up to nine days after mediastinoscopic examination.", "contents": "Transient unilateral hypoperfusion of the lung following mediastinoscopy. Two cases of pulmonary hypoperfusion occurring after mediastinoscopic examination were demonstrated on lung scans. In one case, this finding on the ninth day required a pulmonary angiographic study that yielded normal findings. Repeat lung scans were normal. We propose that localized mediastinal edema or bleeding after mediastinoscopic examination can produce defects of hypoperfusion, and we urge caution in the interpretation of lung scans up to nine days after mediastinoscopic examination.", "PMID": 620588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3638", "title": "Echocardiographic diagnosis of atrial septal aneurysm in an infant with hypoplastic right heart syndrome.", "content": "Echocardiographic findings are described in a patient with hypoplastic right heart syndrome (pulmonary atresia type with intact ventricular septum and small right ventricular cavity) who had an associated atrial septal aneurysm. An unusual appearance of echoes behind the aorta bulging into the left atrium in diastole on both the M-mode and cross-sectional echo suggested this diagnosis prior to cardiac catheterization. The angiographic findings confirmed the diagnosis of right ventricular hypoplasia, pulmonary atresia and the large atrial septal aneurysm. The infant died after surgery and the atrial septal aneurysm was observed at autopsy. The importance of the diagnosis of the atrial septal aneurysm and its association with restriction of right-to-left atrial shunting prompts this report.", "contents": "Echocardiographic diagnosis of atrial septal aneurysm in an infant with hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Echocardiographic findings are described in a patient with hypoplastic right heart syndrome (pulmonary atresia type with intact ventricular septum and small right ventricular cavity) who had an associated atrial septal aneurysm. An unusual appearance of echoes behind the aorta bulging into the left atrium in diastole on both the M-mode and cross-sectional echo suggested this diagnosis prior to cardiac catheterization. The angiographic findings confirmed the diagnosis of right ventricular hypoplasia, pulmonary atresia and the large atrial septal aneurysm. The infant died after surgery and the atrial septal aneurysm was observed at autopsy. The importance of the diagnosis of the atrial septal aneurysm and its association with restriction of right-to-left atrial shunting prompts this report.", "PMID": 620589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3639", "title": "The echocardiographic diagnosis of rupture of a papillary muscle.", "content": "The echocardiographic diagnosis of acute rupture of a papillary muscle is described. The pertinent findings included (1) decreased systolic motion of the posterior wall, (2) exaggerated septal motion, (3) left ventricular enlargement and pattern suggesting left ventricular diastolic overload, and (4) bizarre fluttering of posterior leaflet of the mitral valve in diastole, suggesting an unhinging of the mitral valvular apparatus. The echocardiogram is a useful noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of this often fatal complication of myocardial infarction.", "contents": "The echocardiographic diagnosis of rupture of a papillary muscle. The echocardiographic diagnosis of acute rupture of a papillary muscle is described. The pertinent findings included (1) decreased systolic motion of the posterior wall, (2) exaggerated septal motion, (3) left ventricular enlargement and pattern suggesting left ventricular diastolic overload, and (4) bizarre fluttering of posterior leaflet of the mitral valve in diastole, suggesting an unhinging of the mitral valvular apparatus. The echocardiogram is a useful noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of this often fatal complication of myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 620590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3640", "title": "Intravenous self-administration of metallic mercury in attempted suicide. Report of a case with serial roentgenographic and physiologic studies over an 18-month period.", "content": "This report describes a 23-year-old white man who injected metallic mercury from a thermometer into his antecubital vein in an attempt at suicide. Despite the persistence of mercury throughout both pulmonary fields on chest x-ray films over an 18-month period of observation, no clinical or physiologic derangement of pulmonary function has developed. In addition, no clinical or biochemical evidence of acute or chronic mercury poisoning in any other organ has appeared during these 18 months, even though metallic mercury is seen in the abdominal viscera on roentgenographic examination. The literature on suicidal and accidental poisoning with metallic mercury is reviewed.", "contents": "Intravenous self-administration of metallic mercury in attempted suicide. Report of a case with serial roentgenographic and physiologic studies over an 18-month period. This report describes a 23-year-old white man who injected metallic mercury from a thermometer into his antecubital vein in an attempt at suicide. Despite the persistence of mercury throughout both pulmonary fields on chest x-ray films over an 18-month period of observation, no clinical or physiologic derangement of pulmonary function has developed. In addition, no clinical or biochemical evidence of acute or chronic mercury poisoning in any other organ has appeared during these 18 months, even though metallic mercury is seen in the abdominal viscera on roentgenographic examination. The literature on suicidal and accidental poisoning with metallic mercury is reviewed.", "PMID": 620591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3641", "title": "Successful management of massive pulmonary embolism occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass for mitral valve replacement.", "content": "Massive pulmonary embolism occurred during cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient requiring mitral valve replacement. Successful management of this unusual problem is described.", "contents": "Successful management of massive pulmonary embolism occurring during cardiopulmonary bypass for mitral valve replacement. Massive pulmonary embolism occurred during cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient requiring mitral valve replacement. Successful management of this unusual problem is described.", "PMID": 620592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3642", "title": "Idiopathic dilatation of peripheral pulmonary arteries.", "content": "We describe a patient with idiopathic dilatation of the peripheral pulmonary arteries radiologicaly mimicking pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae. Isolate involvement of the peripheral arteries in this patient supports a developmental defect in the arterial walls as the etiology.", "contents": "Idiopathic dilatation of peripheral pulmonary arteries. We describe a patient with idiopathic dilatation of the peripheral pulmonary arteries radiologicaly mimicking pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae. Isolate involvement of the peripheral arteries in this patient supports a developmental defect in the arterial walls as the etiology.", "PMID": 620593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3643", "title": "Tri-monocycline: a minocycline complex for parenteral use. II. Blood levels, tissue contents and excretion of the antibiotic in animal experiments and after intravenous administration to humans.", "content": "Tri-minocycline prepared by mere dissolution of minocycline in an aqueous solution of a recommended complexing agent or using a preconstituted ready-for-use injection of the complex was administered intravenously to rabbits. Serum values were lower, tissue values higher than after injection of other tri-tetracyclines. Basing on these experimental quantitative data, single doses of tri-minocycline equivalent to 50-150 mg minocycline hydrochloride were administered once or twice daily to 13 adult patients during 1-6 days intravenously, without any serious or unusual side-effects. On average, 12% of the injected antibiotic was excreted in the urine, not later than 96 h after the last dose.", "contents": "Tri-monocycline: a minocycline complex for parenteral use. II. Blood levels, tissue contents and excretion of the antibiotic in animal experiments and after intravenous administration to humans. Tri-minocycline prepared by mere dissolution of minocycline in an aqueous solution of a recommended complexing agent or using a preconstituted ready-for-use injection of the complex was administered intravenously to rabbits. Serum values were lower, tissue values higher than after injection of other tri-tetracyclines. Basing on these experimental quantitative data, single doses of tri-minocycline equivalent to 50-150 mg minocycline hydrochloride were administered once or twice daily to 13 adult patients during 1-6 days intravenously, without any serious or unusual side-effects. On average, 12% of the injected antibiotic was excreted in the urine, not later than 96 h after the last dose.", "PMID": 620611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3644", "title": "Pharmacodynamic interference between rifampicin and isoniazid.", "content": "This study includes 30 children below the age of 3 years, distributed in three groups of 10 children each. One group received 15 mg/kg/day of rifampicin (RAMP), the other received 15 mg/kg/day of isoniazid (INH) and the third received both drugs (RAMP + INH) at the same doses. Plasma levels of RAMP and INH were determined. At the same time, some hepatic function parameters were analyzed: bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatases and prothrombin. Plasma levels of INH administered alone show significantly higher levels on the 7th day with respect to the 1st day, thus demonstrating a marked tendency towards the accumulation of successive doses. Very significant differences exist between initial and final values of transaminases in the RAMP + INH group. There are no significant differences in the other two groups. These data suggest a hepatic overload when both drugs are simultaneously administered.", "contents": "Pharmacodynamic interference between rifampicin and isoniazid. This study includes 30 children below the age of 3 years, distributed in three groups of 10 children each. One group received 15 mg/kg/day of rifampicin (RAMP), the other received 15 mg/kg/day of isoniazid (INH) and the third received both drugs (RAMP + INH) at the same doses. Plasma levels of RAMP and INH were determined. At the same time, some hepatic function parameters were analyzed: bilirubin, transaminases, alkaline phosphatases and prothrombin. Plasma levels of INH administered alone show significantly higher levels on the 7th day with respect to the 1st day, thus demonstrating a marked tendency towards the accumulation of successive doses. Very significant differences exist between initial and final values of transaminases in the RAMP + INH group. There are no significant differences in the other two groups. These data suggest a hepatic overload when both drugs are simultaneously administered.", "PMID": 620612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3645", "title": "Occlusive arterial disease of the child and young adult. Clinical electroencephalographical analysis of 26 cases.", "content": "26 patients suffering from acute arterial disease, predominant in childhood and young adults, have been studied. Convulsive symptom and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings are especially analyzed. The series are grouped following the Hilal classification, based on angiographical aspects. The incidence and etiological facts as well as the clinical and the angiographical findings, are summarized. The EEG analysis shows the high incidence of localized or lateralized abnormalities (23 out of 26), closely related with the clinical signs. However, there is no close relationship between these findings and the conscious state of the stage of the disease. An attempt is made to correlate the added diffuse and/or paroxysmal activities with the brain damage suspected by the angiographical signs. Seizures are present in 10 cases, 9 of them as initial symptoms predominantly of the focal type. There seems to be no relationship between the incidence and type of fits and the angiographical findings. Follow-up study shows that seizures do not modify the immediate course of the disease nor the persistence of this sequela in 9 of the controlled patients. The histopathological findings of cerebral vessel involvement are reported.", "contents": "Occlusive arterial disease of the child and young adult. Clinical electroencephalographical analysis of 26 cases. 26 patients suffering from acute arterial disease, predominant in childhood and young adults, have been studied. Convulsive symptom and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings are especially analyzed. The series are grouped following the Hilal classification, based on angiographical aspects. The incidence and etiological facts as well as the clinical and the angiographical findings, are summarized. The EEG analysis shows the high incidence of localized or lateralized abnormalities (23 out of 26), closely related with the clinical signs. However, there is no close relationship between these findings and the conscious state of the stage of the disease. An attempt is made to correlate the added diffuse and/or paroxysmal activities with the brain damage suspected by the angiographical signs. Seizures are present in 10 cases, 9 of them as initial symptoms predominantly of the focal type. There seems to be no relationship between the incidence and type of fits and the angiographical findings. Follow-up study shows that seizures do not modify the immediate course of the disease nor the persistence of this sequela in 9 of the controlled patients. The histopathological findings of cerebral vessel involvement are reported.", "PMID": 620616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3646", "title": "Intracranial supratentorial cysts in children excluding tumor and parasitic cysts.", "content": "The intracranial, liquid-containing cysts in children (excluding tumor and parasitic cysts) are relatively frequent in neurosurgical practice. They raise several problems about their nosology, etiology, clinical and radiological diagnosis, and treatment which are analyzed in a series of 36 cases of supratentorial cysts. The most frequent clinical feature is increased head circumference (22 cases) followed by epileptic fits (18 cases), as well as mental and motor retardation (19 cases). Fundi were found abnormal in only one case out of three. Electroencephalogram was abnormal in almost every case, showing either spikes, spikes and waves or localized slow waves, or an asymmetric depression of the electrical activity. Radiological investigation is essential for diagnosis. Plain radiographs of the skull may show an asymmetry (11 cases). Carotid angiogram and pneumoencephalography give the diagnosis of the lesion without accuracy as to the histology. Computerized axial tomography shows the position of the liquid cavity within the head. The surgical approach (simple shunting [6], direct approach [19], or both [7]) should be carefully considered according to anatomical variety and age of the child. An anatomical classification is proposed, based on the radiological, surgical and pathological findings. Three types of cysts are defined: external cysts (cortical or extracortical) which may or may not be communicating with the ventrioles or the subarachnoid space; internal cysts which again may or may not be communicating; and the corticoventricular cysts. The ultrastructural study represents further progress in the attempt to define the exact anatomical type.", "contents": "Intracranial supratentorial cysts in children excluding tumor and parasitic cysts. The intracranial, liquid-containing cysts in children (excluding tumor and parasitic cysts) are relatively frequent in neurosurgical practice. They raise several problems about their nosology, etiology, clinical and radiological diagnosis, and treatment which are analyzed in a series of 36 cases of supratentorial cysts. The most frequent clinical feature is increased head circumference (22 cases) followed by epileptic fits (18 cases), as well as mental and motor retardation (19 cases). Fundi were found abnormal in only one case out of three. Electroencephalogram was abnormal in almost every case, showing either spikes, spikes and waves or localized slow waves, or an asymmetric depression of the electrical activity. Radiological investigation is essential for diagnosis. Plain radiographs of the skull may show an asymmetry (11 cases). Carotid angiogram and pneumoencephalography give the diagnosis of the lesion without accuracy as to the histology. Computerized axial tomography shows the position of the liquid cavity within the head. The surgical approach (simple shunting [6], direct approach [19], or both [7]) should be carefully considered according to anatomical variety and age of the child. An anatomical classification is proposed, based on the radiological, surgical and pathological findings. Three types of cysts are defined: external cysts (cortical or extracortical) which may or may not be communicating with the ventrioles or the subarachnoid space; internal cysts which again may or may not be communicating; and the corticoventricular cysts. The ultrastructural study represents further progress in the attempt to define the exact anatomical type.", "PMID": 620617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3647", "title": "Miliary fungal granulomata confined to the brain: mechanism of meningitis.", "content": "An unusual case of multiple giant cell granulomata due to Candida albicans confined to the brain of a premature neonate is reported, with evidence to suggest that this fungal meningitis is preceded by a parenchymal focus.", "contents": "Miliary fungal granulomata confined to the brain: mechanism of meningitis. An unusual case of multiple giant cell granulomata due to Candida albicans confined to the brain of a premature neonate is reported, with evidence to suggest that this fungal meningitis is preceded by a parenchymal focus.", "PMID": 620618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3648", "title": "Subarachnoid hemorrhage in children.", "content": "45 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage in children were surveyed. 73 percent of the causes were arteriovenous malformations and spontaneous intracerebral hematomata. Arteriovenous malformations in children may grow in size which may be due to the fact that besides the nidus demonstrated by angiography there are surrounding abnormal vascular groups, the reserved nidus. If one fails to extirpate this reserve nidus at the time of surgical excision of the arteriovenous malformation, it may become nidus several years later and may bleed again. The follow-up results of surgery in subarachnoid hemorrhage cases were fairly good.", "contents": "Subarachnoid hemorrhage in children. 45 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage in children were surveyed. 73 percent of the causes were arteriovenous malformations and spontaneous intracerebral hematomata. Arteriovenous malformations in children may grow in size which may be due to the fact that besides the nidus demonstrated by angiography there are surrounding abnormal vascular groups, the reserved nidus. If one fails to extirpate this reserve nidus at the time of surgical excision of the arteriovenous malformation, it may become nidus several years later and may bleed again. The follow-up results of surgery in subarachnoid hemorrhage cases were fairly good.", "PMID": 620619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3649", "title": "Pre- and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid absorption studies in patients with myelomeningocele shunted for hydrocephalus.", "content": "Nine infants with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus had cerebrospinal fluid formation and absorption studies before insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Six were also tested postoperatively. The preshunt formation rate varied from 0.21-0.42 ml.min-1 and the cerebrospinal fluid absorption rate or CSF conductance (Ccsf) varied from 0.008 to 0.031 ml.min-1.mm Hg-1. The postoperative formation rate varied from 0.21 to 0.39 ml.min-1. The postoperative CSF conductance (Ct) was calculated as the sum of Ccsf and the shunt conductance (Cs). The relationship between the Ccsf and Cs curves was determined by matching the sum of these curves to the postoperative data points using the method of least-squares. The data suggests that the shunt may work directly or indirectly to establish a new resting pressure; the latter by stabilizing the sagittal sinus pressure which preoperatively increased concomitantly with the CSF pressure and thus enhanced an already-existing absorption deficit.", "contents": "Pre- and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid absorption studies in patients with myelomeningocele shunted for hydrocephalus. Nine infants with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus had cerebrospinal fluid formation and absorption studies before insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Six were also tested postoperatively. The preshunt formation rate varied from 0.21-0.42 ml.min-1 and the cerebrospinal fluid absorption rate or CSF conductance (Ccsf) varied from 0.008 to 0.031 ml.min-1.mm Hg-1. The postoperative formation rate varied from 0.21 to 0.39 ml.min-1. The postoperative CSF conductance (Ct) was calculated as the sum of Ccsf and the shunt conductance (Cs). The relationship between the Ccsf and Cs curves was determined by matching the sum of these curves to the postoperative data points using the method of least-squares. The data suggests that the shunt may work directly or indirectly to establish a new resting pressure; the latter by stabilizing the sagittal sinus pressure which preoperatively increased concomitantly with the CSF pressure and thus enhanced an already-existing absorption deficit.", "PMID": 620620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3650", "title": "[1st experiences with the alpha-receptor blockader phentolamine in achalasia].", "content": "Through direct research on isolated human esophagus muscle systems in achalasia patients we found a deviation in the distribution pattern of the contractory alpha-receptors and dilatory beta-receptors in the region of the lower esophagus sphincter in favour of the alpha-receptors. Consequently, the motility of the lower esophagus sphincter was extremely impaired. On the basis of these results, we treated achalasia patients with the alpha receptor blocking drug phentolamine. All patients were soon symptom-free subjectively and improved objectively. Surgical intervention was avoidable in all cases.", "contents": "[1st experiences with the alpha-receptor blockader phentolamine in achalasia]. Through direct research on isolated human esophagus muscle systems in achalasia patients we found a deviation in the distribution pattern of the contractory alpha-receptors and dilatory beta-receptors in the region of the lower esophagus sphincter in favour of the alpha-receptors. Consequently, the motility of the lower esophagus sphincter was extremely impaired. On the basis of these results, we treated achalasia patients with the alpha receptor blocking drug phentolamine. All patients were soon symptom-free subjectively and improved objectively. Surgical intervention was avoidable in all cases.", "PMID": 620623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3651", "title": "[Surgical management of achalasia].", "content": "As long as its etiology is uncertain, achalasia can only be treated symptomatically. Basically, conservative dilation treatment and operative cardiomyotomy can be performed. Although dilation treatment can save the patient the operative procedure, it has relative disadvantages. For this reason since 1973 we treat achalasia through cardiomyotomy with Nissen's fundoplication method. We have operated on 25 cases using this method. These are examined and the results reported.", "contents": "[Surgical management of achalasia]. As long as its etiology is uncertain, achalasia can only be treated symptomatically. Basically, conservative dilation treatment and operative cardiomyotomy can be performed. Although dilation treatment can save the patient the operative procedure, it has relative disadvantages. For this reason since 1973 we treat achalasia through cardiomyotomy with Nissen's fundoplication method. We have operated on 25 cases using this method. These are examined and the results reported.", "PMID": 620624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3652", "title": "[Early relaparatomy].", "content": "Of 3682 patients with abdominal surgery, 142 (3.86%) had emergency early reoperation. The average lethality was 43%. The highest lethality, 60%, was found in those with severe peritonitis; the lowest, 30%, in those with local infection. In comparison with the results of other authors and with previous evaluations, our results demonstrate that despite altered operative indications, increased age of patients, and high-risk operations, the lethality has not increased. The causes and reasons of this positive tendency are discussed.", "contents": "[Early relaparatomy]. Of 3682 patients with abdominal surgery, 142 (3.86%) had emergency early reoperation. The average lethality was 43%. The highest lethality, 60%, was found in those with severe peritonitis; the lowest, 30%, in those with local infection. In comparison with the results of other authors and with previous evaluations, our results demonstrate that despite altered operative indications, increased age of patients, and high-risk operations, the lethality has not increased. The causes and reasons of this positive tendency are discussed.", "PMID": 620625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3653", "title": "[Recurrent hyperparathyroidism following subtotal parathyroidectomy].", "content": "Recurrent hyperparathyreoidism occurred in 3 of 9 patients in terminal renal failure from 9 months to 2 years after an initially successful subtotal parathyroidectomy. In all cases we find temporary remission of clinical signs of hyperparathyreoidism after surgery. Our clinical experience provided by followup in these patients showed an insufficient biochemical and clinical control. We find recurrence in 3 cases and repeat neck exploration was indicated for 2 patients.", "contents": "[Recurrent hyperparathyroidism following subtotal parathyroidectomy]. Recurrent hyperparathyreoidism occurred in 3 of 9 patients in terminal renal failure from 9 months to 2 years after an initially successful subtotal parathyroidectomy. In all cases we find temporary remission of clinical signs of hyperparathyreoidism after surgery. Our clinical experience provided by followup in these patients showed an insufficient biochemical and clinical control. We find recurrence in 3 cases and repeat neck exploration was indicated for 2 patients.", "PMID": 620626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3654", "title": "[Embolization of a Mobin-Uddin filter].", "content": "A case of Mobin-Uddin-Filter embolisation (28 mm filter) into the right pulmonary artery is presented. Via a right thoracotomy filter and thrombi could easily be extracted. Indication, avoidance of malposition, and the question of whether the filter should be extracted after embolisation are discussed.", "contents": "[Embolization of a Mobin-Uddin filter]. A case of Mobin-Uddin-Filter embolisation (28 mm filter) into the right pulmonary artery is presented. Via a right thoracotomy filter and thrombi could easily be extracted. Indication, avoidance of malposition, and the question of whether the filter should be extracted after embolisation are discussed.", "PMID": 620627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3655", "title": "[Erroneous diagnosis in superficial course of the aorta. Demonstration using ultrasound].", "content": "In hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine, the abdominal aorta becomes well palpable and behaves like a pulsating tumor in the lower abdomen. This normal finding often cannot be differentiated from pathologic changes by clinical investigation alone. Sonography offers a simple method, without risk, for the definitive diagnosis of the abdominal aorta.", "contents": "[Erroneous diagnosis in superficial course of the aorta. Demonstration using ultrasound]. In hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine, the abdominal aorta becomes well palpable and behaves like a pulsating tumor in the lower abdomen. This normal finding often cannot be differentiated from pathologic changes by clinical investigation alone. Sonography offers a simple method, without risk, for the definitive diagnosis of the abdominal aorta.", "PMID": 620628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3656", "title": "[Cytological and histological methods for assessing lung tumours (author's transl)].", "content": "The accuracy of different histological and cytological methods were analysed in 240 patients with primary lung cancer. The diagnosis had been confirmed by either biopsy, surgery or autopsy. Using multiple diagnostic procedures a positive pre-operative diagnosis was obtained in 86.5%. Where the tumour was endoscopically visible and accessible to direct biopsy the correct diagnosis was made in 97.5%. In case of more peripheral tumour localisation positive results were obtained by cytological tests in 76.5%. The most accurate method of diagnosis was direct forceps biopsy of visible tumours (91% positive). Bronchial washing was positive in 64%, post-bronchoscopic sputum analysis in 60%, pre-bronchoscopic sputum in 55% and bronchial brushing in 30%.", "contents": "[Cytological and histological methods for assessing lung tumours (author's transl)]. The accuracy of different histological and cytological methods were analysed in 240 patients with primary lung cancer. The diagnosis had been confirmed by either biopsy, surgery or autopsy. Using multiple diagnostic procedures a positive pre-operative diagnosis was obtained in 86.5%. Where the tumour was endoscopically visible and accessible to direct biopsy the correct diagnosis was made in 97.5%. In case of more peripheral tumour localisation positive results were obtained by cytological tests in 76.5%. The most accurate method of diagnosis was direct forceps biopsy of visible tumours (91% positive). Bronchial washing was positive in 64%, post-bronchoscopic sputum analysis in 60%, pre-bronchoscopic sputum in 55% and bronchial brushing in 30%.", "PMID": 620647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3657", "title": "[Treatment of solitary pyogenic liver abscess (author's transl)].", "content": "A solitary pyogenic liver abscess usually requires open surgical drainage. Digital exploration of the cavity is important for eliminating any loculations and avoiding complications after the drainage procedure. Chronic liver abscesses which are enclosed by a fibrous capsule and thus may simulate a neoplastic tumor are best treated by atypical liver resection close to the abscess or by a procedure similar to pericystectomy. Early radical operation is indicated for a complicated liver abscess whenever two drainage procedures have failed and the patient's condition is deteriorating. In such a case the development of sepsis and (or) multiple abscesses caused by an internal fistula to the bile duct system are a potential and increasing danger. Anatomical liver resection, though the most radical operation, carries a comparatively low risk as its mortality rate is less than 10%. The prognosis of solitary abscess has improved during the last decade due to an earlier diagnosis and adequate surgical drainage in combination with antibiotics. Anaerobic liver abscesses have the best prognosis.", "contents": "[Treatment of solitary pyogenic liver abscess (author's transl)]. A solitary pyogenic liver abscess usually requires open surgical drainage. Digital exploration of the cavity is important for eliminating any loculations and avoiding complications after the drainage procedure. Chronic liver abscesses which are enclosed by a fibrous capsule and thus may simulate a neoplastic tumor are best treated by atypical liver resection close to the abscess or by a procedure similar to pericystectomy. Early radical operation is indicated for a complicated liver abscess whenever two drainage procedures have failed and the patient's condition is deteriorating. In such a case the development of sepsis and (or) multiple abscesses caused by an internal fistula to the bile duct system are a potential and increasing danger. Anatomical liver resection, though the most radical operation, carries a comparatively low risk as its mortality rate is less than 10%. The prognosis of solitary abscess has improved during the last decade due to an earlier diagnosis and adequate surgical drainage in combination with antibiotics. Anaerobic liver abscesses have the best prognosis.", "PMID": 620648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3658", "title": "[Cyclophosphamide and bladder carcinoma (case report) (author's transl)].", "content": "A bladder carcinoma developed in a 40-year-old man who was being treated with trofosfamide (Ixoten), a cyclophosphamide derivative, for Hodgkin's disease. The case suggests the need for differentiated replacement of this group of cytostatics.", "contents": "[Cyclophosphamide and bladder carcinoma (case report) (author's transl)]. A bladder carcinoma developed in a 40-year-old man who was being treated with trofosfamide (Ixoten), a cyclophosphamide derivative, for Hodgkin's disease. The case suggests the need for differentiated replacement of this group of cytostatics.", "PMID": 620650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3659", "title": "Determination of ADP-ribose and poly(ADP-ribose) by a new radioimmunoassay.", "content": "A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for ADP-ribose has been developed on the basis of the selective conversion of ADP-ribose to 5'-AMP by alkaline treatment. Antibodies highly specific against 5'-AMP allowed quantification of ADP-ribose converted to 5'-AMP in the range of 1-40 pmol, and in the presence of large quantities of nucleic acids or 3'-AMP. Poly(ADP-ribose) could also be determined when degraded to ADP-ribose by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. Determination of the chain length of purified polymer was possible by a parallel determination of ADP-ribose residues after glycohydrolase treatment and of 5'-AMP from the non-reducing end obtained by phosphodiesterase catalyzed hydrolysis. The high specificities of the alkaline conversion of ADP-ribose to 5'-AMP and of the radioimmunoassay for 5'-AMP allowed quantification of protein-bound ADP-ribose residues in crude tissue extracts as verified by comparison with chromatographically purified samples.", "contents": "Determination of ADP-ribose and poly(ADP-ribose) by a new radioimmunoassay. A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for ADP-ribose has been developed on the basis of the selective conversion of ADP-ribose to 5'-AMP by alkaline treatment. Antibodies highly specific against 5'-AMP allowed quantification of ADP-ribose converted to 5'-AMP in the range of 1-40 pmol, and in the presence of large quantities of nucleic acids or 3'-AMP. Poly(ADP-ribose) could also be determined when degraded to ADP-ribose by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase. Determination of the chain length of purified polymer was possible by a parallel determination of ADP-ribose residues after glycohydrolase treatment and of 5'-AMP from the non-reducing end obtained by phosphodiesterase catalyzed hydrolysis. The high specificities of the alkaline conversion of ADP-ribose to 5'-AMP and of the radioimmunoassay for 5'-AMP allowed quantification of protein-bound ADP-ribose residues in crude tissue extracts as verified by comparison with chromatographically purified samples.", "PMID": 620664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3660", "title": "Purification and properties of monomeric cytochrome f from charlock, Sinapis arvensis L.", "content": "Monomeric cytochrome f has been purified to homogeneity, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and analytical ultracentrifugation, from the leaves of charlock, Sinapis arvensis L. The cytochrome was obtained in an aqueous extract following extraction of leaf lipids with butan-2-one, and was subsequently purified by acetone precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-100 and hydroxylapatite. The purified cytochrome had adsorbance ratios of A422/A280 = 7.3 and A554/A280 = 1.07 in the reduced form. There was no indication of the presence of an absorbance band at 695 nm in the oxidised form. The cytochrome had a midpoint redox potential of +365 mV and was oxidised very rapidly by parsley plastocyanin. The molecular weight of the cytochrome was approximately 27 000 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecylsulphate. The sedimentation coefficient (so20,w) of cytochrome f was 2.48 S. The cytochrome had an isoelectric point at pH 5.50 determined by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels.", "contents": "Purification and properties of monomeric cytochrome f from charlock, Sinapis arvensis L. Monomeric cytochrome f has been purified to homogeneity, as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and analytical ultracentrifugation, from the leaves of charlock, Sinapis arvensis L. The cytochrome was obtained in an aqueous extract following extraction of leaf lipids with butan-2-one, and was subsequently purified by acetone precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-100 and hydroxylapatite. The purified cytochrome had adsorbance ratios of A422/A280 = 7.3 and A554/A280 = 1.07 in the reduced form. There was no indication of the presence of an absorbance band at 695 nm in the oxidised form. The cytochrome had a midpoint redox potential of +365 mV and was oxidised very rapidly by parsley plastocyanin. The molecular weight of the cytochrome was approximately 27 000 as determined by sedimentation equilibrium and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecylsulphate. The sedimentation coefficient (so20,w) of cytochrome f was 2.48 S. The cytochrome had an isoelectric point at pH 5.50 determined by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels.", "PMID": 620667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3661", "title": "Control of teichoic acid synthesis in Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945.", "content": "Analysis of cell walls of Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945 grown under phosphate limitation showed that teichoic acid could be replaced by teichuronic acid under these conditions. Teichuronic acid, however, was always present in the walls to some extent irrespective of the growth conditions. The enzymes involved in teichoic acid synthesis were investigated and the synthesis of these was shown to be repressed when the intracellular Pi level fell. CDP-glycerol pyrophosphorylase was studied in some detail and evidence is presented to show that the enzyme is inactivated under phosphate-limited conditions. The mechanism of inactivation is unknown but it has been shown that it does not require protein synthesis de novo.", "contents": "Control of teichoic acid synthesis in Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945. Analysis of cell walls of Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945 grown under phosphate limitation showed that teichoic acid could be replaced by teichuronic acid under these conditions. Teichuronic acid, however, was always present in the walls to some extent irrespective of the growth conditions. The enzymes involved in teichoic acid synthesis were investigated and the synthesis of these was shown to be repressed when the intracellular Pi level fell. CDP-glycerol pyrophosphorylase was studied in some detail and evidence is presented to show that the enzyme is inactivated under phosphate-limited conditions. The mechanism of inactivation is unknown but it has been shown that it does not require protein synthesis de novo.", "PMID": 620670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3662", "title": "Enzyme leakage and multipoint attachment of agarose-bound enzyme preparations.", "content": "The solvolytic detachment of leucine aminopeptidase from Sepharose-enzyme conjugates with multiple and single anchoring bonds has been studied under a variety of conditions by radiochemical and enzymological methods. The release of the single-point-fixed conjugate could be described by a leakage function, derived previously, yielding the first-order rate constant of the cleavage of the enzyme-matrix bond. The nucleophile hydroxylamine increased the detachment rate considerably. The release of the immobilized enzyme was incomplete in all experiments even after prolonged times. The enzyme leakage from multipoint-attached conjugates was still high enough to prohibit a long-term use of such preparations in routine work at room temperature.", "contents": "Enzyme leakage and multipoint attachment of agarose-bound enzyme preparations. The solvolytic detachment of leucine aminopeptidase from Sepharose-enzyme conjugates with multiple and single anchoring bonds has been studied under a variety of conditions by radiochemical and enzymological methods. The release of the single-point-fixed conjugate could be described by a leakage function, derived previously, yielding the first-order rate constant of the cleavage of the enzyme-matrix bond. The nucleophile hydroxylamine increased the detachment rate considerably. The release of the immobilized enzyme was incomplete in all experiments even after prolonged times. The enzyme leakage from multipoint-attached conjugates was still high enough to prohibit a long-term use of such preparations in routine work at room temperature.", "PMID": 620671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3663", "title": "Characteristics of a coupled cell-free transcription and translation system directed by vaccinia cores.", "content": "1. A coupled transcription and translation system is described in which protein synthesis is directed by mRNA synthesised in situ by vaccinia virus cores. The cell-free system is based on a micrococcal-nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate. 2. The polypeptides made in vitro include many authentic early vaccinia proteins, but also other proteins which were not detected in infected cells. 3. Concentrations of cores which inhibit host cell protein synthesis in vivo caused a delayed inhibition of translation in vitro; this was partly, but not entirely, due to dsRNA associated with the cores. 4. The mRNA made was methylated by core enzymes. Inhibition of methylation reduced the rate of translation tenfold; unmethylated RNA bound ribosomes poorly, but was nevertheless translated faithfully.", "contents": "Characteristics of a coupled cell-free transcription and translation system directed by vaccinia cores. 1. A coupled transcription and translation system is described in which protein synthesis is directed by mRNA synthesised in situ by vaccinia virus cores. The cell-free system is based on a micrococcal-nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate. 2. The polypeptides made in vitro include many authentic early vaccinia proteins, but also other proteins which were not detected in infected cells. 3. Concentrations of cores which inhibit host cell protein synthesis in vivo caused a delayed inhibition of translation in vitro; this was partly, but not entirely, due to dsRNA associated with the cores. 4. The mRNA made was methylated by core enzymes. Inhibition of methylation reduced the rate of translation tenfold; unmethylated RNA bound ribosomes poorly, but was nevertheless translated faithfully.", "PMID": 620672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3664", "title": "Isolation of 4.5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid an inhibitor of brain glutamate decarboxylase, produced by a Streptomyces species.", "content": "A potent inhibitor of brain glutamate decarboxylase (L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) was isolated from cultures of a Streptomyces species, and its structure was found to be 4,5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid. The metabolite inhibited beef brain glutamate decarboxylase 50% at a concentration of 0.12 microgram/ml (0.61 micron). The kinetic analysis indicated that 4,5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid was a competitive inhibitor having a Ki value of 0.18 micron.", "contents": "Isolation of 4.5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid an inhibitor of brain glutamate decarboxylase, produced by a Streptomyces species. A potent inhibitor of brain glutamate decarboxylase (L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) was isolated from cultures of a Streptomyces species, and its structure was found to be 4,5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid. The metabolite inhibited beef brain glutamate decarboxylase 50% at a concentration of 0.12 microgram/ml (0.61 micron). The kinetic analysis indicated that 4,5-dihydroxyisophthalic acid was a competitive inhibitor having a Ki value of 0.18 micron.", "PMID": 620673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3665", "title": "The primary structure of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2.", "content": "The complete amino acid sequence of bovine phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) was determined. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 13 782 and consists of a single polypeptide chain of 123 amino acids cross-linked by seven disulfide bridges. The main fragmentation of the polypeptide chain was accomplished by digesting the reduced and thialaminated derivative of the protein with trypsin, staphylococcal protease and cyanogen bromide. A number of chymotryptic peptides were used for alignment and to obtain overlaps of at least two residues. The sequence of the peptides was determined by Edman degradation by means of direct phenylthiohydantoin identification in combination with identification as dansyl amino acids. Although 71% of all residues of phospholipase A2 from bovine, porcine and equine sources are conserved, bovine phospholipase A2 differs from the others by the total number of residues and by substitutions at 20 (porcine) and 33 (equine) positions.", "contents": "The primary structure of bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2. The complete amino acid sequence of bovine phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) was determined. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 13 782 and consists of a single polypeptide chain of 123 amino acids cross-linked by seven disulfide bridges. The main fragmentation of the polypeptide chain was accomplished by digesting the reduced and thialaminated derivative of the protein with trypsin, staphylococcal protease and cyanogen bromide. A number of chymotryptic peptides were used for alignment and to obtain overlaps of at least two residues. The sequence of the peptides was determined by Edman degradation by means of direct phenylthiohydantoin identification in combination with identification as dansyl amino acids. Although 71% of all residues of phospholipase A2 from bovine, porcine and equine sources are conserved, bovine phospholipase A2 differs from the others by the total number of residues and by substitutions at 20 (porcine) and 33 (equine) positions.", "PMID": 620674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3666", "title": "Use of synthetic analogs for a study on the structure-activity relationship of apamin.", "content": "[Lys13,Lys14]Apamin, [Lys13]apamin and [Lys14]apamin, three structural analogs of the bee venom neurotoxin, have been obtained by solid-phase peptide synthesis while an attempt to obtain [Cit13]apamin failed, probably at the step of reoxidation of cysteines. After the chemical purity of these three derivatives had been assessed, further chemical modifications led to three new peptides: [Ac-Cys1,Lys(Ac)4,Lys(Ac)13]apamin, [Ac-Cys1,Lys(Ac)4,Lys(Ac)14]apamin and [Har4,Har13,Har14]apamin. These six analogs have been tested for their neurotoxicity, i.e. determination of LD50 for mouse by subcutaneous injection. A lethal potency is observed only when the region 13-14 of the sequence contains a double positive charge. One arginyl residue is necessary for a high biological activity, while its location in position 13 or 14 is of minor importance. When homoarginine (Har) replaces arginyl residues the neurotoxicity is lowered.", "contents": "Use of synthetic analogs for a study on the structure-activity relationship of apamin. [Lys13,Lys14]Apamin, [Lys13]apamin and [Lys14]apamin, three structural analogs of the bee venom neurotoxin, have been obtained by solid-phase peptide synthesis while an attempt to obtain [Cit13]apamin failed, probably at the step of reoxidation of cysteines. After the chemical purity of these three derivatives had been assessed, further chemical modifications led to three new peptides: [Ac-Cys1,Lys(Ac)4,Lys(Ac)13]apamin, [Ac-Cys1,Lys(Ac)4,Lys(Ac)14]apamin and [Har4,Har13,Har14]apamin. These six analogs have been tested for their neurotoxicity, i.e. determination of LD50 for mouse by subcutaneous injection. A lethal potency is observed only when the region 13-14 of the sequence contains a double positive charge. One arginyl residue is necessary for a high biological activity, while its location in position 13 or 14 is of minor importance. When homoarginine (Har) replaces arginyl residues the neurotoxicity is lowered.", "PMID": 620675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3667", "title": "Evidence for a dimeric form of Artemia salina extracellular hemoglobins with high-molecular-weight subunits.", "content": "The brine shrimp, Artemia salina, produces at least three chemically and ontogenetically distinct extracellular hemoglobins (Hb-I, Hb-II and Hb-III). The estimated molecular weights of these hemoglobins are 240000-260000, containing 14 heme groups based on the iron and heme contents of a molar species. Hb-II, which corresponds to a minimal molecular weight of about 18 000 per heme [Moens, L. and Kondo, M. (1977) Biochem. J. 165, 111-119]. Denaturation of the reduced and alkylated hemoglobins with 8 M guanidine hydrochloride revealed apparently one polypeptide chain having a molecular weight of 126 000. Thus a single native hemoglobin molecule should be composed of two of these high-molecular-weight subunits each of which is bound with seven hemes. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacryamide gel electrophoresis of either native hemoglobins or isolated subunits it was found that the 126 000-Mr polypeptide was cleaved specifically into two unequally-sized fragments of Mr 50 000 and 80 000. Further denaturation of native hemoglobins with urea at pH 2.5 or 11 followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis confirmed these results. The amino acid compositions determined for native Hb-II and its subunit and fragments are found to be very similar, implying that no specifically localized amino acid sequences are present and that the subunit globin chain could be composed of seven similar repeat units (Mr approximately 18 000) being linked covalently to one another. The amino acid compositions of Hb-I and Hb-III showed only minor differences to that of Hb-II.", "contents": "Evidence for a dimeric form of Artemia salina extracellular hemoglobins with high-molecular-weight subunits. The brine shrimp, Artemia salina, produces at least three chemically and ontogenetically distinct extracellular hemoglobins (Hb-I, Hb-II and Hb-III). The estimated molecular weights of these hemoglobins are 240000-260000, containing 14 heme groups based on the iron and heme contents of a molar species. Hb-II, which corresponds to a minimal molecular weight of about 18 000 per heme [Moens, L. and Kondo, M. (1977) Biochem. J. 165, 111-119]. Denaturation of the reduced and alkylated hemoglobins with 8 M guanidine hydrochloride revealed apparently one polypeptide chain having a molecular weight of 126 000. Thus a single native hemoglobin molecule should be composed of two of these high-molecular-weight subunits each of which is bound with seven hemes. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacryamide gel electrophoresis of either native hemoglobins or isolated subunits it was found that the 126 000-Mr polypeptide was cleaved specifically into two unequally-sized fragments of Mr 50 000 and 80 000. Further denaturation of native hemoglobins with urea at pH 2.5 or 11 followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis confirmed these results. The amino acid compositions determined for native Hb-II and its subunit and fragments are found to be very similar, implying that no specifically localized amino acid sequences are present and that the subunit globin chain could be composed of seven similar repeat units (Mr approximately 18 000) being linked covalently to one another. The amino acid compositions of Hb-I and Hb-III showed only minor differences to that of Hb-II.", "PMID": 620677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3668", "title": "Ribosomal proteins of HeLa cells.", "content": "Ribosomal proteins from HeLa cells were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Kaltschmidt-Wittmann) and dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Laemmli). 35 proteins are associated with the small ribosomal subunit and 47 proteins with the large ribosomal subunit. The HeLa ribosomal proteins S6, S32, L40b,c, L41 and L42 are phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro. Minor differences between HeLa and rat liver ribosomal proteins were revealed by their direct coelectrophoresis.", "contents": "Ribosomal proteins of HeLa cells. Ribosomal proteins from HeLa cells were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Kaltschmidt-Wittmann) and dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Laemmli). 35 proteins are associated with the small ribosomal subunit and 47 proteins with the large ribosomal subunit. The HeLa ribosomal proteins S6, S32, L40b,c, L41 and L42 are phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro. Minor differences between HeLa and rat liver ribosomal proteins were revealed by their direct coelectrophoresis.", "PMID": 620678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3669", "title": "Comparative dromotropic activity of timolol and propranolol in anesthetized dogs.", "content": "The comparative dromotropic activity of timolol (TML) and propranolol (PPL) was studied by means of His bundle electrograms in two groups of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs: group I, 7 non-atropinized dogs; group II, 8 atropinized dogs. beta-Blocking agents were injected in 4 cumulative doses in each dog at 3 days' interval. The effects upon heart rate (HR), and A-V nodal (AH), His--Purkinje (HV) and intraventricular (QS) conduction times were measured. The dromotropic effects of PPL and TML during atrial electrical stimulation and their effects upon chronotropic and dromotropic isoprenaline-induced changes were compared. TML exerted a 9--10 times more potent negative chronotropic effect than PPL and a 4--5 times more potent negative dromotropic effect than PPL on AH conduction time. PPL and TML increased the duration of HV only in higher doses. This effect which was not modified by isoprenaline may be related to their membrane depressant effect. Neither TML, nor PPL nor isoprenaline modified QS duration. TML was 25 times more potent than PPL to antagonize the chronotropic action of isoprenaline and 11--8 times more potent than PPL to antagonize the dromotropic action of isoprenaline upon AH. Parasympathic blockade with atropine did not modify the negative dromotropic activity of PPL and TML but modified their chronotropic effects.", "contents": "Comparative dromotropic activity of timolol and propranolol in anesthetized dogs. The comparative dromotropic activity of timolol (TML) and propranolol (PPL) was studied by means of His bundle electrograms in two groups of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs: group I, 7 non-atropinized dogs; group II, 8 atropinized dogs. beta-Blocking agents were injected in 4 cumulative doses in each dog at 3 days' interval. The effects upon heart rate (HR), and A-V nodal (AH), His--Purkinje (HV) and intraventricular (QS) conduction times were measured. The dromotropic effects of PPL and TML during atrial electrical stimulation and their effects upon chronotropic and dromotropic isoprenaline-induced changes were compared. TML exerted a 9--10 times more potent negative chronotropic effect than PPL and a 4--5 times more potent negative dromotropic effect than PPL on AH conduction time. PPL and TML increased the duration of HV only in higher doses. This effect which was not modified by isoprenaline may be related to their membrane depressant effect. Neither TML, nor PPL nor isoprenaline modified QS duration. TML was 25 times more potent than PPL to antagonize the chronotropic action of isoprenaline and 11--8 times more potent than PPL to antagonize the dromotropic action of isoprenaline upon AH. Parasympathic blockade with atropine did not modify the negative dromotropic activity of PPL and TML but modified their chronotropic effects.", "PMID": 620680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3670", "title": "Inhibition of dopamine release in the cat caudate nucleus by nigral application of glycine.", "content": "\"Enc\u00e9phale isol\u00e9\" cats were implanted with two push-pull cannulae, one in the left caudate nucleus and the other in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. L-3,5(-3)H-Tyrosine was introduced continuously into the caudate nucleus to study the release of 3H-DA. Glycine (10(-5)M) added to the superfusing medium of the push-pull cannula inserted into the substantia nigra reduced (25%) the spontaneous release of 3H-DA. Conversely, strychnine (10(-5)M) slightly stimulated the 3H-transmitter release. The inhibiting effect of glycine (10(-5)M) on 3H-DA release was no longer seen in the presence of strychnine (10(-5) M). The results support the hypothesis of a tonic glycinergic inhibitory control of the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.", "contents": "Inhibition of dopamine release in the cat caudate nucleus by nigral application of glycine. \"Enc\u00e9phale isol\u00e9\" cats were implanted with two push-pull cannulae, one in the left caudate nucleus and the other in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. L-3,5(-3)H-Tyrosine was introduced continuously into the caudate nucleus to study the release of 3H-DA. Glycine (10(-5)M) added to the superfusing medium of the push-pull cannula inserted into the substantia nigra reduced (25%) the spontaneous release of 3H-DA. Conversely, strychnine (10(-5)M) slightly stimulated the 3H-transmitter release. The inhibiting effect of glycine (10(-5)M) on 3H-DA release was no longer seen in the presence of strychnine (10(-5) M). The results support the hypothesis of a tonic glycinergic inhibitory control of the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons.", "PMID": 620681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3671", "title": "Delimitation of neuronal substrates necessary for the analgesic action of baclofen and morphine.", "content": "The loci of neuronal substrates necessary for the analgesic action of baclofen and of morphine were determined by systematic transection of the rat cerebrospinal axis. Severe reduction in the analgesic capacity of both drugs, assessed with the tail flick test, occurred after section of the thoracic spinal cord, indicating that necessary substrates are located rostral to this level. These data also suggest that baclofen-induced analgesia does not primarily result from a pharmacological blockade of nociceptive information at the first sensory synapse in the spinal cord. Neither baclofen- nor morphine-induced analgesia was altered by transection of the brain stem between the superior and inferior colliculi, but the action of both drugs was greatly reduced following section of the medulla 3 mm rostral to the obex. Thus, the rostral margin of neuronal substrates mediating the effects of both drugs lies somewhere in the pons or anterior third of the medulla. This observation is compatible with the notion that analgesia induced by baclofen and morphine involves, at least in part, common neuronal substrates.", "contents": "Delimitation of neuronal substrates necessary for the analgesic action of baclofen and morphine. The loci of neuronal substrates necessary for the analgesic action of baclofen and of morphine were determined by systematic transection of the rat cerebrospinal axis. Severe reduction in the analgesic capacity of both drugs, assessed with the tail flick test, occurred after section of the thoracic spinal cord, indicating that necessary substrates are located rostral to this level. These data also suggest that baclofen-induced analgesia does not primarily result from a pharmacological blockade of nociceptive information at the first sensory synapse in the spinal cord. Neither baclofen- nor morphine-induced analgesia was altered by transection of the brain stem between the superior and inferior colliculi, but the action of both drugs was greatly reduced following section of the medulla 3 mm rostral to the obex. Thus, the rostral margin of neuronal substrates mediating the effects of both drugs lies somewhere in the pons or anterior third of the medulla. This observation is compatible with the notion that analgesia induced by baclofen and morphine involves, at least in part, common neuronal substrates.", "PMID": 620682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3672", "title": "Vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness: an early pathogenic mechanism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.", "content": "Factors which play a primary role in the initiation and development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are incompletely defined. To test the possibility that early changes in vascular function play a primary etiologic role, hindquarters of 3-week-old SHR and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) were perfused at constant flow with plasma substitute. The vasculature of SHR exhibited higher resistance to flow than that of WKY. The threshold constrictor response to norepinephrine (NE) was elicited at a significantly lower concentration (6X) than required in WKY, while threshold to BaCl2 was not different. At concentrations of BaCl2 above threshold, SHR exhibited marked hyperresponsiveness compared to WKY. This resulted in a greater maximum response and thus a steeper slope. The ED50 for BaCl2 was not different. A similar dose--response relationship (greater maximum, steeper slope) was observed with NE except that the ED50 as well as threshold was significantly lower in SHR than in WKY. These data show that vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness and increased vascular resistance are present at the time when the hypertension is first detectable. The hyperresponsiveness includes two distinct components: (1) A specific hypersensitivity to NE and (2) non-specific hyperresponsiveness which could derive from altered excitation--contraction coupling and/or from a structural mechanism already present when pressure differences begin to appear.", "contents": "Vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness: an early pathogenic mechanism in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Factors which play a primary role in the initiation and development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are incompletely defined. To test the possibility that early changes in vascular function play a primary etiologic role, hindquarters of 3-week-old SHR and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) were perfused at constant flow with plasma substitute. The vasculature of SHR exhibited higher resistance to flow than that of WKY. The threshold constrictor response to norepinephrine (NE) was elicited at a significantly lower concentration (6X) than required in WKY, while threshold to BaCl2 was not different. At concentrations of BaCl2 above threshold, SHR exhibited marked hyperresponsiveness compared to WKY. This resulted in a greater maximum response and thus a steeper slope. The ED50 for BaCl2 was not different. A similar dose--response relationship (greater maximum, steeper slope) was observed with NE except that the ED50 as well as threshold was significantly lower in SHR than in WKY. These data show that vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness and increased vascular resistance are present at the time when the hypertension is first detectable. The hyperresponsiveness includes two distinct components: (1) A specific hypersensitivity to NE and (2) non-specific hyperresponsiveness which could derive from altered excitation--contraction coupling and/or from a structural mechanism already present when pressure differences begin to appear.", "PMID": 620683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3673", "title": "The depression of thalamic nociceptive neurones by D-ala2,D-leu5-enkephalin.", "content": "The activity of single thalamic nociceptive neurones was recorded extracellularly. BW 180C, (D-ala2,D-leu5-enkephalin) applied locally, by iontophoresis (10--40 nA) or systemically by i.v. injection (1.5--6 mg/kg) markedly depressed the evoked excitation of these neurones following peripheral noxious stimulation. This effect could be antagonised by naloxone. Enhanced enzymic stability did not appear to prolong the duration of action of BW 180C iontrophoretically applied to these neurones.", "contents": "The depression of thalamic nociceptive neurones by D-ala2,D-leu5-enkephalin. The activity of single thalamic nociceptive neurones was recorded extracellularly. BW 180C, (D-ala2,D-leu5-enkephalin) applied locally, by iontophoresis (10--40 nA) or systemically by i.v. injection (1.5--6 mg/kg) markedly depressed the evoked excitation of these neurones following peripheral noxious stimulation. This effect could be antagonised by naloxone. Enhanced enzymic stability did not appear to prolong the duration of action of BW 180C iontrophoretically applied to these neurones.", "PMID": 620684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3674", "title": "Cactecholamines and the oedematous reaction to oestradiol in the rat uterus.", "content": "The effect of catecholamines on the 4 h oedematous reaction to estradiol in the immature rat uterus was investigated. Isoprenaline was found to augment the reaction to suboptimal doses of estradiol (0.25--0.5 microgram/kg. This effect was reversed by d,l-propranolol. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were found to inhibit the reaction to oestradiol 2 microgram/kg. The effect of adrenaline was reversed by phenotalmine.", "contents": "Cactecholamines and the oedematous reaction to oestradiol in the rat uterus. The effect of catecholamines on the 4 h oedematous reaction to estradiol in the immature rat uterus was investigated. Isoprenaline was found to augment the reaction to suboptimal doses of estradiol (0.25--0.5 microgram/kg. This effect was reversed by d,l-propranolol. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were found to inhibit the reaction to oestradiol 2 microgram/kg. The effect of adrenaline was reversed by phenotalmine.", "PMID": 620685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3675", "title": "Effect of pentoxifylline and aminophylline on biogenic amine metabolism of the rat brain.", "content": "In the brain of rats injected with pentoxifylline [3,7-dimethyl-1(5-oxo-hexyl)-xanthine] or aminophylline the following was observed: (i) dose-dependent increases of tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and of 5-hydroxytryptophan and dihydroxyphenylalanine accumulation after treatment with the decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide HCl; (ii) acceleration of norepinephrine turnover following alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine; (iii) increase of 3-methoxytyramine accumulation following pargyline. On a molar basis pentoxifylline was more potent than aminophylline in affecting brain biogenic amine metabolism.", "contents": "Effect of pentoxifylline and aminophylline on biogenic amine metabolism of the rat brain. In the brain of rats injected with pentoxifylline [3,7-dimethyl-1(5-oxo-hexyl)-xanthine] or aminophylline the following was observed: (i) dose-dependent increases of tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and of 5-hydroxytryptophan and dihydroxyphenylalanine accumulation after treatment with the decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide HCl; (ii) acceleration of norepinephrine turnover following alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine; (iii) increase of 3-methoxytyramine accumulation following pargyline. On a molar basis pentoxifylline was more potent than aminophylline in affecting brain biogenic amine metabolism.", "PMID": 620686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3676", "title": "The discovery of nature's biosynthetic pathways.", "content": "Uro'gen-III is a key intermediate on the biosynthetic pathways to the vitally important natural pigments haem, chlorophyll and the cytochromes. How the unexpected structure of uro'gen-III is synthesized by living things has long been a major puzzle. Studies based on 13C-labelling are described which show a) that a single intramolecular rearrangement occurs and b) that this step occurs after the open-chain linear tetrapyrrole system has been built. A second study involves stereospecific labelling with deuterium and tritium to elucidate the absolute stereochemistry of the enzymic reaction sequence which produces the vinyl groups of haem. The third and last section of the lecture is focussed on the biosynthetic intermediates lying between uro'gen-III and cobyrinic acid on the pathway to vitamin B12. An octacarboxylic isobacteriochlorin is isolated from a vitamin B12-producing organism and this is shown to be identical with sirohydrochlorin, previously obtained by Kamin and Siegel as the metal-free prosthetic group of certain sulphite-reducing bacteria. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of sirohydrochlorin are studied and comment is made on the evolutionary interest of these findings.", "contents": "The discovery of nature's biosynthetic pathways. Uro'gen-III is a key intermediate on the biosynthetic pathways to the vitally important natural pigments haem, chlorophyll and the cytochromes. How the unexpected structure of uro'gen-III is synthesized by living things has long been a major puzzle. Studies based on 13C-labelling are described which show a) that a single intramolecular rearrangement occurs and b) that this step occurs after the open-chain linear tetrapyrrole system has been built. A second study involves stereospecific labelling with deuterium and tritium to elucidate the absolute stereochemistry of the enzymic reaction sequence which produces the vinyl groups of haem. The third and last section of the lecture is focussed on the biosynthetic intermediates lying between uro'gen-III and cobyrinic acid on the pathway to vitamin B12. An octacarboxylic isobacteriochlorin is isolated from a vitamin B12-producing organism and this is shown to be identical with sirohydrochlorin, previously obtained by Kamin and Siegel as the metal-free prosthetic group of certain sulphite-reducing bacteria. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of sirohydrochlorin are studied and comment is made on the evolutionary interest of these findings.", "PMID": 620714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3677", "title": "Synaptic vesicles and other organelles of human mossy fibre endings. A morphometric study.", "content": "The mossy fibre ending organelles of 6 men were studied, using morphometric methods. The numerical densities of agranular, coated and dense core vesicles, as well as the number of agranular vesicles per micrometer2 of the synaptic surface and per synapse were calculated.", "contents": "Synaptic vesicles and other organelles of human mossy fibre endings. A morphometric study. The mossy fibre ending organelles of 6 men were studied, using morphometric methods. The numerical densities of agranular, coated and dense core vesicles, as well as the number of agranular vesicles per micrometer2 of the synaptic surface and per synapse were calculated.", "PMID": 620715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3678", "title": "Induction of developmental anomalies in mice by maternal stress.", "content": "The short-time restraint of pregnant mice on day 8 of gestation led to a significant increase of the anomaly rate in fetuses. This effect may be due to stress factors of endocrine origin.", "contents": "Induction of developmental anomalies in mice by maternal stress. The short-time restraint of pregnant mice on day 8 of gestation led to a significant increase of the anomaly rate in fetuses. This effect may be due to stress factors of endocrine origin.", "PMID": 620716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3679", "title": "Activation of the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by rat mammary peroxidase.", "content": "A peroxidase preparation from rat mammary gland parenchymal cells, a target tissue of arylamine carcinogens, was shown to activate the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene via a nitroxyl free radical intermediate to the more active carcinogens nitrosofluorene and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Hydrogen peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and linoleic acid hydroperoxide were effective as substrates. The antioxidants ascorbate, propyl gallate and reduced glutathione prevented the free radical activation route.", "contents": "Activation of the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene by rat mammary peroxidase. A peroxidase preparation from rat mammary gland parenchymal cells, a target tissue of arylamine carcinogens, was shown to activate the carcinogen N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene via a nitroxyl free radical intermediate to the more active carcinogens nitrosofluorene and N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Hydrogen peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and linoleic acid hydroperoxide were effective as substrates. The antioxidants ascorbate, propyl gallate and reduced glutathione prevented the free radical activation route.", "PMID": 620717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3680", "title": "DNA-dependent-DNA-polymerase: possible limiting influence on cell reproduction during viral leukemogenesis.", "content": "Evidence is presented that during viral leukemogenesis spleen cell nuclei show an increase in labelling index and mean grain count, that is not accompanied by any changes in the nuclear level of DNA-polymerase-alpha. It is suggested that polymerase production remains under the control of the normal cell mechanisms and the virus may affect cell proliferation by altering the primer-template levels.", "contents": "DNA-dependent-DNA-polymerase: possible limiting influence on cell reproduction during viral leukemogenesis. Evidence is presented that during viral leukemogenesis spleen cell nuclei show an increase in labelling index and mean grain count, that is not accompanied by any changes in the nuclear level of DNA-polymerase-alpha. It is suggested that polymerase production remains under the control of the normal cell mechanisms and the virus may affect cell proliferation by altering the primer-template levels.", "PMID": 620718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3681", "title": "The mitigating effect of dietary antioxidants on chemically-induced carcinogenesis.", "content": "The effect of a dietary antioxidant mixture on 3-methylcholanthrene mediated carcinogenesis in hairless mice was investigated. The antioxidant mixture significantly reduced the frequency of premalignant lesions and their subsequent development into tumors. The similarities in response of chemical and UV light-carcinogenesis to these antioxidants suggest some congruity in the mechanisms of the carcinogenic process.", "contents": "The mitigating effect of dietary antioxidants on chemically-induced carcinogenesis. The effect of a dietary antioxidant mixture on 3-methylcholanthrene mediated carcinogenesis in hairless mice was investigated. The antioxidant mixture significantly reduced the frequency of premalignant lesions and their subsequent development into tumors. The similarities in response of chemical and UV light-carcinogenesis to these antioxidants suggest some congruity in the mechanisms of the carcinogenic process.", "PMID": 620719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3682", "title": "The endocrine nature of the paranganglia of man.", "content": "Brightly fluorescent paraganglia were found in the retroperitoneal tissue of adult man. The histofluorescence properties of the paraganglia indicate the presence of tryptophyl peptides, which might be of endocrine importance.", "contents": "The endocrine nature of the paranganglia of man. Brightly fluorescent paraganglia were found in the retroperitoneal tissue of adult man. The histofluorescence properties of the paraganglia indicate the presence of tryptophyl peptides, which might be of endocrine importance.", "PMID": 620720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3683", "title": "The effect of epinephrine on granulocyte adhesion.", "content": "Preincubation of blood from normal human volunteers with epinephrine significantly decreased the granulocytes ability to adhere to nylon fibres. Possible significance for the in vivo correlation is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of epinephrine on granulocyte adhesion. Preincubation of blood from normal human volunteers with epinephrine significantly decreased the granulocytes ability to adhere to nylon fibres. Possible significance for the in vivo correlation is discussed.", "PMID": 620721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3684", "title": "Accumulation of 2-micron latex particles in mouse Peyer's patches during chronic latex feeding.", "content": "2-micron latex particles accumulated in macrophages in intestinal Peyer's patches of mice given latex suspensions as drinking fluid for 2 months. The number of particles accumulating was a direct (but nonlinear) function of the number ingested. Some of the latex particles were still present in Peyer's patches 6 weeks after the cessation of latex feeding.", "contents": "Accumulation of 2-micron latex particles in mouse Peyer's patches during chronic latex feeding. 2-micron latex particles accumulated in macrophages in intestinal Peyer's patches of mice given latex suspensions as drinking fluid for 2 months. The number of particles accumulating was a direct (but nonlinear) function of the number ingested. Some of the latex particles were still present in Peyer's patches 6 weeks after the cessation of latex feeding.", "PMID": 620722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3685", "title": "Rejection of worm load through singly and repeatedly sensitized peritoneal exudate cells during experimental ancylostomiasis.", "content": "Sensitized peritoneal exudate cells from Swiss albino mice donors infected with a single dose of 1000 A. caninum larvae could expel a challenge dose of 500 larvae from recipients at a faster rate when compared to cells from repeatedly infected (250 + 250 + 500) donors. However, at 36 h after challenge, the larval expulsion was almost the same in both the groups. Because of the bowel sensitization by the cells, some larvae (not expelled) in the 1st group, readily migrated into muscles where they met allergic immobilization and death due to infiltration of inflammatory cells and their exudates at these sites.", "contents": "Rejection of worm load through singly and repeatedly sensitized peritoneal exudate cells during experimental ancylostomiasis. Sensitized peritoneal exudate cells from Swiss albino mice donors infected with a single dose of 1000 A. caninum larvae could expel a challenge dose of 500 larvae from recipients at a faster rate when compared to cells from repeatedly infected (250 + 250 + 500) donors. However, at 36 h after challenge, the larval expulsion was almost the same in both the groups. Because of the bowel sensitization by the cells, some larvae (not expelled) in the 1st group, readily migrated into muscles where they met allergic immobilization and death due to infiltration of inflammatory cells and their exudates at these sites.", "PMID": 620723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3686", "title": "Mitogenicity of autolysates of Trypanosoma congolense.", "content": "Autolysates of Trypanosoma congolense, in subcytotoxic amounts, were found to be highly mitogenic in vitro for the spleen cells of normal mice. Significant amounts of [3H]-thymidine were also incorporated by the responding spleen cells of nu/nu (athymic) mice. In contrast, the spleen cells of cyclophosphamide-treated mice were unresponsive. The findings suggest that a potent B-cell-mitogen is generated by the autolysing T. congolense organism.", "contents": "Mitogenicity of autolysates of Trypanosoma congolense. Autolysates of Trypanosoma congolense, in subcytotoxic amounts, were found to be highly mitogenic in vitro for the spleen cells of normal mice. Significant amounts of [3H]-thymidine were also incorporated by the responding spleen cells of nu/nu (athymic) mice. In contrast, the spleen cells of cyclophosphamide-treated mice were unresponsive. The findings suggest that a potent B-cell-mitogen is generated by the autolysing T. congolense organism.", "PMID": 620724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3687", "title": "The attenuation of prostaglandin-induced luteolysis in decidual tissue-bearing pseudopregnant rats.", "content": "Decidual tissue (DT)-bearing pseudopregnancy (PSP) rats, in contrast to hysterectomized PSP rats, were resistant to a luteolytic regimen of either PGF2alpha or PGE2 when examined for the duration of PSP diestrus. The PG treatments, however, caused a marked fall in the serum progesterone levels on days 10 and 12, although the levels in DT-bearing rats on day 10 were significantly higher than in the hysterectomized rats.", "contents": "The attenuation of prostaglandin-induced luteolysis in decidual tissue-bearing pseudopregnant rats. Decidual tissue (DT)-bearing pseudopregnancy (PSP) rats, in contrast to hysterectomized PSP rats, were resistant to a luteolytic regimen of either PGF2alpha or PGE2 when examined for the duration of PSP diestrus. The PG treatments, however, caused a marked fall in the serum progesterone levels on days 10 and 12, although the levels in DT-bearing rats on day 10 were significantly higher than in the hysterectomized rats.", "PMID": 620725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3688", "title": "Dynamics of estrogen binding by uterine cells in vivo.", "content": "The dynamics of the in vivo binding and release of tritiated estradiol in different uterine cell types are described. The very early binding of estrogens by the cytosol-nuclear and the eosinophil receptor systems is in accordance with the hypothesis that some estrogenic effects are mediated by these receptor systems.", "contents": "Dynamics of estrogen binding by uterine cells in vivo. The dynamics of the in vivo binding and release of tritiated estradiol in different uterine cell types are described. The very early binding of estrogens by the cytosol-nuclear and the eosinophil receptor systems is in accordance with the hypothesis that some estrogenic effects are mediated by these receptor systems.", "PMID": 620726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3689", "title": "Bovine TSH-stimulation of fish thyroid peroxidase activity and role of thyroxine thereon.", "content": "bTSH augmented the fish thyroid peroxidase activity in a dose-response manner. Thyroxine could not modulate the effect of exogenous bTSH, but it decreased the peroxidase activity in a control system when administered alone. The data therefore suggest similar negative feedback control system for TSH-regulation as operative in the case of mammals.", "contents": "Bovine TSH-stimulation of fish thyroid peroxidase activity and role of thyroxine thereon. bTSH augmented the fish thyroid peroxidase activity in a dose-response manner. Thyroxine could not modulate the effect of exogenous bTSH, but it decreased the peroxidase activity in a control system when administered alone. The data therefore suggest similar negative feedback control system for TSH-regulation as operative in the case of mammals.", "PMID": 620727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3690", "title": "Microbiological transformation of biflavone.", "content": "Incubation of 5,5'-7,7'-tetramethoxy-8,8'-biflavone with Aspergillus niger results in the formation of 4,4'-dihydroxy-5,5'-7,7'-tetramethoxy-8,8'-biflavan.", "contents": "Microbiological transformation of biflavone. Incubation of 5,5'-7,7'-tetramethoxy-8,8'-biflavone with Aspergillus niger results in the formation of 4,4'-dihydroxy-5,5'-7,7'-tetramethoxy-8,8'-biflavan.", "PMID": 620728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3691", "title": "Transition metals in calf thymus deoxyribonucleoprotein.", "content": "Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn were found by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence in calf thymus deoxyribonucleoprotein. The X-ray analyses indicated the absence of Cr, Mn and Co.", "contents": "Transition metals in calf thymus deoxyribonucleoprotein. Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn were found by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence in calf thymus deoxyribonucleoprotein. The X-ray analyses indicated the absence of Cr, Mn and Co.", "PMID": 620729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3692", "title": "A study of the cytoplasmic factors controlling the rate of catalase synthesis in rat liver.", "content": "A new quantitative method for assessment of the biological activity of the cytoplasmic factors-regulators, controlling the rate of catalase synthesis in rat liver on post-transcriptional stage, has been worked out. The nature of these factors has been established.", "contents": "A study of the cytoplasmic factors controlling the rate of catalase synthesis in rat liver. A new quantitative method for assessment of the biological activity of the cytoplasmic factors-regulators, controlling the rate of catalase synthesis in rat liver on post-transcriptional stage, has been worked out. The nature of these factors has been established.", "PMID": 620730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3693", "title": "The hydrolysis of some L-amino acid-p-nitranilides with the normal and pregnant's serum aminopeptidases.", "content": "From 4 serum aminopeptidases (2 of pregnant and 2 of nonpregnant women's sera), the placental lysosomal (mol. wt 320,000) splits Lys-NAp only. B-Cys-NAp is hydrolyzed from the both placental enzymes, i.e. lysosomal and microsomal (mol. wt 145,000) AP. Ala-NAp is split by both nonpregnant serum AP more readily than Leu-NAp.", "contents": "The hydrolysis of some L-amino acid-p-nitranilides with the normal and pregnant's serum aminopeptidases. From 4 serum aminopeptidases (2 of pregnant and 2 of nonpregnant women's sera), the placental lysosomal (mol. wt 320,000) splits Lys-NAp only. B-Cys-NAp is hydrolyzed from the both placental enzymes, i.e. lysosomal and microsomal (mol. wt 145,000) AP. Ala-NAp is split by both nonpregnant serum AP more readily than Leu-NAp.", "PMID": 620731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3694", "title": "Kinetics of division in PHA-stimulated pig lymphocytes.", "content": "Our results indicate that pig lymphocytes in culture complete their 1st division at 24 h. At 36 h there are 9% of cells in 2nd division. 3rd mitosis appears at 48 h; and at 72 h there are cells engaged in the 4th division.", "contents": "Kinetics of division in PHA-stimulated pig lymphocytes. Our results indicate that pig lymphocytes in culture complete their 1st division at 24 h. At 36 h there are 9% of cells in 2nd division. 3rd mitosis appears at 48 h; and at 72 h there are cells engaged in the 4th division.", "PMID": 620732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3695", "title": "Nucleotide metabolism in the rat liver following whole-body x-irradiation.", "content": "Evidence has been presented to show that, like synthesis of RNA, syntheses of ribonucleotide precursors of RNA in the rat liver were stimulated for 6--18 h following whole-body X-irradiation (1000 R).", "contents": "Nucleotide metabolism in the rat liver following whole-body x-irradiation. Evidence has been presented to show that, like synthesis of RNA, syntheses of ribonucleotide precursors of RNA in the rat liver were stimulated for 6--18 h following whole-body X-irradiation (1000 R).", "PMID": 620733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3696", "title": "A fungitoxic principle from the leaves of lawsonia inermis lam.", "content": "During antifungal screening of higher plants, the leaves of Lawsonia inermis were found to exhibit strong fungitoxicity. On chemical investigation, the antifungal factor was found to be 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone). The minimum effective dose against test organism was found to be 1000 ppm. Lawsone was found to exhibit fungicidal activity, wide fungitoxic spectrum and nonphytotoxicity.", "contents": "A fungitoxic principle from the leaves of lawsonia inermis lam. During antifungal screening of higher plants, the leaves of Lawsonia inermis were found to exhibit strong fungitoxicity. On chemical investigation, the antifungal factor was found to be 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone). The minimum effective dose against test organism was found to be 1000 ppm. Lawsone was found to exhibit fungicidal activity, wide fungitoxic spectrum and nonphytotoxicity.", "PMID": 620734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3697", "title": "Susceptibility of chick neural retina to viral multiplication in vitro during embryonic development.", "content": "Decrease in the susceptibility of embryonic chick neural retina cultures to the multiplication of various viruses was observed with increasing age of the embryo. In contrast the retinal cells supported the multiplication of Sindbis virus irrespective of the age when they were infected with the viral RNA. These results suggest that the restricted multiplication of the viruses observed is due to the modulated inability of the cell to process the adsorbed viruses for subsequent replication.", "contents": "Susceptibility of chick neural retina to viral multiplication in vitro during embryonic development. Decrease in the susceptibility of embryonic chick neural retina cultures to the multiplication of various viruses was observed with increasing age of the embryo. In contrast the retinal cells supported the multiplication of Sindbis virus irrespective of the age when they were infected with the viral RNA. These results suggest that the restricted multiplication of the viruses observed is due to the modulated inability of the cell to process the adsorbed viruses for subsequent replication.", "PMID": 620735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3698", "title": "The relationship between membrane potential and ATP content in rat liver during ischemia.", "content": "Both ischemia and ethionine decreased the membrane potential and ATP content in rat liver. In ethionine-treated rat liver, ischemia brought about a further decrease in membrane potential without significant decrease in ATP content.", "contents": "The relationship between membrane potential and ATP content in rat liver during ischemia. Both ischemia and ethionine decreased the membrane potential and ATP content in rat liver. In ethionine-treated rat liver, ischemia brought about a further decrease in membrane potential without significant decrease in ATP content.", "PMID": 620736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3699", "title": "5-hydroxytryptamine induced changes in body temperature of newborn kittens and guinea-pigs and the effect of indomethacin thereon.", "content": "During the first days of life 10 microgram i.c.v. 5-HT evoked a primary, short-lasting hyperthermia in kittens and hypothermia in guinea-pigs. In both species, a secondary late hyperthermia occurred that could be prevented by indomethacin pretreatment.", "contents": "5-hydroxytryptamine induced changes in body temperature of newborn kittens and guinea-pigs and the effect of indomethacin thereon. During the first days of life 10 microgram i.c.v. 5-HT evoked a primary, short-lasting hyperthermia in kittens and hypothermia in guinea-pigs. In both species, a secondary late hyperthermia occurred that could be prevented by indomethacin pretreatment.", "PMID": 620737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3700", "title": "Construction of a thin film PO2-electrode using gold paste.", "content": "A thin film gold electrode for biological oxygen consumption was constructed using gold paste. This electrode is easy to construct, has high sensitivity and is disturbed only slightly by bubbling of the surrounding fluid. As an application, the electrode was used to measure oxygen consumption of the skin and yielded a reasonable value.", "contents": "Construction of a thin film PO2-electrode using gold paste. A thin film gold electrode for biological oxygen consumption was constructed using gold paste. This electrode is easy to construct, has high sensitivity and is disturbed only slightly by bubbling of the surrounding fluid. As an application, the electrode was used to measure oxygen consumption of the skin and yielded a reasonable value.", "PMID": 620738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3701", "title": "A tonic component in the motility of the upper urinary tract (renal pelvis-ureter).", "content": "In isolated muscle strips of porcine renal pelvis and ureter, the calcium antagonist nifedipine (3.10(-7) moles/l) completely suppressed spontaneous phasic mechanical activity and the phasic components of an adrenaline-induced activation (P-component). In the presence of nifedipine, adrenaline induced in pelvis preparations (but not in the ureter) a tonic contraction (T-component) which was on average 61% of the control reaction (SD +/- 26%; n = 35).", "contents": "A tonic component in the motility of the upper urinary tract (renal pelvis-ureter). In isolated muscle strips of porcine renal pelvis and ureter, the calcium antagonist nifedipine (3.10(-7) moles/l) completely suppressed spontaneous phasic mechanical activity and the phasic components of an adrenaline-induced activation (P-component). In the presence of nifedipine, adrenaline induced in pelvis preparations (but not in the ureter) a tonic contraction (T-component) which was on average 61% of the control reaction (SD +/- 26%; n = 35).", "PMID": 620739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3702", "title": "Projections from nucleus accumbens to globus pallidus and substantia nigra in the rat.", "content": "Stimulation of nucleus accumbens produces inhibition and facilitation of neuronal activity in the ipsilateral globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Small lesions in the accumbens reduce pallidal but not nigral GABA content.", "contents": "Projections from nucleus accumbens to globus pallidus and substantia nigra in the rat. Stimulation of nucleus accumbens produces inhibition and facilitation of neuronal activity in the ipsilateral globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Small lesions in the accumbens reduce pallidal but not nigral GABA content.", "PMID": 620740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3703", "title": "Positive after-image, PAI: early erasure by saccadic eye movement or Jendrassik manoeuvre.", "content": "Positive after-images (PAIs) evoked by low intensity stroboscopic flash are erased by voluntary large amplitude saccadic eye movements. The duration of the PAI is shortened by a Jendrassik manoeuvre. The results suggest that muscle spindle afferent impulses conducted centrally are involved in the erasure phenomenon. The duration of the PAI is modifiable by drugs. The social implications of PAI are considered briefly.", "contents": "Positive after-image, PAI: early erasure by saccadic eye movement or Jendrassik manoeuvre. Positive after-images (PAIs) evoked by low intensity stroboscopic flash are erased by voluntary large amplitude saccadic eye movements. The duration of the PAI is shortened by a Jendrassik manoeuvre. The results suggest that muscle spindle afferent impulses conducted centrally are involved in the erasure phenomenon. The duration of the PAI is modifiable by drugs. The social implications of PAI are considered briefly.", "PMID": 620741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3704", "title": "[Serotonin metabolism in chronic alcoholism (author's transl)].", "content": "Serotonin was determined in platelets of 47 patients with alcoholism during the state of withdrawal as well as in a group of healthy persons. The results show that serotonin values were significantly lower in the group of patients with alcoholism as compared with the control group of healthy persons.", "contents": "[Serotonin metabolism in chronic alcoholism (author's transl)]. Serotonin was determined in platelets of 47 patients with alcoholism during the state of withdrawal as well as in a group of healthy persons. The results show that serotonin values were significantly lower in the group of patients with alcoholism as compared with the control group of healthy persons.", "PMID": 620742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3705", "title": "Growth metabolism of diaphragm in Swiss albino mice.", "content": "During the postnatal growth of diaphragm in swiss albino mice, a continuous decline in glycogen content reciprocates with the increasing SDH-activity and protein accumulation. An inverse relationship between DNA-contents and the basic protein levels points towards the regulatory behaviour of the latter during protein synthesis. While the variations in the contents of DNA and RNA speak of a feedback mechanism operative between the 2 nucleic acids during the postnatal growth, the fluctuations in RNA appear to be significant in determining the amount of acidic proteins, in this muscle.", "contents": "Growth metabolism of diaphragm in Swiss albino mice. During the postnatal growth of diaphragm in swiss albino mice, a continuous decline in glycogen content reciprocates with the increasing SDH-activity and protein accumulation. An inverse relationship between DNA-contents and the basic protein levels points towards the regulatory behaviour of the latter during protein synthesis. While the variations in the contents of DNA and RNA speak of a feedback mechanism operative between the 2 nucleic acids during the postnatal growth, the fluctuations in RNA appear to be significant in determining the amount of acidic proteins, in this muscle.", "PMID": 620743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3706", "title": "Effect of pancreatic duct ligation on exocrine pancreatic function and structure in the rabbit.", "content": "4 weeks after pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit, fecal and luminal chymotrypsin were detected in concentrations similar to the control group. Pancreatic changes in the ligated group were marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, proliferation and distention of ductules and fibrosis. Despite pancreatic duct ligation and fibrosis, proteolytic enzymes continued to secrete into the duodenal lumen. These results suggest that pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit is not associated with total pancreatic insufficiency.", "contents": "Effect of pancreatic duct ligation on exocrine pancreatic function and structure in the rabbit. 4 weeks after pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit, fecal and luminal chymotrypsin were detected in concentrations similar to the control group. Pancreatic changes in the ligated group were marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, proliferation and distention of ductules and fibrosis. Despite pancreatic duct ligation and fibrosis, proteolytic enzymes continued to secrete into the duodenal lumen. These results suggest that pancreatic duct ligation in the rabbit is not associated with total pancreatic insufficiency.", "PMID": 620744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3707", "title": "Effect of adaptation level on maintained firing and sensitivity in receptive field center of X and Y cells.", "content": "Maintained firing rates of X cells and Y cells were compared at 6 adaptation levels (AL) between -2.71 log cd/m2 and 2.28 log cd/m2 (10 mm2 pupil size). X cell maintained firing was higher at all ALs and was statistically different at medium and high ones. Changes in AL had nearly identical effects upon X and Y cell suprathreshold sensitivity to a flashing spot in the center of their receptive fields; the Weber function had a slope of 0.744 for Y cells and 0.743 for X cells. These values are not statistically different.", "contents": "Effect of adaptation level on maintained firing and sensitivity in receptive field center of X and Y cells. Maintained firing rates of X cells and Y cells were compared at 6 adaptation levels (AL) between -2.71 log cd/m2 and 2.28 log cd/m2 (10 mm2 pupil size). X cell maintained firing was higher at all ALs and was statistically different at medium and high ones. Changes in AL had nearly identical effects upon X and Y cell suprathreshold sensitivity to a flashing spot in the center of their receptive fields; the Weber function had a slope of 0.744 for Y cells and 0.743 for X cells. These values are not statistically different.", "PMID": 620745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3708", "title": "Increased resistance to satiation in diazepam-treated pigs.", "content": "Sated pigs, having a previous history of operant responding according to a CRF schedule, resumed responsing when put back in the Skinner box after 1 mg/kg diazepam. This effect did not appear to be related to the disinhibition of an extinction process.", "contents": "Increased resistance to satiation in diazepam-treated pigs. Sated pigs, having a previous history of operant responding according to a CRF schedule, resumed responsing when put back in the Skinner box after 1 mg/kg diazepam. This effect did not appear to be related to the disinhibition of an extinction process.", "PMID": 620746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3709", "title": "Filamentous bodies in human glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Filamentous bodies have been identified in the glomerular cells of human kidney biopsies. These structures have a close morphological resemblance to ciliary rootlets, although the cells of the glomerular tuft only occasionally bear cilia. Their significance could be, as for cilia, of a cellular disdifferentiation of a pathological cellular proliferation.", "contents": "Filamentous bodies in human glomerulonephritis. Filamentous bodies have been identified in the glomerular cells of human kidney biopsies. These structures have a close morphological resemblance to ciliary rootlets, although the cells of the glomerular tuft only occasionally bear cilia. Their significance could be, as for cilia, of a cellular disdifferentiation of a pathological cellular proliferation.", "PMID": 620747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3710", "title": "Different effects of synthetic delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabis extract on steroid metabolism in male rats.", "content": "Repeated oral administration of cannabis extract as well as synthetic delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol to male rats produced significant changes in excretion of androgenic steroids and their metabolites as detectable in blood and urine. Cannabis extracts were found to be significantly more active than the mixtures containing same amounts of synthetic cannabinoids.", "contents": "Different effects of synthetic delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabis extract on steroid metabolism in male rats. Repeated oral administration of cannabis extract as well as synthetic delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol to male rats produced significant changes in excretion of androgenic steroids and their metabolites as detectable in blood and urine. Cannabis extracts were found to be significantly more active than the mixtures containing same amounts of synthetic cannabinoids.", "PMID": 620748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3711", "title": "Does increased gastric mucus play a role in the ulcer-protecting effects of zinc sulphate?", "content": "Zinc sulphate pretreatment i.p. produces dose-related reductions in stess ulcer incidence in pylorus-occluded rats. The associated increases in gastric wall mucus, in stressed and nonstressed animals, suggest that a similar effect may contribute to its ulcer-reducing ability in man.", "contents": "Does increased gastric mucus play a role in the ulcer-protecting effects of zinc sulphate? Zinc sulphate pretreatment i.p. produces dose-related reductions in stess ulcer incidence in pylorus-occluded rats. The associated increases in gastric wall mucus, in stressed and nonstressed animals, suggest that a similar effect may contribute to its ulcer-reducing ability in man.", "PMID": 620749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3712", "title": "Chemical protection of mouse spermatocytes against gamma-rays with 2-mercaptopropionylglycine.", "content": "The radiosensitivity of primary spermatocytes in pachytene stage was estimated by counting the number of spermatids in the testes of control and MPG-treated mouse after exposure to 500, 1000 and 1500 R of Co60 gamma-rays. For this purpose, control and MPG-treated mice were killed 5 days after irradiation and countings of spermatids was made in stages I and II of the tubules. It has been observed that, although there was a death of primary spermatocytes in irradiated MPG-protected groups, quantitatively significant protection was afforded by this drug at all the 3 dose-levels studied.", "contents": "Chemical protection of mouse spermatocytes against gamma-rays with 2-mercaptopropionylglycine. The radiosensitivity of primary spermatocytes in pachytene stage was estimated by counting the number of spermatids in the testes of control and MPG-treated mouse after exposure to 500, 1000 and 1500 R of Co60 gamma-rays. For this purpose, control and MPG-treated mice were killed 5 days after irradiation and countings of spermatids was made in stages I and II of the tubules. It has been observed that, although there was a death of primary spermatocytes in irradiated MPG-protected groups, quantitatively significant protection was afforded by this drug at all the 3 dose-levels studied.", "PMID": 620750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3713", "title": "Histochemical studies on two types of cells containing catecholamines in sympathetic ganglia of the bullfrog.", "content": "The excitation/emission spectra maxima obtained from orange fluorescing small cell clusters and greenish yellow fluorescing ganglion cell bodies were at 400--410/490--560 nm and at 400--410/470--500 nm, respectively.", "contents": "Histochemical studies on two types of cells containing catecholamines in sympathetic ganglia of the bullfrog. The excitation/emission spectra maxima obtained from orange fluorescing small cell clusters and greenish yellow fluorescing ganglion cell bodies were at 400--410/490--560 nm and at 400--410/470--500 nm, respectively.", "PMID": 620751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3714", "title": "Agglutination of leukemic cells and daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes with lectin in vitro and in vivo.", "content": "Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) agglutinated the L1210 leukemic cells and daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes in vitro. Comparing with control preparations, the greatest increase in survival was obtained in vivo when the daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes and WGA were given to BDF1 mice bearing L1210 cells.", "contents": "Agglutination of leukemic cells and daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes with lectin in vitro and in vivo. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) agglutinated the L1210 leukemic cells and daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes in vitro. Comparing with control preparations, the greatest increase in survival was obtained in vivo when the daunomycin entrapped erythrocytes and WGA were given to BDF1 mice bearing L1210 cells.", "PMID": 620752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3715", "title": "Evidence for the presence of viable endothelial cells in cultures derived from dissociated rat brain.", "content": "The morphology and histochemistry of dissociated newborn rat brain was studied in tissue culture. Direct microscopy of developing cells, electron microscopy and the alkaline phosphatase activity were used to identify the capillary endothelial cells.", "contents": "Evidence for the presence of viable endothelial cells in cultures derived from dissociated rat brain. The morphology and histochemistry of dissociated newborn rat brain was studied in tissue culture. Direct microscopy of developing cells, electron microscopy and the alkaline phosphatase activity were used to identify the capillary endothelial cells.", "PMID": 620753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3716", "title": "Decreased serum responsiveness by primary monolayer cultures of preneoplastic and neoplastic mammary epithelial cells.", "content": "Monolayer cultures of normal, preneoplastic and neoplastic murine mammary epithelial cells were exposed to various types of mammalian serum. A progressive decline in levels of thymidine incorporation together with a change in the ordering of sera which stimulates optimal incorporation was observed in the transformed cells.", "contents": "Decreased serum responsiveness by primary monolayer cultures of preneoplastic and neoplastic mammary epithelial cells. Monolayer cultures of normal, preneoplastic and neoplastic murine mammary epithelial cells were exposed to various types of mammalian serum. A progressive decline in levels of thymidine incorporation together with a change in the ordering of sera which stimulates optimal incorporation was observed in the transformed cells.", "PMID": 620754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3717", "title": "[Mammotropic and somatotropic pituitary cells in spontaneous mammary tumor bearing C3H female mice. A quantitative electron microscope study].", "content": "Pituitaries of mammary tumor-bearing mice (C3H) were examined by quantitative electron microscopy. The results indicate that considerable modifications occur in mammotropic and somatotropic cells. Both types show an increase of the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease of the volume of secretory granules (in percent of cytoplasmic volume), suggesting a heightened secretory activity of these cells during mammary carcinogenesis.", "contents": "[Mammotropic and somatotropic pituitary cells in spontaneous mammary tumor bearing C3H female mice. A quantitative electron microscope study]. Pituitaries of mammary tumor-bearing mice (C3H) were examined by quantitative electron microscopy. The results indicate that considerable modifications occur in mammotropic and somatotropic cells. Both types show an increase of the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease of the volume of secretory granules (in percent of cytoplasmic volume), suggesting a heightened secretory activity of these cells during mammary carcinogenesis.", "PMID": 620755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3718", "title": "Structure of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine methylderivatives.", "content": "In the course of researches on pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds, methylation reactions with (CH3)2SO4 and CH2N2 are studied. Methylderivatives structure is assigned by means of a spectroscopic investigation. A relationship between the kind of reagent and the methyl group position is stressed.", "contents": "Structure of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine methylderivatives. In the course of researches on pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds, methylation reactions with (CH3)2SO4 and CH2N2 are studied. Methylderivatives structure is assigned by means of a spectroscopic investigation. A relationship between the kind of reagent and the methyl group position is stressed.", "PMID": 620772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3719", "title": "[Synthesis of 2-substituted derivatives of 5H-1,2,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a] [1,3,5]triazin-5-one].", "content": "The synthesis of 2-substituted derivatives of 5H-1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a] [1,3,5]triazin-5-one, obtained from 5-substituted 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles is described. The structure of the new compounds is confirmed by U.V. and I.R. spectra and partly by mass spectrometry.", "contents": "[Synthesis of 2-substituted derivatives of 5H-1,2,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a] [1,3,5]triazin-5-one]. The synthesis of 2-substituted derivatives of 5H-1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a] [1,3,5]triazin-5-one, obtained from 5-substituted 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles is described. The structure of the new compounds is confirmed by U.V. and I.R. spectra and partly by mass spectrometry.", "PMID": 620773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3720", "title": "Polymorphism of 1-methyl-2-nitro-5-vinylimidazole.", "content": "Three polymorphic forms of 1-methyl-2-nitro-5-vinylimidazole, a potential antimicrobial drug, have been isolated and characterized by thermomicroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. On the basis of some infrared bands, the hypothesis has been made that the different packing of forms I and II was due to the existence of the molecule in two different conformations in the two forms. The direct confirmation of the hypothesis has been sought by X-ray diffraction of single crystals, but a suitable crystal was obtained only for form II. Form II is orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with unit-cell dimensions: a = 13.05, b = 10.83, c = 10.21 A; Z = 8. From the X-ray analysis, carried out by direct methods, the molecule is planar and the vinyl group is cisoid to the heterocyclic CH group. Then, the existence of the molecule as transoid conformation in form I still remains a hypothesis.", "contents": "Polymorphism of 1-methyl-2-nitro-5-vinylimidazole. Three polymorphic forms of 1-methyl-2-nitro-5-vinylimidazole, a potential antimicrobial drug, have been isolated and characterized by thermomicroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. On the basis of some infrared bands, the hypothesis has been made that the different packing of forms I and II was due to the existence of the molecule in two different conformations in the two forms. The direct confirmation of the hypothesis has been sought by X-ray diffraction of single crystals, but a suitable crystal was obtained only for form II. Form II is orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with unit-cell dimensions: a = 13.05, b = 10.83, c = 10.21 A; Z = 8. From the X-ray analysis, carried out by direct methods, the molecule is planar and the vinyl group is cisoid to the heterocyclic CH group. Then, the existence of the molecule as transoid conformation in form I still remains a hypothesis.", "PMID": 620774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3721", "title": "[Glycinamide derivatives of norbornane].", "content": "Three groups of glycinamides derivatived respectively from 4-aminomethyl-2,2,3-trimethylnorbornane, from 1-aminomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-methylennorbornane and from 1-aminomethyl-2,2,3-trimethylnorbornane are prepared and described.", "contents": "[Glycinamide derivatives of norbornane]. Three groups of glycinamides derivatived respectively from 4-aminomethyl-2,2,3-trimethylnorbornane, from 1-aminomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-methylennorbornane and from 1-aminomethyl-2,2,3-trimethylnorbornane are prepared and described.", "PMID": 620775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3722", "title": "Pyrrolnitrin analogues. V. Knorr's pyrrole condensation between N-(4-nitrophenacyl)-3,5-dimethylaniline and ethyl acetoacetate.", "content": "The reaction between N-(4-nitrophenacyl)-3,5-dimethylaniline and ethyl acetoacetate in boiling ethanol afforded 3-carbethoxy-5-(1-carbethoxyacetonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole and in low yield 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole. Chemical transformation of the former compound into 5-acetonyl-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole is described. The structure of 3-carbethoxy-5-(1-carbethoxyacetonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole has been established by the aid of N.M.R. spectral data. The above reaction, when carried out in boiling ethanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of 3,5-dimethylaniline hydrobromide, led to the formation of 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole and 4,6-dimethyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)indole, the former formed in a very good yield. Some pyrrolnitrin analogues have been prepared starting from 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole.", "contents": "Pyrrolnitrin analogues. V. Knorr's pyrrole condensation between N-(4-nitrophenacyl)-3,5-dimethylaniline and ethyl acetoacetate. The reaction between N-(4-nitrophenacyl)-3,5-dimethylaniline and ethyl acetoacetate in boiling ethanol afforded 3-carbethoxy-5-(1-carbethoxyacetonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole and in low yield 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole. Chemical transformation of the former compound into 5-acetonyl-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole is described. The structure of 3-carbethoxy-5-(1-carbethoxyacetonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole has been established by the aid of N.M.R. spectral data. The above reaction, when carried out in boiling ethanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of 3,5-dimethylaniline hydrobromide, led to the formation of 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole and 4,6-dimethyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)indole, the former formed in a very good yield. Some pyrrolnitrin analogues have been prepared starting from 3-carbethoxy-1-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)pyrrole.", "PMID": 620776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3723", "title": "Polymorphism of chenodeoxycholic acid.", "content": "Polymorphism of chenodeoxycholic acid was studied by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. Four polymorphic forms (three crystalline and one amorphous) were characterized.", "contents": "Polymorphism of chenodeoxycholic acid. Polymorphism of chenodeoxycholic acid was studied by differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. Four polymorphic forms (three crystalline and one amorphous) were characterized.", "PMID": 620777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3724", "title": "[Synthesis and pharmacological activity of esters and amides of 4-phenylcoumarin-3-carboxylic acid].", "content": "The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a series of dialkylaminoalkyl esters and dialkylaminoalkyl amides of 4-phenylisocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid are described. The esters show anticoagulant activity whereas the amides show marked antiarhythmic activity.", "contents": "[Synthesis and pharmacological activity of esters and amides of 4-phenylcoumarin-3-carboxylic acid]. The synthesis and pharmacological activity of a series of dialkylaminoalkyl esters and dialkylaminoalkyl amides of 4-phenylisocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid are described. The esters show anticoagulant activity whereas the amides show marked antiarhythmic activity.", "PMID": 620778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3725", "title": "Effects of 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic discs in male rats.", "content": "Silicone rubber discs containing 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha ester (15-Me-PGF2 alpha) in the matrix were implanted in the left side of the scrotums of Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of 1% and 2% drug concentration was examined for 10, 20, or 28 days and compared with the effects of Silastic discs containing no prostaglandin. The discs containing prostaglandin reduced mean testicular and accessory gland weights. Histologically the testes and epididymides showed decreased or absent spermatogenic elements and hypertrophy of the interstitial cell masses in comparison with other cells. Implanted prostaglandin significantly depressed serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations when 15-Me-PGF2 alpha plasma concentrations exceeded 2 ng/ml. Hormone concentrations returned to control values as drug concentrations declined. FSH concentrations significantly exceeded control values 10 and 20 days after implantation, when prostaglandin concentration was nondetectable. The acute suppression of all three hormones suggest that 15-Me-PGF2 alpha either may act directly on the tests to suppress testosterone production or may suppress testosterone production or may suppress gonadotropin secretion, resulting in depressed testosterone output.", "contents": "Effects of 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic discs in male rats. Silicone rubber discs containing 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha ester (15-Me-PGF2 alpha) in the matrix were implanted in the left side of the scrotums of Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of 1% and 2% drug concentration was examined for 10, 20, or 28 days and compared with the effects of Silastic discs containing no prostaglandin. The discs containing prostaglandin reduced mean testicular and accessory gland weights. Histologically the testes and epididymides showed decreased or absent spermatogenic elements and hypertrophy of the interstitial cell masses in comparison with other cells. Implanted prostaglandin significantly depressed serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations when 15-Me-PGF2 alpha plasma concentrations exceeded 2 ng/ml. Hormone concentrations returned to control values as drug concentrations declined. FSH concentrations significantly exceeded control values 10 and 20 days after implantation, when prostaglandin concentration was nondetectable. The acute suppression of all three hormones suggest that 15-Me-PGF2 alpha either may act directly on the tests to suppress testosterone production or may suppress testosterone production or may suppress gonadotropin secretion, resulting in depressed testosterone output.", "PMID": 620835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3726", "title": "Fertility of male rats treated with 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic implants.", "content": "Male Spraque-Dawley rats receiving implants of silicone rubber discs containing 1% or 2% 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester (15-Me-PGF 2 alpha) or no prostaglandin were tested in successive breeding trials for potency and fertility. One week after implantation, discs containing 1% 15-Me-PGF2 alpha reduced potency and fertility, which returned 2 weeks after implantation. Animals receiving implants of the 2% discs were apparently impotent the 1st week following implantation; potency returned before full fertility returned 11 weeks after implantation.", "contents": "Fertility of male rats treated with 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester-containing silastic implants. Male Spraque-Dawley rats receiving implants of silicone rubber discs containing 1% or 2% 15(S)-15-methyl prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester (15-Me-PGF 2 alpha) or no prostaglandin were tested in successive breeding trials for potency and fertility. One week after implantation, discs containing 1% 15-Me-PGF2 alpha reduced potency and fertility, which returned 2 weeks after implantation. Animals receiving implants of the 2% discs were apparently impotent the 1st week following implantation; potency returned before full fertility returned 11 weeks after implantation.", "PMID": 620836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3727", "title": "Danazol as a luteolytic agent.", "content": "Danazol, a synthetic 2,3-isoxazol derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyltestosterone, was administered to healthy nonpregnant volunteers to determine wheter a luteolytic effect could be detected by observation of cycle length, duration of the luteal rise, and luteal steroidogenesis. Danazol administration resulted in a decreased duration of the luteal rise and a decrease in progesterone output in three of four subjects, but no decrease in total cycle length. The administration of human chorionic gonadotropin during danazol administration increased progesterone output. Therefore, danazol would be unlikely to be effective as a luteolytic contraceptive agent.", "contents": "Danazol as a luteolytic agent. Danazol, a synthetic 2,3-isoxazol derivative of 17 alpha-ethinyltestosterone, was administered to healthy nonpregnant volunteers to determine wheter a luteolytic effect could be detected by observation of cycle length, duration of the luteal rise, and luteal steroidogenesis. Danazol administration resulted in a decreased duration of the luteal rise and a decrease in progesterone output in three of four subjects, but no decrease in total cycle length. The administration of human chorionic gonadotropin during danazol administration increased progesterone output. Therefore, danazol would be unlikely to be effective as a luteolytic contraceptive agent.", "PMID": 620838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3728", "title": "The effect of intrauterine devices containing zinc and copper on their levels in serum.", "content": "Serum levels of copper and zinc were determined in 11 health women in whom Latex Leaf intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing copper and zinc had been inserted. Patients with low levels of serum copper or zinc before insertion usually had increased levels of either of these metals while using the device, but they did not exceed the upper limits of normal values. When the group was considered as a whole, the serum levels of zinc showed a slight tendency to increase with duration of IUD use, whereas there was no statistical difference between the serum levels of copper before and after insertion of the IUD.", "contents": "The effect of intrauterine devices containing zinc and copper on their levels in serum. Serum levels of copper and zinc were determined in 11 health women in whom Latex Leaf intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing copper and zinc had been inserted. Patients with low levels of serum copper or zinc before insertion usually had increased levels of either of these metals while using the device, but they did not exceed the upper limits of normal values. When the group was considered as a whole, the serum levels of zinc showed a slight tendency to increase with duration of IUD use, whereas there was no statistical difference between the serum levels of copper before and after insertion of the IUD.", "PMID": 620840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3729", "title": "Clinical investigation of the menstrual cycle. I. Diagram of the normal menstrual cycle.", "content": "The clinical definition of normal menstrual cycles has been attempted by using the basal body temperature charts of patients without gynecologic dysfunction who conceived in the following cycle. A second-species linear regression method has been used for statistical comparison of lengths of both follicular and luteal phases. A graphic representation of the equation of the tolerance limit about 46 normal cycles is proposed which can be considered a nomogram of the menstrual cycle.", "contents": "Clinical investigation of the menstrual cycle. I. Diagram of the normal menstrual cycle. The clinical definition of normal menstrual cycles has been attempted by using the basal body temperature charts of patients without gynecologic dysfunction who conceived in the following cycle. A second-species linear regression method has been used for statistical comparison of lengths of both follicular and luteal phases. A graphic representation of the equation of the tolerance limit about 46 normal cycles is proposed which can be considered a nomogram of the menstrual cycle.", "PMID": 620841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3730", "title": "Microsurgical two-layer vasovasostomy: laboratory use of vasectomized segments.", "content": "A microsurgical laboratory model is described which uses optimally preserved human vasectomy segments. These preserved specimens retain their natural appearance and handling qualities, permitting ready availability of material for practice, which is mandatory before clinical performance. If laboratory facilities are not available, the model can be used for practice in a convenient area of the operating suite.", "contents": "Microsurgical two-layer vasovasostomy: laboratory use of vasectomized segments. A microsurgical laboratory model is described which uses optimally preserved human vasectomy segments. These preserved specimens retain their natural appearance and handling qualities, permitting ready availability of material for practice, which is mandatory before clinical performance. If laboratory facilities are not available, the model can be used for practice in a convenient area of the operating suite.", "PMID": 620842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3731", "title": "Quantitative evaluation of testicular biopsies in varicocele.", "content": "Testicular biopsies from 81 patients with varicocele were evaluated by the score count method. Thirty-two patients sought treatment for infertility. Bilateral biopsies were performed in 47. Spermatogenesis was generally reduced in patients with varicocele, but there was no difference between the right and left tests. The testicular biopsy mean score correlated significantly with the total sperm count. There was no correlation between the size of the varicocele and the reduction in spermatogenesis. Although varicocele is nearly always left-sided, its mechanism of action must involve both testes. This mechanism is still unknown.", "contents": "Quantitative evaluation of testicular biopsies in varicocele. Testicular biopsies from 81 patients with varicocele were evaluated by the score count method. Thirty-two patients sought treatment for infertility. Bilateral biopsies were performed in 47. Spermatogenesis was generally reduced in patients with varicocele, but there was no difference between the right and left tests. The testicular biopsy mean score correlated significantly with the total sperm count. There was no correlation between the size of the varicocele and the reduction in spermatogenesis. Although varicocele is nearly always left-sided, its mechanism of action must involve both testes. This mechanism is still unknown.", "PMID": 620843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3732", "title": "Quantitative evaluation of testicular biopsies before and after operation for varicocele.", "content": "Testicular biopsies and semen samples were examined before and approximately 1 year after operation for varicocele in 39 men. Two men were excluded because of Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Of the remaining 37, 22 were operated upon for infertility. The testicular biopsies were quantitated with the score count method. The operation for varicocele significantly improved the testicular tissue. THe numbers of tubuli obtaining a high score increased and the biopsy mean scores also increased significantly. However, few testes became perfectly normal. The duration or the size of the varicocele apparently has little effect upon the state of the testicular tissue or the change in it after operation.", "contents": "Quantitative evaluation of testicular biopsies before and after operation for varicocele. Testicular biopsies and semen samples were examined before and approximately 1 year after operation for varicocele in 39 men. Two men were excluded because of Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. Of the remaining 37, 22 were operated upon for infertility. The testicular biopsies were quantitated with the score count method. The operation for varicocele significantly improved the testicular tissue. THe numbers of tubuli obtaining a high score increased and the biopsy mean scores also increased significantly. However, few testes became perfectly normal. The duration or the size of the varicocele apparently has little effect upon the state of the testicular tissue or the change in it after operation.", "PMID": 620844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3733", "title": "Testosterone rebound therapy: a neglected modality.", "content": "A summary of the literature and a 20-year review of our own experience with testosterone rebound therapy is presented. Of 225 patients followed, 52% rebounded to fertile levels followed by pregnancy in the wives of 25%. Pregnancy occurred in 3 wives (8%) of the 38 initially azoospermic patients. There was only a 4% incidence of failure to return to at least the pretreatment sperm count following therapy, and no persistent azoospermia was observed. These results are consistent with other recent reports of several large series of patients. Proper screening and selection of patients is mandatory. Testosterone rebound is a neglected form of therapy meriting consideration in selected patients.", "contents": "Testosterone rebound therapy: a neglected modality. A summary of the literature and a 20-year review of our own experience with testosterone rebound therapy is presented. Of 225 patients followed, 52% rebounded to fertile levels followed by pregnancy in the wives of 25%. Pregnancy occurred in 3 wives (8%) of the 38 initially azoospermic patients. There was only a 4% incidence of failure to return to at least the pretreatment sperm count following therapy, and no persistent azoospermia was observed. These results are consistent with other recent reports of several large series of patients. Proper screening and selection of patients is mandatory. Testosterone rebound is a neglected form of therapy meriting consideration in selected patients.", "PMID": 620845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3734", "title": "Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels found in human seminal plasma.", "content": "Radioimmunoassays were performed on the seminal plasma of normospermic, oligospermic, and azoospermic men to determine the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. FSH levels in the seminal plasma of all three groups were found to be similar to the levels normally found in blood serum. LH levels in the seminal plasma of azoospermic and oligospermic men were within the normal range found in blood serum but were elevated in the normospermic samples. Testosterone levels in the seminal plasma of all three groups tested were considerably lower than the normal range found in blood serum.", "contents": "Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels found in human seminal plasma. Radioimmunoassays were performed on the seminal plasma of normospermic, oligospermic, and azoospermic men to determine the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone. FSH levels in the seminal plasma of all three groups were found to be similar to the levels normally found in blood serum. LH levels in the seminal plasma of azoospermic and oligospermic men were within the normal range found in blood serum but were elevated in the normospermic samples. Testosterone levels in the seminal plasma of all three groups tested were considerably lower than the normal range found in blood serum.", "PMID": 620846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3735", "title": "Deciliation in the puerperal fallopian tube.", "content": "Tubal segments obtained from patients at cesarean section and at intervals during the first 5 postpartum days were examined to evaluate puerperal changes in the tubal epithelium. The specimens of tubal epithelium were examined under the scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Ciliated cells were most densely distributed on the fimbria and in the ampulla, and were relatively sparsely distributed in the isthmus. Progressive diminution of numbers of ciliated cells and deciliated of individual cells were noted in specimens obtained during the puerperium. Nonciliated cells were in the resting stage at term pregnancy. Secretory activity returned during the puerperium.", "contents": "Deciliation in the puerperal fallopian tube. Tubal segments obtained from patients at cesarean section and at intervals during the first 5 postpartum days were examined to evaluate puerperal changes in the tubal epithelium. The specimens of tubal epithelium were examined under the scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Ciliated cells were most densely distributed on the fimbria and in the ampulla, and were relatively sparsely distributed in the isthmus. Progressive diminution of numbers of ciliated cells and deciliated of individual cells were noted in specimens obtained during the puerperium. Nonciliated cells were in the resting stage at term pregnancy. Secretory activity returned during the puerperium.", "PMID": 620847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3736", "title": "Inhibitory effect of various gestagens upon the pregnenolone 3 beta-ol-dehydrogenase-delta 5-4-isomerase system in human corpora lutea of menstrual cycles.", "content": "The inhibitory effect of various gestagens upon the pregnenolone 3 beta-ol-dehydrogenase-delta5-4-isomerase system in 10,000 X g supernatants of human corpora lutea of the menstrual cycle has been investigated in in vitro experiments. The Km value for pregnenolone was 1.3 X 10(-6) M. All gestations reduced the rate of conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. As compared with controls, average relative rates of reaction with additives were as follows: progesterone, 47%; 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 64% norethisterone, 33%; chlormadinone acetate, 47% medroxyprogesterone acetate, 53%; dydrogesterone, 62%; and allylestrenol, 74%. The data substantiate that natural or synthetic gestagens, at least in vitro, inhibit the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone by human corpora lutea and that natural progesterone itself is a potent inhibitor which appears to acut noncompetitively (K1 =2.2 X 10(-5) M).", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of various gestagens upon the pregnenolone 3 beta-ol-dehydrogenase-delta 5-4-isomerase system in human corpora lutea of menstrual cycles. The inhibitory effect of various gestagens upon the pregnenolone 3 beta-ol-dehydrogenase-delta5-4-isomerase system in 10,000 X g supernatants of human corpora lutea of the menstrual cycle has been investigated in in vitro experiments. The Km value for pregnenolone was 1.3 X 10(-6) M. All gestations reduced the rate of conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. As compared with controls, average relative rates of reaction with additives were as follows: progesterone, 47%; 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 64% norethisterone, 33%; chlormadinone acetate, 47% medroxyprogesterone acetate, 53%; dydrogesterone, 62%; and allylestrenol, 74%. The data substantiate that natural or synthetic gestagens, at least in vitro, inhibit the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone by human corpora lutea and that natural progesterone itself is a potent inhibitor which appears to acut noncompetitively (K1 =2.2 X 10(-5) M).", "PMID": 620848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3737", "title": "Comparative study of serum luteinizing hormone levels in human subjects as measured by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptorassay.", "content": "A rapid, precise, sensitive, and specific radioreceptorassay (RRA) for serum luteinizing hormone (LH), using a 15,000 X g pellet from bovine corpora lutea, was developed. A comparative study of the serum LH levels in human subjects as measured by this RRA and by radioimmunoassay (RIA) using the same standard preparation was then conducted. The serum LH profile throughout the entire menstrual cycle and the pituitary responsiveness to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) stimulation during the two phases of the cycle were studied in two normal women. In addition, LH levels in two normal postpubertal men were measured in blood samples obtained before and after LH-RH administration. Similar, although not identical, LH profiles were found in all cases by both hormone assay methods. Higher RRA-assayable LH values were obtained throughout the menstrual cycle as compared with those obtained by RIA. A significant LH-RH pituitary response in terms of LH in both RRA and RIA during the luteal phase was observed as compared with that observed during the early follicular phase. In the two normal men, the LH values obtained with RRA were higher than those obtained with RIA. It is concluded that the LH RRA is a practical and efficient tool for clinical research.", "contents": "Comparative study of serum luteinizing hormone levels in human subjects as measured by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptorassay. A rapid, precise, sensitive, and specific radioreceptorassay (RRA) for serum luteinizing hormone (LH), using a 15,000 X g pellet from bovine corpora lutea, was developed. A comparative study of the serum LH levels in human subjects as measured by this RRA and by radioimmunoassay (RIA) using the same standard preparation was then conducted. The serum LH profile throughout the entire menstrual cycle and the pituitary responsiveness to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) stimulation during the two phases of the cycle were studied in two normal women. In addition, LH levels in two normal postpubertal men were measured in blood samples obtained before and after LH-RH administration. Similar, although not identical, LH profiles were found in all cases by both hormone assay methods. Higher RRA-assayable LH values were obtained throughout the menstrual cycle as compared with those obtained by RIA. A significant LH-RH pituitary response in terms of LH in both RRA and RIA during the luteal phase was observed as compared with that observed during the early follicular phase. In the two normal men, the LH values obtained with RRA were higher than those obtained with RIA. It is concluded that the LH RRA is a practical and efficient tool for clinical research.", "PMID": 620849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3738", "title": "[Peptide transport and peptidase localization in the small intestine of chickens].", "content": "The mechanism of peptide transport was studied in vitro in the small intestine of chicks and accumulating preparations of mucosa using glycyl-1-tryptophan. A special criterion was proposed to differentiate the processes of intracellular and membrane hydrolysis of dipeptide basing on the analysis of transport intensity of amino acids released into the serosal solution after hydrolysis of dipeptide. 1-tryptophan released at hydrolysis was transported considerably more slowly than free amino acid. 1-tryptophan from the mixture with glycyne demonstrated the highest transport intensity in serosal solution as well as the highest accumulation in the mucosa cells from all forms of 1-tryptophan. At the same time the peptide form of glycyne was transported with the same intensity as that from the mixture with 1-tryptophan. According to the criterion applied it is supposed that unequal levels of 1-tryptophan and glycyne in the serosal solution prove the membrane hydrolysis of glycyne-1-tryptophan during ist transport in enterocytes.", "contents": "[Peptide transport and peptidase localization in the small intestine of chickens]. The mechanism of peptide transport was studied in vitro in the small intestine of chicks and accumulating preparations of mucosa using glycyl-1-tryptophan. A special criterion was proposed to differentiate the processes of intracellular and membrane hydrolysis of dipeptide basing on the analysis of transport intensity of amino acids released into the serosal solution after hydrolysis of dipeptide. 1-tryptophan released at hydrolysis was transported considerably more slowly than free amino acid. 1-tryptophan from the mixture with glycyne demonstrated the highest transport intensity in serosal solution as well as the highest accumulation in the mucosa cells from all forms of 1-tryptophan. At the same time the peptide form of glycyne was transported with the same intensity as that from the mixture with 1-tryptophan. According to the criterion applied it is supposed that unequal levels of 1-tryptophan and glycyne in the serosal solution prove the membrane hydrolysis of glycyne-1-tryptophan during ist transport in enterocytes.", "PMID": 620850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3739", "title": "[Distribution and functional characteristics of N- and M-cholinoreceptors in structures of the striopallidal complex].", "content": "Microapplication of arecoline, nicotine, methamizil, and beta-ethydiphazil in unanesthetized immobilized rabbits through chemotrodes implanted into the head of nucleus caudatus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, reticular formation and frontal cortex revealed inhibitory and activating effects of arecoline and nicotine. Specific antagonism between the effects of M- and N-cholinomimetics and between corresponding M- and N-cholinoblockers, was shown. Existence of M- and N-cholinoreactive biochemical systems with reciprocal relations is supposed in different zones of the striatum.", "contents": "[Distribution and functional characteristics of N- and M-cholinoreceptors in structures of the striopallidal complex]. Microapplication of arecoline, nicotine, methamizil, and beta-ethydiphazil in unanesthetized immobilized rabbits through chemotrodes implanted into the head of nucleus caudatus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, reticular formation and frontal cortex revealed inhibitory and activating effects of arecoline and nicotine. Specific antagonism between the effects of M- and N-cholinomimetics and between corresponding M- and N-cholinoblockers, was shown. Existence of M- and N-cholinoreactive biochemical systems with reciprocal relations is supposed in different zones of the striatum.", "PMID": 620855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3740", "title": "[Mechanism of development of secondary hypocoagulation in frogs following intravenous thrombin administration].", "content": "Appearing of thrombin in vessels leads to formation of fibrin clots followed by consumption of clotting factors and developing of repeated hypocoagulation. In dissolution of fibrin the important role belongs to fibrinolysis, leucocytes, and reticuloendothelium. I. v. administration of thrombin in frogs with destroyed spinal cord caused intravascular clotting with following readjustment of blood flow. Dissolution of the clots in vagotomized frogs occurred more slowly than in intact frogs.", "contents": "[Mechanism of development of secondary hypocoagulation in frogs following intravenous thrombin administration]. Appearing of thrombin in vessels leads to formation of fibrin clots followed by consumption of clotting factors and developing of repeated hypocoagulation. In dissolution of fibrin the important role belongs to fibrinolysis, leucocytes, and reticuloendothelium. I. v. administration of thrombin in frogs with destroyed spinal cord caused intravascular clotting with following readjustment of blood flow. Dissolution of the clots in vagotomized frogs occurred more slowly than in intact frogs.", "PMID": 620856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3741", "title": "[Effect of adrenaline on rat atrial and ventricular chronoinotropy].", "content": "The atria and ventricles were shown to differ from each other in: temporal course of contractions, relations between the strength of contractions and the interstimuli interval, resting potentiation, transitional processes after intermissions, character of response to adrenaline. For the first time the adrenaline was shown to annihilate differences in restitution processes occurring in atria and ventricles. The differences of responses in atria and ventricles seem to be due to concentration of endogenous catecholamines which modulate the electromechanical coupling of the rhythmically working myocardium.", "contents": "[Effect of adrenaline on rat atrial and ventricular chronoinotropy]. The atria and ventricles were shown to differ from each other in: temporal course of contractions, relations between the strength of contractions and the interstimuli interval, resting potentiation, transitional processes after intermissions, character of response to adrenaline. For the first time the adrenaline was shown to annihilate differences in restitution processes occurring in atria and ventricles. The differences of responses in atria and ventricles seem to be due to concentration of endogenous catecholamines which modulate the electromechanical coupling of the rhythmically working myocardium.", "PMID": 620858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3742", "title": "[Compensatory-adaptive responses of the microcirculatory bed of rat mesentery in hypoxia].", "content": "Television microscopy and stroboscopic determination of the blood flow speed showed that linear and volumetric speed of the blood flow in arterioles with gauge 40--20 mcm and venules with gauge 40--50 mcm diminished during repeated action of hypoxia and constrictory reaction. In capillaries and postcapillary venules with gauge 11--39 mcm, there was a dilatation with an original increase and subsequent decrease of the blood flow speed.", "contents": "[Compensatory-adaptive responses of the microcirculatory bed of rat mesentery in hypoxia]. Television microscopy and stroboscopic determination of the blood flow speed showed that linear and volumetric speed of the blood flow in arterioles with gauge 40--20 mcm and venules with gauge 40--50 mcm diminished during repeated action of hypoxia and constrictory reaction. In capillaries and postcapillary venules with gauge 11--39 mcm, there was a dilatation with an original increase and subsequent decrease of the blood flow speed.", "PMID": 620859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3743", "title": "[Digestive enzymes in rat saliva following selective or total removal of the salivary glands].", "content": "After partial or total removal of salivary glands, parotid glands secreted practically the whole amount of alpha-amylase, DN-ase, and major portion of RN-ase, the submandibular glands providing more than 2/3 of the whole production of salivain. Comparison of output of enzymes with or without pilocarpin stimulation showed parotid glands to be the glands with periodical secretion and submandibular glands--with permanent secretion.", "contents": "[Digestive enzymes in rat saliva following selective or total removal of the salivary glands]. After partial or total removal of salivary glands, parotid glands secreted practically the whole amount of alpha-amylase, DN-ase, and major portion of RN-ase, the submandibular glands providing more than 2/3 of the whole production of salivain. Comparison of output of enzymes with or without pilocarpin stimulation showed parotid glands to be the glands with periodical secretion and submandibular glands--with permanent secretion.", "PMID": 620861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3744", "title": "[Secretion of amylase and lipase in bile].", "content": "In chronic and acute experiments on dogs, secretion of amylase and lipase in bile, under conditions of basal and stimulating feeding and before and after the ligation of pancretic ducts and i. v. administration of pancreatic gland tissue extract, was studied. Amylase and lipse were found to be normal physiologic components of the bile, the latter's secretion depending on functional state of liver and maintenance of enzyme in the blood. The transition of hydrolase from blood into the bile is considered to be one of mechanisms of securing the enzyme homeostasis. For starting amylo- and lipolytic activity of the bile, the processes of their recretion from the blood are considered to be very significant.", "contents": "[Secretion of amylase and lipase in bile]. In chronic and acute experiments on dogs, secretion of amylase and lipase in bile, under conditions of basal and stimulating feeding and before and after the ligation of pancretic ducts and i. v. administration of pancreatic gland tissue extract, was studied. Amylase and lipse were found to be normal physiologic components of the bile, the latter's secretion depending on functional state of liver and maintenance of enzyme in the blood. The transition of hydrolase from blood into the bile is considered to be one of mechanisms of securing the enzyme homeostasis. For starting amylo- and lipolytic activity of the bile, the processes of their recretion from the blood are considered to be very significant.", "PMID": 620862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3745", "title": "[Relationship between the frequencies of pacemaker and action potentials in the duodenal smooth muscle of dogs].", "content": "In dogs with electrodes indwelled into the duodenum, four phases of the change of duodenum pacesetter potentials were revealed at rest in hunger whereas no such changes were observed during digestion. The frequency ranges of both the pacesetter potentials and the bursts of action potentials were wider in hunger than during digestion. Without the digestive activity, the periodicity of the frequency oscillations of the pacemaker potentials corresponded with the periodicity of action potentials, whereas during the process of digestion the constancy of the pacesetter potential frequency corresponded with the action potential constancy. The regularities of optimal conditions for action potentials of the duodenum smooth muscles are discussed as well as the methodological conditions for revealing the authentic character of changes in the pacesetter potential frequency.", "contents": "[Relationship between the frequencies of pacemaker and action potentials in the duodenal smooth muscle of dogs]. In dogs with electrodes indwelled into the duodenum, four phases of the change of duodenum pacesetter potentials were revealed at rest in hunger whereas no such changes were observed during digestion. The frequency ranges of both the pacesetter potentials and the bursts of action potentials were wider in hunger than during digestion. Without the digestive activity, the periodicity of the frequency oscillations of the pacemaker potentials corresponded with the periodicity of action potentials, whereas during the process of digestion the constancy of the pacesetter potential frequency corresponded with the action potential constancy. The regularities of optimal conditions for action potentials of the duodenum smooth muscles are discussed as well as the methodological conditions for revealing the authentic character of changes in the pacesetter potential frequency.", "PMID": 620864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3746", "title": "Dapsone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.", "content": "This is a report on two cases with pemphigus vulgaris effectively controlled by dapsone. In one, dapsone was added to the treatment after a failure of combined prednisone and methotrexate therapy to control the disease completely. It is suggested that dapsone may offer a means in an attempt to minimize adverse reactions met with during the long corticosteroid regimen required in pemphigus.", "contents": "Dapsone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. This is a report on two cases with pemphigus vulgaris effectively controlled by dapsone. In one, dapsone was added to the treatment after a failure of combined prednisone and methotrexate therapy to control the disease completely. It is suggested that dapsone may offer a means in an attempt to minimize adverse reactions met with during the long corticosteroid regimen required in pemphigus.", "PMID": 620865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3747", "title": "Yersinia enterocolitica as a cause of erythema nodosum.", "content": "54 cases of erythema nodosum, seen in the Department of Dermatology at the St. Raphael University Hospital, Louvain, were reviewed for their possible aetiology. A search for Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) agglutinins was performed in 21 patients of whom 8 had significant serum antibody titres. These cases are presented and discussed. Gastro-intestinal symptoms, preceding by 2 weeks the erythema nodosum, are strongly suggestive for an aetiologic link with Y.e. Our observations confirm and extend to this part of Europe, the experience of other, mainly Scandinavian, authors.", "contents": "Yersinia enterocolitica as a cause of erythema nodosum. 54 cases of erythema nodosum, seen in the Department of Dermatology at the St. Raphael University Hospital, Louvain, were reviewed for their possible aetiology. A search for Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) agglutinins was performed in 21 patients of whom 8 had significant serum antibody titres. These cases are presented and discussed. Gastro-intestinal symptoms, preceding by 2 weeks the erythema nodosum, are strongly suggestive for an aetiologic link with Y.e. Our observations confirm and extend to this part of Europe, the experience of other, mainly Scandinavian, authors.", "PMID": 620866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3748", "title": "Animal models of percutaneous penetration: comparison between Mexican hairless dogs and man.", "content": "In an attempt to find better animal models for percutaneous penetration studies relevant to man, urinary excretion of 14C-labeled compounds was studied in the Mexican hairless dog and in man. With benzoic acid, progesterone and testosterone, the total absorption and maximum absorption rate were greater in man than in the hairless dog. As urinary excretion lasted days longer in the dog than in man, it is possible that the thin dog skin held the chemicals longer than man. Surface-counting experiments with a Geiger counter with a thin mica window protected by a special screen of fine stainless steel wires showed that benzoic acid and progesterone did persist on the dog skin far longer than on human skin. We conclude that the Mexican hairless dog has permeability characteristics significantly different from those of human skin.", "contents": "Animal models of percutaneous penetration: comparison between Mexican hairless dogs and man. In an attempt to find better animal models for percutaneous penetration studies relevant to man, urinary excretion of 14C-labeled compounds was studied in the Mexican hairless dog and in man. With benzoic acid, progesterone and testosterone, the total absorption and maximum absorption rate were greater in man than in the hairless dog. As urinary excretion lasted days longer in the dog than in man, it is possible that the thin dog skin held the chemicals longer than man. Surface-counting experiments with a Geiger counter with a thin mica window protected by a special screen of fine stainless steel wires showed that benzoic acid and progesterone did persist on the dog skin far longer than on human skin. We conclude that the Mexican hairless dog has permeability characteristics significantly different from those of human skin.", "PMID": 620867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3749", "title": "Effect of topical salicylic acid on animal epidermopoiesis.", "content": "In contrast to its antihyperplastic effect on pathological proliferation of the epidermis, salicylic acid promotes epidermopoiesis in the normal guinea pig skin. After the application of 1% w/w salicylic acid in acetone-ethanol for 4 weeks, the thickness of the surface epithelium was increased by 40% and that of the deep epithelium by 19%. The mitotic index rose by 17%.", "contents": "Effect of topical salicylic acid on animal epidermopoiesis. In contrast to its antihyperplastic effect on pathological proliferation of the epidermis, salicylic acid promotes epidermopoiesis in the normal guinea pig skin. After the application of 1% w/w salicylic acid in acetone-ethanol for 4 weeks, the thickness of the surface epithelium was increased by 40% and that of the deep epithelium by 19%. The mitotic index rose by 17%.", "PMID": 620868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3750", "title": "Atypical granuloma annulare. Transition from erythema to multiple type.", "content": "We studied a 53-year-old housewife who had atypical granuloma annulare (GA) which began as erythematous patches on the legs. After 2 months, multiple flat papules, histologically characteristic of GA, developed over the erythematous background. 1 1/2 years later, a typical annular lesion appeared on the right index finger. Differential diagnosis of the erythematous form of GA based only on the clinical manifestations is difficult.", "contents": "Atypical granuloma annulare. Transition from erythema to multiple type. We studied a 53-year-old housewife who had atypical granuloma annulare (GA) which began as erythematous patches on the legs. After 2 months, multiple flat papules, histologically characteristic of GA, developed over the erythematous background. 1 1/2 years later, a typical annular lesion appeared on the right index finger. Differential diagnosis of the erythematous form of GA based only on the clinical manifestations is difficult.", "PMID": 620869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3751", "title": "Uniphasic insulin-secretory response in the pancreatic vein of dogs after an enteric glucose load.", "content": "The insulin secretory response to an enteric glucose load was measured in 11 dogs after intrajejunal instillation of a 25 per cent glucose solution (1.75 gm./kg.) in five minutes. Insulin outflow rate was measured every minute for 10 minutes, then at increasing intervals through 60 minutes. Starting at two minutes after onset of glucose loading, mean arterial plasma glucose rose steadily throughout the hour. This was paralleled by a similarly progressive rise in mean pancreatic venous plasma insulin output starting at seven minutes and peaking at 50 minutes, despite partial masking by a simultaneous fall in pancreatic venous plasma flow rate after the fourth minute. The data indicate that the normal insulin response to an enterically administered glucose stimulus is a smoothly rising uniphasic one, in contrast to the typical biphasic insulin response to a \"square-wave\" intravenous glucose stimulus.", "contents": "Uniphasic insulin-secretory response in the pancreatic vein of dogs after an enteric glucose load. The insulin secretory response to an enteric glucose load was measured in 11 dogs after intrajejunal instillation of a 25 per cent glucose solution (1.75 gm./kg.) in five minutes. Insulin outflow rate was measured every minute for 10 minutes, then at increasing intervals through 60 minutes. Starting at two minutes after onset of glucose loading, mean arterial plasma glucose rose steadily throughout the hour. This was paralleled by a similarly progressive rise in mean pancreatic venous plasma insulin output starting at seven minutes and peaking at 50 minutes, despite partial masking by a simultaneous fall in pancreatic venous plasma flow rate after the fourth minute. The data indicate that the normal insulin response to an enterically administered glucose stimulus is a smoothly rising uniphasic one, in contrast to the typical biphasic insulin response to a \"square-wave\" intravenous glucose stimulus.", "PMID": 620879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3752", "title": "The size of the loading dose as an important determinant of the results of the oral glucose tolerance test: a study in subjects with slightly impaired glucose tolerance.", "content": "In the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), divergent doses of glucose remain in use by virtue of the prevailing conviction that the size of the loading dose hardly affects the outcome of the test. We compared the results of OGTTs with 100-gm. and 50-gm. loads in 85 patients, who were selected for slightly impaired glucose tolerance (plasma glucose at 120 minutes after 100 gm. of glucose was between 130 and 200 mg./dl.) The mean between-load difference in this group appeared to be nearly three times as great (54 mg./dl. at 120 minutes) as reported in the literature for normal subjects. The small impact of the dose in normal subjects could be confirmed in a group of 22 controls. As subjects with normal and with slightly impaired glucose tolerance react divergently to a change in the glucose dose, tests with different loads are not comparable and select different populations. The results can therefore also not be converted to one another by conversion formulas. The finding might be explained by the delay of the additional rise of the plasma insulin in patients after the higher load.", "contents": "The size of the loading dose as an important determinant of the results of the oral glucose tolerance test: a study in subjects with slightly impaired glucose tolerance. In the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), divergent doses of glucose remain in use by virtue of the prevailing conviction that the size of the loading dose hardly affects the outcome of the test. We compared the results of OGTTs with 100-gm. and 50-gm. loads in 85 patients, who were selected for slightly impaired glucose tolerance (plasma glucose at 120 minutes after 100 gm. of glucose was between 130 and 200 mg./dl.) The mean between-load difference in this group appeared to be nearly three times as great (54 mg./dl. at 120 minutes) as reported in the literature for normal subjects. The small impact of the dose in normal subjects could be confirmed in a group of 22 controls. As subjects with normal and with slightly impaired glucose tolerance react divergently to a change in the glucose dose, tests with different loads are not comparable and select different populations. The results can therefore also not be converted to one another by conversion formulas. The finding might be explained by the delay of the additional rise of the plasma insulin in patients after the higher load.", "PMID": 620880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3753", "title": "Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in school-age children in Minnesota.", "content": "The prevalence of diabetes in Minnesota school-age children was found to be one per 529 students (1.89 per 1,000), 95 per cent of whom were receiving insulin. Data were obtained by a mail survey of the public schools in the state. Enrollment in public schools represents 90 per cent of the student population in Minnesota, and data were received from 96 per cent of the public schools. This return rate by schools accounts for 95 per cent of the total student enrollment. Diabetes increased linearly with age, representing a yearly prevalence increase of 0.16 cases per 1,000 students.", "contents": "Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in school-age children in Minnesota. The prevalence of diabetes in Minnesota school-age children was found to be one per 529 students (1.89 per 1,000), 95 per cent of whom were receiving insulin. Data were obtained by a mail survey of the public schools in the state. Enrollment in public schools represents 90 per cent of the student population in Minnesota, and data were received from 96 per cent of the public schools. This return rate by schools accounts for 95 per cent of the total student enrollment. Diabetes increased linearly with age, representing a yearly prevalence increase of 0.16 cases per 1,000 students.", "PMID": 620881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3754", "title": "Hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and hyperglucagonemia in acute water intoxication.", "content": "When acute (four-hour) hyponatremia with clinical signs of water intoxication was produced in normal weanling mice by the use of hypotonic glucose or deionized water, there was a two-to-fourfold increase in plasma glucose concentration. Concomitantly, concentrations of plasma insulin fell 63 to 68 per cent, whereas plasma glucagon increased to 262 per cent of control. The findings are compatible with stress-induced catecholamine release.", "contents": "Hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and hyperglucagonemia in acute water intoxication. When acute (four-hour) hyponatremia with clinical signs of water intoxication was produced in normal weanling mice by the use of hypotonic glucose or deionized water, there was a two-to-fourfold increase in plasma glucose concentration. Concomitantly, concentrations of plasma insulin fell 63 to 68 per cent, whereas plasma glucagon increased to 262 per cent of control. The findings are compatible with stress-induced catecholamine release.", "PMID": 620882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3755", "title": "The immunogenicity of different insulins in several animal species.", "content": "The immunologic properties of homologous and heterologous insulins have been investigated. Pigs, dogs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats were immunized with different hormone preparations alone or in combination with complete Freund adjuvant. The results obtained provide convincing evidence that in pigs homologous insulin cannot produce specific antibodies, whereas heterologous insulin can. Because the insulins of dogs and pigs have identical amino acid sequences, no antigenicity of porcine insulin in dogs could be observed either. In cattle, sheep, and goats, not only heterologous but also homologous insulins stimulated antibody production. Sheep and goats proved to be excellent reactor animals. Most of the small laboratory animals developed specific antibodies against insulin after hyperimmunization. In rabbits, not only the groups injected with nonchromatographed bovine insulin but also those hyperimmunized with single-component bovine insulin responded with a high serum level of specific antibodies. The data suggest that highly purified insulin preparations have not less antigenic activity than nonchromatographed insulin. Immunologically, des-Phe-B1-insulin acted exactly like the original hormone. Histologic examination of the pancreases of 45 pigs, 22 of which had high antibody titers, did not reveal insulitis. The results of the present paper point out that the production of specific antibodies is essentially a question of species specificity.", "contents": "The immunogenicity of different insulins in several animal species. The immunologic properties of homologous and heterologous insulins have been investigated. Pigs, dogs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats were immunized with different hormone preparations alone or in combination with complete Freund adjuvant. The results obtained provide convincing evidence that in pigs homologous insulin cannot produce specific antibodies, whereas heterologous insulin can. Because the insulins of dogs and pigs have identical amino acid sequences, no antigenicity of porcine insulin in dogs could be observed either. In cattle, sheep, and goats, not only heterologous but also homologous insulins stimulated antibody production. Sheep and goats proved to be excellent reactor animals. Most of the small laboratory animals developed specific antibodies against insulin after hyperimmunization. In rabbits, not only the groups injected with nonchromatographed bovine insulin but also those hyperimmunized with single-component bovine insulin responded with a high serum level of specific antibodies. The data suggest that highly purified insulin preparations have not less antigenic activity than nonchromatographed insulin. Immunologically, des-Phe-B1-insulin acted exactly like the original hormone. Histologic examination of the pancreases of 45 pigs, 22 of which had high antibody titers, did not reveal insulitis. The results of the present paper point out that the production of specific antibodies is essentially a question of species specificity.", "PMID": 620883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3756", "title": "Tryptophan and hepatic coma.", "content": "To clarify the involvement of tryptophan in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tryptophan was studied in three patient groups (hepatic coma, stable cirrhosis, and control). An assessment of free fatty acids, some of the amino acids reported to compete with tryptophan for brain uptake, and albumin was also made. The data demonstrated that, whereas the elevated CSF tryptophan levels in cirrhotic patients compared to controls may have been attributable to decreased plasma branched chain amino acids, the elevated CSF tryptophan levels in hepatic coma compared to stable cirrhotic patients were probably attributable to increased plasma free tryptophan concentrations. Associated with the elevated plasma free tryptophan in coma patients was an increase in plasma free fatty acids and a marked decrease in serum albumin levels. Of all the amino acids investigated in the CSF, only tryptophan was significantly increased in patients in hepatic coma compared to cirrhotic patients not in coma.", "contents": "Tryptophan and hepatic coma. To clarify the involvement of tryptophan in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tryptophan was studied in three patient groups (hepatic coma, stable cirrhosis, and control). An assessment of free fatty acids, some of the amino acids reported to compete with tryptophan for brain uptake, and albumin was also made. The data demonstrated that, whereas the elevated CSF tryptophan levels in cirrhotic patients compared to controls may have been attributable to decreased plasma branched chain amino acids, the elevated CSF tryptophan levels in hepatic coma compared to stable cirrhotic patients were probably attributable to increased plasma free tryptophan concentrations. Associated with the elevated plasma free tryptophan in coma patients was an increase in plasma free fatty acids and a marked decrease in serum albumin levels. Of all the amino acids investigated in the CSF, only tryptophan was significantly increased in patients in hepatic coma compared to cirrhotic patients not in coma.", "PMID": 620892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3757", "title": "Hepatotoxicity of salicylates in monolayer cell cultures.", "content": "The influence of graded doses of sodium salicylate on rat liver cells cultured in monolayers was assessed by measuring lactic dehydrogenase activity in a culture media after incubation. Morphological alterations were studied by electron microscopy. The influence of different albumin concentrations in the media on toxicity was also evaluated. Lactic dehydrogenase concentrations rose with increasing doses of salicylate up to 40 mg per dl. High concentrations of albumin were associated with reduced salicylate toxicity. These findings suggest that salicylate-induced hepatic injury is dose related and my be influenced by serum albumin levels", "contents": "Hepatotoxicity of salicylates in monolayer cell cultures. The influence of graded doses of sodium salicylate on rat liver cells cultured in monolayers was assessed by measuring lactic dehydrogenase activity in a culture media after incubation. Morphological alterations were studied by electron microscopy. The influence of different albumin concentrations in the media on toxicity was also evaluated. Lactic dehydrogenase concentrations rose with increasing doses of salicylate up to 40 mg per dl. High concentrations of albumin were associated with reduced salicylate toxicity. These findings suggest that salicylate-induced hepatic injury is dose related and my be influenced by serum albumin levels", "PMID": 620893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3758", "title": "Effect of substance P on intestinal muscle.", "content": "The mode of action of synthetic substance P on intestinal motility was investigated in vitro. Results have indicated that substance P has a major stimulating effect on the intestine by eliciting mechanical contraction and bursts of spike potentials. On a molar basis, substance P was 1.6 X 10(3) times more potent than acetylcholine. Unlike the gastrin peptide analogue caerulein, the effects of which were mediated through the release of acetylcholine from the enteric plexuses, the site of action of substance P appeared to be directly on the muscle cells because its effects were resistant to atropine, tetrodotoxin, and Lioresal. These data strongly suggest a possible physiological role of substance P in the modulation of intestinal longitudinal muscle motor activity.", "contents": "Effect of substance P on intestinal muscle. The mode of action of synthetic substance P on intestinal motility was investigated in vitro. Results have indicated that substance P has a major stimulating effect on the intestine by eliciting mechanical contraction and bursts of spike potentials. On a molar basis, substance P was 1.6 X 10(3) times more potent than acetylcholine. Unlike the gastrin peptide analogue caerulein, the effects of which were mediated through the release of acetylcholine from the enteric plexuses, the site of action of substance P appeared to be directly on the muscle cells because its effects were resistant to atropine, tetrodotoxin, and Lioresal. These data strongly suggest a possible physiological role of substance P in the modulation of intestinal longitudinal muscle motor activity.", "PMID": 620895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3759", "title": "Effect of glucagon on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage in man.", "content": "The effect of glucagon on aspirin-induced damage to human gastric mucosa and its effect on gastric mucosal potential difference were studied in 27 healthy volunteers. Intragastric instillation of 600 mg of aspirin suspended in 100 ml of isotonic saline caused significant damage to 21 +/- 3% of surface epithelial cells and a marked reduction in gastric potential difference within 15 min of aspirin instillation. Glucagon, 2 mg given intravenously, caused hyperglucagonemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased blood glucose levels and gastric pH, as well as significant prolonged elevation of gastric potential difference. Glucagon injection given 15 min before aspirin instillation effectively prevented surface epithelial cell damage, decreasing percentage of damaged cells to 3.5%. Glucagon did not prevent the drop in gastric potential difference evoked by aspirin, but did, however, prevent potential difference from falling below base line values after aspirin. This study showed in man that glucagon protects gastric mucosa against aspirin damage and suggests possible therapeutic value in clinical situations requiring prevention of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage.", "contents": "Effect of glucagon on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage in man. The effect of glucagon on aspirin-induced damage to human gastric mucosa and its effect on gastric mucosal potential difference were studied in 27 healthy volunteers. Intragastric instillation of 600 mg of aspirin suspended in 100 ml of isotonic saline caused significant damage to 21 +/- 3% of surface epithelial cells and a marked reduction in gastric potential difference within 15 min of aspirin instillation. Glucagon, 2 mg given intravenously, caused hyperglucagonemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased blood glucose levels and gastric pH, as well as significant prolonged elevation of gastric potential difference. Glucagon injection given 15 min before aspirin instillation effectively prevented surface epithelial cell damage, decreasing percentage of damaged cells to 3.5%. Glucagon did not prevent the drop in gastric potential difference evoked by aspirin, but did, however, prevent potential difference from falling below base line values after aspirin. This study showed in man that glucagon protects gastric mucosa against aspirin damage and suggests possible therapeutic value in clinical situations requiring prevention of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage.", "PMID": 620896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3760", "title": "Gastric emptying and antral motility in reflux esophagitis. Effect of oral metoclopramide.", "content": "The gastric emptying of the liquid phase of a meal and the fasting antral contractility were studied in 13 patients with reflux esophagitis and in 9 age-matched control subjects. Gastric emptying half-time (t 1/2) in reflux esophagitis patients was no different from that of control subjects (P less than 0.30). Antral contractility (number of antral contractions and the cumulative antral activity), however, was lower in reflux esophagitis patients than in control subjects (P less than 0.001). Oral metoclopramide (15 mg) accelerated gastric emptying, increased the number of antral contractions as well as the cumulative antral activity in patients with reflux esophagitis (P less than 0.001). However, it only increased the cumulative antral activity in normal subjects (P less than 0.01). These results suggest that metoclopramide may be potentially beneficial to reflux esophagitis patients by reducing the volume of gastric contents available for gastroesophageal reflux.", "contents": "Gastric emptying and antral motility in reflux esophagitis. Effect of oral metoclopramide. The gastric emptying of the liquid phase of a meal and the fasting antral contractility were studied in 13 patients with reflux esophagitis and in 9 age-matched control subjects. Gastric emptying half-time (t 1/2) in reflux esophagitis patients was no different from that of control subjects (P less than 0.30). Antral contractility (number of antral contractions and the cumulative antral activity), however, was lower in reflux esophagitis patients than in control subjects (P less than 0.001). Oral metoclopramide (15 mg) accelerated gastric emptying, increased the number of antral contractions as well as the cumulative antral activity in patients with reflux esophagitis (P less than 0.001). However, it only increased the cumulative antral activity in normal subjects (P less than 0.01). These results suggest that metoclopramide may be potentially beneficial to reflux esophagitis patients by reducing the volume of gastric contents available for gastroesophageal reflux.", "PMID": 620898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3761", "title": "Giardiasis with total villous atrophy.", "content": "A patient who developed symptomatic giardiasis after a tour of the Soviet Union is presented. The diagnosis was established by duodenal aspiration. A small intestinal biopsy revealed total villous atrophy in the absence of celiac sprue or a gastrointestinal immunodeficiency syndrome, a finding not previously described. The biopsy remains normal after a single course of metronidazole (Flagyl), despite subsequent exposure to gluten.", "contents": "Giardiasis with total villous atrophy. A patient who developed symptomatic giardiasis after a tour of the Soviet Union is presented. The diagnosis was established by duodenal aspiration. A small intestinal biopsy revealed total villous atrophy in the absence of celiac sprue or a gastrointestinal immunodeficiency syndrome, a finding not previously described. The biopsy remains normal after a single course of metronidazole (Flagyl), despite subsequent exposure to gluten.", "PMID": 620900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3762", "title": "Effect of one-month treatment with cimetidine on gastric secretion and serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels.", "content": "The inhibitory effects of cimetidine on gastric acid and pepsin secretion were studied before and after 1 month of treatment with 300 mg of cimetidine four times a day in 15 male duodenal ulcer patients. Cimetidine inhibited both pentagastrin- and peptone meal-stimulated acid secretion significantly better before, than after, 1 month of treatment. Similarly cimetidine inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated pepsin secretion significantly better before treatment. Meal-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher after treatment. The mechanism(s) of these effects was not apparent.", "contents": "Effect of one-month treatment with cimetidine on gastric secretion and serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels. The inhibitory effects of cimetidine on gastric acid and pepsin secretion were studied before and after 1 month of treatment with 300 mg of cimetidine four times a day in 15 male duodenal ulcer patients. Cimetidine inhibited both pentagastrin- and peptone meal-stimulated acid secretion significantly better before, than after, 1 month of treatment. Similarly cimetidine inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated pepsin secretion significantly better before treatment. Meal-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher after treatment. The mechanism(s) of these effects was not apparent.", "PMID": 620908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3763", "title": "Bioavailability of cimetidine in man.", "content": "The bioavailability of parenteral cimetidine was tested in 12 volunteers in a balanced three-way crossover study. Blood levels and urinary excretion were compared after intramuscular and intravenous injection and oral administration of 300 mg of cinetidine. The results indicated that the intramuscular and intravenous routes are virtually interchangeable for parenteral cimetidine, and that the oral liquid, although exhibiting a reduced area under the blood level curve as compared with the parenteral doses, nevertheless demonstrated equivalence with respect to the time the blood level remained above 0.5 microgram per ml. The 300-mg cimetidine tablet formulation was found in another group of 12 volunteers to be bioequivalent to a 300-mg dose of oral liquid.", "contents": "Bioavailability of cimetidine in man. The bioavailability of parenteral cimetidine was tested in 12 volunteers in a balanced three-way crossover study. Blood levels and urinary excretion were compared after intramuscular and intravenous injection and oral administration of 300 mg of cinetidine. The results indicated that the intramuscular and intravenous routes are virtually interchangeable for parenteral cimetidine, and that the oral liquid, although exhibiting a reduced area under the blood level curve as compared with the parenteral doses, nevertheless demonstrated equivalence with respect to the time the blood level remained above 0.5 microgram per ml. The 300-mg cimetidine tablet formulation was found in another group of 12 volunteers to be bioequivalent to a 300-mg dose of oral liquid.", "PMID": 620910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3764", "title": "Cimetidine in the treatment of gastric ulcer: review and commentary.", "content": "Cimetidine therapy in gastric ulcer disease has been evaluated in four complete and one incomplete controlled, double blind trials. A sixth trial, still under way, is partially blind. Treatment duration ranged from 2 to 6 weeks; doses ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 g daily. Two studies also evaluated the influence of hospitalization on ulcer healing and symptoms. Relatively large doses of antacid taken with cimetidine confounded the evaluation of cimetidine efficacy in two of the trials, without answering the question of antacid efficacy. Cimetidine was more effective than were small doses of antacid in healing ulcers in one study but was not significantly superior to treatment with larger quantities of antacid in two other trials. Preliminary results indicate that cimetidine is more effective than carbenoxolone in healing ulcers. Hospitalization for 2 and 3 weeks conferred no advantage, but patients were not randomly assigned to hospitalization. Definitive studies on whether cessation of cimetidine therapy is followed by accelerated ulcer recurrence have not been reported. The efficacy of chronic or intermittent cimetidine therapy has not been studied in gastric ulcer disease.", "contents": "Cimetidine in the treatment of gastric ulcer: review and commentary. Cimetidine therapy in gastric ulcer disease has been evaluated in four complete and one incomplete controlled, double blind trials. A sixth trial, still under way, is partially blind. Treatment duration ranged from 2 to 6 weeks; doses ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 g daily. Two studies also evaluated the influence of hospitalization on ulcer healing and symptoms. Relatively large doses of antacid taken with cimetidine confounded the evaluation of cimetidine efficacy in two of the trials, without answering the question of antacid efficacy. Cimetidine was more effective than were small doses of antacid in healing ulcers in one study but was not significantly superior to treatment with larger quantities of antacid in two other trials. Preliminary results indicate that cimetidine is more effective than carbenoxolone in healing ulcers. Hospitalization for 2 and 3 weeks conferred no advantage, but patients were not randomly assigned to hospitalization. Definitive studies on whether cessation of cimetidine therapy is followed by accelerated ulcer recurrence have not been reported. The efficacy of chronic or intermittent cimetidine therapy has not been studied in gastric ulcer disease.", "PMID": 620911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3765", "title": "Effect of histamine and histamine antagonists on human lower esophageal sphincter function.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of histamine phosphate and specific histamine antagonists on human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Continuous intravenous infusions of histamine at doses of 2.0 to 40.0 microgram/kg-hr gave graded increases in LES pressure with a peak response of 378 +/- 4.6 mm Hg at 20.0 microgram kr-hr. The LES response was not altered by an H1-antogonist, diphenhydramine (50 mg, intravenously), but was completely blocked by infusion of the H2-antagonist, cimetidine (4.0 mg/kg-hr). Also, oral cimetidine (300 mg) antagonized any increase in LES pressure during histamine infusion at a dose shown to give the maximal LES response. Despite this effect of cimetidine in antagonizing the maximal LES response to histamine, oral cimetidine at 200, 300, and 400 mg failed to alter basal LES pressure over a 3-hr period. Cimetidine also failed to alter the LES response to intravenous pentagastrin or oral beef hydrolysate. These studies suggest that: (1) human LES pressure increases in response to intravenous histamine phosphate through its action at an H2-receptor; (2) the H1-receptor has no apparent role in the human LES response to histamine; and (3) H2-antagonism with cimetidine has no effect on the human LES basal pressure or its response to gastrin stimulation.", "contents": "Effect of histamine and histamine antagonists on human lower esophageal sphincter function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of histamine phosphate and specific histamine antagonists on human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Continuous intravenous infusions of histamine at doses of 2.0 to 40.0 microgram/kg-hr gave graded increases in LES pressure with a peak response of 378 +/- 4.6 mm Hg at 20.0 microgram kr-hr. The LES response was not altered by an H1-antogonist, diphenhydramine (50 mg, intravenously), but was completely blocked by infusion of the H2-antagonist, cimetidine (4.0 mg/kg-hr). Also, oral cimetidine (300 mg) antagonized any increase in LES pressure during histamine infusion at a dose shown to give the maximal LES response. Despite this effect of cimetidine in antagonizing the maximal LES response to histamine, oral cimetidine at 200, 300, and 400 mg failed to alter basal LES pressure over a 3-hr period. Cimetidine also failed to alter the LES response to intravenous pentagastrin or oral beef hydrolysate. These studies suggest that: (1) human LES pressure increases in response to intravenous histamine phosphate through its action at an H2-receptor; (2) the H1-receptor has no apparent role in the human LES response to histamine; and (3) H2-antagonism with cimetidine has no effect on the human LES basal pressure or its response to gastrin stimulation.", "PMID": 620912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3766", "title": "Report on the United States experience with cimetidine in Zollinger-Ellision syndrome and other hypersecretory states.", "content": "Sixty-one cases of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, encountered over a 2-year period, have been treated with cimetidine, half of them for over 1 year. Two-thirds of the patients responded to 300 mg of the drug every 6 hr by mouth. Others required up to 600 mg every 6 hr. In adequate doses the drug was highly effective: it controlled pain and dyspepsia, restored weight, abolished diarrhea, and allowed healing of ulcers and other inflammatory conditions. Missed or reduced doses led to rapid return of symptoms. Progression of the basic neoplastic process, with associated secretory drive, was unimpeded. Patient acceptance of the drug was 100 percent, and apart from minor transient abnormalities, gynecomastia (5 cases) and liver dysfunction (3 cases), which resolved while treatment continued, no serious adverse effects were seen. Of 61 patients 48 are still on the drug, 3 who were well controlled were treated surgically, 5 died for reasons unrelated to therapy, and 5 had significant problems. The drug provides an alternative to total gastrectomy and can be recommended with confidence for the suitably selected patients. The drug was also beneficial in some cases of the short bowel syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, and endogenous hyperhistaminemia due to leukemia.", "contents": "Report on the United States experience with cimetidine in Zollinger-Ellision syndrome and other hypersecretory states. Sixty-one cases of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, encountered over a 2-year period, have been treated with cimetidine, half of them for over 1 year. Two-thirds of the patients responded to 300 mg of the drug every 6 hr by mouth. Others required up to 600 mg every 6 hr. In adequate doses the drug was highly effective: it controlled pain and dyspepsia, restored weight, abolished diarrhea, and allowed healing of ulcers and other inflammatory conditions. Missed or reduced doses led to rapid return of symptoms. Progression of the basic neoplastic process, with associated secretory drive, was unimpeded. Patient acceptance of the drug was 100 percent, and apart from minor transient abnormalities, gynecomastia (5 cases) and liver dysfunction (3 cases), which resolved while treatment continued, no serious adverse effects were seen. Of 61 patients 48 are still on the drug, 3 who were well controlled were treated surgically, 5 died for reasons unrelated to therapy, and 5 had significant problems. The drug provides an alternative to total gastrectomy and can be recommended with confidence for the suitably selected patients. The drug was also beneficial in some cases of the short bowel syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, and endogenous hyperhistaminemia due to leukemia.", "PMID": 620913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3767", "title": "Effects of renal failure on blood levels of cimetidine.", "content": "Serial blood samples for determination of drug levels were obtained after intravenous administration of 300 mg of cimetidine. Sixteen patients with varying degrees of renal failure were studied. There was a prolongation of drug half-life in patients with renal insufficiency compared with that in normal controls (P less than 0.001). A significant inverse relationship between the half-life and the creatinine clearance was noted (r= 0.69; P less than 0.01). The effect of hemodialysis was studied in 12 patients. Cimetidine was found to be dialyzable. This was demonstrated both by a shortening of the half-life of the drug during dialysis and by measurement of dialysance. This suggests that the dose schedule should be modified for patients with renal insufficiency and for those on hemodialysis. A single intraveno us dose of cimetidine was well tolerated by the patients. One patient developed an urticarial skin rash, believed to be allergic in nature. There was a transient, mild (but significant) rise in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentration in 5 patients with moderate renal failure.", "contents": "Effects of renal failure on blood levels of cimetidine. Serial blood samples for determination of drug levels were obtained after intravenous administration of 300 mg of cimetidine. Sixteen patients with varying degrees of renal failure were studied. There was a prolongation of drug half-life in patients with renal insufficiency compared with that in normal controls (P less than 0.001). A significant inverse relationship between the half-life and the creatinine clearance was noted (r= 0.69; P less than 0.01). The effect of hemodialysis was studied in 12 patients. Cimetidine was found to be dialyzable. This was demonstrated both by a shortening of the half-life of the drug during dialysis and by measurement of dialysance. This suggests that the dose schedule should be modified for patients with renal insufficiency and for those on hemodialysis. A single intraveno us dose of cimetidine was well tolerated by the patients. One patient developed an urticarial skin rash, believed to be allergic in nature. There was a transient, mild (but significant) rise in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentration in 5 patients with moderate renal failure.", "PMID": 620915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3768", "title": "Safety of cimetidine.", "content": "Our review of published material, manufacturer's files, and submissions to the United States Food and Drug Administration indicates that cimetidine is safe for short term use (up to 8 weeks). This judgment is based on a total experience with over 3000 patients. Clinically insignificant elevations of serum creatinine occur in a high percentage of patients, persisting until the end of therapy, then disappearing. Gynecomastia occurred in some patients on long term therapy.", "contents": "Safety of cimetidine. Our review of published material, manufacturer's files, and submissions to the United States Food and Drug Administration indicates that cimetidine is safe for short term use (up to 8 weeks). This judgment is based on a total experience with over 3000 patients. Clinically insignificant elevations of serum creatinine occur in a high percentage of patients, persisting until the end of therapy, then disappearing. Gynecomastia occurred in some patients on long term therapy.", "PMID": 620916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3769", "title": "Diagnosis and treatment of the preleukemic syndrome (hemopoietic dysplasia).", "content": "Retrospective and prospective observations have established the existence of a recognizable hematologic syndrome preceding the development of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. This syndrome, which has been termed the \"preleukemic syndrome\" or \"hemopoietic dysplasia\", appears to be a stage in a multiphasic myeloproliferative disorder, rather than a separable disease with a propensity to develop leukemia. All products of the marrow stem cell are involved. The panmyelopathy begins as a red cell disease (eg, a refractory or sideroblastic anemia) and progresses to involve megakaryocytes and platelets and finally granulocytes or monocytes, or both; the terminal event is acute nonlymphocytic (myelomonoblastic) leukemia. Prospective documentation is needed in order to define the natural course of this marrow disease. Such studies are now in progress and should provide important information concerning the pathophysiology of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.", "contents": "Diagnosis and treatment of the preleukemic syndrome (hemopoietic dysplasia). Retrospective and prospective observations have established the existence of a recognizable hematologic syndrome preceding the development of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. This syndrome, which has been termed the \"preleukemic syndrome\" or \"hemopoietic dysplasia\", appears to be a stage in a multiphasic myeloproliferative disorder, rather than a separable disease with a propensity to develop leukemia. All products of the marrow stem cell are involved. The panmyelopathy begins as a red cell disease (eg, a refractory or sideroblastic anemia) and progresses to involve megakaryocytes and platelets and finally granulocytes or monocytes, or both; the terminal event is acute nonlymphocytic (myelomonoblastic) leukemia. Prospective documentation is needed in order to define the natural course of this marrow disease. Such studies are now in progress and should provide important information concerning the pathophysiology of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.", "PMID": 620925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3770", "title": "Treating acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "Acute leukemia is no longer an uncommon disease among the middle-aged and elderly. In recent years, treatment programs available for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia have improved dramatically. While remission rates in patients over age 50 are not as high as in younger age groups, combination chemotherapy is effective in a significant number of older patients, and complete remissions can be obtained in 20 to 50%. Recent years have also witnessed much progress in the ability to provide essential supportive therapy during periods of marrow hypoplasia. Because acute leukemia is uniformly fatal if untreated, aggressive therapy should be made available to all these patients, regardless of age.", "contents": "Treating acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Acute leukemia is no longer an uncommon disease among the middle-aged and elderly. In recent years, treatment programs available for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia have improved dramatically. While remission rates in patients over age 50 are not as high as in younger age groups, combination chemotherapy is effective in a significant number of older patients, and complete remissions can be obtained in 20 to 50%. Recent years have also witnessed much progress in the ability to provide essential supportive therapy during periods of marrow hypoplasia. Because acute leukemia is uniformly fatal if untreated, aggressive therapy should be made available to all these patients, regardless of age.", "PMID": 620934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3771", "title": "Effect of age on collagen fibril formation.", "content": "The rates of collagen fibril formation are, under otherwise identical conditions, a function of the age of the acid-soluble rat tail tendon collagen utilized. The rate is most rapid with young adult (165 day) collagen, which exhibits no induction period before collagen multimerization begins. In contrast, 21-day collagen exhibits both a 30% slower rate and an induction period. Collagens from older animals also have age-dependent fibril formation rates going from a maximum at 165 days to 80% of that for 1,100-day-old material. These age-related differences in collagen fibril formation kinetics appear to be related to the degree of cross-linking of the collagen involved.", "contents": "Effect of age on collagen fibril formation. The rates of collagen fibril formation are, under otherwise identical conditions, a function of the age of the acid-soluble rat tail tendon collagen utilized. The rate is most rapid with young adult (165 day) collagen, which exhibits no induction period before collagen multimerization begins. In contrast, 21-day collagen exhibits both a 30% slower rate and an induction period. Collagens from older animals also have age-dependent fibril formation rates going from a maximum at 165 days to 80% of that for 1,100-day-old material. These age-related differences in collagen fibril formation kinetics appear to be related to the degree of cross-linking of the collagen involved.", "PMID": 620940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3772", "title": "Collagen age and platelet aggregation.", "content": "Rat tail tendon collagen-initiated platelet aggregation exhibits a collagen age-dependent lag time. This lag time is an inverse function of the previously determined rate of fibril formation of collagen, and corresponds to the elapsed time necessary to form a collagen fibril of requisite size under the platelet aggregation conditions chosen. Such fibers exhibit native spacing and appear to be 45 to 90 A in diameter. Fibers preformed to that size (less than 2 min for 21- to 1,100-day-old collagen), no matter what the age of the collagen, give rise to identical platelet aggregations. Fibers formed after more prolonged incubation, greater than or equal to 20 min, have impaired platelet aggregating ability.", "contents": "Collagen age and platelet aggregation. Rat tail tendon collagen-initiated platelet aggregation exhibits a collagen age-dependent lag time. This lag time is an inverse function of the previously determined rate of fibril formation of collagen, and corresponds to the elapsed time necessary to form a collagen fibril of requisite size under the platelet aggregation conditions chosen. Such fibers exhibit native spacing and appear to be 45 to 90 A in diameter. Fibers preformed to that size (less than 2 min for 21- to 1,100-day-old collagen), no matter what the age of the collagen, give rise to identical platelet aggregations. Fibers formed after more prolonged incubation, greater than or equal to 20 min, have impaired platelet aggregating ability.", "PMID": 620941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3773", "title": "Characteristics of the 'life spanning' phenomenon in Amoeba proteus. Independent nuclear and cytoplasmic ability to impose finite 'life span'.", "content": "Amoeba proteus given adequate food grows exponentially and clones of amoebae are normally immortal. After periods of food supply restriction to that necessary for maintenance, or food intake restriction by agitation, cells subsequently given a normal growth diet produce clones of finite life span. Reciprocal nuclear transfer between maintained and normal cells demonstrated that the nucleus and cytoplasm of maintained cells have acquired the independent ability to impose a finite life span on clones developing from cells whose other components are normal. In clones developing from maintained cells, inviable cell production is enhanced and inter-division times are prolonged. Inter-division times and clones mean doubling times do not show normal distribution.", "contents": "Characteristics of the 'life spanning' phenomenon in Amoeba proteus. Independent nuclear and cytoplasmic ability to impose finite 'life span'. Amoeba proteus given adequate food grows exponentially and clones of amoebae are normally immortal. After periods of food supply restriction to that necessary for maintenance, or food intake restriction by agitation, cells subsequently given a normal growth diet produce clones of finite life span. Reciprocal nuclear transfer between maintained and normal cells demonstrated that the nucleus and cytoplasm of maintained cells have acquired the independent ability to impose a finite life span on clones developing from cells whose other components are normal. In clones developing from maintained cells, inviable cell production is enhanced and inter-division times are prolonged. Inter-division times and clones mean doubling times do not show normal distribution.", "PMID": 620943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3774", "title": "Effect of sulfamerazine and exercise on life span of rats and hamsters.", "content": "Rats and hamsters of both sexes were divided into exercise and non-exercise groups with and without small amounts of sulfamerazine in the diet. In every case rats on exercise lived longer than their controls. The females outlived the males while hamster males lived slightly longer than females. Sulfamerazine had a significantly beneficial effect on life span of rats and apparently increased that of male hamsters. All rats fed sulfamerazine attained higher maximum weights than their controls. There was no consistent change in bone densities.", "contents": "Effect of sulfamerazine and exercise on life span of rats and hamsters. Rats and hamsters of both sexes were divided into exercise and non-exercise groups with and without small amounts of sulfamerazine in the diet. In every case rats on exercise lived longer than their controls. The females outlived the males while hamster males lived slightly longer than females. Sulfamerazine had a significantly beneficial effect on life span of rats and apparently increased that of male hamsters. All rats fed sulfamerazine attained higher maximum weights than their controls. There was no consistent change in bone densities.", "PMID": 620944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3775", "title": "An investigation into the ability of elderly patients continuing to take prescribed drugs after discharge from hospital and recommendations concerning improving the situation.", "content": "An investigation was made by an Occupational Therapist into the problems encountered by 50 elderly patients in the self-administration of drugs prior to discharge home. The questions asked the patients are enumerated and recommendations are made concerning how improvements can take place so that many more of the elderly will take the prescribed drugs in the right doses at the right time on discharge home.", "contents": "An investigation into the ability of elderly patients continuing to take prescribed drugs after discharge from hospital and recommendations concerning improving the situation. An investigation was made by an Occupational Therapist into the problems encountered by 50 elderly patients in the self-administration of drugs prior to discharge home. The questions asked the patients are enumerated and recommendations are made concerning how improvements can take place so that many more of the elderly will take the prescribed drugs in the right doses at the right time on discharge home.", "PMID": 620945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3776", "title": "[Developmental abnormalities of the gallbladder--two cases].", "content": "Two cases of a psudoatresia of the gallbladder are referated. Only by intraoperative cholangiography the real situation could be shown. Without any exception this radiological method should be used in all operations of the biliary system.", "contents": "[Developmental abnormalities of the gallbladder--two cases]. Two cases of a psudoatresia of the gallbladder are referated. Only by intraoperative cholangiography the real situation could be shown. Without any exception this radiological method should be used in all operations of the biliary system.", "PMID": 620957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3777", "title": "[Pupillary reflex dynamics studied with infrared pupillography].", "content": "With a modified method of infrared pupillography--especially developed for the use in clinical neurological routine diagnosis--the time course of the direct phasic pupillary light reflex in man was investigated under physiological and pathological conditions. The described method allows a high resolution of the time course of the light reflex and is superior to kinematographic as well as video-methods described so far. Normally the physiological time parameters are bilaterally symmetrical, also in cases of so-called physiological anisocoria. On the other hand in pathological anisocorias of various etiology pronounced side-differences and abnormal time parameters can be found. Also in cases of isocoria with clinically no abnormal findings of pupillomotor response pathological side-differences can be determined by infrared pupillography. Disturbances of the afferent arc, of the efferent arc and of combination of those as well as pupillary abnormalities to be located in the midbrain area, can be exactly analyzed and documented. Furthermore the method allows an objective documentation of the course in cases of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, like in intoxications, or to monitor drug-induced therapeutical measurements. The investigations and findings indicate that infrared pupillography, an objective method for analyzing the dynamics of the pupillary light reflex, is suitable for clinical neurological routing diagnosis.", "contents": "[Pupillary reflex dynamics studied with infrared pupillography]. With a modified method of infrared pupillography--especially developed for the use in clinical neurological routine diagnosis--the time course of the direct phasic pupillary light reflex in man was investigated under physiological and pathological conditions. The described method allows a high resolution of the time course of the light reflex and is superior to kinematographic as well as video-methods described so far. Normally the physiological time parameters are bilaterally symmetrical, also in cases of so-called physiological anisocoria. On the other hand in pathological anisocorias of various etiology pronounced side-differences and abnormal time parameters can be found. Also in cases of isocoria with clinically no abnormal findings of pupillomotor response pathological side-differences can be determined by infrared pupillography. Disturbances of the afferent arc, of the efferent arc and of combination of those as well as pupillary abnormalities to be located in the midbrain area, can be exactly analyzed and documented. Furthermore the method allows an objective documentation of the course in cases of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, like in intoxications, or to monitor drug-induced therapeutical measurements. The investigations and findings indicate that infrared pupillography, an objective method for analyzing the dynamics of the pupillary light reflex, is suitable for clinical neurological routing diagnosis.", "PMID": 620958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3778", "title": "[Therapy of urinary incontinence using pessaries].", "content": "The application of pessaries with different effect in the treatment of genital prolaps and urinary incontinence is demonstrated. The mechanism of effect can be shown by radiological studies.", "contents": "[Therapy of urinary incontinence using pessaries]. The application of pessaries with different effect in the treatment of genital prolaps and urinary incontinence is demonstrated. The mechanism of effect can be shown by radiological studies.", "PMID": 620959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3779", "title": "[Tobacco abuse in adolescents].", "content": "The existing literature on smoking among young people in the Federal Republic of Germany is reviewed. Smoking is spread differently among the German youths, varying from place to place. Smoking is more widely spread in the cities than in the country. It is spread more widely in the commerce schools than in other schools. The boys smoke more often and more heavily than the girls. The difference between the two sexes is greater in the country than in the cities. As a rule, the young people smoke filter cigarettes with medium strong tobacco. The majority of the school students smoke less than five cigarettes per day.", "contents": "[Tobacco abuse in adolescents]. The existing literature on smoking among young people in the Federal Republic of Germany is reviewed. Smoking is spread differently among the German youths, varying from place to place. Smoking is more widely spread in the cities than in the country. It is spread more widely in the commerce schools than in other schools. The boys smoke more often and more heavily than the girls. The difference between the two sexes is greater in the country than in the cities. As a rule, the young people smoke filter cigarettes with medium strong tobacco. The majority of the school students smoke less than five cigarettes per day.", "PMID": 620960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3780", "title": "[Splenic cysts: clinical aspects, diagnosis and differential diagnosis].", "content": "328 patients were splenectomized from 1967 until 1976. In this period only 4 splenic cysts were observed and operated. Three cysts were posttraumatic and one was of lymphatic origin. The case history and diagnostic management is reported with special reference to preoperative angiography and differential diagnosis. There were no postoperative complications observed.", "contents": "[Splenic cysts: clinical aspects, diagnosis and differential diagnosis]. 328 patients were splenectomized from 1967 until 1976. In this period only 4 splenic cysts were observed and operated. Three cysts were posttraumatic and one was of lymphatic origin. The case history and diagnostic management is reported with special reference to preoperative angiography and differential diagnosis. There were no postoperative complications observed.", "PMID": 620962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3781", "title": "[The clinical significance of hyperuricemia for the prognosis of pregnancy toxemia].", "content": "This study demonstrates that uric acid serum levels are of importance in the prognosis of pregnancy complicated by hypertension. In early pregnancy the uric acid level probably is the most sensitive parameter to select the risk-prone pregnancies with EPH-gestosis to conduct the further course of pregnancy under medical care. Pregnant hypertensives with high uric acid levels develop more often retardation of the fetus, the incidence of eclampsia increases. In case of hypertension in pregnancy complicated by high uric acid levels careful monitoring and normalizing high blood pressure under medical observation improves the prognosis for fetus and mother.", "contents": "[The clinical significance of hyperuricemia for the prognosis of pregnancy toxemia]. This study demonstrates that uric acid serum levels are of importance in the prognosis of pregnancy complicated by hypertension. In early pregnancy the uric acid level probably is the most sensitive parameter to select the risk-prone pregnancies with EPH-gestosis to conduct the further course of pregnancy under medical care. Pregnant hypertensives with high uric acid levels develop more often retardation of the fetus, the incidence of eclampsia increases. In case of hypertension in pregnancy complicated by high uric acid levels careful monitoring and normalizing high blood pressure under medical observation improves the prognosis for fetus and mother.", "PMID": 620963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3782", "title": "[Quantitative aspects of the ontogenic development of the visual regions of the brain].", "content": "Quantitative light-microscopic studies on the ontogenetic development of 11 visual brain regions of Tupaia belangeri were done. The fresh volumes of the visual brain regions showed a heterochronical and heterotypical development. Brain regions with overshooting or monotonously increasing growth could be found using computer calculations of logistic curves. Studies on the development of the number of nerve cells and glial cells showed an overshooting growth of the nerve cell quantity and a monotonously increasing growth of the glial cell quantity in the nuclei nn. oculomotorii et trochlearis. A compartment analysis with computer aided stereological procedures was done for the nucl. n. oculomotorii. The present findings as well as those from proceeding investigations serve as the basis for a hypothesis describing the significance of the growth curve for fresh volumes, and especially for the spontaneous degeneration of neurons in the formal genesis of the nervous system.", "contents": "[Quantitative aspects of the ontogenic development of the visual regions of the brain]. Quantitative light-microscopic studies on the ontogenetic development of 11 visual brain regions of Tupaia belangeri were done. The fresh volumes of the visual brain regions showed a heterochronical and heterotypical development. Brain regions with overshooting or monotonously increasing growth could be found using computer calculations of logistic curves. Studies on the development of the number of nerve cells and glial cells showed an overshooting growth of the nerve cell quantity and a monotonously increasing growth of the glial cell quantity in the nuclei nn. oculomotorii et trochlearis. A compartment analysis with computer aided stereological procedures was done for the nucl. n. oculomotorii. The present findings as well as those from proceeding investigations serve as the basis for a hypothesis describing the significance of the growth curve for fresh volumes, and especially for the spontaneous degeneration of neurons in the formal genesis of the nervous system.", "PMID": 620964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3783", "title": "[Current concepts in the diagnosis of knee injuries].", "content": "The exact diagnosis of affections of the knee is most important, especially of the capsulo-ligamentous lesions. To-day more and more younger patients are suffering from knee-instability. The modern possibilities of operative reconstruction lead to excellent results if the operation is performed at an optimal date. During the last years progress also was achieved concerning the knowledge of the mechanics and the pathophysiology of the knee. New methods of clinical investigation and new clinical findings were possible. Specific tests for the diagnosis of instability of the anterior cruciate ligament have to be emphasized. These tests are specially important if there is only an insufficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament which cannot be proven by the other clinical findings. X-ray examination is necessary to search for a fracture or an avulsion of the bone. In all other problems the exact clinical examination leads to the diagnosis.", "contents": "[Current concepts in the diagnosis of knee injuries]. The exact diagnosis of affections of the knee is most important, especially of the capsulo-ligamentous lesions. To-day more and more younger patients are suffering from knee-instability. The modern possibilities of operative reconstruction lead to excellent results if the operation is performed at an optimal date. During the last years progress also was achieved concerning the knowledge of the mechanics and the pathophysiology of the knee. New methods of clinical investigation and new clinical findings were possible. Specific tests for the diagnosis of instability of the anterior cruciate ligament have to be emphasized. These tests are specially important if there is only an insufficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament which cannot be proven by the other clinical findings. X-ray examination is necessary to search for a fracture or an avulsion of the bone. In all other problems the exact clinical examination leads to the diagnosis.", "PMID": 620971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3784", "title": "[Problems of surgical management of old knee joint injuries].", "content": "The problems in reconstructive surgery of old ligamentous injuries arise with the claim for restoration of normal function and anatomy. Based on new findings they are achieved by passive stabilization of the injured ligamentous structures as well as by their active reinforcement by the hamstring muscles. Surgical procedures may be traced back to a sort of integrated system; according to our own experiences these can be performed in any combination when reconstructing rotatory instabilities. Procedures eliminating one plain instability should only be applied with special indication.", "contents": "[Problems of surgical management of old knee joint injuries]. The problems in reconstructive surgery of old ligamentous injuries arise with the claim for restoration of normal function and anatomy. Based on new findings they are achieved by passive stabilization of the injured ligamentous structures as well as by their active reinforcement by the hamstring muscles. Surgical procedures may be traced back to a sort of integrated system; according to our own experiences these can be performed in any combination when reconstructing rotatory instabilities. Procedures eliminating one plain instability should only be applied with special indication.", "PMID": 620974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3785", "title": "[Femoral neck fractures and pertrochanteric fractures due to skiing accidents].", "content": "Pertrochanteric and femoral neck fractures are common in elderly patients. These fractures are mostly caused by domestic accidents. Femoral head necrosis and non-union are severe complications. Even if these fractures are not typical skiing-fractures, 101 fractures of the proximal femor were found to be caused by a skiing-accident. The age of the patients averaged 41 years, only one third were female. More than half of all patients participated in a control examination about one year after the accident. All fractures were operated according to the principles of the ASIF. The results showed twice an infection, in 3% dystrophia of the bone and in 3% mild osteoarthritis. There were no necroses of the femoral head, no non-union and no breaking of the implanted material. In 90% the results were good or excellent from the point of view of the patient as well as the orthopedic surgeon.", "contents": "[Femoral neck fractures and pertrochanteric fractures due to skiing accidents]. Pertrochanteric and femoral neck fractures are common in elderly patients. These fractures are mostly caused by domestic accidents. Femoral head necrosis and non-union are severe complications. Even if these fractures are not typical skiing-fractures, 101 fractures of the proximal femor were found to be caused by a skiing-accident. The age of the patients averaged 41 years, only one third were female. More than half of all patients participated in a control examination about one year after the accident. All fractures were operated according to the principles of the ASIF. The results showed twice an infection, in 3% dystrophia of the bone and in 3% mild osteoarthritis. There were no necroses of the femoral head, no non-union and no breaking of the implanted material. In 90% the results were good or excellent from the point of view of the patient as well as the orthopedic surgeon.", "PMID": 620975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3786", "title": "[Treatment possibilities of the non-specific (psychosomatic) pain syndrome of the locomotor system].", "content": "The so-called psychosomatic pain syndrome of the locomotor system, particularly of the back (brachialgia, lumbalgia, sciatica), is often associated with deeper psychic disturbances, sometimes even with masked depressions or advanced neurotic conditions. Certain cases require special treatment such as psychotherapy or antidepressive pharmacotherapy. In many cases, however, a psychoanalgesic drug, Dolo Visano, has proven effective in these non-specific pain syndromes of the locomotor system. Dolo Visano is a combination of acetylosalicylic acid, codeine phosphate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, nicotinic acid and meprobamate. The results of a clinical trial in 50 patients are described in detail. The drug was generally well tolerated.", "contents": "[Treatment possibilities of the non-specific (psychosomatic) pain syndrome of the locomotor system]. The so-called psychosomatic pain syndrome of the locomotor system, particularly of the back (brachialgia, lumbalgia, sciatica), is often associated with deeper psychic disturbances, sometimes even with masked depressions or advanced neurotic conditions. Certain cases require special treatment such as psychotherapy or antidepressive pharmacotherapy. In many cases, however, a psychoanalgesic drug, Dolo Visano, has proven effective in these non-specific pain syndromes of the locomotor system. Dolo Visano is a combination of acetylosalicylic acid, codeine phosphate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, nicotinic acid and meprobamate. The results of a clinical trial in 50 patients are described in detail. The drug was generally well tolerated.", "PMID": 620978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3787", "title": "[Amaurosis fugax in obliterations of the carotid artery].", "content": "Lesions at the carotid bifurcation frequently cause transient cerebral ischemia and especially visual disturbances by microembolization. An early diagnosis is vital in order to prevent definitive blindness. Transient monocular blindness is an early diagnostic sign of ulcerated atheroma of the extracranial carotid artery. Symptomatology, diagnosis and therapeutic aspects are discussed.", "contents": "[Amaurosis fugax in obliterations of the carotid artery]. Lesions at the carotid bifurcation frequently cause transient cerebral ischemia and especially visual disturbances by microembolization. An early diagnosis is vital in order to prevent definitive blindness. Transient monocular blindness is an early diagnostic sign of ulcerated atheroma of the extracranial carotid artery. Symptomatology, diagnosis and therapeutic aspects are discussed.", "PMID": 620980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3788", "title": "[Epilepsies due to cerebrovascular disorders].", "content": "We stress the importance of differential diagnosis between late onset epilepsies and incidental fits in higher age. This is not merely a nomenclatory play but of great therapeutical consequence. Epileptic and non-epileptic attacks with onsets in higher age, either of generalized or of lateralized phenomenology, form an important precursor of impending stroke. \"Vaskul\u00e4re Pr\u00e4kursivepilepsie\", so called by us, within this group of premonitory signs is of special importance and may open way to adequat prophylactic therapy, medically or surgically (mainly in the sence of carotid surgery). Late onset epilepsy in itself can be treated with relative low dosis of antepileptics plus cardiotonic and vasoactive medication. Hence, the status epilepticus as accompanying symptom of a stroke is difficult to treat and very often forms a signum mali omniis leading to death by exhaustion of the predamaged brain.", "contents": "[Epilepsies due to cerebrovascular disorders]. We stress the importance of differential diagnosis between late onset epilepsies and incidental fits in higher age. This is not merely a nomenclatory play but of great therapeutical consequence. Epileptic and non-epileptic attacks with onsets in higher age, either of generalized or of lateralized phenomenology, form an important precursor of impending stroke. \"Vaskul\u00e4re Pr\u00e4kursivepilepsie\", so called by us, within this group of premonitory signs is of special importance and may open way to adequat prophylactic therapy, medically or surgically (mainly in the sence of carotid surgery). Late onset epilepsy in itself can be treated with relative low dosis of antepileptics plus cardiotonic and vasoactive medication. Hence, the status epilepticus as accompanying symptom of a stroke is difficult to treat and very often forms a signum mali omniis leading to death by exhaustion of the predamaged brain.", "PMID": 620982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3789", "title": "[Tremor. Mechanical effect of the discharge behavior of motor neurons].", "content": "From the accordance of the discharge and recruitment behaviour of motor units with the Fourier-analysis of the tremor ripples it is shown that the action tremor originates from any muscle innervation and is equivalent to the mechanical effect of the discharges of all motoneurones of a particular muscle. The power spectrum of tremor is mainly caused by the twitch contractions between recruitment (7--8/sec) and total fusion (25/sec) of the discharging motoneurones. The maximum of the frequency spectrum, which represents the dominant tremor rate, corresponds to the discharge frequency just after recruitment of each motoneurone. The twitch contractions of these newly recruited motor units are mechanically least fused. The power spectrum of the tremor in patients with motor disturbaces parallels the changes in the discharge and recruitment behaviour of motoneurones during voluntary contraction. The correlation between the discharges of two simultaneously recorded motor units shows a tendency to synchronization of all discharge rates the extent of which corresponds to the individual tremor intensity.", "contents": "[Tremor. Mechanical effect of the discharge behavior of motor neurons]. From the accordance of the discharge and recruitment behaviour of motor units with the Fourier-analysis of the tremor ripples it is shown that the action tremor originates from any muscle innervation and is equivalent to the mechanical effect of the discharges of all motoneurones of a particular muscle. The power spectrum of tremor is mainly caused by the twitch contractions between recruitment (7--8/sec) and total fusion (25/sec) of the discharging motoneurones. The maximum of the frequency spectrum, which represents the dominant tremor rate, corresponds to the discharge frequency just after recruitment of each motoneurone. The twitch contractions of these newly recruited motor units are mechanically least fused. The power spectrum of the tremor in patients with motor disturbaces parallels the changes in the discharge and recruitment behaviour of motoneurones during voluntary contraction. The correlation between the discharges of two simultaneously recorded motor units shows a tendency to synchronization of all discharge rates the extent of which corresponds to the individual tremor intensity.", "PMID": 620983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3790", "title": "[Incompatibility reactions following the infusion of colloidal volume substitutes during anesthesia].", "content": "A case of incompatibility reaction after Macrodex infusion during anesthesia is reported. The possibility of activating the so-called \"alternative pathway\" by dextran is shown. The early recognition of this reason for incompatibilities may help to prevent the development of severe, possibly fatal forms of dextran incompatibility. Strict observation of the patient during, especially at the beginning of the infusion and an exact recognition of the symptoms are necessary if dextran infusions are applied.", "contents": "[Incompatibility reactions following the infusion of colloidal volume substitutes during anesthesia]. A case of incompatibility reaction after Macrodex infusion during anesthesia is reported. The possibility of activating the so-called \"alternative pathway\" by dextran is shown. The early recognition of this reason for incompatibilities may help to prevent the development of severe, possibly fatal forms of dextran incompatibility. Strict observation of the patient during, especially at the beginning of the infusion and an exact recognition of the symptoms are necessary if dextran infusions are applied.", "PMID": 620986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3791", "title": "[Clinical pathology. Current tasks and developmental trends].", "content": "An enormous increase of histological and cytological examination has been observed during recent years. Further, the examinations performed today have to be more extensive. In oncology, the trend runs towards an individualized therapy according to histomorphology, grade and stage. As a consequence the importance of surgical pathology is increasing. The surgical pathologist is engaged in applied research. This is necessary as well as basic research in pathology. In classical European pathology, the autopsy room is the central room of the institute. On the contrary, surgical pathology considers operating theaters and endoscopy rooms as focus. It has gained an importance and will continue to do so in the future.", "contents": "[Clinical pathology. Current tasks and developmental trends]. An enormous increase of histological and cytological examination has been observed during recent years. Further, the examinations performed today have to be more extensive. In oncology, the trend runs towards an individualized therapy according to histomorphology, grade and stage. As a consequence the importance of surgical pathology is increasing. The surgical pathologist is engaged in applied research. This is necessary as well as basic research in pathology. In classical European pathology, the autopsy room is the central room of the institute. On the contrary, surgical pathology considers operating theaters and endoscopy rooms as focus. It has gained an importance and will continue to do so in the future.", "PMID": 620988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3792", "title": "[Differential diagnosis of ophthalmological findings in various forms of ichthyosis].", "content": "The ophthalmological manifestations in the various types of ichthyosis are very different. Regarding genetic criteria, history, clinical and histological observations, four different keratopathies characteristics for one of each type of ichthyosis, were found.", "contents": "[Differential diagnosis of ophthalmological findings in various forms of ichthyosis]. The ophthalmological manifestations in the various types of ichthyosis are very different. Regarding genetic criteria, history, clinical and histological observations, four different keratopathies characteristics for one of each type of ichthyosis, were found.", "PMID": 620989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3793", "title": "[Struma. Results of surgical management].", "content": "Case report about 3620 struma operations and comparison of the results with the publications of other authors. The situations of malignant strumas are considered separately. Postoperative complications, causes of death and mortality are also considered. The necessity of postoperative hormon-substitution is pointed out.", "contents": "[Struma. Results of surgical management]. Case report about 3620 struma operations and comparison of the results with the publications of other authors. The situations of malignant strumas are considered separately. Postoperative complications, causes of death and mortality are also considered. The necessity of postoperative hormon-substitution is pointed out.", "PMID": 620991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3794", "title": "[Gait analysis in children with cerebral movement disorders].", "content": "The study comprises the results of gait analyses that were carried out by means of three-dimensional motion films. The gaits were recorded by two synchronized film-cameras from different angles. Enlarged on a screen a frame to frame analysis was possible. Various statements were obtained on the kind and severeness of the handicap. By computerizing the data the results were proved to be of statistical significance. The research finally included studies on electromyographic activities of several muscles in the lower extremities.", "contents": "[Gait analysis in children with cerebral movement disorders]. The study comprises the results of gait analyses that were carried out by means of three-dimensional motion films. The gaits were recorded by two synchronized film-cameras from different angles. Enlarged on a screen a frame to frame analysis was possible. Various statements were obtained on the kind and severeness of the handicap. By computerizing the data the results were proved to be of statistical significance. The research finally included studies on electromyographic activities of several muscles in the lower extremities.", "PMID": 620993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3795", "title": "[Poisonous-snake bites. Therapy and preventive measures].", "content": "It is estimated that every year about 500 000 people around the world are bitten by poisonous snakes. Between 30 000 to 50 000 persons die due to snake-bites; the highest frequency is reported from Southern Asia. Clinically three types of snake-bites can be distinguished: 1. Bites with local damage (extreme pain, edema, necrosis), 2. Bites followed by generalized hemorrhagic symptoms and 3. bites with neurotoxic effects of the poison (no local pain, paralysis of cerebral nerves, coma). For tropical snake-bites snake-venom is live-saving. As in many cases the biting animal cannot be identified it is advisable to use polyvalent sera. These are heterologous sera which contain antitoxins against several poisonous snakes of a certain area. Often there is some delay until the snake-venom becomes available. Therefore local and symptomatic treatment is valuable: cleaning of the wound, superficial incision to remove poison, venous congestion, oral and intravenous fluid-therapy, antihistaminic drugs, steroids and prophylaxis of shock. Tourists are only rarely endangered by poisonous snakes, they do not need to carry anti-snake venom; this is recommended for scientific excursions in areas with dense vegetation and for persons living in warm countries.", "contents": "[Poisonous-snake bites. Therapy and preventive measures]. It is estimated that every year about 500 000 people around the world are bitten by poisonous snakes. Between 30 000 to 50 000 persons die due to snake-bites; the highest frequency is reported from Southern Asia. Clinically three types of snake-bites can be distinguished: 1. Bites with local damage (extreme pain, edema, necrosis), 2. Bites followed by generalized hemorrhagic symptoms and 3. bites with neurotoxic effects of the poison (no local pain, paralysis of cerebral nerves, coma). For tropical snake-bites snake-venom is live-saving. As in many cases the biting animal cannot be identified it is advisable to use polyvalent sera. These are heterologous sera which contain antitoxins against several poisonous snakes of a certain area. Often there is some delay until the snake-venom becomes available. Therefore local and symptomatic treatment is valuable: cleaning of the wound, superficial incision to remove poison, venous congestion, oral and intravenous fluid-therapy, antihistaminic drugs, steroids and prophylaxis of shock. Tourists are only rarely endangered by poisonous snakes, they do not need to carry anti-snake venom; this is recommended for scientific excursions in areas with dense vegetation and for persons living in warm countries.", "PMID": 620995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3796", "title": "Services for schizophrenics: a lifelong approach to treatment.", "content": "Mental health services in the 1960s reflected then-current beliefs in the effectiveness of crisis-oriented services and broad social programming to treat and even prevent serious mental disorders. The result was an unwarranted emphasis on the single-episode user of services and lack of interest in patients such as schizophrenics who needed repeated services. Numerous more recent studies indicate that many cases of schizophrenia have a heritable biological component and respond well to neuroleptic medication. For effective out patient treatment of schizophrenics who might otherwise be repeated users of hospital service, the author advocates a program of continuous, or nearly continuous, neuroleptic medication, combined with counseling and social and crisis services. The patient would be educated to take a role in self-regulation of medication, within a prescribed range, which would appear to improve safety, precision, and reliability.", "contents": "Services for schizophrenics: a lifelong approach to treatment. Mental health services in the 1960s reflected then-current beliefs in the effectiveness of crisis-oriented services and broad social programming to treat and even prevent serious mental disorders. The result was an unwarranted emphasis on the single-episode user of services and lack of interest in patients such as schizophrenics who needed repeated services. Numerous more recent studies indicate that many cases of schizophrenia have a heritable biological component and respond well to neuroleptic medication. For effective out patient treatment of schizophrenics who might otherwise be repeated users of hospital service, the author advocates a program of continuous, or nearly continuous, neuroleptic medication, combined with counseling and social and crisis services. The patient would be educated to take a role in self-regulation of medication, within a prescribed range, which would appear to improve safety, precision, and reliability.", "PMID": 620996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3797", "title": "Rediagnosis of schizophrenia as bipolar affective illness.", "content": "Ten patients in a Veterans Administration hospital who had been diagnosed and treated as schizophrenic were rediagnosed as having bipolar affective illness and were shown to be responsive to lithium. The authors feel that the diagnosis of schizophrenia is made too frequently and often is made with inadequate information. A further complicating factor in diagnosis is that some patients exhibit schizophrenia-like symptoms during the acute manic phase. The authors found that valuable aids to rediagnosis of such patients include a good premorbid and interepisodic adjustment, a history of depressive episodes, a family history of affective disorder, and a favorable response to a therapeutic trial on lithium carbonate.", "contents": "Rediagnosis of schizophrenia as bipolar affective illness. Ten patients in a Veterans Administration hospital who had been diagnosed and treated as schizophrenic were rediagnosed as having bipolar affective illness and were shown to be responsive to lithium. The authors feel that the diagnosis of schizophrenia is made too frequently and often is made with inadequate information. A further complicating factor in diagnosis is that some patients exhibit schizophrenia-like symptoms during the acute manic phase. The authors found that valuable aids to rediagnosis of such patients include a good premorbid and interepisodic adjustment, a history of depressive episodes, a family history of affective disorder, and a favorable response to a therapeutic trial on lithium carbonate.", "PMID": 620997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3798", "title": "The use of fluphenazines in a continuing-care program.", "content": "The author describes his experience in using long-acting injectable fluphenazines with chronic schizophrenic patients in a continuing-care program in San Diego County. He has found the drug to be economical, long-lasting in therapeutic effect, and less likely than other drugs to produce serious side-effects, particularly tardive dyskinesia. In addition, use of injectables makes it possible to avoid depending on untrained operators of residential facilities to see that the patients take their drugs.", "contents": "The use of fluphenazines in a continuing-care program. The author describes his experience in using long-acting injectable fluphenazines with chronic schizophrenic patients in a continuing-care program in San Diego County. He has found the drug to be economical, long-lasting in therapeutic effect, and less likely than other drugs to produce serious side-effects, particularly tardive dyskinesia. In addition, use of injectables makes it possible to avoid depending on untrained operators of residential facilities to see that the patients take their drugs.", "PMID": 620998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3799", "title": "Staff response to suicide of hospitalized psychiatric patients.", "content": "The authors cite seven case histories of inpatients who committed suicide over a five-year period and analyze staff reaction and the changes in policy and procedures that followed. They conclude that staff feelings of guilt and failure brought about by inhospital suicides may result in the implementation of procedures designed to decrease risk, but that such procedures would not necessarily have prevented the suicide that led to their introduction. They maintain that staff acceptance of total responsibility for preventing suicide may achieve short-term safety at the expense of increased long-term risk, and that suicides can occur even when all reasonable precautions have been taken.", "contents": "Staff response to suicide of hospitalized psychiatric patients. The authors cite seven case histories of inpatients who committed suicide over a five-year period and analyze staff reaction and the changes in policy and procedures that followed. They conclude that staff feelings of guilt and failure brought about by inhospital suicides may result in the implementation of procedures designed to decrease risk, but that such procedures would not necessarily have prevented the suicide that led to their introduction. They maintain that staff acceptance of total responsibility for preventing suicide may achieve short-term safety at the expense of increased long-term risk, and that suicides can occur even when all reasonable precautions have been taken.", "PMID": 621000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3800", "title": "The impact of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act on state mental health systems.", "content": "One effect of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976 is to severely limit the number of foreign medical graduates entering the United States. To examine the impact of the law in Michigan, the authors gathered data on the number of psychiatrists practicing in the state and projected future manpower needs. They conclude that it is unlikely that, given other provisions in the law, American medical graduates can numerically replace foreign medical graduates, and that alternative manpower resources will have to be developed. State mental health systems must form new relationships with universities and the private psychiatric sector, and new methods of training personnel and sharing resources must be developed. The authors emphasize the importance of giving state mental health systems sufficient time and resources to develop effective manpower plans.", "contents": "The impact of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act on state mental health systems. One effect of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976 is to severely limit the number of foreign medical graduates entering the United States. To examine the impact of the law in Michigan, the authors gathered data on the number of psychiatrists practicing in the state and projected future manpower needs. They conclude that it is unlikely that, given other provisions in the law, American medical graduates can numerically replace foreign medical graduates, and that alternative manpower resources will have to be developed. State mental health systems must form new relationships with universities and the private psychiatric sector, and new methods of training personnel and sharing resources must be developed. The authors emphasize the importance of giving state mental health systems sufficient time and resources to develop effective manpower plans.", "PMID": 621001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3801", "title": "The role of family therapy in treating physical illness.", "content": "Family relationships, behavior patterns, and the manner of responding to stress are important causal factors in physical illness and in health. Using case examples from his own practice as well as a review of the literature, he demonstrates ways that families help create and complicate physical illness. Elements of his family therapy program that he feels contribute to its success include helping the family focus on the past in relation to present concerns, investigating ways the family reacts to the illness, asking the patient why he is ill, conducting classes in stress release, and helping the family change patterns of interaction.", "contents": "The role of family therapy in treating physical illness. Family relationships, behavior patterns, and the manner of responding to stress are important causal factors in physical illness and in health. Using case examples from his own practice as well as a review of the literature, he demonstrates ways that families help create and complicate physical illness. Elements of his family therapy program that he feels contribute to its success include helping the family focus on the past in relation to present concerns, investigating ways the family reacts to the illness, asking the patient why he is ill, conducting classes in stress release, and helping the family change patterns of interaction.", "PMID": 621007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3802", "title": "Meeting families' treatment needs through a family psychotherapy center.", "content": "A small group of mental health professionals in St. Louis established a private-practice family therapy center staffed by therapists of various disciplines and theoretical orientations. Families receive a comprehensive, five-phase evaluation at the end of which the panel of evaluators recommends the type of family therapy and the therapist most suited to deal with the central problem. During the center's first two years of operation, 42 families received a complete evaluation and 36 began treatment, most of them in marital therapy. Of the 21 who completed treatment, 16 were rated as improved and five as unchanged. Thirty members within those 21 families manifested serious psychopathology, but none had to be hospitalized during treatment.", "contents": "Meeting families' treatment needs through a family psychotherapy center. A small group of mental health professionals in St. Louis established a private-practice family therapy center staffed by therapists of various disciplines and theoretical orientations. Families receive a comprehensive, five-phase evaluation at the end of which the panel of evaluators recommends the type of family therapy and the therapist most suited to deal with the central problem. During the center's first two years of operation, 42 families received a complete evaluation and 36 began treatment, most of them in marital therapy. Of the 21 who completed treatment, 16 were rated as improved and five as unchanged. Thirty members within those 21 families manifested serious psychopathology, but none had to be hospitalized during treatment.", "PMID": 621008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3803", "title": "A study of outpatient satisfaction with mental health center services.", "content": "In 1972 the authors conducted a study to determine the effect of encouraging patients to express their dissatisfaction with services received at a community mental health center in New York City. Half of the out-patients admitted to the center over a six-month period, a total of 270, were sent welcoming letters signed by the center director soliciting suggestions and complaints about services and listing staff members to whom they could be reported. Follow-up telephone interviews both with recipients of the letter and with nonrecipients, who formed a control group, showed that the recipients had fewer complaints about the center's services than did the nonrecipients. However, they failed to use the suggested channels to report a number of relatively serious complaints. The authors discuss the implications of the findings.", "contents": "A study of outpatient satisfaction with mental health center services. In 1972 the authors conducted a study to determine the effect of encouraging patients to express their dissatisfaction with services received at a community mental health center in New York City. Half of the out-patients admitted to the center over a six-month period, a total of 270, were sent welcoming letters signed by the center director soliciting suggestions and complaints about services and listing staff members to whom they could be reported. Follow-up telephone interviews both with recipients of the letter and with nonrecipients, who formed a control group, showed that the recipients had fewer complaints about the center's services than did the nonrecipients. However, they failed to use the suggested channels to report a number of relatively serious complaints. The authors discuss the implications of the findings.", "PMID": 621009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3804", "title": "What does the patient think? An evaluation of a general psychiatric ward.", "content": "The authors used patients' ratings of treatment effectiveness, resolution of problems, and helpfulness of various staff to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment program on a general psychiatric ward staffed mainly by nonprofessionals. The evaluation also included comparisons with the hospital's other general psychiatric wards on length of stay, cost, and other variables. Patients were found to be generally satisfied with the care provided and with improvements in their condition. The authors believe greater considerations should be given to patients' opinions of the treatment they receive.", "contents": "What does the patient think? An evaluation of a general psychiatric ward. The authors used patients' ratings of treatment effectiveness, resolution of problems, and helpfulness of various staff to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment program on a general psychiatric ward staffed mainly by nonprofessionals. The evaluation also included comparisons with the hospital's other general psychiatric wards on length of stay, cost, and other variables. Patients were found to be generally satisfied with the care provided and with improvements in their condition. The authors believe greater considerations should be given to patients' opinions of the treatment they receive.", "PMID": 621010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3805", "title": "Identifying and meeting clients' needs in six community mental health centers.", "content": "Using an intrument called SNAPOR--Services Needed, Available, Planned, Offered, and Rendered--the authors investigated the mental health service needs of 643 clients in six community mental health centers and the adequacy with which they were met. The centers' intake workers completed the first part of the instrument, immediately after the initial interview, to identify which of 13 services clients needed and to estimate the availability of the services. Follow-up eight weeks later indicated which of the needed services had been offered and which were actually given. Individual sessions and medication were the needs most often identified. The percentages of needed services that were ultimately provided ranged from lows of 3 to 10 per cent, for various kinds of rehabilitation, to a high of 84 per cent, for 24-hour hospitalization.", "contents": "Identifying and meeting clients' needs in six community mental health centers. Using an intrument called SNAPOR--Services Needed, Available, Planned, Offered, and Rendered--the authors investigated the mental health service needs of 643 clients in six community mental health centers and the adequacy with which they were met. The centers' intake workers completed the first part of the instrument, immediately after the initial interview, to identify which of 13 services clients needed and to estimate the availability of the services. Follow-up eight weeks later indicated which of the needed services had been offered and which were actually given. Individual sessions and medication were the needs most often identified. The percentages of needed services that were ultimately provided ranged from lows of 3 to 10 per cent, for various kinds of rehabilitation, to a high of 84 per cent, for 24-hour hospitalization.", "PMID": 621011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3806", "title": "Does patient satisfaction correlate with succes?", "content": "The authors studied the relationship between patient satisfaction and success of treatment in a group of out-patients consecutively admitted to two community mental health centers in California in 1975. The study is based on patient ratings of the satisfaction with treatment and the success of treatment at the second visit, the last visit, and follow-up, as well as on therapists' ratings of treatment success at the second visit and the last visit. At both time points the therapists' mean ratings of treatment success were significantly lower than the patients'. Significant but low correlations between satisfaction and success indicate that satisfaction ratings cannot replace success ratings or other outcome indicators in assessments of quality of care.", "contents": "Does patient satisfaction correlate with succes? The authors studied the relationship between patient satisfaction and success of treatment in a group of out-patients consecutively admitted to two community mental health centers in California in 1975. The study is based on patient ratings of the satisfaction with treatment and the success of treatment at the second visit, the last visit, and follow-up, as well as on therapists' ratings of treatment success at the second visit and the last visit. At both time points the therapists' mean ratings of treatment success were significantly lower than the patients'. Significant but low correlations between satisfaction and success indicate that satisfaction ratings cannot replace success ratings or other outcome indicators in assessments of quality of care.", "PMID": 621012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3807", "title": "Sisters as union members: what do NLRB and courts say?", "content": "The NLRB and the appellate courts are more in conflict than in harmony over the inclusion of members of religious congregations in hospital collective bargaining units. The NLRB has bound several bases for exclusion; consequently, unless a hospital affiliated with a congregation is free of these conditions or is willing to assume the burdens of appellate litigation, members of a religious congregation in that hospital are unlikely to be included in a bargaining unit there.", "contents": "Sisters as union members: what do NLRB and courts say? The NLRB and the appellate courts are more in conflict than in harmony over the inclusion of members of religious congregations in hospital collective bargaining units. The NLRB has bound several bases for exclusion; consequently, unless a hospital affiliated with a congregation is free of these conditions or is willing to assume the burdens of appellate litigation, members of a religious congregation in that hospital are unlikely to be included in a bargaining unit there.", "PMID": 621052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3808", "title": "Guaranteeing OB rates to reduce bad debts.", "content": "In an effort to reduce its obstetrical department's \"bad debt ratio\", St. Margaret's Hospital, Spring Valley, IL, has instituted a program of guaranteed rates for maternity patients. Both patients and the hospital benefit--patients from knowing what they will have to pay and doing so in advance, and the hospital from greater security about payment. Therefore, St. Margaret's has high hopes for the plan's success.", "contents": "Guaranteeing OB rates to reduce bad debts. In an effort to reduce its obstetrical department's \"bad debt ratio\", St. Margaret's Hospital, Spring Valley, IL, has instituted a program of guaranteed rates for maternity patients. Both patients and the hospital benefit--patients from knowing what they will have to pay and doing so in advance, and the hospital from greater security about payment. Therefore, St. Margaret's has high hopes for the plan's success.", "PMID": 621053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3809", "title": "The nonprofit hospital: not requiem but revival!", "content": "Rather than federal regulatory efforts moving the nation's health care system toward the death of voluntary nonprofit health care, evidence points toward development of nonprofit multihospital systems that remain community oriented. The article outlines the vital attributes of \"publicly owned community service\" and voluntary nonprofit hospitals that lend themselves to this trend, and it refutes the scenarios of death for nonprofits.", "contents": "The nonprofit hospital: not requiem but revival! Rather than federal regulatory efforts moving the nation's health care system toward the death of voluntary nonprofit health care, evidence points toward development of nonprofit multihospital systems that remain community oriented. The article outlines the vital attributes of \"publicly owned community service\" and voluntary nonprofit hospitals that lend themselves to this trend, and it refutes the scenarios of death for nonprofits.", "PMID": 621055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3810", "title": "Social institutions and economic decision making.", "content": "Perpetuating the present U.S. health care system, which spends more and more to produce about the same output, is irrational. Incentives that affect insurers and insureds, physicians, hospitals, and government are a necessity if a viable voluntary health care system is to survive.", "contents": "Social institutions and economic decision making. Perpetuating the present U.S. health care system, which spends more and more to produce about the same output, is irrational. Incentives that affect insurers and insureds, physicians, hospitals, and government are a necessity if a viable voluntary health care system is to survive.", "PMID": 621056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3811", "title": "Five keys to effective management of hospital data processing.", "content": "In implementing a successful data processing department, a hospital should analyze its unique needs in regard to five key elements: (1) department personnel, (2) management style, (3) the department's relationship to the total organization, (4) independence from vendor, and (5) the organization's personality orientation.", "contents": "Five keys to effective management of hospital data processing. In implementing a successful data processing department, a hospital should analyze its unique needs in regard to five key elements: (1) department personnel, (2) management style, (3) the department's relationship to the total organization, (4) independence from vendor, and (5) the organization's personality orientation.", "PMID": 621058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3812", "title": "Hospital-college relationships: ingenuity increases benefits.", "content": "During the past decade, the primary location of training programs for nonphysician health care personnel has shifted from the hospital to the college or university. This shift has brought with it strong interdependence between health care and educational institutions and has led to a new willingness to implement mutually beneficial methods of support and exchange.", "contents": "Hospital-college relationships: ingenuity increases benefits. During the past decade, the primary location of training programs for nonphysician health care personnel has shifted from the hospital to the college or university. This shift has brought with it strong interdependence between health care and educational institutions and has led to a new willingness to implement mutually beneficial methods of support and exchange.", "PMID": 621059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3813", "title": "Nurse practitioners in prevention and health education.", "content": "The Where? How? Who will pay? and Who will provide? of preventive medicine and health education can be answered. And a promising answer is the family nurse practitioner, who may be able to handle 60 to 80 percent of routine tasks normally done by physicians and to provide health education as a part of routine care.", "contents": "Nurse practitioners in prevention and health education. The Where? How? Who will pay? and Who will provide? of preventive medicine and health education can be answered. And a promising answer is the family nurse practitioner, who may be able to handle 60 to 80 percent of routine tasks normally done by physicians and to provide health education as a part of routine care.", "PMID": 621060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3814", "title": "Vatican II and pluralism in pastoral care.", "content": "The documents of Vatican II imply that the ever increasing plurality of needs in the world and in Catholic health care institutions must be met by plurality in Christian response. Catholic hospitals should welcome onto their pastoral care teams people with diverse credentials and use them to promote the spiritual care of patients--Catholic and non-Catholic. In addition, this pluralistic ministry should extend itself beyond institutional walls toward the social needs of the community.", "contents": "Vatican II and pluralism in pastoral care. The documents of Vatican II imply that the ever increasing plurality of needs in the world and in Catholic health care institutions must be met by plurality in Christian response. Catholic hospitals should welcome onto their pastoral care teams people with diverse credentials and use them to promote the spiritual care of patients--Catholic and non-Catholic. In addition, this pluralistic ministry should extend itself beyond institutional walls toward the social needs of the community.", "PMID": 621061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3815", "title": "A new role for the RN: discharge coordinator.", "content": "St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland, analyzed its discharge planning service and in response to identified problems created the position of RN discharge coordinator within the social service department. After two years of experience with the new approach, the hospital has documented the elimination of some of the target problems and feels it now offers a more comprehensive and professional aftercare placement service.", "contents": "A new role for the RN: discharge coordinator. St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland, analyzed its discharge planning service and in response to identified problems created the position of RN discharge coordinator within the social service department. After two years of experience with the new approach, the hospital has documented the elimination of some of the target problems and feels it now offers a more comprehensive and professional aftercare placement service.", "PMID": 621067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3816", "title": "Marketing health care: its untapped potential.", "content": "Hospitals should not equate marketing with Madison Avenue styled promotional campaigns. A neutral instrument, marketing offers a range of highly developed basic techniques of data gathering, data analysis, market segmentation, advertising research, and a host of others, from which hospitals can pick and choose to discover the needs and desires of the communities they serve and to better meet these needs and desires.", "contents": "Marketing health care: its untapped potential. Hospitals should not equate marketing with Madison Avenue styled promotional campaigns. A neutral instrument, marketing offers a range of highly developed basic techniques of data gathering, data analysis, market segmentation, advertising research, and a host of others, from which hospitals can pick and choose to discover the needs and desires of the communities they serve and to better meet these needs and desires.", "PMID": 621068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3817", "title": "CEO: an agent of planned change.", "content": "CEOs are evolving from traditional administrative roles to accept the mandate of today's health care delivery system--the mandate that administrators take broad social views and be innovators in dealing with medical developments and in changing services to meet changing demands. CEOs must have or develop the skills to integrate available resources for coping with the forces impinging on the modern hospital.", "contents": "CEO: an agent of planned change. CEOs are evolving from traditional administrative roles to accept the mandate of today's health care delivery system--the mandate that administrators take broad social views and be innovators in dealing with medical developments and in changing services to meet changing demands. CEOs must have or develop the skills to integrate available resources for coping with the forces impinging on the modern hospital.", "PMID": 621069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3818", "title": "Health planning premises in conflict.", "content": "Should the current interplay of consumers and providers continue to shape the supply of health care or should the activity of an intellectual elite replace market forces? These questions represent dichotomous points of view toward the health delivery system--each resting on a number of allied assumptions--which must be reconciled if the health care delivery system is to act in the public interest.", "contents": "Health planning premises in conflict. Should the current interplay of consumers and providers continue to shape the supply of health care or should the activity of an intellectual elite replace market forces? These questions represent dichotomous points of view toward the health delivery system--each resting on a number of allied assumptions--which must be reconciled if the health care delivery system is to act in the public interest.", "PMID": 621070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3819", "title": "Data profiles: a tool for decision makers.", "content": "Systematic, long-range planning is increasingly important to hospitals because government is scrutinizing their costs and quality ever more closely. This level of planning requires that institutional decision makers have adequate data available in usable form. A set of data profiles needed by hospitals to do this job is suggested.", "contents": "Data profiles: a tool for decision makers. Systematic, long-range planning is increasingly important to hospitals because government is scrutinizing their costs and quality ever more closely. This level of planning requires that institutional decision makers have adequate data available in usable form. A set of data profiles needed by hospitals to do this job is suggested.", "PMID": 621072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3820", "title": "Speech and hearing services in hospitals.", "content": "Because professionals in treating communication disorders work with otolaryngologists, pediatricians, surgeons, radiologists, physiatrists, dental specialists, etc., the hospital is a logical base for these shared services. Structuring a communication disorders unit within the hospital requires identifying needs, setting objectives, and developing a program that has appropriate capital support.", "contents": "Speech and hearing services in hospitals. Because professionals in treating communication disorders work with otolaryngologists, pediatricians, surgeons, radiologists, physiatrists, dental specialists, etc., the hospital is a logical base for these shared services. Structuring a communication disorders unit within the hospital requires identifying needs, setting objectives, and developing a program that has appropriate capital support.", "PMID": 621073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3821", "title": "Health care amid religion and revelation.", "content": "Are hospitals places primarily of medicine or of religion? Can religion be hazardous to one's health? Is Christianity a religion? Is pastoral care of the center or at the margin of Catholic health care facilities? Discussion of these paradoxical questions is meant to facilitate some new understanding of \"how Christian community and faith build upon the experience of life and upon life's quest for life beyond dying\".", "contents": "Health care amid religion and revelation. Are hospitals places primarily of medicine or of religion? Can religion be hazardous to one's health? Is Christianity a religion? Is pastoral care of the center or at the margin of Catholic health care facilities? Discussion of these paradoxical questions is meant to facilitate some new understanding of \"how Christian community and faith build upon the experience of life and upon life's quest for life beyond dying\".", "PMID": 621074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3822", "title": "Prosthetic heart valves: which ones and why.", "content": "The type and to some extent the size of prosthesis are by far the most important factors determining the patient's prognosis. Extensive necropsy experience shows that in terms of hemodynamics, thrombogenesis, and deterioration-the three major criteria-none of the four main types of prosthetic valves in use today is ideal. Emphasis placed on the role of the referring cardiologist in the choice of surgeon and prosthesis.", "contents": "Prosthetic heart valves: which ones and why. The type and to some extent the size of prosthesis are by far the most important factors determining the patient's prognosis. Extensive necropsy experience shows that in terms of hemodynamics, thrombogenesis, and deterioration-the three major criteria-none of the four main types of prosthetic valves in use today is ideal. Emphasis placed on the role of the referring cardiologist in the choice of surgeon and prosthesis.", "PMID": 621083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3823", "title": "Special problems of the newborn.", "content": "Rapid diagnosis on the basis of simple clinical signs and immediate, aggressive therapy are required in handling such newborn problems as persistence of fetal circulatory patterns, respiratory distress syndrome, and acute necrotizing enterocolitis.", "contents": "Special problems of the newborn. Rapid diagnosis on the basis of simple clinical signs and immediate, aggressive therapy are required in handling such newborn problems as persistence of fetal circulatory patterns, respiratory distress syndrome, and acute necrotizing enterocolitis.", "PMID": 621084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3824", "title": "Genetic studies on the Savara and Jatapu Tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India.", "content": "A total of nearly 300 persons belonging to the Savara and Jatapu tribes in the Srikakulum District of northern Andhra Pradesh have been tested for electrophoretic variation in 13 red cell enzyme systems, and also haemoglobin. The gene frequencies for the systems showing variation are within the range for other South Indian populations, and there are no significant differences between the two tribal groups investigated in this report except in the case of adenylate kinase. The Jatapu (along with the Kadar of Kerala) have the highest frequency of AK1 so far reported in India. Both the Savara and Jatapu showed a low frequency for Hb AS, and LDH-Calcutta 1 was not detected in either population.", "contents": "Genetic studies on the Savara and Jatapu Tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of nearly 300 persons belonging to the Savara and Jatapu tribes in the Srikakulum District of northern Andhra Pradesh have been tested for electrophoretic variation in 13 red cell enzyme systems, and also haemoglobin. The gene frequencies for the systems showing variation are within the range for other South Indian populations, and there are no significant differences between the two tribal groups investigated in this report except in the case of adenylate kinase. The Jatapu (along with the Kadar of Kerala) have the highest frequency of AK1 so far reported in India. Both the Savara and Jatapu showed a low frequency for Hb AS, and LDH-Calcutta 1 was not detected in either population.", "PMID": 621086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3825", "title": "Trisomy 4p and deletion 4p- in a family having translocation, t(4p-; 12p+).", "content": "Chromosome studies on a newborn infant with the clinical features of 4p-syndrome revealed a 46,XY,4p-karyotype with deletion of bands distal to 4p14. Investigation of the family revealed normal chromosomes in the mother and a balanced translocation rcp(4;12) (p14;p13) in the father, the paternal grandfather and an uncle. A severely retarded and malformed aunt is a partial trismoy for the short arms of chromosome 4, with the unbalanced karyotype 45,XX,12p+. It appears that monosomy of bands 4p15 and 4p16 leads to the full clinical features of 4p-syndrome, while trisomy of this region causes disabilities consistent with the rather more variable 4p trisomy syndrome. From currently reported cases, a summary is presented of the results of pregnancies of both male and female translocation carriers.", "contents": "Trisomy 4p and deletion 4p- in a family having translocation, t(4p-; 12p+). Chromosome studies on a newborn infant with the clinical features of 4p-syndrome revealed a 46,XY,4p-karyotype with deletion of bands distal to 4p14. Investigation of the family revealed normal chromosomes in the mother and a balanced translocation rcp(4;12) (p14;p13) in the father, the paternal grandfather and an uncle. A severely retarded and malformed aunt is a partial trismoy for the short arms of chromosome 4, with the unbalanced karyotype 45,XX,12p+. It appears that monosomy of bands 4p15 and 4p16 leads to the full clinical features of 4p-syndrome, while trisomy of this region causes disabilities consistent with the rather more variable 4p trisomy syndrome. From currently reported cases, a summary is presented of the results of pregnancies of both male and female translocation carriers.", "PMID": 621087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3826", "title": "A silent gene (C3-) producing partial deficiency of the third component of human complement.", "content": "A family is described with 3 members in 3 generations being heterozygous for the silent gene C3-: one girl, her mother and grandfather had half normal C3 levels and were apparently incompatible homozygous. No significant deviation in the total hemolytic complement activity, serum concentration of Bf and C4 component was found in the affected individuals.", "contents": "A silent gene (C3-) producing partial deficiency of the third component of human complement. A family is described with 3 members in 3 generations being heterozygous for the silent gene C3-: one girl, her mother and grandfather had half normal C3 levels and were apparently incompatible homozygous. No significant deviation in the total hemolytic complement activity, serum concentration of Bf and C4 component was found in the affected individuals.", "PMID": 621088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3827", "title": "The polymorphism of red cell esterase D in Italy.", "content": "1,153 unrelated individuals from three different areas of Italy were tested for the red cell esterase D polymorphism. The gene frequencies found in the three groups do not differ significantly from each other. The EsD2 allele in the total sample has a frequency of 14.6% but it is difficult at the present stage to know if this figure is valid for the whole Italian population. If so, the Italian EsD2 allele frequency lies at the upper limit of the range of the European values. No variant phenotypes were observed.", "contents": "The polymorphism of red cell esterase D in Italy. 1,153 unrelated individuals from three different areas of Italy were tested for the red cell esterase D polymorphism. The gene frequencies found in the three groups do not differ significantly from each other. The EsD2 allele in the total sample has a frequency of 14.6% but it is difficult at the present stage to know if this figure is valid for the whole Italian population. If so, the Italian EsD2 allele frequency lies at the upper limit of the range of the European values. No variant phenotypes were observed.", "PMID": 621089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3828", "title": "Genetic polymorphisms in juvenile-onset diabetes.", "content": "Nine genetic polymorphic systems (ACP1, PGM1, ADA, AK, G-6-PD, Hp, ABO, Rh, MN), were studied in a series of 138 subjects affected by JOD. Differences between diabetic patients and controls were observed in the distribution of phenotypes of the red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1), and the ABO and MN blood groups.", "contents": "Genetic polymorphisms in juvenile-onset diabetes. Nine genetic polymorphic systems (ACP1, PGM1, ADA, AK, G-6-PD, Hp, ABO, Rh, MN), were studied in a series of 138 subjects affected by JOD. Differences between diabetic patients and controls were observed in the distribution of phenotypes of the red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1), and the ABO and MN blood groups.", "PMID": 621091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3829", "title": "HLA antigens and affective disorders.", "content": "A total of 168 patients with different types of affective disorders were examined with respect to their HLA antigens. The frequency of the A10 antigen was found to be increased in the patients particularly in those with the unipolar type of disease. The frequency of the A1 antigen was decreased among unipolar patients. A decreased frequency of the B7 antigen was found in the total material of patients, and in particular in those with a bipolar type of disease. Our results were in disagreement with findings by other investigators. So far there is no conclusive evidence for association between any HLA antigen and affective disorders.", "contents": "HLA antigens and affective disorders. A total of 168 patients with different types of affective disorders were examined with respect to their HLA antigens. The frequency of the A10 antigen was found to be increased in the patients particularly in those with the unipolar type of disease. The frequency of the A1 antigen was decreased among unipolar patients. A decreased frequency of the B7 antigen was found in the total material of patients, and in particular in those with a bipolar type of disease. Our results were in disagreement with findings by other investigators. So far there is no conclusive evidence for association between any HLA antigen and affective disorders.", "PMID": 621092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3830", "title": "Studies of the radioallergosorbent test and the lymphocyte stimulation index in symptomatic ragweed pollenosis.", "content": "We followed 47 ragweed hay fever patients (not on immunotherapy) through a ragweed season by means of clinical evaluation and symptom scores. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and lymphocyte stimulation index (LSI) were done to determine their reliability as predictors of clinical symptomatology. Symptom scores of 10 or above, denoting at least moderate daily symptoms, occurred in 36 patients (80%). Preseasonally, RAST class 2 or above was found in 34 patients (75%), of whom 29 patients (64%) had symptom scores of 10 or above. At that time, LSI was elevated in about 50% of the patients. Patients in RAST class 3 had the highest LSI as a group. Seasonal exposure boosted the LSI in 50% of the patients, whereas 25% were unchanged and 25% showed a decrease. The results suggest that neither RAST nor LSI are reliable predictors of clinical severity in ragweed pollenosis.", "contents": "Studies of the radioallergosorbent test and the lymphocyte stimulation index in symptomatic ragweed pollenosis. We followed 47 ragweed hay fever patients (not on immunotherapy) through a ragweed season by means of clinical evaluation and symptom scores. The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and lymphocyte stimulation index (LSI) were done to determine their reliability as predictors of clinical symptomatology. Symptom scores of 10 or above, denoting at least moderate daily symptoms, occurred in 36 patients (80%). Preseasonally, RAST class 2 or above was found in 34 patients (75%), of whom 29 patients (64%) had symptom scores of 10 or above. At that time, LSI was elevated in about 50% of the patients. Patients in RAST class 3 had the highest LSI as a group. Seasonal exposure boosted the LSI in 50% of the patients, whereas 25% were unchanged and 25% showed a decrease. The results suggest that neither RAST nor LSI are reliable predictors of clinical severity in ragweed pollenosis.", "PMID": 621112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3831", "title": "Immune response in malnutrition. Effect of protein deficiency on the DNA synthetic response to alloantigens.", "content": "To evaluate the DNA synthetic response to alloantigens by lymphocytes from mice fed diets with normal (27%) and low (8%) protein content, we quantitated the uptake of 125IUDR in spleens of lethally irradiated adult F1 hybrids injected with cells with parental C57BL/6 donors kept on either diet. Thymocytes, spleen and lymph node cells from protein-restricted parental mice synthesized higher amounts of DNA than those from normally fed controls. Added thymocytes from either malnourished or normal F1 hybrids had similar inhibitory effects on the response of an active parental inoculum. The results indicate that cells from mice kept on a moderately protein-deficient diet for 3--5 weeks after weaning, have increased capacity to proliferate in response to alloantigens, suggesting a high proportion of reactive cells and/or changes in the ratio of the interacting cell populations in their lymphoid organs.", "contents": "Immune response in malnutrition. Effect of protein deficiency on the DNA synthetic response to alloantigens. To evaluate the DNA synthetic response to alloantigens by lymphocytes from mice fed diets with normal (27%) and low (8%) protein content, we quantitated the uptake of 125IUDR in spleens of lethally irradiated adult F1 hybrids injected with cells with parental C57BL/6 donors kept on either diet. Thymocytes, spleen and lymph node cells from protein-restricted parental mice synthesized higher amounts of DNA than those from normally fed controls. Added thymocytes from either malnourished or normal F1 hybrids had similar inhibitory effects on the response of an active parental inoculum. The results indicate that cells from mice kept on a moderately protein-deficient diet for 3--5 weeks after weaning, have increased capacity to proliferate in response to alloantigens, suggesting a high proportion of reactive cells and/or changes in the ratio of the interacting cell populations in their lymphoid organs.", "PMID": 621113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3832", "title": "Further studies of a humoral chemotactic abnormality in glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Chemotactic activity in the sera of patients with glomerulonephritis was compared under three simultaneously performed conditions: (1) incubation with buffer at 37 degrees C (CF-UNACT); (2) incubation with immune complexes at 37 degrees C (CF-ACT); (3) immediate heating at 56 degrees C (CF-56 degrees C). In all cases the generation of chemotactic factors was terminated by standard 'heat-inactivation' at 56 degrees C. Patients' CF-UNACT was similar to that of controls; patients' CF-ACT was significantly less than controls', but patients' CF-ACT and CF-56 degrees C was significantly greater than controls'. Patients CF-ACT and CF-56 degrees C were largely C5-dependent and were quantitatively similar. These divergent abnormalities could not be explained by spontaneous in vivo or in vitro (i.e., blood clotting) generation of complement chemotactic factors, the absence of Hageman factor-dependent chemotactic activity, or the presence of humoral inhibitors in patients' sera. It appears that inital 56 degrees C heating liberates C5-dependent chemotactic activity, a procedure that is usually believed to block its formation. Terminal 56 degrees C heating after 37 degrees C incubation did not generate such activity in CF-UNACT. The duration or sequence of heating at 56 degrees C, or both, are critical determinants for final expression of chemotactic activity in patients' sera, when viewed in relation to 37 degrees C incubation with immune complexes or buffer.", "contents": "Further studies of a humoral chemotactic abnormality in glomerulonephritis. Chemotactic activity in the sera of patients with glomerulonephritis was compared under three simultaneously performed conditions: (1) incubation with buffer at 37 degrees C (CF-UNACT); (2) incubation with immune complexes at 37 degrees C (CF-ACT); (3) immediate heating at 56 degrees C (CF-56 degrees C). In all cases the generation of chemotactic factors was terminated by standard 'heat-inactivation' at 56 degrees C. Patients' CF-UNACT was similar to that of controls; patients' CF-ACT was significantly less than controls', but patients' CF-ACT and CF-56 degrees C was significantly greater than controls'. Patients CF-ACT and CF-56 degrees C were largely C5-dependent and were quantitatively similar. These divergent abnormalities could not be explained by spontaneous in vivo or in vitro (i.e., blood clotting) generation of complement chemotactic factors, the absence of Hageman factor-dependent chemotactic activity, or the presence of humoral inhibitors in patients' sera. It appears that inital 56 degrees C heating liberates C5-dependent chemotactic activity, a procedure that is usually believed to block its formation. Terminal 56 degrees C heating after 37 degrees C incubation did not generate such activity in CF-UNACT. The duration or sequence of heating at 56 degrees C, or both, are critical determinants for final expression of chemotactic activity in patients' sera, when viewed in relation to 37 degrees C incubation with immune complexes or buffer.", "PMID": 621114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3833", "title": "Further studies on the structural requirements of sugars as antagonists of the changes in vascular permeability produced by sugar polymers in rat skin.", "content": "Hexoses and pentoses, but not tetroses or trioses, are potent inhibitors of the increase in vascular permeability in rat skin produced by the polysaccharides--dextran, mannan and glucan. The most active sugars are those with a D-threo type of structure in their cyclic form. The alcohols corresponding to the active sugars are much less inhibitory in this test. The results provide further information on the possible role of carbohydrate structures in antibody binding.", "contents": "Further studies on the structural requirements of sugars as antagonists of the changes in vascular permeability produced by sugar polymers in rat skin. Hexoses and pentoses, but not tetroses or trioses, are potent inhibitors of the increase in vascular permeability in rat skin produced by the polysaccharides--dextran, mannan and glucan. The most active sugars are those with a D-threo type of structure in their cyclic form. The alcohols corresponding to the active sugars are much less inhibitory in this test. The results provide further information on the possible role of carbohydrate structures in antibody binding.", "PMID": 621115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3834", "title": "Suppression of reaginic antibodies with modified allergens. II. Abrogation of reaginic antibodies with allergens conjugated to polyethylene glycol.", "content": "The two immunogenic preparations, ovalbumin (OA) and the nondialysable constituents of the aqueous extract of ragweed pollen (RAG), were conjugated with polyethylene glycols of molecular weights of 6,000 and 20,000 (PEG6 and PEG20) with the aid of cyanuric chloride. The i.v. administration of OA-PEG6 or OA-PEG20 into normal mice or into mice sensitized to a state of immediate hypersensitivity to dinitrophenylated OA (DNP3-OA) resulted, respectively, in the suppression of the primary or secondary IgE responses to DNP and OA. Similarly, the administration of RAG-PEG6 abrogated the primary as well as the ongoing anti-RAG reaginic responses in mice sensitized to RAG. The unresponsiveness of spleen cells from animals which had received a tolerogenic dose of OA-PEG6 was also maintained after transfer into X-irradiated (550 rad) mice. The suppressive effects of the tolerogenic PEG conjugates of OA and RAG were shown to be immunologically specific. It is, therefore, suggested that PEG-modified allergens may prove useful for the abrogation of the IgE response to a variety of allergens responsible for conditions of common hypersensitivity in man.", "contents": "Suppression of reaginic antibodies with modified allergens. II. Abrogation of reaginic antibodies with allergens conjugated to polyethylene glycol. The two immunogenic preparations, ovalbumin (OA) and the nondialysable constituents of the aqueous extract of ragweed pollen (RAG), were conjugated with polyethylene glycols of molecular weights of 6,000 and 20,000 (PEG6 and PEG20) with the aid of cyanuric chloride. The i.v. administration of OA-PEG6 or OA-PEG20 into normal mice or into mice sensitized to a state of immediate hypersensitivity to dinitrophenylated OA (DNP3-OA) resulted, respectively, in the suppression of the primary or secondary IgE responses to DNP and OA. Similarly, the administration of RAG-PEG6 abrogated the primary as well as the ongoing anti-RAG reaginic responses in mice sensitized to RAG. The unresponsiveness of spleen cells from animals which had received a tolerogenic dose of OA-PEG6 was also maintained after transfer into X-irradiated (550 rad) mice. The suppressive effects of the tolerogenic PEG conjugates of OA and RAG were shown to be immunologically specific. It is, therefore, suggested that PEG-modified allergens may prove useful for the abrogation of the IgE response to a variety of allergens responsible for conditions of common hypersensitivity in man.", "PMID": 621116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3835", "title": "Contribution to the regulatory role of insulin in inflammation and anaphylaxis.", "content": "Insulin, in doses which did not influence the blood sugar level, potentiated the anaphylactic shock in ovalbumin-sensitized CFLP mice and moderately inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Higher doses were found to produce a dose-dependent inhibition of the inflammatory process at the 2nd hour, and caused less suppression at the 4th hour of the swelling. These results suggest that insulin may play a complex regulatory role in hypersensitivity and inflammatory reactions, and its effect is not necessarily related to hypoglycemia.", "contents": "Contribution to the regulatory role of insulin in inflammation and anaphylaxis. Insulin, in doses which did not influence the blood sugar level, potentiated the anaphylactic shock in ovalbumin-sensitized CFLP mice and moderately inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Higher doses were found to produce a dose-dependent inhibition of the inflammatory process at the 2nd hour, and caused less suppression at the 4th hour of the swelling. These results suggest that insulin may play a complex regulatory role in hypersensitivity and inflammatory reactions, and its effect is not necessarily related to hypoglycemia.", "PMID": 621117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3836", "title": "A simple grating test for contrast sensitivity: preliminary results indicate value in screening for glaucoma.", "content": "Using a new test, in which patients are asked to view printed sinusoidal gratings of varying contrast, we have established normal population values and have investigated a small series of glaucomatous patients. In these, test scores are higher than the normal range and increase with the severity of the disease. Patients with raised intraocular tension, normal discs, and no field loss may give abnormal results. The test can be scored so that a very sharp distinction may be made between normal and glaucomatous eyes. The test is simple, quick to perform, portable, and can be done in almost any situation.", "contents": "A simple grating test for contrast sensitivity: preliminary results indicate value in screening for glaucoma. Using a new test, in which patients are asked to view printed sinusoidal gratings of varying contrast, we have established normal population values and have investigated a small series of glaucomatous patients. In these, test scores are higher than the normal range and increase with the severity of the disease. Patients with raised intraocular tension, normal discs, and no field loss may give abnormal results. The test can be scored so that a very sharp distinction may be made between normal and glaucomatous eyes. The test is simple, quick to perform, portable, and can be done in almost any situation.", "PMID": 621124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3837", "title": "Temporality across the life-span.", "content": "In seven studies, 7300 U.S., 891 Iranian, 534 Indian, and 216 Ghanaese persons aged four to ninety-nine were interviewed regarding their consciousness. For U.S. nationals: (a) at any given moment, persons were most apt to be thinking about the present and least apt to be thinking about the past, (b) frequency of future-orientation declined while, (c) frequency of present-orientation inclined with age, (d) in \"typical thought\" persons generally thought further into the future (a few months) than into the past (a few weeks), but (e) regarding those things that persons often think about that have or are yet to occur, they thought further into the past (5 years) than into the future (a year), (f) frequency of future-orientation did not vary as a function of social class, while degree of claimed planfulness was greater among the higher social class, and (g) claimed planfulness was curvilinearily related to age, with those aged eighteen through thirty-nine scoring highest. There were cross-national differences.", "contents": "Temporality across the life-span. In seven studies, 7300 U.S., 891 Iranian, 534 Indian, and 216 Ghanaese persons aged four to ninety-nine were interviewed regarding their consciousness. For U.S. nationals: (a) at any given moment, persons were most apt to be thinking about the present and least apt to be thinking about the past, (b) frequency of future-orientation declined while, (c) frequency of present-orientation inclined with age, (d) in \"typical thought\" persons generally thought further into the future (a few months) than into the past (a few weeks), but (e) regarding those things that persons often think about that have or are yet to occur, they thought further into the past (5 years) than into the future (a year), (f) frequency of future-orientation did not vary as a function of social class, while degree of claimed planfulness was greater among the higher social class, and (g) claimed planfulness was curvilinearily related to age, with those aged eighteen through thirty-nine scoring highest. There were cross-national differences.", "PMID": 621119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3838", "title": "Adult male daydreaming across the life span: a replication, further analyses, and tentative norms based upon retrospective reports.", "content": "Using the Imaginal Processes Inventory, aspects of daydreaming and related mental activity were examined in a replication sample of males aged seventeen to ninety-one years. The characteristics of daydreaming obtained in an original sample were obtained in the replication sample thus supporting the outcomes reported earlier. Combining the original and replication sample allowed for some finer grained analyses and provided some tentative norms for the populations sampled. Some of the more salient outcomes were that with old age daydreaming does not increase or primarily focus on the past. Furthermore, at any age daydreaming does not concentrate on the weird, outlandish, and improbable. Factor analysis revealed a \"Neurotic-Anxious Absorption in Daydreaming\" factor inversely related to age. \"Obsessional-Emotional Daydreaming,\" \"Personal Acceptance-Utilization of Daydreaming,\" and \"Imaginal-Emotional Intensity of Daydreaming\" factors were also obtained and were unrelated to age.", "contents": "Adult male daydreaming across the life span: a replication, further analyses, and tentative norms based upon retrospective reports. Using the Imaginal Processes Inventory, aspects of daydreaming and related mental activity were examined in a replication sample of males aged seventeen to ninety-one years. The characteristics of daydreaming obtained in an original sample were obtained in the replication sample thus supporting the outcomes reported earlier. Combining the original and replication sample allowed for some finer grained analyses and provided some tentative norms for the populations sampled. Some of the more salient outcomes were that with old age daydreaming does not increase or primarily focus on the past. Furthermore, at any age daydreaming does not concentrate on the weird, outlandish, and improbable. Factor analysis revealed a \"Neurotic-Anxious Absorption in Daydreaming\" factor inversely related to age. \"Obsessional-Emotional Daydreaming,\" \"Personal Acceptance-Utilization of Daydreaming,\" and \"Imaginal-Emotional Intensity of Daydreaming\" factors were also obtained and were unrelated to age.", "PMID": 621118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3839", "title": "Quantitative verification of the existence of high molecular weight protein aggregates in the intact normal human lens by light-scattering spectroscopy.", "content": "The method of quasi-elastic light-scattering spectroscopy was used to establish quantitatively the concentration of high mmolecular weight (HMW) aggregates present in the normal human intact lens as a function of age. The concentration of HMW proteins increases monotonically with age. HMW proteins are absent in the infant lens, but represent 3% of the total soluble lens protein at age 60 years. The percent concentration of HMW proteins measured in intact lenses of various ages by quasi-elastic light scattering is in striking agreement with values determined biochemically.", "contents": "Quantitative verification of the existence of high molecular weight protein aggregates in the intact normal human lens by light-scattering spectroscopy. The method of quasi-elastic light-scattering spectroscopy was used to establish quantitatively the concentration of high mmolecular weight (HMW) aggregates present in the normal human intact lens as a function of age. The concentration of HMW proteins increases monotonically with age. HMW proteins are absent in the infant lens, but represent 3% of the total soluble lens protein at age 60 years. The percent concentration of HMW proteins measured in intact lenses of various ages by quasi-elastic light scattering is in striking agreement with values determined biochemically.", "PMID": 621125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3840", "title": "Performance of institutionalized and community-active old persons on concrete and formal Piagetian tasks.", "content": "This study investigates the effects of age, level of education, and institutionalization on the development of logical thinking. Seven Piagetian tasks, encompassing three levels of difficulty, were administered to thirty-four persons sixty-eight years of age or older. A significant positive relationship was found between success on task and educational level. With education controlled, Community-active elders performed significantly better than Institutionalized elders. Within the limitations of a cross-sectional design, results supported the hypothesis that cognitive abilities in old age retain an orderly structure.", "contents": "Performance of institutionalized and community-active old persons on concrete and formal Piagetian tasks. This study investigates the effects of age, level of education, and institutionalization on the development of logical thinking. Seven Piagetian tasks, encompassing three levels of difficulty, were administered to thirty-four persons sixty-eight years of age or older. A significant positive relationship was found between success on task and educational level. With education controlled, Community-active elders performed significantly better than Institutionalized elders. Within the limitations of a cross-sectional design, results supported the hypothesis that cognitive abilities in old age retain an orderly structure.", "PMID": 621121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3841", "title": "Transscleral electroretinography.", "content": "We studied the electroretinogram in normal patients, patients with opacities of the anterior segment, and patients with vitreous hemorrage, using a high-intensity light stimulus delivered either through the sclera or through the pupil. We found the response obtained with transscleral stimulation a consistent indicator of gross retinal function. Since the stimulus entered the eye through the sclera, it provided a method for studying the retinal responses independent of opaque or translucent media.", "contents": "Transscleral electroretinography. We studied the electroretinogram in normal patients, patients with opacities of the anterior segment, and patients with vitreous hemorrage, using a high-intensity light stimulus delivered either through the sclera or through the pupil. We found the response obtained with transscleral stimulation a consistent indicator of gross retinal function. Since the stimulus entered the eye through the sclera, it provided a method for studying the retinal responses independent of opaque or translucent media.", "PMID": 621126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3842", "title": "Beyond despair and disengagement: a transactional model of personality development in later life.", "content": "It is argued that ego analytic, disengagement, and symbolic interaction theories of personality share an insufficient consideration of the dynamics of the interaction between developmental and social forces transpiring during the aging period. An alternative, transactional model is proposed, positing that the effects of the environment to which the elderly person is subject are the product of: (1) the people and settings comprising that environment and (2) the manner in which the individual acts upon and is acted upon by these people and settings. The model highlights the need for research in which present behavioral and environmental events assume as much importance as past ones.", "contents": "Beyond despair and disengagement: a transactional model of personality development in later life. It is argued that ego analytic, disengagement, and symbolic interaction theories of personality share an insufficient consideration of the dynamics of the interaction between developmental and social forces transpiring during the aging period. An alternative, transactional model is proposed, positing that the effects of the environment to which the elderly person is subject are the product of: (1) the people and settings comprising that environment and (2) the manner in which the individual acts upon and is acted upon by these people and settings. The model highlights the need for research in which present behavioral and environmental events assume as much importance as past ones.", "PMID": 621120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3843", "title": "Effect of prostaglandins on the blood-aqueous barrier of the perfused cat eye.", "content": "With a technique of direct visualization of the arterially perfused cat eye, the pressure head may be chosen so that fluorescein added to the perfusate just barely stains the ciliary processes. After addition of PGE1, PGE2, PGF2alpha arachidonic acid, or indomethacin, with or without PG's, no more dye emerged from the processes. The addition of acetylcholine in the eserinized eye floods the processes with dye, apparently affecting the pore size of the blood-aqueous barrier; PG's may slightly inhibit, rather than facilitate, the emergence of fluorescein from the processes. It is speculated that in the cat PG's elevate pressure and protein content by backflow from the circle of Hovius, which is the equivalent of Schlemm's canal.", "contents": "Effect of prostaglandins on the blood-aqueous barrier of the perfused cat eye. With a technique of direct visualization of the arterially perfused cat eye, the pressure head may be chosen so that fluorescein added to the perfusate just barely stains the ciliary processes. After addition of PGE1, PGE2, PGF2alpha arachidonic acid, or indomethacin, with or without PG's, no more dye emerged from the processes. The addition of acetylcholine in the eserinized eye floods the processes with dye, apparently affecting the pore size of the blood-aqueous barrier; PG's may slightly inhibit, rather than facilitate, the emergence of fluorescein from the processes. It is speculated that in the cat PG's elevate pressure and protein content by backflow from the circle of Hovius, which is the equivalent of Schlemm's canal.", "PMID": 621127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3844", "title": "Collagen crosslinking in keratoconus.", "content": "The examination of reducible collagen crosslinks in keratoconus cornea revealed the presence of lysinonorleucine in amounts far greater than in normal age-matched corneas. There was no indication of decreased hydroxylysine levels in keratoconus, and there were no clinical indications of a generalized connective tissue disorder. The abnormal levels of dehydrolysinonorleucine in the tissue may represent a change in hydroxylation of selected lysyl residues of normal collagen or the synthesis of abnormal collagen, perhaps an unusual type.", "contents": "Collagen crosslinking in keratoconus. The examination of reducible collagen crosslinks in keratoconus cornea revealed the presence of lysinonorleucine in amounts far greater than in normal age-matched corneas. There was no indication of decreased hydroxylysine levels in keratoconus, and there were no clinical indications of a generalized connective tissue disorder. The abnormal levels of dehydrolysinonorleucine in the tissue may represent a change in hydroxylation of selected lysyl residues of normal collagen or the synthesis of abnormal collagen, perhaps an unusual type.", "PMID": 621128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3845", "title": "Antimuscarinic effects of stereoisomers of tropicamide on rabbit iris sphincter.", "content": "The antimuscarinic activity of optical isomers of tropicamide were compared on the isolated rabbit iris sphincter. The increasing concentrations of both the (--)- and (+)-isomer shifted the dose-response curve of carbachol to the right in a parallel fashion. The competitive reversible muscarinic blocking effects of both isomers were confirmed by pA2 plots. The pA2 values from the nonpigmented irides for (--)- and (+)-tropicamide were 7.88 and 6.18, respectively. Thus the (+)-isomer has only 1/50 the blocking activity of the (--)-isomer. Although both isomers are slightly less active in the pigmented iris, the activity difference between the isomers was high. From the nonpigmented iris, the blocking effect of the active (--)-tropicamide was readily reversed by washing, whereas reversal of this isomer's effect from the pigmented iris was relatively slow.", "contents": "Antimuscarinic effects of stereoisomers of tropicamide on rabbit iris sphincter. The antimuscarinic activity of optical isomers of tropicamide were compared on the isolated rabbit iris sphincter. The increasing concentrations of both the (--)- and (+)-isomer shifted the dose-response curve of carbachol to the right in a parallel fashion. The competitive reversible muscarinic blocking effects of both isomers were confirmed by pA2 plots. The pA2 values from the nonpigmented irides for (--)- and (+)-tropicamide were 7.88 and 6.18, respectively. Thus the (+)-isomer has only 1/50 the blocking activity of the (--)-isomer. Although both isomers are slightly less active in the pigmented iris, the activity difference between the isomers was high. From the nonpigmented iris, the blocking effect of the active (--)-tropicamide was readily reversed by washing, whereas reversal of this isomer's effect from the pigmented iris was relatively slow.", "PMID": 621129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3846", "title": "Intraocular pressure after optic nerve transection.", "content": "Intraocular pressure response to systemically administered osmotic agents was studied in albino rabbits with one optic nerve transected and the fellow optic nerve left intact. There eas a significant increase in intraocular pressure of both eyes following water ingestion but no significant difference in the pressure rise of the two eyes. There was a significant decrease in intraocular pressure of both eyes following glycerol ingestion but no significant difference in the pressure fall of two eyes. These results do not support the hypothesis that the optic nerve carries fibers which are part of the control system for intraocular pressure.", "contents": "Intraocular pressure after optic nerve transection. Intraocular pressure response to systemically administered osmotic agents was studied in albino rabbits with one optic nerve transected and the fellow optic nerve left intact. There eas a significant increase in intraocular pressure of both eyes following water ingestion but no significant difference in the pressure rise of the two eyes. There was a significant decrease in intraocular pressure of both eyes following glycerol ingestion but no significant difference in the pressure fall of two eyes. These results do not support the hypothesis that the optic nerve carries fibers which are part of the control system for intraocular pressure.", "PMID": 621130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3847", "title": "Spatial context of residential moves by elderly persons.", "content": "This is a descriptive analysis of the spatial context of residential moves by the over age forty-five population in the United States. It utilizes residential mobility and state of birth statistics calculated from a 15 per cent sample of the United States population drawn for the U.S. Census. It specifically focuses on the likelihood that the age sixty-five and over white and black mover will relocate within his same county or state of residence. The paper reveals that the preponderance of residential moves by the elderly (whether black or white) are within the same county. Only a relatively small percentage make interstate moves. The majority of elderly live in the state of their birth. However, there is no evidence that as a consequence of aging moves become more spatially restricted until after age seventy-five. It is argued that greater emphasis be placed on not why elderly persons move, but why when they do, their residential relocations occur within varying spatial contexts.", "contents": "Spatial context of residential moves by elderly persons. This is a descriptive analysis of the spatial context of residential moves by the over age forty-five population in the United States. It utilizes residential mobility and state of birth statistics calculated from a 15 per cent sample of the United States population drawn for the U.S. Census. It specifically focuses on the likelihood that the age sixty-five and over white and black mover will relocate within his same county or state of residence. The paper reveals that the preponderance of residential moves by the elderly (whether black or white) are within the same county. Only a relatively small percentage make interstate moves. The majority of elderly live in the state of their birth. However, there is no evidence that as a consequence of aging moves become more spatially restricted until after age seventy-five. It is argued that greater emphasis be placed on not why elderly persons move, but why when they do, their residential relocations occur within varying spatial contexts.", "PMID": 621122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3848", "title": "The transscleral VER: prediction of postoperative acuity.", "content": "In 33 patients with corneal or lens opacities, the VER was recorded in response to a series of retinal stimuli delivered by the transscleral route (TVER). Based on the preoperative TVER characteristics, predictions of the postoperative acuities were made on a 1 to 5 scale. The predicted acuities were compared with those measured 6 months after surgery and showed that the TVER is a good predictor of postoperative acuity (r = 0.8). The criteria used for acuity estimates are presented.", "contents": "The transscleral VER: prediction of postoperative acuity. In 33 patients with corneal or lens opacities, the VER was recorded in response to a series of retinal stimuli delivered by the transscleral route (TVER). Based on the preoperative TVER characteristics, predictions of the postoperative acuities were made on a 1 to 5 scale. The predicted acuities were compared with those measured 6 months after surgery and showed that the TVER is a good predictor of postoperative acuity (r = 0.8). The criteria used for acuity estimates are presented.", "PMID": 621131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3849", "title": "The transscleral VER: normal responses.", "content": "Normative data taken on a sample of 10 eyes indicate that transscleral visual evoked response (TVER) stimulation of the cortical evoked response with a range of lights and at lower adaptation levels produces replicable, low-variance responses which may be of sufficient quality for the clinical evaluation of retinal and visual pathway condition. Response amplitudes were related to the radiant peak-power of white stimuli but were greater for red stimuli. Attenuation of the subjective brightness of the stimulus delivered through the inferior lid and sclera was about 0.4 log units compared to corneal delivery. Typical signal:noise ratios were 5:1.", "contents": "The transscleral VER: normal responses. Normative data taken on a sample of 10 eyes indicate that transscleral visual evoked response (TVER) stimulation of the cortical evoked response with a range of lights and at lower adaptation levels produces replicable, low-variance responses which may be of sufficient quality for the clinical evaluation of retinal and visual pathway condition. Response amplitudes were related to the radiant peak-power of white stimuli but were greater for red stimuli. Attenuation of the subjective brightness of the stimulus delivered through the inferior lid and sclera was about 0.4 log units compared to corneal delivery. Typical signal:noise ratios were 5:1.", "PMID": 621132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3850", "title": "Mechanics of intraocular gas.", "content": "The relationship between the volume of an intraocular gas bubble and the area of retina covered by the bubble was studied with the use of both a transparent model and a mathematical model of the vitreous cavity. The arc of contact of intraocular bubbles was calculated for vitreous cavities of various diameters. A 0.28 cm3 bubble will cover 90 degrees of retina and be of sufficient size to manage many of the problems for which an internal retinal tamponade would be useful. Larger retinal tears require disproportionately large increases in bubble volume to achieve modest increases in the area of retina covered. Estimating bubble size by observing the height of the bubble meniscus in the dilated pupil is subject to errors induced by small shifts in the angle of observation. A correct evaluation requires that the plane of observation be adjusted so that it coincides with the plane of the meniscus.", "contents": "Mechanics of intraocular gas. The relationship between the volume of an intraocular gas bubble and the area of retina covered by the bubble was studied with the use of both a transparent model and a mathematical model of the vitreous cavity. The arc of contact of intraocular bubbles was calculated for vitreous cavities of various diameters. A 0.28 cm3 bubble will cover 90 degrees of retina and be of sufficient size to manage many of the problems for which an internal retinal tamponade would be useful. Larger retinal tears require disproportionately large increases in bubble volume to achieve modest increases in the area of retina covered. Estimating bubble size by observing the height of the bubble meniscus in the dilated pupil is subject to errors induced by small shifts in the angle of observation. A correct evaluation requires that the plane of observation be adjusted so that it coincides with the plane of the meniscus.", "PMID": 621133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3851", "title": "The fine structure of nuclear changes in superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis.", "content": "Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is a condition of unknown etiology. Histological signs include acanthosis, dyskeratosis, keratinization, and ballon degeneration of the bulbar conjunctival epithelium. Ultrastructural examination of biopsy material from five eyes of patients with SLK shows numerous nuclear changes in the conjunctival epithelial cells. These include abnormal distribution and aggregation of nuclear chromatin, the presence of filaments within the nucleus, and dense accumulations of cytoplasmic filaments which surround the nucleus, resulting in \"strangulation\" and the formation of multilobed nuclei or multinucleated cells. These changes do not appear to have been described previously in any cell type.", "contents": "The fine structure of nuclear changes in superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis. Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is a condition of unknown etiology. Histological signs include acanthosis, dyskeratosis, keratinization, and ballon degeneration of the bulbar conjunctival epithelium. Ultrastructural examination of biopsy material from five eyes of patients with SLK shows numerous nuclear changes in the conjunctival epithelial cells. These include abnormal distribution and aggregation of nuclear chromatin, the presence of filaments within the nucleus, and dense accumulations of cytoplasmic filaments which surround the nucleus, resulting in \"strangulation\" and the formation of multilobed nuclei or multinucleated cells. These changes do not appear to have been described previously in any cell type.", "PMID": 621134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3852", "title": "In situ assay of poxvirus-induced and virion-contained deoxyribonucleases in DNA polyacrylamide gels.", "content": "Cowpox virus and vaccinia virus WR specific DNases were identified by an in situ assay using DNA-containing acrylamide gels. A DNase present in the isolated virions of strain cowpox and vaccinia WR was identified. Its properties as determined by the in situ assay resembled those of the well-characterized DNase V1. The assay was also used to follow the time course of 'acid' DNase induction by cowpox virus in primary chick embryo fibroblasts.", "contents": "In situ assay of poxvirus-induced and virion-contained deoxyribonucleases in DNA polyacrylamide gels. Cowpox virus and vaccinia virus WR specific DNases were identified by an in situ assay using DNA-containing acrylamide gels. A DNase present in the isolated virions of strain cowpox and vaccinia WR was identified. Its properties as determined by the in situ assay resembled those of the well-characterized DNase V1. The assay was also used to follow the time course of 'acid' DNase induction by cowpox virus in primary chick embryo fibroblasts.", "PMID": 621135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3853", "title": "Sedimentation of multicomponent viruses: evaluation of sedimentation coefficient ratios.", "content": "Ratios of the sedimentation coefficients for alfalfa mosaic virus components are shown to be independent of the virus concentration and the density of the solvent. Different numbers of components are observed in solvents of different density. This implies that in sedimentation velocity experiments an estimate of the number of components of a multicomponent virus should involve centrifugation in solvents of different density. For some viruses, estimates of the sedimentation coefficients of individual components can be obtained from the coefficient ratios observed in unfractionated solutions and the sedimentation coefficient of the most easily purified component.", "contents": "Sedimentation of multicomponent viruses: evaluation of sedimentation coefficient ratios. Ratios of the sedimentation coefficients for alfalfa mosaic virus components are shown to be independent of the virus concentration and the density of the solvent. Different numbers of components are observed in solvents of different density. This implies that in sedimentation velocity experiments an estimate of the number of components of a multicomponent virus should involve centrifugation in solvents of different density. For some viruses, estimates of the sedimentation coefficients of individual components can be obtained from the coefficient ratios observed in unfractionated solutions and the sedimentation coefficient of the most easily purified component.", "PMID": 621136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3854", "title": "Recovery of tobacco mosaic virus RNA Replication after incubation at 40 degrees.", "content": "Incubation of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-infected tissue at 40 degrees for 12 h destroyed the capacity for TMV RNA replication. Upon shift of the tissue from 40 to 25 degrees, synthesis of TMV RNA did not resume. Incubation at 40 degrees for 1 h did not destory the TMV RNA replicase, because viral RNA synthesis resumed upon return to 25 degrees. However, upon further incubation at 25 degrees, the synthesis rate of TMV RNA gradually declined. Upon still further incubation at 25 degrees (16-20 h), the synthesis of TMV RNA in tissue incubated at 40 degrees for either 1 or 12 h recovered. This recovery was inhibited by cycloheximide but not by 2-thiouracil.", "contents": "Recovery of tobacco mosaic virus RNA Replication after incubation at 40 degrees. Incubation of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-infected tissue at 40 degrees for 12 h destroyed the capacity for TMV RNA replication. Upon shift of the tissue from 40 to 25 degrees, synthesis of TMV RNA did not resume. Incubation at 40 degrees for 1 h did not destory the TMV RNA replicase, because viral RNA synthesis resumed upon return to 25 degrees. However, upon further incubation at 25 degrees, the synthesis rate of TMV RNA gradually declined. Upon still further incubation at 25 degrees (16-20 h), the synthesis of TMV RNA in tissue incubated at 40 degrees for either 1 or 12 h recovered. This recovery was inhibited by cycloheximide but not by 2-thiouracil.", "PMID": 621137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3855", "title": "Time-course of actinomycin D inhibition of tobacco mosaic virus multiplication relative to the rate of spread of the infection.", "content": "The time-course of inhibition of tobacco mosaic virus synthesis in mechanically inoculated leaves by actinomycin D was not correlated with cell-to-cell spread of the infection, as previously shown to be the case with 2-thiouracil and guanidine inhibition. The amount of inhibition by actinomycin D declined after inoculation much more rapidly than the infection spread. An actinomycin-D-sensitive step or its product occurred in cells before they became infected.", "contents": "Time-course of actinomycin D inhibition of tobacco mosaic virus multiplication relative to the rate of spread of the infection. The time-course of inhibition of tobacco mosaic virus synthesis in mechanically inoculated leaves by actinomycin D was not correlated with cell-to-cell spread of the infection, as previously shown to be the case with 2-thiouracil and guanidine inhibition. The amount of inhibition by actinomycin D declined after inoculation much more rapidly than the infection spread. An actinomycin-D-sensitive step or its product occurred in cells before they became infected.", "PMID": 621138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3856", "title": "Estimation of the cell-to-cell spread of tobacco mosaic virus infection in mechanically inoculated leaves.", "content": "Procedures to estimate cell-to-cell spread of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection in mechanically inoculated leaves are presented mathematically and experimentally. Based upon the mathematical estimation, it is demonstrated that resistance of TMV infection to 2-thiouracil and guanidine in mechanically inoculated leaves is correlated to the fraction of cells infected. The addition of 2-thiouracil or guanidine prevents cell-to-cell spread of TMV infection.", "contents": "Estimation of the cell-to-cell spread of tobacco mosaic virus infection in mechanically inoculated leaves. Procedures to estimate cell-to-cell spread of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection in mechanically inoculated leaves are presented mathematically and experimentally. Based upon the mathematical estimation, it is demonstrated that resistance of TMV infection to 2-thiouracil and guanidine in mechanically inoculated leaves is correlated to the fraction of cells infected. The addition of 2-thiouracil or guanidine prevents cell-to-cell spread of TMV infection.", "PMID": 621139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3857", "title": "Electron microscopic localization of 5'-nucleotidase in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts.", "content": "5'-nucleotidase was demonstrated at the fine structural level in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the first mandibular molars of CD-1 mice. The enzyme was localized with the Wachstein & Meisel (1957) method along the plasma membranes of the cells of the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts. While 5'- nucleotidase was present throughout the stratum intermedium, only the proximal region of the plasma membranes of ameloblasts was demonstrably active for this enzyme. 5'-Nucleotidase has been implicated in transport of metabolites across cell membranes, and its localization in the present study supports this implication as well as the transport functions of the stratum intermedium and the stratum intermedium--ameloblastic interface.", "contents": "Electron microscopic localization of 5'-nucleotidase in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts. 5'-nucleotidase was demonstrated at the fine structural level in the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts of the first mandibular molars of CD-1 mice. The enzyme was localized with the Wachstein & Meisel (1957) method along the plasma membranes of the cells of the stratum intermedium and ameloblasts. While 5'- nucleotidase was present throughout the stratum intermedium, only the proximal region of the plasma membranes of ameloblasts was demonstrably active for this enzyme. 5'-Nucleotidase has been implicated in transport of metabolites across cell membranes, and its localization in the present study supports this implication as well as the transport functions of the stratum intermedium and the stratum intermedium--ameloblastic interface.", "PMID": 621159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3858", "title": "Alkaline phosphatase activity in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase has been localized ultracytochemically in PMN of man with normal and elevated levels of this enzyme. Contrary to guinea-pig PMN, no activity appears to be present in the specific granules. Instead, the plasma membrane and the membrane of the endocytic vacuoles show a strong staining. However, the demonstration of this activity depends on the preparatory procedure employed for PMN isolation. The use of dextran and Ficoll-Hypaque in the isolation procedure induces a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase staining of the PMN plasma membrane. Strongly increased activity at this site has been found in PMN from cancer patients. In most of them, additional staining has been observed in atypical vesicles and sometimes in the Golgi apparatus. These findings are discussed in the light of some previously reported controversial biochemical and cytochemical data on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in human PMN.", "contents": "Alkaline phosphatase activity in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Alkaline phosphatase has been localized ultracytochemically in PMN of man with normal and elevated levels of this enzyme. Contrary to guinea-pig PMN, no activity appears to be present in the specific granules. Instead, the plasma membrane and the membrane of the endocytic vacuoles show a strong staining. However, the demonstration of this activity depends on the preparatory procedure employed for PMN isolation. The use of dextran and Ficoll-Hypaque in the isolation procedure induces a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase staining of the PMN plasma membrane. Strongly increased activity at this site has been found in PMN from cancer patients. In most of them, additional staining has been observed in atypical vesicles and sometimes in the Golgi apparatus. These findings are discussed in the light of some previously reported controversial biochemical and cytochemical data on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase in human PMN.", "PMID": 621160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3859", "title": "Palatal shelf epithelium: a morphologic and histochemical study in X-irradiated and normal mice.", "content": "The palatal shelf epithelium of normal and irradiated mice was examined morphologically and histochemically, utilizing the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique for the demonstration of the basement membrane and the Nitro BT method for succinate dehydrogenase activity in order to demonstrate the metabolic competence of its cells. The 'programmed cell death theory' was not supported by the present investigation, since the cells of the medial ridge epithelium retained their structural and metabolic integrity even subsequent to the formation of cell nests. Additionally, the medial ridge epithelium of mice with radiation-induced cleft palates demonstrated normal structural and metabolic integrity long past the prospective time of fusion.", "contents": "Palatal shelf epithelium: a morphologic and histochemical study in X-irradiated and normal mice. The palatal shelf epithelium of normal and irradiated mice was examined morphologically and histochemically, utilizing the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique for the demonstration of the basement membrane and the Nitro BT method for succinate dehydrogenase activity in order to demonstrate the metabolic competence of its cells. The 'programmed cell death theory' was not supported by the present investigation, since the cells of the medial ridge epithelium retained their structural and metabolic integrity even subsequent to the formation of cell nests. Additionally, the medial ridge epithelium of mice with radiation-induced cleft palates demonstrated normal structural and metabolic integrity long past the prospective time of fusion.", "PMID": 621161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3860", "title": "Electron cytochemistry of developing and mature eosinophils in the bone marrow of the fowl and the duck.", "content": "Enzyme cytochemical studies have been carried out on eosinophils in the fowl and the duck. Peroxidase was found in all regions of the Golgi apparatus, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the perinuclear cisternae of the early cells. In fowl eosinophil granules irregular deposits of peroxidase and arylsulphatase final reaction product were found, but the acid phosphatase deposits were even. In the duck in contrast, peroxidase was demonstrated in the external part of the granule only. Acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase were found in both the interna and the externa of the duck eosinophil granules. An ammoniacal silver nitrate reaction for the presence of the histone arginine was also studied. Silver deposits were found occupying all regions of the granules of eosinophils from both species of bird. The presence of the hydrolytic enzymes acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase in avian eosinophil granules supports the theory that these structures are lysosomal in nature and that they correspond with mammalian eosinophils in this respect.", "contents": "Electron cytochemistry of developing and mature eosinophils in the bone marrow of the fowl and the duck. Enzyme cytochemical studies have been carried out on eosinophils in the fowl and the duck. Peroxidase was found in all regions of the Golgi apparatus, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the perinuclear cisternae of the early cells. In fowl eosinophil granules irregular deposits of peroxidase and arylsulphatase final reaction product were found, but the acid phosphatase deposits were even. In the duck in contrast, peroxidase was demonstrated in the external part of the granule only. Acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase were found in both the interna and the externa of the duck eosinophil granules. An ammoniacal silver nitrate reaction for the presence of the histone arginine was also studied. Silver deposits were found occupying all regions of the granules of eosinophils from both species of bird. The presence of the hydrolytic enzymes acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase in avian eosinophil granules supports the theory that these structures are lysosomal in nature and that they correspond with mammalian eosinophils in this respect.", "PMID": 621162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3861", "title": "Species variation in the distribution of cholinesterases in the ovary of the plains viscacha, cat, ferret, rabbit, rat, guinea-pig and roe deer.", "content": "Sections of ovary from plains viscacha, cat, ferret, rabbit, rat, guinea-pig and roe deer have been histochemically processed to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in nervous and non-nervous tissue. The effects of different reproductive states on enzyme activity were observed in some animals. AChE-containing nerves were sparse in rabbit and rat but plentiful in cat and roe deer. Nerves containing BuChE were not detectable in ferret or guinea-pig and were rare in cat. Species variations in the activity and type of enzyme were also found in non-neuronal tissues. Some blood vessels in the ovaries of guinea-pig and viscacha contained AChE. No other species showed a reaction for AChE in non-neuronal stromal tissue but BuChE was present at this site in all animals except rat. Granulosa cells reacted for AChE only in cat and rabbit while luteal cells were reactive in cat, rabbit and roe deer. Some BuChE activity was present in granulosa and or luteal cells in all species except roe deer. In rat, BuChE activity in luteal cells increased during pregnancy and the early phase of pseudopregnancy. The difficulty of assigning a function to ovarian cholinesterases is discussed.", "contents": "Species variation in the distribution of cholinesterases in the ovary of the plains viscacha, cat, ferret, rabbit, rat, guinea-pig and roe deer. Sections of ovary from plains viscacha, cat, ferret, rabbit, rat, guinea-pig and roe deer have been histochemically processed to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in nervous and non-nervous tissue. The effects of different reproductive states on enzyme activity were observed in some animals. AChE-containing nerves were sparse in rabbit and rat but plentiful in cat and roe deer. Nerves containing BuChE were not detectable in ferret or guinea-pig and were rare in cat. Species variations in the activity and type of enzyme were also found in non-neuronal tissues. Some blood vessels in the ovaries of guinea-pig and viscacha contained AChE. No other species showed a reaction for AChE in non-neuronal stromal tissue but BuChE was present at this site in all animals except rat. Granulosa cells reacted for AChE only in cat and rabbit while luteal cells were reactive in cat, rabbit and roe deer. Some BuChE activity was present in granulosa and or luteal cells in all species except roe deer. In rat, BuChE activity in luteal cells increased during pregnancy and the early phase of pseudopregnancy. The difficulty of assigning a function to ovarian cholinesterases is discussed.", "PMID": 621163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3862", "title": "Cyclic and pathologic changes of the mare endometrium as detected by biopsy, with a note on early embryonic death.", "content": "Normal histologic changes that occurred in concert with the ovarian cycle were evaluated. When combined with behavioral and physical findings, this evaluation enabled determination when there was synchrony between ovarian steroids (estrogen and progesterone) and their target tissues of endometrium. A system for classification as well as definitions of patterns types and degrees of severity of inflammatory and fibrotic changes was developed to facilitate a uniform system for description and communication. An attempt was made to relate the pathologic changes to their effect on fertility when fertility was defined as the ability to conceive, maintain, and deliver a live foal. This was done by dividing the types of endometrium into 3 categories, based on increasing degrees of extensiveness and severity of the various changes, and it was possible to show a high correlation of category to foaling rate. Embryonic and fetal loss from endometria with widespread periglandular fibrosis was observed. This was considered to be the major diagnosable cause of this type of reproductive failure.", "contents": "Cyclic and pathologic changes of the mare endometrium as detected by biopsy, with a note on early embryonic death. Normal histologic changes that occurred in concert with the ovarian cycle were evaluated. When combined with behavioral and physical findings, this evaluation enabled determination when there was synchrony between ovarian steroids (estrogen and progesterone) and their target tissues of endometrium. A system for classification as well as definitions of patterns types and degrees of severity of inflammatory and fibrotic changes was developed to facilitate a uniform system for description and communication. An attempt was made to relate the pathologic changes to their effect on fertility when fertility was defined as the ability to conceive, maintain, and deliver a live foal. This was done by dividing the types of endometrium into 3 categories, based on increasing degrees of extensiveness and severity of the various changes, and it was possible to show a high correlation of category to foaling rate. Embryonic and fetal loss from endometria with widespread periglandular fibrosis was observed. This was considered to be the major diagnosable cause of this type of reproductive failure.", "PMID": 621166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3863", "title": "Clinically important structures of the equine hock.", "content": "A study method has been devised to review clinically important structures of the equine hock joint on a fresh specimen. The review can be done alone; dissection takes about 2 hours; special tools or materials are not required.", "contents": "Clinically important structures of the equine hock. A study method has been devised to review clinically important structures of the equine hock joint on a fresh specimen. The review can be done alone; dissection takes about 2 hours; special tools or materials are not required.", "PMID": 621172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3864", "title": "Repair of physeal fractures of the tuber olecranon in the horse, using a tension band method.", "content": "Physeal fractures of the tuber olecranon of 4 horses were treated, using the tension band method of compression fracture repair. A cortical bone screw and Steinmann pin were placed through the proximal fragment into the distal parent bone parallel to the palmar border of the olecranon. The tension band was placed dorsal to the Steinmann pin and anchored in a hole through the shaft of the ulna 10 cm distal to the tuber olecranon. Of the 4 foals, 2 became pasture sound, 1 is now being worked under saddle, and the 4th showed no signs of lameness 5 months after surgery.", "contents": "Repair of physeal fractures of the tuber olecranon in the horse, using a tension band method. Physeal fractures of the tuber olecranon of 4 horses were treated, using the tension band method of compression fracture repair. A cortical bone screw and Steinmann pin were placed through the proximal fragment into the distal parent bone parallel to the palmar border of the olecranon. The tension band was placed dorsal to the Steinmann pin and anchored in a hole through the shaft of the ulna 10 cm distal to the tuber olecranon. Of the 4 foals, 2 became pasture sound, 1 is now being worked under saddle, and the 4th showed no signs of lameness 5 months after surgery.", "PMID": 621174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3865", "title": "Navicular disease in the hindlimbs of the horse.", "content": "Of 124 horses determined to have navicular disease during a 5-year period, 6 had clinical and radiographic signs of the disease in both hindlimbs. These 6 were all castrated males, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years, and were used for work of similar nature: roping, cutting, and pleasure. Treatment consisted of posterior digital neurectomy and corrective shoeing in 2 cases, posterior digital neurectomy alone in 2 cases, and corrective shoeing alone in 2 cases. Following treatment, lameness subsided, and all 6 horses were returned to full use.", "contents": "Navicular disease in the hindlimbs of the horse. Of 124 horses determined to have navicular disease during a 5-year period, 6 had clinical and radiographic signs of the disease in both hindlimbs. These 6 were all castrated males, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years, and were used for work of similar nature: roping, cutting, and pleasure. Treatment consisted of posterior digital neurectomy and corrective shoeing in 2 cases, posterior digital neurectomy alone in 2 cases, and corrective shoeing alone in 2 cases. Following treatment, lameness subsided, and all 6 horses were returned to full use.", "PMID": 621175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3866", "title": "Evaluation of inferior check ligament desmotomy for treatment of acquired flexor tendon contracture in the horse.", "content": "The usefulness of inferior check ligament desmotomy as a treatment for acquired tendon contracture in horses was evaluated in 13 cases of deep digital flexor (DDF) contracture and in 3 cases of combined superficial digital flexor (SDF) and DDF contracture. In 8 of 9 cases of DDF contracture in which the dorsal surface of the hoof had not passed beyond being vertical to the ground, the surgical procedure was successful in returning the limb to a normal position and function. Compared with DDF tenotomy, inferior check ligament desmotomy was a superior treatment technique because of decreased postoperative pain, better postoperative appearance, and improved return to function. In 4 cases of DDF contracture in which the dorsal SDF contracture was also involved, inferior check ligament desmotomy was generally insufficient to allow return of the limb to normal alignment and function.", "contents": "Evaluation of inferior check ligament desmotomy for treatment of acquired flexor tendon contracture in the horse. The usefulness of inferior check ligament desmotomy as a treatment for acquired tendon contracture in horses was evaluated in 13 cases of deep digital flexor (DDF) contracture and in 3 cases of combined superficial digital flexor (SDF) and DDF contracture. In 8 of 9 cases of DDF contracture in which the dorsal surface of the hoof had not passed beyond being vertical to the ground, the surgical procedure was successful in returning the limb to a normal position and function. Compared with DDF tenotomy, inferior check ligament desmotomy was a superior treatment technique because of decreased postoperative pain, better postoperative appearance, and improved return to function. In 4 cases of DDF contracture in which the dorsal SDF contracture was also involved, inferior check ligament desmotomy was generally insufficient to allow return of the limb to normal alignment and function.", "PMID": 621176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3867", "title": "Pathophysiology of airway obstruction in horses: a review.", "content": "Obstruction of the upper and lower airways is common in horses. In the upper airway, paresis of abductor muscles of the nares and larynx allows inspiratory collapse of soft tissues, which is accentuated by factors increasing upper airway resistance and by high inspiratory flow rates. Intrapulmonary airway obstruction occurs due to accumulation of secretions, release of chemical mediators in response to a variety of stimuli, and parasympathetic stimulation of airways. Obstruction of large airways increases the work of breathing, whereas obstruction of small airways may cause no measurable increase in resistance but does cause uneven distribution of ventilation and hypoxemia, especially during exercise. Poor collateral ventilation accentuates gas exchange problems in the horse with airway obstruction and may be a factor causing intrapulmonary hemorrhage during racing.", "contents": "Pathophysiology of airway obstruction in horses: a review. Obstruction of the upper and lower airways is common in horses. In the upper airway, paresis of abductor muscles of the nares and larynx allows inspiratory collapse of soft tissues, which is accentuated by factors increasing upper airway resistance and by high inspiratory flow rates. Intrapulmonary airway obstruction occurs due to accumulation of secretions, release of chemical mediators in response to a variety of stimuli, and parasympathetic stimulation of airways. Obstruction of large airways increases the work of breathing, whereas obstruction of small airways may cause no measurable increase in resistance but does cause uneven distribution of ventilation and hypoxemia, especially during exercise. Poor collateral ventilation accentuates gas exchange problems in the horse with airway obstruction and may be a factor causing intrapulmonary hemorrhage during racing.", "PMID": 621177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3868", "title": "Internal abdominal abscesses in the horse: a study of 25 cases.", "content": "internal abdominal abscesses in 25 horses, including 8 horses that died or were euthanatized, were found to be caused by Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Breed or sex predilection was not found. Although horses of all ages were affected, those under 5 years of age were more commonly affected. Nearly all of the horses had a history of respiratory catarrh or lymphadenitis. Horses with internal abdominal abscesses also had intermittent, prolonged colic or chronic weight loss. Most horses had increased rectal temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, and varying degrees of anorexia. Chronic depression anemia, increased plasma fibrinogen concentration, increased total plasma protein with hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were prominent clinicopathologic findings. Results of rectal examination or surgical exploration often revealed an abdominal mass. Peritoneal fluid from 14 horses was examined, and the protein content was greater than 2.5 g/dl, with increased numbers of neutrophils. Culture results were negative in all 14 cases, although bacteria were seen intracellularly in 5 cases. Long-term (2- to 6-month) antimicrobial therapy with procaine penicillin G resulted in clinical resolution in most of these animals.", "contents": "Internal abdominal abscesses in the horse: a study of 25 cases. internal abdominal abscesses in 25 horses, including 8 horses that died or were euthanatized, were found to be caused by Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Breed or sex predilection was not found. Although horses of all ages were affected, those under 5 years of age were more commonly affected. Nearly all of the horses had a history of respiratory catarrh or lymphadenitis. Horses with internal abdominal abscesses also had intermittent, prolonged colic or chronic weight loss. Most horses had increased rectal temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, and varying degrees of anorexia. Chronic depression anemia, increased plasma fibrinogen concentration, increased total plasma protein with hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were prominent clinicopathologic findings. Results of rectal examination or surgical exploration often revealed an abdominal mass. Peritoneal fluid from 14 horses was examined, and the protein content was greater than 2.5 g/dl, with increased numbers of neutrophils. Culture results were negative in all 14 cases, although bacteria were seen intracellularly in 5 cases. Long-term (2- to 6-month) antimicrobial therapy with procaine penicillin G resulted in clinical resolution in most of these animals.", "PMID": 621178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3869", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of Gasterophilus intestinalis lesions of the equine stomach.", "content": "The lesions caused by larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis in the cardiac region of the equine stomach were funnel-shaped ulcers surrounded by a rim of hyperplastic epithelial cells. Bacteria were commonly seen on the rim of epithelial cells, at the base of some ulcers, and within the cavities produced by the hooks of the larvae. Cellular debris and mucus were within the ulcer.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of Gasterophilus intestinalis lesions of the equine stomach. The lesions caused by larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis in the cardiac region of the equine stomach were funnel-shaped ulcers surrounded by a rim of hyperplastic epithelial cells. Bacteria were commonly seen on the rim of epithelial cells, at the base of some ulcers, and within the cavities produced by the hooks of the larvae. Cellular debris and mucus were within the ulcer.", "PMID": 621179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3870", "title": "Chronic enteritis associated with the malabsorption and protein-losing enteropathy in the horse.", "content": "Chronic granulomatous enteritis associated with weight loss and hypoproteinemia was identified in 2 horses. Both horses continued to have normally formed feces. Malabsorption of carbohydrate and lipid, with concomitant gastrointestinal protein loss was demonstrated in 1 case. One horse was treated symptomatically and gained 108 kg. In both cases, principal gastrointestinal lesions were partial to total villus atrophy and transmural mononuclear leukocytosis, with lymphocytes and histiocytes predominating. The cause of the condition was not identified in either case.", "contents": "Chronic enteritis associated with the malabsorption and protein-losing enteropathy in the horse. Chronic granulomatous enteritis associated with weight loss and hypoproteinemia was identified in 2 horses. Both horses continued to have normally formed feces. Malabsorption of carbohydrate and lipid, with concomitant gastrointestinal protein loss was demonstrated in 1 case. One horse was treated symptomatically and gained 108 kg. In both cases, principal gastrointestinal lesions were partial to total villus atrophy and transmural mononuclear leukocytosis, with lymphocytes and histiocytes predominating. The cause of the condition was not identified in either case.", "PMID": 621180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3871", "title": "Epiglottic entrapment by arytenoepiglottic folds in the horse.", "content": "An abnormality of the epiglottis and arytenoepiglottic folds that caused epiglottic entrapment was diagnosed in 21 horses. Until recently, this entrapment was poorly understood. Definitive diagnosis of epiglottic entrapment can be made only by endoscopic examination of the epiglottis, arytenoepiglottic folds, and soft palate to differentiate the abnormality from dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is often associated with entrapped epiglottis. Epiglottic deformity, especially hypoplasia, is often associated with the entrapment. The abnormality was detected in horses 1 to 16 years old. Because of the relatively large number of young animals (11 being less than or equal to 2 years old), a congenital predisposition was suggested. This suggestion was strengthened by the fact that many of the horses had deformities of the epiglottis that were considered congenital. Because some of the horses had trained and raced satisfactorily before signs of upper airway obstruction developed, it was assumed that the abnormality may be a sequel to epiglottic injury.", "contents": "Epiglottic entrapment by arytenoepiglottic folds in the horse. An abnormality of the epiglottis and arytenoepiglottic folds that caused epiglottic entrapment was diagnosed in 21 horses. Until recently, this entrapment was poorly understood. Definitive diagnosis of epiglottic entrapment can be made only by endoscopic examination of the epiglottis, arytenoepiglottic folds, and soft palate to differentiate the abnormality from dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate is often associated with entrapped epiglottis. Epiglottic deformity, especially hypoplasia, is often associated with the entrapment. The abnormality was detected in horses 1 to 16 years old. Because of the relatively large number of young animals (11 being less than or equal to 2 years old), a congenital predisposition was suggested. This suggestion was strengthened by the fact that many of the horses had deformities of the epiglottis that were considered congenital. Because some of the horses had trained and raced satisfactorily before signs of upper airway obstruction developed, it was assumed that the abnormality may be a sequel to epiglottic injury.", "PMID": 621181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3872", "title": "Interruption of aortic arch in two foals.", "content": "Two foals with a history of normalcy at birth developed a lack of exercise tolerance and weakness in the first few days of life. Weakness, inability to rise, and reluctance to suckle were common complaints. Physical examination of both foals revealed a cardiovascular abnormality, with a loud systolic murmur audible over both thoracic walls. Additional diagnostic techniques were blood gas analysis, radiography, cardiovascular catheterization, and necropsy. Necropsy findings were ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and congenital absence of the aortic arch. Additionally, 1 foal had anomalous drainage of the cranial vena cava into the left atrium.", "contents": "Interruption of aortic arch in two foals. Two foals with a history of normalcy at birth developed a lack of exercise tolerance and weakness in the first few days of life. Weakness, inability to rise, and reluctance to suckle were common complaints. Physical examination of both foals revealed a cardiovascular abnormality, with a loud systolic murmur audible over both thoracic walls. Additional diagnostic techniques were blood gas analysis, radiography, cardiovascular catheterization, and necropsy. Necropsy findings were ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and congenital absence of the aortic arch. Additionally, 1 foal had anomalous drainage of the cranial vena cava into the left atrium.", "PMID": 621182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3873", "title": "Equine myositis and septicemia caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus infection.", "content": "Myositis and septicemia caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were diagnosed in a mare. The infection was characterized clinically by ventral swelling and edema, diarrhea, listlessness, and rectal temperature of 39.4 C. The mare was treated symptomatically for 2 days but died on the 3rd day. Conditions seen at necropsy were myositis, enteritis, typhlitis, colitis, and hepatitis. Lymph nodes were moderately enlarged throughout the body. Gross lesions in musculature were edema, scarring, petechiae, and an occasional exxhymosis. The enteritis was catarrhal, with excessive mucus and moderate hyperemia. The typhlitis and colitis were hemorrhagic. The swollen liver had a diffuse mottled pale and red pattern. Microscopic lesions in skeletal muscle consisted of petechiation, necrosis, scarring, and edema. Cardiac muscle was also scarred and necrotic, but edema was not prominent. Periacinal necrosis was found in the liver. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was isolated from myocardium and liver.", "contents": "Equine myositis and septicemia caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus infection. Myositis and septicemia caused by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were diagnosed in a mare. The infection was characterized clinically by ventral swelling and edema, diarrhea, listlessness, and rectal temperature of 39.4 C. The mare was treated symptomatically for 2 days but died on the 3rd day. Conditions seen at necropsy were myositis, enteritis, typhlitis, colitis, and hepatitis. Lymph nodes were moderately enlarged throughout the body. Gross lesions in musculature were edema, scarring, petechiae, and an occasional exxhymosis. The enteritis was catarrhal, with excessive mucus and moderate hyperemia. The typhlitis and colitis were hemorrhagic. The swollen liver had a diffuse mottled pale and red pattern. Microscopic lesions in skeletal muscle consisted of petechiation, necrosis, scarring, and edema. Cardiac muscle was also scarred and necrotic, but edema was not prominent. Periacinal necrosis was found in the liver. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was isolated from myocardium and liver.", "PMID": 621183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3874", "title": "Role of horse flies in transmission of wquine infectious anemia from carrier ponies.", "content": "Equine infectious anemia virus was transmitted from an acutely ill and an inapparently infected pony to uninfected ponies by the interrupted feeding of horse flies (tabanids). Transmission from acutely ill ponies was not accomplished following: (1) the interrupted feeding of a single horse fly, (2) bites of horse flies that had fed on an acutely affected pony 24 hours earlier, (3) bites of horse flies that had oviposited after feeding on an acutely affected pony, or (4) the inoculation of larval material derived from horse flies that had fed to repletion. It was concluded that horse fly transmission of equine infectious anemia virus is mechanical only and that infected horses that are free of clinical signs can be a source of virus for insect transmission.", "contents": "Role of horse flies in transmission of wquine infectious anemia from carrier ponies. Equine infectious anemia virus was transmitted from an acutely ill and an inapparently infected pony to uninfected ponies by the interrupted feeding of horse flies (tabanids). Transmission from acutely ill ponies was not accomplished following: (1) the interrupted feeding of a single horse fly, (2) bites of horse flies that had fed on an acutely affected pony 24 hours earlier, (3) bites of horse flies that had oviposited after feeding on an acutely affected pony, or (4) the inoculation of larval material derived from horse flies that had fed to repletion. It was concluded that horse fly transmission of equine infectious anemia virus is mechanical only and that infected horses that are free of clinical signs can be a source of virus for insect transmission.", "PMID": 621184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3875", "title": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of chlordene epoxide in catfish.", "content": "Chlordene epoxide was detected in the range of 0.04 to 0.27 ppm in the edible portion of 3 catfish samples during the analysis of 36 fish samples by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) for pesticide and industrial chemical residues. Two of these catfish samples were from suppliers in Louisiana and the third was from a Texas supplier. Chlordene was also present; the amount of chlordene epoxide in the 3 samples averaged 46% of the amount of chlordene present. The epoxide was identified by comparison of the mass spectra and the GLC retention times of the samples with reference material prepared in the laboratory.", "contents": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of chlordene epoxide in catfish. Chlordene epoxide was detected in the range of 0.04 to 0.27 ppm in the edible portion of 3 catfish samples during the analysis of 36 fish samples by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) for pesticide and industrial chemical residues. Two of these catfish samples were from suppliers in Louisiana and the third was from a Texas supplier. Chlordene was also present; the amount of chlordene epoxide in the 3 samples averaged 46% of the amount of chlordene present. The epoxide was identified by comparison of the mass spectra and the GLC retention times of the samples with reference material prepared in the laboratory.", "PMID": 621187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3876", "title": "Determination of benzo(a)pyrene in foods.", "content": "An analytical method was developed for determining benzo(a)pyrene in foods, suitable for routine use. The method consists of 4 cleanup steps: (1) alkali cleavage of sample, (2) preliminary silica gel column chromatography, (3) selective extraction with concentrated sulfuric acid, and (4) further silica gel column chromatography. Recoveries of benzo(a)pyrene added to 50 g (or 10 g) food at levels of 0.4 ppb (or 2 ppb) ranged from 70% for short-necked clam and mackeral to 85% for chicken meat. The sulfuric acid extraction step affords a simple method for isolating benzo(a)pyrene from various kinds of interfering substances which could not be separated by existing methods.", "contents": "Determination of benzo(a)pyrene in foods. An analytical method was developed for determining benzo(a)pyrene in foods, suitable for routine use. The method consists of 4 cleanup steps: (1) alkali cleavage of sample, (2) preliminary silica gel column chromatography, (3) selective extraction with concentrated sulfuric acid, and (4) further silica gel column chromatography. Recoveries of benzo(a)pyrene added to 50 g (or 10 g) food at levels of 0.4 ppb (or 2 ppb) ranged from 70% for short-necked clam and mackeral to 85% for chicken meat. The sulfuric acid extraction step affords a simple method for isolating benzo(a)pyrene from various kinds of interfering substances which could not be separated by existing methods.", "PMID": 621189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3877", "title": "High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of methomyl and oxamyl on vegetable crops.", "content": "A reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatographic method is presented for the separation and determination of residues of the carbamates oxamyl and methomyl on vegetables. A liquid-liquid extraction and cleanup procedure is applied to the vegetable extract. Samples are eluted from a muBondapak C18 column and quantitated by ultraviolet absorbance at 240 nm. Recovery data for vegetable samples spiked at 2 ppm are presented.", "contents": "High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of methomyl and oxamyl on vegetable crops. A reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatographic method is presented for the separation and determination of residues of the carbamates oxamyl and methomyl on vegetables. A liquid-liquid extraction and cleanup procedure is applied to the vegetable extract. Samples are eluted from a muBondapak C18 column and quantitated by ultraviolet absorbance at 240 nm. Recovery data for vegetable samples spiked at 2 ppm are presented.", "PMID": 621190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3878", "title": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of chlorinated norbornene derivatives in fish.", "content": "1,2,3,4,7,7-Hexachloro-2,5-norbornadiene (I), 1,2,3,4,5-endo,7,7-heptachloro-2-norbornene (II), and 1,2,3,4,7,7-hexachloro-5,6-endo-epoxy-2-norbornene (III) have been identified as contaminants in Mississippi River fish by combined gas-liquid chromatography (GLC)-mass spectrometry. The method used to determine residues of these compounds, which are associated with production of the pesticide endrin, is similar to the AOAC multiresidue method for chlorinated pesticides. The residues are extracted from the sample with acetonitrile, transferred to petroleum ether, and chromatographed on a Florisil column. Compounds I and II are eluted from the Florisil with petroleum ether and compound III is eluted with ethyl ether-petroleum ether (6 + 94). The concentrated eluates are analyzed by using electron capture GLC. The method provides adequate recoveries of all 3 chlorinated norbornene derivatives and allows quantitation at or below the 0.05 ppm level in fish with a 20 mg sample equivalent injection.", "contents": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of chlorinated norbornene derivatives in fish. 1,2,3,4,7,7-Hexachloro-2,5-norbornadiene (I), 1,2,3,4,5-endo,7,7-heptachloro-2-norbornene (II), and 1,2,3,4,7,7-hexachloro-5,6-endo-epoxy-2-norbornene (III) have been identified as contaminants in Mississippi River fish by combined gas-liquid chromatography (GLC)-mass spectrometry. The method used to determine residues of these compounds, which are associated with production of the pesticide endrin, is similar to the AOAC multiresidue method for chlorinated pesticides. The residues are extracted from the sample with acetonitrile, transferred to petroleum ether, and chromatographed on a Florisil column. Compounds I and II are eluted from the Florisil with petroleum ether and compound III is eluted with ethyl ether-petroleum ether (6 + 94). The concentrated eluates are analyzed by using electron capture GLC. The method provides adequate recoveries of all 3 chlorinated norbornene derivatives and allows quantitation at or below the 0.05 ppm level in fish with a 20 mg sample equivalent injection.", "PMID": 621191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3879", "title": "Simple combustion-vapor trapping technique for determination of mercury in fish.", "content": "A simple combustion train was constructed for analyzing mercury in fish samples. A nitric acid trap was used to capture the mercury vapors which were released later by adding a tin salt. The method is rapid, accurate, and reproducible and permits one person to analyze 40 samples daily. Sample matrix had no apparent effect on the recovery of mercury. Mean recoveries from fish samples spiked with 0.3 and 1.0 microgram mercuric chloride/g ranged from 97 to 105% with an average recovery of 101.5% and a standard deviation of 2.74%.", "contents": "Simple combustion-vapor trapping technique for determination of mercury in fish. A simple combustion train was constructed for analyzing mercury in fish samples. A nitric acid trap was used to capture the mercury vapors which were released later by adding a tin salt. The method is rapid, accurate, and reproducible and permits one person to analyze 40 samples daily. Sample matrix had no apparent effect on the recovery of mercury. Mean recoveries from fish samples spiked with 0.3 and 1.0 microgram mercuric chloride/g ranged from 97 to 105% with an average recovery of 101.5% and a standard deviation of 2.74%.", "PMID": 621192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3880", "title": "Quantitative determination of chlorpromazine. HCl in tablets, spansules, injectables, and bulk chemical by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.", "content": "A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) procedure is described for the quantitative analysis of chlorpromazine. HCl in bulk chemical as well as in final dosage forms--tablets, spansules, and injectables. The method is based on measurement of a characteristic signal of chlorpromazine relative to an internal standard. Three different internal standards are specified: Cyclohexane was selected because of the convenience and rapidity with which samples could be prepared for assay. Piperonal was used to verify the method and to show that precision and accuracy were not affected by the volatility of the cyclohexane. Tetramethylammonium bromide was used as an internal standard for Thorazine injectable. No interferences were found from stearates and other tablet excipients. The NMR procedure provides a simple, direct, and specific assay with a precision of +/- 1-2%.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of chlorpromazine. HCl in tablets, spansules, injectables, and bulk chemical by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) procedure is described for the quantitative analysis of chlorpromazine. HCl in bulk chemical as well as in final dosage forms--tablets, spansules, and injectables. The method is based on measurement of a characteristic signal of chlorpromazine relative to an internal standard. Three different internal standards are specified: Cyclohexane was selected because of the convenience and rapidity with which samples could be prepared for assay. Piperonal was used to verify the method and to show that precision and accuracy were not affected by the volatility of the cyclohexane. Tetramethylammonium bromide was used as an internal standard for Thorazine injectable. No interferences were found from stearates and other tablet excipients. The NMR procedure provides a simple, direct, and specific assay with a precision of +/- 1-2%.", "PMID": 621193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3881", "title": "Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic determination of disulfiram: collaborative study.", "content": "A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic method for determining disulfiram in the bulk drug product and in the formulated material was collaboratively studied. The method depends on the use of chloroform-d as a solvent and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane as the internal standard. No interference from tablet excipients was observed. The method is rapid and specific. Eighteen laboratories analyzed duplicate samples of a bulk drug product, a 250 mg tablet composite, and a 500 mg tablet composite. The average per cent results and standard deviations were 99.7 +/- 1.4, 100.9 +/- 2.0, and 99.9 +/- 2.2, respectively.", "contents": "Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic determination of disulfiram: collaborative study. A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic method for determining disulfiram in the bulk drug product and in the formulated material was collaboratively studied. The method depends on the use of chloroform-d as a solvent and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane as the internal standard. No interference from tablet excipients was observed. The method is rapid and specific. Eighteen laboratories analyzed duplicate samples of a bulk drug product, a 250 mg tablet composite, and a 500 mg tablet composite. The average per cent results and standard deviations were 99.7 +/- 1.4, 100.9 +/- 2.0, and 99.9 +/- 2.2, respectively.", "PMID": 621194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3882", "title": "Ion exchange method for determining mephentermine sulfate in drug formulations: collaborative study.", "content": "Ion exchange chromatography is used to separate mephentermine sulfate from drug formulations. The drug is subsequently measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Assays on 4 commercial samples of tablets and injectables gave recoveries from 97.6 to 104% of declared. A collaborative study involving 2 tablet and 2 liquid formulations gave mean recoveries ranging from 94.7 to 99.3% and coefficients of variation from 1.39 to 2.00%.", "contents": "Ion exchange method for determining mephentermine sulfate in drug formulations: collaborative study. Ion exchange chromatography is used to separate mephentermine sulfate from drug formulations. The drug is subsequently measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Assays on 4 commercial samples of tablets and injectables gave recoveries from 97.6 to 104% of declared. A collaborative study involving 2 tablet and 2 liquid formulations gave mean recoveries ranging from 94.7 to 99.3% and coefficients of variation from 1.39 to 2.00%.", "PMID": 621195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3883", "title": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of p-chloroacetanilide in acetaminophen.", "content": "Gas-liquid chromatography GLC) coupled with column chromatography was used to accurately determine as little as 25 ppm p-chloroacetanilide in acetaminophen. p-Chloroacetanilide was eluted from a pH 8 phosphate-buffered diatomite partition column by using purified tetrachloroethylene (acetaminophen was retained). This solution was concentrated, internal standard (docosane) was added, and p-chloroacetanilide was determined by using a 0.9 m X 2 mm glass column packed with 3% Poly A 103 on Supelcoport and a flame ionization detector with electronic integration. Standard curves were linear for 10-100 ppm p-chloroacetanilide. Various chromatographic materials were investigated for optimal retention characteristics. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also evaluated as an alternative; however, lack of reproducibility of the HPLC column favored the GLC procedure.", "contents": "Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of p-chloroacetanilide in acetaminophen. Gas-liquid chromatography GLC) coupled with column chromatography was used to accurately determine as little as 25 ppm p-chloroacetanilide in acetaminophen. p-Chloroacetanilide was eluted from a pH 8 phosphate-buffered diatomite partition column by using purified tetrachloroethylene (acetaminophen was retained). This solution was concentrated, internal standard (docosane) was added, and p-chloroacetanilide was determined by using a 0.9 m X 2 mm glass column packed with 3% Poly A 103 on Supelcoport and a flame ionization detector with electronic integration. Standard curves were linear for 10-100 ppm p-chloroacetanilide. Various chromatographic materials were investigated for optimal retention characteristics. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also evaluated as an alternative; however, lack of reproducibility of the HPLC column favored the GLC procedure.", "PMID": 621196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3884", "title": "Stimulation of glucagon of in vivo phosphorylation of rat hepatic pyruvate kinase.", "content": "Rat hepatic pyruvate kinase (type L) has been purified to homogeneity by a simple, rapid procedure involving DEAE-cellulose chromatography and elution from a blue Sepharose column. The enzyme was homogeneous by the criteria of sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis, had a subunit molecular weight of 57,000, and a specific activity of 558 units/mg of protein at 30 degrees. In order to test whether the enzyme is phosphorylated in vivo, rats were injected with radioactive inorganic phosphate. Incorporation into pyruvate kinase was determined after purification of the enzyme to homogeneity as well as after specific immunoprecipitation of the enzyme from partially purified preparations. Sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis revealed that 32P was incorporated into the enzyme in both cases. Glucagon administration in vivo resulted in a 200 to 300% increase in the incorporation of 32P into the enzyme which was correlated with an inhibition of enzyme activity and an elevation of hepatic levels of cyclic AMP. These results represent the first demonstration of in vivo phosphorylation of a hepatic glycolytic enzyme and strongly support the hypothesis that glucagon regulates pyruvate kinase activity, at least in part, by a phosphorylation mechanism.", "contents": "Stimulation of glucagon of in vivo phosphorylation of rat hepatic pyruvate kinase. Rat hepatic pyruvate kinase (type L) has been purified to homogeneity by a simple, rapid procedure involving DEAE-cellulose chromatography and elution from a blue Sepharose column. The enzyme was homogeneous by the criteria of sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis, had a subunit molecular weight of 57,000, and a specific activity of 558 units/mg of protein at 30 degrees. In order to test whether the enzyme is phosphorylated in vivo, rats were injected with radioactive inorganic phosphate. Incorporation into pyruvate kinase was determined after purification of the enzyme to homogeneity as well as after specific immunoprecipitation of the enzyme from partially purified preparations. Sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis revealed that 32P was incorporated into the enzyme in both cases. Glucagon administration in vivo resulted in a 200 to 300% increase in the incorporation of 32P into the enzyme which was correlated with an inhibition of enzyme activity and an elevation of hepatic levels of cyclic AMP. These results represent the first demonstration of in vivo phosphorylation of a hepatic glycolytic enzyme and strongly support the hypothesis that glucagon regulates pyruvate kinase activity, at least in part, by a phosphorylation mechanism.", "PMID": 621197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3885", "title": "N epsilonB29-(+)-biotinylinsulin and its complexes with avidin. Synthesis and biological activity.", "content": "Insulin was modified with d-biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester in dimethylformamide. Mono-, di-, and triacylated insulins were separated by preparative isoelectric focusing. Monoacylated derivatives (isoelectric point 5.1) were fractionated twice on DEAE-cellulose to yield pure N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin. The structure of the product was established by amino acid analysis before and after deamination. N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin had biological activity indistinguishable from insulin on glucose oxidation and lipid synthesis assays using isolated rat epididymal fat cells. Complexes of N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin with avidin, having essentially all but one binding site filled with biotin, were prepared in order to obtain a 1:1 insulin:avidin ration. The elicited identical maximal biological responses, but showed a potency decreased to 5% of that of insulin. Such complexes conjugated with ferritin will provide a useful tool in the development of electron microscopic stains of insulin receptors.", "contents": "N epsilonB29-(+)-biotinylinsulin and its complexes with avidin. Synthesis and biological activity. Insulin was modified with d-biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester in dimethylformamide. Mono-, di-, and triacylated insulins were separated by preparative isoelectric focusing. Monoacylated derivatives (isoelectric point 5.1) were fractionated twice on DEAE-cellulose to yield pure N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin. The structure of the product was established by amino acid analysis before and after deamination. N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin had biological activity indistinguishable from insulin on glucose oxidation and lipid synthesis assays using isolated rat epididymal fat cells. Complexes of N epsilonB29-biotinylinsulin with avidin, having essentially all but one binding site filled with biotin, were prepared in order to obtain a 1:1 insulin:avidin ration. The elicited identical maximal biological responses, but showed a potency decreased to 5% of that of insulin. Such complexes conjugated with ferritin will provide a useful tool in the development of electron microscopic stains of insulin receptors.", "PMID": 621198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3886", "title": "Quantitative determination of the binding of epsilon-aminocaproic acid to native plasminogen.", "content": "The binding of epsilon-amino[14C]caproic acid (6-aminohexanoic acid, EACA) to native human plasminogen was determined using the ultrafiltration technique of Paulus (Paulus, H. (1969) Anal. Biochem. 32, 91-100) at free ligand concentrations ranging from 2 micrometer to 16 mM. One strong binding site (Kd = 0.009 mM) and approximately five weaker ones (Kd = 5 mM) were found. The constants were obtained by fitting the experimental points to the simple assumption of two sets of noninteracting sites. The distinct separation of the two kinds of sites allowed the correlation of the well known epsilon-aminocaproic acid-induced conformational transition in plasminogen with the saturation of the weaker group of binding sites by this ligand. The conformational transition was monitored by measurements of the sedimentation coefficient, as was done by others earlier. The midpoint of the transition occurred at approximately 3.3 mM free ligand. A dissociation constant of 0.32 mM was also obtained for L-lysine by measurements of the competition between this compound and labeled epsilon-aminocaproic acid for the strong binding site. The correlation between epsilon-aminocaproic acid binding and effects of the compound on various physical and functional properties is discussed. A discussion of the possible sources of error encountered in the technique used is also included.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of the binding of epsilon-aminocaproic acid to native plasminogen. The binding of epsilon-amino[14C]caproic acid (6-aminohexanoic acid, EACA) to native human plasminogen was determined using the ultrafiltration technique of Paulus (Paulus, H. (1969) Anal. Biochem. 32, 91-100) at free ligand concentrations ranging from 2 micrometer to 16 mM. One strong binding site (Kd = 0.009 mM) and approximately five weaker ones (Kd = 5 mM) were found. The constants were obtained by fitting the experimental points to the simple assumption of two sets of noninteracting sites. The distinct separation of the two kinds of sites allowed the correlation of the well known epsilon-aminocaproic acid-induced conformational transition in plasminogen with the saturation of the weaker group of binding sites by this ligand. The conformational transition was monitored by measurements of the sedimentation coefficient, as was done by others earlier. The midpoint of the transition occurred at approximately 3.3 mM free ligand. A dissociation constant of 0.32 mM was also obtained for L-lysine by measurements of the competition between this compound and labeled epsilon-aminocaproic acid for the strong binding site. The correlation between epsilon-aminocaproic acid binding and effects of the compound on various physical and functional properties is discussed. A discussion of the possible sources of error encountered in the technique used is also included.", "PMID": 621200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3887", "title": "Biosynthesis of beta nerve growth factor in mouse submaxillary glands.", "content": "The biosynthesis of beta nerve growth factor (betaNGF) was studied in isolated mouse submaxillary glands incubated with L-[35S]cystine. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of anti-betaNGF immunoprecipitates from labeled gland homogenates showed a single major peak of radioactivity, which comigrated with purified betaNGF. This species was nearly completely precipitated by the addition of equivalent amounts of anti-betaNGF, but was absent from immunoprecipitates obtained by the addition of ferritin plus anti-ferritin. The cystine-containing tryptic peptides of the labeled species appeared identical with those of purified betaNGF. In submaxillary glands from adult male mice, labeling of betaNGF represented approximately 0.2% of the trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity. Castration reduced this value to one-third, while testosterone treatment of castrated animals restored the relative betaNGF synthesis to normal or more. No betaNGF synthesis could be detected in glands from female animals. Several tissues were examined for their ability to synthesize betaNGF in culture. Only submaxillary gland incorporated detectable amounts of radioactivity into betaNGF. Labeling of betaNGF could also be obtained by direct injection of isotope into the submaxillary gland in vivo. The results are discussed in terms of the integration of betaNGF synthesis into neuronal development and maintenance.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of beta nerve growth factor in mouse submaxillary glands. The biosynthesis of beta nerve growth factor (betaNGF) was studied in isolated mouse submaxillary glands incubated with L-[35S]cystine. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gels of anti-betaNGF immunoprecipitates from labeled gland homogenates showed a single major peak of radioactivity, which comigrated with purified betaNGF. This species was nearly completely precipitated by the addition of equivalent amounts of anti-betaNGF, but was absent from immunoprecipitates obtained by the addition of ferritin plus anti-ferritin. The cystine-containing tryptic peptides of the labeled species appeared identical with those of purified betaNGF. In submaxillary glands from adult male mice, labeling of betaNGF represented approximately 0.2% of the trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity. Castration reduced this value to one-third, while testosterone treatment of castrated animals restored the relative betaNGF synthesis to normal or more. No betaNGF synthesis could be detected in glands from female animals. Several tissues were examined for their ability to synthesize betaNGF in culture. Only submaxillary gland incorporated detectable amounts of radioactivity into betaNGF. Labeling of betaNGF could also be obtained by direct injection of isotope into the submaxillary gland in vivo. The results are discussed in terms of the integration of betaNGF synthesis into neuronal development and maintenance.", "PMID": 621204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3888", "title": "Purification and properties of the endonuclease specific for apurinic sites of Bacillus stearothermophilus.", "content": "An endonuclease specific for apurinic sites when double-stranded DNA is used as substrate has been isolated from the thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus; it is a monomeric protein of about 28,000 daltons, without action on normal DNA strands or on alkylated sites. The enzyme is quite thermoresistant in the presence of other proteins, has an optimal temperature of 60 degrees, needs monovalent cations for optimal activity, is insensitive to EDTA, and is inhibited by divalent cations; it has no associated exonuclease activity. These latter properties are closer to those of Escherichia coli thermoresistant endonuclease IV, which is also insensitive to EDTA and has no exonuclease activity, and very different from those of the main endonuclease for apurinic sites of the same bacterium. The B. stearothermophilus enzyme is more resistant to urea and detergents than the main E. coli endonuclease for apurinic sites and has a higher content of hydrophobic amino acids.", "contents": "Purification and properties of the endonuclease specific for apurinic sites of Bacillus stearothermophilus. An endonuclease specific for apurinic sites when double-stranded DNA is used as substrate has been isolated from the thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus; it is a monomeric protein of about 28,000 daltons, without action on normal DNA strands or on alkylated sites. The enzyme is quite thermoresistant in the presence of other proteins, has an optimal temperature of 60 degrees, needs monovalent cations for optimal activity, is insensitive to EDTA, and is inhibited by divalent cations; it has no associated exonuclease activity. These latter properties are closer to those of Escherichia coli thermoresistant endonuclease IV, which is also insensitive to EDTA and has no exonuclease activity, and very different from those of the main endonuclease for apurinic sites of the same bacterium. The B. stearothermophilus enzyme is more resistant to urea and detergents than the main E. coli endonuclease for apurinic sites and has a higher content of hydrophobic amino acids.", "PMID": 621207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3889", "title": "An approach to the isolation of biological particles using sedimentation analysis.", "content": "A systematic, general approach for the design of an initial purification procedure for any biological particle is described in this communication. A series of centrifugations in fixed angle rotors has been used to obtain information on the sedimentation behavior of particles of interest (Anderson, N.G. (1967) Anal. Biochem. 23, 72-83). Refinements of this technique have facilitated the determination of sedimentation profiles of subcellular organelle markers in suspensions of murine spleen and brain. The degree of homogeneity of several particles with respect to size can be ascertained from the sedimentation profiles. Alterations in these profiles after mechanical disruption and treatment with detergents are readily measurable and have been found to be useful in both the characterization and isolation of subcellular particles. Because fixed angle rotors are used in these studies, the data obtained can be directly applied to the development of a preparatory scheme for purification of a desired particle. These methods for sedimentation analysis are readily applicable to subcellular organelles, macromolecular complexes, viruses, viral-like agents, and a variety of macromolecules.", "contents": "An approach to the isolation of biological particles using sedimentation analysis. A systematic, general approach for the design of an initial purification procedure for any biological particle is described in this communication. A series of centrifugations in fixed angle rotors has been used to obtain information on the sedimentation behavior of particles of interest (Anderson, N.G. (1967) Anal. Biochem. 23, 72-83). Refinements of this technique have facilitated the determination of sedimentation profiles of subcellular organelle markers in suspensions of murine spleen and brain. The degree of homogeneity of several particles with respect to size can be ascertained from the sedimentation profiles. Alterations in these profiles after mechanical disruption and treatment with detergents are readily measurable and have been found to be useful in both the characterization and isolation of subcellular particles. Because fixed angle rotors are used in these studies, the data obtained can be directly applied to the development of a preparatory scheme for purification of a desired particle. These methods for sedimentation analysis are readily applicable to subcellular organelles, macromolecular complexes, viruses, viral-like agents, and a variety of macromolecules.", "PMID": 621210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3890", "title": "Some properties of chromatin synthesized by mouse-L-cells temperature-sensitive in DNA replication.", "content": "When ts A1S9 mouse L-cells are incubated at the nonpermissive temperature (38.5 degrees) DNA synthesis proceeds at the normal rate for 6 to 8 h; it then declines to attain 1 to 5% of this rate after 24 h. General protein synthesis from precursor leucine is relatively unaffected by the high temperature. In contrast, protein formation from lysine (and arginine) remains unchanged for 12 to 15 h after temperature upshift. It then drops and plateaus at about 25% of the initial rate after 32 h. The chromatin protein and DNA are fully conserved in ts A1S9 cells incubated at 38.5 degrees for at least 24 h after full expression of the ts defect. Temperature inactivation of the ts A1S9 gene product results in inhibition of de novo formation of chromatin. This is evidenced by coordinate suppression of incorporation of dThd and of lysine and arginine into chromatin-bound DNA and histone, respectively.", "contents": "Some properties of chromatin synthesized by mouse-L-cells temperature-sensitive in DNA replication. When ts A1S9 mouse L-cells are incubated at the nonpermissive temperature (38.5 degrees) DNA synthesis proceeds at the normal rate for 6 to 8 h; it then declines to attain 1 to 5% of this rate after 24 h. General protein synthesis from precursor leucine is relatively unaffected by the high temperature. In contrast, protein formation from lysine (and arginine) remains unchanged for 12 to 15 h after temperature upshift. It then drops and plateaus at about 25% of the initial rate after 32 h. The chromatin protein and DNA are fully conserved in ts A1S9 cells incubated at 38.5 degrees for at least 24 h after full expression of the ts defect. Temperature inactivation of the ts A1S9 gene product results in inhibition of de novo formation of chromatin. This is evidenced by coordinate suppression of incorporation of dThd and of lysine and arginine into chromatin-bound DNA and histone, respectively.", "PMID": 621211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3891", "title": "Isolation of eukaryotic ribosomal proteins. Purification and characterization of the 60 S ribosomal subunit proteins La, Lb, Lf, P1, P2, L13', L14, L18', L20, and L38.", "content": "The proteins of the large subunit of rat liver ribosomes were separated into seven groups by stepwise elution from carboxymethylcellulose with LiCl at pH 6.5. Ten proteins (La, Lb, Lf, P1, P2, L13', L14, L18', L20, and L38) were isolated from three groups (A60, B60, and D60) by ion exchange chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose and DEAE-cellulose, and by filtration through Sephadex. The amount of protein obtained varied from 0.3 to 3.8 mg. Two of the proteins (La and L18') had no detectable contamination; the impurities in the others were not greater than 8%. The molecular weight of the proteins was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate; the amino acid composition was determined. Several additional acidic proteins were identified: P1a and P1b are phosphorylated derivatives of P1; P2a, P2b, and P2c are phosphorylated derivatives of P2. P1 and P2 are distinct proteins but both have large amounts of alanine (20.4 and 17.5 mol %).", "contents": "Isolation of eukaryotic ribosomal proteins. Purification and characterization of the 60 S ribosomal subunit proteins La, Lb, Lf, P1, P2, L13', L14, L18', L20, and L38. The proteins of the large subunit of rat liver ribosomes were separated into seven groups by stepwise elution from carboxymethylcellulose with LiCl at pH 6.5. Ten proteins (La, Lb, Lf, P1, P2, L13', L14, L18', L20, and L38) were isolated from three groups (A60, B60, and D60) by ion exchange chromatography on carboxymethylcellulose and DEAE-cellulose, and by filtration through Sephadex. The amount of protein obtained varied from 0.3 to 3.8 mg. Two of the proteins (La and L18') had no detectable contamination; the impurities in the others were not greater than 8%. The molecular weight of the proteins was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate; the amino acid composition was determined. Several additional acidic proteins were identified: P1a and P1b are phosphorylated derivatives of P1; P2a, P2b, and P2c are phosphorylated derivatives of P2. P1 and P2 are distinct proteins but both have large amounts of alanine (20.4 and 17.5 mol %).", "PMID": 621213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3892", "title": "Interrelationships between Water and cellular metabolism in Artemia cysts. VIII Sorption isotherms and derived thermodynamic quantities.", "content": "An analysis of water vapor sorption by cysts of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, has shown that at environmental water activities (aw) of 0.95 or less, the cysts equilibrate with the aw of their environment. Above this aw the metabolic activity of the cysts participates directly in their water content, and equilibration does not occur. In contrast, dried cysts killed by heat treatment or exposure to ammonia fumes equilibrated with all values of aw examined. Analysis of the temperature dependence of sorption isotherms revealed that below cyst hydrations of about 0.3 g H2O/g dried weight the temperature coefficient for water sorption was negative, but became positive at hydrations appreciably in excess of this value. Estimates for the differential and integral net enthalpy and entropy changes accompanying the sorption of water have been calculated from isotherms. These results have been interpreted and integrated with those from previous work on the hydration-dependence of metabolic activity. All of the examined hydration properties of the cysts have been shown to be due chiefly to the cellular component, and not the acellular shell. Analysis of the data by the Bradley equation has shown that the hydration behavior of the shell obeys this relationship, whereas that of the cellular component does not.", "contents": "Interrelationships between Water and cellular metabolism in Artemia cysts. VIII Sorption isotherms and derived thermodynamic quantities. An analysis of water vapor sorption by cysts of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, has shown that at environmental water activities (aw) of 0.95 or less, the cysts equilibrate with the aw of their environment. Above this aw the metabolic activity of the cysts participates directly in their water content, and equilibration does not occur. In contrast, dried cysts killed by heat treatment or exposure to ammonia fumes equilibrated with all values of aw examined. Analysis of the temperature dependence of sorption isotherms revealed that below cyst hydrations of about 0.3 g H2O/g dried weight the temperature coefficient for water sorption was negative, but became positive at hydrations appreciably in excess of this value. Estimates for the differential and integral net enthalpy and entropy changes accompanying the sorption of water have been calculated from isotherms. These results have been interpreted and integrated with those from previous work on the hydration-dependence of metabolic activity. All of the examined hydration properties of the cysts have been shown to be due chiefly to the cellular component, and not the acellular shell. Analysis of the data by the Bradley equation has shown that the hydration behavior of the shell obeys this relationship, whereas that of the cellular component does not.", "PMID": 621214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3893", "title": "Protein turnover in senescent cultured chick embryo fibroblasts.", "content": "The over-all rates of protein synthesis, degradation and net accumulation were estimated in rapidly growing young and slowly doubling old cultures of chick fibroblasts. We find that not only the rate of protein synthesis is reduced in senescent cultures, but the average rate of protein degradation is also slowed down considerably. This decrease in the rate of protein breakdown in aging cells stands in contrast with the previously observed acceleration of this process by other conditions (such as serum deprivation or overcrowding) that lead to the cessation of cellular growth. Though the retarded protein degradation may contribute to the acculation of abnormal proteins in senescent cells we find that the breakdown of grossly abnormal puromycin peptides proceeds equally rapidly in young and old cultures. The protein content of senescent cells increases by 1.8-fold as compared to young cells, while the average cell volume is increased even more (almost 5-fold). By contrast, consideration of the over-all balance of protein metabolism in these cells indicates that the average concentration of metabolically turning-over proteins is somewhat higher in senescent than in young fibroblasts.", "contents": "Protein turnover in senescent cultured chick embryo fibroblasts. The over-all rates of protein synthesis, degradation and net accumulation were estimated in rapidly growing young and slowly doubling old cultures of chick fibroblasts. We find that not only the rate of protein synthesis is reduced in senescent cultures, but the average rate of protein degradation is also slowed down considerably. This decrease in the rate of protein breakdown in aging cells stands in contrast with the previously observed acceleration of this process by other conditions (such as serum deprivation or overcrowding) that lead to the cessation of cellular growth. Though the retarded protein degradation may contribute to the acculation of abnormal proteins in senescent cells we find that the breakdown of grossly abnormal puromycin peptides proceeds equally rapidly in young and old cultures. The protein content of senescent cells increases by 1.8-fold as compared to young cells, while the average cell volume is increased even more (almost 5-fold). By contrast, consideration of the over-all balance of protein metabolism in these cells indicates that the average concentration of metabolically turning-over proteins is somewhat higher in senescent than in young fibroblasts.", "PMID": 621215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3894", "title": "Age-related and carcinogen-induced alterations of the extracellular growth factor requirements for cell proliferation in vitro.", "content": "Cells from thigh muscles of fetal rats proliferate readily in vitro in medium containing homologous adult rat \"plasma\". As the donor animals mature, these cells become unable to make DNA and proliferate in \"plasma\" medium, but retain an ability to proliferate in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS). This age-related loss of the ability to proliferate in \"plasma\"-medium is due to an increasing need by the cells for an exogenous prereplicative promoter which is found in FBS and a crude preparation of bovine luteinizing hormone. Adult cells (and possibly fetal cells) also require a \"cycle-completion\" factor which is found in FBS and adult rat \"plasma\". The requirements for such external proliferative promoters is completely eliminated by neoplastic transformation in vivo, and neoplastic adult cells isolated from a nickel sulfide-induced mixed rhabdomyo-fibro-sarcoma can make DNA and proliferate in vitro in the complete absence of exogenous growth factors.", "contents": "Age-related and carcinogen-induced alterations of the extracellular growth factor requirements for cell proliferation in vitro. Cells from thigh muscles of fetal rats proliferate readily in vitro in medium containing homologous adult rat \"plasma\". As the donor animals mature, these cells become unable to make DNA and proliferate in \"plasma\" medium, but retain an ability to proliferate in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS). This age-related loss of the ability to proliferate in \"plasma\"-medium is due to an increasing need by the cells for an exogenous prereplicative promoter which is found in FBS and a crude preparation of bovine luteinizing hormone. Adult cells (and possibly fetal cells) also require a \"cycle-completion\" factor which is found in FBS and adult rat \"plasma\". The requirements for such external proliferative promoters is completely eliminated by neoplastic transformation in vivo, and neoplastic adult cells isolated from a nickel sulfide-induced mixed rhabdomyo-fibro-sarcoma can make DNA and proliferate in vitro in the complete absence of exogenous growth factors.", "PMID": 621217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3895", "title": "Effects of an acridine half-mustard (ICR 191) on growth and ploidy of frog cells in culture.", "content": "The effects of an acridine half-mustard, ICR 191, on the growth rate and ploidy of four haploid and two diploid lines of Rana pipiens cells in culture were studied. Growth curves indicate that the haploid and diploid cell lines were equally resistant to a 4-hour exposure of this drug (0.1 micrometer to 10 micrometer. ICR 191 treatment induced the haploid cell cultures to become diploid. The proportion of diploid cells increased progressively with respect to time after the 4-hour exposure period. The greater the concentration of ICR 191 applied, the more rapid the rate of conversion. Autoradiographic determinations of percent labelled nuclei indicate that DNA synthesis was not inhibited in haploid or in diploid cells. Therefore, the increased proportion of diploid cells did not originate from the small percentage of diploid cells in the initial population. Instead the haploid cells were converted to diploid cells. Time lapse cinematography indicated that the conversion mechanism was other than cell fusion. Conversion to higher ploidy did not occur when diploid cell cultures were exposed to ICR 191.", "contents": "Effects of an acridine half-mustard (ICR 191) on growth and ploidy of frog cells in culture. The effects of an acridine half-mustard, ICR 191, on the growth rate and ploidy of four haploid and two diploid lines of Rana pipiens cells in culture were studied. Growth curves indicate that the haploid and diploid cell lines were equally resistant to a 4-hour exposure of this drug (0.1 micrometer to 10 micrometer. ICR 191 treatment induced the haploid cell cultures to become diploid. The proportion of diploid cells increased progressively with respect to time after the 4-hour exposure period. The greater the concentration of ICR 191 applied, the more rapid the rate of conversion. Autoradiographic determinations of percent labelled nuclei indicate that DNA synthesis was not inhibited in haploid or in diploid cells. Therefore, the increased proportion of diploid cells did not originate from the small percentage of diploid cells in the initial population. Instead the haploid cells were converted to diploid cells. Time lapse cinematography indicated that the conversion mechanism was other than cell fusion. Conversion to higher ploidy did not occur when diploid cell cultures were exposed to ICR 191.", "PMID": 621218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3896", "title": "Regulation of protein synthesis in human diploid fibroblasts: reduced initiation efficiency in resting cultures.", "content": "The level of poly A+ RNA in growing cultures of human diploid fibroblasts is 1.8-fold times greater than in resting cultures. The level of functional ribosomes in growing cultures is 2.8 times that in resting cultures. Since transit times are similar in both types of cells, it can be concluded that the rate of protein synthesis in growing cultures is 2.8 times that in resting cultures. a reduced efficiency of mRNA translation at the level of initiation in resting cultures is proposed as a probable explanation for the fact that the decrease in protein synthesis rates is greater than the decrease in mRNA levels. This hypothesis is supported by the observations that: (a) poly A+ RNA is associated with smaller polysomes in resting than in growing cells, and (b) cycloheximide treatment of resting cells results in recruitment of nonpolysomal poly A+ RNA into polysomes and a shift of polysomal poly A+ RNA into larger polysomes.", "contents": "Regulation of protein synthesis in human diploid fibroblasts: reduced initiation efficiency in resting cultures. The level of poly A+ RNA in growing cultures of human diploid fibroblasts is 1.8-fold times greater than in resting cultures. The level of functional ribosomes in growing cultures is 2.8 times that in resting cultures. Since transit times are similar in both types of cells, it can be concluded that the rate of protein synthesis in growing cultures is 2.8 times that in resting cultures. a reduced efficiency of mRNA translation at the level of initiation in resting cultures is proposed as a probable explanation for the fact that the decrease in protein synthesis rates is greater than the decrease in mRNA levels. This hypothesis is supported by the observations that: (a) poly A+ RNA is associated with smaller polysomes in resting than in growing cells, and (b) cycloheximide treatment of resting cells results in recruitment of nonpolysomal poly A+ RNA into polysomes and a shift of polysomal poly A+ RNA into larger polysomes.", "PMID": 621220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3897", "title": "Nature of cells forming erythroid colonies in agar after stimulation by spleen conditioned medium.", "content": "Erythroid colony formation in agar cultures of CBA cells was stimulated by the addition of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated C57BL spleen conditioned medium. Both 48-hour colonies (\"48-hour benzidine-positive aggregates\") and day 7 large burst or unicentric erythroid colonies (\"erythroid colonies\") developed, together with many neutrophil and/or macrophage colonies. In CBA mice, the cells forming erythroid colonies occurred with maximum frequency (650/10(5) cells) in 10- to 11-day-old yolk sac and fetal liver but were present also in fetal blood, spleen and bone marrow. The frequency of these cells fell sharply with increasing age and only occasional cells (2/10(5) cells) were present in adult marrow. A marked strain variation was noted, CBA mice having the highest levels of erythroid colony-forming cells. The erythroid colony-forming cells in 12-day CBA fetal liver were radiosensitive (DO 110-125 rads), mainly in cycle and were non-adherent, light density, cells sedimenting with a peak velocity of 6-9 mm/hr. These properties are similar to those of other hemopoietic progenitor cells in fetal tissues. The relationship of these apparently erythropoietin-independent erythroid colony-forming cells to those forming similar colonies after stimulation by erythropoietin remains to be determined.", "contents": "Nature of cells forming erythroid colonies in agar after stimulation by spleen conditioned medium. Erythroid colony formation in agar cultures of CBA cells was stimulated by the addition of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated C57BL spleen conditioned medium. Both 48-hour colonies (\"48-hour benzidine-positive aggregates\") and day 7 large burst or unicentric erythroid colonies (\"erythroid colonies\") developed, together with many neutrophil and/or macrophage colonies. In CBA mice, the cells forming erythroid colonies occurred with maximum frequency (650/10(5) cells) in 10- to 11-day-old yolk sac and fetal liver but were present also in fetal blood, spleen and bone marrow. The frequency of these cells fell sharply with increasing age and only occasional cells (2/10(5) cells) were present in adult marrow. A marked strain variation was noted, CBA mice having the highest levels of erythroid colony-forming cells. The erythroid colony-forming cells in 12-day CBA fetal liver were radiosensitive (DO 110-125 rads), mainly in cycle and were non-adherent, light density, cells sedimenting with a peak velocity of 6-9 mm/hr. These properties are similar to those of other hemopoietic progenitor cells in fetal tissues. The relationship of these apparently erythropoietin-independent erythroid colony-forming cells to those forming similar colonies after stimulation by erythropoietin remains to be determined.", "PMID": 621221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3898", "title": "Changes in membrane dynamics associated with myogenic cell fusion.", "content": "Changes in membrane dynamic properties associated with membrane fusion are studied employing in vitro myoblast fusion as a model system. We utilize a microscopic fluorescence relaxation approach which makes feasible the study of local variations in membrane dynamics within surface subdomains of single intact cells. Studies of the average rotational mobility of the fluorescent probe-1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate by this technique indicate that myoblast fusion activity is preceded by a generalized increased in membrane fluidity and that areas of cell contact between fusing cells exhibit higher fluidity and polarity, locally, than non-fusion regions.", "contents": "Changes in membrane dynamics associated with myogenic cell fusion. Changes in membrane dynamic properties associated with membrane fusion are studied employing in vitro myoblast fusion as a model system. We utilize a microscopic fluorescence relaxation approach which makes feasible the study of local variations in membrane dynamics within surface subdomains of single intact cells. Studies of the average rotational mobility of the fluorescent probe-1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate by this technique indicate that myoblast fusion activity is preceded by a generalized increased in membrane fluidity and that areas of cell contact between fusing cells exhibit higher fluidity and polarity, locally, than non-fusion regions.", "PMID": 621222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3899", "title": "Early transport changes during erythroid differentiation of Friend leukemic cells.", "content": "Early transport changes occurring during Friend erythroleukemic cell differentiation are reported. A decrease in the rate of 86Rb transport was observed beginning approximately five hours after stimulation with 1.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), a potent inducer of Friend cell differentiation. By 12 to 14 hours after DMSO addition, the transport rate had stabilized at close to 60% of control level. This decrease in the rate of 86Rb transport preceded a previously reported decrease in cell volume. Other chemical inducers of Friend cells, such as hypoxanthine and ouabain, also caused early decreases in 86Rb influx. In contrast, xanthine, which does not induce Friend cell differentiation, also did not affect 86Rb influx. The transport of two amino acid analogues, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and 2-aminobicyclo [2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid, which differ in their mode of uptake, was also measured following induction by DMSO. The transport rates of both compounds decreased after a 12-hour exposure to DMSO. In contrast, the uptake of 3H-colchicine, a drug which diffuses passively across the cell membrane, was not significantly affected. Studies with several variant cell lines which do not synthesize hemoglobin in response to DMSO indicate that these non-inducible cells can be divided into two classes--those that demonstrate early changes in transport very similar to the changes observed in inducible cell lines and those which exhibit only small changes in transport. Results obtained using a revertant clone have helped to distinguish between those transport changes which are associated with the induction of hemoglobin synthesis and those which are not. In addition, these early transport changes may be useful in defining the stage in the differentiation process at which a particular variant line is blocked.", "contents": "Early transport changes during erythroid differentiation of Friend leukemic cells. Early transport changes occurring during Friend erythroleukemic cell differentiation are reported. A decrease in the rate of 86Rb transport was observed beginning approximately five hours after stimulation with 1.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), a potent inducer of Friend cell differentiation. By 12 to 14 hours after DMSO addition, the transport rate had stabilized at close to 60% of control level. This decrease in the rate of 86Rb transport preceded a previously reported decrease in cell volume. Other chemical inducers of Friend cells, such as hypoxanthine and ouabain, also caused early decreases in 86Rb influx. In contrast, xanthine, which does not induce Friend cell differentiation, also did not affect 86Rb influx. The transport of two amino acid analogues, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and 2-aminobicyclo [2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid, which differ in their mode of uptake, was also measured following induction by DMSO. The transport rates of both compounds decreased after a 12-hour exposure to DMSO. In contrast, the uptake of 3H-colchicine, a drug which diffuses passively across the cell membrane, was not significantly affected. Studies with several variant cell lines which do not synthesize hemoglobin in response to DMSO indicate that these non-inducible cells can be divided into two classes--those that demonstrate early changes in transport very similar to the changes observed in inducible cell lines and those which exhibit only small changes in transport. Results obtained using a revertant clone have helped to distinguish between those transport changes which are associated with the induction of hemoglobin synthesis and those which are not. In addition, these early transport changes may be useful in defining the stage in the differentiation process at which a particular variant line is blocked.", "PMID": 621223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3900", "title": "Assay of ribonucleotide reduction in nucleotide-permeable hamster cells.", "content": "Ribonucleotide reduction was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells made permeable to nucleotides by treatment with the detergent Tween-80. When compared to the respective ribonucleotide reductase activity in partially purified cell extracts, CDP and GDP reductase activities in permeabilized cells responded in a similar fashion to dithiothreitol, pH, MgCl2, FeCl3, substrate concentration and the presence of positive or negative allosteric effectors. At low protein concentrations both CDP and GDP reduction with whole cells increased linearly with cell number and was greater than the activity in corresponding cell extracts. Permeabilized cells were used to measure the level of CDP and GDP reductase in a hamster cell line resistant to the cytotoxic effects of hydroxyurea. The hydroxyurea-resistant cell line contained four to ten times more CDP and GDP reductase activity compared to parental or revertant cell lines. The permeabilized cell assay was also used to measure CDP and GDP reductase activities in Chinese hamster ovary cells synchronized by isoleucine starvation. CDP reductase activity was low in G1 arrested cells but increased 10-fold by 16 hours after the readdition of isoleucine to the growth medium. GDP reductase, which is present at much higher levels, is similarly induced after isoleucine addition, but only by 2-fold. The maximum activity of both CDP and GDP reductase occurred from 14 to 16 hours after isoleucine addition, which corresponded to the period of maximum DNA synthesis.", "contents": "Assay of ribonucleotide reduction in nucleotide-permeable hamster cells. Ribonucleotide reduction was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells made permeable to nucleotides by treatment with the detergent Tween-80. When compared to the respective ribonucleotide reductase activity in partially purified cell extracts, CDP and GDP reductase activities in permeabilized cells responded in a similar fashion to dithiothreitol, pH, MgCl2, FeCl3, substrate concentration and the presence of positive or negative allosteric effectors. At low protein concentrations both CDP and GDP reduction with whole cells increased linearly with cell number and was greater than the activity in corresponding cell extracts. Permeabilized cells were used to measure the level of CDP and GDP reductase in a hamster cell line resistant to the cytotoxic effects of hydroxyurea. The hydroxyurea-resistant cell line contained four to ten times more CDP and GDP reductase activity compared to parental or revertant cell lines. The permeabilized cell assay was also used to measure CDP and GDP reductase activities in Chinese hamster ovary cells synchronized by isoleucine starvation. CDP reductase activity was low in G1 arrested cells but increased 10-fold by 16 hours after the readdition of isoleucine to the growth medium. GDP reductase, which is present at much higher levels, is similarly induced after isoleucine addition, but only by 2-fold. The maximum activity of both CDP and GDP reductase occurred from 14 to 16 hours after isoleucine addition, which corresponded to the period of maximum DNA synthesis.", "PMID": 621224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3901", "title": "Mass fragmentographic determination of vanilmandelic acid, homovanillic acid and isohomovanillic acid in human body fluids.", "content": "Vanilmandelic, homovanillic and isohomovanillic acids in body fluids were efficiently isolated by liquid chromatography on an Amberlite XAD-4 column and by organic extraction in a special apparatus. The purified metabolites were converted into their trifluoroacetylhexafluroisopropanol esters and analyzed by mass fragmentography. The working curves of the metabolites were linear from 0.5 to 5 ng injected. The minimum detectable concentrations of all the metabolites were 2 ng/ml for plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and 120 ng/ml for urine. The metabolite concentrations in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine of normal persons and patients were determined.", "contents": "Mass fragmentographic determination of vanilmandelic acid, homovanillic acid and isohomovanillic acid in human body fluids. Vanilmandelic, homovanillic and isohomovanillic acids in body fluids were efficiently isolated by liquid chromatography on an Amberlite XAD-4 column and by organic extraction in a special apparatus. The purified metabolites were converted into their trifluoroacetylhexafluroisopropanol esters and analyzed by mass fragmentography. The working curves of the metabolites were linear from 0.5 to 5 ng injected. The minimum detectable concentrations of all the metabolites were 2 ng/ml for plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and 120 ng/ml for urine. The metabolite concentrations in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine of normal persons and patients were determined.", "PMID": 621233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3902", "title": "Assay of underivatized intrazepam and clonazepam in plasma by capillary gas chromatography applied to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies in humans.", "content": "The assay procedure of underivatized, intact nitrazepam and clonazepam in human plasma is described, using gas chromatography with a support-coated open tubular column (OV-17), a solid injection system and electron-capture detection. Clonazepam is used as a internal standard in the assay of nitrazepam and vice versa. Linear calibration curves after a single extraction step were obtained in the concentration range 10--100 ng/ml plasma, with standard deviations less than 4.9%. The sensitivity limit of the method is about 1 ng/ml plasma for both drugs. The method was applied to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies of nitrazepam in humans. Seven healthy volunteers received two nitrazepam-containing tablet preparations (5 mg) and plasma concentrations were determined regularly from 15 min to 80 h following drug administration. The mean elimination half-life of nitrazepam was 27 h (range 13-34 h). Considerable intra-individual differences in peak level times between the two preparations were observed, whereas the extent of bioavailability was rather similar.", "contents": "Assay of underivatized intrazepam and clonazepam in plasma by capillary gas chromatography applied to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies in humans. The assay procedure of underivatized, intact nitrazepam and clonazepam in human plasma is described, using gas chromatography with a support-coated open tubular column (OV-17), a solid injection system and electron-capture detection. Clonazepam is used as a internal standard in the assay of nitrazepam and vice versa. Linear calibration curves after a single extraction step were obtained in the concentration range 10--100 ng/ml plasma, with standard deviations less than 4.9%. The sensitivity limit of the method is about 1 ng/ml plasma for both drugs. The method was applied to pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies of nitrazepam in humans. Seven healthy volunteers received two nitrazepam-containing tablet preparations (5 mg) and plasma concentrations were determined regularly from 15 min to 80 h following drug administration. The mean elimination half-life of nitrazepam was 27 h (range 13-34 h). Considerable intra-individual differences in peak level times between the two preparations were observed, whereas the extent of bioavailability was rather similar.", "PMID": 621234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3903", "title": "Rapid procedure for chromatographic isolation of DOPA, DOPAC, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine from a single urinary sample at endogenous levels.", "content": "A three-step procedure has been investigated to extract 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) from a single urinary sample with the object of obtaining extracts pure enough for specific fluorimetric assay. The procedure described in this paper results from the combination of urine purification on an aluminum oxide column, separation by ion-exchange chromatography of the DOPA-DOPAC fraction from catecholamines, and ether isolation of DOPAC from DOPA. The whole procedure is rapid and easily performed in one work day. Extraction recoveries were 72.4 +- 3.5%, 76 +- 2%, 85.7 +- 3.3%, 85.6 +- 1.4% and 92.4 +- 5.5% for DOPA, DOPAC, E, NE and DA respectively (n=6). The lowest amounts of the five catechols that could be detected in urinary samples by a combination of this extraction procedure and the methods of assay used in our laboratory were 15 ng for DOPA, 40 ng for NE, 20 ng for E, 152 ng for DA and 2.95 micrograms for DOPAC. Urinary volumes convenient for accurate estimation of each compound were 20 ml for healthy human subjects. For pathological or pharmacological purposes, 5 ml of human urine were sufficient. The daily excretion of DOPA, DOPAC, E, NE and DA found by this procedure agrees with data obtained by other authors in healthy subjects. In pathological samples, our three-step procedure led to lower amounts than methods using alumina purification only. The discrepancies between the two methods are discussed in terms of development of internal standards, relative specificity of fluorimetric assays, values of blank eluates, and the possibility of interference from unknown abnormal body metabolites or pharmacological drugs not eliminated by a single-step alumina purification.", "contents": "Rapid procedure for chromatographic isolation of DOPA, DOPAC, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine from a single urinary sample at endogenous levels. A three-step procedure has been investigated to extract 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) from a single urinary sample with the object of obtaining extracts pure enough for specific fluorimetric assay. The procedure described in this paper results from the combination of urine purification on an aluminum oxide column, separation by ion-exchange chromatography of the DOPA-DOPAC fraction from catecholamines, and ether isolation of DOPAC from DOPA. The whole procedure is rapid and easily performed in one work day. Extraction recoveries were 72.4 +- 3.5%, 76 +- 2%, 85.7 +- 3.3%, 85.6 +- 1.4% and 92.4 +- 5.5% for DOPA, DOPAC, E, NE and DA respectively (n=6). The lowest amounts of the five catechols that could be detected in urinary samples by a combination of this extraction procedure and the methods of assay used in our laboratory were 15 ng for DOPA, 40 ng for NE, 20 ng for E, 152 ng for DA and 2.95 micrograms for DOPAC. Urinary volumes convenient for accurate estimation of each compound were 20 ml for healthy human subjects. For pathological or pharmacological purposes, 5 ml of human urine were sufficient. The daily excretion of DOPA, DOPAC, E, NE and DA found by this procedure agrees with data obtained by other authors in healthy subjects. In pathological samples, our three-step procedure led to lower amounts than methods using alumina purification only. The discrepancies between the two methods are discussed in terms of development of internal standards, relative specificity of fluorimetric assays, values of blank eluates, and the possibility of interference from unknown abnormal body metabolites or pharmacological drugs not eliminated by a single-step alumina purification.", "PMID": 621235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3904", "title": "Rapid direct determination of trace amounts of salicylic acid in deproteinized serum by means of high-pressure liquid--liquid chromatography.", "content": "A simple method for the quantitative analysis of salicylic acid in blood serum is described. A liquid--liquid chromatographic system, consisting of a long-chain aliphatic amine as the stationary phase and dilute aqueous perchloric acid as the mobile phase, enables the direct injection of deproteinized serum into the system. No change in the chromatographic properties of the system was noticed after 2000 injections of deproteinized serum. Quantitative analysis is possible using peak area or peak height measurements. The method has a high precision: relative standard deviations of 0.4% and 5% are found for samples containing 10 micrograms and 10 ng injected salicylic acid respectively. The detection limit is found to be about 1 ng slicylic acid, corresponding to 40 ppb salicylic acid in serum. Simultaneously administered drugs such as indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine and phenacetin, and metabolites of salicylic acid do not interfere with the analysis. The time course of the concentration of salicylic acid in serum is demonstrated after oral administration of 1 g sodium-salicylate. The phase system was also found to be suitable for the analysis of salicylic acid in urine.", "contents": "Rapid direct determination of trace amounts of salicylic acid in deproteinized serum by means of high-pressure liquid--liquid chromatography. A simple method for the quantitative analysis of salicylic acid in blood serum is described. A liquid--liquid chromatographic system, consisting of a long-chain aliphatic amine as the stationary phase and dilute aqueous perchloric acid as the mobile phase, enables the direct injection of deproteinized serum into the system. No change in the chromatographic properties of the system was noticed after 2000 injections of deproteinized serum. Quantitative analysis is possible using peak area or peak height measurements. The method has a high precision: relative standard deviations of 0.4% and 5% are found for samples containing 10 micrograms and 10 ng injected salicylic acid respectively. The detection limit is found to be about 1 ng slicylic acid, corresponding to 40 ppb salicylic acid in serum. Simultaneously administered drugs such as indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine and phenacetin, and metabolites of salicylic acid do not interfere with the analysis. The time course of the concentration of salicylic acid in serum is demonstrated after oral administration of 1 g sodium-salicylate. The phase system was also found to be suitable for the analysis of salicylic acid in urine.", "PMID": 621236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3905", "title": "Determination of di-and polyamines by high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of their 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl derivatives.", "content": "Using a Lichrosorb RP-8 reversed-phase column and a methanol--water gradient elution program, it is possible to separate within 40 min and to determine routinely in picomole quantities the natural di- and polyamines. The precision of the method is comparable to the thin-layer chromatographic procedures, the separations are most efficient, and the method can be fully automated. A modified gradient enables the repeated assay of spermidine and spermine within 20 min. The method is suited for polyamine analyses in tissues and body fluids.", "contents": "Determination of di-and polyamines by high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of their 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl derivatives. Using a Lichrosorb RP-8 reversed-phase column and a methanol--water gradient elution program, it is possible to separate within 40 min and to determine routinely in picomole quantities the natural di- and polyamines. The precision of the method is comparable to the thin-layer chromatographic procedures, the separations are most efficient, and the method can be fully automated. A modified gradient enables the repeated assay of spermidine and spermine within 20 min. The method is suited for polyamine analyses in tissues and body fluids.", "PMID": 621245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3906", "title": "Towards a definitive assay of creatinine in serum and in urine: separation by high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "A fast and sensitive method for the separation of serum and urinary creatinine is described. For the preliminary purification of serum and urine, a cation-exchange column is used to remove protein, anions and neutral compounds prior to isolation of creatinine by high-performance liquid chromatography. A reversed-phase system with 0.01 M ammonium acetate solution as the mobile phase can separate creatinine in 7.5 min at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. The purity of the separated creatinine is proved by derivatization using trifluoracetic anhydride, followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Although this method of purification was designed for incorporation into a definitive assay, the ease and speed of analysis makes is very attractive for routine clinical use.", "contents": "Towards a definitive assay of creatinine in serum and in urine: separation by high-performance liquid chromatography. A fast and sensitive method for the separation of serum and urinary creatinine is described. For the preliminary purification of serum and urine, a cation-exchange column is used to remove protein, anions and neutral compounds prior to isolation of creatinine by high-performance liquid chromatography. A reversed-phase system with 0.01 M ammonium acetate solution as the mobile phase can separate creatinine in 7.5 min at a flow-rate of 1 ml/min. The purity of the separated creatinine is proved by derivatization using trifluoracetic anhydride, followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Although this method of purification was designed for incorporation into a definitive assay, the ease and speed of analysis makes is very attractive for routine clinical use.", "PMID": 621246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3907", "title": "Separation of urinary ultraviolet-absorbing metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography using a commercially available analytical unit.", "content": "A high-pressure liquid chromatographic system for the separation of UV-absorbing and/or fluorescent urinary metabolites is presented. Thirty to forty UV-absorbing chromatographic peaks are obtained from a 200-microliters urine sample using a 100 cm x 2 mm column filled with a total porous ion-exchanger. The reproductibility of the separation has been studied and eighteen important substances have been located.", "contents": "Separation of urinary ultraviolet-absorbing metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography using a commercially available analytical unit. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic system for the separation of UV-absorbing and/or fluorescent urinary metabolites is presented. Thirty to forty UV-absorbing chromatographic peaks are obtained from a 200-microliters urine sample using a 100 cm x 2 mm column filled with a total porous ion-exchanger. The reproductibility of the separation has been studied and eighteen important substances have been located.", "PMID": 621248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3908", "title": "Polymorphism of A, B and H substances in human urine.", "content": "The gel-chromatographic behavior of A, B and H substances from urine was examined and compared with that of previously described AHB salivary fractions. Urinary fractions 1 and 2 exhibited a molecular size smaller than those of salivary fractions 1 and 2. In the urine of 52 subjects a polymorphism of A, B and H substances, with four main types, was observed which is independent of the salivary one and of the so-called secretor and nonsecretor status.", "contents": "Polymorphism of A, B and H substances in human urine. The gel-chromatographic behavior of A, B and H substances from urine was examined and compared with that of previously described AHB salivary fractions. Urinary fractions 1 and 2 exhibited a molecular size smaller than those of salivary fractions 1 and 2. In the urine of 52 subjects a polymorphism of A, B and H substances, with four main types, was observed which is independent of the salivary one and of the so-called secretor and nonsecretor status.", "PMID": 621247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3909", "title": "Simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in urine.", "content": "A simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of urinary polyamines is described. After acid hydrolysis of urine, the polyamines are converted to fluorescent 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl (Dns; dansyl) derivatives and separated by means of thin-layer chromatography. Dns-NH2, which has been reported to interfere with the determination of putrescine, is well separated from di-Dns-putrescine. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are quantitated by in situ scanning of their fluorescent spots on the chromatogram. The present method is both sensitive and reproducible. It eliminates a number of time-consuming steps and thus reduces preparative losses. Yet an adequate chromatographic resolution is obtained. Representative polyamine analyses of urine from normal volunteers and from cancer patients are reported. Elevated levels occur in the urines of pregnant women and of patients with various types of cancer.", "contents": "Simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in urine. A simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of urinary polyamines is described. After acid hydrolysis of urine, the polyamines are converted to fluorescent 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl (Dns; dansyl) derivatives and separated by means of thin-layer chromatography. Dns-NH2, which has been reported to interfere with the determination of putrescine, is well separated from di-Dns-putrescine. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are quantitated by in situ scanning of their fluorescent spots on the chromatogram. The present method is both sensitive and reproducible. It eliminates a number of time-consuming steps and thus reduces preparative losses. Yet an adequate chromatographic resolution is obtained. Representative polyamine analyses of urine from normal volunteers and from cancer patients are reported. Elevated levels occur in the urines of pregnant women and of patients with various types of cancer.", "PMID": 621249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3910", "title": "Gas--liquid chromatographic determination of carbamazepine and phenylethylmalonamide in plasma after reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal.", "content": "A previously published procedure for the gas chromatographic analysis of carbamazepine has been modified and expanded to allow simultaneous determination of phenylethylmalonamide, a metabolite of primidone. Internal standards that closely resemble each compound are used, and derivatives are made by reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. This change of internal standard for carbamazepine and the use of a commercial, pretested column-packing material eliminate the major pitfalls of the original method.", "contents": "Gas--liquid chromatographic determination of carbamazepine and phenylethylmalonamide in plasma after reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. A previously published procedure for the gas chromatographic analysis of carbamazepine has been modified and expanded to allow simultaneous determination of phenylethylmalonamide, a metabolite of primidone. Internal standards that closely resemble each compound are used, and derivatives are made by reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. This change of internal standard for carbamazepine and the use of a commercial, pretested column-packing material eliminate the major pitfalls of the original method.", "PMID": 621250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3911", "title": "Rapid and sensitive gas chromatographic quantitation of morphine codeine and O6-acetylmorphine in illicit heroin using an electron capture detector.", "content": "Morphine, codeine and O6-acetylmorphine are reacted with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, rendering them suitable for electron capture detection and quantitation. The fluorinated derivatives are extracted from an acetonitrile-sodium bicarbonate solution into light petroleum in a rapid one-step extraction procedure. The derivatives are chromatographed on a stationary phase of 3% OV-17 on Gas-Chrom Q. Morphine, codeine and O6-acetylmorphine can be readily quantitated in heroin at levels as low as 0.001%, 0.01% and 0.01% respectively. Reproducibility, linearity and recovery studies are described.", "contents": "Rapid and sensitive gas chromatographic quantitation of morphine codeine and O6-acetylmorphine in illicit heroin using an electron capture detector. Morphine, codeine and O6-acetylmorphine are reacted with heptafluorobutyric anhydride, rendering them suitable for electron capture detection and quantitation. The fluorinated derivatives are extracted from an acetonitrile-sodium bicarbonate solution into light petroleum in a rapid one-step extraction procedure. The derivatives are chromatographed on a stationary phase of 3% OV-17 on Gas-Chrom Q. Morphine, codeine and O6-acetylmorphine can be readily quantitated in heroin at levels as low as 0.001%, 0.01% and 0.01% respectively. Reproducibility, linearity and recovery studies are described.", "PMID": 621252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3912", "title": "Mass fragmentographic determination of pyrazinamide and its metabolites in serum and urine.", "content": "A combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique is described for the simultaneous determination of pyrazinamide and its two main metabolites, pyrazinoic acid and 5-hydroxypyrazinoic acid. Serum (200 microliter) is deproteinized and evaporated to dryness; urine (20 microliter) is evaporated. The crude residues are silylated and selected ions are monitored in the chemical-ionization mode with isobutane as both chromatographic carrier and reagent gas. The sensitivity is 10 ng/ml for pyrazinamide and pyrazinoic acid and 20 ng/ml for the 5-hydroxy metabolite in a single analysis. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are internal standards. Both unchanged drug and metabolites were identified and quantified in the serum and urine of human subjects.", "contents": "Mass fragmentographic determination of pyrazinamide and its metabolites in serum and urine. A combined gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique is described for the simultaneous determination of pyrazinamide and its two main metabolites, pyrazinoic acid and 5-hydroxypyrazinoic acid. Serum (200 microliter) is deproteinized and evaporated to dryness; urine (20 microliter) is evaporated. The crude residues are silylated and selected ions are monitored in the chemical-ionization mode with isobutane as both chromatographic carrier and reagent gas. The sensitivity is 10 ng/ml for pyrazinamide and pyrazinoic acid and 20 ng/ml for the 5-hydroxy metabolite in a single analysis. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are internal standards. Both unchanged drug and metabolites were identified and quantified in the serum and urine of human subjects.", "PMID": 621253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3913", "title": "High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of erythromycin.", "content": "An isocratic, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of erythromycin. The method uses a muBondapak C18 reversed-phase column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-methanol-0.2 M ammonium acetate-water (45:10:10:35). The relative standard deviation of the method for quantification of erythromycin is about 0.6%, and the method is capable of selectively quantifying erythromycins A, B, C and at least nine other erythromycin epimers and degradation compounds in 15 min of chromatographic time. The bio-equivalent potencies of erythromycin powders calculated from the HPLC data agreed well with those of the microbiological assay method. The HPLC method developed is also applicable for the analysis of various derivatives of erythromycin.", "contents": "High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of erythromycin. An isocratic, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of erythromycin. The method uses a muBondapak C18 reversed-phase column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-methanol-0.2 M ammonium acetate-water (45:10:10:35). The relative standard deviation of the method for quantification of erythromycin is about 0.6%, and the method is capable of selectively quantifying erythromycins A, B, C and at least nine other erythromycin epimers and degradation compounds in 15 min of chromatographic time. The bio-equivalent potencies of erythromycin powders calculated from the HPLC data agreed well with those of the microbiological assay method. The HPLC method developed is also applicable for the analysis of various derivatives of erythromycin.", "PMID": 621254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3914", "title": "Ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of a multicomponent anticholinergic drug formulation.", "content": "N,N'-Trimethylene-bis-(pyridinium-4-aldoxime)dibromide, 4-pyridine aldoxime, atropine sulfate, benactyzine hydrochloride, methyl paraben and propyl paraben are separated by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. The method is specific for detecting and quantifying each compound in a complex mixture without solvent extraction or pretreatment. Levels as low as 1 ng on column are quantifiable by the procedure. All components are eluted within 9 min subsequent to the initial injection. Because of the simplicity of the method, the procedure is suitable for routinely monitoring the stability of the various compounds in the formulation during storage.", "contents": "Ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of a multicomponent anticholinergic drug formulation. N,N'-Trimethylene-bis-(pyridinium-4-aldoxime)dibromide, 4-pyridine aldoxime, atropine sulfate, benactyzine hydrochloride, methyl paraben and propyl paraben are separated by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography. The method is specific for detecting and quantifying each compound in a complex mixture without solvent extraction or pretreatment. Levels as low as 1 ng on column are quantifiable by the procedure. All components are eluted within 9 min subsequent to the initial injection. Because of the simplicity of the method, the procedure is suitable for routinely monitoring the stability of the various compounds in the formulation during storage.", "PMID": 621264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3915", "title": "[High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantitative determination of valepotriates in valeriana drugs and preparations (author's transl)].", "content": "It is possible directly to separate and analyse, quantitatively and qualitatively, the valepotriates from Valeriana crude extracts or from commercial Valeriana preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography. The separations are achieved on 4 or 8 mm I.D. columns packed with silica gel (particle size 10 micron) with n-hexane-ethyl acetate mixtures as eluent. A refractive index detection system is necessary for determining all of the valepotriates. If the concentration differences between didrovaltratum and valtratum are very great, an ultraviolet (UV) detector must be used and the determination must be conducted in two steps. For valtratum drugs UV detection alone will suffice. As internal standards p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde should be used for extracts and preparations from valtratum races, and benzaldehyde in the presence of didrovaltratum races. This determination is superior to the combined thin-layer chromatographic-hydroxamic acid method used hitherto with respect to time consumption, precision, and sensitivity.", "contents": "[High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantitative determination of valepotriates in valeriana drugs and preparations (author's transl)]. It is possible directly to separate and analyse, quantitatively and qualitatively, the valepotriates from Valeriana crude extracts or from commercial Valeriana preparations by high-performance liquid chromatography. The separations are achieved on 4 or 8 mm I.D. columns packed with silica gel (particle size 10 micron) with n-hexane-ethyl acetate mixtures as eluent. A refractive index detection system is necessary for determining all of the valepotriates. If the concentration differences between didrovaltratum and valtratum are very great, an ultraviolet (UV) detector must be used and the determination must be conducted in two steps. For valtratum drugs UV detection alone will suffice. As internal standards p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde should be used for extracts and preparations from valtratum races, and benzaldehyde in the presence of didrovaltratum races. This determination is superior to the combined thin-layer chromatographic-hydroxamic acid method used hitherto with respect to time consumption, precision, and sensitivity.", "PMID": 621265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3916", "title": "Determination of individual hydroxyethyl rutosides in various animal body fluids by thin-layer chromatography and scanning densitometry.", "content": "A method is described for the accurate determination in plasma of the beta-hydroxyethylrutosides by measurement of the fluorescence of their borocitrate complexes by scanning densitometry following separation by thin-layer chromatography. A modification is also described for estimation of individual hydroxyethylrutosides and their glucuronide conjugates in samples of bile and urine.", "contents": "Determination of individual hydroxyethyl rutosides in various animal body fluids by thin-layer chromatography and scanning densitometry. A method is described for the accurate determination in plasma of the beta-hydroxyethylrutosides by measurement of the fluorescence of their borocitrate complexes by scanning densitometry following separation by thin-layer chromatography. A modification is also described for estimation of individual hydroxyethylrutosides and their glucuronide conjugates in samples of bile and urine.", "PMID": 621266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3917", "title": "Separation of radioactive histamine and some of its metabolites by one-dimensional paper chromatography.", "content": "A simple one-dimensional paper chromatograph technique is described for the separation of radioactive histamine and some of its metabolites in blood and tissues. After removal of protein, the supernatant fluid (200 microliter) is subjected to two-stage one-dimensional paper chromatography. This enables large numbers of samples to be chromatographed simultaneously. Using this technique in conjunction with liquid scintillation counting, it was possible to monitor the small amounts (0.02 nCi) of radioactive histamine and its metabolites in serial blood samples.", "contents": "Separation of radioactive histamine and some of its metabolites by one-dimensional paper chromatography. A simple one-dimensional paper chromatograph technique is described for the separation of radioactive histamine and some of its metabolites in blood and tissues. After removal of protein, the supernatant fluid (200 microliter) is subjected to two-stage one-dimensional paper chromatography. This enables large numbers of samples to be chromatographed simultaneously. Using this technique in conjunction with liquid scintillation counting, it was possible to monitor the small amounts (0.02 nCi) of radioactive histamine and its metabolites in serial blood samples.", "PMID": 621267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3918", "title": "Determination of sodium phenobarbital in animal chow by high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "An analytical procedure is described for determining residues of sodium phenobarbital in animal chow at levels as low as 0.14 ppm. The methanol extract is subjected to a liquid-liquid cleanup at pH 13 and 1, further cleaned up on a silica gel column and assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography by using an ultraviolet absorption detector at 210 nm. Data concerning extraction efficiency, partition values and stability of the chemical in animal chow are also presented.", "contents": "Determination of sodium phenobarbital in animal chow by high-pressure liquid chromatography. An analytical procedure is described for determining residues of sodium phenobarbital in animal chow at levels as low as 0.14 ppm. The methanol extract is subjected to a liquid-liquid cleanup at pH 13 and 1, further cleaned up on a silica gel column and assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography by using an ultraviolet absorption detector at 210 nm. Data concerning extraction efficiency, partition values and stability of the chemical in animal chow are also presented.", "PMID": 621271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3919", "title": "Quantitative methods for the gas chromatographic characterization of acidic fermentation by-products of anaerobic bacteria.", "content": "The present report describes improved chromatographic procedures which are capable of separating and quantitating complex mixtures of acidic fermentation by-products produced by anaerobic bacteria grown in two glucose-containing media. These methods are reliable and are sensitive, being able to detect as low as 0.5 mumoles of each by-product. Sample preparation has been simplified, and the methylation conditions have been optimized. It is also indicated in this investigation that each culture produced different patterns of by-products in each medium, indicating that the types and quantities of by-products produced in one medium cannot be used as a basis for characterization of these same cultures when grown in a different medium. Finally, it is shown that cultures can be characterized by the distinctive molar proportions of by-products they produce within each medium.", "contents": "Quantitative methods for the gas chromatographic characterization of acidic fermentation by-products of anaerobic bacteria. The present report describes improved chromatographic procedures which are capable of separating and quantitating complex mixtures of acidic fermentation by-products produced by anaerobic bacteria grown in two glucose-containing media. These methods are reliable and are sensitive, being able to detect as low as 0.5 mumoles of each by-product. Sample preparation has been simplified, and the methylation conditions have been optimized. It is also indicated in this investigation that each culture produced different patterns of by-products in each medium, indicating that the types and quantities of by-products produced in one medium cannot be used as a basis for characterization of these same cultures when grown in a different medium. Finally, it is shown that cultures can be characterized by the distinctive molar proportions of by-products they produce within each medium.", "PMID": 621272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3920", "title": "Control of the acute phase response. Serum C-reactive protein kinetics after acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "In order to investigate the magnitude and kinetics of the C-reactive protein (CRP) response after differing degrees of tissue injury, we studied changes in serum concentration of this acute phase protein in 19 patients after mild or extensive acute myocardial infarction. An increase in serum CRP concentration was seen in all patients. The rate of increase in concentration was found to be exponential, with a mean hourly rate constant for the entire group of patients of 0.085 (doubling time, 8.2 h). Patients with extensive infarction attained mean serum CRP levels about 4 times as great as did patients with mild infarction. No difference could be shown in the mean rate constant between these groups, the greater CRP response in the former group resulting principally from a more protracted period of rise in serum CRP concentration. A lag period before serum CRP levels began to rise was noted in only 4 of the 13 patients in whom this could be assessed. 7 of 10 patients with presumed unstable angina (coronary insufficiency) showed no rise in CRP concentration, while a small increase as noted in 3 patients. The data suggest that acute tissue injury, such as myocardial infarction, rapidly leads to acceleration in synthesis of CRP, and that the duration of this period of acceleration is related to the extent of tissue injury.", "contents": "Control of the acute phase response. Serum C-reactive protein kinetics after acute myocardial infarction. In order to investigate the magnitude and kinetics of the C-reactive protein (CRP) response after differing degrees of tissue injury, we studied changes in serum concentration of this acute phase protein in 19 patients after mild or extensive acute myocardial infarction. An increase in serum CRP concentration was seen in all patients. The rate of increase in concentration was found to be exponential, with a mean hourly rate constant for the entire group of patients of 0.085 (doubling time, 8.2 h). Patients with extensive infarction attained mean serum CRP levels about 4 times as great as did patients with mild infarction. No difference could be shown in the mean rate constant between these groups, the greater CRP response in the former group resulting principally from a more protracted period of rise in serum CRP concentration. A lag period before serum CRP levels began to rise was noted in only 4 of the 13 patients in whom this could be assessed. 7 of 10 patients with presumed unstable angina (coronary insufficiency) showed no rise in CRP concentration, while a small increase as noted in 3 patients. The data suggest that acute tissue injury, such as myocardial infarction, rapidly leads to acceleration in synthesis of CRP, and that the duration of this period of acceleration is related to the extent of tissue injury.", "PMID": 621273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3921", "title": "The role of endotoxin in protection of adult rats from oxygen-induced lung toxicity.", "content": "Adult rats show evidence of severe lung damage after 72h of continuous exposure to hyperoxia (96-98% O2). Treatment of adult rats with a solution of Plasmanate, inadvertently contaminated with endotoxin-producing organisms, or with purified endotoxin itself markedly altered the lung toxicity associated with hyperoxic exposure (survival in treated animals = 110/113 [97%] versus survival in untreated animals = 56/172 [33%]). After 72h of hyperoxic exposure, the endotoxin-treated rats demonstrated significant increases in lung superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, a protectant enzyme response not seen in untreated adult rats. The basis for endotoxin's protective effect from hyperoxic lung damage is believed to be related to the stimulated increase in activity of the pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defense system. Some previously known actions of endotoxin are speculated to also serve a protective function by opposing some of the usual detrimental effects of high concentrations of O2 on the lung.", "contents": "The role of endotoxin in protection of adult rats from oxygen-induced lung toxicity. Adult rats show evidence of severe lung damage after 72h of continuous exposure to hyperoxia (96-98% O2). Treatment of adult rats with a solution of Plasmanate, inadvertently contaminated with endotoxin-producing organisms, or with purified endotoxin itself markedly altered the lung toxicity associated with hyperoxic exposure (survival in treated animals = 110/113 [97%] versus survival in untreated animals = 56/172 [33%]). After 72h of hyperoxic exposure, the endotoxin-treated rats demonstrated significant increases in lung superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, a protectant enzyme response not seen in untreated adult rats. The basis for endotoxin's protective effect from hyperoxic lung damage is believed to be related to the stimulated increase in activity of the pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defense system. Some previously known actions of endotoxin are speculated to also serve a protective function by opposing some of the usual detrimental effects of high concentrations of O2 on the lung.", "PMID": 621274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3922", "title": "Role of gastrin heptadecapeptide in the acid secretory response to amino acids in man.", "content": "Amino acids and peptides release gastrin and stimulate gastric acid secretion. However, the relation between gastrin release and acid secretory response is unclear. An isotonic mixed amino acid solution (casein hydrolysate) was continuously infused into the stomach of eight healthy human subjects. Acid secretion, measured by in vivo intragastric titration, increased 12.8 meq/h over the response to intragastric infusion of isotonic saline. Plasma gastrin heptadecapeptide (G-17) concentration, measured by specific radioimmunoassay, increased 13 pmol/liter during intragastric amino acid infusion. To determine whether this rise in plasma G-17 concentration could account for some or all of the acid secretory response, several doses of synthetic human G-17-I were infused intravenously into the same subjects. During i.v. G-17-I infusion, the stomach was continuously infused with isotonic saline. By graphically relating plasma G-17 concentration during i.v. G-17 infusion to concomitant acid secretion, it was determined that a 13-pmol/liter rise in plasma G-17 concentration could increase acid secretion 14.8 meq/h. Therefore, the rise in plasma G-17 concentration during intragastric amino acid infusion could have produced all of the observed acid secretory response. This suggests that gastrin heptadecapeptide is the major physiologic mediator of the human acid secretory response to meals containing mixed amino acids.", "contents": "Role of gastrin heptadecapeptide in the acid secretory response to amino acids in man. Amino acids and peptides release gastrin and stimulate gastric acid secretion. However, the relation between gastrin release and acid secretory response is unclear. An isotonic mixed amino acid solution (casein hydrolysate) was continuously infused into the stomach of eight healthy human subjects. Acid secretion, measured by in vivo intragastric titration, increased 12.8 meq/h over the response to intragastric infusion of isotonic saline. Plasma gastrin heptadecapeptide (G-17) concentration, measured by specific radioimmunoassay, increased 13 pmol/liter during intragastric amino acid infusion. To determine whether this rise in plasma G-17 concentration could account for some or all of the acid secretory response, several doses of synthetic human G-17-I were infused intravenously into the same subjects. During i.v. G-17-I infusion, the stomach was continuously infused with isotonic saline. By graphically relating plasma G-17 concentration during i.v. G-17 infusion to concomitant acid secretion, it was determined that a 13-pmol/liter rise in plasma G-17 concentration could increase acid secretion 14.8 meq/h. Therefore, the rise in plasma G-17 concentration during intragastric amino acid infusion could have produced all of the observed acid secretory response. This suggests that gastrin heptadecapeptide is the major physiologic mediator of the human acid secretory response to meals containing mixed amino acids.", "PMID": 621275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3923", "title": "Mechanisms of fasting-induced increase in insulin binding to rat adipocytes.", "content": "Fasting leads to an increase in the ability of adipocytes to bind insulin, and this was accounted for by an increase in the affinity of the receptors for insulin without any change in the number of receptors per cell. Binding affinity can increase because of a decrease in the dissociation rate constant (k(d)), an increase in the association rate constant (k(a)), or both. Kinetic studies demonstrated that fasting leads to a striking decrease in the rate at which insulin dissociates from its receptor, and the near two-fold prolongation of the time at which 50% of the bound (125)I-insulin dissociates (28+/-4 vs. 50+/-5 min) correlated quite well with the two-fold increase in binding affinity. On the other hand, the rate at which insulin associates with its receptor was essentially unchanged. Negatively cooperative interactions between receptors were readily demonstrated in cells from control and fasting animals, and the magnitude and sensitivity of this effect was the same in both groups of cells. It seemed likely that during fasting a change in the concentration of some substrate or hormone could lead to these effects on insulin binding. However, in vitro attempts to recreate the substrate and hormonal changes which occur in fasting produced no evidence to support this idea. (a) fasting leads to an increase in the ability of adipocytes to bind insulin because of an increase in binding affinity; (b) this increase in the affinity of the receptor for insulin was primarily accounted for by a decrease in the rate at which insulin dissociates from its receptors; and (c) fasting did not appreciably alter the negatively cooperative interactions displayed by adipocyte insulin receptors.", "contents": "Mechanisms of fasting-induced increase in insulin binding to rat adipocytes. Fasting leads to an increase in the ability of adipocytes to bind insulin, and this was accounted for by an increase in the affinity of the receptors for insulin without any change in the number of receptors per cell. Binding affinity can increase because of a decrease in the dissociation rate constant (k(d)), an increase in the association rate constant (k(a)), or both. Kinetic studies demonstrated that fasting leads to a striking decrease in the rate at which insulin dissociates from its receptor, and the near two-fold prolongation of the time at which 50% of the bound (125)I-insulin dissociates (28+/-4 vs. 50+/-5 min) correlated quite well with the two-fold increase in binding affinity. On the other hand, the rate at which insulin associates with its receptor was essentially unchanged. Negatively cooperative interactions between receptors were readily demonstrated in cells from control and fasting animals, and the magnitude and sensitivity of this effect was the same in both groups of cells. It seemed likely that during fasting a change in the concentration of some substrate or hormone could lead to these effects on insulin binding. However, in vitro attempts to recreate the substrate and hormonal changes which occur in fasting produced no evidence to support this idea. (a) fasting leads to an increase in the ability of adipocytes to bind insulin because of an increase in binding affinity; (b) this increase in the affinity of the receptor for insulin was primarily accounted for by a decrease in the rate at which insulin dissociates from its receptors; and (c) fasting did not appreciably alter the negatively cooperative interactions displayed by adipocyte insulin receptors.", "PMID": 621276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3924", "title": "The actions of secretagogues on oxygen uptake by isolated mammalian parietal cells.", "content": "The action of histamine, carbamylcholine, and gastrin on oxygen uptake by cells isolated from canine fundic mucosa was studied in vitro. Viable mucosal cells were prepared by exposure of separated mucosa sequentially to collagenase and EDTA. Oxygen consumption, determined by polarography, was chosen as an index of physiological response of mucosal cells to secretagogues. Isobutyl methyl xanthine (IMX), carbamylcholine, histamine, and gastr\u00edn each independently stimulated oxygen uptake by the unfractionated mucosal cells. The response to histamine was greatly enhanced when IMX was present. In fractions of varying parietal cell content obtained with the Beckman elutriator rotor, basal and stimulated oxygen uptake correlated with the parietal cell content of the fractions. The percentage increases in oxygen uptake in response to histamine, gastrin, carbamylcholine, and IMX were similar in enriched fractions with from 50 to 85% parietal cells and in unenriched starting fractions. The normalized dose-response relations for histamine with an IMX background and for carbamylcholine were also similar in these two fractions.The specificity of these responses was tested by use of an H(2)-histamine receptor antagonist, metiamide, and an anticholinergic agent, atropine. At the doses used, neither metiamide (0.1 mM) nor atropine (10 muM) inhibited basal oxygen uptake. Histamine, studied with an IMX background, was inhibited by metiamide but not by atropine, while carbamylcholine was inhibited by atropine but not by metiamide. Neither metiamide nor atropine inhibited gastrin-stimulated oxygen uptake. These data indicate that in this in vitro system parietal cells account for most of the increase in oxygen uptake produced by exposure to gastric secretagogues and that histamine, gastrin, and carbamylcholine each independently stimulate oxygen uptake by the parietal cell. The specificity displayed by atropine and metiamide in this in vitro system suggests that the parietal cell has specific receptors for each of these secretagogues.", "contents": "The actions of secretagogues on oxygen uptake by isolated mammalian parietal cells. The action of histamine, carbamylcholine, and gastrin on oxygen uptake by cells isolated from canine fundic mucosa was studied in vitro. Viable mucosal cells were prepared by exposure of separated mucosa sequentially to collagenase and EDTA. Oxygen consumption, determined by polarography, was chosen as an index of physiological response of mucosal cells to secretagogues. Isobutyl methyl xanthine (IMX), carbamylcholine, histamine, and gastr\u00edn each independently stimulated oxygen uptake by the unfractionated mucosal cells. The response to histamine was greatly enhanced when IMX was present. In fractions of varying parietal cell content obtained with the Beckman elutriator rotor, basal and stimulated oxygen uptake correlated with the parietal cell content of the fractions. The percentage increases in oxygen uptake in response to histamine, gastrin, carbamylcholine, and IMX were similar in enriched fractions with from 50 to 85% parietal cells and in unenriched starting fractions. The normalized dose-response relations for histamine with an IMX background and for carbamylcholine were also similar in these two fractions.The specificity of these responses was tested by use of an H(2)-histamine receptor antagonist, metiamide, and an anticholinergic agent, atropine. At the doses used, neither metiamide (0.1 mM) nor atropine (10 muM) inhibited basal oxygen uptake. Histamine, studied with an IMX background, was inhibited by metiamide but not by atropine, while carbamylcholine was inhibited by atropine but not by metiamide. Neither metiamide nor atropine inhibited gastrin-stimulated oxygen uptake. These data indicate that in this in vitro system parietal cells account for most of the increase in oxygen uptake produced by exposure to gastric secretagogues and that histamine, gastrin, and carbamylcholine each independently stimulate oxygen uptake by the parietal cell. The specificity displayed by atropine and metiamide in this in vitro system suggests that the parietal cell has specific receptors for each of these secretagogues.", "PMID": 621277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3925", "title": "The interaction of histamine with gastrin and carbamylcholine on oxygen uptake by isolated mammalian parietal cells.", "content": "Using oxygen uptake as an index of the physiological response of isolated parietal cells, the interactions between histamine and gastrin and between histamine and carbamylcholine and the effects of atropine and metiamide on these interactions have been studied. Parietal cells were isolated from canine fundic mucosa by sequential exposure of separated mucosa to collagenase and EDTA. In previous studies carbamylcholine, isobutyl methyl xanthine, gastrin, and histamine have each been shown to increase oxygen uptake by these cells. Isobutyl methyl xanthine greatly enhanced the histamine effect. Carbamylcholine was inhibited by atropine but not by metiamide, histamine was inhibited by metiamide but not by atropine, and gastrin was inhibited by neither, suggesting that each of these agents has a direct action on the parietal cell. In the present studies, potentiating interactions between histamine and carbamylcholine and between histamine and gastrin have been demonstrated. Against a histamine (0.1 and 1 muM) plus isobutyl methyl xanthine (0.1 mM) background, the dose for 50% response for gastrin was approximately 1 nM, and the maximal response was obtained at 0.1 muM. When added to these combinations of stimulants, metiamide and atropine retained their respective specificities against stimulation by histamine and carbamylcholine, in that responses were inhibited to the level that was seen when the component of the pair that was not inhibited was given alone. The observation that histamine plus gastrin and histamine plus carbamylcholine produced maximal responses that were greater than the maximal response to histamine alone further supports the hypothesis that these agents each have direct actions on parietal cells. These observations are not consistent with the hypothesis that histamine is the sole mediator for the effects of other secretagogues. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of atropine and metiamide on the specific cholinergic and histaminic components of the interactions that occur between secretagogues provide a possible explanation for the apparent lack of specificity of these agents on in vivo acid secretion.", "contents": "The interaction of histamine with gastrin and carbamylcholine on oxygen uptake by isolated mammalian parietal cells. Using oxygen uptake as an index of the physiological response of isolated parietal cells, the interactions between histamine and gastrin and between histamine and carbamylcholine and the effects of atropine and metiamide on these interactions have been studied. Parietal cells were isolated from canine fundic mucosa by sequential exposure of separated mucosa to collagenase and EDTA. In previous studies carbamylcholine, isobutyl methyl xanthine, gastrin, and histamine have each been shown to increase oxygen uptake by these cells. Isobutyl methyl xanthine greatly enhanced the histamine effect. Carbamylcholine was inhibited by atropine but not by metiamide, histamine was inhibited by metiamide but not by atropine, and gastrin was inhibited by neither, suggesting that each of these agents has a direct action on the parietal cell. In the present studies, potentiating interactions between histamine and carbamylcholine and between histamine and gastrin have been demonstrated. Against a histamine (0.1 and 1 muM) plus isobutyl methyl xanthine (0.1 mM) background, the dose for 50% response for gastrin was approximately 1 nM, and the maximal response was obtained at 0.1 muM. When added to these combinations of stimulants, metiamide and atropine retained their respective specificities against stimulation by histamine and carbamylcholine, in that responses were inhibited to the level that was seen when the component of the pair that was not inhibited was given alone. The observation that histamine plus gastrin and histamine plus carbamylcholine produced maximal responses that were greater than the maximal response to histamine alone further supports the hypothesis that these agents each have direct actions on parietal cells. These observations are not consistent with the hypothesis that histamine is the sole mediator for the effects of other secretagogues. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of atropine and metiamide on the specific cholinergic and histaminic components of the interactions that occur between secretagogues provide a possible explanation for the apparent lack of specificity of these agents on in vivo acid secretion.", "PMID": 621278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3926", "title": "Changes in human serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein after etiocholanolone-induced inflammation.", "content": "Secondary amyloidosis is a complication of diseases characterized by recurrent acute inflammation. In this study, a standardized stimulus which induced fever and inflammation was given to six normal subjects (19-24 yr old) to follow the fluctuation in concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA), the precursor of the secondary amyloid fibril protein. After a single intramuscular injection of etiocholanolone (0.3 mg/kg), blood samples were drawn twice a day for 12 days for determination of SAA by solid phase radioimmunoassay. From a base line of <100 mug/ml, the SAA concentration began rising within 12 h to a maximum value at about 48 h of 1,350-1,800 mug/ml in three males and 380-900 mug/ml in three females and returned to base line by 4-5 days. The SAA response showed a similar time response to C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-documented acute phase protein which was assayed semiquantitatively by capillary tube precipitin reaction. CRP, but not SAA, showed a quantitative correlation with the amount of fever induced by etiocholanolone. One subject exhibited a second rise in SAA and CRP concentrations after acute over-indulgence with alcohol, suggesting that acute liver damage may have caused an acute phase reaction. Thus, a controlled episode of fever and inflammation produced a prompt and prolonged elevation of SAA and CRP concentrations. Unlike SAA, CRP has not been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, although its relationship to the P component of amyloid has recently been established.", "contents": "Changes in human serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein after etiocholanolone-induced inflammation. Secondary amyloidosis is a complication of diseases characterized by recurrent acute inflammation. In this study, a standardized stimulus which induced fever and inflammation was given to six normal subjects (19-24 yr old) to follow the fluctuation in concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA), the precursor of the secondary amyloid fibril protein. After a single intramuscular injection of etiocholanolone (0.3 mg/kg), blood samples were drawn twice a day for 12 days for determination of SAA by solid phase radioimmunoassay. From a base line of <100 mug/ml, the SAA concentration began rising within 12 h to a maximum value at about 48 h of 1,350-1,800 mug/ml in three males and 380-900 mug/ml in three females and returned to base line by 4-5 days. The SAA response showed a similar time response to C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-documented acute phase protein which was assayed semiquantitatively by capillary tube precipitin reaction. CRP, but not SAA, showed a quantitative correlation with the amount of fever induced by etiocholanolone. One subject exhibited a second rise in SAA and CRP concentrations after acute over-indulgence with alcohol, suggesting that acute liver damage may have caused an acute phase reaction. Thus, a controlled episode of fever and inflammation produced a prompt and prolonged elevation of SAA and CRP concentrations. Unlike SAA, CRP has not been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, although its relationship to the P component of amyloid has recently been established.", "PMID": 621279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3927", "title": "Prevention of chronic experimental pyelonephritis by suppression of acute suppuration.", "content": "In order to evaluate the importance of suppuration, persistent infection, and scar formation in the evolution of Escherichia coli chronic pyelonephritis, we treated rats with different antibiotic regimens at different stages of the disease. The results show that (a) if acute suppurative pyelonephritis is aborted with early antibiotic therapy, chronic pyelonephritis is prevented; (b) chronic pyelonephritis can develop even after eradication of infection if acute suppuration persists beyond 3 days; (c) persistent infection does not lead to chronic pyelonephritis, if the acute suppuration is suppressed; and (d) residual infection, antigen-load, antibody, and(or) cell-dependent autoimmune processes did not play a significant role. We interpret these results as evidence that the pathologic entity recognized as chronic pyelonephritis results from kidney damage, scarring and shrinkage secondary to acute suppuration.", "contents": "Prevention of chronic experimental pyelonephritis by suppression of acute suppuration. In order to evaluate the importance of suppuration, persistent infection, and scar formation in the evolution of Escherichia coli chronic pyelonephritis, we treated rats with different antibiotic regimens at different stages of the disease. The results show that (a) if acute suppurative pyelonephritis is aborted with early antibiotic therapy, chronic pyelonephritis is prevented; (b) chronic pyelonephritis can develop even after eradication of infection if acute suppuration persists beyond 3 days; (c) persistent infection does not lead to chronic pyelonephritis, if the acute suppuration is suppressed; and (d) residual infection, antigen-load, antibody, and(or) cell-dependent autoimmune processes did not play a significant role. We interpret these results as evidence that the pathologic entity recognized as chronic pyelonephritis results from kidney damage, scarring and shrinkage secondary to acute suppuration.", "PMID": 621280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3928", "title": "Multicompartmental analysis of cholesterol metabolism in man. Characterization of the hepatic bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites.", "content": "The present report has presented the first clear evidence in man for the existence of specific hepatic cholesterol precursor sites associated with the formation and secretion of bile acids and biliary cholesterol. These hepatic compartments derive virtually all their cholesterol from newly synthesized and lipoprotein free cholesterol. The model which is presented was formulated on current concepts of cholesterol metabolism in man and is concerned, at this initial stage, with the elucidation of the bile acid and biliary cholesterol compartments. The complexity of cholesterol metabolism in man necessitated an initial approach that would minimize the number of inputs of cholesterol into the system, allow for the sampling of several cholesterol compartments, and permit the simultaneous labeling of newly synthesized cholesterol and preformed cholesterol. To achieve these objectives, we studied the patient with a total bile fistula. Six patients were administered simultaneously pulse injections of labeled mevalonic acid and [(14)C]cholesterol. The qualitative features of the specific activity time course curves after labeled mevalonic acid revealed no precursor-product relationship between bile acid, biliary cholesterol, and plasma free cholesterol. The peak specific activity of the bile acids was reached in approximately 100 min and was higher than the biliary cholesterol, which was higher than the plasma free cholesterol. The plasma free cholesterol specific activity became higher than the other lipids after 12 h and remained higher throughout the period of study. Similar related observations were made with [(14)C]cholesterol. The data were then subjected to simulation analysis and modeling using the SAAM-27 computer program. Computer least-square fits of the data were obtained after the model was evolved. During the model development, the least number of compartments and transport pathways were introduced consistent with a good fit of the data. Of particular importance was the constraint that the model fit the data obtained from both [(14)C]cholesterol and labeled mevalonic acid. The same parameter values were used to fit the data from both tracers. The fluxes arrived at in the model indicate that 31% and 20%, respectively, of the cholesterol input into the bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites were derived directly from the newly synthesized hepatic cholesterol. The remainder had its origin predominantly from lipoprotein free cholesterol. Plasma esterified cholesterol (as free) made a small contribution (11%) to the bile acid compartment. Similarly, 10% of the biliary cholesterol arose from an unknown hepatic site. The present report has provided the basis for a new procedure for studying in vivo cholesterol metabolism in man. Examination of the derived cholesterol flux rates between the compartments suggests the presence of an important mechanism regulating the partitioning of lipoprotein free cholesterol between the bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites. Aberrations in the proportioning of precursor cholesterol between these sites could be a causative factor precipitating the excessive secretion of biliary cholesterol and the production of lithogenic bile.", "contents": "Multicompartmental analysis of cholesterol metabolism in man. Characterization of the hepatic bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites. The present report has presented the first clear evidence in man for the existence of specific hepatic cholesterol precursor sites associated with the formation and secretion of bile acids and biliary cholesterol. These hepatic compartments derive virtually all their cholesterol from newly synthesized and lipoprotein free cholesterol. The model which is presented was formulated on current concepts of cholesterol metabolism in man and is concerned, at this initial stage, with the elucidation of the bile acid and biliary cholesterol compartments. The complexity of cholesterol metabolism in man necessitated an initial approach that would minimize the number of inputs of cholesterol into the system, allow for the sampling of several cholesterol compartments, and permit the simultaneous labeling of newly synthesized cholesterol and preformed cholesterol. To achieve these objectives, we studied the patient with a total bile fistula. Six patients were administered simultaneously pulse injections of labeled mevalonic acid and [(14)C]cholesterol. The qualitative features of the specific activity time course curves after labeled mevalonic acid revealed no precursor-product relationship between bile acid, biliary cholesterol, and plasma free cholesterol. The peak specific activity of the bile acids was reached in approximately 100 min and was higher than the biliary cholesterol, which was higher than the plasma free cholesterol. The plasma free cholesterol specific activity became higher than the other lipids after 12 h and remained higher throughout the period of study. Similar related observations were made with [(14)C]cholesterol. The data were then subjected to simulation analysis and modeling using the SAAM-27 computer program. Computer least-square fits of the data were obtained after the model was evolved. During the model development, the least number of compartments and transport pathways were introduced consistent with a good fit of the data. Of particular importance was the constraint that the model fit the data obtained from both [(14)C]cholesterol and labeled mevalonic acid. The same parameter values were used to fit the data from both tracers. The fluxes arrived at in the model indicate that 31% and 20%, respectively, of the cholesterol input into the bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites were derived directly from the newly synthesized hepatic cholesterol. The remainder had its origin predominantly from lipoprotein free cholesterol. Plasma esterified cholesterol (as free) made a small contribution (11%) to the bile acid compartment. Similarly, 10% of the biliary cholesterol arose from an unknown hepatic site. The present report has provided the basis for a new procedure for studying in vivo cholesterol metabolism in man. Examination of the derived cholesterol flux rates between the compartments suggests the presence of an important mechanism regulating the partitioning of lipoprotein free cholesterol between the bile acid and biliary cholesterol precursor sites. Aberrations in the proportioning of precursor cholesterol between these sites could be a causative factor precipitating the excessive secretion of biliary cholesterol and the production of lithogenic bile.", "PMID": 621281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3929", "title": "Influence of heat and humidity on the airway obstruction induced by exercise in asthma.", "content": "We examined the degree of airway obstruction that developed in eight asthmatics who exercised while breathing air under four conditions: (a) ambient room temperature and water content; (b) body temperature and ambient water content; (c) ambient room temperature fully saturated; and (d) body temperature fully saturated. These test conditions were performed in random order. Multiple aspects of pulmonary mechanics were measured before and 5 min after exercise. When air at ambient conditions was inhaled, the expected airway obstruction developed after exercise, and all variables changes significantly from their pre-challenge values. Heating the air to body temperature did not influence this response. Increasing the humidity at ambient temperatures significantly blunted the response, and by inhaling body temperature, fully saturated air completely prevented it from occurring. Thus, the water content of inspired air is an important variable in the development of exercise induced asthma.", "contents": "Influence of heat and humidity on the airway obstruction induced by exercise in asthma. We examined the degree of airway obstruction that developed in eight asthmatics who exercised while breathing air under four conditions: (a) ambient room temperature and water content; (b) body temperature and ambient water content; (c) ambient room temperature fully saturated; and (d) body temperature fully saturated. These test conditions were performed in random order. Multiple aspects of pulmonary mechanics were measured before and 5 min after exercise. When air at ambient conditions was inhaled, the expected airway obstruction developed after exercise, and all variables changes significantly from their pre-challenge values. Heating the air to body temperature did not influence this response. Increasing the humidity at ambient temperatures significantly blunted the response, and by inhaling body temperature, fully saturated air completely prevented it from occurring. Thus, the water content of inspired air is an important variable in the development of exercise induced asthma.", "PMID": 621282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3930", "title": "Characterization of the immunochemical forms of calcitonin released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma in tissue culture.", "content": "Immunoreactive calcitonin released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma in tissue culture has been found to exhibit heterogeneity when analyzed by gel chromatography and radioimmunoassay, in a pattern analogous to that seen in the circulation of the patient from whom the neoplasm was removed. To examine the cause of the heterogeneity, the immunoreactive material released by the tumor into tissue culture medium was further analyzed by gel electrophoresis in the presence of the protein denaturant 8 M urea, by gel chromatography after reduction and alkylation, by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-agarose, and by bioassay in a renal adenylyl cyclase system of enhanced sensitivity. The results suggest that the larger immunochemical forms of calcitonin described in the circulation of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma may be released directly from the neoplasm and need not derive from peripheral metabolism of the monomer. It could be demonstrated that a major proportion of the immunochemical enlargement is dependent upon intermolecular disulfide bridge formation whereas aggregation or non-convalent protein binding account for a smaller component of the heterogeneity. In view of the absence of binding of the immunoreactive material to the lectin agarose, carbohydrate side chains, at least of the alpha-d glucosyl variety, do not seem to contribute significantly to calcitonin enlargement. Additionally, the studies indicate that, at least by in vitro assay, the larger immunochemical forms of calcitonin, representing the majority of the immunoreactivity released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma, are biologically inactive.", "contents": "Characterization of the immunochemical forms of calcitonin released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma in tissue culture. Immunoreactive calcitonin released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma in tissue culture has been found to exhibit heterogeneity when analyzed by gel chromatography and radioimmunoassay, in a pattern analogous to that seen in the circulation of the patient from whom the neoplasm was removed. To examine the cause of the heterogeneity, the immunoreactive material released by the tumor into tissue culture medium was further analyzed by gel electrophoresis in the presence of the protein denaturant 8 M urea, by gel chromatography after reduction and alkylation, by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-agarose, and by bioassay in a renal adenylyl cyclase system of enhanced sensitivity. The results suggest that the larger immunochemical forms of calcitonin described in the circulation of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma may be released directly from the neoplasm and need not derive from peripheral metabolism of the monomer. It could be demonstrated that a major proportion of the immunochemical enlargement is dependent upon intermolecular disulfide bridge formation whereas aggregation or non-convalent protein binding account for a smaller component of the heterogeneity. In view of the absence of binding of the immunoreactive material to the lectin agarose, carbohydrate side chains, at least of the alpha-d glucosyl variety, do not seem to contribute significantly to calcitonin enlargement. Additionally, the studies indicate that, at least by in vitro assay, the larger immunochemical forms of calcitonin, representing the majority of the immunoreactivity released by a medullary thyroid carcinoma, are biologically inactive.", "PMID": 621283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3931", "title": "Influence of basal insulin and glucagon secretion on potassium and sodium metabolism. Studies with somatostatin in normal dogs and in normal and diabetic human beings.", "content": "To examine the role of basal insulin and glucagon secretion in potassium and sodium homeostasis, somatostatin, a potent inhibitor of insulin and glucagon secretion, was infused for 5 h into healthy human subjects, maturity-onset diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetics, and normal dogs. Infusion of somatostatin resulted in an increase in serum potassium (0.5-0.6 meq/liter) in normal subjects and maturity-onset diabetics, but not in juvenile-onset diabetics despite equivalent reductions in plasma glucagon in all three groups. A similar rise in serum potassium was observed in normal conscious dogs given somatostatin and was reversed by insulin replacement. Urinary excretion of potassium was unaffected by somatostatin. In dogs given intravenous potassium chloride in doses (0.375 meq/kg per h) which do not alter basal insulin levels, the rise in serum potassium (0.6 meq/liter in controls) increased 100% when somatostatin was administered together with the KCl infusion. Addition of replacement doses of insulin to the somatostatin infusion resulted in increments in serum potassium which were comparable to infusion of KCl alone. Urinary potassium excretion rose after KCl administration and was unchanged by the addition of somatostatin. Serum sodium concentration was unaffected by somatostatin administration in both the human and dog studies. However, urinary sodium excretion displayed a biphasic response falling by 20-60% within the first 2 h of somatostatin administration and then rising to values 50-80% above basal levels at 3-4 h. Inulin and p-aminohippurate clearances were unaffected by somatostatin. It is concluded that (a) potassium homeostasis is influenced by basal insulin levels in the absence of which serum potassium concentration rises and potassium tolerance declines; (b) this effect of insulin is mediated via extrarenal mechanisms of potassium disposal; (c) somatostatin has a biphasic effect on urinary sodium secretion, the mechanism of which remains to be established.", "contents": "Influence of basal insulin and glucagon secretion on potassium and sodium metabolism. Studies with somatostatin in normal dogs and in normal and diabetic human beings. To examine the role of basal insulin and glucagon secretion in potassium and sodium homeostasis, somatostatin, a potent inhibitor of insulin and glucagon secretion, was infused for 5 h into healthy human subjects, maturity-onset diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetics, and normal dogs. Infusion of somatostatin resulted in an increase in serum potassium (0.5-0.6 meq/liter) in normal subjects and maturity-onset diabetics, but not in juvenile-onset diabetics despite equivalent reductions in plasma glucagon in all three groups. A similar rise in serum potassium was observed in normal conscious dogs given somatostatin and was reversed by insulin replacement. Urinary excretion of potassium was unaffected by somatostatin. In dogs given intravenous potassium chloride in doses (0.375 meq/kg per h) which do not alter basal insulin levels, the rise in serum potassium (0.6 meq/liter in controls) increased 100% when somatostatin was administered together with the KCl infusion. Addition of replacement doses of insulin to the somatostatin infusion resulted in increments in serum potassium which were comparable to infusion of KCl alone. Urinary potassium excretion rose after KCl administration and was unchanged by the addition of somatostatin. Serum sodium concentration was unaffected by somatostatin administration in both the human and dog studies. However, urinary sodium excretion displayed a biphasic response falling by 20-60% within the first 2 h of somatostatin administration and then rising to values 50-80% above basal levels at 3-4 h. Inulin and p-aminohippurate clearances were unaffected by somatostatin. It is concluded that (a) potassium homeostasis is influenced by basal insulin levels in the absence of which serum potassium concentration rises and potassium tolerance declines; (b) this effect of insulin is mediated via extrarenal mechanisms of potassium disposal; (c) somatostatin has a biphasic effect on urinary sodium secretion, the mechanism of which remains to be established.", "PMID": 621284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3932", "title": "Erythroid precursors in congenital hypoplastic (Diamond-Blackfan) anemia.", "content": "To explore the etiology of congenital hypoplastic anemia (CHA) or the Diamond-Blackfan anemia, erythropoietin responsive committed erythroid precursors were enumerated by the plasma clot method. These included blood and marrow erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and marrow erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E). The peripheral blood nucleated cells of 11 patients and the marrow cells of seven of these patients were examined. Studies were repeated in several patients during relapse and after induction of remission. BFU-E were undetectable in the marrow and blood of all but one relapsed patient, and the numbers of marrow CFU-E were depressed in all relapsed patients. Blood BFU-E remained low in all of the patients in remission. No evidence was obtained for suppression of normal CFU-E or BFU-E by CHA lymphocytes. Erythropoietin dose-response curves performed in two patients revealed a 10-fold increase in erythropoietin requirement for marrow CFU-E colony growth. This marked unresponsiveness to erythropoietin was strikingly improved by steroid therapy in one patient. We suggest that CHA is the result of a qualitative and/or quantitative deficiency of BFU-E. If BFU-E are produced, they must be relatively unresponsive to erythropoietin. The abnormal BFU-E give rise to erythropoietin unresponsive CFU-E and, thence, to proerythroblasts that are, in turn, trapped in that early stage of development because of their poor erythropoietic response. Hence, red cell production is deficient. Steroids appear to improve the erythropoietin response of CHA erythroid precursors.", "contents": "Erythroid precursors in congenital hypoplastic (Diamond-Blackfan) anemia. To explore the etiology of congenital hypoplastic anemia (CHA) or the Diamond-Blackfan anemia, erythropoietin responsive committed erythroid precursors were enumerated by the plasma clot method. These included blood and marrow erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) and marrow erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E). The peripheral blood nucleated cells of 11 patients and the marrow cells of seven of these patients were examined. Studies were repeated in several patients during relapse and after induction of remission. BFU-E were undetectable in the marrow and blood of all but one relapsed patient, and the numbers of marrow CFU-E were depressed in all relapsed patients. Blood BFU-E remained low in all of the patients in remission. No evidence was obtained for suppression of normal CFU-E or BFU-E by CHA lymphocytes. Erythropoietin dose-response curves performed in two patients revealed a 10-fold increase in erythropoietin requirement for marrow CFU-E colony growth. This marked unresponsiveness to erythropoietin was strikingly improved by steroid therapy in one patient. We suggest that CHA is the result of a qualitative and/or quantitative deficiency of BFU-E. If BFU-E are produced, they must be relatively unresponsive to erythropoietin. The abnormal BFU-E give rise to erythropoietin unresponsive CFU-E and, thence, to proerythroblasts that are, in turn, trapped in that early stage of development because of their poor erythropoietic response. Hence, red cell production is deficient. Steroids appear to improve the erythropoietin response of CHA erythroid precursors.", "PMID": 621285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3933", "title": "Studies in porphyria. VII. Induction of uroporphyrinogen-I synthase and expression of the gene defect of acute intermittent porphyria in mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes.", "content": "A 50% reduction in the activity of uroporphyrinogen-I (URO) synthase in liver, erythrocytes, and cultured skin fibroblasts characterizes all patients with clinically active acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The same enzyme defect has also been demonstrated in the erythrocytes and skin fibroblasts of completely latent gene carriers of this disorder and presumably exists in the liver as well. In this study, we examined whether or not the formation of URO-synthase is impaired in AIP cells using lymphocytes treated with mitogens or infected with Epstein-Barr virus. Both mitogens (phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen) and Epstein-Barr virus induced the synthesis of URO-synthase in lymphocytes, but the induction of URO-synthase in AIP lymphocytes was only 50% as compared with that in normal lymphocytes. The impaired induction of URO-synthase in AIP lymphocytes reflects a specific gene defect because AIP lymphocytes showed normal [(3)H] thymidine uptake into DNA, [(3)H] uridine uptake into RNA, and normal delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase, ALA-dehydratase, catalase activities, and heme content. Utilizing the same methodology, the ferrochelatase deficiency of hereditary erythropoietic protoporphyria could also be identified. The K(m) of the induced URO-synthase in AIP cells was identical to that of the enzyme in normal cells. The induced URO-synthase of mitogen-treated AIP lymphocytes was not accompanied by a concurrent enhanced level of ALA-synthase. Moreover, the URO-synthase deficiency in lymphocytes from actively ill AIP patients was not different from the level of enzyme activity when they were in clinical remission, or when compared with the enzyme activity of cells from completely latent AIP gene carriers. The results of this study indicate that the URO-synthase deficiency in AIP may be the result of a gene mutation regulating the rate of synthesis of a normal enzyme rather than a mutation causing a structural abnormality of this enzyme protein.", "contents": "Studies in porphyria. VII. Induction of uroporphyrinogen-I synthase and expression of the gene defect of acute intermittent porphyria in mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes. A 50% reduction in the activity of uroporphyrinogen-I (URO) synthase in liver, erythrocytes, and cultured skin fibroblasts characterizes all patients with clinically active acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The same enzyme defect has also been demonstrated in the erythrocytes and skin fibroblasts of completely latent gene carriers of this disorder and presumably exists in the liver as well. In this study, we examined whether or not the formation of URO-synthase is impaired in AIP cells using lymphocytes treated with mitogens or infected with Epstein-Barr virus. Both mitogens (phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen) and Epstein-Barr virus induced the synthesis of URO-synthase in lymphocytes, but the induction of URO-synthase in AIP lymphocytes was only 50% as compared with that in normal lymphocytes. The impaired induction of URO-synthase in AIP lymphocytes reflects a specific gene defect because AIP lymphocytes showed normal [(3)H] thymidine uptake into DNA, [(3)H] uridine uptake into RNA, and normal delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase, ALA-dehydratase, catalase activities, and heme content. Utilizing the same methodology, the ferrochelatase deficiency of hereditary erythropoietic protoporphyria could also be identified. The K(m) of the induced URO-synthase in AIP cells was identical to that of the enzyme in normal cells. The induced URO-synthase of mitogen-treated AIP lymphocytes was not accompanied by a concurrent enhanced level of ALA-synthase. Moreover, the URO-synthase deficiency in lymphocytes from actively ill AIP patients was not different from the level of enzyme activity when they were in clinical remission, or when compared with the enzyme activity of cells from completely latent AIP gene carriers. The results of this study indicate that the URO-synthase deficiency in AIP may be the result of a gene mutation regulating the rate of synthesis of a normal enzyme rather than a mutation causing a structural abnormality of this enzyme protein.", "PMID": 621286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3934", "title": "Attainment and maintenance of normal stature with alkali therapy in infants and children with classic renal tubular acidosis.", "content": "Growth was evaluated in a group of 10 infants and children with familial or idiopathic classic renal tubular acidosis in whom alkali therapy was initiated at ages ranging from 8 days to 9.5 yr and administered at dosage schedules documented to sustain correction of acidosis in at least four prolonged observation periods on the Pediatric Clinical Research Ward. When alkali therapy was begun, six patients (four infants and two children) were stunted (height <2.5 SD below mean). Of the four who were not, two infants were too young (<2 wk of age) to have become stunted, and two children had been documented earlier to be nonacidotic. At the start of alkali therapy, the heights of the patients correlated inversely with the maximal possible duration of prior acidosis. WITH SUSTAINED ALKALI THERAPY: (a) each patient attained and maintained normal stature; (b) the mean height of the 10 patients increased from the 1.4+/-4 to the 37.0+/-33 percentile (of a normal age- and sex-matched population); (c) the mean height reached the 69th percentile in the eight patients whose heights could be analyzed according to parental prediction (Tanner technique); (d) the rate of growth increased two- to threefold, and normal heights were attained within 6 mo of initiating alkali therapy in the stunted infants and within 3 yr in the stunted children; (e) the height attained correlated inversely with the maximal possible duration of acidosis (before alkali therapy) only in those patients in whom alkali therapy was started after 6 mo of age, and not in those treated earlier. The amount of alkali required to sustain correction of acidosis increased substantially during the course of treatment in each patient. The maximal alkali requirement ranged from 4.8 to 14.1 meq/kg per day, and in each patient its amount was determined principally by the magnitude of renal bicarbonate wasting.", "contents": "Attainment and maintenance of normal stature with alkali therapy in infants and children with classic renal tubular acidosis. Growth was evaluated in a group of 10 infants and children with familial or idiopathic classic renal tubular acidosis in whom alkali therapy was initiated at ages ranging from 8 days to 9.5 yr and administered at dosage schedules documented to sustain correction of acidosis in at least four prolonged observation periods on the Pediatric Clinical Research Ward. When alkali therapy was begun, six patients (four infants and two children) were stunted (height <2.5 SD below mean). Of the four who were not, two infants were too young (<2 wk of age) to have become stunted, and two children had been documented earlier to be nonacidotic. At the start of alkali therapy, the heights of the patients correlated inversely with the maximal possible duration of prior acidosis. WITH SUSTAINED ALKALI THERAPY: (a) each patient attained and maintained normal stature; (b) the mean height of the 10 patients increased from the 1.4+/-4 to the 37.0+/-33 percentile (of a normal age- and sex-matched population); (c) the mean height reached the 69th percentile in the eight patients whose heights could be analyzed according to parental prediction (Tanner technique); (d) the rate of growth increased two- to threefold, and normal heights were attained within 6 mo of initiating alkali therapy in the stunted infants and within 3 yr in the stunted children; (e) the height attained correlated inversely with the maximal possible duration of acidosis (before alkali therapy) only in those patients in whom alkali therapy was started after 6 mo of age, and not in those treated earlier. The amount of alkali required to sustain correction of acidosis increased substantially during the course of treatment in each patient. The maximal alkali requirement ranged from 4.8 to 14.1 meq/kg per day, and in each patient its amount was determined principally by the magnitude of renal bicarbonate wasting.", "PMID": 621287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3935", "title": "Abnormal sialic acid content of the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease.", "content": "To evaluate the possibility that the carbohydrate composition of fibrinogen may be altered in the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease, we studied the sialic acid content of purified fibrinogen from 12 patients with liver disease and its relationship to the prolongation of the thrombin time. Purified fibrinogen showed that Aalpha-, Bbeta-, and gamma-chains when reduced and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited prolongation of the thrombin time similar to that of the plasma from which it was derived. Sialic acid content of the purified fibrinogen ranged from 12.7 to 71.4% higher in patient fibrinogens when compared to normal controls. A progressive delay in thrombin time was associated with increasing sialic acid content of the patient fibrinogen. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid from four of the abnormal fibrinogens resulted in a shortening of their thrombin times to the range of the desialylated normal control. Periodic acid-Schiff reagent stained only the Bbeta- and gamma-chains of the reduced patient fibrinogens after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggesting that the excess sialic acid is located on these two chains. These studies demonstrate a biochemical alteration of the functionally abnormal fibrinogen found in some patients with liver disease, and indicate that the excess sialic acid plays an important role in the functional defect of this protein.", "contents": "Abnormal sialic acid content of the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease. To evaluate the possibility that the carbohydrate composition of fibrinogen may be altered in the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease, we studied the sialic acid content of purified fibrinogen from 12 patients with liver disease and its relationship to the prolongation of the thrombin time. Purified fibrinogen showed that Aalpha-, Bbeta-, and gamma-chains when reduced and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited prolongation of the thrombin time similar to that of the plasma from which it was derived. Sialic acid content of the purified fibrinogen ranged from 12.7 to 71.4% higher in patient fibrinogens when compared to normal controls. A progressive delay in thrombin time was associated with increasing sialic acid content of the patient fibrinogen. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid from four of the abnormal fibrinogens resulted in a shortening of their thrombin times to the range of the desialylated normal control. Periodic acid-Schiff reagent stained only the Bbeta- and gamma-chains of the reduced patient fibrinogens after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggesting that the excess sialic acid is located on these two chains. These studies demonstrate a biochemical alteration of the functionally abnormal fibrinogen found in some patients with liver disease, and indicate that the excess sialic acid plays an important role in the functional defect of this protein.", "PMID": 621288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3936", "title": "The retinotopic organization of lateral suprasylvian visual areas in the cat.", "content": "This is the second in a series of papers in which we describe our continuing efforts to define functional units of visual cortex based upon electro-physiological mapping of single and multiple unit activity in both awake and the nitrous oxide anesthetized cats. In the first paper (Tusa, Palmer and Rosenquist, '78), the extent and retinotopic organization of area 17 were described. In this paper, we describe the somewhat more complex organization of the visual cortex lying on the banks of the middle and posterior suprasylvian sulci. This region of cortex consists of six retinotopically organized units. These areas are arranged as three roughly mirror symmetrical pairs separated in each case by the fundus of the middle or posterior suprasylvian sulci. Some thalamo-cortical autoradiographic material is presented which supports this parcellation of the cortex.", "contents": "The retinotopic organization of lateral suprasylvian visual areas in the cat. This is the second in a series of papers in which we describe our continuing efforts to define functional units of visual cortex based upon electro-physiological mapping of single and multiple unit activity in both awake and the nitrous oxide anesthetized cats. In the first paper (Tusa, Palmer and Rosenquist, '78), the extent and retinotopic organization of area 17 were described. In this paper, we describe the somewhat more complex organization of the visual cortex lying on the banks of the middle and posterior suprasylvian sulci. This region of cortex consists of six retinotopically organized units. These areas are arranged as three roughly mirror symmetrical pairs separated in each case by the fundus of the middle or posterior suprasylvian sulci. Some thalamo-cortical autoradiographic material is presented which supports this parcellation of the cortex.", "PMID": 621290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3937", "title": "Expansion of the half retinal projection to the tectum in goldfish: an electrophysiological and anatomical study.", "content": "The topographical retino-tectal projection of goldfish was electrophysiologically mapped at various intervals after surgical removal of the nasal half of the retina and pigment epithelium. The remaining projection was initially restricted to the appropriate rostral half of the tectum, even if the nerve was crushed and allowed to regenerate. But later, after 137 days or more, it showed a progressive expansion onto the foreign caudal half of the tectum. The magnification factor, the number of micrometers of tectum per degree in the visual field, doubled in the rostro-caudal but not in the medio-lateral direction. Analysis of the sequence of the expansion showed that a few fibers originally projecting nearest the denervated area were the first to spread over it. Then, progressively more fibers moved caudally until a nearly uniform representation of the half retina was established on the tectum. Radioautography also demonstrated that retinal fiber terminals had invaded the caudal tectum. The retinae of these fish were also examined histologically. The density of ganglion cells had not increased, but they consistently showed the axonal reaction. This was not found to be associated with any initial surgical trauma, but rather with the movement of their fiber terminals within the tectum. Frozen sections through half retinal and normal eyes, were cut and photographed for comparison of ocular geometry. Operated eyes were normal except for a slight but consistent loss of ocular volume. Analysis of the optical geometry showed that recording with fish in air produced two effects: Myopia (10 degrees blur circle, or less) and enlargement of the visual field by 15 percent to 20 percent.", "contents": "Expansion of the half retinal projection to the tectum in goldfish: an electrophysiological and anatomical study. The topographical retino-tectal projection of goldfish was electrophysiologically mapped at various intervals after surgical removal of the nasal half of the retina and pigment epithelium. The remaining projection was initially restricted to the appropriate rostral half of the tectum, even if the nerve was crushed and allowed to regenerate. But later, after 137 days or more, it showed a progressive expansion onto the foreign caudal half of the tectum. The magnification factor, the number of micrometers of tectum per degree in the visual field, doubled in the rostro-caudal but not in the medio-lateral direction. Analysis of the sequence of the expansion showed that a few fibers originally projecting nearest the denervated area were the first to spread over it. Then, progressively more fibers moved caudally until a nearly uniform representation of the half retina was established on the tectum. Radioautography also demonstrated that retinal fiber terminals had invaded the caudal tectum. The retinae of these fish were also examined histologically. The density of ganglion cells had not increased, but they consistently showed the axonal reaction. This was not found to be associated with any initial surgical trauma, but rather with the movement of their fiber terminals within the tectum. Frozen sections through half retinal and normal eyes, were cut and photographed for comparison of ocular geometry. Operated eyes were normal except for a slight but consistent loss of ocular volume. Analysis of the optical geometry showed that recording with fish in air produced two effects: Myopia (10 degrees blur circle, or less) and enlargement of the visual field by 15 percent to 20 percent.", "PMID": 621291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3938", "title": "Categories of axons in the inferior cardiac nerve of the cat.", "content": "Myelinated and unmyelinated axons in the inferior cardiac nerve of the cat were examined to determine how many axons were (1) sensory, (2) preganglionic sympathetic, and (3) postganglionic sympathetic. In one group of cats, a segment was removed from the middle of the inferior cardiac nerve as a control, and the proximal and distal stumps of the nerve were examined one week later. In another group of cats, the control segment of nerve was removed and the first thoracic white ramus communicans and sympathetic trunk were cut proximal to the stellate ganglion, followed in one week by examination of the proximal and distal stumps of the inferior cardiac nerve. In still another group of cats, the first five thoracic spinal nerves were cut just distal to the dorsal root ganglion. The counts of myelinated and unmyelinated axons after these surgical procedures indicated that, in the cat inferior cardiac nerve, all or almost all of the approximately 30,000 unmyelinated axons and 10 percent of the myelinated axons are postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and that approximately 90 percent of the myelinated axons are sensory.", "contents": "Categories of axons in the inferior cardiac nerve of the cat. Myelinated and unmyelinated axons in the inferior cardiac nerve of the cat were examined to determine how many axons were (1) sensory, (2) preganglionic sympathetic, and (3) postganglionic sympathetic. In one group of cats, a segment was removed from the middle of the inferior cardiac nerve as a control, and the proximal and distal stumps of the nerve were examined one week later. In another group of cats, the control segment of nerve was removed and the first thoracic white ramus communicans and sympathetic trunk were cut proximal to the stellate ganglion, followed in one week by examination of the proximal and distal stumps of the inferior cardiac nerve. In still another group of cats, the first five thoracic spinal nerves were cut just distal to the dorsal root ganglion. The counts of myelinated and unmyelinated axons after these surgical procedures indicated that, in the cat inferior cardiac nerve, all or almost all of the approximately 30,000 unmyelinated axons and 10 percent of the myelinated axons are postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and that approximately 90 percent of the myelinated axons are sensory.", "PMID": 621293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3939", "title": "Autoradiographic maps of regional brain glucose consumption in resting, awake rats using (14C) 2-deoxyglucose.", "content": "The 2-deoxy-D-[14C]-glucose (2-DG) autoradiographic method for determining regional brain glucose consumption has been applied successfully by a number of workers for mapping the alterations of brain glucose consumption which occur in association with experimental alterations of brain functional activity. This paper provides a framework for the interpretation of these and further studies by presenting: (1) the pattern of regional brain glucose consumption in the normal, resting, awake rat; (2) the anatomical identities of brain structures which on autoradiographs appear only as regional variations of optical density. For this purpose, a series of 2-DG autoradiographs of coronal brain sections from an injected animal is compared with adjacent labeled Nissl sections.", "contents": "Autoradiographic maps of regional brain glucose consumption in resting, awake rats using (14C) 2-deoxyglucose. The 2-deoxy-D-[14C]-glucose (2-DG) autoradiographic method for determining regional brain glucose consumption has been applied successfully by a number of workers for mapping the alterations of brain glucose consumption which occur in association with experimental alterations of brain functional activity. This paper provides a framework for the interpretation of these and further studies by presenting: (1) the pattern of regional brain glucose consumption in the normal, resting, awake rat; (2) the anatomical identities of brain structures which on autoradiographs appear only as regional variations of optical density. For this purpose, a series of 2-DG autoradiographs of coronal brain sections from an injected animal is compared with adjacent labeled Nissl sections.", "PMID": 621295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3940", "title": "Bovine milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and its significance in the detection of abnormal udder secretions.", "content": "A new spectrofluorimetric assay procedure for bovine milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) is described for use as a routine screening test for the detection of abnormal udder secretions. This procedure uses 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide as substrate. On the basis of the greater sample throughput, increased product sensitivity detection of NAGase and the absence of turbidity problems, it is considered to be superior to a previously reported spectrophotometric procedure (Kitchen, 1976). The correlation coefficient between the somatic cell count and the fluorimetric procedure using 243 quarter fore-milk samples was 0.86. Distribution studies on bovine milk and mammary gland homogenates indicated that this enzyme activity was located predominantly in the soluble whey protein fraction and the post-microsomal supernatant. Mammary gland secretory cells contained high levels of NAGase and appeared to be the major source of the enzyme in milk whilst NAGase from other sources (white blood cells, blood serum) contributed only a minor proportion (5-15%) of the total activity in milk. The implications of these findings on the value of the NAGase test as a means of mastitis diagnosis are discussed.", "contents": "Bovine milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and its significance in the detection of abnormal udder secretions. A new spectrofluorimetric assay procedure for bovine milk N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) is described for use as a routine screening test for the detection of abnormal udder secretions. This procedure uses 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide as substrate. On the basis of the greater sample throughput, increased product sensitivity detection of NAGase and the absence of turbidity problems, it is considered to be superior to a previously reported spectrophotometric procedure (Kitchen, 1976). The correlation coefficient between the somatic cell count and the fluorimetric procedure using 243 quarter fore-milk samples was 0.86. Distribution studies on bovine milk and mammary gland homogenates indicated that this enzyme activity was located predominantly in the soluble whey protein fraction and the post-microsomal supernatant. Mammary gland secretory cells contained high levels of NAGase and appeared to be the major source of the enzyme in milk whilst NAGase from other sources (white blood cells, blood serum) contributed only a minor proportion (5-15%) of the total activity in milk. The implications of these findings on the value of the NAGase test as a means of mastitis diagnosis are discussed.", "PMID": 621309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3941", "title": "The management of arrhythmias following an acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Arrhythmias are extremely common early after AMI. An arrhythmia is defined by exclusion, either because the sequence of myocardial depolarisation is other than normal or because certain arbitrary limits are exceeded. It follows that the term \"arrhythmia\" encompasses a complex heterogenous group. Although arrhythmias are defined in electrical terms they are only important because of their immediate, delayed or potential haemodynamic consequences. These occur because of changes in heart rate, loss of atrial transport function, increased myocardial oxygen consumption, decreased myocardial blood flow or loss os synchronicity of ventricular contraction. The sensible and effective management of arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction requires an appraisal of the haemodynamic consequences, if any, which follow the initiation of the arrythmia. The indications for treating an arrhythmia must be the immediate, delayed or potential haemodynamic loss rather than the mere presence of a rhythm which falls outside the limits of normal. This distinction is perhaps most clearly seen in the case of atrio-ventricular conduction disturbances.", "contents": "The management of arrhythmias following an acute myocardial infarction. Arrhythmias are extremely common early after AMI. An arrhythmia is defined by exclusion, either because the sequence of myocardial depolarisation is other than normal or because certain arbitrary limits are exceeded. It follows that the term \"arrhythmia\" encompasses a complex heterogenous group. Although arrhythmias are defined in electrical terms they are only important because of their immediate, delayed or potential haemodynamic consequences. These occur because of changes in heart rate, loss of atrial transport function, increased myocardial oxygen consumption, decreased myocardial blood flow or loss os synchronicity of ventricular contraction. The sensible and effective management of arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction requires an appraisal of the haemodynamic consequences, if any, which follow the initiation of the arrythmia. The indications for treating an arrhythmia must be the immediate, delayed or potential haemodynamic loss rather than the mere presence of a rhythm which falls outside the limits of normal. This distinction is perhaps most clearly seen in the case of atrio-ventricular conduction disturbances.", "PMID": 621310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3942", "title": "The measurement and control of myocardial infarct size.", "content": "Direct, chemical, electrocardiographic and radio-isotopic methods are described for the estimation of myocardial infarct size in animals and man. Their relative points and failings are discussed. The effects of interventions, physical, metabolic and pharmacological, upon the size of myocardial infarcts, are examined and work attempting to reduce myocardial infarct size in man reviewed.", "contents": "The measurement and control of myocardial infarct size. Direct, chemical, electrocardiographic and radio-isotopic methods are described for the estimation of myocardial infarct size in animals and man. Their relative points and failings are discussed. The effects of interventions, physical, metabolic and pharmacological, upon the size of myocardial infarcts, are examined and work attempting to reduce myocardial infarct size in man reviewed.", "PMID": 621311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3943", "title": "Mechanical circulatory assistance by intra-aortic balloon pumping for the treatment of cardiogenic shock.", "content": "Although the shock state due to acute myocardial infarction may be reversed by IABP in 80 per cent of patients, 55 to 65 per cent remain balloon-dependent. Therefore some attempt to correct the underlying anatomic abnormalities (reversible ischaemic areas and/or mechanical defects) appears necessary if these patients are to survive. With IABP catheterization studies performed in these critically-ill patients are well tolerated. Myocardial depression after cardiopulmonary by-pass is often related to subendocardial ischaemia. The combination of IABP and surgery has resulted in survival of approximately 50 per cent of patients in cardiogenic shock secondary either to a mechanical defect complicating myocardial infarction or to open-heart surgery.", "contents": "Mechanical circulatory assistance by intra-aortic balloon pumping for the treatment of cardiogenic shock. Although the shock state due to acute myocardial infarction may be reversed by IABP in 80 per cent of patients, 55 to 65 per cent remain balloon-dependent. Therefore some attempt to correct the underlying anatomic abnormalities (reversible ischaemic areas and/or mechanical defects) appears necessary if these patients are to survive. With IABP catheterization studies performed in these critically-ill patients are well tolerated. Myocardial depression after cardiopulmonary by-pass is often related to subendocardial ischaemia. The combination of IABP and surgery has resulted in survival of approximately 50 per cent of patients in cardiogenic shock secondary either to a mechanical defect complicating myocardial infarction or to open-heart surgery.", "PMID": 621312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3944", "title": "Treatment of mediastinitis in children after cardiac surgery. A study of 20 cases.", "content": "Twenty-three cases of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery in children were treated by us between 1973 and 1976. Three patients died within 6 hours of admission. Treatment used in the tweny other cases are discussed. The mean age of the patients was three years and three months. The mediastinitis was evident an average of twelve days after extracoporeal circulation. A staphylococus was always responsible for the infection. Treatment was a combination of surgery, antibiotics and respiratory and nutritional supplies. The surgical treatment consisted of a careful mediastinal cleansing with resection of the sternal edges. In fifteen patients the thorax was closed after surgery, and an irrigation system installed using a solution of 4% Dakin in physiologic saline. Recovery was simple in 5 patients. In the 10 other patients of this group the thorax had to be reopened; one patient died after 90 days from Serratia marcescens endocarditis. The thorax was left open initially in five patients: one patient of this group died from candida endocarditis. All patients needed endotracheal ventilation through a nasotracheal tube (7 to 90 days of ventilation). Treatment with bactericidal antibiotics was pursued for three months and a monotherapy was kept for nine months. After reviewing the observed complications, our methods and results are compared with others in the literature.", "contents": "Treatment of mediastinitis in children after cardiac surgery. A study of 20 cases. Twenty-three cases of mediastinitis after cardiac surgery in children were treated by us between 1973 and 1976. Three patients died within 6 hours of admission. Treatment used in the tweny other cases are discussed. The mean age of the patients was three years and three months. The mediastinitis was evident an average of twelve days after extracoporeal circulation. A staphylococus was always responsible for the infection. Treatment was a combination of surgery, antibiotics and respiratory and nutritional supplies. The surgical treatment consisted of a careful mediastinal cleansing with resection of the sternal edges. In fifteen patients the thorax was closed after surgery, and an irrigation system installed using a solution of 4% Dakin in physiologic saline. Recovery was simple in 5 patients. In the 10 other patients of this group the thorax had to be reopened; one patient died after 90 days from Serratia marcescens endocarditis. The thorax was left open initially in five patients: one patient of this group died from candida endocarditis. All patients needed endotracheal ventilation through a nasotracheal tube (7 to 90 days of ventilation). Treatment with bactericidal antibiotics was pursued for three months and a monotherapy was kept for nine months. After reviewing the observed complications, our methods and results are compared with others in the literature.", "PMID": 621313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3945", "title": "Two mitral valve replacements during the course of a single pregnancy.", "content": "A case of repeat mitral valve replacement during the same pregnancy is reported. Pre and post-operative care of the patient and her pregnancy are discussed. The hazards of anticoagulation during pregnancy are reviewed.", "contents": "Two mitral valve replacements during the course of a single pregnancy. A case of repeat mitral valve replacement during the same pregnancy is reported. Pre and post-operative care of the patient and her pregnancy are discussed. The hazards of anticoagulation during pregnancy are reviewed.", "PMID": 621314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3946", "title": "The first derivative of the transthoracic electrical impedance as an index of changes in myocardial contractility in the intact anaesthetised dog.", "content": "The suitability of the peak value of the first derivative of the thoracic electrical impedance dZ/dtmax has been investigated in dogs as a non-invasive index of changes in myocardial contracility by comparing if with the peak left ventricular dP/dt and the peak values of aortic blood velocity and acceleration. An increase in the inspired halothane concentration was used to produce changes in contracility. In 5 dogs the combined values for the correlation coefficient between dZ/dtmax peak velocity and acceleration were respectively 0.937, 0.954 and 0.950. In 14 out 15 comparisons p less than 0.001 and in one, p less than 0.01. On these grounds, dZ/dt max is proposed as a variable worthy of sconsideration in patient monitoring.", "contents": "The first derivative of the transthoracic electrical impedance as an index of changes in myocardial contractility in the intact anaesthetised dog. The suitability of the peak value of the first derivative of the thoracic electrical impedance dZ/dtmax has been investigated in dogs as a non-invasive index of changes in myocardial contracility by comparing if with the peak left ventricular dP/dt and the peak values of aortic blood velocity and acceleration. An increase in the inspired halothane concentration was used to produce changes in contracility. In 5 dogs the combined values for the correlation coefficient between dZ/dtmax peak velocity and acceleration were respectively 0.937, 0.954 and 0.950. In 14 out 15 comparisons p less than 0.001 and in one, p less than 0.01. On these grounds, dZ/dt max is proposed as a variable worthy of sconsideration in patient monitoring.", "PMID": 621315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3947", "title": "Prehospital and hospital coronary care.", "content": "This article reviews the current state of services for coronary care. Since the majority of deaths from coronary heart disease occur early and outside the hospital, the importance of the prehospital phase is emphasized. The delay in this period, which is very dangerous for the patient, should be reduced and mobile coronary care units (MCCU's) are one possibility to reduce the rate of sudden coronary death. Different systems of MCCU's are discussed: (1) those based on a hospital coronary care unit, usually accompanied by a nurse and/or a doctor and (2) those integrated into an already existing decentralized emergency system (e.g. fire department) run by paramedics. Although long-term survival of patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation is not so good, the results of many of these units are remarkable.", "contents": "Prehospital and hospital coronary care. This article reviews the current state of services for coronary care. Since the majority of deaths from coronary heart disease occur early and outside the hospital, the importance of the prehospital phase is emphasized. The delay in this period, which is very dangerous for the patient, should be reduced and mobile coronary care units (MCCU's) are one possibility to reduce the rate of sudden coronary death. Different systems of MCCU's are discussed: (1) those based on a hospital coronary care unit, usually accompanied by a nurse and/or a doctor and (2) those integrated into an already existing decentralized emergency system (e.g. fire department) run by paramedics. Although long-term survival of patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation is not so good, the results of many of these units are remarkable.", "PMID": 621316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3948", "title": "The I.C.U. treatment of acute laryngotracheobronchitis in a developing country.", "content": "The management of 50 children with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) in a general I.C.U. in a developing country is presented. The overall mortality was 16%, with no patient demising from LTB. It is stressed that LTB in developing countries is a very different disorder to that seen in Western societies, due to complicating factors such as bronchopneumonia, malnutrition and measles. Guidelines for therapy are proposed.", "contents": "The I.C.U. treatment of acute laryngotracheobronchitis in a developing country. The management of 50 children with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) in a general I.C.U. in a developing country is presented. The overall mortality was 16%, with no patient demising from LTB. It is stressed that LTB in developing countries is a very different disorder to that seen in Western societies, due to complicating factors such as bronchopneumonia, malnutrition and measles. Guidelines for therapy are proposed.", "PMID": 621317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3949", "title": "Anaphylaxis to protamine sulfate mediated by a complement-dependent IgG antibody.", "content": "Anaphylactoid reactions to protamine sulfate have been attributed to its capacity for nonimmunologic mast cell degranulation and/or complement consumption. In the current study, evidence is presented for the occurrence of an immunologic anaphylactic reaction mediated by a complement-dependent IgG skin-sensitizing antibody. A retrospective study of blood component donors given protamine for heparin neutralization revealed that prior exposure to protamine is associated with increased risk of adverse reaction to the drug.", "contents": "Anaphylaxis to protamine sulfate mediated by a complement-dependent IgG antibody. Anaphylactoid reactions to protamine sulfate have been attributed to its capacity for nonimmunologic mast cell degranulation and/or complement consumption. In the current study, evidence is presented for the occurrence of an immunologic anaphylactic reaction mediated by a complement-dependent IgG skin-sensitizing antibody. A retrospective study of blood component donors given protamine for heparin neutralization revealed that prior exposure to protamine is associated with increased risk of adverse reaction to the drug.", "PMID": 621346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3950", "title": "Histamine hypersensitivity in mice induced by concanavalin A.", "content": "This study compared the responses of CFW and CFI mice to concanavalin A (con A) and the histamine-sensitizing factor (HSF) of Bordetella pertussis. There were marked similarities between these two agents with regard to systems implicated in induced histamine sensitivity. Con A, like HSF, induces the sensitivity in CFW but not in CFI mice. The sensitizing agents both require the same time for optimum sensitization, both induce cutaneous sensitivities to histamine, and the mice are protected from the induced susceptibility of both agents by epinephrine and by desensitization with serotonin. They differed in that con A did not induce the systemic susceptibility to serotonin or to combined histamine and serotonin which is produced by HSF. The major difference related to mechanisms of action was the failure of con A to induce a systemic beta-adrenergic blockade, the block of which is manifested in HSF-treated CFW and CFI mice by the inhibition of an epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia. The resistance of beta-blocked CFI mice to histamine, and the susceptibility to histamine of the unblocked CFW mice sensitized with con A, is inconsistent with the theory that susceptibility results from a systemic adrenergic imbalance, but does not preclude a local adrenergic effect as the common element in histamine-sensitizing agents.", "contents": "Histamine hypersensitivity in mice induced by concanavalin A. This study compared the responses of CFW and CFI mice to concanavalin A (con A) and the histamine-sensitizing factor (HSF) of Bordetella pertussis. There were marked similarities between these two agents with regard to systems implicated in induced histamine sensitivity. Con A, like HSF, induces the sensitivity in CFW but not in CFI mice. The sensitizing agents both require the same time for optimum sensitization, both induce cutaneous sensitivities to histamine, and the mice are protected from the induced susceptibility of both agents by epinephrine and by desensitization with serotonin. They differed in that con A did not induce the systemic susceptibility to serotonin or to combined histamine and serotonin which is produced by HSF. The major difference related to mechanisms of action was the failure of con A to induce a systemic beta-adrenergic blockade, the block of which is manifested in HSF-treated CFW and CFI mice by the inhibition of an epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia. The resistance of beta-blocked CFI mice to histamine, and the susceptibility to histamine of the unblocked CFW mice sensitized with con A, is inconsistent with the theory that susceptibility results from a systemic adrenergic imbalance, but does not preclude a local adrenergic effect as the common element in histamine-sensitizing agents.", "PMID": 621347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3951", "title": "Nutrient content of selected baby foods.", "content": "Nutrient content often varies somewhat among brands of baby foods today. Dinners, such as vegetables and meat, are higher today in moisture content than when Agriculture Handbook 8 was published in 1963. Modern processing techniques may account for this difference. To combat nutritional anemia, dry cereals, often the baby's first food other than milk or formula, are excellent sources of good-quality protein and iron, as well as of copper. Asorbic acid is often added to fruits and fruit juices to improve and standardize the product. In recent years, sodium in baby foods has been reduced, due to limited use of salt and monosodium glutamate. Trends indicate less sugar will be added to fruits and juices in the future. Variation in content of selected nutrients can be attributed to the proportion of ingredients in the mixture or the variety of vegetable or fruit selected by the baby food processor.", "contents": "Nutrient content of selected baby foods. Nutrient content often varies somewhat among brands of baby foods today. Dinners, such as vegetables and meat, are higher today in moisture content than when Agriculture Handbook 8 was published in 1963. Modern processing techniques may account for this difference. To combat nutritional anemia, dry cereals, often the baby's first food other than milk or formula, are excellent sources of good-quality protein and iron, as well as of copper. Asorbic acid is often added to fruits and fruit juices to improve and standardize the product. In recent years, sodium in baby foods has been reduced, due to limited use of salt and monosodium glutamate. Trends indicate less sugar will be added to fruits and juices in the future. Variation in content of selected nutrients can be attributed to the proportion of ingredients in the mixture or the variety of vegetable or fruit selected by the baby food processor.", "PMID": 621352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3952", "title": "Pathogenesis of Dupuytren's contracture: a correlative clinical-pathological study.", "content": "The tissue from 38 patients with Dupuytren's contracture was submitted for light and electron microscopy. The clinical and pathological data were correlated so that three stages of disease were recognized: early, active, and advanced. The cell of early disease was the perivascular fibroblast; whereas, the cell of active disease was the myofibroblast. Because the myofibroblasts have cell-to-cell and cell-to-stroma attachments, the collagen not only becomes oriented as it is formed, but it also is subjected to a contractile force.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of Dupuytren's contracture: a correlative clinical-pathological study. The tissue from 38 patients with Dupuytren's contracture was submitted for light and electron microscopy. The clinical and pathological data were correlated so that three stages of disease were recognized: early, active, and advanced. The cell of early disease was the perivascular fibroblast; whereas, the cell of active disease was the myofibroblast. Because the myofibroblasts have cell-to-cell and cell-to-stroma attachments, the collagen not only becomes oriented as it is formed, but it also is subjected to a contractile force.", "PMID": 621363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3953", "title": "Experimental intrinsic healing of flexor tendons based upon synovial fluid nutrition.", "content": "The healing process of totally cut and subsequently resutured rabbit flexor tendons kept isolated in the knee joint cavity and free in the synovial fluid was studied by histological and ultrastructural techniques. This experimental model represents a \"tissue culture in situ,\" where the tendon is nourished by diffusion from the synovial fluid only and where no adhesions are formed. Under these conditions there is a proliferation of tendon cells and deposition of collagen resulting in bridging of the suture line. On the basis of these findings, it is assumed that the tendon cells possess an intrinsic potential of repair, provided they obtain a sufficient nutritional supply. In the present experimental model, this nutrition was provided by way of diffusional pathways from the synovial fluid.", "contents": "Experimental intrinsic healing of flexor tendons based upon synovial fluid nutrition. The healing process of totally cut and subsequently resutured rabbit flexor tendons kept isolated in the knee joint cavity and free in the synovial fluid was studied by histological and ultrastructural techniques. This experimental model represents a \"tissue culture in situ,\" where the tendon is nourished by diffusion from the synovial fluid only and where no adhesions are formed. Under these conditions there is a proliferation of tendon cells and deposition of collagen resulting in bridging of the suture line. On the basis of these findings, it is assumed that the tendon cells possess an intrinsic potential of repair, provided they obtain a sufficient nutritional supply. In the present experimental model, this nutrition was provided by way of diffusional pathways from the synovial fluid.", "PMID": 621365} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3954", "title": "Nutrient pathways to flexor tendons using hydrogen washout technique.", "content": "The nutrient pathways of flexor tendons within the flexor sheath were studied using the hydrogen washout technique. Hydrogen uptake and decay of a free segment of flexor tendon detached from its blood supply were not significantly different from an intact tendon lying in the synovial bed. There was no hydrogen uptake by flexor tendons which were mechanically separated from the synovial bed, even though muscular, periosteal and vincular attachments were intact. We concluded from this study that the synovium of the flexor tendon was a significant nutrient pathway for the flexor tendon and that the blood vessels did not appear to play a significant role in the nourishment of the flexor tendon.", "contents": "Nutrient pathways to flexor tendons using hydrogen washout technique. The nutrient pathways of flexor tendons within the flexor sheath were studied using the hydrogen washout technique. Hydrogen uptake and decay of a free segment of flexor tendon detached from its blood supply were not significantly different from an intact tendon lying in the synovial bed. There was no hydrogen uptake by flexor tendons which were mechanically separated from the synovial bed, even though muscular, periosteal and vincular attachments were intact. We concluded from this study that the synovium of the flexor tendon was a significant nutrient pathway for the flexor tendon and that the blood vessels did not appear to play a significant role in the nourishment of the flexor tendon.", "PMID": 621366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3955", "title": "Recovery of function in free muscle transplants using microneurovascular anastomoses.", "content": "Using the rectus femoris muscle of the rabbit, the functional capabilities of the normal and replanted muscle were studied after tenotomy, simple neurovascular repair, and orthotopic and heterotopic transplantation. Tenotomy alone altered the function more than did neurovascular repair, and although a muscle survived after replantation, it never achieved the functional capability of the normal muscle, maximum working capacity being only one fourth of the normal.", "contents": "Recovery of function in free muscle transplants using microneurovascular anastomoses. Using the rectus femoris muscle of the rabbit, the functional capabilities of the normal and replanted muscle were studied after tenotomy, simple neurovascular repair, and orthotopic and heterotopic transplantation. Tenotomy alone altered the function more than did neurovascular repair, and although a muscle survived after replantation, it never achieved the functional capability of the normal muscle, maximum working capacity being only one fourth of the normal.", "PMID": 621367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3956", "title": "Complications of surgical release for carpal tunnel syndrome.", "content": "Review of a series of 186 operative cases of carpal tunnel release revealed 34 complications in 22 patients, for an incidence of 12%. Complications were grouped into seven categories: (1) inadequate section of the transverse carpal ligament (associated with both transverse and curved incisions), (2) symptoms related to damage to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, (3) reflex sympathetic dystrophy, (4) unsightly hypertrophic scar due to inappropriate incision, (5) damage to the superficial palmar arch following blind sectioning of the transverse carpal ligament, (6) bowstringing of the flexor tendons after excision of the transverse carpal ligament, and (7) adherence of the flexor tendons following excision of the mesotenon. Except for four of the complications, two each of bowstringing and reflex sympathetic dystrophy which occurred in our own practice, all of the complications were seen in patients referred for care. Most complications can be prevented by proper operative technique.", "contents": "Complications of surgical release for carpal tunnel syndrome. Review of a series of 186 operative cases of carpal tunnel release revealed 34 complications in 22 patients, for an incidence of 12%. Complications were grouped into seven categories: (1) inadequate section of the transverse carpal ligament (associated with both transverse and curved incisions), (2) symptoms related to damage to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, (3) reflex sympathetic dystrophy, (4) unsightly hypertrophic scar due to inappropriate incision, (5) damage to the superficial palmar arch following blind sectioning of the transverse carpal ligament, (6) bowstringing of the flexor tendons after excision of the transverse carpal ligament, and (7) adherence of the flexor tendons following excision of the mesotenon. Except for four of the complications, two each of bowstringing and reflex sympathetic dystrophy which occurred in our own practice, all of the complications were seen in patients referred for care. Most complications can be prevented by proper operative technique.", "PMID": 621368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3957", "title": "Intraoperative changes in motor nerve conduction latency in carpal tunnel syndrome.", "content": "A prospective study of 47 patients with 51 hands treated for carpal tunnel syndrome by surgical release of the deep transverse carpal ligament was performed using intraoperative motor nerve conduction latency measured over a standard distance across the carpal tunnel both before and after release of the ligament. The results of intraoperative conduction latencies indicated a dramatic and immediate reduction in the conduction latency across the carpal canal in all but seven patients, two of whom had diabetes. When the results were subjected to statistical analysis, they were significant (P is equal to 0.00001). Although further studies are indicated, these data suggest that a rapidly reversible mechanical or metabolic block, such as ischemia in the segment of the median nerve, may be responsible for the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.", "contents": "Intraoperative changes in motor nerve conduction latency in carpal tunnel syndrome. A prospective study of 47 patients with 51 hands treated for carpal tunnel syndrome by surgical release of the deep transverse carpal ligament was performed using intraoperative motor nerve conduction latency measured over a standard distance across the carpal tunnel both before and after release of the ligament. The results of intraoperative conduction latencies indicated a dramatic and immediate reduction in the conduction latency across the carpal canal in all but seven patients, two of whom had diabetes. When the results were subjected to statistical analysis, they were significant (P is equal to 0.00001). Although further studies are indicated, these data suggest that a rapidly reversible mechanical or metabolic block, such as ischemia in the segment of the median nerve, may be responsible for the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.", "PMID": 621369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3958", "title": "Personal observations on the role of the lumbrical muscles in carpal tunnel syndrome.", "content": "A case of carpal tunnel syndrome is presented in which an abnormally high origin of a lumbrical muscle seemed to be the cause. Since the patient and author are the same, the symptoms of compression and during the postoperative period are well documented. Evoking the symptoms by exercise or active motion is suggested for future diagnostic tests. A surgical incision more ulnarward is recommended.", "contents": "Personal observations on the role of the lumbrical muscles in carpal tunnel syndrome. A case of carpal tunnel syndrome is presented in which an abnormally high origin of a lumbrical muscle seemed to be the cause. Since the patient and author are the same, the symptoms of compression and during the postoperative period are well documented. Evoking the symptoms by exercise or active motion is suggested for future diagnostic tests. A surgical incision more ulnarward is recommended.", "PMID": 621370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3959", "title": "Technical problems with ulnar nerve transposition at the elbow: findings and results of reoperation.", "content": "Ten patients who had persistent or recurrent paresthesias, muscular weakness, or sensory loss following transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow were explored. Operative findings included compression of the nerve at the intermuscular septum or at the entrance to the cubital tunnel, dense scarring after intramuscular transposition, and constriction by fascial slings. The average interval from the previous operation to re-exploration was 13 months. All patients were improved following neurolysis and submuscular transposition. Recovery was incomplete in nine patients. The average follow-up was 14.5 months.", "contents": "Technical problems with ulnar nerve transposition at the elbow: findings and results of reoperation. Ten patients who had persistent or recurrent paresthesias, muscular weakness, or sensory loss following transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow were explored. Operative findings included compression of the nerve at the intermuscular septum or at the entrance to the cubital tunnel, dense scarring after intramuscular transposition, and constriction by fascial slings. The average interval from the previous operation to re-exploration was 13 months. All patients were improved following neurolysis and submuscular transposition. Recovery was incomplete in nine patients. The average follow-up was 14.5 months.", "PMID": 621371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3960", "title": "Injury to the brachial plexus as a result of diagnostic arteriography.", "content": "Six cases of brachial plexus injury within the brachial sheath are reported following axillary-brachial arteriography. Direct compression resulted from leakage of arterial blood into the space formed by the fascial sheath. In one, hemorrhage occurred several days after arteriotomy. Early decompression and arteriorrhaphy resulted in restoration of normal function. Permanent nerve damage resulted when surgical decompression was delayed.", "contents": "Injury to the brachial plexus as a result of diagnostic arteriography. Six cases of brachial plexus injury within the brachial sheath are reported following axillary-brachial arteriography. Direct compression resulted from leakage of arterial blood into the space formed by the fascial sheath. In one, hemorrhage occurred several days after arteriotomy. Early decompression and arteriorrhaphy resulted in restoration of normal function. Permanent nerve damage resulted when surgical decompression was delayed.", "PMID": 621372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3961", "title": "Chronic recurrent dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger.", "content": "Two cases of chronic recurrent dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint were seen after dislocation without an accompanying fracture. Reconstructive procedures prevented recurrent dislocation in both cases.", "contents": "Chronic recurrent dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger. Two cases of chronic recurrent dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint were seen after dislocation without an accompanying fracture. Reconstructive procedures prevented recurrent dislocation in both cases.", "PMID": 621373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3962", "title": "Changes in numbers and heparin content of peritoneal fluid mast cells of growing rats measured by flow cytofluorometry.", "content": "A cytofluorometric method, based on berberine staining of mast cell heparin, was used for flow cytofluorometric counting and heparin quantitation of mast cells in crude peritoneal suspensions of growing rats. The automatic flow cytofluorometric counting of mast cells correlated well with hemocytometer cell counts. The mean mast cell heparin content obtained by flow cytofluorometry showed good agreement with such obtained by cytofluorometry of microscopically identified mast cells. The number of peritoneal mast cells and the mean mast cell heparin content was found to increase as the animals grew older. The results of the microscope fluorometric measurements suggested that the heparin content was normally distributed within mast cell populations of both young and old rats. However, the heparin distributions obtained by flow cytofluorometry were often positively skewed but did not fulfill the condition of the log-normal distribution.", "contents": "Changes in numbers and heparin content of peritoneal fluid mast cells of growing rats measured by flow cytofluorometry. A cytofluorometric method, based on berberine staining of mast cell heparin, was used for flow cytofluorometric counting and heparin quantitation of mast cells in crude peritoneal suspensions of growing rats. The automatic flow cytofluorometric counting of mast cells correlated well with hemocytometer cell counts. The mean mast cell heparin content obtained by flow cytofluorometry showed good agreement with such obtained by cytofluorometry of microscopically identified mast cells. The number of peritoneal mast cells and the mean mast cell heparin content was found to increase as the animals grew older. The results of the microscope fluorometric measurements suggested that the heparin content was normally distributed within mast cell populations of both young and old rats. However, the heparin distributions obtained by flow cytofluorometry were often positively skewed but did not fulfill the condition of the log-normal distribution.", "PMID": 621375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3963", "title": "The cytochemical demonstration of beta-glucuronidase in colon neoplasms of rats exposed to azoxymethane.", "content": "Colon tumors induced with azoxymethane in male Fischer rats were cytochemically analyzed for beta-glucuronidase using naphthol AS-B1 glucuronide (6-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-naphthoyl-O-anisidine) as a substrate and hexazonium pararosanin as a diazo reagent. This method effectively localizes the bulk of beta-glucuronidase in the surface epithelium, the lamina propria and in the endothelial cells of the lymphoid sinuses and postcapillary venules. Polypoid lesions, adenocarcinomas and mucinous adenocarcinomas show no difference in the amount or in the localization of beta-glucuronidase; however, mucinous adenocarcinomas show a slight increase in the amount of beta-glucuronidase. The few tumors that did metastasize to lymph nodes did not show any difference in their enzyme patterns. Intestinal crypts that show a change in size and shape have a definite increase in beta-glucuronidase activity. An increase in the activity of this enzyme can also be seen in well defined neoplasms as opposed to normal areas of the colon.", "contents": "The cytochemical demonstration of beta-glucuronidase in colon neoplasms of rats exposed to azoxymethane. Colon tumors induced with azoxymethane in male Fischer rats were cytochemically analyzed for beta-glucuronidase using naphthol AS-B1 glucuronide (6-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-naphthoyl-O-anisidine) as a substrate and hexazonium pararosanin as a diazo reagent. This method effectively localizes the bulk of beta-glucuronidase in the surface epithelium, the lamina propria and in the endothelial cells of the lymphoid sinuses and postcapillary venules. Polypoid lesions, adenocarcinomas and mucinous adenocarcinomas show no difference in the amount or in the localization of beta-glucuronidase; however, mucinous adenocarcinomas show a slight increase in the amount of beta-glucuronidase. The few tumors that did metastasize to lymph nodes did not show any difference in their enzyme patterns. Intestinal crypts that show a change in size and shape have a definite increase in beta-glucuronidase activity. An increase in the activity of this enzyme can also be seen in well defined neoplasms as opposed to normal areas of the colon.", "PMID": 621376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3964", "title": "Single radial haemolysis: a survey of antibody titres in the highland region of Scotland to recent strains of influenza A.", "content": "The single radial haemolysis test is conveniently practical and economical and promises to have wide applicability in the study of influenza antibodies in human populations. It can also be adapted for preliminary examination of new virus isolates during epidemics. Using this test a rather higher proportion of the population in the Highland Region of Scotland were found to possess antibody to a recent epidemic strain of influenza (A/Scotland/74) than was the case in the south of England. Antibody was detected and apparently evenly spread throughout all but the most remote island communities. Some evidence of the spread of the subsequent variant, A/Victoria/75, was obtained. Most of the school children in our study had high antibody titres to recent strains but the proportion with high antibody titres to these strains declined speedily from the age of 17 years onwards.", "contents": "Single radial haemolysis: a survey of antibody titres in the highland region of Scotland to recent strains of influenza A. The single radial haemolysis test is conveniently practical and economical and promises to have wide applicability in the study of influenza antibodies in human populations. It can also be adapted for preliminary examination of new virus isolates during epidemics. Using this test a rather higher proportion of the population in the Highland Region of Scotland were found to possess antibody to a recent epidemic strain of influenza (A/Scotland/74) than was the case in the south of England. Antibody was detected and apparently evenly spread throughout all but the most remote island communities. Some evidence of the spread of the subsequent variant, A/Victoria/75, was obtained. Most of the school children in our study had high antibody titres to recent strains but the proportion with high antibody titres to these strains declined speedily from the age of 17 years onwards.", "PMID": 621377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3965", "title": "Haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against influenza A and influenza B in maternal and neonatal sera.", "content": "Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against the influenza viruses A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) and B/Nederland/77/66 were determined in 420 paired sera from mothers and newborns (umbilical cord sera), sampled in 1970-1. A higher concentration of antibodies against influenza A virus was found more frequently in neonatal than in maternal sera. By contrast, low titres against influenza B virus were more frequently observed in neonatal than in maternal sera. Maternal age, duration of pregnancy, and birth-weight did not affect the results of the tests. It is suggested that the titre of the newborn against an epidemic influenza virus can be predicted from that of the mother. Furthermore, the maternal titre may be an indication of the susceptibility of the newborn infant to influenza infections.", "contents": "Haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against influenza A and influenza B in maternal and neonatal sera. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against the influenza viruses A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) and B/Nederland/77/66 were determined in 420 paired sera from mothers and newborns (umbilical cord sera), sampled in 1970-1. A higher concentration of antibodies against influenza A virus was found more frequently in neonatal than in maternal sera. By contrast, low titres against influenza B virus were more frequently observed in neonatal than in maternal sera. Maternal age, duration of pregnancy, and birth-weight did not affect the results of the tests. It is suggested that the titre of the newborn against an epidemic influenza virus can be predicted from that of the mother. Furthermore, the maternal titre may be an indication of the susceptibility of the newborn infant to influenza infections.", "PMID": 621378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3966", "title": "The effect of ABO blood groups on the incidence of epidemic influenza and on the response to live attenuated and detergent split influenza virus vaccines.", "content": "The effect of blood group status on the incidence of epidemic influenza A (H3N2) infections and on serological response to influenza vaccination with killed subunit and live attenuated vaccines have been investigated during comparative vaccine trials in Western Australia. A significantly higher incidence of epidemic influenza was observed in subjects of blood group B compared with those of other blood groups, regardless of whether they had serological evidence of previous exposure to H3N2 antigens or not. Volunteers of different blood groups exhibited similar seroconversion frequencies to both vaccines after the administration of two doses, but a significantly higher proportion of blood group A subjects seroconverted after receiving their first dose of live attenuated vaccine compared with those of other blood groups. Although this finding was inconsistent with the increased incidence of epidemic influenza in subjects of blood group B, it is discussed in terms of the methods employed to obtain attenuation. Higher geometric mean HI antibody titres were observed in blood group O subjects after the administration of killed subunit vaccine. The results described in this report supported the contention that genetic factors linked to ABO blood groups may play a role in susceptibility to infection with influenza A virus, but that any association must be indirect.", "contents": "The effect of ABO blood groups on the incidence of epidemic influenza and on the response to live attenuated and detergent split influenza virus vaccines. The effect of blood group status on the incidence of epidemic influenza A (H3N2) infections and on serological response to influenza vaccination with killed subunit and live attenuated vaccines have been investigated during comparative vaccine trials in Western Australia. A significantly higher incidence of epidemic influenza was observed in subjects of blood group B compared with those of other blood groups, regardless of whether they had serological evidence of previous exposure to H3N2 antigens or not. Volunteers of different blood groups exhibited similar seroconversion frequencies to both vaccines after the administration of two doses, but a significantly higher proportion of blood group A subjects seroconverted after receiving their first dose of live attenuated vaccine compared with those of other blood groups. Although this finding was inconsistent with the increased incidence of epidemic influenza in subjects of blood group B, it is discussed in terms of the methods employed to obtain attenuation. Higher geometric mean HI antibody titres were observed in blood group O subjects after the administration of killed subunit vaccine. The results described in this report supported the contention that genetic factors linked to ABO blood groups may play a role in susceptibility to infection with influenza A virus, but that any association must be indirect.", "PMID": 621379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3967", "title": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite, 2. Effect of a zoning system on contamination of floors and other surfaces.", "content": "In this investigation the bacterial contamination of surfaces such as walls and floors in a modern operating suite, together with surfaces of lamps in the operating theatres, and the clogs worn by staff, was studied. Counts of colony-forming units were made on impression plates containing blood-agar with Tween 80 for total bacterial counts, Baird Parker medium with egg yolk and tellurite for Staphylococcus aureus and trypticase peptone agar with neomycin and polymyxin for Clostridium spp. The areas examined were divided into the patients' route to the operating theatre, the staff's route, and the central area containing the operating rooms, anaesthetic rooms, and exit and scrub-up areas. In the patients' route counts of total organisms ranged from about 10000 to 30000/m2; for Staph. aureus the range was from 70 to 540/m2. In the staff's route the highest count was about 70000/m2 in the dressing area, and the numbers of Staph. aureus were about the same as along the patients' route. In the inner zone the counts were somewhat lower for both total organisms and Staph. aureus. Total counts on the floor from all areas of the inner zone were significantly higher just before the second operation than before the first operation on the same day. The total and Staph. aureus counts on walls, floors and lamps were the same after clean operations as after operations classified as \"contaminated\" or \"dirty\".", "contents": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite, 2. Effect of a zoning system on contamination of floors and other surfaces. In this investigation the bacterial contamination of surfaces such as walls and floors in a modern operating suite, together with surfaces of lamps in the operating theatres, and the clogs worn by staff, was studied. Counts of colony-forming units were made on impression plates containing blood-agar with Tween 80 for total bacterial counts, Baird Parker medium with egg yolk and tellurite for Staphylococcus aureus and trypticase peptone agar with neomycin and polymyxin for Clostridium spp. The areas examined were divided into the patients' route to the operating theatre, the staff's route, and the central area containing the operating rooms, anaesthetic rooms, and exit and scrub-up areas. In the patients' route counts of total organisms ranged from about 10000 to 30000/m2; for Staph. aureus the range was from 70 to 540/m2. In the staff's route the highest count was about 70000/m2 in the dressing area, and the numbers of Staph. aureus were about the same as along the patients' route. In the inner zone the counts were somewhat lower for both total organisms and Staph. aureus. Total counts on the floor from all areas of the inner zone were significantly higher just before the second operation than before the first operation on the same day. The total and Staph. aureus counts on walls, floors and lamps were the same after clean operations as after operations classified as \"contaminated\" or \"dirty\".", "PMID": 621380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3968", "title": "Genetics of warfarin-resistance in house mice of three separate localities.", "content": "Mice from Loughborough and Nottingham were obtained in order to compare the inheritance of warfarin resistance in these populations with that established for a Cambridge population (Wallace & MacSwiney, 1976). Using the same breeding programme and warfarin testing technique, it is established that resistance in the new areas is, as in the Cambridge area, controlled by the major resistance gene, War, in chromosome 7, with penetrance affected by sex and modifiers. In addition, survival differences in males of different ages strongly suggests that War+ has less penetrance with age. Penetrance differences between the experiments establishes that wild populations differ in their modifier complex and that more than one modifier, probably several, exist. Questions are posed as to the adaptive significance of the phenomena, and the way in which they work, in the patchwork of warfarin baited and unbaited areas in this country.", "contents": "Genetics of warfarin-resistance in house mice of three separate localities. Mice from Loughborough and Nottingham were obtained in order to compare the inheritance of warfarin resistance in these populations with that established for a Cambridge population (Wallace & MacSwiney, 1976). Using the same breeding programme and warfarin testing technique, it is established that resistance in the new areas is, as in the Cambridge area, controlled by the major resistance gene, War, in chromosome 7, with penetrance affected by sex and modifiers. In addition, survival differences in males of different ages strongly suggests that War+ has less penetrance with age. Penetrance differences between the experiments establishes that wild populations differ in their modifier complex and that more than one modifier, probably several, exist. Questions are posed as to the adaptive significance of the phenomena, and the way in which they work, in the patchwork of warfarin baited and unbaited areas in this country.", "PMID": 621381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3969", "title": "Field trials of WBA 8119 (PP 581, brodifacoum) against warfarin-resistant infestations of Rattus norvegicus.", "content": "Baiting with medium oatmeal or soaked wheat containing 0.002, 0.001 or 0.0005% brodifacoum completely controlled infestations of warfarin-resistant rats on farms when the poisoned baits were maintained until rats ceased to feed on them. The concentration of brodifacoum did not affect the duration of these treatments which lasted from 11 to 25 days. Poison baiting with 0.002% brodifacoum for only 1,4 and 7 days achieved, respectively, only about 41, 51 and 68% control of similar farm infestations, and so emphasized the need to continue baiting for longer periods.", "contents": "Field trials of WBA 8119 (PP 581, brodifacoum) against warfarin-resistant infestations of Rattus norvegicus. Baiting with medium oatmeal or soaked wheat containing 0.002, 0.001 or 0.0005% brodifacoum completely controlled infestations of warfarin-resistant rats on farms when the poisoned baits were maintained until rats ceased to feed on them. The concentration of brodifacoum did not affect the duration of these treatments which lasted from 11 to 25 days. Poison baiting with 0.002% brodifacoum for only 1,4 and 7 days achieved, respectively, only about 41, 51 and 68% control of similar farm infestations, and so emphasized the need to continue baiting for longer periods.", "PMID": 621382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3970", "title": "Suppression of the plaque-forming cell response by macrophages present in the normal rat spleen.", "content": "Depletion of phagocytic and/or adherent cells from normal rat spleen cell preparations permitted the generation of PFC to SRBC in vitro. Suppressive activity was associated with the presence of macrophages in the normal rat spleen, since irradiated unfractionated or irradiated adherent cells suppressed the PFC response of macrophage-depleted cells. Whereas depletion of macrophages from normal rat spleen cells permitted the PFC response to SRBC to occur, comparable treatment of mouse spleen cells eliminated the PFC response. These results are discussed in relation to the requirement for macrophages in the generation of PFC with rat cells in vitro.", "contents": "Suppression of the plaque-forming cell response by macrophages present in the normal rat spleen. Depletion of phagocytic and/or adherent cells from normal rat spleen cell preparations permitted the generation of PFC to SRBC in vitro. Suppressive activity was associated with the presence of macrophages in the normal rat spleen, since irradiated unfractionated or irradiated adherent cells suppressed the PFC response of macrophage-depleted cells. Whereas depletion of macrophages from normal rat spleen cells permitted the PFC response to SRBC to occur, comparable treatment of mouse spleen cells eliminated the PFC response. These results are discussed in relation to the requirement for macrophages in the generation of PFC with rat cells in vitro.", "PMID": 621383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3971", "title": "Macrophage Ia antigens. I. macrophage populations differ in their expression of Ia antigens.", "content": "By indirect immunofluorescence and microcytotoxicity it was demonstrated that different populations of murine macrophages bear different amounts of Ia antigens on their membranes. At least three subpopulations could be distinguished: those that lack Ia antigens and predominate in peritoneal exudate; cells bearing I-A antigens that are the majority of splenic macrophages and a minor population in the peritoneum; and cells bearing I-C antigens that are a minor population in both spleen and peritoneum. Internal radioisotope labeling studies confirmed that the I region molecules are synthesized by the macrophages. It is suggested that these different macrophage subpopulations may play distinct roles in the immune response.", "contents": "Macrophage Ia antigens. I. macrophage populations differ in their expression of Ia antigens. By indirect immunofluorescence and microcytotoxicity it was demonstrated that different populations of murine macrophages bear different amounts of Ia antigens on their membranes. At least three subpopulations could be distinguished: those that lack Ia antigens and predominate in peritoneal exudate; cells bearing I-A antigens that are the majority of splenic macrophages and a minor population in the peritoneum; and cells bearing I-C antigens that are a minor population in both spleen and peritoneum. Internal radioisotope labeling studies confirmed that the I region molecules are synthesized by the macrophages. It is suggested that these different macrophage subpopulations may play distinct roles in the immune response.", "PMID": 621385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3972", "title": "Antibody-induced suppression of the fifth component of complement in mice.", "content": "We have shown that administration of anti-C5 antibody to newborn mice heterozygous for C5 deficiency can suppress C5 levels for prolonged periods. This is analogous to antibody-induced immunoglobulin allotype and idiotype suppression. Only certain sources of anti-C5 are effective in suppression. Of the three antisera extensively tested in (SWR x RIII)F1 hybrids, A/He anti-RIII was the most effective, SWR anti-RIII was less effective, and SWR anti-DBA/1 was ineffective. Only certain strain combinations of F1 hybrids are susceptible to C5 suppression. C5 suppression was seen with (SWR x RIII)F1 hybrids but not (SWR x DBA/1)F1 hybrids. Kinetics of C5 suppression suggest a requirement for an active, ongoing process in the maintenance of low C5 levels.", "contents": "Antibody-induced suppression of the fifth component of complement in mice. We have shown that administration of anti-C5 antibody to newborn mice heterozygous for C5 deficiency can suppress C5 levels for prolonged periods. This is analogous to antibody-induced immunoglobulin allotype and idiotype suppression. Only certain sources of anti-C5 are effective in suppression. Of the three antisera extensively tested in (SWR x RIII)F1 hybrids, A/He anti-RIII was the most effective, SWR anti-RIII was less effective, and SWR anti-DBA/1 was ineffective. Only certain strain combinations of F1 hybrids are susceptible to C5 suppression. C5 suppression was seen with (SWR x RIII)F1 hybrids but not (SWR x DBA/1)F1 hybrids. Kinetics of C5 suppression suggest a requirement for an active, ongoing process in the maintenance of low C5 levels.", "PMID": 621386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3973", "title": "Lactic dehydrogenase virus alteration of lymphocyte circulation.", "content": "Acute infection with lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) causes a systemic alteration in lymphocyte circulatory patterns. Peripheral lymph nodes (LN) and spleens in acutely, but not chronically, infected mice retain a significantly greater proportion of injected 51Cr-labeled lymphocytes than the respective tissues in noninfected controls. This increase in lymphocyte localization in LN and spleen is dependent upon the dose of LDV injected and the timing of the infection. A relatively large dose of LDV (10(8) infectious units) causes an early but very transient increase in splenic lymphocyte localization accompanied by an early but prolonged increase in lymphocyte recovery in LN. Smaller doses of LDV cause more prolonged effects on splenic lymphocyte recovery and retarded effects on lymphocyte localization in LN. Increases in splenic recovery were always accompanied by decreases in hepatic recovery of lymphocytes. LDV-induced alteration in lymphocyte circulation may be responsible for many previously observed modifications of immune responses in LDV-infected mice.", "contents": "Lactic dehydrogenase virus alteration of lymphocyte circulation. Acute infection with lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) causes a systemic alteration in lymphocyte circulatory patterns. Peripheral lymph nodes (LN) and spleens in acutely, but not chronically, infected mice retain a significantly greater proportion of injected 51Cr-labeled lymphocytes than the respective tissues in noninfected controls. This increase in lymphocyte localization in LN and spleen is dependent upon the dose of LDV injected and the timing of the infection. A relatively large dose of LDV (10(8) infectious units) causes an early but very transient increase in splenic lymphocyte localization accompanied by an early but prolonged increase in lymphocyte recovery in LN. Smaller doses of LDV cause more prolonged effects on splenic lymphocyte recovery and retarded effects on lymphocyte localization in LN. Increases in splenic recovery were always accompanied by decreases in hepatic recovery of lymphocytes. LDV-induced alteration in lymphocyte circulation may be responsible for many previously observed modifications of immune responses in LDV-infected mice.", "PMID": 621389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3974", "title": "Inherited deficiency of the sixth component of complement: a silent or null gene.", "content": "Four families have been studied, some members of which have inherited deficiency of the sixth component of complement. The genetically determined electrophoretic variants of C6 were evaluated in all family members. Seven individuals were found who did not have the variant found in the serum of the parent from whom they inherited the deficiency. It is inferred that the isolated low levels of C6 in these individuals results from the heterozygous state of a normal C6 variant gene and a silent or null C6 gene; the genes determining electrophoretic variants and the low serum levels of C6 are allelic.", "contents": "Inherited deficiency of the sixth component of complement: a silent or null gene. Four families have been studied, some members of which have inherited deficiency of the sixth component of complement. The genetically determined electrophoretic variants of C6 were evaluated in all family members. Seven individuals were found who did not have the variant found in the serum of the parent from whom they inherited the deficiency. It is inferred that the isolated low levels of C6 in these individuals results from the heterozygous state of a normal C6 variant gene and a silent or null C6 gene; the genes determining electrophoretic variants and the low serum levels of C6 are allelic.", "PMID": 621392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3975", "title": "Specific functional and immunologic assay of plasma plasminogen in hereditary angioedema, in hereditary angioedema treated with tranexamic acid, and in normal subjects.", "content": "Plasma plasminogen levels were determined by a specific esterolytic assay and a radial immunodiffusion assay, both of which were standardized on a weight basis by using highly purified plasminogen diluted in plasminogen-free plasma. In thirteen normal individuals the functional and antigenic levels were 275 +/- 61 microgram/ml and 285 +/- 61 microgram/ml, respectively (r = 0.95), whereas in 58 plasmas from individuals with hereditary angioedema the levels were 272 +/- 58 microgram/ml and 265 +/- 64 microgram/ml, respectively (r = 0.89). In two patients treated with tranexamic acid either acutely or chronically, both the functional and antigenic plasminogen levels were diminished.", "contents": "Specific functional and immunologic assay of plasma plasminogen in hereditary angioedema, in hereditary angioedema treated with tranexamic acid, and in normal subjects. Plasma plasminogen levels were determined by a specific esterolytic assay and a radial immunodiffusion assay, both of which were standardized on a weight basis by using highly purified plasminogen diluted in plasminogen-free plasma. In thirteen normal individuals the functional and antigenic levels were 275 +/- 61 microgram/ml and 285 +/- 61 microgram/ml, respectively (r = 0.95), whereas in 58 plasmas from individuals with hereditary angioedema the levels were 272 +/- 58 microgram/ml and 265 +/- 64 microgram/ml, respectively (r = 0.89). In two patients treated with tranexamic acid either acutely or chronically, both the functional and antigenic plasminogen levels were diminished.", "PMID": 621394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3976", "title": "Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by 6-hydroxyphthalaldehydic acid, O-(p-chlorobenzyl)oxime (EN3638).", "content": "EN3638 is a new oxime derivative of salicylic acid that has immunosuppressive properties. Oral administration of the compound to rats during the incubation period of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) delayed the onset of clinical signs. EN3638 was effective in both ordinary and hyperacute forms of EAE. Doses of 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg daily, 250 mg/kg three times a week, or 400 mg/kg twice a week suppressed both clinical and histologic evidence of EAE during the course of therapy (as long as 4 weeks) and for 8 or more days thereafter. Clinical EAE developed after a full incubation period after discontinuance of EN3638, probably due to the persisting depot of antigen in oil. When EAE was produced without an oily depot, a single dose suppressed the disease for at least 5 weeks in some rats. EN3638 was effective when given only in the second half of the incubation period but not when given at the time that EAE lesions and signs develop. Passive transfer experiments suggested that the drug prevented and even reversed sensitization to neural antigens. It had only slight effect on fully sensitized lymphoid cells or on the recruitment of nonimmune inflammatory cells in the nervous system, and it was not acting as a source of salicylate or as an adrenocortical stimulator.", "contents": "Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by 6-hydroxyphthalaldehydic acid, O-(p-chlorobenzyl)oxime (EN3638). EN3638 is a new oxime derivative of salicylic acid that has immunosuppressive properties. Oral administration of the compound to rats during the incubation period of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) delayed the onset of clinical signs. EN3638 was effective in both ordinary and hyperacute forms of EAE. Doses of 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg daily, 250 mg/kg three times a week, or 400 mg/kg twice a week suppressed both clinical and histologic evidence of EAE during the course of therapy (as long as 4 weeks) and for 8 or more days thereafter. Clinical EAE developed after a full incubation period after discontinuance of EN3638, probably due to the persisting depot of antigen in oil. When EAE was produced without an oily depot, a single dose suppressed the disease for at least 5 weeks in some rats. EN3638 was effective when given only in the second half of the incubation period but not when given at the time that EAE lesions and signs develop. Passive transfer experiments suggested that the drug prevented and even reversed sensitization to neural antigens. It had only slight effect on fully sensitized lymphoid cells or on the recruitment of nonimmune inflammatory cells in the nervous system, and it was not acting as a source of salicylate or as an adrenocortical stimulator.", "PMID": 621395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3977", "title": "Transplantation in minature swine. IV. Chemical characterization of MSLA and Ia-like antigens.", "content": "Immunochemical analyses of radioactively labeled lymphocyte antigens from miniature swine of three different homozygous major histocompatibility (MHC) types, AA, CC, and DD, have been performed. Anti-MHC sera were incubated with lentil lectin purified Nonidet P-40 swine lymphocyte extracts. Antigen-antibody complexes were then precipitated with protein A bearing staphylococci, eluted, and electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Analysis of antigens from AA or DD cells revealed peaks of 42,000, 31,000, 25,000, and 11,000 dalton m.w. Platelet absorption of the anti-MHC sera yielded antibodies that only precipitated the intermediate m.w. molecules and lysed a subpopulation of swine peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting that these molecules were the miniature swine analogues of murine Ia antigens. Antibodies eluted from platelets lysed all lymphocyte populations and precipitated only the 42,000 and 11,000 dalton peaks, indicating that these molecules represent the analogue of murine H-2 histocompatibility antigens, containing a heavy chain and putative swine beta2-microglobulin.", "contents": "Transplantation in minature swine. IV. Chemical characterization of MSLA and Ia-like antigens. Immunochemical analyses of radioactively labeled lymphocyte antigens from miniature swine of three different homozygous major histocompatibility (MHC) types, AA, CC, and DD, have been performed. Anti-MHC sera were incubated with lentil lectin purified Nonidet P-40 swine lymphocyte extracts. Antigen-antibody complexes were then precipitated with protein A bearing staphylococci, eluted, and electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Analysis of antigens from AA or DD cells revealed peaks of 42,000, 31,000, 25,000, and 11,000 dalton m.w. Platelet absorption of the anti-MHC sera yielded antibodies that only precipitated the intermediate m.w. molecules and lysed a subpopulation of swine peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting that these molecules were the miniature swine analogues of murine Ia antigens. Antibodies eluted from platelets lysed all lymphocyte populations and precipitated only the 42,000 and 11,000 dalton peaks, indicating that these molecules represent the analogue of murine H-2 histocompatibility antigens, containing a heavy chain and putative swine beta2-microglobulin.", "PMID": 621396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3978", "title": "Immunoregulatory function of specific IgG. I. Results in nonatopic subjects.", "content": "Nonatopic subjects immunized with short ragweed developed both reaginic IgE and blocking IgG antibodies to the antigen. Administration of 250 microgram-specific ragweed IgG antibodies 1 week before, simultaneously, or up to 2 weeks after start of immunization with ragweed extract abrogated the production of anti-ragweed reaginic antibodies which was measured by skin reactivity. Formation of specific ragweed IgG antibodies was unaffected by IgG treatment. These results indicate selective regulation of an immune response in humans by IgG.", "contents": "Immunoregulatory function of specific IgG. I. Results in nonatopic subjects. Nonatopic subjects immunized with short ragweed developed both reaginic IgE and blocking IgG antibodies to the antigen. Administration of 250 microgram-specific ragweed IgG antibodies 1 week before, simultaneously, or up to 2 weeks after start of immunization with ragweed extract abrogated the production of anti-ragweed reaginic antibodies which was measured by skin reactivity. Formation of specific ragweed IgG antibodies was unaffected by IgG treatment. These results indicate selective regulation of an immune response in humans by IgG.", "PMID": 621399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3979", "title": "Ontogeny of IgE-bearing lymphocytes in the rat.", "content": "IgE-bearing lymphocytes were detected by immunofluorescence in the spleen of neonatal Hooded Lister strain rats within 24 hr after birth. The same cells were detected in the bone marrow as early as the 4th day after birth. Both fetal spleen and liver obtained 1 day before birth contained IgM-bearing cells but no detectable IgE-bearing cells. The proportion of IgE-bearing cells in the spleen and bone marrow increased during the neonatal period and reached an adult level within 3 to 4 weeks after birth. In adult Hooded Lister rats, IgE-bearing cells were 3 to 6% of total spleen cells and 1.5 to 2.2% of bone marrow cells. Most of the IgE-bearing cells from bone marrow cells. Most of the IgE-bearing cells from both newborn and adult animals carried IgM determinants on their surface. Capping experiments showed that epsilon chain determinants and mu chain determinants belonged to separate molecules. IgG2a-bearing lymphocytes were detected in the neonatal spleen as early as the 4th day after birth, but a significant number of these cells was not detected in the bone marrow until the 4th week. In newborn spleen the percentage of IgE-IgM double bearing cells was higher than that of IgG2a-bearing cells.", "contents": "Ontogeny of IgE-bearing lymphocytes in the rat. IgE-bearing lymphocytes were detected by immunofluorescence in the spleen of neonatal Hooded Lister strain rats within 24 hr after birth. The same cells were detected in the bone marrow as early as the 4th day after birth. Both fetal spleen and liver obtained 1 day before birth contained IgM-bearing cells but no detectable IgE-bearing cells. The proportion of IgE-bearing cells in the spleen and bone marrow increased during the neonatal period and reached an adult level within 3 to 4 weeks after birth. In adult Hooded Lister rats, IgE-bearing cells were 3 to 6% of total spleen cells and 1.5 to 2.2% of bone marrow cells. Most of the IgE-bearing cells from bone marrow cells. Most of the IgE-bearing cells from both newborn and adult animals carried IgM determinants on their surface. Capping experiments showed that epsilon chain determinants and mu chain determinants belonged to separate molecules. IgG2a-bearing lymphocytes were detected in the neonatal spleen as early as the 4th day after birth, but a significant number of these cells was not detected in the bone marrow until the 4th week. In newborn spleen the percentage of IgE-IgM double bearing cells was higher than that of IgG2a-bearing cells.", "PMID": 621400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3980", "title": "A cytotoxic proteinase isolated from human lymphocytes.", "content": "A proteinase active at physiologic pH was isolated from unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes with gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The proteinase with a molecular mass of approximately 30,000 daltons was completely inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI). Incubation of the lymphocyte enzyme with 3H-proline labeled T24 human bladder carcinoma cells resulted in significant cytoxicity of the target cells. Cytotoxicity was only observed with much higher concentrations of trypsin. Similar results were obtained with a 51Cr release assay. This investigation demonstrates that unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes contain a cytotoxic proteinase capable of killing pre-labeled target cells. The proteinase may be involved in lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity.", "contents": "A cytotoxic proteinase isolated from human lymphocytes. A proteinase active at physiologic pH was isolated from unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes with gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The proteinase with a molecular mass of approximately 30,000 daltons was completely inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI). Incubation of the lymphocyte enzyme with 3H-proline labeled T24 human bladder carcinoma cells resulted in significant cytoxicity of the target cells. Cytotoxicity was only observed with much higher concentrations of trypsin. Similar results were obtained with a 51Cr release assay. This investigation demonstrates that unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes contain a cytotoxic proteinase capable of killing pre-labeled target cells. The proteinase may be involved in lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity.", "PMID": 621401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3981", "title": "Labeling characteristics and separation of Ia antigen subunits.", "content": "Experiments with biosynthetic incorporation of 3H-amino acids into murine and guinea pig Ia antigens have indicated that these antigens consist of two polypeptide chains of 33,000 and 25,000 daltons, respectively, occasionally linked by disulfide bonds into a 58,000 dalton molecule. In contrast, studies with lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination have indicated that these Ia antigens consist of only a single chain of 25,000 daltons. We therefore undertook a study to explore the basis of these discrepant results. Since 3H-tyrosine labeled both chains well, the lack of tyrosine residues in the 33,000 dalton chain could not be the explanation for the lack of radioiodination. However, by partially purifying the Ia antigen preparation with Lens culinaris (lentil) lectin affinity chromatography before immunoprecipitation and by increasing the resolution of analysis by using discontinuous-SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was possible to show that the 33,000 dalton chain was in fact radioiodinated, though still poorly so relative to the 25,000 dalton chain, and that a radioiodinated 58,000 dalton molecule could be detected. These experiments suggest that the 25,000 dalton chain is more exposed to the external cellular environment, and thus more readily iodinated by lactoperoxidase. In addition, the studies indicate that the choice of labeling method, purification procedures, and analytical methods must be taken into account when interpreting experimental results.", "contents": "Labeling characteristics and separation of Ia antigen subunits. Experiments with biosynthetic incorporation of 3H-amino acids into murine and guinea pig Ia antigens have indicated that these antigens consist of two polypeptide chains of 33,000 and 25,000 daltons, respectively, occasionally linked by disulfide bonds into a 58,000 dalton molecule. In contrast, studies with lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination have indicated that these Ia antigens consist of only a single chain of 25,000 daltons. We therefore undertook a study to explore the basis of these discrepant results. Since 3H-tyrosine labeled both chains well, the lack of tyrosine residues in the 33,000 dalton chain could not be the explanation for the lack of radioiodination. However, by partially purifying the Ia antigen preparation with Lens culinaris (lentil) lectin affinity chromatography before immunoprecipitation and by increasing the resolution of analysis by using discontinuous-SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was possible to show that the 33,000 dalton chain was in fact radioiodinated, though still poorly so relative to the 25,000 dalton chain, and that a radioiodinated 58,000 dalton molecule could be detected. These experiments suggest that the 25,000 dalton chain is more exposed to the external cellular environment, and thus more readily iodinated by lactoperoxidase. In addition, the studies indicate that the choice of labeling method, purification procedures, and analytical methods must be taken into account when interpreting experimental results.", "PMID": 621402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3982", "title": "PHA-induced cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes against adherent hela cells.", "content": "The conditions for a phytohaemagglutinin(PHA)-induced cytotoxicity test of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. [3H]thymidine prelabelled HeLa cells were used as target cells. Stimulation with 10 microliter PHA/ml during 24 h gave the best measure of lymphocyte cytotoxic capacity. Supernatants of PHA-activated lymphocytes showed no cytotoxicity against adherent HeLa cells. Mitomycin treatment did not influence cytotoxic capacity. Removal of phagocytizing mononuclear cells reduced spontaneous cytotoxicity, but increased PHA-induced cytotoxicity. Adherent cells showed high spontaneous cytotoxicity, with little increase on addition of PHA. The method was evaluated for clinical applicability by testing mononuclear cells from 19 normal subjects and purified lymphocytes from 15 normal subjects. Purified lymphocytes showed a higher PHA-induced cytotoxicity with a smaller variation and greater ratio dependent increase in cytotoxicity than unseparated mononuclear cells. Results with fresh purified lymphocytes were reproducible.", "contents": "PHA-induced cytotoxicity of human lymphocytes against adherent hela cells. The conditions for a phytohaemagglutinin(PHA)-induced cytotoxicity test of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. [3H]thymidine prelabelled HeLa cells were used as target cells. Stimulation with 10 microliter PHA/ml during 24 h gave the best measure of lymphocyte cytotoxic capacity. Supernatants of PHA-activated lymphocytes showed no cytotoxicity against adherent HeLa cells. Mitomycin treatment did not influence cytotoxic capacity. Removal of phagocytizing mononuclear cells reduced spontaneous cytotoxicity, but increased PHA-induced cytotoxicity. Adherent cells showed high spontaneous cytotoxicity, with little increase on addition of PHA. The method was evaluated for clinical applicability by testing mononuclear cells from 19 normal subjects and purified lymphocytes from 15 normal subjects. Purified lymphocytes showed a higher PHA-induced cytotoxicity with a smaller variation and greater ratio dependent increase in cytotoxicity than unseparated mononuclear cells. Results with fresh purified lymphocytes were reproducible.", "PMID": 621405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3983", "title": "Quantitation of proteins by densitometric scanning of immunoelectrophoretic precipitates.", "content": "Densitometric scanning of stained immunoelectrophoretic precipitates of nine human serum proteins showed that the optical density of the precipitates is approximately proportional to the molar concentration of antigen in the sample. Deviations from this correlation were noted for the macroglobulins (mol. wt. greater than 15 x 10(4)). The resolving capacity of the line immunoelectrophoretic procedure permits densitometric valuations of composite patterns.", "contents": "Quantitation of proteins by densitometric scanning of immunoelectrophoretic precipitates. Densitometric scanning of stained immunoelectrophoretic precipitates of nine human serum proteins showed that the optical density of the precipitates is approximately proportional to the molar concentration of antigen in the sample. Deviations from this correlation were noted for the macroglobulins (mol. wt. greater than 15 x 10(4)). The resolving capacity of the line immunoelectrophoretic procedure permits densitometric valuations of composite patterns.", "PMID": 621406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3984", "title": "A simple and reproducible method to evaluate granulocyte adherence.", "content": "A simple method was devised to measure granulocyte adherence in whole blood. Columns of glass beads (4.5 mm diameter) in disposable plastic syringes were used. The assay showed great reproducibility when done in triplicate, the day to day variations in a given individual being minimal. Previous incubation of the blood with different ethanol concentrations diminished granulocyte adherence. The assay is easy to perform and does not require special equipment.", "contents": "A simple and reproducible method to evaluate granulocyte adherence. A simple method was devised to measure granulocyte adherence in whole blood. Columns of glass beads (4.5 mm diameter) in disposable plastic syringes were used. The assay showed great reproducibility when done in triplicate, the day to day variations in a given individual being minimal. Previous incubation of the blood with different ethanol concentrations diminished granulocyte adherence. The assay is easy to perform and does not require special equipment.", "PMID": 621407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3985", "title": "Immunoradiometric assay of salivary anti-c3 antibodies.", "content": "By an immunoradiometric assay IgA and IgG anti-C3 antibodies were found in adult parotid salivas. The binding of the IgA antibodies to complement coated red cells could be reversed by washing in buffer containing 0.01 M EDTA but IgG antibodies were unaffected. The binding of IgA antibodies was inhibited by small quantities of purified C3. This assay may prove useful in the detection of anti-C3 antibodies in other body fluids.", "contents": "Immunoradiometric assay of salivary anti-c3 antibodies. By an immunoradiometric assay IgA and IgG anti-C3 antibodies were found in adult parotid salivas. The binding of the IgA antibodies to complement coated red cells could be reversed by washing in buffer containing 0.01 M EDTA but IgG antibodies were unaffected. The binding of IgA antibodies was inhibited by small quantities of purified C3. This assay may prove useful in the detection of anti-C3 antibodies in other body fluids.", "PMID": 621408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3986", "title": "Removal of unbound sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) from proteins in solution by electrophoresis through triton x-100-agarose.", "content": "Residual sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) introduces artifacts into immuno- and counterimmunoelectrophoretic analysis of proteins which have been eluted from preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Unbound SDS can be removed by electrophoretic passage of eluted solutions through a barrier of Triton X-100 in agarose in which the anionic and non-ionic detergents interact to form micelles.", "contents": "Removal of unbound sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) from proteins in solution by electrophoresis through triton x-100-agarose. Residual sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) introduces artifacts into immuno- and counterimmunoelectrophoretic analysis of proteins which have been eluted from preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Unbound SDS can be removed by electrophoretic passage of eluted solutions through a barrier of Triton X-100 in agarose in which the anionic and non-ionic detergents interact to form micelles.", "PMID": 621409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3987", "title": "An indirect antibody assay using haptenated antigen and 125i-labelled anti-hapten antibody.", "content": "Hapten (trinitrophenyl) was coupled to antigen (ovalbumin). The haptenated antigen was bound by anti-ovalbumin antibody and binding was quantitated with 125I-labelled anti-hapten antibodies. Thus, with a single radioactive reagent antibodies against a variety of antigens can be detected, whilst the problems inherent in a labelled antiglobulin binding test are avoided. In the ovalbumin system, the haptenated antigen binding test proved to be approximately 20 times as sensitive as the iodinated ovalbumin binding test.", "contents": "An indirect antibody assay using haptenated antigen and 125i-labelled anti-hapten antibody. Hapten (trinitrophenyl) was coupled to antigen (ovalbumin). The haptenated antigen was bound by anti-ovalbumin antibody and binding was quantitated with 125I-labelled anti-hapten antibodies. Thus, with a single radioactive reagent antibodies against a variety of antigens can be detected, whilst the problems inherent in a labelled antiglobulin binding test are avoided. In the ovalbumin system, the haptenated antigen binding test proved to be approximately 20 times as sensitive as the iodinated ovalbumin binding test.", "PMID": 621410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3988", "title": "Therapy of psoriasis by tar photosensitization.", "content": "For the first time since Goeckerman suggested the therapeutic potential of tar photosensitization of psoriatic skin, this mechanism has been shown to the effective in treating generalized psoriasis vulgaris. Long treatment times, need for special high-intensity sources, the presence of skin pain, and absence of information about long-term effects makes this treatment impractical at present.", "contents": "Therapy of psoriasis by tar photosensitization. For the first time since Goeckerman suggested the therapeutic potential of tar photosensitization of psoriatic skin, this mechanism has been shown to the effective in treating generalized psoriasis vulgaris. Long treatment times, need for special high-intensity sources, the presence of skin pain, and absence of information about long-term effects makes this treatment impractical at present.", "PMID": 621412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3989", "title": "Trichochromes in the urine of melanoma patients.", "content": "The urine of patients with melanoma metastases and increased urinary excretion of 5-S-cysteinyldopa was examined for trichochromes. Five of 16 patients showed urinary excretion of trichochromes B and C. None excreted trichochromes E or F. All patients showing trichochrome excretion had very large amounts of cysteinyldopa in their urine.", "contents": "Trichochromes in the urine of melanoma patients. The urine of patients with melanoma metastases and increased urinary excretion of 5-S-cysteinyldopa was examined for trichochromes. Five of 16 patients showed urinary excretion of trichochromes B and C. None excreted trichochromes E or F. All patients showing trichochrome excretion had very large amounts of cysteinyldopa in their urine.", "PMID": 621413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3990", "title": "Sources of serum [14C]-octanoate in cirrhosis of the liver and hepatic encephalopathy.", "content": "Serum octanoate levels of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy have been shown to be three to 15 times higher than those of controls. Assays for octanoate have been modified to permit isolation of pure octanoate after GLC. Patients with these conditions were given intravenously differently labeled [14C]-palmitates; serum [14C]-octanoate was isolated in each case and shown by mass spectrometry to be authentic octanoate. [1-14C]-oleate and [1-14C]-stereate were also shown to serve as precursors of serum [14C]-octanoate. When differently labeled palmitates (1-[14C]; omega [14C]; and [14C]-uniformly labeled) were used, different yields of serum [14C]-octanoate were recovered. Octanoate samples were chemically degraded to yield individual carbons or groups of carbons. In this manner it was possible to determine the percentage distribution of the [14C] label within the octanoate carbon chain. The data obtained from these studies suggest that 60% to 80% of the serum octanoate was obtained from the incomplete beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and that 20% to 40% of the octanoate may have been formed de novo.", "contents": "Sources of serum [14C]-octanoate in cirrhosis of the liver and hepatic encephalopathy. Serum octanoate levels of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy have been shown to be three to 15 times higher than those of controls. Assays for octanoate have been modified to permit isolation of pure octanoate after GLC. Patients with these conditions were given intravenously differently labeled [14C]-palmitates; serum [14C]-octanoate was isolated in each case and shown by mass spectrometry to be authentic octanoate. [1-14C]-oleate and [1-14C]-stereate were also shown to serve as precursors of serum [14C]-octanoate. When differently labeled palmitates (1-[14C]; omega [14C]; and [14C]-uniformly labeled) were used, different yields of serum [14C]-octanoate were recovered. Octanoate samples were chemically degraded to yield individual carbons or groups of carbons. In this manner it was possible to determine the percentage distribution of the [14C] label within the octanoate carbon chain. The data obtained from these studies suggest that 60% to 80% of the serum octanoate was obtained from the incomplete beta-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and that 20% to 40% of the octanoate may have been formed de novo.", "PMID": 621424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3991", "title": "Host metabolic alterations during Venezuelan equine encephalitis in the rat.", "content": "Although an effective vaccine exists to protect against VEE, not all persons who may be exposed to this disease are likely to be vaccinated. The disease most often presents as a short febrile illness but the convalescence period may be protracted, and death due to encephalitis does occur in a small percentage of those infected. Knowledge of the metabolic alterations which occur during VEE may materially aid in its treatment. Use of the V-198 strain of VEE in the rat produces a uniform model in which to study metabolic alterations. Changes that occur early in the disease include viremia, neutrophilia, a decrease in plasma zinc and transferrin, and increased amino acid uptake into liver. Plasma zinc depression persists into the later stage of the disease, but to a lesser degree. Increases in plasma copper and seromucoid occur late in the disease, concurrent with the development of pronounced encephalitis. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased ketonemia occur during both the early and late stages of the disease. Taken together, these metabolic alterations appear to chronicle the development of VEE in the rat. If these metabolic alterations can be linked to specific pathogenic processes, they may be useful as prognostic indicators, in formulating supportive therapy, and as monitors of potential antiviral therapy.", "contents": "Host metabolic alterations during Venezuelan equine encephalitis in the rat. Although an effective vaccine exists to protect against VEE, not all persons who may be exposed to this disease are likely to be vaccinated. The disease most often presents as a short febrile illness but the convalescence period may be protracted, and death due to encephalitis does occur in a small percentage of those infected. Knowledge of the metabolic alterations which occur during VEE may materially aid in its treatment. Use of the V-198 strain of VEE in the rat produces a uniform model in which to study metabolic alterations. Changes that occur early in the disease include viremia, neutrophilia, a decrease in plasma zinc and transferrin, and increased amino acid uptake into liver. Plasma zinc depression persists into the later stage of the disease, but to a lesser degree. Increases in plasma copper and seromucoid occur late in the disease, concurrent with the development of pronounced encephalitis. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased ketonemia occur during both the early and late stages of the disease. Taken together, these metabolic alterations appear to chronicle the development of VEE in the rat. If these metabolic alterations can be linked to specific pathogenic processes, they may be useful as prognostic indicators, in formulating supportive therapy, and as monitors of potential antiviral therapy.", "PMID": 621426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3992", "title": "Myocardial damage after repetitive direct current shock in the dog: correlation between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and extent of myocardial necrosis.", "content": "Acute myocardial necrosis was produced in 27 anesthetized dogs by repetitive DC 75 joule shock delivered with one electrode in the left ventricular cavity and the other on the left chest wall. A total of 1 shock/kg body weight delivered at 10 sec intervals resulted in discrete anterior wall necrosis of 7% to 31% (mean, 17.6%) of the mass of left ventricular myocardium. After some transient bradycardia, normal sinus rhythm was restored. Depression of left ventricular function 15 min after shock (rise in LVEDP from 4.0 +/- 1.5 to 17 +/- 2 mm Hg and fall in cardiac output from 2.29 +/- 0.24 to 1.82 +/- 0.12 L/min) recovered only slightly during the ensuing 2 hr. A significant correlation (r=0.85) was observed between the LVEDP at 2 hr after shock and the extent of necrosis determined histochemically and histologically at the time of sacrifice 3 hr after shock. Thus, in this form of acute myocardial damage, pump dysfunction is closely related to the area of necrosis.", "contents": "Myocardial damage after repetitive direct current shock in the dog: correlation between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and extent of myocardial necrosis. Acute myocardial necrosis was produced in 27 anesthetized dogs by repetitive DC 75 joule shock delivered with one electrode in the left ventricular cavity and the other on the left chest wall. A total of 1 shock/kg body weight delivered at 10 sec intervals resulted in discrete anterior wall necrosis of 7% to 31% (mean, 17.6%) of the mass of left ventricular myocardium. After some transient bradycardia, normal sinus rhythm was restored. Depression of left ventricular function 15 min after shock (rise in LVEDP from 4.0 +/- 1.5 to 17 +/- 2 mm Hg and fall in cardiac output from 2.29 +/- 0.24 to 1.82 +/- 0.12 L/min) recovered only slightly during the ensuing 2 hr. A significant correlation (r=0.85) was observed between the LVEDP at 2 hr after shock and the extent of necrosis determined histochemically and histologically at the time of sacrifice 3 hr after shock. Thus, in this form of acute myocardial damage, pump dysfunction is closely related to the area of necrosis.", "PMID": 621428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3993", "title": "Studies on platelet plasma membranes. III. Membrane glycoprotein loss from circulating platelets in rabbits: inhibition by aspirin-dipyridamole and acceleration by thrombin.", "content": "DD125ISA, which binds to platelet surface glycoproteins, is lost more rapidly from double-labeled circulating rabbit platelets than is 51Cr, a label of platelet cytoplasm. Treatment of rabbits with aspirin and dipyridamole to diminish platelet function did not affect 51Cr survival but inhibited DD125ISA loss so that it disappeared from the circulation at the same rate as 51Cr . Intravenous thrombin infusion increased DD125ISA loss relative to 51Cr loss. Therefore surface glycoprotein loss was prevented by agents which inhibit platelet function and was accelerated by intravascular coagulation. These observations support the hypothesis that platelet surface glycoprotein loss is a continuous process in the normal circulation which may occur during reversible contact interactions in the process of hemostasis and thrombosis.", "contents": "Studies on platelet plasma membranes. III. Membrane glycoprotein loss from circulating platelets in rabbits: inhibition by aspirin-dipyridamole and acceleration by thrombin. DD125ISA, which binds to platelet surface glycoproteins, is lost more rapidly from double-labeled circulating rabbit platelets than is 51Cr, a label of platelet cytoplasm. Treatment of rabbits with aspirin and dipyridamole to diminish platelet function did not affect 51Cr survival but inhibited DD125ISA loss so that it disappeared from the circulation at the same rate as 51Cr . Intravenous thrombin infusion increased DD125ISA loss relative to 51Cr loss. Therefore surface glycoprotein loss was prevented by agents which inhibit platelet function and was accelerated by intravascular coagulation. These observations support the hypothesis that platelet surface glycoprotein loss is a continuous process in the normal circulation which may occur during reversible contact interactions in the process of hemostasis and thrombosis.", "PMID": 621429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3994", "title": "Membrane polypeptide aggregates in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient and in vitro aged red blood cells.", "content": "RBC membrane polypeptide aggregates have been quantitated by PAGE SDS and by gel filtration. Aggregates were absent in fresh RBC's from normal controls, but aggregates with MW 4.4 X 10(5) and greater than 50 X 10(6) increased progressively as GSH levels fell in RBC's incubated in PBS without added glucose or calcium. Aggregates of both MW ranges were also present in fresh RBC's from a patient with compensated congenital nonspherocytic hemolysis associated with a mutant RBC G-6-PD, Long Prairie. Since the aggregates were dissociable by treatment with mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol, they are probably cross-linked by intermolecular disulfide bonds. Membranes containing these aggregates may represent an early and sensitive indicator of oxidative damage to red cells.", "contents": "Membrane polypeptide aggregates in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient and in vitro aged red blood cells. RBC membrane polypeptide aggregates have been quantitated by PAGE SDS and by gel filtration. Aggregates were absent in fresh RBC's from normal controls, but aggregates with MW 4.4 X 10(5) and greater than 50 X 10(6) increased progressively as GSH levels fell in RBC's incubated in PBS without added glucose or calcium. Aggregates of both MW ranges were also present in fresh RBC's from a patient with compensated congenital nonspherocytic hemolysis associated with a mutant RBC G-6-PD, Long Prairie. Since the aggregates were dissociable by treatment with mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol, they are probably cross-linked by intermolecular disulfide bonds. Membranes containing these aggregates may represent an early and sensitive indicator of oxidative damage to red cells.", "PMID": 621430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3995", "title": "A new model for health effects of air pollutants: evidence for synergistic effects of mixtures of ozone and sulfuric acid aerosols on rat lungs.", "content": "Chronic respiratory disease-free rats were exposed to relatively low levels of ozone (0.4 to 0.5 ppm) and H2SO4 aerosols (11 to 3,000 microgram/m3) and to mixtures of these pollutants. We independently evaluated exposure effects on conducting airway metabolism as rate of secretion of mucus glycoproteins by tracheal explants and on lung homogenates (predominantly lung parenchyma) by various chemical assays. True synergism was observed in that the response to the mixture of gases exceeded the sum of effects observed with the same concentration of either gas alone. Wet to dry weight ratios; DNA, protein, and RNA content; and the activities various lysosomal hydrolases in the lung homogenate all increased upon exposure to O3-H2-SO4 mixtures concomitant with observed increases in the rate of secretion of mucus glycoproteins by tracheal explants from the same rats. Preliminary experiments suggest that all of these effects are reversible when rats are allowed to recover after exposure. We conclude that the lack of toxicity noted upon exposure of experimental animals to individual pollutant gases at near-ambient levels should be interpreted with caution, since there is now epidemiological, physiological, and biochemical evidence that mixtures of pollutant gases may show synergistic effects.", "contents": "A new model for health effects of air pollutants: evidence for synergistic effects of mixtures of ozone and sulfuric acid aerosols on rat lungs. Chronic respiratory disease-free rats were exposed to relatively low levels of ozone (0.4 to 0.5 ppm) and H2SO4 aerosols (11 to 3,000 microgram/m3) and to mixtures of these pollutants. We independently evaluated exposure effects on conducting airway metabolism as rate of secretion of mucus glycoproteins by tracheal explants and on lung homogenates (predominantly lung parenchyma) by various chemical assays. True synergism was observed in that the response to the mixture of gases exceeded the sum of effects observed with the same concentration of either gas alone. Wet to dry weight ratios; DNA, protein, and RNA content; and the activities various lysosomal hydrolases in the lung homogenate all increased upon exposure to O3-H2-SO4 mixtures concomitant with observed increases in the rate of secretion of mucus glycoproteins by tracheal explants from the same rats. Preliminary experiments suggest that all of these effects are reversible when rats are allowed to recover after exposure. We conclude that the lack of toxicity noted upon exposure of experimental animals to individual pollutant gases at near-ambient levels should be interpreted with caution, since there is now epidemiological, physiological, and biochemical evidence that mixtures of pollutant gases may show synergistic effects.", "PMID": 621431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3996", "title": "Elevation of platelet factor four in acute myocardial infarction: measurement by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of PF-4--a chemically well-defined heparin-neutralizing molecule. PF-4 was iodinated, repurified by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose, and incubated with rabbit antiserum and a source of unlabeled antigen. Following incubation at 4 degrees C for 24 hr, bound PF-4 was precipitated with 2.2M ammonium sulfate. The assay, which could detect 25 pg of purified PF-4, was unaffected by the presence of plasma containing up to 50 U/ml heparin. The plasma concentration of PF-4 in 30 normal subjects was 16 +/- 4 ng/ml. This level was increased in patients with pulmonary emboli, prosthetic cardiac valves, and severe cardiorespiratory failure. In addition, 21 of 50 patients admitted to the hospital with acute chest pain who had sustained a myocardial infarct had a mean level of 95 ng/ml. In contrast, the mean level in 21 patients with chest pain but without evidence of infarction was 29 ng/ml. PF-4 remained elevated for at least 1 week after infarction in six of the eight patients studied and then returned to within the normal range. The data suggest that radioimmunoassay of PF-4 may be a useful test to measure activation of the coagulation system and an aid to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with thromboembolic disorders.", "contents": "Elevation of platelet factor four in acute myocardial infarction: measurement by radioimmunoassay. A radioimmunoassay has been developed for the measurement of PF-4--a chemically well-defined heparin-neutralizing molecule. PF-4 was iodinated, repurified by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose, and incubated with rabbit antiserum and a source of unlabeled antigen. Following incubation at 4 degrees C for 24 hr, bound PF-4 was precipitated with 2.2M ammonium sulfate. The assay, which could detect 25 pg of purified PF-4, was unaffected by the presence of plasma containing up to 50 U/ml heparin. The plasma concentration of PF-4 in 30 normal subjects was 16 +/- 4 ng/ml. This level was increased in patients with pulmonary emboli, prosthetic cardiac valves, and severe cardiorespiratory failure. In addition, 21 of 50 patients admitted to the hospital with acute chest pain who had sustained a myocardial infarct had a mean level of 95 ng/ml. In contrast, the mean level in 21 patients with chest pain but without evidence of infarction was 29 ng/ml. PF-4 remained elevated for at least 1 week after infarction in six of the eight patients studied and then returned to within the normal range. The data suggest that radioimmunoassay of PF-4 may be a useful test to measure activation of the coagulation system and an aid to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with thromboembolic disorders.", "PMID": 621432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3997", "title": "Bile secretion and liver cell heterogeneity in the rat.", "content": "The contribution of hepatocytes of different acinar zones to bile salt transport and to the secretion of the BSNDF was studied in the rat. Changes in the removal of 14C-taurocholate from blood, in the biliary secretion of taurocholate, and in canalicular flow were determined after damage of the periportal (acinar zone 1) or centrilobular (acinar zone 3) areas by allyl alcohol or bromobenzene, respectively. The extent of cell necrosis was quantitated by light microscopy, and the quality of the intracellular damage was assessed by electron microscopy. After either periportal or centrilobular damage, surviving cells responded to an intravenous infusion of taurocholate by secreting bile salts into bile at a rate similar to controls. However, following the administration of 14C-taurocholate at high concentrations and as a single bolus, the rate of removal of this isotope from blood was slower than in controls. Both experiments suggested that periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes had the capability for bile salt transport. Consequently, since the concentration of bile salts in sinusoidal blood at each zone determines the relative contribution of hepatocytes to bile salt transport, periportal cells probably transport the largest amount of bile salts reaching the acinus. Canalicular bile flow, on the other hand, decreased following centrilobular cell damage, and this was associated with a high concentration of bile salts in bile. This suggested that at bile salt loads near physiological concentrations, the predominant contribution of centrilobular hepatocytes is to the secretion of the BSNDF.", "contents": "Bile secretion and liver cell heterogeneity in the rat. The contribution of hepatocytes of different acinar zones to bile salt transport and to the secretion of the BSNDF was studied in the rat. Changes in the removal of 14C-taurocholate from blood, in the biliary secretion of taurocholate, and in canalicular flow were determined after damage of the periportal (acinar zone 1) or centrilobular (acinar zone 3) areas by allyl alcohol or bromobenzene, respectively. The extent of cell necrosis was quantitated by light microscopy, and the quality of the intracellular damage was assessed by electron microscopy. After either periportal or centrilobular damage, surviving cells responded to an intravenous infusion of taurocholate by secreting bile salts into bile at a rate similar to controls. However, following the administration of 14C-taurocholate at high concentrations and as a single bolus, the rate of removal of this isotope from blood was slower than in controls. Both experiments suggested that periportal and centrilobular hepatocytes had the capability for bile salt transport. Consequently, since the concentration of bile salts in sinusoidal blood at each zone determines the relative contribution of hepatocytes to bile salt transport, periportal cells probably transport the largest amount of bile salts reaching the acinus. Canalicular bile flow, on the other hand, decreased following centrilobular cell damage, and this was associated with a high concentration of bile salts in bile. This suggested that at bile salt loads near physiological concentrations, the predominant contribution of centrilobular hepatocytes is to the secretion of the BSNDF.", "PMID": 621433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3998", "title": "A comparison of procedures to determine free fatty acids in rat heart.", "content": "The level of free fatty acids in intact tissues has been found to be low but is known to rise in proportion to the extent of autolysis. Therefore, the high levels of free fatty acid reported in the cardiac lipids of rats fed rapeseed oil were reinvestigated using two different procedures for homogenization. Quick freezing and pulverization at dry ice temperature followed by lipid extraction was found to give lower values of free fatty acids (200 microgram/g of wet heart tissue) than the more commonly used technique of employing rotating blade-type homogenizers (greater than 1700 microgram/g of wet heart tissue). The amount of diglycerides was found to be 3 times greater when the latter method was used. The high levels of free fatty acid and diglyceride suggest that extensive autolysis occurs during homogenization with a rotating blade-type homogenizer. Freezing and pulverization at dry ice temperature is therefore recommended for determining intact lipid classes in rat heart.", "contents": "A comparison of procedures to determine free fatty acids in rat heart. The level of free fatty acids in intact tissues has been found to be low but is known to rise in proportion to the extent of autolysis. Therefore, the high levels of free fatty acid reported in the cardiac lipids of rats fed rapeseed oil were reinvestigated using two different procedures for homogenization. Quick freezing and pulverization at dry ice temperature followed by lipid extraction was found to give lower values of free fatty acids (200 microgram/g of wet heart tissue) than the more commonly used technique of employing rotating blade-type homogenizers (greater than 1700 microgram/g of wet heart tissue). The amount of diglycerides was found to be 3 times greater when the latter method was used. The high levels of free fatty acid and diglyceride suggest that extensive autolysis occurs during homogenization with a rotating blade-type homogenizer. Freezing and pulverization at dry ice temperature is therefore recommended for determining intact lipid classes in rat heart.", "PMID": 621434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_3999", "title": "Rapid determination of the molecular weight distribution of total cellular fatty acids using chemical ionization mass spectrometry.", "content": "A new method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the molecular weight distribution of total cellular fatty acids is described. The method includes a simple extraction-saponification followed by chemical ionization-mass spectrometric analysis of the saponifiable matter. This technique requires small quantities of cell material which, combined with the rapidity and precision of the analysis, makes it attractive to the biologist interested in changes in the fatty acid composition of growing cells. As an example, an application of this method to the fatty acid determination of marine diatoms at different growth stages is presented.", "contents": "Rapid determination of the molecular weight distribution of total cellular fatty acids using chemical ionization mass spectrometry. A new method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the molecular weight distribution of total cellular fatty acids is described. The method includes a simple extraction-saponification followed by chemical ionization-mass spectrometric analysis of the saponifiable matter. This technique requires small quantities of cell material which, combined with the rapidity and precision of the analysis, makes it attractive to the biologist interested in changes in the fatty acid composition of growing cells. As an example, an application of this method to the fatty acid determination of marine diatoms at different growth stages is presented.", "PMID": 621436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4000", "title": "Measurement and subcellular distribution of choloyl-CoA synthetase and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activities in rat liver.", "content": "An improved method for assaying choloyl-CoA synthetase activity (E.C. 6.2.1.7) and two methods for specific measurement of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity (E.C. 2.3.1) are described. The methods are shown to be reproducible, linear with respect to time and enzyme protein, and result in estimates of enzymic activity that conform to the theoretical stoichiometry of the individual reactions. Utilizing these methods, the subcellular distribution of the rat liver enzymic activity catalyzing the formation of glycine and taurine conjugates of bile acids is shown. Choloyl-CoA synthetase is associated with the microsomal membranes and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity with the postmicrosomal supernatant. No significant amino acid N-acyltransferase activity is present in the lysosome fraction. These studies provide methods that will permit further study of the individual enzymic reactions involved in the intrahepatic conjugation of bile acids with amino acids.", "contents": "Measurement and subcellular distribution of choloyl-CoA synthetase and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activities in rat liver. An improved method for assaying choloyl-CoA synthetase activity (E.C. 6.2.1.7) and two methods for specific measurement of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity (E.C. 2.3.1) are described. The methods are shown to be reproducible, linear with respect to time and enzyme protein, and result in estimates of enzymic activity that conform to the theoretical stoichiometry of the individual reactions. Utilizing these methods, the subcellular distribution of the rat liver enzymic activity catalyzing the formation of glycine and taurine conjugates of bile acids is shown. Choloyl-CoA synthetase is associated with the microsomal membranes and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity with the postmicrosomal supernatant. No significant amino acid N-acyltransferase activity is present in the lysosome fraction. These studies provide methods that will permit further study of the individual enzymic reactions involved in the intrahepatic conjugation of bile acids with amino acids.", "PMID": 621437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4001", "title": "The participation of ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate (BRL 10894) and other aryl-substituted acids in glycerolipid metabolism.", "content": "Investigation into the mechanism of action of BRL 10894 (ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate), a compound possessing hypolipidemic activity in the rat, disclosed participation in glycerolipid metabolism. In the presence of BRL 10894, an abnormal metabolite was synthesized in vitro using liver slices or rings of small intestine with glycerol, palmitate, or monoolein as substrate, and using adipose tissue with pyruvate as substrate. Esters related chemically to BRL 10894 and other pharmacologically active acids (e.g., ibuprofen) also produced abnormal metabolites in vitro. With BRL 10894 in the diet, a similar metabolite was produced in vivo in rats and accumulated in adipose tissue. Chemical characterization of the material synthesized in vivo showed that the metabolite was a triglyceride in which one fatty acid moiety was substituted by the acid of BRL 10894. Additional proof of this structure was obtained by comparison with reference material synthesized in our laboratories. The study of the initimate involvement of exogenous acids in glycerolipid turnover is of value in the characterization of pharmacologically important acids and may be of use in achieving a greater understanding of certain aspects of lipid metabolism.", "contents": "The participation of ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate (BRL 10894) and other aryl-substituted acids in glycerolipid metabolism. Investigation into the mechanism of action of BRL 10894 (ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate), a compound possessing hypolipidemic activity in the rat, disclosed participation in glycerolipid metabolism. In the presence of BRL 10894, an abnormal metabolite was synthesized in vitro using liver slices or rings of small intestine with glycerol, palmitate, or monoolein as substrate, and using adipose tissue with pyruvate as substrate. Esters related chemically to BRL 10894 and other pharmacologically active acids (e.g., ibuprofen) also produced abnormal metabolites in vitro. With BRL 10894 in the diet, a similar metabolite was produced in vivo in rats and accumulated in adipose tissue. Chemical characterization of the material synthesized in vivo showed that the metabolite was a triglyceride in which one fatty acid moiety was substituted by the acid of BRL 10894. Additional proof of this structure was obtained by comparison with reference material synthesized in our laboratories. The study of the initimate involvement of exogenous acids in glycerolipid turnover is of value in the characterization of pharmacologically important acids and may be of use in achieving a greater understanding of certain aspects of lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 621438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4002", "title": "Separation of the natural retinoids by high-pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "A reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography system for rapid separation of various retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs) with little or no degradation is described. This method permits detection of as little as 22 pmol of retinoic acid. The procedure has been applied to the study of retinoic acid metabolism in vitamin A-deficient hamsters.", "contents": "Separation of the natural retinoids by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography system for rapid separation of various retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs) with little or no degradation is described. This method permits detection of as little as 22 pmol of retinoic acid. The procedure has been applied to the study of retinoic acid metabolism in vitamin A-deficient hamsters.", "PMID": 621439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4003", "title": "Ehrlich ascites tumor cell surface membranes: an abnormality in ether lipid content.", "content": "Most mammalian neoplasms have a defect in ether lipid content manifested by the presence of abnormally large quantities of 0-alkyl glyceryl ethers, in contrast to normal tissues in which the alk-1-enyl structure predominates. These lipids are for the most part structural. The manner in which tumor cell plasma membranes differ from normal may be important, and it has been hitherto unclear whether or not the 0-alkyl lipid abnormality of neoplasms includes the plasma membrane. The present investigation reveals that 0-alkyl lipids are present in the membranes of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells isolated by several different methods. The amount of 0-alkyl lipid, on a weight basis, represents 1-3 percent of the total phospholipids and 1-4 percent of the total aliphatic lipid. These quantities are the same as or greater than the amount of 0-alkyl lipid found in microsomes, mitochondria, and whole cell homogenate. As is generally the case for intact neoplastic tissues, the quantity of 0-alkyl lipids of Ehrlich ascites tumor plasma membrane is greater than the amount of alk-1-enyl lipids.", "contents": "Ehrlich ascites tumor cell surface membranes: an abnormality in ether lipid content. Most mammalian neoplasms have a defect in ether lipid content manifested by the presence of abnormally large quantities of 0-alkyl glyceryl ethers, in contrast to normal tissues in which the alk-1-enyl structure predominates. These lipids are for the most part structural. The manner in which tumor cell plasma membranes differ from normal may be important, and it has been hitherto unclear whether or not the 0-alkyl lipid abnormality of neoplasms includes the plasma membrane. The present investigation reveals that 0-alkyl lipids are present in the membranes of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells isolated by several different methods. The amount of 0-alkyl lipid, on a weight basis, represents 1-3 percent of the total phospholipids and 1-4 percent of the total aliphatic lipid. These quantities are the same as or greater than the amount of 0-alkyl lipid found in microsomes, mitochondria, and whole cell homogenate. As is generally the case for intact neoplastic tissues, the quantity of 0-alkyl lipids of Ehrlich ascites tumor plasma membrane is greater than the amount of alk-1-enyl lipids.", "PMID": 621440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4004", "title": "Evaluation of an isotope ratio method for measurement of cholesterol absorption in man.", "content": "Recently an isotope ratio method (IRM) was developed for measuring cholesterol absorption in rats by analysis of radioactivity in peripheral blood (Zilversmit, D. B. 1972. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 140: 862-865). To validate it in man we have compared cholesterol absorption by a fecal radioactivity method (FRM) with that simultaneously measured by IRM in 14 patients (15 experiments) hospitalized on a metabolic ward. Cholesterol absorption by FRM was assayed as fecal recovery of orally administered [(14)C]cholesterol, after correction with markers for fecal flow (chromic oxide) and cholesterol degradation (beta-sitosterol). Simultaneously, [(3)H]cholesterol was administered intravenously, and the dose-normalized ratio of [(14)C]- to [(3)H]cholesterol was repeatedly assayed in plasma. After 72 hours the ratio became constant in each patient and remained so for as long as 63 weeks (five additional outpatient studies). In three patients the fecal data were unsatisfactory because of poor recoveries of chromic oxide and radioactive cholesterol. In the remaining 11 patients (12 experiments) the mean cholesterol absorption by IRM was 42.1% (range 15.7-62.9%) and by FRM 36.6% (range 13.8-58.8%). There was good to excellent agreement between the two methods in the same patient, except in one experiment. Statistical analysis of these 12 comparisons by estimating confidence intervals showed that we can be 95% confident that the two absorption methods will produce results within 5 percentage points, and 99% confident that the differences are less than 7 percentage points. Although we conclude that IRM affords results that are concordant with those obtainable by earlier validated methods, we urge that its suitability for outpatient studies be further examined in more extensive trials.", "contents": "Evaluation of an isotope ratio method for measurement of cholesterol absorption in man. Recently an isotope ratio method (IRM) was developed for measuring cholesterol absorption in rats by analysis of radioactivity in peripheral blood (Zilversmit, D. B. 1972. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 140: 862-865). To validate it in man we have compared cholesterol absorption by a fecal radioactivity method (FRM) with that simultaneously measured by IRM in 14 patients (15 experiments) hospitalized on a metabolic ward. Cholesterol absorption by FRM was assayed as fecal recovery of orally administered [(14)C]cholesterol, after correction with markers for fecal flow (chromic oxide) and cholesterol degradation (beta-sitosterol). Simultaneously, [(3)H]cholesterol was administered intravenously, and the dose-normalized ratio of [(14)C]- to [(3)H]cholesterol was repeatedly assayed in plasma. After 72 hours the ratio became constant in each patient and remained so for as long as 63 weeks (five additional outpatient studies). In three patients the fecal data were unsatisfactory because of poor recoveries of chromic oxide and radioactive cholesterol. In the remaining 11 patients (12 experiments) the mean cholesterol absorption by IRM was 42.1% (range 15.7-62.9%) and by FRM 36.6% (range 13.8-58.8%). There was good to excellent agreement between the two methods in the same patient, except in one experiment. Statistical analysis of these 12 comparisons by estimating confidence intervals showed that we can be 95% confident that the two absorption methods will produce results within 5 percentage points, and 99% confident that the differences are less than 7 percentage points. Although we conclude that IRM affords results that are concordant with those obtainable by earlier validated methods, we urge that its suitability for outpatient studies be further examined in more extensive trials.", "PMID": 621441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4005", "title": "Comparison of cholesterol turnover by sterol balance and input-output analysis, and a shortened way to estimate total exchangeable mass of cholesterol by the combination of the two methods.", "content": "Daily turnover of cholesterol obtained by the balance method was compared to daily input rates calculated by input-output analysis in 43 experiments. The mean value of input rates for kinetic data of 10.1-16.4 weeks' duration (14 experiments) was 1.05 g/day vs. the chemical turnover of 0.94 g/day (difference 10.9 percent). For decay curves of 4.8-9.9 weeks' duration (29 experiments) the mean results were 1.67 g/day vs. 1.31 g/day, respectively (difference 20.1 percent). A combination of the balance method with input-output analysis is proposed to estimate the size of M (minimum value of the total exchangeable mass of cholesterol) in short-term experiments. Using this method, the analysis of curves of 10-12 weeks' duration showed a mean difference of 7.5 percent with the analysis of curves of 50-66 weeks' duration in 17 patients. However, because of considerable variations that can occur in individual cases, it is urged that a standard correction factor not be used, either in estimating turnover data or M from 10-12 weeks' kinetic data; rather, the proposed combined method will alert the investigator to the occurrence of discrepant results.", "contents": "Comparison of cholesterol turnover by sterol balance and input-output analysis, and a shortened way to estimate total exchangeable mass of cholesterol by the combination of the two methods. Daily turnover of cholesterol obtained by the balance method was compared to daily input rates calculated by input-output analysis in 43 experiments. The mean value of input rates for kinetic data of 10.1-16.4 weeks' duration (14 experiments) was 1.05 g/day vs. the chemical turnover of 0.94 g/day (difference 10.9 percent). For decay curves of 4.8-9.9 weeks' duration (29 experiments) the mean results were 1.67 g/day vs. 1.31 g/day, respectively (difference 20.1 percent). A combination of the balance method with input-output analysis is proposed to estimate the size of M (minimum value of the total exchangeable mass of cholesterol) in short-term experiments. Using this method, the analysis of curves of 10-12 weeks' duration showed a mean difference of 7.5 percent with the analysis of curves of 50-66 weeks' duration in 17 patients. However, because of considerable variations that can occur in individual cases, it is urged that a standard correction factor not be used, either in estimating turnover data or M from 10-12 weeks' kinetic data; rather, the proposed combined method will alert the investigator to the occurrence of discrepant results.", "PMID": 621442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4006", "title": "The sick sinus syndrome. A study of 50 cases.", "content": "The long term prognosis was studied in 50 patients treated for the sick sinus syndrome with pacemaker insertion. The mean age of the patients was 71 years. There were 31 females and 19 males in the series. Nine patients (18%) died during the average follow-up period of 19 months. Dizzy and syncopal episodes were abolished in most patients with pacemaker therapy. However only two of the nine patients in congestive heart failure improved with the pacemaker. Thus the long term prognosis of patients with the sick sinus syndrome is poor despite pacemaker therapy. This is particularly true for the patient in chronic congestive heart failure who does not respond to the pacemaker treatment.", "contents": "The sick sinus syndrome. A study of 50 cases. The long term prognosis was studied in 50 patients treated for the sick sinus syndrome with pacemaker insertion. The mean age of the patients was 71 years. There were 31 females and 19 males in the series. Nine patients (18%) died during the average follow-up period of 19 months. Dizzy and syncopal episodes were abolished in most patients with pacemaker therapy. However only two of the nine patients in congestive heart failure improved with the pacemaker. Thus the long term prognosis of patients with the sick sinus syndrome is poor despite pacemaker therapy. This is particularly true for the patient in chronic congestive heart failure who does not respond to the pacemaker treatment.", "PMID": 621450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4007", "title": "The effect of hypoxia on the refractoriness of the canine ventricular muscle.", "content": "The effect of hypoxia on the relationship between refractoriness and transmembrane action potential was studied in isolated canine papillary muscle preparations. Test stimuli were applied at variable intervals after every 10 to 15 driving stimuli, and action potentials were recorded through an intracellular microelectrode located near the stimulus site. During hypoxia of 30 to 90 min duration, induced by nitrogenization of the perfusate, action potential duration (APD) was tremendously decreased in association with decline in the amplitude and rising velocity. The resting potential was also reduced. Concurrently the effective refractory period (ERP) was decreased, but its decrement was smaller than that of the APD. The total refractory period (TRP) was, on the other hand, prolonged. In consequence, not only the TRP but the ERP as well fairly outlasted full repolarization as a result of the hypoxia. The duration of the relative refractory period (RRP) was increased during hypoxia as the result of the changes in ERP and TRP, and graded local responses were registered frequently in the early phase of RRP. These facts were thought to be related to the genesis of arrhythmias in the ischemic heart.", "contents": "The effect of hypoxia on the refractoriness of the canine ventricular muscle. The effect of hypoxia on the relationship between refractoriness and transmembrane action potential was studied in isolated canine papillary muscle preparations. Test stimuli were applied at variable intervals after every 10 to 15 driving stimuli, and action potentials were recorded through an intracellular microelectrode located near the stimulus site. During hypoxia of 30 to 90 min duration, induced by nitrogenization of the perfusate, action potential duration (APD) was tremendously decreased in association with decline in the amplitude and rising velocity. The resting potential was also reduced. Concurrently the effective refractory period (ERP) was decreased, but its decrement was smaller than that of the APD. The total refractory period (TRP) was, on the other hand, prolonged. In consequence, not only the TRP but the ERP as well fairly outlasted full repolarization as a result of the hypoxia. The duration of the relative refractory period (RRP) was increased during hypoxia as the result of the changes in ERP and TRP, and graded local responses were registered frequently in the early phase of RRP. These facts were thought to be related to the genesis of arrhythmias in the ischemic heart.", "PMID": 621451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4008", "title": "The electrical characteristics of some commercial ECG electrodes.", "content": "The impedance and offset potential of six disposable and two non-disposable electrodes were measured on 80 subjects. A total of 160 measurements were made on skin prepared by wiping with alcohol or acetone. For 640 measurements the skin was prepared by lightly sanding. The sanding of the skin reduced the impedance by a factor of approximately 50 for males and 100 for females. The offset potential for sanded skin was reduced by approximately 2. The performance of the disposable electrodes showed no great practical difference when applied on sanded skin. The median impedance ranged from 1500 to 3250 ohms. The median offset potential ranged from 0.5 to 4 mV. It was shown that a small DC current of 100 nA applied to stainless steel electrodes could cause a polarization voltage of approximately 0.5 volts to appear in 25 min.", "contents": "The electrical characteristics of some commercial ECG electrodes. The impedance and offset potential of six disposable and two non-disposable electrodes were measured on 80 subjects. A total of 160 measurements were made on skin prepared by wiping with alcohol or acetone. For 640 measurements the skin was prepared by lightly sanding. The sanding of the skin reduced the impedance by a factor of approximately 50 for males and 100 for females. The offset potential for sanded skin was reduced by approximately 2. The performance of the disposable electrodes showed no great practical difference when applied on sanded skin. The median impedance ranged from 1500 to 3250 ohms. The median offset potential ranged from 0.5 to 4 mV. It was shown that a small DC current of 100 nA applied to stainless steel electrodes could cause a polarization voltage of approximately 0.5 volts to appear in 25 min.", "PMID": 621452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4009", "title": "Factors affecting overdrive suppression of idioventricular pacemakers and associated potassium shifts.", "content": "A characterization of the factors controlling overdrive suppression of idioventricular pacemakers was investigated in canine hearts with complete atrioventricular block perfused in vitro. The following results were obtained: 1) overdrive suppression increases as a function of driving rate in a sigmoidal fashion; 2) overdrive suppression is maximal after 3 min; 3) the pause is a function of spontaneous rate prior to overdrive; 4) overdrive causes an initial net K loss; 5) overdrive is followed by a transient net K grain; 6) increasing [K]o does not affect K loss; 7) net K loss with drive is less in pre-driven hearts; 8) net K uptake after overdrive is little affected by ventricular activity; 9) acetylcholine does not alter ventricular K balance; and 10) paired stimulation increases overdrive suppression and K loss whether or not each stimulus is followed by a contraction. The following conclusions are drawn. The factors controlling overdrive suppression include the spontaneous rate prior to drive, the rate, duration and pattern of drive, an increase in [K]o during the drive and a decrease in [K]o after drive, but not on acetylcholine-mediated inhibition.", "contents": "Factors affecting overdrive suppression of idioventricular pacemakers and associated potassium shifts. A characterization of the factors controlling overdrive suppression of idioventricular pacemakers was investigated in canine hearts with complete atrioventricular block perfused in vitro. The following results were obtained: 1) overdrive suppression increases as a function of driving rate in a sigmoidal fashion; 2) overdrive suppression is maximal after 3 min; 3) the pause is a function of spontaneous rate prior to overdrive; 4) overdrive causes an initial net K loss; 5) overdrive is followed by a transient net K grain; 6) increasing [K]o does not affect K loss; 7) net K loss with drive is less in pre-driven hearts; 8) net K uptake after overdrive is little affected by ventricular activity; 9) acetylcholine does not alter ventricular K balance; and 10) paired stimulation increases overdrive suppression and K loss whether or not each stimulus is followed by a contraction. The following conclusions are drawn. The factors controlling overdrive suppression include the spontaneous rate prior to drive, the rate, duration and pattern of drive, an increase in [K]o during the drive and a decrease in [K]o after drive, but not on acetylcholine-mediated inhibition.", "PMID": 621454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4010", "title": "Active cables for use with dry electrodes for electrocardiography.", "content": "With the active cables described in this paper, it is possible to record the electrocardiogram with dry electrodes. Simultaneous recordings of the ECG from dry electrodes via the active cables and from conventional electrodes with electrode paste demonstrate that there is no discernible difference in the electrocardiographic waveforms.", "contents": "Active cables for use with dry electrodes for electrocardiography. With the active cables described in this paper, it is possible to record the electrocardiogram with dry electrodes. Simultaneous recordings of the ECG from dry electrodes via the active cables and from conventional electrodes with electrode paste demonstrate that there is no discernible difference in the electrocardiographic waveforms.", "PMID": 621458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4011", "title": "Combined intra-Hisian block and A-V nodal bypass.", "content": "A patient with first and second degree atrio-ventricular (A-V) block and left bundle branch block was shown on electrophysiological study to have an intra and infra-His bundle branch block. In addition, this patient also had an A-V nodal bypass tract. The intra-Hisian block was concealed on the resting His bundle electrogram and became evident only during atrial pacing. The A-V nodal bypass was masked on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) by the associated A-V conduction defect. The clinical significance of A-V bypass and combined block below the A-V node is discussed. The diagnostic value of His bundle electrocardiography in a patient with complex electrophysiological abnormalities is stressed.", "contents": "Combined intra-Hisian block and A-V nodal bypass. A patient with first and second degree atrio-ventricular (A-V) block and left bundle branch block was shown on electrophysiological study to have an intra and infra-His bundle branch block. In addition, this patient also had an A-V nodal bypass tract. The intra-Hisian block was concealed on the resting His bundle electrogram and became evident only during atrial pacing. The A-V nodal bypass was masked on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) by the associated A-V conduction defect. The clinical significance of A-V bypass and combined block below the A-V node is discussed. The diagnostic value of His bundle electrocardiography in a patient with complex electrophysiological abnormalities is stressed.", "PMID": 621459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4012", "title": "Alternating Wolff-Parkinson-White (preexcitation) pattern.", "content": "An electrocardiogram is presented which shows sinus rhythm with alternating Wolff-Parkinson-White (preexcitation) pattern. The frequency of intermittent preexcitation and mechanisms for its production are discussed.", "contents": "Alternating Wolff-Parkinson-White (preexcitation) pattern. An electrocardiogram is presented which shows sinus rhythm with alternating Wolff-Parkinson-White (preexcitation) pattern. The frequency of intermittent preexcitation and mechanisms for its production are discussed.", "PMID": 621460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4013", "title": "Intermittent concealed atrial conduction demonstrated through intracavitary leads.", "content": "An intermittent vanishing of the P wave from a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) while normal atrial activity was recorded on intracavitary leads was observed in a 58 year old man. This intermittent concealed atrial conduction is discussed.", "contents": "Intermittent concealed atrial conduction demonstrated through intracavitary leads. An intermittent vanishing of the P wave from a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) while normal atrial activity was recorded on intracavitary leads was observed in a 58 year old man. This intermittent concealed atrial conduction is discussed.", "PMID": 621461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4014", "title": "A note on the \"Brody-effect\".", "content": "The effect of a perfectly conducting sphere simulating the intracavitary blood mass on a dipole source located at the interface with the outer tissue (myocardium) is studied, utilizing image theory. The resulting enhancement factor is found to be a function of the field point location and is not a constant, as previously reported by Brody and by Rush and Nelson.", "contents": "A note on the \"Brody-effect\". The effect of a perfectly conducting sphere simulating the intracavitary blood mass on a dipole source located at the interface with the outer tissue (myocardium) is studied, utilizing image theory. The resulting enhancement factor is found to be a function of the field point location and is not a constant, as previously reported by Brody and by Rush and Nelson.", "PMID": 621462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4015", "title": "A new hazard in the use of an external demand pacemaker.", "content": "Ventricular pacing by a Medtronic model 5880A external demand pacemaker was shown to be inhibited as long as the metal coverplate of the pacemaker was touched with bare hands. The asystolic periods were induced by a previously undescribed malfunction of the pacemaker, inherent in its structure. This phenomenon occurred when both patient and physician were isolated from any main operated instrument. It could be demonstrated that pacer inhibition was induced by capacitive coupled 50 Hz fields from the environment, activating the sensing mechanism through the metal coverplate. The plastic covered Medtronic model 5840 pacemaker does not have such undesirable characteristics.", "contents": "A new hazard in the use of an external demand pacemaker. Ventricular pacing by a Medtronic model 5880A external demand pacemaker was shown to be inhibited as long as the metal coverplate of the pacemaker was touched with bare hands. The asystolic periods were induced by a previously undescribed malfunction of the pacemaker, inherent in its structure. This phenomenon occurred when both patient and physician were isolated from any main operated instrument. It could be demonstrated that pacer inhibition was induced by capacitive coupled 50 Hz fields from the environment, activating the sensing mechanism through the metal coverplate. The plastic covered Medtronic model 5840 pacemaker does not have such undesirable characteristics.", "PMID": 621464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4016", "title": "The Rescorla-Wagner model: losses in associative strength in compound conditioned stimuli.", "content": "This series of experiments demonstrated that compound conditioned stimuli (CSs) highly conditioned in isolation lose conditioned response strength when compound-CS-unconditioned stimulus (US) pairings are given. This loss in conditioned responding was a positive function of the number of compound-CS-US pairings and was greater for the more salient stimulus. Finally, if a previously neutral stimulus was compounded with two previously conditioned cues, the neutral stimulus could acquire conditioned inhibitory properties with only compound-CS-US pairings. These results provide support for some aspects of the Rescorla-Wagner model.", "contents": "The Rescorla-Wagner model: losses in associative strength in compound conditioned stimuli. This series of experiments demonstrated that compound conditioned stimuli (CSs) highly conditioned in isolation lose conditioned response strength when compound-CS-unconditioned stimulus (US) pairings are given. This loss in conditioned responding was a positive function of the number of compound-CS-US pairings and was greater for the more salient stimulus. Finally, if a previously neutral stimulus was compounded with two previously conditioned cues, the neutral stimulus could acquire conditioned inhibitory properties with only compound-CS-US pairings. These results provide support for some aspects of the Rescorla-Wagner model.", "PMID": 621465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4017", "title": "Semantic integration of verbal information into a visual memory.", "content": "A total of 1,242 subjects, in five experiments plus a pilot study, saw a series of slides depicting a single auto-pedestrian accident. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate how information supplied after an event influences a witness's memory for that event. Subjects were exposed to either consistent, misleading, or irrelevant information after the accident event. Misleading information produced less accurate responding on both a yes-no and a two-alternative forced-choice recognition test. Further, misleading information had a larger impact if introduced just prior to a final test rather than immediately after the initial event. The effects of misleading information cannot be accounted for by a simple demand-characteristics explanation. Overall, the results suggest that information to which a witness is exposed after an event, whether that information is consistent or misleading, is integrated into the witness's memory of the event.", "contents": "Semantic integration of verbal information into a visual memory. A total of 1,242 subjects, in five experiments plus a pilot study, saw a series of slides depicting a single auto-pedestrian accident. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate how information supplied after an event influences a witness's memory for that event. Subjects were exposed to either consistent, misleading, or irrelevant information after the accident event. Misleading information produced less accurate responding on both a yes-no and a two-alternative forced-choice recognition test. Further, misleading information had a larger impact if introduced just prior to a final test rather than immediately after the initial event. The effects of misleading information cannot be accounted for by a simple demand-characteristics explanation. Overall, the results suggest that information to which a witness is exposed after an event, whether that information is consistent or misleading, is integrated into the witness's memory of the event.", "PMID": 621467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4018", "title": "Asymmetric transfer of prototype information between vision and audition.", "content": "Specific and nonspecific transfer of pattern class concept information between vision and audition was examined. In Experiment 1, subjects learned visually or auditorily to distinguish between two pattern classes that were either the same as or different from the test classes. All subjects were then tested on the auditory classification of 50 patterns. Specific intramodal and cross-modal transfer was noted; subjects trained visually and auditorily on the test classes were equivalent in performance and more accurate than untrained controls. In Experiment 2, the training of Experiment 1 was repeated, but subjects were tested visually. There was no evidence of auditory-to-visual transfer but some suggestion of nonspecific transfer within the visual modality. The asymmetry of transfer is discussed in terms of the modality into which patterns are most likely translated for the cross-modal tasks and in terms of the quality of prototype formation with visual versus a,ditory patterns.", "contents": "Asymmetric transfer of prototype information between vision and audition. Specific and nonspecific transfer of pattern class concept information between vision and audition was examined. In Experiment 1, subjects learned visually or auditorily to distinguish between two pattern classes that were either the same as or different from the test classes. All subjects were then tested on the auditory classification of 50 patterns. Specific intramodal and cross-modal transfer was noted; subjects trained visually and auditorily on the test classes were equivalent in performance and more accurate than untrained controls. In Experiment 2, the training of Experiment 1 was repeated, but subjects were tested visually. There was no evidence of auditory-to-visual transfer but some suggestion of nonspecific transfer within the visual modality. The asymmetry of transfer is discussed in terms of the modality into which patterns are most likely translated for the cross-modal tasks and in terms of the quality of prototype formation with visual versus a,ditory patterns.", "PMID": 621468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4019", "title": "Health team function: testing a method for improvement.", "content": "Health-care teams are functioning in the delivery of primary care. For purposes of this paper, the health-care team is composed of a primary care physician or physicians working with other health-care providers to deliver primary care. This definition represents an organizational model of health-care teams. Organizational specialists have proposed \"team development\" processes for improving health team function. This paper reports the results of an initial experiment designed to analyze the results of such a process. A modification of the \"health-team development\" process was used with one of three comparable teams at a family practice residency. Pre and post-team development data were taken. The team that experienced the modified team development process showed significant differences in the gain scores, compared to the \"control\" teams. Discussion focuses on the role of organizational technology in health-care teams and avenues of further analysis are presented. The modified format for the team development process is also reported and discussed.", "contents": "Health team function: testing a method for improvement. Health-care teams are functioning in the delivery of primary care. For purposes of this paper, the health-care team is composed of a primary care physician or physicians working with other health-care providers to deliver primary care. This definition represents an organizational model of health-care teams. Organizational specialists have proposed \"team development\" processes for improving health team function. This paper reports the results of an initial experiment designed to analyze the results of such a process. A modification of the \"health-team development\" process was used with one of three comparable teams at a family practice residency. Pre and post-team development data were taken. The team that experienced the modified team development process showed significant differences in the gain scores, compared to the \"control\" teams. Discussion focuses on the role of organizational technology in health-care teams and avenues of further analysis are presented. The modified format for the team development process is also reported and discussed.", "PMID": 621469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4020", "title": "A survey of students who chose Family Practice residencies.", "content": "This paper presents the results of questionnaires sent to medical students at Wayne State University who chose family practice residency programs. It discusses three main areas: (1) choice of family practice as a specialty, (2) choice of a particular family practice residency program, and (3) future plans. Role models, the student's family, student membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians, the student's hometown, and Family Practice Club meetings were all important factors in the decision to become a family physician. The current residents' opinions of their program, the residency director, the quality of the current residents, and the location of the program were rated as quite important in the choice of a particular residency program. Most residents served their residency in their home state. Economic factors and university affiliation were not felt to be influential in program choice. A typical student plans to pursue family practice in a group that employs physician's assistants or nurse practitioners. He/she would also like to practice in his/her home state in either a rural area or a small city. Very few students were interested in either solo practice or academic family medicine.", "contents": "A survey of students who chose Family Practice residencies. This paper presents the results of questionnaires sent to medical students at Wayne State University who chose family practice residency programs. It discusses three main areas: (1) choice of family practice as a specialty, (2) choice of a particular family practice residency program, and (3) future plans. Role models, the student's family, student membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians, the student's hometown, and Family Practice Club meetings were all important factors in the decision to become a family physician. The current residents' opinions of their program, the residency director, the quality of the current residents, and the location of the program were rated as quite important in the choice of a particular residency program. Most residents served their residency in their home state. Economic factors and university affiliation were not felt to be influential in program choice. A typical student plans to pursue family practice in a group that employs physician's assistants or nurse practitioners. He/she would also like to practice in his/her home state in either a rural area or a small city. Very few students were interested in either solo practice or academic family medicine.", "PMID": 621470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4021", "title": "Consultation-referral among physicians: practice and process.", "content": "Consultation-referral is a part of everyday family practice. Although the process is taken for granted, it is a complex phenomenon. Neither the practice nor the process always meet the expectations of the referring physician or the consultant, and the patient may be the worse because of this discrepany. Studies of the practice and the process support this view. A model of the process is elaborated which can be used for the teaching of medical students or residents and which the practicing physician may use to improve his/her consultation-referral practices.", "contents": "Consultation-referral among physicians: practice and process. Consultation-referral is a part of everyday family practice. Although the process is taken for granted, it is a complex phenomenon. Neither the practice nor the process always meet the expectations of the referring physician or the consultant, and the patient may be the worse because of this discrepany. Studies of the practice and the process support this view. A model of the process is elaborated which can be used for the teaching of medical students or residents and which the practicing physician may use to improve his/her consultation-referral practices.", "PMID": 621471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4022", "title": "A case report in a Rural Health Center.", "content": "An experiment utilizing nurse practitioners in the delivery of health care in a rural Nebraska community is described. In spite of several reorganizations, over a 2 1/2-year period of study, the project failed in terms of patient utilization. Visit rates began at 300 per month and increased to a high of 825 until the community perceived that the nurse practitioner was interposed between themselves and the primary physician. Rates then dropped to 375 and the community withdrew from the project. Implications for rural health projects using ancillary personnel are discussed.", "contents": "A case report in a Rural Health Center. An experiment utilizing nurse practitioners in the delivery of health care in a rural Nebraska community is described. In spite of several reorganizations, over a 2 1/2-year period of study, the project failed in terms of patient utilization. Visit rates began at 300 per month and increased to a high of 825 until the community perceived that the nurse practitioner was interposed between themselves and the primary physician. Rates then dropped to 375 and the community withdrew from the project. Implications for rural health projects using ancillary personnel are discussed.", "PMID": 621472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4023", "title": "Heart murmurs in infants and children.", "content": "A system is presented for evaluation of heart murmurs in infants and children. The system places emphasis on identification of functional murmurs, which the physician encounters so frequently in daily practice. A three-part approach is presented which includes: (1) evaluation of cardiovascular status, (2) assessment of the heart murmur, and (3) decision regarding the need for further evaluation. This approach relieves the physician of the necessity to remember the multiple details of the many congenital cardiac lesions, and requires only the knowledge of a few easily remembered details about functional murmurs. The system enables the physician to confidently distinguish organic and functional murmurs and to decide which children need further evaluation and referral to the pediatric cardiologist.", "contents": "Heart murmurs in infants and children. A system is presented for evaluation of heart murmurs in infants and children. The system places emphasis on identification of functional murmurs, which the physician encounters so frequently in daily practice. A three-part approach is presented which includes: (1) evaluation of cardiovascular status, (2) assessment of the heart murmur, and (3) decision regarding the need for further evaluation. This approach relieves the physician of the necessity to remember the multiple details of the many congenital cardiac lesions, and requires only the knowledge of a few easily remembered details about functional murmurs. The system enables the physician to confidently distinguish organic and functional murmurs and to decide which children need further evaluation and referral to the pediatric cardiologist.", "PMID": 621473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4024", "title": "The outpatient use of digitalis: a chart audit.", "content": "In order to establish the appropriateness of the use of digitalis, the charts of 337 patients with heart disease from the Family Health Center at the University of Maryland were reviewed. The results revealed that several patients were on digitalis for weak or borderline reasons or for poorly documented reasons. Although few attempts had been made to discontinue digitalis, a high perc:ntage of those patients who had discontinued digitalis did so without morbidity or mortality, and without having to have digitalis reinstituted. The necessity for continuous evaluation and reassessment of each patient's need for digitalis was clearly illustrated. Chart audit was also a significant means of self as well as group education, through dissemination of the information obtained. Ideally, chart audits will improve patient care, both immediately as a result of the audit and long term as a result of increased awareness of possible problems and pitfalls. Further study is needed to verify this latter premise.", "contents": "The outpatient use of digitalis: a chart audit. In order to establish the appropriateness of the use of digitalis, the charts of 337 patients with heart disease from the Family Health Center at the University of Maryland were reviewed. The results revealed that several patients were on digitalis for weak or borderline reasons or for poorly documented reasons. Although few attempts had been made to discontinue digitalis, a high perc:ntage of those patients who had discontinued digitalis did so without morbidity or mortality, and without having to have digitalis reinstituted. The necessity for continuous evaluation and reassessment of each patient's need for digitalis was clearly illustrated. Chart audit was also a significant means of self as well as group education, through dissemination of the information obtained. Ideally, chart audits will improve patient care, both immediately as a result of the audit and long term as a result of increased awareness of possible problems and pitfalls. Further study is needed to verify this latter premise.", "PMID": 621481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4025", "title": "Nutrition and its importance in dental health.", "content": "Balanced and good nutrition is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of the dental and oral structures. Nutrition counseling is, therefore, of paramount importance. The physician who is aware of the factors that cause dental and oral disease will be in a position to intercept the progress of dental caries caused by an incorrect diet. This paper considers the significance of highly cariogenic foods, particularly sucrose, and the difficulties of removing it from the diet. A method of conducting a diet survey is presented. The importance of fluoridation is discussed, with elaboration of the advisable prescribing techniques for fluoride supplementation of the diet. Cooperation between physician and dentist is important in order to insure the prevention of dental disease.", "contents": "Nutrition and its importance in dental health. Balanced and good nutrition is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of the dental and oral structures. Nutrition counseling is, therefore, of paramount importance. The physician who is aware of the factors that cause dental and oral disease will be in a position to intercept the progress of dental caries caused by an incorrect diet. This paper considers the significance of highly cariogenic foods, particularly sucrose, and the difficulties of removing it from the diet. A method of conducting a diet survey is presented. The importance of fluoridation is discussed, with elaboration of the advisable prescribing techniques for fluoride supplementation of the diet. Cooperation between physician and dentist is important in order to insure the prevention of dental disease.", "PMID": 621482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4026", "title": "Hypokalemic periodic paralysis with arrhythmia. A case report and review of literature.", "content": "Hypokalemic paralysis and/or arrhythmia must be treated cautiously and replacement therapy given slowly. The differential diagnosis should include familial periodic paralysis, an autosomal dominant disorder, which may present as hypokalemia, normokalemia, or hyperkalemia.", "contents": "Hypokalemic periodic paralysis with arrhythmia. A case report and review of literature. Hypokalemic paralysis and/or arrhythmia must be treated cautiously and replacement therapy given slowly. The differential diagnosis should include familial periodic paralysis, an autosomal dominant disorder, which may present as hypokalemia, normokalemia, or hyperkalemia.", "PMID": 621483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4027", "title": "The schizophrenias: medical diagnosis and treatment by the family physician.", "content": "About one percent of the population will develop schizophrenic symptoms sometime during their life. Etiologies are poorly understood and the course is highly variable. The differential diagnosis and medical treatment of the schizophrenias are discussed. Neuroleptic drugs are the most effective single treatment, for they allow most patients to be treated on an ambulatory basis, under the care of community physicians. Adverse effects of neuroleptic agents are common and often subjectively annoying. They may be prevented or minimized by agent selection, dosage schedules, or contra-active treatment.", "contents": "The schizophrenias: medical diagnosis and treatment by the family physician. About one percent of the population will develop schizophrenic symptoms sometime during their life. Etiologies are poorly understood and the course is highly variable. The differential diagnosis and medical treatment of the schizophrenias are discussed. Neuroleptic drugs are the most effective single treatment, for they allow most patients to be treated on an ambulatory basis, under the care of community physicians. Adverse effects of neuroleptic agents are common and often subjectively annoying. They may be prevented or minimized by agent selection, dosage schedules, or contra-active treatment.", "PMID": 621484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4028", "title": "Incest and the family physician.", "content": "This paper is a review of incest from epidemiologic, familial, and individual points of view. The incest taboo has characterized almost every culture and society throughout the ages. Respect for the incest barrier is a cultural demand made by society and is not a physiological or biological imperative. Overt incest occurs in a dysfunctional family through tension-reducing \"acting out.\" The family physician is in a unique position to observe and understand the family dynamics which both help maintain defenses against the incestuous wishes as well as, in some families, contribute to the practice of incest. For 2,000 years physicians have taken the Hippocratic oath, with its explicit love relationship clause, as a reminder of their ethical responsibilities towards their patients. Examples of para-incestuous relationships between vulnerable individuals and authoritative helping figures are cited. A psychodynamic rationale is offered as to why sexual relationships between patients and their family physicians are not therapeutically beneficial. Clues for assessment and ten preventive measures are presented to enable physicians to monitor themselves and the families in their practice.", "contents": "Incest and the family physician. This paper is a review of incest from epidemiologic, familial, and individual points of view. The incest taboo has characterized almost every culture and society throughout the ages. Respect for the incest barrier is a cultural demand made by society and is not a physiological or biological imperative. Overt incest occurs in a dysfunctional family through tension-reducing \"acting out.\" The family physician is in a unique position to observe and understand the family dynamics which both help maintain defenses against the incestuous wishes as well as, in some families, contribute to the practice of incest. For 2,000 years physicians have taken the Hippocratic oath, with its explicit love relationship clause, as a reminder of their ethical responsibilities towards their patients. Examples of para-incestuous relationships between vulnerable individuals and authoritative helping figures are cited. A psychodynamic rationale is offered as to why sexual relationships between patients and their family physicians are not therapeutically beneficial. Clues for assessment and ten preventive measures are presented to enable physicians to monitor themselves and the families in their practice.", "PMID": 621485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4029", "title": "Voltage-sensitive potassium channels in Limulus ventral photoreceptors.", "content": "The steady-state slope conductance of Limulus ventral photoreceptors increases markedly when the membrane is depolarized from rest. The ionic basis of this rectification has been examined with a voltage-clamp technique. Tail currents that occur when membrane potential is repolarized after having been depolarized have been identified. The tail currents reverse direction at a voltage that becomes more positive when Ko is increased. Rectification is reduced by extracellular 4-aminopyridine and by intracellular injection of tetra-ethyl-ammonium (TEA). These results indicate that the membrane rectification around resting potential is due primarily to voltage-sensitive K+ channels. The increase in gK caused by depolarization is not mediated by a voltage-dependent rise in in Cai++, since intracellular injection of Ca++ causes a decrease rather than an increase in slope conductance. TEA can be used to examine the functional role of the K+ channels because it blocks them without substantially affecting the light-activated Na+ conductance. The effect of TEA on response-intensity curves shows that the K+ channels serve to compress the voltage range of receptor potentials.", "contents": "Voltage-sensitive potassium channels in Limulus ventral photoreceptors. The steady-state slope conductance of Limulus ventral photoreceptors increases markedly when the membrane is depolarized from rest. The ionic basis of this rectification has been examined with a voltage-clamp technique. Tail currents that occur when membrane potential is repolarized after having been depolarized have been identified. The tail currents reverse direction at a voltage that becomes more positive when Ko is increased. Rectification is reduced by extracellular 4-aminopyridine and by intracellular injection of tetra-ethyl-ammonium (TEA). These results indicate that the membrane rectification around resting potential is due primarily to voltage-sensitive K+ channels. The increase in gK caused by depolarization is not mediated by a voltage-dependent rise in in Cai++, since intracellular injection of Ca++ causes a decrease rather than an increase in slope conductance. TEA can be used to examine the functional role of the K+ channels because it blocks them without substantially affecting the light-activated Na+ conductance. The effect of TEA on response-intensity curves shows that the K+ channels serve to compress the voltage range of receptor potentials.", "PMID": 621492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4030", "title": "Microspectrophotometric evidence for two photointerconvertible states of visual pigment in the barnacle lateral eye.", "content": "Microspectrophotometrically derived difference spectra from the barnacles Balanus amphitrite and B. eburneus show that a blue illumination after an orange illumination causes a decrease in absorption in the blue region and an increase in absorption in the green-yellow region, with an isosbestic point around 535 nm. Orange-following-blue illumination causes the reverse changes. The dark time between the adapting and measuring lights has no influence on the data. The results confirm previously reported ERP measurements which indicate that the barnacle visual pigment has two photointerconvertible dark-stable states. If one assumes a Dartnall nomogram shape for the two absorption spectra, a best fit to the observed difference spectra is obtained with nomograms peaking at 492 nm and 532 nm, with a peak absorbance ratio around 1.6:1. These two nomograms fit very well the ERP action spectra of metarhodopsin and rhodopsin, respectively, thus indicating that the ERP is a reliable measure of visual-pigment changes in the barnacle. The existence of a photostable blue pigment is demonstrated in B. eburneus and in some of B. amphitrite receptors, and the possible influence of this photostable pigment on the various action spectra measured in the barnacle is discussed.", "contents": "Microspectrophotometric evidence for two photointerconvertible states of visual pigment in the barnacle lateral eye. Microspectrophotometrically derived difference spectra from the barnacles Balanus amphitrite and B. eburneus show that a blue illumination after an orange illumination causes a decrease in absorption in the blue region and an increase in absorption in the green-yellow region, with an isosbestic point around 535 nm. Orange-following-blue illumination causes the reverse changes. The dark time between the adapting and measuring lights has no influence on the data. The results confirm previously reported ERP measurements which indicate that the barnacle visual pigment has two photointerconvertible dark-stable states. If one assumes a Dartnall nomogram shape for the two absorption spectra, a best fit to the observed difference spectra is obtained with nomograms peaking at 492 nm and 532 nm, with a peak absorbance ratio around 1.6:1. These two nomograms fit very well the ERP action spectra of metarhodopsin and rhodopsin, respectively, thus indicating that the ERP is a reliable measure of visual-pigment changes in the barnacle. The existence of a photostable blue pigment is demonstrated in B. eburneus and in some of B. amphitrite receptors, and the possible influence of this photostable pigment on the various action spectra measured in the barnacle is discussed.", "PMID": 621493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4031", "title": "Diffusion within egg lecithin bilayers resembles that within soft polymers.", "content": "An analysis is presented of how the permeability coefficient/octanol:water partition coefficient ratio for 33 different chemical substances crossing egg lecithin bilayers depends on the molecular volume of the substances. From this analysis we conclude that bilayers made from egg lecithin behave as soft polymers in their discrimination between permeants of different sizes and shapes.", "contents": "Diffusion within egg lecithin bilayers resembles that within soft polymers. An analysis is presented of how the permeability coefficient/octanol:water partition coefficient ratio for 33 different chemical substances crossing egg lecithin bilayers depends on the molecular volume of the substances. From this analysis we conclude that bilayers made from egg lecithin behave as soft polymers in their discrimination between permeants of different sizes and shapes.", "PMID": 621494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4032", "title": "DNA sequence homology estimation by combinatorial analysis of endonuclease restriction data.", "content": "A combinatorial analysis of the products of DNA cleavage by restriction endonucleases permits an estimation of the sequence homology between closely related linear DNAs. The main assumption to be made is that fragments of identical length represent equivalent sections of the genomes. All patterns of common and varying restriction sites compatible with the results of the electrophoretic analysis of fragment sizes can be enumerated, each yielding an estimate of the proportion of sequences of restriction site length common to both DNAs. From this, sequence homology is derived by using a model of randomly distributed point mutations relating the two genomes. Possible limitations of the approach are discussed.", "contents": "DNA sequence homology estimation by combinatorial analysis of endonuclease restriction data. A combinatorial analysis of the products of DNA cleavage by restriction endonucleases permits an estimation of the sequence homology between closely related linear DNAs. The main assumption to be made is that fragments of identical length represent equivalent sections of the genomes. All patterns of common and varying restriction sites compatible with the results of the electrophoretic analysis of fragment sizes can be enumerated, each yielding an estimate of the proportion of sequences of restriction site length common to both DNAs. From this, sequence homology is derived by using a model of randomly distributed point mutations relating the two genomes. Possible limitations of the approach are discussed.", "PMID": 621495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4033", "title": "A method for assessing the size of a protein from its composition: a correction.", "content": "A previous report in this Journal of a computer method for assessing the size of a protein from its amino acid composition, and its application to virus protein data, contained an error in the published arithmetical formula. Persons using the incorrect formula would not have obtained incorrect estimates of possible protein sizes, but would have obtained a more equivocal set of possible sizes.", "contents": "A method for assessing the size of a protein from its composition: a correction. A previous report in this Journal of a computer method for assessing the size of a protein from its amino acid composition, and its application to virus protein data, contained an error in the published arithmetical formula. Persons using the incorrect formula would not have obtained incorrect estimates of possible protein sizes, but would have obtained a more equivocal set of possible sizes.", "PMID": 621496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4034", "title": "The replication and titration of iridescent virus type 22 in Spodoptera frugiperda cells.", "content": "A plaque assay for iridescent virus type 22 (from Simulium sp.) using Spodoptera frugiperda cells has been devised, and the kinetics of growth of the virus in this cell line have been determined. The virus particle/p.f.u. ratio was 75 +/- 8, and the p.f.u./TCID50 ratio was 0.56 +/- 0.11.", "contents": "The replication and titration of iridescent virus type 22 in Spodoptera frugiperda cells. A plaque assay for iridescent virus type 22 (from Simulium sp.) using Spodoptera frugiperda cells has been devised, and the kinetics of growth of the virus in this cell line have been determined. The virus particle/p.f.u. ratio was 75 +/- 8, and the p.f.u./TCID50 ratio was 0.56 +/- 0.11.", "PMID": 621497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4035", "title": "Quantification of influenza virus structural proteins using rocket immunoelectrophoresis.", "content": "The major influenza A virus structural antigens, matrix protein, nucleoprotein, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase were measured rapidly and accurately using a rocket immunoelectrophoresis technique. Virus was disrupted with 1% (w/v) sodium sarcosyl and electrophoresed into agarose containing specific antiserum to the individual virus structural proteins in 0.05 M-barbitone buffer, pH 8.6, for 1 to 4 h. For haemagglutinin antigen assays statistical analysis indicated that the coefficient of variation within an immunoelectrophoresis plate was 8.0% for antigen concentrations in the range 15 to 40 microgram/ml protein. For haemagglutinin and matrix protein the method was sufficiently sensitive to measure concentrations of antigens as low as 1.5 and 2.0 microgram/ml respectively. By incorporation in the agarose of mixtures of antisera against specific antigens of the virus, haemagglutinin, matrix or nucleoprotein could be assayed simultaneously.", "contents": "Quantification of influenza virus structural proteins using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The major influenza A virus structural antigens, matrix protein, nucleoprotein, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase were measured rapidly and accurately using a rocket immunoelectrophoresis technique. Virus was disrupted with 1% (w/v) sodium sarcosyl and electrophoresed into agarose containing specific antiserum to the individual virus structural proteins in 0.05 M-barbitone buffer, pH 8.6, for 1 to 4 h. For haemagglutinin antigen assays statistical analysis indicated that the coefficient of variation within an immunoelectrophoresis plate was 8.0% for antigen concentrations in the range 15 to 40 microgram/ml protein. For haemagglutinin and matrix protein the method was sufficiently sensitive to measure concentrations of antigens as low as 1.5 and 2.0 microgram/ml respectively. By incorporation in the agarose of mixtures of antisera against specific antigens of the virus, haemagglutinin, matrix or nucleoprotein could be assayed simultaneously.", "PMID": 621498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4036", "title": "Further physicochemical characterization of Nodamura virus. Evidence that the divided genome occurs in a single component.", "content": "Nodamura virus, a small non-enveloped RNA virus, contains two species of RNA sedimenting at 22S (RNA-1) and 15S (RNA-2), a single major polypeptide of mol. wt. 40 X 10(3) and two minor polypeptides, of mol. wt. 38 and 43 X 10(3). Evidence is presented that the two RNA species are in the same particle. Although extraction of the virus with SDS-phenol yields the two species of RNA as separate entities, gentle treatment of the virus with guanidine and low concentrations of SDS releases the RNA as a 27S component which contains both RNA-1 and RNA-2 together with a trace of protein. It seems likely that the two RNA species replicate separately because double stranded molecules corresponding to the single stranded RNA-1 and RNA-2 molecules were present in BHK cells infected with the virus.", "contents": "Further physicochemical characterization of Nodamura virus. Evidence that the divided genome occurs in a single component. Nodamura virus, a small non-enveloped RNA virus, contains two species of RNA sedimenting at 22S (RNA-1) and 15S (RNA-2), a single major polypeptide of mol. wt. 40 X 10(3) and two minor polypeptides, of mol. wt. 38 and 43 X 10(3). Evidence is presented that the two RNA species are in the same particle. Although extraction of the virus with SDS-phenol yields the two species of RNA as separate entities, gentle treatment of the virus with guanidine and low concentrations of SDS releases the RNA as a 27S component which contains both RNA-1 and RNA-2 together with a trace of protein. It seems likely that the two RNA species replicate separately because double stranded molecules corresponding to the single stranded RNA-1 and RNA-2 molecules were present in BHK cells infected with the virus.", "PMID": 621499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4037", "title": "Study of regional cerebral metabolism and blood flow relationships in man using the method of continuously inhaling oxygen-15 and oxygen-15 labelled carbon dioxide.", "content": "A new technique for assessing regional oxygen use and blood flow has been applied to a wide range of neurological patients. The method couples the brain's high metabolic demand for oxygen with a shortlived radioactive form of this metabolite, namely oxygen-15 (half life: 2.1 min). This combination produces during the continuous inhalation of either molecular oxygen-15 or labelled carbon dioxide, steady state functional images of the brain which are relatively free of contribution from extracerebral tissues. These are complementary images in that they relate to regional oxygen uptake and blood flow and hence offer a direct insight to the regional demand-to-supply relationships within the brain in physiological and pathological conditions. In the clinical groups studied, metabolic and circulatory defects were observed and instances of cerebrovascular insufficiency and relative luxury perfusion were defined which hitherto have been deduced from indirect methods. The clinical acceptability of this non-invasive approach allowed us to study those categories of patients which normally do not warrant invasive examination.", "contents": "Study of regional cerebral metabolism and blood flow relationships in man using the method of continuously inhaling oxygen-15 and oxygen-15 labelled carbon dioxide. A new technique for assessing regional oxygen use and blood flow has been applied to a wide range of neurological patients. The method couples the brain's high metabolic demand for oxygen with a shortlived radioactive form of this metabolite, namely oxygen-15 (half life: 2.1 min). This combination produces during the continuous inhalation of either molecular oxygen-15 or labelled carbon dioxide, steady state functional images of the brain which are relatively free of contribution from extracerebral tissues. These are complementary images in that they relate to regional oxygen uptake and blood flow and hence offer a direct insight to the regional demand-to-supply relationships within the brain in physiological and pathological conditions. In the clinical groups studied, metabolic and circulatory defects were observed and instances of cerebrovascular insufficiency and relative luxury perfusion were defined which hitherto have been deduced from indirect methods. The clinical acceptability of this non-invasive approach allowed us to study those categories of patients which normally do not warrant invasive examination.", "PMID": 621525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4038", "title": "Non-invasive regional study of chronic cerebrovascular disorders using the oxygen-15 inhalation technique.", "content": "The regional cerebral metabolism-to-perfusion imbalance has been studied in the three main categories of cerebrovascular disorders in a chronic phase of the disease, using the non-invasive oxygen-15 inhalation technique. In patients presenting with a history of transient ischaemic attacks, regional defects in cerebral perfusion were greater than for the corresponding oxygen uptakes. Areas of relative ischaemia within which there was an enforced increase in the oxygen extraction ratio were highlighted. The reverse pattern was observed frequently in patients with brain infarcts arising from strokes, so indicating areas of relative luxury perfusion as is inferred from the reduction in the oxygen extraction ratio. In the multi-infarct dementia group of patients, there were parallel focal reductions in both flow and metabolism. The oxygen-15 inhalation technique is shown to be a unique tool in investigating cerebrovascular disorders because of its non-invasiveness and its ability to define regional metabolism-to-perfusion imbalance within the brain.", "contents": "Non-invasive regional study of chronic cerebrovascular disorders using the oxygen-15 inhalation technique. The regional cerebral metabolism-to-perfusion imbalance has been studied in the three main categories of cerebrovascular disorders in a chronic phase of the disease, using the non-invasive oxygen-15 inhalation technique. In patients presenting with a history of transient ischaemic attacks, regional defects in cerebral perfusion were greater than for the corresponding oxygen uptakes. Areas of relative ischaemia within which there was an enforced increase in the oxygen extraction ratio were highlighted. The reverse pattern was observed frequently in patients with brain infarcts arising from strokes, so indicating areas of relative luxury perfusion as is inferred from the reduction in the oxygen extraction ratio. In the multi-infarct dementia group of patients, there were parallel focal reductions in both flow and metabolism. The oxygen-15 inhalation technique is shown to be a unique tool in investigating cerebrovascular disorders because of its non-invasiveness and its ability to define regional metabolism-to-perfusion imbalance within the brain.", "PMID": 621526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4039", "title": "Scintigraphic assessment of vascularity and blood-tissue barrier of human brain tumours.", "content": "Assessment of vascularity and blood-tissue barrier was performed by sequential scintigraphy in 43 patients with brain tumours. The blood-tumour barrier was evaluated by use of 99mTc-pertechnetate, and vascularity using 99mTc-labelled red blood cells. Three groups of tumours were found: tumours with low vascularity and permeable barrier, tumours with high vascularity and permeable barrier, and tumours with low vascularity and relatively impermeable barrier. The first group indicates that when vessels are permeable, there may be a rapid penetration of large amounts of pertechnetate into the tumour even when vascularity is not increased. In the other two groups penetration of pertechnetate into the tumour is affected by vascularity, as it determines the total area where passage of the radiopharmaceutical takes place. It is suggested that the permeability of the blood-tumour barrier and the amount of vascularity may have an effect on the success of chemotherapy in brain tumours.", "contents": "Scintigraphic assessment of vascularity and blood-tissue barrier of human brain tumours. Assessment of vascularity and blood-tissue barrier was performed by sequential scintigraphy in 43 patients with brain tumours. The blood-tumour barrier was evaluated by use of 99mTc-pertechnetate, and vascularity using 99mTc-labelled red blood cells. Three groups of tumours were found: tumours with low vascularity and permeable barrier, tumours with high vascularity and permeable barrier, and tumours with low vascularity and relatively impermeable barrier. The first group indicates that when vessels are permeable, there may be a rapid penetration of large amounts of pertechnetate into the tumour even when vascularity is not increased. In the other two groups penetration of pertechnetate into the tumour is affected by vascularity, as it determines the total area where passage of the radiopharmaceutical takes place. It is suggested that the permeability of the blood-tumour barrier and the amount of vascularity may have an effect on the success of chemotherapy in brain tumours.", "PMID": 621527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4040", "title": "Sinusoidal oscillation of the ankle as a means of evaluating the spastic patient.", "content": "Sinusoidally modulated torque was applied to rotate the ankle joint of normal subjects and clinically spastic patients. Measurements were made of the effective joint compliance and of the evoked EMG activity. These procedures provide a well-quantified and reliable measure of muscle tone and hyperreflexia which is well correlated with the patient's clinical status.", "contents": "Sinusoidal oscillation of the ankle as a means of evaluating the spastic patient. Sinusoidally modulated torque was applied to rotate the ankle joint of normal subjects and clinically spastic patients. Measurements were made of the effective joint compliance and of the evoked EMG activity. These procedures provide a well-quantified and reliable measure of muscle tone and hyperreflexia which is well correlated with the patient's clinical status.", "PMID": 621528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4041", "title": "Mechanism of monosynaptic reflex reinforcement during Jendrassik manoeuvre in man.", "content": "The facilitating effect of the Jendrassik manoeuvre on monosynaptic reflexes in man has been studied by comparing H and T reflexes of the soleus and by blocking the effects of spindle activation by ischaemia of the leg. The Jendrassik manoeuvre equally enhances H and T reflexes provided that the test reflexes are small. The H reflex remains facilitated when the spindle activation cannot affect the soleus alpha-motoneurones--that is, when the Ia afferent nerve fibres from the soleus are blocked by ischaemia. It is concluded that the facilitating effect of the Jendrassik manoeuvre on the alpha-motoneurones is not predominantly routed via the gamma-loop.", "contents": "Mechanism of monosynaptic reflex reinforcement during Jendrassik manoeuvre in man. The facilitating effect of the Jendrassik manoeuvre on monosynaptic reflexes in man has been studied by comparing H and T reflexes of the soleus and by blocking the effects of spindle activation by ischaemia of the leg. The Jendrassik manoeuvre equally enhances H and T reflexes provided that the test reflexes are small. The H reflex remains facilitated when the spindle activation cannot affect the soleus alpha-motoneurones--that is, when the Ia afferent nerve fibres from the soleus are blocked by ischaemia. It is concluded that the facilitating effect of the Jendrassik manoeuvre on the alpha-motoneurones is not predominantly routed via the gamma-loop.", "PMID": 621529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4042", "title": "F responses studied with single fibre EMG in normal subjects and spastic patients.", "content": "Recurrent responses of single human motor neurones after antidromic activation, the so-called F response, have been studied in the abductor digiti minimi muscle in normal subjects and in spastic patients with the single fibre EMG technique. The F response occurs rarely and in groups. Half of all motor neurones did not produce any F response within an arbitrarily chosen time interval of 200 successive stimuli at 1 and 2 Hz. Spastic patients had as many silent neurones as the normal subjects but the responding neurones more frequently produced F responses (P less than 0.001). When a neurone has few responses at rest the frequency increases under activation of the contralateral or ipsilateral muscle (P less than 0.05). When there are many responses in the relaxed state there is a decrease (P less than 0.001) under activation. The behaviour of an individual neurone is consistent in different activation periods.", "contents": "F responses studied with single fibre EMG in normal subjects and spastic patients. Recurrent responses of single human motor neurones after antidromic activation, the so-called F response, have been studied in the abductor digiti minimi muscle in normal subjects and in spastic patients with the single fibre EMG technique. The F response occurs rarely and in groups. Half of all motor neurones did not produce any F response within an arbitrarily chosen time interval of 200 successive stimuli at 1 and 2 Hz. Spastic patients had as many silent neurones as the normal subjects but the responding neurones more frequently produced F responses (P less than 0.001). When a neurone has few responses at rest the frequency increases under activation of the contralateral or ipsilateral muscle (P less than 0.05). When there are many responses in the relaxed state there is a decrease (P less than 0.001) under activation. The behaviour of an individual neurone is consistent in different activation periods.", "PMID": 621530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4043", "title": "Refractory period studies in a human neuromuscular preparation.", "content": "A subtraction technique has been employed to study refractoriness in the median nerve and thenar muscles in man. The absolutely refractory periods of the distal motor nerve branches and of the muscle fibres were found to be similar, the majority being within the 2.5--3.0 ms range; the values were distributed in a unimodal manner. The relatively refractory periods of the motor nerve terminals were about 5 ms. In some experiments it was possible to record non-propagated potentials at the endplate zones of the muscle fibres.", "contents": "Refractory period studies in a human neuromuscular preparation. A subtraction technique has been employed to study refractoriness in the median nerve and thenar muscles in man. The absolutely refractory periods of the distal motor nerve branches and of the muscle fibres were found to be similar, the majority being within the 2.5--3.0 ms range; the values were distributed in a unimodal manner. The relatively refractory periods of the motor nerve terminals were about 5 ms. In some experiments it was possible to record non-propagated potentials at the endplate zones of the muscle fibres.", "PMID": 621531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4044", "title": "Effects of age, temperature, and disease on the refractoriness of human nerve and muscle.", "content": "Absolutely and relatively refractory periods have been investigated in terminal median nerve axons and in thenar muscle fibres in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. Marked increased in refractoriness were produced by cooling to 20 degrees C. Nerve fibre refractoriness was more pronounced in older subjects and diminished in myotonic dystrophy. In contrast, no significant changes in muscle fibre excitability could be demonstrated in either condition or in patients with renal failure or motor neuropathies.", "contents": "Effects of age, temperature, and disease on the refractoriness of human nerve and muscle. Absolutely and relatively refractory periods have been investigated in terminal median nerve axons and in thenar muscle fibres in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. Marked increased in refractoriness were produced by cooling to 20 degrees C. Nerve fibre refractoriness was more pronounced in older subjects and diminished in myotonic dystrophy. In contrast, no significant changes in muscle fibre excitability could be demonstrated in either condition or in patients with renal failure or motor neuropathies.", "PMID": 621532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4045", "title": "Aspects of interhemispheric subdural haematoma, including the falx syndrome.", "content": "Two cases of interhemispheric subdural haematoma are reported. The first patient presented with a falx syndrome of contralateral hemiparesis, most marked in the lower extremity. The second patient had vertex headaches and was diagnosed with computerised tomography. Serial studies suggested that the interhemispheric haematoma may have migrated to a lateral position over the cerebral convexity.", "contents": "Aspects of interhemispheric subdural haematoma, including the falx syndrome. Two cases of interhemispheric subdural haematoma are reported. The first patient presented with a falx syndrome of contralateral hemiparesis, most marked in the lower extremity. The second patient had vertex headaches and was diagnosed with computerised tomography. Serial studies suggested that the interhemispheric haematoma may have migrated to a lateral position over the cerebral convexity.", "PMID": 621533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4046", "title": "Antenatal diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy: enzymatic and morphological confirmation in an affected fetus.", "content": "Galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity was assayed in cultured amniotic fluid cells from two pregnancies at risk for Krabbe's leucodystrophy. The elective termination of one pregnancy was carried out after demonstration of a severe deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity. The diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy in the affected fetus was confirmed enzymatically by a deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase inbrain, liver, kidney, and cultured skin fibroblasts, and histologically by the ultrastructural demonstration of the typical intracellular inclusions in cells of the spinal cord.", "contents": "Antenatal diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy: enzymatic and morphological confirmation in an affected fetus. Galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity was assayed in cultured amniotic fluid cells from two pregnancies at risk for Krabbe's leucodystrophy. The elective termination of one pregnancy was carried out after demonstration of a severe deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity. The diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy in the affected fetus was confirmed enzymatically by a deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase inbrain, liver, kidney, and cultured skin fibroblasts, and histologically by the ultrastructural demonstration of the typical intracellular inclusions in cells of the spinal cord.", "PMID": 621534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4047", "title": "Large suprasellar aneurysms imitating pituitary tumour.", "content": "Two patients had large (20--30 mm) suprasellar aneurysms with clinical findings resembling an expanding pituitary tumour. One aneurysm was giant (30 mm). Its delayed diagnosis for six years led to severe chiasmal compression. The other aneurysm was compressing the optic nerve. Visual improvement resulted after surgery.", "contents": "Large suprasellar aneurysms imitating pituitary tumour. Two patients had large (20--30 mm) suprasellar aneurysms with clinical findings resembling an expanding pituitary tumour. One aneurysm was giant (30 mm). Its delayed diagnosis for six years led to severe chiasmal compression. The other aneurysm was compressing the optic nerve. Visual improvement resulted after surgery.", "PMID": 621535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4048", "title": "Calcified congenital arachnoid cyst with heterotopic neuroglia in wall.", "content": "Two unique findings, advanced calcification and ectopic neuroglia, were encountered in the wall of a giant congenital arachnoid cyst occurring in a 40 year old woman. The cyst almost totally filled the supratentorial subdural space of the left hemicranial cavity, was not connected with the subarachnoid space, and thus developed intra-arachnoidally. Its congenitally derived nature was supported by the unique finding of heterotopic neuroglia in the wall. Congenital arachnoid cyst must be distinguished from various cystic lesions within the central nervous system, including the neuroepithelial cyst which can arise throughout the neuraxis. It is suggested that pathogenesis of the congenital arachnoid cyst is related to aberrant flow of the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid into the developing leptomeninx in the process of differentiation of the subarachnoid space. The tract or pouch may occur within the arachnoid mater, and the cyst is formed intra-arachnoidally when the former filled with fluid is closed off from the subarachnoid space.", "contents": "Calcified congenital arachnoid cyst with heterotopic neuroglia in wall. Two unique findings, advanced calcification and ectopic neuroglia, were encountered in the wall of a giant congenital arachnoid cyst occurring in a 40 year old woman. The cyst almost totally filled the supratentorial subdural space of the left hemicranial cavity, was not connected with the subarachnoid space, and thus developed intra-arachnoidally. Its congenitally derived nature was supported by the unique finding of heterotopic neuroglia in the wall. Congenital arachnoid cyst must be distinguished from various cystic lesions within the central nervous system, including the neuroepithelial cyst which can arise throughout the neuraxis. It is suggested that pathogenesis of the congenital arachnoid cyst is related to aberrant flow of the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid into the developing leptomeninx in the process of differentiation of the subarachnoid space. The tract or pouch may occur within the arachnoid mater, and the cyst is formed intra-arachnoidally when the former filled with fluid is closed off from the subarachnoid space.", "PMID": 621536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4049", "title": "Temperature-sensitive conduction failure at axon branch points.", "content": "1. The propagation of action potentials through the branching regions of squid axons was examined experimentally and with computer simulations over a temperature range of 5-25 degrees C. 2. Above a critical ratio of postbranch to prebranch diameters, propagation of an action potential failed. The value of this critical ratio is very sensitive to temperature and is smaller at high temperatures. The experimentally measured Q10 of the critical ratio is 0.37 +/- 0.04. 3. Evaluation of a number of parameters of action-potential propagation showed that this effect is closely related to the change in the width of the action potential with temperature (Q10 = 0.29 +/- 0.01).", "contents": "Temperature-sensitive conduction failure at axon branch points. 1. The propagation of action potentials through the branching regions of squid axons was examined experimentally and with computer simulations over a temperature range of 5-25 degrees C. 2. Above a critical ratio of postbranch to prebranch diameters, propagation of an action potential failed. The value of this critical ratio is very sensitive to temperature and is smaller at high temperatures. The experimentally measured Q10 of the critical ratio is 0.37 +/- 0.04. 3. Evaluation of a number of parameters of action-potential propagation showed that this effect is closely related to the change in the width of the action potential with temperature (Q10 = 0.29 +/- 0.01).", "PMID": 621537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4050", "title": "Primary afferent depolarization and inhibory interactions in spinal cord of the stingray, Dasyatis sabina.", "content": "1. Excitability changes in primary afferents and inhibitory interactions in evoked spinal cord activity were investigated in unanesthetized stingrays (Dasyatis subina) with high cervical spinal transections. 2. Primary afferent excitability increases following a conditioning stimulus to an adjacent segmental nerve were demonstrated with the Wall (31) technique. 3. Stimulation of A-alpha,beta and A-delta afferent fibers produced excitability increases in both A-alpha,beta and delta-fibers of the adjacent segment. 4. The excitability increase had a latency of about 10 ms, it peaked around 25 ms, and the change lasted more than 100 ms. 5. The central afferent volley in A-alpha,beta fibers and the N1- and late negative waves due to postsynaptic activity of dorsal horn interneurons were reduced by conditioning volleys in adjacent afferent nerves. The time course of the inhibition paralleled that of the excitability increases in afferent terminal arborizations, suggesting that the depression of postsynaptic activity is, at least in part, due to presynaptic inhibition. 6. Reduction of evoked discharges and excitatory postsynaptic potentials was observed in recordings from interneurons with a time course similar to that of the primary afferent depolarization (PAD). 7. Conditioning volleys in afferents of adjacent peripheral nerves produced facilitation or inhibition of segmental reflexes.", "contents": "Primary afferent depolarization and inhibory interactions in spinal cord of the stingray, Dasyatis sabina. 1. Excitability changes in primary afferents and inhibitory interactions in evoked spinal cord activity were investigated in unanesthetized stingrays (Dasyatis subina) with high cervical spinal transections. 2. Primary afferent excitability increases following a conditioning stimulus to an adjacent segmental nerve were demonstrated with the Wall (31) technique. 3. Stimulation of A-alpha,beta and A-delta afferent fibers produced excitability increases in both A-alpha,beta and delta-fibers of the adjacent segment. 4. The excitability increase had a latency of about 10 ms, it peaked around 25 ms, and the change lasted more than 100 ms. 5. The central afferent volley in A-alpha,beta fibers and the N1- and late negative waves due to postsynaptic activity of dorsal horn interneurons were reduced by conditioning volleys in adjacent afferent nerves. The time course of the inhibition paralleled that of the excitability increases in afferent terminal arborizations, suggesting that the depression of postsynaptic activity is, at least in part, due to presynaptic inhibition. 6. Reduction of evoked discharges and excitatory postsynaptic potentials was observed in recordings from interneurons with a time course similar to that of the primary afferent depolarization (PAD). 7. Conditioning volleys in afferents of adjacent peripheral nerves produced facilitation or inhibition of segmental reflexes.", "PMID": 621539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4051", "title": "Response of cutaneous hair and field mechanoreceptors in cat to paired mechanical stimuli.", "content": "1. While studying hair- and field-receptor responses to paired mechanical pulses, I observed that in approximately half the receptors the recovery of excitability following generation of an impulse took the form of a damped oscillation. 2. Oscillations could be modified or eliminated by changing the conditions of stimulation: 1) there were no oscillations with an electrical conditioning stimulus; 2) oscillations occurred only when both mechanical pulses were delivered to the surface of the skin, not when the conditioning pulse was given to a hair shaft, and only when both pulses affected the same part of the receptive field; 3) oscillation was reduced by increasing the duration of the pulses; 4) oscillation was enhanced by increasing the distance between the stimulator and the nerve terminal; and 5) maxima on the recovery curve became minima and vice versa when the direction of the conditioning pulse was changed. 3. It was concluded that recovery curve oscillations were due not to the type of hair or field receptor being stimulated, but to the conditions of stimulation. The timing of the oscillations was a function of the duration of the mechanical pulse. Furthermore, interaction was additive when the interval between stimuli was an even multiple of the pulse width. This resulted in a minimal point on the recovery curve. At odd multiples of the pulse width, the converse resulted. The evidence suggests that waves, set up in the skin by the paired mechanical pulses, interact and cause the recovery curve oscillations. Such waves could be set up by a variety of stimuli that contact the skin naturally.", "contents": "Response of cutaneous hair and field mechanoreceptors in cat to paired mechanical stimuli. 1. While studying hair- and field-receptor responses to paired mechanical pulses, I observed that in approximately half the receptors the recovery of excitability following generation of an impulse took the form of a damped oscillation. 2. Oscillations could be modified or eliminated by changing the conditions of stimulation: 1) there were no oscillations with an electrical conditioning stimulus; 2) oscillations occurred only when both mechanical pulses were delivered to the surface of the skin, not when the conditioning pulse was given to a hair shaft, and only when both pulses affected the same part of the receptive field; 3) oscillation was reduced by increasing the duration of the pulses; 4) oscillation was enhanced by increasing the distance between the stimulator and the nerve terminal; and 5) maxima on the recovery curve became minima and vice versa when the direction of the conditioning pulse was changed. 3. It was concluded that recovery curve oscillations were due not to the type of hair or field receptor being stimulated, but to the conditions of stimulation. The timing of the oscillations was a function of the duration of the mechanical pulse. Furthermore, interaction was additive when the interval between stimuli was an even multiple of the pulse width. This resulted in a minimal point on the recovery curve. At odd multiples of the pulse width, the converse resulted. The evidence suggests that waves, set up in the skin by the paired mechanical pulses, interact and cause the recovery curve oscillations. Such waves could be set up by a variety of stimuli that contact the skin naturally.", "PMID": 621541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4052", "title": "Area 18 cell responses in cat during reversible inactivation of area 17.", "content": "1. A region of area 17 in the cat was temporarily inactivated by cooling, and cells in a topographically corresponding part of area 18 were studied during the blockage of area 17 input. 2. The responses of most area 18 cells were markedly reduced by cooling area 17 and recovered on rewarming primary visual cortex. 3. The selectivity of area 18 cells for oriented stimuli was not affected by inactivating area 17. These cells also, in general, retained their selectivities for the direction of stimulus movement and for the sign of contrast (light or dark) of a moving edge in the absence of input from area 17. 4. There was a greater decrease, on the average, of area 18 cell responses to slowly moving stimuli than to rapidly moving stimuli when area 17 was cooled; however, the exact pattern of change varied considerably from cell to cell. 5. These results suggest that cells in area 18 are to some degree dependent on input from area 17 for their responses, but to a large extent are independent in their selectivity for those stimulus parameters (orientation, direction of movement, sign of contrast) studied.", "contents": "Area 18 cell responses in cat during reversible inactivation of area 17. 1. A region of area 17 in the cat was temporarily inactivated by cooling, and cells in a topographically corresponding part of area 18 were studied during the blockage of area 17 input. 2. The responses of most area 18 cells were markedly reduced by cooling area 17 and recovered on rewarming primary visual cortex. 3. The selectivity of area 18 cells for oriented stimuli was not affected by inactivating area 17. These cells also, in general, retained their selectivities for the direction of stimulus movement and for the sign of contrast (light or dark) of a moving edge in the absence of input from area 17. 4. There was a greater decrease, on the average, of area 18 cell responses to slowly moving stimuli than to rapidly moving stimuli when area 17 was cooled; however, the exact pattern of change varied considerably from cell to cell. 5. These results suggest that cells in area 18 are to some degree dependent on input from area 17 for their responses, but to a large extent are independent in their selectivity for those stimulus parameters (orientation, direction of movement, sign of contrast) studied.", "PMID": 621543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4053", "title": "Nonequivalent visual, auditory, and somatic corticotectal influences in cat.", "content": "1. The effects of cortical cooling on the responses of cells to visual, somatic, and acoustic stimuli were studied in the cat superior colliculus (SC). When the visual cortex was cooled, the responses of many visual cells of the SC were depressed or eliminated, but the activity of nonvisual cells remained unchanged. This response depression was found in visual cells located in both superficial and deep laminae and was most pronounced in neurons which were binocular and directionally selective. 2. Cooling somatic and/or auditory cortex had no effect on visual SC cells and, with few exceptions, did not alter the activity of somatic or acoustic cells either. 3. The specificity of visual cortex influences on visual responding in the SC was most apparent in multimodal cells. In trimodal cells, the simultaneous cooling of visual, somatic, and auditory cortex eliminated responses to visual stimuli, but did not affect responses to somatic or acoustic stimuli. Visual responses were returned to the precooling level in both unimodal and multimodal cells by cortical rewarming. 4. The present experiments indicate that despite the organizational parallels among visual, somatic, and acoustic cells of the cat SC, the influences they receive from cortex are non-equivalent. Cortical influences appear to play a more critical role in the responses of visual cells than in the responses of somatic and acoustic cells. These observations raise questions about the functional significance of nonvisual corticotectal systems.", "contents": "Nonequivalent visual, auditory, and somatic corticotectal influences in cat. 1. The effects of cortical cooling on the responses of cells to visual, somatic, and acoustic stimuli were studied in the cat superior colliculus (SC). When the visual cortex was cooled, the responses of many visual cells of the SC were depressed or eliminated, but the activity of nonvisual cells remained unchanged. This response depression was found in visual cells located in both superficial and deep laminae and was most pronounced in neurons which were binocular and directionally selective. 2. Cooling somatic and/or auditory cortex had no effect on visual SC cells and, with few exceptions, did not alter the activity of somatic or acoustic cells either. 3. The specificity of visual cortex influences on visual responding in the SC was most apparent in multimodal cells. In trimodal cells, the simultaneous cooling of visual, somatic, and auditory cortex eliminated responses to visual stimuli, but did not affect responses to somatic or acoustic stimuli. Visual responses were returned to the precooling level in both unimodal and multimodal cells by cortical rewarming. 4. The present experiments indicate that despite the organizational parallels among visual, somatic, and acoustic cells of the cat SC, the influences they receive from cortex are non-equivalent. Cortical influences appear to play a more critical role in the responses of visual cells than in the responses of somatic and acoustic cells. These observations raise questions about the functional significance of nonvisual corticotectal systems.", "PMID": 621546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4054", "title": "Segmental reflexes mediated by joint afferent neurons in cat knee.", "content": "1. Reflex effects mediated by knee joint afferent neurons were tested using the electrically evoked monosynaptic reflex in motoneurons innervating muscles which act about the knee. 2. Joint afferents were excited using small extension movements of the knee, stimuli which have been shown to be effective in activating a large fraction of the myelinated fibers in joint nerves. Because of the variability of reflex responses observed by others under similar experimental conditions, experimental control and data collection were done automatically under computer control. Large numbers of trials were presented in random sequence, and the resulting data were sorted and averaged. 3. Positive feedback was observed in both knee extensor (vasti) and knee flexor (posterior biceps-semitendinosus (PB-ST)) motoneuron populations. Vasti motoneurons were excited, and PB-ST motoneurons were inhibited by knee extensions when the posterior articular nerve (PAN) was intact; these effects were lost or substantially reduced when the PAN was cut. 4. Using knee extension stimuli, no reliable reflex effects were observed which could be attributed to afferents in medial articular nerve.", "contents": "Segmental reflexes mediated by joint afferent neurons in cat knee. 1. Reflex effects mediated by knee joint afferent neurons were tested using the electrically evoked monosynaptic reflex in motoneurons innervating muscles which act about the knee. 2. Joint afferents were excited using small extension movements of the knee, stimuli which have been shown to be effective in activating a large fraction of the myelinated fibers in joint nerves. Because of the variability of reflex responses observed by others under similar experimental conditions, experimental control and data collection were done automatically under computer control. Large numbers of trials were presented in random sequence, and the resulting data were sorted and averaged. 3. Positive feedback was observed in both knee extensor (vasti) and knee flexor (posterior biceps-semitendinosus (PB-ST)) motoneuron populations. Vasti motoneurons were excited, and PB-ST motoneurons were inhibited by knee extensions when the posterior articular nerve (PAN) was intact; these effects were lost or substantially reduced when the PAN was cut. 4. Using knee extension stimuli, no reliable reflex effects were observed which could be attributed to afferents in medial articular nerve.", "PMID": 621548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4055", "title": "Organization of peripheral nerves and spinal roots of the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina.", "content": "1. The sizes and numbers of axons in peripheral nerves and spinal roots were investigated in the stingray, Dasyatis sabina. 2. The axons of the dorsal and ventral roots do not mingle in peripheral nerves of this animal as they do in higher vertebrates. Thus, it was usually possible to split the peripheral nerve into two portions, one containing only dorsal root axons, the other containing only ventral root axons. This feature was useful for the analysis of certain aspects of spinal cord organization. 3. The fact that dorsal and ventral root axons were segregated in peripheral nerves enabled us to demonstrate, without experimental surgery, that the central processes of the dorsal root ganglion cells and the proximal ventral root axons were 10-20% narrower, on the average, than the distal processes of the same dorsal root ganglion cells or the distal parts of the same ventral root axons. 4. The stingray is remarkable in having very few unmyelinated axons in the dorsal roots, ventral roots, or peripheral nerves. This paucity of unmyelinated axons distinguishes the Atlantic stingrays from all other vertebrates whose roots and nerves have been examined for unmyelinated fibers. 5. Similar findings were obtained for one spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) and two cow-nose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus).", "contents": "Organization of peripheral nerves and spinal roots of the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina. 1. The sizes and numbers of axons in peripheral nerves and spinal roots were investigated in the stingray, Dasyatis sabina. 2. The axons of the dorsal and ventral roots do not mingle in peripheral nerves of this animal as they do in higher vertebrates. Thus, it was usually possible to split the peripheral nerve into two portions, one containing only dorsal root axons, the other containing only ventral root axons. This feature was useful for the analysis of certain aspects of spinal cord organization. 3. The fact that dorsal and ventral root axons were segregated in peripheral nerves enabled us to demonstrate, without experimental surgery, that the central processes of the dorsal root ganglion cells and the proximal ventral root axons were 10-20% narrower, on the average, than the distal processes of the same dorsal root ganglion cells or the distal parts of the same ventral root axons. 4. The stingray is remarkable in having very few unmyelinated axons in the dorsal roots, ventral roots, or peripheral nerves. This paucity of unmyelinated axons distinguishes the Atlantic stingrays from all other vertebrates whose roots and nerves have been examined for unmyelinated fibers. 5. Similar findings were obtained for one spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) and two cow-nose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus).", "PMID": 621549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4056", "title": "Permissible concentration in air of xenon-127: concise communication.", "content": "This paper reviews the method of calculation, and the criteria involved, in the determination of the maximum permissible concentrations of inert gases in ambient air. The results show that because the original calculations for Xe-133 included both photon and particulate dose, the permissible levels for Xe-127 are only slightly less than the levels established for Xe-133.", "contents": "Permissible concentration in air of xenon-127: concise communication. This paper reviews the method of calculation, and the criteria involved, in the determination of the maximum permissible concentrations of inert gases in ambient air. The results show that because the original calculations for Xe-133 included both photon and particulate dose, the permissible levels for Xe-127 are only slightly less than the levels established for Xe-133.", "PMID": 621552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4057", "title": "Left-ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion by peripheral first-pass radionuclide angiography.", "content": "A computerized edge-detection method was developed to obtain radionuclide ventriculograms for analysis of left-ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion from first-pass studies following i.v. injection of radionuclide. The accuracy of this technique was examined in 21 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Tc-99m DTPA was injected into an antecubital vein, with data acquisition in the 30 degrees RAO projection by a gamma scintillation camera interfaced to a computer. A computerized profile analysis was used to determine objectively the edge of the left-ventricular blood pool. Time-activity curves were generated, and the ejection fraction was calculated from sequential end-diastolic and end-systolic count rates. The values for ejection fraction correlated well with those obtained by single-plane contrast ventriculography (r = 0.95). End-diastolic and end-systolic images were reconstructed from the time-activity curve. To analyze segmental wall motion, the left-ventricular outline was divided into five segments and the motion of each segment was graded qualitatively from 1 to 5. Seventy-five of 105 segments had the same grade as the wall motion determined by contrast angiography, and 102 of 105 were within one grade. (P less than 0.001). These findings demonstrate the accuracy of this improved technique for objective, rapid, and noninvasive determination of left-ventricular function.", "contents": "Left-ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion by peripheral first-pass radionuclide angiography. A computerized edge-detection method was developed to obtain radionuclide ventriculograms for analysis of left-ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion from first-pass studies following i.v. injection of radionuclide. The accuracy of this technique was examined in 21 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Tc-99m DTPA was injected into an antecubital vein, with data acquisition in the 30 degrees RAO projection by a gamma scintillation camera interfaced to a computer. A computerized profile analysis was used to determine objectively the edge of the left-ventricular blood pool. Time-activity curves were generated, and the ejection fraction was calculated from sequential end-diastolic and end-systolic count rates. The values for ejection fraction correlated well with those obtained by single-plane contrast ventriculography (r = 0.95). End-diastolic and end-systolic images were reconstructed from the time-activity curve. To analyze segmental wall motion, the left-ventricular outline was divided into five segments and the motion of each segment was graded qualitatively from 1 to 5. Seventy-five of 105 segments had the same grade as the wall motion determined by contrast angiography, and 102 of 105 were within one grade. (P less than 0.001). These findings demonstrate the accuracy of this improved technique for objective, rapid, and noninvasive determination of left-ventricular function.", "PMID": 621557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4058", "title": "Tc-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate in jaundiced patients.", "content": "Ninety patients, 85 of them jaundiced, were examined after the injection of Tc-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate, a substance rapidly concentrated by normal hepatocytes and excreted into the biliary tract. It appears in the gallbladder after 10-15 min, and in the gastrointestinal tract at 30 min. On the basis of the time of appearance in the intestine, four groups of patients were recognized: 1. Seventeen patients with a normal pattern, with visualization of the gut at 30 min. 2. Nineteen patients with a slight delay in passage, with appearance in the gut between 30-180 min. 3. Twenty-nine patients showing very slow excretion visualized only at 24 hr; 21 of these had parenchymatous disease of the liver, three choledocholithiasis and five had malignant disease causing partial obstruction. 4. Twenty-five patients with no visualization of the intestine; eight of them proved to be cases of medical jaundice, and 17 were surgical cases. Groups 3 and 4 comprise 54 patients where the question of medical or surgical jaundice was critical. If lack of intestinal activity is considered an indicating surgical jaundice, the accuracy of this study was only 72.4%.", "contents": "Tc-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate in jaundiced patients. Ninety patients, 85 of them jaundiced, were examined after the injection of Tc-99m pyridoxylidene glutamate, a substance rapidly concentrated by normal hepatocytes and excreted into the biliary tract. It appears in the gallbladder after 10-15 min, and in the gastrointestinal tract at 30 min. On the basis of the time of appearance in the intestine, four groups of patients were recognized: 1. Seventeen patients with a normal pattern, with visualization of the gut at 30 min. 2. Nineteen patients with a slight delay in passage, with appearance in the gut between 30-180 min. 3. Twenty-nine patients showing very slow excretion visualized only at 24 hr; 21 of these had parenchymatous disease of the liver, three choledocholithiasis and five had malignant disease causing partial obstruction. 4. Twenty-five patients with no visualization of the intestine; eight of them proved to be cases of medical jaundice, and 17 were surgical cases. Groups 3 and 4 comprise 54 patients where the question of medical or surgical jaundice was critical. If lack of intestinal activity is considered an indicating surgical jaundice, the accuracy of this study was only 72.4%.", "PMID": 621558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4059", "title": "Accumulation and localization of gallium-67 in various types of primary lung carcinoma.", "content": "The uptake and location of Ga-67 were investigated in 15 primary pulmonary carcinomas. The accumulation in the tumor was determined by scintigraphy of the patient, grain counts over fields of tumor cells in autoradiographs of tumor-tissue samples, and gamma counts in specimens of the tumor. Good correlation was found between the results obtained with these three methods. The relationship between accumulation of Ga-67 in the tumor and the histologic type of tumor was also studied. Undifferentiated carcinomas, and tumor cells in squamous-cell carcinomas showed significantly more Ga-67 than tumor cells in adenocarcinomas. No correlation was found between the presence of inflammatory infiltrates in or around the tumor and the grade of the scintigraphic images. In the autoradiograms, lymphocytes, plasma cells, granulocytes, and macrophages showed less radioactivity than the tumor cells--or none at all. Collagen fibers appeared to have bound some Ga-67, but necrotic areas showed no uptake.", "contents": "Accumulation and localization of gallium-67 in various types of primary lung carcinoma. The uptake and location of Ga-67 were investigated in 15 primary pulmonary carcinomas. The accumulation in the tumor was determined by scintigraphy of the patient, grain counts over fields of tumor cells in autoradiographs of tumor-tissue samples, and gamma counts in specimens of the tumor. Good correlation was found between the results obtained with these three methods. The relationship between accumulation of Ga-67 in the tumor and the histologic type of tumor was also studied. Undifferentiated carcinomas, and tumor cells in squamous-cell carcinomas showed significantly more Ga-67 than tumor cells in adenocarcinomas. No correlation was found between the presence of inflammatory infiltrates in or around the tumor and the grade of the scintigraphic images. In the autoradiograms, lymphocytes, plasma cells, granulocytes, and macrophages showed less radioactivity than the tumor cells--or none at all. Collagen fibers appeared to have bound some Ga-67, but necrotic areas showed no uptake.", "PMID": 621559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4060", "title": "Scintigraphy in the followup of pediatric splenic trauma treated without surgery.", "content": "Twenty patients with blunt abdominal trauma were diagnosed as having splenic rupture by Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy. Because of the increased risk of infection in children following splenectomy, surgery was not performed and scintigraphic followup of the injured spleens was carried out. Thirteen patients were scanned at least 2 mo after trauma and the longest followup was 1 yr. Only three spleens showed \"scintigraphic healing.\" The remaining ten showed smaller defects, but in two patients the size of the defect did not change after the 2-mo scan. In no case did the scan defect enlarge. Technetium-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy offers a convenient and sensitive method of following trauma cases if no surgery is performed. Scintigraphic defects can persist for long periods of time while the patient is asymptomatic.", "contents": "Scintigraphy in the followup of pediatric splenic trauma treated without surgery. Twenty patients with blunt abdominal trauma were diagnosed as having splenic rupture by Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy. Because of the increased risk of infection in children following splenectomy, surgery was not performed and scintigraphic followup of the injured spleens was carried out. Thirteen patients were scanned at least 2 mo after trauma and the longest followup was 1 yr. Only three spleens showed \"scintigraphic healing.\" The remaining ten showed smaller defects, but in two patients the size of the defect did not change after the 2-mo scan. In no case did the scan defect enlarge. Technetium-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy offers a convenient and sensitive method of following trauma cases if no surgery is performed. Scintigraphic defects can persist for long periods of time while the patient is asymptomatic.", "PMID": 621560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4061", "title": "Studies on gallium accumulation in inflammatory lesions: II. Uptake by Staphylococcus aureus: concise communication.", "content": "Gallium-67 was demonstrated to be taken up in significant amounts by a number of common micro-organisms. The mechanism of gallium-67 uptake was studied in S. aureus. It is found to involve two separate processes. One is insensitive to temperature or metabolic inhibitors, and is not inhibited by a high concentration of nonradioactive gallium. This process probably operates through nonspecific binding of Ga-67 to components of S. aureus. The second process is not inhibited by metabolic inhibitors either, but it is temperature-sensitive and is inhibited by high concentrations of stable gallium. This component of the Ga-67 uptake is most likely due to a carrier-mediated transport system (facilitated transfer).", "contents": "Studies on gallium accumulation in inflammatory lesions: II. Uptake by Staphylococcus aureus: concise communication. Gallium-67 was demonstrated to be taken up in significant amounts by a number of common micro-organisms. The mechanism of gallium-67 uptake was studied in S. aureus. It is found to involve two separate processes. One is insensitive to temperature or metabolic inhibitors, and is not inhibited by a high concentration of nonradioactive gallium. This process probably operates through nonspecific binding of Ga-67 to components of S. aureus. The second process is not inhibited by metabolic inhibitors either, but it is temperature-sensitive and is inhibited by high concentrations of stable gallium. This component of the Ga-67 uptake is most likely due to a carrier-mediated transport system (facilitated transfer).", "PMID": 621562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4062", "title": "A model for regional cerebral oxygen distribution during continuous inhalation of 15O2, C15O, and C15O2.", "content": "Equilibrium positron brain scans were obtained during continuous inhalation of C15O, C15O2, and 15O2. Inhalation of C15O labels hemoglobin, whereas C15O2 instantaneously labels stable water to H215O. During the continuous inhalation of 15O2, body tissues extract it from the blood in proportion to local metabolism and ultimately convert it to water of metabolism. After 6-8 min of inhalation, a steady-state equilibrium is established in which the inflow of tracer is balanced by its disappearance due to radioactive decay (T1/2 = 2 min) and biologic removal. Mathematical models of the steady-state distributions of C15O, C15O2/H215O, and 15O/H215O are derived. The major results are: a) The steady-state distribution of C15O is insensitive to variations in blood flow and essentially measures blood volume. b) The distribution of H215O during inhalation of C15O2 is dependent, though nonlinearly, on blood flow. c) The distribution of H215O during inhalation of 15O2 depends linearly on the oxygen extraction fraction and nonlinearly on blood flow. d) The dependence on blood flow in the 15O2 steady-state image can be removed by the division, point by point, of the 15O2 image by the C15O2 image.", "contents": "A model for regional cerebral oxygen distribution during continuous inhalation of 15O2, C15O, and C15O2. Equilibrium positron brain scans were obtained during continuous inhalation of C15O, C15O2, and 15O2. Inhalation of C15O labels hemoglobin, whereas C15O2 instantaneously labels stable water to H215O. During the continuous inhalation of 15O2, body tissues extract it from the blood in proportion to local metabolism and ultimately convert it to water of metabolism. After 6-8 min of inhalation, a steady-state equilibrium is established in which the inflow of tracer is balanced by its disappearance due to radioactive decay (T1/2 = 2 min) and biologic removal. Mathematical models of the steady-state distributions of C15O, C15O2/H215O, and 15O/H215O are derived. The major results are: a) The steady-state distribution of C15O is insensitive to variations in blood flow and essentially measures blood volume. b) The distribution of H215O during inhalation of C15O2 is dependent, though nonlinearly, on blood flow. c) The distribution of H215O during inhalation of 15O2 depends linearly on the oxygen extraction fraction and nonlinearly on blood flow. d) The dependence on blood flow in the 15O2 steady-state image can be removed by the division, point by point, of the 15O2 image by the C15O2 image.", "PMID": 621563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4063", "title": "Problems in the interpretation of the in vivo measurement of calcium by the argon-37 method: an investigation of inert-gas elimination in humans.", "content": "An investigation has been made of some physiological problems associated with the interpretation of in-vivo measurements of calcium by the argon-37 method. Inert-gas elimination in humans over a period of several days was studied using i.v. injections of Xe-133. The results imply that the exhalation rate of A-37 formed in bone will be affected by the individual's composition, in particular body fat. Comparison of calcium measurements between individuals and between laboratories is meaningful only if corrections are made for differing individual composition.", "contents": "Problems in the interpretation of the in vivo measurement of calcium by the argon-37 method: an investigation of inert-gas elimination in humans. An investigation has been made of some physiological problems associated with the interpretation of in-vivo measurements of calcium by the argon-37 method. Inert-gas elimination in humans over a period of several days was studied using i.v. injections of Xe-133. The results imply that the exhalation rate of A-37 formed in bone will be affected by the individual's composition, in particular body fat. Comparison of calcium measurements between individuals and between laboratories is meaningful only if corrections are made for differing individual composition.", "PMID": 621564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4064", "title": "Liquid scintillation vial for radiometric assay of lymphocyte carbohydrate metabolism in response to mitogens.", "content": "We have demonstrated that mitogens--i.e., PHA and Con.A--stimulate lymphocyte carbohydrate metabolism using a liquid-scintillation vial with conventional liquid-scintillation detectors. The results showed that this enclosed system can be useful for development of rapid in vitro tests of lymphocytes immune responsiveness, as well as for radiometric detection of bacterial growth in various gaseous atmospheres.", "contents": "Liquid scintillation vial for radiometric assay of lymphocyte carbohydrate metabolism in response to mitogens. We have demonstrated that mitogens--i.e., PHA and Con.A--stimulate lymphocyte carbohydrate metabolism using a liquid-scintillation vial with conventional liquid-scintillation detectors. The results showed that this enclosed system can be useful for development of rapid in vitro tests of lymphocytes immune responsiveness, as well as for radiometric detection of bacterial growth in various gaseous atmospheres.", "PMID": 621565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4065", "title": "Detection of lipoid tumors by xenon-133.", "content": "Three patients with biopsy-proven liposarcoma were studied with inhalation of xenon-133, a gas highly soluble in fat. Increased concentration of radioactivity in the region of the tumor suggested the potential usefulness of radioxenon for the detection of lipomatous tumors.", "contents": "Detection of lipoid tumors by xenon-133. Three patients with biopsy-proven liposarcoma were studied with inhalation of xenon-133, a gas highly soluble in fat. Increased concentration of radioactivity in the region of the tumor suggested the potential usefulness of radioxenon for the detection of lipomatous tumors.", "PMID": 621566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4066", "title": "The monitoring of renal dysfunction in renal emphysema by dual radiopharmaceutical scintiscanning.", "content": "Followup renal scintiscans using two radiopharmaceuticals were performed in a patient with renal emphysema. This allowed us to more accurately determine whether the emphysematous pyelonephritis was responding to antibiotic therapy or whether surgical intervention was indicated. Both Ga-67 citrate and a cortical agent (Tc-99m dimethylsuccinate) were used. A reciprocal relationship in the renal uptake of these two agents indicates the response of therapy and the degree of improvement of renal cortical function.", "contents": "The monitoring of renal dysfunction in renal emphysema by dual radiopharmaceutical scintiscanning. Followup renal scintiscans using two radiopharmaceuticals were performed in a patient with renal emphysema. This allowed us to more accurately determine whether the emphysematous pyelonephritis was responding to antibiotic therapy or whether surgical intervention was indicated. Both Ga-67 citrate and a cortical agent (Tc-99m dimethylsuccinate) were used. A reciprocal relationship in the renal uptake of these two agents indicates the response of therapy and the degree of improvement of renal cortical function.", "PMID": 621567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4067", "title": "Imaging the bowel with technetium--an aid in gallium studies.", "content": "Three cases are present to demonstrate the usefulness of oral or rectal technetium-99m preparations in locating the stomach and bowel in relation to abnormal accumulation of gallium-67 within the abdomen. In this way, the concentration of gallium in an abscess or a tumor may be distinguished from its physiologic excretion into the bowel.", "contents": "Imaging the bowel with technetium--an aid in gallium studies. Three cases are present to demonstrate the usefulness of oral or rectal technetium-99m preparations in locating the stomach and bowel in relation to abnormal accumulation of gallium-67 within the abdomen. In this way, the concentration of gallium in an abscess or a tumor may be distinguished from its physiologic excretion into the bowel.", "PMID": 621568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4068", "title": "[1-11C] DL-valine, a potential pancreas-imaging agent.", "content": "There is a great need for a better pancreas-imaging agent. Studies with [1-14C] DL-valine have shown this amino acid to have a high pancreatic specificity in the four animal species examined. The tissue distribution was almost optimal by 30 min after injection, and no carrier effect was observed through a dose of 5 mg/kg. [1-11C] DL-Valine was synthesized in amounts up to 363 mCi using a rapid (T1/2 = 20.4 min for C-11), high-temperature, high-pressure modification of the B\u00fccherer-Strecker amino acid synthesis. Purification was by anion-exchange followed by cation-exchange chromatography. [1-11C] DL-Valine was obtained in a 70% chemical yield with a total synthesis and purification time of 45 min. Studies in animals have demonstrated that it is a potentially useful new agent for clinical pancreatic imaging.", "contents": "[1-11C] DL-valine, a potential pancreas-imaging agent. There is a great need for a better pancreas-imaging agent. Studies with [1-14C] DL-valine have shown this amino acid to have a high pancreatic specificity in the four animal species examined. The tissue distribution was almost optimal by 30 min after injection, and no carrier effect was observed through a dose of 5 mg/kg. [1-11C] DL-Valine was synthesized in amounts up to 363 mCi using a rapid (T1/2 = 20.4 min for C-11), high-temperature, high-pressure modification of the B\u00fccherer-Strecker amino acid synthesis. Purification was by anion-exchange followed by cation-exchange chromatography. [1-11C] DL-Valine was obtained in a 70% chemical yield with a total synthesis and purification time of 45 min. Studies in animals have demonstrated that it is a potentially useful new agent for clinical pancreatic imaging.", "PMID": 621569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4069", "title": "Biodistribution of intravenously injected [14C] doxorubicin and [14C] daunorubicin in mice: concise communication.", "content": "[14C] doxorubicin (adriamycin) and [14C] daunorubicin (daunomycin) are cardiotoxic antibodies used in cancer therapy. These drugs were examined as possible agents for the measurement of regional myocardial blood flow. The antibiotics were injected intravenously into mice, which were then killed after various intervals. At a chemical dosage of 0.5 mg per kilogram, the content of the heart never exceeded 0.60% of the administered dose for doxorubicin and 0.55% for daunorubicin. The cardiotoxic effect of these drugs, therefore, is probably related to a specific sensitivity of the heart, rather than to an avid uptake of the drugs by the cardiac muscle. Further studies seem warranted, using a lower chemical dosage and higher specific activity.", "contents": "Biodistribution of intravenously injected [14C] doxorubicin and [14C] daunorubicin in mice: concise communication. [14C] doxorubicin (adriamycin) and [14C] daunorubicin (daunomycin) are cardiotoxic antibodies used in cancer therapy. These drugs were examined as possible agents for the measurement of regional myocardial blood flow. The antibiotics were injected intravenously into mice, which were then killed after various intervals. At a chemical dosage of 0.5 mg per kilogram, the content of the heart never exceeded 0.60% of the administered dose for doxorubicin and 0.55% for daunorubicin. The cardiotoxic effect of these drugs, therefore, is probably related to a specific sensitivity of the heart, rather than to an avid uptake of the drugs by the cardiac muscle. Further studies seem warranted, using a lower chemical dosage and higher specific activity.", "PMID": 621570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4070", "title": "Minimum detectable gray-scale differences in nuclear medicine images.", "content": "An analysis of the effects of display-system characteristics upon the image from a nuclear medicine imaging system is presented. Simple, quantitative relationships are developed for calculation of contrast values for a minimum detectable lesion and maximum useful image count densities, from the slope of the D-log E characteristic curves of different films. The results provide a practical aid in the selection of films for various nuclear medicine imaging procedures.", "contents": "Minimum detectable gray-scale differences in nuclear medicine images. An analysis of the effects of display-system characteristics upon the image from a nuclear medicine imaging system is presented. Simple, quantitative relationships are developed for calculation of contrast values for a minimum detectable lesion and maximum useful image count densities, from the slope of the D-log E characteristic curves of different films. The results provide a practical aid in the selection of films for various nuclear medicine imaging procedures.", "PMID": 621571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4071", "title": "Chest tomography by gamma camera and external gamma source: concise communication.", "content": "To obtain tomographic images of the chest, we used a large-field gamma camera to detect the 90 degrees scattered radiations (180 keV) from a linear source of Hg-203 (279 keV). The primary beam traveling across the chest is scattered according to the relative density of tissues. Chest sections can be visualized at different depths on frontal and sagittal planes. The resolution of the technic is that of the gamma camera.", "contents": "Chest tomography by gamma camera and external gamma source: concise communication. To obtain tomographic images of the chest, we used a large-field gamma camera to detect the 90 degrees scattered radiations (180 keV) from a linear source of Hg-203 (279 keV). The primary beam traveling across the chest is scattered according to the relative density of tissues. Chest sections can be visualized at different depths on frontal and sagittal planes. The resolution of the technic is that of the gamma camera.", "PMID": 621572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4072", "title": "Effects of experimental diabetes and food intake on rat intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase activity of rat serum was reduced 50% by fasting the animal for 24 hours. Diabetes, induced by alloxan or streptozotocin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase 3- to 5-fold in fed rats and the elevated activity was reduced by insulin administration. In the absence of insulin, fasting alone was able to reduce the serum alkaline phosphatase of diabetic rats to control values. The elevated serum isozyme was found to be of intestinal origin by the use of appropriate inhibitors and electrophoretic mobility following neuraminidase treatment. It is concluded that food intake, particularly the hyperphagia of diabetes, plays a major role in regulating the concentration of intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase in the rat.", "contents": "Effects of experimental diabetes and food intake on rat intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase activity of rat serum was reduced 50% by fasting the animal for 24 hours. Diabetes, induced by alloxan or streptozotocin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase 3- to 5-fold in fed rats and the elevated activity was reduced by insulin administration. In the absence of insulin, fasting alone was able to reduce the serum alkaline phosphatase of diabetic rats to control values. The elevated serum isozyme was found to be of intestinal origin by the use of appropriate inhibitors and electrophoretic mobility following neuraminidase treatment. It is concluded that food intake, particularly the hyperphagia of diabetes, plays a major role in regulating the concentration of intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase in the rat.", "PMID": 621574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4073", "title": "Arginine requirements in immature dogs.", "content": "Labrador Retriever puppies (3 kg) were fed L-amino acid (L-AA) diets, containing the equivalent of 14% protein, to determine dietary argnine requirements for optimal growth and maintenance of normal intermediary metabolism. Growth and food consumption were depressed by decreasing the dietary arginine concentration. Urinary citrate and orotate increased with decreasing dietary arginine. Elevated blood orotate, urea and NH4+-N were detected in arginine deficient dogs. More than 0.56% arginine was required to support optimum growth and prevent abnormal loss of urinary metabolites. The effect of dietary nitrogen concentration (14, 21, or 28% L-AA) on arginine requirements was examined in immature Beagles. All arginine deficient dogs and dogs fed the 28% L-AA with arginine showed signs of emesis, excessive salivation and muscle tremors. Hyperammonemia and hyperglycemia were observed 2 hours after force feeding an L-AA diet devoid of arginine. Only hyperammonemia was observed in the Labrador Retrievers fed the same diet but incorporated into a 2% agar gel. Dietary nitrogen concentration or dietary arginine content dit not significantly influence glucose tolerance response to oral glucose loading. These data show that dietary arginine is required in the immature dog and that the requirement is influenced by dietary nitrogen concentration.", "contents": "Arginine requirements in immature dogs. Labrador Retriever puppies (3 kg) were fed L-amino acid (L-AA) diets, containing the equivalent of 14% protein, to determine dietary argnine requirements for optimal growth and maintenance of normal intermediary metabolism. Growth and food consumption were depressed by decreasing the dietary arginine concentration. Urinary citrate and orotate increased with decreasing dietary arginine. Elevated blood orotate, urea and NH4+-N were detected in arginine deficient dogs. More than 0.56% arginine was required to support optimum growth and prevent abnormal loss of urinary metabolites. The effect of dietary nitrogen concentration (14, 21, or 28% L-AA) on arginine requirements was examined in immature Beagles. All arginine deficient dogs and dogs fed the 28% L-AA with arginine showed signs of emesis, excessive salivation and muscle tremors. Hyperammonemia and hyperglycemia were observed 2 hours after force feeding an L-AA diet devoid of arginine. Only hyperammonemia was observed in the Labrador Retrievers fed the same diet but incorporated into a 2% agar gel. Dietary nitrogen concentration or dietary arginine content dit not significantly influence glucose tolerance response to oral glucose loading. These data show that dietary arginine is required in the immature dog and that the requirement is influenced by dietary nitrogen concentration.", "PMID": 621576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4074", "title": "Effect of salicylamide on the placental transfer and fetal tissue distribution of sodium-35S-sulfate in the rat.", "content": "Pregnant rats were used to determine effects of salicylamide on the sequential uptake and loss of radiosulfate by maternal and fetal tissues. Separate and combined effects of salicylamide and protein restrictions on radiosulfate retention by fetal rat tissues were determined. Rats were fed salicylamide-containing or control diets from the 4th or 6th day of gestation. Rats were killed between the 17th and 19th days of gestation, following intramuscular injection of sodium-35S-sulfate. Fetal and placental radiosulfate uptake was related to maternal serum levels. Salicylamide administration decreased radiosulfate uptake by maternal serum and liver, fetus and placenta--effects being dose-dependent. Differences in radiosulfate uptake by the fetus and placenta over time, induced by salicylamide, were also significant independently of maternal serum levels of radiosulfate. Major retention of 35S was found in the fetal cartilage with lower concentrations in the fetal skin, intestine, brain and liver. Protein restriction increased retention of 35S, and salicylamide administration caused a significant reduction in 35S retention by fetal tissues. Skeletal malformations were found in fetuses from dams receiving salicylamide. It is concluded that this drug lowers the availability of sulfate to the fetus from the dam, impairs the incorporation of sulfate by fetal tissues utilizing sulfates, and is teratogenic.", "contents": "Effect of salicylamide on the placental transfer and fetal tissue distribution of sodium-35S-sulfate in the rat. Pregnant rats were used to determine effects of salicylamide on the sequential uptake and loss of radiosulfate by maternal and fetal tissues. Separate and combined effects of salicylamide and protein restrictions on radiosulfate retention by fetal rat tissues were determined. Rats were fed salicylamide-containing or control diets from the 4th or 6th day of gestation. Rats were killed between the 17th and 19th days of gestation, following intramuscular injection of sodium-35S-sulfate. Fetal and placental radiosulfate uptake was related to maternal serum levels. Salicylamide administration decreased radiosulfate uptake by maternal serum and liver, fetus and placenta--effects being dose-dependent. Differences in radiosulfate uptake by the fetus and placenta over time, induced by salicylamide, were also significant independently of maternal serum levels of radiosulfate. Major retention of 35S was found in the fetal cartilage with lower concentrations in the fetal skin, intestine, brain and liver. Protein restriction increased retention of 35S, and salicylamide administration caused a significant reduction in 35S retention by fetal tissues. Skeletal malformations were found in fetuses from dams receiving salicylamide. It is concluded that this drug lowers the availability of sulfate to the fetus from the dam, impairs the incorporation of sulfate by fetal tissues utilizing sulfates, and is teratogenic.", "PMID": 621578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4075", "title": "Oxidation, excretion, and tissue distribution of [26-14C] cholesterol in copper-deficient rats.", "content": "The effect of copper deficiency on in vivo catabolism and excretion of [26-14C] cholesterol was studied in male rats. The study involved four treatments, namely, control, copper-deficient, control plus cholesterol, and copper-deficient plus cholesterol supplement. Significant elevations of serum ester and total cholesterol concentrations and reductions of serum free, ester, and total cholesterol specific activities were observed in rats fed the copper-deficient diets. In addition, a significant reduction of liver free cholesterol concentration was observed in rats fed the copper-deficient diets. Cholesterol supplementation significantly increased the concentrations of, and reduced the specific activities of, the different serum and liver cholesterol fractions. The only exception was that the liver free cholesterol concentration was not altered by cholesterol supplementation. The serum free cholesterol concentration was significantly increased and the specific activities of liver ester cholesterol were significantly reduced in rats fed the copper-deficient diet with no added cholesterol. The rates of oxidation and excretion of [26-14C] cholesterol were not influenced by dietary copper but were significantly increased by cholesterol supplementation. A shift of cholesterol from the liver to the serum pool appeared to be responsible for the hypercholesterolemia observed in copper deficiency.", "contents": "Oxidation, excretion, and tissue distribution of [26-14C] cholesterol in copper-deficient rats. The effect of copper deficiency on in vivo catabolism and excretion of [26-14C] cholesterol was studied in male rats. The study involved four treatments, namely, control, copper-deficient, control plus cholesterol, and copper-deficient plus cholesterol supplement. Significant elevations of serum ester and total cholesterol concentrations and reductions of serum free, ester, and total cholesterol specific activities were observed in rats fed the copper-deficient diets. In addition, a significant reduction of liver free cholesterol concentration was observed in rats fed the copper-deficient diets. Cholesterol supplementation significantly increased the concentrations of, and reduced the specific activities of, the different serum and liver cholesterol fractions. The only exception was that the liver free cholesterol concentration was not altered by cholesterol supplementation. The serum free cholesterol concentration was significantly increased and the specific activities of liver ester cholesterol were significantly reduced in rats fed the copper-deficient diet with no added cholesterol. The rates of oxidation and excretion of [26-14C] cholesterol were not influenced by dietary copper but were significantly increased by cholesterol supplementation. A shift of cholesterol from the liver to the serum pool appeared to be responsible for the hypercholesterolemia observed in copper deficiency.", "PMID": 621580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4076", "title": "Effects of age, sex and starvation on the turnover of plasma, liver and breast muscle proteins in the Japanese quail.", "content": "Half-lives of the plasma, liver and breast muscle proteins in female, old male, young male and starved young male Japanese quail were measured by following the changes in protein specific radioactivity over a period of 7 days. The female birds showed the shortest half-lives for plasma and liver proteins and very long half-lives for breast muscle proteins. Compared to the proteins from the female birds, the old and young male birds showed slightly longer half-lives for plasma and insoluble liver proteins and shorter half-lives for soluble liver and breast muscle proteins. Starved birds showed greatly increased half-lives for all proteins when compared to the corresponding proteins from the other groups of quail. In general, the trends shown for the turnover of proteins from plasma, liver and breast muscle of the four groups of quail were similar to turnovers reported for rats under similar treatment conditions.", "contents": "Effects of age, sex and starvation on the turnover of plasma, liver and breast muscle proteins in the Japanese quail. Half-lives of the plasma, liver and breast muscle proteins in female, old male, young male and starved young male Japanese quail were measured by following the changes in protein specific radioactivity over a period of 7 days. The female birds showed the shortest half-lives for plasma and liver proteins and very long half-lives for breast muscle proteins. Compared to the proteins from the female birds, the old and young male birds showed slightly longer half-lives for plasma and insoluble liver proteins and shorter half-lives for soluble liver and breast muscle proteins. Starved birds showed greatly increased half-lives for all proteins when compared to the corresponding proteins from the other groups of quail. In general, the trends shown for the turnover of proteins from plasma, liver and breast muscle of the four groups of quail were similar to turnovers reported for rats under similar treatment conditions.", "PMID": 621582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4077", "title": "Studies on the role of nickel in the ruminant.", "content": "Lambs were fed 6 to 7% of metabolic body weight per day of a basal purified diet low in nickel (65 ppb) or the basal diet plus 5 ppm nickel for a 97 day period in an attempt to demonstrate an essential role for nickel in the ovine. Weight gains for the entire period and digestibility of dry matter and of protein at 28 and 56 days were not different between the two groups. At 28 days, but not at 56 days, urinary nitrogen was less and percentage retention of absorbed nitrogen was greater in the supplemented lambs. Total serum proteins were higher at 56 days and serum alanine transaminase was higher throughout the experiment in the nickel supplemented lambs, but only significantly so at 56 days. When lambs were given an oral dose of 65Ni, the low nickel lambs tended to excrete more in the feces and retained less in the kidney, lung, and liver at 72 hours post dosing. The major excretory route of nickel was via the feces. The kidney retained the highest concentration of 65Ni of the organs examined.", "contents": "Studies on the role of nickel in the ruminant. Lambs were fed 6 to 7% of metabolic body weight per day of a basal purified diet low in nickel (65 ppb) or the basal diet plus 5 ppm nickel for a 97 day period in an attempt to demonstrate an essential role for nickel in the ovine. Weight gains for the entire period and digestibility of dry matter and of protein at 28 and 56 days were not different between the two groups. At 28 days, but not at 56 days, urinary nitrogen was less and percentage retention of absorbed nitrogen was greater in the supplemented lambs. Total serum proteins were higher at 56 days and serum alanine transaminase was higher throughout the experiment in the nickel supplemented lambs, but only significantly so at 56 days. When lambs were given an oral dose of 65Ni, the low nickel lambs tended to excrete more in the feces and retained less in the kidney, lung, and liver at 72 hours post dosing. The major excretory route of nickel was via the feces. The kidney retained the highest concentration of 65Ni of the organs examined.", "PMID": 621585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4078", "title": "Alterations of rat adipose tissue metabolism associated with dietary chromium supplementation.", "content": "Net free fatty acid release from adipose tissue taken from male rats fed a stock diet unsupplemented with chromium was significantly greater than that from adipose tissue taken from chromium-supplemented rats. This enhanced net lipolysis was unaccompanied by any evidence of a compensatory increase in reesterification. Specifically, the glycerokinase-catalyzed direct phosphorylation of glycerol, which might have provided an alternate supply of alpha-glycerophosphate for reesterification in the absence of glycolytic production of alpha-glycerophosphate, was significantly reduced. These animals also showed an abnormal glucose tolerance response. In contrast, male rats fed a purified diet unsupplemented with chromium appeared to be marginally chromium-deficient as judged by a glucose tolerance test but did not show any alterations in adipose tissue metabolism attributable to the adequacy of chromium nutriture.", "contents": "Alterations of rat adipose tissue metabolism associated with dietary chromium supplementation. Net free fatty acid release from adipose tissue taken from male rats fed a stock diet unsupplemented with chromium was significantly greater than that from adipose tissue taken from chromium-supplemented rats. This enhanced net lipolysis was unaccompanied by any evidence of a compensatory increase in reesterification. Specifically, the glycerokinase-catalyzed direct phosphorylation of glycerol, which might have provided an alternate supply of alpha-glycerophosphate for reesterification in the absence of glycolytic production of alpha-glycerophosphate, was significantly reduced. These animals also showed an abnormal glucose tolerance response. In contrast, male rats fed a purified diet unsupplemented with chromium appeared to be marginally chromium-deficient as judged by a glucose tolerance test but did not show any alterations in adipose tissue metabolism attributable to the adequacy of chromium nutriture.", "PMID": 621586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4079", "title": "The influence of two barrier creams on the percutaneous absorption of m-xylene in man.", "content": "Human volunteers were exposed to m-xylene by the percutaneous route (both hands immersed into the solvent for 20 minutes). The total amount of unchanged m-xylene eliminated through the respiratory tract during and after exposure and the total quantity of m-methylhippuric acid eliminated in urine during the subsequent 24 hours were measured. The majority of absorbed m-xylene (86 to 98%) is eliminated as m-methylhippuric acid in urine. The results obtained on eight subjects who repeated the test twice indicate that under similar experimental conditions the quantity of m-xylene absorbed percutaneously by an individual may vary with time by a factor of 2 or less. The interindividual variability in the total amount of m-xylene absorbed through the skin is greater than the intraindividual variability. Among 13 subjects, the ratio between the highest and the lowest value is 6.2; the mean percutaneous absorption rate of m-xylene amounts to 2.45 microgram/cm2 x min. The application of a barrier cream containing 10% silicone did not significantly influence the rate of percutaneous absorpiton of m-xylene by 11 subjects. Preliminary results obtained of five volunteers suggest that the application of a cream containing glycerol, stearates and oleostearates was not more effective.", "contents": "The influence of two barrier creams on the percutaneous absorption of m-xylene in man. Human volunteers were exposed to m-xylene by the percutaneous route (both hands immersed into the solvent for 20 minutes). The total amount of unchanged m-xylene eliminated through the respiratory tract during and after exposure and the total quantity of m-methylhippuric acid eliminated in urine during the subsequent 24 hours were measured. The majority of absorbed m-xylene (86 to 98%) is eliminated as m-methylhippuric acid in urine. The results obtained on eight subjects who repeated the test twice indicate that under similar experimental conditions the quantity of m-xylene absorbed percutaneously by an individual may vary with time by a factor of 2 or less. The interindividual variability in the total amount of m-xylene absorbed through the skin is greater than the intraindividual variability. Among 13 subjects, the ratio between the highest and the lowest value is 6.2; the mean percutaneous absorption rate of m-xylene amounts to 2.45 microgram/cm2 x min. The application of a barrier cream containing 10% silicone did not significantly influence the rate of percutaneous absorpiton of m-xylene by 11 subjects. Preliminary results obtained of five volunteers suggest that the application of a cream containing glycerol, stearates and oleostearates was not more effective.", "PMID": 621590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4080", "title": "Mortality of workers exposed to chloroprene.", "content": "A study was undertaken to determine whether exposure to chloroprene increases the risk of lung cancer. Data were obtained from historical prospective mortality studies of two cohorts, one consisting of 270 men first exposed between 1931 and 1948, and the other of 1,576 men first exposed between 1942 and 1957. The number of lung cancer deaths in each cohort (three in the first and 16 in the second) were about the same as expected. Among maintenance mechanics in the second cohort, there were eight lung cancer cases (four living and four dead). A crude morbidity analysis suggested that this group may have had an excess incidence of lung cancer. However, the absence of excess lung cancer mortality in other high exposure occupational groups indicates that chloroprene exposure does not increase the risk of lung cancer.", "contents": "Mortality of workers exposed to chloroprene. A study was undertaken to determine whether exposure to chloroprene increases the risk of lung cancer. Data were obtained from historical prospective mortality studies of two cohorts, one consisting of 270 men first exposed between 1931 and 1948, and the other of 1,576 men first exposed between 1942 and 1957. The number of lung cancer deaths in each cohort (three in the first and 16 in the second) were about the same as expected. Among maintenance mechanics in the second cohort, there were eight lung cancer cases (four living and four dead). A crude morbidity analysis suggested that this group may have had an excess incidence of lung cancer. However, the absence of excess lung cancer mortality in other high exposure occupational groups indicates that chloroprene exposure does not increase the risk of lung cancer.", "PMID": 621591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4081", "title": "Mortality of California agricultural workers.", "content": "The mortality of white male farm laborers and farm operators in California for the years 1959 to 1961 was examined. Cause-specific mortality rates were calculated in order to identify diseases which might be of occupational importance. The mortality rate from respiratory diseases in the farm laborer groups (employees) was triple the rate in the farm management group (employers or self-employed individuals). Accidental deaths were also increased in the farm laborer group. Hazards of the agricultural industry which could contribute to accidents and respiratory disease were reviewed.", "contents": "Mortality of California agricultural workers. The mortality of white male farm laborers and farm operators in California for the years 1959 to 1961 was examined. Cause-specific mortality rates were calculated in order to identify diseases which might be of occupational importance. The mortality rate from respiratory diseases in the farm laborer groups (employees) was triple the rate in the farm management group (employers or self-employed individuals). Accidental deaths were also increased in the farm laborer group. Hazards of the agricultural industry which could contribute to accidents and respiratory disease were reviewed.", "PMID": 621592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4082", "title": "Differences in pulmonary function tests among whites, blacks, and American Indians in a textile company.", "content": "Normal standards for pulmonary function in nonwhite populations are not presently available to occupational health workers. The present study examined differences in %FVC, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF 200-1200 and FEF 25-75% among whites, blacks, and American Indians. The sample consisted of 4209 job applicants to a textile company in southeastern United States. Multiple regression and analyses of covariance were employed to control differences in age, height, weight, and smoking status. Blacks were significantly lower in five of the six comparisons but higher in FEV1/FVC%. The pulmonary function measures of Indians fell generally between those of whites and blacks. Differences were observed between blacks and whites of both sexes regarding the effects of cigarette smoking. The need for race specific stardards was confirmed and the question of using smokers in the acquisition of normative data was raised.", "contents": "Differences in pulmonary function tests among whites, blacks, and American Indians in a textile company. Normal standards for pulmonary function in nonwhite populations are not presently available to occupational health workers. The present study examined differences in %FVC, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF 200-1200 and FEF 25-75% among whites, blacks, and American Indians. The sample consisted of 4209 job applicants to a textile company in southeastern United States. Multiple regression and analyses of covariance were employed to control differences in age, height, weight, and smoking status. Blacks were significantly lower in five of the six comparisons but higher in FEV1/FVC%. The pulmonary function measures of Indians fell generally between those of whites and blacks. Differences were observed between blacks and whites of both sexes regarding the effects of cigarette smoking. The need for race specific stardards was confirmed and the question of using smokers in the acquisition of normative data was raised.", "PMID": 621593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4083", "title": "Physiological effects on word performance of vapor-barrier clothing and full-face respirator.", "content": "Work performance with impervious clothing and full-face respirator was investigated during maximal and submaximal (40-60%) bicycle ergometer efforts. Such levels may be dictated by the requirements of emergency decontamination tasks while most studies have been concerned with lower levels of activity. Five different exercise protocols were administered. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (Vo2), skin (Ts) and rectal (Tr) temperatures were monitored. The impervious suits resulted in decreased work performance, aerobic metabolism, and tolerance time. Stress indices of HR and mean Ts were found to be correlated with these differences. The study is being expanded for the purpose of establishing safe physiological guidelines for work tolerances at higher energy levels in impermeable suits.", "contents": "Physiological effects on word performance of vapor-barrier clothing and full-face respirator. Work performance with impervious clothing and full-face respirator was investigated during maximal and submaximal (40-60%) bicycle ergometer efforts. Such levels may be dictated by the requirements of emergency decontamination tasks while most studies have been concerned with lower levels of activity. Five different exercise protocols were administered. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (Vo2), skin (Ts) and rectal (Tr) temperatures were monitored. The impervious suits resulted in decreased work performance, aerobic metabolism, and tolerance time. Stress indices of HR and mean Ts were found to be correlated with these differences. The study is being expanded for the purpose of establishing safe physiological guidelines for work tolerances at higher energy levels in impermeable suits.", "PMID": 621594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4084", "title": "Localization of the site of urinary tract infections by means of antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments.", "content": "A prospective study was conducted in children with urinary tract infections to examine the relationship between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments and the presence of pyelonephritis. The site of the urinary tract infection was localized as upper or lower urinary tract by the bladder washout technique. Antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments were identified by an immunofluorescent method. In 4 of 12 children with upper urinary tract infections, less than 1% of the bacteria in the urinary sediments were antibody coated. In 10 of 35 children with lower urinary tract infections more than 50% of the bacteria in the urinary sediments were antibody coated. These studies show no significant correlation between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in urinary sediments and infection of the upper urinary tract.", "contents": "Localization of the site of urinary tract infections by means of antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments. A prospective study was conducted in children with urinary tract infections to examine the relationship between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments and the presence of pyelonephritis. The site of the urinary tract infection was localized as upper or lower urinary tract by the bladder washout technique. Antibody-coated bacteria in the urinary sediments were identified by an immunofluorescent method. In 4 of 12 children with upper urinary tract infections, less than 1% of the bacteria in the urinary sediments were antibody coated. In 10 of 35 children with lower urinary tract infections more than 50% of the bacteria in the urinary sediments were antibody coated. These studies show no significant correlation between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in urinary sediments and infection of the upper urinary tract.", "PMID": 621601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4085", "title": "Hepatitis B in children. II. Study of children born to chronic HBsAg carrier mothers.", "content": "A survey of 4,452 pregnant women taken to find hepatitis B surface antigen revealed 28 asymptomatic chronic carriers. At birth, 16 of 17 infants studied were negative for HBsAg, whereas anti-HBc was present in all patients at a titer similar to that of the mother. Twelve children were followed for 6 to 18 months. In four of them, HBsAg remained negative and anti-HBc titers progressively decreased and were undetectable when tested after the age of 6 months. In eight infants, HBsAg became positive after an average time of 48 days. Elimination of HBsAg occurred in seven infants; five of them had clinical and biological manifestations of mild hepatitis. Sequential determinations of total complement and C components in three patients of the latter group showed dperession of complement at the time of appearance of clinical manifestations. In the patient who became an HBsAg carrier as well as in three infants who remained HBsAg negative, no decrease in complement titers was observed. These results indicate that vertical transmission from carrier mothers can occur in a low prevalence area and that neonatally infected children are capable of active elimination of HBV.", "contents": "Hepatitis B in children. II. Study of children born to chronic HBsAg carrier mothers. A survey of 4,452 pregnant women taken to find hepatitis B surface antigen revealed 28 asymptomatic chronic carriers. At birth, 16 of 17 infants studied were negative for HBsAg, whereas anti-HBc was present in all patients at a titer similar to that of the mother. Twelve children were followed for 6 to 18 months. In four of them, HBsAg remained negative and anti-HBc titers progressively decreased and were undetectable when tested after the age of 6 months. In eight infants, HBsAg became positive after an average time of 48 days. Elimination of HBsAg occurred in seven infants; five of them had clinical and biological manifestations of mild hepatitis. Sequential determinations of total complement and C components in three patients of the latter group showed dperession of complement at the time of appearance of clinical manifestations. In the patient who became an HBsAg carrier as well as in three infants who remained HBsAg negative, no decrease in complement titers was observed. These results indicate that vertical transmission from carrier mothers can occur in a low prevalence area and that neonatally infected children are capable of active elimination of HBV.", "PMID": 621602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4086", "title": "Cholelithiasis and Wilson disease.", "content": "We have studied three children with Wilson disease who had clinical symptoms suggestive of cholecystitis as well as radiologic evidence of gallstones, subsequently proven at the time of laparotomy. The gallstones from the patients with Wilson disease had an appreciably higher content of cholesterol than gallstones from age-matched children with hemolytic disease. Since gallstones may be present for years before they produce clinical symptoms, young patients with Wilson disease should undergo routine investigation for the presence of stones; cholelithiasis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in such patients.", "contents": "Cholelithiasis and Wilson disease. We have studied three children with Wilson disease who had clinical symptoms suggestive of cholecystitis as well as radiologic evidence of gallstones, subsequently proven at the time of laparotomy. The gallstones from the patients with Wilson disease had an appreciably higher content of cholesterol than gallstones from age-matched children with hemolytic disease. Since gallstones may be present for years before they produce clinical symptoms, young patients with Wilson disease should undergo routine investigation for the presence of stones; cholelithiasis should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in such patients.", "PMID": 621603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4087", "title": "Long-term pulmonary sequelae of the Wilson-Mikity syndrome.", "content": "Five children born prematurely, eight to ten years ago, who survived the Wilson-Mikity syndrome were compared with six apparently normal prematurely born children and eight normal children born at term, by means of flow volume curves obtained while breathing air and while breathing a mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen. The flow rates in air of the group who survived the Wilson-Mikity syndrome were significantly lower than those of the prematurely born normal children (P less than 0.01), and than those of the eight normal children (P less than 0.001). The volume of isoflow while breathing air compared to that while breathing HeO2 was highly variable, but not significantly different in the three groups. Three of the five survivors of the Wilson-Mikity syndrome had a marked concavity in the shape of their flow volume curves. It is concluded that these abnormalities are due to focal increases of compliance or resistances or both of terminal lung units and result in adjacent areas of the lung emptying at different rates. The relationship between physiologic and anatomic abnormalities seen at autopsy in those who die to the disease suggests that they are due to the same pathologic process. Whether or not these abnormalities will disappear with future lung growth remains to be seen.", "contents": "Long-term pulmonary sequelae of the Wilson-Mikity syndrome. Five children born prematurely, eight to ten years ago, who survived the Wilson-Mikity syndrome were compared with six apparently normal prematurely born children and eight normal children born at term, by means of flow volume curves obtained while breathing air and while breathing a mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen. The flow rates in air of the group who survived the Wilson-Mikity syndrome were significantly lower than those of the prematurely born normal children (P less than 0.01), and than those of the eight normal children (P less than 0.001). The volume of isoflow while breathing air compared to that while breathing HeO2 was highly variable, but not significantly different in the three groups. Three of the five survivors of the Wilson-Mikity syndrome had a marked concavity in the shape of their flow volume curves. It is concluded that these abnormalities are due to focal increases of compliance or resistances or both of terminal lung units and result in adjacent areas of the lung emptying at different rates. The relationship between physiologic and anatomic abnormalities seen at autopsy in those who die to the disease suggests that they are due to the same pathologic process. Whether or not these abnormalities will disappear with future lung growth remains to be seen.", "PMID": 621608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4088", "title": "Modification of a screening program for neonatal hypothyroidism.", "content": "From our experience in the screening of 212,000 newborn infants, we have devised a flow chart for processing T4 and TSH measurements obtained from initial filter paper blood spots. To date, all infants with thyroid dysfunction or TBG deficiency have been detected. Of the population screened, 1.84% require a spot TSH determination, and 1.1% require repeat determinations of T4.", "contents": "Modification of a screening program for neonatal hypothyroidism. From our experience in the screening of 212,000 newborn infants, we have devised a flow chart for processing T4 and TSH measurements obtained from initial filter paper blood spots. To date, all infants with thyroid dysfunction or TBG deficiency have been detected. Of the population screened, 1.84% require a spot TSH determination, and 1.1% require repeat determinations of T4.", "PMID": 621609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4089", "title": "Chlorambucil dosage in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome: a controlled clinical trial.", "content": "A controlled clinical trial was performed using two dosage regimens of chlorambucil to treat children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. All children concurrently received prednisone (60 mg/m2 on alternate days). Ten children (Group I) were given chlorambucil as a stable dose (0.2 mg/kg/day) for 56 to 60 days, and 11 children (Group II) received increasing doses (0.2 to 0.63 mg/kg/day) for 42 to 77 days. Two children in each group subsequently relapsed. Follow-up averaged 28.6 and 27.2 months in Groups I and II, respectively. Three children in Group II developed infectious complications. The data indicate that a stable dosage regimen for chlorambucil is as effective as an increasing dose regimen in achieving long-term remission of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.", "contents": "Chlorambucil dosage in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome: a controlled clinical trial. A controlled clinical trial was performed using two dosage regimens of chlorambucil to treat children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. All children concurrently received prednisone (60 mg/m2 on alternate days). Ten children (Group I) were given chlorambucil as a stable dose (0.2 mg/kg/day) for 56 to 60 days, and 11 children (Group II) received increasing doses (0.2 to 0.63 mg/kg/day) for 42 to 77 days. Two children in each group subsequently relapsed. Follow-up averaged 28.6 and 27.2 months in Groups I and II, respectively. Three children in Group II developed infectious complications. The data indicate that a stable dosage regimen for chlorambucil is as effective as an increasing dose regimen in achieving long-term remission of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.", "PMID": 621612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4090", "title": "Gonadal effects of chlorambucil given to prepubertal and pubertal boys for nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "To assess the gonadal effects of chlorambucil given to prepubertal and pubertal boys, testicular function of 21 adolescents or young men, treated with chlorambucil for nephrotic syndrome before or during puberty, have been evaluated. Evaluations have been based on penis and testicular size, serum FSH, LH and testosterone values, and sperm count. Nine patients have testicular hypotrophy, 13 have significantly elevated FSH, 17 have azoospermia, two have severe oligospermia, and repetitive sperm counts show no improvement. A quiescent state of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules does not protect against chlorambucil toxicity, which seems to be related to the cumulative dose. Chlorambucil should be used with caution, even in children.", "contents": "Gonadal effects of chlorambucil given to prepubertal and pubertal boys for nephrotic syndrome. To assess the gonadal effects of chlorambucil given to prepubertal and pubertal boys, testicular function of 21 adolescents or young men, treated with chlorambucil for nephrotic syndrome before or during puberty, have been evaluated. Evaluations have been based on penis and testicular size, serum FSH, LH and testosterone values, and sperm count. Nine patients have testicular hypotrophy, 13 have significantly elevated FSH, 17 have azoospermia, two have severe oligospermia, and repetitive sperm counts show no improvement. A quiescent state of the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules does not protect against chlorambucil toxicity, which seems to be related to the cumulative dose. Chlorambucil should be used with caution, even in children.", "PMID": 621613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4091", "title": "Pattern of response to prednisone in idiopathic, minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome as a criterion in selecting patients for cyclophosphamide therapy.", "content": "Twenty-three children with idiopathic, relapsing minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome were divided according to their pattern of response to prednisone: (1) steroid dependent, if the relapse occurred while the dosage of prednisone was being decreased; and (2) frequent relapser, if the relapse occurred at variable periods of time (one week to two months) after discontinuing prednisone therapy. All patients received cyclophosphamide for eight weeks in a single daily dose of 2 mg/kg, in order to prolong the length of the remission. The percentage of patients who continued in remission at the end of the first year and thereafter was greater in the frequent relapser group (P = 0.05). This study suggests that the pattern of response to prednisone may be another criterion for the selection of patients who will benefit from cyclophosphamide therapy.", "contents": "Pattern of response to prednisone in idiopathic, minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome as a criterion in selecting patients for cyclophosphamide therapy. Twenty-three children with idiopathic, relapsing minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome were divided according to their pattern of response to prednisone: (1) steroid dependent, if the relapse occurred while the dosage of prednisone was being decreased; and (2) frequent relapser, if the relapse occurred at variable periods of time (one week to two months) after discontinuing prednisone therapy. All patients received cyclophosphamide for eight weeks in a single daily dose of 2 mg/kg, in order to prolong the length of the remission. The percentage of patients who continued in remission at the end of the first year and thereafter was greater in the frequent relapser group (P = 0.05). This study suggests that the pattern of response to prednisone may be another criterion for the selection of patients who will benefit from cyclophosphamide therapy.", "PMID": 621614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4092", "title": "The use of dopamine in children.", "content": "Dopamine was used as the primary catecholamine to treat circulatory shock, manifested by either systemic arterial hypotension or oliguria or both, in 24 children two days to 18 years (mean = 39 months) of age. The dose of dopamine ranged from 0.3 to 25 (mean = 9.3) microgram/kg/minute. The primary problem in four of the 24 patients was infection; two of these patients survived. The other 20 patients had congenital heart disease; 18 developed shock following surgery. Even of these 20 patients survived. With dopamine infusion the average systolic blood pressure increased from 69 +/- 4 (mean +/- SEM) to 81 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and the mean urine output increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 2.7 +/- 0.8 ml/kg/hour (P less than 0.05). Dopamine produced no adverse consequences. Thirteen patients responded favorably to the drug, with a significant increase in systemic arterial blood pressure and urine production. Four patients did not respond to dopamine and seven had an equivocal response. None of the four patients in whom dopamine was ineffective survived. Although only nine of the 20 patients who responded favorably or equivocally survived, conventional therapy had failed to alter the unfavoarble course in any of the patients.", "contents": "The use of dopamine in children. Dopamine was used as the primary catecholamine to treat circulatory shock, manifested by either systemic arterial hypotension or oliguria or both, in 24 children two days to 18 years (mean = 39 months) of age. The dose of dopamine ranged from 0.3 to 25 (mean = 9.3) microgram/kg/minute. The primary problem in four of the 24 patients was infection; two of these patients survived. The other 20 patients had congenital heart disease; 18 developed shock following surgery. Even of these 20 patients survived. With dopamine infusion the average systolic blood pressure increased from 69 +/- 4 (mean +/- SEM) to 81 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and the mean urine output increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 2.7 +/- 0.8 ml/kg/hour (P less than 0.05). Dopamine produced no adverse consequences. Thirteen patients responded favorably to the drug, with a significant increase in systemic arterial blood pressure and urine production. Four patients did not respond to dopamine and seven had an equivocal response. None of the four patients in whom dopamine was ineffective survived. Although only nine of the 20 patients who responded favorably or equivocally survived, conventional therapy had failed to alter the unfavoarble course in any of the patients.", "PMID": 621615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4093", "title": "Phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin levels in neonates with seizures.", "content": "Little information is available regarding appropriate plasma levels of anticonvulsant drugs in neonates. We determined the plasma levels of phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin following initial administration and during maintenance therapy in 59 neonates with seizures. Following intravenous administration of 15 to 20 mg/kg, levels of 20.7 +/- 4.4 microgram/ml were achieved for phenobarbital and levels of 14.5 +/- 3 microgram/ml for DPH. Maintenance doses of 5 mg/kg of phenobarbital resulted in initial drug accumulation followed by more rapid elimination of the drug with increasing duration of exposure. Therapeutic plasma levels of DPH could not be achieved by oral administration in the neonate.", "contents": "Phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin levels in neonates with seizures. Little information is available regarding appropriate plasma levels of anticonvulsant drugs in neonates. We determined the plasma levels of phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin following initial administration and during maintenance therapy in 59 neonates with seizures. Following intravenous administration of 15 to 20 mg/kg, levels of 20.7 +/- 4.4 microgram/ml were achieved for phenobarbital and levels of 14.5 +/- 3 microgram/ml for DPH. Maintenance doses of 5 mg/kg of phenobarbital resulted in initial drug accumulation followed by more rapid elimination of the drug with increasing duration of exposure. Therapeutic plasma levels of DPH could not be achieved by oral administration in the neonate.", "PMID": 621616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4094", "title": "Affect, accessibility of material in memory, and behavior: a cognitive loop?", "content": "Two studies investigated the effect of good mood on cognitive processes. In the first study, conducted in a shopping mall, a positive feeling state was induced by giving subjects a free gift, and good mood, thus induced, was found to improve subjects' evaluations of the performance and service records of products they owned. In the second study, in which affect was induced by having subjects win or lose a computer game in a laboratory setting, subjects who had won the game were found to be better able to recall positive material in memory. The results of the two studies are discussed in terms of the effect that feelings have on accessibility of cognitions. In addition, the nature of affect and the relationship between good mood and behavior (such as helping) are discussed in terms of this proposed cognitive process.", "contents": "Affect, accessibility of material in memory, and behavior: a cognitive loop? Two studies investigated the effect of good mood on cognitive processes. In the first study, conducted in a shopping mall, a positive feeling state was induced by giving subjects a free gift, and good mood, thus induced, was found to improve subjects' evaluations of the performance and service records of products they owned. In the second study, in which affect was induced by having subjects win or lose a computer game in a laboratory setting, subjects who had won the game were found to be better able to recall positive material in memory. The results of the two studies are discussed in terms of the effect that feelings have on accessibility of cognitions. In addition, the nature of affect and the relationship between good mood and behavior (such as helping) are discussed in terms of this proposed cognitive process.", "PMID": 621625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4095", "title": "Stress effects on affiliation preferences among subjects possessing the type A coronary-prone behavior pattern.", "content": "An experiment tested the hypothesis that when subjects who display the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern are placed under stress, they prefer to wait for the stressful event with others, but desire to work under stress alone. One half of 25 Type A and 25 Type B (non-coronary-prone) subjects were told that they would receive painful electric shock while working on a mental task, while the other one half were told that they would receive subliminal stimulation. Both groups were then given the choice of waiting for the event with others or alone and the choice of working on the task alone, in the company of others, or in a leader-directed group. The results showed that Type As relative to Type Bs tended to wait in the company of others regardless of threat level, but displayed a marked preference to work alone under high threat. This decision to work alone was not influenced by waiting preference. Subsequent correlational studies showed that coronary patients (n = 40) reported a greater preference for working alone when under pressure than matched controls (n = 40), as did Type A college students (77% vs. 14% for Type Bs) when asked their preference within the context of the structured interview that is used to assess the Type A pattern. The significance of the findings for increasing the understanding of affiliative preferences and coronary-prone behavior are discussed.", "contents": "Stress effects on affiliation preferences among subjects possessing the type A coronary-prone behavior pattern. An experiment tested the hypothesis that when subjects who display the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern are placed under stress, they prefer to wait for the stressful event with others, but desire to work under stress alone. One half of 25 Type A and 25 Type B (non-coronary-prone) subjects were told that they would receive painful electric shock while working on a mental task, while the other one half were told that they would receive subliminal stimulation. Both groups were then given the choice of waiting for the event with others or alone and the choice of working on the task alone, in the company of others, or in a leader-directed group. The results showed that Type As relative to Type Bs tended to wait in the company of others regardless of threat level, but displayed a marked preference to work alone under high threat. This decision to work alone was not influenced by waiting preference. Subsequent correlational studies showed that coronary patients (n = 40) reported a greater preference for working alone when under pressure than matched controls (n = 40), as did Type A college students (77% vs. 14% for Type Bs) when asked their preference within the context of the structured interview that is used to assess the Type A pattern. The significance of the findings for increasing the understanding of affiliative preferences and coronary-prone behavior are discussed.", "PMID": 621626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4096", "title": "Kinetics of plasma coagulation and lysis I: Basic kinetic model for time course of coagulation-lysis systems and its potential application to clinical studies.", "content": "The time courses of coagulation and coagulation-lysis were spectrophotometrically monitored after the addition of thrombin or thrombin-streptokinase to plasma, diluted 1:5 with normal saline, obtained from normal and presumably abnormal subjects. The kinetics of clotting, after an initial lag period of 0.5-1.5 min, demonstrated essentially first-order dependence on the amount of fibrinogen available to form the clot, and the asymptotic absorbance was independent of thrombin concentration. The rate of clotting was a function of added thrombin, and the ratios of the rate constants at 2.5 and 1.25 units of thrombin/ml of undiluted plasma were 1.65 +/- 0.03 SEM. At early times, the coagulation-lysis curve with thrombin-streptokinase could be superimposed on the clotting curve with thrombin alone for a given plasma with minor compensation for variable lag times. Subsequently, the curves diverged; lysis was monitored by the decrease in absorbance of the coagulation-lysis system. The rate of fibrinolysis increased with streptokinase concentration and was a function of the extent of lysis, and it permitted the description of the kinetics of lysis by a pseudoautocatalytic mechanism where the bimolecular rate constant appears proportional to streptokinase concentration. Ranges of clotting and lytic parameters for the plasma of normal subjects are given, and their potential use in diagnosing abnormalities is described.", "contents": "Kinetics of plasma coagulation and lysis I: Basic kinetic model for time course of coagulation-lysis systems and its potential application to clinical studies. The time courses of coagulation and coagulation-lysis were spectrophotometrically monitored after the addition of thrombin or thrombin-streptokinase to plasma, diluted 1:5 with normal saline, obtained from normal and presumably abnormal subjects. The kinetics of clotting, after an initial lag period of 0.5-1.5 min, demonstrated essentially first-order dependence on the amount of fibrinogen available to form the clot, and the asymptotic absorbance was independent of thrombin concentration. The rate of clotting was a function of added thrombin, and the ratios of the rate constants at 2.5 and 1.25 units of thrombin/ml of undiluted plasma were 1.65 +/- 0.03 SEM. At early times, the coagulation-lysis curve with thrombin-streptokinase could be superimposed on the clotting curve with thrombin alone for a given plasma with minor compensation for variable lag times. Subsequently, the curves diverged; lysis was monitored by the decrease in absorbance of the coagulation-lysis system. The rate of fibrinolysis increased with streptokinase concentration and was a function of the extent of lysis, and it permitted the description of the kinetics of lysis by a pseudoautocatalytic mechanism where the bimolecular rate constant appears proportional to streptokinase concentration. Ranges of clotting and lytic parameters for the plasma of normal subjects are given, and their potential use in diagnosing abnormalities is described.", "PMID": 621627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4097", "title": "Plasma concentrations of thioridazine metabolites and ECG abnormalities.", "content": "Five acute schizophrenic patients were given a standard thioridazine dose (4 mg/kg/day po). Their plasma concentrations of thioridazine and its metabolites were determined by GLC, and their ECG's were recorded routinely. In four of the five patients, abnormal ECG's (malformation of the T-wave or lengthening of the repolarization time) were found whenever plasma concentrations of the thioridazine ring sulfoxide were elevated. No relationship could be detected between the appearance of ECG abnormalities and the concentrations of thioridazine and its other metabolites.", "contents": "Plasma concentrations of thioridazine metabolites and ECG abnormalities. Five acute schizophrenic patients were given a standard thioridazine dose (4 mg/kg/day po). Their plasma concentrations of thioridazine and its metabolites were determined by GLC, and their ECG's were recorded routinely. In four of the five patients, abnormal ECG's (malformation of the T-wave or lengthening of the repolarization time) were found whenever plasma concentrations of the thioridazine ring sulfoxide were elevated. No relationship could be detected between the appearance of ECG abnormalities and the concentrations of thioridazine and its other metabolites.", "PMID": 621628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4098", "title": "Potential CNS antitumor agents-phenothiazines II: fluphenazine analogs.", "content": "Fluphenazine was found to possess moderate reproducible activity against the intraperitoneal L-1210 and P-388 leukemia murine tumor models. Seven ether derivatives of fluphenazine and eight compounds in which the terminal side-chain hydroxyl group was replaced by an amine function were prepared and evaluated in the intraperitoneal L-1210, P-388, and B16 melanoma systems as well as the intracerebral L-1210 and ependymoblastoma brain tumor models. While no substantial intracerebral activity was observed, seven derivatives possessed reproducible activity in the intraperitoneal L-1210 or P-388 system. Several gave T/C values of 150%. No B16 melanoma activity was observed. These compounds were also tested for their cytotoxic properties in culture against L-1210, P-388, and KB cells. The amine isosteres, while possessing little in vivo activity, were the most cytotoxic of the compounds prepared, with several having ED50 values less than 1 microgram/ml.", "contents": "Potential CNS antitumor agents-phenothiazines II: fluphenazine analogs. Fluphenazine was found to possess moderate reproducible activity against the intraperitoneal L-1210 and P-388 leukemia murine tumor models. Seven ether derivatives of fluphenazine and eight compounds in which the terminal side-chain hydroxyl group was replaced by an amine function were prepared and evaluated in the intraperitoneal L-1210, P-388, and B16 melanoma systems as well as the intracerebral L-1210 and ependymoblastoma brain tumor models. While no substantial intracerebral activity was observed, seven derivatives possessed reproducible activity in the intraperitoneal L-1210 or P-388 system. Several gave T/C values of 150%. No B16 melanoma activity was observed. These compounds were also tested for their cytotoxic properties in culture against L-1210, P-388, and KB cells. The amine isosteres, while possessing little in vivo activity, were the most cytotoxic of the compounds prepared, with several having ED50 values less than 1 microgram/ml.", "PMID": 621629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4099", "title": "Molecular complexing ability of quinoline and its simple derivatives.", "content": "Electron donor-acceptor complexes for a group of quinolines and naphthalenes with 9-(dicyanomethylene)-2,4,7-trinitrofluorene in 1,2-dichloroethane were studied by optical absorption methods. Association constants, molar absorptivities, and charge-transfer transition energies were evaluated for each system, together with theoretically calcualted orbital energies and complex geometries. In contrast to the association constants and structures reported for N-heterocycle-halogen complexes, these studies indicate that, with a moderately large pi-electron acceptor, quinolines function as pi-rather then n-(lone-pair) donors. These results support intercalation models for drug-receptor interactions involving the quinoline moiety.", "contents": "Molecular complexing ability of quinoline and its simple derivatives. Electron donor-acceptor complexes for a group of quinolines and naphthalenes with 9-(dicyanomethylene)-2,4,7-trinitrofluorene in 1,2-dichloroethane were studied by optical absorption methods. Association constants, molar absorptivities, and charge-transfer transition energies were evaluated for each system, together with theoretically calcualted orbital energies and complex geometries. In contrast to the association constants and structures reported for N-heterocycle-halogen complexes, these studies indicate that, with a moderately large pi-electron acceptor, quinolines function as pi-rather then n-(lone-pair) donors. These results support intercalation models for drug-receptor interactions involving the quinoline moiety.", "PMID": 621630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4100", "title": "Alkaloids of Strychnos dolichothyrsa Gilg ex Onochie et Hepper.", "content": "Three alkaloids of the stem bark of Strychnos dolichothyrsa Gilg ex Onochie et Hepper (Loganiaceae) were isolated and identified as caracurine V and its mono- and di-N-oxide by comparison with synthesized compounds. 13C-NMR was used to confirm the structure of the N-oxides. The muscle relaxant activity and the toxicity of the N-oxides were less than those of caracurine V.", "contents": "Alkaloids of Strychnos dolichothyrsa Gilg ex Onochie et Hepper. Three alkaloids of the stem bark of Strychnos dolichothyrsa Gilg ex Onochie et Hepper (Loganiaceae) were isolated and identified as caracurine V and its mono- and di-N-oxide by comparison with synthesized compounds. 13C-NMR was used to confirm the structure of the N-oxides. The muscle relaxant activity and the toxicity of the N-oxides were less than those of caracurine V.", "PMID": 621631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4101", "title": "Light-scattering studies on bile acid salts I: Pattern of self-association of sodium cholate, sodium glycocholate, and sodium taurocholate in aqueous electrolyte solutions.", "content": "The pattern of association of the trihydroxy bile salts in aqueous electrolyte solutions was investigated utilizing the light-scattering technique. The turbidity of the bile salts sodium cholate, sodium taurocholate, and sodium glycocholate was determined over the concentration range of 0-25 mg/ml at 25 degrees. For sodium cholate, the concentration of the supporting electrolyte was varied from 0.15 to 0.5 M. For all bile salts in 0.15 M electrolyte, the turbidity was determined in sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, and sodium iodide. Comparison of the light-scattering data with amonomer-micellar model showed that qualitative agreement was obtained; however, quantitative agreement could not be achieved. Further examination of the data showed that the light-scattering results were in good agreement with a model that includes dimers, trimers, and a higher aggregate containing approximately eight monomeric units.", "contents": "Light-scattering studies on bile acid salts I: Pattern of self-association of sodium cholate, sodium glycocholate, and sodium taurocholate in aqueous electrolyte solutions. The pattern of association of the trihydroxy bile salts in aqueous electrolyte solutions was investigated utilizing the light-scattering technique. The turbidity of the bile salts sodium cholate, sodium taurocholate, and sodium glycocholate was determined over the concentration range of 0-25 mg/ml at 25 degrees. For sodium cholate, the concentration of the supporting electrolyte was varied from 0.15 to 0.5 M. For all bile salts in 0.15 M electrolyte, the turbidity was determined in sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, and sodium iodide. Comparison of the light-scattering data with amonomer-micellar model showed that qualitative agreement was obtained; however, quantitative agreement could not be achieved. Further examination of the data showed that the light-scattering results were in good agreement with a model that includes dimers, trimers, and a higher aggregate containing approximately eight monomeric units.", "PMID": 621632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4102", "title": "Simple, rapid and micro high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of endogenous \"true\" creatinine in plasma, serum, and urine.", "content": "Previously published methods for endogenous creatinine levels in plasma, serum, or urine lack specificity or are subject to interferences from endogenous or exogenous substances. The developed simple, rapid, and specific high-pressure liquid chromatographic method includes the novel deproteinization and extraction of 1 volume of plasma or serum with 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile and also of 1 volume of urine with 40 volumes of a 20% water-80% acetonitrile solution. An aliquot of the supernate is then injected directly into the chromatograph. A cation-exchange column and acidified (0.02% of 85% phosphoric acid) 0.1 M ammonium phosphate solution as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 2 ml/min, were used. Creatinine, with a retention time of 3.8 min, was monitored via its UV absorption at 215 nm. Both peak heigh and integrated area methods of quantitation yielded the same results. Several methods were employed to show that the \"suspected\" creatinine peak from plasma samples was due entirely to the \"true\" creatinine. No interference was found in samples obtained from normal and renal patients. The day-to-day variation in the detector response was small. Each assay requires only about 5 min for completion. Ten microliters of plasma or serum or 1 microliter of urine is sufficient for analysis.", "contents": "Simple, rapid and micro high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of endogenous \"true\" creatinine in plasma, serum, and urine. Previously published methods for endogenous creatinine levels in plasma, serum, or urine lack specificity or are subject to interferences from endogenous or exogenous substances. The developed simple, rapid, and specific high-pressure liquid chromatographic method includes the novel deproteinization and extraction of 1 volume of plasma or serum with 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile and also of 1 volume of urine with 40 volumes of a 20% water-80% acetonitrile solution. An aliquot of the supernate is then injected directly into the chromatograph. A cation-exchange column and acidified (0.02% of 85% phosphoric acid) 0.1 M ammonium phosphate solution as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 2 ml/min, were used. Creatinine, with a retention time of 3.8 min, was monitored via its UV absorption at 215 nm. Both peak heigh and integrated area methods of quantitation yielded the same results. Several methods were employed to show that the \"suspected\" creatinine peak from plasma samples was due entirely to the \"true\" creatinine. No interference was found in samples obtained from normal and renal patients. The day-to-day variation in the detector response was small. Each assay requires only about 5 min for completion. Ten microliters of plasma or serum or 1 microliter of urine is sufficient for analysis.", "PMID": 621633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4103", "title": "General treatment of linear pharmacokinetics.", "content": "A general treatment of linear pharmacokinetics that enables equations to be obtained simply for all linear compartmental models, with input in one or more compartments, is presented. Two approaches are described: one based on a full Laplace transformation and one that avoids transformation of the input functions and the use of convolution integrals. The latter approach is of particular interest when dealing with complex input functions not having a simple Laplace transform. The concept of acceptor and donor subsystems is introduced. It is demonstrated that disposition in certain models may be simplified and analyzed in terms of disposition in subsystems of simpler composition. The treatment presented is illustrated with several examples.", "contents": "General treatment of linear pharmacokinetics. A general treatment of linear pharmacokinetics that enables equations to be obtained simply for all linear compartmental models, with input in one or more compartments, is presented. Two approaches are described: one based on a full Laplace transformation and one that avoids transformation of the input functions and the use of convolution integrals. The latter approach is of particular interest when dealing with complex input functions not having a simple Laplace transform. The concept of acceptor and donor subsystems is introduced. It is demonstrated that disposition in certain models may be simplified and analyzed in terms of disposition in subsystems of simpler composition. The treatment presented is illustrated with several examples.", "PMID": 621634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4104", "title": "Physiological perfusion model for cephalosporin antibiotics I: Model selection based on blood drug concentrations.", "content": "Various cephalosporins with different degrees of protein binding were administered to human volunteers. Blood samples were collected as a function of time and were assayed for drug content by a microbiological assay. A pharmacokinetic analysis of the data was performed using a two-compartment model with and without protein binding in the central compartment and a perfusion model. Both the two-compartment model without protein binding and the physiological perfusion model adequately described the blood levels of all three cephalosporins.", "contents": "Physiological perfusion model for cephalosporin antibiotics I: Model selection based on blood drug concentrations. Various cephalosporins with different degrees of protein binding were administered to human volunteers. Blood samples were collected as a function of time and were assayed for drug content by a microbiological assay. A pharmacokinetic analysis of the data was performed using a two-compartment model with and without protein binding in the central compartment and a perfusion model. Both the two-compartment model without protein binding and the physiological perfusion model adequately described the blood levels of all three cephalosporins.", "PMID": 621635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4105", "title": "Stabilization of sulfisomidine tablets by use of film coating containing UV absorber: Protection of coloration and photolytic degradation from exaggerated light.", "content": "The effect of model polymer coating films of vinyl acetate, containing oxybenzone as a UV absorber, on the coloration and photolytic degradation of simple sulfisomidine tablets was examined to attempt stabilization of photosensitive solid dosage forms. Coloration of the tablet surface was followed by the tristimulus colorimetric method in the fading tester equipped with a mercury vapor lamp. Photolytic degradation in the UV region was investigated by a new method for measuring the absorption spectra of a crystal sample in the gas phase, i.e., the semi-integral attenuance spectra. Two parameters of a film, thickness and concentration of the UV absorber, were varied at every exposure. These physical and chemical changes are discussed in relation to light transmission properties of films.", "contents": "Stabilization of sulfisomidine tablets by use of film coating containing UV absorber: Protection of coloration and photolytic degradation from exaggerated light. The effect of model polymer coating films of vinyl acetate, containing oxybenzone as a UV absorber, on the coloration and photolytic degradation of simple sulfisomidine tablets was examined to attempt stabilization of photosensitive solid dosage forms. Coloration of the tablet surface was followed by the tristimulus colorimetric method in the fading tester equipped with a mercury vapor lamp. Photolytic degradation in the UV region was investigated by a new method for measuring the absorption spectra of a crystal sample in the gas phase, i.e., the semi-integral attenuance spectra. Two parameters of a film, thickness and concentration of the UV absorber, were varied at every exposure. These physical and chemical changes are discussed in relation to light transmission properties of films.", "PMID": 621636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4106", "title": "Electron-capture detector GLC technique for estimating tocainide in biological fluids.", "content": "A sensitive and specific electron-capture detector GLC method capable of detecting picogram quantities of tocainide, a lidocaine analog, in biological fluids was developed. This method consists of extracting the compound into methylene chloride and derivatizing with heptafluorobutyric anhydride to form the monoheptafluorobutyryl derivative. The derivative formation was confirmed by GLC-mass spectrometry. Quantitative estimation was performed using 1-bromonaphthalene as an internal standard. The minimum detectable level by the electron-capture method was approximately 30 pg/injection as opposed to approximately 3 ng/injection with a flame-ionization detector Linear response was observed in the range from 50 pg to 3 ng using an electron-capture detector. No interference from endogenous substances was observed.", "contents": "Electron-capture detector GLC technique for estimating tocainide in biological fluids. A sensitive and specific electron-capture detector GLC method capable of detecting picogram quantities of tocainide, a lidocaine analog, in biological fluids was developed. This method consists of extracting the compound into methylene chloride and derivatizing with heptafluorobutyric anhydride to form the monoheptafluorobutyryl derivative. The derivative formation was confirmed by GLC-mass spectrometry. Quantitative estimation was performed using 1-bromonaphthalene as an internal standard. The minimum detectable level by the electron-capture method was approximately 30 pg/injection as opposed to approximately 3 ng/injection with a flame-ionization detector Linear response was observed in the range from 50 pg to 3 ng using an electron-capture detector. No interference from endogenous substances was observed.", "PMID": 621637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4107", "title": "Bilirubin dynamics in the Gunn rat during phototherapy.", "content": "Bilirubin dynamics were studied in homozygous Gunn rats under normal room lighting conditions and under conditions simulating phototherapy. A kinetic model was developed for the formation, distribution, and elimination of bilirubin. The decrease in plasma bilirubin concentration during illumination with low intensity [300 footcandles (fc)] and high intensity (1000-1100 fc) light was studied. The plasma bilirubin concentration in the rats decreased under phototherapy until a new steady-state concentration was reached, the decline being more rapid under high intensity light conditions. Gunn rats were also injected with a tracer dose of 14C-bilirubin following a period during which the rats were illuminated with low or high intensity light. The distribution and elimination of the labeled bilirubin were followed under continuous illumination. The chosen kinetic model, when adapted to the set of data under investigation, fit all of the data concerning bilirubin kinetics in Gunn rats under continuous illumination.", "contents": "Bilirubin dynamics in the Gunn rat during phototherapy. Bilirubin dynamics were studied in homozygous Gunn rats under normal room lighting conditions and under conditions simulating phototherapy. A kinetic model was developed for the formation, distribution, and elimination of bilirubin. The decrease in plasma bilirubin concentration during illumination with low intensity [300 footcandles (fc)] and high intensity (1000-1100 fc) light was studied. The plasma bilirubin concentration in the rats decreased under phototherapy until a new steady-state concentration was reached, the decline being more rapid under high intensity light conditions. Gunn rats were also injected with a tracer dose of 14C-bilirubin following a period during which the rats were illuminated with low or high intensity light. The distribution and elimination of the labeled bilirubin were followed under continuous illumination. The chosen kinetic model, when adapted to the set of data under investigation, fit all of the data concerning bilirubin kinetics in Gunn rats under continuous illumination.", "PMID": 621638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4108", "title": "Effect of intensity of agitation on disintegration time of tablets.", "content": "The effect of the intensity of agitation on the disintegration time of tablets was studied. Preliminary results obtained using tablets fabricated under controlled conditions and selected commercial tablets revealed that the intensity of agitation produced in the test apparatus was not reproducible with fixed geometry for successive runs when the settings were maintained constant. The disintegration times increased at a lower intensity of agitation. The intertablet range values obtained were rather large at the start and increased with a corresponding decrease in the intensity of agitation. The results showed that the measurement of disintegration times with the existing apparatus may not serve as a guide to the pharmaceutical formulator in the preparation of optimal dosage forms of drugs for clinical trial and may not ensure lot-to-lot uniformity of the pharmaceutical product.", "contents": "Effect of intensity of agitation on disintegration time of tablets. The effect of the intensity of agitation on the disintegration time of tablets was studied. Preliminary results obtained using tablets fabricated under controlled conditions and selected commercial tablets revealed that the intensity of agitation produced in the test apparatus was not reproducible with fixed geometry for successive runs when the settings were maintained constant. The disintegration times increased at a lower intensity of agitation. The intertablet range values obtained were rather large at the start and increased with a corresponding decrease in the intensity of agitation. The results showed that the measurement of disintegration times with the existing apparatus may not serve as a guide to the pharmaceutical formulator in the preparation of optimal dosage forms of drugs for clinical trial and may not ensure lot-to-lot uniformity of the pharmaceutical product.", "PMID": 621639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4109", "title": "Thermal degradation of gelatin as applied to processing of gel mass.", "content": "The rheological parameters of rigidity and viscosity were studied for gelatin, both as a 6% solution and a 38% gel mass containing glycerin, sorbitol, and water. A compressive test for rigidity and a rotational shear method for viscosity were used to characterize the thermal degradation of several lots of alkali-processed calf-skin gelatin. The objective of this study was to use kinetic data for process predictions in the manufacturing of the gel mass for soft gelatin capsules. Empirical equations relating degradation to time, temperature and pH were derived for dilute gelatin solutions. Through parallel studies with a concentrated gel mass, other empirical equations were developed to predict degradation of the gel mass based on dilute solution data and processing conditions. Analysis of the kinetic data and empirical equations have generally confirmed earlier observations on degradation, except on quantitative aspects. While these equations are adequate for the intended use in process predictions, the study revealed substantial variability both within and among lots of commercial gelatin. These variabilities of uncertain causes contributed to inexact characterization of degradation, as demonstrated by the generally approximate results of process predictions.", "contents": "Thermal degradation of gelatin as applied to processing of gel mass. The rheological parameters of rigidity and viscosity were studied for gelatin, both as a 6% solution and a 38% gel mass containing glycerin, sorbitol, and water. A compressive test for rigidity and a rotational shear method for viscosity were used to characterize the thermal degradation of several lots of alkali-processed calf-skin gelatin. The objective of this study was to use kinetic data for process predictions in the manufacturing of the gel mass for soft gelatin capsules. Empirical equations relating degradation to time, temperature and pH were derived for dilute gelatin solutions. Through parallel studies with a concentrated gel mass, other empirical equations were developed to predict degradation of the gel mass based on dilute solution data and processing conditions. Analysis of the kinetic data and empirical equations have generally confirmed earlier observations on degradation, except on quantitative aspects. While these equations are adequate for the intended use in process predictions, the study revealed substantial variability both within and among lots of commercial gelatin. These variabilities of uncertain causes contributed to inexact characterization of degradation, as demonstrated by the generally approximate results of process predictions.", "PMID": 621641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4110", "title": "Ascorbate stimulation of salicylate absorption in isolated rat intestine.", "content": "Salicylate transport across the rat intestine was measured using both in vitro and in vivo procedures. After the steady state for labeled salicylate was reached, the addition of ascorbate stimulated tracer flux with the establishment of a new steady state. The tissue permeability had a saturable dependence on ascorbate concentration. Also, ascorbate stimulated the tissue short-circuit current.", "contents": "Ascorbate stimulation of salicylate absorption in isolated rat intestine. Salicylate transport across the rat intestine was measured using both in vitro and in vivo procedures. After the steady state for labeled salicylate was reached, the addition of ascorbate stimulated tracer flux with the establishment of a new steady state. The tissue permeability had a saturable dependence on ascorbate concentration. Also, ascorbate stimulated the tissue short-circuit current.", "PMID": 621642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4111", "title": "Metabolic studies of the nonnutritive sweeteners cyclopentylmethylsulfamate and cyclopentylsulfamate: determination of metabolites in rat urine.", "content": "The nonnutritive sweetener sodium cyclopentylmethyl-sulfamate was fed to Wistar albino rats. The urine was collected for 3 days, combined, and examined (GLC) for the metabolites cyclopentyl-methylamine and cyclopentylmethanol. The percent conversion to these metabolites was 0.077 and 0.0102, respectively. The percent conversion to these to cyclopentylmethylamine was the lowest conversion to amine observed when compared to the metabolism of three other sweet sulfamates, cyclopentylsulfamate, cycloheptylsulfamate, and cyclooctylsulfamate, previously administered to rats. The average excretion of unmetabolized sulfamate was 15.4%. Sodium cyclopentylsulfamate was fed to rats over 9 days, and an analysis was carried out for the metabolites cyclopentylamine, cyclopentanone, and cyclopentanol. A decrease in the level of metabolites occurred after the first 3 days.", "contents": "Metabolic studies of the nonnutritive sweeteners cyclopentylmethylsulfamate and cyclopentylsulfamate: determination of metabolites in rat urine. The nonnutritive sweetener sodium cyclopentylmethyl-sulfamate was fed to Wistar albino rats. The urine was collected for 3 days, combined, and examined (GLC) for the metabolites cyclopentyl-methylamine and cyclopentylmethanol. The percent conversion to these metabolites was 0.077 and 0.0102, respectively. The percent conversion to these to cyclopentylmethylamine was the lowest conversion to amine observed when compared to the metabolism of three other sweet sulfamates, cyclopentylsulfamate, cycloheptylsulfamate, and cyclooctylsulfamate, previously administered to rats. The average excretion of unmetabolized sulfamate was 15.4%. Sodium cyclopentylsulfamate was fed to rats over 9 days, and an analysis was carried out for the metabolites cyclopentylamine, cyclopentanone, and cyclopentanol. A decrease in the level of metabolites occurred after the first 3 days.", "PMID": 621643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4112", "title": "Fenoprofen: drug form selection and preformulation stability studies.", "content": "Several fenoprofen salts were prepared to obtain the most acceptable form for an oral dosage formulation. Thermal analysis techniques were used to compare stabilities of the water of hydration in different salt forms and to assess the effects of the water of hydration on compatibility with propoxyphene and codeine salts. Photodegradation products of fenoprofen were isolated and identified, and their relevance to product formulation was evaluated.", "contents": "Fenoprofen: drug form selection and preformulation stability studies. Several fenoprofen salts were prepared to obtain the most acceptable form for an oral dosage formulation. Thermal analysis techniques were used to compare stabilities of the water of hydration in different salt forms and to assess the effects of the water of hydration on compatibility with propoxyphene and codeine salts. Photodegradation products of fenoprofen were isolated and identified, and their relevance to product formulation was evaluated.", "PMID": 621644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4113", "title": "Analysis of the prodrug 7-acetylacroninium perchlorate in presence of the parent compound acronine.", "content": "Analysis of acronine and the prodrug acetylacroninium perchlorate in parenteral solutions is described. The unstable prodrug reacts quantitatively with the nucleophilic agent aniline by an unusual mechanism to form a phenylimino derivative of acronine. This derivative and acronine itself were determined by a spectrophotometric two-component method.", "contents": "Analysis of the prodrug 7-acetylacroninium perchlorate in presence of the parent compound acronine. Analysis of acronine and the prodrug acetylacroninium perchlorate in parenteral solutions is described. The unstable prodrug reacts quantitatively with the nucleophilic agent aniline by an unusual mechanism to form a phenylimino derivative of acronine. This derivative and acronine itself were determined by a spectrophotometric two-component method.", "PMID": 621645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4114", "title": "GLC determination of phenylbutazone in human plasma.", "content": "A GLC method for phenylbutazone at concentrations down to 10 ng/ml in human plasma is described. After addition of an internal standard, phenylbutazone is extracted at pH 5 into benzene. The dry extract is dissolved in benzene, and phenylbutazone is determined by GLC using a 63Ni-electron-capture detector.", "contents": "GLC determination of phenylbutazone in human plasma. A GLC method for phenylbutazone at concentrations down to 10 ng/ml in human plasma is described. After addition of an internal standard, phenylbutazone is extracted at pH 5 into benzene. The dry extract is dissolved in benzene, and phenylbutazone is determined by GLC using a 63Ni-electron-capture detector.", "PMID": 621647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4115", "title": "Effect of enzyme-inducing and enzyme-inhibiting agents on drug absorption I: 3-O-methylglucose transport in rats.", "content": "The influence of preadministration of phenobarbital, benzo[alpha]pyrene, and proadifen hydrochloride on 3-O-methylglucose transfer across the everted rat small intestine was examined. The active and passive components of the sugar transport mechanism were evaluated using phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of active transport of sugars. Pretreatment of the animals with phenobarbital did not alter 3-O-methylglucose transfer characteristics. Pretreatment with intraperitoneally administered benzo[alpha]pyrene increased mucosal to serosal transfer of the sugar low (0.1 mM) sugar concentrations. Enhancement of the active transfer of 3-O-methylglucose by pretreatment with proadifen hydrochloride was noted at low sugar concentrations. The passive transfer of the sugar was reduced after pretreatment with proadifen hydrochloride.", "contents": "Effect of enzyme-inducing and enzyme-inhibiting agents on drug absorption I: 3-O-methylglucose transport in rats. The influence of preadministration of phenobarbital, benzo[alpha]pyrene, and proadifen hydrochloride on 3-O-methylglucose transfer across the everted rat small intestine was examined. The active and passive components of the sugar transport mechanism were evaluated using phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of active transport of sugars. Pretreatment of the animals with phenobarbital did not alter 3-O-methylglucose transfer characteristics. Pretreatment with intraperitoneally administered benzo[alpha]pyrene increased mucosal to serosal transfer of the sugar low (0.1 mM) sugar concentrations. Enhancement of the active transfer of 3-O-methylglucose by pretreatment with proadifen hydrochloride was noted at low sugar concentrations. The passive transfer of the sugar was reduced after pretreatment with proadifen hydrochloride.", "PMID": 621648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4116", "title": "Plant anticancer agents V: new bisindole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana johnstonii stem bark.", "content": "The isolation and structure elucidation of the three new bisindole alkaloids, gabunamine, tabernamine, and 19,20-epoxyconoduramine, from Tabernaemontana johnstonii stem bark are described. The isolation of the seven known alkaloids, conodurine, conoduramine, gabunine, isovacangine, ibogamine, pericyclivine, and perivine, from the same source also is noted. The alkaloids gabunamine, gabunine, and tabernamine showed significant cytotoxicity against the P-388 cell culture system.", "contents": "Plant anticancer agents V: new bisindole alkaloids from Tabernaemontana johnstonii stem bark. The isolation and structure elucidation of the three new bisindole alkaloids, gabunamine, tabernamine, and 19,20-epoxyconoduramine, from Tabernaemontana johnstonii stem bark are described. The isolation of the seven known alkaloids, conodurine, conoduramine, gabunine, isovacangine, ibogamine, pericyclivine, and perivine, from the same source also is noted. The alkaloids gabunamine, gabunine, and tabernamine showed significant cytotoxicity against the P-388 cell culture system.", "PMID": 621649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4117", "title": "Polynitro aromatic compounds in analytical chemistry II: Reaction of menadione with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.", "content": "The intense blue color formed in the official assay of menadione injection by treatment of the sample with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and ammonia is shown by data from visible light spectra and mass spectra and by comparison of the pKa value with that of the corresponding reaction product of acetone to be due to proton abstraction from a monohydrazone.", "contents": "Polynitro aromatic compounds in analytical chemistry II: Reaction of menadione with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The intense blue color formed in the official assay of menadione injection by treatment of the sample with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and ammonia is shown by data from visible light spectra and mass spectra and by comparison of the pKa value with that of the corresponding reaction product of acetone to be due to proton abstraction from a monohydrazone.", "PMID": 621650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4118", "title": "Quantitation of etorphine in urine by selective ion monitoring using tritiated etorphine as an internal standard.", "content": "Selective ion monitoring combined with GLC was used for the assay of etorphine in urine. Commercially available tritiated etorphine was added as an internal standard. The advantage of the methodology using this internal standard is higher sensitivity by a factor of about 20 when compared with ordinary GLC.", "contents": "Quantitation of etorphine in urine by selective ion monitoring using tritiated etorphine as an internal standard. Selective ion monitoring combined with GLC was used for the assay of etorphine in urine. Commercially available tritiated etorphine was added as an internal standard. The advantage of the methodology using this internal standard is higher sensitivity by a factor of about 20 when compared with ordinary GLC.", "PMID": 621651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4119", "title": "Drug partitioning: relationships between forward and reverse rate constants and partition coefficient.", "content": "The rate constant, k1, of drug transport from an aqueous phase to an organic phase and the rate constant, k2, of the reverse process can be described as functions of the partition coefficient, P:logk1 = log P-log (betaP + 1) + c' and logk2 = -log (betaP + 1) + c'. In a homologous series, where log P is a simple function of the number of CH2 groups, log k1 and log k2 also can be described as functions of the number of CH2 groups. The relationships between these equations and current physicochemical models of drug absorption are discussed.", "contents": "Drug partitioning: relationships between forward and reverse rate constants and partition coefficient. The rate constant, k1, of drug transport from an aqueous phase to an organic phase and the rate constant, k2, of the reverse process can be described as functions of the partition coefficient, P:logk1 = log P-log (betaP + 1) + c' and logk2 = -log (betaP + 1) + c'. In a homologous series, where log P is a simple function of the number of CH2 groups, log k1 and log k2 also can be described as functions of the number of CH2 groups. The relationships between these equations and current physicochemical models of drug absorption are discussed.", "PMID": 621652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4120", "title": "High-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of camphor and parachlorophenol in camphorated parachlorophenol.", "content": "Quantitative analyses of both camphor and parachlorophenol in camphorated parachlorophenol by high-pressure liquid chromatography is described. A 5% solution of phenol in the mobile phase (heptane-chloroform 3:2) served as the internal standard; the assay involved addition of this phenol solution to the camphorated parachlorophenol, followed by further dilution using the mobile phase (heptane-chloroform, 3:2) and injection into the instrument.", "contents": "High-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of camphor and parachlorophenol in camphorated parachlorophenol. Quantitative analyses of both camphor and parachlorophenol in camphorated parachlorophenol by high-pressure liquid chromatography is described. A 5% solution of phenol in the mobile phase (heptane-chloroform 3:2) served as the internal standard; the assay involved addition of this phenol solution to the camphorated parachlorophenol, followed by further dilution using the mobile phase (heptane-chloroform, 3:2) and injection into the instrument.", "PMID": 621653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4121", "title": "Validity of oral bioavailability estimates of phenolsulfonphthalein based on total urinary excretion from rats.", "content": "Urinary recovery of phenolsulfonphthalein from rats were determined after intracardial (0.075 mg) and oral (1.5 mg) doses. Although trace quantities of conjugated metabolites could be identified by TLC, the levels present did not introduce significant error into estimates of total phenolsulfonphthalein excretion if samples were assayed directly by colorimetric methods for only unchanged dye. The absolute availability of phenolsulfonphthalein based on urinary recovery under the present experimental conditions was estimated at 10.6%.", "contents": "Validity of oral bioavailability estimates of phenolsulfonphthalein based on total urinary excretion from rats. Urinary recovery of phenolsulfonphthalein from rats were determined after intracardial (0.075 mg) and oral (1.5 mg) doses. Although trace quantities of conjugated metabolites could be identified by TLC, the levels present did not introduce significant error into estimates of total phenolsulfonphthalein excretion if samples were assayed directly by colorimetric methods for only unchanged dye. The absolute availability of phenolsulfonphthalein based on urinary recovery under the present experimental conditions was estimated at 10.6%.", "PMID": 621654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4122", "title": "Rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of quinidine and dihydroquinidine in plasma samples.", "content": "A high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay for quinidine and dihydroquinidine was developed. A cation-exchange column was utilized with an eluting solvent pH of about 9. The internal standard was cinchonine. The reproducibility and precision of this method were evaluated by analyzing replicate samples and by comparing results with those obtained from a TLC-fluorometric procedure. In addition, several drugs were evaluated to ascertain whether they interfered with the analysis of quinidine and dihydroquinidine.", "contents": "Rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of quinidine and dihydroquinidine in plasma samples. A high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay for quinidine and dihydroquinidine was developed. A cation-exchange column was utilized with an eluting solvent pH of about 9. The internal standard was cinchonine. The reproducibility and precision of this method were evaluated by analyzing replicate samples and by comparing results with those obtained from a TLC-fluorometric procedure. In addition, several drugs were evaluated to ascertain whether they interfered with the analysis of quinidine and dihydroquinidine.", "PMID": 621655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4123", "title": "Plant anticancer agents VII: Structural effects on cytotoxicity of bisindole alkaloids of voacamine type.", "content": "Structural effects on the cytotoxicity of bisindole alkaloids of the voacamine series were investigated with compounds isolated from various Tabernaemontana species and compounds synthesized specifically for this purpose. Activity is sensitive both to the position of attachment of the vobasane unit on the iboga moiety and to the presence of an N-methyl group on the vobasane unit.", "contents": "Plant anticancer agents VII: Structural effects on cytotoxicity of bisindole alkaloids of voacamine type. Structural effects on the cytotoxicity of bisindole alkaloids of the voacamine series were investigated with compounds isolated from various Tabernaemontana species and compounds synthesized specifically for this purpose. Activity is sensitive both to the position of attachment of the vobasane unit on the iboga moiety and to the presence of an N-methyl group on the vobasane unit.", "PMID": 621656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4124", "title": "Differential borohydride assay for conjugated ketosteroids: improvement with propylene glycol.", "content": "A previously developed differential UV assay for 3-one-4-ene steroids involving reduction with sodium borohydride was frequently found to be less than 100% complete. Such incomplete reduction can be mimicked by additions of sodium metaborate, a product of the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, to the reaction system. Complete reduction can be achieved by adding propylene glycol to the reduction system. The phenomenon was studied using halcinonide as a model.", "contents": "Differential borohydride assay for conjugated ketosteroids: improvement with propylene glycol. A previously developed differential UV assay for 3-one-4-ene steroids involving reduction with sodium borohydride was frequently found to be less than 100% complete. Such incomplete reduction can be mimicked by additions of sodium metaborate, a product of the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, to the reaction system. Complete reduction can be achieved by adding propylene glycol to the reduction system. The phenomenon was studied using halcinonide as a model.", "PMID": 621657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4125", "title": "Quantitative structure-activity relationships and carminative activity.", "content": "Carminative activities of 34 alcohols, esters, ethers, phenols, and carbonyl compounds were determined using the guinea pig isolated ileum preparation and are expressed as the ability to produce a 50% inhibition (ID50) of a standard response to carbachol. Aqueous solubilities were measured at 37 degrees using either UV absorption or GLC. The ratios of solubility to ID50 were reasonably constant, suggesting nonspecific biological activity, similar to that previously observed with general anesthetics. Hansch analysis indicated that carminative activities were largely controlled by solubility, as indicated by octanol-water distribution coefficients. The principal remaining factor appeared to be the steric availability of the oxygen atom in the functional group of the compound.", "contents": "Quantitative structure-activity relationships and carminative activity. Carminative activities of 34 alcohols, esters, ethers, phenols, and carbonyl compounds were determined using the guinea pig isolated ileum preparation and are expressed as the ability to produce a 50% inhibition (ID50) of a standard response to carbachol. Aqueous solubilities were measured at 37 degrees using either UV absorption or GLC. The ratios of solubility to ID50 were reasonably constant, suggesting nonspecific biological activity, similar to that previously observed with general anesthetics. Hansch analysis indicated that carminative activities were largely controlled by solubility, as indicated by octanol-water distribution coefficients. The principal remaining factor appeared to be the steric availability of the oxygen atom in the functional group of the compound.", "PMID": 621658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4126", "title": "GLC determination of plasma concentrations of gamma-oxo metabolite of phenylbutazone.", "content": "A quantitative method for the gamma-oxo metabolite of phenylbutazone from plasma is described. The procedure involved an ethylene dichloride extraction of acidified plasma to which an internal standard, acenocoumarol, had been added. The extracted gamma-oxo metabolite and the internal standard were methylated and analyzed by GLC. Determination of 0.25 microgram of gamma-oxo metabolite/ml with a relative standard deviation of 6.5% was accomplished.", "contents": "GLC determination of plasma concentrations of gamma-oxo metabolite of phenylbutazone. A quantitative method for the gamma-oxo metabolite of phenylbutazone from plasma is described. The procedure involved an ethylene dichloride extraction of acidified plasma to which an internal standard, acenocoumarol, had been added. The extracted gamma-oxo metabolite and the internal standard were methylated and analyzed by GLC. Determination of 0.25 microgram of gamma-oxo metabolite/ml with a relative standard deviation of 6.5% was accomplished.", "PMID": 621659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4127", "title": "Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 2-(substituted phenylureido)-4-thiocyanatobenzothiazoles.", "content": "The synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of a number of 2-(substituted phenylureido)-4-thiocyanatobenzothiazoles are described. The more active compounds against the test organisms in vitro generally were those substituted with halogens on the phenyl and benzothiazole rings.", "contents": "Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 2-(substituted phenylureido)-4-thiocyanatobenzothiazoles. The synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of a number of 2-(substituted phenylureido)-4-thiocyanatobenzothiazoles are described. The more active compounds against the test organisms in vitro generally were those substituted with halogens on the phenyl and benzothiazole rings.", "PMID": 621660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4128", "title": "Total synthesis of 1,11- and 3,11-diazasteroids.", "content": "The 2- and 6-methoxy derivatives of 8-aminoquinoline, as well as 5-aminoisoquinoline, condensed with 2-ethoxycarbonylcyclopentanone to give tricyclic intermediates in 86-90% yield. These secosteroids were cyclized in 35-69% yield with polyphosphoric acid to 2-methoxy-1,11-diaza-, 7-methoxy-1,11-diaza-, and 3,11-diaza-1,3,5,7,9,13-gonahexaen-12-ones, respectively. The latter exhibits slight antileukemic activity.", "contents": "Total synthesis of 1,11- and 3,11-diazasteroids. The 2- and 6-methoxy derivatives of 8-aminoquinoline, as well as 5-aminoisoquinoline, condensed with 2-ethoxycarbonylcyclopentanone to give tricyclic intermediates in 86-90% yield. These secosteroids were cyclized in 35-69% yield with polyphosphoric acid to 2-methoxy-1,11-diaza-, 7-methoxy-1,11-diaza-, and 3,11-diaza-1,3,5,7,9,13-gonahexaen-12-ones, respectively. The latter exhibits slight antileukemic activity.", "PMID": 621661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4129", "title": "Structures of silver sulfonamides.", "content": "The structures of silver sulfonamides were found to depend highly on the substituent at the amide nitrogen of the sulfonamide. Silver is coordinated to that nitrogen and the sulfonamide is in the amido form if no substituent is present or if the substituent is a phenyl, acetyl, or 2-pyrimidyl group. If the substituent is a 2-thiazolyl or 2-pyridinyl group, the sulfonamide is in the imido form and silver coordinates to the nitrogen of the substituent. Depending on the number of suitable donor atoms per sulfonamide, the silver compounds are charged or uncharged and the primary amino group may be involved in complexation.", "contents": "Structures of silver sulfonamides. The structures of silver sulfonamides were found to depend highly on the substituent at the amide nitrogen of the sulfonamide. Silver is coordinated to that nitrogen and the sulfonamide is in the amido form if no substituent is present or if the substituent is a phenyl, acetyl, or 2-pyrimidyl group. If the substituent is a 2-thiazolyl or 2-pyridinyl group, the sulfonamide is in the imido form and silver coordinates to the nitrogen of the substituent. Depending on the number of suitable donor atoms per sulfonamide, the silver compounds are charged or uncharged and the primary amino group may be involved in complexation.", "PMID": 621662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4130", "title": "Effects of lidocaine and on slow response and depressed fast response action potentials of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.", "content": "Disease may decrease resting potential of cardiac fibers, thereby depressing the upstroke velocity of the action potential, causing slow conduction and reentry. A decrease in resting potential may also cause automaticity. We studied the effects of lidocaine (5 and 20 mg/l) on canine Purkinje fibers with reduced membrane potentials with either depressed Na+-dependent upstrokes (depressed fast responses) or with slow inward (Ca++) current-dependent upstrokes (slow responses). Depressed fast responses were produced by elevating [K+]0 in the perfusate, reducing membrane potential to around -60 mV, without abolishing excitability. Slow responses were produced by either perfusing fibers with a Na+-free, Ca++-rich solution, or by perfusing them with a high [K+]0 Tyrode's solution containing norepinephrine. Lidocaine had a marked depressant effect on depressed fast response action potentials. The drug markedly decreased Vmax and conduction velocity. It sometimes decreased action potential amplitude and caused conduction block. Resting potential was not changed. On the other hand, lidocaine had little effect on slow response action potentials. Resting potential, Vmax and action potential amplitude were not altered nor was conduction changed. The rate of spontaneous impulse initiation was slightly reduced by 5 mg/l of lidocaine but not by 20 mg/l. We conclude that lidocaine does not exert its antiarrhythmic effect by directly depressing the slow inward current but may be antiarrhythmic because it depresses an already depressed fast inward current and can cause conduction block.", "contents": "Effects of lidocaine and on slow response and depressed fast response action potentials of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Disease may decrease resting potential of cardiac fibers, thereby depressing the upstroke velocity of the action potential, causing slow conduction and reentry. A decrease in resting potential may also cause automaticity. We studied the effects of lidocaine (5 and 20 mg/l) on canine Purkinje fibers with reduced membrane potentials with either depressed Na+-dependent upstrokes (depressed fast responses) or with slow inward (Ca++) current-dependent upstrokes (slow responses). Depressed fast responses were produced by elevating [K+]0 in the perfusate, reducing membrane potential to around -60 mV, without abolishing excitability. Slow responses were produced by either perfusing fibers with a Na+-free, Ca++-rich solution, or by perfusing them with a high [K+]0 Tyrode's solution containing norepinephrine. Lidocaine had a marked depressant effect on depressed fast response action potentials. The drug markedly decreased Vmax and conduction velocity. It sometimes decreased action potential amplitude and caused conduction block. Resting potential was not changed. On the other hand, lidocaine had little effect on slow response action potentials. Resting potential, Vmax and action potential amplitude were not altered nor was conduction changed. The rate of spontaneous impulse initiation was slightly reduced by 5 mg/l of lidocaine but not by 20 mg/l. We conclude that lidocaine does not exert its antiarrhythmic effect by directly depressing the slow inward current but may be antiarrhythmic because it depresses an already depressed fast inward current and can cause conduction block.", "PMID": 621666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4131", "title": "Denervation-induced changes in electrophysiologic parameters of the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig and rat was deferens.", "content": "In order to further elucidate the mechanisms by which postganglionic denervation causes changes in the dose-response curves obtained in smooth muscle, microelectrodes have been used to investigate cellular changes in the denervated guinea-pig and rat vas deferens. In the guinea-pig vas deferens, chronic denervation produced a partial depolarization (mean change of 8.5 mV) without any change in threshold for the action potential. In the rat vas deferens there was no change in resting potential but the threshold membrane potential because more negative (6.5 mV). Thus, in both species, but apparently by different mechanisms, the resting and threshold membrane potentials are brought closer together by denervation. Such an effect would clearly contribute to the well documented increase in sensitivity to depolarizing agonists which is produced by chronic denervation. In both species, denervation increased the space constant of the smooth muscle, an indication of increased electrical coupling among the cells. This observation is consistent with morphologic evidence of improved coupling induced by denervation and presented previously from this laboratory. The improved coupling appears to be associated with the increased maximum response of the denervated vasa deferentia of both species. These results are discussed in references to known similarities and differences in electrophysiologic characteristics between normal guinea-pig and rat vasa deferentia.", "contents": "Denervation-induced changes in electrophysiologic parameters of the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig and rat was deferens. In order to further elucidate the mechanisms by which postganglionic denervation causes changes in the dose-response curves obtained in smooth muscle, microelectrodes have been used to investigate cellular changes in the denervated guinea-pig and rat vas deferens. In the guinea-pig vas deferens, chronic denervation produced a partial depolarization (mean change of 8.5 mV) without any change in threshold for the action potential. In the rat vas deferens there was no change in resting potential but the threshold membrane potential because more negative (6.5 mV). Thus, in both species, but apparently by different mechanisms, the resting and threshold membrane potentials are brought closer together by denervation. Such an effect would clearly contribute to the well documented increase in sensitivity to depolarizing agonists which is produced by chronic denervation. In both species, denervation increased the space constant of the smooth muscle, an indication of increased electrical coupling among the cells. This observation is consistent with morphologic evidence of improved coupling induced by denervation and presented previously from this laboratory. The improved coupling appears to be associated with the increased maximum response of the denervated vasa deferentia of both species. These results are discussed in references to known similarities and differences in electrophysiologic characteristics between normal guinea-pig and rat vasa deferentia.", "PMID": 621667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4132", "title": "Potentiation by dipyridamole of the inhibition of guinea-pig ileum twitch response caused by adenine derivatives.", "content": "The inhibition actions of adenosine and adenine nucleotides, such as ATP, AMP and cyclic AMP, on contractions of guinea-pig from ileum induced by transmural stimulation were potentiated by dipyridamole, whereas those of inosine, morphine and tetrodotoxin were not affected. Tritium activity, accumulated during incubation of the ileal segments with [3H]adenosine, was reduced by dipyridamole. The adenosine added was degraded to inosine and then hypoxanthine during incubation, with the ileal segments, thereby restoring the twitch response of the ileal segments. In the presence of dipyridamole, the degradation of adenosine and the recovery of the twitch response was retarded. Thus, dipyridamole may potentiate the inhibitory actions of adenosine and adenine nucleotides on the twitch response of the ileum by inhibiting both the accumulation and the degradation of adenosine.", "contents": "Potentiation by dipyridamole of the inhibition of guinea-pig ileum twitch response caused by adenine derivatives. The inhibition actions of adenosine and adenine nucleotides, such as ATP, AMP and cyclic AMP, on contractions of guinea-pig from ileum induced by transmural stimulation were potentiated by dipyridamole, whereas those of inosine, morphine and tetrodotoxin were not affected. Tritium activity, accumulated during incubation of the ileal segments with [3H]adenosine, was reduced by dipyridamole. The adenosine added was degraded to inosine and then hypoxanthine during incubation, with the ileal segments, thereby restoring the twitch response of the ileal segments. In the presence of dipyridamole, the degradation of adenosine and the recovery of the twitch response was retarded. Thus, dipyridamole may potentiate the inhibitory actions of adenosine and adenine nucleotides on the twitch response of the ileum by inhibiting both the accumulation and the degradation of adenosine.", "PMID": 621669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4133", "title": "Human placental cholinergic system: stimulation-secretion coupling for release of acetylcholine from isolated placental villus.", "content": "Isolated villus from human term placenta contains about 167 nmol/g of acetylcholine (ACh). It was incubated in a muscle bath containing Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.2-7.4) at 37 degrees C and ACh released into the medium was analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. The spontaneous release of ACh into the medium was linear with time and was 35 pmol/g/min. ACh was not released when Ca++ was absent in the medium. Raising the Ca++ concentration in the Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer from 2.34 to 4.64 mM, or adding L-nicotine (58 muM) to the bath, increased the rate of release of ACh to 53 and 47 pmol/min respectively. Nicotine did not exhibit any effect on ACh release in the absence of Ca++ in the medium. Both the rate of the spontaneous release of ACh and the nicotine-induced increase in the release of ACh was decreased by atropine (152 muM). They were not influenced by d-tubocurarine (30 muM). Depolarizing concentrations of potassium (16-63 mM) in the medium increased the rate of release of ACh. Cocaine, a known Ca antagonist, decreased the rate of spontaneous release of ACh as well as nicotine-induced release of ACh. These observations indicate that 1) Ca++ ions in the external medium are required for release of ACh, 2) Ca++ ions in the external medium are required for release of ACh, 2) Ca++ ions act as a link between the stimulation of ACh release and the final release of ACh and 3) The effect of nicotine on placental release of ACh may be classified as a muscarinic type.", "contents": "Human placental cholinergic system: stimulation-secretion coupling for release of acetylcholine from isolated placental villus. Isolated villus from human term placenta contains about 167 nmol/g of acetylcholine (ACh). It was incubated in a muscle bath containing Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.2-7.4) at 37 degrees C and ACh released into the medium was analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. The spontaneous release of ACh into the medium was linear with time and was 35 pmol/g/min. ACh was not released when Ca++ was absent in the medium. Raising the Ca++ concentration in the Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer from 2.34 to 4.64 mM, or adding L-nicotine (58 muM) to the bath, increased the rate of release of ACh to 53 and 47 pmol/min respectively. Nicotine did not exhibit any effect on ACh release in the absence of Ca++ in the medium. Both the rate of the spontaneous release of ACh and the nicotine-induced increase in the release of ACh was decreased by atropine (152 muM). They were not influenced by d-tubocurarine (30 muM). Depolarizing concentrations of potassium (16-63 mM) in the medium increased the rate of release of ACh. Cocaine, a known Ca antagonist, decreased the rate of spontaneous release of ACh as well as nicotine-induced release of ACh. These observations indicate that 1) Ca++ ions in the external medium are required for release of ACh, 2) Ca++ ions in the external medium are required for release of ACh, 2) Ca++ ions act as a link between the stimulation of ACh release and the final release of ACh and 3) The effect of nicotine on placental release of ACh may be classified as a muscarinic type.", "PMID": 621673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4134", "title": "Effect of tolmetin on renal function and prostaglandin metabolism.", "content": "The effect of tolmetin on prostaglandin synthesis by minces of rat renal medulla and on prostaglandin cyclooxygenase of rabbit renal medulla was determined in vitro. The effect of tolmetin was compared to the effects of indomethacin and ibuprofen. Pretreatment of rats in vivo with tolmetin, indmethacin or ibuprofen reduced prostaglandin synthesis by minces of renal medulla. Incubation of medullary tissue in medium containing tolmetin or indomethacin also decreased prostaglandin production. Both drugs reduced O2 consumption by prostaglandin cyclooxygenase from rabbit renal medulla. In addition, the effect of tolmetin, indomethacin and ibuprofen on renal blood flow and the intrarenal distribution of renal blood flow was measured in anesthetized dogs. Tolmetin and ibuprofen resemble indomethacin in reducing renal blood flow and in shifting the distribution of renal cortical flow from the inner cortex toward the outer cortex. It is concluded that tolmetin is an effective inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis and affects renal function in a fashion similar to other prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors.", "contents": "Effect of tolmetin on renal function and prostaglandin metabolism. The effect of tolmetin on prostaglandin synthesis by minces of rat renal medulla and on prostaglandin cyclooxygenase of rabbit renal medulla was determined in vitro. The effect of tolmetin was compared to the effects of indomethacin and ibuprofen. Pretreatment of rats in vivo with tolmetin, indmethacin or ibuprofen reduced prostaglandin synthesis by minces of renal medulla. Incubation of medullary tissue in medium containing tolmetin or indomethacin also decreased prostaglandin production. Both drugs reduced O2 consumption by prostaglandin cyclooxygenase from rabbit renal medulla. In addition, the effect of tolmetin, indomethacin and ibuprofen on renal blood flow and the intrarenal distribution of renal blood flow was measured in anesthetized dogs. Tolmetin and ibuprofen resemble indomethacin in reducing renal blood flow and in shifting the distribution of renal cortical flow from the inner cortex toward the outer cortex. It is concluded that tolmetin is an effective inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis and affects renal function in a fashion similar to other prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors.", "PMID": 621675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4135", "title": "The development of the reproductive organs of the male giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis.", "content": "The reproductive organs of the male giraffe differ little in morphology and histology from those of other ungulates. There is some indication that gonadal hypertrophy occurs in late fetal life. Spermatogenesis begins at 3-4 years of age and coincides with a rapid increase of testicular weight and seminiferous tubule diameter. In the fetal testis the main hormone is androsteredione (2.73 microgram/g) but in adult testes testosterone is predominant (less than 10.08 microgram/g) and delta' testosterone may also be present.", "contents": "The development of the reproductive organs of the male giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis. The reproductive organs of the male giraffe differ little in morphology and histology from those of other ungulates. There is some indication that gonadal hypertrophy occurs in late fetal life. Spermatogenesis begins at 3-4 years of age and coincides with a rapid increase of testicular weight and seminiferous tubule diameter. In the fetal testis the main hormone is androsteredione (2.73 microgram/g) but in adult testes testosterone is predominant (less than 10.08 microgram/g) and delta' testosterone may also be present.", "PMID": 621681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4136", "title": "Relationship between sperm concentration and the incidence of polyspermy in mouse embryos fertilized in vitro.", "content": "A dose-response relationship between the incidence of polyspermy and sperm concentration was found by analysing chromosome preparations of first-cleavage mouse embryos derived from fertilizations in vitro with 3 concentrations of mouse spermatozoa (2 x 10(4), 2 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7)/ml).", "contents": "Relationship between sperm concentration and the incidence of polyspermy in mouse embryos fertilized in vitro. A dose-response relationship between the incidence of polyspermy and sperm concentration was found by analysing chromosome preparations of first-cleavage mouse embryos derived from fertilizations in vitro with 3 concentrations of mouse spermatozoa (2 x 10(4), 2 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7)/ml).", "PMID": 621682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4137", "title": "The effect of sperm and egg genotype on the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in mouse embryos fertilized in vitro.", "content": "Analysis of the chromosomes of 1-cell mouse embryos fertilized in vitro showed that the incidence of polyploidy is independent of both sperm and egg genotype. No significant differences were detected between groups of eggs from 5 strains of mice fertilized by spermatozoa from a single strain, TO, or between groups of (C57BL/10 X CBA) F1 eggs fertilized by spermatozoa from 2 strains, CBA/H-T6 and TO, although there was significant heterogeneity between individual males in the latter set of experiments. While the majority of polyploids were triploids resulting from dispermic fertilization, some derived from diploid spermatozoa were also found.", "contents": "The effect of sperm and egg genotype on the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in mouse embryos fertilized in vitro. Analysis of the chromosomes of 1-cell mouse embryos fertilized in vitro showed that the incidence of polyploidy is independent of both sperm and egg genotype. No significant differences were detected between groups of eggs from 5 strains of mice fertilized by spermatozoa from a single strain, TO, or between groups of (C57BL/10 X CBA) F1 eggs fertilized by spermatozoa from 2 strains, CBA/H-T6 and TO, although there was significant heterogeneity between individual males in the latter set of experiments. While the majority of polyploids were triploids resulting from dispermic fertilization, some derived from diploid spermatozoa were also found.", "PMID": 621683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4138", "title": "Effect of tolerance to paternal antigens on placental and fetal weight in the mouse.", "content": "Placental and fetal weight was measured on the 16th day of pregnancy in normal and tolerant mice. Placental weight was increased in A mice tolerant to C57BL/10 mice only when donor cells from males were used. Fetal weight was unaffected.", "contents": "Effect of tolerance to paternal antigens on placental and fetal weight in the mouse. Placental and fetal weight was measured on the 16th day of pregnancy in normal and tolerant mice. Placental weight was increased in A mice tolerant to C57BL/10 mice only when donor cells from males were used. Fetal weight was unaffected.", "PMID": 621684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4139", "title": "Effect of implantation delay on transfer of rat embryos to mice.", "content": "Rat and mouse blastocysts were transferred to the uteri of ovariectomized mice, maintained by progesterone for a few days and induced to implant by oestradiol administration. Mouse implantation sites contained normal embryos; all rat embryos were retarded, although some had developed to the egg-cylinder stage.", "contents": "Effect of implantation delay on transfer of rat embryos to mice. Rat and mouse blastocysts were transferred to the uteri of ovariectomized mice, maintained by progesterone for a few days and induced to implant by oestradiol administration. Mouse implantation sites contained normal embryos; all rat embryos were retarded, although some had developed to the egg-cylinder stage.", "PMID": 621685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4140", "title": "Presence of oestradiol-17beta in the rabbit ovum and its investments.", "content": "Untreated rabbit eggs contained 1-2 pg oestradiol-17beta/egg. Treatment with hyaluronidase for 20 min, but not for 10-13 min, removed the cumulus and coronra cells and all oestradiol.", "contents": "Presence of oestradiol-17beta in the rabbit ovum and its investments. Untreated rabbit eggs contained 1-2 pg oestradiol-17beta/egg. Treatment with hyaluronidase for 20 min, but not for 10-13 min, removed the cumulus and coronra cells and all oestradiol.", "PMID": 621686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4141", "title": "The parental source of heteroploidy in chick embryos determined with chromosomally marked gametes.", "content": "Males homozygous for chromosomal translocations were mated to karyologically normal females. The resulting embryos, after incubation for 16-18 h, were prepared for cytogenetic analysis. Of the 62 embryos analysed, 54 (7.8%) were heteroploid or contained a major heteroploid cell line. Each of the 638 normal 2n embryos contained one marker and one normal chromosome, indicating that none arose from gynogenesis. Thirteen homogeneous haploid embryos were identified; 24 embryos were chimaeric 1n/2n and one was 1n/3n. All haploid cell lines contained a marker chromosome indicating androgenetic origins. The 9 homogeneous triploid (3n) embryos and the 3n cell line in a single 1n/3n embryo contained a single marker. All resulted from fertilization by single spermatozoon of eggs that were diploid as a result of suppression of the second meiotic division. The 3n lines of two 2n/3n embryos were derived from other mechanisms. A single homogeneous tetraploid (4n) embryo and the 4n cell lines of three 2n/4n mosaic embryos each contained two marker chromosomes and presumable resulted from failure of cytokinesis in an early cleavage division.", "contents": "The parental source of heteroploidy in chick embryos determined with chromosomally marked gametes. Males homozygous for chromosomal translocations were mated to karyologically normal females. The resulting embryos, after incubation for 16-18 h, were prepared for cytogenetic analysis. Of the 62 embryos analysed, 54 (7.8%) were heteroploid or contained a major heteroploid cell line. Each of the 638 normal 2n embryos contained one marker and one normal chromosome, indicating that none arose from gynogenesis. Thirteen homogeneous haploid embryos were identified; 24 embryos were chimaeric 1n/2n and one was 1n/3n. All haploid cell lines contained a marker chromosome indicating androgenetic origins. The 9 homogeneous triploid (3n) embryos and the 3n cell line in a single 1n/3n embryo contained a single marker. All resulted from fertilization by single spermatozoon of eggs that were diploid as a result of suppression of the second meiotic division. The 3n lines of two 2n/3n embryos were derived from other mechanisms. A single homogeneous tetraploid (4n) embryo and the 4n cell lines of three 2n/4n mosaic embryos each contained two marker chromosomes and presumable resulted from failure of cytokinesis in an early cleavage division.", "PMID": 621687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4142", "title": "Prostaglandin concentrations in the semen of fertile men.", "content": "The PG concentrations in the semen of 23 fertile men were 73 microgram PGE/ml, 267 microgram 19-OH PGE/ml, 2.1 microgram PGF/ml and 18.3 microgram 19-OH PGF/ml. The wide ranges of concentrations found for the PGEs (2-272 microgram/ml) and for the 19-OH PGEs (53-1094 microgram/ml) throw some doubt on the previously established correlation between infertility and low prostaglandin concentrations.", "contents": "Prostaglandin concentrations in the semen of fertile men. The PG concentrations in the semen of 23 fertile men were 73 microgram PGE/ml, 267 microgram 19-OH PGE/ml, 2.1 microgram PGF/ml and 18.3 microgram 19-OH PGF/ml. The wide ranges of concentrations found for the PGEs (2-272 microgram/ml) and for the 19-OH PGEs (53-1094 microgram/ml) throw some doubt on the previously established correlation between infertility and low prostaglandin concentrations.", "PMID": 621688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4143", "title": "The effect of rete testis fluid on the metabolism of testicular spermatozoa.", "content": "The O2 uptake of spermatozoa collected from the rete testis of conscious rams and boars has been measured polarographically either in the rete testis fluid (RTF) in which they were collected or in a synthetic saline medium (S-RTF) made to resemble the ionic composition of RTF as closely as possible. In both species, O2 uptake of the testicular spermatozoa was higher in RTF than in S-RTF. The addition of some of the organic constituents of RTF was without effect on O2 uptake. Pyruvate, lactate, acetate or alanine increased the O2 consumption of ram spermatozoa in S-RTF. Lactate had no effect on but acetate increased the O2 consumption of pig testicular spermatozoa. Phospholipid phosphorus and fatty acids decreased during incubation of ram spermatozoa in RTF and S-RTF. The addition of substances which increased the O2 consumption of the spermatozoa in S-RTF was without effect on the lipid composition. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids and the proportions of the various phospholipids were unaffected by incubation. These results indicate that rete testis fluid has an appreciable effect on the metabolism of the spermatozoa it contains, and that this effect cannot be mimicked by any of the known organic constituents of the fluid.", "contents": "The effect of rete testis fluid on the metabolism of testicular spermatozoa. The O2 uptake of spermatozoa collected from the rete testis of conscious rams and boars has been measured polarographically either in the rete testis fluid (RTF) in which they were collected or in a synthetic saline medium (S-RTF) made to resemble the ionic composition of RTF as closely as possible. In both species, O2 uptake of the testicular spermatozoa was higher in RTF than in S-RTF. The addition of some of the organic constituents of RTF was without effect on O2 uptake. Pyruvate, lactate, acetate or alanine increased the O2 consumption of ram spermatozoa in S-RTF. Lactate had no effect on but acetate increased the O2 consumption of pig testicular spermatozoa. Phospholipid phosphorus and fatty acids decreased during incubation of ram spermatozoa in RTF and S-RTF. The addition of substances which increased the O2 consumption of the spermatozoa in S-RTF was without effect on the lipid composition. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids and the proportions of the various phospholipids were unaffected by incubation. These results indicate that rete testis fluid has an appreciable effect on the metabolism of the spermatozoa it contains, and that this effect cannot be mimicked by any of the known organic constituents of the fluid.", "PMID": 621689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4144", "title": "In-vitro production of prostaglandins by intrauterine tissues from pregnant goats.", "content": "In the fetal cotyledons and membranes, PGE production (determined in a continuous superfusion system) was significantly greater than that of PGF (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.02 respectively). The fetal cotyledon also produced more PGE than the maternal cotyledon (P less than 0.01) and more PGF after parturition than before (P less than 0.01).", "contents": "In-vitro production of prostaglandins by intrauterine tissues from pregnant goats. In the fetal cotyledons and membranes, PGE production (determined in a continuous superfusion system) was significantly greater than that of PGF (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.02 respectively). The fetal cotyledon also produced more PGE than the maternal cotyledon (P less than 0.01) and more PGF after parturition than before (P less than 0.01).", "PMID": 621690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4145", "title": "A reversible contraceptive action of some 6-chloro-6-deoxy sugars in the male rat.", "content": "Male rats given daily doses of 240 mumol 6,6'-dichloro-6,6'-dideoxysucrose or 6'-chloro-6'-deoxysucrose or 6-chloro-6-deoxysucrose/kg for 28 days became infertile after 7 days and remained infertile during treatment. Fertility was partly recovered 3 weeks after the last dose and completely restored by 6 weeks. 6-Chloro-6-deoxyglucose and 6-chloro-6-deoxyfructose were also effective at this dose, but 6,1',6'-trichloro-6,1',6'-trideoxysucrose, 4,1',6'-trichloro-4,1',6'-trideoxygalactosucrose,4,6,-4',6'-tetrachloro-4,6,4',6'-tetradeoxygalactotrehalose and methyl-6-chloro-6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside were not. Spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of infertile rats oxidized glucose more slowly than did spermatozoa from controls.", "contents": "A reversible contraceptive action of some 6-chloro-6-deoxy sugars in the male rat. Male rats given daily doses of 240 mumol 6,6'-dichloro-6,6'-dideoxysucrose or 6'-chloro-6'-deoxysucrose or 6-chloro-6-deoxysucrose/kg for 28 days became infertile after 7 days and remained infertile during treatment. Fertility was partly recovered 3 weeks after the last dose and completely restored by 6 weeks. 6-Chloro-6-deoxyglucose and 6-chloro-6-deoxyfructose were also effective at this dose, but 6,1',6'-trichloro-6,1',6'-trideoxysucrose, 4,1',6'-trichloro-4,1',6'-trideoxygalactosucrose,4,6,-4',6'-tetrachloro-4,6,4',6'-tetradeoxygalactotrehalose and methyl-6-chloro-6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside were not. Spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis of infertile rats oxidized glucose more slowly than did spermatozoa from controls.", "PMID": 621691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4146", "title": "Induction of avidin in the chick oviduct by tissue damage and prostaglandins.", "content": "In immature, diethylstilboestrol-treated chicks, ligation of the oviduct caused local avidin synthesis in the immediate vicinity of the ligature. PGF-2alpha injected directly into the oviduct also induced avidin synthesis, whereas saline or PGE-2 had no effect. PGE and PGF-2alpha concentrations increased in the oviduct within 24 h of ligation: the PGE increase could be partly inhibited by indomethacin, whereas that of PGF-2alpha was less inhibited. An LD50 dose of indomethacin alone and with ligation had a clear stimulatory effect on avidin synthesis, whereas aspirin alone, or with ligation, was not effective. Ligation alone and with indomethacin appeared to alter the PGF-2alpha/PGE ratio. These results suggest that PGF-2alpha may be involved in the regulation of avidin synthesis in the chick oviduct.", "contents": "Induction of avidin in the chick oviduct by tissue damage and prostaglandins. In immature, diethylstilboestrol-treated chicks, ligation of the oviduct caused local avidin synthesis in the immediate vicinity of the ligature. PGF-2alpha injected directly into the oviduct also induced avidin synthesis, whereas saline or PGE-2 had no effect. PGE and PGF-2alpha concentrations increased in the oviduct within 24 h of ligation: the PGE increase could be partly inhibited by indomethacin, whereas that of PGF-2alpha was less inhibited. An LD50 dose of indomethacin alone and with ligation had a clear stimulatory effect on avidin synthesis, whereas aspirin alone, or with ligation, was not effective. Ligation alone and with indomethacin appeared to alter the PGF-2alpha/PGE ratio. These results suggest that PGF-2alpha may be involved in the regulation of avidin synthesis in the chick oviduct.", "PMID": 621692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4147", "title": "Movement characteristics and power output of guinea-pig and hamster spermatozoa in relation to activation.", "content": "Spermatozoa were collected from the cauda epididymidis of golden hamsters and guinea-pigs, and the acrosome reaction was induced in vitro. Movement characteristics of the spermatozoa were assessed with high-speed cinemicrography. Before the initiation of the acrosome reaction (preactivated spermatozoa), sperm movement in both species was characterized by progressive swimming by regular flagellar waves of moderate amplitude and relative high frequency. After the acrosome reaction (activated spermatozoa), sperm movement in both species was not progressive, and was characterized by whiplash-like flagellar undulations of significantly (P less than 0.05) higher amplitude and lower frequency. Calculation of the hydrodynamic power output by a new theory indicated that no significant change occurred after activation.", "contents": "Movement characteristics and power output of guinea-pig and hamster spermatozoa in relation to activation. Spermatozoa were collected from the cauda epididymidis of golden hamsters and guinea-pigs, and the acrosome reaction was induced in vitro. Movement characteristics of the spermatozoa were assessed with high-speed cinemicrography. Before the initiation of the acrosome reaction (preactivated spermatozoa), sperm movement in both species was characterized by progressive swimming by regular flagellar waves of moderate amplitude and relative high frequency. After the acrosome reaction (activated spermatozoa), sperm movement in both species was not progressive, and was characterized by whiplash-like flagellar undulations of significantly (P less than 0.05) higher amplitude and lower frequency. Calculation of the hydrodynamic power output by a new theory indicated that no significant change occurred after activation.", "PMID": 621693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4148", "title": "Induction of testicular growth and sexual activity in rams by a 'skeleton' short-day photoperiod.", "content": "Eight adult rams were housed in 16L:8D for 16 weeks and then exposed to short days (8L:16D) or 'skeleton' short days (11L:1D:5L:7D) for 16 weeks before being returned to long days. The 'skeleton' treatment promoted testicular development and regression in a way similar to that occurring in 8L:16D, indicating that a change in the total quantity of light is not a prerequisite for the photoperiodic response in the ram.", "contents": "Induction of testicular growth and sexual activity in rams by a 'skeleton' short-day photoperiod. Eight adult rams were housed in 16L:8D for 16 weeks and then exposed to short days (8L:16D) or 'skeleton' short days (11L:1D:5L:7D) for 16 weeks before being returned to long days. The 'skeleton' treatment promoted testicular development and regression in a way similar to that occurring in 8L:16D, indicating that a change in the total quantity of light is not a prerequisite for the photoperiodic response in the ram.", "PMID": 621694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4149", "title": "Maturation of the pituitary-gonadal system in the male rat.", "content": "Serum FSH and testosterone concentrations reached maximum levels between 35 and 45 days of age, which coincided with the appearance of mature spermatozoa in the majority of seminiferous tubules. Spermatozoa were not observed in sections of the urethra until the age of 46 days. Serum LH concentrations were low (5-6 ng/ml) before Day 25, became highly variable (12-57 ng/ml) between Days 25 and 53 and remained consistently above 35 ng/ml thereafter. Serum prolactin levels rose significantly between 30 and 43 days of age. Maximum prolactin levels coincided with the start of accelerated growth in the prostate and seminal vesicle glands. Testicular weights relative to body weight reached a plateau by 35 days of age, while relative pituitary and adrenal weights decreased throughout the study period. It is suggested that spermatogenesis is not complete until FSH and testosterone reach maximum levels, while prolactin may be involved in the stimulation of accessory sex organ growth. The pronounced variation in serum LH concentrations during the maturation period may reflect a progressive change in the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the negative feedback of gonadal steroids.", "contents": "Maturation of the pituitary-gonadal system in the male rat. Serum FSH and testosterone concentrations reached maximum levels between 35 and 45 days of age, which coincided with the appearance of mature spermatozoa in the majority of seminiferous tubules. Spermatozoa were not observed in sections of the urethra until the age of 46 days. Serum LH concentrations were low (5-6 ng/ml) before Day 25, became highly variable (12-57 ng/ml) between Days 25 and 53 and remained consistently above 35 ng/ml thereafter. Serum prolactin levels rose significantly between 30 and 43 days of age. Maximum prolactin levels coincided with the start of accelerated growth in the prostate and seminal vesicle glands. Testicular weights relative to body weight reached a plateau by 35 days of age, while relative pituitary and adrenal weights decreased throughout the study period. It is suggested that spermatogenesis is not complete until FSH and testosterone reach maximum levels, while prolactin may be involved in the stimulation of accessory sex organ growth. The pronounced variation in serum LH concentrations during the maturation period may reflect a progressive change in the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the negative feedback of gonadal steroids.", "PMID": 621695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4150", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of FSH in the plasma of post-partum dairy cows.", "content": "A method for measurement of bovine plasma FSH has been established with an interassay coefficient of variation of 15.5% over the workable range of the assay. Compared to values at the end of pregnancy (42-122 ng/ml), FSH concentrations were greater (P less than 0.01) between 0 and 20 days post partum in 3 cows.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of FSH in the plasma of post-partum dairy cows. A method for measurement of bovine plasma FSH has been established with an interassay coefficient of variation of 15.5% over the workable range of the assay. Compared to values at the end of pregnancy (42-122 ng/ml), FSH concentrations were greater (P less than 0.01) between 0 and 20 days post partum in 3 cows.", "PMID": 621696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4151", "title": "Plasma progesterone levels during delayed implantation in the European badger (Meles meles).", "content": "There was a biphasic pattern of progesterone secretion during the year. Delayed implantation was characterized by low concentrations from February to June, a significant (P less than 0.001) increase during July, August and September, and a return to low levels in October-November. A second significant increase (P less than 0.001) was observed in December and early January just before the presumed time of implantation.", "contents": "Plasma progesterone levels during delayed implantation in the European badger (Meles meles). There was a biphasic pattern of progesterone secretion during the year. Delayed implantation was characterized by low concentrations from February to June, a significant (P less than 0.001) increase during July, August and September, and a return to low levels in October-November. A second significant increase (P less than 0.001) was observed in December and early January just before the presumed time of implantation.", "PMID": 621697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4152", "title": "Androgens and androgen-binding protein in the rat epididymis.", "content": "The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5alpha-androstan-3alpha,17beta-diol and androgen-binding protein (ABP) were measured in various segments of the epididymis from adult rats which had been unilaterally orchidectomized for 4 weeks. On the 'intact' side, ABP concentrations were highest in the caput region. The segmental distribution of DHT closely followed that of ABP with the highest concentration in the caput (40 ng/g tissue) and lowest in the cauda (10 ng/g tissue) epididymidis. There was a high degree of correlation (r = 0.98) between the concentration of DHT in the epididymis and ABP levels. 'Castration' completely abolished the DHT gradient. The levels of testosterone and androstanediol were lower than those of DHT; most was present in the corpus epididymidis. The relative differences were reduced after 'castration'. It is concluded that ABP in the rat epididymis is the primary factor for determining the concentration of DHT in the epididymal fluid.", "contents": "Androgens and androgen-binding protein in the rat epididymis. The levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5alpha-androstan-3alpha,17beta-diol and androgen-binding protein (ABP) were measured in various segments of the epididymis from adult rats which had been unilaterally orchidectomized for 4 weeks. On the 'intact' side, ABP concentrations were highest in the caput region. The segmental distribution of DHT closely followed that of ABP with the highest concentration in the caput (40 ng/g tissue) and lowest in the cauda (10 ng/g tissue) epididymidis. There was a high degree of correlation (r = 0.98) between the concentration of DHT in the epididymis and ABP levels. 'Castration' completely abolished the DHT gradient. The levels of testosterone and androstanediol were lower than those of DHT; most was present in the corpus epididymidis. The relative differences were reduced after 'castration'. It is concluded that ABP in the rat epididymis is the primary factor for determining the concentration of DHT in the epididymal fluid.", "PMID": 621698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4153", "title": "Effect of ionic strength, serum albumin and other macromolecules on the maintenance of motility and the surface of mammalian spermatozoa in a simple medium.", "content": "The seminal plasma in sperm suspensions from boar, bull, rabbit, ram and stallion was replaced with simple defined media as completely as possible by a combination of centrifugation through Ficoll and dilution. After this process, motility declined and the cells showed a tendency to agglutinate and/or stick to glass. Varying the ionic strength of the medium had little effect upon these parameters but sperm motility was preserved better in the presence of serum albumin. When a number of purified proteins and other macromolecules were tested individually in this way for their motility-preserving ability, bovine or human serum albumin was consistently the most effective. Defatting the albumin or altering its nature by mild reduction, oxidation or alkylation had little detectable effect on its motility-preserving ability; the protein did not appear to be acting as a chelator of metal ions, for it could not be replaced by EDTA. The response of the spermatozoa to replacemrnt of seminal plasma varied between species: bull spermatozoa were particularly sensitive and serum albumin had little effect upon their subsequent motility.", "contents": "Effect of ionic strength, serum albumin and other macromolecules on the maintenance of motility and the surface of mammalian spermatozoa in a simple medium. The seminal plasma in sperm suspensions from boar, bull, rabbit, ram and stallion was replaced with simple defined media as completely as possible by a combination of centrifugation through Ficoll and dilution. After this process, motility declined and the cells showed a tendency to agglutinate and/or stick to glass. Varying the ionic strength of the medium had little effect upon these parameters but sperm motility was preserved better in the presence of serum albumin. When a number of purified proteins and other macromolecules were tested individually in this way for their motility-preserving ability, bovine or human serum albumin was consistently the most effective. Defatting the albumin or altering its nature by mild reduction, oxidation or alkylation had little detectable effect on its motility-preserving ability; the protein did not appear to be acting as a chelator of metal ions, for it could not be replaced by EDTA. The response of the spermatozoa to replacemrnt of seminal plasma varied between species: bull spermatozoa were particularly sensitive and serum albumin had little effect upon their subsequent motility.", "PMID": 621699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4154", "title": "Ovarian responses and serum LH levels after retraction or removal of the oviduct in Japanese quail.", "content": "The effects of oviduct removal, oviduct displacement or sham-operation were studied in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). No significant differences were observed between the treatments for body weight, number of follicles larger than or equal to 6 mm diam., or number of ruptured follicles. Retraction or removal of the oviduct resulted in similar significant increases (P less than 0.05) in ovarian weight, diameter of the largest follicle, and serum LH levels when compared with the controls. Injection of yolk into normal hens did not cause any change. It is suggested that the oviduct normally exerts an inhibitory control on ovary growth without appreciable effect on ovulation rate.", "contents": "Ovarian responses and serum LH levels after retraction or removal of the oviduct in Japanese quail. The effects of oviduct removal, oviduct displacement or sham-operation were studied in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). No significant differences were observed between the treatments for body weight, number of follicles larger than or equal to 6 mm diam., or number of ruptured follicles. Retraction or removal of the oviduct resulted in similar significant increases (P less than 0.05) in ovarian weight, diameter of the largest follicle, and serum LH levels when compared with the controls. Injection of yolk into normal hens did not cause any change. It is suggested that the oviduct normally exerts an inhibitory control on ovary growth without appreciable effect on ovulation rate.", "PMID": 621700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4155", "title": "A seasonal difference in ovine peripheral plasma prolactin and progesterone concentrations in early pregnancy and in the relationship between the two hormones.", "content": "In the first 11 days of pregnancy, progesterone and prolactin levels were significantly correlated (P less than 0.05), positively in December-mated animals (r = 0.889) and negatively in those mated in March (r = 0.865).", "contents": "A seasonal difference in ovine peripheral plasma prolactin and progesterone concentrations in early pregnancy and in the relationship between the two hormones. In the first 11 days of pregnancy, progesterone and prolactin levels were significantly correlated (P less than 0.05), positively in December-mated animals (r = 0.889) and negatively in those mated in March (r = 0.865).", "PMID": 621701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4156", "title": "Demonstration that progesterone 'blocks' uterine activity in the ewe in vivo by a direct action on the myometrium.", "content": "Intrauterine pressure was monitored in vivo in oestrogen-treated ovariectomized ewes before, during and after treatment with progesterone (50 mg s.c./day for 3 days). Progesterone reversibly reduced the frequency and amplitude of myometrial activity and abolished uterine reactivity to oxytocin (i.v.) and PGF-2alpha (intrauterine infusion). The rate of rise of intrauterine pressure during active pressure cycles was significantly reduced. These results confirm that the action of progesterone on the ovine myometrium is comparable to the classic progesterone 'block'. The intrauterine infusion of PGF-2alpha (10 microgram/min), which elicited a marked mechanical response in the control animals, failed to stimulate the progesterone-'blocked' uterus, suggesting that the inhibition produced by progesterone is due to a direct action of the hormone on the uterine muscle and not to an indirect mechanism operating through endometrial prostaglandin output.", "contents": "Demonstration that progesterone 'blocks' uterine activity in the ewe in vivo by a direct action on the myometrium. Intrauterine pressure was monitored in vivo in oestrogen-treated ovariectomized ewes before, during and after treatment with progesterone (50 mg s.c./day for 3 days). Progesterone reversibly reduced the frequency and amplitude of myometrial activity and abolished uterine reactivity to oxytocin (i.v.) and PGF-2alpha (intrauterine infusion). The rate of rise of intrauterine pressure during active pressure cycles was significantly reduced. These results confirm that the action of progesterone on the ovine myometrium is comparable to the classic progesterone 'block'. The intrauterine infusion of PGF-2alpha (10 microgram/min), which elicited a marked mechanical response in the control animals, failed to stimulate the progesterone-'blocked' uterus, suggesting that the inhibition produced by progesterone is due to a direct action of the hormone on the uterine muscle and not to an indirect mechanism operating through endometrial prostaglandin output.", "PMID": 621702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4157", "title": "Serum oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin concentrations in cyclic, pregnant and lactating beagle dogs.", "content": "No correlations between the three hormones measured were found in any of the reproductive states examined. In 2 out of 8 dogs a negative correlation between serum progesterone and prolactin levels was found at Day 11 and Day 15, respectively (Day 0 = first day of copulation). In all of the 8 animals in which the progesterone and prolactin concentrations were measured in the same samples in late pregnancy, a negatively correlated overall pattern was obtained between both hormonal profiles. No correlation between serum oestrogen and prolactin levels was found. It is concluded that the proliferative mammary gland changes which are induced in female dogs during long-term toxicity testing with progestagens are unlikely to be related to prolactin or oestrogen synthesis and/or secretion.", "contents": "Serum oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin concentrations in cyclic, pregnant and lactating beagle dogs. No correlations between the three hormones measured were found in any of the reproductive states examined. In 2 out of 8 dogs a negative correlation between serum progesterone and prolactin levels was found at Day 11 and Day 15, respectively (Day 0 = first day of copulation). In all of the 8 animals in which the progesterone and prolactin concentrations were measured in the same samples in late pregnancy, a negatively correlated overall pattern was obtained between both hormonal profiles. No correlation between serum oestrogen and prolactin levels was found. It is concluded that the proliferative mammary gland changes which are induced in female dogs during long-term toxicity testing with progestagens are unlikely to be related to prolactin or oestrogen synthesis and/or secretion.", "PMID": 621703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4158", "title": "Evidence that a humoral factor possessing relaxin-like activity is responsible for uterine quiescence in the late pregnant rat.", "content": "When post-partum ovariectomized rats were linked to 21-day-pregnant rats by a cross-circulation system their myometrial activity was almost completely inhibited. No reduction in activity was induced by cross-circulation with other post-partum rats, or with rats in which myometrial activity had been suppressed with oestrogen. Changes in uterine activity could not be correlated with alterations in arterial blood pressure occurring during the experiments. Uteri rendered inactive by cross-circulation were found to be responsive to oxytocin. It is concluded that a humoral myometrial inhibitor is present in late pregnancy in rat blood and the possibility that it is relaxin is discussed.", "contents": "Evidence that a humoral factor possessing relaxin-like activity is responsible for uterine quiescence in the late pregnant rat. When post-partum ovariectomized rats were linked to 21-day-pregnant rats by a cross-circulation system their myometrial activity was almost completely inhibited. No reduction in activity was induced by cross-circulation with other post-partum rats, or with rats in which myometrial activity had been suppressed with oestrogen. Changes in uterine activity could not be correlated with alterations in arterial blood pressure occurring during the experiments. Uteri rendered inactive by cross-circulation were found to be responsive to oxytocin. It is concluded that a humoral myometrial inhibitor is present in late pregnancy in rat blood and the possibility that it is relaxin is discussed.", "PMID": 621704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4159", "title": "Ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology.", "content": "Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice for evaluating the pregnant abdomen. It appears to be free of any deleterious biologic effects. The fetus and other structures within the uterus can be imaged in great detail, and abnormalities in growth and development of these structures can be demonstrated. Ultrasound has a far less specific role in the evaluation of gynecologic abnormalities. The normal uterus and, less frequently, the normal ovaries can be imaged. Masses arising in these strucutres can often be conclusively demonstrated by ultrasound when physical examination is inconclusive. The ultrasonic texture of these masses, whether they be solid, cystic or complex, can be determined accurately. However, the determination of whether these masses are benign or malignant cannot be made by ultrasound criteria. Ultrasound has also proven useful in evaluating patients with ambiguous genitalia, amenorrhea and suspected PID and also is an effective means of localizing intrauterine contraceptive devices.", "contents": "Ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice for evaluating the pregnant abdomen. It appears to be free of any deleterious biologic effects. The fetus and other structures within the uterus can be imaged in great detail, and abnormalities in growth and development of these structures can be demonstrated. Ultrasound has a far less specific role in the evaluation of gynecologic abnormalities. The normal uterus and, less frequently, the normal ovaries can be imaged. Masses arising in these strucutres can often be conclusively demonstrated by ultrasound when physical examination is inconclusive. The ultrasonic texture of these masses, whether they be solid, cystic or complex, can be determined accurately. However, the determination of whether these masses are benign or malignant cannot be made by ultrasound criteria. Ultrasound has also proven useful in evaluating patients with ambiguous genitalia, amenorrhea and suspected PID and also is an effective means of localizing intrauterine contraceptive devices.", "PMID": 621705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4160", "title": "The spectrum of alleged rape.", "content": "A prospective series of 110 alleged rape victims from July through November 1974 at Denver General Hospital is presented. The victims and assailants are characterized. The laboratory established proof of recent coitus in 68%. Four-fifths of the victims presented within 12 hours of the alleged incident. The analysis of ABO vaginal antigens appears to be promising for assailant identification. Follow-up by appointment in this group was successful in only 5%. Only a minority of cases led to arrest and criminal proceedings. Suggestions are made for alternative approaches to victims based on new developments in forensic laboratory procedures.", "contents": "The spectrum of alleged rape. A prospective series of 110 alleged rape victims from July through November 1974 at Denver General Hospital is presented. The victims and assailants are characterized. The laboratory established proof of recent coitus in 68%. Four-fifths of the victims presented within 12 hours of the alleged incident. The analysis of ABO vaginal antigens appears to be promising for assailant identification. Follow-up by appointment in this group was successful in only 5%. Only a minority of cases led to arrest and criminal proceedings. Suggestions are made for alternative approaches to victims based on new developments in forensic laboratory procedures.", "PMID": 621707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4161", "title": "[1-Deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin, a potent inhibitor of oxytocin.", "content": "[1-Deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin was prepared in duplicate from S-benzyl-3-mercapto-3,3-dimethylpropanoyl-Tyr(Bzl)-Ile-Thr(Bzl)-Asn-Cys(Bzl)-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (I) by removal of the Bzl-protecting groups with Na-NH3, followed by cyclization of the resulting disulfhydryl compound with K3Fo(CN)6. The analogue was purified by desalting on Sephadex G-15 in 50% acetic acid and gel filtration of Sephadex G-15. The protected peptide I was synthesized (a) by the solid-phase method and (b) by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and an [8 + 1] coupling in solution. The analogue has no detectable agonist activity in rat vasopressor or isolated rat uterus assays. It has an antivasopressor pA2 of 6.67 +/- 0.09. It is a potent inhibitor of the in vitro oxytocic response to oxytocin and has a pA2 value of 7.46 +/- 0.04. (Material from the repeat synthesis has a pA2 value of 7.59 +/- 0.08.) Thus the substitution of threonine for glutamine in the antagonist [1-deaminopenicilliamine]oxytocin (pA2, 7.14 +/- 0.05) has effected a twofold increase in inhibitory potency. [1-deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin is one of the most potent inhibitors of oxytocin known to date.", "contents": "[1-Deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin, a potent inhibitor of oxytocin. [1-Deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin was prepared in duplicate from S-benzyl-3-mercapto-3,3-dimethylpropanoyl-Tyr(Bzl)-Ile-Thr(Bzl)-Asn-Cys(Bzl)-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (I) by removal of the Bzl-protecting groups with Na-NH3, followed by cyclization of the resulting disulfhydryl compound with K3Fo(CN)6. The analogue was purified by desalting on Sephadex G-15 in 50% acetic acid and gel filtration of Sephadex G-15. The protected peptide I was synthesized (a) by the solid-phase method and (b) by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and an [8 + 1] coupling in solution. The analogue has no detectable agonist activity in rat vasopressor or isolated rat uterus assays. It has an antivasopressor pA2 of 6.67 +/- 0.09. It is a potent inhibitor of the in vitro oxytocic response to oxytocin and has a pA2 value of 7.46 +/- 0.04. (Material from the repeat synthesis has a pA2 value of 7.59 +/- 0.08.) Thus the substitution of threonine for glutamine in the antagonist [1-deaminopenicilliamine]oxytocin (pA2, 7.14 +/- 0.05) has effected a twofold increase in inhibitory potency. [1-deaminopenicillamine,4-threonine]oxytocin is one of the most potent inhibitors of oxytocin known to date.", "PMID": 621712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4162", "title": "Linked Aryl Aryloxypropanolamines as a new class of lipid catabolis agents.", "content": "The synthesis of a series of stilbene, biaryl, tolane, diaryl ether, sulfide, sulfoxide, and sulfone oxypropanolamines as potential antiobesity agents is described. These compounds were evaluated in a mouse lipid catabolism screen, and the more active members of the series, 4, 57, and 58, were further investigated in rats and dogs. 1-(2,6-Ditert-butyl-4-trans-styrylphenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol (4) possessed considerable lipid catabolic activity in mice and caused a significant reduction in the body weight of rats after 5 weeks and of dogs after 6 weeks. Only hematological irregularities in a chronic toxicity study precluded further development of this compound as an alternative antiobesity treatment.", "contents": "Linked Aryl Aryloxypropanolamines as a new class of lipid catabolis agents. The synthesis of a series of stilbene, biaryl, tolane, diaryl ether, sulfide, sulfoxide, and sulfone oxypropanolamines as potential antiobesity agents is described. These compounds were evaluated in a mouse lipid catabolism screen, and the more active members of the series, 4, 57, and 58, were further investigated in rats and dogs. 1-(2,6-Ditert-butyl-4-trans-styrylphenoxy)-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol (4) possessed considerable lipid catabolic activity in mice and caused a significant reduction in the body weight of rats after 5 weeks and of dogs after 6 weeks. Only hematological irregularities in a chronic toxicity study precluded further development of this compound as an alternative antiobesity treatment.", "PMID": 621713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4163", "title": "Studies on anticoccidial agents. 12. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of methyl-2(6)-nitro- and -3(5)-nitropyridinecarboxamides.", "content": "A number of methyl-2- and 3-nitropyridinecarboxamides have been synthesized. It has been established that the presence of at least one hydrogen atom, adjacent to the NO2 function, is important for anticoccidial activity and introduction of a methyl group to the adjacent position of the CONH2 function sometimes confers enhanced activity. Among the compounds herein, 5- and 6-methyl-2-nitropyridine-4-carboxamides possess optimal anticoccidial activity, being as potent as the parent compound.", "contents": "Studies on anticoccidial agents. 12. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of methyl-2(6)-nitro- and -3(5)-nitropyridinecarboxamides. A number of methyl-2- and 3-nitropyridinecarboxamides have been synthesized. It has been established that the presence of at least one hydrogen atom, adjacent to the NO2 function, is important for anticoccidial activity and introduction of a methyl group to the adjacent position of the CONH2 function sometimes confers enhanced activity. Among the compounds herein, 5- and 6-methyl-2-nitropyridine-4-carboxamides possess optimal anticoccidial activity, being as potent as the parent compound.", "PMID": 621714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4164", "title": "Antileukemic activity of ungeremine and related compounds. Preparation of analogues of ungeremine by a practical photochemical reaction.", "content": "A number of alkoxypyrrolophenanthridinium salts and their analogues related to the antileukemic alkaloid ungeremine were prepared by a practical photochemical cyclization. The importance of the quaternary nitrogen atom and of alkoxy groups, the planarity of a molecule, and steric considerations relative to antileukemic activity are discussed.", "contents": "Antileukemic activity of ungeremine and related compounds. Preparation of analogues of ungeremine by a practical photochemical reaction. A number of alkoxypyrrolophenanthridinium salts and their analogues related to the antileukemic alkaloid ungeremine were prepared by a practical photochemical cyclization. The importance of the quaternary nitrogen atom and of alkoxy groups, the planarity of a molecule, and steric considerations relative to antileukemic activity are discussed.", "PMID": 621715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4165", "title": "Synthesis and antitumor activity of preactivated isophosphamide analogues bearing modified alkylating functionalities.", "content": "In search of cancer chemotherapeutic agents with greater efficacy than cyclophosphamide, 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide analogues bearing modified alkylating functionalities such as 2-bromoethyl, 2-iodoethyl, 2-methyl-sulfonyloxyethyl, and 2-ethylsulfonyloxyethyl groups were prepared by ozonolytic cyclization reaction of N,N'-substituted 3-butenyl phosphorodiamidates. Comparative cytotoxicity against L1210 cells and antileukemic life-span activity against L1210 implanted BDF1 mice of the newly synthesized compounds were tabulated. The 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide analogues which have different alkylating groups in a molecule showed slightly greater cytoxicity in vitro than those with the same alkylating groups. Most of the compounds having different alkylating groups also showed high antileukemic activity in vivo. Among them, the highest efficacy was found for 2-[N-methyl-n-(2-chlorethyl)]amino-3-(2-methylsulfonyloxyethyl)-4-hydroperoxy-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorinane 2-xoide (NSC 280122D) whos life-span activity was also greater than that of 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide, cyclophosphamide, and isoposphamide. The superiority of this compound was especially apparent by oral administration.", "contents": "Synthesis and antitumor activity of preactivated isophosphamide analogues bearing modified alkylating functionalities. In search of cancer chemotherapeutic agents with greater efficacy than cyclophosphamide, 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide analogues bearing modified alkylating functionalities such as 2-bromoethyl, 2-iodoethyl, 2-methyl-sulfonyloxyethyl, and 2-ethylsulfonyloxyethyl groups were prepared by ozonolytic cyclization reaction of N,N'-substituted 3-butenyl phosphorodiamidates. Comparative cytotoxicity against L1210 cells and antileukemic life-span activity against L1210 implanted BDF1 mice of the newly synthesized compounds were tabulated. The 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide analogues which have different alkylating groups in a molecule showed slightly greater cytoxicity in vitro than those with the same alkylating groups. Most of the compounds having different alkylating groups also showed high antileukemic activity in vivo. Among them, the highest efficacy was found for 2-[N-methyl-n-(2-chlorethyl)]amino-3-(2-methylsulfonyloxyethyl)-4-hydroperoxy-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorinane 2-xoide (NSC 280122D) whos life-span activity was also greater than that of 4-hydroperoxyisophosphamide, cyclophosphamide, and isoposphamide. The superiority of this compound was especially apparent by oral administration.", "PMID": 621716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4166", "title": "Relationship of molecular structure to in vivo scintigraphic distribution of carbon-11-labeled compounds. 4. Carbon-11-labeled mandelonitriles, Mandelic acids, and their esters.", "content": "11C-Labeled HCN was collected in water containing carrier KCN following bombardment of 99% N2-1% H2 with 22 MeV protons. 11C-Labeled mandelonitrile and p-methoxy-, p-hydroxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxymandelonitrile were synthesized from K11CN and the corresponding benzaldehyde. The initial distribution of 11C activity of these nitriles in dogs was primarily in the region of the heart, liver, and kidneys followed by rapid redistribution to the parotids and stomach with [11C]hydroxymandelonitriles. 11C-Labeled mandelic acid and m-methyl-, o-chloro-, and p-chloromandelic acid were synthesized from the corresponding [11C]mandelonitrile. Serial scintigraphy of 11C activity of these mandelic acids in dogs showed progressive renal excretion with accumulation of activity in the bladder. 11C-Labeled ethyl and benzyl mandelate were synthesized from [11CA]mandelic acid. These esters showed initial accumulation of activity in the lungs with eventual excretion by the kidneys.", "contents": "Relationship of molecular structure to in vivo scintigraphic distribution of carbon-11-labeled compounds. 4. Carbon-11-labeled mandelonitriles, Mandelic acids, and their esters. 11C-Labeled HCN was collected in water containing carrier KCN following bombardment of 99% N2-1% H2 with 22 MeV protons. 11C-Labeled mandelonitrile and p-methoxy-, p-hydroxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxymandelonitrile were synthesized from K11CN and the corresponding benzaldehyde. The initial distribution of 11C activity of these nitriles in dogs was primarily in the region of the heart, liver, and kidneys followed by rapid redistribution to the parotids and stomach with [11C]hydroxymandelonitriles. 11C-Labeled mandelic acid and m-methyl-, o-chloro-, and p-chloromandelic acid were synthesized from the corresponding [11C]mandelonitrile. Serial scintigraphy of 11C activity of these mandelic acids in dogs showed progressive renal excretion with accumulation of activity in the bladder. 11C-Labeled ethyl and benzyl mandelate were synthesized from [11CA]mandelic acid. These esters showed initial accumulation of activity in the lungs with eventual excretion by the kidneys.", "PMID": 621717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4167", "title": "Relationship between structure and antineoplastic activity of arylsulfonylhydrazones of 2-formylprydine N-oxide.", "content": "The effects of various structural modifications on the antineoplastic activity of the benzenesulfonylhydrazone of 2-formylpyridine N-oxide have been ascertained in mice bearing either Sarcoma 180 or leukemia L1210. To accomplish this a variety of derivatives substituted at the aldehyde proton, the aryl ring, and the 4 position of the pyridine nucleus were synthesized. Antineoplastic activity was retained when nitro, amino, chloro, bromo, fluoro, and methoxy groups were introduced into either the meta or para positions of the phenyl ring of the parent compound. In addition, substitution of the terminal phenyl group by a pyridine ring or by a bulky aromatic ring such as alpha-naphthyl, beta-naphthyl, or fluorenyl did not abolish the marked antitumor activity expressed by this class of agents. Insertion of a nitro function or a morpholino group in the 4 position of the pyridine nucleus of the benzenesulfonylhydrazone of 2-formylpyridine N-oxide resulted in two potent anticancer agents, while the introduction of a chloro function in the 4 position led to a pronounced decrease in biological activity. Furthermore, the essentiality of the aldehydic proton for tumor-inhibitor activity was demonstrated by the inactivity of two derivatives in which the aldehydic proton was replaced by a methyl group or by an oxygen atom.", "contents": "Relationship between structure and antineoplastic activity of arylsulfonylhydrazones of 2-formylprydine N-oxide. The effects of various structural modifications on the antineoplastic activity of the benzenesulfonylhydrazone of 2-formylpyridine N-oxide have been ascertained in mice bearing either Sarcoma 180 or leukemia L1210. To accomplish this a variety of derivatives substituted at the aldehyde proton, the aryl ring, and the 4 position of the pyridine nucleus were synthesized. Antineoplastic activity was retained when nitro, amino, chloro, bromo, fluoro, and methoxy groups were introduced into either the meta or para positions of the phenyl ring of the parent compound. In addition, substitution of the terminal phenyl group by a pyridine ring or by a bulky aromatic ring such as alpha-naphthyl, beta-naphthyl, or fluorenyl did not abolish the marked antitumor activity expressed by this class of agents. Insertion of a nitro function or a morpholino group in the 4 position of the pyridine nucleus of the benzenesulfonylhydrazone of 2-formylpyridine N-oxide resulted in two potent anticancer agents, while the introduction of a chloro function in the 4 position led to a pronounced decrease in biological activity. Furthermore, the essentiality of the aldehydic proton for tumor-inhibitor activity was demonstrated by the inactivity of two derivatives in which the aldehydic proton was replaced by a methyl group or by an oxygen atom.", "PMID": 621718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4168", "title": "Chemical modification of 1,4-diamino-1,4-dideoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-4-propionamido-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucitol.", "content": "Chemical modification of the 4'-N position of 1,4-diamino-1,4-dideoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-4-propionamido-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucitol (GlA1) in the form of 4'-N-acyl analogues, e.g., 3, led to no significant potency enhancement. The n-propylamino analogue 4 was more active against gram-positive bacteria but was less act vs. gram-negative bacteria. The intrinsic activity of the 6'-chloro analogue 15 like the antibiotic GlA1 was not high, but the antibacterial spectrum was broad with moderate activity against most resistant organisms.", "contents": "Chemical modification of 1,4-diamino-1,4-dideoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-4-propionamido-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucitol. Chemical modification of the 4'-N position of 1,4-diamino-1,4-dideoxy-3-O-(4-deoxy-4-propionamido-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucitol (GlA1) in the form of 4'-N-acyl analogues, e.g., 3, led to no significant potency enhancement. The n-propylamino analogue 4 was more active against gram-positive bacteria but was less act vs. gram-negative bacteria. The intrinsic activity of the 6'-chloro analogue 15 like the antibiotic GlA1 was not high, but the antibacterial spectrum was broad with moderate activity against most resistant organisms.", "PMID": 621719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4169", "title": "Dehydrative metabolites of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-1methyl-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridine)ethanol as potential hypocholesteremic agents.", "content": "The E and Z isomers of 2-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1-propenyl]pyridine (2a,b) and 2-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propenyl]pyridine (4a,b) were synthesized and separated as possible metabolites of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridine)ethanol (1a). Following administration of 1a to rats, a HPLC system was used to examine urine and serum specimens for the less polar metabolites of 1a. Isomers 2a and 2b were not detected but their hydroxylated derivatives 4a and 4b were observed as minor metabolites. Compounds 2a,b and 4a,b exhibited hypocholesteremic activity in rats; compounds 4a and 4b are of special interest because they possessed relatively low estrogenicity.", "contents": "Dehydrative metabolites of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-1methyl-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridine)ethanol as potential hypocholesteremic agents. The E and Z isomers of 2-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1-propenyl]pyridine (2a,b) and 2-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-propenyl]pyridine (4a,b) were synthesized and separated as possible metabolites of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridine)ethanol (1a). Following administration of 1a to rats, a HPLC system was used to examine urine and serum specimens for the less polar metabolites of 1a. Isomers 2a and 2b were not detected but their hydroxylated derivatives 4a and 4b were observed as minor metabolites. Compounds 2a,b and 4a,b exhibited hypocholesteremic activity in rats; compounds 4a and 4b are of special interest because they possessed relatively low estrogenicity.", "PMID": 621720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4170", "title": "Conformations of selected 3-substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance. Warfarin and phenprocoumon.", "content": "The chemical shift position of the benzylic proton, Hx, has been found to be diagnostic in indicating the preferred conformations of selected 3-substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins. In general, the nonrigid open-chain compounds, e.g., to open-chain tautomer of warfarin and phenprocoumon, are found to exist in equal populations of the two conformations in which the benzylic proton is in the plane of the coumarin ring and is either cis or trans to the 3,4 double bond. The cyclic compounds, e.g., cyclocumoral, are constrained to two limiting conformations defined as axial2 or trans or intermediate conformations between these limits. Evidence is presented that suggests that the antivitamin K activity of warfarin is due to its open side-chain tautomeric form.", "contents": "Conformations of selected 3-substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins in solution by nuclear magnetic resonance. Warfarin and phenprocoumon. The chemical shift position of the benzylic proton, Hx, has been found to be diagnostic in indicating the preferred conformations of selected 3-substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins. In general, the nonrigid open-chain compounds, e.g., to open-chain tautomer of warfarin and phenprocoumon, are found to exist in equal populations of the two conformations in which the benzylic proton is in the plane of the coumarin ring and is either cis or trans to the 3,4 double bond. The cyclic compounds, e.g., cyclocumoral, are constrained to two limiting conformations defined as axial2 or trans or intermediate conformations between these limits. Evidence is presented that suggests that the antivitamin K activity of warfarin is due to its open side-chain tautomeric form.", "PMID": 621721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4171", "title": "Methyl 6-(phenylsulfinyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamate, a potent, new anthelmintic.", "content": "A series of methyl imidazo-[11,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamates was synthesized for anthelmintic testing. The preparation of this class of compounds was simplified by utilization of a novel one-step condensation of the appropriately substituted 2-aminopyridine and methyl chloroacetylcarbamate. The most potent compound, methyl 6-(phenylsulfinyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamate, was orally effective against a broad range of helminths in sheep and cattle, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg. Limited trials in swine and dogs demonstrated anthelmintic activity at higher dosages. Limited observations in sheep and cattle indicated that, in both species, a single oral dose of 200 mg/kg was well tolerated.", "contents": "Methyl 6-(phenylsulfinyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamate, a potent, new anthelmintic. A series of methyl imidazo-[11,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamates was synthesized for anthelmintic testing. The preparation of this class of compounds was simplified by utilization of a novel one-step condensation of the appropriately substituted 2-aminopyridine and methyl chloroacetylcarbamate. The most potent compound, methyl 6-(phenylsulfinyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carbamate, was orally effective against a broad range of helminths in sheep and cattle, at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg. Limited trials in swine and dogs demonstrated anthelmintic activity at higher dosages. Limited observations in sheep and cattle indicated that, in both species, a single oral dose of 200 mg/kg was well tolerated.", "PMID": 621722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4172", "title": "Assessment of orthoses by means of speed and heart rate.", "content": "Energy expenditure is an important parameter in the assessment of gait and orthotic treatment of heavily handicapped patients, since any orthosis which increases the effort required is likely to be discarded with consequently disturbing implications. Heart rate has been shown to be a reliable monitor of energy expenditure and is convenient because ECG can be telemetered by a miniature radio transmitter. Using a transmitter causes minimal interference with the patient, but care must be employed to obtain ECG signals free of artefact from subjects who are exercising. Means of reducing artefact are discussed, as are ways in which heart rate monitoring by radio telemetry is being used in the routine assessment of orthotic treatment of paediatric patients and the development of new orthotic devices.", "contents": "Assessment of orthoses by means of speed and heart rate. Energy expenditure is an important parameter in the assessment of gait and orthotic treatment of heavily handicapped patients, since any orthosis which increases the effort required is likely to be discarded with consequently disturbing implications. Heart rate has been shown to be a reliable monitor of energy expenditure and is convenient because ECG can be telemetered by a miniature radio transmitter. Using a transmitter causes minimal interference with the patient, but care must be employed to obtain ECG signals free of artefact from subjects who are exercising. Means of reducing artefact are discussed, as are ways in which heart rate monitoring by radio telemetry is being used in the routine assessment of orthotic treatment of paediatric patients and the development of new orthotic devices.", "PMID": 621724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4173", "title": "Community services: technological aids for the general practitioner.", "content": "This paper deals with the problem of an overworked National Health Service. It tries to show how increased services at community level could lessen the burden of the hospital services. It outlines the part played by technological aids with the history of some, and stresses the need not only for medically trained ancillary help, but also for the involvement of other trained disciplines and lawmen. It mentions present day technological aids and discusses how they might be improved. It hints that all are capable of making an emphatic contribution, however small, to those in need.", "contents": "Community services: technological aids for the general practitioner. This paper deals with the problem of an overworked National Health Service. It tries to show how increased services at community level could lessen the burden of the hospital services. It outlines the part played by technological aids with the history of some, and stresses the need not only for medically trained ancillary help, but also for the involvement of other trained disciplines and lawmen. It mentions present day technological aids and discusses how they might be improved. It hints that all are capable of making an emphatic contribution, however small, to those in need.", "PMID": 621725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4174", "title": "Human infections with thymine-requiring bacteria.", "content": "Clinical details are presented of 16 patients from whom thymine-requiring (thy-) mutants of pathogenic organisms were isolated; all had been treated with co-trimoxazole. The urine of six patients infected with thy- mutants contained levels of a thymine-like compound sufficient to support their growth. This might be the result either of the breakdown of pus cells or of thymine production by living bacteria that persist in stones or scar tissue, a suggestion supported by the observation of mutant growth \"in satellitism\" in vitro. Since 1975 we have isolated mutants from patients who have had short courses of co-trimoxazole, in contrast to those we reported upon previously, all except one of whom had had long courses. We are now isolating thy- mutants more frequently than hitherto. Secondary mutations to a low thymine requirement may now be occurring more rapidly, thereby allowing more mutant organisms to survive. The clinical significance of infection with thy- mutants is not yet clear, but evidence is accumulating that they are pathogenic. Alternative chemotherapy is suggested for patients from whom such mutants have been isolated.", "contents": "Human infections with thymine-requiring bacteria. Clinical details are presented of 16 patients from whom thymine-requiring (thy-) mutants of pathogenic organisms were isolated; all had been treated with co-trimoxazole. The urine of six patients infected with thy- mutants contained levels of a thymine-like compound sufficient to support their growth. This might be the result either of the breakdown of pus cells or of thymine production by living bacteria that persist in stones or scar tissue, a suggestion supported by the observation of mutant growth \"in satellitism\" in vitro. Since 1975 we have isolated mutants from patients who have had short courses of co-trimoxazole, in contrast to those we reported upon previously, all except one of whom had had long courses. We are now isolating thy- mutants more frequently than hitherto. Secondary mutations to a low thymine requirement may now be occurring more rapidly, thereby allowing more mutant organisms to survive. The clinical significance of infection with thy- mutants is not yet clear, but evidence is accumulating that they are pathogenic. Alternative chemotherapy is suggested for patients from whom such mutants have been isolated.", "PMID": 621731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4175", "title": "The dependence of some strains of Mycobacterium avium on mycobactin for initial and subsequent growth.", "content": "This paper demonstrates that various degrees of mycobactin dependence exist within the M. avium group of mycobacteria and that this characteristic is not confined to M. paratuberculosis. The strains employed came from a wide range of animal species and all were virulent for chickens. Mycobactin dependence was observed in the M. avium serotypes 1, 2 and 3. The importance of employing a medium containing mycobactin for primary isolations observation may be of interest in relation to the primary isolation of other species of mycobacteria.", "contents": "The dependence of some strains of Mycobacterium avium on mycobactin for initial and subsequent growth. This paper demonstrates that various degrees of mycobactin dependence exist within the M. avium group of mycobacteria and that this characteristic is not confined to M. paratuberculosis. The strains employed came from a wide range of animal species and all were virulent for chickens. Mycobactin dependence was observed in the M. avium serotypes 1, 2 and 3. The importance of employing a medium containing mycobactin for primary isolations observation may be of interest in relation to the primary isolation of other species of mycobacteria.", "PMID": 621732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4176", "title": "Detoxification of staphylococcal alpha toxin by hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone.", "content": "The effects of hydrocortisone (HC) and methylprednisolone (MP) on the biological activities of staphylococcol alpha toxin were studied. Incubation of either HC or MP at concentrations of 4-8 mg per ml with purified alpha toxin (690 HU per ml) reduced or eliminated haemolytic activity for rabbit red cells, intraperitoneal lethality for mice, and dermonecrotic activity for rabbits. Detoxification was related to the dose of steroid, and MP was slightly more active than HC. The mechanism of detoxification apparently involves a direct molecular interaction between alpha toxin and steroid, and pretreatment of animals with HC or MP did not enhance their resistance to the subsequent effect of toxin.", "contents": "Detoxification of staphylococcal alpha toxin by hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone. The effects of hydrocortisone (HC) and methylprednisolone (MP) on the biological activities of staphylococcol alpha toxin were studied. Incubation of either HC or MP at concentrations of 4-8 mg per ml with purified alpha toxin (690 HU per ml) reduced or eliminated haemolytic activity for rabbit red cells, intraperitoneal lethality for mice, and dermonecrotic activity for rabbits. Detoxification was related to the dose of steroid, and MP was slightly more active than HC. The mechanism of detoxification apparently involves a direct molecular interaction between alpha toxin and steroid, and pretreatment of animals with HC or MP did not enhance their resistance to the subsequent effect of toxin.", "PMID": 621734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4177", "title": "Nitrosamine formation in human saliva.", "content": "Nitrosamines formed when secondary amines were added to normal human saliva. Fractionation of saliva into cells and supernatant showed that factors that accelerated and retarded the nitrosation reaction were both present. Acidification of saliva greatly increased the nitrosamine yield, but differences in nitrosamine yield among saliva fractions were still observable.", "contents": "Nitrosamine formation in human saliva. Nitrosamines formed when secondary amines were added to normal human saliva. Fractionation of saliva into cells and supernatant showed that factors that accelerated and retarded the nitrosation reaction were both present. Acidification of saliva greatly increased the nitrosamine yield, but differences in nitrosamine yield among saliva fractions were still observable.", "PMID": 621744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4178", "title": "Kinetic response to cultured human lymphoid cells to rubidazone.", "content": "Analysis of rubidazone, the benzoylhydrazone derivative of daunorubicin, for its effects on cell cycle progression of a human lymphoid cell line showed a kinetic response pattern similar to that of adriamycin. Thus rubidazone induced a G2-block, the magnitude and duration of which were dependent on concentration and incubation time. However, in contrast to adriamycin, a marked phase-dependent sensitivity for the induction of G2-accumulation was observed; cells treated in early and mid-S-phase were most sensitive. This age-dependent kinetic response may account for the smaller G2-accumulation in asynchronous cultures and the closer correlation of the magnitude of this kinetic effect with concentration and duration of rubidazone treatment. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of rubidazone also delayed the traverse through G1 and/or the G1-S transition, whereas the S-phase transit was not impaired. Interference with cell cycle progression through G1 into S-phase caused a stepwise accumulation of cells in G2-phase.", "contents": "Kinetic response to cultured human lymphoid cells to rubidazone. Analysis of rubidazone, the benzoylhydrazone derivative of daunorubicin, for its effects on cell cycle progression of a human lymphoid cell line showed a kinetic response pattern similar to that of adriamycin. Thus rubidazone induced a G2-block, the magnitude and duration of which were dependent on concentration and incubation time. However, in contrast to adriamycin, a marked phase-dependent sensitivity for the induction of G2-accumulation was observed; cells treated in early and mid-S-phase were most sensitive. This age-dependent kinetic response may account for the smaller G2-accumulation in asynchronous cultures and the closer correlation of the magnitude of this kinetic effect with concentration and duration of rubidazone treatment. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of rubidazone also delayed the traverse through G1 and/or the G1-S transition, whereas the S-phase transit was not impaired. Interference with cell cycle progression through G1 into S-phase caused a stepwise accumulation of cells in G2-phase.", "PMID": 621746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4179", "title": "Proliferative changes in the epithelium of the human lithiasic gallabladder.", "content": "Surgical specimens from 9 normal human gallbladders and from 9 lithiasic gallbladders were incubated in vitro with [3H]thymidine. Autoradiography was used to observe the cells in DNA synthesis in the mucosal epithelium. The percentages of labeled cells (labeling index) and of mitotic figures (mitotic index) were estimated. In the normal gallbladder, the labeling index was low and mitotic figures were exceptional; the labeled cells in the epithelium were observed against the basal membrane. In the lithiasic gallbladder, the labeling index was 23 times higher (P less than 0.01) and a definite number of mitotic figures was seen; the uptake of [3H]thymidine was not restricted to basal epithelial cells and occurred at any level of the mucosa. Our data showed that the proliferative activity was increased in the mucosa of the human lithiasic gallbladder. To the extent that the labelled cells against the basal membrane in the normal gallbladder represent the epithelial progenitors, our results also indicated modifications in the spatial distribution of labeled cells in the lithiasic gallbladder mucosa. Such concomitant quantitative and qualitative changes in cell kinetics could have a parallel in known precancerous conditions in the digestive tract.", "contents": "Proliferative changes in the epithelium of the human lithiasic gallabladder. Surgical specimens from 9 normal human gallbladders and from 9 lithiasic gallbladders were incubated in vitro with [3H]thymidine. Autoradiography was used to observe the cells in DNA synthesis in the mucosal epithelium. The percentages of labeled cells (labeling index) and of mitotic figures (mitotic index) were estimated. In the normal gallbladder, the labeling index was low and mitotic figures were exceptional; the labeled cells in the epithelium were observed against the basal membrane. In the lithiasic gallbladder, the labeling index was 23 times higher (P less than 0.01) and a definite number of mitotic figures was seen; the uptake of [3H]thymidine was not restricted to basal epithelial cells and occurred at any level of the mucosa. Our data showed that the proliferative activity was increased in the mucosa of the human lithiasic gallbladder. To the extent that the labelled cells against the basal membrane in the normal gallbladder represent the epithelial progenitors, our results also indicated modifications in the spatial distribution of labeled cells in the lithiasic gallbladder mucosa. Such concomitant quantitative and qualitative changes in cell kinetics could have a parallel in known precancerous conditions in the digestive tract.", "PMID": 621747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4180", "title": "Estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in breast cancer in the Japanese: brief communication.", "content": "Estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors (ER, PgR, and AR, respectively) were determined by dextran-coated charcoal assay analyzed with Scatchard plots in cytosols from 81 Japanese patients with breast cancer. For the estimations of PgR and AR, the following compounds were used: a synthetic progestin, [3H]R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione), not bound by corticosteroid-binding globulin; and a synthetic androgen, [3H]R1881 (17beta-hydroxy-17-methylestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one), not bound by human sex steroid plasma-binding protein. Forty-two of 81 of the cancers revealed measurable amounts of ER (greater than 2 fmoles/mg cytosol protein), whereas the rates of measurable amounts of PgR (greater than 5) and AR (greater than 5) were 27% (18/67) and 36% (17/47), respectively. PgR were found in 45% of cancer patients with ER, but in only 9% of the cancer patients without ER. AR were found in 50% of the cancer patients with ER, but in only 22% of the cancer patients without ER. These results are consistent with those reported by Western investigators.", "contents": "Estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in breast cancer in the Japanese: brief communication. Estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors (ER, PgR, and AR, respectively) were determined by dextran-coated charcoal assay analyzed with Scatchard plots in cytosols from 81 Japanese patients with breast cancer. For the estimations of PgR and AR, the following compounds were used: a synthetic progestin, [3H]R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione), not bound by corticosteroid-binding globulin; and a synthetic androgen, [3H]R1881 (17beta-hydroxy-17-methylestra-4,9,11-trien-3-one), not bound by human sex steroid plasma-binding protein. Forty-two of 81 of the cancers revealed measurable amounts of ER (greater than 2 fmoles/mg cytosol protein), whereas the rates of measurable amounts of PgR (greater than 5) and AR (greater than 5) were 27% (18/67) and 36% (17/47), respectively. PgR were found in 45% of cancer patients with ER, but in only 9% of the cancer patients without ER. AR were found in 50% of the cancer patients with ER, but in only 22% of the cancer patients without ER. These results are consistent with those reported by Western investigators.", "PMID": 621748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4181", "title": "Lung cancer in coastal Georgia: a death certificate analysis of occupation: brief communication.", "content": "A comparison of death certificate statements on occupation for 858 white males who lived in coastal Georgia counties and who died of lung cancer during 1961--74, and for 858 controls who were of the same age and county of residence revealed a twofold excess risk of lung cancer associated with the construction industry. No elevated risk of lung cancer was found for workers in the wood and paper industries in the urban areas of Savannah, Brunswick, or Waycross, but a threefold increase was uncovered for the remaining coastal counties where the wood and paper industry was the largest employer.", "contents": "Lung cancer in coastal Georgia: a death certificate analysis of occupation: brief communication. A comparison of death certificate statements on occupation for 858 white males who lived in coastal Georgia counties and who died of lung cancer during 1961--74, and for 858 controls who were of the same age and county of residence revealed a twofold excess risk of lung cancer associated with the construction industry. No elevated risk of lung cancer was found for workers in the wood and paper industries in the urban areas of Savannah, Brunswick, or Waycross, but a threefold increase was uncovered for the remaining coastal counties where the wood and paper industry was the largest employer.", "PMID": 621749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4182", "title": "Continuous production of carcinoembryonic antigen in hollow fiber cell culture units: brief communication.", "content": "A line of cultured cells derived from a primary human adenocarcinoma of the colon was grown in the extracapillary spaces of hollow fiber tissue culture units in the absence of serum components of high molecular weight (greater than 10,000). The cells were capable of producing more than 30 microgram of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) per day, provided that the extracapillary fluid was changed frequently. The concanavalin-A binding and molecular sieve chromatography properties of the tissue culture-derived CEA were similar to those of CEA isolated from metastatic colon cancer tissue.", "contents": "Continuous production of carcinoembryonic antigen in hollow fiber cell culture units: brief communication. A line of cultured cells derived from a primary human adenocarcinoma of the colon was grown in the extracapillary spaces of hollow fiber tissue culture units in the absence of serum components of high molecular weight (greater than 10,000). The cells were capable of producing more than 30 microgram of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) per day, provided that the extracapillary fluid was changed frequently. The concanavalin-A binding and molecular sieve chromatography properties of the tissue culture-derived CEA were similar to those of CEA isolated from metastatic colon cancer tissue.", "PMID": 621750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4183", "title": "Effects of diethyl maleate on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and on 3-methyl-cholanthrene-induced skin tumorigenesis in rats and mice.", "content": "Topical administration of diethyl maleate (DEM) and L-methionine sulfoximine (MS) reduced the L-glutathione (GSH) levels in kidneys, livers, and skin of inbred BALB/c mice. Topical administration of DEM to BALB/c mice also increased the latency period before development of skin tumors that were induced by 3-methylcholanthrene painting. Similar treatment with MS also increased the latency period, though the delay was not as striking as that observed after DEM administration. Furthermore, DEM, which was believed to be specific in its action in reducing tissue GSH, was also capable of inhibiting aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) both in vitro and in vivo. Cyclohexene sulfide, another \"specific\" inhibitor of GSH transferase, inhibited AHH activity as well. Accordingly, the blockade of AHH by DEM may have been partly responsible for the increased latency time in the skin tumorigenesis experiments.", "contents": "Effects of diethyl maleate on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and on 3-methyl-cholanthrene-induced skin tumorigenesis in rats and mice. Topical administration of diethyl maleate (DEM) and L-methionine sulfoximine (MS) reduced the L-glutathione (GSH) levels in kidneys, livers, and skin of inbred BALB/c mice. Topical administration of DEM to BALB/c mice also increased the latency period before development of skin tumors that were induced by 3-methylcholanthrene painting. Similar treatment with MS also increased the latency period, though the delay was not as striking as that observed after DEM administration. Furthermore, DEM, which was believed to be specific in its action in reducing tissue GSH, was also capable of inhibiting aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) both in vitro and in vivo. Cyclohexene sulfide, another \"specific\" inhibitor of GSH transferase, inhibited AHH activity as well. Accordingly, the blockade of AHH by DEM may have been partly responsible for the increased latency time in the skin tumorigenesis experiments.", "PMID": 621751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4184", "title": "Histologic and histochemical preneoplastic changes in the bladder mucosae of dogs given 2-naphthylamine.", "content": "So that the earliest morphologic changes produced in dog bladders by a bladder carcinogen could be detected, 25 mg 2-naphthylamine/kg was given daily to dogs for 1, 6, and 36 weeks. Among early changes observed in some, but not all, dogs at 1 and 6 weeks were a loss of the bladder luminal membrane, hyperplasia of the epithelium, and lymphocytic infiltration of the submucosa. These changes were also present, to a more severe degree, in all dogs at 36 weeks. A more advanced preneoplastic change observed only at 36 weeks was a scalloped appearance of the normally straight basal cell line due to the beginning of nodule formation of the hyperplastic epithelial cells (von Brunn's epithelial nests). Histochemically, the alkaline phosphatase activity was altered from the normally regular, dense staining of the basal cell layer to a weaker, intermittent staining. No tumors were observed. Of the dogs given the same dose of 2-naphthylamine for 26 weeks and then kept for 3 years before being killed, 2 dogs had normal bladders but the other 2 had epithelial carcinomas.", "contents": "Histologic and histochemical preneoplastic changes in the bladder mucosae of dogs given 2-naphthylamine. So that the earliest morphologic changes produced in dog bladders by a bladder carcinogen could be detected, 25 mg 2-naphthylamine/kg was given daily to dogs for 1, 6, and 36 weeks. Among early changes observed in some, but not all, dogs at 1 and 6 weeks were a loss of the bladder luminal membrane, hyperplasia of the epithelium, and lymphocytic infiltration of the submucosa. These changes were also present, to a more severe degree, in all dogs at 36 weeks. A more advanced preneoplastic change observed only at 36 weeks was a scalloped appearance of the normally straight basal cell line due to the beginning of nodule formation of the hyperplastic epithelial cells (von Brunn's epithelial nests). Histochemically, the alkaline phosphatase activity was altered from the normally regular, dense staining of the basal cell layer to a weaker, intermittent staining. No tumors were observed. Of the dogs given the same dose of 2-naphthylamine for 26 weeks and then kept for 3 years before being killed, 2 dogs had normal bladders but the other 2 had epithelial carcinomas.", "PMID": 621752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4185", "title": "Chemotherapeutic activity of new 2-chloroethylnitrosoureas in rat L5222 leukemia: comparison of bifunctional and water-soluble derivatives with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.", "content": "The chemotherapeutic activity of eight nitrosourea derivatives was compared with that of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) in transplantable rat leukemia L5222 cells. Bifunctional 1,1'-polymethylenebis-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureas effected cure rates between 30 and 75% in single equitoxic doses in the therapy of advanced ip implanted L5222 [staging of L5222 leukemia development (hr before median day of death in controls): early = greater than 120; advanced = 120--61; late = 60--25; and preterminal = 24--0]. Of three water-soluble monofunctional alkylating 1-(omega-hydroxyalkyl)-3-nitrosoureas, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea yielded more cures (90%) than did BCNU (cure rate, 70%) and was also superior to the other substances. Against preterminal ip implanted and late intracerebrally implanted L5222, the hydroxyethyl compound was significantly superior to BCNU.", "contents": "Chemotherapeutic activity of new 2-chloroethylnitrosoureas in rat L5222 leukemia: comparison of bifunctional and water-soluble derivatives with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. The chemotherapeutic activity of eight nitrosourea derivatives was compared with that of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) in transplantable rat leukemia L5222 cells. Bifunctional 1,1'-polymethylenebis-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureas effected cure rates between 30 and 75% in single equitoxic doses in the therapy of advanced ip implanted L5222 [staging of L5222 leukemia development (hr before median day of death in controls): early = greater than 120; advanced = 120--61; late = 60--25; and preterminal = 24--0]. Of three water-soluble monofunctional alkylating 1-(omega-hydroxyalkyl)-3-nitrosoureas, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea yielded more cures (90%) than did BCNU (cure rate, 70%) and was also superior to the other substances. Against preterminal ip implanted and late intracerebrally implanted L5222, the hydroxyethyl compound was significantly superior to BCNU.", "PMID": 621753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4186", "title": "Higher antitumor efficacy of daunomycin when linked to dextran: in vivo and in vitro studies.", "content": "Daunomycin was coupled to dextrans of various molecular sizes. The binding to the dextran carriers augmented the therapeutic efficacy of the antitumor agent in a murine lymphoma line (YAC). When the treatment with the drug or its conjugates was given concomitantly with the tumor cells at separate sites, the unbound drug was able, at its optimally effective doses, to prevent tumors in 40% of the mice, whereas the drug-dextran was efficient in 80% of the mice. The advantage of the drug-dextran over the free drug was also manifested when the treatment was given 6 days after tumor transplantation. However, a further delay of the treatment resulted in a decrease in the potency of the drug-dextran. Similar behavior was observed when increasing tumor loads were transplanted (10(5)-10(8) cells) and when the treatment was administered immediately. The most favorable effect of the drug-dextran was obtained with 10(7) cells, but against 10(8) cells neither the free drug nor the bound one was effective.", "contents": "Higher antitumor efficacy of daunomycin when linked to dextran: in vivo and in vitro studies. Daunomycin was coupled to dextrans of various molecular sizes. The binding to the dextran carriers augmented the therapeutic efficacy of the antitumor agent in a murine lymphoma line (YAC). When the treatment with the drug or its conjugates was given concomitantly with the tumor cells at separate sites, the unbound drug was able, at its optimally effective doses, to prevent tumors in 40% of the mice, whereas the drug-dextran was efficient in 80% of the mice. The advantage of the drug-dextran over the free drug was also manifested when the treatment was given 6 days after tumor transplantation. However, a further delay of the treatment resulted in a decrease in the potency of the drug-dextran. Similar behavior was observed when increasing tumor loads were transplanted (10(5)-10(8) cells) and when the treatment was administered immediately. The most favorable effect of the drug-dextran was obtained with 10(7) cells, but against 10(8) cells neither the free drug nor the bound one was effective.", "PMID": 621754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4187", "title": "Spontaneous regression of syngeneic transplanted tumors in rats pretreated with the antileukemia drug busulfan.", "content": "Lethal growth of a syngeneic transplanted tumor (KMT-17) was inhibited in WKA rats pretreated with the antileukemia drug busulfan. The effect of busulfan was short-lasting, and administration of the drug after tumor challenge had little effect on the lethal growth of the tumor. After spontaneous regression of the tumor in rats pretreated with busulfan, specific transplantation resistance to identical tumor was acquired. Busulfan did not exhibit its effect in rats irradiated before tumor challenge. As shown by the Winn test, spleen cells from rats immunized with inactivated tumor cells after busulfan treatment inhibited growth of admixed tumor cells more strongly than did spleen cells from rats immunized without busulfan treatment. Enhancement of immune response to tumor cells rather than tumoricidal activity by busulfan was suggested.", "contents": "Spontaneous regression of syngeneic transplanted tumors in rats pretreated with the antileukemia drug busulfan. Lethal growth of a syngeneic transplanted tumor (KMT-17) was inhibited in WKA rats pretreated with the antileukemia drug busulfan. The effect of busulfan was short-lasting, and administration of the drug after tumor challenge had little effect on the lethal growth of the tumor. After spontaneous regression of the tumor in rats pretreated with busulfan, specific transplantation resistance to identical tumor was acquired. Busulfan did not exhibit its effect in rats irradiated before tumor challenge. As shown by the Winn test, spleen cells from rats immunized with inactivated tumor cells after busulfan treatment inhibited growth of admixed tumor cells more strongly than did spleen cells from rats immunized without busulfan treatment. Enhancement of immune response to tumor cells rather than tumoricidal activity by busulfan was suggested.", "PMID": 621755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4188", "title": "Lack of susceptibility of F344 rats to mammary tumor induction by topically applied fluorenylacetohydroxamic acids and their acetates.", "content": "Carcinogenicity of N-hydroxy-N-3-fluorenylacetamide for the mammary glands of female inbred F344 rats was examined after systemic and topical administration. The compound given ip produced a 60% mammary tumor incidence but was only marginally active after topical application. Female F344 rats did not develop mammary tumors after topical application of N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide, N-acetoxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide, or N-acetoxy-N-3-fluorenylacetamide. These results contrasted with those reported earlier for female Sprague-Dawley rats and indicated differences in susceptibility of the mammary glands of these rat strains to tumor induction by these carcinogens.", "contents": "Lack of susceptibility of F344 rats to mammary tumor induction by topically applied fluorenylacetohydroxamic acids and their acetates. Carcinogenicity of N-hydroxy-N-3-fluorenylacetamide for the mammary glands of female inbred F344 rats was examined after systemic and topical administration. The compound given ip produced a 60% mammary tumor incidence but was only marginally active after topical application. Female F344 rats did not develop mammary tumors after topical application of N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide, N-acetoxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide, or N-acetoxy-N-3-fluorenylacetamide. These results contrasted with those reported earlier for female Sprague-Dawley rats and indicated differences in susceptibility of the mammary glands of these rat strains to tumor induction by these carcinogens.", "PMID": 621757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4189", "title": "Failure of immunotherapy with neuraminidase-treated tumor cell vaccine in mice bearing established 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas.", "content": "C3H/HeJ mice bearing MC-80 fibrosarcomas were given immunotherapy consisting of multiple injections of a Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN)-treated tumor cell vaccine at a site remote from the established tumor. In five separate experiments we were unable to show either partial or complete tumor regression or prolongation of survival for vaccine-treated mice compared to appropriate controls. Further, the use of BCG in addition to VCN-treated tumor cells failed to show any therapeutic efficacy. We could not confirm the successful immunotherapy results reported by others despite multiple efforts of reproduce the immunotherapy model as carefully and precisely as possible.", "contents": "Failure of immunotherapy with neuraminidase-treated tumor cell vaccine in mice bearing established 3-methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas. C3H/HeJ mice bearing MC-80 fibrosarcomas were given immunotherapy consisting of multiple injections of a Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN)-treated tumor cell vaccine at a site remote from the established tumor. In five separate experiments we were unable to show either partial or complete tumor regression or prolongation of survival for vaccine-treated mice compared to appropriate controls. Further, the use of BCG in addition to VCN-treated tumor cells failed to show any therapeutic efficacy. We could not confirm the successful immunotherapy results reported by others despite multiple efforts of reproduce the immunotherapy model as carefully and precisely as possible.", "PMID": 621758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4190", "title": "A procedure for culture of cells from mouse tail biopsies: brief communication.", "content": "A simple technique was developed for production of cell cultures from mouse tails. The use of mouse tail tissue for biopsies made repeated sampling of animals possible without their health or breeding performance being jeopardized. The procedure proved to be particularly useful in studies of murine leukemia viruses, because it allowed virus induction and Fv-1 gene-typing tests to the done on biopsy tissue from adult animals.", "contents": "A procedure for culture of cells from mouse tail biopsies: brief communication. A simple technique was developed for production of cell cultures from mouse tails. The use of mouse tail tissue for biopsies made repeated sampling of animals possible without their health or breeding performance being jeopardized. The procedure proved to be particularly useful in studies of murine leukemia viruses, because it allowed virus induction and Fv-1 gene-typing tests to the done on biopsy tissue from adult animals.", "PMID": 621760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4191", "title": "Penetrating wounds of the neck and upper thorax.", "content": "During the past decade, a method utilizing individual case assessment has been employed in the treatment of 51 patients with penetrating wounds of the neck and upper thorax. Only those wounds penetrating the platysma are included. Thirty-five patients (68.6%) underwent neck exploration; 16 patients (31.4%) were managed nonoperatively. Overall, five patients died, four patients following operative treatment and one treated nonoperatively, for a mortality rate of 9.8%. In the nonoperative group, a mortality of 6.2% (one death) compares favorably with an operative mortality of 11.4% (four deaths). Ten patients (29%) in the neck exploration group exhibited significant later morbidity compared to seven patients (44%) in the patients not explored. Therefore the morbidity from a negative neck exploration was only 2% (one of 20 patients). The techniques for exploring the neck are discussed. Adequate surgical exposure is largely dependent on the possibility of vascular injury, the most common cause of death in this series.", "contents": "Penetrating wounds of the neck and upper thorax. During the past decade, a method utilizing individual case assessment has been employed in the treatment of 51 patients with penetrating wounds of the neck and upper thorax. Only those wounds penetrating the platysma are included. Thirty-five patients (68.6%) underwent neck exploration; 16 patients (31.4%) were managed nonoperatively. Overall, five patients died, four patients following operative treatment and one treated nonoperatively, for a mortality rate of 9.8%. In the nonoperative group, a mortality of 6.2% (one death) compares favorably with an operative mortality of 11.4% (four deaths). Ten patients (29%) in the neck exploration group exhibited significant later morbidity compared to seven patients (44%) in the patients not explored. Therefore the morbidity from a negative neck exploration was only 2% (one of 20 patients). The techniques for exploring the neck are discussed. Adequate surgical exposure is largely dependent on the possibility of vascular injury, the most common cause of death in this series.", "PMID": 621761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4192", "title": "Free fatty acid and arterial oxygen changes following major injury: a correlation between hypoxemia and increased free fatty acid levels.", "content": "In a study of uncomplicated patients following major long-bone fracture, plasma free fatty acid levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in those with multiple injury within 12 hours of injury. Arterial oxygen tension was significantly lower in these patients 12 and 24 hours postinjury. A strong positive correlation was found between high FFA and low arterial oxygen tensions in all cases up to 24 hours after injury. The implications of these findings in relation to fat embolism (or post-traumatic) syndrome are discussed.", "contents": "Free fatty acid and arterial oxygen changes following major injury: a correlation between hypoxemia and increased free fatty acid levels. In a study of uncomplicated patients following major long-bone fracture, plasma free fatty acid levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in those with multiple injury within 12 hours of injury. Arterial oxygen tension was significantly lower in these patients 12 and 24 hours postinjury. A strong positive correlation was found between high FFA and low arterial oxygen tensions in all cases up to 24 hours after injury. The implications of these findings in relation to fat embolism (or post-traumatic) syndrome are discussed.", "PMID": 621762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4193", "title": "Effect of glucagon on hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2 after ligation of the hepatic artery: an experimental study.", "content": "In 17 greyhound dogs, hepatic oxygenation was examined after hepatic artery ligation (HAL) and subsequent administration of pharmacologic dosages of glucagon during various hemodynamic maneuvers at different per cents of oxygen in the inspired air. Measurements included arterial and portal pressure, PO2 and O2 content of arterial, portal and hepatic venous blood, and hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2. The following were observed: 1) an increase in FIO2 progressively raised hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2; 2) distal HAL decreased hepatic oxygenation; 3) a decrease in portal oxygen delivery by cross-clamping the superior mesenteric artery (X-SMA) aggravated hepatic deoxygenation induced by HAL; 4) with normovolemia and HAL, glucagon increased portal O2 delivery and hepatic venous blood O2 content, but either failed to raise hepatic lymph PO2 (FIO2 of 21% or 40%) or did so transiently (FIO-100%); 5) with an FIO2 of 100%, induced hemorrhage or X-SMA in conjunction with HAL blocked a rise in hepatic lymph PO2 after glucagon. It is concluded that administration of glucagon after HAL increases hepatic O2 delivery via the portal system, but nonetheless has minimal overall effect on hepatic tissue PO2. Accordingly, use of this agent after HAL in patients is probably of limited practical value in raising hepatic tissue PO2.", "contents": "Effect of glucagon on hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2 after ligation of the hepatic artery: an experimental study. In 17 greyhound dogs, hepatic oxygenation was examined after hepatic artery ligation (HAL) and subsequent administration of pharmacologic dosages of glucagon during various hemodynamic maneuvers at different per cents of oxygen in the inspired air. Measurements included arterial and portal pressure, PO2 and O2 content of arterial, portal and hepatic venous blood, and hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2. The following were observed: 1) an increase in FIO2 progressively raised hepatic lymph (tissue) PO2; 2) distal HAL decreased hepatic oxygenation; 3) a decrease in portal oxygen delivery by cross-clamping the superior mesenteric artery (X-SMA) aggravated hepatic deoxygenation induced by HAL; 4) with normovolemia and HAL, glucagon increased portal O2 delivery and hepatic venous blood O2 content, but either failed to raise hepatic lymph PO2 (FIO2 of 21% or 40%) or did so transiently (FIO-100%); 5) with an FIO2 of 100%, induced hemorrhage or X-SMA in conjunction with HAL blocked a rise in hepatic lymph PO2 after glucagon. It is concluded that administration of glucagon after HAL increases hepatic O2 delivery via the portal system, but nonetheless has minimal overall effect on hepatic tissue PO2. Accordingly, use of this agent after HAL in patients is probably of limited practical value in raising hepatic tissue PO2.", "PMID": 621763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4194", "title": "Decreased activity of NADPH oxidase in alveolar macrophages as a result of traumatic shock.", "content": "NADPH oxidase activity is significantly decreased in alveolar macrophages isolated from rabbits subjected to traumatic shock. In vitro studies indicate that activity of the enzyme is depressed in subcellular fractions of both resting and phagocytosing macrophages from shocked animals. Phagocytosis stimulates a twofold increase in NADPH oxidation in control alveolar macrophages, whereas NADPH oxidase activity is stimulated to a much lesser degree in macrophages from shocked animals. Results of this study suggest that the decreased activity of NADPH oxidase in alveolar macrophages from shocked animals may be associated with decreased bactericidal ability of the cells which was reported in a previous study (9).", "contents": "Decreased activity of NADPH oxidase in alveolar macrophages as a result of traumatic shock. NADPH oxidase activity is significantly decreased in alveolar macrophages isolated from rabbits subjected to traumatic shock. In vitro studies indicate that activity of the enzyme is depressed in subcellular fractions of both resting and phagocytosing macrophages from shocked animals. Phagocytosis stimulates a twofold increase in NADPH oxidation in control alveolar macrophages, whereas NADPH oxidase activity is stimulated to a much lesser degree in macrophages from shocked animals. Results of this study suggest that the decreased activity of NADPH oxidase in alveolar macrophages from shocked animals may be associated with decreased bactericidal ability of the cells which was reported in a previous study (9).", "PMID": 621764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4195", "title": "Buckshot wounds.", "content": "The differences between wounds due to conventional shotgun (shot) injuries and those inflicted by buckshot are inadequately appreciated by most clinicians. Cadaver extremities were used as targets for 12-gauge loads of No. 6 shot and 00 Buckshot to portray some of the \"wounding\" characteristics of these popular shotgun loads. \"Wounds\" so produced were consistent with expected ballistic performance of these projectiles. The lethality of buckshot wounds is discussed, four clinical cases are described, and the wounding mechanisms are briefly outlined.", "contents": "Buckshot wounds. The differences between wounds due to conventional shotgun (shot) injuries and those inflicted by buckshot are inadequately appreciated by most clinicians. Cadaver extremities were used as targets for 12-gauge loads of No. 6 shot and 00 Buckshot to portray some of the \"wounding\" characteristics of these popular shotgun loads. \"Wounds\" so produced were consistent with expected ballistic performance of these projectiles. The lethality of buckshot wounds is discussed, four clinical cases are described, and the wounding mechanisms are briefly outlined.", "PMID": 621765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4196", "title": "Autosterilization in low-velocity bullets.", "content": "Following a previous study (1) in which contaminated low-velocity bullets were discharged into sterile gelatin blocks with resultant growth of organisms along projectile tracts, the authors fired bullets coated with 1 drop of Staph. aureus-contaminated medium and bullets under sterile conditions into sterilized sand. Each contaminated projectile and its gun barrel were culture positive after firing. Therefore bullets should not be ruled out as possible sources of infection.", "contents": "Autosterilization in low-velocity bullets. Following a previous study (1) in which contaminated low-velocity bullets were discharged into sterile gelatin blocks with resultant growth of organisms along projectile tracts, the authors fired bullets coated with 1 drop of Staph. aureus-contaminated medium and bullets under sterile conditions into sterilized sand. Each contaminated projectile and its gun barrel were culture positive after firing. Therefore bullets should not be ruled out as possible sources of infection.", "PMID": 621766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4197", "title": "Bilateral perilunate dislocations: case report with review of literature and anatomic study.", "content": "A 33-year-old man suffered bilateral perilunate dislocations with concomitant rotary subluxations of the navicular treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Anatomic studies revealed a thick V-shaped volar radio-carpal ligament one portion of which tethers the lunate to the radius in a sling with the volar ulna-carpal ligament, and the other portion with a variable insertion on either the navicular waist or the capitate, which may account for the variety of the carpus injuries that have been reported.", "contents": "Bilateral perilunate dislocations: case report with review of literature and anatomic study. A 33-year-old man suffered bilateral perilunate dislocations with concomitant rotary subluxations of the navicular treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Anatomic studies revealed a thick V-shaped volar radio-carpal ligament one portion of which tethers the lunate to the radius in a sling with the volar ulna-carpal ligament, and the other portion with a variable insertion on either the navicular waist or the capitate, which may account for the variety of the carpus injuries that have been reported.", "PMID": 621767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4198", "title": "Chip fracture through the superior articular facet with compressive cervical radiculopathy.", "content": "Four patients with cervical radiculopathy secondary to a chip fracture through the superior articular facet have been treated in the past 2 years. These small-element fractures may occasionally pass unrecognized. Although oblique X-rays are helpful, lateral tomography has provided the most precise detail. The pathological process is a compressive radiculopathy, explicable on the basis of the foraminal anatomy. The authors feel myelography is not essential. The preferred surgical approach is posterior: the results have been excellent.", "contents": "Chip fracture through the superior articular facet with compressive cervical radiculopathy. Four patients with cervical radiculopathy secondary to a chip fracture through the superior articular facet have been treated in the past 2 years. These small-element fractures may occasionally pass unrecognized. Although oblique X-rays are helpful, lateral tomography has provided the most precise detail. The pathological process is a compressive radiculopathy, explicable on the basis of the foraminal anatomy. The authors feel myelography is not essential. The preferred surgical approach is posterior: the results have been excellent.", "PMID": 621768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4199", "title": "Hemorrhage from open pelvic fracture controlled intraoperatively with balloon catheter.", "content": "In the case reported, many techniques for controlling bleeding from an open pelvic fracture were employed without success. With arteriographic identification of a precise arterial bleeding point, control of hemorrhage was accomplished by proximal hypogastric artery ligation with distal intraarterial placement of a balloon catheter.", "contents": "Hemorrhage from open pelvic fracture controlled intraoperatively with balloon catheter. In the case reported, many techniques for controlling bleeding from an open pelvic fracture were employed without success. With arteriographic identification of a precise arterial bleeding point, control of hemorrhage was accomplished by proximal hypogastric artery ligation with distal intraarterial placement of a balloon catheter.", "PMID": 621769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4200", "title": "Pulmonary edema in cervical spinal cord injury.", "content": "A 15-year-old patient with acute cervical spine injury (C5) and pulmonary edema is presented. There was no craniocerebral injury. Causes other than the injury are excluded. Acute cervical spine injury appears to be another cause of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.", "contents": "Pulmonary edema in cervical spinal cord injury. A 15-year-old patient with acute cervical spine injury (C5) and pulmonary edema is presented. There was no craniocerebral injury. Causes other than the injury are excluded. Acute cervical spine injury appears to be another cause of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.", "PMID": 621770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4201", "title": "Mechanism for control of synthesis of Semliki Forest virus 26S and 42s RNA.", "content": "When cells infected with the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) mutant ts-4 were shifted to the nonpermissive temperature, synthesis of 26S RNA ceased, whereas synthesis of 42S RNA continued normally. These two single-stranded SFV RNAs are synthesized in two types of replicative intermediate (RI), 26S RNA in RI(b) and 42S RNA in RI(a). Cessation of 26S RNA synthesis after shift up in temperature was accompanied by loss of RI(b). When infected cells were shifted back down to 27 degrees C, 26S RNA synthesis resumed, coincident with the reappearance of RI(b). In both types of RI, the 42S minus-strand RNA is template for synthesis of plus-strand RNA. In pulse-chase experiments, we obtained RIs labeled only in their minus-strand RNA, and thus could follow the fate of RIs assembled at 27 degrees C when they were shifted to 39 degrees C. Our results show that, after shift up to 39 degrees C, there was a quantitative conversion of RIs in which 26S RNA had been synthesized to RIs in which 42S RNA was synthesized. This conversion of RI(b) to RI(a) was reversible, since RIs in which 26S RNA was synthesized reappeared when the infected cultures were shifted back down to 27 degrees C. We propose that, associated with RI(b), in which 26S RNA is synthesized, there is a virus-specific protein that functions to promote initiation of 26S RNA transcription at an internal site on the 42S minus-strand RNA and to block transcription on the minus strand in this region by the SFV RNA polymerase that had bound and was copying the minus-strand RNA from its 3' end. A ribonuclease-sensitive region would thus result in the sequence adjacent to the one that was complementary to 26S RNA. This virus-specific protein is not a component of the SFV RNA polymerase that continues to transcribe 42S RNA, and it is temperature sensitive in ts-4 mutant-infected cells. When this virus-specific protein is not present on RIs, the SFV polymerase transcribes the whole 42S minus-strand RNA and yields 42S plus-strand RNA.", "contents": "Mechanism for control of synthesis of Semliki Forest virus 26S and 42s RNA. When cells infected with the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) mutant ts-4 were shifted to the nonpermissive temperature, synthesis of 26S RNA ceased, whereas synthesis of 42S RNA continued normally. These two single-stranded SFV RNAs are synthesized in two types of replicative intermediate (RI), 26S RNA in RI(b) and 42S RNA in RI(a). Cessation of 26S RNA synthesis after shift up in temperature was accompanied by loss of RI(b). When infected cells were shifted back down to 27 degrees C, 26S RNA synthesis resumed, coincident with the reappearance of RI(b). In both types of RI, the 42S minus-strand RNA is template for synthesis of plus-strand RNA. In pulse-chase experiments, we obtained RIs labeled only in their minus-strand RNA, and thus could follow the fate of RIs assembled at 27 degrees C when they were shifted to 39 degrees C. Our results show that, after shift up to 39 degrees C, there was a quantitative conversion of RIs in which 26S RNA had been synthesized to RIs in which 42S RNA was synthesized. This conversion of RI(b) to RI(a) was reversible, since RIs in which 26S RNA was synthesized reappeared when the infected cultures were shifted back down to 27 degrees C. We propose that, associated with RI(b), in which 26S RNA is synthesized, there is a virus-specific protein that functions to promote initiation of 26S RNA transcription at an internal site on the 42S minus-strand RNA and to block transcription on the minus strand in this region by the SFV RNA polymerase that had bound and was copying the minus-strand RNA from its 3' end. A ribonuclease-sensitive region would thus result in the sequence adjacent to the one that was complementary to 26S RNA. This virus-specific protein is not a component of the SFV RNA polymerase that continues to transcribe 42S RNA, and it is temperature sensitive in ts-4 mutant-infected cells. When this virus-specific protein is not present on RIs, the SFV polymerase transcribes the whole 42S minus-strand RNA and yields 42S plus-strand RNA.", "PMID": 621775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4202", "title": "Replication process of the parvovirus H-1. X. Isolation of a mutant defective in replicative-form DNA replication.", "content": "A temperature-sensitive mutant of H-1, ts14, that is partially defective in replicative-form (RF) DNA synthesis has been isolated. ts14 H-1 is characterized by a decrease in plaque-forming ability and production of infectious virus at the restrictive temperature of 39.5 degrees C. RF DNA synthesis of ts14 is reduced to 3 to 7% of that of wild-type H-1 at either the restrictive or the permissive temperature. A complementation analysis of RF synthesis of ts14 and a viable defective H-1 virus, DI-1, or wild-type H-3 indicates that the defective RF DNA synthesis of ts14 is cis-acting. ts14, unlike wild-type H-1, causes a multiplicity-dependent inhibition of DI-1 or H-3, but not LuIII, RF DNA synthesis. Mixed infections of cells with two parvoviruses also exhibited a cross-interference for viral protein synthesis that was multiplicity dependent, ts14 inhibited infectious virus production of H-1 or H-3, but not LuIII. LuIII-or H-3-pseudotype particles were produced by coinfection with H-1. H-3 and H-1 showed similar interactions with ts14, and H-3 DNA was more homologous to H-1 than was LuIII by comparative physical mapping studies. The results suggest that ts14 is a mutant with a defect in a regulatory sequence of its DNA that influence RF DNA replication.", "contents": "Replication process of the parvovirus H-1. X. Isolation of a mutant defective in replicative-form DNA replication. A temperature-sensitive mutant of H-1, ts14, that is partially defective in replicative-form (RF) DNA synthesis has been isolated. ts14 H-1 is characterized by a decrease in plaque-forming ability and production of infectious virus at the restrictive temperature of 39.5 degrees C. RF DNA synthesis of ts14 is reduced to 3 to 7% of that of wild-type H-1 at either the restrictive or the permissive temperature. A complementation analysis of RF synthesis of ts14 and a viable defective H-1 virus, DI-1, or wild-type H-3 indicates that the defective RF DNA synthesis of ts14 is cis-acting. ts14, unlike wild-type H-1, causes a multiplicity-dependent inhibition of DI-1 or H-3, but not LuIII, RF DNA synthesis. Mixed infections of cells with two parvoviruses also exhibited a cross-interference for viral protein synthesis that was multiplicity dependent, ts14 inhibited infectious virus production of H-1 or H-3, but not LuIII. LuIII-or H-3-pseudotype particles were produced by coinfection with H-1. H-3 and H-1 showed similar interactions with ts14, and H-3 DNA was more homologous to H-1 than was LuIII by comparative physical mapping studies. The results suggest that ts14 is a mutant with a defect in a regulatory sequence of its DNA that influence RF DNA replication.", "PMID": 621776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4203", "title": "Intracellular synthesis of measles virus-specified polypeptides.", "content": "The intracellular synthesis of measles-specified polypeptides was examined by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell extracts. Since measles virus does not efficiently shut off host-cell protein synthesis, high multiplicities of infection were used to enable viral polypeptides to be detected against the high background of cellular protein synthesis. The cytoplasm of infected cells contained viral structural polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of 200,000, 80,000, 70,000, 60,000, 41,000, and 37,000. All of these structural polypeptides, with the exception of P1, the only virion glycoprotein (molecular weight congruent to 80,000), were also found in the nuclei. In addition, two nonstructural polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of 74,000 and 72,000 were also present in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The initial synthesis of the smaller, nonstructural polypeptide began later in infection than the structural polypeptides. Pulse-chase experiments failed to detect any precursor-product relationships. The intracellular glycosylation and phosphorylation of the viral polypeptides were found to be similar to those found in purified virions.", "contents": "Intracellular synthesis of measles virus-specified polypeptides. The intracellular synthesis of measles-specified polypeptides was examined by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell extracts. Since measles virus does not efficiently shut off host-cell protein synthesis, high multiplicities of infection were used to enable viral polypeptides to be detected against the high background of cellular protein synthesis. The cytoplasm of infected cells contained viral structural polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of 200,000, 80,000, 70,000, 60,000, 41,000, and 37,000. All of these structural polypeptides, with the exception of P1, the only virion glycoprotein (molecular weight congruent to 80,000), were also found in the nuclei. In addition, two nonstructural polypeptides with estimated molecular weights of 74,000 and 72,000 were also present in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The initial synthesis of the smaller, nonstructural polypeptide began later in infection than the structural polypeptides. Pulse-chase experiments failed to detect any precursor-product relationships. The intracellular glycosylation and phosphorylation of the viral polypeptides were found to be similar to those found in purified virions.", "PMID": 621777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4204", "title": "Common sequence at the 5' ends of the segmented RNA genomes of influenza A and B viruses.", "content": "Guanylyl- and methyltransferases, isolated from purified vaccinia virus, were used to specifically label the 5' ends of the genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses. All eight segments were labeled with [alpha-(32)P]guanosine 5'-triphosphate or S-adenosyl[methyl-(3)H]methionine to form \"cap\" structures of the type m(7)G(5')pppN(m)-, of which unmethylated (p)ppN- represents the original 5' end. Further analyses indicated that m(7)G(5')pppA(m), m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGp, and m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGpUp were released from total and individual labeled RNA segments by digestion with nuclease P1, RNase T1, and RNase A, respectively. Consequently, the 5'-terminal sequences of most or all individual genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses were deduced to be (p)ppApGpUp. The presence of identical sequences at the ends of RNA segments of both types of influenza viruses indicates that they have been specifically conserved during evolution.", "contents": "Common sequence at the 5' ends of the segmented RNA genomes of influenza A and B viruses. Guanylyl- and methyltransferases, isolated from purified vaccinia virus, were used to specifically label the 5' ends of the genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses. All eight segments were labeled with [alpha-(32)P]guanosine 5'-triphosphate or S-adenosyl[methyl-(3)H]methionine to form \"cap\" structures of the type m(7)G(5')pppN(m)-, of which unmethylated (p)ppN- represents the original 5' end. Further analyses indicated that m(7)G(5')pppA(m), m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGp, and m(7)G(5')pppA(m)pGpUp were released from total and individual labeled RNA segments by digestion with nuclease P1, RNase T1, and RNase A, respectively. Consequently, the 5'-terminal sequences of most or all individual genome RNAs of influenza A and B viruses were deduced to be (p)ppApGpUp. The presence of identical sequences at the ends of RNA segments of both types of influenza viruses indicates that they have been specifically conserved during evolution.", "PMID": 621778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4205", "title": "Characterization of adenovirus-associated virus-induced polypeptides in KB cells.", "content": "Electrophoretic analysis of KB cells coinfected with adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) type 2, a defective parvovirus, and adenovirus type 5 (as helper) have revealed the synthesis in vivo of at least five AAV-specific polypeptides. The three largest polypeptides, with molecular weights of 90,700, 71,600, and 60,000 comigrated in polyacrylamide gels with the three AAV structural polypeptides. The remaining two polypeptides had molecular weights of 24,900 and 15,800. The concentrations of the AAV-induced polypeptides relative to one another remained approximately constant during the infectious cycle, and the structural components were present in proportions similar to those found in purified virions. As determined by pulse-chase experiments, all polypeptides were generated at the level of protein synthesis and not by posttranslational proteolytic processing. Although inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes failed to influence the pattern of AAV-induced polypeptides, and amino acid analog, L-canavanine, blocked the appearances of both the major structural polypeptide (60,000 daltons) and the larger nonstructural polypeptide (24,900 daltons). Taken in conjunction with pulse-chase data, this result supports a model whereby the major virion polypeptide is produced by proteolytic cleavage of the nascent polypeptide chain.", "contents": "Characterization of adenovirus-associated virus-induced polypeptides in KB cells. Electrophoretic analysis of KB cells coinfected with adenovirus-associated virus (AAV) type 2, a defective parvovirus, and adenovirus type 5 (as helper) have revealed the synthesis in vivo of at least five AAV-specific polypeptides. The three largest polypeptides, with molecular weights of 90,700, 71,600, and 60,000 comigrated in polyacrylamide gels with the three AAV structural polypeptides. The remaining two polypeptides had molecular weights of 24,900 and 15,800. The concentrations of the AAV-induced polypeptides relative to one another remained approximately constant during the infectious cycle, and the structural components were present in proportions similar to those found in purified virions. As determined by pulse-chase experiments, all polypeptides were generated at the level of protein synthesis and not by posttranslational proteolytic processing. Although inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes failed to influence the pattern of AAV-induced polypeptides, and amino acid analog, L-canavanine, blocked the appearances of both the major structural polypeptide (60,000 daltons) and the larger nonstructural polypeptide (24,900 daltons). Taken in conjunction with pulse-chase data, this result supports a model whereby the major virion polypeptide is produced by proteolytic cleavage of the nascent polypeptide chain.", "PMID": 621779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4206", "title": "Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells.", "content": "Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, which is presumably involved in the initial modification in the series of reactions by which 5'-termini of vaccinia mRNA become capped and methylated, has been demonstrated in vaccinia virus infected HeLa cells. Synthesis of the enzyme is prevented by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that both de novo DNA-dependent RNA and protein syntheses are required. On the other hand, cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of viral DNA replication, does not prevent induction of the enzyme. The latter observation, together with the kinetics of synthesis of the enzyme in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells, suggests that polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase is an \"early\" or prereplicative viral protein. Immunologlobulin produced against the purified virion-associated polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase as antigen neutralized the activity of the induced polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, thus indicating the identity of the two enzymes.", "contents": "Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells. Synthesis of polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, which is presumably involved in the initial modification in the series of reactions by which 5'-termini of vaccinia mRNA become capped and methylated, has been demonstrated in vaccinia virus infected HeLa cells. Synthesis of the enzyme is prevented by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suggesting that both de novo DNA-dependent RNA and protein syntheses are required. On the other hand, cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of viral DNA replication, does not prevent induction of the enzyme. The latter observation, together with the kinetics of synthesis of the enzyme in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells, suggests that polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase is an \"early\" or prereplicative viral protein. Immunologlobulin produced against the purified virion-associated polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase as antigen neutralized the activity of the induced polynucleotide 5'-triphosphatase, thus indicating the identity of the two enzymes.", "PMID": 621780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4207", "title": "Inhibition of maturation of Rauscher leukemia virus by amino acid analogs.", "content": "Synthesis of primary precursor polyproteins of Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) core and envelope proteins occurs in the presence of amino acid analogs canavanine and p-fluorophenylalanine, but cleavage of these precursors is severely inhibited or slowed down. After treatment with these agents, the release of characteristic virus or stable virus-like particles is greatly depressed.", "contents": "Inhibition of maturation of Rauscher leukemia virus by amino acid analogs. Synthesis of primary precursor polyproteins of Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) core and envelope proteins occurs in the presence of amino acid analogs canavanine and p-fluorophenylalanine, but cleavage of these precursors is severely inhibited or slowed down. After treatment with these agents, the release of characteristic virus or stable virus-like particles is greatly depressed.", "PMID": 621781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4208", "title": "Rauscher leukemia virus populations enriched for \"immature\" virions contain increased amounts of P70, the gag gene product.", "content": "Preparations of Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) that had relatively low, intermediate, or high levels of P70 (the gag gene product) on sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were examined by thin-section electron microscopy. A direct correlation was found between the number of immature virions in the RLV preparation and the amount of P70. The immature core subparticles isolated from these RLV preparations could themselves be further subdivided into two categories, based on their P70 content and negative stain morphology. Those immature cores containing a high P70/p30 ratio predominantly (85%) exhibited a highly coiled internal structure; those with a relatively low level of P70 exhibited less of an internal coiled structure.", "contents": "Rauscher leukemia virus populations enriched for \"immature\" virions contain increased amounts of P70, the gag gene product. Preparations of Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) that had relatively low, intermediate, or high levels of P70 (the gag gene product) on sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were examined by thin-section electron microscopy. A direct correlation was found between the number of immature virions in the RLV preparation and the amount of P70. The immature core subparticles isolated from these RLV preparations could themselves be further subdivided into two categories, based on their P70 content and negative stain morphology. Those immature cores containing a high P70/p30 ratio predominantly (85%) exhibited a highly coiled internal structure; those with a relatively low level of P70 exhibited less of an internal coiled structure.", "PMID": 621782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4209", "title": "Reversible inhibition of Sindbis virus penetration in hypertonic medium.", "content": "Under hypertonic conditions, the penetration of baby hamster kidney cells by Sindbis virus was inhibited. Virus became cell associated, but remained susceptible to neutralization by specific antiserum and to removal by elution. When cells were returned to isotonicity, inhibition was reversed.", "contents": "Reversible inhibition of Sindbis virus penetration in hypertonic medium. Under hypertonic conditions, the penetration of baby hamster kidney cells by Sindbis virus was inhibited. Virus became cell associated, but remained susceptible to neutralization by specific antiserum and to removal by elution. When cells were returned to isotonicity, inhibition was reversed.", "PMID": 621783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4210", "title": "Revised location of the rIII gene on the genetic map of bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Two- and three-factor crosses showed that the T4 rIII gene is located between genes 31 and 30 rather than between genes 31 and 63.", "contents": "Revised location of the rIII gene on the genetic map of bacteriophage T4. Two- and three-factor crosses showed that the T4 rIII gene is located between genes 31 and 30 rather than between genes 31 and 63.", "PMID": 621784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4211", "title": "Procedure for purification of intact DNA from vaccinia virus.", "content": "A procedure for the isolation of intact vaccinia DNA molecules by chromatography on hydroxyapatite in the presence of 6 M urea is described. When lysates of virions containing 0.5 to 10 microgram of DNA were employed, over 95% of the viral DNA could be recovered free of poteins. Vaccinia DNA molecules isolated in this manner sedimented at 68S in neutral sucrose gradients and had an average contour length of 62.3 micrometer when examined in an electron microscope, and the DNA could be cleaved with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI and BamHI. The results of these analyses showed that intact vaccinia DNA molecules of 120 X 10(6) to 130 X 10(6) molecular weight could be obtained by the procedures described.", "contents": "Procedure for purification of intact DNA from vaccinia virus. A procedure for the isolation of intact vaccinia DNA molecules by chromatography on hydroxyapatite in the presence of 6 M urea is described. When lysates of virions containing 0.5 to 10 microgram of DNA were employed, over 95% of the viral DNA could be recovered free of poteins. Vaccinia DNA molecules isolated in this manner sedimented at 68S in neutral sucrose gradients and had an average contour length of 62.3 micrometer when examined in an electron microscope, and the DNA could be cleaved with the restriction endonuclease EcoRI and BamHI. The results of these analyses showed that intact vaccinia DNA molecules of 120 X 10(6) to 130 X 10(6) molecular weight could be obtained by the procedures described.", "PMID": 621785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4212", "title": "Effect of protein synthesis inhibitors on viral mRNA's synthesized early in adenovirus type 2 infection.", "content": "Viral mRNA species synthesized early in adenovirus type 2 infection in the presence of cycloheximide were compared with those synthesized in the absence of drug or in the presence of the DNA synthesis inhibitor 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Cycloheximide caused approximately a 10-fold stimulation in the accumulation of [3H]uridine into early viral mRNA species. The only exception was a 24s mRNA transcribed from the transforming end of the genome; in the presence of cycloheximide, accumulation of this mRNA species was stimulated no more than 2-fold. Treatment with cycloheximide also resulted in the accumulation of polyadenylated RNAs transcribed from EcoRI-C that are heterogeneous and smaller than the 20S mRNA. Other translation inhibitors were shown to have similar effects, suggesting that inhibition of protein synthesis early after infection induces alterations in the metabolism of specific RNA sequences.", "contents": "Effect of protein synthesis inhibitors on viral mRNA's synthesized early in adenovirus type 2 infection. Viral mRNA species synthesized early in adenovirus type 2 infection in the presence of cycloheximide were compared with those synthesized in the absence of drug or in the presence of the DNA synthesis inhibitor 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine. Cycloheximide caused approximately a 10-fold stimulation in the accumulation of [3H]uridine into early viral mRNA species. The only exception was a 24s mRNA transcribed from the transforming end of the genome; in the presence of cycloheximide, accumulation of this mRNA species was stimulated no more than 2-fold. Treatment with cycloheximide also resulted in the accumulation of polyadenylated RNAs transcribed from EcoRI-C that are heterogeneous and smaller than the 20S mRNA. Other translation inhibitors were shown to have similar effects, suggesting that inhibition of protein synthesis early after infection induces alterations in the metabolism of specific RNA sequences.", "PMID": 621786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4213", "title": "Mutator and antimutator phenotypes of suppressed amber mutants in genes 32, 41, 44, 45, and 62 in bacteriophage T4.", "content": "Bacteriophage T4 genes 32, 41, 44, 45, 56, and 62 are essential to DNA replication. Amber mutants (suppressed by su+1, su+2, or su+3 bacteria) in these genes were examined for any mutator or antimutator effects on the reversion of a transition mutation. In every case except for mutations in gene 56, elevated or lowered error frequencies were observed. These results indicate the importance of all of the replicative proteins in the determination of error frequency.", "contents": "Mutator and antimutator phenotypes of suppressed amber mutants in genes 32, 41, 44, 45, and 62 in bacteriophage T4. Bacteriophage T4 genes 32, 41, 44, 45, 56, and 62 are essential to DNA replication. Amber mutants (suppressed by su+1, su+2, or su+3 bacteria) in these genes were examined for any mutator or antimutator effects on the reversion of a transition mutation. In every case except for mutations in gene 56, elevated or lowered error frequencies were observed. These results indicate the importance of all of the replicative proteins in the determination of error frequency.", "PMID": 621787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4214", "title": "In vitro translation of the Two RNAs of Nodamura virus, a novel mammalian virus with a divided genome.", "content": "Nodamura virus is a small ribovirus containing two RNA molecules. Both RNAs were found to be active messengers for protein synthesis in cell-free extracts prepared from wheat embryo or HeLa cells. RNA 2 directed synthesis of a 43,000-dalton product, p43, whose tryptic fingerprint was similar to that of the major viral coat protein, vp40 (molecular weight, 40,000). Though p43 appears to be a precursor of vp40, processing did not occur in the cell-free extracts. RNA 1 directed synthesis of a 105,000-dalton protein, p105. Its tryptic fingerprint revealed no evidence of coat protein sequences. Hence, the two RNAs represent genes with few, if any, redundant coding sequences.", "contents": "In vitro translation of the Two RNAs of Nodamura virus, a novel mammalian virus with a divided genome. Nodamura virus is a small ribovirus containing two RNA molecules. Both RNAs were found to be active messengers for protein synthesis in cell-free extracts prepared from wheat embryo or HeLa cells. RNA 2 directed synthesis of a 43,000-dalton product, p43, whose tryptic fingerprint was similar to that of the major viral coat protein, vp40 (molecular weight, 40,000). Though p43 appears to be a precursor of vp40, processing did not occur in the cell-free extracts. RNA 1 directed synthesis of a 105,000-dalton protein, p105. Its tryptic fingerprint revealed no evidence of coat protein sequences. Hence, the two RNAs represent genes with few, if any, redundant coding sequences.", "PMID": 621788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4215", "title": "Adenovirus type 2 mRNA in transformed cells: map positions and difference in transport time.", "content": "Adenovirus type 2 rat transformed cells produced two polyadenylic acid-terminated mRNA's with approximate coordinates 1.5-4.4 and 4.4-11.0 on the physical map of the adenovirus type 2 genome. These mRNA's were also formed early during lytic infection in addition to one or more smaller mRNA's from the 4.4-11.0 region. In transformed cells, the 1.5-4.4 mRNA appeared in the cell cytoplasm without detectable lag, whereas the 4.4-11.0 mRNA required at least 20 to 30 min for the maximal rate of accumulation.", "contents": "Adenovirus type 2 mRNA in transformed cells: map positions and difference in transport time. Adenovirus type 2 rat transformed cells produced two polyadenylic acid-terminated mRNA's with approximate coordinates 1.5-4.4 and 4.4-11.0 on the physical map of the adenovirus type 2 genome. These mRNA's were also formed early during lytic infection in addition to one or more smaller mRNA's from the 4.4-11.0 region. In transformed cells, the 1.5-4.4 mRNA appeared in the cell cytoplasm without detectable lag, whereas the 4.4-11.0 mRNA required at least 20 to 30 min for the maximal rate of accumulation.", "PMID": 621789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4216", "title": "Chyluria: result of surgical treatment in 50 cases.", "content": "We treated 50 patients with chyluria by stripping the renal pedicle. Until further studies reveal the etiology of chyluria ligation and stripping of the pedicle remain the treatment of choice and this fact has been borne out by our long-term results.", "contents": "Chyluria: result of surgical treatment in 50 cases. We treated 50 patients with chyluria by stripping the renal pedicle. Until further studies reveal the etiology of chyluria ligation and stripping of the pedicle remain the treatment of choice and this fact has been borne out by our long-term results.", "PMID": 621790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4217", "title": "A laboratory evaluation of a new hydraulic incontinence device.", "content": "A new hydraulic incontinence device is described. The device is physiologic because it can be deflated to allow resistance-free voiding and it is designed to respond instantaneously to fluctuations in intra-abdominal pressure, irrespective of whether the bulb is placed at the level of the bulbous urethra or the bladder neck. The device is simple, consisting only of a urethral cuff, an abdominal reservoir and 1 pump containing a single valve.", "contents": "A laboratory evaluation of a new hydraulic incontinence device. A new hydraulic incontinence device is described. The device is physiologic because it can be deflated to allow resistance-free voiding and it is designed to respond instantaneously to fluctuations in intra-abdominal pressure, irrespective of whether the bulb is placed at the level of the bulbous urethra or the bladder neck. The device is simple, consisting only of a urethral cuff, an abdominal reservoir and 1 pump containing a single valve.", "PMID": 621791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4218", "title": "Surgical judgment in the management of vesicoureteral reflux.", "content": "The varying pathological anatomy of the vesicoureteral junction in cases of vesicoureteral reflux requires the use of intraoperative judgment in the proper management of individual cases. A rigidly standardized operative technique should not be followed. Modification of the Politano-Leadbetter procedure, using various forms of ureteral advancement, is beneficial in selected cases.", "contents": "Surgical judgment in the management of vesicoureteral reflux. The varying pathological anatomy of the vesicoureteral junction in cases of vesicoureteral reflux requires the use of intraoperative judgment in the proper management of individual cases. A rigidly standardized operative technique should not be followed. Modification of the Politano-Leadbetter procedure, using various forms of ureteral advancement, is beneficial in selected cases.", "PMID": 621792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4219", "title": "Followup of cutaneous ureterostomy in children.", "content": "Thirty-two children with cutaneous ureterostomies are reviewed, of whom 27 were evaluated with an average followup of 3 years 8 months. Of these 27 patients 26 had successful stabilization of the upper tracts as determined by gross radiographic and renal function parameters. The incidence of stomal stenosis and revisions is no worse than the reported rates in cases of ileal conduits followed for a comparable length of time. Proper patient selection and careful long-term followup are mandatory for the successful application of this procedure in children.", "contents": "Followup of cutaneous ureterostomy in children. Thirty-two children with cutaneous ureterostomies are reviewed, of whom 27 were evaluated with an average followup of 3 years 8 months. Of these 27 patients 26 had successful stabilization of the upper tracts as determined by gross radiographic and renal function parameters. The incidence of stomal stenosis and revisions is no worse than the reported rates in cases of ileal conduits followed for a comparable length of time. Proper patient selection and careful long-term followup are mandatory for the successful application of this procedure in children.", "PMID": 621793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4220", "title": "Cutaneous vesicostomy for temporary urinary diversion in infants with neurogenic bladder dysfunction.", "content": "Cutaneous vesicostomy was used for temporary urinary diversion in 12 infants with neurogenic vesical dysfunction. Hydronephrosis, azotemia and clinical urinary infection were resolved in all patients. Postoperative complications consisted of diaper dermatitis in 42 per cent and vesical prolapse in 25 per cent.", "contents": "Cutaneous vesicostomy for temporary urinary diversion in infants with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Cutaneous vesicostomy was used for temporary urinary diversion in 12 infants with neurogenic vesical dysfunction. Hydronephrosis, azotemia and clinical urinary infection were resolved in all patients. Postoperative complications consisted of diaper dermatitis in 42 per cent and vesical prolapse in 25 per cent.", "PMID": 621794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4221", "title": "Extended application of Nesbit ellipses in the correction of childhood penile curvature.", "content": "The Nesbit procedure of excision of ellipses of tunica albuginea to correct distal hypospadias has been applied to more extensive penile curvature in children. The technique and a favorable experience with 8 patients so treated are describe.", "contents": "Extended application of Nesbit ellipses in the correction of childhood penile curvature. The Nesbit procedure of excision of ellipses of tunica albuginea to correct distal hypospadias has been applied to more extensive penile curvature in children. The technique and a favorable experience with 8 patients so treated are describe.", "PMID": 621795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4222", "title": "Asymptomatic bilateral hypernephroma: an autopsy case report wtih discussion of possible etiologic factors.", "content": "The first case of asymptomatic bilateral synchronous hypernephroma is described in a 52-year-old man who had a long history of alcoholic cirrhosis and died of uncontrollable gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature is reviewed briefly and relevant etiologic factors are discussed.", "contents": "Asymptomatic bilateral hypernephroma: an autopsy case report wtih discussion of possible etiologic factors. The first case of asymptomatic bilateral synchronous hypernephroma is described in a 52-year-old man who had a long history of alcoholic cirrhosis and died of uncontrollable gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature is reviewed briefly and relevant etiologic factors are discussed.", "PMID": 621796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4223", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting with hypercalcemia.", "content": "A case of hypercalcemia associated with documented squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis without bony metastasis is reported. Pseudohyperparathyroidism was suspected strongly because of the radioimmunoassay values of parathormone. This was confirmed by the prompt decrease of serum calcium after removal of the neoplasm. The radiologic findings were non-specific.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting with hypercalcemia. A case of hypercalcemia associated with documented squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis without bony metastasis is reported. Pseudohyperparathyroidism was suspected strongly because of the radioimmunoassay values of parathormone. This was confirmed by the prompt decrease of serum calcium after removal of the neoplasm. The radiologic findings were non-specific.", "PMID": 621797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4224", "title": "Upper urinary tract air: a benign finding indicating presence and degree of ureteral reflux.", "content": "Two cases are reported in which air refluxed from the bladder to the pelviocaliceal systems after voiding cystourethrography. We stress that this is a benign condition, which can indicate the presence and degree of ureteral reflux.", "contents": "Upper urinary tract air: a benign finding indicating presence and degree of ureteral reflux. Two cases are reported in which air refluxed from the bladder to the pelviocaliceal systems after voiding cystourethrography. We stress that this is a benign condition, which can indicate the presence and degree of ureteral reflux.", "PMID": 621798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4225", "title": "Aspermia owing to obstruction of distal ejaculatory duct and treatment by transurethral resection.", "content": "A case of a young aspermic male patient with bilateral atresia of the terminal ejaculatory duct is reported. He was treated successfully by transurethral resection of the prostate gland in the area of the ejaculatory ducts.", "contents": "Aspermia owing to obstruction of distal ejaculatory duct and treatment by transurethral resection. A case of a young aspermic male patient with bilateral atresia of the terminal ejaculatory duct is reported. He was treated successfully by transurethral resection of the prostate gland in the area of the ejaculatory ducts.", "PMID": 621800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4226", "title": "Bilateral nephrectomy for hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure on a dialysis program.", "content": "During the last 6 years 33 bilateral nephrectomies have been performed for severe hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure on a dialysis program. Nephrectomy resulted in a prompt and sustained reduction in blood pressure, an improved sense of well-being and a gain of weight. Despite the fact that the mean hematocrit decreased from 25 to 18 per cent all patients thrived. The nephrectomy group showed an 85 per cent 5-year cumulative survival rate compared to 55 per cent in the non-nephrectomy group. There was 1 mortality and low morbidity. Simultaneous nephrectomy by 2 teams, using a posterior approach, proved more satisfactory than an anterior or bilateral flank apprach. The indications for and arguments against bilateral nephrectomy are discussed.", "contents": "Bilateral nephrectomy for hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure on a dialysis program. During the last 6 years 33 bilateral nephrectomies have been performed for severe hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure on a dialysis program. Nephrectomy resulted in a prompt and sustained reduction in blood pressure, an improved sense of well-being and a gain of weight. Despite the fact that the mean hematocrit decreased from 25 to 18 per cent all patients thrived. The nephrectomy group showed an 85 per cent 5-year cumulative survival rate compared to 55 per cent in the non-nephrectomy group. There was 1 mortality and low morbidity. Simultaneous nephrectomy by 2 teams, using a posterior approach, proved more satisfactory than an anterior or bilateral flank apprach. The indications for and arguments against bilateral nephrectomy are discussed.", "PMID": 621804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4227", "title": "Bilateral renal cell carcinoma.", "content": "Bilateral renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed simultaneously in 6 patients and sequentially in 4 patients, 3 to 14 years after the first tumor had been removed by nephrectomy. Four patients treated conservatively with incomplete excision of the malignant disease are alive 18 months to 14 years after diagnosis. Oue experience suggests that a radical excision, requiring renal dialysis or transplantation, is seldom warranted.", "contents": "Bilateral renal cell carcinoma. Bilateral renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed simultaneously in 6 patients and sequentially in 4 patients, 3 to 14 years after the first tumor had been removed by nephrectomy. Four patients treated conservatively with incomplete excision of the malignant disease are alive 18 months to 14 years after diagnosis. Oue experience suggests that a radical excision, requiring renal dialysis or transplantation, is seldom warranted.", "PMID": 621805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4228", "title": "Isotope loopography, a new test: comparison with standard loopography and its relationship to renal function in patients with ileal conduit urinary diversion.", "content": "Reflux associated with the classic ileal conduit has been implicated as possibly contributing to long-term renal deterioration. When demonstrated on a standard loopogram reflux occurs under highly non-physiologic conditions. A new method of radioisotope loopography performed under physiologic conditions was devised and compared to the standard loopogram. The standard loopogram is more of an indicator for the capacity for reflux. The isotope loopogram is a more specific indicator for reflux that is potentially detrimental to renal function. Approximately 50 per cent of ureteroileal anastomoses that permit reflux with conventional loopography do not do so under the physiologic conditions of the isotope loopogram.", "contents": "Isotope loopography, a new test: comparison with standard loopography and its relationship to renal function in patients with ileal conduit urinary diversion. Reflux associated with the classic ileal conduit has been implicated as possibly contributing to long-term renal deterioration. When demonstrated on a standard loopogram reflux occurs under highly non-physiologic conditions. A new method of radioisotope loopography performed under physiologic conditions was devised and compared to the standard loopogram. The standard loopogram is more of an indicator for the capacity for reflux. The isotope loopogram is a more specific indicator for reflux that is potentially detrimental to renal function. Approximately 50 per cent of ureteroileal anastomoses that permit reflux with conventional loopography do not do so under the physiologic conditions of the isotope loopogram.", "PMID": 621807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4229", "title": "Transurethral ureteroscopy in women: a ready addition to the urological armamentarium.", "content": "Ureteroscopy via the transurethral route and limited to the terminal ureter in women lends itself to inclusion in the urological armamentarium. The technique requires no equipment other than routine urological instruments and makes endoscopic inspection, biopsy and resection within the distal ureter possible. The procedure is done with the patient under anesthesia, following urethral dilation to 32F. With the aid of a small caliber cystoscope, 20F or smaller, straight Jewett sounds can be passed into the urethra alongside the cystoscope and directed under cystoscopic control into the ureteral orifice. The orifice is then dilated gently, using 12, 14 and, if necessary, 16F sounds. One of the standard pediatric cystoscopes can then be introduced easily into the orifice. Currently, the technique is being used routinely in women with transitional cell carcinoma involving the ureteral orifice or intramural ureter. In 1 patient a tumor arising from within the lower ureter was resected successfully using a pediatric resectoscope.", "contents": "Transurethral ureteroscopy in women: a ready addition to the urological armamentarium. Ureteroscopy via the transurethral route and limited to the terminal ureter in women lends itself to inclusion in the urological armamentarium. The technique requires no equipment other than routine urological instruments and makes endoscopic inspection, biopsy and resection within the distal ureter possible. The procedure is done with the patient under anesthesia, following urethral dilation to 32F. With the aid of a small caliber cystoscope, 20F or smaller, straight Jewett sounds can be passed into the urethra alongside the cystoscope and directed under cystoscopic control into the ureteral orifice. The orifice is then dilated gently, using 12, 14 and, if necessary, 16F sounds. One of the standard pediatric cystoscopes can then be introduced easily into the orifice. Currently, the technique is being used routinely in women with transitional cell carcinoma involving the ureteral orifice or intramural ureter. In 1 patient a tumor arising from within the lower ureter was resected successfully using a pediatric resectoscope.", "PMID": 621808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4230", "title": "Radical retroperitoneal surgery: a 25-year experience.", "content": "A review of 210 radical retroperitoneal excisions performed through an abdominal or flank thoracoabdominal incision showed these procedures to be relatively safe. The flank approach had less morbidity and provided better exposure of the renal hilus and suprarenal areas. Pulmonary complications in the flank thoracoabdominal incision were reduced by closing the thorax with an indwelling pleural drainage tube. The flank thoracoabdominal approach is suitable for all radical retroperitoneal excision when extensive bilateral renal exposure is not needed.", "contents": "Radical retroperitoneal surgery: a 25-year experience. A review of 210 radical retroperitoneal excisions performed through an abdominal or flank thoracoabdominal incision showed these procedures to be relatively safe. The flank approach had less morbidity and provided better exposure of the renal hilus and suprarenal areas. Pulmonary complications in the flank thoracoabdominal incision were reduced by closing the thorax with an indwelling pleural drainage tube. The flank thoracoabdominal approach is suitable for all radical retroperitoneal excision when extensive bilateral renal exposure is not needed.", "PMID": 621809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4231", "title": "Lymphangiography in staging patients with carcinoma of the bladder.", "content": "Pedal lymphangiography was used in the evaluation of 28 patients with carcinoma of the bladder. Correlation of the lymphangiogram with histologic examination of the surgically excised pelvic and para-aortic nodes was less than 50 per cent and suggests limited applicability of this diagnostic technique in staging bladder cancer.", "contents": "Lymphangiography in staging patients with carcinoma of the bladder. Pedal lymphangiography was used in the evaluation of 28 patients with carcinoma of the bladder. Correlation of the lymphangiogram with histologic examination of the surgically excised pelvic and para-aortic nodes was less than 50 per cent and suggests limited applicability of this diagnostic technique in staging bladder cancer.", "PMID": 621811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4232", "title": "Evaluation of bladder washing cytology for bladder cancer surveillance.", "content": "Urinary cytology is almost as accurate as cystoscopy in appraising the presence or absence of visible tumor. Falsely negative results are virtually limited to low stage, low grade tumors. Urinary cytology often provides information about the neoplastic state of the epithelium not provided by cystoscopic examination. Cytology has become practical and simple to do even as an office procedure. Urinary cytology must be considered an essential part of patient management in bladder cancer surveillance.", "contents": "Evaluation of bladder washing cytology for bladder cancer surveillance. Urinary cytology is almost as accurate as cystoscopy in appraising the presence or absence of visible tumor. Falsely negative results are virtually limited to low stage, low grade tumors. Urinary cytology often provides information about the neoplastic state of the epithelium not provided by cystoscopic examination. Cytology has become practical and simple to do even as an office procedure. Urinary cytology must be considered an essential part of patient management in bladder cancer surveillance.", "PMID": 621812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4233", "title": "Prognosis in early carcinoma of the bladder based on chromosomal analysis.", "content": "In 53 cases of non-invasive or submucosal invasive well differentiated carcinoma of the bladder observed for 4 to 101 months cytogenetic analysis by the direct technique (non-culture) has been performed repeatedly. Markers, abnormal chromosomes, have been found in 33 patients and recurrence has developed in 32 of these 33 patients, resulting in 9 deaths. All but 1 of the 20 patients without markers have been observed for up to 8 years and have remained free of recurrence. In this 1 recurrence, 8 months post-diagnosis, the mode changed from 69 to 92, evidence of dedifferentiation and development of a new tumor in a bladder prone to neoplasia. Based on our over-all cytogenetic experience with 165 patients with carcinoma of the bladder a simplified classification is presented. This classification, built on measurable characteristics of early carcinoma, including the presence or absence of marker chromosomes, allows accurate prognostication and, thus, provides the foundation for development of standard therapy.", "contents": "Prognosis in early carcinoma of the bladder based on chromosomal analysis. In 53 cases of non-invasive or submucosal invasive well differentiated carcinoma of the bladder observed for 4 to 101 months cytogenetic analysis by the direct technique (non-culture) has been performed repeatedly. Markers, abnormal chromosomes, have been found in 33 patients and recurrence has developed in 32 of these 33 patients, resulting in 9 deaths. All but 1 of the 20 patients without markers have been observed for up to 8 years and have remained free of recurrence. In this 1 recurrence, 8 months post-diagnosis, the mode changed from 69 to 92, evidence of dedifferentiation and development of a new tumor in a bladder prone to neoplasia. Based on our over-all cytogenetic experience with 165 patients with carcinoma of the bladder a simplified classification is presented. This classification, built on measurable characteristics of early carcinoma, including the presence or absence of marker chromosomes, allows accurate prognostication and, thus, provides the foundation for development of standard therapy.", "PMID": 621813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4234", "title": "The cell surface antigen A, B or O(H) as an indicator of malignant potential in stage A bladder carcinoma: preliminary report.", "content": "The presence or absence of cell surface antigens (A,B and H) on the cell surface of bladder tumors has been studied. The major blood group antigens A, B or O(H) are present on normal bladder epithelium but are not present on some low grade and low stage papillary transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. We have demonstrated that of 5 stage A bladder tumors that have not recurred in at least 5 years 3 retained the cell surface antigens, while tumors that have recurred locally, invaded or metastasized had lost these cell surface antigens on the original stage A tumor.", "contents": "The cell surface antigen A, B or O(H) as an indicator of malignant potential in stage A bladder carcinoma: preliminary report. The presence or absence of cell surface antigens (A,B and H) on the cell surface of bladder tumors has been studied. The major blood group antigens A, B or O(H) are present on normal bladder epithelium but are not present on some low grade and low stage papillary transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. We have demonstrated that of 5 stage A bladder tumors that have not recurred in at least 5 years 3 retained the cell surface antigens, while tumors that have recurred locally, invaded or metastasized had lost these cell surface antigens on the original stage A tumor.", "PMID": 621814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4235", "title": "Tissue blood-group antigens and prognosis in low stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.", "content": "The loss of A, B or H blood-group antigens from the surface of neoplastic epithelial cells has been correlated with aggressive tumor behavior. We examined this phenomenon in low stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. In an analysis of biopsy material from 37 patients the absence of these antigens on the original or recurrent tumors correlated with the subsequent development of invasive disease (stage B or greater), while the presence of antigens correlated with failure to develop invasive disease. Analysis of transitional cell surface antigens may help improve the therapy of bladder cancer.", "contents": "Tissue blood-group antigens and prognosis in low stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The loss of A, B or H blood-group antigens from the surface of neoplastic epithelial cells has been correlated with aggressive tumor behavior. We examined this phenomenon in low stage transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. In an analysis of biopsy material from 37 patients the absence of these antigens on the original or recurrent tumors correlated with the subsequent development of invasive disease (stage B or greater), while the presence of antigens correlated with failure to develop invasive disease. Analysis of transitional cell surface antigens may help improve the therapy of bladder cancer.", "PMID": 621815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4236", "title": "Segmental resection in the management of bladder carcinoma.", "content": "Segmental resection for bladder carcinoma was performed on 144 patients at our medical center between 1945 and 1971. Of these 144 cases 101 had sufficient documentation to provide meaningful data for a retrospective study. The 5-year survival rates for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma, expressed as a function of the stage of disease, were stage A--79 per cent, stage B1--80 per cent, stage B2--45 per cent and stage C--6 per cent. The combined survival rates for patients with stages O, A and B1 tumors and for those with B2 and C disease were 83 and 27 per cent, respectively. A significant observation was that of the patients with stages O, A and B1 disease only 7 per cent had a history of antecedent tumor. In contrast, 59 per cent of the patients with stage B2 and C disease had antecedent tumor.", "contents": "Segmental resection in the management of bladder carcinoma. Segmental resection for bladder carcinoma was performed on 144 patients at our medical center between 1945 and 1971. Of these 144 cases 101 had sufficient documentation to provide meaningful data for a retrospective study. The 5-year survival rates for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma, expressed as a function of the stage of disease, were stage A--79 per cent, stage B1--80 per cent, stage B2--45 per cent and stage C--6 per cent. The combined survival rates for patients with stages O, A and B1 tumors and for those with B2 and C disease were 83 and 27 per cent, respectively. A significant observation was that of the patients with stages O, A and B1 disease only 7 per cent had a history of antecedent tumor. In contrast, 59 per cent of the patients with stage B2 and C disease had antecedent tumor.", "PMID": 621816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4237", "title": "Adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide: preliminary report.", "content": "We describe 25 patients with bladder cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide after radical cystectomy. Two patients had stage A disease, 3 had stage B, 3 had stage C and 17 had stage D. The 2 patients with stage A tumors have been free of disease for 12 and 15 months, respectively, and the 3 patients with stage B tumors have been free of disease for an average of 25 months. Of the 3 patients with stage C tumors 2 have been free of disease for an average of 34.5 months. Of the 17 patients with stage D tumors 10 have been free of disease for an average of 1 year (59 per cent). These preliminary results seem to indicate the value of adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide in cases of bladder cancer.", "contents": "Adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide: preliminary report. We describe 25 patients with bladder cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide after radical cystectomy. Two patients had stage A disease, 3 had stage B, 3 had stage C and 17 had stage D. The 2 patients with stage A tumors have been free of disease for 12 and 15 months, respectively, and the 3 patients with stage B tumors have been free of disease for an average of 25 months. Of the 3 patients with stage C tumors 2 have been free of disease for an average of 34.5 months. Of the 17 patients with stage D tumors 10 have been free of disease for an average of 1 year (59 per cent). These preliminary results seem to indicate the value of adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide in cases of bladder cancer.", "PMID": 621817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4238", "title": "Urologic complications of pelvic irradiation.", "content": "We evaluated 964 patients who had undergone radiation therapy for malignant disease of the pelvic viscera during a 5-year period and who ahd been followed for 5 to 10 years after completion of treatment. Therapy had been given for gynecological tumors in 493 cases, genitourinary tumors in 240 cases, bowel tumors in 172 cases and various other malignant tumors in the pelvis in 59 cases. The incidence of cystitis, hematuria, ureteral obstruction and fistula formation was determined for each group. There were 203 urological complications, an incidence of 21 per cent, but only 25 of these complication (2.5 per cent) could be ascribed to the effects of radiation alone, the remainder being associated with persistent or recurrent tumor. Approximately 20 per cent of the patients had some abnormalities detected in the pre-treatment excretory urogram. The development of urologic complications was related to the radiation dosage and previous bladder operations.", "contents": "Urologic complications of pelvic irradiation. We evaluated 964 patients who had undergone radiation therapy for malignant disease of the pelvic viscera during a 5-year period and who ahd been followed for 5 to 10 years after completion of treatment. Therapy had been given for gynecological tumors in 493 cases, genitourinary tumors in 240 cases, bowel tumors in 172 cases and various other malignant tumors in the pelvis in 59 cases. The incidence of cystitis, hematuria, ureteral obstruction and fistula formation was determined for each group. There were 203 urological complications, an incidence of 21 per cent, but only 25 of these complication (2.5 per cent) could be ascribed to the effects of radiation alone, the remainder being associated with persistent or recurrent tumor. Approximately 20 per cent of the patients had some abnormalities detected in the pre-treatment excretory urogram. The development of urologic complications was related to the radiation dosage and previous bladder operations.", "PMID": 621818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4239", "title": "Sarcoma of the bladder and prostate.", "content": "A retrospective analysis of 30 patients with primary sarcoma of the bladder and prostate is presented. Prognosis seems to be better in adults irrespective of the type of treatment. The survival rate is poor for children with sarcoma of the prostate. Two children were cured of sarcoma of the bladder by a radical operation. Sarcomas of the bladder and prostate are more common in adults more than 50 years old. The type of treatment and the results are reviewed. The place of multimodal treatment in the management of these sarcomas is discussed.", "contents": "Sarcoma of the bladder and prostate. A retrospective analysis of 30 patients with primary sarcoma of the bladder and prostate is presented. Prognosis seems to be better in adults irrespective of the type of treatment. The survival rate is poor for children with sarcoma of the prostate. Two children were cured of sarcoma of the bladder by a radical operation. Sarcomas of the bladder and prostate are more common in adults more than 50 years old. The type of treatment and the results are reviewed. The place of multimodal treatment in the management of these sarcomas is discussed.", "PMID": 621819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4240", "title": "Carcinoma in situ of the urethra associated with bladder carcinoma: the role of urethrectomy.", "content": "Carcinoma in situ of the urethral margin was demonstrated in 12 men who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Six of the 7 patients who underwent simultaneous urethrectomy are free of the tumor but 4 of the 5 who did not undergo urethrectomy died of the disease. This dismal survival rate for patients with carcinoma in situ in the retained urethra indicates the necessity for clear-cut guide lines for the performance of urethrectomy. Frozen section of the urethral margin, as well as of both distal ureters, should be obtained at the time of operation, and urethrectomy, either simultaneous or during the same hospitalization, should be considered strongly for those with carcinoma in situ of the bladder neck or of the urethra.", "contents": "Carcinoma in situ of the urethra associated with bladder carcinoma: the role of urethrectomy. Carcinoma in situ of the urethral margin was demonstrated in 12 men who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Six of the 7 patients who underwent simultaneous urethrectomy are free of the tumor but 4 of the 5 who did not undergo urethrectomy died of the disease. This dismal survival rate for patients with carcinoma in situ in the retained urethra indicates the necessity for clear-cut guide lines for the performance of urethrectomy. Frozen section of the urethral margin, as well as of both distal ureters, should be obtained at the time of operation, and urethrectomy, either simultaneous or during the same hospitalization, should be considered strongly for those with carcinoma in situ of the bladder neck or of the urethra.", "PMID": 621821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4241", "title": "Restoration of fertility by vasovasostomy.", "content": "Vasovasostomy was performed on 41 patients. The surgical technique is described and the results are presented. The success rate was 83 per cent for pregnancy. Reasons for failure and suggestions for improvement in results are discussed.", "contents": "Restoration of fertility by vasovasostomy. Vasovasostomy was performed on 41 patients. The surgical technique is described and the results are presented. The success rate was 83 per cent for pregnancy. Reasons for failure and suggestions for improvement in results are discussed.", "PMID": 621822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4242", "title": "One-handed prostatic biopsy needle.", "content": "A dependable and disposable one-handed perineal prostatic biopsy needle has been developed. The needle makes it relatively easy to obtain multiple, good cores of tissue from the desired areas of the prostate gland without contamination of the needle or field by the rectal finger or hand.", "contents": "One-handed prostatic biopsy needle. A dependable and disposable one-handed perineal prostatic biopsy needle has been developed. The needle makes it relatively easy to obtain multiple, good cores of tissue from the desired areas of the prostate gland without contamination of the needle or field by the rectal finger or hand.", "PMID": 621823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4243", "title": "Early stage prostatic cancer investigated by pelvic lymph node biopsy and bone marrow acid phosphatase.", "content": "A prospective study was done to evaluate 47 patients with early stage prostatic cancer. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was combined with bone marrow acid phosphatase determination to evaluate early metastatic disease. Thirteen patients (28 per cent) had tumor in the pelvic lymph nodes. In no instance was the bone marrow acid phosphatase elevated to more than the normal value for serum by the substrate used. Combined high grade and stage tumors seemed to have an increased incidence of metastases to pelvic lymph nodes. A surprisingly high incidence of B1 lesions (5 of 21 patients or 24 per cent) had positive lymph nodes. Generally, the nodes were moderately well or well differentiated lesions. The metastases were unilateral, frequently microscopic only and involved 1 or only a few nodes. Pelvic lymphadenectomy seems to have a well defined role in the diagnostic study of early stage prostatic cancer, while bone marrow acid phosphatase determinations were of no value.", "contents": "Early stage prostatic cancer investigated by pelvic lymph node biopsy and bone marrow acid phosphatase. A prospective study was done to evaluate 47 patients with early stage prostatic cancer. Pelvic lymphadenectomy was combined with bone marrow acid phosphatase determination to evaluate early metastatic disease. Thirteen patients (28 per cent) had tumor in the pelvic lymph nodes. In no instance was the bone marrow acid phosphatase elevated to more than the normal value for serum by the substrate used. Combined high grade and stage tumors seemed to have an increased incidence of metastases to pelvic lymph nodes. A surprisingly high incidence of B1 lesions (5 of 21 patients or 24 per cent) had positive lymph nodes. Generally, the nodes were moderately well or well differentiated lesions. The metastases were unilateral, frequently microscopic only and involved 1 or only a few nodes. Pelvic lymphadenectomy seems to have a well defined role in the diagnostic study of early stage prostatic cancer, while bone marrow acid phosphatase determinations were of no value.", "PMID": 621824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4244", "title": "Specialty board certification rates. A longitudinal tracking study of US medical school graduates.", "content": "This study is follow-up analysis of increments in specialty board certification rates occurring between 1971 and 1976 for 2,046 physicians who graduated in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Data obtained at 8-, 12-, and 16-year intervals following graduation from medical school indicate that it is not until 12 years' following receipt of the MD degree that most physicians will have entered the certification process or be certified. An additional increment is found 16 years following graduation. At eight and 12 years following graduation, the more recent graduates showed a much higher rate of board certification than earlier graduates at a comparable interval following graduation. Of the total study population, 81% are either board certified or in the certification process. When two essentially office-based specialties are excluded, 92% of the study population have formally entered the certification process.", "contents": "Specialty board certification rates. A longitudinal tracking study of US medical school graduates. This study is follow-up analysis of increments in specialty board certification rates occurring between 1971 and 1976 for 2,046 physicians who graduated in 1960, 1964, and 1968. Data obtained at 8-, 12-, and 16-year intervals following graduation from medical school indicate that it is not until 12 years' following receipt of the MD degree that most physicians will have entered the certification process or be certified. An additional increment is found 16 years following graduation. At eight and 12 years following graduation, the more recent graduates showed a much higher rate of board certification than earlier graduates at a comparable interval following graduation. Of the total study population, 81% are either board certified or in the certification process. When two essentially office-based specialties are excluded, 92% of the study population have formally entered the certification process.", "PMID": 621837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4245", "title": "Tuberculoma of the brain.", "content": "Four patients with cerebral tuberculomas had presenting manifestations that included seizure disorder, exophthalmos, or extremity weakness. Although rare in this country, this diagnosis should not be overlooked in such patients, since combined surgical and medical therapy may be curative.", "contents": "Tuberculoma of the brain. Four patients with cerebral tuberculomas had presenting manifestations that included seizure disorder, exophthalmos, or extremity weakness. Although rare in this country, this diagnosis should not be overlooked in such patients, since combined surgical and medical therapy may be curative.", "PMID": 621838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4246", "title": "Ultrasonic evaluation of pulsatile abdominal masses.", "content": "Gray scale ultrasound B-mode scanning provides a rapid and safe method for evaluating the origin of a pulsatile midline abdominal mass. In those patients who do not have an aortic aneurysm, ultrasound will frequently provide another explanation. Tortuous aortas, pancreatic pseudocysts, metastatic cancers, lymphomas, and low-lying livers may all present as pulsatile masses clinically mimicking an aortic aneurysm. Visualization of the para-aortic soft tissues as well as the aorta allows these conditions to be distinguished by abdominal ultrasound.", "contents": "Ultrasonic evaluation of pulsatile abdominal masses. Gray scale ultrasound B-mode scanning provides a rapid and safe method for evaluating the origin of a pulsatile midline abdominal mass. In those patients who do not have an aortic aneurysm, ultrasound will frequently provide another explanation. Tortuous aortas, pancreatic pseudocysts, metastatic cancers, lymphomas, and low-lying livers may all present as pulsatile masses clinically mimicking an aortic aneurysm. Visualization of the para-aortic soft tissues as well as the aorta allows these conditions to be distinguished by abdominal ultrasound.", "PMID": 621839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4247", "title": "Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. An often-missed entity.", "content": "Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions in eight persons were manifested solely or primarily by an apparently unexplained posttransfusion decrease in the hematocrit value. Alloantibodies were eventually found in all eight patients, but were sometimes undetectable for as long as 72 hours after the reaction. This did not preclude the occurrence of a new, acute hemolytic reaction. There were three instances of reversible renal failure complicating the reaction. In two patients, some or all of the antibodies became undetectable after four and nine months. In a third, the indirect antiglobulin reactions became considerably weaker after 12 months. Patients previously sensitized to RBC antigens should have available records inspected and a warning device (wristband or wallet card) provided to help prevent reactions caused by an anamnestic antibody rise.", "contents": "Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. An often-missed entity. Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions in eight persons were manifested solely or primarily by an apparently unexplained posttransfusion decrease in the hematocrit value. Alloantibodies were eventually found in all eight patients, but were sometimes undetectable for as long as 72 hours after the reaction. This did not preclude the occurrence of a new, acute hemolytic reaction. There were three instances of reversible renal failure complicating the reaction. In two patients, some or all of the antibodies became undetectable after four and nine months. In a third, the indirect antiglobulin reactions became considerably weaker after 12 months. Patients previously sensitized to RBC antigens should have available records inspected and a warning device (wristband or wallet card) provided to help prevent reactions caused by an anamnestic antibody rise.", "PMID": 621892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4248", "title": "Platelet aggregation. Adult-onset diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.", "content": "Using a turbidimetric technique, we determined 1.7 micrometer adenosine diphosphate--induced platelet aggregation and disaggregation at 37 degrees C in the platelet-rich plasmas of two groups of men with coronary artery disease. Eleven men were nondiabetic and 11 had adult-onset diabetes mellitus without retinopathy. There were no significant differences (P greater than .05) between diabetics and nondiabetics of the following variables: age, platelet count in platelet-rich plasma, first and second phases of platelet aggregation, maximum extent of aggregation, and percent disaggregation at three minutes after maximum aggregation occurred. Although the mean adenosine diphosphate--induced platelet aggregation in the platelet-rich plasmas of adult-onset diabetic men with coronary artery disease and no retinopathy was not enhanced, and the mean rate of disaggregation was not reduced, when compared with nondiabetic men with coronary artery disease or with healthy men; a slow rate of platelet disaggregation (less than 10%) occurred more frequently in the platelet-rich plasmas of men with coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Platelet aggregation. Adult-onset diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Using a turbidimetric technique, we determined 1.7 micrometer adenosine diphosphate--induced platelet aggregation and disaggregation at 37 degrees C in the platelet-rich plasmas of two groups of men with coronary artery disease. Eleven men were nondiabetic and 11 had adult-onset diabetes mellitus without retinopathy. There were no significant differences (P greater than .05) between diabetics and nondiabetics of the following variables: age, platelet count in platelet-rich plasma, first and second phases of platelet aggregation, maximum extent of aggregation, and percent disaggregation at three minutes after maximum aggregation occurred. Although the mean adenosine diphosphate--induced platelet aggregation in the platelet-rich plasmas of adult-onset diabetic men with coronary artery disease and no retinopathy was not enhanced, and the mean rate of disaggregation was not reduced, when compared with nondiabetic men with coronary artery disease or with healthy men; a slow rate of platelet disaggregation (less than 10%) occurred more frequently in the platelet-rich plasmas of men with coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 621893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4249", "title": "Discontinuing anticoagulant therapy in surgical patients with cardiac valve prostheses. Observations in 180 operations.", "content": "Between 1962 and 1975, a total of 159 patients with previously implanted man-made cardiac valve prostheses underwent 180 subsequent noncardiac operations at Mayo Clinic. All of these patients were receiving anticoagulants. The overall incidence of their documentable thromboembolic complications was approximately 10%. None of the postoperative complications occurred while the patient was in hospital, with the earliest such complication seen two years later. Patients receiving anticoagulants on a long-term basis did, however, have a 13% incidence of various difficulties with hemostasis during and following the later operations. We conclude that there is minimal risk to patients with cardiac valve prostheses who are receiving anticoagulants when the drug regimen is stopped for one to three days preoperatively and one to seven days postoperatively.", "contents": "Discontinuing anticoagulant therapy in surgical patients with cardiac valve prostheses. Observations in 180 operations. Between 1962 and 1975, a total of 159 patients with previously implanted man-made cardiac valve prostheses underwent 180 subsequent noncardiac operations at Mayo Clinic. All of these patients were receiving anticoagulants. The overall incidence of their documentable thromboembolic complications was approximately 10%. None of the postoperative complications occurred while the patient was in hospital, with the earliest such complication seen two years later. Patients receiving anticoagulants on a long-term basis did, however, have a 13% incidence of various difficulties with hemostasis during and following the later operations. We conclude that there is minimal risk to patients with cardiac valve prostheses who are receiving anticoagulants when the drug regimen is stopped for one to three days preoperatively and one to seven days postoperatively.", "PMID": 621894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4250", "title": "Precursor lesions in familial melanoma. A new genetic preneoplastic syndrome.", "content": "In seven consecutive melanoma-prone families, pigmented lesions with distinctive clinical and histologic characteristics occurred in 18 of 20 melanoma patients (90%) and 24 of 43 first-degree relatives (56%). Recognition of these lesions led to the detection of early-stage melanoma in six family members. This syndrome appears to represent an autosomal dominant trait and may serve as a cutaneous marker to identify persons at high risk for melanoma.", "contents": "Precursor lesions in familial melanoma. A new genetic preneoplastic syndrome. In seven consecutive melanoma-prone families, pigmented lesions with distinctive clinical and histologic characteristics occurred in 18 of 20 melanoma patients (90%) and 24 of 43 first-degree relatives (56%). Recognition of these lesions led to the detection of early-stage melanoma in six family members. This syndrome appears to represent an autosomal dominant trait and may serve as a cutaneous marker to identify persons at high risk for melanoma.", "PMID": 621895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4251", "title": "[Combined action of weightlessness and ionizing radiation on the body of rats (based on data from morphological studies)].", "content": "The combined effect of weightlessness and ionizing radiation (24 hour exposure to Cs-137 at a total dose of 800 rad) was investigated morphologically in Cosmos-690 flight, synchronous and vivarium rats. Irradiation-induced lesions prevailed in both groups of rats. Comparative study of changes in flight and control rats showed that weightlessness and other space flight factors did not induce any new, previously unknown effects as compared with the exposure on the Earth; they did not exert a significantly aggravating effect on the development of radiation-induced lesions.", "contents": "[Combined action of weightlessness and ionizing radiation on the body of rats (based on data from morphological studies)]. The combined effect of weightlessness and ionizing radiation (24 hour exposure to Cs-137 at a total dose of 800 rad) was investigated morphologically in Cosmos-690 flight, synchronous and vivarium rats. Irradiation-induced lesions prevailed in both groups of rats. Comparative study of changes in flight and control rats showed that weightlessness and other space flight factors did not induce any new, previously unknown effects as compared with the exposure on the Earth; they did not exert a significantly aggravating effect on the development of radiation-induced lesions.", "PMID": 621906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4252", "title": "[Provision of radiation safety for the crew of the 2d Saliut-4 expedition].", "content": "The paper describes the radiation environment in the compartments of the orbital station Salyut-4 and in its flight orbit. It also discusses the measures taken to provide radiation safety of the crewmembers and the main results of radiation monitoring. During the flight the dose received by the crew was 1400 mrem.", "contents": "[Provision of radiation safety for the crew of the 2d Saliut-4 expedition]. The paper describes the radiation environment in the compartments of the orbital station Salyut-4 and in its flight orbit. It also discusses the measures taken to provide radiation safety of the crewmembers and the main results of radiation monitoring. During the flight the dose received by the crew was 1400 mrem.", "PMID": 621905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4253", "title": "[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymatic makeup of the skeletal muscles of rats after a flight on the Kosmos-690 biosatellite].", "content": "The isoenzyme composition of lactate dehydrogenase in the soleus and plantaris muscles of rats which had flown for 20.5 days onboard the biosatellite Cosmos-690 equipped with a radiation source was studied. Difference in the isoenzyme composition of lactate dehydrogenase in flight and synchronous rats disappeared 27 days after the experiments; however, some changes persisted as compared with vivarium controls. The data obtained give evidence that irradiation-induced effects in skeletal muscles manifested themselves at a far later stage than weightlessness-induced changes.", "contents": "[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymatic makeup of the skeletal muscles of rats after a flight on the Kosmos-690 biosatellite]. The isoenzyme composition of lactate dehydrogenase in the soleus and plantaris muscles of rats which had flown for 20.5 days onboard the biosatellite Cosmos-690 equipped with a radiation source was studied. Difference in the isoenzyme composition of lactate dehydrogenase in flight and synchronous rats disappeared 27 days after the experiments; however, some changes persisted as compared with vivarium controls. The data obtained give evidence that irradiation-induced effects in skeletal muscles manifested themselves at a far later stage than weightlessness-induced changes.", "PMID": 621907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4254", "title": "[Harmful action of radiations with different linear energy losses on the nerve cells of the rat cerebellum].", "content": "The damaging effect of 25 and 50 Mev protons, X-rays and Co60 gamma-rays on the cerebellar cells of rats of early postnatal period was studied. Radiosensitivity of neurons of different compartments of the cerebellar cortex varied significantly. Radiosensitivity of the inner and outer granular layers of the cerebellum to irradiation with 25 Mev protons was similar.", "contents": "[Harmful action of radiations with different linear energy losses on the nerve cells of the rat cerebellum]. The damaging effect of 25 and 50 Mev protons, X-rays and Co60 gamma-rays on the cerebellar cells of rats of early postnatal period was studied. Radiosensitivity of neurons of different compartments of the cerebellar cortex varied significantly. Radiosensitivity of the inner and outer granular layers of the cerebellum to irradiation with 25 Mev protons was similar.", "PMID": 621911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4255", "title": "[Biological effects in the partial irradiation of dogs with high-energy protons].", "content": "Biological effects of irradiation of the head, chest and stomach of dogs with 250 Mev protons at a dose of 600 rad were investigated. Due to irradiation all the animals developed radiation sickness of moderate severity. A comparative study of the peripheral blood and immunobiological reactivity of the dogs showed that an exposure of the head exerted the least effect; an exposure of the chest and stomach had a very similar effect.", "contents": "[Biological effects in the partial irradiation of dogs with high-energy protons]. Biological effects of irradiation of the head, chest and stomach of dogs with 250 Mev protons at a dose of 600 rad were investigated. Due to irradiation all the animals developed radiation sickness of moderate severity. A comparative study of the peripheral blood and immunobiological reactivity of the dogs showed that an exposure of the head exerted the least effect; an exposure of the chest and stomach had a very similar effect.", "PMID": 621910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4256", "title": "[Effect of space flight and of the accompanying radiation on amino acid metabolism in the skeletal muscle of rats].", "content": "It was demonstrated that a combined effect of 20.5-day space flight and gamma-irradiation reduced the content of biologically important amino acids (methionine, phenylalanine, serine, aspartic and glutamic acids) and inhibited the activity of aspartate aminotransferase of sarcoplasmatic proteins in the quadriceps muscle of rats. Comparison of these data with the Cosmos-605 results and literature reports suggested that gamma-irradiation inhibited the synthetic processes in the skeletal muscle.", "contents": "[Effect of space flight and of the accompanying radiation on amino acid metabolism in the skeletal muscle of rats]. It was demonstrated that a combined effect of 20.5-day space flight and gamma-irradiation reduced the content of biologically important amino acids (methionine, phenylalanine, serine, aspartic and glutamic acids) and inhibited the activity of aspartate aminotransferase of sarcoplasmatic proteins in the quadriceps muscle of rats. Comparison of these data with the Cosmos-605 results and literature reports suggested that gamma-irradiation inhibited the synthetic processes in the skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 621908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4257", "title": "[Functional activity of the testes of dogs exposed to chronic gamma irradiation over a 3-year course].", "content": "During three years 36 male dogs were exposed to chronic irradiation with a total dose of 21, 62 and 125 rad per year. tin addition to this irradiation at a dose rate of 62 rad per year, some dogs were also exposed to acute irradiations three times a year with a dose of 42, 8 and 8 rad and 42, 42 and 42 rad (at the combined irradiation the total doses were 120 and 190 rad per year). The study of the functional activity of testes gave the following results. The males that were chronically irradiated with a total dose of 125 rad per year showed hypospermia after 8-10 months of the experiment. The dogs that were exposed to combined irradiation displayed oligospermia after 5-7 months of the experiment which persisted throughout the period of 3 years. These effects depended on the dose rate, total dose and scheme of irradiation.", "contents": "[Functional activity of the testes of dogs exposed to chronic gamma irradiation over a 3-year course]. During three years 36 male dogs were exposed to chronic irradiation with a total dose of 21, 62 and 125 rad per year. tin addition to this irradiation at a dose rate of 62 rad per year, some dogs were also exposed to acute irradiations three times a year with a dose of 42, 8 and 8 rad and 42, 42 and 42 rad (at the combined irradiation the total doses were 120 and 190 rad per year). The study of the functional activity of testes gave the following results. The males that were chronically irradiated with a total dose of 125 rad per year showed hypospermia after 8-10 months of the experiment. The dogs that were exposed to combined irradiation displayed oligospermia after 5-7 months of the experiment which persisted throughout the period of 3 years. These effects depended on the dose rate, total dose and scheme of irradiation.", "PMID": 621912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4258", "title": "[Mammalian cell culture reaction to the action of a constant magnetic field of 1000 and 3000 Oe intensity].", "content": "The effect of a constant magnetic field of 1000 and 3000 oersted on mammalian cell cultures was examined. The effect of prolonged (12 days with three successive subcultures) and short-term intermittent action (repeated 6 times 60 min exposures with a 60 min interval) was studied. The magnetic effect was evaluated with respect to variations in the cell population density, mitotic activity and cytogenetic parameters. The experimental findings indicated that the magnetic fields of the above strength did not change significantly the rate of cell division and cell morphology neither did alter the genetic apparatus at the chromosomal level.", "contents": "[Mammalian cell culture reaction to the action of a constant magnetic field of 1000 and 3000 Oe intensity]. The effect of a constant magnetic field of 1000 and 3000 oersted on mammalian cell cultures was examined. The effect of prolonged (12 days with three successive subcultures) and short-term intermittent action (repeated 6 times 60 min exposures with a 60 min interval) was studied. The magnetic effect was evaluated with respect to variations in the cell population density, mitotic activity and cytogenetic parameters. The experimental findings indicated that the magnetic fields of the above strength did not change significantly the rate of cell division and cell morphology neither did alter the genetic apparatus at the chromosomal level.", "PMID": 621913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4259", "title": "[State of the temporal organization of the system of cell reproduction in rat tissues under hypokinesia].", "content": "The study of time parameters of cell kinetics in the rats exposed to 34-day hypokinesia showed that changes in cell reproduction developed in rapidly and slowly renovating cells in a different way. The DNA synthesis and mitotic division were drastically inhibited in liver cells; the duration of the premitotic period of the mitotic cycle was significantly reduced in the cryptal epithelium of the small intestine. Hypokinesia did not cause important changes in the phasic structure of diurnal rhythms of cell division in the tissues tested and, consequently, did not lead to changes in the mechanisms of time organization of the cell reproduction system. It is concluded that the state of motor activity of animals is not the major time cue for cell division processes.", "contents": "[State of the temporal organization of the system of cell reproduction in rat tissues under hypokinesia]. The study of time parameters of cell kinetics in the rats exposed to 34-day hypokinesia showed that changes in cell reproduction developed in rapidly and slowly renovating cells in a different way. The DNA synthesis and mitotic division were drastically inhibited in liver cells; the duration of the premitotic period of the mitotic cycle was significantly reduced in the cryptal epithelium of the small intestine. Hypokinesia did not cause important changes in the phasic structure of diurnal rhythms of cell division in the tissues tested and, consequently, did not lead to changes in the mechanisms of time organization of the cell reproduction system. It is concluded that the state of motor activity of animals is not the major time cue for cell division processes.", "PMID": 621914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4260", "title": "[Mathematical model of the postradiation recovery of the hematopoietic system].", "content": "The paper describes a mathematical model of hemopoiesis that takes into consideration postradiation arrest of mitoses and the stimulatory effect of a lack of functional cells on the yield of dividing cells into the maturing pool. Computer-aided modelling shows good agreement with the experimental data.", "contents": "[Mathematical model of the postradiation recovery of the hematopoietic system]. The paper describes a mathematical model of hemopoiesis that takes into consideration postradiation arrest of mitoses and the stimulatory effect of a lack of functional cells on the yield of dividing cells into the maturing pool. Computer-aided modelling shows good agreement with the experimental data.", "PMID": 621909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4261", "title": "Stereomicroscopic and ultrastructural characterization of propionitrile-induced duodenal ulcer in the rat.", "content": "Acute duodenal ulcer produced by subcutaneous injection of propionitrile in rats was studied by stereo, light, and electron microscopy in order to gain insight into the localization and mechanism of initial cell injury. Stereomicroscopy revealed an initial fissuring and splitting of the tips of the villus folds within 4 hours after two injections of propionitrile. This was followed by sloughing of the epithelium, shortening and effacement of the villus folds, and within 24 hours the appearance of discrete ulcers in the mucosa of the proximal duodenum. In most of the rats, two ulcers developed: the first and larger ulcer was on the antimesenteric side of the duodenum, and the other, a small and more superficial one, was on the opposite wall. Ultrastructural lesions appeared in the absorptive epithelial cells of the proximal duodenum within 5 hours following a single dose of propionitrile. The cytoplasmic changes of cellular injury were preceded and/or accompanied by beading and loss of microvilli. The initiation of propionitrile-induced alterations at the tip of the villi in the proximal duodenum suggests that the ulcerogenic agent acts from the luminal side of the duodenum and probably originates from the stomach.", "contents": "Stereomicroscopic and ultrastructural characterization of propionitrile-induced duodenal ulcer in the rat. Acute duodenal ulcer produced by subcutaneous injection of propionitrile in rats was studied by stereo, light, and electron microscopy in order to gain insight into the localization and mechanism of initial cell injury. Stereomicroscopy revealed an initial fissuring and splitting of the tips of the villus folds within 4 hours after two injections of propionitrile. This was followed by sloughing of the epithelium, shortening and effacement of the villus folds, and within 24 hours the appearance of discrete ulcers in the mucosa of the proximal duodenum. In most of the rats, two ulcers developed: the first and larger ulcer was on the antimesenteric side of the duodenum, and the other, a small and more superficial one, was on the opposite wall. Ultrastructural lesions appeared in the absorptive epithelial cells of the proximal duodenum within 5 hours following a single dose of propionitrile. The cytoplasmic changes of cellular injury were preceded and/or accompanied by beading and loss of microvilli. The initiation of propionitrile-induced alterations at the tip of the villi in the proximal duodenum suggests that the ulcerogenic agent acts from the luminal side of the duodenum and probably originates from the stomach.", "PMID": 621922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4262", "title": "The effects of leukocyte depletion on corneal neovascularization.", "content": "The role of leukocytic infiltration in the initiation and maintenance of corneal neovascularization was studied in rats. Vascular ingrowth was induced by central cauterization of the cornea with silver nitrate and assessed after intraarterial perfusion of colloidal carbon. In normal rats, the mean vascular length was 0.33 mm. at 3 days and 0.63 mm. at 4 days. Whole-body x-irradiation with 800 rads depressed peripheral blood leukocyte counts to 1% of normal, prevented infiltration of monocytes, and reduced infiltration of neutrophils, but did not alter the neovascular response at 4 days. Combined treatment with radiation (800 rads) and repeated injections of antineutrophil serum (ANS) reduced peripheral leukocyte counts to nearly zero and eliminated infiltration of both monocytes and neutrophils. Despite the absence of leukocytes, neovascularization occurred in all corneas. However, the mean vascular length was reduced to 67% of control at 3 days and to 33% at 4 days. The results indicate that vascular growth can be initiated in the absence of leukocytic infiltration. The reduced neovascularization in totally leukopenic animals might be due to either the ability of neutrophils to facilitate or augment vascular growth or the nonspecific effects of treatment with radiation and antineutrophil serum.", "contents": "The effects of leukocyte depletion on corneal neovascularization. The role of leukocytic infiltration in the initiation and maintenance of corneal neovascularization was studied in rats. Vascular ingrowth was induced by central cauterization of the cornea with silver nitrate and assessed after intraarterial perfusion of colloidal carbon. In normal rats, the mean vascular length was 0.33 mm. at 3 days and 0.63 mm. at 4 days. Whole-body x-irradiation with 800 rads depressed peripheral blood leukocyte counts to 1% of normal, prevented infiltration of monocytes, and reduced infiltration of neutrophils, but did not alter the neovascular response at 4 days. Combined treatment with radiation (800 rads) and repeated injections of antineutrophil serum (ANS) reduced peripheral leukocyte counts to nearly zero and eliminated infiltration of both monocytes and neutrophils. Despite the absence of leukocytes, neovascularization occurred in all corneas. However, the mean vascular length was reduced to 67% of control at 3 days and to 33% at 4 days. The results indicate that vascular growth can be initiated in the absence of leukocytic infiltration. The reduced neovascularization in totally leukopenic animals might be due to either the ability of neutrophils to facilitate or augment vascular growth or the nonspecific effects of treatment with radiation and antineutrophil serum.", "PMID": 621924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4263", "title": "The type II epithelial cells of the lung. III. Lecithin synthesis: a comparison with pulmonary macrophages.", "content": "Synthesis of lecithins in isolated type II alveolar cells was compared with that in alveolar macrophages as a means of exploring the biochemical mechanisms underlying surfactant production in the lung. Counted cell populations were suspended in a simple glucose-salt solution and 14C-labeled precursors were added singly, in physiologic concentrations, to assess the potential importance of each as a substrate for lecithin synthesis. Molar incorporation of glucose, glycerol, choline, lysolecithin, acetate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate was determined in lecithins fractionated according to degree of saturation after 1 hour of incubation. Palmitate ws the most actively utilized substrate in type II &cells. Type II cells incorporated 6 nmoles of palmitate per 10(7) cells, of which 77% was in disaturated lecithins, and 66% at the C2 position (compared to 0.8 nmoles, 47% disaturated, in macrophages). Acetate was also incorporated mainly into disaturated lecithins in type II cells; macrophages did not utilize acetate, and no precursor specifically supported disaturated lecithin synthesis in macrophages. Type II cells and macrophages synthesized similar quantities of total lecithins and disaturated lecithins from glucose and choline. Only the type II cells, however, were capable of increasing disaturated lecithin synthesis from 14C-choline when unlabeled palmitate was added to the medium. Type II cells synthesized significantly more disaturated lecithins from lysolecithin than did macrophages (451 versus 60 pmoles per 10(7) cells). Macrophages utilized glycerol in lecithin synthesis, but type II cells did not. Our data demonstrate directly for the first time that type II cells are the site of disaturated lecithin synthesis and that acyl turnover mechanisms are important in production of disaturated lecithins by the type II cell.", "contents": "The type II epithelial cells of the lung. III. Lecithin synthesis: a comparison with pulmonary macrophages. Synthesis of lecithins in isolated type II alveolar cells was compared with that in alveolar macrophages as a means of exploring the biochemical mechanisms underlying surfactant production in the lung. Counted cell populations were suspended in a simple glucose-salt solution and 14C-labeled precursors were added singly, in physiologic concentrations, to assess the potential importance of each as a substrate for lecithin synthesis. Molar incorporation of glucose, glycerol, choline, lysolecithin, acetate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate was determined in lecithins fractionated according to degree of saturation after 1 hour of incubation. Palmitate ws the most actively utilized substrate in type II &cells. Type II cells incorporated 6 nmoles of palmitate per 10(7) cells, of which 77% was in disaturated lecithins, and 66% at the C2 position (compared to 0.8 nmoles, 47% disaturated, in macrophages). Acetate was also incorporated mainly into disaturated lecithins in type II cells; macrophages did not utilize acetate, and no precursor specifically supported disaturated lecithin synthesis in macrophages. Type II cells and macrophages synthesized similar quantities of total lecithins and disaturated lecithins from glucose and choline. Only the type II cells, however, were capable of increasing disaturated lecithin synthesis from 14C-choline when unlabeled palmitate was added to the medium. Type II cells synthesized significantly more disaturated lecithins from lysolecithin than did macrophages (451 versus 60 pmoles per 10(7) cells). Macrophages utilized glycerol in lecithin synthesis, but type II cells did not. Our data demonstrate directly for the first time that type II cells are the site of disaturated lecithin synthesis and that acyl turnover mechanisms are important in production of disaturated lecithins by the type II cell.", "PMID": 621925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4264", "title": "Rabbit bone marrow after administration of saponin. An electron microscopic study.", "content": "Saponin rapidly induced injury to the wall of vascular sinuses in rabbit bone marrow so that the barrier between hematopoietic cells and the circulation became defective. This change was followed by hypocellularity and necrosis and fibrosis. Adult male rabbits received saponin intravenously (2 mg. per kg.) every 4 days for periods of up to 4 weeks; the animals were killed at varied times. In untreated animals, much of the sinus wall consisted only of endothelium. Within 2 hours after administration of saponin the endothelium was damaged and hematopoietic cells, mostly reticulocytes and normoblasts, entered the circulation. Some sinuses hemorrhaged into the hematopoietic compartment. At 4 hours, sinuses were markedly dilated and hemorrhage was extensive. By 3 days, extravasated erythrocytes, which were tending to aggregate, were unevenly distributed in the extravascular space of marrow. Damaged hematopoietic cells were dispersed among them. Regenerating blood vessels were noted and a few clusters of hematopoietic cells occurred in association with fibroblasts. At 1 week, a large portion of the marrow was either necrotic or contained large-scale diffuse or focal hemorrhage. Fibrotic areas often surrounded the arteries. After 2 to 4 weeks, myelofibrosis became pronounced. The fibrotic tissue was well vascularized and contained small clusters of hematopoietic cells and a few fat cells. Macrophages were abundant and tended to fuse, forming multinucleated giant cells surrounding pockets of degenerated fat cells.", "contents": "Rabbit bone marrow after administration of saponin. An electron microscopic study. Saponin rapidly induced injury to the wall of vascular sinuses in rabbit bone marrow so that the barrier between hematopoietic cells and the circulation became defective. This change was followed by hypocellularity and necrosis and fibrosis. Adult male rabbits received saponin intravenously (2 mg. per kg.) every 4 days for periods of up to 4 weeks; the animals were killed at varied times. In untreated animals, much of the sinus wall consisted only of endothelium. Within 2 hours after administration of saponin the endothelium was damaged and hematopoietic cells, mostly reticulocytes and normoblasts, entered the circulation. Some sinuses hemorrhaged into the hematopoietic compartment. At 4 hours, sinuses were markedly dilated and hemorrhage was extensive. By 3 days, extravasated erythrocytes, which were tending to aggregate, were unevenly distributed in the extravascular space of marrow. Damaged hematopoietic cells were dispersed among them. Regenerating blood vessels were noted and a few clusters of hematopoietic cells occurred in association with fibroblasts. At 1 week, a large portion of the marrow was either necrotic or contained large-scale diffuse or focal hemorrhage. Fibrotic areas often surrounded the arteries. After 2 to 4 weeks, myelofibrosis became pronounced. The fibrotic tissue was well vascularized and contained small clusters of hematopoietic cells and a few fat cells. Macrophages were abundant and tended to fuse, forming multinucleated giant cells surrounding pockets of degenerated fat cells.", "PMID": 621926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4265", "title": "Influence of ordered backbone structure on protein folding. A study of some simple models.", "content": "Four series of model molecules, each of which contains a coil section and one or two sections of fixed ordered backbone structure, have been examined to locate their low-energy conformations in water. The four series are: helix-coil, helix-coil-helix, extended-coil, and extended-coil-extended. In each series, the length of the coil is allowed to vary from four to ten residues, while the nuclei (ordered backbone structures) are held fixed at six residues. By comparing these molecules, it is observed that the low-energy conformations of those containing two nuclei can be regarded as being derived from low-energy conformations of molecules containing one nucleus. This suggests that folding of proteins containing preformed nuclei proceeds through interactions between the nuclei and adjacent non-regular sections of the chain rather than between nuclei. It is also observed that helices are better promoters of globularity than extended strands. These results are compared with those from recent studies of various aspects of protein folding.", "contents": "Influence of ordered backbone structure on protein folding. A study of some simple models. Four series of model molecules, each of which contains a coil section and one or two sections of fixed ordered backbone structure, have been examined to locate their low-energy conformations in water. The four series are: helix-coil, helix-coil-helix, extended-coil, and extended-coil-extended. In each series, the length of the coil is allowed to vary from four to ten residues, while the nuclei (ordered backbone structures) are held fixed at six residues. By comparing these molecules, it is observed that the low-energy conformations of those containing two nuclei can be regarded as being derived from low-energy conformations of molecules containing one nucleus. This suggests that folding of proteins containing preformed nuclei proceeds through interactions between the nuclei and adjacent non-regular sections of the chain rather than between nuclei. It is also observed that helices are better promoters of globularity than extended strands. These results are compared with those from recent studies of various aspects of protein folding.", "PMID": 621950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4266", "title": "Echocardiographic spectrum of tricuspid atresia.", "content": "Standard M-mode and contrast echocardiographic features of 35 patients with tricuspid atresia are reported. These features included a single posteriorly located atrioventricular valve with large excursion, often demonstrating the pattern of systolic prolapse, mitral semilunar valve continuity, and small right ventricular chamber. Left ventricular dimension and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were usually increased. Ventricular septal and posterior wall excursion and percent thickening of the left ventricular posterior wall were in the normal range in most cases. However, fractional shortening of the left ventricular minor diameter was below normal in most patients (26/29, 90%) regardless of the age at presentation. A characteristic and reproducible flow pattern of contrast medium was also observed. After systemic venous injection of indocyanine green, the resultant echoes initially appeared in the left atrium and subsequently, via the mitral valve funnel, appeared in the left ventricular cavity. If a small right ventricular chamber could be recorded, this chamber filled with subsequent systole except in patients with intact ventricular septum. With the use of these M-mode echographic features, along with contrast studies, diagnosis of tricuspid atresia can confidently be established at the bedside and can readily be distinguished from other cyanotic congenital defects.", "contents": "Echocardiographic spectrum of tricuspid atresia. Standard M-mode and contrast echocardiographic features of 35 patients with tricuspid atresia are reported. These features included a single posteriorly located atrioventricular valve with large excursion, often demonstrating the pattern of systolic prolapse, mitral semilunar valve continuity, and small right ventricular chamber. Left ventricular dimension and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were usually increased. Ventricular septal and posterior wall excursion and percent thickening of the left ventricular posterior wall were in the normal range in most cases. However, fractional shortening of the left ventricular minor diameter was below normal in most patients (26/29, 90%) regardless of the age at presentation. A characteristic and reproducible flow pattern of contrast medium was also observed. After systemic venous injection of indocyanine green, the resultant echoes initially appeared in the left atrium and subsequently, via the mitral valve funnel, appeared in the left ventricular cavity. If a small right ventricular chamber could be recorded, this chamber filled with subsequent systole except in patients with intact ventricular septum. With the use of these M-mode echographic features, along with contrast studies, diagnosis of tricuspid atresia can confidently be established at the bedside and can readily be distinguished from other cyanotic congenital defects.", "PMID": 621955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4267", "title": "Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: two cases in a family.", "content": "Two patients, a mother and her son, had idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. In the son, the onset was acute and he died of massive hemoptysis. The mother's disorder developed less acutely and the condition improved after temporary respiratory support and massive corticosteroid therapy. This is the first reported instance of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis occurring in more than one member of the same family. The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis depends on compatible clinical and pathologic data and on exclusion of secondary causes of intrapulmonary hemorrhage.", "contents": "Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: two cases in a family. Two patients, a mother and her son, had idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. In the son, the onset was acute and he died of massive hemoptysis. The mother's disorder developed less acutely and the condition improved after temporary respiratory support and massive corticosteroid therapy. This is the first reported instance of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis occurring in more than one member of the same family. The diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis depends on compatible clinical and pathologic data and on exclusion of secondary causes of intrapulmonary hemorrhage.", "PMID": 621956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4268", "title": "Size and density of fibrin fibers from turbidity.", "content": "In agreement with earlier observations that the angular dependence of light scattering by fibrin gels obeys the theory for light scattering by very long and thin rigid rodlike particles (intensity proportional to the square of half the scattering angle), we find that the turbidity, tau, of the less opaque gels varies as the inverse third power of the wavelength, lambda. Mass-length ratios of the fibers calculated from these two measurements closely agree. For fibrin gels containing fibers with a very high mass-length ratio (of which we had not been able to obtain interpretable scattering data), the turbidity is found not quite to vary as 1/lambda3. For these opaque gels, the fiber diameter is no longer negligible with respect to the wavelength. It is shown how the radius of gyration of the fiber cross section (and therefore the radius of cylindrical fibers) can be obtained from the ratio of slope and intercept of a plot of 1/tau lambda3 vs. 1/lambra2. The square of the radius of the fibers is found to be proportional to the mass-length ratio. The density of the fibers is calculated to be 0.28. This corresponds to a ratio of fiber volume to volume of protein contained in the fiber of 5.0.", "contents": "Size and density of fibrin fibers from turbidity. In agreement with earlier observations that the angular dependence of light scattering by fibrin gels obeys the theory for light scattering by very long and thin rigid rodlike particles (intensity proportional to the square of half the scattering angle), we find that the turbidity, tau, of the less opaque gels varies as the inverse third power of the wavelength, lambda. Mass-length ratios of the fibers calculated from these two measurements closely agree. For fibrin gels containing fibers with a very high mass-length ratio (of which we had not been able to obtain interpretable scattering data), the turbidity is found not quite to vary as 1/lambda3. For these opaque gels, the fiber diameter is no longer negligible with respect to the wavelength. It is shown how the radius of gyration of the fiber cross section (and therefore the radius of cylindrical fibers) can be obtained from the ratio of slope and intercept of a plot of 1/tau lambda3 vs. 1/lambra2. The square of the radius of the fibers is found to be proportional to the mass-length ratio. The density of the fibers is calculated to be 0.28. This corresponds to a ratio of fiber volume to volume of protein contained in the fiber of 5.0.", "PMID": 621951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4269", "title": "Contribution of the electroencephalogram in monitoring cardiac dysrhythmias.", "content": "It is often difficult to distinguish between episodic cerebral symptoms resulting from primary disorders of the brain and those resulting from cardiac dysrhythmias. When patients with such symptoms are referred for electroencephalography, the electrocardiographic activity recorded concurrently can provide additional useful diagnostic information. Two cases are presented to illustrate the contribution of the electroencephalogram in the diagnosis of significant cardiac dysrhythmias.", "contents": "Contribution of the electroencephalogram in monitoring cardiac dysrhythmias. It is often difficult to distinguish between episodic cerebral symptoms resulting from primary disorders of the brain and those resulting from cardiac dysrhythmias. When patients with such symptoms are referred for electroencephalography, the electrocardiographic activity recorded concurrently can provide additional useful diagnostic information. Two cases are presented to illustrate the contribution of the electroencephalogram in the diagnosis of significant cardiac dysrhythmias.", "PMID": 621957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4270", "title": "Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (Carrington's): a follow-up study.", "content": "A follow-up study of eight Mayo Clinic patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (also called Carrington's eosinophilic pneumonitis) was done in order to ascertain, if possible, the long-term prognosis of this entity, since it has not been delineated clearly in the literature. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a subacute-to-chronic pulmonary disorder occurring most commonly in nonatopic women with cough, fever, dyspnea, weight loss, and night sweats. The typical chest roentgenogram shows peripheral non-migratory infiltrates, and the characteristic pulmonary histologic finding is eosinophilic infiltration of the interstitium and alveolar spaces. Peripheral eosinophilia is seen in most cases but not all. At the time of follow-up, two of eight patients were continuing to take corticosteroids after 5 1/2 and 8 years. Five patients have been able to discontinue corticosteroid treatment after an average of 4 years, and one patient never required corticosteroids. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is added to previous classifications of pulmonary infiltrate with eosinophilia.", "contents": "Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (Carrington's): a follow-up study. A follow-up study of eight Mayo Clinic patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (also called Carrington's eosinophilic pneumonitis) was done in order to ascertain, if possible, the long-term prognosis of this entity, since it has not been delineated clearly in the literature. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a subacute-to-chronic pulmonary disorder occurring most commonly in nonatopic women with cough, fever, dyspnea, weight loss, and night sweats. The typical chest roentgenogram shows peripheral non-migratory infiltrates, and the characteristic pulmonary histologic finding is eosinophilic infiltration of the interstitium and alveolar spaces. Peripheral eosinophilia is seen in most cases but not all. At the time of follow-up, two of eight patients were continuing to take corticosteroids after 5 1/2 and 8 years. Five patients have been able to discontinue corticosteroid treatment after an average of 4 years, and one patient never required corticosteroids. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is added to previous classifications of pulmonary infiltrate with eosinophilia.", "PMID": 621961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4271", "title": "Influence of water on protein structure. An analysis of the preferences of amino acid residues for the inside or outside and for specific conformations in a protein molecule.", "content": "The x-ray structures of 20 proteins have been examined and each of the residues in these proteins was assigned to the inside or outside of the molecules and to a conformational state. The data obtained confirm that polar groups are generally found on the outside of proteins and nonpolar residues are generally found on the inside. Seven of the amino acids (Ala, Arg, Cys, His, Pro, Ser, Tyr) have inside/outside preferences which are not consistent with their usual assignment as either polar or nonpolar residues; explanations are given for these apparent inconsistencies. Of the three types of backbone structure considered here (extended, alpha helix, and nonregular), extended structures have the greatest preference for the inside of proteins, and nonregular structures have the greatest preference for the outside. It is suggested that differences in entropy play an important part in the inside/outside preferences of backbone structures. There are generally significant changes in the conformational preferences of the residues in going from the inside to the outside of proteins; environmental (rather than local) solute-solvent interactions seem to be the predominant cause of these changes in conformational preferences.", "contents": "Influence of water on protein structure. An analysis of the preferences of amino acid residues for the inside or outside and for specific conformations in a protein molecule. The x-ray structures of 20 proteins have been examined and each of the residues in these proteins was assigned to the inside or outside of the molecules and to a conformational state. The data obtained confirm that polar groups are generally found on the outside of proteins and nonpolar residues are generally found on the inside. Seven of the amino acids (Ala, Arg, Cys, His, Pro, Ser, Tyr) have inside/outside preferences which are not consistent with their usual assignment as either polar or nonpolar residues; explanations are given for these apparent inconsistencies. Of the three types of backbone structure considered here (extended, alpha helix, and nonregular), extended structures have the greatest preference for the inside of proteins, and nonregular structures have the greatest preference for the outside. It is suggested that differences in entropy play an important part in the inside/outside preferences of backbone structures. There are generally significant changes in the conformational preferences of the residues in going from the inside to the outside of proteins; environmental (rather than local) solute-solvent interactions seem to be the predominant cause of these changes in conformational preferences.", "PMID": 621952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4272", "title": "Visual prognosis of optic nerve sheath meningiomas producing shunt vessels on the optic disk.", "content": "Nine patients--seven women and two men--had meningiomas of the optic nerve sheath. The defect was bilateral in two, in the right eye in six, and in the left eye in one. Most had edema of the disk, and all had progressive loww of vision in the affected eye owing to optic nerve atrophy. In 10 of the 11 affected eyes, opticocilliary shunt veins developed on the optic disk. Exophthalmos was mild and did not measure more than 3 mm in any patient. Ocular movement was mildly impaired in three patients. Indentation and flattening of the posterior pole of the eye were documented in five eyes. Nine of the 11 eyes progressed to blindness; 1 was worse after operation, and the outcome of the 11th is unknown because the patient was lost to follow-up. Surgical treatment has not been effective in these cases or in those reported in the literature.", "contents": "Visual prognosis of optic nerve sheath meningiomas producing shunt vessels on the optic disk. Nine patients--seven women and two men--had meningiomas of the optic nerve sheath. The defect was bilateral in two, in the right eye in six, and in the left eye in one. Most had edema of the disk, and all had progressive loww of vision in the affected eye owing to optic nerve atrophy. In 10 of the 11 affected eyes, opticocilliary shunt veins developed on the optic disk. Exophthalmos was mild and did not measure more than 3 mm in any patient. Ocular movement was mildly impaired in three patients. Indentation and flattening of the posterior pole of the eye were documented in five eyes. Nine of the 11 eyes progressed to blindness; 1 was worse after operation, and the outcome of the 11th is unknown because the patient was lost to follow-up. Surgical treatment has not been effective in these cases or in those reported in the literature.", "PMID": 621962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4273", "title": "Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome: a 42-year epidemiologic and clinical study.", "content": "The central medical-records linkage system at the Mayo Clinic for the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, provided the necessary data resource for the identification and follow-up of virtually all diagnosed cases of the Guillain--Barr\u00e9 syndrome over a period of 42 years. During this time, a total of 40 Olmsted County residents had clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. The mean annual incidence rate was 1.7 per 100,000 population. There was a significantly higher incidence rate (P less than 0.01) among patients 40 years of age and older. In four patients malignancies developed; however, the occurrence of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome had no significant effect on survivorship in these patients. A case-control comparison of suggested etiologic factors supports the view that there is a significant association between antecedent infections and the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome.", "contents": "Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome: a 42-year epidemiologic and clinical study. The central medical-records linkage system at the Mayo Clinic for the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, provided the necessary data resource for the identification and follow-up of virtually all diagnosed cases of the Guillain--Barr\u00e9 syndrome over a period of 42 years. During this time, a total of 40 Olmsted County residents had clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. The mean annual incidence rate was 1.7 per 100,000 population. There was a significantly higher incidence rate (P less than 0.01) among patients 40 years of age and older. In four patients malignancies developed; however, the occurrence of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome had no significant effect on survivorship in these patients. A case-control comparison of suggested etiologic factors supports the view that there is a significant association between antecedent infections and the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome.", "PMID": 621963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4274", "title": "Developmental changes in delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and blood reticulocyte percent in the developing rat. A brief note.", "content": "A correlation between blood reticulocyte percent and the activity of erythrocytic delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in the developing rat has been established during the progression from a state of macrocytic hypochromic anemia at birth to a normocytic normochromic state at puberty, and finally to a state just prior to adulthood at which the reticulocyte percent had stabilized. Both reticulocyte percent and erythrocytic ALAD activity was found to decrease with age, rapidly at first until a normocytic normochromic state was reached at puberty and then more slowly until just before adulthood when both plateaued. A direct, linear correlation between erythrocytic ALAD activity and blood reticulocyte percent was found with a P value of less than 0.001. These findings should be carefully considered when using the rat as a model for lead poisoning and possibly for other disorders of heme biosynthesis.", "contents": "Developmental changes in delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and blood reticulocyte percent in the developing rat. A brief note. A correlation between blood reticulocyte percent and the activity of erythrocytic delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) in the developing rat has been established during the progression from a state of macrocytic hypochromic anemia at birth to a normocytic normochromic state at puberty, and finally to a state just prior to adulthood at which the reticulocyte percent had stabilized. Both reticulocyte percent and erythrocytic ALAD activity was found to decrease with age, rapidly at first until a normocytic normochromic state was reached at puberty and then more slowly until just before adulthood when both plateaued. A direct, linear correlation between erythrocytic ALAD activity and blood reticulocyte percent was found with a P value of less than 0.001. These findings should be carefully considered when using the rat as a model for lead poisoning and possibly for other disorders of heme biosynthesis.", "PMID": 621966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4275", "title": "Correlation between DNA repair of embryonic fibroblasts and different life span of 3 inbred mouse strains.", "content": "Primary mouse fibroblast cultures were established from 10 day old embryos of 3 inbred strains with a genetically determined different life expectancy. The capacity for unscheduled DNA synthesis following u.v. irradiation was studied in these cells at various passage levels of the in vitro ageing process. The mouse fibroblasts show considerable repair synthesis corresponding to the duration of exposure time. The capacity for induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis was different in the cells of each strain and correlated to the natural life span of the animal. In each case, however, the ability to perform repair synthesis was subjected to an age-associated decline, although semiconservative DNA synthesis and proliferative potential of the cells was not changed until the cultures entered phase III passages.", "contents": "Correlation between DNA repair of embryonic fibroblasts and different life span of 3 inbred mouse strains. Primary mouse fibroblast cultures were established from 10 day old embryos of 3 inbred strains with a genetically determined different life expectancy. The capacity for unscheduled DNA synthesis following u.v. irradiation was studied in these cells at various passage levels of the in vitro ageing process. The mouse fibroblasts show considerable repair synthesis corresponding to the duration of exposure time. The capacity for induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis was different in the cells of each strain and correlated to the natural life span of the animal. In each case, however, the ability to perform repair synthesis was subjected to an age-associated decline, although semiconservative DNA synthesis and proliferative potential of the cells was not changed until the cultures entered phase III passages.", "PMID": 621967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4276", "title": "Age-dependence of isoproterenol-induced DNA synthesis in submandibular glands of BALB/c mice.", "content": "The age-dependency of isoproterenol (IPR) induced DNA synthesis was investigated in different organs of Balb/c mice. Although modifications of the physiological rate of DNA synthesis after IPR injection occurred also in liver and spleen, a quasi-linear decrease of the peak of IPR response with advancing age was observed only in submandibular glands. Such a decrease was observed when animals were injected with 10(-4) g IPR per g body weight, lower doses being unable to discriminate between young and old mice. In spite of some differences between mice and rats, the early appearance and linearity of the age-dependency remain common features of IPR response.", "contents": "Age-dependence of isoproterenol-induced DNA synthesis in submandibular glands of BALB/c mice. The age-dependency of isoproterenol (IPR) induced DNA synthesis was investigated in different organs of Balb/c mice. Although modifications of the physiological rate of DNA synthesis after IPR injection occurred also in liver and spleen, a quasi-linear decrease of the peak of IPR response with advancing age was observed only in submandibular glands. Such a decrease was observed when animals were injected with 10(-4) g IPR per g body weight, lower doses being unable to discriminate between young and old mice. In spite of some differences between mice and rats, the early appearance and linearity of the age-dependency remain common features of IPR response.", "PMID": 621968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4277", "title": "Thymus-dependent reversibility of physiological and isoproterenol evoked age-related parameters in athymic (nude) and old normal mice.", "content": "In order to assess the relationship between the thymus and aging processes, a linear age-dependent parameter in mice such as the response of the submandibular gland to an injection with isoproterenol has been evaluated in athymic (nude) and thymectomized Balb/c mice. The IPR-induced DNA synthesis is reduced in both experimental groups when compared to untreated normal littermates and is recovered by grafting a neonatal thymus. Moreover, the impairment of IPR response in old animals is recovered to young levels by grafting one neonatal thymus one month before test. Neonatal thymus grafts in old recipients are also able to correct their abnormal serum levels of triiodothyronine and insulin. The influence of neonatal thymus on such non-immunological and age-related parameters suggests that this gland can control aging processes, probably through its implication with the endocrine system.", "contents": "Thymus-dependent reversibility of physiological and isoproterenol evoked age-related parameters in athymic (nude) and old normal mice. In order to assess the relationship between the thymus and aging processes, a linear age-dependent parameter in mice such as the response of the submandibular gland to an injection with isoproterenol has been evaluated in athymic (nude) and thymectomized Balb/c mice. The IPR-induced DNA synthesis is reduced in both experimental groups when compared to untreated normal littermates and is recovered by grafting a neonatal thymus. Moreover, the impairment of IPR response in old animals is recovered to young levels by grafting one neonatal thymus one month before test. Neonatal thymus grafts in old recipients are also able to correct their abnormal serum levels of triiodothyronine and insulin. The influence of neonatal thymus on such non-immunological and age-related parameters suggests that this gland can control aging processes, probably through its implication with the endocrine system.", "PMID": 621969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4278", "title": "Age dependent kinetic studies of cytoplasmic and lysosomal enzymes of the normal and D-galactosamine injured rat liver.", "content": "Rats of two age groups (6 weeks and 30 months) received (1) a single dose of 600 mg D-galactosamine (GalN)/kg body weight by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, (2) a single dose of 600 mg GalN/kg body weight i.p. combined with 20 mg prednisolone/kg body weight subcutaneously at the beginning of the experiment. The kinetic studies disclose that GalN produces more severe changes in old than in young animals, represented by the activities of cytoplasmic (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and lysosomal (beta-acetylglucosaminidase beta-glucuronidase, cathepsin D) enzymes. Prednisolone diminishes the morphological liver changes as well as the biochemical disturbances in young rats. There is only a protecting effect in morphological changes of old animals within the first 12 h. The prevention of cytoplasmic enzyme activity increase is limited to the first 12 h.", "contents": "Age dependent kinetic studies of cytoplasmic and lysosomal enzymes of the normal and D-galactosamine injured rat liver. Rats of two age groups (6 weeks and 30 months) received (1) a single dose of 600 mg D-galactosamine (GalN)/kg body weight by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, (2) a single dose of 600 mg GalN/kg body weight i.p. combined with 20 mg prednisolone/kg body weight subcutaneously at the beginning of the experiment. The kinetic studies disclose that GalN produces more severe changes in old than in young animals, represented by the activities of cytoplasmic (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and lysosomal (beta-acetylglucosaminidase beta-glucuronidase, cathepsin D) enzymes. Prednisolone diminishes the morphological liver changes as well as the biochemical disturbances in young rats. There is only a protecting effect in morphological changes of old animals within the first 12 h. The prevention of cytoplasmic enzyme activity increase is limited to the first 12 h.", "PMID": 621970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4279", "title": "A differential effect of protein and calorie deficiency on ovarian follicular growth in the sow.", "content": "Either protein or calorie deficiency alters the pre-antral growth of ovarian follicles in the sow. Protein deficiency depressed the rates of oocyte, oocyte nuclear and oocyte nucleolar growth in follicles composed of one or more layers of granulosa cells. Calorie deficiency depressed the growth of the follicle envelope but only in multilaminar follicles. It is concluded that the effect of protein deficiency on ovarian follicular growth differs significantly from that of calorie deficiency in this species. Neither treatment altered the maximum dimensions of the oocyte at the completion of the intra-ovarian growth phase (phase A).", "contents": "A differential effect of protein and calorie deficiency on ovarian follicular growth in the sow. Either protein or calorie deficiency alters the pre-antral growth of ovarian follicles in the sow. Protein deficiency depressed the rates of oocyte, oocyte nuclear and oocyte nucleolar growth in follicles composed of one or more layers of granulosa cells. Calorie deficiency depressed the growth of the follicle envelope but only in multilaminar follicles. It is concluded that the effect of protein deficiency on ovarian follicular growth differs significantly from that of calorie deficiency in this species. Neither treatment altered the maximum dimensions of the oocyte at the completion of the intra-ovarian growth phase (phase A).", "PMID": 621971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4280", "title": "Differentiation and aging of the rat intestinal mucosa. II. Morphological, enzyme histochemical and disc electrophoretic aspects of the aging of the small intestinal mucosa.", "content": "At different times of day (08.00, 12.00, 16.00 and 24.00) the small intestinal mucosa of four month (adult) and 30 month (senile) old rats was examined histologically, by scanning electron microscopy, autoradiography, enzyme histochemistry and disc electrophoresis. In senile rats a villous atrophy is found histologically and an irregular architecture is found in scanning electron microscopy. The changes are essentially restricted to the proximal small intestine. The enterocytes of adult and senile rats show an identical enzyme histochemical picture. In the proximal small intestine of adult and senile rats, synchronous statistically significant fluctuations of the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase were revealed in the disc electropherograms. Likewise statistically significant are the at all times of day low enzyme activities in the intestinal mucosa of senile rats as compared to the findings in adult rats. The fall in activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase in old rats is attributed to the numerical reduction of the enterocytes which is caused by the age atrophy of the intestinal mucosa. These findings are discussed in connection with results of our own studies of proliferation kinetics and those of other authors.", "contents": "Differentiation and aging of the rat intestinal mucosa. II. Morphological, enzyme histochemical and disc electrophoretic aspects of the aging of the small intestinal mucosa. At different times of day (08.00, 12.00, 16.00 and 24.00) the small intestinal mucosa of four month (adult) and 30 month (senile) old rats was examined histologically, by scanning electron microscopy, autoradiography, enzyme histochemistry and disc electrophoresis. In senile rats a villous atrophy is found histologically and an irregular architecture is found in scanning electron microscopy. The changes are essentially restricted to the proximal small intestine. The enterocytes of adult and senile rats show an identical enzyme histochemical picture. In the proximal small intestine of adult and senile rats, synchronous statistically significant fluctuations of the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase were revealed in the disc electropherograms. Likewise statistically significant are the at all times of day low enzyme activities in the intestinal mucosa of senile rats as compared to the findings in adult rats. The fall in activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase in old rats is attributed to the numerical reduction of the enterocytes which is caused by the age atrophy of the intestinal mucosa. These findings are discussed in connection with results of our own studies of proliferation kinetics and those of other authors.", "PMID": 621972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4281", "title": "Expectations and experience of HMO enrollees after one year: an analysis of satisfaction, utilization, and costs.", "content": "The impact of HMO enrollment on utilization and satisfaction in a sample of industrial employees was investigated using a panel study design. Preenrollment and postenrollment ambulatory utilization rates, out-of-pocket costs, and measures of satisfaction are presented for enrollees in two closed- and one open-panel HMO-type plans. Their health care experiences are compared to those of reenrollees remaining in the HMOs during both surveys, as well as to those retaining their Blue Cross-Blue Shield membership. Lack of access to and dissatisfaction with previous sources of care distinguished the preenrollment experience of those who selected the closed-panel plans; their postenrollment experience produced increasing satisfaction reflecting that their expectations in these areas were met. Continuing enrollees in closed-panel plans were somewhat less satisfied after a year of experience than they were earlier. Those who joined the open-panel plan did so because of the expanded benefits and financial advantages which, their postenrollment experience showed, were accurately perceived. Utilization patterns also changed: continuing enrollees in both types of plans made fewer illness but more preventive visits; new enrollees used greater numbers of both types of services after enrolling than before.", "contents": "Expectations and experience of HMO enrollees after one year: an analysis of satisfaction, utilization, and costs. The impact of HMO enrollment on utilization and satisfaction in a sample of industrial employees was investigated using a panel study design. Preenrollment and postenrollment ambulatory utilization rates, out-of-pocket costs, and measures of satisfaction are presented for enrollees in two closed- and one open-panel HMO-type plans. Their health care experiences are compared to those of reenrollees remaining in the HMOs during both surveys, as well as to those retaining their Blue Cross-Blue Shield membership. Lack of access to and dissatisfaction with previous sources of care distinguished the preenrollment experience of those who selected the closed-panel plans; their postenrollment experience produced increasing satisfaction reflecting that their expectations in these areas were met. Continuing enrollees in closed-panel plans were somewhat less satisfied after a year of experience than they were earlier. Those who joined the open-panel plan did so because of the expanded benefits and financial advantages which, their postenrollment experience showed, were accurately perceived. Utilization patterns also changed: continuing enrollees in both types of plans made fewer illness but more preventive visits; new enrollees used greater numbers of both types of services after enrolling than before.", "PMID": 621974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4282", "title": "Factors affecting children's use of physician services in a prepaid group practice.", "content": "This paper examines factors affecting children's use of physician services in a prepaid group practice. The independent measures come from questions asked of mothers in a survey interview, while the utilization data come from their children's medical records. All independent variables were measured prior to the period of utilization studied. The results provide some evidence in support of the view that physician utilization for children is affected by characteristics of the mother, as well as the child's age and health status. Somewhat different variables were related to whether health services were used at all as compared with magnitude of use. Special consideration is given to the effect of the mother's level of psychological distress on her propensity to use medical services for children. The results suggest that distress was relevant, but only for the white families included in the sample. Also, distress was more important in explaining extent of use than accounting for whether utilization occurred at all. Various hypotheses are examined to explore white-nonwhite differences.", "contents": "Factors affecting children's use of physician services in a prepaid group practice. This paper examines factors affecting children's use of physician services in a prepaid group practice. The independent measures come from questions asked of mothers in a survey interview, while the utilization data come from their children's medical records. All independent variables were measured prior to the period of utilization studied. The results provide some evidence in support of the view that physician utilization for children is affected by characteristics of the mother, as well as the child's age and health status. Somewhat different variables were related to whether health services were used at all as compared with magnitude of use. Special consideration is given to the effect of the mother's level of psychological distress on her propensity to use medical services for children. The results suggest that distress was relevant, but only for the white families included in the sample. Also, distress was more important in explaining extent of use than accounting for whether utilization occurred at all. Various hypotheses are examined to explore white-nonwhite differences.", "PMID": 621975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4283", "title": "Primary care treatment of emotional problems in an HMO.", "content": "Integrating mental health services into primary care should improve the availability, access, and delivery of psychiatric care to the whole population. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are settings for the development of integrated medical-mental health services. This paper reports findings of a project to evaluate a team collaborative model in an HMO. In this model, primary care clinicians carry major responsibility for emotional problems of their patients, and mental health clinicians collaborate with and support primary care clinicians as well as treat referred patients. Over a two-year study period, 15.7 per cent of all patients who visited the HMO presented a mental or emotional difficulty. When psychotropic drug prescriptions were used as an unobtrusive measure for estimating underenumeration, this prevalence figure rose to 19 per cent. Primary care clinicians treated an increasing proportion of the emotional problem demand, although this increase could not be attributed only to the establishment of the team collaborative model. Findings concerning the psychiatric problems treated and psychotropic drugs prescribed by primary care clinicians are also presented. We conclude that the primary care clinicians did assume major responsibility for emotional problem treatment when encouraged and supported through the team collaborative process and other organizational arrangements.", "contents": "Primary care treatment of emotional problems in an HMO. Integrating mental health services into primary care should improve the availability, access, and delivery of psychiatric care to the whole population. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are settings for the development of integrated medical-mental health services. This paper reports findings of a project to evaluate a team collaborative model in an HMO. In this model, primary care clinicians carry major responsibility for emotional problems of their patients, and mental health clinicians collaborate with and support primary care clinicians as well as treat referred patients. Over a two-year study period, 15.7 per cent of all patients who visited the HMO presented a mental or emotional difficulty. When psychotropic drug prescriptions were used as an unobtrusive measure for estimating underenumeration, this prevalence figure rose to 19 per cent. Primary care clinicians treated an increasing proportion of the emotional problem demand, although this increase could not be attributed only to the establishment of the team collaborative model. Findings concerning the psychiatric problems treated and psychotropic drugs prescribed by primary care clinicians are also presented. We conclude that the primary care clinicians did assume major responsibility for emotional problem treatment when encouraged and supported through the team collaborative process and other organizational arrangements.", "PMID": 621976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4284", "title": "The cost of a primary care teaching program in a prepaid group practice.", "content": "Costs were determined for a teaching program in general pediatrics and general internal medicine for advanced residents in a prepaid group practice, the Medical Care Group of Washington University. A time and motion study was conducted to measure the productivity of faculty physicians before and after the establishment of the teaching program. There was a statistically significant loss in productivity for internists and an apparent loss, though not significant, for pediatricians as a result of their teaching effort, but the productivity of the residents more than compensated for the loss. The residual positive value of a full time equivalent (FTE) pediatric resident after reimbursement of all possible lost productivity by faculty pediatricians represented 43.9 per cent of a FTE pediatrician. For a FTE resident in internal medicine the residual positive value was 49.7 per cent of a FTE internist.", "contents": "The cost of a primary care teaching program in a prepaid group practice. Costs were determined for a teaching program in general pediatrics and general internal medicine for advanced residents in a prepaid group practice, the Medical Care Group of Washington University. A time and motion study was conducted to measure the productivity of faculty physicians before and after the establishment of the teaching program. There was a statistically significant loss in productivity for internists and an apparent loss, though not significant, for pediatricians as a result of their teaching effort, but the productivity of the residents more than compensated for the loss. The residual positive value of a full time equivalent (FTE) pediatric resident after reimbursement of all possible lost productivity by faculty pediatricians represented 43.9 per cent of a FTE pediatrician. For a FTE resident in internal medicine the residual positive value was 49.7 per cent of a FTE internist.", "PMID": 621977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4285", "title": "Compound frontal sinus injuries with intracranial penetration.", "content": "Extensive trauma to the forehead, resulting in large penetrating wounds of the frontal sinus that extend into the frontal lobes of the brain, has traditionally been treated by frontal sinus ablation. Although this operation eliminates dead space, it leaves the patient with a depressed area in the forehead with little protection for the brain. The success of Nadell and Kline in replacing skull fragments following compound depressed skull fractures yet avoiding infection has spurred us to attempt this technique in penetrating injuries of the frontal sinus. By preserving the anterior frontal sinus wall, we have not only afforded protection for the frontal lobes of the brain, but, at the same time, avoided the cosmetic defect that would be left by an ablation procedure. This procedure has been performed on two patients at our institution. After a two-year follow-up, excellent forehead profile preservation has been achieved and there has been no evidence of bone absorption or infection at any time since surgery.", "contents": "Compound frontal sinus injuries with intracranial penetration. Extensive trauma to the forehead, resulting in large penetrating wounds of the frontal sinus that extend into the frontal lobes of the brain, has traditionally been treated by frontal sinus ablation. Although this operation eliminates dead space, it leaves the patient with a depressed area in the forehead with little protection for the brain. The success of Nadell and Kline in replacing skull fragments following compound depressed skull fractures yet avoiding infection has spurred us to attempt this technique in penetrating injuries of the frontal sinus. By preserving the anterior frontal sinus wall, we have not only afforded protection for the frontal lobes of the brain, but, at the same time, avoided the cosmetic defect that would be left by an ablation procedure. This procedure has been performed on two patients at our institution. After a two-year follow-up, excellent forehead profile preservation has been achieved and there has been no evidence of bone absorption or infection at any time since surgery.", "PMID": 621988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4286", "title": "Place of total thyroidectomy in rhinolaryngologists' surgical treatment of thyroid disease.", "content": "Total thyroidectomy is more frequently performed and is becoming more widely accepted as the treatment of choice for more surgical diseases of the thyroid gland. Improvement in anesthesia, presurgical and post-operative care, as well as more meticulous surgical technique, have decreased the complications associated with this operation. As is demonstrated, morbidity and complications of total thyroidectomy are no more frequent nor severe than when subtotal thyroidectomy is performed. This allows boadening of the indications for total thyroidectomy to include more cases which will be better controlled, but for which total thyroidectomy had been withheld because of the fear of increased morbidity.", "contents": "Place of total thyroidectomy in rhinolaryngologists' surgical treatment of thyroid disease. Total thyroidectomy is more frequently performed and is becoming more widely accepted as the treatment of choice for more surgical diseases of the thyroid gland. Improvement in anesthesia, presurgical and post-operative care, as well as more meticulous surgical technique, have decreased the complications associated with this operation. As is demonstrated, morbidity and complications of total thyroidectomy are no more frequent nor severe than when subtotal thyroidectomy is performed. This allows boadening of the indications for total thyroidectomy to include more cases which will be better controlled, but for which total thyroidectomy had been withheld because of the fear of increased morbidity.", "PMID": 621989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4287", "title": "The dilemma of the second surgeon.", "content": "The dilemma of the second surgeon is created when a patient is seen who has received advice and/or treatment by a colleague in the same specialty. The problem is compounded when conflicting opinions as to diagnosis, treatment, and results occur. This is discussed in the context of providing optimal care, maintaining effective communication, and avoiding the obvious pitfalls.", "contents": "The dilemma of the second surgeon. The dilemma of the second surgeon is created when a patient is seen who has received advice and/or treatment by a colleague in the same specialty. The problem is compounded when conflicting opinions as to diagnosis, treatment, and results occur. This is discussed in the context of providing optimal care, maintaining effective communication, and avoiding the obvious pitfalls.", "PMID": 621990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4288", "title": "Xeroradiography and otolaryngology.", "content": "As a diagnostic tool, a new horizon in otolaryngology has become apparent in the past several years. It is known as xeroradiography and is a convenient technique requiring minimal patient cooperation and enjoying excellent acceptability for both patients and physicians. Speed, efficiency and consistently high image quality make xeroradiography suitable for otolaryngologic applications in the office, as well as in operating and emergency rooms. All tissue densities are represented in a single image, eliminating the need for taking two films of different densities, while radiation exposure in the same. Now popular for use in mammography, the technique is especially useful for detailed studies of the areas of interest to otolaryngologists. Certain inherent disadvantages in the technique are mentioned and guidelines are given to make these disadvantages an acceptable trade-off in actual application.", "contents": "Xeroradiography and otolaryngology. As a diagnostic tool, a new horizon in otolaryngology has become apparent in the past several years. It is known as xeroradiography and is a convenient technique requiring minimal patient cooperation and enjoying excellent acceptability for both patients and physicians. Speed, efficiency and consistently high image quality make xeroradiography suitable for otolaryngologic applications in the office, as well as in operating and emergency rooms. All tissue densities are represented in a single image, eliminating the need for taking two films of different densities, while radiation exposure in the same. Now popular for use in mammography, the technique is especially useful for detailed studies of the areas of interest to otolaryngologists. Certain inherent disadvantages in the technique are mentioned and guidelines are given to make these disadvantages an acceptable trade-off in actual application.", "PMID": 621993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4289", "title": "Management of parasymphyseal fractures of the mandible.", "content": "Fractures of the parasymphyseal mandible occur in 15% of all cases of mandibular fracture. The experience obtained from 32 consecutive parasymphyseal fractures is outlined. Open reduction and internal fixation was required in patients having severe comminution, a mobile central fragment, or bilateral subcondylar fractures. These circumstances constituted 15% of all parasymphyseal fractures. The techniques utilized have been outlined.", "contents": "Management of parasymphyseal fractures of the mandible. Fractures of the parasymphyseal mandible occur in 15% of all cases of mandibular fracture. The experience obtained from 32 consecutive parasymphyseal fractures is outlined. Open reduction and internal fixation was required in patients having severe comminution, a mobile central fragment, or bilateral subcondylar fractures. These circumstances constituted 15% of all parasymphyseal fractures. The techniques utilized have been outlined.", "PMID": 621994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4290", "title": "The biphasic acoustic reflex: a new perspective.", "content": "The anatomic, neurologic, and physiologic characteristics of the middle ear structures have created confusion concerning the nature of the intraaural muscle reflex. After reviewing the relevant literature, we correlated this information with our studies of human temporal bones and computer analyses of the acoustic reflex responses of individuals with normal hearing. Our hypothesis is that although the stapedius is the initiator of the reflex and the primary contributor to ossicular chain fixation, the tensor tympani is responsible for the major observed response. The negative deflection present in normals tested on the impedance bridge is caused by the stapedius, whereas the large positive deflection is the result of the tensor tympani contraction. We postulate that proprioceptive feedback mechanisms located within the stapedius muscle and tendon permit and/or initiate tensor tympani contraction during acoustic stimulation.", "contents": "The biphasic acoustic reflex: a new perspective. The anatomic, neurologic, and physiologic characteristics of the middle ear structures have created confusion concerning the nature of the intraaural muscle reflex. After reviewing the relevant literature, we correlated this information with our studies of human temporal bones and computer analyses of the acoustic reflex responses of individuals with normal hearing. Our hypothesis is that although the stapedius is the initiator of the reflex and the primary contributor to ossicular chain fixation, the tensor tympani is responsible for the major observed response. The negative deflection present in normals tested on the impedance bridge is caused by the stapedius, whereas the large positive deflection is the result of the tensor tympani contraction. We postulate that proprioceptive feedback mechanisms located within the stapedius muscle and tendon permit and/or initiate tensor tympani contraction during acoustic stimulation.", "PMID": 621996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4291", "title": "Nerve conduction time in Bell's palsy.", "content": "This paper deals with the problem of idiopathic Bell's palsy. One hundred thirty seven cases of Bell's palsy were analyzed. It is shown that the use of E.M.G., facial nerve conduction time, and stimulating thresholds necessary to achieve supramaximal stimulation reduced the number of patients with complete paralysis in the poor prognosis group to 20.6% as compared to 37.5% when the nerve excitability test alone was utilized.", "contents": "Nerve conduction time in Bell's palsy. This paper deals with the problem of idiopathic Bell's palsy. One hundred thirty seven cases of Bell's palsy were analyzed. It is shown that the use of E.M.G., facial nerve conduction time, and stimulating thresholds necessary to achieve supramaximal stimulation reduced the number of patients with complete paralysis in the poor prognosis group to 20.6% as compared to 37.5% when the nerve excitability test alone was utilized.", "PMID": 621997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4292", "title": "Hearing investigation in relation to the duration of acoustic signals.", "content": "The present study was designed to test the peculiarities of hearing perception on dependence of acoustic signal duration both in normal hearing subjects and in those with conductive and sensorineural deafness. It was found that in patients with pure conductive hearing impairment the shortest time necessary for tonal sensation of the sound signal corresponded to normal values. However, in 35 out of 63 patients investigated with cochlear deafness, it was found that the signal had to be of longer duration before pitch could be distinguished from a click.", "contents": "Hearing investigation in relation to the duration of acoustic signals. The present study was designed to test the peculiarities of hearing perception on dependence of acoustic signal duration both in normal hearing subjects and in those with conductive and sensorineural deafness. It was found that in patients with pure conductive hearing impairment the shortest time necessary for tonal sensation of the sound signal corresponded to normal values. However, in 35 out of 63 patients investigated with cochlear deafness, it was found that the signal had to be of longer duration before pitch could be distinguished from a click.", "PMID": 621999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4293", "title": "Bone apposition rate as an index of bone metabolism.", "content": "The rate of bone apposition was studied by labeling bone with four or five sequential doses of oxytetracycline given at equal intervals of 2 or 4 days in rats and rabbits. The rate was estimated in bone formation sites bearing all the doses. This method has the advantage of assessing the rate of new bone mineralization during the active bone-forming phase only. This index of bone formation was found to be independent of the location of bone samples in the skeleton, and therefore might be under the influence of general body mechanisms only. Preliminary study in the rats indeed yielded results indicating that this bone apposition rate is accelerated by dietary deficiency in calcium.", "contents": "Bone apposition rate as an index of bone metabolism. The rate of bone apposition was studied by labeling bone with four or five sequential doses of oxytetracycline given at equal intervals of 2 or 4 days in rats and rabbits. The rate was estimated in bone formation sites bearing all the doses. This method has the advantage of assessing the rate of new bone mineralization during the active bone-forming phase only. This index of bone formation was found to be independent of the location of bone samples in the skeleton, and therefore might be under the influence of general body mechanisms only. Preliminary study in the rats indeed yielded results indicating that this bone apposition rate is accelerated by dietary deficiency in calcium.", "PMID": 622046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4294", "title": "Abnormal concentration and anomalous distribution of apolipoprotein A-I in Tangier disease.", "content": "A double-antibody radioimmunoassay was used to determine the concentration and distribution of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in the plasma of patients with Tangier disease. Obligate heterozygotes for Tangier disease had apoA-I levels that were 50% or less of controls, even when estimates of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were normal. Plasma apoA-I levels in Tangier homozygotes were at most 3% of normal. Most of the apoA-I in the plasma of homozygotes sedimented in the ultracentrifuge at density 1.21 g/ml, and no more than 20% was recovered in the plasma lipoprotein fraction. Radioimmunoassay demonstrated no immunochemical differences between Tangier and control apoA-I.", "contents": "Abnormal concentration and anomalous distribution of apolipoprotein A-I in Tangier disease. A double-antibody radioimmunoassay was used to determine the concentration and distribution of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in the plasma of patients with Tangier disease. Obligate heterozygotes for Tangier disease had apoA-I levels that were 50% or less of controls, even when estimates of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were normal. Plasma apoA-I levels in Tangier homozygotes were at most 3% of normal. Most of the apoA-I in the plasma of homozygotes sedimented in the ultracentrifuge at density 1.21 g/ml, and no more than 20% was recovered in the plasma lipoprotein fraction. Radioimmunoassay demonstrated no immunochemical differences between Tangier and control apoA-I.", "PMID": 622047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4295", "title": "Stimulatory effect of glycine on human growth hormone secretion.", "content": "Glycine (250 ml 0.3 M glycine) was administered orally to 19 nonobese normal subjects and 12 subjects with partial gastrectomy. In the normal subjects, a clear and significant increase of serum human growth hormone (hGH) level was observed (p less than 0.001), whereas serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), prolactin (PRL) and blood sugar (BS) levels were not affected after the drug administration. A more pronounced and significant increase of hGH value in serum was found in the subjects with gastrectomy than in the normal controls (p less than 0.001). Thus we administered the drug intraduodenally in normal subjects. The similar rise of hGH to that of the gastrectomied group was obtained in normals by this administration. The facts demonstrated that glycine is one of the stimulatory agents inducing the pituitary gland to secrete hGH. In addition, in nonobese diabetics, no significant increase of serum hGH level, even after the intraduodenal administration of glycine, was observed in the present study.", "contents": "Stimulatory effect of glycine on human growth hormone secretion. Glycine (250 ml 0.3 M glycine) was administered orally to 19 nonobese normal subjects and 12 subjects with partial gastrectomy. In the normal subjects, a clear and significant increase of serum human growth hormone (hGH) level was observed (p less than 0.001), whereas serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), prolactin (PRL) and blood sugar (BS) levels were not affected after the drug administration. A more pronounced and significant increase of hGH value in serum was found in the subjects with gastrectomy than in the normal controls (p less than 0.001). Thus we administered the drug intraduodenally in normal subjects. The similar rise of hGH to that of the gastrectomied group was obtained in normals by this administration. The facts demonstrated that glycine is one of the stimulatory agents inducing the pituitary gland to secrete hGH. In addition, in nonobese diabetics, no significant increase of serum hGH level, even after the intraduodenal administration of glycine, was observed in the present study.", "PMID": 622050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4296", "title": "[Does oxazepam (ADUMBRAN) interfere with anticoagulant treatment. A controlled study. (author's transl)].", "content": "Newer communications dealing with drug interaction between tranquillizers and anticoagulants and the frequent combined intake of these drugs have induced us to perform a series of coagulation-and platelet parameters in 21 antiocoagulated patients with and without oxazepam (Adumbran). Control of adherence to the prescriptions was stressed upon: all cases were controlled by analysis of urin and nonadherent patients were excluded from statistical evaluation of hemostatic parameters. In the obtained well defined group no differences were observed in the effect of constant doses of anticoagulants and different tests of plasmatic coagulation and platelet aggregability.", "contents": "[Does oxazepam (ADUMBRAN) interfere with anticoagulant treatment. A controlled study. (author's transl)]. Newer communications dealing with drug interaction between tranquillizers and anticoagulants and the frequent combined intake of these drugs have induced us to perform a series of coagulation-and platelet parameters in 21 antiocoagulated patients with and without oxazepam (Adumbran). Control of adherence to the prescriptions was stressed upon: all cases were controlled by analysis of urin and nonadherent patients were excluded from statistical evaluation of hemostatic parameters. In the obtained well defined group no differences were observed in the effect of constant doses of anticoagulants and different tests of plasmatic coagulation and platelet aggregability.", "PMID": 622064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4297", "title": "[Coumarin-necroses: An allergic reaction or a local Sanarelli-Shwartzman-phenomenon? (author's transl)].", "content": "In a 70-year old woman presenting with extended coumarin-necroses on her right thigh and shin histological findings, immunofluorescence and coagulation-parameters favoured a mechanism closely related to a local Sanarelly-Shwartzman-reaction. A primary immunological process involving the vessel walls could be ruled out.", "contents": "[Coumarin-necroses: An allergic reaction or a local Sanarelli-Shwartzman-phenomenon? (author's transl)]. In a 70-year old woman presenting with extended coumarin-necroses on her right thigh and shin histological findings, immunofluorescence and coagulation-parameters favoured a mechanism closely related to a local Sanarelly-Shwartzman-reaction. A primary immunological process involving the vessel walls could be ruled out.", "PMID": 622065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4298", "title": "[Therapy of Marchiafava-Micheli's disease: Remission under therapy with Lynestrenol (author's transl)].", "content": "The remission of a case of Marchiafava-Micheli under therapy with Lynestrenol is represented. The observation period is 16 months. The therapeutical purpose--stabilizing the red cell membrane by increasing the serum cholesterol concentration--is discussed by laboratory findings. Moreover the clinical picture and other common treatments against this disease are demonstrated by the example of this case.", "contents": "[Therapy of Marchiafava-Micheli's disease: Remission under therapy with Lynestrenol (author's transl)]. The remission of a case of Marchiafava-Micheli under therapy with Lynestrenol is represented. The observation period is 16 months. The therapeutical purpose--stabilizing the red cell membrane by increasing the serum cholesterol concentration--is discussed by laboratory findings. Moreover the clinical picture and other common treatments against this disease are demonstrated by the example of this case.", "PMID": 622066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4299", "title": "Characterization of analog resistance and purine metabolism of adult rat-liver epithelial cell 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants.", "content": "Adult rat-liver epithelial cultures were sensitive to the lethal effects of 8-azaguanine (AG), but lines contained variants resistant to AG. The frequency of retrievable AG-resistant colonies varied with both the concentration of AG used and the seeding density of the population under selection. Cells resistant to AG were also cross-resistant to 6-thioguanine and unable to grow in medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine. Resistance was stable. AG resistance was due to a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRTase) activity which was not caused by an inhibitor. In the assay for HGPRTase, a substantial amount of product appeared as inosine (In) in addition to inosine monophosphate (IMP). Purine nucleoside phosphorylase will generate In from hypoxanthine and, indeed, the cells did possess this activity. However, several findings indicated that the In was derived from IMP by catabolism by 5'-nucleotidase (NTase): (1) IMP decreased as In increased and (2) the inhibitors of NTase, adenosine monophosphate and thymidine triphosphate, reduced the generation of In by over 90% without inhibiting purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The cells possessed substantial NTase activity, 35% of which was located in the cytosol along with 69% of HGPRTase. Several lines of evidence suggested that the NTase activity limited the amount of 8-azaguanylic acid presented to the cells by catabolising the nucleotide and, thereby, reducing the toxicity of available AG.", "contents": "Characterization of analog resistance and purine metabolism of adult rat-liver epithelial cell 8-azaguanine-resistant mutants. Adult rat-liver epithelial cultures were sensitive to the lethal effects of 8-azaguanine (AG), but lines contained variants resistant to AG. The frequency of retrievable AG-resistant colonies varied with both the concentration of AG used and the seeding density of the population under selection. Cells resistant to AG were also cross-resistant to 6-thioguanine and unable to grow in medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine. Resistance was stable. AG resistance was due to a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRTase) activity which was not caused by an inhibitor. In the assay for HGPRTase, a substantial amount of product appeared as inosine (In) in addition to inosine monophosphate (IMP). Purine nucleoside phosphorylase will generate In from hypoxanthine and, indeed, the cells did possess this activity. However, several findings indicated that the In was derived from IMP by catabolism by 5'-nucleotidase (NTase): (1) IMP decreased as In increased and (2) the inhibitors of NTase, adenosine monophosphate and thymidine triphosphate, reduced the generation of In by over 90% without inhibiting purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The cells possessed substantial NTase activity, 35% of which was located in the cytosol along with 69% of HGPRTase. Several lines of evidence suggested that the NTase activity limited the amount of 8-azaguanylic acid presented to the cells by catabolising the nucleotide and, thereby, reducing the toxicity of available AG.", "PMID": 622078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4300", "title": "The influence of caffeine on the mitomycin C-induced chromosome aberration frequency in normal human and xeroderma pigmentosum cells.", "content": "The clastogenic effect of mitomycin C (MC) was determined in two normal fibroblast cell lines and two xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cell lines, a variant and a group A excision-deficient line. The group A xeroderma cell line was substantially more sensitive to MC than either the XP variant or the normal human cells. On caffeine post-treatment potentiation of the MC-induced aberration frequency occurred in all the cell lines. The XP variant cell line exhibited a distinctly higher sensitivity to caffeine than the classical XP or the normal human cell line.", "contents": "The influence of caffeine on the mitomycin C-induced chromosome aberration frequency in normal human and xeroderma pigmentosum cells. The clastogenic effect of mitomycin C (MC) was determined in two normal fibroblast cell lines and two xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cell lines, a variant and a group A excision-deficient line. The group A xeroderma cell line was substantially more sensitive to MC than either the XP variant or the normal human cells. On caffeine post-treatment potentiation of the MC-induced aberration frequency occurred in all the cell lines. The XP variant cell line exhibited a distinctly higher sensitivity to caffeine than the classical XP or the normal human cell line.", "PMID": 622079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4301", "title": "Linear dose-response of acentric chromosome fragments down to 1 R of x-rays in grasshopper neuroblasts, a potential mutagen-test system.", "content": "Grasshopper-embryo neuroblasts have no spontaneous chromosome breakage; therefore they permit easy detection of agents that break chromosomes. An X-ray exposure of 1 R induces in them a detectable number of chromosome fragments. The dose-response of acentric fragment frequency fits a linear model between 0 and 128 R. Thus another cell type is added to those previously demonstrated to have no threshold dose for the induction of chromosome or gene mutations.", "contents": "Linear dose-response of acentric chromosome fragments down to 1 R of x-rays in grasshopper neuroblasts, a potential mutagen-test system. Grasshopper-embryo neuroblasts have no spontaneous chromosome breakage; therefore they permit easy detection of agents that break chromosomes. An X-ray exposure of 1 R induces in them a detectable number of chromosome fragments. The dose-response of acentric fragment frequency fits a linear model between 0 and 128 R. Thus another cell type is added to those previously demonstrated to have no threshold dose for the induction of chromosome or gene mutations.", "PMID": 622082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4302", "title": "Dominant and recessive effects of induced-lethals in female mice by exposure to gamma-irradiation during the 10th to 14th day of intrauterine life.", "content": "The frequency of (dominant and) recessive lethal mutations induced by 160-rad chronic gamma-irradiation given with a dose rate of 0.03 rad/min during the 10th to 14th day of gestation has been studied in female CBA-mice. An increased rate of recessive lethal equivalents by about 10% has been noted. This increase corresponds to a mutation rate of 6.3 X 10(-4) mutation/rad/genome. There were not found any dominant mutations, nor any dominance effects from the induced recessive lethal equivalents. The hazards after irradiation during foetal development are discussed.", "contents": "Dominant and recessive effects of induced-lethals in female mice by exposure to gamma-irradiation during the 10th to 14th day of intrauterine life. The frequency of (dominant and) recessive lethal mutations induced by 160-rad chronic gamma-irradiation given with a dose rate of 0.03 rad/min during the 10th to 14th day of gestation has been studied in female CBA-mice. An increased rate of recessive lethal equivalents by about 10% has been noted. This increase corresponds to a mutation rate of 6.3 X 10(-4) mutation/rad/genome. There were not found any dominant mutations, nor any dominance effects from the induced recessive lethal equivalents. The hazards after irradiation during foetal development are discussed.", "PMID": 622083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4303", "title": "alpha-Amanithin-resistant mutants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.", "content": "Spontaneous and EMS-induced alpha-amanitin-resistant CHO cells have been isolated and characterized. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II in cell-free extracts from a mutant (ARM-1) was partially resistant to alpha-amanitin. Growing mutants for several generations in the presence or absence of alpha-amanitin did not change the pattern of inhibition. The mutants grew with a lag following transfer to medium with or without alpha-amanitin. The mutants have an altered RNA polymerase II, and possibly an altered cell membrane.", "contents": "alpha-Amanithin-resistant mutants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Spontaneous and EMS-induced alpha-amanitin-resistant CHO cells have been isolated and characterized. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II in cell-free extracts from a mutant (ARM-1) was partially resistant to alpha-amanitin. Growing mutants for several generations in the presence or absence of alpha-amanitin did not change the pattern of inhibition. The mutants grew with a lag following transfer to medium with or without alpha-amanitin. The mutants have an altered RNA polymerase II, and possibly an altered cell membrane.", "PMID": 622084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4304", "title": "Correction of human cyclic neutropenia with prednisolone.", "content": "A 70-year-old woman with cyclic neutropenia was treated with 16 mg of etiocholanolone and 25 mg of prednisolone intramuscularly every other day. During 14 weeks' treatment amplitude of cyclic fluctuations in neutrophil counts gradually decreased, but pretreatment cycles returned promptly after treatment was stopped. Prednisolone alone every other day (25 mg) reproduced this result, and by 23 weeks, neutrophil counts became stable at about 1500 per cubic millimeter. tcycling of monocytes, platelets and reticulocytes was also eliminated, as were symptoms that had accompanied neutropenic periods. In addition, bone-marrow neutrophil precursors and neutrophil marrow reserves were stabilized. The patient was subsequently maintained satisfactorily with oral prednisolone, 20 mg every other day. These studies demonstrate that the discontinuous myeloid maturation that occurs in cyclic neutropenia can be corrected with prednisolone every other day.", "contents": "Correction of human cyclic neutropenia with prednisolone. A 70-year-old woman with cyclic neutropenia was treated with 16 mg of etiocholanolone and 25 mg of prednisolone intramuscularly every other day. During 14 weeks' treatment amplitude of cyclic fluctuations in neutrophil counts gradually decreased, but pretreatment cycles returned promptly after treatment was stopped. Prednisolone alone every other day (25 mg) reproduced this result, and by 23 weeks, neutrophil counts became stable at about 1500 per cubic millimeter. tcycling of monocytes, platelets and reticulocytes was also eliminated, as were symptoms that had accompanied neutropenic periods. In addition, bone-marrow neutrophil precursors and neutrophil marrow reserves were stabilized. The patient was subsequently maintained satisfactorily with oral prednisolone, 20 mg every other day. These studies demonstrate that the discontinuous myeloid maturation that occurs in cyclic neutropenia can be corrected with prednisolone every other day.", "PMID": 622086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4305", "title": "Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause of acute \"idiopathic\" epididymitis.", "content": "To assess the etiologic role of C. trachomatis and other micro-organisms in \"idiopathic\" epididymitis, 23 men underwent microbiologic studies, including cultures of epididymal aspirates in 16. Eleven of 13 men under the age of 35 years had C. trachomatis infection whereas eight of 10 over 35 had coliform urinary-tract infection. Cultures of epididymal aspirates yielded C. trachomatis alone in five of six men under 35, and coliform bacteria alone in five of 10 over 35. These results suggest that C. trachomatis is the major cause of \"idiopathic\" epididymitis, and coliform bacteria the major cause of epididymitis in older men. Expressible urethral discharge and inguinal pain were more common in the chlamydial cases, whereas concurrent genitourinary abnormality and scrotal edema and erythema occurred more commonly in the coliform cases. The morbidity attributable to C. trachomatis is as serious as that attributable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.", "contents": "Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause of acute \"idiopathic\" epididymitis. To assess the etiologic role of C. trachomatis and other micro-organisms in \"idiopathic\" epididymitis, 23 men underwent microbiologic studies, including cultures of epididymal aspirates in 16. Eleven of 13 men under the age of 35 years had C. trachomatis infection whereas eight of 10 over 35 had coliform urinary-tract infection. Cultures of epididymal aspirates yielded C. trachomatis alone in five of six men under 35, and coliform bacteria alone in five of 10 over 35. These results suggest that C. trachomatis is the major cause of \"idiopathic\" epididymitis, and coliform bacteria the major cause of epididymitis in older men. Expressible urethral discharge and inguinal pain were more common in the chlamydial cases, whereas concurrent genitourinary abnormality and scrotal edema and erythema occurred more commonly in the coliform cases. The morbidity attributable to C. trachomatis is as serious as that attributable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae.", "PMID": 622087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4306", "title": "Porphyria cutanea tarda in three generations of a single family.", "content": "We examined conjugal and blood relatives of one kindred for evidence of porphyria cutanea tarda. The disease was identified in eight family members in three generations. Four were classified as having overt porphyria cutanea tarda because of four criteria: photo-enhanced dermatosis; excessive urinary excretion of uroporphyrins; characteristic thin-layer chromatographic pattern of urinary porphyrins; and decreased activity of erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Two patients with excessive excretion of uroporphyrins or characteristic chromatograms, or both, and decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity were classified as having subclinical porphyria cutanea tarda, and two with decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity only were classified as having latent porphyria cutanea tarda. This study provides further evidence that prophyria cutanea tarda can be a familial disease inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. We propose a reclassification of porphria cutanea tarda as an overt, subclinical or latent disorder.", "contents": "Porphyria cutanea tarda in three generations of a single family. We examined conjugal and blood relatives of one kindred for evidence of porphyria cutanea tarda. The disease was identified in eight family members in three generations. Four were classified as having overt porphyria cutanea tarda because of four criteria: photo-enhanced dermatosis; excessive urinary excretion of uroporphyrins; characteristic thin-layer chromatographic pattern of urinary porphyrins; and decreased activity of erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Two patients with excessive excretion of uroporphyrins or characteristic chromatograms, or both, and decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity were classified as having subclinical porphyria cutanea tarda, and two with decreased uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity only were classified as having latent porphyria cutanea tarda. This study provides further evidence that prophyria cutanea tarda can be a familial disease inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. We propose a reclassification of porphria cutanea tarda as an overt, subclinical or latent disorder.", "PMID": 622106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4307", "title": "History of recurrent sore throat as an indication for tonsillectomy. Predictive limitations of histories that are undocumented.", "content": "As part of a prospective study of indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, we followed closely 65 children with histories of recurrent throat infection that seemed impressive (at least seven episodes in one year, five in each of two consecutive years or three in each of three consecutive years), but lacked documentation. During the first year of observation, only 11 children (17 per cent) had episodes of throat infection with clinical features and patterns of frequency conforming to those described in their presenting histories. Of the remaining 54 children, 43 (80 per cent) experienced no, one or two observed episodes each, and most of the episodes were mild. We conclude that undocumented histories of recurrent throat infection do not validly forecast subsequent experience and hence do not constitute an adequate basis for subjecting children to tonsillectomy.", "contents": "History of recurrent sore throat as an indication for tonsillectomy. Predictive limitations of histories that are undocumented. As part of a prospective study of indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, we followed closely 65 children with histories of recurrent throat infection that seemed impressive (at least seven episodes in one year, five in each of two consecutive years or three in each of three consecutive years), but lacked documentation. During the first year of observation, only 11 children (17 per cent) had episodes of throat infection with clinical features and patterns of frequency conforming to those described in their presenting histories. Of the remaining 54 children, 43 (80 per cent) experienced no, one or two observed episodes each, and most of the episodes were mild. We conclude that undocumented histories of recurrent throat infection do not validly forecast subsequent experience and hence do not constitute an adequate basis for subjecting children to tonsillectomy.", "PMID": 622117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4308", "title": "Folate-induced remission in aplastic anemia with familial defect of cellular folate uptake.", "content": "Severe aplastic anemia developed in a young man with an extensive family history of leukemia, pancytopenia, and neutropenia. Megaloblastic changes became evident, and treatment with high doses of folic acid resulted in striking clinical improvement. However, red-cell folate levels remained persistently low despite high serum folate levels. A defect in cellular folate uptake was suspected, and, indeed, uptake of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by stimulated lymphocytes and by bone-marrow cells from the patient was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05 as compared to normal cells. Further characterization of folate metabolism showed that intestinal absorption of the vitamin, membrane transport of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by mature red cells, folate utilization in the conversion of deoxyuridylate to thymidylate and polyglutamate formation were all normal. At least five other family members manifest decreased uptake of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by stimulated lymphocytes. These studies suggest that a genetically induced abnormality of folate uptake contributed to this patient's severe, but reversible, aplasia.", "contents": "Folate-induced remission in aplastic anemia with familial defect of cellular folate uptake. Severe aplastic anemia developed in a young man with an extensive family history of leukemia, pancytopenia, and neutropenia. Megaloblastic changes became evident, and treatment with high doses of folic acid resulted in striking clinical improvement. However, red-cell folate levels remained persistently low despite high serum folate levels. A defect in cellular folate uptake was suspected, and, indeed, uptake of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by stimulated lymphocytes and by bone-marrow cells from the patient was significantly reduced (P less than 0.05 as compared to normal cells. Further characterization of folate metabolism showed that intestinal absorption of the vitamin, membrane transport of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by mature red cells, folate utilization in the conversion of deoxyuridylate to thymidylate and polyglutamate formation were all normal. At least five other family members manifest decreased uptake of 5-14CH3-H4-folate by stimulated lymphocytes. These studies suggest that a genetically induced abnormality of folate uptake contributed to this patient's severe, but reversible, aplasia.", "PMID": 622138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4309", "title": "The diagnostic importance of the normal finding.", "content": "When a diagnostic test is reported as normal, the clinician generally uses it only to rule out certain diseases. However, if properly interpreted, the normal value may help to differentiate among diagnoses that yield normal results with different frequencies. A simple method permits the extraction of such information. The physician estimates the probability of various diagnoses and then combines these estimates with the anticipated frequency of negative results for each disease under consideration.", "contents": "The diagnostic importance of the normal finding. When a diagnostic test is reported as normal, the clinician generally uses it only to rule out certain diseases. However, if properly interpreted, the normal value may help to differentiate among diagnoses that yield normal results with different frequencies. A simple method permits the extraction of such information. The physician estimates the probability of various diagnoses and then combines these estimates with the anticipated frequency of negative results for each disease under consideration.", "PMID": 622139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4310", "title": "alpha-Helix-double helix interaction shown in the structure of a protamine-transfer RNA complex and a nucleoprotamine model.", "content": "Single crystal X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism studies of protamine binding to a tRNA suggest that the protamine molecule changes its conformation from a random coil to a structure containing a helices on binding to tRNA, and that alpha-helical segment(s) of protamine bind approximately along a shallow groove of a double-helical portion of ttrna. based on these observations, a structural model for nucleoprotamine is proposed.", "contents": "alpha-Helix-double helix interaction shown in the structure of a protamine-transfer RNA complex and a nucleoprotamine model. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and circular dichroism studies of protamine binding to a tRNA suggest that the protamine molecule changes its conformation from a random coil to a structure containing a helices on binding to tRNA, and that alpha-helical segment(s) of protamine bind approximately along a shallow groove of a double-helical portion of ttrna. based on these observations, a structural model for nucleoprotamine is proposed.", "PMID": 622153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4311", "title": "Structure of vancomycin and its complex with acetyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine.", "content": "Vancomycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, inhibits the growth of cell walls by complex formation with peptides terminating in D-alanyl-D-alanine. The structure of vancomycin was determined by X-ray analysis of the degradation product CDP-I. A model of the complex is proposed based on this study and spectroscopic data.", "contents": "Structure of vancomycin and its complex with acetyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine. Vancomycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, inhibits the growth of cell walls by complex formation with peptides terminating in D-alanyl-D-alanine. The structure of vancomycin was determined by X-ray analysis of the degradation product CDP-I. A model of the complex is proposed based on this study and spectroscopic data.", "PMID": 622161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4312", "title": "Can a myosin molecule bind to two actin filaments?", "content": "It is suggested that in striated muscles the two heads of one myosin molecule are able to interact with different actin filaments. This would provide a simple explanation for the appearance and arrangement of cross-bridges in insect flight muscle in rigor.", "contents": "Can a myosin molecule bind to two actin filaments? It is suggested that in striated muscles the two heads of one myosin molecule are able to interact with different actin filaments. This would provide a simple explanation for the appearance and arrangement of cross-bridges in insect flight muscle in rigor.", "PMID": 622172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4313", "title": "Structural comparison of glycophorins and immunochemical analysis of genetic variants.", "content": "Differences in amino acid sequence of erythrocyte membrane glycophorin A are correlated with M or N blood group activity. A second sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin B, has an amino acid sequence identical to that of glycophorin AN in the first 23 positions and carries N activity only, suggesting that different structural genes code for the glycoproteins carrying these antigens. Certain genetically variant cells lack glycophorin A, as determined by immunochemical methods, and serological MN activity. Other variants lack MN activity, but contain normal amounts of glycophorin A in the membrane.", "contents": "Structural comparison of glycophorins and immunochemical analysis of genetic variants. Differences in amino acid sequence of erythrocyte membrane glycophorin A are correlated with M or N blood group activity. A second sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin B, has an amino acid sequence identical to that of glycophorin AN in the first 23 positions and carries N activity only, suggesting that different structural genes code for the glycoproteins carrying these antigens. Certain genetically variant cells lack glycophorin A, as determined by immunochemical methods, and serological MN activity. Other variants lack MN activity, but contain normal amounts of glycophorin A in the membrane.", "PMID": 622188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4314", "title": "Age-dependent distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human kidney tissue.", "content": "Acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) of human kidneys prepared from subjects of different ages were purified and determined by an enzymic assay with chondroitinases. The resulting disaccharide units and the undigested AGAG after digesting with the enzymes were identified by paper chromatography, electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography. The age-dependent changes were: heparan sulfates accounted for 43-74% of total AGAG and the proportion to total AGAG appeared to decrease with advancing age. Dermatan sulfate remained without change. The proportion of hyaluronic acid appeared to decrease at 19-21 years and increased again with aging. The ratio of the 4-type chondroitin sulfate to the 6-type decreased with advancing age.", "contents": "Age-dependent distribution of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human kidney tissue. Acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) of human kidneys prepared from subjects of different ages were purified and determined by an enzymic assay with chondroitinases. The resulting disaccharide units and the undigested AGAG after digesting with the enzymes were identified by paper chromatography, electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography. The age-dependent changes were: heparan sulfates accounted for 43-74% of total AGAG and the proportion to total AGAG appeared to decrease with advancing age. Dermatan sulfate remained without change. The proportion of hyaluronic acid appeared to decrease at 19-21 years and increased again with aging. The ratio of the 4-type chondroitin sulfate to the 6-type decreased with advancing age.", "PMID": 622208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4315", "title": "Renovascular hypertension. Relationship between hepatic blood flow and plasma renin activity.", "content": "Hepatic blood flow and peripheral plasma renin activity were determined in 15 true renovascular hypertensive patients and in 13 patients with essential hypertension. In the renovascular hypertensives, plasma renin activity and hepatic blood flow were negatively correlated ( p less than 0.01). In contrast, no relationship was observed in the essential hypertensives. The study suggests that hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system could induce splanchnic arteriolar constriction in patients with renovascular hypertension.", "contents": "Renovascular hypertension. Relationship between hepatic blood flow and plasma renin activity. Hepatic blood flow and peripheral plasma renin activity were determined in 15 true renovascular hypertensive patients and in 13 patients with essential hypertension. In the renovascular hypertensives, plasma renin activity and hepatic blood flow were negatively correlated ( p less than 0.01). In contrast, no relationship was observed in the essential hypertensives. The study suggests that hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin system could induce splanchnic arteriolar constriction in patients with renovascular hypertension.", "PMID": 622209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4316", "title": "Increase in plasma extracellular fluid volume ratio caused by bilateral nephrectomy in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.", "content": "Changes, observed in rats after bilateral nephrectomy, in blood pressure and in the relation betwen plasma volume-extracellular fluid volume or plasma volume-interstitial fluid volume, are consistent with the postulation that the kidney secretes a substance that regulates, to some degree, the compliance of the interstitial space. In order to evaluate the possibility that this also occurs in humans, we have carried out a retrospective analysis of measurements of extracellular fluid volume, plasma volume, and blood volume made prior to and after bilateral nephrectomy in a group of 9 patients. It was observed that significant increases had occurred in both the plasma-extracellular fluid volume ratio (0.22 before, 0.26 after) and in the blood-extracellular fluid volume ratio (0.27 before, 0.32 after). These data are consistent with a reduction in compliance of the interstitial compartment caused by bilateral nephrectomy in man, even though other explanations cannot be excluded.", "contents": "Increase in plasma extracellular fluid volume ratio caused by bilateral nephrectomy in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Changes, observed in rats after bilateral nephrectomy, in blood pressure and in the relation betwen plasma volume-extracellular fluid volume or plasma volume-interstitial fluid volume, are consistent with the postulation that the kidney secretes a substance that regulates, to some degree, the compliance of the interstitial space. In order to evaluate the possibility that this also occurs in humans, we have carried out a retrospective analysis of measurements of extracellular fluid volume, plasma volume, and blood volume made prior to and after bilateral nephrectomy in a group of 9 patients. It was observed that significant increases had occurred in both the plasma-extracellular fluid volume ratio (0.22 before, 0.26 after) and in the blood-extracellular fluid volume ratio (0.27 before, 0.32 after). These data are consistent with a reduction in compliance of the interstitial compartment caused by bilateral nephrectomy in man, even though other explanations cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 622212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4317", "title": "Renal clearance of amino acids in patients with severe chronic renal failure.", "content": "The renal clearance of 21 amino acids was investigated in 5 patients with chronic renal failure (inulin clearance = 5--10ml/min) during the 6-week administration of a low-protein diet. The results were compared with values obtained in 6 volunteers. The renal clearance of all investigated amino acids (with the exception of Asp, His, Tau) did not differ significantly from healthy controls. The excretion fraction (amino acid clearance inulin clearance.100) was in all investigated amino acids significantly higher than in controls with the exception of Tau. The excretion fractions of Asp, Ser, Cys, Tyr, His, Thr, Tau and Gly were, on average, above 20%. The findings suggest that the fractional reabsorption of amino acids in residual nephrons is decreased.", "contents": "Renal clearance of amino acids in patients with severe chronic renal failure. The renal clearance of 21 amino acids was investigated in 5 patients with chronic renal failure (inulin clearance = 5--10ml/min) during the 6-week administration of a low-protein diet. The results were compared with values obtained in 6 volunteers. The renal clearance of all investigated amino acids (with the exception of Asp, His, Tau) did not differ significantly from healthy controls. The excretion fraction (amino acid clearance inulin clearance.100) was in all investigated amino acids significantly higher than in controls with the exception of Tau. The excretion fractions of Asp, Ser, Cys, Tyr, His, Thr, Tau and Gly were, on average, above 20%. The findings suggest that the fractional reabsorption of amino acids in residual nephrons is decreased.", "PMID": 622213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4318", "title": "Globin synthesis by nucleated erythroid cells in chronic glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Globin synthesis rate (GSR) by nucleated erythroid cells was investigated in 40 patients suffering from chronic glomerulonephritis, in 24 subjects with other renal diseases and in 8 healthy controls. GSR was reduced in nephrogenic anemia; moreover, this reduction took place in a few patients without anemia. The correlation between GSR and some characteristics of erythropoiesis was examined. The supression of GSR is probably one of the important causes of nephrogenic anemia.", "contents": "Globin synthesis by nucleated erythroid cells in chronic glomerulonephritis. Globin synthesis rate (GSR) by nucleated erythroid cells was investigated in 40 patients suffering from chronic glomerulonephritis, in 24 subjects with other renal diseases and in 8 healthy controls. GSR was reduced in nephrogenic anemia; moreover, this reduction took place in a few patients without anemia. The correlation between GSR and some characteristics of erythropoiesis was examined. The supression of GSR is probably one of the important causes of nephrogenic anemia.", "PMID": 622214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4319", "title": "Tubular handling of sodium and phosphate in cirrhosis with salt retention.", "content": "Tubular handling of sodium and phosphate were studied in 4 patients with cirrhosis and ascites. The control group consisted of 5 patients with cirrhosis without sodium retention. The degree of phosphaturia was assumed to reflect proximal tubular reabsorption. Whereas fractional excretion of phosphate was comparable in both groups, fractional excretion of sodium was strikingly diminished in the patients with ascites. This observation suggests that sodium retention in these patients occurs beyond the proximal tubule. This interpretation is in accord with our previous observation, based on clearance data, that the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium in cirrhosis may be normal even in the face of edema formation.", "contents": "Tubular handling of sodium and phosphate in cirrhosis with salt retention. Tubular handling of sodium and phosphate were studied in 4 patients with cirrhosis and ascites. The control group consisted of 5 patients with cirrhosis without sodium retention. The degree of phosphaturia was assumed to reflect proximal tubular reabsorption. Whereas fractional excretion of phosphate was comparable in both groups, fractional excretion of sodium was strikingly diminished in the patients with ascites. This observation suggests that sodium retention in these patients occurs beyond the proximal tubule. This interpretation is in accord with our previous observation, based on clearance data, that the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium in cirrhosis may be normal even in the face of edema formation.", "PMID": 622215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4320", "title": "Augmenting/reducing: an adaptive switch mechanism to cope with incoming signals in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients.", "content": "The tendency to 'augment' or to 'reduce' the amplitude of the response to stimuli of increasing intensity is a matter of much interest in the neurophysiological, psychophysiological and psychiatric literature. According to their response, individuals have been divided so far into 'augmenters' and 'reducers', and different mechanisms beyond these types of response have been discussed. In most studies, however, the major emphasis has been laid upon 'reducing', which has been regarded as deviance from the expected 'augmenting'. In the present article, a new theory referring to a two-directional adaptive switch mechanism for coping with incoming stimuli is presented together with some hypotheses which can be derived from such a general theory. In the following, evidence from experimental work is presented which supports the main theoretical principles, and also the hypothesis that both basic characteristics of the central nervous system and biochemical variables contribute to the determination of the individual augmenting/reducing response.", "contents": "Augmenting/reducing: an adaptive switch mechanism to cope with incoming signals in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients. The tendency to 'augment' or to 'reduce' the amplitude of the response to stimuli of increasing intensity is a matter of much interest in the neurophysiological, psychophysiological and psychiatric literature. According to their response, individuals have been divided so far into 'augmenters' and 'reducers', and different mechanisms beyond these types of response have been discussed. In most studies, however, the major emphasis has been laid upon 'reducing', which has been regarded as deviance from the expected 'augmenting'. In the present article, a new theory referring to a two-directional adaptive switch mechanism for coping with incoming stimuli is presented together with some hypotheses which can be derived from such a general theory. In the following, evidence from experimental work is presented which supports the main theoretical principles, and also the hypothesis that both basic characteristics of the central nervous system and biochemical variables contribute to the determination of the individual augmenting/reducing response.", "PMID": 622216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4321", "title": "Suicide and endogenous depression with somatic symptoms in the Lundby study.", "content": "The purpose of the study was to elucidate the role played by the so-called masked or somatic depressions in suicide. The records of 28 suicide persons were analyzed concerning depressive symptoms at time of death. The suicide group was drawn from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 3,563 persons which began in 1947 (the Lunbdy Project) and was followed up during 25 years. All persons had been examined once or twice before the suicide. 14 were considered to have suffered from depression. Irrespective of any reactive factor, most of the depressive persons had symptoms of endogenous type. In 19 out of the 14 persons with depression the clinical picture included also somatic symptoms. The persons with depression had often sought medical advice, though mostly not psychiatrists'. Many of them had been difficult to treat and had shown negativism to medical care. An important suicide prophylactic measure would be to enhance the awareness of hospital clinicians and practitioners of the existence, diagnosis and treatment of endogenous depression.", "contents": "Suicide and endogenous depression with somatic symptoms in the Lundby study. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the role played by the so-called masked or somatic depressions in suicide. The records of 28 suicide persons were analyzed concerning depressive symptoms at time of death. The suicide group was drawn from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of 3,563 persons which began in 1947 (the Lunbdy Project) and was followed up during 25 years. All persons had been examined once or twice before the suicide. 14 were considered to have suffered from depression. Irrespective of any reactive factor, most of the depressive persons had symptoms of endogenous type. In 19 out of the 14 persons with depression the clinical picture included also somatic symptoms. The persons with depression had often sought medical advice, though mostly not psychiatrists'. Many of them had been difficult to treat and had shown negativism to medical care. An important suicide prophylactic measure would be to enhance the awareness of hospital clinicians and practitioners of the existence, diagnosis and treatment of endogenous depression.", "PMID": 622217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4322", "title": "Enhancement of the antidepressant response to L-tryptophan by a liver pyrrolase inhibitor: a rational treatment approach.", "content": "In an open preliminary investigation, pre- and concomitant treatment with a liver pyrrolase inhibitor allopurinol to depressed male outpatients receiving L-tryptophan suggests a rational approach to treatment with this serotonin precursor. The combination is both safe and apparently effective; the rapidity of response in some patients underscores the clinical effects. Implications are that serotonin, or rather an excess in serotonin, is involved in the symptomatic relief of depressions in man.", "contents": "Enhancement of the antidepressant response to L-tryptophan by a liver pyrrolase inhibitor: a rational treatment approach. In an open preliminary investigation, pre- and concomitant treatment with a liver pyrrolase inhibitor allopurinol to depressed male outpatients receiving L-tryptophan suggests a rational approach to treatment with this serotonin precursor. The combination is both safe and apparently effective; the rapidity of response in some patients underscores the clinical effects. Implications are that serotonin, or rather an excess in serotonin, is involved in the symptomatic relief of depressions in man.", "PMID": 622218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4323", "title": "Dopamine receptor stimulation in the treatment of depression: piribedil (ET-495).", "content": "ET-495, a putative central dopamine receptor stimulant, was givem to endogenously depressed individuals, all of whom were largely unresponsive to previous drug treatment. The drug exhibited a rapid and, in some cases, a pronounced antidepressant effect. This effect was short-lived, however, and, within a brief period, depression returned accompanied by a consistent syndrome of anger, irritability, hostility and poor temper control. In one individual with a bipolar history, the induction of a paranoid psychosis and auditory hallucinosis occurred. While the data suggests a role for dopamine in the symptomatic relief of depression in man, they also imply that this monoamine cannot, in and of itself, be considered as the primum movens in either the action of other (established) antidepressant drugs, or as underlying depressive illness.", "contents": "Dopamine receptor stimulation in the treatment of depression: piribedil (ET-495). ET-495, a putative central dopamine receptor stimulant, was givem to endogenously depressed individuals, all of whom were largely unresponsive to previous drug treatment. The drug exhibited a rapid and, in some cases, a pronounced antidepressant effect. This effect was short-lived, however, and, within a brief period, depression returned accompanied by a consistent syndrome of anger, irritability, hostility and poor temper control. In one individual with a bipolar history, the induction of a paranoid psychosis and auditory hallucinosis occurred. While the data suggests a role for dopamine in the symptomatic relief of depression in man, they also imply that this monoamine cannot, in and of itself, be considered as the primum movens in either the action of other (established) antidepressant drugs, or as underlying depressive illness.", "PMID": 622219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4324", "title": "[Spontaneous electrodermal activity and moods (author's transl)].", "content": "The systematic recording of spontaneous electrodermal activity (EDA) on 23 normal subjects during 5 15-min sessions and the self-rating of anxious and/or depressive moods (Q-sort forced choice) shows a positive linear relationship between spontaneous EDA and anxious mood despite a low covariation between those two variables. The same relationship is found with a lower degree of confidence in depression. A greater EDA is observed in the rare pattern of \"depression higher than anxiety', than in the opposite case. The discussion of the results deals with the parallelism between a physiological continuum and affective states.", "contents": "[Spontaneous electrodermal activity and moods (author's transl)]. The systematic recording of spontaneous electrodermal activity (EDA) on 23 normal subjects during 5 15-min sessions and the self-rating of anxious and/or depressive moods (Q-sort forced choice) shows a positive linear relationship between spontaneous EDA and anxious mood despite a low covariation between those two variables. The same relationship is found with a lower degree of confidence in depression. A greater EDA is observed in the rare pattern of \"depression higher than anxiety', than in the opposite case. The discussion of the results deals with the parallelism between a physiological continuum and affective states.", "PMID": 622220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4325", "title": "Sulpiride and extrapyramidal syndromes in chronic heroin addiction.", "content": "During the treatment of 53 young heroin addicts with intramuscular sulpiride for the prevention of withdrawal symptoms, the emergence of extrapyramidal manifestations involving the head, neck and upper trunk in about 40 percent of the patients has been observed. These symptoms occurred with sulpiride dosages in the 'antineurotic' range (not more than 400 mg daily), which practically never produce such symptoms in patients receiving the drug for other clinical indications. The symptoms appeared soon after the first few injections of sulpiride, and yielded readily to a single or repeated intravenous diazepam administration (10 mg). The possible mechanism involved in the production of extrapyramidal manifestations from sulpiride, and a tentative explanation of why such symptoms are produced by doses of this drug lower than those needed to produce the same effects in nonaddicts, are discussed.", "contents": "Sulpiride and extrapyramidal syndromes in chronic heroin addiction. During the treatment of 53 young heroin addicts with intramuscular sulpiride for the prevention of withdrawal symptoms, the emergence of extrapyramidal manifestations involving the head, neck and upper trunk in about 40 percent of the patients has been observed. These symptoms occurred with sulpiride dosages in the 'antineurotic' range (not more than 400 mg daily), which practically never produce such symptoms in patients receiving the drug for other clinical indications. The symptoms appeared soon after the first few injections of sulpiride, and yielded readily to a single or repeated intravenous diazepam administration (10 mg). The possible mechanism involved in the production of extrapyramidal manifestations from sulpiride, and a tentative explanation of why such symptoms are produced by doses of this drug lower than those needed to produce the same effects in nonaddicts, are discussed.", "PMID": 622221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4326", "title": "Changing indications for cesarean section. A 38-year experience at a community hospital.", "content": "A review of a 38-year experience with cesarean section at a community hospital shows considerable change in both the rate and indication of cesarean sections. A marked increase in the cesarean section rate was noted after 1972. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the primary cesarean section rate for cephalopelvic disproportion and labor abnormalities, fetal distress, and the breech presentation. As a result of this study, we anticipate a primary cesarean section rate of approximately 10%: 3-5% for cephalopelvic disproportion and labor abnormalities, 1-1 1/2% for fetal distress, 3% for breech presentation, and 1-2% for all other indications.", "contents": "Changing indications for cesarean section. A 38-year experience at a community hospital. A review of a 38-year experience with cesarean section at a community hospital shows considerable change in both the rate and indication of cesarean sections. A marked increase in the cesarean section rate was noted after 1972. This increase was due primarily to an increase in the primary cesarean section rate for cephalopelvic disproportion and labor abnormalities, fetal distress, and the breech presentation. As a result of this study, we anticipate a primary cesarean section rate of approximately 10%: 3-5% for cephalopelvic disproportion and labor abnormalities, 1-1 1/2% for fetal distress, 3% for breech presentation, and 1-2% for all other indications.", "PMID": 622222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4327", "title": "Acute inversion of the uterus.", "content": "Acute inversion of the uterus is a rare emergency that occurs during the third stage of labor. Three cases of this complication are reported. General anesthesia, fundal pressure on a soft uterus, fundal implantation of the placenta, and adherent placenta were identified as the possible causes. Prompt recognition and replacement are essential in the management to preempt morbidities and mortality. The prevention, etiology, and management of this serious complication are discussed.", "contents": "Acute inversion of the uterus. Acute inversion of the uterus is a rare emergency that occurs during the third stage of labor. Three cases of this complication are reported. General anesthesia, fundal pressure on a soft uterus, fundal implantation of the placenta, and adherent placenta were identified as the possible causes. Prompt recognition and replacement are essential in the management to preempt morbidities and mortality. The prevention, etiology, and management of this serious complication are discussed.", "PMID": 622224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4328", "title": "Effect of pregnancy on liver tumor associated with oral contraceptives.", "content": "Four cases of liver adenoma associated with oral contraceptives complicating pregnancy are reported. All patients were symptomatic during pregnancy and 2 were admitted with rupture of the adenoma. One subsequently died. Increased growth and vascularity of adenomas during pregnancy is highly likely. The potential for development of lethal complications is considerable.", "contents": "Effect of pregnancy on liver tumor associated with oral contraceptives. Four cases of liver adenoma associated with oral contraceptives complicating pregnancy are reported. All patients were symptomatic during pregnancy and 2 were admitted with rupture of the adenoma. One subsequently died. Increased growth and vascularity of adenomas during pregnancy is highly likely. The potential for development of lethal complications is considerable.", "PMID": 622225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4329", "title": "Correlation between amniotic fluid optical density, L/S ratio, and fetal pulmonary maturity.", "content": "The correlation between lecithin/sphyngomyelin ratio (L/S ratio) and amniotic fluid optical density at 400 (OD400) and 650 (OD650) nm was studied with 102 samples of fluid obtained from 72 patients. The accuracy of each method in predicting the respiratory outcome of the newborn was also evaluated in 28 patients who delivered within 48 hours after amniocentesis. Results indicate that the correlation between spectrophotometric analysis and L/S ratio is poor and that the latter is a better predictor of neonatal respiratory outcome. It is concluded that measurements of amniotic fluid optical density are not an acceptable substitute for the L/S ratio in evaluating fetal pulmonary maturity.", "contents": "Correlation between amniotic fluid optical density, L/S ratio, and fetal pulmonary maturity. The correlation between lecithin/sphyngomyelin ratio (L/S ratio) and amniotic fluid optical density at 400 (OD400) and 650 (OD650) nm was studied with 102 samples of fluid obtained from 72 patients. The accuracy of each method in predicting the respiratory outcome of the newborn was also evaluated in 28 patients who delivered within 48 hours after amniocentesis. Results indicate that the correlation between spectrophotometric analysis and L/S ratio is poor and that the latter is a better predictor of neonatal respiratory outcome. It is concluded that measurements of amniotic fluid optical density are not an acceptable substitute for the L/S ratio in evaluating fetal pulmonary maturity.", "PMID": 622226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4330", "title": "Fetal weight estimation by ultrasonic measurement of abdominal circumference.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to compare ultrasonic measurements of fetal abdominal circumference to ultrasonic measurements of fetal biparietal diameter, as a means of estimating fetal body weight. Of 58 fetuses who had abdominal circumferences measured, 48 (82%) of the predicted weights were within 15% of the actual birth weights. Forty-four of the same 58 fetuses had satisfactory biparietal diameter measurements, but only 21 (48%) of the predicted weights were within 15% of the actual birthweights. Ultrasonic measurement of abdominal circumference appears to be a more reliable index of fetal body weight than other currently available techniques.", "contents": "Fetal weight estimation by ultrasonic measurement of abdominal circumference. The purpose of this study was to compare ultrasonic measurements of fetal abdominal circumference to ultrasonic measurements of fetal biparietal diameter, as a means of estimating fetal body weight. Of 58 fetuses who had abdominal circumferences measured, 48 (82%) of the predicted weights were within 15% of the actual birth weights. Forty-four of the same 58 fetuses had satisfactory biparietal diameter measurements, but only 21 (48%) of the predicted weights were within 15% of the actual birthweights. Ultrasonic measurement of abdominal circumference appears to be a more reliable index of fetal body weight than other currently available techniques.", "PMID": 622227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4331", "title": "Intrauterine breathing movements and fetal presentation.", "content": "Fetal breathing movements in 14 twin pregnancies were examined with ultrasonic technique. The twin fetuses I in cephalic presentation showed a significantly higher percentage of apnea and periodic breathing compared with twin fetuses II. No such difference was found in twin pairs with Twin ti in breech presentation. Also in the control group of 27 singleton pregnancies, the fetuses in cephalic presentation had a higher incidence of apnea and periodic breathing than those in breech presentation. The position of the fetus seems to be decisive for the character of the breathing movements before birth.", "contents": "Intrauterine breathing movements and fetal presentation. Fetal breathing movements in 14 twin pregnancies were examined with ultrasonic technique. The twin fetuses I in cephalic presentation showed a significantly higher percentage of apnea and periodic breathing compared with twin fetuses II. No such difference was found in twin pairs with Twin ti in breech presentation. Also in the control group of 27 singleton pregnancies, the fetuses in cephalic presentation had a higher incidence of apnea and periodic breathing than those in breech presentation. The position of the fetus seems to be decisive for the character of the breathing movements before birth.", "PMID": 622228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4332", "title": "Correlation between first morning sample and 24-hour urinary estriol excretion.", "content": "The estriol concentration of a morning sample of urine from high-risk pregnant women was correlated with the total 24-hour estriol excretion. One hundred seventy sample pairs compared the estriol concentration of the morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the previous day, while 110 sample pairs compared the value of morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the following day. Although there is highly significant statistical correlation between those sample pairs, they are of modest magnitude. The mean values of the sample pairs are significantly different. Also, the morning sample estriol concentrations are significantly more variable than those of the 24-hour specimen.", "contents": "Correlation between first morning sample and 24-hour urinary estriol excretion. The estriol concentration of a morning sample of urine from high-risk pregnant women was correlated with the total 24-hour estriol excretion. One hundred seventy sample pairs compared the estriol concentration of the morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the previous day, while 110 sample pairs compared the value of morning specimen with those of a 24-hour specimen of the following day. Although there is highly significant statistical correlation between those sample pairs, they are of modest magnitude. The mean values of the sample pairs are significantly different. Also, the morning sample estriol concentrations are significantly more variable than those of the 24-hour specimen.", "PMID": 622229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4333", "title": "Rapid B-scan (real-time) ultrasonography in the identification and evaluation of twin pregnancies.", "content": "Real-time ultrasonography utilizing a hand-held linear array transducer provides a highly accurate method of identifying and evaluating the twin gestation. The rapidity of real-time scanning eliminates interpretational problems caused by fetal movements. Additionally, the versatility of transducer positioning facilitates recognition of appropriate fetal planes for assessment of viability and growth. A prospective study of 595 consecutive pregnancies yielded no misdiagnoses of the number of fetuses present and only one false positive diagnosis of fetal viability.", "contents": "Rapid B-scan (real-time) ultrasonography in the identification and evaluation of twin pregnancies. Real-time ultrasonography utilizing a hand-held linear array transducer provides a highly accurate method of identifying and evaluating the twin gestation. The rapidity of real-time scanning eliminates interpretational problems caused by fetal movements. Additionally, the versatility of transducer positioning facilitates recognition of appropriate fetal planes for assessment of viability and growth. A prospective study of 595 consecutive pregnancies yielded no misdiagnoses of the number of fetuses present and only one false positive diagnosis of fetal viability.", "PMID": 622230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4334", "title": "Abnormalities of lymphocyte transformations in women with condylomata acuminata.", "content": "The cellular immunity of 16 women with recalcitrant condylomata acuminata was investigated with an in vitro assay of antigen-induced lymphocyte transformations. Results were compared to those of 24 age-matched controls. Lymphocyte transformation responses (in counts per minute) for women with condylomata were much lower than controls for phytohemagglutinin-P, 32,285 and 60,015, (P less than .001); for concanavallin A, 28,664 and 58,605, (P less than .001); and for pokeweed mitogen, 34,941 and 73,394 (P less than .0001). No significant differences in lymphocyte transformations were noted between the 2 groups to Candida or streptokinase-streptodornase antigens. Immunosuppressive diseases, recurrent infections, and intraepithelial neoplasms of the genital tract were more frequent in the group of women with condylomata, and this seems to clinically substantiate the depressions noted in their in vitro cellular immunity. A refractory course of condyloma acuminatum in some women may be a reflection of an underlying state of immunosuppression.", "contents": "Abnormalities of lymphocyte transformations in women with condylomata acuminata. The cellular immunity of 16 women with recalcitrant condylomata acuminata was investigated with an in vitro assay of antigen-induced lymphocyte transformations. Results were compared to those of 24 age-matched controls. Lymphocyte transformation responses (in counts per minute) for women with condylomata were much lower than controls for phytohemagglutinin-P, 32,285 and 60,015, (P less than .001); for concanavallin A, 28,664 and 58,605, (P less than .001); and for pokeweed mitogen, 34,941 and 73,394 (P less than .0001). No significant differences in lymphocyte transformations were noted between the 2 groups to Candida or streptokinase-streptodornase antigens. Immunosuppressive diseases, recurrent infections, and intraepithelial neoplasms of the genital tract were more frequent in the group of women with condylomata, and this seems to clinically substantiate the depressions noted in their in vitro cellular immunity. A refractory course of condyloma acuminatum in some women may be a reflection of an underlying state of immunosuppression.", "PMID": 622232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4335", "title": "Blood group incompatibility and cervical hostility in relation to sterility.", "content": "Fifty-two sterile couples, characterized by persistent and unexplained incompatibility between spermatozoa and cervical mucus, without any other evident factor to explain their sterility, were investigated for the possible role of blood group incompatibility as a cause of their sterility. After a study of the distribution of blood groups in sterile and fertile couples, the distribution of blood group substances in pairs of husbands and wives, and the effect of blood group antibodies on sperm migration, it seems highly unlikely that blood group incompatibility contributes significantly to cervical hostility and the resulting sterility.", "contents": "Blood group incompatibility and cervical hostility in relation to sterility. Fifty-two sterile couples, characterized by persistent and unexplained incompatibility between spermatozoa and cervical mucus, without any other evident factor to explain their sterility, were investigated for the possible role of blood group incompatibility as a cause of their sterility. After a study of the distribution of blood groups in sterile and fertile couples, the distribution of blood group substances in pairs of husbands and wives, and the effect of blood group antibodies on sperm migration, it seems highly unlikely that blood group incompatibility contributes significantly to cervical hostility and the resulting sterility.", "PMID": 622233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4336", "title": "Intrasellar subarachnoid herniation or empty sella associated with galactorrhea.", "content": "Eight of 115 patients with empty sella had concurrent galactorrhea. All 8 patients had abnormal sellae, and the diagnosis of empty sella was made by polytome pneumoencephalography. There were no obvious endocrine dysfunctions, but 2 patients had elevated prolactin levels. One mechanism for production of galactorrhea may involve compression of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk; this was suggested by most of our observations. There may be a coincidental association of empty sella with galactorrhea, and this association is probably more common than previously noted. Evaluation of patients with galactorrhea and abnormal sellae by polytome pneumoencephalography is emphasized.", "contents": "Intrasellar subarachnoid herniation or empty sella associated with galactorrhea. Eight of 115 patients with empty sella had concurrent galactorrhea. All 8 patients had abnormal sellae, and the diagnosis of empty sella was made by polytome pneumoencephalography. There were no obvious endocrine dysfunctions, but 2 patients had elevated prolactin levels. One mechanism for production of galactorrhea may involve compression of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk; this was suggested by most of our observations. There may be a coincidental association of empty sella with galactorrhea, and this association is probably more common than previously noted. Evaluation of patients with galactorrhea and abnormal sellae by polytome pneumoencephalography is emphasized.", "PMID": 622234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4337", "title": "Serum 17beta-estradiol. Index of follicular maturation during gonadotropin therapy.", "content": "Thirteen patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were treated with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation. Daily serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) assays were used to monitor the ovarian response to HMG. Apparent ovulation, documented by basal body temperatures, occurred in 41 of 53 hMG-hCG treatment cycles. Thirteen pregnancies occurred in 8 of the 13 patients. One twin pregnancy resulted. The hyperstimulation syndrome did not occur. Our data indicate that an optimal pregnancy rate with a minimum risk of hyperstimulation can be achieved when ovulation is induced 24 hours after the preovulatory serum E2 concentration has reached 500 to 900 pg/ml. Ovulation is induced by administering 10,000 IU and 5000 IU hCG on successive days. In addition, we now routinely give two or three injections of 2500 IU hCG at subsequent 3- to 4-day intervals to support the corpus luteum.", "contents": "Serum 17beta-estradiol. Index of follicular maturation during gonadotropin therapy. Thirteen patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were treated with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation. Daily serum 17beta-estradiol (E2) assays were used to monitor the ovarian response to HMG. Apparent ovulation, documented by basal body temperatures, occurred in 41 of 53 hMG-hCG treatment cycles. Thirteen pregnancies occurred in 8 of the 13 patients. One twin pregnancy resulted. The hyperstimulation syndrome did not occur. Our data indicate that an optimal pregnancy rate with a minimum risk of hyperstimulation can be achieved when ovulation is induced 24 hours after the preovulatory serum E2 concentration has reached 500 to 900 pg/ml. Ovulation is induced by administering 10,000 IU and 5000 IU hCG on successive days. In addition, we now routinely give two or three injections of 2500 IU hCG at subsequent 3- to 4-day intervals to support the corpus luteum.", "PMID": 622235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4338", "title": "Ovarian germinomas (dysgerminomas).", "content": "The clinicopathologic findings of 13 patients with ovarian pure germinomas (dysgerminomas) were studied to assess modes of therapy. The patients' ages ranged from 12 to 40 years. Ten patients had unilateral tumors clinically confined to the ovary (Stage I), including 1 patient who had an unsuspected microscopic germinoma in a normal-appearing ovary. Of those with Stage I tumors, only 1 patient developed metastases and died; however, the presence of other elements in the mestases suggested that her primary ovarian neoplasm actually may have been a malignant mixed germ cell tumor. The other 9 patients are alive without tumor after postoperative intervals of 0.3 to 29 years. Three patients had more advanced lesions (Stages II-IV) and 2 died of metastases following orthovoltage irradiation. The results of this study support the concept of individualized therapy for patients with ovarian germinomas.", "contents": "Ovarian germinomas (dysgerminomas). The clinicopathologic findings of 13 patients with ovarian pure germinomas (dysgerminomas) were studied to assess modes of therapy. The patients' ages ranged from 12 to 40 years. Ten patients had unilateral tumors clinically confined to the ovary (Stage I), including 1 patient who had an unsuspected microscopic germinoma in a normal-appearing ovary. Of those with Stage I tumors, only 1 patient developed metastases and died; however, the presence of other elements in the mestases suggested that her primary ovarian neoplasm actually may have been a malignant mixed germ cell tumor. The other 9 patients are alive without tumor after postoperative intervals of 0.3 to 29 years. Three patients had more advanced lesions (Stages II-IV) and 2 died of metastases following orthovoltage irradiation. The results of this study support the concept of individualized therapy for patients with ovarian germinomas.", "PMID": 622236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4339", "title": "Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary. The orphan tumor.", "content": "The endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary is a rare and highly lethal germ cell tumor. At least 10 different names have been applied to it, and so long as its name remains unsettled the collection of information will continue to be greatly impeded. One of the patients who came under our observation died after 21 months despite surgical removal of all evident disease followed by radiation and chemotherapy; the other patient, whose tumor could be removed only partially, and who received intensive chemotherapy for 4 months but refused all treatment thereafter, is well without evidence of disease 3 years after the initial diagnosis was made. Despite the dismal outlook for patients with this tumor, a few encouraging features emphasize the need to report new cases as they appear, and to continue the search for agents that will control it.", "contents": "Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary. The orphan tumor. The endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary is a rare and highly lethal germ cell tumor. At least 10 different names have been applied to it, and so long as its name remains unsettled the collection of information will continue to be greatly impeded. One of the patients who came under our observation died after 21 months despite surgical removal of all evident disease followed by radiation and chemotherapy; the other patient, whose tumor could be removed only partially, and who received intensive chemotherapy for 4 months but refused all treatment thereafter, is well without evidence of disease 3 years after the initial diagnosis was made. Despite the dismal outlook for patients with this tumor, a few encouraging features emphasize the need to report new cases as they appear, and to continue the search for agents that will control it.", "PMID": 622238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4340", "title": "Mechanisms of placentofetal blood flow.", "content": "The average length of the umbilical cord at delivery is 21 +/- 1 in., but lengths vary from 10 to 50 in. When distended and carrying blood between the fetus and the placenta, the cord is longer; the distended areteries and vein are spiraled about each other. No physiologic data explain the manner by which blood flows from the placenta to fetus. When pressures (60-80 mmHg in arteries 10-20 mmHg in the vein) are recorded simultaneously, arterial pulse pressure has been observed to rise and umbilical vein pressure to fall. They are 180 degrees out of phase. When necessary physical factors are taken into account, it is found that the system satisfies all requirements of a pump known as one of the pulsometer type. This system is one that is widely used by engineers, but it is unique among physiologic systems.", "contents": "Mechanisms of placentofetal blood flow. The average length of the umbilical cord at delivery is 21 +/- 1 in., but lengths vary from 10 to 50 in. When distended and carrying blood between the fetus and the placenta, the cord is longer; the distended areteries and vein are spiraled about each other. No physiologic data explain the manner by which blood flows from the placenta to fetus. When pressures (60-80 mmHg in arteries 10-20 mmHg in the vein) are recorded simultaneously, arterial pulse pressure has been observed to rise and umbilical vein pressure to fall. They are 180 degrees out of phase. When necessary physical factors are taken into account, it is found that the system satisfies all requirements of a pump known as one of the pulsometer type. This system is one that is widely used by engineers, but it is unique among physiologic systems.", "PMID": 622240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4341", "title": "[Autism Asperger of early schizophrenia (author's transl)].", "content": "Sometimes there exist difficulties to differentiate between adolescents with autistic personalities (autistic psychopathy, Asperger) and schizophrenia. The authors describe a 16-years old autistic boy demonstrating that a clear cut separation of these two different nosologic entities is only possible by means of a longitudinal observation. By this method psychopathological disturbances will be interpreted correct and within the context of the underlying syndrome.", "contents": "[Autism Asperger of early schizophrenia (author's transl)]. Sometimes there exist difficulties to differentiate between adolescents with autistic personalities (autistic psychopathy, Asperger) and schizophrenia. The authors describe a 16-years old autistic boy demonstrating that a clear cut separation of these two different nosologic entities is only possible by means of a longitudinal observation. By this method psychopathological disturbances will be interpreted correct and within the context of the underlying syndrome.", "PMID": 622281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4342", "title": "Umbilical vessel catheterization; the immediate risks with the venous route.", "content": "Seven cases of heart arrest or pronounced bradycardia during 308 correct catheterizations of the umbilical vein in the first hours of life are reported. The indications for the catheterization were: 1. unsuccessful catheterization of the umbilical arteries in newborns with respiratory distress or post-asphyxia syndrome; 2. exchange transfusions for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or sepsis; 3. monitoring the central vein pressure in severely compromised shocky newborns. Cardiac massage was always effective, at least temporarily, in restoring the heart activity. However, only three infants survived. Two of them had normal follow-up reported at 6 and 12 months respectively. The immediate risks and the necessary precautions for carrying out umbilical vein catheterization in severely ill newborns in the first hours of life are stressed.", "contents": "Umbilical vessel catheterization; the immediate risks with the venous route. Seven cases of heart arrest or pronounced bradycardia during 308 correct catheterizations of the umbilical vein in the first hours of life are reported. The indications for the catheterization were: 1. unsuccessful catheterization of the umbilical arteries in newborns with respiratory distress or post-asphyxia syndrome; 2. exchange transfusions for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia or sepsis; 3. monitoring the central vein pressure in severely compromised shocky newborns. Cardiac massage was always effective, at least temporarily, in restoring the heart activity. However, only three infants survived. Two of them had normal follow-up reported at 6 and 12 months respectively. The immediate risks and the necessary precautions for carrying out umbilical vein catheterization in severely ill newborns in the first hours of life are stressed.", "PMID": 622282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4343", "title": "[On the reliability of maternal recall of aspects of child development (author's transl)].", "content": "In a pilot study about the rate-rerate-reliability of maternal recall of aspects of child development (pregnancy, childbirth, early childhood development) 100 mothers (mean age 35 years) answered an questionnaire twice. The mean retest interval was 12 days with a standard deviation of 6 days, the mean age of the children (54 boys, 46 girls) was 9 years. The results showed that the rate-rerate-reliability was not ever sufficient especially with regard to clinical relevance of the questions (e. g. in context with the diagnosis of brain damage). Factors influencing the rate-rerate-reliability of anamnestic date (e.g. age, sex, number of children) have been investigated: there was only one significant result. Mothers with less reliable data and great differences between their answers tend to be elder.", "contents": "[On the reliability of maternal recall of aspects of child development (author's transl)]. In a pilot study about the rate-rerate-reliability of maternal recall of aspects of child development (pregnancy, childbirth, early childhood development) 100 mothers (mean age 35 years) answered an questionnaire twice. The mean retest interval was 12 days with a standard deviation of 6 days, the mean age of the children (54 boys, 46 girls) was 9 years. The results showed that the rate-rerate-reliability was not ever sufficient especially with regard to clinical relevance of the questions (e. g. in context with the diagnosis of brain damage). Factors influencing the rate-rerate-reliability of anamnestic date (e.g. age, sex, number of children) have been investigated: there was only one significant result. Mothers with less reliable data and great differences between their answers tend to be elder.", "PMID": 622283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4344", "title": "[Paroxysmal tachycardia in infancy and childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "23 cases of paroxysmal tachycardia in infancy and childhood (22 cases of supraventricular and 1 case of ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia) are reported. Clinical problems of 13 infants aged 1 day to 6 months are compared with those of 10 children and discussed. A primary disease e.g. congenital heart disease, myocarditis was observed in 8 cases and WPW-syndrome in 4 cases. Owing to the threatening cardiac failure especially in infancy a special attention should be taken to the immediately diagnosis. Treatment and prevention are discussed.", "contents": "[Paroxysmal tachycardia in infancy and childhood (author's transl)]. 23 cases of paroxysmal tachycardia in infancy and childhood (22 cases of supraventricular and 1 case of ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia) are reported. Clinical problems of 13 infants aged 1 day to 6 months are compared with those of 10 children and discussed. A primary disease e.g. congenital heart disease, myocarditis was observed in 8 cases and WPW-syndrome in 4 cases. Owing to the threatening cardiac failure especially in infancy a special attention should be taken to the immediately diagnosis. Treatment and prevention are discussed.", "PMID": 622284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4345", "title": "[Investigations concerning temperature and serum concentrations of paracetamol in febrile infants following rectal application of paracetamol (author's transl)].", "content": "If paracetamol as an antipyretic is applied as suppository, absorption is much slower than after oral application. With the same dosage serum concentrations are lower after rectal application than after oral. It is necessary to give nearly twice the dose using rectal rather than oral application to reach the same antipyretic effect. The duration of efficacy is longer after rectal application because serum concentrations decline slower.", "contents": "[Investigations concerning temperature and serum concentrations of paracetamol in febrile infants following rectal application of paracetamol (author's transl)]. If paracetamol as an antipyretic is applied as suppository, absorption is much slower than after oral application. With the same dosage serum concentrations are lower after rectal application than after oral. It is necessary to give nearly twice the dose using rectal rather than oral application to reach the same antipyretic effect. The duration of efficacy is longer after rectal application because serum concentrations decline slower.", "PMID": 622285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4346", "title": "[Heroin-withdrawal-syndrome in the newborn (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of a heroin-withdrawal-syndrome is reported. Diagnostic, therapeutic and social aspects of this syndrome are discussed. Newborn infants delivered from mothers addicted to heroin often develop a deprivation syndrome. 40% of these children are small for date babies. Symptoms of deprivation begin after delivery or between the 1st and 4th week of life. Generally the onset of symptoms lies between the 1st and 3rd day of life with irritability, tremor, restlessness, and shrill cry. The degree of illness depends upon mother's last heroin intake. Treatment for drug addicts are tinctura opii (3--5--10 drops orally following 4 hours) and Chlorpromazine (2,2 mg/kg/25 hours orally or i. m.). The mortality rate increases when treatment is missing.", "contents": "[Heroin-withdrawal-syndrome in the newborn (author's transl)]. A case of a heroin-withdrawal-syndrome is reported. Diagnostic, therapeutic and social aspects of this syndrome are discussed. Newborn infants delivered from mothers addicted to heroin often develop a deprivation syndrome. 40% of these children are small for date babies. Symptoms of deprivation begin after delivery or between the 1st and 4th week of life. Generally the onset of symptoms lies between the 1st and 3rd day of life with irritability, tremor, restlessness, and shrill cry. The degree of illness depends upon mother's last heroin intake. Treatment for drug addicts are tinctura opii (3--5--10 drops orally following 4 hours) and Chlorpromazine (2,2 mg/kg/25 hours orally or i. m.). The mortality rate increases when treatment is missing.", "PMID": 622286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4347", "title": "[Thrombosis of the renal artery in a newborn (author's transl)].", "content": "Very rare informations about thrombosis of the renal artery in newborns in the literature could be found. In a six years old girl in the course of a perinatal asphyxia complicated by shock a renal artery thrombosis was observed. Profuse bleeding, anemia, thrombopenia, prolonged bleeding time and coagulation time and a low percentage of the thrombotest suggested an intravascular coagulation as a possible factor of this disease. The treatment of the coagulopathia was effective. The physical and psychical development of the girl is normal. The inhibition of the renal function, however, is in a compensated state.", "contents": "[Thrombosis of the renal artery in a newborn (author's transl)]. Very rare informations about thrombosis of the renal artery in newborns in the literature could be found. In a six years old girl in the course of a perinatal asphyxia complicated by shock a renal artery thrombosis was observed. Profuse bleeding, anemia, thrombopenia, prolonged bleeding time and coagulation time and a low percentage of the thrombotest suggested an intravascular coagulation as a possible factor of this disease. The treatment of the coagulopathia was effective. The physical and psychical development of the girl is normal. The inhibition of the renal function, however, is in a compensated state.", "PMID": 622287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4348", "title": "Adaptation to extrauterine existence: cardiac and respiratory rates during the first 72 hours.", "content": "In 29 asymptomatic underweight newborns, 10 true preterms and 19 small-forgestational age (SGA), recordings of respiratory and cardiac rates were performed during the first 72 hours of life. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. Respiratory rates (RR) are slightly elevated during the first day of life. 2. The respiratory-to-cardiac ratio (RR/CR) is very constant throughout the first three days. 3. Low-Apgar infants initially have an elevated RR. 4. True preterm infants have higher cardiac rates (CR) than SGA infants. Not all of the phenomena observed can be totally explained on the basis of existing knowledge.", "contents": "Adaptation to extrauterine existence: cardiac and respiratory rates during the first 72 hours. In 29 asymptomatic underweight newborns, 10 true preterms and 19 small-forgestational age (SGA), recordings of respiratory and cardiac rates were performed during the first 72 hours of life. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. Respiratory rates (RR) are slightly elevated during the first day of life. 2. The respiratory-to-cardiac ratio (RR/CR) is very constant throughout the first three days. 3. Low-Apgar infants initially have an elevated RR. 4. True preterm infants have higher cardiac rates (CR) than SGA infants. Not all of the phenomena observed can be totally explained on the basis of existing knowledge.", "PMID": 622289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4349", "title": "[Treatment of iron deficiency anemia with ferrosulfate serin komplex (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of treatment of iron deficiency anemia in 217 children and infants (aged 8 months to 12 years) with ferrosulfate serin complex are demonstrated: 208 children with simple iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobin 9.1 g/100 ml before treatment had in the first 4 weeks a daily increase of 0.082 g/10000 ml hemoglobin; in 3 children with severe anemia of chronic blood loss the daily increase was 0.21 mg/100 ml and in 6 children with hypoxic polycythemia with congenital heart disease and so called latent iron deficiency anemia the increse was 0.16 g/100 ml. Through the better absorption of this serin-ferrosulfate complex the required dosis is only 3 mg/kg/d. The benefit of this small dosis is the low rate of side effects.", "contents": "[Treatment of iron deficiency anemia with ferrosulfate serin komplex (author's transl)]. The results of treatment of iron deficiency anemia in 217 children and infants (aged 8 months to 12 years) with ferrosulfate serin complex are demonstrated: 208 children with simple iron deficiency anemia with hemoglobin 9.1 g/100 ml before treatment had in the first 4 weeks a daily increase of 0.082 g/10000 ml hemoglobin; in 3 children with severe anemia of chronic blood loss the daily increase was 0.21 mg/100 ml and in 6 children with hypoxic polycythemia with congenital heart disease and so called latent iron deficiency anemia the increse was 0.16 g/100 ml. Through the better absorption of this serin-ferrosulfate complex the required dosis is only 3 mg/kg/d. The benefit of this small dosis is the low rate of side effects.", "PMID": 622290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4350", "title": "[Biological characteristics of the invasive stage of Myxosoma cerebralis (Myxosporidia: Myxosomatidae)].", "content": "The data concerning biological peculiarities of spores of Myxosoma cerebralis obtained by the author and other researchers are summarized. The life cycle of M. cerebralis is well adapted to the seasonal cycle of the host owing to the fact that the infectivity of the spores is attained only after 4 months of aging in water and that the spores are highly resistive to freezing and drying. No sexual process during 4 month aging was observed. It is supposed that the maturity of spores depends to a great extent on the ability of polar capsules for extrusion.", "contents": "[Biological characteristics of the invasive stage of Myxosoma cerebralis (Myxosporidia: Myxosomatidae)]. The data concerning biological peculiarities of spores of Myxosoma cerebralis obtained by the author and other researchers are summarized. The life cycle of M. cerebralis is well adapted to the seasonal cycle of the host owing to the fact that the infectivity of the spores is attained only after 4 months of aging in water and that the spores are highly resistive to freezing and drying. No sexual process during 4 month aging was observed. It is supposed that the maturity of spores depends to a great extent on the ability of polar capsules for extrusion.", "PMID": 622292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4351", "title": "[Ultrastructure of the midgut in Ornithodoros papillipes (Acarina, Argasidae) nymphs in the blood assimilation period].", "content": "Three types of cells (reserve, digestive and secretory) differing in their ultrastructural characters were found to exist in the epithelium of the midgut of nymphs of O. papillipes during the blood assimilation. Reserve and secretory cells are dominant at the first stage of digestion while digestive cells are most abundant at the second one. Ultrafine structure of secretory and digestive cells points to the labile relationship between these types of cells. The same digestive cells assimilate blood both by means of phagocytosis of formed elements and by pinocytosis of its liquid components. The identity of ultrastructural peculiarities of endocytosis and intracellular blood digestion in ixodid and argasid ticks is shown.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of the midgut in Ornithodoros papillipes (Acarina, Argasidae) nymphs in the blood assimilation period]. Three types of cells (reserve, digestive and secretory) differing in their ultrastructural characters were found to exist in the epithelium of the midgut of nymphs of O. papillipes during the blood assimilation. Reserve and secretory cells are dominant at the first stage of digestion while digestive cells are most abundant at the second one. Ultrafine structure of secretory and digestive cells points to the labile relationship between these types of cells. The same digestive cells assimilate blood both by means of phagocytosis of formed elements and by pinocytosis of its liquid components. The identity of ultrastructural peculiarities of endocytosis and intracellular blood digestion in ixodid and argasid ticks is shown.", "PMID": 622293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4352", "title": "[Epizootiological importance of Frontopsylla hetera (Siphonaptera) fleas in the Gorno-Altai natural plague focus].", "content": "Experiments conducted during all seasons have established that F. hetera, one of the mass species of fleas in Mountain Altai, can be infected both by the strain of selective virulence typical to this nidus and by the non-typical non-virulent mountain-altai strain of plague agent. The non-virulent strain does not form in fleas the block of proventriculus and within 1.5-2 months they become free from the microbe. At the infection with the typical strain of the altai subspecies rare transmissions of the agent to Pallas' pika can take place as well as its long preservation in fleas.", "contents": "[Epizootiological importance of Frontopsylla hetera (Siphonaptera) fleas in the Gorno-Altai natural plague focus]. Experiments conducted during all seasons have established that F. hetera, one of the mass species of fleas in Mountain Altai, can be infected both by the strain of selective virulence typical to this nidus and by the non-typical non-virulent mountain-altai strain of plague agent. The non-virulent strain does not form in fleas the block of proventriculus and within 1.5-2 months they become free from the microbe. At the infection with the typical strain of the altai subspecies rare transmissions of the agent to Pallas' pika can take place as well as its long preservation in fleas.", "PMID": 622294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4353", "title": "[Type and parameters of common warble fly (Hypoderma bovis) larval distribution in cattle herds in different parts of a geographic range].", "content": "The method of statystical analysis of the distribution of the 2nd and 3d instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis in 54 herds (8120 heads) of cattle from Czechoslovakia and in 20 herds (1809 heads) from Mongolia has shown that in most cases the negative binomial distribution models the distribution of larvae with sufficient reliability and that the variability in parameters of the distribution is stable independent on the parts of the area.", "contents": "[Type and parameters of common warble fly (Hypoderma bovis) larval distribution in cattle herds in different parts of a geographic range]. The method of statystical analysis of the distribution of the 2nd and 3d instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis in 54 herds (8120 heads) of cattle from Czechoslovakia and in 20 herds (1809 heads) from Mongolia has shown that in most cases the negative binomial distribution models the distribution of larvae with sufficient reliability and that the variability in parameters of the distribution is stable independent on the parts of the area.", "PMID": 622295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4354", "title": "[Karyotypic characteristics of the genus Prosimulium Roub. (Simuliidae) and the problems of systematics].", "content": "A comparative-karyologycal study of 12 species of black flies of the genus Prosimulium was carried out. Species referring to the groups hirtipes and macropyga have similar karyotypical characteristics differing in general in the degree of ploidy of chromosomal sets. Species which form the group alpestre possess peculiar karyologycal characters occupying due to this an intermediate position between the genera Prosimulium and Helodon. They should be separated into a distinct superspecies taxon, Ahaimophaga Chubareva et Rubzov gen. n. P. multicaulis differs karyotypically from other species of the genus Prosimulium but displays a great resemblance to species of Helodon; due to this it should be assigned to the latter.", "contents": "[Karyotypic characteristics of the genus Prosimulium Roub. (Simuliidae) and the problems of systematics]. A comparative-karyologycal study of 12 species of black flies of the genus Prosimulium was carried out. Species referring to the groups hirtipes and macropyga have similar karyotypical characteristics differing in general in the degree of ploidy of chromosomal sets. Species which form the group alpestre possess peculiar karyologycal characters occupying due to this an intermediate position between the genera Prosimulium and Helodon. They should be separated into a distinct superspecies taxon, Ahaimophaga Chubareva et Rubzov gen. n. P. multicaulis differs karyotypically from other species of the genus Prosimulium but displays a great resemblance to species of Helodon; due to this it should be assigned to the latter.", "PMID": 622296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4355", "title": "[New mosquito species, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) sergievi sp. n].", "content": "The description of female, male genitalia and the fourth instar larva of a new species of mosquito, A. (O.) sergievi, from the Tuva ASSR (South Siberia) is given as well as data on its breeding places. It belongs to spring and early summer species and breeds both in fresh and salt waters. Anal gills in the larvae breeding in fresh waters are significantly (P greater than 0.001) longer than those from salt waters (mean ratio between the upper anal gill length and saddle length is 2/3 and 1/2, respectively). A. sergievi is apparently related to East Asia steppe zone (Mongolian - Chinese formations) : besides Tuva, it is found in East Kazakhstan and may occur in Zabaikalye, Mongolia and North China.", "contents": "[New mosquito species, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) sergievi sp. n]. The description of female, male genitalia and the fourth instar larva of a new species of mosquito, A. (O.) sergievi, from the Tuva ASSR (South Siberia) is given as well as data on its breeding places. It belongs to spring and early summer species and breeds both in fresh and salt waters. Anal gills in the larvae breeding in fresh waters are significantly (P greater than 0.001) longer than those from salt waters (mean ratio between the upper anal gill length and saddle length is 2/3 and 1/2, respectively). A. sergievi is apparently related to East Asia steppe zone (Mongolian - Chinese formations) : besides Tuva, it is found in East Kazakhstan and may occur in Zabaikalye, Mongolia and North China.", "PMID": 622297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4356", "title": "[Life cycle of Psilotrema simillimum (M\u00fchling, 1898) (Trematoda: Psilostomidae)].", "content": "Psilotrema simillimum has one intermediate host, the mollusk Bithynia leachi. Cercariae emerging from the mollusk encyst in the environment. Adolescariae become infectious in 3-7 days. In the definitive host trematodes become mature on the 9th day. The development of miracidium in an egg finishes in 19 days at 20-24C. Egg, miracidium, redia, cercariae, adolescariae and marites obtained in the experiment are described.", "contents": "[Life cycle of Psilotrema simillimum (M\u00fchling, 1898) (Trematoda: Psilostomidae)]. Psilotrema simillimum has one intermediate host, the mollusk Bithynia leachi. Cercariae emerging from the mollusk encyst in the environment. Adolescariae become infectious in 3-7 days. In the definitive host trematodes become mature on the 9th day. The development of miracidium in an egg finishes in 19 days at 20-24C. Egg, miracidium, redia, cercariae, adolescariae and marites obtained in the experiment are described.", "PMID": 622298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4357", "title": "[Species affiliation of metacercaria of the genus Metorchis (Trematoda, Opisthorchidae) from fishes in Western Siberia].", "content": "Two larval species of the genus Metorchis, M. bilis and M. xanthosomus, are reported from fishes of West Siberia. Larvae of the first species can develop into adult forms in birds (terns, gulls, ducks) and in mammals (cats, golden hamsters, white mice). Larvae of the second species developed only in ducks. Experimental infection of golden hamsters, white mice and black terns with M. xanthosomus failed. On the results of the experimental infection and literary data the synonyms, M. bilis and M. xanthosomus, are given.", "contents": "[Species affiliation of metacercaria of the genus Metorchis (Trematoda, Opisthorchidae) from fishes in Western Siberia]. Two larval species of the genus Metorchis, M. bilis and M. xanthosomus, are reported from fishes of West Siberia. Larvae of the first species can develop into adult forms in birds (terns, gulls, ducks) and in mammals (cats, golden hamsters, white mice). Larvae of the second species developed only in ducks. Experimental infection of golden hamsters, white mice and black terns with M. xanthosomus failed. On the results of the experimental infection and literary data the synonyms, M. bilis and M. xanthosomus, are given.", "PMID": 622299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4358", "title": "The use of vitamin K deficient diets in the screening and evaluation of anticoccidial drugs.", "content": "Vitamin K (as menaphthone sodium bisulphite) added to a deficient diet reduced mortality due to Eimeria tenella or E. necatrix, had a slight effect on haematocrit, but had no obvious effect on weight gain or faecal blood; 0.1 ppm gave a maximal response. The effect of vitamin K on mortality was not absolute; the magnitude of the effect depended on the size of the challenge dose of oocysts. Likewise, the response of an infection to anticoccidial drugs, particularly monensin, depended on the severity of challenge. The effect of adding vitamin K in the presence of drug was to effectively reduce the coccidial challenge; no other interaction of vitamin K and drug has been found. No effects with vitamin K deficiency or supplementation were seen in cases of infections with E. acervulina, E. brunetti or E. maxima. The use of a deficient diet for experimental work is therefore quite justified--particularly as it results in a 4-fold saving of oocysts for inoculation purposes in the case of the haemorrhagic species.", "contents": "The use of vitamin K deficient diets in the screening and evaluation of anticoccidial drugs. Vitamin K (as menaphthone sodium bisulphite) added to a deficient diet reduced mortality due to Eimeria tenella or E. necatrix, had a slight effect on haematocrit, but had no obvious effect on weight gain or faecal blood; 0.1 ppm gave a maximal response. The effect of vitamin K on mortality was not absolute; the magnitude of the effect depended on the size of the challenge dose of oocysts. Likewise, the response of an infection to anticoccidial drugs, particularly monensin, depended on the severity of challenge. The effect of adding vitamin K in the presence of drug was to effectively reduce the coccidial challenge; no other interaction of vitamin K and drug has been found. No effects with vitamin K deficiency or supplementation were seen in cases of infections with E. acervulina, E. brunetti or E. maxima. The use of a deficient diet for experimental work is therefore quite justified--particularly as it results in a 4-fold saving of oocysts for inoculation purposes in the case of the haemorrhagic species.", "PMID": 622304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4359", "title": "[Changes in the sulfhydryl group content in the hemolymph of freshwater gastropods infected with trematode parthenitae and larvae].", "content": "A study was conducted on the changes in sulphhydryl groups in the haemolymph of Lymnaea stagnalis infected with partenites of Opisthioglyphe ranae, Planorbis corneus infected with partenites of Cotylurus cornutus and females of Viviparus viviparus infected with partenites and larvae of Echinoparyphium petrowi. At the infection in the haemolymph of hosts were recorded statystically reliable changes in the protein sulphhydryl groups which are blocked by toxines excreted by the parasites. The reduction rate in the content of these substances depends on the localization of the parasites and infection intensity of the hosts.", "contents": "[Changes in the sulfhydryl group content in the hemolymph of freshwater gastropods infected with trematode parthenitae and larvae]. A study was conducted on the changes in sulphhydryl groups in the haemolymph of Lymnaea stagnalis infected with partenites of Opisthioglyphe ranae, Planorbis corneus infected with partenites of Cotylurus cornutus and females of Viviparus viviparus infected with partenites and larvae of Echinoparyphium petrowi. At the infection in the haemolymph of hosts were recorded statystically reliable changes in the protein sulphhydryl groups which are blocked by toxines excreted by the parasites. The reduction rate in the content of these substances depends on the localization of the parasites and infection intensity of the hosts.", "PMID": 622300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4360", "title": "Heterologous immunity between piroplasms and malaria parasites: the simultaneous elimination of Plasmodium vinckei and Babesia microti from the blood of doubly infected mice.", "content": "Mice which have recovered from infections with the avirulent piroplasm Babesia microti are also resistant to challenge with the virulent malaria parasite Plasmodium vinckei. In mice infected with P. vinckei before the peak of the B. microti infection the numbers of malaria parasites in the blood increase until that peak and are then eliminated at the same time as the piroplasms. In mice infected with P. vinckei at or after the peak there is no apparent multiplication and the malaria parasites begin to disappear from the blood immediately. The malaria parasites in doubly infected mice show signs of degeneration similar to those seen in mice pre-treated with Corynebacterium parvum and it is suggested that a common mechanism exists in homologous and heterologous immunity and in immunity following pre-treatment with C. parvum or BCG.", "contents": "Heterologous immunity between piroplasms and malaria parasites: the simultaneous elimination of Plasmodium vinckei and Babesia microti from the blood of doubly infected mice. Mice which have recovered from infections with the avirulent piroplasm Babesia microti are also resistant to challenge with the virulent malaria parasite Plasmodium vinckei. In mice infected with P. vinckei before the peak of the B. microti infection the numbers of malaria parasites in the blood increase until that peak and are then eliminated at the same time as the piroplasms. In mice infected with P. vinckei at or after the peak there is no apparent multiplication and the malaria parasites begin to disappear from the blood immediately. The malaria parasites in doubly infected mice show signs of degeneration similar to those seen in mice pre-treated with Corynebacterium parvum and it is suggested that a common mechanism exists in homologous and heterologous immunity and in immunity following pre-treatment with C. parvum or BCG.", "PMID": 622306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4361", "title": "[Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) jacusieli Theodor, 1947, a new species of sandflies for the fauna of the USSR].", "content": "After examination of sandfly collection from Agdam (Azerbaijan SSR) it was stated that all sandflies previously identified as Phlebotomus mongolensis belong to another species Ph. jacusieli. Ph. jacusieli has not been recorded in the fauna of USSR before. Probably all records of Ph. mongolensis in Transcaucasia are wrong. Description of Ph. jacusieli and some ecological data are given.", "contents": "[Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) jacusieli Theodor, 1947, a new species of sandflies for the fauna of the USSR]. After examination of sandfly collection from Agdam (Azerbaijan SSR) it was stated that all sandflies previously identified as Phlebotomus mongolensis belong to another species Ph. jacusieli. Ph. jacusieli has not been recorded in the fauna of USSR before. Probably all records of Ph. mongolensis in Transcaucasia are wrong. Description of Ph. jacusieli and some ecological data are given.", "PMID": 622301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4362", "title": "[Fleas from bird nests in southwestern Tuva].", "content": "14 species of fleas were recorded from 173 nests of 47 species of birds. Most abundant of them are Ceratophyllus vagabundus, C. gallinae, C. borealis. The abundance of fleas was found to depend on season and hosts' habitat. The above species were most frequently encountered in nests in May. The high abundance index of fleas was registered in birds nesting in hollows, burrows of small mammals and in clefts of rocks.", "contents": "[Fleas from bird nests in southwestern Tuva]. 14 species of fleas were recorded from 173 nests of 47 species of birds. Most abundant of them are Ceratophyllus vagabundus, C. gallinae, C. borealis. The abundance of fleas was found to depend on season and hosts' habitat. The above species were most frequently encountered in nests in May. The high abundance index of fleas was registered in birds nesting in hollows, burrows of small mammals and in clefts of rocks.", "PMID": 622302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4363", "title": "The effect of variations in host and parasite density on the level of parasitization of Lymnaea truncatula by Fasciola hepatica.", "content": "Groups of the snail Lymnaea truncatula, maintained at a range of spatial densities, were exposed to different densities of miracidia of Fasiola hepatica. The resulting degree of parasitization was measured 3--4 weeks after infection. The relationship between parasite densities and parasitization appeared to be curvilinear. The lower than expected parasitization at high parasite densities could be explained by the multiple infection of some snails by two or more miracidia. The level of parasitization was not related exponentially to the temperature at which infection was carried out. This was thought to be due to the inverse relationship between miracidial longevity and swimming speed, with respect to temperature. A depth of free water overlying a mud surface was an absolute requirement for miracidia to successfully infect snails.", "contents": "The effect of variations in host and parasite density on the level of parasitization of Lymnaea truncatula by Fasciola hepatica. Groups of the snail Lymnaea truncatula, maintained at a range of spatial densities, were exposed to different densities of miracidia of Fasiola hepatica. The resulting degree of parasitization was measured 3--4 weeks after infection. The relationship between parasite densities and parasitization appeared to be curvilinear. The lower than expected parasitization at high parasite densities could be explained by the multiple infection of some snails by two or more miracidia. The level of parasitization was not related exponentially to the temperature at which infection was carried out. This was thought to be due to the inverse relationship between miracidial longevity and swimming speed, with respect to temperature. A depth of free water overlying a mud surface was an absolute requirement for miracidia to successfully infect snails.", "PMID": 622308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4364", "title": "Microtia--a long-term follow-up of 44 reconstructed auricles.", "content": "Forty-three microtia patients have been reviewed 6 to 19 years after auricular reconstruction with autogenous rib cartilage. The adverse emotional reaction to microtia has been ameliorated in 88 percent of them. The need for subsequent revision of the reconstructed auricle has been almost eliminated.", "contents": "Microtia--a long-term follow-up of 44 reconstructed auricles. Forty-three microtia patients have been reviewed 6 to 19 years after auricular reconstruction with autogenous rib cartilage. The adverse emotional reaction to microtia has been ameliorated in 88 percent of them. The need for subsequent revision of the reconstructed auricle has been almost eliminated.", "PMID": 622405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4365", "title": "Experimental study of the optimal time for tenolysis.", "content": "We have attempted to define the optimal time for tenolysis by evaluating the blood supply, the rupture rate, and the tensile strength of tenolysed and control tendons. In 128 chickens tenolysis was performed 1, 3, 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after primary tendon repair. Tenolysis at 1 and 3 weeks resulted in devascularization, weak tendons, and high rupture rates. Tenolysis at 6 weeks after the primary repair had mixed effects on the blood supply but weakened the tendon. Tenolysis at 12 weeks after the tendon repair did not weaken the tendon and resulted in an increased blood supply. Tenolysis at 16 and 24 weeks did not weaken the tendon, but had varied effects on the blood supply. We recommend an interval of 12 weeks between primary tendon repair and tenolysis.", "contents": "Experimental study of the optimal time for tenolysis. We have attempted to define the optimal time for tenolysis by evaluating the blood supply, the rupture rate, and the tensile strength of tenolysed and control tendons. In 128 chickens tenolysis was performed 1, 3, 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after primary tendon repair. Tenolysis at 1 and 3 weeks resulted in devascularization, weak tendons, and high rupture rates. Tenolysis at 6 weeks after the primary repair had mixed effects on the blood supply but weakened the tendon. Tenolysis at 12 weeks after the tendon repair did not weaken the tendon and resulted in an increased blood supply. Tenolysis at 16 and 24 weeks did not weaken the tendon, but had varied effects on the blood supply. We recommend an interval of 12 weeks between primary tendon repair and tenolysis.", "PMID": 622408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4366", "title": "Results of surgical lengthening of the short nose in the bilateral cleft lip patient.", "content": "Some children with bilateral cleft lips do not grow a long enough nose and require surgical lengthening of the nose. We review our 12-year experience with a one-stage slide operation to achieve this. Seven males and 5 females had this operation at ages 7 through 13 years, and we have followed them from 6 months to 12 years. The results, and the subsequent growth effects are described. In general, good long-term improvement has been achieved and the external scars have not proved to be a major drawback. Subsequent procedures upon the columella, alae, and upper lip are often required to establish an unobtrusive nasal appearance.", "contents": "Results of surgical lengthening of the short nose in the bilateral cleft lip patient. Some children with bilateral cleft lips do not grow a long enough nose and require surgical lengthening of the nose. We review our 12-year experience with a one-stage slide operation to achieve this. Seven males and 5 females had this operation at ages 7 through 13 years, and we have followed them from 6 months to 12 years. The results, and the subsequent growth effects are described. In general, good long-term improvement has been achieved and the external scars have not proved to be a major drawback. Subsequent procedures upon the columella, alae, and upper lip are often required to establish an unobtrusive nasal appearance.", "PMID": 622410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4367", "title": "Soft tissue response to Proplast: quantitation of scar ingrowth.", "content": "We compared, histologically and biochemically, the effects of blood pretreatment vs. no pretreatment on the ingrowth of scar into subcutaneously implanted blocks of Proplast in rats. No significant differences were found.", "contents": "Soft tissue response to Proplast: quantitation of scar ingrowth. We compared, histologically and biochemically, the effects of blood pretreatment vs. no pretreatment on the ingrowth of scar into subcutaneously implanted blocks of Proplast in rats. No significant differences were found.", "PMID": 622411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4368", "title": "Correction of lower eyelid ptosis in the anophthalmic orbit with an autogenous ear cartilage graft.", "content": "We describe the correction of lower eyelid ptosis in patients with an anophthalmic orbit, using ear cartilage grafts. This procedure has been particularly useful in the scarred or previously reconstructed lower eyelid.", "contents": "Correction of lower eyelid ptosis in the anophthalmic orbit with an autogenous ear cartilage graft. We describe the correction of lower eyelid ptosis in patients with an anophthalmic orbit, using ear cartilage grafts. This procedure has been particularly useful in the scarred or previously reconstructed lower eyelid.", "PMID": 622412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4369", "title": "Neurilemmoma presenting as a tumor in the tail of the parotid.", "content": "We describe our experiences with 8 patients who had expanding neurilemmomas of the posterolateral parotid area. Treatment is surgical dissection of the encapsulated tumor mass from its nerve of origin, under magnification, with preservation of that nerve and removal of the mass.", "contents": "Neurilemmoma presenting as a tumor in the tail of the parotid. We describe our experiences with 8 patients who had expanding neurilemmomas of the posterolateral parotid area. Treatment is surgical dissection of the encapsulated tumor mass from its nerve of origin, under magnification, with preservation of that nerve and removal of the mass.", "PMID": 622413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4370", "title": "Frequency of occurrence of the transversus menti muscle.", "content": "The transversus menti muscle was present in 9 of 16 cadaver specimens. The anatomy and the frequency of this muscle are discussed, as is the possibility of its clinical use in the reconstruction of defects around the angle of the mouth in selected patients.", "contents": "Frequency of occurrence of the transversus menti muscle. The transversus menti muscle was present in 9 of 16 cadaver specimens. The anatomy and the frequency of this muscle are discussed, as is the possibility of its clinical use in the reconstruction of defects around the angle of the mouth in selected patients.", "PMID": 622414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4371", "title": "Prognostic value of vascular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.", "content": "Vascular invasion by malignant cells has been an accepted secondary diagnostic or prognostic factor in malignancies of the thyroid and kidney. This study of the initial biopsies from 80 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck indicates that penetration of the vascular channels by the tumor is a reliable indicator of the tumor's aggressive character. If discovered in the initial biopsy, this may be a reason to plan more comprehensive and intensive treatment than would be indicated by the clinical stage alone.", "contents": "Prognostic value of vascular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Vascular invasion by malignant cells has been an accepted secondary diagnostic or prognostic factor in malignancies of the thyroid and kidney. This study of the initial biopsies from 80 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck indicates that penetration of the vascular channels by the tumor is a reliable indicator of the tumor's aggressive character. If discovered in the initial biopsy, this may be a reason to plan more comprehensive and intensive treatment than would be indicated by the clinical stage alone.", "PMID": 622415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4372", "title": "Fibrinolytic activator activity in human neoplasms.", "content": "The results of this study suggest that many malignant tumors contain low levels of fibrinolytic activator activity. Evidence is presented to suggest that this low activity may be due to the presence of an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. The presence or absence of measurable fibrinolytic activator activity, and/or inhibitor in neoplastic growths may enable one to predict the probability of viable metastases to a distant site.", "contents": "Fibrinolytic activator activity in human neoplasms. The results of this study suggest that many malignant tumors contain low levels of fibrinolytic activator activity. Evidence is presented to suggest that this low activity may be due to the presence of an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. The presence or absence of measurable fibrinolytic activator activity, and/or inhibitor in neoplastic growths may enable one to predict the probability of viable metastases to a distant site.", "PMID": 622416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4373", "title": "Migration of silicone gel after the \"squeeze technique\" to rupture a contracted breast capsule. Case report.", "content": "While the squeeze capsulotomy is a simple and effective method for managing capsular contracture around a breast implant, with extreme force the rupture of the prostheses can occur. With the concomitant use of a pressure dressing and breast massage, there was distant migration of the extravasated gel in one case, so this should be considered as a potential complication of this technique.", "contents": "Migration of silicone gel after the \"squeeze technique\" to rupture a contracted breast capsule. Case report. While the squeeze capsulotomy is a simple and effective method for managing capsular contracture around a breast implant, with extreme force the rupture of the prostheses can occur. With the concomitant use of a pressure dressing and breast massage, there was distant migration of the extravasated gel in one case, so this should be considered as a potential complication of this technique.", "PMID": 622421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4374", "title": "Congenital amputation of the toes with replantation at the site of a constriction band in the mid-calf. Case report.", "content": "We present a case of congenital amputation of the toes with replantation at the site of a constriction band in the mid-calf. The theories of the etiology of constriction bands are discussed, and the importance of this case in supporting the amniotic constriction band theory is emphasized.", "contents": "Congenital amputation of the toes with replantation at the site of a constriction band in the mid-calf. Case report. We present a case of congenital amputation of the toes with replantation at the site of a constriction band in the mid-calf. The theories of the etiology of constriction bands are discussed, and the importance of this case in supporting the amniotic constriction band theory is emphasized.", "PMID": 622422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4375", "title": "Placement of the umbilicus in an abdominoplasty.", "content": "The location of the umbilicus was measured in 100 randomly selected non-obese subjects. It was found that a line drawn from the highest level of the crest of one ilium to the same point on the other side will transect the umbilicus in 96 percent of the subjects. This relationship can be of use during an abdominoplasty, when determining the location for the umbilicus.", "contents": "Placement of the umbilicus in an abdominoplasty. The location of the umbilicus was measured in 100 randomly selected non-obese subjects. It was found that a line drawn from the highest level of the crest of one ilium to the same point on the other side will transect the umbilicus in 96 percent of the subjects. This relationship can be of use during an abdominoplasty, when determining the location for the umbilicus.", "PMID": 622423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4376", "title": "Conditioned responding of the neurogenic bladder.", "content": "Classical conditioning techniques were employed to condition responding of the spastic neurogenic bladder in a man with quadriparesis and urinary incontinence secondary to spinal cord injury at the cervical level. A neutral stimulus of mild electrical stimulation to the thigh was paired temporally with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) of stronger electrical stimulation of the lower abdomen, and then was presented alone as a conditioned stimulus (CS) to elicit the conditioned response (CR) of voiding. The previously neutral CS reliably elicited large amounts of urine and left little residual urine in the subject's bladder. Following the experimental sessions, the subject self-applied the CS on a predetermined schedule during his daily routine outside of the laboratory. The CS initially was successful, but after several days the CR exhibited extinction. Additional CS-UCS pairing sessions did not reinstate the responses satisfactorily. Aspects of the experimental procedure and the results are discussed as well as the feasibility of conditioning the human spinal cord in the absence of an intact central nervous system", "contents": "Conditioned responding of the neurogenic bladder. Classical conditioning techniques were employed to condition responding of the spastic neurogenic bladder in a man with quadriparesis and urinary incontinence secondary to spinal cord injury at the cervical level. A neutral stimulus of mild electrical stimulation to the thigh was paired temporally with an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) of stronger electrical stimulation of the lower abdomen, and then was presented alone as a conditioned stimulus (CS) to elicit the conditioned response (CR) of voiding. The previously neutral CS reliably elicited large amounts of urine and left little residual urine in the subject's bladder. Following the experimental sessions, the subject self-applied the CS on a predetermined schedule during his daily routine outside of the laboratory. The CS initially was successful, but after several days the CR exhibited extinction. Additional CS-UCS pairing sessions did not reinstate the responses satisfactorily. Aspects of the experimental procedure and the results are discussed as well as the feasibility of conditioning the human spinal cord in the absence of an intact central nervous system", "PMID": 622427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4377", "title": "Coronary-prone behavior: one pattern or several?", "content": "A cohort of 2750 healthy men who responded to a 61-item questionnaire was studied prospectively for 4 years, by which time 67 sustained acute myocardial infarctions (AMI), 30 were discovered by ECG to have had myocardial infarctions, which had gone clinically unrecognized (\"silent\") (SMI), and 23 had developed classical angina pectoris without ECG changes indicative of infarction. Item analysis of the questionnaire using multi-group optimal scaling and discriminant function revealed the patterns of responses to be characteristically different among the three clinical presentations of coronary disease and those men who remained healthy. The psychological properties of the three significant dimensions of discrimination are discussed. A second study, involving largely healthy men from the same population, supported the inference that the dimensions isolated were statistically and psychologically genuine. The implication is that different facets of the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern may be specifically associated with different clinical manifestation of coronary disease. Refinement of these dimensions may lead to more specific prediction of coronary disease risk in the future.", "contents": "Coronary-prone behavior: one pattern or several? A cohort of 2750 healthy men who responded to a 61-item questionnaire was studied prospectively for 4 years, by which time 67 sustained acute myocardial infarctions (AMI), 30 were discovered by ECG to have had myocardial infarctions, which had gone clinically unrecognized (\"silent\") (SMI), and 23 had developed classical angina pectoris without ECG changes indicative of infarction. Item analysis of the questionnaire using multi-group optimal scaling and discriminant function revealed the patterns of responses to be characteristically different among the three clinical presentations of coronary disease and those men who remained healthy. The psychological properties of the three significant dimensions of discrimination are discussed. A second study, involving largely healthy men from the same population, supported the inference that the dimensions isolated were statistically and psychologically genuine. The implication is that different facets of the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern may be specifically associated with different clinical manifestation of coronary disease. Refinement of these dimensions may lead to more specific prediction of coronary disease risk in the future.", "PMID": 622429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4378", "title": "Errors in reporting cancer and other conditions by persons in a prospective study.", "content": "The hospital records of 553 men were compared with their medical histories obtained by interviews after hospitalization. Forty men had documentation of cancer in their hospital records stated that they had the specific condition. However, 21 other cancer patients did not give a positive history of their documented disease and 4 who stated that they had a malignancy did not have cancer according to their hospital records. In contrast to cancer, respondents overreported surgery for peptic ulcer and colorectal polypectomy. The greatest extent of agreement between the hospital record and the medical interview was noted for surgical patients with gallbladder disease; all 43 of these patients gave a positive history for this condition.", "contents": "Errors in reporting cancer and other conditions by persons in a prospective study. The hospital records of 553 men were compared with their medical histories obtained by interviews after hospitalization. Forty men had documentation of cancer in their hospital records stated that they had the specific condition. However, 21 other cancer patients did not give a positive history of their documented disease and 4 who stated that they had a malignancy did not have cancer according to their hospital records. In contrast to cancer, respondents overreported surgery for peptic ulcer and colorectal polypectomy. The greatest extent of agreement between the hospital record and the medical interview was noted for surgical patients with gallbladder disease; all 43 of these patients gave a positive history for this condition.", "PMID": 622442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4379", "title": "Hypertension control through the design of targeted delivery models.", "content": "If we discard some of the assumptions upon which curatively oriented medical care is based, we can design models to deliver more effective services for those with chronic diseases. Assumptions to be discarded are--that disease processes can be cured through the delivery of a \"magic bullet\" rather than controlled through continuous surveillance, -that the physician must be an active decision maker and thus act as gatekeeper and monitor for all disease victims, and -that care for a family of consumers must be provided together. Models for the delivery of services can then be designed to provide continuity of care for those with a specific chronic disease, and paraprofessionals can be used as gatekeepers and monitors, in combination with physicians, rather than physicians alone, to give services. Models can be targeted to reach specific high-risk groups within the population at the workplace, the school, unemployment office, or wherever groups routinely congregate for purposes other than health care. Building targeted models requires extensive knowledge of the specific geographic area and its population as well as knowledge of the natural history of the disease and its treatment. For hypertension programs, goals can be set in terms of numbers of persons whose disease is controlled and the number of new programs initiated as the result of the control efforts.", "contents": "Hypertension control through the design of targeted delivery models. If we discard some of the assumptions upon which curatively oriented medical care is based, we can design models to deliver more effective services for those with chronic diseases. Assumptions to be discarded are--that disease processes can be cured through the delivery of a \"magic bullet\" rather than controlled through continuous surveillance, -that the physician must be an active decision maker and thus act as gatekeeper and monitor for all disease victims, and -that care for a family of consumers must be provided together. Models for the delivery of services can then be designed to provide continuity of care for those with a specific chronic disease, and paraprofessionals can be used as gatekeepers and monitors, in combination with physicians, rather than physicians alone, to give services. Models can be targeted to reach specific high-risk groups within the population at the workplace, the school, unemployment office, or wherever groups routinely congregate for purposes other than health care. Building targeted models requires extensive knowledge of the specific geographic area and its population as well as knowledge of the natural history of the disease and its treatment. For hypertension programs, goals can be set in terms of numbers of persons whose disease is controlled and the number of new programs initiated as the result of the control efforts.", "PMID": 622445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4380", "title": "HLA-B27 associated arthropathies.", "content": "The association between histo-compatibility antigens and disease is reviewed, in particular that between HLA-B27 and spondylitic disorders, i.e., ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing hyperostosis. We determined whether the presence of HLA-B27 predicted specific radiographic findings and, conversely, whether specific radiographic changes predicted antigenic status. The prevalences of the HLA-B27 antigen in our patients were: ankylosing spondylitis, 100%; Reiter's arthritis, 93%; psoriatic arthritis, 55%; and ankylosing hyperostosis, 12%. The only specific radiographic finding associated with B27 positivity was severe spondylitis in psoriasis.", "contents": "HLA-B27 associated arthropathies. The association between histo-compatibility antigens and disease is reviewed, in particular that between HLA-B27 and spondylitic disorders, i.e., ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing hyperostosis. We determined whether the presence of HLA-B27 predicted specific radiographic findings and, conversely, whether specific radiographic changes predicted antigenic status. The prevalences of the HLA-B27 antigen in our patients were: ankylosing spondylitis, 100%; Reiter's arthritis, 93%; psoriatic arthritis, 55%; and ankylosing hyperostosis, 12%. The only specific radiographic finding associated with B27 positivity was severe spondylitis in psoriasis.", "PMID": 622470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4381", "title": "Adjustable sliding aluminum wedge filter: device for angiographic enhancement.", "content": "Since the human body is of neither uniform thickness nor uniform composition, opacified vessels may be optimally exposed on a portion of the radiograph and overexposed on an adjacent portion. This unwanted nonuniformity in image darkness can be eliminated or reduced using a so-called compensating filter. In this paper such a filter in the form of an adjustable sliding aluminum wedge, that has been employed in angiographic procedures in our laboratory for the past four years, is described. The application of this filter to angiograms of various body parts is illustrated with clinical examples.", "contents": "Adjustable sliding aluminum wedge filter: device for angiographic enhancement. Since the human body is of neither uniform thickness nor uniform composition, opacified vessels may be optimally exposed on a portion of the radiograph and overexposed on an adjacent portion. This unwanted nonuniformity in image darkness can be eliminated or reduced using a so-called compensating filter. In this paper such a filter in the form of an adjustable sliding aluminum wedge, that has been employed in angiographic procedures in our laboratory for the past four years, is described. The application of this filter to angiograms of various body parts is illustrated with clinical examples.", "PMID": 622466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4382", "title": "Jerman Memorial Lecture. Scanning a new image: proposal for professional standards.", "content": "An analysis of trends in radiologic technology in other countries of the world is compared with current standards of education and socioeconomic practices in America. From this background, radiologic technologists are challenged to reassess their position in American health care and forge new directions to make radiologic technology an independent, self-governing profession and an equal partner in the health-care team.", "contents": "Jerman Memorial Lecture. Scanning a new image: proposal for professional standards. An analysis of trends in radiologic technology in other countries of the world is compared with current standards of education and socioeconomic practices in America. From this background, radiologic technologists are challenged to reassess their position in American health care and forge new directions to make radiologic technology an independent, self-governing profession and an equal partner in the health-care team.", "PMID": 622465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4383", "title": "The relationship between HLA-B27 positive peripheral arthritis and sacroiliitis.", "content": "HLA typing for B27 antigen is a helpful diagnostic aid in the classification of peripheral arthritis patients (especially young patients) who are rheumatoid factor negative. We studied 109 patients with seronegative peripheral arthritis belonging to various clinical categories; 23% proved to be B27 positive in comparison to 7% of normal controls. In spite of a paucity of spinal manifestations there was a high prevalence of sacroiliitis (83%) in the B27 positive peripheral arthritis patients as opposed to only 21% in those without B27 antigen. HLA-B27 typing and radiographs of the sacroiliac joints are important differential tests.", "contents": "The relationship between HLA-B27 positive peripheral arthritis and sacroiliitis. HLA typing for B27 antigen is a helpful diagnostic aid in the classification of peripheral arthritis patients (especially young patients) who are rheumatoid factor negative. We studied 109 patients with seronegative peripheral arthritis belonging to various clinical categories; 23% proved to be B27 positive in comparison to 7% of normal controls. In spite of a paucity of spinal manifestations there was a high prevalence of sacroiliitis (83%) in the B27 positive peripheral arthritis patients as opposed to only 21% in those without B27 antigen. HLA-B27 typing and radiographs of the sacroiliac joints are important differential tests.", "PMID": 622471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4384", "title": "Reiter disease with atlanto-axial subluxation.", "content": "The authors report the first known case of atlanto-axial subluxation in Reiter arthritis. The type of analysis, including radiographic and laboratory examinations, required for a diagnosis of atypical Reiter disease is an important feature of the case.", "contents": "Reiter disease with atlanto-axial subluxation. The authors report the first known case of atlanto-axial subluxation in Reiter arthritis. The type of analysis, including radiographic and laboratory examinations, required for a diagnosis of atypical Reiter disease is an important feature of the case.", "PMID": 622472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4385", "title": "Personnel management in a radiology department.", "content": "Many administrative technologists find interviewing and management of their departmental personnel and the function of a department of personnel difficult to understand. That can result in the personnel department having total control of radiology personnel. The purpose of this article is to offer supervising technologists insight into personnel management.", "contents": "Personnel management in a radiology department. Many administrative technologists find interviewing and management of their departmental personnel and the function of a department of personnel difficult to understand. That can result in the personnel department having total control of radiology personnel. The purpose of this article is to offer supervising technologists insight into personnel management.", "PMID": 622467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4386", "title": "Radiological and pathological manifestations of osteochondritis dissecans of the distal femur. A study of 50 cases.", "content": "The specimens from 50 operated cases of osteochondritis dissecans of the distal femur were analyzed histopathologically. Radiodensity of the specimens of osteochondritis dissecans was due (a) attached subchondral bone, (b) degenerative secondary calcification of articular cartilage, (c) revascularization with new bone, and, in the free bodies, (d) calcification in new surface layers of cartilage and bone. The pathological findings in the specimens suggested an etiology from trauma rather than avascular necrosis. Half of the specimens of osteochondritis dissecans contained no subchondral bone but only articular cartilage. It was postulated that the relationship of the attached lesions to the intercondylar notch of the femur, which permitted a partially retained blood supply, created a spectrum of different histopathological changes in the subchondral bone of those specimens with attached bone.", "contents": "Radiological and pathological manifestations of osteochondritis dissecans of the distal femur. A study of 50 cases. The specimens from 50 operated cases of osteochondritis dissecans of the distal femur were analyzed histopathologically. Radiodensity of the specimens of osteochondritis dissecans was due (a) attached subchondral bone, (b) degenerative secondary calcification of articular cartilage, (c) revascularization with new bone, and, in the free bodies, (d) calcification in new surface layers of cartilage and bone. The pathological findings in the specimens suggested an etiology from trauma rather than avascular necrosis. Half of the specimens of osteochondritis dissecans contained no subchondral bone but only articular cartilage. It was postulated that the relationship of the attached lesions to the intercondylar notch of the femur, which permitted a partially retained blood supply, created a spectrum of different histopathological changes in the subchondral bone of those specimens with attached bone.", "PMID": 622473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4387", "title": "Our professional image: as we are seen.", "content": "Concerned with the poor professional image radiologic technologists seem to have with patients, nurses, and non-radiology physicians, a survey was conducted and suggestions elicited from the three groups. Through additional personal interviews the author has concluded that the results are representative of a widespread problem, which can be corrected.", "contents": "Our professional image: as we are seen. Concerned with the poor professional image radiologic technologists seem to have with patients, nurses, and non-radiology physicians, a survey was conducted and suggestions elicited from the three groups. Through additional personal interviews the author has concluded that the results are representative of a widespread problem, which can be corrected.", "PMID": 622468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4388", "title": "Radiographic findings in the hands in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Hand radiographs of 59 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined. Thirty-four revealed radiographic abnormalities, most commonly periarticular soft-tissue swelling or demineralization. Alignment abnormalities, acral sclerosis, avascular necrosis, soft-tissue calcification and terminal tuft resorption were also seen. All patients with periarticular calcification or terminal tuft resorption had Raynaud's phenomenon. Clinical indicators of disease activity (including low serum complement levels) did not correlate with the presence or severity of radiographic abnormalities. Patients with abnormal radiographs generally were older at the time of diagnosis than those with normal studies.", "contents": "Radiographic findings in the hands in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Hand radiographs of 59 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined. Thirty-four revealed radiographic abnormalities, most commonly periarticular soft-tissue swelling or demineralization. Alignment abnormalities, acral sclerosis, avascular necrosis, soft-tissue calcification and terminal tuft resorption were also seen. All patients with periarticular calcification or terminal tuft resorption had Raynaud's phenomenon. Clinical indicators of disease activity (including low serum complement levels) did not correlate with the presence or severity of radiographic abnormalities. Patients with abnormal radiographs generally were older at the time of diagnosis than those with normal studies.", "PMID": 622474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4389", "title": "Radiographic evaluation of tibial plateau fractures.", "content": "Thorough radiographic evaluation of tibial plateau fractures is necessary in order to determine the extent and type of injury. Routine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs should be supplemented by oblique and horizontal beam lateral views. Tomography most accurately delineates fracture anatomy and thus plays a key role in planning treatment; the surgical approach is determined by the tomographic localization of the fracture fragments. The radiologist's understanding of tibial plateau fractures aids the orthopedic surgeon in the management of these patients.", "contents": "Radiographic evaluation of tibial plateau fractures. Thorough radiographic evaluation of tibial plateau fractures is necessary in order to determine the extent and type of injury. Routine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs should be supplemented by oblique and horizontal beam lateral views. Tomography most accurately delineates fracture anatomy and thus plays a key role in planning treatment; the surgical approach is determined by the tomographic localization of the fracture fragments. The radiologist's understanding of tibial plateau fractures aids the orthopedic surgeon in the management of these patients.", "PMID": 622475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4390", "title": "Computed tomography: an overview.", "content": "Instrumentation for computed tomography (CT) can be put into three categories that are defined in this article. The basis for this categorization depends on the number of detectors and the type of scanning mode used by each. The goal of each generation scanner is to provide a measurement of x-ray absorption coefficients of cross-sectional portions of the anatomy. The technology of each generation is also presented.", "contents": "Computed tomography: an overview. Instrumentation for computed tomography (CT) can be put into three categories that are defined in this article. The basis for this categorization depends on the number of detectors and the type of scanning mode used by each. The goal of each generation scanner is to provide a measurement of x-ray absorption coefficients of cross-sectional portions of the anatomy. The technology of each generation is also presented.", "PMID": 622469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4391", "title": "The joint space in normal hip radiographs.", "content": "The hip joint space in standard anteroposterior images of 120 normal subjects was measured with the aid of a special transparent pattern. The normal value was slightly over 4mm, scattered between 3 and 5 mm, except for elderly men in whom values of 6 mm or more may be normal. The lower borderline value does not change with age, nor is there any change in the average joint space with age except in men in whom it increases slightly. A narrow joint space in an elderly patient should not be expected simply because the patient is old. The measuring technique is useful in population studies. In individual cases a simple measurement with a ruler serves the same purpose if the outline of the acetabular roof is well-defined on the images.", "contents": "The joint space in normal hip radiographs. The hip joint space in standard anteroposterior images of 120 normal subjects was measured with the aid of a special transparent pattern. The normal value was slightly over 4mm, scattered between 3 and 5 mm, except for elderly men in whom values of 6 mm or more may be normal. The lower borderline value does not change with age, nor is there any change in the average joint space with age except in men in whom it increases slightly. A narrow joint space in an elderly patient should not be expected simply because the patient is old. The measuring technique is useful in population studies. In individual cases a simple measurement with a ruler serves the same purpose if the outline of the acetabular roof is well-defined on the images.", "PMID": 622476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4392", "title": "Lower limb angiography in leprosy.", "content": "Bilateral lower limb angiography was performed on 58 patients with leprosy and compared with bilateral lower limb angiography performed on 63 non-leprosy patients. The vessels in leprosy were narrow and constricted. Decreased blood flow through arteries in the distal third of the lower limb was present. Abnormal AV fistula formation in the thigh and calf muscles and in trophic ulcers of the feet was also seen. Deep inflammatory granulomatous reaction surrounding the arteries as a result of leprosy is a possible explanation for these angiographic findings and is felt to be related to trophic ulceration. These findings were specific for leprosy, precede clinical manifestations, and are helpful in management.", "contents": "Lower limb angiography in leprosy. Bilateral lower limb angiography was performed on 58 patients with leprosy and compared with bilateral lower limb angiography performed on 63 non-leprosy patients. The vessels in leprosy were narrow and constricted. Decreased blood flow through arteries in the distal third of the lower limb was present. Abnormal AV fistula formation in the thigh and calf muscles and in trophic ulcers of the feet was also seen. Deep inflammatory granulomatous reaction surrounding the arteries as a result of leprosy is a possible explanation for these angiographic findings and is felt to be related to trophic ulceration. These findings were specific for leprosy, precede clinical manifestations, and are helpful in management.", "PMID": 622477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4393", "title": "Slipped capital femoral epiphyses complicating renal osteodystrophy: a report of three cases.", "content": "Three adolescents with bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphyses complicating renal disease are presented. In one case, the severity of the deformities necessitated total hip replacement. Pathological specimens were available for evaluation. In all 3 cases, epiphysiolysis was accompanied by severe subperiosteal reabsorption along the medial aspect of the femoral neck, widening of the cartilaginous growth plate, and coxa vara. The radiographic diagnosis of a minimally displaced femoral epiphysis may precede the clinical symptoms. Early recognition of this complication is important, since the treatment of choice is prophylactic surgical stabilization before disabling deformities occur.", "contents": "Slipped capital femoral epiphyses complicating renal osteodystrophy: a report of three cases. Three adolescents with bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphyses complicating renal disease are presented. In one case, the severity of the deformities necessitated total hip replacement. Pathological specimens were available for evaluation. In all 3 cases, epiphysiolysis was accompanied by severe subperiosteal reabsorption along the medial aspect of the femoral neck, widening of the cartilaginous growth plate, and coxa vara. The radiographic diagnosis of a minimally displaced femoral epiphysis may precede the clinical symptoms. Early recognition of this complication is important, since the treatment of choice is prophylactic surgical stabilization before disabling deformities occur.", "PMID": 622478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4394", "title": "Adrenal hemangiomas: angiographic appearance of a rare tumor.", "content": "Only 13 cases of adrenal hemangiomas have been reported, none studied angiographically. Two additional cases, evaluated preoperatively, are presented. The radiographic finding of phleboliths, when present, with the characteristic angiographic appearance of hemangiomas, allows the radiologist to correctly diagnose this benign tumor preoperatively, and where surgical risk is high, prevent a serious operative procedure.", "contents": "Adrenal hemangiomas: angiographic appearance of a rare tumor. Only 13 cases of adrenal hemangiomas have been reported, none studied angiographically. Two additional cases, evaluated preoperatively, are presented. The radiographic finding of phleboliths, when present, with the characteristic angiographic appearance of hemangiomas, allows the radiologist to correctly diagnose this benign tumor preoperatively, and where surgical risk is high, prevent a serious operative procedure.", "PMID": 622479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4395", "title": "Angiographic findings following surgical treatment for renovascular hypertension.", "content": "The authors present the postoperative angiographic appearance of the revascularized renal artery in 128 patients. The angiographic findings in four types of surgical procedures (saphenous bypass graft, dacron graft, endarterectomy, and reimplantation of the renal artery) are discussed. Postoperative angiography accurately demonstrates graft patency or occlusion.", "contents": "Angiographic findings following surgical treatment for renovascular hypertension. The authors present the postoperative angiographic appearance of the revascularized renal artery in 128 patients. The angiographic findings in four types of surgical procedures (saphenous bypass graft, dacron graft, endarterectomy, and reimplantation of the renal artery) are discussed. Postoperative angiography accurately demonstrates graft patency or occlusion.", "PMID": 622480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4396", "title": "The radiological appearance of pulmonary blastomycosis.", "content": "A retrospective analysis of patients with pulmonary blastomycosis was made. Correlation of the mode of clinical presentation with the thoracic radiograph revealed a spectrum of clinical and radiological disease. The results substantiate the absence of specific clinico-radiological patterns, and amplify current concepts of clinical and radiological manifestations.", "contents": "The radiological appearance of pulmonary blastomycosis. A retrospective analysis of patients with pulmonary blastomycosis was made. Correlation of the mode of clinical presentation with the thoracic radiograph revealed a spectrum of clinical and radiological disease. The results substantiate the absence of specific clinico-radiological patterns, and amplify current concepts of clinical and radiological manifestations.", "PMID": 622481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4397", "title": "The radiographic findings in acute silicosis.", "content": "The radiological features of 4 cases of acute silicosis in sandblasters are described and correlated with the pathological findings. Alveolar involvement was more extensive than in chronic silicosis; in 2 cases an alveolar exudate similar to that found in alveolar proteinosis was present. The radiological changes in acute silicosis differ substantially from those in classical silicosis, mainly on the basis of the differing alveolar response.", "contents": "The radiographic findings in acute silicosis. The radiological features of 4 cases of acute silicosis in sandblasters are described and correlated with the pathological findings. Alveolar involvement was more extensive than in chronic silicosis; in 2 cases an alveolar exudate similar to that found in alveolar proteinosis was present. The radiological changes in acute silicosis differ substantially from those in classical silicosis, mainly on the basis of the differing alveolar response.", "PMID": 622482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4398", "title": "Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis in the adult.", "content": "The authors present the roentogenological findings and response to treatment of 10 patients with tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis (TML). The clinical presentation is usually nonspecific except for the positive tuberculin skin test. The roentgenographic appearance varies but very often includes right tracheobronchial involvement. Tissue diagnosis is often necessary to establish the diagnosis. Since the epidemiology of tuberculosis is shifting, TML will be encountered more frequently in the adult.", "contents": "Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis in the adult. The authors present the roentogenological findings and response to treatment of 10 patients with tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis (TML). The clinical presentation is usually nonspecific except for the positive tuberculin skin test. The roentgenographic appearance varies but very often includes right tracheobronchial involvement. Tissue diagnosis is often necessary to establish the diagnosis. Since the epidemiology of tuberculosis is shifting, TML will be encountered more frequently in the adult.", "PMID": 622483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4399", "title": "Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy in adults.", "content": "Three cases of paratracheal and hilar lymph node enlargement without parenchymal lung lesion simulating sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and metastasis were finally proved to be tuberculous lymphadenitis. Although it is not a common manifestation of tuberculous infection in the adult, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, especially in non-whites.", "contents": "Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy in adults. Three cases of paratracheal and hilar lymph node enlargement without parenchymal lung lesion simulating sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and metastasis were finally proved to be tuberculous lymphadenitis. Although it is not a common manifestation of tuberculous infection in the adult, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, especially in non-whites.", "PMID": 622484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4400", "title": "Narrowing of the airway in relapsing polychondritis.", "content": "Relapsing polychondritis, once thought to be a very rare disease, is being recognized with increasing frequency. It is characterized by inflammation of cartilaginous structures throughout the body. In some cases, the eye and ear are involved; aortic aneurysms develop in a minority of patients. The cartilages of the airway are affected in more than 50% of all cases, and the resulting stenotic lesions can be life-threatening. Radiographic study of the airway is of great value in detection and evaluation of upper respiratory involvement.", "contents": "Narrowing of the airway in relapsing polychondritis. Relapsing polychondritis, once thought to be a very rare disease, is being recognized with increasing frequency. It is characterized by inflammation of cartilaginous structures throughout the body. In some cases, the eye and ear are involved; aortic aneurysms develop in a minority of patients. The cartilages of the airway are affected in more than 50% of all cases, and the resulting stenotic lesions can be life-threatening. Radiographic study of the airway is of great value in detection and evaluation of upper respiratory involvement.", "PMID": 622485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4401", "title": "Superior vena cava syndrome: a complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation.", "content": "Superior vena cava syndrome developed in 4 of 1,000 patients in whom a transvenous pacemaker had been implanted. In all cases, endocardial leads were inserted through the cephalic vein and positioned at the apex of the right ventricle. The classical signs and symptoms of superior vena cava hypertension were observed from two weeks to one year after implantation, and the diagnosis was confirmed by cavography. Symptoms resolved following heparin therapy and long-term anticoagulation.", "contents": "Superior vena cava syndrome: a complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation. Superior vena cava syndrome developed in 4 of 1,000 patients in whom a transvenous pacemaker had been implanted. In all cases, endocardial leads were inserted through the cephalic vein and positioned at the apex of the right ventricle. The classical signs and symptoms of superior vena cava hypertension were observed from two weeks to one year after implantation, and the diagnosis was confirmed by cavography. Symptoms resolved following heparin therapy and long-term anticoagulation.", "PMID": 622486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4402", "title": "Precipitation of water-soluble contrast material (Gastrografin) in the stomach in a case of outlet obstruction.", "content": "Precipitation of water-soluble contrast material (Gastrografin) within the fundus of a man with gastric outlet obstruction is discussed. Precipitation can occur in a stomach with increased acidity; the resultant precipitate possibly causes mucosal irritation, erosion, and bleeding.", "contents": "Precipitation of water-soluble contrast material (Gastrografin) in the stomach in a case of outlet obstruction. Precipitation of water-soluble contrast material (Gastrografin) within the fundus of a man with gastric outlet obstruction is discussed. Precipitation can occur in a stomach with increased acidity; the resultant precipitate possibly causes mucosal irritation, erosion, and bleeding.", "PMID": 622487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4403", "title": "Hemangiomas of the liver in patients with renal cell carcinoma.", "content": "Five patients with renal cell carcinoma were noted at angiography to have vascular hepatic lesions which resembled metastatic renal cell carcinoma but which proved to be benign hepatic hemangiomas. The angiographic differentiation between small hemangiomas and metastatic vascular neoplasms of the liver can be difficult; angiographic characteristics may not be definitive. Surgery to remove the renal tumor should not be deferred solely on the basis of vascular hepatic lesions found at angiography.", "contents": "Hemangiomas of the liver in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Five patients with renal cell carcinoma were noted at angiography to have vascular hepatic lesions which resembled metastatic renal cell carcinoma but which proved to be benign hepatic hemangiomas. The angiographic differentiation between small hemangiomas and metastatic vascular neoplasms of the liver can be difficult; angiographic characteristics may not be definitive. Surgery to remove the renal tumor should not be deferred solely on the basis of vascular hepatic lesions found at angiography.", "PMID": 622488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4404", "title": "Computed tomography of pediatric head trauma: acute general cerebral swelling.", "content": "General cerebral swelling was the most common CT finding in 100 pediatric patients with acute head injury, and was demonstrated by CT as absence or compression of the lateral and third ventricles and perimesencephalic cisterns. Up to 50% of the children who die from head injury are conscious on admission. The most common pathological findings are diffuse cerebral swelling, loss of cerebrospinal fluid spaces, and venous congestion of the cortex.", "contents": "Computed tomography of pediatric head trauma: acute general cerebral swelling. General cerebral swelling was the most common CT finding in 100 pediatric patients with acute head injury, and was demonstrated by CT as absence or compression of the lateral and third ventricles and perimesencephalic cisterns. Up to 50% of the children who die from head injury are conscious on admission. The most common pathological findings are diffuse cerebral swelling, loss of cerebrospinal fluid spaces, and venous congestion of the cortex.", "PMID": 622489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4405", "title": "A sign of subarachnoid bleeding on cranial computed tomograms of pediatric head trauma patients.", "content": "Of 109 children examined by cranial computed tomography soon after an acute head injury, a density in the region of the falx was identified in 24 patients, but disappeared on subsequent studies. The density measures in the range of blood and is thought to represent subarachnoid blood. It can be confused with falx calcification in adolescents and adults, but falx calcification is normally not seen in the pediatric population.", "contents": "A sign of subarachnoid bleeding on cranial computed tomograms of pediatric head trauma patients. Of 109 children examined by cranial computed tomography soon after an acute head injury, a density in the region of the falx was identified in 24 patients, but disappeared on subsequent studies. The density measures in the range of blood and is thought to represent subarachnoid blood. It can be confused with falx calcification in adolescents and adults, but falx calcification is normally not seen in the pediatric population.", "PMID": 622490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4406", "title": "Computed tomographic evaluation of the diaphragmatic crura.", "content": "The diaphragmatic crura have a variable appearance on CT body scans. They can at times appear quite prominent and be easily confused with other anatomical or pathological structures. Analysis of the CT scans of 100 patients revealed certain characteristic features of the diagphragmatic crura that help distinguish them from other structures, especially enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes.", "contents": "Computed tomographic evaluation of the diaphragmatic crura. The diaphragmatic crura have a variable appearance on CT body scans. They can at times appear quite prominent and be easily confused with other anatomical or pathological structures. Analysis of the CT scans of 100 patients revealed certain characteristic features of the diagphragmatic crura that help distinguish them from other structures, especially enlarged para-aortic lymph nodes.", "PMID": 622491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4407", "title": "Spinal arachnoid cysts in children.", "content": "Five cases of benign spinal arachnoid cysts in children are described with their clinical, neuroradiological, surgical and pathological findings. Intraspinal benign arachnoid cysts may be confidently diagnosed myelographically when there is complete or partial obstruction with multiple oily contrast/cerebrospinal fluid levels as in 3 cases in this series. The multiple fluid levels are probably produced by multiple cysts or a cyst loculated due to partial compression by arachnoid bands either related to the normal septum posticum, congenital or acquired adhesion rather than to trabeculations within the cyst. In this series, the origin of the cysts is considered to be congenital.", "contents": "Spinal arachnoid cysts in children. Five cases of benign spinal arachnoid cysts in children are described with their clinical, neuroradiological, surgical and pathological findings. Intraspinal benign arachnoid cysts may be confidently diagnosed myelographically when there is complete or partial obstruction with multiple oily contrast/cerebrospinal fluid levels as in 3 cases in this series. The multiple fluid levels are probably produced by multiple cysts or a cyst loculated due to partial compression by arachnoid bands either related to the normal septum posticum, congenital or acquired adhesion rather than to trabeculations within the cyst. In this series, the origin of the cysts is considered to be congenital.", "PMID": 622492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4408", "title": "The choroidal artery to the fourth ventricle and its radiological significance.", "content": "The choroidal artery to the fourth ventricle has been studied in 25 brain specimens and 100 normal posterior fossa angiograms, including 25 angiotomograms. Its variable origin, course and radiological significance have been stressed.", "contents": "The choroidal artery to the fourth ventricle and its radiological significance. The choroidal artery to the fourth ventricle has been studied in 25 brain specimens and 100 normal posterior fossa angiograms, including 25 angiotomograms. Its variable origin, course and radiological significance have been stressed.", "PMID": 622493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4409", "title": "Diatrizoate enemas: facts and fallacies of colonic toxicity.", "content": "Rats were given enemas of Gastrografin in two strengths, Renografin--76, and Tween--80 in a 10% dilution. There were no deleterious effects on the colons with these media used in volumes to fill the colon. Severe changes resulted from volumes which produced overdistention.", "contents": "Diatrizoate enemas: facts and fallacies of colonic toxicity. Rats were given enemas of Gastrografin in two strengths, Renografin--76, and Tween--80 in a 10% dilution. There were no deleterious effects on the colons with these media used in volumes to fill the colon. Severe changes resulted from volumes which produced overdistention.", "PMID": 622494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4410", "title": "The VATER Association.", "content": "The VATER association is a group of congenital anomalies with a nonrandom tendency for concurrence. Defects include vertebral, vascular, anorectal malformation, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, radial-limb, and renal abnormalities. The critical period of organogenesis is at or before the sixth or seventh week of gestation. The VATER assoication is important in the evaluation of newborns with major congenital anomalies.", "contents": "The VATER Association. The VATER association is a group of congenital anomalies with a nonrandom tendency for concurrence. Defects include vertebral, vascular, anorectal malformation, tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia, radial-limb, and renal abnormalities. The critical period of organogenesis is at or before the sixth or seventh week of gestation. The VATER assoication is important in the evaluation of newborns with major congenital anomalies.", "PMID": 622495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4411", "title": "Intraluminal calcifications in the small bowel of newborn infants with total colonic aganglionosis.", "content": "Intraluminal calcifications were found in the small bowel of 4 newborns with total colonic aganglionosis. Abdominal radiography demonstrated circular aggregations of small punctate calcific densities in the right lower quadrant and evidence of bowel obstruction. There was a microcolon in each case. The calcifications, which resemble those seen in small intestinal atresia and stenosis, are probably related to fetal intestinal stasis, and may be differentiated from those due to meconium peritonitis.", "contents": "Intraluminal calcifications in the small bowel of newborn infants with total colonic aganglionosis. Intraluminal calcifications were found in the small bowel of 4 newborns with total colonic aganglionosis. Abdominal radiography demonstrated circular aggregations of small punctate calcific densities in the right lower quadrant and evidence of bowel obstruction. There was a microcolon in each case. The calcifications, which resemble those seen in small intestinal atresia and stenosis, are probably related to fetal intestinal stasis, and may be differentiated from those due to meconium peritonitis.", "PMID": 622496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4412", "title": "Retroperitoneal lipoma in a child.", "content": "A case of retroperitoneal lipoma in a child is presented. A lucent retroperitoneal mass was seen displacing the kidney and ureter without intrinsic renal involvement.", "contents": "Retroperitoneal lipoma in a child. A case of retroperitoneal lipoma in a child is presented. A lucent retroperitoneal mass was seen displacing the kidney and ureter without intrinsic renal involvement.", "PMID": 622497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4413", "title": "Anal agenesis with rectobulbar fistula.", "content": "Anal agenesis with a rectobulbar urethral fistula is an uncommon type of male imperforate anus. Six cases are presented with a review of the main features of the disorder, the possible embryologic origin, and the surgical management.", "contents": "Anal agenesis with rectobulbar fistula. Anal agenesis with a rectobulbar urethral fistula is an uncommon type of male imperforate anus. Six cases are presented with a review of the main features of the disorder, the possible embryologic origin, and the surgical management.", "PMID": 622498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4414", "title": "Histiocytic medullary reticulosis in childhood.", "content": "The clinical, radiographic and pathologic findings of two children (ages 6 months and 5 1/2 years) with histiocytic medullary reticulosis are reviewed. Chest radiographs, excretory urograms, and skeletal survey revealed involvement of the mediastinum, lung parenchyma, pleural space, liver, spleen, kidneys, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and long bones. This condition has rarely been reported in children and never during the first year of life. Histiocytic medullary reticulosis can occur in the very young; familiarity with its presentation at an early age helps to differentiate it from other infiltrative disorders of childhood.", "contents": "Histiocytic medullary reticulosis in childhood. The clinical, radiographic and pathologic findings of two children (ages 6 months and 5 1/2 years) with histiocytic medullary reticulosis are reviewed. Chest radiographs, excretory urograms, and skeletal survey revealed involvement of the mediastinum, lung parenchyma, pleural space, liver, spleen, kidneys, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and long bones. This condition has rarely been reported in children and never during the first year of life. Histiocytic medullary reticulosis can occur in the very young; familiarity with its presentation at an early age helps to differentiate it from other infiltrative disorders of childhood.", "PMID": 622499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4415", "title": "Diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease by 99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy.", "content": "99mTc-HIDA is concentrated by the hepatocytes and excreted into the biliary system; the gallbladder, common bile duct, and early accumulation in the duodenum are visualized within 30 minutes of intravenous administration. The authors studied the utility of 99mTc-HIDA imaging in both acute and chronic cholecystitis and hepatobiliary disease in the presence of jaundice: (a) all normal gallbladders exhibited filling, (b) absence of visualization indicated gallbladder disease and/or cystic duct obstruction, (c) visualization of the gallbladder after cholecystokinin-induced emptying excluded an obstructed cystic duct and acute cholecystitis, and (d) a definitive diagnosis of hepatocellular disease, partial and complete obstruction, is possible in jaundiced patients with hyperbilirubinemias up to 5 mg%. Beyond that level, 99mT-HIDA imaging was of qualified value. The technique is useful in assessing biliary drainage in jaundiced patients with surgically altered biliary tract anatomy.", "contents": "Diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease by 99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy. 99mTc-HIDA is concentrated by the hepatocytes and excreted into the biliary system; the gallbladder, common bile duct, and early accumulation in the duodenum are visualized within 30 minutes of intravenous administration. The authors studied the utility of 99mTc-HIDA imaging in both acute and chronic cholecystitis and hepatobiliary disease in the presence of jaundice: (a) all normal gallbladders exhibited filling, (b) absence of visualization indicated gallbladder disease and/or cystic duct obstruction, (c) visualization of the gallbladder after cholecystokinin-induced emptying excluded an obstructed cystic duct and acute cholecystitis, and (d) a definitive diagnosis of hepatocellular disease, partial and complete obstruction, is possible in jaundiced patients with hyperbilirubinemias up to 5 mg%. Beyond that level, 99mT-HIDA imaging was of qualified value. The technique is useful in assessing biliary drainage in jaundiced patients with surgically altered biliary tract anatomy.", "PMID": 622500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4416", "title": "The dilated pancreatic duct: ultrasonic evaluation.", "content": "Eight patients with signs and symptoms of obstructive jaundice were evaluated by gray-scale echography. In each, ultrasonic identification of a dilated pancreatic duct was helpful in confirming the diagnosis of an obstructing lesion at the level of the ampulla of Vater. In only 3 could the tumor mass itself be seen on ultrasound. With the recognition of pancreatic duct dilatation, it is no longer essential for a tumor in the region of the ampulla of Vater to be large or contour-deforming before it can be identified by ultrasound.", "contents": "The dilated pancreatic duct: ultrasonic evaluation. Eight patients with signs and symptoms of obstructive jaundice were evaluated by gray-scale echography. In each, ultrasonic identification of a dilated pancreatic duct was helpful in confirming the diagnosis of an obstructing lesion at the level of the ampulla of Vater. In only 3 could the tumor mass itself be seen on ultrasound. With the recognition of pancreatic duct dilatation, it is no longer essential for a tumor in the region of the ampulla of Vater to be large or contour-deforming before it can be identified by ultrasound.", "PMID": 622501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4417", "title": "Biological effects of diagnostic ultrasound: a review.", "content": "Biological effects from experimental ultrasound studies, such as chromosome aberrations and retardation of growth, have been recorded but mostly at levels far in excess of diagnostic intensity. The data surveyed in this review suggest that there is apparently little or no danger associated with diagnostic ultrasound exposure at clinical levels.", "contents": "Biological effects of diagnostic ultrasound: a review. Biological effects from experimental ultrasound studies, such as chromosome aberrations and retardation of growth, have been recorded but mostly at levels far in excess of diagnostic intensity. The data surveyed in this review suggest that there is apparently little or no danger associated with diagnostic ultrasound exposure at clinical levels.", "PMID": 622502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4418", "title": "Dose distribution around an 125I seed source in tissue.", "content": "Dose distribution about an 125I source in tissue has been calculated using absorbed dose constant and point isotropic source buildup factors. The effect of encapsulation material has been included. Depth-dose values have been verified by measurements with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Present data gives a value for absorbed dose constant of 1.32 rads cm2/mCi-hr. compared to the presently used value of 1.7. Depth-dose values are compared with other published data.", "contents": "Dose distribution around an 125I seed source in tissue. Dose distribution about an 125I source in tissue has been calculated using absorbed dose constant and point isotropic source buildup factors. The effect of encapsulation material has been included. Depth-dose values have been verified by measurements with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Present data gives a value for absorbed dose constant of 1.32 rads cm2/mCi-hr. compared to the presently used value of 1.7. Depth-dose values are compared with other published data.", "PMID": 622503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4419", "title": "Measurements of reciprocity law failure in green-sensitive X-ray films.", "content": "Reciprocity law failure was measured for four brands of medical x-ray films exposed with intensifying screens. Three of the films are green light-sensitized for use in combination with green light-emitting rare-earth screens. These films showed larger reciprocity failure effects than one conventional blue-sensitive film, Dupont Cronex-2. Development conditions had a small effect on reciprocity failure. As part of the investigation, a detector was constructed with a response that accurately monitors the light emission from the double screen-cassette combination over a wide range of x-ray photon energies.", "contents": "Measurements of reciprocity law failure in green-sensitive X-ray films. Reciprocity law failure was measured for four brands of medical x-ray films exposed with intensifying screens. Three of the films are green light-sensitized for use in combination with green light-emitting rare-earth screens. These films showed larger reciprocity failure effects than one conventional blue-sensitive film, Dupont Cronex-2. Development conditions had a small effect on reciprocity failure. As part of the investigation, a detector was constructed with a response that accurately monitors the light emission from the double screen-cassette combination over a wide range of x-ray photon energies.", "PMID": 622504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4420", "title": "Biplane angiographic volumetry using the right anterior oblique and half-axial left anterior oblique technique.", "content": "Half-axial biplane left ventriculography was performed using the right anterior oblique view and a left anterior oblique projection obtained by angling the lateral image intensifier in a caudo-cranial direction so that the long axis of the left ventricle was more nearly perpendicular to the horizontal beam. Cardiac output showed a linear correlation with outputs determined by the thermodilution method.", "contents": "Biplane angiographic volumetry using the right anterior oblique and half-axial left anterior oblique technique. Half-axial biplane left ventriculography was performed using the right anterior oblique view and a left anterior oblique projection obtained by angling the lateral image intensifier in a caudo-cranial direction so that the long axis of the left ventricle was more nearly perpendicular to the horizontal beam. Cardiac output showed a linear correlation with outputs determined by the thermodilution method.", "PMID": 622505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4421", "title": "Therapeutic embolization with detachable balloons. Physical factors influencing permanent occlusion.", "content": "Twenty-one detachable Silastic 3 balloon embolizations were performed in 12 swine. Late balloon rupture was associated in vivo with increased size and decreased radiopacity of the balloons. Variables affecting the permanency of occlusion by the Silastic balloons were the osmolarity of the contrast medium and the size of the balloon relative to its uninflated size.", "contents": "Therapeutic embolization with detachable balloons. Physical factors influencing permanent occlusion. Twenty-one detachable Silastic 3 balloon embolizations were performed in 12 swine. Late balloon rupture was associated in vivo with increased size and decreased radiopacity of the balloons. Variables affecting the permanency of occlusion by the Silastic balloons were the osmolarity of the contrast medium and the size of the balloon relative to its uninflated size.", "PMID": 622506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4422", "title": "A simple catheter curve for cerebral angiography.", "content": "A simple catheter curve for use in cerebral angiography is discussed. A shorter length of guide wire is needed before the catheter tip will enter the vessel.", "contents": "A simple catheter curve for cerebral angiography. A simple catheter curve for use in cerebral angiography is discussed. A shorter length of guide wire is needed before the catheter tip will enter the vessel.", "PMID": 622507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4423", "title": "Simplified outpatient lower extremity venography.", "content": "Improved lower extremity venography has been achieved by a distally directed superficial foot venipuncture. Supine position and short procedure time afford excellent patient acceptance. Dilute contrast is believed responsible for eliminating venospasm and postvenography phlebitis; the low sodium concentration permits safe evaluation of cardiac patients. Sequential imaging (and the use of anteroposterior and lateral projections) eliminates false positive and negative interpretations. Skip areas are avoided by the use of 90-cm (36-inch) cassettes.", "contents": "Simplified outpatient lower extremity venography. Improved lower extremity venography has been achieved by a distally directed superficial foot venipuncture. Supine position and short procedure time afford excellent patient acceptance. Dilute contrast is believed responsible for eliminating venospasm and postvenography phlebitis; the low sodium concentration permits safe evaluation of cardiac patients. Sequential imaging (and the use of anteroposterior and lateral projections) eliminates false positive and negative interpretations. Skip areas are avoided by the use of 90-cm (36-inch) cassettes.", "PMID": 622508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4424", "title": "Studies of pulmonary vasculature using chromatoroentgenography.", "content": "The authors describe a method of obtaining two images on a single film, using color to distinguish them. The technique is described, using pulmonary angiography as an illustration.", "contents": "Studies of pulmonary vasculature using chromatoroentgenography. The authors describe a method of obtaining two images on a single film, using color to distinguish them. The technique is described, using pulmonary angiography as an illustration.", "PMID": 622509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4425", "title": "Influence of pulmonary hypertension on pulmonary diffusing capacity in patients with mitral stenosis.", "content": "The pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO--steady state method according to Bates and coworkers) was measured at the time of heart catheterization in 12 patients with mitral stenosis without mitral incompetence. DLCO correlates with the tidal volume at rest and during exercise and with pulmonary vascular resistance during exercise only. DLCO and left atrial pressure exhibit a positive correlation up to 22.5 mm Hg only. In patients with mitral stenosis DLCO depends on the alveolar surface area and DLCO is influenced by regional changes in the pulmonary vascular resistance.", "contents": "Influence of pulmonary hypertension on pulmonary diffusing capacity in patients with mitral stenosis. The pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO--steady state method according to Bates and coworkers) was measured at the time of heart catheterization in 12 patients with mitral stenosis without mitral incompetence. DLCO correlates with the tidal volume at rest and during exercise and with pulmonary vascular resistance during exercise only. DLCO and left atrial pressure exhibit a positive correlation up to 22.5 mm Hg only. In patients with mitral stenosis DLCO depends on the alveolar surface area and DLCO is influenced by regional changes in the pulmonary vascular resistance.", "PMID": 622513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4426", "title": "Closing and opening pressures in the intrapulmonary airways of rats.", "content": "Pressures at which the peripheral airways (PA) and terminal bronchioles (TB), open and closed, were studied in rats' lungs in vitro. Airway luminal diameter was directly measured at diminishing transbronchial pressure (closing) and increasing transbronchial pressure (opening) by means of a stereomicroscope with a calibrated eyepiece. The PA and TB had internal diameters at 100 mm H2O ranging from 173 to 306 micrometer and 122 to 204 micrometer, respectively. Most of the airways closed suddenly in the pressure range between 75 and 5 mm H2O and only a few were still open at zero pressure. Closure began in the distal portion of the PA and mid-portion of the TB usually in a concentric manner. Terminal bronchioles and PA that initially were prepared at room temperature instead of at 0 degrees C often contained air at zero pressure and showed a decreased response to acetylcholine. Subthreshold concentrations of acetylcholine increased the critical closing pressure by more than 100%. The critical opening pressure was considerably higher than the corresponding closing pressure. It is proposed that bronchiolar closure depends on the tone of the airway smooth muscle, the elasticity of the airway wall and probably on the surface tension of the liquid lining the mucosal membrane.", "contents": "Closing and opening pressures in the intrapulmonary airways of rats. Pressures at which the peripheral airways (PA) and terminal bronchioles (TB), open and closed, were studied in rats' lungs in vitro. Airway luminal diameter was directly measured at diminishing transbronchial pressure (closing) and increasing transbronchial pressure (opening) by means of a stereomicroscope with a calibrated eyepiece. The PA and TB had internal diameters at 100 mm H2O ranging from 173 to 306 micrometer and 122 to 204 micrometer, respectively. Most of the airways closed suddenly in the pressure range between 75 and 5 mm H2O and only a few were still open at zero pressure. Closure began in the distal portion of the PA and mid-portion of the TB usually in a concentric manner. Terminal bronchioles and PA that initially were prepared at room temperature instead of at 0 degrees C often contained air at zero pressure and showed a decreased response to acetylcholine. Subthreshold concentrations of acetylcholine increased the critical closing pressure by more than 100%. The critical opening pressure was considerably higher than the corresponding closing pressure. It is proposed that bronchiolar closure depends on the tone of the airway smooth muscle, the elasticity of the airway wall and probably on the surface tension of the liquid lining the mucosal membrane.", "PMID": 622514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4427", "title": "Physiological assessment of severe chronic asthma in children.", "content": "Measurements of maximum expiratory flows and lung volumes were made on 6 occasions at weekly intervals in 14 children who were known over several years to have severe chronic asthma. 11 of the 14 had persistent lung hyperinflation and marked reduction in maximum expiratory flow rates although there was considerable variability in individual measurements. The other 3 usually had hyperinflation and reduced expiratory flow rates. 3 times daily measurements at home of peak expiratory flow rate did not contribute further to assessment. The results of the study indicated that one or two measurements of maximum expiratory flow calculated from a maximum expiratory flow volume curve and of lung volumes recorded in a body plethysmograph are of value in identifying the child with severe chronic asthma.", "contents": "Physiological assessment of severe chronic asthma in children. Measurements of maximum expiratory flows and lung volumes were made on 6 occasions at weekly intervals in 14 children who were known over several years to have severe chronic asthma. 11 of the 14 had persistent lung hyperinflation and marked reduction in maximum expiratory flow rates although there was considerable variability in individual measurements. The other 3 usually had hyperinflation and reduced expiratory flow rates. 3 times daily measurements at home of peak expiratory flow rate did not contribute further to assessment. The results of the study indicated that one or two measurements of maximum expiratory flow calculated from a maximum expiratory flow volume curve and of lung volumes recorded in a body plethysmograph are of value in identifying the child with severe chronic asthma.", "PMID": 622515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4428", "title": "Peripheral chemoreceptor insensitivity in chronic severe anaemia.", "content": "Ventilatory response to central and peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation by carbon dioxide was assessed in 15 severely and chronically anaemic subjects before and after the correction of anaemia. Whereas the central CO2 responsiveness was found to be normal in the anaemic state, the peripheral response to CO2 was remarkably depressed. This blunted peripheral response to CO2 was restored to normal with the correction of anaemia.", "contents": "Peripheral chemoreceptor insensitivity in chronic severe anaemia. Ventilatory response to central and peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation by carbon dioxide was assessed in 15 severely and chronically anaemic subjects before and after the correction of anaemia. Whereas the central CO2 responsiveness was found to be normal in the anaemic state, the peripheral response to CO2 was remarkably depressed. This blunted peripheral response to CO2 was restored to normal with the correction of anaemia.", "PMID": 622516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4429", "title": "Carbon monoxide, nicotine and the 'safer' cigarette.", "content": "15 healthy adults (5 women, 10 men) have been exposed to each of four experimental conditions: rebreathing of air or carbon monoxide, and the smoking of two low-nicotine (0.3 mg) or medium-nicotine (1.2 mg) cigarettes. The dose of carbon monoxide selected (80 ml) had no effect on resting heart rate or electrocardiogram, nor did it modify the exercise heart rate, ventilation, oxygen consumption or electrocardiogram. Both types of cigarette produced variable changes in the blood carboxyhaemoglobin level, increments being greatest in heavy smokers, and least in former smokers, pipe and cigar smokers, Gains of carboxyhaemoglobin were less with low-nicotine than with medium-nicotine cigarettes. Both types of cigarette produced some increase of resting heart rate, but the smoking of two cigarettes was insufficient to modify the exercise heart rate, ventilation, or oxygen consumption. The electrocardiogram also showed no signs of ischaemia during either rest or effort. It is suggested that, for the light and moderate smoke, the 'safest' cigarette may be one with a low tar and a very low nicotine yield. On the present data, this would also induce only small increments of blood carboxyhaemoglobin levels.", "contents": "Carbon monoxide, nicotine and the 'safer' cigarette. 15 healthy adults (5 women, 10 men) have been exposed to each of four experimental conditions: rebreathing of air or carbon monoxide, and the smoking of two low-nicotine (0.3 mg) or medium-nicotine (1.2 mg) cigarettes. The dose of carbon monoxide selected (80 ml) had no effect on resting heart rate or electrocardiogram, nor did it modify the exercise heart rate, ventilation, oxygen consumption or electrocardiogram. Both types of cigarette produced variable changes in the blood carboxyhaemoglobin level, increments being greatest in heavy smokers, and least in former smokers, pipe and cigar smokers, Gains of carboxyhaemoglobin were less with low-nicotine than with medium-nicotine cigarettes. Both types of cigarette produced some increase of resting heart rate, but the smoking of two cigarettes was insufficient to modify the exercise heart rate, ventilation, or oxygen consumption. The electrocardiogram also showed no signs of ischaemia during either rest or effort. It is suggested that, for the light and moderate smoke, the 'safest' cigarette may be one with a low tar and a very low nicotine yield. On the present data, this would also induce only small increments of blood carboxyhaemoglobin levels.", "PMID": 622517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4430", "title": "Indications for pulmonary function testing.", "content": "Pulmonary function testing is needed to determine the pathophysiology present in the patient with cardiopulmonary disease. Blood gases and pH should be obtained during emergency situations and during cranial, thoracic, and extensive cervical or abdominal surgery. Lung function tests can be divided in global such as spirometry and diffusing capacity which study the ventilation and transfer of gases and regional determinations of ventilation and perfusion. Both types of tests complement each other and should be used together. The spirometry should consist at least of determination of the vital capacity and is determined in the first second to ascertain if there is obstructive lung disease. Some tests such as flow-volume curves, alveolar-arterial gradients and closing volume are very useful to detect early pulmonary disease before any symptoms or findings are present. This is probably one of the most important medical indications for pulmonary function testing. Before certain types of surgery pulmonary function testing is indicated; if the spirometry and diffusing capacity tests are normal, there is no pulmonary contraindication for the planned surgery. In chest surgery if there is significant compromise of the spirometry and diffusing capacity regional lung function tests are indicated to study the pathophysiology at regional level, thus trying to circumscribe the lung resection to the diseased areas.", "contents": "Indications for pulmonary function testing. Pulmonary function testing is needed to determine the pathophysiology present in the patient with cardiopulmonary disease. Blood gases and pH should be obtained during emergency situations and during cranial, thoracic, and extensive cervical or abdominal surgery. Lung function tests can be divided in global such as spirometry and diffusing capacity which study the ventilation and transfer of gases and regional determinations of ventilation and perfusion. Both types of tests complement each other and should be used together. The spirometry should consist at least of determination of the vital capacity and is determined in the first second to ascertain if there is obstructive lung disease. Some tests such as flow-volume curves, alveolar-arterial gradients and closing volume are very useful to detect early pulmonary disease before any symptoms or findings are present. This is probably one of the most important medical indications for pulmonary function testing. Before certain types of surgery pulmonary function testing is indicated; if the spirometry and diffusing capacity tests are normal, there is no pulmonary contraindication for the planned surgery. In chest surgery if there is significant compromise of the spirometry and diffusing capacity regional lung function tests are indicated to study the pathophysiology at regional level, thus trying to circumscribe the lung resection to the diseased areas.", "PMID": 622518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4431", "title": "[Polarographic measurements of PO2 with a 95% response time of 7-10 msec (author's transl)].", "content": "A fast PO2 tracing with 95% delay times of 15-20 msec in routine is necessary for measurement of the PO2 jumps in the expired air, particularly for the precise measurement of the so-called dead-air plateau. A Clark type PO2 electrode has been developed which has the demanded property. This electrode has four characteristic features: (1) a glasscoated Pt cathode with a tip diameter of 0.3 mm (diameter of the Pt wire = 0.1 mm); (2) a differential screwdrive for feeding the cathode 50 micrometer per turn; (3) a 0.2- to 0.3-micrometer-thin polytetrafluorethylene membrane, and (4) a special polishment of the surface of the cathode. The electrode has a 95% response time of 15-20 msec in routine when tracing PO2 changes from 150 to 750 mm Hg. About 30% of the prepared electrodes have response times of 7-10 msec. The output of the electrode in air is stable within the first 3 h (deviation smaller than 0.2%) and then decreases within 10 h approximately 1% per hour. The response times are constant for more than 48 h. The output of the electrode is linear from 0 to 760 mm Hg PO2. Within the accuracy of measurement the output is independent of PCO2.", "contents": "[Polarographic measurements of PO2 with a 95% response time of 7-10 msec (author's transl)]. A fast PO2 tracing with 95% delay times of 15-20 msec in routine is necessary for measurement of the PO2 jumps in the expired air, particularly for the precise measurement of the so-called dead-air plateau. A Clark type PO2 electrode has been developed which has the demanded property. This electrode has four characteristic features: (1) a glasscoated Pt cathode with a tip diameter of 0.3 mm (diameter of the Pt wire = 0.1 mm); (2) a differential screwdrive for feeding the cathode 50 micrometer per turn; (3) a 0.2- to 0.3-micrometer-thin polytetrafluorethylene membrane, and (4) a special polishment of the surface of the cathode. The electrode has a 95% response time of 15-20 msec in routine when tracing PO2 changes from 150 to 750 mm Hg. About 30% of the prepared electrodes have response times of 7-10 msec. The output of the electrode in air is stable within the first 3 h (deviation smaller than 0.2%) and then decreases within 10 h approximately 1% per hour. The response times are constant for more than 48 h. The output of the electrode is linear from 0 to 760 mm Hg PO2. Within the accuracy of measurement the output is independent of PCO2.", "PMID": 622519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4432", "title": "Regional esophageal pressures with lobar obstruction in dogs.", "content": "The right lower lobes (RLL) of intact horizontal dogs were obstructed at FRC during spontaneous breathing and artificial ventilation (IPPB). At end inspiration, pressure within the RLL became less than tracheal pressure, and pressure in the lower esophagus declined to a greater extent than in the upper esophagus. Tidal pressure swings in the obstructed RLL were larger than in the esophagus during spontaneous breathing but smaller during IPPB implying that the elastic recoil of the RLL decreased during inspiration at the mediastinal side. All these changes were intensified during RLL atelectasis and counteracted by strapping of the lower chest wall. These results indicate that: (a) around a lobe moving out of phase with the rest of the lung, a force is created tending to minimize the lobar volume differences; (b) the obstructed lobe is deformed during inflation of the rest of the lung; (c) esophageal (and hence pleural) pressure gradient is modified by this localized intrapulmonary pathology apparently due to shape interactions between chest wall and lung.", "contents": "Regional esophageal pressures with lobar obstruction in dogs. The right lower lobes (RLL) of intact horizontal dogs were obstructed at FRC during spontaneous breathing and artificial ventilation (IPPB). At end inspiration, pressure within the RLL became less than tracheal pressure, and pressure in the lower esophagus declined to a greater extent than in the upper esophagus. Tidal pressure swings in the obstructed RLL were larger than in the esophagus during spontaneous breathing but smaller during IPPB implying that the elastic recoil of the RLL decreased during inspiration at the mediastinal side. All these changes were intensified during RLL atelectasis and counteracted by strapping of the lower chest wall. These results indicate that: (a) around a lobe moving out of phase with the rest of the lung, a force is created tending to minimize the lobar volume differences; (b) the obstructed lobe is deformed during inflation of the rest of the lung; (c) esophageal (and hence pleural) pressure gradient is modified by this localized intrapulmonary pathology apparently due to shape interactions between chest wall and lung.", "PMID": 622520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4433", "title": "Comparison of 133Xe washout curves after bolus inhalation, perfusion, and equilibration.", "content": "In 6 healthy subjects and 13 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, 133Xe washout curves after bolus inhalation, perfusion and equilibration were compared, using a gamma camera and computerized data handling. In healthy subjects the washout after equilibration was significantly slower than after the two other procedures. As this phenomenon occurred at the basal zones, it was attributed to the presence of airway closure in some units. In patients, the three washouts were significantly different from each other. This indicated the existence of intraregional inhomogeneity in ventilation, perfusion and ventilation-perfusion ratio. Our conclusion is that comparison of these different washout methods yields valuable information not only on absolute values of pulmonary function but also on the intraregional distribution, which cannot be obtained by other examinations.", "contents": "Comparison of 133Xe washout curves after bolus inhalation, perfusion, and equilibration. In 6 healthy subjects and 13 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, 133Xe washout curves after bolus inhalation, perfusion and equilibration were compared, using a gamma camera and computerized data handling. In healthy subjects the washout after equilibration was significantly slower than after the two other procedures. As this phenomenon occurred at the basal zones, it was attributed to the presence of airway closure in some units. In patients, the three washouts were significantly different from each other. This indicated the existence of intraregional inhomogeneity in ventilation, perfusion and ventilation-perfusion ratio. Our conclusion is that comparison of these different washout methods yields valuable information not only on absolute values of pulmonary function but also on the intraregional distribution, which cannot be obtained by other examinations.", "PMID": 622521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4434", "title": "Sputum eosinophilia in chronic bronchitis and asthma.", "content": "The occurrence of sputum eosinophilia was investigated in 115 patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma. They were clinically divided into four groups; those with asthma only, those with asthma of equal or greater duration than chronic bronchitis, those with chronic bronchitis recently complicated by asthma and those with chronic bronchitis only. Although sputum eosinophilia was more common in the asthmatic groups there was no significant difference between the groups in the degree of sputum eosinophilia. When the groups were subdivided on the basis of methacholine and isoprenaline response (asthma subgroup, greater than or equal to 20% response to isoprenaline or greater than or equal to 40% response to methacholine; chronic-bronchitis subgroup, less than 10% response to isoprenaline plus less than 20% response to methacholine), there was a significant difference between the groups in the degree of sputum eosinophilia. However, sputum eosinophilia still occurred in the chronic bronchitics. In the asthmatic patients, there appeared to be no difference in the degree of sputum eosinophilia in those with positive skin tests, or on steroid medication, compared with those with negative skin tests or not on steroids.\u00bf", "contents": "Sputum eosinophilia in chronic bronchitis and asthma. The occurrence of sputum eosinophilia was investigated in 115 patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma. They were clinically divided into four groups; those with asthma only, those with asthma of equal or greater duration than chronic bronchitis, those with chronic bronchitis recently complicated by asthma and those with chronic bronchitis only. Although sputum eosinophilia was more common in the asthmatic groups there was no significant difference between the groups in the degree of sputum eosinophilia. When the groups were subdivided on the basis of methacholine and isoprenaline response (asthma subgroup, greater than or equal to 20% response to isoprenaline or greater than or equal to 40% response to methacholine; chronic-bronchitis subgroup, less than 10% response to isoprenaline plus less than 20% response to methacholine), there was a significant difference between the groups in the degree of sputum eosinophilia. However, sputum eosinophilia still occurred in the chronic bronchitics. In the asthmatic patients, there appeared to be no difference in the degree of sputum eosinophilia in those with positive skin tests, or on steroid medication, compared with those with negative skin tests or not on steroids.\u00bf", "PMID": 622522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4435", "title": "Lung mast cells and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in cats.", "content": "An attempt was made to reduce or eliminate lung mast cells in order to determine the involvement of mast cells in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Anesthetized cats were exposed to acute hypoxia (10% O2) 20-24 h after no pretreatment, after total lung irradiation (3,000 r), after intravenous nitrogen mustard, or after combined lung irradiation and nitrogen mustard. None of the treatments reduced total or perivascular lung mast cell density, or reduced the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia. However, an inverse relationship between lung mast cell density and the pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia was observed. These results suggest that the presence of more lung mast cells may oppose hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.", "contents": "Lung mast cells and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in cats. An attempt was made to reduce or eliminate lung mast cells in order to determine the involvement of mast cells in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Anesthetized cats were exposed to acute hypoxia (10% O2) 20-24 h after no pretreatment, after total lung irradiation (3,000 r), after intravenous nitrogen mustard, or after combined lung irradiation and nitrogen mustard. None of the treatments reduced total or perivascular lung mast cell density, or reduced the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to hypoxia. However, an inverse relationship between lung mast cell density and the pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia was observed. These results suggest that the presence of more lung mast cells may oppose hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.", "PMID": 622523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4436", "title": "Influence of low concentrations of allergens on bronchial system.", "content": "The influence of Ascaris extract, applied during 1 h in low concentration as aerosol and intravenously, on the bronchial system and the potentiation of increase of airway resistance to acetylcholine (ACH) and histamine challenge caused by this kind of allergen exposure were studied in 13 dogs. All the animals presented no reaction by the allergen exposure itself but developed an increased response to ACH and histamine after this kind of allergen exposure. A control group of 4 dogs was submitted to saline solution aerosol and intravenous application. No change in response to the substances mentioned was observed. The airway response to cold air after concentrated and diluted Ascaris suum extract (AE) aerosol application was tested on 7 dogs. The response to cold air was only influenced after concentrated AE-aerosol exposure.", "contents": "Influence of low concentrations of allergens on bronchial system. The influence of Ascaris extract, applied during 1 h in low concentration as aerosol and intravenously, on the bronchial system and the potentiation of increase of airway resistance to acetylcholine (ACH) and histamine challenge caused by this kind of allergen exposure were studied in 13 dogs. All the animals presented no reaction by the allergen exposure itself but developed an increased response to ACH and histamine after this kind of allergen exposure. A control group of 4 dogs was submitted to saline solution aerosol and intravenous application. No change in response to the substances mentioned was observed. The airway response to cold air after concentrated and diluted Ascaris suum extract (AE) aerosol application was tested on 7 dogs. The response to cold air was only influenced after concentrated AE-aerosol exposure.", "PMID": 622524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4437", "title": "[Xeroradiography for cervical myelography using metrizamide (amipaque) (author's transl)].", "content": "Xeroradiography, particularly in addition to conventional tomography, for cervical myelography using water-soluble Metrizamide has been tested. Xerography was done in 30 of a total of 96 examinations and could be compared with conventional X rays. In the sagittal plane there was no advantage, in the lateral plane detail was clearer, especially at the cervico-dorsal junction and in establishing the extent of osteochondrotic changes narrowing the subarachnoid space. Xeroradiography should not be used routinely, but has its merits for certain problems, when higher radiation will be justified.", "contents": "[Xeroradiography for cervical myelography using metrizamide (amipaque) (author's transl)]. Xeroradiography, particularly in addition to conventional tomography, for cervical myelography using water-soluble Metrizamide has been tested. Xerography was done in 30 of a total of 96 examinations and could be compared with conventional X rays. In the sagittal plane there was no advantage, in the lateral plane detail was clearer, especially at the cervico-dorsal junction and in establishing the extent of osteochondrotic changes narrowing the subarachnoid space. Xeroradiography should not be used routinely, but has its merits for certain problems, when higher radiation will be justified.", "PMID": 622525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4438", "title": "[Radiologic examination of the larynx with exposures around 180 kV (author's transl)].", "content": "The roentgenexamination of the larynx with high voltage permits to recognize functional and morphological disorders of the larynx. In seven out of ten patients with laryngeal diseases the subglottic space altered its shape. The method gives similar results as tomographic, but should be easier to apply to serious diseased patients.", "contents": "[Radiologic examination of the larynx with exposures around 180 kV (author's transl)]. The roentgenexamination of the larynx with high voltage permits to recognize functional and morphological disorders of the larynx. In seven out of ten patients with laryngeal diseases the subglottic space altered its shape. The method gives similar results as tomographic, but should be easier to apply to serious diseased patients.", "PMID": 622526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4439", "title": "[Examination of the size of the heart (author's transl)].", "content": "Linear size of heart and its volume were determined in 230 healthy individuals. A classification: small, normal and large, was applied. The various groups were correlated, so as to assess the radiologic findings and their assessment. The radiologic findings of the heart have only limited value, even if metric investigation is added.", "contents": "[Examination of the size of the heart (author's transl)]. Linear size of heart and its volume were determined in 230 healthy individuals. A classification: small, normal and large, was applied. The various groups were correlated, so as to assess the radiologic findings and their assessment. The radiologic findings of the heart have only limited value, even if metric investigation is added.", "PMID": 622527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4440", "title": "[Accuracy of triple-diagnosis of the \"small\" carcinoma of the mamma (author's transl)].", "content": "Mammography was carried out in 3,500 patients. Of these 1,800 were examined with plate-thermography and in 450 cytology was done. 12 cases of \"small\" (10 mm) Ca were found, in 3 cases with thermography. In 4 cases thermography was negative, in one case for technical reasons. Mammography is the method of choice, thermography and cytology are valuable aids.", "contents": "[Accuracy of triple-diagnosis of the \"small\" carcinoma of the mamma (author's transl)]. Mammography was carried out in 3,500 patients. Of these 1,800 were examined with plate-thermography and in 450 cytology was done. 12 cases of \"small\" (10 mm) Ca were found, in 3 cases with thermography. In 4 cases thermography was negative, in one case for technical reasons. Mammography is the method of choice, thermography and cytology are valuable aids.", "PMID": 622528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4441", "title": "[Remarks on the paper: present means of lokalising intra-ocular foreign bodies, by M. Severin (author's transl)].", "content": "It is pointed out that the technique of Holzknecht can and should be considered one of the most important routine-measures for measuring radiologically visible foreign bodies in the eyes. This technique is as good as that of Comberg and has the great advantage that it only needs a ruler and compass, no other aids. It can be carried out by all radiologists. The technique of exposure and of measurement are discussed.", "contents": "[Remarks on the paper: present means of lokalising intra-ocular foreign bodies, by M. Severin (author's transl)]. It is pointed out that the technique of Holzknecht can and should be considered one of the most important routine-measures for measuring radiologically visible foreign bodies in the eyes. This technique is as good as that of Comberg and has the great advantage that it only needs a ruler and compass, no other aids. It can be carried out by all radiologists. The technique of exposure and of measurement are discussed.", "PMID": 622529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4442", "title": "[Clinical experiences with the new contrast medium iodamide 420 (author's transl)].", "content": "Iodamide 420 is a high concentrated, water solubile contrast medium of 420 mg/ml iodine content. Clinical observations were made on 31 patients, following 68 contrast injections. The administered iodine solution amounted to 3 to 100 ml pro injection, i.e. 0.6 to 2.0 ml/kg body weight and a total of 12 to 160 ml, i.e. 0.8 to 5.0 mg/kg pro angiographic study. Tests of sensitivity were not done. Iodamide 420 is characterized by a strikingly good tolerability. No severe complication was observed. The side effects were rare and negligible. The use of this high concentrated contrast medium improves the quality of angiograms, especially in cases, where the injection of the necessary amount is troublesome due to the high flow/small catheter lumen ratio.", "contents": "[Clinical experiences with the new contrast medium iodamide 420 (author's transl)]. Iodamide 420 is a high concentrated, water solubile contrast medium of 420 mg/ml iodine content. Clinical observations were made on 31 patients, following 68 contrast injections. The administered iodine solution amounted to 3 to 100 ml pro injection, i.e. 0.6 to 2.0 ml/kg body weight and a total of 12 to 160 ml, i.e. 0.8 to 5.0 mg/kg pro angiographic study. Tests of sensitivity were not done. Iodamide 420 is characterized by a strikingly good tolerability. No severe complication was observed. The side effects were rare and negligible. The use of this high concentrated contrast medium improves the quality of angiograms, especially in cases, where the injection of the necessary amount is troublesome due to the high flow/small catheter lumen ratio.", "PMID": 622530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4443", "title": "[On the description of the compton-effect (author's transl)].", "content": "The short paper presents a comparative description of the Compton-, Photo-, and Pair Creation Effect, respectively, for Non-Physicists. The cause for this note is the fact that the Compton Effect is nearly always incorrectly described in (German) \"Introductions in Radiation Protection\" and similar semi-popular publications.", "contents": "[On the description of the compton-effect (author's transl)]. The short paper presents a comparative description of the Compton-, Photo-, and Pair Creation Effect, respectively, for Non-Physicists. The cause for this note is the fact that the Compton Effect is nearly always incorrectly described in (German) \"Introductions in Radiation Protection\" and similar semi-popular publications.", "PMID": 622531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4444", "title": "[The diagnosis of tumours of the paranasal sinus (author's transl)].", "content": "Radiographic appearances of tumours of the paranasal sinus are often equivocal. One must try to differentiate the main radiologic signs--shadow, and changes in the walls (tumour, inflammation?). A few important data are given. But examples also show the sources of error. The need for immediate diagnostic-surgical measures in all cases of even minimal suspicion of malignancy is obvious.", "contents": "[The diagnosis of tumours of the paranasal sinus (author's transl)]. Radiographic appearances of tumours of the paranasal sinus are often equivocal. One must try to differentiate the main radiologic signs--shadow, and changes in the walls (tumour, inflammation?). A few important data are given. But examples also show the sources of error. The need for immediate diagnostic-surgical measures in all cases of even minimal suspicion of malignancy is obvious.", "PMID": 622532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4445", "title": "[Influenza vaccination in dialysis patients].", "content": "50 stabilized long-term hemodialysis patients were randomly selected to receive one intramuscular injection of a new influenza subunit vaccine containing only the surface antigens hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, or of an adjuvant containing whole virus vaccine. Both vaccines contained strains A/Victoria/3/75 and B/Hongkong/8/73. Both vaccines were very well tolerated and caused significant rises in the antibody titers within 4 weeks against both strains. The subunit vaccine produced significantly higher antibody titers against strain A than the whole virus vaccine.", "contents": "[Influenza vaccination in dialysis patients]. 50 stabilized long-term hemodialysis patients were randomly selected to receive one intramuscular injection of a new influenza subunit vaccine containing only the surface antigens hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, or of an adjuvant containing whole virus vaccine. Both vaccines contained strains A/Victoria/3/75 and B/Hongkong/8/73. Both vaccines were very well tolerated and caused significant rises in the antibody titers within 4 weeks against both strains. The subunit vaccine produced significantly higher antibody titers against strain A than the whole virus vaccine.", "PMID": 622534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4446", "title": "[Multiple recurrence of Cushing's syndrome after bilateral adrenalectomy and pituitary gland surgery. Cure with o,p'-DDD].", "content": "A pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome in a young woman had an unusually protracted course and was extremely resistant to therapy. After unsuccessful pituitary irradiation, bilateral total adrenalectomy was performed. A piece of an excised adrenal gland was reimplanted into a buttock. Nevertheless, the patient went into adrenocortical failure and had to be given replacement therapy. After three years the Cushing's syndrome reappeared, this time combined with general hyperpigmentation. The implanted adrenal tissue was no longer to be found. Neither stereotactic pituitary coagulation nor implantation of 90-Yttrium into the pituitary resulted in remission of Cushing's syndrome. All attempts to localize the--very probably ectopic--cortisol-producing adrenocortical tissue failed. However, complete remission was finally achieved by treatment with o,p'-DDD.", "contents": "[Multiple recurrence of Cushing's syndrome after bilateral adrenalectomy and pituitary gland surgery. Cure with o,p'-DDD]. A pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome in a young woman had an unusually protracted course and was extremely resistant to therapy. After unsuccessful pituitary irradiation, bilateral total adrenalectomy was performed. A piece of an excised adrenal gland was reimplanted into a buttock. Nevertheless, the patient went into adrenocortical failure and had to be given replacement therapy. After three years the Cushing's syndrome reappeared, this time combined with general hyperpigmentation. The implanted adrenal tissue was no longer to be found. Neither stereotactic pituitary coagulation nor implantation of 90-Yttrium into the pituitary resulted in remission of Cushing's syndrome. All attempts to localize the--very probably ectopic--cortisol-producing adrenocortical tissue failed. However, complete remission was finally achieved by treatment with o,p'-DDD.", "PMID": 622536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4447", "title": "[Pancreatic function after injury to the pancreas and traumatic pancreatitis].", "content": "Endocine and exocrine pancreatic function were investigated in 10 patients after pancreatic trauma or traumatic pancreatitis. There were no cases of overt diabetes mellitus. Three patients had subclinical diabetes. In the secretin-pancreozymin test 5 patients had normal exocrine pancreatic function after trauma, whereas in 3 patients bicarbonate and/or enzyme secretion was diminished, to normalize during an observation time of several years. In the remaining 2 patients a secretin-pancreozymin test could not be performed; one of them had slight steatorrhoea. These results are evidence of a good reserve capacity of the endocrine pancreas, and a good regeneration capacity of the exocrine pancreas, after trauma.", "contents": "[Pancreatic function after injury to the pancreas and traumatic pancreatitis]. Endocine and exocrine pancreatic function were investigated in 10 patients after pancreatic trauma or traumatic pancreatitis. There were no cases of overt diabetes mellitus. Three patients had subclinical diabetes. In the secretin-pancreozymin test 5 patients had normal exocrine pancreatic function after trauma, whereas in 3 patients bicarbonate and/or enzyme secretion was diminished, to normalize during an observation time of several years. In the remaining 2 patients a secretin-pancreozymin test could not be performed; one of them had slight steatorrhoea. These results are evidence of a good reserve capacity of the endocrine pancreas, and a good regeneration capacity of the exocrine pancreas, after trauma.", "PMID": 622537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4448", "title": "[The Bjoerk-Shiley and the Lillehei-Kaster valve in aortal position. A hemodynamic comparison].", "content": "Thirty-two patients with tilting disc valves in the aortic position were evaluated by left heart catheterization and cineangiography. 24 patients had Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves (B-S group) and 8 Lillehei-Kaster valves (L-K group). At the postoperative hemodynamic evaluation, left ventricular peak systolic pressure was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the L-K group (174 +/- 22 mm Hg) than in the B-S group (140 +/- 22 mm Hg). The mean systolic pressure gradient across the prosthesis was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the L-K group (34 mm Hg) than in the B-S group (12 mm Hg). The calculated valve area at a similar average tissue annulus diameter was significantly smaller in the L-K group (0.9 cm2) than in the B-S group (1.5 cm2). It is concluded (1) that in the aortic position at similar external prosthesis dimensions the B-S valve exhibits superior hemodynamic performance of the L-K valve and (2) that aortic valve replacement by L-K valve is associated with significant postoperative left ventricular pressure load.", "contents": "[The Bjoerk-Shiley and the Lillehei-Kaster valve in aortal position. A hemodynamic comparison]. Thirty-two patients with tilting disc valves in the aortic position were evaluated by left heart catheterization and cineangiography. 24 patients had Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves (B-S group) and 8 Lillehei-Kaster valves (L-K group). At the postoperative hemodynamic evaluation, left ventricular peak systolic pressure was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the L-K group (174 +/- 22 mm Hg) than in the B-S group (140 +/- 22 mm Hg). The mean systolic pressure gradient across the prosthesis was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the L-K group (34 mm Hg) than in the B-S group (12 mm Hg). The calculated valve area at a similar average tissue annulus diameter was significantly smaller in the L-K group (0.9 cm2) than in the B-S group (1.5 cm2). It is concluded (1) that in the aortic position at similar external prosthesis dimensions the B-S valve exhibits superior hemodynamic performance of the L-K valve and (2) that aortic valve replacement by L-K valve is associated with significant postoperative left ventricular pressure load.", "PMID": 622538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4449", "title": "[Indications and costs of long-term oxygen therapy].", "content": "Nowadays, domiciliary long-term O2 therapy is given to certain patients with chronic arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 less than 55 mm Hg). However, it is important to exclude cases with severe CO2 retention (PaCO2 greater than 55 mm Hg). Hypoxemic and only slightly hypercapnic patients chiefly suffer from COLD and sometimes from a severe restrictive ventilatory disorder such as chronic bilateral pleural effusions or advanced kyphoscoliosis. The most important precondition for long-term O2 therapy is correct adjustment of all other procedures of pulmonary treatment, as well as total abstention from smoking. Common sources for domiciliary O2 therapy are bottles delivered to the patient's home weekly by the O2-producing firm. A new machine which appears to offer for greater facilities is the O2 concentrator of Rimer-Birlec (Cardiff, Wales). 2 liters O2/min are given via a naso-pharyngeal tube for 15 h per day. Without O2 during 9 h per day, the patient is able to follow appropriate employment. In domiciliary long-term O2 therapy the cost of O2 supply by the O2 concentrator is half that of bottles delivered to the home weekly. The new O2 concentrator for domiciliary long-term O2 therapy is recommended as by far the most economical source of O2. Other sources of O2 such as liquid O2 or chemically produced O2 are uneconomical for domiciliary use. Only hospitals will benefit from supplying their pipelines from a container with liquid oxygen instead of using gaseous O2 from bottles. The cost of the former is 3/4 that of the latter.", "contents": "[Indications and costs of long-term oxygen therapy]. Nowadays, domiciliary long-term O2 therapy is given to certain patients with chronic arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 less than 55 mm Hg). However, it is important to exclude cases with severe CO2 retention (PaCO2 greater than 55 mm Hg). Hypoxemic and only slightly hypercapnic patients chiefly suffer from COLD and sometimes from a severe restrictive ventilatory disorder such as chronic bilateral pleural effusions or advanced kyphoscoliosis. The most important precondition for long-term O2 therapy is correct adjustment of all other procedures of pulmonary treatment, as well as total abstention from smoking. Common sources for domiciliary O2 therapy are bottles delivered to the patient's home weekly by the O2-producing firm. A new machine which appears to offer for greater facilities is the O2 concentrator of Rimer-Birlec (Cardiff, Wales). 2 liters O2/min are given via a naso-pharyngeal tube for 15 h per day. Without O2 during 9 h per day, the patient is able to follow appropriate employment. In domiciliary long-term O2 therapy the cost of O2 supply by the O2 concentrator is half that of bottles delivered to the home weekly. The new O2 concentrator for domiciliary long-term O2 therapy is recommended as by far the most economical source of O2. Other sources of O2 such as liquid O2 or chemically produced O2 are uneconomical for domiciliary use. Only hospitals will benefit from supplying their pipelines from a container with liquid oxygen instead of using gaseous O2 from bottles. The cost of the former is 3/4 that of the latter.", "PMID": 622539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4450", "title": "[Diagnosis and therapy of chronic active hepatitis].", "content": "Chronic active hepatitis (CAH) as an entity covers a histologically, biochemically, and clinically heterogenous group of patients. Hence, there is no justification for treating all patients with this diagnosis with corticosteroids. On the basis of histological, biochemical, and clinical criteria, different degrees of severity of CAH can be distinguished. While corticosteroids appear to be indicated in severe CAH, they should, in general, not be administered in mild CAH. However, the course of disease must be carefully followed in these patients. In moderate CAH, the risk should be carefully weighed against the benefit of therapy in every individual patient, taking into account the severity of symptoms. In HBsAg-negative cases, a therapeutic trial of at least 6 months' duration is worthwhile. In HBsAg-positive patients, treatment with corticosteroids should be delayed and the course of the disease followed. Once the decision for corticosteroid therapy has been made, administration of 10 mg prednisolone and 50 mg azathioprine daily as a maintenance dose represents the therapy of choice. This combination is approximately as effective as 15--20 mg prednisolone alone, but is associated with a lower incidence of side effects.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and therapy of chronic active hepatitis]. Chronic active hepatitis (CAH) as an entity covers a histologically, biochemically, and clinically heterogenous group of patients. Hence, there is no justification for treating all patients with this diagnosis with corticosteroids. On the basis of histological, biochemical, and clinical criteria, different degrees of severity of CAH can be distinguished. While corticosteroids appear to be indicated in severe CAH, they should, in general, not be administered in mild CAH. However, the course of disease must be carefully followed in these patients. In moderate CAH, the risk should be carefully weighed against the benefit of therapy in every individual patient, taking into account the severity of symptoms. In HBsAg-negative cases, a therapeutic trial of at least 6 months' duration is worthwhile. In HBsAg-positive patients, treatment with corticosteroids should be delayed and the course of the disease followed. Once the decision for corticosteroid therapy has been made, administration of 10 mg prednisolone and 50 mg azathioprine daily as a maintenance dose represents the therapy of choice. This combination is approximately as effective as 15--20 mg prednisolone alone, but is associated with a lower incidence of side effects.", "PMID": 622540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4451", "title": "[Diets for patients with kidney diseases].", "content": "Dietary treatment is indicated in the conservative management of chronic renal failure and in patients on maintenance dialysis. Water, sodium and potassium warrant chief consideration. The principles and different forms of protein-restricted diets are discussed.", "contents": "[Diets for patients with kidney diseases]. Dietary treatment is indicated in the conservative management of chronic renal failure and in patients on maintenance dialysis. Water, sodium and potassium warrant chief consideration. The principles and different forms of protein-restricted diets are discussed.", "PMID": 622541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4452", "title": "[Indications for bandaging of the legs].", "content": "Study of the literature on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis shows the inefficacy of calf bandaging in the ambulation phase. Since thrombosis starts soon after or during operation, prophylactic measures are successful only if performed from the beginning of hospitalization. Orthostatic disturbances are not a general problem in the mobilization phase, as is shown in a study on 20 patients after myocardial infarction or heart surgery in whom leg compression did not influence circulatory regulation. In chronic venous or lymphatic insufficiency, however, compression therapy is of proven value. Such patients should be identified and treated. On the other hand, leg bandaging as a general preventive measure in the mobilization phase is no longer justified, but is indicated in individual patients with venous or orthostatic problems.", "contents": "[Indications for bandaging of the legs]. Study of the literature on the prevention of deep vein thrombosis shows the inefficacy of calf bandaging in the ambulation phase. Since thrombosis starts soon after or during operation, prophylactic measures are successful only if performed from the beginning of hospitalization. Orthostatic disturbances are not a general problem in the mobilization phase, as is shown in a study on 20 patients after myocardial infarction or heart surgery in whom leg compression did not influence circulatory regulation. In chronic venous or lymphatic insufficiency, however, compression therapy is of proven value. Such patients should be identified and treated. On the other hand, leg bandaging as a general preventive measure in the mobilization phase is no longer justified, but is indicated in individual patients with venous or orthostatic problems.", "PMID": 622542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4453", "title": "[Development of intestinal and bladder control from birth until the 18th year of age. Longitudial study].", "content": "The development of bowel and bladder control from 0 to 18 years of age in 321 Swiss children of the Zurich Longitudinal Study (1955-1976) is described. 3% of the children had started toilet training by the age of 1 month and 96% by 12 months. Bowel control was completed in 32% at age one, in 75% at age two and in 97% at age three. Complete bladder control by day and at night was established in none of the children at age one, in 20% at ages two and three and in 90% at age five. About one quarter of the boys and one tenth of the girls had a period of incomplete bowel or bladder control between 6 and 18 years. During the prepubertal period, the annual incidence of enuresis was 7-15% in boys and 7-10% in girls, and that of encopresis 2-4% and 1-2% respectively. Some combination of enuresis diurna, enuresis nocturna and encopresis were found in 7% of all children, although in most children, these events did not occur simultaneously. With the exception of primary diurnal enuresis, the different types of enuresis and encopresis were more frequent in males than in females. By the onset of puberty, encopresis resolved in all children and enuresis persisted in only a few children. The role of toilet training and the etiologies and pathogenesis of enuresis and encopresis are discussed from a development point of view.", "contents": "[Development of intestinal and bladder control from birth until the 18th year of age. Longitudial study]. The development of bowel and bladder control from 0 to 18 years of age in 321 Swiss children of the Zurich Longitudinal Study (1955-1976) is described. 3% of the children had started toilet training by the age of 1 month and 96% by 12 months. Bowel control was completed in 32% at age one, in 75% at age two and in 97% at age three. Complete bladder control by day and at night was established in none of the children at age one, in 20% at ages two and three and in 90% at age five. About one quarter of the boys and one tenth of the girls had a period of incomplete bowel or bladder control between 6 and 18 years. During the prepubertal period, the annual incidence of enuresis was 7-15% in boys and 7-10% in girls, and that of encopresis 2-4% and 1-2% respectively. Some combination of enuresis diurna, enuresis nocturna and encopresis were found in 7% of all children, although in most children, these events did not occur simultaneously. With the exception of primary diurnal enuresis, the different types of enuresis and encopresis were more frequent in males than in females. By the onset of puberty, encopresis resolved in all children and enuresis persisted in only a few children. The role of toilet training and the etiologies and pathogenesis of enuresis and encopresis are discussed from a development point of view.", "PMID": 622544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4454", "title": "[UV-fluorescence-bronchoscopy].", "content": "In UV fluorescence bronchoscopy the patient inhales 5 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of fluorescein by compressed air spray, together with a beta2-stimulator, 10-15 min before the bronchoscopy. After the dyestuff which has collected in the secretion has been coughed up or drawn off, only carcinomata, nonciliated metaplastic forms of the mucous membrane, macroscopically non-visible tumour infiltrations into the mucous membrane, and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa remain stained. Under UV illumination, these areas can be visualized for location of points to be examined by biopsy. Interested readers are called upon to form themselves into a study group.", "contents": "[UV-fluorescence-bronchoscopy]. In UV fluorescence bronchoscopy the patient inhales 5 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of fluorescein by compressed air spray, together with a beta2-stimulator, 10-15 min before the bronchoscopy. After the dyestuff which has collected in the secretion has been coughed up or drawn off, only carcinomata, nonciliated metaplastic forms of the mucous membrane, macroscopically non-visible tumour infiltrations into the mucous membrane, and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa remain stained. Under UV illumination, these areas can be visualized for location of points to be examined by biopsy. Interested readers are called upon to form themselves into a study group.", "PMID": 622546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4455", "title": "[Urinary Staphylococcus epidermidis: a pathogen or contamination?].", "content": "The alleged pathogenity of Staphylococcus epidermidis for the human urinary tract has been investigated statistically. The finding of this microbe in the urinary bladder punctate (678 suprapubic bladder aspirations) or in conventional urine sampling in the concentration greater than or equal to 10(4) microbes/ml (416 urine samples) shows no statistically significant correlation with the clinical signs of urinary tract disease.", "contents": "[Urinary Staphylococcus epidermidis: a pathogen or contamination?]. The alleged pathogenity of Staphylococcus epidermidis for the human urinary tract has been investigated statistically. The finding of this microbe in the urinary bladder punctate (678 suprapubic bladder aspirations) or in conventional urine sampling in the concentration greater than or equal to 10(4) microbes/ml (416 urine samples) shows no statistically significant correlation with the clinical signs of urinary tract disease.", "PMID": 622547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4456", "title": "[Surgical and endocrinological results after the removal of hormonally inactive pituitary adenomas by means of frontal craniotomy].", "content": "The pre- and postoperative endocrinological findings are evaluated in 128 patients suffering from pituitary adenoma without endocrine activity, undergoing surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Z\u00fcrich, in the 10-year period between 1962 and 1971. The preoperative examination showed hypothyroidism in 24% of all cases. 59% of the males showed primary or secondary hypogonadism. All females in the age between puberty and menopause complained of menstrual disturbances. One patient complained of preoperative diabetes insipidus. The postoperative examination showed that the function of a partially insufficient pituitary may improve after surgery. Hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency became normal in 2/3 of the cases. Male hypogonadism improved in 33% of the cases. One female gave birth to a normal baby after an uncomplicated pregnancy 6 years after pituitary surgery. 16% of the cases suffered from postoperative permanent diabetes insipidus. The operative complication rate (brain edema, intracranial bleeding, epilepsy) was 32%. The immediate surgical mortality was 7% (9 patients). Recurrent adenomas were found and operated on in 9% of the cases (11 patients). Three patients had two recurrences.", "contents": "[Surgical and endocrinological results after the removal of hormonally inactive pituitary adenomas by means of frontal craniotomy]. The pre- and postoperative endocrinological findings are evaluated in 128 patients suffering from pituitary adenoma without endocrine activity, undergoing surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Z\u00fcrich, in the 10-year period between 1962 and 1971. The preoperative examination showed hypothyroidism in 24% of all cases. 59% of the males showed primary or secondary hypogonadism. All females in the age between puberty and menopause complained of menstrual disturbances. One patient complained of preoperative diabetes insipidus. The postoperative examination showed that the function of a partially insufficient pituitary may improve after surgery. Hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency became normal in 2/3 of the cases. Male hypogonadism improved in 33% of the cases. One female gave birth to a normal baby after an uncomplicated pregnancy 6 years after pituitary surgery. 16% of the cases suffered from postoperative permanent diabetes insipidus. The operative complication rate (brain edema, intracranial bleeding, epilepsy) was 32%. The immediate surgical mortality was 7% (9 patients). Recurrent adenomas were found and operated on in 9% of the cases (11 patients). Three patients had two recurrences.", "PMID": 622548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4457", "title": "[D-xylose absorption test. A pharmacokinetic and statistical study].", "content": "D-xylose pharmacokinetics has been studied in 6 healthy subjects by serial measurement of blood and urinary levels following oral and intravenous administration of two doses of D-xylose (5 and 25 g successively). Furthermore, patients with obesity, renal or hepatic insufficiency, or with a T-drain after cholecystectomy, are also investigated. Both the rate and completeness of D-xylose absorption and the apparent distribution volume of D-xylose present noteworthy interindividual variations, so that the time and value of the peak blood level are highly variable as between healthy subjects. Renal insufficiency increases the apparent elimination half-life of D-xylose and notably reduces D-xylose renal excretion. This study provides pharmacokinetic evidence of the very wide range of blood and urinary levels observed in the D-xylose tolerance test, and emphasizes the fact that D-xylose urinary excretion alone is not a reliable index of intestinal absorption.", "contents": "[D-xylose absorption test. A pharmacokinetic and statistical study]. D-xylose pharmacokinetics has been studied in 6 healthy subjects by serial measurement of blood and urinary levels following oral and intravenous administration of two doses of D-xylose (5 and 25 g successively). Furthermore, patients with obesity, renal or hepatic insufficiency, or with a T-drain after cholecystectomy, are also investigated. Both the rate and completeness of D-xylose absorption and the apparent distribution volume of D-xylose present noteworthy interindividual variations, so that the time and value of the peak blood level are highly variable as between healthy subjects. Renal insufficiency increases the apparent elimination half-life of D-xylose and notably reduces D-xylose renal excretion. This study provides pharmacokinetic evidence of the very wide range of blood and urinary levels observed in the D-xylose tolerance test, and emphasizes the fact that D-xylose urinary excretion alone is not a reliable index of intestinal absorption.", "PMID": 622549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4458", "title": "Testing toxic substances for protection of the environment.", "content": "The Toxic Substances Control Act requires pre-production testing of chemicals for potential hazards to human and environmental health. Effective control of chemicals requires evaluations of chemical hazard that go beyond determinations of toxicity to humans to include the effects, transport, and fat of chemicals in the environemnt. Formulation of meaningful hazard evaluations depends on integrating information from tests of chemical effects, transport, and fate or by developing testing tools that integrate these factors during experimentation. Chemical effects may be acute or chronic and they may be observed individual organisms, populations or organisms, or in total ecosystems. Chemical transport through the environment depends on physico-chemical characteristics of the chemical and the medium (soil, water, or air) as well as environmental factors and biotic processes. The ultimate fate of chemicals (persistence, transformation, or degradation) is determined by numerous physical and biological processes occurring in the environment, and must be acknowledged to effectively determine the hazard. Many techniques are available for the separate and routine evaluation of the effects, transport and fate of environmental contaminants. However, separate identification of the importance and magnitude of each of these factors limits their utility in assessments of chemical hazard. The microcosm (model ecosystem) method integrates many of these tests in replicable experimental units, and may provide substantial information on chemical hazard in ecosystem context.", "contents": "Testing toxic substances for protection of the environment. The Toxic Substances Control Act requires pre-production testing of chemicals for potential hazards to human and environmental health. Effective control of chemicals requires evaluations of chemical hazard that go beyond determinations of toxicity to humans to include the effects, transport, and fat of chemicals in the environemnt. Formulation of meaningful hazard evaluations depends on integrating information from tests of chemical effects, transport, and fate or by developing testing tools that integrate these factors during experimentation. Chemical effects may be acute or chronic and they may be observed individual organisms, populations or organisms, or in total ecosystems. Chemical transport through the environment depends on physico-chemical characteristics of the chemical and the medium (soil, water, or air) as well as environmental factors and biotic processes. The ultimate fate of chemicals (persistence, transformation, or degradation) is determined by numerous physical and biological processes occurring in the environment, and must be acknowledged to effectively determine the hazard. Many techniques are available for the separate and routine evaluation of the effects, transport and fate of environmental contaminants. However, separate identification of the importance and magnitude of each of these factors limits their utility in assessments of chemical hazard. The microcosm (model ecosystem) method integrates many of these tests in replicable experimental units, and may provide substantial information on chemical hazard in ecosystem context.", "PMID": 622550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4459", "title": "Leupeptin, a protease inhibitor, decreases protein degradation in normal and diseased muscles.", "content": "The protease inhibitor leupeptin decreases protein degradation in rat skeletal and cardiac muscle incubated in vitro, while protein synthesis remains unaltered. Leupeptin also lowers protein breakdown in denervated rat muscles and affected muscles from mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy. Leupeptin may thus be useful in retarding tissue atrophy. Since homogenates of leupeptin-treated muscles had decreased cathepsin B activity, this lysosomal protease may play a role in protein turnover in normal and diseased muscles.", "contents": "Leupeptin, a protease inhibitor, decreases protein degradation in normal and diseased muscles. The protease inhibitor leupeptin decreases protein degradation in rat skeletal and cardiac muscle incubated in vitro, while protein synthesis remains unaltered. Leupeptin also lowers protein breakdown in denervated rat muscles and affected muscles from mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy. Leupeptin may thus be useful in retarding tissue atrophy. Since homogenates of leupeptin-treated muscles had decreased cathepsin B activity, this lysosomal protease may play a role in protein turnover in normal and diseased muscles.", "PMID": 622552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4460", "title": "Double-stranded RNA is present in extracts of tobacco plants infected with tobacco mosaic virus.", "content": "Serologically specific electron microscopy was used to detect double-stranded RNA in extracts of tobacco infected with tobacco mosaic virus. Assays were made immediately after extraction, without purification, concentration, or treatment with phenol or detergent. This indicates that the double-stranded RNA is native and is not an artifact induced by purification methods.", "contents": "Double-stranded RNA is present in extracts of tobacco plants infected with tobacco mosaic virus. Serologically specific electron microscopy was used to detect double-stranded RNA in extracts of tobacco infected with tobacco mosaic virus. Assays were made immediately after extraction, without purification, concentration, or treatment with phenol or detergent. This indicates that the double-stranded RNA is native and is not an artifact induced by purification methods.", "PMID": 622553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4461", "title": "Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid: chain elongation to omega-cyclopropyl fatty acids by mammals and plants.", "content": "Rats dosed orally which [carboxyl-14C]cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (or its hexadecyl ester) retain radioactivity in tissue as novel triacylglycerols. The most abundant 14C-labeled metabolites were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as 13-cyclopropyltridecanoic and 15-cyclopropylpentadecanoic acids. Similar omega-cyclopropyl fatty acids are produced by beagle dogs and a lactating cow, as well as by apple and orange trees.", "contents": "Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid: chain elongation to omega-cyclopropyl fatty acids by mammals and plants. Rats dosed orally which [carboxyl-14C]cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (or its hexadecyl ester) retain radioactivity in tissue as novel triacylglycerols. The most abundant 14C-labeled metabolites were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as 13-cyclopropyltridecanoic and 15-cyclopropylpentadecanoic acids. Similar omega-cyclopropyl fatty acids are produced by beagle dogs and a lactating cow, as well as by apple and orange trees.", "PMID": 622554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4462", "title": "Lichen myxedematosus serum stimulates human skin fibroblast proliferation.", "content": "Serum from patients with lichen myxedematosus, when added to exponentially growing normal human skin fibroblasts, stimulates DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. The degree of response in vitro is correlated with the extent of the disease in vivo and is specific for fibroblasts. The results suggest that there is a systemic factor (or factors) which may play a role in the etiology of diseases affecting the connective tissue.", "contents": "Lichen myxedematosus serum stimulates human skin fibroblast proliferation. Serum from patients with lichen myxedematosus, when added to exponentially growing normal human skin fibroblasts, stimulates DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. The degree of response in vitro is correlated with the extent of the disease in vivo and is specific for fibroblasts. The results suggest that there is a systemic factor (or factors) which may play a role in the etiology of diseases affecting the connective tissue.", "PMID": 622555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4463", "title": "Structure of collagen in cartilage of intervertebral disk.", "content": "Small-angle x-ray and neutron diffraction patterns have been obtained from the annulus fibrosus of porcine intervertebral disk. These show that the collagen in this tissue is modified compared with that in tendon.", "contents": "Structure of collagen in cartilage of intervertebral disk. Small-angle x-ray and neutron diffraction patterns have been obtained from the annulus fibrosus of porcine intervertebral disk. These show that the collagen in this tissue is modified compared with that in tendon.", "PMID": 622556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4464", "title": "Durations of unitary synaptic potentials help time a behavioral sequence.", "content": "Recordings in identified neurons and muscles that mediate crayfish tailflips reveal inhibitory postsynaptic potentials of two distinct durations. Those of long duration are recorded in five classes of cells in the flexion circuit, while those of short duration are recorded in three classes of cells in the extension circuit. The durations of the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials are matched to the durations of inhibition required by the different phases of the behavior.", "contents": "Durations of unitary synaptic potentials help time a behavioral sequence. Recordings in identified neurons and muscles that mediate crayfish tailflips reveal inhibitory postsynaptic potentials of two distinct durations. Those of long duration are recorded in five classes of cells in the flexion circuit, while those of short duration are recorded in three classes of cells in the extension circuit. The durations of the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials are matched to the durations of inhibition required by the different phases of the behavior.", "PMID": 622557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4465", "title": "Pitch memory: an advantage for the left-handed.", "content": "In an auditory or musical task, subjects made pitch recognition judgments when the tones to be compared were separated by a sequence of interpolated tones. The left-handed subjects performed significantly better than the right-handed and also had a significantly higher variance. Further analysis showed that the superior performance was attributable largely to the left-handed subjects with mixed hand preference.", "contents": "Pitch memory: an advantage for the left-handed. In an auditory or musical task, subjects made pitch recognition judgments when the tones to be compared were separated by a sequence of interpolated tones. The left-handed subjects performed significantly better than the right-handed and also had a significantly higher variance. Further analysis showed that the superior performance was attributable largely to the left-handed subjects with mixed hand preference.", "PMID": 622558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4466", "title": "Newborn minor physical anomalies predict short attention span, peer aggression, and impulsivity at age 3.", "content": "From a 5-to 10-minute newborn examination, behaviors of males at age 3 could be predicted. The number of minor physical anomalies, assessed soon after birth, was significantly related to a cluster of behaviors that are frequently labeled hyperactivity.", "contents": "Newborn minor physical anomalies predict short attention span, peer aggression, and impulsivity at age 3. From a 5-to 10-minute newborn examination, behaviors of males at age 3 could be predicted. The number of minor physical anomalies, assessed soon after birth, was significantly related to a cluster of behaviors that are frequently labeled hyperactivity.", "PMID": 622559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4467", "title": "Interaction of critical periods in the visual cortex of kittens.", "content": "The critical period for modifying the preferred direction in cat cortical units occurs earlier than that for monocular deprivation. The independence of the effects of these two types of deprivation from each other was tested by rearing six kittens with both reverse suture and reversed directional deprivation. The kittens were placed in a drum rotating in one direction with one eye open at ages 2 1/2 to 5 weeks; the drum rotation was reversed and the other eye opened when they were 5 to 12 weeks old. Recordings were then made in the visual cortex. The results were the sum of the effects of reverse suture and reversal of directional deprivation: most cells were driven by the eye that was open second, and most unidirectional cells preferred the direction to which the animals were exposed first. Consequently, many unidirectional cells preferred the first direction but were driven by the eye open second--a combination that the animal never saw during rearing. There was also an effect of ocular deprivation on directional properties and vice versa: reverse suture reduced the overall percentage of unidirectional cells, just as directional deprivation has been shown to affect the ocular dominance histogram. This result suggests that the same cells may be affected by both forms of deprivation.", "contents": "Interaction of critical periods in the visual cortex of kittens. The critical period for modifying the preferred direction in cat cortical units occurs earlier than that for monocular deprivation. The independence of the effects of these two types of deprivation from each other was tested by rearing six kittens with both reverse suture and reversed directional deprivation. The kittens were placed in a drum rotating in one direction with one eye open at ages 2 1/2 to 5 weeks; the drum rotation was reversed and the other eye opened when they were 5 to 12 weeks old. Recordings were then made in the visual cortex. The results were the sum of the effects of reverse suture and reversal of directional deprivation: most cells were driven by the eye that was open second, and most unidirectional cells preferred the direction to which the animals were exposed first. Consequently, many unidirectional cells preferred the first direction but were driven by the eye open second--a combination that the animal never saw during rearing. There was also an effect of ocular deprivation on directional properties and vice versa: reverse suture reduced the overall percentage of unidirectional cells, just as directional deprivation has been shown to affect the ocular dominance histogram. This result suggests that the same cells may be affected by both forms of deprivation.", "PMID": 622560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4468", "title": "L-Dopa methyl ester: prolongation of survival of neuroblastoma-bearing mice after treatment.", "content": "L-Dopa has has been shown to demonstrate enhanced toxicity toward melanoma cells in vitro. Since melanocytes arise from the neural crest embryologically, the effect of L-dopa methyl ester, a soluble analog, on the murine C1300 neuroblastoma was studied. There was significant antitumor activity against the neuroblastoma, which was enhanced by combination with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro4-4602. In vitro studies suggested inhibition of DNA synthesis as the principal site of action. A mechanism involving sulfhydryl compound scavenging is postulated.", "contents": "L-Dopa methyl ester: prolongation of survival of neuroblastoma-bearing mice after treatment. L-Dopa has has been shown to demonstrate enhanced toxicity toward melanoma cells in vitro. Since melanocytes arise from the neural crest embryologically, the effect of L-dopa methyl ester, a soluble analog, on the murine C1300 neuroblastoma was studied. There was significant antitumor activity against the neuroblastoma, which was enhanced by combination with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro4-4602. In vitro studies suggested inhibition of DNA synthesis as the principal site of action. A mechanism involving sulfhydryl compound scavenging is postulated.", "PMID": 622565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4469", "title": "Binding of benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxides to DNA, RNA, and protein of mouse skin occurs with high stereoselectivity.", "content": "The formation, stereostructure, and cellular reactions of the 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide metabolites of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene have been examined after topical application of benzo[a]pyrene to the skin of mice. In this known target tissue, polymer adducts from diastereomeric diol epoxides, (+)-(7S, 8R, 9R, 10R) and (+)-(7R, 8S, 9R, 10R), were formed stereospecifically from their corresponding 7,8-dihydrodiols. Both diol epoxides bind with proteins, RNA, and DNA in vivo. For the nucleic acids, binding occurs preferentially at the 2-amino group of guanine in cellular RNA and DNA in vivo. Methods for establishing the structure of the cellular adducts as well as the possible biological implications of their formation are discussed.", "contents": "Binding of benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxides to DNA, RNA, and protein of mouse skin occurs with high stereoselectivity. The formation, stereostructure, and cellular reactions of the 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide metabolites of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene have been examined after topical application of benzo[a]pyrene to the skin of mice. In this known target tissue, polymer adducts from diastereomeric diol epoxides, (+)-(7S, 8R, 9R, 10R) and (+)-(7R, 8S, 9R, 10R), were formed stereospecifically from their corresponding 7,8-dihydrodiols. Both diol epoxides bind with proteins, RNA, and DNA in vivo. For the nucleic acids, binding occurs preferentially at the 2-amino group of guanine in cellular RNA and DNA in vivo. Methods for establishing the structure of the cellular adducts as well as the possible biological implications of their formation are discussed.", "PMID": 622566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4470", "title": "Chronologic and physiologic age affect replicative life-span of fibroblasts from diabetic, prediabetic, and normal donors.", "content": "Cultured skin fibroblasts from subjects with clinically apparent diabetes mellitus and from subjects genetically predisposed to diabetes have a replicative lifespan that is inversely related to donor age. Fibroblasts from carefully defined normal subjects not predisposed to diabetes fail to show this correlation. The data support the idea that physiologic status of the tissue donor is a more precise determinant of fibroblast replicative lifespan than chronologic age.", "contents": "Chronologic and physiologic age affect replicative life-span of fibroblasts from diabetic, prediabetic, and normal donors. Cultured skin fibroblasts from subjects with clinically apparent diabetes mellitus and from subjects genetically predisposed to diabetes have a replicative lifespan that is inversely related to donor age. Fibroblasts from carefully defined normal subjects not predisposed to diabetes fail to show this correlation. The data support the idea that physiologic status of the tissue donor is a more precise determinant of fibroblast replicative lifespan than chronologic age.", "PMID": 622567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4471", "title": "Saturnine gout: lead-induced formation of guanine crystals.", "content": "Intravenous injection of a sublethal dose of lead acetate into a domestic pig resulted in a 4.5-fold increase of guanine in the urine, indicating an impairment in the conversion of guanine to xanthine. This impairment is probably due to the inhibition of guanine aminohydrolase (guanase), since the activity of this enzyme is inhibited by Pb2+ (the inhibition constant being 3.0 X 10(-6)M). Postmortem histological examination revealed concretions of crystalline material in the epiphyseal plate of the femoral head. Extraction of the section containing the concretions showed that they were guanine. The relation of these findings to saturnine gout is discussed.", "contents": "Saturnine gout: lead-induced formation of guanine crystals. Intravenous injection of a sublethal dose of lead acetate into a domestic pig resulted in a 4.5-fold increase of guanine in the urine, indicating an impairment in the conversion of guanine to xanthine. This impairment is probably due to the inhibition of guanine aminohydrolase (guanase), since the activity of this enzyme is inhibited by Pb2+ (the inhibition constant being 3.0 X 10(-6)M). Postmortem histological examination revealed concretions of crystalline material in the epiphyseal plate of the femoral head. Extraction of the section containing the concretions showed that they were guanine. The relation of these findings to saturnine gout is discussed.", "PMID": 622568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4472", "title": "Human breast cancer: androgen action mediated by estrogen receptor.", "content": "Growth of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is enhanced by androgens, but only at pharmacological concentrations. Although physiological concentrations of androgens translocate the androgen receptor into the nucleus, no mitogenic effects are observed. By contrast, pharmacological androgens translocate not only the androgen receptor but also the estrogen receptor, and at these high doses significantly increase both DNA and estrogen-dependent protein synthesis. We therefore propose that androgens stimulate MCF-7 cell growth not through the androgen receptor but rather through the estrogen receptor.", "contents": "Human breast cancer: androgen action mediated by estrogen receptor. Growth of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 is enhanced by androgens, but only at pharmacological concentrations. Although physiological concentrations of androgens translocate the androgen receptor into the nucleus, no mitogenic effects are observed. By contrast, pharmacological androgens translocate not only the androgen receptor but also the estrogen receptor, and at these high doses significantly increase both DNA and estrogen-dependent protein synthesis. We therefore propose that androgens stimulate MCF-7 cell growth not through the androgen receptor but rather through the estrogen receptor.", "PMID": 622569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4473", "title": "Amantadine: neuromuscular blockade by suppression of ionic conductance of the acetylcholine receptor.", "content": "Amantadine hydrochloride decreases the sensitivity of denervated mammalian muscle to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine. The drug depresses the amplitude of the end-plate current and reverses the slope of the relation between half-decay time and membrane potential suggesting that it alters the ionic conductance that is mediated by the acetylcholine receptor. Binding studies confirm that amantadine acts on the ion conductance modulator rather than the acetylcholine receptor.", "contents": "Amantadine: neuromuscular blockade by suppression of ionic conductance of the acetylcholine receptor. Amantadine hydrochloride decreases the sensitivity of denervated mammalian muscle to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine. The drug depresses the amplitude of the end-plate current and reverses the slope of the relation between half-decay time and membrane potential suggesting that it alters the ionic conductance that is mediated by the acetylcholine receptor. Binding studies confirm that amantadine acts on the ion conductance modulator rather than the acetylcholine receptor.", "PMID": 622570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4474", "title": "Command neurons in Pleurobranchaea receive synaptic feedback from the motor network they excite.", "content": "Command neurons that cause rhythmic feeding behavior in the marine mollusc Pleurobranchaea californica have been identified in the cerebropleural ganglion (brain). Intracellular stimulation of single command neurons in isolated nervous systems, semi-intact prepartions, and restrained whole animals causes the same rhythmic motor output pattern as occurs during feeding. During this motor output pattern, action potentials recorded intracellularly from the command neurons occur in cyclic bursts that are phase-locked with the feeding rhythm. This modulation results from repetitive, alternating bursts of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, which are caused at least in part by synaptic feedback to the command neurons from identified classes of neurons in the feeding network. Central feedback to command neurons from the motor network they excite provides a possible general physiological mechanism for the sustained oscillation of neural networks controlling cyclic behavior.", "contents": "Command neurons in Pleurobranchaea receive synaptic feedback from the motor network they excite. Command neurons that cause rhythmic feeding behavior in the marine mollusc Pleurobranchaea californica have been identified in the cerebropleural ganglion (brain). Intracellular stimulation of single command neurons in isolated nervous systems, semi-intact prepartions, and restrained whole animals causes the same rhythmic motor output pattern as occurs during feeding. During this motor output pattern, action potentials recorded intracellularly from the command neurons occur in cyclic bursts that are phase-locked with the feeding rhythm. This modulation results from repetitive, alternating bursts of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, which are caused at least in part by synaptic feedback to the command neurons from identified classes of neurons in the feeding network. Central feedback to command neurons from the motor network they excite provides a possible general physiological mechanism for the sustained oscillation of neural networks controlling cyclic behavior.", "PMID": 622571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4475", "title": "Neural correlate of behavioral plasticity in command neurons of Pleurobranchaea.", "content": "Food stimuli normally excite the command neurons of Pleurobranchaea that cause feeding. In contrast, the same food stimuli selectively inhibit these neurons in specimens that have been trained to suppress feeding and withdraw from food by means of an avoidance conditioning paradigm consisting of paired food and conditional shock. Food stimuli excite the feeding command neurons of yoked control specimens exposed to unpaired food and shock, but inhibit the feeding command neurons of untrained specimens that have been satiated with food. These results suggest that the command neurons serve as a neural locus at which an animal's behavior is modulated by past experiences. These results also establish a neural correlate of behavioral plasticity, in the form of synaptic inhibition of the command neurons.", "contents": "Neural correlate of behavioral plasticity in command neurons of Pleurobranchaea. Food stimuli normally excite the command neurons of Pleurobranchaea that cause feeding. In contrast, the same food stimuli selectively inhibit these neurons in specimens that have been trained to suppress feeding and withdraw from food by means of an avoidance conditioning paradigm consisting of paired food and conditional shock. Food stimuli excite the feeding command neurons of yoked control specimens exposed to unpaired food and shock, but inhibit the feeding command neurons of untrained specimens that have been satiated with food. These results suggest that the command neurons serve as a neural locus at which an animal's behavior is modulated by past experiences. These results also establish a neural correlate of behavioral plasticity, in the form of synaptic inhibition of the command neurons.", "PMID": 622572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4476", "title": "Legionnaires' disease: structural characteristics of the organism.", "content": "The Legionnaires' disease organism was isolated from lung tissue taken from two fatalities of the Legionnaires' disease epidemic that occurred in Philadelphia during 1976. In yolk sac tissue the agent grew as a small coccobacillary microorgansim, which was Gram variable and Gim\u00e9nez positive. Intracellular coccoid and bacillary forms, detected by electron microscopy, within and without vacuoles, underwent multiplication by septate binary fission. Some of the intracellular forms resembled obligate intracellular pathogens. On defined bacteriologic media, the organisms were predominantly bacillary. The organism conforms to the morphologic criteria of a prokaryocyte.", "contents": "Legionnaires' disease: structural characteristics of the organism. The Legionnaires' disease organism was isolated from lung tissue taken from two fatalities of the Legionnaires' disease epidemic that occurred in Philadelphia during 1976. In yolk sac tissue the agent grew as a small coccobacillary microorgansim, which was Gram variable and Gim\u00e9nez positive. Intracellular coccoid and bacillary forms, detected by electron microscopy, within and without vacuoles, underwent multiplication by septate binary fission. Some of the intracellular forms resembled obligate intracellular pathogens. On defined bacteriologic media, the organisms were predominantly bacillary. The organism conforms to the morphologic criteria of a prokaryocyte.", "PMID": 622573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4477", "title": "Detection of bityrosine in cataractous human lens protein.", "content": "Bityrosine was isolated from the insoluble protein of human cataractous lenses. Identification was based on correspondence with synthetic bityrosine with respect to chromatography, fluorescence, and ultraviolet and mass spectra. It is suggested that the compound may form cross-links with polypeptide chains in old and cataractous lenses, causing significant alteration in native protein structure.", "contents": "Detection of bityrosine in cataractous human lens protein. Bityrosine was isolated from the insoluble protein of human cataractous lenses. Identification was based on correspondence with synthetic bityrosine with respect to chromatography, fluorescence, and ultraviolet and mass spectra. It is suggested that the compound may form cross-links with polypeptide chains in old and cataractous lenses, causing significant alteration in native protein structure.", "PMID": 622574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4478", "title": "Sulfhydryl groups and the monodeiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine.", "content": "Sulfhydryl reagents exert a profound influence on the monodeiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine by rat and sheep tissues in vitro. A marked dithiothreitol-induced increase in the monodeiodination by fetal sheep liver homogenates suggests that the characteristically low conversion in fetal tissues is related more to the status of sulfhydryl groups than to a deficiency of the monodeiodinating enzyme.", "contents": "Sulfhydryl groups and the monodeiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine. Sulfhydryl reagents exert a profound influence on the monodeiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine by rat and sheep tissues in vitro. A marked dithiothreitol-induced increase in the monodeiodination by fetal sheep liver homogenates suggests that the characteristically low conversion in fetal tissues is related more to the status of sulfhydryl groups than to a deficiency of the monodeiodinating enzyme.", "PMID": 622575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4479", "title": "Supplemental lighting stimulates growth and lactation in cattle.", "content": "Sixteen hours of light daily (114 to 207 lux) increased weight gains and milk yield 10 to 15% in Holstein cattle in comparison with cattle exposed to natural-length photoperiods (39 to 93 lux) of 9 to 12 hours. The weight gain was accomplished without increased consumption of feed. Manipulation of supplemental light may thus cause dramatic increases in food supplies from animals.", "contents": "Supplemental lighting stimulates growth and lactation in cattle. Sixteen hours of light daily (114 to 207 lux) increased weight gains and milk yield 10 to 15% in Holstein cattle in comparison with cattle exposed to natural-length photoperiods (39 to 93 lux) of 9 to 12 hours. The weight gain was accomplished without increased consumption of feed. Manipulation of supplemental light may thus cause dramatic increases in food supplies from animals.", "PMID": 622576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4480", "title": "Phase sensitivity in electroreception.", "content": "The gymnotoid electric fish Hypopomus artedi discriminates between electric stimulus pulses with identical spectral amplitudes but different spectral phase functions. Behavioral results can be explained on the assumption that electroreception is based on a linear filter, approximately matched to the species' electric organ discharge. The impulse response of the appropriate matched filter, in fact, resembles the known impulse response of the electroreceptors involved.", "contents": "Phase sensitivity in electroreception. The gymnotoid electric fish Hypopomus artedi discriminates between electric stimulus pulses with identical spectral amplitudes but different spectral phase functions. Behavioral results can be explained on the assumption that electroreception is based on a linear filter, approximately matched to the species' electric organ discharge. The impulse response of the appropriate matched filter, in fact, resembles the known impulse response of the electroreceptors involved.", "PMID": 622577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4481", "title": "Relative risks of saccharin and calorie ingestion.", "content": "The risk of a person getting cancer from ingesting saccharin is compared with the risk of ingesting additional calories which cause excess body weight. It is found that, for a person who is 10% overweight, the risk of ingesting one diet soft drink, which would cause a decrease in life expectancy of 9 seconds, is approximately equal to the risk of ingesting one additional kilocalorie; that is, if ingesting a diet drink inhibits ingestion of more than 1 kilocalorie, its benefits exceed its risks.", "contents": "Relative risks of saccharin and calorie ingestion. The risk of a person getting cancer from ingesting saccharin is compared with the risk of ingesting additional calories which cause excess body weight. It is found that, for a person who is 10% overweight, the risk of ingesting one diet soft drink, which would cause a decrease in life expectancy of 9 seconds, is approximately equal to the risk of ingesting one additional kilocalorie; that is, if ingesting a diet drink inhibits ingestion of more than 1 kilocalorie, its benefits exceed its risks.", "PMID": 622580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4482", "title": "Contact-mediated bone resorption by human monocytes in vitro.", "content": "Human circulating monocytes in tissue culture are capable of resorbing devitalized adult and fetal bone. An important component of this process is the adhesion of the cells to the mineralized substrate and the localized removal of matrix from beneath the attached cells. The process appears to involve both release of lysosomal enzymes onto the substrate and intracellular accumulation (transport) of resorbed matrix.", "contents": "Contact-mediated bone resorption by human monocytes in vitro. Human circulating monocytes in tissue culture are capable of resorbing devitalized adult and fetal bone. An important component of this process is the adhesion of the cells to the mineralized substrate and the localized removal of matrix from beneath the attached cells. The process appears to involve both release of lysosomal enzymes onto the substrate and intracellular accumulation (transport) of resorbed matrix.", "PMID": 622581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4483", "title": "Cyclic polyether-protonated organic amine binding: significance in enzymatic and ion transport processes.", "content": "The cyclic polyether, 18-crown-6, reacts with protonated amines in methanol to form complexes whose formation constants (log K) decrease in the order NH4+, RNH3+ greater than R2NH2+ greater than R3NH+. In the case of the organic amines, this stability order is identical to the earlier observed permeability sequence for protonated organic amines in glyceryl dioleate bilayers treated with valinomycin, nonactin, or gramicidin, and in bullfrog and rabbit gallbladder membranes. The decrease in log K values in the above series is primarily a result of decreased enthalpy change (deltaH) values, the entropy change (TdeltaS) term being essentially constant for the systems studied.", "contents": "Cyclic polyether-protonated organic amine binding: significance in enzymatic and ion transport processes. The cyclic polyether, 18-crown-6, reacts with protonated amines in methanol to form complexes whose formation constants (log K) decrease in the order NH4+, RNH3+ greater than R2NH2+ greater than R3NH+. In the case of the organic amines, this stability order is identical to the earlier observed permeability sequence for protonated organic amines in glyceryl dioleate bilayers treated with valinomycin, nonactin, or gramicidin, and in bullfrog and rabbit gallbladder membranes. The decrease in log K values in the above series is primarily a result of decreased enthalpy change (deltaH) values, the entropy change (TdeltaS) term being essentially constant for the systems studied.", "PMID": 622582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4484", "title": "Directional selectivity in hamster superior colliculus is modified by strobe-rearing but not by dark-rearing.", "content": "Visual response properties of superior collicular neurons of normal hamsters were compared with those of animals reared from birth to adulthood in either total darkness or with stroboscopic illumination. Directional selectivity was markedly reduced only in the strobe-reared animals, thus demonstrating visual plasticity in a system that develops apparently normally without visual experience.", "contents": "Directional selectivity in hamster superior colliculus is modified by strobe-rearing but not by dark-rearing. Visual response properties of superior collicular neurons of normal hamsters were compared with those of animals reared from birth to adulthood in either total darkness or with stroboscopic illumination. Directional selectivity was markedly reduced only in the strobe-reared animals, thus demonstrating visual plasticity in a system that develops apparently normally without visual experience.", "PMID": 622583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4485", "title": "Pelvic displacement osteotomy in young myelodysplastic patients with dislocatable hips.", "content": "This prospective study of the role that pelvic displacement osteotomy may have in the management of dislocatable hips in patients with myelomeningocele defines the technical points to be considered and gives preliminary results for ten hips in eight children. The procedure may salvage failed posterior iliopsoas transfers or, in patients not operated on previously, it may limit cephalad displacement of the femoral head. Both control of muscle imbalance and improvement of acetabular contour appear essential to a high rate of success in these patients. Eight of ten hips in this series were stable upon short-term review. All patients were less than 7 years of age.", "contents": "Pelvic displacement osteotomy in young myelodysplastic patients with dislocatable hips. This prospective study of the role that pelvic displacement osteotomy may have in the management of dislocatable hips in patients with myelomeningocele defines the technical points to be considered and gives preliminary results for ten hips in eight children. The procedure may salvage failed posterior iliopsoas transfers or, in patients not operated on previously, it may limit cephalad displacement of the femoral head. Both control of muscle imbalance and improvement of acetabular contour appear essential to a high rate of success in these patients. Eight of ten hips in this series were stable upon short-term review. All patients were less than 7 years of age.", "PMID": 622595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4486", "title": "Immediate spica cast system for femoral shaft fractures in infants and children.", "content": "From August 1973 through August 1976, 55 femoral shaft fractures in children were treated by manipulative reduction and immediate application of a double hip spica cast. All had satisfactory results and none had serious complications. Data from the study support our opinion that the immediate spica system is the treatment of choice for these fractures and that traction methods should probably be abandoned as definitive treatment of a femoral shaft fracture in a child.", "contents": "Immediate spica cast system for femoral shaft fractures in infants and children. From August 1973 through August 1976, 55 femoral shaft fractures in children were treated by manipulative reduction and immediate application of a double hip spica cast. All had satisfactory results and none had serious complications. Data from the study support our opinion that the immediate spica system is the treatment of choice for these fractures and that traction methods should probably be abandoned as definitive treatment of a femoral shaft fracture in a child.", "PMID": 622596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4487", "title": "Pyrah technic for ileal conduit diversion: a 16-year experience.", "content": "At our institution, 100 patients had ileal conduit diversion using the Pyrah technic between 1959 and 1975. The results of this technic compare favorably with those of other ileal conduit diversions, and it has the advantage of being somewhat shorter than the standard Bricker procedure. Sixty-seven were done because of benign lesions of the urinary tract and 33 were done as part of the planned treatment of various malignant conditions. We did 56 diversions in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. There were 67 early and 69 late complications, and the complication rate was much higher in patients having preoperative irradiation. The most common complications were wound infections, pyelonephritis, ureteroileal anastomotic leaks or stricture, and stomal stenosis. The upper urinary tracts showed signs of progressive deterioration after diversion in 19% of patients. The operative mortality was 6%. The mortality was four times greater in the group with malignant conditions.", "contents": "Pyrah technic for ileal conduit diversion: a 16-year experience. At our institution, 100 patients had ileal conduit diversion using the Pyrah technic between 1959 and 1975. The results of this technic compare favorably with those of other ileal conduit diversions, and it has the advantage of being somewhat shorter than the standard Bricker procedure. Sixty-seven were done because of benign lesions of the urinary tract and 33 were done as part of the planned treatment of various malignant conditions. We did 56 diversions in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. There were 67 early and 69 late complications, and the complication rate was much higher in patients having preoperative irradiation. The most common complications were wound infections, pyelonephritis, ureteroileal anastomotic leaks or stricture, and stomal stenosis. The upper urinary tracts showed signs of progressive deterioration after diversion in 19% of patients. The operative mortality was 6%. The mortality was four times greater in the group with malignant conditions.", "PMID": 622597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4488", "title": "Management of patients with glaucoma and cataract.", "content": "The recent rise in the number of patients with both glaucoma and cataracts has increased the controversy over the management of these concurrent problems. Visual acuity, strength of medication, and previous surgery must be considered when determining whether to do cataract extraction alone, glaucoma surgery alone, or a combined procedure. We have found that the type of glaucoma the patient has influences our choice of surgery. The combined procedure is reserved for patients who have had repeated attacks of angle-closure glaucoma and those whose open-angle glaucoma is difficult to control. Thermal sclerostomy with cataract extraction was successful in maintaining intraocular pressures of 18 mm Hg or lower without medication in 48 of 58 patients.", "contents": "Management of patients with glaucoma and cataract. The recent rise in the number of patients with both glaucoma and cataracts has increased the controversy over the management of these concurrent problems. Visual acuity, strength of medication, and previous surgery must be considered when determining whether to do cataract extraction alone, glaucoma surgery alone, or a combined procedure. We have found that the type of glaucoma the patient has influences our choice of surgery. The combined procedure is reserved for patients who have had repeated attacks of angle-closure glaucoma and those whose open-angle glaucoma is difficult to control. Thermal sclerostomy with cataract extraction was successful in maintaining intraocular pressures of 18 mm Hg or lower without medication in 48 of 58 patients.", "PMID": 622598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4489", "title": "Coordinated metabolic and obstetric management of diabetic pregnancy.", "content": "Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance, an increase in insulin requirement, and a greater tendency to ketosis and ketoacidosis. Increased perinatal mortality is related to maternal hyperglycemia and can be decreased dramatically with strict control of plasma glucose during pregnancy and a smooth-working obstetrician-internist-neonatologist team. Bad prognostic signs include pyelonephritis, ketoacidosis, toxemia, and poor prenatal care. Timing of delivery is no longer arbitrary at 36 or 37 weeks, but is based upon signs of fetal lung maturation and estimates of fetal risk. Abnormalities in the infant, including congenital abnormalities, biochemical abnormalities, respiratory distress syndrome, and large body weight must be managed in a well-equipped newborn intensive care unit under the care of experienced neonatologists. Strict attention to these principles has resulted in viable infants in the last 36 pregnant diabetic patients delivered at Vanderbilt University Hospital. Therefore, close medical supervision, use of modern obstetric technics, and the availability of a well-equipped and staffed neonatal intensive care unit can result in a good outcome in this group of patients. Finally, the decision for pregnancy must be carefully considered by the diabetic patient, her husband, and her physician long before pregnancy occurs.", "contents": "Coordinated metabolic and obstetric management of diabetic pregnancy. Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance, an increase in insulin requirement, and a greater tendency to ketosis and ketoacidosis. Increased perinatal mortality is related to maternal hyperglycemia and can be decreased dramatically with strict control of plasma glucose during pregnancy and a smooth-working obstetrician-internist-neonatologist team. Bad prognostic signs include pyelonephritis, ketoacidosis, toxemia, and poor prenatal care. Timing of delivery is no longer arbitrary at 36 or 37 weeks, but is based upon signs of fetal lung maturation and estimates of fetal risk. Abnormalities in the infant, including congenital abnormalities, biochemical abnormalities, respiratory distress syndrome, and large body weight must be managed in a well-equipped newborn intensive care unit under the care of experienced neonatologists. Strict attention to these principles has resulted in viable infants in the last 36 pregnant diabetic patients delivered at Vanderbilt University Hospital. Therefore, close medical supervision, use of modern obstetric technics, and the availability of a well-equipped and staffed neonatal intensive care unit can result in a good outcome in this group of patients. Finally, the decision for pregnancy must be carefully considered by the diabetic patient, her husband, and her physician long before pregnancy occurs.", "PMID": 622600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4490", "title": "Role of sodium intake in the antihypertensive effect of propranolol.", "content": "Twelve hypertensive patients had measurements of body weight, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and plasma volume during periods of normal sodium intake and acute sodium depletion. After receiving propranolol orally for four to 14 weeks, repeat measurements were obtained under identical conditions of sodium intake. During normal sodium intake, propranolol therapy was associated with a decrease in plasma renin activity, a variable tendency to an increase in body weight and plasma volume, and a decrease in mean arterial pressure of 5 mm Hg (NS). During sodium restriction, blood pressure was decreased significantly from that observed during normal sodium intake and propranolol added a further significant decrease of 8 mm Hg (P less than .01). Blood pressure reductions obtained with sodium depletion and acute diuretic therapy were approximately the same with or without propranolol. The increase in plasma renin activity expected with sodium depletion and diuretic therapy was not blunted by propranolol.", "contents": "Role of sodium intake in the antihypertensive effect of propranolol. Twelve hypertensive patients had measurements of body weight, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and plasma volume during periods of normal sodium intake and acute sodium depletion. After receiving propranolol orally for four to 14 weeks, repeat measurements were obtained under identical conditions of sodium intake. During normal sodium intake, propranolol therapy was associated with a decrease in plasma renin activity, a variable tendency to an increase in body weight and plasma volume, and a decrease in mean arterial pressure of 5 mm Hg (NS). During sodium restriction, blood pressure was decreased significantly from that observed during normal sodium intake and propranolol added a further significant decrease of 8 mm Hg (P less than .01). Blood pressure reductions obtained with sodium depletion and acute diuretic therapy were approximately the same with or without propranolol. The increase in plasma renin activity expected with sodium depletion and diuretic therapy was not blunted by propranolol.", "PMID": 622601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4491", "title": "Normal hematologic values obtained with a Coulter counter, model S.", "content": "A survey was made of hematologic values obtained with the Coulter Counter, Model S, at American Medical Laboratories, Inc. Blood specimens from 6,887 outpatient men, women, and children were analyzed according to age and sex. Patients being seen by nephrologists, hematologists, and oncologists were excluded from the study. The mean values for white blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration correlated well with values frequently quoted as normal. However, the mean values for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell counts were slightly lower than the commonly accepted normal mean values. This may be a result of newer and more accurate methods of hematologic analysis.", "contents": "Normal hematologic values obtained with a Coulter counter, model S. A survey was made of hematologic values obtained with the Coulter Counter, Model S, at American Medical Laboratories, Inc. Blood specimens from 6,887 outpatient men, women, and children were analyzed according to age and sex. Patients being seen by nephrologists, hematologists, and oncologists were excluded from the study. The mean values for white blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration correlated well with values frequently quoted as normal. However, the mean values for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell counts were slightly lower than the commonly accepted normal mean values. This may be a result of newer and more accurate methods of hematologic analysis.", "PMID": 622602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4492", "title": "Influenza, respiratory distress and clear chest films: report of four cases.", "content": "Four patients developed severe wheezing and dyspnea with clear chest films during the course of an influenza epidemic. A variety of factors appeared to play a role in the pathogenesis of the respiratory distress. Standard bronchodilator therapy produced no appreciable response. All patients did well with supportive care.", "contents": "Influenza, respiratory distress and clear chest films: report of four cases. Four patients developed severe wheezing and dyspnea with clear chest films during the course of an influenza epidemic. A variety of factors appeared to play a role in the pathogenesis of the respiratory distress. Standard bronchodilator therapy produced no appreciable response. All patients did well with supportive care.", "PMID": 622603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4493", "title": "Round window rupture secondary to acoustic trauma.", "content": "Perilymph fistulas are a known cause of sudden hearing loss. The two cases presented illustrate round window ruptures secondary to acoustic trauma. The important considerations are early diagnosis and treatment, the possibility of associated congenital anomalies, and future protection against sound.", "contents": "Round window rupture secondary to acoustic trauma. Perilymph fistulas are a known cause of sudden hearing loss. The two cases presented illustrate round window ruptures secondary to acoustic trauma. The important considerations are early diagnosis and treatment, the possibility of associated congenital anomalies, and future protection against sound.", "PMID": 622604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4494", "title": "Removal of a common duct stone with a \"filet\" T-tube.", "content": "In a patient who had had cholecystectomy, a common duct stone was removed with a filet T-tube, the open limbs of the tube closing around the stone so that it could be pulled out along the track of the T-tube stem. The maneuver was successfully repeated in a dog. The use of the filet tube is recommended when a T-tube is to be placed in the common duct.", "contents": "Removal of a common duct stone with a \"filet\" T-tube. In a patient who had had cholecystectomy, a common duct stone was removed with a filet T-tube, the open limbs of the tube closing around the stone so that it could be pulled out along the track of the T-tube stem. The maneuver was successfully repeated in a dog. The use of the filet tube is recommended when a T-tube is to be placed in the common duct.", "PMID": 622605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4495", "title": "Calcified mesenteric cyst.", "content": "Reported is a case of a calcified mesenteric cyst that was causing obstruction of the small bowel. Because only roughly one case occurs per 100,000 hospital admissions, mesenteric cysts are rarely thought of and may be difficult to diagnose. The differential diagnosis includes such critical lesions as aortic aneurysm, pancreatitis, ovarian cysts, omental cysts, and lipomas of the mesentery. The proper treatment of these rare lesions is somewhat influenced by causative factors: embryonic, traumatic, neoplastic, infectious, or degenerative. Surgical excision or enucleation is preferred to internal or external drainage. Ultrasonography is becoming increasingly valuable as a diagnostic tool.", "contents": "Calcified mesenteric cyst. Reported is a case of a calcified mesenteric cyst that was causing obstruction of the small bowel. Because only roughly one case occurs per 100,000 hospital admissions, mesenteric cysts are rarely thought of and may be difficult to diagnose. The differential diagnosis includes such critical lesions as aortic aneurysm, pancreatitis, ovarian cysts, omental cysts, and lipomas of the mesentery. The proper treatment of these rare lesions is somewhat influenced by causative factors: embryonic, traumatic, neoplastic, infectious, or degenerative. Surgical excision or enucleation is preferred to internal or external drainage. Ultrasonography is becoming increasingly valuable as a diagnostic tool.", "PMID": 622606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4496", "title": "Pregnancy complicated by thoracolumbar scoliosis.", "content": "Pregnancies complicated by severe thoracolumbar scoliosis may be affected by obstetric and cardiovascular complications. This case report of a pregnant woman with severe thoracolumbar scoliosis includes extensive documentation of complications by pulmonary function studies and peripartum arterial blood gas analysis. The differences between the physiologic changes of normal pregnancies and those of pregnancies with scoliosis are described.", "contents": "Pregnancy complicated by thoracolumbar scoliosis. Pregnancies complicated by severe thoracolumbar scoliosis may be affected by obstetric and cardiovascular complications. This case report of a pregnant woman with severe thoracolumbar scoliosis includes extensive documentation of complications by pulmonary function studies and peripartum arterial blood gas analysis. The differences between the physiologic changes of normal pregnancies and those of pregnancies with scoliosis are described.", "PMID": 622607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4497", "title": "Nonotosclerotic ankylosis of the stapedial footplate.", "content": "A woman with a long history of chronic otitis media had a stapedectomy after a surgical diagnosis of otosclerosis. In the histologic study of the temporal bones, done after her death four years later, the main portion of the stapes footplate was present but fractured and no otosclerosis was present. New celluluar bone which simulated otosclerosis filled the anterior oval window niche and was continuous with the middle ear surface of the footplate fragments. The new bone extended anteriorly to overlie a tympanosclerotic focus and inferiorly was continuous with the periosteum of the middle ear. At least part of the new bone formation occurred after stapedectomy. This may explain the poor long-term results frequently encountered when a stapedectomy is done on patients with tympanosclerotic fixation of the stapes footplate.", "contents": "Nonotosclerotic ankylosis of the stapedial footplate. A woman with a long history of chronic otitis media had a stapedectomy after a surgical diagnosis of otosclerosis. In the histologic study of the temporal bones, done after her death four years later, the main portion of the stapes footplate was present but fractured and no otosclerosis was present. New celluluar bone which simulated otosclerosis filled the anterior oval window niche and was continuous with the middle ear surface of the footplate fragments. The new bone extended anteriorly to overlie a tympanosclerotic focus and inferiorly was continuous with the periosteum of the middle ear. At least part of the new bone formation occurred after stapedectomy. This may explain the poor long-term results frequently encountered when a stapedectomy is done on patients with tympanosclerotic fixation of the stapes footplate.", "PMID": 622608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4498", "title": "Acute appendicitis in a child associated with prolonged appendiceal retention of barium (barium appendicitis).", "content": "An instance of acute appendicitis in a child associated with prolonged retention of barium by the appendix and formation of a barolith was presented. Previous reports have implicated barium in the etiology of appendicitis and suggest routine roentgenographic follow-up of all cases in which barium enters the appendix. Considering the frequency of this observation and the lack of an established relationship between prolonged retention of barium and appendicitis, this suggestion seems unwarranted.", "contents": "Acute appendicitis in a child associated with prolonged appendiceal retention of barium (barium appendicitis). An instance of acute appendicitis in a child associated with prolonged retention of barium by the appendix and formation of a barolith was presented. Previous reports have implicated barium in the etiology of appendicitis and suggest routine roentgenographic follow-up of all cases in which barium enters the appendix. Considering the frequency of this observation and the lack of an established relationship between prolonged retention of barium and appendicitis, this suggestion seems unwarranted.", "PMID": 622609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4499", "title": "Carbenicillin nephrotoxicity.", "content": "A patient with biopsy-proven interstitial nephritis associated with nafcillin and dicloxacillin therapy developed fever, hematuria, pyuria, and renal insufficiency after the administration of carbenicilin five months later. Cephalosporin therapy was given to this patient without signs of renal toxicity. This is the first reported case of probable carbenicillin-induced interstitial nephritis and serves to emphasize the danger of giving any penicillin analogue to patients with a history of pencillin-induced interstitial nephritis.", "contents": "Carbenicillin nephrotoxicity. A patient with biopsy-proven interstitial nephritis associated with nafcillin and dicloxacillin therapy developed fever, hematuria, pyuria, and renal insufficiency after the administration of carbenicilin five months later. Cephalosporin therapy was given to this patient without signs of renal toxicity. This is the first reported case of probable carbenicillin-induced interstitial nephritis and serves to emphasize the danger of giving any penicillin analogue to patients with a history of pencillin-induced interstitial nephritis.", "PMID": 622610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4500", "title": "Deafness associated with oral furosemide.", "content": "A patient with Hodgkin's disease and renal insufficiency became deaf while being treated with high dose oral furosemide. Cessation of furosemide was associated with improvement in his hearing. However, at the time of his death, 11 days after stopping the furosemide, significant hearing impairment was still present. It is suggested that oral furosemide be considered potentially ototoxic, particularly in patients with compromised renal function.", "contents": "Deafness associated with oral furosemide. A patient with Hodgkin's disease and renal insufficiency became deaf while being treated with high dose oral furosemide. Cessation of furosemide was associated with improvement in his hearing. However, at the time of his death, 11 days after stopping the furosemide, significant hearing impairment was still present. It is suggested that oral furosemide be considered potentially ototoxic, particularly in patients with compromised renal function.", "PMID": 622611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4501", "title": "Fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma: a rare benign pulmonary \"coin lesion\".", "content": "A discussion of pulmonary hamartomas is presented along with a case presentation of a rare form, the fibroleiomyomatous variety. The need to differentiate these tumors from primary or even secondary malignant neoplasms always requires tissue diagnosis, necessitating surgical excision.", "contents": "Fibroleiomyomatous hamartoma: a rare benign pulmonary \"coin lesion\". A discussion of pulmonary hamartomas is presented along with a case presentation of a rare form, the fibroleiomyomatous variety. The need to differentiate these tumors from primary or even secondary malignant neoplasms always requires tissue diagnosis, necessitating surgical excision.", "PMID": 622612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4502", "title": "Bronchial carcinoids and hormonal disorder.", "content": "The relationship between bronchial carcinoids and hormonal disorder is reviewed in the light of a study of 24 patients with carcinoid tumors of the bronchus. In this series, two patients presented with manifestations of the polyendocrine disorder. The common origin of carcinoid tumors and other APUD cells from neural crest ectoderm provides a common denominator in the association of carcinoid tumors of the bronchus and adenomas, or carcinoma of associated endocrine organs.", "contents": "Bronchial carcinoids and hormonal disorder. The relationship between bronchial carcinoids and hormonal disorder is reviewed in the light of a study of 24 patients with carcinoid tumors of the bronchus. In this series, two patients presented with manifestations of the polyendocrine disorder. The common origin of carcinoid tumors and other APUD cells from neural crest ectoderm provides a common denominator in the association of carcinoid tumors of the bronchus and adenomas, or carcinoma of associated endocrine organs.", "PMID": 622615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4503", "title": "Supraglottic laryngectomy.", "content": "This paper describes the experience with subtotal supraglottic laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma at the Department of Otolaryngology of the Tulane University School of Medicine. Of 36 patients, 32 (89%) had local control of diseases at one year. Of 27 patients followed up for at least three years, 22 (81%) are free of disease. Postoperative aspiration was the most frequent complication, but was a serious problem in only one patient. Because of the significant functional advantage of partial laryngectomy, the high rate of disease control, and an acceptable complication rate, we believe supraglottic laryngectomy is the procedure of choice for laryngeal carcinoma in selected patients.", "contents": "Supraglottic laryngectomy. This paper describes the experience with subtotal supraglottic laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma at the Department of Otolaryngology of the Tulane University School of Medicine. Of 36 patients, 32 (89%) had local control of diseases at one year. Of 27 patients followed up for at least three years, 22 (81%) are free of disease. Postoperative aspiration was the most frequent complication, but was a serious problem in only one patient. Because of the significant functional advantage of partial laryngectomy, the high rate of disease control, and an acceptable complication rate, we believe supraglottic laryngectomy is the procedure of choice for laryngeal carcinoma in selected patients.", "PMID": 622617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4504", "title": "Nasal masses in infants and children.", "content": "Nasal or perinasal masses in children may be classified as congenital or developmental masses, inflammatory lesions, or benign or malignant neoplasms. Because of a possible connection with the central nervous system, nasal masses may be difficult to manage. A premature biopsy, or even a noninvasive palpation, may precipitate intracranial infection, meningitis, or severe bleeding. The indolent nature and benign appearance of these lesions shold not lead to deferral of complete evaluation and appropriate treatment.", "contents": "Nasal masses in infants and children. Nasal or perinasal masses in children may be classified as congenital or developmental masses, inflammatory lesions, or benign or malignant neoplasms. Because of a possible connection with the central nervous system, nasal masses may be difficult to manage. A premature biopsy, or even a noninvasive palpation, may precipitate intracranial infection, meningitis, or severe bleeding. The indolent nature and benign appearance of these lesions shold not lead to deferral of complete evaluation and appropriate treatment.", "PMID": 622618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4505", "title": "Bronchoscopy in the community hospital.", "content": "A new Pulmonary Medicine-Thoracic Surgery service was established in a community hospital in July 1974. This report details the experience of 409 bronchoscopies performed from July 1, 1974 through Dec 31, 1976. There were no deaths and four complications--one aspiration and three pneumothoraces resulting from transbronchial lung biopsy. Final diagnoses for which bronchoscopy was done were as follows: cancer--141; infectious disease--97; interstitial disease--33; obstructive lung disease--58; hemoptysis--35; miscellaneous--45. In the cancer group, a cytohistologic diagnosis was made in 82 patients by bronchoscopy alone, 31 additional diagnoses were made by scalene node biopsy or mediastinoscopy, and the remainder by surgical exploration and/or resection. In 268 patients with benign disease, bronchoscopy established the diagnosis in 87% of the cases. Pulmonary Medicine tended not to repeat nondiagnostic bronchoscopy but rather to refer immediately for a definitive surgical procedure. Thoracic Surgery tended not to reduplicate bronchoscopy for the purpose of \"confirmation.\" A conjoint medical-surgical approach to bronchial disease, at the community level and based on a mutual understanding of capability and limitation, is feasible, productive, and economical.", "contents": "Bronchoscopy in the community hospital. A new Pulmonary Medicine-Thoracic Surgery service was established in a community hospital in July 1974. This report details the experience of 409 bronchoscopies performed from July 1, 1974 through Dec 31, 1976. There were no deaths and four complications--one aspiration and three pneumothoraces resulting from transbronchial lung biopsy. Final diagnoses for which bronchoscopy was done were as follows: cancer--141; infectious disease--97; interstitial disease--33; obstructive lung disease--58; hemoptysis--35; miscellaneous--45. In the cancer group, a cytohistologic diagnosis was made in 82 patients by bronchoscopy alone, 31 additional diagnoses were made by scalene node biopsy or mediastinoscopy, and the remainder by surgical exploration and/or resection. In 268 patients with benign disease, bronchoscopy established the diagnosis in 87% of the cases. Pulmonary Medicine tended not to repeat nondiagnostic bronchoscopy but rather to refer immediately for a definitive surgical procedure. Thoracic Surgery tended not to reduplicate bronchoscopy for the purpose of \"confirmation.\" A conjoint medical-surgical approach to bronchial disease, at the community level and based on a mutual understanding of capability and limitation, is feasible, productive, and economical.", "PMID": 622619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4506", "title": "Gastroscopy in surgical practice.", "content": "We reviewed the records of 100 consecutive patients who had gastroscopy. All endoscopic work was done by our four-man surgical group. Roentgenographic and endoscopic diagnoses are compared with reference to degree of accuracy. The expanded uses of gastroscopy in surgical practice are illustrated and a plea is made for increased involvement of surgeons in the rapidly expanding field of endoscopy.", "contents": "Gastroscopy in surgical practice. We reviewed the records of 100 consecutive patients who had gastroscopy. All endoscopic work was done by our four-man surgical group. Roentgenographic and endoscopic diagnoses are compared with reference to degree of accuracy. The expanded uses of gastroscopy in surgical practice are illustrated and a plea is made for increased involvement of surgeons in the rapidly expanding field of endoscopy.", "PMID": 622620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4507", "title": "Approach to the management of pleural effusion in malignancy.", "content": "The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to malignant pleural effusions are reviewed, and data on the retrospective study of 37 patients are presented with respect to diagnosis and management. All patients with stable effusions should be managed with systemic therapy for the primary tumor when an effective agent is available. When it becomes necessary to use local therapeutic measures, thoracostomy tube drainage with local instillation of tetracycline is recommended.", "contents": "Approach to the management of pleural effusion in malignancy. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to malignant pleural effusions are reviewed, and data on the retrospective study of 37 patients are presented with respect to diagnosis and management. All patients with stable effusions should be managed with systemic therapy for the primary tumor when an effective agent is available. When it becomes necessary to use local therapeutic measures, thoracostomy tube drainage with local instillation of tetracycline is recommended.", "PMID": 622621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4508", "title": "Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy.", "content": "Occurrence of the carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy was studied by examining 100 consecutive obstetric admissions. Twenty-one patients reported paresthesias or hypesthesia in the median nerve sensory distribution of the hand during the pregnancy; eight of these had decreased sensation subjectively at the time of examination one to three days after delivery; two had trophic changes, loss of sudomotor function, thenar atrophy, and decreased two-point discrimination; and one had a delay in motor conduction time across the carpal tunnel. Of the 21 patients, 18 became asymptomatic before or shortly after delivery. The remaining three were asymptomatic three months after delivery. We conclude that the incidence of symptoms is probably greater than usually appreciated, but that few patients require treatment. Steroid injection may occassionally be necessary, but the need for surgical intervention is rare.", "contents": "Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy. Occurrence of the carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy was studied by examining 100 consecutive obstetric admissions. Twenty-one patients reported paresthesias or hypesthesia in the median nerve sensory distribution of the hand during the pregnancy; eight of these had decreased sensation subjectively at the time of examination one to three days after delivery; two had trophic changes, loss of sudomotor function, thenar atrophy, and decreased two-point discrimination; and one had a delay in motor conduction time across the carpal tunnel. Of the 21 patients, 18 became asymptomatic before or shortly after delivery. The remaining three were asymptomatic three months after delivery. We conclude that the incidence of symptoms is probably greater than usually appreciated, but that few patients require treatment. Steroid injection may occassionally be necessary, but the need for surgical intervention is rare.", "PMID": 622622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4509", "title": "Zickel nail: a retrospective study of subtrochanteric fractures.", "content": "Nineteen subtrochanteric fractures were treated at Charlotte Memorial Hospital and Medical Center between March 1973 and March 1976 by open reduction and internal fixation using the Zickel nail. Postoperative roentgenograms showed the cross-nail exiting the femoral neck in three of the cases, but this later proved not to be significant. Of the 16 patients available for follow-up all were ambulatory unassisted or with a walker within two months of surgery. Radiographically evident healing averaged 4.1 months. There were no non-unions and no infections. Our data support the use of the Zickel nail in the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures.", "contents": "Zickel nail: a retrospective study of subtrochanteric fractures. Nineteen subtrochanteric fractures were treated at Charlotte Memorial Hospital and Medical Center between March 1973 and March 1976 by open reduction and internal fixation using the Zickel nail. Postoperative roentgenograms showed the cross-nail exiting the femoral neck in three of the cases, but this later proved not to be significant. Of the 16 patients available for follow-up all were ambulatory unassisted or with a walker within two months of surgery. Radiographically evident healing averaged 4.1 months. There were no non-unions and no infections. Our data support the use of the Zickel nail in the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures.", "PMID": 622623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4510", "title": "On defining microcardia: application in pulmonary emphysema.", "content": "Pulmonary emphysema was the disease entity from which we derived a definition for microcardia in males. After the fourth decade, a cardiothoracic ratio of 38% or less is considered to represent a small heart. Among male Veterans Hospital patients between the ages of 41 and 83, the probability of an individual without emphysema having a cardiothoracic ratio of 38% or less was under 1%. Microcardia, even as an isolated sign, should make one suspect strongly the presence of subclinical emphysema and to consider instituting a prophylactic regimen. Hearts should be measured to judge not only increased size but decreased size in both patient and examinee groups.", "contents": "On defining microcardia: application in pulmonary emphysema. Pulmonary emphysema was the disease entity from which we derived a definition for microcardia in males. After the fourth decade, a cardiothoracic ratio of 38% or less is considered to represent a small heart. Among male Veterans Hospital patients between the ages of 41 and 83, the probability of an individual without emphysema having a cardiothoracic ratio of 38% or less was under 1%. Microcardia, even as an isolated sign, should make one suspect strongly the presence of subclinical emphysema and to consider instituting a prophylactic regimen. Hearts should be measured to judge not only increased size but decreased size in both patient and examinee groups.", "PMID": 622624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4511", "title": "Intraoperative patient monitoring: a method of analyzing esophageal phonocardiograms.", "content": "The value of esophageal phonocardiography as a noninvasive monitor during anesthesia was studied in dogs. Esophageal phonocardiograms were analyzed using fast Fourier transform and least squares linear regression technics. This method has demonstrated that it is feasible to estimate two parameters of cardiac contractility--1/(PEP)2 and stroke power--and one parameter that demonstrates the state of the vasculature--total peripheral resistance. A continuous time (analog) processor that will accomplish this task is described.", "contents": "Intraoperative patient monitoring: a method of analyzing esophageal phonocardiograms. The value of esophageal phonocardiography as a noninvasive monitor during anesthesia was studied in dogs. Esophageal phonocardiograms were analyzed using fast Fourier transform and least squares linear regression technics. This method has demonstrated that it is feasible to estimate two parameters of cardiac contractility--1/(PEP)2 and stroke power--and one parameter that demonstrates the state of the vasculature--total peripheral resistance. A continuous time (analog) processor that will accomplish this task is described.", "PMID": 622625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4512", "title": "Hair transplantation using local hypothermia.", "content": "The frequency of hair transplantation for treatment of male alopecia is increasing, and much time is consumed in free scalp plug removal and implantation. The amount of time depends upon the number of grafts required. Plugs ranging in diameter from 2 to 4 mm are recommended since larger sizes have increased fibrosis and decreased hair growth. Composite grafts show greater survival when cooled; therefore, a method of local hypothermia and 5.5 mm scalp plugs were used in this study. The lowered temperature of the recipient site during the early postoperative days permitted the use of the larger grafts without fibrosis, hematoma, or infection and with improved hair growth. This technic allows better quality of hair growth, requires fewer hair plugs, and decreases operating time.", "contents": "Hair transplantation using local hypothermia. The frequency of hair transplantation for treatment of male alopecia is increasing, and much time is consumed in free scalp plug removal and implantation. The amount of time depends upon the number of grafts required. Plugs ranging in diameter from 2 to 4 mm are recommended since larger sizes have increased fibrosis and decreased hair growth. Composite grafts show greater survival when cooled; therefore, a method of local hypothermia and 5.5 mm scalp plugs were used in this study. The lowered temperature of the recipient site during the early postoperative days permitted the use of the larger grafts without fibrosis, hematoma, or infection and with improved hair growth. This technic allows better quality of hair growth, requires fewer hair plugs, and decreases operating time.", "PMID": 622626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4513", "title": "Oxygen concentrations received from commonly used delivery systems.", "content": "The mean inhaled oxygen concentrations received from five devices commonly used for delivering supplemental oxygen to spontaneously breathing patients were determined. The ideal technic for the determination would require direct measurement of mean alveolar oxygen concentration. Since this is not feasible, we plotted arterial oxygen tensions against known inhaled oxygen concentrations in volunteers. The fitted equations were then used to determine mean inhaled oxygen concentrations received by the volunteers while breathing from each device. The volunteers received accurately determined oxygen concentrations from those devices employing the Venturi principle at settings of 40% or less. The concentrations received did not coincide with the settings with the Venturi devices above 40%, and highly variable with the non-Venturi devices. Variability in the concentrations received was related to the fact that the volunteers' peak inspiratory flow rates exceeded total gas flows delivered by the devices.", "contents": "Oxygen concentrations received from commonly used delivery systems. The mean inhaled oxygen concentrations received from five devices commonly used for delivering supplemental oxygen to spontaneously breathing patients were determined. The ideal technic for the determination would require direct measurement of mean alveolar oxygen concentration. Since this is not feasible, we plotted arterial oxygen tensions against known inhaled oxygen concentrations in volunteers. The fitted equations were then used to determine mean inhaled oxygen concentrations received by the volunteers while breathing from each device. The volunteers received accurately determined oxygen concentrations from those devices employing the Venturi principle at settings of 40% or less. The concentrations received did not coincide with the settings with the Venturi devices above 40%, and highly variable with the non-Venturi devices. Variability in the concentrations received was related to the fact that the volunteers' peak inspiratory flow rates exceeded total gas flows delivered by the devices.", "PMID": 622627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4514", "title": "Angiography of the pancreas.", "content": "The diagnostic potentials of pancreatic angiography are discussed on the basis of four illustrative cases and a review of the pertinent literature. It is concluded that selective visceral angiography properly applied is of great value in diagnosing carcinoma of the pancreas and in determining resectability of pancreatic tumors.", "contents": "Angiography of the pancreas. The diagnostic potentials of pancreatic angiography are discussed on the basis of four illustrative cases and a review of the pertinent literature. It is concluded that selective visceral angiography properly applied is of great value in diagnosing carcinoma of the pancreas and in determining resectability of pancreatic tumors.", "PMID": 622628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4515", "title": "Preoperative oral antacid therapy for patients requiring emergency surgery.", "content": "Preoperative oral antacid therapy has been used effectively to reduce the number of emergency obstetric patients \"at risk\" of developing acid-aspiration syndrome. Thirty-three nonobstetric adult patients requiring emergency surgery were selected to determine whether the protective effects of antacid therapy could also be derived in this high-risk group. Maalox-treated patients had a mean gastric pH of 6.46 +/- 0.5 and gastric volume 21.5 +/- 3.6 ml, with none at risk, whereas control patients had mean pH of 3.71 +/- 0.43, gastric volume 71.5 +/- 16.5 ml, and 42.1% at risk. This report suggests that preoperative antacid therapy should reduce the incidence of acid aspiration and subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients requiring emergency surgery.", "contents": "Preoperative oral antacid therapy for patients requiring emergency surgery. Preoperative oral antacid therapy has been used effectively to reduce the number of emergency obstetric patients \"at risk\" of developing acid-aspiration syndrome. Thirty-three nonobstetric adult patients requiring emergency surgery were selected to determine whether the protective effects of antacid therapy could also be derived in this high-risk group. Maalox-treated patients had a mean gastric pH of 6.46 +/- 0.5 and gastric volume 21.5 +/- 3.6 ml, with none at risk, whereas control patients had mean pH of 3.71 +/- 0.43, gastric volume 71.5 +/- 16.5 ml, and 42.1% at risk. This report suggests that preoperative antacid therapy should reduce the incidence of acid aspiration and subsequent morbidity and mortality in patients requiring emergency surgery.", "PMID": 622629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4516", "title": "Blastomycosis of fronto-ethmoid complex.", "content": "Blastomycosis in children is relatively infrequent. Further, osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, which prior to the antibiotic era occurred more frequently and was mostly due to pyogenic cocci, is rare today. We described a case of frontal osteomyelitis in a child due to blastomycosis which occurred in the absence of frontal sinuses. To our knowledge this rare combination of factors has not previously been reported.", "contents": "Blastomycosis of fronto-ethmoid complex. Blastomycosis in children is relatively infrequent. Further, osteomyelitis of the frontal bone, which prior to the antibiotic era occurred more frequently and was mostly due to pyogenic cocci, is rare today. We described a case of frontal osteomyelitis in a child due to blastomycosis which occurred in the absence of frontal sinuses. To our knowledge this rare combination of factors has not previously been reported.", "PMID": 622630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4517", "title": "Gonococcal arthritis in the elderly.", "content": "A 60-year-old women presented with an acute, suppurative, monoarticular arthritis due to N gonorrhoea. Appropriate therapy was delayed because of failure to consider gonococcal infection in the differential diagnosis of pyoarthritis in the elderly. We suggest that this entity should be considered in the managment of acute, suppurative arthritis regardless of the age or physical diability of the patient.", "contents": "Gonococcal arthritis in the elderly. A 60-year-old women presented with an acute, suppurative, monoarticular arthritis due to N gonorrhoea. Appropriate therapy was delayed because of failure to consider gonococcal infection in the differential diagnosis of pyoarthritis in the elderly. We suggest that this entity should be considered in the managment of acute, suppurative arthritis regardless of the age or physical diability of the patient.", "PMID": 622634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4518", "title": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct.", "content": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct in a young woman was treated with pancreatoduodenectomy and chemotherapy. She died eight months after diagnosis. Clinical presentation and aggressiveness of the tumor are similar to adenocarcinoma. Radical resection is the treatment of choice, particulary in young patients.", "contents": "Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct. Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct in a young woman was treated with pancreatoduodenectomy and chemotherapy. She died eight months after diagnosis. Clinical presentation and aggressiveness of the tumor are similar to adenocarcinoma. Radical resection is the treatment of choice, particulary in young patients.", "PMID": 622635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4519", "title": "Retropharyngeal abscess after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: an uncommon but potentially fatal complication.", "content": "Diagnostic cholangiopancreatography is a useful procedure which is attended by a relatively low incidence of immediate or delayed complications. Perforation of the esophagus or gut, myocardial infarction, hemorrhage, cholangitis, and pancreatitis are the most commonly reported morbid or fatal events. This paper reported a case of retropharyngeal abscess which led to tracheal compression requiring an emergency tracheostomy and antibiotic therapy after a routine ERCP procedure. This dramatic case pointed out an unusual but potentially fatal complication of diagnostic ERCP.", "contents": "Retropharyngeal abscess after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: an uncommon but potentially fatal complication. Diagnostic cholangiopancreatography is a useful procedure which is attended by a relatively low incidence of immediate or delayed complications. Perforation of the esophagus or gut, myocardial infarction, hemorrhage, cholangitis, and pancreatitis are the most commonly reported morbid or fatal events. This paper reported a case of retropharyngeal abscess which led to tracheal compression requiring an emergency tracheostomy and antibiotic therapy after a routine ERCP procedure. This dramatic case pointed out an unusual but potentially fatal complication of diagnostic ERCP.", "PMID": 622636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4520", "title": "Long term results of Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.", "content": "One hundred and twenty-three patients with benign diseases involving the bile ducts, curable by biliary bypass, underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and the long term results of this operation were evaluated to ascertain if hepaticojejunostomy is a safe and durable procedure. There were no operative deaths. A peptic ulcer developed postoperatively in two patients. Only one instance of anastomotic stenosis was observed at follow-up study, averaging 5.5 years. Six of the 11 patients with postoperative biliary symptoms had intrahepatic lithiasis, a possible indication that the symptoms were due to temporary obstruction of the anastomosis by residual stones. A refined operative technique has improved the results which over-all are highly satisfactory.", "contents": "Long term results of Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. One hundred and twenty-three patients with benign diseases involving the bile ducts, curable by biliary bypass, underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and the long term results of this operation were evaluated to ascertain if hepaticojejunostomy is a safe and durable procedure. There were no operative deaths. A peptic ulcer developed postoperatively in two patients. Only one instance of anastomotic stenosis was observed at follow-up study, averaging 5.5 years. Six of the 11 patients with postoperative biliary symptoms had intrahepatic lithiasis, a possible indication that the symptoms were due to temporary obstruction of the anastomosis by residual stones. A refined operative technique has improved the results which over-all are highly satisfactory.", "PMID": 622659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4521", "title": "A clinical evaluation of impedance rheography in peripheral arterial disease.", "content": "The impedance rheograph has been shown to give values of blood flow consistent with a history of vascular insufficiency; normal limbs having a mean flow of 6.9 +/- 1.6 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume and diseased limbs having a proportionately reduced flow. The most reduced flow was found in those with rest pain or severe claudication, 1.7 +/- 0.8 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume. It is suggested that this technique may be useful clinically in assessing patients before treatment and, subsequently, as an objective evaluation of that treatment.", "contents": "A clinical evaluation of impedance rheography in peripheral arterial disease. The impedance rheograph has been shown to give values of blood flow consistent with a history of vascular insufficiency; normal limbs having a mean flow of 6.9 +/- 1.6 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume and diseased limbs having a proportionately reduced flow. The most reduced flow was found in those with rest pain or severe claudication, 1.7 +/- 0.8 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume. It is suggested that this technique may be useful clinically in assessing patients before treatment and, subsequently, as an objective evaluation of that treatment.", "PMID": 622660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4522", "title": "The clinical basis for a simplified classification of anorectal agenesis.", "content": "Sixty consecutive patients with anorectal agenesis were seen during a ten year period. Among 41 boys and 19 girls, there were 35 supralevator and 25 infralevator abnormalities; associated anomalies were present in 38 patients. The over-all mortality was 23 per cent. A simplified classification of anorectal agenesis, based on therapeutic considerations, is proposed. It consists of four basic groups: male high and low and female high and low. A low lesion is defined as having a visible opening or membrane covered opening in the perineum in the male or a visible opening in the introitus or perineum in the female. These infants are managed with simple dilations of the fistula; definitive perineal anoplasty, if necessary, is deferred until the child is six months of age or older. All other lesions are defined as high lesions and are treated in the newborn period with a colostomy. Sacroperineal or sacroabdominoperineal rectoplasty is deferred until the infant is six to 12 months of age. The use of this classification as well as the judgments it implies in the timing of operative procedures will avoid dangerous perineal dissections in the newborn.", "contents": "The clinical basis for a simplified classification of anorectal agenesis. Sixty consecutive patients with anorectal agenesis were seen during a ten year period. Among 41 boys and 19 girls, there were 35 supralevator and 25 infralevator abnormalities; associated anomalies were present in 38 patients. The over-all mortality was 23 per cent. A simplified classification of anorectal agenesis, based on therapeutic considerations, is proposed. It consists of four basic groups: male high and low and female high and low. A low lesion is defined as having a visible opening or membrane covered opening in the perineum in the male or a visible opening in the introitus or perineum in the female. These infants are managed with simple dilations of the fistula; definitive perineal anoplasty, if necessary, is deferred until the child is six months of age or older. All other lesions are defined as high lesions and are treated in the newborn period with a colostomy. Sacroperineal or sacroabdominoperineal rectoplasty is deferred until the infant is six to 12 months of age. The use of this classification as well as the judgments it implies in the timing of operative procedures will avoid dangerous perineal dissections in the newborn.", "PMID": 622661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4523", "title": "The rational use of drains after cholecystectomy.", "content": "A study of patients who had a cholecystectomy compared the use of sump drains and Penrose drains. Sump drains were removed as soon as the indication for the presence of the drain no longer existed. Penrose drains were managed in the traditional way. The safety of early drain removal in selected patients was demonstrated. This technique offers most of the advantage and little of the risk of omitting drains entirely. The length of hospital stay for those patients who underwent a cholecystectomy can be significantly shortened by this technique;", "contents": "The rational use of drains after cholecystectomy. A study of patients who had a cholecystectomy compared the use of sump drains and Penrose drains. Sump drains were removed as soon as the indication for the presence of the drain no longer existed. Penrose drains were managed in the traditional way. The safety of early drain removal in selected patients was demonstrated. This technique offers most of the advantage and little of the risk of omitting drains entirely. The length of hospital stay for those patients who underwent a cholecystectomy can be significantly shortened by this technique;", "PMID": 622663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4524", "title": "The role of ischemia in the pathogenesis of stress induced gastric lesions in piglets.", "content": "Ten conscious piglets were subjected to hemorrhagic shock for three hours. Nine surviving piglets showed severe stress induced gastric mucosal lesions in the gastric fundus and corpus. Total as well as regional gastric blood flow was measured, 8 micron radioactive microspheres, in the same piglets before--control--and during hemorrhagic shock. Total gastric blood flow fell almost 90 per cent uring shock. There was a significantly higher flow reduction in the mucosa of the corpus and fundus, where almost all of the stress lesions were found. Measurement of blood flow within these lesions demonstrated a fall approximately to zero. Ischemia seems to be an important pathogenetic factor of gastric stress lesions. This may possibly render the gastric mucosa more susceptible to other injurious factors.", "contents": "The role of ischemia in the pathogenesis of stress induced gastric lesions in piglets. Ten conscious piglets were subjected to hemorrhagic shock for three hours. Nine surviving piglets showed severe stress induced gastric mucosal lesions in the gastric fundus and corpus. Total as well as regional gastric blood flow was measured, 8 micron radioactive microspheres, in the same piglets before--control--and during hemorrhagic shock. Total gastric blood flow fell almost 90 per cent uring shock. There was a significantly higher flow reduction in the mucosa of the corpus and fundus, where almost all of the stress lesions were found. Measurement of blood flow within these lesions demonstrated a fall approximately to zero. Ischemia seems to be an important pathogenetic factor of gastric stress lesions. This may possibly render the gastric mucosa more susceptible to other injurious factors.", "PMID": 622666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4525", "title": "Carcinoma in situ of the distal part of the colon and of the rectum.", "content": "One hundred and three patients with carcinoma in situ in the rectum, rectosigmoid and sigmoid colon were evaluated retrospeactively. The majority of the lesions occurred within an adenomatous polyp. A synchronous invasive carcinoma of the colon was present in 43 patients, whereas 42 patients had carcinoma in situ unassociated with another malignant neoplasm or major medical illness. In the latter group of patients, adequate treatment of carcinoma in situ resulted in cure, while two patients who refused treatment died of invasive carcinoma of the colon. Adequate treatment could be obtained by local excision or intestinal resection, depending upon the size and the location of the lesion.", "contents": "Carcinoma in situ of the distal part of the colon and of the rectum. One hundred and three patients with carcinoma in situ in the rectum, rectosigmoid and sigmoid colon were evaluated retrospeactively. The majority of the lesions occurred within an adenomatous polyp. A synchronous invasive carcinoma of the colon was present in 43 patients, whereas 42 patients had carcinoma in situ unassociated with another malignant neoplasm or major medical illness. In the latter group of patients, adequate treatment of carcinoma in situ resulted in cure, while two patients who refused treatment died of invasive carcinoma of the colon. Adequate treatment could be obtained by local excision or intestinal resection, depending upon the size and the location of the lesion.", "PMID": 622667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4526", "title": "Adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy in high risk patients with melanoma.", "content": "Thirty-one patients with Stage II cutaneous melanoma received adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy after radical excision of the primary and regional lymph nodes. Vaccinations with bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin produced minimal systemic reactions and was better tolerated by the patients than was chemotherapy. A higher survival rate and disease-free interval were noted in patients treated with bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin than those receving dimethyl Triazeno-imidazole carboximide. These results suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy with dimethyl Triazenoimidazole carboximide alone is not beneficial in the treatment of high risk patients with melanoma. In this study, adjuvant bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin therapy appears to be more advantageous than does chemotherapy.", "contents": "Adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy in high risk patients with melanoma. Thirty-one patients with Stage II cutaneous melanoma received adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy after radical excision of the primary and regional lymph nodes. Vaccinations with bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin produced minimal systemic reactions and was better tolerated by the patients than was chemotherapy. A higher survival rate and disease-free interval were noted in patients treated with bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin than those receving dimethyl Triazeno-imidazole carboximide. These results suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy with dimethyl Triazenoimidazole carboximide alone is not beneficial in the treatment of high risk patients with melanoma. In this study, adjuvant bacille Calmette Gu\u00e9rin therapy appears to be more advantageous than does chemotherapy.", "PMID": 622668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4527", "title": "Vascular trauma observed at an urban hospital center.", "content": "The records of 50 patients with 67 major civilian type vascular injuries treated in a large urban center from 1967 to 1975 were reviewed in terms of nature of the injury, form of surgical management and early and late results. Civilian injuries differ in many aspects from those of their military counterparts and often require different treatment. In both, however, treatment protocols should be periodically re-evaluated for a number of reasons, chiefly among which are changing patterns of delivery of the injured patient to the medical center and advances in technical skills. Notable in the presently reported series were the low mortality and the absence of a need for amputation, with a limb salvage rate of 100 per cent. Despite modern advances in technical proficiency in vascular reconstruction, there is still a place for careful vascular ligation in the definitive surgical management of major vascular trauma.", "contents": "Vascular trauma observed at an urban hospital center. The records of 50 patients with 67 major civilian type vascular injuries treated in a large urban center from 1967 to 1975 were reviewed in terms of nature of the injury, form of surgical management and early and late results. Civilian injuries differ in many aspects from those of their military counterparts and often require different treatment. In both, however, treatment protocols should be periodically re-evaluated for a number of reasons, chiefly among which are changing patterns of delivery of the injured patient to the medical center and advances in technical skills. Notable in the presently reported series were the low mortality and the absence of a need for amputation, with a limb salvage rate of 100 per cent. Despite modern advances in technical proficiency in vascular reconstruction, there is still a place for careful vascular ligation in the definitive surgical management of major vascular trauma.", "PMID": 622669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4528", "title": "Long term behavior of reversed saphenous vein grafts for advanced femoropopliteal disease.", "content": "Fifty consecutive long saphenous vein graft operations for limb salvage performed between 1958 and 1965 were observed by periodic arteriography. Of 50 grafts, 11 failed within two years, and at the time of the final review, two patients had defaulted. Extended observations of the remaining 37 grafts up to 15 years showed three main complications. First, graft degeneration affected seven grafts with earliest evidence of elongation, tortuosity, irregular dilation or aneurysmal formation at four years. It did not affect any graft after eight years. One graft required replacement because of degeneration. Second, proximal dilation was seen in six grafts, but it did not compromise patency or function and had a maximal incidence at four to six years. Third, the site of the distal anastomosis was narrowed in eight patients, but the narrowing was severe in four. This complication occurred at six to eight years and affected 25 per cent of the surviving patients. The narrowing was caused by thrombus formation within the area of anastomosis and was amenable to further arterial reconstruction.", "contents": "Long term behavior of reversed saphenous vein grafts for advanced femoropopliteal disease. Fifty consecutive long saphenous vein graft operations for limb salvage performed between 1958 and 1965 were observed by periodic arteriography. Of 50 grafts, 11 failed within two years, and at the time of the final review, two patients had defaulted. Extended observations of the remaining 37 grafts up to 15 years showed three main complications. First, graft degeneration affected seven grafts with earliest evidence of elongation, tortuosity, irregular dilation or aneurysmal formation at four years. It did not affect any graft after eight years. One graft required replacement because of degeneration. Second, proximal dilation was seen in six grafts, but it did not compromise patency or function and had a maximal incidence at four to six years. Third, the site of the distal anastomosis was narrowed in eight patients, but the narrowing was severe in four. This complication occurred at six to eight years and affected 25 per cent of the surviving patients. The narrowing was caused by thrombus formation within the area of anastomosis and was amenable to further arterial reconstruction.", "PMID": 622670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4529", "title": "Alterations in serum lipid concentrations following skeletal trauma.", "content": "Serial studies of 118 patients following fractures of the pelvis or lower extremity demonstrated a significant association between hypoxemia and the serum concentration of nonesterified free fatty acids. Serum lipase levels were similar but not as significant. No differences were noted in the serum concentrations of either triglycerides or cholesterol.", "contents": "Alterations in serum lipid concentrations following skeletal trauma. Serial studies of 118 patients following fractures of the pelvis or lower extremity demonstrated a significant association between hypoxemia and the serum concentration of nonesterified free fatty acids. Serum lipase levels were similar but not as significant. No differences were noted in the serum concentrations of either triglycerides or cholesterol.", "PMID": 622671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4530", "title": "Surgical experience with craniopharyngioma in adults.", "content": "It is proposed that the term craniopharyngioma of the adult be employed only for tumors presenting after the successful completion of puberty. The contrasts with the current practice of arbitrary distinction on the basis of age at the time of operation. Of 48 patients over 20 years of age at the time of operation, 38 fulfilled the criteria for \"craniopharyngioma of the adult\". Clinical characteristics of these 38 are analyzed. In contrast to generally accepted ideas, the course of patients with incompletely excised tumors is unfavorable, with frequent early and serious recurrences. A complete excision is therefore recommended for craniopharyngioma of the adult.", "contents": "Surgical experience with craniopharyngioma in adults. It is proposed that the term craniopharyngioma of the adult be employed only for tumors presenting after the successful completion of puberty. The contrasts with the current practice of arbitrary distinction on the basis of age at the time of operation. Of 48 patients over 20 years of age at the time of operation, 38 fulfilled the criteria for \"craniopharyngioma of the adult\". Clinical characteristics of these 38 are analyzed. In contrast to generally accepted ideas, the course of patients with incompletely excised tumors is unfavorable, with frequent early and serious recurrences. A complete excision is therefore recommended for craniopharyngioma of the adult.", "PMID": 622676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4531", "title": "Extracerebral cavernous hemangioma of the middle fossa.", "content": "Two cases of extracerebral cavernous hemangioma in the middle fossa are reported. Cerebral angiography showed a large avascular mass lesion in each case, but the tumors were very vascular at operation. Recovery of vision occurred in one case postoperatively. Diagnosis and treatment of these tumors are discussed.", "contents": "Extracerebral cavernous hemangioma of the middle fossa. Two cases of extracerebral cavernous hemangioma in the middle fossa are reported. Cerebral angiography showed a large avascular mass lesion in each case, but the tumors were very vascular at operation. Recovery of vision occurred in one case postoperatively. Diagnosis and treatment of these tumors are discussed.", "PMID": 622677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4532", "title": "Fluent aphasia after closed head injury.", "content": "A case of post-traumatic, contre-coup Wernicke's aphasia resulting from left posterior temporal hemorrhagic contusion localized by angiography and CAT scan is reported. Categorization of aphasia is reviewed, emphasizing that a fluent language disorder can be elusive to laymen and non-neurologically oriented physicians.", "contents": "Fluent aphasia after closed head injury. A case of post-traumatic, contre-coup Wernicke's aphasia resulting from left posterior temporal hemorrhagic contusion localized by angiography and CAT scan is reported. Categorization of aphasia is reviewed, emphasizing that a fluent language disorder can be elusive to laymen and non-neurologically oriented physicians.", "PMID": 622678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4533", "title": "Intraorbital ophthalmic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae.", "content": "Angiographically documented aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae of the intraorbital segment of the ophthalmic artery are extremely rare. A unique patient is presented who had both lesions within the same orbit. History of this disease entity is traced briefly, pertinent anatomy and embryology are reviewed, and an explanation is offered on the pathogenesis of these lesions based on embryology.", "contents": "Intraorbital ophthalmic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae. Angiographically documented aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae of the intraorbital segment of the ophthalmic artery are extremely rare. A unique patient is presented who had both lesions within the same orbit. History of this disease entity is traced briefly, pertinent anatomy and embryology are reviewed, and an explanation is offered on the pathogenesis of these lesions based on embryology.", "PMID": 622680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4534", "title": "Ipsilateral subclavian to external carotid and STA-MCA bypasses for retinal ischemia.", "content": "The surgical treatment of a patient with retinal ischemia in the left eye and occlusion of the left common and internal carotid and right internal carotid arteries is presented. After demonstration of filling of the left external carotid artery from vertebral collaterals, as saphenous vein graft from the left subclavian to the left external carotid artery was performed prior to a left superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. This case demonstrates the feasibility of revascularization in the presence of occlusion of the ipsilateral common and internal carotid arteries.", "contents": "Ipsilateral subclavian to external carotid and STA-MCA bypasses for retinal ischemia. The surgical treatment of a patient with retinal ischemia in the left eye and occlusion of the left common and internal carotid and right internal carotid arteries is presented. After demonstration of filling of the left external carotid artery from vertebral collaterals, as saphenous vein graft from the left subclavian to the left external carotid artery was performed prior to a left superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. This case demonstrates the feasibility of revascularization in the presence of occlusion of the ipsilateral common and internal carotid arteries.", "PMID": 622682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4535", "title": "Cerebral metastasis from a malignant thymoma.", "content": "A 14-year-old girl was found to have a solitary metastatic thymoma in the occipital lobe of the brain eight years following thoracotomy for removal of a malignant thymoma. Histologically, the lesions appear identical. Initial neurological examination was normal. The metastatic lesion was surgically removed followed by radiation therapy. No neurologic deficits related to the metastasis to the brain were evident nine months postoperatively.", "contents": "Cerebral metastasis from a malignant thymoma. A 14-year-old girl was found to have a solitary metastatic thymoma in the occipital lobe of the brain eight years following thoracotomy for removal of a malignant thymoma. Histologically, the lesions appear identical. Initial neurological examination was normal. The metastatic lesion was surgically removed followed by radiation therapy. No neurologic deficits related to the metastasis to the brain were evident nine months postoperatively.", "PMID": 622683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4536", "title": "Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord.", "content": "Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord is a rare presentation of a disease involving over 200 million people. A patient from an endemic area presenting as a transverse myelitis or a spinal cord tumor, and with eosinophilia, should alert the physician to the possibility of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord. Diagnosis is based on finding the characteristic eggs in the stool or urine, or if necessary, by rectal, bladder or liver biopsies. Myelography is performed to determine if decompressive laminectomy is necessary.", "contents": "Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord. Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord is a rare presentation of a disease involving over 200 million people. A patient from an endemic area presenting as a transverse myelitis or a spinal cord tumor, and with eosinophilia, should alert the physician to the possibility of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord. Diagnosis is based on finding the characteristic eggs in the stool or urine, or if necessary, by rectal, bladder or liver biopsies. Myelography is performed to determine if decompressive laminectomy is necessary.", "PMID": 622684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4537", "title": "Breast cancer in 3,558 women: age as a significant determinant in the rate of dying and causes of death.", "content": "The forces of mortality created by cancer of the breast have been examined utilizing data collected during the past 19 years by the Syracuse, N. Y., Upstate Medical Center Cancer Registry on 3,558 women. Except for 15 lost to follow-up, all have been contacted annually through 1974 or until death. Time and cause were recorded for all deaths. In April, 1975, 1,883 remain alive and in the registry and 1,660 women have died. Using life-table analyses and considering deaths due only to breast cancer, mortality rates were calculated for three age groups--21 to 50 years, 51 to 70 years, and 71 to 100 years. Breast cancer expresses its lethality most vigorously in the oldest group. The half-death time (50% mortality rate) for the youngest group was 13 years, for the middle group 8 years, and for the oldest group 5 years. The rate of dying was a function of both age and stage at diagnosis. At 16 to 18 years after diagnosis, deaths due to breast cancer begin to disappear. Eighty-eight percent of the women who died following a diagnosis of cancer of the breast have died of their breast cancer. Age as well as stage at diagnosis are significant determinants on the length of survival and cause of death.", "contents": "Breast cancer in 3,558 women: age as a significant determinant in the rate of dying and causes of death. The forces of mortality created by cancer of the breast have been examined utilizing data collected during the past 19 years by the Syracuse, N. Y., Upstate Medical Center Cancer Registry on 3,558 women. Except for 15 lost to follow-up, all have been contacted annually through 1974 or until death. Time and cause were recorded for all deaths. In April, 1975, 1,883 remain alive and in the registry and 1,660 women have died. Using life-table analyses and considering deaths due only to breast cancer, mortality rates were calculated for three age groups--21 to 50 years, 51 to 70 years, and 71 to 100 years. Breast cancer expresses its lethality most vigorously in the oldest group. The half-death time (50% mortality rate) for the youngest group was 13 years, for the middle group 8 years, and for the oldest group 5 years. The rate of dying was a function of both age and stage at diagnosis. At 16 to 18 years after diagnosis, deaths due to breast cancer begin to disappear. Eighty-eight percent of the women who died following a diagnosis of cancer of the breast have died of their breast cancer. Age as well as stage at diagnosis are significant determinants on the length of survival and cause of death.", "PMID": 622685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4538", "title": "Selective arterial embolization for control of traumatic pelvic hemorrhage.", "content": "Operative techniques for control of massive extraperitoneal bleeding after pelvic trauma have been disappointing. Extensive blood supply by ample collaterals alledgedly is responsible for the failure of proximal ligation of hypogastric arteries. Angiography has proved to be a valuable technique in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic vascular injuries. Three patients are reported in which the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of angiography with subsequent embolization enabled the surgeon to avoid a difficult and possibly frustrating exploration. In addition, it provided an accurate indication for surgical intervention in one patient.", "contents": "Selective arterial embolization for control of traumatic pelvic hemorrhage. Operative techniques for control of massive extraperitoneal bleeding after pelvic trauma have been disappointing. Extensive blood supply by ample collaterals alledgedly is responsible for the failure of proximal ligation of hypogastric arteries. Angiography has proved to be a valuable technique in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic vascular injuries. Three patients are reported in which the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of angiography with subsequent embolization enabled the surgeon to avoid a difficult and possibly frustrating exploration. In addition, it provided an accurate indication for surgical intervention in one patient.", "PMID": 622686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4539", "title": "Platelet function abnormalities in a family with recurrent arterial thrombosis.", "content": "Three young family members with recurrent arterial thrombosis underwent investigation for lipid or coagulation abnormalities. Lipoprotein electrophoresis, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and routine coagulation studies were unremarkable. By contrast, testing of platelet function showed enhanced platelet aggregability to epinephrine and collagen in two of the subjects. In addition, release of 14C-serotonin by adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine was increased over control values in these same two patients. The third subject demonstrated decreased platelet aggregation and lowered 14C-serotonin release, but was symptomatic with rest pain at the time of testing. The ongoing in vivo thrombosis in the third subject may account for hypocoagulable platelets by in vitro testing. These abnormally sensitive platelets identified by platelet function testing may be associated with a familial \"hypercoagulability\" syndrome. Definition of the hemostatic abnormality in these individuals provided a rational basis for pharmacological therapy with antiplatelet drugs, which appeared to be successful.", "contents": "Platelet function abnormalities in a family with recurrent arterial thrombosis. Three young family members with recurrent arterial thrombosis underwent investigation for lipid or coagulation abnormalities. Lipoprotein electrophoresis, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and routine coagulation studies were unremarkable. By contrast, testing of platelet function showed enhanced platelet aggregability to epinephrine and collagen in two of the subjects. In addition, release of 14C-serotonin by adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine was increased over control values in these same two patients. The third subject demonstrated decreased platelet aggregation and lowered 14C-serotonin release, but was symptomatic with rest pain at the time of testing. The ongoing in vivo thrombosis in the third subject may account for hypocoagulable platelets by in vitro testing. These abnormally sensitive platelets identified by platelet function testing may be associated with a familial \"hypercoagulability\" syndrome. Definition of the hemostatic abnormality in these individuals provided a rational basis for pharmacological therapy with antiplatelet drugs, which appeared to be successful.", "PMID": 622688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4540", "title": "Division of the left renal vein: a safe surgical adjunct.", "content": "Ten patients have undergone surgical division of the left renal vein (LRV) during operations on the abdominal aorta. Nine were elective procedures performed during the resection of a complicated abdominal aortic aneurysm (six patients) or treatment of complete infrarenal aortic occlusion (three patients). The first patient in this series underwent emergency LRV ligation at the renal hilum for the control of hemorrhage incurred during an elective aneurysmectomy. This patient survived postoperative renal failure and myocardial infarction, but died 21 months later from another myocardial infarction. At the time of death, he had moderate renal insufficiency. None of the remaining nine patients undergoing elective LRV division experienced any apparent renal dysfunction, as measured by urine sediment, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and intravenous pyelography. Although not recommended as a routine maneuver, division of the LRV is advocated as a safe adjunct for surgical exposure in difficult aortic procedures.", "contents": "Division of the left renal vein: a safe surgical adjunct. Ten patients have undergone surgical division of the left renal vein (LRV) during operations on the abdominal aorta. Nine were elective procedures performed during the resection of a complicated abdominal aortic aneurysm (six patients) or treatment of complete infrarenal aortic occlusion (three patients). The first patient in this series underwent emergency LRV ligation at the renal hilum for the control of hemorrhage incurred during an elective aneurysmectomy. This patient survived postoperative renal failure and myocardial infarction, but died 21 months later from another myocardial infarction. At the time of death, he had moderate renal insufficiency. None of the remaining nine patients undergoing elective LRV division experienced any apparent renal dysfunction, as measured by urine sediment, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and intravenous pyelography. Although not recommended as a routine maneuver, division of the LRV is advocated as a safe adjunct for surgical exposure in difficult aortic procedures.", "PMID": 622689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4541", "title": "Graft interposition splenocaval shunt for total or selective decompression of portal hypertension.", "content": "A new operation for selective or total decompression of the portal venous system in cases of intrahepatic portal hypertension is described. It involves interposition of a large-caliber Dacron graft between the splenic vein and the inferior vena cava. The graft-interposition splenocaval shunt is performed readily and quickly, satisfying the variable hemodynamic needs of patients with portal hypertension. It can be either selective (S-SCS) or total (T-SCS) from the beginning, or a T-SCS may be converted subsequently to a S-SCS should surgically induced hepatic decompensation supervene. It is less demanding technically than distal splenorenal shunt (D-SRS). The S-SCS conserves portal venous perfusion of the liver, preserves hepatocellular function and architecture at the preoperative levels, avoids precipitation of postshunt portal-systemic encephalopathy, and decompresses gastric-esophageal varices with prevention of further variceal bleeding even better than D-SRS. One hundred percent graft patency has been obtained, and the surgical results have been superior to those following portacaval shunt in patients with large liver blood flow and relative benignity of the liver disease, be it cirrhosis or noncirrhotic portal fibrosis. In patients with advanced cirrhosis, variceal bleeding, and small liver blood flows, T-SCS would be indicated. Patients of this category obtained inferior surgical results and had operative deaths (16.7%) following S-SCS. The concept of the operation has merits and deserves further evaluation.", "contents": "Graft interposition splenocaval shunt for total or selective decompression of portal hypertension. A new operation for selective or total decompression of the portal venous system in cases of intrahepatic portal hypertension is described. It involves interposition of a large-caliber Dacron graft between the splenic vein and the inferior vena cava. The graft-interposition splenocaval shunt is performed readily and quickly, satisfying the variable hemodynamic needs of patients with portal hypertension. It can be either selective (S-SCS) or total (T-SCS) from the beginning, or a T-SCS may be converted subsequently to a S-SCS should surgically induced hepatic decompensation supervene. It is less demanding technically than distal splenorenal shunt (D-SRS). The S-SCS conserves portal venous perfusion of the liver, preserves hepatocellular function and architecture at the preoperative levels, avoids precipitation of postshunt portal-systemic encephalopathy, and decompresses gastric-esophageal varices with prevention of further variceal bleeding even better than D-SRS. One hundred percent graft patency has been obtained, and the surgical results have been superior to those following portacaval shunt in patients with large liver blood flow and relative benignity of the liver disease, be it cirrhosis or noncirrhotic portal fibrosis. In patients with advanced cirrhosis, variceal bleeding, and small liver blood flows, T-SCS would be indicated. Patients of this category obtained inferior surgical results and had operative deaths (16.7%) following S-SCS. The concept of the operation has merits and deserves further evaluation.", "PMID": 622691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4542", "title": "Pelvic lipomatosis.", "content": "Although usually in the domain of the urologist, pelvic lipomatosis sometimes first may present to the general surgeon. Often called perivesical lipomatosis, this process of unknown etiology has been defined as a nonmalignant overgrowth of normal fatty tissue limited primarily to the perirectal and perivesical spaces in the pelvis. Typically it occurs in middle-aged, nonobese, men presenting with dysuria and sometimes with suprapubic fullness. High position of the prostate may be noted on rectal examination. Urinary tract roentgenograms show a high, gourd-shaped bladder with the surrounding radiolucency of fatty tissues. Elongation of the urethra usually makes cystoscopy difficult. Sigmoidoscopy and barium enema may reveal extrinsic pressure on the rectum. Pelvic venography rarely shows external venous compression; arteriography does not suggest neoplastic vessels. Fat metabolism studies are of little value. The absence of adequate cleavage planes renders direct surgical management difficult. The frequently progressive lower ureteral obstruction eventually may require urinary diversion. Four biopsy-proved cases from the Eastern Virginia Medical School Hospitals are reported, and the 57 previous cases from the literature are reviewed.", "contents": "Pelvic lipomatosis. Although usually in the domain of the urologist, pelvic lipomatosis sometimes first may present to the general surgeon. Often called perivesical lipomatosis, this process of unknown etiology has been defined as a nonmalignant overgrowth of normal fatty tissue limited primarily to the perirectal and perivesical spaces in the pelvis. Typically it occurs in middle-aged, nonobese, men presenting with dysuria and sometimes with suprapubic fullness. High position of the prostate may be noted on rectal examination. Urinary tract roentgenograms show a high, gourd-shaped bladder with the surrounding radiolucency of fatty tissues. Elongation of the urethra usually makes cystoscopy difficult. Sigmoidoscopy and barium enema may reveal extrinsic pressure on the rectum. Pelvic venography rarely shows external venous compression; arteriography does not suggest neoplastic vessels. Fat metabolism studies are of little value. The absence of adequate cleavage planes renders direct surgical management difficult. The frequently progressive lower ureteral obstruction eventually may require urinary diversion. Four biopsy-proved cases from the Eastern Virginia Medical School Hospitals are reported, and the 57 previous cases from the literature are reviewed.", "PMID": 622692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4543", "title": "Role of the sympathetic nervous system in peptic ulcer production in rats.", "content": "The role of the sympathetic nervous system in gastric acid secretion and in experimental duodenal ulceration (cysteamine induced) was studied in rats. The animals were divided randomly into seven groups: (1) control, (2) sham-operated, (3) surgical sympathectomy, (4) chemical sympathectomy (6-HODA), (5) vagotomy, (6) surgical sympathectomy plus vagotomy, and (7) chemical sympathectomy plus vagotomy. Results on gastric acid secretion were expressed as gastric acid output (GAO = micronEq of acid secretion in 1 hour). The means in the control and sham groups were 447.83 +/- 26.67 GAO and 399 +/- 36.4 GAO, respectively. The means in the sympathectomized rats (surgically = 562 +/- 27.21 GAO and chemically = 648.66 +/- 46.53 GAO) were higher (P less than 0.01) than those of the control and sham groups. In the vagotomized group the mean was 156.6 +/- 17.64 GAO, lower than those of the control and sham groups (P less than 0.001). The incidence of ulceration was 47.5% and 46% in the control and sham groups, respectively. Both the sympathectomized groups (surgically, 73%; chemically, 77%), had a significantly elevated incidence of ulceration as compared with the controls (P less than 0.01). The vagotomized group had a 14% incidence of ulceration. These results clearly indicate that sympathectomy has a definite effect on gastric acid secretion and on the incidence of experimental peptic ulceration in rats.", "contents": "Role of the sympathetic nervous system in peptic ulcer production in rats. The role of the sympathetic nervous system in gastric acid secretion and in experimental duodenal ulceration (cysteamine induced) was studied in rats. The animals were divided randomly into seven groups: (1) control, (2) sham-operated, (3) surgical sympathectomy, (4) chemical sympathectomy (6-HODA), (5) vagotomy, (6) surgical sympathectomy plus vagotomy, and (7) chemical sympathectomy plus vagotomy. Results on gastric acid secretion were expressed as gastric acid output (GAO = micronEq of acid secretion in 1 hour). The means in the control and sham groups were 447.83 +/- 26.67 GAO and 399 +/- 36.4 GAO, respectively. The means in the sympathectomized rats (surgically = 562 +/- 27.21 GAO and chemically = 648.66 +/- 46.53 GAO) were higher (P less than 0.01) than those of the control and sham groups. In the vagotomized group the mean was 156.6 +/- 17.64 GAO, lower than those of the control and sham groups (P less than 0.001). The incidence of ulceration was 47.5% and 46% in the control and sham groups, respectively. Both the sympathectomized groups (surgically, 73%; chemically, 77%), had a significantly elevated incidence of ulceration as compared with the controls (P less than 0.01). The vagotomized group had a 14% incidence of ulceration. These results clearly indicate that sympathectomy has a definite effect on gastric acid secretion and on the incidence of experimental peptic ulceration in rats.", "PMID": 622694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4544", "title": "Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in urological patients: a controlled, randomized trial of low-dose heparin and external pneumatic compression boots.", "content": "A prospective, randomized clinical trial in 83 patients undergoing open urological operations was performed to compare the relative prophylactic efficacy of low-dose heparin and external pneumatic compression (EPC) of the calves in comparison to no treatment in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was established by the I125 fibrinogen scan and contrast phlebography. The data indicate that EPC is more effective than no treatment (p less than 0.04) and more effective than low-dose heparin (p less than 0.04) in the prevention of DVT. There was one pulmonary embolus in each of the three groups, and in the treatment groups this occurred without evidence of DVT.", "contents": "Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in urological patients: a controlled, randomized trial of low-dose heparin and external pneumatic compression boots. A prospective, randomized clinical trial in 83 patients undergoing open urological operations was performed to compare the relative prophylactic efficacy of low-dose heparin and external pneumatic compression (EPC) of the calves in comparison to no treatment in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was established by the I125 fibrinogen scan and contrast phlebography. The data indicate that EPC is more effective than no treatment (p less than 0.04) and more effective than low-dose heparin (p less than 0.04) in the prevention of DVT. There was one pulmonary embolus in each of the three groups, and in the treatment groups this occurred without evidence of DVT.", "PMID": 622696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4545", "title": "Renovascular hypertension following surgical repair of dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta.", "content": "A critically ill patient with refractory renovascular hypertension following successful intrathoracic repair of a type I aortic dissection was treated successfully with gelfoam embolization of the left kidney. Renal artery stenosis secondary to aortic dissection can exacerbate pre-existent hypertension in the preoperative or postoperative periods and can be diagnosed angiographically. Unilateral renal artery embolization may provide a safe alternative to nephrectomy for renovascular hypertension in cases where surgery is not feasible.", "contents": "Renovascular hypertension following surgical repair of dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. A critically ill patient with refractory renovascular hypertension following successful intrathoracic repair of a type I aortic dissection was treated successfully with gelfoam embolization of the left kidney. Renal artery stenosis secondary to aortic dissection can exacerbate pre-existent hypertension in the preoperative or postoperative periods and can be diagnosed angiographically. Unilateral renal artery embolization may provide a safe alternative to nephrectomy for renovascular hypertension in cases where surgery is not feasible.", "PMID": 622697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4546", "title": "Parathyroid cysts: report of a case with ultrastructural observations.", "content": "Parathyroid cysts are an uncommon cause of neck masses which are of uncertain origin. Electron microscopic observations reveal the cysts to be lined by a simple absorptive rather than secretory cell, which rests on a basement membrane. These are not cheif cells. Smooth muscle forms an integral part of the cyst wall. These findings of simple epithelial cells and mesenchymal tissue (smooth muscle) support the concept that these cysts represent persistent embryological remnants. A likely source is the third pharyngeal pouch.", "contents": "Parathyroid cysts: report of a case with ultrastructural observations. Parathyroid cysts are an uncommon cause of neck masses which are of uncertain origin. Electron microscopic observations reveal the cysts to be lined by a simple absorptive rather than secretory cell, which rests on a basement membrane. These are not cheif cells. Smooth muscle forms an integral part of the cyst wall. These findings of simple epithelial cells and mesenchymal tissue (smooth muscle) support the concept that these cysts represent persistent embryological remnants. A likely source is the third pharyngeal pouch.", "PMID": 622698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4547", "title": "[Veterinary herd management programme on a beef bull farm (author's transl)].", "content": "A report on herd management advice on a beef bull farm by a multidisciplinary committee over a three-year period. Eight groups, each consisting of approximately ninety-six bulls (781), were fattened and delivered. Fattening of the calves was started at the age of one week and they were delivered at the age of seventy weeks. For the first ten weeks, they were individually housed in rearing pens, then they were kept in groups of eight in housings with slatted floors. Studies were done to see whether waste matter of the potato-processing industry could be turned into useful material in this manner. This was found to be the case, provided sufficient attention was paid to the other constituents of the ration. Veterinary problems consisted in diseases of newborn animals, indigestion accompanied by tympanites, respiratory diseases, foul in the foot and injuries. Minor problems were lice, loss of cuds, infectious keratoconjunctivitis, trichophytosis, urinary calculi, cysticercosis, cerebrocortical necrosis and abscesses in organs. The total proportion of deaths and rejects was 7.8 per cent, 2.6 per being due to mortality. A classification by cause and age was established. Moreover, the relationship between differences in growth and particular forms of disease was studied. This relationships could be shown to be present in some cases but there also were marked differences which could not be accounted for on the basis of patient administration. On the whole, the state of health was highly satisfactory.", "contents": "[Veterinary herd management programme on a beef bull farm (author's transl)]. A report on herd management advice on a beef bull farm by a multidisciplinary committee over a three-year period. Eight groups, each consisting of approximately ninety-six bulls (781), were fattened and delivered. Fattening of the calves was started at the age of one week and they were delivered at the age of seventy weeks. For the first ten weeks, they were individually housed in rearing pens, then they were kept in groups of eight in housings with slatted floors. Studies were done to see whether waste matter of the potato-processing industry could be turned into useful material in this manner. This was found to be the case, provided sufficient attention was paid to the other constituents of the ration. Veterinary problems consisted in diseases of newborn animals, indigestion accompanied by tympanites, respiratory diseases, foul in the foot and injuries. Minor problems were lice, loss of cuds, infectious keratoconjunctivitis, trichophytosis, urinary calculi, cysticercosis, cerebrocortical necrosis and abscesses in organs. The total proportion of deaths and rejects was 7.8 per cent, 2.6 per being due to mortality. A classification by cause and age was established. Moreover, the relationship between differences in growth and particular forms of disease was studied. This relationships could be shown to be present in some cases but there also were marked differences which could not be accounted for on the basis of patient administration. On the whole, the state of health was highly satisfactory.", "PMID": 622713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4548", "title": "[Criteria for evaluation of methods, systems and interference procedures to which animals are submitted (author's transl)].", "content": "Veterinarians can be expected to play a particular role in the relationship between man and animals. Dutch laws and formal agreements on the subject are briefly reviewed. The following main points that should be taken into account are discussed. (1) detailed description of the method, system and interference; (2) their purpose, (3) consequences for the welfare of animals; (4) aspects relevant to human society: importance of purpose, international aspects, significance for public health and environment, public opinion; (5) alternatives, with description of points (1), (3) and (4); (6) considerations of usefulness and necessity from the practical point of view and acceptability from the point of view of ethics; (7) position of the veterinarian; (8) conclusion.", "contents": "[Criteria for evaluation of methods, systems and interference procedures to which animals are submitted (author's transl)]. Veterinarians can be expected to play a particular role in the relationship between man and animals. Dutch laws and formal agreements on the subject are briefly reviewed. The following main points that should be taken into account are discussed. (1) detailed description of the method, system and interference; (2) their purpose, (3) consequences for the welfare of animals; (4) aspects relevant to human society: importance of purpose, international aspects, significance for public health and environment, public opinion; (5) alternatives, with description of points (1), (3) and (4); (6) considerations of usefulness and necessity from the practical point of view and acceptability from the point of view of ethics; (7) position of the veterinarian; (8) conclusion.", "PMID": 622714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4549", "title": "[Bacteriological features in evisceration of broilers (author's transl)].", "content": "The total aerobic bacterial count and the number of Enterobacteriaceae in the pericloacal skin of broilers did not show any fundamental changes resulting from the processes of evisceration studied, averaging 5.3 logN/gram and 4.0 logN/gram respectively. The interior organs such as the liver and heart were severely contaminated, particularly by the evisceration proper and manual removal of the intestines. There are fairly marked differences in levels of contamination between the portions of skin sampled, which differences are levelled out to some extent during the process of evisceration. Possible causes of the differences in levels of contamination are stated.", "contents": "[Bacteriological features in evisceration of broilers (author's transl)]. The total aerobic bacterial count and the number of Enterobacteriaceae in the pericloacal skin of broilers did not show any fundamental changes resulting from the processes of evisceration studied, averaging 5.3 logN/gram and 4.0 logN/gram respectively. The interior organs such as the liver and heart were severely contaminated, particularly by the evisceration proper and manual removal of the intestines. There are fairly marked differences in levels of contamination between the portions of skin sampled, which differences are levelled out to some extent during the process of evisceration. Possible causes of the differences in levels of contamination are stated.", "PMID": 622715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4550", "title": "[Bronchial and subpleural lipoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Three cases of bronchopulmonary lipomas are reported, two sub pleural and one endobronchial. They represent 2,8% of all so-called benign bronchopulmonary tumours in our statistic. The two subpleural and asymptomatic lipomas were treated by thoracotomy and enucleation, the third, the endobronchial lipoma required lobectomy because of irreversible pulmonary damage.", "contents": "[Bronchial and subpleural lipoma (author's transl)]. Three cases of bronchopulmonary lipomas are reported, two sub pleural and one endobronchial. They represent 2,8% of all so-called benign bronchopulmonary tumours in our statistic. The two subpleural and asymptomatic lipomas were treated by thoracotomy and enucleation, the third, the endobronchial lipoma required lobectomy because of irreversible pulmonary damage.", "PMID": 622716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4551", "title": "[The importance of the cystic medio-necrosis of aorta and great arteries in cardio-vascular surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Based on the experiences of 14 observations a correlation between clinical picture and histological damage of aortic wall in medio-necrosis Erdheim-Gsell is tried. In the preoperative phase the definitive diagnosis is seldom possible. Atypical pathological findings at the aorta or great arteries must be suspected to be caused by medio-necrosis Erdheim-Gsell.", "contents": "[The importance of the cystic medio-necrosis of aorta and great arteries in cardio-vascular surgery (author's transl)]. Based on the experiences of 14 observations a correlation between clinical picture and histological damage of aortic wall in medio-necrosis Erdheim-Gsell is tried. In the preoperative phase the definitive diagnosis is seldom possible. Atypical pathological findings at the aorta or great arteries must be suspected to be caused by medio-necrosis Erdheim-Gsell.", "PMID": 622717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4552", "title": "[Autologous blood donation and transfusion in cardiosurgical high risk patients (author's transl)].", "content": "In an unselected group of patients undergoing a wide variety of cardiovascular operations, the possibilities of long-term preoperative autologous blood collection combined with oxygenator hemodilution were examined. The mean number of preoperative donations was 2.5 units of blood. It was 50 p.c. higher in men than in women. One third of the men, but no female patient, collected 4-5 units of autologous blood, thus equalling the mean calculated blood requirements. Short- or long-term disavantages of the donations were not seen. --The total amount of homologous blood required could be diminished by 50 p.c., in atrial septal defects even by 70 p.c. The percentage of patients without homologous blood increased from 3 to 25 p.c. of the total material, but in atrial septal defects from 13 to 67. Further improvements of these values may be expected from an earlier entry into the program of autologous donations and, correspondingly, by an earlier iron substitution. Only thus, without special methods of storage, roughly calculated one half of all cardiovascular surgical patients may come through without homologous blood. In view of the risks of homologous blood transfusion, already now no atrial septal defect and, with limitations, no valve replacement should come to surgery without adequate autologous blood collection.", "contents": "[Autologous blood donation and transfusion in cardiosurgical high risk patients (author's transl)]. In an unselected group of patients undergoing a wide variety of cardiovascular operations, the possibilities of long-term preoperative autologous blood collection combined with oxygenator hemodilution were examined. The mean number of preoperative donations was 2.5 units of blood. It was 50 p.c. higher in men than in women. One third of the men, but no female patient, collected 4-5 units of autologous blood, thus equalling the mean calculated blood requirements. Short- or long-term disavantages of the donations were not seen. --The total amount of homologous blood required could be diminished by 50 p.c., in atrial septal defects even by 70 p.c. The percentage of patients without homologous blood increased from 3 to 25 p.c. of the total material, but in atrial septal defects from 13 to 67. Further improvements of these values may be expected from an earlier entry into the program of autologous donations and, correspondingly, by an earlier iron substitution. Only thus, without special methods of storage, roughly calculated one half of all cardiovascular surgical patients may come through without homologous blood. In view of the risks of homologous blood transfusion, already now no atrial septal defect and, with limitations, no valve replacement should come to surgery without adequate autologous blood collection.", "PMID": 622718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4553", "title": "[Clinical experience with the cage electrode EMT 588 K. Threshold--current consumption--postoperative complications (author's transl)].", "content": "The Lagergren cage electrode Elema EMT 588 K was implanted in 26 male and 21 female patients for permanent cardiac stimulation. 29 of the 47 cage electrodes were fitted with a platinum and 18 with an Elgiloy head. Acute threshold in the platinum group was 0,52 +/- 0,15 volts (x +/- s), the equivalent electrode resistance being 565 +/- 135 ohms. The threshold mean value for the Elgiloy cage electrodes was shown to be 0,36 +/- 0,11 volts, while the resistance values measured respectively 410 +/- 44 and 418 +/- 23 ohms depending on the method of measurement. In the postoperative period (up to 16 months) the following complications were observed: 3 dislocations (6,38%) and one case of rise in threshold (2,12%). The total correction rate (8,5%) corresponds almost exactly to that recorded by the author in a personal series of 400 electrode implantations of various designs. The cage electrode offers no advantages in comparison to other small surface electrodes, however, the relatively higher current consumption caused by low total electrode resistance must be regarded as disadvantages. Experience with the cage electrode has shown that the transitional resistance depends not only on the surface, but also essentially on the material and shape of the electrode tip.", "contents": "[Clinical experience with the cage electrode EMT 588 K. Threshold--current consumption--postoperative complications (author's transl)]. The Lagergren cage electrode Elema EMT 588 K was implanted in 26 male and 21 female patients for permanent cardiac stimulation. 29 of the 47 cage electrodes were fitted with a platinum and 18 with an Elgiloy head. Acute threshold in the platinum group was 0,52 +/- 0,15 volts (x +/- s), the equivalent electrode resistance being 565 +/- 135 ohms. The threshold mean value for the Elgiloy cage electrodes was shown to be 0,36 +/- 0,11 volts, while the resistance values measured respectively 410 +/- 44 and 418 +/- 23 ohms depending on the method of measurement. In the postoperative period (up to 16 months) the following complications were observed: 3 dislocations (6,38%) and one case of rise in threshold (2,12%). The total correction rate (8,5%) corresponds almost exactly to that recorded by the author in a personal series of 400 electrode implantations of various designs. The cage electrode offers no advantages in comparison to other small surface electrodes, however, the relatively higher current consumption caused by low total electrode resistance must be regarded as disadvantages. Experience with the cage electrode has shown that the transitional resistance depends not only on the surface, but also essentially on the material and shape of the electrode tip.", "PMID": 622719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4554", "title": "[Early and late results after surgical treatment for pulmonic stenosis with intact ventricular septum (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1958 to 1975, 309 pts. were operated on for pulmonic stenosis (PSt) with intact ventricular septum. The lesion was of the isolated valvular type in 81,5%, of the infundibular type in 9,1%, and of the combined type in 9,4%. A closed transventricular valvulotomy (Brock) was performed in 33 cases, primarily in infants. 130 pts. underwent transarterial valvulotomy in inflow occlusion, and 146 pts. were operated with the aid of extracorporeal circulation. Hospital mortality was 3,9%. All three operating methods showed almost identical early results, whereas the long-term results indicated a superiority of the open techniques. The results were less satisfying in pts. more than 20 yrs. of age than in younger ones. In 10 cases (3,4%) follow-up revealed recurrent PSt requiring re-operation, mainly because of persisting infundibular hypertrophy and markedly thickened (dysplastic) valve cusps.--Indications for the different surgical techniques are discussed on the base of the results.", "contents": "[Early and late results after surgical treatment for pulmonic stenosis with intact ventricular septum (author's transl)]. From 1958 to 1975, 309 pts. were operated on for pulmonic stenosis (PSt) with intact ventricular septum. The lesion was of the isolated valvular type in 81,5%, of the infundibular type in 9,1%, and of the combined type in 9,4%. A closed transventricular valvulotomy (Brock) was performed in 33 cases, primarily in infants. 130 pts. underwent transarterial valvulotomy in inflow occlusion, and 146 pts. were operated with the aid of extracorporeal circulation. Hospital mortality was 3,9%. All three operating methods showed almost identical early results, whereas the long-term results indicated a superiority of the open techniques. The results were less satisfying in pts. more than 20 yrs. of age than in younger ones. In 10 cases (3,4%) follow-up revealed recurrent PSt requiring re-operation, mainly because of persisting infundibular hypertrophy and markedly thickened (dysplastic) valve cusps.--Indications for the different surgical techniques are discussed on the base of the results.", "PMID": 622720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4555", "title": "[Pathogenesis, clinical application and therapy of chylothorax (author's transl)].", "content": "With the growth of traffic density and the spread of thoracic surgery, the clinical picture of the chylothorax can be observed with increasing frequency. Above all, the spontaneous or symptomatic chylothorax presents diagnostic problems, since, in about 70% of the cases, it only represents the concomitant symptom of a malignant tumor. Only after exact diagnostics and the exclusion of a malignant primary disease can one be content with the cursory diagnosis of an idiopathic chylothorax. However, this requires strict postoperative control and observation of the patients. Two patients are presented in whom the genesis of the chylothorax still remained unclear 3 1/2 years after the successful ligature of the thoracic duct.", "contents": "[Pathogenesis, clinical application and therapy of chylothorax (author's transl)]. With the growth of traffic density and the spread of thoracic surgery, the clinical picture of the chylothorax can be observed with increasing frequency. Above all, the spontaneous or symptomatic chylothorax presents diagnostic problems, since, in about 70% of the cases, it only represents the concomitant symptom of a malignant tumor. Only after exact diagnostics and the exclusion of a malignant primary disease can one be content with the cursory diagnosis of an idiopathic chylothorax. However, this requires strict postoperative control and observation of the patients. Two patients are presented in whom the genesis of the chylothorax still remained unclear 3 1/2 years after the successful ligature of the thoracic duct.", "PMID": 622721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4556", "title": "Dose dependent reduction of glucose utilization by pentobarbital in rat brain.", "content": "A new method of determining the rate of glucose utilization in brain regions of individual rats has been used to measure the dose dependency of the reduction of the metabolic activity of the cerebral cortex by pentobarbital. Cerebral cortical glucose utilization is depressed to a basal level of 44% of the control rate when cerebral pentobarbital levels exceed 50 microgram per g of tissue. The major portion of this effect occurs between the cerebral pentobarbital range of 10--20 microgram per g, which can be achieved by 1/5 to 1/10 the normal anesthetic intraperitoneal dosage. If a depression of brain metabolism is responsible for the previously reported protection of the brain from ischemic damage, these data suggest a substantial reduction of brain metabolic rate is achieved in the rat at a barbiturate dosage which may be therapeutically relevant in the human after acute brain ischemia.", "contents": "Dose dependent reduction of glucose utilization by pentobarbital in rat brain. A new method of determining the rate of glucose utilization in brain regions of individual rats has been used to measure the dose dependency of the reduction of the metabolic activity of the cerebral cortex by pentobarbital. Cerebral cortical glucose utilization is depressed to a basal level of 44% of the control rate when cerebral pentobarbital levels exceed 50 microgram per g of tissue. The major portion of this effect occurs between the cerebral pentobarbital range of 10--20 microgram per g, which can be achieved by 1/5 to 1/10 the normal anesthetic intraperitoneal dosage. If a depression of brain metabolism is responsible for the previously reported protection of the brain from ischemic damage, these data suggest a substantial reduction of brain metabolic rate is achieved in the rat at a barbiturate dosage which may be therapeutically relevant in the human after acute brain ischemia.", "PMID": 622738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4557", "title": "Dose dependency of the post-insult protective effect of pentobarbital in the canine experimental stroke model.", "content": "In a canine stroke model, dose dependent protection by postocclusion pentobarbital was suggested from 10--40 mg/kg. In 28 dogs investigated (10 from a previous study) a distinct, significant reduction in right cerebral hemisphere infarction occurred in animals given 15--20 mg/kg pentobarbital intramuscularly 1 hour postocclusion. Increased dosages did not alter statistically the infarct size and 2 dogs at the 50 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg levels died of barbiturate-induced respiratory failure.", "contents": "Dose dependency of the post-insult protective effect of pentobarbital in the canine experimental stroke model. In a canine stroke model, dose dependent protection by postocclusion pentobarbital was suggested from 10--40 mg/kg. In 28 dogs investigated (10 from a previous study) a distinct, significant reduction in right cerebral hemisphere infarction occurred in animals given 15--20 mg/kg pentobarbital intramuscularly 1 hour postocclusion. Increased dosages did not alter statistically the infarct size and 2 dogs at the 50 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg levels died of barbiturate-induced respiratory failure.", "PMID": 622737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4558", "title": "Intracranial hemorrhage and infarction in anticoagulated patients with prosthetic heart valves.", "content": "In 1 year 6 patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) treated with anticoagulants suffered intracranial hemorrhage. In 4, hemorrhage occurred into the site of a recent non-hemorrhagic infarction. In the others, both of whom had endocarditis, hemorrhages probably occurred as the result of rupture of a mycotic aneurysm. Five patients were treated with warfarin, 1 with heparin. In all patients the level of anticoagulant activity was greater than 1.5 times control. Five patients were in atrial fibrillation; 1 was hypertensive. The diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage was made and its location and extent accurately determined by computed tomography (CT). Three patients underwent surgery and 2 are alive with only minor neurological deficits. Among the 3 patients who did not undergo surgery 2 died and 1 is alive with a moderate neurological deficit. The management of PHV patients with use of anticoagulants is discussed in terms of the mechanisms involved in intracranial bleeding. Emphasis is placed on prevention of emboli, discontinuation of anticoagulants once non-hemorrhagic infarction has occurred and the primacy of CT scan in diagnosis when hemorrhage is suspected. The special problems of anticoagulation in the presence of endocarditis are also discussed.", "contents": "Intracranial hemorrhage and infarction in anticoagulated patients with prosthetic heart valves. In 1 year 6 patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHVs) treated with anticoagulants suffered intracranial hemorrhage. In 4, hemorrhage occurred into the site of a recent non-hemorrhagic infarction. In the others, both of whom had endocarditis, hemorrhages probably occurred as the result of rupture of a mycotic aneurysm. Five patients were treated with warfarin, 1 with heparin. In all patients the level of anticoagulant activity was greater than 1.5 times control. Five patients were in atrial fibrillation; 1 was hypertensive. The diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage was made and its location and extent accurately determined by computed tomography (CT). Three patients underwent surgery and 2 are alive with only minor neurological deficits. Among the 3 patients who did not undergo surgery 2 died and 1 is alive with a moderate neurological deficit. The management of PHV patients with use of anticoagulants is discussed in terms of the mechanisms involved in intracranial bleeding. Emphasis is placed on prevention of emboli, discontinuation of anticoagulants once non-hemorrhagic infarction has occurred and the primacy of CT scan in diagnosis when hemorrhage is suspected. The special problems of anticoagulation in the presence of endocarditis are also discussed.", "PMID": 622739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4559", "title": "Analysis of the effect of bilateral sympathetic stimulation of cerebral and cephalic blood flow in the dog.", "content": "Unilateral stimulation of the cervical sympathetic in dogs had no effect on cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by the venous outflow technique. Since this technique measured CBF from both cerebral hemispheres, small changes induced by unilateral stimulation could have been masked by a large constant CBF measured from the contralteral hemisphere. To test this possibility the effect of simultaneous bilateral sympathetic stimulation was studied when the dog was breathing either normal air or a gas mixture of 10%CO2. During normocapnia, no changes in CBF occurred; during hypercapnia CBF increased 19% following passively the increase in blood pressure. These data indicate that bilateral stimulation of extracranial sympathetic nerves does not exert a significant effect on CBF. We show mathematically and experimentally that unoccluded anastomses will cause CBF to appear to decrease in response to sympathetic stimulation. This may explain why others have observed changes in CBF during sympathetic stimulation.", "contents": "Analysis of the effect of bilateral sympathetic stimulation of cerebral and cephalic blood flow in the dog. Unilateral stimulation of the cervical sympathetic in dogs had no effect on cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by the venous outflow technique. Since this technique measured CBF from both cerebral hemispheres, small changes induced by unilateral stimulation could have been masked by a large constant CBF measured from the contralteral hemisphere. To test this possibility the effect of simultaneous bilateral sympathetic stimulation was studied when the dog was breathing either normal air or a gas mixture of 10%CO2. During normocapnia, no changes in CBF occurred; during hypercapnia CBF increased 19% following passively the increase in blood pressure. These data indicate that bilateral stimulation of extracranial sympathetic nerves does not exert a significant effect on CBF. We show mathematically and experimentally that unoccluded anastomses will cause CBF to appear to decrease in response to sympathetic stimulation. This may explain why others have observed changes in CBF during sympathetic stimulation.", "PMID": 622740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4560", "title": "Cerebral infarction in young adults.", "content": "The etiologic and prognostic features which characterize cerebrovascular disease in the later decades of life are not applicable in younger patients. The records of 58 patients who had suffered cerebral infarction between the ages of 15 and 40 were reviewed in order to study these features. Fifty-five percent of the patients were found to have had an identifiable etiology for their cerebral infarction, with nearly half of these suffering from embolic infarction of cardiac origin. In 45% no clear etiology could be established but hypertension was prevalent in those patients between 31 and 40 years of age. Follow up data were obtained on 68% of the hospital survivors; nearly 3/4 of them had completely recovered or had improved.", "contents": "Cerebral infarction in young adults. The etiologic and prognostic features which characterize cerebrovascular disease in the later decades of life are not applicable in younger patients. The records of 58 patients who had suffered cerebral infarction between the ages of 15 and 40 were reviewed in order to study these features. Fifty-five percent of the patients were found to have had an identifiable etiology for their cerebral infarction, with nearly half of these suffering from embolic infarction of cardiac origin. In 45% no clear etiology could be established but hypertension was prevalent in those patients between 31 and 40 years of age. Follow up data were obtained on 68% of the hospital survivors; nearly 3/4 of them had completely recovered or had improved.", "PMID": 622742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4561", "title": "Modification of acute focal ischemia by treatment with mannitol.", "content": "A simple implanted device was used to occlude acutely the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) of 16 conscious cats. Eight received no treatment and 8 were given intravenous mannitol (1.2 gm/kg) at the time of occlusion. The initial neurological findings in both groups were similar, that is, agitation, forced circling, and right hemiparesis. The treated cats remained alert but the untreated cats became lethargic and drowsy. Perfusion with a mixture of colloidal carbon and buffered paraformaldehyde was carried out from 30 minutes to 6 hours following MCA occlusion. Results of morphological examination of brains from the treated and untreated groups suggested that mannitol had a protective effect upon cerebral tissue during the primary phase of acute focal ischemia. Light microscopic analysis of neuronal alterations demonstrated considerable preservation of neurons in brains of treated cats. Beneficial effect of mannitol was attributed partly to prevention of capillary narrowing and suppression of ischemic cerebral edema.", "contents": "Modification of acute focal ischemia by treatment with mannitol. A simple implanted device was used to occlude acutely the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) of 16 conscious cats. Eight received no treatment and 8 were given intravenous mannitol (1.2 gm/kg) at the time of occlusion. The initial neurological findings in both groups were similar, that is, agitation, forced circling, and right hemiparesis. The treated cats remained alert but the untreated cats became lethargic and drowsy. Perfusion with a mixture of colloidal carbon and buffered paraformaldehyde was carried out from 30 minutes to 6 hours following MCA occlusion. Results of morphological examination of brains from the treated and untreated groups suggested that mannitol had a protective effect upon cerebral tissue during the primary phase of acute focal ischemia. Light microscopic analysis of neuronal alterations demonstrated considerable preservation of neurons in brains of treated cats. Beneficial effect of mannitol was attributed partly to prevention of capillary narrowing and suppression of ischemic cerebral edema.", "PMID": 622743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4562", "title": "Ultrasonic digital interferometer for investigation of blood clotting.", "content": "The digital ultrasonic fixed path interferometer designed for testing small amounts of sample was used for the investigation of whole blood coagulation, retraction and clot melting processes. The ultrasound velocity and absorption are determined from the characteristics of an acoustic resonator consisting of an emitter, a column of liquid to be tested and a receiver. The measuring accuracy of the ultrasound velocity is 0.1 ms-1, resolution--0.01 ms-1; the absorption measuring error does not exceed 10%. The device operates automatically giving analogue signals in the output for the recorder and discrete ones for the tape puncher to process the results obtained by computer. This permits employment of the interferometer in complex investigation systems. The whole blood clotting characteristics obtained provide new information which correlates with the results of some biological tests.", "contents": "Ultrasonic digital interferometer for investigation of blood clotting. The digital ultrasonic fixed path interferometer designed for testing small amounts of sample was used for the investigation of whole blood coagulation, retraction and clot melting processes. The ultrasound velocity and absorption are determined from the characteristics of an acoustic resonator consisting of an emitter, a column of liquid to be tested and a receiver. The measuring accuracy of the ultrasound velocity is 0.1 ms-1, resolution--0.01 ms-1; the absorption measuring error does not exceed 10%. The device operates automatically giving analogue signals in the output for the recorder and discrete ones for the tape puncher to process the results obtained by computer. This permits employment of the interferometer in complex investigation systems. The whole blood clotting characteristics obtained provide new information which correlates with the results of some biological tests.", "PMID": 622750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4563", "title": "Thromboendarterectomy for total occlusion of the internal carotid artery: a reappraisal of risks, success rate and potential benefits.", "content": "Forty consecutive patients undergoing thromboendarterectomy for total internal carotid artery occlusion were studied in an attempt to determine a) whether careful case selection could be expected to reduce future postoperative mortality and morbidity, b) whether the achieved patency rate justified early operation and c) whether patients in whom patency was restored and maintained had a better long-term prognosis. The results show that a group of patients can be selected that will have low postoperative mortality and morbidity. The success rate for restoration of blood flow is high, particularly if the operation is performed soon after occlusion. The long-term prognosis in patients in whom patency of the internal carotid artery is restored and maintained appears to be better than in those with persistent occlusion of the carotid artery.", "contents": "Thromboendarterectomy for total occlusion of the internal carotid artery: a reappraisal of risks, success rate and potential benefits. Forty consecutive patients undergoing thromboendarterectomy for total internal carotid artery occlusion were studied in an attempt to determine a) whether careful case selection could be expected to reduce future postoperative mortality and morbidity, b) whether the achieved patency rate justified early operation and c) whether patients in whom patency was restored and maintained had a better long-term prognosis. The results show that a group of patients can be selected that will have low postoperative mortality and morbidity. The success rate for restoration of blood flow is high, particularly if the operation is performed soon after occlusion. The long-term prognosis in patients in whom patency of the internal carotid artery is restored and maintained appears to be better than in those with persistent occlusion of the carotid artery.", "PMID": 622741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4564", "title": "Cerebrovascular disease in sickle cell anemia: a clinical, pathological and radiological correlation.", "content": "An opportunity to study cerebrovascular changes in sickle cell anemia (SCA) presented itself when a black child with this disorder died of bihemispheric strokes. Angiography demonstrated severe occlusive vascular disease involving primarily the circle of Willis and major bifurcations of both internal carotid arteries. Collateral circulation to the distal branches of the internal carotid arteries occurred through transdural anastomoses from the external carotid system and via the leptomeningeal route. Perfusion of the basal ganglia was accomplished by vessels arising from the proximal internal carotid arteries. These changes resembled those of Moyamoya disease. Autopsy showed old and recent cerebral infarcts. Two vascular processes were responsible for the arterial occlusions: (1) exuberant intimal hyperplasia, and (2) old and recent thrombi with partial recanalization. The former has been described only once before in SCA. Small vessels in the basal ganglia were exceptionally numerous and dilated. We conclude that intimal hyperplasia within large cerebral arteries may be responsible for infarction and small vessel prliferation in basal ganglia in patients with SCA.", "contents": "Cerebrovascular disease in sickle cell anemia: a clinical, pathological and radiological correlation. An opportunity to study cerebrovascular changes in sickle cell anemia (SCA) presented itself when a black child with this disorder died of bihemispheric strokes. Angiography demonstrated severe occlusive vascular disease involving primarily the circle of Willis and major bifurcations of both internal carotid arteries. Collateral circulation to the distal branches of the internal carotid arteries occurred through transdural anastomoses from the external carotid system and via the leptomeningeal route. Perfusion of the basal ganglia was accomplished by vessels arising from the proximal internal carotid arteries. These changes resembled those of Moyamoya disease. Autopsy showed old and recent cerebral infarcts. Two vascular processes were responsible for the arterial occlusions: (1) exuberant intimal hyperplasia, and (2) old and recent thrombi with partial recanalization. The former has been described only once before in SCA. Small vessels in the basal ganglia were exceptionally numerous and dilated. We conclude that intimal hyperplasia within large cerebral arteries may be responsible for infarction and small vessel prliferation in basal ganglia in patients with SCA.", "PMID": 622745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4565", "title": "Vascular spasm in cat cerebral cortex following ischemia.", "content": "The reaction of brain parenchymal vessels in areas of no-reflow following ischemia in cats was evaluated. A method was devised by which brain biopsies following ischemia were quickly frozen at -170 degrees C, sections were cut and stained and vessel internal and external diameter measured. Vessels in the no-reflow areas had smaller internal and external diameters and thicker walls when compared to adjacent reflow areas as well as to normal control animals. By utilizing a 2-way analysis of variance in which reflow versus no-reflow vessel diameters were compared by region the differences were found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.05). The data raise the possibility that there may exist normal regional differences in the size of cerebral vessels.", "contents": "Vascular spasm in cat cerebral cortex following ischemia. The reaction of brain parenchymal vessels in areas of no-reflow following ischemia in cats was evaluated. A method was devised by which brain biopsies following ischemia were quickly frozen at -170 degrees C, sections were cut and stained and vessel internal and external diameter measured. Vessels in the no-reflow areas had smaller internal and external diameters and thicker walls when compared to adjacent reflow areas as well as to normal control animals. By utilizing a 2-way analysis of variance in which reflow versus no-reflow vessel diameters were compared by region the differences were found to be statistically significant (p less than 0.05). The data raise the possibility that there may exist normal regional differences in the size of cerebral vessels.", "PMID": 622746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4566", "title": "Dilated episcleral arteries--a significant physical finding in assessment of patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.", "content": "Dilated episcleral vessels associated with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusions have been previously reported though not widely appreciated. These ocular changes have been presumed to be manifestations of ocular ischemia. The authors have recently encountered this sign in seven patients and in none was there evidence of ocular ischemia. In addition to an ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion, arteriograms demonstrated that the major source of blood supply to the homolateral cerebral hemisphere was by retrograde flow through markedly enlarged ophthalmic arteries filled in retrograde fashion from dilated external carotid collateral channels in the orbit. This association of dilated episcleral arteries as a sign of increased orbital blood flow and the major source of collateral blood supply to the homolateral cerebral hemisphere has not been previously reported. We reemphasize the importance of a careful examination of the episcleral vessels in patients suspected of having internal carotid artery occlusions.", "contents": "Dilated episcleral arteries--a significant physical finding in assessment of patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. Dilated episcleral vessels associated with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusions have been previously reported though not widely appreciated. These ocular changes have been presumed to be manifestations of ocular ischemia. The authors have recently encountered this sign in seven patients and in none was there evidence of ocular ischemia. In addition to an ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion, arteriograms demonstrated that the major source of blood supply to the homolateral cerebral hemisphere was by retrograde flow through markedly enlarged ophthalmic arteries filled in retrograde fashion from dilated external carotid collateral channels in the orbit. This association of dilated episcleral arteries as a sign of increased orbital blood flow and the major source of collateral blood supply to the homolateral cerebral hemisphere has not been previously reported. We reemphasize the importance of a careful examination of the episcleral vessels in patients suspected of having internal carotid artery occlusions.", "PMID": 622744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4567", "title": "Photostudies of urethral varices \"hemorrhoids\": a forgotten lesion.", "content": "The clinical features, endoscopic findings, and management of urethral varices \"hemorrhoids\" are described. We also offer a preliminary pathophysiologic discussion of their genesis and their oversight.", "contents": "Photostudies of urethral varices \"hemorrhoids\": a forgotten lesion. The clinical features, endoscopic findings, and management of urethral varices \"hemorrhoids\" are described. We also offer a preliminary pathophysiologic discussion of their genesis and their oversight.", "PMID": 622756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4568", "title": "Suprapubic wad suspension. Combined perineal-abdominal approach for correction of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.", "content": "A three-year experience with 20 patients who became incontinent after various types of prostatectomies is described. A new method of repair using a combined approach is presented. The perineal component allows the insertion of a pliable prosthetic \"wad.\" The posterior edge of the wad is held in a position inclined 20 degrees toward the vertical plane of the recumbent patient's perineum by two heavy nylon sutures. The sutures are brought into the previously dissected retropubic space by the use of a 10-cm. long Keith needle which is passed through the urogenital diaphragm. The ends of the sutures are tied over small marlex pledges over the abdominal fascia. There were two failures and one case in which urethral stricture developed among the 20 patients undergoing surgery.", "contents": "Suprapubic wad suspension. Combined perineal-abdominal approach for correction of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence. A three-year experience with 20 patients who became incontinent after various types of prostatectomies is described. A new method of repair using a combined approach is presented. The perineal component allows the insertion of a pliable prosthetic \"wad.\" The posterior edge of the wad is held in a position inclined 20 degrees toward the vertical plane of the recumbent patient's perineum by two heavy nylon sutures. The sutures are brought into the previously dissected retropubic space by the use of a 10-cm. long Keith needle which is passed through the urogenital diaphragm. The ends of the sutures are tied over small marlex pledges over the abdominal fascia. There were two failures and one case in which urethral stricture developed among the 20 patients undergoing surgery.", "PMID": 622757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4569", "title": "Torsion of spermatic cord.", "content": "A series of 198 cases of acute unilateral, painful scrotal swelling considered to be torsion is presented and an aggressive surgical management of this entity described. The results achieved, a high incidence of testicular salvage, justify this aggressive approach.", "contents": "Torsion of spermatic cord. A series of 198 cases of acute unilateral, painful scrotal swelling considered to be torsion is presented and an aggressive surgical management of this entity described. The results achieved, a high incidence of testicular salvage, justify this aggressive approach.", "PMID": 622758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4570", "title": "133Xenon inhalation method: significance of indicator maldistribution for distinguishing brain areas with impaired perfusion. An index for total flow.", "content": "This paper introduces a new index for the assessment of regional cerebral blood flow. The index is proportional to total flow, and is obtained from the ratio of regional count rate to arterial indicator input to a region. This index is a more sensitive indicator of impaired perfusion than the traditional flow rate indices which express flow per unit mass of tissue per minute. It accounts for brain tissue partly or totally deprived of its blood supply. Examples of clinical application are reported. A good correlation with the findings of computer-assisted tomography has been found.", "contents": "133Xenon inhalation method: significance of indicator maldistribution for distinguishing brain areas with impaired perfusion. An index for total flow. This paper introduces a new index for the assessment of regional cerebral blood flow. The index is proportional to total flow, and is obtained from the ratio of regional count rate to arterial indicator input to a region. This index is a more sensitive indicator of impaired perfusion than the traditional flow rate indices which express flow per unit mass of tissue per minute. It accounts for brain tissue partly or totally deprived of its blood supply. Examples of clinical application are reported. A good correlation with the findings of computer-assisted tomography has been found.", "PMID": 622747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4571", "title": "Isolated torsion of penis. Report of 6 cases.", "content": "Torsion of the penis as an isolated anomaly has rarely been reported. Six such cases seen in a pediatric urologic practice within a two and one-half-year span suggest that it is not as rare as has been hitherto suggested. The embryologic abnormality appears to be an isolated skin and dartos defect, since the torsion is completely remedied by simply freeing the penile shaft of its investing tissue. The ease of achieving a normal appearance would appear to justify its surgical correction.", "contents": "Isolated torsion of penis. Report of 6 cases. Torsion of the penis as an isolated anomaly has rarely been reported. Six such cases seen in a pediatric urologic practice within a two and one-half-year span suggest that it is not as rare as has been hitherto suggested. The embryologic abnormality appears to be an isolated skin and dartos defect, since the torsion is completely remedied by simply freeing the penile shaft of its investing tissue. The ease of achieving a normal appearance would appear to justify its surgical correction.", "PMID": 622759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4572", "title": "Evaluation of closed suprapubic cystostomy.", "content": "Closed suprapubic cystostomy is an expeditious procedure for a variety of clinical conditions requiring urinary drainage. Its benignity is reflected by a low complication rate of 1.6 per cent and no deaths in this series of 244 consecutive patients. Nevertheless, major complications can occur if proper technique is not adhered to or contraindications are not observed.", "contents": "Evaluation of closed suprapubic cystostomy. Closed suprapubic cystostomy is an expeditious procedure for a variety of clinical conditions requiring urinary drainage. Its benignity is reflected by a low complication rate of 1.6 per cent and no deaths in this series of 244 consecutive patients. Nevertheless, major complications can occur if proper technique is not adhered to or contraindications are not observed.", "PMID": 622760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4573", "title": "Partial replacement of urinary bladder by autologous gallbladder.", "content": "In an effort to find a more suitable method of partial urinary bladder replacement for those patients with either a damaged or contracted bladder, the use of the autologous gallbladder was studied. The urinary bladders of 6 female dogs were partially resected, and the defective portions were replaced by autologous gallbladder transplants. After six weeks, the gallbladder mucosa showed evidence of squamous cell metaplasia progressing toward transitional cell epithelium with minimal necrosis. The muscular layer showed extensive granulation tissue and revascularization. No changes were detected in the upper urinary tracts. No mortality or detectable morbidity was associated with the procedure. It appears that the gallbladder may have a role to play in partial urinary bladder replacement.", "contents": "Partial replacement of urinary bladder by autologous gallbladder. In an effort to find a more suitable method of partial urinary bladder replacement for those patients with either a damaged or contracted bladder, the use of the autologous gallbladder was studied. The urinary bladders of 6 female dogs were partially resected, and the defective portions were replaced by autologous gallbladder transplants. After six weeks, the gallbladder mucosa showed evidence of squamous cell metaplasia progressing toward transitional cell epithelium with minimal necrosis. The muscular layer showed extensive granulation tissue and revascularization. No changes were detected in the upper urinary tracts. No mortality or detectable morbidity was associated with the procedure. It appears that the gallbladder may have a role to play in partial urinary bladder replacement.", "PMID": 622761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4574", "title": "Hydronephrosis, renal agenesis, and associated genitourinary anomalies in ACI rats.", "content": "The ACI rat provides a congenital mammalian model for the spontaneously occurring defects of renal agenesis and hydronephrosis. These anomalies appear to be part of a spectrum of abnormalities caused by a mesonephric duct defect. These same anomalies also exist in man probably more commonly than previously appreciated.", "contents": "Hydronephrosis, renal agenesis, and associated genitourinary anomalies in ACI rats. The ACI rat provides a congenital mammalian model for the spontaneously occurring defects of renal agenesis and hydronephrosis. These anomalies appear to be part of a spectrum of abnormalities caused by a mesonephric duct defect. These same anomalies also exist in man probably more commonly than previously appreciated.", "PMID": 622762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4575", "title": "Intra-arterial streptokinase and renal artery embolization.", "content": "An animal experiment was constructed to simulate the clinical entity of renal artery embolization. Because of the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the current methods of treatment, percutaneous infusion of the renal artery with streptokinase was evaluated as a new method of therapy. Results were analyzed by the following criteria: (1) arteriography, (2) gross pathology, and (3) differential renal function studies. In 12 dogs whose left kidney was embolized without treatment, renal function was 38 per cent of the contralateral normal kidney twenty-one days later. Seven dogs were embolized but treated immediately with intra-arterial streptokinase for six hours; renal function was increased to 58 per cent of the contralateral normal kidney. Various fibrinolytic agents and their possible clinical application in embolism are discussed.", "contents": "Intra-arterial streptokinase and renal artery embolization. An animal experiment was constructed to simulate the clinical entity of renal artery embolization. Because of the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the current methods of treatment, percutaneous infusion of the renal artery with streptokinase was evaluated as a new method of therapy. Results were analyzed by the following criteria: (1) arteriography, (2) gross pathology, and (3) differential renal function studies. In 12 dogs whose left kidney was embolized without treatment, renal function was 38 per cent of the contralateral normal kidney twenty-one days later. Seven dogs were embolized but treated immediately with intra-arterial streptokinase for six hours; renal function was increased to 58 per cent of the contralateral normal kidney. Various fibrinolytic agents and their possible clinical application in embolism are discussed.", "PMID": 622763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4576", "title": "Urinary fistula into ureteral stump after ileal conduit diversion.", "content": "Despite ileal conduit diversion for urinary incontinence, an adolescent male with meningomyelocele continued to void per urethram postoperatively. Urologic investigation disclosed spontaneous fistulization from a ureteroileal anastomosis to a ligated ureteral stump, with resultant urinary drainage to the bladder. This unusual complication of ileal conduit diversion has not been reported previously. More attention should be directed to securing a watertight ureteroileal anastomosis. A careful single layer anastomosis is recommended to minimize urinary leakage without increasing the risks of stenosis and obstruction.", "contents": "Urinary fistula into ureteral stump after ileal conduit diversion. Despite ileal conduit diversion for urinary incontinence, an adolescent male with meningomyelocele continued to void per urethram postoperatively. Urologic investigation disclosed spontaneous fistulization from a ureteroileal anastomosis to a ligated ureteral stump, with resultant urinary drainage to the bladder. This unusual complication of ileal conduit diversion has not been reported previously. More attention should be directed to securing a watertight ureteroileal anastomosis. A careful single layer anastomosis is recommended to minimize urinary leakage without increasing the risks of stenosis and obstruction.", "PMID": 622764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4577", "title": "Vesical endometriosis.", "content": "An additional case of endometriosis of the bladder is reported illustrating the classic clinical features of the disease; treatment was by partial cystectomy. Vesical endometriosis is then discussed with reference to its unusual features and management.", "contents": "Vesical endometriosis. An additional case of endometriosis of the bladder is reported illustrating the classic clinical features of the disease; treatment was by partial cystectomy. Vesical endometriosis is then discussed with reference to its unusual features and management.", "PMID": 622765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4578", "title": "Abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as retroperitoneal fibrosis.", "content": "A case of abdominal aortic aneurysm which presented as retroperitoneal fibrosis followed by fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation is reported. A diagnostic aortogram should be considered in all cases of apparent idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.", "contents": "Abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as retroperitoneal fibrosis. A case of abdominal aortic aneurysm which presented as retroperitoneal fibrosis followed by fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation is reported. A diagnostic aortogram should be considered in all cases of apparent idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.", "PMID": 622766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4579", "title": "Use of ephedrine to control anal urinary incontinence.", "content": "A case illustrating the use of ephedrine to control urinary incontinence from the rectum is reported. It is postulated that this successful treatment is due to the action of ephedrine on the smooth muscle of the anal sphincter.", "contents": "Use of ephedrine to control anal urinary incontinence. A case illustrating the use of ephedrine to control urinary incontinence from the rectum is reported. It is postulated that this successful treatment is due to the action of ephedrine on the smooth muscle of the anal sphincter.", "PMID": 622767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4580", "title": "Plasmacytoma of testis presenting as primary testicular tumor.", "content": "Two cases of plasmacytoma of the testis presenting as primary testicular tumors are presented. This lesion may be confused both clinically and histologically with other more common pathologic conditions.", "contents": "Plasmacytoma of testis presenting as primary testicular tumor. Two cases of plasmacytoma of the testis presenting as primary testicular tumors are presented. This lesion may be confused both clinically and histologically with other more common pathologic conditions.", "PMID": 622772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4581", "title": "Pure leiomyoma of prostate.", "content": "This is a case of pure leiomyoma of the prostate replacing the entire prostatic tissue. On microscopic study no prostatic glandular elements were identified. The literature is also reviewed.", "contents": "Pure leiomyoma of prostate. This is a case of pure leiomyoma of the prostate replacing the entire prostatic tissue. On microscopic study no prostatic glandular elements were identified. The literature is also reviewed.", "PMID": 622773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4582", "title": "Polycystic kidneys without radiologic enlargement.", "content": "Polycystic kidneys in adults usually appear in the middle years and are described as large kidneys with most of their parenchyma displaced by a large number of cysts. Often the diagnosis is excluded if the intravenous pyelogram reveals kidneys of normal size. This report describes a patient with normal sized polycystic kidneys discovered at an advanced age.", "contents": "Polycystic kidneys without radiologic enlargement. Polycystic kidneys in adults usually appear in the middle years and are described as large kidneys with most of their parenchyma displaced by a large number of cysts. Often the diagnosis is excluded if the intravenous pyelogram reveals kidneys of normal size. This report describes a patient with normal sized polycystic kidneys discovered at an advanced age.", "PMID": 622774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4583", "title": "Detection of bone metastases in urogenital malignancies utilizing 99mTc-labeled phosphate compounds.", "content": "A retrospective study of 99 patients with proved urogenital malignancies was done to determine the value of bone scanning versus roentgenographic skeletal survey in assessing the degree of metastatic involvement. Findings on bone scans were positive in 59 patients, and in 7 of these patients results of roentgenographic skeletal survey were negative; 11 additional patients had only minimal roentgenographic abnormalities in contrast to more extensive involvement demonstrated by bone scanning.", "contents": "Detection of bone metastases in urogenital malignancies utilizing 99mTc-labeled phosphate compounds. A retrospective study of 99 patients with proved urogenital malignancies was done to determine the value of bone scanning versus roentgenographic skeletal survey in assessing the degree of metastatic involvement. Findings on bone scans were positive in 59 patients, and in 7 of these patients results of roentgenographic skeletal survey were negative; 11 additional patients had only minimal roentgenographic abnormalities in contrast to more extensive involvement demonstrated by bone scanning.", "PMID": 622775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4584", "title": "Discovery of a lectin with affinity for the HBs antigen.", "content": "An extract of marguerite leaves was found to contain an agglutinin which has affinity for HBs (adr type) antigen-sensitized sheep erythrocytes and for pure HBs antigen. This agglutinin activity was inhibited by the plasma of hepatitis patients who were known to have circulating HBs antigen. The agglutinin activity was also inhibited by 0.03M N-acetylneuraminic acid.", "contents": "Discovery of a lectin with affinity for the HBs antigen. An extract of marguerite leaves was found to contain an agglutinin which has affinity for HBs (adr type) antigen-sensitized sheep erythrocytes and for pure HBs antigen. This agglutinin activity was inhibited by the plasma of hepatitis patients who were known to have circulating HBs antigen. The agglutinin activity was also inhibited by 0.03M N-acetylneuraminic acid.", "PMID": 622813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4585", "title": "Hepatitis B antigen and antibody among staff members of an Israeli hospital and a kibbutz population.", "content": "Until recently, hepatitis type B was thought to be transmitted parenterally. However, much evidence has appeared regarding non-parenteral transmission. Hospital personnel are exposed both ways to this disease. We compared the incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) among 388 workers at a major medical center in Israel with 203 kibbutz residents, using radioimmunoassay procedures. Of the hospital personnel, 1.8% were found to carry the antigen and 23.9% the antibody. In contrast, 0.5% of kibbutz personnel were antigen-positive and 11.8% carried the antibody. The highest incidence of antibody was found among people born in middle-eastern countries outside of Israel. These results show a significant increase in the exposure of hospital personnel to hepatitis B virus. A marked increase in the frequency of sera positive for anti-HBs occurred after the first year of hospital work.", "contents": "Hepatitis B antigen and antibody among staff members of an Israeli hospital and a kibbutz population. Until recently, hepatitis type B was thought to be transmitted parenterally. However, much evidence has appeared regarding non-parenteral transmission. Hospital personnel are exposed both ways to this disease. We compared the incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) among 388 workers at a major medical center in Israel with 203 kibbutz residents, using radioimmunoassay procedures. Of the hospital personnel, 1.8% were found to carry the antigen and 23.9% the antibody. In contrast, 0.5% of kibbutz personnel were antigen-positive and 11.8% carried the antibody. The highest incidence of antibody was found among people born in middle-eastern countries outside of Israel. These results show a significant increase in the exposure of hospital personnel to hepatitis B virus. A marked increase in the frequency of sera positive for anti-HBs occurred after the first year of hospital work.", "PMID": 622814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4586", "title": "An attempt at passive transfer of immunity to leprosy patients by transfusion of allogeneic lymphocytes, inactivated with mitomycin C.", "content": "An attempt was made to repair cell-mediated immunity in 7 patients suffering from lepromatous leprosy and severe erythema nodosum leprosum by intravenous infusion of 400 million allogeneic blood lymphocytes on 3 occasions. The lymphocytes were obtained from lepromin and tuberculin-positive subjects and were inactivated in vitro by treatment with mitomycin C. Immunotherapy with inactivated lymphocytes only modified the severity of erythema nodosum leprosum, without altering other aspects of the disease.", "contents": "An attempt at passive transfer of immunity to leprosy patients by transfusion of allogeneic lymphocytes, inactivated with mitomycin C. An attempt was made to repair cell-mediated immunity in 7 patients suffering from lepromatous leprosy and severe erythema nodosum leprosum by intravenous infusion of 400 million allogeneic blood lymphocytes on 3 occasions. The lymphocytes were obtained from lepromin and tuberculin-positive subjects and were inactivated in vitro by treatment with mitomycin C. Immunotherapy with inactivated lymphocytes only modified the severity of erythema nodosum leprosum, without altering other aspects of the disease.", "PMID": 622816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4587", "title": "Serum ferritin levels in male blood donors: relation to number of phlebotomies and iron supplementation.", "content": "Serum ferritin estimation has been shown to be a reliable test to reveal iron deficiency. Such estimations have been made in groups of male blood donors with a varying number of previous phlebotomies and a mean interval between donations of 9.9 +/- 1.7 SD weeks. It was found that the mean ferritin level was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower in the blood donors than in nondonors. After 6-8 phlebotomies it was about 40% lower. Subnormal ferritin values were found in 10% of the donors, almost exclusively among those who had taken less than 1,000 mg of iron supplementation since the last donation. It is concluded that with a donation interval of about 10 weeks, there is a considerable risk for iron deficiency after about 6 donations. This risk is far less if more than 1,000 mg of iron supplementation is taken between phlebotomies. A role for serum ferritin estimation in monitoring donation intervals and/or iron therapy is suggested.", "contents": "Serum ferritin levels in male blood donors: relation to number of phlebotomies and iron supplementation. Serum ferritin estimation has been shown to be a reliable test to reveal iron deficiency. Such estimations have been made in groups of male blood donors with a varying number of previous phlebotomies and a mean interval between donations of 9.9 +/- 1.7 SD weeks. It was found that the mean ferritin level was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower in the blood donors than in nondonors. After 6-8 phlebotomies it was about 40% lower. Subnormal ferritin values were found in 10% of the donors, almost exclusively among those who had taken less than 1,000 mg of iron supplementation since the last donation. It is concluded that with a donation interval of about 10 weeks, there is a considerable risk for iron deficiency after about 6 donations. This risk is far less if more than 1,000 mg of iron supplementation is taken between phlebotomies. A role for serum ferritin estimation in monitoring donation intervals and/or iron therapy is suggested.", "PMID": 622818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4588", "title": "Variation of cold agglutinin levels.", "content": "Cold agglutinin levels were determined in 120 individuals ranging in age from 1 to 64 years using untreated and ficin-treated group O erythrocytes. The geometric mean titer for untreated cells was 5.7 +/- 1.1 SEM and for ficin-treated cells 18.7 +/- 1.1 SEM. The mean titers and scores for various blood groups were not significantly different. Titers and scores correlated significantly to total serum IgM concentration (p less than 0.001). Females had significantly higher cold agglutinin levels than males (p less than 0.001). A significant decrease of cold agglutinins occurred in the 26- to 64-year age group as compared to the 11- to 25-year age group (p less than 0.01). The data should contribute to a clearer understanding of the biological impact of cold agglutinins.", "contents": "Variation of cold agglutinin levels. Cold agglutinin levels were determined in 120 individuals ranging in age from 1 to 64 years using untreated and ficin-treated group O erythrocytes. The geometric mean titer for untreated cells was 5.7 +/- 1.1 SEM and for ficin-treated cells 18.7 +/- 1.1 SEM. The mean titers and scores for various blood groups were not significantly different. Titers and scores correlated significantly to total serum IgM concentration (p less than 0.001). Females had significantly higher cold agglutinin levels than males (p less than 0.001). A significant decrease of cold agglutinins occurred in the 26- to 64-year age group as compared to the 11- to 25-year age group (p less than 0.01). The data should contribute to a clearer understanding of the biological impact of cold agglutinins.", "PMID": 622819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4589", "title": "Anticore antibody screening of transfused blood.", "content": "Aliquots of 130 HB8Ag negative units of blood which were administered to 26 recipients were tested under code for anti-HBc by a solid phase radioimmunoassay technqiue. 14 of the 26 recipients developed posttransfusion hepatitis (PTH), including 6 cases of hepatitis B. Anti-HBc was detected in 7 or 5.3% of 130 donor units. Of the 14 patients acquiring PTH, 6 received a unit of anti-HBc-positive blood. Type B hepatitis occurred in 4 of the 7 anti-HBc recipients, and non-type B hepatitis in 2. Only 1 of 12 recipients who failed to develop PTH had received a unit containing anti-HBc.", "contents": "Anticore antibody screening of transfused blood. Aliquots of 130 HB8Ag negative units of blood which were administered to 26 recipients were tested under code for anti-HBc by a solid phase radioimmunoassay technqiue. 14 of the 26 recipients developed posttransfusion hepatitis (PTH), including 6 cases of hepatitis B. Anti-HBc was detected in 7 or 5.3% of 130 donor units. Of the 14 patients acquiring PTH, 6 received a unit of anti-HBc-positive blood. Type B hepatitis occurred in 4 of the 7 anti-HBc recipients, and non-type B hepatitis in 2. Only 1 of 12 recipients who failed to develop PTH had received a unit containing anti-HBc.", "PMID": 622820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4590", "title": "Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) content of blood or blood components stored in plastic bags.", "content": "Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of plastic bags for blood products, which may be toxic. No more than a trace (less than 0.1 microgram/ml) could be detected in anticoagulants in blood bags, or in the blood of healthy untransfused subjects. A mean of 23 microgram/ml was found in ACD whole blood after 2 weeks storage, and 46 microgram/ml after 3 weeks; the corresponding figures for packed cells were 39 and 45 microgram/ml. The level in CPD whole blood was similar. Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate contained 7 microgram/ml, while levels of 1.0 and 0.7 microgram/ml of DEHP were found in the blood of two patients who had received massive transfusions. Most DEHP in stored blood was associated with plasma lipoproteins.", "contents": "Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) content of blood or blood components stored in plastic bags. Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of plastic bags for blood products, which may be toxic. No more than a trace (less than 0.1 microgram/ml) could be detected in anticoagulants in blood bags, or in the blood of healthy untransfused subjects. A mean of 23 microgram/ml was found in ACD whole blood after 2 weeks storage, and 46 microgram/ml after 3 weeks; the corresponding figures for packed cells were 39 and 45 microgram/ml. The level in CPD whole blood was similar. Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate contained 7 microgram/ml, while levels of 1.0 and 0.7 microgram/ml of DEHP were found in the blood of two patients who had received massive transfusions. Most DEHP in stored blood was associated with plasma lipoproteins.", "PMID": 622821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4591", "title": "Professional and voluntary blood: a preliminary study in Iran.", "content": "Among professional and voluntary blood donors in Tehran HBsAg carriers and RPR positives were found more frequently in the former group. The levels of haemoglobin, serum total protein and serum immunoglobulins G, A and M were significantly lower in commercial blood. Measurement of transferrin saturation showed that one-third of professional donors were quite severely iron deficient. For fractionation purposes the maximum theoretical yield from commercial plasma is 16% less IgG than from plasma of voluntary donors, 21% less total immunoglobulins and 20% less albumin.", "contents": "Professional and voluntary blood: a preliminary study in Iran. Among professional and voluntary blood donors in Tehran HBsAg carriers and RPR positives were found more frequently in the former group. The levels of haemoglobin, serum total protein and serum immunoglobulins G, A and M were significantly lower in commercial blood. Measurement of transferrin saturation showed that one-third of professional donors were quite severely iron deficient. For fractionation purposes the maximum theoretical yield from commercial plasma is 16% less IgG than from plasma of voluntary donors, 21% less total immunoglobulins and 20% less albumin.", "PMID": 622822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4592", "title": "Genetic evidence for four common alleles at the phosphoglucomutase-1 locus (PGM1) detectable by isoelectric focusing.", "content": "The existence of 4 alleles of phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) in human red cell lysates has been demonstrated by isoelectric focusing confirming earlier work by Bark et al. and Kuhnl et al. A survey of 101 red cell lysates and the inheritance of these alleles in 24 families are now described.", "contents": "Genetic evidence for four common alleles at the phosphoglucomutase-1 locus (PGM1) detectable by isoelectric focusing. The existence of 4 alleles of phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) in human red cell lysates has been demonstrated by isoelectric focusing confirming earlier work by Bark et al. and Kuhnl et al. A survey of 101 red cell lysates and the inheritance of these alleles in 24 families are now described.", "PMID": 622823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4593", "title": "Morphology and physiology of the McLeod erythrocyte. I. Scanning electron microscopy and electrolyte and water transport properties.", "content": "The McLeod phenotype is a rare condition characterized by deficiencies in the Kell blood group antigens of erythrocytes. The present study has defined some of the morphological and physiological characteristics of these red cells. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that approximately 27% of McLeod cells are morphologically abnormal. These aberrant forms resemble the acanthocytes of abetalipoproteinemia. Incubation experiments indicate that the morphology of McLeod erythrocytes is not due to a plasma factor. Biochemical studies reveal that the lipid composition and microviscosity of these erythrocytes are normal. In addition, isotopic tracer experiments indicate that electrolyte transport is also within the normal range. However, osmotic water permeability is approximately 30% below normal. The absence of a lipid abnormality and other experimental data suggest that the abnormal morphology and reduced H2O permeability of the McLeod erythrocyte may be due to defective membrane protein.", "contents": "Morphology and physiology of the McLeod erythrocyte. I. Scanning electron microscopy and electrolyte and water transport properties. The McLeod phenotype is a rare condition characterized by deficiencies in the Kell blood group antigens of erythrocytes. The present study has defined some of the morphological and physiological characteristics of these red cells. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that approximately 27% of McLeod cells are morphologically abnormal. These aberrant forms resemble the acanthocytes of abetalipoproteinemia. Incubation experiments indicate that the morphology of McLeod erythrocytes is not due to a plasma factor. Biochemical studies reveal that the lipid composition and microviscosity of these erythrocytes are normal. In addition, isotopic tracer experiments indicate that electrolyte transport is also within the normal range. However, osmotic water permeability is approximately 30% below normal. The absence of a lipid abnormality and other experimental data suggest that the abnormal morphology and reduced H2O permeability of the McLeod erythrocyte may be due to defective membrane protein.", "PMID": 622824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4594", "title": "Change of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in different conditions of blood preservation.", "content": "Changes of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin were studied in blood preserved in different conditions. Changes in hemoglobin function were least in CPD blood in plastic bags, and more extensive in ACD blood in plastic bags, ACD packed red blood cells in plastic bags and ACD blood in glass bottles, respectively. These decreases are consistent with the changes of organic phosphates levels during storage found in earlier studies. When old erythrocytes were incubated with inosine, pyruvate and phosphate, defective oxygen transport function was completely restored even after 7 weeks storage in ACD.", "contents": "Change of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in different conditions of blood preservation. Changes of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin were studied in blood preserved in different conditions. Changes in hemoglobin function were least in CPD blood in plastic bags, and more extensive in ACD blood in plastic bags, ACD packed red blood cells in plastic bags and ACD blood in glass bottles, respectively. These decreases are consistent with the changes of organic phosphates levels during storage found in earlier studies. When old erythrocytes were incubated with inosine, pyruvate and phosphate, defective oxygen transport function was completely restored even after 7 weeks storage in ACD.", "PMID": 622826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4595", "title": "Changes in the agglutinability of red cells and the inhibition of specific agglutination by plasma from human blood taken into ACD and stored at 4 degrees C.", "content": "The effect of storage in ACD at 4 degrees C on red cell agglutinability and the inhibitory properties of the plasma to blood group reagents has been studied. It was found that the variability demonstrated was related to the origin of the reagent used, particularly between human and on-human sources. The significance of these findings with regard to biochemical and morphological changes in blood on storage is discussed.", "contents": "Changes in the agglutinability of red cells and the inhibition of specific agglutination by plasma from human blood taken into ACD and stored at 4 degrees C. The effect of storage in ACD at 4 degrees C on red cell agglutinability and the inhibitory properties of the plasma to blood group reagents has been studied. It was found that the variability demonstrated was related to the origin of the reagent used, particularly between human and on-human sources. The significance of these findings with regard to biochemical and morphological changes in blood on storage is discussed.", "PMID": 622827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4596", "title": "Two Melanesian antisera reacting with SsU components.", "content": "Two different Melanesian antibodies demonstrated, by blocking tests and their reaction patterns, steric interaction of S, s and U components. The antigen(s) detected, designated Ux and Uz, may represent differing conformations, genetically determined, of certain U, S and s structures. Of 1,000 Caucasian bloods, 3 had very marked enhancement of Ux. Family studies are presented. In one such blood, abnormal steric interaction of D with s and U was indicated. Melanesian population studies show that Ux and Uz are among the antigens depressed in recessive ovalocytosis. The linkage disequilibria affecting MNSs and SsUz are inter-related, the associations being of SUz with Caucasian M and Melanesian N.", "contents": "Two Melanesian antisera reacting with SsU components. Two different Melanesian antibodies demonstrated, by blocking tests and their reaction patterns, steric interaction of S, s and U components. The antigen(s) detected, designated Ux and Uz, may represent differing conformations, genetically determined, of certain U, S and s structures. Of 1,000 Caucasian bloods, 3 had very marked enhancement of Ux. Family studies are presented. In one such blood, abnormal steric interaction of D with s and U was indicated. Melanesian population studies show that Ux and Uz are among the antigens depressed in recessive ovalocytosis. The linkage disequilibria affecting MNSs and SsUz are inter-related, the associations being of SUz with Caucasian M and Melanesian N.", "PMID": 622828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4597", "title": "e-Antigen and anti-e in two categories of chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen.", "content": "Screening for e antigen and anti-e was performed in 517 HBs antigen chronic carriers, 329 blood donors and 188 hemodialyzed patients. e antigen was detected in 35 blood donors (10.6 percent): 88 percent had a high titre of HBsAg, and 80 percent had a distrubed liver function. No difference was noted regarding sex and age of the carrier. Anti-e was detected in 33.7 percent of the bood donors. A significant difference (p less than 0.01) was noted between males (29 percent) and females (46.6 percent). Anti-e was found more prevalent in young people between 21 and 34 than in older people (p less than 0.05). Anti-e was rarely found when the titre of HBsAg was low or high. 88 percent of the anti-e carriers had an intermediate titre from 1/1 to 1/32 by CEP. Both e Ag and anti-e were more prevalent in ad subtype than in ay subtype (p less than 0.02 for both). Inside the ad subtype, anti-e is less frequent in adr (6 percent) than in adw2 (42 percent) and in adw4 (57 percent); p less than 0.01. The difference between the prevalence of e Ag in adr (31 percent) and in adw2 (17 percent) is not significant but the healthy carriers with e antigen are more numerous in adr than in adw2 subtype. e antigen was detected in 53.7 percent of HBs Ag-hemodialyzed patients and anti-e in 3.7 percent of these patients. These results are neither correlated with the liver function nor with the state of chronic carrier (27 percent of e Ag in transient HBs Ag carrier).", "contents": "e-Antigen and anti-e in two categories of chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen. Screening for e antigen and anti-e was performed in 517 HBs antigen chronic carriers, 329 blood donors and 188 hemodialyzed patients. e antigen was detected in 35 blood donors (10.6 percent): 88 percent had a high titre of HBsAg, and 80 percent had a distrubed liver function. No difference was noted regarding sex and age of the carrier. Anti-e was detected in 33.7 percent of the bood donors. A significant difference (p less than 0.01) was noted between males (29 percent) and females (46.6 percent). Anti-e was found more prevalent in young people between 21 and 34 than in older people (p less than 0.05). Anti-e was rarely found when the titre of HBsAg was low or high. 88 percent of the anti-e carriers had an intermediate titre from 1/1 to 1/32 by CEP. Both e Ag and anti-e were more prevalent in ad subtype than in ay subtype (p less than 0.02 for both). Inside the ad subtype, anti-e is less frequent in adr (6 percent) than in adw2 (42 percent) and in adw4 (57 percent); p less than 0.01. The difference between the prevalence of e Ag in adr (31 percent) and in adw2 (17 percent) is not significant but the healthy carriers with e antigen are more numerous in adr than in adw2 subtype. e antigen was detected in 53.7 percent of HBs Ag-hemodialyzed patients and anti-e in 3.7 percent of these patients. These results are neither correlated with the liver function nor with the state of chronic carrier (27 percent of e Ag in transient HBs Ag carrier).", "PMID": 622829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4598", "title": "A rapid automated latex screen for tetanus toxoid antibodies.", "content": "This report describes the sensitisation of latex particles and the use of this reagent on the Autotape system to select blood donations containing greater than or equal to 4 IU/ml of tetanus toxoid antibody. Plasma containing tetanus toxoid antibodies is processed to provide immunoglobulin for passive protection against tetanus. The techniques used for screening include immunoelectrophoresis [3], tetanus toxoid sensitised latex particles [5], haemagglutination [1] and automated haemagglutination [6]. The technique used by the Sheffield Regional Transfusion Centre until recently, was immunoelectrophoresis, selecting donors with 4 or more IU/ml. The Autotape system, previously described for brucellosis [4] and syphilis testing [2], provides a system for automated slide testing and a 5-min tetanus toxoid coated latex test has been developed to select suitable donations for the production of specific immunoglobulin.", "contents": "A rapid automated latex screen for tetanus toxoid antibodies. This report describes the sensitisation of latex particles and the use of this reagent on the Autotape system to select blood donations containing greater than or equal to 4 IU/ml of tetanus toxoid antibody. Plasma containing tetanus toxoid antibodies is processed to provide immunoglobulin for passive protection against tetanus. The techniques used for screening include immunoelectrophoresis [3], tetanus toxoid sensitised latex particles [5], haemagglutination [1] and automated haemagglutination [6]. The technique used by the Sheffield Regional Transfusion Centre until recently, was immunoelectrophoresis, selecting donors with 4 or more IU/ml. The Autotape system, previously described for brucellosis [4] and syphilis testing [2], provides a system for automated slide testing and a 5-min tetanus toxoid coated latex test has been developed to select suitable donations for the production of specific immunoglobulin.", "PMID": 622830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4599", "title": "[Inhibition in the spinal cord: a neuronal mechanism of hypalgesia produced by acupuncture (author's transl)].", "content": "Central nervous system mechanisms of nociception and pain were studied electrophysiologically in the spinal cord of cats. A great proportion of dorsal horn neurons respond to noxious skin stimuli, for instance to heating to 50 degrees C; such stimuli predominantly activate afferent C fibres. These spinal neurons participate in the transmission of nociceptive information to the brain. The heat-evoked discharges of dorsal horn neurons are effectively inhibited by repetitive electrical stimulation of large;, low-threshold cutaneous A fibres. The inhibition reaches its maximum effect after several minutes of nerve stimulation, and declines at a slow rate after the end of stimulation. This long-term suppression is considered to be a neuronal mechanism underlying hypalgesia produced in man e.g. by acupuncture and by transcutaneous nerve stimulation.", "contents": "[Inhibition in the spinal cord: a neuronal mechanism of hypalgesia produced by acupuncture (author's transl)]. Central nervous system mechanisms of nociception and pain were studied electrophysiologically in the spinal cord of cats. A great proportion of dorsal horn neurons respond to noxious skin stimuli, for instance to heating to 50 degrees C; such stimuli predominantly activate afferent C fibres. These spinal neurons participate in the transmission of nociceptive information to the brain. The heat-evoked discharges of dorsal horn neurons are effectively inhibited by repetitive electrical stimulation of large;, low-threshold cutaneous A fibres. The inhibition reaches its maximum effect after several minutes of nerve stimulation, and declines at a slow rate after the end of stimulation. This long-term suppression is considered to be a neuronal mechanism underlying hypalgesia produced in man e.g. by acupuncture and by transcutaneous nerve stimulation.", "PMID": 622832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4600", "title": "[Comments on epileptic psychosis (two case reports) (author's transl)].", "content": "Nosological interpretation and therapy of epileptic psychosis is difficult, since psychotic and epileptic activities are of quite different time relationships. Case reports of two patients suffering from psychosis and showing generalized spike-wave paroxysms, without evidence of clinical seizures, are presented. The problems of diagnosing epileptic psychosis under these circumstances and the therapeutic approach are discussed.", "contents": "[Comments on epileptic psychosis (two case reports) (author's transl)]. Nosological interpretation and therapy of epileptic psychosis is difficult, since psychotic and epileptic activities are of quite different time relationships. Case reports of two patients suffering from psychosis and showing generalized spike-wave paroxysms, without evidence of clinical seizures, are presented. The problems of diagnosing epileptic psychosis under these circumstances and the therapeutic approach are discussed.", "PMID": 622833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4601", "title": "[Cerebral angiography with the contrast medium vasobrix 32 (ioxitalamate) (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of angiograms carried out 168 patients, the contrast qualities achieved with the contrast medium, Vasobrix 32 were compared with those of other contrast media used so far. In the case of carotid angiography, Vasobrix 32 allowed better visualisation in the arterial phase than achieved with the contrast media used so far. The superiority of Vasobrix 32 over other substances was even more evident in the venous phase. As regards visualisation of the branches of the small arterial vessels such as the striothalamic branches, the results achieved with Vasobrix 32 were better than with the contrast media used so far and, therefore, a general improvement in visualization can be expected from Vasobrix 32 (Ioxitalamate). Complications with neurological sequelae were not observed, subjective complaints occurring to a slightly lesser extent than in the case of contrast media with a high sodium salt content.", "contents": "[Cerebral angiography with the contrast medium vasobrix 32 (ioxitalamate) (author's transl)]. On the basis of angiograms carried out 168 patients, the contrast qualities achieved with the contrast medium, Vasobrix 32 were compared with those of other contrast media used so far. In the case of carotid angiography, Vasobrix 32 allowed better visualisation in the arterial phase than achieved with the contrast media used so far. The superiority of Vasobrix 32 over other substances was even more evident in the venous phase. As regards visualisation of the branches of the small arterial vessels such as the striothalamic branches, the results achieved with Vasobrix 32 were better than with the contrast media used so far and, therefore, a general improvement in visualization can be expected from Vasobrix 32 (Ioxitalamate). Complications with neurological sequelae were not observed, subjective complaints occurring to a slightly lesser extent than in the case of contrast media with a high sodium salt content.", "PMID": 622834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4602", "title": "[Hepatic hypoglycaemia (author's transl)].", "content": "The case histories are reported of two patients with the relatively rare association of hypoglycaemia with liver cirrhosis. The recent literature on hypoglycaemia as a consequence of liver disease is reviewed and the frequent absence of typical clinical symptoms in this form of hypoglycaemia is pounted out.", "contents": "[Hepatic hypoglycaemia (author's transl)]. The case histories are reported of two patients with the relatively rare association of hypoglycaemia with liver cirrhosis. The recent literature on hypoglycaemia as a consequence of liver disease is reviewed and the frequent absence of typical clinical symptoms in this form of hypoglycaemia is pounted out.", "PMID": 622836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4603", "title": "[Regeneration of synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis following synovectomy (author's transl)].", "content": "A study was carried out on 83 knee joints which had been subjected to synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis. The morphological changes in the synovial tissue were divided into two types, Type I or hypertrophic and Type II or hypotrophic. Type I (hypertrophic) exhibited oedema, hypervascularization, fibrinous layers, large amounts of villi and granulationlike tissue, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Type II (hypotrophic) contained all the above elements, but to a much lesser degree, and fibrosis was the dominant feature. Regenerated synovial tissue was removed one to three years after the original synovectomy by arthrotomy or biopsy in 26 patients who were symptom-free. The tissue was thinner and hardly any villi were seen. The typical inflammatory elements were seen, but were not as pronounced as in the original tissue, irrespective of type. A heavy fibrosis was most frequently seen, but apart from this the regenerated tissue greatly resembled the original.", "contents": "[Regeneration of synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis following synovectomy (author's transl)]. A study was carried out on 83 knee joints which had been subjected to synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis. The morphological changes in the synovial tissue were divided into two types, Type I or hypertrophic and Type II or hypotrophic. Type I (hypertrophic) exhibited oedema, hypervascularization, fibrinous layers, large amounts of villi and granulationlike tissue, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Type II (hypotrophic) contained all the above elements, but to a much lesser degree, and fibrosis was the dominant feature. Regenerated synovial tissue was removed one to three years after the original synovectomy by arthrotomy or biopsy in 26 patients who were symptom-free. The tissue was thinner and hardly any villi were seen. The typical inflammatory elements were seen, but were not as pronounced as in the original tissue, irrespective of type. A heavy fibrosis was most frequently seen, but apart from this the regenerated tissue greatly resembled the original.", "PMID": 622837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4604", "title": "[Histomechanical studies on test specimens from hyaline cartilage under compressive loading with regard to rheology (author's transl)].", "content": "Modified rheological methods from high polymer physics (biorheology, historheology) have been applied to the testing of hyaline cartilage histomechanics. The following histomechanical properties of cartilage are discussed: transient behaviour, the influence of the mechanical history on the subsequent force-deformation processes, viscoelastic equilibrium status (histomechanical steady state), and relaxation phenomena in the pressure and tension range under alternating pressure-tension loading. Pressure force-time input and output curves in a closed loop system and the amplitude-increasing phenomenon under uniform sinus deformations with increasing superimposed linear deformation input were also demonstrated. The results are discussed from the point of view of functional anatomy.", "contents": "[Histomechanical studies on test specimens from hyaline cartilage under compressive loading with regard to rheology (author's transl)]. Modified rheological methods from high polymer physics (biorheology, historheology) have been applied to the testing of hyaline cartilage histomechanics. The following histomechanical properties of cartilage are discussed: transient behaviour, the influence of the mechanical history on the subsequent force-deformation processes, viscoelastic equilibrium status (histomechanical steady state), and relaxation phenomena in the pressure and tension range under alternating pressure-tension loading. Pressure force-time input and output curves in a closed loop system and the amplitude-increasing phenomenon under uniform sinus deformations with increasing superimposed linear deformation input were also demonstrated. The results are discussed from the point of view of functional anatomy.", "PMID": 622838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4605", "title": "[Catamnestic studies on infections in granulocytopenias].", "content": "Granulocytopenias in insufficiencies of the bone marrow, haemoblastoses and other basic diseases led to an increased endangering by infections and frequency of infections. As a rule, here was decisive the scope of the decrease of the granulocytes, measured at the morbidity by infections, the degree of severity of the infection, the frequency and the duration of fever episodes. Despite improved possibilities of antimicrobial treatment the complications by infection in granulocytopenias increased, so that the prophylaxis of the infection is of particular significance.", "contents": "[Catamnestic studies on infections in granulocytopenias]. Granulocytopenias in insufficiencies of the bone marrow, haemoblastoses and other basic diseases led to an increased endangering by infections and frequency of infections. As a rule, here was decisive the scope of the decrease of the granulocytes, measured at the morbidity by infections, the degree of severity of the infection, the frequency and the duration of fever episodes. Despite improved possibilities of antimicrobial treatment the complications by infection in granulocytopenias increased, so that the prophylaxis of the infection is of particular significance.", "PMID": 622841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4606", "title": "[Cardiac function diagnosis in the hemodialysis practice using so-called Rentsch tension index].", "content": "The so-called tension index PI after Rentsch allows a frequently repeatable control of the degree of sufficiency of the heart with slight annoyance of the patient and moderate expenditure of time. In dialysis patients in whom the heart stress and the conditions of the interior milieu frequency acutely change with the help of the PI valuable hints for the treatment could be received.", "contents": "[Cardiac function diagnosis in the hemodialysis practice using so-called Rentsch tension index]. The so-called tension index PI after Rentsch allows a frequently repeatable control of the degree of sufficiency of the heart with slight annoyance of the patient and moderate expenditure of time. In dialysis patients in whom the heart stress and the conditions of the interior milieu frequency acutely change with the help of the PI valuable hints for the treatment could be received.", "PMID": 622842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4607", "title": "[Evaluation of exposure level in the handling of explosives].", "content": "For the clarification of a supposed case of poisening by handling of explosives containing nitric acid ester in a man who was an expert in performing explosions the proof of the exposition was necessary. By the determination of free nitrite in the blood as well as by measuring of blood pressure and pulse in persons exposed in the same way the intake of nitrated constituents of the explosive could be made clear. The advantage of the determination of free nitrite in the blood in contrast to the determination of the met-Hb is discussed. It is referred to an additional potential endangering by gun fumes and the measures for the protection of labour which are to be derived from this.", "contents": "[Evaluation of exposure level in the handling of explosives]. For the clarification of a supposed case of poisening by handling of explosives containing nitric acid ester in a man who was an expert in performing explosions the proof of the exposition was necessary. By the determination of free nitrite in the blood as well as by measuring of blood pressure and pulse in persons exposed in the same way the intake of nitrated constituents of the explosive could be made clear. The advantage of the determination of free nitrite in the blood in contrast to the determination of the met-Hb is discussed. It is referred to an additional potential endangering by gun fumes and the measures for the protection of labour which are to be derived from this.", "PMID": 622843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4608", "title": "[Comparative effects of ajmaline and lidocaine on hemodynamics in myocardial infarct].", "content": "Haemodynamic changes after single intravenous injection of antiarhythmic doses of ajmaline (50 mg) and lidocain (100 mg) were measured comparatively in 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable cardiac rhythm and without manifest left heart failure. The effects of ajmaline were characterized by a significant decrease of systolic arterial pressure (9%), of left ventricular stroke work index (15%) as well as by an increase of the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery (7%) in the early phase after application. No significant changes in cardiac index, stroke volume index, systemic vascular resistance, right and left ventricular filling pressures and heart rate occurred. The effects of lidocain on the cardiac circulation were comparatively small. The intravenous administration of lidocain did not result in significant changes of the cardiac index or left and right ventricular filling pressures. Diastolic arterial pressure increased significantly (5%), while the heart rate decreased (5%).", "contents": "[Comparative effects of ajmaline and lidocaine on hemodynamics in myocardial infarct]. Haemodynamic changes after single intravenous injection of antiarhythmic doses of ajmaline (50 mg) and lidocain (100 mg) were measured comparatively in 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable cardiac rhythm and without manifest left heart failure. The effects of ajmaline were characterized by a significant decrease of systolic arterial pressure (9%), of left ventricular stroke work index (15%) as well as by an increase of the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery (7%) in the early phase after application. No significant changes in cardiac index, stroke volume index, systemic vascular resistance, right and left ventricular filling pressures and heart rate occurred. The effects of lidocain on the cardiac circulation were comparatively small. The intravenous administration of lidocain did not result in significant changes of the cardiac index or left and right ventricular filling pressures. Diastolic arterial pressure increased significantly (5%), while the heart rate decreased (5%).", "PMID": 622844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4609", "title": "[Esophageal manometry in Beh\u00e7et's disease (author's transl)].", "content": "Esophageal function was investigated by quantitative intraluminal pressure measurements in three patients with Beh\u00e7et's disease. All three had motility disorders partially resembling those described in diabetics and partially those from patients with scleroderma. These motility disturbances may be secondary to a neurological involvement in Beh\u00e7et's disease.", "contents": "[Esophageal manometry in Beh\u00e7et's disease (author's transl)]. Esophageal function was investigated by quantitative intraluminal pressure measurements in three patients with Beh\u00e7et's disease. All three had motility disorders partially resembling those described in diabetics and partially those from patients with scleroderma. These motility disturbances may be secondary to a neurological involvement in Beh\u00e7et's disease.", "PMID": 622845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4610", "title": "[Ultrasound in the diagnosis of cystic lesions of the liver (author's transl)].", "content": "Possibilities and limitations of the use of ultrasound in diagnozing cystic liver diseases are discussed with reference to our own investigations. Solitary or multiocular liver cysts can be detected in the right proportion and in the correct anatomical position from about 1.5 cm in size; they are often coincidental findings after ultrasonography. The ultrasonic method is a simple investigation technique without any complications or contraindication and it now has a firm place as a screening investigation programme within diagnostic procedures especially before an intended liver needle biopsy or puncture during laparoscopy. By carrying out ultrasonic investigations on families of patients with cysts of the liver it has been possible to make an early diagnosis of hereditary cystic disease.", "contents": "[Ultrasound in the diagnosis of cystic lesions of the liver (author's transl)]. Possibilities and limitations of the use of ultrasound in diagnozing cystic liver diseases are discussed with reference to our own investigations. Solitary or multiocular liver cysts can be detected in the right proportion and in the correct anatomical position from about 1.5 cm in size; they are often coincidental findings after ultrasonography. The ultrasonic method is a simple investigation technique without any complications or contraindication and it now has a firm place as a screening investigation programme within diagnostic procedures especially before an intended liver needle biopsy or puncture during laparoscopy. By carrying out ultrasonic investigations on families of patients with cysts of the liver it has been possible to make an early diagnosis of hereditary cystic disease.", "PMID": 622846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4611", "title": "[A case of congenital double pyloric canal (author's transl)].", "content": "In the case of 47-year-old patient who had been suffering for several months from a duodenal ulcer disease, a so called double pylorus was traced by applying fiberoptic gastroscopy. At the same time proof was found for the ulcera duodeni. Owing to the fiberoptic result of two regularly pyloric canals it was already doubted, that this was only a question of a secondary pyloro duodenal fistula caused by peptic ulcer. A particular and differentiating pathological anatomical examination of the surgical specimen showed as a result, that the patient was suffering from a congenital duplication of the pyloric canal by a pyloric ligament. The duodenal ulcers, proofed by x-ray examination and gastroscopy, were recognised as a secondary disease of a locus minoris resistentiae.", "contents": "[A case of congenital double pyloric canal (author's transl)]. In the case of 47-year-old patient who had been suffering for several months from a duodenal ulcer disease, a so called double pylorus was traced by applying fiberoptic gastroscopy. At the same time proof was found for the ulcera duodeni. Owing to the fiberoptic result of two regularly pyloric canals it was already doubted, that this was only a question of a secondary pyloro duodenal fistula caused by peptic ulcer. A particular and differentiating pathological anatomical examination of the surgical specimen showed as a result, that the patient was suffering from a congenital duplication of the pyloric canal by a pyloric ligament. The duodenal ulcers, proofed by x-ray examination and gastroscopy, were recognised as a secondary disease of a locus minoris resistentiae.", "PMID": 622847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4612", "title": "HLA-antigens in idiopathic haemochromatosis (i.h.). preliminary report.", "content": "Striking differences could be observed when the HLA-antigens of 11 unrelated idiopathic haemochromatosis (i.h.) patients were compared with healthy controls. Besides the increase of the antigens A3, A11 and B7 and the decrease of A2, the large number of homozygous antigens at the A or/and at the B locus was found to be the most interesting result. Taking the latter finding into account, the possible existence of a recessive \"disease-susceptibility gene\" closely linked to the major histocompatibility system, playing a basic role in the etiology of i.h. was assumed.", "contents": "HLA-antigens in idiopathic haemochromatosis (i.h.). preliminary report. Striking differences could be observed when the HLA-antigens of 11 unrelated idiopathic haemochromatosis (i.h.) patients were compared with healthy controls. Besides the increase of the antigens A3, A11 and B7 and the decrease of A2, the large number of homozygous antigens at the A or/and at the B locus was found to be the most interesting result. Taking the latter finding into account, the possible existence of a recessive \"disease-susceptibility gene\" closely linked to the major histocompatibility system, playing a basic role in the etiology of i.h. was assumed.", "PMID": 622850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4613", "title": "Actinomycosis and lumbar disc disease.", "content": "The occurrence of isolated spinal lesions due to actinomycosis is rare. Nonetheless its presence in this case acts as another reminder of the variety of lesions that may present as a lumbar disc syndrome.", "contents": "Actinomycosis and lumbar disc disease. The occurrence of isolated spinal lesions due to actinomycosis is rare. Nonetheless its presence in this case acts as another reminder of the variety of lesions that may present as a lumbar disc syndrome.", "PMID": 622880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4614", "title": "Acid- and alkaline phosphatase in amniotic fluid in normal and complicated pregnancy.", "content": "171 samples of amniotic fluid were obtained by abdominal amniocentesis from 67 women with complicated pregnancies (isoimmunization, diabetes mellitus or toxaemia). The levels of heat-labile alkaline phosphatase (HLAP), heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) were determined and compared to the enzyme levels in 179 samples from women with normal pregnancies of corresponding gestational ages. HLAP showed two \"peaks\" of activity, one in the 5th-22nd week and the other at term. HSAP and AcP showed increased activity at term. HSAP was decreased (p less than 0.01) in isoimmunization between the 36th and 40th week. 11 cases of toxaemia with placental insufficiency showed no differences in the levels of HLAP and HSAP compared with normal pregnancy. AcP showed no differences between normal and complicated pregnancy. Samples contaminated by blood showed no significant increase in the acid- and alkaline phosphatase levels. Samples contaminated by meconium showed a complex pattern. Some samples had normal enzyme levels, some had high levels of HLAP only and some had high levels of HSAP and AcP. The origin of the enzymes is not known with certainty. HSAP in amniotic fluid is most likely not of placental but intestinal origin. Determinations of acid- and alkaline phosphatase in amniotic fluid seem to be of little values in the clinical management of complicated pregnancy.", "contents": "Acid- and alkaline phosphatase in amniotic fluid in normal and complicated pregnancy. 171 samples of amniotic fluid were obtained by abdominal amniocentesis from 67 women with complicated pregnancies (isoimmunization, diabetes mellitus or toxaemia). The levels of heat-labile alkaline phosphatase (HLAP), heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) were determined and compared to the enzyme levels in 179 samples from women with normal pregnancies of corresponding gestational ages. HLAP showed two \"peaks\" of activity, one in the 5th-22nd week and the other at term. HSAP and AcP showed increased activity at term. HSAP was decreased (p less than 0.01) in isoimmunization between the 36th and 40th week. 11 cases of toxaemia with placental insufficiency showed no differences in the levels of HLAP and HSAP compared with normal pregnancy. AcP showed no differences between normal and complicated pregnancy. Samples contaminated by blood showed no significant increase in the acid- and alkaline phosphatase levels. Samples contaminated by meconium showed a complex pattern. Some samples had normal enzyme levels, some had high levels of HLAP only and some had high levels of HSAP and AcP. The origin of the enzymes is not known with certainty. HSAP in amniotic fluid is most likely not of placental but intestinal origin. Determinations of acid- and alkaline phosphatase in amniotic fluid seem to be of little values in the clinical management of complicated pregnancy.", "PMID": 622887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4615", "title": "Premature labor treatment with ritodrine in multiple pregnancy with three or more fetuses.", "content": "Modern treatment for anovulatory infertility increases the incidence of multiple pregnancies with three or more fetuses and predisposes to prematurity with high perinatal mortality and mortidity. Premature labor was successfully treated in four multifetal pregnancies with ritodrine hydrochloride, a beta-mimetic drug relaxing the uterus. Another patient misdiagnosed as false labor was not treated and lost three out of four premature babies. Beta-mimetic treatment is indicated in multiple pregnancies even in false labor, or when painless progress in cervical dilatation is observed, to avoid asymptomatic progression into true labor. In contrast to singleton pregnancies, advanced labor with more than four centimeters cervical dilatation should not preclude good chances for successful treatment. Persistence in treatment and repreated use of the most effective intravenous route combined with oral ritodrine administration is needed because of marked tendency to recurrences of premature labor. Progressive increase in the dose of oral ritodrine may be indicated by decrease in therapeutic response. Maternal tachycardia should be considered as an index of patient responsiveness to the beta-mimetic treatment. The therapy is most successful when the patient is hospitalized from the first episode of treatment until at least the 37th week of pregnancy. This is probably less expensive than prolonged hospitalization of several prematures in an intensive care nursery.", "contents": "Premature labor treatment with ritodrine in multiple pregnancy with three or more fetuses. Modern treatment for anovulatory infertility increases the incidence of multiple pregnancies with three or more fetuses and predisposes to prematurity with high perinatal mortality and mortidity. Premature labor was successfully treated in four multifetal pregnancies with ritodrine hydrochloride, a beta-mimetic drug relaxing the uterus. Another patient misdiagnosed as false labor was not treated and lost three out of four premature babies. Beta-mimetic treatment is indicated in multiple pregnancies even in false labor, or when painless progress in cervical dilatation is observed, to avoid asymptomatic progression into true labor. In contrast to singleton pregnancies, advanced labor with more than four centimeters cervical dilatation should not preclude good chances for successful treatment. Persistence in treatment and repreated use of the most effective intravenous route combined with oral ritodrine administration is needed because of marked tendency to recurrences of premature labor. Progressive increase in the dose of oral ritodrine may be indicated by decrease in therapeutic response. Maternal tachycardia should be considered as an index of patient responsiveness to the beta-mimetic treatment. The therapy is most successful when the patient is hospitalized from the first episode of treatment until at least the 37th week of pregnancy. This is probably less expensive than prolonged hospitalization of several prematures in an intensive care nursery.", "PMID": 622889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4616", "title": "The thermogenic activity of exogenous E and F prostaglandins in humans.", "content": "A basic understanding of the physiologic effects of the prostaglandins on the human reproductive system has been one of the diverse scientific interests of Professor Axel Ingelman-Sundberg (19). Although the obvious clinical ultility of these ubiqitous compounds directed early attention to their therapeutic aspects, more recently there has been renewed interest in the basic physiologic mechanisms of the prostaglandins in reproductive medicine. Undoubtedly, the work of Dr Ingelman-Sundberg has stimulated many of his colleagues, students, and fellow scientists to pursue such basic studies in greater details.", "contents": "The thermogenic activity of exogenous E and F prostaglandins in humans. A basic understanding of the physiologic effects of the prostaglandins on the human reproductive system has been one of the diverse scientific interests of Professor Axel Ingelman-Sundberg (19). Although the obvious clinical ultility of these ubiqitous compounds directed early attention to their therapeutic aspects, more recently there has been renewed interest in the basic physiologic mechanisms of the prostaglandins in reproductive medicine. Undoubtedly, the work of Dr Ingelman-Sundberg has stimulated many of his colleagues, students, and fellow scientists to pursue such basic studies in greater details.", "PMID": 622890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4617", "title": "Therapeutic abortion in an out-patient clinic. A prospective investigation of complications and patient acceptability.", "content": "The incidence of complications associated with therapeutic termination of pregnancy was analysed in 1349 patients, whose average age was 26.3 years. Of the patients, 51.8% were 25 years or under; 56.3% were seen in or before the 8th week of pregnancy, and 17.4% had previously had one or more legal abortions. All the operations were performed under local anaesthesia and by the same doctor, who was an experienced gynaecologist. Complications associated with the operation occurred in 14 patients (1%), viz. infections in the uterus and tubes, 9 cases; incomplete abortion necessitating repeat curettage, 4 cases; and profuse bleeding requiring blood transfusion, 1 case. No uterine perforations or cervical ruptures were encountered. Questioned about subjective discomforts of the opeation, 7.4% of the women answered that the discomfort had been considerable, whereas 62.6% described it as only slight; 4.8% would have perferred general anaesthesia. We conclude that therapeutic abortion can be performed safely and with an acceptably low incidence of complications in out-patients, provided the operations are performed by an experienced gynaecologist.", "contents": "Therapeutic abortion in an out-patient clinic. A prospective investigation of complications and patient acceptability. The incidence of complications associated with therapeutic termination of pregnancy was analysed in 1349 patients, whose average age was 26.3 years. Of the patients, 51.8% were 25 years or under; 56.3% were seen in or before the 8th week of pregnancy, and 17.4% had previously had one or more legal abortions. All the operations were performed under local anaesthesia and by the same doctor, who was an experienced gynaecologist. Complications associated with the operation occurred in 14 patients (1%), viz. infections in the uterus and tubes, 9 cases; incomplete abortion necessitating repeat curettage, 4 cases; and profuse bleeding requiring blood transfusion, 1 case. No uterine perforations or cervical ruptures were encountered. Questioned about subjective discomforts of the opeation, 7.4% of the women answered that the discomfort had been considerable, whereas 62.6% described it as only slight; 4.8% would have perferred general anaesthesia. We conclude that therapeutic abortion can be performed safely and with an acceptably low incidence of complications in out-patients, provided the operations are performed by an experienced gynaecologist.", "PMID": 622891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4618", "title": "Follow-up studies in dysplasia and cancer in situ of the cervix uteri.", "content": "In order to study when recurrences appear following conization for dysplasia or cancer in situ of the cervix uteri, a series of 477 patients has been investigated. They all underwent conization at Sabbatsberg 1965-1970. Among the 181 cases of dysplasia two developed recurrences one respectively three years after treatment. In the series of 296 patients with cancer in situ thirteen recurrences appeared. Eight of them were detected within the first three years. The other five were spread out during the next four years. About 50% of all patients had been followed-up for five years or more (Table I). The conclusion is reached that a yearly follow-up is necessary for at least ten years. As it is impossible to take care of such an accumulating number of examinations at the Swedish departments of obstetrics and gynecology without extra personnel, the following proposal is made. During the first three years after treatment the examinations are performed at the department where the conization has been performed. After that period the follow-up is limited to vaginal smears taken once every year in connection with the general gynecologic health control.", "contents": "Follow-up studies in dysplasia and cancer in situ of the cervix uteri. In order to study when recurrences appear following conization for dysplasia or cancer in situ of the cervix uteri, a series of 477 patients has been investigated. They all underwent conization at Sabbatsberg 1965-1970. Among the 181 cases of dysplasia two developed recurrences one respectively three years after treatment. In the series of 296 patients with cancer in situ thirteen recurrences appeared. Eight of them were detected within the first three years. The other five were spread out during the next four years. About 50% of all patients had been followed-up for five years or more (Table I). The conclusion is reached that a yearly follow-up is necessary for at least ten years. As it is impossible to take care of such an accumulating number of examinations at the Swedish departments of obstetrics and gynecology without extra personnel, the following proposal is made. During the first three years after treatment the examinations are performed at the department where the conization has been performed. After that period the follow-up is limited to vaginal smears taken once every year in connection with the general gynecologic health control.", "PMID": 622892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4619", "title": "Organization of amniocentesis for antenatal genetic diagnosis.", "content": "In spite of the rapid development of amniocentesis for genetic diagnosis, it is still only a small fraction of the mothers at risk who are having the procedure performed. The medical and public health problems associated with genetic amniocentesis are discussed on the basis of the experience gathered in a major medical center.", "contents": "Organization of amniocentesis for antenatal genetic diagnosis. In spite of the rapid development of amniocentesis for genetic diagnosis, it is still only a small fraction of the mothers at risk who are having the procedure performed. The medical and public health problems associated with genetic amniocentesis are discussed on the basis of the experience gathered in a major medical center.", "PMID": 622893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4620", "title": "Regression of tumour growth after administration of alkoxyglycerols.", "content": "A regression of tumour growth is observed when alkoxyglycerols are administered prior to radiation treatment of patient suffering from cancer of the uterine cervix. This regression has been demonstrated by a change in the quotient between the incidence of early and advanced stages.", "contents": "Regression of tumour growth after administration of alkoxyglycerols. A regression of tumour growth is observed when alkoxyglycerols are administered prior to radiation treatment of patient suffering from cancer of the uterine cervix. This regression has been demonstrated by a change in the quotient between the incidence of early and advanced stages.", "PMID": 622894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4621", "title": "ENT diseases of allergic origin.", "content": "The author defines the following notions: allergy, atopy and allergic rhinopathy. The symptomatology, diagnosis, evolution and different clinical forms of the allergic rhinopathy are discussed.", "contents": "ENT diseases of allergic origin. The author defines the following notions: allergy, atopy and allergic rhinopathy. The symptomatology, diagnosis, evolution and different clinical forms of the allergic rhinopathy are discussed.", "PMID": 622901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4622", "title": "Electron microscopic study of the normal and allergic nasal mucosa.", "content": "Electron microscopic studies of the human nasal mucosa have complemented earlier histological and histochemical studies. In this paper, the fine structural details observed in different tissue components are described and discussed in relation to the function of the nasal mucosa under normal and pathological conditions. The physiological changes in the anterior part of the inferior turbinate which occur under the influence of air currents differ clearly from the electron microscopic picture of respiratory mucosa with typical ciliated epithelium. The fine structure of the allergic nasal mucosa differs according to the stage of the allergic reaction; the characteristic changes are described both after different time intervals following intranasal allergic testing with positive reaction as well as in patients with seasonal or perennial nasal allergy of longer duration.", "contents": "Electron microscopic study of the normal and allergic nasal mucosa. Electron microscopic studies of the human nasal mucosa have complemented earlier histological and histochemical studies. In this paper, the fine structural details observed in different tissue components are described and discussed in relation to the function of the nasal mucosa under normal and pathological conditions. The physiological changes in the anterior part of the inferior turbinate which occur under the influence of air currents differ clearly from the electron microscopic picture of respiratory mucosa with typical ciliated epithelium. The fine structure of the allergic nasal mucosa differs according to the stage of the allergic reaction; the characteristic changes are described both after different time intervals following intranasal allergic testing with positive reaction as well as in patients with seasonal or perennial nasal allergy of longer duration.", "PMID": 622902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4623", "title": "The nose provocation and the passive anterior rhinometry (PAR).", "content": "The authors describe an easy and fast way of nose provocation (aerosol provocation combined with passive anterior rhinomanometry). A comparative study between skin tests, lungprovocations and noseprovocations proves the usefulness of the method.", "contents": "The nose provocation and the passive anterior rhinometry (PAR). The authors describe an easy and fast way of nose provocation (aerosol provocation combined with passive anterior rhinomanometry). A comparative study between skin tests, lungprovocations and noseprovocations proves the usefulness of the method.", "PMID": 622903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4624", "title": "Indications, techniques and results of surgery in nasal allergy.", "content": "The only surgical intervention that interferes in the mechanism of an allergic rhinitis reaction, is the vidian neurectomy. The reported results are excellent, also in severe cases resistant to medical treatment. In the present report we describe the autonomic innervation of the nasal mucosa, the indications, techniques and results of vidian neurectomy. Intranasal techniques to diminish the hypertrophic tissues in cases of hyperttrophic rhinopathy are also discussed. Special attention is paid to cryosurgery of the inferior turbinate.", "contents": "Indications, techniques and results of surgery in nasal allergy. The only surgical intervention that interferes in the mechanism of an allergic rhinitis reaction, is the vidian neurectomy. The reported results are excellent, also in severe cases resistant to medical treatment. In the present report we describe the autonomic innervation of the nasal mucosa, the indications, techniques and results of vidian neurectomy. Intranasal techniques to diminish the hypertrophic tissues in cases of hyperttrophic rhinopathy are also discussed. Special attention is paid to cryosurgery of the inferior turbinate.", "PMID": 622905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4625", "title": "Basic concepts in immunology.", "content": "The immune system exhibits the capacity to react specifically towards antigens. This capacity depends on the activation of T and B cells. The cooperation between B and T cells is necessary for the production of IgG, IgA and IgE. The productions of these antibodies together with the formation of the other immune products (IgM and sensitized T cells) result in an altered state of reactivity towards the antigen. This becomes manifest in variety of ways: from protection to destruction. In the case of allergic rhinitis the tissue damage is caused by the presence of IgE and the subsequent release of vaso active amines by the mastcell after contact with the antigen.", "contents": "Basic concepts in immunology. The immune system exhibits the capacity to react specifically towards antigens. This capacity depends on the activation of T and B cells. The cooperation between B and T cells is necessary for the production of IgG, IgA and IgE. The productions of these antibodies together with the formation of the other immune products (IgM and sensitized T cells) result in an altered state of reactivity towards the antigen. This becomes manifest in variety of ways: from protection to destruction. In the case of allergic rhinitis the tissue damage is caused by the presence of IgE and the subsequent release of vaso active amines by the mastcell after contact with the antigen.", "PMID": 622906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4626", "title": "Maxillofacial injury.", "content": "This chapter has emphasized the relative infrequency of severe skeletal maxillofacial injuries in children. When they do occur, it is extremely important that they be approached by a team of physicians, each of whom is competent to manage the injury and complications related to his specialty. Particular attention must be given to the issues of general facial bone growth as well as future dental development. All operative procedures must be designed to avoid further injury to unerupted teeth, and the traditional methods of immobilization must be modified in order to avoid the avulsion of deciduous teeth.", "contents": "Maxillofacial injury. This chapter has emphasized the relative infrequency of severe skeletal maxillofacial injuries in children. When they do occur, it is extremely important that they be approached by a team of physicians, each of whom is competent to manage the injury and complications related to his specialty. Particular attention must be given to the issues of general facial bone growth as well as future dental development. All operative procedures must be designed to avoid further injury to unerupted teeth, and the traditional methods of immobilization must be modified in order to avoid the avulsion of deciduous teeth.", "PMID": 622911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4627", "title": "Hazards of ventilation tubes.", "content": "Ventilation tubes are not the treatment of choice in serous otitis media. Conservative measures should be tried first, with simple myringotomy for the evacuation of thick, rubbery fluids. Autoinflation, well tolerated by most children above 3 years of age, should be practiced daily for months to years, under periodic check-ups. Tube insertion should be reserved for younger children, as well as for recurrent and non-responsive cases. These are the cases in which a calculated risk is worth taking, as otherwise the patient is on an ineffective treatment. In those hard-to-manage ears, tubes seem to be justified, as their potential hazards are apparently outnumbered by the complication of untreated or maltreated serous otitis media.", "contents": "Hazards of ventilation tubes. Ventilation tubes are not the treatment of choice in serous otitis media. Conservative measures should be tried first, with simple myringotomy for the evacuation of thick, rubbery fluids. Autoinflation, well tolerated by most children above 3 years of age, should be practiced daily for months to years, under periodic check-ups. Tube insertion should be reserved for younger children, as well as for recurrent and non-responsive cases. These are the cases in which a calculated risk is worth taking, as otherwise the patient is on an ineffective treatment. In those hard-to-manage ears, tubes seem to be justified, as their potential hazards are apparently outnumbered by the complication of untreated or maltreated serous otitis media.", "PMID": 622914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4628", "title": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.", "content": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS) is a recently described disease entity of unknown etiology that mainly affects children. The disease is characterized by fever, oral mucosal changes, cervical lymphadenopathy and a peripheral skin rash with induration of hands and feet and subsequent desquamation. Thromboarteritis of the coronary vessels causes death in 1 to 2 percent of the patients. Over 7,000 cases have been reported in Japan and increasing numbers are reported in the United States. No specific treatment is available.", "contents": "Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (MLNS) is a recently described disease entity of unknown etiology that mainly affects children. The disease is characterized by fever, oral mucosal changes, cervical lymphadenopathy and a peripheral skin rash with induration of hands and feet and subsequent desquamation. Thromboarteritis of the coronary vessels causes death in 1 to 2 percent of the patients. Over 7,000 cases have been reported in Japan and increasing numbers are reported in the United States. No specific treatment is available.", "PMID": 622931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4629", "title": "Blunt and penetrating injury.", "content": "Personal injury may result from deceleration of the body or of missiles by the body, resulting in blunt or penetrating multiple trauma. The extent of the deceleration injury is determined by the amount of energy absorbed. Whether the injury is blunt or penetrating depends on factors of force, surface and time. Priorities in the management of the multiple-injury patient consist of rapid evaluation and control of breathing, bleeding and shock.", "contents": "Blunt and penetrating injury. Personal injury may result from deceleration of the body or of missiles by the body, resulting in blunt or penetrating multiple trauma. The extent of the deceleration injury is determined by the amount of energy absorbed. Whether the injury is blunt or penetrating depends on factors of force, surface and time. Priorities in the management of the multiple-injury patient consist of rapid evaluation and control of breathing, bleeding and shock.", "PMID": 622932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4630", "title": "Preventing stroke after TIA.", "content": "Previous reports suggest the probability of stroke after TIA as 20 percent in the first year and 45 percent within five years. Forty-five TIA victims were treated in a stroke prevention program for an average of five years. Efforts were made to correct or control all risk factors. Eight of the 45 experienced further TIA'S, Three had subsequent strokes and two had myocardial infarctions. Two deaths were reported. This stroke prevention program offers an improved prognosis for victims of TIA.", "contents": "Preventing stroke after TIA. Previous reports suggest the probability of stroke after TIA as 20 percent in the first year and 45 percent within five years. Forty-five TIA victims were treated in a stroke prevention program for an average of five years. Efforts were made to correct or control all risk factors. Eight of the 45 experienced further TIA'S, Three had subsequent strokes and two had myocardial infarctions. Two deaths were reported. This stroke prevention program offers an improved prognosis for victims of TIA.", "PMID": 622933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4631", "title": "Failed disk syndrome.", "content": "Over half the patients in most pain clinics in the United States are seeking relief from the \"failed disk syndrome.\" Careful initial diagnostic evaluation and aggressive nonoperative therapy are essential to avoid poor results. Causes of continued pain after disk surgery include original pain syndromes not due to a disk, inadequate surgery, development of arthritis, additional disk disorders and nerve root fibrosis. Treatment demands precise diagnosis. Diagnostic injections and nerve blocks are helpful when other techniques fail.", "contents": "Failed disk syndrome. Over half the patients in most pain clinics in the United States are seeking relief from the \"failed disk syndrome.\" Careful initial diagnostic evaluation and aggressive nonoperative therapy are essential to avoid poor results. Causes of continued pain after disk surgery include original pain syndromes not due to a disk, inadequate surgery, development of arthritis, additional disk disorders and nerve root fibrosis. Treatment demands precise diagnosis. Diagnostic injections and nerve blocks are helpful when other techniques fail.", "PMID": 622935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4632", "title": "Blunt and penetrating chest trauma.", "content": "Blunt or penetrating trauma to the chest can cause several life-threatening conditions: open or closed pneumothorax, each with or without hemothorax; flail chest; pericardial tamponade, and injury to other structures in the chest--the esophagus, trachea or great vessels. Any trauma sufficient to compromise function of thoracic organs must also be suspect for extrathoracic injuries, especially to the spleen and other abdominal viscera.", "contents": "Blunt and penetrating chest trauma. Blunt or penetrating trauma to the chest can cause several life-threatening conditions: open or closed pneumothorax, each with or without hemothorax; flail chest; pericardial tamponade, and injury to other structures in the chest--the esophagus, trachea or great vessels. Any trauma sufficient to compromise function of thoracic organs must also be suspect for extrathoracic injuries, especially to the spleen and other abdominal viscera.", "PMID": 622937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4633", "title": "Intravenous regional anesthesia--'Bier block'.", "content": "The Bier block is ideally suited for management of many types of trauma to an extremity. Blood is removed from an injured extremity by elevation and wrapping, and then a pneumatic tourniquet is applied proximal to the site of injury. Lidocaine is then injected into a vein distal to the tourniquet. The tourniquet prevents entry of the lidocaine into the general circulation while anesthesia is obtained in the extremity; it also provides a bloodless surgical field.", "contents": "Intravenous regional anesthesia--'Bier block'. The Bier block is ideally suited for management of many types of trauma to an extremity. Blood is removed from an injured extremity by elevation and wrapping, and then a pneumatic tourniquet is applied proximal to the site of injury. Lidocaine is then injected into a vein distal to the tourniquet. The tourniquet prevents entry of the lidocaine into the general circulation while anesthesia is obtained in the extremity; it also provides a bloodless surgical field.", "PMID": 622938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4634", "title": "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in arthritis.", "content": "Aspirin remains the agent of first choice, but ibuprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen and tolmetin are useful drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen and fenoprofen are also approved for use in osteoarthritis. Each shares anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties with aspirin, phenylbutazone and indomethacin. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have fewer minor side effects than aspirin and fewer major side effects than indomethacin or phenylbutazone. The patient must understand that drugs are but one part of a comprehensive management program.", "contents": "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in arthritis. Aspirin remains the agent of first choice, but ibuprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen and tolmetin are useful drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen and fenoprofen are also approved for use in osteoarthritis. Each shares anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties with aspirin, phenylbutazone and indomethacin. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have fewer minor side effects than aspirin and fewer major side effects than indomethacin or phenylbutazone. The patient must understand that drugs are but one part of a comprehensive management program.", "PMID": 622939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4635", "title": "Impotence--some causes and cures.", "content": "Transient organic causes of impotence include alcohol consumption, drug use or inflammatory genital disease. Many diagnoses of organic impotence, with diabetes, for example, have been premature and have resulted in iatrogenic, psychogenic impotence. After a stroke, heart attack or major surgery, depression may cause impotence. Anxiety and sexual ignorance are major etiologic factors. Thus, sex education and uncomplicated sex therapy can achieve a high percentage of cure. Penile plethysmography during sleep provides useful information. Penile prostheses are helpful for appropriately motivated couples when there is permanent impotence.", "contents": "Impotence--some causes and cures. Transient organic causes of impotence include alcohol consumption, drug use or inflammatory genital disease. Many diagnoses of organic impotence, with diabetes, for example, have been premature and have resulted in iatrogenic, psychogenic impotence. After a stroke, heart attack or major surgery, depression may cause impotence. Anxiety and sexual ignorance are major etiologic factors. Thus, sex education and uncomplicated sex therapy can achieve a high percentage of cure. Penile plethysmography during sleep provides useful information. Penile prostheses are helpful for appropriately motivated couples when there is permanent impotence.", "PMID": 622940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4636", "title": "Keratosis pilaris.", "content": "This benign skin disorder is recognized by a characteristic appearance and a positive family history. Safe, effective treatment with urea creams and lotions is available.", "contents": "Keratosis pilaris. This benign skin disorder is recognized by a characteristic appearance and a positive family history. Safe, effective treatment with urea creams and lotions is available.", "PMID": 622941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4637", "title": "Temporal arteritis.", "content": "Temporal (giant cell) arteritis is a disease of older persons that has a variety of clinical presentations. It is a major cause of blindness. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is almost always markedly elevated. Corticosteroidss in large doses are urgently required. The diagnosis is established by biopsy of an artery. In an 80-year-old women who sudddenly became blind, the signs had been masked by low doses of steroids given for a mistake diagnosis.", "contents": "Temporal arteritis. Temporal (giant cell) arteritis is a disease of older persons that has a variety of clinical presentations. It is a major cause of blindness. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is almost always markedly elevated. Corticosteroidss in large doses are urgently required. The diagnosis is established by biopsy of an artery. In an 80-year-old women who sudddenly became blind, the signs had been masked by low doses of steroids given for a mistake diagnosis.", "PMID": 622942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4638", "title": "Sleep disorders and insomnia.", "content": "Primary sleep disorders include narcolepsy, the Pickwickian syndrome, sleep apnea in infants and other rare conditions. Secondary sleep disorders occur in depression, alcoholism, endocrinopathies, heart failure and pregnancy. Medical symptomatology often increases during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, when physiologic activity is high. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, requires careful work-up, attempts at environmental manipulation and judicious short-term pharmacotherapy. Pharmacologic manipulation of sleep is beset with complications. A basic understanding of properties and side effects of the sleep-inducing drugs is needed in order to select the optimal agent.", "contents": "Sleep disorders and insomnia. Primary sleep disorders include narcolepsy, the Pickwickian syndrome, sleep apnea in infants and other rare conditions. Secondary sleep disorders occur in depression, alcoholism, endocrinopathies, heart failure and pregnancy. Medical symptomatology often increases during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, when physiologic activity is high. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, requires careful work-up, attempts at environmental manipulation and judicious short-term pharmacotherapy. Pharmacologic manipulation of sleep is beset with complications. A basic understanding of properties and side effects of the sleep-inducing drugs is needed in order to select the optimal agent.", "PMID": 622943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4639", "title": "Clinical classification of Ebstein's anomaly.", "content": "Twenty-six patients with Ebstein's anomaly were classified into three types according to their clinical features, heart catheterization data, angiocardiographic and anatomical findings which were obtained on surgery or autopsy. The hemodynamics in each type were discussed. 1. Tricuspid Stenosis Dominant Type. Eight patients, who were cyanotic and had severe symptoms, mild to moderate cardiomegaly, and the \"double-ball sign\" on angiocardiography were classified into this type. A pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve was demonstrated in 5 patients. 2. Tricuspid Insufficiency Dominant Type. Four cyanotic patients, who had mild symptoms despite the severe cardiomegaly were grouped into this type. The \"double-ball sign\" was found in all. In three patients, incompetent tricuspid valve was observed. Tricuspid insufficiency necessitates the volume overwork of the right atrium and the functioning right ventricle, resulting in severe dilatation. 3. Mild Type. Fourteen patients who showed no or mild cyanosis, no or mild symptoms, and mild to moderate cardiomegaly, were classified into this type. It is considered that the adequate cardiac output in these patients is attributable to the good function of the tricuspid valve.", "contents": "Clinical classification of Ebstein's anomaly. Twenty-six patients with Ebstein's anomaly were classified into three types according to their clinical features, heart catheterization data, angiocardiographic and anatomical findings which were obtained on surgery or autopsy. The hemodynamics in each type were discussed. 1. Tricuspid Stenosis Dominant Type. Eight patients, who were cyanotic and had severe symptoms, mild to moderate cardiomegaly, and the \"double-ball sign\" on angiocardiography were classified into this type. A pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve was demonstrated in 5 patients. 2. Tricuspid Insufficiency Dominant Type. Four cyanotic patients, who had mild symptoms despite the severe cardiomegaly were grouped into this type. The \"double-ball sign\" was found in all. In three patients, incompetent tricuspid valve was observed. Tricuspid insufficiency necessitates the volume overwork of the right atrium and the functioning right ventricle, resulting in severe dilatation. 3. Mild Type. Fourteen patients who showed no or mild cyanosis, no or mild symptoms, and mild to moderate cardiomegaly, were classified into this type. It is considered that the adequate cardiac output in these patients is attributable to the good function of the tricuspid valve.", "PMID": 622950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4640", "title": "Polymicrobial infective endocarditis: an increasing clinical entity.", "content": "Polymicrobial endocarditis was very uncommon until ten years ago. However, since that time, at least 21 cases were reported, and 10 patients with this mixed infection were seen at our hospital. All, except one of these infections, occurred in patients who had undergone heart surgery or abused intravenous drugs. Although, generally clinically indistinguishable from mono-microbial endocarditis, these mixed infections carried a very high mortality rate (greater than 30 per cent), and an unusually large number of the patients (greater than 50 per cent) needed heart surgery either to control the infection or to repair cardiac defects resulting from the infection. The prognosis depended on the species rather than the number of organisms isolated and on aggressive antimicrobial and surgical therapy.", "contents": "Polymicrobial infective endocarditis: an increasing clinical entity. Polymicrobial endocarditis was very uncommon until ten years ago. However, since that time, at least 21 cases were reported, and 10 patients with this mixed infection were seen at our hospital. All, except one of these infections, occurred in patients who had undergone heart surgery or abused intravenous drugs. Although, generally clinically indistinguishable from mono-microbial endocarditis, these mixed infections carried a very high mortality rate (greater than 30 per cent), and an unusually large number of the patients (greater than 50 per cent) needed heart surgery either to control the infection or to repair cardiac defects resulting from the infection. The prognosis depended on the species rather than the number of organisms isolated and on aggressive antimicrobial and surgical therapy.", "PMID": 622951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4641", "title": "Post-extrasystolic potentiation of ischemic myocardium by atrial stimulation.", "content": "The response of acutely ischemic myocardium to post-extrasystolic potentiation (PESP) was evaluated in 11 mongrel dogs. Mercury-in-silastic length gauges were sutured to the epicardial surface of the left ventricle; left ventricular pressure was determined via an apical large-bore catheter-transducer system and controlled by volume manipulation. The anterior descending coronary artery was then ligated, and single premature atrial contractions were introduced via an external stimulator. Thirty minutes after occlusion, shortening during ejection had decreased an average of 81 +/- 8 per cent, from 1.30 +/- 0.29 to 0.32 +/- 0.05 mm. PESP initially induced a marked restoration toward normal segmental contraction as systolic shortening increased significantly to 1.14 +/- 0.23 mm. Additionally, paradoxic systolic expansion, when present, reverted to a normal pattern of contraction during PESP. Responsiveness to PESP deteriorated progressively with time over 3 hours following occlusion until the muscle became essentially totally unresponsive to this stimulus. It is concluded that a single premature atrial beat may be used to induce PESP and provides an effective stimulus for contractile reserve of acutely dysfunctional ischemic myocardium. Loss of responsiveness to PESP may represent the progression to nonviability following acute ischemia.", "contents": "Post-extrasystolic potentiation of ischemic myocardium by atrial stimulation. The response of acutely ischemic myocardium to post-extrasystolic potentiation (PESP) was evaluated in 11 mongrel dogs. Mercury-in-silastic length gauges were sutured to the epicardial surface of the left ventricle; left ventricular pressure was determined via an apical large-bore catheter-transducer system and controlled by volume manipulation. The anterior descending coronary artery was then ligated, and single premature atrial contractions were introduced via an external stimulator. Thirty minutes after occlusion, shortening during ejection had decreased an average of 81 +/- 8 per cent, from 1.30 +/- 0.29 to 0.32 +/- 0.05 mm. PESP initially induced a marked restoration toward normal segmental contraction as systolic shortening increased significantly to 1.14 +/- 0.23 mm. Additionally, paradoxic systolic expansion, when present, reverted to a normal pattern of contraction during PESP. Responsiveness to PESP deteriorated progressively with time over 3 hours following occlusion until the muscle became essentially totally unresponsive to this stimulus. It is concluded that a single premature atrial beat may be used to induce PESP and provides an effective stimulus for contractile reserve of acutely dysfunctional ischemic myocardium. Loss of responsiveness to PESP may represent the progression to nonviability following acute ischemia.", "PMID": 622954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4642", "title": "The difference vector: assessment of effects of changes or interventions.", "content": "Vector dipole moments were measured on young pigs before and one week after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Vectors were obtained for the three peaks of vector spatial magnitude, M. Preoperative, postoperative, and difference vectors were measured for each peak. If excitation is normal except through the infarcted tissue, the difference vector should be more closely related to the infarct because the normal excitation cancels out. It was found that the postoperative vector was changed by the infarct but that the difference vector was a better indication of infarction. This paper was designed to introduce the method using experimental data for a small number of pigs.", "contents": "The difference vector: assessment of effects of changes or interventions. Vector dipole moments were measured on young pigs before and one week after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Vectors were obtained for the three peaks of vector spatial magnitude, M. Preoperative, postoperative, and difference vectors were measured for each peak. If excitation is normal except through the infarcted tissue, the difference vector should be more closely related to the infarct because the normal excitation cancels out. It was found that the postoperative vector was changed by the infarct but that the difference vector was a better indication of infarction. This paper was designed to introduce the method using experimental data for a small number of pigs.", "PMID": 622955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4643", "title": "Effects of proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach on distal atrioventricular nodal, and His-Purkinje, block with special reference to the theory of alternating Wenckebach periods.", "content": "Intra-atrial Wenckebach patterns of stimulus-to-response intervals coexisting with distal, A-V nodal, and His-Purkinje, blocks occurred in eight patients during high right atrial stimulation at rapid rates. In two patients with 2:1 St-H block and in two patients with 4:1 St-V block, an increase in the degree of block occurred when the proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach cycle was completed with the stimulus which otherwise would have been propagated to the distal levels. However, the degree of block did not increase when the intra-atrial Wenckebach terminated in distally blocked stimuli. In one patient progression of 4:1 into 5:1 St-V block was due to the association of intra-atrial Wenckebach with alternating 2:1 block at the A-V nodal, and His-Purkinje, levels. Contrasting with most reports dealing with the mechanisms of alternating Wenckebach in a single structure, this study permitted the determination of the boundaries between proximal and more distal levels. It also showed that alternating Wenckebach cycles (of St-H intervals) ending with two consecutively blocked stimuli could result from the association of proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach with distal, A-V nodal Wenckebach, or abortive AW, cycles. The electrophysiology of documented two, or three, level block in different structures has validated previously made assumptions regarding multilevel block in a single structure.", "contents": "Effects of proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach on distal atrioventricular nodal, and His-Purkinje, block with special reference to the theory of alternating Wenckebach periods. Intra-atrial Wenckebach patterns of stimulus-to-response intervals coexisting with distal, A-V nodal, and His-Purkinje, blocks occurred in eight patients during high right atrial stimulation at rapid rates. In two patients with 2:1 St-H block and in two patients with 4:1 St-V block, an increase in the degree of block occurred when the proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach cycle was completed with the stimulus which otherwise would have been propagated to the distal levels. However, the degree of block did not increase when the intra-atrial Wenckebach terminated in distally blocked stimuli. In one patient progression of 4:1 into 5:1 St-V block was due to the association of intra-atrial Wenckebach with alternating 2:1 block at the A-V nodal, and His-Purkinje, levels. Contrasting with most reports dealing with the mechanisms of alternating Wenckebach in a single structure, this study permitted the determination of the boundaries between proximal and more distal levels. It also showed that alternating Wenckebach cycles (of St-H intervals) ending with two consecutively blocked stimuli could result from the association of proximal intra-atrial Wenckebach with distal, A-V nodal Wenckebach, or abortive AW, cycles. The electrophysiology of documented two, or three, level block in different structures has validated previously made assumptions regarding multilevel block in a single structure.", "PMID": 622956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4644", "title": "Misdiagnosis of atrial septal defect in patients with hereditary telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) and hepatic arteriovenous fistulas.", "content": "Two patients with hereditary telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) and high-output congestive heart failure secondary to large hepatic arteriovenous malformations had preoperative heart catheterization and exploratory cardiotomy to correct presumed intracardiac left-to-right shunts at the atrial level. At operation, both patients had oxygen-enriched blood returning from the inferior vena cava. Subsequent hepatic angiography demonstrated large hepatic arteriovenous fistulas, and both patients underwent hepatic artery banding and ligation, with reduction of left-to-right shunting.", "contents": "Misdiagnosis of atrial septal defect in patients with hereditary telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) and hepatic arteriovenous fistulas. Two patients with hereditary telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) and high-output congestive heart failure secondary to large hepatic arteriovenous malformations had preoperative heart catheterization and exploratory cardiotomy to correct presumed intracardiac left-to-right shunts at the atrial level. At operation, both patients had oxygen-enriched blood returning from the inferior vena cava. Subsequent hepatic angiography demonstrated large hepatic arteriovenous fistulas, and both patients underwent hepatic artery banding and ligation, with reduction of left-to-right shunting.", "PMID": 622957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4645", "title": "The role of the central nervous system in chronic congestive heart failure.", "content": "Even though congestive heart failure is extremely common, the mechanisms responsible for the clinical manifestations remain a puzzle. The central and autonomic (sympathetic) nervous systems are responsible for a large part of the clinical manifestations. The role of the nervous system in CHF is discussed briefly. It is evident that there are many gaps in knowledge that remain concerning the role of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in congestive heart failure. The peripheral vascular constriction, increase in venous tone and pressure, tachycardia, sweating, dermal pallor, and tension and anxiety in patients with CHF reflect generalized sympathetic nervous system activity and the influence of the central and autonomic nervous systems on the clinical syndrome of CHF.", "contents": "The role of the central nervous system in chronic congestive heart failure. Even though congestive heart failure is extremely common, the mechanisms responsible for the clinical manifestations remain a puzzle. The central and autonomic (sympathetic) nervous systems are responsible for a large part of the clinical manifestations. The role of the nervous system in CHF is discussed briefly. It is evident that there are many gaps in knowledge that remain concerning the role of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in congestive heart failure. The peripheral vascular constriction, increase in venous tone and pressure, tachycardia, sweating, dermal pallor, and tension and anxiety in patients with CHF reflect generalized sympathetic nervous system activity and the influence of the central and autonomic nervous systems on the clinical syndrome of CHF.", "PMID": 622960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4646", "title": "Sequence of cardiac changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.", "content": "Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) rarely have clinical evidence of myocardial dysfunction during life. Nevertheless, congestive heart failure is a frequent terminal event and autopsy invariably shows dystrophic myocardial involvement. Little is known regarding the progression of heart functional abnormalities in boys with DMD from birth to death. Therefore we have examined the hearts of 18 DMD boys aged 4 to 15 years with the following non-invasive methods: cardiovascular physical examination, electrocardiography, chest x-ray, serum enzymes, and echocardiography. Control subjects were 25 normal boys matched to their DMD counterparts by age and by body surface area. The dystrophic patients were divided into early (N = 9) and late (N = 9) DMD according to manual muscle testing of skeletal muscles. In early DMD, six of 23 cardiac indices differed from control boys; in the late stage, an additional five indices became abnormal. Early DMD was characterized by these abnormalities: tachycardia, large ECG R/S ratio in V1, augmented q wave voltages in Leads I, II, and V5 of the ECG, diminished contractile excursion of the left venticular posterior wall (LVPW) and interventricular septum, and decreased rate of relaxation of the LVPW. In late DMD additional cardiac abnormalities appeared: enlarged heart volume by x-ray, reduced cardiac ejection fraction, diminished change in left ventricular diameter from diastole to systole, reduced maximal systolic endocardial velocity, and decreased rate of circumferential fiber shortening as detected in the echocardiogram. Most of the cardiac abnormalities were revealed only by echocardiography, which is thus shown to be a sensitive method for monitoring the progression of cardiac dystrophy during the life span of the DMD child.", "contents": "Sequence of cardiac changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) rarely have clinical evidence of myocardial dysfunction during life. Nevertheless, congestive heart failure is a frequent terminal event and autopsy invariably shows dystrophic myocardial involvement. Little is known regarding the progression of heart functional abnormalities in boys with DMD from birth to death. Therefore we have examined the hearts of 18 DMD boys aged 4 to 15 years with the following non-invasive methods: cardiovascular physical examination, electrocardiography, chest x-ray, serum enzymes, and echocardiography. Control subjects were 25 normal boys matched to their DMD counterparts by age and by body surface area. The dystrophic patients were divided into early (N = 9) and late (N = 9) DMD according to manual muscle testing of skeletal muscles. In early DMD, six of 23 cardiac indices differed from control boys; in the late stage, an additional five indices became abnormal. Early DMD was characterized by these abnormalities: tachycardia, large ECG R/S ratio in V1, augmented q wave voltages in Leads I, II, and V5 of the ECG, diminished contractile excursion of the left venticular posterior wall (LVPW) and interventricular septum, and decreased rate of relaxation of the LVPW. In late DMD additional cardiac abnormalities appeared: enlarged heart volume by x-ray, reduced cardiac ejection fraction, diminished change in left ventricular diameter from diastole to systole, reduced maximal systolic endocardial velocity, and decreased rate of circumferential fiber shortening as detected in the echocardiogram. Most of the cardiac abnormalities were revealed only by echocardiography, which is thus shown to be a sensitive method for monitoring the progression of cardiac dystrophy during the life span of the DMD child.", "PMID": 622971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4647", "title": "Ondine's Curse: hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing (electrophrenic respiration).", "content": "The hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing was studied in eight patients with Ondine's Curse. It was shown that such pacing could lower the pulmonary artery pressure while correction of hypoxemia alone could not. It was demonstrated that on pacing, calculated pulmonary arteriolar resistance decreased and there was normalization of arterial blood gases. The mechanism for these changes was improved alveolar ventilation.", "contents": "Ondine's Curse: hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing (electrophrenic respiration). The hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing was studied in eight patients with Ondine's Curse. It was shown that such pacing could lower the pulmonary artery pressure while correction of hypoxemia alone could not. It was demonstrated that on pacing, calculated pulmonary arteriolar resistance decreased and there was normalization of arterial blood gases. The mechanism for these changes was improved alveolar ventilation.", "PMID": 622972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4648", "title": "Measurement of the circulatory effects of dobutamine, a new inotropic agent, in patients following cardiac surgery.", "content": "The use of an extractable aortic electromagnetic flow probe to provide a continuous on-line display of ascending aortic flow and cardiac output following open heart surgery is described. Utilizing this equipment, the hemodynamic actions of dobutamine and isoprenaline are compared in 14 patients immediately following cardiac surgery. The study confirmed an inotropic action produced by dobutamine at a heart rate 10 to 15 per cent lower than isoprenaline, with less peripheral vascular action. Arterial and coronary sinus blood analyses revealed little difference in the myocardial metabolic actions of either drug. Because inotropic drugs produce only relatively small increases in stroke volume in this group of patients, the rise in cardiac output caused by these agents is more dependent on the effects upon heart rate rather than improved myocardial contractile state and consequently dobutamine has little advantage over isoprenaline in this situation.", "contents": "Measurement of the circulatory effects of dobutamine, a new inotropic agent, in patients following cardiac surgery. The use of an extractable aortic electromagnetic flow probe to provide a continuous on-line display of ascending aortic flow and cardiac output following open heart surgery is described. Utilizing this equipment, the hemodynamic actions of dobutamine and isoprenaline are compared in 14 patients immediately following cardiac surgery. The study confirmed an inotropic action produced by dobutamine at a heart rate 10 to 15 per cent lower than isoprenaline, with less peripheral vascular action. Arterial and coronary sinus blood analyses revealed little difference in the myocardial metabolic actions of either drug. Because inotropic drugs produce only relatively small increases in stroke volume in this group of patients, the rise in cardiac output caused by these agents is more dependent on the effects upon heart rate rather than improved myocardial contractile state and consequently dobutamine has little advantage over isoprenaline in this situation.", "PMID": 622973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4649", "title": "Total effective compliance of the vascular bed in essential hypertension.", "content": "Total effective vascular compliance, hemodynamic parameters, cardiopulmonary (CPBV) and total blood volumes (TBV) were determined in 31 men, including nine normotensive controls and 22 permanent essential hypertensive patients. The effective compliance was calculated from the changes in central venous pressure recorded simultaneously with the changes in blood volume obtained after a rapid dextran infusion. In hypertensives, compliance was significantly reduced (1.55 +/- 0.6 vs 2.25 +/- 0.11 ml./mm. Hg/Kg. in controls) (P less than 0.001) and negatively correlated with blood pressure (P less than 0.01), cardiac index (P less than 0.01), and the CPBV/TBV ratio (P less than 0.01). These results suggest that venous compliance contributes to the control of cardiac output in essential hypertension.", "contents": "Total effective compliance of the vascular bed in essential hypertension. Total effective vascular compliance, hemodynamic parameters, cardiopulmonary (CPBV) and total blood volumes (TBV) were determined in 31 men, including nine normotensive controls and 22 permanent essential hypertensive patients. The effective compliance was calculated from the changes in central venous pressure recorded simultaneously with the changes in blood volume obtained after a rapid dextran infusion. In hypertensives, compliance was significantly reduced (1.55 +/- 0.6 vs 2.25 +/- 0.11 ml./mm. Hg/Kg. in controls) (P less than 0.001) and negatively correlated with blood pressure (P less than 0.01), cardiac index (P less than 0.01), and the CPBV/TBV ratio (P less than 0.01). These results suggest that venous compliance contributes to the control of cardiac output in essential hypertension.", "PMID": 622974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4650", "title": "Effect of pentobarbital anesthesia on ventricular defibrillation threshold in dogs.", "content": "The effect of pentobarbital anesthesia upon the minimal voltage and current required for electrical ventricular defibrillation (the defibrillation threshold) was investigated in dogs. Threshold current, energy, and charge in five dogs averaged 2 per cent, 13 per cent, and 6 per cent less under surgical levels of pentobarbital anesthesia than thresholds in the same animals in the awake, unanesthetized state. In dogs given sufficient pentobarbital to produce apnea and supported by mechanical ventilation, threshold current, energy, and charged averaged 3 per cent, 17 percent, and 2 per cent less than comparable awake values. These differences were far from statistically significant. In a second study, five dogs were kept for 8 to 10 hours at a surgical level of anesthesia with pentobarbital sodium. Defibrillation threshold current, determined at hourly intervals, did not drift outside +/-10 per cent limits. Arterial blood gas measurements revealed a stable, compensated metabolic acidosis in all animals (pH 7.36 +/- 0.06, pCO2 33 +/- 4 mm. Hg, pO2 71 +/- 9 mm. Hg). These data support the validity of defibrillation studies using animals anesthetized with pentobarbital and indicate the stability of the defibrillation threshold under controlled experimental conditions.", "contents": "Effect of pentobarbital anesthesia on ventricular defibrillation threshold in dogs. The effect of pentobarbital anesthesia upon the minimal voltage and current required for electrical ventricular defibrillation (the defibrillation threshold) was investigated in dogs. Threshold current, energy, and charge in five dogs averaged 2 per cent, 13 per cent, and 6 per cent less under surgical levels of pentobarbital anesthesia than thresholds in the same animals in the awake, unanesthetized state. In dogs given sufficient pentobarbital to produce apnea and supported by mechanical ventilation, threshold current, energy, and charged averaged 3 per cent, 17 percent, and 2 per cent less than comparable awake values. These differences were far from statistically significant. In a second study, five dogs were kept for 8 to 10 hours at a surgical level of anesthesia with pentobarbital sodium. Defibrillation threshold current, determined at hourly intervals, did not drift outside +/-10 per cent limits. Arterial blood gas measurements revealed a stable, compensated metabolic acidosis in all animals (pH 7.36 +/- 0.06, pCO2 33 +/- 4 mm. Hg, pO2 71 +/- 9 mm. Hg). These data support the validity of defibrillation studies using animals anesthetized with pentobarbital and indicate the stability of the defibrillation threshold under controlled experimental conditions.", "PMID": 622975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4651", "title": "Creatine phosphokinase MB isoenzyme in hypothermia: case reports and experimental studies.", "content": "Six patients with severe medical disorders and profound hypothermia are presented who had elevated total serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and CPK-MB isoenzyme activity without clinical or postmortem evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Experiments in dogs indicate that hypothermia reduces total CPK activity in both striated and myocardial muscle resulting in increased serum enzyme activity. These data suggest that profound hypothermia may result in diffuse striated and cardiac muscle cellular injury without evidence of discrete infarction with consequent release of CPK-MB isoenzyme into serum.", "contents": "Creatine phosphokinase MB isoenzyme in hypothermia: case reports and experimental studies. Six patients with severe medical disorders and profound hypothermia are presented who had elevated total serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and CPK-MB isoenzyme activity without clinical or postmortem evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Experiments in dogs indicate that hypothermia reduces total CPK activity in both striated and myocardial muscle resulting in increased serum enzyme activity. These data suggest that profound hypothermia may result in diffuse striated and cardiac muscle cellular injury without evidence of discrete infarction with consequent release of CPK-MB isoenzyme into serum.", "PMID": 622978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4652", "title": "The prominent electrocardiographic conduction aspects of hypokalemia in a patient with periodic paralysis.", "content": "This article documents striking atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disturbances in marked hypokalemia, in a Negro male with periodic paralysis. The authors discuss cardiac conduction in hypokalemia.", "contents": "The prominent electrocardiographic conduction aspects of hypokalemia in a patient with periodic paralysis. This article documents striking atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disturbances in marked hypokalemia, in a Negro male with periodic paralysis. The authors discuss cardiac conduction in hypokalemia.", "PMID": 622979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4653", "title": "Isolated T wave alternans.", "content": "Two patients with isolated T wave alternans are reported, with their vectocardiograms, their response to carotid sinus stimulation, and the response to calcium infusion in one of them with documented severe hypocalcemia. Eleven cases of the literature are briefly reviewed. The alternans of the T wave appears with severe QT prolongation, QT alternans, and an increased tendency to ventricular fibrillation. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that T wave alternans may be the electrocardiographic manifestation of the transmembrane action potential alternans and could be related in some cases to hypocalcemia.", "contents": "Isolated T wave alternans. Two patients with isolated T wave alternans are reported, with their vectocardiograms, their response to carotid sinus stimulation, and the response to calcium infusion in one of them with documented severe hypocalcemia. Eleven cases of the literature are briefly reviewed. The alternans of the T wave appears with severe QT prolongation, QT alternans, and an increased tendency to ventricular fibrillation. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that T wave alternans may be the electrocardiographic manifestation of the transmembrane action potential alternans and could be related in some cases to hypocalcemia.", "PMID": 622980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4654", "title": "The hypertension complex.", "content": "The complex of factors that operate in the genesis as well as the development of various types of hypertensive disease is discussed. Questions are asked and possible answers given to only a few of the unsolved problems of hypertension. The treatment of hypertension especially with drugs, is then discussed in the light of these complex mechanisms.", "contents": "The hypertension complex. The complex of factors that operate in the genesis as well as the development of various types of hypertensive disease is discussed. Questions are asked and possible answers given to only a few of the unsolved problems of hypertension. The treatment of hypertension especially with drugs, is then discussed in the light of these complex mechanisms.", "PMID": 622982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4655", "title": "Valve origin of the aortic incisura.", "content": "The occurrence and magnitude of the incisura of the central aortic pressure were shown in 66 patients to depend on the functional state of the aortic valve. In normal subjects and children with congenital aortic stenosis (with thin flexible leaflets), the incisura ranged between 6 and 14 mm Hg. With aortic regurgitation, the incisura diminished as the severity of regurgitation increased. With calcific aortic stenosis, the incisura was smaller or absent. These observations imply a valve mechanism productive of the incisura. In vitro studies of human aortic valves confirmed these observations. Additional in vitro studies with high speed cinematography (2,000 frames/sec) of a stented normal porcine valve also showed that early diastolic stretch and recoil of the leaflets occurs. These results indicate that in the presence of a normal or diseased aortic valve the aortic incisura is produced primarily by valve distension or recoil, respectively. Distension and rebound of the aortic walls do not appear to contribute significantly in the presence of a normal or a diseased valve. Because acquired aortic valve disease affects the magnitude of the central aortic incisura, inspection of the incisura may be of ancillary valve in evaluating the pathologic state of the aortic valve.", "contents": "Valve origin of the aortic incisura. The occurrence and magnitude of the incisura of the central aortic pressure were shown in 66 patients to depend on the functional state of the aortic valve. In normal subjects and children with congenital aortic stenosis (with thin flexible leaflets), the incisura ranged between 6 and 14 mm Hg. With aortic regurgitation, the incisura diminished as the severity of regurgitation increased. With calcific aortic stenosis, the incisura was smaller or absent. These observations imply a valve mechanism productive of the incisura. In vitro studies of human aortic valves confirmed these observations. Additional in vitro studies with high speed cinematography (2,000 frames/sec) of a stented normal porcine valve also showed that early diastolic stretch and recoil of the leaflets occurs. These results indicate that in the presence of a normal or diseased aortic valve the aortic incisura is produced primarily by valve distension or recoil, respectively. Distension and rebound of the aortic walls do not appear to contribute significantly in the presence of a normal or a diseased valve. Because acquired aortic valve disease affects the magnitude of the central aortic incisura, inspection of the incisura may be of ancillary valve in evaluating the pathologic state of the aortic valve.", "PMID": 623003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4656", "title": "Thallium-20 1 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for the clinical clarification of normal, abnormal and equivocal electrocardiographic stress tests.", "content": "Sixty-five patients were studied with stress electrocardiography and thallium-20 1 relative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Results were correlated with selective coronary angiography. Scintigraphy was more sensitive (85 versus 67 percent), more specific (89 versus 63 percent) and significantly more accurate (87 versus 65 percent) than stress electrocardiography for the diagnosis of significant coronary arterial lesions in patients with isoelectric S-T segments at rest. Stress scintigraphy helped clarify the equivocal stress test due to left bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, drugs, hyperventilation and other conditions and was more accurate than the stress electrocardiogram (89 versus 53 percent) even in the presence of a depressed S-t segment at rest. Thallium-20 1 scintigraphy is a safe and simple noninvasive method for identifying abnormal myocardial perfusion, stress-induced ischemia and, indirectly, significant coronary arterial lesions.", "contents": "Thallium-20 1 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for the clinical clarification of normal, abnormal and equivocal electrocardiographic stress tests. Sixty-five patients were studied with stress electrocardiography and thallium-20 1 relative myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Results were correlated with selective coronary angiography. Scintigraphy was more sensitive (85 versus 67 percent), more specific (89 versus 63 percent) and significantly more accurate (87 versus 65 percent) than stress electrocardiography for the diagnosis of significant coronary arterial lesions in patients with isoelectric S-T segments at rest. Stress scintigraphy helped clarify the equivocal stress test due to left bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, drugs, hyperventilation and other conditions and was more accurate than the stress electrocardiogram (89 versus 53 percent) even in the presence of a depressed S-t segment at rest. Thallium-20 1 scintigraphy is a safe and simple noninvasive method for identifying abnormal myocardial perfusion, stress-induced ischemia and, indirectly, significant coronary arterial lesions.", "PMID": 623004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4657", "title": "Abnormal platelet survival time in men with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram.", "content": "Platelet survival time was measured in eight men who had an acute transmural myocardial infarction and were subsequently found to have a normal coronary arteriogram. Platelet survival (chromium-51 labeling) was shortened in all men (2.4 +/- 0.11 days; average half-time +/- standard error of the mean) and different from that in eight age-matched normal men (3.7 +/- 0.08 days) (P less than 0.001). Three patients had recurrent venous thromboembolism and one had had iliofemoral arterial thromboembolism. Platelet survival was shortened (2.9 +/- 0.12 days) in 11 of 16 age-matched men with transmural infarction who had arteriographic evidence of coronary obstructive disease. These results suggest that platelet survival time is shortened in patients with infarction who subsequently are shown to have a normal coronary arteriogram and that arterial thrombosis may be responsible for the infarction.", "contents": "Abnormal platelet survival time in men with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram. Platelet survival time was measured in eight men who had an acute transmural myocardial infarction and were subsequently found to have a normal coronary arteriogram. Platelet survival (chromium-51 labeling) was shortened in all men (2.4 +/- 0.11 days; average half-time +/- standard error of the mean) and different from that in eight age-matched normal men (3.7 +/- 0.08 days) (P less than 0.001). Three patients had recurrent venous thromboembolism and one had had iliofemoral arterial thromboembolism. Platelet survival was shortened (2.9 +/- 0.12 days) in 11 of 16 age-matched men with transmural infarction who had arteriographic evidence of coronary obstructive disease. These results suggest that platelet survival time is shortened in patients with infarction who subsequently are shown to have a normal coronary arteriogram and that arterial thrombosis may be responsible for the infarction.", "PMID": 623006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4658", "title": "Bruce treadmill test in children: normal values in a clinic population.", "content": "The Bruce treadmill protocol is suitable for children as young as age 4 years. Maximal endurance time may be used as the sole criterion of exercise capacity, and normal values were established with 327 children having an innocent heart murmur. Mean endurance time in boys increased from 10.4 minutes at age 4 to 5 years, to 14.1 minutes at age 13 to 15 years. Mean endurance time in girls increased from 9.5 minutes at age 4 to 5 years to 12.3 minutes at age 10 to 12 years. Mean maximal heart rate ranged from 193 to 206 beats/min. Age differences in mean maximal and submaximal heart rates were small. There were negative correlations between endurance time and the ratio of weight to height. There were negative correlations between heart rates at treadmill stages 1 to 3 and the endurance times. The correlation coefficient of endurance time with maximal oxygen uptake was 0.88, but for clinical purposes endurance time alone is a satisfactory indicator of exercise performance.", "contents": "Bruce treadmill test in children: normal values in a clinic population. The Bruce treadmill protocol is suitable for children as young as age 4 years. Maximal endurance time may be used as the sole criterion of exercise capacity, and normal values were established with 327 children having an innocent heart murmur. Mean endurance time in boys increased from 10.4 minutes at age 4 to 5 years, to 14.1 minutes at age 13 to 15 years. Mean endurance time in girls increased from 9.5 minutes at age 4 to 5 years to 12.3 minutes at age 10 to 12 years. Mean maximal heart rate ranged from 193 to 206 beats/min. Age differences in mean maximal and submaximal heart rates were small. There were negative correlations between endurance time and the ratio of weight to height. There were negative correlations between heart rates at treadmill stages 1 to 3 and the endurance times. The correlation coefficient of endurance time with maximal oxygen uptake was 0.88, but for clinical purposes endurance time alone is a satisfactory indicator of exercise performance.", "PMID": 623008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4659", "title": "Surgical significance of the coronary arterial anatomy in truncus arteriosus communis.", "content": "In truncus arteriosus communis, as in other anomalies of conotruncal development, the coronary arterial anatomy not only differs from that found in the normal heart but also is subject to unpredictable variations. A consistently distinctive pattern was found in roughly two thirds of 31 cases, a frequency approximating that with which a distinctive coronary arterial pattern occurs in complete transposition of the great vessels. Surgical injury to a major coronary artery was identified in 2 of the 30 hearts from patients with truncus arteriosus communis who died in the early postoperative period. Of particular significance are large branches of the right coronary artery crossing the upper anterior surface of the right ventricle to supply the anterobasal surface of both ventricles and the upper part of the interventricular septum. These arteries are at special risk in surgical procedures utilizing a conduit anastomosed to a right ventriculotomy.", "contents": "Surgical significance of the coronary arterial anatomy in truncus arteriosus communis. In truncus arteriosus communis, as in other anomalies of conotruncal development, the coronary arterial anatomy not only differs from that found in the normal heart but also is subject to unpredictable variations. A consistently distinctive pattern was found in roughly two thirds of 31 cases, a frequency approximating that with which a distinctive coronary arterial pattern occurs in complete transposition of the great vessels. Surgical injury to a major coronary artery was identified in 2 of the 30 hearts from patients with truncus arteriosus communis who died in the early postoperative period. Of particular significance are large branches of the right coronary artery crossing the upper anterior surface of the right ventricle to supply the anterobasal surface of both ventricles and the upper part of the interventricular septum. These arteries are at special risk in surgical procedures utilizing a conduit anastomosed to a right ventriculotomy.", "PMID": 623009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4660", "title": "Termination of ventricular tachycardia with bursts of rapid ventricular pacing.", "content": "Bursts of rapid ventricular pacing used during 573 episodes of ventricular tachycardia in 23 patients terminated 5 12 episodes (89 percent), with burst rates averaging 56 beats/min above the ventricular tachycardia rate, for 5 to 10 captures. Tachycardia was accelerated by pacing bursts to rates below 300 beats/min in 16 episodes (3 percent); 10 of these terminated spontaneously or responded to further bursts. Acceleration of heart rate to more than 300 beats/min or ventricular fibrillation occurred six times (1 percent), each episode requiring direct current cardioversion. Pacing bursts had no effect in 38 instances (7 percent), mostly in patients with terminal cardiogenic shock. Implantable pacemakers delivering bursts of rapid ventricular pacing were placed in two patients who have used these units at home. No deaths were associated with bursts of rapid ventricular pacing, which is an effective, rapid, pleasant alternative to repeated direct current cardioversion and a useful tool during electrophysiologic testing in patients with recurrent tachycardia.", "contents": "Termination of ventricular tachycardia with bursts of rapid ventricular pacing. Bursts of rapid ventricular pacing used during 573 episodes of ventricular tachycardia in 23 patients terminated 5 12 episodes (89 percent), with burst rates averaging 56 beats/min above the ventricular tachycardia rate, for 5 to 10 captures. Tachycardia was accelerated by pacing bursts to rates below 300 beats/min in 16 episodes (3 percent); 10 of these terminated spontaneously or responded to further bursts. Acceleration of heart rate to more than 300 beats/min or ventricular fibrillation occurred six times (1 percent), each episode requiring direct current cardioversion. Pacing bursts had no effect in 38 instances (7 percent), mostly in patients with terminal cardiogenic shock. Implantable pacemakers delivering bursts of rapid ventricular pacing were placed in two patients who have used these units at home. No deaths were associated with bursts of rapid ventricular pacing, which is an effective, rapid, pleasant alternative to repeated direct current cardioversion and a useful tool during electrophysiologic testing in patients with recurrent tachycardia.", "PMID": 623012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4661", "title": "Tortuosity as an index of the age and diameter increase of coronary collateral vessels in patients after acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "A possible correlation among increase in diameter, lengthening or tortuosity and age of bypassed obstruction was investigated in coronary arterial collateral vessels. In 35 autopsy patients with a myocardial infarct of known age, as determined from clinical history and pathologic demonstration of an infarct of consistent age in the distribution of an obstructed vessel, 140 collateral vessels were identified in postmortem arteriograms and measurements made of their diameter and tortuosity. Multivariable regression analyses showed that collateral diameter and tortuosity increase with greater time after the infarction. It is suggested that identification of tortuosity in a coronary vessel may provide an indication that it functions as a collateral channel and of the degree of its dilatation and the time it has been a collateral channel. The lengthening that produces tortuosity probably arises from the same relaxation of medial tension that induces dilatation as a result of increased blood flow.", "contents": "Tortuosity as an index of the age and diameter increase of coronary collateral vessels in patients after acute myocardial infarction. A possible correlation among increase in diameter, lengthening or tortuosity and age of bypassed obstruction was investigated in coronary arterial collateral vessels. In 35 autopsy patients with a myocardial infarct of known age, as determined from clinical history and pathologic demonstration of an infarct of consistent age in the distribution of an obstructed vessel, 140 collateral vessels were identified in postmortem arteriograms and measurements made of their diameter and tortuosity. Multivariable regression analyses showed that collateral diameter and tortuosity increase with greater time after the infarction. It is suggested that identification of tortuosity in a coronary vessel may provide an indication that it functions as a collateral channel and of the degree of its dilatation and the time it has been a collateral channel. The lengthening that produces tortuosity probably arises from the same relaxation of medial tension that induces dilatation as a result of increased blood flow.", "PMID": 623014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4662", "title": "Angiographic evaluation of the natural history of normal coronary arteries and mild coronary atherosclerosis.", "content": "Between September 1966 and September 1976, a group of 48 patients with normal coronary arteries or nonsignificant coronary atherosclerosis documented in a first coronary arteriogram underwent a second angiogram because of persistent or recurrent chest pain. The interval between studies was 13 to 108 months (mean 42 months). The indication for the first angiogram was typical or atypical anginal pain. The patients were separated into two groups according to the results of the first angiogram. Group I included 22 patients, 9 men and 13 women, with normal coronary arteries (mean age 49 years, range 28 to 62). Group II included 26 patients, 18 men and 8 women, with coronary stenosis of less than 50% of intraluminal diameter (mean age 49 years, range 38 to 63). The second angiogram revealed normal coronary arteries in all 22 patients in Group I but showed progression of diseases in 7 (27%) of the 26 patients in group II. The coronary arterial narrowings were greater than 50% in four patients and greater than 70% in only two patients. The clinical course, coronary risk factors and interval between angiograms were not useful predictors of progression of disease. The data suggest that coronary artery disease is unlikely to developed in adults with normal coronary arteries and that roughly 75% of adults with nonsignificant atherosclerosis will not show progression of disease over a 3 to 4 year period.", "contents": "Angiographic evaluation of the natural history of normal coronary arteries and mild coronary atherosclerosis. Between September 1966 and September 1976, a group of 48 patients with normal coronary arteries or nonsignificant coronary atherosclerosis documented in a first coronary arteriogram underwent a second angiogram because of persistent or recurrent chest pain. The interval between studies was 13 to 108 months (mean 42 months). The indication for the first angiogram was typical or atypical anginal pain. The patients were separated into two groups according to the results of the first angiogram. Group I included 22 patients, 9 men and 13 women, with normal coronary arteries (mean age 49 years, range 28 to 62). Group II included 26 patients, 18 men and 8 women, with coronary stenosis of less than 50% of intraluminal diameter (mean age 49 years, range 38 to 63). The second angiogram revealed normal coronary arteries in all 22 patients in Group I but showed progression of diseases in 7 (27%) of the 26 patients in group II. The coronary arterial narrowings were greater than 50% in four patients and greater than 70% in only two patients. The clinical course, coronary risk factors and interval between angiograms were not useful predictors of progression of disease. The data suggest that coronary artery disease is unlikely to developed in adults with normal coronary arteries and that roughly 75% of adults with nonsignificant atherosclerosis will not show progression of disease over a 3 to 4 year period.", "PMID": 623015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4663", "title": "Significance of chest pain during treadmill exercise: correlation with coronary events.", "content": "A follow-up study of 1,402 patients with a positive maximal treadmill stress test was made to evaluate the significance of angina during the test. Life tables were constructed and evaluated for significance of age, sex and work load at onset of angina. Coronary events (myocardial infarction, progression of angina and coronary death) were twice as frequent in subjects with angina and S-T segment depression as in those without angina. The increased incidence in 4 years held for all coronary events and was still doubled at 7 years for progression of angina and coronary death. The incidence of coronary events was more than twice as great when the angina was induced by a light work load (4 metabolic equivalents = METS) as when it was induced by a heavy work load (8 to 9 METS). Men aged 41 to 50 years having angina during exercise testing had a 3-fold greater incidence of coronary events and a 4-fold greater incidence of myocardial infarction compared with their counterparts who had S-T segment depression alone. In this study, angina during exercise testing identified 85% of true positive tests for coronary artery disease, whereas S-T depression alone identified only 64% of such tests. Thus, angina during exercise testing increases the sensitivity of the test and identifies cohorts of subjects at high risk for subsequent coronary events.", "contents": "Significance of chest pain during treadmill exercise: correlation with coronary events. A follow-up study of 1,402 patients with a positive maximal treadmill stress test was made to evaluate the significance of angina during the test. Life tables were constructed and evaluated for significance of age, sex and work load at onset of angina. Coronary events (myocardial infarction, progression of angina and coronary death) were twice as frequent in subjects with angina and S-T segment depression as in those without angina. The increased incidence in 4 years held for all coronary events and was still doubled at 7 years for progression of angina and coronary death. The incidence of coronary events was more than twice as great when the angina was induced by a light work load (4 metabolic equivalents = METS) as when it was induced by a heavy work load (8 to 9 METS). Men aged 41 to 50 years having angina during exercise testing had a 3-fold greater incidence of coronary events and a 4-fold greater incidence of myocardial infarction compared with their counterparts who had S-T segment depression alone. In this study, angina during exercise testing identified 85% of true positive tests for coronary artery disease, whereas S-T depression alone identified only 64% of such tests. Thus, angina during exercise testing increases the sensitivity of the test and identifies cohorts of subjects at high risk for subsequent coronary events.", "PMID": 623016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4664", "title": "Electrophysiologic studies on atrioventricular nodal Wenckebach cycles.", "content": "Wenckebach cycles with a 4:3 ratio, produced by rapid atrial pacing, were studied in 27 anesthetized denervated dogs using programmed stimulation. A test stimulus (S') could be inserted after any preselected beat of the Wenckebach cycle. An on-line computer measured the atrial (A) to His bundle (H) intervals. In all dogs a progressive increase in atrioventricular (A-V) nodal refractoriness was seen in the effective refractory period for each beat and a rightward shift of the A'-H' relative to the A-A' refractory curves. Atypical Wenckebach cycles could be produced by small changes in the basic cycle length. No evidence for reentry was found from the refractory curves of Wenckebach cycles and by interruption of stimulation after the third stimulus of a 4:3 Wenckebach cycle. Analysis of the A'-H' relative to the H-A' refractory curves did not confirm a positive feedback mechanism. In order to mimic a Wenckebach cycle, a blocked premature beat was inserted during stressed 1:1 conduction. The changes in the refractory curves for successive beats after the premature beat were rate-dependent and similar to those in Wenckebach cycles but smaller in magnitude. In Wenckebach cycles there is a progressive increase in refractoriness, caused by cumulative effect similar to that seen after a blocked beat during stressed 1:1 conduction, until block occurs and the cycle resets.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic studies on atrioventricular nodal Wenckebach cycles. Wenckebach cycles with a 4:3 ratio, produced by rapid atrial pacing, were studied in 27 anesthetized denervated dogs using programmed stimulation. A test stimulus (S') could be inserted after any preselected beat of the Wenckebach cycle. An on-line computer measured the atrial (A) to His bundle (H) intervals. In all dogs a progressive increase in atrioventricular (A-V) nodal refractoriness was seen in the effective refractory period for each beat and a rightward shift of the A'-H' relative to the A-A' refractory curves. Atypical Wenckebach cycles could be produced by small changes in the basic cycle length. No evidence for reentry was found from the refractory curves of Wenckebach cycles and by interruption of stimulation after the third stimulus of a 4:3 Wenckebach cycle. Analysis of the A'-H' relative to the H-A' refractory curves did not confirm a positive feedback mechanism. In order to mimic a Wenckebach cycle, a blocked premature beat was inserted during stressed 1:1 conduction. The changes in the refractory curves for successive beats after the premature beat were rate-dependent and similar to those in Wenckebach cycles but smaller in magnitude. In Wenckebach cycles there is a progressive increase in refractoriness, caused by cumulative effect similar to that seen after a blocked beat during stressed 1:1 conduction, until block occurs and the cycle resets.", "PMID": 623017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4665", "title": "Atrial pacing for cardioversion of atrial flutter in digitalized patients.", "content": "To test the safety and reliability of atrial pacing as a conversion technique in patients with atrial flutter who are receiving digitalis therapy, atrial pacing conversion was attempted for 49 episodes of atrial flutter in 32 consecutive patients. All patients except one were receiving digitalis. To control ventricular rates most patients had received larger than usual therapeutic doses of digitalis glycoside before pacing. Fourteen of the 25 patients whose serum levels were measured had glycoside concentrations greater than 2 ng/ml. Before atrial pacing the mean atrial and ventricular rates were, respectively, 290 +/- 20.6 and 134 +/- 27.9/min (mean +/- standard deviation). Successful rhythm conversion was achieved on 48 occasions (98%) in 31 patients. One patient required transthoracic direct current synchronized countershock cardioversion. With atrial pacing, the atrial flutter rhythm reverted immediately to sinus mechanism in 23 instances, and there were 25 episodes of atrial fibrillation. Among those who experienced atrial fibrillation, the rhythm spontaneously reverted to sinus mechanism within 24 hours on 14 occasions; on 11 occasions; the rhythm reverted to atrial flutter and repeat pacing was required. Sinus mechanism was eventually established in all 31 patients.", "contents": "Atrial pacing for cardioversion of atrial flutter in digitalized patients. To test the safety and reliability of atrial pacing as a conversion technique in patients with atrial flutter who are receiving digitalis therapy, atrial pacing conversion was attempted for 49 episodes of atrial flutter in 32 consecutive patients. All patients except one were receiving digitalis. To control ventricular rates most patients had received larger than usual therapeutic doses of digitalis glycoside before pacing. Fourteen of the 25 patients whose serum levels were measured had glycoside concentrations greater than 2 ng/ml. Before atrial pacing the mean atrial and ventricular rates were, respectively, 290 +/- 20.6 and 134 +/- 27.9/min (mean +/- standard deviation). Successful rhythm conversion was achieved on 48 occasions (98%) in 31 patients. One patient required transthoracic direct current synchronized countershock cardioversion. With atrial pacing, the atrial flutter rhythm reverted immediately to sinus mechanism in 23 instances, and there were 25 episodes of atrial fibrillation. Among those who experienced atrial fibrillation, the rhythm spontaneously reverted to sinus mechanism within 24 hours on 14 occasions; on 11 occasions; the rhythm reverted to atrial flutter and repeat pacing was required. Sinus mechanism was eventually established in all 31 patients.", "PMID": 623021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4666", "title": "Effects of digitalis on sinus nodal function in patients with sick sinus syndrome.", "content": "The effect on sinus rhythmicity and automaticity of complete digitalization in a 24 hour period was observed in 14 patients with sick sinus syndrome. Sinus nodal function was evaluated in these patients by assessing sinus nodal recovery time and by treadmill exercise testing and 24 hour Holter monitoring, before and after digoxin administration. Corrected sinus nodal recovery times ranged from 240 to 2,065 msec (average 714) before digoxin and were shortened to 250 to 1,260 msec (average 565) after the glycoside. Further, digoxin induced accelerated infra sinus escape pacemaker activity in five patients: junctional and ventricular in one and atrial in four. Spontaneous sinus rate evaluated with Holter monitoring revealed an average of 56 beats/min (range 43 to 69) before digitalis that was unchanged (average 58 beats/min; range 48 to 74) after digoxin therapy. Similarly, the sinus nodal response to exercise was unaffected after digitalization (average 118 beats/min both before and during digitalis therapy). It is concluded that digoxin does not exert adverse effects on sinus nodal function in patients with sick sinus syndrome. The glycoside can be used safely in these patients when indicated for cardiac pump dysfunction or for control of tachyarrhythmia.", "contents": "Effects of digitalis on sinus nodal function in patients with sick sinus syndrome. The effect on sinus rhythmicity and automaticity of complete digitalization in a 24 hour period was observed in 14 patients with sick sinus syndrome. Sinus nodal function was evaluated in these patients by assessing sinus nodal recovery time and by treadmill exercise testing and 24 hour Holter monitoring, before and after digoxin administration. Corrected sinus nodal recovery times ranged from 240 to 2,065 msec (average 714) before digoxin and were shortened to 250 to 1,260 msec (average 565) after the glycoside. Further, digoxin induced accelerated infra sinus escape pacemaker activity in five patients: junctional and ventricular in one and atrial in four. Spontaneous sinus rate evaluated with Holter monitoring revealed an average of 56 beats/min (range 43 to 69) before digitalis that was unchanged (average 58 beats/min; range 48 to 74) after digoxin therapy. Similarly, the sinus nodal response to exercise was unaffected after digitalization (average 118 beats/min both before and during digitalis therapy). It is concluded that digoxin does not exert adverse effects on sinus nodal function in patients with sick sinus syndrome. The glycoside can be used safely in these patients when indicated for cardiac pump dysfunction or for control of tachyarrhythmia.", "PMID": 623023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4667", "title": "Effects of morphine sulfate on human coronary blood flow.", "content": "Because morphine causes coronary vasoconstriction in conscious dogs, human coronary blood flow was measured with the thermodilution technique before and after administration of morphine sulfate, 0.2 mg/kg body weight (maximum 15 mg) intravenously, in 10 patients to determine if the canine experience is clinically applicable. Coronary blood flow increased from a baseline value of 104.4 +/- 13.4 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) to 113.0 +/- 17.4 ml/min (difference not significant) 15 minutes after the administration of morphine. Baseline coronary vascular resistance was 1.14 +/- 0.19 mm Hg/ml/min; 15 minutes after morphine administration the resistance value was 1.02 +/- 0.17 (P less than 0.025). There was no significant change between baseline values and values 15 minutes after morphine administration in systemic mean arterial pressure (98.2 +/- 5.3 to 92.8 +/- 4.7 mm Hg); heart rate (69.5 +/- 3.5 to 72.6 +/- 3.4 beats/min), left ventricular ejection time (0.345 +/- 0.009 to 0.342 +/- 0.007 second) or tension-time index (2,324 +/- 128 to 2,291 +/- 149 mm Hg/sec per min). The slight coronary vasodilation noted after morphine administration in this study is in marked contrast to the significant coronary vasoconstriction demonstrated in the unanesthetized dog.", "contents": "Effects of morphine sulfate on human coronary blood flow. Because morphine causes coronary vasoconstriction in conscious dogs, human coronary blood flow was measured with the thermodilution technique before and after administration of morphine sulfate, 0.2 mg/kg body weight (maximum 15 mg) intravenously, in 10 patients to determine if the canine experience is clinically applicable. Coronary blood flow increased from a baseline value of 104.4 +/- 13.4 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) to 113.0 +/- 17.4 ml/min (difference not significant) 15 minutes after the administration of morphine. Baseline coronary vascular resistance was 1.14 +/- 0.19 mm Hg/ml/min; 15 minutes after morphine administration the resistance value was 1.02 +/- 0.17 (P less than 0.025). There was no significant change between baseline values and values 15 minutes after morphine administration in systemic mean arterial pressure (98.2 +/- 5.3 to 92.8 +/- 4.7 mm Hg); heart rate (69.5 +/- 3.5 to 72.6 +/- 3.4 beats/min), left ventricular ejection time (0.345 +/- 0.009 to 0.342 +/- 0.007 second) or tension-time index (2,324 +/- 128 to 2,291 +/- 149 mm Hg/sec per min). The slight coronary vasodilation noted after morphine administration in this study is in marked contrast to the significant coronary vasoconstriction demonstrated in the unanesthetized dog.", "PMID": 623024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4668", "title": "Successful treatment of drug-resistant atrial tachycardia and intractable congestive heart failure with permanent coupled atrial pacing.", "content": "Temporary coupled atrial stimulation slowed the ventricular rate by nearly 50% in an adolescent patient with intractable congestive heart failure and focal repetitive atrial tachycardia that was resistant to drug treatment. Because of the success with the temporary pacemaker, a specially designed permanent pacemaker was implanted to provide coupled atrial stimulation. The necessary electrophysiologic conditions for ventricular slowing by coupled atrial pacing are: (1) an atrial effective refractory period shorter than that of the atrioventricular junction, and (2) depolarization of the ectopic atrial pacemaker by the responses to coupled atrial stimulation. During a 4 year follow-up period the treatment resulted in elimination of the tachycardia, followed by return of the heart size to normal and complete clinical recovery. Coupled atrial stimulation can provide effective treatment in selected patients with disabling drug-resistant atrial tachycardia in whom this mode of therapy is shown to be effective by careful electrophysiologic studies.", "contents": "Successful treatment of drug-resistant atrial tachycardia and intractable congestive heart failure with permanent coupled atrial pacing. Temporary coupled atrial stimulation slowed the ventricular rate by nearly 50% in an adolescent patient with intractable congestive heart failure and focal repetitive atrial tachycardia that was resistant to drug treatment. Because of the success with the temporary pacemaker, a specially designed permanent pacemaker was implanted to provide coupled atrial stimulation. The necessary electrophysiologic conditions for ventricular slowing by coupled atrial pacing are: (1) an atrial effective refractory period shorter than that of the atrioventricular junction, and (2) depolarization of the ectopic atrial pacemaker by the responses to coupled atrial stimulation. During a 4 year follow-up period the treatment resulted in elimination of the tachycardia, followed by return of the heart size to normal and complete clinical recovery. Coupled atrial stimulation can provide effective treatment in selected patients with disabling drug-resistant atrial tachycardia in whom this mode of therapy is shown to be effective by careful electrophysiologic studies.", "PMID": 623025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4669", "title": "Studies of the mechanism of spleen cell cure for osteopetrosis in ia rats: appearance of osteoclasts with ruffled borders.", "content": "After ia (osteopetrotic) rats receive whole body radiation and an injection of spleen cells from a normal littermate, the dense, sclerotic skeleton characteristic of osteopetrosis is rapidly remodeled and becomes normal in appearance radiographically and histologically within three weeks. The mechanism of this skeletal transformation has been explored in cured ia rats by light and electron microscopic examination of osteoclasts. In ia rats less than 25 days of age, osteoclasts viewed by electron microscopy lack a ruffled border - the extensive elaboration of plasma membrane next to the bone surface. Cured ia rats have osteoclasts with ruffled borders indistinguishable from those of normal littermates. In ia rats that receive only 600 rads whole body radiation, osteoclasts are still present three weeks later, but appear abnormal by light microscopy, with dense nuclei and lacking cytoplasmic vacuoles next to the bone surface. Cured ia rats have two types of osteoclasts, one type indistinguishable from osteoclasts of normal littermates by light microscopy, the other resembling osteoclasts of ia rats that received radiation only. These data indicate that the mechanism of the spleen cell cure for osteopetrosis in ia rats is rapid remodeling of the skeleton produced by osteoclasts with ruffled borders. Whether normal spleen cells produce these osteoclasts directly by cell division or indirectly by elaboration of some unknown local factor required for formations of ruffled borders by ia osteoclasts is not known.", "contents": "Studies of the mechanism of spleen cell cure for osteopetrosis in ia rats: appearance of osteoclasts with ruffled borders. After ia (osteopetrotic) rats receive whole body radiation and an injection of spleen cells from a normal littermate, the dense, sclerotic skeleton characteristic of osteopetrosis is rapidly remodeled and becomes normal in appearance radiographically and histologically within three weeks. The mechanism of this skeletal transformation has been explored in cured ia rats by light and electron microscopic examination of osteoclasts. In ia rats less than 25 days of age, osteoclasts viewed by electron microscopy lack a ruffled border - the extensive elaboration of plasma membrane next to the bone surface. Cured ia rats have osteoclasts with ruffled borders indistinguishable from those of normal littermates. In ia rats that receive only 600 rads whole body radiation, osteoclasts are still present three weeks later, but appear abnormal by light microscopy, with dense nuclei and lacking cytoplasmic vacuoles next to the bone surface. Cured ia rats have two types of osteoclasts, one type indistinguishable from osteoclasts of normal littermates by light microscopy, the other resembling osteoclasts of ia rats that received radiation only. These data indicate that the mechanism of the spleen cell cure for osteopetrosis in ia rats is rapid remodeling of the skeleton produced by osteoclasts with ruffled borders. Whether normal spleen cells produce these osteoclasts directly by cell division or indirectly by elaboration of some unknown local factor required for formations of ruffled borders by ia osteoclasts is not known.", "PMID": 623032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4670", "title": "Endothelial cell membrane: differences in the density of intramembranous particles between tissue- and blood-fronts revealed by freeze-fracture.", "content": "Significantly higher density of intramembranous particles (IMP) was noted in the endothelial plasma membrane facing the blood-front compared to the tissue-front. The difference may be related to the function of the vascular endothelium as an active barrier between the blood and the tissue.", "contents": "Endothelial cell membrane: differences in the density of intramembranous particles between tissue- and blood-fronts revealed by freeze-fracture. Significantly higher density of intramembranous particles (IMP) was noted in the endothelial plasma membrane facing the blood-front compared to the tissue-front. The difference may be related to the function of the vascular endothelium as an active barrier between the blood and the tissue.", "PMID": 623033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4671", "title": "Ultrastructure of Octodon degus spermatozoon with special reference to the acrosome.", "content": "The ultrastructure of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens of Octodon degus-a Chilean hystricomorph rodent-is presented. The head of spermatozoa measured 7.7 micrometer long by 5.9 micrometer wide and the tail was 41 micrometer long. The head was flattened dorso-ventrally and ovate in outline. The acrosome was the most distinctive feature of O. degus spermatozoa. In a frontal view of the head, the rim of the acrosome surrounding the nucleus had the shape of an inverted U. The acrosomal region covering the plane of the flattened head exhibited dome-shaped protrusions. Transverse or sagittal sections of acrosomal protrusions showed that the plasma membrane and outer acrosomal membrane were evaginated, while the inner acrosomal membrane followed the contour of the nucleus. The protrusions were not distributed at random and they were absent in the equatorial segment and in the rim of the acrosome. In frontal views, near the boundary between the acrosome and post-acrosomal region, fine rods about 170 nm long ran obliquely on the caudal part of the equatorial segment. Behind the same boundary, the post-acrosomal region showed a serrated border. Phosphotungstic acid treatment at pH 0.3 produced staining at the surface of the sperm as well as within a superficial layer of the marginal thickening of the acrosome and on the acrosomal protuberances.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of Octodon degus spermatozoon with special reference to the acrosome. The ultrastructure of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis and vas deferens of Octodon degus-a Chilean hystricomorph rodent-is presented. The head of spermatozoa measured 7.7 micrometer long by 5.9 micrometer wide and the tail was 41 micrometer long. The head was flattened dorso-ventrally and ovate in outline. The acrosome was the most distinctive feature of O. degus spermatozoa. In a frontal view of the head, the rim of the acrosome surrounding the nucleus had the shape of an inverted U. The acrosomal region covering the plane of the flattened head exhibited dome-shaped protrusions. Transverse or sagittal sections of acrosomal protrusions showed that the plasma membrane and outer acrosomal membrane were evaginated, while the inner acrosomal membrane followed the contour of the nucleus. The protrusions were not distributed at random and they were absent in the equatorial segment and in the rim of the acrosome. In frontal views, near the boundary between the acrosome and post-acrosomal region, fine rods about 170 nm long ran obliquely on the caudal part of the equatorial segment. Behind the same boundary, the post-acrosomal region showed a serrated border. Phosphotungstic acid treatment at pH 0.3 produced staining at the surface of the sperm as well as within a superficial layer of the marginal thickening of the acrosome and on the acrosomal protuberances.", "PMID": 623035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4672", "title": "Apoenzyme activities of erythrocyte transketolase, glutathione reductase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase during pregnancy.", "content": "The erythrocyte apoenzyme activities of transketolase, glutathione reductase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were determined in 236 pregnant women during the first or second trimester and again during the third trimester. There were no differences in erythrocyte glutathione reductase and erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities during these two periods. In contrast, erythrocyte transketolase decreased significantly in the third trimester. No statistically significant correlations were found between levels of activity for the various enzymes and dietary intakes of protein, vitamins or calories. The percent of subjects with low erythrocyte transketolase activity (a value one standard deviation or more below the mean initial value) increased significantly during the third trimester. The percent of subjects with low erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly reduced during the third trimester although the mean apoenzyme level did not change. Vitamin deficiencies as measured by enzyme stimulation tests tended to occur less frequently among subjects with low enzyme activities but in no instance was there a statistically significant difference. Hence, no association could be found between apoenzyme activity and the incidence of vitamin deficiencies.", "contents": "Apoenzyme activities of erythrocyte transketolase, glutathione reductase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase during pregnancy. The erythrocyte apoenzyme activities of transketolase, glutathione reductase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were determined in 236 pregnant women during the first or second trimester and again during the third trimester. There were no differences in erythrocyte glutathione reductase and erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities during these two periods. In contrast, erythrocyte transketolase decreased significantly in the third trimester. No statistically significant correlations were found between levels of activity for the various enzymes and dietary intakes of protein, vitamins or calories. The percent of subjects with low erythrocyte transketolase activity (a value one standard deviation or more below the mean initial value) increased significantly during the third trimester. The percent of subjects with low erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly reduced during the third trimester although the mean apoenzyme level did not change. Vitamin deficiencies as measured by enzyme stimulation tests tended to occur less frequently among subjects with low enzyme activities but in no instance was there a statistically significant difference. Hence, no association could be found between apoenzyme activity and the incidence of vitamin deficiencies.", "PMID": 623040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4673", "title": "The effect of dietary carbohydrate:fat ratio on energy intake by adult women.", "content": "The effect of the dietary carbohydrate:fat (C:F) ratio on the spontaneous energy intake by healthy adults was investigated by comparing a high-carbohydrate diet (fat 24%, carbohydrate 58%, protein 18% of energy) and a high-fat diet (fat 47%, carbohydrate 35%, protein 18% of energy) in a 2 X 2 week cross-over design. Subjects were 22 healthy nuns in a Trappist convent with very regular activities. The diets consisted of combinations of liquid formula (75%) and standardized snacks (25%). The difference in C:F ratio was concealed: energy density, taste and appearance were similar. Energy consumption was recorded continuously. The mean daily energy intakes remained constant: 8276 kJ (1978 kcal). The difference in mean daily energy intake between diets was 73 kJ +/- 180 (SEM). Small changes in body weight were observed, but these are argued not to indicate definitive effects. It is concluded that changing the C:F ratio within commonly occurring ranges does not influence the spontaneous energy intake of healthy adults. The composition of the dietary fat was kept constant. Under practical conditions a change in the C:F ratio will also induce a change in the fatty acid composition of the diet, which might affect the energy intake regulation. Other experiments are required to see whether the C:F ratio can affect body composition or other physiological parameters in the long run.", "contents": "The effect of dietary carbohydrate:fat ratio on energy intake by adult women. The effect of the dietary carbohydrate:fat (C:F) ratio on the spontaneous energy intake by healthy adults was investigated by comparing a high-carbohydrate diet (fat 24%, carbohydrate 58%, protein 18% of energy) and a high-fat diet (fat 47%, carbohydrate 35%, protein 18% of energy) in a 2 X 2 week cross-over design. Subjects were 22 healthy nuns in a Trappist convent with very regular activities. The diets consisted of combinations of liquid formula (75%) and standardized snacks (25%). The difference in C:F ratio was concealed: energy density, taste and appearance were similar. Energy consumption was recorded continuously. The mean daily energy intakes remained constant: 8276 kJ (1978 kcal). The difference in mean daily energy intake between diets was 73 kJ +/- 180 (SEM). Small changes in body weight were observed, but these are argued not to indicate definitive effects. It is concluded that changing the C:F ratio within commonly occurring ranges does not influence the spontaneous energy intake of healthy adults. The composition of the dietary fat was kept constant. Under practical conditions a change in the C:F ratio will also induce a change in the fatty acid composition of the diet, which might affect the energy intake regulation. Other experiments are required to see whether the C:F ratio can affect body composition or other physiological parameters in the long run.", "PMID": 623041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4674", "title": "Blood glucose rise after lactose tolerance testing in infants.", "content": "Lactose tolerance tests are used clinically to screen children and infants. It is assumed that absorption of a lactose challenge in infants would occur in a predictable pattern prior to weaning. Twenty-one infants from 3 to 12 months of age were studied. The maximum blood glucose rise over fasting levels ranged from 11.0 to 62.0 mg/100 ml; the mean was 32.6 mg/100 ml. Six infants had a maximum rise of less than 20 mg/100 ml. Eleven infants (52%) had a maximum rise of greater than 30 mg/100 ml. Signs of intolerance were not noted in any subject. Weight and length were normally disturbed. Results indicate the variance in glucose rise existing within a population of infants growing normally and consuming milk. Gastric emptying, digestion, and absorption may influence the blood glucose rise after a lactose test. Established glucose levels used as an index to lactose absorption in older children and adults may not accurately reflect lactase activity in infants.", "contents": "Blood glucose rise after lactose tolerance testing in infants. Lactose tolerance tests are used clinically to screen children and infants. It is assumed that absorption of a lactose challenge in infants would occur in a predictable pattern prior to weaning. Twenty-one infants from 3 to 12 months of age were studied. The maximum blood glucose rise over fasting levels ranged from 11.0 to 62.0 mg/100 ml; the mean was 32.6 mg/100 ml. Six infants had a maximum rise of less than 20 mg/100 ml. Eleven infants (52%) had a maximum rise of greater than 30 mg/100 ml. Signs of intolerance were not noted in any subject. Weight and length were normally disturbed. Results indicate the variance in glucose rise existing within a population of infants growing normally and consuming milk. Gastric emptying, digestion, and absorption may influence the blood glucose rise after a lactose test. Established glucose levels used as an index to lactose absorption in older children and adults may not accurately reflect lactase activity in infants.", "PMID": 623043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4675", "title": "A comparison of administering protein alone and protein plus glucose on nitrogen balance.", "content": "It has been suggested previously that in the fasting state the administration of amino acids alone would be more effective in sparing protein than the administration of amino acids plus small amounts of glucose. In the present study we have examined the effect of administration of amino acids alone (1 g/kg per day) and of the same regimen supplemented with 100 g glucose daily, on the nitrogen balance in 10 subjects, six of whom were obese and four undernourished. Mean cumulative nitrogen balance over a 5-day study period was -12.4 g on amino acids alone and +0.5 g when glucose was added (P less than 0.01). It thus appears that the addition of glucose may be beneficial rather than harmful in subjects receiving amino acid therapy.", "contents": "A comparison of administering protein alone and protein plus glucose on nitrogen balance. It has been suggested previously that in the fasting state the administration of amino acids alone would be more effective in sparing protein than the administration of amino acids plus small amounts of glucose. In the present study we have examined the effect of administration of amino acids alone (1 g/kg per day) and of the same regimen supplemented with 100 g glucose daily, on the nitrogen balance in 10 subjects, six of whom were obese and four undernourished. Mean cumulative nitrogen balance over a 5-day study period was -12.4 g on amino acids alone and +0.5 g when glucose was added (P less than 0.01). It thus appears that the addition of glucose may be beneficial rather than harmful in subjects receiving amino acid therapy.", "PMID": 623044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4676", "title": "Hair root diameter measurement as an indicator of protein deficiency in nonhospitalized alcoholics.", "content": "Protein status of alcoholics admitted to a detoxification center was investigated with a view to adapting a hair root test for use in screening for protein deficiency. Hair root volume and hair root diameter had previously been shown to correlate well with hair root protein and to be sensitive indicators of protein deficiency. Hair root volumes in this study correlated well with mean maximum hair root diameters (n = 35, r = 0.9), which were simpler to measure, so diameter measurements were used. Mean maximum hair root diameters (range 0.02 to 0.19 mm) correlated with plasma RNase concentrations (range 6000 to 14,000 units/ml; n = 17, r = -0.7). Mean hair diameters of 84 alcoholics averaged 0.0864 +/- 0.0366 mm; those of 25 nonalcoholics were significantly greater: 0.100 +/- 0.0254 mm (P less than 0.05). Frequency of occurrence of hair root diameters of 0.06 mm or less was significantly higher in 71 alcoholics (29.5%) than in 23 nonalcoholics (8.6%) matched by age. Mean hair root diameters of 0.06 mm or less therefore can be used to signify protein deficiency where more expensive or technically demanding tests are not feasible. Protein deficiency occurs extensively in non hospitalized alcoholics. This method enables staff to single out those clients most likely to be in need of nutritional counseling and therapy.", "contents": "Hair root diameter measurement as an indicator of protein deficiency in nonhospitalized alcoholics. Protein status of alcoholics admitted to a detoxification center was investigated with a view to adapting a hair root test for use in screening for protein deficiency. Hair root volume and hair root diameter had previously been shown to correlate well with hair root protein and to be sensitive indicators of protein deficiency. Hair root volumes in this study correlated well with mean maximum hair root diameters (n = 35, r = 0.9), which were simpler to measure, so diameter measurements were used. Mean maximum hair root diameters (range 0.02 to 0.19 mm) correlated with plasma RNase concentrations (range 6000 to 14,000 units/ml; n = 17, r = -0.7). Mean hair diameters of 84 alcoholics averaged 0.0864 +/- 0.0366 mm; those of 25 nonalcoholics were significantly greater: 0.100 +/- 0.0254 mm (P less than 0.05). Frequency of occurrence of hair root diameters of 0.06 mm or less was significantly higher in 71 alcoholics (29.5%) than in 23 nonalcoholics (8.6%) matched by age. Mean hair root diameters of 0.06 mm or less therefore can be used to signify protein deficiency where more expensive or technically demanding tests are not feasible. Protein deficiency occurs extensively in non hospitalized alcoholics. This method enables staff to single out those clients most likely to be in need of nutritional counseling and therapy.", "PMID": 623045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4677", "title": "Physical and neuromotor development of progeny of pyridoxine-restricted rats cross-fostered with control or isonutritional dams.", "content": "Female rats were fed diets containing graded levels of pyridoxine throughout gestation. At parturition, the pups were cross-fostered with a dam which had been fed the same diet as the biological mother throughout gestation (an isonutritional foster mother), or with one which had received a control diet containing 400% of the National Research Council recommendations for B6 throughout gestation (a control foster mother), or were left to suckle the biological mother. Physical, neuromotor, and reflexological development of the pups was assessed throughout the 3 week lactation period. There were no significant differences between pups nursed by their biological mothers and by isonutritional foster mothers. Growth, reflex acquisition, and neuromotor activities were impaired in pups subjected to pyridoxine restriction during gestation. Acquisition of a number of reflexes and time spent in neuromotor activities were responsive to cross-fostering with a control foster mother but the deficits were not completely eliminated. Growth was only slightly affected by cross-fostering and acquisition of audicular startle and negative geotaxis was not affected by the nature of the foster mother. The latter reflexes are apparently determined directly by the gestational nutrition of the fetus whereas other reflexes and neuromotor activities are influenced by long-term effects of pyridoxine restriction on the postnatal performance of the dam as a mother, in addition to being directly influenced by maternal diet during gestation.", "contents": "Physical and neuromotor development of progeny of pyridoxine-restricted rats cross-fostered with control or isonutritional dams. Female rats were fed diets containing graded levels of pyridoxine throughout gestation. At parturition, the pups were cross-fostered with a dam which had been fed the same diet as the biological mother throughout gestation (an isonutritional foster mother), or with one which had received a control diet containing 400% of the National Research Council recommendations for B6 throughout gestation (a control foster mother), or were left to suckle the biological mother. Physical, neuromotor, and reflexological development of the pups was assessed throughout the 3 week lactation period. There were no significant differences between pups nursed by their biological mothers and by isonutritional foster mothers. Growth, reflex acquisition, and neuromotor activities were impaired in pups subjected to pyridoxine restriction during gestation. Acquisition of a number of reflexes and time spent in neuromotor activities were responsive to cross-fostering with a control foster mother but the deficits were not completely eliminated. Growth was only slightly affected by cross-fostering and acquisition of audicular startle and negative geotaxis was not affected by the nature of the foster mother. The latter reflexes are apparently determined directly by the gestational nutrition of the fetus whereas other reflexes and neuromotor activities are influenced by long-term effects of pyridoxine restriction on the postnatal performance of the dam as a mother, in addition to being directly influenced by maternal diet during gestation.", "PMID": 623046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4678", "title": "Riboflavin deficiency in women taking oral contraceptive agents.", "content": "The effect of oral contraceptive agents (OCA) on riboflavin nutritional status of women of child-bearing age in a low socioeconomic population was studied. For a control group, 100 women in the same age and socioeconomic group using alternate forms of contraception were selected. Riboflavin deficiency was determined by measuring erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity, a reliable index of the deficiency. None of the women was on vitamin supplements or had clinical conditions effecting dietary intake or utilization. Eleven of 100 women in the control group had biochemical evidence of deficiency. This compared to 24 of 56 OCA users who were deficient. The frequency of deficiency increased among those on OCA for longer periods of time. Thirteen of 17 OCA users for 3 years or more, compared to 11 of 39 users under 3 years were deficient. There were no discernable dietary differences between the groups. These studies demonstrate that riboflavin deficiency is a problem of women in the lower socioeconomic level in the child-bearing age. The use of OCA aggravates the prevalence of deficiency.", "contents": "Riboflavin deficiency in women taking oral contraceptive agents. The effect of oral contraceptive agents (OCA) on riboflavin nutritional status of women of child-bearing age in a low socioeconomic population was studied. For a control group, 100 women in the same age and socioeconomic group using alternate forms of contraception were selected. Riboflavin deficiency was determined by measuring erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity, a reliable index of the deficiency. None of the women was on vitamin supplements or had clinical conditions effecting dietary intake or utilization. Eleven of 100 women in the control group had biochemical evidence of deficiency. This compared to 24 of 56 OCA users who were deficient. The frequency of deficiency increased among those on OCA for longer periods of time. Thirteen of 17 OCA users for 3 years or more, compared to 11 of 39 users under 3 years were deficient. There were no discernable dietary differences between the groups. These studies demonstrate that riboflavin deficiency is a problem of women in the lower socioeconomic level in the child-bearing age. The use of OCA aggravates the prevalence of deficiency.", "PMID": 623047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4679", "title": "Thiamin deficiency effects on rat leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates.", "content": "Thiamin status usually is assessed by urinary excretion of thiamin or by exogenous thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) stimulation of erythrocyte transketolase activity. Because of the possible great utility of a biologically and chemically sensitive alternative method for thiamin status assessment, studies were made of rat leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation activity in thiamin deficiency. Pyruvate decarboxylation rates were determined by assaying 14CO2 produced by leukocytes from 1-14C-pyruvic acid in vitro. Reaction conditions were 5 mumoles pyruvic acid, 2.2 X 10(4) DPM 1-14C-pyruvic acid, leukocytes from 5 ml whole blood, 50 mumoles NaH2PO4, 5 mumoles MgSO4, and 1 mumole MnSO4 at pH 7.4 in 1 ml reaction volume at 25 C. Four weeks of thiamin deficiency decreased leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates and markedly increased the TPP effect on this reaction. Dual weekly assays in the same rats showed that 21 days of thiamin deficiency significantly increased the TPP effect on leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates. In contrast, the TPP effect on erythrocyte transketolase activity was significantly increased after only 7 days of thiamin deficiency. Erythrocyte transketolase is more sensitive than leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rate to early thiamin deficiency in rats.", "contents": "Thiamin deficiency effects on rat leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates. Thiamin status usually is assessed by urinary excretion of thiamin or by exogenous thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) stimulation of erythrocyte transketolase activity. Because of the possible great utility of a biologically and chemically sensitive alternative method for thiamin status assessment, studies were made of rat leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation activity in thiamin deficiency. Pyruvate decarboxylation rates were determined by assaying 14CO2 produced by leukocytes from 1-14C-pyruvic acid in vitro. Reaction conditions were 5 mumoles pyruvic acid, 2.2 X 10(4) DPM 1-14C-pyruvic acid, leukocytes from 5 ml whole blood, 50 mumoles NaH2PO4, 5 mumoles MgSO4, and 1 mumole MnSO4 at pH 7.4 in 1 ml reaction volume at 25 C. Four weeks of thiamin deficiency decreased leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates and markedly increased the TPP effect on this reaction. Dual weekly assays in the same rats showed that 21 days of thiamin deficiency significantly increased the TPP effect on leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rates. In contrast, the TPP effect on erythrocyte transketolase activity was significantly increased after only 7 days of thiamin deficiency. Erythrocyte transketolase is more sensitive than leukocyte pyruvate decarboxylation rate to early thiamin deficiency in rats.", "PMID": 623048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4680", "title": "Relationship between tocopherols and serum lipid levels in children with beta-thalassemia major.", "content": "Serum tocopherol levels were found to be below normal (less than 0.5 mg/100 ml) in nine (50%) of 18 children with beta-thalassemia major receiving inadequate treatment with blood transfusions. The mean tocopherol levels were significantly lower in the children with beta-thalassemia (0.57 mg/100/ml +/- 0.20) than in the controls (1.08 mg/100 ml +/- 0.24). Serum total lipid levels were found to be low in children with beta-thalassemia. The difference between the mean total lipid level in the beta-thalassemic patients (365 mg/100 ml +/- 75) as compared to that of the controls (581 mg/100 ml +/- 94) was highly significant (P less than 0.01). The ratio of serum tocopherol to 1 g total lipids was lower in children with beta-thalassemia (1.41 mg/100 ml +/- 0.43) than in the controls (1.88 mg/100 ml +/- 0.46) and the difference was significant. Yet, only three out of the 18 children with beta-thalassemia showed a ratio of less than 0.8 mg/100 ml tocopherol per 1 g total lipid which may be considered indicative of tocopherol deficiency.", "contents": "Relationship between tocopherols and serum lipid levels in children with beta-thalassemia major. Serum tocopherol levels were found to be below normal (less than 0.5 mg/100 ml) in nine (50%) of 18 children with beta-thalassemia major receiving inadequate treatment with blood transfusions. The mean tocopherol levels were significantly lower in the children with beta-thalassemia (0.57 mg/100/ml +/- 0.20) than in the controls (1.08 mg/100 ml +/- 0.24). Serum total lipid levels were found to be low in children with beta-thalassemia. The difference between the mean total lipid level in the beta-thalassemic patients (365 mg/100 ml +/- 75) as compared to that of the controls (581 mg/100 ml +/- 94) was highly significant (P less than 0.01). The ratio of serum tocopherol to 1 g total lipids was lower in children with beta-thalassemia (1.41 mg/100 ml +/- 0.43) than in the controls (1.88 mg/100 ml +/- 0.46) and the difference was significant. Yet, only three out of the 18 children with beta-thalassemia showed a ratio of less than 0.8 mg/100 ml tocopherol per 1 g total lipid which may be considered indicative of tocopherol deficiency.", "PMID": 623049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4681", "title": "Nutritional status of adolescent girls in regard to zinc, copper, and iron.", "content": "Adolescent girls in the sixth through eight grades were surveyed for dietary intake and nutritional status in regard to zinc, copper, and iron in both the fall of 1975 and the spring of 1976. The adolescents (183 girls in the fall and 184 girls in the spring) consumed on the average 60 and 75% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for iron and zinc, respectively. The mean concentration of zinc in hair samples was 216 +/- 64 microgram/g in the fall and 191 +/- 36 microgram/g in the spring. The mean concentration of copper in hair samples was 31 +/- 23 microgram/g. None of the girls had a concentration of zinc in their hair samples of less than 100 microgram/g. Hair concentrations of zinc anc copper were significantly correlated, but serum and hair concentrations of zinc were inversely correlated. However, in subsample of 102 girls, 3% has serum zinc levels below 70 microgram/100 ml and 4% had serum copper levels below 70 microgram/100 ml. Only 1% of the subjects had a hematocrit below 36%. No significant difference in any of these parameters was noted between girls who had experienced menarche and those who had not.", "contents": "Nutritional status of adolescent girls in regard to zinc, copper, and iron. Adolescent girls in the sixth through eight grades were surveyed for dietary intake and nutritional status in regard to zinc, copper, and iron in both the fall of 1975 and the spring of 1976. The adolescents (183 girls in the fall and 184 girls in the spring) consumed on the average 60 and 75% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for iron and zinc, respectively. The mean concentration of zinc in hair samples was 216 +/- 64 microgram/g in the fall and 191 +/- 36 microgram/g in the spring. The mean concentration of copper in hair samples was 31 +/- 23 microgram/g. None of the girls had a concentration of zinc in their hair samples of less than 100 microgram/g. Hair concentrations of zinc anc copper were significantly correlated, but serum and hair concentrations of zinc were inversely correlated. However, in subsample of 102 girls, 3% has serum zinc levels below 70 microgram/100 ml and 4% had serum copper levels below 70 microgram/100 ml. Only 1% of the subjects had a hematocrit below 36%. No significant difference in any of these parameters was noted between girls who had experienced menarche and those who had not.", "PMID": 623050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4682", "title": "Zinc deficiency: a cause of abnormal dark adaptation in cirrhotics.", "content": "Six stable alcoholic cirrhotics with serum zinc less than 70 microgram/100 ml had abnormal dark adaptation responses (mean dark adapted final threshold 3.2 +/- 0.6 versus 2.1 +/- 0.2 log lux in 21 age matched controls, P less than 0.01). Serum vitamin A ranged from 15 to 37 microgram/100 ml. Zinc sulfate (220 mg/day) was fed to three patients for 1 to 2 weeks and dark adapted final thresholds fell 0.9, 0.4, and 1.2 log lux without concurrent rises in serum vitamin A. Two patients were treated initially with oral vitamin A (10,000 IU/day) for 2 to 4 weeks, but their final thresholds fell to normal (2.1, 2.2 log lux) only after the addition of zinc for 1 to 2 weeks. The sixth patient, treated with vitamin A and zinc together, attained a normal final threshold in 2 weeks. The improvement in dark adaptation by zinc may be due to enhanced activity of previously depressed retinol dehydrogenase.", "contents": "Zinc deficiency: a cause of abnormal dark adaptation in cirrhotics. Six stable alcoholic cirrhotics with serum zinc less than 70 microgram/100 ml had abnormal dark adaptation responses (mean dark adapted final threshold 3.2 +/- 0.6 versus 2.1 +/- 0.2 log lux in 21 age matched controls, P less than 0.01). Serum vitamin A ranged from 15 to 37 microgram/100 ml. Zinc sulfate (220 mg/day) was fed to three patients for 1 to 2 weeks and dark adapted final thresholds fell 0.9, 0.4, and 1.2 log lux without concurrent rises in serum vitamin A. Two patients were treated initially with oral vitamin A (10,000 IU/day) for 2 to 4 weeks, but their final thresholds fell to normal (2.1, 2.2 log lux) only after the addition of zinc for 1 to 2 weeks. The sixth patient, treated with vitamin A and zinc together, attained a normal final threshold in 2 weeks. The improvement in dark adaptation by zinc may be due to enhanced activity of previously depressed retinol dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 623051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4683", "title": "Dietary studies and the relationship of diet to cardiovascular disease risk factor variables in 10-year-old children--The Bogalusa Heart Study.", "content": "A dietary study of 10-year-old children was incorporated into a larger epidemiological survey investigating the distributions, interrelationships, and course-over-time of arteriosclerosis risk factor variables in children. Food intakes, eating patterns, and diet-risk factor interrelationships are described for 185 children (35% black, 65% white) using an improved 24-hr dietary recall method. Protein intakes were high. The polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid ratio averaged 0.4 and a sucrose-to-starch proportion of 1.1 was noted. Eggs were the main food source of cholesterol and milk was the prime source of saturated fatty acids and protein. Black girls had a significantly greater mean sodium intake than the three other sex-race groups. Intermittent snacks provided the most calories; breakfast and dinner contributed most of the day's cholesterol, and lunch was the prime source of lactose and calcium. Longer eating spans reflected significantly greater intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and sodium, and greater levels of total serum cholesterol. A lack of correlations was noted in large matrices of dietary components and risk factor variables, but results of the comparison of mean intakes of dietary components for children grouped according to serum cholesterol showed significant differences in the intakes of various forms of fat and carbohydrate.", "contents": "Dietary studies and the relationship of diet to cardiovascular disease risk factor variables in 10-year-old children--The Bogalusa Heart Study. A dietary study of 10-year-old children was incorporated into a larger epidemiological survey investigating the distributions, interrelationships, and course-over-time of arteriosclerosis risk factor variables in children. Food intakes, eating patterns, and diet-risk factor interrelationships are described for 185 children (35% black, 65% white) using an improved 24-hr dietary recall method. Protein intakes were high. The polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid ratio averaged 0.4 and a sucrose-to-starch proportion of 1.1 was noted. Eggs were the main food source of cholesterol and milk was the prime source of saturated fatty acids and protein. Black girls had a significantly greater mean sodium intake than the three other sex-race groups. Intermittent snacks provided the most calories; breakfast and dinner contributed most of the day's cholesterol, and lunch was the prime source of lactose and calcium. Longer eating spans reflected significantly greater intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and sodium, and greater levels of total serum cholesterol. A lack of correlations was noted in large matrices of dietary components and risk factor variables, but results of the comparison of mean intakes of dietary components for children grouped according to serum cholesterol showed significant differences in the intakes of various forms of fat and carbohydrate.", "PMID": 623054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4684", "title": "Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. II. Diet and nutritional status.", "content": "Dietary intake in the third month postpartum and nutritional status during pregnancy close to term were assessed in Iranian urban uomen of low and middle socioeconomic status as part of a study investigating nutrition, hormonal status, and lactation in a population where lactation failure is a serious problem. Dietary intake was assessed by the 24-hr-recall method. The greatest differential in food groups consumed was in animal products, fruit, and vegetables. Intake of nutrients equal to or less than 80% of recommendations in both socioeconomic groups were energy, vitamin B6, folacin, calcium, iron, and zinc. In the low socio-economic group, only average intakes of vitamin C, thiamin and protein met the standards. Significant differences were found between the socioeconomic groups in hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum total protein, and protein fractions, but not in weight and height. The only parameters of nutritional status significantly correlated with adequacy of lactation were postpartum weight and percent of standard weight for height in the low socioeconomic group, and hematocrit values in the middle socioeconomic group. Differences between pregnant and postpartum individual values of the blood parameters were in general greater in the middle socioeconomic group than the low socioeconomic group.", "contents": "Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. II. Diet and nutritional status. Dietary intake in the third month postpartum and nutritional status during pregnancy close to term were assessed in Iranian urban uomen of low and middle socioeconomic status as part of a study investigating nutrition, hormonal status, and lactation in a population where lactation failure is a serious problem. Dietary intake was assessed by the 24-hr-recall method. The greatest differential in food groups consumed was in animal products, fruit, and vegetables. Intake of nutrients equal to or less than 80% of recommendations in both socioeconomic groups were energy, vitamin B6, folacin, calcium, iron, and zinc. In the low socio-economic group, only average intakes of vitamin C, thiamin and protein met the standards. Significant differences were found between the socioeconomic groups in hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum total protein, and protein fractions, but not in weight and height. The only parameters of nutritional status significantly correlated with adequacy of lactation were postpartum weight and percent of standard weight for height in the low socioeconomic group, and hematocrit values in the middle socioeconomic group. Differences between pregnant and postpartum individual values of the blood parameters were in general greater in the middle socioeconomic group than the low socioeconomic group.", "PMID": 623055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4685", "title": "Assessment of a short dietary method for prospective study on cancer.", "content": "This study was a trial to develop a short dietary questionnaire for estimating individual calorie and nutrient intakes among Japanese-American women in Hawaii participating in a prospective cancer study. One hundred five women recorded 4-day measured food records, and their average individual daily intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, saturated fat, and cholesterol were computed. Individual food items of the 105 records were grouped according to common food categories and types of usage. The amount and frequency of use, and the average serving weights of the food groups were then calculated. Fifty food groups were selected for stepwise regression analyses of the individual nutrient intakes on the daily frequencies of the recorded items. Regression equations for each nutrient were computed from the 4-day records of 53 women and validated against the known intakes of the remaining 52 participants. The equations yielded high multiple R's and, except for protein and carbohydrate, there was resonable agreement between the mean observed and predicted intakes of the 52 women. However, the coefficients of determination of the observed and predicted intakes of the 52 women revealed considerable unexplained variation. Before designing a questionnaire, further studies are needed to develop and validate a precise short method for estimating individual nutrient intakes in large prospective studies.", "contents": "Assessment of a short dietary method for prospective study on cancer. This study was a trial to develop a short dietary questionnaire for estimating individual calorie and nutrient intakes among Japanese-American women in Hawaii participating in a prospective cancer study. One hundred five women recorded 4-day measured food records, and their average individual daily intakes of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, saturated fat, and cholesterol were computed. Individual food items of the 105 records were grouped according to common food categories and types of usage. The amount and frequency of use, and the average serving weights of the food groups were then calculated. Fifty food groups were selected for stepwise regression analyses of the individual nutrient intakes on the daily frequencies of the recorded items. Regression equations for each nutrient were computed from the 4-day records of 53 women and validated against the known intakes of the remaining 52 participants. The equations yielded high multiple R's and, except for protein and carbohydrate, there was resonable agreement between the mean observed and predicted intakes of the 52 women. However, the coefficients of determination of the observed and predicted intakes of the 52 women revealed considerable unexplained variation. Before designing a questionnaire, further studies are needed to develop and validate a precise short method for estimating individual nutrient intakes in large prospective studies.", "PMID": 623056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4686", "title": "Vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines: a study of xerophthalmia in Cebu.", "content": "An investigation of xerophthalmia was undertaken in four ecological zones in Cebu in the Philippines. One thousand seven hundred fifteen children aged 1 to 16 years were examined in 12 barrios. Clinical, biochemical and anthropometric data were collected from the children. Dietary and socioeconomic information was obtained from the households. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to examine factors possibly associated with xerophthalmia. Of children 47% had deficient or low serum vitamin A levels and 4.5% had clinical signs of xerophthalmia. Approximately 2% had both low serum vitamin A levels and clinical eye signs and were then defined as having active xerophthalmia. Vitamin A deficiency was more prevalent in males than females. Xerophthalmia was most common in the 4 to 6 year old age group. Diarrhea, roundworm infestation and measles were not positively correlated with xerophthalmia but whooping cough and tuberculosis were. Low intakes of carotene and vitamin A were associated with xerophthalmia but protein and fat intakes were not. A higher incidence of xerophthalmia occurred in children of working than nonworking mothers. Data on home production and use of vegetables and fruits are presented. The results of this study are being used to introduce three alternate intervention strategies to control xerophthalmia.", "contents": "Vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines: a study of xerophthalmia in Cebu. An investigation of xerophthalmia was undertaken in four ecological zones in Cebu in the Philippines. One thousand seven hundred fifteen children aged 1 to 16 years were examined in 12 barrios. Clinical, biochemical and anthropometric data were collected from the children. Dietary and socioeconomic information was obtained from the households. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to examine factors possibly associated with xerophthalmia. Of children 47% had deficient or low serum vitamin A levels and 4.5% had clinical signs of xerophthalmia. Approximately 2% had both low serum vitamin A levels and clinical eye signs and were then defined as having active xerophthalmia. Vitamin A deficiency was more prevalent in males than females. Xerophthalmia was most common in the 4 to 6 year old age group. Diarrhea, roundworm infestation and measles were not positively correlated with xerophthalmia but whooping cough and tuberculosis were. Low intakes of carotene and vitamin A were associated with xerophthalmia but protein and fat intakes were not. A higher incidence of xerophthalmia occurred in children of working than nonworking mothers. Data on home production and use of vegetables and fruits are presented. The results of this study are being used to introduce three alternate intervention strategies to control xerophthalmia.", "PMID": 623057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4687", "title": "Assessment of the cardiovascular system in conjoined thoracopagus twins.", "content": "The thoracoomphalopagus conjoined twins comprise 75% of all conjoined twins. In the assessment of the organ systems of the twins, the cardiovascular system is important since union of this system in the twins has occurred in 75% of the cases. Of the five cases reported here, two had separate hearts and vessels with a common pericardium only. Two twins were joined at the right atrial level. The fifth pair were connected at both atrial and ventricular levels. It has been suggested that the presence of two separate QRS complexes in the ECG indicates complete separation of the two hearts. Case 4 shows that even in the presence of atrial union, the existence of an atrioventricular block in one twin may produce a very slow heart rate, while the other twin may have a normal rate that will not influence the ventricular rate of the other. In our experience, angiocardiography has been the most useful diagnostic procedure.", "contents": "Assessment of the cardiovascular system in conjoined thoracopagus twins. The thoracoomphalopagus conjoined twins comprise 75% of all conjoined twins. In the assessment of the organ systems of the twins, the cardiovascular system is important since union of this system in the twins has occurred in 75% of the cases. Of the five cases reported here, two had separate hearts and vessels with a common pericardium only. Two twins were joined at the right atrial level. The fifth pair were connected at both atrial and ventricular levels. It has been suggested that the presence of two separate QRS complexes in the ECG indicates complete separation of the two hearts. Case 4 shows that even in the presence of atrial union, the existence of an atrioventricular block in one twin may produce a very slow heart rate, while the other twin may have a normal rate that will not influence the ventricular rate of the other. In our experience, angiocardiography has been the most useful diagnostic procedure.", "PMID": 623058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4688", "title": "Trisomy for the distal end of the short arm of chromosome 3: a syndrome.", "content": "We report a patient with a chromosomal syndrome involving trisomy for the distal three-fifths of the short arm of chromosome 3. The major clinical featues include bilateral temporal indentation, prominent cheeks, a long and prominent philtrum, protruding middle portion of the upper lip, penile hypoplasia, and an increased number of whorls on digits.", "contents": "Trisomy for the distal end of the short arm of chromosome 3: a syndrome. We report a patient with a chromosomal syndrome involving trisomy for the distal three-fifths of the short arm of chromosome 3. The major clinical featues include bilateral temporal indentation, prominent cheeks, a long and prominent philtrum, protruding middle portion of the upper lip, penile hypoplasia, and an increased number of whorls on digits.", "PMID": 623059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4689", "title": "Type A2 influenza viral infections in children.", "content": "We retrospectively reviewed the manifestations of influenza A2 in 83 hospitalized young children. Our purpose was to define the spectrum of clinical illness in this age group. Findings included fever (91%), vomiting or diarrhea (49%), pharyngitis (34%), pneumonitis (29%), otitis media (24%), conjunctivitis (13%), croup (13%), and bronchiolitis (6%). Neuromuscular manifestations occurred in 16 patients (19%) and included seizures, apnea, opisthotonos, and myositis. Three children had cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Children younger than 3 months of age had fever less often and gastrointestinal symptoms more often than older children. Threee children died of progressive pneumonitis. We conclude that influenza A2 may cause a wide range of respiratory and neurologic findings in infancy and early childhood.", "contents": "Type A2 influenza viral infections in children. We retrospectively reviewed the manifestations of influenza A2 in 83 hospitalized young children. Our purpose was to define the spectrum of clinical illness in this age group. Findings included fever (91%), vomiting or diarrhea (49%), pharyngitis (34%), pneumonitis (29%), otitis media (24%), conjunctivitis (13%), croup (13%), and bronchiolitis (6%). Neuromuscular manifestations occurred in 16 patients (19%) and included seizures, apnea, opisthotonos, and myositis. Three children had cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Children younger than 3 months of age had fever less often and gastrointestinal symptoms more often than older children. Threee children died of progressive pneumonitis. We conclude that influenza A2 may cause a wide range of respiratory and neurologic findings in infancy and early childhood.", "PMID": 623060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4690", "title": "Toxic encephalopathy related to antihistamine-barbiturate antiemetic medication.", "content": "A toxic encephalopathy characterized by depressed level of consciousness, marked irritability, and ataxia developed in seven children, 5 years of age and younger, following administration of an antiemetic combination of pentobarbital and pyrilamine maleate. Three of the seven patients were given a dosage of medication and exceeding the manufacture's recommendation. All seven patients recovered without sequelae.", "contents": "Toxic encephalopathy related to antihistamine-barbiturate antiemetic medication. A toxic encephalopathy characterized by depressed level of consciousness, marked irritability, and ataxia developed in seven children, 5 years of age and younger, following administration of an antiemetic combination of pentobarbital and pyrilamine maleate. Three of the seven patients were given a dosage of medication and exceeding the manufacture's recommendation. All seven patients recovered without sequelae.", "PMID": 623061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4691", "title": "Tick-borne relapsing fever in the Eastern United States.", "content": "Tick-borne relapsing fever is endemic in the western part of the United States, but it has not been reported east of the Mississippi River. Sporadic cases have been reported in the eastern part of the United States, but travel to the West during the incubation period appeared to provide the source of infection. In the fall of 1975, a case of relapsing fever was diagnosed in Cincinnati in a child who had not traveled outside of Ohio, indicating the presence of Borrelia in this area. Serial serological studies indicated that B turicatae was the species involved. The occurrence of this case suggests that relapsing fever may exist in the eastern part of the United States, but its presence may not be appreciated because of the rarity of the disease and the difficulty in confirming the diagnosis.", "contents": "Tick-borne relapsing fever in the Eastern United States. Tick-borne relapsing fever is endemic in the western part of the United States, but it has not been reported east of the Mississippi River. Sporadic cases have been reported in the eastern part of the United States, but travel to the West during the incubation period appeared to provide the source of infection. In the fall of 1975, a case of relapsing fever was diagnosed in Cincinnati in a child who had not traveled outside of Ohio, indicating the presence of Borrelia in this area. Serial serological studies indicated that B turicatae was the species involved. The occurrence of this case suggests that relapsing fever may exist in the eastern part of the United States, but its presence may not be appreciated because of the rarity of the disease and the difficulty in confirming the diagnosis.", "PMID": 623062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4692", "title": "A patient with a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3.", "content": "The case of a patient with a monosomy 3p25, due to a deletion of the distal part of chromosome 3, is presented. To our knowledge this is the first patient described with this anomaly. Severe psychomotor retardation, an asymmetric skull, the facial appearance, and ear anomalies were the most striking features on examination. The parental karyotypes were normal. The localization of the breakpoint, and the possibility of roentgenographic influence in the etiology of this case are discussed.", "contents": "A patient with a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3. The case of a patient with a monosomy 3p25, due to a deletion of the distal part of chromosome 3, is presented. To our knowledge this is the first patient described with this anomaly. Severe psychomotor retardation, an asymmetric skull, the facial appearance, and ear anomalies were the most striking features on examination. The parental karyotypes were normal. The localization of the breakpoint, and the possibility of roentgenographic influence in the etiology of this case are discussed.", "PMID": 623063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4693", "title": "Home-testing for recurrent bacteriuria, using nitrite strips.", "content": "Follow-up of children with recurrent urinary infections would be simplified by an accurate home-testing program for detection of infection. We provided nitrite test strips to the parents of 30 girls with recurrent urinary infection to determine if twice weekly home testing of first-voided urine could reliably detect infection. Infections were documented by dip slides or colony counts indicating more than 10(5) bacteria per milliliter of urine. Twenty-four families (80%) complied over a mean study period of 11 months, detecting 28 of 30 episodes of bacteriuria (93%). No false-positive tests occurred. Urinary nitrate, the substrate for nitrite production by bacteria, was universally present (greater than 100 microgram/ml) in 80 children. The nitrite test is useful for home follow-up observation of children at high risk of bacteriuria if applied repeatedly by motivated parents.", "contents": "Home-testing for recurrent bacteriuria, using nitrite strips. Follow-up of children with recurrent urinary infections would be simplified by an accurate home-testing program for detection of infection. We provided nitrite test strips to the parents of 30 girls with recurrent urinary infection to determine if twice weekly home testing of first-voided urine could reliably detect infection. Infections were documented by dip slides or colony counts indicating more than 10(5) bacteria per milliliter of urine. Twenty-four families (80%) complied over a mean study period of 11 months, detecting 28 of 30 episodes of bacteriuria (93%). No false-positive tests occurred. Urinary nitrate, the substrate for nitrite production by bacteria, was universally present (greater than 100 microgram/ml) in 80 children. The nitrite test is useful for home follow-up observation of children at high risk of bacteriuria if applied repeatedly by motivated parents.", "PMID": 623064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4694", "title": "The hemolytic-uremic syndrome: spectrum of severity and significance of prodrome.", "content": "A review of our experience with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) illustrates a broad spectrum of severity. Comparison of this experience with that in other parts of the world leads to the following conclusions: (1) Nondiarrheal HUS may be sufficiently different from postdiarrheal HUS to warrant separate consideration in clinical studies. (2) The Netherlands more closely resembles California than Argentina in having patients with less severe acute renal disease and a more favorable outcome. (3) In California, with no specific therapy aimed at combating intravascular coagulation, even oliguric or anuric postdiarrheal disease has a good prognosis for survival (96%); the prognosis for recovery of normal renal function is good in the large majority of patients oliguric or anuric for two weeks or less (94%), but it is guarded in those with a longer period of renal shutdown (57%). (4) Patients with nonoliguric disease have an excellent prognosis for complete recovery. (5) Very mild and even clinically inapparent cases exist and appear to be part of the spectrum of the same process responsible for severe HUS.", "contents": "The hemolytic-uremic syndrome: spectrum of severity and significance of prodrome. A review of our experience with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) illustrates a broad spectrum of severity. Comparison of this experience with that in other parts of the world leads to the following conclusions: (1) Nondiarrheal HUS may be sufficiently different from postdiarrheal HUS to warrant separate consideration in clinical studies. (2) The Netherlands more closely resembles California than Argentina in having patients with less severe acute renal disease and a more favorable outcome. (3) In California, with no specific therapy aimed at combating intravascular coagulation, even oliguric or anuric postdiarrheal disease has a good prognosis for survival (96%); the prognosis for recovery of normal renal function is good in the large majority of patients oliguric or anuric for two weeks or less (94%), but it is guarded in those with a longer period of renal shutdown (57%). (4) Patients with nonoliguric disease have an excellent prognosis for complete recovery. (5) Very mild and even clinically inapparent cases exist and appear to be part of the spectrum of the same process responsible for severe HUS.", "PMID": 623065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4695", "title": "The hemolytic-uremic syndrome: experience at a center in the Midwest.", "content": "Nineteen children with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome were treated in our hospital from 1968 to 1976. Seven were over 5 years of age. The disease occurred most often in the spring of the year. Lethargy was a prominent symptom in all patients, and seizures occurred in seven. Transfusion and dialysis were the most important treatment modalities. Heparin was used in four children and did not appear to affect the course of disease although three recovered. Thirteen of 15 children who did not receive heparin recovered. Irreversible renal failure occurred in three children, all of whom were in the older age group. Serious sequelae were rare in those who survived.", "contents": "The hemolytic-uremic syndrome: experience at a center in the Midwest. Nineteen children with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome were treated in our hospital from 1968 to 1976. Seven were over 5 years of age. The disease occurred most often in the spring of the year. Lethargy was a prominent symptom in all patients, and seizures occurred in seven. Transfusion and dialysis were the most important treatment modalities. Heparin was used in four children and did not appear to affect the course of disease although three recovered. Thirteen of 15 children who did not receive heparin recovered. Irreversible renal failure occurred in three children, all of whom were in the older age group. Serious sequelae were rare in those who survived.", "PMID": 623066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4696", "title": "Continuous phenobarbital treatment after a 'simple febril convulsion'.", "content": "In only a small proportion of young children with brief, generalized, febrile convulsions do afebrile seizures develop, but this fraction is several times the prevalence of epilepsy in an unselected population. The risk of another febrile convulsion is approximately 30%. Febrile status epilepticus during a subsequent infection is a potential source of serious morbidity and mortality. Intermittent phenobarbital administration during subsequent, febrile illnesses confers little protection against recurrent, febrile convulsions. Continuous phenobarbital administration during the preschool years is indicated for most children who have had a simple febrile convulsion.", "contents": "Continuous phenobarbital treatment after a 'simple febril convulsion'. In only a small proportion of young children with brief, generalized, febrile convulsions do afebrile seizures develop, but this fraction is several times the prevalence of epilepsy in an unselected population. The risk of another febrile convulsion is approximately 30%. Febrile status epilepticus during a subsequent infection is a potential source of serious morbidity and mortality. Intermittent phenobarbital administration during subsequent, febrile illnesses confers little protection against recurrent, febrile convulsions. Continuous phenobarbital administration during the preschool years is indicated for most children who have had a simple febrile convulsion.", "PMID": 623069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4697", "title": "Amebic liver abscess: 1966-1976.", "content": "A 10-year retrospective analysis of 15 patients with amebic liver abscess is reviewed and represents a continuation of the previous 2-decade experience at our institution (37 patients). Records were studied to determine the population affected, presenting symptoms, physical and laboratory findings, type and response to therapy. Most patients were rural males of lower socioeconomic status in the third to fifth decade of life. They presened as a febrile illness with abdominal pain for an average of 2 1/2 months duration. Significanct physical abnormalities were tender hepatomegaly (93%), right-sided pulmonary changes (40%), and fever (66%). All patients had abnormal liver scan, positive amebic serology, and hypoalbuminemia. All patients promptly responded to amebicidal therapy except one whose therapy was delayed. Clinical suspicion, liver scanning, serologic testing, and response to therapy are the keys to diagnosis.", "contents": "Amebic liver abscess: 1966-1976. A 10-year retrospective analysis of 15 patients with amebic liver abscess is reviewed and represents a continuation of the previous 2-decade experience at our institution (37 patients). Records were studied to determine the population affected, presenting symptoms, physical and laboratory findings, type and response to therapy. Most patients were rural males of lower socioeconomic status in the third to fifth decade of life. They presened as a febrile illness with abdominal pain for an average of 2 1/2 months duration. Significanct physical abnormalities were tender hepatomegaly (93%), right-sided pulmonary changes (40%), and fever (66%). All patients had abnormal liver scan, positive amebic serology, and hypoalbuminemia. All patients promptly responded to amebicidal therapy except one whose therapy was delayed. Clinical suspicion, liver scanning, serologic testing, and response to therapy are the keys to diagnosis.", "PMID": 623073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4698", "title": "The humoral immune system in inflammatory bowel disease. II. Immunologlobulin levels.", "content": "As there have been reports of differences in mean levels of serum immunoglobulins between patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, serum IgG, IgA, and IgM were estimated in 158 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and the results correlated with the clinical features of the patients. Although a higher mean IgG level in ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn's disease was confirmed, no difference was found when the comparison was limited to patients with colonic Crohn's disease. Patients with either disease had higher mean IgM levels than controls, and the IgM levels were higher on treatment with corticosteroids and showed a tendency to rise in remission. IgG and IgM levels were also higher in both diseases if extraintestinal manifestations were present. It is concluded that if clinical features, particularly disease site, are taken into account, the overall immunoglobulin responses in these two diseases show no differences.", "contents": "The humoral immune system in inflammatory bowel disease. II. Immunologlobulin levels. As there have been reports of differences in mean levels of serum immunoglobulins between patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, serum IgG, IgA, and IgM were estimated in 158 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and the results correlated with the clinical features of the patients. Although a higher mean IgG level in ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn's disease was confirmed, no difference was found when the comparison was limited to patients with colonic Crohn's disease. Patients with either disease had higher mean IgM levels than controls, and the IgM levels were higher on treatment with corticosteroids and showed a tendency to rise in remission. IgG and IgM levels were also higher in both diseases if extraintestinal manifestations were present. It is concluded that if clinical features, particularly disease site, are taken into account, the overall immunoglobulin responses in these two diseases show no differences.", "PMID": 623074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4699", "title": "Serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) blood levels in patients with ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Fifty-seven patients with ulcerative colitis were folloued 1-49 months (mean, 18 months) with serial CEA determinations during periods of remission, mild relapses, and severe relapses. Elevated CEA titers correlated with activity and possibly extent of disease: 12% of patients with proctitis, 47% of patients with left-sided colitis, and 60% of patients with transverse or universal colitis had elevated CEA titers during a flare. Moreover, 24% of patients with mild flares and 86% of patients with severe flares had elevated CEA titers. Ninety-two percent of patients with extensive disease and severe flares had elevated CEA titers. Elevated CEA titers were correlated with histologic findings in three patients. Inflammation of mucosa was demonstrated by colonoscopy and confirmed by biopsy in one patient with persistently elevated CEA titers during clinical remission. In two other patients with active disease whose CEA titers fell prior to colectomy, marked denudation of colonic mucosa was noted. In this study, a transiently elevated CEA titer indicated either clinically active ulcerative colitis or active inflammation of colonic mucosa.", "contents": "Serial carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) blood levels in patients with ulcerative colitis. Fifty-seven patients with ulcerative colitis were folloued 1-49 months (mean, 18 months) with serial CEA determinations during periods of remission, mild relapses, and severe relapses. Elevated CEA titers correlated with activity and possibly extent of disease: 12% of patients with proctitis, 47% of patients with left-sided colitis, and 60% of patients with transverse or universal colitis had elevated CEA titers during a flare. Moreover, 24% of patients with mild flares and 86% of patients with severe flares had elevated CEA titers. Ninety-two percent of patients with extensive disease and severe flares had elevated CEA titers. Elevated CEA titers were correlated with histologic findings in three patients. Inflammation of mucosa was demonstrated by colonoscopy and confirmed by biopsy in one patient with persistently elevated CEA titers during clinical remission. In two other patients with active disease whose CEA titers fell prior to colectomy, marked denudation of colonic mucosa was noted. In this study, a transiently elevated CEA titer indicated either clinically active ulcerative colitis or active inflammation of colonic mucosa.", "PMID": 623075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4700", "title": "Studies on translocation of immunoglobulins across intestinal epithelium. III. Failure of cholera enterotoxin to stimulate secretion of IgA by rabbit intestine.", "content": "We tested the hypothesis that the secretion of IgA into intestinal fluids is modulated by increases in epithelial cell cyclic AMP. Cholera enterotoxin instilled into intestinal loops of rabbits did not induce IgA secretion, even though an appropriate fluid response was obtained. The findings, therefore, do not support the hypothesis.", "contents": "Studies on translocation of immunoglobulins across intestinal epithelium. III. Failure of cholera enterotoxin to stimulate secretion of IgA by rabbit intestine. We tested the hypothesis that the secretion of IgA into intestinal fluids is modulated by increases in epithelial cell cyclic AMP. Cholera enterotoxin instilled into intestinal loops of rabbits did not induce IgA secretion, even though an appropriate fluid response was obtained. The findings, therefore, do not support the hypothesis.", "PMID": 623076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4701", "title": "Significance of serum level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in gastrointestinal disease.", "content": "The serum 25-OHCC concentration was measured in 151 patients in order to evaluate the potential use of this determination in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Patients with functional bowel disease had lower serum mean 25-OHCC levels than normals. The results were divided into normal (greater than 21 ng/ml), low normal (12-21 ng/ml), and low levels (less than 21 ng/ml). Two thirds of patients with malabsorption had low serum 25-OHCC. Most patients following jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity had low levels despite supplemental oral calciferol therapy. In patients with chronic liver disease, cholestasis more than parenchymal cell disease appeared responsible for low serum 25-OHCC levels. Measurement of serum 25-OHCC may be an ancillary screening test for fat malabsorption and in patients with intraluminal bile salt deficiency. Furthermore, repeated measurements may be useful in monitoring therapy with vitamin D products in patients with chronic malabsorption and cholestasis.", "contents": "Significance of serum level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in gastrointestinal disease. The serum 25-OHCC concentration was measured in 151 patients in order to evaluate the potential use of this determination in the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Patients with functional bowel disease had lower serum mean 25-OHCC levels than normals. The results were divided into normal (greater than 21 ng/ml), low normal (12-21 ng/ml), and low levels (less than 21 ng/ml). Two thirds of patients with malabsorption had low serum 25-OHCC. Most patients following jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity had low levels despite supplemental oral calciferol therapy. In patients with chronic liver disease, cholestasis more than parenchymal cell disease appeared responsible for low serum 25-OHCC levels. Measurement of serum 25-OHCC may be an ancillary screening test for fat malabsorption and in patients with intraluminal bile salt deficiency. Furthermore, repeated measurements may be useful in monitoring therapy with vitamin D products in patients with chronic malabsorption and cholestasis.", "PMID": 623077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4702", "title": "The diagnosis of microscopic carcinoma of the esophagus.", "content": "Microscopic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with early submucosal spread was diagnosed in two patients with hiatal hernia and evidence of esophageal reflux. The lesions were not suggestive of malignancy on endoscopic examination. Both patients are known to be alive more than one year after resection and presumably without recurrence. More liberal use of endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy or intubation cytology particularly in the cases at high risk, might substantially improve the chances of very early diagnosis and favorably alter the present grim mortality rate.", "contents": "The diagnosis of microscopic carcinoma of the esophagus. Microscopic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with early submucosal spread was diagnosed in two patients with hiatal hernia and evidence of esophageal reflux. The lesions were not suggestive of malignancy on endoscopic examination. Both patients are known to be alive more than one year after resection and presumably without recurrence. More liberal use of endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy or intubation cytology particularly in the cases at high risk, might substantially improve the chances of very early diagnosis and favorably alter the present grim mortality rate.", "PMID": 623079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4703", "title": "Antireflux surgery for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: mechanism of action.", "content": "To determine the effects of Nissen fundoplication upon the symptoms of reflux and the diagnostic tests employed to evaluate reflux and to examine the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and lower esophageal sphincter pressure before and after fundoplication, 10 patients with symptomatic reflux were studied before and after operation. Clinical evaluation, barium esophagography, endoscopy with mucosal biopsy, esophageal manometry, acid-perfusion and acid-reflux testing, and gastroesophageal scintiscaning were performed on each patient before and after surgery. Following fundoplication, marked symptomatic, radiographic, endoscopic, and histologic improvement was observed. Serial acid-reflux tests at increasing gastroesophageal pressure gradients returned to normal after surgery. Lower-esophageal-sphincter (LES) pressure increased from 8.2 +/- 1.3 to 12.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P less than 0.01). In addition, surgery resulted in a significant decrease in the gastroesophageal reflux index from 17.4 +/- 2.4 to 2.7 +/- 1.1% (P less than 0.001). Surprisingly, the pre- and postoperative resting LES pressures did not correlate significantly with corresponding gastroesophageal reflux indices for individual patients. We conclude that increased LES pressure alone does not explain adequately the functional and clinical improvement which follows fundoplication.", "contents": "Antireflux surgery for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: mechanism of action. To determine the effects of Nissen fundoplication upon the symptoms of reflux and the diagnostic tests employed to evaluate reflux and to examine the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and lower esophageal sphincter pressure before and after fundoplication, 10 patients with symptomatic reflux were studied before and after operation. Clinical evaluation, barium esophagography, endoscopy with mucosal biopsy, esophageal manometry, acid-perfusion and acid-reflux testing, and gastroesophageal scintiscaning were performed on each patient before and after surgery. Following fundoplication, marked symptomatic, radiographic, endoscopic, and histologic improvement was observed. Serial acid-reflux tests at increasing gastroesophageal pressure gradients returned to normal after surgery. Lower-esophageal-sphincter (LES) pressure increased from 8.2 +/- 1.3 to 12.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P less than 0.01). In addition, surgery resulted in a significant decrease in the gastroesophageal reflux index from 17.4 +/- 2.4 to 2.7 +/- 1.1% (P less than 0.001). Surprisingly, the pre- and postoperative resting LES pressures did not correlate significantly with corresponding gastroesophageal reflux indices for individual patients. We conclude that increased LES pressure alone does not explain adequately the functional and clinical improvement which follows fundoplication.", "PMID": 623080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4704", "title": "Effects of cimetidine on healing of chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers in dogs.", "content": "The effects of cimetidine on healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers induced in mongrel dogs were studied. Gastric ulcers were produced by subserosal injection of acetic acid solution and duodenal ulcers by topical application of acetic acid on the serosal surface of the duodenum. Oral treatment with cimetidine, 450 mg/dog/day in three divided doses for 14 days, produced a remarkable acceleration of healing of duodenal ulcers but exerted little influence on gastric ulcers.", "contents": "Effects of cimetidine on healing of chronic gastric and duodenal ulcers in dogs. The effects of cimetidine on healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers induced in mongrel dogs were studied. Gastric ulcers were produced by subserosal injection of acetic acid solution and duodenal ulcers by topical application of acetic acid on the serosal surface of the duodenum. Oral treatment with cimetidine, 450 mg/dog/day in three divided doses for 14 days, produced a remarkable acceleration of healing of duodenal ulcers but exerted little influence on gastric ulcers.", "PMID": 623081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4705", "title": "Sweat electrolytes in chronic pancreatitis.", "content": "Sweat electrolytes were carried out in 84 adult patients with calcific pancreatitis, 51 with noncalcific pancreatitis, and the results compared to 37 adult controls. Of the patients with calcific pancreatitis, 33.5% had sweat sodium levels greater than 90 mEq/liter and 14.4% a level greater that 120 mEq/liter. Patients with noncalcific pancreatitis also had a high incidence of elevated sweat sodium levels. Sweat potassium levels were less discriminating, and there appeared to be high sweat calcium levels in a few patients so tested. The reasons for the elevated sweat sodium levels in pancreatitis is not readily apparent, and the possible relationship to heterozygous forms of cystic fibrosis is discussed.", "contents": "Sweat electrolytes in chronic pancreatitis. Sweat electrolytes were carried out in 84 adult patients with calcific pancreatitis, 51 with noncalcific pancreatitis, and the results compared to 37 adult controls. Of the patients with calcific pancreatitis, 33.5% had sweat sodium levels greater than 90 mEq/liter and 14.4% a level greater that 120 mEq/liter. Patients with noncalcific pancreatitis also had a high incidence of elevated sweat sodium levels. Sweat potassium levels were less discriminating, and there appeared to be high sweat calcium levels in a few patients so tested. The reasons for the elevated sweat sodium levels in pancreatitis is not readily apparent, and the possible relationship to heterozygous forms of cystic fibrosis is discussed.", "PMID": 623082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4706", "title": "Studies on the ascites fluid of acute pancreatitis in man.", "content": "Total protein, alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin, amylase, methemalbumin, tryptic amidase activity, radioimmunoassayable elastase 2, and three lysosomal hydrolases were determined in the ascites fluid from patients with acute pancreatitis. In eight patients methemalbumin was detected in ascites and serum, supporting the diagnosis of hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Significant levels (4-45 microgram/ml) of tryptic amidase activity were detected in ascites samples from all patients. Evidence is presented which demonstrates that the tryptic amidase activity is due to alpha2-macroglobulin-bound trypsin. Pancreatic elastase 2, determined with a new sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, ranged from 400 to 2100 ng/ml in serum and from 650 to 4460 ng/ml in ascites fluid. Substantial amounts of alpha2-macroglobulin-bound trypsin and elastase 2, entering the circulation from the peritoneal cavity, might be responsible for certain serious complications seen in acute pancreatitis. However, with the exception of serum calcium and methemalbumin and the ascites fluid methemalbumin and total protein, none of the biochemical parameters studied showed a distinct correlation with the patient's outcome.", "contents": "Studies on the ascites fluid of acute pancreatitis in man. Total protein, alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin, amylase, methemalbumin, tryptic amidase activity, radioimmunoassayable elastase 2, and three lysosomal hydrolases were determined in the ascites fluid from patients with acute pancreatitis. In eight patients methemalbumin was detected in ascites and serum, supporting the diagnosis of hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Significant levels (4-45 microgram/ml) of tryptic amidase activity were detected in ascites samples from all patients. Evidence is presented which demonstrates that the tryptic amidase activity is due to alpha2-macroglobulin-bound trypsin. Pancreatic elastase 2, determined with a new sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, ranged from 400 to 2100 ng/ml in serum and from 650 to 4460 ng/ml in ascites fluid. Substantial amounts of alpha2-macroglobulin-bound trypsin and elastase 2, entering the circulation from the peritoneal cavity, might be responsible for certain serious complications seen in acute pancreatitis. However, with the exception of serum calcium and methemalbumin and the ascites fluid methemalbumin and total protein, none of the biochemical parameters studied showed a distinct correlation with the patient's outcome.", "PMID": 623083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4707", "title": "Hypogastrinemia in hypothyroidism.", "content": "Fasting plasma gastrin levels measured by radoimmunoassay were found to be low in patients with hypothyroidism. The intravenous infection of arginine caused an increase of plasma gastrin in hypothyroid patients but was significantly lower than those in normal subjects. The decreased gastrin level in patients with hypothyroidism was significantly improved after the thyroid function was normalized by treatment.", "contents": "Hypogastrinemia in hypothyroidism. Fasting plasma gastrin levels measured by radoimmunoassay were found to be low in patients with hypothyroidism. The intravenous infection of arginine caused an increase of plasma gastrin in hypothyroid patients but was significantly lower than those in normal subjects. The decreased gastrin level in patients with hypothyroidism was significantly improved after the thyroid function was normalized by treatment.", "PMID": 623084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4708", "title": "The interactive effects of induced abortion, inter-pregnancy interval and contraceptive use on subsequent pregnancy outcome.", "content": "Prior induced abortion and outcome of the next pregnancy are investigated, allowing for two intervening and potentially confounding variables: 1) length of interval between the termination of the first pregnancy and the conception of the next (inter-pregnancy interval) and 2) the utilization of contraception during this interval. Results show that non-contracepting (susceptibility) intervals which immediately precede a subsequent pregnancy are significantly shorter following an induced abortion than those following a spontaneous abortion or delivery. A life table analysis of all susceptibility intervals confirmed this finding. To investigate outcome of subsequent pregnancy as influenced by preceding pregnancy outcome, inter-pregnancy interval and contraceptive use in the interval, a categorical linear model has been developed. Among non-contraceptors, the model indicates no differences in proportions of succeeding adverse outcomes (spontaneous abortion or low birth weight) regardless of inter-pregnancy interval and whether or not the preceding pregnancy had been terminated by an induced abortion. For the contraceptive users, however, proportions of adverse outcomes increased with length of inter-pregnancy interval, and, within each interval category, proportion of adverse outcomes was higher when the preceding pregnancy had terminated in an induced abortion.", "contents": "The interactive effects of induced abortion, inter-pregnancy interval and contraceptive use on subsequent pregnancy outcome. Prior induced abortion and outcome of the next pregnancy are investigated, allowing for two intervening and potentially confounding variables: 1) length of interval between the termination of the first pregnancy and the conception of the next (inter-pregnancy interval) and 2) the utilization of contraception during this interval. Results show that non-contracepting (susceptibility) intervals which immediately precede a subsequent pregnancy are significantly shorter following an induced abortion than those following a spontaneous abortion or delivery. A life table analysis of all susceptibility intervals confirmed this finding. To investigate outcome of subsequent pregnancy as influenced by preceding pregnancy outcome, inter-pregnancy interval and contraceptive use in the interval, a categorical linear model has been developed. Among non-contraceptors, the model indicates no differences in proportions of succeeding adverse outcomes (spontaneous abortion or low birth weight) regardless of inter-pregnancy interval and whether or not the preceding pregnancy had been terminated by an induced abortion. For the contraceptive users, however, proportions of adverse outcomes increased with length of inter-pregnancy interval, and, within each interval category, proportion of adverse outcomes was higher when the preceding pregnancy had terminated in an induced abortion.", "PMID": 623086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4709", "title": "Cadmium exposure in a community near a smelter.", "content": "In June, 1976, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of a community near a cadmium smelter in Denver, Colorado, to evaluate human cadmium absorption and its possible health effects. In 1975 the mean annual airborne cadmium concentration in an area about 1 km from the smelter was 0.023 microgram/m3; the mean concentration in a comparison area 13 km distant was 0.003 microgram/m3. Whole blood and urine specimens were collected from 250 individuals residing within 2 km of the smelter and from a control population of 105 residents in the comparison area. There were no significant differences (p greater than .05) in whole blood or urine cadmium concentrations, as determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, between persons in the two areas. The median blood and urine cadmium concentrations of residents within 1 km of the smelter were 0.05 and 0.09 microgram/100 ml, compared with 0.07 and 0.08 microgram/100 ml for control area residents. However, the difference between blood cadmium levels for smokers and nonsmokers was statistically significant (p less than .01). The median blood cadmium concentration for smokers was 0.21 microgram/100 ml compared with 0.04 microgram/100 ml for nonsmokers. Other laboratory determinations of blood and urine showed no evidence of a cadmium effect on hematopoietic or renal function.", "contents": "Cadmium exposure in a community near a smelter. In June, 1976, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of a community near a cadmium smelter in Denver, Colorado, to evaluate human cadmium absorption and its possible health effects. In 1975 the mean annual airborne cadmium concentration in an area about 1 km from the smelter was 0.023 microgram/m3; the mean concentration in a comparison area 13 km distant was 0.003 microgram/m3. Whole blood and urine specimens were collected from 250 individuals residing within 2 km of the smelter and from a control population of 105 residents in the comparison area. There were no significant differences (p greater than .05) in whole blood or urine cadmium concentrations, as determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, between persons in the two areas. The median blood and urine cadmium concentrations of residents within 1 km of the smelter were 0.05 and 0.09 microgram/100 ml, compared with 0.07 and 0.08 microgram/100 ml for control area residents. However, the difference between blood cadmium levels for smokers and nonsmokers was statistically significant (p less than .01). The median blood cadmium concentration for smokers was 0.21 microgram/100 ml compared with 0.04 microgram/100 ml for nonsmokers. Other laboratory determinations of blood and urine showed no evidence of a cadmium effect on hematopoietic or renal function.", "PMID": 623087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4710", "title": "Raw hamburger: an interstate common source of human salmonellosis.", "content": "An interstate common-source outbreak of salmonellosis was first detected in the United States in September and October, 1975, when a tenfold increase in Salmonella newport isolates was noted through routine salmonella surveillance by the Colorado Department of Health. Eighteen primary cases with a distinctive antibiotic resistance pattern (tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamides) were evaluated in a case-control study, and illness was found to be associated with eating raw hamburger (p less than .001) from any store of one grocery chain (p less than .001). A Dallas, Texas, processing plant that supplied the Colorado markets also supplied other states, and these other states were alerted. Maryland discovered nine S. newport isolates with the same antibiogram and, as in the Colorado outbreak, illness was associated with eating raw or very rare ground beef from the same grocery chain (p less than .03). A third outbreak of S. newport with the same antibiogram occurred on a Florida military base. S. newport with the same antibiogram and a phage lysis pattern identical to those of the human epidemic isolates was cultured from frozen hamburger recovered in Colorado and Florida. The associated hamburger originated at the same Dallas, Texas, processing plant. A source of the epidemic strain was not identified, but the organism probably originated before delivery to the plant.", "contents": "Raw hamburger: an interstate common source of human salmonellosis. An interstate common-source outbreak of salmonellosis was first detected in the United States in September and October, 1975, when a tenfold increase in Salmonella newport isolates was noted through routine salmonella surveillance by the Colorado Department of Health. Eighteen primary cases with a distinctive antibiotic resistance pattern (tetracycline, streptomycin, and sulfonamides) were evaluated in a case-control study, and illness was found to be associated with eating raw hamburger (p less than .001) from any store of one grocery chain (p less than .001). A Dallas, Texas, processing plant that supplied the Colorado markets also supplied other states, and these other states were alerted. Maryland discovered nine S. newport isolates with the same antibiogram and, as in the Colorado outbreak, illness was associated with eating raw or very rare ground beef from the same grocery chain (p less than .03). A third outbreak of S. newport with the same antibiogram occurred on a Florida military base. S. newport with the same antibiogram and a phage lysis pattern identical to those of the human epidemic isolates was cultured from frozen hamburger recovered in Colorado and Florida. The associated hamburger originated at the same Dallas, Texas, processing plant. A source of the epidemic strain was not identified, but the organism probably originated before delivery to the plant.", "PMID": 623088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4711", "title": "A novel pattern of treponemal antibody distribution in isolated South American Indian populations.", "content": "Serologic surveys for treponemal disease were carried out in 1970-1976 among three linguistically distinct and isolated population groups in the Brazilian Amazon Region and among the Mapuche Indians of southern Chile. Three patterns were found: 1) no evidence for treponemal infection in two very recently contacted groups; 2) sporadic positive individuals in groups with long periods of contact with non-Indian populations; and 3) a high prevalence of positive tests in one cultural group with limited exposure to non-Indians. The seroepidemiology and clinical manifestations of a possible treponemal infection in those villages with a high prevalence of positive tests were unlike those of the classically described human treponematoses.", "contents": "A novel pattern of treponemal antibody distribution in isolated South American Indian populations. Serologic surveys for treponemal disease were carried out in 1970-1976 among three linguistically distinct and isolated population groups in the Brazilian Amazon Region and among the Mapuche Indians of southern Chile. Three patterns were found: 1) no evidence for treponemal infection in two very recently contacted groups; 2) sporadic positive individuals in groups with long periods of contact with non-Indian populations; and 3) a high prevalence of positive tests in one cultural group with limited exposure to non-Indians. The seroepidemiology and clinical manifestations of a possible treponemal infection in those villages with a high prevalence of positive tests were unlike those of the classically described human treponematoses.", "PMID": 623089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4712", "title": "The Tecumseh study of respiratory illness. X. Relation of acute infections to smoking, lung function and chronic symptoms.", "content": "The relationship of acute respiratory illness and infection to chronic bronchitis was investigated in the community of Tecumseh, Michigan. Families were randomly selected for study from among all those in the community and they were followed for periods of one year. Occurrence of acute respiratory illnesses was identified on a weekly basis. Frequency of chronic symptoms of cough and sputum production was separately ascertained. Lung function studies were performed three times during the course of the surveillance year and blood specimens were collected at those times. The blood specimens were tested for rise in antibody titer with antigens of type A and B influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Adults with mild or intermittent chronic symptoms of cough and sputum production experienced more acute respiratory illness than those without these symptoms. This finding was present at different levels of smoking frequency. A similar relationship was present when serologic infection rates were used in the analysis instead of acute illness incidence. When the population was dichotomized on the basis of lung function data, the segment of the population with more depressed values was found to have experienced higher infection rates. The results suggest that acute infection may play an independent role in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory disease.", "contents": "The Tecumseh study of respiratory illness. X. Relation of acute infections to smoking, lung function and chronic symptoms. The relationship of acute respiratory illness and infection to chronic bronchitis was investigated in the community of Tecumseh, Michigan. Families were randomly selected for study from among all those in the community and they were followed for periods of one year. Occurrence of acute respiratory illnesses was identified on a weekly basis. Frequency of chronic symptoms of cough and sputum production was separately ascertained. Lung function studies were performed three times during the course of the surveillance year and blood specimens were collected at those times. The blood specimens were tested for rise in antibody titer with antigens of type A and B influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Adults with mild or intermittent chronic symptoms of cough and sputum production experienced more acute respiratory illness than those without these symptoms. This finding was present at different levels of smoking frequency. A similar relationship was present when serologic infection rates were used in the analysis instead of acute illness incidence. When the population was dichotomized on the basis of lung function data, the segment of the population with more depressed values was found to have experienced higher infection rates. The results suggest that acute infection may play an independent role in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory disease.", "PMID": 623090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4713", "title": "Estimating prevalence from the results of a screening test.", "content": "This paper deals with some basis properties of screening tests. Such tests purport to separate people with disease from people without. Minimal criteria for such a process to be a test are discussed. Various ways of judging the goodness of a test are examined. A common use of tests is to estimate prevalence of disease; frequency of positive tests is shown to be a bad estimate, and the necessary adjustmants are given.", "contents": "Estimating prevalence from the results of a screening test. This paper deals with some basis properties of screening tests. Such tests purport to separate people with disease from people without. Minimal criteria for such a process to be a test are discussed. Various ways of judging the goodness of a test are examined. A common use of tests is to estimate prevalence of disease; frequency of positive tests is shown to be a bad estimate, and the necessary adjustmants are given.", "PMID": 623091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4714", "title": "Risk factors and angiographically determined coronary occlusion.", "content": "An association of coronary artery occlusion, as determined by coronary arteriography with age, prevalence of risk factors and alcohol intake was studied in 1635 male and 371 female heart patients. The degree of coronary artery occlusion was positively related to elevated cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, diabetes, age and history of smoking for both male and female patients. Hypertension was related to the degree of occlusion only for female patients. Male and female patients who had a higher alcohol intake tended to have less extensive occlusion. No positive association was found between obesity and the degree of occlusion. When the patients were divided on the basis of age (less than 50 and greater than or equal to 50 years) the findings did not differ. The lack of finding a relation between obesity and occlusion or between hypertension and occlusion for males differs from the general findings of epidemiologic studies on the relation between these risk factors and coronary heart disease. The authors believe that this discrepancy may either be explained by the way they selected patients (i.e., they selected patients who underwent a diagnostic angiographic examination), or that obesity and hypertension are not directly related to coronary occlusion but influence occlusive disease through some secondary mechanism.", "contents": "Risk factors and angiographically determined coronary occlusion. An association of coronary artery occlusion, as determined by coronary arteriography with age, prevalence of risk factors and alcohol intake was studied in 1635 male and 371 female heart patients. The degree of coronary artery occlusion was positively related to elevated cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, diabetes, age and history of smoking for both male and female patients. Hypertension was related to the degree of occlusion only for female patients. Male and female patients who had a higher alcohol intake tended to have less extensive occlusion. No positive association was found between obesity and the degree of occlusion. When the patients were divided on the basis of age (less than 50 and greater than or equal to 50 years) the findings did not differ. The lack of finding a relation between obesity and occlusion or between hypertension and occlusion for males differs from the general findings of epidemiologic studies on the relation between these risk factors and coronary heart disease. The authors believe that this discrepancy may either be explained by the way they selected patients (i.e., they selected patients who underwent a diagnostic angiographic examination), or that obesity and hypertension are not directly related to coronary occlusion but influence occlusive disease through some secondary mechanism.", "PMID": 623092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4715", "title": "Trends in urban mortality in relation to fluoridation status.", "content": "Mortality trends from 1950 to 1970 were studied for 473 cities in the United States with populations of 25,000 or more in 1950, according to fluoridation status of their water supplies. Findings showed no relationship between fluoridation and observed changes in general mortality over the 20-year period. Also, no relationship was found between fluoridation and heart or cancer death rate trends.", "contents": "Trends in urban mortality in relation to fluoridation status. Mortality trends from 1950 to 1970 were studied for 473 cities in the United States with populations of 25,000 or more in 1950, according to fluoridation status of their water supplies. Findings showed no relationship between fluoridation and observed changes in general mortality over the 20-year period. Also, no relationship was found between fluoridation and heart or cancer death rate trends.", "PMID": 623093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4716", "title": "Improving trend in hypertension control in a black inner city community.", "content": "Throughout the 1960's repeated findings indicated a poor state of management for hypertension in widely diverse communities across the United States. In the early years of the 1970's similarly derived findings showed a substantial improvement in hypertension management. These trends are confirmed in two random samples of a black urban population studied in 1971 and in 1973 indicating more than a twofold improvement in blood pressure control over that period. This improvement was noticeable in all subgroups of the population at risk although young black males continue to have a less favorable status of detection and control of hypertension.", "contents": "Improving trend in hypertension control in a black inner city community. Throughout the 1960's repeated findings indicated a poor state of management for hypertension in widely diverse communities across the United States. In the early years of the 1970's similarly derived findings showed a substantial improvement in hypertension management. These trends are confirmed in two random samples of a black urban population studied in 1971 and in 1973 indicating more than a twofold improvement in blood pressure control over that period. This improvement was noticeable in all subgroups of the population at risk although young black males continue to have a less favorable status of detection and control of hypertension.", "PMID": 623094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4717", "title": "Tuberculosis: generation effects and chemotherapy.", "content": "Mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis in the United States was analyzed by cohort. The introduction of effective chemotherapy necessarily renders models based on generation differences alone inappropriate in this disease. However, such models continue to be used. The data show major departures from the prediction of a generation based model during the 1950's. Projection of the 1941 rates and cohort slopes to 1970 using a generation model predicts 358,000 more deaths than were actually certified. The departure was smaller for blacks than for whites, and differences in delivery of treatment probably account for this. Projections of mortality need to be made for the planning of control measures. However, such projections must be done with the understanding that inter-cohort differences can be altered during adult life.", "contents": "Tuberculosis: generation effects and chemotherapy. Mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis in the United States was analyzed by cohort. The introduction of effective chemotherapy necessarily renders models based on generation differences alone inappropriate in this disease. However, such models continue to be used. The data show major departures from the prediction of a generation based model during the 1950's. Projection of the 1941 rates and cohort slopes to 1970 using a generation model predicts 358,000 more deaths than were actually certified. The departure was smaller for blacks than for whites, and differences in delivery of treatment probably account for this. Projections of mortality need to be made for the planning of control measures. However, such projections must be done with the understanding that inter-cohort differences can be altered during adult life.", "PMID": 623095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4718", "title": "Psittacosis outbreak in employees of a turkey-processing plant.", "content": "In June 1976, 28 employees of a Nebraska poultry processing plant had clinical onset of an illness compatible with psittacosis. The diagnosis was serologically confirmed in 22 patients by fourfold or greater changes in their complement fixation antibody titers, using a Chlamydia group antigen. Lack of serologic response in the remaining patients could not be readily explained by therapy differences, timing of serologic evaluation, or severity of clinical illness. The comparable attack rates in the various processing departments were consistent with an airborne infection. However, results of the investigation also suggested that workers having both frequent contact with turkey tissues and skin injuries were more likely to be infected than other processing workers. The cost of the outbreak for reimbursed medical costs, workmen's compensation, and lost wages was $19,000. A single turkey flock was implicated as the source of infection. This flock had been screened on a voluntary basis for evidence of infection prior to slaughter, using criteria developed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Although the preslaughter screening failed to detect psittacosis infection, two turkeys from the same flock which inadvertently had not been sent to slaught were subsequently found to be infected.", "contents": "Psittacosis outbreak in employees of a turkey-processing plant. In June 1976, 28 employees of a Nebraska poultry processing plant had clinical onset of an illness compatible with psittacosis. The diagnosis was serologically confirmed in 22 patients by fourfold or greater changes in their complement fixation antibody titers, using a Chlamydia group antigen. Lack of serologic response in the remaining patients could not be readily explained by therapy differences, timing of serologic evaluation, or severity of clinical illness. The comparable attack rates in the various processing departments were consistent with an airborne infection. However, results of the investigation also suggested that workers having both frequent contact with turkey tissues and skin injuries were more likely to be infected than other processing workers. The cost of the outbreak for reimbursed medical costs, workmen's compensation, and lost wages was $19,000. A single turkey flock was implicated as the source of infection. This flock had been screened on a voluntary basis for evidence of infection prior to slaughter, using criteria developed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Although the preslaughter screening failed to detect psittacosis infection, two turkeys from the same flock which inadvertently had not been sent to slaught were subsequently found to be infected.", "PMID": 623096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4719", "title": "Pontiac fever. An epidemic of unknown etiology in a health department: I. Clinical and epidemiologic aspects.", "content": "In July 1968, an explosive epidemic of acute febrile illness occurred at a county health department facility in Pontiac, Michigan. Illness characterized principally by fever, headache, myalgia, and malaise affected at least 144 persons, including 95 of 100 persons employed in the health department building. The mean incubation period was approximately 36 hours. Illness was self-limited, generally lasting from two to five days. Secondary cases did not occur in family contacts and second attacks did not consistently follow re-exposure in the building. A defective air-conditioning system was implicated as the source and mechanism of spread of the causative factor. However, extensive laboratory and environmental investigations failed to identify the etiologic agent. Since these investigations a bacterium similar to or identical with the agent responsible for Legionnaires' Disease has been isolated from guinea pigs exposed to the Pontiac health department building in 1968 as well as from guinea pigs exposed to water from the evaporative condenser. Paired sera from 32 cases of Pontiac Fever showed seroconversion or diagnostic rises in antibody titers to this bacterium.", "contents": "Pontiac fever. An epidemic of unknown etiology in a health department: I. Clinical and epidemiologic aspects. In July 1968, an explosive epidemic of acute febrile illness occurred at a county health department facility in Pontiac, Michigan. Illness characterized principally by fever, headache, myalgia, and malaise affected at least 144 persons, including 95 of 100 persons employed in the health department building. The mean incubation period was approximately 36 hours. Illness was self-limited, generally lasting from two to five days. Secondary cases did not occur in family contacts and second attacks did not consistently follow re-exposure in the building. A defective air-conditioning system was implicated as the source and mechanism of spread of the causative factor. However, extensive laboratory and environmental investigations failed to identify the etiologic agent. Since these investigations a bacterium similar to or identical with the agent responsible for Legionnaires' Disease has been isolated from guinea pigs exposed to the Pontiac health department building in 1968 as well as from guinea pigs exposed to water from the evaporative condenser. Paired sera from 32 cases of Pontiac Fever showed seroconversion or diagnostic rises in antibody titers to this bacterium.", "PMID": 623097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4720", "title": "Racial variation in the incidence of ovarian cancer in the United States.", "content": "The incidence of ovarian cancer was determined in four US populations of heterogeneous racial-ethnic composition. Japanese, Chinese, Hispano, and black women had rates of epithelial tumors that were 19-42% lower than those of white women. Though these differences were due primarily to lower rates of serious and papillary tumors, all but Chinese women also had a decreased incidence of mucinous tumors, and Hispano and black women had low rates of endometrioid-clear cell malignancy. The incidence of nonepithelial ovarian tumors in the four populations showed little relationship to race.", "contents": "Racial variation in the incidence of ovarian cancer in the United States. The incidence of ovarian cancer was determined in four US populations of heterogeneous racial-ethnic composition. Japanese, Chinese, Hispano, and black women had rates of epithelial tumors that were 19-42% lower than those of white women. Though these differences were due primarily to lower rates of serious and papillary tumors, all but Chinese women also had a decreased incidence of mucinous tumors, and Hispano and black women had low rates of endometrioid-clear cell malignancy. The incidence of nonepithelial ovarian tumors in the four populations showed little relationship to race.", "PMID": 623098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4721", "title": "An investigation of the use of asbestos cement pipe for public water supply and the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in Connecticut, 1935-1973.", "content": "The age adjusted sex specific incidence data for stomach, colon, and rectal cancer for Connecticut townships for the period 1935 to 1973 were used to investigate whether asbestos cement pipe usage for domestic drinking water is associated with gastrointestinal cancer. The townships were grouped according to the Assessment of Exposure (AOE) and Risk Factor (RF) for asbestos. These are composite indices of asbestos exposure including factors relating to the age of the pipe, the ability of water to leach asbestos from the pipe, and the length of pipes used by the population. No association was noted between these asbestos risk scores and gastrointestinal tumor incidence.", "contents": "An investigation of the use of asbestos cement pipe for public water supply and the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in Connecticut, 1935-1973. The age adjusted sex specific incidence data for stomach, colon, and rectal cancer for Connecticut townships for the period 1935 to 1973 were used to investigate whether asbestos cement pipe usage for domestic drinking water is associated with gastrointestinal cancer. The townships were grouped according to the Assessment of Exposure (AOE) and Risk Factor (RF) for asbestos. These are composite indices of asbestos exposure including factors relating to the age of the pipe, the ability of water to leach asbestos from the pipe, and the length of pipes used by the population. No association was noted between these asbestos risk scores and gastrointestinal tumor incidence.", "PMID": 623099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4722", "title": "Purification and substrate specificity of polymorphic forms of esterase D from human erythrocytes.", "content": "Esterase D (EsD), purified from human erythrocytes and tested with a variety of substrates, hydrolyzed only triacetin, tributyrin, and certain soluble aryl esters of aliphatic acids. Esters of 4-methylumbelliferone were easily the best substrates. When the three genetically different isozymes were compared, the less common forms, EsD 2 and EsD 2-1, were less stable than EsD 1. With some substrates, the Michaelis constant of the EsD 2 form differed from that of the EsD 1 form. The EsD 2-1 hybrid form was usually, but not invariably, intermediate in properties. The physiologic significance of the genetic variability of this enzyme is unknown.", "contents": "Purification and substrate specificity of polymorphic forms of esterase D from human erythrocytes. Esterase D (EsD), purified from human erythrocytes and tested with a variety of substrates, hydrolyzed only triacetin, tributyrin, and certain soluble aryl esters of aliphatic acids. Esters of 4-methylumbelliferone were easily the best substrates. When the three genetically different isozymes were compared, the less common forms, EsD 2 and EsD 2-1, were less stable than EsD 1. With some substrates, the Michaelis constant of the EsD 2 form differed from that of the EsD 1 form. The EsD 2-1 hybrid form was usually, but not invariably, intermediate in properties. The physiologic significance of the genetic variability of this enzyme is unknown.", "PMID": 623100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4723", "title": "Efficiency and robustness of pedigree segregation analysis.", "content": "Different pedigree structures and likelihoods are examined to determine their efficiency for parameter estimation under one-locus models. For the cases simulated, family size has little effect; estimates based on unconditional likelihoods are generally more efficient than those based on conditional likelihoods. The proposed method of pedigree analysis under a one-locus model is found to be robust in the analysis of nuclear families: skewness of the data and polygenic inheritance will not lead to the spurious detection of major loci unless they occur simultaneously, and together with a moderate amount of environmental correlation among sibs.", "contents": "Efficiency and robustness of pedigree segregation analysis. Different pedigree structures and likelihoods are examined to determine their efficiency for parameter estimation under one-locus models. For the cases simulated, family size has little effect; estimates based on unconditional likelihoods are generally more efficient than those based on conditional likelihoods. The proposed method of pedigree analysis under a one-locus model is found to be robust in the analysis of nuclear families: skewness of the data and polygenic inheritance will not lead to the spurious detection of major loci unless they occur simultaneously, and together with a moderate amount of environmental correlation among sibs.", "PMID": 623101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4724", "title": "A genetic study of immunoglobulin E.", "content": "Path analysis gives evidence of genetic heritability (.425) for serum IgE levels. Complex segregation analysis indicates, in addition to significant polygenic heritability, a major regulatory locus RE, with homozygotes re/re maintaining persistently high levels of IgE. The gene frequency of re is .489, and the displacement is 1.67 standard deviations.", "contents": "A genetic study of immunoglobulin E. Path analysis gives evidence of genetic heritability (.425) for serum IgE levels. Complex segregation analysis indicates, in addition to significant polygenic heritability, a major regulatory locus RE, with homozygotes re/re maintaining persistently high levels of IgE. The gene frequency of re is .489, and the displacement is 1.67 standard deviations.", "PMID": 623102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4725", "title": "The genetics of Otosclerosis. I. Distorted sex ratio.", "content": "The offspring of 214 otosclerotic x normal couples were investigated, and within these sibships, the segregation of otosclerosis is compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. However, the overall sex ratio is approximately 0.73, with otosclerosis being approximately 1.8 times more frequent in female offspring. These observations are interpreted as the consequence of selection against males carrying the otosclerosis gene. Elimination of such males occurs only in certain sibships. The remaining families demonstrate a sex ratio approximating unity with similar rates of otosclerosis in both sexes. This selection operates mainly, and possibly only, prenatally.", "contents": "The genetics of Otosclerosis. I. Distorted sex ratio. The offspring of 214 otosclerotic x normal couples were investigated, and within these sibships, the segregation of otosclerosis is compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. However, the overall sex ratio is approximately 0.73, with otosclerosis being approximately 1.8 times more frequent in female offspring. These observations are interpreted as the consequence of selection against males carrying the otosclerosis gene. Elimination of such males occurs only in certain sibships. The remaining families demonstrate a sex ratio approximating unity with similar rates of otosclerosis in both sexes. This selection operates mainly, and possibly only, prenatally.", "PMID": 623103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4726", "title": "Probability of paternity exclusion when relatives are involved.", "content": "In diagnosis of paternity by means of polymorphic markers, the proportion of men excluded on the basis of the phenotypes of the mother and child is the best index for controlling information. Its expected value, the probability of exclusion of a male chosen at random with respect to a random child-mother couple, calculated from gene frequencies of every genetic system, may be modified by a close relationship between the mother, the real father, and the presumptive father. The father and even more the brother of the mother, if he is the father of the child, diminishes the probability of exclusion of an individual chosen at random in the population, and if he is falsely accused, he has a higher probability of being excluded. On the other hand, the brother of the real father chosen at random in the population has the least chance of being excluded. The two different rules of exclusion are involved in the calculations, the first one being the more reliable.", "contents": "Probability of paternity exclusion when relatives are involved. In diagnosis of paternity by means of polymorphic markers, the proportion of men excluded on the basis of the phenotypes of the mother and child is the best index for controlling information. Its expected value, the probability of exclusion of a male chosen at random with respect to a random child-mother couple, calculated from gene frequencies of every genetic system, may be modified by a close relationship between the mother, the real father, and the presumptive father. The father and even more the brother of the mother, if he is the father of the child, diminishes the probability of exclusion of an individual chosen at random in the population, and if he is falsely accused, he has a higher probability of being excluded. On the other hand, the brother of the real father chosen at random in the population has the least chance of being excluded. The two different rules of exclusion are involved in the calculations, the first one being the more reliable.", "PMID": 623104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4727", "title": "Prenatal diagnosis by linkage: hemophilia A and polymorphic glucose-6-phosphate deydrogenase.", "content": "Close linkage between the loci for G6PD and hemophilia A allows prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia in the fetuses of certain women who are heterozygous for two electrophoretic types of G6PD. A pregnant woman, whose mother was an obligate heterozygote for hemophilia, had factor VIII levels and a G6PD phenotype that failed to indicate clearly whether or not she was heterozygous for hemophilia. The G6PD phenotype of her male fetus revealed that the fetus was unlikely to have hemophilia.", "contents": "Prenatal diagnosis by linkage: hemophilia A and polymorphic glucose-6-phosphate deydrogenase. Close linkage between the loci for G6PD and hemophilia A allows prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia in the fetuses of certain women who are heterozygous for two electrophoretic types of G6PD. A pregnant woman, whose mother was an obligate heterozygote for hemophilia, had factor VIII levels and a G6PD phenotype that failed to indicate clearly whether or not she was heterozygous for hemophilia. The G6PD phenotype of her male fetus revealed that the fetus was unlikely to have hemophilia.", "PMID": 623105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4728", "title": "Polymorphism of chromosome 9 in 600 Greek subjects.", "content": "The morphologic variations of C-band heterochromatin of chromosome 9 were studied in 600 Greek subjects referred for cytogenetic investigation. There was great variability in the location and length of the heterochromatic bands. The location and length of the heterochromatic band were equal in 177 individuals and unequal in 423. Twenty-five subjects (4%) carried a pericentric inversion on one of the homologs, and 12 individuals (2%) had an extremely elongated C-band in one homolog 9. Our findings are compared with those reported in the literature, and the ethnic variation is discussed and evaluated.", "contents": "Polymorphism of chromosome 9 in 600 Greek subjects. The morphologic variations of C-band heterochromatin of chromosome 9 were studied in 600 Greek subjects referred for cytogenetic investigation. There was great variability in the location and length of the heterochromatic bands. The location and length of the heterochromatic band were equal in 177 individuals and unequal in 423. Twenty-five subjects (4%) carried a pericentric inversion on one of the homologs, and 12 individuals (2%) had an extremely elongated C-band in one homolog 9. Our findings are compared with those reported in the literature, and the ethnic variation is discussed and evaluated.", "PMID": 623106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4729", "title": "Compatibility and stability of electrolytes, vitamins and antibiotics in combination with 8% amino acids solution.", "content": "The compatibility and stability of the following additives in an 8% amino acids and 50% dextrose solution intended for total parenteral nutrition were studied: potassium phosphate, calcium gluconate, magnesium sulfate, multiple vitamine mixtures, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, phytonadione, insulin, ampicillin, cephalothin, kanamycin and gentamicin. In addition to physical examination, techniques of ultraviolet spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography and microbiologic assay were used to delineate compatibility characteristics. The principle compatibility problems are generated by elevated concentrations of calcium and phosphate. The efficacy of ampicillin, cephalothin and kanamycin in the amino acids/dextrose solution, with or without additives, did not appear to be significantly different from control samples prepared in sterile water. It appeared that gentamicin might be significantly more effective in the test solutions than in sterile water, but further investigation is needed to verify this. A comprehensive study of the stability of vitamins in parenteral nutrient solutions must be made before a final judgment can be made.", "contents": "Compatibility and stability of electrolytes, vitamins and antibiotics in combination with 8% amino acids solution. The compatibility and stability of the following additives in an 8% amino acids and 50% dextrose solution intended for total parenteral nutrition were studied: potassium phosphate, calcium gluconate, magnesium sulfate, multiple vitamine mixtures, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, phytonadione, insulin, ampicillin, cephalothin, kanamycin and gentamicin. In addition to physical examination, techniques of ultraviolet spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography and microbiologic assay were used to delineate compatibility characteristics. The principle compatibility problems are generated by elevated concentrations of calcium and phosphate. The efficacy of ampicillin, cephalothin and kanamycin in the amino acids/dextrose solution, with or without additives, did not appear to be significantly different from control samples prepared in sterile water. It appeared that gentamicin might be significantly more effective in the test solutions than in sterile water, but further investigation is needed to verify this. A comprehensive study of the stability of vitamins in parenteral nutrient solutions must be made before a final judgment can be made.", "PMID": 623116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4730", "title": "Concentration-time profile of phenytoin after admixture with small volumes of intravenous fluids.", "content": "A study was designed to determine if admixtures with small volumes of four intravenous fluids (0.45% sodium chloride, 0.9% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in water and lactated Ringer's) maintain their phenytoin concentrations over a suitable period of time to allow intravenous infusion of the drug. Three phenytoin concentrations (4.6 mg/ml, 9.2 mg/ml and 18.4 mg/ml) were prepared by adding a sufficient volume of an i.v. fluid to the appropriate volume (10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 ml) of phenytoin sodium injection (46 mg of phenytoin acid/ml) to produce a total volume of 100 ml. Each admixture was visually inspected for crystallization, the pH of each solution was determined, and the solutions were filtered through a 0.22-micrometer micropore filter. Unfiltered and filtered aliquots of all solutions were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours following admixture. Phenytoin concentrations did not decline systematically during this period nor was there a significant difference (p greater than 0.05) between unfiltered and filtered aliquots in any of the solutions studied, except for the 9.2 mg/ml concentration of 5% dextrose in water. The phenytoin concentrations in the 5% dextrose in water and lactated Ringer's solutions showed the greatest variability over the 24-hour period. The pH for all solutions ranged from 10.15 to 11.50. One-half normal saline and normal saline in small volumes appear to be suitable vehicles for intravenous infusion of phenytoin.", "contents": "Concentration-time profile of phenytoin after admixture with small volumes of intravenous fluids. A study was designed to determine if admixtures with small volumes of four intravenous fluids (0.45% sodium chloride, 0.9% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in water and lactated Ringer's) maintain their phenytoin concentrations over a suitable period of time to allow intravenous infusion of the drug. Three phenytoin concentrations (4.6 mg/ml, 9.2 mg/ml and 18.4 mg/ml) were prepared by adding a sufficient volume of an i.v. fluid to the appropriate volume (10.0, 20.0 and 40.0 ml) of phenytoin sodium injection (46 mg of phenytoin acid/ml) to produce a total volume of 100 ml. Each admixture was visually inspected for crystallization, the pH of each solution was determined, and the solutions were filtered through a 0.22-micrometer micropore filter. Unfiltered and filtered aliquots of all solutions were collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours following admixture. Phenytoin concentrations did not decline systematically during this period nor was there a significant difference (p greater than 0.05) between unfiltered and filtered aliquots in any of the solutions studied, except for the 9.2 mg/ml concentration of 5% dextrose in water. The phenytoin concentrations in the 5% dextrose in water and lactated Ringer's solutions showed the greatest variability over the 24-hour period. The pH for all solutions ranged from 10.15 to 11.50. One-half normal saline and normal saline in small volumes appear to be suitable vehicles for intravenous infusion of phenytoin.", "PMID": 623117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4731", "title": "Recommendations for the labeling of large volume parenterals. National Coordinating Committee on Large Volume Parenterals.", "content": "Recommendations for a uniform standard for all labeling of large volume parenterals are presented. Operational definitions are given, and current FDA and compendial requirements for labels of large volume parenterals are reviewed. Specific recommendations for the USP, the FDA, manufacturers and hospitals are made.", "contents": "Recommendations for the labeling of large volume parenterals. National Coordinating Committee on Large Volume Parenterals. Recommendations for a uniform standard for all labeling of large volume parenterals are presented. Operational definitions are given, and current FDA and compendial requirements for labels of large volume parenterals are reviewed. Specific recommendations for the USP, the FDA, manufacturers and hospitals are made.", "PMID": 623118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4732", "title": "Aluminum hydroxide: evaluation of two dosage forms and two dosing schedules in reducing intestinal phosphate absorption.", "content": "A crossover, randomized, eight-week trial using eight adult volunteers was undertaken to (1) determine the efficacy of aluminum hydroxide in decreasing gastrointestinal phosphate absorption, (2) compare the effectiveness of \"with meal\" and \"between meal\" dosing schedules, and (3) compare the effectiveness of the capsule and liquid dosage forms. Four treatments, each with a daily dose of approximately 6 g, were taken on a three-times-a-day regimen. The effectiveness of the treatment regimens was measured by using two variables: the decrease in total urinary phosphorus excretion, and the increase in the percent tubular reabsorption of phosphorus (TRP). Aluminum hydroxide treatment produced a significant change in urinary phosphorus excretion (p less than 0.0005) and in percent TRP (p less than 0.0005). For the study population, total urinary phosphorus excretion was the determining factor in changing the percent TRP. The increase in TRP and the decrease in total urinary phosphorus excretion was of the same degree regardless of dosage form or dosage schedule. Aluminum hydroxide was effective in decreasing phosphorus absorption as measured in this study. It appears that aluminum hydroxide capsules could be used with equal efficacy as the liquid dosage form in controlling hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic renal failure who will not comply with a treatment program using the liquid.", "contents": "Aluminum hydroxide: evaluation of two dosage forms and two dosing schedules in reducing intestinal phosphate absorption. A crossover, randomized, eight-week trial using eight adult volunteers was undertaken to (1) determine the efficacy of aluminum hydroxide in decreasing gastrointestinal phosphate absorption, (2) compare the effectiveness of \"with meal\" and \"between meal\" dosing schedules, and (3) compare the effectiveness of the capsule and liquid dosage forms. Four treatments, each with a daily dose of approximately 6 g, were taken on a three-times-a-day regimen. The effectiveness of the treatment regimens was measured by using two variables: the decrease in total urinary phosphorus excretion, and the increase in the percent tubular reabsorption of phosphorus (TRP). Aluminum hydroxide treatment produced a significant change in urinary phosphorus excretion (p less than 0.0005) and in percent TRP (p less than 0.0005). For the study population, total urinary phosphorus excretion was the determining factor in changing the percent TRP. The increase in TRP and the decrease in total urinary phosphorus excretion was of the same degree regardless of dosage form or dosage schedule. Aluminum hydroxide was effective in decreasing phosphorus absorption as measured in this study. It appears that aluminum hydroxide capsules could be used with equal efficacy as the liquid dosage form in controlling hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic renal failure who will not comply with a treatment program using the liquid.", "PMID": 623119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4733", "title": "Improved emergency room medication distribution.", "content": "A system developed to improve drug distributions, safety and control in the emergency room of a 400-bed hospital is described. The system centers around the use of a special cabinet containing medication bins which store selected and limited quantities of medications packaged in single-unit containers. A dditionally, intravenous solutions, irrigating solutions, eye tray medications, medications for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and refrigated drugs are kept in areas of ready access. Punched cards containing information on the drug are stored with the medication and are used for billing and reordering purposes. A 24-hour supply of medications that may be dispensed after the pharmacy closes are packaged in prelabeled, zipper-locked plastic bags. The system results in improved safety as well as long-term cost savings.", "contents": "Improved emergency room medication distribution. A system developed to improve drug distributions, safety and control in the emergency room of a 400-bed hospital is described. The system centers around the use of a special cabinet containing medication bins which store selected and limited quantities of medications packaged in single-unit containers. A dditionally, intravenous solutions, irrigating solutions, eye tray medications, medications for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and refrigated drugs are kept in areas of ready access. Punched cards containing information on the drug are stored with the medication and are used for billing and reordering purposes. A 24-hour supply of medications that may be dispensed after the pharmacy closes are packaged in prelabeled, zipper-locked plastic bags. The system results in improved safety as well as long-term cost savings.", "PMID": 623121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4734", "title": "Pharmacy and therapeutics committee review of the parenteral cephalosporins.", "content": "The process by which a 530-bed university hospital reduced, from three to one, the number of parenteral cephalosporins in its formulary is discussed. In January 1975, cephapirin sodium was added to the formulary which already included cefazolin sodium and cephalothin sodium. Nine months later, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee decided to delete cephapirin and cephalothin from the formulary. The pharmacy department had supplied background information to the committee, and infectious disease specialists advised the committee. The decision was ratified by the executive committee of the medical staff. The rationale for the decision and its implementation, including staff communications, are discussed.", "contents": "Pharmacy and therapeutics committee review of the parenteral cephalosporins. The process by which a 530-bed university hospital reduced, from three to one, the number of parenteral cephalosporins in its formulary is discussed. In January 1975, cephapirin sodium was added to the formulary which already included cefazolin sodium and cephalothin sodium. Nine months later, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee decided to delete cephapirin and cephalothin from the formulary. The pharmacy department had supplied background information to the committee, and infectious disease specialists advised the committee. The decision was ratified by the executive committee of the medical staff. The rationale for the decision and its implementation, including staff communications, are discussed.", "PMID": 623122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4735", "title": "Drug use review: operational definitions.", "content": "A distinction is made between drug use review (DUR) studies and programs. DUR studies can be quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative studies involve the collection, organization and display of estimates or measurements of amounts of drug use. Qaulitative studies are multidisciplinary operations which collect, organize, analyze and report information on the rationality of the drug use base. A DUR program is an ongoing method of assuring the quality of drug use through the employment of standards and efforts to correct drug use not consistent with these standards; the effectiveness of corrective actions is measured.", "contents": "Drug use review: operational definitions. A distinction is made between drug use review (DUR) studies and programs. DUR studies can be quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative studies involve the collection, organization and display of estimates or measurements of amounts of drug use. Qaulitative studies are multidisciplinary operations which collect, organize, analyze and report information on the rationality of the drug use base. A DUR program is an ongoing method of assuring the quality of drug use through the employment of standards and efforts to correct drug use not consistent with these standards; the effectiveness of corrective actions is measured.", "PMID": 623123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4736", "title": "Using pharmacokinetics in drug therapy. 1: Learning objectives for practitioners, subject outline and suggested readings.", "content": "Pharmacokinetic learning objectives for pharmacists are presented. Included is a basic self-assessment test. Suggested readings in pharmacokinetics are listed.", "contents": "Using pharmacokinetics in drug therapy. 1: Learning objectives for practitioners, subject outline and suggested readings. Pharmacokinetic learning objectives for pharmacists are presented. Included is a basic self-assessment test. Suggested readings in pharmacokinetics are listed.", "PMID": 623124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4737", "title": "The effect of 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 on the bone in patients with renal osteodystrophy.", "content": "Six patients with chronic renal disease and variable degrees of renal osteodystrophy were treated for three weeks with either 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha25(OH)D3) or 1alpha,hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha(OH)D3) and both the biochemical and osseous responses measured. The most consistent changes seen were an increase in serum calcium concentration to normal, a decrease in immunoreactive parathyroid hormone toward normal, an increase in the extent of the calcification front and a decrease in the extent of fibrous dysplasia in the marrow cavity. Two important parameters which did not change significantly were serum alkaline phosphatase activity and the osteoid volume. These data, in conjunction with that from previous studies, indicate that therapy with 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 or 1alpha(OH)D3 does not heal the osteomalacia of renal osteodystrophy, but that it does suppress the secondary hyperparathyroidism, and ameliorate the osteitis fibrosa seen in patients with chronic renal disease. They raise the likelihood that additional factors, such as metabolites of vitamin D other than 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, play a role in regulating bone formation and/or mineralization.", "contents": "The effect of 1alpha(OH)D3 and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 on the bone in patients with renal osteodystrophy. Six patients with chronic renal disease and variable degrees of renal osteodystrophy were treated for three weeks with either 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha25(OH)D3) or 1alpha,hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha(OH)D3) and both the biochemical and osseous responses measured. The most consistent changes seen were an increase in serum calcium concentration to normal, a decrease in immunoreactive parathyroid hormone toward normal, an increase in the extent of the calcification front and a decrease in the extent of fibrous dysplasia in the marrow cavity. Two important parameters which did not change significantly were serum alkaline phosphatase activity and the osteoid volume. These data, in conjunction with that from previous studies, indicate that therapy with 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 or 1alpha(OH)D3 does not heal the osteomalacia of renal osteodystrophy, but that it does suppress the secondary hyperparathyroidism, and ameliorate the osteitis fibrosa seen in patients with chronic renal disease. They raise the likelihood that additional factors, such as metabolites of vitamin D other than 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, play a role in regulating bone formation and/or mineralization.", "PMID": 623125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4738", "title": "Coronary angiography and left ventriculography in survivors of transmural and nontransmural myocardial infarction.", "content": "Recent studies have suggested a similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and nontransmural myocardial infarction despite a smaller infarct size in the latter patients estimated by creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Thirty-one patients with transmural myocardial infarction and 17 patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction as defined by electrocardiographic criteria underwent coronary angiography and left ventriculography from 10 to 24 days after they had an acute myocardial infarction. Forty-three of these 48 patients were asymptomatic following their myocardial infarction. When compared to patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction, those with transmural myocardial infarction had greater peak CPK levels, 1,090 +/- 210 versus 290 +/- 60 IU (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of single, double or triple vessel coronary artery disease, mean number of coronary arteries 50 per cent narrowed (2.0 +/- 0.2 versus 2.0 +/- 0.2), near total or total occlusions, coronary score (Friesinger) (7.9 +/- 0.6 versus 8.2 +/- 0.7), left ventricular ejection fraction (48 +/- 2 versus 53 +/- 4), or per cent of akinetic-dyskinetic myocardial segments (66 of 242 [27 per cent] versus 32 of 132 [24 per cent]) between two groups. The similar extent of coronary artery narrowing and degree of left ventricular dysfunction may explain the similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and those with nontransmural myocardial infarction despite differences in enzymatically estimated acute infarct size.", "contents": "Coronary angiography and left ventriculography in survivors of transmural and nontransmural myocardial infarction. Recent studies have suggested a similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and nontransmural myocardial infarction despite a smaller infarct size in the latter patients estimated by creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Thirty-one patients with transmural myocardial infarction and 17 patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction as defined by electrocardiographic criteria underwent coronary angiography and left ventriculography from 10 to 24 days after they had an acute myocardial infarction. Forty-three of these 48 patients were asymptomatic following their myocardial infarction. When compared to patients with nontransmural myocardial infarction, those with transmural myocardial infarction had greater peak CPK levels, 1,090 +/- 210 versus 290 +/- 60 IU (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of single, double or triple vessel coronary artery disease, mean number of coronary arteries 50 per cent narrowed (2.0 +/- 0.2 versus 2.0 +/- 0.2), near total or total occlusions, coronary score (Friesinger) (7.9 +/- 0.6 versus 8.2 +/- 0.7), left ventricular ejection fraction (48 +/- 2 versus 53 +/- 4), or per cent of akinetic-dyskinetic myocardial segments (66 of 242 [27 per cent] versus 32 of 132 [24 per cent]) between two groups. The similar extent of coronary artery narrowing and degree of left ventricular dysfunction may explain the similar prognosis for patients with transmural myocardial infarction and those with nontransmural myocardial infarction despite differences in enzymatically estimated acute infarct size.", "PMID": 623126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4739", "title": "Toxicity of D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. A report of 63 patients including two with aplastic anemia and one with the nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "To assess toxicity of D-penicillamine a retrospective chart review was performed on 63 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving penicillamine. These patients had a total of 83 courses of therapy. The mean age of patients was 52 years and the mean duration of disease was 10.07 years. Laboratory data showed an increase in hematocrit values from 36 per cent to 40 per cent and a decrease in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate from an average of 50 to 29 mm/hour. The platelet count also decreased with treatment from 394,000 to 267,000/mm3. The over-all complication rate was 53 per cent. Life-threatening complications occurred in two patients including one case of aplastic anemia and one case of nephrotic syndrome. One additional patient was referred with aplastic anemia. Minor complications include rash in 18 per cent, loss of taste in 6 per cent, dyspepsia in 11 per cent, oral ulceration in 7 per cent and proteinuria of less than 3 g/day in 8 per cent. In summary, 53 per cent of the courses of penicillamine were associated with toxicity including one episode of aplastic anemia and one case of nephrotic syndrome. Therapy was stopped due to complications in 39 per cent of the patients in this series.", "contents": "Toxicity of D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. A report of 63 patients including two with aplastic anemia and one with the nephrotic syndrome. To assess toxicity of D-penicillamine a retrospective chart review was performed on 63 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving penicillamine. These patients had a total of 83 courses of therapy. The mean age of patients was 52 years and the mean duration of disease was 10.07 years. Laboratory data showed an increase in hematocrit values from 36 per cent to 40 per cent and a decrease in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate from an average of 50 to 29 mm/hour. The platelet count also decreased with treatment from 394,000 to 267,000/mm3. The over-all complication rate was 53 per cent. Life-threatening complications occurred in two patients including one case of aplastic anemia and one case of nephrotic syndrome. One additional patient was referred with aplastic anemia. Minor complications include rash in 18 per cent, loss of taste in 6 per cent, dyspepsia in 11 per cent, oral ulceration in 7 per cent and proteinuria of less than 3 g/day in 8 per cent. In summary, 53 per cent of the courses of penicillamine were associated with toxicity including one episode of aplastic anemia and one case of nephrotic syndrome. Therapy was stopped due to complications in 39 per cent of the patients in this series.", "PMID": 623127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4740", "title": "Granulocytopenia in hospitalized patients: I. Prognostic factors and etiology of fever.", "content": "The clinical course of 126 hospitalized patients during 192 episodes of granulocytopenia and fever was studied. Fever was a regular accompaniment of granulocytopenia, occurring in 94 per cent of granulocytopenic episodes. The mean duration of granulocytopenia (less than 1,000/mm3) was 18 days, with fever (temperature greater than 38 degrees C) being present during 44 per cent of those days. Fever was present during 69 per cent of days with a granulocyte count less than 10/mm3. A presumed infection was present in 86 of 128 febrile granulocytopenic episodes in adults and in 19 of 64 febrile granulocytopenic episodes in children. A fungal infection was found in 11 patients; a viral infection in 23 patients. Bacteremia occurred during 44 granulocytopenic episodes with 16.8 bacteremias/1,000 days of granulocytopenia in adults and 12.7 bacteremias/1,000 days in children. The mortality was 33 per cent per granulocytopenic episode in adults and only 8 per cent per episode in children.", "contents": "Granulocytopenia in hospitalized patients: I. Prognostic factors and etiology of fever. The clinical course of 126 hospitalized patients during 192 episodes of granulocytopenia and fever was studied. Fever was a regular accompaniment of granulocytopenia, occurring in 94 per cent of granulocytopenic episodes. The mean duration of granulocytopenia (less than 1,000/mm3) was 18 days, with fever (temperature greater than 38 degrees C) being present during 44 per cent of those days. Fever was present during 69 per cent of days with a granulocyte count less than 10/mm3. A presumed infection was present in 86 of 128 febrile granulocytopenic episodes in adults and in 19 of 64 febrile granulocytopenic episodes in children. A fungal infection was found in 11 patients; a viral infection in 23 patients. Bacteremia occurred during 44 granulocytopenic episodes with 16.8 bacteremias/1,000 days of granulocytopenia in adults and 12.7 bacteremias/1,000 days in children. The mortality was 33 per cent per granulocytopenic episode in adults and only 8 per cent per episode in children.", "PMID": 623128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4741", "title": "Granulocytopenia in hospitalized patients. II. A prospective comparison of two antibiotic regimens in the empiric therapy of febrile patients.", "content": "The results of empiric antibiotic therapy in 126 hospitalized patients with fever during 192 episodes of granulocytopenia were studied. Febrile granulocytopenic patients were randomly allocated to receive either carbenicillin, methicillin and gentamicin, or carbenicillin and cephalothin. The response rate for the two antibiotic regimens was similar, 49 (60 per cent) of 81 responded to the former and 42 (54 per cent) of 78 to the latter. The response rate in patients receiving other antibiotics because of specific indications or counterindications was 19 (58 per cent) of 33. Thirty-nine (35 per cent) of 110 patients who responded to initial antibiotic therapy had an increase in circulating granulocytes of one log10 or more compared to only 10 (12 per cent) of 79 nonresponders with such an increase. The mortality rate in adult patients receiving carbenicillin, methicillin and gentamicin was eight (16 per cent) of 51, compared to 18 (37 per cent) of 49 in those receiving cephalothin and carbenicillin (P less than 0.05). The significance of this difference in the initial response rate or mortality rate between patients treated with the two antibiotic regimens when only patients with documented bacterial infection were considered. Patients who responded to their initial antibiotic regimen, and patients for whose fever no explanation was found, had the best prognosis.", "contents": "Granulocytopenia in hospitalized patients. II. A prospective comparison of two antibiotic regimens in the empiric therapy of febrile patients. The results of empiric antibiotic therapy in 126 hospitalized patients with fever during 192 episodes of granulocytopenia were studied. Febrile granulocytopenic patients were randomly allocated to receive either carbenicillin, methicillin and gentamicin, or carbenicillin and cephalothin. The response rate for the two antibiotic regimens was similar, 49 (60 per cent) of 81 responded to the former and 42 (54 per cent) of 78 to the latter. The response rate in patients receiving other antibiotics because of specific indications or counterindications was 19 (58 per cent) of 33. Thirty-nine (35 per cent) of 110 patients who responded to initial antibiotic therapy had an increase in circulating granulocytes of one log10 or more compared to only 10 (12 per cent) of 79 nonresponders with such an increase. The mortality rate in adult patients receiving carbenicillin, methicillin and gentamicin was eight (16 per cent) of 51, compared to 18 (37 per cent) of 49 in those receiving cephalothin and carbenicillin (P less than 0.05). The significance of this difference in the initial response rate or mortality rate between patients treated with the two antibiotic regimens when only patients with documented bacterial infection were considered. Patients who responded to their initial antibiotic regimen, and patients for whose fever no explanation was found, had the best prognosis.", "PMID": 623129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4742", "title": "Reversal of myelofibrosis in advanced breast cancer.", "content": "Reversal of myelofibrosis and splenomegaly is described in a 41 year old woman with metastatic breast cancer. After intensive chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, the tumor regressed, the splenomegaly receded, the hemogram showed no abnormalities, and the dense collagen and reticulin fibers in the marrow disappeared. The severe thrombocytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis noted before therapy were not obstacles to clinical management. In our report we document that myelofibrosis associated with breast cancer is not an ominous sign. Patients may benefit from an intensive, but well titrated, therapeutic program.", "contents": "Reversal of myelofibrosis in advanced breast cancer. Reversal of myelofibrosis and splenomegaly is described in a 41 year old woman with metastatic breast cancer. After intensive chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, the tumor regressed, the splenomegaly receded, the hemogram showed no abnormalities, and the dense collagen and reticulin fibers in the marrow disappeared. The severe thrombocytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis noted before therapy were not obstacles to clinical management. In our report we document that myelofibrosis associated with breast cancer is not an ominous sign. Patients may benefit from an intensive, but well titrated, therapeutic program.", "PMID": 623131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4743", "title": "Pituitary hyperthyroidism. Case report and review of the literature.", "content": "A 58 year old woman with an enlarged sella turcica was found to have hyperthyroidism with a supranormal concentration of serum thyrotropin. Transsphenoidal microsurgery resulted in the removal of a chromophobe adenoma comprised mainly of thyrotropes. Postoperatively, serum thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels fell within normal limits, and the patient maintained normal thyroid and pituitary function.", "contents": "Pituitary hyperthyroidism. Case report and review of the literature. A 58 year old woman with an enlarged sella turcica was found to have hyperthyroidism with a supranormal concentration of serum thyrotropin. Transsphenoidal microsurgery resulted in the removal of a chromophobe adenoma comprised mainly of thyrotropes. Postoperatively, serum thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels fell within normal limits, and the patient maintained normal thyroid and pituitary function.", "PMID": 623132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4744", "title": "Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion studies in patients with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome.", "content": "To determine whether regional myocardial ischemia plays a role in patients with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome, we examined myocardial perfusion with exercise stress testing and thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Twelve patients were studied, 11 women and one man aged 18 to 56 years, mean age 30 years. In all patients, mitral valve prolapse was documented by echocardiography or phonocardiography. Patients over 35 years of age underwent cardiac catheterization. Electrocardograms disclosed abnormalities during maximal exercise in eight of the 12 patients. In two patients, angina developed during exercise. Thallium-201 (201Tl) scintigrams were normal in the 11 patients with presumed or documented normal coronary arteries. One patient, in whom an apical defect was demonstrated on scintigraphy, had significant disease of the left main and left anterior descending coronary artery. Repeat testing after successful aortocoronary bypass grafting revealed improved exercise capacity and a normal 201Tl myocardial scintigram. The data indicate that patients with mitral valve prolapse alone do not have regional myocardial ischemia and that the presence of a defect on 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy following maximal stress testing would suggest the existence of concomitant coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion studies in patients with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome. To determine whether regional myocardial ischemia plays a role in patients with the mitral valve prolapse syndrome, we examined myocardial perfusion with exercise stress testing and thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Twelve patients were studied, 11 women and one man aged 18 to 56 years, mean age 30 years. In all patients, mitral valve prolapse was documented by echocardiography or phonocardiography. Patients over 35 years of age underwent cardiac catheterization. Electrocardograms disclosed abnormalities during maximal exercise in eight of the 12 patients. In two patients, angina developed during exercise. Thallium-201 (201Tl) scintigrams were normal in the 11 patients with presumed or documented normal coronary arteries. One patient, in whom an apical defect was demonstrated on scintigraphy, had significant disease of the left main and left anterior descending coronary artery. Repeat testing after successful aortocoronary bypass grafting revealed improved exercise capacity and a normal 201Tl myocardial scintigram. The data indicate that patients with mitral valve prolapse alone do not have regional myocardial ischemia and that the presence of a defect on 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy following maximal stress testing would suggest the existence of concomitant coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 623133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4745", "title": "The value of the electrocardiogram in the differential diagnosis of a tachycardia with a widened QRS complex.", "content": "To determine the value of the electrocardiogram for differentiating aberrant conduction from ventricular ectopy, findings were retrospectively reviewed from patients with a widened QRS complex during tachycardia in whom the site of origin of tachycardia was determined by His bundle electrography. Seventy episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia from 62 patients and 70 episodes of aberrant conduction during supraventricular tachycardia from 60 patients were available for study. Findings suggesting a ventricular origin of tachycardia were (1) QRS width over 0.14 sec, (2) left axis deviation, (3) certain configurational characteristics of QRS and (4) atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation. Capture or fusion beats resulting from A-V conduction of dissociated atrial complexes during ventricular tachycardia were seen during only four of 33 episodes of sustained tachycardia.", "contents": "The value of the electrocardiogram in the differential diagnosis of a tachycardia with a widened QRS complex. To determine the value of the electrocardiogram for differentiating aberrant conduction from ventricular ectopy, findings were retrospectively reviewed from patients with a widened QRS complex during tachycardia in whom the site of origin of tachycardia was determined by His bundle electrography. Seventy episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia from 62 patients and 70 episodes of aberrant conduction during supraventricular tachycardia from 60 patients were available for study. Findings suggesting a ventricular origin of tachycardia were (1) QRS width over 0.14 sec, (2) left axis deviation, (3) certain configurational characteristics of QRS and (4) atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation. Capture or fusion beats resulting from A-V conduction of dissociated atrial complexes during ventricular tachycardia were seen during only four of 33 episodes of sustained tachycardia.", "PMID": 623134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4746", "title": "Serum triglycerides and serum uric acid in untreated and thiazide-treated patients with mild hypertension. The Oslo study.", "content": "Levels of serum lipids, uric acid and body weight are reported from a controlled trial of drug treatment of middle-aged men with uncomplicated mild hypertension. The results come from 300 men after three years of follow up; 150 men in the treatment group and 150 men in the control group. The treatment has been standardized starting with hydrochlorothiazide alone and adding alpha methyldopa when necessary. In case of side effects, alpha methyldopa was replaced with propranolol. Pretreatment results demonstrated a strong covariation among body weight, uric acid and triglycerides. In the entire treatment group, there was no significant change in triglycerides after three years (increase from 1.85 to 2.02 mM/liter, P greater than 0.05). Cholesterol was also unchanged. Further analysis showed that certain patients reacted with an increase in triglycerides during treatment: those prone to a distinct increase in uric acid and those gaining weight. Those who needed combination therapy (having the highest pretreatment blood pressure) showed most of the increase in triglyceride and uric acid. In the group treated with hydrochlorothiazide alone, the triglycerides were unchanged. However, those selected from this group with a distinct increase in uric acid also showed an increase in triglycerides. The treatment increased the pretreatment positive correlation between uric acid and triglycerides.", "contents": "Serum triglycerides and serum uric acid in untreated and thiazide-treated patients with mild hypertension. The Oslo study. Levels of serum lipids, uric acid and body weight are reported from a controlled trial of drug treatment of middle-aged men with uncomplicated mild hypertension. The results come from 300 men after three years of follow up; 150 men in the treatment group and 150 men in the control group. The treatment has been standardized starting with hydrochlorothiazide alone and adding alpha methyldopa when necessary. In case of side effects, alpha methyldopa was replaced with propranolol. Pretreatment results demonstrated a strong covariation among body weight, uric acid and triglycerides. In the entire treatment group, there was no significant change in triglycerides after three years (increase from 1.85 to 2.02 mM/liter, P greater than 0.05). Cholesterol was also unchanged. Further analysis showed that certain patients reacted with an increase in triglycerides during treatment: those prone to a distinct increase in uric acid and those gaining weight. Those who needed combination therapy (having the highest pretreatment blood pressure) showed most of the increase in triglyceride and uric acid. In the group treated with hydrochlorothiazide alone, the triglycerides were unchanged. However, those selected from this group with a distinct increase in uric acid also showed an increase in triglycerides. The treatment increased the pretreatment positive correlation between uric acid and triglycerides.", "PMID": 623136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4747", "title": "Use of cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.", "content": "Ninety-two cerebrospinal fluids were analyzed by a simple gas-liquid chromatography method for lactic acid. The presence of greater than 30 mg/dl of lactic acid correlated with proven bacterial or cryptococcal meningitis. Elevated lactate levels were also found in two patients with suspected but not proven bacterial meningitis. In 78 patients who did not have bacterial meningitis the cerebrospinal fluid contained less than 30 mg/dl of lactic acid.", "contents": "Use of cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Ninety-two cerebrospinal fluids were analyzed by a simple gas-liquid chromatography method for lactic acid. The presence of greater than 30 mg/dl of lactic acid correlated with proven bacterial or cryptococcal meningitis. Elevated lactate levels were also found in two patients with suspected but not proven bacterial meningitis. In 78 patients who did not have bacterial meningitis the cerebrospinal fluid contained less than 30 mg/dl of lactic acid.", "PMID": 623140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4748", "title": "A protocol for the adoption of analytical methods in the clinical chemistry laboratory.", "content": "The demand on the clinical chemistry service laboratory to continually adopt more precise and accurate methodologies makes it mandatory for the service laboratory to have a systematic protocol for evaluating and adopting new assay methods. A protocol is presented for adopting clinical chemistry methods in the service laboratory, with emphasis on spectrophotometric determinations. The recommended protocol may be used to evaluate alternate procedures to those currently in use as well as procedures for additional analytes. We present those critical points to be considered in method adoption and instruction for the resolution of each point.", "contents": "A protocol for the adoption of analytical methods in the clinical chemistry laboratory. The demand on the clinical chemistry service laboratory to continually adopt more precise and accurate methodologies makes it mandatory for the service laboratory to have a systematic protocol for evaluating and adopting new assay methods. A protocol is presented for adopting clinical chemistry methods in the service laboratory, with emphasis on spectrophotometric determinations. The recommended protocol may be used to evaluate alternate procedures to those currently in use as well as procedures for additional analytes. We present those critical points to be considered in method adoption and instruction for the resolution of each point.", "PMID": 623141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4749", "title": "Effect of evaporation from sample cups on urea nitrogen assay.", "content": "The effects of evaporation from sample cups for urea nitrogen assays were determined. Thirty replicate analyses were performed on each of five groups of pooled human serum subjected to controlled evaporation in our laboratory. We found a mean increase in urea nitrogen concentration of one percent per hour due to evaporation. We urge laboratory personnel to take the action necessary to minimize errors due to evaporation. Specimens should always be capped while awaiting analysis in the laboratory.", "contents": "Effect of evaporation from sample cups on urea nitrogen assay. The effects of evaporation from sample cups for urea nitrogen assays were determined. Thirty replicate analyses were performed on each of five groups of pooled human serum subjected to controlled evaporation in our laboratory. We found a mean increase in urea nitrogen concentration of one percent per hour due to evaporation. We urge laboratory personnel to take the action necessary to minimize errors due to evaporation. Specimens should always be capped while awaiting analysis in the laboratory.", "PMID": 623147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4750", "title": "Use of case histories in teaching clinical microbiology.", "content": "In the Winter Quarter, 1977, case histories were introduced into the Diagnostic Microbiology course of the Medical Technology curriculum at the University of Minnesota. The primary goal was to increase the students' exposure to patients and patients' illnesses and to emphasize the role and responsibilities of technologists and clinical laboratories to these patients. This goal seems to have been met as indicated by an evaluation received from the students, since 58.3 percent believed they better understood the role of the technologist and clinical laboratory in patient care. Other side benefits we hoped to achieve seem to have been partially met. These included: 1) association of infectious processes with other laboratory results; 2) a feeling of integration with the patient and health care team; and 3) the introduction of medical terminology.", "contents": "Use of case histories in teaching clinical microbiology. In the Winter Quarter, 1977, case histories were introduced into the Diagnostic Microbiology course of the Medical Technology curriculum at the University of Minnesota. The primary goal was to increase the students' exposure to patients and patients' illnesses and to emphasize the role and responsibilities of technologists and clinical laboratories to these patients. This goal seems to have been met as indicated by an evaluation received from the students, since 58.3 percent believed they better understood the role of the technologist and clinical laboratory in patient care. Other side benefits we hoped to achieve seem to have been partially met. These included: 1) association of infectious processes with other laboratory results; 2) a feeling of integration with the patient and health care team; and 3) the introduction of medical terminology.", "PMID": 623149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4751", "title": "Medical technologist supervisors: are they prepared to manage?", "content": "A group of 330 supervisory technologists in California was surveyed to determine their level of responsibility for each of 21 tasks and the type of education they had received for each task. Their perceived effectiveness as managers was determined using the responses from five questions to construct an Effectiveness Perceived Index (EPI). Two groups were analyzed--those with high task responsibility and low education and those with high task responsibility and high education. For 17 of the 21 tasks, the correlation between low education and low perceived effectiveness was significant, using a .05 significance level. Promotion systems were also explored, and it was found that promotion into supervisory positions is still based mainly on technical competence, not managerial ability. The great need for management development and more enlightened promotion policies in California's laboratories is very much supported by this survey.", "contents": "Medical technologist supervisors: are they prepared to manage? A group of 330 supervisory technologists in California was surveyed to determine their level of responsibility for each of 21 tasks and the type of education they had received for each task. Their perceived effectiveness as managers was determined using the responses from five questions to construct an Effectiveness Perceived Index (EPI). Two groups were analyzed--those with high task responsibility and low education and those with high task responsibility and high education. For 17 of the 21 tasks, the correlation between low education and low perceived effectiveness was significant, using a .05 significance level. Promotion systems were also explored, and it was found that promotion into supervisory positions is still based mainly on technical competence, not managerial ability. The great need for management development and more enlightened promotion policies in California's laboratories is very much supported by this survey.", "PMID": 623151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4752", "title": "Learning theory, intelligence, and mental development.", "content": "The current state of experimental research on mental retardation was considered from a historical perspective. The early position that defined intelligence as the ability to learn was presented. Subsequent refinements were traced as intelligence was related first to stages and, subsequently, to subprocesses of learning. Research on learning in retarded persons, which mainly dates from the late 1950s, took little account of this history. The methodological errors that flawed much modern mental retardation research were made explicit. Attempts to isolate the roles of MA and of intelligence were reviewed. It was shown that with growing understanding sophisticated designs emerged. Kappauf's three-dimensional model relating performance to IQ and CA was discussed and some models of retardation presented. Research on the development of intelligence was related to these models and to the design of intervention strategies.", "contents": "Learning theory, intelligence, and mental development. The current state of experimental research on mental retardation was considered from a historical perspective. The early position that defined intelligence as the ability to learn was presented. Subsequent refinements were traced as intelligence was related first to stages and, subsequently, to subprocesses of learning. Research on learning in retarded persons, which mainly dates from the late 1950s, took little account of this history. The methodological errors that flawed much modern mental retardation research were made explicit. Attempts to isolate the roles of MA and of intelligence were reviewed. It was shown that with growing understanding sophisticated designs emerged. Kappauf's three-dimensional model relating performance to IQ and CA was discussed and some models of retardation presented. Research on the development of intelligence was related to these models and to the design of intervention strategies.", "PMID": 623152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4753", "title": "Patterns of cognitive ability in retarded children: a reexamination.", "content": "A previous study of patterns of cognitive abilities in mentally retarded and nonretarded children was reexamined for the retarded group. Sixty-seven EMR children were given a set of cognitive tasks shown in previous research to measure simultaneous and successive synthesis. The data were factor analyzed and revealed a pattern of cognitive processes similar to patterns found for nonretarded children in other research. The results were discussed in terms of implications for research on strategic behavior in mentally retarded children.", "contents": "Patterns of cognitive ability in retarded children: a reexamination. A previous study of patterns of cognitive abilities in mentally retarded and nonretarded children was reexamined for the retarded group. Sixty-seven EMR children were given a set of cognitive tasks shown in previous research to measure simultaneous and successive synthesis. The data were factor analyzed and revealed a pattern of cognitive processes similar to patterns found for nonretarded children in other research. The results were discussed in terms of implications for research on strategic behavior in mentally retarded children.", "PMID": 623153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4754", "title": "Careers of mentally retarded young persons: services, jobs, and interpersonal relations.", "content": "Life histories and follow-up data at age 22 were obtained for a total city population of children classified as mentally retarded (index cases). Histories were also obtained at age 22 from matched comparisons who at no time had been classified as retarded. Matching was on age, sex, and social background. Placement at school-leaving age and major occupation at age 22 were reported for the index population. Those 22-year-old index cases not receiving mental retardation services and their matched comparisons were examined on objective and subjective measures of the jobs they held and selected indicators of interpersonal relationships.", "contents": "Careers of mentally retarded young persons: services, jobs, and interpersonal relations. Life histories and follow-up data at age 22 were obtained for a total city population of children classified as mentally retarded (index cases). Histories were also obtained at age 22 from matched comparisons who at no time had been classified as retarded. Matching was on age, sex, and social background. Placement at school-leaving age and major occupation at age 22 were reported for the index population. Those 22-year-old index cases not receiving mental retardation services and their matched comparisons were examined on objective and subjective measures of the jobs they held and selected indicators of interpersonal relationships.", "PMID": 623154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4755", "title": "Visual recognition in mentally retarded adolescents: cue value and instruction effects.", "content": "Recognition scores for positive and negative discriminative stimuli tested after a single trial through a discrimination problem list indicated that the frequency theory shown by Ekstrand, Wallace, and Underwood (1966) to account for the verbal discrimination learning of nonretarded adults may also hold for the visual-discrimination learning of mentally retarded persons (MA 5 to 8 and MA 8 to 11 years). In addition, retarded subjects correctly recognized the stimuli the stimuli more often after a simple inspection trial than after a standard discrimination-learning trial, indicating that they encoded the stimuli differently depending on the instructional set. The encoding difference was mediated by looking patterns. Both MA and serial position of stimuli on presentation and on test affected recognition.", "contents": "Visual recognition in mentally retarded adolescents: cue value and instruction effects. Recognition scores for positive and negative discriminative stimuli tested after a single trial through a discrimination problem list indicated that the frequency theory shown by Ekstrand, Wallace, and Underwood (1966) to account for the verbal discrimination learning of nonretarded adults may also hold for the visual-discrimination learning of mentally retarded persons (MA 5 to 8 and MA 8 to 11 years). In addition, retarded subjects correctly recognized the stimuli the stimuli more often after a simple inspection trial than after a standard discrimination-learning trial, indicating that they encoded the stimuli differently depending on the instructional set. The encoding difference was mediated by looking patterns. Both MA and serial position of stimuli on presentation and on test affected recognition.", "PMID": 623155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4756", "title": "Behavior rating inventory for moderately, severely, and profoundly retarded persons.", "content": "The reliability and validity of the behavior of a sample of institutionalized mentally retarded children, with total IQs between 2 and 53, were assessed by a new scale measuring the following areas; communication, self-help, physical skills, self-control, and social behavior. Clinically and statistically acceptable levels of interrater agreement were found. With respect to validity: (a) several factors loaded very highly on items consistent with the a priori labeling of subscales; (b) two of the factors (cognitive and psychomotor development) could account for about 75% of the explained variance in ward placement levels (multiple R = .86); and (c) individual items on the Behavior Rating Inventory for the Retarded correlated highly with independently derived measures of the actual behavior these items represented. The major advantages of this scale over existing ones include its clearly demonstrated validity and relative ease of administration and scoring.", "contents": "Behavior rating inventory for moderately, severely, and profoundly retarded persons. The reliability and validity of the behavior of a sample of institutionalized mentally retarded children, with total IQs between 2 and 53, were assessed by a new scale measuring the following areas; communication, self-help, physical skills, self-control, and social behavior. Clinically and statistically acceptable levels of interrater agreement were found. With respect to validity: (a) several factors loaded very highly on items consistent with the a priori labeling of subscales; (b) two of the factors (cognitive and psychomotor development) could account for about 75% of the explained variance in ward placement levels (multiple R = .86); and (c) individual items on the Behavior Rating Inventory for the Retarded correlated highly with independently derived measures of the actual behavior these items represented. The major advantages of this scale over existing ones include its clearly demonstrated validity and relative ease of administration and scoring.", "PMID": 623156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4757", "title": "Congenital and neurological abnormalities in infants with phenylketonuria.", "content": "We reported the occurrence of congenital and neurological abnormalities in 150 children with phenylketonuria (PKU) age 1 year or older, who have been treated with a restricted phenylalanine diet, according to the protocol used in a nation-wide longitudinal collaborative study of children treated for PKU. The overall occurrence (9.3%) of congenital anomalies was not significantly different from that of a general population, except for an apparent increased incidence of pyloric stenosis. None of the subjects had a persistent major neurological defect.", "contents": "Congenital and neurological abnormalities in infants with phenylketonuria. We reported the occurrence of congenital and neurological abnormalities in 150 children with phenylketonuria (PKU) age 1 year or older, who have been treated with a restricted phenylalanine diet, according to the protocol used in a nation-wide longitudinal collaborative study of children treated for PKU. The overall occurrence (9.3%) of congenital anomalies was not significantly different from that of a general population, except for an apparent increased incidence of pyloric stenosis. None of the subjects had a persistent major neurological defect.", "PMID": 623157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4758", "title": "Retinal locus and the identification of tachistoscopically presented letters by retarded and nonretarded individuals.", "content": "Two-letter stimulus displays, differing in the magnitude of the horizontal spatial separation between the letters, were presented tachistoscopically to retarded and nonretarded persons. Assuming that the spatial separations are linearly related to retinal location, I derived an estimate of the stimulus-recognition threshold for each group by employing the method of constant stimuli. The data indicated a similar stimulus-recognition threshold and a similar decrement in the accuracy of responding as the stimulus separations increased. These findings suggested that reported differences in iconic memory between retarded and nonretarded individuals are most likely related to a postretinal stage of cognitive processing. Studies of iconic memory must take into account not only the influence of retinal locus but also the finding that, as the task becomes more difficult, retarded individuals may be less willing to respond.", "contents": "Retinal locus and the identification of tachistoscopically presented letters by retarded and nonretarded individuals. Two-letter stimulus displays, differing in the magnitude of the horizontal spatial separation between the letters, were presented tachistoscopically to retarded and nonretarded persons. Assuming that the spatial separations are linearly related to retinal location, I derived an estimate of the stimulus-recognition threshold for each group by employing the method of constant stimuli. The data indicated a similar stimulus-recognition threshold and a similar decrement in the accuracy of responding as the stimulus separations increased. These findings suggested that reported differences in iconic memory between retarded and nonretarded individuals are most likely related to a postretinal stage of cognitive processing. Studies of iconic memory must take into account not only the influence of retinal locus but also the finding that, as the task becomes more difficult, retarded individuals may be less willing to respond.", "PMID": 623158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4759", "title": "Relationship between dimensions of adaptive behavior and sheltered workshop productivity.", "content": "A factor analysis was performed on the 24 domains of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale using a sample of 217 adult retarded workshop clients. Of the seven dimensions found to describe adaptive behavior, Personal Independence, Social Maladaptation, and Personal Maladaptation accounted for the majority of variance in the factor matrix. Scores on each of the seven factors were obtained for all clients and used to predict productivity in a workshop setting as defined by average hourly salary for the time period in which the scale was administered. A stepwise regression analysis yielded a highly significant regression effect in which the factors of Personal Independence and Social Maladaptation accounted for 25% of the variance in salary and had a multiple correlation coefficient of .50 with the predicted variable. We concluded that adaptive behavior is a multidimensional variable, significantly affecting productivity in sheltered workshop settings.", "contents": "Relationship between dimensions of adaptive behavior and sheltered workshop productivity. A factor analysis was performed on the 24 domains of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale using a sample of 217 adult retarded workshop clients. Of the seven dimensions found to describe adaptive behavior, Personal Independence, Social Maladaptation, and Personal Maladaptation accounted for the majority of variance in the factor matrix. Scores on each of the seven factors were obtained for all clients and used to predict productivity in a workshop setting as defined by average hourly salary for the time period in which the scale was administered. A stepwise regression analysis yielded a highly significant regression effect in which the factors of Personal Independence and Social Maladaptation accounted for 25% of the variance in salary and had a multiple correlation coefficient of .50 with the predicted variable. We concluded that adaptive behavior is a multidimensional variable, significantly affecting productivity in sheltered workshop settings.", "PMID": 623159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4760", "title": "Vigilance performance of mildly mentally retarded adults.", "content": "Mildly mentally retarded adults were compared on both an auditory and a visual vigilance task with subjects having greater than average intelligence. Contrary to results reported by Semmel (1965) using a visual task, no difference was found in the rate of decline of performance between the two groups in either of the two tasks, although overall performance of the above-average group was superior to that of the retarded group. The results offered no support for the hypothesis that mentally retarded persons suffer from a more rapid decay in arousal under conditions of reduced sensory variation. Nor did they support a suggestion that in this particular situation retarded subjects would demonstrate more inattention than would nonretarded subjects.", "contents": "Vigilance performance of mildly mentally retarded adults. Mildly mentally retarded adults were compared on both an auditory and a visual vigilance task with subjects having greater than average intelligence. Contrary to results reported by Semmel (1965) using a visual task, no difference was found in the rate of decline of performance between the two groups in either of the two tasks, although overall performance of the above-average group was superior to that of the retarded group. The results offered no support for the hypothesis that mentally retarded persons suffer from a more rapid decay in arousal under conditions of reduced sensory variation. Nor did they support a suggestion that in this particular situation retarded subjects would demonstrate more inattention than would nonretarded subjects.", "PMID": 623160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4761", "title": "Immediate and delayed reward preferences of TMR adolescents.", "content": "Adolescent TMR students (mean IQ = 37) were presented with a list of 32 reward options, consisting of primary (food) and secondary (cash equivalent) rewards that were immediately available or delayed one day at a ratio of 1:2. The greatest number of delay choices occurred when the decision was between immediate/secondary and delayed/primary rewards. Subjects subsequently classified as delayers (34.3% of this population) made the fewest delay choices when presented with immediate/primary vs. delayed/secondary/options. Nondelayers made the most delay choices when given an immediate/secondary or delayed/primary choice.", "contents": "Immediate and delayed reward preferences of TMR adolescents. Adolescent TMR students (mean IQ = 37) were presented with a list of 32 reward options, consisting of primary (food) and secondary (cash equivalent) rewards that were immediately available or delayed one day at a ratio of 1:2. The greatest number of delay choices occurred when the decision was between immediate/secondary and delayed/primary rewards. Subjects subsequently classified as delayers (34.3% of this population) made the fewest delay choices when presented with immediate/primary vs. delayed/secondary/options. Nondelayers made the most delay choices when given an immediate/secondary or delayed/primary choice.", "PMID": 623161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4762", "title": "Facilitation of serial recall in retarded children and adolescents: verbal and kinesthetic strategies.", "content": "The nature of the modality-specific effects of rehearsal training for serial recall was explored. Retarded children and adolescents were trained in either verbal or kinesthetic \"cumulative rehearsal--fast finish\" strategies for picture recall. Results indicated that both strategies facilitated recall on training tasks and on a transfer-recall test. No age effects or Age X Rehearsal Condition interaction resulted. These results provide support for a general cross-modality recoding explanation of rehearsal effects and suggest that retarded individuals are as capable of mediating picture recall in their sensorimotor system as well as in their verbal-auditory memory system.", "contents": "Facilitation of serial recall in retarded children and adolescents: verbal and kinesthetic strategies. The nature of the modality-specific effects of rehearsal training for serial recall was explored. Retarded children and adolescents were trained in either verbal or kinesthetic \"cumulative rehearsal--fast finish\" strategies for picture recall. Results indicated that both strategies facilitated recall on training tasks and on a transfer-recall test. No age effects or Age X Rehearsal Condition interaction resulted. These results provide support for a general cross-modality recoding explanation of rehearsal effects and suggest that retarded individuals are as capable of mediating picture recall in their sensorimotor system as well as in their verbal-auditory memory system.", "PMID": 623162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4763", "title": "Social and attentional aspects of echolalia in highly echolalic mentally retarded persons.", "content": "Echolalia was examined in a sample of highly echolalic mentally retarded individuals. When presented with a standard set of questions, under conditions differing in appropriateness for exchange of discourse (e.g., questions presented with examiner and patient face-to-face vs. questions presented with the examiner's face averted vs. questions addressed towards another person sitting silently beside the patient), subjects' frequency of echolalia varied. Besides showing considerable sensitivity to aspects of discourse exchange, subjects exhibited some limited capacity for processing linguistic information.", "contents": "Social and attentional aspects of echolalia in highly echolalic mentally retarded persons. Echolalia was examined in a sample of highly echolalic mentally retarded individuals. When presented with a standard set of questions, under conditions differing in appropriateness for exchange of discourse (e.g., questions presented with examiner and patient face-to-face vs. questions presented with the examiner's face averted vs. questions addressed towards another person sitting silently beside the patient), subjects' frequency of echolalia varied. Besides showing considerable sensitivity to aspects of discourse exchange, subjects exhibited some limited capacity for processing linguistic information.", "PMID": 623163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4764", "title": "Abortion, adoption, or motherhood: an empirical study of decision-making during pregnancy.", "content": "Using matched samples (n = 249) of single, generally young black women, two thirds on welfare and previously pregnant, the study examined why some women decide to deliver while others, with almost identical sociodemographic and prior pregnancy experiences, decide to abort. Women delivering were in significantly longer relationships with partners who had also been less cooperative about contraception. Discussion with significant others occurred more often in decisions to deliver and greater support was received for that option. For many women the abortion decision and, to a lesser extent the decision to deliver, was conflictful, options evenly balanced, and considerable indecision reported. Attitudes about ethical aspects of abortion and knowledge of role models for single parenthood and seeking abortion among friends and relatives also discriminated the two samples. Women who delivered all previous pregnancies found the decision to abort particularly difficult. In this young population 29.2 per cent of women currently delivering had previously aborted; 55.8 per cent of women currently aborting had delivered. During their reproductive life, therefore, almost all women in this population will face the decision whether to abort and many will choose that option. Whether abortion or delivery is chosen will depend upon circumstances surrounding specific pregnancies rather than characteristics of the mother. Adoption is not an option in the pregnancy decision of women in this population.", "contents": "Abortion, adoption, or motherhood: an empirical study of decision-making during pregnancy. Using matched samples (n = 249) of single, generally young black women, two thirds on welfare and previously pregnant, the study examined why some women decide to deliver while others, with almost identical sociodemographic and prior pregnancy experiences, decide to abort. Women delivering were in significantly longer relationships with partners who had also been less cooperative about contraception. Discussion with significant others occurred more often in decisions to deliver and greater support was received for that option. For many women the abortion decision and, to a lesser extent the decision to deliver, was conflictful, options evenly balanced, and considerable indecision reported. Attitudes about ethical aspects of abortion and knowledge of role models for single parenthood and seeking abortion among friends and relatives also discriminated the two samples. Women who delivered all previous pregnancies found the decision to abort particularly difficult. In this young population 29.2 per cent of women currently delivering had previously aborted; 55.8 per cent of women currently aborting had delivered. During their reproductive life, therefore, almost all women in this population will face the decision whether to abort and many will choose that option. Whether abortion or delivery is chosen will depend upon circumstances surrounding specific pregnancies rather than characteristics of the mother. Adoption is not an option in the pregnancy decision of women in this population.", "PMID": 623164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4765", "title": "Plasma oxytocin in initiation of labor.", "content": "Serial radioimmunoassay measurements of plasma oxytocin (OT) in maternal venous blood have been carried out in 15 patients, during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Fetal plasma OT was also measured in the blood from the umbilical vein and umbilical artery. The results indicate that: (1) during pregnancy, plasma OT is present in maternal blood; (2) the quantity of plasma OT increases with advancing pregnancy; (3) no OT surge occurs around the onset of labor; (4) the plasma OT surge occurs with cervical dilatation and vaginal distention. The data indicate that OT does not play a primary role in the initiation of labor and support the concept that OT most likely contributes to formation of prostaglandins through the uterine contractions OT produces. OT surges, frequently called spikes, have been observed to occur during pregnancy as well as during labor. During the course of labor, OT surges have been encountered in association with rupture of the membranes, vaginal examination, and descent of the vertex, and have occurred almost consistently with maximal cervical and vaginal distention. Such OT surge was suppressed by effective spinal and pelvic regional anesthesia. Therefore, this surge is consistent with the Ferguson reflex described in experimental animals, and it represents the first evidence that the Ferguson reflex, in fact, exists in human beings. Evidence is presented here that an excess of OT in fetal blood over that found in maternal plasma was associated with hypertonic, irregular, tumultuous or prolonged labor and with mild to moderate fetal hypoxia and fetal distress peculiar to abnormal uterine contractions.", "contents": "Plasma oxytocin in initiation of labor. Serial radioimmunoassay measurements of plasma oxytocin (OT) in maternal venous blood have been carried out in 15 patients, during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Fetal plasma OT was also measured in the blood from the umbilical vein and umbilical artery. The results indicate that: (1) during pregnancy, plasma OT is present in maternal blood; (2) the quantity of plasma OT increases with advancing pregnancy; (3) no OT surge occurs around the onset of labor; (4) the plasma OT surge occurs with cervical dilatation and vaginal distention. The data indicate that OT does not play a primary role in the initiation of labor and support the concept that OT most likely contributes to formation of prostaglandins through the uterine contractions OT produces. OT surges, frequently called spikes, have been observed to occur during pregnancy as well as during labor. During the course of labor, OT surges have been encountered in association with rupture of the membranes, vaginal examination, and descent of the vertex, and have occurred almost consistently with maximal cervical and vaginal distention. Such OT surge was suppressed by effective spinal and pelvic regional anesthesia. Therefore, this surge is consistent with the Ferguson reflex described in experimental animals, and it represents the first evidence that the Ferguson reflex, in fact, exists in human beings. Evidence is presented here that an excess of OT in fetal blood over that found in maternal plasma was associated with hypertonic, irregular, tumultuous or prolonged labor and with mild to moderate fetal hypoxia and fetal distress peculiar to abnormal uterine contractions.", "PMID": 623165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4766", "title": "Hormonal profile as a prognostic index of early threatened abortion.", "content": "Twelve pregnancies, in which the initial serum hCG titer as measured by RRA was subnormal, were studied to determine if a hormonal profile would serve as a prognostic index of spontaneous abortion. Three of the 12 patients delivered term babies. The hCG titers remained subnormal throughout the pregnancy, however, the serum E2, P, 17alpha-OHP, and PRL remained normal. One of the 12 patients aborted in week 25 of gestation. The serum hCG and PRL were subnormal; however, the serum E2, P, and 17alpha-OHP were normal. Eight of the 12 patients aborted prior to 100 days' gestation. The serum hCG, E2, and PRL were subnormal whereas the P and 17alpha-OHP were normal. Therefore, in patients who have subnormal serum hCG titers, serum E2 and PRL may provide a prognostic index of spontaneous abortion.", "contents": "Hormonal profile as a prognostic index of early threatened abortion. Twelve pregnancies, in which the initial serum hCG titer as measured by RRA was subnormal, were studied to determine if a hormonal profile would serve as a prognostic index of spontaneous abortion. Three of the 12 patients delivered term babies. The hCG titers remained subnormal throughout the pregnancy, however, the serum E2, P, 17alpha-OHP, and PRL remained normal. One of the 12 patients aborted in week 25 of gestation. The serum hCG and PRL were subnormal; however, the serum E2, P, and 17alpha-OHP were normal. Eight of the 12 patients aborted prior to 100 days' gestation. The serum hCG, E2, and PRL were subnormal whereas the P and 17alpha-OHP were normal. Therefore, in patients who have subnormal serum hCG titers, serum E2 and PRL may provide a prognostic index of spontaneous abortion.", "PMID": 623166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4767", "title": "The effects of paracervical block on uterine activity and beat-to-beat variability of the fetal heart rate.", "content": "Paracervical block analgesia with the use of lidocaine hydrochloride provoked little change in uterine activity. The general trend in uterine activity was an increase, although there was considerable variation in individual response. Beat-to-beat variability in the fetal heart rate increased following the block. The increase in variability began almost immediately, with the greatest increase occurring at a time when one would expect maximum maternal and fetal lidocaine levels. It is proposed that this increase in fetal heart rate variability is an early sign of post-paracervical block hypoxemia and/or hypoxia.", "contents": "The effects of paracervical block on uterine activity and beat-to-beat variability of the fetal heart rate. Paracervical block analgesia with the use of lidocaine hydrochloride provoked little change in uterine activity. The general trend in uterine activity was an increase, although there was considerable variation in individual response. Beat-to-beat variability in the fetal heart rate increased following the block. The increase in variability began almost immediately, with the greatest increase occurring at a time when one would expect maximum maternal and fetal lidocaine levels. It is proposed that this increase in fetal heart rate variability is an early sign of post-paracervical block hypoxemia and/or hypoxia.", "PMID": 623167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4768", "title": "Enhancement of fetal lung maturity by intra-amniotic administration of thyroid hormone.", "content": "Following preliminary results in animal studies demonstrating that thyroxine (T4) injected directly into the fetus or the amniotic sac is capable of enhancing fetal lung maturity, a trial of thyroxine treatment in mean was carried out. Two hundred micrograms of T4 were injected intra-amniotically in eight women with high-risk pregnancies in which premature delivery was inevitable or indicated. Fetal lung maturity was evaluated by a recently developed, accurate, and rapid method using the microviscosity value epsilon (this being the linear expression of the polarization value P) of the lipid assembly of the amniotic fluid as a parameter of the surfactant content. epsilon Values, which were very high before T4 injection, dropped steeply to below the value of 4.344, indicating fetal lung maturity. Eight newborn infants delivered, five by caesarean section, soon after the T4 injection did not develop respiratory distress syndrome, although they were born prematurely. Intra-amniotic injection of T4 appears to be of therapeutic value in enhancing fetal lung maturity.", "contents": "Enhancement of fetal lung maturity by intra-amniotic administration of thyroid hormone. Following preliminary results in animal studies demonstrating that thyroxine (T4) injected directly into the fetus or the amniotic sac is capable of enhancing fetal lung maturity, a trial of thyroxine treatment in mean was carried out. Two hundred micrograms of T4 were injected intra-amniotically in eight women with high-risk pregnancies in which premature delivery was inevitable or indicated. Fetal lung maturity was evaluated by a recently developed, accurate, and rapid method using the microviscosity value epsilon (this being the linear expression of the polarization value P) of the lipid assembly of the amniotic fluid as a parameter of the surfactant content. epsilon Values, which were very high before T4 injection, dropped steeply to below the value of 4.344, indicating fetal lung maturity. Eight newborn infants delivered, five by caesarean section, soon after the T4 injection did not develop respiratory distress syndrome, although they were born prematurely. Intra-amniotic injection of T4 appears to be of therapeutic value in enhancing fetal lung maturity.", "PMID": 623168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4769", "title": "Unreliability of prenatal determination of fetal sex with the use of Y-body fluorescence in midcervical smears.", "content": "A prospective study of midcervical smears from 71 pregnant women was carried out to investigate the validity of Y-body fluorescence as a method for determining intrauterine fetal sex. Endocervical smears were taken below the mucous plug, appropriately stained with Atabrine, and examined using male and female buccal smears as controls. Analysis of the data showed that correct sex of the baby could be predicted only 55 per cent of the time. There was little difference in prediction rate whether the smears were taken in the second or third trimester. The first-trimester smear was the least reliable.", "contents": "Unreliability of prenatal determination of fetal sex with the use of Y-body fluorescence in midcervical smears. A prospective study of midcervical smears from 71 pregnant women was carried out to investigate the validity of Y-body fluorescence as a method for determining intrauterine fetal sex. Endocervical smears were taken below the mucous plug, appropriately stained with Atabrine, and examined using male and female buccal smears as controls. Analysis of the data showed that correct sex of the baby could be predicted only 55 per cent of the time. There was little difference in prediction rate whether the smears were taken in the second or third trimester. The first-trimester smear was the least reliable.", "PMID": 623169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4770", "title": "Uterine T-mycoplasma colonization in reproductive failure.", "content": "In 46 patients with a history of habitual abortion and in 18 women with primary unexplained infertility, samples from cervical mucus and endometrial tissue have been examined for presence of T-mycoplasma, and the results compared to those obtained among 45 control subjects. Colonization of T-mycoplasma in the cervix was found to be common in all patient groups (49 to 83 per cent), whereas colonization in the endometrium was found to be significantly more frequent among the habitual abortion patients (28 per cent) and the infertility patients (50 per cent) than among the control subjects (7 per cent). In all patients having T-mycoplasma-positive endometria the organism was also isolated from the cervix, thus indicating an ascending route for the colonization of the uterine cavity. Bacteria belonging to the normal vaginal flora were frequently co-isolated from the endometrial samples along with T-mycoplasma. The women with T-mycoplasma-positive endometria showed a high incidence of postabortion fever. Treatment with doxycycline eradicated T-mycoplasma from the cervix and the endometrium and apparently led to an improvement with respect to the outcome of the posttreatment pregnancies.", "contents": "Uterine T-mycoplasma colonization in reproductive failure. In 46 patients with a history of habitual abortion and in 18 women with primary unexplained infertility, samples from cervical mucus and endometrial tissue have been examined for presence of T-mycoplasma, and the results compared to those obtained among 45 control subjects. Colonization of T-mycoplasma in the cervix was found to be common in all patient groups (49 to 83 per cent), whereas colonization in the endometrium was found to be significantly more frequent among the habitual abortion patients (28 per cent) and the infertility patients (50 per cent) than among the control subjects (7 per cent). In all patients having T-mycoplasma-positive endometria the organism was also isolated from the cervix, thus indicating an ascending route for the colonization of the uterine cavity. Bacteria belonging to the normal vaginal flora were frequently co-isolated from the endometrial samples along with T-mycoplasma. The women with T-mycoplasma-positive endometria showed a high incidence of postabortion fever. Treatment with doxycycline eradicated T-mycoplasma from the cervix and the endometrium and apparently led to an improvement with respect to the outcome of the posttreatment pregnancies.", "PMID": 623170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4771", "title": "Endometrial and vaginal cuff bacteria recovered at elective hysterectomy during a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis.", "content": "The utility of culturing the cut edge of the vaginal cuff and endometrium of the uterine specimens of patients undergoing elective hysterectomy and receiving antibiotic prophylaxis has been critically examined. Subjects for this study represent a randomized subpopulation of patients participating in a larger controlled, prospective, double-blind study of antibiotic prophylaxis which has been conducted at Yale-New Haven Hospital during the past five years. On the basis of the organisms recovered, speculation is raised concerning the existence of an endometrial flora and the mechanisms of postoperative vaginal cuff infection in patients treated and not treated with antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of hysterectomy.", "contents": "Endometrial and vaginal cuff bacteria recovered at elective hysterectomy during a trial of antibiotic prophylaxis. The utility of culturing the cut edge of the vaginal cuff and endometrium of the uterine specimens of patients undergoing elective hysterectomy and receiving antibiotic prophylaxis has been critically examined. Subjects for this study represent a randomized subpopulation of patients participating in a larger controlled, prospective, double-blind study of antibiotic prophylaxis which has been conducted at Yale-New Haven Hospital during the past five years. On the basis of the organisms recovered, speculation is raised concerning the existence of an endometrial flora and the mechanisms of postoperative vaginal cuff infection in patients treated and not treated with antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of hysterectomy.", "PMID": 623171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4772", "title": "A safer method for paracervical block in therapeutic abortions.", "content": "Adverse reactions to paracervical block, including death, are believed to be dose related. By using a modified jet injector instead of the standard syringe-and-needle technique, we obtained equal analgesia with one fifth of the standard milligram dosage of lidocaine in patients undergoing therapeutic abortion. Blood lidocaine levels as determined by gas chromatography were reduced by two thirds with jet injection. These results led us to conclude that jet injection for paracervical block is safer than the syringe-and-needle technique.", "contents": "A safer method for paracervical block in therapeutic abortions. Adverse reactions to paracervical block, including death, are believed to be dose related. By using a modified jet injector instead of the standard syringe-and-needle technique, we obtained equal analgesia with one fifth of the standard milligram dosage of lidocaine in patients undergoing therapeutic abortion. Blood lidocaine levels as determined by gas chromatography were reduced by two thirds with jet injection. These results led us to conclude that jet injection for paracervical block is safer than the syringe-and-needle technique.", "PMID": 623172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4773", "title": "Residency education in the 1980's.", "content": "It appears that great changes in residency education will be made in the 1980's. These changes not only portend excitement and improvement, but also predicate troublesome and trying times. Medical schools must take a more active part in residency training and may ultimately take full responsibility. Educational institutions will be asked to guarantee the intellectual and technical competence of their postgraduate trainees by tightly structuring the educational effort, and this obligation rightfully inures to the medical school rather than the hospital. Training programs must develop methods of using all private populations for postgraduate education that will reach at least the level of that achieved with nonprivate patients. Training programs must utilize community hospitals, and the desirable components of academia must be introduced into these institutions. As difficult to achieve as it is simple to state, new sources of funding must be found for postgraduate education. Finally, there eventually may be a need to devise entirely new concepts of training based on career goals, and the 1980's will provide fertile ground for those faculties that wish to be imaginative and innovative.", "contents": "Residency education in the 1980's. It appears that great changes in residency education will be made in the 1980's. These changes not only portend excitement and improvement, but also predicate troublesome and trying times. Medical schools must take a more active part in residency training and may ultimately take full responsibility. Educational institutions will be asked to guarantee the intellectual and technical competence of their postgraduate trainees by tightly structuring the educational effort, and this obligation rightfully inures to the medical school rather than the hospital. Training programs must develop methods of using all private populations for postgraduate education that will reach at least the level of that achieved with nonprivate patients. Training programs must utilize community hospitals, and the desirable components of academia must be introduced into these institutions. As difficult to achieve as it is simple to state, new sources of funding must be found for postgraduate education. Finally, there eventually may be a need to devise entirely new concepts of training based on career goals, and the 1980's will provide fertile ground for those faculties that wish to be imaginative and innovative.", "PMID": 623173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4774", "title": "Optic atrophy and glaucomatous cupping.", "content": "We reviewed 170 eyes of 112 patients with optic atrophy from various causes. Special attention was directed towards measured cup:disk ratios as well as presence of glaucomatous-like cupping of the optic nerve head. We observed a small but significant increase in nerve head cupping in eyes with optic atrophy when compared to contralateral eyes, as well as to eyes of 50 diabetic patients. No characteristic glaucomatous disk changes were documented. We evaluated these findings with respect to possible causes of glaucomatous disk and field changes.", "contents": "Optic atrophy and glaucomatous cupping. We reviewed 170 eyes of 112 patients with optic atrophy from various causes. Special attention was directed towards measured cup:disk ratios as well as presence of glaucomatous-like cupping of the optic nerve head. We observed a small but significant increase in nerve head cupping in eyes with optic atrophy when compared to contralateral eyes, as well as to eyes of 50 diabetic patients. No characteristic glaucomatous disk changes were documented. We evaluated these findings with respect to possible causes of glaucomatous disk and field changes.", "PMID": 623182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4775", "title": "Systemic hypotension and glaucomatous changes.", "content": "We undertook a prospective study to determine the frequency of development of glaucomatous disk or field changes in a series of patients who had survived at least one episode of shock with poor peripheral tissue perfusion. In 18 patients with 26 distinct episodes of shock we were unable to demonstrate any glaucomatous disk or field changes.", "contents": "Systemic hypotension and glaucomatous changes. We undertook a prospective study to determine the frequency of development of glaucomatous disk or field changes in a series of patients who had survived at least one episode of shock with poor peripheral tissue perfusion. In 18 patients with 26 distinct episodes of shock we were unable to demonstrate any glaucomatous disk or field changes.", "PMID": 623183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4776", "title": "Pathophysiology and electron microscopy of melanomalytic glaucoma.", "content": "We examined an eye with melanomalytic glaucoma by quantitative aqueous perfusion, light and electron microscopy. Facility of outflow was markedly diminished from normal in vivo and in vitro. The trabecular meshwork was heavily laden on its surface and in the intertrabecular spaces with macrophages. Many of these cells appeared to be wandering macrophages, while some appeared to be detached, phagocytic trabecular endothelial cells.", "contents": "Pathophysiology and electron microscopy of melanomalytic glaucoma. We examined an eye with melanomalytic glaucoma by quantitative aqueous perfusion, light and electron microscopy. Facility of outflow was markedly diminished from normal in vivo and in vitro. The trabecular meshwork was heavily laden on its surface and in the intertrabecular spaces with macrophages. Many of these cells appeared to be wandering macrophages, while some appeared to be detached, phagocytic trabecular endothelial cells.", "PMID": 623184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4777", "title": "Spectral transmittance of intraocular lenses and retinal damage from intense light sources.", "content": "I measured the spectral transmittance of clear polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses in the 300- to 700-nm range. The near-ultraviolet transmittance of the polymethylmethacrylate lens was significantly greater than that of the crystalline lens. Therefore, the pseudophakic eye is more susceptible to retinal damage from intense near-ultraviolet light sources than the normal eye. Retinal thermal response of the pseudophakic eye was compared with that of the normal eye for near-ultraviolet radiation, and retinal thermal response to near-ultraviolet radiation was compared with that to visible light for the pseudophakic eye. Additionally, because there was no significant difference between polymethylmethacrylate and crystalline lens in visible and near-infrared transmittance, thresholds for thermal retinal damage at a given wavelength are similar for the pseudophakic and the intact eye in these spectral regions.", "contents": "Spectral transmittance of intraocular lenses and retinal damage from intense light sources. I measured the spectral transmittance of clear polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses in the 300- to 700-nm range. The near-ultraviolet transmittance of the polymethylmethacrylate lens was significantly greater than that of the crystalline lens. Therefore, the pseudophakic eye is more susceptible to retinal damage from intense near-ultraviolet light sources than the normal eye. Retinal thermal response of the pseudophakic eye was compared with that of the normal eye for near-ultraviolet radiation, and retinal thermal response to near-ultraviolet radiation was compared with that to visible light for the pseudophakic eye. Additionally, because there was no significant difference between polymethylmethacrylate and crystalline lens in visible and near-infrared transmittance, thresholds for thermal retinal damage at a given wavelength are similar for the pseudophakic and the intact eye in these spectral regions.", "PMID": 623185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4778", "title": "Chorioretinal vascular anastomoses after perforating trauma to the eye.", "content": "A 32-year-old white man sustained an ocular injury with a small piece of metal. He had perforation of the retina and choroid, and later developed chorioretinal vascular anastomosis. Disabling complications, such as neovascular growth, serous transudation, or hemorrhages, did not occur within a ten-month follow-up period. Interruption of Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium, with approximation of the normally separated vasculatures of the choroid and retina, appears necessary for such anastomoses to occur.", "contents": "Chorioretinal vascular anastomoses after perforating trauma to the eye. A 32-year-old white man sustained an ocular injury with a small piece of metal. He had perforation of the retina and choroid, and later developed chorioretinal vascular anastomosis. Disabling complications, such as neovascular growth, serous transudation, or hemorrhages, did not occur within a ten-month follow-up period. Interruption of Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium, with approximation of the normally separated vasculatures of the choroid and retina, appears necessary for such anastomoses to occur.", "PMID": 623186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4779", "title": "Ocular manifestations of group A Niemann-Pick disease.", "content": "Four infants with Group A Niemann-Pick disease had similar ocular abnormalities secondary to this systemic disease. Each child demonstrated corneal opacification, brown discoloration of the anterior lens capsule, and retinal opacification with a macular cherry-red spot. These abnormalities were seen in each child during the first year of life and appeared stable. Recognition of this combination of ocular defects facilitates early identification of patients with Group A infantile Niemann-Pick disease.", "contents": "Ocular manifestations of group A Niemann-Pick disease. Four infants with Group A Niemann-Pick disease had similar ocular abnormalities secondary to this systemic disease. Each child demonstrated corneal opacification, brown discoloration of the anterior lens capsule, and retinal opacification with a macular cherry-red spot. These abnormalities were seen in each child during the first year of life and appeared stable. Recognition of this combination of ocular defects facilitates early identification of patients with Group A infantile Niemann-Pick disease.", "PMID": 623187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4780", "title": "Pigment epithelial proliferation in human retinal detachment with massive periretinal proliferation.", "content": "Biopsy specimens from vitreous and preretinal membranes, obtained during vitreous surgery from 39 human eyes suffering from massive periretinal proliferation, were examined electron-microscopically. Analysis of the cellular membranes demonstrated mostly cells with epithelial characteristics: polarization of the cells, basal lamina formation, specialized cellular junctions, and microvilli formation. These epithelioid cells contained prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen deposits, a multitude of cytoplasmic filaments, some resembling myofilaments, and nonmembrane bound, sometimes wedge-shaped pigment granules. Macrophages were interspersed in the membranes. There was a striking similarity of these findings to those of an experimental model of retinal detachment in owl monkeys, We concluded that most likely the described cells derived from cells of pigment epithelial origin.", "contents": "Pigment epithelial proliferation in human retinal detachment with massive periretinal proliferation. Biopsy specimens from vitreous and preretinal membranes, obtained during vitreous surgery from 39 human eyes suffering from massive periretinal proliferation, were examined electron-microscopically. Analysis of the cellular membranes demonstrated mostly cells with epithelial characteristics: polarization of the cells, basal lamina formation, specialized cellular junctions, and microvilli formation. These epithelioid cells contained prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum, glycogen deposits, a multitude of cytoplasmic filaments, some resembling myofilaments, and nonmembrane bound, sometimes wedge-shaped pigment granules. Macrophages were interspersed in the membranes. There was a striking similarity of these findings to those of an experimental model of retinal detachment in owl monkeys, We concluded that most likely the described cells derived from cells of pigment epithelial origin.", "PMID": 623188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4781", "title": "Visual function in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy.", "content": "We examined a 19-year-old woman with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy one week after she noted blurring of central vision. Her corrected visual acuity was R.E.: 6/7.5 (20/25), and L.E.: 6/12 (20/40). The visual fields showed 10-degree pericentral scotomas. A color vision defect and an abnormal Stiles-Crawford effect were present. Dark adaptation showed a delayed time course, with normal final thresholds. The electro-oculogram was subnormal, suggesting widespread abnormality of the retinal pigment epithelium. Active lesions resolved within three weeks, but fluorescein angiography showed characteristic widespread residual changes. Within three weeks, she had normal visual acuity and a normal electro-oculogram. Other tests of visual function showed recovery with a slower time course. By one year, the visual fields, color matching, Stiles-Crawford effect, and dark adaptation were almost normal. Analysis of the color-matching data and Stiles-Crawford effect indicated that the abnormalities of macular function were caused by an underlying lesion of the pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. This caused a physical distortion of the photoreceptor layer and metabolic disfunction of the photoreceptors.", "contents": "Visual function in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. We examined a 19-year-old woman with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy one week after she noted blurring of central vision. Her corrected visual acuity was R.E.: 6/7.5 (20/25), and L.E.: 6/12 (20/40). The visual fields showed 10-degree pericentral scotomas. A color vision defect and an abnormal Stiles-Crawford effect were present. Dark adaptation showed a delayed time course, with normal final thresholds. The electro-oculogram was subnormal, suggesting widespread abnormality of the retinal pigment epithelium. Active lesions resolved within three weeks, but fluorescein angiography showed characteristic widespread residual changes. Within three weeks, she had normal visual acuity and a normal electro-oculogram. Other tests of visual function showed recovery with a slower time course. By one year, the visual fields, color matching, Stiles-Crawford effect, and dark adaptation were almost normal. Analysis of the color-matching data and Stiles-Crawford effect indicated that the abnormalities of macular function were caused by an underlying lesion of the pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. This caused a physical distortion of the photoreceptor layer and metabolic disfunction of the photoreceptors.", "PMID": 623189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4782", "title": "A specific enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy.", "content": "To establish the enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy, we measured the activity of ornithine aminotransferase in phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes in a patient with gyrate atrophy, her daughter, and three normal controls. The patient's cells had no detectable ornithine aminotransferase activity and the daughter's cells had 44% of control activity. This intermediate value is characteristic of an obligate heterozygote. These results are the first demonstration of an enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy.", "contents": "A specific enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy. To establish the enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy, we measured the activity of ornithine aminotransferase in phytohemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes in a patient with gyrate atrophy, her daughter, and three normal controls. The patient's cells had no detectable ornithine aminotransferase activity and the daughter's cells had 44% of control activity. This intermediate value is characteristic of an obligate heterozygote. These results are the first demonstration of an enzyme defect in gyrate atrophy.", "PMID": 623190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4783", "title": "An improved microsurgical ceiling-mounted unit and automated television.", "content": "To increase the versatility of a ceiling-mounted microsurgical unit, we instructed an instrument company to redesign an existant unit according to our requirements. The modified instrument has improved microscope supporting arms capable of supporting an inserted X-Y translation stage. The unit houses diathermy, cautery, fiberoptic light source, and suction devices. Most of these devices can be exchanged for other to adapt to individual requirements. Mirror image design increases versatility. Floor-mounted outlets avoid a multitude of cables. A double color television system for automatic recording of surgery has been installed.", "contents": "An improved microsurgical ceiling-mounted unit and automated television. To increase the versatility of a ceiling-mounted microsurgical unit, we instructed an instrument company to redesign an existant unit according to our requirements. The modified instrument has improved microscope supporting arms capable of supporting an inserted X-Y translation stage. The unit houses diathermy, cautery, fiberoptic light source, and suction devices. Most of these devices can be exchanged for other to adapt to individual requirements. Mirror image design increases versatility. Floor-mounted outlets avoid a multitude of cables. A double color television system for automatic recording of surgery has been installed.", "PMID": 623191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4784", "title": "Symblepharon in sarcoidosis.", "content": "A 38-year-old black man had developed sarcoidosis, confirmed by biopsy five years earlier. He then developed skin lesions and, at age 38, follicles and cicatrization of the upper and lower palpebral conjunctivae of both eyes. This patient had keratoconjunctivitis sicca, lacrimal gland enlargement, and cicatrization of the conjunctiva with symblepharon. Biopsies of the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, skin, nasal polyps, and epididymis all showed sarcoidosis.", "contents": "Symblepharon in sarcoidosis. A 38-year-old black man had developed sarcoidosis, confirmed by biopsy five years earlier. He then developed skin lesions and, at age 38, follicles and cicatrization of the upper and lower palpebral conjunctivae of both eyes. This patient had keratoconjunctivitis sicca, lacrimal gland enlargement, and cicatrization of the conjunctiva with symblepharon. Biopsies of the lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, skin, nasal polyps, and epididymis all showed sarcoidosis.", "PMID": 623192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4785", "title": "Progressive nature of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy.", "content": "A 30-year-old man with pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy showed, within a relatively short time, changes that documented the progressive nature of this disease. These changes included: further constriction of peripheral visual fields; more extensive and frequently confluent areas of retinochoroidal atrophy; a scalloped appearance of lesions resembling posterior gyrate atrophy; peripheral pigment clumping; and the presence of localized atrophic areas with crystal deposition in the peripheral retina.", "contents": "Progressive nature of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy. A 30-year-old man with pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy showed, within a relatively short time, changes that documented the progressive nature of this disease. These changes included: further constriction of peripheral visual fields; more extensive and frequently confluent areas of retinochoroidal atrophy; a scalloped appearance of lesions resembling posterior gyrate atrophy; peripheral pigment clumping; and the presence of localized atrophic areas with crystal deposition in the peripheral retina.", "PMID": 623193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4786", "title": "Punctate lenticular opacities in type II mannosidosis.", "content": "Ocular examination in four siblings with Type II mannosidosis revealed scattered punctate opacities in the entire lens. No such lenticular opacities were described in 28 previously reported patients, 17 presumed Type II and 11 Type I. Complete ocular examination with particular attention to opacities in the lens and cornea may provide additional phenotypic data for identification of genetic variants with amnnosidosis.", "contents": "Punctate lenticular opacities in type II mannosidosis. Ocular examination in four siblings with Type II mannosidosis revealed scattered punctate opacities in the entire lens. No such lenticular opacities were described in 28 previously reported patients, 17 presumed Type II and 11 Type I. Complete ocular examination with particular attention to opacities in the lens and cornea may provide additional phenotypic data for identification of genetic variants with amnnosidosis.", "PMID": 623194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4787", "title": "Ocular bioavailability and systemic loss of topically applied ophthalmic drugs.", "content": "We used 20-day-old rabbits as a model to show that the ocular bioavailability of topically applied pilocarpine nitrate increased as the instilled volume of the drug was decreased. Decreasing the instilled volume from 25 to 5 microliter permitted a dosage reduction of greater than 2.5 times without sacrificing overall drug concentrations in the eye. Since only a small fraction of topically applied doses to the eye actually reached the interior of the eye, the remainder of the dose was lost and available for systemic absorption. The reduction in dosage permitted by this approach resulted in less drug appearing in the general circulation, as shown by comparative plasma level-time profiles. The advantages of reducing drop size are improved ocular bioavailability permitting the use of smaller doses; and less systemic drug loss, thus reducing the potential for systemic side effects. These advantages could be especially significant in the pediatric and geriatric age groups.", "contents": "Ocular bioavailability and systemic loss of topically applied ophthalmic drugs. We used 20-day-old rabbits as a model to show that the ocular bioavailability of topically applied pilocarpine nitrate increased as the instilled volume of the drug was decreased. Decreasing the instilled volume from 25 to 5 microliter permitted a dosage reduction of greater than 2.5 times without sacrificing overall drug concentrations in the eye. Since only a small fraction of topically applied doses to the eye actually reached the interior of the eye, the remainder of the dose was lost and available for systemic absorption. The reduction in dosage permitted by this approach resulted in less drug appearing in the general circulation, as shown by comparative plasma level-time profiles. The advantages of reducing drop size are improved ocular bioavailability permitting the use of smaller doses; and less systemic drug loss, thus reducing the potential for systemic side effects. These advantages could be especially significant in the pediatric and geriatric age groups.", "PMID": 623195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4788", "title": "Simultaneous stereophotogrammetric and angiographic fundus camera.", "content": "We developed an apparatus for serial, simultaneous stereophotogrammetric fundus angiography by modifying a fundus camera. The paired stereoangiograms obtained by this system provided satisfactory stereoscopy and fair depth of field. With this system, mounting and filing of slides were easy. Accurate photogrammetric analysis of the fundus can be performed. Clinical results were impressive in both young and old subjects with fully dilated pupils.", "contents": "Simultaneous stereophotogrammetric and angiographic fundus camera. We developed an apparatus for serial, simultaneous stereophotogrammetric fundus angiography by modifying a fundus camera. The paired stereoangiograms obtained by this system provided satisfactory stereoscopy and fair depth of field. With this system, mounting and filing of slides were easy. Accurate photogrammetric analysis of the fundus can be performed. Clinical results were impressive in both young and old subjects with fully dilated pupils.", "PMID": 623196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4789", "title": "Viable composite grafting in eyelid reconstruction.", "content": "I reconstructed eyelids in two patients by successfully using a new technique to increase the viability of a composite, full-thickness eyelid graft. Splitting the graft into two components of tarsal-conjunctival-margin and skin and placing each component against a viable skin and orbicularis flap, respectively, facilitated the acceptance of the graft and increased the success of the reconstruction.", "contents": "Viable composite grafting in eyelid reconstruction. I reconstructed eyelids in two patients by successfully using a new technique to increase the viability of a composite, full-thickness eyelid graft. Splitting the graft into two components of tarsal-conjunctival-margin and skin and placing each component against a viable skin and orbicularis flap, respectively, facilitated the acceptance of the graft and increased the success of the reconstruction.", "PMID": 623197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4790", "title": "A new headrest for ophthalmic microsurgery.", "content": "We designed and successfully used a new headrest for ophthalmic microsurgery. The symmetrical instrument has a U-shaped frame and is designed to be clamped to an operating table as a projecting extension. The headrest has been satisfactory for patients having either general or local anesthesia, and particularly useful for vitreous surgery with the Zeiss Mark VI microscope; this headrest gives excellent control over the visual field and eliminates all extraneous movement.", "contents": "A new headrest for ophthalmic microsurgery. We designed and successfully used a new headrest for ophthalmic microsurgery. The symmetrical instrument has a U-shaped frame and is designed to be clamped to an operating table as a projecting extension. The headrest has been satisfactory for patients having either general or local anesthesia, and particularly useful for vitreous surgery with the Zeiss Mark VI microscope; this headrest gives excellent control over the visual field and eliminates all extraneous movement.", "PMID": 623199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4791", "title": "A suction tip for controlled removal of nonmagnetic intraocular foreign bodies.", "content": "I used a soft-tip suction needle during a vitrectomy procedure to life glass foreign bodies away from the retina so they could be more easily and safely grasped with foreign-body extraction forceps. The use of the instrument reduces the chance of inadvertent scraping of glass fragments or instruments against the retina during the removal.", "contents": "A suction tip for controlled removal of nonmagnetic intraocular foreign bodies. I used a soft-tip suction needle during a vitrectomy procedure to life glass foreign bodies away from the retina so they could be more easily and safely grasped with foreign-body extraction forceps. The use of the instrument reduces the chance of inadvertent scraping of glass fragments or instruments against the retina during the removal.", "PMID": 623200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4792", "title": "A magnet tip for controlled removal of magnetic foreign bodies.", "content": "I designed a small diameter magnet tip for intraocular removal of foreign bodies, particularly at the time of vitrectomy. Advantages of the intraocular tip include: (1) reduced likelihood of scraping of the foreign body along the retinal surface while in the magnetic field; (2) reduced chance of incarcerating the retina or choroid, or both, between the magnet and the foreign body during removal. Although the intraocular tip is less strong than conventional shorter tips, it provides greater control in the removal of intraocular foreign bodies when sufficient magnet strength is present.", "contents": "A magnet tip for controlled removal of magnetic foreign bodies. I designed a small diameter magnet tip for intraocular removal of foreign bodies, particularly at the time of vitrectomy. Advantages of the intraocular tip include: (1) reduced likelihood of scraping of the foreign body along the retinal surface while in the magnetic field; (2) reduced chance of incarcerating the retina or choroid, or both, between the magnet and the foreign body during removal. Although the intraocular tip is less strong than conventional shorter tips, it provides greater control in the removal of intraocular foreign bodies when sufficient magnet strength is present.", "PMID": 623201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4793", "title": "Relationship of cigarette smoking to congenital anomalies and perinatal death. A prospective study.", "content": "Congenital anomalies caused 3.43 perinatal deaths/1000 births, as reported in a large prospective study. At all gestational ages the mortality rates progressively increased when gravidas smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day. An excessive death rate was also found in males, in offspring of mothers over 39 years of age, and in women of low socioeconomic status. Placentas associated with the malformed infants had an increased frequency of single umbilical arteries and abnormal insertions of fetal membranes and umbilical cords into the placenta.", "contents": "Relationship of cigarette smoking to congenital anomalies and perinatal death. A prospective study. Congenital anomalies caused 3.43 perinatal deaths/1000 births, as reported in a large prospective study. At all gestational ages the mortality rates progressively increased when gravidas smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day. An excessive death rate was also found in males, in offspring of mothers over 39 years of age, and in women of low socioeconomic status. Placentas associated with the malformed infants had an increased frequency of single umbilical arteries and abnormal insertions of fetal membranes and umbilical cords into the placenta.", "PMID": 623203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4794", "title": "The influence of maternal immunization on the antibody response of the offspring in genetically high-responding rats.", "content": "Immunization of high responding PVG female rats with poly(Glu52Lys33Tyr15) agrregated with methylated bovine serum albumin was associated with a decreased ability of their offspring to make an antibody response to the antigen. The amount of antigen given to the mothers was important in determining the magnitude of the antibody production in the offspring. The depression of antibody production was time-dependent: the first and second F1 litters from immunized mothers had significantly decreased antibody responses while no decrease was observed in the third F1 litter. Similarly, this alteration in the antibody response could be transmitted to the F2 generation but not to the F3 generation. These results suggest that aggregated antigen persists in the mother and crosses the placenta to interact with the developing immune system of the fetus. In the high-responding PVG strain, this interaction is associated with a decreased ability to respond to the antigen at a later time.", "contents": "The influence of maternal immunization on the antibody response of the offspring in genetically high-responding rats. Immunization of high responding PVG female rats with poly(Glu52Lys33Tyr15) agrregated with methylated bovine serum albumin was associated with a decreased ability of their offspring to make an antibody response to the antigen. The amount of antigen given to the mothers was important in determining the magnitude of the antibody production in the offspring. The depression of antibody production was time-dependent: the first and second F1 litters from immunized mothers had significantly decreased antibody responses while no decrease was observed in the third F1 litter. Similarly, this alteration in the antibody response could be transmitted to the F2 generation but not to the F3 generation. These results suggest that aggregated antigen persists in the mother and crosses the placenta to interact with the developing immune system of the fetus. In the high-responding PVG strain, this interaction is associated with a decreased ability to respond to the antigen at a later time.", "PMID": 623204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4795", "title": "Ultrastructural and biochemical aspects of liver mitochondria during recovery from ethanol-induced alterations. Experimental evidence of mitochondrial division.", "content": "To study the morphologic and biochemical changes occuring in liver mitochondria during recovery from ethanol-induced injury, rats fed a 6-month high-alcohol regimen plus a nutritionally adequate diet which did not induce fatty liver were compared with isocalorically fed controls. After this period the alcohol-fed animals displayed striking ultrastructural changes of liver mitochondria and a decreased respiratory activity with succinate or malate-glutamate as substrate. On the contrary, the respiratory rate with I-glycerophosphate was 50% increased. Regression changes were studied after alcohol was withdrawn from the diet. Enlarged mitochondria rapidly disappeared (in 24 hours), although a few megamitochondria were still present after 8 days of abstinence. A similar recovery was observed for the functional alterations. At the end of the experimental period, only a slight decrease of the maximal respiratory rate using malate-glutamate as a substrate was noted. The ultrastructural findings and the morphometric data suggest that the way in which mitochondrial normalization takes place is based on partition of these organelles.", "contents": "Ultrastructural and biochemical aspects of liver mitochondria during recovery from ethanol-induced alterations. Experimental evidence of mitochondrial division. To study the morphologic and biochemical changes occuring in liver mitochondria during recovery from ethanol-induced injury, rats fed a 6-month high-alcohol regimen plus a nutritionally adequate diet which did not induce fatty liver were compared with isocalorically fed controls. After this period the alcohol-fed animals displayed striking ultrastructural changes of liver mitochondria and a decreased respiratory activity with succinate or malate-glutamate as substrate. On the contrary, the respiratory rate with I-glycerophosphate was 50% increased. Regression changes were studied after alcohol was withdrawn from the diet. Enlarged mitochondria rapidly disappeared (in 24 hours), although a few megamitochondria were still present after 8 days of abstinence. A similar recovery was observed for the functional alterations. At the end of the experimental period, only a slight decrease of the maximal respiratory rate using malate-glutamate as a substrate was noted. The ultrastructural findings and the morphometric data suggest that the way in which mitochondrial normalization takes place is based on partition of these organelles.", "PMID": 623205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4796", "title": "Experimental infarct size as a function of the amount of myocardium at risk.", "content": "Occlusion of the same coronary artery at the same anatomic site in a group of dogs results in significant variation in the size of the resultant infarcts. The present study shows that much of this variation can be explained by differences in the pattern of distribution of the occluded coronary artery. The relationship between the anatomic size of an occluded coronary bed and the the amount of necrosis resulting from 40 minutes of proximal circumflex coronary (LCC) occlusion and 3 days of reperfusion was determined in randomly selected dogs using an in vitro latex coronary injection technique. The amount of necrosis, calculated from serial histologic sections taken through the posterior papillary muscle (PP), correlated closely with the size of the occluded coronary bed: 5 dogs with small LCC beds (26 +/- 2%) had 10 +/- 3% PP necrosis; 5 dogs with medium-sized LCC beds (37 +/- 2%) had 33 +/- 1% necrosis; and 7 dogs with large LCC beds (42 +/- 1%) had 51 +/- 2% necrosis. The results show that much of the variability in infarct size among dogs subjected to coronary artery occlusion at the same anatomic site is a function of differences in ischemic bed size. Grouping dogs by occluded coronary bed size may improve the resolution of experimental studies testing the effect of various therapies on infarct size.", "contents": "Experimental infarct size as a function of the amount of myocardium at risk. Occlusion of the same coronary artery at the same anatomic site in a group of dogs results in significant variation in the size of the resultant infarcts. The present study shows that much of this variation can be explained by differences in the pattern of distribution of the occluded coronary artery. The relationship between the anatomic size of an occluded coronary bed and the the amount of necrosis resulting from 40 minutes of proximal circumflex coronary (LCC) occlusion and 3 days of reperfusion was determined in randomly selected dogs using an in vitro latex coronary injection technique. The amount of necrosis, calculated from serial histologic sections taken through the posterior papillary muscle (PP), correlated closely with the size of the occluded coronary bed: 5 dogs with small LCC beds (26 +/- 2%) had 10 +/- 3% PP necrosis; 5 dogs with medium-sized LCC beds (37 +/- 2%) had 33 +/- 1% necrosis; and 7 dogs with large LCC beds (42 +/- 1%) had 51 +/- 2% necrosis. The results show that much of the variability in infarct size among dogs subjected to coronary artery occlusion at the same anatomic site is a function of differences in ischemic bed size. Grouping dogs by occluded coronary bed size may improve the resolution of experimental studies testing the effect of various therapies on infarct size.", "PMID": 623206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4797", "title": "Spontaneous amyloidosis in LLC mice.", "content": "Practically all low leukocyte count (LLC) mice over 1 year of age develop renal amyloidosis. Renal amyloid is deposited in the glomeruli and in the interstitium between the convoluted as well as collecting tubules, with consequent development of cysts and necrosis. LLC mice die of chronic renal failure. Electron microscopic studies reveal amyloid fibrils in the mesangium, a thickening of the basement membranes, and fusion of the foot processes in the glomeruli. Massive amounts of amyloid fibrils are also present in the interstitium, where intracellular fibrils in the fibroblasts as well as in the tubular epithelium cells are found. Vesicles, which are probably formed from membrane disruption, and amorphous materials are seen along the basement membranes. LLC mouse amyloidosis is discussed with regard to its potential as a model for studies on amyloidosis as well as the etiology and origin of amyloid fibrils.", "contents": "Spontaneous amyloidosis in LLC mice. Practically all low leukocyte count (LLC) mice over 1 year of age develop renal amyloidosis. Renal amyloid is deposited in the glomeruli and in the interstitium between the convoluted as well as collecting tubules, with consequent development of cysts and necrosis. LLC mice die of chronic renal failure. Electron microscopic studies reveal amyloid fibrils in the mesangium, a thickening of the basement membranes, and fusion of the foot processes in the glomeruli. Massive amounts of amyloid fibrils are also present in the interstitium, where intracellular fibrils in the fibroblasts as well as in the tubular epithelium cells are found. Vesicles, which are probably formed from membrane disruption, and amorphous materials are seen along the basement membranes. LLC mouse amyloidosis is discussed with regard to its potential as a model for studies on amyloidosis as well as the etiology and origin of amyloid fibrils.", "PMID": 623207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4798", "title": "X-ray microprobe analysis of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies in human and experimental malakoplakia.", "content": "Using x-ray microprobe analysis, we studied Michaelis-Gutmann bodies (M-G bodies) in malakoplakia tissue samples from human kidney and testis as well as from lesions experimentally induced in the rat. In all the M-G bodies tested we could unambiguously detect calcium at both its Kalpha and Kbeta lines. The actual amount of calcium depended on the developmental state, ie, on the degree of calcification of the M-G body, In M-G bodies of rat kidney malakoplakia tissue fixed without osmium tetroxide, the phosphorus could also be detected unambigously. From the ratios of calcium and phosphorus percentages (w/w) we concluded that CaHPO4 was present. No difference was found between M-G bodies in malakoplakia tissues of human origin and those in experimentally induced malakoplakia.", "contents": "X-ray microprobe analysis of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies in human and experimental malakoplakia. Using x-ray microprobe analysis, we studied Michaelis-Gutmann bodies (M-G bodies) in malakoplakia tissue samples from human kidney and testis as well as from lesions experimentally induced in the rat. In all the M-G bodies tested we could unambiguously detect calcium at both its Kalpha and Kbeta lines. The actual amount of calcium depended on the developmental state, ie, on the degree of calcification of the M-G body, In M-G bodies of rat kidney malakoplakia tissue fixed without osmium tetroxide, the phosphorus could also be detected unambigously. From the ratios of calcium and phosphorus percentages (w/w) we concluded that CaHPO4 was present. No difference was found between M-G bodies in malakoplakia tissues of human origin and those in experimentally induced malakoplakia.", "PMID": 623208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4799", "title": "The hepatic effects of hypolipidemic drugs (clofibrate, nafenopin, tibric acid, and Wy-14,643) on hepatic peroxisomes and peroxisome-associated enzymes.", "content": "Male Swiss-Webster mice were fed diets containing four hypolipidemic agents which are known to induce proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes. Treatment with all four drugs (clofibrate; its structural analogue, nafenopin; and two drugs structurally unrelated to clofibrate, tibric acid and Wy-14,643) produced a marked hepatomegaly in the mice. The extent of the increase in liver weight correlated well with the increases in total hepatic DNA and in the collective volume of hepatocyte peroxisomes. Treatment with these drugs also produced similar increases in the activities of peroxisome-associated enzymes. The most dramatic increases were noted in the activities of the short-chain (8- to 26-fold) and medium-chain (4- to 11-fold) carnitine acyltransferase. Significant increases were also noted in the activities of catalase (twofold to threefold), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (twofold to threefold) and the long-chain carnitine acyltransferase (twofold to fourfold). Activity of the latter enzyme, however, is not known to be associated with peroxisome fractions. Concomitant administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide with a single oral dose of clofibrate diminished the increases in liver weight and carnitine acyltransferase which occurred with clofibrate treatment alone. The finding that the major increase in activity of peroxisome enzymes occurred in those associated with metabolism of acyl CoA groups supports the hypothesis that the hypolipidemic action of the drugs and the proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes are related functions.", "contents": "The hepatic effects of hypolipidemic drugs (clofibrate, nafenopin, tibric acid, and Wy-14,643) on hepatic peroxisomes and peroxisome-associated enzymes. Male Swiss-Webster mice were fed diets containing four hypolipidemic agents which are known to induce proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes. Treatment with all four drugs (clofibrate; its structural analogue, nafenopin; and two drugs structurally unrelated to clofibrate, tibric acid and Wy-14,643) produced a marked hepatomegaly in the mice. The extent of the increase in liver weight correlated well with the increases in total hepatic DNA and in the collective volume of hepatocyte peroxisomes. Treatment with these drugs also produced similar increases in the activities of peroxisome-associated enzymes. The most dramatic increases were noted in the activities of the short-chain (8- to 26-fold) and medium-chain (4- to 11-fold) carnitine acyltransferase. Significant increases were also noted in the activities of catalase (twofold to threefold), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (twofold to threefold) and the long-chain carnitine acyltransferase (twofold to fourfold). Activity of the latter enzyme, however, is not known to be associated with peroxisome fractions. Concomitant administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide with a single oral dose of clofibrate diminished the increases in liver weight and carnitine acyltransferase which occurred with clofibrate treatment alone. The finding that the major increase in activity of peroxisome enzymes occurred in those associated with metabolism of acyl CoA groups supports the hypothesis that the hypolipidemic action of the drugs and the proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes are related functions.", "PMID": 623209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4800", "title": "Pathways upstream: risks and realities of early screening efforts.", "content": "The need for basic societal institutions to foster growth-enhancing and ego-strengthening experiences is highlighted. The ascendancy of Asklepios--as representative of the remedial, medical model--over Hygeia--symbolizing the preventive, public health approach--is traced from Hellenic mythology to present reality. The Hygeian merits of current early identification programs are considered, and means for moving them closer to the Hygeian ideal are suggested.", "contents": "Pathways upstream: risks and realities of early screening efforts. The need for basic societal institutions to foster growth-enhancing and ego-strengthening experiences is highlighted. The ascendancy of Asklepios--as representative of the remedial, medical model--over Hygeia--symbolizing the preventive, public health approach--is traced from Hellenic mythology to present reality. The Hygeian merits of current early identification programs are considered, and means for moving them closer to the Hygeian ideal are suggested.", "PMID": 623212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4801", "title": "Parental treatment, children's temperament, and the risk of childhood behavioral problems: 2. Initial temperament, parental attitudes, and the incidence and form of behavioral problems.", "content": "Childhood behavioral problems are found to be related to both early temperament and parental behavior, in that first-year temperament scores predicted mild (but not more severe) problems. A parental pathology scale discriminated more severe cases among girls only; more severe cases among boys were accompanied by negative temperament changes. For both sexes, the form of subsequent behavioral problems was associated with first-year temperament patterns.", "contents": "Parental treatment, children's temperament, and the risk of childhood behavioral problems: 2. Initial temperament, parental attitudes, and the incidence and form of behavioral problems. Childhood behavioral problems are found to be related to both early temperament and parental behavior, in that first-year temperament scores predicted mild (but not more severe) problems. A parental pathology scale discriminated more severe cases among girls only; more severe cases among boys were accompanied by negative temperament changes. For both sexes, the form of subsequent behavioral problems was associated with first-year temperament patterns.", "PMID": 623213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4802", "title": "Interaction of language development and activity level on performance of first-graders.", "content": "Developmental theory suggests that language may be a compensatory factor in the cognitive functioning of hyperactive children. A comparison between first-graders of high activity level and those of low activity level provided support for this theory. Language maturity emerged as a significant variable in task performance and overall school achievement for the high-activity-level group only.", "contents": "Interaction of language development and activity level on performance of first-graders. Developmental theory suggests that language may be a compensatory factor in the cognitive functioning of hyperactive children. A comparison between first-graders of high activity level and those of low activity level provided support for this theory. Language maturity emerged as a significant variable in task performance and overall school achievement for the high-activity-level group only.", "PMID": 623214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4803", "title": "Ethnicity and service delivery.", "content": "This paper reports research representing part of a systematic effort to operationalize ethnic issues in service delivery. An attitude scale was developed and applied to a national sample of child welfare workers and to minority workers in innovative ethnic settings. Significant differences were found related to sample, age, ethnicity, and agency type.", "contents": "Ethnicity and service delivery. This paper reports research representing part of a systematic effort to operationalize ethnic issues in service delivery. An attitude scale was developed and applied to a national sample of child welfare workers and to minority workers in innovative ethnic settings. Significant differences were found related to sample, age, ethnicity, and agency type.", "PMID": 623215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4804", "title": "Sharing the crisis of rape: counseling the mates and families of victims.", "content": "The involvement of mates and family members in counseling interventions designed to help victims of rape in their post-traumatic reconstitutive efforts is critical. Suggestions are offered for assisting those close to the woman in their attempts to explore and articulate feelings and concerns about the crisis.", "contents": "Sharing the crisis of rape: counseling the mates and families of victims. The involvement of mates and family members in counseling interventions designed to help victims of rape in their post-traumatic reconstitutive efforts is critical. Suggestions are offered for assisting those close to the woman in their attempts to explore and articulate feelings and concerns about the crisis.", "PMID": 623216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4805", "title": "The remembrance of things past: on the collection and recollection of ingredients useful in the treatment of disorders resulting from unhappiness, rootlessness, and the fear of things to come.", "content": "Lack of hope for future change is hypothesized as a distinguishing factor between suicidally depressed young adolescents and other young people who are also objectless, the developmentally dispossessed. Methods by which the affective reserve of hope and self-love can be therapeutically augmented are suggested, and speculations are offered on the role of the personal past and group past in generating hopefulness in the nonclinical population.", "contents": "The remembrance of things past: on the collection and recollection of ingredients useful in the treatment of disorders resulting from unhappiness, rootlessness, and the fear of things to come. Lack of hope for future change is hypothesized as a distinguishing factor between suicidally depressed young adolescents and other young people who are also objectless, the developmentally dispossessed. Methods by which the affective reserve of hope and self-love can be therapeutically augmented are suggested, and speculations are offered on the role of the personal past and group past in generating hopefulness in the nonclinical population.", "PMID": 623217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4806", "title": "Sweden's approach to health screening for preschool children.", "content": "The findings of a recent study of the approach taken by Sweden to a perceived problem in that nation's child health care system are reviewed. The Swedish experience is discussed in terms of its application to the United States, with particular reference to EPSDT and the newly proposed Child Health Assessment Program.", "contents": "Sweden's approach to health screening for preschool children. The findings of a recent study of the approach taken by Sweden to a perceived problem in that nation's child health care system are reviewed. The Swedish experience is discussed in terms of its application to the United States, with particular reference to EPSDT and the newly proposed Child Health Assessment Program.", "PMID": 623220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4807", "title": "Problem kids and preventive medicine: the making of an odd couple.", "content": "This paper maintains that the preventive medical model is inappropriate for dealing with childhood developmental disorders. The history of preventive medicine is traced briefly, and its adoption by the mental hygiene, child guidance, and community mental health movements is discussed. It is concluded that a program of screening, diagnosis, and treatment for poor children will have negative consequences for those it is meant to serve.", "contents": "Problem kids and preventive medicine: the making of an odd couple. This paper maintains that the preventive medical model is inappropriate for dealing with childhood developmental disorders. The history of preventive medicine is traced briefly, and its adoption by the mental hygiene, child guidance, and community mental health movements is discussed. It is concluded that a program of screening, diagnosis, and treatment for poor children will have negative consequences for those it is meant to serve.", "PMID": 623222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4808", "title": "An approach to identification and prevention of developmental difficulties among Mexican-American children.", "content": "This paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the nature of Chicano concerns in regard to the implementation of legislation mandating developmental assessment of poor children. An approach to providing screening and remedial services responsive to the needs of Mexican-Americans is outlined.", "contents": "An approach to identification and prevention of developmental difficulties among Mexican-American children. This paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the nature of Chicano concerns in regard to the implementation of legislation mandating developmental assessment of poor children. An approach to providing screening and remedial services responsive to the needs of Mexican-Americans is outlined.", "PMID": 623223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4809", "title": "Dynamic stiffness of rabbit mesotubarium smooth muscle: effect of isometric length.", "content": "The dynamic stiffness of mesotubarium smooth muscle from nonpregnant adult rabbits was measured continuously during isometric contraction by applying small (0.5 percent of the muscle length) sinusoidal length perturbations and measuring the amplitude and phase of the resulting tension perturbations. Stiffness during contraction was directly proportional to muscle tension; during relaxation stiffness at all tensions was significantly increased as compared to the values encountered during the rise of tension. Peak isometric tension and dynamic stiffness (determined at a common tension level) both decreased at shorter muscle lengths; the relative falloff in stiffness was significantly less than the tension decrease. Varying levels of muscle activation (obtained by changing stimulus strength and by applying quick releases to active muscle) had little effect on the measured elastic modulus. Comparisons of these results with published data on single-cell contractile properties imply a cellular locus for a portion of the measured stiffness.", "contents": "Dynamic stiffness of rabbit mesotubarium smooth muscle: effect of isometric length. The dynamic stiffness of mesotubarium smooth muscle from nonpregnant adult rabbits was measured continuously during isometric contraction by applying small (0.5 percent of the muscle length) sinusoidal length perturbations and measuring the amplitude and phase of the resulting tension perturbations. Stiffness during contraction was directly proportional to muscle tension; during relaxation stiffness at all tensions was significantly increased as compared to the values encountered during the rise of tension. Peak isometric tension and dynamic stiffness (determined at a common tension level) both decreased at shorter muscle lengths; the relative falloff in stiffness was significantly less than the tension decrease. Varying levels of muscle activation (obtained by changing stimulus strength and by applying quick releases to active muscle) had little effect on the measured elastic modulus. Comparisons of these results with published data on single-cell contractile properties imply a cellular locus for a portion of the measured stiffness.", "PMID": 623237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4810", "title": "Placental amino acid uptake. IV. Transport microvillous membrane vesicles.", "content": "The recent characterization of a vesicular microvillous plasma membrane preparation from human placenta has made possible study of the characteristics of amino acid transport by the isolated membrane. Variation of medium osmolality demonstrated that alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) is taken up virtually entirely into a vesicular space. Vesicular volume was determined from equilibrium uptake of three dissimilar nonamino acid substrates, all of which gave a common value. Temperature dependence, saturability, specificity, and similarity of kinetic constants all indicated that AIB uptake by the vesicles resembles that by whole villous tissue. AIB uptake was stimulated specifically by an inward sodium gradient and unaffected by an outward potassium gradient. The persistence of stimulation up to 2 h after the gradient was established could be correlated with the slow equilibration of sodium across the membrane. AIB exodus could be studied with minimal problems of substrate recapture by using preloaded membrane vesicles bound tightly to cellulose ester filters to facilitate transfer to fresh medium. The exodus process was saturable with a Km considerably greater than that for entry.", "contents": "Placental amino acid uptake. IV. Transport microvillous membrane vesicles. The recent characterization of a vesicular microvillous plasma membrane preparation from human placenta has made possible study of the characteristics of amino acid transport by the isolated membrane. Variation of medium osmolality demonstrated that alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) is taken up virtually entirely into a vesicular space. Vesicular volume was determined from equilibrium uptake of three dissimilar nonamino acid substrates, all of which gave a common value. Temperature dependence, saturability, specificity, and similarity of kinetic constants all indicated that AIB uptake by the vesicles resembles that by whole villous tissue. AIB uptake was stimulated specifically by an inward sodium gradient and unaffected by an outward potassium gradient. The persistence of stimulation up to 2 h after the gradient was established could be correlated with the slow equilibration of sodium across the membrane. AIB exodus could be studied with minimal problems of substrate recapture by using preloaded membrane vesicles bound tightly to cellulose ester filters to facilitate transfer to fresh medium. The exodus process was saturable with a Km considerably greater than that for entry.", "PMID": 623238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4811", "title": "Binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate by spectrin and its effect on oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.", "content": "The relationships between spectrin, a structural protein of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane facing the cytoplasm, and hemoglobin were studied. The oxygen-binding properties of stripped hemoglobin were not altered by the presence of spectrin, but the interaction of hemoglobin with organic phosphates was reduced by the addition of spectrin. The presence of the enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD), another component of the RBC membrane used as a control, did not change the oxygen affinity of either stripped hemoglobin or of hemoglobin solutions containing phosphates. Binding studies using the gel filtration method at pH 7.3 indicated reversible binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to spectrin. A unit of 220,000 daltons was calculated to have seven binding sites and a binding constant of 1.2 X 10(4) M-1. A mechanism is proposed in which spectrin may facilitate oxygen transport for hemoglobin molecules reaching the membrane.", "contents": "Binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate by spectrin and its effect on oxygen affinity of hemoglobin. The relationships between spectrin, a structural protein of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane facing the cytoplasm, and hemoglobin were studied. The oxygen-binding properties of stripped hemoglobin were not altered by the presence of spectrin, but the interaction of hemoglobin with organic phosphates was reduced by the addition of spectrin. The presence of the enzyme glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD), another component of the RBC membrane used as a control, did not change the oxygen affinity of either stripped hemoglobin or of hemoglobin solutions containing phosphates. Binding studies using the gel filtration method at pH 7.3 indicated reversible binding of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate to spectrin. A unit of 220,000 daltons was calculated to have seven binding sites and a binding constant of 1.2 X 10(4) M-1. A mechanism is proposed in which spectrin may facilitate oxygen transport for hemoglobin molecules reaching the membrane.", "PMID": 623239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4812", "title": "Controlled bending of high-resistance glass microelectrodes.", "content": "The short working distance of compound microscope lenses in many cases prevents microelectrode penetrations of cells perpendicular to the cell surface. Bending electrodes very near their tips removes this constraint. A method is described for bending glass microelectrodes with a hot filament while their tips are immersed in a water drop. Immersion protects the fine electrode tips from the heat and provides control over the angle through which the electrodes are bent.", "contents": "Controlled bending of high-resistance glass microelectrodes. The short working distance of compound microscope lenses in many cases prevents microelectrode penetrations of cells perpendicular to the cell surface. Bending electrodes very near their tips removes this constraint. A method is described for bending glass microelectrodes with a hot filament while their tips are immersed in a water drop. Immersion protects the fine electrode tips from the heat and provides control over the angle through which the electrodes are bent.", "PMID": 623241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4813", "title": "Some characteristics of kidney Na+ -dependent glucose carrier reconstituted into sonicated liposomes.", "content": "Studies of the Na+-gradient coupled D-glucose carrier of the brush border membrane of rabbit kidney cortex extracted with Triton X-100 and reconstituted into artificial liposomes show that the reconstituted carrier behaves in those respects so far studied in a manner very similar to the same carrier studied in natural membrane vesicles.", "contents": "Some characteristics of kidney Na+ -dependent glucose carrier reconstituted into sonicated liposomes. Studies of the Na+-gradient coupled D-glucose carrier of the brush border membrane of rabbit kidney cortex extracted with Triton X-100 and reconstituted into artificial liposomes show that the reconstituted carrier behaves in those respects so far studied in a manner very similar to the same carrier studied in natural membrane vesicles.", "PMID": 623242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4814", "title": "Feeding in response to insulin but not to 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the hamster.", "content": "Adult hamsters did not increase their food intake in response to subcutaneous injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) at doses of 50, 200, 350, 500, 750, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/kg. The failure to feed in response to 2DG was apparent regardless of time of testing and length of test. Hamsters did display marked hyperglycemia after 2DG treatment. Therefore, hamsters do detect and form neural responses to 2DG. In contrast to 2DG, injection of regular insulin, 2, 4, or 8 U/animal, caused hamsters to significantly increase their food intake over a 5-h test period. Furthermore, injection of 4 U of protamine zinc insulin twice daily also caused pronounced increases in food intake and weight gain by hamsters. Because hamsters do not seem to posses a feeding response to 2DG-induced glucoprivation, it seems unlikely that insulin elicits feeding via the glucoprivic control in this species. The results suggest that 1) hamsters lack the glucoprivic control of feeding behavior as exercised by 2DG, 2) 2DG and insulin treatments are not equivalent ingestive challenges, and 3) insulin-induced feeding may result in part from activation of a nonglucoprivic control of food intake.", "contents": "Feeding in response to insulin but not to 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the hamster. Adult hamsters did not increase their food intake in response to subcutaneous injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) at doses of 50, 200, 350, 500, 750, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/kg. The failure to feed in response to 2DG was apparent regardless of time of testing and length of test. Hamsters did display marked hyperglycemia after 2DG treatment. Therefore, hamsters do detect and form neural responses to 2DG. In contrast to 2DG, injection of regular insulin, 2, 4, or 8 U/animal, caused hamsters to significantly increase their food intake over a 5-h test period. Furthermore, injection of 4 U of protamine zinc insulin twice daily also caused pronounced increases in food intake and weight gain by hamsters. Because hamsters do not seem to posses a feeding response to 2DG-induced glucoprivation, it seems unlikely that insulin elicits feeding via the glucoprivic control in this species. The results suggest that 1) hamsters lack the glucoprivic control of feeding behavior as exercised by 2DG, 2) 2DG and insulin treatments are not equivalent ingestive challenges, and 3) insulin-induced feeding may result in part from activation of a nonglucoprivic control of food intake.", "PMID": 623243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4815", "title": "Fetomaternal transfer of glucose analogues by sheep placenta.", "content": "The steady-state permeability of the placenta to radiolabeled 3-O-methyl--D-glucopyranose (3MeG), alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (AMG), and D-xylose was measured in chronically catheterized conscious sheep near term. Fetomaternal flux was calculated by application of Fick's principle to the uterine circulation after injection to the fetus. At a fetal glucose concentration of 10.2 +/- 1.25 mM, the permeability of 3MeG was half the maximal value of 59.5 +/- 11.2 ml/min found by extrapolation to zero glucose concentration. The permeability to 3MeG is considerably greater than is compatible with restricted diffusion, which together with the competitive effect of D-glucose suggests a carrier-mediated transfer mechanism. The permeability to AMG was less than 0.1 ml/min. The specificity pattern of sugar transport from the fetal side of the sheep placenta is different from that reported for gut lumen or kidney tubule in other species. D-Xylose is not metabolically inert after its injection into the fetal lamb.", "contents": "Fetomaternal transfer of glucose analogues by sheep placenta. The steady-state permeability of the placenta to radiolabeled 3-O-methyl--D-glucopyranose (3MeG), alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (AMG), and D-xylose was measured in chronically catheterized conscious sheep near term. Fetomaternal flux was calculated by application of Fick's principle to the uterine circulation after injection to the fetus. At a fetal glucose concentration of 10.2 +/- 1.25 mM, the permeability of 3MeG was half the maximal value of 59.5 +/- 11.2 ml/min found by extrapolation to zero glucose concentration. The permeability to 3MeG is considerably greater than is compatible with restricted diffusion, which together with the competitive effect of D-glucose suggests a carrier-mediated transfer mechanism. The permeability to AMG was less than 0.1 ml/min. The specificity pattern of sugar transport from the fetal side of the sheep placenta is different from that reported for gut lumen or kidney tubule in other species. D-Xylose is not metabolically inert after its injection into the fetal lamb.", "PMID": 623245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4816", "title": "Protein turnover in rat skeletal muscle: effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone.", "content": "The role of growth hormone in regulating protein turnover was examined in a perfused preparation of rat skeletal muscle. The perfused muscle maintained in vivo levels of ATP and creatine phosphate and exhibited constant rates of oxygen consumption and protein synthesis. Hypophysectomy reduced the rate of protein synthesis, the concentration of RNA, and the efficiency of protein synthesis in gastrocnemius muscle to 30, 46, and 66 percent of normal, respectively. In vivo treatment of hypophysectomized (hypox) rats with bovine growth hormone (250 microgram/day for 5 days) resulted in small increases in protein synthesis and RNA, whereas synthesis/RNA was returned to near normal. Elevation of ribosomal subunits in psoas muscle indicated an inhibition of peptide-chain initiation in hypox rats that was reversed by in vivo growth hormone treatment. Thus, hypox rats exhibited both a decreased capacity and a decreased efficiency of protein synthesis. Growth hormone replacement primarily increased efficiency of protein synthesis. The rate of protein degradation and the activity of cathepsin D in gastrocnemius muscle were decreased by hypophysectomy. Growth hormone treatment had no significant effect on degradation.", "contents": "Protein turnover in rat skeletal muscle: effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone. The role of growth hormone in regulating protein turnover was examined in a perfused preparation of rat skeletal muscle. The perfused muscle maintained in vivo levels of ATP and creatine phosphate and exhibited constant rates of oxygen consumption and protein synthesis. Hypophysectomy reduced the rate of protein synthesis, the concentration of RNA, and the efficiency of protein synthesis in gastrocnemius muscle to 30, 46, and 66 percent of normal, respectively. In vivo treatment of hypophysectomized (hypox) rats with bovine growth hormone (250 microgram/day for 5 days) resulted in small increases in protein synthesis and RNA, whereas synthesis/RNA was returned to near normal. Elevation of ribosomal subunits in psoas muscle indicated an inhibition of peptide-chain initiation in hypox rats that was reversed by in vivo growth hormone treatment. Thus, hypox rats exhibited both a decreased capacity and a decreased efficiency of protein synthesis. Growth hormone replacement primarily increased efficiency of protein synthesis. The rate of protein degradation and the activity of cathepsin D in gastrocnemius muscle were decreased by hypophysectomy. Growth hormone treatment had no significant effect on degradation.", "PMID": 623246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4817", "title": "Efffect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on gallbladder smooth muscle in vitro.", "content": "The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on basal and octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP-CCK) induced tension was examined with guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle strips in vitro. VIP alone produced dose-related decreases in resting tension and antagonized spontaneous contractile activity where present. In combination with OP-CCK, VIP decreased the expected contractile respone. The degree of antagonism depended upon the concentrations of OP-CCK and VIP. VIP had no effect on acetylcholine-induced contractions. From these observations, we propose that VIP can affect gallbladder motor activity by decreaseing smooth muscle tone and by antagonizing cholecystokinin. These findings lend further support to our proposal that gallbladder motor function may depend upon the action and interaction of the gastrointestinal hormones.", "contents": "Efffect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on gallbladder smooth muscle in vitro. The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on basal and octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP-CCK) induced tension was examined with guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle strips in vitro. VIP alone produced dose-related decreases in resting tension and antagonized spontaneous contractile activity where present. In combination with OP-CCK, VIP decreased the expected contractile respone. The degree of antagonism depended upon the concentrations of OP-CCK and VIP. VIP had no effect on acetylcholine-induced contractions. From these observations, we propose that VIP can affect gallbladder motor activity by decreaseing smooth muscle tone and by antagonizing cholecystokinin. These findings lend further support to our proposal that gallbladder motor function may depend upon the action and interaction of the gastrointestinal hormones.", "PMID": 623247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4818", "title": "Effect of luminal constituents on vitamin K1 absorption into thoracic duct lymph.", "content": "Lymphatic appearance rate of [3H] phylloquinone was studied in unanesthetized rats with cannulated bile and lymph ducts. A linear relationship (y= -44.9 + 10.2x, r=0.99) was found between the rate of the compound's infusion into the duodenum and its appearance rate in the lymph. Increasing the taurocholate infusate concentrations from 5 to 15 mM increased phylloquinone appearance rate in the lymph from 6.47 +/- 1.82 to 24.14 +/- 1.20 pmol/min (P less than .01). Varying the infusate pH from 4.35 to 8.0 did not change lymphatic appearance rate of vitamin K1 or lymphatic flow rate. Addition of short-chain fatty acid (butyrate) to the infusate enhanced the total absorption of vitamin K1 into the bile and lymph, whereas the addition of polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibited the total absorption of the vitamin. These experiments delineate some factors that modify the extrusion rate of vitamin K1 out of the enterocyte into the lymphatic circulation and add information regarding this phase of the absorptive pathway of lipids.", "contents": "Effect of luminal constituents on vitamin K1 absorption into thoracic duct lymph. Lymphatic appearance rate of [3H] phylloquinone was studied in unanesthetized rats with cannulated bile and lymph ducts. A linear relationship (y= -44.9 + 10.2x, r=0.99) was found between the rate of the compound's infusion into the duodenum and its appearance rate in the lymph. Increasing the taurocholate infusate concentrations from 5 to 15 mM increased phylloquinone appearance rate in the lymph from 6.47 +/- 1.82 to 24.14 +/- 1.20 pmol/min (P less than .01). Varying the infusate pH from 4.35 to 8.0 did not change lymphatic appearance rate of vitamin K1 or lymphatic flow rate. Addition of short-chain fatty acid (butyrate) to the infusate enhanced the total absorption of vitamin K1 into the bile and lymph, whereas the addition of polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibited the total absorption of the vitamin. These experiments delineate some factors that modify the extrusion rate of vitamin K1 out of the enterocyte into the lymphatic circulation and add information regarding this phase of the absorptive pathway of lipids.", "PMID": 623249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4819", "title": "Changes in red cell space of bone in hypocalcemic states: studies in rat femur.", "content": "With the use of technetium-99m-labeled red cells, the red cell space of the femur was found to be increased in rats fed a 0.01 percent Ca diet for 4 wk, at which time they were also hypocalcemic. Rats fed the same diet for 2 wk did not demonstrate hypocalcemia nor hypervascularity of the femur. Thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats fed the calcium-deficient diet produced hypocalcemia nor hypervascularity as did TPTX rats fed a normal diet for 4 wk. However, bone vascularity was normal at 2 wk post-TPTX (normal diet) when the degree of hypocalcemia was less marked. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase with oral indomethacin 0.2 mg/100 g per 12 h for 60 h did not alter the red cell space estimates but did increase bone blood flow in both normal and calcium-deficient animals. Acute restoration of normocalcemia with CaCl2 orally in the calcium-deficient rats did not revert the bone hypervascularity. The evidence suggests that in these models of hypocalcemic states, the rise in the vascular space of bone does not result from the influence of PTH, calcitonin, diet, or prostaglandins.", "contents": "Changes in red cell space of bone in hypocalcemic states: studies in rat femur. With the use of technetium-99m-labeled red cells, the red cell space of the femur was found to be increased in rats fed a 0.01 percent Ca diet for 4 wk, at which time they were also hypocalcemic. Rats fed the same diet for 2 wk did not demonstrate hypocalcemia nor hypervascularity of the femur. Thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats fed the calcium-deficient diet produced hypocalcemia nor hypervascularity as did TPTX rats fed a normal diet for 4 wk. However, bone vascularity was normal at 2 wk post-TPTX (normal diet) when the degree of hypocalcemia was less marked. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase with oral indomethacin 0.2 mg/100 g per 12 h for 60 h did not alter the red cell space estimates but did increase bone blood flow in both normal and calcium-deficient animals. Acute restoration of normocalcemia with CaCl2 orally in the calcium-deficient rats did not revert the bone hypervascularity. The evidence suggests that in these models of hypocalcemic states, the rise in the vascular space of bone does not result from the influence of PTH, calcitonin, diet, or prostaglandins.", "PMID": 623250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4820", "title": "Effects of some gastrointestinal hormones on two muscle layers of duodenum.", "content": "The duodenums of opossums and cats were cut into strips 2 mm wide and 2-2.5 cm long. Strips cut in the oral-caudal axis were called longitudinal strips; those cut at 90 degrees to that axis were called circular strips. Cholecystokinin (CCK) and cerulein stimulated phasic contractions of circular muscle of opossum duodenum, but had no effect on the longitudinal muscle. The effect of CCK was not blocked by tetrodotoxin (10(-7)M), indicating a direct muscle stimulation. CCK had no effect of both muscle layers of the cat duodenum. Vasoactive intestinal peptide raised tension in longitudinal muscle, but reduced tension in circular muscle of opossum duodenum. Glucagon slightly reduced tension in both longitudinal and circular muscle of opossum duodenum. It also inhibited contractions of circular muscle caused by acetylcholine. Pentagastrin and secretin had no effect on either muscle layer in either species. These findings suggest that the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the duodenum respond differently to at least some gastrointestinal hormones. Also, there is species variation in response to gastrointestinal hormones.", "contents": "Effects of some gastrointestinal hormones on two muscle layers of duodenum. The duodenums of opossums and cats were cut into strips 2 mm wide and 2-2.5 cm long. Strips cut in the oral-caudal axis were called longitudinal strips; those cut at 90 degrees to that axis were called circular strips. Cholecystokinin (CCK) and cerulein stimulated phasic contractions of circular muscle of opossum duodenum, but had no effect on the longitudinal muscle. The effect of CCK was not blocked by tetrodotoxin (10(-7)M), indicating a direct muscle stimulation. CCK had no effect of both muscle layers of the cat duodenum. Vasoactive intestinal peptide raised tension in longitudinal muscle, but reduced tension in circular muscle of opossum duodenum. Glucagon slightly reduced tension in both longitudinal and circular muscle of opossum duodenum. It also inhibited contractions of circular muscle caused by acetylcholine. Pentagastrin and secretin had no effect on either muscle layer in either species. These findings suggest that the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the duodenum respond differently to at least some gastrointestinal hormones. Also, there is species variation in response to gastrointestinal hormones.", "PMID": 623251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4821", "title": "Effect of insulin on kinetics of sugar transport in heart muscle.", "content": "Insulin increased the maximal rate of sugar transport in the perfused rat heart, but had essentially no effect on the Michaelis constant of sugar entry or half-maximal constant for equilibrium exchange. In control hearts, the following kinetic parameters of 3-O-methylglucose transport were measured: Michaelis constant for entry, 7-10 mM; equilibrium exchange constant, 7 mM; and activity constant (Vmax/Km) from 0.02 to 0.1 ml/g.min. In insulin-treated hearts, these values were 6 mM, 3 MM, and 2.2 ml/g.min, respectively. These changes in transport constants were consistent with a model in which 1) sequestered carrier was released by the hormone or 2) carrier movement, in all forms and directions, was accelerated. Measurements of glucose transport in control hearts indicated that the Michaelis constant for entry was 4 mM and the activity constant, 0.5 ml/g.min. In insulin-treated hearts, quantitation of transport parameters was prevented by accumulation of intracellular glucose.", "contents": "Effect of insulin on kinetics of sugar transport in heart muscle. Insulin increased the maximal rate of sugar transport in the perfused rat heart, but had essentially no effect on the Michaelis constant of sugar entry or half-maximal constant for equilibrium exchange. In control hearts, the following kinetic parameters of 3-O-methylglucose transport were measured: Michaelis constant for entry, 7-10 mM; equilibrium exchange constant, 7 mM; and activity constant (Vmax/Km) from 0.02 to 0.1 ml/g.min. In insulin-treated hearts, these values were 6 mM, 3 MM, and 2.2 ml/g.min, respectively. These changes in transport constants were consistent with a model in which 1) sequestered carrier was released by the hormone or 2) carrier movement, in all forms and directions, was accelerated. Measurements of glucose transport in control hearts indicated that the Michaelis constant for entry was 4 mM and the activity constant, 0.5 ml/g.min. In insulin-treated hearts, quantitation of transport parameters was prevented by accumulation of intracellular glucose.", "PMID": 623253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4822", "title": "Salivary gland K+ transport: in vivo studies with K+-specific microelectrodes.", "content": "Stimulation-induced transport of K+ in the submandibular salivary gland of cats and dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital was studied with an extracellular K+-specific microelectrode. Electrical stimulation of the para-sympathetic chorda-lingual nerve caused a rapid transient increase in extracellular K+ concentration from 2.2 to 18.7 meq/liter in the cat and from 2.3 to 15.2 meq/liter in the dog. Eventually the K+ concentration fell below the prestimulatory level, indicating uptake of K+ by the gland cells. In case of prolonged stimulation (2-10 min), the uptake began during stimulation. However, a further reduction in extracellular K+ concentration occurred upon cessation of stimulation, a result that demonstrated that the cells did not fully recover their K+ ,content during stimulation. The latency of the release of K+, defined as the time from the beginning of stimulation to the point at which, the K+-specific microelectrode signal had increased by 2 mV, was 0.6 s in the cat and 0.8 s in the dog. Because these are overestimates of the \"true\" latencies, we conclude that the K+ release begins simultaneously with the hyperpolarization of the acinar cell membrane.", "contents": "Salivary gland K+ transport: in vivo studies with K+-specific microelectrodes. Stimulation-induced transport of K+ in the submandibular salivary gland of cats and dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital was studied with an extracellular K+-specific microelectrode. Electrical stimulation of the para-sympathetic chorda-lingual nerve caused a rapid transient increase in extracellular K+ concentration from 2.2 to 18.7 meq/liter in the cat and from 2.3 to 15.2 meq/liter in the dog. Eventually the K+ concentration fell below the prestimulatory level, indicating uptake of K+ by the gland cells. In case of prolonged stimulation (2-10 min), the uptake began during stimulation. However, a further reduction in extracellular K+ concentration occurred upon cessation of stimulation, a result that demonstrated that the cells did not fully recover their K+ ,content during stimulation. The latency of the release of K+, defined as the time from the beginning of stimulation to the point at which, the K+-specific microelectrode signal had increased by 2 mV, was 0.6 s in the cat and 0.8 s in the dog. Because these are overestimates of the \"true\" latencies, we conclude that the K+ release begins simultaneously with the hyperpolarization of the acinar cell membrane.", "PMID": 623254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4823", "title": "Experimental validation of measurements of glucose turnover in nonsteady state.", "content": "The aim of the present experiments is to validate, in conscious dogs, the tracer infusion methods of measuring nonsteady turnover rates. This was done in nine experiments performed in four normal dogs by infusing isotopically labeled glucose (2-3H, 6-3H, 1-14C) and monitoring the concentrations of both the labeled and unlabeled substances. The validation is based on the observation that a high exogenous infusion of glucose will suppress endogenous glucose production and become the sole source of glucose in the body. By infusing glucose at a high, time-varying rate, calculating its rate of appearance, (Ra) and comparing it to the infused rate, the method can be verified. The calculations were based on: a) a single-compartment model with a modified volume of distribution; b) a two-compartment model; and c) a generalized dispersion model. The absolute values of the areas of the deviations of the calculated from the infused curves were found to be, respectively, 9.5, 8.4, and 7.8 percent of the total area under the infused curve. It was concluded that the tracer infusion method can reliably measure Ra of glucose when it is changing rapidly, and the system is out of steady state.", "contents": "Experimental validation of measurements of glucose turnover in nonsteady state. The aim of the present experiments is to validate, in conscious dogs, the tracer infusion methods of measuring nonsteady turnover rates. This was done in nine experiments performed in four normal dogs by infusing isotopically labeled glucose (2-3H, 6-3H, 1-14C) and monitoring the concentrations of both the labeled and unlabeled substances. The validation is based on the observation that a high exogenous infusion of glucose will suppress endogenous glucose production and become the sole source of glucose in the body. By infusing glucose at a high, time-varying rate, calculating its rate of appearance, (Ra) and comparing it to the infused rate, the method can be verified. The calculations were based on: a) a single-compartment model with a modified volume of distribution; b) a two-compartment model; and c) a generalized dispersion model. The absolute values of the areas of the deviations of the calculated from the infused curves were found to be, respectively, 9.5, 8.4, and 7.8 percent of the total area under the infused curve. It was concluded that the tracer infusion method can reliably measure Ra of glucose when it is changing rapidly, and the system is out of steady state.", "PMID": 623255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4824", "title": "A comparison of body fat determined by underwater weighing and volume displacement.", "content": "Two hydrostatic techniques, underwater weighing and water displacement, were used to determine body fat for 67 volunteer men between 25 and 61 yr of age (-/x=41 yr). All tests were administered in random order in the morning on the same day while subjects were in the postabsorptive state. Test-retest reliabilities for the underwater weighing and water displacement techniques were 0.995 and 0.96, respectively. The correlation between the two hydrostatic techniques was r=0.96. The mean percent fat determined by underwater weighing (-/x=20.1 +/- 6.4) and water displacement (-/x=19.4 +/- 6.1) were significantly different (t=28.16; df=65; P less than 0.001). These analyses showed that both techniques were reliable in measuring percent body fat, but produced slight systematic differences. Regression equations were provided to adjust for the difference.", "contents": "A comparison of body fat determined by underwater weighing and volume displacement. Two hydrostatic techniques, underwater weighing and water displacement, were used to determine body fat for 67 volunteer men between 25 and 61 yr of age (-/x=41 yr). All tests were administered in random order in the morning on the same day while subjects were in the postabsorptive state. Test-retest reliabilities for the underwater weighing and water displacement techniques were 0.995 and 0.96, respectively. The correlation between the two hydrostatic techniques was r=0.96. The mean percent fat determined by underwater weighing (-/x=20.1 +/- 6.4) and water displacement (-/x=19.4 +/- 6.1) were significantly different (t=28.16; df=65; P less than 0.001). These analyses showed that both techniques were reliable in measuring percent body fat, but produced slight systematic differences. Regression equations were provided to adjust for the difference.", "PMID": 623256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4825", "title": "The sodium transport pool.", "content": "The sodium transport pool in epithelial cells represents sodium involved in active transport across the epithelium. There has been much controversy about the size of such a pool and even about its existence. Techniques for estimating the size of this pool are described. By analysis of toad bladder epithelial cells scraped from hemibladders mounted in chambers under a variety of conditions it has proved possible to detect and to quantify a sodium transport pool. Only about 20 percent of non-inulin space sodium measured flame photometrically is contained in this pool. This represents the total sodium entering cells from the mucosal medium, is in good agreement with the cellular sodium measured by the electron microprobe, and averages some 10-16 mmol/kg tissue H2O. Measurements of the pool in other tissues are considered.", "contents": "The sodium transport pool. The sodium transport pool in epithelial cells represents sodium involved in active transport across the epithelium. There has been much controversy about the size of such a pool and even about its existence. Techniques for estimating the size of this pool are described. By analysis of toad bladder epithelial cells scraped from hemibladders mounted in chambers under a variety of conditions it has proved possible to detect and to quantify a sodium transport pool. Only about 20 percent of non-inulin space sodium measured flame photometrically is contained in this pool. This represents the total sodium entering cells from the mucosal medium, is in good agreement with the cellular sodium measured by the electron microprobe, and averages some 10-16 mmol/kg tissue H2O. Measurements of the pool in other tissues are considered.", "PMID": 623258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4826", "title": "Effects of sodium and potassium salts with anions other than chloride on renin secretion in the dog.", "content": "Intrarenal arterial infusions of sodium and potassium salts with anions other than chloride were given to evaluate the role of the chloride ion in influencing renin secretion (RS). The studies were conducted in dogs with thoracic caval constriction. Sodium lactate increased renal venous plasma sodium concentration (RVPNa) from 142 to 166 meq/liter (n, 6); RS decreased from 3,070 to 1,510 ng angiotensin/min (P less than 0.005). Arterial blood pressure and renal blood flow were not changed appreciably. Sodium excretion (ENa) increased, whereas chloride excretion (EC1) fell during the first three 15-min infusion periods. Potassium lactate increased renal venous plasma potassium concentration from 4.1 to 6.2 meq/liter (N, b). RS decreased during the first three 15-min periods of infusion (from 3,470 to 2,180 ng angiotensin/min, P less than 0.01). ENa and EC1 increased during the infusion. Potassium sulfate also decreased RS, and EC1 was usually increased. The results with sodium lactate favor a role for sodium compared with chloride in mediating the decreased renin release, but there are other possible interpretations which have been discussed. Additional studies are needed to resolve the role of chloride during potassium infusion.", "contents": "Effects of sodium and potassium salts with anions other than chloride on renin secretion in the dog. Intrarenal arterial infusions of sodium and potassium salts with anions other than chloride were given to evaluate the role of the chloride ion in influencing renin secretion (RS). The studies were conducted in dogs with thoracic caval constriction. Sodium lactate increased renal venous plasma sodium concentration (RVPNa) from 142 to 166 meq/liter (n, 6); RS decreased from 3,070 to 1,510 ng angiotensin/min (P less than 0.005). Arterial blood pressure and renal blood flow were not changed appreciably. Sodium excretion (ENa) increased, whereas chloride excretion (EC1) fell during the first three 15-min infusion periods. Potassium lactate increased renal venous plasma potassium concentration from 4.1 to 6.2 meq/liter (N, b). RS decreased during the first three 15-min periods of infusion (from 3,470 to 2,180 ng angiotensin/min, P less than 0.01). ENa and EC1 increased during the infusion. Potassium sulfate also decreased RS, and EC1 was usually increased. The results with sodium lactate favor a role for sodium compared with chloride in mediating the decreased renin release, but there are other possible interpretations which have been discussed. Additional studies are needed to resolve the role of chloride during potassium infusion.", "PMID": 623259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4827", "title": "Vasopressin responsiveness of renal adenylate cyclase in newborn rats and rabbits.", "content": "Newborns show an inability to concentrate maximally their urine. The vasopressin responsiveness of adenylate cyclase was, therefore, examined in membranes obtained from kidneys of neonatal and adult rats and from renal medulla and isolated collecting tubules of newborn and adult rabbits. In spite of higher basal and NaF-stimulated activity, vasopressin failed to stimulate adenylate cyclase from neonatal rat kidneys. In neonatal and adult rabbits, basal and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities of renal medullary membranes were comparable but vasopressin stimulation was significantly lower in the newborns. No change in hormonal activation constant was observed. This hyporesponsiveness of neonatal adenylate cyclase to vasopressin was confirmed with single isolated rabbit collecting tubules for adenylate cyclase determination, a highly sensitive preparation. It is intriguing to speculate that the low vasopressin stimulation of the medullary adenylate cyclase in the developing kidney may contribute to the known limitations of the urinary concentrating mechanism in the newborn period.", "contents": "Vasopressin responsiveness of renal adenylate cyclase in newborn rats and rabbits. Newborns show an inability to concentrate maximally their urine. The vasopressin responsiveness of adenylate cyclase was, therefore, examined in membranes obtained from kidneys of neonatal and adult rats and from renal medulla and isolated collecting tubules of newborn and adult rabbits. In spite of higher basal and NaF-stimulated activity, vasopressin failed to stimulate adenylate cyclase from neonatal rat kidneys. In neonatal and adult rabbits, basal and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities of renal medullary membranes were comparable but vasopressin stimulation was significantly lower in the newborns. No change in hormonal activation constant was observed. This hyporesponsiveness of neonatal adenylate cyclase to vasopressin was confirmed with single isolated rabbit collecting tubules for adenylate cyclase determination, a highly sensitive preparation. It is intriguing to speculate that the low vasopressin stimulation of the medullary adenylate cyclase in the developing kidney may contribute to the known limitations of the urinary concentrating mechanism in the newborn period.", "PMID": 623260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4828", "title": "Aldosterone in the exaggerated natriuresis of spontaneously hypertensive rats.", "content": "The effect of mineralocorticoid hormones on the urinary responses of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats to oral salt loading was determined. In response to a control salt load, the increase was determined. In response to a control salt load, the increase in urinary sodium excretion by the spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly greater than that of the normotensive rats [48 +/- 6 (SE) mueq/h vs. 26 +/- 4 mueq/h]. Treatment with spironolactone did not significantly alter the natriuretic response of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (43 +/- 8 mueq/h) to another salt load, but increased the natriuretic response of the normotensive rats (55 +/- 7 mueq/h) to that of the hypertensive rats. D-Aldosterone suppressed the natriuretic response to salt loading of the hypertensive rats to a level which was not significantly different from that of the normotensive rats. Plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly lower in the spontaneously hypertensive rats than in the normotensive rats (18.0 +/- 3.3 and 52.1 +/- 5.2 ng/100 ml, respectively). Neither extracellular fluid volume nor total body water in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats were significantly different. The data support the hypothesis that the exaggerated natriuresis in the spontaneously hypertensive rats is mediated by a relative lack by these rats of aldosterone-mediated distal tubular sodium reabsorption.", "contents": "Aldosterone in the exaggerated natriuresis of spontaneously hypertensive rats. The effect of mineralocorticoid hormones on the urinary responses of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats to oral salt loading was determined. In response to a control salt load, the increase was determined. In response to a control salt load, the increase in urinary sodium excretion by the spontaneously hypertensive rats was significantly greater than that of the normotensive rats [48 +/- 6 (SE) mueq/h vs. 26 +/- 4 mueq/h]. Treatment with spironolactone did not significantly alter the natriuretic response of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (43 +/- 8 mueq/h) to another salt load, but increased the natriuretic response of the normotensive rats (55 +/- 7 mueq/h) to that of the hypertensive rats. D-Aldosterone suppressed the natriuretic response to salt loading of the hypertensive rats to a level which was not significantly different from that of the normotensive rats. Plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly lower in the spontaneously hypertensive rats than in the normotensive rats (18.0 +/- 3.3 and 52.1 +/- 5.2 ng/100 ml, respectively). Neither extracellular fluid volume nor total body water in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats were significantly different. The data support the hypothesis that the exaggerated natriuresis in the spontaneously hypertensive rats is mediated by a relative lack by these rats of aldosterone-mediated distal tubular sodium reabsorption.", "PMID": 623262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4829", "title": "Site of formation of kinins in the dog nephron.", "content": "The site of formation of kinins in the nephron was determined by stop-flow studies in dogs. Klinin, inulin, sodium, potassium concentrations were measured in the fractions collected during the stop-flow procedures. In addition, in three of the 17 stop-flow experiments, kallikrein activity was also measured. The highest kinin concentration after correction for water reabsorption was found in the fractions that were probably trapped in the distal part of the nephron. Either one or two peak was located either in the fraction overlapping (in one instance) or in the fractions coming prior to the fractions with the highest concentration of potassium. This first peak was present in all but one of the stop-flow experiments and was greater than the second peak. The second peak of kinins was found in 13 of the 17 stop-flow exeriments and was located in the fractions with the lowest sodium concentration. Those fractions with the lowest sodium concentration. Those fractions with the lowest sodium concentration also had the highest kallikrein concentration. No evidence of kinin formation was found in the fractions representing the proximal nephron. We conclude, therefore, that kinins are formed in the distal part of the nephron, with the highest concentration found in the last part of the distal nephron and/or in the renal papilla and pelvis.", "contents": "Site of formation of kinins in the dog nephron. The site of formation of kinins in the nephron was determined by stop-flow studies in dogs. Klinin, inulin, sodium, potassium concentrations were measured in the fractions collected during the stop-flow procedures. In addition, in three of the 17 stop-flow experiments, kallikrein activity was also measured. The highest kinin concentration after correction for water reabsorption was found in the fractions that were probably trapped in the distal part of the nephron. Either one or two peak was located either in the fraction overlapping (in one instance) or in the fractions coming prior to the fractions with the highest concentration of potassium. This first peak was present in all but one of the stop-flow experiments and was greater than the second peak. The second peak of kinins was found in 13 of the 17 stop-flow exeriments and was located in the fractions with the lowest sodium concentration. Those fractions with the lowest sodium concentration. Those fractions with the lowest sodium concentration also had the highest kallikrein concentration. No evidence of kinin formation was found in the fractions representing the proximal nephron. We conclude, therefore, that kinins are formed in the distal part of the nephron, with the highest concentration found in the last part of the distal nephron and/or in the renal papilla and pelvis.", "PMID": 623263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4830", "title": "Physical properties of isolated perfused basement membranes from rabbit loop of Henle.", "content": "Isolated, perfused segments of late proximal straight tubule, descending thin limb of Henle, and ascending thick limb of Henle from the rabbit were studied before and after removal of the epithelium with sodium deoxycholate. The relationship between transmural hydrostatic pressure and outer tubule diameter was similar in paired intact tubules and basement membranes, indicating that basement membrane is the principal determinent of tubule distensibility. As calculated from teh measured perfusate flow at several different transmembrane hydrostatic pressures, the hydraulic conductivity of the basement membranes was 6-8 X 10(-3) cm3/cm2.min.cmH2O. With use of these LP values and the calculated oncotic pressure required experimentally to reduce transmembrane hydrostatic pressure transiently to zero, the apparent reflection coefficient of the basement membranes for serum albumin was estimated to be 0.05-0.16. It is concluded that basement membranes of the loop and of other previously studied segments of rabbit nephron provide very strong and elastic mechanical support to the epithelium while having minimal resistance to flow of water and of solutes as large as serum albumin.", "contents": "Physical properties of isolated perfused basement membranes from rabbit loop of Henle. Isolated, perfused segments of late proximal straight tubule, descending thin limb of Henle, and ascending thick limb of Henle from the rabbit were studied before and after removal of the epithelium with sodium deoxycholate. The relationship between transmural hydrostatic pressure and outer tubule diameter was similar in paired intact tubules and basement membranes, indicating that basement membrane is the principal determinent of tubule distensibility. As calculated from teh measured perfusate flow at several different transmembrane hydrostatic pressures, the hydraulic conductivity of the basement membranes was 6-8 X 10(-3) cm3/cm2.min.cmH2O. With use of these LP values and the calculated oncotic pressure required experimentally to reduce transmembrane hydrostatic pressure transiently to zero, the apparent reflection coefficient of the basement membranes for serum albumin was estimated to be 0.05-0.16. It is concluded that basement membranes of the loop and of other previously studied segments of rabbit nephron provide very strong and elastic mechanical support to the epithelium while having minimal resistance to flow of water and of solutes as large as serum albumin.", "PMID": 623265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4831", "title": "Fluid absorption with and without sodium in isolated perfused snake proximal tubules.", "content": "Net fluid absorption (JV) was studied in isolated, perfused snake (Thamnophis spp.) proximal renal tubules. With standard (150 mmol/liter Na+) bicarbonate-buffered Ringer in perfusate and standard Ringer plus dextran (4 g/100 ml) in bath, JV was about 0.9 nl min-1 mm-1. Removing dextran from bath reduced JV by about 20 percent. When sodium in perfusate was replaced with choline JV approached zero. However, when sodium in bath as well as perfusate was replaced with choline, JV returned to control level. Results were the same when sodium was replaced with tetramethyl-ammonium, sodium chloride was replaced with sucrose or lactose, or chloride was replaced with methyl sulfate. In contrast, replacing sodium in perfusate or in both perfusate and bath with lithium did not reduce JV. Fluid absorption was always isosmotic. Replacing bicarbonate with phosphate or Tris in sodium-containing media had no effect on JV, but the presence of buffer in sodium-free or low-chloride media may have been important for JV. Reducing temperature 10 degrees C reduced JV by about 35 percent with either sodium chloride or sucrose in both perfusate and bath. The results indicate that isosmotic fluid absorption can occur when lithium is substituted for sodium or when some other substitution is made for sodium, chloride, or both in perfusate and bath simultaneously.", "contents": "Fluid absorption with and without sodium in isolated perfused snake proximal tubules. Net fluid absorption (JV) was studied in isolated, perfused snake (Thamnophis spp.) proximal renal tubules. With standard (150 mmol/liter Na+) bicarbonate-buffered Ringer in perfusate and standard Ringer plus dextran (4 g/100 ml) in bath, JV was about 0.9 nl min-1 mm-1. Removing dextran from bath reduced JV by about 20 percent. When sodium in perfusate was replaced with choline JV approached zero. However, when sodium in bath as well as perfusate was replaced with choline, JV returned to control level. Results were the same when sodium was replaced with tetramethyl-ammonium, sodium chloride was replaced with sucrose or lactose, or chloride was replaced with methyl sulfate. In contrast, replacing sodium in perfusate or in both perfusate and bath with lithium did not reduce JV. Fluid absorption was always isosmotic. Replacing bicarbonate with phosphate or Tris in sodium-containing media had no effect on JV, but the presence of buffer in sodium-free or low-chloride media may have been important for JV. Reducing temperature 10 degrees C reduced JV by about 35 percent with either sodium chloride or sucrose in both perfusate and bath. The results indicate that isosmotic fluid absorption can occur when lithium is substituted for sodium or when some other substitution is made for sodium, chloride, or both in perfusate and bath simultaneously.", "PMID": 623268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4832", "title": "Cardiac output and renal excretion rates during acute blood volume expansion in rats.", "content": "Selected central vascular parameters and renal excretion rates were monitored in anesthetized rats after acute, isohemic blood volume expansion by 33 percent. The infusate was an equilibrated mixture of animals' own blood and isotonic, isoncotic (6 percent) bovine albumin. Expansion increased mean arterial pressure by 35 percent, mean central venous pressure (CVP) by 850 percent, cardiac output (CO) by 56 percent, hematocrit (Hct) by 25 percent, plasma protein concentration (Ppr) by 25 percent, renal excretion rates of volume by 4,400 percent, of sodium by 2,800 percent, and of potassium by 360 percent of the respective preinfusion value. Hct and Ppr measurements suggested that 15 min after the end of the infusion, only 33 percent of infused volume remained within the circulation and that there was little further change in this during the remainder of the experiment. At the end of the elevated renal response, CVP and CO alone had returned to control values. Renal excretion rates were highly correlated with CO, but they were delayed by 2-5 min with respect to it. The results suggest that the renal response to acute volume expansion does not primarily control blood volume. Cardiac output may be the controlled variable in the response.", "contents": "Cardiac output and renal excretion rates during acute blood volume expansion in rats. Selected central vascular parameters and renal excretion rates were monitored in anesthetized rats after acute, isohemic blood volume expansion by 33 percent. The infusate was an equilibrated mixture of animals' own blood and isotonic, isoncotic (6 percent) bovine albumin. Expansion increased mean arterial pressure by 35 percent, mean central venous pressure (CVP) by 850 percent, cardiac output (CO) by 56 percent, hematocrit (Hct) by 25 percent, plasma protein concentration (Ppr) by 25 percent, renal excretion rates of volume by 4,400 percent, of sodium by 2,800 percent, and of potassium by 360 percent of the respective preinfusion value. Hct and Ppr measurements suggested that 15 min after the end of the infusion, only 33 percent of infused volume remained within the circulation and that there was little further change in this during the remainder of the experiment. At the end of the elevated renal response, CVP and CO alone had returned to control values. Renal excretion rates were highly correlated with CO, but they were delayed by 2-5 min with respect to it. The results suggest that the renal response to acute volume expansion does not primarily control blood volume. Cardiac output may be the controlled variable in the response.", "PMID": 623271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4833", "title": "Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow during early experimental renal hypertension in the conscious dog.", "content": "Using the radioactive microsphere technique, cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in six conscious dogs before intervention and again on the 3rd-5th days after inducing hypertension by the one-kidney Goldblatt (1-KGH) procedure. Sham-operated controls were also studied. The normal temporal variability of CBF, as well as the precision of the microsphere technique in measuring CBF were also determined in other normal dogs. A left atrial catheter was used for the microsphere injections (15 micrometer diam spheres) and an aortic catheter was used for cardiac output and blood pressure measurements. On the 3rd-5th days after 1-KGH, mean aortic pressure increased from a control value of 94 +/- 7 mmHg to 135 +/- 20 mmHg (P less than 0.005). CBF did not change significantly from the control flow of 57.1 +/- 7.9 ml/100 g per min. Calculated cerebral vascular resistance increased by 47 percent (P less than 0.025) above the control value. Hence, the early phase of experimental renal hypertension is associated with adequate autoregulation of cerebral blood flow.", "contents": "Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow during early experimental renal hypertension in the conscious dog. Using the radioactive microsphere technique, cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in six conscious dogs before intervention and again on the 3rd-5th days after inducing hypertension by the one-kidney Goldblatt (1-KGH) procedure. Sham-operated controls were also studied. The normal temporal variability of CBF, as well as the precision of the microsphere technique in measuring CBF were also determined in other normal dogs. A left atrial catheter was used for the microsphere injections (15 micrometer diam spheres) and an aortic catheter was used for cardiac output and blood pressure measurements. On the 3rd-5th days after 1-KGH, mean aortic pressure increased from a control value of 94 +/- 7 mmHg to 135 +/- 20 mmHg (P less than 0.005). CBF did not change significantly from the control flow of 57.1 +/- 7.9 ml/100 g per min. Calculated cerebral vascular resistance increased by 47 percent (P less than 0.025) above the control value. Hence, the early phase of experimental renal hypertension is associated with adequate autoregulation of cerebral blood flow.", "PMID": 623273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4834", "title": "Role of extravascular protein in capillary-tissue fluid exchange.", "content": "A mathematical model of capillary-tissue fluid exchange is presented. The effect of variation in plasma and interstitial osmotic pressure that occurs as a result of convection and diffusion of protein is examined. Analytic solutions to the resulting equations are obtained by using the methods of perturbation theory. It is found that fluid exchange can significantly alter the pericapillary interstitial osmotic pressure, reducing both filtration and reabsorption. Variation in plasma osmotic pressure is important only for certain pathological conditions in which excessive filtration occurs. Specific numerical examples are presented which show quantitatively the extent of these effects for various normal and pathological conditions of physiological interest.", "contents": "Role of extravascular protein in capillary-tissue fluid exchange. A mathematical model of capillary-tissue fluid exchange is presented. The effect of variation in plasma and interstitial osmotic pressure that occurs as a result of convection and diffusion of protein is examined. Analytic solutions to the resulting equations are obtained by using the methods of perturbation theory. It is found that fluid exchange can significantly alter the pericapillary interstitial osmotic pressure, reducing both filtration and reabsorption. Variation in plasma osmotic pressure is important only for certain pathological conditions in which excessive filtration occurs. Specific numerical examples are presented which show quantitatively the extent of these effects for various normal and pathological conditions of physiological interest.", "PMID": 623274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4835", "title": "Measurement of local cerebral blood flow with iodo [14C] antipyrine.", "content": "The autoradiographic diffusible tracer technique for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow was originally designed for use with the radioactive, inert gas 131I-labeled trifluoroiodomethane and is applicable only with tracers that exhibit unrestricted diffusion through the blood-brain barrier. Because of the technical problems associated with the use of gaseous tracers, a suitable nonvolatile tracer has been sought. [14C] Antipyrine has been used previously and found to be unsuitable because of limitations in its diffusion through the blood-brain barrier. An analogue of [14C]antipyrine, iodo [14C]antipyrine, exhibits higher partition coefficients than [14C]antipyrine between nonpolar solvents and water and might, therefore, be expected to diffuse more freely through the barrier. Its use as the tracer in the local blood flow technique leads to values considerably above those obtained with [14C]antipyrine in the rat and cat and essentially the same as those obtained with the gas trifluoro[131I]iodomethane in the cat. Iodo[14C]antipyrine appears, therefore, to be a satisfactory nonvolatile tracer for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow.", "contents": "Measurement of local cerebral blood flow with iodo [14C] antipyrine. The autoradiographic diffusible tracer technique for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow was originally designed for use with the radioactive, inert gas 131I-labeled trifluoroiodomethane and is applicable only with tracers that exhibit unrestricted diffusion through the blood-brain barrier. Because of the technical problems associated with the use of gaseous tracers, a suitable nonvolatile tracer has been sought. [14C] Antipyrine has been used previously and found to be unsuitable because of limitations in its diffusion through the blood-brain barrier. An analogue of [14C]antipyrine, iodo [14C]antipyrine, exhibits higher partition coefficients than [14C]antipyrine between nonpolar solvents and water and might, therefore, be expected to diffuse more freely through the barrier. Its use as the tracer in the local blood flow technique leads to values considerably above those obtained with [14C]antipyrine in the rat and cat and essentially the same as those obtained with the gas trifluoro[131I]iodomethane in the cat. Iodo[14C]antipyrine appears, therefore, to be a satisfactory nonvolatile tracer for the measurement of local cerebral blood flow.", "PMID": 623275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4836", "title": "Hemodynamic similarities between the trigeminal and aortic vasodepressor responses.", "content": "The hemodynamic changes associated with hypotension elicited by electrical stimulation of the spinal trigeminal complex (trigeminal depressor response, TDR) or the aortic nerve (aortic depressor reflex, ADR) were compared in rabbits anesthetized with urethan. The hypotension associated with each response was accompanied by bradycardia, a marked fall in total peripheral resistance, a small decrease in cardiac output, and a nonuniform decrease in regional vascular resistances, with the order of magnitude of the decrease being femoral greater than mesenteric greater than renal arterial resistance. In individual experiments the percent decrease in heart rate, total peripheral resistance, or regional resistances was plotted against the percent fall in arterial pressure to obtain a pair of regression lines during the TDR and ADR. There was no significant difference in the slope or y-intercept of the regression line between the TDR and ADR for all of the hemodynamic variables examined. In both responses, however, the slope of the femoral resistance/arterial pressure relationship was significantly greater than that of the renal resistance/arterial pressure relationship. We conclude that the TDR is characterized by a pattern of hemodynamic changes similar to that of the ADR.", "contents": "Hemodynamic similarities between the trigeminal and aortic vasodepressor responses. The hemodynamic changes associated with hypotension elicited by electrical stimulation of the spinal trigeminal complex (trigeminal depressor response, TDR) or the aortic nerve (aortic depressor reflex, ADR) were compared in rabbits anesthetized with urethan. The hypotension associated with each response was accompanied by bradycardia, a marked fall in total peripheral resistance, a small decrease in cardiac output, and a nonuniform decrease in regional vascular resistances, with the order of magnitude of the decrease being femoral greater than mesenteric greater than renal arterial resistance. In individual experiments the percent decrease in heart rate, total peripheral resistance, or regional resistances was plotted against the percent fall in arterial pressure to obtain a pair of regression lines during the TDR and ADR. There was no significant difference in the slope or y-intercept of the regression line between the TDR and ADR for all of the hemodynamic variables examined. In both responses, however, the slope of the femoral resistance/arterial pressure relationship was significantly greater than that of the renal resistance/arterial pressure relationship. We conclude that the TDR is characterized by a pattern of hemodynamic changes similar to that of the ADR.", "PMID": 623276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4837", "title": "Vascular capacitance of dog intestine using mean transit time of indicator.", "content": "Changes in vascular volume of dog jejunum caused by norepinephrine, isoproterenol, or acetylcholine at constant=flow perfusion, were compared to changes in volume caused by changes in blood flow or venous pressure. Vascular volume was measured by indicator dilution mean transit time, using a step input of indocyanine green (125 microgram/min). Venous pressure was held at 10 mmHg; control arterial pressure was about 110 mmHg. At a control flow of 521 ml/min.kg of tissue, the vascular volume was 104 +/- 14 (SD) ml/kg of tissue. Reducing flow by 75 percent caused the volume to decrease by 29 percent (--31 ml/kg); maximal norepinephrine infusion at constant flow and venous pressure decreased the vascular volume by 24 percent, and a 10-mmHg reduction in venous outflow pressure caused a 25 percent (--27 ml/kg) reduction. On the other hand, isoproterenol (100 microgram/liter) at constant flow caused a 245 percent increase in conductance and only a 12 percent increase in vascular volume. Thus, active venoconstriction, changes in venous pressure, or changes in flow independently may cause changes in vascular volume of the intestine. Active smooth muscle changes in the venous capacitance vessels are not necessarily correlated with changes in the arterial resistance vessels.", "contents": "Vascular capacitance of dog intestine using mean transit time of indicator. Changes in vascular volume of dog jejunum caused by norepinephrine, isoproterenol, or acetylcholine at constant=flow perfusion, were compared to changes in volume caused by changes in blood flow or venous pressure. Vascular volume was measured by indicator dilution mean transit time, using a step input of indocyanine green (125 microgram/min). Venous pressure was held at 10 mmHg; control arterial pressure was about 110 mmHg. At a control flow of 521 ml/min.kg of tissue, the vascular volume was 104 +/- 14 (SD) ml/kg of tissue. Reducing flow by 75 percent caused the volume to decrease by 29 percent (--31 ml/kg); maximal norepinephrine infusion at constant flow and venous pressure decreased the vascular volume by 24 percent, and a 10-mmHg reduction in venous outflow pressure caused a 25 percent (--27 ml/kg) reduction. On the other hand, isoproterenol (100 microgram/liter) at constant flow caused a 245 percent increase in conductance and only a 12 percent increase in vascular volume. Thus, active venoconstriction, changes in venous pressure, or changes in flow independently may cause changes in vascular volume of the intestine. Active smooth muscle changes in the venous capacitance vessels are not necessarily correlated with changes in the arterial resistance vessels.", "PMID": 623277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4838", "title": "Restoration of hemorrhaged plasma volume by gastrointestinal fluid in the dog.", "content": "Conscious, intact and splenectomized, male dogs were hemorrhaged 35 percent of their blood volumes (23 +/- 3 and 25 +/- 4 ml/kg, respectively) from carotid loop cannulas. Isotonic saline or glucose solutions were administered by gastric tube in volumes equal to the blood volume hemorrhaged. Plasma volume, mean arterial blood pressure, venous hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and interstitial fluid pressure were monitored after hemorrhage and after fluid treatment. The magnitudes of plasma volume restoration 8 h after hemorrhage in the nontreated dogs averaged 56 +/- 9 percent of the hemorrhaged volume and did not differ significantly between intact and splenectomized dogs. Plasma volumes, however, were increased significantly by enterally administered fluids. The maximum rates of plasma volume restoration occurred within the 1st h after fluid treatment. Approximately 46 percent and 28 percent of the hemorrhaged plasma volume was replaced by saline and glucose solutions, respectively, during this period. Results support the hypothesis that fluid is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following hemorrhage, and that enterally administered fluids restore plasma volume at a rate and to an extent exceeding that provided by net interstitial fluid exchange alone.", "contents": "Restoration of hemorrhaged plasma volume by gastrointestinal fluid in the dog. Conscious, intact and splenectomized, male dogs were hemorrhaged 35 percent of their blood volumes (23 +/- 3 and 25 +/- 4 ml/kg, respectively) from carotid loop cannulas. Isotonic saline or glucose solutions were administered by gastric tube in volumes equal to the blood volume hemorrhaged. Plasma volume, mean arterial blood pressure, venous hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, and interstitial fluid pressure were monitored after hemorrhage and after fluid treatment. The magnitudes of plasma volume restoration 8 h after hemorrhage in the nontreated dogs averaged 56 +/- 9 percent of the hemorrhaged volume and did not differ significantly between intact and splenectomized dogs. Plasma volumes, however, were increased significantly by enterally administered fluids. The maximum rates of plasma volume restoration occurred within the 1st h after fluid treatment. Approximately 46 percent and 28 percent of the hemorrhaged plasma volume was replaced by saline and glucose solutions, respectively, during this period. Results support the hypothesis that fluid is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract following hemorrhage, and that enterally administered fluids restore plasma volume at a rate and to an extent exceeding that provided by net interstitial fluid exchange alone.", "PMID": 623278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4839", "title": "Kinetic analysis of calcium desaturation curves from isolated kidney cells.", "content": "This paper provides mathematical solutions for calculating calcium fluxes and compartments in isolated kidney cells from calcium-45 desaturation curves. In contrast to other available methods, these solutions allow the calculation of kinetic parameters even if isotopic equilibrium has not been reached at the beginning of the desaturation period. To test the validity of the method, calcium-45 desaturation experiments were performed in isolated kidney cells after labeling periods of 30, 60, 90, or 120 min. Even though the calcium-45 desaturation curves differ with different labeling times, the respective values of the calculated parameters are practically identical. The optical labeling period was found to lie between 60 and 120 min. Since this new method does not require initial isotopic steady state, it allows a formal kinetic analysis of tracer desaturation curves even after short periods of labeling.", "contents": "Kinetic analysis of calcium desaturation curves from isolated kidney cells. This paper provides mathematical solutions for calculating calcium fluxes and compartments in isolated kidney cells from calcium-45 desaturation curves. In contrast to other available methods, these solutions allow the calculation of kinetic parameters even if isotopic equilibrium has not been reached at the beginning of the desaturation period. To test the validity of the method, calcium-45 desaturation experiments were performed in isolated kidney cells after labeling periods of 30, 60, 90, or 120 min. Even though the calcium-45 desaturation curves differ with different labeling times, the respective values of the calculated parameters are practically identical. The optical labeling period was found to lie between 60 and 120 min. Since this new method does not require initial isotopic steady state, it allows a formal kinetic analysis of tracer desaturation curves even after short periods of labeling.", "PMID": 623281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4840", "title": "A field and circuit thermodynamics for integrative physiology. II. Power and communicational spectroscopy in biology.", "content": "This paper continues the development begun in Part I (15), to show in what way it is meaningful to reduce biological phenomena to physical theory at any level of organization. The appropriate level-independent physics is comprised of thermostatics, thermodynamics of irreversible processes, statistical mechanics, and nonlinear mechanics. Generalized, these approaches lead to a spectroscopic description of the constellation of periodic processes that constitute the living states. The spectroscopic description is here applied also to the inputs received by living systems, from lethal, high-energy, nuclear particles and radiation to low-energy communicational signals that make up languages understandable at the various levels in an hierarchical system. The concept of language is then itself generalized, showing how the empirical relation discovered by Zipf can be derived from a thermodynamic basis. It is demonstrated that certain linguistic and statistical-mechanical distribution functions can be related. Applications of the field thermodynamic approach to two problems in transport phenomena are given in APPENDIX I; applications of field thermodynamics to language and communication are given in APPENDIX II.", "contents": "A field and circuit thermodynamics for integrative physiology. II. Power and communicational spectroscopy in biology. This paper continues the development begun in Part I (15), to show in what way it is meaningful to reduce biological phenomena to physical theory at any level of organization. The appropriate level-independent physics is comprised of thermostatics, thermodynamics of irreversible processes, statistical mechanics, and nonlinear mechanics. Generalized, these approaches lead to a spectroscopic description of the constellation of periodic processes that constitute the living states. The spectroscopic description is here applied also to the inputs received by living systems, from lethal, high-energy, nuclear particles and radiation to low-energy communicational signals that make up languages understandable at the various levels in an hierarchical system. The concept of language is then itself generalized, showing how the empirical relation discovered by Zipf can be derived from a thermodynamic basis. It is demonstrated that certain linguistic and statistical-mechanical distribution functions can be related. Applications of the field thermodynamic approach to two problems in transport phenomena are given in APPENDIX I; applications of field thermodynamics to language and communication are given in APPENDIX II.", "PMID": 623282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4841", "title": "Studies of calcium-45 desaturation from kidney slices in flow-through chambers.", "content": "This paper describes a method to measure calcium fluxes and calcium exchangeable pools in tissue slices by continuous perifusion in flow-through chambers. 45Ca desaturation from rat kidney slices can be analyzed as in an open three-compartment catenary system. A set of equations is given to calculate all the relevant kinetic parameters from the triple exponential equations which best fit the desaturation curves. The results show that the kinetic parameters obtained in kidney slices by this new method are in the same order of magnitude as those previously observed in cultured monkey kidney cells.", "contents": "Studies of calcium-45 desaturation from kidney slices in flow-through chambers. This paper describes a method to measure calcium fluxes and calcium exchangeable pools in tissue slices by continuous perifusion in flow-through chambers. 45Ca desaturation from rat kidney slices can be analyzed as in an open three-compartment catenary system. A set of equations is given to calculate all the relevant kinetic parameters from the triple exponential equations which best fit the desaturation curves. The results show that the kinetic parameters obtained in kidney slices by this new method are in the same order of magnitude as those previously observed in cultured monkey kidney cells.", "PMID": 623283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4842", "title": "Comparative aspects of brain barrier systems for nonelectrolytes.", "content": "Blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers to inulin were compared in 11 vertebrate species. Twenty hours after systemic administration, [14C]inulin penetrated into the central nervous system to an equivalent extent in mudpuppy, salamander (adult and larval), red sculpin, big skate, little skate, southern stingray, and Atlantic stingray with values for RB (dpm/g brain divided by dpm/ml plasma) in the range 0.01- 0.04 and for RCSF (dpm/ml CSF divided by dpm/ml plasma) from 0.02 to 0.04. These values are similar to those reported for mammals. For dogfish, nurse shark, and lemon shark, RB ranged from 0.04 to 0.09 and RCSF from 0.08 to 0.29 and for hagfish RB=0.12, indicating that barrier systems to inulin are poorly developed in sharks and possibly absent in hagfish. Analyses of radiolabeled urea and sucrose penetration into brain and CSF revealed further differences in shark barrier function. Brain barriers to insulin in dogfish and little skate developed with age; in nurse shark there was no detectable change in the inulin ratios over the weight range, 0.2-110 kg.", "contents": "Comparative aspects of brain barrier systems for nonelectrolytes. Blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers to inulin were compared in 11 vertebrate species. Twenty hours after systemic administration, [14C]inulin penetrated into the central nervous system to an equivalent extent in mudpuppy, salamander (adult and larval), red sculpin, big skate, little skate, southern stingray, and Atlantic stingray with values for RB (dpm/g brain divided by dpm/ml plasma) in the range 0.01- 0.04 and for RCSF (dpm/ml CSF divided by dpm/ml plasma) from 0.02 to 0.04. These values are similar to those reported for mammals. For dogfish, nurse shark, and lemon shark, RB ranged from 0.04 to 0.09 and RCSF from 0.08 to 0.29 and for hagfish RB=0.12, indicating that barrier systems to inulin are poorly developed in sharks and possibly absent in hagfish. Analyses of radiolabeled urea and sucrose penetration into brain and CSF revealed further differences in shark barrier function. Brain barriers to insulin in dogfish and little skate developed with age; in nurse shark there was no detectable change in the inulin ratios over the weight range, 0.2-110 kg.", "PMID": 623284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4843", "title": "Adrenergic modulation of insulin secretion in vivo dependent on thyroid states.", "content": "Insulin secretory responses via adrenergic mechanisms were studied in vivo with hyperthyroid rats prepared by daily injections with thyroxine and with rats rendered hypothyroid by the addition of methylthiouracil in the drinking water. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agent, caused hyperinsulinemia in hyperthyroid rats more markedly than in euthyroid rats, but failed to induce hyperinsulinemia in hypothyroid rats. The isoproterenol-induced hyperinsulinemia was abolished by a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker in hyperthyroid as well as in euthyroid rats. The glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia was enhanced in hyperthyroid, was not essentially affected in euthyroid, and was inhibited in hypothyroid rats, by an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agent such as epinephrine. It is concluded that the relative function of alpha- to beta-adrenergic receptors responsible for the pancreatic secretion of insulin is dependent on the thyroid state; beta-adrenergic actions are predominant over alpha-actions in hyperthyroidism and vice versa in hypothyroidism.", "contents": "Adrenergic modulation of insulin secretion in vivo dependent on thyroid states. Insulin secretory responses via adrenergic mechanisms were studied in vivo with hyperthyroid rats prepared by daily injections with thyroxine and with rats rendered hypothyroid by the addition of methylthiouracil in the drinking water. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agent, caused hyperinsulinemia in hyperthyroid rats more markedly than in euthyroid rats, but failed to induce hyperinsulinemia in hypothyroid rats. The isoproterenol-induced hyperinsulinemia was abolished by a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker in hyperthyroid as well as in euthyroid rats. The glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia was enhanced in hyperthyroid, was not essentially affected in euthyroid, and was inhibited in hypothyroid rats, by an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agent such as epinephrine. It is concluded that the relative function of alpha- to beta-adrenergic receptors responsible for the pancreatic secretion of insulin is dependent on the thyroid state; beta-adrenergic actions are predominant over alpha-actions in hyperthyroidism and vice versa in hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 623287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4844", "title": "Glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes with measurements of L-arabinose uptake.", "content": "Data is presented suggesting that rates of L-arabinose transport, calculated from L-[1-14C]arabinose uptake measurements, can be used as indicators of changes in the rates of glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes. L-[1-14C]arabinose, at 37 degrees C, was found to be nonmetabolizable and taken up by adipocytes exponentially with time reaching 95% of equilibrium in 30 min. When L-arabinose is corrected for background, the corrected uptake values conform to the time-dependent monoexponential uptake relationshiop predicted for a facilitated transport system and are not significantly different from 0 in the presence of 70 micron cytochalasin B. Transport rates were calculated from corrected uptake values near the half-maximal uptake of L-arabinose and from a value of the total amount of L-arabinose in the cell at equilibrium. Competitive inhibition of L-arabinose transport by glucose and countertransport of L-arabinose in the presence of glucose suggest that L-arabinose and glucose share the same transport system. Data is presented demonstrating the effect of insulin and dexamethasone on the transport system that confirms the conclusions obtained by other investigators using other methods.", "contents": "Glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes with measurements of L-arabinose uptake. Data is presented suggesting that rates of L-arabinose transport, calculated from L-[1-14C]arabinose uptake measurements, can be used as indicators of changes in the rates of glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes. L-[1-14C]arabinose, at 37 degrees C, was found to be nonmetabolizable and taken up by adipocytes exponentially with time reaching 95% of equilibrium in 30 min. When L-arabinose is corrected for background, the corrected uptake values conform to the time-dependent monoexponential uptake relationshiop predicted for a facilitated transport system and are not significantly different from 0 in the presence of 70 micron cytochalasin B. Transport rates were calculated from corrected uptake values near the half-maximal uptake of L-arabinose and from a value of the total amount of L-arabinose in the cell at equilibrium. Competitive inhibition of L-arabinose transport by glucose and countertransport of L-arabinose in the presence of glucose suggest that L-arabinose and glucose share the same transport system. Data is presented demonstrating the effect of insulin and dexamethasone on the transport system that confirms the conclusions obtained by other investigators using other methods.", "PMID": 623288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4845", "title": "Erythritol and mannitol clearances with taurocholate and secretin-induced cholereses.", "content": "The biliary clearances of [14C]erythritol (Cery) and [3H]mannitol (Cmann) were measured simultaneously in dogs during cholereses induced by sodium taurocholate and by secretin. Cery increased equally with the increase in bile flow induced by taurocholate, whereas mannitol entry into bile was partially restricted; deltaCery/deltabile flow averaged 0.96; deltaCmann/deltaCery averaged 0.81. Values for erythritol clearance exceeded bile flow by a constant volume over a wide range of bile flows, a result that suggests distal reabsorption of a fixed amount of fluid, independent of canalicular bile production. During secretin-induced choleresis both Cery and Cmann accompanied 30-40% of the increase in bile flow, and the ratio of Cmann/Cery was 1.02. Thus the secretin-responsive region is permeable to both erythritol and mannitol. This affects the extent to which measured erythritol clearance accurately reflects canalicular bile formation; Cery may underestimate or overestimate canalicular bile flow. The electrolyte composition of bile remained relatively constant over a broad range of bile flows although the characteristics of taurocholate- and secretin-induced biles differed from each other. Taurocholate-stimulated bile was virtually isotonic. Secretin-induced bile had a high total concentration of electrolyte (mean concentration 367 meq/liter) rich in chloride and bicarbonate and was hypertonic.", "contents": "Erythritol and mannitol clearances with taurocholate and secretin-induced cholereses. The biliary clearances of [14C]erythritol (Cery) and [3H]mannitol (Cmann) were measured simultaneously in dogs during cholereses induced by sodium taurocholate and by secretin. Cery increased equally with the increase in bile flow induced by taurocholate, whereas mannitol entry into bile was partially restricted; deltaCery/deltabile flow averaged 0.96; deltaCmann/deltaCery averaged 0.81. Values for erythritol clearance exceeded bile flow by a constant volume over a wide range of bile flows, a result that suggests distal reabsorption of a fixed amount of fluid, independent of canalicular bile production. During secretin-induced choleresis both Cery and Cmann accompanied 30-40% of the increase in bile flow, and the ratio of Cmann/Cery was 1.02. Thus the secretin-responsive region is permeable to both erythritol and mannitol. This affects the extent to which measured erythritol clearance accurately reflects canalicular bile formation; Cery may underestimate or overestimate canalicular bile flow. The electrolyte composition of bile remained relatively constant over a broad range of bile flows although the characteristics of taurocholate- and secretin-induced biles differed from each other. Taurocholate-stimulated bile was virtually isotonic. Secretin-induced bile had a high total concentration of electrolyte (mean concentration 367 meq/liter) rich in chloride and bicarbonate and was hypertonic.", "PMID": 623290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4846", "title": "Dietary iodine and accumulation of radioiodine in thyroids of chickens.", "content": "Groups of hatchling white leghorn cockerels were fed a basic, semisynthetic low-iodine diet to which various amounts of iodide were added: 0 up to 100 microgram I/g feed. Growth rates were unaffected by the range of dietary iodine content. A transitory goiter occurred only in the group fed the basic low-I diet. Half-life of 131I in the thyroid increased directly and fractional turnover rate inversely with increase of dietary iodine. Trichloroacetic acid-soluble iodine in serum did not accurately reflect variation of dietary iodine. However, effective clearance and binding rate constants did decrease proportionally to dietary iodine increase beyond the first 3-5 days. Concentration of iodine in thyroid was directly proportional to dietary iodine after 10 days. There was no consistent correlation between thyroxine or triiodothyronine and dietary iodine except in general terms of high and low dietary iodine groups. The avian thyroid exhibits great lability in adjusting functionally to a wide range of dietary iodine contents.", "contents": "Dietary iodine and accumulation of radioiodine in thyroids of chickens. Groups of hatchling white leghorn cockerels were fed a basic, semisynthetic low-iodine diet to which various amounts of iodide were added: 0 up to 100 microgram I/g feed. Growth rates were unaffected by the range of dietary iodine content. A transitory goiter occurred only in the group fed the basic low-I diet. Half-life of 131I in the thyroid increased directly and fractional turnover rate inversely with increase of dietary iodine. Trichloroacetic acid-soluble iodine in serum did not accurately reflect variation of dietary iodine. However, effective clearance and binding rate constants did decrease proportionally to dietary iodine increase beyond the first 3-5 days. Concentration of iodine in thyroid was directly proportional to dietary iodine after 10 days. There was no consistent correlation between thyroxine or triiodothyronine and dietary iodine except in general terms of high and low dietary iodine groups. The avian thyroid exhibits great lability in adjusting functionally to a wide range of dietary iodine contents.", "PMID": 623292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4847", "title": "Dietary iodine and thyroidal iodide transport in chickens: organic binding blocked.", "content": "Experimental data concerning the increase in T/S [I-] (ratio of concentration of radioiodide in thyroid to that in serum) during equilibration after a single injection of radioidide were obtained from chickens in which protein binding of radioidide was inhibted by methimazole. Equilibration data were obtained from chickens fed a low-iodine diet (2 mo) as well as the low-iodine diet to which various amounts of NaI had been added. Experimental data were compared with productions based on the open two-compartmental model of Wollman and Reed (Am. J. Physiol. 196: 113-120, 1959). Thyroidal clearance (C/m) of radioiodide (the rate at which radioiodide is transferred from blood into the thyroid and equal to the radioiodide content of C microliter serum per minute) varied inversely to iodine content of feed. Exit rate constant (KTB, the fraction of thyroidal radioiodide transferred to serum per minute) was relatively more constant. The experimental data fitted the predictions from the model within experimental error. Thirty days of feeding the low-iodine diet was required before C/m stabilized at 50 microliter/min per mg and KTB at 0.065; stabilization of C/m and KTB occurred in 12 days with the highest iodine diet.", "contents": "Dietary iodine and thyroidal iodide transport in chickens: organic binding blocked. Experimental data concerning the increase in T/S [I-] (ratio of concentration of radioiodide in thyroid to that in serum) during equilibration after a single injection of radioidide were obtained from chickens in which protein binding of radioidide was inhibted by methimazole. Equilibration data were obtained from chickens fed a low-iodine diet (2 mo) as well as the low-iodine diet to which various amounts of NaI had been added. Experimental data were compared with productions based on the open two-compartmental model of Wollman and Reed (Am. J. Physiol. 196: 113-120, 1959). Thyroidal clearance (C/m) of radioiodide (the rate at which radioiodide is transferred from blood into the thyroid and equal to the radioiodide content of C microliter serum per minute) varied inversely to iodine content of feed. Exit rate constant (KTB, the fraction of thyroidal radioiodide transferred to serum per minute) was relatively more constant. The experimental data fitted the predictions from the model within experimental error. Thirty days of feeding the low-iodine diet was required before C/m stabilized at 50 microliter/min per mg and KTB at 0.065; stabilization of C/m and KTB occurred in 12 days with the highest iodine diet.", "PMID": 623293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4848", "title": "Primary role of decreased fatty acid synthesis in insulin resistance of large rat adipocytes.", "content": "The ability of large fat cells from spontaneously obese rats to synthesize fatty acids from D-[1-14C]glucose, D-[6-14C]glucose, or [2-14C]pyruvate was markedly diminished compared to small fat cells from lean animals. Furthermore, fatty acid synthetase and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase activities in dialyzed homogenates of large fat cells were inhibited by 84 and 90%, respectively, compared to small cells. Pentose shunt activity, but not glycolytic flux, was also markedly inhibited in large fat cells incubated with or without insulin. However, the NADPH oxidant vitamin K5 completely restored pentose shunt activity in large cells to the elevated levels observed in small fat cells in the presence of this agent or insulin. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation and fatty acid synthesis in small cells by rotenone led to a secondary inhibition of pentose shunt activity indicating a link between these two pathways. Direct measurements of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities in fat cell homogenates showed no difference between cell types. The data provide strong support for the hypothesis that the fatty acid synthetic pathway is the primary metabolic defect in large insulin-resistant rat adipocytes, a defect which secondarily leads to inhibited pentose shunt activity.", "contents": "Primary role of decreased fatty acid synthesis in insulin resistance of large rat adipocytes. The ability of large fat cells from spontaneously obese rats to synthesize fatty acids from D-[1-14C]glucose, D-[6-14C]glucose, or [2-14C]pyruvate was markedly diminished compared to small fat cells from lean animals. Furthermore, fatty acid synthetase and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase activities in dialyzed homogenates of large fat cells were inhibited by 84 and 90%, respectively, compared to small cells. Pentose shunt activity, but not glycolytic flux, was also markedly inhibited in large fat cells incubated with or without insulin. However, the NADPH oxidant vitamin K5 completely restored pentose shunt activity in large cells to the elevated levels observed in small fat cells in the presence of this agent or insulin. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation and fatty acid synthesis in small cells by rotenone led to a secondary inhibition of pentose shunt activity indicating a link between these two pathways. Direct measurements of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities in fat cell homogenates showed no difference between cell types. The data provide strong support for the hypothesis that the fatty acid synthetic pathway is the primary metabolic defect in large insulin-resistant rat adipocytes, a defect which secondarily leads to inhibited pentose shunt activity.", "PMID": 623294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4849", "title": "Glutamine metabolism, interorgan transport and glucogenicity in the sheep.", "content": "[U-14C]glutamine and [6-3H]glucose were infused into four groups of sheep: fed, NH4Cl acidotic, fasted, and dexamethasone treated. Net and unidirectional plasma glutamine fluxes in the portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver, kidneys, and hindquarters were measured by multiplying venoarterial concentration differences and 14C extraction ratios by the rate of blood flow. In fed sheep, glutamine was released by kidneys and muscle but removed by PDV and liver. In all other sheep, renal glutamine release either decreased or switched over to net removal largely due to increased unidirectional renal utilization. This increased renal glutamine demand was compensated for, during acidosis, by a decreased net hepatic glutamine removal but, during fasting and dexamethasone treatment, by an increased muscle glutamine release. Plasma glutamine and glucose turnover rates averaged 11-12 and 19-24 mmol/h but the percentage of glutamine converted to glucose was higher during fasting and dexamethasone treatment (21%) than in normal fed sheep (17%) perhaps reflecting the increased glutamine removal by the kidneys. Since renal glutamine utilization increases with acidosis and fasting and, since glutamine turnover remains unchanged, glutamine metabolism by other body tissues must be altered to compensate for renal changes.", "contents": "Glutamine metabolism, interorgan transport and glucogenicity in the sheep. [U-14C]glutamine and [6-3H]glucose were infused into four groups of sheep: fed, NH4Cl acidotic, fasted, and dexamethasone treated. Net and unidirectional plasma glutamine fluxes in the portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver, kidneys, and hindquarters were measured by multiplying venoarterial concentration differences and 14C extraction ratios by the rate of blood flow. In fed sheep, glutamine was released by kidneys and muscle but removed by PDV and liver. In all other sheep, renal glutamine release either decreased or switched over to net removal largely due to increased unidirectional renal utilization. This increased renal glutamine demand was compensated for, during acidosis, by a decreased net hepatic glutamine removal but, during fasting and dexamethasone treatment, by an increased muscle glutamine release. Plasma glutamine and glucose turnover rates averaged 11-12 and 19-24 mmol/h but the percentage of glutamine converted to glucose was higher during fasting and dexamethasone treatment (21%) than in normal fed sheep (17%) perhaps reflecting the increased glutamine removal by the kidneys. Since renal glutamine utilization increases with acidosis and fasting and, since glutamine turnover remains unchanged, glutamine metabolism by other body tissues must be altered to compensate for renal changes.", "PMID": 623296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4850", "title": "Extrapancreatic glucagon in control of glucose turnover in depancreatized dogs.", "content": "Depancreatized dogs have plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG), which is of gastric origin and is immunologically indistinguishable from pancreatic glucagon. The effects of extrapancreatic IRG on the tracer-determined rate of glucose production were examined to establish whether this hormone contributes to the hyperglycemia observed in six conscious, depancreatized dogs after insulin withdrawal. The dogs were initially maintained normoglycemic with an intraportal insulin infusion. Insulin withdrawal resulted in a 53 and 70% decrease of serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) at 60 and 210 min, respectively. At 60 min, plasma glucose rose and Ra increased by 50%. A somatostatin-induced decrease in IRG prevented a further increase in Ra and glucose; after somatostatin withdrawal, IRG, Ra, and plasma glucose increased. Arginine given 1 or 3 h after insulin withdrawal increased IRG by 100 pg/ml, and mean Ra rose by 8.9 mg/kg-min. Thus, in depancreatized dogs with low but detectable serum IRI, IRG suppression is associated with inhibition of Ra and further rise in plasma glucose is prevented. Stimulation of IRG release increases Ra and results in marked hyperglycemia. It is concluded that extrapancreatic glucagon has a diabetogenic effect during acute insulin defiency.", "contents": "Extrapancreatic glucagon in control of glucose turnover in depancreatized dogs. Depancreatized dogs have plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG), which is of gastric origin and is immunologically indistinguishable from pancreatic glucagon. The effects of extrapancreatic IRG on the tracer-determined rate of glucose production were examined to establish whether this hormone contributes to the hyperglycemia observed in six conscious, depancreatized dogs after insulin withdrawal. The dogs were initially maintained normoglycemic with an intraportal insulin infusion. Insulin withdrawal resulted in a 53 and 70% decrease of serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) at 60 and 210 min, respectively. At 60 min, plasma glucose rose and Ra increased by 50%. A somatostatin-induced decrease in IRG prevented a further increase in Ra and glucose; after somatostatin withdrawal, IRG, Ra, and plasma glucose increased. Arginine given 1 or 3 h after insulin withdrawal increased IRG by 100 pg/ml, and mean Ra rose by 8.9 mg/kg-min. Thus, in depancreatized dogs with low but detectable serum IRI, IRG suppression is associated with inhibition of Ra and further rise in plasma glucose is prevented. Stimulation of IRG release increases Ra and results in marked hyperglycemia. It is concluded that extrapancreatic glucagon has a diabetogenic effect during acute insulin defiency.", "PMID": 623297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4851", "title": "Role of prostaglandin E2 in zinc absorption in the rat.", "content": "The supernatant of cytoplasmic extract of rat small intestine was mixed with 65Zn and subjected to Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The activity of 65Zn was detected in four peaks with estimated 800, 10,000, 50,000-75,000 mol wt, and larger than 100,000 daltons. The zinc-binding ligand from the 800 mol wt peak was prostaglandin or prostaglandin-like as indicated by ultra-violet absorption spectrum, by absorption spectrum shift in alcoholic potassium hydroxide, by its effects on pulmonary vascular resistance, and by radioimmunoassay. Addition of prostaglandin E2 or prostaglandin extracted from rat small intestine with ethyl acetate into the lumen of intestinal sacs resulted in a two to threefold increase in the activity of 65Zn in the external medium after 15-20 min incubation. The absorption and tissue distribution of orally administered 65Zn were decreased by 60% in indomethacin-treated rats and increased 70% when ethyl acetate-extracted prostaglandin and radioactive zinc were given simultaneously. These data suggest that prostaglandin not only binds zinc, but also facilitates its transport across the intestinal mucosa.", "contents": "Role of prostaglandin E2 in zinc absorption in the rat. The supernatant of cytoplasmic extract of rat small intestine was mixed with 65Zn and subjected to Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The activity of 65Zn was detected in four peaks with estimated 800, 10,000, 50,000-75,000 mol wt, and larger than 100,000 daltons. The zinc-binding ligand from the 800 mol wt peak was prostaglandin or prostaglandin-like as indicated by ultra-violet absorption spectrum, by absorption spectrum shift in alcoholic potassium hydroxide, by its effects on pulmonary vascular resistance, and by radioimmunoassay. Addition of prostaglandin E2 or prostaglandin extracted from rat small intestine with ethyl acetate into the lumen of intestinal sacs resulted in a two to threefold increase in the activity of 65Zn in the external medium after 15-20 min incubation. The absorption and tissue distribution of orally administered 65Zn were decreased by 60% in indomethacin-treated rats and increased 70% when ethyl acetate-extracted prostaglandin and radioactive zinc were given simultaneously. These data suggest that prostaglandin not only binds zinc, but also facilitates its transport across the intestinal mucosa.", "PMID": 623298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4852", "title": "Effects of prolonged vasopressin treatment in Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus.", "content": "Normal Long-Evans rats (LE) exhibited diurnal variations of plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations with peak values at 10 A.M. and minimum values at 1 P.M. Brattleboro rats heterozygous for hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) had significantly reduced plasma AVP concentrations and increased plasma osmolalities when compared with LE rats. By prolonged injection of 100 mU/day of vasopressin tannate (VPT) into Brattleboro rats homozygous for DI, plasma AVP concentrations close to those of LE rats were achieved. Potassium was retained for 7 days until escape of vasopressin-induced potassium retention occurred. When 500 mU VPT were injected into DI rats, high plasma AVP levels were induced. Potassium was retained for 2-3 days. After initial sodium retention, periods of natriuresis occurred. During treatment with 100 mU VPT/day most of the alterations present in DI rats were corrected, which included increased water turnover and external water loss, increased hematocrit and plasma sodium concentrations (but not increased plasma osmolalities), hypokalemia, increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system, and reduced adrenocortical function.", "contents": "Effects of prolonged vasopressin treatment in Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus. Normal Long-Evans rats (LE) exhibited diurnal variations of plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations with peak values at 10 A.M. and minimum values at 1 P.M. Brattleboro rats heterozygous for hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) had significantly reduced plasma AVP concentrations and increased plasma osmolalities when compared with LE rats. By prolonged injection of 100 mU/day of vasopressin tannate (VPT) into Brattleboro rats homozygous for DI, plasma AVP concentrations close to those of LE rats were achieved. Potassium was retained for 7 days until escape of vasopressin-induced potassium retention occurred. When 500 mU VPT were injected into DI rats, high plasma AVP levels were induced. Potassium was retained for 2-3 days. After initial sodium retention, periods of natriuresis occurred. During treatment with 100 mU VPT/day most of the alterations present in DI rats were corrected, which included increased water turnover and external water loss, increased hematocrit and plasma sodium concentrations (but not increased plasma osmolalities), hypokalemia, increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system, and reduced adrenocortical function.", "PMID": 623299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4853", "title": "Effects of chronic tubular obstruction in Necturus kidney.", "content": "The effects of chronic single nephron or mesonephric duct obstruction on renal pressures were measured in anesthetized Necturi by servo-null techniques. Glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure (PGC) averaged 11.3 +/- 1.2 (SD) cmH2O in 18 normal nephrons. Chronic tubule blockade for 2-6 days produced no significant change in PGC. Light and electron microscopy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) revealed juxtaglomerular cell granules widely dispersed along the course of preglomerular arterioles, a deficient macula densa, and no polkissen. The absence of a detectable change in PGC with chronic tubule blockade, i.e., a tubuloglomerular feedback response, may reflect poor development of the JGA in this amphibian.", "contents": "Effects of chronic tubular obstruction in Necturus kidney. The effects of chronic single nephron or mesonephric duct obstruction on renal pressures were measured in anesthetized Necturi by servo-null techniques. Glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure (PGC) averaged 11.3 +/- 1.2 (SD) cmH2O in 18 normal nephrons. Chronic tubule blockade for 2-6 days produced no significant change in PGC. Light and electron microscopy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) revealed juxtaglomerular cell granules widely dispersed along the course of preglomerular arterioles, a deficient macula densa, and no polkissen. The absence of a detectable change in PGC with chronic tubule blockade, i.e., a tubuloglomerular feedback response, may reflect poor development of the JGA in this amphibian.", "PMID": 623300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4854", "title": "Renal and adrenal responses to [des-Asp1]angiotensin I in the dog.", "content": "There is evidence for the endogenous generation of [des-Asp1]angiotensin II (AIII) from a nonapeptide precursor, [des-Asp1]angiotensin I ([des-Asp1]AI). In the present study, the effects of equipressor doses of exogeneously administered [des-Asp1]AI and AIII on renal function and plasma aldosterone concentration were compared. Intravenous infusion of [des-Asp1]AI (75 ng/kg min-1 for 40 min) decreased renin secretion, renal blood flow, creatinine clearance, and sodium and potassium excretion in dogs. Infusion of AIII at one-third of the rate of [des-Asp1]AI (25 ng/kg min-1) produced comparable decreases in these same parameters. Filtration fraction was increased with both peptides. Both peptides also increased plasma aldosterone concentration to the same extent. A bolus injection (5 mg i.v.) of the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 20,881 completely reversed the mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow responses to [des-Asp1]AI, but did not alter these responses to AIII. These data are consistent with the concept that endogenous generation of AIII from [des-Asp1]AI can occur via the action of converting enzyme on this substance.", "contents": "Renal and adrenal responses to [des-Asp1]angiotensin I in the dog. There is evidence for the endogenous generation of [des-Asp1]angiotensin II (AIII) from a nonapeptide precursor, [des-Asp1]angiotensin I ([des-Asp1]AI). In the present study, the effects of equipressor doses of exogeneously administered [des-Asp1]AI and AIII on renal function and plasma aldosterone concentration were compared. Intravenous infusion of [des-Asp1]AI (75 ng/kg min-1 for 40 min) decreased renin secretion, renal blood flow, creatinine clearance, and sodium and potassium excretion in dogs. Infusion of AIII at one-third of the rate of [des-Asp1]AI (25 ng/kg min-1) produced comparable decreases in these same parameters. Filtration fraction was increased with both peptides. Both peptides also increased plasma aldosterone concentration to the same extent. A bolus injection (5 mg i.v.) of the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 20,881 completely reversed the mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow responses to [des-Asp1]AI, but did not alter these responses to AIII. These data are consistent with the concept that endogenous generation of AIII from [des-Asp1]AI can occur via the action of converting enzyme on this substance.", "PMID": 623303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4855", "title": "Localization of central sites of action of angiotensin II on ADH release in vitro.", "content": "It is now thought that angiotensin II can stimulate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release in vivo by a direct action in the central nervous system but it is not known whether the locus of stimulation is the hypothalamus or the neurohypophysis or both. Isolated rat neural lobes incubated for 10 min in buffer containing angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did not increase ADH release compared to control values, but addition of KCl (60 mM) to the bath markedly stimulated ADH release. However, intact hypothalamoneurohypophysial systems (containing the supraoptic nuclei) incubated with angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did show a pronounced stimulation of ADH release. The data support the hypothesis that angiotensin II, at least in vitro, has a central effect on ADH release which is at the level of the hypothalamus.", "contents": "Localization of central sites of action of angiotensin II on ADH release in vitro. It is now thought that angiotensin II can stimulate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release in vivo by a direct action in the central nervous system but it is not known whether the locus of stimulation is the hypothalamus or the neurohypophysis or both. Isolated rat neural lobes incubated for 10 min in buffer containing angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did not increase ADH release compared to control values, but addition of KCl (60 mM) to the bath markedly stimulated ADH release. However, intact hypothalamoneurohypophysial systems (containing the supraoptic nuclei) incubated with angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did show a pronounced stimulation of ADH release. The data support the hypothesis that angiotensin II, at least in vitro, has a central effect on ADH release which is at the level of the hypothalamus.", "PMID": 623304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4856", "title": "Bicarbonate absorption by rabbit cortical collecting tubules in vitro.", "content": "The rate of transport of bicarbonate was studied in isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting tubules that were absorbing bicarbonate in vitro. Acetazolamide completely inhibited bicarbonate absorption, as was previously observed with isolated proximal tubules. Therefore, carbonic anhydrase probably is important for bicarbonate absorption in both the proximal tubules and collecting tubules. Inhibition of sodium transport by ouabain or elimination of its transport by completely removing the sodium did not cause a decrease in bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules. We previously found that inhibition of sodium transport caused a great decrease in bicarbonate absorption by proximal tubules. Therefore, absorption of bicarbonate is not directly related to sodium transport in collecting tubules, but it probably is related to sodium transport in isolated perfused rabbit proximal tubules. Amiloride inhibited bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules consistent with previous observations that the drug inhibits urinary acidification. Although amiloride also inhibits sodium transport and reduces the transepithelial voltage across the collecting tubules, the effect of the drug on bicarbonate transport apparently is independent of the other effects.", "contents": "Bicarbonate absorption by rabbit cortical collecting tubules in vitro. The rate of transport of bicarbonate was studied in isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting tubules that were absorbing bicarbonate in vitro. Acetazolamide completely inhibited bicarbonate absorption, as was previously observed with isolated proximal tubules. Therefore, carbonic anhydrase probably is important for bicarbonate absorption in both the proximal tubules and collecting tubules. Inhibition of sodium transport by ouabain or elimination of its transport by completely removing the sodium did not cause a decrease in bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules. We previously found that inhibition of sodium transport caused a great decrease in bicarbonate absorption by proximal tubules. Therefore, absorption of bicarbonate is not directly related to sodium transport in collecting tubules, but it probably is related to sodium transport in isolated perfused rabbit proximal tubules. Amiloride inhibited bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules consistent with previous observations that the drug inhibits urinary acidification. Although amiloride also inhibits sodium transport and reduces the transepithelial voltage across the collecting tubules, the effect of the drug on bicarbonate transport apparently is independent of the other effects.", "PMID": 623305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4857", "title": "Tubular sites of potassium regulation in the normal and uninephrectomized rat.", "content": "Tubular handling of potassium was studied in the Charles River CD (cesarean derived) rat by clearance, micropuncture, and anatomic techniques. The following groups were evaluated: group I, hydropenia; group II, KCl-mannitol infusion; group III, 10% body wt saline loading; group IV, uninephrectomy, hydropenia; and group V, uninephrectomy, saline loading. Comparison of micropuncture samples from early and late distal collection sites (LDCS) and urine collections revealed no net K transport along the distal convoluted tubule in groups I and III-V but net addition of K in all groups beyond the LDCS. Absolute K secretion beyond the LDCS appeared to be flow dependent in groups I-III. The LDCS was noted by light and electron microscopy always to be lined with collecting tubule epithelium. We conclude that no net change in potassium transport occurs along the superficial distal convoluted tubule during hydropenia or saline loading in normal or uninephrectomized Charles River CD rats, but secretion is demonstrable during KCl infusion. Net addition of potassium beyond the LDCS was noted in all groups and this addition was enhanced by uninephrectomy.", "contents": "Tubular sites of potassium regulation in the normal and uninephrectomized rat. Tubular handling of potassium was studied in the Charles River CD (cesarean derived) rat by clearance, micropuncture, and anatomic techniques. The following groups were evaluated: group I, hydropenia; group II, KCl-mannitol infusion; group III, 10% body wt saline loading; group IV, uninephrectomy, hydropenia; and group V, uninephrectomy, saline loading. Comparison of micropuncture samples from early and late distal collection sites (LDCS) and urine collections revealed no net K transport along the distal convoluted tubule in groups I and III-V but net addition of K in all groups beyond the LDCS. Absolute K secretion beyond the LDCS appeared to be flow dependent in groups I-III. The LDCS was noted by light and electron microscopy always to be lined with collecting tubule epithelium. We conclude that no net change in potassium transport occurs along the superficial distal convoluted tubule during hydropenia or saline loading in normal or uninephrectomized Charles River CD rats, but secretion is demonstrable during KCl infusion. Net addition of potassium beyond the LDCS was noted in all groups and this addition was enhanced by uninephrectomy.", "PMID": 623306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4858", "title": "Filtration rate and stop-flow pressure feedback responses to nephron perfusion in the dog.", "content": "Experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of the distal tubular feedback mechanism on glomerular function in the dog. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) and stop-flow pressure (SFP) were measured from early segments of proximal tubules during alterations in distal perfusion rate (via a late proximal puncture site) and perfusate composition. Perfusion rate (PR) was varied from 16 to 68 nl/min with a microperfusion pump. The intermediate segment of the nephron was blocked with a solid wax cast, thus preventing retrograde influences of the microperfusion procedure. During perfusion with an ultrafiltrate of plasma and an artificial tubular fluid solution (ATF), SNGFR decreased from 63 +/- 2.6 (SE) nl/min at a PR of 16 nl/min to 20 +/- 2.4 nl/min at a PR of 63 +/- 2.6 nl/min. At a PR of 16 nl/min, SFP was 48 +/- 1.3 mmHg with ultrafiltrate and ATF. Increases in PR to 68 nl/min led to a reduction in SFP to 26 +/- 1.5 mmHg. SFP was also measured during changes in PR with various electrolyte solutions of decreasing complexity. Elimination or substitution of Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, and Ca2+ did not significantly alter the magnitude of the feedback response to increases in PR to 68 nl/min. These results confirm the existence of a feedback system in the dog capable of adjusting glomerular function in response to changes in distal perfusion rate. The results based on the various perfusion solutions fail to indicate a unique requirement for any specific component.", "contents": "Filtration rate and stop-flow pressure feedback responses to nephron perfusion in the dog. Experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of the distal tubular feedback mechanism on glomerular function in the dog. Single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) and stop-flow pressure (SFP) were measured from early segments of proximal tubules during alterations in distal perfusion rate (via a late proximal puncture site) and perfusate composition. Perfusion rate (PR) was varied from 16 to 68 nl/min with a microperfusion pump. The intermediate segment of the nephron was blocked with a solid wax cast, thus preventing retrograde influences of the microperfusion procedure. During perfusion with an ultrafiltrate of plasma and an artificial tubular fluid solution (ATF), SNGFR decreased from 63 +/- 2.6 (SE) nl/min at a PR of 16 nl/min to 20 +/- 2.4 nl/min at a PR of 63 +/- 2.6 nl/min. At a PR of 16 nl/min, SFP was 48 +/- 1.3 mmHg with ultrafiltrate and ATF. Increases in PR to 68 nl/min led to a reduction in SFP to 26 +/- 1.5 mmHg. SFP was also measured during changes in PR with various electrolyte solutions of decreasing complexity. Elimination or substitution of Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, and Ca2+ did not significantly alter the magnitude of the feedback response to increases in PR to 68 nl/min. These results confirm the existence of a feedback system in the dog capable of adjusting glomerular function in response to changes in distal perfusion rate. The results based on the various perfusion solutions fail to indicate a unique requirement for any specific component.", "PMID": 623307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4859", "title": "Mechanism of the glucocorticoid-induced increase in glomerular filtration rate.", "content": "In order to investigate the mechanism(s) by which glucocorticoids increase GFR the determinants of glomerular ultrafiltration were measured in two groups of seven Munich-Wistar rats. Group 1 rats were normal controls and group 2 rats were pretreated with methylprednisolone (MP), 15 mg/kg per day for 4 days prior to study. In rats given MP mean values for SNGFR were about 25% higher than in the control group, averaging 33.6 +/- 1.6 (SE) vs. 27.0 +/- 1.0 nl/min. Mean values for initial glomerular plasma flow rate (QA) were also about 25% higher in MP-treated rats, averaging 83.4 +/- 3.9 vs. 65.9 +/- 1.9 nl/min in controls. Mean values of the transglomerular hydraulic pressure difference (deltaP) as well as afferent (IIA) and efferent (IIE) oncotic pressures were essentially similar between control and MP-treated rats. Filtration pressure equilibrium, i.e., equality between IIE and deltaP, obtained in both groups and the mean minimum estimates of the ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) were also similar between control and MP-treated rats. Thus, the rise in SNGFR following MP is entirely due to the increase in AQ, rather than to changes in the other determinants of ultrafiltration.", "contents": "Mechanism of the glucocorticoid-induced increase in glomerular filtration rate. In order to investigate the mechanism(s) by which glucocorticoids increase GFR the determinants of glomerular ultrafiltration were measured in two groups of seven Munich-Wistar rats. Group 1 rats were normal controls and group 2 rats were pretreated with methylprednisolone (MP), 15 mg/kg per day for 4 days prior to study. In rats given MP mean values for SNGFR were about 25% higher than in the control group, averaging 33.6 +/- 1.6 (SE) vs. 27.0 +/- 1.0 nl/min. Mean values for initial glomerular plasma flow rate (QA) were also about 25% higher in MP-treated rats, averaging 83.4 +/- 3.9 vs. 65.9 +/- 1.9 nl/min in controls. Mean values of the transglomerular hydraulic pressure difference (deltaP) as well as afferent (IIA) and efferent (IIE) oncotic pressures were essentially similar between control and MP-treated rats. Filtration pressure equilibrium, i.e., equality between IIE and deltaP, obtained in both groups and the mean minimum estimates of the ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf) were also similar between control and MP-treated rats. Thus, the rise in SNGFR following MP is entirely due to the increase in AQ, rather than to changes in the other determinants of ultrafiltration.", "PMID": 623308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4860", "title": "Transport in isolated plasma membranes.", "content": "Plasma membrane vesicles constitute a simpler experimental system for studying transport compared to cells or intact tissue. The principal advantages of the vesicle approach are the elimination of metabolism as a complicating factor and the ability to control the composition of the solutions on both sides of the membrane. The major disadvantage is vesicle heterogeneity. However, techniques are available to avoid the kinetic artifacts that are due to the heterogeneity. Results of transport studies using membrane vesicles have conclusively shown that D-glucose and amino acids are co-transported with Na+ and that transport against a concentration gradient is driven by an electrochemical Na+ gradient. As a result of coupling between Na+ and the nonelectrolytes, estimates of the kinetic parameters of transport, Km and Vmax, require that the load on the Na+ gradient be taken into account. This has rarely been done. Although electrolyte transport is a major function of the plasma membrane, knowledge of the mechanisms involved is limited. Future investigations employing specific ionophores should contribute much to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ATP-independent ion transport. Examples of the application of membrane vesicles for studying transport-related aspects of diseases are discussed.", "contents": "Transport in isolated plasma membranes. Plasma membrane vesicles constitute a simpler experimental system for studying transport compared to cells or intact tissue. The principal advantages of the vesicle approach are the elimination of metabolism as a complicating factor and the ability to control the composition of the solutions on both sides of the membrane. The major disadvantage is vesicle heterogeneity. However, techniques are available to avoid the kinetic artifacts that are due to the heterogeneity. Results of transport studies using membrane vesicles have conclusively shown that D-glucose and amino acids are co-transported with Na+ and that transport against a concentration gradient is driven by an electrochemical Na+ gradient. As a result of coupling between Na+ and the nonelectrolytes, estimates of the kinetic parameters of transport, Km and Vmax, require that the load on the Na+ gradient be taken into account. This has rarely been done. Although electrolyte transport is a major function of the plasma membrane, knowledge of the mechanisms involved is limited. Future investigations employing specific ionophores should contribute much to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ATP-independent ion transport. Examples of the application of membrane vesicles for studying transport-related aspects of diseases are discussed.", "PMID": 623309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4861", "title": "Action of prostaglandins, endoperoxides, and thromboxanes on the lamb ductus arteriosus.", "content": "Prostaglandin (PG) E2, the PG endoperoxides PGG2 and PGH2, and enzymatically generated PGI2 and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were tested in vitro on circular strips of ductus arteriosus from mature fetal lambs. Both PGE2 and the PG endoperoxides produced a dose-dependent relaxation of the ductus at low PO2 (7-11 torr), and their action was reduced or abolished at high PO2 (410-660 torr). PGE2, however, was more potent than the endoperoxides. The reaction mixture containing PGI2 relaxed the hypoxic ductus, but this response was not due to PGI2 but to two, more stable and as yet unidentified, compounds, one of which is most certainly PGE2. TXA2 was inactive on the vessel at low and high PO2. These results confirm that PGE2 is the most effective PG acting on the ductus and provide further support to the hypothesis that this PG is responsible for patency of the vessel during fetal life. PGE2 action, however, may be complemented by that of another endoperoxide derivative formed in the PGI2 synthetic reaction which remains to be identified.", "contents": "Action of prostaglandins, endoperoxides, and thromboxanes on the lamb ductus arteriosus. Prostaglandin (PG) E2, the PG endoperoxides PGG2 and PGH2, and enzymatically generated PGI2 and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were tested in vitro on circular strips of ductus arteriosus from mature fetal lambs. Both PGE2 and the PG endoperoxides produced a dose-dependent relaxation of the ductus at low PO2 (7-11 torr), and their action was reduced or abolished at high PO2 (410-660 torr). PGE2, however, was more potent than the endoperoxides. The reaction mixture containing PGI2 relaxed the hypoxic ductus, but this response was not due to PGI2 but to two, more stable and as yet unidentified, compounds, one of which is most certainly PGE2. TXA2 was inactive on the vessel at low and high PO2. These results confirm that PGE2 is the most effective PG acting on the ductus and provide further support to the hypothesis that this PG is responsible for patency of the vessel during fetal life. PGE2 action, however, may be complemented by that of another endoperoxide derivative formed in the PGI2 synthetic reaction which remains to be identified.", "PMID": 623311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4862", "title": "Heart rate response to isocapnic hypoxia in conscious man.", "content": "We studied the effect of acute progressive hypoxia on heart rate in conscious healthy subjects. The PCO2 was held constant (+/- 1.5 mmHg) midway between the resting end-tidal and mixed-venous levels. Hypoxia was induced by having the subject rebreathe from a small bag so that the PO2 fell at a rate related to the subject's oxygen consumption. Arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) was measured continuously during the procedure with an ear oximeter. We found that heart rate (HR) was best fitted to an inverse linear relation to arterial oxygen saturation and a power relation to PO2. The range of deltaHR/deltaSao2 was 0.62-1.46 beats/min per 1% fall in Sao2 (mean +/- SE = 0.98 +/- 0.06). There was no relationship between heart rate and ventilatory responses to hypoxia.", "contents": "Heart rate response to isocapnic hypoxia in conscious man. We studied the effect of acute progressive hypoxia on heart rate in conscious healthy subjects. The PCO2 was held constant (+/- 1.5 mmHg) midway between the resting end-tidal and mixed-venous levels. Hypoxia was induced by having the subject rebreathe from a small bag so that the PO2 fell at a rate related to the subject's oxygen consumption. Arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) was measured continuously during the procedure with an ear oximeter. We found that heart rate (HR) was best fitted to an inverse linear relation to arterial oxygen saturation and a power relation to PO2. The range of deltaHR/deltaSao2 was 0.62-1.46 beats/min per 1% fall in Sao2 (mean +/- SE = 0.98 +/- 0.06). There was no relationship between heart rate and ventilatory responses to hypoxia.", "PMID": 623312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4863", "title": "Effect of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid on the canine pulmonary vascular bed.", "content": "The effect of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), the precursor of the monoenoic prostaglandins (PG), F1alpha and E1, on the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact dog was studied under conditions of controlled pulmonary blood flow. DGLA increased pulmonary vascular resistance in a dose-related manner by constricting intrapulmonary veins and upstream segments, presumably pulmonary arteries. Intrapulmonary injection of DGLA also increased transpulmonary injection of DGLA also increased transpulmonary airway pressure, presumably by increasing airway resistance and decreasing lung compliance or both. The vasoconstrictor response, however, was independent of changes in transpulmonary pressure since similar pressor responses were obtained in ventilated and nonventilated lungs. Further, the response was not dependent on factors or elements in whole blood, since the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance occurred during perfusion with saline or dextran and was enhanced in these media. Conversion of DGLA to PGs by a lung cyclo-oxygenase appears to mediate the response, since it was blocked by indomethacin and dose not occur with injection of nonprecursor long-chain fatty acids. These data suggest that the response to DGLA is due to formation of vasoactive products in the monoenoic PG pathway.", "contents": "Effect of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid on the canine pulmonary vascular bed. The effect of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), the precursor of the monoenoic prostaglandins (PG), F1alpha and E1, on the pulmonary vascular bed of the intact dog was studied under conditions of controlled pulmonary blood flow. DGLA increased pulmonary vascular resistance in a dose-related manner by constricting intrapulmonary veins and upstream segments, presumably pulmonary arteries. Intrapulmonary injection of DGLA also increased transpulmonary injection of DGLA also increased transpulmonary airway pressure, presumably by increasing airway resistance and decreasing lung compliance or both. The vasoconstrictor response, however, was independent of changes in transpulmonary pressure since similar pressor responses were obtained in ventilated and nonventilated lungs. Further, the response was not dependent on factors or elements in whole blood, since the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance occurred during perfusion with saline or dextran and was enhanced in these media. Conversion of DGLA to PGs by a lung cyclo-oxygenase appears to mediate the response, since it was blocked by indomethacin and dose not occur with injection of nonprecursor long-chain fatty acids. These data suggest that the response to DGLA is due to formation of vasoactive products in the monoenoic PG pathway.", "PMID": 623313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4864", "title": "Relation of mitral valve opening and closure to left atrial and ventricular pressures in the intact dog.", "content": "The exact times of mitral valve opening and closure were determined in dogs under varying hemodynamic conditions in 143 cardiac cycles (five experiments). Radiopaque markers had been sutured to the cusps and the valve annulus 7-124 wk before the studies. Valve opening and closure times were correlated with simultaneously obtained high-fidelity intracardiac pressures. Closure of the mitral valve was completed 5-105 ms after the atrial-ventricular pressure crossover; the time interval between the onset of ventricular systole and the instance of complete valve closure varied less (10-40 ms). These observations suggest that in the intact heart alpha, rapid mitral cusp closure at the end of diastole is initiated and completed by ventricular systole alone, and beta, the ventricular isovolumic contraction period might be shorter than assumed. Opening of the valve during ventricular relaxation was characterized by 1) initial separation of the markers placed on the free edges of the cusps, of variable duration, apparently due to alterations in ventricular geometry, and 2) a rapid opening motion which clearly preceded the diastolic pressure crossover by 5-60 ms. This finding would suggest that ventricular isovolumic relaxation might be shorter than generally accepted, although the mechanism of early opening is not adequately explained by the data.", "contents": "Relation of mitral valve opening and closure to left atrial and ventricular pressures in the intact dog. The exact times of mitral valve opening and closure were determined in dogs under varying hemodynamic conditions in 143 cardiac cycles (five experiments). Radiopaque markers had been sutured to the cusps and the valve annulus 7-124 wk before the studies. Valve opening and closure times were correlated with simultaneously obtained high-fidelity intracardiac pressures. Closure of the mitral valve was completed 5-105 ms after the atrial-ventricular pressure crossover; the time interval between the onset of ventricular systole and the instance of complete valve closure varied less (10-40 ms). These observations suggest that in the intact heart alpha, rapid mitral cusp closure at the end of diastole is initiated and completed by ventricular systole alone, and beta, the ventricular isovolumic contraction period might be shorter than assumed. Opening of the valve during ventricular relaxation was characterized by 1) initial separation of the markers placed on the free edges of the cusps, of variable duration, apparently due to alterations in ventricular geometry, and 2) a rapid opening motion which clearly preceded the diastolic pressure crossover by 5-60 ms. This finding would suggest that ventricular isovolumic relaxation might be shorter than generally accepted, although the mechanism of early opening is not adequately explained by the data.", "PMID": 623315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4865", "title": "Role of the descending pressor pathway in the conscious and pentobarbital-anesthetized dog.", "content": "Resting cardiovascular parameters and the responses to bilateral carotid occlusions (BCO) were monitored in pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious dogs before and after placing lesions in the dorsolateral funiculi at C7-C8 and after spinal transections at C7. Pre- and postlesion blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to exercise were also monitored. The lesions significantly attenuated the responses to BCO and decreased resting BP in anesthetized dogs. Yet neither resting HR in anesthetized or conscious dogs nor the resting BP in conscious dogs was affected by the lesions. Subsequent spinal transections significantly decreased resting HR and BP and the responses to BCO but did not affect the BP response to BCO in anesthetized dogs as compared with corresponding postlesion parameters. BP responses to exercise were significantly attenuated by the lesions, but HR responses were not affected. Since stimulation and BP studies indicated that the descending pressor pathway had been ablated, the data suggest that the pathway mediates BP and HR responses to BCO in pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious dogs. It does not maintain resting HR in anesthetized or conscious animals, and the resting BP in conscious dogs. This pathway is important for BP responses to exercise but is not necessary for HR responses. Finally, other spinal pathways are involved in cardiovascular control.", "contents": "Role of the descending pressor pathway in the conscious and pentobarbital-anesthetized dog. Resting cardiovascular parameters and the responses to bilateral carotid occlusions (BCO) were monitored in pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious dogs before and after placing lesions in the dorsolateral funiculi at C7-C8 and after spinal transections at C7. Pre- and postlesion blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to exercise were also monitored. The lesions significantly attenuated the responses to BCO and decreased resting BP in anesthetized dogs. Yet neither resting HR in anesthetized or conscious dogs nor the resting BP in conscious dogs was affected by the lesions. Subsequent spinal transections significantly decreased resting HR and BP and the responses to BCO but did not affect the BP response to BCO in anesthetized dogs as compared with corresponding postlesion parameters. BP responses to exercise were significantly attenuated by the lesions, but HR responses were not affected. Since stimulation and BP studies indicated that the descending pressor pathway had been ablated, the data suggest that the pathway mediates BP and HR responses to BCO in pentobarbital-anesthetized and conscious dogs. It does not maintain resting HR in anesthetized or conscious animals, and the resting BP in conscious dogs. This pathway is important for BP responses to exercise but is not necessary for HR responses. Finally, other spinal pathways are involved in cardiovascular control.", "PMID": 623316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4866", "title": "Effect of regional myocardial ischemia on cardiac pump performance during exercise.", "content": "The effect of brief periods of regional ischemia upon left ventricular pump performance was studied in nine dogs standing quietly at rest and during running exercise on a treadmill. Transient occlusions of the left circumflex coronary artery resulted in increase in heart rate at rest (+30 beats/min) but not during exercise. Other changes due to occlusion were similar at rest and during exercise and included decreases in stroke volume (-25% standing, -23% running); in dP/dt max, the maximum first derivative of the left ventricular pressure (-20% standing or running); and in left ventricular peak systolic pressure (-13% standing, -21% running); and rises in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (+4.5 mmHg standing, +6.3 mmHg running). Cardiac output was unchanged by occlusions at rest but fell (-18%) during occlusions while the dogs were running. Propranolol reduced absolute levels of cardiac performance during exercise occlusions but had no effect at rest. Inotropic agents with ischemia had some effects at rest but did not alter exercise hemodynamics. It is concluded that integrated left ventricular function during ischemia is not impaired by exercise, probably because of beta-adrenergic stimulation of nonischemic myocardium.", "contents": "Effect of regional myocardial ischemia on cardiac pump performance during exercise. The effect of brief periods of regional ischemia upon left ventricular pump performance was studied in nine dogs standing quietly at rest and during running exercise on a treadmill. Transient occlusions of the left circumflex coronary artery resulted in increase in heart rate at rest (+30 beats/min) but not during exercise. Other changes due to occlusion were similar at rest and during exercise and included decreases in stroke volume (-25% standing, -23% running); in dP/dt max, the maximum first derivative of the left ventricular pressure (-20% standing or running); and in left ventricular peak systolic pressure (-13% standing, -21% running); and rises in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (+4.5 mmHg standing, +6.3 mmHg running). Cardiac output was unchanged by occlusions at rest but fell (-18%) during occlusions while the dogs were running. Propranolol reduced absolute levels of cardiac performance during exercise occlusions but had no effect at rest. Inotropic agents with ischemia had some effects at rest but did not alter exercise hemodynamics. It is concluded that integrated left ventricular function during ischemia is not impaired by exercise, probably because of beta-adrenergic stimulation of nonischemic myocardium.", "PMID": 623317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4867", "title": "Quantitation of anterior descending vs. circumflex venous drainage in the canine great cardiac vein and coronary sinus.", "content": "The fractions of left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (LC) inflow drainage into the canine great cardiac vein (GCV) and coronary sinus (CS) have been quantitated by use of a right heart bypass preparation in which GCV outflow was isolated from the remainder of CS outflow. Following direct LAD injection of indocyanine green dye (ICG), 63 +/- 8% (SD) of the total amount of dye recovered appeared in GCV outflow and the remainder in CS outflow. CS recovery of ICG was decreased appreciably by ligation of epicardial venous connections between the LAD and LC beds, but was not affected by selective reductions of LAD or LC inflow. Only 3 +/- 3% of ICG injected into the LC was recovered in GVC outflow under basal conditions, and these low values were not affected measurably by selective reductions of LAD or LC inflow. CS drainage of LAD inflow could be augmented by selective increments of GCV pressure exceeding 7-10 mmHg. Increments of LC drainage in GCV outflow required CS pressures that exceeded GCV pressures by greater than 10 mmHg.", "contents": "Quantitation of anterior descending vs. circumflex venous drainage in the canine great cardiac vein and coronary sinus. The fractions of left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (LC) inflow drainage into the canine great cardiac vein (GCV) and coronary sinus (CS) have been quantitated by use of a right heart bypass preparation in which GCV outflow was isolated from the remainder of CS outflow. Following direct LAD injection of indocyanine green dye (ICG), 63 +/- 8% (SD) of the total amount of dye recovered appeared in GCV outflow and the remainder in CS outflow. CS recovery of ICG was decreased appreciably by ligation of epicardial venous connections between the LAD and LC beds, but was not affected by selective reductions of LAD or LC inflow. Only 3 +/- 3% of ICG injected into the LC was recovered in GVC outflow under basal conditions, and these low values were not affected measurably by selective reductions of LAD or LC inflow. CS drainage of LAD inflow could be augmented by selective increments of GCV pressure exceeding 7-10 mmHg. Increments of LC drainage in GCV outflow required CS pressures that exceeded GCV pressures by greater than 10 mmHg.", "PMID": 623318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4868", "title": "Direct effect of physiological doses of arginine vasopressin on the arterial wall in vivo.", "content": "Effects of topically applied arginine vasopressin (VPA), in 100-150 muU/ml blood concentration, on external diameter (D) and on dynamic elastic modulus (E*) of surgically denervated common carotid (CC) and femoral (FA) arteries have been studied before and after hypophysectomy in anesthetized dogs. Changes in D, E*, and flow resistance (R) of the CC and FA vascular beds before and after removal of the pituitary were also determined. It was found that VPA elicited a substantial (max 21-26%) decrease in E* and a smaller (max 5.9-6.9%) reduction in D of FA independent of the presence of absence of the pituitary gland. The VPA effect developed more rapidly after hypophysectomy than before. In the CC, VPA did not significantly affect values of E*. During the 1-h period after hypophysectomy, statistically significant decreases in E*-CC, E*-FA, and D-CC were observed, but D-FA did not change, although arterial pressure as well as R-FA and R-CC were diminished. These results give further support to physiological vascular actions of VPA and a possible role in short-term circulatory control. In large arteries, the effects of VPA also seem to be regionally differentiated.", "contents": "Direct effect of physiological doses of arginine vasopressin on the arterial wall in vivo. Effects of topically applied arginine vasopressin (VPA), in 100-150 muU/ml blood concentration, on external diameter (D) and on dynamic elastic modulus (E*) of surgically denervated common carotid (CC) and femoral (FA) arteries have been studied before and after hypophysectomy in anesthetized dogs. Changes in D, E*, and flow resistance (R) of the CC and FA vascular beds before and after removal of the pituitary were also determined. It was found that VPA elicited a substantial (max 21-26%) decrease in E* and a smaller (max 5.9-6.9%) reduction in D of FA independent of the presence of absence of the pituitary gland. The VPA effect developed more rapidly after hypophysectomy than before. In the CC, VPA did not significantly affect values of E*. During the 1-h period after hypophysectomy, statistically significant decreases in E*-CC, E*-FA, and D-CC were observed, but D-FA did not change, although arterial pressure as well as R-FA and R-CC were diminished. These results give further support to physiological vascular actions of VPA and a possible role in short-term circulatory control. In large arteries, the effects of VPA also seem to be regionally differentiated.", "PMID": 623319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4869", "title": "Antagonism of histamine edema formation by catecholamines.", "content": "Histamine (4 microgram base/min) infused into the brachial artery for 60 min greatly increases skin lymph flow and lymph protein concentration in forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow. In contrast, the simultaneous intrabrachial infusion of histamine and norepinephrine (4 microgram base/min of each) or histamine and isoproterenol (4 microgram base/min and 3 microgram/min, respectively) for 60 min failed to alter lymph protein concentration in forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow. The edema in forelimbs naturally perfused by histamine (4 microgram base/min) infused into the brachial artery for 60 min was also greatly reduced by the simultaneous histamine-catecholamine infusions. Phentolamine (in concentrations that antagonize the vascular actions of norepinephrine) failed to prevent the antagonism of histamine protein efflux by norepinephrine. Hence, it must be concluded that catecholamines antagonize the protein efflux by locally infused histamine, independent of alpha-adrenergic receptor activity.", "contents": "Antagonism of histamine edema formation by catecholamines. Histamine (4 microgram base/min) infused into the brachial artery for 60 min greatly increases skin lymph flow and lymph protein concentration in forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow. In contrast, the simultaneous intrabrachial infusion of histamine and norepinephrine (4 microgram base/min of each) or histamine and isoproterenol (4 microgram base/min and 3 microgram/min, respectively) for 60 min failed to alter lymph protein concentration in forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow. The edema in forelimbs naturally perfused by histamine (4 microgram base/min) infused into the brachial artery for 60 min was also greatly reduced by the simultaneous histamine-catecholamine infusions. Phentolamine (in concentrations that antagonize the vascular actions of norepinephrine) failed to prevent the antagonism of histamine protein efflux by norepinephrine. Hence, it must be concluded that catecholamines antagonize the protein efflux by locally infused histamine, independent of alpha-adrenergic receptor activity.", "PMID": 623320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4870", "title": "Reflux mechanisms involved in cardiac arrhythmias induced by hypothalamic stimulation.", "content": "Electrical stimulation of widespread areas in the CNS has been shown to cause cardiac arrhythmias, which occur most frequently after cessation of stimulation. To determine the reflex and autonomic mechanism responsible for the poststimulation arrhythmias, we anesthetized cats with chloralose, and recorded arterial pressure, ECG, and cardiac vagal nerve activity. Stimulation of the hypothalamus consistently caused increases in blood pressure and heart rate during stimulation and caused arrhythmias, accompanied by vagal hyperactivity, immediately following stimulation. The arrhythmias were mediated solely by the vagus nerves because vagotomy or propantheline administration prevented them, whereas propranolol did not. Administration of either phentolamine or spinal cord transection prevented both the rise in blood pressure during stimulation and the poststimulation arrhythmias, but sectioning the carotid sinus and aortic depressor nerves had no preventative effect. However, when this denervation was combined with sectioning of vagal afferents, bursts of vagal activity (used as an index of cardiac rhythm disturbances) were prevented in three of six animals. Subsequent administration of phentolamine prevented the bursts in the remaining animals. It is concluded that poststimulation arrhythmias are elicited by the rise in blood pressure occurring during stimulation causing a sudden surge in parasympathetic outflow to the heart. The reflexogenic areas involved appear to be stretch receptors innervated by afferent vagal fibers.", "contents": "Reflux mechanisms involved in cardiac arrhythmias induced by hypothalamic stimulation. Electrical stimulation of widespread areas in the CNS has been shown to cause cardiac arrhythmias, which occur most frequently after cessation of stimulation. To determine the reflex and autonomic mechanism responsible for the poststimulation arrhythmias, we anesthetized cats with chloralose, and recorded arterial pressure, ECG, and cardiac vagal nerve activity. Stimulation of the hypothalamus consistently caused increases in blood pressure and heart rate during stimulation and caused arrhythmias, accompanied by vagal hyperactivity, immediately following stimulation. The arrhythmias were mediated solely by the vagus nerves because vagotomy or propantheline administration prevented them, whereas propranolol did not. Administration of either phentolamine or spinal cord transection prevented both the rise in blood pressure during stimulation and the poststimulation arrhythmias, but sectioning the carotid sinus and aortic depressor nerves had no preventative effect. However, when this denervation was combined with sectioning of vagal afferents, bursts of vagal activity (used as an index of cardiac rhythm disturbances) were prevented in three of six animals. Subsequent administration of phentolamine prevented the bursts in the remaining animals. It is concluded that poststimulation arrhythmias are elicited by the rise in blood pressure occurring during stimulation causing a sudden surge in parasympathetic outflow to the heart. The reflexogenic areas involved appear to be stretch receptors innervated by afferent vagal fibers.", "PMID": 623323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4871", "title": "Continuous measurement of renal blood flow changes to renal nerve stimulation and intra-arterial drug administration in the rat.", "content": "A method is described for continuous measurement of renal blood flow in the anesthetized rat without dissection of the renal artery. Blood flow and arterial pressure were measured in an extracorporeal flow circuit between the carotid artery and an aortic pouch from which the left renal artery was the only outlet. Injection into the flow circuit allowed delivery of drugs directly into the arterial blood supply of the kidney. Electrical stimulation of undamaged periarterial renal kidney. Electrical stimulation of undamaged periarterial renal nerves was possible since the renal artery remained undisturbed. Extracorporeal autoperfusion of the rat kidney produced renal flow and resistance measurements that did not differ from those obtained with a flow probe placed directly on the renal artery. Renal nerve stimulation was found to cause renal vasoconstriction due to activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors by norepinephrine released from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Renal vascular responses to a variety of intra-arterial vasoactive agents were also determined. The method described here allows the evaluation of renal vascular control in the variety of disease states for which suitable rat models have been developed.", "contents": "Continuous measurement of renal blood flow changes to renal nerve stimulation and intra-arterial drug administration in the rat. A method is described for continuous measurement of renal blood flow in the anesthetized rat without dissection of the renal artery. Blood flow and arterial pressure were measured in an extracorporeal flow circuit between the carotid artery and an aortic pouch from which the left renal artery was the only outlet. Injection into the flow circuit allowed delivery of drugs directly into the arterial blood supply of the kidney. Electrical stimulation of undamaged periarterial renal kidney. Electrical stimulation of undamaged periarterial renal nerves was possible since the renal artery remained undisturbed. Extracorporeal autoperfusion of the rat kidney produced renal flow and resistance measurements that did not differ from those obtained with a flow probe placed directly on the renal artery. Renal nerve stimulation was found to cause renal vasoconstriction due to activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors by norepinephrine released from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Renal vascular responses to a variety of intra-arterial vasoactive agents were also determined. The method described here allows the evaluation of renal vascular control in the variety of disease states for which suitable rat models have been developed.", "PMID": 623325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4872", "title": "Ethics in the practice of psychiatry--origins, functions, models, and enforcement.", "content": "The author points out that psychiatric ethics are coming under increasing critical scrutiny by psychiatrists and by those outside of the profession. On the basis of an examination of APA Ethics Committee records, he concludes that criticism of psychiatry's inability to police itself might have some merit but cautions that the critics might be expecting too much from a code of ethics, which has the job of sensitizing psychiatrists to an ethical way of professional life and helping sort out ethical conflicts. After outlining a number of the problems in the self-policing aspect of ethics, the author makes suggestions for their resolution.", "contents": "Ethics in the practice of psychiatry--origins, functions, models, and enforcement. The author points out that psychiatric ethics are coming under increasing critical scrutiny by psychiatrists and by those outside of the profession. On the basis of an examination of APA Ethics Committee records, he concludes that criticism of psychiatry's inability to police itself might have some merit but cautions that the critics might be expecting too much from a code of ethics, which has the job of sensitizing psychiatrists to an ethical way of professional life and helping sort out ethical conflicts. After outlining a number of the problems in the self-policing aspect of ethics, the author makes suggestions for their resolution.", "PMID": 623326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4873", "title": "The psychiatrist's responsibility and the public trust.", "content": "The author notes that psychiatrists alone can change the public image of their profession. This image has been tarnished in the past by grandiose claims of psychiatry's ability to right social wrongs, by the perceived lack of scientific underpinnings of the discipline, and by internal disputes within the profession. If they are to gain the public trust, psychiatrists must determine for themselves what unique skills they have to offer and how they can best provide their knowledge and expertise to the public in an effective and credible way.", "contents": "The psychiatrist's responsibility and the public trust. The author notes that psychiatrists alone can change the public image of their profession. This image has been tarnished in the past by grandiose claims of psychiatry's ability to right social wrongs, by the perceived lack of scientific underpinnings of the discipline, and by internal disputes within the profession. If they are to gain the public trust, psychiatrists must determine for themselves what unique skills they have to offer and how they can best provide their knowledge and expertise to the public in an effective and credible way.", "PMID": 623327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4874", "title": "Organic impairment in polydrug users: risk factors.", "content": "In a national collaborative study to assess the neuropsychological status of 151 polydrug users, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery showed deficits in 37% two to three weeks after they entered treatment and in 34% at three-month follow-up. Comparative rates for a group of psychiatric patients were 26% and 27%, and for nonpatients, 8% and 4%. Extensive and intensive use of CNS depressants and opiates correlated positively with neuropsychological deficit. Older, less-educated subjects with adverse medical or developmental histories were more likely to show polydrug-related organic impairment. Although there is some evidence that such impairment is reversible, the condition appears to be of at least intermediate duration and may be long lasting.", "contents": "Organic impairment in polydrug users: risk factors. In a national collaborative study to assess the neuropsychological status of 151 polydrug users, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery showed deficits in 37% two to three weeks after they entered treatment and in 34% at three-month follow-up. Comparative rates for a group of psychiatric patients were 26% and 27%, and for nonpatients, 8% and 4%. Extensive and intensive use of CNS depressants and opiates correlated positively with neuropsychological deficit. Older, less-educated subjects with adverse medical or developmental histories were more likely to show polydrug-related organic impairment. Although there is some evidence that such impairment is reversible, the condition appears to be of at least intermediate duration and may be long lasting.", "PMID": 623328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4875", "title": "Psychiatric consultation in a Vietnamese refugee camp.", "content": "The authors provided psychiatric consultation to medical personnel in charge of a Vietnamese refugee camp in California. Although the emergency measures that supplied clothing, food, shelter, and medical care to nearly 60,000 refugees were immensely successful, consultation was requested to assist with selected mental health problems. The recommendations of the consulting team were related to the stage of camp development: early recommendations concerned easing adaptation to the camp setting; later efforts included creating a psychiatric crisis clinic and carrying out a mental health survey on a random sample of refugees. The results of this survey helped camp directors to understand how refugees responded to the camp experience.", "contents": "Psychiatric consultation in a Vietnamese refugee camp. The authors provided psychiatric consultation to medical personnel in charge of a Vietnamese refugee camp in California. Although the emergency measures that supplied clothing, food, shelter, and medical care to nearly 60,000 refugees were immensely successful, consultation was requested to assist with selected mental health problems. The recommendations of the consulting team were related to the stage of camp development: early recommendations concerned easing adaptation to the camp setting; later efforts included creating a psychiatric crisis clinic and carrying out a mental health survey on a random sample of refugees. The results of this survey helped camp directors to understand how refugees responded to the camp experience.", "PMID": 623329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4876", "title": "Nocturnal penile tumescence and diagnosis in diabetic impotence.", "content": "The authors conducted a study of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) in 35 diabetic men, aged 33 to 70, who complained of impotence and in 35 age-matched control subjects. EEGs and other measurements showed that the diabetic men as a group exhibited significant reductions in the total amount of NPT and in the amount and frequency of full erection, thus suggesting that impotence in this cohort was organogenic. Although NPT monitoring represents an advance over the less precise traditional procedures for the differential diagnosis of impotence, the authors stress the need for more research in this area.", "contents": "Nocturnal penile tumescence and diagnosis in diabetic impotence. The authors conducted a study of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) in 35 diabetic men, aged 33 to 70, who complained of impotence and in 35 age-matched control subjects. EEGs and other measurements showed that the diabetic men as a group exhibited significant reductions in the total amount of NPT and in the amount and frequency of full erection, thus suggesting that impotence in this cohort was organogenic. Although NPT monitoring represents an advance over the less precise traditional procedures for the differential diagnosis of impotence, the authors stress the need for more research in this area.", "PMID": 623330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4877", "title": "Prediction research and the emergency commitment of dangerous mentally ill persons: a reconsideration.", "content": "The author suggests that research on the prediction of violent behavior does not support the unqualified conclusion that the accurate predictions of violence is impossible under all circumstances or that psychiatrists, psychologists, and others will invariably overpredict its occurrence by several orders of magnitude. Further, he suggests that there are theoretical reasons why one could expect that one set of circumstances--those which typically apply in the short-term emergency commitment of mentally ill persons predicted to be imminently violent--may be exempt from the systematic inaccuracy found in the current research.", "contents": "Prediction research and the emergency commitment of dangerous mentally ill persons: a reconsideration. The author suggests that research on the prediction of violent behavior does not support the unqualified conclusion that the accurate predictions of violence is impossible under all circumstances or that psychiatrists, psychologists, and others will invariably overpredict its occurrence by several orders of magnitude. Further, he suggests that there are theoretical reasons why one could expect that one set of circumstances--those which typically apply in the short-term emergency commitment of mentally ill persons predicted to be imminently violent--may be exempt from the systematic inaccuracy found in the current research.", "PMID": 623331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4878", "title": "Emergency psychiatry and the assaultive patient.", "content": "The authors studied 62 emergency room patients with violent ideation or action to assess the feasibility of predicting assaultive behavior. Although the likelihood of future violent acts could not be predicted accurately, they discovered that a significant majority of violent patients were potentially treatable within the setting of emergency psychiatry practice.", "contents": "Emergency psychiatry and the assaultive patient. The authors studied 62 emergency room patients with violent ideation or action to assess the feasibility of predicting assaultive behavior. Although the likelihood of future violent acts could not be predicted accurately, they discovered that a significant majority of violent patients were potentially treatable within the setting of emergency psychiatry practice.", "PMID": 623332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4879", "title": "Psychiatrists' familiarity with legal statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization.", "content": "The authors sent out questionnaires regarding knowledge of statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization to psychiatrists in Connecticut and in the District of Columbia. Fifty-five percent (N=207) of the sample in Connecticut and 25% (N=87) of the sample in the District of Columbia responded. The responses showed that few of these psychiatrists had a thorough familiarity with the legal statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization in their jurisdictions. The most frequently cited criterion was the dangerousness standard, especially in the District of Columbia sample, and many psychiatrists were not sure of the nature of their statutory authority when their patients met the criteria for emergency hospitalization.", "contents": "Psychiatrists' familiarity with legal statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization. The authors sent out questionnaires regarding knowledge of statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization to psychiatrists in Connecticut and in the District of Columbia. Fifty-five percent (N=207) of the sample in Connecticut and 25% (N=87) of the sample in the District of Columbia responded. The responses showed that few of these psychiatrists had a thorough familiarity with the legal statutes governing emergency involuntary hospitalization in their jurisdictions. The most frequently cited criterion was the dangerousness standard, especially in the District of Columbia sample, and many psychiatrists were not sure of the nature of their statutory authority when their patients met the criteria for emergency hospitalization.", "PMID": 623333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4880", "title": "Referrals from a psychiatric emergency room: relationship of compliance to demographic and interview variables.", "content": "In a sample of 89 patients referred from a psychiatric service emergency room, the author investigated variables related to completion and noncompletion of the physician's recommendation. The completers (58%) tended to be older and more educated, to be diagnosed as depressed, and to demonstrate congruence in terms of their request and their perception of the physician's goal. Implications for referral include ensuring that the interview with the patient includes a communication, empathy, and mutual influence. Using the negotiated approach and criteria derived during the clinical interview, certain patients can be identified as being \"at risk\" for noncompletion and as requiring special efforts.", "contents": "Referrals from a psychiatric emergency room: relationship of compliance to demographic and interview variables. In a sample of 89 patients referred from a psychiatric service emergency room, the author investigated variables related to completion and noncompletion of the physician's recommendation. The completers (58%) tended to be older and more educated, to be diagnosed as depressed, and to demonstrate congruence in terms of their request and their perception of the physician's goal. Implications for referral include ensuring that the interview with the patient includes a communication, empathy, and mutual influence. Using the negotiated approach and criteria derived during the clinical interview, certain patients can be identified as being \"at risk\" for noncompletion and as requiring special efforts.", "PMID": 623334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4881", "title": "The assessment of depression: a model for quality review of emergency psychiatry.", "content": "Of 167 patients appearing in the psychiatric emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, 68 were categorized as significantly depressed by the Zung depression scale but only 43 were considered depressed by clinician-interviewers. The use of a patient self-rating scale, which in this setting permitted the identification of deficiencies in the recognition of depression, is applicable to quality review in a variety of clinical settings.", "contents": "The assessment of depression: a model for quality review of emergency psychiatry. Of 167 patients appearing in the psychiatric emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, 68 were categorized as significantly depressed by the Zung depression scale but only 43 were considered depressed by clinician-interviewers. The use of a patient self-rating scale, which in this setting permitted the identification of deficiencies in the recognition of depression, is applicable to quality review in a variety of clinical settings.", "PMID": 623335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4882", "title": "High academic achievement in psychotic students.", "content": "The authors studied 21 schizophrenic and borderline college students who achieved B+ or higher grade averages and underwent psychotherapy while in college. High academic achievement was found to provide relief from feelings of worthlessness and ineffectuality resulting from poor relationships with parents, siblings, and peers. Psychotherapy and the permissive yet supportive college atmosphere reinforced the students' self-esteem.", "contents": "High academic achievement in psychotic students. The authors studied 21 schizophrenic and borderline college students who achieved B+ or higher grade averages and underwent psychotherapy while in college. High academic achievement was found to provide relief from feelings of worthlessness and ineffectuality resulting from poor relationships with parents, siblings, and peers. Psychotherapy and the permissive yet supportive college atmosphere reinforced the students' self-esteem.", "PMID": 623336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4883", "title": "Effects of smoking on free recall and organization.", "content": "Habitual smokers smoked either nicotine-free cigarettes or cigarettes containing a known amount of nicotine and then engaged in a free-recall task. Nicotine subjects recalled significantly fewer words on a 75-item list during three successive trials of immediate recall than did nicotine-free subjects. Contrary to expectations, the superiority of the nonnicotine group persisted over two days. The two groups displayed comparable organizational activity (indexed by category clustering).", "contents": "Effects of smoking on free recall and organization. Habitual smokers smoked either nicotine-free cigarettes or cigarettes containing a known amount of nicotine and then engaged in a free-recall task. Nicotine subjects recalled significantly fewer words on a 75-item list during three successive trials of immediate recall than did nicotine-free subjects. Contrary to expectations, the superiority of the nonnicotine group persisted over two days. The two groups displayed comparable organizational activity (indexed by category clustering).", "PMID": 623337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4884", "title": "Eye blink and schizophrenia: psychosis or tardive dyskinesia?", "content": "The author found abnormalities of ocular movement including abnormal blink rate and blink reflex to glabellar tap in 34 of 44 medication-free schizophrenic patients. It is not clear whether these signs represent part of the pathology of schizophrenia or result from withdrawal of neuroleptic treatment.", "contents": "Eye blink and schizophrenia: psychosis or tardive dyskinesia? The author found abnormalities of ocular movement including abnormal blink rate and blink reflex to glabellar tap in 34 of 44 medication-free schizophrenic patients. It is not clear whether these signs represent part of the pathology of schizophrenia or result from withdrawal of neuroleptic treatment.", "PMID": 623338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4885", "title": "A rating scale for emotional blunting.", "content": "Although emotional blunting has always been considered a core symptom of schizophrenia, it has been excluded from recently developed sets of diagnostic criteria because of its alleged unreliability. The authors describe a brief rating scale for emotional blunting that is highly reliable, predicts short-term treatment response, and discriminates between patients with affective disorder and schizophrenia. They suggest that this scale will permit restoration of the important criterion of emotional blunting to modern diagnostic systems, including that proposed for DSM-III.", "contents": "A rating scale for emotional blunting. Although emotional blunting has always been considered a core symptom of schizophrenia, it has been excluded from recently developed sets of diagnostic criteria because of its alleged unreliability. The authors describe a brief rating scale for emotional blunting that is highly reliable, predicts short-term treatment response, and discriminates between patients with affective disorder and schizophrenia. They suggest that this scale will permit restoration of the important criterion of emotional blunting to modern diagnostic systems, including that proposed for DSM-III.", "PMID": 623339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4886", "title": "Splitting and identification with the aggressor in assaultive borderline patients.", "content": "The author describes two borderline inpatients with assaultive behavior that was not controllable by medication. These patients use splitting to separate all-good and all-bad part representations, which hinders tolerance of ambivalence and control of aggression. Drive breakthroughs may reinforce their feelings of omnipotence. Interpreting episodes to the patient in this psychodynamic framework can aid their integration of self-representations and their ability to control aggression. Therapists and staff should resist the temptation to \"give in\" to such patients in order to forestall explosions.", "contents": "Splitting and identification with the aggressor in assaultive borderline patients. The author describes two borderline inpatients with assaultive behavior that was not controllable by medication. These patients use splitting to separate all-good and all-bad part representations, which hinders tolerance of ambivalence and control of aggression. Drive breakthroughs may reinforce their feelings of omnipotence. Interpreting episodes to the patient in this psychodynamic framework can aid their integration of self-representations and their ability to control aggression. Therapists and staff should resist the temptation to \"give in\" to such patients in order to forestall explosions.", "PMID": 623340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4887", "title": "Male urethritis in King County, Washington, 1974-75: I. Incidence.", "content": "In a population-based study in King County, Washington an attempt was made to enumerate all cases of male urethritis receiving primary care from all sources over a defined period of time. The incidence of gonococcal (GCU) and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) was estimated to be 1,143 and 2,541 cases per year per 100,000 men age 15 and over, respectively, during 1974-1975. Private practitioners treat 62 per cent of GCU and 64 per cent of NGU estimated to occur in the county. They report only 3 per cent GCU which they see to the Health Department. Only 60 per cent of the general practitioners, 33 per cent of the internists and 65 per cent of the urologists had treated males with GCU in the three months prior to being questioned but these three groups of specialists see 95 per cent of all male urethritis treated by private practioners. The proportion of all male urethritis cases which were GCU ranged from .16 in a university student health clinic to .35 in private practices and Health Department clinics.", "contents": "Male urethritis in King County, Washington, 1974-75: I. Incidence. In a population-based study in King County, Washington an attempt was made to enumerate all cases of male urethritis receiving primary care from all sources over a defined period of time. The incidence of gonococcal (GCU) and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) was estimated to be 1,143 and 2,541 cases per year per 100,000 men age 15 and over, respectively, during 1974-1975. Private practitioners treat 62 per cent of GCU and 64 per cent of NGU estimated to occur in the county. They report only 3 per cent GCU which they see to the Health Department. Only 60 per cent of the general practitioners, 33 per cent of the internists and 65 per cent of the urologists had treated males with GCU in the three months prior to being questioned but these three groups of specialists see 95 per cent of all male urethritis treated by private practioners. The proportion of all male urethritis cases which were GCU ranged from .16 in a university student health clinic to .35 in private practices and Health Department clinics.", "PMID": 623358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4888", "title": "Male urethritis in King County, Washington, 1974-75: II. Diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "Methods of diagnosing and treating male urethritis in King County. Washington in 1974-1975 were examined by a retrospective postal survey, records review, and prospective surveillance. A Gram-stained smear of urethral discharge was used by 86 per cent of private physicians and urethral culture by 56 per cent. Only 5 per cent made a diagnosis without laboratory aid. U.S. Public thealth Service gonorrhea treatment regimens were used by 54-81 per cent of private physicians. Over 90 per cent of physicians not in private practice (emergency room and housestaff) used smear, cultures, and recommended treatment regimens. The Gram-stained smear appeared to be under-utilized and the urethral culture overutilized. There is a significant need for physician education regarding recommended treatment for male gonorrhea.", "contents": "Male urethritis in King County, Washington, 1974-75: II. Diagnosis and treatment. Methods of diagnosing and treating male urethritis in King County. Washington in 1974-1975 were examined by a retrospective postal survey, records review, and prospective surveillance. A Gram-stained smear of urethral discharge was used by 86 per cent of private physicians and urethral culture by 56 per cent. Only 5 per cent made a diagnosis without laboratory aid. U.S. Public thealth Service gonorrhea treatment regimens were used by 54-81 per cent of private physicians. Over 90 per cent of physicians not in private practice (emergency room and housestaff) used smear, cultures, and recommended treatment regimens. The Gram-stained smear appeared to be under-utilized and the urethral culture overutilized. There is a significant need for physician education regarding recommended treatment for male gonorrhea.", "PMID": 623359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4889", "title": "Evaluation of drug dependence treatment in VA hospitals.", "content": "A nationwide evaluation of 49 Veterans Administration drug dependence treatment programs was conducted using a sample of 1,655 patients. Their status with reference to seven treatment goals was assessed at admission and again 11 months later to determine change. The following changes were observed: a large decrease in heroin use; a small increase in the use of alcohol; moderate decline of involvement in the drug culture; moderate increase in psychological well-being; and small increase in economic independence. No statistically significant changes were observed in frequency of arrests, in establishment of stable living arrangements, in drug related medical problems, or in the ability to relate to other people. Implications of the findings for further research and program modification are discussed.", "contents": "Evaluation of drug dependence treatment in VA hospitals. A nationwide evaluation of 49 Veterans Administration drug dependence treatment programs was conducted using a sample of 1,655 patients. Their status with reference to seven treatment goals was assessed at admission and again 11 months later to determine change. The following changes were observed: a large decrease in heroin use; a small increase in the use of alcohol; moderate decline of involvement in the drug culture; moderate increase in psychological well-being; and small increase in economic independence. No statistically significant changes were observed in frequency of arrests, in establishment of stable living arrangements, in drug related medical problems, or in the ability to relate to other people. Implications of the findings for further research and program modification are discussed.", "PMID": 623360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4890", "title": "A factor analytic approach to an effective lung function screening protocol.", "content": "Interrelationships among simple indices of pulmonary function derived from flow-volume curves and single-breath nitrogen tests were investigated by performing a factor analysis on data obtained from a generally healthy office working population (n = 388). Smoking was regarded as the major contribution to pulmonary dysfunction. Delta nitrogen was largely independent of all other measures, while flow-volume measures, including flow rates at high and low lung volumes, were highly intercorrelated but largely independent of closing volume and closing capacity. Delta nitrogen was most affected by smoking in both sexes. Scores derived from flow-volume measurements and from closing-volume measurements were significantly different, on the average, between male smokers and male nonsmokers. The methods and results presented prove to be useful in the design of protocols for effective pulmonary testing of large populations.", "contents": "A factor analytic approach to an effective lung function screening protocol. Interrelationships among simple indices of pulmonary function derived from flow-volume curves and single-breath nitrogen tests were investigated by performing a factor analysis on data obtained from a generally healthy office working population (n = 388). Smoking was regarded as the major contribution to pulmonary dysfunction. Delta nitrogen was largely independent of all other measures, while flow-volume measures, including flow rates at high and low lung volumes, were highly intercorrelated but largely independent of closing volume and closing capacity. Delta nitrogen was most affected by smoking in both sexes. Scores derived from flow-volume measurements and from closing-volume measurements were significantly different, on the average, between male smokers and male nonsmokers. The methods and results presented prove to be useful in the design of protocols for effective pulmonary testing of large populations.", "PMID": 623361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4891", "title": "Community medicine in the British National Health Service.", "content": "Reorganization of the British National Health Service in April 1974 brought about the creation of Community Medicine as a service specialty. Development of thinking on the type of role British community medicine should play is briefly described. The functions of the community medicine specialist at the different tiers of the health service are described in the context of the objectives of reorganization and the problems facing the specialty today are discussed.", "contents": "Community medicine in the British National Health Service. Reorganization of the British National Health Service in April 1974 brought about the creation of Community Medicine as a service specialty. Development of thinking on the type of role British community medicine should play is briefly described. The functions of the community medicine specialist at the different tiers of the health service are described in the context of the objectives of reorganization and the problems facing the specialty today are discussed.", "PMID": 623362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4892", "title": "Evaluation of the localization auditory screening test in children 6-18 months of age.", "content": "The present paper is a report of a project to develop an automated auditory screening test for infants six to 18 months of age. The first year of the project was devoted to developing equipment and test procedures; the second year was concerned with testing the effectiveness of the equipment and procedures on an actual population of six to 18 month old infants. Two-hundred and fifty infants were screened auditorily as part of a county health department child development clinic. The pass/fail results of the screening test were evaluated in terms of physical and developmental examination following the screening and by means of a case review of the child's previous history. The results indicate that the procedure under investigation can be used to differentiate the normal hearing infant from the infant with possible hearing problems. It is shown by the test environment in which this study was conducted that the procedure reported can be successfully incorporated into a public health program, i.e., child development clinics or EPSDT programs.", "contents": "Evaluation of the localization auditory screening test in children 6-18 months of age. The present paper is a report of a project to develop an automated auditory screening test for infants six to 18 months of age. The first year of the project was devoted to developing equipment and test procedures; the second year was concerned with testing the effectiveness of the equipment and procedures on an actual population of six to 18 month old infants. Two-hundred and fifty infants were screened auditorily as part of a county health department child development clinic. The pass/fail results of the screening test were evaluated in terms of physical and developmental examination following the screening and by means of a case review of the child's previous history. The results indicate that the procedure under investigation can be used to differentiate the normal hearing infant from the infant with possible hearing problems. It is shown by the test environment in which this study was conducted that the procedure reported can be successfully incorporated into a public health program, i.e., child development clinics or EPSDT programs.", "PMID": 623365} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4893", "title": "Validity of 24-hour dietary recalls by adolescent females.", "content": "The validity of 24-hour dietary recalls was tested by comparing the recalled intake of adolescent girls to their actual intake during a metabolic study. Diet recalls were a valid bases of estimating the dietary intake of energy, protein, calcium, and zinc by this group of adolescents. However, the majority of the subjects were unable to recall their food intake with enough accuracy so that their intake of vitamins A and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron could be calculated within the range of two-thirds to four-thirds of their actual intake.", "contents": "Validity of 24-hour dietary recalls by adolescent females. The validity of 24-hour dietary recalls was tested by comparing the recalled intake of adolescent girls to their actual intake during a metabolic study. Diet recalls were a valid bases of estimating the dietary intake of energy, protein, calcium, and zinc by this group of adolescents. However, the majority of the subjects were unable to recall their food intake with enough accuracy so that their intake of vitamins A and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron could be calculated within the range of two-thirds to four-thirds of their actual intake.", "PMID": 623366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4894", "title": "The relative effects of lesser curvature vagotomy and esophageal vagotomy on the acid secretory effect of proximal gastric vagotomy.", "content": "Proximal gastric vagotomy is an operation consisting of division of all vagal fibers to the acid-secreting portion of the stomach. These fibers are usually divided along the lesser curvature of the stomach; however, because of a high rate of duodenal ulcer recurrence in some series, it has become apparent that it is important to divide the vagal fibers to the stomach leaving the main vagal trunks along the distal 5 cm of esophagus in order to achieve both adequate control of acid secretion and also a lower duodenal ulcer recurrence rate. The data presented in this study of ten mongrel dogs suggest that, in the dog, division of the vagal fibers along the lesser curvature is more important in reducing acid secretion than is esophageal vagotomy; but the data also emphasize the contribution of the vagal fibers along the distal esophagus since a marked reduction in 2 DG-stimulated acid secretion can only be achieved by dividing the vagal fibers around the distal esophagus as well as those along the lesser curvature.", "contents": "The relative effects of lesser curvature vagotomy and esophageal vagotomy on the acid secretory effect of proximal gastric vagotomy. Proximal gastric vagotomy is an operation consisting of division of all vagal fibers to the acid-secreting portion of the stomach. These fibers are usually divided along the lesser curvature of the stomach; however, because of a high rate of duodenal ulcer recurrence in some series, it has become apparent that it is important to divide the vagal fibers to the stomach leaving the main vagal trunks along the distal 5 cm of esophagus in order to achieve both adequate control of acid secretion and also a lower duodenal ulcer recurrence rate. The data presented in this study of ten mongrel dogs suggest that, in the dog, division of the vagal fibers along the lesser curvature is more important in reducing acid secretion than is esophageal vagotomy; but the data also emphasize the contribution of the vagal fibers along the distal esophagus since a marked reduction in 2 DG-stimulated acid secretion can only be achieved by dividing the vagal fibers around the distal esophagus as well as those along the lesser curvature.", "PMID": 623368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4895", "title": "Presidential address: Gastrointestinal cancer. Surgical survey of abdominal tragedy.", "content": "The experience with gastrointestinal cancer at a single large hospital has been utilized as a \"micro-model\" of the experience for the country at large, and the reasons why such a comparison might be possible have been presented. The incidence of various lesions has been discussed in terms of sex, age, and race. The changing incidence of various lesions has been pointed out. Survival results have been determined for total series, for various types of operative procedures, and for various extents of disease. The comparability of survival results from this one institution and those collected from the literature have been discussed. The emergence of newer diagnostic and therapeutic measures has been highlighted. The importance of education of both patients and physicians is emphasized repeatedly by the late stage at which so many of the patients with any gastrointestinal cancer present to and are diagnosed by the physician. The educational task for all of medicine is apparent and must be faced in some effective fashion.", "contents": "Presidential address: Gastrointestinal cancer. Surgical survey of abdominal tragedy. The experience with gastrointestinal cancer at a single large hospital has been utilized as a \"micro-model\" of the experience for the country at large, and the reasons why such a comparison might be possible have been presented. The incidence of various lesions has been discussed in terms of sex, age, and race. The changing incidence of various lesions has been pointed out. Survival results have been determined for total series, for various types of operative procedures, and for various extents of disease. The comparability of survival results from this one institution and those collected from the literature have been discussed. The emergence of newer diagnostic and therapeutic measures has been highlighted. The importance of education of both patients and physicians is emphasized repeatedly by the late stage at which so many of the patients with any gastrointestinal cancer present to and are diagnosed by the physician. The educational task for all of medicine is apparent and must be faced in some effective fashion.", "PMID": 623370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4896", "title": "The effect of feeding on the bile salt-independent canalicular secretion in dogs.", "content": "Mongrel dogs were prepared by cholecystectomy, ligation of the lesser pancreatic duct, and insertion of cannulas into the duodenum and stomach. During experiments on the unanesthetized dogs, bile was collected by cannulating the common bile duct through the duodenal cannula. Canalicular secretion was estimated by the biliary clearance of erythritol. Feeding caused increased bile flow, increased erythritol clearance, decreased bile salt concentration, and unchanged bile salt output. These findings indicate that feeding stimulated the bile salt-independent canalicular secretion.", "contents": "The effect of feeding on the bile salt-independent canalicular secretion in dogs. Mongrel dogs were prepared by cholecystectomy, ligation of the lesser pancreatic duct, and insertion of cannulas into the duodenum and stomach. During experiments on the unanesthetized dogs, bile was collected by cannulating the common bile duct through the duodenal cannula. Canalicular secretion was estimated by the biliary clearance of erythritol. Feeding caused increased bile flow, increased erythritol clearance, decreased bile salt concentration, and unchanged bile salt output. These findings indicate that feeding stimulated the bile salt-independent canalicular secretion.", "PMID": 623371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4897", "title": "The relationship of cholecystectomy and taurocholic acid feeding to bile composition and hepatocyte function in prairie dogs.", "content": "The prairie dog was used as a model for human gallstone formation. Stones formed in the gallbladder of all animals on a lithogenic diet. Hepatic bile was nonlithogenic, whereas gallbladder bile promoted cholesterol precipitation. Addition of taurocholate to the diet reduced the number of stones and lithogenicity. Cholecystectomy resulted in an increased bile flow and reduced secretion of cholesterol in the animals on a high cholesterol diet. Reduction of cholesterol and bile acid synthesis by negative feedback was demonstrated in isolated hepatocyte culture. The shift of bile salt production to chenodeoxycholates on a high cholesterol intake was demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. A theory of gallstone formation is presented which hypothesizes a defect in hepatocyte storage of cholesterol rather than bile acid synthesis as the primary effect, relegating the problems to one of a disease of lipid metabolism.", "contents": "The relationship of cholecystectomy and taurocholic acid feeding to bile composition and hepatocyte function in prairie dogs. The prairie dog was used as a model for human gallstone formation. Stones formed in the gallbladder of all animals on a lithogenic diet. Hepatic bile was nonlithogenic, whereas gallbladder bile promoted cholesterol precipitation. Addition of taurocholate to the diet reduced the number of stones and lithogenicity. Cholecystectomy resulted in an increased bile flow and reduced secretion of cholesterol in the animals on a high cholesterol diet. Reduction of cholesterol and bile acid synthesis by negative feedback was demonstrated in isolated hepatocyte culture. The shift of bile salt production to chenodeoxycholates on a high cholesterol intake was demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. A theory of gallstone formation is presented which hypothesizes a defect in hepatocyte storage of cholesterol rather than bile acid synthesis as the primary effect, relegating the problems to one of a disease of lipid metabolism.", "PMID": 623372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4898", "title": "Urease as a contributing factor in ulcerative lesions of the colon.", "content": "Urease immunization protects animals against the development of uremic colitis. This indicates that ammonia formed by bacterial urease is the causative factor in the breakdown of the colonic mucosa.", "contents": "Urease as a contributing factor in ulcerative lesions of the colon. Urease immunization protects animals against the development of uremic colitis. This indicates that ammonia formed by bacterial urease is the causative factor in the breakdown of the colonic mucosa.", "PMID": 623373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4899", "title": "A shunt equation for estimating the splenic component of portal hypertension.", "content": "A modification of the Berggren pulmonary shunt equation was derived for use in estimating the splenic component of portal hypertension. It was used in nine patients, six of whom had sufficient decreases in portal flow and pressure after splenic artery and coronary vein ligation. The average decrease in portal flow was 52%.", "contents": "A shunt equation for estimating the splenic component of portal hypertension. A modification of the Berggren pulmonary shunt equation was derived for use in estimating the splenic component of portal hypertension. It was used in nine patients, six of whom had sufficient decreases in portal flow and pressure after splenic artery and coronary vein ligation. The average decrease in portal flow was 52%.", "PMID": 623375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4900", "title": "Betatron therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer. A preliminary report.", "content": "Nineteen-patients with unresectable but localized ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with definitive high dose, small volume, external beam radiotherapy with promising results. The tumors of all patients were histologically confirmed. A 45 MV betatron was used for radiation of the clipped tumor volume plus a 1 to 2 cm margin. Fourteen patients were treated by a three-field technic with the use of opposed lateral photon beams and an anterior mixed photon-electron beam. Five patients were treated with either a four-field \"box\" or a three-field photon technic. Tumor doses of 5,900 to 6,700 r were delivered over seven to nine weeks. The twelve month survival rate after diagnosis is 53%. This compares favorably with published reports of patients treated surgically for cure. Four patients are alive 18.5 to 64 months after diagnosis. Three are clinically free of disease. Treatment has been well tolerated and there have been no significant radiation complications.", "contents": "Betatron therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer. A preliminary report. Nineteen-patients with unresectable but localized ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were treated with definitive high dose, small volume, external beam radiotherapy with promising results. The tumors of all patients were histologically confirmed. A 45 MV betatron was used for radiation of the clipped tumor volume plus a 1 to 2 cm margin. Fourteen patients were treated by a three-field technic with the use of opposed lateral photon beams and an anterior mixed photon-electron beam. Five patients were treated with either a four-field \"box\" or a three-field photon technic. Tumor doses of 5,900 to 6,700 r were delivered over seven to nine weeks. The twelve month survival rate after diagnosis is 53%. This compares favorably with published reports of patients treated surgically for cure. Four patients are alive 18.5 to 64 months after diagnosis. Three are clinically free of disease. Treatment has been well tolerated and there have been no significant radiation complications.", "PMID": 623376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4901", "title": "Surgical management of patients with primary operable colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases.", "content": "The surgical results were analyzed of 217 patients who had undergone operation for primary colorectal cancer and were found to have synchronous liver metastases. It is recommended that patients with primary operable colorectal cancer who are found to have synchronous liver metastases should at least have an adequate resection of the primary lesion. If the primary lesion is resectable for cure and there are solitary hepatic metastases, then excision of these seems warranted. In most cases this can be accomplished by simple excision or wedge resection, although occasional cases may require lobectomy.", "contents": "Surgical management of patients with primary operable colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. The surgical results were analyzed of 217 patients who had undergone operation for primary colorectal cancer and were found to have synchronous liver metastases. It is recommended that patients with primary operable colorectal cancer who are found to have synchronous liver metastases should at least have an adequate resection of the primary lesion. If the primary lesion is resectable for cure and there are solitary hepatic metastases, then excision of these seems warranted. In most cases this can be accomplished by simple excision or wedge resection, although occasional cases may require lobectomy.", "PMID": 623377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4902", "title": "Vagal influence on duodenal motor activity.", "content": "The extrinsic and intrinsic vagal influences on duodenal motor activity in the anesthetized dog were investigated. The following conclusions were derived: (1) Electrical vagal stimulation elicits gastroduodenal contractions. (2) Poststimulatory contractions, or off responses, occur on the antrum and duodenum after termination of the stimulus. (3) Denervation of the extrinsic vagal nerves to the duodenum does not eliminate the above responses. (4) Denervation of the extrinsic nerves to the duodenum and transection of the gastroduodenal junction eliminates stimulated duodenal motility and the occurrence of off responses on the duodenum. Antral responses remain unaffected. (5) The motor innervation to the duodenum is composed of extrinsic vagal fibers and intrinsic vagal nerves which appear to first enter the antrum and then cross the gastroduodenal junction to innervate the duodenum.", "contents": "Vagal influence on duodenal motor activity. The extrinsic and intrinsic vagal influences on duodenal motor activity in the anesthetized dog were investigated. The following conclusions were derived: (1) Electrical vagal stimulation elicits gastroduodenal contractions. (2) Poststimulatory contractions, or off responses, occur on the antrum and duodenum after termination of the stimulus. (3) Denervation of the extrinsic vagal nerves to the duodenum does not eliminate the above responses. (4) Denervation of the extrinsic nerves to the duodenum and transection of the gastroduodenal junction eliminates stimulated duodenal motility and the occurrence of off responses on the duodenum. Antral responses remain unaffected. (5) The motor innervation to the duodenum is composed of extrinsic vagal fibers and intrinsic vagal nerves which appear to first enter the antrum and then cross the gastroduodenal junction to innervate the duodenum.", "PMID": 623379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4903", "title": "Mitogenicity of cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni.", "content": "Cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni, a causative agent of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, have been shown to possess non-specific mitogenic activity for guinea pig, rabbit and human lymphocytes. This activity was unrelated to endotoxin and may not be associated with peptidoglycan. This lymphocyte proliferation stimulus may play a role in the adjuvant properties of this organism and in the etiology of hypersensitivity lung disease.", "contents": "Mitogenicity of cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni. Cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni, a causative agent of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, have been shown to possess non-specific mitogenic activity for guinea pig, rabbit and human lymphocytes. This activity was unrelated to endotoxin and may not be associated with peptidoglycan. This lymphocyte proliferation stimulus may play a role in the adjuvant properties of this organism and in the etiology of hypersensitivity lung disease.", "PMID": 623390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4904", "title": "Age of onset in a group of severely asthmatic children.", "content": "The age of onset was examined retrospectively in a group of severely asthmatic children. The mean age of onset for males was 29.4 +/- 22.7 months and 30.4 +/- 27.0 months for females. The distribution of age of onset between males and females was remarkably similar (X2 = 1.77, 0.6 less than p less than 0.9). The mean age of onset was similar in children not receiving corticosteroids compared to those children who were taking high and low dose corticosteroids. An early or late age of onset appeared independent of corticosteroid requirements. Children with five or more positive immediate skin tests had earlier age of onset and higher total serum IgE levels than those with four or fewer positive skin tests.", "contents": "Age of onset in a group of severely asthmatic children. The age of onset was examined retrospectively in a group of severely asthmatic children. The mean age of onset for males was 29.4 +/- 22.7 months and 30.4 +/- 27.0 months for females. The distribution of age of onset between males and females was remarkably similar (X2 = 1.77, 0.6 less than p less than 0.9). The mean age of onset was similar in children not receiving corticosteroids compared to those children who were taking high and low dose corticosteroids. An early or late age of onset appeared independent of corticosteroid requirements. Children with five or more positive immediate skin tests had earlier age of onset and higher total serum IgE levels than those with four or fewer positive skin tests.", "PMID": 623391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4905", "title": "Standardization of early drug trials in allergic diseases (with reference to a trial of doxantrazole).", "content": "Attention is drawn to the long wait in certain countries before new drugs and other therapies for the treatment of allergic diseases are approved by the local authorities, even when good trials with them have been carried out elsewhere. The main reasons for requiring repeat trials are poor original case selection and inadequate parameters of assessment, particularly environmental variations. The results of re-assessing patients who in the previous year had undergone a trial of a new chromoglycate-like drug (Doxantrazole) are used to illustrate the need to introduce standard basic requirements when new drugs and other agents are being tested in allergic diseases. A suggested format of such requirements is presented.", "contents": "Standardization of early drug trials in allergic diseases (with reference to a trial of doxantrazole). Attention is drawn to the long wait in certain countries before new drugs and other therapies for the treatment of allergic diseases are approved by the local authorities, even when good trials with them have been carried out elsewhere. The main reasons for requiring repeat trials are poor original case selection and inadequate parameters of assessment, particularly environmental variations. The results of re-assessing patients who in the previous year had undergone a trial of a new chromoglycate-like drug (Doxantrazole) are used to illustrate the need to introduce standard basic requirements when new drugs and other agents are being tested in allergic diseases. A suggested format of such requirements is presented.", "PMID": 623393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4906", "title": "A study of trends in upper arm soft tissue sarcomas in the state of Connecticut following the introduction of alum-absorbed allergenic extract.", "content": "The incidence of soft tissue sarcomas of the upper and lower limbs in Connecticut from 1935-1974 was studied to determine whether the incidence of upper limb sarcoma changed following the introduction of alum-adsorbed allergenic extracts in 1963. No changes were observed that could be related to the use of alum.", "contents": "A study of trends in upper arm soft tissue sarcomas in the state of Connecticut following the introduction of alum-absorbed allergenic extract. The incidence of soft tissue sarcomas of the upper and lower limbs in Connecticut from 1935-1974 was studied to determine whether the incidence of upper limb sarcoma changed following the introduction of alum-adsorbed allergenic extracts in 1963. No changes were observed that could be related to the use of alum.", "PMID": 623394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4907", "title": "Theophylline bioavailability following oral administration of six sustained-release preparations.", "content": "Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured in 20 adults after single doses of 8 mg/kg of each of six oral sustained-release theophylline preparations. Twelve subjects were studied in a multiple-dose trial. Comparison of bioavailability and absorption characteristics suggest usefulness of some of these products for the purpose of maintaining safe and effective blood levels with twice-a-day dosing.", "contents": "Theophylline bioavailability following oral administration of six sustained-release preparations. Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured in 20 adults after single doses of 8 mg/kg of each of six oral sustained-release theophylline preparations. Twelve subjects were studied in a multiple-dose trial. Comparison of bioavailability and absorption characteristics suggest usefulness of some of these products for the purpose of maintaining safe and effective blood levels with twice-a-day dosing.", "PMID": 623398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4908", "title": "Giant hemangiomatosis of the liver in infancy.", "content": "Two case reports of hepatic hemangiomatosis in infancy are presented to clarify the definition of this condition and to review its therapy by administration of corticosteroids and by ligation of the hepatic artery.", "contents": "Giant hemangiomatosis of the liver in infancy. Two case reports of hepatic hemangiomatosis in infancy are presented to clarify the definition of this condition and to review its therapy by administration of corticosteroids and by ligation of the hepatic artery.", "PMID": 623403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4909", "title": "Pathophysiology and management of congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernias.", "content": "Twelve neonates with foramen of Bochdalek hernias were treated at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals during a recent four-year period. The clinical material supports the concept that bilateral hypoplastic lungs are fundamental in producing a morbid vicious cycle with respiratory and metabolic acidosis, pulmonary hypertension, right to left ductal and parenchymal shunting, worsening of the hypoxia and acidosis, and progression of the cycle. Management of Bochdalek hernias before, during and after operation has been guided by pathophysiologic approach.", "contents": "Pathophysiology and management of congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic hernias. Twelve neonates with foramen of Bochdalek hernias were treated at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals during a recent four-year period. The clinical material supports the concept that bilateral hypoplastic lungs are fundamental in producing a morbid vicious cycle with respiratory and metabolic acidosis, pulmonary hypertension, right to left ductal and parenchymal shunting, worsening of the hypoxia and acidosis, and progression of the cycle. Management of Bochdalek hernias before, during and after operation has been guided by pathophysiologic approach.", "PMID": 623404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4910", "title": "Limb salvage by extended profunda femoris revascularization.", "content": "We would conclude from the present series that if there is an adequate descending branch of the profunda femoris artery (20--25 cm), revascularization of the profunda femoris artery is worthwhile even in the presence of marked distal ischemia. In the present series, early success was manifested by relief of rest pain, healing of ischemic ulcers, and elevated ankle pressures (86%). The late success rate was 73%. If the proximal revascularization fails, distal bypasses can be added at a later procedure.", "contents": "Limb salvage by extended profunda femoris revascularization. We would conclude from the present series that if there is an adequate descending branch of the profunda femoris artery (20--25 cm), revascularization of the profunda femoris artery is worthwhile even in the presence of marked distal ischemia. In the present series, early success was manifested by relief of rest pain, healing of ischemic ulcers, and elevated ankle pressures (86%). The late success rate was 73%. If the proximal revascularization fails, distal bypasses can be added at a later procedure.", "PMID": 623405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4911", "title": "Surgical management of hyperparathyroidism.", "content": "Twenty-one patients with hyperpara-thyroidism were studied to determine the outcome of surgical treatment by a variety of surgeons using a variety of techniques. Primary surgical treatment was excision of an adenoma in 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. One patient (7%) had a true recurrence. One patient (7%) had persistent disease. Subtotal parathyroidectomies were carried out in three patients with primary diffuse hyperplasia and in five patients with chronic renal disease. Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation were performed in two more recent patients with chronic renal disease. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was not seen postoperatively in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Identification of all four glands at the operating table is essential. The low recurrence rate following selective excision of diseases parathyroid glands in this series suggests that the approach can be undertaken safely in most instances.", "contents": "Surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. Twenty-one patients with hyperpara-thyroidism were studied to determine the outcome of surgical treatment by a variety of surgeons using a variety of techniques. Primary surgical treatment was excision of an adenoma in 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. One patient (7%) had a true recurrence. One patient (7%) had persistent disease. Subtotal parathyroidectomies were carried out in three patients with primary diffuse hyperplasia and in five patients with chronic renal disease. Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation were performed in two more recent patients with chronic renal disease. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was not seen postoperatively in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Identification of all four glands at the operating table is essential. The low recurrence rate following selective excision of diseases parathyroid glands in this series suggests that the approach can be undertaken safely in most instances.", "PMID": 623406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4912", "title": "Response of first order vestibular neurons to lidocaine hydrochloride.", "content": "Changes in behavior and electrical activity of primary vestibular neurons were observed following injection of lidocaine hydrochloride into the middle ear of cats. After injection the cats exhibited head and ocular nystagmus, head and neck deviation and pupillary changes. Mean preinjection resting discharge rate for first order vestibular neurons was 46.0 spikes/sec. Two hours after lidocaine application the resting rate decreased to a mean of 22.2 spikes/sec and then recovered to 43.0 spikes/sec four hours, and 47.4 spikes/sec six hours after the experimental treatment. The increment sensitivity (increased rate of firing) of horizontal canal neurons to constant angular acceleration for the control period was 2.0 extra spikes/sec/deg/sec2; two hours after the application, 70% of the recorded neurons were unresponsive to angular acceleration or tilt. The sensitivity after four hours was 1.0 spikes/sec/deg/sec2 and 2.1 spikes/sec/deg/sec2 at six hours. The distinct depression of sensitivity by lidocaine at four hours compared to normal mean resting rate at this time suggests these functions may be governed by two modes of action in the receptor or first order afferents.", "contents": "Response of first order vestibular neurons to lidocaine hydrochloride. Changes in behavior and electrical activity of primary vestibular neurons were observed following injection of lidocaine hydrochloride into the middle ear of cats. After injection the cats exhibited head and ocular nystagmus, head and neck deviation and pupillary changes. Mean preinjection resting discharge rate for first order vestibular neurons was 46.0 spikes/sec. Two hours after lidocaine application the resting rate decreased to a mean of 22.2 spikes/sec and then recovered to 43.0 spikes/sec four hours, and 47.4 spikes/sec six hours after the experimental treatment. The increment sensitivity (increased rate of firing) of horizontal canal neurons to constant angular acceleration for the control period was 2.0 extra spikes/sec/deg/sec2; two hours after the application, 70% of the recorded neurons were unresponsive to angular acceleration or tilt. The sensitivity after four hours was 1.0 spikes/sec/deg/sec2 and 2.1 spikes/sec/deg/sec2 at six hours. The distinct depression of sensitivity by lidocaine at four hours compared to normal mean resting rate at this time suggests these functions may be governed by two modes of action in the receptor or first order afferents.", "PMID": 623408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4913", "title": "Effects of combinations of sodium salicylate and noise on the auditory threshold.", "content": "Thirty-nine monaural chinchillas were used to study the interaction between sodium salicylate and various TTS-producing noise paradigms. Five animals were included in each of the following three groups: 1) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 2-4 kHz, 95 dB SPL noise band for one hour; 2) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 4 kHz CF octave band noise at 80 dB SPL for 96 hours; and 3) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 50 impulses having 50 musec A-duration and 158 dB peak SPL, presented at one per minute. The remaining 24 animals served as various controls in groups exposed to sodium salicylate or the noise paradigm alone. Thresholds were estimated before, during, and after exposure using the AER technique and cochleagrams were mapped for each cochlea 30 days after exposure. When sodium salicylate was combined with the various noise conditions, the maximum TTS values obtained from the combination studies were comparable to those obtained from the single agent producing the greatest TTS at a particular frequency. No consistent alteration in either magnitude or time course of posttreatment threshold shift was found following the combination treatments as compared to the individual agents alone. Hazard to the auditory system resulting from a combination of sodium salicylate and noise was concluded to be no greater than the hazard presented by either agent alone. This result is also substantiated in the histological results.", "contents": "Effects of combinations of sodium salicylate and noise on the auditory threshold. Thirty-nine monaural chinchillas were used to study the interaction between sodium salicylate and various TTS-producing noise paradigms. Five animals were included in each of the following three groups: 1) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 2-4 kHz, 95 dB SPL noise band for one hour; 2) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 4 kHz CF octave band noise at 80 dB SPL for 96 hours; and 3) sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) plus 50 impulses having 50 musec A-duration and 158 dB peak SPL, presented at one per minute. The remaining 24 animals served as various controls in groups exposed to sodium salicylate or the noise paradigm alone. Thresholds were estimated before, during, and after exposure using the AER technique and cochleagrams were mapped for each cochlea 30 days after exposure. When sodium salicylate was combined with the various noise conditions, the maximum TTS values obtained from the combination studies were comparable to those obtained from the single agent producing the greatest TTS at a particular frequency. No consistent alteration in either magnitude or time course of posttreatment threshold shift was found following the combination treatments as compared to the individual agents alone. Hazard to the auditory system resulting from a combination of sodium salicylate and noise was concluded to be no greater than the hazard presented by either agent alone. This result is also substantiated in the histological results.", "PMID": 623409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4914", "title": "Bilateral acoustic neurinomas. A case report.", "content": "A patient presented with complaint of increasing hearing loss in the right ear of five months duration. There was no hearing in the left ear as a result of previous surgery for resection of an acoustic neurinoma. Polytomes demonstrated a progressive erosion of the right auditory meatus. The patient underwent a right suboccipital craniotomy resulting in preservation hearing at a 30 dB level with 100% discrimination scores.", "contents": "Bilateral acoustic neurinomas. A case report. A patient presented with complaint of increasing hearing loss in the right ear of five months duration. There was no hearing in the left ear as a result of previous surgery for resection of an acoustic neurinoma. Polytomes demonstrated a progressive erosion of the right auditory meatus. The patient underwent a right suboccipital craniotomy resulting in preservation hearing at a 30 dB level with 100% discrimination scores.", "PMID": 623410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4915", "title": "Current concepts of tumor immunology. III. Immune therapy.", "content": "It is apparent that development of consistently effective methods of immunotherapy must await a more thorough understanding of the immune response to cancer. However, even those forms of immunotherapy which have been developed to date indicate a tremendous potential. It appears that immunotherapy may be most useful as an adjuvant to established forms of treatment. Surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are used to remove all of the gross tumor, with immune therapy then employed to destroy the small foci of tumor which remain. As methods are developed which are effective in counteracting the immunosuppression of tumors, other means of immunotherapy may be found which are capable of destroying tumor cells while not affecting the adjacent normal tissue. Thus, the future of immune therapy holds great promise. As more is learned about the immune response to cancer, advances in therapy will certainly follow.", "contents": "Current concepts of tumor immunology. III. Immune therapy. It is apparent that development of consistently effective methods of immunotherapy must await a more thorough understanding of the immune response to cancer. However, even those forms of immunotherapy which have been developed to date indicate a tremendous potential. It appears that immunotherapy may be most useful as an adjuvant to established forms of treatment. Surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are used to remove all of the gross tumor, with immune therapy then employed to destroy the small foci of tumor which remain. As methods are developed which are effective in counteracting the immunosuppression of tumors, other means of immunotherapy may be found which are capable of destroying tumor cells while not affecting the adjacent normal tissue. Thus, the future of immune therapy holds great promise. As more is learned about the immune response to cancer, advances in therapy will certainly follow.", "PMID": 623411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4916", "title": "Treatment of infantile subglottic hemangioma with radioactive gold grain.", "content": "Congenital subglottic hemangioma causes life-threatening airway obstruction during the first few months of life. The mortality rate of recognized and untreated cases justifies active treatment, and although radiation therapy is currently most favored, it carries a risk of inducing malignant change in the thyroid gland later in life. A series of 11 patients with laryngeal hemangiomata is reported, conventional radiotherapy was utilized in the first seven patients, and placement of a radioactive gold grain directly into the lesion was used in the last four patients. This technique offers maximal tumor dose with minimal thyroid gland irradiation compared to treatment by conventional radiotherapy, and its successful use in these four patients is reported as worthy of further trial.", "contents": "Treatment of infantile subglottic hemangioma with radioactive gold grain. Congenital subglottic hemangioma causes life-threatening airway obstruction during the first few months of life. The mortality rate of recognized and untreated cases justifies active treatment, and although radiation therapy is currently most favored, it carries a risk of inducing malignant change in the thyroid gland later in life. A series of 11 patients with laryngeal hemangiomata is reported, conventional radiotherapy was utilized in the first seven patients, and placement of a radioactive gold grain directly into the lesion was used in the last four patients. This technique offers maximal tumor dose with minimal thyroid gland irradiation compared to treatment by conventional radiotherapy, and its successful use in these four patients is reported as worthy of further trial.", "PMID": 623413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4917", "title": "Treatment of sudden deafness with sodium salts of triiodobenzoic acid derivatives.", "content": "Twenty-two patients with a complaint of sudden deafness were treated with one of the other of two radiopaque contrast media, 9 received daily doses of sodium iothalamate, and 13 were treated similarly with methylglucamine and sodium iodamide. Four of the first group and eight of the second demonstrated either an effective partial or a complete recovery of hearing function. Those failing to respond were generally classified completely deaf at admission and report nausea, vomiting, or vertigo at onset of sudden deafness. Treatment with sodium salts of triiodobenzoic acid derivatives, i.e., sodium iothalamate and methylglucamine and sodium iodamide, is judged to be effective in selected cases of sudden deafness.", "contents": "Treatment of sudden deafness with sodium salts of triiodobenzoic acid derivatives. Twenty-two patients with a complaint of sudden deafness were treated with one of the other of two radiopaque contrast media, 9 received daily doses of sodium iothalamate, and 13 were treated similarly with methylglucamine and sodium iodamide. Four of the first group and eight of the second demonstrated either an effective partial or a complete recovery of hearing function. Those failing to respond were generally classified completely deaf at admission and report nausea, vomiting, or vertigo at onset of sudden deafness. Treatment with sodium salts of triiodobenzoic acid derivatives, i.e., sodium iothalamate and methylglucamine and sodium iodamide, is judged to be effective in selected cases of sudden deafness.", "PMID": 623415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4918", "title": "Studies on cochlear aqueduct patency.", "content": "Complex studies on the patency of the cochlear aqueduct were made on 250 human cadavers and the temporal bones isolated from these, using a chemical method (staining reaction) as well as filling the aqueduct with fluid plastics and exposing the whole of its course under an operating microscope. The disappearance of patency in the cochlear aqueduct is a progressive phenomenon reflecting the biological process of aging in the organism. Patency of the cochlear aqueduct renders possible a two-way spread of infection from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the inner ear and vice versa, CSF otorrhea, and sudden sensorineural hearing inpairment through rises in CSF pressure, while in the absence of patency, the accumulation of harmful products of metabolism in the perilymph has a deleterious effect on the sensory elements of the inner ear.", "contents": "Studies on cochlear aqueduct patency. Complex studies on the patency of the cochlear aqueduct were made on 250 human cadavers and the temporal bones isolated from these, using a chemical method (staining reaction) as well as filling the aqueduct with fluid plastics and exposing the whole of its course under an operating microscope. The disappearance of patency in the cochlear aqueduct is a progressive phenomenon reflecting the biological process of aging in the organism. Patency of the cochlear aqueduct renders possible a two-way spread of infection from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the inner ear and vice versa, CSF otorrhea, and sudden sensorineural hearing inpairment through rises in CSF pressure, while in the absence of patency, the accumulation of harmful products of metabolism in the perilymph has a deleterious effect on the sensory elements of the inner ear.", "PMID": 623414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4919", "title": "Critical look at the classification of maxillary sinus carcinomata.", "content": "All the classification systems at present adopted for use in carcinoma of the maxillary sinus suffer from both intrinsic inaccuracies and an apparent failure to relate T (extent of primary tumor) categories to clinical experience of the spread of these tumors. Three systems are critically analyzed in relation to personal experience of 86 patients with sinus carcinoma and a fourth system proposed as a compromise solution to this problem.", "contents": "Critical look at the classification of maxillary sinus carcinomata. All the classification systems at present adopted for use in carcinoma of the maxillary sinus suffer from both intrinsic inaccuracies and an apparent failure to relate T (extent of primary tumor) categories to clinical experience of the spread of these tumors. Three systems are critically analyzed in relation to personal experience of 86 patients with sinus carcinoma and a fourth system proposed as a compromise solution to this problem.", "PMID": 623416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4920", "title": "Drug-related gustatory disorders.", "content": "A review is presented of the drug-induced gustatory disorders that have so far been identified. Metallic, bitter or salty phantogeusias and hypogeusias, often of a dissociated type, which may even develop into ageusia have been described as side effects of treatment with some drugs. Personal observations on six cases are reported in which the gustatory disorders are attributed to the ingestion of phenylbutazone, carbamazepine, chlormezanone and baclofen. After interruption of the treatments these disorders were reversible within weeks to months.", "contents": "Drug-related gustatory disorders. A review is presented of the drug-induced gustatory disorders that have so far been identified. Metallic, bitter or salty phantogeusias and hypogeusias, often of a dissociated type, which may even develop into ageusia have been described as side effects of treatment with some drugs. Personal observations on six cases are reported in which the gustatory disorders are attributed to the ingestion of phenylbutazone, carbamazepine, chlormezanone and baclofen. After interruption of the treatments these disorders were reversible within weeks to months.", "PMID": 623418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4921", "title": "Thermal injury from mastoid bone burrs.", "content": "Marked bone temperature elevations and surface osteocyte necrosis result from cutting and diamond burrs used without continuous irrigation. Temperatures generated may injure the facial nerve even if drilling is carried on a millimeter or more distant from the nerve. Irrigation of the operative field maintains bone and nerve temperatures at safe levels. Cutting and diamond burrs obey different thermodynamic principles. Higher rotation speeds, greater applied pressures and greater surface contact area increase cutting burr thermogenesis. Burrs with more flutes generate greater heat than those with fewer flutes. Diamond burr heat generation varies in proportion to applied pressure, but is independent of rotation speed or contact area. Haversian canal blood vessels do not contribute to postoperative revascularization. Rather, vessels immigrate from adjacent intact periosteum, penetrating arterioles and exposed marrow. Surface thermal injury does not impede revascularization and should not impair the healing of tissue grafts applied to the bone surface.", "contents": "Thermal injury from mastoid bone burrs. Marked bone temperature elevations and surface osteocyte necrosis result from cutting and diamond burrs used without continuous irrigation. Temperatures generated may injure the facial nerve even if drilling is carried on a millimeter or more distant from the nerve. Irrigation of the operative field maintains bone and nerve temperatures at safe levels. Cutting and diamond burrs obey different thermodynamic principles. Higher rotation speeds, greater applied pressures and greater surface contact area increase cutting burr thermogenesis. Burrs with more flutes generate greater heat than those with fewer flutes. Diamond burr heat generation varies in proportion to applied pressure, but is independent of rotation speed or contact area. Haversian canal blood vessels do not contribute to postoperative revascularization. Rather, vessels immigrate from adjacent intact periosteum, penetrating arterioles and exposed marrow. Surface thermal injury does not impede revascularization and should not impair the healing of tissue grafts applied to the bone surface.", "PMID": 623419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4922", "title": "Blocking effect of radio-contrast media on cochlear depression.", "content": "Furosemide injection was used in a total of 72 guinea pigs to induce a cochlear dysfunction similar to the sensorineural loss associated with sudden deafness. Prior to the furosemide administration, 38 of the animals were treated with an injection of one of four radio-contrast media; methylglucamine and sodium diatrizoate, sodium iothalamate, methylglucamine and sodium iodamide, and methylglucamine diatrizoate. In the control animals, receiving only furosemide, both endocochlear potential (EP) and cochlear microphonic (CM) underwent a severe depression followed by recovery and subsequent secondary depression. Animals pretreated with one of the first three compounds showed little or no EP or CM depression. Animals pretreated with the fourth, methylglucamine diatrizoate, showed the same EP depression as the control animals. The possible mechanism for this blocking effect and its significance in the clinical treatment of sudden deafness is discussed.", "contents": "Blocking effect of radio-contrast media on cochlear depression. Furosemide injection was used in a total of 72 guinea pigs to induce a cochlear dysfunction similar to the sensorineural loss associated with sudden deafness. Prior to the furosemide administration, 38 of the animals were treated with an injection of one of four radio-contrast media; methylglucamine and sodium diatrizoate, sodium iothalamate, methylglucamine and sodium iodamide, and methylglucamine diatrizoate. In the control animals, receiving only furosemide, both endocochlear potential (EP) and cochlear microphonic (CM) underwent a severe depression followed by recovery and subsequent secondary depression. Animals pretreated with one of the first three compounds showed little or no EP or CM depression. Animals pretreated with the fourth, methylglucamine diatrizoate, showed the same EP depression as the control animals. The possible mechanism for this blocking effect and its significance in the clinical treatment of sudden deafness is discussed.", "PMID": 623417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4923", "title": "Endobronchial foreign body removal using the bronchofiberscope.", "content": "In certain situations the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope can augment rigid bronchoscopy in foreign body removal. A case of a successful fiberoptic removal of an endobronchial foreign body (dental bridge) is presented. A wire basket, inserted through the channel of the bronchofiberscope, was used to capture the object.", "contents": "Endobronchial foreign body removal using the bronchofiberscope. In certain situations the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope can augment rigid bronchoscopy in foreign body removal. A case of a successful fiberoptic removal of an endobronchial foreign body (dental bridge) is presented. A wire basket, inserted through the channel of the bronchofiberscope, was used to capture the object.", "PMID": 623420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4924", "title": "Airway management in the premature infant.", "content": "Out of 262 premature newborn patients admitted with a diagnosis of respiratory distress, it was necessary to treat 70 with a ventilator. Of these 70, 25 eventually underwent tracheostomy. Indications for tracheostomy were that of an infant needing prolonged endotracheal intubation greater than one week. The procedure itself was easily performed and an overall complication rate of 7% was the result. Of the patients who underwent tracheostomy, 8% had significant complications. There was no death attributable to the treatment regime. We feel, therefore, that a combination approach starting with the endotracheal tube and progressing to tracheostomy when necessary, provided the best care for premature infants requiring intensive airway management.", "contents": "Airway management in the premature infant. Out of 262 premature newborn patients admitted with a diagnosis of respiratory distress, it was necessary to treat 70 with a ventilator. Of these 70, 25 eventually underwent tracheostomy. Indications for tracheostomy were that of an infant needing prolonged endotracheal intubation greater than one week. The procedure itself was easily performed and an overall complication rate of 7% was the result. Of the patients who underwent tracheostomy, 8% had significant complications. There was no death attributable to the treatment regime. We feel, therefore, that a combination approach starting with the endotracheal tube and progressing to tracheostomy when necessary, provided the best care for premature infants requiring intensive airway management.", "PMID": 623421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4925", "title": "Primary malignant lymphoma of the paranasal sinuses.", "content": "A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the paranasal sinuses is presented. The patient, a 56-year-old white man, had a good response to Cobalt 60 therapy. A review of the literature reveals that this rare tumor occurs predominantly in older individuals, and that the chance for survival is good when radiation has been administered.", "contents": "Primary malignant lymphoma of the paranasal sinuses. A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the paranasal sinuses is presented. The patient, a 56-year-old white man, had a good response to Cobalt 60 therapy. A review of the literature reveals that this rare tumor occurs predominantly in older individuals, and that the chance for survival is good when radiation has been administered.", "PMID": 623423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4926", "title": "Nasopulmonary reflex: evaluation in the nonparalyzed and paralyzed anesthetized dog.", "content": "Changes in the pulmonary mechanics of various animal species have been observed after nasal stimulation. In reviewing the methods of these studies, we found that often the respiratory patterns were not controlled well enough to permit conclusions about changes in resistance and compliance. To further investigate the possibility of a nasopulmonary reflex, we first studied the effect of nasal stimulation on pulmonary mechanics in anesthetized, nonparalyzed dogs. In this group of 35 dogs, we found that nasal stimulation typically produced marked changes in breathing patterns, a large transient increase (150%) in pulmonary airflow resistance, but no change in compliance. This response to nasal stimulation could be abolished by interrupting either the trigeminal or the vagus nerves. In an additional group of 12 anesthetized, paralyzed dogs, we found no changes in resistance or compliance after nasal stimulation. From this observation, we concluded that nasal stimulation produced changes in breathing patterns that led to alterations in resistance without an actual change in the intrinsic behavior of the pulmonary airways.", "contents": "Nasopulmonary reflex: evaluation in the nonparalyzed and paralyzed anesthetized dog. Changes in the pulmonary mechanics of various animal species have been observed after nasal stimulation. In reviewing the methods of these studies, we found that often the respiratory patterns were not controlled well enough to permit conclusions about changes in resistance and compliance. To further investigate the possibility of a nasopulmonary reflex, we first studied the effect of nasal stimulation on pulmonary mechanics in anesthetized, nonparalyzed dogs. In this group of 35 dogs, we found that nasal stimulation typically produced marked changes in breathing patterns, a large transient increase (150%) in pulmonary airflow resistance, but no change in compliance. This response to nasal stimulation could be abolished by interrupting either the trigeminal or the vagus nerves. In an additional group of 12 anesthetized, paralyzed dogs, we found no changes in resistance or compliance after nasal stimulation. From this observation, we concluded that nasal stimulation produced changes in breathing patterns that led to alterations in resistance without an actual change in the intrinsic behavior of the pulmonary airways.", "PMID": 623425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4927", "title": "Comparison of five types of tracheostomy tubes in the intubated trachea.", "content": "Recognition of excessive cuff pressures as a major factor in tracheal injury has prompted the development of different types of cuffed tracheostomy tubes. Five brands of tracheostomy tubes in common use are evaluated in anesthetized adult dogs. Visualization of interior tracheal conditions during spontaneous and positive pressure ventilation permits a dynamic study of the trachea and its interaction with each tube under varying conditions. The relationship between intracuff pressure and cuff-tracheal wall pressure is analyzed for each tube. The selection of the proper tracheostomy tube for a given clinical situation should consider: 1) the cuff pressure necessary to achieve minimal leak, 2) torque transmission, 3) the ability to monitor cuff-tracheal wall pressure as a function of intracuff pressure, and 4) simplicity of design for optimum clinical use. Tracheal expansion occurs in a predictable fashion in response to different stimuli. However, the role of expansion in the susceptibility of this organ to injury remains to be investigated.", "contents": "Comparison of five types of tracheostomy tubes in the intubated trachea. Recognition of excessive cuff pressures as a major factor in tracheal injury has prompted the development of different types of cuffed tracheostomy tubes. Five brands of tracheostomy tubes in common use are evaluated in anesthetized adult dogs. Visualization of interior tracheal conditions during spontaneous and positive pressure ventilation permits a dynamic study of the trachea and its interaction with each tube under varying conditions. The relationship between intracuff pressure and cuff-tracheal wall pressure is analyzed for each tube. The selection of the proper tracheostomy tube for a given clinical situation should consider: 1) the cuff pressure necessary to achieve minimal leak, 2) torque transmission, 3) the ability to monitor cuff-tracheal wall pressure as a function of intracuff pressure, and 4) simplicity of design for optimum clinical use. Tracheal expansion occurs in a predictable fashion in response to different stimuli. However, the role of expansion in the susceptibility of this organ to injury remains to be investigated.", "PMID": 623426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4928", "title": "Idiopathic midface lesions.", "content": "The term lethal midline granuloma has been used to describe a number of lesions which may present in the midface. A list of possible causes is presented and three entities, midline malignant reticulosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and malignant lymphoma, are discussed in detail. The pathological descriptions, the clinical features, and the recommended forms of therapy are outlined. It is important to vigorously pursue the patient with a midline facial lesion until a definite tissue diagnosis is obtained. Multiple biopsies may be necessary because necrosis and nonspecific inflammatory changes may be present in various of these disease entities. The correct diagnosis is essential because the treatment of these disease is different: Wegener's granulomatosis responds best to chemotherapy, whereas midline malignant reticulosis and lymphoma should be treated with radiation therapy if they are localized. Despite conceptual variations, most recent authors believe that these three diseases exist as separate entities, and furthermore, recommend that the term lethal midline granuloma be either dropped from the lexicon or relegated to a descriptive clinical term to be used only until a more definitive diagnosis can be made.", "contents": "Idiopathic midface lesions. The term lethal midline granuloma has been used to describe a number of lesions which may present in the midface. A list of possible causes is presented and three entities, midline malignant reticulosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, and malignant lymphoma, are discussed in detail. The pathological descriptions, the clinical features, and the recommended forms of therapy are outlined. It is important to vigorously pursue the patient with a midline facial lesion until a definite tissue diagnosis is obtained. Multiple biopsies may be necessary because necrosis and nonspecific inflammatory changes may be present in various of these disease entities. The correct diagnosis is essential because the treatment of these disease is different: Wegener's granulomatosis responds best to chemotherapy, whereas midline malignant reticulosis and lymphoma should be treated with radiation therapy if they are localized. Despite conceptual variations, most recent authors believe that these three diseases exist as separate entities, and furthermore, recommend that the term lethal midline granuloma be either dropped from the lexicon or relegated to a descriptive clinical term to be used only until a more definitive diagnosis can be made.", "PMID": 623422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4929", "title": "Glutathione reductase in the red blood cells.", "content": "Glutathione reductase plays an important role in protecting hemoglobin, red cell enzymes, and biological cell membranes against oxidative damage by increasing the level of reduced glutathone (GSSGR) in the process of aerobic glycolysis. The enzyme deficiency may result in mild to moderately severe hemolytic anemia upon exposure to certain drugs or chemicals. However, hereditary deficiency of the enzyme is extremely rare. Recent studies on glutathione reductase in the red cell have shown more insight in the understanding of red cell metabolism and interactions with other enzymes, especially glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD). Glutathione reducatase in serum may be a source of error in any clinical laboratory test in which an enzyme activity is determined indirectly by measuring the change in reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) absorbance. Glutathione reductase levels are reduced in banked blood when citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) is used as a preservative. Reviewed is the role of glutathione reductase in the metabolism of the red cell and its clinical implication and usefulness.", "contents": "Glutathione reductase in the red blood cells. Glutathione reductase plays an important role in protecting hemoglobin, red cell enzymes, and biological cell membranes against oxidative damage by increasing the level of reduced glutathone (GSSGR) in the process of aerobic glycolysis. The enzyme deficiency may result in mild to moderately severe hemolytic anemia upon exposure to certain drugs or chemicals. However, hereditary deficiency of the enzyme is extremely rare. Recent studies on glutathione reductase in the red cell have shown more insight in the understanding of red cell metabolism and interactions with other enzymes, especially glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD). Glutathione reducatase in serum may be a source of error in any clinical laboratory test in which an enzyme activity is determined indirectly by measuring the change in reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) absorbance. Glutathione reductase levels are reduced in banked blood when citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) is used as a preservative. Reviewed is the role of glutathione reductase in the metabolism of the red cell and its clinical implication and usefulness.", "PMID": 623427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4930", "title": "Otosclerotic inner ear syndrome.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with clinical otosclerosis and vertigo underwent stapedectomies. Vertigo improved or completely disappeared in 23 patients, indicating that stapedectomy is probably helpful. Three case reports are also presented as well as photomicrographs of temporal bones showing the focus in contact with the pars superior.", "contents": "Otosclerotic inner ear syndrome. Twenty-seven patients with clinical otosclerosis and vertigo underwent stapedectomies. Vertigo improved or completely disappeared in 23 patients, indicating that stapedectomy is probably helpful. Three case reports are also presented as well as photomicrographs of temporal bones showing the focus in contact with the pars superior.", "PMID": 623424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4931", "title": "[Estimation of the heritability of hair and eye color].", "content": "In the present study the colours of hair are regarded as quantitative genetic characters. The genetic and environmental components of the total variance of the characters are determined by analysis of correlation between parents and children as well as full sibs. An analysis of correlation coefficients makes it possible to further examine whether autosomal dominance or X-linked factors play a role in the inheritance. The correlations between the parents make the genetical analysis more complicated as they raise the correlation coefficients between relatives. The estimates of heritability are 0.61 (hair-colour) and 0.80 (eye-colour). These estimates may serve as preliminary values of orientation. Only further studies will show whether the relative large part of the variance caused by the environment can be confirmed. Dominance may play a small role in the case of hair colour, while it seems to be absent in eye-colour. There are no sufficient indications of X-linked factors for both characters.", "contents": "[Estimation of the heritability of hair and eye color]. In the present study the colours of hair are regarded as quantitative genetic characters. The genetic and environmental components of the total variance of the characters are determined by analysis of correlation between parents and children as well as full sibs. An analysis of correlation coefficients makes it possible to further examine whether autosomal dominance or X-linked factors play a role in the inheritance. The correlations between the parents make the genetical analysis more complicated as they raise the correlation coefficients between relatives. The estimates of heritability are 0.61 (hair-colour) and 0.80 (eye-colour). These estimates may serve as preliminary values of orientation. Only further studies will show whether the relative large part of the variance caused by the environment can be confirmed. Dominance may play a small role in the case of hair colour, while it seems to be absent in eye-colour. There are no sufficient indications of X-linked factors for both characters.", "PMID": 623434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4932", "title": "Current status of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CEA-S assays in the evaluation of neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract.", "content": "Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is heterogeneous and may represent a set of closely related glycoproteins which have been referred to as isomeric species of CEA. The existence of other CEA-related glycoproteins such as non-specific cross reacting antigen (NCA) has been recognized. Recently a highly purified homogeneous isomeric species of CEA described as CEA-S has shown differences in diagnostic results upon analysis of clinical sera as well as quantitative immunochemical differences. In a blind study of 308 sera, the CEA and CEA-S assays were compared. A significant difference in false positive results was observed between the CEA and CEA-S assay results. In contrast to the low but significant evidence of elevated CEA in sera of random normal persons and patients with liver disease or inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract or lung, none of the sera had elevated concentrations of CEA-S. Among patients with tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that were considered surgically resectable, 46 percent were elevated using the CEA-S assay and only 34.7 percent were elevated above 5 nanograms per ml by the CEA assay. The CEA assays detect CEA-related molecules produced by lung, breast and other tumors; the CEA-S assay appears equally sensitive to CEA of gastrointestinal origin but detects only a small subgroup of breast, lung and, rarely, other types of tumors.", "contents": "Current status of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CEA-S assays in the evaluation of neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is heterogeneous and may represent a set of closely related glycoproteins which have been referred to as isomeric species of CEA. The existence of other CEA-related glycoproteins such as non-specific cross reacting antigen (NCA) has been recognized. Recently a highly purified homogeneous isomeric species of CEA described as CEA-S has shown differences in diagnostic results upon analysis of clinical sera as well as quantitative immunochemical differences. In a blind study of 308 sera, the CEA and CEA-S assays were compared. A significant difference in false positive results was observed between the CEA and CEA-S assay results. In contrast to the low but significant evidence of elevated CEA in sera of random normal persons and patients with liver disease or inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract or lung, none of the sera had elevated concentrations of CEA-S. Among patients with tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that were considered surgically resectable, 46 percent were elevated using the CEA-S assay and only 34.7 percent were elevated above 5 nanograms per ml by the CEA assay. The CEA assays detect CEA-related molecules produced by lung, breast and other tumors; the CEA-S assay appears equally sensitive to CEA of gastrointestinal origin but detects only a small subgroup of breast, lung and, rarely, other types of tumors.", "PMID": 623429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4933", "title": "Detergent altered alkaline phosphatase patterns of liver disease.", "content": "A procedure has been described whereby the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (slow-moving) isoenzyme may be studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By treatment of sera containing this isoenzyme with some detergents of the nonionic Triton octylphenoxyethanol series, the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme is altered so that its electrophoretic mobility more closely resembles that of the usual alklaine phosphatase isoenzymes. The high molecular weight isoenzyme is thought to be associated with phosphatidyl choline and/or liproproteins. The detergent action is to dissociated the alkaline phosphatase from its lipid carrier. It is thought that these lipid-alkaline phosphatase complexes are associated with liver cell fragments. The detergent altered slow-moving alkaline phosphatase may migrate as a single band, from two to four new bands, or as several new bands. Liver, bone and intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes are unaffected by detergent action.", "contents": "Detergent altered alkaline phosphatase patterns of liver disease. A procedure has been described whereby the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase (slow-moving) isoenzyme may be studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By treatment of sera containing this isoenzyme with some detergents of the nonionic Triton octylphenoxyethanol series, the high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme is altered so that its electrophoretic mobility more closely resembles that of the usual alklaine phosphatase isoenzymes. The high molecular weight isoenzyme is thought to be associated with phosphatidyl choline and/or liproproteins. The detergent action is to dissociated the alkaline phosphatase from its lipid carrier. It is thought that these lipid-alkaline phosphatase complexes are associated with liver cell fragments. The detergent altered slow-moving alkaline phosphatase may migrate as a single band, from two to four new bands, or as several new bands. Liver, bone and intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes are unaffected by detergent action.", "PMID": 623428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4934", "title": "Serum protein polymorphisms Hp, Tf, Gc, Gm, Inv and Pt in Bantu speaking South African Negroids.", "content": "Frequencies for the genetic polymorphisms of the serum proteins Hp, Tf, Gc, Gm, Inv and Pt are presented for 7 ethnically defined Negroid sub-samples (total n = 918--977, depending on genetic marker system) from South Africa. The results are discussed in terms of previous findings and of factors assumed to have an influence on the distribution of the particular genetic markers. The present report on the Pt (\"post transferrin\" approximately C3) polymorphism represents the first report on the genetic variation of the corresponding beta1A-globulin fraction within African Negroids (PtA = 0.009, PtB = 0.966, PtC = 0.025).", "contents": "Serum protein polymorphisms Hp, Tf, Gc, Gm, Inv and Pt in Bantu speaking South African Negroids. Frequencies for the genetic polymorphisms of the serum proteins Hp, Tf, Gc, Gm, Inv and Pt are presented for 7 ethnically defined Negroid sub-samples (total n = 918--977, depending on genetic marker system) from South Africa. The results are discussed in terms of previous findings and of factors assumed to have an influence on the distribution of the particular genetic markers. The present report on the Pt (\"post transferrin\" approximately C3) polymorphism represents the first report on the genetic variation of the corresponding beta1A-globulin fraction within African Negroids (PtA = 0.009, PtB = 0.966, PtC = 0.025).", "PMID": 623435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4935", "title": "Chemotherapy of human tumor xenografts in genetically athymic mice.", "content": "A series of studies were undertaken to evaluate the chemotherapeutic response to various antineoplastic drugs of human breast (MX-1) or colon (CX-2) tumor xenografts growing in genetically athymic (nude) mice. Fragments (2mm3) of either tumor type were implanted subcutaneously into the subaxillary region of NIH Swiss nude mice, and single drug therapy was started when tumors became palpable and were growing progressively. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administered on a Q7DX3 schedule starting on Day 21 post tumor implantation elicited significant retardation in the growth rate of CX-2 tumor. A single treatment with methyl-CCNU induced temporary tumor regression. Against MX-1 tumor, both cyclophosphamide and melphalan induced tumor regressions with no recurrence. 5-FU slowed but did not arrest growth of MX-1 tumor. These tumor systems grown in nude mice appear to be suitable models for in vivo screening of anticancer agents that would prove clinically active.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of human tumor xenografts in genetically athymic mice. A series of studies were undertaken to evaluate the chemotherapeutic response to various antineoplastic drugs of human breast (MX-1) or colon (CX-2) tumor xenografts growing in genetically athymic (nude) mice. Fragments (2mm3) of either tumor type were implanted subcutaneously into the subaxillary region of NIH Swiss nude mice, and single drug therapy was started when tumors became palpable and were growing progressively. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administered on a Q7DX3 schedule starting on Day 21 post tumor implantation elicited significant retardation in the growth rate of CX-2 tumor. A single treatment with methyl-CCNU induced temporary tumor regression. Against MX-1 tumor, both cyclophosphamide and melphalan induced tumor regressions with no recurrence. 5-FU slowed but did not arrest growth of MX-1 tumor. These tumor systems grown in nude mice appear to be suitable models for in vivo screening of anticancer agents that would prove clinically active.", "PMID": 623430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4936", "title": "The weak binding reaction between folate and human serum proteins.", "content": "New evidence is presented that folic acid in serum binds with low affinity to major serum proteins. This low affinity binding is distinct from the high affinity binding by folate binding protein (FBP), a minor protein which is known to occur in serum with great quantitative variability. These conclusions are based on results obtained by equilibrium dialysis of serum containing only negligible amounts of FBP. At 4 degrees, the equilibrium value of the ratio of bound to free folate was approximately 0.81 and remained the same even wth up to 1,000 times greater than normal folic acid concentrations; however, with higher concentrations the ratio decreased progressively. These results are predicted by the laws of mass equilibria for a binding system with low ligand concentration vis-a-vis high binder concentration and low affinity between the reactants. A rough estimate of the mean affinity constant K governing this weak folate interaction with serum proteins yielded a value of 1.12 +/- 0.13 X 10(3) M-1.", "contents": "The weak binding reaction between folate and human serum proteins. New evidence is presented that folic acid in serum binds with low affinity to major serum proteins. This low affinity binding is distinct from the high affinity binding by folate binding protein (FBP), a minor protein which is known to occur in serum with great quantitative variability. These conclusions are based on results obtained by equilibrium dialysis of serum containing only negligible amounts of FBP. At 4 degrees, the equilibrium value of the ratio of bound to free folate was approximately 0.81 and remained the same even wth up to 1,000 times greater than normal folic acid concentrations; however, with higher concentrations the ratio decreased progressively. These results are predicted by the laws of mass equilibria for a binding system with low ligand concentration vis-a-vis high binder concentration and low affinity between the reactants. A rough estimate of the mean affinity constant K governing this weak folate interaction with serum proteins yielded a value of 1.12 +/- 0.13 X 10(3) M-1.", "PMID": 623431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4937", "title": "Estimation of bilirubin binding capacity of neonatal serum.", "content": "One aim of laboratory investigation in neonatal jaundice is to prevent kernicterus from occurring. Estimation of the bilirubin-binding capacity of serum is an important measurement along with total bilirubin determination. With a convenient Sephadex competitive binding procedure, KERNLUTE provides information on whether or not the neonate's bilirubin-binding capacity has been exceeded. Further testing of those serum specimens which show some residual binding capacity estimates whether the remaining bilirubin capacity is equivalent to 0 to 2.5 mg, 2.5 to 5 mg or more than 5 mg bilirubin per dl. References on the utility of this method and other more cumbersome procedures are given.", "contents": "Estimation of bilirubin binding capacity of neonatal serum. One aim of laboratory investigation in neonatal jaundice is to prevent kernicterus from occurring. Estimation of the bilirubin-binding capacity of serum is an important measurement along with total bilirubin determination. With a convenient Sephadex competitive binding procedure, KERNLUTE provides information on whether or not the neonate's bilirubin-binding capacity has been exceeded. Further testing of those serum specimens which show some residual binding capacity estimates whether the remaining bilirubin capacity is equivalent to 0 to 2.5 mg, 2.5 to 5 mg or more than 5 mg bilirubin per dl. References on the utility of this method and other more cumbersome procedures are given.", "PMID": 623432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4938", "title": "[Role of cobalt in the biosynthesis of the components of the gentamicin complex].", "content": "It was shown that addition of cobalt ions or vitamin B12 to the fermentation medium resulted in an increase in the level of gentamicin accumulation, the relative content of the most methylated components C1 and C2 in the gentamicin complex being increased, while the content of the least methylated components CIa and \"minors\" decreased. Addition of sulphodimezine lowered the gentamicin biosynthesis rate and the relative content of gentamicins C1 and C2. It was supposed that cobalt stimulated the B12-dependent synthesis of methionine, being the source of the methyl groups for biosynthesis of the methylated components of gentamicin complex.", "contents": "[Role of cobalt in the biosynthesis of the components of the gentamicin complex]. It was shown that addition of cobalt ions or vitamin B12 to the fermentation medium resulted in an increase in the level of gentamicin accumulation, the relative content of the most methylated components C1 and C2 in the gentamicin complex being increased, while the content of the least methylated components CIa and \"minors\" decreased. Addition of sulphodimezine lowered the gentamicin biosynthesis rate and the relative content of gentamicins C1 and C2. It was supposed that cobalt stimulated the B12-dependent synthesis of methionine, being the source of the methyl groups for biosynthesis of the methylated components of gentamicin complex.", "PMID": 623443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4939", "title": "[Selection of active strains of Actinomadura carminata, the producer of carminomycin].", "content": "The method of selecting active strains among a definite group of analogue-resistant mutants was used on the basis of studying the dependence of the carminomycin-producing organism growth and the antibiotic synthesis level on some metabolites. As a result, gamma-ray induced mutants 4 times more active than the parent strains were obtained.", "contents": "[Selection of active strains of Actinomadura carminata, the producer of carminomycin]. The method of selecting active strains among a definite group of analogue-resistant mutants was used on the basis of studying the dependence of the carminomycin-producing organism growth and the antibiotic synthesis level on some metabolites. As a result, gamma-ray induced mutants 4 times more active than the parent strains were obtained.", "PMID": 623444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4940", "title": "[Study of the antibiotic parvulomycin. The isolation of alpha,alpha-trehalose and L-glutamic acid].", "content": "A non-reducing disugar and amino acid were isolated in the studies on the structure of parvulomycin. The acid hydrolysis of the disugar revealed the presence of 2 moles of D-glucose. Acetylation of the disugar resulted in formation of octa-O-acetyl-alpha,alpha-tregalose, saponification of which resulted in formation of alpha,alpha-tregalose. Its physical parameters, i.e. melting point of the mixed sample, optical rotation, IR-spectrum coincided with those of the authentic alpha,alpha-tregalose. The isolated amino acid proved to be L-glutamic acid on thin-layer chromatography with witness and comparison of the physico-chemical properties of their hydrochlorides.", "contents": "[Study of the antibiotic parvulomycin. The isolation of alpha,alpha-trehalose and L-glutamic acid]. A non-reducing disugar and amino acid were isolated in the studies on the structure of parvulomycin. The acid hydrolysis of the disugar revealed the presence of 2 moles of D-glucose. Acetylation of the disugar resulted in formation of octa-O-acetyl-alpha,alpha-tregalose, saponification of which resulted in formation of alpha,alpha-tregalose. Its physical parameters, i.e. melting point of the mixed sample, optical rotation, IR-spectrum coincided with those of the authentic alpha,alpha-tregalose. The isolated amino acid proved to be L-glutamic acid on thin-layer chromatography with witness and comparison of the physico-chemical properties of their hydrochlorides.", "PMID": 623445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4941", "title": "[Biosynthesis of the labelled rifamycin B in the presence of different 14C- and 3H-precursors].", "content": "The results of studying the effectiveness of incorporation of the label from different 14C- and 3H-precursors into the molecule of rifamicin B during its biosynthesis are presented. The regularities of the label incorporation into the antibiotic composition as dependent on the time of the precursor addition were investigated. A radiochemically pure preparation of 14C-rifamicin B with specific radioactivity of 3 mcurie/mg was obtained.", "contents": "[Biosynthesis of the labelled rifamycin B in the presence of different 14C- and 3H-precursors]. The results of studying the effectiveness of incorporation of the label from different 14C- and 3H-precursors into the molecule of rifamicin B during its biosynthesis are presented. The regularities of the label incorporation into the antibiotic composition as dependent on the time of the precursor addition were investigated. A radiochemically pure preparation of 14C-rifamicin B with specific radioactivity of 3 mcurie/mg was obtained.", "PMID": 623446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4942", "title": "[Development of a method for the quantitative assessment of microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics using discs. The study of different nutrient media for determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics].", "content": "Five nutrient media used for determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics, i.e. beaf-peptone agar, Hottinger pancreatic beaf infusion agar, sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar of the Dagestan Research Institute of Nutrient Media, Muller-Chintone agar from Bulgaria and \"Oxoid\" agar for determination of microbial sensitivity were studied comparatively. The media were compared with respect to the growth density with the use of different test-cultures and the clearance of the inhibition growth zones around the discs containing different antibiotics. The best results were obtained with the use of sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar. Further studies on the medium standardization are necessary.", "contents": "[Development of a method for the quantitative assessment of microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics using discs. The study of different nutrient media for determining microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics]. Five nutrient media used for determination of microbial sensitivity to antibiotics, i.e. beaf-peptone agar, Hottinger pancreatic beaf infusion agar, sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar of the Dagestan Research Institute of Nutrient Media, Muller-Chintone agar from Bulgaria and \"Oxoid\" agar for determination of microbial sensitivity were studied comparatively. The media were compared with respect to the growth density with the use of different test-cultures and the clearance of the inhibition growth zones around the discs containing different antibiotics. The best results were obtained with the use of sprat hydrolysate nutrient agar. Further studies on the medium standardization are necessary.", "PMID": 623447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4943", "title": "[Properties and stability of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets].", "content": "Three forms of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets were studied, i.e. the uncoated tablets, sugar-coated tablets and the tablets with gastric-soluble film coating. The film-coated tablets had advantages in the main quality characteristics, i.e. the contents of the tetracycline-like admixtures, the active substance and solubility rate. The possibility of the tablet stability investigation by the method of \"accelerated aging\" was shown.", "contents": "[Properties and stability of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets]. Three forms of tetracycline hydrochloride tablets were studied, i.e. the uncoated tablets, sugar-coated tablets and the tablets with gastric-soluble film coating. The film-coated tablets had advantages in the main quality characteristics, i.e. the contents of the tetracycline-like admixtures, the active substance and solubility rate. The possibility of the tablet stability investigation by the method of \"accelerated aging\" was shown.", "PMID": 623449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4944", "title": "[Effect of triterpene glycosides on the plasma membrane permeability for amino acids in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis yeast cells].", "content": "The effect of triterpen glycosides, such as cauloside C from Caulophyllum robustum, stichoposide A from Stichopus japonicus S and the asaponine from Thea sinensis L on permeability of the plasmic membranes for amino acids was studied. It was shown that the glycosides induced higher levels of liberation of the amino acids with positively or negatively charged molecules from the cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis as compared to the control. The transport of the non-polar amino acids was least affected by addition of the saponines to the incubation medium.", "contents": "[Effect of triterpene glycosides on the plasma membrane permeability for amino acids in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis yeast cells]. The effect of triterpen glycosides, such as cauloside C from Caulophyllum robustum, stichoposide A from Stichopus japonicus S and the asaponine from Thea sinensis L on permeability of the plasmic membranes for amino acids was studied. It was shown that the glycosides induced higher levels of liberation of the amino acids with positively or negatively charged molecules from the cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis as compared to the control. The transport of the non-polar amino acids was least affected by addition of the saponines to the incubation medium.", "PMID": 623450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4945", "title": "[Formation by the mycoheptin producer of aureothin and pentaene 2814-P, separated into its mycopentene-1 and mycopentene-2 components].", "content": "Aureothin, a toxic substance of non-polyenic nature and pentaen 2814-P were isolated from the metabolites of Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, the organism producing mycoheptaine. The above substances are also produced by other actinomycetes. The pentaenic antibiotic was divided into 2 components. Physico-chemical and biological properties, as well as the composition of the substances were studied.", "contents": "[Formation by the mycoheptin producer of aureothin and pentaene 2814-P, separated into its mycopentene-1 and mycopentene-2 components]. Aureothin, a toxic substance of non-polyenic nature and pentaen 2814-P were isolated from the metabolites of Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum, the organism producing mycoheptaine. The above substances are also produced by other actinomycetes. The pentaenic antibiotic was divided into 2 components. Physico-chemical and biological properties, as well as the composition of the substances were studied.", "PMID": 623451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4946", "title": "[Effect of therapeutic doses of tetracycline on the structure of the thymus gland in rabbits].", "content": "Tetracycline was administered orally to Shinshilla male rabbits (female, 2.0-2.5 kg) twice a day, the daily dose being 20 mg. The thymus was examined in 1 and 2 weeks by the methods of histo- and cytometry. The reliability of the differences and correlation were estimated by the non-parametric methods. Out of 15 parameters studied 8 showed reliable differences and 5 were statistically connected. The following structural shifts were found: (1) increased numbers of activated and middle thymocytes evident of intraorgan cell activation, (2) higher mitotic index and lower index of the cell degradation resulting in the cortex hypertrophia by the end of the week, (3) increased cell density in the medullar substance which is the morphological criterion of intraorgan migration of the cells from the cortex into the medullar substance. Thus, the morphometric analysis of the thymus proved to be much more informative than the usual morphological analysis. The observed structural change in the thymus is considered to be a result of the antigenic effect of tetracycline on the host.", "contents": "[Effect of therapeutic doses of tetracycline on the structure of the thymus gland in rabbits]. Tetracycline was administered orally to Shinshilla male rabbits (female, 2.0-2.5 kg) twice a day, the daily dose being 20 mg. The thymus was examined in 1 and 2 weeks by the methods of histo- and cytometry. The reliability of the differences and correlation were estimated by the non-parametric methods. Out of 15 parameters studied 8 showed reliable differences and 5 were statistically connected. The following structural shifts were found: (1) increased numbers of activated and middle thymocytes evident of intraorgan cell activation, (2) higher mitotic index and lower index of the cell degradation resulting in the cortex hypertrophia by the end of the week, (3) increased cell density in the medullar substance which is the morphological criterion of intraorgan migration of the cells from the cortex into the medullar substance. Thus, the morphometric analysis of the thymus proved to be much more informative than the usual morphological analysis. The observed structural change in the thymus is considered to be a result of the antigenic effect of tetracycline on the host.", "PMID": 623452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4947", "title": "[Comparative study of the cardiotoxicity of the anthracycline antibiotics, rubomycin, carminomycin and dihydrocarminomycin, in experiments on white mice].", "content": "The experiments on albino mice treated with rubomycin, carminomycin or dihydrocarminomycin on its 5-fold intravenous administration in doses equal to similar portions of LD50 of the respective antibiotic on its use in a single dose showed that all the 3 antibiotics induced changes in the myocardium close by their character. The heart affections were evident from swelling of separate muscle fibers, degeneration of the myofibrils, homogenization, vacuolization and resorption of the sarcoplasma, pathological changes in the nuclei, atrophy of some muscle fibers. Rubomycin had the highest cardiotoxic effect. Then followed dihydrocarminomycin and carminomycin. All the antibiotics studied in the experiments with mice had mainly an inhibitory effect on the lymphoid hemopoiesis. The effect of carminomycin was the highest. The animal death during the injections and immediately after administrations of the antibiotics must be due to their suppressing effect on hemopoiesis. The deaths at more remoted periods must be due to the cardiotoxic effect of the antibiotics.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the cardiotoxicity of the anthracycline antibiotics, rubomycin, carminomycin and dihydrocarminomycin, in experiments on white mice]. The experiments on albino mice treated with rubomycin, carminomycin or dihydrocarminomycin on its 5-fold intravenous administration in doses equal to similar portions of LD50 of the respective antibiotic on its use in a single dose showed that all the 3 antibiotics induced changes in the myocardium close by their character. The heart affections were evident from swelling of separate muscle fibers, degeneration of the myofibrils, homogenization, vacuolization and resorption of the sarcoplasma, pathological changes in the nuclei, atrophy of some muscle fibers. Rubomycin had the highest cardiotoxic effect. Then followed dihydrocarminomycin and carminomycin. All the antibiotics studied in the experiments with mice had mainly an inhibitory effect on the lymphoid hemopoiesis. The effect of carminomycin was the highest. The animal death during the injections and immediately after administrations of the antibiotics must be due to their suppressing effect on hemopoiesis. The deaths at more remoted periods must be due to the cardiotoxic effect of the antibiotics.", "PMID": 623453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4948", "title": "Reliable sampling method for analysis of the ecology of the human alimentary tract.", "content": "An intubation method has been developed that allows removal of a sample of human intestinal fluid within a short period of time, that avoids contamination, and that minimizes exposure of the sample to air. Preliminary results obtained with this method have shown that the stomach and duodenum are essentially sterile and that the bacterial population present in the remainder of the small intestine is similar to that described by previous workers except that Veillonella species were encountered frequently and Haemophilus species were also detected in the lower jejunum and ileum of some individuals.", "contents": "Reliable sampling method for analysis of the ecology of the human alimentary tract. An intubation method has been developed that allows removal of a sample of human intestinal fluid within a short period of time, that avoids contamination, and that minimizes exposure of the sample to air. Preliminary results obtained with this method have shown that the stomach and duodenum are essentially sterile and that the bacterial population present in the remainder of the small intestine is similar to that described by previous workers except that Veillonella species were encountered frequently and Haemophilus species were also detected in the lower jejunum and ileum of some individuals.", "PMID": 623454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4949", "title": "Upper boundary of the biosphere.", "content": "By using meterological rockets fitted with specially designed analyzers, samples for microbiological investigation have been taken. The analyzer design prevented extraneous microorganisms from penetrating into the analyzer. Before being used, the analyzers were sterilized with high gamma-ray doses. For the first time microorganisms have been detected in the mesosphere at an altitude of 48 to 77 km. The microorganisms are microscopic fungi having black conidia or spores (Circinella muscae, Aspergillus niger, Papulaspora anomala) and one species forming green conidia (Penicillium notatum). Colonies of Mycobacterium luteum and Micrococcus albus have also grown. Five of the six species have synthesized pigments. The presence of pigmented microbial forms leads us to believe that natural selection is occurring in the mesosphere because cells possessing chromogenous pigments (carotenoids, melanins) are more resistant to ultraviolet-ray action. A greater number of microorganisms have been registered in the mesosphere during dust storms than in the absence of strong winds.", "contents": "Upper boundary of the biosphere. By using meterological rockets fitted with specially designed analyzers, samples for microbiological investigation have been taken. The analyzer design prevented extraneous microorganisms from penetrating into the analyzer. Before being used, the analyzers were sterilized with high gamma-ray doses. For the first time microorganisms have been detected in the mesosphere at an altitude of 48 to 77 km. The microorganisms are microscopic fungi having black conidia or spores (Circinella muscae, Aspergillus niger, Papulaspora anomala) and one species forming green conidia (Penicillium notatum). Colonies of Mycobacterium luteum and Micrococcus albus have also grown. Five of the six species have synthesized pigments. The presence of pigmented microbial forms leads us to believe that natural selection is occurring in the mesosphere because cells possessing chromogenous pigments (carotenoids, melanins) are more resistant to ultraviolet-ray action. A greater number of microorganisms have been registered in the mesosphere during dust storms than in the absence of strong winds.", "PMID": 623455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4950", "title": "Wild rice as fermentation substrate for mycotoxin production.", "content": "Many cereal grains have been studied for their suitability as substrates for the fermentative production of mycotoxins. However, except for aflatoxin, wild rice has not been investigated. Hence, five mold cultures known to produce the mycotoxins ochratoxin-A, penicillic acid, patulin, vomitoxin, and zearalenone were grown on wild rice under varying conditions of moisture and temperature to determine whether this grain would serve as a suitable substrate for toxin production. Under appropriate fermentation conditions, good yields of ochratoxin-A and moderate amounts of patulin were obtained, but only small amounts of penicillic acid, vomitoxin, and zearalenone were elaborated. An extract from a sample of naturally molded wild rice contained 0.8 microgram of patulin per g of rice. The predominating mold was identified as Aspergillus clavatus. Under identical cultural conditions, this isolate and a known patulin-producing strain of A. clavatus yielded approximately equivalent amounts of the mycotoxin.", "contents": "Wild rice as fermentation substrate for mycotoxin production. Many cereal grains have been studied for their suitability as substrates for the fermentative production of mycotoxins. However, except for aflatoxin, wild rice has not been investigated. Hence, five mold cultures known to produce the mycotoxins ochratoxin-A, penicillic acid, patulin, vomitoxin, and zearalenone were grown on wild rice under varying conditions of moisture and temperature to determine whether this grain would serve as a suitable substrate for toxin production. Under appropriate fermentation conditions, good yields of ochratoxin-A and moderate amounts of patulin were obtained, but only small amounts of penicillic acid, vomitoxin, and zearalenone were elaborated. An extract from a sample of naturally molded wild rice contained 0.8 microgram of patulin per g of rice. The predominating mold was identified as Aspergillus clavatus. Under identical cultural conditions, this isolate and a known patulin-producing strain of A. clavatus yielded approximately equivalent amounts of the mycotoxin.", "PMID": 623456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4951", "title": "Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis spores to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.", "content": "Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis spores to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is described. The numbers of larvae killed were in relation to spore dry weight. At a surface application of 6.8 ng/cm2, there was an 85 percent survival, but less than 50 percent survived at 68.2 ng/cm2. Striking similarity of spores to parasporal crystals is revealed by slope of mortality curves, inhibition of stadial growth, and 50 percent lethal dose values based on protein content.", "contents": "Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis spores to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis spores to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is described. The numbers of larvae killed were in relation to spore dry weight. At a surface application of 6.8 ng/cm2, there was an 85 percent survival, but less than 50 percent survived at 68.2 ng/cm2. Striking similarity of spores to parasporal crystals is revealed by slope of mortality curves, inhibition of stadial growth, and 50 percent lethal dose values based on protein content.", "PMID": 623457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4952", "title": "Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated with roots of winter wheat and sorghum in Nebraska.", "content": "Root segments and root-soil cores (6.5-cm diameter) from fields and nurseries of winter wheat and sorghum were tested for N2 fixation by using the acetylene reduction assay. Wheat samples (approximately 1,200) from 109 sites generally had low or no activity (0 to 3.1 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per g [dry weight] of root segments), even after 24 h of incubation. However, a commercial field of Scout 66, located in western Nebraska, exhibited appreciable activity (290 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per g [dry weight] of root segments). Of 400 sorghum lines and crosses, grain sorghums (i.e., CK-60A, Wheatland A, B517, and NP-16) generally exhibited higher nitrogenase activity than forage sorghums or winter wheats. CK-60A, a male sterile grain sorghum, was sampled at four locations and had the most consistent activity of 24 to 1,100 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per core. The maximum rate extrapolated to 2.5 g of N per hectare per day. Numerous N2-fixing bacterial isolates were obtained from wheat and sorghum roots that exhibited high nitrogenase activity. Most isolates were members of the Enterobacteriacae, i.e., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Erwinia herbicola.", "contents": "Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated with roots of winter wheat and sorghum in Nebraska. Root segments and root-soil cores (6.5-cm diameter) from fields and nurseries of winter wheat and sorghum were tested for N2 fixation by using the acetylene reduction assay. Wheat samples (approximately 1,200) from 109 sites generally had low or no activity (0 to 3.1 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per g [dry weight] of root segments), even after 24 h of incubation. However, a commercial field of Scout 66, located in western Nebraska, exhibited appreciable activity (290 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per g [dry weight] of root segments). Of 400 sorghum lines and crosses, grain sorghums (i.e., CK-60A, Wheatland A, B517, and NP-16) generally exhibited higher nitrogenase activity than forage sorghums or winter wheats. CK-60A, a male sterile grain sorghum, was sampled at four locations and had the most consistent activity of 24 to 1,100 nmol of C2H4 produced per h per core. The maximum rate extrapolated to 2.5 g of N per hectare per day. Numerous N2-fixing bacterial isolates were obtained from wheat and sorghum roots that exhibited high nitrogenase activity. Most isolates were members of the Enterobacteriacae, i.e., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Erwinia herbicola.", "PMID": 623458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4953", "title": "Adhesion of bacteria to epithelial cell surfaces within the reticulo-rumen of cattle.", "content": "Blocks of tissue were removed from various locations in the bovine digestive tract and fixed and processed for transmission and scanning electron microscopy by techniques that retained adherent bacteria. The distribution of bacteria on the surface of epithelial cells was examined by scanning electron microscopy. This showed intermittent colonization of the epithelia with the formation of occasional microcolonies of morphologically similar bacterial cells. Transmission electron microscopy of ruthenium red-stained material showed the presence of both the glycocalyx of the bovine epithelial cells and fibrous carbohydrate coats surrounding adherent bacteria. The carbohydrate coats appeared to mediate the attachment of bacteria to the epithelium, to food particles, and to each other so that microcolonies were formed. Careful examination of the bacterial colonization of keratinized cells in the process of being sloughed from the surface of the stratified squamous epithelium of the rumen showed that these dead cells were digested by adherent bacteria of a limited number of morphological types. The spatial relationship of this mixed, adherent, microbial population to living and dead epithelial cells and to food particles indicates that digestive processes of some importance may be accomplished by this stationary component of the microbial flora of the digestive tract.", "contents": "Adhesion of bacteria to epithelial cell surfaces within the reticulo-rumen of cattle. Blocks of tissue were removed from various locations in the bovine digestive tract and fixed and processed for transmission and scanning electron microscopy by techniques that retained adherent bacteria. The distribution of bacteria on the surface of epithelial cells was examined by scanning electron microscopy. This showed intermittent colonization of the epithelia with the formation of occasional microcolonies of morphologically similar bacterial cells. Transmission electron microscopy of ruthenium red-stained material showed the presence of both the glycocalyx of the bovine epithelial cells and fibrous carbohydrate coats surrounding adherent bacteria. The carbohydrate coats appeared to mediate the attachment of bacteria to the epithelium, to food particles, and to each other so that microcolonies were formed. Careful examination of the bacterial colonization of keratinized cells in the process of being sloughed from the surface of the stratified squamous epithelium of the rumen showed that these dead cells were digested by adherent bacteria of a limited number of morphological types. The spatial relationship of this mixed, adherent, microbial population to living and dead epithelial cells and to food particles indicates that digestive processes of some importance may be accomplished by this stationary component of the microbial flora of the digestive tract.", "PMID": 623459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4954", "title": "Immunolatex localization by scanning electron microscopy of intestinal bacteria from cockroaches.", "content": "An immunolatex reagent was developed from antiserum to Fusobacterium varium, an obligate anaerobe isolated from the colon of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana L. A new technique that enabled the preparation of a highly efficient immunolatex conjugate was used to localize the bacterium with scanning electron microscopy, in situ, in the mixed gut contents.", "contents": "Immunolatex localization by scanning electron microscopy of intestinal bacteria from cockroaches. An immunolatex reagent was developed from antiserum to Fusobacterium varium, an obligate anaerobe isolated from the colon of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana L. A new technique that enabled the preparation of a highly efficient immunolatex conjugate was used to localize the bacterium with scanning electron microscopy, in situ, in the mixed gut contents.", "PMID": 623460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4955", "title": "Analysis of bacterial fermentation products by isotachophoresis.", "content": "Various carboxylic acids from bacterial fermentation could easily be separated by isotachophoresis. The analyses were performed on an LKB 2127 Tachophor, and under the conditions used the minimum amount of sample that could be quantitatively estimated was approximately 0.1 nmol. The reproducibility of the method was good (ca. 5 percent). The time of analysis using a 23-cm column was 12 min. No pretreatment of the samples was required.", "contents": "Analysis of bacterial fermentation products by isotachophoresis. Various carboxylic acids from bacterial fermentation could easily be separated by isotachophoresis. The analyses were performed on an LKB 2127 Tachophor, and under the conditions used the minimum amount of sample that could be quantitatively estimated was approximately 0.1 nmol. The reproducibility of the method was good (ca. 5 percent). The time of analysis using a 23-cm column was 12 min. No pretreatment of the samples was required.", "PMID": 623461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4956", "title": "Dulcitol-malonate-phenylalanine agar for the identification of Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae.", "content": "An agar medium combining dulcitol fermentation, malonate utilization, and phenylalanine deamination was evaluated with 229 isolates representing 19 genera. All reactions agreed with those obtained on conventional media.", "contents": "Dulcitol-malonate-phenylalanine agar for the identification of Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae. An agar medium combining dulcitol fermentation, malonate utilization, and phenylalanine deamination was evaluated with 229 isolates representing 19 genera. All reactions agreed with those obtained on conventional media.", "PMID": 623462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4957", "title": "Isolation of bacteriophage 14-lysogenized Salmonella from the freshwater aquarium snail Apullaria.", "content": "A naturally occurring Salmonella mikawasima serologically converted by phage 14 (6,7,14:y:e,n,z15) has been isolated for the first time. An S. tennessee variant seroconverted by phage 14 (6,7,14:z29:-) was also isolated. The source of these salmonellae was the common freshwater aquarium snail Ampullaria. Phage 14 prepared from these serovariants was lytic for S. bovis-morbificans (6,8:r:1,5) and for S. hadar (6,8:z10:e,n,x).", "contents": "Isolation of bacteriophage 14-lysogenized Salmonella from the freshwater aquarium snail Apullaria. A naturally occurring Salmonella mikawasima serologically converted by phage 14 (6,7,14:y:e,n,z15) has been isolated for the first time. An S. tennessee variant seroconverted by phage 14 (6,7,14:z29:-) was also isolated. The source of these salmonellae was the common freshwater aquarium snail Ampullaria. Phage 14 prepared from these serovariants was lytic for S. bovis-morbificans (6,8:r:1,5) and for S. hadar (6,8:z10:e,n,x).", "PMID": 623463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4958", "title": "New sensitive biological assay for 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes.", "content": "Germination of Nicotiana sylvestris pollen is inhibited by T2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol. Based on this observation, an assay method was developed that is capable of detecting nanogram quantities of these toxins.", "contents": "New sensitive biological assay for 12,13-epoxytrichothecenes. Germination of Nicotiana sylvestris pollen is inhibited by T2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol. Based on this observation, an assay method was developed that is capable of detecting nanogram quantities of these toxins.", "PMID": 623464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4959", "title": "Pectolytic enzymes in Rhizobium.", "content": "A sensitive pectin agar plate assay was used to demonstrate low levels of pectolytic enzymes in infective and noninfective strains of Rhizobium. The possible relation of this characteristic to legume infection is discussed.", "contents": "Pectolytic enzymes in Rhizobium. A sensitive pectin agar plate assay was used to demonstrate low levels of pectolytic enzymes in infective and noninfective strains of Rhizobium. The possible relation of this characteristic to legume infection is discussed.", "PMID": 623465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4960", "title": "Catechol and phenol degradation by a methanogenic population of bacteria.", "content": "An anaerobic population of bacteria became acclimated to catechol and phenol in 32 and 18 days, respectively. Evidence from carbon balance measurements indicates that the aromatic ring is cleaved and that the products are stoichiometrically fermentable to methane and carbon dioxide.", "contents": "Catechol and phenol degradation by a methanogenic population of bacteria. An anaerobic population of bacteria became acclimated to catechol and phenol in 32 and 18 days, respectively. Evidence from carbon balance measurements indicates that the aromatic ring is cleaved and that the products are stoichiometrically fermentable to methane and carbon dioxide.", "PMID": 623466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4961", "title": "Vibrio anguillarum and larval mortality in a California coastal shellfish hatchery.", "content": "Vibrio anguillarum was isolated as a pathogen in the commercial culture of oyster spat at Pigeon Point, Calif. A water-soluble, heat-stable exotoxin extracted from cultures of the vibrio inhibited larval swimming and contributed to larval mortality. Although the vibrio was insensitive to penicillin in standard plate testing, this antibiotic proved useful in preventing mass larval mortalities in the hatchery.", "contents": "Vibrio anguillarum and larval mortality in a California coastal shellfish hatchery. Vibrio anguillarum was isolated as a pathogen in the commercial culture of oyster spat at Pigeon Point, Calif. A water-soluble, heat-stable exotoxin extracted from cultures of the vibrio inhibited larval swimming and contributed to larval mortality. Although the vibrio was insensitive to penicillin in standard plate testing, this antibiotic proved useful in preventing mass larval mortalities in the hatchery.", "PMID": 623467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4962", "title": "Relative significance of exogenous and de novo synthesized fatty acids in the formation of rumen microbial lipids in vitro.", "content": "Mixed rumen microorganisms (MRM) or suspensions of rumen Holotrich protozoa obtained from a sheep were incubated anaerobically with [1-(14)C]linoleic acid, [U-(14)C]glucose, or [1-(14)C]acetate. With MRM, the total amount of fatty acids present did not change after incubation. An increase in fatty acids esterified into sterolesters (SE) and polar lipids at the expense of free fatty acids was observed. This effect was intensified by the addition of fermentable carbohydrate to the incubations. Radioactivity from [1-(14)C]linoleic acid was incorporated into SE and polar lipids with both MRM and Holotrich protozoa. With MRM the order of incorporation of radioactivity was as follows: SE > phosphatidylethanolamine > phosphatidylcholine. With Holotrich protozoa, the order of incorporation was phosphatidylcholine > phosphatidylethanolamine > SE. With MRM the radioactivity remaining in the free fatty acids and that incorporated into SE was mainly associated with saturated fatty acids, but a considerable part of the radioactivity in the polar lipids was associated with dienoic fatty acids. This effect of hydrogenation prior to incorporation was also noted with Holotrich protozoa but to a much lesser extent. Small amounts of radioactivity from [U-(14)C]glucose and [1-(14)C]acetate were incorporated into rumen microbial lipids. With protozoa incubated with [U-(14)C]glucose, the major part of incorporated radioactivity was present in the glycerol moiety of the lipids. From the amounts of lipid classes present, their radioactivity, and fatty acid composition, estimates were made of the amounts of higher fatty acids directly incorporated into microbial lipids and the amounts synthesized de novo from glucose or acetate. It is concluded that the amounts directly incorporated may be greater than the amounts synthesized de novo.", "contents": "Relative significance of exogenous and de novo synthesized fatty acids in the formation of rumen microbial lipids in vitro. Mixed rumen microorganisms (MRM) or suspensions of rumen Holotrich protozoa obtained from a sheep were incubated anaerobically with [1-(14)C]linoleic acid, [U-(14)C]glucose, or [1-(14)C]acetate. With MRM, the total amount of fatty acids present did not change after incubation. An increase in fatty acids esterified into sterolesters (SE) and polar lipids at the expense of free fatty acids was observed. This effect was intensified by the addition of fermentable carbohydrate to the incubations. Radioactivity from [1-(14)C]linoleic acid was incorporated into SE and polar lipids with both MRM and Holotrich protozoa. With MRM the order of incorporation of radioactivity was as follows: SE > phosphatidylethanolamine > phosphatidylcholine. With Holotrich protozoa, the order of incorporation was phosphatidylcholine > phosphatidylethanolamine > SE. With MRM the radioactivity remaining in the free fatty acids and that incorporated into SE was mainly associated with saturated fatty acids, but a considerable part of the radioactivity in the polar lipids was associated with dienoic fatty acids. This effect of hydrogenation prior to incorporation was also noted with Holotrich protozoa but to a much lesser extent. Small amounts of radioactivity from [U-(14)C]glucose and [1-(14)C]acetate were incorporated into rumen microbial lipids. With protozoa incubated with [U-(14)C]glucose, the major part of incorporated radioactivity was present in the glycerol moiety of the lipids. From the amounts of lipid classes present, their radioactivity, and fatty acid composition, estimates were made of the amounts of higher fatty acids directly incorporated into microbial lipids and the amounts synthesized de novo from glucose or acetate. It is concluded that the amounts directly incorporated may be greater than the amounts synthesized de novo.", "PMID": 623468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4963", "title": "Role of heterotrophic nutrition in growth of the alga Scenedesmus obliquus in high-rate oxidation ponds.", "content": "The green alga Scenedesmus obliquus readily adapted to heterotrophic growth in the dark, utilizing glucose as the sole carbon source. Heterotrophic cells differed significantly from photoautotrophic cells with respect to several physiological properties such as the rate of photoassimilation of CO2, rate of incorporation of glucose, and chlorophyll a concentration. Oxidation pond cells shared features common to both photoautotrophic and heterotrophic cells. Approximately 15 percent of oxidation pond algal carbon was derived from glucose assimilated directly without first being oxidized by bacteria. Bacteria seem to play a minor role in biological oxygen demand reduction in high-rate oxidation ponds, and their role is probably confined to degradation of biopolymers, thus producing substrates for algal consumption.", "contents": "Role of heterotrophic nutrition in growth of the alga Scenedesmus obliquus in high-rate oxidation ponds. The green alga Scenedesmus obliquus readily adapted to heterotrophic growth in the dark, utilizing glucose as the sole carbon source. Heterotrophic cells differed significantly from photoautotrophic cells with respect to several physiological properties such as the rate of photoassimilation of CO2, rate of incorporation of glucose, and chlorophyll a concentration. Oxidation pond cells shared features common to both photoautotrophic and heterotrophic cells. Approximately 15 percent of oxidation pond algal carbon was derived from glucose assimilated directly without first being oxidized by bacteria. Bacteria seem to play a minor role in biological oxygen demand reduction in high-rate oxidation ponds, and their role is probably confined to degradation of biopolymers, thus producing substrates for algal consumption.", "PMID": 623469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4964", "title": "Phototrophic purple and green bacteria in a sewage treatment plant.", "content": "In all purification stages of a biological sewage treatment plant, phototrophic bacteria were detected by the method of viable cell counts. The predominant species identified belonged to the genus Rhodopseudomonas of purple nonsulfur bacteria. The number of phototrophic bacteria was highest in wastewater containing sludge. In activated sludge, an average of 10(5) viable cells/ml was found; the number depended upon concentration of sludge rather than on seasonal changes in light conditions in the course of a year. Bacteriochlorophyll a was extracted from activated sludge. Relative to the viable counts of phototrophic bacteria, the content of bacteriochlorophyll a was 5- to 10-fold higher than that of three representative pure cultures. By incubation of activated and digester sludge under different environmental conditions, it was shown that phototrophic bacteria can complete with other bacteria only under anaerobic conditions in the light.", "contents": "Phototrophic purple and green bacteria in a sewage treatment plant. In all purification stages of a biological sewage treatment plant, phototrophic bacteria were detected by the method of viable cell counts. The predominant species identified belonged to the genus Rhodopseudomonas of purple nonsulfur bacteria. The number of phototrophic bacteria was highest in wastewater containing sludge. In activated sludge, an average of 10(5) viable cells/ml was found; the number depended upon concentration of sludge rather than on seasonal changes in light conditions in the course of a year. Bacteriochlorophyll a was extracted from activated sludge. Relative to the viable counts of phototrophic bacteria, the content of bacteriochlorophyll a was 5- to 10-fold higher than that of three representative pure cultures. By incubation of activated and digester sludge under different environmental conditions, it was shown that phototrophic bacteria can complete with other bacteria only under anaerobic conditions in the light.", "PMID": 623470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4965", "title": "Discrimination between oral streptococci by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography.", "content": "Washed organisms, including strains of Streptococcus mitior, S. mutans, and S. sanguis, were examined by curie-point pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography. A linear discriminant function based upon three items from the output data was adequate for segregating the strains according to species. Strains with intermediate properties were also encountered. Sources of variability in cultures were evaluated, chromatographic performance was maintained throughout the investigation, and matching performance from a duplicate pair of chromatographic columns was demonstrated.", "contents": "Discrimination between oral streptococci by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography. Washed organisms, including strains of Streptococcus mitior, S. mutans, and S. sanguis, were examined by curie-point pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography. A linear discriminant function based upon three items from the output data was adequate for segregating the strains according to species. Strains with intermediate properties were also encountered. Sources of variability in cultures were evaluated, chromatographic performance was maintained throughout the investigation, and matching performance from a duplicate pair of chromatographic columns was demonstrated.", "PMID": 623471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4966", "title": "Structural factors influencing the biodegradation of imides.", "content": "Comparative studies on the biodegradability of amides and imides are presented. Low-molecular-weight imides of varying chain lengths (4, 6, 7, 8, 18, and 20 carbons) were biodegrable. N-alkyl substitution of amides and imides resulted in non-biodegrable derivatives when the amide portion was greater than two carbons in length. N-alkyl-substituted derivatives of acetamide or diacetamide, however, were biodegrable. Several soil isolates, including Aspergillus niger and species of Flavobacterium and Alcaligenes, were capable of growth with imides as sole N or C sources.", "contents": "Structural factors influencing the biodegradation of imides. Comparative studies on the biodegradability of amides and imides are presented. Low-molecular-weight imides of varying chain lengths (4, 6, 7, 8, 18, and 20 carbons) were biodegrable. N-alkyl substitution of amides and imides resulted in non-biodegrable derivatives when the amide portion was greater than two carbons in length. N-alkyl-substituted derivatives of acetamide or diacetamide, however, were biodegrable. Several soil isolates, including Aspergillus niger and species of Flavobacterium and Alcaligenes, were capable of growth with imides as sole N or C sources.", "PMID": 623472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4967", "title": "Regional variations of cutaneous propionibacteria.", "content": "Propionibacterium acnes, P. avidum, and P. granulosum were quantitatively measured in 50 young adults. The scalp, forehead, external auditory canal, alae nasi, anterior nares, groin, rectum, and antecubital and popliteal fossa were sampled. These represent various cutaneous microenvironments, differing in moisture, density of sweat, sebaceous glands, and extent of anaerobiosis. These studies show that the propionibacteria are ubiquitous on the skin, with P. acnes predominant in both prevalence and population, especially in areas rich in sebum. P. granulosum recovery paralled that of P. acnes, but the density was significantly lower. P. avidum was found mainly in moist areas and the retum, suggesting an intestinal reservoir.", "contents": "Regional variations of cutaneous propionibacteria. Propionibacterium acnes, P. avidum, and P. granulosum were quantitatively measured in 50 young adults. The scalp, forehead, external auditory canal, alae nasi, anterior nares, groin, rectum, and antecubital and popliteal fossa were sampled. These represent various cutaneous microenvironments, differing in moisture, density of sweat, sebaceous glands, and extent of anaerobiosis. These studies show that the propionibacteria are ubiquitous on the skin, with P. acnes predominant in both prevalence and population, especially in areas rich in sebum. P. granulosum recovery paralled that of P. acnes, but the density was significantly lower. P. avidum was found mainly in moist areas and the retum, suggesting an intestinal reservoir.", "PMID": 623473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4968", "title": "Distribution of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria in a polluted river (the Passaic).", "content": "The abundance of nitrifying bacteria, determined by most-probable-number procedures, within habitats of the Passaic River was as follows: rooted aquatic plants greater than algae approximately equal to rocks greater than sediments greater than greater than water. On the average, NH4+ oxidizers were 540-fold more abundant in the topmost 1 cm of sediment than in the water, and NO2- oxidizers were 250-fold more abundant. The population densities in this surface sediment at two nearby stations, one with a predominantly mineral stream bed and the other an organic ooze, did not differ significantly. Large numbers of nitrifiers were present to a depth of about 5 cm in a mineral sediment core.", "contents": "Distribution of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria in a polluted river (the Passaic). The abundance of nitrifying bacteria, determined by most-probable-number procedures, within habitats of the Passaic River was as follows: rooted aquatic plants greater than algae approximately equal to rocks greater than sediments greater than greater than water. On the average, NH4+ oxidizers were 540-fold more abundant in the topmost 1 cm of sediment than in the water, and NO2- oxidizers were 250-fold more abundant. The population densities in this surface sediment at two nearby stations, one with a predominantly mineral stream bed and the other an organic ooze, did not differ significantly. Large numbers of nitrifiers were present to a depth of about 5 cm in a mineral sediment core.", "PMID": 623474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4969", "title": "Compact liquid nitrogen storage system yielding high recoveries of gram-negative anaerobes.", "content": "A simple and compact system suitable for the preservation of fragile gram negative anaerobes and other bacteria in liquid N2 has been developed. Polypropylene straws used as specimen containers can be used easily within glove bags of anaerobic chambers, and their small size greatly increases the number of cultures which can be stored. Ancillary equipment and methods developed are described. The overall system was tested, using Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Selenomonas sputigena. Various basal suspending fluids and cryoprotective supplements were studied. With fast rates of freezing and thawing, survival recoveries of the test microorganisms ranged from 80 to 100 percent of the input colony-forming units in a complex medium broth base without cryoprotective agent addition, and they consistently were 100 percent when 0.4 mM polyvinylpyrrolidine was used. Overall, cryoprotection by polyvinyl pyrrolidine was superior to that from glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide, the latter yielding recoveries similar to or less than those obtained with no cryoprotectant additive. All microorganisms were recoverable after storage for 1 year.", "contents": "Compact liquid nitrogen storage system yielding high recoveries of gram-negative anaerobes. A simple and compact system suitable for the preservation of fragile gram negative anaerobes and other bacteria in liquid N2 has been developed. Polypropylene straws used as specimen containers can be used easily within glove bags of anaerobic chambers, and their small size greatly increases the number of cultures which can be stored. Ancillary equipment and methods developed are described. The overall system was tested, using Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Selenomonas sputigena. Various basal suspending fluids and cryoprotective supplements were studied. With fast rates of freezing and thawing, survival recoveries of the test microorganisms ranged from 80 to 100 percent of the input colony-forming units in a complex medium broth base without cryoprotective agent addition, and they consistently were 100 percent when 0.4 mM polyvinylpyrrolidine was used. Overall, cryoprotection by polyvinyl pyrrolidine was superior to that from glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide, the latter yielding recoveries similar to or less than those obtained with no cryoprotectant additive. All microorganisms were recoverable after storage for 1 year.", "PMID": 623475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4970", "title": "Usefulness of the stomacher in a microbiological regulatory laboratory.", "content": "The relative efficiency of the Waring blender, the Stomacher 400, and the Stomacher 3500 for preparing food samples for microbiological analysis was studied. Comparative aerobic plate count (APC) values were determined on 671 samples, representing 30 categories of foods. Of the 26 categories of nonfatty foods, the blender gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than those given by the Stomacher 400 and the Stomacher 3500 in 65 and 69 percent of the categories, respectively. In a comparison of the two Stomacher models, the Stomacher 400 gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than these given by the Stomacher 3500 in 73 percent of the food categories. Addition of Tween 80 to four categories of fatty foods at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 percent did not raise the APC values given by either model of stomacher to the levels given by the Waring blender. Overall, the efficiency of both models of Stomacher, relative to the blender and to each other, was specific and depended upon the particular food being analyzed.", "contents": "Usefulness of the stomacher in a microbiological regulatory laboratory. The relative efficiency of the Waring blender, the Stomacher 400, and the Stomacher 3500 for preparing food samples for microbiological analysis was studied. Comparative aerobic plate count (APC) values were determined on 671 samples, representing 30 categories of foods. Of the 26 categories of nonfatty foods, the blender gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than those given by the Stomacher 400 and the Stomacher 3500 in 65 and 69 percent of the categories, respectively. In a comparison of the two Stomacher models, the Stomacher 400 gave significantly higher geometric mean APC values than these given by the Stomacher 3500 in 73 percent of the food categories. Addition of Tween 80 to four categories of fatty foods at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 percent did not raise the APC values given by either model of stomacher to the levels given by the Waring blender. Overall, the efficiency of both models of Stomacher, relative to the blender and to each other, was specific and depended upon the particular food being analyzed.", "PMID": 623476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4971", "title": "Differentiation of Salmonella Serotypes by pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography of cell fragments.", "content": "Pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC) of whole cells and cell fragments was used to differentiate 10 Salmonella serotypes. Lyophilized samples (200 microgram) of whole cells, cell walls, flagella, and deoxyribonucleic acid from each serotype were analyzed in duplicate by PGLC. Pyrochromatograms recorded as pyrolytic elution patterns represented thermal fragmentation products of the samples. Mathematical expressions of percent similarity and percent conformity were calculated for all possible pair combinations of the 10 serotypes. Stepwise discriminant analysis of the PGLC data showed that 100 percent correct classification of the 10 serotypes was possible from the flagella or deoxyribonucleic acid pyrochromatograms. The classification matrix of the whole-cell data showed a 90 percent correct classification. PGLC of cell fragments may provide useful information for taxonomic studies of Salmonella and other microorganisms.", "contents": "Differentiation of Salmonella Serotypes by pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography of cell fragments. Pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC) of whole cells and cell fragments was used to differentiate 10 Salmonella serotypes. Lyophilized samples (200 microgram) of whole cells, cell walls, flagella, and deoxyribonucleic acid from each serotype were analyzed in duplicate by PGLC. Pyrochromatograms recorded as pyrolytic elution patterns represented thermal fragmentation products of the samples. Mathematical expressions of percent similarity and percent conformity were calculated for all possible pair combinations of the 10 serotypes. Stepwise discriminant analysis of the PGLC data showed that 100 percent correct classification of the 10 serotypes was possible from the flagella or deoxyribonucleic acid pyrochromatograms. The classification matrix of the whole-cell data showed a 90 percent correct classification. PGLC of cell fragments may provide useful information for taxonomic studies of Salmonella and other microorganisms.", "PMID": 623477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4972", "title": "Physiological and biochemical contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Prototheca. II. Starch hydrolysis and base composition of DNA.", "content": "16 strains of the genus Prototheca do not produce extracellular amylolytic enzymes. The base composition of their DNA shows rather continuous values from 62% to 78% GC (guanine + cytosine). Their assignment to four species and their possible relationship with Chlorella protothecoides are discussed.", "contents": "Physiological and biochemical contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Prototheca. II. Starch hydrolysis and base composition of DNA. 16 strains of the genus Prototheca do not produce extracellular amylolytic enzymes. The base composition of their DNA shows rather continuous values from 62% to 78% GC (guanine + cytosine). Their assignment to four species and their possible relationship with Chlorella protothecoides are discussed.", "PMID": 623495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4973", "title": "Turnover of lipids in Mycobacterium smegmatis CDC 46 and Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354.", "content": "The rates of breakdown and renewal of individual lipids in cultures of Mycobacterium smegmatis CDC 46 and Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354 were investigated by means of a pulse labelling technique using palmitate-1-14C. The results indicated that in growing cultures of both strains phospholipids were broken down, and cardiolipin had a very rapid turnover. In chase experiments, almost 45% and 40% of the radioactivity of this component were lost respectively from M. smegmatis and M phlei during one generation time of the cell. The other two major components, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol mannosides showed relatively low turnover. The loss of radioactivity from phosphatidylinositol mannosides was greater in M. phlei than in M. smegmatis but the loss of radioactivity from phosphatidyl ethanolamine was higher in M. smegmatis. The pattern of loss of radioactivity from lipids was almost the same in both strains, the difference being only in the extent of loss. The differences in the cellular localization of the phospholipids indicate their different roles within the cell. Results obtained with the glyceride fraction indicated a very rapid turnover of triglycerides in both strains.", "contents": "Turnover of lipids in Mycobacterium smegmatis CDC 46 and Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354. The rates of breakdown and renewal of individual lipids in cultures of Mycobacterium smegmatis CDC 46 and Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354 were investigated by means of a pulse labelling technique using palmitate-1-14C. The results indicated that in growing cultures of both strains phospholipids were broken down, and cardiolipin had a very rapid turnover. In chase experiments, almost 45% and 40% of the radioactivity of this component were lost respectively from M. smegmatis and M phlei during one generation time of the cell. The other two major components, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol mannosides showed relatively low turnover. The loss of radioactivity from phosphatidylinositol mannosides was greater in M. phlei than in M. smegmatis but the loss of radioactivity from phosphatidyl ethanolamine was higher in M. smegmatis. The pattern of loss of radioactivity from lipids was almost the same in both strains, the difference being only in the extent of loss. The differences in the cellular localization of the phospholipids indicate their different roles within the cell. Results obtained with the glyceride fraction indicated a very rapid turnover of triglycerides in both strains.", "PMID": 623497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4974", "title": "Physiological and biochemical contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Chlorella. XI. DNA hybridization.", "content": "1. DNA homology was studied in 12 Chlorella species. The DNA of 88 strains was hybridized with 3H-labelled DNA from C. fusca var. vacuolata 211-8 b and from C. vulgaris 211-8m. The results indicate that the genus Chlorella is a heterogenous taxon which consists of several groups of species. 2. The \"C. fusca group\" comprises C. fusca var. vacuolata, C. fusca var. rubescens, and C. zofingiensis. Within this group, C. zofingiensis appears to be more closely related to C. fusca var. vacuolata than is C. fusca var. rubescens. C. fusca var. fusca does not belong to this group of taxa. 3. The \"C. vulgaris group\" consists of C. vulgaris, C. sorokiniana, and C. saccharophila. There are several strains which seem to assume a position intermediate between C. vulgaris and C. saccharophila. C. protothecoides is not related to this group of species. 4. Several groups of strains of C. sorokiniana with different base compositions (guanine + cytosine content) of their DNA appear to belong to the same taxon. 5. In addition to C. fusca var. fusca and C. protothecoides, also C. luteoviridis, C. minutissima, C. kessleri, and C. homosphaera seem to have so little relationship with the other species that their assignment to the genus Chlorella appears questionable.", "contents": "Physiological and biochemical contributions to the taxonomy of the genus Chlorella. XI. DNA hybridization. 1. DNA homology was studied in 12 Chlorella species. The DNA of 88 strains was hybridized with 3H-labelled DNA from C. fusca var. vacuolata 211-8 b and from C. vulgaris 211-8m. The results indicate that the genus Chlorella is a heterogenous taxon which consists of several groups of species. 2. The \"C. fusca group\" comprises C. fusca var. vacuolata, C. fusca var. rubescens, and C. zofingiensis. Within this group, C. zofingiensis appears to be more closely related to C. fusca var. vacuolata than is C. fusca var. rubescens. C. fusca var. fusca does not belong to this group of taxa. 3. The \"C. vulgaris group\" consists of C. vulgaris, C. sorokiniana, and C. saccharophila. There are several strains which seem to assume a position intermediate between C. vulgaris and C. saccharophila. C. protothecoides is not related to this group of species. 4. Several groups of strains of C. sorokiniana with different base compositions (guanine + cytosine content) of their DNA appear to belong to the same taxon. 5. In addition to C. fusca var. fusca and C. protothecoides, also C. luteoviridis, C. minutissima, C. kessleri, and C. homosphaera seem to have so little relationship with the other species that their assignment to the genus Chlorella appears questionable.", "PMID": 623499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4975", "title": "The borderline patient. A comparative analysis of four sets of diagnostic criteria.", "content": "In reviewing the evidence for the validity of the diagnosis borderline, four descriptions in the literature seem to offer comprehensive criteria for the diagnosis. When the four are compared, a total of 104 criteria are enumerated encompassing the mental status, history, interpersonal relationships, defense mechansisms, and other judgments of personality functioning of the borderline patient. Half of these criteria are mentioned in only one of the four diagnostic descriptions. This apparent lack of agreement over diagnostic criteria has three possible interpretations: (1) the borderline concept is an illusion; or (2) the concept is adequately defined by those criteria held in common, the others being nonessential; or (3) apart from the concept defined by the common criteria, there are subtypes emphasized by different authors. Although we favor the third interpretation, it is suggested that further speculation await an adequate test of existing diagnostic criteria.", "contents": "The borderline patient. A comparative analysis of four sets of diagnostic criteria. In reviewing the evidence for the validity of the diagnosis borderline, four descriptions in the literature seem to offer comprehensive criteria for the diagnosis. When the four are compared, a total of 104 criteria are enumerated encompassing the mental status, history, interpersonal relationships, defense mechansisms, and other judgments of personality functioning of the borderline patient. Half of these criteria are mentioned in only one of the four diagnostic descriptions. This apparent lack of agreement over diagnostic criteria has three possible interpretations: (1) the borderline concept is an illusion; or (2) the concept is adequately defined by those criteria held in common, the others being nonessential; or (3) apart from the concept defined by the common criteria, there are subtypes emphasized by different authors. Although we favor the third interpretation, it is suggested that further speculation await an adequate test of existing diagnostic criteria.", "PMID": 623500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4976", "title": "Suicide in schizophrenics, manics, depressives, and surgical controls. A comparison with general population suicide mortality.", "content": "This article reports suicide risk among 200 schizophrenic, 100 manic, and 225 depressive patients, and 160 surgical controls. The suicide experience of the study subjects was compared to that of the population of the state of Iowa, the geographical area and population from which the subjects were selected. The suicide experience of the surgical controls was not significantly different from that of the general population. On the other hand, increased risk of suicide was found in all psychiatric groups except female schizophrenics. Suicide appeared pronounced particularly in male patients with affective disorders during the first decade of the follow-up period.", "contents": "Suicide in schizophrenics, manics, depressives, and surgical controls. A comparison with general population suicide mortality. This article reports suicide risk among 200 schizophrenic, 100 manic, and 225 depressive patients, and 160 surgical controls. The suicide experience of the study subjects was compared to that of the population of the state of Iowa, the geographical area and population from which the subjects were selected. The suicide experience of the surgical controls was not significantly different from that of the general population. On the other hand, increased risk of suicide was found in all psychiatric groups except female schizophrenics. Suicide appeared pronounced particularly in male patients with affective disorders during the first decade of the follow-up period.", "PMID": 623501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4977", "title": "Patterns of childhood social development in adult schizophrenics.", "content": "Previous analysis of teachers' comments in school records of schizophrenics showed progressive deviance in their childhood social behavior and sharp differences between the sexes. This report presents a replication of the longitudinal study and a reanalysis of the combined samples. The principal findings from the earlier study were confirmed: in the later school years, preschizophrenic girls were primarily introverted and preschizophrenic boys mainly disagreeable. In the new study, the preschizophrenic girls were also emotionally unstable, introverted, and passive from kindergarten through grade 6, suggesting in earlier history of social disengagement than was previously apparent, and the preschizophrenic boys were emotionally unstable in grades 7 through 12, confirming a nonsignificant trend in the original study. The boys were not behaviorally distinguishable from other boys in elementary grades, so the notion of progressive deviance appears more applicable in their case.", "contents": "Patterns of childhood social development in adult schizophrenics. Previous analysis of teachers' comments in school records of schizophrenics showed progressive deviance in their childhood social behavior and sharp differences between the sexes. This report presents a replication of the longitudinal study and a reanalysis of the combined samples. The principal findings from the earlier study were confirmed: in the later school years, preschizophrenic girls were primarily introverted and preschizophrenic boys mainly disagreeable. In the new study, the preschizophrenic girls were also emotionally unstable, introverted, and passive from kindergarten through grade 6, suggesting in earlier history of social disengagement than was previously apparent, and the preschizophrenic boys were emotionally unstable in grades 7 through 12, confirming a nonsignificant trend in the original study. The boys were not behaviorally distinguishable from other boys in elementary grades, so the notion of progressive deviance appears more applicable in their case.", "PMID": 623502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4978", "title": "MMPI assessment of psychopathology in the adopted-away offspring of schizophrenics.", "content": "Previous studies completed in Denmark show a higher frequency of schizophrenia-related psychopathology in the adopted offspring of schizophrenics than in matched controls. This study adds a psychometric dimension to the earlier reports with an analysis of psychopathology in the adopted offspring of schizophrenics based on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A combination of MMPI criteria and interview-based diagnosis identifies 22% of the index cases and 6% of the control cases (P less than .01) as having a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The findings support a genetic hypothesis, but the use of the MMPI does not fully clarify some issues raised in the earlier reports.", "contents": "MMPI assessment of psychopathology in the adopted-away offspring of schizophrenics. Previous studies completed in Denmark show a higher frequency of schizophrenia-related psychopathology in the adopted offspring of schizophrenics than in matched controls. This study adds a psychometric dimension to the earlier reports with an analysis of psychopathology in the adopted offspring of schizophrenics based on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A combination of MMPI criteria and interview-based diagnosis identifies 22% of the index cases and 6% of the control cases (P less than .01) as having a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The findings support a genetic hypothesis, but the use of the MMPI does not fully clarify some issues raised in the earlier reports.", "PMID": 623503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4979", "title": "Psychopathology in adopted-away offspring of biologic parents with antisocial behavior.", "content": "A study of 246 adoptees aged 10 to 37 years separated at birth from biologic parents is used to study genetic heritability of antisocial behavior and to delineate the extent and quality of \"antisocial spectrum\" conditions. Evidence is presented for a genetic factor in adoptee antisocial behavior and for the following as \"spectrum\" conditions: (1) hysteria in adult females (Briquet's syndrome) or multiple somatic complaints without medical explanation in younger female subjects and (2) mood swings possibly associated with the symptom of audible thoughts.", "contents": "Psychopathology in adopted-away offspring of biologic parents with antisocial behavior. A study of 246 adoptees aged 10 to 37 years separated at birth from biologic parents is used to study genetic heritability of antisocial behavior and to delineate the extent and quality of \"antisocial spectrum\" conditions. Evidence is presented for a genetic factor in adoptee antisocial behavior and for the following as \"spectrum\" conditions: (1) hysteria in adult females (Briquet's syndrome) or multiple somatic complaints without medical explanation in younger female subjects and (2) mood swings possibly associated with the symptom of audible thoughts.", "PMID": 623504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4980", "title": "Life events and prisoners.", "content": "This study explores retrospectively the relationship of the accumulation of life events as it relates to prison incarceration and extends further the concept that coping with increasing environmental changes results in a variety of overt behaviors. The prison sample comprised 176 male inmates of a federal prison (McNeil Island, Washington) and a state penitentiary (Walla Walla, Washington). Life change scores were derived from the Schedule of Recent Experience (SRE). There was an escalation of annual life change scores of prisoners, indicating the mounting frequency of occurrence of life events prior to incarceration. The SRE may have value in the prediction of socially deviant behavior as with health changes. Variables seen as influencing life change scores were race, age, and education. Analyses of life event frequencies as compared to a normative group indicated that prisoners have evolved a coping life-style that reflects antisocial and criminal behavior.", "contents": "Life events and prisoners. This study explores retrospectively the relationship of the accumulation of life events as it relates to prison incarceration and extends further the concept that coping with increasing environmental changes results in a variety of overt behaviors. The prison sample comprised 176 male inmates of a federal prison (McNeil Island, Washington) and a state penitentiary (Walla Walla, Washington). Life change scores were derived from the Schedule of Recent Experience (SRE). There was an escalation of annual life change scores of prisoners, indicating the mounting frequency of occurrence of life events prior to incarceration. The SRE may have value in the prediction of socially deviant behavior as with health changes. Variables seen as influencing life change scores were race, age, and education. Analyses of life event frequencies as compared to a normative group indicated that prisoners have evolved a coping life-style that reflects antisocial and criminal behavior.", "PMID": 623506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4981", "title": "Female criminality and the prediction of recidivism. A prospective six-year follow-up.", "content": "A prospective, six-year follow-up investigation of 66 convicted female felons indicated that psychiatric, social, and familial factors defined and measured at the time of the index study affected the rate of criminal recidivism. Wide individual variation in the course of female criminality was observed. Prolonged supervision on parole or probation appeared to have therapeutic benefit. The most powerful predictors of recidivism were the diagnoses of drug dependence and antisocial personality, and a history of homosexuality. Familial criminality and maternal hysteria were also associated with an increased risk of serious and persistent recidivism. Educational, marital, and employment status contributed to a lesser extent, while race and type of index offense were only significant (P less than .05) when minor offenses were considered.", "contents": "Female criminality and the prediction of recidivism. A prospective six-year follow-up. A prospective, six-year follow-up investigation of 66 convicted female felons indicated that psychiatric, social, and familial factors defined and measured at the time of the index study affected the rate of criminal recidivism. Wide individual variation in the course of female criminality was observed. Prolonged supervision on parole or probation appeared to have therapeutic benefit. The most powerful predictors of recidivism were the diagnoses of drug dependence and antisocial personality, and a history of homosexuality. Familial criminality and maternal hysteria were also associated with an increased risk of serious and persistent recidivism. Educational, marital, and employment status contributed to a lesser extent, while race and type of index offense were only significant (P less than .05) when minor offenses were considered.", "PMID": 623507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4982", "title": "Lithium carbonate use in children and adolescents. A survey of the literature.", "content": "One hundred ninety cases of lithium carbonate use in children and adolescents are reviewed and divided by the authors according to DSM-II criteria into major affective disorders, behavior disorders of childhood and adolescence, and schizophrenia, childhood type. Of these 190 cases, only 46 cases were described in detail. In this group of 25 males and 21 females, aged 3 to 19, there were 30 positive responses to lithium carbonate. A family history of diagnosed manic-depressive illness was reported in only eight cases, while 19 had a family history of other psychiatric disorders. We were impressed by the affective component, irrespective of diagnosis, in youngsters responding to lithium carbonate and by the use of the drug despite multiple neurological problems. Thirty cases had positive neurological findings. Nevertheless, the many incompletely reported cases prevent conclusive generalization and demonstrate the need for well-documented studies correlating clinical, familial, and biochemical indices.", "contents": "Lithium carbonate use in children and adolescents. A survey of the literature. One hundred ninety cases of lithium carbonate use in children and adolescents are reviewed and divided by the authors according to DSM-II criteria into major affective disorders, behavior disorders of childhood and adolescence, and schizophrenia, childhood type. Of these 190 cases, only 46 cases were described in detail. In this group of 25 males and 21 females, aged 3 to 19, there were 30 positive responses to lithium carbonate. A family history of diagnosed manic-depressive illness was reported in only eight cases, while 19 had a family history of other psychiatric disorders. We were impressed by the affective component, irrespective of diagnosis, in youngsters responding to lithium carbonate and by the use of the drug despite multiple neurological problems. Thirty cases had positive neurological findings. Nevertheless, the many incompletely reported cases prevent conclusive generalization and demonstrate the need for well-documented studies correlating clinical, familial, and biochemical indices.", "PMID": 623508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4983", "title": "Lithium carbonate and brain function. I. Cerebral-evoked potentials, EEG, and symptom changes during lithium carbonate treatment.", "content": "Eighteen patients were studied with behavioral ratings and the somatosensory (SER), auditory (AER), and visual (VER) cerebral-evoked response and quantified EEG before and during lithium carbonate treatment. The amplitude of early positive SER components and most AER components increased during treatment, but VER did not change. The intensity of EEG delta and theta frequencies increased, and the dominant alpha frequency slowed. Before treatment, there were few significant correlations to symptom intensity. Patients with an increase in symptoms on treatment had the greatest increase in EEG delta intensity and the dominant alpha frequency slowed in patients who became more depressed. The EEG slowing in patients with a normal sensorium and the change in cerebral cortical activity after transmission in the somatosensory pathway over just three synapses demonstrate a unique and specific effect of lithium carbonate on brain function.", "contents": "Lithium carbonate and brain function. I. Cerebral-evoked potentials, EEG, and symptom changes during lithium carbonate treatment. Eighteen patients were studied with behavioral ratings and the somatosensory (SER), auditory (AER), and visual (VER) cerebral-evoked response and quantified EEG before and during lithium carbonate treatment. The amplitude of early positive SER components and most AER components increased during treatment, but VER did not change. The intensity of EEG delta and theta frequencies increased, and the dominant alpha frequency slowed. Before treatment, there were few significant correlations to symptom intensity. Patients with an increase in symptoms on treatment had the greatest increase in EEG delta intensity and the dominant alpha frequency slowed in patients who became more depressed. The EEG slowing in patients with a normal sensorium and the change in cerebral cortical activity after transmission in the somatosensory pathway over just three synapses demonstrate a unique and specific effect of lithium carbonate on brain function.", "PMID": 623509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4984", "title": "Probenecid-induced norepinephrine elevations in plasma and CSF.", "content": "Probenecid administered in divided oral doses totaling 100 mg/kg increased levels of norepinephrine (NE) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This technique is commonly used to measure the rate of accumulation of acidic metabolites of certain brain neurotransmitter biogenic amines in CSF after blockade of their transport into blood. Since levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethyleneglycol, a neutral metabolite of NE, are also elevated after high oral doses of probenecid, the increases of CSF and plasma NE levels may be directly related to probenecid-induced release of this amine from noradrenergic neurons. In patients who experienced nausea or vomiting there were lower levels of probenecid in CSF, probably secondary to diminished absorption of the medication. These patients also had lower levels of NE in plasma than did patients who remained asymptomatic.", "contents": "Probenecid-induced norepinephrine elevations in plasma and CSF. Probenecid administered in divided oral doses totaling 100 mg/kg increased levels of norepinephrine (NE) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This technique is commonly used to measure the rate of accumulation of acidic metabolites of certain brain neurotransmitter biogenic amines in CSF after blockade of their transport into blood. Since levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethyleneglycol, a neutral metabolite of NE, are also elevated after high oral doses of probenecid, the increases of CSF and plasma NE levels may be directly related to probenecid-induced release of this amine from noradrenergic neurons. In patients who experienced nausea or vomiting there were lower levels of probenecid in CSF, probably secondary to diminished absorption of the medication. These patients also had lower levels of NE in plasma than did patients who remained asymptomatic.", "PMID": 623510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4985", "title": "Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride effect on skeletal muscle spasm in the lumbar region and neck: two double-blind controlled clinical and laboratory studies.", "content": "A new drug, Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (Flexeril), was compared with diazepam (Valium) and placebo in double-blind trials for efficacy in treating spasms and pain in the neck and low back. Complex recording methods involving clinical evaluations (graded), patient self-ratings, goniometry, motion analysis by computer, electromyography of controlled motions and detailed statistical analysis were used. Clinical improvement over two weeks was statistically significant in all treatment groups with a statistically significant preference for Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride. The most striking improvements recorded were in the electromyographic findings, which showed statistically significant changes for the Cyclobenzaprine group. Clinical muscle spasms are not accompanied by increased myoelectric activity; the reverse is true. With improvement, myoelectric activity in back muscles is augmented during prescribed stressful movements as measured by electromyography and computer analysis combined with complex electrogoniometry.", "contents": "Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride effect on skeletal muscle spasm in the lumbar region and neck: two double-blind controlled clinical and laboratory studies. A new drug, Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (Flexeril), was compared with diazepam (Valium) and placebo in double-blind trials for efficacy in treating spasms and pain in the neck and low back. Complex recording methods involving clinical evaluations (graded), patient self-ratings, goniometry, motion analysis by computer, electromyography of controlled motions and detailed statistical analysis were used. Clinical improvement over two weeks was statistically significant in all treatment groups with a statistically significant preference for Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride. The most striking improvements recorded were in the electromyographic findings, which showed statistically significant changes for the Cyclobenzaprine group. Clinical muscle spasms are not accompanied by increased myoelectric activity; the reverse is true. With improvement, myoelectric activity in back muscles is augmented during prescribed stressful movements as measured by electromyography and computer analysis combined with complex electrogoniometry.", "PMID": 623512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4986", "title": "Physical and occupational therapy for arthritic patients: a cooperative effort among hospital departments.", "content": "The importance of a team approach for optimum management of arthritis is recognized, but small hospitals and clinics may have difficulty supporting a team when the number of arthritic patients treated by any one department is not large. A cooperative effort of our 500-bed hospital's sections of rheumatology, physical medicine, and orthopedic surgery provides a physical therapist and an occupational therapist to work exclusively with arthritic patients. By working across departmental lines the therapists perform enough services to pay their salaries. Patients benefit not only from the availability of therapist specialists but also from continuity of care. Presence of the therapists has permitted extension of care to a satellite clinic and to patients' homes. The cooperating sections have acquired personnel and capabilities not available to them if acting independently.", "contents": "Physical and occupational therapy for arthritic patients: a cooperative effort among hospital departments. The importance of a team approach for optimum management of arthritis is recognized, but small hospitals and clinics may have difficulty supporting a team when the number of arthritic patients treated by any one department is not large. A cooperative effort of our 500-bed hospital's sections of rheumatology, physical medicine, and orthopedic surgery provides a physical therapist and an occupational therapist to work exclusively with arthritic patients. By working across departmental lines the therapists perform enough services to pay their salaries. Patients benefit not only from the availability of therapist specialists but also from continuity of care. Presence of the therapists has permitted extension of care to a satellite clinic and to patients' homes. The cooperating sections have acquired personnel and capabilities not available to them if acting independently.", "PMID": 623513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4987", "title": "Wheelchair cushion effect on skin temperature.", "content": "Since a rise of 1.0 C in temperature causes a 10% increase in tissue metabolism, a wheelchair cushion which limits changes in skin temperature, and thus metabolic demand, might effectively reduce ischemic tissue damage. Skin temperature changes were measured under the ischial tuberosities and thighs of normal subjects while sitting on several types of support surfaces. The effect of commercially available wheelchair cushions on sitting surface skin temperatures was measured in five normal men and five normal women, age 20 to 30 years. The sitting surfaces studies were latex rubber cushions with nylon-vinyl and cotton polyester covers, two types of gel cushions, and a water flotation pad. Skin surface temperatures were recorded under both ischial tuberosities and both posterior thighs during each 30-minute test period. Increases in skin temperature averaging 2.3 C to 2.5 C under the ischial tuberosities and 3.2 C to 3.5 C under the thighs were noted when the subjects sat on either of the latex rubber cushions. A temperature drop of 3.1 C was noted under the ischial tuberosities and 2.2 C under the thighs when using the water flotation pad. The skin temperature remained relatively static while sitting on the gel cushions.", "contents": "Wheelchair cushion effect on skin temperature. Since a rise of 1.0 C in temperature causes a 10% increase in tissue metabolism, a wheelchair cushion which limits changes in skin temperature, and thus metabolic demand, might effectively reduce ischemic tissue damage. Skin temperature changes were measured under the ischial tuberosities and thighs of normal subjects while sitting on several types of support surfaces. The effect of commercially available wheelchair cushions on sitting surface skin temperatures was measured in five normal men and five normal women, age 20 to 30 years. The sitting surfaces studies were latex rubber cushions with nylon-vinyl and cotton polyester covers, two types of gel cushions, and a water flotation pad. Skin surface temperatures were recorded under both ischial tuberosities and both posterior thighs during each 30-minute test period. Increases in skin temperature averaging 2.3 C to 2.5 C under the ischial tuberosities and 3.2 C to 3.5 C under the thighs were noted when the subjects sat on either of the latex rubber cushions. A temperature drop of 3.1 C was noted under the ischial tuberosities and 2.2 C under the thighs when using the water flotation pad. The skin temperature remained relatively static while sitting on the gel cushions.", "PMID": 623514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4988", "title": "Spinal cord injury in an inner city hospital.", "content": "During the first six years of existence of the rehabilitation unit in a black inner city major municipal hospital, 53 patients with spinal cord injury were admitted. A retrospective study of these patients sought answers to questions concerning etiology, patient characteristics, services provided and method of delivery, and advantages and disadvantages of rehabilitation in a community hospital. Findings revealed differences in causation of spinal cord injury between women and men and between patients with paraplegia and quadriplegia. tthe male paraplegic patients were the youngest; their life style led to spinal cord injury. Social factors such as inadequate housing, lack of transportation, and insufficient financial resources were deterrents to rehabilitation. An approach that emphasized consideration of all the psychosocial factors was developed. Evaluation and treatment were extended into the community. Lack of peer groups and multiphasic programs were the major disadvantages.", "contents": "Spinal cord injury in an inner city hospital. During the first six years of existence of the rehabilitation unit in a black inner city major municipal hospital, 53 patients with spinal cord injury were admitted. A retrospective study of these patients sought answers to questions concerning etiology, patient characteristics, services provided and method of delivery, and advantages and disadvantages of rehabilitation in a community hospital. Findings revealed differences in causation of spinal cord injury between women and men and between patients with paraplegia and quadriplegia. tthe male paraplegic patients were the youngest; their life style led to spinal cord injury. Social factors such as inadequate housing, lack of transportation, and insufficient financial resources were deterrents to rehabilitation. An approach that emphasized consideration of all the psychosocial factors was developed. Evaluation and treatment were extended into the community. Lack of peer groups and multiphasic programs were the major disadvantages.", "PMID": 623516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4989", "title": "Urinary calculi composition in patients with spinal cord lesions.", "content": "Because of the reported production of predominantly phosphatic calculi by hypercalciuric patients there was a need to confirm the analysis of such stones using quantitative methods. Calcium, magnesium, ammonium, orthophosphate, oxalate, carbonate and urate were therefore determined in 148 calculi from 113 patients with spinal cord lesions. There were 145 (98%) composed of calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate. Only trace amounts of calcium oxalate were present in most. The remaining 2% were calcium oxalate stones. The ratio of nonoxalate calcium to magnesium was inversely related to the duration of paralysis. This study revealed that, when this variable was taken into account, the composition of a stone was not related to its weight, site of occurrence, level of the cord lesion, sex of the patient, or therapy with acidifying drugs.", "contents": "Urinary calculi composition in patients with spinal cord lesions. Because of the reported production of predominantly phosphatic calculi by hypercalciuric patients there was a need to confirm the analysis of such stones using quantitative methods. Calcium, magnesium, ammonium, orthophosphate, oxalate, carbonate and urate were therefore determined in 148 calculi from 113 patients with spinal cord lesions. There were 145 (98%) composed of calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate. Only trace amounts of calcium oxalate were present in most. The remaining 2% were calcium oxalate stones. The ratio of nonoxalate calcium to magnesium was inversely related to the duration of paralysis. This study revealed that, when this variable was taken into account, the composition of a stone was not related to its weight, site of occurrence, level of the cord lesion, sex of the patient, or therapy with acidifying drugs.", "PMID": 623518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4990", "title": "Neonatal paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha activity.", "content": "Thirteen infants with neonatal seizures showed paroxysmal monorhythmic electrographic activity, predominantly in the alpha range (8 to 13 Hz) and localized to the rolandic cortical areas. This rhythmic discharge, which is commonly lateralized, represents an electrical seizure discharge. Such discharges may exist as the only electrographic seizure activity, but in the majority of cases (8/13) independent epileptiform discharges are observed in other cortical areas. All infants with paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha activity had clinically observed seizures. Computerized tomography performed six or more weeks after observing the electrographic abnormality demonstrated diffuse as well as localized cortical atrophy in a distribution similar to the monorhythmic alpha activity. In other cases, localized monorhythmic alpha activity was correlated on subsequent evaluations with focal neurological abnormalities (eg, hemiparesis and hemiatrophy) and a high incidence of microcephaly (83%). On the basis of these findings, we suggest that encephalomalacia may be important in the pathogenesis of paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha seizures in the neonate.", "contents": "Neonatal paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha activity. Thirteen infants with neonatal seizures showed paroxysmal monorhythmic electrographic activity, predominantly in the alpha range (8 to 13 Hz) and localized to the rolandic cortical areas. This rhythmic discharge, which is commonly lateralized, represents an electrical seizure discharge. Such discharges may exist as the only electrographic seizure activity, but in the majority of cases (8/13) independent epileptiform discharges are observed in other cortical areas. All infants with paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha activity had clinically observed seizures. Computerized tomography performed six or more weeks after observing the electrographic abnormality demonstrated diffuse as well as localized cortical atrophy in a distribution similar to the monorhythmic alpha activity. In other cases, localized monorhythmic alpha activity was correlated on subsequent evaluations with focal neurological abnormalities (eg, hemiparesis and hemiatrophy) and a high incidence of microcephaly (83%). On the basis of these findings, we suggest that encephalomalacia may be important in the pathogenesis of paroxysmal monorhythmic alpha seizures in the neonate.", "PMID": 623527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4991", "title": "Posterior fossa subdural hematomas in neonates.", "content": "Posterior fossa subdural hematomas in the newborn infant are rare but potentially treatable. The infants are normal after birth, but within days, hydrocephalus hypotonia, and irregular respirations develop. Seizures and third nerve pareses are unusual. We report a neonate in whom this process was identified by computerized tomographic brain scan. We also discuss potential misinterpretations of the computerized tomographic brain scan in neonates.", "contents": "Posterior fossa subdural hematomas in neonates. Posterior fossa subdural hematomas in the newborn infant are rare but potentially treatable. The infants are normal after birth, but within days, hydrocephalus hypotonia, and irregular respirations develop. Seizures and third nerve pareses are unusual. We report a neonate in whom this process was identified by computerized tomographic brain scan. We also discuss potential misinterpretations of the computerized tomographic brain scan in neonates.", "PMID": 623528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4992", "title": "The benign lateral medullary syndrome.", "content": "Four young, otherwise healthy men developed the signs and symptoms of lateral medullary ischemia following extraordinary outdoor exercise. The syndrome was short-lived, with excellent long-term prognosis. We suggest that the designation \"benign lateral medullary syndrome\" is appropriate for this transient nonrecurring state.", "contents": "The benign lateral medullary syndrome. Four young, otherwise healthy men developed the signs and symptoms of lateral medullary ischemia following extraordinary outdoor exercise. The syndrome was short-lived, with excellent long-term prognosis. We suggest that the designation \"benign lateral medullary syndrome\" is appropriate for this transient nonrecurring state.", "PMID": 623529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4993", "title": "Computerized tomography. An adjunct to early diagnosis in the cauda equina syndrome of ankylosing spondylitis.", "content": "This article describes a case of the cauda equina syndrome associated with ankylosing spondylitis. The typical myelographic features and the computerized tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine are included. The CT scan may aid in elucidating the pathogenesis of the disorder.", "contents": "Computerized tomography. An adjunct to early diagnosis in the cauda equina syndrome of ankylosing spondylitis. This article describes a case of the cauda equina syndrome associated with ankylosing spondylitis. The typical myelographic features and the computerized tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine are included. The CT scan may aid in elucidating the pathogenesis of the disorder.", "PMID": 623530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4994", "title": "Pattern shift visual evoked responses. Two hundred patients with optic neuritis and/or multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Fifty-one patients with clinically pure optic neuritis (ON) and 149 with possible, probable, or definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were tested with pattern shift visual evoked responses (PSVER) and compared with a group of 43 normal subjects. Attention was paid to response latency, intereye latency difference, as well as differences in amplitude or duration of the major positive peak (P100). Abnormal PSVER cannot be recorded from everyone with confirmed ON. Abnormal responses were recorded from 91% of all patients (including those with MS) who had a history of ON, 57% of all MS patients, and 36% of patients without a history of ON or an abnormal eye examination. Measurements of amplitude and duration proved to be of little value in this setting. Though abnormalities of PSVER are not \"specific\" for ON or MS, because they also result from other disease processes, they afford more reliable, quantitative documentation of abnormal conduction in visual pathways than any other clinical test.", "contents": "Pattern shift visual evoked responses. Two hundred patients with optic neuritis and/or multiple sclerosis. Fifty-one patients with clinically pure optic neuritis (ON) and 149 with possible, probable, or definite multiple sclerosis (MS) were tested with pattern shift visual evoked responses (PSVER) and compared with a group of 43 normal subjects. Attention was paid to response latency, intereye latency difference, as well as differences in amplitude or duration of the major positive peak (P100). Abnormal PSVER cannot be recorded from everyone with confirmed ON. Abnormal responses were recorded from 91% of all patients (including those with MS) who had a history of ON, 57% of all MS patients, and 36% of patients without a history of ON or an abnormal eye examination. Measurements of amplitude and duration proved to be of little value in this setting. Though abnormalities of PSVER are not \"specific\" for ON or MS, because they also result from other disease processes, they afford more reliable, quantitative documentation of abnormal conduction in visual pathways than any other clinical test.", "PMID": 623531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4995", "title": "Investigations on the inheritance of nemaline myopathy.", "content": "Extensive investigations on 11 patients with nemaline myopathy (six index patients, five relatives), their parents, and some healthy relatives were carried out. In one family, nemaline myopathy was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. No linkage between the locus of nemaline myopathy and the locus of seven informative genetic markers (out of 25 investigated markers) was found. In two families an autosomal recessive inheritance could be demonstrated with certainty. In these families, both parents of each index patient had rods and an increased number of fibers with internal nuclei. In two other families, one or both parents of each index patient had an increased number of fibers with internal nuclei, also indicating the possibility of autosomal recessive inheritance in these cases. It can be concluded that there are two types of nemaline myopathy. However, these two diseases could not be separated on a clinical or histopathological basis.", "contents": "Investigations on the inheritance of nemaline myopathy. Extensive investigations on 11 patients with nemaline myopathy (six index patients, five relatives), their parents, and some healthy relatives were carried out. In one family, nemaline myopathy was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. No linkage between the locus of nemaline myopathy and the locus of seven informative genetic markers (out of 25 investigated markers) was found. In two families an autosomal recessive inheritance could be demonstrated with certainty. In these families, both parents of each index patient had rods and an increased number of fibers with internal nuclei. In two other families, one or both parents of each index patient had an increased number of fibers with internal nuclei, also indicating the possibility of autosomal recessive inheritance in these cases. It can be concluded that there are two types of nemaline myopathy. However, these two diseases could not be separated on a clinical or histopathological basis.", "PMID": 623532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4996", "title": "Survival after spinal cord trauma. A life table analysis.", "content": "The records accruing from the care of spinal cord injury patients in hospitals of Veterans Administration (VA) make available a unique opportunity to study survival rates of a large group. This study analyzes the survival experience of patients whose initial treatment in a VA hospital for trauma to the spinal cord occurred between Oct 1, 1955, and Sept 30, 1965. Life table methodology enabled survival rates to be calculated for various intervals after injury and allowed for maximum use of each patient's experience. Age at injury, level of lesion, and extent of paralysis were all found to be important factors in survival. High mortality occurs in the first three months regardless of age at injury or level of lesion. Of those paraplegic and quadriplegic patients who survived the first three months after injury, the ten-year survival rates are quite similar, 86% and 80%, respectively.", "contents": "Survival after spinal cord trauma. A life table analysis. The records accruing from the care of spinal cord injury patients in hospitals of Veterans Administration (VA) make available a unique opportunity to study survival rates of a large group. This study analyzes the survival experience of patients whose initial treatment in a VA hospital for trauma to the spinal cord occurred between Oct 1, 1955, and Sept 30, 1965. Life table methodology enabled survival rates to be calculated for various intervals after injury and allowed for maximum use of each patient's experience. Age at injury, level of lesion, and extent of paralysis were all found to be important factors in survival. High mortality occurs in the first three months regardless of age at injury or level of lesion. Of those paraplegic and quadriplegic patients who survived the first three months after injury, the ten-year survival rates are quite similar, 86% and 80%, respectively.", "PMID": 623533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4997", "title": "Arachnoid cyst and associated subdural hematoma. Observations on conventional roentgenographic and computerized tomographic diagnosis.", "content": "Information about computerized tomography (CT) of arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa (ACMF) is increasing, and it appears that certain CT characteristics may be diagnostic. The association of ACMF and subdural hematoma has been emphasized previously but is not common knowledge. We present three new cases of ACMF and associated subdural hematoma studied by plain roentgenograms, EEG, conventional brain scanning, CT scanning, and angiography. The cysts were clearly shown in each case by CT scan, but no subdural hematoma was visualized in our first two cases. Angiography was necessary to establish the associated hematoma. We review and emphasize computerized tomographic characteristics that may be pathognomonic of ACMF. It is suggested that angiography be included in the study of patients symptomatic with ACMF because associated subdural hematoma is not an uncommon lesion and may fail to visualize on CT scan. Angiography still remains the most conclusive study to establish or exclude the diagnosis of subdural hematoma.", "contents": "Arachnoid cyst and associated subdural hematoma. Observations on conventional roentgenographic and computerized tomographic diagnosis. Information about computerized tomography (CT) of arachnoid cysts of the middle fossa (ACMF) is increasing, and it appears that certain CT characteristics may be diagnostic. The association of ACMF and subdural hematoma has been emphasized previously but is not common knowledge. We present three new cases of ACMF and associated subdural hematoma studied by plain roentgenograms, EEG, conventional brain scanning, CT scanning, and angiography. The cysts were clearly shown in each case by CT scan, but no subdural hematoma was visualized in our first two cases. Angiography was necessary to establish the associated hematoma. We review and emphasize computerized tomographic characteristics that may be pathognomonic of ACMF. It is suggested that angiography be included in the study of patients symptomatic with ACMF because associated subdural hematoma is not an uncommon lesion and may fail to visualize on CT scan. Angiography still remains the most conclusive study to establish or exclude the diagnosis of subdural hematoma.", "PMID": 623534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4998", "title": "Developmental dyslexia. Evidence for a subgroup with a reversal of cerebral asymmetry.", "content": "The computerized brain tomograms of 24 patients with developmental dyslexia were analyzed for cerebral asymmetry. Ten patients showed a reversal of the pattern of asymmetry regularly observed in normal right-handed individuals so that the right parietooccipital region was wider than the left. The ten dyslexic patients with this reversal of cerebral asymmetry had a lower mean verbal IQ than the other 14 dyslexic patients in this study. The reversal of cerebral asymmetry that occurred in ten of the dyslexic patients may result in language lateralization to a cerebral hemisphere that is structurally less suited to support language function and thus act as a risk factor for the development of reading disability.", "contents": "Developmental dyslexia. Evidence for a subgroup with a reversal of cerebral asymmetry. The computerized brain tomograms of 24 patients with developmental dyslexia were analyzed for cerebral asymmetry. Ten patients showed a reversal of the pattern of asymmetry regularly observed in normal right-handed individuals so that the right parietooccipital region was wider than the left. The ten dyslexic patients with this reversal of cerebral asymmetry had a lower mean verbal IQ than the other 14 dyslexic patients in this study. The reversal of cerebral asymmetry that occurred in ten of the dyslexic patients may result in language lateralization to a cerebral hemisphere that is structurally less suited to support language function and thus act as a risk factor for the development of reading disability.", "PMID": 623535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_4999", "title": "Pseudocaloric nystagmus.", "content": "Pseudocaloric nystagmus (PCN) is an appropriately beating nystagmus induced by cold caloric irrigation of an ear with abolished vestibular function. The nystagmus is not the result of endolymph flow but probably represents unmasking a latent nystagmus by altering the patient in this case, through tactile (caloric) stimulation. Pseudocaloric nystagmus has the following characteristics: (1) mild intensity (eyes closed-slow phase velocity usually less than 8 degrees/sec), it has not been observed with the eyes open, (2) always beats away from the diseased ear; therefore, any nystagmus induced by cold irrigation will be appropriately (contralateral) beating while that induced by warm irrigation will be inappropriately (contralateral beating; 3) the induced nystagmus will not reverse direction after inverting the ampulla. Establishing bidirectional sensitivity of the cupula by demonstrating appropriately beating nystagmus to ampullopetal and ampullofugal flow of endolymph not only assures that the lateral semicircular canal (SCC) is functionally intact to caloric stimulation but will avoid errors in electronystagmorgraphic (ENG) interpretation.", "contents": "Pseudocaloric nystagmus. Pseudocaloric nystagmus (PCN) is an appropriately beating nystagmus induced by cold caloric irrigation of an ear with abolished vestibular function. The nystagmus is not the result of endolymph flow but probably represents unmasking a latent nystagmus by altering the patient in this case, through tactile (caloric) stimulation. Pseudocaloric nystagmus has the following characteristics: (1) mild intensity (eyes closed-slow phase velocity usually less than 8 degrees/sec), it has not been observed with the eyes open, (2) always beats away from the diseased ear; therefore, any nystagmus induced by cold irrigation will be appropriately (contralateral) beating while that induced by warm irrigation will be inappropriately (contralateral beating; 3) the induced nystagmus will not reverse direction after inverting the ampulla. Establishing bidirectional sensitivity of the cupula by demonstrating appropriately beating nystagmus to ampullopetal and ampullofugal flow of endolymph not only assures that the lateral semicircular canal (SCC) is functionally intact to caloric stimulation but will avoid errors in electronystagmorgraphic (ENG) interpretation.", "PMID": 623536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5000", "title": "Disseminated Hodgkin's disease with bilateral orbital involvement.", "content": "Hodgkin's disease was diagnosed in a patient by lymph node excision. Orbital infiltration was demonstrated by echography and computerized axial tomography. Subsequent orbital biopsy specimens showed lacrimal gland involvement with definite Reed-Sternberg cells.", "contents": "Disseminated Hodgkin's disease with bilateral orbital involvement. Hodgkin's disease was diagnosed in a patient by lymph node excision. Orbital infiltration was demonstrated by echography and computerized axial tomography. Subsequent orbital biopsy specimens showed lacrimal gland involvement with definite Reed-Sternberg cells.", "PMID": 623537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5001", "title": "Glaucoma-inducing mechanisms in eyes with retinoblastoma.", "content": "A total of 149 eyes with retinoblastomas were examined histopathologically to determine the types and frequencies of mechanisms inducing glaucoma. The most common mechanism was iris neovascularization with secondary peripheral anterior synechiae formation. In such cases, the tumor was almost always located at the posterior pole with involvement of central retinal vessels and with growth of a highly vascularized tumor mass into the vitreous. The second most common mechanism was massive exudative retinal detachment causing pupillary block and angle closure. In such cases, tumor growth was present within and under the retina. The third most common mechanism was a combination of the aforementioned mechanisms. Uveitis and/or necrotic tumor tissue in the anterior chamber as the sole mechanism inducing glaucoma was infrequently seen.", "contents": "Glaucoma-inducing mechanisms in eyes with retinoblastoma. A total of 149 eyes with retinoblastomas were examined histopathologically to determine the types and frequencies of mechanisms inducing glaucoma. The most common mechanism was iris neovascularization with secondary peripheral anterior synechiae formation. In such cases, the tumor was almost always located at the posterior pole with involvement of central retinal vessels and with growth of a highly vascularized tumor mass into the vitreous. The second most common mechanism was massive exudative retinal detachment causing pupillary block and angle closure. In such cases, tumor growth was present within and under the retina. The third most common mechanism was a combination of the aforementioned mechanisms. Uveitis and/or necrotic tumor tissue in the anterior chamber as the sole mechanism inducing glaucoma was infrequently seen.", "PMID": 623538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5002", "title": "Excision of distichiasis eyelashes through a tarsoconjunctival trapdoor.", "content": "Previously described surgical techniques for distichiasis correction are likely to have complications of trichiasis, entropion, and eyelid margin distortion. A new technique to remove distichiasis eyelashes through a tarsoconjunctival trapdoor achieves a satisfactory functional and cosmetic result and descreases the likelihood of these complications.", "contents": "Excision of distichiasis eyelashes through a tarsoconjunctival trapdoor. Previously described surgical techniques for distichiasis correction are likely to have complications of trichiasis, entropion, and eyelid margin distortion. A new technique to remove distichiasis eyelashes through a tarsoconjunctival trapdoor achieves a satisfactory functional and cosmetic result and descreases the likelihood of these complications.", "PMID": 623539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5003", "title": "Surgical repair of prolapsed lacrimal glands.", "content": "Herniation of the lacrimal gland is a condition that occurs unilaterally or bilaterally. Either or both lobes of the lacrimal gland may prolapse. Orbital lobe prolapse may be associated with blepharochalasis, a disease of puberty. We developed a surgical technique for the repair of prolapsed lacrimal glands. It is important to have adequate hemostasis and closure of the orbital septum.", "contents": "Surgical repair of prolapsed lacrimal glands. Herniation of the lacrimal gland is a condition that occurs unilaterally or bilaterally. Either or both lobes of the lacrimal gland may prolapse. Orbital lobe prolapse may be associated with blepharochalasis, a disease of puberty. We developed a surgical technique for the repair of prolapsed lacrimal glands. It is important to have adequate hemostasis and closure of the orbital septum.", "PMID": 623540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5004", "title": "Experimental chalcosis: a comparison between in vivo and in vitro findings.", "content": "The ocular changes following the introduction of a copper foreign body in the eye of rabbits were studied by histological, histochemical, and quantitative analysis. The findings are compared with previously reported changes observed in vivo. The efficacy of ophthalmoscopy and electroretinography in the early detection of chalcosis is compared with the efficacy of a new method, diagnostic X-ray spectrometry.", "contents": "Experimental chalcosis: a comparison between in vivo and in vitro findings. The ocular changes following the introduction of a copper foreign body in the eye of rabbits were studied by histological, histochemical, and quantitative analysis. The findings are compared with previously reported changes observed in vivo. The efficacy of ophthalmoscopy and electroretinography in the early detection of chalcosis is compared with the efficacy of a new method, diagnostic X-ray spectrometry.", "PMID": 623541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5005", "title": "Posterior zonules and lens extraction.", "content": "During experimental or surgical lens extraction, the posterior zonules are usually completely removed from the lens; however, many remain attached in a ring to the anterior hyaloid membrane (AHM). This phenomenon was studied in gross and scanning electron microscopic preparations. The posterior zonules were found to be multilayered, with both superficial and deep attachments to the lens. Circumferential zonular fibers were demonstrated increasingly with age. Attachment of the AHM was by a fibrillar perizonular meshwork and small infiltrating bundles. The posterior zonules separated from the lens by tearing into the superficial capsule, favoring preservation of their AHM attachments. This close zonular-AHM relationship is evidence for a coordinated vitreous-zonular action during accommodation. Postoperatively, zonular-AHM attachments may help to stabilize the AHM during movement of the globe.", "contents": "Posterior zonules and lens extraction. During experimental or surgical lens extraction, the posterior zonules are usually completely removed from the lens; however, many remain attached in a ring to the anterior hyaloid membrane (AHM). This phenomenon was studied in gross and scanning electron microscopic preparations. The posterior zonules were found to be multilayered, with both superficial and deep attachments to the lens. Circumferential zonular fibers were demonstrated increasingly with age. Attachment of the AHM was by a fibrillar perizonular meshwork and small infiltrating bundles. The posterior zonules separated from the lens by tearing into the superficial capsule, favoring preservation of their AHM attachments. This close zonular-AHM relationship is evidence for a coordinated vitreous-zonular action during accommodation. Postoperatively, zonular-AHM attachments may help to stabilize the AHM during movement of the globe.", "PMID": 623542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5006", "title": "Lens glide in implant surgery.", "content": "The lens glide is a disposable, sterile piece of Silastic that is designed to make insertion of intraocular lenses safer and simpler. Since the use of the lens glide has become part of our routine surgical procedure in implant surgery, there has been a notable reduction in vitreous loss and in postoperative corneal problems.", "contents": "Lens glide in implant surgery. The lens glide is a disposable, sterile piece of Silastic that is designed to make insertion of intraocular lenses safer and simpler. Since the use of the lens glide has become part of our routine surgical procedure in implant surgery, there has been a notable reduction in vitreous loss and in postoperative corneal problems.", "PMID": 623543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5007", "title": "Illuminated orbital retractor.", "content": "An illuminated orbital retractor that has been designed especially for microsurgery is made of methylmethacrylate and is shaped like an Arruga retractor. It is illuminated by fiber optics. Indications for the use of the illuminated retractor include exposure for repairing scleral lacerations, decompressions of the optic nerve, and orbital fractures.", "contents": "Illuminated orbital retractor. An illuminated orbital retractor that has been designed especially for microsurgery is made of methylmethacrylate and is shaped like an Arruga retractor. It is illuminated by fiber optics. Indications for the use of the illuminated retractor include exposure for repairing scleral lacerations, decompressions of the optic nerve, and orbital fractures.", "PMID": 623544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5008", "title": "Four hundred consecutive pars plana vitrectomies with the vitrophage.", "content": "We performed 400 consecutive pars plana vitrectomies, using the vitrophage. Most patients (68%) showed some degree of visual improvement; only 8% had a decline in visual acuity postoperatively. The major operative complications were controllable bleeding from iris vessels and intravitreal stalks (19%) and retinal tears (2%). No retinal dialysis was noted. The major, early postoperative complications were related to corneal decompensation in 38% of the cases; this persisted beyond two weeks in only 7%. Increased intraocular pressure occurred in 19% and postoperative rubeosis iridis developed in 10% of the diabetic patients. Complications related to rebleeding occurred in 18% of the diabetic patients within the first two weeks, and an additional 9% had late rebleeding. Less frequent complications included one case of endophthalmitis, late retinal detachment in 5%, and phthisis bulbi in 2% of all cases. All complications were considerably more frequent and severe in the diabetic population.", "contents": "Four hundred consecutive pars plana vitrectomies with the vitrophage. We performed 400 consecutive pars plana vitrectomies, using the vitrophage. Most patients (68%) showed some degree of visual improvement; only 8% had a decline in visual acuity postoperatively. The major operative complications were controllable bleeding from iris vessels and intravitreal stalks (19%) and retinal tears (2%). No retinal dialysis was noted. The major, early postoperative complications were related to corneal decompensation in 38% of the cases; this persisted beyond two weeks in only 7%. Increased intraocular pressure occurred in 19% and postoperative rubeosis iridis developed in 10% of the diabetic patients. Complications related to rebleeding occurred in 18% of the diabetic patients within the first two weeks, and an additional 9% had late rebleeding. Less frequent complications included one case of endophthalmitis, late retinal detachment in 5%, and phthisis bulbi in 2% of all cases. All complications were considerably more frequent and severe in the diabetic population.", "PMID": 623545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5009", "title": "Sterile corneal ulcers after cataract surgery in keratoconjunctivitis sicca.", "content": "Mild keratoconjunctivitis sicca can become dramatically worse after cataract extraction and result in corneal thinning and perforation. Anticipation of this problem can prevent it, but lack of recognition may result in permanent central scarring from ulceration, which responds slowly to treatment.", "contents": "Sterile corneal ulcers after cataract surgery in keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Mild keratoconjunctivitis sicca can become dramatically worse after cataract extraction and result in corneal thinning and perforation. Anticipation of this problem can prevent it, but lack of recognition may result in permanent central scarring from ulceration, which responds slowly to treatment.", "PMID": 623546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5010", "title": "Ocular toxoplasmosis and Hodgkin's disease: report of two cases.", "content": "Isolated ocular toxoplasmosis developed in two patients with Hodgkin's disease. The diagnosis was made by ophthalmoscopy of the fundus, serologic tests, and evolution. This raises the possibility that Toxoplasma infection and the localization of retinochoroiditic lesions on the macula could be the results of the immunosuppression associated with Hodgkin's disease.", "contents": "Ocular toxoplasmosis and Hodgkin's disease: report of two cases. Isolated ocular toxoplasmosis developed in two patients with Hodgkin's disease. The diagnosis was made by ophthalmoscopy of the fundus, serologic tests, and evolution. This raises the possibility that Toxoplasma infection and the localization of retinochoroiditic lesions on the macula could be the results of the immunosuppression associated with Hodgkin's disease.", "PMID": 623547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5011", "title": "Evaluation of drugs in ointment for mydriasis and cycloplegia.", "content": "Ointment preparations of cyclopentolate hydrochloride and tropicamide were compared with aqueous drops of these medications for the production of mydriasis and/or cycloplegia in clinic patients. Mydriasis and/or cycloplegia could be accomplished by the single application of a minute volume (around 0.005 ml) of ointment containing these drugs. With the use of ointment preparation, ocular irritation was minimal, and there was no interference with subsequent ocular examination. A delivery system was devised with a piece of silicone-rubber tubing that was filled with an ointment preparation. By squeezing the tubing, a minute volume (about 0.005 ml) of ointment preparation was expressed.", "contents": "Evaluation of drugs in ointment for mydriasis and cycloplegia. Ointment preparations of cyclopentolate hydrochloride and tropicamide were compared with aqueous drops of these medications for the production of mydriasis and/or cycloplegia in clinic patients. Mydriasis and/or cycloplegia could be accomplished by the single application of a minute volume (around 0.005 ml) of ointment containing these drugs. With the use of ointment preparation, ocular irritation was minimal, and there was no interference with subsequent ocular examination. A delivery system was devised with a piece of silicone-rubber tubing that was filled with an ointment preparation. By squeezing the tubing, a minute volume (about 0.005 ml) of ointment preparation was expressed.", "PMID": 623548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5012", "title": "Epibulbar Kaposi sarcoma.", "content": "This report illustrates the clinical and pathological features of epibulbar Kaposi sarcoma in an adult who had no other cutaneous or systemic manifestations of the disorder.", "contents": "Epibulbar Kaposi sarcoma. This report illustrates the clinical and pathological features of epibulbar Kaposi sarcoma in an adult who had no other cutaneous or systemic manifestations of the disorder.", "PMID": 623549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5013", "title": "Neurophysiological basis of discrimination of speech sounds.", "content": "The present paper discusses the information processing in the auditory nervous system with particular reference to speech sounds. The main emphasis is laid upon results of recordings from single nerve cells in the ascending auditory pathway and hypothesis about processing of speech-like sounds are put forward on the basis of these results.", "contents": "Neurophysiological basis of discrimination of speech sounds. The present paper discusses the information processing in the auditory nervous system with particular reference to speech sounds. The main emphasis is laid upon results of recordings from single nerve cells in the ascending auditory pathway and hypothesis about processing of speech-like sounds are put forward on the basis of these results.", "PMID": 623550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5014", "title": "The use of high-pass amplification for broad-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.", "content": "Recent research suggests that persons with sensorineural hearing impairment should derive extra benefit from amplification that eliminates or greatly reduces low frequencies, i.e. frequencies below 1 500 or 2 000 Hz. Such amplification seems to reduce the detrimental effects of the upward spread of masking on speech intelligibility, especially when listening in noisy environments. Also, current research indicates that extended high-frequency amplification, between 4 000 and 6 500 Hz is especially beneficial for optimal speech intelligibility. 9 patients with a relatively flat, moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss were evaluated in the clinic and for daily listening situations while wearing conventional broad-frequency hearing aids with an upper range of about 4 500 Hz. They were also evaluated under these same circumstances with a hearing aid that reduces low frequencies and extends the high frequencies to nearly 6 500 Hz. Results indicate that these patients performed better and perferred the hearing aid that extends the high and reduces the low frequencies, particularly in noisy places. As a group, they did not prefer this type of amplification in quite listening situations.", "contents": "The use of high-pass amplification for broad-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Recent research suggests that persons with sensorineural hearing impairment should derive extra benefit from amplification that eliminates or greatly reduces low frequencies, i.e. frequencies below 1 500 or 2 000 Hz. Such amplification seems to reduce the detrimental effects of the upward spread of masking on speech intelligibility, especially when listening in noisy environments. Also, current research indicates that extended high-frequency amplification, between 4 000 and 6 500 Hz is especially beneficial for optimal speech intelligibility. 9 patients with a relatively flat, moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss were evaluated in the clinic and for daily listening situations while wearing conventional broad-frequency hearing aids with an upper range of about 4 500 Hz. They were also evaluated under these same circumstances with a hearing aid that reduces low frequencies and extends the high frequencies to nearly 6 500 Hz. Results indicate that these patients performed better and perferred the hearing aid that extends the high and reduces the low frequencies, particularly in noisy places. As a group, they did not prefer this type of amplification in quite listening situations.", "PMID": 623551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5015", "title": "Auditory processing disorders and problems with hearing-aid fitting in old age.", "content": "The hearing handicap experienced by elderly subjects depends only partially on end-organ impairment. Not only the neural unit loss along the central auditory pathways contributes to decreased speech discrimination, but also learning processes are slowed down. Diotic listening in elderly people seems to fasten learning of discrimination in critical conditions, as in the case of sensitized speech. This fact, and the binaural gain through the binaural release from masking, stress the superiority, on theoretical grounds, of binaural over monaural hearing-aid fitting.", "contents": "Auditory processing disorders and problems with hearing-aid fitting in old age. The hearing handicap experienced by elderly subjects depends only partially on end-organ impairment. Not only the neural unit loss along the central auditory pathways contributes to decreased speech discrimination, but also learning processes are slowed down. Diotic listening in elderly people seems to fasten learning of discrimination in critical conditions, as in the case of sensitized speech. This fact, and the binaural gain through the binaural release from masking, stress the superiority, on theoretical grounds, of binaural over monaural hearing-aid fitting.", "PMID": 623552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5016", "title": "Psychology of the hearing-impaired and differential psychological reactions to prosthetic rehabilitation.", "content": "The present paper discusses the results of classic research on psychological aspects of the hearing impaired and emphasizes the fact that, today, because of the possibility of early hearing aid fitting, the psychological profile of the hearing impaired presents differential features depending upon several factors. In particular, the influence of the mother's education attitude on the psychological reactions to prosthetic rehabilitation and its efficacy depending upon the degree of prosthesis acceptance are analyzed. Finally, the relationship between the hearing aid use and language development is considered.", "contents": "Psychology of the hearing-impaired and differential psychological reactions to prosthetic rehabilitation. The present paper discusses the results of classic research on psychological aspects of the hearing impaired and emphasizes the fact that, today, because of the possibility of early hearing aid fitting, the psychological profile of the hearing impaired presents differential features depending upon several factors. In particular, the influence of the mother's education attitude on the psychological reactions to prosthetic rehabilitation and its efficacy depending upon the degree of prosthesis acceptance are analyzed. Finally, the relationship between the hearing aid use and language development is considered.", "PMID": 623553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5017", "title": "Comparison of analysis techniques for electromyographic data.", "content": "Electromyography has been effectively employed to estimate the stress encountered by muscles in performing a variety of functions in the static environment. Such analysis provides the basis for modification of a man-machine system in order to optimize the performances of individual tasks by reducing muscle stress. Myriad analysis methods have been proposed and employed to convert raw electromyographic data into numerical indices of stress and, more specifically, muscle work. However, the type of analysis technique applied to the data can significantly affect the outcome of the experiment. In this study, four methods of analysis are employed to simultaneously process electromyographic data from the flexor muscles of the forearm. The methods of analysis include: 1) integrated EMG (three separate time constants), 2) root mean square voltage, 3) peak height discrimination (three level), and 4) turns counting (two methods). Mechanical stress input as applied to the arm of the subjects includes static load and vibration. The results of the study indicate the comparative sensitivity of each of the techniques to changes in EMG resulting from changes in static and dynamic load on the muscle.", "contents": "Comparison of analysis techniques for electromyographic data. Electromyography has been effectively employed to estimate the stress encountered by muscles in performing a variety of functions in the static environment. Such analysis provides the basis for modification of a man-machine system in order to optimize the performances of individual tasks by reducing muscle stress. Myriad analysis methods have been proposed and employed to convert raw electromyographic data into numerical indices of stress and, more specifically, muscle work. However, the type of analysis technique applied to the data can significantly affect the outcome of the experiment. In this study, four methods of analysis are employed to simultaneously process electromyographic data from the flexor muscles of the forearm. The methods of analysis include: 1) integrated EMG (three separate time constants), 2) root mean square voltage, 3) peak height discrimination (three level), and 4) turns counting (two methods). Mechanical stress input as applied to the arm of the subjects includes static load and vibration. The results of the study indicate the comparative sensitivity of each of the techniques to changes in EMG resulting from changes in static and dynamic load on the muscle.", "PMID": 623560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5018", "title": "Auditory processing of speech and its implications with respect to prosthetic rehabilitation. The bioengineering viewpoint.", "content": "A significant approach to medical problems from a bioengineering viewpoint generally implies the description of the biological system behaviour in terms of mathematical models. Some general considerations are reported about biological mathematical models and a short summary is given about the state of the art as far as the acoustical system is concerned. Finally, a general procedure is presented which makes use of mathematical models to conceive and analyse new prosthetic aids for the severely deaf.", "contents": "Auditory processing of speech and its implications with respect to prosthetic rehabilitation. The bioengineering viewpoint. A significant approach to medical problems from a bioengineering viewpoint generally implies the description of the biological system behaviour in terms of mathematical models. Some general considerations are reported about biological mathematical models and a short summary is given about the state of the art as far as the acoustical system is concerned. Finally, a general procedure is presented which makes use of mathematical models to conceive and analyse new prosthetic aids for the severely deaf.", "PMID": 623554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5019", "title": "Cosmic ray effects on the eyes of rats flown on Cosmos No. 782, experimental K-007.", "content": "The eyes from six rats were fixed at the recovery site in Russia after they had circled the earth for 19.5 d in a 62.8 degree orbit. The eyes of six more flight rats were fixed 25 d later. These two preparations and eyes exposed to 1000 rad of neon and argon were compared to obtain data on possible radiation effects on the retina. Most of the flight eye tissue was normal; however, necrotic nuclei were found in the outer nuclear layer and channels were located in the outer segment area. Macrophages were seen between the pigment layer and outer segments. Comparison of the Day zero znd 25-d postflight eyes suggested some possible recovery. Light flashes seen by space travelers and damage from cosmic rays appear to arise from two different sites of interaction. The flashes are created by cosmic ray transversal of the outer segments while pathologic change, when it occurs, is quite possibly from interaction with some part of the nucleus. Nevertheless, direct interaction with other cellular components could also occur. Other factors, such as secondaries from spacecraft shielding, may play an important role.", "contents": "Cosmic ray effects on the eyes of rats flown on Cosmos No. 782, experimental K-007. The eyes from six rats were fixed at the recovery site in Russia after they had circled the earth for 19.5 d in a 62.8 degree orbit. The eyes of six more flight rats were fixed 25 d later. These two preparations and eyes exposed to 1000 rad of neon and argon were compared to obtain data on possible radiation effects on the retina. Most of the flight eye tissue was normal; however, necrotic nuclei were found in the outer nuclear layer and channels were located in the outer segment area. Macrophages were seen between the pigment layer and outer segments. Comparison of the Day zero znd 25-d postflight eyes suggested some possible recovery. Light flashes seen by space travelers and damage from cosmic rays appear to arise from two different sites of interaction. The flashes are created by cosmic ray transversal of the outer segments while pathologic change, when it occurs, is quite possibly from interaction with some part of the nucleus. Nevertheless, direct interaction with other cellular components could also occur. Other factors, such as secondaries from spacecraft shielding, may play an important role.", "PMID": 623561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5020", "title": "BOEL screening: a program for the early detection of communicative disorders. Preliminary reports from a study on 1,000 Finnish infants.", "content": "Programs for infant screening of communicative disorders should cover the need for information about the development of attention functions--auditory, visual and tactile at an age when the child is on the doorstep of speech acquisition, i.e. before 1 year of age. BOEL is a new screening test, constructed to cheek the capacity of giving priority to signals for hearing, sight and motor attention in infants around 8 months of age. The child's innate program to follow an interesting signal, grasp it and investigate it with his mouth, turn his head after it, and smile responsively is tested with the help of two visual stimuli and four sound sources, ranging between 4 000 and 12 500 Hz. BOEL is meant to be used within the routine health check-ups of, for example, well-baby clinics.", "contents": "BOEL screening: a program for the early detection of communicative disorders. Preliminary reports from a study on 1,000 Finnish infants. Programs for infant screening of communicative disorders should cover the need for information about the development of attention functions--auditory, visual and tactile at an age when the child is on the doorstep of speech acquisition, i.e. before 1 year of age. BOEL is a new screening test, constructed to cheek the capacity of giving priority to signals for hearing, sight and motor attention in infants around 8 months of age. The child's innate program to follow an interesting signal, grasp it and investigate it with his mouth, turn his head after it, and smile responsively is tested with the help of two visual stimuli and four sound sources, ranging between 4 000 and 12 500 Hz. BOEL is meant to be used within the routine health check-ups of, for example, well-baby clinics.", "PMID": 623555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5021", "title": "Early discovery of hearing impairment: a critical evaluation of the BOEL test.", "content": "The BOEL test was originally devised for the early discovery of communication disorders in infants. The sound stimuli employed for hearing testing have been calibrated and standardized and any deviation from normal hearing responses to these stimuli indicate a hearing impairment. Since 1971 the BOEL screening program has been applied experimentally in a number of child health centers in Stockholm. Up to 1975, more than 30 000 infants have been examined and approximately 5% have not responded fully regarding visual or tactile attention, auditory, motor or mental functions or social contact. The results of the audiological follow-up are reported. Application of the BOEL hearing subtest proved very effective. It is pointed out that the BOEL test covers not only hearing defects but also other communication malfunctions and as such it is a more useful technique than simple hearing screening methods.", "contents": "Early discovery of hearing impairment: a critical evaluation of the BOEL test. The BOEL test was originally devised for the early discovery of communication disorders in infants. The sound stimuli employed for hearing testing have been calibrated and standardized and any deviation from normal hearing responses to these stimuli indicate a hearing impairment. Since 1971 the BOEL screening program has been applied experimentally in a number of child health centers in Stockholm. Up to 1975, more than 30 000 infants have been examined and approximately 5% have not responded fully regarding visual or tactile attention, auditory, motor or mental functions or social contact. The results of the audiological follow-up are reported. Application of the BOEL hearing subtest proved very effective. It is pointed out that the BOEL test covers not only hearing defects but also other communication malfunctions and as such it is a more useful technique than simple hearing screening methods.", "PMID": 623556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5022", "title": "Radiobiological experiment aboard the biosatellite Cosmos-690.", "content": "In 1974, the USSR launched the biosatellite Cosmos-690 equipped with a gamma-irradiation unit that carried 35 rats. On the 10th flight day, the rats were exposed to radiation at doses of 220 or 800 rads. During the subsequent 10 d, radiation injury developed in a space environment. Similar ground-based experiments were carried out to simulate space flight environment effects. The results obtained were studied on a comparative basis. The conclusion is made that effects of a short-term space flight, as long as 20 d, do not essentially modify the radiobiological effect.", "contents": "Radiobiological experiment aboard the biosatellite Cosmos-690. In 1974, the USSR launched the biosatellite Cosmos-690 equipped with a gamma-irradiation unit that carried 35 rats. On the 10th flight day, the rats were exposed to radiation at doses of 220 or 800 rads. During the subsequent 10 d, radiation injury developed in a space environment. Similar ground-based experiments were carried out to simulate space flight environment effects. The results obtained were studied on a comparative basis. The conclusion is made that effects of a short-term space flight, as long as 20 d, do not essentially modify the radiobiological effect.", "PMID": 623562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5023", "title": "Vitamins limiting for growth of subjects fed a normal diet under hyperbaric He-O2 conditions.", "content": "A growth study was conducted of rats continuously exposed for 4 weeks to ambient air, 1 ATA He-O2, or 11 ATA He-O2 conditions and fed one of 16 diets. The diets were the standard diet alone (adequate according to National Research Council standards); the standard diet with additional casein (50%), fat (25%), and all vitamins (25%); or the standard diet with all vitamins (25%), or all vitamins increased (25%) except one, which was supplied at the standard level. The standard diet was inadequate to support a normal rate of growth when fed under 11 ATA He-O2 conditions. Supplemental casein, fat, and vitamins or all vitamins alone adequately provided nutrients necessary for a normal rate of growth by hyperbaric exposed rats. The standard levels of thiamine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and vitamin K were inadequate and the standard levels of niacin, and vitamins A, D, and E were marginal in supporting growth when fed under hyperbaric conditions.", "contents": "Vitamins limiting for growth of subjects fed a normal diet under hyperbaric He-O2 conditions. A growth study was conducted of rats continuously exposed for 4 weeks to ambient air, 1 ATA He-O2, or 11 ATA He-O2 conditions and fed one of 16 diets. The diets were the standard diet alone (adequate according to National Research Council standards); the standard diet with additional casein (50%), fat (25%), and all vitamins (25%); or the standard diet with all vitamins (25%), or all vitamins increased (25%) except one, which was supplied at the standard level. The standard diet was inadequate to support a normal rate of growth when fed under 11 ATA He-O2 conditions. Supplemental casein, fat, and vitamins or all vitamins alone adequately provided nutrients necessary for a normal rate of growth by hyperbaric exposed rats. The standard levels of thiamine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and vitamin K were inadequate and the standard levels of niacin, and vitamins A, D, and E were marginal in supporting growth when fed under hyperbaric conditions.", "PMID": 623563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5024", "title": "Subjective magnitude of auditory impairment. A pilot study.", "content": "A study of two samples (one in London, the other in Cairo) of patients who were suffering from an impairment of hearing showed that the subjective magnitude of auditory handicap was significantly correlated to the average hearing level at 2 000 Hz for the two ears. For both samples, the subjective magnitude of the auditory handicap was shown to be a power function of the hearing loss expressed in terms of the sound pressure corresponding to the threshold of hearing. The exponents in the power function applying to the two samples were similar. Age, sex and pain threshold did not influence the estimation of the subjective magnitude of auditory handicap in this study.", "contents": "Subjective magnitude of auditory impairment. A pilot study. A study of two samples (one in London, the other in Cairo) of patients who were suffering from an impairment of hearing showed that the subjective magnitude of auditory handicap was significantly correlated to the average hearing level at 2 000 Hz for the two ears. For both samples, the subjective magnitude of the auditory handicap was shown to be a power function of the hearing loss expressed in terms of the sound pressure corresponding to the threshold of hearing. The exponents in the power function applying to the two samples were similar. Age, sex and pain threshold did not influence the estimation of the subjective magnitude of auditory handicap in this study.", "PMID": 623557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5025", "title": "Relationships between ambient, cockpit, and pilot temperatures during routine air operations.", "content": "Thermal data obtained from aircraft flying routine sorties from RAF Germany in summer have been reduced to a form suitable for statistical analysis by describing thermal stress in terms of a modified wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, and thermal strain in terms of mean body temperature (Tb). Ambient temperature could be related to cockpit temperature, and cockpit temperature to pilot Tb, by linear equations of positive slope. Relationships between Tb and sortie time could be represented by exponential equations. The relationships between cockpit temperature and sortie time could also, in fixed-wing aircraft, be described by exponential equations, although in helicopters the relationships were better described by linear equations of negative slope. Models capable of predicting cockpit thermal stress and aircrew thermal strain given ambient temperature and sortie time have been constructed. These provide a description of the temperature relationships within aircraft during flight.", "contents": "Relationships between ambient, cockpit, and pilot temperatures during routine air operations. Thermal data obtained from aircraft flying routine sorties from RAF Germany in summer have been reduced to a form suitable for statistical analysis by describing thermal stress in terms of a modified wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, and thermal strain in terms of mean body temperature (Tb). Ambient temperature could be related to cockpit temperature, and cockpit temperature to pilot Tb, by linear equations of positive slope. Relationships between Tb and sortie time could be represented by exponential equations. The relationships between cockpit temperature and sortie time could also, in fixed-wing aircraft, be described by exponential equations, although in helicopters the relationships were better described by linear equations of negative slope. Models capable of predicting cockpit thermal stress and aircrew thermal strain given ambient temperature and sortie time have been constructed. These provide a description of the temperature relationships within aircraft during flight.", "PMID": 623564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5026", "title": "Differential diagnostic value of tympanometry in adhesive processes and otosclerosis.", "content": "280 tympanograms were recorded in sound-conductive hearing loss to assess their value in the differential diagnosis of otosclerosis and adhesive process. A normal tympanogram can be recorded in otosclerosis, In 48% of adhesive processes a more or less normal impedance pattern can be demonstrated. Therefore, in evaluating tympanograms in adhesive processes, one must take into consideration the microscopic picture of the eardrum and its mobility.", "contents": "Differential diagnostic value of tympanometry in adhesive processes and otosclerosis. 280 tympanograms were recorded in sound-conductive hearing loss to assess their value in the differential diagnosis of otosclerosis and adhesive process. A normal tympanogram can be recorded in otosclerosis, In 48% of adhesive processes a more or less normal impedance pattern can be demonstrated. Therefore, in evaluating tympanograms in adhesive processes, one must take into consideration the microscopic picture of the eardrum and its mobility.", "PMID": 623558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5027", "title": "Increased secretion of growth hormone, prolactin, antidiuretic hormone, and cortisol induced by the stress of motion sickness.", "content": "The stress of motion sickness was experimentally provoked by Coriolis effect. Significant and reproducible increases from the basal serum level (delta mean +/- S.E.) of antidiuretic hormone delta - ADH: 48.2 +/- 4.6 pg/ml; p less than 0.0005), of growth hormone (delta - hGH: 10.0 +/- 1.2 ng/ml; p less than 0.0005), of prolactin (delta - hPRL: 186.5 +/- 29.9 muU/ml; p less than 0.0005), and of cortisol (delta - F; 12.3 +/- 0.9 microgram%; p less than 0.0005) were observed, whereas the luteinizing hormone levels did not change significantly. The stimulation of hormone secretion induced by different degrees of motion sickness seems to correlate with the severity of motion sickness. The secretion of antidiuretic hormones is the most sensitive indicator for the stress of motion sickness whereas growth hormone, prolactin, and cortisol responses to the stress of motion sickness are more delayed and less pronounced.", "contents": "Increased secretion of growth hormone, prolactin, antidiuretic hormone, and cortisol induced by the stress of motion sickness. The stress of motion sickness was experimentally provoked by Coriolis effect. Significant and reproducible increases from the basal serum level (delta mean +/- S.E.) of antidiuretic hormone delta - ADH: 48.2 +/- 4.6 pg/ml; p less than 0.0005), of growth hormone (delta - hGH: 10.0 +/- 1.2 ng/ml; p less than 0.0005), of prolactin (delta - hPRL: 186.5 +/- 29.9 muU/ml; p less than 0.0005), and of cortisol (delta - F; 12.3 +/- 0.9 microgram%; p less than 0.0005) were observed, whereas the luteinizing hormone levels did not change significantly. The stimulation of hormone secretion induced by different degrees of motion sickness seems to correlate with the severity of motion sickness. The secretion of antidiuretic hormones is the most sensitive indicator for the stress of motion sickness whereas growth hormone, prolactin, and cortisol responses to the stress of motion sickness are more delayed and less pronounced.", "PMID": 623565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5028", "title": "Increased urinary excretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and decreased serum thyreotropic hormone (TSH) induced by motion sickness.", "content": "We exposed 35 male subjects to a rotary chair and motion sickness was provoked by Coriolis effect. This stress caused an increased excretion of urinary T3 and T4 and a decrease of TSH levels in serum. The increment in urinary excretion of thyroid hormones may serve as a very useful measure for the quantitation of physical stress. Although no statistically significant change of T3, T4, and TBG levels in serum could be observed by the employed techniques, the hypothesis is favoured that motion sickness probably causes an immeasurably small increase of the free thyroid hormone fraction in serum, thereby increasing urinary excretion of T3 and T4 and, in turn, decreasing TSH secretion. Physical or psychological stress situations involve most of the endocrine systems. Contadictory results have been reported in the literature concerning the relationship between thyroid function and stress.", "contents": "Increased urinary excretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and decreased serum thyreotropic hormone (TSH) induced by motion sickness. We exposed 35 male subjects to a rotary chair and motion sickness was provoked by Coriolis effect. This stress caused an increased excretion of urinary T3 and T4 and a decrease of TSH levels in serum. The increment in urinary excretion of thyroid hormones may serve as a very useful measure for the quantitation of physical stress. Although no statistically significant change of T3, T4, and TBG levels in serum could be observed by the employed techniques, the hypothesis is favoured that motion sickness probably causes an immeasurably small increase of the free thyroid hormone fraction in serum, thereby increasing urinary excretion of T3 and T4 and, in turn, decreasing TSH secretion. Physical or psychological stress situations involve most of the endocrine systems. Contadictory results have been reported in the literature concerning the relationship between thyroid function and stress.", "PMID": 623566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5029", "title": "Alterations in erythrocyte survival parameters in rats after 19.5 days aboard Cosmos 782.", "content": "Rats were subjected to 19.5 d of weightless space flight aboard the Soviet biosatellite, Cosmos 782. Based on the output of 14CO, survival parameters of a cohort of erythrocytes labeled 15.5 d preflight were evaluated upon return from orbit. These were compared to vivarium control rats injected at the same time. Statistical evaluation indicates that all survival factors were altered by the space flight. The mean potential lifespan, which was 63.0 d in the control rats, was decreased to 59.0 d in the flight rats, and random hemolysis was increased three-fold in the flight rats. The measured size of the cohort was decreased, lending further support to the idea that hemolysis was accelerated during some portion of the flight. A number of factors that might be contributory to these changes are discussed, including forces associated with launch and reentry, atmospheric and environmental parameters, dietary factors, radiation, and weightlessness.", "contents": "Alterations in erythrocyte survival parameters in rats after 19.5 days aboard Cosmos 782. Rats were subjected to 19.5 d of weightless space flight aboard the Soviet biosatellite, Cosmos 782. Based on the output of 14CO, survival parameters of a cohort of erythrocytes labeled 15.5 d preflight were evaluated upon return from orbit. These were compared to vivarium control rats injected at the same time. Statistical evaluation indicates that all survival factors were altered by the space flight. The mean potential lifespan, which was 63.0 d in the control rats, was decreased to 59.0 d in the flight rats, and random hemolysis was increased three-fold in the flight rats. The measured size of the cohort was decreased, lending further support to the idea that hemolysis was accelerated during some portion of the flight. A number of factors that might be contributory to these changes are discussed, including forces associated with launch and reentry, atmospheric and environmental parameters, dietary factors, radiation, and weightlessness.", "PMID": 623567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5030", "title": "Low atmospheric pressure effects on wearing soft contact lenses.", "content": "The majority of all research in the field of contact lenses has taken place in a normal, ground-level environment. The purpose of this study was to determine if any changes occurred in wearing hydrophilic soft lenses under conditions of low atmospheric pressures. The effects on visual acuity, refraction, keratometry, and biomicroscopy were investigated with eight naval volunteers while wearing soft contact lenses at simulated altitudes up to 30,000 ft (9144 m) in an aviation hypobaric chamber. The results indicated that the low atmospheric pressure at high atitude in itself did not affect the fit of soft contact lenses.", "contents": "Low atmospheric pressure effects on wearing soft contact lenses. The majority of all research in the field of contact lenses has taken place in a normal, ground-level environment. The purpose of this study was to determine if any changes occurred in wearing hydrophilic soft lenses under conditions of low atmospheric pressures. The effects on visual acuity, refraction, keratometry, and biomicroscopy were investigated with eight naval volunteers while wearing soft contact lenses at simulated altitudes up to 30,000 ft (9144 m) in an aviation hypobaric chamber. The results indicated that the low atmospheric pressure at high atitude in itself did not affect the fit of soft contact lenses.", "PMID": 623568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5031", "title": "Psychogenic G-force intolerance revisited.", "content": "Three cases of psychogenic G-force intolerance are presented with a discussion of common factors. This syndrome was first described in 1958 but there has been no attention to it in the aeromedical literature since then. The significant common factor in these cases appears to be inadequate or inappropriate motivation.", "contents": "Psychogenic G-force intolerance revisited. Three cases of psychogenic G-force intolerance are presented with a discussion of common factors. This syndrome was first described in 1958 but there has been no attention to it in the aeromedical literature since then. The significant common factor in these cases appears to be inadequate or inappropriate motivation.", "PMID": 623569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5032", "title": "Hypertension in the civilian flying population: significant or not?", "content": "Hypertension is a significant illness that affects a large portion of the population of the United States. We have determined the extent of this illness within the civilian pilot population of the U.S. We reviewed data pertaining to the current prevalence of hypertension in the general population and compared these results to similar data on the pilot population. Though there are some limitations to a direct comparison of these data, we found the pilot population to be significantly different from the general population. The prevalence of hypertension in the general population was 30 times greater than for pilots. Though the overall prevalence in pilots was small, we still consider hypertension to be a significant illness in this group.", "contents": "Hypertension in the civilian flying population: significant or not? Hypertension is a significant illness that affects a large portion of the population of the United States. We have determined the extent of this illness within the civilian pilot population of the U.S. We reviewed data pertaining to the current prevalence of hypertension in the general population and compared these results to similar data on the pilot population. Though there are some limitations to a direct comparison of these data, we found the pilot population to be significantly different from the general population. The prevalence of hypertension in the general population was 30 times greater than for pilots. Though the overall prevalence in pilots was small, we still consider hypertension to be a significant illness in this group.", "PMID": 623570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5033", "title": "Guidelines for defining and disposing of medical waste.", "content": "Considerations of ecology, public health hazards, and rising health costs have been critically reevaluated in the matter of appropriate medical waste disposal at nursing homes and hospitals. The Maryland Department of Health has intermittently received reports from the public of human tissues, bandages, and other inappropriate, unaesthetic materials visible in landfill areas. The Department has experienced increasing concern for communicable disease transmission, e.g. hepatitis, to landfill waste handlers and to the general public. Incineration had been considered as an alternative to landfilling of medical wastes, but fear of increasing hospital costs dampened initial enthusiasm for this possibility, particularly when coupled with fears of air pollution by smoke and noxious fumes generated by incineration. Other problems requiring resolution were conflicting definitions of medical waste and disposal requirements by federal, state, and local regulatory bodies. On-site incineration of all waste generated at hospitals is proposed as an economical and ecologically feasible solution to this public health problem in Maryland.", "contents": "Guidelines for defining and disposing of medical waste. Considerations of ecology, public health hazards, and rising health costs have been critically reevaluated in the matter of appropriate medical waste disposal at nursing homes and hospitals. The Maryland Department of Health has intermittently received reports from the public of human tissues, bandages, and other inappropriate, unaesthetic materials visible in landfill areas. The Department has experienced increasing concern for communicable disease transmission, e.g. hepatitis, to landfill waste handlers and to the general public. Incineration had been considered as an alternative to landfilling of medical wastes, but fear of increasing hospital costs dampened initial enthusiasm for this possibility, particularly when coupled with fears of air pollution by smoke and noxious fumes generated by incineration. Other problems requiring resolution were conflicting definitions of medical waste and disposal requirements by federal, state, and local regulatory bodies. On-site incineration of all waste generated at hospitals is proposed as an economical and ecologically feasible solution to this public health problem in Maryland.", "PMID": 623571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5034", "title": "Nonlinear numerical prediction of human head/helmet crash impact response.", "content": "A nonlinear, finite-element, model is used to examine the biodynamic impact response to helmeted and unhelmeted headforms having human response characteristics. The human response headform is modeled as a spherical brain of nearly incompressible material, a covering of linear elastic dura, a linear elastic spherical skull, and a layer of nonlinear scalp material. The helmet system is modeled as a partially spherical, highly nonlinear, helmet liner material and a linear elastic fiberglass helmet outer shell. In the case of unhelmeted head impact, the brain pressure response predictions made with the model achieve good qualitative correlation with experiments on impacted human cadaver heads. The model is then used to investigate the response attenuating characteristics of a range of nonresilient helmet liner materials. The results of the study establish the importance of matching surrogate structural compliance and mechanical impedance to that of the human system being simulated if proper assessment of safety system performance is to be achieved.", "contents": "Nonlinear numerical prediction of human head/helmet crash impact response. A nonlinear, finite-element, model is used to examine the biodynamic impact response to helmeted and unhelmeted headforms having human response characteristics. The human response headform is modeled as a spherical brain of nearly incompressible material, a covering of linear elastic dura, a linear elastic spherical skull, and a layer of nonlinear scalp material. The helmet system is modeled as a partially spherical, highly nonlinear, helmet liner material and a linear elastic fiberglass helmet outer shell. In the case of unhelmeted head impact, the brain pressure response predictions made with the model achieve good qualitative correlation with experiments on impacted human cadaver heads. The model is then used to investigate the response attenuating characteristics of a range of nonresilient helmet liner materials. The results of the study establish the importance of matching surrogate structural compliance and mechanical impedance to that of the human system being simulated if proper assessment of safety system performance is to be achieved.", "PMID": 623574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5035", "title": "Evaluation of biomechanical response and potential injury from thoracic impact.", "content": "An analytical model for the anteroposterior thoracic impact response of the human thorax is investigated to: 1) establish a comparison between the model and available cadaver data for blunt impacts, 2) demonstrate typical force, deflection, and acceleration impact response characteristics as well as additional parameters, such as stored and dissipated energies and associated powers, and 3) develop biomechanical response characteristics for frontal impacts of varying severity (i.e., mass: 2-26 kg and velocity: 2-24 m/s) within the range of model applicability. The analysis provides fundamental relationships between thoracic impact characteristics and biomechanical response and human injury potential.", "contents": "Evaluation of biomechanical response and potential injury from thoracic impact. An analytical model for the anteroposterior thoracic impact response of the human thorax is investigated to: 1) establish a comparison between the model and available cadaver data for blunt impacts, 2) demonstrate typical force, deflection, and acceleration impact response characteristics as well as additional parameters, such as stored and dissipated energies and associated powers, and 3) develop biomechanical response characteristics for frontal impacts of varying severity (i.e., mass: 2-26 kg and velocity: 2-24 m/s) within the range of model applicability. The analysis provides fundamental relationships between thoracic impact characteristics and biomechanical response and human injury potential.", "PMID": 623575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5036", "title": "Biodynamic finite element models used in brain injury research.", "content": "Three-dimensional finite models for the monkey, baboon, and human brains have been developed and are described. Isoparametric brick elements and membrane elements represent the soft tissue and partitioning internal folds of dura, respectively. By specifying the finite element mesh on the skull inner surface, the irregular shape of the brain is generated. Each model is subjected to the same skull acceleration to investigate response relationships between species. Important dynamic response differences are revealed by comparing the computed intracranial pressures. Experimentally derived head injury data are correlated with model dynamic responses. Using the baboon and monkey models, brain injury tests are simulated and model response measures are compared to produced injury. Using the human model, computed stresses are compared to intracranial pressures measured in cadaver impact tests.", "contents": "Biodynamic finite element models used in brain injury research. Three-dimensional finite models for the monkey, baboon, and human brains have been developed and are described. Isoparametric brick elements and membrane elements represent the soft tissue and partitioning internal folds of dura, respectively. By specifying the finite element mesh on the skull inner surface, the irregular shape of the brain is generated. Each model is subjected to the same skull acceleration to investigate response relationships between species. Important dynamic response differences are revealed by comparing the computed intracranial pressures. Experimentally derived head injury data are correlated with model dynamic responses. Using the baboon and monkey models, brain injury tests are simulated and model response measures are compared to produced injury. Using the human model, computed stresses are compared to intracranial pressures measured in cadaver impact tests.", "PMID": 623576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5037", "title": "Finite element dynamic structural model of the human thorax for chest impact response and injury studies.", "content": "The component model modal synthesis technique has been successfully adapted to the finite element structural dynamic model of the human thorax for chest impact response and injury studies. The complete thorax was modeled as an assembly of a thorax module with viscera subsystems. The module was further subdivided into rib components. Major model development was conducted at the component level to provide cost saving and modeling flexibility. The results show that the thorax can be successfully treated as a linear system. A two-step procedure was developed to obtain viscera response. The analysis results of THORAX III, a first cut thorax model, were favorably compared with Kroell-Nahum cadaver experiments. The sensitivity of the chest response due to variation in input pulse shape and peak force were analyzed. The pulse shape can affect the force-deflection relationships while peak force affects the peak response. Further sensitivity studies and experiments are proposed.", "contents": "Finite element dynamic structural model of the human thorax for chest impact response and injury studies. The component model modal synthesis technique has been successfully adapted to the finite element structural dynamic model of the human thorax for chest impact response and injury studies. The complete thorax was modeled as an assembly of a thorax module with viscera subsystems. The module was further subdivided into rib components. Major model development was conducted at the component level to provide cost saving and modeling flexibility. The results show that the thorax can be successfully treated as a linear system. A two-step procedure was developed to obtain viscera response. The analysis results of THORAX III, a first cut thorax model, were favorably compared with Kroell-Nahum cadaver experiments. The sensitivity of the chest response due to variation in input pulse shape and peak force were analyzed. The pulse shape can affect the force-deflection relationships while peak force affects the peak response. Further sensitivity studies and experiments are proposed.", "PMID": 623577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5038", "title": "Identification and classification of vertebral fractures following emergency capsule egress from military aircraft.", "content": "This paper deals with systematically classifying the type, level, and severity of traumatic lesions to the spinal column associated with the crew module escape system. Its objectives are to describe characteristic spinal injury encountered in the crew escape module and to shed additional light on the pathomechanics and dynamics of spinal column damage. An analysis of this type is necessary for complete understanding of the clinical, roentgenographic, and pathological findings. Knowledge of the orthopaedic biomechanics of injury is required before the factors responsible for spinal injury are identified and meaningful corrective actions are taken.", "contents": "Identification and classification of vertebral fractures following emergency capsule egress from military aircraft. This paper deals with systematically classifying the type, level, and severity of traumatic lesions to the spinal column associated with the crew module escape system. Its objectives are to describe characteristic spinal injury encountered in the crew escape module and to shed additional light on the pathomechanics and dynamics of spinal column damage. An analysis of this type is necessary for complete understanding of the clinical, roentgenographic, and pathological findings. Knowledge of the orthopaedic biomechanics of injury is required before the factors responsible for spinal injury are identified and meaningful corrective actions are taken.", "PMID": 623578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5039", "title": "Theory and application of a three-dimensional model of the human spine.", "content": "A three-dimensional, discrete model of the human spine, torso, and head was developed for the purpose of evaluating mechanical response in pilot ejection. However, it was developed in sufficient generality to be applicable to other body response problems, such as occupant response in aircraft crash and arbitrary loads on the head-spine system. The anatomy is modelled by a collection of rigid bodies, which represent skeletal segments such as the vertebrae, pelvis, head, and ribs, interconnected by deformable elements, which represent ligaments, cargilagenous joints, viscera and connective tissues. Results are presented for several conditions: different rates of onset, ejection at angles, preejection alignment, and eccentric head loadings. It is shown that slow rates of onset and angling the seat reduce both the peak axial loads and bending moments. In the presence of eccentric head masses, such as helmet-mounted devices, the reflected flexural wave is shown to be the key injury mechanism.", "contents": "Theory and application of a three-dimensional model of the human spine. A three-dimensional, discrete model of the human spine, torso, and head was developed for the purpose of evaluating mechanical response in pilot ejection. However, it was developed in sufficient generality to be applicable to other body response problems, such as occupant response in aircraft crash and arbitrary loads on the head-spine system. The anatomy is modelled by a collection of rigid bodies, which represent skeletal segments such as the vertebrae, pelvis, head, and ribs, interconnected by deformable elements, which represent ligaments, cargilagenous joints, viscera and connective tissues. Results are presented for several conditions: different rates of onset, ejection at angles, preejection alignment, and eccentric head loadings. It is shown that slow rates of onset and angling the seat reduce both the peak axial loads and bending moments. In the presence of eccentric head masses, such as helmet-mounted devices, the reflected flexural wave is shown to be the key injury mechanism.", "PMID": 623579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5040", "title": "Distribution of spinal disc pressures in the seated posture subjected to impact.", "content": "A musculoskeletal model for the human spine developed by the authors is used for this study. The model takes into account the equilibrium of the vertebral bodies, the intervertebral discs and segments of the upper extremities under the influence of all major muscle and joint forces. Linear programming techniques are used to obtain the muscle load sharing and the disc pressures, based on a preselected linear criterion. The criterion is formulated as a combination of all muscles forces (F), joint forces and ligament action (R,M) with suitable weighting factors, and a minimization is sought of U = F + k1R + k2M. The model is used to study the effect of sudden forward or backward acceleration forces, such as during the impact situation, on the distribution of disc pressures in the spinal column in the unsupported seated posture.", "contents": "Distribution of spinal disc pressures in the seated posture subjected to impact. A musculoskeletal model for the human spine developed by the authors is used for this study. The model takes into account the equilibrium of the vertebral bodies, the intervertebral discs and segments of the upper extremities under the influence of all major muscle and joint forces. Linear programming techniques are used to obtain the muscle load sharing and the disc pressures, based on a preselected linear criterion. The criterion is formulated as a combination of all muscles forces (F), joint forces and ligament action (R,M) with suitable weighting factors, and a minimization is sought of U = F + k1R + k2M. The model is used to study the effect of sudden forward or backward acceleration forces, such as during the impact situation, on the distribution of disc pressures in the spinal column in the unsupported seated posture.", "PMID": 623580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5041", "title": "Analytical model of the fatigue characteristics of bone.", "content": "The existing data for the bending fatigue strength of bone are analyzed to determine the effects of various test procedures for human and bovine bone. Additional experiments, using bovine bone, are presented to evaluate the effects of stress frequency and stress reversal on fatigue life. An analytical model which relates fatigue life to ultimate strength, stress amplitude, stress frequency, and stress reversal is developed.", "contents": "Analytical model of the fatigue characteristics of bone. The existing data for the bending fatigue strength of bone are analyzed to determine the effects of various test procedures for human and bovine bone. Additional experiments, using bovine bone, are presented to evaluate the effects of stress frequency and stress reversal on fatigue life. An analytical model which relates fatigue life to ultimate strength, stress amplitude, stress frequency, and stress reversal is developed.", "PMID": 623581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5042", "title": "Systems identification scheme for the estimation of the linear viscoelastic properties of the intervertebral disc.", "content": "In recent years, traumas due to pilot ejection, automobile accidents, etc., have generated much interest in the biomechanical modelling of the responses of the human spine to high rates of loading. The predicted responses of these models, however, are dependent on the assumed mechanical properties of the discs and vertebrae. The knowledge of these mechanical properties constitute an important aspect of any mathematical model of the spine, i.e., in both quasistatic and dynamic simulations.", "contents": "Systems identification scheme for the estimation of the linear viscoelastic properties of the intervertebral disc. In recent years, traumas due to pilot ejection, automobile accidents, etc., have generated much interest in the biomechanical modelling of the responses of the human spine to high rates of loading. The predicted responses of these models, however, are dependent on the assumed mechanical properties of the discs and vertebrae. The knowledge of these mechanical properties constitute an important aspect of any mathematical model of the spine, i.e., in both quasistatic and dynamic simulations.", "PMID": 623582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5043", "title": "Biodynamic model of a parachutist.", "content": "A three-dimensional, gross-motion, finite-segment model of a parachutist is presented. The model is a modification of the UCIN Crash Victim Simulation Code. It is designed for study and analysis of the effects of opening shock and wind loading on the dynamics of a parachutist. The model consists of 11 rigid bodies linked together to simulate the human figure of a parachutist. Springs and dampers are used to model the joint forces and moments. The parachute forces are modelled by riser forces applied to the torso of the model. The wind loading is modelled as a profile drag force on each body of the model. The governing dynamical equations of motion for the system are coded into a computer program and they are then integrated numerically. Comparison with experimental data on parachutist head acceleration shows good agreement between model and experiment.", "contents": "Biodynamic model of a parachutist. A three-dimensional, gross-motion, finite-segment model of a parachutist is presented. The model is a modification of the UCIN Crash Victim Simulation Code. It is designed for study and analysis of the effects of opening shock and wind loading on the dynamics of a parachutist. The model consists of 11 rigid bodies linked together to simulate the human figure of a parachutist. Springs and dampers are used to model the joint forces and moments. The parachute forces are modelled by riser forces applied to the torso of the model. The wind loading is modelled as a profile drag force on each body of the model. The governing dynamical equations of motion for the system are coded into a computer program and they are then integrated numerically. Comparison with experimental data on parachutist head acceleration shows good agreement between model and experiment.", "PMID": 623583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5044", "title": "Aerodynamic forces exerted on an articulated human body subjected to windblast.", "content": "A potential flow solution is presented for estimating the pressure distribution around the forearm of a human body subjected to windblast. The forearm is examined in three positions: resting and pressing against an armrest; resting, but not pressing against and armrest; and not resting at all against any surface. Results show that a high-speed wind stream approaching the limb at some finite angle of attack has a tendency to dislodge the forearm from a surface with which it is in contact. This is due to the generation of stagnation points in the flow which lead to adverse pressure gradients as high as six times the free-stream dynamic pressure. When the inviscid analysis is corrected for the effects of flow separation, it is possible to predict the presence of a pressure drag which acts to throw the forearm outward, away from the thorax. Both of these effects increase with angle of attack and they are mildly dependent on the taper of the forearm geometry.", "contents": "Aerodynamic forces exerted on an articulated human body subjected to windblast. A potential flow solution is presented for estimating the pressure distribution around the forearm of a human body subjected to windblast. The forearm is examined in three positions: resting and pressing against an armrest; resting, but not pressing against and armrest; and not resting at all against any surface. Results show that a high-speed wind stream approaching the limb at some finite angle of attack has a tendency to dislodge the forearm from a surface with which it is in contact. This is due to the generation of stagnation points in the flow which lead to adverse pressure gradients as high as six times the free-stream dynamic pressure. When the inviscid analysis is corrected for the effects of flow separation, it is possible to predict the presence of a pressure drag which acts to throw the forearm outward, away from the thorax. Both of these effects increase with angle of attack and they are mildly dependent on the taper of the forearm geometry.", "PMID": 623584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5045", "title": "Validation of the CALSPAN gross-motion-simulation code with actually occurring injury patterns in aircraft accidents.", "content": "Digital simulation of aircraft-accident kinematics has heretofore been used almost exclusively as a design tool to explore structural load limits, precalculate decelerative forces at various cabin stations, and describe the effect of protective devices in the crash environment. In an effort to determine the value of digital computer simulation of fatal aircraft accidents, a fatality involving an ejection-system failure (out-of-envelope ejection) was modeled, and the injuries actually incurred were compared to those predicted; good agreement was found. The simulation of fatal aircraft accidents is advantageous because of a well-defined endpoint (death), lack of therapeutic intervention, and a static anatomic situation that can be minutely investigated. Such simulation techniques are a useful tool in the study of experimental trauma.", "contents": "Validation of the CALSPAN gross-motion-simulation code with actually occurring injury patterns in aircraft accidents. Digital simulation of aircraft-accident kinematics has heretofore been used almost exclusively as a design tool to explore structural load limits, precalculate decelerative forces at various cabin stations, and describe the effect of protective devices in the crash environment. In an effort to determine the value of digital computer simulation of fatal aircraft accidents, a fatality involving an ejection-system failure (out-of-envelope ejection) was modeled, and the injuries actually incurred were compared to those predicted; good agreement was found. The simulation of fatal aircraft accidents is advantageous because of a well-defined endpoint (death), lack of therapeutic intervention, and a static anatomic situation that can be minutely investigated. Such simulation techniques are a useful tool in the study of experimental trauma.", "PMID": 623585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5046", "title": "Mathematical modeling of the head and neck response to -Gx impact accelration (minimum articulation requirements).", "content": "Data on the dynamic response of the living human head and neck to -Gx impact acceleration was analyzed. The Calspan 3-D Computer Simulator of a Motor Vehicle Crash Victim was used to provide estimates of the head and neck response to be expected for the very specific deceleration profiles simulated. Two segments connected via a pivot were used to represent the head-neck system. The monitored T1 deceleration profile was used to drive this system and the simulation head-neck response was checked for accuracy in replicating motional characteristics and trends in the response mechanism. Two head pivot locations were considered. The first was the occipital condylar point and the second was a theorized hingepoint in the head which minimized the distance from this point to the T1 anatomical coordinate system over the range of body orientations observed in the photographic data. For the two geometrical representations, a successive approximation technique was employed to analyze the resulting data. This approach initially removed all constraints to head and neck motion, and the resulting simulation results were compared to the human data. Restrictions to head and neck motion were then successively added until an adequate replication of the human data was obtained. This approach made it possible to correlate specific events, such as loading of the head-to-neck dorsiflexion limiting angle, to head deceleration profile characteristics. Results were compared to calculations obtained for eight additional subjects and proved to be in good agreement.", "contents": "Mathematical modeling of the head and neck response to -Gx impact accelration (minimum articulation requirements). Data on the dynamic response of the living human head and neck to -Gx impact acceleration was analyzed. The Calspan 3-D Computer Simulator of a Motor Vehicle Crash Victim was used to provide estimates of the head and neck response to be expected for the very specific deceleration profiles simulated. Two segments connected via a pivot were used to represent the head-neck system. The monitored T1 deceleration profile was used to drive this system and the simulation head-neck response was checked for accuracy in replicating motional characteristics and trends in the response mechanism. Two head pivot locations were considered. The first was the occipital condylar point and the second was a theorized hingepoint in the head which minimized the distance from this point to the T1 anatomical coordinate system over the range of body orientations observed in the photographic data. For the two geometrical representations, a successive approximation technique was employed to analyze the resulting data. This approach initially removed all constraints to head and neck motion, and the resulting simulation results were compared to the human data. Restrictions to head and neck motion were then successively added until an adequate replication of the human data was obtained. This approach made it possible to correlate specific events, such as loading of the head-to-neck dorsiflexion limiting angle, to head deceleration profile characteristics. Results were compared to calculations obtained for eight additional subjects and proved to be in good agreement.", "PMID": 623586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5047", "title": "Comprehensive, three-dimensional head-neck model for impact and high-acceleration studies.", "content": "A three-dimensional, 54-degree-of-freedom computer model of the head/neck system is presented and discussed. The model consists of nine rigid bodies representing the head and vertebrae together with a series of nonlinear springs and dampers modelling the soft tissue. The soft tissue modelling involves the discs, muscles, and ligaments. The discs are modelled as two-parameter viscoelastic solids; the muscles are also modelled as two-parameter viscoelastic solids, but only able to exert force in tension; and the ligaments are modelled as nonlinear elastic bands exerting force only in tension. Equations of motion are written for this model by using Lagrange's form of d'Alembert's principle, a virtual work type principle. Computer algorithms are written to efficiently compute the numerical coefficients of these equations. The equations are integrated numerically for a number of specific cases where experimental data are available. Results show excellent agreement between the model and the experiments.", "contents": "Comprehensive, three-dimensional head-neck model for impact and high-acceleration studies. A three-dimensional, 54-degree-of-freedom computer model of the head/neck system is presented and discussed. The model consists of nine rigid bodies representing the head and vertebrae together with a series of nonlinear springs and dampers modelling the soft tissue. The soft tissue modelling involves the discs, muscles, and ligaments. The discs are modelled as two-parameter viscoelastic solids; the muscles are also modelled as two-parameter viscoelastic solids, but only able to exert force in tension; and the ligaments are modelled as nonlinear elastic bands exerting force only in tension. Equations of motion are written for this model by using Lagrange's form of d'Alembert's principle, a virtual work type principle. Computer algorithms are written to efficiently compute the numerical coefficients of these equations. The equations are integrated numerically for a number of specific cases where experimental data are available. Results show excellent agreement between the model and the experiments.", "PMID": 623587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5048", "title": "Prediction of head/neck dynamic response of selected military subjects to -Gx acceleration.", "content": "Eighteen young male subjects with NAMRL sled test experience to 15 G in --Gx acceleration were measured for physical characteristics of the head and neck and general body anthropometry. Measurements taken include head/neck range of motion, neck muscle stretch reflex time, neck muscle isometric strength capabilities, and seated and standard anthropometry. Data from these tests were tabulated and five subjects whose physical characteristics were most similar were selected for use in simulations. Experimental data from NAMRL sled tests were obtained for the five subjects in 6- and 15-G test runs. Measurements data from the five subjects were used to establish a data set for the MVMA-2D Crash Victim Simulator and acceleration profiles for 6- and 15-G sled runs were used as input to the model. Simulation results for head angular acceleration, head angular velocity, head angular position, head resultant acceleration, and T1 resultant acceleration were compared with the averaged experimental curves for the five subjects. In general, excellent agreement between simulation and experimental results was obtained although some consistent differences were noted. Effects of varying levels of muscle activation were investigated. Variations in muscle tension level were found to have significant effects on simulation results at both 6 and 15, G, especially on head angular position. The effects were noticeably greater at lower acceleration's, however. The model was also used to investigate some of the biomechanical mechanisms behind observed response characteristics.", "contents": "Prediction of head/neck dynamic response of selected military subjects to -Gx acceleration. Eighteen young male subjects with NAMRL sled test experience to 15 G in --Gx acceleration were measured for physical characteristics of the head and neck and general body anthropometry. Measurements taken include head/neck range of motion, neck muscle stretch reflex time, neck muscle isometric strength capabilities, and seated and standard anthropometry. Data from these tests were tabulated and five subjects whose physical characteristics were most similar were selected for use in simulations. Experimental data from NAMRL sled tests were obtained for the five subjects in 6- and 15-G test runs. Measurements data from the five subjects were used to establish a data set for the MVMA-2D Crash Victim Simulator and acceleration profiles for 6- and 15-G sled runs were used as input to the model. Simulation results for head angular acceleration, head angular velocity, head angular position, head resultant acceleration, and T1 resultant acceleration were compared with the averaged experimental curves for the five subjects. In general, excellent agreement between simulation and experimental results was obtained although some consistent differences were noted. Effects of varying levels of muscle activation were investigated. Variations in muscle tension level were found to have significant effects on simulation results at both 6 and 15, G, especially on head angular position. The effects were noticeably greater at lower acceleration's, however. The model was also used to investigate some of the biomechanical mechanisms behind observed response characteristics.", "PMID": 623588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5049", "title": "Predictive model of dynamic response of the human head/neck system to -Gx impact acceleration.", "content": "This paper describes the mathematical framework, underlying an empirical model, that predicts human head response using only the motion present at vertebra T1. Based on this framework, a model for --Gx impact acceleration was developed from data obtained on six volunteer subjects participating in the NAMRL impact acceleration experiments. Model performance was evaluated by comparing the errors in the predicted head responses with the normal variations observed between the responses of different subjects under identical impact accelerations. Independent sets of data were used for building and testing the model. The results of the evaluation indicate that the model will be useful in subsequent studies of human response to impact acceleration.", "contents": "Predictive model of dynamic response of the human head/neck system to -Gx impact acceleration. This paper describes the mathematical framework, underlying an empirical model, that predicts human head response using only the motion present at vertebra T1. Based on this framework, a model for --Gx impact acceleration was developed from data obtained on six volunteer subjects participating in the NAMRL impact acceleration experiments. Model performance was evaluated by comparing the errors in the predicted head responses with the normal variations observed between the responses of different subjects under identical impact accelerations. Independent sets of data were used for building and testing the model. The results of the evaluation indicate that the model will be useful in subsequent studies of human response to impact acceleration.", "PMID": 623589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5050", "title": "Application of the response probability density function technique to biodynamic models.", "content": "A method has been developed, which we call the \"response probability density function technique,\" which has applications in predicting the probability of injury in a wide range of biodynamic situations. The method, which was developed in connection with sonic boom damage prediction, utilized the probability density function of the excitation force and the probability density function of the sensitivity of the material being acted upon. The method is especially simple to use when both these probability density functions are lognormal. Studies thus far have shown that the stresses from sonic booms, as well as the strengths of glass and mortars, are distributed lognormally. Some biodynamic processes also have lognormal distributions and are, therefore, amenable to modeling by this technique. In particular, this paper discusses the application of the response probability density function technique to the analysis of the thoracic response to air blast and the prediction of skull fracture from head impact.", "contents": "Application of the response probability density function technique to biodynamic models. A method has been developed, which we call the \"response probability density function technique,\" which has applications in predicting the probability of injury in a wide range of biodynamic situations. The method, which was developed in connection with sonic boom damage prediction, utilized the probability density function of the excitation force and the probability density function of the sensitivity of the material being acted upon. The method is especially simple to use when both these probability density functions are lognormal. Studies thus far have shown that the stresses from sonic booms, as well as the strengths of glass and mortars, are distributed lognormally. Some biodynamic processes also have lognormal distributions and are, therefore, amenable to modeling by this technique. In particular, this paper discusses the application of the response probability density function technique to the analysis of the thoracic response to air blast and the prediction of skull fracture from head impact.", "PMID": 623590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5051", "title": "Response of the skeletal system to helicopter-unique vibration.", "content": "An 18-month prospective skeletal system study was conducted on flying and nonflying personnel relative to chronic low-frequency vibration as experienced in helicopter flight. The aviators were initial entry students in rotary-wing training while the non-flying participants were beginning basic military training. Comparisons were made on the basis of anthropometric measurements, radiological studies, and bone mineral density changes as measured by photon absorption. The bone mineral densitometry showed no significant variation in the aviator group. A short-term 10% demineralization of the distal ulna in the non-flying group was noted immediately following the physical training. The final bone mineral density of basic training subjects returned to the initial level 18 months after the physical training. It was concluded that the helicopter aircrew members under study were exposed to levels of vibration below the threshold of vibration required to produce a measurable change in the skeletal system.", "contents": "Response of the skeletal system to helicopter-unique vibration. An 18-month prospective skeletal system study was conducted on flying and nonflying personnel relative to chronic low-frequency vibration as experienced in helicopter flight. The aviators were initial entry students in rotary-wing training while the non-flying participants were beginning basic military training. Comparisons were made on the basis of anthropometric measurements, radiological studies, and bone mineral density changes as measured by photon absorption. The bone mineral densitometry showed no significant variation in the aviator group. A short-term 10% demineralization of the distal ulna in the non-flying group was noted immediately following the physical training. The final bone mineral density of basic training subjects returned to the initial level 18 months after the physical training. It was concluded that the helicopter aircrew members under study were exposed to levels of vibration below the threshold of vibration required to produce a measurable change in the skeletal system.", "PMID": 623591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5052", "title": "Determination of optimum vibroisolation systems for a sitting human operator.", "content": "Optimum vibroisolation systems were obtained for a sitting human operator subjected to stochastic vertical vibrations. Is was concluded that there exists a physically realizable optimum function phi(s), which describes the desired fibroisolation system (s = iomega). The theory for finding an optimum vibroisolation system was developed on the basis of a specific a priori criterion, and assuming, for input, random, ergodic vibrations given by power spectral densities of accelerations of the vibration base. Examples are given for human body models consisting of a mass, a linear or nonlinear spring, and a damper.", "contents": "Determination of optimum vibroisolation systems for a sitting human operator. Optimum vibroisolation systems were obtained for a sitting human operator subjected to stochastic vertical vibrations. Is was concluded that there exists a physically realizable optimum function phi(s), which describes the desired fibroisolation system (s = iomega). The theory for finding an optimum vibroisolation system was developed on the basis of a specific a priori criterion, and assuming, for input, random, ergodic vibrations given by power spectral densities of accelerations of the vibration base. Examples are given for human body models consisting of a mass, a linear or nonlinear spring, and a damper.", "PMID": 623592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5053", "title": "Method to quantify ride comfort and allowable accelerations.", "content": "When the motion of a vehicle includes \"shocks\" or impulsive velocity changes, R.M.S. acceleration has no relation to crew comfort or injury. Existing (R.M.S. G) methods of ride assessment can show lethal accelerations as being perfectly safe, and vice versa. It follows that R.M.S. acceleration is not meaningful for nonsinusoidal \"random\" vibration either. This paper presents a method of evading the difficulty, using fairly well established biodynamic modeling techniques, and an extension of Allen's \"shock tolerance\" concept. Among other advantages, the method \"automates\" the assessment of ride quality so that personal judgments are not involved and the relative ride quality of different vehicles can be placed on a quantitative basis. Since this work was inspired by the problem of Navy crew tolerance to the motions of high-speed ships, the discussion is in those terms. Also, the proposed criteria should probably be scaled down for more general populations.", "contents": "Method to quantify ride comfort and allowable accelerations. When the motion of a vehicle includes \"shocks\" or impulsive velocity changes, R.M.S. acceleration has no relation to crew comfort or injury. Existing (R.M.S. G) methods of ride assessment can show lethal accelerations as being perfectly safe, and vice versa. It follows that R.M.S. acceleration is not meaningful for nonsinusoidal \"random\" vibration either. This paper presents a method of evading the difficulty, using fairly well established biodynamic modeling techniques, and an extension of Allen's \"shock tolerance\" concept. Among other advantages, the method \"automates\" the assessment of ride quality so that personal judgments are not involved and the relative ride quality of different vehicles can be placed on a quantitative basis. Since this work was inspired by the problem of Navy crew tolerance to the motions of high-speed ships, the discussion is in those terms. Also, the proposed criteria should probably be scaled down for more general populations.", "PMID": 623593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5054", "title": "Model of the supine human body and its reactions to external forces.", "content": "Mechanical impedance and vibration transmissibility measurements were conducted on supine humans using sinusoidal vibrations. The frequencies tested were 1-20 Hz with a constant acceleration amplitude of 0.3 G. The tests were repeated with 4.54 kg pure mass placed on each segment. Both results were used to calculate a multi-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model. The nonlinear reactions of the body are revealed by comparing the model parameters under \"no load\" and \"load\" conditions. When the results are compared with impedance measurements conducted under sustained acceleration, it becomes obvious that the thorax, due to its anatomical design, reacts differently from the remaining body parts.", "contents": "Model of the supine human body and its reactions to external forces. Mechanical impedance and vibration transmissibility measurements were conducted on supine humans using sinusoidal vibrations. The frequencies tested were 1-20 Hz with a constant acceleration amplitude of 0.3 G. The tests were repeated with 4.54 kg pure mass placed on each segment. Both results were used to calculate a multi-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model. The nonlinear reactions of the body are revealed by comparing the model parameters under \"no load\" and \"load\" conditions. When the results are compared with impedance measurements conducted under sustained acceleration, it becomes obvious that the thorax, due to its anatomical design, reacts differently from the remaining body parts.", "PMID": 623594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5055", "title": "Mathematical model of the cardiovascular system under acceleration stress.", "content": "The pooling of blood in the lower part of the human body when it is subjected to longitudinal +Gz acceleration is one of the major reasons for cardiac insufficiency and the consequent impairment of certain important physiological functions. Headache, abdominal pain, change in heart rate, chest pain, impairment of vision, and hemorrhage are some of the manifestations of acceleration trauma. To predict the effects of time-dependent accelerations on the circulation, a mathematical model independent of assumptions extrapolated from normal G conditions must be considered. The model in the present study consists of a closed-loop hydrodynamic system comprising a heart pump, elastic tubes to represent the large arteries and veins, and a baroreceptor feedback mechanism to help to overcome cardiac insufficiency. The governing equations consist of the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid motion in the blood vessels, and equations of motion for time-dependent blood vessel deformation and ventricular contraction derived from nonlinear elasticity theory. In a numerical example, an experimentally measured deceleration profile is used and the calculated aortic flow is compared with the experimental values.", "contents": "Mathematical model of the cardiovascular system under acceleration stress. The pooling of blood in the lower part of the human body when it is subjected to longitudinal +Gz acceleration is one of the major reasons for cardiac insufficiency and the consequent impairment of certain important physiological functions. Headache, abdominal pain, change in heart rate, chest pain, impairment of vision, and hemorrhage are some of the manifestations of acceleration trauma. To predict the effects of time-dependent accelerations on the circulation, a mathematical model independent of assumptions extrapolated from normal G conditions must be considered. The model in the present study consists of a closed-loop hydrodynamic system comprising a heart pump, elastic tubes to represent the large arteries and veins, and a baroreceptor feedback mechanism to help to overcome cardiac insufficiency. The governing equations consist of the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid motion in the blood vessels, and equations of motion for time-dependent blood vessel deformation and ventricular contraction derived from nonlinear elasticity theory. In a numerical example, an experimentally measured deceleration profile is used and the calculated aortic flow is compared with the experimental values.", "PMID": 623595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5056", "title": "Nonlinear behavior of sitting humans under increasing gravity.", "content": "To determine the nonlinear properties of the upright sitting human body, driving-point impedance as well as the transmissibility from seat to head were determined under increased gravity on a centrifuge. Under this condition a shift of resonances to higher frequencies was observed. At the same time the transmissibility increased distinctly. To explain this behaviour with a model, a nonlinear multi-degree-of freedom model of the upright sitting body was calculated. It elements represent identifiable body parts. Protective measures for normal gravity conditions, as well as for sustained acceleration, were derived.", "contents": "Nonlinear behavior of sitting humans under increasing gravity. To determine the nonlinear properties of the upright sitting human body, driving-point impedance as well as the transmissibility from seat to head were determined under increased gravity on a centrifuge. Under this condition a shift of resonances to higher frequencies was observed. At the same time the transmissibility increased distinctly. To explain this behaviour with a model, a nonlinear multi-degree-of freedom model of the upright sitting body was calculated. It elements represent identifiable body parts. Protective measures for normal gravity conditions, as well as for sustained acceleration, were derived.", "PMID": 623596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5057", "title": "Personalized, electro-kinematic, neuromuscular model of a human forearm.", "content": "Electromyography, the recording of muscular activity, is of importance in industrial, biomechanical, and sports research as well as in medical diagnoses. When a muscle is activated, an electric potential in the order of microvolts (muV) is generated. This potential can be picked up, amplified, and displayed on an oscilloscope or strip chart recorder. Researchers have developed ways of analyzing these signals in terms of their characteristics. A numerical index, which reflects the basic characteristics of the electromyogram, mainly amplitude, frequency, and duration, can be used to provide quantitative information. The method used in this work for EMG processing consisted of filtering, rectification, and integration over very small intervals of time. Both analog and digital filtering proved necessary. Angular accelerometer and rotational potentiometer data were used in conjunction with limb inertia parameters obtained from existing biochemical models for the individual tested for obtaining the torques as a function of time. A system parameter identification method was used to determine the muscle parameters, such as occur in the single muscle Hill model, of four muscle groups for a human arm. The main results consist of personalized arm muscle group models. It was concluded that the method provided excellent (fit) personalized arm muscle group models under dynamic conditions. This method could lead to fundamental scientific information about a living muscle group from experiments in vivo.", "contents": "Personalized, electro-kinematic, neuromuscular model of a human forearm. Electromyography, the recording of muscular activity, is of importance in industrial, biomechanical, and sports research as well as in medical diagnoses. When a muscle is activated, an electric potential in the order of microvolts (muV) is generated. This potential can be picked up, amplified, and displayed on an oscilloscope or strip chart recorder. Researchers have developed ways of analyzing these signals in terms of their characteristics. A numerical index, which reflects the basic characteristics of the electromyogram, mainly amplitude, frequency, and duration, can be used to provide quantitative information. The method used in this work for EMG processing consisted of filtering, rectification, and integration over very small intervals of time. Both analog and digital filtering proved necessary. Angular accelerometer and rotational potentiometer data were used in conjunction with limb inertia parameters obtained from existing biochemical models for the individual tested for obtaining the torques as a function of time. A system parameter identification method was used to determine the muscle parameters, such as occur in the single muscle Hill model, of four muscle groups for a human arm. The main results consist of personalized arm muscle group models. It was concluded that the method provided excellent (fit) personalized arm muscle group models under dynamic conditions. This method could lead to fundamental scientific information about a living muscle group from experiments in vivo.", "PMID": 623597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5058", "title": "Biomechanical models for vibration feedthrough to hands and head for a semisupine pilot.", "content": "A series of tracking experiments under vibration has been carried out on the AMRL/BBV shaker facilities covering three axes of vibration with sinusoidal and random waveforms and different control stick configurations. Based on this and other data, a lumped-parameter biomechanical model has been evolved to suit the needs of aircraft control system designers for the new generation of low-altitude, high-speed bombers and highly maneuverable fighters. This paper shows that measured vibration feedthrough to hands and head can be adequately described by this model when linearized about the appropriate configuration of display, posture, and control. The model includes effects of: semisupine torso; sliding hip, plus rocking chest supported on a compliant buttocks/seat; head bobbing on an articulated neck; upper arm and forearm links plus grip-interface compliance, driven by an active neuromuscular system; elbow rest (optional); and stick \"feel system\" dynamics. Examples are given of the model's application to predict effects of: a 65 degrees semisupine seat, apparent impedance increase of a control stick under pilot control, and a sliding arm rest.", "contents": "Biomechanical models for vibration feedthrough to hands and head for a semisupine pilot. A series of tracking experiments under vibration has been carried out on the AMRL/BBV shaker facilities covering three axes of vibration with sinusoidal and random waveforms and different control stick configurations. Based on this and other data, a lumped-parameter biomechanical model has been evolved to suit the needs of aircraft control system designers for the new generation of low-altitude, high-speed bombers and highly maneuverable fighters. This paper shows that measured vibration feedthrough to hands and head can be adequately described by this model when linearized about the appropriate configuration of display, posture, and control. The model includes effects of: semisupine torso; sliding hip, plus rocking chest supported on a compliant buttocks/seat; head bobbing on an articulated neck; upper arm and forearm links plus grip-interface compliance, driven by an active neuromuscular system; elbow rest (optional); and stick \"feel system\" dynamics. Examples are given of the model's application to predict effects of: a 65 degrees semisupine seat, apparent impedance increase of a control stick under pilot control, and a sliding arm rest.", "PMID": 623598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5059", "title": "Conceptual stress study model.", "content": "The conceptual stress study model (SSM) is basically a schematic representation of the key elements associated with the study of mechanical forces on the human operator. It has been a useful tool for systematically describing the scope and effects of vibration stress study efforts. The model structure is organized in a hierarchy of four levels established to reflect four different levels of description of human response complexity. In order of increasing complexity, these four classes of responses are biodynamic, physiological, psychophysical, and performance. The model also depicts the internal energy and/or information pathways that are likely to occur in the formation of a response to specified vibration inputs. The present utility of this model is to provide a conceptual scheme to help guide vibration study efforts. It is not a general mathematically predictive model. It could prove useful in pulling together the many-segmented modeling results achieved over the last several years to form a centralized interpretive data base.", "contents": "Conceptual stress study model. The conceptual stress study model (SSM) is basically a schematic representation of the key elements associated with the study of mechanical forces on the human operator. It has been a useful tool for systematically describing the scope and effects of vibration stress study efforts. The model structure is organized in a hierarchy of four levels established to reflect four different levels of description of human response complexity. In order of increasing complexity, these four classes of responses are biodynamic, physiological, psychophysical, and performance. The model also depicts the internal energy and/or information pathways that are likely to occur in the formation of a response to specified vibration inputs. The present utility of this model is to provide a conceptual scheme to help guide vibration study efforts. It is not a general mathematically predictive model. It could prove useful in pulling together the many-segmented modeling results achieved over the last several years to form a centralized interpretive data base.", "PMID": 623599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5060", "title": "Model for human controller performance in vibration environments.", "content": "A model has been developed to predict biomechanical response and human controller performance as a function of vibration environment and tracking-task parameters. The model consists of three major elements: 1) a biodynamic model to predict limb and body motion resulting from platform vibration, 2) a pilot/vehicle model to predict tracking performance, and 3) an interface model to relate changes in certain pilot-related model parameters to biodynamic response. Linearity of biodynamic response mechanisms is demonstrated, and the model is shown to predict accurately the effects of tracking performance of vibration amplitude and spectrum, control gain, R.M.S. tracking input, and direction of vibration input.", "contents": "Model for human controller performance in vibration environments. A model has been developed to predict biomechanical response and human controller performance as a function of vibration environment and tracking-task parameters. The model consists of three major elements: 1) a biodynamic model to predict limb and body motion resulting from platform vibration, 2) a pilot/vehicle model to predict tracking performance, and 3) an interface model to relate changes in certain pilot-related model parameters to biodynamic response. Linearity of biodynamic response mechanisms is demonstrated, and the model is shown to predict accurately the effects of tracking performance of vibration amplitude and spectrum, control gain, R.M.S. tracking input, and direction of vibration input.", "PMID": 623600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5061", "title": "Recent advances in modelling the effects of roll motion on the human operator.", "content": "An experiment is presented in which the effects of roll motions on human operator performance were investigated. The motion cues considered were the result of commanded vehicle motion and vehicle disturbances. An optimal control pilot-vehicle model was used in the design of the experiment and to predict system performance prior to executing the experiment. The model predictions and experimental results are compared. Of the model predictions, 78% are within 1 S.D. of the means of the experimental results. The high correlation between model predictions and system performance indicate the usefulness of the predictive model for experimental design and for prediction of pilot performance influenced by motion cues.", "contents": "Recent advances in modelling the effects of roll motion on the human operator. An experiment is presented in which the effects of roll motions on human operator performance were investigated. The motion cues considered were the result of commanded vehicle motion and vehicle disturbances. An optimal control pilot-vehicle model was used in the design of the experiment and to predict system performance prior to executing the experiment. The model predictions and experimental results are compared. Of the model predictions, 78% are within 1 S.D. of the means of the experimental results. The high correlation between model predictions and system performance indicate the usefulness of the predictive model for experimental design and for prediction of pilot performance influenced by motion cues.", "PMID": 623601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5062", "title": "Modelling human responses to vibration.", "content": "Biodynamic measurements of human response to vibration may be nonlinear as a result of active control of the response, complex body movements, or tissue characteristics. Experiments using a random Gz stimulus were designed to explore the extent of these nonlinearities under normal conditions. The input transfer function was found to exhibit near-linearity, but transmission measures suffered from errors arising from complex body movements. The technique developed was found to be valuable for investigation of the variables affecting human response, and examples are given of the effects of body restraint and the relationship between intraabdominal pressure and input acceleration. It is argued that improved techniques and careful consideration of variables lead to a greater acceptance of the biodynamic approach.", "contents": "Modelling human responses to vibration. Biodynamic measurements of human response to vibration may be nonlinear as a result of active control of the response, complex body movements, or tissue characteristics. Experiments using a random Gz stimulus were designed to explore the extent of these nonlinearities under normal conditions. The input transfer function was found to exhibit near-linearity, but transmission measures suffered from errors arising from complex body movements. The technique developed was found to be valuable for investigation of the variables affecting human response, and examples are given of the effects of body restraint and the relationship between intraabdominal pressure and input acceleration. It is argued that improved techniques and careful consideration of variables lead to a greater acceptance of the biodynamic approach.", "PMID": 623602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5063", "title": "[Artificial prozones].", "content": "When immune serums are inactivated, heat-labile antibodies are changed into specific inhibitors which, in sufficiently high concentrations, cause prozones. These prozones are called artificial prozones, thus distinguishing them from prozones with different (spontaneous) origins. Their importance in diagnosis is discussed, with special reference to the complement fixation reaction.", "contents": "[Artificial prozones]. When immune serums are inactivated, heat-labile antibodies are changed into specific inhibitors which, in sufficiently high concentrations, cause prozones. These prozones are called artificial prozones, thus distinguishing them from prozones with different (spontaneous) origins. Their importance in diagnosis is discussed, with special reference to the complement fixation reaction.", "PMID": 623613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5064", "title": "[The spermatogenetic capacity of male beagles].", "content": "Daily, weekly and twice a week sperms were collected from 4 eighteen month aged Beagles for spermatologic and spermatogenetic examinations. The spermatologic results of 260 ejaculates showed in all parameters great differences. Sperm collection which were done twice a week showed a higher total amount of sperms than the daily and weekly collected ejaculates. Daily sperm collections taken over more than three weeks did not lead to a decreasing libido sexualis and were qualified for the evaluation of the daily sperm production ability of dogs.", "contents": "[The spermatogenetic capacity of male beagles]. Daily, weekly and twice a week sperms were collected from 4 eighteen month aged Beagles for spermatologic and spermatogenetic examinations. The spermatologic results of 260 ejaculates showed in all parameters great differences. Sperm collection which were done twice a week showed a higher total amount of sperms than the daily and weekly collected ejaculates. Daily sperm collections taken over more than three weeks did not lead to a decreasing libido sexualis and were qualified for the evaluation of the daily sperm production ability of dogs.", "PMID": 623615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5065", "title": "[The pig in the ante and post-partal period. 1. Studies on serum electrolyte concentrations (Ca, inorganic phosphorus, Mg) and on the serum and milk content of Fe and Cu].", "content": "A group of 23 sows, with their first or second litter, were tested for the development of the calcium, anorganic phosphate, magnesium, iron and copper levels in the blood serum in the peripartal period up to the end of the 3rd week of lactation. It could be shown that in some of the sows (25%) in the first three days after giving birth a condition which could be called latent hypocalcaemia occurred, while the other animals retained almost the previous amount of calcium concentration. Statistics showed that (p less than or equal to 0.05--0.01) all the animals had a decrease in anorganic phosphate content post partum (p.p.). No marked changes in the Mg concentrations were found during the research period. However, there was a considerable decrease in the Fe concentrations in the blood serum within the first 24 hours after birth (p less than or equal to 0.05). The iron value after the end of the 3rd week of lactation was lower than the value before the birth -- 132.8 +/- 42.7 microgram/100 ml as against 144.7 +/- 51.1 microgram/100 ml: -- 8.2% under. On the other hand there was an increase in the serum Cu content (p less than or equal to 0.05--0.01). The Fe as well as the Cu concentration decreased in the milk within the first 8 days by more than a half.", "contents": "[The pig in the ante and post-partal period. 1. Studies on serum electrolyte concentrations (Ca, inorganic phosphorus, Mg) and on the serum and milk content of Fe and Cu]. A group of 23 sows, with their first or second litter, were tested for the development of the calcium, anorganic phosphate, magnesium, iron and copper levels in the blood serum in the peripartal period up to the end of the 3rd week of lactation. It could be shown that in some of the sows (25%) in the first three days after giving birth a condition which could be called latent hypocalcaemia occurred, while the other animals retained almost the previous amount of calcium concentration. Statistics showed that (p less than or equal to 0.05--0.01) all the animals had a decrease in anorganic phosphate content post partum (p.p.). No marked changes in the Mg concentrations were found during the research period. However, there was a considerable decrease in the Fe concentrations in the blood serum within the first 24 hours after birth (p less than or equal to 0.05). The iron value after the end of the 3rd week of lactation was lower than the value before the birth -- 132.8 +/- 42.7 microgram/100 ml as against 144.7 +/- 51.1 microgram/100 ml: -- 8.2% under. On the other hand there was an increase in the serum Cu content (p less than or equal to 0.05--0.01). The Fe as well as the Cu concentration decreased in the milk within the first 8 days by more than a half.", "PMID": 623616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5066", "title": "[Clinical study on experimental Theileria annulata infections of cattle. 1. Clinical-chemical studies].", "content": "The extent of liver and kidney damage in 10 young steers, infected with a stabilate of Theileria annulata, was estimated by the determination of enzymes (GOT, GPT, SDH, ALD), serum levels of bilirubin and urea. At the same time the effectiveness of some liver protecting medical agents was tested. The following results were obtained: Change in the activity of the enzymes GOT, SDH and ALD and the increase of bilirubin during the advanced course of the disease are indicative of severe tissue damage in the liver. The levels of urea were found to be in the normal range with only a few exceptions. This seems to exclude the involvement of the kidney in the disease. The group of animals receiving liver protecting medication did not show any difference compared with those animals without medication.", "contents": "[Clinical study on experimental Theileria annulata infections of cattle. 1. Clinical-chemical studies]. The extent of liver and kidney damage in 10 young steers, infected with a stabilate of Theileria annulata, was estimated by the determination of enzymes (GOT, GPT, SDH, ALD), serum levels of bilirubin and urea. At the same time the effectiveness of some liver protecting medical agents was tested. The following results were obtained: Change in the activity of the enzymes GOT, SDH and ALD and the increase of bilirubin during the advanced course of the disease are indicative of severe tissue damage in the liver. The levels of urea were found to be in the normal range with only a few exceptions. This seems to exclude the involvement of the kidney in the disease. The group of animals receiving liver protecting medication did not show any difference compared with those animals without medication.", "PMID": 623617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5067", "title": "[The occurrence of antibodies to Brucella canis in domestic dogs in the Federal Republic of Germany].", "content": "1000 random serum samples of pet dogs were examined in the serum tube agglutination test for antibodies to Brucella canis. Agglutinating antibodies to Br. canis antigen were detected in 18 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 50, in 29 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 100, in 13 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 200 and in a serum dilution 1 : 400. But the positive results of the agglutination tests were confirmed by complement fixation, agargel-precipitation and indirect immunofluorescence only in 2 cases (0,2%) with titers of 1 :200 and 1 :400. These serological findings indicate that in the Federal Republic of Germany Br. canis infections are rarely in pet dogs as compared with dogs (Beagles) held in research kennels.", "contents": "[The occurrence of antibodies to Brucella canis in domestic dogs in the Federal Republic of Germany]. 1000 random serum samples of pet dogs were examined in the serum tube agglutination test for antibodies to Brucella canis. Agglutinating antibodies to Br. canis antigen were detected in 18 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 50, in 29 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 100, in 13 cases in a serum dilution of 1 : 200 and in a serum dilution 1 : 400. But the positive results of the agglutination tests were confirmed by complement fixation, agargel-precipitation and indirect immunofluorescence only in 2 cases (0,2%) with titers of 1 :200 and 1 :400. These serological findings indicate that in the Federal Republic of Germany Br. canis infections are rarely in pet dogs as compared with dogs (Beagles) held in research kennels.", "PMID": 623618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5068", "title": "[Cryoprotective ability of glycerin and DMSO in the deep freezing of dog sperm].", "content": "The sperm-bearing fractions of 163 ejaculates collected from 6 Beagles aged two years were used to test the cryoprotective effect of DMSO and glycerol in deep freezing investigations. It could be shown that the cryoprotective capacity of glycerol was better than the one of DMSO. Glycerol should rather be added to the sperms at + 5 degrees C than at + 25 degrees C. The best preservation results were achieved by a combined addition of DMSO and glycerol under the following conditions: time of cooling down to +5 degrees C of the extended sperm fractions 50 minutes, final concentration of DMSO 1% (max.), final concentration of glycerol 8% (max.), glycerol equilibration time 30 minutes.", "contents": "[Cryoprotective ability of glycerin and DMSO in the deep freezing of dog sperm]. The sperm-bearing fractions of 163 ejaculates collected from 6 Beagles aged two years were used to test the cryoprotective effect of DMSO and glycerol in deep freezing investigations. It could be shown that the cryoprotective capacity of glycerol was better than the one of DMSO. Glycerol should rather be added to the sperms at + 5 degrees C than at + 25 degrees C. The best preservation results were achieved by a combined addition of DMSO and glycerol under the following conditions: time of cooling down to +5 degrees C of the extended sperm fractions 50 minutes, final concentration of DMSO 1% (max.), final concentration of glycerol 8% (max.), glycerol equilibration time 30 minutes.", "PMID": 623619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5069", "title": "[The suitability of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the demonstration of babesia antibodies in hyperimmune serums with the use of ectoantigens].", "content": "From sera of highly parasitised mice and dogs with Babesia rodhaini, B. galagolata and B. canis ectoantigens were isolated by column-chromatography and tested in the ELISA for their serological properties. Hyperimmunsera against the three Babesia species were prepared in rabbits, mice and dogs. Serologic cross-reactions occurred between the investigated Babesia species although distinct titer differences could be observed between B. canis on one hand and B. rodhaini and B. galagolata on the other hand. The ELISA appears to be suitable for serological field surveys of babesiosis.", "contents": "[The suitability of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the demonstration of babesia antibodies in hyperimmune serums with the use of ectoantigens]. From sera of highly parasitised mice and dogs with Babesia rodhaini, B. galagolata and B. canis ectoantigens were isolated by column-chromatography and tested in the ELISA for their serological properties. Hyperimmunsera against the three Babesia species were prepared in rabbits, mice and dogs. Serologic cross-reactions occurred between the investigated Babesia species although distinct titer differences could be observed between B. canis on one hand and B. rodhaini and B. galagolata on the other hand. The ELISA appears to be suitable for serological field surveys of babesiosis.", "PMID": 623620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5070", "title": "General theory of critical periods and development of obesity.", "content": "The general systems theory (GST), the general theory of organization (GTO), and the general theory of critical periods (GTCP) have been applied to some nutritional problems. This theoretical approach seems to be in good agreement with most of the data of the literature and with the personal experience, pointing at the possibility to use a simple general model to interpret the complex problem of obesity.", "contents": "General theory of critical periods and development of obesity. The general systems theory (GST), the general theory of organization (GTO), and the general theory of critical periods (GTCP) have been applied to some nutritional problems. This theoretical approach seems to be in good agreement with most of the data of the literature and with the personal experience, pointing at the possibility to use a simple general model to interpret the complex problem of obesity.", "PMID": 623629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5071", "title": "Experimental basis of obesity.", "content": "The methods utilized in our laboratory for a biochemical approach of obesity include dietary manipulations, fatty acid analysis of tissue lipids, in vivo lipogenesis from [3H H2O and [1-14C] acetate, in vitro utilization of [3H] H2O, [U-14C] glucose, [U-14C] fructose, [U-14C] alanine and [1-14C] acetate by adipose tissue fragments, hormone sensitivity (to insulin and catecholamines), and the activity of enzymes such as fatty acid synthetase and adenylate cyclase in adipose tissue extracts. With these methods at hand, it is possible to estimate the major biochemical factors responsible for fat accumulation in adipose tissue. As an example, the case of obese (ob/ob) homozygotic animals of the C57BL/6J strain of Bar Harbor, which suffer from an autosomal recessive obese-hyperglycemic (O-H) syndrome, is compared to that of control nonobese (ob+/ob+) mice from the same strain. The hereditary O-H syndrome in ob/ob mice is characterized by obesity, resistance to the action of insulin, and hyperinsulinism. The development of obesity depends on high lipogenesis in fat depots. Contribute also to obesity a large influx of fatty acids of hepatic and dietary origin, and reduced lipolysis. In these mice, a high fat diet is more propitious to fat accretion than a high-carbohydrate diet.", "contents": "Experimental basis of obesity. The methods utilized in our laboratory for a biochemical approach of obesity include dietary manipulations, fatty acid analysis of tissue lipids, in vivo lipogenesis from [3H H2O and [1-14C] acetate, in vitro utilization of [3H] H2O, [U-14C] glucose, [U-14C] fructose, [U-14C] alanine and [1-14C] acetate by adipose tissue fragments, hormone sensitivity (to insulin and catecholamines), and the activity of enzymes such as fatty acid synthetase and adenylate cyclase in adipose tissue extracts. With these methods at hand, it is possible to estimate the major biochemical factors responsible for fat accumulation in adipose tissue. As an example, the case of obese (ob/ob) homozygotic animals of the C57BL/6J strain of Bar Harbor, which suffer from an autosomal recessive obese-hyperglycemic (O-H) syndrome, is compared to that of control nonobese (ob+/ob+) mice from the same strain. The hereditary O-H syndrome in ob/ob mice is characterized by obesity, resistance to the action of insulin, and hyperinsulinism. The development of obesity depends on high lipogenesis in fat depots. Contribute also to obesity a large influx of fatty acids of hepatic and dietary origin, and reduced lipolysis. In these mice, a high fat diet is more propitious to fat accretion than a high-carbohydrate diet.", "PMID": 623636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5072", "title": "Some recent findings in obesity.", "content": "The tendency of some obese subjects to an energy-sparing reaction can be induced temporarily by attempts of the patient to reduce his overweight by prolonged starvation. This regulatory reaction may be induced by regulatory especially thyroid mechanisms. In obesity of both sexes a tendency to anaerobic energy utilization in the muscle can be revealed and so a tendency to decrease energy utilization in general. The differences in insulinemia (IRI) displayed a prevalence of maternal obesity in the group with higher levels of basal and stimulated IRI values, which decline after changes in diet and body weight. This behavior of IRI levels and amount and composition of diet indicate a possible permissive role of previous food consumption habits.", "contents": "Some recent findings in obesity. The tendency of some obese subjects to an energy-sparing reaction can be induced temporarily by attempts of the patient to reduce his overweight by prolonged starvation. This regulatory reaction may be induced by regulatory especially thyroid mechanisms. In obesity of both sexes a tendency to anaerobic energy utilization in the muscle can be revealed and so a tendency to decrease energy utilization in general. The differences in insulinemia (IRI) displayed a prevalence of maternal obesity in the group with higher levels of basal and stimulated IRI values, which decline after changes in diet and body weight. This behavior of IRI levels and amount and composition of diet indicate a possible permissive role of previous food consumption habits.", "PMID": 623637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5073", "title": "Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.", "content": "Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 8 patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) included atypical features: lack of osteoporosis, bone sclerosis and proliferation about erosions, osteophytosis, and bony ankylosis. Atypical clinical features included a high incidence of flexion contractures of elbows, wrists, ankles, or knees. It is not surprising that bone production occurs about involved articulations in patients with RA-DISH, as the latter disorder is characterized by bony proliferation at sites of ligament and tendon attachment to bone in the axial and extraaxial skeleton, perhaps related to stress.", "contents": "Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Radiographic abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 8 patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) included atypical features: lack of osteoporosis, bone sclerosis and proliferation about erosions, osteophytosis, and bony ankylosis. Atypical clinical features included a high incidence of flexion contractures of elbows, wrists, ankles, or knees. It is not surprising that bone production occurs about involved articulations in patients with RA-DISH, as the latter disorder is characterized by bony proliferation at sites of ligament and tendon attachment to bone in the axial and extraaxial skeleton, perhaps related to stress.", "PMID": 623680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5074", "title": "Kinetic studies of phagocytosis. I. The serum independent particle uptake by PMN from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "The initial phagocytic rate of IgG coated polyvinyl toluene latex particles was assayed for isolated PMN cells. The kinetic studies of phagocytosis were performed in serum-free medium using an electronic particle counter. The mean phagocytic rate for the reference group of apparently healthy individuals was 0.60 min-1. PMN cells from 5 of 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had subnormal values of particle ingestion rate, although the mean of the group was not significantly reduced compared to the controls. Correlation coefficient between the log of rheumatoid factor titer and phagocytic rate was 0.58 (P less than 0.001). During penicillamine treatment an increased rate of phagocytosis was observed in patients with RA. Granulocytes isolated from 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a significantly increased (P less than 0.001) mean initial rate of phagocytosis (0.91 min-u). Two patients in this group had an acute exacerbation of disease activity and were treated with large doses of prednisone. An appreciable decline in phagocytic rate was observed during the intensive corticosteroid therapy.", "contents": "Kinetic studies of phagocytosis. I. The serum independent particle uptake by PMN from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The initial phagocytic rate of IgG coated polyvinyl toluene latex particles was assayed for isolated PMN cells. The kinetic studies of phagocytosis were performed in serum-free medium using an electronic particle counter. The mean phagocytic rate for the reference group of apparently healthy individuals was 0.60 min-1. PMN cells from 5 of 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had subnormal values of particle ingestion rate, although the mean of the group was not significantly reduced compared to the controls. Correlation coefficient between the log of rheumatoid factor titer and phagocytic rate was 0.58 (P less than 0.001). During penicillamine treatment an increased rate of phagocytosis was observed in patients with RA. Granulocytes isolated from 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a significantly increased (P less than 0.001) mean initial rate of phagocytosis (0.91 min-u). Two patients in this group had an acute exacerbation of disease activity and were treated with large doses of prednisone. An appreciable decline in phagocytic rate was observed during the intensive corticosteroid therapy.", "PMID": 623681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5075", "title": "Micromeasurement of plasma salicylate in arthritic children.", "content": "A micromethod has been developed for determination of plasma salicylate. Frequent determinations of plasma salicylate levels in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be expected to provide greater therapeutic efficacy with reduced incidence of aspirin toxicity and consequently less need for use of secondary, more toxic, agents.", "contents": "Micromeasurement of plasma salicylate in arthritic children. A micromethod has been developed for determination of plasma salicylate. Frequent determinations of plasma salicylate levels in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be expected to provide greater therapeutic efficacy with reduced incidence of aspirin toxicity and consequently less need for use of secondary, more toxic, agents.", "PMID": 623682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5076", "title": "Proliferative synovitis in hemophilia: biochemical and morphologic observations.", "content": "The synovium removed from the knee of a 10-year-old with hemophilia A was characterized morphologically and biochemically. The specimen showed villous hypertrophy with hyperplasia of synovial lining cells which contained abundant intracytoplasmic granules of hemosiderin. Monolayer cultures prepared from enzymatically dispersed tissue were characterized by pigment-laden fibroblast-like cells and round cells. Both explants of synovium and adherent cells secreted a large amount of latent collagenase and neutral proteinase into the culture medium. The secretion of these enzymes dropped sharply and intracellular pigment decreased with passage of these cultures. Lysozyme was secreted by the explants but was not detected in the monolayer culture medium. These data establish the degradative potential of the synovitis found in hemophilia and support the concept that recurrent hemarthrosis without inflammation is sufficient in and of itself to produce proliferative synovitis.", "contents": "Proliferative synovitis in hemophilia: biochemical and morphologic observations. The synovium removed from the knee of a 10-year-old with hemophilia A was characterized morphologically and biochemically. The specimen showed villous hypertrophy with hyperplasia of synovial lining cells which contained abundant intracytoplasmic granules of hemosiderin. Monolayer cultures prepared from enzymatically dispersed tissue were characterized by pigment-laden fibroblast-like cells and round cells. Both explants of synovium and adherent cells secreted a large amount of latent collagenase and neutral proteinase into the culture medium. The secretion of these enzymes dropped sharply and intracellular pigment decreased with passage of these cultures. Lysozyme was secreted by the explants but was not detected in the monolayer culture medium. These data establish the degradative potential of the synovitis found in hemophilia and support the concept that recurrent hemarthrosis without inflammation is sufficient in and of itself to produce proliferative synovitis.", "PMID": 623683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5077", "title": "Hemarthrosis as the presenting manifestation of true myeloma joint disease.", "content": "This is the first reported of a patient with hemarthrosis due to invasion of the synovial membrane by myeloma cells. With angiographic studies of the affected joint it was apparent that the tumor tissue extended from the destructive bone lesion of the femoral condyle into the synovial membrane. Intraarticular spontaneous bleeding was the first manifestation of a monoclonal IgG multiple myeloma; the hemarthrosis recurred after drainage but was controlled with local roentgen therapy.", "contents": "Hemarthrosis as the presenting manifestation of true myeloma joint disease. This is the first reported of a patient with hemarthrosis due to invasion of the synovial membrane by myeloma cells. With angiographic studies of the affected joint it was apparent that the tumor tissue extended from the destructive bone lesion of the femoral condyle into the synovial membrane. Intraarticular spontaneous bleeding was the first manifestation of a monoclonal IgG multiple myeloma; the hemarthrosis recurred after drainage but was controlled with local roentgen therapy.", "PMID": 623685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5078", "title": "Shoulder swelling in rheumatoid arthritis secondary to subacromial bursitis.", "content": "A patient with rheumatoid arthritis was seen whose main complaint was marked swelling of the shoulders. Surgical exploration revealed the swelling to be secondary to subacromial bursitis; the glenohumeral joint appeared normal.", "contents": "Shoulder swelling in rheumatoid arthritis secondary to subacromial bursitis. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis was seen whose main complaint was marked swelling of the shoulders. Surgical exploration revealed the swelling to be secondary to subacromial bursitis; the glenohumeral joint appeared normal.", "PMID": 623684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5079", "title": "Direct evidence for circulating DNA/anti-DNA complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Fifteen serum cryoprecipitates from 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) contained DNA demonstrable by counterimmunoelectrophoresis after exhaustive digestion of cryoimmunoglobulin with pronase. The majority of these cryoprecipitates also exhibited increased DNA binding activity in a modified Farr assay. Both DNA and anti-DNA antibody were enriched in the cryoprecipitates relative to the supernatant serum level. These data provide direct evidence for the presence of DNA/anti-DNA complexes in the circulation of patients with SLE.", "contents": "Direct evidence for circulating DNA/anti-DNA complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus. Fifteen serum cryoprecipitates from 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) contained DNA demonstrable by counterimmunoelectrophoresis after exhaustive digestion of cryoimmunoglobulin with pronase. The majority of these cryoprecipitates also exhibited increased DNA binding activity in a modified Farr assay. Both DNA and anti-DNA antibody were enriched in the cryoprecipitates relative to the supernatant serum level. These data provide direct evidence for the presence of DNA/anti-DNA complexes in the circulation of patients with SLE.", "PMID": 623690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5080", "title": "Comparative studies of antilymphocyte, antipolynucleotide, and antiviral antibodies among families of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Antilymphocyte, antipolynucleotide, and antiviral antibodies in 15 Soviet systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and their 41 relatives were compared with those in 57 members of 15 control Russian families. Seventy-eight and three-tenths percent of SLE relatives were positive for antilymphocyte antibody versus 26.3% positive reactions in controls. Antipolynucleotide antibody closely paralleled antilymphocyte antibody in both groups. Antiviral antibody was significantly increased in SLE relatives as compared to control family members. No correlation was noted between quantitative IgG, IgA, or IgM levels and various antibodies studied.", "contents": "Comparative studies of antilymphocyte, antipolynucleotide, and antiviral antibodies among families of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Antilymphocyte, antipolynucleotide, and antiviral antibodies in 15 Soviet systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and their 41 relatives were compared with those in 57 members of 15 control Russian families. Seventy-eight and three-tenths percent of SLE relatives were positive for antilymphocyte antibody versus 26.3% positive reactions in controls. Antipolynucleotide antibody closely paralleled antilymphocyte antibody in both groups. Antiviral antibody was significantly increased in SLE relatives as compared to control family members. No correlation was noted between quantitative IgG, IgA, or IgM levels and various antibodies studied.", "PMID": 623693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5081", "title": "Oral mucosal ulceration in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "In 182 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), oral mucosal ulceration occurred in 47 patients (26%), was usually painless (82%), and most often involved the hard palate (89%). Oral ulceration was associated with an increase in overall clinical activity, although this was not accompanied by significant changes in the levels or titers of C3, anti-DNA antibodies, and anti-nuclear antibodies. Necrotizing vasculitis was not observed. Microscopic changes were similar to the skin lesions of SLE and immunoglobulin and complement were found in both the basement membrane and blood vessel walls.", "contents": "Oral mucosal ulceration in systemic lupus erythematosus. In 182 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), oral mucosal ulceration occurred in 47 patients (26%), was usually painless (82%), and most often involved the hard palate (89%). Oral ulceration was associated with an increase in overall clinical activity, although this was not accompanied by significant changes in the levels or titers of C3, anti-DNA antibodies, and anti-nuclear antibodies. Necrotizing vasculitis was not observed. Microscopic changes were similar to the skin lesions of SLE and immunoglobulin and complement were found in both the basement membrane and blood vessel walls.", "PMID": 623694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5082", "title": "Some effects of mianserin on monoamine metabolism in the rat brain.", "content": "1 Mianserin does not affect the uptake of biogenic amines into rat brain, in contrast to tricyclic antidepressants which block amine uptake. 2 Mianserin increases the turnover of noradrenaline (NA) in rat brain after acute or chronic administration, whereas tricyclic antidepressants reduce turnover of NA and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 3 It should not be assumed that a compound must inhibit amine re-uptake mechanisms before it can be considered as a potential antidepressant.", "contents": "Some effects of mianserin on monoamine metabolism in the rat brain. 1 Mianserin does not affect the uptake of biogenic amines into rat brain, in contrast to tricyclic antidepressants which block amine uptake. 2 Mianserin increases the turnover of noradrenaline (NA) in rat brain after acute or chronic administration, whereas tricyclic antidepressants reduce turnover of NA and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 3 It should not be assumed that a compound must inhibit amine re-uptake mechanisms before it can be considered as a potential antidepressant.", "PMID": 623700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5083", "title": "Muscle disease in progressive systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.", "content": "Upon careful examination, 23 of 24 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were found to have abnormalities of muscle. Nineteen patients presented a homogenous pattern of muscle abnormalities, which untreated was associated with a stable course (\"simple myopathy\"). Three patients demonstrated inflammatory muscle disease indistinguishable from polymyositis while a fourth patient developed marked weakness associated with a generalized neuropathic process. Muscle enzymes, electromyogram, and muscle biopsy permitted distinction among the different muscle disorders, a distinction that could have prognostic and therapeutic importance.", "contents": "Muscle disease in progressive systemic sclerosis: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Upon careful examination, 23 of 24 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were found to have abnormalities of muscle. Nineteen patients presented a homogenous pattern of muscle abnormalities, which untreated was associated with a stable course (\"simple myopathy\"). Three patients demonstrated inflammatory muscle disease indistinguishable from polymyositis while a fourth patient developed marked weakness associated with a generalized neuropathic process. Muscle enzymes, electromyogram, and muscle biopsy permitted distinction among the different muscle disorders, a distinction that could have prognostic and therapeutic importance.", "PMID": 623695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5084", "title": "Relative toxicity of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin after intravenous infusion in conscious rabbits.", "content": "1. Amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin were administered intravenously to conscious rabbits. 2. Of the four compounds, mianserin was the least toxic, as assessed by the occurrence of convulsions, cardiotoxicity and eventual death. 3. The applicability of the results from this test system to man is debatable, but the indications are that the relative toxicity of mianserin may be low.", "contents": "Relative toxicity of amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin after intravenous infusion in conscious rabbits. 1. Amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline and mianserin were administered intravenously to conscious rabbits. 2. Of the four compounds, mianserin was the least toxic, as assessed by the occurrence of convulsions, cardiotoxicity and eventual death. 3. The applicability of the results from this test system to man is debatable, but the indications are that the relative toxicity of mianserin may be low.", "PMID": 623701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5085", "title": "Migrainous phenomena in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Eleven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also had headaches and/or visual hallucinations typical of those found in migraine. These migrainous symptoms were commonly associated with exacerbations of SLE and abated as disease activity subsided. In some cases corticosteroids were more effective than conventional antimigraine therapy in controlling headaches and scotomas. The data suggest that migraine-like phenomena may arise as a result of vascular dysfunction in SLE.", "contents": "Migrainous phenomena in systemic lupus erythematosus. Eleven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also had headaches and/or visual hallucinations typical of those found in migraine. These migrainous symptoms were commonly associated with exacerbations of SLE and abated as disease activity subsided. In some cases corticosteroids were more effective than conventional antimigraine therapy in controlling headaches and scotomas. The data suggest that migraine-like phenomena may arise as a result of vascular dysfunction in SLE.", "PMID": 623696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5086", "title": "Fat droplets and synovial fluid leukocytosis in traumatic arthritis.", "content": "The presence of fat droplets in synovial fluid signifies major or minor joint trauma with damage to the bones or adjacent supporting structures. Synovial fluids aspirated after traumatic hemorrhage usually have a low white blood cell count. In this report 2 patients with hemorrhagic effusions had synovial fluid leukocytosis, presumably secondary to lipid droplet phagocytosis. Lipid globules intra- and extracellulalary in the synovial fluid and a top fatty layer in the hematocrit spin of the hemorrhagic synovial fluid are indications of the traumatic etiology of this inflammatory arthritis.", "contents": "Fat droplets and synovial fluid leukocytosis in traumatic arthritis. The presence of fat droplets in synovial fluid signifies major or minor joint trauma with damage to the bones or adjacent supporting structures. Synovial fluids aspirated after traumatic hemorrhage usually have a low white blood cell count. In this report 2 patients with hemorrhagic effusions had synovial fluid leukocytosis, presumably secondary to lipid droplet phagocytosis. Lipid globules intra- and extracellulalary in the synovial fluid and a top fatty layer in the hematocrit spin of the hemorrhagic synovial fluid are indications of the traumatic etiology of this inflammatory arthritis.", "PMID": 623698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5087", "title": "Association between HLA-BW38 and peripheral psoriatic arthritis.", "content": "The frequency distribution of HLA antigens was studied in a group of psoriatic patients with and without arthritis. HLA-BW38 was found significantly increased in the group with peripheral psoriatic arthritis. There were no differences in the clinical features of the arthritis in the BW38 positive (+) and BW38 negative (-) individuals. It is suggested that BW38 is a genetic marker and/or an indicator of peripheral joint involvement in psoriatic patients.", "contents": "Association between HLA-BW38 and peripheral psoriatic arthritis. The frequency distribution of HLA antigens was studied in a group of psoriatic patients with and without arthritis. HLA-BW38 was found significantly increased in the group with peripheral psoriatic arthritis. There were no differences in the clinical features of the arthritis in the BW38 positive (+) and BW38 negative (-) individuals. It is suggested that BW38 is a genetic marker and/or an indicator of peripheral joint involvement in psoriatic patients.", "PMID": 623697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5088", "title": "Mianserin: a decade of scientific development.", "content": "1 Mianserin is a tetracyclic piperazino-azepine compound synthesized in 1966 for its peripheral anti 5-hydroxytryptamine properties. Animal screening showed that mianserin was centrally active, but the profile did not indicate possible antidepressant activity. Following clinical observations of sedative and possible mood-lifting effects, a quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) study showed that the EEG effects of mianserin are similar to those of amitriptyline. 2 Subsequent clinical and pharmacological studies have indicated that mianserin is an effective antidepressant which differs from the tricyclic antidepressants not only chemically but also in its pharmacological and clinical profile. Mianserin seems to lack anticholinergic and cardiotoxic properties, and has unusual effects on monoamine metabolism. 3 On the basis of the initial profile a series of clinical and pharmacological studies has been carried out, and the results of many of these studies are presented in these Proceedings.", "contents": "Mianserin: a decade of scientific development. 1 Mianserin is a tetracyclic piperazino-azepine compound synthesized in 1966 for its peripheral anti 5-hydroxytryptamine properties. Animal screening showed that mianserin was centrally active, but the profile did not indicate possible antidepressant activity. Following clinical observations of sedative and possible mood-lifting effects, a quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) study showed that the EEG effects of mianserin are similar to those of amitriptyline. 2 Subsequent clinical and pharmacological studies have indicated that mianserin is an effective antidepressant which differs from the tricyclic antidepressants not only chemically but also in its pharmacological and clinical profile. Mianserin seems to lack anticholinergic and cardiotoxic properties, and has unusual effects on monoamine metabolism. 3 On the basis of the initial profile a series of clinical and pharmacological studies has been carried out, and the results of many of these studies are presented in these Proceedings.", "PMID": 623702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5089", "title": "Susceptibility of rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid synovial cells to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "content": "Fibroblastic cells derived from rheumatoid (RA) and nonrheumatoid (N-RA) synovial tissue (synovial cells) were used as targets in assays of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Synovial cells that had been pretreated with human alloantisera were rapidly lysed by normal human blood mononuclear cells. RA and N-RA synovial cells were equally susceptible to ADCC under these assay conditions. Antibody to autologous synovial cells was not detected in sera from 10 patients with RA by this method of assay.", "contents": "Susceptibility of rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid synovial cells to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Fibroblastic cells derived from rheumatoid (RA) and nonrheumatoid (N-RA) synovial tissue (synovial cells) were used as targets in assays of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Synovial cells that had been pretreated with human alloantisera were rapidly lysed by normal human blood mononuclear cells. RA and N-RA synovial cells were equally susceptible to ADCC under these assay conditions. Antibody to autologous synovial cells was not detected in sera from 10 patients with RA by this method of assay.", "PMID": 623699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5090", "title": "Pulmonary infection and rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Five of eleven patients with bronchiectasis and/or cystic fibrosis developed a polyarthritis with positive tests for rheumatoid factor. Possible mechanisms of this complication are discussed.", "contents": "Pulmonary infection and rheumatoid arthritis. Five of eleven patients with bronchiectasis and/or cystic fibrosis developed a polyarthritis with positive tests for rheumatoid factor. Possible mechanisms of this complication are discussed.", "PMID": 623705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5091", "title": "Rifampicin-dependent antibodies in a patient with hepatorenal failure.", "content": "We report a case of hepatorenal failure complicating rifampicin administration in which rifampicin-dependent antibodies were demonstrated. Hepatorenal failure during rifampicin treatment has been reported before but in none of the previous cases were rifampicin-dependent antibodies described.", "contents": "Rifampicin-dependent antibodies in a patient with hepatorenal failure. We report a case of hepatorenal failure complicating rifampicin administration in which rifampicin-dependent antibodies were demonstrated. Hepatorenal failure during rifampicin treatment has been reported before but in none of the previous cases were rifampicin-dependent antibodies described.", "PMID": 623706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5092", "title": "Intrathoracic lymphoma associated with atrial arrhythmias and artrioventricular conduction defects.", "content": "The case of a patient with lymphoma associated with atrial arrhythmias and atrioventricular conduction defects resulting in heart failure is presented. Management included temporary cardiac pacing. Cytotoxic treatment was associated with resolution of the conduction abnormalities. Aetiology and management are discussed.", "contents": "Intrathoracic lymphoma associated with atrial arrhythmias and artrioventricular conduction defects. The case of a patient with lymphoma associated with atrial arrhythmias and atrioventricular conduction defects resulting in heart failure is presented. Management included temporary cardiac pacing. Cytotoxic treatment was associated with resolution of the conduction abnormalities. Aetiology and management are discussed.", "PMID": 623707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5093", "title": "Identifying dimensions of perceived patient change: some problems in the use of factor analysis.", "content": "A study of change in a 'therapeutic community' admission unit is used to illustrate some of the problems associated with the use of factor analysis in evaluating therapeutic outcome. The paper describes the methodological steps involved in an attempt to identify the underlying dimensions of change which reflect how patients see themselves, and are seen by those most closely involved with them. The resulting dimensions, labelled 'pleasantness' and 'illness', are used to illustrate change at three levels: average direction, scatter, and individual cases.", "contents": "Identifying dimensions of perceived patient change: some problems in the use of factor analysis. A study of change in a 'therapeutic community' admission unit is used to illustrate some of the problems associated with the use of factor analysis in evaluating therapeutic outcome. The paper describes the methodological steps involved in an attempt to identify the underlying dimensions of change which reflect how patients see themselves, and are seen by those most closely involved with them. The resulting dimensions, labelled 'pleasantness' and 'illness', are used to illustrate change at three levels: average direction, scatter, and individual cases.", "PMID": 623713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5094", "title": "Demoniacal possession and psychoanalytic theory.", "content": "Psychodynamic explanations of demoniacal possession have been based mainly on Freud's retrospective interpretation of the illness of Christoph Haitzman. Freud applied libido theory to his analysis of the case and subsequently influenced the psychoanalytic theory of paranoid symptom formation and the psychoanalytic approach to the psychoses. Fairbairn, and later Guntrip, applied an object relations theory to the case and conceptualized demoniacal possession in terms of bad internalized objects. They used the example of Haitzman to illustrate an object relations approach to the understanding and treatment of severely disturbed patients. In this paper the psychoanalytic treatment of a case of demoniacal possession is described to indicate the multiple dynamic meanings which possession may have and to demonstrate the necessity for integrating and applying aspects of libido and object relations theories. Current trends in psychoanalysis are towards recognizing the psychotic core which is frequently masked by an apparently psychoneurotic illness so that analysis must reach beyond oedipal conflicts to the primitive internalized object relations. A psychoanalytic study of demoniacal possession contributes much to the understanding of such patients but particularly to the conceptualization of borderline and psychotic states. It is in the treatment of these patients that the role of the psychotherapist is more akin to that of the exorcist.", "contents": "Demoniacal possession and psychoanalytic theory. Psychodynamic explanations of demoniacal possession have been based mainly on Freud's retrospective interpretation of the illness of Christoph Haitzman. Freud applied libido theory to his analysis of the case and subsequently influenced the psychoanalytic theory of paranoid symptom formation and the psychoanalytic approach to the psychoses. Fairbairn, and later Guntrip, applied an object relations theory to the case and conceptualized demoniacal possession in terms of bad internalized objects. They used the example of Haitzman to illustrate an object relations approach to the understanding and treatment of severely disturbed patients. In this paper the psychoanalytic treatment of a case of demoniacal possession is described to indicate the multiple dynamic meanings which possession may have and to demonstrate the necessity for integrating and applying aspects of libido and object relations theories. Current trends in psychoanalysis are towards recognizing the psychotic core which is frequently masked by an apparently psychoneurotic illness so that analysis must reach beyond oedipal conflicts to the primitive internalized object relations. A psychoanalytic study of demoniacal possession contributes much to the understanding of such patients but particularly to the conceptualization of borderline and psychotic states. It is in the treatment of these patients that the role of the psychotherapist is more akin to that of the exorcist.", "PMID": 623714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5095", "title": "A first Volunteer Case Aid programme in a mental hospital. Revealing the voluntary helper's role of reality testing between staff and patients.", "content": "A pilot Voluntary Case Aid programme in an English Mental Hospital using National Health Service resources is described. The selection of ten volunteers and ten patients and the preparation of all personnel was followed by regular contacts for at least a year. Subsequent evaluation suggested high motivation with both Case Aids and patients. Changes towards improved social functioning were evident in most cases by the end of the project. A relationship starting, continuing and finishing is reported in detail and from this study it is clear that the volunteer was a reality tester for staff and patient alike, constructively disturbing and modifying their mutual projections. This was true of most of the Case Aid interventions and the implications are discussed. A method of group supervision for Case Aids is reported.", "contents": "A first Volunteer Case Aid programme in a mental hospital. Revealing the voluntary helper's role of reality testing between staff and patients. A pilot Voluntary Case Aid programme in an English Mental Hospital using National Health Service resources is described. The selection of ten volunteers and ten patients and the preparation of all personnel was followed by regular contacts for at least a year. Subsequent evaluation suggested high motivation with both Case Aids and patients. Changes towards improved social functioning were evident in most cases by the end of the project. A relationship starting, continuing and finishing is reported in detail and from this study it is clear that the volunteer was a reality tester for staff and patient alike, constructively disturbing and modifying their mutual projections. This was true of most of the Case Aid interventions and the implications are discussed. A method of group supervision for Case Aids is reported.", "PMID": 623715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5096", "title": "The status of the anal character: a methodological and empirical reply to Hill.", "content": "Hill's (1966) critique of the experimental evidence for the anal character is subjected to a critical examination and some of the arguments are shown to be mistaken. In addition new evidence is presented which supports the previous interpretation. It is concluded that there is still factor analytic evidence for the anal character.", "contents": "The status of the anal character: a methodological and empirical reply to Hill. Hill's (1966) critique of the experimental evidence for the anal character is subjected to a critical examination and some of the arguments are shown to be mistaken. In addition new evidence is presented which supports the previous interpretation. It is concluded that there is still factor analytic evidence for the anal character.", "PMID": 623716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5097", "title": "Body image, plastic surgery (prosthetic testes) and Kallmann's syndrome.", "content": "A patient with Kallmann's syndrome received prosthetic testicular implants. In interviews and letters, he demonstrates that delay in electing surgery, and its eventual success, were both related to incorporation of the foreign bodies into the body image.", "contents": "Body image, plastic surgery (prosthetic testes) and Kallmann's syndrome. A patient with Kallmann's syndrome received prosthetic testicular implants. In interviews and letters, he demonstrates that delay in electing surgery, and its eventual success, were both related to incorporation of the foreign bodies into the body image.", "PMID": 623717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5098", "title": "Assessing the psychological effects of an exercise training programme for patients following myocardial infarction: a pilot study.", "content": "During a study investigating physiological and other effects of an exercise programme for coronary patients, a questionnaire was administered. Preliminary analysis had suggested some improvement in the patients' morale, but in view of the possible relevance of a number of psychological variables it was decided to carry out further analysis on the available data. The coefficient of discrimination was computed for 32 patients. For 19 patients correlations were computed between scores on subjective fitness, symptoms, anxiety, interest in sex, if at work, age, weight, and workload achieved at a given heart rate. The questionnaire appeared to have satisfactorily high internal and external validity. Patients with a high 'morale' score tended to achieve a greater increase in workload over the course. Although cause and effect cannot be unequivocally assigned, the association is felt to be important, and research is continuing.", "contents": "Assessing the psychological effects of an exercise training programme for patients following myocardial infarction: a pilot study. During a study investigating physiological and other effects of an exercise programme for coronary patients, a questionnaire was administered. Preliminary analysis had suggested some improvement in the patients' morale, but in view of the possible relevance of a number of psychological variables it was decided to carry out further analysis on the available data. The coefficient of discrimination was computed for 32 patients. For 19 patients correlations were computed between scores on subjective fitness, symptoms, anxiety, interest in sex, if at work, age, weight, and workload achieved at a given heart rate. The questionnaire appeared to have satisfactorily high internal and external validity. Patients with a high 'morale' score tended to achieve a greater increase in workload over the course. Although cause and effect cannot be unequivocally assigned, the association is felt to be important, and research is continuing.", "PMID": 623718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5099", "title": "Factors associated with low birth weight of infants delivered at term.", "content": "The singleton births in the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey (Butler and Bonhan, 1963; Butler and Alberman, 1969) were used to study the aetiology of low birth weight of infants delivered at term. After exclusion of macerated stillbirths and infants with lethal congenital defects, 468 infants of 259 days or more gestation and a birth weight which was less than 2500 g were identified. The mothers and their pregnancies were compared with those of the population of 16 994 singleton births. Delivery at term of a low birth weight infant was significantly associated with maternal prepregnant weight, maternal height, maternal smoking, primiparity, maternal employment, low social class, a previous infant of low birth weight, threatened abortion and severe toxaemia. No significant associations were found with illegitimacy, area of residence, previous spontaneous abortion, essential hypertension, mild toxaemia, chronic or acute infections or other conditions. There were significant negative associations with a history of previous large infants and with maternal blood group AB.", "contents": "Factors associated with low birth weight of infants delivered at term. The singleton births in the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey (Butler and Bonhan, 1963; Butler and Alberman, 1969) were used to study the aetiology of low birth weight of infants delivered at term. After exclusion of macerated stillbirths and infants with lethal congenital defects, 468 infants of 259 days or more gestation and a birth weight which was less than 2500 g were identified. The mothers and their pregnancies were compared with those of the population of 16 994 singleton births. Delivery at term of a low birth weight infant was significantly associated with maternal prepregnant weight, maternal height, maternal smoking, primiparity, maternal employment, low social class, a previous infant of low birth weight, threatened abortion and severe toxaemia. No significant associations were found with illegitimacy, area of residence, previous spontaneous abortion, essential hypertension, mild toxaemia, chronic or acute infections or other conditions. There were significant negative associations with a history of previous large infants and with maternal blood group AB.", "PMID": 623719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5100", "title": "Measurement of the fetal heart rate during pregnancy by a new electrocardiographic technique.", "content": "An external technique for recording the fetal heart rate (FHR) during pregnancy is described. The system is based upon the detection of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) from the maternal abdomen and elimination of the maternal QRS complexes by a new system of subtraction. Fetal QRS complexes with an amplitude of 10 microvolts or more were processed to produce heart rate recordings of much higher quality than previously obtained with the phonocardiographic and ultrasonic systems. The proportion of successful recordings was reduced between 27 and 34 weeks of gestation due to the decrease in size of the fetal QRS complex which occurred at this time; this was a major drawback of the ECG system.", "contents": "Measurement of the fetal heart rate during pregnancy by a new electrocardiographic technique. An external technique for recording the fetal heart rate (FHR) during pregnancy is described. The system is based upon the detection of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) from the maternal abdomen and elimination of the maternal QRS complexes by a new system of subtraction. Fetal QRS complexes with an amplitude of 10 microvolts or more were processed to produce heart rate recordings of much higher quality than previously obtained with the phonocardiographic and ultrasonic systems. The proportion of successful recordings was reduced between 27 and 34 weeks of gestation due to the decrease in size of the fetal QRS complex which occurred at this time; this was a major drawback of the ECG system.", "PMID": 623720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5101", "title": "Abnormal platelet function in pre-eclampsia.", "content": "Platelet behaviour was studied in groups of women suffering from mild and severe pre-eclampsia, and compared with normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Platelets from women with severe pre-eclampsia were less responsive than normal to a variety of aggregating agents, and this impairment was significant in response to collagen and vasopressin. Women with severe pre-eclampsia had raised plasma adenine nucleotide levels and lowered platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine levels compared with the controls. Platelets from women with mild pre-eclampsia showed only a slight difference from normal. These findings may be the result of platelets having undergone aggregation and disaggregation within the circulation, and suggest that platelets may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.", "contents": "Abnormal platelet function in pre-eclampsia. Platelet behaviour was studied in groups of women suffering from mild and severe pre-eclampsia, and compared with normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Platelets from women with severe pre-eclampsia were less responsive than normal to a variety of aggregating agents, and this impairment was significant in response to collagen and vasopressin. Women with severe pre-eclampsia had raised plasma adenine nucleotide levels and lowered platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine levels compared with the controls. Platelets from women with mild pre-eclampsia showed only a slight difference from normal. These findings may be the result of platelets having undergone aggregation and disaggregation within the circulation, and suggest that platelets may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.", "PMID": 623722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5102", "title": "Platelet lifespan in normal pregnancy as determined by a nonradioisotopic technique.", "content": "A nonradioisotopic technique for determination of platelet lifespan was applied to 19 healthy women whose gestational ages were between 32 and 40 weeks. Nine non-pregnant women and five men were also studied. Platelet counts were performed in all subjects. No significant difference was demonstrated between platelet lifespan in pregnant women (9.2 days), in non-pregnant women (9.7 days) and in men (9.2 days). There was no significant different between platelet counts in men and in non-pregnant women, but the mean number of platelets in pregnant women was significantly lower. It is concluded that no significant changes in platelet behaviour appear to occur in normal pregnancy.", "contents": "Platelet lifespan in normal pregnancy as determined by a nonradioisotopic technique. A nonradioisotopic technique for determination of platelet lifespan was applied to 19 healthy women whose gestational ages were between 32 and 40 weeks. Nine non-pregnant women and five men were also studied. Platelet counts were performed in all subjects. No significant difference was demonstrated between platelet lifespan in pregnant women (9.2 days), in non-pregnant women (9.7 days) and in men (9.2 days). There was no significant different between platelet counts in men and in non-pregnant women, but the mean number of platelets in pregnant women was significantly lower. It is concluded that no significant changes in platelet behaviour appear to occur in normal pregnancy.", "PMID": 623723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5103", "title": "Serum lactate dehydrogenase in detecting liver damage associated with pre-eclampsia.", "content": "Assessment of liver damage by estimation of serum enzymes including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its hepatic fraction, LDH5, was made in 60 normal pregnant women, 20 patients with pre-eclampsia and 10 with eclampsia. Definite evidence of damage was found in patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and was related to the severity of the disease.", "contents": "Serum lactate dehydrogenase in detecting liver damage associated with pre-eclampsia. Assessment of liver damage by estimation of serum enzymes including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its hepatic fraction, LDH5, was made in 60 normal pregnant women, 20 patients with pre-eclampsia and 10 with eclampsia. Definite evidence of damage was found in patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia and was related to the severity of the disease.", "PMID": 623724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5104", "title": "Adipose tissue metabolism in pregnancy: the lipolytic effect of human placental lactogen.", "content": "In vitro adipose tissue lipolysis was investigated in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Basal and hormone-stimulated rates of lipolysis were significantly higher in the pregnant group. Human placental lactogen (HPL) was shown to be lipolytic on adipose tissue from both pregnant and non-pregnant women; the response being more marked in the pregnant group. We postulate that HPL is responsible for this increased lipolytic sensitivity in pregnancy, the result of which is the elevation in levels of plasma free fatty acids in the third trimester.", "contents": "Adipose tissue metabolism in pregnancy: the lipolytic effect of human placental lactogen. In vitro adipose tissue lipolysis was investigated in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Basal and hormone-stimulated rates of lipolysis were significantly higher in the pregnant group. Human placental lactogen (HPL) was shown to be lipolytic on adipose tissue from both pregnant and non-pregnant women; the response being more marked in the pregnant group. We postulate that HPL is responsible for this increased lipolytic sensitivity in pregnancy, the result of which is the elevation in levels of plasma free fatty acids in the third trimester.", "PMID": 623725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5105", "title": "The effect of indomethacin on spontaneous activity in the isolated human myometrium and on the response to oxytocin and prostaglandin.", "content": "The spontaneous activity of human myometrial strips obtained during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and during the early and late stages of pregnancy was studied. Both prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and oxytocin caused contractions which were superimposed on a low level of spontaneous activity but only PGF2alpha was seen to affect high levels of activity. Spontaneous contractions were ultimately abolished by the addition of indomethacin. The strips remained responsive to PGF2alpha but not to oxytocin.", "contents": "The effect of indomethacin on spontaneous activity in the isolated human myometrium and on the response to oxytocin and prostaglandin. The spontaneous activity of human myometrial strips obtained during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and during the early and late stages of pregnancy was studied. Both prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and oxytocin caused contractions which were superimposed on a low level of spontaneous activity but only PGF2alpha was seen to affect high levels of activity. Spontaneous contractions were ultimately abolished by the addition of indomethacin. The strips remained responsive to PGF2alpha but not to oxytocin.", "PMID": 623726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5106", "title": "Water relations of the ovarian cycle.", "content": "This study reports the likely pattern of change in serum osmolality during the normal ovarian cycle, together with that which occurs during ovulation-induction by gonadotrophin. The variation in serum osmolality is attributed to the action of oestrogen on venous distensibility, and the effect of that response on the osmotic equilibrium between intra- and extravascular fluid. Although the action of gonadotrophin is mediated by the products of follicular theca and granulosa cells, the physiological response is ultimately affected by water. Both ovulation and menstruation may therefore depend on achieving a critical water content of follicular fluid and endometrial tissue.", "contents": "Water relations of the ovarian cycle. This study reports the likely pattern of change in serum osmolality during the normal ovarian cycle, together with that which occurs during ovulation-induction by gonadotrophin. The variation in serum osmolality is attributed to the action of oestrogen on venous distensibility, and the effect of that response on the osmotic equilibrium between intra- and extravascular fluid. Although the action of gonadotrophin is mediated by the products of follicular theca and granulosa cells, the physiological response is ultimately affected by water. Both ovulation and menstruation may therefore depend on achieving a critical water content of follicular fluid and endometrial tissue.", "PMID": 623727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5107", "title": "Assessment of ovarian function in perimenopausal women after stopping oral contraceptives.", "content": "Ovarian function was assessed by measuring plasma gonadotrophins, urinary oestrogen and urinary pregnanediol levels, every week for four weeks, in 34 women, aged 45 to 57 years, after withdrawal of oral contraceptive therapy. A rise in urinary pregnanediol excretion occurred in 14 patients suggesting that ovulation had occurred and that these patients were \"premenopausal\". Elevated serum gonadotrophin values and persistently low urinary oestrogen and pregnanediol excretion occurred in 13 patients suggesting ovarian failure or a \"postmenopausal\" state. However, one apparently \"postmenopausal\" patient later showed hormonal evidence of ovulation, indicating fluctuation in ovarian function. There were 7 patients with \"indeterminate\" hormone profiles whose ovarian function was difficult to assess. All patients excreting more than 45 nmol of oestrogen a day had a spontaneous period within 45 days of stopping hormone therapy.", "contents": "Assessment of ovarian function in perimenopausal women after stopping oral contraceptives. Ovarian function was assessed by measuring plasma gonadotrophins, urinary oestrogen and urinary pregnanediol levels, every week for four weeks, in 34 women, aged 45 to 57 years, after withdrawal of oral contraceptive therapy. A rise in urinary pregnanediol excretion occurred in 14 patients suggesting that ovulation had occurred and that these patients were \"premenopausal\". Elevated serum gonadotrophin values and persistently low urinary oestrogen and pregnanediol excretion occurred in 13 patients suggesting ovarian failure or a \"postmenopausal\" state. However, one apparently \"postmenopausal\" patient later showed hormonal evidence of ovulation, indicating fluctuation in ovarian function. There were 7 patients with \"indeterminate\" hormone profiles whose ovarian function was difficult to assess. All patients excreting more than 45 nmol of oestrogen a day had a spontaneous period within 45 days of stopping hormone therapy.", "PMID": 623728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5108", "title": "Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva.", "content": "A patient with verrucous carcinoma of the vulva is presented. A radical vulvectomy and superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy was done. The short-term result was satisfactory.", "contents": "Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva. A patient with verrucous carcinoma of the vulva is presented. A radical vulvectomy and superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy was done. The short-term result was satisfactory.", "PMID": 623729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5109", "title": "Antenatal identification of women at increased risk of being delivered of a low birth weight infant at term.", "content": "A method is described by which the risk of being delivered of a low birth weight infant at term can be predicted during the third trimester. A composite score is obtained by multiplying together relevant relative risks. The effectiveness of the method is discussed.", "contents": "Antenatal identification of women at increased risk of being delivered of a low birth weight infant at term. A method is described by which the risk of being delivered of a low birth weight infant at term can be predicted during the third trimester. A composite score is obtained by multiplying together relevant relative risks. The effectiveness of the method is discussed.", "PMID": 623730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5110", "title": "Regulation of translation rate during morphogenesis in the fungus Mucor.", "content": "The present study was undertaken in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating changes in the specific rate of protein synthesis during the yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis in the fungus, Mucor racemosus. The distribution of ribosomes between active polysomes and monosomes and inactive subunits was determined by means of pulse-labeling and density gradient fractionation techniques. The percentage of ribosomes active in protein synthesis was observed to decrease throughout the morphological transition. The rate of amino acid addition to nascent polypeptide chains was calculated and the transit time of messenger RNA translation was measured. The results showed a significant increase in the velocity of ribosome movement along the message which was continuously adjusted throughout hyphal development.", "contents": "Regulation of translation rate during morphogenesis in the fungus Mucor. The present study was undertaken in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating changes in the specific rate of protein synthesis during the yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis in the fungus, Mucor racemosus. The distribution of ribosomes between active polysomes and monosomes and inactive subunits was determined by means of pulse-labeling and density gradient fractionation techniques. The percentage of ribosomes active in protein synthesis was observed to decrease throughout the morphological transition. The rate of amino acid addition to nascent polypeptide chains was calculated and the transit time of messenger RNA translation was measured. The results showed a significant increase in the velocity of ribosome movement along the message which was continuously adjusted throughout hyphal development.", "PMID": 623731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5111", "title": "Physical characterization of myosin light chains.", "content": "This paper reports the results of an investigation into the size and shape of the low molecular weight subunits (light chains) of myosin from several animal species. Hydrodynamic, analytical gel filtration, and fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements indicated that these light chains could be represented by a general ellipsoidal model having a longest axis of about 100 +/- A. Investigation into the stability of the internal structure of the scallop regulatory light chain was carried out by studying the effect of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and guanidine hydrochloride on its circular dichroic spectrum. The nearly complete insensitivity of the circular dichroic spectrum to pH, ionic strength, and temperature variations from 4 to 70 degrees C indicated that this subunit contained regions of very stable structure which probably exist when it is bound to myosin.", "contents": "Physical characterization of myosin light chains. This paper reports the results of an investigation into the size and shape of the low molecular weight subunits (light chains) of myosin from several animal species. Hydrodynamic, analytical gel filtration, and fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements indicated that these light chains could be represented by a general ellipsoidal model having a longest axis of about 100 +/- A. Investigation into the stability of the internal structure of the scallop regulatory light chain was carried out by studying the effect of pH, ionic strength, temperature, and guanidine hydrochloride on its circular dichroic spectrum. The nearly complete insensitivity of the circular dichroic spectrum to pH, ionic strength, and temperature variations from 4 to 70 degrees C indicated that this subunit contained regions of very stable structure which probably exist when it is bound to myosin.", "PMID": 623733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5112", "title": "Circular dichroism studies on lipid-protein complexes of a hydrophobic myelin protein.", "content": "Circular dichroism spectra of lipophilin (a hydrophobic protein purified from human central nervous system myelin) were analyzed by the method of Chen et al. (1974) to obtain information on its secondary structure in aqueous and lipid environments. When introduced into phosphatidylcholine vesicles by dialysis from 2-chloroethanol, the protein possessed about 75% alpha helix. A new water-soluble form of lipophilin also containing over 70% alpha helix was obtained by a similar dialysis in the absence of lipid. This product had a higher helical content than two other water-soluble preparations derived by dialysis from phenol-acetic acid-urea. Interaction of all three aqueous forms of the protein with lysolecithin micelles resulted in increases in total helical content or in the average length of helical segments. The amount of beta sheet was at a minimum for lipophilin incorporated into vesicles, where the presence of lipid also provided some protection against thermal denaturation.", "contents": "Circular dichroism studies on lipid-protein complexes of a hydrophobic myelin protein. Circular dichroism spectra of lipophilin (a hydrophobic protein purified from human central nervous system myelin) were analyzed by the method of Chen et al. (1974) to obtain information on its secondary structure in aqueous and lipid environments. When introduced into phosphatidylcholine vesicles by dialysis from 2-chloroethanol, the protein possessed about 75% alpha helix. A new water-soluble form of lipophilin also containing over 70% alpha helix was obtained by a similar dialysis in the absence of lipid. This product had a higher helical content than two other water-soluble preparations derived by dialysis from phenol-acetic acid-urea. Interaction of all three aqueous forms of the protein with lysolecithin micelles resulted in increases in total helical content or in the average length of helical segments. The amount of beta sheet was at a minimum for lipophilin incorporated into vesicles, where the presence of lipid also provided some protection against thermal denaturation.", "PMID": 623734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5113", "title": "Intrinsic fluorescence of a hydrophobic myelin protein and some complexes with phospholipids.", "content": "The fluorescence characteristics of lipophilin, a proteolipid apoprotein from human myelin, were determined in aqueous and lipid environments. In all cases the tryptophan residues were located in buried hydrophobic sites of uniform, but limited, accessibility to the permeant quenching agent acrylamide; only in the helicogenic solvent 2-chloroethanol were the protein fluorophores exposed to the medium. Quantum yields were dependent on the state of aggregation of the protein in aqueous solution and increased considerably on treatment with lysolecithin micelles, or when the protein was combined with phosphatidylcholine by codialysis from 2-chloroethanol into water. Fluorescence titrations indicated that lipophilin bound to lysolecithin with an association constant greater than 10(6) L/mol. Radiationless singlet excitation energy transfer from tyrosine to tryptophan residues was found to decrease markedly when the protein was combined with lipids. When the protein was introduced into dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles, the tryptophan fluorescence did not detect any solid-liquid phase change. These results were consistent with strong hydrophobic interactions between lipophilin and phospholipids, which lead to conformational adjustments in the protein, and to establishment of an immobilized layer of boundary lipid in bilayer systems.", "contents": "Intrinsic fluorescence of a hydrophobic myelin protein and some complexes with phospholipids. The fluorescence characteristics of lipophilin, a proteolipid apoprotein from human myelin, were determined in aqueous and lipid environments. In all cases the tryptophan residues were located in buried hydrophobic sites of uniform, but limited, accessibility to the permeant quenching agent acrylamide; only in the helicogenic solvent 2-chloroethanol were the protein fluorophores exposed to the medium. Quantum yields were dependent on the state of aggregation of the protein in aqueous solution and increased considerably on treatment with lysolecithin micelles, or when the protein was combined with phosphatidylcholine by codialysis from 2-chloroethanol into water. Fluorescence titrations indicated that lipophilin bound to lysolecithin with an association constant greater than 10(6) L/mol. Radiationless singlet excitation energy transfer from tyrosine to tryptophan residues was found to decrease markedly when the protein was combined with lipids. When the protein was introduced into dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles, the tryptophan fluorescence did not detect any solid-liquid phase change. These results were consistent with strong hydrophobic interactions between lipophilin and phospholipids, which lead to conformational adjustments in the protein, and to establishment of an immobilized layer of boundary lipid in bilayer systems.", "PMID": 623735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5114", "title": "Small subunit contacts in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase.", "content": "The arrangement of subunits of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase in solution has been studied by exposing the enzyme to the cross-linking agents tetranitromethane, dimethyl suberimidate, and dimethyl adipimidate, and the cleavable cross-linking agent, methyl 4-mercaptobutyrimidate followed by gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. All these agents caused the formation of dimers of the enzyme's small subunit, independently of protein concentration. In addition, trimers and tetramers of small subunit were detected in the mercaptobutyrimidate-treated enzyme. The data show that small subunits are closely paired in the native enzyme and may be in layers of four, or a ring of eight.", "contents": "Small subunit contacts in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. The arrangement of subunits of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase in solution has been studied by exposing the enzyme to the cross-linking agents tetranitromethane, dimethyl suberimidate, and dimethyl adipimidate, and the cleavable cross-linking agent, methyl 4-mercaptobutyrimidate followed by gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. All these agents caused the formation of dimers of the enzyme's small subunit, independently of protein concentration. In addition, trimers and tetramers of small subunit were detected in the mercaptobutyrimidate-treated enzyme. The data show that small subunits are closely paired in the native enzyme and may be in layers of four, or a ring of eight.", "PMID": 623736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5115", "title": "Biochemistry of the amatoxins: preparation and characterization of a stably iodinated alpha-amanitin.", "content": "Iodination of alpha-amanitin at the 7-position in the 6-hydroxy-2-sulfoxytryptophan moiety is effected with 1 equiv of iodine monochloride in methanol. The isolated product shows a lambdamax in methanol at 301 nm, compared with 305 nm for the parent alpha-amanitin; in methanolic 0.01 M NaOH the lambdamax are 330 and 332 nm for the product and parent, respectively. Spectrophotometric titration of the phenolic hydroxyl shows a decrease in pKa from 9.72 (alpha-amanitin) to 7.94 (7 iodo-alpha-amanitin). Appropriate spectrophotometric examination therefore distinguishes between parent and product. Proton magnetic resonance shows two aromatic protons (v4H = 7.57; V5H = 6.90 ppm; j4,5 = 9) in the 7-iodo-alpha-amanitin and three aromatic protons (v4H = 7.64; V5H = 6.78; V7H = 6.94 ppm; j4,5 = 9; J5,7 = 2) in alpha amanitin thus establishing the extent and position of iodine substitution. The 7-iodo-alpha-amanitin effectively inhibits RNA polymerase activity with half-maximal inhibition at 2 X 10(-9) M and 10(-4) M for the sea urchin RNA polymerases II and III, respectively. Addition of [125I]-7-iodo-alpha-amanitin (200 Ci/mmol) to crude extracts from sea urchin blastula, MOPC 315 plasmacytoma, and adult Oregon R Drosophila melanogaster followed by resolution on DEAE-Sephadex demonstrates that the radioactive ligand binds stably and specifically with RNA polymerase II in each of these extracts.", "contents": "Biochemistry of the amatoxins: preparation and characterization of a stably iodinated alpha-amanitin. Iodination of alpha-amanitin at the 7-position in the 6-hydroxy-2-sulfoxytryptophan moiety is effected with 1 equiv of iodine monochloride in methanol. The isolated product shows a lambdamax in methanol at 301 nm, compared with 305 nm for the parent alpha-amanitin; in methanolic 0.01 M NaOH the lambdamax are 330 and 332 nm for the product and parent, respectively. Spectrophotometric titration of the phenolic hydroxyl shows a decrease in pKa from 9.72 (alpha-amanitin) to 7.94 (7 iodo-alpha-amanitin). Appropriate spectrophotometric examination therefore distinguishes between parent and product. Proton magnetic resonance shows two aromatic protons (v4H = 7.57; V5H = 6.90 ppm; j4,5 = 9) in the 7-iodo-alpha-amanitin and three aromatic protons (v4H = 7.64; V5H = 6.78; V7H = 6.94 ppm; j4,5 = 9; J5,7 = 2) in alpha amanitin thus establishing the extent and position of iodine substitution. The 7-iodo-alpha-amanitin effectively inhibits RNA polymerase activity with half-maximal inhibition at 2 X 10(-9) M and 10(-4) M for the sea urchin RNA polymerases II and III, respectively. Addition of [125I]-7-iodo-alpha-amanitin (200 Ci/mmol) to crude extracts from sea urchin blastula, MOPC 315 plasmacytoma, and adult Oregon R Drosophila melanogaster followed by resolution on DEAE-Sephadex demonstrates that the radioactive ligand binds stably and specifically with RNA polymerase II in each of these extracts.", "PMID": 623738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5116", "title": "Diversity and abundance of polyadenylated RNA from Achlya ambisexualis.", "content": "The diversity, abundance, and DNA sequence representation of poly(adenylic acid) containing RNA derived from cells of Achlya ambisexualis cultured in defined and undefined media have been determined. The kinetics of hybridization of polyadenylated RNA with complementary DNA were the same for both culture conditions and revealed the presence of three frequency classes containing 29, 220, and 3000 different sequences of an average length of 1150 nucleotides. Complexity estimates derived from experiments in which polyadenylated RNA was hybridized to unique sequence DNA were in good agreement with these results. The kinetics of hybridization of complementary DNA with an excess of nuclear DNA indicate that approximately 10% of the RNA is transcribed from reiterated DNA sequences while the remainder is transcribed from single copy sequences.", "contents": "Diversity and abundance of polyadenylated RNA from Achlya ambisexualis. The diversity, abundance, and DNA sequence representation of poly(adenylic acid) containing RNA derived from cells of Achlya ambisexualis cultured in defined and undefined media have been determined. The kinetics of hybridization of polyadenylated RNA with complementary DNA were the same for both culture conditions and revealed the presence of three frequency classes containing 29, 220, and 3000 different sequences of an average length of 1150 nucleotides. Complexity estimates derived from experiments in which polyadenylated RNA was hybridized to unique sequence DNA were in good agreement with these results. The kinetics of hybridization of complementary DNA with an excess of nuclear DNA indicate that approximately 10% of the RNA is transcribed from reiterated DNA sequences while the remainder is transcribed from single copy sequences.", "PMID": 623740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5117", "title": "T4 polynucleotide ligase catalyzed joining of short synthetic DNA duplexes at base-paired ends.", "content": "The self-complementary octanucleotide dT-A-G-T-A-C-T-A has been synthesized and its sequence confirmed by two-dimensional fingerprinting. Under conditions used for the T4 polynucleotide ligase reaction, this oligonucleotide forms a dimeric duplex which shows a Tm of 18 degrees C. The optimal rate of joining of the 32P-labeled duplex occurs between 12 and 15 degrees C. The rate is highly concentration dependent, as expected for a bimolecular process. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of this reaction shows the presence of products up to 120 nucleotides in length. In a denaturing gel, each product appears as a double band due to the presence of its 5'-adenylylated activated intermediate. Substrates larger than eight base pairs are utilized more rapidly than the eight base pair duplex, indicating that the T4 ligase has a higher affinity for longer substrates. The low level of nicked intermediates suggests that the joining of both strands requires two steps, the rates of which must be similar.", "contents": "T4 polynucleotide ligase catalyzed joining of short synthetic DNA duplexes at base-paired ends. The self-complementary octanucleotide dT-A-G-T-A-C-T-A has been synthesized and its sequence confirmed by two-dimensional fingerprinting. Under conditions used for the T4 polynucleotide ligase reaction, this oligonucleotide forms a dimeric duplex which shows a Tm of 18 degrees C. The optimal rate of joining of the 32P-labeled duplex occurs between 12 and 15 degrees C. The rate is highly concentration dependent, as expected for a bimolecular process. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of this reaction shows the presence of products up to 120 nucleotides in length. In a denaturing gel, each product appears as a double band due to the presence of its 5'-adenylylated activated intermediate. Substrates larger than eight base pairs are utilized more rapidly than the eight base pair duplex, indicating that the T4 ligase has a higher affinity for longer substrates. The low level of nicked intermediates suggests that the joining of both strands requires two steps, the rates of which must be similar.", "PMID": 623741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5118", "title": "Nucleotide specificity in microtubule assembly in vitro.", "content": "A procedure is described for removing most of the GDP bound at the exchangeable GTP binding site (E site) of tubulin. Microtubule protein containing substoichiometric amounts of GDP at the E site is found to polymerize in response to: (a) two nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues, adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) and adenylyl beta, gamma-methylenediphosphonate (AMP-PCP); and (b) substoichiometric levels of GTP or dGTP. The results are interpreted as suggesting that: (1) when GDP is removed from tubulin, the E site shows broad specificity for nucleoside triphosphates: (2) microtubule assembly can be induced by the binding of substoichiometric amounts of nucleoside triphosphate to the E site.", "contents": "Nucleotide specificity in microtubule assembly in vitro. A procedure is described for removing most of the GDP bound at the exchangeable GTP binding site (E site) of tubulin. Microtubule protein containing substoichiometric amounts of GDP at the E site is found to polymerize in response to: (a) two nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues, adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) and adenylyl beta, gamma-methylenediphosphonate (AMP-PCP); and (b) substoichiometric levels of GTP or dGTP. The results are interpreted as suggesting that: (1) when GDP is removed from tubulin, the E site shows broad specificity for nucleoside triphosphates: (2) microtubule assembly can be induced by the binding of substoichiometric amounts of nucleoside triphosphate to the E site.", "PMID": 623742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5119", "title": "Action of surface-active substances on biological membranes. II. Hemolytic activity of nonionic surfactants.", "content": "The hemolytic action of commercially available nonionic surfactants and synthesized polyoxyethylene fatty acids and mercaptans on human erythrocytes was measured. It is shown that the hemolytic power of the detergents depends on the mutual effect of the hydrophobic and hydrophylic fragments of the agent molecule and does not depend on the hydrophile-lipophile balance of the compounds. A graphical image of the structure-activity relationship obtained in the study is similar to the one found in the literature when studying the analgesic effect of imidazoline derivatives on rats in vivo. This fact is discussed on the basis of assumption that the mechanism of both processes in vivo and in vitro is related to influence of the agents on cellular membranes. It is suggested that the role of the polyoxyethylene chain is its effect on the dipole moment and the relative lipophilicity of the compound or in the participation of the fragment in the interaction with the surface components when the agent is sorbed on the membrane. It is concluded that when the correlation between the hydrophile-lipophile balance values and a membrane effect the capacity of the surfactants this indicates that the effect is caused not by destruction of the membrane but by some rearrangement of the membrane structure accompanying the surfactant adsorption.", "contents": "Action of surface-active substances on biological membranes. II. Hemolytic activity of nonionic surfactants. The hemolytic action of commercially available nonionic surfactants and synthesized polyoxyethylene fatty acids and mercaptans on human erythrocytes was measured. It is shown that the hemolytic power of the detergents depends on the mutual effect of the hydrophobic and hydrophylic fragments of the agent molecule and does not depend on the hydrophile-lipophile balance of the compounds. A graphical image of the structure-activity relationship obtained in the study is similar to the one found in the literature when studying the analgesic effect of imidazoline derivatives on rats in vivo. This fact is discussed on the basis of assumption that the mechanism of both processes in vivo and in vitro is related to influence of the agents on cellular membranes. It is suggested that the role of the polyoxyethylene chain is its effect on the dipole moment and the relative lipophilicity of the compound or in the participation of the fragment in the interaction with the surface components when the agent is sorbed on the membrane. It is concluded that when the correlation between the hydrophile-lipophile balance values and a membrane effect the capacity of the surfactants this indicates that the effect is caused not by destruction of the membrane but by some rearrangement of the membrane structure accompanying the surfactant adsorption.", "PMID": 623743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5120", "title": "Isolation and characterization of surface glycoproteins from L-1210, P-388 and HeLa cells.", "content": "A method is described that permits the rapid extraction of the cell surface glycoproteins of two murine leukemic cells, the P-388 and the L-1210 cells as well as those of the human adenocarcinoma cells, the HeLa cells. Proof of the surface location of these glycoproteins is provided by labeling the intact cells; (a) with 125I by the lactoperoxidase iodination technique; (b) with 3H by the galactose oxidase-reductive tritiation method. Most of these glycoproteins were also shown to incorporate radioactive glucosamine and fucose. By these criteria as well as by the distribution of molecular weights, the surface glycoproteins of the two murine cells are indistinguishable; however, they differ markedly from the surface glycoproteins of HeLa cells. The extracts of the murine cells were shown to contain lectin receptor activity as determined by their ability to inhibit the lectin-induced agglutination of the intact cells.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of surface glycoproteins from L-1210, P-388 and HeLa cells. A method is described that permits the rapid extraction of the cell surface glycoproteins of two murine leukemic cells, the P-388 and the L-1210 cells as well as those of the human adenocarcinoma cells, the HeLa cells. Proof of the surface location of these glycoproteins is provided by labeling the intact cells; (a) with 125I by the lactoperoxidase iodination technique; (b) with 3H by the galactose oxidase-reductive tritiation method. Most of these glycoproteins were also shown to incorporate radioactive glucosamine and fucose. By these criteria as well as by the distribution of molecular weights, the surface glycoproteins of the two murine cells are indistinguishable; however, they differ markedly from the surface glycoproteins of HeLa cells. The extracts of the murine cells were shown to contain lectin receptor activity as determined by their ability to inhibit the lectin-induced agglutination of the intact cells.", "PMID": 623744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5121", "title": "Cytochrome b-561 in sympathetic nerve terminal vesicles from rat vas deferens.", "content": "The spectral properties of sympathetic nerve vesicles isolated from the vas deferens of the rat are similar to those of the bovine chromaffin granule membranes and bovine nerve trunk vesicles, indicating the presence of the specific cytochrome b-561. The cytochrome occurs only in the fractions containing nerve vesicles, thus suggesting usefulness as a marker enzyme.", "contents": "Cytochrome b-561 in sympathetic nerve terminal vesicles from rat vas deferens. The spectral properties of sympathetic nerve vesicles isolated from the vas deferens of the rat are similar to those of the bovine chromaffin granule membranes and bovine nerve trunk vesicles, indicating the presence of the specific cytochrome b-561. The cytochrome occurs only in the fractions containing nerve vesicles, thus suggesting usefulness as a marker enzyme.", "PMID": 623746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5122", "title": "Is the Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel under metabolic control in human red cells?", "content": "It is widely known that a rise in internal Ca2+ leads to an increased K+ permeability of human red blood cells [1,2,3]. Binding of Ca2+ to some membrane receptors is required for the opening of the K+ channel [4]. This requirement, however, seems to alter after \"ageing\" red cells in vitro in acid-citrate-dextrose solutions. Thus, the free Ca2+ concentration producing half-maximal effect on K+ permeability ([Ca2+]K+-50) of 4-weeks stored cells is approx. 2.10(-4) M (calculated from ref. 3 using 50% free Ca2+ according to Schatzmann [5]); nearly ten times lower than that reported for fresh cells [6]. This observation suggests the possibility that the K+ channel may become more sensitive to Ca2+ on cold storage. The experiments described below support this idea.", "contents": "Is the Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel under metabolic control in human red cells? It is widely known that a rise in internal Ca2+ leads to an increased K+ permeability of human red blood cells [1,2,3]. Binding of Ca2+ to some membrane receptors is required for the opening of the K+ channel [4]. This requirement, however, seems to alter after \"ageing\" red cells in vitro in acid-citrate-dextrose solutions. Thus, the free Ca2+ concentration producing half-maximal effect on K+ permeability ([Ca2+]K+-50) of 4-weeks stored cells is approx. 2.10(-4) M (calculated from ref. 3 using 50% free Ca2+ according to Schatzmann [5]); nearly ten times lower than that reported for fresh cells [6]. This observation suggests the possibility that the K+ channel may become more sensitive to Ca2+ on cold storage. The experiments described below support this idea.", "PMID": 623747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5123", "title": "Rapid transbilayer movement of phospholipids induced by an asymmetrical perturbation of the bilayer.", "content": "Phospholipase D is used to convert egg phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidic acid in unilamellar vesicles. The transbilayer distribution of both lipids is determined by 31P NMR using paramagnetic ions. Phosphatidic acid formed in the outer monolayer is translocated to the inner monolayer with a halftime of 30-40 min or less. This is accompanied by an equally fast movement of part of the phosphatidylcholine from the inner to the outer monolayer. During these fast transbilayer movements the barrier properties of the vesicle bilayer are maintained.", "contents": "Rapid transbilayer movement of phospholipids induced by an asymmetrical perturbation of the bilayer. Phospholipase D is used to convert egg phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidic acid in unilamellar vesicles. The transbilayer distribution of both lipids is determined by 31P NMR using paramagnetic ions. Phosphatidic acid formed in the outer monolayer is translocated to the inner monolayer with a halftime of 30-40 min or less. This is accompanied by an equally fast movement of part of the phosphatidylcholine from the inner to the outer monolayer. During these fast transbilayer movements the barrier properties of the vesicle bilayer are maintained.", "PMID": 623748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5124", "title": "Spreading of liposomes at the air/water interface.", "content": "Two types of film structure are formed when liposomes are spread at the air/water interface. At zero surface pressure, there is a slow transformation of the closed bilayered structure into a lipid monolayer. The internal content of the liposomes is released into the aqueous subphase. In contrast, when multilamellar liposomes are spread against a surface pressure, they retain their internal content at the air/water interface by forming multilayered structures. Among the liposomes which dipped through the interface an important fraction loses its internal content. During the spreading process at zero surface pressure, it seems that the outer layer of the liposome spreads with a better yield as compared with the inner layer. It is possible to use this spreading technique to determine the asymmetrical distribution of lipids across bilayers.", "contents": "Spreading of liposomes at the air/water interface. Two types of film structure are formed when liposomes are spread at the air/water interface. At zero surface pressure, there is a slow transformation of the closed bilayered structure into a lipid monolayer. The internal content of the liposomes is released into the aqueous subphase. In contrast, when multilamellar liposomes are spread against a surface pressure, they retain their internal content at the air/water interface by forming multilayered structures. Among the liposomes which dipped through the interface an important fraction loses its internal content. During the spreading process at zero surface pressure, it seems that the outer layer of the liposome spreads with a better yield as compared with the inner layer. It is possible to use this spreading technique to determine the asymmetrical distribution of lipids across bilayers.", "PMID": 623750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5125", "title": "Interferon-mediated effect on ribosomal RNA metabolism.", "content": "Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has been shown to be involved in the binding of bacterial messenger RNA (mRNA) and an analogous 18 S rRNA.mRNA complex has been reported in eukaryotic systems. Thus, qualitative changes in host rRNA may be involved in the development of the interferon mediated antiviral state, a process thought to involve the inability of host ribosomes to bind and recognize viral mRNA. Data are reported which suggest that trisomy 21 human fibroblasts respond to human interferon with a marked reduction in cytoplasmic rRNA. [3H]Uridine was used to radioactively label the polysomal RNAs for 24 h beginning 12 h after interferon addition. Subsequent sucrose gradient analysis of the phenol or SDS-extracted RNA revealed that the reduction in radioactive rRNA was nearly complete for the 28 S rRNA. In contrast, considerable residual uridine incorporation was found in the 18 S rRNA species. Corollary data suggesting a net increase in mRNA synthesis and a net decrease in protein synthesis are reported.", "contents": "Interferon-mediated effect on ribosomal RNA metabolism. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has been shown to be involved in the binding of bacterial messenger RNA (mRNA) and an analogous 18 S rRNA.mRNA complex has been reported in eukaryotic systems. Thus, qualitative changes in host rRNA may be involved in the development of the interferon mediated antiviral state, a process thought to involve the inability of host ribosomes to bind and recognize viral mRNA. Data are reported which suggest that trisomy 21 human fibroblasts respond to human interferon with a marked reduction in cytoplasmic rRNA. [3H]Uridine was used to radioactively label the polysomal RNAs for 24 h beginning 12 h after interferon addition. Subsequent sucrose gradient analysis of the phenol or SDS-extracted RNA revealed that the reduction in radioactive rRNA was nearly complete for the 28 S rRNA. In contrast, considerable residual uridine incorporation was found in the 18 S rRNA species. Corollary data suggesting a net increase in mRNA synthesis and a net decrease in protein synthesis are reported.", "PMID": 623751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5126", "title": "Synthesis of ppGpp and chloroplast ribosomal RNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardi.", "content": "A material identified as guanosine 5',3'-bis-diphosphate (ppGpp) has been detected in extracts of Chlamydomonas reinhardi ac-20 cells grown under mixotrophic conditions or in arg-2 cells deprived of arginine. The material was acid and base labile, susceptible to alkaline phosphatase, resistant to periodate oxidation, had spectral characteristics of a guanine derivative and comigrated on chromatograms with ppGpp from Escherichia coli. In ac-20 ppGpp may be involved in the control of chloroplast ribosomal RNA synthesis. When ac-20 cells were shifted from mixotrophic to autotrophic conditions, the 32Pi labeling of ppGpp, relative to that of GTP, was reduced, while the specific labeling of chloroplast ribosomal RNA was enhanced. Addition of low concentrations of cycloheximide had somewhat similar effects.", "contents": "Synthesis of ppGpp and chloroplast ribosomal RNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardi. A material identified as guanosine 5',3'-bis-diphosphate (ppGpp) has been detected in extracts of Chlamydomonas reinhardi ac-20 cells grown under mixotrophic conditions or in arg-2 cells deprived of arginine. The material was acid and base labile, susceptible to alkaline phosphatase, resistant to periodate oxidation, had spectral characteristics of a guanine derivative and comigrated on chromatograms with ppGpp from Escherichia coli. In ac-20 ppGpp may be involved in the control of chloroplast ribosomal RNA synthesis. When ac-20 cells were shifted from mixotrophic to autotrophic conditions, the 32Pi labeling of ppGpp, relative to that of GTP, was reduced, while the specific labeling of chloroplast ribosomal RNA was enhanced. Addition of low concentrations of cycloheximide had somewhat similar effects.", "PMID": 623752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5127", "title": "Fractionation of aurintricarboxylic acid and effects of its components on nuclear swelling and nucleic acid synthesis.", "content": "Crude aurintricarboxylic acid synthesized by the conventional method was fractionated into 8 components (A1-A8) by silica gel thin layer chromatography. Some of the components were isolated and their effects were tested on nuclear swelling and on in vitro RNA synthesis and DNA synthesis using isolated polymerases. Only two components with low RF (A7 and A8) induced strong nuclear swelling. The other components were almost inactive. Formaurin-dicarboxylic acid, a contaminating polyanion of crude aurintricarboxylic acid, was synthesized separately. It was as effective as the two active components in nuclear swelling and inhibited RNA and DNA polymerases on naked DNA template. However, it stimulated RNA synthesis on chromatin template probably by dissociating histones from DNA. Unfractionated aurintricarboxylic acid showed the same effects at higher concentrations. A preliminary analysis indicated one of the inactive components (A4) is genuine aurintricarboxylic acid. The results suggest that the observed activity of crude aurintricarboxylic acid is due to some contaminating substances, one of which is formaurindicarboxylic acid.", "contents": "Fractionation of aurintricarboxylic acid and effects of its components on nuclear swelling and nucleic acid synthesis. Crude aurintricarboxylic acid synthesized by the conventional method was fractionated into 8 components (A1-A8) by silica gel thin layer chromatography. Some of the components were isolated and their effects were tested on nuclear swelling and on in vitro RNA synthesis and DNA synthesis using isolated polymerases. Only two components with low RF (A7 and A8) induced strong nuclear swelling. The other components were almost inactive. Formaurin-dicarboxylic acid, a contaminating polyanion of crude aurintricarboxylic acid, was synthesized separately. It was as effective as the two active components in nuclear swelling and inhibited RNA and DNA polymerases on naked DNA template. However, it stimulated RNA synthesis on chromatin template probably by dissociating histones from DNA. Unfractionated aurintricarboxylic acid showed the same effects at higher concentrations. A preliminary analysis indicated one of the inactive components (A4) is genuine aurintricarboxylic acid. The results suggest that the observed activity of crude aurintricarboxylic acid is due to some contaminating substances, one of which is formaurindicarboxylic acid.", "PMID": 623753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5128", "title": "Bromodeoxyuridine induction of deoxycytidine deaminase activity in a hamster cell line.", "content": "The Syrian hamster cell line, RPMI 3460, was found to express barely detectable levels of the enzyme deoxycytidine deaminase. In contrast, the cell lines B4 and HAB, which are derived from 3460 cells and have approx. 60 and 100% bromodeoxyuridine substitution in DNA, respectively, show an approx. 50-fold higher enzyme activity. Deoxycytidine deaminase activity can be \"induced\" in 3460 cells by growth in 10(-5) M bromodeoxyuridine, as well as by the other halogenated pyrimidines, iododeoxyuridine and chlorodeoxy-uridine. The time required for maximal enzyme activity to accrue (approx. 8 days) suggests that new genetic expression is required for enhanced deoxycytidine deaminase activity and inhibition of induction in the presence of Ara. C shows that bromodeoxyuridine must be incorporated into DNA. In addition, the extent of enhanced deoxycytidine deaminase activity is directly related to the level of bromodeoxyuridine substitution in DNA. Another hamster cell line, BHK21/C13, which shows no detectable deoxycytidine deaminase activity, cannot be induced by bromodeoxyuridine. These results are discussed with respect to a mechanism by which bromodeoxyuridine may alter gene expression due to an altered binding of both positive and negative regulatory proteins to DNA.", "contents": "Bromodeoxyuridine induction of deoxycytidine deaminase activity in a hamster cell line. The Syrian hamster cell line, RPMI 3460, was found to express barely detectable levels of the enzyme deoxycytidine deaminase. In contrast, the cell lines B4 and HAB, which are derived from 3460 cells and have approx. 60 and 100% bromodeoxyuridine substitution in DNA, respectively, show an approx. 50-fold higher enzyme activity. Deoxycytidine deaminase activity can be \"induced\" in 3460 cells by growth in 10(-5) M bromodeoxyuridine, as well as by the other halogenated pyrimidines, iododeoxyuridine and chlorodeoxy-uridine. The time required for maximal enzyme activity to accrue (approx. 8 days) suggests that new genetic expression is required for enhanced deoxycytidine deaminase activity and inhibition of induction in the presence of Ara. C shows that bromodeoxyuridine must be incorporated into DNA. In addition, the extent of enhanced deoxycytidine deaminase activity is directly related to the level of bromodeoxyuridine substitution in DNA. Another hamster cell line, BHK21/C13, which shows no detectable deoxycytidine deaminase activity, cannot be induced by bromodeoxyuridine. These results are discussed with respect to a mechanism by which bromodeoxyuridine may alter gene expression due to an altered binding of both positive and negative regulatory proteins to DNA.", "PMID": 623754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5129", "title": "Effects of inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase on DNA synthesis in rat liver after partial hepatectomy.", "content": "The effects of inhibitors of polyamine synthesis on DNA synthesis in rat liver regenerating after partial hepatectomy were studied. Neither 1,1'-[(methylethanediylidene)-dinitrilo]-bis-(3-aminoguanidine), a potent irreversible inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, nor 1,3-diaminopropane, an indirect inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, strongly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA when given as a single injection 1 h after operation and 23 h before DNA synthesis was measured. However, when the two inhibitors were given together, DNA synthesis was completely prevented. The incorporation of [14C]leucine into protein was not affected by this treatment. Combined administration of the inhibitors partially prevented the rise in hepatic spermidine levels normally seen during liver regeneration, but neither drug was effective alone. Hepatic putrescine content measured 12 h after treatment was increased by the combined inhibitors whereas, spermine levels were not significantly changed. By 24 h after operation the effects of the combined inhibitors on spermidine levels had almost worn off but DNA synthesis was greatly inhibited. However, by 40 h after operation the inhibitor treatment had no effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Also treatment with the combined inhibitors abolished DNA synthesis at 24 h after partial hepatectomy only when given more than 6 h before measurement suggesting that the effect was indirect and required time to become apparent. These results are consistent with other recent studies in which prior accumulation of spermidine appeared to be required for normal DNA replication and cell division.", "contents": "Effects of inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase on DNA synthesis in rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The effects of inhibitors of polyamine synthesis on DNA synthesis in rat liver regenerating after partial hepatectomy were studied. Neither 1,1'-[(methylethanediylidene)-dinitrilo]-bis-(3-aminoguanidine), a potent irreversible inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, nor 1,3-diaminopropane, an indirect inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, strongly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA when given as a single injection 1 h after operation and 23 h before DNA synthesis was measured. However, when the two inhibitors were given together, DNA synthesis was completely prevented. The incorporation of [14C]leucine into protein was not affected by this treatment. Combined administration of the inhibitors partially prevented the rise in hepatic spermidine levels normally seen during liver regeneration, but neither drug was effective alone. Hepatic putrescine content measured 12 h after treatment was increased by the combined inhibitors whereas, spermine levels were not significantly changed. By 24 h after operation the effects of the combined inhibitors on spermidine levels had almost worn off but DNA synthesis was greatly inhibited. However, by 40 h after operation the inhibitor treatment had no effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Also treatment with the combined inhibitors abolished DNA synthesis at 24 h after partial hepatectomy only when given more than 6 h before measurement suggesting that the effect was indirect and required time to become apparent. These results are consistent with other recent studies in which prior accumulation of spermidine appeared to be required for normal DNA replication and cell division.", "PMID": 623755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5130", "title": "Molecular size and fidelity of DNA polymerase alpha from the regenerating liver of the rat.", "content": "DNA-dependent DNA polymerase has been extracted from the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of regenerating rat liver and purified using phosphocellulose and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Glycerol gradient analysis showed that the enzyme was predominantly DNA polymerase alpha, having a sedimentation coefficient of 10.5 S at low ionic strength and of 6--8 S at higher salt concentrations. The fidelity of purified enzyme was assessed using the co-polymer poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) as a template for DNA synthesis. For both the aggregated (10.5 S) and disaggregated (6--8 S) forms, fidelities in the range of 1 wrong base in 100,000--150,000 complementary bases were obtained.", "contents": "Molecular size and fidelity of DNA polymerase alpha from the regenerating liver of the rat. DNA-dependent DNA polymerase has been extracted from the soluble cytoplasmic fraction of regenerating rat liver and purified using phosphocellulose and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Glycerol gradient analysis showed that the enzyme was predominantly DNA polymerase alpha, having a sedimentation coefficient of 10.5 S at low ionic strength and of 6--8 S at higher salt concentrations. The fidelity of purified enzyme was assessed using the co-polymer poly(dA-dT).poly(dA-dT) as a template for DNA synthesis. For both the aggregated (10.5 S) and disaggregated (6--8 S) forms, fidelities in the range of 1 wrong base in 100,000--150,000 complementary bases were obtained.", "PMID": 623756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5131", "title": "Large-scale purification and subunit structure of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from cauliflower inflorescence.", "content": "DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) from cauliflower inflorescence (Brassica oleracae, var. botrytis) was highly purified by polyethyleneimine treatment on a large scale. The solubilized enzyme was partially purified by polyethyleneimine fractionation and subjected to chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and phosphocellulose, and subsequently to sedimentation in a glycerol gradient. The specific activity (231 nmol/mg per 10 min) of this enzyme was comparable to that reported for other purified eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Analysis of the purified RNA polymerase II by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions revealed a single band. The subunit composition of the enzyme was analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The RNA polymerase II contained subunits with molecular weights and molar ratios (in parentheses) of 180 000(1), 130 000(2), 48 000(2), 25 000(4), and 19 500(4).", "contents": "Large-scale purification and subunit structure of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II from cauliflower inflorescence. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (nucleosidetriphosphate:RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) from cauliflower inflorescence (Brassica oleracae, var. botrytis) was highly purified by polyethyleneimine treatment on a large scale. The solubilized enzyme was partially purified by polyethyleneimine fractionation and subjected to chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and phosphocellulose, and subsequently to sedimentation in a glycerol gradient. The specific activity (231 nmol/mg per 10 min) of this enzyme was comparable to that reported for other purified eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Analysis of the purified RNA polymerase II by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions revealed a single band. The subunit composition of the enzyme was analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The RNA polymerase II contained subunits with molecular weights and molar ratios (in parentheses) of 180 000(1), 130 000(2), 48 000(2), 25 000(4), and 19 500(4).", "PMID": 623757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5132", "title": "DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III from cauliflower. Characterization and template specificity.", "content": "Class III DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) was highly purified from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea, var. bortytis) by using polyethyleneimine precipitation. The specific activity of the enzyme was comparable to that reported for mammalian enzymes. Glycerol gradient sedimentation analysis indicated that the sedimantation coefficient (23 S) was slightly higher than that of enzyme II from cauliflower. The class III enzyme was inhibited by alpha-amanitin at high concentrations (50% inhibition at 200 microgram/ml). The Km value for nucleoside triphosphate was determined. Template specificities for single synthetic polymers showed that the enzyme read pyrimidine homopolymers as templates and preferred poly(dT) to poly(dC). The enzyme transcribed both strands of homopolymer pairs of poly(dI). poly(dC) and poly(dA).poly(dT). The synthetic polyribonucleotides were not effectively read. Competition experiments with these synthetic polymers indicated that the enzyme had different binding specificities which were not the same as their template specificities. The different binding affinities and template specificites for synthetic templates of the three classes of enzyme suggest that the enzyme can discriminate among different template sequences.", "contents": "DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III from cauliflower. Characterization and template specificity. Class III DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) was highly purified from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea, var. bortytis) by using polyethyleneimine precipitation. The specific activity of the enzyme was comparable to that reported for mammalian enzymes. Glycerol gradient sedimentation analysis indicated that the sedimantation coefficient (23 S) was slightly higher than that of enzyme II from cauliflower. The class III enzyme was inhibited by alpha-amanitin at high concentrations (50% inhibition at 200 microgram/ml). The Km value for nucleoside triphosphate was determined. Template specificities for single synthetic polymers showed that the enzyme read pyrimidine homopolymers as templates and preferred poly(dT) to poly(dC). The enzyme transcribed both strands of homopolymer pairs of poly(dI). poly(dC) and poly(dA).poly(dT). The synthetic polyribonucleotides were not effectively read. Competition experiments with these synthetic polymers indicated that the enzyme had different binding specificities which were not the same as their template specificities. The different binding affinities and template specificites for synthetic templates of the three classes of enzyme suggest that the enzyme can discriminate among different template sequences.", "PMID": 623758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5133", "title": "Histone H5 in nucleated erythrocytes of fish as determined by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Tissue-specific histone H5 in the nucleated erythrocytes of dogfish, scup, skate, tautog, sea robin and toad fish was studied. The presence of this histone was inferred by its electrophoretic mocility on polyacrylamide gels containing either acid-urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate. By radioimmunoprecipitation assays, cross reaction was observed between fish histones and an anti-H5chicken antibody. The antibody was specific to chicken histone H5; purified chicken histone H1 and calf thymus total histones did not cross react. It is concluded that fish histone H5 shares common antigenic determinants with the chicken H5 histone.", "contents": "Histone H5 in nucleated erythrocytes of fish as determined by radioimmunoassay. Tissue-specific histone H5 in the nucleated erythrocytes of dogfish, scup, skate, tautog, sea robin and toad fish was studied. The presence of this histone was inferred by its electrophoretic mocility on polyacrylamide gels containing either acid-urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate. By radioimmunoprecipitation assays, cross reaction was observed between fish histones and an anti-H5chicken antibody. The antibody was specific to chicken histone H5; purified chicken histone H1 and calf thymus total histones did not cross react. It is concluded that fish histone H5 shares common antigenic determinants with the chicken H5 histone.", "PMID": 623759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5134", "title": "Dose response, wavelength dependence and rate of excision of ultraviolet radiation-induced pyrimidine dimers in mouse skin DNA.", "content": "The yield of thymine-containing dimers produced in mouse skin DNA in vivo by 290 nm ultraviolet radiation was shown to increase with dose up to around 2000 J/m2 and subsequently at a much slower rate up to 8000 J/m2. The study of wavelength dependence of dimer formation in skin indicated that 290 nm was the most effective wavelength of those investigated, followed by 300, 280 and 260 nm, with 310 nm being by far the least effective. A reduction in the number of dimers present in skin DNA was shown to occur by 24 h post-irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. A significant percentage of the dimers was, however, found to persist in the skin until at least 72 h post-irradiation.", "contents": "Dose response, wavelength dependence and rate of excision of ultraviolet radiation-induced pyrimidine dimers in mouse skin DNA. The yield of thymine-containing dimers produced in mouse skin DNA in vivo by 290 nm ultraviolet radiation was shown to increase with dose up to around 2000 J/m2 and subsequently at a much slower rate up to 8000 J/m2. The study of wavelength dependence of dimer formation in skin indicated that 290 nm was the most effective wavelength of those investigated, followed by 300, 280 and 260 nm, with 310 nm being by far the least effective. A reduction in the number of dimers present in skin DNA was shown to occur by 24 h post-irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. A significant percentage of the dimers was, however, found to persist in the skin until at least 72 h post-irradiation.", "PMID": 623760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5135", "title": "Molecular orbital studies on the structure of nucleoside analogs. I. Conformation of 8-azapurine nucleosides.", "content": "PCILO (perturbative configuration interaction using localized orbitals) computations have been carried out for the conformational properties of 8-azapurine nucleosides. The results indicate an anti conformation for Xcn and a gg conformation for phiC(4')-C(5') for C(2')-endo 8-aza analogs compared to the syn and gg conformation for the corresponding purine nucleosides. For C(3')-endo sugar puckering, both molecules prefer the syn conformation due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding between O(5')-H of the sugar and N(3) of the base, the preference being more profound in 8-aza analogs. The crystallographic conformation 8-azaadenosine has been attributed to crystal forces. The available NMR data on 8-azapurine nucleosides are in agreement with the PCILO predictions.", "contents": "Molecular orbital studies on the structure of nucleoside analogs. I. Conformation of 8-azapurine nucleosides. PCILO (perturbative configuration interaction using localized orbitals) computations have been carried out for the conformational properties of 8-azapurine nucleosides. The results indicate an anti conformation for Xcn and a gg conformation for phiC(4')-C(5') for C(2')-endo 8-aza analogs compared to the syn and gg conformation for the corresponding purine nucleosides. For C(3')-endo sugar puckering, both molecules prefer the syn conformation due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding between O(5')-H of the sugar and N(3) of the base, the preference being more profound in 8-aza analogs. The crystallographic conformation 8-azaadenosine has been attributed to crystal forces. The available NMR data on 8-azapurine nucleosides are in agreement with the PCILO predictions.", "PMID": 623761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5136", "title": "Differential inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouridine on RNA labelling in dipteran salivary gland cells.", "content": "In Chironomus salivary glands, 5-fluorouridine inhibits labelling of ribosomal RNA. The drug does not prevent labelling of other types of RNA- like heterodisperse messenger-like RNA, 75-S RNA of Balbiani ring origin and 4-S RNA, which furthermore are exported to cytoplasm. The potential use of this drug for the study of RNA metabolism in insect salivary glands can be compared with the use of low doses of actinomycin D in cultured mammalian cells.", "contents": "Differential inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouridine on RNA labelling in dipteran salivary gland cells. In Chironomus salivary glands, 5-fluorouridine inhibits labelling of ribosomal RNA. The drug does not prevent labelling of other types of RNA- like heterodisperse messenger-like RNA, 75-S RNA of Balbiani ring origin and 4-S RNA, which furthermore are exported to cytoplasm. The potential use of this drug for the study of RNA metabolism in insect salivary glands can be compared with the use of low doses of actinomycin D in cultured mammalian cells.", "PMID": 623762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5137", "title": "Interaction of normal and unusually modified microbial DNA with cultured mammalian cells. Breakdown and reincorporation vs. uptake of polymerized DNA.", "content": "The uptake of radioactively labeled bacterial and phage DNA and the incorporation of acid-soluble DNAase I digests of these DNAs by cultures of human foreskin and 3T3 cells were studied. The presence of large amounts of unusually modified pyrimidine residues in donor phage DNAs allowed radioactive donor DNA in the nuclei of DNA-treated cells to be distinguished from host DNA labeled with breakdown products derived from donor DNA. This distinction could be made because it was found that radioactively labeled 5-methylcytosine residues in predigested XP-12 DNA and glucosylated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine residues in predigested T4 DNA could not be incorporated in an unaltered form into animal cell DNA. The results obtained from the study of uptake of these DNAs suggest that approx. 4--40 ng of phage DNA per 10(6) cells was transported to the nuclei of DEAE-dextran-pretreated cells during 3 days of incubation in medium after treatment with the DNA. However, interpretation of the results is complicated by the finding of considerable amounts of donor DNA binding to and persisting at the cell surface, which might attach to nuclei during subcellular fractionation.", "contents": "Interaction of normal and unusually modified microbial DNA with cultured mammalian cells. Breakdown and reincorporation vs. uptake of polymerized DNA. The uptake of radioactively labeled bacterial and phage DNA and the incorporation of acid-soluble DNAase I digests of these DNAs by cultures of human foreskin and 3T3 cells were studied. The presence of large amounts of unusually modified pyrimidine residues in donor phage DNAs allowed radioactive donor DNA in the nuclei of DNA-treated cells to be distinguished from host DNA labeled with breakdown products derived from donor DNA. This distinction could be made because it was found that radioactively labeled 5-methylcytosine residues in predigested XP-12 DNA and glucosylated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine residues in predigested T4 DNA could not be incorporated in an unaltered form into animal cell DNA. The results obtained from the study of uptake of these DNAs suggest that approx. 4--40 ng of phage DNA per 10(6) cells was transported to the nuclei of DEAE-dextran-pretreated cells during 3 days of incubation in medium after treatment with the DNA. However, interpretation of the results is complicated by the finding of considerable amounts of donor DNA binding to and persisting at the cell surface, which might attach to nuclei during subcellular fractionation.", "PMID": 623763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5138", "title": "Characterization of unstable poly (A)-RNA in Caulobacter crescentus.", "content": "A significant amount of poly(A)-RNA in Caulobacter crescentus is located on polysomes and the size distribution of this polysomal poly(A)-RNA is small compared to the total pulse-labeled RNA in these cells. These observations suggest that the poly (A)-RNA represents a subset of small messenger RNA molecules. Poly (A)-RNA, and presumably the poly (A) portion of these molecules is extremely unstable: as assayed by binding to oligo (dT)-cellulose the poly (A)-RNA turns over with a chemical half-life of 15--20 s compared to a half-life of approx. 2 min for total cellular messenger RNA. The presence of adenosine in hydrolysates of poly(A) tracts showed that these sequences are located at the 3'-OH end of the RNA. The ratios of AMP/adenosine in the samples confirmed that the length of the A-tracts is approx. 13-17 nucleotides (Ohta, N., Sanders, M. and Newton, A. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 2343--2346)", "contents": "Characterization of unstable poly (A)-RNA in Caulobacter crescentus. A significant amount of poly(A)-RNA in Caulobacter crescentus is located on polysomes and the size distribution of this polysomal poly(A)-RNA is small compared to the total pulse-labeled RNA in these cells. These observations suggest that the poly (A)-RNA represents a subset of small messenger RNA molecules. Poly (A)-RNA, and presumably the poly (A) portion of these molecules is extremely unstable: as assayed by binding to oligo (dT)-cellulose the poly (A)-RNA turns over with a chemical half-life of 15--20 s compared to a half-life of approx. 2 min for total cellular messenger RNA. The presence of adenosine in hydrolysates of poly(A) tracts showed that these sequences are located at the 3'-OH end of the RNA. The ratios of AMP/adenosine in the samples confirmed that the length of the A-tracts is approx. 13-17 nucleotides (Ohta, N., Sanders, M. and Newton, A. (1975) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 2343--2346)", "PMID": 623764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5139", "title": "The relationship between hnRNA+-poly(A) and mRNA+-poly (A) in non-dividing human lymphocytes. Evidence for distinct synthetic pathways for mRNA precursor- and nonprecursor-hnRNA.", "content": "The processing of hnRNA+-poly(A) to mRNA+-poly(A) has been studied in resting lymphocytes from human peripheral blood. In pulse-chase experiments, two types of hnRNA+-poly(A) have been distinguished: the first is labeled predominantly with exogenous radioactive precursors supplied during the pulse, and the second incorporates primarily scavenged labeled precursors made available during a chase incubation. When the disappearance of both types of hnRNA+-poly(A) was quantitatively compared with the appearance of stable and labile mRNA+-poly(A), only 10% of the anticipated cytoplasmic material was actually obtained. Statistically, 90% of the poly(A)-bearing hnRNA molecules processed were degraded. The two types of hnRNA+-poly(A) were found to be functionally different. Pulse-labeled material was processed to poly(A)-bearing mRNA; \"chase-labeled\" molecules did not leave the nucleus and never served as precursors for cytoplasmic mRNA. The data fit a model in which there are distinct pathways for mRNA precursor- and nonprecursor-hnRNA+-poly(A).", "contents": "The relationship between hnRNA+-poly(A) and mRNA+-poly (A) in non-dividing human lymphocytes. Evidence for distinct synthetic pathways for mRNA precursor- and nonprecursor-hnRNA. The processing of hnRNA+-poly(A) to mRNA+-poly(A) has been studied in resting lymphocytes from human peripheral blood. In pulse-chase experiments, two types of hnRNA+-poly(A) have been distinguished: the first is labeled predominantly with exogenous radioactive precursors supplied during the pulse, and the second incorporates primarily scavenged labeled precursors made available during a chase incubation. When the disappearance of both types of hnRNA+-poly(A) was quantitatively compared with the appearance of stable and labile mRNA+-poly(A), only 10% of the anticipated cytoplasmic material was actually obtained. Statistically, 90% of the poly(A)-bearing hnRNA molecules processed were degraded. The two types of hnRNA+-poly(A) were found to be functionally different. Pulse-labeled material was processed to poly(A)-bearing mRNA; \"chase-labeled\" molecules did not leave the nucleus and never served as precursors for cytoplasmic mRNA. The data fit a model in which there are distinct pathways for mRNA precursor- and nonprecursor-hnRNA+-poly(A).", "PMID": 623765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5140", "title": "The putative 15 S precursor of globin mRNA contains a poly (A) sequence.", "content": "[3H] Uridine or [3H] adenosine pulse-labelled nuclear RNA was isolated from chicken immature red blood cells and separated on denaturing formamide sucrose gradients. RNA of each gradient fraction was hybridized with unlabelled globin DNA complementary to mRNA (cDNA) and subsequently digested by RNAase A and RNAase T1. The experiments revealed two RNA species with globin coding sequences sedimenting 9 S and approx. 15 S, the latter probably representing a precursor of 9 S globin mRNA. A poly (A) sequence was demonstrated in this RNA by two different approaches. Nuclear RNA pulse-labelled with [3H] uridine was fractionated by chromatography on poly (U)-Sepharose. Part of the 15 S precursor was found in the poly(A)-containing RNA. In the second approach 15 S RNA pulse-labelled with [3H]adenosine was hybridized with globin cDNA, incubated with RNAase A and RNAase T1 and subjected to chromatography on hydroxyapatite. The hybrids were isolated and after separation of the strands degraded with DNAase I, RNAase A and RNAase T1. By this procedure poly(A) sequences of approximately 100 nucleotides could be isolated from the 15 S RNA with globin coding sequences. The poly(A) sequence was completely degraded by RNAase T2.", "contents": "The putative 15 S precursor of globin mRNA contains a poly (A) sequence. [3H] Uridine or [3H] adenosine pulse-labelled nuclear RNA was isolated from chicken immature red blood cells and separated on denaturing formamide sucrose gradients. RNA of each gradient fraction was hybridized with unlabelled globin DNA complementary to mRNA (cDNA) and subsequently digested by RNAase A and RNAase T1. The experiments revealed two RNA species with globin coding sequences sedimenting 9 S and approx. 15 S, the latter probably representing a precursor of 9 S globin mRNA. A poly (A) sequence was demonstrated in this RNA by two different approaches. Nuclear RNA pulse-labelled with [3H] uridine was fractionated by chromatography on poly (U)-Sepharose. Part of the 15 S precursor was found in the poly(A)-containing RNA. In the second approach 15 S RNA pulse-labelled with [3H]adenosine was hybridized with globin cDNA, incubated with RNAase A and RNAase T1 and subjected to chromatography on hydroxyapatite. The hybrids were isolated and after separation of the strands degraded with DNAase I, RNAase A and RNAase T1. By this procedure poly(A) sequences of approximately 100 nucleotides could be isolated from the 15 S RNA with globin coding sequences. The poly(A) sequence was completely degraded by RNAase T2.", "PMID": 623766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5141", "title": "Comparison of the structural characteristics of the 4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate transaminases from rat and human brain, and of their affinities for certain inhibitors.", "content": "4-Aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate (4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate amino-transferase, EC 2.6.1.19) from human brain has been purified 2500-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. The enzyme, which appears to be pure by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, N-terminal analysis and immunodiffusion, was compared to rat brain 4-aminobutyrate transaminase, purified to the same extent in an earlier study [15]. The two enzymes, which have approximately the same molecular weight, show large differences in their tryptic fingerprints and in the peptides produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage. The Km values (limit) for 4-aminobutyrate are different, the human enzyme having four times greater affinity for this substrate. A series of branched-chain fatty acids (including n-dipropylacetate), which are structural analogues of 4-aminobutyrate and inhibit rat brain 4-aminobutyrate transaminase, are less powerful inhibitors of the human enzyme.", "contents": "Comparison of the structural characteristics of the 4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate transaminases from rat and human brain, and of their affinities for certain inhibitors. 4-Aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate (4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate amino-transferase, EC 2.6.1.19) from human brain has been purified 2500-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. The enzyme, which appears to be pure by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, N-terminal analysis and immunodiffusion, was compared to rat brain 4-aminobutyrate transaminase, purified to the same extent in an earlier study [15]. The two enzymes, which have approximately the same molecular weight, show large differences in their tryptic fingerprints and in the peptides produced by cyanogen bromide cleavage. The Km values (limit) for 4-aminobutyrate are different, the human enzyme having four times greater affinity for this substrate. A series of branched-chain fatty acids (including n-dipropylacetate), which are structural analogues of 4-aminobutyrate and inhibit rat brain 4-aminobutyrate transaminase, are less powerful inhibitors of the human enzyme.", "PMID": 623769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5142", "title": "The binding of lithium and of anionic metabolites to phosphoglucomutase.", "content": "Intercept inhibition of rabbit-muscle phosphoglucomutase (alpha-D-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate: alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.5.1) produced by several nucleotide diphosphates and compounds related to coenzyme A was re-examined in order to re-evaluate an earlier suggestion that this enzyme has an allosteric regulatory site. However, in all cases intercept inhibition constants were much larger than those previously reported, and in all but two cases were too large to assess in the assay system, i.e., were greater than 10 mM. Most of the intercept inhibition previously observed apparently was caused by the use of the Li+ salts of inhibitors. Thus, Li+ binds competitively with the natural activator, Mg2+, and in the presence of glucose phosphates binds almost as well as Mg2+: Kd approximately 10 micrometer. The observation that glucose phosphates bind to the Li+ complex of phosphoglucomutase some 900 times more tenaciously than to the corresponding Mg2+ complex could provide a partial rationale for the lack of reactivity of the Le+ form of the enzyme. Attempts to verify the dimeric structure of phosphoglucomutase that was previously reported also produced negative results.", "contents": "The binding of lithium and of anionic metabolites to phosphoglucomutase. Intercept inhibition of rabbit-muscle phosphoglucomutase (alpha-D-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate: alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.5.1) produced by several nucleotide diphosphates and compounds related to coenzyme A was re-examined in order to re-evaluate an earlier suggestion that this enzyme has an allosteric regulatory site. However, in all cases intercept inhibition constants were much larger than those previously reported, and in all but two cases were too large to assess in the assay system, i.e., were greater than 10 mM. Most of the intercept inhibition previously observed apparently was caused by the use of the Li+ salts of inhibitors. Thus, Li+ binds competitively with the natural activator, Mg2+, and in the presence of glucose phosphates binds almost as well as Mg2+: Kd approximately 10 micrometer. The observation that glucose phosphates bind to the Li+ complex of phosphoglucomutase some 900 times more tenaciously than to the corresponding Mg2+ complex could provide a partial rationale for the lack of reactivity of the Le+ form of the enzyme. Attempts to verify the dimeric structure of phosphoglucomutase that was previously reported also produced negative results.", "PMID": 623770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5143", "title": "Acid glycohydrolase in Chinese hamster with spontaneous diabetes II. N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in plasma and tissues.", "content": "Excessively high activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside acetamidodeoxy-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.30) was found in the plasma of hereditary diabetic XA line animals, which however showed similar activity of this enzyme in both 12 00 X g supernatant and precipitate fractions of kidney homogenates as the nondiabetic M line animals. 0.1% Triton X-100 extracts of kidney, spleen, hind leg muscle, cheek pouch and spinal cord of XA and M line animals also showed similar activities of this enzyme whereas the XA animal liver extracts showed significantly higher activity than the M extracts. On a Sepharose CL-6B column, plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase was eluted as two major peaks at 0 and 0.05 M NaCl (isozyme B1 and B2). Both isozymes showed pH optima between 3.5 and 4.0 and the same Michaelis constants for p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide at pH 4.5, i.e. 0.18 mM. Isozymes from XA and M animals showed identical properties. N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in the liver extracts was separated into 3 isozymes, A, B1 and B2, by successive column chromatography runs on Sepharose 6B and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. At 49 degrees C, isozyme B1 showed thermostability whereas B2 and A lost 20% and 76% of their activities after 30 min incubation, pH optima for A, B1 and B2 were 4.0--4.5, 3.5 and 3.5--4.0 respectively. The Km values for p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide were 0.48 mM for A and 0.19 for B1 and B2. The XA animal liver extracts showed higher activities in all three isozymes than the M animal livers. Identical results, however, were obtained for liver isozymes from M and XA animals with regard to thermostability, pH vs. activity, elution profile on ion exchange column and affinity to p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide.", "contents": "Acid glycohydrolase in Chinese hamster with spontaneous diabetes II. N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in plasma and tissues. Excessively high activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside acetamidodeoxy-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.30) was found in the plasma of hereditary diabetic XA line animals, which however showed similar activity of this enzyme in both 12 00 X g supernatant and precipitate fractions of kidney homogenates as the nondiabetic M line animals. 0.1% Triton X-100 extracts of kidney, spleen, hind leg muscle, cheek pouch and spinal cord of XA and M line animals also showed similar activities of this enzyme whereas the XA animal liver extracts showed significantly higher activity than the M extracts. On a Sepharose CL-6B column, plasma N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase was eluted as two major peaks at 0 and 0.05 M NaCl (isozyme B1 and B2). Both isozymes showed pH optima between 3.5 and 4.0 and the same Michaelis constants for p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide at pH 4.5, i.e. 0.18 mM. Isozymes from XA and M animals showed identical properties. N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase in the liver extracts was separated into 3 isozymes, A, B1 and B2, by successive column chromatography runs on Sepharose 6B and DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. At 49 degrees C, isozyme B1 showed thermostability whereas B2 and A lost 20% and 76% of their activities after 30 min incubation, pH optima for A, B1 and B2 were 4.0--4.5, 3.5 and 3.5--4.0 respectively. The Km values for p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide were 0.48 mM for A and 0.19 for B1 and B2. The XA animal liver extracts showed higher activities in all three isozymes than the M animal livers. Identical results, however, were obtained for liver isozymes from M and XA animals with regard to thermostability, pH vs. activity, elution profile on ion exchange column and affinity to p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide.", "PMID": 623771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5144", "title": "Properties of a beta-D-mannosidase from Aspergillus niger.", "content": "The beta-D-mannosidase (beta-D-mannoside mannohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.25) from culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger has been purified in large amounts by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The removal of traces of alpha-D-galactosidase was performed on a Sepharose-epsilon-aminocaproyl-galactosylamine column. The final enzyme preparation (specific activity 188 units) has no other glycosidase activity and is judged homogeneous. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 130 000 +/- 5000 and an isoelectric point of 4.7. The amino acid composition of the enzyme is characterized by high proportion of acidic amino acids and no cysteine residues and a single chain structure of the enzyme is suggested. The enzyme shows maximum activity on p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-mannopyrano-side at pH 3.5 and at 55 degrees C. The presence of 80% of beta-sheet structure in the protein and 20.8% of monosaccharides (Gal : 1.3; Man : 7; GlcNAc : 1) could explain this relative high heat stability (up to 2 h at 55 degrees C). Enzyme activity is inhibited by mannose (Ki = 7.85 mM) and the specificity is examined.", "contents": "Properties of a beta-D-mannosidase from Aspergillus niger. The beta-D-mannosidase (beta-D-mannoside mannohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.25) from culture filtrate of Aspergillus niger has been purified in large amounts by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The removal of traces of alpha-D-galactosidase was performed on a Sepharose-epsilon-aminocaproyl-galactosylamine column. The final enzyme preparation (specific activity 188 units) has no other glycosidase activity and is judged homogeneous. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 130 000 +/- 5000 and an isoelectric point of 4.7. The amino acid composition of the enzyme is characterized by high proportion of acidic amino acids and no cysteine residues and a single chain structure of the enzyme is suggested. The enzyme shows maximum activity on p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-mannopyrano-side at pH 3.5 and at 55 degrees C. The presence of 80% of beta-sheet structure in the protein and 20.8% of monosaccharides (Gal : 1.3; Man : 7; GlcNAc : 1) could explain this relative high heat stability (up to 2 h at 55 degrees C). Enzyme activity is inhibited by mannose (Ki = 7.85 mM) and the specificity is examined.", "PMID": 623772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5145", "title": "Purification and properties of alpha-l-arabinofuranosidase from plant Scopolia japonica calluses.", "content": "alpha-L-Arabinofuranosidase (alpha-L-arabinofuranoside arabinofuranohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.55) from the culture medium of Scopolia japonica calluses was partially purified. Various properties of the enzyme were studied and the effects of lactones on the activity were determined.", "contents": "Purification and properties of alpha-l-arabinofuranosidase from plant Scopolia japonica calluses. alpha-L-Arabinofuranosidase (alpha-L-arabinofuranoside arabinofuranohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.55) from the culture medium of Scopolia japonica calluses was partially purified. Various properties of the enzyme were studied and the effects of lactones on the activity were determined.", "PMID": 623773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5146", "title": "Isorenin, pseudorenin, cathepsin D and renin. A comparative enzymatic study of angiotensin-forming enzymes.", "content": "1. Renin was purified 30 000-fold from rat kidneys by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and SP-Sephadex, and by affinity chromatography on pepstatinyl-Sepharose. 2. The enzymatic properties of isorenin from rat brain, pseudorenin from hog spleen, cathepsin D from bovine spleen, and renin from rat kidneys were compared: Isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D generate angiotensin from tetradecapeptide renin substrate with pH optima around 4.9, renin at 6.0. With sheep angiotensinogen as substrate, isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D have similar pH profiles (pH optima at 3.9 and 5.5), in contrast to renin (pH optimum at 6.8). 3. The angiotensin-formation from tetradecapeptide by isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D was inhibited by albumin, alpha-and beta-globulins. These 3 enzymes have acid protease activity at pH 3.2 with hemoglobin as the substrate. Renin is not inhibited by proteins and has no acid protease activity. 4. Renin generates angiotensin I from various angiotensinogens at least 100 000 times faster than isorenin, pseudorenin or cathepsin D, and 3000 000 times faster than isorenin when compared at pH 7.2 with rat angiotensinogen as substrate. 5. The 3 'non-renin' enzymes exhibit a high sensitivity to inhibition by pepstatin (Ki less than 5.10(-10) M), in contrast to renin (Ki approximately 6-10(-7) M), at pH 5.5. 6. It is concluded from the data that isorenin from rat brain and pseudorenin from hog spleen are closely related to, or identical with cathepsin D.", "contents": "Isorenin, pseudorenin, cathepsin D and renin. A comparative enzymatic study of angiotensin-forming enzymes. 1. Renin was purified 30 000-fold from rat kidneys by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and SP-Sephadex, and by affinity chromatography on pepstatinyl-Sepharose. 2. The enzymatic properties of isorenin from rat brain, pseudorenin from hog spleen, cathepsin D from bovine spleen, and renin from rat kidneys were compared: Isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D generate angiotensin from tetradecapeptide renin substrate with pH optima around 4.9, renin at 6.0. With sheep angiotensinogen as substrate, isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D have similar pH profiles (pH optima at 3.9 and 5.5), in contrast to renin (pH optimum at 6.8). 3. The angiotensin-formation from tetradecapeptide by isorenin, pseudorenin and cathepsin D was inhibited by albumin, alpha-and beta-globulins. These 3 enzymes have acid protease activity at pH 3.2 with hemoglobin as the substrate. Renin is not inhibited by proteins and has no acid protease activity. 4. Renin generates angiotensin I from various angiotensinogens at least 100 000 times faster than isorenin, pseudorenin or cathepsin D, and 3000 000 times faster than isorenin when compared at pH 7.2 with rat angiotensinogen as substrate. 5. The 3 'non-renin' enzymes exhibit a high sensitivity to inhibition by pepstatin (Ki less than 5.10(-10) M), in contrast to renin (Ki approximately 6-10(-7) M), at pH 5.5. 6. It is concluded from the data that isorenin from rat brain and pseudorenin from hog spleen are closely related to, or identical with cathepsin D.", "PMID": 623774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5147", "title": "Ethane and ethylene formation by mitochondria as indication of aerobic lipid degradation in response to wounding of plant tissue.", "content": "During aerobic incubation of potato slices or potato mitochondria at acidic pH, ethane and ethylene in a ratio of approx. 50 : 1 are generated from an endogenous substrate. Both ethane and ethylene production are stimulated by the addition of alpha-linolenic acid. Ethane formation from linolenic acid is a radical mechanism dependent on oxygen and is not significantly influenced by mitochondrial electron transport. Ethane production may represent a sensitive marker for membrane damage.", "contents": "Ethane and ethylene formation by mitochondria as indication of aerobic lipid degradation in response to wounding of plant tissue. During aerobic incubation of potato slices or potato mitochondria at acidic pH, ethane and ethylene in a ratio of approx. 50 : 1 are generated from an endogenous substrate. Both ethane and ethylene production are stimulated by the addition of alpha-linolenic acid. Ethane formation from linolenic acid is a radical mechanism dependent on oxygen and is not significantly influenced by mitochondrial electron transport. Ethane production may represent a sensitive marker for membrane damage.", "PMID": 623777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5148", "title": "The effect in vitro of ionizing irradiation and small rises in temperature on the uptake and release of labelled lipids by the human erythrocyte membrane.", "content": "1. The effect of X-irradiation (50 000 rad) and an increase in temperature from 37 to 42 degrees C on the synthesis, uptake and release of labelled lipids by erythrocytes was studied in plasma incubations in vitro. 2. Both irradiation and a rise in temperature resulted in an inhanced synthesis of [32P]phosphatidic acid in the erythrocytes. 3. The uptake by the erythrocytes of 14C- and 3H-labelled cholesterol, [14C, 32P]phosphatidylethanolamine and [14C, 32P]phosphatidylcholine from plasma lipoproteins was increased by a rise in temperature but not by irradiation. These labelled lipids were apparently taken up in the ratio in which they were found in plasma. They were not released from the erythrocytes in the same manner.", "contents": "The effect in vitro of ionizing irradiation and small rises in temperature on the uptake and release of labelled lipids by the human erythrocyte membrane. 1. The effect of X-irradiation (50 000 rad) and an increase in temperature from 37 to 42 degrees C on the synthesis, uptake and release of labelled lipids by erythrocytes was studied in plasma incubations in vitro. 2. Both irradiation and a rise in temperature resulted in an inhanced synthesis of [32P]phosphatidic acid in the erythrocytes. 3. The uptake by the erythrocytes of 14C- and 3H-labelled cholesterol, [14C, 32P]phosphatidylethanolamine and [14C, 32P]phosphatidylcholine from plasma lipoproteins was increased by a rise in temperature but not by irradiation. These labelled lipids were apparently taken up in the ratio in which they were found in plasma. They were not released from the erythrocytes in the same manner.", "PMID": 623778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5149", "title": "A new chromatographic approach to the resolution of individual gangliosides. Ganglioside mapping.", "content": "1. Anion-exchange column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex, DEAE-Sepharose and QAE-Sephadex were tested for fractionation of ganglioside-molecular species. DEAE-Sepharose gave the best resolution, with good separation of mono-, di-, tri- and even tetrasialogangliosides. Even minor gangliosides could be resolved and detected by silica gel thin-layer chromatography of successive fractions of effluent from a DEAE-Sepharose column. In this two-step chromatographic system, the first step of elution from the column depends on differences in anionic charge and the second step of development on a silica gel plate depends on differences in polarity. With this ganglioside-mapping technique, at least 25 unidentified gangliosides were separated from bovine and human brains in addition to the well-known compounds, G7, GM3, GM2, GM1, GM1 (GlycNeu), GD2, GD3, GD1a, GD1a-GAN, GD1a(AcNeu, GlycNeu), GD1b, GT1a, GT1b and GQ. 2. The procedure was used to compare the gangliosides in human (3, 5 and 35 years old), bovine, cat, rat, rabbit, chicken and dog brains. The ganglioside profiles of human, cat, rat, rabbit and dog brains only differed in minor components. However, the gangliosides in chicken brain were unexpectedly complex, at least 30 minor gangliosides, including 15 monosialogangliosides being recognized. Gangliosides containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid (GDIa and GM1 type) were only found in bovine brain. The concentrations of tri- and tetrasialogangliosides in human brain were found to increase during maturation. 3. The long chain bases of each ganglioside fraction, in which the content of sialic acid was confirmed by measuring the ratio of sialic acid to stearic acid, were also analyzed as their aldehydes. The ratios of C-20 to C-18 sphingosine increased in the series from the mono- to tetrasialoganglioside fraction (0.216-1.777) in all animal brains tested.", "contents": "A new chromatographic approach to the resolution of individual gangliosides. Ganglioside mapping. 1. Anion-exchange column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex, DEAE-Sepharose and QAE-Sephadex were tested for fractionation of ganglioside-molecular species. DEAE-Sepharose gave the best resolution, with good separation of mono-, di-, tri- and even tetrasialogangliosides. Even minor gangliosides could be resolved and detected by silica gel thin-layer chromatography of successive fractions of effluent from a DEAE-Sepharose column. In this two-step chromatographic system, the first step of elution from the column depends on differences in anionic charge and the second step of development on a silica gel plate depends on differences in polarity. With this ganglioside-mapping technique, at least 25 unidentified gangliosides were separated from bovine and human brains in addition to the well-known compounds, G7, GM3, GM2, GM1, GM1 (GlycNeu), GD2, GD3, GD1a, GD1a-GAN, GD1a(AcNeu, GlycNeu), GD1b, GT1a, GT1b and GQ. 2. The procedure was used to compare the gangliosides in human (3, 5 and 35 years old), bovine, cat, rat, rabbit, chicken and dog brains. The ganglioside profiles of human, cat, rat, rabbit and dog brains only differed in minor components. However, the gangliosides in chicken brain were unexpectedly complex, at least 30 minor gangliosides, including 15 monosialogangliosides being recognized. Gangliosides containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid (GDIa and GM1 type) were only found in bovine brain. The concentrations of tri- and tetrasialogangliosides in human brain were found to increase during maturation. 3. The long chain bases of each ganglioside fraction, in which the content of sialic acid was confirmed by measuring the ratio of sialic acid to stearic acid, were also analyzed as their aldehydes. The ratios of C-20 to C-18 sphingosine increased in the series from the mono- to tetrasialoganglioside fraction (0.216-1.777) in all animal brains tested.", "PMID": 623779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5150", "title": "An anti-A1 lectin in the seeds of Amphicarpaea bracteata.", "content": "An anti-A1 lectin has been isolated from the extract of Amphicarpaea bracteata seeds by affinity chromatography on Epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B coupled to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. The yield of the purified lectin was 86 microgram/g of seeds. The purified lectin shows one main band on electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide. The amino acid and neutral sugar composition indicate that this lectin is an acidic glycoprotein with a neutral sugar content of approx. 2%. The composition of the lectin is different from that of the Dolichos biflorus lectin but the two lectins have some common characteristics. The most powerful inhibitors of the agglutination of A1 red blood cells by the A. bracteata lectin is N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Much weaker inhibitors of the agglutination are alpha-lactose, D-fucose, and five other sugars.", "contents": "An anti-A1 lectin in the seeds of Amphicarpaea bracteata. An anti-A1 lectin has been isolated from the extract of Amphicarpaea bracteata seeds by affinity chromatography on Epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B coupled to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. The yield of the purified lectin was 86 microgram/g of seeds. The purified lectin shows one main band on electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide. The amino acid and neutral sugar composition indicate that this lectin is an acidic glycoprotein with a neutral sugar content of approx. 2%. The composition of the lectin is different from that of the Dolichos biflorus lectin but the two lectins have some common characteristics. The most powerful inhibitors of the agglutination of A1 red blood cells by the A. bracteata lectin is N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Much weaker inhibitors of the agglutination are alpha-lactose, D-fucose, and five other sugars.", "PMID": 623780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5151", "title": "Isolation and chemical characterization of two distinct \"link proteins\" from bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan complex.", "content": "Bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan aggregates have been dissociated and separated by dissociative density gradient centrifugation into proteoglycan sub-units and \"link fraction\". The latter contained mainly the two \"link proteins\" as shown by analytical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two \"link proteins\" were then separated by preparative gel electrophoresis under dissociative conditions. Molecular weight and amino acid composition of both proteins are presented.", "contents": "Isolation and chemical characterization of two distinct \"link proteins\" from bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan complex. Bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan aggregates have been dissociated and separated by dissociative density gradient centrifugation into proteoglycan sub-units and \"link fraction\". The latter contained mainly the two \"link proteins\" as shown by analytical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The two \"link proteins\" were then separated by preparative gel electrophoresis under dissociative conditions. Molecular weight and amino acid composition of both proteins are presented.", "PMID": 623781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5152", "title": "The isolation of \"link proteins\" from bovine nasal cartilage.", "content": "Methods of isolating the water insoluble 'link proteins' from preparations of bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan aggregates have been investigated. Upon chromatography on Sepharose 4B in 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, the 'link proteins' are found in a discrete, included peak, whereas the bulk of the proteoglycan emerges at the void volume. Some low molecular weight proteoglycan is associated with the 'link proteins'. An alternative procedure, i.e. chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in sodium dodecyl sulfate, has also been examined. In 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, proteoglycan monomer is not absorbed by the column, whereas 'link proteins' are. Subsequently, the 'link proteins' with a minor fraction of the proteoglycan are eluted with 1.0% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Both procedures serve to separate the 'link proteins' from the bulk of proteoglycan present in an aggregate preparation, but additional steps are necessary to achieve homogeneity. Thus a 'link protein' preparation, fractionated from proteoglycan aggregate by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation under dissociative conditions, can be finally purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in sodium dodecyl sulfate.", "contents": "The isolation of \"link proteins\" from bovine nasal cartilage. Methods of isolating the water insoluble 'link proteins' from preparations of bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan aggregates have been investigated. Upon chromatography on Sepharose 4B in 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, the 'link proteins' are found in a discrete, included peak, whereas the bulk of the proteoglycan emerges at the void volume. Some low molecular weight proteoglycan is associated with the 'link proteins'. An alternative procedure, i.e. chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in sodium dodecyl sulfate, has also been examined. In 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, proteoglycan monomer is not absorbed by the column, whereas 'link proteins' are. Subsequently, the 'link proteins' with a minor fraction of the proteoglycan are eluted with 1.0% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Both procedures serve to separate the 'link proteins' from the bulk of proteoglycan present in an aggregate preparation, but additional steps are necessary to achieve homogeneity. Thus a 'link protein' preparation, fractionated from proteoglycan aggregate by equilibrium density gradient centrifugation under dissociative conditions, can be finally purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in sodium dodecyl sulfate.", "PMID": 623782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5153", "title": "Proteolytic modification of pig and rat liver pyruvate kinase type L including phosphorylatable site.", "content": "The phosphorylated or phosphate-accepting site of pyruvate kinase from pig and rat liver was removed without inactivation by incubation with subtilisin. At different time intervals the subtilisin was inactivated with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and the amount of remaining phosphorylatable or phosphorylated sites of pyruvate kinase estimated by incubation with an excess of [32P]-ATP and protein kinase. It was found that to get the same rate of modification the subtilisin concentration required to modify unphosphorylated pyruvate kinase was approximately ten times higher than that used for removal of the phosphorylated site of phosphorylated site of phosphorylated enzyme. It was shown that the proteolytically-modified pyruvate kinase had an increased apparent Km for phosphoenolpyruvate without a change in V, when compared to unmodified unphosphorylated and phosphorylated pyruvate kinase. The removal of the phosphorylated site was not associated with loss of the allosteric sites for ATP and Fru-1,6-P2. The possibility that phosphorylation of the pyruvate kinase increases its degradation rate in vivo is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Proteolytic modification of pig and rat liver pyruvate kinase type L including phosphorylatable site. The phosphorylated or phosphate-accepting site of pyruvate kinase from pig and rat liver was removed without inactivation by incubation with subtilisin. At different time intervals the subtilisin was inactivated with phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and the amount of remaining phosphorylatable or phosphorylated sites of pyruvate kinase estimated by incubation with an excess of [32P]-ATP and protein kinase. It was found that to get the same rate of modification the subtilisin concentration required to modify unphosphorylated pyruvate kinase was approximately ten times higher than that used for removal of the phosphorylated site of phosphorylated site of phosphorylated enzyme. It was shown that the proteolytically-modified pyruvate kinase had an increased apparent Km for phosphoenolpyruvate without a change in V, when compared to unmodified unphosphorylated and phosphorylated pyruvate kinase. The removal of the phosphorylated site was not associated with loss of the allosteric sites for ATP and Fru-1,6-P2. The possibility that phosphorylation of the pyruvate kinase increases its degradation rate in vivo is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 623783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5154", "title": "Molecular weights of wheat gamma2-, beta6-, alpha7-, alpha8- and alpha9-gliadins.", "content": "The molecular weights of wheat gamma2-, beta6-, alpha7-, alpha8- and alpha9-gliadins were calculated with the aid of a computer technique from sedimentation equilibrium data obtained in an ultracentrifuge equipped with photoelectric scanner. The dissociative solvents, all at pH 3.1 by addition of HCl, included 3 M urea, 0.15 M KCl; 8 M urea, 0.15 M KCl and 6 M guanidine-HCl. The minimum molecular weights for gamma2-, alpha7- and alpha9-gliadins, obtained in 6 M guanidine-HCl, were 34 600, 30 400 and 30 900, respectively. The beta6- and alpha8-gliadins gave minimum molecular weights of 33 000 and 36 900, respectively, in 3 M urea, 0.15 M KCl.", "contents": "Molecular weights of wheat gamma2-, beta6-, alpha7-, alpha8- and alpha9-gliadins. The molecular weights of wheat gamma2-, beta6-, alpha7-, alpha8- and alpha9-gliadins were calculated with the aid of a computer technique from sedimentation equilibrium data obtained in an ultracentrifuge equipped with photoelectric scanner. The dissociative solvents, all at pH 3.1 by addition of HCl, included 3 M urea, 0.15 M KCl; 8 M urea, 0.15 M KCl and 6 M guanidine-HCl. The minimum molecular weights for gamma2-, alpha7- and alpha9-gliadins, obtained in 6 M guanidine-HCl, were 34 600, 30 400 and 30 900, respectively. The beta6- and alpha8-gliadins gave minimum molecular weights of 33 000 and 36 900, respectively, in 3 M urea, 0.15 M KCl.", "PMID": 623784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5155", "title": "Aggregates of human erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins in the presence of deoxycholate and dodecyl sulfate.", "content": "Gel electrophoresis in the presence of deoxycholate of human erythrocyte membranes solubilized with deoxycholate resolves four glycoprotein zones. Electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate in a second dimension reveals several components, three of which migrate in the region of PAS-2. One of the zones in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis contains component PAS-3, and this glycoprotein seems to exist as a monomer in deoxycholate, but aggregates partially upon addition of dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis, indicating association and dissociation during the electrophoresis. The use of deoxycholate followed by dodecyl sulfate in two-dimentional electrophoresis gave high resolution of membrane proteins and can be used for detection of complexes in one of the detergents.", "contents": "Aggregates of human erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins in the presence of deoxycholate and dodecyl sulfate. Gel electrophoresis in the presence of deoxycholate of human erythrocyte membranes solubilized with deoxycholate resolves four glycoprotein zones. Electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate in a second dimension reveals several components, three of which migrate in the region of PAS-2. One of the zones in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis contains component PAS-3, and this glycoprotein seems to exist as a monomer in deoxycholate, but aggregates partially upon addition of dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in dodecyl sulfate. The major sialoglycoprotein migrates as a diffuse zone in deoxycholate gel electrophoresis, indicating association and dissociation during the electrophoresis. The use of deoxycholate followed by dodecyl sulfate in two-dimentional electrophoresis gave high resolution of membrane proteins and can be used for detection of complexes in one of the detergents.", "PMID": 623785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5156", "title": "Binding of calcium by parvalbumin fragments.", "content": "Parvalbumin fragments from carp pI 4.47 parvalbumin corresponding to its residues 1--75 and 76--108 bind Ca2+ with affinities corresponding to Kd 0.9 . 10(-4) M and Kd 3 . 10(-3) M, respectively.", "contents": "Binding of calcium by parvalbumin fragments. Parvalbumin fragments from carp pI 4.47 parvalbumin corresponding to its residues 1--75 and 76--108 bind Ca2+ with affinities corresponding to Kd 0.9 . 10(-4) M and Kd 3 . 10(-3) M, respectively.", "PMID": 623786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5157", "title": "A methodological problem in thermoanalytic studies arising from admixed fluoride in the samples.", "content": "At a temperature just above the collagen denaturation point the aluminium walls of the pans used in microcalorimetric measurements react exothermically with NaF in test solutions. This formation of the fluor-aluminium complex cryolite is assumed to be catalyzed by the denaturing collagen.", "contents": "A methodological problem in thermoanalytic studies arising from admixed fluoride in the samples. At a temperature just above the collagen denaturation point the aluminium walls of the pans used in microcalorimetric measurements react exothermically with NaF in test solutions. This formation of the fluor-aluminium complex cryolite is assumed to be catalyzed by the denaturing collagen.", "PMID": 623787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5158", "title": "The effect of ammonium nitrate on the synthesis of nitrogenase and the concentration of leghemoglobin in pea root nodules induced by Rhizobium leguminosarum.", "content": "The effects of NH4NO3 on the development of root nodules of Pisum sativum after infection with Rhizobium leguminosarum (strain PRE) and on the nitrogenase activity of the bacteroids in the nodule tissue were studied. The addition of NH4NO3 decreased the nitrogenase activity measured on intact nodules. This reduction of nitrogen fixation did not result from a reduced number of bacteroids or a decreased amount of bacteroid proteins per gram of nodule. The synthesis of nitrogenase, measured as the relative amount of incorporation of [35S]sulfate into the components I and II of nitrogenase was similarly not affected. The addition of NH4NO3 decreased the amount of leghemoglobin in the nodules and there was a quantitative correlation between the leghemoglobin content and the nitrogen-fixing capacity of the nodules. The conclusion is that the decrease of nitrogen-fixing capacity is caused by a decrease of the leghemoglobin content of the root nodules and not by repression of the nitrogenase synthesis.", "contents": "The effect of ammonium nitrate on the synthesis of nitrogenase and the concentration of leghemoglobin in pea root nodules induced by Rhizobium leguminosarum. The effects of NH4NO3 on the development of root nodules of Pisum sativum after infection with Rhizobium leguminosarum (strain PRE) and on the nitrogenase activity of the bacteroids in the nodule tissue were studied. The addition of NH4NO3 decreased the nitrogenase activity measured on intact nodules. This reduction of nitrogen fixation did not result from a reduced number of bacteroids or a decreased amount of bacteroid proteins per gram of nodule. The synthesis of nitrogenase, measured as the relative amount of incorporation of [35S]sulfate into the components I and II of nitrogenase was similarly not affected. The addition of NH4NO3 decreased the amount of leghemoglobin in the nodules and there was a quantitative correlation between the leghemoglobin content and the nitrogen-fixing capacity of the nodules. The conclusion is that the decrease of nitrogen-fixing capacity is caused by a decrease of the leghemoglobin content of the root nodules and not by repression of the nitrogenase synthesis.", "PMID": 623788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5159", "title": "The effect of phenobarbitone on cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenase activities in rat liver.", "content": "Phenobarbitone administered in drinking water (0.5 g/l) or by daily intraperitoneal injection (100 mg/kg body weight) consistently caused an elevation of hepatic NADP-linked malic enzyme in rats maintained on a pellet diet. Three to four days appeared to be required for maximum response. The effect was also observed in animals maintained on a protein rich diet, in which the basic hepatic malic enzyme activity was low, but not in animals maintained on a sucrose rich diet, in which the basic enzyme activity was almost twice normal. Methyl cholanthrene, administered by daily intraperitoneal injection (40 mg/kg body weight), resulted in elevated hepatic levels not only of malic enzyme but also of the pentose phosphate pathway dehydrogenases. The timing of the \"starve-refeed\" response of the hepatic NADP-linked dehydrogenases in phenobarbitone-treated rats was similar to that in controls, and similar maximum enzyme activities were reached. The role of cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenases in the provision of reducing equivalent is discussed, particularly in relation to hepatic microsomal drug metabolism.", "contents": "The effect of phenobarbitone on cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenase activities in rat liver. Phenobarbitone administered in drinking water (0.5 g/l) or by daily intraperitoneal injection (100 mg/kg body weight) consistently caused an elevation of hepatic NADP-linked malic enzyme in rats maintained on a pellet diet. Three to four days appeared to be required for maximum response. The effect was also observed in animals maintained on a protein rich diet, in which the basic hepatic malic enzyme activity was low, but not in animals maintained on a sucrose rich diet, in which the basic enzyme activity was almost twice normal. Methyl cholanthrene, administered by daily intraperitoneal injection (40 mg/kg body weight), resulted in elevated hepatic levels not only of malic enzyme but also of the pentose phosphate pathway dehydrogenases. The timing of the \"starve-refeed\" response of the hepatic NADP-linked dehydrogenases in phenobarbitone-treated rats was similar to that in controls, and similar maximum enzyme activities were reached. The role of cytoplasmic NADP-linked dehydrogenases in the provision of reducing equivalent is discussed, particularly in relation to hepatic microsomal drug metabolism.", "PMID": 623789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5160", "title": "Emission M\u00f6ssbauer studies of some organocobalamins.", "content": "Subtle changes in the M\u00f6ssbauer parameters are observed while going from methyl- to ethyl- to adenosylcobalamin, and also when the \"base\" is detached from the cobalt. The observation of these changes demonstrates that the Co-C bond, among others, remains intact after the Auger event, accompanying the electron-capture decay of the cobalt-57. The differences between ethylcobalamin and the other two organocobalamins in the magnitude of the quadrupole splittings have been interpreted on the basis of the sigma-donating tendency of the organic moiety and the Co-C bond length. The latter is presumably determined by the steric hindrance offered to the group in approaching the cobalt atom. The ethyl- and adenosylcobalamins in their \"base-off\" form exhibit a larger quadrupole splitting than the corresponding \"base-on\" form. In the \"bas-off\" form, the cobalt atom is perhaps raised above the mean plane of the four equatorial nitrogen atoms of the corrin ring, which may result in the diminution of the delocalization of the 3dpi electron density. The higher population of dpi orbitals and the enhanced metallic character of the dz2, resulting from shrinkage of the Co-C bond length, enhances the magnitude of the quadrupole splitting.", "contents": "Emission M\u00f6ssbauer studies of some organocobalamins. Subtle changes in the M\u00f6ssbauer parameters are observed while going from methyl- to ethyl- to adenosylcobalamin, and also when the \"base\" is detached from the cobalt. The observation of these changes demonstrates that the Co-C bond, among others, remains intact after the Auger event, accompanying the electron-capture decay of the cobalt-57. The differences between ethylcobalamin and the other two organocobalamins in the magnitude of the quadrupole splittings have been interpreted on the basis of the sigma-donating tendency of the organic moiety and the Co-C bond length. The latter is presumably determined by the steric hindrance offered to the group in approaching the cobalt atom. The ethyl- and adenosylcobalamins in their \"base-off\" form exhibit a larger quadrupole splitting than the corresponding \"base-on\" form. In the \"bas-off\" form, the cobalt atom is perhaps raised above the mean plane of the four equatorial nitrogen atoms of the corrin ring, which may result in the diminution of the delocalization of the 3dpi electron density. The higher population of dpi orbitals and the enhanced metallic character of the dz2, resulting from shrinkage of the Co-C bond length, enhances the magnitude of the quadrupole splitting.", "PMID": 623790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5161", "title": "Enzymatic sulfation of steroids. II. The sulfation of corticosterone by the glucocorticoid sulfotransferases of rat liver cytosol.", "content": "A radioisotopic assay for the cytoplasmic corticosterone sulfotransferase activity of rat liver was developed. The steroid inhibits the enzyme reaction. For reliable results, a complex assay method, using three different corticosterone concentrations, each studied with several different amounts of enzyme, was necessary. This \"mosaic\" assay compensates for observed biological, gonadal and seasonal enzyme fluctuations. Cytosols from female rats contain 6--9-times the enzyme activity found in males. The sulfation product with both sexes is corticosterone-21-sulfate. The effects of castration and of androgen administration on hepatic cortisol and corticosterone sulfation were compared in female rats. Ovariectomy resulted in 20--32% and 25--35% decreases of hepatic corticosterone and cortisol sulfotransferase activity, respectively. Androgen administration caused 37--55% and 40--60% decreases of sulfation of the two steroids. The data suggest the equivalence of hepatic cortisol and corticosterone sulfotransferases. Fractionation of cytosols from female rats, on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 columns, resolved three peaks of corticosterone sulfotransferase activity which eluted concurrently with the hepatic cortisol sulfotransferases I, II and III. They appear to be the same enzymes. Cytosol from males contained cortisosterone sulfotransferase activity due mostly to sulfotransferase III. Sulfotransferases I and II appear to have higher turnover numbers for hepatic cortisol than for corticosterone. The reverse is true for sulfotransferase III.", "contents": "Enzymatic sulfation of steroids. II. The sulfation of corticosterone by the glucocorticoid sulfotransferases of rat liver cytosol. A radioisotopic assay for the cytoplasmic corticosterone sulfotransferase activity of rat liver was developed. The steroid inhibits the enzyme reaction. For reliable results, a complex assay method, using three different corticosterone concentrations, each studied with several different amounts of enzyme, was necessary. This \"mosaic\" assay compensates for observed biological, gonadal and seasonal enzyme fluctuations. Cytosols from female rats contain 6--9-times the enzyme activity found in males. The sulfation product with both sexes is corticosterone-21-sulfate. The effects of castration and of androgen administration on hepatic cortisol and corticosterone sulfation were compared in female rats. Ovariectomy resulted in 20--32% and 25--35% decreases of hepatic corticosterone and cortisol sulfotransferase activity, respectively. Androgen administration caused 37--55% and 40--60% decreases of sulfation of the two steroids. The data suggest the equivalence of hepatic cortisol and corticosterone sulfotransferases. Fractionation of cytosols from female rats, on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 columns, resolved three peaks of corticosterone sulfotransferase activity which eluted concurrently with the hepatic cortisol sulfotransferases I, II and III. They appear to be the same enzymes. Cytosol from males contained cortisosterone sulfotransferase activity due mostly to sulfotransferase III. Sulfotransferases I and II appear to have higher turnover numbers for hepatic cortisol than for corticosterone. The reverse is true for sulfotransferase III.", "PMID": 623791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5162", "title": "Cell disease: desialylation of beta-hexosaminidase and its effect on uptake by fibroblasts.", "content": "The pinocytosis by fibroblasts of beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) excreted by cultured skin fibroblasts from a patient with I-cell disease was not enhanced by neuraminidase treatment of the enzyme. The uptake of sialic acid-rich normal plasma beta-hexosaminidase was minimal and neuraminidase treatment did not appreciably enhance uptake. In contrast, sialic acid-rich normal seminal fluid beta-hexosaminidase was readily pinocytosed regardless of neuraminidase treatment. Thus the presence of sialic acid on beta-hexosaminidase does not influence uptake and a neuraminidase deficiency in I-cell disease may not be directly responsible for excessive extracellular enzyme.", "contents": "Cell disease: desialylation of beta-hexosaminidase and its effect on uptake by fibroblasts. The pinocytosis by fibroblasts of beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) excreted by cultured skin fibroblasts from a patient with I-cell disease was not enhanced by neuraminidase treatment of the enzyme. The uptake of sialic acid-rich normal plasma beta-hexosaminidase was minimal and neuraminidase treatment did not appreciably enhance uptake. In contrast, sialic acid-rich normal seminal fluid beta-hexosaminidase was readily pinocytosed regardless of neuraminidase treatment. Thus the presence of sialic acid on beta-hexosaminidase does not influence uptake and a neuraminidase deficiency in I-cell disease may not be directly responsible for excessive extracellular enzyme.", "PMID": 623792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5163", "title": "Interrelation of aerobic glycolysis and lipogenesis in isolated perfused liver of well-fed rats.", "content": "The rates of glycolysis and lipogenesis in isolated perfused liver of well-fed rats were studied. When liver was allowed to synthesize [14C]glycogen prior to perfusion, no more than 9% of the degraded [14C]glycogen was recovered in lactate and 6% in lipid. Addition of glucose, fructose and sorbitol enhanced concomitantly the formation of lactate and pyruvate and the rate of release of triglyceride and free fatty acid. Glucose was less efficient than fructose or sorbitol. The incorporation of 14C from these 14C-labelled substrates into lactate, pyruvate and lipids confirmed their role as carbon sources. Incorporation of 14C into the glycerol moiety of neutral lipid exceeded that found in the fatty acids, suggesting that these substrates contributed largely to the esterification of fatty acids. The total rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis was correlated with the formation of lactate and pyruvate. It is concluded that increased rates of aerobic glycolysis are related to increased rates of lipogenesis.", "contents": "Interrelation of aerobic glycolysis and lipogenesis in isolated perfused liver of well-fed rats. The rates of glycolysis and lipogenesis in isolated perfused liver of well-fed rats were studied. When liver was allowed to synthesize [14C]glycogen prior to perfusion, no more than 9% of the degraded [14C]glycogen was recovered in lactate and 6% in lipid. Addition of glucose, fructose and sorbitol enhanced concomitantly the formation of lactate and pyruvate and the rate of release of triglyceride and free fatty acid. Glucose was less efficient than fructose or sorbitol. The incorporation of 14C from these 14C-labelled substrates into lactate, pyruvate and lipids confirmed their role as carbon sources. Incorporation of 14C into the glycerol moiety of neutral lipid exceeded that found in the fatty acids, suggesting that these substrates contributed largely to the esterification of fatty acids. The total rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis was correlated with the formation of lactate and pyruvate. It is concluded that increased rates of aerobic glycolysis are related to increased rates of lipogenesis.", "PMID": 623794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5164", "title": "The adenylate cyclase system of planaria Polycelis tenuis: activation by serotonin and guanine nucleotides.", "content": "The particulate fraction prepared after homogenization of planaria Polycelis tenuis in a buffer containing 3 mM EDTA and 15 mM 2-mercaptoethanol possesses an adenylate cyclase activity which was enhanced two-fold by serotonin and 20-fold by the nucleotide analog guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imino)triphosphate, Gpp(NH)p; when present together, the two activators exhibited a marked synergistic effect. The effect of serotonin was dose dependent, with a KA of 2 micrometer and a Hill coefficient of 0.4. In the presence of 10 micrometer Gpp(NH)p, these values became 45 nM and 1.5, respectively. The effect of serotonin was due to an increase in the maximal velocity of the enzyme and was specifically inhibited by methiotepin. The effect of methiotepin was half-maximal at 0.2 micrometer in the absence of Gpp(NH)p and at 5.0 micrometer in its presence. Planaria thus appear to be the lowest organisms in which guanine nucleotides are active upon adenylate cyclase. As serotonin is normally present in planaria, it is postulated that a serotonin-dependent regulation of adenylate cyclase activity plays a physiological role in this species.", "contents": "The adenylate cyclase system of planaria Polycelis tenuis: activation by serotonin and guanine nucleotides. The particulate fraction prepared after homogenization of planaria Polycelis tenuis in a buffer containing 3 mM EDTA and 15 mM 2-mercaptoethanol possesses an adenylate cyclase activity which was enhanced two-fold by serotonin and 20-fold by the nucleotide analog guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imino)triphosphate, Gpp(NH)p; when present together, the two activators exhibited a marked synergistic effect. The effect of serotonin was dose dependent, with a KA of 2 micrometer and a Hill coefficient of 0.4. In the presence of 10 micrometer Gpp(NH)p, these values became 45 nM and 1.5, respectively. The effect of serotonin was due to an increase in the maximal velocity of the enzyme and was specifically inhibited by methiotepin. The effect of methiotepin was half-maximal at 0.2 micrometer in the absence of Gpp(NH)p and at 5.0 micrometer in its presence. Planaria thus appear to be the lowest organisms in which guanine nucleotides are active upon adenylate cyclase. As serotonin is normally present in planaria, it is postulated that a serotonin-dependent regulation of adenylate cyclase activity plays a physiological role in this species.", "PMID": 623795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5165", "title": "Effects of a polyoxyethylene detergent (Brij 58) on platelet aggregation, release and clotting activity.", "content": "Low concentrations of a polyoxyethylene detergent, Brij 58, inhibited the secondary phase of platelet aggregation induced by ADP in human citrated platelet-rich plasma but had no effect on primary aggregation. Thrombin-induced aggregation of washed human platelets suspended in Tyrode's buffer was inhibited after incubation of cells with 4.10(-6) M detergent. Efflux of [14C]serotonin, 45Ca2+ and labile aorta contracting substance (thromboxane A2) and development of prothrombin-converting activity (platelet factor 3) were abolished concomitantly. Aggregation of washed platelets either by sodium arachidonate or by collagen was also inhibited by the same concentration of Brij 58 which inhibited thrombin aggregation. This concentration did not itself produce any release of a cytoplasmic marker, lactate dehydrogenase, from platelets. Higher concentrations of Brij 58, exceeding 4.10(-5) M, lysed the cells liberating lactate dehydrogenase, serotonin and Ca2+. When albumin was included as a platelet stabilizer in the suspending medium the concentration of detergent required for the inhibitory effects was increased ten-fold. This could be attributed to competitive binding of the detergent to albumin, demonstrated with [14C]acetylated Brij 58. A variety of other polyoxyethylene detergents, at concentrations from 8.10(-4) to 5.10(-3) M, also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. It is concluded that low concentrations of Brij 58 stabilize the platelets against the action of aggregating agents, while higher concentrations produce membrane destabilization and cell lysis.", "contents": "Effects of a polyoxyethylene detergent (Brij 58) on platelet aggregation, release and clotting activity. Low concentrations of a polyoxyethylene detergent, Brij 58, inhibited the secondary phase of platelet aggregation induced by ADP in human citrated platelet-rich plasma but had no effect on primary aggregation. Thrombin-induced aggregation of washed human platelets suspended in Tyrode's buffer was inhibited after incubation of cells with 4.10(-6) M detergent. Efflux of [14C]serotonin, 45Ca2+ and labile aorta contracting substance (thromboxane A2) and development of prothrombin-converting activity (platelet factor 3) were abolished concomitantly. Aggregation of washed platelets either by sodium arachidonate or by collagen was also inhibited by the same concentration of Brij 58 which inhibited thrombin aggregation. This concentration did not itself produce any release of a cytoplasmic marker, lactate dehydrogenase, from platelets. Higher concentrations of Brij 58, exceeding 4.10(-5) M, lysed the cells liberating lactate dehydrogenase, serotonin and Ca2+. When albumin was included as a platelet stabilizer in the suspending medium the concentration of detergent required for the inhibitory effects was increased ten-fold. This could be attributed to competitive binding of the detergent to albumin, demonstrated with [14C]acetylated Brij 58. A variety of other polyoxyethylene detergents, at concentrations from 8.10(-4) to 5.10(-3) M, also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. It is concluded that low concentrations of Brij 58 stabilize the platelets against the action of aggregating agents, while higher concentrations produce membrane destabilization and cell lysis.", "PMID": 623796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5166", "title": "[Dark transition of 1st level reduction products of porphyrins to 2d level].", "content": "Transition of the products of the first restoration of porphyrines to the second one in the darkness and practically in the absence of a reducer and oxygen has been studied. Its cause is the disproportioning of dyhydroform into tetrahydro- and the initial pigment. Regeneration of porphyrines under these conditions is also shown. The rate of both reactions significantly increases in the light.", "contents": "[Dark transition of 1st level reduction products of porphyrins to 2d level]. Transition of the products of the first restoration of porphyrines to the second one in the darkness and practically in the absence of a reducer and oxygen has been studied. Its cause is the disproportioning of dyhydroform into tetrahydro- and the initial pigment. Regeneration of porphyrines under these conditions is also shown. The rate of both reactions significantly increases in the light.", "PMID": 623798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5167", "title": "[Kinetic model of a single muscle contraction].", "content": "A model of single muscle contraction is proposed. The kinetics of two reactions have been used: interaction between the excitation mediator and the muscle membrane receptor, and the reaction of enzymatic mediator splitting. The muscle contraction parameters have been correlated with the concentration of the mediator-receptor complex.", "contents": "[Kinetic model of a single muscle contraction]. A model of single muscle contraction is proposed. The kinetics of two reactions have been used: interaction between the excitation mediator and the muscle membrane receptor, and the reaction of enzymatic mediator splitting. The muscle contraction parameters have been correlated with the concentration of the mediator-receptor complex.", "PMID": 623797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5168", "title": "[Quantum-mechanical model of the genesis of the early receptor potential in the retina].", "content": "An account is given of a possible mechanism of the initiation of the retina early receptor potential due to quantization of the electron energetic spectrum in its fine biolayers. A connection is established between the fine structure of lamellar systems of biological origin and function. The mechanism suggested can be used when studying photoelectric processes in chlorophyll layers, in beta-carotin films for the search of means to increase the photopotential value in the films of photosynthetic pigments, when explaining the receptors adaptation property.", "contents": "[Quantum-mechanical model of the genesis of the early receptor potential in the retina]. An account is given of a possible mechanism of the initiation of the retina early receptor potential due to quantization of the electron energetic spectrum in its fine biolayers. A connection is established between the fine structure of lamellar systems of biological origin and function. The mechanism suggested can be used when studying photoelectric processes in chlorophyll layers, in beta-carotin films for the search of means to increase the photopotential value in the films of photosynthetic pigments, when explaining the receptors adaptation property.", "PMID": 623799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5169", "title": "[Propagation of perturbations in active media with autooscillatory properties].", "content": "Propagation of an activity impulse in the medium where autooscillatory relaxation biochemical reaction takes place is examined theoretically and with the help of the computer experiment. Propagation velocities of the front and shape of the impulse are found. The results are compared with axiomatic theory data on spontaneous activity perturbated media.", "contents": "[Propagation of perturbations in active media with autooscillatory properties]. Propagation of an activity impulse in the medium where autooscillatory relaxation biochemical reaction takes place is examined theoretically and with the help of the computer experiment. Propagation velocities of the front and shape of the impulse are found. The results are compared with axiomatic theory data on spontaneous activity perturbated media.", "PMID": 623800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5170", "title": "[Selective activation of fast and slow electrogenesis of cardiac membranes in the excitable period of the cardiac cycle].", "content": "Two types of electrogenic alterations of cardiac cell membranes during vulnerability are shown. The first one: selective activation only of slow response close to the source of miocardium stimulation and a simultaneous appearance of an extrasystolic impulse of great latency (100 ms and more) far from the source of stimulation. Extrasystolic latency is considered as the time of slow response propagation. Slow propagation is due to the small size of reentry during vulnerability. The second one: selective activation only of fast Na channels leads to generation of a very short response (10-20 ms duration)--cardiac spike. Appearance of such a spike is also favourable for reentry during vulnerability.", "contents": "[Selective activation of fast and slow electrogenesis of cardiac membranes in the excitable period of the cardiac cycle]. Two types of electrogenic alterations of cardiac cell membranes during vulnerability are shown. The first one: selective activation only of slow response close to the source of miocardium stimulation and a simultaneous appearance of an extrasystolic impulse of great latency (100 ms and more) far from the source of stimulation. Extrasystolic latency is considered as the time of slow response propagation. Slow propagation is due to the small size of reentry during vulnerability. The second one: selective activation only of fast Na channels leads to generation of a very short response (10-20 ms duration)--cardiac spike. Appearance of such a spike is also favourable for reentry during vulnerability.", "PMID": 623801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5171", "title": "[Effect of the curvature of the dorsal hippocampus on the shape of the electric field which it generates].", "content": "A mathematical model is presented of spatial configuration of the field generated by hippocampus surface. Calculations have shown that the potential induced on the cortex surface is almost 5-fold smaller than that under the hippocampus surface. Theoretical results well agree with the experimental data and allow a conclusion to be inferred that passive penetration of fields generated by subcortical structures does not exceed 20% of the total level of spontaneous EEG.", "contents": "[Effect of the curvature of the dorsal hippocampus on the shape of the electric field which it generates]. A mathematical model is presented of spatial configuration of the field generated by hippocampus surface. Calculations have shown that the potential induced on the cortex surface is almost 5-fold smaller than that under the hippocampus surface. Theoretical results well agree with the experimental data and allow a conclusion to be inferred that passive penetration of fields generated by subcortical structures does not exceed 20% of the total level of spontaneous EEG.", "PMID": 623803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5172", "title": "[Quaternary structure of butyrylcholinesterase from horse blood serum].", "content": "The molecular weight of butyrylcholinesterase from horse blood serum was determined using the method of analytical ultracentrifugation. The molecular weight of the enzyme subunit was also determined by its mobility in gel containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. The number of active sites was determined by titrating butyrylcholinesterase with a specific inhibitor, namely di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate. A conclusion is made that butyrylcholinesterase is a tetramer with one active site per unit.", "contents": "[Quaternary structure of butyrylcholinesterase from horse blood serum]. The molecular weight of butyrylcholinesterase from horse blood serum was determined using the method of analytical ultracentrifugation. The molecular weight of the enzyme subunit was also determined by its mobility in gel containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. The number of active sites was determined by titrating butyrylcholinesterase with a specific inhibitor, namely di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate. A conclusion is made that butyrylcholinesterase is a tetramer with one active site per unit.", "PMID": 623806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5173", "title": "[Participation of singlet and triplet states of tryptophanyls in protein inactivation].", "content": "Using energy transfer from 4-aminobenzene-sulfonamide triplet level to tryptophanyl one of the main energy contributions to trypsin and chymotrypsin inactivation at the temperature of liquid N2 has been shown to make singlet excited state of their tryptophanyls.", "contents": "[Participation of singlet and triplet states of tryptophanyls in protein inactivation]. Using energy transfer from 4-aminobenzene-sulfonamide triplet level to tryptophanyl one of the main energy contributions to trypsin and chymotrypsin inactivation at the temperature of liquid N2 has been shown to make singlet excited state of their tryptophanyls.", "PMID": 623805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5174", "title": "[Origin of the electroencephalogram].", "content": "An attempt is made to estimate the contribution of the activity of each cortical layer of rabbit's brain and subcortical structure in EEG formation. It has been shown that the main generator layers of spontaneous EEG are the I layer--the layer of apical dendrites and the V--the layer of pyramidal neuron somas. To perform a quantitative estimation of passive penetration of the electric fields from deep-seated structures, chiefly from the hippocampus, biopotentials studied were recorded from I, V cortex layers and hippocampus simultaneously, the cortex being disengaged by the method of propagating depression. Significant suppression of surface-activity of the motor cortex was achieved with its preservation in the hippocampus.", "contents": "[Origin of the electroencephalogram]. An attempt is made to estimate the contribution of the activity of each cortical layer of rabbit's brain and subcortical structure in EEG formation. It has been shown that the main generator layers of spontaneous EEG are the I layer--the layer of apical dendrites and the V--the layer of pyramidal neuron somas. To perform a quantitative estimation of passive penetration of the electric fields from deep-seated structures, chiefly from the hippocampus, biopotentials studied were recorded from I, V cortex layers and hippocampus simultaneously, the cortex being disengaged by the method of propagating depression. Significant suppression of surface-activity of the motor cortex was achieved with its preservation in the hippocampus.", "PMID": 623802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5175", "title": "[Spectral characteristics of immobilized peroxidase].", "content": "Visible spectra of peroxidase adsorbed on insoluble supports were studied. It has been shown that immobilization leads to essential conformational changes of the enzyme which affect its bond with imidasol.", "contents": "[Spectral characteristics of immobilized peroxidase]. Visible spectra of peroxidase adsorbed on insoluble supports were studied. It has been shown that immobilization leads to essential conformational changes of the enzyme which affect its bond with imidasol.", "PMID": 623807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5176", "title": "[Adjustment of the cat visual cortex receptive fields to certain spatial frequency bands within definite ranges of movement frequencies of stimulating gratings].", "content": "Reactions of simple and composite receptive fields (RF) of the 17th and 18th fields of cat's visual cortex to grating with various spatial frequency moving through the field with different velocities were studied. It has been shown that for each RF the velocity range is revealed within which spatial-frequency selectivity of RF exists. The narrow-band tuning for high frequency RF exists in the range of low velocities, and for low frequency ones in the range of higher velocities.", "contents": "[Adjustment of the cat visual cortex receptive fields to certain spatial frequency bands within definite ranges of movement frequencies of stimulating gratings]. Reactions of simple and composite receptive fields (RF) of the 17th and 18th fields of cat's visual cortex to grating with various spatial frequency moving through the field with different velocities were studied. It has been shown that for each RF the velocity range is revealed within which spatial-frequency selectivity of RF exists. The narrow-band tuning for high frequency RF exists in the range of low velocities, and for low frequency ones in the range of higher velocities.", "PMID": 623804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5177", "title": "[Application of a graphic method for analyzing the kinetics of multienzyme reactions].", "content": "A new graphic method is proposed to solve kinetic equations for polyenzymic reactions. Each graph apex is corresponded by the transmitting function deduced from kinetic equations by means of Laplas transformation. Application of this procedure allows to simplify the solution of kinetic equations and its analysis. The procedure suggested makes it possible to use the methods of automatic control when solving theoretical problems of enzymology.", "contents": "[Application of a graphic method for analyzing the kinetics of multienzyme reactions]. A new graphic method is proposed to solve kinetic equations for polyenzymic reactions. Each graph apex is corresponded by the transmitting function deduced from kinetic equations by means of Laplas transformation. Application of this procedure allows to simplify the solution of kinetic equations and its analysis. The procedure suggested makes it possible to use the methods of automatic control when solving theoretical problems of enzymology.", "PMID": 623808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5178", "title": "[Denaturation temperature of collagen as a linear function of its amino acid composition].", "content": "TD of collagen have been constructed as linear function of fractions of each from 18 amino acids using experimental data for 29 proteins. For coefficient estimation the least squire method have been used. As a result the TD of any collagen may be calculated by using of the function obtained. 14 amino acids strongly influence on TD. The suggestion arises that poly(Gly-Ile-Lys) may produce collagen like structure.", "contents": "[Denaturation temperature of collagen as a linear function of its amino acid composition]. TD of collagen have been constructed as linear function of fractions of each from 18 amino acids using experimental data for 29 proteins. For coefficient estimation the least squire method have been used. As a result the TD of any collagen may be calculated by using of the function obtained. 14 amino acids strongly influence on TD. The suggestion arises that poly(Gly-Ile-Lys) may produce collagen like structure.", "PMID": 623809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5179", "title": "[Movement of dissolved oxygen in a constant magnetic field].", "content": "Some regularities of the movement of liquid-solved oxygen in the constant magnetic field have been studied. Redistribution and specific dynamics of the changes of pO2 in a vessel with a physiological solution under the effect of the magnetic field are shown. The data obtained make us to believe that when interpreting the results of biological experiments applying magnets movement of oxygen in the magnetic field should be taken into account as well as possible change of metabolic processes in this case.", "contents": "[Movement of dissolved oxygen in a constant magnetic field]. Some regularities of the movement of liquid-solved oxygen in the constant magnetic field have been studied. Redistribution and specific dynamics of the changes of pO2 in a vessel with a physiological solution under the effect of the magnetic field are shown. The data obtained make us to believe that when interpreting the results of biological experiments applying magnets movement of oxygen in the magnetic field should be taken into account as well as possible change of metabolic processes in this case.", "PMID": 623810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5180", "title": "[Photochemical and photoelectronic properties of components of the photosynthetic apparatus. III. Heat-stimulated conductivity in the lamellar system chlorophyll a--n-chloranil].", "content": "Traps with the bedding depth of 0.1 ev in the layers of chlorophyll alpha treated with the electron acceptor n-chloranil were discovered by the method of thermostimulating conductivity. It is suggested that the traps catch mobile vacancies, which occur due to the decomposition of the excited states of the pigment on electron-acceptor centres of the dissociation.", "contents": "[Photochemical and photoelectronic properties of components of the photosynthetic apparatus. III. Heat-stimulated conductivity in the lamellar system chlorophyll a--n-chloranil]. Traps with the bedding depth of 0.1 ev in the layers of chlorophyll alpha treated with the electron acceptor n-chloranil were discovered by the method of thermostimulating conductivity. It is suggested that the traps catch mobile vacancies, which occur due to the decomposition of the excited states of the pigment on electron-acceptor centres of the dissociation.", "PMID": 623811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5181", "title": "[Stabilization of bilayer lipid membranes with polymeric resins].", "content": "Bilayer lipid membranes on the bases of monoglyceride of oleic acid with the inclusion of polysterene are described. The inclusion of the polymer allows to obtain high stable membranes without sufficient changes in the nature of their conductivity.", "contents": "[Stabilization of bilayer lipid membranes with polymeric resins]. Bilayer lipid membranes on the bases of monoglyceride of oleic acid with the inclusion of polysterene are described. The inclusion of the polymer allows to obtain high stable membranes without sufficient changes in the nature of their conductivity.", "PMID": 623812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5182", "title": "[Effect of chlorpromazine on the relation between temperature and the binding of ANS by human erythrocytes].", "content": "It has been shown that under the effect of chlorpromazin (concentration to 2.10(-5) M) breaks observed on Arrhenius graphs of the rate constant of ANS binding with erythrocytes (k) at 28 and 36 degrees C are shifted to the region of low temperatures approximately to a similar interval (14-15 degrees C). The value k measured at 22 degrees C is not changed within the pH range of 5-7. It is concluded that breaks characterised the initial and final stages of temperature transition initiated in the zone of acid phospholipid of membranes.", "contents": "[Effect of chlorpromazine on the relation between temperature and the binding of ANS by human erythrocytes]. It has been shown that under the effect of chlorpromazin (concentration to 2.10(-5) M) breaks observed on Arrhenius graphs of the rate constant of ANS binding with erythrocytes (k) at 28 and 36 degrees C are shifted to the region of low temperatures approximately to a similar interval (14-15 degrees C). The value k measured at 22 degrees C is not changed within the pH range of 5-7. It is concluded that breaks characterised the initial and final stages of temperature transition initiated in the zone of acid phospholipid of membranes.", "PMID": 623813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5183", "title": "[Cooperative nature of the denaturation process in tissues and cell nuclei].", "content": "The heat absorbance curves for liver tissue, liver tissue of embrione and for splin of white rats reveal two peaks corresponding to melting processes of protein and DNA. There are three peaks for cell nucleous: the first (corresponding lower temperature) responsible for membrane melting process. Two other peaks coinside with nucleoprotein denaturation process.", "contents": "[Cooperative nature of the denaturation process in tissues and cell nuclei]. The heat absorbance curves for liver tissue, liver tissue of embrione and for splin of white rats reveal two peaks corresponding to melting processes of protein and DNA. There are three peaks for cell nucleous: the first (corresponding lower temperature) responsible for membrane melting process. Two other peaks coinside with nucleoprotein denaturation process.", "PMID": 623814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5184", "title": "[Electric conductivity of tissue measured in the physiological potential gradient].", "content": "An ability to measure the electric conductivity of tissue in physiological potential gradient is proposed. It has been shown that the resistance of plant leaf during the development of the injured potential is constant.", "contents": "[Electric conductivity of tissue measured in the physiological potential gradient]. An ability to measure the electric conductivity of tissue in physiological potential gradient is proposed. It has been shown that the resistance of plant leaf during the development of the injured potential is constant.", "PMID": 623815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5185", "title": "[Picosecond flash photolysis of Halobacterium halobium bacteriorhodopsin at room and low temperatures].", "content": "The primary stage of photoexcitation of bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium halobium upon the action of ultrashort (tau equal to 25 ps) laser impulse of 530 nm wavelength and of energy 2.5.10(-3) J has been studied. The primary photoproduct with a maximum of 630 nm is shown to occur in the differential spectrum in a time less than 25 ps both at room temperature (+20 degrees C) and at a low temperature (-150 degrees C).", "contents": "[Picosecond flash photolysis of Halobacterium halobium bacteriorhodopsin at room and low temperatures]. The primary stage of photoexcitation of bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium halobium upon the action of ultrashort (tau equal to 25 ps) laser impulse of 530 nm wavelength and of energy 2.5.10(-3) J has been studied. The primary photoproduct with a maximum of 630 nm is shown to occur in the differential spectrum in a time less than 25 ps both at room temperature (+20 degrees C) and at a low temperature (-150 degrees C).", "PMID": 623816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5186", "title": "[Composition and structure of phospholipids in hydrocarbon yeasts. I. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine].", "content": "From fooder yeast grown on purified liquid n-parafins two fractions--phosphatydylcholin and phosphatydyletanolamin--have been isolated. Structure, composition and properties of these compounds have been studied. It is established that double bonds in fatty acids ends are located near their polar group.", "contents": "[Composition and structure of phospholipids in hydrocarbon yeasts. I. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine]. From fooder yeast grown on purified liquid n-parafins two fractions--phosphatydylcholin and phosphatydyletanolamin--have been isolated. Structure, composition and properties of these compounds have been studied. It is established that double bonds in fatty acids ends are located near their polar group.", "PMID": 623817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5187", "title": "[Role of non-histone proteins in chromatin solubility].", "content": "Treatment of chromatin gel with low ionic strength solution of tRNA has produced the dioxyribonucleoprotein (dnptRNA) in which only part of non-histone proteins was removed without loss of any major histone fraction. The solubility of DNP in the presence of 0.15 M NaCl and 1 to 5 mM MgCl2 was considerably higher than that of initial untreated chromatin. It has been assumed that the solubility of chromatin depended primarily on some non-histone proteins and not on H1 histone.", "contents": "[Role of non-histone proteins in chromatin solubility]. Treatment of chromatin gel with low ionic strength solution of tRNA has produced the dioxyribonucleoprotein (dnptRNA) in which only part of non-histone proteins was removed without loss of any major histone fraction. The solubility of DNP in the presence of 0.15 M NaCl and 1 to 5 mM MgCl2 was considerably higher than that of initial untreated chromatin. It has been assumed that the solubility of chromatin depended primarily on some non-histone proteins and not on H1 histone.", "PMID": 623819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5188", "title": "[Photochemiluminescence of tryptophan-containing peptides and proteins during photooxidation. VII. Mechanism of sensitization by eosin of the photochemiluminescence of human serum albumin solutions].", "content": "Dependence of photochemoluminescence (PCL) intensity of serum albumin solutions with eosine initiated under light illumination with the wave length of 546 nm on oxygen concentration in solution has been studied. The luminescence intensity was shown to increase gradually with the increase of oxygen concentration. The relationship obtained is described by an empyric formula. Experimental data on the change of PCL intensity dependent on protein and dye concentrations have been obtained. A three-dimensional diagram of such relationship is plotted: this surface has a complex profile. An uncomplicated relationship between PCL intensity and protein concentration was analysed on the strength of the data obtained. The experimental, rated and literature data allowed a quantitative description of sensitized PCL of serum albumin solutions with eosine.", "contents": "[Photochemiluminescence of tryptophan-containing peptides and proteins during photooxidation. VII. Mechanism of sensitization by eosin of the photochemiluminescence of human serum albumin solutions]. Dependence of photochemoluminescence (PCL) intensity of serum albumin solutions with eosine initiated under light illumination with the wave length of 546 nm on oxygen concentration in solution has been studied. The luminescence intensity was shown to increase gradually with the increase of oxygen concentration. The relationship obtained is described by an empyric formula. Experimental data on the change of PCL intensity dependent on protein and dye concentrations have been obtained. A three-dimensional diagram of such relationship is plotted: this surface has a complex profile. An uncomplicated relationship between PCL intensity and protein concentration was analysed on the strength of the data obtained. The experimental, rated and literature data allowed a quantitative description of sensitized PCL of serum albumin solutions with eosine.", "PMID": 623818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5189", "title": "[Possible use of ultraviolet fluorescence for detecting protein conformational transitions in intact tissues].", "content": "Spectra of fluorescence (SF) excited by the light with the wave length of 260 nm were measured with the aim of revealing the character of structural reconstructions in water-dificient plant cells. Hypocotyls of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings during soil draught served as the objects of study. With an increase of water deficiency the SF maximum is shifted to 5-8 nm to the long wave region. In wilted plant tissues free triptophane was accumulated whose SF maximum was shifted to the long wave region as compared to that of triptophane bound in proteins. The data obtained point to a limited usage of UV-fluorescence in detecting structural transitions of proteins in intact cells and tissues. In cases when the content of free triptophane is changed it is difficult to make certain conclusions about the character of conformational changes of protein macromolecules.", "contents": "[Possible use of ultraviolet fluorescence for detecting protein conformational transitions in intact tissues]. Spectra of fluorescence (SF) excited by the light with the wave length of 260 nm were measured with the aim of revealing the character of structural reconstructions in water-dificient plant cells. Hypocotyls of Cucumis sativus L. seedlings during soil draught served as the objects of study. With an increase of water deficiency the SF maximum is shifted to 5-8 nm to the long wave region. In wilted plant tissues free triptophane was accumulated whose SF maximum was shifted to the long wave region as compared to that of triptophane bound in proteins. The data obtained point to a limited usage of UV-fluorescence in detecting structural transitions of proteins in intact cells and tissues. In cases when the content of free triptophane is changed it is difficult to make certain conclusions about the character of conformational changes of protein macromolecules.", "PMID": 623823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5190", "title": "[Contribution of individual structural components to stabilization of the secondary structure of double-helical polynucleotides].", "content": "Contributions of individual structural components of the double-helical polynucleotide to the stabilization of its secondary structure have been studied. The energy of intramolecular interactions was calculated by the method of atom-atom potentials. Sections of the energy function were constructed according to the parameters determining mutual location of base pairs with the optimal conformation of ribose-phosphate backbone in the points close to A- and B-forms of DNA. A complicated nature of the contribution of different structural components of the polynucleotide to its stabilization was revealed by means of different parameters. Relationships between the change of conformational parameters corresponding to optimal values of energy for A- and B-families of nucleic acids were found.", "contents": "[Contribution of individual structural components to stabilization of the secondary structure of double-helical polynucleotides]. Contributions of individual structural components of the double-helical polynucleotide to the stabilization of its secondary structure have been studied. The energy of intramolecular interactions was calculated by the method of atom-atom potentials. Sections of the energy function were constructed according to the parameters determining mutual location of base pairs with the optimal conformation of ribose-phosphate backbone in the points close to A- and B-forms of DNA. A complicated nature of the contribution of different structural components of the polynucleotide to its stabilization was revealed by means of different parameters. Relationships between the change of conformational parameters corresponding to optimal values of energy for A- and B-families of nucleic acids were found.", "PMID": 623820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5191", "title": "[Ion permeability of bilayer membranes formed from synthetic phospholipids in the phase transition region].", "content": "Ion permeability of black lipid membranes formed from synthetic phospholipids has been studied. The resistance of BLM formed from phosphatidylcholine, tiophosphatidylcholine, threealkylphosphate and threealkyltiophosphate was 10(7)--10(8) Ohm.cm2. It was shown that the membrane potential of the 10--30 mV arised in KCl gradient indicating the preference cation conductance in synthetic lipid membranes. A sharp decrease of the membrane conductance near to the phase transition temperature was discovered. The change of conductance by phase transition temperature was sensitive to chemical nature of the polar head of phospholipids used.", "contents": "[Ion permeability of bilayer membranes formed from synthetic phospholipids in the phase transition region]. Ion permeability of black lipid membranes formed from synthetic phospholipids has been studied. The resistance of BLM formed from phosphatidylcholine, tiophosphatidylcholine, threealkylphosphate and threealkyltiophosphate was 10(7)--10(8) Ohm.cm2. It was shown that the membrane potential of the 10--30 mV arised in KCl gradient indicating the preference cation conductance in synthetic lipid membranes. A sharp decrease of the membrane conductance near to the phase transition temperature was discovered. The change of conductance by phase transition temperature was sensitive to chemical nature of the polar head of phospholipids used.", "PMID": 623825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5192", "title": "[Intermediate reduction products of porphyrins and their structure].", "content": "It was shown on the basis of NMR-H spectra that the addition of proton to dianions of Zn-octaethylchlorine, Zn-octaethylporphin, and Zn-monoasaethioporphyrin results in the formation of products with the structure of alpha-dihydroflorine, alpha-florine, and gamma-florine respectively. This indicates that electron density greatly increases when the anions are formed in the centres which had a decreased density in the initial molecule.", "contents": "[Intermediate reduction products of porphyrins and their structure]. It was shown on the basis of NMR-H spectra that the addition of proton to dianions of Zn-octaethylchlorine, Zn-octaethylporphin, and Zn-monoasaethioporphyrin results in the formation of products with the structure of alpha-dihydroflorine, alpha-florine, and gamma-florine respectively. This indicates that electron density greatly increases when the anions are formed in the centres which had a decreased density in the initial molecule.", "PMID": 623822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5193", "title": "[Interaction of a spin-labeled analog of ATP with myosin].", "content": "By means of spin labeled analogs of ATP we have shown that conformational changes in myosin molecule induced by variation of temperature take place in the region of the active centre. In case of Mg-ATP and unmodified myosin conformation of the active centre changes monotonously with the change in temperature but after the modification of S1 thiol groups by N-ethylmaleimide on the temperature dependence curve of rotational mobility of the spin label a discontinuous is observed at 14-16 degrees C. It is also observed in case of K+-EDTA-ATP, or Ca2+-ATP and unmodified myosin. It is shown that the chemical analogs of Mg2+-paramagnetic ion Mn2+ are directly connected with the myosin active centre in the presence of ATP(ADP), i. e. a triple complex enzyme-bivalent cation-substrate is formed.", "contents": "[Interaction of a spin-labeled analog of ATP with myosin]. By means of spin labeled analogs of ATP we have shown that conformational changes in myosin molecule induced by variation of temperature take place in the region of the active centre. In case of Mg-ATP and unmodified myosin conformation of the active centre changes monotonously with the change in temperature but after the modification of S1 thiol groups by N-ethylmaleimide on the temperature dependence curve of rotational mobility of the spin label a discontinuous is observed at 14-16 degrees C. It is also observed in case of K+-EDTA-ATP, or Ca2+-ATP and unmodified myosin. It is shown that the chemical analogs of Mg2+-paramagnetic ion Mn2+ are directly connected with the myosin active centre in the presence of ATP(ADP), i. e. a triple complex enzyme-bivalent cation-substrate is formed.", "PMID": 623821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5194", "title": "[Calculation of parameters of ion transfer through bilayer membranes on the basis of steady-state measurement data].", "content": "The multi-site model of ion transfer through thin membranes is used to derive the steady-state current-voltage characteristics. It is shown that experimental data are in a good agreement with the theory predictions.", "contents": "[Calculation of parameters of ion transfer through bilayer membranes on the basis of steady-state measurement data]. The multi-site model of ion transfer through thin membranes is used to derive the steady-state current-voltage characteristics. It is shown that experimental data are in a good agreement with the theory predictions.", "PMID": 623826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5195", "title": "Substitution reactions of a water-soluble metalloporphyrin with azide and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea.", "content": "The substitution reactions of tetrakis-(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphinecobalt (III) (CoIIITMpyP) with azide and with 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea (TMTU) have been studied as a function of pH at 25 degrees and an ionic strength of 0.5 M. The mechanistic pathway proposed for thiocyanate [1] and pyridine [2] is applicable to these ligands as well once allowance is made for two attacking forms of azide, N3- and HN3. A TMTU axial substituent has about the same influence on the rate of further ligand substitution as does SCN- and a much larger influence than does azide. Similar behavior between bound SCN- and bound TMTU is also shown in electron-transfer reactions with Ru(NH3)62+. Whereas both sulfur-containing ligands enhance the rate relative to the diaquo complex, the azide complex undergoes reduction an order of magnitude more slowly than does the diaquo complex.", "contents": "Substitution reactions of a water-soluble metalloporphyrin with azide and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea. The substitution reactions of tetrakis-(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphinecobalt (III) (CoIIITMpyP) with azide and with 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea (TMTU) have been studied as a function of pH at 25 degrees and an ionic strength of 0.5 M. The mechanistic pathway proposed for thiocyanate [1] and pyridine [2] is applicable to these ligands as well once allowance is made for two attacking forms of azide, N3- and HN3. A TMTU axial substituent has about the same influence on the rate of further ligand substitution as does SCN- and a much larger influence than does azide. Similar behavior between bound SCN- and bound TMTU is also shown in electron-transfer reactions with Ru(NH3)62+. Whereas both sulfur-containing ligands enhance the rate relative to the diaquo complex, the azide complex undergoes reduction an order of magnitude more slowly than does the diaquo complex.", "PMID": 623832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5196", "title": "MCD spectra of iron-sulfur complexes with or without inorganic sulfur.", "content": "The magnetic circular dichroism spectra were observed for various iron-sulfur complexes with and without inorganic sulfur as models for rubredoxin and 2-Fe ferredoxin. The MCD band shapes ascribed the bands around 390 and 490 nm to Faraday A terms for mononuclear iron sulfur complexes. These bands are probably assigned to the charge-transfer transitions from the thiol sulfur orbital to the iron t2 and e 3d-orbitals, respectively. The MCD magnitudes decreased by more than one-half for binuclear iron-sulfur complexes with inorganic sulfur in comparison with those for the mononuclear complexes. The low MCD magnitude as well as the possible core symmetry as low as D2d attributed the MCD bands to Faraday B terms. Incorporation of inorganic sulfur produced new MCD bands, some of which can be assigned to the charge-transfer transitions from the inorganic sulfur orbital to the iron t2 and e 3d-orbitals. Among complexes studied here, the bis(o-xylyldithiolato) ferrate(III) monoanion gave the MCD spectrum which resembles that of a rubredoxin. This implies that the MCD spectroscopy also assessed complex as a good rubredoxin model. However the binuclear complex bis[o-xylyldithiolato-micron2-sulfidoferrate(III)] dianion failed to offer the MCD spectrum similar to that of the spinach ferredoxin.", "contents": "MCD spectra of iron-sulfur complexes with or without inorganic sulfur. The magnetic circular dichroism spectra were observed for various iron-sulfur complexes with and without inorganic sulfur as models for rubredoxin and 2-Fe ferredoxin. The MCD band shapes ascribed the bands around 390 and 490 nm to Faraday A terms for mononuclear iron sulfur complexes. These bands are probably assigned to the charge-transfer transitions from the thiol sulfur orbital to the iron t2 and e 3d-orbitals, respectively. The MCD magnitudes decreased by more than one-half for binuclear iron-sulfur complexes with inorganic sulfur in comparison with those for the mononuclear complexes. The low MCD magnitude as well as the possible core symmetry as low as D2d attributed the MCD bands to Faraday B terms. Incorporation of inorganic sulfur produced new MCD bands, some of which can be assigned to the charge-transfer transitions from the inorganic sulfur orbital to the iron t2 and e 3d-orbitals. Among complexes studied here, the bis(o-xylyldithiolato) ferrate(III) monoanion gave the MCD spectrum which resembles that of a rubredoxin. This implies that the MCD spectroscopy also assessed complex as a good rubredoxin model. However the binuclear complex bis[o-xylyldithiolato-micron2-sulfidoferrate(III)] dianion failed to offer the MCD spectrum similar to that of the spinach ferredoxin.", "PMID": 623833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5197", "title": "[Interaction of paramagnetic probes with submitochondrial particle membranes].", "content": "Redox-transformations of some paramagnetic probes differing in chemical structure have been studied during their interaction with the membranes of submitochondrial particles. Dependence of the probe restoration kinetics on the conditions of functioning of the electron-transport chain, presence of oxygen, respiration substrate, electron transport inhibitors (antimycin, alpha tenoiltriftoracetate, potassium cyanide) in the reaction mixture is shown. Water-soluble as well as strongly hydrophobic spin probes are restored when the respiration substrate (succinate) is present; they interact with the lipid-soluble carrier ubiquinone.", "contents": "[Interaction of paramagnetic probes with submitochondrial particle membranes]. Redox-transformations of some paramagnetic probes differing in chemical structure have been studied during their interaction with the membranes of submitochondrial particles. Dependence of the probe restoration kinetics on the conditions of functioning of the electron-transport chain, presence of oxygen, respiration substrate, electron transport inhibitors (antimycin, alpha tenoiltriftoracetate, potassium cyanide) in the reaction mixture is shown. Water-soluble as well as strongly hydrophobic spin probes are restored when the respiration substrate (succinate) is present; they interact with the lipid-soluble carrier ubiquinone.", "PMID": 623824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5198", "title": "Lanthanide octaethylprophyrins: preparation, association, and interaction with axial ligands.", "content": "The synthesis of virtually all the lanthanide octaethylporphyrin complexes have been achieved by heating appropriate anhydrous lanthanide halide and octaethylporphyrin in imidazole melt at 210 degrees C for two hours. The lighter lanthanide porphyrin complexes are very susceptible to hydrolysis, the middle lanthanide porphyrin complexes are moderately stable, and the heavier lanthanide porphyrin complexes are relatively more stable to hydrolysis. Two out of four lanthanide porphyrin complexes studied in detail, namely ytterbium and lutetium octaethylporphyrins, aggregate in benzene and the Soret bands in their absorption spectra are about 6 nm shifted to higher energies upon a hundred-fold increase in their concentrations. The aggregations of these lanthanide porphyrin complexes in non-coordinating solvents have been further verified by 1H NMR spectral studies. This spectral behavior can be interpreted qualitatively in terms of the model of the molecular exciton interactions with stacking of at least two prophyrins. A dimeric structure of these lanthanide porphyrin complexes has been proposed on the basis of geometrical considerations. On the contrary, the europium and gadolinium octaethylporphyrins associate very weakly in benzene in the concentration range studied. All four lanthanide porphyrin complexes interact with pyridine and piperidine, and the Soret bands in their absorption spectra are about 8 nm shifted to low energies as compared with their values in pure benzene.", "contents": "Lanthanide octaethylprophyrins: preparation, association, and interaction with axial ligands. The synthesis of virtually all the lanthanide octaethylporphyrin complexes have been achieved by heating appropriate anhydrous lanthanide halide and octaethylporphyrin in imidazole melt at 210 degrees C for two hours. The lighter lanthanide porphyrin complexes are very susceptible to hydrolysis, the middle lanthanide porphyrin complexes are moderately stable, and the heavier lanthanide porphyrin complexes are relatively more stable to hydrolysis. Two out of four lanthanide porphyrin complexes studied in detail, namely ytterbium and lutetium octaethylporphyrins, aggregate in benzene and the Soret bands in their absorption spectra are about 6 nm shifted to higher energies upon a hundred-fold increase in their concentrations. The aggregations of these lanthanide porphyrin complexes in non-coordinating solvents have been further verified by 1H NMR spectral studies. This spectral behavior can be interpreted qualitatively in terms of the model of the molecular exciton interactions with stacking of at least two prophyrins. A dimeric structure of these lanthanide porphyrin complexes has been proposed on the basis of geometrical considerations. On the contrary, the europium and gadolinium octaethylporphyrins associate very weakly in benzene in the concentration range studied. All four lanthanide porphyrin complexes interact with pyridine and piperidine, and the Soret bands in their absorption spectra are about 8 nm shifted to low energies as compared with their values in pure benzene.", "PMID": 623834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5199", "title": "[Thermal transitions in erythrocyte membranes revealed by their permeability to ANS].", "content": "A number of breaks were recorded on the curve of Arrhenius relationship of the rate constant of the dye 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate sodium salt (ANS) input into human erythrocytes of 20, 28, 36, 42 and 46 degrees C. Variations in the values of activation energies within the temperature range of 28-36 degrees and 42-46 degrees C obtained in various blood samples allow to consider these temperatures as those at which structural changes of the membranes take place. The values of activation energy of the process for temperature \"conformers\" of the erythrocyte membrane are 12(10-20 degrees C), 26.5 (20-28 degrees C), 34.2(36-42 degrees C) and 47 kcal/mol (t is greater than 46 degrees C). Within the temperature range of 28-36 degrees and 42-46 degrees C an irreversible decrease of permeability to ANS of the erythrocyte ghost after their incubation for 10 min at increased temperatures were observed. Thus the temperature regions of the change in erythrocyte permeability correspond to those at which the resealing of ghost takes place. The break in Arrhenius graph at 20 degrees C seems to characterize a highly cooperative \"point\" transition. The lipid nature of the initiator of structural transition within 28-36 degrees C is proved by a sharp increase of the permeability of liposomes prepared from erythrocyte membrane lipids to ANS at 28 degrees C. The nature of the initiators of two other thermal transitions is discussed.", "contents": "[Thermal transitions in erythrocyte membranes revealed by their permeability to ANS]. A number of breaks were recorded on the curve of Arrhenius relationship of the rate constant of the dye 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate sodium salt (ANS) input into human erythrocytes of 20, 28, 36, 42 and 46 degrees C. Variations in the values of activation energies within the temperature range of 28-36 degrees and 42-46 degrees C obtained in various blood samples allow to consider these temperatures as those at which structural changes of the membranes take place. The values of activation energy of the process for temperature \"conformers\" of the erythrocyte membrane are 12(10-20 degrees C), 26.5 (20-28 degrees C), 34.2(36-42 degrees C) and 47 kcal/mol (t is greater than 46 degrees C). Within the temperature range of 28-36 degrees and 42-46 degrees C an irreversible decrease of permeability to ANS of the erythrocyte ghost after their incubation for 10 min at increased temperatures were observed. Thus the temperature regions of the change in erythrocyte permeability correspond to those at which the resealing of ghost takes place. The break in Arrhenius graph at 20 degrees C seems to characterize a highly cooperative \"point\" transition. The lipid nature of the initiator of structural transition within 28-36 degrees C is proved by a sharp increase of the permeability of liposomes prepared from erythrocyte membrane lipids to ANS at 28 degrees C. The nature of the initiators of two other thermal transitions is discussed.", "PMID": 623828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5200", "title": "[Dipole cooperative model of ion channels in excitable biomembranes. I. Gating currents].", "content": "The experimental data on gating currents are analyzed in terms of dipole cooperative model of ionic channel. The dependence of displaced charge on potential is calculated. A comparison between the theory and experiment allows to establish the cooperative part of the charged gating subunits energy. It is shown that kinetics of gating particles displacement is nearly exponential. The theoretical dependence of characteristic times on the potential during testing pulse of voltage agrees qualitatively with the experimental curves.", "contents": "[Dipole cooperative model of ion channels in excitable biomembranes. I. Gating currents]. The experimental data on gating currents are analyzed in terms of dipole cooperative model of ionic channel. The dependence of displaced charge on potential is calculated. A comparison between the theory and experiment allows to establish the cooperative part of the charged gating subunits energy. It is shown that kinetics of gating particles displacement is nearly exponential. The theoretical dependence of characteristic times on the potential during testing pulse of voltage agrees qualitatively with the experimental curves.", "PMID": 623827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5201", "title": "Interaction of the anti-tumour drug cis-Pt(en)Cl2 with Cytidilyl-3'--5'-guanosine.", "content": "Chemical shifts occurring in 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and Sephadex G 25 chromatography are used to follow the reaction of the dinucleotide C3'p5'G (cytidilyl-3'phosphate5'-guanosine) in aqueous solution and to separate its products. Binding of the platinum occurs in first place at the cytosine, then at the guanine base. Two major complexes are produced, Pt:CpG and (Pt:CpG)2, which account for respectively for an internal and an external cross-linking effect.", "contents": "Interaction of the anti-tumour drug cis-Pt(en)Cl2 with Cytidilyl-3'--5'-guanosine. Chemical shifts occurring in 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and Sephadex G 25 chromatography are used to follow the reaction of the dinucleotide C3'p5'G (cytidilyl-3'phosphate5'-guanosine) in aqueous solution and to separate its products. Binding of the platinum occurs in first place at the cytosine, then at the guanine base. Two major complexes are produced, Pt:CpG and (Pt:CpG)2, which account for respectively for an internal and an external cross-linking effect.", "PMID": 623835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5202", "title": "[Mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation. V. Conditions contributing ot control of brain mitochondria respiration by adenosine diphosphate].", "content": "By changing the quantities of rat brain homogenate or mitochondria, adding succinic acid and ADP a situation was created in polarographic cell leading to the initiation of Lardy and Chance control upon respiration. It is concluded that this control is characteristic of in vitro conditions, but not only of functional properties of mitochondrial preparations. For studying oxidative phosphorylation the disappearance of nonorganic phosphate must be estimated.", "contents": "[Mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation. V. Conditions contributing ot control of brain mitochondria respiration by adenosine diphosphate]. By changing the quantities of rat brain homogenate or mitochondria, adding succinic acid and ADP a situation was created in polarographic cell leading to the initiation of Lardy and Chance control upon respiration. It is concluded that this control is characteristic of in vitro conditions, but not only of functional properties of mitochondrial preparations. For studying oxidative phosphorylation the disappearance of nonorganic phosphate must be estimated.", "PMID": 623829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5203", "title": "[Conformational fluctuations in chloroplasts].", "content": "Characteristic features of conformational changes in chloroplasts have been studied by microfilm technique at BMI-13 installation. The oscillatory character of changes in chloroplast cross-section area in time, determined earlier by the tele-lazer microscopy technique, has been confirmed by our data. When chloroplasts are simultaneously seen in the microscope it is possible to observe their synchronous oscillation. The stationarity check of conformational changes shows that is a non-stationary process in the general case. So it is concluded that the standard technique of analysing accidental non-stationary processes can be used for study of conformational changes in chloroplasts provided that the corresponding parts of their kinetics are selected or trends are eliminated depending on the type of non-stationarity.", "contents": "[Conformational fluctuations in chloroplasts]. Characteristic features of conformational changes in chloroplasts have been studied by microfilm technique at BMI-13 installation. The oscillatory character of changes in chloroplast cross-section area in time, determined earlier by the tele-lazer microscopy technique, has been confirmed by our data. When chloroplasts are simultaneously seen in the microscope it is possible to observe their synchronous oscillation. The stationarity check of conformational changes shows that is a non-stationary process in the general case. So it is concluded that the standard technique of analysing accidental non-stationary processes can be used for study of conformational changes in chloroplasts provided that the corresponding parts of their kinetics are selected or trends are eliminated depending on the type of non-stationarity.", "PMID": 623830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5204", "title": "[Spectral transformations of photoproducts in Halobacterium halobium cells].", "content": "Long-living spectral products observed earlier in purple membranes (PM) are discovered in the cells of Halobacterium halobium (Hh) under the action of yellow light. Blue spectral region of the light has been found to be optimal for PM arising in the cells cultivated under light. On the basis of the changes discovered in the optical spectra of Hh we may suppose that PM arising in the cells, is the dark processes, occur due to a hypothetic enzyme, which appears under light. The rate of PM arising is maximal during the periods of thermogenesis maximum.", "contents": "[Spectral transformations of photoproducts in Halobacterium halobium cells]. Long-living spectral products observed earlier in purple membranes (PM) are discovered in the cells of Halobacterium halobium (Hh) under the action of yellow light. Blue spectral region of the light has been found to be optimal for PM arising in the cells cultivated under light. On the basis of the changes discovered in the optical spectra of Hh we may suppose that PM arising in the cells, is the dark processes, occur due to a hypothetic enzyme, which appears under light. The rate of PM arising is maximal during the periods of thermogenesis maximum.", "PMID": 623831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5205", "title": "Effects of certain antitumor platinum compounds on kidney esterases.", "content": "In a study of the biochemical mechanism of renal toxicity of certain antitumor platinum compounds, particularly cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (NSC-119875), qualitative and quantitative studies of the soluble nonspecific kidney esterases were carried out using (C57BL/L X DBA/2) mice. There was a major suppression of the testosterone-dependent esterases of treated male mice; these levels dropped to levels below those found in untreated females within 72 h after certain of the drugs were administered. This effect appeared to be in inverse relationship to the numerical value of the LD50 values of the compounds investigated.", "contents": "Effects of certain antitumor platinum compounds on kidney esterases. In a study of the biochemical mechanism of renal toxicity of certain antitumor platinum compounds, particularly cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (NSC-119875), qualitative and quantitative studies of the soluble nonspecific kidney esterases were carried out using (C57BL/L X DBA/2) mice. There was a major suppression of the testosterone-dependent esterases of treated male mice; these levels dropped to levels below those found in untreated females within 72 h after certain of the drugs were administered. This effect appeared to be in inverse relationship to the numerical value of the LD50 values of the compounds investigated.", "PMID": 623836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5206", "title": "[On the localization of ribosomal proteinase].", "content": "The localization of proteolytic activity in rat liver ribosomes was studied. 40S and 60S subparticles were obtained upon dissociation of polyribosomes by puromycin. It was shown that the proteolytic activity is associated with small subparticles or with proteins removed from the latter.", "contents": "[On the localization of ribosomal proteinase]. The localization of proteolytic activity in rat liver ribosomes was studied. 40S and 60S subparticles were obtained upon dissociation of polyribosomes by puromycin. It was shown that the proteolytic activity is associated with small subparticles or with proteins removed from the latter.", "PMID": 623837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5207", "title": "[Permeability of artificial lipid membranes to some enzymes].", "content": "The permeability of artificial lipid membranes for six enzymes, e.g. RNAse, trypsin, amylase, aldolase, invertase and alkaline phosphatase, was studied. The permeability coefficient values for these enzymes were calculated. It was shown that the penetration process consists of several steps: adsorption of enzyme on the membrane surface, diffusion of enzyme molecules through the lipid layer and enzyme desorption into the surrounding solution. The results obtained suggest that the diffusion of the enzyme molecules through the lipid layer is the limiting step of the penetration process.", "contents": "[Permeability of artificial lipid membranes to some enzymes]. The permeability of artificial lipid membranes for six enzymes, e.g. RNAse, trypsin, amylase, aldolase, invertase and alkaline phosphatase, was studied. The permeability coefficient values for these enzymes were calculated. It was shown that the penetration process consists of several steps: adsorption of enzyme on the membrane surface, diffusion of enzyme molecules through the lipid layer and enzyme desorption into the surrounding solution. The results obtained suggest that the diffusion of the enzyme molecules through the lipid layer is the limiting step of the penetration process.", "PMID": 623838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5208", "title": "[Determination of relative values of de novo biosynthesis and salvage pathway of thymidylate formation in rat decidual tissue].", "content": "A method for the determination of relative values (%) of two pathways of thymidine-5'-phosphate (dTMP) formation, e.g. via de novo biosynthesis and through thymidine reutilization (salvage pathway), is proposed. It is shown that the relative values of dTMP formation through the salvage pathway in the mesometrial part of developing decidua in pregnant rats (9-11th day of ppregnancy) are 1.5-3.4 times higher as compared to those in the antimesometrial part. When dTMP biosynthesis is suppressed by aminopterine, up to 80% of total DNA thymind is synthesized at the expense of thymidine reutilization. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA was thereby increased approximately 8-fold irrespective of the decrease in the DNA synthesis rate (approximately 2.4 times). The dependence of the relative values of the thymidine reutilization pathway on the correlation of the thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase activities in the tissue is discussed. The ability of the cells to reutilize thymidine is interpreted in terms of their relative resistance to the effect of folic acid antagonists.", "contents": "[Determination of relative values of de novo biosynthesis and salvage pathway of thymidylate formation in rat decidual tissue]. A method for the determination of relative values (%) of two pathways of thymidine-5'-phosphate (dTMP) formation, e.g. via de novo biosynthesis and through thymidine reutilization (salvage pathway), is proposed. It is shown that the relative values of dTMP formation through the salvage pathway in the mesometrial part of developing decidua in pregnant rats (9-11th day of ppregnancy) are 1.5-3.4 times higher as compared to those in the antimesometrial part. When dTMP biosynthesis is suppressed by aminopterine, up to 80% of total DNA thymind is synthesized at the expense of thymidine reutilization. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA was thereby increased approximately 8-fold irrespective of the decrease in the DNA synthesis rate (approximately 2.4 times). The dependence of the relative values of the thymidine reutilization pathway on the correlation of the thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase activities in the tissue is discussed. The ability of the cells to reutilize thymidine is interpreted in terms of their relative resistance to the effect of folic acid antagonists.", "PMID": 623840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5209", "title": "[Organospecificity of chromatin fragmentation by endonuclease].", "content": "The analysis of chromatin fragments from liver, kidney, spleen and brain by means of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel concentration gradient has revealed the organospecificity of the chromatin fragmentation with endonucleases. The highest endonucleolysis of chromatin was observed in spleen nuclei, it was moderate in kidney and liver and it was practically absent in brain. Differences in endonucleolysis of the organs studied demonstrate their correlation with the mitotic activity.", "contents": "[Organospecificity of chromatin fragmentation by endonuclease]. The analysis of chromatin fragments from liver, kidney, spleen and brain by means of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel concentration gradient has revealed the organospecificity of the chromatin fragmentation with endonucleases. The highest endonucleolysis of chromatin was observed in spleen nuclei, it was moderate in kidney and liver and it was practically absent in brain. Differences in endonucleolysis of the organs studied demonstrate their correlation with the mitotic activity.", "PMID": 623841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5210", "title": "[RNA-polymerase of murine leukemia L1210 cells].", "content": "Multiple forms of RNA polymerases (I, II and III) from murine leukemia L1210 cells are solubilized, purified and characterized. Heterogeneity of RNA polymerases I and III is revealed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and Phosphocellulose (P-11). The properties of these forms such as peculiarities of transcription of native and denaturated DNA, metal ion dependence (Mg2+, Mn2+ and (NH4)2SO4) and alpha-amanitin sensitivity resemble those reported for other mammalian RNA polymerases. The level of RNA polymerase I of leukemia L1210 cells increase approximately ten-fold relative to its level in some organs of healthy mice.", "contents": "[RNA-polymerase of murine leukemia L1210 cells]. Multiple forms of RNA polymerases (I, II and III) from murine leukemia L1210 cells are solubilized, purified and characterized. Heterogeneity of RNA polymerases I and III is revealed by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and Phosphocellulose (P-11). The properties of these forms such as peculiarities of transcription of native and denaturated DNA, metal ion dependence (Mg2+, Mn2+ and (NH4)2SO4) and alpha-amanitin sensitivity resemble those reported for other mammalian RNA polymerases. The level of RNA polymerase I of leukemia L1210 cells increase approximately ten-fold relative to its level in some organs of healthy mice.", "PMID": 623842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5211", "title": "[Comparison of free ribonucleotide pool in the spleens of C57BL and DBA/2 mice and in leukemia cells sensitive and resistant to 5-fluorouracil].", "content": "The amount of free purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotides in the spleens of mice (C57Bl and DBA/2) and in lympholeukemia cells (La and L1210), sensitive and with induced resistance to 5-fluorouracil, was determined by chromatography on a column with DEAE-cellulose. It was found that the cytidine ribonucleotide pool in the spleens of DBA/2 mice is 2 times lower as compared to C57Bl mice. The lympholeukemia cells (La and L1210) isolated from the animals also differed in their uridine nucleotide pools. The development of leukemia was accompanied by a decrease in ATP and GTP. No significant changes in the total amount of pyrimidine nucleotides under developing resistance to 5-fluororuacil were observed.", "contents": "[Comparison of free ribonucleotide pool in the spleens of C57BL and DBA/2 mice and in leukemia cells sensitive and resistant to 5-fluorouracil]. The amount of free purine and pyrimidine ribonucleotides in the spleens of mice (C57Bl and DBA/2) and in lympholeukemia cells (La and L1210), sensitive and with induced resistance to 5-fluorouracil, was determined by chromatography on a column with DEAE-cellulose. It was found that the cytidine ribonucleotide pool in the spleens of DBA/2 mice is 2 times lower as compared to C57Bl mice. The lympholeukemia cells (La and L1210) isolated from the animals also differed in their uridine nucleotide pools. The development of leukemia was accompanied by a decrease in ATP and GTP. No significant changes in the total amount of pyrimidine nucleotides under developing resistance to 5-fluororuacil were observed.", "PMID": 623843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5212", "title": "[Investigation of Ca2+ inhibitory effect on cellulase activity].", "content": "The Ca2+ effect on the activity of cellulase [beta-1-4-endoglucanase) is quantitatively estimated. Values of partial inhibition of the enzyme activity at different Ca2+ concentrations within 2-10 mM are determined. The type of inhibition is identified from the data on kinetic analysis. The values of substrate and inhibitory constants are calculated.", "contents": "[Investigation of Ca2+ inhibitory effect on cellulase activity]. The Ca2+ effect on the activity of cellulase [beta-1-4-endoglucanase) is quantitatively estimated. Values of partial inhibition of the enzyme activity at different Ca2+ concentrations within 2-10 mM are determined. The type of inhibition is identified from the data on kinetic analysis. The values of substrate and inhibitory constants are calculated.", "PMID": 623844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5213", "title": "[Identification of albumin 0.19 in wheat and other cereal proteins].", "content": "It was found that albumin 0.19, being an inhibitor of alpha-amylases from human and insect saliva, is not specific for T. aestivum and is also revealed immunochemically by means of antiserum in the proteins of T. durum. Using rocket immunoelectrophoresis, it was shown that the albumin component specific for T. aestivum is not identical to albumin 0.19. The levels of albumin 0.19 in the proteins of wheat, aegilops. secale, agropyron and barley grains were studied.", "contents": "[Identification of albumin 0.19 in wheat and other cereal proteins]. It was found that albumin 0.19, being an inhibitor of alpha-amylases from human and insect saliva, is not specific for T. aestivum and is also revealed immunochemically by means of antiserum in the proteins of T. durum. Using rocket immunoelectrophoresis, it was shown that the albumin component specific for T. aestivum is not identical to albumin 0.19. The levels of albumin 0.19 in the proteins of wheat, aegilops. secale, agropyron and barley grains were studied.", "PMID": 623845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5214", "title": "[Effect of phosphatidylserine in hemocoagulating action of factors V, VII and autoprothrombin C].", "content": "It was found that phosphatidylserine inhibits the activating effect of factors V, VII and autoprothrombin C on the thromboplastin time of plasma. This is in agreement with the previously observed phosphatidylserine ability to form an inactive complex with the substrate of thrombinogenesis, i.e. prothrombin. The excess of autoprothrombin C results in changes in the kinetic parameters of the inhibiting effect of phosphatidylserine on the thrombinogenesis, which is indicative of the interaction between autoprothrombin C and phosphatidylserine. Data from gel-filtration on Sephadex G-100 and differential spectrophotometry support the evidence for the formation of the autoprothrombin C-phosphatidylserine complex. During ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration the autoprothrombin C preparations are eluted as an acute symmetrical peak; using electrophoresis in agarose gel, two fractions were revealed in the preparations. The first fraction migrates with gamma-globulins, whereas the second one--with alpha-globulins. The presence of phosphatidylserine in the autoprothrombin C solution does not change its migration rate during electrophoresis.", "contents": "[Effect of phosphatidylserine in hemocoagulating action of factors V, VII and autoprothrombin C]. It was found that phosphatidylserine inhibits the activating effect of factors V, VII and autoprothrombin C on the thromboplastin time of plasma. This is in agreement with the previously observed phosphatidylserine ability to form an inactive complex with the substrate of thrombinogenesis, i.e. prothrombin. The excess of autoprothrombin C results in changes in the kinetic parameters of the inhibiting effect of phosphatidylserine on the thrombinogenesis, which is indicative of the interaction between autoprothrombin C and phosphatidylserine. Data from gel-filtration on Sephadex G-100 and differential spectrophotometry support the evidence for the formation of the autoprothrombin C-phosphatidylserine complex. During ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration the autoprothrombin C preparations are eluted as an acute symmetrical peak; using electrophoresis in agarose gel, two fractions were revealed in the preparations. The first fraction migrates with gamma-globulins, whereas the second one--with alpha-globulins. The presence of phosphatidylserine in the autoprothrombin C solution does not change its migration rate during electrophoresis.", "PMID": 623847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5215", "title": "[Effect of Triton X-100 on properties of acetylcholinesterase from human erythrocytes].", "content": "The effect of Triton X-100 on catalytic properties of acetylcholinesterase from human erythrocytes under acetylcholine hydrolysis, on sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to specific phosphoorganic inhibitors and eserine, and on the mobility and isoenyme spectrum under analytical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel is investigated. Triton X-100, independently on its concentration within 0.05-1.0%, slightly changes V and [S]opt values and increases Km value in 2-3 times. The inhibitory effect of Triton X-100 is mainly competitive, 0.5% Triton X-100 decreases bimolecular constant (kII) of the interaction of acetylcholinesterase with phosphoorganic inhibitor and eserine in 2.5-4 times. In the presence of phosphoorganic inhibitor, kII sharply decreased when 0.02% Triton X-100 was added, and then it did not change under the increase of Triton X-100 concentration up to 1.0%. On the basis of these data, an analytical method of estimating Triton X-100 content in protein solution is proposed. The introduction of 0.1% Triton X-100 into polyacrylamide gel results in considerable quantitative redistribution of acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme fractions and in the change of the mobility of one fraction under electrophoresis.", "contents": "[Effect of Triton X-100 on properties of acetylcholinesterase from human erythrocytes]. The effect of Triton X-100 on catalytic properties of acetylcholinesterase from human erythrocytes under acetylcholine hydrolysis, on sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to specific phosphoorganic inhibitors and eserine, and on the mobility and isoenyme spectrum under analytical electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel is investigated. Triton X-100, independently on its concentration within 0.05-1.0%, slightly changes V and [S]opt values and increases Km value in 2-3 times. The inhibitory effect of Triton X-100 is mainly competitive, 0.5% Triton X-100 decreases bimolecular constant (kII) of the interaction of acetylcholinesterase with phosphoorganic inhibitor and eserine in 2.5-4 times. In the presence of phosphoorganic inhibitor, kII sharply decreased when 0.02% Triton X-100 was added, and then it did not change under the increase of Triton X-100 concentration up to 1.0%. On the basis of these data, an analytical method of estimating Triton X-100 content in protein solution is proposed. The introduction of 0.1% Triton X-100 into polyacrylamide gel results in considerable quantitative redistribution of acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme fractions and in the change of the mobility of one fraction under electrophoresis.", "PMID": 623848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5216", "title": "A family study of unsocialized aggressive boys.", "content": "The psychiatric histories of relatives of 17 boys admitted to an inpatient unit with \"unsocialized aggressive\" behavior and of 19 boys admitted with other problems were investigated by means of structured interviews. The interviews were rated blind and diagnoses made on the respondents and relatives described in the family histories using research criteria. Fathers and combined parents of the probands qualified for the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder more often than the fathers and combined parents of control boys. Uncles of probands and combined uncles and aunts more often had a history of marked antisocial behavior than the corresponding relatives of controls. Siblings of the probands more often had a history of behavior problems as children or adolescents than the siblings of controls. The data suggest an association between unsocialized aggressive reaction in boys and antisocial personality disorder in their adult relatives. Such an association is an interesting contrast to the relationship between hyperactivity in children and alcoholism in their adult relatives.", "contents": "A family study of unsocialized aggressive boys. The psychiatric histories of relatives of 17 boys admitted to an inpatient unit with \"unsocialized aggressive\" behavior and of 19 boys admitted with other problems were investigated by means of structured interviews. The interviews were rated blind and diagnoses made on the respondents and relatives described in the family histories using research criteria. Fathers and combined parents of the probands qualified for the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder more often than the fathers and combined parents of control boys. Uncles of probands and combined uncles and aunts more often had a history of marked antisocial behavior than the corresponding relatives of controls. Siblings of the probands more often had a history of behavior problems as children or adolescents than the siblings of controls. The data suggest an association between unsocialized aggressive reaction in boys and antisocial personality disorder in their adult relatives. Such an association is an interesting contrast to the relationship between hyperactivity in children and alcoholism in their adult relatives.", "PMID": 623850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5217", "title": "EEG frequency patterns associated with hallucinations in schizophrenia and \"creativity\" in normals.", "content": "This study attempts to define EEG power spectral patterns associated with hallucinatory behaviors in schizophrenia. Six unmedicated schizophrenics with Schneiderian criteria were interviewed and their tongue potentials were monitored and recorded on FM tape. Eye movements and tongue potentials were monitored and segments with artifacts were not used. Consecutive 4-sec intervals of EEG were analyzed in the frequency domain using fast Fourier transorm methods and serial power spectra plots obtained. The intrusiveness of the hallucinatory experience may be similar to the sudden internal experience of perceptual resolution in a creative task. Six normal controls were similarly monitored and analyzed while responding to tests of \"creativity.\" In the 4-sec interval prior to reports of hallucinatory experiences, a frequency pattern of predominatly delta and theta power was found in 71.7% of the EEG segments. In the control group, 78.1% of the EEG segments preceding a creative response demonstrated a similar low frequency pattern which also differed significantly from the base line EEG frequency pattern.", "contents": "EEG frequency patterns associated with hallucinations in schizophrenia and \"creativity\" in normals. This study attempts to define EEG power spectral patterns associated with hallucinatory behaviors in schizophrenia. Six unmedicated schizophrenics with Schneiderian criteria were interviewed and their tongue potentials were monitored and recorded on FM tape. Eye movements and tongue potentials were monitored and segments with artifacts were not used. Consecutive 4-sec intervals of EEG were analyzed in the frequency domain using fast Fourier transorm methods and serial power spectra plots obtained. The intrusiveness of the hallucinatory experience may be similar to the sudden internal experience of perceptual resolution in a creative task. Six normal controls were similarly monitored and analyzed while responding to tests of \"creativity.\" In the 4-sec interval prior to reports of hallucinatory experiences, a frequency pattern of predominatly delta and theta power was found in 71.7% of the EEG segments. In the control group, 78.1% of the EEG segments preceding a creative response demonstrated a similar low frequency pattern which also differed significantly from the base line EEG frequency pattern.", "PMID": 623852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5218", "title": "Evidence for the presence of m-tyramine, p-tyramine, tryptamine, and phenylethylamine in the rat brain and several areas of the human brain.", "content": "Postmortem human brains have been obtained from four nonpsychiatric patients, aged 59-70 years. Regional analysis of the trace amines phenylethylamine, p-tyramine, m-tyramine, and tryptamine has indicated that the amines are distributed heterogeneously throughout the brain, but are most concentrated in the basal ganglia. Although the levels are very low, evidence obtained from animal studies has indicated that the trace amines have a very rapid turnover rate. Their presence in a brain synaptosomal fraction suggests a possible involvement in the process of neurotransmission. Postmortem changes in human brain amines are discussed in relation to those occurring postmortem in the rat brain, in which phenylethylamine, p-tyramine, and tryptamine have been shown to increase to levels greater than those prevailing in vivo.", "contents": "Evidence for the presence of m-tyramine, p-tyramine, tryptamine, and phenylethylamine in the rat brain and several areas of the human brain. Postmortem human brains have been obtained from four nonpsychiatric patients, aged 59-70 years. Regional analysis of the trace amines phenylethylamine, p-tyramine, m-tyramine, and tryptamine has indicated that the amines are distributed heterogeneously throughout the brain, but are most concentrated in the basal ganglia. Although the levels are very low, evidence obtained from animal studies has indicated that the trace amines have a very rapid turnover rate. Their presence in a brain synaptosomal fraction suggests a possible involvement in the process of neurotransmission. Postmortem changes in human brain amines are discussed in relation to those occurring postmortem in the rat brain, in which phenylethylamine, p-tyramine, and tryptamine have been shown to increase to levels greater than those prevailing in vivo.", "PMID": 623853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5219", "title": "Event-related brain potentials and selective attention to acoustic and phonetic cues.", "content": "N1 and P3 components of the human event-related potential were recorded from subjects performing a syllable discrimination task which required selective attention to one ear at a time. The N1 component was enhanced to all stimuli in the attended ear; while the P3 component was enhanced only to the \"target\" stimulus in that ear. The results are discussed in terms of hierarchical stages of selective attention.", "contents": "Event-related brain potentials and selective attention to acoustic and phonetic cues. N1 and P3 components of the human event-related potential were recorded from subjects performing a syllable discrimination task which required selective attention to one ear at a time. The N1 component was enhanced to all stimuli in the attended ear; while the P3 component was enhanced only to the \"target\" stimulus in that ear. The results are discussed in terms of hierarchical stages of selective attention.", "PMID": 623855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5220", "title": "An experimental study of visual averaged evoked responses (V. AER) and pain measures (PM) in patients with depressive disorders.", "content": "In a group of 100 patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Ume\u00e5 between January 1973 and July 1974 with depressive syndromes, pain measures - PM - and visual averaged evoked responses - V.AER - have been investigated and the patients have been rated by the doctor by means of the Cronholm-Ottosson depression rating scale. According to the results of V. AER patients have been grouped as augmenters or reducers, depending upon the tendency to augment or to reduce the intensity of incoming signals with increasing stimulus intensity. V. AER are found to vary with age but not with sex. Differences are found between patients with and those without a psychotic dimension of their depressive syndromes. Patients with depressive syndromes of psychotic dimension tend more often to be reducers. When patients are divided according to diagnostic groups no differences are found. PM are found to vary with sex and detection threshold - DT - are found to vary with age while pain threshold - PT - tolerance level - TL - and pain endurance - PE - do not vary with age. Patients with depressive syndromes of a psychotic dimension are found to have higher PM while there is no consistent picture when patients are divided according to diagnostic groups. Possible explanations for contradictory results found by other authors are discussed.", "contents": "An experimental study of visual averaged evoked responses (V. AER) and pain measures (PM) in patients with depressive disorders. In a group of 100 patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Ume\u00e5 between January 1973 and July 1974 with depressive syndromes, pain measures - PM - and visual averaged evoked responses - V.AER - have been investigated and the patients have been rated by the doctor by means of the Cronholm-Ottosson depression rating scale. According to the results of V. AER patients have been grouped as augmenters or reducers, depending upon the tendency to augment or to reduce the intensity of incoming signals with increasing stimulus intensity. V. AER are found to vary with age but not with sex. Differences are found between patients with and those without a psychotic dimension of their depressive syndromes. Patients with depressive syndromes of psychotic dimension tend more often to be reducers. When patients are divided according to diagnostic groups no differences are found. PM are found to vary with sex and detection threshold - DT - are found to vary with age while pain threshold - PT - tolerance level - TL - and pain endurance - PE - do not vary with age. Patients with depressive syndromes of a psychotic dimension are found to have higher PM while there is no consistent picture when patients are divided according to diagnostic groups. Possible explanations for contradictory results found by other authors are discussed.", "PMID": 623856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5221", "title": "The timing of CNV resolution in a memory retrieval task.", "content": "Twelve men performed the Sternberg memory retrieval task while the EEG and EOG were recorded. Subjects saw a target set of 1 to 4 digits followed by a warning tone that was followed after 1.5 sec by a probe digit. Subjects indicated by pressing one of two levers whether the probe digit was in or out of the target set. The timing of contingent negative variation (CNV) resolution was measured as the latency of 50% resolution in stimulus-synchronized waveforms (SSWs), response-synchronized waveforms (RSWs), and model waveforms (MWs). The MWs were constructed by adding each RSW to itself using time displacements derived from the reaction times of the single trials of which the RSW was an average. The results indicated that CNV resolution is related to the timing of the motor response. MWs had resolution latencies close to those of the SSWs. In SSWs the N1 and P3 to the warning tone also varied with target set size.", "contents": "The timing of CNV resolution in a memory retrieval task. Twelve men performed the Sternberg memory retrieval task while the EEG and EOG were recorded. Subjects saw a target set of 1 to 4 digits followed by a warning tone that was followed after 1.5 sec by a probe digit. Subjects indicated by pressing one of two levers whether the probe digit was in or out of the target set. The timing of contingent negative variation (CNV) resolution was measured as the latency of 50% resolution in stimulus-synchronized waveforms (SSWs), response-synchronized waveforms (RSWs), and model waveforms (MWs). The MWs were constructed by adding each RSW to itself using time displacements derived from the reaction times of the single trials of which the RSW was an average. The results indicated that CNV resolution is related to the timing of the motor response. MWs had resolution latencies close to those of the SSWs. In SSWs the N1 and P3 to the warning tone also varied with target set size.", "PMID": 623857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5222", "title": "Psychophysiological reactions to noise as modified by personal control over noise intensity.", "content": "Effects of personal control over noise intensity were studied in experimental situations where subjects performed mental arithmetic under noise exposure. Every other subject was offered a choice between noise intensities, and the next subject, serving as his yoked partner, had to submit to the same noise. Mean measures of catecholamine and cortisol excretion, and of heart rate and subjective effort and discomfort showed that subjects were more aroused in the yoked situation. There were, however, considerable interindividual differences, subjects classified as 'internals' or 'externals' on the basis of the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale responding to the two experimental conditions in congruence with their general beliefs and attitudes with regard to control.", "contents": "Psychophysiological reactions to noise as modified by personal control over noise intensity. Effects of personal control over noise intensity were studied in experimental situations where subjects performed mental arithmetic under noise exposure. Every other subject was offered a choice between noise intensities, and the next subject, serving as his yoked partner, had to submit to the same noise. Mean measures of catecholamine and cortisol excretion, and of heart rate and subjective effort and discomfort showed that subjects were more aroused in the yoked situation. There were, however, considerable interindividual differences, subjects classified as 'internals' or 'externals' on the basis of the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale responding to the two experimental conditions in congruence with their general beliefs and attitudes with regard to control.", "PMID": 623858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5223", "title": "Interaction between physiological and cognitive determinants of emotions: experimental studies on Schachter's theory of emotions.", "content": "This study investigated the interaction between physiological arousal and situation-derived cognitions in the determination of feeling states that is proposed in Schachter's theory of emotions. The degree of bodily arousal was varied by disguised oral administration of a placebo or the sympathicomimetic agent ephedrine. The situational circumstances were varied by instructions offering cues for (a) no emotions ('neutral' control), or the feeling states called (b) 'anger', (c) 'happiness', and (d) anxiety'. The subjects were 72 male students. The dependent variables were blood pressure, heart rate, a list of bodily symptoms, and an adjective check list. The results within the 'anger' and 'happiness' condition were in accordance with Schachter's theory: depending on the type of situation, ephedrine-induced arousal either decreased or increased positive descriptions of mood. The emotional effects of the 'anxiety' condition, however, were independent of the drug-induced arousal level. Contrary to Schachter's theory, anxiety reactions occured also in a state of low physiological arousal and did not increase with increasing arousal.", "contents": "Interaction between physiological and cognitive determinants of emotions: experimental studies on Schachter's theory of emotions. This study investigated the interaction between physiological arousal and situation-derived cognitions in the determination of feeling states that is proposed in Schachter's theory of emotions. The degree of bodily arousal was varied by disguised oral administration of a placebo or the sympathicomimetic agent ephedrine. The situational circumstances were varied by instructions offering cues for (a) no emotions ('neutral' control), or the feeling states called (b) 'anger', (c) 'happiness', and (d) anxiety'. The subjects were 72 male students. The dependent variables were blood pressure, heart rate, a list of bodily symptoms, and an adjective check list. The results within the 'anger' and 'happiness' condition were in accordance with Schachter's theory: depending on the type of situation, ephedrine-induced arousal either decreased or increased positive descriptions of mood. The emotional effects of the 'anxiety' condition, however, were independent of the drug-induced arousal level. Contrary to Schachter's theory, anxiety reactions occured also in a state of low physiological arousal and did not increase with increasing arousal.", "PMID": 623859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5224", "title": "Temporal stability of solitary impulse solutions of a nerve equation.", "content": "We study a differential equation that models nerve impulse transmission. The nonlinearity is simplified to be piecewise linear in order to allow explicit solution. In general, two solitary impulse solutions are exhibited. The temporal stability of these solutions is analyzed by a technique that identifies the number of unstable modes. These results extend the results of Rinzel and Keller (1973, Biophys. J. 13:1313) by showing that the slower unstable solution has only one unstable mode, and that the fast solution, as conjectured, has no unstable modes and is therefore stable.", "contents": "Temporal stability of solitary impulse solutions of a nerve equation. We study a differential equation that models nerve impulse transmission. The nonlinearity is simplified to be piecewise linear in order to allow explicit solution. In general, two solitary impulse solutions are exhibited. The temporal stability of these solutions is analyzed by a technique that identifies the number of unstable modes. These results extend the results of Rinzel and Keller (1973, Biophys. J. 13:1313) by showing that the slower unstable solution has only one unstable mode, and that the fast solution, as conjectured, has no unstable modes and is therefore stable.", "PMID": 623860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5225", "title": "The electrical response to light of bacteriorhodopsin in planar membranes.", "content": "We have measured the light-induced short-circuit current generated by a planar membrane containing bacteriorhodopsin incorporated by vesicle fusion. The experimental results are consistent with an equivalent electrical circuit analogue that assumes that the vesicles remain intact after fusion and that the current generator equivalent of the light-driven proton pump is linearly dependent on bias voltage. The transient response to light of the planar membrane has also been examined. Slow response times are seen to be associated with the capacitive charging and discharging of the fused vesicles. A study of the leading edge of the light response curve of the planar membrane yields information about the transient response of the light-driven proton pump. We propose that the translocation of protons across the membrane is associated with a first-order process characterized by a rate constant lambda.", "contents": "The electrical response to light of bacteriorhodopsin in planar membranes. We have measured the light-induced short-circuit current generated by a planar membrane containing bacteriorhodopsin incorporated by vesicle fusion. The experimental results are consistent with an equivalent electrical circuit analogue that assumes that the vesicles remain intact after fusion and that the current generator equivalent of the light-driven proton pump is linearly dependent on bias voltage. The transient response to light of the planar membrane has also been examined. Slow response times are seen to be associated with the capacitive charging and discharging of the fused vesicles. A study of the leading edge of the light response curve of the planar membrane yields information about the transient response of the light-driven proton pump. We propose that the translocation of protons across the membrane is associated with a first-order process characterized by a rate constant lambda.", "PMID": 623861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5226", "title": "Experimental evidence for the role of cross-relaxation in proton nuclear magnetic resonance spin lattice relaxation time measurements in proteins.", "content": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin lattice relaxation time (T1) and spin-spin relaxation time (T2) measurements are presented for a number of proteins with molecular weights spanning the range of 6,500-150,000 daltons. These measurements provide experimental evidence for the role of cross-relaxation in 1H NMR T1 measurements in proteins. The relationship between these measurements and the theory recently presented by Kalk and Berendsen is discussed. The results indicate that cross-relaxation dominates the T1 measurements for the larger proteins, even at relatively low resonance frequencies such as 100 MHz.", "contents": "Experimental evidence for the role of cross-relaxation in proton nuclear magnetic resonance spin lattice relaxation time measurements in proteins. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin lattice relaxation time (T1) and spin-spin relaxation time (T2) measurements are presented for a number of proteins with molecular weights spanning the range of 6,500-150,000 daltons. These measurements provide experimental evidence for the role of cross-relaxation in 1H NMR T1 measurements in proteins. The relationship between these measurements and the theory recently presented by Kalk and Berendsen is discussed. The results indicate that cross-relaxation dominates the T1 measurements for the larger proteins, even at relatively low resonance frequencies such as 100 MHz.", "PMID": 623862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5227", "title": "Simulations of conduction in uniform myelinated fibers. Relative sensitivity to changes in nodal and internodal parameters.", "content": "Conduction of impulses in myelinated axons has been studied by a new method of computer simulation. The contributions of nodal and internodal characteristics and parameters were examined. Surprisingly, the conduction velocity, theta, was found to be quite insensitive to the nodal area or the exact description of its excitable processes. The conduction velocity also is relatively insensitive to the internodal length but much more sensitive to the myelin capacitance and axoplasm conductance. Qualitative change in theta with temperature depended on which temperature-sensitive parameters were included in the simulation.", "contents": "Simulations of conduction in uniform myelinated fibers. Relative sensitivity to changes in nodal and internodal parameters. Conduction of impulses in myelinated axons has been studied by a new method of computer simulation. The contributions of nodal and internodal characteristics and parameters were examined. Surprisingly, the conduction velocity, theta, was found to be quite insensitive to the nodal area or the exact description of its excitable processes. The conduction velocity also is relatively insensitive to the internodal length but much more sensitive to the myelin capacitance and axoplasm conductance. Qualitative change in theta with temperature depended on which temperature-sensitive parameters were included in the simulation.", "PMID": 623863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5228", "title": "Interpretation of biomembrane structure by Raman difference spectroscopy. Nature of the endothermic transitions in phosphatidylcholines.", "content": "Raman difference spectroscopy has been applied to aqueous dispersions of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Difference spectra have been created by computer subtraction of absolute Raman spectra taken in each of three different temperature ranges: below the endothermic pretransition at 34 +/- 2 degrees C; between this temperature and the melting transition at 42 degrees C; and above the melting temperature. The resultant difference spectra are both quantitatively and qualitatively different, indicating that a distinct phospholipid conformation occurs in each of the three temperature ranges. Furthermore, the difference spectra show details of Raman spectral changes with greater clarity than is possible with conventional Raman techniques. A description of the lateral interchain order and the longitudinal chain order is given for each of the three temperature ranges. In addition to obtaining a more precise quantitative measurement of the changes in the Raman spectra, we observed some significant and previously unreported changes. It is suggested that distortion in the hexagonal lattice below the pretransition temperature previously reported by X-ray diffraction techniques may be responsible for interchain interactions which give rise to a Raman band observed only in the triclinic lattice of even-numbered n-alkanes.", "contents": "Interpretation of biomembrane structure by Raman difference spectroscopy. Nature of the endothermic transitions in phosphatidylcholines. Raman difference spectroscopy has been applied to aqueous dispersions of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Difference spectra have been created by computer subtraction of absolute Raman spectra taken in each of three different temperature ranges: below the endothermic pretransition at 34 +/- 2 degrees C; between this temperature and the melting transition at 42 degrees C; and above the melting temperature. The resultant difference spectra are both quantitatively and qualitatively different, indicating that a distinct phospholipid conformation occurs in each of the three temperature ranges. Furthermore, the difference spectra show details of Raman spectral changes with greater clarity than is possible with conventional Raman techniques. A description of the lateral interchain order and the longitudinal chain order is given for each of the three temperature ranges. In addition to obtaining a more precise quantitative measurement of the changes in the Raman spectra, we observed some significant and previously unreported changes. It is suggested that distortion in the hexagonal lattice below the pretransition temperature previously reported by X-ray diffraction techniques may be responsible for interchain interactions which give rise to a Raman band observed only in the triclinic lattice of even-numbered n-alkanes.", "PMID": 623864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5229", "title": "Low-intensity two-step absorption of chlorophyll A in vivo.", "content": "The intensity-dependent transmission of primary leaves of Triticum aestivum seedlings at lambda = 694 nm was measured with single pulses of a Q-switch ruby laser. At photon flux densities above 2 x 10(17) cm-2s-1 a decrease of transmission was observed. The result is interpreted as a two-step absorption of cooperative units of 10(5)-10(6) chlorophyll molecules.", "contents": "Low-intensity two-step absorption of chlorophyll A in vivo. The intensity-dependent transmission of primary leaves of Triticum aestivum seedlings at lambda = 694 nm was measured with single pulses of a Q-switch ruby laser. At photon flux densities above 2 x 10(17) cm-2s-1 a decrease of transmission was observed. The result is interpreted as a two-step absorption of cooperative units of 10(5)-10(6) chlorophyll molecules.", "PMID": 623865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5230", "title": "Molecular weight of T2 NaDNA from viscoelasticity.", "content": "The viscoelastic properties of T2 DNA solutions are used to determine the NaDNA molecular weight in four independent ways from the theory of the beads-springs model. The four molecular weights are 131.9, 132.7, 130.5, and 127.6 X 10(6). The average of these values, adjusted for the probable errors in viscoelasticity and concentration measurements, is (126 +/- 5) X 10(6). The four molecular weights are termed Mtaugamma11, Mtaueta, Mtaugamma, and MtauA; each is different in its sensitivity to molecular weight distribution. Their agreement suggests (1) that the theoretical equations relating each M to the corresponding measured properties are valid, (2) that T2 DNA behaves as a partially free-draining polymer chain, and (3) that our solutions were nearly homogeneous in DNA size. We show that serious errors can result if the viscoelastic properties are not extrapolated to their limits at zero shear rate, as well as at zero DNA concentration, before calculating molecular weight.", "contents": "Molecular weight of T2 NaDNA from viscoelasticity. The viscoelastic properties of T2 DNA solutions are used to determine the NaDNA molecular weight in four independent ways from the theory of the beads-springs model. The four molecular weights are 131.9, 132.7, 130.5, and 127.6 X 10(6). The average of these values, adjusted for the probable errors in viscoelasticity and concentration measurements, is (126 +/- 5) X 10(6). The four molecular weights are termed Mtaugamma11, Mtaueta, Mtaugamma, and MtauA; each is different in its sensitivity to molecular weight distribution. Their agreement suggests (1) that the theoretical equations relating each M to the corresponding measured properties are valid, (2) that T2 DNA behaves as a partially free-draining polymer chain, and (3) that our solutions were nearly homogeneous in DNA size. We show that serious errors can result if the viscoelastic properties are not extrapolated to their limits at zero shear rate, as well as at zero DNA concentration, before calculating molecular weight.", "PMID": 623866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5231", "title": "Potential and structure controlled interfacial behavior of uracil derivatives.", "content": "The adsorption and related interfacial behavior of uracil, various methylated uracil derivatives, uridine, uridine-5'-monophosphate and uridine-3'5'-cyclic monophosphate has been studied by surface electrochemical measurements at a mercury electrode. All uracil derivatives exhibit an initial \"dilute\" adsorption region where the virtually flat uracil residue is absorbed flat on the electrode surface. In the case of uracil and its methylated derivatives the area occupied by one molecule is about 60-70 A2. Uracil, thymine and 1,5-dimethyluracil exhibit a second adsorption region where they rearrange on the surface and adopt a perpendicular orientation and occupy about 40 A2 per molecule. In this perpendicular orientation the uracils are bound to the electrode through the N(3)-H or perhaps N(1)-H functions in a manner similar to their Watson-Crick bonding in nucleic acids. When in the perpendicular orientation the adsorbed molecules undergo extensive stacking (association) interactions, again similar to those observed between adjacent bases in nucleic acids. The ability of a uracil derivative to undergo a surface reorientation is critically dependent on electrode potential, bulk-solution concentration and molecular structure.", "contents": "Potential and structure controlled interfacial behavior of uracil derivatives. The adsorption and related interfacial behavior of uracil, various methylated uracil derivatives, uridine, uridine-5'-monophosphate and uridine-3'5'-cyclic monophosphate has been studied by surface electrochemical measurements at a mercury electrode. All uracil derivatives exhibit an initial \"dilute\" adsorption region where the virtually flat uracil residue is absorbed flat on the electrode surface. In the case of uracil and its methylated derivatives the area occupied by one molecule is about 60-70 A2. Uracil, thymine and 1,5-dimethyluracil exhibit a second adsorption region where they rearrange on the surface and adopt a perpendicular orientation and occupy about 40 A2 per molecule. In this perpendicular orientation the uracils are bound to the electrode through the N(3)-H or perhaps N(1)-H functions in a manner similar to their Watson-Crick bonding in nucleic acids. When in the perpendicular orientation the adsorbed molecules undergo extensive stacking (association) interactions, again similar to those observed between adjacent bases in nucleic acids. The ability of a uracil derivative to undergo a surface reorientation is critically dependent on electrode potential, bulk-solution concentration and molecular structure.", "PMID": 623867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5232", "title": "Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence of histones H2A and H2B: a conformational study.", "content": "Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence measurements suggest that H2A and H2B histones, in a partially secondary structure, self-aggregate into assemblies in which some tyrosine groups are buried in a hydrophobic environment and show enhanced fluorescence, 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS) indicates heterogeneity among the binding sites whose number depends on the pH values of the solutions. Warfarin, used as hydrophobic probe, shows that during the process of self-association and cross-complexing of the two histones there is the covering of some hydrophobic sites of the proteins.", "contents": "Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence of histones H2A and H2B: a conformational study. Intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence measurements suggest that H2A and H2B histones, in a partially secondary structure, self-aggregate into assemblies in which some tyrosine groups are buried in a hydrophobic environment and show enhanced fluorescence, 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene-6-sulfonate (TNS) indicates heterogeneity among the binding sites whose number depends on the pH values of the solutions. Warfarin, used as hydrophobic probe, shows that during the process of self-association and cross-complexing of the two histones there is the covering of some hydrophobic sites of the proteins.", "PMID": 623868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5233", "title": "Thermal membrane potential across charged membranes in 2-1 and 1-2 electrolyte solutions.", "content": "Measurements of thermal membrane potential across cation exchange membranes in MgCl2, CaCl2 and BaCl2 solutions and across anion exchange membranes in K2SO4, Na2SO4 and K2CO3 solutions were carried out. The magnitude of the thermal membrane potential for divalent counterions is lower than that for monovalent counterions. If the transport number of counterions in the membrane phase is unity, the slopes of the temperature coefficient of thermal membrane potential against logarithmic activities of counterion in the external solution are predicted to be--R/2F for 2-1 electrolytes with cation exchange membranes and R/2F for 1-2 electrolytes with anion exchange membranes, respectively.", "contents": "Thermal membrane potential across charged membranes in 2-1 and 1-2 electrolyte solutions. Measurements of thermal membrane potential across cation exchange membranes in MgCl2, CaCl2 and BaCl2 solutions and across anion exchange membranes in K2SO4, Na2SO4 and K2CO3 solutions were carried out. The magnitude of the thermal membrane potential for divalent counterions is lower than that for monovalent counterions. If the transport number of counterions in the membrane phase is unity, the slopes of the temperature coefficient of thermal membrane potential against logarithmic activities of counterion in the external solution are predicted to be--R/2F for 2-1 electrolytes with cation exchange membranes and R/2F for 1-2 electrolytes with anion exchange membranes, respectively.", "PMID": 623869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5234", "title": "Stopped-flow studies on the n equilibrium f transition in serum albumin.", "content": "Stopped-flow studies of the refolding of iodoacetamide-blocked bovine serum albumin from the acid unfolded \"F\" state have been performed. If the protein is incubated with low concentrations of perchlorate anion then the refolding kinetics follow a simple first-order process. The dependence on pH of both the amplitude of the observed transients and the measured rate constants indicates that the N equilibrium F transition is highly cooperative. The results are consistent with the postulated multidomain structure of albumin which has been developed as a result of both sequence work and a variety of physical studies.", "contents": "Stopped-flow studies on the n equilibrium f transition in serum albumin. Stopped-flow studies of the refolding of iodoacetamide-blocked bovine serum albumin from the acid unfolded \"F\" state have been performed. If the protein is incubated with low concentrations of perchlorate anion then the refolding kinetics follow a simple first-order process. The dependence on pH of both the amplitude of the observed transients and the measured rate constants indicates that the N equilibrium F transition is highly cooperative. The results are consistent with the postulated multidomain structure of albumin which has been developed as a result of both sequence work and a variety of physical studies.", "PMID": 623870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5235", "title": "Pulse fluorimetry study in polarized light of DNA-ethidium bromide complexes.", "content": "In previous works, a quantitative analysis of the fluorescence anisotropy decay, based on a comparison of the experimental measurements with a Monte Carlo simulation of the excitation energy migration, has been shown to provide the value of the unwinding angle of the DNA helix, induced by an ethidium bromide (E.B.) molecule intercalation. In the present work some of the characteristics of the model used in the computation are reexamined: namely the influence of the direction of the E.B. electronic moment, and the influence of the dye distribution along the DNA helix are studied. The computations are compared with experimental results obtained with new experiments performed with calf thymus and micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA-E.B. complexes. It is found that the difference in base composition of these DNA does not influence the fluorescence properties of their E.B. complexes. Our study confirms the validity of the dye distribution obtained with the single adjacent excluded site principle. Reasonable values of the unwinding angle are obtained by assuming that the transition moment direction lies along the great axis of the E.B. molecule. The value of this unwinding angle is compared with other values proposed in the literature.", "contents": "Pulse fluorimetry study in polarized light of DNA-ethidium bromide complexes. In previous works, a quantitative analysis of the fluorescence anisotropy decay, based on a comparison of the experimental measurements with a Monte Carlo simulation of the excitation energy migration, has been shown to provide the value of the unwinding angle of the DNA helix, induced by an ethidium bromide (E.B.) molecule intercalation. In the present work some of the characteristics of the model used in the computation are reexamined: namely the influence of the direction of the E.B. electronic moment, and the influence of the dye distribution along the DNA helix are studied. The computations are compared with experimental results obtained with new experiments performed with calf thymus and micrococcus lysodeikticus DNA-E.B. complexes. It is found that the difference in base composition of these DNA does not influence the fluorescence properties of their E.B. complexes. Our study confirms the validity of the dye distribution obtained with the single adjacent excluded site principle. Reasonable values of the unwinding angle are obtained by assuming that the transition moment direction lies along the great axis of the E.B. molecule. The value of this unwinding angle is compared with other values proposed in the literature.", "PMID": 623872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5236", "title": "Pyridine interactions with phenolic groups in water: evidence for hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic association.", "content": "Pyridine interactions with phenol, substituted phenol, tyrosine and poly(Glu50,Tyr50) in aqueous solutions have been studied by ultraviolet (UV) difference spectroscopy, spectrophotometric pH titration, circular dichroism (CD) and proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectroscopy. A red shift and spectral sharpening of the near-UV spectrum of phenol in water was noted at pyridine concentrations greater than 0.25 M. In addition, the spectrophotometric equivalence point for the phenol- or substituted phenol-phenolate equilibrium was increased about 0.5 pH units upon the addition of 1.0 M pyridine. PMR studies were consistent with the formation of a 1 : 1 phenol-pyridine hydrogen bonded complex. The equilibrium constant derived for this interaction, 0.6-0.7 M-1, is greater than the corresponding value for phenol-acetate hydrogen bonding in water. Enhancement of thepyridine hydrogen bond interaction with Tyr within poly(Glu50,Tyr50) was observed at pH greater than 12 due to a hydrophobic microenvironment produced by pyridine molecules intercalating between neighboring tyrosyl residues.", "contents": "Pyridine interactions with phenolic groups in water: evidence for hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic association. Pyridine interactions with phenol, substituted phenol, tyrosine and poly(Glu50,Tyr50) in aqueous solutions have been studied by ultraviolet (UV) difference spectroscopy, spectrophotometric pH titration, circular dichroism (CD) and proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectroscopy. A red shift and spectral sharpening of the near-UV spectrum of phenol in water was noted at pyridine concentrations greater than 0.25 M. In addition, the spectrophotometric equivalence point for the phenol- or substituted phenol-phenolate equilibrium was increased about 0.5 pH units upon the addition of 1.0 M pyridine. PMR studies were consistent with the formation of a 1 : 1 phenol-pyridine hydrogen bonded complex. The equilibrium constant derived for this interaction, 0.6-0.7 M-1, is greater than the corresponding value for phenol-acetate hydrogen bonding in water. Enhancement of thepyridine hydrogen bond interaction with Tyr within poly(Glu50,Tyr50) was observed at pH greater than 12 due to a hydrophobic microenvironment produced by pyridine molecules intercalating between neighboring tyrosyl residues.", "PMID": 623873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5237", "title": "Physical properties of poly (3,N4-ethenocytidylic acid).", "content": "Homopolymers of etheno CMP have been prepared by the action of polyribonucleotide phosphorylase upon etheno CDP. At alkaline pH the optical properties are consistent with a structure consisting of partially helical single-stranded chains whose helical regions are stabilized by base stacking. At acid pH the degree of helicity increases markedly. The degree of cooperativity displayed by the helix leads to coil transition induced by pH or temperature is less than for the case of polyribocytidylic acid. In the presence of acridine orange the alkaline form develops a strong extrinsic CD spectrum.", "contents": "Physical properties of poly (3,N4-ethenocytidylic acid). Homopolymers of etheno CMP have been prepared by the action of polyribonucleotide phosphorylase upon etheno CDP. At alkaline pH the optical properties are consistent with a structure consisting of partially helical single-stranded chains whose helical regions are stabilized by base stacking. At acid pH the degree of helicity increases markedly. The degree of cooperativity displayed by the helix leads to coil transition induced by pH or temperature is less than for the case of polyribocytidylic acid. In the presence of acridine orange the alkaline form develops a strong extrinsic CD spectrum.", "PMID": 623874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5238", "title": "Scanning molecular sieve chromatography of interacting protein systems. Simulation of large zone behavior for self-associating solutes undergoing rapid chemical equilibration under kinetic control.", "content": "Theoretical large zone reaction boundaries for molecular sieve chromatography have been simulated by computer for a self-associating solute undergoing rapid chemical equilibration under kinetic control. These patterns show that the kinetically-controlled reaction rate between the mobile and stationary phases is the principal determinant of the elution boundary profile in molecular sieve chromatography. The overall chemical reaction rate in the mobile phase was found to have a much greater role in a rapidly equilibrating system than did the effect of axial dispersion within the gel matrix.", "contents": "Scanning molecular sieve chromatography of interacting protein systems. Simulation of large zone behavior for self-associating solutes undergoing rapid chemical equilibration under kinetic control. Theoretical large zone reaction boundaries for molecular sieve chromatography have been simulated by computer for a self-associating solute undergoing rapid chemical equilibration under kinetic control. These patterns show that the kinetically-controlled reaction rate between the mobile and stationary phases is the principal determinant of the elution boundary profile in molecular sieve chromatography. The overall chemical reaction rate in the mobile phase was found to have a much greater role in a rapidly equilibrating system than did the effect of axial dispersion within the gel matrix.", "PMID": 623875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5239", "title": "Isoelectric focusing of a dimerizing solute in rapid chemical equilibrium: comparison of simulation procedures.", "content": "The approach to isoelectric focusing equilibrium of a rapidly dimerizing solute was simulated by two different computing procedures: a stationary-grid model developed by Cann and Stimpson and a distorted-grid technique derived from the method of Cox. The results given by the two models were virtually identical at all times during the approach to equilibrium. Of the two procedures, the distorted-grid method has an advantage in computing time, while the stationary-grid model is applicable to a broader range of transport experiments. The effect on the focusing experiment of varying the electric field was examined by distorted-grid simulations. When the field was increased, the equilibrium distribution sharpened somewhat and the peak of the concentration profile shifted toward the isoelectric position of the dimer. The rate of approach to equilibrium was approximately proportional to the field strength.", "contents": "Isoelectric focusing of a dimerizing solute in rapid chemical equilibrium: comparison of simulation procedures. The approach to isoelectric focusing equilibrium of a rapidly dimerizing solute was simulated by two different computing procedures: a stationary-grid model developed by Cann and Stimpson and a distorted-grid technique derived from the method of Cox. The results given by the two models were virtually identical at all times during the approach to equilibrium. Of the two procedures, the distorted-grid method has an advantage in computing time, while the stationary-grid model is applicable to a broader range of transport experiments. The effect on the focusing experiment of varying the electric field was examined by distorted-grid simulations. When the field was increased, the equilibrium distribution sharpened somewhat and the peak of the concentration profile shifted toward the isoelectric position of the dimer. The rate of approach to equilibrium was approximately proportional to the field strength.", "PMID": 623876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5240", "title": "Thermodynamics of the glutamate dehydrogenase catalytic reaction.", "content": "The enthalpy change for the oxidative deamination of glutamate by NADP+ catalyzed by bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase has been determined calorimetrically. The deltaH0 values are 64.6 +/- 1.2 kJ/mol and 70.3 +/- 1.2 kJ/mol at 25 and 35 degrees C respectively. The equilibrium constants for the reaction at the two temperatures were determined spectrophotometrically. This enabled the determination of deltaG0 and deltaS0 of the reaction as well. deltaH0 values were also determined for the reaction using an alternative coenzyme and the deuterated substrate.", "contents": "Thermodynamics of the glutamate dehydrogenase catalytic reaction. The enthalpy change for the oxidative deamination of glutamate by NADP+ catalyzed by bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase has been determined calorimetrically. The deltaH0 values are 64.6 +/- 1.2 kJ/mol and 70.3 +/- 1.2 kJ/mol at 25 and 35 degrees C respectively. The equilibrium constants for the reaction at the two temperatures were determined spectrophotometrically. This enabled the determination of deltaG0 and deltaS0 of the reaction as well. deltaH0 values were also determined for the reaction using an alternative coenzyme and the deuterated substrate.", "PMID": 623877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5241", "title": "The equivalent conductivity of aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts of a number of ionic polysaccharides.", "content": "Measurements of the equivalent conductivity of aqueous solutions of alkalimetal salts of a number of ionic polysaccharides at 25 degrees C are reported. The polysaccharides studied are: (1) three carboxymethylcelluloses of various degrees of substitution (Li+, Na+, Cs+ salts) in the concentration range 4 X 10(-4) - 6 X 10(-2) equivalents alkali ion per liter, (2) Polypectate (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+ salts) in the range 1.5 X 10(-4) - 2 X 10(-2) equivalent alkali ion per liter, and (3) Dextransulfate (Li+, Na+, K+ salts) in the range 3 X 10(-4) - 10(-1) equivalent alkali ion per liter. The results are compared to some earlier data and to a limiting law for conductance of rod-like polyions derived by Manning. It is concluded that although qualitative agreement is obtained between observed data and the limiting law when various polyions of different charge densities are compared at a given concentration, the concentration dependence predicted by the limiting law is in agreement with the observed curves only for polyions of a relatively low charge density. At higher charge densities appreciable deviations occur, and dextransulfate which does not have the rod-like polyion structure required by theory does not conform to the predicted concentration dependence at all.", "contents": "The equivalent conductivity of aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts of a number of ionic polysaccharides. Measurements of the equivalent conductivity of aqueous solutions of alkalimetal salts of a number of ionic polysaccharides at 25 degrees C are reported. The polysaccharides studied are: (1) three carboxymethylcelluloses of various degrees of substitution (Li+, Na+, Cs+ salts) in the concentration range 4 X 10(-4) - 6 X 10(-2) equivalents alkali ion per liter, (2) Polypectate (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+ salts) in the range 1.5 X 10(-4) - 2 X 10(-2) equivalent alkali ion per liter, and (3) Dextransulfate (Li+, Na+, K+ salts) in the range 3 X 10(-4) - 10(-1) equivalent alkali ion per liter. The results are compared to some earlier data and to a limiting law for conductance of rod-like polyions derived by Manning. It is concluded that although qualitative agreement is obtained between observed data and the limiting law when various polyions of different charge densities are compared at a given concentration, the concentration dependence predicted by the limiting law is in agreement with the observed curves only for polyions of a relatively low charge density. At higher charge densities appreciable deviations occur, and dextransulfate which does not have the rod-like polyion structure required by theory does not conform to the predicted concentration dependence at all.", "PMID": 623878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5242", "title": "Polypeptide sequencing by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "Key steps in a proposed automated system for polypeptide sequencing utilizing a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer computer system have been tested with mixtures containing up to six model oligopeptides. At the low nanomole level it was possible to obtain complete sequence information for all components in many, but not all, of the mixtures tried. Interpretation of the results is complicated by the presence of numerous side-products formed in the derivatization process. Minimization of such impurities will be necessary to reduce the ambiguity of the sequence information resulting from more complex mixtures, such as those expected from the degradation of larger polypeptides, and to reduce sample requirements to the subnanomole level. However, the present system appears to have unique advantages over other proposed automated methods.", "contents": "Polypeptide sequencing by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Key steps in a proposed automated system for polypeptide sequencing utilizing a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer computer system have been tested with mixtures containing up to six model oligopeptides. At the low nanomole level it was possible to obtain complete sequence information for all components in many, but not all, of the mixtures tried. Interpretation of the results is complicated by the presence of numerous side-products formed in the derivatization process. Minimization of such impurities will be necessary to reduce the ambiguity of the sequence information resulting from more complex mixtures, such as those expected from the degradation of larger polypeptides, and to reduce sample requirements to the subnanomole level. However, the present system appears to have unique advantages over other proposed automated methods.", "PMID": 623887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5243", "title": "The formation of cyclized silyl derivatives of beta-hydroxyamines and their analyses by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "A generally applicable silylation method for beta-hydroxylated primary, secondary, tertiary and even quaternary amines is presented. These aminoalcohols form 6-membered heterocycles under the influence of a reagent mixture consisting of 1,3-bis-(chloromethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane and chloromethyldimethyl-chlorosilane. Examples of analogue ring closures with a gamma-hydroxyamine and an alpha-amino acid are also given. The formation of the derivatives and their properties, are discussed, mainly from the viewpoint mass spectrometry.", "contents": "The formation of cyclized silyl derivatives of beta-hydroxyamines and their analyses by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A generally applicable silylation method for beta-hydroxylated primary, secondary, tertiary and even quaternary amines is presented. These aminoalcohols form 6-membered heterocycles under the influence of a reagent mixture consisting of 1,3-bis-(chloromethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane and chloromethyldimethyl-chlorosilane. Examples of analogue ring closures with a gamma-hydroxyamine and an alpha-amino acid are also given. The formation of the derivatives and their properties, are discussed, mainly from the viewpoint mass spectrometry.", "PMID": 623889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5244", "title": "A simplified technique for collecting breath CO2 for isotope ratio mass spectrometry.", "content": "A simplified technique of collecting breath CO2 for isotopic analysis has been developed. The subject breathes into a 3 1 bag from which a 50 ml aliquot is transferred to an evacuated, septum-capped tube (Vacutainer). The sample is later withdrawn and the CO2 is cryogenically purified. No isotope fractionation is observed in samples collected in this manner. Samples have been stored up to three months without any change in the isotope ratio.", "contents": "A simplified technique for collecting breath CO2 for isotope ratio mass spectrometry. A simplified technique of collecting breath CO2 for isotopic analysis has been developed. The subject breathes into a 3 1 bag from which a 50 ml aliquot is transferred to an evacuated, septum-capped tube (Vacutainer). The sample is later withdrawn and the CO2 is cryogenically purified. No isotope fractionation is observed in samples collected in this manner. Samples have been stored up to three months without any change in the isotope ratio.", "PMID": 623890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5245", "title": "Negative ion mass spectroscopy of natural products. VIII. alpha-Amino acids.", "content": "The negative ion mass spectra (2-4 eV) of twenty free alpha-amino acids have been investigated and compared with the respective low voltage positive ion mass spectra (6-16 eV). The important fragmentation processes are discussed.", "contents": "Negative ion mass spectroscopy of natural products. VIII. alpha-Amino acids. The negative ion mass spectra (2-4 eV) of twenty free alpha-amino acids have been investigated and compared with the respective low voltage positive ion mass spectra (6-16 eV). The important fragmentation processes are discussed.", "PMID": 623893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5246", "title": "Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry of biochemical materials.", "content": "Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry has been applied to a range of biochemical materials dissolved in glycerol with NaI as electrolyte. Sugars (glucose, sucrose, raffinose), nucleosides (adenosine, thymidine, uridine), a tripeptide (glutathione) and an aminocyclitol antibiotic (neomycin) have been analyzed. Unambiguous analysis of a multicomponent solution has been demonstrated. All samples yielded several quasimolecular ions involving either proton or cation attachment to clusters of sample and/or solvent molecules. Unlike other techniques such as field desorption, electrohydrodynamic ionization is not observed to cause fragmentation of sample molecules. The mass spectrometer was operated so as to analyze only those ion clusters which had not undergone decomposition processes; under these conditions, most materials are ionized with similar efficiencies if the total abundance of all characteristic quasimolecular ions is considered. Information regarding the amino acid sequence of glutathione was obtained by thermal pretreatment of the glycerol solution before mass analysis. Positive and negative ion spectra give complementary information which can resolve potential ambiguities regarding the exact composition of quasimolecular ions. Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry should be applicable to materials which cannot be ionized by other methods.", "contents": "Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry of biochemical materials. Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry has been applied to a range of biochemical materials dissolved in glycerol with NaI as electrolyte. Sugars (glucose, sucrose, raffinose), nucleosides (adenosine, thymidine, uridine), a tripeptide (glutathione) and an aminocyclitol antibiotic (neomycin) have been analyzed. Unambiguous analysis of a multicomponent solution has been demonstrated. All samples yielded several quasimolecular ions involving either proton or cation attachment to clusters of sample and/or solvent molecules. Unlike other techniques such as field desorption, electrohydrodynamic ionization is not observed to cause fragmentation of sample molecules. The mass spectrometer was operated so as to analyze only those ion clusters which had not undergone decomposition processes; under these conditions, most materials are ionized with similar efficiencies if the total abundance of all characteristic quasimolecular ions is considered. Information regarding the amino acid sequence of glutathione was obtained by thermal pretreatment of the glycerol solution before mass analysis. Positive and negative ion spectra give complementary information which can resolve potential ambiguities regarding the exact composition of quasimolecular ions. Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry should be applicable to materials which cannot be ionized by other methods.", "PMID": 623894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5247", "title": "The determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in biological extracts by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "Using both gas chromatography low resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin at the part per trillion level may be determined in pre-concentrated extracts of bovine fat, liver and milk; human milk; rats; rice; grass; soil and water. Criteria are set forth for the objective determination of detection limit, signal and noise as applied to these determinations.", "contents": "The determination of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in biological extracts by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Using both gas chromatography low resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin at the part per trillion level may be determined in pre-concentrated extracts of bovine fat, liver and milk; human milk; rats; rice; grass; soil and water. Criteria are set forth for the objective determination of detection limit, signal and noise as applied to these determinations.", "PMID": 623895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5248", "title": "Gas chromatography chemical ionization mass spectrometric analysis of diminazene in plasma.", "content": "A quantitative and sensitive method was developed for the determination of diminazene in plasma. The assay involves the reduction of diminazene to 4-aminobenzamidine and 4-hydrazinobenzamidine. The latter is further reduced to give an additional mole of 4-aminobenzamidine which is extracted, acetylated and condensed with hexafluoroacetylacetone to form a volatile derivative that is subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography chemical ionization mass spectrometry. 4-Aminobenzylamidine was synthesized and used as an internal standard. The method is reproducible and its sensitivity limit using 1 ml of plasma is 0.1 microgram diminazene ml-1. This sensitivity limit is sufficient to detect plasma levels in cattle following therapeutic doses of the drug.", "contents": "Gas chromatography chemical ionization mass spectrometric analysis of diminazene in plasma. A quantitative and sensitive method was developed for the determination of diminazene in plasma. The assay involves the reduction of diminazene to 4-aminobenzamidine and 4-hydrazinobenzamidine. The latter is further reduced to give an additional mole of 4-aminobenzamidine which is extracted, acetylated and condensed with hexafluoroacetylacetone to form a volatile derivative that is subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography chemical ionization mass spectrometry. 4-Aminobenzylamidine was synthesized and used as an internal standard. The method is reproducible and its sensitivity limit using 1 ml of plasma is 0.1 microgram diminazene ml-1. This sensitivity limit is sufficient to detect plasma levels in cattle following therapeutic doses of the drug.", "PMID": 623896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5249", "title": "Gas chromatography mass spectrometry studies on biologically important 8-aminoquinoline derivatives.", "content": "Several substituted 8-aminoquinolines related to known antimalarial drugs have been studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. 5,6-Dihydroxy-8-aminoquinoline, a possible metabolite of Primaquine, can be detected by single ion monitoring after conversion to a trimethylsilyl ether derivative. The mass spectra obtained in this study indicate that there are certain ions which are characteristic of the trimethylsilyl ethers of hydroxylated 8-aminoquinolines and 5,6-dimethoxy-8-aminoquinolines. These compounds should thus be amenable to analysis if they were produced during in vivo metabolism studies. Using selected ion monitoring the derivatized compounds can be detected at submicrogram levels.", "contents": "Gas chromatography mass spectrometry studies on biologically important 8-aminoquinoline derivatives. Several substituted 8-aminoquinolines related to known antimalarial drugs have been studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. 5,6-Dihydroxy-8-aminoquinoline, a possible metabolite of Primaquine, can be detected by single ion monitoring after conversion to a trimethylsilyl ether derivative. The mass spectra obtained in this study indicate that there are certain ions which are characteristic of the trimethylsilyl ethers of hydroxylated 8-aminoquinolines and 5,6-dimethoxy-8-aminoquinolines. These compounds should thus be amenable to analysis if they were produced during in vivo metabolism studies. Using selected ion monitoring the derivatized compounds can be detected at submicrogram levels.", "PMID": 623897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5250", "title": "Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric identification of N-dicarboxylmonoglycines.", "content": "A number of N-dicarboxylmonoglycines of biological interest have been synthesized. They were characterized by means of mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography of the methyl esters of methylmalonyl-, succinyl-, glutaryl-, adipyl-, suberyl- and sebacylglycines showed a single sharp peak for each compound on Dexsil 300 and OV-17 columns. Methylene unit values and mass spectra of the six methyl esters are reported.", "contents": "Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric identification of N-dicarboxylmonoglycines. A number of N-dicarboxylmonoglycines of biological interest have been synthesized. They were characterized by means of mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography of the methyl esters of methylmalonyl-, succinyl-, glutaryl-, adipyl-, suberyl- and sebacylglycines showed a single sharp peak for each compound on Dexsil 300 and OV-17 columns. Methylene unit values and mass spectra of the six methyl esters are reported.", "PMID": 623898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5251", "title": "Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trienes having intact and 13,17-seco-D-ring structures.", "content": "Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one, its oxime, the homologous 18-norketone, 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10),13(18)-tetraene-17-carbonitrile and the corresponding 13,17-seco epoxide are described. The major fragmentation pathways of these compounds are reported and discussed in relation to their structures, and the structures of the ions m/e 144, 157, 170 and 183 characteristic of the 1-methyl-oestratriene skeleton are described. The relative abundances of these characteristic ions were shown to relat to the presence or absence of a 13,17-seco-D-ring in these compounds.", "contents": "Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trienes having intact and 13,17-seco-D-ring structures. Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one, its oxime, the homologous 18-norketone, 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10),13(18)-tetraene-17-carbonitrile and the corresponding 13,17-seco epoxide are described. The major fragmentation pathways of these compounds are reported and discussed in relation to their structures, and the structures of the ions m/e 144, 157, 170 and 183 characteristic of the 1-methyl-oestratriene skeleton are described. The relative abundances of these characteristic ions were shown to relat to the presence or absence of a 13,17-seco-D-ring in these compounds.", "PMID": 623899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5252", "title": "Studies on trimethylsilyl derivatives of 1,2-dialkylglycerols by gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "Trimethylsilyl derivatives of 1,2-dihexadecyl- and 1,2-dioctadecyl-glycerols were subjected to analysis by a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer system. The mass chromatographic identification of four kinds of glycerophospholipids, 1,2-dihexadecyl, 1-hexadec-1-enyl-2-hexadecanoyl, 1-hexadecyl-2-hexadecanoyl- and 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-glycerol is also described.", "contents": "Studies on trimethylsilyl derivatives of 1,2-dialkylglycerols by gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Trimethylsilyl derivatives of 1,2-dihexadecyl- and 1,2-dioctadecyl-glycerols were subjected to analysis by a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer system. The mass chromatographic identification of four kinds of glycerophospholipids, 1,2-dihexadecyl, 1-hexadec-1-enyl-2-hexadecanoyl, 1-hexadecyl-2-hexadecanoyl- and 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-glycerol is also described.", "PMID": 623900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5253", "title": "Origin of nitrogen in the biosynthesis of carbamoylpolyoxamic acid.", "content": "The biosynthetic origin of the carbamoylpolyoxamic sidechain of the polyoxin nucleoside peptide antibiotics was studied using 15N labeled alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid as precursor. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry of polyoxamic acid isolated from culture filtrates of Streptomyces cacaoi var. asoensis showed incorporation of the nitrogen atom of alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid into carbamoylpolyoxamic acid with an isotopic dilution factor of 23, thus establishing the intermediacy of alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid and determination of the full biosynthetic pathway.", "contents": "Origin of nitrogen in the biosynthesis of carbamoylpolyoxamic acid. The biosynthetic origin of the carbamoylpolyoxamic sidechain of the polyoxin nucleoside peptide antibiotics was studied using 15N labeled alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid as precursor. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry of polyoxamic acid isolated from culture filtrates of Streptomyces cacaoi var. asoensis showed incorporation of the nitrogen atom of alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid into carbamoylpolyoxamic acid with an isotopic dilution factor of 23, thus establishing the intermediacy of alpha-amino-S-hydroxyvaleric acid and determination of the full biosynthetic pathway.", "PMID": 623901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5254", "title": "Continuous dehydrogenation of a steroid with immobilized microbial cells: effect of an exogenous electron acceptor.", "content": "Whole cells of Pseudomonas testosteroni, induced to synthesize steroid-transforming enzymes beforehand, have been immobilized by entrapment in polyacrylamide gel. The immobilized cells have been used to catalyze the continuous delta1-dehydrogenation of Reichstein's substance S under various conditions in the presence of phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an electron acceptor for the cell-free delta1-dehydrogenase. The presence of PMS substantially increases the rate of reaction when fed with the steroid substrate to a continuous stirred tank reactor containing the immobilized cells. The operational half-life of the delta1-dehydrogenase activity of the cells, about 103 hr under the best operating conditions, is essentially unaffected by the presence of PMS. Though the acceleration of the reaction may be due to PMS-mediated passage of electrons from some component in the electron transport chain to molecular oxygen, the lack of a similar effect with methylene blue is consistent with the conclusion that PMS functions directly as the electron acceptor for the delta1-dehydrogenase.", "contents": "Continuous dehydrogenation of a steroid with immobilized microbial cells: effect of an exogenous electron acceptor. Whole cells of Pseudomonas testosteroni, induced to synthesize steroid-transforming enzymes beforehand, have been immobilized by entrapment in polyacrylamide gel. The immobilized cells have been used to catalyze the continuous delta1-dehydrogenation of Reichstein's substance S under various conditions in the presence of phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an electron acceptor for the cell-free delta1-dehydrogenase. The presence of PMS substantially increases the rate of reaction when fed with the steroid substrate to a continuous stirred tank reactor containing the immobilized cells. The operational half-life of the delta1-dehydrogenase activity of the cells, about 103 hr under the best operating conditions, is essentially unaffected by the presence of PMS. Though the acceleration of the reaction may be due to PMS-mediated passage of electrons from some component in the electron transport chain to molecular oxygen, the lack of a similar effect with methylene blue is consistent with the conclusion that PMS functions directly as the electron acceptor for the delta1-dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 623902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5255", "title": "Determination of redox potential levels critical for cell respiration and suitable for L-leucine production.", "content": "The effect of oxygen supply on L-leucine fermentation was investigated employing a leucine-producing mutant of Brevibacterium lactofermentum. Since it was not possible to measure oxygen tension below 0.01 atm by a Teflon-coated oxygen electrode, the degree of satisfaction of the cells' oxygen demand (cells' respiration rate/maximum oxygen demand of cells, rab/KrM) and the redox potential of the culture medium (E, mV) were used as indices to oxygen supply in cultures under low oxygen tension. When the oxygen demand of the cells was satisfied (rab/KrM = 1.0) and the E value was between --90 and --110mV, L-leucine formation was 26.5 mg/ml. When the oxygen demand of the cells was not satisfied (rab/KrM = 0.85) and the E value was between --200 and --220 mV, L-leucine accumulation was 29.7 mg/ml. When the oxygen supply was extremely limited (rab/KrM = 0.27) and the E value was --280 mV, L-leucine formation was 12.9 mg/ml. A new method which simultaneously measures the redox potential and dissolved oxygen was applied to the determination of the critical dissolved oxygen level for cell respiration (PL crit), whick was too small to be detected by conventional oxygen electrodes. The value of PL crit of the leucine producer was estimated as 0.0002 atm.", "contents": "Determination of redox potential levels critical for cell respiration and suitable for L-leucine production. The effect of oxygen supply on L-leucine fermentation was investigated employing a leucine-producing mutant of Brevibacterium lactofermentum. Since it was not possible to measure oxygen tension below 0.01 atm by a Teflon-coated oxygen electrode, the degree of satisfaction of the cells' oxygen demand (cells' respiration rate/maximum oxygen demand of cells, rab/KrM) and the redox potential of the culture medium (E, mV) were used as indices to oxygen supply in cultures under low oxygen tension. When the oxygen demand of the cells was satisfied (rab/KrM = 1.0) and the E value was between --90 and --110mV, L-leucine formation was 26.5 mg/ml. When the oxygen demand of the cells was not satisfied (rab/KrM = 0.85) and the E value was between --200 and --220 mV, L-leucine accumulation was 29.7 mg/ml. When the oxygen supply was extremely limited (rab/KrM = 0.27) and the E value was --280 mV, L-leucine formation was 12.9 mg/ml. A new method which simultaneously measures the redox potential and dissolved oxygen was applied to the determination of the critical dissolved oxygen level for cell respiration (PL crit), whick was too small to be detected by conventional oxygen electrodes. The value of PL crit of the leucine producer was estimated as 0.0002 atm.", "PMID": 623903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5256", "title": "Metabolic dependence of protein arrangement in human erythrocyte membranes. I. Analysis of spectrin-rich complexes in ATP-depleted red cells.", "content": "The discocyte-echinocyte transformation and the decrease in deformability associated with red cell ATP depletion have been attributed to changes in the physical properties of spectrin and actin, membrane proteins located at the membrane-cytosol interface. We investigated the spontaneous formation of spectrin-rich complexes in human erythrocyte membranes, employing two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Membranes of red cells depleted in ATP under aerobic conditions exhibited (1) an increase in components 4.5 and 8 and globin subunits, (2) a spontaneous formation of heterodimers of spectrin 1 + 2 and spectrin 2 + component 4.9, and (3) a large molecular weight (greater than 10(6) daltons) protein complex with a high spectrin to band 3 ratio. These complexes were dissociated with dithiothreitol and were prevented by anaerobic incubation or the maintenance of red cell ATP and GSH levels with glucose, adenine, and inosine. The complexes 1 + 2 and 2 + 4.9 were also seen in acetylphenylhydrazine-treated, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient fresh erythrocytes that showed marked GSH depletion but preserved greater than 70% of the original ATP level. However, membranes of these cells did not contain the greater 10(6) dalton aggregate with a high spectrin to band 3 ratio. We concluded that the formation of the latter complex results from rearrangement of spectrin and other polypeptides in membranes of ATP-depleted red cells. Under aerobic conditions, the rearranged proteins undergo spontaneous intermolecular crosslinkings through disulfide couplings.", "contents": "Metabolic dependence of protein arrangement in human erythrocyte membranes. I. Analysis of spectrin-rich complexes in ATP-depleted red cells. The discocyte-echinocyte transformation and the decrease in deformability associated with red cell ATP depletion have been attributed to changes in the physical properties of spectrin and actin, membrane proteins located at the membrane-cytosol interface. We investigated the spontaneous formation of spectrin-rich complexes in human erythrocyte membranes, employing two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Membranes of red cells depleted in ATP under aerobic conditions exhibited (1) an increase in components 4.5 and 8 and globin subunits, (2) a spontaneous formation of heterodimers of spectrin 1 + 2 and spectrin 2 + component 4.9, and (3) a large molecular weight (greater than 10(6) daltons) protein complex with a high spectrin to band 3 ratio. These complexes were dissociated with dithiothreitol and were prevented by anaerobic incubation or the maintenance of red cell ATP and GSH levels with glucose, adenine, and inosine. The complexes 1 + 2 and 2 + 4.9 were also seen in acetylphenylhydrazine-treated, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient fresh erythrocytes that showed marked GSH depletion but preserved greater than 70% of the original ATP level. However, membranes of these cells did not contain the greater 10(6) dalton aggregate with a high spectrin to band 3 ratio. We concluded that the formation of the latter complex results from rearrangement of spectrin and other polypeptides in membranes of ATP-depleted red cells. Under aerobic conditions, the rearranged proteins undergo spontaneous intermolecular crosslinkings through disulfide couplings.", "PMID": 623905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5257", "title": "Determinants of fecal and urinary iron excretion in desferrioxamine-treated rats.", "content": "Radioiron excretion in the urine and feces after continuous subcutaneous infusion of desferrioxamine (DF) was studied in normal and hypertransfused rats in whom reticuloendothelial and parenchymal iron stores had been labeled by selective 59Fe probes. The existence of two alternative pathways for the chelation of iron in vivo by DF was indicated by the results. The first pathway was intracellular chelation in hepatocytes with chelated iron excreted through the bile only. The second pathway, which was extracellular, could only be activated after saturation of the transferrin iron binding capacity, with the chelated iron excreted by the kidneys. The last mechanism was probably identical with the mode of action of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Further studies will be required in order to establish whether the enhancement in iron chelation obtained by the continuous infusion of DF in patients with complete saturation of circulating transferrin may or may not be related to the extracellular mechanism of iron chelation in hypertransfused rats.", "contents": "Determinants of fecal and urinary iron excretion in desferrioxamine-treated rats. Radioiron excretion in the urine and feces after continuous subcutaneous infusion of desferrioxamine (DF) was studied in normal and hypertransfused rats in whom reticuloendothelial and parenchymal iron stores had been labeled by selective 59Fe probes. The existence of two alternative pathways for the chelation of iron in vivo by DF was indicated by the results. The first pathway was intracellular chelation in hepatocytes with chelated iron excreted through the bile only. The second pathway, which was extracellular, could only be activated after saturation of the transferrin iron binding capacity, with the chelated iron excreted by the kidneys. The last mechanism was probably identical with the mode of action of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Further studies will be required in order to establish whether the enhancement in iron chelation obtained by the continuous infusion of DF in patients with complete saturation of circulating transferrin may or may not be related to the extracellular mechanism of iron chelation in hypertransfused rats.", "PMID": 623907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5258", "title": "Lack of protective effect of autotransplanted splenic tissue to pneumococcal challenge.", "content": "Studies in animals and clinical experience in patients have demonstrated that splenectomy may lead to an increased susceptibility to infection. The infections are usually caused by encapsulated bacteria such as penumococcus. It has been shown in a variety of experimental animals that autotransplanted splenic tissue is capable of regenerating into implants that are microscopically indistinguishable from normal spleen and of restoring a number of normal splenic functions. The response to intravenous challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae, type 25, was therefore studied in control, asplenic, and autotransplanted Sprague-Dawley rats. Despite previous observations that a number of immune functions can be restored in this animal model by autotransplanted splenic tissue, the present study indicates that splenic tissue autotransplants do not restore the ability to resist intravenous pneumococcal challenge.", "contents": "Lack of protective effect of autotransplanted splenic tissue to pneumococcal challenge. Studies in animals and clinical experience in patients have demonstrated that splenectomy may lead to an increased susceptibility to infection. The infections are usually caused by encapsulated bacteria such as penumococcus. It has been shown in a variety of experimental animals that autotransplanted splenic tissue is capable of regenerating into implants that are microscopically indistinguishable from normal spleen and of restoring a number of normal splenic functions. The response to intravenous challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae, type 25, was therefore studied in control, asplenic, and autotransplanted Sprague-Dawley rats. Despite previous observations that a number of immune functions can be restored in this animal model by autotransplanted splenic tissue, the present study indicates that splenic tissue autotransplants do not restore the ability to resist intravenous pneumococcal challenge.", "PMID": 623909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5259", "title": "Endotoxin-induced changes in human platelet membranes: morphologic evidence.", "content": "Interaction between human platelets and bacterial endotoxin was studied in vitro with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Washed human platelets, whose aggregation was blocked with apyrase, were incubated in a plasma-free medium containing crude endotoxin that had previously been complexed with copper. Thirty minutes of incubation resulted in adherence of endotoxin particles to the platelet surface, breaks in the platelet plasma membrane with apparent attempts at repair, pseudoped formation, and centralization of platelet organelles. Copper appeared to potentiate these phenomena, since neither Cu2+ at low concentrations nor endotoxin alone altered the morphology of the platelet membrane. This platelet-endotoxin interaction may be an intermediary step in the detoxification and clearance of endotoxin from the plasma.", "contents": "Endotoxin-induced changes in human platelet membranes: morphologic evidence. Interaction between human platelets and bacterial endotoxin was studied in vitro with transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Washed human platelets, whose aggregation was blocked with apyrase, were incubated in a plasma-free medium containing crude endotoxin that had previously been complexed with copper. Thirty minutes of incubation resulted in adherence of endotoxin particles to the platelet surface, breaks in the platelet plasma membrane with apparent attempts at repair, pseudoped formation, and centralization of platelet organelles. Copper appeared to potentiate these phenomena, since neither Cu2+ at low concentrations nor endotoxin alone altered the morphology of the platelet membrane. This platelet-endotoxin interaction may be an intermediary step in the detoxification and clearance of endotoxin from the plasma.", "PMID": 623910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5260", "title": "Concentration gradient of blood stem cells in mouse bone marrow--an open question.", "content": "The distribution of pluripotential blood stem cells (CFU-S) in bone marrow was studied in four strains of mice. Analyses of paired samples containing various fractions of axial and marginal bone marrow cells, as well as longitudinal 200-micrometer sections, revealed a rather uniform spatial distribution of CFU-S across the diameter of the femoral medullary cavity, in contrast to the finding by others of a CFU-S concentration gradient extending from the endosteum to the central longitudinal axis of bone marrow. The existence of a stem cell gradient is therefore open to question.", "contents": "Concentration gradient of blood stem cells in mouse bone marrow--an open question. The distribution of pluripotential blood stem cells (CFU-S) in bone marrow was studied in four strains of mice. Analyses of paired samples containing various fractions of axial and marginal bone marrow cells, as well as longitudinal 200-micrometer sections, revealed a rather uniform spatial distribution of CFU-S across the diameter of the femoral medullary cavity, in contrast to the finding by others of a CFU-S concentration gradient extending from the endosteum to the central longitudinal axis of bone marrow. The existence of a stem cell gradient is therefore open to question.", "PMID": 623912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5261", "title": "Three stages of erythropoietic progenitor cell differentiation distinguished by a number of physical and biologic properties.", "content": "Previous studies have shown that erythroid precursors at sequential stages of differentiation along the red cell pathway can be distinguished by differences in the size and maturation kinetics of the colonies to which they give rise in vitro. Using criteria based on these two parameters, it is thus possible to identify three distinct erythroid progenitor cell populations in the mouse, known as day 8 BFU-E, day 3 BFU-E, and CFU-E. These cell types have now been shown to differ in a number of other respects, including progenitor cell size, sensitivity to cycle-active agents, response to plethora, and effects of the W/Wv genotype. In addition, a comparison of the differences found between day 8 BFU-E and day 3 BFU-E on one hand and those distinguishing day 3 BFU-E and CFU-E on the other provides support for the view that early erythropoietic cell differentiation involves a series of changes that take place long before competence to synthesize hemoglobin becomes manifest.", "contents": "Three stages of erythropoietic progenitor cell differentiation distinguished by a number of physical and biologic properties. Previous studies have shown that erythroid precursors at sequential stages of differentiation along the red cell pathway can be distinguished by differences in the size and maturation kinetics of the colonies to which they give rise in vitro. Using criteria based on these two parameters, it is thus possible to identify three distinct erythroid progenitor cell populations in the mouse, known as day 8 BFU-E, day 3 BFU-E, and CFU-E. These cell types have now been shown to differ in a number of other respects, including progenitor cell size, sensitivity to cycle-active agents, response to plethora, and effects of the W/Wv genotype. In addition, a comparison of the differences found between day 8 BFU-E and day 3 BFU-E on one hand and those distinguishing day 3 BFU-E and CFU-E on the other provides support for the view that early erythropoietic cell differentiation involves a series of changes that take place long before competence to synthesize hemoglobin becomes manifest.", "PMID": 623913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5262", "title": "Fetal erythropoiesis in steel mutant mice. III. Defect in differentiation from BFU-E to CFU-E during early development.", "content": "Erythroid progenitor cells in +/+ and Sl/Sld fetal livers manifested as burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E) were assayed in vitro during early development. The proportion of BFU-E was higher as mutant than in normal fetal livers. On the other hand, the proportion of CFU-E was less in the mutant than in the normal. These results suggest that the defect in Sl/Sld fetal hepatic erythropoiesis is expressed at the steps of differentiation that effect the transition from BFU-E to CFU-E.", "contents": "Fetal erythropoiesis in steel mutant mice. III. Defect in differentiation from BFU-E to CFU-E during early development. Erythroid progenitor cells in +/+ and Sl/Sld fetal livers manifested as burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E) were assayed in vitro during early development. The proportion of BFU-E was higher as mutant than in normal fetal livers. On the other hand, the proportion of CFU-E was less in the mutant than in the normal. These results suggest that the defect in Sl/Sld fetal hepatic erythropoiesis is expressed at the steps of differentiation that effect the transition from BFU-E to CFU-E.", "PMID": 623914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5263", "title": "Effect of protein deprivation on extrarenal erythropoietin production.", "content": "The production of erythropoietin by rats fed a protein-deficient diet is markedly decreased. This defect can be rapidly reversed by feeding protein. In the reported experiments we investigated the effect of protein deficiency on the extra-renal production of erythropoietin. The results indicate that the production of erythropoietin in nephrectomized animals is insensitive to protein depletion.", "contents": "Effect of protein deprivation on extrarenal erythropoietin production. The production of erythropoietin by rats fed a protein-deficient diet is markedly decreased. This defect can be rapidly reversed by feeding protein. In the reported experiments we investigated the effect of protein deficiency on the extra-renal production of erythropoietin. The results indicate that the production of erythropoietin in nephrectomized animals is insensitive to protein depletion.", "PMID": 623915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5264", "title": "Validity of the Wu-Hoak method for the quantitative determination of platelet aggregation in vivo.", "content": "Quantitative determinations of platelet aggregation were made by a modified version of the Wu-Hoak-method in venous blood samples from ten healthy volunteers. It was demonstrated that the extent to which aggregates are formed depends on the rate of flow in the needle and on other methodical influences as well as on the platelet count. Accordingly, no definite conclusions concerning aggregation conditions in vivo can be drawn from the results obtained with venous blood samples.", "contents": "Validity of the Wu-Hoak method for the quantitative determination of platelet aggregation in vivo. Quantitative determinations of platelet aggregation were made by a modified version of the Wu-Hoak-method in venous blood samples from ten healthy volunteers. It was demonstrated that the extent to which aggregates are formed depends on the rate of flow in the needle and on other methodical influences as well as on the platelet count. Accordingly, no definite conclusions concerning aggregation conditions in vivo can be drawn from the results obtained with venous blood samples.", "PMID": 623917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5265", "title": "Quantitative changes in platelet aggregation due to physiological and pathological factors and medication.", "content": "Quantitative measurements of platelet aggregation in samples of venous blood were made in altogether 66 healthy volunteers by a modified version of the method of Wu and Hoak. The formation of aggregates was found to be unaffected or at the most barely affected by such factors as sex, age, smoking, fatty food, physical exertion and medication with isoprenaline or ovulation inhibitors. No difference in the number of aggregates formed was noted between 12 control patients and 16 patients with myocardial infarcts or 14 with other conditions predisposing to arterial thrombosis. Anticoagulant therapy had no effect on aggregation. It is suspected that aggregation in vitro due to methodological factors may obscure any quantitative alterations in the formation of aggregation present in vivo.", "contents": "Quantitative changes in platelet aggregation due to physiological and pathological factors and medication. Quantitative measurements of platelet aggregation in samples of venous blood were made in altogether 66 healthy volunteers by a modified version of the method of Wu and Hoak. The formation of aggregates was found to be unaffected or at the most barely affected by such factors as sex, age, smoking, fatty food, physical exertion and medication with isoprenaline or ovulation inhibitors. No difference in the number of aggregates formed was noted between 12 control patients and 16 patients with myocardial infarcts or 14 with other conditions predisposing to arterial thrombosis. Anticoagulant therapy had no effect on aggregation. It is suspected that aggregation in vitro due to methodological factors may obscure any quantitative alterations in the formation of aggregation present in vivo.", "PMID": 623918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5266", "title": "[The determination of the red cell isoenzymes 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.44) and acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2) by means of agarosegel thinlayer electrophoresis (author's transl)].", "content": "Methods for the determination of the red cell isoenzymes 6-PGD and acP by means of agarosegel thinlayer electrophoresis are referred. Using these relatively simple techniques, results can be obtained after at least two hours. The quality of separation in both systems is higher than that obtained after starch gel electrophoresis.", "contents": "[The determination of the red cell isoenzymes 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.44) and acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2) by means of agarosegel thinlayer electrophoresis (author's transl)]. Methods for the determination of the red cell isoenzymes 6-PGD and acP by means of agarosegel thinlayer electrophoresis are referred. Using these relatively simple techniques, results can be obtained after at least two hours. The quality of separation in both systems is higher than that obtained after starch gel electrophoresis.", "PMID": 623919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5267", "title": "[Quantitative analysis of fibrinmonomer in Arwin-therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The quantitative measurement of plasma fibrin monomeres in three patients with Arwin-treatment by affinity chromatography on agarose fixed fibrinogen and the \"t\u00fcpfel method\" demonstrated high specifity and sensitivity. Plasmafibrinmonomer concentration clearly differs both before and during treatment from results reported in the literature. The method results in a better control of dangerous situation, especially with additional application of fibrinolytic agents.", "contents": "[Quantitative analysis of fibrinmonomer in Arwin-therapy (author's transl)]. The quantitative measurement of plasma fibrin monomeres in three patients with Arwin-treatment by affinity chromatography on agarose fixed fibrinogen and the \"t\u00fcpfel method\" demonstrated high specifity and sensitivity. Plasmafibrinmonomer concentration clearly differs both before and during treatment from results reported in the literature. The method results in a better control of dangerous situation, especially with additional application of fibrinolytic agents.", "PMID": 623920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5268", "title": "Early experiences in organising and running a replantation service.", "content": "In the 10 months since the establishment of a 24-hour replantation service, the centre at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich has treated 162 amputation injuries; 132 underwent replantation surgery and 117 of these healed successfully. Surgical technique, medication and postoperative treatment with physiotherapy are described. Special emphasis is placed on the difficulties associated with crush and avulsion injuries; in most of them the only solution is an intermediate vein graft to bridge the defect in the vessels.", "contents": "Early experiences in organising and running a replantation service. In the 10 months since the establishment of a 24-hour replantation service, the centre at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich has treated 162 amputation injuries; 132 underwent replantation surgery and 117 of these healed successfully. Surgical technique, medication and postoperative treatment with physiotherapy are described. Special emphasis is placed on the difficulties associated with crush and avulsion injuries; in most of them the only solution is an intermediate vein graft to bridge the defect in the vessels.", "PMID": 623931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5269", "title": "Inhibition of precursor incorporation into nucleic acids of mammalian tissues by antimalarial aminoquinolines.", "content": "1 Chloroquine, primaquine and ethidium inhibitied thymidine incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid of rat tissues when administered concurrently with the labelled precursor. 2 Chloroquine and primaquine inhibited the incorporation of uridine and adenine, but not orotate, into various ribonucleic acid fractions of liver of rats and mice. These drugs had no effect on leucine incorporation into hepatic protein in rats or mice. 3 Although chloroquine and primaquine are active against different stages in the life cycle of the malarial parasites, the two aminoquinolines exert similar effects in rodent tissues.", "contents": "Inhibition of precursor incorporation into nucleic acids of mammalian tissues by antimalarial aminoquinolines. 1 Chloroquine, primaquine and ethidium inhibitied thymidine incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid of rat tissues when administered concurrently with the labelled precursor. 2 Chloroquine and primaquine inhibited the incorporation of uridine and adenine, but not orotate, into various ribonucleic acid fractions of liver of rats and mice. These drugs had no effect on leucine incorporation into hepatic protein in rats or mice. 3 Although chloroquine and primaquine are active against different stages in the life cycle of the malarial parasites, the two aminoquinolines exert similar effects in rodent tissues.", "PMID": 623932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5270", "title": "The effects of amino acids and antagonists on the isolated hemisected spinal cord of the immature rat.", "content": "1 Records of ventral and dorsal root polarity of the isolated hemisected spinal cord of the 3-9 day old rat showed that respective dose-dependent depolarizations of motoneurones (VR responses) and primary afferent terminals (DR responses) were produced by both acidic and neutral amino acids in the presence of procaine (1 mM) or tetrodotoxin (0.1 micron). 2 Of the four neutral amino acids, gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA), glycine, taurine, and beta-alanine, GABA was the most effective in producing DR responses and glycine the most effective in producing VR responses. Only taurine depressed the electrical activity recorded from ventral roots. 3 The DR responses produced by GABA, beta-alanine and taurine were all antagonized by bicuculline (5 micron) and picrotoxin (5 micron). Bicuculline was more selective than picrotoxin in antagonizing VR responses produced by GABA. 4 Strychnine (1 micron) antagonized VR responses produced by glycine beta-alanine and taurine without affecting responses produced by GABA. DR responses to the neutral amino acids were unaffected by strychnine.", "contents": "The effects of amino acids and antagonists on the isolated hemisected spinal cord of the immature rat. 1 Records of ventral and dorsal root polarity of the isolated hemisected spinal cord of the 3-9 day old rat showed that respective dose-dependent depolarizations of motoneurones (VR responses) and primary afferent terminals (DR responses) were produced by both acidic and neutral amino acids in the presence of procaine (1 mM) or tetrodotoxin (0.1 micron). 2 Of the four neutral amino acids, gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA), glycine, taurine, and beta-alanine, GABA was the most effective in producing DR responses and glycine the most effective in producing VR responses. Only taurine depressed the electrical activity recorded from ventral roots. 3 The DR responses produced by GABA, beta-alanine and taurine were all antagonized by bicuculline (5 micron) and picrotoxin (5 micron). Bicuculline was more selective than picrotoxin in antagonizing VR responses produced by GABA. 4 Strychnine (1 micron) antagonized VR responses produced by glycine beta-alanine and taurine without affecting responses produced by GABA. DR responses to the neutral amino acids were unaffected by strychnine.", "PMID": 623933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5271", "title": "The metabolism of prostaglandins by the guinea-pig uterus with particular reference to corpus luteal maintenance in early pregnancy.", "content": "1 Homogenized lung tissue from day 15, pregnant and non-pregnant guinea-pig metabolized exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) almost completely when incubated in Tyrode solution containing beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). 2 Metabolism of PGE2 and PGF2alpha by homogenates of day 15, pregnant or non-pregnant, guinea-pig uteri was relatively low (8 to 20%) when incubated in Tyrode solution containing NAD+. 3 Day 15, guinea-pig conceptuses (placentae and embryos), homogenized and incubated in Tyrode solution containing NAD+, metabolized prostaglandins to a slightly greater extent (14 to 22%) than day 15, uterine tissue. 4 Addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to day 12 or day 15, pregnant, guinea-pig uterine homogenates in Tyrode solution did not increase the yield of PGF2alpha following incubation. 5 It is concluded that neither an increase in metabolism of PGF2alpha by the uterus and conceptus nor lack of precursor is responsible for the lower secretion of PGF2alpha from the day 15, pregnant, guinea-pig uterus when compared to the day 15, non-pregnant uterus.", "contents": "The metabolism of prostaglandins by the guinea-pig uterus with particular reference to corpus luteal maintenance in early pregnancy. 1 Homogenized lung tissue from day 15, pregnant and non-pregnant guinea-pig metabolized exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) almost completely when incubated in Tyrode solution containing beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). 2 Metabolism of PGE2 and PGF2alpha by homogenates of day 15, pregnant or non-pregnant, guinea-pig uteri was relatively low (8 to 20%) when incubated in Tyrode solution containing NAD+. 3 Day 15, guinea-pig conceptuses (placentae and embryos), homogenized and incubated in Tyrode solution containing NAD+, metabolized prostaglandins to a slightly greater extent (14 to 22%) than day 15, uterine tissue. 4 Addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to day 12 or day 15, pregnant, guinea-pig uterine homogenates in Tyrode solution did not increase the yield of PGF2alpha following incubation. 5 It is concluded that neither an increase in metabolism of PGF2alpha by the uterus and conceptus nor lack of precursor is responsible for the lower secretion of PGF2alpha from the day 15, pregnant, guinea-pig uterus when compared to the day 15, non-pregnant uterus.", "PMID": 623934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5272", "title": "Initial investigations into adrenaline accumulation and adrenergic responsiveness in cultured neonatal rat heart cells.", "content": "1 Accumulation of tritiated adrenaline (and/or its products) has been studied by a variety of techniques in viable, attached and free-floating myoblasts cultured from neonatal rat heart cells. 2 Accumulation increased with the number of cells used, the culture age of cells, incubation time and the concentration of adrenaline in the incubation mixture. 3 Accumulation-concentration data were not linearly correlated with dose-response data. 4 Accumulation did not correlate well with beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness in a number of situations of varying responsiveness. 5 Accumulation was not blocked by a variety of uptake blocking agents or alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. 6 A much smaller accumulation process was observed in fibroblasts which respond to adrenaline with reversible morphological changes.", "contents": "Initial investigations into adrenaline accumulation and adrenergic responsiveness in cultured neonatal rat heart cells. 1 Accumulation of tritiated adrenaline (and/or its products) has been studied by a variety of techniques in viable, attached and free-floating myoblasts cultured from neonatal rat heart cells. 2 Accumulation increased with the number of cells used, the culture age of cells, incubation time and the concentration of adrenaline in the incubation mixture. 3 Accumulation-concentration data were not linearly correlated with dose-response data. 4 Accumulation did not correlate well with beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness in a number of situations of varying responsiveness. 5 Accumulation was not blocked by a variety of uptake blocking agents or alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. 6 A much smaller accumulation process was observed in fibroblasts which respond to adrenaline with reversible morphological changes.", "PMID": 623935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5273", "title": "Effect of parathyroidectomy on cardiovascular reactivity in rats with mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension.", "content": "Previous work has shown that parathyroidectomy protected Sprague-Dawley rats against mineralocorticoid hypertension. 2 In order to explain this protection, we studied vascular reactivity to noradrenaline and angiotensin II in several groups of rats with and without their parathyroid and thyroid glands. Work was performed in vagotomized, anaesthetized rats after ganglionic blockade with pentolinium, and atropine sulphate. 3 The reactivity to noradrenaline was significantly lower in parathyroidectomized rats, especially at the beginning of mineralocorticoid treatment. 4 Autotransplantation of parathyroid glands in thyroparathyroidectomized rats re-established normal cardiovascular reactivity and development of hypertension. 5 Cardiovascular reactivity to angiotensin II was not affected in parathyroidectomized rats and was lowered in thyroparathyroidectomized thyroxine-treated rats.", "contents": "Effect of parathyroidectomy on cardiovascular reactivity in rats with mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension. Previous work has shown that parathyroidectomy protected Sprague-Dawley rats against mineralocorticoid hypertension. 2 In order to explain this protection, we studied vascular reactivity to noradrenaline and angiotensin II in several groups of rats with and without their parathyroid and thyroid glands. Work was performed in vagotomized, anaesthetized rats after ganglionic blockade with pentolinium, and atropine sulphate. 3 The reactivity to noradrenaline was significantly lower in parathyroidectomized rats, especially at the beginning of mineralocorticoid treatment. 4 Autotransplantation of parathyroid glands in thyroparathyroidectomized rats re-established normal cardiovascular reactivity and development of hypertension. 5 Cardiovascular reactivity to angiotensin II was not affected in parathyroidectomized rats and was lowered in thyroparathyroidectomized thyroxine-treated rats.", "PMID": 623936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5274", "title": "5-Hydroxytryptamine and dopamine transport by rat and human blood platelets.", "content": "1 Uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by rat platelets in plasma was very rapid and diffusion did not contribute significantly at substrate concentrations that did not saturate the active transport.2 Under conditions which allowed measurement of initial rates of uptake, kinetic analysis revealed a high affinity uptake mechanism for 5-HT (K(m) = 0.7 muM).3 Uptake of dopamine was relatively slow and involved a lower affinity (K(m) = 70 muM) active transport process. Diffusion contributed significantly at concentrations that did not saturate the active transport.4 5-HT competitively inhibited uptake of dopamine, and vice versa; K(i) values for both amines were similar to their respective K(m) values for uptake.5 Chlorimipramine, desmethylimipramine and benztropine were tested as uptake inhibitors. Each was equipotent against 5-HT and dopamine, although the absolute potency of the drugs varied greatly. Chlorimipramine was the most potent (K(i)## 100 nM), and kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition was competitive against both 5-HT and dopamine.6 Similar results were obtained in studies with human platelets: K(m) values for 5-HT and dopamine were about 1 muM and 100 muM respectively. Activity profiles of inhibitors were also similar: each compound tested was equipotent against 5-HT and dopamine, and the two amines each competitively inhibited uptake of the other.7 We conclude that dopamine is actively transported by platelets via the 5-HT uptake mechanism, but with a much lower affinity. There is no high-affinity dopamine-specific mechanism corresponding to that in the corpus striatum. Consequently although platelets may be valid models of transport in 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones, they should not be regarded as models for the dopamine transport mechanism found in dopaminergic neurones.", "contents": "5-Hydroxytryptamine and dopamine transport by rat and human blood platelets. 1 Uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by rat platelets in plasma was very rapid and diffusion did not contribute significantly at substrate concentrations that did not saturate the active transport.2 Under conditions which allowed measurement of initial rates of uptake, kinetic analysis revealed a high affinity uptake mechanism for 5-HT (K(m) = 0.7 muM).3 Uptake of dopamine was relatively slow and involved a lower affinity (K(m) = 70 muM) active transport process. Diffusion contributed significantly at concentrations that did not saturate the active transport.4 5-HT competitively inhibited uptake of dopamine, and vice versa; K(i) values for both amines were similar to their respective K(m) values for uptake.5 Chlorimipramine, desmethylimipramine and benztropine were tested as uptake inhibitors. Each was equipotent against 5-HT and dopamine, although the absolute potency of the drugs varied greatly. Chlorimipramine was the most potent (K(i)## 100 nM), and kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition was competitive against both 5-HT and dopamine.6 Similar results were obtained in studies with human platelets: K(m) values for 5-HT and dopamine were about 1 muM and 100 muM respectively. Activity profiles of inhibitors were also similar: each compound tested was equipotent against 5-HT and dopamine, and the two amines each competitively inhibited uptake of the other.7 We conclude that dopamine is actively transported by platelets via the 5-HT uptake mechanism, but with a much lower affinity. There is no high-affinity dopamine-specific mechanism corresponding to that in the corpus striatum. Consequently although platelets may be valid models of transport in 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones, they should not be regarded as models for the dopamine transport mechanism found in dopaminergic neurones.", "PMID": 623937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5275", "title": "Effects of end-tidal concentrations of cyclopropane, halothane and diethyl ether on peripheral autonomic neuroeffector systems in the rat.", "content": "The effects of the inhalation anaesthetics, cyclopropane, halothane and diethyl ether were examined on peripheral neuroeffector systems in the pithed and in the conscious rat. 2 In the absence of a suitable means of accurately quantifying doses of inhalation anaesthetics given to small animals, an apparatus was constructed whereby end-tidal gas samples were collected semi-automatically from the mechanically ventilated rat. 3 Cyclopropane (15.3 and 29.3% end-tidal), halothane (0.20, 0.52 and 0.83% end-tidal) and diethyl ether (2% and 4% end-tidal) lowered the arterial pressure of the pithed rat. Heart rate was increased by diethyl ether 4%, decreased by halothane and unchanged by cyclopropane. 4 While each anaesthetic depressed the pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, cyclopropane increased and halothane and diethyl ether depressed the pressor responses to exogenous noradrenaline. 5 Each anaesthetic reduced the motor responses of the smooth muscle of the colon to parasympathetic stimulation. 6 The significance of the effects on peripheral neuroeffector systems is discussed in relation to the overall circulatory changes produced by these anaesthetics in the whole animal.", "contents": "Effects of end-tidal concentrations of cyclopropane, halothane and diethyl ether on peripheral autonomic neuroeffector systems in the rat. The effects of the inhalation anaesthetics, cyclopropane, halothane and diethyl ether were examined on peripheral neuroeffector systems in the pithed and in the conscious rat. 2 In the absence of a suitable means of accurately quantifying doses of inhalation anaesthetics given to small animals, an apparatus was constructed whereby end-tidal gas samples were collected semi-automatically from the mechanically ventilated rat. 3 Cyclopropane (15.3 and 29.3% end-tidal), halothane (0.20, 0.52 and 0.83% end-tidal) and diethyl ether (2% and 4% end-tidal) lowered the arterial pressure of the pithed rat. Heart rate was increased by diethyl ether 4%, decreased by halothane and unchanged by cyclopropane. 4 While each anaesthetic depressed the pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, cyclopropane increased and halothane and diethyl ether depressed the pressor responses to exogenous noradrenaline. 5 Each anaesthetic reduced the motor responses of the smooth muscle of the colon to parasympathetic stimulation. 6 The significance of the effects on peripheral neuroeffector systems is discussed in relation to the overall circulatory changes produced by these anaesthetics in the whole animal.", "PMID": 623938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5276", "title": "The actions of some vasoactive polypeptides and their antagonists on the anococcygeus muscle.", "content": "1 The action of three polypeptides, bradykinin, substance P and eledoisin known to inhibit vascular smooth muscle has been examined on the anococcygeus muscle of the rat, cat and rabbit.2 In the atonic rat muscle, bradykinin and substance P had little or no effect on tone but eledoisin produced a sustained dose-related contraction which could be abolished by phentolamine (1 muM) and is, therefore, probably an indirect sympathomimetic effect. On the motor response to field stimulation of adrenergic nerves, bradykinin had no effect whereas both substance P and eledoisin reduced this response. The mechanism of action was further analysed with eledoisin by examining its effect on the response to noradrenaline. Eledoisin did not alter the dose-response curve to noradrenaline and its inhibitory action is likely, therefore, to be presynaptic.3 In the rat anococcygeus muscle in which the tone was raised by guanethidine or carbachol, bradykinin and substance P reduced this tone whereas eledoisin continued to exert a motor action. Compared with substance P the inhibitory effect of bradykinin appeared at lower concentrations (threshold 0.01 mug/ml), developed more rapidly and the size of the response was greater.4 The effect of bradykinin on the tonically contracted cat and rabbit anococcygeus muscles was examined in addition to that of the rat. In all three species bradykinin caused inhibition and the magnitude of the response was equal to the maximum effect of inhibitory nerve stimulation. None of the peptides affected the inhibitory response to nerve stimulation itself.5 The effects of three substances, hesperitin, khellin and apiin, reported in other tissues to antagonize the action of bradykinin were examined both on the inhibitory response to bradykinin and to field stimulation. None of them was able to inhibit either response, although they reduced tone when given by themselves. During these experiments it was found that ethanol antagonized the inhibitory response to field stimulation.6 The possibility that bradykinin or some related peptide might play a part in the inhibitory response to nerve stimulation in the anococcygeus is discussed.", "contents": "The actions of some vasoactive polypeptides and their antagonists on the anococcygeus muscle. 1 The action of three polypeptides, bradykinin, substance P and eledoisin known to inhibit vascular smooth muscle has been examined on the anococcygeus muscle of the rat, cat and rabbit.2 In the atonic rat muscle, bradykinin and substance P had little or no effect on tone but eledoisin produced a sustained dose-related contraction which could be abolished by phentolamine (1 muM) and is, therefore, probably an indirect sympathomimetic effect. On the motor response to field stimulation of adrenergic nerves, bradykinin had no effect whereas both substance P and eledoisin reduced this response. The mechanism of action was further analysed with eledoisin by examining its effect on the response to noradrenaline. Eledoisin did not alter the dose-response curve to noradrenaline and its inhibitory action is likely, therefore, to be presynaptic.3 In the rat anococcygeus muscle in which the tone was raised by guanethidine or carbachol, bradykinin and substance P reduced this tone whereas eledoisin continued to exert a motor action. Compared with substance P the inhibitory effect of bradykinin appeared at lower concentrations (threshold 0.01 mug/ml), developed more rapidly and the size of the response was greater.4 The effect of bradykinin on the tonically contracted cat and rabbit anococcygeus muscles was examined in addition to that of the rat. In all three species bradykinin caused inhibition and the magnitude of the response was equal to the maximum effect of inhibitory nerve stimulation. None of the peptides affected the inhibitory response to nerve stimulation itself.5 The effects of three substances, hesperitin, khellin and apiin, reported in other tissues to antagonize the action of bradykinin were examined both on the inhibitory response to bradykinin and to field stimulation. None of them was able to inhibit either response, although they reduced tone when given by themselves. During these experiments it was found that ethanol antagonized the inhibitory response to field stimulation.6 The possibility that bradykinin or some related peptide might play a part in the inhibitory response to nerve stimulation in the anococcygeus is discussed.", "PMID": 623939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5277", "title": "Uptake and inactivation of prostaglandin E2 methyl analogues in the rat pulmonary circulation.", "content": "1 The fate of (15S)-15-methyl prostaglandin E(2) methyl ester and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2) in the pulmonary circulation of rat isolated lungs was compared with that of prostaglandin E(2) by means of bioassay.2 Calculated on the basis of height of response of the assay tissues, the inactivation of prostaglandin E(2) was 96 +/- 1%, of 15-methyl prostaglandin E(2) methyl ester, 53 +/- 6% and of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2), 50 +/- 4%.3 Responses of the hamster stomach strip to the prostaglandin E(2) analogues passing through the pulmonary circulation were prolonged and slower in onset than those to the analogue given directly to the tissue. No such difference was observed with prostaglandin E(2).4 Bromocresol green, bromothymol blue, bromocresol purple and thymol blue (10(-5) M) all inhibited the inactivation of the three prostaglandins studied, as did diphloretin phosphate (1.5 x 10(-6) M). All five inhibitors also reversed the shape change in response seen after transpulmonary injection of 16-16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2).5 We conclude that the inactivation of the methyl analogues is due to uptake, as they are not substrates for prostaglandin dehydrogenase.6 The lung may act as a depot for some compounds taking them up from the pulmonary vessels and later releasing them slowly into the systemic circulation.", "contents": "Uptake and inactivation of prostaglandin E2 methyl analogues in the rat pulmonary circulation. 1 The fate of (15S)-15-methyl prostaglandin E(2) methyl ester and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2) in the pulmonary circulation of rat isolated lungs was compared with that of prostaglandin E(2) by means of bioassay.2 Calculated on the basis of height of response of the assay tissues, the inactivation of prostaglandin E(2) was 96 +/- 1%, of 15-methyl prostaglandin E(2) methyl ester, 53 +/- 6% and of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2), 50 +/- 4%.3 Responses of the hamster stomach strip to the prostaglandin E(2) analogues passing through the pulmonary circulation were prolonged and slower in onset than those to the analogue given directly to the tissue. No such difference was observed with prostaglandin E(2).4 Bromocresol green, bromothymol blue, bromocresol purple and thymol blue (10(-5) M) all inhibited the inactivation of the three prostaglandins studied, as did diphloretin phosphate (1.5 x 10(-6) M). All five inhibitors also reversed the shape change in response seen after transpulmonary injection of 16-16-dimethyl prostaglandin E(2).5 We conclude that the inactivation of the methyl analogues is due to uptake, as they are not substrates for prostaglandin dehydrogenase.6 The lung may act as a depot for some compounds taking them up from the pulmonary vessels and later releasing them slowly into the systemic circulation.", "PMID": 623940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5278", "title": "Comparison of the effects of ultraviolet light and purinergic nerve stimulation on the guinea-pig taenia coli.", "content": "1 The responses of the guinea-pig taenia coli, urinary bladder, and the rabbit portal vein to ultraviolet (u.v.) light were compared to those elicited by purinergic nerve stimulation and exogenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP).2 In the presence of sodium nitrite, u.v. light between 340-380 nm produced a maximum relaxation of the taenia coli. The relaxation was reversible and fast in onset. It was unaffected by atropine, guanethidine or low concentrations of phentolamine or propranolol. When the tone was low, the relaxation was usually followed by a ;rebound contraction' upon cessation of stimulation. Thus, the response to u.v. light closely resembles the responses to both purinergic nerve stimulation and exogenously applied ATP.3 U.v. light did not initiate impulses in purinergic nerves since its action was unaffected by tetrodotoxin; nor did it release ATP from nerve terminals (in contrast to its release during purinergic nerve stimulation). The adenosine-uptake inhibitor, dipyridamole, which potentiates the responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP, did not affect the response to u.v. light.4 Agents known to alter postjunctional responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP also altered the response to u.v. light. High concentrations of the 2-substituted imidazoline compounds, antazoline and phentolamine, which antagonize the responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP, reduced the responses to u.v. irradiation. The prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, which abolishes the ;rebound contraction' following stimulation of purinergic nerves, also blocks the ;rebound ;contraction' following u.v. irradiation. Increases in the K(+) concentration produced parallel changes in the inhibitory responses to u.v. light and purinergic nerve stimulation.5 U.v. light produced relaxation and inhibition of spontaneous activity of the rabbit portal vein (relaxed by ATP), but had no effect on the guinea-pig urinary bladder (contracted by ATP) and ureter (unaffected by ATP).6 It is suggested that u.v. light is acting on some part of the purinergic receptor complex which is involved in the mediation of inhibitory responses to ATP and purinergic nerve stimulation, and may therefore provide a way of investigating the chemistry of inhibitory purinergic receptors.", "contents": "Comparison of the effects of ultraviolet light and purinergic nerve stimulation on the guinea-pig taenia coli. 1 The responses of the guinea-pig taenia coli, urinary bladder, and the rabbit portal vein to ultraviolet (u.v.) light were compared to those elicited by purinergic nerve stimulation and exogenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP).2 In the presence of sodium nitrite, u.v. light between 340-380 nm produced a maximum relaxation of the taenia coli. The relaxation was reversible and fast in onset. It was unaffected by atropine, guanethidine or low concentrations of phentolamine or propranolol. When the tone was low, the relaxation was usually followed by a ;rebound contraction' upon cessation of stimulation. Thus, the response to u.v. light closely resembles the responses to both purinergic nerve stimulation and exogenously applied ATP.3 U.v. light did not initiate impulses in purinergic nerves since its action was unaffected by tetrodotoxin; nor did it release ATP from nerve terminals (in contrast to its release during purinergic nerve stimulation). The adenosine-uptake inhibitor, dipyridamole, which potentiates the responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP, did not affect the response to u.v. light.4 Agents known to alter postjunctional responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP also altered the response to u.v. light. High concentrations of the 2-substituted imidazoline compounds, antazoline and phentolamine, which antagonize the responses to purinergic nerve stimulation and ATP, reduced the responses to u.v. irradiation. The prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, which abolishes the ;rebound contraction' following stimulation of purinergic nerves, also blocks the ;rebound ;contraction' following u.v. irradiation. Increases in the K(+) concentration produced parallel changes in the inhibitory responses to u.v. light and purinergic nerve stimulation.5 U.v. light produced relaxation and inhibition of spontaneous activity of the rabbit portal vein (relaxed by ATP), but had no effect on the guinea-pig urinary bladder (contracted by ATP) and ureter (unaffected by ATP).6 It is suggested that u.v. light is acting on some part of the purinergic receptor complex which is involved in the mediation of inhibitory responses to ATP and purinergic nerve stimulation, and may therefore provide a way of investigating the chemistry of inhibitory purinergic receptors.", "PMID": 623941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5279", "title": "A study of the sympathomimetic action of guanethidine on the isolated anococcygeus muscle of the rat.", "content": "Guanethidine, acting on the rat isolated anococcygeus, causes adrenergic neurone blockade (slowly terminated by washing), noradrenaline potentiation and, with higher concentrations, spasm (both rapidly terminated by washing). 2 The spasm is an indirect sympathomimetic action, for it is sensitive to phentolamine and reserpine and shows tachyphylaxis. 3 The concentration of cocaine equieffective with the spasmogenic concentration of guanethidine as an inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake caused much less spasm. Moreover, it did not enhance noradrenaline efflux from anococcygeus loaded with (-)-[3H]-noradrenaline, as guanethidine did. 4 The spasm induced by guanethidine in excess of cocaine is due to guanethidine-evoked noradrenaline release.", "contents": "A study of the sympathomimetic action of guanethidine on the isolated anococcygeus muscle of the rat. Guanethidine, acting on the rat isolated anococcygeus, causes adrenergic neurone blockade (slowly terminated by washing), noradrenaline potentiation and, with higher concentrations, spasm (both rapidly terminated by washing). 2 The spasm is an indirect sympathomimetic action, for it is sensitive to phentolamine and reserpine and shows tachyphylaxis. 3 The concentration of cocaine equieffective with the spasmogenic concentration of guanethidine as an inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake caused much less spasm. Moreover, it did not enhance noradrenaline efflux from anococcygeus loaded with (-)-[3H]-noradrenaline, as guanethidine did. 4 The spasm induced by guanethidine in excess of cocaine is due to guanethidine-evoked noradrenaline release.", "PMID": 623942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5280", "title": "Decreased urinary output of tyramine and its metabolites in depression.", "content": "Despite dramatic clinical improvement in about one-third of a group of severely depressed, medication-resistant patients one year after modified leucotomy, their relative decrease in conjugated and free tyramine output after an oral tyramine load remained unchanged and abnormal. Whilst a direct deficit in intestinal tyramine-conjugating ability still needs to be finally ruled out, this appears most compatible with a deficit due to bodily metabolic failure, perhaps a deficit in membrane transport which could be an essential aspect of the depressive illness syndrome. Attention is drawn to a similar defect in migraine. The two illnesses may represent a common predisposition which an appropriate triggering mechanism may transform to the florid disease. Biochemical detection of such vulnerability may have important diagnostic and predictive significance.", "contents": "Decreased urinary output of tyramine and its metabolites in depression. Despite dramatic clinical improvement in about one-third of a group of severely depressed, medication-resistant patients one year after modified leucotomy, their relative decrease in conjugated and free tyramine output after an oral tyramine load remained unchanged and abnormal. Whilst a direct deficit in intestinal tyramine-conjugating ability still needs to be finally ruled out, this appears most compatible with a deficit due to bodily metabolic failure, perhaps a deficit in membrane transport which could be an essential aspect of the depressive illness syndrome. Attention is drawn to a similar defect in migraine. The two illnesses may represent a common predisposition which an appropriate triggering mechanism may transform to the florid disease. Biochemical detection of such vulnerability may have important diagnostic and predictive significance.", "PMID": 623943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5281", "title": "Catechol-O-methyl transferase activity in patients with depressive illness and anxiety states.", "content": "Erythrocyte catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) activity was studied in 65 patients with depressive illness and anxiety states. A hypothesis that measurement of this enzyme might have some value as an aid to diagnosis and as an index of clinical recovery has not been confirmed. In patients with endogenous depression, agitated subjects had COMT levels significantly higher than normal (P less than .01) and retarded subjects had levels significantly lower than normal (P less than .02). These observations are congruent with some reports of high and low urinary MHPG excretion in patients with depression. Further data correlating COMT assays with catecholamine metabolites in depressed patients may reveal homogeneous biochemical subgroups which could serve as a guide to rational therapy.", "contents": "Catechol-O-methyl transferase activity in patients with depressive illness and anxiety states. Erythrocyte catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) activity was studied in 65 patients with depressive illness and anxiety states. A hypothesis that measurement of this enzyme might have some value as an aid to diagnosis and as an index of clinical recovery has not been confirmed. In patients with endogenous depression, agitated subjects had COMT levels significantly higher than normal (P less than .01) and retarded subjects had levels significantly lower than normal (P less than .02). These observations are congruent with some reports of high and low urinary MHPG excretion in patients with depression. Further data correlating COMT assays with catecholamine metabolites in depressed patients may reveal homogeneous biochemical subgroups which could serve as a guide to rational therapy.", "PMID": 623944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5282", "title": "Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the CSF of schizophrenic patients before and after neuroleptic treatment.", "content": "Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the CSF were measured in 9 normal individuals, 17 drug-free schizophrenic patients and 10 of these same schizophrenic patients after neuroleptic treatment. There was no significant difference between CSF level of GABA in the control group compared to those in schizophrenic patients; however, 6 of the 7 lowest GABA levels were from schizophrenic patients. There was a significant decline of 12 per cent in mean GABA levels in the CSF after a mean of two months of neuroleptic treatment.", "contents": "Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the CSF of schizophrenic patients before and after neuroleptic treatment. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the CSF were measured in 9 normal individuals, 17 drug-free schizophrenic patients and 10 of these same schizophrenic patients after neuroleptic treatment. There was no significant difference between CSF level of GABA in the control group compared to those in schizophrenic patients; however, 6 of the 7 lowest GABA levels were from schizophrenic patients. There was a significant decline of 12 per cent in mean GABA levels in the CSF after a mean of two months of neuroleptic treatment.", "PMID": 623945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5283", "title": "Histocompatability antigens and schizophrenia.", "content": "The HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) types and B were studied in 80 patients diagnosed as schizophrenic. There was an increased incidence of HLA-BW5 and a decrease in HLA-AW29 and HLA-BW17 as compared with healthy controls. In the sub-group of patients exhibiting Schneider's first-rank symptoms there was an increased incidence of HLA-A1 with a decrease in HLA-A2 and HLA-BW17.", "contents": "Histocompatability antigens and schizophrenia. The HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) types and B were studied in 80 patients diagnosed as schizophrenic. There was an increased incidence of HLA-BW5 and a decrease in HLA-AW29 and HLA-BW17 as compared with healthy controls. In the sub-group of patients exhibiting Schneider's first-rank symptoms there was an increased incidence of HLA-A1 with a decrease in HLA-A2 and HLA-BW17.", "PMID": 623946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5284", "title": "Problems associated with the analysis and interpretation of saliva lithium.", "content": "The correlation between serum and saliva lithium levels in patients undergoing lithium prophylaxis therapy is discussed. Although a high correlation can be obtained, there is an unacceptably high individual variation of paired results. Two strategies were used in an attempt to improve the reliability of saliva as a predictor of serum levels. A naturally occurring marker in saliva and serum was used. This showed high correlation but still did not prevent large sporadic differences. Serially paired results in individual patients also showed occasional excessive variation. Although saliva lithium has been used for monitoring when serum assessment is impracticable, it is considered that it is, as yet, an unreliable technique.", "contents": "Problems associated with the analysis and interpretation of saliva lithium. The correlation between serum and saliva lithium levels in patients undergoing lithium prophylaxis therapy is discussed. Although a high correlation can be obtained, there is an unacceptably high individual variation of paired results. Two strategies were used in an attempt to improve the reliability of saliva as a predictor of serum levels. A naturally occurring marker in saliva and serum was used. This showed high correlation but still did not prevent large sporadic differences. Serially paired results in individual patients also showed occasional excessive variation. Although saliva lithium has been used for monitoring when serum assessment is impracticable, it is considered that it is, as yet, an unreliable technique.", "PMID": 623947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5285", "title": "Variations in the seasonal distribution of births of psychotic patients in England and Wales.", "content": "The quarterly distribution of births of patients born in England and Wales 1921-60 and first admitted in 1970-75 was examined by decade of birth and by age at year of admission. For patients with schizophrenia and affective psychosis, the distribution varied: in the early decade (1921-30), and for older patients (45-54 years) the proportion of births in the fourth quarter of the year was high, compared with expectation from live births in the general population; but it became lower in succeeding decades and for younger age groups. No comparable change occurred for births of patients with neurosis or personality disorder.", "contents": "Variations in the seasonal distribution of births of psychotic patients in England and Wales. The quarterly distribution of births of patients born in England and Wales 1921-60 and first admitted in 1970-75 was examined by decade of birth and by age at year of admission. For patients with schizophrenia and affective psychosis, the distribution varied: in the early decade (1921-30), and for older patients (45-54 years) the proportion of births in the fourth quarter of the year was high, compared with expectation from live births in the general population; but it became lower in succeeding decades and for younger age groups. No comparable change occurred for births of patients with neurosis or personality disorder.", "PMID": 623948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5286", "title": "Nineteen cases of morbid grief.", "content": "Three different patterns of morbid grief are noted. The effect of forced mourning procedures on morbidly grieving patients is discussed with some indication of beneficial and harmful effects of psychotherapeutic intervention.", "contents": "Nineteen cases of morbid grief. Three different patterns of morbid grief are noted. The effect of forced mourning procedures on morbidly grieving patients is discussed with some indication of beneficial and harmful effects of psychotherapeutic intervention.", "PMID": 623949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5287", "title": "A clinical scale for the self-assessment of irritability.", "content": "To date there has been no suitable scale for the self-assessment of irritability in the clinical situation. Existing scales have either included aspects of personality trait together with present state or they have been constructed on non-clinical populations. A self-assessment scale has been constructed which seeks to overcome such faults. Measures of depression and of anxiety are included, together with measures of outwardly directed irritability and inwardly directed irritability. This scale should be known as the Irritability, Depression, Anxiety--or IDA--Scale.", "contents": "A clinical scale for the self-assessment of irritability. To date there has been no suitable scale for the self-assessment of irritability in the clinical situation. Existing scales have either included aspects of personality trait together with present state or they have been constructed on non-clinical populations. A self-assessment scale has been constructed which seeks to overcome such faults. Measures of depression and of anxiety are included, together with measures of outwardly directed irritability and inwardly directed irritability. This scale should be known as the Irritability, Depression, Anxiety--or IDA--Scale.", "PMID": 623950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5288", "title": "Emotional disturbance in newly registered general practice patients.", "content": "The General Health Questionnaire has had some popularity as an index of minor psychiatric morbidity and was used in the present study to ascertain the emotional state of newcomers to a practice in a new town. High scorers on the GHQ had more episodes of illness, had more severe ratings of psychological problems, and were more likely to receive a formal psychiatric diagnosis than were low scorers. A second survey one year later confirmed the variability of response to the GHQ inherent in a 'present state' inventory. Doubts are expressed as to the psychiatric nature of the emotional upset measured by the GHQ.", "contents": "Emotional disturbance in newly registered general practice patients. The General Health Questionnaire has had some popularity as an index of minor psychiatric morbidity and was used in the present study to ascertain the emotional state of newcomers to a practice in a new town. High scorers on the GHQ had more episodes of illness, had more severe ratings of psychological problems, and were more likely to receive a formal psychiatric diagnosis than were low scorers. A second survey one year later confirmed the variability of response to the GHQ inherent in a 'present state' inventory. Doubts are expressed as to the psychiatric nature of the emotional upset measured by the GHQ.", "PMID": 623951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5289", "title": "Suicide past and present--the temporal constancy of under-reporting.", "content": "It is known that official suicide statistics underestimate the incidence of suicide, but it is not clear whether the extent of under-reporting remains constant. An examination of coroners' records in Dublin from 1900 to 1904 and comparison with a similar series in 1964--68 suggests that the underestimation was of similar proportions in both series. It is suggested, therefore, that official suicide statistics are likely to reflect valid temporal changes in suicide and are therefore of value for the study of socio-economic influences on trends in suicide frequency.", "contents": "Suicide past and present--the temporal constancy of under-reporting. It is known that official suicide statistics underestimate the incidence of suicide, but it is not clear whether the extent of under-reporting remains constant. An examination of coroners' records in Dublin from 1900 to 1904 and comparison with a similar series in 1964--68 suggests that the underestimation was of similar proportions in both series. It is suggested, therefore, that official suicide statistics are likely to reflect valid temporal changes in suicide and are therefore of value for the study of socio-economic influences on trends in suicide frequency.", "PMID": 623952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5290", "title": "Suicide attempts 1970--75: updating a United States study and comparisons with international trends.", "content": "This paper brings up to date a 1970 study of suicide attempters coming to a major emergency room in an United States urban community and reviews international trends in suicide attempts. Results of the study and the review of the international literature indicate that the high rates of suicide attempts that were observed in 1970 are continuing into 1975. The incidence of suicide attempts continues to be a public health problem primarily amoung young women. Pill ingestion, usually barbiturates and psychotropic drugs, continues to be the most common method used.", "contents": "Suicide attempts 1970--75: updating a United States study and comparisons with international trends. This paper brings up to date a 1970 study of suicide attempters coming to a major emergency room in an United States urban community and reviews international trends in suicide attempts. Results of the study and the review of the international literature indicate that the high rates of suicide attempts that were observed in 1970 are continuing into 1975. The incidence of suicide attempts continues to be a public health problem primarily amoung young women. Pill ingestion, usually barbiturates and psychotropic drugs, continues to be the most common method used.", "PMID": 623953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5291", "title": "The chronicity of schizophrenia in North West India. Results of a follow-up study.", "content": "The results of a follow-up study of schizophrenics attending a centre in North West India are reported. The relevant literature is reviewed. The results were compared with two well-known studies, one from the United Kingdom and the other from Mauritius. The evidence presented suggests that the course taken by schizophrenia in a newly-developed city and its neighbourhood in this part of India is similar to the one seen in the Western world. This study does not support the view that chronicity of schizophrenia in non-European, non-white populations is different, at least in an urban setting.", "contents": "The chronicity of schizophrenia in North West India. Results of a follow-up study. The results of a follow-up study of schizophrenics attending a centre in North West India are reported. The relevant literature is reviewed. The results were compared with two well-known studies, one from the United Kingdom and the other from Mauritius. The evidence presented suggests that the course taken by schizophrenia in a newly-developed city and its neighbourhood in this part of India is similar to the one seen in the Western world. This study does not support the view that chronicity of schizophrenia in non-European, non-white populations is different, at least in an urban setting.", "PMID": 623954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5292", "title": "Psychiatric decision-making by medical students.", "content": "Analysis of medical students' formulations and replies to clinical problems indicates difficulty in deciding on the nature and organization of treatment. A programme describing a problem-solving approach was devised, and students taught in this way were shown to be significantly more able to formulate organized treatment plans with more precise aims. It is suggested that problem-solving methods are likely to be much more effective than conventional teaching of psychiatry.", "contents": "Psychiatric decision-making by medical students. Analysis of medical students' formulations and replies to clinical problems indicates difficulty in deciding on the nature and organization of treatment. A programme describing a problem-solving approach was devised, and students taught in this way were shown to be significantly more able to formulate organized treatment plans with more precise aims. It is suggested that problem-solving methods are likely to be much more effective than conventional teaching of psychiatry.", "PMID": 623955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5293", "title": "Child observation and assessment centres: psychiatrist' and social workers' difficulties.", "content": "Two child observation and assessment centres run by a Social Services Department have quickly filled up with older children who stay indefinitely. Many of these children have physical as well as emotional problems and have been admitted as family emergencies in an unplanned way. The paper discusses how, if at all, the psychiatrist called in for advice by social workers can help. This is thought to be a widespread problem.", "contents": "Child observation and assessment centres: psychiatrist' and social workers' difficulties. Two child observation and assessment centres run by a Social Services Department have quickly filled up with older children who stay indefinitely. Many of these children have physical as well as emotional problems and have been admitted as family emergencies in an unplanned way. The paper discusses how, if at all, the psychiatrist called in for advice by social workers can help. This is thought to be a widespread problem.", "PMID": 623956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5294", "title": "Radical mastectomy: a 27-year survey.", "content": "Records of 736 cases of breast cancer presenting to one of the authors (J. D. Y.) have been kept over 27 years. The principles of treatment have remained the same throughout the survey. A radical mastectomy was carried out for stage I and early stage II cases, and when axillary nodes were histologically involved, immediate radiotherapy was given. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival figures are reported.", "contents": "Radical mastectomy: a 27-year survey. Records of 736 cases of breast cancer presenting to one of the authors (J. D. Y.) have been kept over 27 years. The principles of treatment have remained the same throughout the survey. A radical mastectomy was carried out for stage I and early stage II cases, and when axillary nodes were histologically involved, immediate radiotherapy was given. The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival figures are reported.", "PMID": 623961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5295", "title": "Localization of a phaeochromocytoma situated in the pelvis by radionuclide scanning.", "content": "Accurate localization of an extra-adrenal (pelvic) phaeochromocytoma was achieved by radionuclide scanning using 99 Tcm-Sn-DTPA. This facilitated the planning of the surgical approach and the subsequent removal of the tumour.", "contents": "Localization of a phaeochromocytoma situated in the pelvis by radionuclide scanning. Accurate localization of an extra-adrenal (pelvic) phaeochromocytoma was achieved by radionuclide scanning using 99 Tcm-Sn-DTPA. This facilitated the planning of the surgical approach and the subsequent removal of the tumour.", "PMID": 623962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5296", "title": "Effect of pyloroplasty on gastric emptying: long term results as obtained with a labelled test meal 14-43 months after operation.", "content": "The mean gastric transit time (t) and the half-time of gastric emptying (t/2) of a labelled test meal have been studied in 18 patients more than 1 year after gastric surgery for peptic ulcer and compared with those in 18 healthy controls. Of the patients, 6 had undergone proximal gastric vagotomy alone (PGV), L had had proximal gastric vagotomy and pyloroplasty (PGVP) and in 6 truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty (TVP) had been performed. The t and t/2 of patients with PGV alone did not differ significantly from the values of the control group. The t and t/2 in patients after PGVP and TVP, however, were significantly lower than in both controls and patients after PGV alone. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with PGVP and TVP. The results of this study suggest that the lasting effects of vagotomy operations on gastric emptying are due to the drainage procedure rather than the vagotomy.", "contents": "Effect of pyloroplasty on gastric emptying: long term results as obtained with a labelled test meal 14-43 months after operation. The mean gastric transit time (t) and the half-time of gastric emptying (t/2) of a labelled test meal have been studied in 18 patients more than 1 year after gastric surgery for peptic ulcer and compared with those in 18 healthy controls. Of the patients, 6 had undergone proximal gastric vagotomy alone (PGV), L had had proximal gastric vagotomy and pyloroplasty (PGVP) and in 6 truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty (TVP) had been performed. The t and t/2 of patients with PGV alone did not differ significantly from the values of the control group. The t and t/2 in patients after PGVP and TVP, however, were significantly lower than in both controls and patients after PGV alone. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with PGVP and TVP. The results of this study suggest that the lasting effects of vagotomy operations on gastric emptying are due to the drainage procedure rather than the vagotomy.", "PMID": 623963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5297", "title": "The effect of small bowel bypass on diabetes mellitus.", "content": "The effect of jejunoileostomy on fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance, hypoglycaemic therapy and weight reduction has been studied in 13 massively obese diabetic patients. The average weight reduction was 36.7 per cent of the preoperative body weight. As a result, 12 patients resumed normal fasting blood sugars and 8 showed normal glucose tolerance tests. A significant improvement in the glucose tolerance tests of the remaining 5 patients was seen. None of the patients required long term hypoglycaemic therapy after the small bowel bypass.", "contents": "The effect of small bowel bypass on diabetes mellitus. The effect of jejunoileostomy on fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance, hypoglycaemic therapy and weight reduction has been studied in 13 massively obese diabetic patients. The average weight reduction was 36.7 per cent of the preoperative body weight. As a result, 12 patients resumed normal fasting blood sugars and 8 showed normal glucose tolerance tests. A significant improvement in the glucose tolerance tests of the remaining 5 patients was seen. None of the patients required long term hypoglycaemic therapy after the small bowel bypass.", "PMID": 623964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5298", "title": "The early diagnosis of non-union of fractures of the tibial shaft by osteomedullography.", "content": "Osteomedullography (osteomyelography) is a radiographic technique which demonstrates the intraosseous venous circulation. Its use in demonstrating the state of bone healing in fractures of the tibial shaft is described. Its importance lies in the fact that if, 3 months after the initial injury, there is doubt as to the state of union of the fracture, the information gained from osteomedullography allows an immediate decision as to the need for bone grafting. Twenty patients with fractures of the tibial shaft were studied. It was demonstrated that 14 patients had established non-union and 6 patients had delayed union.", "contents": "The early diagnosis of non-union of fractures of the tibial shaft by osteomedullography. Osteomedullography (osteomyelography) is a radiographic technique which demonstrates the intraosseous venous circulation. Its use in demonstrating the state of bone healing in fractures of the tibial shaft is described. Its importance lies in the fact that if, 3 months after the initial injury, there is doubt as to the state of union of the fracture, the information gained from osteomedullography allows an immediate decision as to the need for bone grafting. Twenty patients with fractures of the tibial shaft were studied. It was demonstrated that 14 patients had established non-union and 6 patients had delayed union.", "PMID": 623965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5299", "title": "Penetrating gunshot wounds of the chest in civilian practice: experience with 250 consecutive cases.", "content": "Our experience indicates a continued rising incidence of gunshot wounds of the chest in the United States. During the past 4 1/2 years, 250 consecutive cases were treated at the King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ninety per cent presented with a haemothorax or haemopneumothorax. Pneumothorax alone was present in only 3 per cent of cases. Twenty per cent had associated intra-abdominal injuries, involving mostly the diaphragm, liver, spleen and the gastrointestinal tract. Eighty per cent were treated with tube thoracostomy and among these there were 2 deaths, neither being related to the chest injury. About 16 per cent underwent thoracotomy with a mortality of 12.8 per cent, all the deaths being caused by severe cardiac wounds. The overall mortality was 2.8 per cent. The complication rate was 5.3 per cent, most complications occurring in patients with associated intra-abdominal and spinal cord injuries. The average period of hospitalization was 6.5 days. The management plan and the indications for the two courses of therapy are discussed.", "contents": "Penetrating gunshot wounds of the chest in civilian practice: experience with 250 consecutive cases. Our experience indicates a continued rising incidence of gunshot wounds of the chest in the United States. During the past 4 1/2 years, 250 consecutive cases were treated at the King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ninety per cent presented with a haemothorax or haemopneumothorax. Pneumothorax alone was present in only 3 per cent of cases. Twenty per cent had associated intra-abdominal injuries, involving mostly the diaphragm, liver, spleen and the gastrointestinal tract. Eighty per cent were treated with tube thoracostomy and among these there were 2 deaths, neither being related to the chest injury. About 16 per cent underwent thoracotomy with a mortality of 12.8 per cent, all the deaths being caused by severe cardiac wounds. The overall mortality was 2.8 per cent. The complication rate was 5.3 per cent, most complications occurring in patients with associated intra-abdominal and spinal cord injuries. The average period of hospitalization was 6.5 days. The management plan and the indications for the two courses of therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 623966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5300", "title": "The pattern of non-diabetic peripheral vascular disease in South India.", "content": "One hundred and twelve South Indian males with non-diabetic peripheral vascular disease of the lower limb were classified clinically into three groups according to the level of obstruction (aorto-iliac, 26 patients; femoropopliteal, 46 patients; distal, 40 patients). Arteriography was done in 65 patients and serum lipid estimations in 69. In the aorto-iliac group the mean age was 45 years (+/- 11.6 s.d.); 23 per cent had hypertension, 28 per cent polycythaemia and 55 per cent hyperlipidaemia. Aortography suggested atheroma in most. In the femoropopliteal group the mean age was 39 years (+/- 12.8); 22 per cent had hypertension, 11 per cent polycythaemia and 21 per cent hyperlipidaemia. Arteriography showed lesions typical of atheroma in many and was consistent with thrombo-angiitis obliterans in some. In the distal group the mean age was 37 years (+/- 9.8); 8 per cent had hypertension, 20 per cent polycythaemia, 25 per cent hyperlipidaemia and 20 per cent had distal arterial disease of the upper limb. Arteriography was consistent with thrombo-angiitis obliterans in most cases. Atheroma seemed to be implicated in 96 per cent of the aorto-iliac group and in 64 per cent of the femoropopliteal group.", "contents": "The pattern of non-diabetic peripheral vascular disease in South India. One hundred and twelve South Indian males with non-diabetic peripheral vascular disease of the lower limb were classified clinically into three groups according to the level of obstruction (aorto-iliac, 26 patients; femoropopliteal, 46 patients; distal, 40 patients). Arteriography was done in 65 patients and serum lipid estimations in 69. In the aorto-iliac group the mean age was 45 years (+/- 11.6 s.d.); 23 per cent had hypertension, 28 per cent polycythaemia and 55 per cent hyperlipidaemia. Aortography suggested atheroma in most. In the femoropopliteal group the mean age was 39 years (+/- 12.8); 22 per cent had hypertension, 11 per cent polycythaemia and 21 per cent hyperlipidaemia. Arteriography showed lesions typical of atheroma in many and was consistent with thrombo-angiitis obliterans in some. In the distal group the mean age was 37 years (+/- 9.8); 8 per cent had hypertension, 20 per cent polycythaemia, 25 per cent hyperlipidaemia and 20 per cent had distal arterial disease of the upper limb. Arteriography was consistent with thrombo-angiitis obliterans in most cases. Atheroma seemed to be implicated in 96 per cent of the aorto-iliac group and in 64 per cent of the femoropopliteal group.", "PMID": 623967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5301", "title": "Foreign body in the oesophagus: review of 2394 cases.", "content": "A total of 2394 patients with a foreign body in the oesophagus was treated in our unit between 1965 and 1976, including 343 children in whom fish bones (146) and coins (134) were most commonly responsible; in adults, bones (fish and chicken) were commonest. Most of the foreign bodies were impacted in the cervical oesophagus. Pharyngoscopy and oesophagoscopy were carried out under general anaesthesia in all cases except those in which the foreign body was ejected spontaneously or when the patient refused the examination. Oesophageal perforation due to a foreign body was encountered in only one child. Two patients in the series developed the fearsome complication of oesophagoaortic fistula.", "contents": "Foreign body in the oesophagus: review of 2394 cases. A total of 2394 patients with a foreign body in the oesophagus was treated in our unit between 1965 and 1976, including 343 children in whom fish bones (146) and coins (134) were most commonly responsible; in adults, bones (fish and chicken) were commonest. Most of the foreign bodies were impacted in the cervical oesophagus. Pharyngoscopy and oesophagoscopy were carried out under general anaesthesia in all cases except those in which the foreign body was ejected spontaneously or when the patient refused the examination. Oesophageal perforation due to a foreign body was encountered in only one child. Two patients in the series developed the fearsome complication of oesophagoaortic fistula.", "PMID": 623968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5302", "title": "Peritoneal lavage in appendicular peritonitis.", "content": "Peritoneal lavage resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay in a retrospective series of 189 children with peritonitis secondary to perforation of the appendix. Antibiotic peritoneal lavage also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of children with septic and adhesive complications compared with antiseptic lavage and no lavage, mainly as a result of fewer wound infections. The overall incidence of residual intraperitoneal infection was low, and although differences in this respect were not significant, none of the children treated with antibiotic peritoneal lavage required reoperation for intraperitoneal sepsis.", "contents": "Peritoneal lavage in appendicular peritonitis. Peritoneal lavage resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay in a retrospective series of 189 children with peritonitis secondary to perforation of the appendix. Antibiotic peritoneal lavage also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of children with septic and adhesive complications compared with antiseptic lavage and no lavage, mainly as a result of fewer wound infections. The overall incidence of residual intraperitoneal infection was low, and although differences in this respect were not significant, none of the children treated with antibiotic peritoneal lavage required reoperation for intraperitoneal sepsis.", "PMID": 623969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5303", "title": "Peritoneal lavage in faecal peritonitis in the rat.", "content": "Intraoperative antibiotic peritoneal lavage was significantly better than systemic antibiotic in preventing death from induced faecal peritonitis in the rat. Its efficacy was due to the combined effects of lavage and intraperitoneal antibiotic, each factor alone being significantly inferior to the combined effect of both. Antiseptic lavage was less effective than antibiotic lavage.", "contents": "Peritoneal lavage in faecal peritonitis in the rat. Intraoperative antibiotic peritoneal lavage was significantly better than systemic antibiotic in preventing death from induced faecal peritonitis in the rat. Its efficacy was due to the combined effects of lavage and intraperitoneal antibiotic, each factor alone being significantly inferior to the combined effect of both. Antiseptic lavage was less effective than antibiotic lavage.", "PMID": 623970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5304", "title": "Pneumatosis coli: a familial association.", "content": "A woman and her son who both developed pneumatosis coli within a period of 6 months are described. No familial or cluster association has previously been reported. The aetiology of this uncommon disease is reviewed.", "contents": "Pneumatosis coli: a familial association. A woman and her son who both developed pneumatosis coli within a period of 6 months are described. No familial or cluster association has previously been reported. The aetiology of this uncommon disease is reviewed.", "PMID": 623971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5305", "title": "Atopy and immunoglobulin E concentrations in Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas.", "content": "Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations are increased in Hodgkin's disease (HD) but not in other types of lymphoma. The prevalence of atopic disease is similar to normal in both groups. Patients with high IgE concentrations and HD were separated into atopic and non-atopic groups, which were found to differ clinically. Atopic patients had a significantly lower incidence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss, and treatment had no significant lasting effect on their IgE concentrations. In the non-atopic group there was a striking correlation between high IgE concentrations and a histological appearance of nodular sclerosis, particularly in the presence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss. Successful treatment in the non-atopic group led to a noticeable fall in IgE concentrations, in most cases to normal, though on relapse of the disease they rose again.", "contents": "Atopy and immunoglobulin E concentrations in Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations are increased in Hodgkin's disease (HD) but not in other types of lymphoma. The prevalence of atopic disease is similar to normal in both groups. Patients with high IgE concentrations and HD were separated into atopic and non-atopic groups, which were found to differ clinically. Atopic patients had a significantly lower incidence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss, and treatment had no significant lasting effect on their IgE concentrations. In the non-atopic group there was a striking correlation between high IgE concentrations and a histological appearance of nodular sclerosis, particularly in the presence of night sweats, fever, and weight loss. Successful treatment in the non-atopic group led to a noticeable fall in IgE concentrations, in most cases to normal, though on relapse of the disease they rose again.", "PMID": 623979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5306", "title": "Late treatment of paracetamol poisoning with mercaptamine.", "content": "Forty patients who had taken overdoses of paracetamol were treated with mercaptamine. Twenty-three patients given mercaptamine within 10 hours of poisoning had normal liver function tests at follow-up, and one could not be traced. In 16 patients mecraptamine was begun more than 10 hours after ingestion of paracetamol (\"late\" mercaptamine). Eight of these patients developed severe liver damage, which in six was moderate or severe before mercaptamine administration. Acute renal failure occurred in two patients; in one other renal function was temporarily severely impaired. At follow-up two patients were not available, and one admitted moribund had died soon after admission. The remaining 13 all had normal liver function tests. It is concluded that late mercaptamine is not dangerous and may prevent further liver damage.", "contents": "Late treatment of paracetamol poisoning with mercaptamine. Forty patients who had taken overdoses of paracetamol were treated with mercaptamine. Twenty-three patients given mercaptamine within 10 hours of poisoning had normal liver function tests at follow-up, and one could not be traced. In 16 patients mecraptamine was begun more than 10 hours after ingestion of paracetamol (\"late\" mercaptamine). Eight of these patients developed severe liver damage, which in six was moderate or severe before mercaptamine administration. Acute renal failure occurred in two patients; in one other renal function was temporarily severely impaired. At follow-up two patients were not available, and one admitted moribund had died soon after admission. The remaining 13 all had normal liver function tests. It is concluded that late mercaptamine is not dangerous and may prevent further liver damage.", "PMID": 623980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5307", "title": "Treatment of malignant ascitic and pleural effusion with Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "Six patients with malignant effusions, five from adenocarcinomas and one from a melanoma, were treated by intrapleural or intraperitoneal Corynebacterium parvum. In each case there was a definite reduction in the effusions with a significant decrease in the number of malignant cells; in most cases the effusions stopped completely. Although none of the patients lived for more than a year after treatment, they were undoubtedly more comfortable, as they no longer required frequent paracentesis. In some cases the patients lived for longer than originally expected in a state in which the quality of life was acceptable.", "contents": "Treatment of malignant ascitic and pleural effusion with Corynebacterium parvum. Six patients with malignant effusions, five from adenocarcinomas and one from a melanoma, were treated by intrapleural or intraperitoneal Corynebacterium parvum. In each case there was a definite reduction in the effusions with a significant decrease in the number of malignant cells; in most cases the effusions stopped completely. Although none of the patients lived for more than a year after treatment, they were undoubtedly more comfortable, as they no longer required frequent paracentesis. In some cases the patients lived for longer than originally expected in a state in which the quality of life was acceptable.", "PMID": 623981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5308", "title": "Prognosis of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome.", "content": "Thirty-six cases of herpes zoster complicated by facial paralysis (the Ramsay Hunt syndrome) seen over 10 years were reviewed to determine the subjective degree of recovery (ascertained by questionnaire) and residual disability (ascertained by re-examination). Eighteen patients made a full recovery, most within three months; 14 patients were left with only mild residual signs. In only four patients was the final result regarded as unsatisfactory. Outcome was not adversely influenced by age. The facial paralysis of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome thus carries a generally favourable prognosis.", "contents": "Prognosis of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Thirty-six cases of herpes zoster complicated by facial paralysis (the Ramsay Hunt syndrome) seen over 10 years were reviewed to determine the subjective degree of recovery (ascertained by questionnaire) and residual disability (ascertained by re-examination). Eighteen patients made a full recovery, most within three months; 14 patients were left with only mild residual signs. In only four patients was the final result regarded as unsatisfactory. Outcome was not adversely influenced by age. The facial paralysis of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome thus carries a generally favourable prognosis.", "PMID": 623985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5309", "title": "Antenatal diagnosis of thalassaemia major.", "content": "Haemoglobin synthesis was studied in fetal blood samples obtained at 17 to 20 weeks' gestation in 22 women at risk of carrying a fetus with homozygous beta-thalassaemia. A presumptive diagnosis of homozygous beta-thalassaemia was made in four cases, and the pregnancy was terminated. An inconclusive answer was obtained in one case, and the patient also chose to have her pregnancy terminated. Two fetuses were lost as a result of the procedure. Of the remaining 15 pregnancies, 13 proceeded to term and two to 36 weeks; in each case a normal infant or one heterozygous for beta-thalassaemia was delivered. Current efforts should be directed towards improving the blood sampling technology so that fetal blood sampling can be used widely in those countries where thalassaemia is a major problem.", "contents": "Antenatal diagnosis of thalassaemia major. Haemoglobin synthesis was studied in fetal blood samples obtained at 17 to 20 weeks' gestation in 22 women at risk of carrying a fetus with homozygous beta-thalassaemia. A presumptive diagnosis of homozygous beta-thalassaemia was made in four cases, and the pregnancy was terminated. An inconclusive answer was obtained in one case, and the patient also chose to have her pregnancy terminated. Two fetuses were lost as a result of the procedure. Of the remaining 15 pregnancies, 13 proceeded to term and two to 36 weeks; in each case a normal infant or one heterozygous for beta-thalassaemia was delivered. Current efforts should be directed towards improving the blood sampling technology so that fetal blood sampling can be used widely in those countries where thalassaemia is a major problem.", "PMID": 623989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5310", "title": "Organisation of bank of raw and pasteurised human milk for neonatal intensive care.", "content": "In 1976 a human-milk bank was established at King's College Hospital to serve the neonatal intensive care unit. The bank is staffed by two part-time nurses, who interview prospective donors, organise collections, prepare samples for bacteriological screening, and process the milk. On average 25 litres a month may be collected from about 15 donors, of which at least two-thirds is free enough of bacteria to be fed raw (unheated) to sick and low-birth-weight infants. Most of the remainder may be used after holder pasteurisation. The bank provides an adequate supply of milk of consistent nutritional quality and permits a more informed approach to the dietary management of infants of low birth weight.", "contents": "Organisation of bank of raw and pasteurised human milk for neonatal intensive care. In 1976 a human-milk bank was established at King's College Hospital to serve the neonatal intensive care unit. The bank is staffed by two part-time nurses, who interview prospective donors, organise collections, prepare samples for bacteriological screening, and process the milk. On average 25 litres a month may be collected from about 15 donors, of which at least two-thirds is free enough of bacteria to be fed raw (unheated) to sick and low-birth-weight infants. Most of the remainder may be used after holder pasteurisation. The bank provides an adequate supply of milk of consistent nutritional quality and permits a more informed approach to the dietary management of infants of low birth weight.", "PMID": 624026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5311", "title": "Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic active hepatitis.", "content": "Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), which has been assumed to be a more sensitive indicator of hepatitis B virus replication than hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was detected in the sera of 26 of our 65 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis. Thus despite the absence of HBsAg the liver disease could be the consequence of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus in these patients. They differed, however, from a group of 35 patients with HBsAg-positive hepatitis in being older on average and having less active liver lesions. The two groups could represent either two stages of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or two types of response to it.", "contents": "Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic active hepatitis. Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), which has been assumed to be a more sensitive indicator of hepatitis B virus replication than hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was detected in the sera of 26 of our 65 patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis. Thus despite the absence of HBsAg the liver disease could be the consequence of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus in these patients. They differed, however, from a group of 35 patients with HBsAg-positive hepatitis in being older on average and having less active liver lesions. The two groups could represent either two stages of chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or two types of response to it.", "PMID": 624027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5312", "title": "Hang-gliding accidents.", "content": "Seventy-five known hang-gliding accidents causing injury to the pilot occurred in the Tyrol during 1973-6. Most occurred in May, June, or September and between 11 am and 3 pm, when unfavourable thermic conditions are most likely. Thirty-four accidents happened during launching, 13 during flight, and 28 during landing, and most were caused by human errors--especially deficient launching technique; incorrect estimation of wind conditions, altitude, and speed; and choice of unfavourable launching and landing sites. Eight pilots were moderately injured, 60 severely (multiply in 24 cases), and seven fatally; fractures of the spine and arms predominated. Six of the 21 skull injuries were fatal. The risk of hang-gliding seems unjustifiably high, and safety precautions and regulations should be adopted to ensure certain standards of training and equipment and to limit flying to favourable sites and times.", "contents": "Hang-gliding accidents. Seventy-five known hang-gliding accidents causing injury to the pilot occurred in the Tyrol during 1973-6. Most occurred in May, June, or September and between 11 am and 3 pm, when unfavourable thermic conditions are most likely. Thirty-four accidents happened during launching, 13 during flight, and 28 during landing, and most were caused by human errors--especially deficient launching technique; incorrect estimation of wind conditions, altitude, and speed; and choice of unfavourable launching and landing sites. Eight pilots were moderately injured, 60 severely (multiply in 24 cases), and seven fatally; fractures of the spine and arms predominated. Six of the 21 skull injuries were fatal. The risk of hang-gliding seems unjustifiably high, and safety precautions and regulations should be adopted to ensure certain standards of training and equipment and to limit flying to favourable sites and times.", "PMID": 624028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5313", "title": "Diabetic cardiomyopathy? An echocardiographic study of young diabetics.", "content": "An echocardiographic study was carried out on 23 young diabetics, 19 of whom had retinopathy. Their diastolic function was analysed by comparing the timing and pattern of mitral valve opening with the pattern of left ventricular wall movement. Only six patients had all their values within the normal range. Fourteen patients had abnormalities similar to those seen in patients with cardiomyopathy; the close time relation between mitral valve movement and wall movement was lost and mitral valve opening delayed in eight patients. Three other patients had considerable outward wall movement before mitral valve opening, which is characteristic of ischaemic heart disease. Although these studies provide no definite evidence of a cause, the abnormalities found may reflect a subclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy due to small-vessel disease.", "contents": "Diabetic cardiomyopathy? An echocardiographic study of young diabetics. An echocardiographic study was carried out on 23 young diabetics, 19 of whom had retinopathy. Their diastolic function was analysed by comparing the timing and pattern of mitral valve opening with the pattern of left ventricular wall movement. Only six patients had all their values within the normal range. Fourteen patients had abnormalities similar to those seen in patients with cardiomyopathy; the close time relation between mitral valve movement and wall movement was lost and mitral valve opening delayed in eight patients. Three other patients had considerable outward wall movement before mitral valve opening, which is characteristic of ischaemic heart disease. Although these studies provide no definite evidence of a cause, the abnormalities found may reflect a subclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy due to small-vessel disease.", "PMID": 624029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5314", "title": "Consultant physician to outpatients.", "content": "Analysis of the records of the last 450 outpatients referred to me showed that the basic disorder of at least one in three lay in the psyche, and there was a large emotional element in many of the others. None were put on a waiting list for admission. Not only should physicians be generalists most of the time (whether or not they have a special interest) but most medical problems are best dealt with by the GP. Only occasionally can the physician attach a precise diagnosis to a patient who has been an obscure problem to his GP, and the physician's most important function is to reassure the patient and explain his symptoms. Routine investigations seldom benefit the patient. If there could be a more equitable distribution of GPs of high quality with good back-up facilities fewer general and many fewer specialist physicians would be needed.", "contents": "Consultant physician to outpatients. Analysis of the records of the last 450 outpatients referred to me showed that the basic disorder of at least one in three lay in the psyche, and there was a large emotional element in many of the others. None were put on a waiting list for admission. Not only should physicians be generalists most of the time (whether or not they have a special interest) but most medical problems are best dealt with by the GP. Only occasionally can the physician attach a precise diagnosis to a patient who has been an obscure problem to his GP, and the physician's most important function is to reassure the patient and explain his symptoms. Routine investigations seldom benefit the patient. If there could be a more equitable distribution of GPs of high quality with good back-up facilities fewer general and many fewer specialist physicians would be needed.", "PMID": 624039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5315", "title": "Choosing the programme for an international congress.", "content": "The method of selecting abstracts for an international congress at which only 15% of submitted papers could be accepted entailed a panel of 12 assessors using their specialised knowledge, but presentation of the abstract was also important is selection. There was only a limited agreement between assessors in arranging abstracts in order of merit, so that a single assessor would be unacceptable. Use of the full panel to grade all abstracts was very expensive, but it could be replaced, without unacceptable injustice, by dividing the work randomly among groups of three selectors.", "contents": "Choosing the programme for an international congress. The method of selecting abstracts for an international congress at which only 15% of submitted papers could be accepted entailed a panel of 12 assessors using their specialised knowledge, but presentation of the abstract was also important is selection. There was only a limited agreement between assessors in arranging abstracts in order of merit, so that a single assessor would be unacceptable. Use of the full panel to grade all abstracts was very expensive, but it could be replaced, without unacceptable injustice, by dividing the work randomly among groups of three selectors.", "PMID": 624040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5316", "title": "Noradrenaline neuron innervation of the neocortex in the rat.", "content": "Noradrenaline innervation of the rat neocortex is studied by glyoxylic acid histochemistry and radioisotopic biochemical analysis. The data indicate that all neocortical areas receive a noradrenergic innervation which is identical in organization but varies in density from area to area. Radioisotopic analysis of catecholamines in the cortical areas studied reveals only the presence of significant levels of noradrenaline. Unilateral locus coerulus ablation greatly diminishes ipsilateral noradrenaline content and fiber innervation in all neocortical areas studied. Detailed histochemical analysis reveals a diffuse plexus-like arrangement of noradrenaline fibers, with each cortical layer having a distinctive pattern of innervation. Single noradrenergic fibers enter layer VI of cortex and branch at all levels to undergo extensive collateralization. Terminal horizontal branching in the molecular layer results in the most dense fiber plexus of all cortical layers. This pattern of noradrenaline innervation is similar to that of other non-specific afferent systems innervating neocortex.", "contents": "Noradrenaline neuron innervation of the neocortex in the rat. Noradrenaline innervation of the rat neocortex is studied by glyoxylic acid histochemistry and radioisotopic biochemical analysis. The data indicate that all neocortical areas receive a noradrenergic innervation which is identical in organization but varies in density from area to area. Radioisotopic analysis of catecholamines in the cortical areas studied reveals only the presence of significant levels of noradrenaline. Unilateral locus coerulus ablation greatly diminishes ipsilateral noradrenaline content and fiber innervation in all neocortical areas studied. Detailed histochemical analysis reveals a diffuse plexus-like arrangement of noradrenaline fibers, with each cortical layer having a distinctive pattern of innervation. Single noradrenergic fibers enter layer VI of cortex and branch at all levels to undergo extensive collateralization. Terminal horizontal branching in the molecular layer results in the most dense fiber plexus of all cortical layers. This pattern of noradrenaline innervation is similar to that of other non-specific afferent systems innervating neocortex.", "PMID": 624057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5317", "title": "Hippocampal connections and spatial discrimination.", "content": "Rats were tested in a new spatial discrimination procedure which measured working memory. Following preoperative testing, lesions were placed to disrupt each of the major extrinsic fiber connections of the hippocampal formation. Destruction of the entorhinal area, body of the fimbria-fornix anterior to hippocampus, septum, or postcommisural fornix produced a severe and consistent impairment in performance. Analysis of error patterns indicated that when animals with limbic lesions made errors, they were likely to make these errors in the same sequence as the original choices. These data support the hypothesis that the hippocampus has an important role in the processing of information about spatial location, and that normal performance on this task requires an intact hippocampal circuitry.", "contents": "Hippocampal connections and spatial discrimination. Rats were tested in a new spatial discrimination procedure which measured working memory. Following preoperative testing, lesions were placed to disrupt each of the major extrinsic fiber connections of the hippocampal formation. Destruction of the entorhinal area, body of the fimbria-fornix anterior to hippocampus, septum, or postcommisural fornix produced a severe and consistent impairment in performance. Analysis of error patterns indicated that when animals with limbic lesions made errors, they were likely to make these errors in the same sequence as the original choices. These data support the hypothesis that the hippocampus has an important role in the processing of information about spatial location, and that normal performance on this task requires an intact hippocampal circuitry.", "PMID": 624061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5318", "title": "An investigation of the cerebellar cortico-nuclear projections in the rat using an autoradiographic tracing method. I. Projections from the vermis.", "content": "The topography of the projections from the vermis of the cerebellar cortex to the intracerebellar nuclei (excluding the vestibular complex) was newly investigated in the rat using an autoradiographic technique. The projection were strictly ipsilateral and the majority terminated in nucleus fastigus although there were small projections to the medial pole of nucleus interpositus. The only portion of fastigius which was never heavily labelled was the dorsolateral protuberance. Some rostrocaudal localisation was evident with lobules II-V projecting to rostral fastigius (Fm), lobules VI-VIII projecting mainly more caudally (Fcm and Fm) and lobule IX projecting to the caudoventral tip of fastigius. Nevertheless, even the densest portions of the terminal fields often overlapped heavily, suggesting that, in the rat, in contrast to some other species, the rostrocaudal localisation is such that individual lobules do not possess private termination fields of any extent. Such an arrangement should provide ample opportunity for integration by individual nuclear neurones of input from extensive areas of cortex. In the mediolateral plane, localisation was more evident, with the medial vermis projecting to the medial pole of fastigius and the lateral portion to lateral fastigus and less heavily to medial interpositus.", "contents": "An investigation of the cerebellar cortico-nuclear projections in the rat using an autoradiographic tracing method. I. Projections from the vermis. The topography of the projections from the vermis of the cerebellar cortex to the intracerebellar nuclei (excluding the vestibular complex) was newly investigated in the rat using an autoradiographic technique. The projection were strictly ipsilateral and the majority terminated in nucleus fastigus although there were small projections to the medial pole of nucleus interpositus. The only portion of fastigius which was never heavily labelled was the dorsolateral protuberance. Some rostrocaudal localisation was evident with lobules II-V projecting to rostral fastigius (Fm), lobules VI-VIII projecting mainly more caudally (Fcm and Fm) and lobule IX projecting to the caudoventral tip of fastigius. Nevertheless, even the densest portions of the terminal fields often overlapped heavily, suggesting that, in the rat, in contrast to some other species, the rostrocaudal localisation is such that individual lobules do not possess private termination fields of any extent. Such an arrangement should provide ample opportunity for integration by individual nuclear neurones of input from extensive areas of cortex. In the mediolateral plane, localisation was more evident, with the medial vermis projecting to the medial pole of fastigius and the lateral portion to lateral fastigus and less heavily to medial interpositus.", "PMID": 624066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5319", "title": "Factors influencing feeding elicited by intracranial noradrenaline in rats.", "content": "An improved design of microcannula was used to inject noradrenaline into discrete areas of the rat hypothalamus. The area of the paraventricular nucleus was shown to be a more effective site than the midlateral anterior hypothalamus for eliciting feeding with noradrenaline (4.8 microgram). The magnitude but not the direction of the effect of noradrenaline on feeding was influenced by the day-night cycle. The facilitating effect of the drug reached significance in the light period but not in the dark period, possibly because the baseline food intake was higher by night than by day. The facilitation of feeding occurred whether the rats were maintained and tested on a diet of solid or liquid food.", "contents": "Factors influencing feeding elicited by intracranial noradrenaline in rats. An improved design of microcannula was used to inject noradrenaline into discrete areas of the rat hypothalamus. The area of the paraventricular nucleus was shown to be a more effective site than the midlateral anterior hypothalamus for eliciting feeding with noradrenaline (4.8 microgram). The magnitude but not the direction of the effect of noradrenaline on feeding was influenced by the day-night cycle. The facilitating effect of the drug reached significance in the light period but not in the dark period, possibly because the baseline food intake was higher by night than by day. The facilitation of feeding occurred whether the rats were maintained and tested on a diet of solid or liquid food.", "PMID": 624067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5320", "title": "The responses of Renshaw cells and spinal interneurones of the rat to L-glutamate and L-aspartate.", "content": "A comparison of the potencies of L-glutamic and L-aspartic acids as excitants of Renshaw cells and of interneurones monosynaptically innervated from the dorsal roots in the spinal cord of the rat has been made. Both groups of cells were more sensitive to glutamate than to aspartate, and three different non-parametric statistical tests showed that the two populations were indistinguishable. The results differ qualitatively from those obtained in the cat, and for the Renshaw cells from another study in the rat.", "contents": "The responses of Renshaw cells and spinal interneurones of the rat to L-glutamate and L-aspartate. A comparison of the potencies of L-glutamic and L-aspartic acids as excitants of Renshaw cells and of interneurones monosynaptically innervated from the dorsal roots in the spinal cord of the rat has been made. Both groups of cells were more sensitive to glutamate than to aspartate, and three different non-parametric statistical tests showed that the two populations were indistinguishable. The results differ qualitatively from those obtained in the cat, and for the Renshaw cells from another study in the rat.", "PMID": 624068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5321", "title": "Selective enhancement of the lordotic component of female sexual behavior in rats following destruction of central catecholamine-containing systems.", "content": "Ovariectomized female rats received two intraventricular injections of 200 microgram of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a treatment which produced 66% depletion of telencephalic norepinephrine and 53% depletion of telencephalic dopamine. Compared to vehicle-injected controls, 6-OHDA-treated animals showed increased lordosis scores when treated with ovarian hormones. This effect was potentiated by additional treatment with 100 mg/kg alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT), a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor. Besides showing increased frequency and intensity of lordosis, animals treated with both 6-OHDA and AMT retained the lordotic posture significantly longer after the male dismounted than animals given either treatment alone or vehicle controls. The enhancement of lordosis following CA depletion was not prevented by a series of dexamethasone treatments which caused a marked suppression in adrenal steroid (corticosterone) levels. This suggests that normal adrenal function is not a prerequisite for the observed enhancements. It was concluded that the lordotic response is inhibited by the activity of a catecholamine system. Soliciting behavior (hop-darting) was not enhanced by any treatment, suggesting that catecholamine activity has an inhibitory influence on the stop component of sexual behavior, but not on the whole copulatory pattern.", "contents": "Selective enhancement of the lordotic component of female sexual behavior in rats following destruction of central catecholamine-containing systems. Ovariectomized female rats received two intraventricular injections of 200 microgram of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a treatment which produced 66% depletion of telencephalic norepinephrine and 53% depletion of telencephalic dopamine. Compared to vehicle-injected controls, 6-OHDA-treated animals showed increased lordosis scores when treated with ovarian hormones. This effect was potentiated by additional treatment with 100 mg/kg alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMT), a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor. Besides showing increased frequency and intensity of lordosis, animals treated with both 6-OHDA and AMT retained the lordotic posture significantly longer after the male dismounted than animals given either treatment alone or vehicle controls. The enhancement of lordosis following CA depletion was not prevented by a series of dexamethasone treatments which caused a marked suppression in adrenal steroid (corticosterone) levels. This suggests that normal adrenal function is not a prerequisite for the observed enhancements. It was concluded that the lordotic response is inhibited by the activity of a catecholamine system. Soliciting behavior (hop-darting) was not enhanced by any treatment, suggesting that catecholamine activity has an inhibitory influence on the stop component of sexual behavior, but not on the whole copulatory pattern.", "PMID": 624069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5322", "title": "Cell division in the vomeronasal organ of the adult mouse.", "content": "Using [3H]thymidine labelling we could demonstrate the presence of a population of dividing cells in the vomeronasal neurosensory epithelium of the adult mouse. These cells are localised in the regions of the epithelium adjacent to its boundaries with the ciliated respiratory epithelium. With increasing survival times after thymidine administration, the labelled cells become situated progressively further away from the boundary region. The cluster of cells with labelled nuclei forms a loose column, consisting of labelled receptor cells, but in addition the immediately overlying supporting cell nuclei are also labelled. By 56 days after thymidine administration the cluster of labelled cells is separated from the epithelial boundary by a distance equivalent to about one-fifth of the total width of the epithelial sheet. There is little further change in position at 102 days. It is not clear to what extent this represents a turnover process as opposed to a continuing growth of the epithelium by accretion at the edges.", "contents": "Cell division in the vomeronasal organ of the adult mouse. Using [3H]thymidine labelling we could demonstrate the presence of a population of dividing cells in the vomeronasal neurosensory epithelium of the adult mouse. These cells are localised in the regions of the epithelium adjacent to its boundaries with the ciliated respiratory epithelium. With increasing survival times after thymidine administration, the labelled cells become situated progressively further away from the boundary region. The cluster of cells with labelled nuclei forms a loose column, consisting of labelled receptor cells, but in addition the immediately overlying supporting cell nuclei are also labelled. By 56 days after thymidine administration the cluster of labelled cells is separated from the epithelial boundary by a distance equivalent to about one-fifth of the total width of the epithelial sheet. There is little further change in position at 102 days. It is not clear to what extent this represents a turnover process as opposed to a continuing growth of the epithelium by accretion at the edges.", "PMID": 624077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5323", "title": "Identification of locally synthesized proteins in proximal stump axons of the neurotomized hypoglossal nerve.", "content": "Analysis of radioactively labeled proteins was carried out on microsamples of myelin-free axons isolated from neurotomized and normal hypoglossal nerves of the rabbit after in vitro incubation with [3H]leucine. Major radioactive peaks in axonal endings of the proximal stump 18 h after neurotomy, identified by autoradiography of microelectrophoregrams, had apparent molecular weights of 52,000d, 41,000d and 18,000d. This autoradiographic pattern differed from that of axons of untransected nerve in: (1) not having a prominent 100,000d component present in the latter; and (2) having a novel 41,000d component not present in the latter. Labeling of axonal proteins in the proximal stump in vivo resulted in no apparent retrograde transport during the 5 h studied. Autoradiographic analysis of labeled proteins released by nerves into the medium during in vitro incubation revealed a major radioactive peak with an apparent molecular weight of 77,000d. Attempts to demonstrate uptake of the 77,000d component by unlabeled axons in vitro and in vivo were unsuccessful. The hypothesis was advanced that the 52,000d protein may be neurofilament protein, and the possible significance of the 41,000d component was discussed in the contexts of the pathology of the traumatized proximal stump, and of the antecedent events leading to axonal outgrowth.", "contents": "Identification of locally synthesized proteins in proximal stump axons of the neurotomized hypoglossal nerve. Analysis of radioactively labeled proteins was carried out on microsamples of myelin-free axons isolated from neurotomized and normal hypoglossal nerves of the rabbit after in vitro incubation with [3H]leucine. Major radioactive peaks in axonal endings of the proximal stump 18 h after neurotomy, identified by autoradiography of microelectrophoregrams, had apparent molecular weights of 52,000d, 41,000d and 18,000d. This autoradiographic pattern differed from that of axons of untransected nerve in: (1) not having a prominent 100,000d component present in the latter; and (2) having a novel 41,000d component not present in the latter. Labeling of axonal proteins in the proximal stump in vivo resulted in no apparent retrograde transport during the 5 h studied. Autoradiographic analysis of labeled proteins released by nerves into the medium during in vitro incubation revealed a major radioactive peak with an apparent molecular weight of 77,000d. Attempts to demonstrate uptake of the 77,000d component by unlabeled axons in vitro and in vivo were unsuccessful. The hypothesis was advanced that the 52,000d protein may be neurofilament protein, and the possible significance of the 41,000d component was discussed in the contexts of the pathology of the traumatized proximal stump, and of the antecedent events leading to axonal outgrowth.", "PMID": 624078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5324", "title": "The ocular following reflex in cats deprived of pattern vision from birth.", "content": "An investigation of vertical ocular following reflexes evoked from retinal sites of different horizontal eccentricity was carried out on visually deprived cats. The recording was performed in pretrigeminal preparations where horizontal eye movements are absent. A light slit or a black stick (1 degrees X 4 degrees) were moved with 10 degrees/sec speed for 2 sec along the vertical meridian or parallelly up to 40 degrees in the nasal or temporal hemifield. As in previously described normally reared cats, the following reflexes were evoked from the whole area, but the pursuit movements had longer latency and lower velocity at the periphery than in the center of the retina. However, irrespectively of the place of stimulation, the latency of the pursuit movements was longer, their velocity lower and the course less regular than in normally reared cats. It therefore follows that in visually deprived cats the ocular following reflex is impaired.", "contents": "The ocular following reflex in cats deprived of pattern vision from birth. An investigation of vertical ocular following reflexes evoked from retinal sites of different horizontal eccentricity was carried out on visually deprived cats. The recording was performed in pretrigeminal preparations where horizontal eye movements are absent. A light slit or a black stick (1 degrees X 4 degrees) were moved with 10 degrees/sec speed for 2 sec along the vertical meridian or parallelly up to 40 degrees in the nasal or temporal hemifield. As in previously described normally reared cats, the following reflexes were evoked from the whole area, but the pursuit movements had longer latency and lower velocity at the periphery than in the center of the retina. However, irrespectively of the place of stimulation, the latency of the pursuit movements was longer, their velocity lower and the course less regular than in normally reared cats. It therefore follows that in visually deprived cats the ocular following reflex is impaired.", "PMID": 624079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5325", "title": "Carnosine and anserine content of turkey breast and leg muscles.", "content": "1. Carnosine and anserine have been measured in samples of breast and leg muscles from three turkeys. 2. The results show that there is a large difference in the dipeptide content between the two types of muscle.", "contents": "Carnosine and anserine content of turkey breast and leg muscles. 1. Carnosine and anserine have been measured in samples of breast and leg muscles from three turkeys. 2. The results show that there is a large difference in the dipeptide content between the two types of muscle.", "PMID": 624092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5326", "title": "Effects of regular handling and blood sampling by wing vein puncture on the performance of broilers and pullets.", "content": "1. Broilers and pullets were regularly handled or bled by wing vein puncture over periods of 5 and 31 weeks respectively. 2. Neither procedure had any effect on body weight, food consumption nor on egg production, egg weight, shell quality or the percentage of non-marketable eggs.", "contents": "Effects of regular handling and blood sampling by wing vein puncture on the performance of broilers and pullets. 1. Broilers and pullets were regularly handled or bled by wing vein puncture over periods of 5 and 31 weeks respectively. 2. Neither procedure had any effect on body weight, food consumption nor on egg production, egg weight, shell quality or the percentage of non-marketable eggs.", "PMID": 624093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5327", "title": "An automated multi-calorimeter system: preliminary experiments on laying hens.", "content": "1. An open-circuit, automated, multi-calorimeter system for studies on the energy metabolism of the fowl is described. 2. Discontinuous observations of 10-min duration once each hour for 22 h gave good agreement with continuous observations throughout 22 h. 3. It is essential to train each hen before a series of calorimeter experiments. 4. A distinctive pattern of light-entrained, diurnal variation of metabolic rate has been observed in starving and fed birds of two laying strains.", "contents": "An automated multi-calorimeter system: preliminary experiments on laying hens. 1. An open-circuit, automated, multi-calorimeter system for studies on the energy metabolism of the fowl is described. 2. Discontinuous observations of 10-min duration once each hour for 22 h gave good agreement with continuous observations throughout 22 h. 3. It is essential to train each hen before a series of calorimeter experiments. 4. A distinctive pattern of light-entrained, diurnal variation of metabolic rate has been observed in starving and fed birds of two laying strains.", "PMID": 624094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5328", "title": "Preservation of fowl semen in liquid nitrogen--an improved method.", "content": "1. An improved method of storing fowl semen in liquid nitrogen is described. It uses glycerol as a cryopotectant and the degree of fertility obtained with semen stored for up to 2 1/4 years was very promising. 2. The essential features of the method are a slow freezing rate, a reduction of temperature to - 35 degrees C before the semen is plunged into liquid nitrogen and insemination within 15 min of thawing and removing the glycerol from the diluent. 3. It seems likely that further improvements in the technique may be expected through better control of the injection of liquid nitrogen into the freezing chamber, thereby minimising localised, rapid temperature changes around the ampoules during freezing. 4. Preliminary results suggest that it may prove possible to select males for the ability of their spermatozoa to withstand freezing. 5. The importance of recognising differences between males in the initial quality of semen and between females in the physiology of the reproductive organs in determining the fertilising ability of stored semen is discussed.", "contents": "Preservation of fowl semen in liquid nitrogen--an improved method. 1. An improved method of storing fowl semen in liquid nitrogen is described. It uses glycerol as a cryopotectant and the degree of fertility obtained with semen stored for up to 2 1/4 years was very promising. 2. The essential features of the method are a slow freezing rate, a reduction of temperature to - 35 degrees C before the semen is plunged into liquid nitrogen and insemination within 15 min of thawing and removing the glycerol from the diluent. 3. It seems likely that further improvements in the technique may be expected through better control of the injection of liquid nitrogen into the freezing chamber, thereby minimising localised, rapid temperature changes around the ampoules during freezing. 4. Preliminary results suggest that it may prove possible to select males for the ability of their spermatozoa to withstand freezing. 5. The importance of recognising differences between males in the initial quality of semen and between females in the physiology of the reproductive organs in determining the fertilising ability of stored semen is discussed.", "PMID": 624095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5329", "title": "Polyamine quantitative analysis in the developing chick embryo.", "content": "1. An improved specific and sensitive method for the separation and detection of polyamines, based on an automated ion exchange chromatography, is described. 4. The mean contents of polyamines in embryos at different stages of development are reported. The data show a direct correlation between the cellular polyamine content and the growth rate of the embryo.", "contents": "Polyamine quantitative analysis in the developing chick embryo. 1. An improved specific and sensitive method for the separation and detection of polyamines, based on an automated ion exchange chromatography, is described. 4. The mean contents of polyamines in embryos at different stages of development are reported. The data show a direct correlation between the cellular polyamine content and the growth rate of the embryo.", "PMID": 624096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5330", "title": "Effect of dietary cereal on liver and plasma lipids in laying Japanese quail.", "content": "1. In three experiments the effect of diets containing maize or wheat on hepatic and plasma lipids in laying japanese quail were studied. In two of these diets of equal energy, nitrogen and fat contents were used. 2. Liver weight, relative to body weight, liver lipid content and plasma lipid concentration were greater in birds fed on maize-containing diets. 3. The maize-containing diet also produced more (14 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1 and 18 : 1) and less (18 : 0, 18 : 2 and 20 :4) fatty acids in the liver lipid. 4. Egg production was not affected by the treatments. 5. The effect of dietary cereal on hepatic and plasma lipids may be due to altered lipogenesis and the quail may be a useful model for the laying hen with respect to hepatic lipid accumulation.", "contents": "Effect of dietary cereal on liver and plasma lipids in laying Japanese quail. 1. In three experiments the effect of diets containing maize or wheat on hepatic and plasma lipids in laying japanese quail were studied. In two of these diets of equal energy, nitrogen and fat contents were used. 2. Liver weight, relative to body weight, liver lipid content and plasma lipid concentration were greater in birds fed on maize-containing diets. 3. The maize-containing diet also produced more (14 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1 and 18 : 1) and less (18 : 0, 18 : 2 and 20 :4) fatty acids in the liver lipid. 4. Egg production was not affected by the treatments. 5. The effect of dietary cereal on hepatic and plasma lipids may be due to altered lipogenesis and the quail may be a useful model for the laying hen with respect to hepatic lipid accumulation.", "PMID": 624097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5331", "title": "The photoperiodic effect of ahemeral light-dark cycles which entrain circadian rhythms.", "content": "1. A 27-h cycle of light and dark provides a greater gonadotrophic stimulus to the laying fowl, as judged by sexual maturity and rate of lay, than a 24-h cycle incorporating the same photoperiod. 2. An hypothesis put forward to account for these effects states that Effective Photoperiod equal p + c - b, where p = actual photoperiod, c = cycle length and b = the period of the endogenous biological clock. 3. Two experiments designed to test this hypothesis have yielded results which are consistent with it. 4. A poultryman who use an ahemeral cycle to alter egg weight or shell thickness and then whishes to transfer his flock back to a 24-h cycle should calculate the difference between the two cycle lengths and then add this quantity to the prevailing photoperiod to find the appropriate amount of light to be used in the 24-h cycle.", "contents": "The photoperiodic effect of ahemeral light-dark cycles which entrain circadian rhythms. 1. A 27-h cycle of light and dark provides a greater gonadotrophic stimulus to the laying fowl, as judged by sexual maturity and rate of lay, than a 24-h cycle incorporating the same photoperiod. 2. An hypothesis put forward to account for these effects states that Effective Photoperiod equal p + c - b, where p = actual photoperiod, c = cycle length and b = the period of the endogenous biological clock. 3. Two experiments designed to test this hypothesis have yielded results which are consistent with it. 4. A poultryman who use an ahemeral cycle to alter egg weight or shell thickness and then whishes to transfer his flock back to a 24-h cycle should calculate the difference between the two cycle lengths and then add this quantity to the prevailing photoperiod to find the appropriate amount of light to be used in the 24-h cycle.", "PMID": 624098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5332", "title": "Electrophoresis of avian muscle proteins.", "content": "1. The electrophoretic patterns of water-soluble proteins of avian muscle showed differences due both to species and to muscle type. 2. Each muscle pattern within a species showed a unique protein band which distinguished that species from other species.", "contents": "Electrophoresis of avian muscle proteins. 1. The electrophoretic patterns of water-soluble proteins of avian muscle showed differences due both to species and to muscle type. 2. Each muscle pattern within a species showed a unique protein band which distinguished that species from other species.", "PMID": 624099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5333", "title": "Changes in oxygen consumption induced by fentanyl and thiopentone during balanced anaesthesia.", "content": "Changes in whole body oxygen consumption due to bolus infusions of fentanyl and thiopentone given during \"balanced anaesthesia\" have been examined in 17 patients. It has been shown that fentanyl causes an average decrease in oxygen consumption of 4.9, 8.4, and 5.2 per cent at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after its infusion. Thiopentone causes an average decrease of 7.0, 8.8, and 1.9 per cent at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after infusion. It is believed that the effects of fentanyl and thiopentone on oxygen consumption are caused mainly by decreases in cerebral and myocardial oxygen consumption.", "contents": "Changes in oxygen consumption induced by fentanyl and thiopentone during balanced anaesthesia. Changes in whole body oxygen consumption due to bolus infusions of fentanyl and thiopentone given during \"balanced anaesthesia\" have been examined in 17 patients. It has been shown that fentanyl causes an average decrease in oxygen consumption of 4.9, 8.4, and 5.2 per cent at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after its infusion. Thiopentone causes an average decrease of 7.0, 8.8, and 1.9 per cent at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after infusion. It is believed that the effects of fentanyl and thiopentone on oxygen consumption are caused mainly by decreases in cerebral and myocardial oxygen consumption.", "PMID": 624101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5334", "title": "Effect of anaesthetic agents on the ionic composition of cerebrospinal fluid following total cerebral ischaemia.", "content": "Total cerebral ischaemia in rats caused a marked increase in the cisternal CSF potassium concentration but little change in CSF sodium or chloride concentration. The anaesthetic techniques studied (pentobarbitone, halothane/oxygen and nitrous oxide/oxygen/relaxant) did not effect the potassium increase following cerebral ischaemia. We conclude that the mechanism of barbiturate protection following cerebral ischaemia is different from that of hypothermia.", "contents": "Effect of anaesthetic agents on the ionic composition of cerebrospinal fluid following total cerebral ischaemia. Total cerebral ischaemia in rats caused a marked increase in the cisternal CSF potassium concentration but little change in CSF sodium or chloride concentration. The anaesthetic techniques studied (pentobarbitone, halothane/oxygen and nitrous oxide/oxygen/relaxant) did not effect the potassium increase following cerebral ischaemia. We conclude that the mechanism of barbiturate protection following cerebral ischaemia is different from that of hypothermia.", "PMID": 624102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5335", "title": "Cardiovascular effects of droperiodol during enflurane and enfluarne-nitrous oxide anaethesia in man.", "content": "The cardiovascular effects of intravenous droperiodol 5 mg were measured in 20 patients during steady state enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen or enflurane-oxygen anaesthesia, droperiodol produced significant decreases in SVR and BP and increases in HR and Qt which were maximal after five minutes, somewhat less five minutes, somewhat less five minutes later, and back to control values 15 minutes after administration. SV was not significantly altered by droperiodol during enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen at any time after administration. During enflurane-oxygen anaesthesia droperidol reduced SVR and BP after five and ten minutes but did not significantly alter any other variable. All variables had returned to control levels 15 minutes after droperiodol during enfluarne-oxygen anaesthesia. These data demonstrate that droperidol produces a significant though transiet reduction of BP and SVR during enfluane anaesthesia which is associated with no change or an increase in Qt. Our findings suggest that droperidol causes minimal or no myocardial depression when used during potent inhalation anaesthesia and may have a place as an amnesic supplement and/or \"afterload\" reducer during light enflurance anaesthesia.", "contents": "Cardiovascular effects of droperiodol during enflurane and enfluarne-nitrous oxide anaethesia in man. The cardiovascular effects of intravenous droperiodol 5 mg were measured in 20 patients during steady state enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen or enflurane-oxygen anaesthesia, droperiodol produced significant decreases in SVR and BP and increases in HR and Qt which were maximal after five minutes, somewhat less five minutes, somewhat less five minutes later, and back to control values 15 minutes after administration. SV was not significantly altered by droperiodol during enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen at any time after administration. During enflurane-oxygen anaesthesia droperidol reduced SVR and BP after five and ten minutes but did not significantly alter any other variable. All variables had returned to control levels 15 minutes after droperiodol during enfluarne-oxygen anaesthesia. These data demonstrate that droperidol produces a significant though transiet reduction of BP and SVR during enfluane anaesthesia which is associated with no change or an increase in Qt. Our findings suggest that droperidol causes minimal or no myocardial depression when used during potent inhalation anaesthesia and may have a place as an amnesic supplement and/or \"afterload\" reducer during light enflurance anaesthesia.", "PMID": 624103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5336", "title": "Stabilometry: a new tool for the measurement of recovery following general anaesthesia for out-patients.", "content": "A stabilometer has been used to measure changes in the activity of postural muscles during the later stages of recovery from anaesthesia. It is concluded that stabilometry might be a useful tool with which to measure and record the extent of recovery andthat this might be especially useful for use after out-patient sugery.", "contents": "Stabilometry: a new tool for the measurement of recovery following general anaesthesia for out-patients. A stabilometer has been used to measure changes in the activity of postural muscles during the later stages of recovery from anaesthesia. It is concluded that stabilometry might be a useful tool with which to measure and record the extent of recovery andthat this might be especially useful for use after out-patient sugery.", "PMID": 624104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5337", "title": "Prevention of post-anaesthesia shivering.", "content": "This study involves ventilation of the lungs with warmed humidifed anaesthetic gases during prolonged elective abdominal operations. Tympanic, oesophageal and toe temperatures were compared bewteen twenty warmed and twenty un-warmed patients at various times during operation and recovery. Fifty per cent (10/20) unwarmed patients shivered in the recovery room, while none of the warmed patients shivered. Our data indicate that pulmonary ventilation with warm humidified anaesthetic gases provides heat transfer by the lungs, preventing hypothermia during operation and post -anaesthesia shivering is prevented by maintaining the patient normothermic in both the operating room and the recovery room.", "contents": "Prevention of post-anaesthesia shivering. This study involves ventilation of the lungs with warmed humidifed anaesthetic gases during prolonged elective abdominal operations. Tympanic, oesophageal and toe temperatures were compared bewteen twenty warmed and twenty un-warmed patients at various times during operation and recovery. Fifty per cent (10/20) unwarmed patients shivered in the recovery room, while none of the warmed patients shivered. Our data indicate that pulmonary ventilation with warm humidified anaesthetic gases provides heat transfer by the lungs, preventing hypothermia during operation and post -anaesthesia shivering is prevented by maintaining the patient normothermic in both the operating room and the recovery room.", "PMID": 624105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5338", "title": "Succinylcholine sensitivity in a Nova Scotia family.", "content": "Succinylcholine apnoea is usually the result of a delay in hydrolysis of the injected muscle relaxant due to the presence of an inherited defect in the enzyme cholinesterase. This report presents a Nova Scotia family in whom several members had \"difficulty in breathing\" following anaesthesia. Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of several phenotypes of the enzyme cholinesterase including individuals who were homozygous for the atypical cholinesterase genes. The frequency of occurrence and significance of the various phenotypes are discussed, together with their management and recommendations for family screening.", "contents": "Succinylcholine sensitivity in a Nova Scotia family. Succinylcholine apnoea is usually the result of a delay in hydrolysis of the injected muscle relaxant due to the presence of an inherited defect in the enzyme cholinesterase. This report presents a Nova Scotia family in whom several members had \"difficulty in breathing\" following anaesthesia. Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of several phenotypes of the enzyme cholinesterase including individuals who were homozygous for the atypical cholinesterase genes. The frequency of occurrence and significance of the various phenotypes are discussed, together with their management and recommendations for family screening.", "PMID": 624106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5339", "title": "Catamenial pneumothorax and malignant hyperthermia.", "content": "This paper presents a patient showing both the unusual syndrome of catamenial pneumothorax and a strong family history of malignant hyperthermia. The anaesthetic management is described and discussed.", "contents": "Catamenial pneumothorax and malignant hyperthermia. This paper presents a patient showing both the unusual syndrome of catamenial pneumothorax and a strong family history of malignant hyperthermia. The anaesthetic management is described and discussed.", "PMID": 624107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5340", "title": "Dermatomyositis, suxamethonium action and atypical plasmacholinesterase.", "content": "A 19-year-old girl suffering from active dermatomyositis was given suxamethonium 60 mg during anaesthesia for termination of pregnancy. A prolonged suxamethonium action occurred which was explained by the finding of homozygous atypical plasmacholinesterase in her blood. Although no fasciculations were seen immediately after injection of the drug, a period of fasciculations progressing from the extremities to the head and trunk occurred during recovery of muscle tone. No hyperpyrexia or elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase occurred. This was ascribed to the steroid therapy she received. Plasma from four other patients suffering from dermatomyositis was also investigated and one young woman, also pregnant, was found to be heterozygous for the atypical enzyme.", "contents": "Dermatomyositis, suxamethonium action and atypical plasmacholinesterase. A 19-year-old girl suffering from active dermatomyositis was given suxamethonium 60 mg during anaesthesia for termination of pregnancy. A prolonged suxamethonium action occurred which was explained by the finding of homozygous atypical plasmacholinesterase in her blood. Although no fasciculations were seen immediately after injection of the drug, a period of fasciculations progressing from the extremities to the head and trunk occurred during recovery of muscle tone. No hyperpyrexia or elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase occurred. This was ascribed to the steroid therapy she received. Plasma from four other patients suffering from dermatomyositis was also investigated and one young woman, also pregnant, was found to be heterozygous for the atypical enzyme.", "PMID": 624108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5341", "title": "Effect of coagulating and cutting current on a demand pacemaker during transurethral resection of the prostate. A case report.", "content": "Electromagnetic interference from diathermy apparatus can be a real hazard in a patient with a demand pacemaker. A case is reported in which the cutting current of transurethral electrocautery deactivated an implanted pacemaker, while coagulating current did not alter pacemaker activity. Therefore frequent short bursts of cutting current were used for successful resection of the prostate. This case emphasizes the need for vigilant care of patients with demand pacemakers requiring transurethral resection.", "contents": "Effect of coagulating and cutting current on a demand pacemaker during transurethral resection of the prostate. A case report. Electromagnetic interference from diathermy apparatus can be a real hazard in a patient with a demand pacemaker. A case is reported in which the cutting current of transurethral electrocautery deactivated an implanted pacemaker, while coagulating current did not alter pacemaker activity. Therefore frequent short bursts of cutting current were used for successful resection of the prostate. This case emphasizes the need for vigilant care of patients with demand pacemakers requiring transurethral resection.", "PMID": 624109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5342", "title": "The carcinogenic effect of dimethylnitrosamine in laboratory bred European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus).", "content": "The carcinogenic effect of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) s.c. injected at two different dose levels was studied in laboratory bred European hamsters (EH) and data compared to findings for captured EH. Malignant haemangioendotheliomas of the liver and kidney, hepatocellular carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas were induced. In contrast to the results obtained with wild EH, a large number of the laboratory bred females additionally developed ovarian granulosa cell tumors.", "contents": "The carcinogenic effect of dimethylnitrosamine in laboratory bred European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus). The carcinogenic effect of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) s.c. injected at two different dose levels was studied in laboratory bred European hamsters (EH) and data compared to findings for captured EH. Malignant haemangioendotheliomas of the liver and kidney, hepatocellular carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas were induced. In contrast to the results obtained with wild EH, a large number of the laboratory bred females additionally developed ovarian granulosa cell tumors.", "PMID": 624110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5343", "title": "Ganglioside and morphological changes in mouse embryo cells with time.", "content": "Ganglioside and morphological changes were observed in C3H/10T1/2CL8 cells during a 4-year period of maintenance in the laboratory. The cellular morphology at confluency, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, changed from being polygonal and flattened to a fusiform shape with some piling up of cells. The saturation density increased about three-fold and the level of the simplest ganglioside GM3 (N-acetylneuraminylgalactosylglucosylceramide) increased about two-fold. While the reasons for the alterations are unknown, the data suggest a relationship among ganglioside composition, cellular morphology and regulation of cell growth. The possible implications of such biochemical and biological changes on studies comparing normal and transformed cells are discussed.", "contents": "Ganglioside and morphological changes in mouse embryo cells with time. Ganglioside and morphological changes were observed in C3H/10T1/2CL8 cells during a 4-year period of maintenance in the laboratory. The cellular morphology at confluency, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, changed from being polygonal and flattened to a fusiform shape with some piling up of cells. The saturation density increased about three-fold and the level of the simplest ganglioside GM3 (N-acetylneuraminylgalactosylglucosylceramide) increased about two-fold. While the reasons for the alterations are unknown, the data suggest a relationship among ganglioside composition, cellular morphology and regulation of cell growth. The possible implications of such biochemical and biological changes on studies comparing normal and transformed cells are discussed.", "PMID": 624111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5344", "title": "Mutagenicity to mammalian cells in culture by (+) and (-) trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrenes and the hydrolysis and reduction products of two stereoisomeric benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxides.", "content": "The mutagenicity for mammalian cells of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and 9 of its derivatives was tested by resistance to ouabain in Chinese hamster V78 cells. The derivatives included the (-) and (+) enantiomers of trans-7,8-diol; the racemic (+/-)trans-7,8-diol; two triols, (7/8,9)-triol and (7,9/8)-triol; and four tetrols, (7,10/8,9)-tetrol, (7/8,9,10)-tetrol, (7,9/8,10-triol and (7,9,10/8)-tetrol. Since V78 cells do not metabolize polycyclic hydrocarbons, mutagenesis was tested both in the presence and in the absence of Golden hamster cells capable of metabolizing polycyclic hydrocarbons. Neither BP nor any of its 9 tested derivatives showed mutagenicity for V78 cells in the absence of normal Golden hamster cells. However, in the presence of these cells, BP and the optically active and racemic trans-7,8-diols exhibited a mutagenic response that was dose-dependent. All other derivatives were inactive. The most active mutagenic hydrocarbon was (-) trans-7,8-diol, and activity decreased in the order (+/-)trans-7,8-diol, (+) trans-7,8-diol and BP.", "contents": "Mutagenicity to mammalian cells in culture by (+) and (-) trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrenes and the hydrolysis and reduction products of two stereoisomeric benzo(a)pyrene 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxides. The mutagenicity for mammalian cells of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and 9 of its derivatives was tested by resistance to ouabain in Chinese hamster V78 cells. The derivatives included the (-) and (+) enantiomers of trans-7,8-diol; the racemic (+/-)trans-7,8-diol; two triols, (7/8,9)-triol and (7,9/8)-triol; and four tetrols, (7,10/8,9)-tetrol, (7/8,9,10)-tetrol, (7,9/8,10-triol and (7,9,10/8)-tetrol. Since V78 cells do not metabolize polycyclic hydrocarbons, mutagenesis was tested both in the presence and in the absence of Golden hamster cells capable of metabolizing polycyclic hydrocarbons. Neither BP nor any of its 9 tested derivatives showed mutagenicity for V78 cells in the absence of normal Golden hamster cells. However, in the presence of these cells, BP and the optically active and racemic trans-7,8-diols exhibited a mutagenic response that was dose-dependent. All other derivatives were inactive. The most active mutagenic hydrocarbon was (-) trans-7,8-diol, and activity decreased in the order (+/-)trans-7,8-diol, (+) trans-7,8-diol and BP.", "PMID": 624112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5345", "title": "Vitamin A serum and dietary vitamin A intake in lung cancer patients.", "content": "Clinical and experimental evidence indicates a possible role for vitamin A deficiency in the pathogenesis of bronchogenic carcinoma. We, therefore, measured serum vitamin A levels in 67 newly diagnosed non-resectable lung cancer patients. In 43 of these patients daily vitamin A intake was also determined. Serum vitamin A levels were within the normal range of the general population of 66 of the 67 patients. Eighteen of 43 patients had daily vitamin A intakes less than 5000 IU/day while 25 patients had daily intake above this level. The serum vitamin A level did not correlate with histologic subtype, extent of disease or presence or absence of hepatic metastases. While these data suggest that vitamin A deficiency was not implicated in pulmonary carcinogenesis, more definitive conclusions await prospective evaluation of high risk individuals followed serially for many years.", "contents": "Vitamin A serum and dietary vitamin A intake in lung cancer patients. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates a possible role for vitamin A deficiency in the pathogenesis of bronchogenic carcinoma. We, therefore, measured serum vitamin A levels in 67 newly diagnosed non-resectable lung cancer patients. In 43 of these patients daily vitamin A intake was also determined. Serum vitamin A levels were within the normal range of the general population of 66 of the 67 patients. Eighteen of 43 patients had daily vitamin A intakes less than 5000 IU/day while 25 patients had daily intake above this level. The serum vitamin A level did not correlate with histologic subtype, extent of disease or presence or absence of hepatic metastases. While these data suggest that vitamin A deficiency was not implicated in pulmonary carcinogenesis, more definitive conclusions await prospective evaluation of high risk individuals followed serially for many years.", "PMID": 624113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5346", "title": "Effects of N-nitrosodiethanolamine and 1,1-diethanolhydrazine in Syrian golden hamsters.", "content": "N-Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) and 1,1-diethanolhydrazine (DEH) were synthesized and injected subcutaneously weekly in male and female Syrian golden hamsters. The total NDEA dose per hamster was approx. 15 g/kg body wt. applied in either 7 or 27 subdoses. DEH was administered in 78 applications to two groups yielding total doses of 1.1 g and 273 mg/kg body wt. Under these conditions, DEH did not show a specific demonstrable carcinogenic effect. However, within 78 weeks after the first application, 39 out of 56 hamsters treated with NDEA developed tumors. Primarily, neoplasms of the nasal cavity and tracheal tumors were observed, as well as a few hepatocellular adenomas and sarcomas at the injection site. These findings and those of the earlier study on carcinogenicity of NDEA in rats raise concern as to the safety for human consumption or industrial use of products with the potential for forming NDEA.", "contents": "Effects of N-nitrosodiethanolamine and 1,1-diethanolhydrazine in Syrian golden hamsters. N-Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) and 1,1-diethanolhydrazine (DEH) were synthesized and injected subcutaneously weekly in male and female Syrian golden hamsters. The total NDEA dose per hamster was approx. 15 g/kg body wt. applied in either 7 or 27 subdoses. DEH was administered in 78 applications to two groups yielding total doses of 1.1 g and 273 mg/kg body wt. Under these conditions, DEH did not show a specific demonstrable carcinogenic effect. However, within 78 weeks after the first application, 39 out of 56 hamsters treated with NDEA developed tumors. Primarily, neoplasms of the nasal cavity and tracheal tumors were observed, as well as a few hepatocellular adenomas and sarcomas at the injection site. These findings and those of the earlier study on carcinogenicity of NDEA in rats raise concern as to the safety for human consumption or industrial use of products with the potential for forming NDEA.", "PMID": 624114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5347", "title": "Kinetic models of C3H mouse mammary tumor growth: implications regarding tumor cell loss.", "content": "Three models of tumor cell loss are described. The effects of cell loss on other cellular kinetic parameters are evaluated, and experiments which may distinguish among the models are discussed. Each model is based on a different cell-loss mechanism, and equations for the cell-cycle, cell-frequency distribution, the growth of both the proliferating and non-proliferating cell population, the growth fraction (GF), and the relative rate of volumetric growth, (dV/dt)/V, are derived. The following types of data are simulated for each model: the pulse labelling index, the mitotic index, and the labeling index as a function of time after a single or a series of 3H-TdR injections. The relative volumetric growth rate has the same mathematical form for each model. The PLM curves predicted by each model for the tumor lines studied (S102F and Slow) are not appreciably different. The predicted initial labeling index and mitotic index may differ significantly among the models depending upon the tumor line. The most striking difference among the models lies in the predictions regarding the labeling index as a function of time after a single or after a series of 3H-TdR injections. These types of labeling experiments should be valuable for distinguishing the different cell-loss mechanisms in solid tumors.", "contents": "Kinetic models of C3H mouse mammary tumor growth: implications regarding tumor cell loss. Three models of tumor cell loss are described. The effects of cell loss on other cellular kinetic parameters are evaluated, and experiments which may distinguish among the models are discussed. Each model is based on a different cell-loss mechanism, and equations for the cell-cycle, cell-frequency distribution, the growth of both the proliferating and non-proliferating cell population, the growth fraction (GF), and the relative rate of volumetric growth, (dV/dt)/V, are derived. The following types of data are simulated for each model: the pulse labelling index, the mitotic index, and the labeling index as a function of time after a single or a series of 3H-TdR injections. The relative volumetric growth rate has the same mathematical form for each model. The PLM curves predicted by each model for the tumor lines studied (S102F and Slow) are not appreciably different. The predicted initial labeling index and mitotic index may differ significantly among the models depending upon the tumor line. The most striking difference among the models lies in the predictions regarding the labeling index as a function of time after a single or after a series of 3H-TdR injections. These types of labeling experiments should be valuable for distinguishing the different cell-loss mechanisms in solid tumors.", "PMID": 624115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5348", "title": "Quantification of entry into and exit from the cell cycle in human lymphocyte cultures.", "content": "A mathematical model is presented for the analysis of transition between cycling and non-cycling compartments by cells responding to a growth stimulus. The cellular age distribution as a function of time is derived from sequential [3H]thymidine pulse labeling indices. Rates of entry into and exit from the cycling compartment are determined on the basis of labeling indices obtained after instantaneous and long duration [3H]thymidine pulses. Analysis of an experiment involving sequential measurements over the whole lifespan of a human lymphocyte culture stimulated by phytohemagglutinin is presented as an example of the application of this method.", "contents": "Quantification of entry into and exit from the cell cycle in human lymphocyte cultures. A mathematical model is presented for the analysis of transition between cycling and non-cycling compartments by cells responding to a growth stimulus. The cellular age distribution as a function of time is derived from sequential [3H]thymidine pulse labeling indices. Rates of entry into and exit from the cycling compartment are determined on the basis of labeling indices obtained after instantaneous and long duration [3H]thymidine pulses. Analysis of an experiment involving sequential measurements over the whole lifespan of a human lymphocyte culture stimulated by phytohemagglutinin is presented as an example of the application of this method.", "PMID": 624116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5349", "title": "Dynamic stiffness of cat heart muscle in Ba2+-induced contracture.", "content": "We analyzed mechanical properties of kitten papillary muscles both at rest and in Ba2+ contracture by the frequency response method. The muscle length was perturbed sinusoidally, with an amplitude less than 0.3% of Lmax over a frequency range from 0.1 to 60 Hz to determine the dynamic stiffness, F(omega)/L(omega), in which F(omega) = amplitude of the force response wave, L(omega) = amplitude of sinusoidal length wave, and omega = frequency, and the phase shift of F(omega) relative to L(omega). In resting muscles, the dynamic stiffness increased minutely with increasing frequency and the phase relation showed a small lead over the entire frequency range. In muscles in contracture at low temperature (22-24 degrees C), the stiffness first decreased with increasing frequency from about 0.2 to 1 Hz, then increased with a slope of 10-fold/decade, and finally plateaued over the range above 8 Hz. The phase relation showed a small lag between 0.3 and 0.5 Hz, but a clear lead of up to 60 degrees between 0.8 and 16 Hz. With an increase in temperature to 36 degrees C, the peculiar decrease in stiffness and the phase lag in the low frequency region decreased in size and shifted to a higher frequency region (about 4 Hz). These findings led us to two alternative, approximate analogues, which are similar to but simpler than that previously proposed for a twitching papillary muscle.", "contents": "Dynamic stiffness of cat heart muscle in Ba2+-induced contracture. We analyzed mechanical properties of kitten papillary muscles both at rest and in Ba2+ contracture by the frequency response method. The muscle length was perturbed sinusoidally, with an amplitude less than 0.3% of Lmax over a frequency range from 0.1 to 60 Hz to determine the dynamic stiffness, F(omega)/L(omega), in which F(omega) = amplitude of the force response wave, L(omega) = amplitude of sinusoidal length wave, and omega = frequency, and the phase shift of F(omega) relative to L(omega). In resting muscles, the dynamic stiffness increased minutely with increasing frequency and the phase relation showed a small lead over the entire frequency range. In muscles in contracture at low temperature (22-24 degrees C), the stiffness first decreased with increasing frequency from about 0.2 to 1 Hz, then increased with a slope of 10-fold/decade, and finally plateaued over the range above 8 Hz. The phase relation showed a small lag between 0.3 and 0.5 Hz, but a clear lead of up to 60 degrees between 0.8 and 16 Hz. With an increase in temperature to 36 degrees C, the peculiar decrease in stiffness and the phase lag in the low frequency region decreased in size and shifted to a higher frequency region (about 4 Hz). These findings led us to two alternative, approximate analogues, which are similar to but simpler than that previously proposed for a twitching papillary muscle.", "PMID": 624137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5350", "title": "The effects of ouabain on the transmembrane potentials and intracellular potassium activity of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.", "content": "Open-tip microelectrodes containing a potassium-sensitive liquid ion exchanger (Corning 477317) were used to study the effects of ouabain on the intracellular potassium activity and the transmembrane potentials of beating canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. The preparations were superfused with Tyrode's solution containing ouabain, 2 X 10(-7) M, and potassium, 4 mM, for 30 minutes. At the end of this period, intracellular potassium activity had decreased from the control value of 130.0 mM to 112.2 mM. The resting membrane potential determined through conventional 3 M KC1-filed microelectrodes decreased from -83.6 to -78.8 mV. Comparison of the decrease in the potassium equilibrium potential with the decrease in the resting membrane potential suggests that there was an accumulation of potassium at the exterior surface of the cell membrane. The effect of ouabain on the resting membrane potential, therefore, was due to a change in the transmembrane potassium ion gradient. This, in turn, resulted from a decrease in intracellular potassium activity and, apparently, from an increased potassium activity at the cell surface.", "contents": "The effects of ouabain on the transmembrane potentials and intracellular potassium activity of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Open-tip microelectrodes containing a potassium-sensitive liquid ion exchanger (Corning 477317) were used to study the effects of ouabain on the intracellular potassium activity and the transmembrane potentials of beating canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. The preparations were superfused with Tyrode's solution containing ouabain, 2 X 10(-7) M, and potassium, 4 mM, for 30 minutes. At the end of this period, intracellular potassium activity had decreased from the control value of 130.0 mM to 112.2 mM. The resting membrane potential determined through conventional 3 M KC1-filed microelectrodes decreased from -83.6 to -78.8 mV. Comparison of the decrease in the potassium equilibrium potential with the decrease in the resting membrane potential suggests that there was an accumulation of potassium at the exterior surface of the cell membrane. The effect of ouabain on the resting membrane potential, therefore, was due to a change in the transmembrane potassium ion gradient. This, in turn, resulted from a decrease in intracellular potassium activity and, apparently, from an increased potassium activity at the cell surface.", "PMID": 624138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5351", "title": "Adenosine metabolism in canine myocardial reactive hyperemia.", "content": "In pentobrabital-anesthetized open chest dogs, myocardial adenosine content is elevated by 5 or 15 seconds of left coronary artery occlusion and falls exponentially to control levels during reactive hyperemia. The rate constants for adenosine dissipation are (mean +/- SEM): -0.08 +/- 0.01 and -0.034 +/- 0.007 sec-1 after 5- and 15-second occlusion, respectively. Kinetic analysis of the reactive hyperemia flow curves (Circ Res 14/15 (suppl I): 81-85, 1963) predicts rates of -0.069 +/- 0.009 sec-1 and -0.04 +/- 0.009 sec-1, indicating that changes in adenosine levels can account for the way coronary flow changes during this response. The log (dose-) response curve relating reactive hyperemia flow to tissue adenosine concentration has a steeper slope and is half-maximal at a lower adenosine concentration than the dose-response curve obtained by intracoronary infusions of adenosine in oxygenated hearts, indicating that the coronary vasoactivity of adenosine is enhanced during reactive hyperemia. This could explain why theophylline antagonizes the coronary vasocilatory effect of adenosine in oxygenated hearts but has relatively little effect on reactive hyperemia.", "contents": "Adenosine metabolism in canine myocardial reactive hyperemia. In pentobrabital-anesthetized open chest dogs, myocardial adenosine content is elevated by 5 or 15 seconds of left coronary artery occlusion and falls exponentially to control levels during reactive hyperemia. The rate constants for adenosine dissipation are (mean +/- SEM): -0.08 +/- 0.01 and -0.034 +/- 0.007 sec-1 after 5- and 15-second occlusion, respectively. Kinetic analysis of the reactive hyperemia flow curves (Circ Res 14/15 (suppl I): 81-85, 1963) predicts rates of -0.069 +/- 0.009 sec-1 and -0.04 +/- 0.009 sec-1, indicating that changes in adenosine levels can account for the way coronary flow changes during this response. The log (dose-) response curve relating reactive hyperemia flow to tissue adenosine concentration has a steeper slope and is half-maximal at a lower adenosine concentration than the dose-response curve obtained by intracoronary infusions of adenosine in oxygenated hearts, indicating that the coronary vasoactivity of adenosine is enhanced during reactive hyperemia. This could explain why theophylline antagonizes the coronary vasocilatory effect of adenosine in oxygenated hearts but has relatively little effect on reactive hyperemia.", "PMID": 624140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5352", "title": "Quantitative determination of regional oxygen consumption in the dog heart.", "content": "A micro-Fick method has been developed to measure the O2 consumption of different regions of an organ. The method was tested in isolated dog gracilis muscle and consisted of microspectrophotometric determination of arterial and venous O2 saturation in quick frozen tissue to determine O2 extraction and flow measured with 85Sr-labeled microspheres, with O2 consumption calculated from the product. This was compared to electromagnetically measured flow and O2 extraction determined by Van Slyke or CO-oximeter. The accuracy of the new measurement was at worst 8.7% for O2 consumption over the range tested in a single muscle. In the hearts of anesthetized open-chest dogs, right ventricular O2 consumption, 7.1 +/- 0.9 ml O2/min per 100 g, was significantly lower than left, 11.0 +/- 0.4. This gradient was related to a blood flow difference. Right ventricular base had a 51% lower O2 consumption than right ventricular apex. In the left ventricle, subepicardial O2 consumption, 9.5 +/- 0.7, was lower than that of the subenocardium, 12.1 +/- 0.7. This difference was related to a difference in O2 extraction.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of regional oxygen consumption in the dog heart. A micro-Fick method has been developed to measure the O2 consumption of different regions of an organ. The method was tested in isolated dog gracilis muscle and consisted of microspectrophotometric determination of arterial and venous O2 saturation in quick frozen tissue to determine O2 extraction and flow measured with 85Sr-labeled microspheres, with O2 consumption calculated from the product. This was compared to electromagnetically measured flow and O2 extraction determined by Van Slyke or CO-oximeter. The accuracy of the new measurement was at worst 8.7% for O2 consumption over the range tested in a single muscle. In the hearts of anesthetized open-chest dogs, right ventricular O2 consumption, 7.1 +/- 0.9 ml O2/min per 100 g, was significantly lower than left, 11.0 +/- 0.4. This gradient was related to a blood flow difference. Right ventricular base had a 51% lower O2 consumption than right ventricular apex. In the left ventricle, subepicardial O2 consumption, 9.5 +/- 0.7, was lower than that of the subenocardium, 12.1 +/- 0.7. This difference was related to a difference in O2 extraction.", "PMID": 624146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5353", "title": "Relative effect of CO2 on canine coronary vascular resistance.", "content": "We determined the effect of alterations in coronary arterial PCO2 on coronary vascular resistance (CVR) at a constant coronary sinus (CS) PO2 and the effect of coronary arterial PO2 variation on CVR at a constant CS PCO2. A linear but opposing effect on CVR was found for both gases. The sensitivity of CVR to O2 change, represented as CVR/CS PO2, was approximately twice that of the ratio CVR/CS PCO2. (0.0852 +/- 0.006 vs. -0.0362 +/- 0.005). The entire range of CVR variation obtainable through CO2 variation was as great as that resulting from O2 variation. During randomized variation of O2 and CO2, CVR can be mathematically related in a multiple linear expression to CS PO2 and CS PCO2.", "contents": "Relative effect of CO2 on canine coronary vascular resistance. We determined the effect of alterations in coronary arterial PCO2 on coronary vascular resistance (CVR) at a constant coronary sinus (CS) PO2 and the effect of coronary arterial PO2 variation on CVR at a constant CS PCO2. A linear but opposing effect on CVR was found for both gases. The sensitivity of CVR to O2 change, represented as CVR/CS PO2, was approximately twice that of the ratio CVR/CS PCO2. (0.0852 +/- 0.006 vs. -0.0362 +/- 0.005). The entire range of CVR variation obtainable through CO2 variation was as great as that resulting from O2 variation. During randomized variation of O2 and CO2, CVR can be mathematically related in a multiple linear expression to CS PO2 and CS PCO2.", "PMID": 624148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5354", "title": "Regional myocardial blood flow after sudden aortic constriction in awake dogs.", "content": "Hemodynamic and regional myocardial blood flow responses were studied 5 seconds (early) and 30 seconds (late) after abrupt proximal aortic constriction in chronically instrumented awake dogs. During the early phase, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increased and stroke volume (SV) decreased significantly. During the late phase, there was a positive inotropic response manifested by a decrease in LVEDP and increase in SV (Anrep effect). The late inotropic response was closely associated with a recovery from subendocardial underperfusion. Hemodynamic and regional flow responses after beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (0.4 mg/kg) were similar to those observed during control. Studies during coronary vasodilation induced by adenosine (0.75--1.0 mg/kg per minute) showed that, if subendocardial flow was elevated during the early phase, the early increase of LVEDP and decrease of SV were less than control; however, if subendocardial flow did not change from control in the early phase and did not subsequently increase, there was no late inotropic response. These data suggest that the Anrep effect in the awake dog is closely related to a recovery from subendocardial ischemia.", "contents": "Regional myocardial blood flow after sudden aortic constriction in awake dogs. Hemodynamic and regional myocardial blood flow responses were studied 5 seconds (early) and 30 seconds (late) after abrupt proximal aortic constriction in chronically instrumented awake dogs. During the early phase, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increased and stroke volume (SV) decreased significantly. During the late phase, there was a positive inotropic response manifested by a decrease in LVEDP and increase in SV (Anrep effect). The late inotropic response was closely associated with a recovery from subendocardial underperfusion. Hemodynamic and regional flow responses after beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (0.4 mg/kg) were similar to those observed during control. Studies during coronary vasodilation induced by adenosine (0.75--1.0 mg/kg per minute) showed that, if subendocardial flow was elevated during the early phase, the early increase of LVEDP and decrease of SV were less than control; however, if subendocardial flow did not change from control in the early phase and did not subsequently increase, there was no late inotropic response. These data suggest that the Anrep effect in the awake dog is closely related to a recovery from subendocardial ischemia.", "PMID": 624149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5355", "title": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 1. Mechanisms.", "content": "The mechanism of recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) was evaluated in 21 patients. Re-entry as the mechanism for VT was suggested by a) the reproducible initiation (19) and termination (15) of the arrhythmia by programmed stimulation. The rate, ventricle of origin, and stimulation site determined the method of termination. One VPD was usually required with VT rates less than 175/min and/or ventricle of origin ipsilateral to the stimulation site, while two VPDs were usually required for VT with faster rates originating in a contralateral ventricle. The proximal His-Purkinje system (HPS) was not required for initiation or maintenance of VT. Evidence localizing the site of re-entry to a small portion of the ventricles included: a) ventricular capture by ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) or pacing (VP) without terminating VT (5), b) sinus capture following VPDs and/or supraventricular fusions without terminating VT (12), and c) atrial pacing normalizing the QRS and H-V intervals without terminating VT (5).", "contents": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 1. Mechanisms. The mechanism of recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) was evaluated in 21 patients. Re-entry as the mechanism for VT was suggested by a) the reproducible initiation (19) and termination (15) of the arrhythmia by programmed stimulation. The rate, ventricle of origin, and stimulation site determined the method of termination. One VPD was usually required with VT rates less than 175/min and/or ventricle of origin ipsilateral to the stimulation site, while two VPDs were usually required for VT with faster rates originating in a contralateral ventricle. The proximal His-Purkinje system (HPS) was not required for initiation or maintenance of VT. Evidence localizing the site of re-entry to a small portion of the ventricles included: a) ventricular capture by ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) or pacing (VP) without terminating VT (5), b) sinus capture following VPDs and/or supraventricular fusions without terminating VT (12), and c) atrial pacing normalizing the QRS and H-V intervals without terminating VT (5).", "PMID": 624152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5356", "title": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 2. Endocardial mapping.", "content": "Endocardial ventricular mapping of 21 ventricular tachyardias (VT) in 17 patients was performed using electrode catheters. Activation at multiple left and right ventricular sites was utilized to determine the site of origin of the VT. Eleven VT had a left bundle branch block pattern (VT-LBBB) and 10 VT had right bundle branch block pattern (VT-RBBB). In all VT-RBBB the earliest site of activation was in the LV or septum. In VT-LBBB the earliest site was RV (4/11), LV (5/11) and septum (2/11). All ventricular tachycardias with QRS less than 140 msec arose in the septum. In patients with an aneurysm, the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia was always in the aneursm. All VT-LBBB arising from the left ventricle originated in an aneurysm involving the septum. QRS changes during ventricular tachycardia were associated with alterations in the patterm of ventricular activation without alteration of the site of origin. In three patients the site of origin predicted by endocardial ventricular mapping was confirmed intraoperatively by epi- and/or endocardial mapping. We conclude that endocardial ventricular mapping demonstrates the limitations of the surface electrocardiogram in localizing the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia. The method may provide important data upon which the surgical therapy of ventricular tachycardia is based.", "contents": "Recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia. 2. Endocardial mapping. Endocardial ventricular mapping of 21 ventricular tachyardias (VT) in 17 patients was performed using electrode catheters. Activation at multiple left and right ventricular sites was utilized to determine the site of origin of the VT. Eleven VT had a left bundle branch block pattern (VT-LBBB) and 10 VT had right bundle branch block pattern (VT-RBBB). In all VT-RBBB the earliest site of activation was in the LV or septum. In VT-LBBB the earliest site was RV (4/11), LV (5/11) and septum (2/11). All ventricular tachycardias with QRS less than 140 msec arose in the septum. In patients with an aneurysm, the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia was always in the aneursm. All VT-LBBB arising from the left ventricle originated in an aneurysm involving the septum. QRS changes during ventricular tachycardia were associated with alterations in the patterm of ventricular activation without alteration of the site of origin. In three patients the site of origin predicted by endocardial ventricular mapping was confirmed intraoperatively by epi- and/or endocardial mapping. We conclude that endocardial ventricular mapping demonstrates the limitations of the surface electrocardiogram in localizing the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia. The method may provide important data upon which the surgical therapy of ventricular tachycardia is based.", "PMID": 624153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5357", "title": "Electrophysiologic effects of lidocaine on sinus node and atrium in patients with and without sinoatrial dysfunction.", "content": "Electrophysiological studies were conducted in 13 patients with normal sinus node function and 14 with sinus node dysfunction before and after intravenous lidocaine. Mean +/- SEM sinus cycle length significantly shortened from 810 +/- 34.3 to 774 +/- 34.3 msec in patients with normal sinus node (P less than 0.001) and from 1061 +/- 67.6 to 1016 +/- 64.5 msec in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.025) after lidocaine. Mean sinus recovery time was 1027 +/- 49.4 before and 1026 +/- 52.5 msec after lidocaine in patients with normal sinus node (NS) and 1269 +/- 97.7 before and 1170 +/- 73.8 msec after lidocaine in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.05). Mean calculated sinoatrial conduction time was 87 +/- 9.5 before and 90 +/- 9.2 msec after lidocaine in patients with normal sinus node (NS) and 80 +/- 10.3 before and 96 +/- 10.2 msec after lidocaine in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.001). Mean atrial effective and functional refractory periods were not significantly changed with lidocaine. Thus lidocaine shortened sinus cycle length in both groups, without affecting atrial refractoriness. Lidocaine appeared to depress perinodal tissue only in patients with sinus node dysfunction. The abbreviation of sinus recovery time in patients with sinus node dysfunction could reflect increased sinus automaticity and/or increased perinodal refractoriness, allowing entrance block to occur. This mechanism may explain why sinus arrest has been noted in some patients during lidocaine administration.", "contents": "Electrophysiologic effects of lidocaine on sinus node and atrium in patients with and without sinoatrial dysfunction. Electrophysiological studies were conducted in 13 patients with normal sinus node function and 14 with sinus node dysfunction before and after intravenous lidocaine. Mean +/- SEM sinus cycle length significantly shortened from 810 +/- 34.3 to 774 +/- 34.3 msec in patients with normal sinus node (P less than 0.001) and from 1061 +/- 67.6 to 1016 +/- 64.5 msec in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.025) after lidocaine. Mean sinus recovery time was 1027 +/- 49.4 before and 1026 +/- 52.5 msec after lidocaine in patients with normal sinus node (NS) and 1269 +/- 97.7 before and 1170 +/- 73.8 msec after lidocaine in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.05). Mean calculated sinoatrial conduction time was 87 +/- 9.5 before and 90 +/- 9.2 msec after lidocaine in patients with normal sinus node (NS) and 80 +/- 10.3 before and 96 +/- 10.2 msec after lidocaine in patients with sinus node dysfunction (P less than 0.001). Mean atrial effective and functional refractory periods were not significantly changed with lidocaine. Thus lidocaine shortened sinus cycle length in both groups, without affecting atrial refractoriness. Lidocaine appeared to depress perinodal tissue only in patients with sinus node dysfunction. The abbreviation of sinus recovery time in patients with sinus node dysfunction could reflect increased sinus automaticity and/or increased perinodal refractoriness, allowing entrance block to occur. This mechanism may explain why sinus arrest has been noted in some patients during lidocaine administration.", "PMID": 624154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5358", "title": "Characteristics of atrioventricular conduction and the spectrum of arrhythmias in lown-ganong-levine syndrome.", "content": "Electrophysiological characteristics of atrioventricular (A-V) conduction and refractoriness were examined in 12 patients with Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) syndrome referred for assessment of the following arrhythmias: (group I) regular narrow QRS tachycardia 6/12 (50%), (group II) atrial fibrillation (AF) 2/12 (17%), group III) ventricular tachycardia (VT) 4/12 (33%). A-V node refractory periods were shorter, and enhanced A-V conduction more frequent (7/12, 58% vs 7/28, 25%) in LGL patients compared to similar studies in 28 normal controls. During laboratory study reciprocating tachycardia (RT) due to re-entry within the A-V node occurred in 4/12 (33%) LGL patients, and exhibited a shorter cycle length (294 +/- 60.4 msec) than did the same arrhythmia in 11/28 (39%) controls 372 +/- 51.8 msec, P less than 0.05). Similarly, RT utilizing a concealed accessory pathway had a shorter cycle length (228 +/- 3.5 msec) in 2/12 (17%) LGL patients than in 11/28 (39%) controls (314 +/- 24.3 msec, P less than 0.001). In AF, the shortest R-R intervals in 4/12 (33%) LGL patients (2 group I, 2 group II) were shorter than in 15/28 (54%) control patients (254 +/- 42.2 msec vs 325 +/- 64.2 msec, P less than 0.05). The mean R-R internvals did not differ significantly (LGL 372 +/- 89 msec vs control 428 +/- 82.6 msec). This study suggests that the characteristics of A-V conduction and refractoriness may permit development of more rapid heart rates during certain arrhythymias in LGL patients compared to normal controls. Furthermore, the occurrence of VT in patients with LGL sydrome indicates that symptomatic arrhythmias require specific diagnosis.", "contents": "Characteristics of atrioventricular conduction and the spectrum of arrhythmias in lown-ganong-levine syndrome. Electrophysiological characteristics of atrioventricular (A-V) conduction and refractoriness were examined in 12 patients with Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) syndrome referred for assessment of the following arrhythmias: (group I) regular narrow QRS tachycardia 6/12 (50%), (group II) atrial fibrillation (AF) 2/12 (17%), group III) ventricular tachycardia (VT) 4/12 (33%). A-V node refractory periods were shorter, and enhanced A-V conduction more frequent (7/12, 58% vs 7/28, 25%) in LGL patients compared to similar studies in 28 normal controls. During laboratory study reciprocating tachycardia (RT) due to re-entry within the A-V node occurred in 4/12 (33%) LGL patients, and exhibited a shorter cycle length (294 +/- 60.4 msec) than did the same arrhythmia in 11/28 (39%) controls 372 +/- 51.8 msec, P less than 0.05). Similarly, RT utilizing a concealed accessory pathway had a shorter cycle length (228 +/- 3.5 msec) in 2/12 (17%) LGL patients than in 11/28 (39%) controls (314 +/- 24.3 msec, P less than 0.001). In AF, the shortest R-R intervals in 4/12 (33%) LGL patients (2 group I, 2 group II) were shorter than in 15/28 (54%) control patients (254 +/- 42.2 msec vs 325 +/- 64.2 msec, P less than 0.05). The mean R-R internvals did not differ significantly (LGL 372 +/- 89 msec vs control 428 +/- 82.6 msec). This study suggests that the characteristics of A-V conduction and refractoriness may permit development of more rapid heart rates during certain arrhythymias in LGL patients compared to normal controls. Furthermore, the occurrence of VT in patients with LGL sydrome indicates that symptomatic arrhythmias require specific diagnosis.", "PMID": 624155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5359", "title": "Re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias in the late myocardial infarction period. 5. Mechanism of action of diphenylhydantoin.", "content": "The mechanism of action of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) on re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias (RVA) was studied in dogs 3-7 days following ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery utilizing direct recordings of the re-entrant pathway (RP) from the epicardial surface of the infarction zone (IZ). DPH in a therapeutic dose consistently prolonged refractoriness of potentially RP in the IZ. This resulted in further impairment and/or block of conduction in the RP and was directly responsible for DPH ability to abolish RVA. On the other hand, DPH had no significant effect on conduction in the adjacent normal zone. Prior to abolition of RVA initiated by premature beats (PBs), DPH resulted in: 1) narrowing of the critical range of coupling intervals of PBs that resulted in re-entry (i.e., the re-entry zone), 2) shift of the narrowed re-entry zone to longer cardiac cycle lengths, and 3) lengthening of the coupling interval of the first re-entrant beat, as well as slowing the rate of re-entrant tachycardia. Thus DPH, similar to lidocaine, owes its antiarrhythmic action in RVS to its selective depressant effect on ischemic cells forming part of the RP.", "contents": "Re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias in the late myocardial infarction period. 5. Mechanism of action of diphenylhydantoin. The mechanism of action of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) on re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias (RVA) was studied in dogs 3-7 days following ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery utilizing direct recordings of the re-entrant pathway (RP) from the epicardial surface of the infarction zone (IZ). DPH in a therapeutic dose consistently prolonged refractoriness of potentially RP in the IZ. This resulted in further impairment and/or block of conduction in the RP and was directly responsible for DPH ability to abolish RVA. On the other hand, DPH had no significant effect on conduction in the adjacent normal zone. Prior to abolition of RVA initiated by premature beats (PBs), DPH resulted in: 1) narrowing of the critical range of coupling intervals of PBs that resulted in re-entry (i.e., the re-entry zone), 2) shift of the narrowed re-entry zone to longer cardiac cycle lengths, and 3) lengthening of the coupling interval of the first re-entrant beat, as well as slowing the rate of re-entrant tachycardia. Thus DPH, similar to lidocaine, owes its antiarrhythmic action in RVS to its selective depressant effect on ischemic cells forming part of the RP.", "PMID": 624156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5360", "title": "Normalization of bundle branch block patterns by distal His bundle pacing. Clinical and experimental evidence of longitudinal dissociation in the pathologic his bundle.", "content": "Clinical and experimental observations in which bundle branch block patterns (BBBP) in ECG leads were normalized by distal His bundle (H) pacing are reported. The clinical material includes four patients with acute right BBBP secondary to anterior wall myocardial infarction and three patients with chronic left BBBP. Six of the seven patients had a prolonged H-V interval (60-85 msec) including three who showed evidence of an intra-H conduction delay (IHCD) with split H (H and H'). Distal H pacing from a right-sided electrode catheter normalized the BBBP with a stimulus-to-QRS (PI-V) interval 20-35 msec shorter than the H-V interval and almost identical to the H'-V interval in the three patients with documented IHCD. In 18 dogs ligation of the anterior septal artery resulted in IHCF with split H associated with right or left BBBP. Distal H pacing from catheter and/or plunge wire electrodes normalized the BBBP in 12 experiments (67%) with a PI-V interval identical to the H'-V interval. H pacing was selective and direct stimulation of myocardium was excluded by monitoring the high ventricular septal electrogram. The clinical and experimental observations are discussed as evidence that functional longitudinal dissociation is probably only operative in the pathologic H due to selectively greater depression of conduction in the transverse interconnections.", "contents": "Normalization of bundle branch block patterns by distal His bundle pacing. Clinical and experimental evidence of longitudinal dissociation in the pathologic his bundle. Clinical and experimental observations in which bundle branch block patterns (BBBP) in ECG leads were normalized by distal His bundle (H) pacing are reported. The clinical material includes four patients with acute right BBBP secondary to anterior wall myocardial infarction and three patients with chronic left BBBP. Six of the seven patients had a prolonged H-V interval (60-85 msec) including three who showed evidence of an intra-H conduction delay (IHCD) with split H (H and H'). Distal H pacing from a right-sided electrode catheter normalized the BBBP with a stimulus-to-QRS (PI-V) interval 20-35 msec shorter than the H-V interval and almost identical to the H'-V interval in the three patients with documented IHCD. In 18 dogs ligation of the anterior septal artery resulted in IHCF with split H associated with right or left BBBP. Distal H pacing from catheter and/or plunge wire electrodes normalized the BBBP in 12 experiments (67%) with a PI-V interval identical to the H'-V interval. H pacing was selective and direct stimulation of myocardium was excluded by monitoring the high ventricular septal electrogram. The clinical and experimental observations are discussed as evidence that functional longitudinal dissociation is probably only operative in the pathologic H due to selectively greater depression of conduction in the transverse interconnections.", "PMID": 624157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5361", "title": "The noninvasive diagnosis of right ventricular infarction.", "content": "We evaluated scintigraphy and echocardiography for the diagnosis of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Of 26 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction (MI), six with inferior MI had abnormal radionuclide uptake localized to the RV free wall on infarct scintigraphy or segmental akinesis of the RV free wall on gated radioangiography or both. These six patients with RV involvement (group I) were compared with the remaining nine with inferior MI (group II) and 11 with anterior MI (group III). RV/LV area ratios determined radioangiographically were significantly greater in group I than group II in diastole and systole. Echocardiographic RV enddiastolic dimension and RV/LV end-diastolic dimension ratio were significantly greater and RV stroke work index was significantly lower in group I than in group II. Predominant RV involvement in inferior MI may occur commonly. Anatomic and functional evidence of this diagnosis can be obtained noninvasively.", "contents": "The noninvasive diagnosis of right ventricular infarction. We evaluated scintigraphy and echocardiography for the diagnosis of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Of 26 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction (MI), six with inferior MI had abnormal radionuclide uptake localized to the RV free wall on infarct scintigraphy or segmental akinesis of the RV free wall on gated radioangiography or both. These six patients with RV involvement (group I) were compared with the remaining nine with inferior MI (group II) and 11 with anterior MI (group III). RV/LV area ratios determined radioangiographically were significantly greater in group I than group II in diastole and systole. Echocardiographic RV enddiastolic dimension and RV/LV end-diastolic dimension ratio were significantly greater and RV stroke work index was significantly lower in group I than in group II. Predominant RV involvement in inferior MI may occur commonly. Anatomic and functional evidence of this diagnosis can be obtained noninvasively.", "PMID": 624158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5362", "title": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic characterization of aortic obstruction. 1. Supravalvular aortic stenosis and aortic hypoplasia.", "content": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic and cineangiographic studies of the left ventricular outflow tract and ascending aorta were performed in five patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis (four hourglass and one hypoplastic). Visualization of the area of obstruction was possible in each patient using the cross-sectional system. In each case the echocardiographically determined diameter at the level of obstruction was within 3 mm of the similar angiographic value. Assessment of the extent of the lesion was possible in four of five cases. In three of these four cases the echocardiographic measurement was within 5 mm of the angiographic measurement while in the fourth the obstruction was felt to involve the total ascending aorta by both techniques. Determination of percent decrease in LVOT diameter from the aortic anulus to the level of obstruction was useful in defining obstruction and estimating severity. Cross-sectional echocardiography is a valuable noninvasive method for evaluating the ascending aorta in patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis.", "contents": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic characterization of aortic obstruction. 1. Supravalvular aortic stenosis and aortic hypoplasia. Cross-sectional echocardiographic and cineangiographic studies of the left ventricular outflow tract and ascending aorta were performed in five patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis (four hourglass and one hypoplastic). Visualization of the area of obstruction was possible in each patient using the cross-sectional system. In each case the echocardiographically determined diameter at the level of obstruction was within 3 mm of the similar angiographic value. Assessment of the extent of the lesion was possible in four of five cases. In three of these four cases the echocardiographic measurement was within 5 mm of the angiographic measurement while in the fourth the obstruction was felt to involve the total ascending aorta by both techniques. Determination of percent decrease in LVOT diameter from the aortic anulus to the level of obstruction was useful in defining obstruction and estimating severity. Cross-sectional echocardiography is a valuable noninvasive method for evaluating the ascending aorta in patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis.", "PMID": 624159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5363", "title": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic detection of aortic obstruction. 2. Coarctation of the Aorta.", "content": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic studies of the aortic arch and proximal descending aorta were performed in 18 patients with coarctation of the aorta and 20 normal subjects. In normals the aortic arch and proximal descending aorta appeared as an arcuate, echo-free structure curving across the plane of the scan. There were no localized changes in aortic diameter and the amplitude of aortic systolic pulsation was symmetrically maintained throughout the scan plane. Visualization of this region was possible in 16 of 18 patients with coarctation. In each of these cases there was a localized area of decrease in aortic diameter in the region of the left subclavian artery which corresponded to the angiographic appearance of the coarctation. In addition prominent systolic pulsation of the aortic arch proximal to the region of obstruction was evident. Cross-sectional echocardiography may offer a useful noninvasive method for direct visualization of aortic coarctation.", "contents": "Cross-sectional echocardiographic detection of aortic obstruction. 2. Coarctation of the Aorta. Cross-sectional echocardiographic studies of the aortic arch and proximal descending aorta were performed in 18 patients with coarctation of the aorta and 20 normal subjects. In normals the aortic arch and proximal descending aorta appeared as an arcuate, echo-free structure curving across the plane of the scan. There were no localized changes in aortic diameter and the amplitude of aortic systolic pulsation was symmetrically maintained throughout the scan plane. Visualization of this region was possible in 16 of 18 patients with coarctation. In each of these cases there was a localized area of decrease in aortic diameter in the region of the left subclavian artery which corresponded to the angiographic appearance of the coarctation. In addition prominent systolic pulsation of the aortic arch proximal to the region of obstruction was evident. Cross-sectional echocardiography may offer a useful noninvasive method for direct visualization of aortic coarctation.", "PMID": 624160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5364", "title": "Disproportionate ventricular septal thickening in the developing normal human heart.", "content": "A disproportionately thickened ventricular septum containing numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells is the most characteristic anatomic feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Since information concerning ventricular wall thicknesses and cellular arrangement in the developing heart may be pertinent to understanding the genesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, morphologic observations were made in 151 normal human embryos, fetuses and term infants. Disproportionate ventricular septal thickening (septal-free wall ratio greater than or equal to 1.3) was present in 94% of embryos and young fetuses; in over one-third disproportionate thickening was particularly pronounced (septal-free ratio greater than or equal to 2.0). Disproportionate septal thickening was also present in 65% of older fetuses, but in only 12% of infants over two weeks of age. Septal-free wall ratio decreased in a curvilinear fashion with increasing age and apporixmated unity in the newborn. This phenomenon occurred because, while both ventricular septal and left ventricular free wall thicknesses increased directly with age, free wall thickness increased at a greater rate than septal thickness, particularly after birth. Marked cellular disorganization in the septum was not a feature of the hearts studied.", "contents": "Disproportionate ventricular septal thickening in the developing normal human heart. A disproportionately thickened ventricular septum containing numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells is the most characteristic anatomic feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Since information concerning ventricular wall thicknesses and cellular arrangement in the developing heart may be pertinent to understanding the genesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, morphologic observations were made in 151 normal human embryos, fetuses and term infants. Disproportionate ventricular septal thickening (septal-free wall ratio greater than or equal to 1.3) was present in 94% of embryos and young fetuses; in over one-third disproportionate thickening was particularly pronounced (septal-free ratio greater than or equal to 2.0). Disproportionate septal thickening was also present in 65% of older fetuses, but in only 12% of infants over two weeks of age. Septal-free wall ratio decreased in a curvilinear fashion with increasing age and apporixmated unity in the newborn. This phenomenon occurred because, while both ventricular septal and left ventricular free wall thicknesses increased directly with age, free wall thickness increased at a greater rate than septal thickness, particularly after birth. Marked cellular disorganization in the septum was not a feature of the hearts studied.", "PMID": 624161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5365", "title": "Failure of high doses of propranolol to reduce experimental myocardial ischemic damage.", "content": "Myocardial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and myocardial blood flow (MFB, 15 +/- mu microspheres) were measured at 24 hours after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in nine untreated anesthetized dogs, in eight dogs pretreated with intravenous propranolol 5 mg/kg and in eight which had both pretreatment as well as infusion of propranolol (1.25 mg/kg/hour) after occlusion. Loss of CPK activity from the border and center zones of the myocardial infarct was similar in extent in dogs which had pretreatment but no infusion of propranolol as it was in the control group. Loss of CPK from the center zone was greater (P less than 0.005) in dogs receiving pretreatment followed by constant infusion of the drug. Propranolol had no significant effect on collateral blood flow to the border or center zone of the infarct. In separate experiments, there was no important difference in hemodynamic measurements, except a slower heart rate (P less than 0.01), when pretreated dogs were compared with control dogs up to 2 hours after coronary ligation. We conclude that propranolol given in this dose does not influence nyocardial damage, on the basis of regional myocardial blood flow or tissue CPK depletion values at 24 hr after coronary occlusion.", "contents": "Failure of high doses of propranolol to reduce experimental myocardial ischemic damage. Myocardial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and myocardial blood flow (MFB, 15 +/- mu microspheres) were measured at 24 hours after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in nine untreated anesthetized dogs, in eight dogs pretreated with intravenous propranolol 5 mg/kg and in eight which had both pretreatment as well as infusion of propranolol (1.25 mg/kg/hour) after occlusion. Loss of CPK activity from the border and center zones of the myocardial infarct was similar in extent in dogs which had pretreatment but no infusion of propranolol as it was in the control group. Loss of CPK from the center zone was greater (P less than 0.005) in dogs receiving pretreatment followed by constant infusion of the drug. Propranolol had no significant effect on collateral blood flow to the border or center zone of the infarct. In separate experiments, there was no important difference in hemodynamic measurements, except a slower heart rate (P less than 0.01), when pretreated dogs were compared with control dogs up to 2 hours after coronary ligation. We conclude that propranolol given in this dose does not influence nyocardial damage, on the basis of regional myocardial blood flow or tissue CPK depletion values at 24 hr after coronary occlusion.", "PMID": 624162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5366", "title": "Effects of dimethyl propranolol (UM-272; SC-27761) on myocardial ischemic injury in the canine heart after temporary coronary artery occlusion.", "content": "Myocardial ischemic injury after temporary occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 90 min followed by reperfusion was estimated from the epicardial ST-segment elevation 15 min after occlusion (ST15m), changes in QRS complex, myocardial creatine kinase (CPK) activity and nitro-blue-tetrazolium (NBT) staining at 24 hours. At all sites exhibiting ST15m greater than 2 mV, there was a small development of epicardial Q waves after 90 min of occlusion (sigma deltaQ = 6.94 +/- 0.52 mV) and was maintained for 24 hours. Good correlations were obtained between CPK activity at 24 hours and the development of Q waves at 24 hours as well as at 60 min after reperfusion (r = 0.49; N = 56). Pretreatment with UM-272 significantly reduced the development of Q-waves (sigma deltaQ1hr = 2.23 +/- 0.75 mV) which was correlated with less CPK depletion and smaller infarct size as determined on the bais of NBT staining for myocardial tissue dehydrogenases at 24 hours. It appears, therefore, that the assessment of pathoologic Q wave development provides an accurate and early estimate of the extent of the ultimate cardiac damage due to ischemia and that pretreatment with UM-272 exerts a protective effect on the ischemic myocardium.", "contents": "Effects of dimethyl propranolol (UM-272; SC-27761) on myocardial ischemic injury in the canine heart after temporary coronary artery occlusion. Myocardial ischemic injury after temporary occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 90 min followed by reperfusion was estimated from the epicardial ST-segment elevation 15 min after occlusion (ST15m), changes in QRS complex, myocardial creatine kinase (CPK) activity and nitro-blue-tetrazolium (NBT) staining at 24 hours. At all sites exhibiting ST15m greater than 2 mV, there was a small development of epicardial Q waves after 90 min of occlusion (sigma deltaQ = 6.94 +/- 0.52 mV) and was maintained for 24 hours. Good correlations were obtained between CPK activity at 24 hours and the development of Q waves at 24 hours as well as at 60 min after reperfusion (r = 0.49; N = 56). Pretreatment with UM-272 significantly reduced the development of Q-waves (sigma deltaQ1hr = 2.23 +/- 0.75 mV) which was correlated with less CPK depletion and smaller infarct size as determined on the bais of NBT staining for myocardial tissue dehydrogenases at 24 hours. It appears, therefore, that the assessment of pathoologic Q wave development provides an accurate and early estimate of the extent of the ultimate cardiac damage due to ischemia and that pretreatment with UM-272 exerts a protective effect on the ischemic myocardium.", "PMID": 624163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5367", "title": "The rate-pressure product as an index of myocardial oxygen consumption during exercise in patients with angina pectoris.", "content": "In order to evaluate hemodynamic predictors of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), 27 normotensive men with angina pectoris were studied at rest and during a steady state at sympton-tolerated maximal exercise (STME). Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured by the nitrous oxide method using gas chromatography. MBF increased by 71% from a resting value of 57.4 +/- 10.2 to 98.3 +/- 15.6 ml/100 g LV/min (P less than 0.001) during STME while MVO2 increased by 81% from a resting value of 6.7 +/- 1.3 to 12.1 +/- 2.8 ml O2/100 g LV/min (P less than 0.001). MVO2 correlated well with heart rate (HR) (r = 0.79), with HR x blood pressure (BP) (r = 0.83), and, adding end-diastolic pressure and peak LV dp/dt as independent variables, slightly improved this correlation (r = .86). Including the ejection period (tension-time index) did not improve the correlation (r = 0.80). Thus, HR and HR x BP, both easily measured hemodynamic variables, are good predictors of MVO2 during exercise in normotensive patients with ischemic heart disease. Including variables reflecting the contractile state of the heart and ventricular volume may further improve the predictability.", "contents": "The rate-pressure product as an index of myocardial oxygen consumption during exercise in patients with angina pectoris. In order to evaluate hemodynamic predictors of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), 27 normotensive men with angina pectoris were studied at rest and during a steady state at sympton-tolerated maximal exercise (STME). Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured by the nitrous oxide method using gas chromatography. MBF increased by 71% from a resting value of 57.4 +/- 10.2 to 98.3 +/- 15.6 ml/100 g LV/min (P less than 0.001) during STME while MVO2 increased by 81% from a resting value of 6.7 +/- 1.3 to 12.1 +/- 2.8 ml O2/100 g LV/min (P less than 0.001). MVO2 correlated well with heart rate (HR) (r = 0.79), with HR x blood pressure (BP) (r = 0.83), and, adding end-diastolic pressure and peak LV dp/dt as independent variables, slightly improved this correlation (r = .86). Including the ejection period (tension-time index) did not improve the correlation (r = 0.80). Thus, HR and HR x BP, both easily measured hemodynamic variables, are good predictors of MVO2 during exercise in normotensive patients with ischemic heart disease. Including variables reflecting the contractile state of the heart and ventricular volume may further improve the predictability.", "PMID": 624164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5368", "title": "Hemodynamic effects of nitroprusside and hydralazine in experimental cardiac tamponade.", "content": "Cardiac tamponade is associated with decreased cardiac output and increased systemic vascular resistance. Thus, vasodilator drugs might lower systemic resistance and increase cardiac output. Three groups of dogs were studied during tamponade. Group I received nitroprusside only; group II received blood transfusion and then nitroprusside; group III received hydralazine. In group I, nitroprusside lowered right artrial pressure and systemic resistance; cardiac output was unchanged. In group II, transfusion raised right atrial pressure but not cardiac output. Then nitroprusside raised cardiac output significantly. Hydralazine decreased right atrial pressure less than nitroprusside but decreased vascular resistance and raised cardiac output. Both nitroprusside and hydralazine decreased systemic vascular resistance during tamponade, but only hydralazine raised cardiac output probably because of its lesser effect upon the capacitance vessels. Nitroprusside maintained cardiac output during tamponade despite lowered right atrial pressure but increased cardiac output only after transfusion.", "contents": "Hemodynamic effects of nitroprusside and hydralazine in experimental cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade is associated with decreased cardiac output and increased systemic vascular resistance. Thus, vasodilator drugs might lower systemic resistance and increase cardiac output. Three groups of dogs were studied during tamponade. Group I received nitroprusside only; group II received blood transfusion and then nitroprusside; group III received hydralazine. In group I, nitroprusside lowered right artrial pressure and systemic resistance; cardiac output was unchanged. In group II, transfusion raised right atrial pressure but not cardiac output. Then nitroprusside raised cardiac output significantly. Hydralazine decreased right atrial pressure less than nitroprusside but decreased vascular resistance and raised cardiac output. Both nitroprusside and hydralazine decreased systemic vascular resistance during tamponade, but only hydralazine raised cardiac output probably because of its lesser effect upon the capacitance vessels. Nitroprusside maintained cardiac output during tamponade despite lowered right atrial pressure but increased cardiac output only after transfusion.", "PMID": 624165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5369", "title": "Effects of a cardiac glycoside in combination with propranolol on the ischemic heart of conscious dogs.", "content": "The effects of coronary occlusion and of subsequent propranolol and ouabain administration were examined in 12 conscious dogs. Overall left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by measurement of LV pressure and dP/dt, and regional myocardial function was assessed by measurements of segment length (SL), velocity of SL shortening and regional myocardial \"work,\" i.e., pressure-length loops in normal and moderately and severely ischemic zones. Regional intramyocardial electrograms were measured at the same sites as function along with regional myocardial blood flow as determined by the radioactive microsphere technique. Coronary occlusion resulted in graded loss of function from the normal to severely ischemic zones, along with graded flow reductions and graded elevation of the ST segment. Propranolol, 1 mg/kg, depressed overall LV function and function in the normal zone more than in ischemic zones. Propranolol reduced flow to the normal zone and increased flow to ischemic zones, while not affecting ST-segment elevation significantly. In the presence of occlusion and propranolol, ouabain, 20 microgram/kg, improved overall LV function as well as regional function in the normal, moderately ischemic and severely ischemic zones. In addition, ouabain reduced ST elevation and increased blood flow further in moderately and severely ischemic zones. Most strikingly, ouabain returned normal systolic shortening to eight severely ischemic segments which were previously akinetic.", "contents": "Effects of a cardiac glycoside in combination with propranolol on the ischemic heart of conscious dogs. The effects of coronary occlusion and of subsequent propranolol and ouabain administration were examined in 12 conscious dogs. Overall left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by measurement of LV pressure and dP/dt, and regional myocardial function was assessed by measurements of segment length (SL), velocity of SL shortening and regional myocardial \"work,\" i.e., pressure-length loops in normal and moderately and severely ischemic zones. Regional intramyocardial electrograms were measured at the same sites as function along with regional myocardial blood flow as determined by the radioactive microsphere technique. Coronary occlusion resulted in graded loss of function from the normal to severely ischemic zones, along with graded flow reductions and graded elevation of the ST segment. Propranolol, 1 mg/kg, depressed overall LV function and function in the normal zone more than in ischemic zones. Propranolol reduced flow to the normal zone and increased flow to ischemic zones, while not affecting ST-segment elevation significantly. In the presence of occlusion and propranolol, ouabain, 20 microgram/kg, improved overall LV function as well as regional function in the normal, moderately ischemic and severely ischemic zones. In addition, ouabain reduced ST elevation and increased blood flow further in moderately and severely ischemic zones. Most strikingly, ouabain returned normal systolic shortening to eight severely ischemic segments which were previously akinetic.", "PMID": 624166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5370", "title": "Beneficial effect of physical training on blood flow to myocardium perfused by chronic collaterals in the exercising dog.", "content": "To determine the effect of physical training on collateral blood flow, we measured regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) by injecting 15 mu radioactive microspheres at rest and during exercise in 14 dogs with chronic coronary occlusive lesions. Seven dogs subsequently trained for 6 weeks while the other seven remained in kennels. Training effect was documented by decrease in heart rate during exercise that averaged 35 beats/min. MBF studies were repeated after 6 weeks. Myocardial samples were obtained from normally perfused zones (NZ) and from regions supplied via collaterals (collateral dependent zones or CZ). Initially, endocardial blood flow in CZ averaged 1.110 ml/min/g (83% of NZ, P less than 0.05) at rest and 1.36 ml/min/g (69% of NZ, P less than 0.05) during exercise, indicating relative underperfusion. Epicardial blood flow was equal in NZ and CZ. After 6 weeks MBF was not significantly changed in control animals. After training, however, MBF to underperfused endocardium of CZ during exercise was 39% greater than it had been prior to training. The epicardial portion of CZ (not exhibiting underperfusion) showed no change in MBF during exercise after training. Our data suggest that beneficial effects of training in coronary disease may include improvement in MBF to underperfused collateral-dependent portions of myocardium.", "contents": "Beneficial effect of physical training on blood flow to myocardium perfused by chronic collaterals in the exercising dog. To determine the effect of physical training on collateral blood flow, we measured regional myocardial blood flow (MBF) by injecting 15 mu radioactive microspheres at rest and during exercise in 14 dogs with chronic coronary occlusive lesions. Seven dogs subsequently trained for 6 weeks while the other seven remained in kennels. Training effect was documented by decrease in heart rate during exercise that averaged 35 beats/min. MBF studies were repeated after 6 weeks. Myocardial samples were obtained from normally perfused zones (NZ) and from regions supplied via collaterals (collateral dependent zones or CZ). Initially, endocardial blood flow in CZ averaged 1.110 ml/min/g (83% of NZ, P less than 0.05) at rest and 1.36 ml/min/g (69% of NZ, P less than 0.05) during exercise, indicating relative underperfusion. Epicardial blood flow was equal in NZ and CZ. After 6 weeks MBF was not significantly changed in control animals. After training, however, MBF to underperfused endocardium of CZ during exercise was 39% greater than it had been prior to training. The epicardial portion of CZ (not exhibiting underperfusion) showed no change in MBF during exercise after training. Our data suggest that beneficial effects of training in coronary disease may include improvement in MBF to underperfused collateral-dependent portions of myocardium.", "PMID": 624167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5371", "title": "Reduced left ventricular myocardial blood flow per unit mass in aortic stenosis.", "content": "Myocardial blood flow (MBF) per unit mass was measured in 10 patients (pts) with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and no significant aortic insufficiency, normal ejection fractions, and normal coronary arteriograms, using xenon-133 and a multiple crystal scintillation camera. MBF per unit mass was reduced in AS (53 +/- 13 mg/100g.min) in comparison to a group of seven normal control patients (69 +/- 12 ml/100g.min) (P less than 0.05). When normalized for heart rate. MBF remained depressed in aortic stenosis (0.65 +/- 0.11 ml/100 g.beat). MBF/beat was strongly related to peak left ventricular wall stress in both groups (r = 0.97). Individual values of MBF/beat were normalized for peak stress using an analysis of covarience; the adjusted mean values were 0.62 +/- 0.03 ml/100g.beat for the AS patients and 0.84 +/- 0.03 ml/100 g.beat for the control patients. There was no overlap between groups in adjusted MBF per beat. Values of MBF per beat and peak stress for a group of ten cardiomyopathy patients with depressed contractility were observed to fall close to the regression line for AS patients. The results suggest that variability in resting MBF in these AS patients is due primarily to differences in LV stress and that reduction in MBF per beat in this group may be due to reduced contractility.", "contents": "Reduced left ventricular myocardial blood flow per unit mass in aortic stenosis. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) per unit mass was measured in 10 patients (pts) with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and no significant aortic insufficiency, normal ejection fractions, and normal coronary arteriograms, using xenon-133 and a multiple crystal scintillation camera. MBF per unit mass was reduced in AS (53 +/- 13 mg/100g.min) in comparison to a group of seven normal control patients (69 +/- 12 ml/100g.min) (P less than 0.05). When normalized for heart rate. MBF remained depressed in aortic stenosis (0.65 +/- 0.11 ml/100 g.beat). MBF/beat was strongly related to peak left ventricular wall stress in both groups (r = 0.97). Individual values of MBF/beat were normalized for peak stress using an analysis of covarience; the adjusted mean values were 0.62 +/- 0.03 ml/100g.beat for the AS patients and 0.84 +/- 0.03 ml/100 g.beat for the control patients. There was no overlap between groups in adjusted MBF per beat. Values of MBF per beat and peak stress for a group of ten cardiomyopathy patients with depressed contractility were observed to fall close to the regression line for AS patients. The results suggest that variability in resting MBF in these AS patients is due primarily to differences in LV stress and that reduction in MBF per beat in this group may be due to reduced contractility.", "PMID": 624168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5372", "title": "Exploration of the cause of the low intensity aortic component of the second sound in nonhypotensive patients with poor ventricular performance.", "content": "This investigation was undertaken to explore the cause of the diminished second sound (S2) that may occur in normotensive patients with poorly performing ventricles. Intra-aortic sound and pressure were measured in 16 patients with angina; eight had normal ventricular performance (ejection fraction greater than or equal to 60%) and eight had poor performance (ejection fraction less than 50%). The amplitude of S2 was lower in patients with poor ventricular performance as was negative d/dt. Aortic pressure was conparable in both groups. The ampitude of S2 was linearly related to the rate of change of the pressure gradient that developed across the aortic valve during diastole (r = 0.82). The latter also correlated with negative dp/dt (r = 0.82). These observations indicate that in patients with poor ventricular performance, isovolumic relaxation may be compromised. This would cause a reduction of the rate of development of the diastolic pressure gradient, which would result in a diminished S2.", "contents": "Exploration of the cause of the low intensity aortic component of the second sound in nonhypotensive patients with poor ventricular performance. This investigation was undertaken to explore the cause of the diminished second sound (S2) that may occur in normotensive patients with poorly performing ventricles. Intra-aortic sound and pressure were measured in 16 patients with angina; eight had normal ventricular performance (ejection fraction greater than or equal to 60%) and eight had poor performance (ejection fraction less than 50%). The amplitude of S2 was lower in patients with poor ventricular performance as was negative d/dt. Aortic pressure was conparable in both groups. The ampitude of S2 was linearly related to the rate of change of the pressure gradient that developed across the aortic valve during diastole (r = 0.82). The latter also correlated with negative dp/dt (r = 0.82). These observations indicate that in patients with poor ventricular performance, isovolumic relaxation may be compromised. This would cause a reduction of the rate of development of the diastolic pressure gradient, which would result in a diminished S2.", "PMID": 624169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5373", "title": "Spectral energy of the first heart sound in acute myocardial ischemia. A correlation with electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and wall motion abnormalities.", "content": "First heart sound (S1) energy spectra in isovolumic systole, hemodynamics, and angiographic left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) at rest and with atrial pacing were compared in 27 patients who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization and angiography because of chest pain. Eighteen patients were found to have coronary artery disease (CAD) and nine patients, normal coronary arteries. Eleven of the 18 CAD patients (61%) had a mean reduction in the spectral energy of S1 of 6.5 +/- 1.4 (SEM) dB below control (-52%), during interruption of ischemic stress of rapid atrial pacing, compared to only one of nine patients without CAD (P less than 0.05). Only five CAD patients (28%) had an abnormal rise (greater than or equal to 5 mm) in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) either during or upon interruption of pacing, and six (33%) had ischemic ST-segment depression greater than or equal to mv in the ECG. Similarly two patients free of CAD (22%) had an abnormal increase in LVEDP, and none had ECG evidence of ischemia. Seventeen CAD patients (94%) had segmental LVWM abnormalities at rest or with interruption of pacing, while three patients with normal coronary arteries (33%) had abnormal angiographic LVWM (P less than 0.01). Thus, reduction is S1 spectral energy is a common accompaniment of myocardial ischemia. In the present study, it was more frequently observed than abnormalities in either the ECG or LVEDP, but was not was consistently seen as segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.", "contents": "Spectral energy of the first heart sound in acute myocardial ischemia. A correlation with electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and wall motion abnormalities. First heart sound (S1) energy spectra in isovolumic systole, hemodynamics, and angiographic left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) at rest and with atrial pacing were compared in 27 patients who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization and angiography because of chest pain. Eighteen patients were found to have coronary artery disease (CAD) and nine patients, normal coronary arteries. Eleven of the 18 CAD patients (61%) had a mean reduction in the spectral energy of S1 of 6.5 +/- 1.4 (SEM) dB below control (-52%), during interruption of ischemic stress of rapid atrial pacing, compared to only one of nine patients without CAD (P less than 0.05). Only five CAD patients (28%) had an abnormal rise (greater than or equal to 5 mm) in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) either during or upon interruption of pacing, and six (33%) had ischemic ST-segment depression greater than or equal to mv in the ECG. Similarly two patients free of CAD (22%) had an abnormal increase in LVEDP, and none had ECG evidence of ischemia. Seventeen CAD patients (94%) had segmental LVWM abnormalities at rest or with interruption of pacing, while three patients with normal coronary arteries (33%) had abnormal angiographic LVWM (P less than 0.01). Thus, reduction is S1 spectral energy is a common accompaniment of myocardial ischemia. In the present study, it was more frequently observed than abnormalities in either the ECG or LVEDP, but was not was consistently seen as segmental left ventricular wall motion abnormalities.", "PMID": 624170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5374", "title": "Changes in plasma catecholamines and dopamine beta-hydroxylase after corrective surgery for coarctation of the aorta.", "content": "In six patients within 12 hours of surgical correction of aortic coarctation there was a 750% increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations accompanied by an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The magnitude of the postoperative increase in noradrenaline concentrations was related to the preoperative level of the pressure gradient across the coarctation. Six months after operation plasma noradrenaline concentrations were still significantly elevated. In nine patients who underwent other types of major surgery there was a small increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations and a return to levels within the normal range within 24 hours. Various explanations for the rise in plasma noradrenaline concentrations are considered. In particular the possibility is raised that after surgical correction of aortic coarctation the increased levels indicate a marked increase in sympathetic nervous system activity; this may be mediated by baroreceptor mechanisms and may persist for up to six months after surgery.", "contents": "Changes in plasma catecholamines and dopamine beta-hydroxylase after corrective surgery for coarctation of the aorta. In six patients within 12 hours of surgical correction of aortic coarctation there was a 750% increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations accompanied by an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The magnitude of the postoperative increase in noradrenaline concentrations was related to the preoperative level of the pressure gradient across the coarctation. Six months after operation plasma noradrenaline concentrations were still significantly elevated. In nine patients who underwent other types of major surgery there was a small increase in plasma noradrenaline concentrations and a return to levels within the normal range within 24 hours. Various explanations for the rise in plasma noradrenaline concentrations are considered. In particular the possibility is raised that after surgical correction of aortic coarctation the increased levels indicate a marked increase in sympathetic nervous system activity; this may be mediated by baroreceptor mechanisms and may persist for up to six months after surgery.", "PMID": 624171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5375", "title": "A guide to the radiographic identification of prosthetic heart valves.", "content": "To facilitate the radiographic identification of prosthetic heart valves, radiographic silhouettes of various aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve prostheses were analyzed and shematized. Forty different prosthetic valve models (heterograft and mechanical) were obtained from seven domestic manufacturers. Each prosthesis was positioned to approximate the aortic, mitral or tricuspid valve anulus plane. The valves were then radiographed and photographed as they would appear in posteronanterior and left lateral chest radiographs. The radiographic silhouettes were examined and a scheme was designed to enable easy, yet accurate, differentiation of the many heart valve prostheses. Illustrations of the various valve types are presented as they would appear in routine chest radiographs.", "contents": "A guide to the radiographic identification of prosthetic heart valves. To facilitate the radiographic identification of prosthetic heart valves, radiographic silhouettes of various aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve prostheses were analyzed and shematized. Forty different prosthetic valve models (heterograft and mechanical) were obtained from seven domestic manufacturers. Each prosthesis was positioned to approximate the aortic, mitral or tricuspid valve anulus plane. The valves were then radiographed and photographed as they would appear in posteronanterior and left lateral chest radiographs. The radiographic silhouettes were examined and a scheme was designed to enable easy, yet accurate, differentiation of the many heart valve prostheses. Illustrations of the various valve types are presented as they would appear in routine chest radiographs.", "PMID": 624173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5376", "title": "Echocardiographic diagnosis of ruptured aortic valve leaflet in bacterial endocarditis.", "content": "Aortic valve rupture, secondary to aortic valve endocarditis, was diagnosed echocardiographically and closely followed preoperatively. The ruptured left coronary cusp of the aortic valve was seen as dense irregular echoes, located anteriorly during ventricular diastole, and protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract in an otherwise normally appearing aortic valve. These echocardiographic findings, when correlated with changes in the clinical status of the patient, prompted immediate cardiac catheterization and aortic valve replacement. Early echocardiographic detection of abnormal aortic cusps and variation from normal aortic root echo features should alert the physician to proceed to cardiac catheterization, and aortic valve replacement if necessary.", "contents": "Echocardiographic diagnosis of ruptured aortic valve leaflet in bacterial endocarditis. Aortic valve rupture, secondary to aortic valve endocarditis, was diagnosed echocardiographically and closely followed preoperatively. The ruptured left coronary cusp of the aortic valve was seen as dense irregular echoes, located anteriorly during ventricular diastole, and protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract in an otherwise normally appearing aortic valve. These echocardiographic findings, when correlated with changes in the clinical status of the patient, prompted immediate cardiac catheterization and aortic valve replacement. Early echocardiographic detection of abnormal aortic cusps and variation from normal aortic root echo features should alert the physician to proceed to cardiac catheterization, and aortic valve replacement if necessary.", "PMID": 624175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5377", "title": "Inexcitable right ventricle and bilateral bundle branch block in Uhl's disease.", "content": "A 29-year-old female with Uhl's anomaly developed complete atrioventricular (A-V) block. His bundle studies revealed block distal to the His bundle recording site with narrow QRS complexes. Right ventricular capture could not be obtained and despite successful left ventricular epicardial pacing, the patient died. Autopsy revealed absence of myocardium in most areas of the right ventricle and the right side of the ventricular septum with a normal tricuspid valve. Conduction system examination revelaed total destruction of both bundle branches. This is the first case where bilateral bundle branch block is shown to be present in Uhl's anomaly. Narrow QRS complexes probably reflected the absence of right ventricular forces.", "contents": "Inexcitable right ventricle and bilateral bundle branch block in Uhl's disease. A 29-year-old female with Uhl's anomaly developed complete atrioventricular (A-V) block. His bundle studies revealed block distal to the His bundle recording site with narrow QRS complexes. Right ventricular capture could not be obtained and despite successful left ventricular epicardial pacing, the patient died. Autopsy revealed absence of myocardium in most areas of the right ventricle and the right side of the ventricular septum with a normal tricuspid valve. Conduction system examination revelaed total destruction of both bundle branches. This is the first case where bilateral bundle branch block is shown to be present in Uhl's anomaly. Narrow QRS complexes probably reflected the absence of right ventricular forces.", "PMID": 624176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5378", "title": "Serum cholesterol analysis in the C.B. Heart Project. Intra-and inter-laboratory continuous quality control.", "content": "Standardization and quality control of measurements are of crucial importance in large medical surveys. In the C.B. Heart Project serum cholesterol analyses in the central laboratory were extensively controlled with regard to precision as well as accuracy. All measurements are carried out in side-by-side duplicate, the maximum difference allowed being 0.3 mmol/l. Bench control, aiming at maintaining linearity and precision with control limits, requires insertion of standard solutions and several serum controls into every run. Control values must fall within 2 S.D. limits from the established mean values, e.g. 4.1 +/1 0.25 mmol/l and 8.2 +/- 0.25 mmol/l. A very reliable check on the precision was obtained by blind introduction of duplicate patient specimens. Repeatability (within-run precision) as calculated each month has S.D. values of approx. 0.10--0.20 mmol/l, whereas reproducibility (long-term precision) S.D. values are 0.15--0.25 mmol/l. Accuracy is checked in the Cooperative Standardization Programme of the WHO Regional Lipid Reference Centre in Prague. This makes the C.B. Heart Progject results comparable with other standardized studies. Our bias approximates +3% and usually remains within WHO \"narrow limits\".", "contents": "Serum cholesterol analysis in the C.B. Heart Project. Intra-and inter-laboratory continuous quality control. Standardization and quality control of measurements are of crucial importance in large medical surveys. In the C.B. Heart Project serum cholesterol analyses in the central laboratory were extensively controlled with regard to precision as well as accuracy. All measurements are carried out in side-by-side duplicate, the maximum difference allowed being 0.3 mmol/l. Bench control, aiming at maintaining linearity and precision with control limits, requires insertion of standard solutions and several serum controls into every run. Control values must fall within 2 S.D. limits from the established mean values, e.g. 4.1 +/1 0.25 mmol/l and 8.2 +/- 0.25 mmol/l. A very reliable check on the precision was obtained by blind introduction of duplicate patient specimens. Repeatability (within-run precision) as calculated each month has S.D. values of approx. 0.10--0.20 mmol/l, whereas reproducibility (long-term precision) S.D. values are 0.15--0.25 mmol/l. Accuracy is checked in the Cooperative Standardization Programme of the WHO Regional Lipid Reference Centre in Prague. This makes the C.B. Heart Progject results comparable with other standardized studies. Our bias approximates +3% and usually remains within WHO \"narrow limits\".", "PMID": 624177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5379", "title": "Thyroid hormone concentrations in a large scale community survey. Effect of age, sex, illness and medication.", "content": "Total thyroid hormone concentrations have been measured in the course of a large scale community survey to determine the distribution of these variables in the normal population and to assess the effect of age, sex, previously undectected thyroid disease and medication upon these parameters. 2779 subjects were studied. Serum T4 concentrations were normally distributed. A progressive increase in T4 levels with age was noted in the males, and a smaller increase in females which was concealed by the raised T4 values secondary to oral contraceptive therapy in females under the age of 45. Serum T3 levels were also normally distributed. There was a small reduction in T3 with age in the males but this fall was not seen in the females. T3 values were relatively higher in females under the age of 45 but this increase was not noted after exclusion of subjects taking an oral contraceptive. The changes in thyroid hormone concentrations with age are relatively minor (particularly with respect to T3) in a randomly selected sample from an English town. It is suggested that the changes reported by other authors reflect the process of selection used, and the high frequency of undetected thyroid disease, other illness and medication in hospital-based communities.", "contents": "Thyroid hormone concentrations in a large scale community survey. Effect of age, sex, illness and medication. Total thyroid hormone concentrations have been measured in the course of a large scale community survey to determine the distribution of these variables in the normal population and to assess the effect of age, sex, previously undectected thyroid disease and medication upon these parameters. 2779 subjects were studied. Serum T4 concentrations were normally distributed. A progressive increase in T4 levels with age was noted in the males, and a smaller increase in females which was concealed by the raised T4 values secondary to oral contraceptive therapy in females under the age of 45. Serum T3 levels were also normally distributed. There was a small reduction in T3 with age in the males but this fall was not seen in the females. T3 values were relatively higher in females under the age of 45 but this increase was not noted after exclusion of subjects taking an oral contraceptive. The changes in thyroid hormone concentrations with age are relatively minor (particularly with respect to T3) in a randomly selected sample from an English town. It is suggested that the changes reported by other authors reflect the process of selection used, and the high frequency of undetected thyroid disease, other illness and medication in hospital-based communities.", "PMID": 624178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5380", "title": "Mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.", "content": "The mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase was measured in the serum of 50 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by an immunoadsorbent method. The enzyme activities in patients in the early, midstage, and late stages of the disease and controls were 21.8 +/- 7.4 (N=9), 12.2 +/- 3.7 (N=38), 6.4 +/- 1.2 (N=3) and 4.2 +/1 1.2 units/ml (N=15), respectively. The enzyme level in the early stage was significantly elevated (p less than 0.01, vs. control, p less than 0.05 vs. mid stage). As the disease progressed, the levels gradually declined, but mid-stage values were still higher than the late stage (p less than 0.01) or control values (p less than 0.01). In the late stage, enzyme activity was within the control range.", "contents": "Mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The mitochondrial fraction of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase was measured in the serum of 50 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by an immunoadsorbent method. The enzyme activities in patients in the early, midstage, and late stages of the disease and controls were 21.8 +/- 7.4 (N=9), 12.2 +/- 3.7 (N=38), 6.4 +/- 1.2 (N=3) and 4.2 +/1 1.2 units/ml (N=15), respectively. The enzyme level in the early stage was significantly elevated (p less than 0.01, vs. control, p less than 0.05 vs. mid stage). As the disease progressed, the levels gradually declined, but mid-stage values were still higher than the late stage (p less than 0.01) or control values (p less than 0.01). In the late stage, enzyme activity was within the control range.", "PMID": 624179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5381", "title": "Multiple forms of renin substrate in human plasma.", "content": "Renin substrate (angiotensinogen) in unfractionated human plasma has been shown to exist in multiple forms by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Two major and 5 to 6 minor peaks were resolved by using a descending pH gradient elution from DEAE-cellulose columns. The two predominant forms were eluted at or near pH 4.8 and 4.4 and usually accounted for 40--50% of the recovered substrate activity. The elution pH values of the various forms were nearly constant among plasmas from normal males and females and in diabetes, early and late pregnancy and estrogen substitution therapy. The relative distribution of components was not affected by prior freezing of the plasma or by dialysis against the column buffer. Eight renin substrate forms were clearly resolved during isoelectric focusing of plasma from a woman on estrogen substitution therapy. Four of these focused at pH 4.79, 4.88, 4.94 and 5.02 in 1% (w/v) ampholytes pH 3.5--5 and were nearly equal in substrate amount. Together these 4 forms constituted 66% of the total recovered activity. A similar pattern but with decreased amounts of each form of substrate was obtained with normal plasma.", "contents": "Multiple forms of renin substrate in human plasma. Renin substrate (angiotensinogen) in unfractionated human plasma has been shown to exist in multiple forms by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Two major and 5 to 6 minor peaks were resolved by using a descending pH gradient elution from DEAE-cellulose columns. The two predominant forms were eluted at or near pH 4.8 and 4.4 and usually accounted for 40--50% of the recovered substrate activity. The elution pH values of the various forms were nearly constant among plasmas from normal males and females and in diabetes, early and late pregnancy and estrogen substitution therapy. The relative distribution of components was not affected by prior freezing of the plasma or by dialysis against the column buffer. Eight renin substrate forms were clearly resolved during isoelectric focusing of plasma from a woman on estrogen substitution therapy. Four of these focused at pH 4.79, 4.88, 4.94 and 5.02 in 1% (w/v) ampholytes pH 3.5--5 and were nearly equal in substrate amount. Together these 4 forms constituted 66% of the total recovered activity. A similar pattern but with decreased amounts of each form of substrate was obtained with normal plasma.", "PMID": 624180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5382", "title": "The labelling of urinary acids after oral doses of deuterated L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine in normal subjects. Quantitative studies with implications for the deuterated phenylalanine load test in phenylketonuria.", "content": "Oral doses of L-[2H5]-phenylalanine (25 mg/kg) and L-[2H2]-tyrosine (12.5 mg/kg) were given separately to three normal subjects and together to a fourth. Blood samples were analysed for deuterium labelled phenylalanine and tyrosine, and urine for labelled o-and p-hydroxyphenylacetic, p-hydroxyphenyllactic and p-hydroxymandelic acids. The labelling patterns of the urinary metabolites indicated that the para-compounds all originated in both hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. The plasma tyrosine did not appear to be in equilibrium with the tyrosine in the liver. It is concluded that a simple quantitative relationship between the labelling of these metabolites and the synthesis of labelled tyrosine from labelled phenylalanine in liver is unlikely.", "contents": "The labelling of urinary acids after oral doses of deuterated L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine in normal subjects. Quantitative studies with implications for the deuterated phenylalanine load test in phenylketonuria. Oral doses of L-[2H5]-phenylalanine (25 mg/kg) and L-[2H2]-tyrosine (12.5 mg/kg) were given separately to three normal subjects and together to a fourth. Blood samples were analysed for deuterium labelled phenylalanine and tyrosine, and urine for labelled o-and p-hydroxyphenylacetic, p-hydroxyphenyllactic and p-hydroxymandelic acids. The labelling patterns of the urinary metabolites indicated that the para-compounds all originated in both hepatic and extra-hepatic tissues. The plasma tyrosine did not appear to be in equilibrium with the tyrosine in the liver. It is concluded that a simple quantitative relationship between the labelling of these metabolites and the synthesis of labelled tyrosine from labelled phenylalanine in liver is unlikely.", "PMID": 624181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5383", "title": "Loads versus tracers for assessing phenylalanine hydroxylase activity using plasma phenylalanine decay curves.", "content": "Consideration of the flow of phenylalanine within the body shows that classical phenylalanine load tests for assessing phenylalanine hydroxylase activity cannot usefully be replaced by tracer techniques.", "contents": "Loads versus tracers for assessing phenylalanine hydroxylase activity using plasma phenylalanine decay curves. Consideration of the flow of phenylalanine within the body shows that classical phenylalanine load tests for assessing phenylalanine hydroxylase activity cannot usefully be replaced by tracer techniques.", "PMID": 624182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5384", "title": "Fluorimetric determination of free hydroxyproline and proline in blood plasma.", "content": "A selective and sensitive assay of hydroxyproline in blood plasma is presented. The technique uses ion exchange chromatography followed by reaction with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD choloride) and continuous recording of the resulting fluorescence (gamma ex=465 nm, gamma fl=535 nm). Proline and prolyl-and hydroxyprolyl-peptides can also be measured by this system. For hydroxy proline, the method is more sensitive than procedures using ninhydrin or p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde.", "contents": "Fluorimetric determination of free hydroxyproline and proline in blood plasma. A selective and sensitive assay of hydroxyproline in blood plasma is presented. The technique uses ion exchange chromatography followed by reaction with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD choloride) and continuous recording of the resulting fluorescence (gamma ex=465 nm, gamma fl=535 nm). Proline and prolyl-and hydroxyprolyl-peptides can also be measured by this system. For hydroxy proline, the method is more sensitive than procedures using ninhydrin or p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde.", "PMID": 624183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5385", "title": "Automated continuous flow determination of urine albumin by competition with dye-detergent binding.", "content": "A continuous flow automated method for urine albumin was developed based on the ability of albumin to displace bromophenol blue from a bromophenol blue detergent complex. The method is almost specific for albumin, giving a slight response with an alpha-globulin fraction from serum. Results agreed closely with rocket electrophoresis albumin estimates on urine samples, but significantly less closely with \"total urine protein\" estimates by an acid protein precipitation, followed by biuret colour reaction, procedure. This method is being used to replace the indefinite \"total protein\" test for most routine purposes.", "contents": "Automated continuous flow determination of urine albumin by competition with dye-detergent binding. A continuous flow automated method for urine albumin was developed based on the ability of albumin to displace bromophenol blue from a bromophenol blue detergent complex. The method is almost specific for albumin, giving a slight response with an alpha-globulin fraction from serum. Results agreed closely with rocket electrophoresis albumin estimates on urine samples, but significantly less closely with \"total urine protein\" estimates by an acid protein precipitation, followed by biuret colour reaction, procedure. This method is being used to replace the indefinite \"total protein\" test for most routine purposes.", "PMID": 624184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5386", "title": "The misleading presence of glucose in lipid extracts from human liver.", "content": "Lipid extracts of two out of three liver samples examined contained appreciable quantities of an apparent glycolipid migrating with a chromatographic mobility intermediate between a tetrahexosylceramide standard and sphingomyelin. The substance was subsequently identified as free glucose. Its presence in the lipid extracts was probably related to the high levels of endogenous carbohydrate in the samples. To prevent possible confusion with glycolipids, care should be exercised in the interpretation of chromatographic data when organs containing high levels of endogenous carbohydrate are being examined.", "contents": "The misleading presence of glucose in lipid extracts from human liver. Lipid extracts of two out of three liver samples examined contained appreciable quantities of an apparent glycolipid migrating with a chromatographic mobility intermediate between a tetrahexosylceramide standard and sphingomyelin. The substance was subsequently identified as free glucose. Its presence in the lipid extracts was probably related to the high levels of endogenous carbohydrate in the samples. To prevent possible confusion with glycolipids, care should be exercised in the interpretation of chromatographic data when organs containing high levels of endogenous carbohydrate are being examined.", "PMID": 624185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5387", "title": "Spontaneous abortion, sex ratio and facial cleft malformations.", "content": "In family and reproductive data combined from five treatment centers, relating to 861 index cases with cleft lip (with or without cleft palate, CL+/-P), maternally recognized spontaneous abortions were found to be significantly less frequent in sibships including two or more cases of CL+/-P than in sibships including only one case. In data relating to 379 index cases with cleft palate (CP), maternally recognized spontaneous abortions were reduced to a degree short of formal significant in sibships including two or more cases of CP by comparison with sibships including only one case of CP. The sex ratio among the sibs of parents of CL+/-P index cases was elevated when the index case was the only affected child and reduced when the index case had one or more affected sibs. Considered in combination with the results of other investigations, these findings indicate the existence of inherited factors reducing abortion frequency in the sibships of CL+/-P index cases. These factors appear to be unrelated to those for liability to CL+/-P.", "contents": "Spontaneous abortion, sex ratio and facial cleft malformations. In family and reproductive data combined from five treatment centers, relating to 861 index cases with cleft lip (with or without cleft palate, CL+/-P), maternally recognized spontaneous abortions were found to be significantly less frequent in sibships including two or more cases of CL+/-P than in sibships including only one case. In data relating to 379 index cases with cleft palate (CP), maternally recognized spontaneous abortions were reduced to a degree short of formal significant in sibships including two or more cases of CP by comparison with sibships including only one case of CP. The sex ratio among the sibs of parents of CL+/-P index cases was elevated when the index case was the only affected child and reduced when the index case had one or more affected sibs. Considered in combination with the results of other investigations, these findings indicate the existence of inherited factors reducing abortion frequency in the sibships of CL+/-P index cases. These factors appear to be unrelated to those for liability to CL+/-P.", "PMID": 624186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5388", "title": "Partial 2p trisomy (p21 leads to pter) in two siblings of a family with a 2p-:15q+ translocation.", "content": "Partial 2p trisomy was diagnosed (by the G-banding method) in two sibs with multiple congenital defects. Their father showed a balanced translocation 46,XY,rcp(2;15)(p21;q26) (so the patients were the result of a paternal adjacent-1 meiotic segregation). The clinical features of the two affected cases are compared with other cases previously reported of partial 2p trisomy in order to individualize the syndrome.", "contents": "Partial 2p trisomy (p21 leads to pter) in two siblings of a family with a 2p-:15q+ translocation. Partial 2p trisomy was diagnosed (by the G-banding method) in two sibs with multiple congenital defects. Their father showed a balanced translocation 46,XY,rcp(2;15)(p21;q26) (so the patients were the result of a paternal adjacent-1 meiotic segregation). The clinical features of the two affected cases are compared with other cases previously reported of partial 2p trisomy in order to individualize the syndrome.", "PMID": 624187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5389", "title": "Arginase deficiency in multiple tissues in argininemia.", "content": "A 5 9/12-year-old Mexican female with argininemia presented at 4 years of age with severe growth retardation, microcephaly, mental retardation, loss of ability to walk, spasticity and epileptiform electroencephalogram. At follow-up, blood ammonia was elevated only twice out of 30 determinations. Blood arginine was 544 to 1,074 mumol/l (normal 61 to 173); cerebrospinal fluid arginine was 88 mumol/l (normal 6 to 29); and urinary arginine, citruline and argininosuccinic acid were consistently elevated. Arginase activities in tissues from the propositus were 0.01 mU/mg hemoglobin in erythrocytes (normal 29.8 to 96.1); 9 mU/mg protein in liver (normal 1,522 to 5,491); and 5 mU/mg protein in stratum corneum (normal 2,856 to 7,556). The demonstration of arginase deficiency in liver and stratum corneum suggests a generalized deficiency and helps to explain the elevation of blood arginine. Therapeutic trials of orally administered lysine to enhance dibasic amino acid competition and of enzyme replacement using erythrocyte transfusion did not result in significantly decreased blood arginine or clinical improvement.", "contents": "Arginase deficiency in multiple tissues in argininemia. A 5 9/12-year-old Mexican female with argininemia presented at 4 years of age with severe growth retardation, microcephaly, mental retardation, loss of ability to walk, spasticity and epileptiform electroencephalogram. At follow-up, blood ammonia was elevated only twice out of 30 determinations. Blood arginine was 544 to 1,074 mumol/l (normal 61 to 173); cerebrospinal fluid arginine was 88 mumol/l (normal 6 to 29); and urinary arginine, citruline and argininosuccinic acid were consistently elevated. Arginase activities in tissues from the propositus were 0.01 mU/mg hemoglobin in erythrocytes (normal 29.8 to 96.1); 9 mU/mg protein in liver (normal 1,522 to 5,491); and 5 mU/mg protein in stratum corneum (normal 2,856 to 7,556). The demonstration of arginase deficiency in liver and stratum corneum suggests a generalized deficiency and helps to explain the elevation of blood arginine. Therapeutic trials of orally administered lysine to enhance dibasic amino acid competition and of enzyme replacement using erythrocyte transfusion did not result in significantly decreased blood arginine or clinical improvement.", "PMID": 624188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5390", "title": "Developmental abnormalities associated with long arm deletion of chromosome No. 6.", "content": "A patient is reported who had a partial terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome No. 6. His clinical findings included development delay, failure to thrive, neurologic abnormalities, and multiple congenital malformations. Among the malformation were unusual facial features, cleft palate, atrial septal defect, and abnormalities of the external genitalia. The patient's features are compared with others who may have material deleted from the long arm of chromosome No. 6.", "contents": "Developmental abnormalities associated with long arm deletion of chromosome No. 6. A patient is reported who had a partial terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome No. 6. His clinical findings included development delay, failure to thrive, neurologic abnormalities, and multiple congenital malformations. Among the malformation were unusual facial features, cleft palate, atrial septal defect, and abnormalities of the external genitalia. The patient's features are compared with others who may have material deleted from the long arm of chromosome No. 6.", "PMID": 624189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5391", "title": "Glutaric aciduria in progressive choreo-athetosis.", "content": "The clinical symptoms in a 10-year-old girl with progressive dystonic cerebral palsy are described. The biochemical findings were dominated by large amounts of glutaric acid in the urine. The disorder is caused by impairment of the degradation of glutaryl-CoA. A survey is given of the clinical and biochemical symptoms, based on the five cases reported so far. It is concluded that patients with progressive dystonic palsy should be examined for disorders in the metabolism of organic acids.", "contents": "Glutaric aciduria in progressive choreo-athetosis. The clinical symptoms in a 10-year-old girl with progressive dystonic cerebral palsy are described. The biochemical findings were dominated by large amounts of glutaric acid in the urine. The disorder is caused by impairment of the degradation of glutaryl-CoA. A survey is given of the clinical and biochemical symptoms, based on the five cases reported so far. It is concluded that patients with progressive dystonic palsy should be examined for disorders in the metabolism of organic acids.", "PMID": 624191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5392", "title": "Benign hereditary chorea. Clinical and genetic aspects.", "content": "Five patients from two families in Wales are described who have a benign disorder characterized by lifelong, non-progressive choreic movements, but without mental deterioration or other features of Huntington's disease. The clinical picture and natural history of this specific disorder are discussed, with particular emphasis on its distinction from Huntington's disease. Genetic data from previously reported kindreds are reviewed, and it is concluded that the disorder follows autosomal dominant inheritance, with reduced penetrance in the female. The importance is stressed of recognizing this disorder and not confusing it with Huntington's disease, if serious errors in prognosis and genetic counseling are to be avoided.", "contents": "Benign hereditary chorea. Clinical and genetic aspects. Five patients from two families in Wales are described who have a benign disorder characterized by lifelong, non-progressive choreic movements, but without mental deterioration or other features of Huntington's disease. The clinical picture and natural history of this specific disorder are discussed, with particular emphasis on its distinction from Huntington's disease. Genetic data from previously reported kindreds are reviewed, and it is concluded that the disorder follows autosomal dominant inheritance, with reduced penetrance in the female. The importance is stressed of recognizing this disorder and not confusing it with Huntington's disease, if serious errors in prognosis and genetic counseling are to be avoided.", "PMID": 624192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5393", "title": "Fetal mitral valve movement recording by pulsed ultrasound.", "content": "A technique for the recording of the fetal mitral valve is described and evidence to confirm the origin of the echoes is presented. Our results based on over 500 recordings, and their potential clinical values are discussed.", "contents": "Fetal mitral valve movement recording by pulsed ultrasound. A technique for the recording of the fetal mitral valve is described and evidence to confirm the origin of the echoes is presented. Our results based on over 500 recordings, and their potential clinical values are discussed.", "PMID": 624194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5394", "title": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba Needle.", "content": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using the Chiba needle has been performed on 102 patients. There was an overall success rate of 86 out of 102 cases (84%). Dilated bile ducts were successfully demonstrated in 61 out of 65 patients (94%) and non-dilated ducts in 25 out of 37 patients (70%). Gallbladder filling was achieved in 40 out of 70 cases (67%). The hepatic lymphatics were filled in 32 cases but dilated lymphatics were mainly seen in patients with biliary cirrhosis, inflammatory liver disease or lymphoma. It is suggested that an excessive radiation dose may be given to the radiologist's fingers unless the fluoroscopy diaphrams are kept well coned down. Complications requiring active medical intervention occurred in three cases and emergency surgery in one case.", "contents": "Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba Needle. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using the Chiba needle has been performed on 102 patients. There was an overall success rate of 86 out of 102 cases (84%). Dilated bile ducts were successfully demonstrated in 61 out of 65 patients (94%) and non-dilated ducts in 25 out of 37 patients (70%). Gallbladder filling was achieved in 40 out of 70 cases (67%). The hepatic lymphatics were filled in 32 cases but dilated lymphatics were mainly seen in patients with biliary cirrhosis, inflammatory liver disease or lymphoma. It is suggested that an excessive radiation dose may be given to the radiologist's fingers unless the fluoroscopy diaphrams are kept well coned down. Complications requiring active medical intervention occurred in three cases and emergency surgery in one case.", "PMID": 624195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5395", "title": "Selection of tumors with a poor prognosis in operable carcinoma of the endometrium.", "content": "A retrospective review of 405 patients with operable cancer of the endometrium tested the hypothesis that histological grading might serve to select patients with a poor prognosis for additional external radiation. Deaths from disease by the fifth anniversary were 10 times higher (28/109 - 26%) among patients in the poorly differentiated group - who made up 27% of those assessed. There were 7/288 deaths (2.5%) in the well-differentiated group. A sample of 114 curettage specimens from the above cases, graded without knowledge of the clinical findings, gave a similar result. The FIGO grading system has the advantage of having well-defined dividing lines between grades 1, 2 and 3. However, its value in clinical practice is limited, since the prognostic watershed between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated cases falls well within grade 2. The separation between grade 1 and hyperplasia is also poorly defined and may affect the interpretation of oestrogen studies in relation to endometrial cancer incidence.", "contents": "Selection of tumors with a poor prognosis in operable carcinoma of the endometrium. A retrospective review of 405 patients with operable cancer of the endometrium tested the hypothesis that histological grading might serve to select patients with a poor prognosis for additional external radiation. Deaths from disease by the fifth anniversary were 10 times higher (28/109 - 26%) among patients in the poorly differentiated group - who made up 27% of those assessed. There were 7/288 deaths (2.5%) in the well-differentiated group. A sample of 114 curettage specimens from the above cases, graded without knowledge of the clinical findings, gave a similar result. The FIGO grading system has the advantage of having well-defined dividing lines between grades 1, 2 and 3. However, its value in clinical practice is limited, since the prognostic watershed between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated cases falls well within grade 2. The separation between grade 1 and hyperplasia is also poorly defined and may affect the interpretation of oestrogen studies in relation to endometrial cancer incidence.", "PMID": 624196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5396", "title": "Carcinoma of the larynx - results of primary radiotherapy.", "content": "Results for 180 patients with carcinoma of the larynx treated by radiotherapy at Belvidere Hospital in Glasgow between 1958 and 1968 are presented. The policy of treatment was primary radiotherapy with surgery for recurrences. All the patients have been followed up for more than five years. Overall crude five-year survival is 57%. For stages I and II it is 70%. Surgical rescue was successful in 50% of fit patients.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the larynx - results of primary radiotherapy. Results for 180 patients with carcinoma of the larynx treated by radiotherapy at Belvidere Hospital in Glasgow between 1958 and 1968 are presented. The policy of treatment was primary radiotherapy with surgery for recurrences. All the patients have been followed up for more than five years. Overall crude five-year survival is 57%. For stages I and II it is 70%. Surgical rescue was successful in 50% of fit patients.", "PMID": 624197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5397", "title": "Distant metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "Three hundred and fifty-two consecutive cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were analysed to determine the pattern of distant metastases. Diagnosis of distant metastases was made wholly on clinical signs and radiography. Ninety-nine patients developed distant metastases, an incidence rate of 28.1%. There did not appear to be any difference in \"risk\" by age or sex. The predilection of this cancer to develop skeletal metastases is further confirmed. Pulmonary and hepatic involvement were the next commonest. Both extent of primary tumour (T) and cervical lymph node status (N) exerted a significant influence on the probability of metastases developing. Thus significant differences in metastatic rate were observed between T0/T1, T2 and T3/T4 and N0, N1, N2 and N3 groups. 65.6% of metastatic cases had control of local disease (nasopharynx and cervical lymph nodes). When metastases are diagnosed the prognosis is gloomy with a median survival under four months and a fatality rate of 91% within a year of first metastasis.", "contents": "Distant metastases in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Three hundred and fifty-two consecutive cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were analysed to determine the pattern of distant metastases. Diagnosis of distant metastases was made wholly on clinical signs and radiography. Ninety-nine patients developed distant metastases, an incidence rate of 28.1%. There did not appear to be any difference in \"risk\" by age or sex. The predilection of this cancer to develop skeletal metastases is further confirmed. Pulmonary and hepatic involvement were the next commonest. Both extent of primary tumour (T) and cervical lymph node status (N) exerted a significant influence on the probability of metastases developing. Thus significant differences in metastatic rate were observed between T0/T1, T2 and T3/T4 and N0, N1, N2 and N3 groups. 65.6% of metastatic cases had control of local disease (nasopharynx and cervical lymph nodes). When metastases are diagnosed the prognosis is gloomy with a median survival under four months and a fatality rate of 91% within a year of first metastasis.", "PMID": 624198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5398", "title": "The radiological changes in infections of the spine and their diagnostic value.", "content": "This study describes the early radiological changes which occur in infections of the spine, by examination of the initial radiographs in 45 patients with proven spinal infection. The commonest radiological change in infection of the spine was a symmetrical lesion involving the adjacent surfaces of two vertebrae, with a variable degree of reduction in height of the disc space. A paravertebral abscess was a common associated finding. No radiological pattern was completely reliable in distinguishing tuberculous from non-tuberculous infections, but in white patients the formation of new bone strongly suggested a pyogenic lesion. The presence or absence of a paravertebral abscess was not helpful in distinguishing the variety of infection.", "contents": "The radiological changes in infections of the spine and their diagnostic value. This study describes the early radiological changes which occur in infections of the spine, by examination of the initial radiographs in 45 patients with proven spinal infection. The commonest radiological change in infection of the spine was a symmetrical lesion involving the adjacent surfaces of two vertebrae, with a variable degree of reduction in height of the disc space. A paravertebral abscess was a common associated finding. No radiological pattern was completely reliable in distinguishing tuberculous from non-tuberculous infections, but in white patients the formation of new bone strongly suggested a pyogenic lesion. The presence or absence of a paravertebral abscess was not helpful in distinguishing the variety of infection.", "PMID": 624199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5399", "title": "Osteoblastic bone metastases secondary to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.", "content": "The incidence of bone metastases secondary to adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas is unknown since radiological studies of the bones during life, routine bone scintigrams or extensive examination of the skeleton at autopsy is rarely undertaken in the absence of specific clinical indications. Symptom-producing bone metastases are relatively uncommon; a review of the literature suggests that the vast majority are osteolytic in nature with only a few isolated case reports of purely blastic deposits. In the authors' experience osteoblastic bone metastases are commoner than is generally recognised. Of 12 patients with symptom-producing bone deposits secondary to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, five (41.6%) were purely blastic in nature. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings in these five cases are reported in order to emphasise that the pancreas is a potential source of purely blastic bone metastases and should be considered as a possible primary site in patients who present initially with osteoblastic bone deposits of unknown origin.", "contents": "Osteoblastic bone metastases secondary to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The incidence of bone metastases secondary to adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas is unknown since radiological studies of the bones during life, routine bone scintigrams or extensive examination of the skeleton at autopsy is rarely undertaken in the absence of specific clinical indications. Symptom-producing bone metastases are relatively uncommon; a review of the literature suggests that the vast majority are osteolytic in nature with only a few isolated case reports of purely blastic deposits. In the authors' experience osteoblastic bone metastases are commoner than is generally recognised. Of 12 patients with symptom-producing bone deposits secondary to adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, five (41.6%) were purely blastic in nature. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings in these five cases are reported in order to emphasise that the pancreas is a potential source of purely blastic bone metastases and should be considered as a possible primary site in patients who present initially with osteoblastic bone deposits of unknown origin.", "PMID": 624200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5400", "title": "The radiology of bone changes in rhabdomyosarcoma.", "content": "Rhabdomyosarcoma usually presents as a soft tissue mass, which may invade adjacent bone. However, the patient presents occasionally with bony metastases. Recognition of these is important for staging and management. Fifty-eight cases have been reviewed; 14 of these had local bone invasion by the soft tissue tumour. All bones involvel were flat bones; 12 showed permeated bone destruction and two showed geographic destruction. Bone expansion was seen in half the involved bones. Twelve of the 58 cases showed secondary bone deposits, which were the presenting feature in five. Although 10 cases had permeated bone destruction, two were very well defined with a wide range of radiological appearances. The radiological differential diagnosis includes neuroblastoma, leukaemic infiltration, lymphoma, histiocytosis X, solitary and multifocal osteosarcoma and other deposits.", "contents": "The radiology of bone changes in rhabdomyosarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually presents as a soft tissue mass, which may invade adjacent bone. However, the patient presents occasionally with bony metastases. Recognition of these is important for staging and management. Fifty-eight cases have been reviewed; 14 of these had local bone invasion by the soft tissue tumour. All bones involvel were flat bones; 12 showed permeated bone destruction and two showed geographic destruction. Bone expansion was seen in half the involved bones. Twelve of the 58 cases showed secondary bone deposits, which were the presenting feature in five. Although 10 cases had permeated bone destruction, two were very well defined with a wide range of radiological appearances. The radiological differential diagnosis includes neuroblastoma, leukaemic infiltration, lymphoma, histiocytosis X, solitary and multifocal osteosarcoma and other deposits.", "PMID": 624201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5401", "title": "The role of diagnostic radiology in the diagnosis and management of rhabdomyosarcoma in young persons.", "content": "Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumour of mesenchyme-like tissue in which differentiation of rhabdomyoblasts has occurred. It is found mainly in infants and children. The prognosis, until recent years very grave, has been improved by a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy occasionally with surgery. Survival depends on the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Diagnostic radiology has an important role to play in the demonstration of this, illustrations of which are given from a series of seven cases. The primary tumour has no pathognomonic appearances and is demonstrated essentially as a soft tissue mass lesion which displaces adjacent soft tissue structures such as arteries, veins, bladder and colon, or erodes adjacent bones whether in the extremities or the skull. The main role of diagnostic radiology is the detection of metastases. Chest radiography and skeletal survey are mandatory. Lymphangiography may reveal filling defects in regional lymph nodes but these are indistinguishable from any other metastases. Arteriography as well as revealing displacement of larger vessels, may show typical tumour neovascularity in the lesion. Serial skeletal radiographs are of help in assessing response of metastases to therapy.", "contents": "The role of diagnostic radiology in the diagnosis and management of rhabdomyosarcoma in young persons. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumour of mesenchyme-like tissue in which differentiation of rhabdomyoblasts has occurred. It is found mainly in infants and children. The prognosis, until recent years very grave, has been improved by a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy occasionally with surgery. Survival depends on the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Diagnostic radiology has an important role to play in the demonstration of this, illustrations of which are given from a series of seven cases. The primary tumour has no pathognomonic appearances and is demonstrated essentially as a soft tissue mass lesion which displaces adjacent soft tissue structures such as arteries, veins, bladder and colon, or erodes adjacent bones whether in the extremities or the skull. The main role of diagnostic radiology is the detection of metastases. Chest radiography and skeletal survey are mandatory. Lymphangiography may reveal filling defects in regional lymph nodes but these are indistinguishable from any other metastases. Arteriography as well as revealing displacement of larger vessels, may show typical tumour neovascularity in the lesion. Serial skeletal radiographs are of help in assessing response of metastases to therapy.", "PMID": 624202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5402", "title": "Widening of the radial notch of the ulna: a new articular change in haemophilia.", "content": "A new radiological sign has been observed in 14 of 236 elbows of haemophiliacs examined. This finding is a widening of the radial notch of the ulna, which may become extremely large.", "contents": "Widening of the radial notch of the ulna: a new articular change in haemophilia. A new radiological sign has been observed in 14 of 236 elbows of haemophiliacs examined. This finding is a widening of the radial notch of the ulna, which may become extremely large.", "PMID": 624203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5403", "title": "The abdominal aorta in spina bifida cystica.", "content": "The features of abdominal aortography in a small group of severely affected children with spina bifida cystica and kyphosis are presented. The examination was done to spinal fusion as earlier surgical reports had indicated a close relationship between the aorta and the vertebral bodies forming the apex of the kyphosis. The abdominal aorta was shown to bridge the apex of the kyphosis, thus it was outside the field of surgery and was not a potential hazard. Three vascular abnormalities emerged. First, the position of the aortic bifurcation, as judged by the vertebral level, was shown to be rather lower than usual, although lumbar kyphosis masked a relative aortic shortening. Second, the aorta was abnormally small in calibre with hypoplastic limb vessels. Third, abnormal segmentation of lumbar arteries was found in four of the eight in whom they were visualised, and correlates with the presence of vertebral body maldevelopment as opposed to neural arch maldevelopment. The possible pathogenic significance is discussed.", "contents": "The abdominal aorta in spina bifida cystica. The features of abdominal aortography in a small group of severely affected children with spina bifida cystica and kyphosis are presented. The examination was done to spinal fusion as earlier surgical reports had indicated a close relationship between the aorta and the vertebral bodies forming the apex of the kyphosis. The abdominal aorta was shown to bridge the apex of the kyphosis, thus it was outside the field of surgery and was not a potential hazard. Three vascular abnormalities emerged. First, the position of the aortic bifurcation, as judged by the vertebral level, was shown to be rather lower than usual, although lumbar kyphosis masked a relative aortic shortening. Second, the aorta was abnormally small in calibre with hypoplastic limb vessels. Third, abnormal segmentation of lumbar arteries was found in four of the eight in whom they were visualised, and correlates with the presence of vertebral body maldevelopment as opposed to neural arch maldevelopment. The possible pathogenic significance is discussed.", "PMID": 624204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5404", "title": "Radiological features of vascular compression of the duodenum occurring as a complication of the treatment of scoliosis (the cast syndrome).", "content": "The application of a body cast or the surgical correction of scoliosis is occasionally associated with acute obstructive vascular compression of the duodenum. The clinical and radiological manifestations observed in 10 such patients are described. All cases manifested abdominal distension and vomiting, while epigastric pain was present in 50%. Plain radiographs of the abdomen demonstrated duodenal distension with little gas in the remainder of the bowel in three cases. Barium studies in nine patients demonstrated an intact mucosal pattern and a duodenum dilated proximal to the site where the superior mesenteric vessels crossed it. All cases recovered with non-operative treatment which included nasogastric suction, intravenous fluids, change in position, particularly nursing in the prone position, and, occasionally, cast removal. The obstruction may sometimes persist or recur and then duodenojejunal side-to-side anastomosis is the surgical procedure of choice. The term \"cast syndrome\" is a misnomer as vascular compression of the duodenum may also occur in patients who are undergoing treatment for scoliosis without the use of a body cast.", "contents": "Radiological features of vascular compression of the duodenum occurring as a complication of the treatment of scoliosis (the cast syndrome). The application of a body cast or the surgical correction of scoliosis is occasionally associated with acute obstructive vascular compression of the duodenum. The clinical and radiological manifestations observed in 10 such patients are described. All cases manifested abdominal distension and vomiting, while epigastric pain was present in 50%. Plain radiographs of the abdomen demonstrated duodenal distension with little gas in the remainder of the bowel in three cases. Barium studies in nine patients demonstrated an intact mucosal pattern and a duodenum dilated proximal to the site where the superior mesenteric vessels crossed it. All cases recovered with non-operative treatment which included nasogastric suction, intravenous fluids, change in position, particularly nursing in the prone position, and, occasionally, cast removal. The obstruction may sometimes persist or recur and then duodenojejunal side-to-side anastomosis is the surgical procedure of choice. The term \"cast syndrome\" is a misnomer as vascular compression of the duodenum may also occur in patients who are undergoing treatment for scoliosis without the use of a body cast.", "PMID": 624205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5405", "title": "Comparative pelvimetric measurements in Nigerian and Welsh women.", "content": "The authors compared the pelvic measurements of a group of Nigerian women with those of a similar group of Welsh women. The Nigerian pelvis is smaller than the Welsh especially when account is taken of the Nigerian women being taller. Base-line data for radiologists working in Nigeria are provided.", "contents": "Comparative pelvimetric measurements in Nigerian and Welsh women. The authors compared the pelvic measurements of a group of Nigerian women with those of a similar group of Welsh women. The Nigerian pelvis is smaller than the Welsh especially when account is taken of the Nigerian women being taller. Base-line data for radiologists working in Nigeria are provided.", "PMID": 624206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5406", "title": "Pharyngoesophageal manifestations of epidermolysis bullosa.", "content": "Two cases of a rare hereditary disease, epidermolysis bullosa, congenital and acquired, are presented. The disease manifests by vesicular eruptions over the skin and mucous membrane of the oropharynx and oesophagus, alternating with sympton-free periods. The recurrent crops of vesicles heal by scarring and progressive stenosis of the pharynx and oesophagus. Although mucosal involvement is a less common and a late manifestation of the disease, it may occur in relatively mild cases and relatively early in the course of the disease. It is important that the radiologist be familiar with the pharyngoesophageal manifestations since the patient may present with dysphagia during an interval free of cutaneous lesions. The barium swallow appearance of stricturing with obstruction is illustrated.", "contents": "Pharyngoesophageal manifestations of epidermolysis bullosa. Two cases of a rare hereditary disease, epidermolysis bullosa, congenital and acquired, are presented. The disease manifests by vesicular eruptions over the skin and mucous membrane of the oropharynx and oesophagus, alternating with sympton-free periods. The recurrent crops of vesicles heal by scarring and progressive stenosis of the pharynx and oesophagus. Although mucosal involvement is a less common and a late manifestation of the disease, it may occur in relatively mild cases and relatively early in the course of the disease. It is important that the radiologist be familiar with the pharyngoesophageal manifestations since the patient may present with dysphagia during an interval free of cutaneous lesions. The barium swallow appearance of stricturing with obstruction is illustrated.", "PMID": 624207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5407", "title": "Isolated mesenteric desmoids (mesenteric fibromatosis).", "content": "The so-called desmoid tumour is an important member of a group of conditions termed \"the fibromatoses\" which are characterised by an infiltrating fibroblastic proliferation without features of an inflammatory response. While desmoids most frequently arise in the anterior abdominal wall, they may also be extra-abdominal or intra-abdominal in location. Mesenteric desmoids are relatively rare. They may occur in association with Gardner's syndrome, especially following colectomy, or as an isolated abnormality in otherwise normal patients. In the present paper the authors describe the clinical, radiological and pathological findings in two patients with isolated mesenteric desmoids. The radiological differential diagnosis is also briefly discussed.", "contents": "Isolated mesenteric desmoids (mesenteric fibromatosis). The so-called desmoid tumour is an important member of a group of conditions termed \"the fibromatoses\" which are characterised by an infiltrating fibroblastic proliferation without features of an inflammatory response. While desmoids most frequently arise in the anterior abdominal wall, they may also be extra-abdominal or intra-abdominal in location. Mesenteric desmoids are relatively rare. They may occur in association with Gardner's syndrome, especially following colectomy, or as an isolated abnormality in otherwise normal patients. In the present paper the authors describe the clinical, radiological and pathological findings in two patients with isolated mesenteric desmoids. The radiological differential diagnosis is also briefly discussed.", "PMID": 624208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5408", "title": "Analysis of a new corticosteroid aerosol in treatment of contact dermatitis.", "content": "In multicentric clinical trial involving twelve investigators and 271 patients, betamethasone dipropionate (0.1 percent) aerosol was found to be significantly more effective than its vehicle in the treatment of moderate to severe contact dermatitis. Statistical tests determined this significance at a value of less than 0.0001. Betamethasone dipropionate was favored numerically not only in the combined results but also in ten of the twelve individual centers.", "contents": "Analysis of a new corticosteroid aerosol in treatment of contact dermatitis. In multicentric clinical trial involving twelve investigators and 271 patients, betamethasone dipropionate (0.1 percent) aerosol was found to be significantly more effective than its vehicle in the treatment of moderate to severe contact dermatitis. Statistical tests determined this significance at a value of less than 0.0001. Betamethasone dipropionate was favored numerically not only in the combined results but also in ten of the twelve individual centers.", "PMID": 624224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5409", "title": "Pyoderma gangrenosum--a literature review.", "content": "Pyoderma gangrenosum is an ulcerative skin disorder with typical clinical characteristics. Histologic and laboratory findings are nonspecific. Pyoderma gangrenosum is associated with internal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, paraproteinemias, leukemias, and arthritis. The pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum is unknown, although a partial defect of cell-mediated immunity may exist. Treatment includes bedrest, local care, sulfonamides, sulfones, and corticosteroids.", "contents": "Pyoderma gangrenosum--a literature review. Pyoderma gangrenosum is an ulcerative skin disorder with typical clinical characteristics. Histologic and laboratory findings are nonspecific. Pyoderma gangrenosum is associated with internal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, paraproteinemias, leukemias, and arthritis. The pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum is unknown, although a partial defect of cell-mediated immunity may exist. Treatment includes bedrest, local care, sulfonamides, sulfones, and corticosteroids.", "PMID": 624227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5410", "title": "Methotrexate toxicity in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.", "content": "In a sixty-seven year old woman with a seventeen-year history of psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch developed. She was treated with parenteral methotrexate in two divided doses over a one-week period. Severe acute granulocytopenia developed with a drop in the white blood cell count from 27,000 to 400. We postulate that the pustular psoriasis stimulated rapid proliferation of the granulocyte series with a high percentage of the precursor cells in the bone marrow in the S-phase of the cell cycle. The subsequent dose of methotrexate resulted in a blockage of DNA synthesis in these cells and subsequent failure of maturation beyond the mitotic compartment in the bone marrow. Caution is recommended in the use of methotrexate in patients with acute generalized pustular psoriasis.", "contents": "Methotrexate toxicity in the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis. In a sixty-seven year old woman with a seventeen-year history of psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch developed. She was treated with parenteral methotrexate in two divided doses over a one-week period. Severe acute granulocytopenia developed with a drop in the white blood cell count from 27,000 to 400. We postulate that the pustular psoriasis stimulated rapid proliferation of the granulocyte series with a high percentage of the precursor cells in the bone marrow in the S-phase of the cell cycle. The subsequent dose of methotrexate resulted in a blockage of DNA synthesis in these cells and subsequent failure of maturation beyond the mitotic compartment in the bone marrow. Caution is recommended in the use of methotrexate in patients with acute generalized pustular psoriasis.", "PMID": 624228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5411", "title": "A person's boundaries: a meaning of skin disease.", "content": "This report attempts to broaden understanding of the psychological meaning of skin disease by describing patients' fantasies of healthy vs diseased skin. All disease states have emotional concomitants in ideas, attitudes, and fantasies--much at variance with what the clinician views in an \"objective\" focus. Skin disease particularly is invested with affectively charged ideas. The issue of \"dirt\" contained, in fantasy, by healthy skin is explored. Skin lesions are particularly difficult for many patients to master emotionally, because such lesions engender a sense of dirtiness--a feeling of lack of control over body contents.", "contents": "A person's boundaries: a meaning of skin disease. This report attempts to broaden understanding of the psychological meaning of skin disease by describing patients' fantasies of healthy vs diseased skin. All disease states have emotional concomitants in ideas, attitudes, and fantasies--much at variance with what the clinician views in an \"objective\" focus. Skin disease particularly is invested with affectively charged ideas. The issue of \"dirt\" contained, in fantasy, by healthy skin is explored. Skin lesions are particularly difficult for many patients to master emotionally, because such lesions engender a sense of dirtiness--a feeling of lack of control over body contents.", "PMID": 624229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5412", "title": "Verrucous carcinoma.", "content": "The various clinicopathologic forms of verrucous carcinoma of skin and mucous membrane are reviewed. It is found that the histology and natural history of these well differentiated types of squamous cell carcinoma are remarkably similar. It is concluded that verrucous carcinomas of the head and neck, giant condyloma acuminatum of the genitalia, and carcinoma cuniculatum of the lower extremity are but variants of the same neoplastic system.", "contents": "Verrucous carcinoma. The various clinicopathologic forms of verrucous carcinoma of skin and mucous membrane are reviewed. It is found that the histology and natural history of these well differentiated types of squamous cell carcinoma are remarkably similar. It is concluded that verrucous carcinomas of the head and neck, giant condyloma acuminatum of the genitalia, and carcinoma cuniculatum of the lower extremity are but variants of the same neoplastic system.", "PMID": 624235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5413", "title": "Diseases of the oral mucosa.", "content": "The dermatologist is often called upon to evaluate diseases of the oral mucosa. He should be prepared to give expert advice based on sound knowledge of oral diseases. This may be aided by biopsy study if the principles and pitfalls of obtaining and interpreting a biopsy specimen are followed. These are discussed and examples are given to illustrate some of the more common and important problems that may be encountered.", "contents": "Diseases of the oral mucosa. The dermatologist is often called upon to evaluate diseases of the oral mucosa. He should be prepared to give expert advice based on sound knowledge of oral diseases. This may be aided by biopsy study if the principles and pitfalls of obtaining and interpreting a biopsy specimen are followed. These are discussed and examples are given to illustrate some of the more common and important problems that may be encountered.", "PMID": 624238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5414", "title": "Heterogeneity in Chinese hamster ribosomal DNA.", "content": "A discrete heterogeneity has been detected in Chinese hamster ribosomal DNA after Eco R1 digestion of total DNA followed by a Southern transfer and hybridization with [125I]18S or [125I]28S ribosomal RNA. Digestion with Eco R1 produces three fragments, 4.3, 6.0 and 9.5 x 10(6) daltons respectively, which hybridize with 18S RNA. The smallest fragment also hybridizes with 28S RNA. Either length heterogeneity or sequence heterogeneity (i.e. presence of an additional Eco R1 site in some of the rDNA molecules) must be invoked to account for the two larger Eco R1 fragments that contain 18S but not 28S sequences. Eco R1 and Hind III maps, consistent with either length or sequence heterogeneity, are presented. The data at this time, however, do not distinguish between the two alternatives.", "contents": "Heterogeneity in Chinese hamster ribosomal DNA. A discrete heterogeneity has been detected in Chinese hamster ribosomal DNA after Eco R1 digestion of total DNA followed by a Southern transfer and hybridization with [125I]18S or [125I]28S ribosomal RNA. Digestion with Eco R1 produces three fragments, 4.3, 6.0 and 9.5 x 10(6) daltons respectively, which hybridize with 18S RNA. The smallest fragment also hybridizes with 28S RNA. Either length heterogeneity or sequence heterogeneity (i.e. presence of an additional Eco R1 site in some of the rDNA molecules) must be invoked to account for the two larger Eco R1 fragments that contain 18S but not 28S sequences. Eco R1 and Hind III maps, consistent with either length or sequence heterogeneity, are presented. The data at this time, however, do not distinguish between the two alternatives.", "PMID": 624239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5415", "title": "[Acute drug-induced agranulocytosis: comparison between openward treatment and antimicrobial decontamination in a plastic isolation bed system (retrospective study of 30 cases) (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty patients with severe drug-induced agranulocytosis were admitted to the Ulm University Hospital between January, 1968 and October, 1976. All of 13 already infected patients treated with antimicrobial decontamination in a plastic isolation bed system survived. But nine of 17 patients treated in the open ward died. The cases were not randomised and there was a difference in age between the two groups, but nevertheless the results suggest that antimicrobial decontamination and isolation is superior to treatment in an open ward.", "contents": "[Acute drug-induced agranulocytosis: comparison between openward treatment and antimicrobial decontamination in a plastic isolation bed system (retrospective study of 30 cases) (author's transl)]. Thirty patients with severe drug-induced agranulocytosis were admitted to the Ulm University Hospital between January, 1968 and October, 1976. All of 13 already infected patients treated with antimicrobial decontamination in a plastic isolation bed system survived. But nine of 17 patients treated in the open ward died. The cases were not randomised and there was a difference in age between the two groups, but nevertheless the results suggest that antimicrobial decontamination and isolation is superior to treatment in an open ward.", "PMID": 624249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5416", "title": "[Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus was observed in 14 among 702 patients with severe trauma. The cause of the abnormal vasopressin secretion may be cerebral oedema, cerebral contusion near the hypothalamus, pull on the hypophyseal stalk by displacement or gross destruction of the brainstem. The hormonal hypofunction disappears once the cerebral damage has regressed. Treatment consists of exact balancing of water and electrolyte loss, using salt-free solutions. Drug treatment with vasopressin and with ADH-secretion stimulators has given unsatisfactory results, but should be used. Seven of the 14 patients died of their injuries. The symptoms of the diabetes insipidus syndrome regressed in the survivors.", "contents": "[Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus syndrome (author's transl)]. Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus was observed in 14 among 702 patients with severe trauma. The cause of the abnormal vasopressin secretion may be cerebral oedema, cerebral contusion near the hypothalamus, pull on the hypophyseal stalk by displacement or gross destruction of the brainstem. The hormonal hypofunction disappears once the cerebral damage has regressed. Treatment consists of exact balancing of water and electrolyte loss, using salt-free solutions. Drug treatment with vasopressin and with ADH-secretion stimulators has given unsatisfactory results, but should be used. Seven of the 14 patients died of their injuries. The symptoms of the diabetes insipidus syndrome regressed in the survivors.", "PMID": 624250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5417", "title": "[Toxic rhabdomyolysis after alcohol and drug intoxications (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical picture of toxic rhabdomyolysis after alcohol and drug intoxications is characterized by severe pain, swelling, and inability to move the affected muscle group. The disintegration of necrotic muscle tissue leads to hyperkalaemia, excessive increase of creatine kinase in serum, and a myorenal syndrome with anuria. Pathogenetically the combined effects of toxic vascular damage and local pressure and cold influence are assumed to occur. In anuria, resistant to conventional medication, early and repeated plasma exchanges are considered to be a therapeutic alternative to haemodialysis.", "contents": "[Toxic rhabdomyolysis after alcohol and drug intoxications (author's transl)]. The clinical picture of toxic rhabdomyolysis after alcohol and drug intoxications is characterized by severe pain, swelling, and inability to move the affected muscle group. The disintegration of necrotic muscle tissue leads to hyperkalaemia, excessive increase of creatine kinase in serum, and a myorenal syndrome with anuria. Pathogenetically the combined effects of toxic vascular damage and local pressure and cold influence are assumed to occur. In anuria, resistant to conventional medication, early and repeated plasma exchanges are considered to be a therapeutic alternative to haemodialysis.", "PMID": 624251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5418", "title": "[Cortisol substitution in adrenal insufficiency (author's transl)].", "content": "Both in patients with primary (n = 15) and secondary (n = 10) adrenal insufficiency a conventional substitution with 30 mg cortisol daily (3 single doses of 15, 10 and 5 mg) leads to an unsatisfactory adjustment in most cases. Plasma maximal values after the morning dose were obtained only between 9 and 11 a.m. and were 3.5 times higher than cortisol values of healthy probands (n = 35). The half-life of cortisol in plasma (t1/2 = 0.8-3.2 hrs) varied to such an extent that some patients had subnormal values relatively quickly or that concentrations above normal were found permanently. The same also applies to free cortisol in plasma. The amount of free cortisol in urine cannot be used as a parameter of a physiological substitution of cortisol. The individual adjustment of the treatment plan can thus be only established according to cortisol concentrations in plasma.", "contents": "[Cortisol substitution in adrenal insufficiency (author's transl)]. Both in patients with primary (n = 15) and secondary (n = 10) adrenal insufficiency a conventional substitution with 30 mg cortisol daily (3 single doses of 15, 10 and 5 mg) leads to an unsatisfactory adjustment in most cases. Plasma maximal values after the morning dose were obtained only between 9 and 11 a.m. and were 3.5 times higher than cortisol values of healthy probands (n = 35). The half-life of cortisol in plasma (t1/2 = 0.8-3.2 hrs) varied to such an extent that some patients had subnormal values relatively quickly or that concentrations above normal were found permanently. The same also applies to free cortisol in plasma. The amount of free cortisol in urine cannot be used as a parameter of a physiological substitution of cortisol. The individual adjustment of the treatment plan can thus be only established according to cortisol concentrations in plasma.", "PMID": 624259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5419", "title": "Correlations between EEG and multiple unit activity of cortifugal axons at the onset of drug induced seizures in cats.", "content": "The onset of sustained multiple unit activity (MUA) in corticofugal axons was found to precede the onset of tonic EEG activity in 91 of 92 seizures produced by administering pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, or dieldrin to cats. Latency differences from 0-8 sec were observed with a mean of 3 sec. A trend was noted for shorter latencies with subsequent seizures in the same subject. No differences in latency were seen for spontaneous as compared to evoked seizures. Much variation was encountered in the pattern of MUA and EEG development at seizure onset. In general seizures with well-defined EEG components of desynchronization, tonic and clonic activity had the greatest latency differences and the least correspondence between MUA and EEG. Seizures with the abrupt emergence of tonic or clonic activity had the smallest latency differences and the best correspondence between MUA and EEG. Large changes in the activity along corticofugal axons were observed without EEG correlates. The evidence supports the concept that the degree of synchrony within the cortical (pyramidal) cell population is critical to the emergence and development of EEG during the tonic and clonic phases of a seizure. The data suggest that, in some cases, important changes in corticofugal output may contribute to and reinforce the activity in subcortical loci implicated in generalized seizure onset.", "contents": "Correlations between EEG and multiple unit activity of cortifugal axons at the onset of drug induced seizures in cats. The onset of sustained multiple unit activity (MUA) in corticofugal axons was found to precede the onset of tonic EEG activity in 91 of 92 seizures produced by administering pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, or dieldrin to cats. Latency differences from 0-8 sec were observed with a mean of 3 sec. A trend was noted for shorter latencies with subsequent seizures in the same subject. No differences in latency were seen for spontaneous as compared to evoked seizures. Much variation was encountered in the pattern of MUA and EEG development at seizure onset. In general seizures with well-defined EEG components of desynchronization, tonic and clonic activity had the greatest latency differences and the least correspondence between MUA and EEG. Seizures with the abrupt emergence of tonic or clonic activity had the smallest latency differences and the best correspondence between MUA and EEG. Large changes in the activity along corticofugal axons were observed without EEG correlates. The evidence supports the concept that the degree of synchrony within the cortical (pyramidal) cell population is critical to the emergence and development of EEG during the tonic and clonic phases of a seizure. The data suggest that, in some cases, important changes in corticofugal output may contribute to and reinforce the activity in subcortical loci implicated in generalized seizure onset.", "PMID": 624265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5420", "title": "Manipulation of cerebral monoamines in the treatment of human epilepsy: a pilot study.", "content": "The effects of L-DOPA, L-tryptophan, monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and MAOI plus L-tryptophan, each for 3 months, have been assessed in 10 severe, adult epileptics with placebo control. There was no overall reduction in seizure frequency, but 2 patients with minor partial seizures improved, 1 with L-DOPA, MAOI, and MAOI plus L-tryptophan, and the other with L-tryptophan and MAOI plus L-tryptophan. We have not been able to demonstrate an increased turnover of cerebral serotonin (5-HT), as measured by cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, after treatment with L-tryptophan for 3 months. This observation casts doubt on the ability of L-tryptophan to alter the long-term metabolism and functional activity of brain 5-HT. The importance of further exploration of manipulation of cerebral monoamines as a possible approach to the treatment of epilepsy is emphasized.", "contents": "Manipulation of cerebral monoamines in the treatment of human epilepsy: a pilot study. The effects of L-DOPA, L-tryptophan, monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and MAOI plus L-tryptophan, each for 3 months, have been assessed in 10 severe, adult epileptics with placebo control. There was no overall reduction in seizure frequency, but 2 patients with minor partial seizures improved, 1 with L-DOPA, MAOI, and MAOI plus L-tryptophan, and the other with L-tryptophan and MAOI plus L-tryptophan. We have not been able to demonstrate an increased turnover of cerebral serotonin (5-HT), as measured by cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, after treatment with L-tryptophan for 3 months. This observation casts doubt on the ability of L-tryptophan to alter the long-term metabolism and functional activity of brain 5-HT. The importance of further exploration of manipulation of cerebral monoamines as a possible approach to the treatment of epilepsy is emphasized.", "PMID": 624266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5421", "title": "Antiepileptic and prophylactic effects of tetrahydrocannabinols in amygdaloid kindled rats.", "content": "The antiepileptic and prophylactic effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) and delta8-THC were examined in rats that developed generalized seizures in response to intermittent electrical stimulation of the amygdala (kindling). Both isomers of the THC were able to acutely suppress kindled seizures, but consistent antiepileptic effects were obtained only with high, toxic dosages. Tolerance to the antiepileptic effects of THC developed very rapidly when the drugs were give repeatedly, and there was evidence that the repeated administration of a high dosage of delta9-THC resulted in a state of acute physical dependence. Administration of the isomers of THC during seizure development resulted in a suppression of kindling, suggestive of a prophylactic effect. The rate of rekindling after withdrawal of the drugs was not significantly different from that of vehicle-treated control rats, however, indicating that a genuine prophylactic effect was not obtained.", "contents": "Antiepileptic and prophylactic effects of tetrahydrocannabinols in amygdaloid kindled rats. The antiepileptic and prophylactic effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) and delta8-THC were examined in rats that developed generalized seizures in response to intermittent electrical stimulation of the amygdala (kindling). Both isomers of the THC were able to acutely suppress kindled seizures, but consistent antiepileptic effects were obtained only with high, toxic dosages. Tolerance to the antiepileptic effects of THC developed very rapidly when the drugs were give repeatedly, and there was evidence that the repeated administration of a high dosage of delta9-THC resulted in a state of acute physical dependence. Administration of the isomers of THC during seizure development resulted in a suppression of kindling, suggestive of a prophylactic effect. The rate of rekindling after withdrawal of the drugs was not significantly different from that of vehicle-treated control rats, however, indicating that a genuine prophylactic effect was not obtained.", "PMID": 624268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5422", "title": "Convulsive disorders in the first year of life: neurological and mental outcome and mortality.", "content": "Mortality and neurological and mental outcome were studied in infants 28 days to 1 year of age with afebrile seizures not due to an acute postnatal injury. Cases were divided into four seizure types: infantile spasms: status epilepticus; and \"others\" (patients without spasms or status), generalized and partial. Mortality was studied in 334 cases, mental and neurological prognosis in 313 infants followed 1 year or more. Globally the prognosis was very poor even outside cases of infantile spasms. Mortality was higher and mental and neurological sequelae were more common in symptomatic than in cryptogenic cases. The highest mortality and greatest number of neurological defects were in status epilepticus and in \"others\" partial groups. Severely retarded subjects were more common in infantile spasms and \"others\" partial. The proportion of mentally normal patients, however, was no different according to ictal type. Mental and neurological prognosis was less unfavorable when the first seizure occurred at or over 6 months. A family history of epilepsy or febrile convulsions (21% of the cases in the whole series) was more common in the \"others\" subgroups, especially in the cryptogenic \"others\" (42%). The less unfavorable outcome obtained in cryptogenic \"others\" generalized with a positive family history.", "contents": "Convulsive disorders in the first year of life: neurological and mental outcome and mortality. Mortality and neurological and mental outcome were studied in infants 28 days to 1 year of age with afebrile seizures not due to an acute postnatal injury. Cases were divided into four seizure types: infantile spasms: status epilepticus; and \"others\" (patients without spasms or status), generalized and partial. Mortality was studied in 334 cases, mental and neurological prognosis in 313 infants followed 1 year or more. Globally the prognosis was very poor even outside cases of infantile spasms. Mortality was higher and mental and neurological sequelae were more common in symptomatic than in cryptogenic cases. The highest mortality and greatest number of neurological defects were in status epilepticus and in \"others\" partial groups. Severely retarded subjects were more common in infantile spasms and \"others\" partial. The proportion of mentally normal patients, however, was no different according to ictal type. Mental and neurological prognosis was less unfavorable when the first seizure occurred at or over 6 months. A family history of epilepsy or febrile convulsions (21% of the cases in the whole series) was more common in the \"others\" subgroups, especially in the cryptogenic \"others\" (42%). The less unfavorable outcome obtained in cryptogenic \"others\" generalized with a positive family history.", "PMID": 624269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5423", "title": "Epilepsy in rural Kentucky: prevalence in a population of school age children.", "content": "Seizure prevalence among school age children residing in a rural western Kentucky area (Hardin County) was determined utilizing a method designed to minimize false positives and to allow estimation of false negatives. The observed prevalence of epilepsy is 5.7/1,000 and of febrile seizures 17/1,000. Because of the high rate of false negative responses detected by random sample interview, the true rate of febrile seizures is believed to be closer to a projected rate of 31/1,000.", "contents": "Epilepsy in rural Kentucky: prevalence in a population of school age children. Seizure prevalence among school age children residing in a rural western Kentucky area (Hardin County) was determined utilizing a method designed to minimize false positives and to allow estimation of false negatives. The observed prevalence of epilepsy is 5.7/1,000 and of febrile seizures 17/1,000. Because of the high rate of false negative responses detected by random sample interview, the true rate of febrile seizures is believed to be closer to a projected rate of 31/1,000.", "PMID": 624270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5424", "title": "Conjugate lateral gaze nystagmus and free phenytoin concentrations in plasma: lack of correlation.", "content": "Electrooculographic recordings during left and right conjugate lateral gaze fixation from 10 degrees to 50 degrees were made in 29 patients being treated with phenytoin. At the time of electrooculographic recordings, venous blood samples were drawn for analysis of total and free phenytoin plasma concentrations. Rhythmic horizontal nystagmus occurred in 7 patients, and only at extreme (40 degrees, 50 degrees) later gaze in 6 of these. Measurable free phenytoin levels in the 29 patients ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 mug/ml, and in the 7 patients with nystagmus were 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.7, 1.8, and 3.2 mug/ml. Neither the occurrence of nystagmus nor the degree of lateral gaze at onset could be correlated with free phenytoin concentrations in plasma.", "contents": "Conjugate lateral gaze nystagmus and free phenytoin concentrations in plasma: lack of correlation. Electrooculographic recordings during left and right conjugate lateral gaze fixation from 10 degrees to 50 degrees were made in 29 patients being treated with phenytoin. At the time of electrooculographic recordings, venous blood samples were drawn for analysis of total and free phenytoin plasma concentrations. Rhythmic horizontal nystagmus occurred in 7 patients, and only at extreme (40 degrees, 50 degrees) later gaze in 6 of these. Measurable free phenytoin levels in the 29 patients ranged from 0.2 to 3.2 mug/ml, and in the 7 patients with nystagmus were 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.7, 1.8, and 3.2 mug/ml. Neither the occurrence of nystagmus nor the degree of lateral gaze at onset could be correlated with free phenytoin concentrations in plasma.", "PMID": 624271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5425", "title": "Mannosidosis: separation and characterization of two acid alpha-mannosidase forms in mutant fibroblasts.", "content": "Two acidic forms of alpha-mannosidase activity, A and B, are separated and characterized in fibroblasts from controls and patients with mannosidosis. In normal cells, A and B differ in adsorption on DEAE-cellulose, electrophoretic mobility, stability at 70 degrees C and resistance to freezing at --20 degrees C. In 5 of 6 mutant cell lines, A and B both exhibit altered Km's for artificial substrates and decreased thermal stability. Zn2+ has no effect on A or B in mutant or normal cells. In contrast, Co2+ slightly inhibits B in normal cells but markedly enhances the activity of B in mutant cells. The mutation in mannosidosis clearly results in an alteration in the biochemical characteristics of both major acidic forms of alpha-mannosidase.", "contents": "Mannosidosis: separation and characterization of two acid alpha-mannosidase forms in mutant fibroblasts. Two acidic forms of alpha-mannosidase activity, A and B, are separated and characterized in fibroblasts from controls and patients with mannosidosis. In normal cells, A and B differ in adsorption on DEAE-cellulose, electrophoretic mobility, stability at 70 degrees C and resistance to freezing at --20 degrees C. In 5 of 6 mutant cell lines, A and B both exhibit altered Km's for artificial substrates and decreased thermal stability. Zn2+ has no effect on A or B in mutant or normal cells. In contrast, Co2+ slightly inhibits B in normal cells but markedly enhances the activity of B in mutant cells. The mutation in mannosidosis clearly results in an alteration in the biochemical characteristics of both major acidic forms of alpha-mannosidase.", "PMID": 624273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5426", "title": "Adenyl cyclase in normal and denervated skeletal muscles.", "content": "Adenyl cyclase (AC) has been studied in homogenates and crude plasma membranes from normal and denervated red and white skeletal muscle from male rats. Basal-, NaF- and epinephrine-stimulated activities were increased in homogenates of both types of muscles after nerve transection, supporting a possible role of the cAMP-AC system in the neurotrophic control of skeletal muscle. AC-specific activity was increased 10 times in crude plasmic membranes from normal muscle if compared to that of homogenate. It was decreased in crude plasmic membrane from denervated muscle. The correlation of our results with other results on cAMP concentrations and cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities in denervated muscle suggests that factors other than AC and PDE might control the synthesis and degradation of cAMP.", "contents": "Adenyl cyclase in normal and denervated skeletal muscles. Adenyl cyclase (AC) has been studied in homogenates and crude plasma membranes from normal and denervated red and white skeletal muscle from male rats. Basal-, NaF- and epinephrine-stimulated activities were increased in homogenates of both types of muscles after nerve transection, supporting a possible role of the cAMP-AC system in the neurotrophic control of skeletal muscle. AC-specific activity was increased 10 times in crude plasmic membranes from normal muscle if compared to that of homogenate. It was decreased in crude plasmic membrane from denervated muscle. The correlation of our results with other results on cAMP concentrations and cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities in denervated muscle suggests that factors other than AC and PDE might control the synthesis and degradation of cAMP.", "PMID": 624274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5427", "title": "Uterine total lactic dehydrogenase and isozymes of rats administered steroids.", "content": "Endometrial scrapings from intact immature and adult rats as well as from ovariectomized series injected subcutaneously daily for 4 days with estradiol benzoate (0.053 mumol/rat/day) displayed marked increases in total LDH and LDH5 over the controls. The uterine luminal fluids from the estrogen-treated animals were lower in total enzyme and, of the isozymes, LHD5 occurred at levels higher than in the scrapings, and LHD1--LDH3, inclusive, were very low to absent. A few of the fluids which were purulent contained greater total LDH contents. Progesterone (19.1 mumol/rat/day) depressed the control LDH in intact adults but had very little influence on an ovariectomized series, and the distribution of isozymes followed the control patterns. However, estradiol benzoate + progesterone elicited overall LDH levels exceeding the respective controls, being more in the range of the estrogen-treated groups and with a trend toward decreases in LDH5 relative to the estrogen-injected rats.", "contents": "Uterine total lactic dehydrogenase and isozymes of rats administered steroids. Endometrial scrapings from intact immature and adult rats as well as from ovariectomized series injected subcutaneously daily for 4 days with estradiol benzoate (0.053 mumol/rat/day) displayed marked increases in total LDH and LDH5 over the controls. The uterine luminal fluids from the estrogen-treated animals were lower in total enzyme and, of the isozymes, LHD5 occurred at levels higher than in the scrapings, and LHD1--LDH3, inclusive, were very low to absent. A few of the fluids which were purulent contained greater total LDH contents. Progesterone (19.1 mumol/rat/day) depressed the control LDH in intact adults but had very little influence on an ovariectomized series, and the distribution of isozymes followed the control patterns. However, estradiol benzoate + progesterone elicited overall LDH levels exceeding the respective controls, being more in the range of the estrogen-treated groups and with a trend toward decreases in LDH5 relative to the estrogen-injected rats.", "PMID": 624275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5428", "title": "Fatty acid, 3-beta-hydroxysterol, and ketone synthesis in the perfused rat liver. Effects of (--)-hydroxycitrate and oleate.", "content": "The effects of oleate and hydroxycitrate on the rate of long-chain fatty acid and 3-beta-hydroxysterol synthesis were measured in perfused rat livers. Metabolite measurements show that in livers from fed animals inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by oleate or hydroxycitrate is associated with an increase in the tissue content of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate, and a diminution in glycolytic intermediates from fructose diphosphate to phosphoenolpyruvate. Oleate also causes an increase in the tissue content of long-chain fatty acyl-CoA and citrate. The increase in long-chain fatty acyl-CoA is larger in livers from starved as compared to fed rats, while the increase in citrate is larger in livers from fed as compared to starved rats. However, the increase in the citrate content of livers from fed rats occurs in a range where it causes no further activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in vitro. Ketogenesis by livers from fed rats perfused without free fatty acids is strongly inhibited by hydroxycitrate. However, ketogenesis is not inhibited by hydroxycitrate when livers from starved rats are perfused with oleate, and ketogenesis is increased somewhat by hydroxycitrate when livers from fed rats are perfused with oleate. These results are interpreted in terms of an extramitochondrial pathway of ketogenesis which operates in carbohydrate-fed animals. The intramitochondrial pathway predominates in starved animals, or when the concentration of fatty acids is high, or both. Other interpretations, which cannot be ruled out at present, are also considered.", "contents": "Fatty acid, 3-beta-hydroxysterol, and ketone synthesis in the perfused rat liver. Effects of (--)-hydroxycitrate and oleate. The effects of oleate and hydroxycitrate on the rate of long-chain fatty acid and 3-beta-hydroxysterol synthesis were measured in perfused rat livers. Metabolite measurements show that in livers from fed animals inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by oleate or hydroxycitrate is associated with an increase in the tissue content of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate, and a diminution in glycolytic intermediates from fructose diphosphate to phosphoenolpyruvate. Oleate also causes an increase in the tissue content of long-chain fatty acyl-CoA and citrate. The increase in long-chain fatty acyl-CoA is larger in livers from starved as compared to fed rats, while the increase in citrate is larger in livers from fed as compared to starved rats. However, the increase in the citrate content of livers from fed rats occurs in a range where it causes no further activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in vitro. Ketogenesis by livers from fed rats perfused without free fatty acids is strongly inhibited by hydroxycitrate. However, ketogenesis is not inhibited by hydroxycitrate when livers from starved rats are perfused with oleate, and ketogenesis is increased somewhat by hydroxycitrate when livers from fed rats are perfused with oleate. These results are interpreted in terms of an extramitochondrial pathway of ketogenesis which operates in carbohydrate-fed animals. The intramitochondrial pathway predominates in starved animals, or when the concentration of fatty acids is high, or both. Other interpretations, which cannot be ruled out at present, are also considered.", "PMID": 624277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5429", "title": "Characterization of alfalfa-mosaic-virus protein polymerization in the presence of nucleic acid.", "content": "The polymerization of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) protein in the presence of homologous nucleic acids and a number of other natural and synthetic nucleic acids was studied. The conditions for optimal assembly were found to be pH 6.0 and low ionic strength (I = 0.1 M) at room temperature, irrespective of the type of nucleic acid. The resulting nucleoprotein particles exhibited the same structural characteristics as the virus. This information emerged from optical diffraction and computer filtering of electron micrographs from the reconstituted particles. Irrespective of the type of nucleic acid present the polymerization of the protein resulting in a nucleoprotein particle is a cooperative process. Evidence for this was obtained by nitrocellulose filter binding assay, sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sedimentation velocity and electron microscopy of the reaction mixtures. The rates and efficiencies of reconstitution were of the same order of magnitude for a number of ribonucleic acids. Sedimentation data derived from AMV protein and AMV RNA mixtures suggested the existence of a specific nucleation product in the first stage of assembly. The results are discussed in terms of a tentative model of the assembly, in which at least two different steps (nucleation and elongation) can be distinguished, each characterized by an association constant.", "contents": "Characterization of alfalfa-mosaic-virus protein polymerization in the presence of nucleic acid. The polymerization of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) protein in the presence of homologous nucleic acids and a number of other natural and synthetic nucleic acids was studied. The conditions for optimal assembly were found to be pH 6.0 and low ionic strength (I = 0.1 M) at room temperature, irrespective of the type of nucleic acid. The resulting nucleoprotein particles exhibited the same structural characteristics as the virus. This information emerged from optical diffraction and computer filtering of electron micrographs from the reconstituted particles. Irrespective of the type of nucleic acid present the polymerization of the protein resulting in a nucleoprotein particle is a cooperative process. Evidence for this was obtained by nitrocellulose filter binding assay, sodium dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sedimentation velocity and electron microscopy of the reaction mixtures. The rates and efficiencies of reconstitution were of the same order of magnitude for a number of ribonucleic acids. Sedimentation data derived from AMV protein and AMV RNA mixtures suggested the existence of a specific nucleation product in the first stage of assembly. The results are discussed in terms of a tentative model of the assembly, in which at least two different steps (nucleation and elongation) can be distinguished, each characterized by an association constant.", "PMID": 624280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5430", "title": "Kinetic studies of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle.", "content": "Initial rate studies at pH 7.6 with three aldehydes, product inhibition patterns with NADH and dead-end inhibition with adenosine diphosphoribose show that the kinetic mechanism of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle cannot be ordered, and support an enzyme-substitution mechanism. Deviations from Michaelis-Menten behaviour are consistent with negative interactions in the binding of NAD+ and instability of the species E(NAD)3 and E(NAD)4. Inhibition with large concentrations of phosphate and arsenate indicates competition for a binding site for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, and is not found with glyceraldehyde as substrate.", "contents": "Kinetic studies of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle. Initial rate studies at pH 7.6 with three aldehydes, product inhibition patterns with NADH and dead-end inhibition with adenosine diphosphoribose show that the kinetic mechanism of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle cannot be ordered, and support an enzyme-substitution mechanism. Deviations from Michaelis-Menten behaviour are consistent with negative interactions in the binding of NAD+ and instability of the species E(NAD)3 and E(NAD)4. Inhibition with large concentrations of phosphate and arsenate indicates competition for a binding site for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, and is not found with glyceraldehyde as substrate.", "PMID": 624282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5431", "title": "The amino-acid sequence of chicken fast-skeletal-muscle troponin I.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of troponin I from chicken breast and leg muscle has been determined using tryptic and CNBr peptides. The protein contains 182 residues and has a molecular weight of 21136. The N-terminus is blocked and is probably acetylated. 35 of the residues have acidic and 45 have basic side chains giving an overall net positive charge of 9. The CNBr peptides from both breast and leg troponin I have been shown to be identical and no heterogeneity has been found in the tryptic peptides isolated from a mixture of the two proteins. It may thus be taken that the two proteins are identical. Comparison with the sequence of troponin I from rabbit fast skeletal muscle shows strong homology with 34 differences out of 182 residues. The major difference is in a deletion of three residues, from 152 to 154, in the rabbit protein.", "contents": "The amino-acid sequence of chicken fast-skeletal-muscle troponin I. The amino acid sequence of troponin I from chicken breast and leg muscle has been determined using tryptic and CNBr peptides. The protein contains 182 residues and has a molecular weight of 21136. The N-terminus is blocked and is probably acetylated. 35 of the residues have acidic and 45 have basic side chains giving an overall net positive charge of 9. The CNBr peptides from both breast and leg troponin I have been shown to be identical and no heterogeneity has been found in the tryptic peptides isolated from a mixture of the two proteins. It may thus be taken that the two proteins are identical. Comparison with the sequence of troponin I from rabbit fast skeletal muscle shows strong homology with 34 differences out of 182 residues. The major difference is in a deletion of three residues, from 152 to 154, in the rabbit protein.", "PMID": 624283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5432", "title": "Brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria: photoaffinity labelling of the regulatory site of energy dissipation.", "content": "Brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria possess an energy-dissipating ion uniport which is inhibited by purine nucleotides. The regulatory nucleotides bind to a high-affinity site on the outer face of the inner membrane which is independent of the adenine nucleotide translocator. A direct correlation between affinity for the regulatory site and ability to inhibit the ion uniport is demonstrated for a number of nucleotide analogues. 8-Azido-adenosine 5'-triphosphate, a photoaffinity label, also competes with GDP for the binding site and induces respiratory control. 8-Azido-adenosine [gamma-32P]triphosphate was prepared and covalently bound to hamster brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria by near-ultraviolet irradiation. Two major radioactive bands were identified of apparent molecular weight 30000 and 32000, representing 6% and 10% of the inner membrane protein respectively. Selective labelling enabled the 30000-Mr protein to be identified as the carboxyatractylate binding component of the adenine-nucleotide translocator and the 32000-Mr protein to be identified as the regulatory site of the energy-dissipating ion uniport. The levels of the 32000-Mr protein in the inner membrane of guinea-pig brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria correlate with the degree of thermogenic adaptation of the animal.", "contents": "Brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria: photoaffinity labelling of the regulatory site of energy dissipation. Brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria possess an energy-dissipating ion uniport which is inhibited by purine nucleotides. The regulatory nucleotides bind to a high-affinity site on the outer face of the inner membrane which is independent of the adenine nucleotide translocator. A direct correlation between affinity for the regulatory site and ability to inhibit the ion uniport is demonstrated for a number of nucleotide analogues. 8-Azido-adenosine 5'-triphosphate, a photoaffinity label, also competes with GDP for the binding site and induces respiratory control. 8-Azido-adenosine [gamma-32P]triphosphate was prepared and covalently bound to hamster brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria by near-ultraviolet irradiation. Two major radioactive bands were identified of apparent molecular weight 30000 and 32000, representing 6% and 10% of the inner membrane protein respectively. Selective labelling enabled the 30000-Mr protein to be identified as the carboxyatractylate binding component of the adenine-nucleotide translocator and the 32000-Mr protein to be identified as the regulatory site of the energy-dissipating ion uniport. The levels of the 32000-Mr protein in the inner membrane of guinea-pig brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria correlate with the degree of thermogenic adaptation of the animal.", "PMID": 624284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5433", "title": "Energy metabolism of various substrates and the 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate bypass in human erythrocytes.", "content": "1. Using different experimental conditions and applying various substrates, a wide range of metabolic rates could be observed in incubations with human erythrocytes. 2. Lower rates of substrate utilization resulted in a decrease of the ATP and, more pronounced, of the 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentration while carbon utilization rates beyond 14 mumol C/ml packed cells in 120 min yielded constant levels of ATP and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate indicating that steady state had been achieved. 3. It can be concluded, that a carbon utilization rate of 14 mumol C/ml cells in 120 min is able to cover the energy requirement of the red cells under steady state conditions which could be calculated to amount to 3.6 mumol ATP/ml cells in 120 min at 37 degrees C. 4. The contribution of the 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate bypass to carbon metabolism could be calculated to range between 15--25% at metabolic rates below 14 mumol C/ml cells in 120 min (presteady state). When steady state has been achieved, the share of this bypass increases up to 61% with increasing metabolic rates.", "contents": "Energy metabolism of various substrates and the 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate bypass in human erythrocytes. 1. Using different experimental conditions and applying various substrates, a wide range of metabolic rates could be observed in incubations with human erythrocytes. 2. Lower rates of substrate utilization resulted in a decrease of the ATP and, more pronounced, of the 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate concentration while carbon utilization rates beyond 14 mumol C/ml packed cells in 120 min yielded constant levels of ATP and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate indicating that steady state had been achieved. 3. It can be concluded, that a carbon utilization rate of 14 mumol C/ml cells in 120 min is able to cover the energy requirement of the red cells under steady state conditions which could be calculated to amount to 3.6 mumol ATP/ml cells in 120 min at 37 degrees C. 4. The contribution of the 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate bypass to carbon metabolism could be calculated to range between 15--25% at metabolic rates below 14 mumol C/ml cells in 120 min (presteady state). When steady state has been achieved, the share of this bypass increases up to 61% with increasing metabolic rates.", "PMID": 624285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5434", "title": "Some properties of sialyltransferase in plasma and lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "Some properties of sialyltransferase activity in plasma and lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were compared. Three distinct enzyme fractions were identified in plasma: (1) cation independent, irreversibly bound to agarose; (2) cation dependent, weakly bound to agarose; (3) strongly bound to agarose, lost upon dialysis. Lowering of the peripheral lymphocyte count by leukapheresis markedly decreased the level of serum sialyltransferase, suggesting the circulating lymphocyte is a source of the serum enzyme. The enzyme solubilized by detergent from lymphocytes showed a substantially lower Km for CMP-sialic acid than did the serum enzyme, was less sensitive to several inhibitors, was not irreversible bound to Agarose, and had a substantial cation requirement. The enzyme solubilized from the lymphocyte therefore generally resembles fraction 2 of serum.", "contents": "Some properties of sialyltransferase in plasma and lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Some properties of sialyltransferase activity in plasma and lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were compared. Three distinct enzyme fractions were identified in plasma: (1) cation independent, irreversibly bound to agarose; (2) cation dependent, weakly bound to agarose; (3) strongly bound to agarose, lost upon dialysis. Lowering of the peripheral lymphocyte count by leukapheresis markedly decreased the level of serum sialyltransferase, suggesting the circulating lymphocyte is a source of the serum enzyme. The enzyme solubilized by detergent from lymphocytes showed a substantially lower Km for CMP-sialic acid than did the serum enzyme, was less sensitive to several inhibitors, was not irreversible bound to Agarose, and had a substantial cation requirement. The enzyme solubilized from the lymphocyte therefore generally resembles fraction 2 of serum.", "PMID": 624286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5435", "title": "Ionic strength dependence of the oxidation of iodide and ferrocyanide by compound I of horseradish peroxidase.", "content": "The kinetics of the oxidation of iodide and ferrocyanide by compound I of horseradish peroxidase have been studied at 25 degrees C as a function of ionic strength and pH. The ionic strength dependencies of the second-order rate constants are tested with an extended form of the Debye-H\u00fcckel equation for the activity coefficients of the reacting species. For the reaction of iodide with compound I it is shown that the pH variation of the rate constant at zero ionic strength is caused mainly by titrating a catalytically important acid group and not mainly by the varying charge of the protein. The ferrocyanide reaction rate with compound I does not correlate with enzyme net charge, at all pH values. The influence of electrostatic interactions on reaction rates is discussed.", "contents": "Ionic strength dependence of the oxidation of iodide and ferrocyanide by compound I of horseradish peroxidase. The kinetics of the oxidation of iodide and ferrocyanide by compound I of horseradish peroxidase have been studied at 25 degrees C as a function of ionic strength and pH. The ionic strength dependencies of the second-order rate constants are tested with an extended form of the Debye-H\u00fcckel equation for the activity coefficients of the reacting species. For the reaction of iodide with compound I it is shown that the pH variation of the rate constant at zero ionic strength is caused mainly by titrating a catalytically important acid group and not mainly by the varying charge of the protein. The ferrocyanide reaction rate with compound I does not correlate with enzyme net charge, at all pH values. The influence of electrostatic interactions on reaction rates is discussed.", "PMID": 624287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5436", "title": "Isolation of messenger RNA coding for eggshell protein of the DNA-eliminating nematode Ascaris lumbricoides.", "content": "Poly(A)-containing RNA from polyploid uterine epithelial cells of Ascaris lumbricoides has been isolated by poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography. The bulk of poly(A)-containing RNA migrates as 18-S RNA in formamide/polyacrylamide gels. In a cell-free wheat germ system, this RNA directs the synthesis of a polypeptide with identical migration behavior in dodecylsulphate/urea/polyacrylamide gels as the polypeptide isolated from the proteinaceous eggshell. The two proteins reveal almost identical peptide patterns in fingerprint analysis. The authentic eggshell protein has been identified as a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 10000, as determined by dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The apparent discrepancy between mRNA length and the required coding length for the protein is discussed.", "contents": "Isolation of messenger RNA coding for eggshell protein of the DNA-eliminating nematode Ascaris lumbricoides. Poly(A)-containing RNA from polyploid uterine epithelial cells of Ascaris lumbricoides has been isolated by poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography. The bulk of poly(A)-containing RNA migrates as 18-S RNA in formamide/polyacrylamide gels. In a cell-free wheat germ system, this RNA directs the synthesis of a polypeptide with identical migration behavior in dodecylsulphate/urea/polyacrylamide gels as the polypeptide isolated from the proteinaceous eggshell. The two proteins reveal almost identical peptide patterns in fingerprint analysis. The authentic eggshell protein has been identified as a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 10000, as determined by dodecylsulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The apparent discrepancy between mRNA length and the required coding length for the protein is discussed.", "PMID": 624288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5437", "title": "Kinetics of synthesis of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with ribosomes in HeLa cells.", "content": "The turn-over of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with polyribosomes as well as that of polyribosomal mRNA was investigated by labelling with [3H]uridine in conditions of arrested ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial RNA synthesis. The synthesis of ribosomal RNA was inhibited with toyokamycin and that of mitochondrial RNA with ethidium bromide. In both accumulation kinetics and actinomycin-D-chase experiments, cytoplasmic messenger-like ribonucleoprotein particles and polyribosomes were fractionated by buoyant density centrifugation in CsCl gradients. The half-life of free m1RNA was found to be of 1--2 h whereas the bulk of polyribosomal mRNA was stable over the time period considered (up to 8 h) but with a minor short-lived component. Purification of RNA from polyribosomes labelled under the same conditions and fractionation of it into polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated fractions showed that this short-lived minor component of half-life less than 1 h is non-polyadenylated.", "contents": "Kinetics of synthesis of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with ribosomes in HeLa cells. The turn-over of cytoplasmic messenger-like RNA not associated with polyribosomes as well as that of polyribosomal mRNA was investigated by labelling with [3H]uridine in conditions of arrested ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial RNA synthesis. The synthesis of ribosomal RNA was inhibited with toyokamycin and that of mitochondrial RNA with ethidium bromide. In both accumulation kinetics and actinomycin-D-chase experiments, cytoplasmic messenger-like ribonucleoprotein particles and polyribosomes were fractionated by buoyant density centrifugation in CsCl gradients. The half-life of free m1RNA was found to be of 1--2 h whereas the bulk of polyribosomal mRNA was stable over the time period considered (up to 8 h) but with a minor short-lived component. Purification of RNA from polyribosomes labelled under the same conditions and fractionation of it into polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated fractions showed that this short-lived minor component of half-life less than 1 h is non-polyadenylated.", "PMID": 624291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5438", "title": "Parasitic myositis by Echinococcus alveolaris. Report of a family with myotonia congenita.", "content": "Echinococcus alveolaris infections were found in 5 members of a family and at least 3 of them also suffered from myotonia congenita. A muslce biopsy, performed in 1 case because of a pathological EMG finding allowed a diagnosis of parastic myositis caused by E. alveolaris to be made. In a further case, X-rays demonstrated calcification of an Echinococcus cyst in the thigh. Since is it only on rare occasions that these parasites are found in muscle tissue, factors are then discussed which might in some way be responsible for this high rate of E. alveolaris lesions in the muscles of patients with myotonia congenita.", "contents": "Parasitic myositis by Echinococcus alveolaris. Report of a family with myotonia congenita. Echinococcus alveolaris infections were found in 5 members of a family and at least 3 of them also suffered from myotonia congenita. A muslce biopsy, performed in 1 case because of a pathological EMG finding allowed a diagnosis of parastic myositis caused by E. alveolaris to be made. In a further case, X-rays demonstrated calcification of an Echinococcus cyst in the thigh. Since is it only on rare occasions that these parasites are found in muscle tissue, factors are then discussed which might in some way be responsible for this high rate of E. alveolaris lesions in the muscles of patients with myotonia congenita.", "PMID": 624292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5439", "title": "Mumps meningitis: prolonged pleocytosis and occurrence of mumps virus-specific oligoclonal IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid.", "content": "A pleocytosis of the CSF occurred in all of 10 children with mumps meningitis and persisted for weeks and months in some patients. Oligoclonal IgG proteins were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the 2nd week after onset of meningitis or later in 4 out of 10 patients, and could be detected as late as 11 and 12 months after meningitis in 2 patients. Evidence is presented that the oligoclonal IgG represents mumps virus-specific antibody synthesized locally in the brain. Oligoclonal virus antibodies were demonstrated also in serum samples. The persistence for weeks and moths of pleocytosis and oligoclonal IgG virus antibody in the CSF may imply that a virus infection in some cases persists in the brain in spite of apparently complete clinical recovery.", "contents": "Mumps meningitis: prolonged pleocytosis and occurrence of mumps virus-specific oligoclonal IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid. A pleocytosis of the CSF occurred in all of 10 children with mumps meningitis and persisted for weeks and months in some patients. Oligoclonal IgG proteins were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the 2nd week after onset of meningitis or later in 4 out of 10 patients, and could be detected as late as 11 and 12 months after meningitis in 2 patients. Evidence is presented that the oligoclonal IgG represents mumps virus-specific antibody synthesized locally in the brain. Oligoclonal virus antibodies were demonstrated also in serum samples. The persistence for weeks and moths of pleocytosis and oligoclonal IgG virus antibody in the CSF may imply that a virus infection in some cases persists in the brain in spite of apparently complete clinical recovery.", "PMID": 624293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5440", "title": "Fibrinolytic activity in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm before and during EACA treatment.", "content": "10 patients suffering from intracranial aneurysm causing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been treated during the acute pre-and postoperatory phase with omega-aminocaproic acid. The blood and the cerebrospinal fluid of the treated patients have been analyzed in order to study fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and fibrinolytic activity (FA). The results so obtained show only an alteration of local fibrinolytic processes either inside or around the aneurysmatic clot: there were no alterations of the systemic FA. Furthermore, monitoring of FDP and FA was a very useful tool in those patients who took advantage of the treatment with omega-aminocaproic acid which protected them from rebleeding.", "contents": "Fibrinolytic activity in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in subarachnoid hemorrhage from ruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm before and during EACA treatment. 10 patients suffering from intracranial aneurysm causing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been treated during the acute pre-and postoperatory phase with omega-aminocaproic acid. The blood and the cerebrospinal fluid of the treated patients have been analyzed in order to study fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) and fibrinolytic activity (FA). The results so obtained show only an alteration of local fibrinolytic processes either inside or around the aneurysmatic clot: there were no alterations of the systemic FA. Furthermore, monitoring of FDP and FA was a very useful tool in those patients who took advantage of the treatment with omega-aminocaproic acid which protected them from rebleeding.", "PMID": 624294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5441", "title": "Benign intracranial hypertension after minocycline therapy.", "content": "A case is reported of a young girl who developed benign intracranial hypertension, with severe bilateral papiledema and a left sixth cranial nerve palsy, after minocylcine therapy. This drug is a semisynthetic tetracycline which has proven to pass into the CSF more effectively and to have a greater lipoid solubility than the other antibiotics of the same group.", "contents": "Benign intracranial hypertension after minocycline therapy. A case is reported of a young girl who developed benign intracranial hypertension, with severe bilateral papiledema and a left sixth cranial nerve palsy, after minocylcine therapy. This drug is a semisynthetic tetracycline which has proven to pass into the CSF more effectively and to have a greater lipoid solubility than the other antibiotics of the same group.", "PMID": 624295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5442", "title": "Paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve due of an entrapment neuropathy.", "content": "The clinical and neurophysiological findings in two cases of spontaneous paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve are reported. The patients are sisters and the dominant hand was affected in both. One patient was submitted to surgical exploration, and 'entrapment neuropathy' was found to be the cause. After neurolysis the patient gained complete recovery. The usefulness of the EMG illustrated and stressed.", "contents": "Paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve due of an entrapment neuropathy. The clinical and neurophysiological findings in two cases of spontaneous paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve are reported. The patients are sisters and the dominant hand was affected in both. One patient was submitted to surgical exploration, and 'entrapment neuropathy' was found to be the cause. After neurolysis the patient gained complete recovery. The usefulness of the EMG illustrated and stressed.", "PMID": 624296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5443", "title": "A case of Sturge-Weber disease with epilepsy and intracranial calcification at the neonatal period.", "content": "An extremely rare case of Sturge-Weber disease with the early onset of seizure and intracranial calcification at the neonatal period is reported. It is emphasized that computed tomography (CT) is the first choice as diagnostic procedure for this disease, revealing extensive cortical atrophy and calcification which were not detected by other radiological examinations.", "contents": "A case of Sturge-Weber disease with epilepsy and intracranial calcification at the neonatal period. An extremely rare case of Sturge-Weber disease with the early onset of seizure and intracranial calcification at the neonatal period is reported. It is emphasized that computed tomography (CT) is the first choice as diagnostic procedure for this disease, revealing extensive cortical atrophy and calcification which were not detected by other radiological examinations.", "PMID": 624297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5444", "title": "The loss of electrically active myocardium in cardiogenic shock.", "content": "A method of precordial mapping of RS ratio changes and the appearance of Q waves that occur in acute myocardial infarction has been developed. The serial changes of R and Q waves in 40 patients suffering uncomplicated anterior infarction shows that the loss of electrically active myocardium occurs within 6 h from the onset of chest pain. The total precordial ECG changes of R and Q waves in 5 patients suffering anterior infarction and cardiogenic shock showed that the loss of electrically active myocardium continues after 6 h from the onset of chest pain, and is significantly different from the uncomplicated group. This was supported by the serial plasma MBCK activity determinations which suggest more than one episode of necrosis.", "contents": "The loss of electrically active myocardium in cardiogenic shock. A method of precordial mapping of RS ratio changes and the appearance of Q waves that occur in acute myocardial infarction has been developed. The serial changes of R and Q waves in 40 patients suffering uncomplicated anterior infarction shows that the loss of electrically active myocardium occurs within 6 h from the onset of chest pain. The total precordial ECG changes of R and Q waves in 5 patients suffering anterior infarction and cardiogenic shock showed that the loss of electrically active myocardium continues after 6 h from the onset of chest pain, and is significantly different from the uncomplicated group. This was supported by the serial plasma MBCK activity determinations which suggest more than one episode of necrosis.", "PMID": 624315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5445", "title": "The electrocardiographic diagnosis of left septal fascicular block.", "content": "In 38 anesthetized and intubated dogs QRS features were estimated after incision of the interventricular septum. The left bundle branch system of the excised heart was stained with Lugol solution to visualize the extent and localization of the fascicular section. In 7 dogs the incision reached a part of the septal network; three of them showed incomplete LBBB pattern. In 13 dogs a major part of the septal network and the posterior/anterior fascile were transected. In 6 of them the pattern of incomplete LBBB was noted. A bipolar intracavitary L-R lead was recorded in 2 of these cases and revealed disappearance of the initial q wave in both. In 7 experiments the left bundle branch was completely transected with consecutive LBBB pattern. In 8 dogs the incision failed to reach the left bundle branch system and the ECG records did not show any form of LBBB pattern. The findings suggest that incomplete LBBB may be a form of left septal fascicular block.", "contents": "The electrocardiographic diagnosis of left septal fascicular block. In 38 anesthetized and intubated dogs QRS features were estimated after incision of the interventricular septum. The left bundle branch system of the excised heart was stained with Lugol solution to visualize the extent and localization of the fascicular section. In 7 dogs the incision reached a part of the septal network; three of them showed incomplete LBBB pattern. In 13 dogs a major part of the septal network and the posterior/anterior fascile were transected. In 6 of them the pattern of incomplete LBBB was noted. A bipolar intracavitary L-R lead was recorded in 2 of these cases and revealed disappearance of the initial q wave in both. In 7 experiments the left bundle branch was completely transected with consecutive LBBB pattern. In 8 dogs the incision failed to reach the left bundle branch system and the ECG records did not show any form of LBBB pattern. The findings suggest that incomplete LBBB may be a form of left septal fascicular block.", "PMID": 624316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5446", "title": "Selective coronary angiography in patients with conduction disturbances of the heart.", "content": "Selective coronary angiography and left ventriculography was performed in 14 patients with conduction disturbances of the heart or chronic complete heart block. Occlusive coronary arterial diseas was present in 3 patients: 2 of these had had extensive previous myocardial infarction and 1 complained of angina pectoris. The other patients gave no history of coronary artery disease and conduction abnormalities were the consequence of idiopathic fibrosis of the conducting system. The coronary arteries were normal or dilated and were remarkably free of atheroma in this group of older patients. Left ventricular function, as measured by ejection fraction, was normal except in the 2 patients who had had previous myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Selective coronary angiography in patients with conduction disturbances of the heart. Selective coronary angiography and left ventriculography was performed in 14 patients with conduction disturbances of the heart or chronic complete heart block. Occlusive coronary arterial diseas was present in 3 patients: 2 of these had had extensive previous myocardial infarction and 1 complained of angina pectoris. The other patients gave no history of coronary artery disease and conduction abnormalities were the consequence of idiopathic fibrosis of the conducting system. The coronary arteries were normal or dilated and were remarkably free of atheroma in this group of older patients. Left ventricular function, as measured by ejection fraction, was normal except in the 2 patients who had had previous myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 624317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5447", "title": "Hemodynamic factors associated with the production of pain in angina pectoris.", "content": "18 patients with uncomplicated angina pectoris were studied to ascertain the relative significance of individual hemodynamic factors in the production of angina pectoris. Each hemodynamic determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption (heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, LVEDP, and LV dp/dt max) were either altered or controlled as discretely as possible with the use of right atrial pacing, propranolol, phentolamine and ouabain, and the effects of these changes were observed on the onset and total duration of pain. Only heart rate correlated closely with the precipitation of angina. The systemic arterial pressure, LVEDP and LV dp/dt max did not correlate with the production and abolition of angina pectoris. The results indicate that drugs acting only against the effect of sympathetic stimulation of the sinus node would be a major advantage in the treatment of patients with angina pectoris. The unexpected finding that phentolamine did not ameliorate pain in patients with angina pectoris casts doubts as to whether nitroglycerine relieves anginal pain by lowering the systemic arterial pressure.", "contents": "Hemodynamic factors associated with the production of pain in angina pectoris. 18 patients with uncomplicated angina pectoris were studied to ascertain the relative significance of individual hemodynamic factors in the production of angina pectoris. Each hemodynamic determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption (heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, LVEDP, and LV dp/dt max) were either altered or controlled as discretely as possible with the use of right atrial pacing, propranolol, phentolamine and ouabain, and the effects of these changes were observed on the onset and total duration of pain. Only heart rate correlated closely with the precipitation of angina. The systemic arterial pressure, LVEDP and LV dp/dt max did not correlate with the production and abolition of angina pectoris. The results indicate that drugs acting only against the effect of sympathetic stimulation of the sinus node would be a major advantage in the treatment of patients with angina pectoris. The unexpected finding that phentolamine did not ameliorate pain in patients with angina pectoris casts doubts as to whether nitroglycerine relieves anginal pain by lowering the systemic arterial pressure.", "PMID": 624318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5448", "title": "Myocardial lesions induced by natural catecholamines in vitro.", "content": "Isolated rat hearts were perfused using a retrograde technique under constant pressure head or constant coronary flow. The addition of 1-epinephrine or 1-norepinephrine (1 microgram/ml) to the perfusion medium for 1 h caused visible and irreversible morphological changes which usually became apparent after 4 h of perfusion in the form of small, pale, opaque spots or streaks gradually enlarging on the surface or on the cross-section area of the myocardium. Light- and electron-microscopic examination showed a disintegration process analogous to that of myocardial infarction but without the infiltration with blood elements. The structural changes were preceded by an increased release of lactate dehydrogenase into the effluent, the most characteristic metabolic change accompanying myocardial injury. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of the cardiotoxic action of catecholamines remains to be clarified; several factors under consideration could be eliminated: hyperlipidemia, trombogenic process, acidity due to enhanced production of lactate, reduced total coronary inflow rate and toxicity of oxidation products of catecholamines.", "contents": "Myocardial lesions induced by natural catecholamines in vitro. Isolated rat hearts were perfused using a retrograde technique under constant pressure head or constant coronary flow. The addition of 1-epinephrine or 1-norepinephrine (1 microgram/ml) to the perfusion medium for 1 h caused visible and irreversible morphological changes which usually became apparent after 4 h of perfusion in the form of small, pale, opaque spots or streaks gradually enlarging on the surface or on the cross-section area of the myocardium. Light- and electron-microscopic examination showed a disintegration process analogous to that of myocardial infarction but without the infiltration with blood elements. The structural changes were preceded by an increased release of lactate dehydrogenase into the effluent, the most characteristic metabolic change accompanying myocardial injury. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of the cardiotoxic action of catecholamines remains to be clarified; several factors under consideration could be eliminated: hyperlipidemia, trombogenic process, acidity due to enhanced production of lactate, reduced total coronary inflow rate and toxicity of oxidation products of catecholamines.", "PMID": 624319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5449", "title": "Distribution of 51Cr labeled leukemia cells in mice: comparison with representative normal cells.", "content": "Cells of two transplantable leukemias of mice, one myeloid and one lymphoid, were labeled with 51Cr in order to follow their distribution in hemopoietic and parenchymatous organs and blood of syngeneic recipients. Distribution of myeloid leukemia cells was compared with that of regenerating bone marrow cells and normal spleen cells. The organ distribution of myeloid leukemia cells was essentially different from that of cells of regenerating bone marrow, and both were different from that of normal spleen cells. Cells of lymphoid leukemia, which are presumably of B-lymphocyte origin, were compared with a B-lymphocyte enriched population, obtained from the lymph nodes of so-called TIR mice (thymectomized, irradiated, and reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow), and with spleen cells of normal mice. The three patterns of organ distribution were different. It is concluded that the two leukemias studied each have a specific and characteristic distribution.", "contents": "Distribution of 51Cr labeled leukemia cells in mice: comparison with representative normal cells. Cells of two transplantable leukemias of mice, one myeloid and one lymphoid, were labeled with 51Cr in order to follow their distribution in hemopoietic and parenchymatous organs and blood of syngeneic recipients. Distribution of myeloid leukemia cells was compared with that of regenerating bone marrow cells and normal spleen cells. The organ distribution of myeloid leukemia cells was essentially different from that of cells of regenerating bone marrow, and both were different from that of normal spleen cells. Cells of lymphoid leukemia, which are presumably of B-lymphocyte origin, were compared with a B-lymphocyte enriched population, obtained from the lymph nodes of so-called TIR mice (thymectomized, irradiated, and reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow), and with spleen cells of normal mice. The three patterns of organ distribution were different. It is concluded that the two leukemias studied each have a specific and characteristic distribution.", "PMID": 624330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5450", "title": "Studies of the mechanism of polycythemia induced in rats by Ni3S2.", "content": "Intrarenal injection of 10 mg Ni3S2 elicits polycythemia in rats. This can be attributed either to direct stimulation or to erythropoietin-induced hyperplasia of erythropoietic elements of bone marrow. While studying the mechanism of this experimental model of polycythemia we noted that: (a) extirpation of the injected kidney after the development of the hematologic alterations abolished the polycythemia within 1 month; (b) intravenous, intramuscular or intrahepatic treatment with Ni3S2 was ineffective in producing polycythemia; and (c) there was a modest but statistically significant elevation of plasma erythropoietin levels in rats 2,4 and 8 weeks after injection of Ni3S2, at a time when the hematocrit values were increased. The experiments support the view that Ni3S2 does not directly stimulate erythropoiesis in bone marrow but primarily affects the injected kidney, which in turn (by the continuous liberation of modest amounts of erythropoietin or some hitherto unknown substance) triggers the development of polycythemia.", "contents": "Studies of the mechanism of polycythemia induced in rats by Ni3S2. Intrarenal injection of 10 mg Ni3S2 elicits polycythemia in rats. This can be attributed either to direct stimulation or to erythropoietin-induced hyperplasia of erythropoietic elements of bone marrow. While studying the mechanism of this experimental model of polycythemia we noted that: (a) extirpation of the injected kidney after the development of the hematologic alterations abolished the polycythemia within 1 month; (b) intravenous, intramuscular or intrahepatic treatment with Ni3S2 was ineffective in producing polycythemia; and (c) there was a modest but statistically significant elevation of plasma erythropoietin levels in rats 2,4 and 8 weeks after injection of Ni3S2, at a time when the hematocrit values were increased. The experiments support the view that Ni3S2 does not directly stimulate erythropoiesis in bone marrow but primarily affects the injected kidney, which in turn (by the continuous liberation of modest amounts of erythropoietin or some hitherto unknown substance) triggers the development of polycythemia.", "PMID": 624333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5451", "title": "The isolation of newly formed bone associated cells in vitro: preliminary observations on origin and morphology.", "content": "Agar-medium suspensions were used to culture guinea-pig femoral bone fragments which had been physically depleted of marrow. A sequential study of the histological events occurring within the regenerating shaft, in the agar wholemount preparations and on the underlying coverglass allowed (1) the localization of the early regenerative cells within the endosteal crevices and their rapid proliferation to fill and 'encapsulate' the explant; (2) the detection of residual marrow granulocytic and mononuclear precursors amidst the regenerative non-hemopoietic cells within the endosteal crevices of bone; (3) a study of the development of the adherent cells on the coverglasses. Cumulative labeling studies indicated that almost all the migrating cells were newly formed cells with a small fraction (less than 5%) within the endosteal crevices observed as unlabeled cells after 5 days of culture. The adherent mononuclear cells were derived directly from the regenerating bone fragment and showed similar morphology and proliferative characteristics (97% cumulative labeling index) to the bone associated cells. A unique feature of these monolayers was the formation of an extensive network of extracellular material between cells. These observations have not been described in monolayers derived from marrow suspensions and appear to be a characteristic of the monolayers derived from regenerating bone fragments.", "contents": "The isolation of newly formed bone associated cells in vitro: preliminary observations on origin and morphology. Agar-medium suspensions were used to culture guinea-pig femoral bone fragments which had been physically depleted of marrow. A sequential study of the histological events occurring within the regenerating shaft, in the agar wholemount preparations and on the underlying coverglass allowed (1) the localization of the early regenerative cells within the endosteal crevices and their rapid proliferation to fill and 'encapsulate' the explant; (2) the detection of residual marrow granulocytic and mononuclear precursors amidst the regenerative non-hemopoietic cells within the endosteal crevices of bone; (3) a study of the development of the adherent cells on the coverglasses. Cumulative labeling studies indicated that almost all the migrating cells were newly formed cells with a small fraction (less than 5%) within the endosteal crevices observed as unlabeled cells after 5 days of culture. The adherent mononuclear cells were derived directly from the regenerating bone fragment and showed similar morphology and proliferative characteristics (97% cumulative labeling index) to the bone associated cells. A unique feature of these monolayers was the formation of an extensive network of extracellular material between cells. These observations have not been described in monolayers derived from marrow suspensions and appear to be a characteristic of the monolayers derived from regenerating bone fragments.", "PMID": 624334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5452", "title": "Effect of hypertransfusion on bone marrow restoration after localized depletion.", "content": "The reconstitution of marrow in a mechanically depleted medullary cavity was compared in normal and hypertransfused mice. Polycythemia (hematocrit of approximately 70%) prevented the emergence of recognizable erythroid cells but not of erythropoietin-responsive cells as revealed by autoradiographic studies with 55Fe after erythropoietin treatment. The similar regeneration of erythropoietin-responsive cells in normal and hypertransfused mice was shown by comparison of 55Fe labeling in the repopulating relative to the contralateral marrow; in each case, labeling in the repopulating marrow was about 20% of that in the intact contralateral marrow. Polycythemia did not influence the recovery of granulocytic elements in the regenerating marrow even though the myeloblast-metamyelocyte population of the intact contralateral marrow was increased. The findings are intrepreted to support the concept that hematopoietic stem cell commitment to one or another pathway of differentiation is basically a local phenomenon.", "contents": "Effect of hypertransfusion on bone marrow restoration after localized depletion. The reconstitution of marrow in a mechanically depleted medullary cavity was compared in normal and hypertransfused mice. Polycythemia (hematocrit of approximately 70%) prevented the emergence of recognizable erythroid cells but not of erythropoietin-responsive cells as revealed by autoradiographic studies with 55Fe after erythropoietin treatment. The similar regeneration of erythropoietin-responsive cells in normal and hypertransfused mice was shown by comparison of 55Fe labeling in the repopulating relative to the contralateral marrow; in each case, labeling in the repopulating marrow was about 20% of that in the intact contralateral marrow. Polycythemia did not influence the recovery of granulocytic elements in the regenerating marrow even though the myeloblast-metamyelocyte population of the intact contralateral marrow was increased. The findings are intrepreted to support the concept that hematopoietic stem cell commitment to one or another pathway of differentiation is basically a local phenomenon.", "PMID": 624335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5453", "title": "Human marrow erythropoiesis in culture: III. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of cellular interactions.", "content": "Human erythroblasts cultured with a methylcellulose clonal assay technique were studied with ultrastructural and cytochemical methods. The intact colonies contained only erythroblasts at a similar stage of maturation, and no macrophages were identified within the colonies. The cultured erythroblasts demonstrated many of the morphologic features described in vivo. Neutral and acid glycoconjugates identified on the plasmalemma stained in a similar way to that seen in vivo with a concanavalin A horseradish peroxidase bridge and dialyzed iron technique. Weak acid phosphatase activity and ferritin-like particles were demonstrated in siderosomes, but these structures lacked peroxidase activity and dialyzed iron reactive acid mucosubstance. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy identified numerous processes which connected early erythroblasts and resembled those described in the marrow of patients with dyserythropoietic disorders. These findings suggest the presence of abnormalities in cultured erythrocytes which should be considered when evaluating pathologic specimens in vitro.", "contents": "Human marrow erythropoiesis in culture: III. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of cellular interactions. Human erythroblasts cultured with a methylcellulose clonal assay technique were studied with ultrastructural and cytochemical methods. The intact colonies contained only erythroblasts at a similar stage of maturation, and no macrophages were identified within the colonies. The cultured erythroblasts demonstrated many of the morphologic features described in vivo. Neutral and acid glycoconjugates identified on the plasmalemma stained in a similar way to that seen in vivo with a concanavalin A horseradish peroxidase bridge and dialyzed iron technique. Weak acid phosphatase activity and ferritin-like particles were demonstrated in siderosomes, but these structures lacked peroxidase activity and dialyzed iron reactive acid mucosubstance. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy identified numerous processes which connected early erythroblasts and resembled those described in the marrow of patients with dyserythropoietic disorders. These findings suggest the presence of abnormalities in cultured erythrocytes which should be considered when evaluating pathologic specimens in vitro.", "PMID": 624337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5454", "title": "Glutaminase activity in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria.", "content": "Isolated rat skeletal muscle mitochondria took up about 40-ng-atoms O per mg protein, with glutamine as the only respiratory substrate. The mitochondria incubated in the presence of glutamine and KCN formed both ammonia and glutamate in equivalent amounts. The experiments reported here provide suggestive evidence that rat skeletal muscle mitochondria contain glutaminase (L-glutamine amidohydrolase EC 3.5.1.2.) activity.", "contents": "Glutaminase activity in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria. Isolated rat skeletal muscle mitochondria took up about 40-ng-atoms O per mg protein, with glutamine as the only respiratory substrate. The mitochondria incubated in the presence of glutamine and KCN formed both ammonia and glutamate in equivalent amounts. The experiments reported here provide suggestive evidence that rat skeletal muscle mitochondria contain glutaminase (L-glutamine amidohydrolase EC 3.5.1.2.) activity.", "PMID": 624340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5455", "title": "Anomeric compositions of D-glucose in tissues and blood of rat.", "content": "The anomeric compositions of D-glucose in the liver, kidney, heart, blood and plasma of rat were determined by our methods for the assay of D-glucose anomers and the percentages of the beta-anomer were found to be 61.8, 61.0, 62.4, 62.7 and 62.9, respectively.", "contents": "Anomeric compositions of D-glucose in tissues and blood of rat. The anomeric compositions of D-glucose in the liver, kidney, heart, blood and plasma of rat were determined by our methods for the assay of D-glucose anomers and the percentages of the beta-anomer were found to be 61.8, 61.0, 62.4, 62.7 and 62.9, respectively.", "PMID": 624341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5456", "title": "Effect of pentobarbital on the synaptosomal activity of acetylcholinesterase in Mongolian gerbils.", "content": "The influence of Na pentobarbital anesthesia on the activity of specific and nonspecific cholinesterase was studied in the synaptosomal fraction of Mongolian gerbils' brains. These studies have shown that this barbiturate inhibits the specific activity of acetylcholinesterase only.", "contents": "Effect of pentobarbital on the synaptosomal activity of acetylcholinesterase in Mongolian gerbils. The influence of Na pentobarbital anesthesia on the activity of specific and nonspecific cholinesterase was studied in the synaptosomal fraction of Mongolian gerbils' brains. These studies have shown that this barbiturate inhibits the specific activity of acetylcholinesterase only.", "PMID": 624342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5457", "title": "Selective inactivation of catalase during protoporphyrin induced photohemolysis of human red blood cells.", "content": "The level of some enzymatic activities in red blood cells before and after photohemolysis induced by protoporphyrin IX was studied. A 30% decrease in catalase activity was found both in normal erythrocytes and those from patients affected by favism. Other proteins though present in larger amounts inside the erythrocytes are not affected by the photohemolytic process.", "contents": "Selective inactivation of catalase during protoporphyrin induced photohemolysis of human red blood cells. The level of some enzymatic activities in red blood cells before and after photohemolysis induced by protoporphyrin IX was studied. A 30% decrease in catalase activity was found both in normal erythrocytes and those from patients affected by favism. Other proteins though present in larger amounts inside the erythrocytes are not affected by the photohemolytic process.", "PMID": 624343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5458", "title": "Anomalous stability of insulin at very high pressure.", "content": "Insulin is unaffected by pressures of 48,000 b in the solid state at room temperature, as elucidated both by spectroscopic measurements and bioassay. Its compression curve is reversible. The presence of water does not alter this property. Of a number of other proteins investigated insulin appears to be unique with regard to its pressure stability. The relative rigidity of the molecule combined with its small size may account for some of these properties.", "contents": "Anomalous stability of insulin at very high pressure. Insulin is unaffected by pressures of 48,000 b in the solid state at room temperature, as elucidated both by spectroscopic measurements and bioassay. Its compression curve is reversible. The presence of water does not alter this property. Of a number of other proteins investigated insulin appears to be unique with regard to its pressure stability. The relative rigidity of the molecule combined with its small size may account for some of these properties.", "PMID": 624346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5459", "title": "Effect of parathyroidectomy on the fasting-refeeding response in the rat colon.", "content": "Following fasting and refeeding, the colonic epithelium of the rat exhibits a marked hyperplasia. This response is of a similar magnitude but of a longer duration to that observed in mice. This response is not affected by reducing serum calcium levels to those reported to alter normal tissue proliferation in vivo.", "contents": "Effect of parathyroidectomy on the fasting-refeeding response in the rat colon. Following fasting and refeeding, the colonic epithelium of the rat exhibits a marked hyperplasia. This response is of a similar magnitude but of a longer duration to that observed in mice. This response is not affected by reducing serum calcium levels to those reported to alter normal tissue proliferation in vivo.", "PMID": 624347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5460", "title": "Biotin as a regulator of some haematic parameters and of DNA-content of the liver of old rats.", "content": "Biotin administration to old rats (28 months) causes in the blood an increase of ATP, glucose, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase and a decrease of cholesterol and acid phosphatase; in the liver DNA and electrostatic interactions between DNA and histones are increased. Such parameters come within the values shown by adult rats.", "contents": "Biotin as a regulator of some haematic parameters and of DNA-content of the liver of old rats. Biotin administration to old rats (28 months) causes in the blood an increase of ATP, glucose, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase and a decrease of cholesterol and acid phosphatase; in the liver DNA and electrostatic interactions between DNA and histones are increased. Such parameters come within the values shown by adult rats.", "PMID": 624348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5461", "title": "The alcohol syndromes: the intrarecombigenic effect of acetaldehyde.", "content": "Sister chromatid exchange was studied in lymphocyte and fibroblast cultures. Alcohol caused no disturbance under normal conditions but an acetaldehyde level above 40 muM inhibited cell multiplication and elevated SCE considerably. A high acetaldehyde level is thought to elicit the fetal alcohol syndrome, a view supported by clinical and experimental observations.", "contents": "The alcohol syndromes: the intrarecombigenic effect of acetaldehyde. Sister chromatid exchange was studied in lymphocyte and fibroblast cultures. Alcohol caused no disturbance under normal conditions but an acetaldehyde level above 40 muM inhibited cell multiplication and elevated SCE considerably. A high acetaldehyde level is thought to elicit the fetal alcohol syndrome, a view supported by clinical and experimental observations.", "PMID": 624349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5462", "title": "Distension of the reticulum decreased food but not water intake by sheep.", "content": "The intakes of pelleted alfalfa by hungry sheep were depressed in a rectilinear manner in relation to the amount of water (0-800 ml) added to a balloon in the reticulum (p less than 0.005). Since the consumption of water by thirsty sheep was not altered by these treatments, the reduction in food intake produced by distending the reticulum was a specific response. The intakes of food were not significantly affected by distending the rumen with 800 ml water in a balloon so it is possible that the amount of fill in the reticulum rather than in the rumen may be important in signalling satiety in sheep.", "contents": "Distension of the reticulum decreased food but not water intake by sheep. The intakes of pelleted alfalfa by hungry sheep were depressed in a rectilinear manner in relation to the amount of water (0-800 ml) added to a balloon in the reticulum (p less than 0.005). Since the consumption of water by thirsty sheep was not altered by these treatments, the reduction in food intake produced by distending the reticulum was a specific response. The intakes of food were not significantly affected by distending the rumen with 800 ml water in a balloon so it is possible that the amount of fill in the reticulum rather than in the rumen may be important in signalling satiety in sheep.", "PMID": 624351} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5463", "title": "Correlation between acidic phospholipids and serotonin and between lysolecithin and dopamine in ganglia of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis.", "content": "These studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the acidic phospholipids and the serotonin content and between the lysolecithin and the dopamine content in the cerebral, pedal and visceral ganglia of Mytilus edulis. These relationships were further supported by experiments utilizing 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine.", "contents": "Correlation between acidic phospholipids and serotonin and between lysolecithin and dopamine in ganglia of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis. These studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the acidic phospholipids and the serotonin content and between the lysolecithin and the dopamine content in the cerebral, pedal and visceral ganglia of Mytilus edulis. These relationships were further supported by experiments utilizing 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine.", "PMID": 624353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5464", "title": "Effect of electroconvulsive treatment on serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in man.", "content": "The activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase was measured in the serum before and immediately after electroconvulsive treatments. No significant difference was observed, suggesting that the seizures did not cause an increase in the peripheral sympathetic tone.", "contents": "Effect of electroconvulsive treatment on serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in man. The activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase was measured in the serum before and immediately after electroconvulsive treatments. No significant difference was observed, suggesting that the seizures did not cause an increase in the peripheral sympathetic tone.", "PMID": 624354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5465", "title": "Effect of preoperative stress on serum cholesterol level in humans.", "content": "Effect of preoperative stress on serum cholesterol level in 65 patients of different age groups in a surgical ward, has been studied. In all age groups, statistically significant rise of cholesterol in serum preoperatively was notices as compared with serum cholesterol level at the time of discharge from hospital. The preoperative rise of cholesterol varied from 39 to 56.9% in this series. These findings support previous reports of the effect of mental tension on serum cholesterol level.", "contents": "Effect of preoperative stress on serum cholesterol level in humans. Effect of preoperative stress on serum cholesterol level in 65 patients of different age groups in a surgical ward, has been studied. In all age groups, statistically significant rise of cholesterol in serum preoperatively was notices as compared with serum cholesterol level at the time of discharge from hospital. The preoperative rise of cholesterol varied from 39 to 56.9% in this series. These findings support previous reports of the effect of mental tension on serum cholesterol level.", "PMID": 624355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5466", "title": "An escape phenomenon from water and sodium retention induced by propranolol in rats.", "content": "Rats given a daily dose of propranolol 45 mg/kg b.wt retain water and sodium for 4 days, escaping during the 5th and 6th days in which their excretions are larger than basal values. Afterwards, in the period studied, they make a new retention and clearing is less accentuated. No relationship could be found between these retentions and plasma renin activity or renal renin content.", "contents": "An escape phenomenon from water and sodium retention induced by propranolol in rats. Rats given a daily dose of propranolol 45 mg/kg b.wt retain water and sodium for 4 days, escaping during the 5th and 6th days in which their excretions are larger than basal values. Afterwards, in the period studied, they make a new retention and clearing is less accentuated. No relationship could be found between these retentions and plasma renin activity or renal renin content.", "PMID": 624356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5467", "title": "Efficacy of ethanol as a discriminative stimulus in ethanol-preferring and ethanol-nonpreferring rats.", "content": "Rats which exhibited a preference for drinking a 6% w/v solution of ethanol in a free choice situation did not differ in their sensitivity to ethanol from animals exhibiting an aversion for ethanol, as measured by leaning rates in a T-maze task in which ethanol served as a discriminative stimulus.", "contents": "Efficacy of ethanol as a discriminative stimulus in ethanol-preferring and ethanol-nonpreferring rats. Rats which exhibited a preference for drinking a 6% w/v solution of ethanol in a free choice situation did not differ in their sensitivity to ethanol from animals exhibiting an aversion for ethanol, as measured by leaning rates in a T-maze task in which ethanol served as a discriminative stimulus.", "PMID": 624360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5468", "title": "Effect of desipramine on the contents of some free amino acids of mouse brain.", "content": "I.p. injections of desipramine-HCl (100 mg/kg) produced decreases in the contents of several amino acids of mouse brain after 1 h. Using a 10-100 mg/kg range of doses, these effects appeared to be dose-dependent for alpha-alanine and aspartate. These changes may be due, in part, to a decrease in cerebral oxidative metabolism (Krebs cycle activity) which occurs secondarily to desipramine-induced hypothermia.", "contents": "Effect of desipramine on the contents of some free amino acids of mouse brain. I.p. injections of desipramine-HCl (100 mg/kg) produced decreases in the contents of several amino acids of mouse brain after 1 h. Using a 10-100 mg/kg range of doses, these effects appeared to be dose-dependent for alpha-alanine and aspartate. These changes may be due, in part, to a decrease in cerebral oxidative metabolism (Krebs cycle activity) which occurs secondarily to desipramine-induced hypothermia.", "PMID": 624361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5469", "title": "Aflatoxin metabolism and absence of cytochrome P-450 in rat colon tissue during vitamin A malnutrition.", "content": "Homogenized mucosal linings prepared from vitamin A adequate and deficient male rats were used in metabolic studies of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Cytochrome P-420 was identified in both groups which metabolized AFB1 to 4 metabolic products in vitro. The implications of this observation are discussed in relation to colon carcinoma.", "contents": "Aflatoxin metabolism and absence of cytochrome P-450 in rat colon tissue during vitamin A malnutrition. Homogenized mucosal linings prepared from vitamin A adequate and deficient male rats were used in metabolic studies of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Cytochrome P-420 was identified in both groups which metabolized AFB1 to 4 metabolic products in vitro. The implications of this observation are discussed in relation to colon carcinoma.", "PMID": 624362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5470", "title": "Studies on the etiology of the experimental neuropathy from industrial adhesive (glues).", "content": "Chickens treated by paintbrushing with glue distillate (used in shoe industries), hydrocarbon mixture and TOCP in hexane, developed paralysis (4/5); in these, we have demonstrated a diffuse degeneration of the myelinic sheath of the peripheral and central neurites. Besides TOCP, cyclohexane (because of its higher concentration in the glue distillate and in the hydrocarbon mixture) may be indicated as responsible for occupational neuropathy.", "contents": "Studies on the etiology of the experimental neuropathy from industrial adhesive (glues). Chickens treated by paintbrushing with glue distillate (used in shoe industries), hydrocarbon mixture and TOCP in hexane, developed paralysis (4/5); in these, we have demonstrated a diffuse degeneration of the myelinic sheath of the peripheral and central neurites. Besides TOCP, cyclohexane (because of its higher concentration in the glue distillate and in the hydrocarbon mixture) may be indicated as responsible for occupational neuropathy.", "PMID": 624366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5471", "title": "Influence of the thymus on the incidence of secondary and parabiotic disease.", "content": "The secondary disease in P leads to F1 strain combination depends upon the immune status of both partners. It is most clearly expressed if both donors and recipients are immunologically crippled by thymectomy and irradiation. Conspicuous reduction in the immune potential of parental parabionts induced by thymectomy and irradiation displayed their marked incidence of parabiotic death.", "contents": "Influence of the thymus on the incidence of secondary and parabiotic disease. The secondary disease in P leads to F1 strain combination depends upon the immune status of both partners. It is most clearly expressed if both donors and recipients are immunologically crippled by thymectomy and irradiation. Conspicuous reduction in the immune potential of parental parabionts induced by thymectomy and irradiation displayed their marked incidence of parabiotic death.", "PMID": 624368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5472", "title": "Dexamethasone-induced neutrophilia. Negative correlation with increased plasma adrenaline concentrations.", "content": "Maximal increments in adrenaline and dexamethasone (DXM) plasma concentrations were observed c15 (T50 40 min) and 30 (T50 210-240 min) minutes after an i.v. DXM dose (6 mg/m2 BSA) in man. There appears, however, to be no direct interaction between these agents in the development of induced neutrophilia, which occurs c240 min postinjection.", "contents": "Dexamethasone-induced neutrophilia. Negative correlation with increased plasma adrenaline concentrations. Maximal increments in adrenaline and dexamethasone (DXM) plasma concentrations were observed c15 (T50 40 min) and 30 (T50 210-240 min) minutes after an i.v. DXM dose (6 mg/m2 BSA) in man. There appears, however, to be no direct interaction between these agents in the development of induced neutrophilia, which occurs c240 min postinjection.", "PMID": 624369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5473", "title": "Changes in placental permeability to corticosterone and estradiol-17beta toward the end of gestation in the rat.", "content": "Radioactivity in the fetal plasma 1 h after maternal injection of 14C-4-corticosterone or 14C-4-estradiol-17 beta on day 21 of gestation was markedly higher than that 1 h after injection on day 22. Radioactivity in the maternal plasma was not different on these 2 days. The results suggest that the placental permeability to steroids from the mother to the fetus declines toward the end of gestation in the rat.", "contents": "Changes in placental permeability to corticosterone and estradiol-17beta toward the end of gestation in the rat. Radioactivity in the fetal plasma 1 h after maternal injection of 14C-4-corticosterone or 14C-4-estradiol-17 beta on day 21 of gestation was markedly higher than that 1 h after injection on day 22. Radioactivity in the maternal plasma was not different on these 2 days. The results suggest that the placental permeability to steroids from the mother to the fetus declines toward the end of gestation in the rat.", "PMID": 624371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5474", "title": "Variations au cours de la journ\u00e9e de l'incorporation in vivo de la leucine triti\u00e9e dans les prot\u00e9ines du cervelet et du cerveau du jeune rat normal et hypothyro\u00efdien. Daily variations of the in vivo [3H] leucine incorporation into the cerebellar and cerebral proteins of the normal and hypothyroid young rat [(author's transl)].", "content": "In the normal and hypothyroid 6-day-old rat, the specific radioactivity (RSA) and the relative RSA (ratio of the RSA to the [3H] lecine concentration of the acido soluble phase) of the cerebral and cerebellar proteins, changes during the day synchronally. They show a maximum at 15.00 h and a minimum at 0.300 h. At all stages studied, these values are significantly lower in the hyothyroid animals than in normal ones.", "contents": "Variations au cours de la journ\u00e9e de l'incorporation in vivo de la leucine triti\u00e9e dans les prot\u00e9ines du cervelet et du cerveau du jeune rat normal et hypothyro\u00efdien. Daily variations of the in vivo [3H] leucine incorporation into the cerebellar and cerebral proteins of the normal and hypothyroid young rat [(author's transl)]. In the normal and hypothyroid 6-day-old rat, the specific radioactivity (RSA) and the relative RSA (ratio of the RSA to the [3H] lecine concentration of the acido soluble phase) of the cerebral and cerebellar proteins, changes during the day synchronally. They show a maximum at 15.00 h and a minimum at 0.300 h. At all stages studied, these values are significantly lower in the hyothyroid animals than in normal ones.", "PMID": 624372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5475", "title": "Purification of the cytosol oestradiol-receptor complex from foetal guinea-pig uterus using electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates.", "content": "The 3H-oestradiol receptor complex obtained from the cytosol fraction of foetal guinea-pig uterus was purified by the following steps: column chromatography in Sephadex G-15 and Ultrogel, and by electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates. In the final step a concentration of 15-17% of the foetal uterine oestradiol receptor protein was obtained. The isoelectric point (pl) of this receptor was determined to be 6.1-6.2.", "contents": "Purification of the cytosol oestradiol-receptor complex from foetal guinea-pig uterus using electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates. The 3H-oestradiol receptor complex obtained from the cytosol fraction of foetal guinea-pig uterus was purified by the following steps: column chromatography in Sephadex G-15 and Ultrogel, and by electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates. In the final step a concentration of 15-17% of the foetal uterine oestradiol receptor protein was obtained. The isoelectric point (pl) of this receptor was determined to be 6.1-6.2.", "PMID": 624373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5476", "title": "Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum selenium content of rats.", "content": "The serum selenium content of rats was measured by means of neutron activation analysis. It was found to drop between the 12th day of pregnancy and term and to return to its original level within 2 days after delivery. Hysterectomy on the 10th day of gestation prevented this decrease. Nursing had no influence on the element level. The findings suggest that placental secretions might be involved in the control of the serum selenium content of rats during pregnancy.", "contents": "Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the serum selenium content of rats. The serum selenium content of rats was measured by means of neutron activation analysis. It was found to drop between the 12th day of pregnancy and term and to return to its original level within 2 days after delivery. Hysterectomy on the 10th day of gestation prevented this decrease. Nursing had no influence on the element level. The findings suggest that placental secretions might be involved in the control of the serum selenium content of rats during pregnancy.", "PMID": 624374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5477", "title": "A new method of measuring functional recovery after crushing the peripheral nerves in unanesthetized and unrestrained rats.", "content": "The distances between the first and fifth digits and between the second and fourth digits of the rat's hind paw were measured after crushing the sciatic nerve. The distances between the digits recovered significantly faster in weak nerve crushing than in strong crushing, and faster in distal nerve crushing than in proximal crushing. These results suggest that this method is available for evaluating the functional recovery after nerve crushing.", "contents": "A new method of measuring functional recovery after crushing the peripheral nerves in unanesthetized and unrestrained rats. The distances between the first and fifth digits and between the second and fourth digits of the rat's hind paw were measured after crushing the sciatic nerve. The distances between the digits recovered significantly faster in weak nerve crushing than in strong crushing, and faster in distal nerve crushing than in proximal crushing. These results suggest that this method is available for evaluating the functional recovery after nerve crushing.", "PMID": 624375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5478", "title": "[Effect of bonaphthone on embryogenesis in white rats and mice].", "content": "Results of testing the embryotropic activity of bonaphthone used in different doses (700; 400; 100; 50 and 2 mg/kg) are reported. With its oral introduction to pregnant rats bonaphthone, given in doses at the level of the therapeutid one (2 mg/kg) and exceeding it by as much as 25 times (50 mg/kg), was found not to produce any damaging effect on the fetus. With its action in doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg a slight embryotoxic effect was noted. In the sublethal dose of 700 mg/kg the preparation displays a moderate embryotoxic action and produces a number of circulatory changes in the fetuses. It is concluded that bonaphthone displays no teratogenic properties.", "contents": "[Effect of bonaphthone on embryogenesis in white rats and mice]. Results of testing the embryotropic activity of bonaphthone used in different doses (700; 400; 100; 50 and 2 mg/kg) are reported. With its oral introduction to pregnant rats bonaphthone, given in doses at the level of the therapeutid one (2 mg/kg) and exceeding it by as much as 25 times (50 mg/kg), was found not to produce any damaging effect on the fetus. With its action in doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg a slight embryotoxic effect was noted. In the sublethal dose of 700 mg/kg the preparation displays a moderate embryotoxic action and produces a number of circulatory changes in the fetuses. It is concluded that bonaphthone displays no teratogenic properties.", "PMID": 624381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5479", "title": "[Effect of hypoxia and hyperthermia on the processes of lipid peroxidation in the rat liver against a background of the action of gutimine and unsaturated amines].", "content": "Following the action of extraordinary stimulants (hypoxic hypoxia, hypoxia+hyperoxia, hypodynamia+hyperthermy) animals demonstrate accumulation of malonic dialdehyde with a simultaneous fall of antiradical activity of the liver tissue. A preliminary introduction to rats of acetylene amines--1,4 bis (3-morpholinopropynyl) benzol 3,4,5-(morpholinopropynyl)-1-methylpyrazol and also of tocopherol antioxidant and gutumine antihypoxant averts activation of the lipids peroxidation processes. The inhibition of peroxidation with the studied agents is attended by stabilization of lyzosomal and mitochondrial membranes. Unsaturated amines prevent destruction of the organelles membranes provoked by the UV-irradiation and incubation at 37 degrees C (pH--4.7).", "contents": "[Effect of hypoxia and hyperthermia on the processes of lipid peroxidation in the rat liver against a background of the action of gutimine and unsaturated amines]. Following the action of extraordinary stimulants (hypoxic hypoxia, hypoxia+hyperoxia, hypodynamia+hyperthermy) animals demonstrate accumulation of malonic dialdehyde with a simultaneous fall of antiradical activity of the liver tissue. A preliminary introduction to rats of acetylene amines--1,4 bis (3-morpholinopropynyl) benzol 3,4,5-(morpholinopropynyl)-1-methylpyrazol and also of tocopherol antioxidant and gutumine antihypoxant averts activation of the lipids peroxidation processes. The inhibition of peroxidation with the studied agents is attended by stabilization of lyzosomal and mitochondrial membranes. Unsaturated amines prevent destruction of the organelles membranes provoked by the UV-irradiation and incubation at 37 degrees C (pH--4.7).", "PMID": 624380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5480", "title": "[Dynamic circulation of toluene in the human body under industrial conditions].", "content": "In deep print departments an investigation of dynamic toluene circulation in the organism of individuals occupationally exposed to its effects was carried out. Gas chromatography was employed in studying environmental atmospheric conditions in the departments in determining the proportion of toluene in the expired air, blood and hippuric acid in the urine. Quantitative correlations between the toluene content in the air and its concentration in the blood and in the expired air, as well as between the exposure and excretion of hippuric acid were ascertained. Under a chronic exposure to the effects of toluene a significantly reduced peroxidase activity was recorded.", "contents": "[Dynamic circulation of toluene in the human body under industrial conditions]. In deep print departments an investigation of dynamic toluene circulation in the organism of individuals occupationally exposed to its effects was carried out. Gas chromatography was employed in studying environmental atmospheric conditions in the departments in determining the proportion of toluene in the expired air, blood and hippuric acid in the urine. Quantitative correlations between the toluene content in the air and its concentration in the blood and in the expired air, as well as between the exposure and excretion of hippuric acid were ascertained. Under a chronic exposure to the effects of toluene a significantly reduced peroxidase activity was recorded.", "PMID": 624382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5481", "title": "[Biliary excretion of nitrazepam and its metabolites in rats].", "content": "A single intravenous administration of nitrasepam (10 mg/kg) resulted in its excretion as free and conjugated metabolites in the bile of albino rats. The initial compounds, amino- and acetamido derivatives were deteced among free metabolits. Conjugated forms were recovered as N-glucoronides (5-nitro-2-aminobenzophenon and amine) and as O-glucoronides (C3-hydroxylated derivatives of nitrasepam and of acetamide). The presence of a considerable amount of nitrasepam and of its metabolites in the rats' bile is suggestive of their enterohepatic circulation.", "contents": "[Biliary excretion of nitrazepam and its metabolites in rats]. A single intravenous administration of nitrasepam (10 mg/kg) resulted in its excretion as free and conjugated metabolites in the bile of albino rats. The initial compounds, amino- and acetamido derivatives were deteced among free metabolits. Conjugated forms were recovered as N-glucoronides (5-nitro-2-aminobenzophenon and amine) and as O-glucoronides (C3-hydroxylated derivatives of nitrasepam and of acetamide). The presence of a considerable amount of nitrasepam and of its metabolites in the rats' bile is suggestive of their enterohepatic circulation.", "PMID": 624385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5482", "title": "[Effect of serotoninergic substances on the brain potentials evoked by stimulation of the dental pulp].", "content": "Serotonin like M-serotonin blocking agent morphine and D-serotonin blocking agent diethalamide of lysergic acid is shown by the method of intravenous microinjections to lower and T-serotonin blocking agent tipindol--to increase the amplitude of primary responses from the dental areas of the brain cortex arising in stimulation of the dental pulp. It is suggested that the seroninergic system of the brain can through the intermediary of the M- and D-serotonin-receptors raise the activity of adrenergic and lower the activity of M-cholinergic structures participating in the formation of the functional system of pain reactions. An opposite effect can be accomplished through the medium of the T-serotonin receptors.", "contents": "[Effect of serotoninergic substances on the brain potentials evoked by stimulation of the dental pulp]. Serotonin like M-serotonin blocking agent morphine and D-serotonin blocking agent diethalamide of lysergic acid is shown by the method of intravenous microinjections to lower and T-serotonin blocking agent tipindol--to increase the amplitude of primary responses from the dental areas of the brain cortex arising in stimulation of the dental pulp. It is suggested that the seroninergic system of the brain can through the intermediary of the M- and D-serotonin-receptors raise the activity of adrenergic and lower the activity of M-cholinergic structures participating in the formation of the functional system of pain reactions. An opposite effect can be accomplished through the medium of the T-serotonin receptors.", "PMID": 624386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5483", "title": "[Differences in the inductive effect of small doses of phenobarbital in rats depending on their age and sex].", "content": "The induction influence from low doses of phenobarbital introduced for 3 days (10, 10 and 20 mg/kg) on the detoxication rate of hexanal (100 mg/kg) in mongrel rats of different sexes and age was studied. Investigations included measurements of the protein, phospholipids and glycogen content in the liver and the use of continued lateral position time test. A three-day phenobarbital pre-treatment speeded up the hexenal detoxication in rats of all the age groups except the oldest ones (26--32 months). The acceleration as against controls was more spectacular in younger rats and sexually mature female rats (by comparison with sexually mature male rats). As contrasted to controls, a three-day administration of phenobarbital produced in test animals a rise of protein, phospholipids and glycogen content in the liver.", "contents": "[Differences in the inductive effect of small doses of phenobarbital in rats depending on their age and sex]. The induction influence from low doses of phenobarbital introduced for 3 days (10, 10 and 20 mg/kg) on the detoxication rate of hexanal (100 mg/kg) in mongrel rats of different sexes and age was studied. Investigations included measurements of the protein, phospholipids and glycogen content in the liver and the use of continued lateral position time test. A three-day phenobarbital pre-treatment speeded up the hexenal detoxication in rats of all the age groups except the oldest ones (26--32 months). The acceleration as against controls was more spectacular in younger rats and sexually mature female rats (by comparison with sexually mature male rats). As contrasted to controls, a three-day administration of phenobarbital produced in test animals a rise of protein, phospholipids and glycogen content in the liver.", "PMID": 624388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5484", "title": "[Mechanism of the pyrazidol potentiation of the hyperglycemic effect of adrenaline].", "content": "The effect of pyrazidol, a new tricyclic antidepressant, on the change in the activity of the phosphorylase in homogenates of the liver and heart, produced by epinephrine and cortisol, was studied. Information obtained in intact rats showed pyrazidol capable of potentiating the action of epinephrine, such effect being absent in adrenalectamized animals. The beta-adrenoblocking agent (propranolol) and the alpha-adrenoblocking agent (phentolamine) lower the activation of the phosphorylase called forth both by epinphrine and by the latter together with pyrazidol. In adrenalectomized rats phentolamine exerts against the background of the cortisol and pyrazidol action a more pronounced effect than does propranolol. These data suggest that one of the factors responsible for the potentiation of the antidepressant hyperglycemic action of epinephrine and cortisol is a greater intensity of glycogenolysis, coming as a result of the phosphorylase activation.", "contents": "[Mechanism of the pyrazidol potentiation of the hyperglycemic effect of adrenaline]. The effect of pyrazidol, a new tricyclic antidepressant, on the change in the activity of the phosphorylase in homogenates of the liver and heart, produced by epinephrine and cortisol, was studied. Information obtained in intact rats showed pyrazidol capable of potentiating the action of epinephrine, such effect being absent in adrenalectamized animals. The beta-adrenoblocking agent (propranolol) and the alpha-adrenoblocking agent (phentolamine) lower the activation of the phosphorylase called forth both by epinphrine and by the latter together with pyrazidol. In adrenalectomized rats phentolamine exerts against the background of the cortisol and pyrazidol action a more pronounced effect than does propranolol. These data suggest that one of the factors responsible for the potentiation of the antidepressant hyperglycemic action of epinephrine and cortisol is a greater intensity of glycogenolysis, coming as a result of the phosphorylase activation.", "PMID": 624387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5485", "title": "[Effect of phenobarbital on the bile-forming function of the liver].", "content": "In tests with 178 albino male-rats the effect of phenobarbital in doses of 30--100 mg/kg, administered intraperinoneally singly and multiply, on the biligenic function of the liver was studied. The drug was found to act beneficially on the intensity of biligenesis, the synthesis of primary bile acids and their cojugation with taurine and glycine, as well as on the formation of and cojugation with glucoronic acid and secretion of bilirubin. This action of phenobarbital continues also in the progeny of the female rats receiving phenobarbital at different periods of pregnancy.", "contents": "[Effect of phenobarbital on the bile-forming function of the liver]. In tests with 178 albino male-rats the effect of phenobarbital in doses of 30--100 mg/kg, administered intraperinoneally singly and multiply, on the biligenic function of the liver was studied. The drug was found to act beneficially on the intensity of biligenesis, the synthesis of primary bile acids and their cojugation with taurine and glycine, as well as on the formation of and cojugation with glucoronic acid and secretion of bilirubin. This action of phenobarbital continues also in the progeny of the female rats receiving phenobarbital at different periods of pregnancy.", "PMID": 624389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5486", "title": "[Inhibiting effect of anabasine, anabasamine and lupinine alkaloids on ethanol action in mice].", "content": "Anabisis aphylla alcaloids anabasine, anabasamine and lupinine (1/6 and 1/3) DL50, intraperitoneally) lowered the locomotion excitation called forth by aethanol (2 mg/g, by mouth) in mice. Lupinine shortened roughly by a foctor of 3 also the duration of aethanol anesthesia. The reduced excitation was attended by falling a blood aethanol concentration, while shortening of the anesthesia period was not, this suggesting different mechanisms in two disclosed antialcoholic effects of the alcaloids.", "contents": "[Inhibiting effect of anabasine, anabasamine and lupinine alkaloids on ethanol action in mice]. Anabisis aphylla alcaloids anabasine, anabasamine and lupinine (1/6 and 1/3) DL50, intraperitoneally) lowered the locomotion excitation called forth by aethanol (2 mg/g, by mouth) in mice. Lupinine shortened roughly by a foctor of 3 also the duration of aethanol anesthesia. The reduced excitation was attended by falling a blood aethanol concentration, while shortening of the anesthesia period was not, this suggesting different mechanisms in two disclosed antialcoholic effects of the alcaloids.", "PMID": 624390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5487", "title": "[Pharmacological activity of progesterone derivatives].", "content": "Tests conducted on rabbits demonstrated that the progesterone derivatives--megestol-acetate, mepregnol-diacetate, melengestrol-acetate, megestro-capronate--display a higher progestagenic action than do progesterone and pregnene. Tests with rats revealed the contraceptive action to be highest with a long-term administration of low doses of mestranol and melengestrol-acetate (ratio of 1:50), or with introduction of mestranol and megpregno-diacetate (ratio of 1:20). When used together with mestranol megestrol-capronate manifests a greater ability of prolonged action and a higher effectiveness in the pre-implantation period as compared to a combination of megestrol-acetate and mestranol.", "contents": "[Pharmacological activity of progesterone derivatives]. Tests conducted on rabbits demonstrated that the progesterone derivatives--megestol-acetate, mepregnol-diacetate, melengestrol-acetate, megestro-capronate--display a higher progestagenic action than do progesterone and pregnene. Tests with rats revealed the contraceptive action to be highest with a long-term administration of low doses of mestranol and melengestrol-acetate (ratio of 1:50), or with introduction of mestranol and megpregno-diacetate (ratio of 1:20). When used together with mestranol megestrol-capronate manifests a greater ability of prolonged action and a higher effectiveness in the pre-implantation period as compared to a combination of megestrol-acetate and mestranol.", "PMID": 624391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5488", "title": "[Effect of dichlothiazide on the transport of organic substances in the kidneys].", "content": "Following a protracted introduction of dichlothiazide to rats (20 mg/kg) and to dogs (5 mg/kg) there occurs a marked increase in the tubular secretion of the cardiotrast and passage of urates with urine. A single and long-term administration of the drug to dogs did not have any substantial effect on the maximal reabsorption of glucose.", "contents": "[Effect of dichlothiazide on the transport of organic substances in the kidneys]. Following a protracted introduction of dichlothiazide to rats (20 mg/kg) and to dogs (5 mg/kg) there occurs a marked increase in the tubular secretion of the cardiotrast and passage of urates with urine. A single and long-term administration of the drug to dogs did not have any substantial effect on the maximal reabsorption of glucose.", "PMID": 624392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5489", "title": "[Effect of cholagogic agents on volumetric natriuresis in rats with experimental dystrophy of the liver].", "content": "In experimental dystrophy of the liver in rats provoked by introduction of CCL4 the enlargement of the extracellular space is followed by a diminished excretion of sodium. Administration against this background of cholagogues--dehydrocholic acid (250 mg/kg), flaminum (50 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (30 mg/kg) for a space of 7 days helps restore the volumetric natriuresis. It may be assumed that in experimental dystrophy of the liver the process of formation of the natriuretic factor in the liver is deranged. Introduction of the cholagogues under study helps re-establish its formation. Under these circumstances the sensitivity of the rats' kidneys to the natriuretic factor remains practically unchanged.", "contents": "[Effect of cholagogic agents on volumetric natriuresis in rats with experimental dystrophy of the liver]. In experimental dystrophy of the liver in rats provoked by introduction of CCL4 the enlargement of the extracellular space is followed by a diminished excretion of sodium. Administration against this background of cholagogues--dehydrocholic acid (250 mg/kg), flaminum (50 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (30 mg/kg) for a space of 7 days helps restore the volumetric natriuresis. It may be assumed that in experimental dystrophy of the liver the process of formation of the natriuretic factor in the liver is deranged. Introduction of the cholagogues under study helps re-establish its formation. Under these circumstances the sensitivity of the rats' kidneys to the natriuretic factor remains practically unchanged.", "PMID": 624393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5490", "title": "[Lysis of fresh experimental thrombi under the action of a secondary adrenaline-heparin-fibrinogen complex].", "content": "It is shown that the epinephrine-heparin-fibrinogen complex, as well as a number of other complex compounds of heparin accomplish the prophylaxis of thrombogenesis at the initial stages of the process, the epinephrine-heparin-fibrinogen complex lysing the thrombi in an average of 48 minutes, while the complexes of fibrinogen-heparin and epinephrine-heparin do this in 2--4 hours. The complex heparin compounds exercise a thrombolytic action only on non-stabilized fresh thrombi with less than 15 minutes from the time of their formation.", "contents": "[Lysis of fresh experimental thrombi under the action of a secondary adrenaline-heparin-fibrinogen complex]. It is shown that the epinephrine-heparin-fibrinogen complex, as well as a number of other complex compounds of heparin accomplish the prophylaxis of thrombogenesis at the initial stages of the process, the epinephrine-heparin-fibrinogen complex lysing the thrombi in an average of 48 minutes, while the complexes of fibrinogen-heparin and epinephrine-heparin do this in 2--4 hours. The complex heparin compounds exercise a thrombolytic action only on non-stabilized fresh thrombi with less than 15 minutes from the time of their formation.", "PMID": 624394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5491", "title": "[Effect of the plan of using antitumor preparations on their efficacy in sarcoma 37].", "content": "In tests staged on animals with sarcome 37 the effect of sarcolysine, cyclophosphamide, alexan and cytozine-arabinozine was studied with different scemes of their application. It was found that the degree to which the drugs inhibit the growth of sarcoma 37 depends on the scheme adopted for their administration. In the case of sarcolyzine the highest effect was achieved with a 5-day introduction of the drug (93 per cent of inhibition and resorption of some tumours); cyclophosphamide proved effective with its single administration or an introduction with an interval of 96 hours (78 per cent of inhibition), alexan was active with a 5- and 10-day courses (78 per cent of inhibition and resorption of some tumours). Sarcoma 37 is shown to be a suitable model for studying the activity of drugs depending upon the scheme of their application.", "contents": "[Effect of the plan of using antitumor preparations on their efficacy in sarcoma 37]. In tests staged on animals with sarcome 37 the effect of sarcolysine, cyclophosphamide, alexan and cytozine-arabinozine was studied with different scemes of their application. It was found that the degree to which the drugs inhibit the growth of sarcoma 37 depends on the scheme adopted for their administration. In the case of sarcolyzine the highest effect was achieved with a 5-day introduction of the drug (93 per cent of inhibition and resorption of some tumours); cyclophosphamide proved effective with its single administration or an introduction with an interval of 96 hours (78 per cent of inhibition), alexan was active with a 5- and 10-day courses (78 per cent of inhibition and resorption of some tumours). Sarcoma 37 is shown to be a suitable model for studying the activity of drugs depending upon the scheme of their application.", "PMID": 624395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5492", "title": "[Comparative study of cystamine conversion in the tissues of white mice and rats].", "content": "At different periods following introduction to animals of radioprotector cystamine its unchanged form and oxidation products (hypotaurine and taurine) in tissues were determined. In the tissues of mice and rats the cystamine metabolism is shown to proceed at varying rates, correlating with the level of basal metabolism.", "contents": "[Comparative study of cystamine conversion in the tissues of white mice and rats]. At different periods following introduction to animals of radioprotector cystamine its unchanged form and oxidation products (hypotaurine and taurine) in tissues were determined. In the tissues of mice and rats the cystamine metabolism is shown to proceed at varying rates, correlating with the level of basal metabolism.", "PMID": 624396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5493", "title": "[Differences in the efficacy of gutimine alpha-ketoglutarate in the hypoxic and motor forms of hypoxia].", "content": "When used in a dose of 100 mg/kg gutimine alpha-ketogluterate exerts a pronounced antihypoxic action in hypo- and normabaric hpoxic hypoxia (\"lifting\" albino mice in a pressure chamber to an \"altitude\" of 10000 m, rarefaction down to 198.7 mm of Hg, PO2--42 mm Hg, the chamber atmosphere containing 5.4 vol % of oxygen with the animals placed in the hermetically sealed chamber containing 5% of oxygen and 95% of nitrogen at 760 mm Hg). The absence of antihypoxic effect of the drug and exygen with the motor form of hypoxia (swimming test with the weight mass of 10 per cent of the body mass) bears evidence to the fact that the pathogenetic mechanisms in these two forms of hypoxia are dissimilar. An inference is drawn to the effect that the protective action of the drug may be associated with correction of the oxygen cycle in the organism.", "contents": "[Differences in the efficacy of gutimine alpha-ketoglutarate in the hypoxic and motor forms of hypoxia]. When used in a dose of 100 mg/kg gutimine alpha-ketogluterate exerts a pronounced antihypoxic action in hypo- and normabaric hpoxic hypoxia (\"lifting\" albino mice in a pressure chamber to an \"altitude\" of 10000 m, rarefaction down to 198.7 mm of Hg, PO2--42 mm Hg, the chamber atmosphere containing 5.4 vol % of oxygen with the animals placed in the hermetically sealed chamber containing 5% of oxygen and 95% of nitrogen at 760 mm Hg). The absence of antihypoxic effect of the drug and exygen with the motor form of hypoxia (swimming test with the weight mass of 10 per cent of the body mass) bears evidence to the fact that the pathogenetic mechanisms in these two forms of hypoxia are dissimilar. An inference is drawn to the effect that the protective action of the drug may be associated with correction of the oxygen cycle in the organism.", "PMID": 624397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5494", "title": "The value of urinary pregnanediol estimation for monitoring early pregnancies.", "content": "Urine samples from 76 pregnant women were tested for pregnanediol content during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnanediol was measured by gas chromatography in 24-hour urine samples obtained once weekly from 76 randomly selected pregnant women 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after the last menstrual period. Pregnancy was ascertained by a positive hemagglutination inhibition test for human chorionic gonadotropin. In patients in whom the urinary pregnanediol content was less than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 81.5%, and 18.5% had normal pregnancies and births In patients whose pregnanediol content was greater than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 8.3%, and 91.7% had normal pregnancies and births. The 24-hour urinary pregnanediol excretion rate reflects corpus luteum function and can be considered as a means of monitoring pregnancy in its initial stage.", "contents": "The value of urinary pregnanediol estimation for monitoring early pregnancies. Urine samples from 76 pregnant women were tested for pregnanediol content during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnanediol was measured by gas chromatography in 24-hour urine samples obtained once weekly from 76 randomly selected pregnant women 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after the last menstrual period. Pregnancy was ascertained by a positive hemagglutination inhibition test for human chorionic gonadotropin. In patients in whom the urinary pregnanediol content was less than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 81.5%, and 18.5% had normal pregnancies and births In patients whose pregnanediol content was greater than 3 mg/24 hours the abortion rate was 8.3%, and 91.7% had normal pregnancies and births. The 24-hour urinary pregnanediol excretion rate reflects corpus luteum function and can be considered as a means of monitoring pregnancy in its initial stage.", "PMID": 624419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5495", "title": "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in female infertility and ectopic tubal pregnancy.", "content": "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa has been studied in relation to female infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of this lesion in a control Caucasian population was 0.6%, as compared with incidences of 2.86% in an ectopic group and 50% in a small infertility group undergoing tuboplasty. It is suggested that salpingitis isthmica nodosa should be considered as an etiologic factor in these reproductive disorders. Chronic tubal spasm is suggested as the underlying process.", "contents": "Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in female infertility and ectopic tubal pregnancy. Salpingitis isthmica nodosa has been studied in relation to female infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of this lesion in a control Caucasian population was 0.6%, as compared with incidences of 2.86% in an ectopic group and 50% in a small infertility group undergoing tuboplasty. It is suggested that salpingitis isthmica nodosa should be considered as an etiologic factor in these reproductive disorders. Chronic tubal spasm is suggested as the underlying process.", "PMID": 624420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5496", "title": "Evaluation of stricture formation as a complication of vasopuncture and vasography in the guinea pig.", "content": "Stricture formation at the site of injection for vasography has been observed clinically. An animal model was developed to evaluate this occurrence. Bilateral vasopuncture with a 25-gauge needle was carried out in 25 male guinea pigs. The sites of vas punture were marked with tantalum clips in the perivasal tissue. The left-sided vasa were injected with contrast material and the right sides with normal saline. These 50 vasa were evaluated for radiographic and histologic evidence of inflammation and stenosis 3 months following injection. Ninety-four per cent of the 50 vasa studied showed no significant stenosis. Those vasa exhibiting obstruction were in the first four animals studied, with no correlation as to which material was injected. This finding implicates technical factors as a cause for these results. In the guinea pig, vasopuncture with a fine-gauge needle and meticulous technique does not result in a significant rate of stenosis regardless of the medium injected.", "contents": "Evaluation of stricture formation as a complication of vasopuncture and vasography in the guinea pig. Stricture formation at the site of injection for vasography has been observed clinically. An animal model was developed to evaluate this occurrence. Bilateral vasopuncture with a 25-gauge needle was carried out in 25 male guinea pigs. The sites of vas punture were marked with tantalum clips in the perivasal tissue. The left-sided vasa were injected with contrast material and the right sides with normal saline. These 50 vasa were evaluated for radiographic and histologic evidence of inflammation and stenosis 3 months following injection. Ninety-four per cent of the 50 vasa studied showed no significant stenosis. Those vasa exhibiting obstruction were in the first four animals studied, with no correlation as to which material was injected. This finding implicates technical factors as a cause for these results. In the guinea pig, vasopuncture with a fine-gauge needle and meticulous technique does not result in a significant rate of stenosis regardless of the medium injected.", "PMID": 624421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5497", "title": "Structural changes in the human vas deferens after tantalum clip occlusion and conventional vasectomy.", "content": "In 15 human subjects, the vasa deferentia were occluded by applying two tantalum clips on one side and by conventional vasectomy with silk ligatures on the other. After 2 weeks, the occluded segments were recovered for histopathologic examination of serial sections. Obstructing the seminal tract did not, as such, produce any significant change in the vas: the distal and proximal segments appeared to be essentially similar and normal. At the actual site of occlusion, however, tantalum clips produced marked flattening of the tube, complete loss of lining epithelium, distortion of the muscular lamellae, and areas of hemorrhage. The lumen was converted into a narrow slit. Under the ligatures, the damage was largely confined to denudation of the mucosal epithelium. The mucosa of the intersegment left unexcised between two clips showed hyalinization, invasion by macrophages, and degeneration of the epithelium. The changes under the clips suggest that, although clip occlusion may offer several advantages, sterility cannot be reversed merely by removing the clips. The mechanisms of these changes, different in the case of clips and ligatures, are discussed and some possible long-term consequences are considered.", "contents": "Structural changes in the human vas deferens after tantalum clip occlusion and conventional vasectomy. In 15 human subjects, the vasa deferentia were occluded by applying two tantalum clips on one side and by conventional vasectomy with silk ligatures on the other. After 2 weeks, the occluded segments were recovered for histopathologic examination of serial sections. Obstructing the seminal tract did not, as such, produce any significant change in the vas: the distal and proximal segments appeared to be essentially similar and normal. At the actual site of occlusion, however, tantalum clips produced marked flattening of the tube, complete loss of lining epithelium, distortion of the muscular lamellae, and areas of hemorrhage. The lumen was converted into a narrow slit. Under the ligatures, the damage was largely confined to denudation of the mucosal epithelium. The mucosa of the intersegment left unexcised between two clips showed hyalinization, invasion by macrophages, and degeneration of the epithelium. The changes under the clips suggest that, although clip occlusion may offer several advantages, sterility cannot be reversed merely by removing the clips. The mechanisms of these changes, different in the case of clips and ligatures, are discussed and some possible long-term consequences are considered.", "PMID": 624422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5498", "title": "Scanning electrons and light microscopy of the equine seminiferous tubule.", "content": "Changes within the equine seminiferous tubules during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium were studied light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Once observed with SEM, tubules were sectioned and staged using light microscopy. As viewed by SEM, the weblike, spongy cytoplasm of germ cells or Sertoli cells in stages I and II extended over the entire height of the germinal epithelium. The cytoplasm of the basal portion of the germinal epithelium in stages III to VIII was similar to that in stages I and II. However, the cytoplasm which occupied the luminal third of the epithelium in stages III to VII was smooth appearance. The smooth-surfaced, periluminal cytoplasm diminished in stages VIII. Principal pieces of flagella from spermatids extended into the tubular lumina in all stages whereas the middle pieces extended into the lumen only in stage VIII. Later in stage VIII, the middle pieces, which were thickened with cytoplasm, were connected to the germinal epithelium by stalks. After spermiation, the diameter of the middle pieces was similar to that of ejaculated spermatozoa. Thus, the cytoplasm within the thickened middle pieces contributed to the formation of the cytoplasmic droplets.", "contents": "Scanning electrons and light microscopy of the equine seminiferous tubule. Changes within the equine seminiferous tubules during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium were studied light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Once observed with SEM, tubules were sectioned and staged using light microscopy. As viewed by SEM, the weblike, spongy cytoplasm of germ cells or Sertoli cells in stages I and II extended over the entire height of the germinal epithelium. The cytoplasm of the basal portion of the germinal epithelium in stages III to VIII was similar to that in stages I and II. However, the cytoplasm which occupied the luminal third of the epithelium in stages III to VII was smooth appearance. The smooth-surfaced, periluminal cytoplasm diminished in stages VIII. Principal pieces of flagella from spermatids extended into the tubular lumina in all stages whereas the middle pieces extended into the lumen only in stage VIII. Later in stage VIII, the middle pieces, which were thickened with cytoplasm, were connected to the germinal epithelium by stalks. After spermiation, the diameter of the middle pieces was similar to that of ejaculated spermatozoa. Thus, the cytoplasm within the thickened middle pieces contributed to the formation of the cytoplasmic droplets.", "PMID": 624424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5499", "title": "The fragmented intrauterine device: an unusual complication of a Lippes loop.", "content": "Fragmentation on removal of an effective and asymptomatic Lippes Loop is reported. The etiology of this event is hypothesized and the patient's managment is discussed. It is likely that fragmentation occurred as a result of material fatigue secondary to movement about the fixed, embedded tip. Surgical removal was effected.", "contents": "The fragmented intrauterine device: an unusual complication of a Lippes loop. Fragmentation on removal of an effective and asymptomatic Lippes Loop is reported. The etiology of this event is hypothesized and the patient's managment is discussed. It is likely that fragmentation occurred as a result of material fatigue secondary to movement about the fixed, embedded tip. Surgical removal was effected.", "PMID": 624426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5500", "title": "Low-dose cortisone for male infertility.", "content": "Thirty-eight males with idiopathic infertility were randomly treated with low-dose thyroid and low-dose cortisone. Pregnancy followed treatment with cortisone in 7 of 33 courses and followed treatment with thyroid in 4 of 30 courses (P = 0.5, not significant [NS]). The mean pretreatment count in all patients was 12.3 million/ml. The mean post-treatment count with thyroid was 11.2 million/ml as compared with 13 million/ml for cortisone treatment (P = 0.4, NS). Pretreatment motility was 45% as compared with 44% following thyroid treatment and 43% following cortisone treatment (P = 0.7, NS). The pregnancy rate seemed to correlate with pretreatment counts rather than with the type of treatment. The efficacy of low-dose cortisone for idiopathic fertility would seem to be in question.", "contents": "Low-dose cortisone for male infertility. Thirty-eight males with idiopathic infertility were randomly treated with low-dose thyroid and low-dose cortisone. Pregnancy followed treatment with cortisone in 7 of 33 courses and followed treatment with thyroid in 4 of 30 courses (P = 0.5, not significant [NS]). The mean pretreatment count in all patients was 12.3 million/ml. The mean post-treatment count with thyroid was 11.2 million/ml as compared with 13 million/ml for cortisone treatment (P = 0.4, NS). Pretreatment motility was 45% as compared with 44% following thyroid treatment and 43% following cortisone treatment (P = 0.7, NS). The pregnancy rate seemed to correlate with pretreatment counts rather than with the type of treatment. The efficacy of low-dose cortisone for idiopathic fertility would seem to be in question.", "PMID": 624427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5501", "title": "Alterations of the clinically noninvolved skin in patients with malignant melanoma. An electron microscopic study before and after repeated application of BCG.", "content": "Clinically noninvolved skin of 5 patients with metastasizing malignant melanoma (MM) has been investigated under the electron microscope before and 4 weeks after repeated BCG inoculations (4 X). Increased melanin content, giant and unusual melanosomes, signs of cellular activity and some degenerative changes of the melanocytes were observed both in nontreated and in treated patients. Langerhans cells were markedly stimulated containing melanosome complexes and membrane-bound inclusions of different size and shape. Presence of amyloid, macrophage and plasma cells were also observed prior to and after repeated BCG inoculation, however, cellular infiltration was increased after this treatment and several dermal Langerhans cells appeared. These observations suggest that alterations of the melanocytes occur in MM, which are not confined to the tumor area. Moreover, BCG treatment seems to stimulate the tissue reaction against the tumor, including the activity of Langerhans cells.", "contents": "Alterations of the clinically noninvolved skin in patients with malignant melanoma. An electron microscopic study before and after repeated application of BCG. Clinically noninvolved skin of 5 patients with metastasizing malignant melanoma (MM) has been investigated under the electron microscope before and 4 weeks after repeated BCG inoculations (4 X). Increased melanin content, giant and unusual melanosomes, signs of cellular activity and some degenerative changes of the melanocytes were observed both in nontreated and in treated patients. Langerhans cells were markedly stimulated containing melanosome complexes and membrane-bound inclusions of different size and shape. Presence of amyloid, macrophage and plasma cells were also observed prior to and after repeated BCG inoculation, however, cellular infiltration was increased after this treatment and several dermal Langerhans cells appeared. These observations suggest that alterations of the melanocytes occur in MM, which are not confined to the tumor area. Moreover, BCG treatment seems to stimulate the tissue reaction against the tumor, including the activity of Langerhans cells.", "PMID": 624428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5502", "title": "Untreated acrodermatitis enteropathica in adults.", "content": "In the literature six cases of acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE1 are described in which the patients survived to adult age. In a few of these cases the symptoms diappeared at the onset of puberty, while in the rest the disease had a fluctuating course with long symptom-free intervals and an uncharacteristic symptomatology. Two cases are reported. In case 1 there remained only characteristic skin changes on the feet at adult age, in case 2 both skin and intestinal symptoms diappeared at adult age. For long periods this patient was invalidated through depressions, a symptom which is characteristic of children suffering from an active AE. The same patient developed parkinsonism at a relatively young age. In both cases a very low serum zinc level essentially supported the diagnosis. It is possible that AE in adults is underdiagnosed because of an uncharacteristic symptomatology.", "contents": "Untreated acrodermatitis enteropathica in adults. In the literature six cases of acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE1 are described in which the patients survived to adult age. In a few of these cases the symptoms diappeared at the onset of puberty, while in the rest the disease had a fluctuating course with long symptom-free intervals and an uncharacteristic symptomatology. Two cases are reported. In case 1 there remained only characteristic skin changes on the feet at adult age, in case 2 both skin and intestinal symptoms diappeared at adult age. For long periods this patient was invalidated through depressions, a symptom which is characteristic of children suffering from an active AE. The same patient developed parkinsonism at a relatively young age. In both cases a very low serum zinc level essentially supported the diagnosis. It is possible that AE in adults is underdiagnosed because of an uncharacteristic symptomatology.", "PMID": 624429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5503", "title": "HL-A antigens in Beh\u00e7et's disease. A family study.", "content": "Histocompatibility antigens (HL-A) were studied in a family with Beh\u00e7et's disease (BD). All who had symptoms or signs of BD had either HL-A B5 or BW35, or both. The increased number of families with BD recently reported supports the suggestion that positive family history may assist the diagnosis of BD.", "contents": "HL-A antigens in Beh\u00e7et's disease. A family study. Histocompatibility antigens (HL-A) were studied in a family with Beh\u00e7et's disease (BD). All who had symptoms or signs of BD had either HL-A B5 or BW35, or both. The increased number of families with BD recently reported supports the suggestion that positive family history may assist the diagnosis of BD.", "PMID": 624430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5504", "title": "Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on a case of elastosis perforans serpiginosa.", "content": "Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on the collagen and elastin fibres of the dermis from a patient with Elastosis perforans serpiginosa are described. Qualitative and quantitative alterations on collagen and elastin are shown, which give some evidence for considering the disease as a connective tissue defect.", "contents": "Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on a case of elastosis perforans serpiginosa. Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on the collagen and elastin fibres of the dermis from a patient with Elastosis perforans serpiginosa are described. Qualitative and quantitative alterations on collagen and elastin are shown, which give some evidence for considering the disease as a connective tissue defect.", "PMID": 624431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5505", "title": "Immunologic abnormalities in psoriasis: the inhibition of leucocyte migration by stratum corneum antigens.", "content": "The migration inhibition of peripheral blood leucocytes by stratum corneum (SC) antigens extracted from psoriatic scales and normal skin was studied in 25 patients with psoriasis and 12 normal controls. In 44% of patients, the radius of the area of spontaneous migration in the absence of antigen was significantly reduced. 9 out of 25 psoriatic cases showed inhibition of leucocyte migration after the addition of both SC antigens. Migration inhibition with SC antigens was observed only in patients in whom the radius of spontaneous migration area appeared to be normal. The data did not confirm the evidence of delayed hypersensitivity to epidermal SC antigens in patients with psoriasis. The decrease of spontaneous leucocyte migration in psoriasis might be dependent on the influence of antibodies against stratum corneum and/or immune complexes coated on lymphocyte or leucocyte surface membrane.", "contents": "Immunologic abnormalities in psoriasis: the inhibition of leucocyte migration by stratum corneum antigens. The migration inhibition of peripheral blood leucocytes by stratum corneum (SC) antigens extracted from psoriatic scales and normal skin was studied in 25 patients with psoriasis and 12 normal controls. In 44% of patients, the radius of the area of spontaneous migration in the absence of antigen was significantly reduced. 9 out of 25 psoriatic cases showed inhibition of leucocyte migration after the addition of both SC antigens. Migration inhibition with SC antigens was observed only in patients in whom the radius of spontaneous migration area appeared to be normal. The data did not confirm the evidence of delayed hypersensitivity to epidermal SC antigens in patients with psoriasis. The decrease of spontaneous leucocyte migration in psoriasis might be dependent on the influence of antibodies against stratum corneum and/or immune complexes coated on lymphocyte or leucocyte surface membrane.", "PMID": 624432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5506", "title": "The effect of coal tar distillate, cadmium sulfide, ichthyol sodium and omadine MDS on the epidermis of the guinea pig.", "content": "In 20 guinea pigs 4 test areas were treated with a standard surfactant vehicle twice weekly for 3 weeks. In another 20 animals the same treatment was carried out with the addition of 1% cadmium sulfide on one area, of 10% coal tar distillate on another, 2% ichthyol sodium on the 3rd and 1% Omadine MDS on the 4th. At the end of the test in both animal collectives the number of mitoses in the basal cells of the epidermis (Colcemid method) and the thickness of the epidermis (microscopically) were determined in each of the 4 test areals. All 4 agents lead to a significant inhibition of mitoses compared with the surfactant vehicle. Coal rat also produces an acanthosis. The mitosis inhibition supports the opinion that these agents are suitable for the treatment of dandruff.", "contents": "The effect of coal tar distillate, cadmium sulfide, ichthyol sodium and omadine MDS on the epidermis of the guinea pig. In 20 guinea pigs 4 test areas were treated with a standard surfactant vehicle twice weekly for 3 weeks. In another 20 animals the same treatment was carried out with the addition of 1% cadmium sulfide on one area, of 10% coal tar distillate on another, 2% ichthyol sodium on the 3rd and 1% Omadine MDS on the 4th. At the end of the test in both animal collectives the number of mitoses in the basal cells of the epidermis (Colcemid method) and the thickness of the epidermis (microscopically) were determined in each of the 4 test areals. All 4 agents lead to a significant inhibition of mitoses compared with the surfactant vehicle. Coal rat also produces an acanthosis. The mitosis inhibition supports the opinion that these agents are suitable for the treatment of dandruff.", "PMID": 624433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5507", "title": "Cutaneous manifestations associated with aminoaciduria. Report of two cases.", "content": "This is a report of 2 cases revealing photosensitivity in association with aminoaciduria. The first is a patient with psoriasis and the second, a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mitis type. The display of the above combinations seems peculiar. The psoriatic lesions become confined mainly to the exposed surface and intermingled with those of photodermatitis forming lesions which are a mixture of the two processes. In the case with Ehlers-Danlos, the disease presented rupioid plaque-like erythematous oozing lesions which seem somewhat different from those of the photodermatosis yet known.", "contents": "Cutaneous manifestations associated with aminoaciduria. Report of two cases. This is a report of 2 cases revealing photosensitivity in association with aminoaciduria. The first is a patient with psoriasis and the second, a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mitis type. The display of the above combinations seems peculiar. The psoriatic lesions become confined mainly to the exposed surface and intermingled with those of photodermatitis forming lesions which are a mixture of the two processes. In the case with Ehlers-Danlos, the disease presented rupioid plaque-like erythematous oozing lesions which seem somewhat different from those of the photodermatosis yet known.", "PMID": 624434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5508", "title": "[Perforating osteoma--regional acquired osteomatosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Three osteomas had spontaneously appeared on the lateral side of the arm in a 44-year-old woman; one of them showed a slight depression in its center and proved histologically to be an osteoma perforans.", "contents": "[Perforating osteoma--regional acquired osteomatosis (author's transl)]. Three osteomas had spontaneously appeared on the lateral side of the arm in a 44-year-old woman; one of them showed a slight depression in its center and proved histologically to be an osteoma perforans.", "PMID": 624435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5509", "title": "Effects of somatostatin and verapamil on growth hormone release and 45Ca fluxes.", "content": "Increasing the extracellular K+ concentration to 71 mM causes a phasic release of growth hormone and efflux of 45Ca from perifused bovine pituitary cells. Verapamil (20 micron) partially inhibits the initial phase of growth hormone release and 45Ca efflux and completely inhibits the second phase. Somatostatin (1 microgram/ml) partially inhibits both phases of growth hormone release but does not modify 5+-induced 45Ca efflux. Incubation of pituitary cells in 71 mM K+ increases 45Ca incorporation; verapamil (20 micron) completely prevents, and somatostatin (1 microgram/ml) partially inhibits, the K+-induced increase in 45Ca incorporation. The results suggest that 71 mM K+ increases both calcium entry into the cells and calcium redistribution within them, and that verapamil only inhibits the K+-induced calcium entry. Somatostatin may inhibit calcium entry into tissue stores.", "contents": "Effects of somatostatin and verapamil on growth hormone release and 45Ca fluxes. Increasing the extracellular K+ concentration to 71 mM causes a phasic release of growth hormone and efflux of 45Ca from perifused bovine pituitary cells. Verapamil (20 micron) partially inhibits the initial phase of growth hormone release and 45Ca efflux and completely inhibits the second phase. Somatostatin (1 microgram/ml) partially inhibits both phases of growth hormone release but does not modify 5+-induced 45Ca efflux. Incubation of pituitary cells in 71 mM K+ increases 45Ca incorporation; verapamil (20 micron) completely prevents, and somatostatin (1 microgram/ml) partially inhibits, the K+-induced increase in 45Ca incorporation. The results suggest that 71 mM K+ increases both calcium entry into the cells and calcium redistribution within them, and that verapamil only inhibits the K+-induced calcium entry. Somatostatin may inhibit calcium entry into tissue stores.", "PMID": 624436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5510", "title": "A high-performance liquid chromatography method for hemoglobin A1c.", "content": "Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a glycosylated derivative of hemoglobin and is one of a family of derivatives whose concentrations are elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Published methods for the measurement of HbA1c are relatively tedious and require modest amounts of blood. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of HbA1c is presented. The method is rapid (20 minutes), precise (coefficient of variation of 5-10 per cent), uses small amounts of sample (3 microliter.), can be automated. A sample preparation technique using filtration was developed that shortened and simplified preparation of venous blood and allowed use of capillary samples. HbA1c was measured by this method in three age-stratified groups of controls and a group of insulin-requiring juvenile diabetics. There was clear separation of HbA1c values between all normals (5.9 +/- 1.3, 5.6 +/- 0.7, 7.1 +/- 0.9 per cent) and the diabetics (12.1 +/- 2.4 per cent). Use of this method can facilitate large-scale clinical investigations and permit biochemical investigations of the metabolism and formation of hemoglobin A1c where small sample sizes are necessary.", "contents": "A high-performance liquid chromatography method for hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a glycosylated derivative of hemoglobin and is one of a family of derivatives whose concentrations are elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus. Published methods for the measurement of HbA1c are relatively tedious and require modest amounts of blood. A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the determination of HbA1c is presented. The method is rapid (20 minutes), precise (coefficient of variation of 5-10 per cent), uses small amounts of sample (3 microliter.), can be automated. A sample preparation technique using filtration was developed that shortened and simplified preparation of venous blood and allowed use of capillary samples. HbA1c was measured by this method in three age-stratified groups of controls and a group of insulin-requiring juvenile diabetics. There was clear separation of HbA1c values between all normals (5.9 +/- 1.3, 5.6 +/- 0.7, 7.1 +/- 0.9 per cent) and the diabetics (12.1 +/- 2.4 per cent). Use of this method can facilitate large-scale clinical investigations and permit biochemical investigations of the metabolism and formation of hemoglobin A1c where small sample sizes are necessary.", "PMID": 624438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5511", "title": "Glucose-induced alterations of the metabolism of an isolated capillary preparation.", "content": "A preparation of blood capillaries was isolated from the rete mirabile of the eel swin bladder. The capillaries, incubated for two hours at 37 degrees C. in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with 5 mM glucose, contained 29.3 +/- 4.6 nmoles of sorbitol per gram and released in the medium 725 +/- 60 nmoles of fructose per gram. When glucose in the medium was raised from 5 to 30 mM, capillary sorbitol and medium fructose rose by approximately 100 per cent. There were no accompanying changes in capillary water content as determined by the ratio of wet weight to dry weight and by the difference between water-3H space and inulin-14C space. Respiration of capillary tissue was lower at 30 mM glucose than at 5 mM glucose. The addition of 30 mM mannitol to a medium containing 30 mM glucose did not restore the oxygen uptake by capillary tissue to values obtained with a medium containing 5 mM glucose alone. It is concluded that the polyol pathway is operative in vertebrate blood capillaries. At high medium glucose concentration, the activity of the pathway is enhanced, respiration is depressed, and water content is unchanged", "contents": "Glucose-induced alterations of the metabolism of an isolated capillary preparation. A preparation of blood capillaries was isolated from the rete mirabile of the eel swin bladder. The capillaries, incubated for two hours at 37 degrees C. in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with 5 mM glucose, contained 29.3 +/- 4.6 nmoles of sorbitol per gram and released in the medium 725 +/- 60 nmoles of fructose per gram. When glucose in the medium was raised from 5 to 30 mM, capillary sorbitol and medium fructose rose by approximately 100 per cent. There were no accompanying changes in capillary water content as determined by the ratio of wet weight to dry weight and by the difference between water-3H space and inulin-14C space. Respiration of capillary tissue was lower at 30 mM glucose than at 5 mM glucose. The addition of 30 mM mannitol to a medium containing 30 mM glucose did not restore the oxygen uptake by capillary tissue to values obtained with a medium containing 5 mM glucose alone. It is concluded that the polyol pathway is operative in vertebrate blood capillaries. At high medium glucose concentration, the activity of the pathway is enhanced, respiration is depressed, and water content is unchanged", "PMID": 624439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5512", "title": "Loss of insulin response to ingested amino acids after jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity.", "content": "Amino acid tolerance tests were performed before and after jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity to determine whether an enteric factor(s) originating in the bypassed jejunum and/or ileum potentiates the insulin response to oral nitrogen loading. Preoperatively a 30-gm. mixture of amino acids given orally evoked a larger peak insulin than an intravenous load yielding comparable plasma amino acid elevations (82 +/- 17 muU./ml versus 38 +/- 8 muU./ml., p less than 0.05). Four months after operation, basal insulin concentrations were 46 per cent (p less than 0.001) of preoperative values. After surgery the response to intravenous amino acids was preserved when expressed as percentage increase above basal. In contrast, the peak increment and the percentage increase in insulin secretion after 30-gm. oral amino acid loading was significantly blunted (p less than 0.005). A smaller amino acid load (16.5 gm.) was given preoperatively to duplicate the plasma amino acid elevations seen postoperatively with the 30-gm. mixture given by mouth. The insulin response postoperatively was still significantly lower (167 +/- 33 per cent versus 98 +/- 16 per cent, p less than 0.05). After various explanations for the diminished postoperative insulin release following oral amino acid ingestion are considered, the results are best explained by the loss of an enteric insulinotrophic factor(s) normally released by the bypassed portions of jejunum or ileum in response to ingested protein.", "contents": "Loss of insulin response to ingested amino acids after jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity. Amino acid tolerance tests were performed before and after jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity to determine whether an enteric factor(s) originating in the bypassed jejunum and/or ileum potentiates the insulin response to oral nitrogen loading. Preoperatively a 30-gm. mixture of amino acids given orally evoked a larger peak insulin than an intravenous load yielding comparable plasma amino acid elevations (82 +/- 17 muU./ml versus 38 +/- 8 muU./ml., p less than 0.05). Four months after operation, basal insulin concentrations were 46 per cent (p less than 0.001) of preoperative values. After surgery the response to intravenous amino acids was preserved when expressed as percentage increase above basal. In contrast, the peak increment and the percentage increase in insulin secretion after 30-gm. oral amino acid loading was significantly blunted (p less than 0.005). A smaller amino acid load (16.5 gm.) was given preoperatively to duplicate the plasma amino acid elevations seen postoperatively with the 30-gm. mixture given by mouth. The insulin response postoperatively was still significantly lower (167 +/- 33 per cent versus 98 +/- 16 per cent, p less than 0.05). After various explanations for the diminished postoperative insulin release following oral amino acid ingestion are considered, the results are best explained by the loss of an enteric insulinotrophic factor(s) normally released by the bypassed portions of jejunum or ileum in response to ingested protein.", "PMID": 624443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5513", "title": "Quantitative vitreous fluorophotometry. A sensitive technique for measuring early breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier in young diabetic patients.", "content": "Vitreous and aqueous humor fluorescein concentrations were measured one hour after graded intravenous fluorescein was given to 20 juvenile diabetics, ages 20 to 40, with and without retinopathy, and to 12 controls of similar age. Vitreous fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in diabetics, indicating breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier. Mean vitreous fluorescein values were 10.66 +/- 0.65 for the diabetics and 4.28 +/- 0.37 ng./ml. for the controls. Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier was also confirmed in diabetics under the age of 20 without retinopathy. The blood-aqueous barrier was similarly altered in diabetics. Vitreous fluorophotometry quantitatively measures breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, possibly the earliest detectable ocular vascular abnormality in juvenile diabetic patients.", "contents": "Quantitative vitreous fluorophotometry. A sensitive technique for measuring early breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier in young diabetic patients. Vitreous and aqueous humor fluorescein concentrations were measured one hour after graded intravenous fluorescein was given to 20 juvenile diabetics, ages 20 to 40, with and without retinopathy, and to 12 controls of similar age. Vitreous fluorescein concentrations were significantly higher in diabetics, indicating breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier. Mean vitreous fluorescein values were 10.66 +/- 0.65 for the diabetics and 4.28 +/- 0.37 ng./ml. for the controls. Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier was also confirmed in diabetics under the age of 20 without retinopathy. The blood-aqueous barrier was similarly altered in diabetics. Vitreous fluorophotometry quantitatively measures breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, possibly the earliest detectable ocular vascular abnormality in juvenile diabetic patients.", "PMID": 624444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5514", "title": "Decline of pulmonary function.", "content": "Pulmonary function declines with normal aging, but environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke undoubtedly hasten the process--probably by triggering inherent deficiencies or irritating endogenous changes.", "contents": "Decline of pulmonary function. Pulmonary function declines with normal aging, but environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke undoubtedly hasten the process--probably by triggering inherent deficiencies or irritating endogenous changes.", "PMID": 624446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5515", "title": "Using computerized tomography to identify neurologic problems.", "content": "Computerized tomography (CT) scanning accurately identifies neurologic abnormalities in many elderly patients, often making it possible to differentiate symptomatic neurologic changes of normal aging from treatable pathologic states such as occult masses and cerebral infarction producing much the same symptoms. The scan also singles out patients in whom further diagnostic measures are necessary. The advantages of CT--low morbidity, noninvasiveness, and high sensitivity--far outweigh its limitations. Concomitant cerebral atrophy and metabolic imbalance do not significantly affect diagnostic accuracy. Risks are minimal, related chiefly to contrast allergy, and occasionally to anesthetics for patients who cannot remain motionless during the procedure.", "contents": "Using computerized tomography to identify neurologic problems. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning accurately identifies neurologic abnormalities in many elderly patients, often making it possible to differentiate symptomatic neurologic changes of normal aging from treatable pathologic states such as occult masses and cerebral infarction producing much the same symptoms. The scan also singles out patients in whom further diagnostic measures are necessary. The advantages of CT--low morbidity, noninvasiveness, and high sensitivity--far outweigh its limitations. Concomitant cerebral atrophy and metabolic imbalance do not significantly affect diagnostic accuracy. Risks are minimal, related chiefly to contrast allergy, and occasionally to anesthetics for patients who cannot remain motionless during the procedure.", "PMID": 624449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5516", "title": "Considering \"social nutrition\" in assessing geriatric nutrition.", "content": "\"Social nutrition\" is of great importance to the well-being of elderly people, who often are socially isolated and hungry for interaction with others. The physician should be sensitive to this need and explore the geriatric patient's social situation. The physician's suggestions have significant impact on elderly patients, and a social prescription often enhances a medical regimen. It is important to suggest to these patients attainable goals, such as social contacts at mealtimes. Even the Meals on Wheels program may help meet their social needs.", "contents": "Considering \"social nutrition\" in assessing geriatric nutrition. \"Social nutrition\" is of great importance to the well-being of elderly people, who often are socially isolated and hungry for interaction with others. The physician should be sensitive to this need and explore the geriatric patient's social situation. The physician's suggestions have significant impact on elderly patients, and a social prescription often enhances a medical regimen. It is important to suggest to these patients attainable goals, such as social contacts at mealtimes. Even the Meals on Wheels program may help meet their social needs.", "PMID": 624450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5517", "title": "Diagnosing and treating myxedema and myxedema coma.", "content": "Every patient with myxedema has hypothyroidism, but not every hypothyroid patient has myxedema. It often is possible to diagnose myxedema on clinical grounds alone. Characteristic symptoms are weakness, cold intolerance, mental and physical slowness, dry skin, typical facies, and hoarse voice. Results of the total serum thyroxine and free thyroxine index tests usually will confirm the diagnosis. L-thyroxine is the treatment of choice for myxedema, but it must be given to elderly patients with extreme caution. The transition from the hypothyroid to the euthyroid state brings about changes that put an added burden on the heart. The patient's clinical status and results of thyroid function tests determine the proper maintenance dose. Myxedema coma is rare but often fatal. It occurs most often in elderly women and may be mistaken for one of the chronic debilitating diseases common to this age group. Primary treatment is prompt administration of adequate doses of thyroid hormone--either l-throxine given intravenously of L-triiodothyronine given by nasogastric tube. It also is essential to identify and treat the condition precipitating the coma.", "contents": "Diagnosing and treating myxedema and myxedema coma. Every patient with myxedema has hypothyroidism, but not every hypothyroid patient has myxedema. It often is possible to diagnose myxedema on clinical grounds alone. Characteristic symptoms are weakness, cold intolerance, mental and physical slowness, dry skin, typical facies, and hoarse voice. Results of the total serum thyroxine and free thyroxine index tests usually will confirm the diagnosis. L-thyroxine is the treatment of choice for myxedema, but it must be given to elderly patients with extreme caution. The transition from the hypothyroid to the euthyroid state brings about changes that put an added burden on the heart. The patient's clinical status and results of thyroid function tests determine the proper maintenance dose. Myxedema coma is rare but often fatal. It occurs most often in elderly women and may be mistaken for one of the chronic debilitating diseases common to this age group. Primary treatment is prompt administration of adequate doses of thyroid hormone--either l-throxine given intravenously of L-triiodothyronine given by nasogastric tube. It also is essential to identify and treat the condition precipitating the coma.", "PMID": 624451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5518", "title": "Defining and treating urinary infections.", "content": "Urinary infections increase not only with age but also with progressive disability and dependence. The reasons are not clear, but the rising incidence may be due to loss of bactericidal prostatic secretion in men; an increase in residual urine with ischemia of the bladder wall in both sexes; and recumbency, poor nutrition, and perhaps decreased defficiency of the autoimmune system in elderly patients with chronic diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of infections depends on the demonstration of 100,000 or more organisms of a single type in the urine. Fewer than this, or the presence of two or more types of organisms, indicates contamination. Careful collection and handling of urine specimens are necessary to avoid false-positive results. Pyelonephritis and acute cystitis are symptomatic infections and require antibiotic treatment. Chronic bacteriuria, however, usually does not produce symptoms, and since there is no clear evidence that it causes changes in renal function, antibiotic therapy usually is unnecessary.", "contents": "Defining and treating urinary infections. Urinary infections increase not only with age but also with progressive disability and dependence. The reasons are not clear, but the rising incidence may be due to loss of bactericidal prostatic secretion in men; an increase in residual urine with ischemia of the bladder wall in both sexes; and recumbency, poor nutrition, and perhaps decreased defficiency of the autoimmune system in elderly patients with chronic diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of infections depends on the demonstration of 100,000 or more organisms of a single type in the urine. Fewer than this, or the presence of two or more types of organisms, indicates contamination. Careful collection and handling of urine specimens are necessary to avoid false-positive results. Pyelonephritis and acute cystitis are symptomatic infections and require antibiotic treatment. Chronic bacteriuria, however, usually does not produce symptoms, and since there is no clear evidence that it causes changes in renal function, antibiotic therapy usually is unnecessary.", "PMID": 624452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5519", "title": "Is low-renin hypertension an overdiagnosed syndrome?", "content": "The controversy surrounding low-renin hypertension ranges from the concept that it carries a favorable prognosis to the therory that it a form of nephrosclerosis. At least a part of the debate may result from the use of different methods of classifying patients with this condition. The study presented here clearly shows that age and sex have an important influence on plasma renin activity. Women had lower values than age-matched men, and studies in normal volunteers showed that plasma renin activity decreases with age. Other factors also affect renin profiling. Diabetes is associated with renin suppression, and blacks have lower values of plasma renin activity than whites. In addition, use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin significantly lowers renin levels. Since some of these variables have not been considered in published studies to date, it would seem that the true incidence of low-renin hypertension among hypertensives is lower than the accepted figure of 25%.", "contents": "Is low-renin hypertension an overdiagnosed syndrome? The controversy surrounding low-renin hypertension ranges from the concept that it carries a favorable prognosis to the therory that it a form of nephrosclerosis. At least a part of the debate may result from the use of different methods of classifying patients with this condition. The study presented here clearly shows that age and sex have an important influence on plasma renin activity. Women had lower values than age-matched men, and studies in normal volunteers showed that plasma renin activity decreases with age. Other factors also affect renin profiling. Diabetes is associated with renin suppression, and blacks have lower values of plasma renin activity than whites. In addition, use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin significantly lowers renin levels. Since some of these variables have not been considered in published studies to date, it would seem that the true incidence of low-renin hypertension among hypertensives is lower than the accepted figure of 25%.", "PMID": 624453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5520", "title": "Geriatric gynecologic problems increasing.", "content": "Over a 3-year period, the percentage of geriatric patients with gynecologic problems treated in one Canadian hospital almost doubled. Pelvic pain, uterine bleeding, and voiding problems were the most common symptoms. Concomitant diseases existed in 60% of the patients, with cardiac and pulmonary problems the most frequent. Uterine fibroids and genital cancer were the most common pathologic diagnoses. Hysterectomy was part of the operative procedure in 37 of 50 patients, and these operations required more time and longer postoperative hospitalization than others. Complications developed in 24% of the patients, with cellulitis, phlebitis, and fever seen most often.", "contents": "Geriatric gynecologic problems increasing. Over a 3-year period, the percentage of geriatric patients with gynecologic problems treated in one Canadian hospital almost doubled. Pelvic pain, uterine bleeding, and voiding problems were the most common symptoms. Concomitant diseases existed in 60% of the patients, with cardiac and pulmonary problems the most frequent. Uterine fibroids and genital cancer were the most common pathologic diagnoses. Hysterectomy was part of the operative procedure in 37 of 50 patients, and these operations required more time and longer postoperative hospitalization than others. Complications developed in 24% of the patients, with cellulitis, phlebitis, and fever seen most often.", "PMID": 624454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5521", "title": "Spontaneous variations in level of arousal among aged individuals. Correlations with functional abilities and mental performances.", "content": "The aim of this study was to assess whether spontaneous interindividual variations in arousal level appreciated by telemetric recordings of physiological variables were related to mental performance and functional ability in institutionalized aged subjects. The sample studied was made up of 18 subjects (16 women and 2 men) aged 82-97, living in an old age home in Paris. Telemetric recordings of EEG, EKG, EMG and EOG were obtained over 8-hour periods, during the subjects' normal daily activity schedule. The Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (SGRS), Benton's Visual Retention Test (VRT) and the Trail Making Test (TMT) were independently used to assess behaviour and mental performance of these aged persons. All correlations between telemetric data and psychological evaluations (the psychometric tests as well as the rating scale) were highly significant, even once the influence of the cultural level was controlled.", "contents": "Spontaneous variations in level of arousal among aged individuals. Correlations with functional abilities and mental performances. The aim of this study was to assess whether spontaneous interindividual variations in arousal level appreciated by telemetric recordings of physiological variables were related to mental performance and functional ability in institutionalized aged subjects. The sample studied was made up of 18 subjects (16 women and 2 men) aged 82-97, living in an old age home in Paris. Telemetric recordings of EEG, EKG, EMG and EOG were obtained over 8-hour periods, during the subjects' normal daily activity schedule. The Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (SGRS), Benton's Visual Retention Test (VRT) and the Trail Making Test (TMT) were independently used to assess behaviour and mental performance of these aged persons. All correlations between telemetric data and psychological evaluations (the psychometric tests as well as the rating scale) were highly significant, even once the influence of the cultural level was controlled.", "PMID": 624455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5522", "title": "Aortic lathyrism and atheroma in the rat by prolonged hyperlipidic diet.", "content": "Constant, deep, extensive aortic atheroma can be induced in rats that are athero-resistant. Two main factors are involved in this experimentation: (1) Parietal alteration following chronic experimentation with beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, 8 weeks) and a metabolic factor with hyperlipid diet. Electronmicroscopic examination has shown progressive lesions in the elastic framework and modifications of cells in the media with dedifferentiation into fibromyocytes and also multiply. The changes are responsible for hyperplasia of the intima as well as its thickening and collagenization. They support observations made in man during aortic aging. (2) A metabolic factor with hyperlipidic diet. This diet given at various times during intoxication causes lip deposition in the intima and substantial penetration into the media when the lesions are developing.", "contents": "Aortic lathyrism and atheroma in the rat by prolonged hyperlipidic diet. Constant, deep, extensive aortic atheroma can be induced in rats that are athero-resistant. Two main factors are involved in this experimentation: (1) Parietal alteration following chronic experimentation with beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, 8 weeks) and a metabolic factor with hyperlipid diet. Electronmicroscopic examination has shown progressive lesions in the elastic framework and modifications of cells in the media with dedifferentiation into fibromyocytes and also multiply. The changes are responsible for hyperplasia of the intima as well as its thickening and collagenization. They support observations made in man during aortic aging. (2) A metabolic factor with hyperlipidic diet. This diet given at various times during intoxication causes lip deposition in the intima and substantial penetration into the media when the lesions are developing.", "PMID": 624456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5523", "title": "Age differences in short-term memory and cell loss in the cortex of the rat.", "content": "Studies with human and animal subjects have indicated age declines in short-term memory and cell loss in the cortex. Cell loss has been estamated by descriptive nonautomated methods. Declines in short-term memory may be related to reduced learning, movtivation, motor capacity, or some combination of these factors. Passive-avoidance tests of memory minimize these factors. Direct correlational studies on learning and memory in relation to cell loss in the same subject are not feasible in man and they have not been reported previously in animals. The aims of this study were to examine age differences in learning and short-term passive-avoidance memory in relation to cell packing density in the visual cortex of the Fisher 344 rat. Cell counts were made with a computer-guided, automated, image-analyzing system (TAS, Leitz). The following observations were made: (1) significant age differences in 2- and 6-hour short-term passive-avoidance retention or memory between mature and senescent rats were related to nonsignificant age differences in original learning inferred from starting latencies, running time and running distance and (2) sd compared to mature rats were associated with significant differences in neuron but not glia-vascular cell density in area 17 in the presence of nonsignificant age differences in cortical depth and brain weight. Aims of further studies are to establish the role of cell loss from the hippocampus in loss of short-term spatial memory with age and to develop criteria for differential counting of small neurons, glia, endothelial cells and pericytes.", "contents": "Age differences in short-term memory and cell loss in the cortex of the rat. Studies with human and animal subjects have indicated age declines in short-term memory and cell loss in the cortex. Cell loss has been estamated by descriptive nonautomated methods. Declines in short-term memory may be related to reduced learning, movtivation, motor capacity, or some combination of these factors. Passive-avoidance tests of memory minimize these factors. Direct correlational studies on learning and memory in relation to cell loss in the same subject are not feasible in man and they have not been reported previously in animals. The aims of this study were to examine age differences in learning and short-term passive-avoidance memory in relation to cell packing density in the visual cortex of the Fisher 344 rat. Cell counts were made with a computer-guided, automated, image-analyzing system (TAS, Leitz). The following observations were made: (1) significant age differences in 2- and 6-hour short-term passive-avoidance retention or memory between mature and senescent rats were related to nonsignificant age differences in original learning inferred from starting latencies, running time and running distance and (2) sd compared to mature rats were associated with significant differences in neuron but not glia-vascular cell density in area 17 in the presence of nonsignificant age differences in cortical depth and brain weight. Aims of further studies are to establish the role of cell loss from the hippocampus in loss of short-term spatial memory with age and to develop criteria for differential counting of small neurons, glia, endothelial cells and pericytes.", "PMID": 624457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5524", "title": "Tissue specificity and age changes for the pattern of the H1 group of histones in chromatin from mouse tissues.", "content": "Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the H1 group of histones extracted from different rat and mouse tissues shows a different pattern of fraction (H1, H1 degrees, H1 degrees met) when the two species are compared. Different tissues of each species also have a different pattern of H1 histone fraction and subfraction. However, the age-associated changes of mouse H1 histones from liver and spleen chromatin show the same type of alteration of fraction ratios which had been demonstrated in our earlier research with rat tissues. In both species there is a relative increase of the F1 degree and F1 degree met fractions in tissues from old animals. The presence of the F1 degree fraction in only non-dividing cells suggests that there may be an age-specific type of chromatin condensation.", "contents": "Tissue specificity and age changes for the pattern of the H1 group of histones in chromatin from mouse tissues. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the H1 group of histones extracted from different rat and mouse tissues shows a different pattern of fraction (H1, H1 degrees, H1 degrees met) when the two species are compared. Different tissues of each species also have a different pattern of H1 histone fraction and subfraction. However, the age-associated changes of mouse H1 histones from liver and spleen chromatin show the same type of alteration of fraction ratios which had been demonstrated in our earlier research with rat tissues. In both species there is a relative increase of the F1 degree and F1 degree met fractions in tissues from old animals. The presence of the F1 degree fraction in only non-dividing cells suggests that there may be an age-specific type of chromatin condensation.", "PMID": 624458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5525", "title": "Psychiatric illness in the elderly. A comparison of GP records and survey findings.", "content": "The GP records of 200 elderly people living at home were scrutinized and estimation made of physical and psychiatric disability. These estimations were compared with those made independently by a psychiatrist interviewing the subjects at home. There was a reasonable agreement between the two assessments of functional disorder and between the two assessments of physical disabilities. Whereas the survey psychiatrist's diagnoses of mental disorder correlated positively with the presence of physical illness, this did not hold for those considered to have evidence of psychiatric illness using GP records alone. The duration of a positive psychiatric history obtained from GP records was consistent with a discrimination between late onset (recent) and chronic neurosis.", "contents": "Psychiatric illness in the elderly. A comparison of GP records and survey findings. The GP records of 200 elderly people living at home were scrutinized and estimation made of physical and psychiatric disability. These estimations were compared with those made independently by a psychiatrist interviewing the subjects at home. There was a reasonable agreement between the two assessments of functional disorder and between the two assessments of physical disabilities. Whereas the survey psychiatrist's diagnoses of mental disorder correlated positively with the presence of physical illness, this did not hold for those considered to have evidence of psychiatric illness using GP records alone. The duration of a positive psychiatric history obtained from GP records was consistent with a discrimination between late onset (recent) and chronic neurosis.", "PMID": 624459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5526", "title": "The decrease in noradrenaline concentration in the posterior tibial artery with age.", "content": "The concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were studied in specimens of the posterior tibial artery obtained from 18 subjects at postmortem examination. The mean noradrenaline concentration was 167 ng/g artery (range 17-449 ng/g) and the mean adrenaline concentration was 5 ng/g (range 0--21 ng/g). There was no difference in noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations expressed in ng/g between male and female subjects. Expressed in ng/cm artery the arterial noradrenaline concentration was insignificantly lower in the females than in the males. The arterial noradrenaline concentration decreased considerably with age and to the same extent in both sexes.", "contents": "The decrease in noradrenaline concentration in the posterior tibial artery with age. The concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were studied in specimens of the posterior tibial artery obtained from 18 subjects at postmortem examination. The mean noradrenaline concentration was 167 ng/g artery (range 17-449 ng/g) and the mean adrenaline concentration was 5 ng/g (range 0--21 ng/g). There was no difference in noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations expressed in ng/g between male and female subjects. Expressed in ng/cm artery the arterial noradrenaline concentration was insignificantly lower in the females than in the males. The arterial noradrenaline concentration decreased considerably with age and to the same extent in both sexes.", "PMID": 624460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5527", "title": "Comparison of \"early gastric cancer\" in Britain and Japan.", "content": "Before the introduction of endoscopy, four out of 720 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed before the cancer had breached the muscularis propia, an incidence of 0.5%. Using endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy, 10 out of 101 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed at this \"early\" stage, an incidence of 10%. Their clinical, morphological, and histological characteristics are compared with those of Japanese \"early gastric cancers\" and reveal a remarkable similarity. The results of this study suggest that a higher proportion of British gastric cancers could be diagnosed at an \"early\" stage by more intensive investigation of dyspeptic patients using up to date radiological techniques, fibreoptic endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy.", "contents": "Comparison of \"early gastric cancer\" in Britain and Japan. Before the introduction of endoscopy, four out of 720 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed before the cancer had breached the muscularis propia, an incidence of 0.5%. Using endoscopy and endoscopic biopsy, 10 out of 101 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed at this \"early\" stage, an incidence of 10%. Their clinical, morphological, and histological characteristics are compared with those of Japanese \"early gastric cancers\" and reveal a remarkable similarity. The results of this study suggest that a higher proportion of British gastric cancers could be diagnosed at an \"early\" stage by more intensive investigation of dyspeptic patients using up to date radiological techniques, fibreoptic endoscopy, and endoscopic biopsy.", "PMID": 624498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5528", "title": "Effect of glucocorticoids on gastrin secretion in man.", "content": "In order to investigate the effect of glucocorticoids on gastrin secretion, plasma gastrin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in patients with Cushing's syndrome and those treated with glucocorticoids. Fasting plasma gastrin levels were significantly higher in these patients than in normal subjects, with exaggerated response to food. Conversely, short-term treatment or intravenous infusion of glucocorticoids had no significant influence on gastrin secretion in normal subjects. The possible mechanism by which glucocorticoids cause hypergastrinaemia are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of glucocorticoids on gastrin secretion in man. In order to investigate the effect of glucocorticoids on gastrin secretion, plasma gastrin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in patients with Cushing's syndrome and those treated with glucocorticoids. Fasting plasma gastrin levels were significantly higher in these patients than in normal subjects, with exaggerated response to food. Conversely, short-term treatment or intravenous infusion of glucocorticoids had no significant influence on gastrin secretion in normal subjects. The possible mechanism by which glucocorticoids cause hypergastrinaemia are discussed.", "PMID": 624499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5529", "title": "Effect of secretogogues on mucosal blood flow in the antrum and corpus of the stomach.", "content": "Gastric mucosal blood flow in the rat was determined by the indicator fractionation technique of Sapirstein using Rb86Cl. Antral and corpus flow rates were determined in response to increasing doses of pentagastrin and histamine and the effect of vagotomy was determined. With progressive stimulation the antral:corpus flow ratio increased with both stimulants; however, vagotomy and noradrenaline reduced blood flow in both areas of mucosa. It is concluded that the antrum, as well as the corpus, actively responds to secretory stimulants by an increase in mucosal blood flow and support is provided for the theory that the antrum plays an active role in the control of parietal cell blood flow and secretion.", "contents": "Effect of secretogogues on mucosal blood flow in the antrum and corpus of the stomach. Gastric mucosal blood flow in the rat was determined by the indicator fractionation technique of Sapirstein using Rb86Cl. Antral and corpus flow rates were determined in response to increasing doses of pentagastrin and histamine and the effect of vagotomy was determined. With progressive stimulation the antral:corpus flow ratio increased with both stimulants; however, vagotomy and noradrenaline reduced blood flow in both areas of mucosa. It is concluded that the antrum, as well as the corpus, actively responds to secretory stimulants by an increase in mucosal blood flow and support is provided for the theory that the antrum plays an active role in the control of parietal cell blood flow and secretion.", "PMID": 624500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5530", "title": "Clinical presentation of patients with \"dyspepsia\". Detailed symptomatic study of 360 patients.", "content": "This paper describes the clinical presentation of 360 patients suffering from \"dyspepsia\" at the time of their initial visit to two hospitals in Yorkshire. Disease categories studied were cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, and \"functional\" dyspepsia, with at least 50 patients in each category. The findings of this series are contrasted with \"textbook\" descriptions of these conditions. Some contrasts are quite surprising-for example, most of the 360 patients claimed that their pain was not aggravated by food. It is suggested that one reason for diagnostic error in this area of medicine is that clinicians have a faulty mental \"database\" of information with regard to the presentation of the various diseases concerned.", "contents": "Clinical presentation of patients with \"dyspepsia\". Detailed symptomatic study of 360 patients. This paper describes the clinical presentation of 360 patients suffering from \"dyspepsia\" at the time of their initial visit to two hospitals in Yorkshire. Disease categories studied were cholecystitis, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, and \"functional\" dyspepsia, with at least 50 patients in each category. The findings of this series are contrasted with \"textbook\" descriptions of these conditions. Some contrasts are quite surprising-for example, most of the 360 patients claimed that their pain was not aggravated by food. It is suggested that one reason for diagnostic error in this area of medicine is that clinicians have a faulty mental \"database\" of information with regard to the presentation of the various diseases concerned.", "PMID": 624501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5531", "title": "Inhibitory effect of cimetidine on gastric acid secretion vagally activated by physiological means in duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "Vagal activation of gastric acid secretion by modified sham feeding in six patients with duodenal ulcer produced a peak acid response amounting to 52% of the peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation (PAOpg). Cholinergic reflex stimulation of gastric acid secretion by fundic distension in another six patients with duodenal ulcer produced a peak acid response of 45% of PAOpg. Intravenous infusion of cimetidine in a dose of 100 mg/h markedly inhibited the acid sham feeding response by 90-100% and almost abolished the acid response to fundic distension. The results suggest that gastric acid secretion evoked by physiological vagal activation in man is profoundly inhibited by H2-receptor blocking agents.", "contents": "Inhibitory effect of cimetidine on gastric acid secretion vagally activated by physiological means in duodenal ulcer patients. Vagal activation of gastric acid secretion by modified sham feeding in six patients with duodenal ulcer produced a peak acid response amounting to 52% of the peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation (PAOpg). Cholinergic reflex stimulation of gastric acid secretion by fundic distension in another six patients with duodenal ulcer produced a peak acid response of 45% of PAOpg. Intravenous infusion of cimetidine in a dose of 100 mg/h markedly inhibited the acid sham feeding response by 90-100% and almost abolished the acid response to fundic distension. The results suggest that gastric acid secretion evoked by physiological vagal activation in man is profoundly inhibited by H2-receptor blocking agents.", "PMID": 624502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5532", "title": "Physiological factors influencing serum bile acid levels.", "content": "This study defines the effects of fasting (prolongation of an overnight fast for a further four hours), feeding (the response to eating the three main ;solid' meals of the day), and cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder contraction (75-100 units of CCK given as a bolus intravenous injection) on serum individual bile acids in five to eight healthy control subjects. The serum conjugates of the two primary bile acids, cholic and chenodeoxycholic, were measured using sensitive specific radio-immunoassays. During fasting, there was no significant change in the levels of the serum individual bile acids (conjugates of cholate, 1.28 +/- 0.19; conjugates of chenodeoxycholate, 1.17 +/- 0.17 mumol/l). After breakfast, the serum conjugates of cholate and chenodeoxycholate increased significantly but thereafter the mean values remained high with less consistent responses to lunch and dinner, some subjects showing a peak and trough response to all three meals, while others showed a plateau response throughout the day. After breakfast, the serum chenodeoxycholate conjugates increased more rapidly (peak at 60 minutes when the concentration reached 2.07 +/- 0.30 mumol/l) and to a greater extent than the conjugates of cholate (peak at 90 minutes; 1.50 +/- 0.24 mumol/l). A similar pattern of results was seen after intravenous CCK, suggesting either preferential jejunal absorption of chenodeoxycholate conjugates and/or preferential hepatic clearance of cholate conjugates. These results provide essential background data for future studies of serum individual bile acids in intestinal and hepatic disease.", "contents": "Physiological factors influencing serum bile acid levels. This study defines the effects of fasting (prolongation of an overnight fast for a further four hours), feeding (the response to eating the three main ;solid' meals of the day), and cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder contraction (75-100 units of CCK given as a bolus intravenous injection) on serum individual bile acids in five to eight healthy control subjects. The serum conjugates of the two primary bile acids, cholic and chenodeoxycholic, were measured using sensitive specific radio-immunoassays. During fasting, there was no significant change in the levels of the serum individual bile acids (conjugates of cholate, 1.28 +/- 0.19; conjugates of chenodeoxycholate, 1.17 +/- 0.17 mumol/l). After breakfast, the serum conjugates of cholate and chenodeoxycholate increased significantly but thereafter the mean values remained high with less consistent responses to lunch and dinner, some subjects showing a peak and trough response to all three meals, while others showed a plateau response throughout the day. After breakfast, the serum chenodeoxycholate conjugates increased more rapidly (peak at 60 minutes when the concentration reached 2.07 +/- 0.30 mumol/l) and to a greater extent than the conjugates of cholate (peak at 90 minutes; 1.50 +/- 0.24 mumol/l). A similar pattern of results was seen after intravenous CCK, suggesting either preferential jejunal absorption of chenodeoxycholate conjugates and/or preferential hepatic clearance of cholate conjugates. These results provide essential background data for future studies of serum individual bile acids in intestinal and hepatic disease.", "PMID": 624503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5533", "title": "Assessment of the (14C) aminopyrine breath test in liver disease.", "content": "Different methods of performing the (14C) aminopyrine breath test have been assessed. A tracer dose of 2 muCi without a loading dose and with a single breath collection at two hours was the method selected, since it gave the best discrimination between patients with hepatocellular diseases and normal subjects (5.2 +/- 0.2%, mean +/- SEM). Reduced values occurred in patients with chronic active hepatitis (with and without cirrhosis) (1.5 +/- 0.2%), alcoholic cirrhosis (1.7 +/- 0.4%) and hepatitis (2.5 +/- 0.3%), and late primary biliary cirrhosis suggesting defective microsomal function with respect to demethylation. Normal results were common in early primary biliary cirrhosis. Two weeks of prednisolone therapy caused some improvement in the breath test in nine of 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis. It is concluded that the (14C) aminopyrine breath test is a simple test for detecting hepatocellular dysfunction, but has no obvious diagnostic advantage over the determination of serum aspartate transaminase and two hour post-prandial bile-acids.", "contents": "Assessment of the (14C) aminopyrine breath test in liver disease. Different methods of performing the (14C) aminopyrine breath test have been assessed. A tracer dose of 2 muCi without a loading dose and with a single breath collection at two hours was the method selected, since it gave the best discrimination between patients with hepatocellular diseases and normal subjects (5.2 +/- 0.2%, mean +/- SEM). Reduced values occurred in patients with chronic active hepatitis (with and without cirrhosis) (1.5 +/- 0.2%), alcoholic cirrhosis (1.7 +/- 0.4%) and hepatitis (2.5 +/- 0.3%), and late primary biliary cirrhosis suggesting defective microsomal function with respect to demethylation. Normal results were common in early primary biliary cirrhosis. Two weeks of prednisolone therapy caused some improvement in the breath test in nine of 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis. It is concluded that the (14C) aminopyrine breath test is a simple test for detecting hepatocellular dysfunction, but has no obvious diagnostic advantage over the determination of serum aspartate transaminase and two hour post-prandial bile-acids.", "PMID": 624504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5534", "title": "Jejunal monosaccharide, water, and electrolyte transport in patients with chronic pancreatitis.", "content": "Jejunal perfusion studies were performed to assess water, electrolyte, d-xylose, and d-glucose transport in 16 patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis (eight with and eight without steatorrhoea) and in 10 control subjects. The patients with steatorrhoea demonstrated significantly less xylose, water, and electrolyte absorption than patients without steatorrhoea and control subjects, when an isosmotic slaine-xylose solution was perfused. On the other hand, when an isosmotic saline-glucose solution was perfused, the patients with steatorrhoea absorbed significantly more glucose, water, and electrolytes than control subjects. Significant correlation was demonstrated between the absorption of xylose as measured by the segmental perfusion technique and the peak serum xylose level during perfusion as well as the five-hour urinary xylose excretion after a 25 g oral dose of xylose. The xylose absorption measured by small bowel perfusion also correlated significantly with pancreatic juice amylase and trypsin concentrations obtained during a standard pancreatic function test.", "contents": "Jejunal monosaccharide, water, and electrolyte transport in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Jejunal perfusion studies were performed to assess water, electrolyte, d-xylose, and d-glucose transport in 16 patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis (eight with and eight without steatorrhoea) and in 10 control subjects. The patients with steatorrhoea demonstrated significantly less xylose, water, and electrolyte absorption than patients without steatorrhoea and control subjects, when an isosmotic slaine-xylose solution was perfused. On the other hand, when an isosmotic saline-glucose solution was perfused, the patients with steatorrhoea absorbed significantly more glucose, water, and electrolytes than control subjects. Significant correlation was demonstrated between the absorption of xylose as measured by the segmental perfusion technique and the peak serum xylose level during perfusion as well as the five-hour urinary xylose excretion after a 25 g oral dose of xylose. The xylose absorption measured by small bowel perfusion also correlated significantly with pancreatic juice amylase and trypsin concentrations obtained during a standard pancreatic function test.", "PMID": 624505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5535", "title": "Hyposplenism in inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "Splenic function was assessed in 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 20 patients with Crohn's disease. Hyposplenism was diagnosed if there were Howell-Jolly bodies in the peripheral blood film or if there was prolongation of clearance from the peripheral blood of injected 51-Cr-labelled heat-damaged red blood cells. Thirteen of the patients with ulcerative colitis had hyposplenism as compared with only one patient with Crohn's disease. Conversely, heat-damaged red cell clearance values faster than the normal range were found in six out of the 20 patients with Crohn's disease. Four patients with hyposplenism and ulcerative colitis developed life-threatening septicaemia in the early postcolectomy period, two of these being further complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "contents": "Hyposplenism in inflammatory bowel disease. Splenic function was assessed in 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 20 patients with Crohn's disease. Hyposplenism was diagnosed if there were Howell-Jolly bodies in the peripheral blood film or if there was prolongation of clearance from the peripheral blood of injected 51-Cr-labelled heat-damaged red blood cells. Thirteen of the patients with ulcerative colitis had hyposplenism as compared with only one patient with Crohn's disease. Conversely, heat-damaged red cell clearance values faster than the normal range were found in six out of the 20 patients with Crohn's disease. Four patients with hyposplenism and ulcerative colitis developed life-threatening septicaemia in the early postcolectomy period, two of these being further complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "PMID": 624506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5536", "title": "Relationship between splenic size and splenic function.", "content": "The rate of clearance of 51Cr labelled heat-damaged red cells from the circulation has been compared with the dimensions of the posterior scan of the spleen in 79 cases including nine controls. A strong negative correlation was found between the clearance half-time and the parameters of the scan but, as there was a large variation about the regression line, in the assessment of hyposplenism determination of the rate of clearance of heat-damaged red cells cannot be replaced by the easier determination of spleen size by scanning.", "contents": "Relationship between splenic size and splenic function. The rate of clearance of 51Cr labelled heat-damaged red cells from the circulation has been compared with the dimensions of the posterior scan of the spleen in 79 cases including nine controls. A strong negative correlation was found between the clearance half-time and the parameters of the scan but, as there was a large variation about the regression line, in the assessment of hyposplenism determination of the rate of clearance of heat-damaged red cells cannot be replaced by the easier determination of spleen size by scanning.", "PMID": 624507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5537", "title": "Effect of bran particle size on stool weight.", "content": "The increase in stool weight after feeding 20 g (dry weight) of bran daily was measured when this was of large particle size and after milling to small particle size. Twenty-eight investigations were carried out in 21 normal subjects. With coarse bran, stool weight was significantly greater than with the fine bran (mean 219.4 g/d coarse bran, 199-0 g/d fine bran: difference 20.4 g SE +/-6.4, P less than 00.1). The coarse bran also had a greater water-holding capacity (7.3 g water/g coarse bran, 3.9 water/g fine bran). Coarse bran was 2 1/2 times the volume of fine gran for a given weight and more fine bran will, therefore, be taken when bran is prescribed by the spoonful.", "contents": "Effect of bran particle size on stool weight. The increase in stool weight after feeding 20 g (dry weight) of bran daily was measured when this was of large particle size and after milling to small particle size. Twenty-eight investigations were carried out in 21 normal subjects. With coarse bran, stool weight was significantly greater than with the fine bran (mean 219.4 g/d coarse bran, 199-0 g/d fine bran: difference 20.4 g SE +/-6.4, P less than 00.1). The coarse bran also had a greater water-holding capacity (7.3 g water/g coarse bran, 3.9 water/g fine bran). Coarse bran was 2 1/2 times the volume of fine gran for a given weight and more fine bran will, therefore, be taken when bran is prescribed by the spoonful.", "PMID": 624508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5538", "title": "Cellulose-decomposing fungi of salt marshes in Egypt.", "content": "Seventy-five species and three varieties which belong to thirty-four genera were identified from 74 soil samples collected from salt marshes in Egypt. The most frequent fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum and Alternatia alternata, followed by Aspergillus terreus, Curvularia spicifera and Penicillium notatum. Six genera were of moderate occurrence: Penicillium, Fusarium, Curvularia, Rhizopus, Stachybotrys, and Chaetomium. Five genera were of low occurrence: Paecilomyces, Cephalosporium, Epicoccum, Mucor and Myrothecium.", "contents": "Cellulose-decomposing fungi of salt marshes in Egypt. Seventy-five species and three varieties which belong to thirty-four genera were identified from 74 soil samples collected from salt marshes in Egypt. The most frequent fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum and Alternatia alternata, followed by Aspergillus terreus, Curvularia spicifera and Penicillium notatum. Six genera were of moderate occurrence: Penicillium, Fusarium, Curvularia, Rhizopus, Stachybotrys, and Chaetomium. Five genera were of low occurrence: Paecilomyces, Cephalosporium, Epicoccum, Mucor and Myrothecium.", "PMID": 624509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5539", "title": "Effect of various inhibitors on the multiplication of BLE bacteriophage in Bacillus licheniformis.", "content": "A total of 40 substances were tested for their inhibitory effect on the multiplication of a bacteriophage in a growing culture of Bacillus licheniformis and their influence on bacitracin production. Acriflavine was the only substance which, at a concentration of 3 microgram ml-1, completely suppressed phage multiplication while having no effect on the growth of Bacillus licheniformis and on the production of the antibiotic.", "contents": "Effect of various inhibitors on the multiplication of BLE bacteriophage in Bacillus licheniformis. A total of 40 substances were tested for their inhibitory effect on the multiplication of a bacteriophage in a growing culture of Bacillus licheniformis and their influence on bacitracin production. Acriflavine was the only substance which, at a concentration of 3 microgram ml-1, completely suppressed phage multiplication while having no effect on the growth of Bacillus licheniformis and on the production of the antibiotic.", "PMID": 624510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5540", "title": "Cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi.", "content": "The cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi isolated from soil and decomposing pieces of plant material was observed to depend upon the genera of fungi, the nature of substrate and the temperature. The cellulase produced in the presence of cellulose powder was active against CMC and vice versa.", "contents": "Cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi. The cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi isolated from soil and decomposing pieces of plant material was observed to depend upon the genera of fungi, the nature of substrate and the temperature. The cellulase produced in the presence of cellulose powder was active against CMC and vice versa.", "PMID": 624511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5541", "title": "Development of activity of lymphocytes estimated from nucleolar morphology in infants.", "content": "Changes in nucleolar morphology of the lymphocytes were studied in peripheral blood smears of infants from birth up to one year of life. A marked proportional increase of lymphocytes with active nucleoli was found during the first month.", "contents": "Development of activity of lymphocytes estimated from nucleolar morphology in infants. Changes in nucleolar morphology of the lymphocytes were studied in peripheral blood smears of infants from birth up to one year of life. A marked proportional increase of lymphocytes with active nucleoli was found during the first month.", "PMID": 624512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5542", "title": "Calculation of biomass production in algal suspension layer illuminated from two sides.", "content": "Equations were derived for biomass production in optically dense algal suspension under the limit conditions of low- and very high-intensity stirring. A formula was obtained for the concentration of algae which gives maximum production at a given intake of radiation energy.", "contents": "Calculation of biomass production in algal suspension layer illuminated from two sides. Equations were derived for biomass production in optically dense algal suspension under the limit conditions of low- and very high-intensity stirring. A formula was obtained for the concentration of algae which gives maximum production at a given intake of radiation energy.", "PMID": 624513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5543", "title": "H-Y antigen: localization of the H-Y gene.", "content": "Testicular development in a patient with deletion of the distal (fluorescent) segment of the Y chromosome is described. The presence of a normal dose of H-Y antigen was demonstrated by Goldberg's cytotoxicity test. It is concluded that the distal fluorescent segment of the Y chromosome is void of genes regulating H-Y antigen activity.", "contents": "H-Y antigen: localization of the H-Y gene. Testicular development in a patient with deletion of the distal (fluorescent) segment of the Y chromosome is described. The presence of a normal dose of H-Y antigen was demonstrated by Goldberg's cytotoxicity test. It is concluded that the distal fluorescent segment of the Y chromosome is void of genes regulating H-Y antigen activity.", "PMID": 624514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5544", "title": "The lipid composition of human testis in testicular feminization syndrome.", "content": "Testicular tissues obtained from 12 cases of testicular feminization syndrome were subjected to lipid analyses. The total lipids formed 2.75% of the total wet weight of the testicular tissue. Total cholesterol represented 30%, glycerides 33% and phospholipids 37% of the total lipids, respectively. Fractionation studies revealed that free cholesterol formed 66.7% and esterified cholesterol 33.3% of the total cholesterol. Triglycerides represented 89.89% and monoglycerides 10.11% of the total glycerides. Separation of phospholipids showed that phosphatidly choline (46.54%) and phosphatidly ethanolamine (24.89%) to be the major phosphoipid classes.", "contents": "The lipid composition of human testis in testicular feminization syndrome. Testicular tissues obtained from 12 cases of testicular feminization syndrome were subjected to lipid analyses. The total lipids formed 2.75% of the total wet weight of the testicular tissue. Total cholesterol represented 30%, glycerides 33% and phospholipids 37% of the total lipids, respectively. Fractionation studies revealed that free cholesterol formed 66.7% and esterified cholesterol 33.3% of the total cholesterol. Triglycerides represented 89.89% and monoglycerides 10.11% of the total glycerides. Separation of phospholipids showed that phosphatidly choline (46.54%) and phosphatidly ethanolamine (24.89%) to be the major phosphoipid classes.", "PMID": 624515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5545", "title": "Pentobarbital anesthesia: interference in the effects of other pharmacological agents and of electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion.", "content": "In adult male rats, a pretreatment regimen of serial injections of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), morphine (20 mg/kg) and pentobarbital (40 mg/kg) was evaluated for use in conjunction with studies on the effects of hypothalamic electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion. Serum prolactin levels were measured before and 15 min after electrical and sham stimulation of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in rats subjected to either the pharmacological regimen or to pentobarbital anesthesia alone. Pentobarbital alone caused a transient rise in serum prolactin levels, which obscured any effect of electrical or sham stimulation; this interference was not overcome by the addition of dexamethasone and morphine treatment. Thus, the result indicate that the acute stimulatory affect of pentobarbital anesthesia on prolactin release may interfere with further manipulation of prolactin-controlling mechanisms, by either pharmacological or surgical means. Furthermore, the dexamethasone-morphine-pentobarbital pretreated rat does not provide an adequate preparation for studing the effects of electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion.", "contents": "Pentobarbital anesthesia: interference in the effects of other pharmacological agents and of electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion. In adult male rats, a pretreatment regimen of serial injections of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), morphine (20 mg/kg) and pentobarbital (40 mg/kg) was evaluated for use in conjunction with studies on the effects of hypothalamic electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion. Serum prolactin levels were measured before and 15 min after electrical and sham stimulation of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in rats subjected to either the pharmacological regimen or to pentobarbital anesthesia alone. Pentobarbital alone caused a transient rise in serum prolactin levels, which obscured any effect of electrical or sham stimulation; this interference was not overcome by the addition of dexamethasone and morphine treatment. Thus, the result indicate that the acute stimulatory affect of pentobarbital anesthesia on prolactin release may interfere with further manipulation of prolactin-controlling mechanisms, by either pharmacological or surgical means. Furthermore, the dexamethasone-morphine-pentobarbital pretreated rat does not provide an adequate preparation for studing the effects of electrical stimulation on prolactin secretion.", "PMID": 624516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5546", "title": "Hospital-sponsored groups offer viable malpractice insurance.", "content": "Hospital - sponsored insurance organizations can offer their members many advantages, especially reasonable and stable malpractice insurance coverage and premium rates. To do so, they must ensure their financial stability through the support of the insured and through adequate reinsurance, compete effectively with commercial insurance companies, comply with federal regulations regarding reimbursement to hospitals for premiums, and develop effective internal management.", "contents": "Hospital-sponsored groups offer viable malpractice insurance. Hospital - sponsored insurance organizations can offer their members many advantages, especially reasonable and stable malpractice insurance coverage and premium rates. To do so, they must ensure their financial stability through the support of the insured and through adequate reinsurance, compete effectively with commercial insurance companies, comply with federal regulations regarding reimbursement to hospitals for premiums, and develop effective internal management.", "PMID": 624535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5547", "title": "Management structure review results in program consolidation.", "content": "Outside pressures create a need for reappraisal of this hospital's management structure and decision-making process relative to resource allocation. To meet this challenge, a California medical center planned the consolidation of existing management programs, with additional emphasis on management planning.", "contents": "Management structure review results in program consolidation. Outside pressures create a need for reappraisal of this hospital's management structure and decision-making process relative to resource allocation. To meet this challenge, a California medical center planned the consolidation of existing management programs, with additional emphasis on management planning.", "PMID": 624537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5548", "title": "A little knowledge is a useful thing.", "content": "In any organization, particularly a large one, individuals and departments become isolated, thus making the overall effort of the organization less effective. At Lawrence (MA) General Hospital, a special two-year program was implemented to correct this fault and to make all hospital employees aware of the entire operation.", "contents": "A little knowledge is a useful thing. In any organization, particularly a large one, individuals and departments become isolated, thus making the overall effort of the organization less effective. At Lawrence (MA) General Hospital, a special two-year program was implemented to correct this fault and to make all hospital employees aware of the entire operation.", "PMID": 624538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5549", "title": "Hospital follows two-phase plan for move into new building.", "content": "For the move into its new facility, the management of this large general hospital assigned responsibility for master planning and hospital-wide functions to a central team and assigned responsibility for detailed tasks to individual departments and staff members. How members of the hospital's staff met special challenges, such as training staff members for new systems and maintaining continuous operation of its regional emergency-trauma center during the move, also is examined.", "contents": "Hospital follows two-phase plan for move into new building. For the move into its new facility, the management of this large general hospital assigned responsibility for master planning and hospital-wide functions to a central team and assigned responsibility for detailed tasks to individual departments and staff members. How members of the hospital's staff met special challenges, such as training staff members for new systems and maintaining continuous operation of its regional emergency-trauma center during the move, also is examined.", "PMID": 624539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5550", "title": "Hospital meets patient demand for 'home-style' childbirth.", "content": "A university-affiliated hospital faced increasing patient demand to minimize or eliminate traditional medical and institutional involvement in labor and delivery. To develop appropriate responses to this demand, the hospital established a committee that included professional practitioners and consumers. Responses developed by the committee included a \"home-style\" labor and delivery room, more liberal visitation policies, and revised medical procedures. Through a series of compromises, the committee was able to meet patient demands while maintaining the benefits of medical and institutional care.", "contents": "Hospital meets patient demand for 'home-style' childbirth. A university-affiliated hospital faced increasing patient demand to minimize or eliminate traditional medical and institutional involvement in labor and delivery. To develop appropriate responses to this demand, the hospital established a committee that included professional practitioners and consumers. Responses developed by the committee included a \"home-style\" labor and delivery room, more liberal visitation policies, and revised medical procedures. Through a series of compromises, the committee was able to meet patient demands while maintaining the benefits of medical and institutional care.", "PMID": 624540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5551", "title": "Work load management system ensures stable nurse-patient ratio.", "content": "The concept of adjusting work load to staffing is the reverse of most currently accepted practices. However, that is precisely how this management and measurement system works. Patient care units (PCU'S) are estimated for all incoming admissions, and patients are assigned to the units that have the lowest PCU count, the goal being an even distribution of work load among nursing units.", "contents": "Work load management system ensures stable nurse-patient ratio. The concept of adjusting work load to staffing is the reverse of most currently accepted practices. However, that is precisely how this management and measurement system works. Patient care units (PCU'S) are estimated for all incoming admissions, and patients are assigned to the units that have the lowest PCU count, the goal being an even distribution of work load among nursing units.", "PMID": 624541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5552", "title": "Emergency/outpatient satellites serve as rural outposts.", "content": "Physician recruitment problems and sudden population growth placed a severe strain on several New Hampshire communities until civic and hospital leaders pooled resources to develop combined emergency/outpatient satellites. Range of services, staffing, operations, financing, and impact of the satellites are discussed in detail.", "contents": "Emergency/outpatient satellites serve as rural outposts. Physician recruitment problems and sudden population growth placed a severe strain on several New Hampshire communities until civic and hospital leaders pooled resources to develop combined emergency/outpatient satellites. Range of services, staffing, operations, financing, and impact of the satellites are discussed in detail.", "PMID": 624542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5553", "title": "Hospital, nursing homes become partners in psychiatric care.", "content": "Hospital psychiatric staffs can effectively share their expertise with nursing homes. One hospital's psychiatric out-reach program has reduced patient management problems at participating nursing homes, improved patients and staff morale, changed staff attitudes, garnered physician support, and extended services provided by the psychiatric department.", "contents": "Hospital, nursing homes become partners in psychiatric care. Hospital psychiatric staffs can effectively share their expertise with nursing homes. One hospital's psychiatric out-reach program has reduced patient management problems at participating nursing homes, improved patients and staff morale, changed staff attitudes, garnered physician support, and extended services provided by the psychiatric department.", "PMID": 624543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5554", "title": "Double translocation t(7;12),t(2;6) heterozygosity in one family. A contribution to the trisomy 12p syndrome.", "content": "Double translocation heterozygosity t(2;6),t(7;12) in three generations of a Dutch family is described: the segregation of a double translocation in more than one generation has not been previously published. The index case was a 16-year-old mentally retarded boy with partial trisomy 12p who showed several dysmorphic features such as high prominent forehead, flat face, flat and short nose bridge, short nose, dysplastic ears, prominent lower lip, and several skeletal abnormalities. Based on the findings in this patient and those in nine other cases, the existence of a specific trisomy 12p syndrome is postulated.", "contents": "Double translocation t(7;12),t(2;6) heterozygosity in one family. A contribution to the trisomy 12p syndrome. Double translocation heterozygosity t(2;6),t(7;12) in three generations of a Dutch family is described: the segregation of a double translocation in more than one generation has not been previously published. The index case was a 16-year-old mentally retarded boy with partial trisomy 12p who showed several dysmorphic features such as high prominent forehead, flat face, flat and short nose bridge, short nose, dysplastic ears, prominent lower lip, and several skeletal abnormalities. Based on the findings in this patient and those in nine other cases, the existence of a specific trisomy 12p syndrome is postulated.", "PMID": 624544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5555", "title": "Quantitative studies on the arrangement of human metaphase chromosomes. V. The association pattern of acrocentric chromosomes in human meningiomas after the loss of G and D chromosomes.", "content": "The association pattern was studied in 2715 mitoses of 90 meningiomas with different numbers of acrocentric chromosomes. In cells with monosomy 22, a significant increase of mitoses with associations was observed in comparison to cells with a normal karyotype. The number of associating acrocentric chromosomes was highly significantly increased. This surplus was not only caused by a highly significant increase of associating G chromosomes but also of D chromosomes. The loss of further acrocentric chromosomes had no significant influence on the number of mitoses with associations or the number of associating chromosomes. Based on the well-known correlations between the nucleolus organization and the association pattern, the results seem to indicate a compensation mechanism among the nucleoles organizing regions (NOR's) which keeps the supply of nucleolar material constant and simultaneously causes a higher association tendency between the remaining acrocentric chromosomes. The increase of associations in the 22 monosomic cells was interpreted as a overcompensation after the loss of only one NOR.", "contents": "Quantitative studies on the arrangement of human metaphase chromosomes. V. The association pattern of acrocentric chromosomes in human meningiomas after the loss of G and D chromosomes. The association pattern was studied in 2715 mitoses of 90 meningiomas with different numbers of acrocentric chromosomes. In cells with monosomy 22, a significant increase of mitoses with associations was observed in comparison to cells with a normal karyotype. The number of associating acrocentric chromosomes was highly significantly increased. This surplus was not only caused by a highly significant increase of associating G chromosomes but also of D chromosomes. The loss of further acrocentric chromosomes had no significant influence on the number of mitoses with associations or the number of associating chromosomes. Based on the well-known correlations between the nucleolus organization and the association pattern, the results seem to indicate a compensation mechanism among the nucleoles organizing regions (NOR's) which keeps the supply of nucleolar material constant and simultaneously causes a higher association tendency between the remaining acrocentric chromosomes. The increase of associations in the 22 monosomic cells was interpreted as a overcompensation after the loss of only one NOR.", "PMID": 624545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5556", "title": "Heterogeneity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Algeria. Study in Northern Algeria with description of five new variants.", "content": "Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was found in 3.2% of the male population living in the urban area of Algiers. The deficient subjects originated from multiple geographic regions of Northern Algeria, with prevalence of individuals of Berber-Kabyle origin. Red blood cell G6PD was partially purified and characterized in deficient males from 17 families, and six different variants were found. Among them, only one, the Gd(-) Kabyle variant, had been previously described. It was detected in nine families. The other five variants were new: Gd(-) Laghouat (four cases), Gd(-) Blida (one case), Gd(-) Thenia (one case), Gd(-) Titteri (one case), and Gd(-) Alger (two brothers). Strikingly, the common Mediterranean variant was not found. G6PD deficiency is heterogeneous in northern Algeria where autochtonous variants seem to prevail. The Kabyle variant may be common in this country.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Algeria. Study in Northern Algeria with description of five new variants. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency was found in 3.2% of the male population living in the urban area of Algiers. The deficient subjects originated from multiple geographic regions of Northern Algeria, with prevalence of individuals of Berber-Kabyle origin. Red blood cell G6PD was partially purified and characterized in deficient males from 17 families, and six different variants were found. Among them, only one, the Gd(-) Kabyle variant, had been previously described. It was detected in nine families. The other five variants were new: Gd(-) Laghouat (four cases), Gd(-) Blida (one case), Gd(-) Thenia (one case), Gd(-) Titteri (one case), and Gd(-) Alger (two brothers). Strikingly, the common Mediterranean variant was not found. G6PD deficiency is heterogeneous in northern Algeria where autochtonous variants seem to prevail. The Kabyle variant may be common in this country.", "PMID": 624546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5557", "title": "Effects of caffeine on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) after exposure to UV light or triaziquone studied with a fluorescence plus giemsa (FPG) technique.", "content": "Studies are reported that are designed to analyze the mechanism by which caffeine reduces the induction of SCE by UV light or alkylating agents. The substantial points are (1) caffeine does not inhibit SCE formation, and (2) the caffeine-mediated apparent decrease of SCE induction after UV or triaziquone exposure is due to a selective destruction of those metaphases otherwise exhibiting a high number of SCE. These findings and their relevance to the ascertainment of the SCE-forming process are discussed.", "contents": "Effects of caffeine on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) after exposure to UV light or triaziquone studied with a fluorescence plus giemsa (FPG) technique. Studies are reported that are designed to analyze the mechanism by which caffeine reduces the induction of SCE by UV light or alkylating agents. The substantial points are (1) caffeine does not inhibit SCE formation, and (2) the caffeine-mediated apparent decrease of SCE induction after UV or triaziquone exposure is due to a selective destruction of those metaphases otherwise exhibiting a high number of SCE. These findings and their relevance to the ascertainment of the SCE-forming process are discussed.", "PMID": 624547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5558", "title": "Monogene inheritance of learning speed in DBA and C3H mice. A behavioral genetic study in the shuttle-box.", "content": "We carried out investigations on C3H, NMRI, C57Bl/6, Balb/c, Balb/cN, and DBA inbred mouse strains in the shuttle-box to see whether their learning behavior is genetically controlled. The highly different learning behavior of the parental strains made it possible to test the F1 hybrids and the F2 generation. The environmental influences were standardized as much as possible. In particular, influences possible during the lactation period were excluded by using foster breeding. The results enable us to postulate monogenic inheritance for the learning speed in the shuttle-box. The inheritance is interpreted as codominant. The investigations are part of a basic study in mammalian behavior genetics from the human genetic aspect.", "contents": "Monogene inheritance of learning speed in DBA and C3H mice. A behavioral genetic study in the shuttle-box. We carried out investigations on C3H, NMRI, C57Bl/6, Balb/c, Balb/cN, and DBA inbred mouse strains in the shuttle-box to see whether their learning behavior is genetically controlled. The highly different learning behavior of the parental strains made it possible to test the F1 hybrids and the F2 generation. The environmental influences were standardized as much as possible. In particular, influences possible during the lactation period were excluded by using foster breeding. The results enable us to postulate monogenic inheritance for the learning speed in the shuttle-box. The inheritance is interpreted as codominant. The investigations are part of a basic study in mammalian behavior genetics from the human genetic aspect.", "PMID": 624548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5559", "title": "Human liver alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme variations. Improved separation methods using prolonged high voltage starch-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing.", "content": "Human liver alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme patterns were studied using prolonged high voltage starch-gel electrophoresis and gel-slab isoelectric focusing. Homo- and heterodimers of ADH2 locus were easily distinguished from each other. The gene frequencies of ADH2 2 and ADH2 3 in 46 random liver samples from Germany were found to be 0.044 and 0.424 respectively.", "contents": "Human liver alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme variations. Improved separation methods using prolonged high voltage starch-gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Human liver alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme patterns were studied using prolonged high voltage starch-gel electrophoresis and gel-slab isoelectric focusing. Homo- and heterodimers of ADH2 locus were easily distinguished from each other. The gene frequencies of ADH2 2 and ADH2 3 in 46 random liver samples from Germany were found to be 0.044 and 0.424 respectively.", "PMID": 624549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5560", "title": "Successive spontaneous abortions including one with whole-arm translocation between chromosomes 2.", "content": "A family with five induced and seven spontaneous abortions and no live births is described. Four of the seven spontaneous abortuses were available for cytogenetic examination and three were successfully karyotyped. Their karyotypes were 46,XX; 46,XX/46,XX,t(2;2)(2p2p;2q2q); and 46,XY. The karyotypes of the parents were normal. The origin of the 2p/2p and 2q/2q translocation in one of the abortuses was assigned to an interhomologous whole-arm translocation in an early mitotic division in a conceptus with a 46,XX karyotype.", "contents": "Successive spontaneous abortions including one with whole-arm translocation between chromosomes 2. A family with five induced and seven spontaneous abortions and no live births is described. Four of the seven spontaneous abortuses were available for cytogenetic examination and three were successfully karyotyped. Their karyotypes were 46,XX; 46,XX/46,XX,t(2;2)(2p2p;2q2q); and 46,XY. The karyotypes of the parents were normal. The origin of the 2p/2p and 2q/2q translocation in one of the abortuses was assigned to an interhomologous whole-arm translocation in an early mitotic division in a conceptus with a 46,XX karyotype.", "PMID": 624550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5561", "title": "Isochromosome for the long arm of the Y in an infertile male.", "content": "A 37-year-old man investigated for infertility had bilateral atrophic testes. Cytogenetic investigations revealed a chromosome complement of 45,XO/46,Xi(Yq)/46,XY. Mechanisms for the origin of the i(Yq) are considered, and the relation of his chromosome constitution to his infertility and hypogonadism are discussed.", "contents": "Isochromosome for the long arm of the Y in an infertile male. A 37-year-old man investigated for infertility had bilateral atrophic testes. Cytogenetic investigations revealed a chromosome complement of 45,XO/46,Xi(Yq)/46,XY. Mechanisms for the origin of the i(Yq) are considered, and the relation of his chromosome constitution to his infertility and hypogonadism are discussed.", "PMID": 624551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5562", "title": "Autosomal recessive sensorineural-conductive deafness, mental retardation, and pinna anomalies.", "content": "Three siblings, a boy and two girls aged 11, 9, and 4 years, were found to have a congenital disorder characterized by malformed, low-set ears and sensorineural-conductive hearing loss. Variable expressivity was evident, since the boy had both types I and III of microtia and his two sisters had only type I. The normal parents were third cousins. The analysis of these findings permits the identification of a distinct nosologic entity due to the homozygocity of an autosomal recessive mutation.", "contents": "Autosomal recessive sensorineural-conductive deafness, mental retardation, and pinna anomalies. Three siblings, a boy and two girls aged 11, 9, and 4 years, were found to have a congenital disorder characterized by malformed, low-set ears and sensorineural-conductive hearing loss. Variable expressivity was evident, since the boy had both types I and III of microtia and his two sisters had only type I. The normal parents were third cousins. The analysis of these findings permits the identification of a distinct nosologic entity due to the homozygocity of an autosomal recessive mutation.", "PMID": 624552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5563", "title": "Development of improved media and culture conditions for clonal growth of normal diploid cells.", "content": "Multiplication of normal diploid cells in culture is controlled by a complex set of interacting extracellular variables. The amount of serum protein needed for colony formation by such cells is affected directly by many of the other variables, including the nature of the culture surface, the type of trypsinization procedure used, and the qualitative and quantitative composition of the culture medium. By a sequential process of adjusting all of these variables to optimum values for cellular multiplication with minimal amounts of serum protein, we have been able to obtain clonal growth of normal human and chicken cells with less than 500 microgram per ml dialyzed serum protein. Precise quantitative adjustment of nutrient concentrations is particularly important. The multiplication-promoting functions of serum can be classified operationally as \"replaceable\" (those that can be replaced by modifying the medium or the culture conditions) and \"nonreplaceable\" (those that we have not yet been able to replace). Elimination of the requirement for replaceable functions of serum has improved greatly the specificity and sensitivity of the bioassay for the nonreplaceable functions. The nonreplaceable multiplication-promoting activity from fetal bovine serum for human diploid fibroblasts has been separated from fetuin and serum albumin and purified approximately 15-fold.", "contents": "Development of improved media and culture conditions for clonal growth of normal diploid cells. Multiplication of normal diploid cells in culture is controlled by a complex set of interacting extracellular variables. The amount of serum protein needed for colony formation by such cells is affected directly by many of the other variables, including the nature of the culture surface, the type of trypsinization procedure used, and the qualitative and quantitative composition of the culture medium. By a sequential process of adjusting all of these variables to optimum values for cellular multiplication with minimal amounts of serum protein, we have been able to obtain clonal growth of normal human and chicken cells with less than 500 microgram per ml dialyzed serum protein. Precise quantitative adjustment of nutrient concentrations is particularly important. The multiplication-promoting functions of serum can be classified operationally as \"replaceable\" (those that can be replaced by modifying the medium or the culture conditions) and \"nonreplaceable\" (those that we have not yet been able to replace). Elimination of the requirement for replaceable functions of serum has improved greatly the specificity and sensitivity of the bioassay for the nonreplaceable functions. The nonreplaceable multiplication-promoting activity from fetal bovine serum for human diploid fibroblasts has been separated from fetuin and serum albumin and purified approximately 15-fold.", "PMID": 624554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5564", "title": "Control of DNA synthesis in tissue culture cells.", "content": "Eukaryotic DNA is functionally divided into thousands of replicons, each of which may be duplicated at a characteristic time within the DNA synthetic (S) period. Our approach toward an understanding of the molecular mechanisms which control orderly eukaryotic DNA synthesis has been: (a) to devise a method of cell synchrony in a suitable tissue culture system wherein all cells in the population enter and traverse the S period with a high degree of synchrony; (b) to determine, utilizing this system, precisely when during the S period critical events and macromolecular syntheses occur; and (c) to examine, by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the spectrum of proteins which become associated with chromatin during the S period in such a way as to suggest their involvement with DNA synthesis. Possible mechanisms for control are discussed based on the results presented here.", "contents": "Control of DNA synthesis in tissue culture cells. Eukaryotic DNA is functionally divided into thousands of replicons, each of which may be duplicated at a characteristic time within the DNA synthetic (S) period. Our approach toward an understanding of the molecular mechanisms which control orderly eukaryotic DNA synthesis has been: (a) to devise a method of cell synchrony in a suitable tissue culture system wherein all cells in the population enter and traverse the S period with a high degree of synchrony; (b) to determine, utilizing this system, precisely when during the S period critical events and macromolecular syntheses occur; and (c) to examine, by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the spectrum of proteins which become associated with chromatin during the S period in such a way as to suggest their involvement with DNA synthesis. Possible mechanisms for control are discussed based on the results presented here.", "PMID": 624555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5565", "title": "Human tolerance to impact acceleration.", "content": "Tolerance to brief impact is related to the imposed velocity change, whilst in longer impacts it is the level of acceleration which is critical. This behaviour results from the dynamic characteristics of the body which, for practical purposes, can be represented as a simple mass spring system. For any given acceleration vector, and for any given system of body restraint, whole body (primary) tolerance can be defined by two parameters--a critical velocity change and a critical plateau acceleration level. Appropriate figures are given for 14 different posture and restraint conditions. It is stressed that these are best estimates (or in some cases, best guesses) and that secondary or tertiary mechanisms of injury, in particular head strikes, must not be ignored in any real-life conditions of impact.", "contents": "Human tolerance to impact acceleration. Tolerance to brief impact is related to the imposed velocity change, whilst in longer impacts it is the level of acceleration which is critical. This behaviour results from the dynamic characteristics of the body which, for practical purposes, can be represented as a simple mass spring system. For any given acceleration vector, and for any given system of body restraint, whole body (primary) tolerance can be defined by two parameters--a critical velocity change and a critical plateau acceleration level. Appropriate figures are given for 14 different posture and restraint conditions. It is stressed that these are best estimates (or in some cases, best guesses) and that secondary or tertiary mechanisms of injury, in particular head strikes, must not be ignored in any real-life conditions of impact.", "PMID": 624570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5566", "title": "Constitutional factors and the local and general responses to injury.", "content": "The different constitutional factors which may affect the response to injury and the problems which must be considered in evaluating any injury model are discussed. Species, age, sex, nutrition and the presence of disease are discussed in relation to an injury model based on hind limb ischaemia, with reference to the extensive literature.", "contents": "Constitutional factors and the local and general responses to injury. The different constitutional factors which may affect the response to injury and the problems which must be considered in evaluating any injury model are discussed. Species, age, sex, nutrition and the presence of disease are discussed in relation to an injury model based on hind limb ischaemia, with reference to the extensive literature.", "PMID": 624571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5567", "title": "Acute osteomyelitis following a closed fracture.", "content": "Acute osteomyelitis following a closed fracture is very rare. A case following a closed epiphyseal (type II) injury of the distal end of the radius is reported and the role of injury as a contributing factor in acute haematogenous osteomyelitis is discussed.", "contents": "Acute osteomyelitis following a closed fracture. Acute osteomyelitis following a closed fracture is very rare. A case following a closed epiphyseal (type II) injury of the distal end of the radius is reported and the role of injury as a contributing factor in acute haematogenous osteomyelitis is discussed.", "PMID": 624572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5568", "title": "Go-kart injuries.", "content": "The pattern and number of injuries which have occurred over a period of 4 years at Aviemore Kart Tract are described. Some of the modifications which have significantly reduced the number and severity of the injuries are discussed.", "contents": "Go-kart injuries. The pattern and number of injuries which have occurred over a period of 4 years at Aviemore Kart Tract are described. Some of the modifications which have significantly reduced the number and severity of the injuries are discussed.", "PMID": 624573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5569", "title": "Some aspects of post-traumatic elbow stiffness.", "content": "In this article the anatomy of the soft tissues around the elbow joint is described in relation to the causation of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Examples of the ways in which significant damage to these tissues may occur after injury are discussed. It is suggested how arthrography may help in the diagnosis of the condition.", "contents": "Some aspects of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. In this article the anatomy of the soft tissues around the elbow joint is described in relation to the causation of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Examples of the ways in which significant damage to these tissues may occur after injury are discussed. It is suggested how arthrography may help in the diagnosis of the condition.", "PMID": 624574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5570", "title": "The pattern of fractures and dislocations in western Nigeria.", "content": "A consecutive series of 2579 patients with 2571 fractures and 189 dislocations was studied prospectively. Males and children, especially under 10 years of age, predominated. The majority of the injuries resulted from falls either in the home or outdoors and from road traffic accidents. Fractures occurred more commonly in the upper limb than in the lower limb or the axial skeleton. Fractures of the shaft of the femur were three times more common, while fractures of the neck of the femur were less common by the same factor, in Africans than in Caucasians. Dislocations were commonest at the shoulder and elbow. Only 11.4 per cent of the patients had open operations. The prognosis as regards survival and functional results was very good, but malunion was the most common complication.", "contents": "The pattern of fractures and dislocations in western Nigeria. A consecutive series of 2579 patients with 2571 fractures and 189 dislocations was studied prospectively. Males and children, especially under 10 years of age, predominated. The majority of the injuries resulted from falls either in the home or outdoors and from road traffic accidents. Fractures occurred more commonly in the upper limb than in the lower limb or the axial skeleton. Fractures of the shaft of the femur were three times more common, while fractures of the neck of the femur were less common by the same factor, in Africans than in Caucasians. Dislocations were commonest at the shoulder and elbow. Only 11.4 per cent of the patients had open operations. The prognosis as regards survival and functional results was very good, but malunion was the most common complication.", "PMID": 624575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5571", "title": "Rupture of herniated small intestine from blunt abdominal injury: a report of 2 cases.", "content": "Two cases of perforation of the small bowel following blunt abdominal injury in patients with an abdominal hernia are presented. In one case the bowel was present in a large incisional hernia and the injuring force caused transection of the bowel at three different sites. The bowel was resected and the hernia was repaired at the same time. The patient died of associated chest injuries. In the second case, the bowel was caught in an inguinal hernia; although the injuring force was relatively mild it resulted in two perforations in the herniated terminal ileum. The patient survived following closure of the perforations and simultaneous repair of the hernia.", "contents": "Rupture of herniated small intestine from blunt abdominal injury: a report of 2 cases. Two cases of perforation of the small bowel following blunt abdominal injury in patients with an abdominal hernia are presented. In one case the bowel was present in a large incisional hernia and the injuring force caused transection of the bowel at three different sites. The bowel was resected and the hernia was repaired at the same time. The patient died of associated chest injuries. In the second case, the bowel was caught in an inguinal hernia; although the injuring force was relatively mild it resulted in two perforations in the herniated terminal ileum. The patient survived following closure of the perforations and simultaneous repair of the hernia.", "PMID": 624576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5572", "title": "The role of osteomedullography in the management of delayed union and non-union of diaphyseal fractures of the long bones: a preliminary report.", "content": "The significance of osteomedullography was studied in 17 patients with diaphyseal fractures of long bones to determine a rational form of treatment for delayed healing and non-union. Positive osteomedullographic signs were noted in 6 cases of delayed healing and negative signs in 11 cases. All the positive cases united by prolonging the period of immobilization in plaster. Seven of the 11 negative cases were treated by bone grafting. Three patients treated by prolonged immobilization in plaster have not shown evidence of union even after a period of 20 weeks. This simple investigation could be useful in avoiding undue loss of time in the management of delayed union and non-union.", "contents": "The role of osteomedullography in the management of delayed union and non-union of diaphyseal fractures of the long bones: a preliminary report. The significance of osteomedullography was studied in 17 patients with diaphyseal fractures of long bones to determine a rational form of treatment for delayed healing and non-union. Positive osteomedullographic signs were noted in 6 cases of delayed healing and negative signs in 11 cases. All the positive cases united by prolonging the period of immobilization in plaster. Seven of the 11 negative cases were treated by bone grafting. Three patients treated by prolonged immobilization in plaster have not shown evidence of union even after a period of 20 weeks. This simple investigation could be useful in avoiding undue loss of time in the management of delayed union and non-union.", "PMID": 624578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5573", "title": "The use of external skeletal fixation in the treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft.", "content": "A method of external fixation is presented which has been applied in 8 patients with a fracture of the humeral shaft. The indications and technique are described.", "contents": "The use of external skeletal fixation in the treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft. A method of external fixation is presented which has been applied in 8 patients with a fracture of the humeral shaft. The indications and technique are described.", "PMID": 624579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5574", "title": "False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery following internal fixation of an intertrochanteric femoral fracture.", "content": "A case is presented of traumatic aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery following spontaneous unscrewing of the nut at the nail--plate junction of a two-piece nail plate which was used for internal fixation of an intertrochanteric femoral fracture. Methods of avoiding this complication during hip operations are described, together with a short review of the literature.", "contents": "False aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery following internal fixation of an intertrochanteric femoral fracture. A case is presented of traumatic aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery following spontaneous unscrewing of the nut at the nail--plate junction of a two-piece nail plate which was used for internal fixation of an intertrochanteric femoral fracture. Methods of avoiding this complication during hip operations are described, together with a short review of the literature.", "PMID": 624580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5575", "title": "Synthesis of monorhamnosyl L-rhamno-D-mannans by conidia of Sporothrix schenckii.", "content": "A rhamnomannan containing single-unit alpha-L-rhamnopyranose side chains was identified in isolated conidia from Sporothrix schenckii. Such a rhamnomannan differed from the dirhamnosyl rhamnomannan synthesized by the hyphae but was very similar to the monorhamnosyl rhamnomannan formed in yeastlike cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to compare these polysaccharides. Based on the distribution of different rhamnomannans in different S. schenckii cell types and in view of the reactivity of some human antisera previously reported (6), the formation of hyphae in vivo is suggested.", "contents": "Synthesis of monorhamnosyl L-rhamno-D-mannans by conidia of Sporothrix schenckii. A rhamnomannan containing single-unit alpha-L-rhamnopyranose side chains was identified in isolated conidia from Sporothrix schenckii. Such a rhamnomannan differed from the dirhamnosyl rhamnomannan synthesized by the hyphae but was very similar to the monorhamnosyl rhamnomannan formed in yeastlike cells. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to compare these polysaccharides. Based on the distribution of different rhamnomannans in different S. schenckii cell types and in view of the reactivity of some human antisera previously reported (6), the formation of hyphae in vivo is suggested.", "PMID": 624583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5576", "title": "Quantitative measurements of cholera enterotoxin in cultures of toxinogenic wild-type and nontoxinogenic mutant strains of Vibrio cholerae by using a sensitive and specific reversed passive hemagglutination assay for cholera enerotoxin.", "content": "A sensitive and specific reversed passive hemagglutination (RPHA) assay for cholera enterotoxin has been developed. Equine anti-choleragenoid antibodies purified by immunoadsorption were covalently coupled to formalinized sheep erythrocytes, using bis-diazotized benzidine, and the antitoxin-sensitized erythrocytes were shown to agglutinate specifically in the presence of cholera enterotoxin. In a microtiter RPHA assay system, the smallest quantity of enterotoxin that caused hemagglutination was approximately 20 pg. A sensitive assay for antibodies to enterotoxin was also developed, based on inhibition of RPHA. Using such assays, we demonstrated that several nontoxinogenic (tox-) strains of Vibrio cholerae produced small but detectable yields of enterotoxin, 4 to 16 ng/ml, under conditions where the highly toxinogenic strain 569B Inaba produced approximately 16 microgram of enterotoxin per ml. The enterotoxin produced in small quantities by these tox- strains was found to be identical to the enterotoxin from V. cholerae 569B Inaba iv its immunological and biological activities. Strains of V. cholerae that produce intermediate yields of enterotoxin have been obtained by two techniques: (i) as less toxinogenic mutants derived from highly toxinogenic strains and (ii) as more toxinogenic mutants derived from tox- strains. Thus, the yield of enterotoxin in cultures of V. cholerae grown under standardized conditions is is a genetically controlled trait that can be altered by mutation.", "contents": "Quantitative measurements of cholera enterotoxin in cultures of toxinogenic wild-type and nontoxinogenic mutant strains of Vibrio cholerae by using a sensitive and specific reversed passive hemagglutination assay for cholera enerotoxin. A sensitive and specific reversed passive hemagglutination (RPHA) assay for cholera enterotoxin has been developed. Equine anti-choleragenoid antibodies purified by immunoadsorption were covalently coupled to formalinized sheep erythrocytes, using bis-diazotized benzidine, and the antitoxin-sensitized erythrocytes were shown to agglutinate specifically in the presence of cholera enterotoxin. In a microtiter RPHA assay system, the smallest quantity of enterotoxin that caused hemagglutination was approximately 20 pg. A sensitive assay for antibodies to enterotoxin was also developed, based on inhibition of RPHA. Using such assays, we demonstrated that several nontoxinogenic (tox-) strains of Vibrio cholerae produced small but detectable yields of enterotoxin, 4 to 16 ng/ml, under conditions where the highly toxinogenic strain 569B Inaba produced approximately 16 microgram of enterotoxin per ml. The enterotoxin produced in small quantities by these tox- strains was found to be identical to the enterotoxin from V. cholerae 569B Inaba iv its immunological and biological activities. Strains of V. cholerae that produce intermediate yields of enterotoxin have been obtained by two techniques: (i) as less toxinogenic mutants derived from highly toxinogenic strains and (ii) as more toxinogenic mutants derived from tox- strains. Thus, the yield of enterotoxin in cultures of V. cholerae grown under standardized conditions is is a genetically controlled trait that can be altered by mutation.", "PMID": 624584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5577", "title": "Production of extracellular and cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity by Streptococcus mutans during growth on various carbon sources.", "content": "The production of extracellular and cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity by Streptococcus mutans strain GS-5 was examined during growth on various carbon sources in a chemically defined medium. S. mutans cells produced glucosyltransferase activity only during logarithmic growth when glucose, fructose, mannitol, or sorbitol was the sole carbon source. Cells growing on mannitol or sorbitol produced approximately half as much extracellular glucosyltransferase activity as cells growing on glucose, although the proportions of the glucosyltransferase activity capable of synthesizing insoluble glucans were similar. Cells growing on fructose produced slightly more extracellular glucosyltransferase activity than cells grown on glucose, yet the proportion of the glucosyltransferase activity capable of synthesizing insoluble glucans was again similar to glucose cultures. S. mutans cells growing in the presence of both glucose and mannitol displayed diauxic growth and initial preferential utilization of glucose. Glucosyltransferase enzyme production occurred only during the phases of cell growth in the presence of the two carbon sources. The cell-associated glucosyltransferase activities of glucose-, fructose-, mannitol-, and sorbitol-grown cells were relatively low, yet all the cells were capable of adherence to glass in the presence of sucrose. When glucose-containing cultures of S. mutans were supplemented with sucrose, extracellular glucosyltransferase activity first became cell associated and then appeared to become inactivated, presumably due to the accumulation of insoluble glucans.", "contents": "Production of extracellular and cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity by Streptococcus mutans during growth on various carbon sources. The production of extracellular and cell-associated glucosyltransferase activity by Streptococcus mutans strain GS-5 was examined during growth on various carbon sources in a chemically defined medium. S. mutans cells produced glucosyltransferase activity only during logarithmic growth when glucose, fructose, mannitol, or sorbitol was the sole carbon source. Cells growing on mannitol or sorbitol produced approximately half as much extracellular glucosyltransferase activity as cells growing on glucose, although the proportions of the glucosyltransferase activity capable of synthesizing insoluble glucans were similar. Cells growing on fructose produced slightly more extracellular glucosyltransferase activity than cells grown on glucose, yet the proportion of the glucosyltransferase activity capable of synthesizing insoluble glucans was again similar to glucose cultures. S. mutans cells growing in the presence of both glucose and mannitol displayed diauxic growth and initial preferential utilization of glucose. Glucosyltransferase enzyme production occurred only during the phases of cell growth in the presence of the two carbon sources. The cell-associated glucosyltransferase activities of glucose-, fructose-, mannitol-, and sorbitol-grown cells were relatively low, yet all the cells were capable of adherence to glass in the presence of sucrose. When glucose-containing cultures of S. mutans were supplemented with sucrose, extracellular glucosyltransferase activity first became cell associated and then appeared to become inactivated, presumably due to the accumulation of insoluble glucans.", "PMID": 624585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5578", "title": "Cell-mediated immune responses of guinea pigs to an inactivated phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine.", "content": "The ability of a killed phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine to induce cell-mediated immune responses in guinea pigs was studied. Cell-mediated immune responses were assessed by the inhibition of macrophage migration and lymphocyte transformation assays. The macrophage migration response occurred rapidly and was detected at high levels, but was relatively short-lived. In contrast, the lymphocyte transformation response developed more slowly, and persisted for a longer period. The vaccine, given in a single dose or in two doses 1 week apart, protected guinea pigs from a subsequent virulent challenge.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immune responses of guinea pigs to an inactivated phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine. The ability of a killed phase I Coxiella burnetii vaccine to induce cell-mediated immune responses in guinea pigs was studied. Cell-mediated immune responses were assessed by the inhibition of macrophage migration and lymphocyte transformation assays. The macrophage migration response occurred rapidly and was detected at high levels, but was relatively short-lived. In contrast, the lymphocyte transformation response developed more slowly, and persisted for a longer period. The vaccine, given in a single dose or in two doses 1 week apart, protected guinea pigs from a subsequent virulent challenge.", "PMID": 624586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5579", "title": "Effective immunity to dental caries: dose-dependent studies of secretory immunity by oral administration of Streptococcus mutans to rats.", "content": "Rats (COBS/CD) provided Formalin-killed Streptococcus mutans 6715, C211 in their drinking water (10(8) to 10(9) equivalent colony-forming units [CFU] per ml) had high levels of specific antibodies in saliva, colostrum, and milk. Rats provided a lower concentration of S. mutans antigen (10(7) CFU per ml) in water had agglutinin titers in secretions that were similar to those in controls. Gnotobiotic rats provided S. mutans antigen in food (10(7) to 10(8) equivalent CFU per g of diet) manifested a secretory immune response as evidenced by the presence of specific immunoglobulin A antibodies in saliva, colostrum, and milk. Gnotobiotic rats provided a higher concentration of antigen (10(9) CFU per g) in food had levels of specific antibodies in their secretions that were similar to those in controls. No significant antibody activity to S. mutans was observed in sera of any group of animals. Furthermore, the presence of specific salivary immunoglobulin A antibodies in gnotobiotic rats correlated with a reduction in the level of plaque, numbers of viable S. mutans in plaque, and levels of S. mutans-induced dental caries. This paper discusses the importance of antigen dosage for induction of a secretory immune response that is protective against S. mutans-induced dental caries.", "contents": "Effective immunity to dental caries: dose-dependent studies of secretory immunity by oral administration of Streptococcus mutans to rats. Rats (COBS/CD) provided Formalin-killed Streptococcus mutans 6715, C211 in their drinking water (10(8) to 10(9) equivalent colony-forming units [CFU] per ml) had high levels of specific antibodies in saliva, colostrum, and milk. Rats provided a lower concentration of S. mutans antigen (10(7) CFU per ml) in water had agglutinin titers in secretions that were similar to those in controls. Gnotobiotic rats provided S. mutans antigen in food (10(7) to 10(8) equivalent CFU per g of diet) manifested a secretory immune response as evidenced by the presence of specific immunoglobulin A antibodies in saliva, colostrum, and milk. Gnotobiotic rats provided a higher concentration of antigen (10(9) CFU per g) in food had levels of specific antibodies in their secretions that were similar to those in controls. No significant antibody activity to S. mutans was observed in sera of any group of animals. Furthermore, the presence of specific salivary immunoglobulin A antibodies in gnotobiotic rats correlated with a reduction in the level of plaque, numbers of viable S. mutans in plaque, and levels of S. mutans-induced dental caries. This paper discusses the importance of antigen dosage for induction of a secretory immune response that is protective against S. mutans-induced dental caries.", "PMID": 624587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5580", "title": "Limits of rickettsial infectivity.", "content": "Seven species of pathogenic rickettsiae were compared in five assay systems for group, species, strain, and phase differences in infectivity. The species examined include Rickettsia prowazekii (Breinl and Cairo 3 strains), R. typhi, R. canada, R. rickettsii (Sheila Smith and R strains), R. conorii, R. sibirica, and Coxiella burnetii in phases I and II. Pathogenicity was charcterized in terms of fever in guinea pigs. All comparisons of infectivity and pathogenicity were described in terms of numbers of rickettsiae in the inocula, as determined by direct rickettsial count. The data characterize the various species and strains of rickettsiae in quantitative terms, which are also estimates of the sensitivity of the assay systems used. Phase I C. burnetii was found to be the most, and R. canada the least, infective of the species examined. In general the primary chicken embryo cell culture system proved to be the most, and that of the mouse the least, sensitive assay system.", "contents": "Limits of rickettsial infectivity. Seven species of pathogenic rickettsiae were compared in five assay systems for group, species, strain, and phase differences in infectivity. The species examined include Rickettsia prowazekii (Breinl and Cairo 3 strains), R. typhi, R. canada, R. rickettsii (Sheila Smith and R strains), R. conorii, R. sibirica, and Coxiella burnetii in phases I and II. Pathogenicity was charcterized in terms of fever in guinea pigs. All comparisons of infectivity and pathogenicity were described in terms of numbers of rickettsiae in the inocula, as determined by direct rickettsial count. The data characterize the various species and strains of rickettsiae in quantitative terms, which are also estimates of the sensitivity of the assay systems used. Phase I C. burnetii was found to be the most, and R. canada the least, infective of the species examined. In general the primary chicken embryo cell culture system proved to be the most, and that of the mouse the least, sensitive assay system.", "PMID": 624588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5581", "title": "Immunoelectron microscopic localization of lipopolysaccharides in the cell wall of Bacteroides oralis and Fusobacterium nucleatum.", "content": "Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been extracted and purified from two anaerobic gram-negative bacteria: Bacteroides oralis and tfusobacterium nucleatum. Chemical analysis of the preparations showed a great proportion of neutral sugars, mainly glucose, in LPS of B. oralis. In rabbits, LPS of B. oralis induced both immunoglobulin M and G antibodies in contrast to LPS of F. nucleatum, to which only immunoglobulin M antibodies were produced. An immunohistochemical method with horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibodies was used to localize LPS antigens at the ultrastructural level. An electron-dense reaction product, representing an immune complex consisting of bacterial surface antigens and specific rabbit immunoglobulin labeled with peroxidase, was surrounding the cell wall, whereas appropriate controls were negative. The findings of the present study show that LPS of Bacteroides are probably bound to a complex, including glucans, in the outer membrane of the cell wall. LPS of Fusobacterium resemble LPS of other gram-negative bacteria.", "contents": "Immunoelectron microscopic localization of lipopolysaccharides in the cell wall of Bacteroides oralis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been extracted and purified from two anaerobic gram-negative bacteria: Bacteroides oralis and tfusobacterium nucleatum. Chemical analysis of the preparations showed a great proportion of neutral sugars, mainly glucose, in LPS of B. oralis. In rabbits, LPS of B. oralis induced both immunoglobulin M and G antibodies in contrast to LPS of F. nucleatum, to which only immunoglobulin M antibodies were produced. An immunohistochemical method with horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibodies was used to localize LPS antigens at the ultrastructural level. An electron-dense reaction product, representing an immune complex consisting of bacterial surface antigens and specific rabbit immunoglobulin labeled with peroxidase, was surrounding the cell wall, whereas appropriate controls were negative. The findings of the present study show that LPS of Bacteroides are probably bound to a complex, including glucans, in the outer membrane of the cell wall. LPS of Fusobacterium resemble LPS of other gram-negative bacteria.", "PMID": 624589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5582", "title": "Division of single host cells after infection with chlamydiae.", "content": "Mouse fibroblasts (L cells) were infected in suspension with Chlamydia psittaci (6BC) and then plated out on a solid substrate at a density of 80 cells per cm2 so that the effect of chlamydial infection on the division of single host cells and their progeny could be determined. Uninfected L cells multiplied with a mean generation time of 15 h. The generation time of single L cells infected with 1.5 50% infectious units (ID50) of C. psittaci was over twice as long. Half of the infected L cells had divided once by day 4 after infection, and the rest had divided more than once. Division of infected cells frequently produced one infected and one uninfected daughter. About half of the L cells infected with 15 ID50 of C. psittaci divided at least once before most of them detached from their substrate before observation on day 3. Less than 10% of the L cells infected with 75 ID50 of C. psittaci divided before they were lost from their substrate by day 2. Comparable results were obtained with single L cells infected with a lymphogranuloma venereum (440L) strain of C. trachomatis and with single HeLa 229 cells infected with C. psittaci. It was concluded that high multiplicities of infection of host cells with chlamydiae quickly bring cell division to a halt, whereas lower multiplicities slow but do not immediately stop the division of host cells. However, indefinitely multiplying clones of chlamydia-infected host cells were not observed. The method used here should be applicable to other studies on the division of cells in culture.", "contents": "Division of single host cells after infection with chlamydiae. Mouse fibroblasts (L cells) were infected in suspension with Chlamydia psittaci (6BC) and then plated out on a solid substrate at a density of 80 cells per cm2 so that the effect of chlamydial infection on the division of single host cells and their progeny could be determined. Uninfected L cells multiplied with a mean generation time of 15 h. The generation time of single L cells infected with 1.5 50% infectious units (ID50) of C. psittaci was over twice as long. Half of the infected L cells had divided once by day 4 after infection, and the rest had divided more than once. Division of infected cells frequently produced one infected and one uninfected daughter. About half of the L cells infected with 15 ID50 of C. psittaci divided at least once before most of them detached from their substrate before observation on day 3. Less than 10% of the L cells infected with 75 ID50 of C. psittaci divided before they were lost from their substrate by day 2. Comparable results were obtained with single L cells infected with a lymphogranuloma venereum (440L) strain of C. trachomatis and with single HeLa 229 cells infected with C. psittaci. It was concluded that high multiplicities of infection of host cells with chlamydiae quickly bring cell division to a halt, whereas lower multiplicities slow but do not immediately stop the division of host cells. However, indefinitely multiplying clones of chlamydia-infected host cells were not observed. The method used here should be applicable to other studies on the division of cells in culture.", "PMID": 624590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5583", "title": "Morphological features and functional properties of human fibroblasts exposed to Actinomyces viscosus substances.", "content": "Connective tissue fibroblasts undergo cytopathic degenerative changes during certain long-term inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. The failure of inflamed tissues to repair properly may result from functional alterations of fibroblasts within the affected tissues. Numerous previous studies indicate that direct cytotoxicity by bacterial or other substances may be responsible for the cellular alterations observed in vivo. We have tested this hypothesis by exposing cultures of human diploid fibroblasts to homogenates of Actinomyces viscosus (a microorganism associated with periodontitis and capable of causing other chronic inflammatory diseases) and analyzing the effects on cell viability, morphology, and function. The cells bind and subsequently engulf relatively large quantities of the bacterial substances. These substances do not appear to be toxic to fibroblasts as determined by 51Cr release and microcytotoxicity assays, although there is a slight but significant decrease in protein synthesis (P less than 0.01) as measured by the incorporation of [14C]proline. However, collagen production was not altered, and the cytopathic alterations observed in diseased tissues in vivo did not occur in the exposed cells. These findings suggest that A. viscosus substances do not directly cause injury to connective tissue fibroblasts in periodontal disease but may, through cell-surface binding, mark these cells for subsequent immune-mediated damage.", "contents": "Morphological features and functional properties of human fibroblasts exposed to Actinomyces viscosus substances. Connective tissue fibroblasts undergo cytopathic degenerative changes during certain long-term inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. The failure of inflamed tissues to repair properly may result from functional alterations of fibroblasts within the affected tissues. Numerous previous studies indicate that direct cytotoxicity by bacterial or other substances may be responsible for the cellular alterations observed in vivo. We have tested this hypothesis by exposing cultures of human diploid fibroblasts to homogenates of Actinomyces viscosus (a microorganism associated with periodontitis and capable of causing other chronic inflammatory diseases) and analyzing the effects on cell viability, morphology, and function. The cells bind and subsequently engulf relatively large quantities of the bacterial substances. These substances do not appear to be toxic to fibroblasts as determined by 51Cr release and microcytotoxicity assays, although there is a slight but significant decrease in protein synthesis (P less than 0.01) as measured by the incorporation of [14C]proline. However, collagen production was not altered, and the cytopathic alterations observed in diseased tissues in vivo did not occur in the exposed cells. These findings suggest that A. viscosus substances do not directly cause injury to connective tissue fibroblasts in periodontal disease but may, through cell-surface binding, mark these cells for subsequent immune-mediated damage.", "PMID": 624591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5584", "title": "Ammonium ion requirement for the cell cycle of Mycobacterium avium.", "content": "Mycobacterium avium has a defined cell cycle in which small cells elongate to about five times their original length and then divide by fragmentation. The nitrogen requirement for production of maximal number of colony-forming units was assessed by varying concentrations and kinds of nitrogen source in the medium. Ferric ammonium citrate at a concentration in 7H10 medium of 0.17 mumol/ml or ammonium chloride at 0.25 mumol/ml as the nitrogen source permitted the cells to elongate and to undergo limited division, with the final culture at 4 x 10(7) colony-forming units per ml. Ammonium chloride at 2.5 mumol/ml or glutamine at 1.37 mumol/ml supported completion of the cell cycle with final colony-forming units at about 5 x 10(8)/ml. Other amino acids, including glutamic acid, at 2.5 mumol/ml did not support completion of the cell cycle, although in most cases an intermediate number of colony-forming units per milliliter were formed. Limited uptake of [(14)C]glutamic acid and uptake of [(14)C]glutamine were not detectable until cell fission began. Cells not limited for nitrogen took up five times as much (35)S during fission as limited cells did during the same time. The nonlimited cells contained 10 times as much sulfolipid as the nitrogen-limited cells at the end of the cell cycle. These results demonstrate that rapidly dividing cells of M. avium utilize amino acids and sulfur and also synthesize sulfolipids in events that are apparently separable from metabolic functions of elongating cells. The results are contrasted with those found for other mycobacteria in which no cell cycle has been demonstrated.", "contents": "Ammonium ion requirement for the cell cycle of Mycobacterium avium. Mycobacterium avium has a defined cell cycle in which small cells elongate to about five times their original length and then divide by fragmentation. The nitrogen requirement for production of maximal number of colony-forming units was assessed by varying concentrations and kinds of nitrogen source in the medium. Ferric ammonium citrate at a concentration in 7H10 medium of 0.17 mumol/ml or ammonium chloride at 0.25 mumol/ml as the nitrogen source permitted the cells to elongate and to undergo limited division, with the final culture at 4 x 10(7) colony-forming units per ml. Ammonium chloride at 2.5 mumol/ml or glutamine at 1.37 mumol/ml supported completion of the cell cycle with final colony-forming units at about 5 x 10(8)/ml. Other amino acids, including glutamic acid, at 2.5 mumol/ml did not support completion of the cell cycle, although in most cases an intermediate number of colony-forming units per milliliter were formed. Limited uptake of [(14)C]glutamic acid and uptake of [(14)C]glutamine were not detectable until cell fission began. Cells not limited for nitrogen took up five times as much (35)S during fission as limited cells did during the same time. The nonlimited cells contained 10 times as much sulfolipid as the nitrogen-limited cells at the end of the cell cycle. These results demonstrate that rapidly dividing cells of M. avium utilize amino acids and sulfur and also synthesize sulfolipids in events that are apparently separable from metabolic functions of elongating cells. The results are contrasted with those found for other mycobacteria in which no cell cycle has been demonstrated.", "PMID": 624592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5585", "title": "Identification of the virulence-associated antigen on the surface fibrils of Actinomyces viscosus T14.", "content": "Actinomyces viscosus T14V is virulent (V) for monoinfected rats, causing periodontal disease and bone loss, whereas, A. viscosus T14AV, a mutant strain, is avirulent (AV). Surface antigens from the T14V and T14AV strains were prepared by lysozyme digestion of cell walls and were compared by immunodiffusion against antisera to T14V and T14AV whole cells. The V-associated antigen (V-antigen) was detected readily in the T14V, but not readily in the T14AV cell wall extract. Antiserum specific for the V-antigen was prepared by absorbing anti-A. viscosus T14V serum with cell walls from the T14AV strain. This antiserum was used in the indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody technique to localize the V-antigen on the bacterial cell surface at the ultrastructural level. With whole bacterial cells, the V-antigen was found on fine fibrils and was detected in both the T14V and T14AV strains. The presence of V-antigen on the AV strain was supported by the demonstration of antibodies against the V-antigen in anti-A. viscosus T14AV serum. Examination of isolated bacterial cell walls revealed a greater amount of fibrils and V-antigen on the T14V cell wall than on the T14AV cell wall. The data suggest that the presence of V-antigen represents a quantitative rather than a qualitative difference between the V and the AV strains of A. viscosus T14. Samples of human plaque were examined, and the V-antigen was found to be a specific marker for the fibril-containing layer of certain plaque bacteria, which are probably strains of A. viscosus or A. naeslundii.", "contents": "Identification of the virulence-associated antigen on the surface fibrils of Actinomyces viscosus T14. Actinomyces viscosus T14V is virulent (V) for monoinfected rats, causing periodontal disease and bone loss, whereas, A. viscosus T14AV, a mutant strain, is avirulent (AV). Surface antigens from the T14V and T14AV strains were prepared by lysozyme digestion of cell walls and were compared by immunodiffusion against antisera to T14V and T14AV whole cells. The V-associated antigen (V-antigen) was detected readily in the T14V, but not readily in the T14AV cell wall extract. Antiserum specific for the V-antigen was prepared by absorbing anti-A. viscosus T14V serum with cell walls from the T14AV strain. This antiserum was used in the indirect peroxidase-labeled antibody technique to localize the V-antigen on the bacterial cell surface at the ultrastructural level. With whole bacterial cells, the V-antigen was found on fine fibrils and was detected in both the T14V and T14AV strains. The presence of V-antigen on the AV strain was supported by the demonstration of antibodies against the V-antigen in anti-A. viscosus T14AV serum. Examination of isolated bacterial cell walls revealed a greater amount of fibrils and V-antigen on the T14V cell wall than on the T14AV cell wall. The data suggest that the presence of V-antigen represents a quantitative rather than a qualitative difference between the V and the AV strains of A. viscosus T14. Samples of human plaque were examined, and the V-antigen was found to be a specific marker for the fibril-containing layer of certain plaque bacteria, which are probably strains of A. viscosus or A. naeslundii.", "PMID": 624593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5586", "title": "Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in humans before and after revaccination with vaccinia virus.", "content": "Twenty-six healthy males vaccinated 15 to 18 years ago with vaccinia virus were revaccinated. Blood samples were collected before vaccination and 3 weeks after. The lymphocytes were tested in a blast transformation assay with vaccinia antigen and phytohemagglutinin, and interferon production was measured. The sera were subjected to neutralization and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) tests. All results were compared with clinical responses. The only test showing immunity in all donors before vaccination was the ADCC. The other tests showed a very limited residual immunity or no immunity at all. After revaccination, immunity reactions were found in all tests in most of the donors. None of the tests made before vaccination could be used to predict clinical reactions. The ADCC is recommended as a sensitive serological test.", "contents": "Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in humans before and after revaccination with vaccinia virus. Twenty-six healthy males vaccinated 15 to 18 years ago with vaccinia virus were revaccinated. Blood samples were collected before vaccination and 3 weeks after. The lymphocytes were tested in a blast transformation assay with vaccinia antigen and phytohemagglutinin, and interferon production was measured. The sera were subjected to neutralization and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) tests. All results were compared with clinical responses. The only test showing immunity in all donors before vaccination was the ADCC. The other tests showed a very limited residual immunity or no immunity at all. After revaccination, immunity reactions were found in all tests in most of the donors. None of the tests made before vaccination could be used to predict clinical reactions. The ADCC is recommended as a sensitive serological test.", "PMID": 624594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5587", "title": "Establishment of Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell lines from transplantable versus primary lymphomas.", "content": "Six new Marek's disease (MD) lymphoblastoid cell lines were established in vitro by cultivation in a medium containing 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Attempts using primary lymphoma cells were generally unsuccessful; only one of 28 lymphomas yielded a cell line and that one came from an experimentally immunosuppressed chicken. In contrast, two of seven low-passage, and two of two established MD transplantable lymphomas grew readily in vitro. A sixth line was obtained using buffy coat cells from a leukemic chicken. It was concluded that the use of transplantable tumor cells and a medium containing 2-ME provided a combination highly suited to the establishment of cell lines from MD.", "contents": "Establishment of Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell lines from transplantable versus primary lymphomas. Six new Marek's disease (MD) lymphoblastoid cell lines were established in vitro by cultivation in a medium containing 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Attempts using primary lymphoma cells were generally unsuccessful; only one of 28 lymphomas yielded a cell line and that one came from an experimentally immunosuppressed chicken. In contrast, two of seven low-passage, and two of two established MD transplantable lymphomas grew readily in vitro. A sixth line was obtained using buffy coat cells from a leukemic chicken. It was concluded that the use of transplantable tumor cells and a medium containing 2-ME provided a combination highly suited to the establishment of cell lines from MD.", "PMID": 624595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5588", "title": "Effects of presensitization in vivo on cell-mediated responses to embryonic antigens in vitro.", "content": "Lymphoid cells specifically reactive with antigens shared by rat bowel carcinomas and mid-term embryo cells were generated by in vitro culture on monolayers of embryo cells. Spleen cells from WF females were cultured for 5 days on monolayers of syngeneic embryo cells or adult cells and assayed for cytotoxic activity on syngeneic embryo, bowel carcinoma, or adult fibroblast target cells in microcytotoxicity and 51Cr-release assays. After culture on embryo monolayers, spleen cells were cytotoxic for embryo and tumor but not for adult fibroblast target cells. Enhanced cytotoxicity was recorded when the spleen cells were cultured from females after interstrain (WF X BN) pregnancy rather than from virgin females. In contrast, previous intrastrain (WF X WF) pregnancy appeared to depress the generation of spleen cells cytotoxic for target cells bearing embryonic antigens.", "contents": "Effects of presensitization in vivo on cell-mediated responses to embryonic antigens in vitro. Lymphoid cells specifically reactive with antigens shared by rat bowel carcinomas and mid-term embryo cells were generated by in vitro culture on monolayers of embryo cells. Spleen cells from WF females were cultured for 5 days on monolayers of syngeneic embryo cells or adult cells and assayed for cytotoxic activity on syngeneic embryo, bowel carcinoma, or adult fibroblast target cells in microcytotoxicity and 51Cr-release assays. After culture on embryo monolayers, spleen cells were cytotoxic for embryo and tumor but not for adult fibroblast target cells. Enhanced cytotoxicity was recorded when the spleen cells were cultured from females after interstrain (WF X BN) pregnancy rather than from virgin females. In contrast, previous intrastrain (WF X WF) pregnancy appeared to depress the generation of spleen cells cytotoxic for target cells bearing embryonic antigens.", "PMID": 624596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5589", "title": "Characteristics of hamster cells transformed by the combined action of chemical and virus.", "content": "Pretreatment of hamster cells with chemical carcinogen enhances transformation by a simian adenovirus, SA7. Such transformants were compared to cells transformed by SA7 alone for the presence of virus-specified antigens, and for the ability to clone in soft agar and to form progressively growing sarcomas in hamsters. The SA7 \"T\" antigen content and the relative cloning efficiencies in agar of cell lines of both groups were similar. Some cell lines obtained by pretreatment with chemical carcinogen, however, produced a higher incidence of tumors, suggesting that the chemical carcinogen was involved in the transformation of cells by virus. A further indication that these cells differed from cells transformed by virus alone was obtained with MCA-transformed fibroblast cell lines that were subsequently also transformed in vitro by SA7 to cuboidal (SA7 type) morphology. These MCA-SA7-transformed cells produced a higher incidence of sarcomas than cells transformed by virus alone, but a lower tumor incidence than the parental MCA line.", "contents": "Characteristics of hamster cells transformed by the combined action of chemical and virus. Pretreatment of hamster cells with chemical carcinogen enhances transformation by a simian adenovirus, SA7. Such transformants were compared to cells transformed by SA7 alone for the presence of virus-specified antigens, and for the ability to clone in soft agar and to form progressively growing sarcomas in hamsters. The SA7 \"T\" antigen content and the relative cloning efficiencies in agar of cell lines of both groups were similar. Some cell lines obtained by pretreatment with chemical carcinogen, however, produced a higher incidence of tumors, suggesting that the chemical carcinogen was involved in the transformation of cells by virus. A further indication that these cells differed from cells transformed by virus alone was obtained with MCA-transformed fibroblast cell lines that were subsequently also transformed in vitro by SA7 to cuboidal (SA7 type) morphology. These MCA-SA7-transformed cells produced a higher incidence of sarcomas than cells transformed by virus alone, but a lower tumor incidence than the parental MCA line.", "PMID": 624597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5590", "title": "BCG vaccination and the incidence of lymphomas and leukaemia.", "content": "BCG vaccination has been claimed to prevent leukaemia, but there is also concern that it might increase the risk of Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas. Both hypotheses were tested by comparing mortality and registration rates in cohorts of children from the North and South Islands of New Zealand. When school-children were offered vaccination in both islands, subsequent death rates from lymphomas and leukaemia were similar in the two islands. After withdrawal of vaccination in the South Island, mortality and registration rates for Hodgkin's disease remained similar in the two islands, but there was significant excess of deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the North Island. The difference in the registration rates for these tumours was much smaller than the difference in mortality rates and was not statistically significant. There was no evidence that BCG vaccination in the North Island prevented leukemia. These findings and the results of other studies suggest that proposals for BCG vaccination against leukaemia are unwise.", "contents": "BCG vaccination and the incidence of lymphomas and leukaemia. BCG vaccination has been claimed to prevent leukaemia, but there is also concern that it might increase the risk of Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas. Both hypotheses were tested by comparing mortality and registration rates in cohorts of children from the North and South Islands of New Zealand. When school-children were offered vaccination in both islands, subsequent death rates from lymphomas and leukaemia were similar in the two islands. After withdrawal of vaccination in the South Island, mortality and registration rates for Hodgkin's disease remained similar in the two islands, but there was significant excess of deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the North Island. The difference in the registration rates for these tumours was much smaller than the difference in mortality rates and was not statistically significant. There was no evidence that BCG vaccination in the North Island prevented leukemia. These findings and the results of other studies suggest that proposals for BCG vaccination against leukaemia are unwise.", "PMID": 624598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5591", "title": "Inhibition and promotion of tumor growth by BCG: evidence for stimulation of humoral enhancing factors by BCG.", "content": "Effects of pretreatment with BCG, strain Japan, on tumor growth were studied using a transplatable methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced fibrosarcoma in C3H/He mice. Injection of BCG7 weeks before tumor inoculation at a site distant from the tumor caused a slight inhibition of tumor growth. A low dose of tumor cells did not grow at the BCG-primed site when BCG was injected 7 and 11 weeks before the tumor. When a high dose was inoculated into the BCG-primed site, inhibition of the primary tumor occurred in mice which had received BCG 7 weeks previously, but the number of distant metastases in the popliteal lymph node and the lungs was increased in mice pretreated with BCG at any time. Furthermore, post treatment with BCG at a site distant from the tumor caused promotion of tumor growth. Enhanced antibody formation and suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) occurred in tumor-bearing mice. BCG treatment of such mice caused a vigorously enhanced antibody formation and a marked suppression of DTH. The sera from tumor-bearing mice enhanced tumor growth. Tumor growth was suppressed in splenectomized mice. These findings suggested that antibodies against tumor-specific antigens enhanced tumor growth in this system and that BCG treatment of tumor-bearing mice stimulated formation of antibodies probably acting as blocking factors.", "contents": "Inhibition and promotion of tumor growth by BCG: evidence for stimulation of humoral enhancing factors by BCG. Effects of pretreatment with BCG, strain Japan, on tumor growth were studied using a transplatable methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced fibrosarcoma in C3H/He mice. Injection of BCG7 weeks before tumor inoculation at a site distant from the tumor caused a slight inhibition of tumor growth. A low dose of tumor cells did not grow at the BCG-primed site when BCG was injected 7 and 11 weeks before the tumor. When a high dose was inoculated into the BCG-primed site, inhibition of the primary tumor occurred in mice which had received BCG 7 weeks previously, but the number of distant metastases in the popliteal lymph node and the lungs was increased in mice pretreated with BCG at any time. Furthermore, post treatment with BCG at a site distant from the tumor caused promotion of tumor growth. Enhanced antibody formation and suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) occurred in tumor-bearing mice. BCG treatment of such mice caused a vigorously enhanced antibody formation and a marked suppression of DTH. The sera from tumor-bearing mice enhanced tumor growth. Tumor growth was suppressed in splenectomized mice. These findings suggested that antibodies against tumor-specific antigens enhanced tumor growth in this system and that BCG treatment of tumor-bearing mice stimulated formation of antibodies probably acting as blocking factors.", "PMID": 624600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5592", "title": "Relationship between clearance of lithium, potassium and sodium in human mixed saliva.", "content": "Samples of saliva were collected from healthy subjects given a test dose of lithium carbonate. Lithium clearance in saliva was well related to salivary potassium clearance but not to salivary sodium clearance. Stimulation of adrenocortical activity by changing from the recumbent to the upright posture caused salivary sodium clearance to fall, but failed to affect the clearance of lithium and potassium in saliva. The findings show that the secretion of lithium in saliva resembles potassium secretion more than sodium secretion.", "contents": "Relationship between clearance of lithium, potassium and sodium in human mixed saliva. Samples of saliva were collected from healthy subjects given a test dose of lithium carbonate. Lithium clearance in saliva was well related to salivary potassium clearance but not to salivary sodium clearance. Stimulation of adrenocortical activity by changing from the recumbent to the upright posture caused salivary sodium clearance to fall, but failed to affect the clearance of lithium and potassium in saliva. The findings show that the secretion of lithium in saliva resembles potassium secretion more than sodium secretion.", "PMID": 624602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5593", "title": "Use of psychotropics in the world.", "content": "A questionnaire regarding medication preferences for major categories of psychiatric disorders was sent to 1,059 psychiatric drug investigators in 53 countries. 264 questionnaires were returned, of which 165 were appropriate for this survey. A total of 87 different psychotropic drugs were selected. Chlorpromazine was the medication most frequently cited in the treatment of schizophrenia. Amitriptyline and imipramine together accounted for the vast majority of medication chosen for all varieties of depression. In the treatment of mania, chlorpromazine was chosen by almost one-third of our sample, lithium by only one-fifth. Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam were equally preferred in the treatment of alcoholism. Most psychiatrists preferred not to use any psychotropic medications consistently in treating patients with organic brain syndromes. The implications of this study are discussed and compared uith similar studies in more limited geographical regions and in children.", "contents": "Use of psychotropics in the world. A questionnaire regarding medication preferences for major categories of psychiatric disorders was sent to 1,059 psychiatric drug investigators in 53 countries. 264 questionnaires were returned, of which 165 were appropriate for this survey. A total of 87 different psychotropic drugs were selected. Chlorpromazine was the medication most frequently cited in the treatment of schizophrenia. Amitriptyline and imipramine together accounted for the vast majority of medication chosen for all varieties of depression. In the treatment of mania, chlorpromazine was chosen by almost one-third of our sample, lithium by only one-fifth. Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam were equally preferred in the treatment of alcoholism. Most psychiatrists preferred not to use any psychotropic medications consistently in treating patients with organic brain syndromes. The implications of this study are discussed and compared uith similar studies in more limited geographical regions and in children.", "PMID": 624603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5594", "title": "The daily rhythm of shedding and degradation of rod and cone outer segment membranes in the chick retina.", "content": "Newly hatched chickens were maintained on a daily light cycle of 12 hr of light and 12 hr of darkness for 12 days. The pigment epithelium was then examined by electron microscopy at different times of day. Shortly after the beginning of the light period, the rods discarded groups of outer segment membranes. During the remainder of the light period, the membranes were degraded by the pigment epithelium. Early in the dark period, the cones shed membranes, which were digested by the pigment epithelial cells during the subsequent hours of darkness. Available evidence suggests that at least some of the chemical activities of the visual cells and pigment epithelium oscillate with a daily rhythm, which is synchronized with the daily fluctuation of light in the environment.", "contents": "The daily rhythm of shedding and degradation of rod and cone outer segment membranes in the chick retina. Newly hatched chickens were maintained on a daily light cycle of 12 hr of light and 12 hr of darkness for 12 days. The pigment epithelium was then examined by electron microscopy at different times of day. Shortly after the beginning of the light period, the rods discarded groups of outer segment membranes. During the remainder of the light period, the membranes were degraded by the pigment epithelium. Early in the dark period, the cones shed membranes, which were digested by the pigment epithelial cells during the subsequent hours of darkness. Available evidence suggests that at least some of the chemical activities of the visual cells and pigment epithelium oscillate with a daily rhythm, which is synchronized with the daily fluctuation of light in the environment.", "PMID": 624604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5595", "title": "Functional competence of regenerating ocular surface epithelium.", "content": "Several aspects of the ocular surface epithelium, including its clinical appearance, its effect on the strength of underlying stromal wounds, and its healing rates, have been compared between regenerating epithelium of conjunctival and that of corneal origin in rabbits. The results showed that conjunctival epithelium could not transform completely into functionally competent corneal epithelium within 6 weeks.", "contents": "Functional competence of regenerating ocular surface epithelium. Several aspects of the ocular surface epithelium, including its clinical appearance, its effect on the strength of underlying stromal wounds, and its healing rates, have been compared between regenerating epithelium of conjunctival and that of corneal origin in rabbits. The results showed that conjunctival epithelium could not transform completely into functionally competent corneal epithelium within 6 weeks.", "PMID": 624605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5596", "title": "Studies on the crystalline lens. XXVI. Kinetic study showing saturation of the sodium pump.", "content": "Active transport of sodium out of rabbit lenses was shown to be carrier mediated by observing the dependence of efflux of 22Na on intracellular concentration of nonlabeled sodium which previously was elevated by incubating lenses at 0 degree C. Velocity of sodium efflux increased asymptotically with increasing concentrations of intracellular sodium, demonstrating saturation of the carrier. The maximum velocity of the sodium pump based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics was found to be 4.6 mumol/hr/lens, and the half-saturation of the carrier, which appeared to involve a single site, occurred at 36 mM.", "contents": "Studies on the crystalline lens. XXVI. Kinetic study showing saturation of the sodium pump. Active transport of sodium out of rabbit lenses was shown to be carrier mediated by observing the dependence of efflux of 22Na on intracellular concentration of nonlabeled sodium which previously was elevated by incubating lenses at 0 degree C. Velocity of sodium efflux increased asymptotically with increasing concentrations of intracellular sodium, demonstrating saturation of the carrier. The maximum velocity of the sodium pump based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics was found to be 4.6 mumol/hr/lens, and the half-saturation of the carrier, which appeared to involve a single site, occurred at 36 mM.", "PMID": 624606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5597", "title": "Fine structure and radioautography of rabbit photoreceptor cells.", "content": "The retina of the adult rabbit contains two types of photoreceptors. Type I predominates and is a typical rod. The identity of the type II cell has been uncertain until now. This study demonstrates that the type II cell has certain conelike morphologic features including a pale nucleus, complex synaptic pedicel, and multiple wrappings of the outer segment by microvilli of the pigment epithelium. The type II outer segment is also conelike in that some intradisc spaces are patent to the extracellular space, that the pattern of renewal is diffuse as demonstrated radioautographically with sugar and amino acids as precursors, and that the few examples of distal tip shedding found in this study occur mainly in the early part of the dark cycle. The interior of the type II outer segment is labeled selectively with 3H-fucose, whereas the interior of the type I outer segment remains unlabeled with this sugar at all time intervals examined. The label probably reflects the presence of a fucose-containing glycoprotein in the conelike outer segment which is lacking in the rod outer segment and may represent a visual pigment or other intrinsic molecule(s). An amorphous material which forms a symmetric sleeve around the photoreceptor connecting cilium has been demonstrated after intravitreal injections of horeseradish peroxidase. This cilium-associated material is labeled specifically by 4 hr following intravitreal injection of 3H-fucose, before the interphotoreceptor matrix shows significant labeling, suggesting that it is composed of a sugar-containing material. Possible functions of the cilium-associated material, including structural support and ionic regulation, are discussed.", "contents": "Fine structure and radioautography of rabbit photoreceptor cells. The retina of the adult rabbit contains two types of photoreceptors. Type I predominates and is a typical rod. The identity of the type II cell has been uncertain until now. This study demonstrates that the type II cell has certain conelike morphologic features including a pale nucleus, complex synaptic pedicel, and multiple wrappings of the outer segment by microvilli of the pigment epithelium. The type II outer segment is also conelike in that some intradisc spaces are patent to the extracellular space, that the pattern of renewal is diffuse as demonstrated radioautographically with sugar and amino acids as precursors, and that the few examples of distal tip shedding found in this study occur mainly in the early part of the dark cycle. The interior of the type II outer segment is labeled selectively with 3H-fucose, whereas the interior of the type I outer segment remains unlabeled with this sugar at all time intervals examined. The label probably reflects the presence of a fucose-containing glycoprotein in the conelike outer segment which is lacking in the rod outer segment and may represent a visual pigment or other intrinsic molecule(s). An amorphous material which forms a symmetric sleeve around the photoreceptor connecting cilium has been demonstrated after intravitreal injections of horeseradish peroxidase. This cilium-associated material is labeled specifically by 4 hr following intravitreal injection of 3H-fucose, before the interphotoreceptor matrix shows significant labeling, suggesting that it is composed of a sugar-containing material. Possible functions of the cilium-associated material, including structural support and ionic regulation, are discussed.", "PMID": 624609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5598", "title": "[Prognosis with different therapeutic methods and therapeutic recommendations in operable breast cancers].", "content": "Breast carcinoma is the most frequent form of cancer in women. In Switzerland 1265 women died of it in 1975, the mortality rate is rising slowly, the cause of this fact being unclear. There is no uniformity about the best treatment of breast cancer. We analyzed 454 carcinomas, operated in the years 1961--1971 after Halsted, Patey and McWhirter. We found similar 5- and 10-year survival rates with the Halsted and the Patey method of operation, however, decidedly worse results with the simple mastectomy. Nowadays we recommend the modified radical excision of the breast after Patey at all stages; in addition we treat all patients with postoperative X-ray therapy or prescribe an adjuvant cytostatic therapy based on the experimental study of the SAKK (Swiss Therapy Group for Clinical Cancer Research).", "contents": "[Prognosis with different therapeutic methods and therapeutic recommendations in operable breast cancers]. Breast carcinoma is the most frequent form of cancer in women. In Switzerland 1265 women died of it in 1975, the mortality rate is rising slowly, the cause of this fact being unclear. There is no uniformity about the best treatment of breast cancer. We analyzed 454 carcinomas, operated in the years 1961--1971 after Halsted, Patey and McWhirter. We found similar 5- and 10-year survival rates with the Halsted and the Patey method of operation, however, decidedly worse results with the simple mastectomy. Nowadays we recommend the modified radical excision of the breast after Patey at all stages; in addition we treat all patients with postoperative X-ray therapy or prescribe an adjuvant cytostatic therapy based on the experimental study of the SAKK (Swiss Therapy Group for Clinical Cancer Research).", "PMID": 624630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5599", "title": "[Mammographic and thermographic diagnosis of breast cancer].", "content": "2731 mammography and thermography results were analyzed. The radiological examination could be histologically verified 468 times. The diagnosis made by means of mammography was wrong in 42%, by thermography in 52%. In this group only 3 occult carcinomas were discovered mammographically. A wide range of indications of mammography applied hitherto therefore becomes doubtful. It is recommended to assign all palpable tumours of the female breast directly to the surgeon without mammography.", "contents": "[Mammographic and thermographic diagnosis of breast cancer]. 2731 mammography and thermography results were analyzed. The radiological examination could be histologically verified 468 times. The diagnosis made by means of mammography was wrong in 42%, by thermography in 52%. In this group only 3 occult carcinomas were discovered mammographically. A wide range of indications of mammography applied hitherto therefore becomes doubtful. It is recommended to assign all palpable tumours of the female breast directly to the surgeon without mammography.", "PMID": 624631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5600", "title": "[Indication for subcutaneous mastectomy as carcinoma prevention].", "content": "The indication for subcutaneous mastectomy is analyzed. Prospective investigations seem to confirm that different morphological forms of breast dysplasia (grade I, II, III, PRECHTEL [10]) do not implicate differences in risk for development of invasive breast cancer. Only if these forms of breast dysplasia are associated to high risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, should subcutaneous mastectomy be considered as a cancer prophylaxis.", "contents": "[Indication for subcutaneous mastectomy as carcinoma prevention]. The indication for subcutaneous mastectomy is analyzed. Prospective investigations seem to confirm that different morphological forms of breast dysplasia (grade I, II, III, PRECHTEL [10]) do not implicate differences in risk for development of invasive breast cancer. Only if these forms of breast dysplasia are associated to high risk factors such as family history of breast cancer, should subcutaneous mastectomy be considered as a cancer prophylaxis.", "PMID": 624633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5601", "title": "[Surgical treatment of pulmonary coin lesions found in cancer patients and 6 breast cancers. Solitary metastasis? 2d primary bronchopulmonary cancer? Coin lesions of benign nature?].", "content": "Pulmonary diffusion of breast cancer is frequent in those patients who have died of the disease and in those survivors who have not been cured after removal of the breast and X-ray treatment in the advanced states of the disease. When the metastases are identified, they are almost always multiple and bilateral. The appearance of a solitary, late, pulmonary coin lesion (metachrone), in someone with breast cancer certainly suggests a pulmonary metastase, but in fact, it is more likely to be a second cancer than a metastase, that is, a primary bronchopulmonary cancer. The presence of a solitary pulmonary coin lesion in someone who has or who has had breast cancer, presents therefore certain particular problems. After having controlled by xerotomography that there is no pulmonary diffusion in either lung, that there is no invasion of other tissues or organs, and after having controlled locally around the breast cancer, then it is imperative to remove the lesion without delay since it is certainly malignant and most probably a second cancer, that is, a primary bronchopulmonary cancer, an adenocarcinome, detected at an asymptomatic stage. The prognosis of a broncho-pulmonary adenocarcinome depends on the precocity of its removal.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of pulmonary coin lesions found in cancer patients and 6 breast cancers. Solitary metastasis? 2d primary bronchopulmonary cancer? Coin lesions of benign nature?]. Pulmonary diffusion of breast cancer is frequent in those patients who have died of the disease and in those survivors who have not been cured after removal of the breast and X-ray treatment in the advanced states of the disease. When the metastases are identified, they are almost always multiple and bilateral. The appearance of a solitary, late, pulmonary coin lesion (metachrone), in someone with breast cancer certainly suggests a pulmonary metastase, but in fact, it is more likely to be a second cancer than a metastase, that is, a primary bronchopulmonary cancer. The presence of a solitary pulmonary coin lesion in someone who has or who has had breast cancer, presents therefore certain particular problems. After having controlled by xerotomography that there is no pulmonary diffusion in either lung, that there is no invasion of other tissues or organs, and after having controlled locally around the breast cancer, then it is imperative to remove the lesion without delay since it is certainly malignant and most probably a second cancer, that is, a primary bronchopulmonary cancer, an adenocarcinome, detected at an asymptomatic stage. The prognosis of a broncho-pulmonary adenocarcinome depends on the precocity of its removal.", "PMID": 624634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5602", "title": "[Role of surgery in the treatment of breast cancer in surgical border-line cases].", "content": "Since the turn of the century, a selection of borderline operable cancers of the breast have benefited of preoperative radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy may enlarge the limits of operability in a foreseeable future especially if applied before surgery. Different clinical classifications and staging procedures are studied as well as their influence on prognosis and their use in evaluating the limits of operability.", "contents": "[Role of surgery in the treatment of breast cancer in surgical border-line cases]. Since the turn of the century, a selection of borderline operable cancers of the breast have benefited of preoperative radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy may enlarge the limits of operability in a foreseeable future especially if applied before surgery. Different clinical classifications and staging procedures are studied as well as their influence on prognosis and their use in evaluating the limits of operability.", "PMID": 624635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5603", "title": "[Indications and procedures in conservative goiter treatment].", "content": "A review of the literature shows that thyroid hormone therapy causes 13 to 40% of euthyroid goiters to disappear and brings about a reduction in goiter size in another 30 to 50%. The hormonal treatment is more successful with smaller goiters. Uninodular goiters respond on the average less well than diffuse and multinodular goiters. In Switzerland, about 33% of adult persons have goiters, albeit mostly of small size. This renders impracticable investigation or treatment of all goiters. It is recommended that only goiters which are esthetically disturbing or which cause pressure symptoms be treated. An operation must always be performed when there is suspicion of thyroid cancer or in the presence of threatening pressure symptoms. In all the other cases, thyroid hormone therapy may be tried. If an operation cannot be performed for cardiac or other reasons, radioiodine will relieve pressure symptoms due to goiter in over 65% of cases.", "contents": "[Indications and procedures in conservative goiter treatment]. A review of the literature shows that thyroid hormone therapy causes 13 to 40% of euthyroid goiters to disappear and brings about a reduction in goiter size in another 30 to 50%. The hormonal treatment is more successful with smaller goiters. Uninodular goiters respond on the average less well than diffuse and multinodular goiters. In Switzerland, about 33% of adult persons have goiters, albeit mostly of small size. This renders impracticable investigation or treatment of all goiters. It is recommended that only goiters which are esthetically disturbing or which cause pressure symptoms be treated. An operation must always be performed when there is suspicion of thyroid cancer or in the presence of threatening pressure symptoms. In all the other cases, thyroid hormone therapy may be tried. If an operation cannot be performed for cardiac or other reasons, radioiodine will relieve pressure symptoms due to goiter in over 65% of cases.", "PMID": 624638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5604", "title": "[Surgery of benign goiter].", "content": "All our thyroid patients are seen jointly by a specialist in nuclear medicine and by an endocrinologist. From 1972 to 1976 we operated on 564 patients; 433 were benign goitres (152 of them hyperthyroid) and 131 were malignant thyroid tumors. Operations for recurrent benign goitre were performed on 61 patients. The frequency of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis following a first operation (checked by laryngoscopy) was 4,4%. The surgical measures for avoiding this complication are discussed.", "contents": "[Surgery of benign goiter]. All our thyroid patients are seen jointly by a specialist in nuclear medicine and by an endocrinologist. From 1972 to 1976 we operated on 564 patients; 433 were benign goitres (152 of them hyperthyroid) and 131 were malignant thyroid tumors. Operations for recurrent benign goitre were performed on 61 patients. The frequency of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis following a first operation (checked by laryngoscopy) was 4,4%. The surgical measures for avoiding this complication are discussed.", "PMID": 624639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5605", "title": "[Surgical treatment of malignant thyroid neoplasms].", "content": "The classification of thyroid tumors, based on morphological and clinical aspects, makes it possible to compare the experience of several centers. The histology of the tumor and the age of the patient are the main criteria of prognosis. A differentiated tumor may become anaplastic. The therapeutic approach, which is primarily surgical, is therefore different for differentiated, medullary and anaplastic carcinomas. In the field of differentiated tumors, there are still some differences of opinion regarding the radicality of thyroidectomy and node dissection. In planning surgery, the incidence of bilateral tumor according to histological type, the pattern of primary lymphatic drainage and the risk of parathyroid insufficiency should be taken into account. The collaboration of the pathologist is essential. The results should be appreciated after a follow-up of at least 10 years.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of malignant thyroid neoplasms]. The classification of thyroid tumors, based on morphological and clinical aspects, makes it possible to compare the experience of several centers. The histology of the tumor and the age of the patient are the main criteria of prognosis. A differentiated tumor may become anaplastic. The therapeutic approach, which is primarily surgical, is therefore different for differentiated, medullary and anaplastic carcinomas. In the field of differentiated tumors, there are still some differences of opinion regarding the radicality of thyroidectomy and node dissection. In planning surgery, the incidence of bilateral tumor according to histological type, the pattern of primary lymphatic drainage and the risk of parathyroid insufficiency should be taken into account. The collaboration of the pathologist is essential. The results should be appreciated after a follow-up of at least 10 years.", "PMID": 624640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5606", "title": "[Pathophysiology and surgery of the parathyroid glands].", "content": "The treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism consists in a teamwork between the physician, pathologist and surgeon. The endocrinologist must be able to motivate the surgeon to perform an often tedious exploration of the neck, while the pathologist may influence the tactics of surgery by his analysis of the frozen sections. The surgeon needs much experience, a sound knowledge of anatomy, a good surgical technique and enough time and leisure for the operation.", "contents": "[Pathophysiology and surgery of the parathyroid glands]. The treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism consists in a teamwork between the physician, pathologist and surgeon. The endocrinologist must be able to motivate the surgeon to perform an often tedious exploration of the neck, while the pathologist may influence the tactics of surgery by his analysis of the frozen sections. The surgeon needs much experience, a sound knowledge of anatomy, a good surgical technique and enough time and leisure for the operation.", "PMID": 624642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5607", "title": "[Reconstructive surgery of the peripheral arteries in elderly people].", "content": "The results of reconstructive surgery of atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the senium are reported on 71 patients. Mortality rate of 14.68% and improvement of 63.38% showed clearly better results than described in literature with an amputation mortality rate between 26% and 60%. In the authors' opinion also in the senium the reconstructive surgery of the peripheral arterial system should be preferred if general and local operability are given.", "contents": "[Reconstructive surgery of the peripheral arteries in elderly people]. The results of reconstructive surgery of atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the senium are reported on 71 patients. Mortality rate of 14.68% and improvement of 63.38% showed clearly better results than described in literature with an amputation mortality rate between 26% and 60%. In the authors' opinion also in the senium the reconstructive surgery of the peripheral arterial system should be preferred if general and local operability are given.", "PMID": 624643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5608", "title": "[Wound infections in arterial surgery of the lower extremities].", "content": "A survey showed that in 764 cases of reconstructive vascular operations of the lower extremities there were 5.14% bland infections, 1.14% were, however, severe. In 78.5% of these infections synthetic materials were used. Autologous venous tissue for bypass or patches showed the lowest risks. In the case of postoperative signs of an infection on an arterial suture, a secondary bypass well in an area of healthy tissue should immediately be attempted to save the limb.", "contents": "[Wound infections in arterial surgery of the lower extremities]. A survey showed that in 764 cases of reconstructive vascular operations of the lower extremities there were 5.14% bland infections, 1.14% were, however, severe. In 78.5% of these infections synthetic materials were used. Autologous venous tissue for bypass or patches showed the lowest risks. In the case of postoperative signs of an infection on an arterial suture, a secondary bypass well in an area of healthy tissue should immediately be attempted to save the limb.", "PMID": 624644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5609", "title": "[Could the outcome of therapy of deep thrombophlebitis be improved with a combination of surgical thrombectomy and regional fibrinolysis?].", "content": "A new mode of treatment of extensive acute and subacute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities is introduced. For this purpose the beneficial effects of surgical thrombectomy and of thrombolysis with streptokinase are combined during the course of a single surgical intervention. Rapid-flow regional perfusion is the vehicle used for administration of streptokinase and probably represents the third arm of this therapeutic approach by adding a hemodynamic wash-out effect. Because the thrombolytic agent is rinsed out of the circuit at the end of regional perfusion the usual side effects and contra-indications of this drug are avoided. Early and late results of this treatment are assessed clinically and with repeat venograms in a group of six unselected patients. Highly satisfactory results were obtained in four patients with complete anatomical and functional restoration of deep veins along their entire length in three cases. It is felt that continued use of this method is warranted.", "contents": "[Could the outcome of therapy of deep thrombophlebitis be improved with a combination of surgical thrombectomy and regional fibrinolysis?]. A new mode of treatment of extensive acute and subacute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities is introduced. For this purpose the beneficial effects of surgical thrombectomy and of thrombolysis with streptokinase are combined during the course of a single surgical intervention. Rapid-flow regional perfusion is the vehicle used for administration of streptokinase and probably represents the third arm of this therapeutic approach by adding a hemodynamic wash-out effect. Because the thrombolytic agent is rinsed out of the circuit at the end of regional perfusion the usual side effects and contra-indications of this drug are avoided. Early and late results of this treatment are assessed clinically and with repeat venograms in a group of six unselected patients. Highly satisfactory results were obtained in four patients with complete anatomical and functional restoration of deep veins along their entire length in three cases. It is felt that continued use of this method is warranted.", "PMID": 624645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5610", "title": "[The risk of lung emolism in isolated thrombosis of the V. saphena magna].", "content": "Within 1 1/2 years we have seen 4 pulmonary emboli, one of which was fatal. The origin was an isolated thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein. An autopsy, with dissection of the veins of the legs and of the pelvis, and phlebographies where there is any doubt of deep venous thrombosis, allow us to speak of isolated thrombosis of the great saphenous vein. The clinical level is always lower than the real level and the thrombus can grow through the saphenofemoral junction. The conservative treatment (anticoagulation and mobilisation) do not prevent a cranial ascension of the thrombus nor a pulmonary embolism. So, when the thrombosis is higher than the knee, we do a crossectomy of the great saphenous vein. We did this operation 8 times without complications.", "contents": "[The risk of lung emolism in isolated thrombosis of the V. saphena magna]. Within 1 1/2 years we have seen 4 pulmonary emboli, one of which was fatal. The origin was an isolated thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein. An autopsy, with dissection of the veins of the legs and of the pelvis, and phlebographies where there is any doubt of deep venous thrombosis, allow us to speak of isolated thrombosis of the great saphenous vein. The clinical level is always lower than the real level and the thrombus can grow through the saphenofemoral junction. The conservative treatment (anticoagulation and mobilisation) do not prevent a cranial ascension of the thrombus nor a pulmonary embolism. So, when the thrombosis is higher than the knee, we do a crossectomy of the great saphenous vein. We did this operation 8 times without complications.", "PMID": 624646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5611", "title": "[Bovine graft as arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis].", "content": "We used the bovine carotid artery (BCA) as arteriovenous shunt for hemodialysis in 11 patients since December 1975. We discuss our results. For implantations we used two methods: straight and loop grafts. The BCA have many advantages as: good access for punction, anticoagulation not permanently necessary, volume of shunt more than 250 ml/min; the disadvantages are: increased tendence to infection and thrombosis. Thrombosis in BCA can be easier removed than in other grafts. Reduction of the complications incidence is possible with an accurate technique. We think that the BCA is very useful when Cimino-Brescia fistula has failed or is unavailable; we prefer BCA to a saphenous arteriovenous graft in these situations.", "contents": "[Bovine graft as arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis]. We used the bovine carotid artery (BCA) as arteriovenous shunt for hemodialysis in 11 patients since December 1975. We discuss our results. For implantations we used two methods: straight and loop grafts. The BCA have many advantages as: good access for punction, anticoagulation not permanently necessary, volume of shunt more than 250 ml/min; the disadvantages are: increased tendence to infection and thrombosis. Thrombosis in BCA can be easier removed than in other grafts. Reduction of the complications incidence is possible with an accurate technique. We think that the BCA is very useful when Cimino-Brescia fistula has failed or is unavailable; we prefer BCA to a saphenous arteriovenous graft in these situations.", "PMID": 624647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5612", "title": "[Experiences with percutaneous K-wire osteosynthesis in distal radius fractures].", "content": "Follow-up controls were made on 300 patients whose fractures of the distal radius were treated by a primary operative fixation with percutaneous K-wire. This group showed significantly better results than a control group of 300 patients given conservative management. We recommend a primary percutaneous K-wire osteosynthesis as treatment of choice for the management of distal radius fractures.", "contents": "[Experiences with percutaneous K-wire osteosynthesis in distal radius fractures]. Follow-up controls were made on 300 patients whose fractures of the distal radius were treated by a primary operative fixation with percutaneous K-wire. This group showed significantly better results than a control group of 300 patients given conservative management. We recommend a primary percutaneous K-wire osteosynthesis as treatment of choice for the management of distal radius fractures.", "PMID": 624648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5613", "title": "Malignant hyperthermia in a Greyhound.", "content": "A rapid rise in rectal temperature (to 45 C) in a young male Greyhound was attributed to the use of halothane and succinylcholine. Circulatory failure and death occurred within approximately 90 minutes of the onset of the hyperthermia.", "contents": "Malignant hyperthermia in a Greyhound. A rapid rise in rectal temperature (to 45 C) in a young male Greyhound was attributed to the use of halothane and succinylcholine. Circulatory failure and death occurred within approximately 90 minutes of the onset of the hyperthermia.", "PMID": 624662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5614", "title": "Retrospective study of an Ehrlichia canis epizootic around Phoenix, Arizona.", "content": "Antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in sera from 40 of 339 dogs (12%) examined from around Phoenix, Az, during 1975. The prevalence was higher in purebred and crossbred German Shepherd Dogs (21%), as compared with 8% in the remaining breeds. The difference in antibody prevalence between sexes was not significant. Dogs 12 weeks to 13 years old were seropositive. The causative agent was isolated by inoculation of whole blood from a seropositive dog into a susceptible German Shepherd Dog.", "contents": "Retrospective study of an Ehrlichia canis epizootic around Phoenix, Arizona. Antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in sera from 40 of 339 dogs (12%) examined from around Phoenix, Az, during 1975. The prevalence was higher in purebred and crossbred German Shepherd Dogs (21%), as compared with 8% in the remaining breeds. The difference in antibody prevalence between sexes was not significant. Dogs 12 weeks to 13 years old were seropositive. The causative agent was isolated by inoculation of whole blood from a seropositive dog into a susceptible German Shepherd Dog.", "PMID": 624663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5615", "title": "Survey of conjunctival flora in dogs with clinical signs of external eye disease.", "content": "Bacteria were isolated 68% of the time from the conjunctival sacs of 120 dogs with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dacryocystitis, or corneal ulcerations. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (68%); when both eyes were affected, S aureus was recovered from 29% of the dogs; and in dogs with 1 eye affected, S aureus was isolated from 23% of the affected eyes and in 18% of the nonaffected eyes. Other organisms recovered from eyes were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis (27%), beta-hemolytic streptococcus (19%), alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus (17%), Escherichia coli (10%), Bacillus spp (11%), and Proteus spp (7%). It was concluded that S aureus may appear as a primary pathogen in ocular disease. When 1 eye is clinically affected, S aureus can be a potential invader of the normal eye.", "contents": "Survey of conjunctival flora in dogs with clinical signs of external eye disease. Bacteria were isolated 68% of the time from the conjunctival sacs of 120 dogs with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dacryocystitis, or corneal ulcerations. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (68%); when both eyes were affected, S aureus was recovered from 29% of the dogs; and in dogs with 1 eye affected, S aureus was isolated from 23% of the affected eyes and in 18% of the nonaffected eyes. Other organisms recovered from eyes were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis (27%), beta-hemolytic streptococcus (19%), alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus (17%), Escherichia coli (10%), Bacillus spp (11%), and Proteus spp (7%). It was concluded that S aureus may appear as a primary pathogen in ocular disease. When 1 eye is clinically affected, S aureus can be a potential invader of the normal eye.", "PMID": 624664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5616", "title": "Renal failure and hyperparathyroidism in an Alaskan Malamute pup.", "content": "In a 5-month-old male Alaskan Malamute, clinicopathologic and radiographic findings supported a diagnosis of renal failure and hyperparathyroidism. At necropsy, the parathyroid glands were enlarged and the kidneys were shrunken and irregular. The histopathologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of logic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of terminal renal failure and hyperparathyroidism. Based on the history, a heritable disorder was suspected.", "contents": "Renal failure and hyperparathyroidism in an Alaskan Malamute pup. In a 5-month-old male Alaskan Malamute, clinicopathologic and radiographic findings supported a diagnosis of renal failure and hyperparathyroidism. At necropsy, the parathyroid glands were enlarged and the kidneys were shrunken and irregular. The histopathologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of logic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of terminal renal failure and hyperparathyroidism. Based on the history, a heritable disorder was suspected.", "PMID": 624665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5617", "title": "Isolation of Treponema hyodysenteriae from sources other than swine.", "content": "Fecal samples were collected from animals and environments on 3 swine farms and cultured for Treponema hyodysenteriae. Each farm was a farrow-to-finish operation and, at the time of sampling, swine dysentery was enzootic among 8- to 22-week-old pigs. Pathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from pigs on all 3 farms. On farm A, nonpathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from a sample of lagoon water. On farm B, pathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from a waste-holding pit. On farm C, a dog was observed to be eating feces of pigs that had swine dysentery. The dog was diarrheic and a fecal sample yielded a pathogenic isolant of T hyodysenteriae. Further isolation attempts were unsuccessful after the dog was removed from the infected premises. Isolation of pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms from waste-holding systems emphasizes the need for cultural techniques in detecting pathogenic T hyodysenteriae.", "contents": "Isolation of Treponema hyodysenteriae from sources other than swine. Fecal samples were collected from animals and environments on 3 swine farms and cultured for Treponema hyodysenteriae. Each farm was a farrow-to-finish operation and, at the time of sampling, swine dysentery was enzootic among 8- to 22-week-old pigs. Pathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from pigs on all 3 farms. On farm A, nonpathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from a sample of lagoon water. On farm B, pathogenic T hyodysenteriae was isolated from a waste-holding pit. On farm C, a dog was observed to be eating feces of pigs that had swine dysentery. The dog was diarrheic and a fecal sample yielded a pathogenic isolant of T hyodysenteriae. Further isolation attempts were unsuccessful after the dog was removed from the infected premises. Isolation of pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms from waste-holding systems emphasizes the need for cultural techniques in detecting pathogenic T hyodysenteriae.", "PMID": 624667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5618", "title": "Swine dysentery: studies of gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with Treponema hyodysenteriae, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Fusobacterium necrophorum.", "content": "Transmission experiments were carried out in gnotobiotic pigs to determine whether lesions typical of swine dysentery could be produced by oral inoculation of Treponema hyodysenteriae in combination with Bacteroides vulgatus or Fusobacterium necrophorum, or both. Each of the organisms had been isolated from swine with early lesions of the disease. Lesions were not found in 6 pigs inoculated with T hyodysenteriae alone, in 4 pigs given F necrophorum and T hyodysenteriae, or in 4 pigs given B vulgatus and F necrophorum. Lesions typical of swine dysentery developed in 8 pigs given B vulgatus, F necrophorum, and T hyodysenteriae as well as in 3 of 4 pigs given B vulgatus and T hyodysenteriae. In both of these groups, the inoculated bacteria were recovered from the colon, and T hyodysenteriae was demonstrated in the colonic crypts, epithelium, and lamina propria. The pathogenicity of the T hyodysenteriae was shown by the development of characteristic signs and lesions of swine dysentery in 12 of 14 naturally farrowed pigs inoculated with T hyodysenteriae alone.", "contents": "Swine dysentery: studies of gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with Treponema hyodysenteriae, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Transmission experiments were carried out in gnotobiotic pigs to determine whether lesions typical of swine dysentery could be produced by oral inoculation of Treponema hyodysenteriae in combination with Bacteroides vulgatus or Fusobacterium necrophorum, or both. Each of the organisms had been isolated from swine with early lesions of the disease. Lesions were not found in 6 pigs inoculated with T hyodysenteriae alone, in 4 pigs given F necrophorum and T hyodysenteriae, or in 4 pigs given B vulgatus and F necrophorum. Lesions typical of swine dysentery developed in 8 pigs given B vulgatus, F necrophorum, and T hyodysenteriae as well as in 3 of 4 pigs given B vulgatus and T hyodysenteriae. In both of these groups, the inoculated bacteria were recovered from the colon, and T hyodysenteriae was demonstrated in the colonic crypts, epithelium, and lamina propria. The pathogenicity of the T hyodysenteriae was shown by the development of characteristic signs and lesions of swine dysentery in 12 of 14 naturally farrowed pigs inoculated with T hyodysenteriae alone.", "PMID": 624669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5619", "title": "Mycoplasma alkalescens-induced arthritis in dairy calves.", "content": "Mycoplasma alkalescens was isolated from 6 of 7 synovial fluid samples taken by arthrocentesis from 3-week- to 4-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves with severe arthritis (tibiotarsal or carpal joints). Approximately 30 of 215 calves in the herd were affected. In one 6-week-old calf, M alkalescens was isolated from the liver, right tibiotarsal joint, right and left popliteal lymph nodes, and an exposed umbilical artery. Intraarticular inoculations of broth cultures of M alkalescens initially induced a febrile response and then severe fibrinopurulent arthritis. Intravenous inoculation of M alkalescens induced only a febrile response. The natural disease may have been a complication of umbilical exposure to M alkalescens, causing omphaloarteritis and subsequent arthritis. Before and during the arthritis problem, the umbilicus of newborn calves was dipped in an organic iodine product with 10% glycerin, marketed as a postmilking teat dip. After the cause of the arthritis was determined, the umbilicus of each newborn calf was treated with 7% tincture of iodine and no new cases of arthritis occurred.", "contents": "Mycoplasma alkalescens-induced arthritis in dairy calves. Mycoplasma alkalescens was isolated from 6 of 7 synovial fluid samples taken by arthrocentesis from 3-week- to 4-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves with severe arthritis (tibiotarsal or carpal joints). Approximately 30 of 215 calves in the herd were affected. In one 6-week-old calf, M alkalescens was isolated from the liver, right tibiotarsal joint, right and left popliteal lymph nodes, and an exposed umbilical artery. Intraarticular inoculations of broth cultures of M alkalescens initially induced a febrile response and then severe fibrinopurulent arthritis. Intravenous inoculation of M alkalescens induced only a febrile response. The natural disease may have been a complication of umbilical exposure to M alkalescens, causing omphaloarteritis and subsequent arthritis. Before and during the arthritis problem, the umbilicus of newborn calves was dipped in an organic iodine product with 10% glycerin, marketed as a postmilking teat dip. After the cause of the arthritis was determined, the umbilicus of each newborn calf was treated with 7% tincture of iodine and no new cases of arthritis occurred.", "PMID": 624670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5620", "title": "Postpartum evaluation of bovine reproductive potential: comparison of findings from genital tract examination per rectum, uterine culture, and endometrial biopsy.", "content": "The genital tract of 106 cows was evaluated after parturition by rectal palpation and by visual inspection of vaginal discharges. Analysis of these results revealed a significant (P less than 0.01) correlation with the ratings of endometrial biopsies. The most frequent bacterial isolations included Corynebacterium pyogenes, coliforms, or streptococci, or combinations thereof. Abnormal ratings obtained by gross evaluation and by histologic examination were associated principally with C pyogenes. Purulent discharges in particular were highly correlated (P less than 0.01) with infection caused by C pyogenes. Neither the gross genital tract condition nor the uterine histopathology rating was positively correlated with conception rate; however, the association between days open and conception rate was significant (P less than 0.05). Bacterial infections significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the number of services required for conception and significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the number of cows culled because of infertility. Cows up to 4 years old had a 61% 1st-service conception rate compared with 35% for older cows, and this difference was significant (P less than 0.05). The development of one or more postpartum diseases significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced 1st-service conception rate, whereas milk production was negatively correlated (P less than 0.05) with conception.", "contents": "Postpartum evaluation of bovine reproductive potential: comparison of findings from genital tract examination per rectum, uterine culture, and endometrial biopsy. The genital tract of 106 cows was evaluated after parturition by rectal palpation and by visual inspection of vaginal discharges. Analysis of these results revealed a significant (P less than 0.01) correlation with the ratings of endometrial biopsies. The most frequent bacterial isolations included Corynebacterium pyogenes, coliforms, or streptococci, or combinations thereof. Abnormal ratings obtained by gross evaluation and by histologic examination were associated principally with C pyogenes. Purulent discharges in particular were highly correlated (P less than 0.01) with infection caused by C pyogenes. Neither the gross genital tract condition nor the uterine histopathology rating was positively correlated with conception rate; however, the association between days open and conception rate was significant (P less than 0.05). Bacterial infections significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the number of services required for conception and significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the number of cows culled because of infertility. Cows up to 4 years old had a 61% 1st-service conception rate compared with 35% for older cows, and this difference was significant (P less than 0.05). The development of one or more postpartum diseases significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced 1st-service conception rate, whereas milk production was negatively correlated (P less than 0.05) with conception.", "PMID": 624671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5621", "title": "Tetany associated with magnesium deficiency in suckling beef calves.", "content": "Sudden death losses occurred in 4-month-old beef calves with clinical signs of muscular dysfunction, including tetanic spasms. Gross lesions were not diagnostic. Microscopic lesions consisted of deposition of calcium salts in the elastic fibers of the arteries in the heart, lungs, and spleen and in the trabeculae of the spleen. Focal areas of interstitial nephritis were characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Samples of hay and silage that the cattle were consuming were low in magnesium. Calves with spasms responded to magnesium salts given intravenously, and losses ceased after a magnesium-containing supplement was fed free choice to the calves and cows.", "contents": "Tetany associated with magnesium deficiency in suckling beef calves. Sudden death losses occurred in 4-month-old beef calves with clinical signs of muscular dysfunction, including tetanic spasms. Gross lesions were not diagnostic. Microscopic lesions consisted of deposition of calcium salts in the elastic fibers of the arteries in the heart, lungs, and spleen and in the trabeculae of the spleen. Focal areas of interstitial nephritis were characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Samples of hay and silage that the cattle were consuming were low in magnesium. Calves with spasms responded to magnesium salts given intravenously, and losses ceased after a magnesium-containing supplement was fed free choice to the calves and cows.", "PMID": 624672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5622", "title": "Lead poisoning in feeder calves.", "content": "A group of 90 feeder calves was accidentally exposed to lead for approximately 30 days. The source of the intoxication was determined to be contamination of feed ingredients from a railroad car. Fourteen calves died and 8 more were clinically affected. Blood samples were obtained from 24 exposed calves (16 clinically normal and 8 intoxicated), and the samples were analyzed for lead, delta-amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity, and free erythrocyte porphyrin. Blood lead values ranged from 0.44 to 1.16 parts per million. Amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity was not affected enough to be of diagnostic value, whereas free erythrocyte porphyrin was increased dramatically and consistently in lead-exposed cattle.", "contents": "Lead poisoning in feeder calves. A group of 90 feeder calves was accidentally exposed to lead for approximately 30 days. The source of the intoxication was determined to be contamination of feed ingredients from a railroad car. Fourteen calves died and 8 more were clinically affected. Blood samples were obtained from 24 exposed calves (16 clinically normal and 8 intoxicated), and the samples were analyzed for lead, delta-amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity, and free erythrocyte porphyrin. Blood lead values ranged from 0.44 to 1.16 parts per million. Amino levulinic acid dehydrase activity was not affected enough to be of diagnostic value, whereas free erythrocyte porphyrin was increased dramatically and consistently in lead-exposed cattle.", "PMID": 624673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5623", "title": "Pulmonary arteries of the normal rat: the thick walled oblique muscle segment.", "content": "The structure and certain metrical features of the pulmonary arterial tree in the normal rat have been studied in detail by both light and electron microscopy after its distension by injection. In the parts of the tree where the muscle wall is complete a segment with oblique muscle has been identified. The wall of this segment is thick, and is composed largely of obliquely orientated, closely packed smooth muscle cells with little intervening connective tissue, while it lacks a complete external elastic lamina. Both the axial pathway and its side branches have such oblique segments. Proximal and distal to an oblique segment there are transitional regions where obliquely arranged muscle fibres spiral external to the circularly arranged fibres usually described in muscular arteries. The existence of thick walled oblique muscle segments in the pulmonary arterial tree of the normal rat is important since this animal is frequently used in experimental studies, and the thick segments could be taken as evidence of induced hypertrophy.", "contents": "Pulmonary arteries of the normal rat: the thick walled oblique muscle segment. The structure and certain metrical features of the pulmonary arterial tree in the normal rat have been studied in detail by both light and electron microscopy after its distension by injection. In the parts of the tree where the muscle wall is complete a segment with oblique muscle has been identified. The wall of this segment is thick, and is composed largely of obliquely orientated, closely packed smooth muscle cells with little intervening connective tissue, while it lacks a complete external elastic lamina. Both the axial pathway and its side branches have such oblique segments. Proximal and distal to an oblique segment there are transitional regions where obliquely arranged muscle fibres spiral external to the circularly arranged fibres usually described in muscular arteries. The existence of thick walled oblique muscle segments in the pulmonary arterial tree of the normal rat is important since this animal is frequently used in experimental studies, and the thick segments could be taken as evidence of induced hypertrophy.", "PMID": 624674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5624", "title": "Cell specialization in the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis: functional aspects.", "content": "The functional activity of the epithelial cells of the intestinal folds of Xenopus was analysed histochemically. There is a gradient of increasing absorptive, digestive and secretory activity from the trough regions to the crests of the longitudinal folds. The differences in functional activity correspond to differences in structural complexity, and confirm the existence of a more specialized population of cells at the fold crests and a less specialized population at the fold troughs, analogous to mammalian villous and crypt cells respectively.", "contents": "Cell specialization in the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis: functional aspects. The functional activity of the epithelial cells of the intestinal folds of Xenopus was analysed histochemically. There is a gradient of increasing absorptive, digestive and secretory activity from the trough regions to the crests of the longitudinal folds. The differences in functional activity correspond to differences in structural complexity, and confirm the existence of a more specialized population of cells at the fold crests and a less specialized population at the fold troughs, analogous to mammalian villous and crypt cells respectively.", "PMID": 624675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5625", "title": "The growth of femur and tibia in three genetically distinct chondrodystrophic mutants of the house mouse.", "content": "Growth of femora and tibiae has been measured in mice carrying three distinct chondrodystrophic mutants (achondroplasia cn, brachymorphic bm and stumpy stm) aged 6--128 days, and in normal litter-mates. cn and bm resemble each other in growing slowly until the time of weaning, when growth is interrupted, stm grows strongly at first, but stops at around 14 days. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "The growth of femur and tibia in three genetically distinct chondrodystrophic mutants of the house mouse. Growth of femora and tibiae has been measured in mice carrying three distinct chondrodystrophic mutants (achondroplasia cn, brachymorphic bm and stumpy stm) aged 6--128 days, and in normal litter-mates. cn and bm resemble each other in growing slowly until the time of weaning, when growth is interrupted, stm grows strongly at first, but stops at around 14 days. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 624676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5626", "title": "Development of the indusium griseum. I. A quantitative light microscopic study of neurons and glia.", "content": "A quantitative study of the development of the indusium griseum was carried out in mice. It was not possible to separate the indusium griseum from the cingulate cortex until birth. There was no increase in neuronal numbers between birth and 140 days postnatum, but glial cells probably increased in number from birth to 17 days; 70% of the adult total of glial cells were present at birth. The length of the indusium griseum increased from 1114+/-151 micrometer at birth to 2444+/-54micrometer at 25 days and 2544+/-80 micrometer at 140 days. Although the mean number of cells in equivalent sections decreased with age the distribution of cells was similar at all ages, with the majority of cells lying in the rostral half of the indusium griseum.", "contents": "Development of the indusium griseum. I. A quantitative light microscopic study of neurons and glia. A quantitative study of the development of the indusium griseum was carried out in mice. It was not possible to separate the indusium griseum from the cingulate cortex until birth. There was no increase in neuronal numbers between birth and 140 days postnatum, but glial cells probably increased in number from birth to 17 days; 70% of the adult total of glial cells were present at birth. The length of the indusium griseum increased from 1114+/-151 micrometer at birth to 2444+/-54micrometer at 25 days and 2544+/-80 micrometer at 140 days. Although the mean number of cells in equivalent sections decreased with age the distribution of cells was similar at all ages, with the majority of cells lying in the rostral half of the indusium griseum.", "PMID": 624678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5627", "title": "Sutural closure in rabbit and man: a morphological and histochemical study.", "content": "Some aspects of normal obliteration of sutures in rabbit and man were studied histologically and it was found that suture closure took place by intramembranous ossification in specific areas of trans-suturally arranged, tendon-like tissue. Histochemically these areas demonstrated high activity of oxidative enzymes.", "contents": "Sutural closure in rabbit and man: a morphological and histochemical study. Some aspects of normal obliteration of sutures in rabbit and man were studied histologically and it was found that suture closure took place by intramembranous ossification in specific areas of trans-suturally arranged, tendon-like tissue. Histochemically these areas demonstrated high activity of oxidative enzymes.", "PMID": 624680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5628", "title": "A maturation change in the surface of cat articular cartilage detected by the scanning electron microscope.", "content": "The articular surface of the femoral condyle of kittens (2 days to 2 months old) and cats (6 months to 20 months old) was studied by examining air dried and critical point dried specimens in the scanning electron microscope. The surface of kitten cartilage was found to be populated by innumerable humps which were more prominent in air dried than in critical point dried specimens. Undulations and ridges were seen on air dried kitten cartilage, which was markedly shrunken and distorted, but undulations and ridges were absent from critical point dried specimens where shrinkage was more modest or even undetectable. The surface of the articular cartilage of 12 months and 20 months old cats was populated by innumerable pits. A rare hump in a pit was seen in specimens from the 12 months old cat, but not from the 20 months old animal. In 6--8 months old cats an intermediate situation prevails, for in some specimens pits were present on the posterior part of the condyle but humps and humps in pits were present on the anterior aspect. This study shows that the surface of young articular cartilage is populated by humps, but as the cartilage matures these formations are either transformed into pits or replaced by pits.", "contents": "A maturation change in the surface of cat articular cartilage detected by the scanning electron microscope. The articular surface of the femoral condyle of kittens (2 days to 2 months old) and cats (6 months to 20 months old) was studied by examining air dried and critical point dried specimens in the scanning electron microscope. The surface of kitten cartilage was found to be populated by innumerable humps which were more prominent in air dried than in critical point dried specimens. Undulations and ridges were seen on air dried kitten cartilage, which was markedly shrunken and distorted, but undulations and ridges were absent from critical point dried specimens where shrinkage was more modest or even undetectable. The surface of the articular cartilage of 12 months and 20 months old cats was populated by innumerable pits. A rare hump in a pit was seen in specimens from the 12 months old cat, but not from the 20 months old animal. In 6--8 months old cats an intermediate situation prevails, for in some specimens pits were present on the posterior part of the condyle but humps and humps in pits were present on the anterior aspect. This study shows that the surface of young articular cartilage is populated by humps, but as the cartilage matures these formations are either transformed into pits or replaced by pits.", "PMID": 624681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5629", "title": "A quantitative light microscopic study of the indusium griseum of the mouse brain following hypoxic stress.", "content": "A quantitative study of the indusium griseum was carried out in control mice and in mice subjected to hypoxia at 390 mmHg for 2 days. One group of mice subjected to hypoxia was killed immediately after hypoxia while another group was allowed to recover for 1 week. There was no significant variation in the number of neurons in any of the groups. Neuroglia decreased from a mean number of 1741 +/- 120 in the control animals to 1251 +/- 67 in the hypoxic group and 1223 +/- 51 in the recovery group. It is postulated that this fall occurs mainly in astrocytes because these cells appear to be especially susceptible to the effects of hypoxia.", "contents": "A quantitative light microscopic study of the indusium griseum of the mouse brain following hypoxic stress. A quantitative study of the indusium griseum was carried out in control mice and in mice subjected to hypoxia at 390 mmHg for 2 days. One group of mice subjected to hypoxia was killed immediately after hypoxia while another group was allowed to recover for 1 week. There was no significant variation in the number of neurons in any of the groups. Neuroglia decreased from a mean number of 1741 +/- 120 in the control animals to 1251 +/- 67 in the hypoxic group and 1223 +/- 51 in the recovery group. It is postulated that this fall occurs mainly in astrocytes because these cells appear to be especially susceptible to the effects of hypoxia.", "PMID": 624683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5630", "title": "Localization of the phrenic nucleus in the spinal cord of the rabbit.", "content": "The motor fibres of the phrenic nerve arise in the cervical portion of the spinal cord from a group of lower motor neuron cell bodies called the 'phrenic nucleus'. The phrenic nucleus of the rabbit has been located by cutting the right phrenic nerve (phrenicotomy) in the neck and observing retrograde degeneration (chromatolysis) in the cells of the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord 2-4 weeks later. The phrenic nucleus in the rabbit was found to extend from the fourth to the sixth cervical segment. It lay in the caudal half to three fourths of the fourth, the whole of the fifth and the cranial half to two thirds of the sixth segment. The phrenic nucleus in the rabbit is a longitudinal column of cells lying between the ventromedial and the ventrolateral columns of the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord. In the fourth and fifth cervical segments, the phrenic nucleus of the rabbit is dorso-medial to the ventrolateral column and dorsolateral to the ventromedial column. In the sixth segment it is dorsomedial to the ventrolateral column but lateral to the ventromedial column. The total number of chromatolysed cells found in the right phrenic nucleus (after right phrenicotomy in the neck) varied between 1496 and 1754. The chromatolysed cells had a peculiar and characteristic orientation in that in a frontal section they appeared longer than broad with their long axes almost parallel ti the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord.", "contents": "Localization of the phrenic nucleus in the spinal cord of the rabbit. The motor fibres of the phrenic nerve arise in the cervical portion of the spinal cord from a group of lower motor neuron cell bodies called the 'phrenic nucleus'. The phrenic nucleus of the rabbit has been located by cutting the right phrenic nerve (phrenicotomy) in the neck and observing retrograde degeneration (chromatolysis) in the cells of the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord 2-4 weeks later. The phrenic nucleus in the rabbit was found to extend from the fourth to the sixth cervical segment. It lay in the caudal half to three fourths of the fourth, the whole of the fifth and the cranial half to two thirds of the sixth segment. The phrenic nucleus in the rabbit is a longitudinal column of cells lying between the ventromedial and the ventrolateral columns of the ventral grey horn of the spinal cord. In the fourth and fifth cervical segments, the phrenic nucleus of the rabbit is dorso-medial to the ventrolateral column and dorsolateral to the ventromedial column. In the sixth segment it is dorsomedial to the ventrolateral column but lateral to the ventromedial column. The total number of chromatolysed cells found in the right phrenic nucleus (after right phrenicotomy in the neck) varied between 1496 and 1754. The chromatolysed cells had a peculiar and characteristic orientation in that in a frontal section they appeared longer than broad with their long axes almost parallel ti the longitudinal axis of the spinal cord.", "PMID": 624684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5631", "title": "Epithelial mitotic activity in experimental gastric wounds.", "content": "Excision wounds were made in the pyloric epithelium of the rat's stomach and the mitotic response studied at intervals from 1 day to 12 weeks afterwards. Increased mitotic activity followed wounding with peaks at 2 and 7 days, and with a subsequent high level of activity which was maintained in all the later stages of healing, even in the presence of long-delayed epithelialization. Most mitoses initially occurred some distance from the wound edge, but subsequently the highest counts were found in glands immediately adjacent to the edge, and this distribution persisted. Mitotic counts for deep ulcers (including mucous membrane and muscularis externa) were higher than those for superficial ulcers (involving mucous membrane only) at any one time.", "contents": "Epithelial mitotic activity in experimental gastric wounds. Excision wounds were made in the pyloric epithelium of the rat's stomach and the mitotic response studied at intervals from 1 day to 12 weeks afterwards. Increased mitotic activity followed wounding with peaks at 2 and 7 days, and with a subsequent high level of activity which was maintained in all the later stages of healing, even in the presence of long-delayed epithelialization. Most mitoses initially occurred some distance from the wound edge, but subsequently the highest counts were found in glands immediately adjacent to the edge, and this distribution persisted. Mitotic counts for deep ulcers (including mucous membrane and muscularis externa) were higher than those for superficial ulcers (involving mucous membrane only) at any one time.", "PMID": 624685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5632", "title": "Functional anatomy of the lungs of the green lizard, Lacerta viridis.", "content": "The gas-exchange area in the lung of Lacerta viridis has been studied by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The interior of the lung in this species is partitioned into air sacs by radially disposed septa. The surfaces of each septum are covered by a continuous epithelium, the cells of which are termed 'pneumonocytes'. Deep to the epithelium there is a close-meshed plexus of capillaries. The middle layer of the septum contains smooth muscle and fibrous tissue. Two varieties of pneumonocytes can be identified. The type I cells are squamous and give off attenuated sheets of cytoplasm which spread widely over the septal surface; these sheets contain few organelles. The type II cells are more compact and possess many organelles; their osmiophilic inclusion bodies are especially conspicuous. The pulmonary capillaries of Lacerta are evaginated into the air sacs and often display marked attenuation of their endothelium. The possible functional significance of these features is discussed.", "contents": "Functional anatomy of the lungs of the green lizard, Lacerta viridis. The gas-exchange area in the lung of Lacerta viridis has been studied by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The interior of the lung in this species is partitioned into air sacs by radially disposed septa. The surfaces of each septum are covered by a continuous epithelium, the cells of which are termed 'pneumonocytes'. Deep to the epithelium there is a close-meshed plexus of capillaries. The middle layer of the septum contains smooth muscle and fibrous tissue. Two varieties of pneumonocytes can be identified. The type I cells are squamous and give off attenuated sheets of cytoplasm which spread widely over the septal surface; these sheets contain few organelles. The type II cells are more compact and possess many organelles; their osmiophilic inclusion bodies are especially conspicuous. The pulmonary capillaries of Lacerta are evaginated into the air sacs and often display marked attenuation of their endothelium. The possible functional significance of these features is discussed.", "PMID": 624686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5633", "title": "Amino acid sequences of the two polypeptide chains in beta1-bungarotoxin from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus.", "content": "The two dissimilar composite polypeptide chains (A and B) in beta1-bungarotoxin were isolated as their reduced and carboxymethylated derivatives as reported in the preceding paper. The N-terminal sequences were determined with a sequenator up to the 39th residue for the RCM-A chain and up to the 25th residue for the RCM-B chain with repetitive yields of 90-95%. The tryptic and chymotryptic peptides from the two chains were isolated and their structures were determined by manual Edman degradation together with dansyl-Edman and carboxypeptidases A and Y. To complete the primary structures of the two chains, information on the tryptic peptides derived from the maleylated derivatives of the two chains was also used. The completed amino acid sequence of the A chain containing 120 residues (molecular weight, 13,500) is similar to that of notexin, a presynaptic neurotoxin from Australian tiger snake venom, and phospholipases A from other snake venoms. The amino acid sequence of the 60 residues in the B chain (molecular weight, 7,000) bears no resemblance to any basic polypeptides from snake venoms. The B chain probably plays a significant role by interacting with some components in presynaptic membranes of neurosmuscular junctions.", "contents": "Amino acid sequences of the two polypeptide chains in beta1-bungarotoxin from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus. The two dissimilar composite polypeptide chains (A and B) in beta1-bungarotoxin were isolated as their reduced and carboxymethylated derivatives as reported in the preceding paper. The N-terminal sequences were determined with a sequenator up to the 39th residue for the RCM-A chain and up to the 25th residue for the RCM-B chain with repetitive yields of 90-95%. The tryptic and chymotryptic peptides from the two chains were isolated and their structures were determined by manual Edman degradation together with dansyl-Edman and carboxypeptidases A and Y. To complete the primary structures of the two chains, information on the tryptic peptides derived from the maleylated derivatives of the two chains was also used. The completed amino acid sequence of the A chain containing 120 residues (molecular weight, 13,500) is similar to that of notexin, a presynaptic neurotoxin from Australian tiger snake venom, and phospholipases A from other snake venoms. The amino acid sequence of the 60 residues in the B chain (molecular weight, 7,000) bears no resemblance to any basic polypeptides from snake venoms. The B chain probably plays a significant role by interacting with some components in presynaptic membranes of neurosmuscular junctions.", "PMID": 624701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5634", "title": "A study on nitrate reductase from Propionibacterium acidi-propionici.", "content": "Cell extract from a strain of Propionibacterium acidi-propionici with high nitrate reductase (NaR) activity catalyzed nitrate reduction with glycerol phosphate, NADH, or lactate. The reaction was inhibited partially by fumarate or oxygen. NaR linked to methyl viologen was found mostly in particulate fractions. It was solubilized by treatment with Emulgen 810 and purified 46-fold by DEAE-cellulose, Sepharose 4B, and triple DEAE-Sephadex chromatographies in the presence of the detergent. It was rather labile but was stabilized by glycerol. The molecular weight was estimated to be 230,000 by Sepharose 4B gel filtration and the isoelectric point was pH 5.0-5.5. The pH optimum was at 6.5-7.5 and Km for nitrate was 0.1 mM. As electron donors, methyl and benzyl viologen were utilized well but FAD and FMN were fairly ineffective. Chlorate was an active acceptor as well as nitrate. Azide, cyanide, and thiocyanate inhibited NaR. On adding 1 mM tungstate to the growing medium, the NaR level in grown cells was lowered; addition of 0.01 mM molybdate restored the activity partially. NaR is suggested to be a molybdo-protein, similar to this enzyme from other bacteria.", "contents": "A study on nitrate reductase from Propionibacterium acidi-propionici. Cell extract from a strain of Propionibacterium acidi-propionici with high nitrate reductase (NaR) activity catalyzed nitrate reduction with glycerol phosphate, NADH, or lactate. The reaction was inhibited partially by fumarate or oxygen. NaR linked to methyl viologen was found mostly in particulate fractions. It was solubilized by treatment with Emulgen 810 and purified 46-fold by DEAE-cellulose, Sepharose 4B, and triple DEAE-Sephadex chromatographies in the presence of the detergent. It was rather labile but was stabilized by glycerol. The molecular weight was estimated to be 230,000 by Sepharose 4B gel filtration and the isoelectric point was pH 5.0-5.5. The pH optimum was at 6.5-7.5 and Km for nitrate was 0.1 mM. As electron donors, methyl and benzyl viologen were utilized well but FAD and FMN were fairly ineffective. Chlorate was an active acceptor as well as nitrate. Azide, cyanide, and thiocyanate inhibited NaR. On adding 1 mM tungstate to the growing medium, the NaR level in grown cells was lowered; addition of 0.01 mM molybdate restored the activity partially. NaR is suggested to be a molybdo-protein, similar to this enzyme from other bacteria.", "PMID": 624703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5635", "title": "Mode of inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase by L-canaline.", "content": "The mechanism of inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.13] by L-canaline (alpha-amino-gamma-amino-oxybutyric acid) was investigated. Spectral changes of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in ornithine aminotransferase on addition of L-canaline showed that L-canaline formed an oxime-type compound with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate that had the same spectra as the compound formed on addition of hydroxylamine to the holoenzyme. Kinetic studies indicated that hydroxylamine was a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor, whereas L-canaline was an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase. Other analogs, such as delta-aminovaleric acid and alpha-N-acetyl-L-ornithine, also reacted with the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate of the enzyme, but these compounds were competitive inhibitors with respect to L-ornithine. L-Canaline and hydroxylamine also reacted with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in pig heart aspartate aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.1] to produce an oxime, but both of them were reversible and noncompetitive inhibitors of the enzyme. The Ki value of hydroxylamine for ornithine aminotransferase was 4.3 X 10(-7) M and those of L-canaline and hydroxylamine for aspartate aminotransferase were 1.7 X 10(-4) M and 2.2 X 10(-5) M, respectively.", "contents": "Mode of inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase by L-canaline. The mechanism of inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.13] by L-canaline (alpha-amino-gamma-amino-oxybutyric acid) was investigated. Spectral changes of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in ornithine aminotransferase on addition of L-canaline showed that L-canaline formed an oxime-type compound with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate that had the same spectra as the compound formed on addition of hydroxylamine to the holoenzyme. Kinetic studies indicated that hydroxylamine was a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor, whereas L-canaline was an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase. Other analogs, such as delta-aminovaleric acid and alpha-N-acetyl-L-ornithine, also reacted with the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate of the enzyme, but these compounds were competitive inhibitors with respect to L-ornithine. L-Canaline and hydroxylamine also reacted with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in pig heart aspartate aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.1] to produce an oxime, but both of them were reversible and noncompetitive inhibitors of the enzyme. The Ki value of hydroxylamine for ornithine aminotransferase was 4.3 X 10(-7) M and those of L-canaline and hydroxylamine for aspartate aminotransferase were 1.7 X 10(-4) M and 2.2 X 10(-5) M, respectively.", "PMID": 624704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5636", "title": "Circadian rhythm in the ornithine decarboxylase activity of rat small intestine.", "content": "Intestinal ornithine decarboxylase [L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17] activity was found to show a marked circadian rhythm with a peak 4 h after the start of eating in rats on a diet containing protein. In rats with an intestinal blind loop, the enzyme was induced in the portion of the intestine that came in contact with the protein meal, but not in the blind loop. Injection of tetragastrin or CCK-PZ alone had no effect on enzyme induction, but when a protein suspension was introduced into a tied loop of intestine soon after the injection of tetragastrin or CCK-PZ, the enzyme was induced in the segment to almost the same extent as in the intestines of normal rats eating a protein meal. These results suggest that the circadian rhythm in activity of intestinal ornithine decarboxylase is initiated by release of gastrin, or CCK-PZ, or both, and contact of protein with the small intestine after the intake of food containing protein.", "contents": "Circadian rhythm in the ornithine decarboxylase activity of rat small intestine. Intestinal ornithine decarboxylase [L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17] activity was found to show a marked circadian rhythm with a peak 4 h after the start of eating in rats on a diet containing protein. In rats with an intestinal blind loop, the enzyme was induced in the portion of the intestine that came in contact with the protein meal, but not in the blind loop. Injection of tetragastrin or CCK-PZ alone had no effect on enzyme induction, but when a protein suspension was introduced into a tied loop of intestine soon after the injection of tetragastrin or CCK-PZ, the enzyme was induced in the segment to almost the same extent as in the intestines of normal rats eating a protein meal. These results suggest that the circadian rhythm in activity of intestinal ornithine decarboxylase is initiated by release of gastrin, or CCK-PZ, or both, and contact of protein with the small intestine after the intake of food containing protein.", "PMID": 624705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5637", "title": "Serine protease in mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy.", "content": "The activities of serine protease, cathepsin B1, ornithine aminotransferase, and aldolase in skeletal muscles of mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy and their normal litter mates were studied. In dystrophic muscle, the specific and total activities of serine protease were much higher than in normal muscle, and the specific activities, but not the total activities, of cathepsin B1 and ornithine aminotransferase were twice those in normal muscle, and several new fragments, which are normally formed by limited proteolysis, were found in dystrophic muscle. When myofibrillar proteins of normal and dystrophic muscles were incubated with highly purified serine protease, their myosin, alpha-actinin and tropomyosin disappeared completely.", "contents": "Serine protease in mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy. The activities of serine protease, cathepsin B1, ornithine aminotransferase, and aldolase in skeletal muscles of mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy and their normal litter mates were studied. In dystrophic muscle, the specific and total activities of serine protease were much higher than in normal muscle, and the specific activities, but not the total activities, of cathepsin B1 and ornithine aminotransferase were twice those in normal muscle, and several new fragments, which are normally formed by limited proteolysis, were found in dystrophic muscle. When myofibrillar proteins of normal and dystrophic muscles were incubated with highly purified serine protease, their myosin, alpha-actinin and tropomyosin disappeared completely.", "PMID": 624706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5638", "title": "Effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate administration on carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in rat liver.", "content": "1. Rats were fed on a diet containing 0, 1, 2, or 4% di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticizer, for four weeks. 2. The level of plasma triglyceride was decreased in both the 1% DEHP and the 2% DEHP groups maintained for 1 to 2 weeks, but that of cholesterol was not changed. Plasma free fatty acid and ketone bodies increased in all DEHP groups. 3. The level of blood glucose was depressed to about 80% in the 2% and the 4% DEHP groups. Liver glycogen decreased markedly. Isotopic incorporations of 14C from [2-14C]pyruvate into blood glucose and liver glycogen were decreased. The changes in the contents of intermediates in the liver indicate that gluconeogenesis is inhibited at the reaction(s) between 3-phosphoglycerate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. 4. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis increased about 2-fold on DEHP administration. The content of phospholipid in the liver was increased, whereas that of triglyceride was decreased. The rate of phospholipid synthesis was increased, but that of triglyceride was not changed.", "contents": "Effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate administration on carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism in rat liver. 1. Rats were fed on a diet containing 0, 1, 2, or 4% di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticizer, for four weeks. 2. The level of plasma triglyceride was decreased in both the 1% DEHP and the 2% DEHP groups maintained for 1 to 2 weeks, but that of cholesterol was not changed. Plasma free fatty acid and ketone bodies increased in all DEHP groups. 3. The level of blood glucose was depressed to about 80% in the 2% and the 4% DEHP groups. Liver glycogen decreased markedly. Isotopic incorporations of 14C from [2-14C]pyruvate into blood glucose and liver glycogen were decreased. The changes in the contents of intermediates in the liver indicate that gluconeogenesis is inhibited at the reaction(s) between 3-phosphoglycerate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. 4. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis increased about 2-fold on DEHP administration. The content of phospholipid in the liver was increased, whereas that of triglyceride was decreased. The rate of phospholipid synthesis was increased, but that of triglyceride was not changed.", "PMID": 624708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5639", "title": "Carp connectin: amino acid composition.", "content": "An elastic protein, connectin, was prepared from carp skeletal muscle by the alkaline method with some modifications; collagen contaminations were exhaustively extracted with 1 N acetic acid and hot phenol treatment was omitted. This connectin preparation contained a considerable amount of tryptophan, but almost completely lacked hydroxyproline.", "contents": "Carp connectin: amino acid composition. An elastic protein, connectin, was prepared from carp skeletal muscle by the alkaline method with some modifications; collagen contaminations were exhaustively extracted with 1 N acetic acid and hot phenol treatment was omitted. This connectin preparation contained a considerable amount of tryptophan, but almost completely lacked hydroxyproline.", "PMID": 624709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5640", "title": "X-ray analysis of the conformation of chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt.", "content": "The conformation of the chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt was investigated by X-ray analysis. The following results were obtained. 1, The repeat length per disaccharide was 0.913 nm: 2, The molecular chain had three-fold screw symmetry: 3, The shape of the unit cell was a trigonal prism with dimensions a=b=1.28 nm, c=2.74 nm, and gamma=120 degrees: 4, The number of disaccharide residues in the unit cell was six. Two molecular chains were packed in the unit cell.", "contents": "X-ray analysis of the conformation of chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt. The conformation of the chondroitin-4-sulfate calcium salt was investigated by X-ray analysis. The following results were obtained. 1, The repeat length per disaccharide was 0.913 nm: 2, The molecular chain had three-fold screw symmetry: 3, The shape of the unit cell was a trigonal prism with dimensions a=b=1.28 nm, c=2.74 nm, and gamma=120 degrees: 4, The number of disaccharide residues in the unit cell was six. Two molecular chains were packed in the unit cell.", "PMID": 624710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5641", "title": "Sodium borohydride as a reducing agent for preparing ninhydrin reagent for amino acid analysis.", "content": "Sodium borohydride, in place of stannous chloride or titanous chloride, is effective in the preparation of the ninhydrin reagent for automated amino acid analysis. The reagent, coupled with dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent, a very stable ninhydrin solution which did not form precipitates in the flow lines of the analyzer.", "contents": "Sodium borohydride as a reducing agent for preparing ninhydrin reagent for amino acid analysis. Sodium borohydride, in place of stannous chloride or titanous chloride, is effective in the preparation of the ninhydrin reagent for automated amino acid analysis. The reagent, coupled with dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent, a very stable ninhydrin solution which did not form precipitates in the flow lines of the analyzer.", "PMID": 624711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5642", "title": "Chemical properties and amino acid composition of beta1-bungarotoxin from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus (Formosan banded krait).", "content": "beta-Bungarotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus (Formosan banded krait) contained no carbohydrate and behaved as a homogeneous protein on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.1 and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis without 2-mercaptoethanol treatment. Its molecular weight and isoelectric point were estimated to be about 21,000 by gel filtration and about 9.5 by isoelectric focusing, respectively. The toxin treated with the reducing agent was split into two polypeptide chains as revealed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their molecular weights were calculated to be about 13,000 and 7,000. The two polypeptide chains (the large one named the A chain and the small one the B chain) were isolated by gel filtration after reduction of disulfide bonds in the toxin followed by alkylation. The A chain contained 120 amino acid residues including 13 half-cystines and the B chain 60 residues including 7 half-cystines. The two chains were supposed to link by disulfide bond(s) in the intact toxin which contained no free sulfhydryl groups. The N-terminal residues of the A and B chains were asparagine and arginine and the C-terminal ones were glutamine and proline, respectively, in accordance with the results of the terminal analyses of the intact toxin.", "contents": "Chemical properties and amino acid composition of beta1-bungarotoxin from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus (Formosan banded krait). beta-Bungarotoxin purified from the venom of Bungarus multicinctus (Formosan banded krait) contained no carbohydrate and behaved as a homogeneous protein on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.1 and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis without 2-mercaptoethanol treatment. Its molecular weight and isoelectric point were estimated to be about 21,000 by gel filtration and about 9.5 by isoelectric focusing, respectively. The toxin treated with the reducing agent was split into two polypeptide chains as revealed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their molecular weights were calculated to be about 13,000 and 7,000. The two polypeptide chains (the large one named the A chain and the small one the B chain) were isolated by gel filtration after reduction of disulfide bonds in the toxin followed by alkylation. The A chain contained 120 amino acid residues including 13 half-cystines and the B chain 60 residues including 7 half-cystines. The two chains were supposed to link by disulfide bond(s) in the intact toxin which contained no free sulfhydryl groups. The N-terminal residues of the A and B chains were asparagine and arginine and the C-terminal ones were glutamine and proline, respectively, in accordance with the results of the terminal analyses of the intact toxin.", "PMID": 624712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5643", "title": "Purification and characterization of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase from rat liver.", "content": "An in vitro study of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity of rat liver was undertaken in order to determine whether separate amino acid-specific enzymes catalyzed the formation of glycine and taurine conjugates of bile acids as postulated by others. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 200-fold purified enzyme localized the glycine- and taurine-dependent activities to a single band. Both activities were optimal at pH 7.8 and showed similar loss of activity at pH 6.0, pH 9.0, in the presence of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and at temperatures exceeding 50 degrees. With the purified fraction, Km for glycine was 31 mM and Km for taurine was 0.8 mM. Km for several bile acid-CoA substrates was approximately 20 micron and independent of the amino acid acceptor. Only amino acids with terminal alpha- or beta-amino groups were active as acyl acceptors. Acyl donors were limited to bile acid-CoA derivatives. The data support the conclusion that the rat has a single bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase. The substrate kinetics are consistent with previous observations that taurine conjugates predominate in rat bile at normal hepatocellular concentrations of glycine and taurine.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase from rat liver. An in vitro study of bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase activity of rat liver was undertaken in order to determine whether separate amino acid-specific enzymes catalyzed the formation of glycine and taurine conjugates of bile acids as postulated by others. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 200-fold purified enzyme localized the glycine- and taurine-dependent activities to a single band. Both activities were optimal at pH 7.8 and showed similar loss of activity at pH 6.0, pH 9.0, in the presence of 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and at temperatures exceeding 50 degrees. With the purified fraction, Km for glycine was 31 mM and Km for taurine was 0.8 mM. Km for several bile acid-CoA substrates was approximately 20 micron and independent of the amino acid acceptor. Only amino acids with terminal alpha- or beta-amino groups were active as acyl acceptors. Acyl donors were limited to bile acid-CoA derivatives. The data support the conclusion that the rat has a single bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase. The substrate kinetics are consistent with previous observations that taurine conjugates predominate in rat bile at normal hepatocellular concentrations of glycine and taurine.", "PMID": 624713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5644", "title": "Lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase of rat liver. Purification and comparison with the golgi and cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidases.", "content": "Rat liver contains alpha-D-mannosidases in lysosomes, Golgi membranes, and cytosol. The lysosomal enzyme has now been purified approximately 30,000-fold over the crude extract and is free of at least 13 other lysosomal hydrolases. The enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 335,000 by molecular sieve chromatography and 200,000 by sucrose density centrifugation. It is a glycoprotein, as evidenced by its binding to a concanavalin A affinity column and by a positive periodic acid-Schiff stain. The enzyme has a pH optimum near 4.6. Although it is generally insensitive to a large variety of inorganic salts, chelating agents, and sulfhydryl reagents, prolonged exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid caused loss of activity, which could be restored by the addition of ZnSO4. Substrate specificity studies were performed on the purified lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase, as well as on the purified Golgi and cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidases. The three enzymes exhibited only very limited activity on native glycoproteins, but were found to be active on glycopeptides and oligosaccharides, hydrolyzing 1 yields 2 and 1 yields 3 linkages, except that the Golgi enzyme had negligible activity towards the latter linkage. Immunological comparisons by antibody precipitation tests and double-diffusion plates indicated that the three enzymes are not immunologically related. The alpha-D-mannosidase isolated from rat epididymis was found to be immunologically very similar, if not identical, to the lysosomal enzyme isolated from rat liver.", "contents": "Lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase of rat liver. Purification and comparison with the golgi and cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidases. Rat liver contains alpha-D-mannosidases in lysosomes, Golgi membranes, and cytosol. The lysosomal enzyme has now been purified approximately 30,000-fold over the crude extract and is free of at least 13 other lysosomal hydrolases. The enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 335,000 by molecular sieve chromatography and 200,000 by sucrose density centrifugation. It is a glycoprotein, as evidenced by its binding to a concanavalin A affinity column and by a positive periodic acid-Schiff stain. The enzyme has a pH optimum near 4.6. Although it is generally insensitive to a large variety of inorganic salts, chelating agents, and sulfhydryl reagents, prolonged exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid caused loss of activity, which could be restored by the addition of ZnSO4. Substrate specificity studies were performed on the purified lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase, as well as on the purified Golgi and cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidases. The three enzymes exhibited only very limited activity on native glycoproteins, but were found to be active on glycopeptides and oligosaccharides, hydrolyzing 1 yields 2 and 1 yields 3 linkages, except that the Golgi enzyme had negligible activity towards the latter linkage. Immunological comparisons by antibody precipitation tests and double-diffusion plates indicated that the three enzymes are not immunologically related. The alpha-D-mannosidase isolated from rat epididymis was found to be immunologically very similar, if not identical, to the lysosomal enzyme isolated from rat liver.", "PMID": 624714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5645", "title": "The mechanism of action of ethanolamine ammonia-lyase, an adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzyme. Reaction of the enzyme.cofactor complex with 2-aminoacetaldehyde.", "content": "Ethanolamine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.7) catalyzes the adenosylcobalamin-dependent deamination of ethanolamine and 2-aminopropanol. Incubation of the enzyme.cofactor complex with 2-aminoacetaldehyde leads to rapid cleavage of the carbon--cobalt bond accompanied by the destruction of the corrinoid portion of the cofactor. During this reaction the adenosyl portion of the cofactor is oxidized to 4',5'-anhydroadenosine, and the aminoacetaldehyde is converted to acetic acid, which remains associated with the enzyme as a noncovalent complex which survives gel filtration. There is no evidence for the alkylation of the corrin metal by the substrate analog. The enzyme.AdoCbl complex is thus able to eliminate an amino group from a substrate analog without the formation of a new alkyl cobalamin in which the analog is a ligand. These observations do not support the participation of what might be termed \"substratylcobalamin\" as an intermediate in the ammonia migration occurring in reactions catalyzed by ethanolamine ammonia-lyase.", "contents": "The mechanism of action of ethanolamine ammonia-lyase, an adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzyme. Reaction of the enzyme.cofactor complex with 2-aminoacetaldehyde. Ethanolamine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.7) catalyzes the adenosylcobalamin-dependent deamination of ethanolamine and 2-aminopropanol. Incubation of the enzyme.cofactor complex with 2-aminoacetaldehyde leads to rapid cleavage of the carbon--cobalt bond accompanied by the destruction of the corrinoid portion of the cofactor. During this reaction the adenosyl portion of the cofactor is oxidized to 4',5'-anhydroadenosine, and the aminoacetaldehyde is converted to acetic acid, which remains associated with the enzyme as a noncovalent complex which survives gel filtration. There is no evidence for the alkylation of the corrin metal by the substrate analog. The enzyme.AdoCbl complex is thus able to eliminate an amino group from a substrate analog without the formation of a new alkyl cobalamin in which the analog is a ligand. These observations do not support the participation of what might be termed \"substratylcobalamin\" as an intermediate in the ammonia migration occurring in reactions catalyzed by ethanolamine ammonia-lyase.", "PMID": 624717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5646", "title": "Expression of functionality of alpha-chymotrypsin. An alternate binding mode in the substrate specificity site.", "content": "Three-dimensional 2.8 A resolution x-ray crystallographic studies show that toluenesulfonamide and pipsylamide bind isomorphously in the aromatic specificity binding site of alpha-chymotrypsin. However, their orientation differs by about 90 degrees from that usually associated with substrate-like molecules, suggesting a nonproductive binding mode. A secondary binding site is also operative in one molecule of the dimer of the pipsylamide derivative and it is located some 22 A from the active site; however, this site is not operative in the toluenesulfonamide derivative. Binding of toluenesulfonamide and pipsylamide in the specificity site occurs without inducing any significant changes in the native enzyme structure, in contrast to the behavior observed upon tosylation or upon transition state analogue binding of phenylethaneboronic acid. The structural changes accompanying the formation of the latter derivatives are generally asymmetric with respect to the dimeric structure of alpha-chymotrypsin and are generally confined to the binding domain or cylinder 2 of the enzyme (sequence greater than 122). These changes are displayed in a new way via diagonal distance map representation.", "contents": "Expression of functionality of alpha-chymotrypsin. An alternate binding mode in the substrate specificity site. Three-dimensional 2.8 A resolution x-ray crystallographic studies show that toluenesulfonamide and pipsylamide bind isomorphously in the aromatic specificity binding site of alpha-chymotrypsin. However, their orientation differs by about 90 degrees from that usually associated with substrate-like molecules, suggesting a nonproductive binding mode. A secondary binding site is also operative in one molecule of the dimer of the pipsylamide derivative and it is located some 22 A from the active site; however, this site is not operative in the toluenesulfonamide derivative. Binding of toluenesulfonamide and pipsylamide in the specificity site occurs without inducing any significant changes in the native enzyme structure, in contrast to the behavior observed upon tosylation or upon transition state analogue binding of phenylethaneboronic acid. The structural changes accompanying the formation of the latter derivatives are generally asymmetric with respect to the dimeric structure of alpha-chymotrypsin and are generally confined to the binding domain or cylinder 2 of the enzyme (sequence greater than 122). These changes are displayed in a new way via diagonal distance map representation.", "PMID": 624719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5647", "title": "Studies on the mechanism of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase. The Peptococcus aerogenes enzyme.", "content": "Two conflicting mechanisms have been proposed for formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (EC 6.3.4.3). Detailed studies with a clostridial enzyme support a sequential mechanism, while a stepwise mechanism with formation of a dissociable intermediate has been proposed for the Peptococcus aerogenes synthetase. However, the data supporting the P. aerogenes mechanism were obtained using synthetase of questionable purity and the results supporting the mechanism could be attributed to contaminating activities. Consequently, uncertainty still exists with regard to the enzyme mechanism. To resolve this uncertainty, the P. aerogenes formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase has been purified to homogeneity and used in experiments to reinvestigate the reaction mechanism. The results of P1:ATP, ADP:ATP, and formate:10-formyltetrahydrofolate exchange experiments as well as a steady state kinetic analysis revealed no difference in the mechanisms of the P. aerogenes or clostridial synthetases. The results are inconsistent with a stepwise mechanism involving a dissociable intermediate and consistent only with a sequential mechanism.", "contents": "Studies on the mechanism of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase. The Peptococcus aerogenes enzyme. Two conflicting mechanisms have been proposed for formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (EC 6.3.4.3). Detailed studies with a clostridial enzyme support a sequential mechanism, while a stepwise mechanism with formation of a dissociable intermediate has been proposed for the Peptococcus aerogenes synthetase. However, the data supporting the P. aerogenes mechanism were obtained using synthetase of questionable purity and the results supporting the mechanism could be attributed to contaminating activities. Consequently, uncertainty still exists with regard to the enzyme mechanism. To resolve this uncertainty, the P. aerogenes formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase has been purified to homogeneity and used in experiments to reinvestigate the reaction mechanism. The results of P1:ATP, ADP:ATP, and formate:10-formyltetrahydrofolate exchange experiments as well as a steady state kinetic analysis revealed no difference in the mechanisms of the P. aerogenes or clostridial synthetases. The results are inconsistent with a stepwise mechanism involving a dissociable intermediate and consistent only with a sequential mechanism.", "PMID": 624720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5648", "title": "N4-Acetylcytidine. A previously unidentified labile component of the small subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes.", "content": "The nucleoside content of 18 S rRNA from rat liver is determined under conditions known to prevent the destruction of chemically labile modified nucleosides. Two base-modified nucleosides, not completely identified before, are shown to be N6-methyladenosine and 7-methylguanosine. The results further demonstrate the presence of a hitherto unidentified component of 18 S rRNA whose spectra and chromatographic properties are identical with that of N4-acetylcytidine. In addition, this compound is not detectable in 28 S rRNA nor in 16 S rRNA derived from the small ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. However, it appears to be conserved in the small ribosomal subunit of eukaryotes, since it is also present in yeast 17 S rRNA and chicken liver 18 S rRNA.", "contents": "N4-Acetylcytidine. A previously unidentified labile component of the small subunit of eukaryotic ribosomes. The nucleoside content of 18 S rRNA from rat liver is determined under conditions known to prevent the destruction of chemically labile modified nucleosides. Two base-modified nucleosides, not completely identified before, are shown to be N6-methyladenosine and 7-methylguanosine. The results further demonstrate the presence of a hitherto unidentified component of 18 S rRNA whose spectra and chromatographic properties are identical with that of N4-acetylcytidine. In addition, this compound is not detectable in 28 S rRNA nor in 16 S rRNA derived from the small ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli. However, it appears to be conserved in the small ribosomal subunit of eukaryotes, since it is also present in yeast 17 S rRNA and chicken liver 18 S rRNA.", "PMID": 624721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5649", "title": "Amino acid sequence of rabbit skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin. The COOH-terminal half (residues 142 to 284).", "content": "Amino acid sequence analysis of the large cyanogen bromide fragment (residues 142 to 281) derived from the COOH-terminal half of the mixed tropomyosin population of rabbit skeletal muscle has been carried out. The isolation and sequence analysis of peptides derived from chymotryptic digests and from tryptic digests of the maleylated fragment permitted the alignment of the complete sequence except for the assignment of acids or amides at residues 142, 144, and 145. Selected peptides from a Myxobacter 495 alpha-lytic protease digest have confirmed certain overlaps. Based on previously published data the sequence can be extended to residue 284, the COOH-terminal end of the protein. In fourteen positions, amino acid substitutions have been observed. In one of these (residue 199) the sequence evidence indicates a minimum of four different polypeptide chains in the mixed tropomyosin population. The assignment of particular amino acid residues to these positions for the major alpha-component of rabbit skeletal tropomyosin has been based on the relative recoveries of peptides containing different residues in these positions.", "contents": "Amino acid sequence of rabbit skeletal muscle alpha-tropomyosin. The COOH-terminal half (residues 142 to 284). Amino acid sequence analysis of the large cyanogen bromide fragment (residues 142 to 281) derived from the COOH-terminal half of the mixed tropomyosin population of rabbit skeletal muscle has been carried out. The isolation and sequence analysis of peptides derived from chymotryptic digests and from tryptic digests of the maleylated fragment permitted the alignment of the complete sequence except for the assignment of acids or amides at residues 142, 144, and 145. Selected peptides from a Myxobacter 495 alpha-lytic protease digest have confirmed certain overlaps. Based on previously published data the sequence can be extended to residue 284, the COOH-terminal end of the protein. In fourteen positions, amino acid substitutions have been observed. In one of these (residue 199) the sequence evidence indicates a minimum of four different polypeptide chains in the mixed tropomyosin population. The assignment of particular amino acid residues to these positions for the major alpha-component of rabbit skeletal tropomyosin has been based on the relative recoveries of peptides containing different residues in these positions.", "PMID": 624723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5650", "title": "The amino acid sequence of rabbit skeletal alpha-tropomyosin. The NH2-terminal half and complete sequence.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of the large cyanogen bromide fragment (residues 11 to 127) derived from the NH2-terminal half of alpha-tropomyosin has been determined. This was achieved by automatic sequence analysis of the whole fragment as well as manual sequencing of fragments derived from tryptic digestion of the maleylated fragment and thermolytic, Myxobacter 495 alpha-lytic and Staphylococcus aureus protease digestion of the unmodified fragment. Methionine-containing overlap peptides have been isolated from tryptic digests of the maleylated protein as well as from S. aureus protease digests of the unmodified protein. Coupled with previously published information on the small cyanogen bromide fragments and methionine sequences of tropomyosin, these analyses have permitted the completion of the primary structure of the protein. The complete sequence differs by only 1 residue (Gln-24 instead of Glu-24) from that previously reported. Analysis of the sequence by several authors has permitted rational explanations for the stabilization of its coiled-coil structure, for the existence of its two chains in a nonstaggered arrangement, for a head-to-tail overlap of molecular ends of 8 to 9 residues, for the existence of 14 actin-binding sites on each tropomyosin molecule, and a suggestion for the site of binding of troponin-T.", "contents": "The amino acid sequence of rabbit skeletal alpha-tropomyosin. The NH2-terminal half and complete sequence. The amino acid sequence of the large cyanogen bromide fragment (residues 11 to 127) derived from the NH2-terminal half of alpha-tropomyosin has been determined. This was achieved by automatic sequence analysis of the whole fragment as well as manual sequencing of fragments derived from tryptic digestion of the maleylated fragment and thermolytic, Myxobacter 495 alpha-lytic and Staphylococcus aureus protease digestion of the unmodified fragment. Methionine-containing overlap peptides have been isolated from tryptic digests of the maleylated protein as well as from S. aureus protease digests of the unmodified protein. Coupled with previously published information on the small cyanogen bromide fragments and methionine sequences of tropomyosin, these analyses have permitted the completion of the primary structure of the protein. The complete sequence differs by only 1 residue (Gln-24 instead of Glu-24) from that previously reported. Analysis of the sequence by several authors has permitted rational explanations for the stabilization of its coiled-coil structure, for the existence of its two chains in a nonstaggered arrangement, for a head-to-tail overlap of molecular ends of 8 to 9 residues, for the existence of 14 actin-binding sites on each tropomyosin molecule, and a suggestion for the site of binding of troponin-T.", "PMID": 624724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5651", "title": "Respiration of hydrogenosomes of Tritrichomonas foetus. II. Effect of CoA on pyruvate oxidation.", "content": "Hydrogenosomes of the anaerobic flagellate Tritrichomonas foetus can use oxygen as terminal electron acceptor in pyruvate metabolism. In particles broken with the detergent, Triton X-100 or by repeated freezing and thawing, pyruvate-supported respiration is greatly enhanced by coenzyme A. Additions of small amounts of CoA result in a phenomenon resembling respiratory control. ADP and GDP also have a stimulatory effect; however, the rate of respiration in the presence of saturating concentrations of CoA is always much higher than with saturating concentrations of ADP or GDP. The results suggest that the availability of CoA as acetyl acceptor is the primary controlling factor of pyruvate oxidation and that the observed effect of nucleotide diphosphates (Cerkasov, J., Cerkasovov\u00e1, A., Kulda, J., and Vilhelmov\u00e1, D. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 1207-1214) is explained by their participation in reactions that liberate CoA from acyl-CoA complexes in connection with substrate level phosphorylation.", "contents": "Respiration of hydrogenosomes of Tritrichomonas foetus. II. Effect of CoA on pyruvate oxidation. Hydrogenosomes of the anaerobic flagellate Tritrichomonas foetus can use oxygen as terminal electron acceptor in pyruvate metabolism. In particles broken with the detergent, Triton X-100 or by repeated freezing and thawing, pyruvate-supported respiration is greatly enhanced by coenzyme A. Additions of small amounts of CoA result in a phenomenon resembling respiratory control. ADP and GDP also have a stimulatory effect; however, the rate of respiration in the presence of saturating concentrations of CoA is always much higher than with saturating concentrations of ADP or GDP. The results suggest that the availability of CoA as acetyl acceptor is the primary controlling factor of pyruvate oxidation and that the observed effect of nucleotide diphosphates (Cerkasov, J., Cerkasovov\u00e1, A., Kulda, J., and Vilhelmov\u00e1, D. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 1207-1214) is explained by their participation in reactions that liberate CoA from acyl-CoA complexes in connection with substrate level phosphorylation.", "PMID": 624726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5652", "title": "Vectorial production of adenosine by 5'-nucleotidase in the perfused rat heart.", "content": "Rat hearts were perfused simultaneously with [8-3H] AMP and [8-14C]adenosine. [8-3H] AMP was hydrolzyed by 5'-nucleotidase to produce intra- and extracellular [8-3H] adenosine. Comparison of the specific activities of [3H]- and [14C]adenosine in the heart cells with the specific activities of [3H]- and [14C]adenosine in the effluent perfusate showed that much more [3H]adenosine accumulated in the tissue than would be expected if extracellular adenosine were the immediate precursor of intracellular adenosine. Conversely, perfusion of rat hearts with [8-14C]AMP and [8-3H]adenosine led to a much greater accumulation of intracellular [14C]adenosine than would be expected from an uptake of adenosine from the perfusate. These results are interpreted to be due to hydrolysis of extracellular AMP by 5'-nucleotidase, located in the plasma membrane, and release of the resulting adenosine inside the cell. Measurements of the specific activities of 3H and 14C in ATP, ADP, AMP, and inosine support this interpretation.", "contents": "Vectorial production of adenosine by 5'-nucleotidase in the perfused rat heart. Rat hearts were perfused simultaneously with [8-3H] AMP and [8-14C]adenosine. [8-3H] AMP was hydrolzyed by 5'-nucleotidase to produce intra- and extracellular [8-3H] adenosine. Comparison of the specific activities of [3H]- and [14C]adenosine in the heart cells with the specific activities of [3H]- and [14C]adenosine in the effluent perfusate showed that much more [3H]adenosine accumulated in the tissue than would be expected if extracellular adenosine were the immediate precursor of intracellular adenosine. Conversely, perfusion of rat hearts with [8-14C]AMP and [8-3H]adenosine led to a much greater accumulation of intracellular [14C]adenosine than would be expected from an uptake of adenosine from the perfusate. These results are interpreted to be due to hydrolysis of extracellular AMP by 5'-nucleotidase, located in the plasma membrane, and release of the resulting adenosine inside the cell. Measurements of the specific activities of 3H and 14C in ATP, ADP, AMP, and inosine support this interpretation.", "PMID": 624728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5653", "title": "A membrane enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus which catalyzes transpeptidase, carboxypeptidase, and penicillinase activities.", "content": "Staphylococcus aureus H membranes were found to contain four major binding components: Mr = 115,000; Mr = 100,000 doublet; and Mr = 46,000. The low molecular weight protein bound penicillin reversibly and was purified by prebinding membranes with penicillin prior to affinity chromatography. The purified protein catalyzed transpeptidase and carboxypeptidase reactions using di[14C]acetyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine as the substrate and glycine and hydroxylamine as the acceptors. In addition, the enzyme catalyzed a penicillinase reaction. Kinetic analysis of these reactions revealed similar Vmax values suggesting that, if there is a single active site, the rate-determining steps (i.e. deacetylation) are similar. Rapid denaturation of the enzyme.substrate complex resulted in the detection of covalent penicilloyl- and diacetyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl.enzyme complexes by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "contents": "A membrane enzyme from Staphylococcus aureus which catalyzes transpeptidase, carboxypeptidase, and penicillinase activities. Staphylococcus aureus H membranes were found to contain four major binding components: Mr = 115,000; Mr = 100,000 doublet; and Mr = 46,000. The low molecular weight protein bound penicillin reversibly and was purified by prebinding membranes with penicillin prior to affinity chromatography. The purified protein catalyzed transpeptidase and carboxypeptidase reactions using di[14C]acetyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine as the substrate and glycine and hydroxylamine as the acceptors. In addition, the enzyme catalyzed a penicillinase reaction. Kinetic analysis of these reactions revealed similar Vmax values suggesting that, if there is a single active site, the rate-determining steps (i.e. deacetylation) are similar. Rapid denaturation of the enzyme.substrate complex resulted in the detection of covalent penicilloyl- and diacetyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl.enzyme complexes by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "PMID": 624730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5654", "title": "Silkmoth chorion proteins. Their diversity, amino acid composition, and the NH-terminal sequence of one component.", "content": "Silkmoth eggshell (chorion) proteins have been characterized by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gels; up to 33 and 41 components, respectively, were detected from a single chorion. Some of these components are polymorphic, being absent from chorions of certain animals. A system of nomenclature for all chorion proteins is presented, based on their separation on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing gels. The chorion is enriched in glycine, alanine, cysteine, and tyrosine and poor in methionine and histidine. The proteins were fractionated into four partially overlapping groups; all four are enriched in the above amino acids, although significant differences exist. Further fractionation by isoelectric focusing of one of the above groups, s/s, yielded seven components, two of which are homogeneous both on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing gels. The amino acid compositions, molecular weights, and solubility properties of the components share certain features which distinguish s/s as a group from the other three groups. The sequence of the first 67 NH2-terminal residues of a homogeneous protein purified from s/s has been determined. The protein contains a cysteine-rich tail (3 cysteines in the first 18 residues) followed by a 49-residue segment which contains only a single cysteine residue. This latter segment also contains two different tetrapeptide sequences which are each repeated, one twice and the other four times.", "contents": "Silkmoth chorion proteins. Their diversity, amino acid composition, and the NH-terminal sequence of one component. Silkmoth eggshell (chorion) proteins have been characterized by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gels; up to 33 and 41 components, respectively, were detected from a single chorion. Some of these components are polymorphic, being absent from chorions of certain animals. A system of nomenclature for all chorion proteins is presented, based on their separation on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing gels. The chorion is enriched in glycine, alanine, cysteine, and tyrosine and poor in methionine and histidine. The proteins were fractionated into four partially overlapping groups; all four are enriched in the above amino acids, although significant differences exist. Further fractionation by isoelectric focusing of one of the above groups, s/s, yielded seven components, two of which are homogeneous both on sodium dodecyl sulfate and isoelectric focusing gels. The amino acid compositions, molecular weights, and solubility properties of the components share certain features which distinguish s/s as a group from the other three groups. The sequence of the first 67 NH2-terminal residues of a homogeneous protein purified from s/s has been determined. The protein contains a cysteine-rich tail (3 cysteines in the first 18 residues) followed by a 49-residue segment which contains only a single cysteine residue. This latter segment also contains two different tetrapeptide sequences which are each repeated, one twice and the other four times.", "PMID": 624733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5655", "title": "Separation of both the Bbeta- and the gamma-polypeptide chains of human fibrinogen into two main types which differ in sialic acid content.", "content": "The gamma- and Bbeta-polypeptide chains of purified human fibrinogen have each been resolved into two major species: gammaL and gammaR and BbetaL and BbetaR. These molecular variants, separable on CM-cellulose, differ from each other in sialic acid content: approximately 2 residues of sialic acid per molecule of polypeptide chain for the L species to 1 residue of sialic acid per molecule for the R species. The two types of each polypeptide are demonstrable in preparations of fibrinogen from single donors as well as in pooled fibrinogen. The L and R forms of the gamma chains or the Bbeta chains do not differ in their electrophoretic mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, suggesting that they are similar in molecular weight. They are also indistinguishable in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of urea at pH 2.7. Maps of ninhydrin-positive tryptic peptides of the L and R forms of the gamma chain displayed differences within a small group of peptides which have been shown to contain the sialic acid residues present in the gamma-polypeptides. No differences between the peptide maps of BbetaL and BbetaR chains were obvious. A larger ratio of L/R in the gamma and Bbeta chains of dysfibrinogenemia fibrinogen \"Z\u00fcrich II\" than in those of normal fibrinogen explains the higher content of sialic acid measured in the native Z\u00fcrich II fibrinogen molecule.", "contents": "Separation of both the Bbeta- and the gamma-polypeptide chains of human fibrinogen into two main types which differ in sialic acid content. The gamma- and Bbeta-polypeptide chains of purified human fibrinogen have each been resolved into two major species: gammaL and gammaR and BbetaL and BbetaR. These molecular variants, separable on CM-cellulose, differ from each other in sialic acid content: approximately 2 residues of sialic acid per molecule of polypeptide chain for the L species to 1 residue of sialic acid per molecule for the R species. The two types of each polypeptide are demonstrable in preparations of fibrinogen from single donors as well as in pooled fibrinogen. The L and R forms of the gamma chains or the Bbeta chains do not differ in their electrophoretic mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, suggesting that they are similar in molecular weight. They are also indistinguishable in polyacrylamide gels in the presence of urea at pH 2.7. Maps of ninhydrin-positive tryptic peptides of the L and R forms of the gamma chain displayed differences within a small group of peptides which have been shown to contain the sialic acid residues present in the gamma-polypeptides. No differences between the peptide maps of BbetaL and BbetaR chains were obvious. A larger ratio of L/R in the gamma and Bbeta chains of dysfibrinogenemia fibrinogen \"Z\u00fcrich II\" than in those of normal fibrinogen explains the higher content of sialic acid measured in the native Z\u00fcrich II fibrinogen molecule.", "PMID": 624734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5656", "title": "The Bankart procedure: a long-term end-result study.", "content": "Of 161 patients with 162 shoulders operated on during a thirty-year period (1946 to 1976), 124 were re-examined and twenty-one answered a questionnaire. The lesions found at surgery were separation of the capsule from the anterior glenoid rim in 85 per cent, a Hill-Sachs lesion of the humeral head in 77 per cent, and damage to the anterior glenoid rim (including fracture) in 73 per cent. There were five recurrences (3.5 per cent) after repair by the method described in the 145 shoulders that were followed. Only one of the forty-six patients with dislocation on the dominant side and one of the thirty-one with dislocation on the non-dominant side failed to return to the competitive athletic activities in which they participated prior to injury. The results at follow-up were rated excellent in 74 per cent, good in 23 per cent, and poor in 3 per cent. Ninety-eight per cent of the patients rated their result as excellent or good. Sixty-nine per cent of the shoulders had a full range of motion, and only 2 per cent of these shoulders redislocated. A fracture of the rim of the glenoid did not increase the risk of recurrence, while a moderate to severe Hill-Sachs lesion increased the risk only slightly. We concluded that with the meticulous technique of the Bankart repair as described, postoperative immobilization is not necessary, early return of motion and function can be expected, and resumption of athletic activities with no limitation of shoulder motion is possible for most patients.", "contents": "The Bankart procedure: a long-term end-result study. Of 161 patients with 162 shoulders operated on during a thirty-year period (1946 to 1976), 124 were re-examined and twenty-one answered a questionnaire. The lesions found at surgery were separation of the capsule from the anterior glenoid rim in 85 per cent, a Hill-Sachs lesion of the humeral head in 77 per cent, and damage to the anterior glenoid rim (including fracture) in 73 per cent. There were five recurrences (3.5 per cent) after repair by the method described in the 145 shoulders that were followed. Only one of the forty-six patients with dislocation on the dominant side and one of the thirty-one with dislocation on the non-dominant side failed to return to the competitive athletic activities in which they participated prior to injury. The results at follow-up were rated excellent in 74 per cent, good in 23 per cent, and poor in 3 per cent. Ninety-eight per cent of the patients rated their result as excellent or good. Sixty-nine per cent of the shoulders had a full range of motion, and only 2 per cent of these shoulders redislocated. A fracture of the rim of the glenoid did not increase the risk of recurrence, while a moderate to severe Hill-Sachs lesion increased the risk only slightly. We concluded that with the meticulous technique of the Bankart repair as described, postoperative immobilization is not necessary, early return of motion and function can be expected, and resumption of athletic activities with no limitation of shoulder motion is possible for most patients.", "PMID": 624747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5657", "title": "The thigh-lacer: ambulatory non-operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures.", "content": "Thirty patients with fractures of the femoral shaft were treated by closed reduction, tibial-pin traction for three to six weeks, and early ambulation with crutches in a plastic thigh-lacer. Extensive quadriceps-strengthening exercises were performed. When the patient achieved active extension of the knee against gravity, weight-bearing as tolerated was encouraged. All of the fractures united. Follow-up ranged from eight to forty months. Malunion (angulation greater than 10 degrees) occurred in three patients and there was some loss of knee motion (less than 90 degrees of flexion) in one patient. Infection, refracture, non-union, and shortening of greater than two centimeters were not seen. This method of treatment yielded results comparable to those obtained with cast-bracing, without the high incidence of loss of knee motion, angulation, and prolonged cast treatment associated with that form of treatment.", "contents": "The thigh-lacer: ambulatory non-operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures. Thirty patients with fractures of the femoral shaft were treated by closed reduction, tibial-pin traction for three to six weeks, and early ambulation with crutches in a plastic thigh-lacer. Extensive quadriceps-strengthening exercises were performed. When the patient achieved active extension of the knee against gravity, weight-bearing as tolerated was encouraged. All of the fractures united. Follow-up ranged from eight to forty months. Malunion (angulation greater than 10 degrees) occurred in three patients and there was some loss of knee motion (less than 90 degrees of flexion) in one patient. Infection, refracture, non-union, and shortening of greater than two centimeters were not seen. This method of treatment yielded results comparable to those obtained with cast-bracing, without the high incidence of loss of knee motion, angulation, and prolonged cast treatment associated with that form of treatment.", "PMID": 624748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5658", "title": "Open fractures of the tibia: a review of one hundred and two cases.", "content": "One hundred and two consecutive open fractures of the tibial shaft were treated from 1970 to 1976. Four required primary amputation. The remainder received standardized wound care, consisting of surgical d\u00e9bridement and delayed primary wound closure. Soft-tissue injuries were classified according to severity, because the initial injury was the most important prognostic factor. All patients received a seventy-two-hour course of parenteral antibiotics. Fifty-six fractures were managed with cast immobilization, thirty-five with rigid internal fixation, and seven with rigid external pin fixation. The over-all rates of infection (15 per cent) and delayed union (13 per cent) are not directly comparable to other series because one must consider the severity of each injury when analyzing results. Management of the fracture itself should be individualized. The risk of primary wound closure does not appear to be warranted.", "contents": "Open fractures of the tibia: a review of one hundred and two cases. One hundred and two consecutive open fractures of the tibial shaft were treated from 1970 to 1976. Four required primary amputation. The remainder received standardized wound care, consisting of surgical d\u00e9bridement and delayed primary wound closure. Soft-tissue injuries were classified according to severity, because the initial injury was the most important prognostic factor. All patients received a seventy-two-hour course of parenteral antibiotics. Fifty-six fractures were managed with cast immobilization, thirty-five with rigid internal fixation, and seven with rigid external pin fixation. The over-all rates of infection (15 per cent) and delayed union (13 per cent) are not directly comparable to other series because one must consider the severity of each injury when analyzing results. Management of the fracture itself should be individualized. The risk of primary wound closure does not appear to be warranted.", "PMID": 624749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5659", "title": "Posterior iliac osteotomy for fixed pelvic obliquity.", "content": "In nine children with a myelomeningocele and fixed pelvic obliquity due to uncorrectable lumbosacral scoliosis, a bilateral posterior iliac osteotomy was done and a wedge of bone was transferred form the low side to the high side of the pelvis. This produced a mean correction of 14 degrees (41 per cent) of the pelvic obliquity and a mean correction of the trunk list from the midline of seven centimeters (69 per cent). Two to seven-year follow-ups showed that the correction was permanent, without tendency for the obliquity to return as long as the scoliosis did not progress. The procedure resulted in several complications, including fracture of the pelvis and transient sciatic-nerve palsy; however, it provided a means of correcting pelvic obliquity that could not be corrected by standard procedures.", "contents": "Posterior iliac osteotomy for fixed pelvic obliquity. In nine children with a myelomeningocele and fixed pelvic obliquity due to uncorrectable lumbosacral scoliosis, a bilateral posterior iliac osteotomy was done and a wedge of bone was transferred form the low side to the high side of the pelvis. This produced a mean correction of 14 degrees (41 per cent) of the pelvic obliquity and a mean correction of the trunk list from the midline of seven centimeters (69 per cent). Two to seven-year follow-ups showed that the correction was permanent, without tendency for the obliquity to return as long as the scoliosis did not progress. The procedure resulted in several complications, including fracture of the pelvis and transient sciatic-nerve palsy; however, it provided a means of correcting pelvic obliquity that could not be corrected by standard procedures.", "PMID": 624755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5660", "title": "The effects of extraperiosteal and subperiosteal dissection. I. On blood flow in muscle.", "content": "Blood flow was studied in traumatized and untraumatized flexor digitorum longus muscles of rabbits before and after surgical dissection of the periosteum of the tibia. Neither extraperiosteal nor subperiosteal dissection diminished blood flow in untraumatized muscles, but when the muscles had been crushed, only extraperiosteal dissection appeared to severely compromise their collateral circulation. Because subperiosteal dissection did not diminish the blood flow in injured muscles, it seems to offer some advantages as a surgical approach to bone in a severely traumatized extremity.", "contents": "The effects of extraperiosteal and subperiosteal dissection. I. On blood flow in muscle. Blood flow was studied in traumatized and untraumatized flexor digitorum longus muscles of rabbits before and after surgical dissection of the periosteum of the tibia. Neither extraperiosteal nor subperiosteal dissection diminished blood flow in untraumatized muscles, but when the muscles had been crushed, only extraperiosteal dissection appeared to severely compromise their collateral circulation. Because subperiosteal dissection did not diminish the blood flow in injured muscles, it seems to offer some advantages as a surgical approach to bone in a severely traumatized extremity.", "PMID": 624756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5661", "title": "The effects of extraperiosteal and subperiosteal dissection. II. On fracture healing.", "content": "The effects of subperiosteal and extraperiosteal dissection on the healing of tibial osteotomies were studied in fourteen rabbits killed three weeks after the osteotomy. Of the tibiae exposed subperiosteally, 71 per cent healed; of those exposed extraperiosteally, only 7 per cent had solid union. The first group had a significantly lower level of hydroxyproline in the callus and higher values for breaking load, breaking strength, and absorption of energy to failure. In ten animals that also had muscle transection at the osteotomy site, the rate and type of healing was similar whether no dissection, subperiosteal dissection, or extraperiosteal dissection had been done, but the callus showed lower calcium levels and higher hydroxyproline levels than in either of the groups with muscle trauma. This implies retardation of healing caused by muscle injury. Our data suggest that in the absence of muscle damage, subperiosteal dissection results in earlier healing than does extraperiosteal dissection. Muscle transection markedly retards healing; then, after transection, neither type of dissection appears to retard healing more than the other.", "contents": "The effects of extraperiosteal and subperiosteal dissection. II. On fracture healing. The effects of subperiosteal and extraperiosteal dissection on the healing of tibial osteotomies were studied in fourteen rabbits killed three weeks after the osteotomy. Of the tibiae exposed subperiosteally, 71 per cent healed; of those exposed extraperiosteally, only 7 per cent had solid union. The first group had a significantly lower level of hydroxyproline in the callus and higher values for breaking load, breaking strength, and absorption of energy to failure. In ten animals that also had muscle transection at the osteotomy site, the rate and type of healing was similar whether no dissection, subperiosteal dissection, or extraperiosteal dissection had been done, but the callus showed lower calcium levels and higher hydroxyproline levels than in either of the groups with muscle trauma. This implies retardation of healing caused by muscle injury. Our data suggest that in the absence of muscle damage, subperiosteal dissection results in earlier healing than does extraperiosteal dissection. Muscle transection markedly retards healing; then, after transection, neither type of dissection appears to retard healing more than the other.", "PMID": 624757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5662", "title": "Mechanical response of the lumbar intervertebral joint under physiological (complex) loading.", "content": "Nineteen fresh, intact lumbar intervertebral joints (two vertebrae and the intervening joint) from twelve spines were loaded in a materials testing machine to determine their mechanical behavior. The loads applied were pure axial compression and complex loading conditions simulating physiological states. The measurements made included vertical load deflection, disc bulge, and strains in both the anterior and the lateral aspects of the vertebral body and in one lamina. The results showed that the posterior elements transmit considerable force during quasistatic complex loading, particularly in extension and frontal shear. When a healthy specimen is subjected to complex loading, \"yielding or failure\" occurs in the vertebral body and not in the annulus fibrosus of the disc.", "contents": "Mechanical response of the lumbar intervertebral joint under physiological (complex) loading. Nineteen fresh, intact lumbar intervertebral joints (two vertebrae and the intervening joint) from twelve spines were loaded in a materials testing machine to determine their mechanical behavior. The loads applied were pure axial compression and complex loading conditions simulating physiological states. The measurements made included vertical load deflection, disc bulge, and strains in both the anterior and the lateral aspects of the vertebral body and in one lamina. The results showed that the posterior elements transmit considerable force during quasistatic complex loading, particularly in extension and frontal shear. When a healthy specimen is subjected to complex loading, \"yielding or failure\" occurs in the vertebral body and not in the annulus fibrosus of the disc.", "PMID": 624758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5663", "title": "The abnormal lateral patellofemoral angle: a diagnostic roentgenographic sign of recurrent patellar subluxation.", "content": "On roentgenograms made with the patient supine, the knees flexed 20 to 30 degrees, the x-ray tube between the ankles, and the cassette held proximal to the knees and perpendicular to the x-ray beam, it was found that a line between the femoral condyles and a line between the margins of the lateral facet of the patella formed the lateral patellofemoral angle, an angle that was of diagnostic value in patients with subluxation of the patella. In 100 clinically normal patients, these lines were parallel in three and formed an angle open laterally in ninety-seven. In thirty patients with subluxation of the patella, the lines were parallel in twenty-four and formed an angle open medially in six. In 100 patients with chondromalacia of the patella, however, the roentgenographic study was of no diagnostic value since the lines were parallel in ten and formed an angle open laterally in ninety.", "contents": "The abnormal lateral patellofemoral angle: a diagnostic roentgenographic sign of recurrent patellar subluxation. On roentgenograms made with the patient supine, the knees flexed 20 to 30 degrees, the x-ray tube between the ankles, and the cassette held proximal to the knees and perpendicular to the x-ray beam, it was found that a line between the femoral condyles and a line between the margins of the lateral facet of the patella formed the lateral patellofemoral angle, an angle that was of diagnostic value in patients with subluxation of the patella. In 100 clinically normal patients, these lines were parallel in three and formed an angle open laterally in ninety-seven. In thirty patients with subluxation of the patella, the lines were parallel in twenty-four and formed an angle open medially in six. In 100 patients with chondromalacia of the patella, however, the roentgenographic study was of no diagnostic value since the lines were parallel in ten and formed an angle open laterally in ninety.", "PMID": 624759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5664", "title": "Ligament repair in the knee with preservation of the meniscus.", "content": "In early surgical repair of forty acute ruptures of the medial ligament of the knee in patients sixteen to twenty-four years old, the meniscus was resutured when it was avulsed from the bone and was excised only when there was central disruption (three knees). Follow-up of one to six years in thirty-six patients whose menisci were preserved showed that thirty-three had no limitations due to knee impairment. Twenty-six patients were re-examined; sixteen had no medial instability and twenty-one had no anterior rotatory instability. We concluded that in the absence of significant advantage from meniscectomy, an intact meniscus should not be removed.", "contents": "Ligament repair in the knee with preservation of the meniscus. In early surgical repair of forty acute ruptures of the medial ligament of the knee in patients sixteen to twenty-four years old, the meniscus was resutured when it was avulsed from the bone and was excised only when there was central disruption (three knees). Follow-up of one to six years in thirty-six patients whose menisci were preserved showed that thirty-three had no limitations due to knee impairment. Twenty-six patients were re-examined; sixteen had no medial instability and twenty-one had no anterior rotatory instability. We concluded that in the absence of significant advantage from meniscectomy, an intact meniscus should not be removed.", "PMID": 624760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5665", "title": "Some normal variations of knee arthrograms and their anatomical significance.", "content": "Knees obtained after amputation were fixed with formalin after the joint space was distended with air. The joints were then either dissected or frozen and sectioned vertically with a band saw in planes comparable to those visualized during arthrography. By comparing these anatomical specimens and arthrograms, the anatomical explanations for some normal variations visible or arthrograms could be identified. These variations included the appearance of the popliteus tendon and the posterior part of the lateral meniscus, the air-filled cul-de-sac posterior to the medial meniscus, and the interconnections of the joint space and the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus bursae.", "contents": "Some normal variations of knee arthrograms and their anatomical significance. Knees obtained after amputation were fixed with formalin after the joint space was distended with air. The joints were then either dissected or frozen and sectioned vertically with a band saw in planes comparable to those visualized during arthrography. By comparing these anatomical specimens and arthrograms, the anatomical explanations for some normal variations visible or arthrograms could be identified. These variations included the appearance of the popliteus tendon and the posterior part of the lateral meniscus, the air-filled cul-de-sac posterior to the medial meniscus, and the interconnections of the joint space and the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus bursae.", "PMID": 624761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5666", "title": "Proximal strain distribution in the loaded femur. An in vitro comparison of the distributions in the intact femur and after insertion of different hip-replacement femoral components.", "content": "The distribution of strain in the proximal part of loaded cadaver femora was measured in vitro using strain gauges applied to the cortex. The loading conditions simulated single-limb stance and the strains were recorded first with the femora intact and then with the femoral components of six different designs inserted. Each femur served as its own control. After insertion of a femoral component, the pattern of strain in the proximal part of the femur was reversed compared with that in the intact femur, in that the maximum strain occurred around the tip of the prosthesis rather than at the calcar femorale. A massive decrease in stress in the region of the calcar femorale was found when the implants were in place, and it was concluded that this decrease could contribute substantially to the calcar femorale resorption sometimes observed in patients after total hip replacement. Transfer of load directly to the calcar femorale through a larger collar in direct contact with the cortical bone restored 30 to 40 per cent of the normal strain to the calcar femorale and shifted the strain pattern toward normal. Compared with the less stiff stems tested, the larger, stiffer stems, which provide more protection against fatigue failure, did not affect the strain pattern adversely.", "contents": "Proximal strain distribution in the loaded femur. An in vitro comparison of the distributions in the intact femur and after insertion of different hip-replacement femoral components. The distribution of strain in the proximal part of loaded cadaver femora was measured in vitro using strain gauges applied to the cortex. The loading conditions simulated single-limb stance and the strains were recorded first with the femora intact and then with the femoral components of six different designs inserted. Each femur served as its own control. After insertion of a femoral component, the pattern of strain in the proximal part of the femur was reversed compared with that in the intact femur, in that the maximum strain occurred around the tip of the prosthesis rather than at the calcar femorale. A massive decrease in stress in the region of the calcar femorale was found when the implants were in place, and it was concluded that this decrease could contribute substantially to the calcar femorale resorption sometimes observed in patients after total hip replacement. Transfer of load directly to the calcar femorale through a larger collar in direct contact with the cortical bone restored 30 to 40 per cent of the normal strain to the calcar femorale and shifted the strain pattern toward normal. Compared with the less stiff stems tested, the larger, stiffer stems, which provide more protection against fatigue failure, did not affect the strain pattern adversely.", "PMID": 624762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5667", "title": "Occupational acro-osteolysis.", "content": "Occupational acro-osteolysis is a serious disease definitely related to the inhalation of agents involved in the polymerization of vinyl chloride. After variable periods of latency, the more or less characteristic clinical picture appears. A Raynaud's phenomenon is usually a premonitory sign indicating that alterations in bone will probably ensue. Scleroderma-like skin lesions and systemic involvement of variable degree occur frequently. The pathophysiology of the disease is unknown, but obstructive lesions of small peripheral arteries are thought to cause osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers.", "contents": "Occupational acro-osteolysis. Occupational acro-osteolysis is a serious disease definitely related to the inhalation of agents involved in the polymerization of vinyl chloride. After variable periods of latency, the more or less characteristic clinical picture appears. A Raynaud's phenomenon is usually a premonitory sign indicating that alterations in bone will probably ensue. Scleroderma-like skin lesions and systemic involvement of variable degree occur frequently. The pathophysiology of the disease is unknown, but obstructive lesions of small peripheral arteries are thought to cause osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers.", "PMID": 624763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5668", "title": "Bone-lengthening for shortness of the fourth toe.", "content": "Short fourth metatarsals were observed in 102 patients, often bilaterally. Forty-six of these patients were treated by variations on Jinnaka's bone-lengthening method--that is, interposing a spindle-shaped bone graft within the metatarsophalangeal joint. We examined twenty-six patients clinically and roentgenographically after a follow-up averaging 11.4 years. Satisfactory results were obtained in 74.4 per cent.", "contents": "Bone-lengthening for shortness of the fourth toe. Short fourth metatarsals were observed in 102 patients, often bilaterally. Forty-six of these patients were treated by variations on Jinnaka's bone-lengthening method--that is, interposing a spindle-shaped bone graft within the metatarsophalangeal joint. We examined twenty-six patients clinically and roentgenographically after a follow-up averaging 11.4 years. Satisfactory results were obtained in 74.4 per cent.", "PMID": 624764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5669", "title": "Concentration of antibiotics in normal bone after intravenous injection.", "content": "The concentrations in serum, cancellous bone, and cortical bone of three antibiotics--nafcillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin--were measured in eleven normal dogs. All antibiotics rapidly penetrated into bone. The peak concentration in serum was reached within twenty minutes of intravenous injections, and the concentration in bone generally paralleled that in serum. Cancellous bone had higher concentrations than did cortical bone because of the admixture of blood.", "contents": "Concentration of antibiotics in normal bone after intravenous injection. The concentrations in serum, cancellous bone, and cortical bone of three antibiotics--nafcillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin--were measured in eleven normal dogs. All antibiotics rapidly penetrated into bone. The peak concentration in serum was reached within twenty minutes of intravenous injections, and the concentration in bone generally paralleled that in serum. Cancellous bone had higher concentrations than did cortical bone because of the admixture of blood.", "PMID": 624765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5670", "title": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in operations on trochanteric femoral fractures.", "content": "Short-term prophylaxis against infection using cephalothin and cephalexin was studied in 140 patients operated on for trochanteric fractures of the femur. The group given the drug during preparation for anesthesia, intraoperatively, and for two days postoperatively had an infection rate of 1.8 per cent (one patient), whereas the group without prophylaxis had a rate of 16.9 per cent (twelve patients). The two groups were similar with regard to factors that may have influenced the infection rate, for example, age, time required for surgery, and blood loss. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infecting organism, but several patients had mixed infections with intestinal bacteria.", "contents": "Antibiotic prophylaxis in operations on trochanteric femoral fractures. Short-term prophylaxis against infection using cephalothin and cephalexin was studied in 140 patients operated on for trochanteric fractures of the femur. The group given the drug during preparation for anesthesia, intraoperatively, and for two days postoperatively had an infection rate of 1.8 per cent (one patient), whereas the group without prophylaxis had a rate of 16.9 per cent (twelve patients). The two groups were similar with regard to factors that may have influenced the infection rate, for example, age, time required for surgery, and blood loss. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infecting organism, but several patients had mixed infections with intestinal bacteria.", "PMID": 624766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5671", "title": "Affinity chromatography of proteases of hydroxyalkyl methacrylate gels with covalently attached inhibitors.", "content": "The efficient isolation of trypsin and chymotrypsin from a crude pancreatic extract was achieved by affinity chromatography on specific adsorbents prepared by coupling of both naturally occurring protease inhibitors and also synthetic low-molecular-weight protease inhibitors to hydroxyalkyl methacrylate gels. Specific sorbents prepared with synthetic inhibitors are stable and are suitable for the isolation of chymotrypsin and trypsin even on a large scale.", "contents": "Affinity chromatography of proteases of hydroxyalkyl methacrylate gels with covalently attached inhibitors. The efficient isolation of trypsin and chymotrypsin from a crude pancreatic extract was achieved by affinity chromatography on specific adsorbents prepared by coupling of both naturally occurring protease inhibitors and also synthetic low-molecular-weight protease inhibitors to hydroxyalkyl methacrylate gels. Specific sorbents prepared with synthetic inhibitors are stable and are suitable for the isolation of chymotrypsin and trypsin even on a large scale.", "PMID": 624767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5672", "title": "Tryptophan and hydrogen sulfide reaction from modified trypticase soy agar.", "content": "The use of Trypticase soy agar modified by the addition of 0.05% ferric ammonium citrate and 0.01% sodium thiosulfate for the determination of indole, phenylpyruvic acid, anthranilate, kynurenine, and hydrogen sulfide reactions is described.", "contents": "Tryptophan and hydrogen sulfide reaction from modified trypticase soy agar. The use of Trypticase soy agar modified by the addition of 0.05% ferric ammonium citrate and 0.01% sodium thiosulfate for the determination of indole, phenylpyruvic acid, anthranilate, kynurenine, and hydrogen sulfide reactions is described.", "PMID": 624768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5673", "title": "Rapid diagnosis of gram-negative bacterial meningitis by the Limulus endotoxin assay.", "content": "The Limulus amoebocyte lysate endotoxin assay was evaluated as a method for rapid diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in a series of 305 patients. The results of Limulus assays on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these patients were compared with the results for each patient of routine bacterial cultures and Gram stains. Positive Limulus tests were obtained on initial CSF specimens from 84% of patients with culture-proven bacterial meningitis, including all patients with meningitis due to gram-negative organisms. Initial Gram-stained smears revealed the presence of organisms in 68% of the patients. One patient with pneumococcal meningitis had a weakly positive Limulus assay, whereas patients with meningitis due to other gram-positive organisms, those with aseptic meningitis, or patients without meningitis had negative CSF Limulus tests. The Limulus assay also demonstrated the persistence of endotoxin in the CSF of certain patients during antibiotic therapy, especially patients with Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. The Limulus test proved to be a rapid, reliable indicator of the presence of gram-negative organisms in the CSF of patients suspected of acute bacterial meningitis.", "contents": "Rapid diagnosis of gram-negative bacterial meningitis by the Limulus endotoxin assay. The Limulus amoebocyte lysate endotoxin assay was evaluated as a method for rapid diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in a series of 305 patients. The results of Limulus assays on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from these patients were compared with the results for each patient of routine bacterial cultures and Gram stains. Positive Limulus tests were obtained on initial CSF specimens from 84% of patients with culture-proven bacterial meningitis, including all patients with meningitis due to gram-negative organisms. Initial Gram-stained smears revealed the presence of organisms in 68% of the patients. One patient with pneumococcal meningitis had a weakly positive Limulus assay, whereas patients with meningitis due to other gram-positive organisms, those with aseptic meningitis, or patients without meningitis had negative CSF Limulus tests. The Limulus assay also demonstrated the persistence of endotoxin in the CSF of certain patients during antibiotic therapy, especially patients with Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. The Limulus test proved to be a rapid, reliable indicator of the presence of gram-negative organisms in the CSF of patients suspected of acute bacterial meningitis.", "PMID": 624769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5674", "title": "Persistence of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies after postnatal rubella infection determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay.", "content": "The appearance and persistence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies in postnatal rubella infections were studied by employing a solid-phase radioimmunoassay test. Altogether, 222 serial serum specimens from 51 patients with acute rubella infection were tested. Both IgG and IgM antibodies developed rapidly and appeared in all patients within 4 days after the onset of rash. In some patients, the IgM antibodies clearly preceded the IgG antibodies; however, the reverse situation was also noticed in a few cases. The IgG antibodies showed only minor changes after 8 to 10 days from the onset of rash. The IgM titers also reached a maximum level at approximately 8 to 10 days after the onset of rash, after which time a rapid decrease was normally seen. The mean half-life of IgM antibodies after 15 days from the onset of rash was 4.5 days, giving for IgM antibodies persistence times from 43 to approximately 80 days. Two patients with a prolonged IgM antibody response were detected. One of these patients had bilateral arthritis of the knee as a complication, whereas in the other patient no complication caused by rubella virus was detected. The IgM antibody response and its value in diagnosis are discussed.", "contents": "Persistence of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies after postnatal rubella infection determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. The appearance and persistence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies in postnatal rubella infections were studied by employing a solid-phase radioimmunoassay test. Altogether, 222 serial serum specimens from 51 patients with acute rubella infection were tested. Both IgG and IgM antibodies developed rapidly and appeared in all patients within 4 days after the onset of rash. In some patients, the IgM antibodies clearly preceded the IgG antibodies; however, the reverse situation was also noticed in a few cases. The IgG antibodies showed only minor changes after 8 to 10 days from the onset of rash. The IgM titers also reached a maximum level at approximately 8 to 10 days after the onset of rash, after which time a rapid decrease was normally seen. The mean half-life of IgM antibodies after 15 days from the onset of rash was 4.5 days, giving for IgM antibodies persistence times from 43 to approximately 80 days. Two patients with a prolonged IgM antibody response were detected. One of these patients had bilateral arthritis of the knee as a complication, whereas in the other patient no complication caused by rubella virus was detected. The IgM antibody response and its value in diagnosis are discussed.", "PMID": 624770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5675", "title": "Pseudomonas putrefaciens as a cause of bacteremia in humans.", "content": "Pseudomonas putrefaciens has been presented as an opportunistic pathogen in a few isolations from humans. This is the first documented report of a local infection of P. putrefaciens complicated by invasion of the blood stream. The organism was twice isolated from the blood culture and once from the wound exudate of a 73-year-old woman hospitalized for extensive ulcerations on the legs. Parenteral ampicillin and gentamicin together with local antiseptic treatment led to an uneventful recovery.", "contents": "Pseudomonas putrefaciens as a cause of bacteremia in humans. Pseudomonas putrefaciens has been presented as an opportunistic pathogen in a few isolations from humans. This is the first documented report of a local infection of P. putrefaciens complicated by invasion of the blood stream. The organism was twice isolated from the blood culture and once from the wound exudate of a 73-year-old woman hospitalized for extensive ulcerations on the legs. Parenteral ampicillin and gentamicin together with local antiseptic treatment led to an uneventful recovery.", "PMID": 624771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5676", "title": "Use of bacteriophage typing to distinguish Propionibacterium acne types I and II.", "content": "Strains of serotypes I and II of Propionibacterium were compared for phage sensitivity. The two serotypes could be distinguished by using a typing set consisting of 16 bacteriophages at concentrations that demonstrated selective lysis of serotype I or II bacterial strains. Seven phage types were found; three were composed exclusively of serotype I, and four were exclusively composed of serotype II organisms. Generally, serotype I strains were more sensitive to phage lysis than were serotype II strains. No correlation was found between phage type and site of isolation.", "contents": "Use of bacteriophage typing to distinguish Propionibacterium acne types I and II. Strains of serotypes I and II of Propionibacterium were compared for phage sensitivity. The two serotypes could be distinguished by using a typing set consisting of 16 bacteriophages at concentrations that demonstrated selective lysis of serotype I or II bacterial strains. Seven phage types were found; three were composed exclusively of serotype I, and four were exclusively composed of serotype II organisms. Generally, serotype I strains were more sensitive to phage lysis than were serotype II strains. No correlation was found between phage type and site of isolation.", "PMID": 624772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5677", "title": "Bioavailability of oral and intramuscular phenobarbital.", "content": "The absorption of phenobarbital was compared in healthy adult subjects after oral and intramuscular therapeutic doses. Serum levels of phenobarbital were determined for 21 days after dosing by means of radioimmunoassay. Serum levels were similar from both dosage routes, with peak levels occurring at 1-3 hours after dosing and then declining slowly with an elimination half-life of about 90 hours. The overall efficiency of phenobarbital absorption from intramuscular doses was approximately 80 per cent of that from equivalent oral doses. Except in cases where oral dosing is not appropriate, there is no clinical advantage in giving phenobarbital intramuscularly to adult patients.", "contents": "Bioavailability of oral and intramuscular phenobarbital. The absorption of phenobarbital was compared in healthy adult subjects after oral and intramuscular therapeutic doses. Serum levels of phenobarbital were determined for 21 days after dosing by means of radioimmunoassay. Serum levels were similar from both dosage routes, with peak levels occurring at 1-3 hours after dosing and then declining slowly with an elimination half-life of about 90 hours. The overall efficiency of phenobarbital absorption from intramuscular doses was approximately 80 per cent of that from equivalent oral doses. Except in cases where oral dosing is not appropriate, there is no clinical advantage in giving phenobarbital intramuscularly to adult patients.", "PMID": 624773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5678", "title": "Plasma protein binding of d-propoxyphene in normal subjects and anephric patients.", "content": "The free fraction of d-propoxyphene in the plasma of normal subjects is 0.24 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- S.D.) and is not concentration dependent in the usual therapeutic and toxic conentration range. Renal failure and relatively high concentrations of d-norpropoxyphene, the major metabolite of d-propoxyphene, have no significant effect on the plasma protein binding of d-propoxyphene.", "contents": "Plasma protein binding of d-propoxyphene in normal subjects and anephric patients. The free fraction of d-propoxyphene in the plasma of normal subjects is 0.24 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- S.D.) and is not concentration dependent in the usual therapeutic and toxic conentration range. Renal failure and relatively high concentrations of d-norpropoxyphene, the major metabolite of d-propoxyphene, have no significant effect on the plasma protein binding of d-propoxyphene.", "PMID": 624774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5679", "title": "Acute massive chloral hydrate intoxication treated with hemodialysis: a clinical pharmacokinetic analysis.", "content": "A 38-year-old female became comatose and exhibited signs of cardiac toxicity 2 hours after ingestion of approximately 38 Gm chloral hydrate. Hemodialysis was initiated 21 hours after ingestion, using twin coils in series, and was continued for 4.5 hours. Trichloroethanol, the active metabolite of chloral hydrate, was measured in plasma and dialysate. Two hours after ingestion, the plasma level was 330 micrograms/ml (average therapeutic level is 12 micrograms/ml or less). The predialysis level was 216 micrograms/ml and after dialysis declined to 141 micrograms/ml. The pre- and post-plasma half-life values were 35 hours, while on dialysis the half-life was only 6 hours. The average dialysis clearance was 120 ml/minute, and the amount of chloral hydrate removed by dialysis was 5.79 Gm. By the end of dialysis, the patient could respond to verbal commands and was ambulatory 36 hours later. In conclusion, hemodialysis can be a clinically important method of treating chloral hydrate overdose.", "contents": "Acute massive chloral hydrate intoxication treated with hemodialysis: a clinical pharmacokinetic analysis. A 38-year-old female became comatose and exhibited signs of cardiac toxicity 2 hours after ingestion of approximately 38 Gm chloral hydrate. Hemodialysis was initiated 21 hours after ingestion, using twin coils in series, and was continued for 4.5 hours. Trichloroethanol, the active metabolite of chloral hydrate, was measured in plasma and dialysate. Two hours after ingestion, the plasma level was 330 micrograms/ml (average therapeutic level is 12 micrograms/ml or less). The predialysis level was 216 micrograms/ml and after dialysis declined to 141 micrograms/ml. The pre- and post-plasma half-life values were 35 hours, while on dialysis the half-life was only 6 hours. The average dialysis clearance was 120 ml/minute, and the amount of chloral hydrate removed by dialysis was 5.79 Gm. By the end of dialysis, the patient could respond to verbal commands and was ambulatory 36 hours later. In conclusion, hemodialysis can be a clinically important method of treating chloral hydrate overdose.", "PMID": 624775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5680", "title": "The Gestalt approach to stuttering.", "content": "This article describes the application of Gestalt therapy concepts to the treatment of stuttering. Within this framework stuttering is seen as an organized self-system rather than a symptom. This self-system is maintained and reinforced by the stutter's experience of this physical self, self-expectancies, self-messages, projections on others, and total viewing of self as a limited and inadequate person. The individual enmeshes himself or herself into this system and restricts himself to familiar behaviors, in this case stuttering, because he has no framework for other ways of functioning. The Gestalt therapeutic framework as a basis of unlocking the individual's limited style of functioning is explored.", "contents": "The Gestalt approach to stuttering. This article describes the application of Gestalt therapy concepts to the treatment of stuttering. Within this framework stuttering is seen as an organized self-system rather than a symptom. This self-system is maintained and reinforced by the stutter's experience of this physical self, self-expectancies, self-messages, projections on others, and total viewing of self as a limited and inadequate person. The individual enmeshes himself or herself into this system and restricts himself to familiar behaviors, in this case stuttering, because he has no framework for other ways of functioning. The Gestalt therapeutic framework as a basis of unlocking the individual's limited style of functioning is explored.", "PMID": 624782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5681", "title": "The use of time-expanded speech in the identification of part-word repetitions of stutterers.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to explore the possibility of using time-expanded speech to aid clinicians in the identification of one-, two-, and three-unit repetitions of stutterers. Tape-recorded samples of nine stutterers (five adults and four children) were time-expanded to 0%, 150%, and 200% of original time. Thirty graduate student clinicians listened individually to the speech samples under the three listening conditions. The three conditions were presented in a counterbalanced order. Clinicians were asked to indicate each occurrence of one-, two-, or three-unit part-word repetitions on a response sheet. Results indicated that time expansion of the stutterers' speech by 150% or 200% of the original time resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) more accurate identification one-unit part-word repetitions. Time expansion did not, however, provide a perceptual advantage for the identification of two- and three-unit part-word repetitions. Implications for clinical application and further investigation are discussed.", "contents": "The use of time-expanded speech in the identification of part-word repetitions of stutterers. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the possibility of using time-expanded speech to aid clinicians in the identification of one-, two-, and three-unit repetitions of stutterers. Tape-recorded samples of nine stutterers (five adults and four children) were time-expanded to 0%, 150%, and 200% of original time. Thirty graduate student clinicians listened individually to the speech samples under the three listening conditions. The three conditions were presented in a counterbalanced order. Clinicians were asked to indicate each occurrence of one-, two-, or three-unit part-word repetitions on a response sheet. Results indicated that time expansion of the stutterers' speech by 150% or 200% of the original time resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) more accurate identification one-unit part-word repetitions. Time expansion did not, however, provide a perceptual advantage for the identification of two- and three-unit part-word repetitions. Implications for clinical application and further investigation are discussed.", "PMID": 624783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5682", "title": "Fundamental frequencies in the oral reading behavior of stuttering and nonstuttering male children.", "content": "The fundamental frequencies of the voices during oral reading of 12 stuttering and 12 nonstuttering 7-to-12-year-old males matched according to age, height, weight, and race were studied. No statistically significant differences were found between the stutterers and nonstutterers with respect to the mean fundamental frequency, the lowest fundamental frequency, the highest fundamental frequency, and the difference between the lowest and highest fundamental frequency values.", "contents": "Fundamental frequencies in the oral reading behavior of stuttering and nonstuttering male children. The fundamental frequencies of the voices during oral reading of 12 stuttering and 12 nonstuttering 7-to-12-year-old males matched according to age, height, weight, and race were studied. No statistically significant differences were found between the stutterers and nonstutterers with respect to the mean fundamental frequency, the lowest fundamental frequency, the highest fundamental frequency, and the difference between the lowest and highest fundamental frequency values.", "PMID": 624784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5683", "title": "Antimicrobial activity in vitro of cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin.", "content": "The antimicrobial activity of cefaclor, a new orally administered cephalosporin derivative, was studied in vitro against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates. Both penicillin-resistant and penicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to cefaclor, with mean MICs of 1.44 and 0.93 microgram/ml, respectively. However, the MBC for penicillin-resistant S. aureus was higher than that for the penicillin-susceptible strains. All strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans, and Streptococcus pneumoniae tested were highly susceptible to cefaclor; all strains of Streptococcus faecalis were highly resistant to cefaclor. Strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus mirabilis, and Hemophilus influenzae were susceptible to cefaclor. Eighty per cent of strains of H. influenzae were inhibited by 5 micrograms/ml of cefaclor. Most strains of Enterobacter sp., indole-positive Proteus, Pseudomonas sp., and Serratia sp. were resistant to cefaclor.", "contents": "Antimicrobial activity in vitro of cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin. The antimicrobial activity of cefaclor, a new orally administered cephalosporin derivative, was studied in vitro against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates. Both penicillin-resistant and penicillin-susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to cefaclor, with mean MICs of 1.44 and 0.93 microgram/ml, respectively. However, the MBC for penicillin-resistant S. aureus was higher than that for the penicillin-susceptible strains. All strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus viridans, and Streptococcus pneumoniae tested were highly susceptible to cefaclor; all strains of Streptococcus faecalis were highly resistant to cefaclor. Strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus mirabilis, and Hemophilus influenzae were susceptible to cefaclor. Eighty per cent of strains of H. influenzae were inhibited by 5 micrograms/ml of cefaclor. Most strains of Enterobacter sp., indole-positive Proteus, Pseudomonas sp., and Serratia sp. were resistant to cefaclor.", "PMID": 624778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5684", "title": "Elicited imitation in language assessment: a tool for formulating and evaluating treatment programs.", "content": "Four different clinical populations were administered an elicited imitation task before and after therapy to determine the usefulness of elicited imitation procedures for formulating and evaluating language treatment programs. Children's imitations were analyzed according to the numbers and patterns of omission errors, substitution errors, and correct responses. Results indicated that (1) patterns of responding could be identified; (2) specific patterns were associated with different clinical populations; (3) performance on pretherapy measures could be efficiently analyzed and utilized for formulating language treatment programs; and (4) changes in posttherapy performance could be readily evaluated using this procedure. The data suggest that the elicited imitation procedures can be effectively used to increase the precision of the evaluation and clinical programming of children with language disorders.", "contents": "Elicited imitation in language assessment: a tool for formulating and evaluating treatment programs. Four different clinical populations were administered an elicited imitation task before and after therapy to determine the usefulness of elicited imitation procedures for formulating and evaluating language treatment programs. Children's imitations were analyzed according to the numbers and patterns of omission errors, substitution errors, and correct responses. Results indicated that (1) patterns of responding could be identified; (2) specific patterns were associated with different clinical populations; (3) performance on pretherapy measures could be efficiently analyzed and utilized for formulating language treatment programs; and (4) changes in posttherapy performance could be readily evaluated using this procedure. The data suggest that the elicited imitation procedures can be effectively used to increase the precision of the evaluation and clinical programming of children with language disorders.", "PMID": 624785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5685", "title": "Comprehension of Standard English at varied speaking rates by children whose major dialect is Black English.", "content": "Comprehension of spoken Standard English was measured via a picture selection task for 80 Black English (BE) speaking and 80 Standard English (SE) speaking children at four age levels between 5 years, 6 months, and 9 years, 6 months. Test stimuli consisted of four syntactically matched groups of eight sentences divided into two levels of difficulty. The four groups of sentences were heard by all Ss at four different speaking rates from 4.9 (fast) through 2.5 (slow) syllables per second. Results showed that BE speaking children had greater difficulty comprehending spoken SE than the SE speaking control Ss. Significant age and difficulty effects were found for both groups; a significant rate effect was found for the BE speaking group only; and sentence difficulty was found to interact differently with age for the two groups.", "contents": "Comprehension of Standard English at varied speaking rates by children whose major dialect is Black English. Comprehension of spoken Standard English was measured via a picture selection task for 80 Black English (BE) speaking and 80 Standard English (SE) speaking children at four age levels between 5 years, 6 months, and 9 years, 6 months. Test stimuli consisted of four syntactically matched groups of eight sentences divided into two levels of difficulty. The four groups of sentences were heard by all Ss at four different speaking rates from 4.9 (fast) through 2.5 (slow) syllables per second. Results showed that BE speaking children had greater difficulty comprehending spoken SE than the SE speaking control Ss. Significant age and difficulty effects were found for both groups; a significant rate effect was found for the BE speaking group only; and sentence difficulty was found to interact differently with age for the two groups.", "PMID": 624786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5686", "title": "The effect of furosemide and bumetanide on warfarin metabolism and anticoagulant response.", "content": "In a study of 11 normal subjects who received either furosemide or bumetanide, response to warfarin was unaffected by either diuretic. The mean prothrombin times after a single oral dose of 50 mg warfarin were 18.8 +/- 0.7 sec before and 19.6 +/- 1.7 sec during furosemide administration, and 18.3 +/- 1.4 sec before and 19.7 +/- 1.3 sec during bumetanide administration. Mean plasma warfarin half-lives were 43.2 +/- 2.8 hr before and 37.8 +/- 1.7 hr during furosemide treatment and 39.9 +/- 9.5 hr before and 37.4 +/- 2.4 hr during bumetanide treatment. Hypoprothrombinemic responses, plasma warfarin concentrations, and warfarin half-lives were not significantly influenced by treatment with either diuretic. Both loop diuretics furosemide and bumetanide can be safely administered during warfarin anticoagulant therapy without risk of clinically significant interaction.", "contents": "The effect of furosemide and bumetanide on warfarin metabolism and anticoagulant response. In a study of 11 normal subjects who received either furosemide or bumetanide, response to warfarin was unaffected by either diuretic. The mean prothrombin times after a single oral dose of 50 mg warfarin were 18.8 +/- 0.7 sec before and 19.6 +/- 1.7 sec during furosemide administration, and 18.3 +/- 1.4 sec before and 19.7 +/- 1.3 sec during bumetanide administration. Mean plasma warfarin half-lives were 43.2 +/- 2.8 hr before and 37.8 +/- 1.7 hr during furosemide treatment and 39.9 +/- 9.5 hr before and 37.4 +/- 2.4 hr during bumetanide treatment. Hypoprothrombinemic responses, plasma warfarin concentrations, and warfarin half-lives were not significantly influenced by treatment with either diuretic. Both loop diuretics furosemide and bumetanide can be safely administered during warfarin anticoagulant therapy without risk of clinically significant interaction.", "PMID": 624779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5687", "title": "An apomorphine-induced vomiting model for antiemetic studies in man.", "content": "Apomorphine-induced vomiting is often used for preclinical efficacy testing of putative antiemetics in normal volunteers. The usual technique of individual intravenous titration for finding the threshold emitic dose of apomorphine in each subject is slow and tedious. We used a uniform dose of 0.05 mg/kg apomorphine given subcutaneously to test the antiemetic action of metoclopramide and votracon in ten healthy, young male volunteers. All ten subjects vomited in response to this dose of apomorphine when pretreated with placebo. Pretreatment with metoclopramide prevented vomiting in all subjects, and votracon prevented vomiting in two. Apomorphine, 0.05 mg/kg, subcutaneously appears to be an appropriate challenge dose for testing compounds for antiemetic activity in normal human volunteers.", "contents": "An apomorphine-induced vomiting model for antiemetic studies in man. Apomorphine-induced vomiting is often used for preclinical efficacy testing of putative antiemetics in normal volunteers. The usual technique of individual intravenous titration for finding the threshold emitic dose of apomorphine in each subject is slow and tedious. We used a uniform dose of 0.05 mg/kg apomorphine given subcutaneously to test the antiemetic action of metoclopramide and votracon in ten healthy, young male volunteers. All ten subjects vomited in response to this dose of apomorphine when pretreated with placebo. Pretreatment with metoclopramide prevented vomiting in all subjects, and votracon prevented vomiting in two. Apomorphine, 0.05 mg/kg, subcutaneously appears to be an appropriate challenge dose for testing compounds for antiemetic activity in normal human volunteers.", "PMID": 624780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5688", "title": "The relationship between perceptual dysfunction and language disorders: a case report.", "content": "The acquisition of language is discussed in relation to two specific perceptual processes: first, identification and discrimination of recurring aspects of an experience, and second, integration of the language form with the specific aspect of the event being represented. The analysis of the language of a child with perceptual and integrative deficits revealed expressive use of language without comprehension and limited knowledge of concepts. Explanations of these behaviors are presented in light of the child's perceptual and integrative dysfunctions. Implications for clinical management of a perceptually based language disorder are discussed.", "contents": "The relationship between perceptual dysfunction and language disorders: a case report. The acquisition of language is discussed in relation to two specific perceptual processes: first, identification and discrimination of recurring aspects of an experience, and second, integration of the language form with the specific aspect of the event being represented. The analysis of the language of a child with perceptual and integrative deficits revealed expressive use of language without comprehension and limited knowledge of concepts. Explanations of these behaviors are presented in light of the child's perceptual and integrative dysfunctions. Implications for clinical management of a perceptually based language disorder are discussed.", "PMID": 624787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5689", "title": "Effects of response delay and token relocation on token test performance of aphasic subjects.", "content": "Performance of 12 aphasic subjects was analyzed on a delayed response task using commands similar to those found in the Token Test, under Relocation, and Nonvisual conditions. In Standard Condition, subjects could see the tokens as commands were presented and during delay intervals that were interposed between the end of the command and the subject's response. In Relocation Condition, subjects could see the tokens during command presentation and delay intervals, but the tokens were repositioned before the subject was allowed to respond. In Nonvisual Condition, no visual information was available to the subject until the delay interval was over. Results suggested that performance was not significantly affected by the presence of delay except in Part III of the test. The effects of delay appeared only in Part III, where most aphasic subjects began making errors. No appreciable differences in performance were found across conditions. These results suggest that aphasic subjects did not rely to any great extent on visual or visual-spatial strategies to perform successfully on the delayed response task. It appears that subjects may have been using some type of verbal strategy to mediate the delay interval, in spite of their impaired language systems.", "contents": "Effects of response delay and token relocation on token test performance of aphasic subjects. Performance of 12 aphasic subjects was analyzed on a delayed response task using commands similar to those found in the Token Test, under Relocation, and Nonvisual conditions. In Standard Condition, subjects could see the tokens as commands were presented and during delay intervals that were interposed between the end of the command and the subject's response. In Relocation Condition, subjects could see the tokens during command presentation and delay intervals, but the tokens were repositioned before the subject was allowed to respond. In Nonvisual Condition, no visual information was available to the subject until the delay interval was over. Results suggested that performance was not significantly affected by the presence of delay except in Part III of the test. The effects of delay appeared only in Part III, where most aphasic subjects began making errors. No appreciable differences in performance were found across conditions. These results suggest that aphasic subjects did not rely to any great extent on visual or visual-spatial strategies to perform successfully on the delayed response task. It appears that subjects may have been using some type of verbal strategy to mediate the delay interval, in spite of their impaired language systems.", "PMID": 624788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5690", "title": "Disfluency changes in children as a function of the systematic modification of linguistic complexity.", "content": "This investigation determined the influence of modeling on the complexity of language in 5-year-old youngsters, and the effect of simple and complex language usage on the occurrence and topography of disfluency. Forty children balanced for age, sex, and educational level served as subjects, and a repeated measures design was implemented to examine changes in linguistic complexity and disfluency between \"simple\" and \"complex\" language modeling conditions. The investigation demonstrated a significant modeling effect and suggested a significant relationship between linguistic complexity and disfluency in children. The results are discussed in terms of grammatical load and its possible effect on speech interruption.", "contents": "Disfluency changes in children as a function of the systematic modification of linguistic complexity. This investigation determined the influence of modeling on the complexity of language in 5-year-old youngsters, and the effect of simple and complex language usage on the occurrence and topography of disfluency. Forty children balanced for age, sex, and educational level served as subjects, and a repeated measures design was implemented to examine changes in linguistic complexity and disfluency between \"simple\" and \"complex\" language modeling conditions. The investigation demonstrated a significant modeling effect and suggested a significant relationship between linguistic complexity and disfluency in children. The results are discussed in terms of grammatical load and its possible effect on speech interruption.", "PMID": 624789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5691", "title": "The number and distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.", "content": "The distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the adult brush-tailed possum was determined by light microscopy of Nissl stained retinal whole mounts. Qualitatively, the distribution in this marsupial retina shows features, such as an area centralis and a visual streak, which are found separately or together in eutherian mammals. The possum retina is avascular and the eye has a weak tapetum in the superior fundus.The retinal area is 260 mm2 and there are about 280,000 ganglion cells. The diameters of the ganglion cell somas range from 5 micrometer to 26 micrometer and the frequency distribution of soma size classes is skewed and unimodal (mean\" 12.8 micrometer) with 62% of the cells falling in the class of diameters 7-13 micrometer. Maps of ganglion cell density were made for five retinae. These maps show that there is a band of high ganglion cell density (greater 2,000 cells mm-2) which extends across the retina about 0.6 mm above the optic disc in the tapetal region of the fundus and which lies in the plane of the animal's horizon when the eyes are in their primary position. By analogy with other species, this band is termed the visual streak. Near the temporal end of the visual streak, 2.9 mm from the optic disc, the ganglion cell density reaches a localized maximum of approximately 5,000 cells mm-2 thereby defining the centre of an area centralis (greater than 3,000 cells mm-2). The posterior nodal distance of the possum eye was estimated at 7.8 mm, which corresponds to a retinal magnification of 136 micrometer per degree of visual field. There are up to 30,000 glial cells which lie in, or slightly vitread to, the layer of the retinal ganglion cells.", "contents": "The number and distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. The distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the adult brush-tailed possum was determined by light microscopy of Nissl stained retinal whole mounts. Qualitatively, the distribution in this marsupial retina shows features, such as an area centralis and a visual streak, which are found separately or together in eutherian mammals. The possum retina is avascular and the eye has a weak tapetum in the superior fundus.The retinal area is 260 mm2 and there are about 280,000 ganglion cells. The diameters of the ganglion cell somas range from 5 micrometer to 26 micrometer and the frequency distribution of soma size classes is skewed and unimodal (mean\" 12.8 micrometer) with 62% of the cells falling in the class of diameters 7-13 micrometer. Maps of ganglion cell density were made for five retinae. These maps show that there is a band of high ganglion cell density (greater 2,000 cells mm-2) which extends across the retina about 0.6 mm above the optic disc in the tapetal region of the fundus and which lies in the plane of the animal's horizon when the eyes are in their primary position. By analogy with other species, this band is termed the visual streak. Near the temporal end of the visual streak, 2.9 mm from the optic disc, the ganglion cell density reaches a localized maximum of approximately 5,000 cells mm-2 thereby defining the centre of an area centralis (greater than 3,000 cells mm-2). The posterior nodal distance of the possum eye was estimated at 7.8 mm, which corresponds to a retinal magnification of 136 micrometer per degree of visual field. There are up to 30,000 glial cells which lie in, or slightly vitread to, the layer of the retinal ganglion cells.", "PMID": 624790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5692", "title": "Qualitative and quantitative study of synaptic displacement in chromatolyzed spinal motoneurons of the cat.", "content": "Qualitative and quantitative cytological evidences show a reduction in number and percentage of coverage of terminals on chromatolyzed spinal motoneurons 4 to 90 days after severance of their axons in the ventral root. The reduction in number and percentage of boutons on the surface membrane is due to detachment of synapses. This detachment is associated with changes in specialized regions (synaptic complexes: Conradi, '69) of synapses which involve disappearance of both pre-and postsynaptic membrane thickenings and widening of the synaptic cleft (width of 400-1,400 A). The separation of terminals from surface membrane is also associated with the presence of reactive astrocytes and microglia. Most areas of surface membrane bared of synaptic contact are occupied by astrocytic processes. The astroglial responses coincide with the loss of synapses. Microglial cells, although extending to neuronal surface membrane, cover only a small portion of it. An extensive separation of boutons by microglia is not observed. Most microglia are seen located at some distance from surface membrane and are frequently separated by sheets of astrocytic processes. Synaptic restoration occurs by about 90 days after axotomy. Some motoneurons show good recovery, while others show only a limited amount.", "contents": "Qualitative and quantitative study of synaptic displacement in chromatolyzed spinal motoneurons of the cat. Qualitative and quantitative cytological evidences show a reduction in number and percentage of coverage of terminals on chromatolyzed spinal motoneurons 4 to 90 days after severance of their axons in the ventral root. The reduction in number and percentage of boutons on the surface membrane is due to detachment of synapses. This detachment is associated with changes in specialized regions (synaptic complexes: Conradi, '69) of synapses which involve disappearance of both pre-and postsynaptic membrane thickenings and widening of the synaptic cleft (width of 400-1,400 A). The separation of terminals from surface membrane is also associated with the presence of reactive astrocytes and microglia. Most areas of surface membrane bared of synaptic contact are occupied by astrocytic processes. The astroglial responses coincide with the loss of synapses. Microglial cells, although extending to neuronal surface membrane, cover only a small portion of it. An extensive separation of boutons by microglia is not observed. Most microglia are seen located at some distance from surface membrane and are frequently separated by sheets of astrocytic processes. Synaptic restoration occurs by about 90 days after axotomy. Some motoneurons show good recovery, while others show only a limited amount.", "PMID": 624794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5693", "title": "Prevalence of nevocytic nevi on lateral and medial aspects of arms.", "content": "The numbers of clinically diagnosed, elevated nevocytic nevi (at least 2 mm in diameter) within 50 sq cm areas on the lateral and medial aspects of the arms of 1,000 subjects (age range 2 to 87 years) were compared. A total of 349 nevi was found on the lateral aspects and only 116 on the medial aspects of arms. Nevi were found on the lateral aspects of the arms in 23.4% (234) of the subjects and on the medial aspects in but 10.9% (109) of the subjects. These differences are highly significant in both men and women. Nevi were found in 30.2% (281) of the 930 whites but in only 9.1% (5) of the 55 blacks included in the study. Also, blacks did not show greater prevalence of nevi on the lateral as compared to the medial aspects of their arms. One explanation for the greater prevalence of nevi on the lateral over that on the medial aspects of the arms is that sunlight plays a role in the induction of acquired nevocytic nevi.", "contents": "Prevalence of nevocytic nevi on lateral and medial aspects of arms. The numbers of clinically diagnosed, elevated nevocytic nevi (at least 2 mm in diameter) within 50 sq cm areas on the lateral and medial aspects of the arms of 1,000 subjects (age range 2 to 87 years) were compared. A total of 349 nevi was found on the lateral aspects and only 116 on the medial aspects of arms. Nevi were found on the lateral aspects of the arms in 23.4% (234) of the subjects and on the medial aspects in but 10.9% (109) of the subjects. These differences are highly significant in both men and women. Nevi were found in 30.2% (281) of the 930 whites but in only 9.1% (5) of the 55 blacks included in the study. Also, blacks did not show greater prevalence of nevi on the lateral as compared to the medial aspects of their arms. One explanation for the greater prevalence of nevi on the lateral over that on the medial aspects of the arms is that sunlight plays a role in the induction of acquired nevocytic nevi.", "PMID": 624799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5694", "title": "A flap suspension technique in blepharoplasty on lower lids.", "content": "Blepharoplasty on lower lids frequently results in a downward pull on the free border of the lid and inferomedially on the lateral canthus. Extending the incision in the lower lid upward and lateral to the outer canthus allows most of the excision to occur laterally. Closure then pulls superolaterally, which tends to prevent the commonest complications of blepharoplasty on lower lids.", "contents": "A flap suspension technique in blepharoplasty on lower lids. Blepharoplasty on lower lids frequently results in a downward pull on the free border of the lid and inferomedially on the lateral canthus. Extending the incision in the lower lid upward and lateral to the outer canthus allows most of the excision to occur laterally. Closure then pulls superolaterally, which tends to prevent the commonest complications of blepharoplasty on lower lids.", "PMID": 624800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5695", "title": "The skin incision in the excision of the prepatellar bursa.", "content": "Commonly used incisions to remove a prepatellar bursa in patients with bursitis are often ill placed and give rise to unnecessary morbidity, such as tender or contracted scars or areas of anesthesia or hyperesthesia in pressure-bearing areas.", "contents": "The skin incision in the excision of the prepatellar bursa. Commonly used incisions to remove a prepatellar bursa in patients with bursitis are often ill placed and give rise to unnecessary morbidity, such as tender or contracted scars or areas of anesthesia or hyperesthesia in pressure-bearing areas.", "PMID": 624801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5696", "title": "Indications and technique of biopsy for diseases of the scalp.", "content": "Indications for biopsy of scalp skin are discussed and the technique for obtaining adequate tissue for histologic examination is described.", "contents": "Indications and technique of biopsy for diseases of the scalp. Indications for biopsy of scalp skin are discussed and the technique for obtaining adequate tissue for histologic examination is described.", "PMID": 624802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5697", "title": "Treatment of nevi aranei by means of an argon laser.", "content": "Sixteen patients with 18 telangiectatic lesions have been treated by means of an argon laser over a 7-year period. The physics and medical uses of the laser are reviewed and the pathology of the laser wound is discussed. Seventeen of 18 lesions responded satisfactorily and suggest that the argon laser is a simple, effective clinical tool for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions.", "contents": "Treatment of nevi aranei by means of an argon laser. Sixteen patients with 18 telangiectatic lesions have been treated by means of an argon laser over a 7-year period. The physics and medical uses of the laser are reviewed and the pathology of the laser wound is discussed. Seventeen of 18 lesions responded satisfactorily and suggest that the argon laser is a simple, effective clinical tool for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions.", "PMID": 624803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5698", "title": "Cryotherapy of basal-cell carcinoma by a simple method of standardized freeze-thaw cycles.", "content": "One hundred seventy-seven basal-cell carcinomas treated by cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen according to a standard protocol had a recurrence rate of 2.3% in a mean of 4.8 years of follow-up. The cryotherapeutic method used freeze-thaw times rather than temperatures measured by thermocouples as indices of adequacy of freeze.", "contents": "Cryotherapy of basal-cell carcinoma by a simple method of standardized freeze-thaw cycles. One hundred seventy-seven basal-cell carcinomas treated by cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen according to a standard protocol had a recurrence rate of 2.3% in a mean of 4.8 years of follow-up. The cryotherapeutic method used freeze-thaw times rather than temperatures measured by thermocouples as indices of adequacy of freeze.", "PMID": 624804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5699", "title": "Factors affecting food behavior and the quality of husbands' and wives' diets.", "content": "One hundred sixteen husband-wife couples were interviewed to determine: (a) The influence of socioeconomic factors on their food behavior and (b) the relationship between these factors and the quality of their diets. According to the respondents, important sources of influence were: Personal preference, as determined by concern for taste and nutrition; influences of the immediate family; and cost. Factors external to the family, i.e., nutrition courses, the mass media, and reference groups, were perceived as having only slight influence. Factors which were significantly related to a better diet included the influence of the wife, a concern for personal and family health, nutrition classes, and nutritional information from the mass media.", "contents": "Factors affecting food behavior and the quality of husbands' and wives' diets. One hundred sixteen husband-wife couples were interviewed to determine: (a) The influence of socioeconomic factors on their food behavior and (b) the relationship between these factors and the quality of their diets. According to the respondents, important sources of influence were: Personal preference, as determined by concern for taste and nutrition; influences of the immediate family; and cost. Factors external to the family, i.e., nutrition courses, the mass media, and reference groups, were perceived as having only slight influence. Factors which were significantly related to a better diet included the influence of the wife, a concern for personal and family health, nutrition classes, and nutritional information from the mass media.", "PMID": 624808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5700", "title": "Effect of nutritional supplementation in pregnancy. I. Outcome of pregnancy.", "content": "Women judged to be at high risk of delivering low-birth-weight infants were assigned to one of three supplements--high-protein beverage, low-protein beverage, or a vitamin-mineral preparation--to determine the effect these nutritional supplements would have on the outcome of pregnancy. In comparing prenatal nutrient intake and the birth weight of their infants, no significant associations were found. However, since the women were well nourished and since the sample size was small, changes in birth weight may have gone undetected. Nevertheless, a trend of increased birth weight with higher protein intake was observed.", "contents": "Effect of nutritional supplementation in pregnancy. I. Outcome of pregnancy. Women judged to be at high risk of delivering low-birth-weight infants were assigned to one of three supplements--high-protein beverage, low-protein beverage, or a vitamin-mineral preparation--to determine the effect these nutritional supplements would have on the outcome of pregnancy. In comparing prenatal nutrient intake and the birth weight of their infants, no significant associations were found. However, since the women were well nourished and since the sample size was small, changes in birth weight may have gone undetected. Nevertheless, a trend of increased birth weight with higher protein intake was observed.", "PMID": 624809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5701", "title": "Diets in the first six months of infants in western Massachusetts. I. Energy-yielding nutrients.", "content": "Two hundred sixty-eight infants under six months of age from three ethnic and three income backgrounds were surveyed by trained nutritionists. The cross-sectional findings were based on maternal information on familial and socioeconomic background, prenatal health history, weight and length measurements at birth, health and development of the infant, and finally, a nutritional history and a 24-hr. recall of food intake. Total daily caloric intakes of infants in this group were not significantly different from intakes of the children studied in Denver by the Child Research Council (5). However, the composition of the diets differed. Differences in the carbohydrate, protein, and lipid are due to the use primarily of evaporated milk formulas with gradually decreasing addition of sugar and the high-cholesterol and low-linoleic acid content in the CRC study, and of premodified formulas with constant sugar content and low cholesterol and high linoleic acid in this study.", "contents": "Diets in the first six months of infants in western Massachusetts. I. Energy-yielding nutrients. Two hundred sixty-eight infants under six months of age from three ethnic and three income backgrounds were surveyed by trained nutritionists. The cross-sectional findings were based on maternal information on familial and socioeconomic background, prenatal health history, weight and length measurements at birth, health and development of the infant, and finally, a nutritional history and a 24-hr. recall of food intake. Total daily caloric intakes of infants in this group were not significantly different from intakes of the children studied in Denver by the Child Research Council (5). However, the composition of the diets differed. Differences in the carbohydrate, protein, and lipid are due to the use primarily of evaporated milk formulas with gradually decreasing addition of sugar and the high-cholesterol and low-linoleic acid content in the CRC study, and of premodified formulas with constant sugar content and low cholesterol and high linoleic acid in this study.", "PMID": 624810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5702", "title": "Diets in the first six months of infants in western Massachusetts. II. Semi-solid foods.", "content": "The early introduction of solid foods was observed in three ethnic and income groups in a survey of 268 infants in western Massachusetts. By four weeks of age, cereal had been introduced into the diets of 57 per cent and fruit to 32 per cent of the infants. Patterns of introducing and feeding solid foods to breast-and formula-fed infants were similar and were related more to income than to type of milk fed. The cost of infant feeding can draw heavily on the family's food budget.", "contents": "Diets in the first six months of infants in western Massachusetts. II. Semi-solid foods. The early introduction of solid foods was observed in three ethnic and income groups in a survey of 268 infants in western Massachusetts. By four weeks of age, cereal had been introduced into the diets of 57 per cent and fruit to 32 per cent of the infants. Patterns of introducing and feeding solid foods to breast-and formula-fed infants were similar and were related more to income than to type of milk fed. The cost of infant feeding can draw heavily on the family's food budget.", "PMID": 624811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5703", "title": "Methods of dietary inception in infants with PKU.", "content": "Information on methods of initiating the phenylalanine-restricted diet was obtained from the medical personnel of sixteen clinics in the Collaborative Study of Children Treated for Phenylketonuria. The four dietary methods used initially to lower serum phenylalanine were: Normal dilution Lofenalac, Lofenalac, with phenylalanine added as milk, Lofenalac with milk added to provide 200 mg. phenylalanine per day, and alternating bottles of normal dilution Lofenalac and cow's milk during the first four days of therapy. During the first week of treatment, eight clinics obtained serum phenylalanine determinations daily or every other day. The nutritionist prescribed the phenylalanine-restricted diet following diagnosis in nine of the clinics. In most clinics, the nutritionist was responsible for obtaining information relating to dietary management and follow-up contacts during the first month of treatment. The initial dietary instruction was accomplished in most clinics by a combination of lecture/discussion/demonstration methods. Both parents attended the initial dietary instruction in thirteen clinics. Neither the professional person(s) nor the method of initial dietary instruction, if detailed and comprehensive, made any difference in control of serum phenylalanine during the first year of life.", "contents": "Methods of dietary inception in infants with PKU. Information on methods of initiating the phenylalanine-restricted diet was obtained from the medical personnel of sixteen clinics in the Collaborative Study of Children Treated for Phenylketonuria. The four dietary methods used initially to lower serum phenylalanine were: Normal dilution Lofenalac, Lofenalac, with phenylalanine added as milk, Lofenalac with milk added to provide 200 mg. phenylalanine per day, and alternating bottles of normal dilution Lofenalac and cow's milk during the first four days of therapy. During the first week of treatment, eight clinics obtained serum phenylalanine determinations daily or every other day. The nutritionist prescribed the phenylalanine-restricted diet following diagnosis in nine of the clinics. In most clinics, the nutritionist was responsible for obtaining information relating to dietary management and follow-up contacts during the first month of treatment. The initial dietary instruction was accomplished in most clinics by a combination of lecture/discussion/demonstration methods. Both parents attended the initial dietary instruction in thirteen clinics. Neither the professional person(s) nor the method of initial dietary instruction, if detailed and comprehensive, made any difference in control of serum phenylalanine during the first year of life.", "PMID": 624812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5704", "title": "Fatty acid composition of prepared infant formulas.", "content": "The fatty acid composition of eight American, eight European, and four Japanese prepared infant formulas were determined and compared with fat sources listed on labels. Unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 20 to 83 per cent of the total. Generally, the fatty acid composition was consistent with the types of ingredients used; those with corn or soy oil had the highest levels of unsaturated fat, and those with milk fat the lowest; formulas of mixed composition fell in between. The formulas were compared with values for the fatty acid composition of human milk in the literature.", "contents": "Fatty acid composition of prepared infant formulas. The fatty acid composition of eight American, eight European, and four Japanese prepared infant formulas were determined and compared with fat sources listed on labels. Unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 20 to 83 per cent of the total. Generally, the fatty acid composition was consistent with the types of ingredients used; those with corn or soy oil had the highest levels of unsaturated fat, and those with milk fat the lowest; formulas of mixed composition fell in between. The formulas were compared with values for the fatty acid composition of human milk in the literature.", "PMID": 624813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5705", "title": "Nutrient content of spices and herbs.", "content": "Values for the nutrient content of spices and herbs culled from an extensive search of the literature and of unpublished sources are tabulated. Spices were generally high in ash and fiber. The protein content of many spices was comparable to that of whole grains and mature dry legumes. Average values for calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, and potassium were higher in speces from leaves (herbs) than in those from other parts of plants. Spices from seeds were highest in phosphorus. A few spices--celery seed, cumin, coriander leaf, dill weed, cloves, and especially parsley flakes--were very high in sodium (3 to 9 mg. per 2 gm). Their use might be contra-indicated in therapeutic diets in which sodium is highly restricted.", "contents": "Nutrient content of spices and herbs. Values for the nutrient content of spices and herbs culled from an extensive search of the literature and of unpublished sources are tabulated. Spices were generally high in ash and fiber. The protein content of many spices was comparable to that of whole grains and mature dry legumes. Average values for calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, and potassium were higher in speces from leaves (herbs) than in those from other parts of plants. Spices from seeds were highest in phosphorus. A few spices--celery seed, cumin, coriander leaf, dill weed, cloves, and especially parsley flakes--were very high in sodium (3 to 9 mg. per 2 gm). Their use might be contra-indicated in therapeutic diets in which sodium is highly restricted.", "PMID": 624814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5706", "title": "Thyroid function tests in elderly hyperthyroid patients.", "content": "Several tests of thyroid function were performed in 35 hyperthyroid patients over the age of 65 (elderly). The results were compared to those of similar tests in 48 hyperthyroid patients under the age of 65 (young). Total serum thyroxine (T4) was within the normal range in 14 percent of the elderly and 11 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients. The free thyroxine index (FTI) was within the normal range in 11 percent of both groups. The triiodothyronine uptake (T3U) proved to be a poor test in both groups. Although elevation of the triiodothyronine (T3) level allowed a diagnosis of \"T3-toxicosis\" in 2 elderly and 3 young hyperthyroid patients, the T3 level was normal in 34 percent of the elderly and 13 percent of the young subjects. Correction of the T3 range for age reduced the number of normal T3 values to 12.5 percent in the elderly hyperthyroid patients. The 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine was normal in 12 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients, 27 percent of the elderly patients with Graves' disease, and 70 percent of the elderly patients with toxic nodular goiter, despite recent readjustment of the normal range for the test. It is concluded that the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in the elderly may be difficult and that no single test can be relied upon to exclude the diagnosis.", "contents": "Thyroid function tests in elderly hyperthyroid patients. Several tests of thyroid function were performed in 35 hyperthyroid patients over the age of 65 (elderly). The results were compared to those of similar tests in 48 hyperthyroid patients under the age of 65 (young). Total serum thyroxine (T4) was within the normal range in 14 percent of the elderly and 11 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients. The free thyroxine index (FTI) was within the normal range in 11 percent of both groups. The triiodothyronine uptake (T3U) proved to be a poor test in both groups. Although elevation of the triiodothyronine (T3) level allowed a diagnosis of \"T3-toxicosis\" in 2 elderly and 3 young hyperthyroid patients, the T3 level was normal in 34 percent of the elderly and 13 percent of the young subjects. Correction of the T3 range for age reduced the number of normal T3 values to 12.5 percent in the elderly hyperthyroid patients. The 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine was normal in 12 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients, 27 percent of the elderly patients with Graves' disease, and 70 percent of the elderly patients with toxic nodular goiter, despite recent readjustment of the normal range for the test. It is concluded that the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in the elderly may be difficult and that no single test can be relied upon to exclude the diagnosis.", "PMID": 624818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5707", "title": "Colestipol hydrochloride for treatment of hypercholesterolemia in a family practice: five-year study.", "content": "Colestipol hydrochloride (Colestid) lowered the serum cholesterol level significantly more than did placebo in hypercholesterolemic patients (21 colestipol, 19 placebo) treated for up to 5 years. In the 21 colestipol-treated patients, the average decrease in serum cholesterol levels was 19 percent during the first year and 23 percent during the second through fifth years. Seven patients (age range, 44 to 59 years) took colestipol for the full 5 years. The data showed a consistent lowering of the serum cholesterol level. The only side effect was constipation.", "contents": "Colestipol hydrochloride for treatment of hypercholesterolemia in a family practice: five-year study. Colestipol hydrochloride (Colestid) lowered the serum cholesterol level significantly more than did placebo in hypercholesterolemic patients (21 colestipol, 19 placebo) treated for up to 5 years. In the 21 colestipol-treated patients, the average decrease in serum cholesterol levels was 19 percent during the first year and 23 percent during the second through fifth years. Seven patients (age range, 44 to 59 years) took colestipol for the full 5 years. The data showed a consistent lowering of the serum cholesterol level. The only side effect was constipation.", "PMID": 624819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5708", "title": "Counselling the elderly on nutrition in a community health care system.", "content": "A study was made of the effects of community nutrition services on 234 noninstitutional elderly aged 65 or older. Many of the problems were related to overweight and longstanding inappropriate food habits. The results indicated that counselling can stimulate an increased awareness of nutrition and improvement in the knowledge of nutrition and food selection. These elderly persons seemed to have a definite desire to achieve good health and were receptive to the nutritionist's recommendations. However, economic and physical limitations often influence their ability to adhere to the recommendations. In counselling the elderly, the nutritionist should be able to made a quick assessment of the elderly person's physical capabilities.", "contents": "Counselling the elderly on nutrition in a community health care system. A study was made of the effects of community nutrition services on 234 noninstitutional elderly aged 65 or older. Many of the problems were related to overweight and longstanding inappropriate food habits. The results indicated that counselling can stimulate an increased awareness of nutrition and improvement in the knowledge of nutrition and food selection. These elderly persons seemed to have a definite desire to achieve good health and were receptive to the nutritionist's recommendations. However, economic and physical limitations often influence their ability to adhere to the recommendations. In counselling the elderly, the nutritionist should be able to made a quick assessment of the elderly person's physical capabilities.", "PMID": 624820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5709", "title": "Suicide pact in a depressed elderly couple: case report.", "content": "An elderly depressed couple with multiple physical problems decided that death was preferable to their present lifestyle, and made a suicide pact. At the last minute the wife felt unable to go through with it and the couple entered a psychiartic hosptial. During their 3-week stay they were treated appropriately with amitriptyline and psychotherapy. Since discharge they have been followed closely for two years. Some psycho- and socio-dynamic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.", "contents": "Suicide pact in a depressed elderly couple: case report. An elderly depressed couple with multiple physical problems decided that death was preferable to their present lifestyle, and made a suicide pact. At the last minute the wife felt unable to go through with it and the couple entered a psychiartic hosptial. During their 3-week stay they were treated appropriately with amitriptyline and psychotherapy. Since discharge they have been followed closely for two years. Some psycho- and socio-dynamic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.", "PMID": 624821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5710", "title": "The biologic aspects of cancer of the breast: a challenge.", "content": "The crude incidence rate for cancer of the breast far exceeds that for any other type of cancer found in either sex. In women it is nearly twice the rate for the next most common malignant disease found in both men and women. The percentage of patients with localized disease has gradually increased but now is approaching a plateau. There is a definite increase in the incidence of breast cancer is premenopausal women which counterbalances the better results with reference to age-specific death rates. The absolute survival rate indicates that mortality rates continue to be \"above normal\" for a considerable period beyond the five-year point. It is important, therefore, to study the challenge which confronts us, to keep in mind the natural history of the disease, to review the known high-risk factors and tumor-host relationships, and to evaluate continually all available diagnostic and therapeutic measures. These measures include those not used in routine practice, and especially those involving new concepts.", "contents": "The biologic aspects of cancer of the breast: a challenge. The crude incidence rate for cancer of the breast far exceeds that for any other type of cancer found in either sex. In women it is nearly twice the rate for the next most common malignant disease found in both men and women. The percentage of patients with localized disease has gradually increased but now is approaching a plateau. There is a definite increase in the incidence of breast cancer is premenopausal women which counterbalances the better results with reference to age-specific death rates. The absolute survival rate indicates that mortality rates continue to be \"above normal\" for a considerable period beyond the five-year point. It is important, therefore, to study the challenge which confronts us, to keep in mind the natural history of the disease, to review the known high-risk factors and tumor-host relationships, and to evaluate continually all available diagnostic and therapeutic measures. These measures include those not used in routine practice, and especially those involving new concepts.", "PMID": 624822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5711", "title": "Face-form frames.", "content": "Face-form frames may be appropriate for sunglasses but present many problems if used for prescription lenses especially when the power is strong. Angling the lenses affects the power and location of the cylinder axis and makes it difficult to attain the right P.D. The problems of mounting the lenses in the frame are magnified. Angling also generates unwanted sphere and cylinder in the periphery as well as distortion. These effects can be measured and even calculated ahead of time and cannot be dismissed lightly. The increased field of view is not needed.", "contents": "Face-form frames. Face-form frames may be appropriate for sunglasses but present many problems if used for prescription lenses especially when the power is strong. Angling the lenses affects the power and location of the cylinder axis and makes it difficult to attain the right P.D. The problems of mounting the lenses in the frame are magnified. Angling also generates unwanted sphere and cylinder in the periphery as well as distortion. These effects can be measured and even calculated ahead of time and cannot be dismissed lightly. The increased field of view is not needed.", "PMID": 624824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5712", "title": "The effect of accommodative changes on the brightness of the fundus reflex.", "content": "This paper demonstrates how accommodation and refractive changes affect the brightness of the reflex observed during retinoscopy. The amount of light entering the peephole of the retinoscope was monitored while accommodation was varied. The light entering the peephole reaches a maximum when the far-point of the eye is co-incident with the retinoscope and drops when the far-point moves behind or in front of the retinoscope. A reduction in the accommodative lag during book retinoscopy would result in brightening of the reflex along with a shift in the \"against\" direction.", "contents": "The effect of accommodative changes on the brightness of the fundus reflex. This paper demonstrates how accommodation and refractive changes affect the brightness of the reflex observed during retinoscopy. The amount of light entering the peephole of the retinoscope was monitored while accommodation was varied. The light entering the peephole reaches a maximum when the far-point of the eye is co-incident with the retinoscope and drops when the far-point moves behind or in front of the retinoscope. A reduction in the accommodative lag during book retinoscopy would result in brightening of the reflex along with a shift in the \"against\" direction.", "PMID": 624827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5713", "title": "Vision screening project--Eilat, Israel.", "content": "The author relates his experience in developing and conducting a vision screening program for 1,522 children between age one to six of Eilat, Israel. He describes a method similar to the Modified Clinical Technique which he adapted to the specific circumstances and devised a simplified two-minute procedure which proved very effective in use. The author clearly demonstrates the need and advantage of a professionally conducted program with cooperation of the Yosepthal Hospital, the public health nurses and the teachers of the Eilat school system. The results indicate a low overall referral rate of 7-1/2%, probably due to the early and careful attention most children receive. His conclusions support the importance of a vision screening program and substantiate the value of a Modified Clinical Screening procedure.", "contents": "Vision screening project--Eilat, Israel. The author relates his experience in developing and conducting a vision screening program for 1,522 children between age one to six of Eilat, Israel. He describes a method similar to the Modified Clinical Technique which he adapted to the specific circumstances and devised a simplified two-minute procedure which proved very effective in use. The author clearly demonstrates the need and advantage of a professionally conducted program with cooperation of the Yosepthal Hospital, the public health nurses and the teachers of the Eilat school system. The results indicate a low overall referral rate of 7-1/2%, probably due to the early and careful attention most children receive. His conclusions support the importance of a vision screening program and substantiate the value of a Modified Clinical Screening procedure.", "PMID": 624828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5714", "title": "The allergy--part 1.", "content": "The available statistics indicate that many Americans have problems with varying degrees of allergies. What is an allergy? How does it work? What can be done? This article attempts to trace the literature history to the current thinking on the subject. From an optometric viewpoint, experience would suggest that a higher percentage of contact lens patients have allergies than the general population. The innocent contact lens is often held accountable for symptoms that have their etiology in diametrically opposed areas.", "contents": "The allergy--part 1. The available statistics indicate that many Americans have problems with varying degrees of allergies. What is an allergy? How does it work? What can be done? This article attempts to trace the literature history to the current thinking on the subject. From an optometric viewpoint, experience would suggest that a higher percentage of contact lens patients have allergies than the general population. The innocent contact lens is often held accountable for symptoms that have their etiology in diametrically opposed areas.", "PMID": 624829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5715", "title": "Laterality and directionality--optometric clinical applications.", "content": "Five rationales for the optometric evaluation of laterality and directionality are identified in this paper. These include an application of particular studies in the infant's vision literature along with theories of Hershenson, Piaget, Gesell and Kephart and the phenomenon of reversal confusion frequently associated with learning-disabled children. Selected optometric testing procedures are viewed in the context of these rationales.", "contents": "Laterality and directionality--optometric clinical applications. Five rationales for the optometric evaluation of laterality and directionality are identified in this paper. These include an application of particular studies in the infant's vision literature along with theories of Hershenson, Piaget, Gesell and Kephart and the phenomenon of reversal confusion frequently associated with learning-disabled children. Selected optometric testing procedures are viewed in the context of these rationales.", "PMID": 624830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5716", "title": "Vision care services in the HMO's.", "content": "The HMO Act and its amendments present a rather clear picture of specific requirements for federal qualification as an HMO. The probable future status of vision care services and optometric participation in these organizations is predictable on the basis of an analysis of the act and prior experiences in HMO prototypes.", "contents": "Vision care services in the HMO's. The HMO Act and its amendments present a rather clear picture of specific requirements for federal qualification as an HMO. The probable future status of vision care services and optometric participation in these organizations is predictable on the basis of an analysis of the act and prior experiences in HMO prototypes.", "PMID": 624831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5717", "title": "Distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, glutamate and aspartate in the cochlear nucleus of the rat.", "content": "The distributions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, glutamate and aspartate were measured in cochlear nuclei of two rats by quantitative histochemical mapping procedures. The levels and distributions in the two rats were comparable, and resembled those previously reported for cat cochlear nucleus. The results are consistent with a concept that these putative transmitter amino acids have similar levels and distributions in the cochlear nucleus among mammals.", "contents": "Distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine, glutamate and aspartate in the cochlear nucleus of the rat. The distributions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, glutamate and aspartate were measured in cochlear nuclei of two rats by quantitative histochemical mapping procedures. The levels and distributions in the two rats were comparable, and resembled those previously reported for cat cochlear nucleus. The results are consistent with a concept that these putative transmitter amino acids have similar levels and distributions in the cochlear nucleus among mammals.", "PMID": 624832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5718", "title": "Mast cell granule formation in the beige mouse.", "content": "The formation of mast cell granules was studied in the beige mouse utilizing histochemistry and electron microscopy. The time and sequence of appearance of heparin, histamine and the chymotrypsin-like protease were normal. By electron microscopy, the initial formation of progranules and subsequent aggregation was normal, but the granules from early stages were abnormally large. Reorganization of intermediate granule forms to homogeneous mature granules was delayed. Late fusions of intermediate and/or mature granules were not observed. Our findings indicate that the defect lies in the excessive initial fusion of progranules rather than in continued formation of new progranules or in fusion of mature granules with one another.", "contents": "Mast cell granule formation in the beige mouse. The formation of mast cell granules was studied in the beige mouse utilizing histochemistry and electron microscopy. The time and sequence of appearance of heparin, histamine and the chymotrypsin-like protease were normal. By electron microscopy, the initial formation of progranules and subsequent aggregation was normal, but the granules from early stages were abnormally large. Reorganization of intermediate granule forms to homogeneous mature granules was delayed. Late fusions of intermediate and/or mature granules were not observed. Our findings indicate that the defect lies in the excessive initial fusion of progranules rather than in continued formation of new progranules or in fusion of mature granules with one another.", "PMID": 624833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5719", "title": "A simple procedure for distinguishing dopamine from noradrenaline in peripheral nervous structures in the fluorescence microscope.", "content": "The difference between dopamine and noradrenaline after ordinary histofluorescent procedures cannot be discerned. Reserpine treatment results in depletion of fluorescent material from dopaminergic and noradrenergic peripheral nervous structures. Administration of reserpine, 1 mg/kg subcutaneously for 3 hr, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg levodopa methyl ester on 0.9% saline for 90 min, result in refluorescence of dopaminergic (glomus cells of the carotid body) but not noradrenergic (sympathetic ganglion cells, nerves of atrial heart muscle and blood vessels) structures. Hence, the sequential administration of these readily available drugs and the application of ordinary histofluorescent techniques result in a simple procedure for distinguishing dopamine from noradrenaline in the fluorescence microscope.", "contents": "A simple procedure for distinguishing dopamine from noradrenaline in peripheral nervous structures in the fluorescence microscope. The difference between dopamine and noradrenaline after ordinary histofluorescent procedures cannot be discerned. Reserpine treatment results in depletion of fluorescent material from dopaminergic and noradrenergic peripheral nervous structures. Administration of reserpine, 1 mg/kg subcutaneously for 3 hr, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg levodopa methyl ester on 0.9% saline for 90 min, result in refluorescence of dopaminergic (glomus cells of the carotid body) but not noradrenergic (sympathetic ganglion cells, nerves of atrial heart muscle and blood vessels) structures. Hence, the sequential administration of these readily available drugs and the application of ordinary histofluorescent techniques result in a simple procedure for distinguishing dopamine from noradrenaline in the fluorescence microscope.", "PMID": 624834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5720", "title": "Measurement of cellular DNA mass by flow microfluorometry with use of a biological internal standard.", "content": "Use of a biological standard (chicken erythrocytes) mixed with experimental cell populations allows control of all variables in flow microfluorometric determination of DNA content. These variables include both staining and instrument procedures. In addition, the use of a biological standard allows determination of cellular DNA mass in unperturbed cell populations. DNA mass measured by FMF technique correlates closely with values reported in the literature that used biochemical techniques.", "contents": "Measurement of cellular DNA mass by flow microfluorometry with use of a biological internal standard. Use of a biological standard (chicken erythrocytes) mixed with experimental cell populations allows control of all variables in flow microfluorometric determination of DNA content. These variables include both staining and instrument procedures. In addition, the use of a biological standard allows determination of cellular DNA mass in unperturbed cell populations. DNA mass measured by FMF technique correlates closely with values reported in the literature that used biochemical techniques.", "PMID": 624835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5721", "title": "Studies on the secretory process in exocrine pancreas cells. II. C57 black and beige mice.", "content": "Published electron microscopic and cytochemical studies (thiamine pyrophosphatase and acid phosphatase) on exocrine pancreas cells of guinea pig, hamster, rat and rabbit have demonstrated that the nascent secretory granules, or condensing vacuoles, are part of GERL. The studies reported here show this to be true of the mouse pancreatic exocrine cells as well, thus permitting comparison of this cell type in the C57 black mouse and its \"beige\" mutant. This is of considerable interest because GERL is very much enlarged in these cells of the beige mouse. Most of GERL consists of wide dilated portions filled with electron-opaque materials that appear to be packaged into huge residual body-type lysosomes (\"anomalous granules\"). Acid phosphatase activity is demonstrable not only in these portions of GERL, but also in the condensing vacuoles as in pancreatic acinar cells in the black mouse where these dilated lysosome-producing regions are not present.", "contents": "Studies on the secretory process in exocrine pancreas cells. II. C57 black and beige mice. Published electron microscopic and cytochemical studies (thiamine pyrophosphatase and acid phosphatase) on exocrine pancreas cells of guinea pig, hamster, rat and rabbit have demonstrated that the nascent secretory granules, or condensing vacuoles, are part of GERL. The studies reported here show this to be true of the mouse pancreatic exocrine cells as well, thus permitting comparison of this cell type in the C57 black mouse and its \"beige\" mutant. This is of considerable interest because GERL is very much enlarged in these cells of the beige mouse. Most of GERL consists of wide dilated portions filled with electron-opaque materials that appear to be packaged into huge residual body-type lysosomes (\"anomalous granules\"). Acid phosphatase activity is demonstrable not only in these portions of GERL, but also in the condensing vacuoles as in pancreatic acinar cells in the black mouse where these dilated lysosome-producing regions are not present.", "PMID": 624836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5722", "title": "Identification of rosette-forming cells in permanent preparations.", "content": "A method is described for the identification of leucocytes in permanent cytocentrifuge rosette preparations made with the fluorescent methyl green pyronin-SITS (MPS) staining technique. The percentages of rosettes in stained slides agree well with the results obtained with the conventional haemocytometer method. Application of the MPS staining to cytocentrifuge preparations permits reliable morphological differentiation between free and rosetting leucocytes, and should be particularly valuable in studies on lymphocyte subpopulations in patients.", "contents": "Identification of rosette-forming cells in permanent preparations. A method is described for the identification of leucocytes in permanent cytocentrifuge rosette preparations made with the fluorescent methyl green pyronin-SITS (MPS) staining technique. The percentages of rosettes in stained slides agree well with the results obtained with the conventional haemocytometer method. Application of the MPS staining to cytocentrifuge preparations permits reliable morphological differentiation between free and rosetting leucocytes, and should be particularly valuable in studies on lymphocyte subpopulations in patients.", "PMID": 624837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5723", "title": "A radial hemolysis method in agarose for the functional assay of properdin.", "content": "A simple one-step radial hemolytic assay for properdin has been devised. In this assay, the test material is introduced into a well in an agarose plate containing optimal concentrations of normal human serum immunochemically depleted of properdin (RP), EGTA, magnesium ions and unsensitized guinea pig erythrocytes. Following radial diffusion, the area of the hemolytic zones resulting from the activation of the alternative complement pathway and bystander lysis of guinea pig erythrocytes was directly proportional to the concentration of properdin in the test material. The assay is specific reproducible and sensitive and the correlation with the radioimmunoassay for properdin is very good. The assay has been used to measure properdin activity in animal sera.", "contents": "A radial hemolysis method in agarose for the functional assay of properdin. A simple one-step radial hemolytic assay for properdin has been devised. In this assay, the test material is introduced into a well in an agarose plate containing optimal concentrations of normal human serum immunochemically depleted of properdin (RP), EGTA, magnesium ions and unsensitized guinea pig erythrocytes. Following radial diffusion, the area of the hemolytic zones resulting from the activation of the alternative complement pathway and bystander lysis of guinea pig erythrocytes was directly proportional to the concentration of properdin in the test material. The assay is specific reproducible and sensitive and the correlation with the radioimmunoassay for properdin is very good. The assay has been used to measure properdin activity in animal sera.", "PMID": 624838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5724", "title": "A simple method for the isolation of murine peripheral blood lymphocytes.", "content": "A simple, rapid and reproducible semi-microtechnique was developed for the isolation of murine peripheral blood lymphocytes. Murine peripheral blood was collected from brachial vessels and centrifuged through a Ficoll--Hypaque gradient in a microfuge tube yielding 1--1.5 X 10(6) lymphocytes per mouse.", "contents": "A simple method for the isolation of murine peripheral blood lymphocytes. A simple, rapid and reproducible semi-microtechnique was developed for the isolation of murine peripheral blood lymphocytes. Murine peripheral blood was collected from brachial vessels and centrifuged through a Ficoll--Hypaque gradient in a microfuge tube yielding 1--1.5 X 10(6) lymphocytes per mouse.", "PMID": 624839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5725", "title": "Use of a radioactive double labeling technique in the chemical analysis of the mediators of cellular immunity.", "content": "Radioactive double labeling was adapted for the analysis of mediators of cellular immunity. Two identical lymphocyte cultures were simultaneously labeled with [3H]- or [14C]leucine. Each of the cultures was stimulated with antigen or mitogen. The combined supernatants were then subjected to various fractionation procedures. By determining the isotope ratio in each fraction it is possible to identify those products of activated lymphocytes that have been produced either de novo or in increased amounts. The method proved sensitive enough to detect lymphocyte activation products in supernatants of activated lymphocyte cultures from guinea pig, mouse, and man.", "contents": "Use of a radioactive double labeling technique in the chemical analysis of the mediators of cellular immunity. Radioactive double labeling was adapted for the analysis of mediators of cellular immunity. Two identical lymphocyte cultures were simultaneously labeled with [3H]- or [14C]leucine. Each of the cultures was stimulated with antigen or mitogen. The combined supernatants were then subjected to various fractionation procedures. By determining the isotope ratio in each fraction it is possible to identify those products of activated lymphocytes that have been produced either de novo or in increased amounts. The method proved sensitive enough to detect lymphocyte activation products in supernatants of activated lymphocyte cultures from guinea pig, mouse, and man.", "PMID": 624840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5726", "title": "Study of DNA metabolism of lymph-node cells by direct lymphatic administration of tritiated thymidine.", "content": "A method for studying DNA metabolism in lymph-node cells by injecting tritiated thymidine intralymphatically is described. The administration of [3H]thymidine through a lymph vessel enabled a high concentration to be attained with only a small quantity of the precursor in close proximity to the cells. The significance of the method is that it may also be used in studies of metabolic processes in human lymph-nodes.", "contents": "Study of DNA metabolism of lymph-node cells by direct lymphatic administration of tritiated thymidine. A method for studying DNA metabolism in lymph-node cells by injecting tritiated thymidine intralymphatically is described. The administration of [3H]thymidine through a lymph vessel enabled a high concentration to be attained with only a small quantity of the precursor in close proximity to the cells. The significance of the method is that it may also be used in studies of metabolic processes in human lymph-nodes.", "PMID": 624841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5727", "title": "Complement receptors: specific detection by molecular complexes.", "content": "Immune complexes of BSA-anti BSA (IgG F(ab')2) will activate human complement by the alternate pathway. The C3 bound to these complexes binds to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells which bear complement receptors. This interaction is visualized by fluoresceinated antigen (BSA-FITC) or fluorescein conjugated antisera directed at the C3 component of complement. The assay appears to be more sensitive than the usual IgMEAC rosette technique and correlates well with the rosette method.", "contents": "Complement receptors: specific detection by molecular complexes. Immune complexes of BSA-anti BSA (IgG F(ab')2) will activate human complement by the alternate pathway. The C3 bound to these complexes binds to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells which bear complement receptors. This interaction is visualized by fluoresceinated antigen (BSA-FITC) or fluorescein conjugated antisera directed at the C3 component of complement. The assay appears to be more sensitive than the usual IgMEAC rosette technique and correlates well with the rosette method.", "PMID": 624843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5728", "title": "An immunoglobulin E assay using radiolabelled Fab' and ammonium sulfate.", "content": "An immunochemical assay is described in which a radiolabelled antibody fragment, Fab', is bound specifically to immunoglobulin E (IgE), and precipitated with ammonium sulfate. The radioactivity in the precipitate is a measure of the amount of IgE in the sample. Results for six serum samples are compared using the double antibody and ammonium sulfate methods as well as the PRIST.", "contents": "An immunoglobulin E assay using radiolabelled Fab' and ammonium sulfate. An immunochemical assay is described in which a radiolabelled antibody fragment, Fab', is bound specifically to immunoglobulin E (IgE), and precipitated with ammonium sulfate. The radioactivity in the precipitate is a measure of the amount of IgE in the sample. Results for six serum samples are compared using the double antibody and ammonium sulfate methods as well as the PRIST.", "PMID": 624844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5729", "title": "Aspects of bradykinin radioimmunoassay.", "content": "125I-derivatives of Tyr1-kallidin, Tyr5-bradykinin, and Tyr8-bradykinin were prepared. A technique for purification of the monoiodinated derivative is described. Bradykinin antisera were tested for their ability to bind the mono-iodinated analogues. Each antiserum had a characteristic preference for one of the three labeled peptides. The sensitivity of each antiserum was greatest when it was used with the label bound most avidly by that antiserum. The specificity of an antiserum was not changed by varying the labeled analogue. Some common enzyme inhibitors had significant effects on the antigen-antibody reactions. Lecithin interfered with the reaction between antiserum and Tyr1-kallidin. The data suggest that antisera for bradykinin radioimmunoassay be tested with several radioactive iodobradykinins to maximize their usefulness. In addition, enzyme inhibitors used to stabilize levels of kinins in biological fluids should be tested for their effects on the assay. Biologic samples rich in lipid may give spurious radioimmunoassay results unless they are freed of those phospholipids that can bind labeled and unlabeled peptides.", "contents": "Aspects of bradykinin radioimmunoassay. 125I-derivatives of Tyr1-kallidin, Tyr5-bradykinin, and Tyr8-bradykinin were prepared. A technique for purification of the monoiodinated derivative is described. Bradykinin antisera were tested for their ability to bind the mono-iodinated analogues. Each antiserum had a characteristic preference for one of the three labeled peptides. The sensitivity of each antiserum was greatest when it was used with the label bound most avidly by that antiserum. The specificity of an antiserum was not changed by varying the labeled analogue. Some common enzyme inhibitors had significant effects on the antigen-antibody reactions. Lecithin interfered with the reaction between antiserum and Tyr1-kallidin. The data suggest that antisera for bradykinin radioimmunoassay be tested with several radioactive iodobradykinins to maximize their usefulness. In addition, enzyme inhibitors used to stabilize levels of kinins in biological fluids should be tested for their effects on the assay. Biologic samples rich in lipid may give spurious radioimmunoassay results unless they are freed of those phospholipids that can bind labeled and unlabeled peptides.", "PMID": 624845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5730", "title": "The use of high speed gel filtration for the detection of rubella-specific IgM.", "content": "Three new gels, Ultrogels AcA 22, AcA 34 and AcA 44 have been compared with Sephadex G-200 for the detection of rubella-specific IgM. Ultrogel AcA 44 did not achieve an adequate separation of IgM and IgG. Ultrogels AcA 22 and AcA 34 gave clear separation of IgM and IgG but only the latter could be operated at flow rates significantly higher than Sephadex G-200. With rubella convalescent sera fractionation with Ultrogel AcA 34 leads to a 2-4-fold loss of sensitivity for the detection of the first peak of rubella HI activity which is associated with recent infection. This is largely due to the occurrence of specific IgA antibody in the first peak of rubella HI activity after Sephadex G-200 fractionation but not after Ultrogel AcA 34 fractionation.", "contents": "The use of high speed gel filtration for the detection of rubella-specific IgM. Three new gels, Ultrogels AcA 22, AcA 34 and AcA 44 have been compared with Sephadex G-200 for the detection of rubella-specific IgM. Ultrogel AcA 44 did not achieve an adequate separation of IgM and IgG. Ultrogels AcA 22 and AcA 34 gave clear separation of IgM and IgG but only the latter could be operated at flow rates significantly higher than Sephadex G-200. With rubella convalescent sera fractionation with Ultrogel AcA 34 leads to a 2-4-fold loss of sensitivity for the detection of the first peak of rubella HI activity which is associated with recent infection. This is largely due to the occurrence of specific IgA antibody in the first peak of rubella HI activity after Sephadex G-200 fractionation but not after Ultrogel AcA 34 fractionation.", "PMID": 624846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5731", "title": "Psittacosis: the reservoir persists.", "content": "During a one-year period, 101 parakeets and parrots were submitted for laboratory examination. The birds were sick, dead, or from premises where morbidity had been observed. Tissue specimens from these birds were tested for the presence of Chlamydiapsittaci by two methods. A tissue culture system using McCoy cells treated with 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine was found to be more sensitive than intraperitoneal inoculation of mice for isolation of the chlamydiae. Chlamydiae were recovered from 21 (34%) of 61 parakeets and 16 (40%) of 40 parrots tested. This high rate of infection persists despite the availability of effective chemotherapeutic regimens for control of chlamydial infection in psittacines. The origins of some of the infected birds were traced to aviaries where subsequent treatment with chlortetracycline was successful in eradication of the chlamydial infection. Other infected birds had been imported recently and could be traced back to quarantine centers where (by law) the birds received chemoprophylaxis for chlamydial infection. Our results suggest that this program is an administrative failure.", "contents": "Psittacosis: the reservoir persists. During a one-year period, 101 parakeets and parrots were submitted for laboratory examination. The birds were sick, dead, or from premises where morbidity had been observed. Tissue specimens from these birds were tested for the presence of Chlamydiapsittaci by two methods. A tissue culture system using McCoy cells treated with 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine was found to be more sensitive than intraperitoneal inoculation of mice for isolation of the chlamydiae. Chlamydiae were recovered from 21 (34%) of 61 parakeets and 16 (40%) of 40 parrots tested. This high rate of infection persists despite the availability of effective chemotherapeutic regimens for control of chlamydial infection in psittacines. The origins of some of the infected birds were traced to aviaries where subsequent treatment with chlortetracycline was successful in eradication of the chlamydial infection. Other infected birds had been imported recently and could be traced back to quarantine centers where (by law) the birds received chemoprophylaxis for chlamydial infection. Our results suggest that this program is an administrative failure.", "PMID": 624851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5732", "title": "Hepatitis B virus infections among Danish dentists.", "content": "Since type B hepatitis is generally regarded as an occupational risk for dentists, the participants at the 1976 annual meeting of the Danish Dental Association were examined for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). A total of 1,338 dentists (89% of the dentists at the meeting and 29% of all Danish dentists) were included in the study by completion of a questionnaire and by radioimmunoassay of a blood sample for HGsAg and anti-HBs. None of the dentists was HBsAg-positive, but 110 (8.2%) had anti-HBs. An increasing frequency of anti-HBs was found with increasing age, but the figures were similar to the findings in a control population. Evidence is presented that hepatitis found before admittance to or during the time at dental school was predominantly not of type B. In contrast, type B hepatitis predominated during the professional activity of the dentists. On the basis of the serological findings in 29% of all Danish dentists, it is concluded that dentists cannot be regarded as a high-risk group for hepatitis B.", "contents": "Hepatitis B virus infections among Danish dentists. Since type B hepatitis is generally regarded as an occupational risk for dentists, the participants at the 1976 annual meeting of the Danish Dental Association were examined for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). A total of 1,338 dentists (89% of the dentists at the meeting and 29% of all Danish dentists) were included in the study by completion of a questionnaire and by radioimmunoassay of a blood sample for HGsAg and anti-HBs. None of the dentists was HBsAg-positive, but 110 (8.2%) had anti-HBs. An increasing frequency of anti-HBs was found with increasing age, but the figures were similar to the findings in a control population. Evidence is presented that hepatitis found before admittance to or during the time at dental school was predominantly not of type B. In contrast, type B hepatitis predominated during the professional activity of the dentists. On the basis of the serological findings in 29% of all Danish dentists, it is concluded that dentists cannot be regarded as a high-risk group for hepatitis B.", "PMID": 624852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5733", "title": "Pathogenesis of the rubella exanthem: distribution of rubella virus in the skin during rubella with and without rash.", "content": "In a previous assessment of the role of rubella virus in the pathogenesis of the rubella exanthem, virus was consistently isolated from cell cultures of skin biopsy specimens of the rash, and it was concluded that presence of virus in the skin was essential to evolution of the rash. For determination of whether virus is present in the skin only in association with rash, punch biopsies were performed concurrently on areas of skin with and without rash. Among paired skin specimens of 16 patients, virus was isolated from sites of rash in 12 and from the uninvolved skin in 10. In another patient, shown by serologic response and recovery of virus from the pharynx to have rubella without a rash, virus was also isolated from the skin. It is concluded that rubella virus is widely disseminated in the skin of patients with rubella irrespective of the presence or distribution of the rash, and that the presence of virus in the skin, although a constant feature of the disease, is only one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of the exanthem.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of the rubella exanthem: distribution of rubella virus in the skin during rubella with and without rash. In a previous assessment of the role of rubella virus in the pathogenesis of the rubella exanthem, virus was consistently isolated from cell cultures of skin biopsy specimens of the rash, and it was concluded that presence of virus in the skin was essential to evolution of the rash. For determination of whether virus is present in the skin only in association with rash, punch biopsies were performed concurrently on areas of skin with and without rash. Among paired skin specimens of 16 patients, virus was isolated from sites of rash in 12 and from the uninvolved skin in 10. In another patient, shown by serologic response and recovery of virus from the pharynx to have rubella without a rash, virus was also isolated from the skin. It is concluded that rubella virus is widely disseminated in the skin of patients with rubella irrespective of the presence or distribution of the rash, and that the presence of virus in the skin, although a constant feature of the disease, is only one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of the exanthem.", "PMID": 624853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5734", "title": "Topical treatment of vaccinia virus infection with an interferon inducer in rabbits.", "content": "Ointment containing 1.7 mg/g of the interferon inducer poly (ICLC) (a complex of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid and with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose) was effective both prophylactically and therapeutically against vaccinia virus infection in rabbit skin. Poly (ICLC)-treated animals developed higher titers of local interferon and of circulating virus-neutralizing antibodies than placebo-treated animals. Serum levels of greater than 100 units of interferon/ml were found 24 hr after application of the poly (ICLC) ointment to the skin of uninfected rabbits.", "contents": "Topical treatment of vaccinia virus infection with an interferon inducer in rabbits. Ointment containing 1.7 mg/g of the interferon inducer poly (ICLC) (a complex of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid and with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose) was effective both prophylactically and therapeutically against vaccinia virus infection in rabbit skin. Poly (ICLC)-treated animals developed higher titers of local interferon and of circulating virus-neutralizing antibodies than placebo-treated animals. Serum levels of greater than 100 units of interferon/ml were found 24 hr after application of the poly (ICLC) ointment to the skin of uninfected rabbits.", "PMID": 624854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5735", "title": "Stability of four antifungal antimicrobics in vitro.", "content": "The stability of amphotericin B, amphotericin B methyl ester, 5-fluorocytosine, and miconazole was assessed under conditions encountered in bioassay and susceptibility testing in vitro. Although the amphotericins were labile as compared with other drugs, tests should be reliable with all four antimicrobics in view of the rapid action of the polyenes and the relatively slow action of 5-fluorocytocine and miconazole.", "contents": "Stability of four antifungal antimicrobics in vitro. The stability of amphotericin B, amphotericin B methyl ester, 5-fluorocytosine, and miconazole was assessed under conditions encountered in bioassay and susceptibility testing in vitro. Although the amphotericins were labile as compared with other drugs, tests should be reliable with all four antimicrobics in view of the rapid action of the polyenes and the relatively slow action of 5-fluorocytocine and miconazole.", "PMID": 624855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5736", "title": "Prostaglandin production by intra-uterine tissues from periparturient sheep: use of a superfusion technique.", "content": "A technique for the continuous superfusion of small tissue samples in vitro has been applied to the study of prostaglandin production by ovine intra-uterine tissues. Basal and oxytocin-stimulated production of prostaglandins was studied at 120-125 days of pregnancy and after dexamethasone-induced delivery. In general, the relative rate of prostaglandin production by tissues was: foetal cotyledon = maternal cotyledon greater than myometrium and in quantitative order the prostaglandins produced were prostaglandin E (PGE) greater than prostaglandin F (PGF) = 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F (PGFM). Considerable variations was found between the rates of prostaglandin production in individual sheep. Oxytocin had no effect on the production of prostaglandins by tissues obtained before labour but myometrium and maternal cotyledon obtained at delivery exhibited a significant increase in production of PGE and PGF (though not PGFM) in response to oxytocin. Administration of arachidonic acid increased the production of PGE and PGF by the foetal cotyledon.", "contents": "Prostaglandin production by intra-uterine tissues from periparturient sheep: use of a superfusion technique. A technique for the continuous superfusion of small tissue samples in vitro has been applied to the study of prostaglandin production by ovine intra-uterine tissues. Basal and oxytocin-stimulated production of prostaglandins was studied at 120-125 days of pregnancy and after dexamethasone-induced delivery. In general, the relative rate of prostaglandin production by tissues was: foetal cotyledon = maternal cotyledon greater than myometrium and in quantitative order the prostaglandins produced were prostaglandin E (PGE) greater than prostaglandin F (PGF) = 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F (PGFM). Considerable variations was found between the rates of prostaglandin production in individual sheep. Oxytocin had no effect on the production of prostaglandins by tissues obtained before labour but myometrium and maternal cotyledon obtained at delivery exhibited a significant increase in production of PGE and PGF (though not PGFM) in response to oxytocin. Administration of arachidonic acid increased the production of PGE and PGF by the foetal cotyledon.", "PMID": 624876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5737", "title": "Progesterone-induced oestrogen receptors in the rat uterus.", "content": "In ovariectomized rats progesterone acts like oestradiol at the endometrial, but not at the myometrial level, by increasing the number of oestrogen receptors in the cytoplasm. After 3 days of progesterone priming, the number of endometrial oestrogen receptors was found to be three times higher (P less than 0.05, Student's t-test) than control values. This progesterone-induced oestrogen receptor molecule appears identical in its physico-chemical properties (sedimentation coefficient, kinetic constants, steroid specificity) to that induced in the endometrium and myometrium under the influence of oestradiol. However, in the myometrium progesterone acts antagonistically reducing significantly (P less than 0.001, Student's t-test) the oestradiol-induced increase in the number of oestrogen receptors.", "contents": "Progesterone-induced oestrogen receptors in the rat uterus. In ovariectomized rats progesterone acts like oestradiol at the endometrial, but not at the myometrial level, by increasing the number of oestrogen receptors in the cytoplasm. After 3 days of progesterone priming, the number of endometrial oestrogen receptors was found to be three times higher (P less than 0.05, Student's t-test) than control values. This progesterone-induced oestrogen receptor molecule appears identical in its physico-chemical properties (sedimentation coefficient, kinetic constants, steroid specificity) to that induced in the endometrium and myometrium under the influence of oestradiol. However, in the myometrium progesterone acts antagonistically reducing significantly (P less than 0.001, Student's t-test) the oestradiol-induced increase in the number of oestrogen receptors.", "PMID": 624879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5738", "title": "Hypothalamic paraventricular unit activity during labour in the rat.", "content": "The spike activity of 191 antidromically identified paraventricular units was recorded during labour and the oestrous cycle of rats under urethane anaesthesia. Accelerated bursts of neuronal activity, as reported to occur during suckling, were not observed and changes in firing rate were not correlated with individual uterine contractions. There was, however, an increase in the magnitude of the mean spontaneous firing rate of antidromically identified neurosecretory cells during labour, as compared with all stages of the oestrous cycle. This increase was mainly caused by (1) a marked reduction (greater than 25%) in the percentage of totally silent cells and (2) an increase in the magnitude of the mean firing rate of the phasically firing units (1.58-3.44 spikes/s). It was concluded from these increases in spike activity that the tonic release of neurohypophysial hormones is stimulated during labour, and that this may contribute to the induction and course of labour.", "contents": "Hypothalamic paraventricular unit activity during labour in the rat. The spike activity of 191 antidromically identified paraventricular units was recorded during labour and the oestrous cycle of rats under urethane anaesthesia. Accelerated bursts of neuronal activity, as reported to occur during suckling, were not observed and changes in firing rate were not correlated with individual uterine contractions. There was, however, an increase in the magnitude of the mean spontaneous firing rate of antidromically identified neurosecretory cells during labour, as compared with all stages of the oestrous cycle. This increase was mainly caused by (1) a marked reduction (greater than 25%) in the percentage of totally silent cells and (2) an increase in the magnitude of the mean firing rate of the phasically firing units (1.58-3.44 spikes/s). It was concluded from these increases in spike activity that the tonic release of neurohypophysial hormones is stimulated during labour, and that this may contribute to the induction and course of labour.", "PMID": 624880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5739", "title": "Characterization and assay of the progesterone receptor in rat uterine cytosol.", "content": "The synthetic progestogen R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione) binds with high affinity (Ka = 8.8 X 10(8) l/mol at 0 degree C) to the progesterone receptor from rat uterine cytosol. At nanomolar concentrations, equilibrium is attained in less than 90 min. R5020 has a very low affinity for other specific steroid-binding proteins (corticosteroid-binding globulin and oestrogen receptors) present in relatively high concentrations in the urine cytosol. The affinity of the receptor for the natural hormone progesterone is remarkably low (Ka = 1 X 10(8)-1.7 X 10(8) l/mol at 0 degree C) which explains the instability of progesterone-receptor complexes. Advantage may be taken of this property to remove endogenous progesterone easily by charcoal treatment at 0 degree C, a treatment which does not modify the concentration of receptors. A method based on these characteristics is described for the assay of the total number (progesteron-bound and unbound) of receptor sites in uterine cytosol. This assay may be used in various physiological situations where endogenous progesterone is present at unknown concentrations.", "contents": "Characterization and assay of the progesterone receptor in rat uterine cytosol. The synthetic progestogen R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione) binds with high affinity (Ka = 8.8 X 10(8) l/mol at 0 degree C) to the progesterone receptor from rat uterine cytosol. At nanomolar concentrations, equilibrium is attained in less than 90 min. R5020 has a very low affinity for other specific steroid-binding proteins (corticosteroid-binding globulin and oestrogen receptors) present in relatively high concentrations in the urine cytosol. The affinity of the receptor for the natural hormone progesterone is remarkably low (Ka = 1 X 10(8)-1.7 X 10(8) l/mol at 0 degree C) which explains the instability of progesterone-receptor complexes. Advantage may be taken of this property to remove endogenous progesterone easily by charcoal treatment at 0 degree C, a treatment which does not modify the concentration of receptors. A method based on these characteristics is described for the assay of the total number (progesteron-bound and unbound) of receptor sites in uterine cytosol. This assay may be used in various physiological situations where endogenous progesterone is present at unknown concentrations.", "PMID": 624886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5740", "title": "Progesterone receptors in the rat uterus: variations in cytosol and nuclei during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy.", "content": "The concentration of progesterone receptors in rat uterine cytosol and nuclei was measured during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The method used allowed the measurement of the total concentration of binding sites (unbound and hormone-bound). During the oestrous cycle, the concentration of receptors in the cytosol peaked at prooestrus, low concentrations were observed at oestrus and metoestrus, and in increase was seen at dioestrus. In the nuclei, maximum concentrations occurred at pro-oestrus and dioestrus. The number of receptors in the cytosol was very low during the first half of pregnancy, but the concentration increased progressively after day 15 to attain a very high level (about 26 000 binding sites/cell) on day 22. In the nuclei, the concentration of receptors was low at the beginning of pregnancy. On day 5 (day of implantation) there was a slight increase, which corresponded to a decrease in the number of cytosolic receptors and a small peak in the level of progesterone in the plasma. Maximum concentrations were attained during a 'plateau' period between days 9 and 15. Thereafter, there was very low; in some animals, probably on the verge of parturition, no receptors were detectable in the nuclei.", "contents": "Progesterone receptors in the rat uterus: variations in cytosol and nuclei during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The concentration of progesterone receptors in rat uterine cytosol and nuclei was measured during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The method used allowed the measurement of the total concentration of binding sites (unbound and hormone-bound). During the oestrous cycle, the concentration of receptors in the cytosol peaked at prooestrus, low concentrations were observed at oestrus and metoestrus, and in increase was seen at dioestrus. In the nuclei, maximum concentrations occurred at pro-oestrus and dioestrus. The number of receptors in the cytosol was very low during the first half of pregnancy, but the concentration increased progressively after day 15 to attain a very high level (about 26 000 binding sites/cell) on day 22. In the nuclei, the concentration of receptors was low at the beginning of pregnancy. On day 5 (day of implantation) there was a slight increase, which corresponded to a decrease in the number of cytosolic receptors and a small peak in the level of progesterone in the plasma. Maximum concentrations were attained during a 'plateau' period between days 9 and 15. Thereafter, there was very low; in some animals, probably on the verge of parturition, no receptors were detectable in the nuclei.", "PMID": 624888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5741", "title": "Circadian variation in the sensitivity of the pituitary-adrenal system to dexamethasone suppression.", "content": "Intact female rats were injected with 100 microgram dexamethasone/kg body weight or saline at 12.00, 24.00 or 04.00 h. Four hours later, i.e. 16.00, 04.00 or 08.00 h respectively, a double bleeding procedure was used to obtain blood samples from stressed and unstressed rats for subsequent fluorometric determination of corticosterone levels in the plasma. The difference between the level of corticosterone is stressed and unstressed rats (the stress increment) was determined and used as an index of the response of corticosterone in the plasma to stress. Increments in the levels of corticosterone in the plasma evoked by stress in rats injected at 12.00 h with dexamethasone and bled 4 h later were significantly (P less than 0.05) less than those in rats given dexamethasone at 24.00 or 04.00 and bled at 04.00 or 08.00 h respectively. In contrast, stress-induced increments in the level of corticosterone in the plasma of rats treated with saline did not vary with the time of day.", "contents": "Circadian variation in the sensitivity of the pituitary-adrenal system to dexamethasone suppression. Intact female rats were injected with 100 microgram dexamethasone/kg body weight or saline at 12.00, 24.00 or 04.00 h. Four hours later, i.e. 16.00, 04.00 or 08.00 h respectively, a double bleeding procedure was used to obtain blood samples from stressed and unstressed rats for subsequent fluorometric determination of corticosterone levels in the plasma. The difference between the level of corticosterone is stressed and unstressed rats (the stress increment) was determined and used as an index of the response of corticosterone in the plasma to stress. Increments in the levels of corticosterone in the plasma evoked by stress in rats injected at 12.00 h with dexamethasone and bled 4 h later were significantly (P less than 0.05) less than those in rats given dexamethasone at 24.00 or 04.00 and bled at 04.00 or 08.00 h respectively. In contrast, stress-induced increments in the level of corticosterone in the plasma of rats treated with saline did not vary with the time of day.", "PMID": 624889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5742", "title": "Blood-testis barrier: evidence for intact inter-Sertoli cell junctions after hypophysectomy in the adult rat.", "content": "To study the hormonal dependence of the blood-testis barrier, adult rats were hypophysectomized and the ultrastructural integrity of the inter-Sertoli cell junctional complex was examined at various times with a lanthanum tracer technique. It was found that the structural integrity of the inter-Sertoli cell junctions and their capacity to exclude lanthanum from the adluminal compartment were preserved up to 35 days after hypophysectomy. Furthermore, transport of newly formed spermatocytes through the inter-Sertoli cell junctions still occurred 20 days after hypophysectomy. It is therefore concluded that the function of the inter-Sertoli cell junctional complex is not directly dependent on gonadotrophic or androgenic hormones, but is regulated by other mechanisms.", "contents": "Blood-testis barrier: evidence for intact inter-Sertoli cell junctions after hypophysectomy in the adult rat. To study the hormonal dependence of the blood-testis barrier, adult rats were hypophysectomized and the ultrastructural integrity of the inter-Sertoli cell junctional complex was examined at various times with a lanthanum tracer technique. It was found that the structural integrity of the inter-Sertoli cell junctions and their capacity to exclude lanthanum from the adluminal compartment were preserved up to 35 days after hypophysectomy. Furthermore, transport of newly formed spermatocytes through the inter-Sertoli cell junctions still occurred 20 days after hypophysectomy. It is therefore concluded that the function of the inter-Sertoli cell junctional complex is not directly dependent on gonadotrophic or androgenic hormones, but is regulated by other mechanisms.", "PMID": 624890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5743", "title": "Histological data: Hollard and Davison (1971).", "content": "As Mogenson and Cio\u00e9 (1977) have assumed that our electrodes aimed at the ectostriatum (Hollard and Davison, 1971) were actually located there, we feel that a presentation of the histological data is necessary. Following termination of further experiments (Hollard, 1974) the pigeons, numbered 93, 95, and 119, were sacrificed and perfused with saline followed by 10% formalin. Sections, 50 microns thick, were cut on a freezing microtome. Prints were made by mounting each unstained section of a microscope slide and placing them in a standard photographic enlarger. The electrode tips of Pigeons 93 and 119 were located in the paleostriatal complex. The sections of Pigeon 95 were damaged and precise localization was not possible. Further work in this laboratory has also found that, using the same coordinates, electrode tips tend to fall in the paleostriatum, rather than in the more dorsal ectostriatum at which they are aimed. The paleostriatal placements tended to sustain self-stimulation, whereas others located in the ectostriatum sustained relatively low or unstable rates.", "contents": "Histological data: Hollard and Davison (1971). As Mogenson and Cio\u00e9 (1977) have assumed that our electrodes aimed at the ectostriatum (Hollard and Davison, 1971) were actually located there, we feel that a presentation of the histological data is necessary. Following termination of further experiments (Hollard, 1974) the pigeons, numbered 93, 95, and 119, were sacrificed and perfused with saline followed by 10% formalin. Sections, 50 microns thick, were cut on a freezing microtome. Prints were made by mounting each unstained section of a microscope slide and placing them in a standard photographic enlarger. The electrode tips of Pigeons 93 and 119 were located in the paleostriatal complex. The sections of Pigeon 95 were damaged and precise localization was not possible. Further work in this laboratory has also found that, using the same coordinates, electrode tips tend to fall in the paleostriatum, rather than in the more dorsal ectostriatum at which they are aimed. The paleostriatal placements tended to sustain self-stimulation, whereas others located in the ectostriatum sustained relatively low or unstable rates.", "PMID": 624892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5744", "title": "Measurement of electrogenic-pump current in Aplysia neurones with constant-current and constant-voltage techniques.", "content": "1. The responses of the abdominal and pleural giant cells to warming and cooling were studied using constant-current and constant-voltage techniques. 2. The potential change upon warming from about 7 degrees C to 22 degrees C was reversed by application of maintained inward current. The reversal potential was -77 +/- 12 mV. 3. The membrane conductance increased with warming, but was not affected by pump-blocking agents. 4. The electrogenic-pump current was found to be about 16 nA for a model in which the pump acted across the membrane ionic conductance. This model could explain the reversal of the warming response with hyperpolarization. 5. In voltage-clamped cells, the response to warming was converted from an outward to an inward current by hyperpolarization. The reversal potential for the current response 31 +/- 7 mV more negative than resting, or about --80 mV. 6. The pump currents measured under voltage-clamp conditions were the same as those calculated for the hyperpolarizing responses in unclamped cells.", "contents": "Measurement of electrogenic-pump current in Aplysia neurones with constant-current and constant-voltage techniques. 1. The responses of the abdominal and pleural giant cells to warming and cooling were studied using constant-current and constant-voltage techniques. 2. The potential change upon warming from about 7 degrees C to 22 degrees C was reversed by application of maintained inward current. The reversal potential was -77 +/- 12 mV. 3. The membrane conductance increased with warming, but was not affected by pump-blocking agents. 4. The electrogenic-pump current was found to be about 16 nA for a model in which the pump acted across the membrane ionic conductance. This model could explain the reversal of the warming response with hyperpolarization. 5. In voltage-clamped cells, the response to warming was converted from an outward to an inward current by hyperpolarization. The reversal potential for the current response 31 +/- 7 mV more negative than resting, or about --80 mV. 6. The pump currents measured under voltage-clamp conditions were the same as those calculated for the hyperpolarizing responses in unclamped cells.", "PMID": 624893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5745", "title": "Peripheral control of responsiveness to auditory stimuli in giant fibres of crickets and cockroaches.", "content": "Auditory stimuli initiate ascending activity in large fibres of the ventral nerve cord of the cricket, Acheta domesticus, and the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. This auditory responsiveness is reduced during locomotion. An earlier study concluded that the depression of responsiveness was mediated by descending inhibition. However, the auditory responsiveness is reduced during locomotion even after section of the ventral nerve cord anterior to the abdominal recording electrodes. Further, auditory responsiveness of isolated abdomens attached to intact animals is inhibited during locomotion of their hosts. Laminar wind streams over the cerci depress responsiveness to sound, but only at velocities markedly higher than those encountered by freely walking animals. Although the exact mechanism is not known, the depressed auditory responsiveness can occur independently of any descending influences.", "contents": "Peripheral control of responsiveness to auditory stimuli in giant fibres of crickets and cockroaches. Auditory stimuli initiate ascending activity in large fibres of the ventral nerve cord of the cricket, Acheta domesticus, and the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. This auditory responsiveness is reduced during locomotion. An earlier study concluded that the depression of responsiveness was mediated by descending inhibition. However, the auditory responsiveness is reduced during locomotion even after section of the ventral nerve cord anterior to the abdominal recording electrodes. Further, auditory responsiveness of isolated abdomens attached to intact animals is inhibited during locomotion of their hosts. Laminar wind streams over the cerci depress responsiveness to sound, but only at velocities markedly higher than those encountered by freely walking animals. Although the exact mechanism is not known, the depressed auditory responsiveness can occur independently of any descending influences.", "PMID": 624894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5746", "title": "Ventilation in an aquatic and a terrestrial chelonian reptile.", "content": "1. Periods of breath-holding are interrupted by episodes of continuous breathing in the aquatic turtle Pelomedusa subrufa, whereas single breaths and short periods of breath-holding alternate in the terrestrial tortoise Testudo pardalis. This implies that partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in expired air are stable in Testudo in contrast to cyclic fluctuations in Pelomedusa. 2. In spite of this, air convection requirements (VA/VO2, ml BTPS/ml STPD) are not significantly different for the two species (25.4 in Testudo, 27.3 in Pelomedusa), and differences in weight-specific ventilation between the mean body weight. 3. The end-tidal PCO2 in Pelomedusa (mean 15.2 mmHg) is lower than in Testudo (mean 24.7 mmHg), which reflects aquatic CO2 elimination in Pelomedusa. 4. In Testudo, the time course of ventilation correlates with the time course of increase of end-tidal PCO2 during CO2 breathing, but no simple relationship is evident between ventilation and blood PCO2 in Pelomedusa. 5. In both species tidal volume as well as respiratory frequency increase approximately in proportion to the end-tidal PCO2, although the response to 6% CO2 breathing could be less than expected from extrapolation of the responses to 2 and 4% CO2. Both species also increase ventilation during hypoxia, but hyperoxia depresses ventilation.", "contents": "Ventilation in an aquatic and a terrestrial chelonian reptile. 1. Periods of breath-holding are interrupted by episodes of continuous breathing in the aquatic turtle Pelomedusa subrufa, whereas single breaths and short periods of breath-holding alternate in the terrestrial tortoise Testudo pardalis. This implies that partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in expired air are stable in Testudo in contrast to cyclic fluctuations in Pelomedusa. 2. In spite of this, air convection requirements (VA/VO2, ml BTPS/ml STPD) are not significantly different for the two species (25.4 in Testudo, 27.3 in Pelomedusa), and differences in weight-specific ventilation between the mean body weight. 3. The end-tidal PCO2 in Pelomedusa (mean 15.2 mmHg) is lower than in Testudo (mean 24.7 mmHg), which reflects aquatic CO2 elimination in Pelomedusa. 4. In Testudo, the time course of ventilation correlates with the time course of increase of end-tidal PCO2 during CO2 breathing, but no simple relationship is evident between ventilation and blood PCO2 in Pelomedusa. 5. In both species tidal volume as well as respiratory frequency increase approximately in proportion to the end-tidal PCO2, although the response to 6% CO2 breathing could be less than expected from extrapolation of the responses to 2 and 4% CO2. Both species also increase ventilation during hypoxia, but hyperoxia depresses ventilation.", "PMID": 624895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5747", "title": "Ion-selective electrode studies on the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on the intracellular level of potassium in an insect salivary gland.", "content": "Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure the intracellular level of potassium in Calliphora salivary glands. During stimulation with 1 X 10(-8) M 5-HT, the potassium concentration increased from a resting level of 133.2 to 139.0 mM. When the external concentration of potassium was reduced below 2mM there was a rapid loss of potassium which could be partially reversed by 5-HT. During 5-HT stimulation, the addition of ouabain had no effect on a number of parameters including the rate of fluid secretion, the ionic composition of the saliva and the intracellular level of potassium. The possibility that potassium enters the cells passively is discussed.", "contents": "Ion-selective electrode studies on the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on the intracellular level of potassium in an insect salivary gland. Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure the intracellular level of potassium in Calliphora salivary glands. During stimulation with 1 X 10(-8) M 5-HT, the potassium concentration increased from a resting level of 133.2 to 139.0 mM. When the external concentration of potassium was reduced below 2mM there was a rapid loss of potassium which could be partially reversed by 5-HT. During 5-HT stimulation, the addition of ouabain had no effect on a number of parameters including the rate of fluid secretion, the ionic composition of the saliva and the intracellular level of potassium. The possibility that potassium enters the cells passively is discussed.", "PMID": 624896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5748", "title": "Giant nerve fibre activity in intact, freely moving earthworms.", "content": "1. An approach is described for recording and characterizing giant nerve fibre activity in intact, freely moving earthworms. 2. Medial giant fibre (MGF) spikes were conducted in an anterior-posterior direction at a mean rate of 32.2 m/s; lateral giant fibre (LGF) spikes were conducted in a posterior-anterior direction at a mean rate of 12.5 m/s. 3. Rates of giant fibre spike conduction and maximal frequencies of firing (up to 500/s) in intact animals were higher than values previously reported in isolated preparations. 4. MGF spikes were followed 1:1 by presumed giant motor axon spikes and facilitating muscle potentials. 5. Single MGF or LGF spikes evoked by applying tactile stimulation were not accompanied by longitudinal contraction, but a series of two or more MGF spikes or three or more LGF spikes were accompanied by such contractions. 6. MGF and LGF spikes occurred infrequently during locomotory movements in the absence of any experimenter-applied stimulation, suggesting that sensory inputs associated with normal locomotion over an irregular substrate are sufficient to excite giant fibres.", "contents": "Giant nerve fibre activity in intact, freely moving earthworms. 1. An approach is described for recording and characterizing giant nerve fibre activity in intact, freely moving earthworms. 2. Medial giant fibre (MGF) spikes were conducted in an anterior-posterior direction at a mean rate of 32.2 m/s; lateral giant fibre (LGF) spikes were conducted in a posterior-anterior direction at a mean rate of 12.5 m/s. 3. Rates of giant fibre spike conduction and maximal frequencies of firing (up to 500/s) in intact animals were higher than values previously reported in isolated preparations. 4. MGF spikes were followed 1:1 by presumed giant motor axon spikes and facilitating muscle potentials. 5. Single MGF or LGF spikes evoked by applying tactile stimulation were not accompanied by longitudinal contraction, but a series of two or more MGF spikes or three or more LGF spikes were accompanied by such contractions. 6. MGF and LGF spikes occurred infrequently during locomotory movements in the absence of any experimenter-applied stimulation, suggesting that sensory inputs associated with normal locomotion over an irregular substrate are sufficient to excite giant fibres.", "PMID": 624897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5749", "title": "The permeability of the skin of the aquatic anuran Xenopus laevis (Pipidae).", "content": "The undirectional transcutaneous fluxes of Na, Cl, water and urea were measured, in vitro, in the pipoid anuran Xenopus laevis. An active uptake (outside to inside) of Na was observed but Cl movements appeared to be passive. The effluxes of Na and Cl were low compared to those measured in other species of amphibians. The active Na transport was less than that of more terrestrial species and, although it could be stimulated by vasotocin, aldosterone was ineffective. The permeability of the skin to water was also low and although it was increased in the presence of vasotocin the magnitude of the response was much less than seen in more terrestrial anurans. The skin was permeable to urea but the movement of this solute was not remarkable when compared to that in other amphibians. These properties of the skin are discussed in relation to the animal's aquatic manner of life.", "contents": "The permeability of the skin of the aquatic anuran Xenopus laevis (Pipidae). The undirectional transcutaneous fluxes of Na, Cl, water and urea were measured, in vitro, in the pipoid anuran Xenopus laevis. An active uptake (outside to inside) of Na was observed but Cl movements appeared to be passive. The effluxes of Na and Cl were low compared to those measured in other species of amphibians. The active Na transport was less than that of more terrestrial species and, although it could be stimulated by vasotocin, aldosterone was ineffective. The permeability of the skin to water was also low and although it was increased in the presence of vasotocin the magnitude of the response was much less than seen in more terrestrial anurans. The skin was permeable to urea but the movement of this solute was not remarkable when compared to that in other amphibians. These properties of the skin are discussed in relation to the animal's aquatic manner of life.", "PMID": 624899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5750", "title": "Propagation of action potentials through electrotonic junctions in the salivary glands of the pulmonate mollusc, Helisoma trivolvis.", "content": "The secretory cells of the salivary glands of the snail, Helisoma trivolvis, exhibit regenerative, overshooting action potentials whose ampliture may exceed 100 mV. The salivary glands consist of paired, tubular, epithelial structures with acinar outpocketings. The secretory cells display extensive electrical coupling which allows action potentials to propagate along the glandular epithelium. Salivary glands from nine genera of gastropod molluscs were examined. The genera comprised one opisthobranch, one prosobranch, two terrestrial pulmonate slugs, one terrestrial pulmonate snail, and four aquatic pulmonate snails. Action potentials were recorded from all of the examined glands, suggesting that the production of action potentials in salivary glands is a general phenomenon among gastropods.", "contents": "Propagation of action potentials through electrotonic junctions in the salivary glands of the pulmonate mollusc, Helisoma trivolvis. The secretory cells of the salivary glands of the snail, Helisoma trivolvis, exhibit regenerative, overshooting action potentials whose ampliture may exceed 100 mV. The salivary glands consist of paired, tubular, epithelial structures with acinar outpocketings. The secretory cells display extensive electrical coupling which allows action potentials to propagate along the glandular epithelium. Salivary glands from nine genera of gastropod molluscs were examined. The genera comprised one opisthobranch, one prosobranch, two terrestrial pulmonate slugs, one terrestrial pulmonate snail, and four aquatic pulmonate snails. Action potentials were recorded from all of the examined glands, suggesting that the production of action potentials in salivary glands is a general phenomenon among gastropods.", "PMID": 624901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5751", "title": "Control of the salivary glands of Helisoma by identified neurones.", "content": "The neural regulation of an exocrine gland was investigated at the level of identified effector neurones. The salivary gland neuroeffector system of Helisoma consists of a pair of acinous glands innervated by two symmetrically located, identified buccal ganglion neurones (4R and 4L). Neurones 4R and 4L usually are electrically coupled and display synchronous activity. Action potentials in these neurones elicit EPSPs and action potentials in epithelial cells of the salivary glands. Spontaneous miniature potentials similar to those seen at neuromuscular junctions can be recorded from many of the glandular cells. Neurones 4R and rL, and thus also salivary gland cells, can display bursts of action potentials phase-locked with those seen in buccal mass motoneurones during feeding.", "contents": "Control of the salivary glands of Helisoma by identified neurones. The neural regulation of an exocrine gland was investigated at the level of identified effector neurones. The salivary gland neuroeffector system of Helisoma consists of a pair of acinous glands innervated by two symmetrically located, identified buccal ganglion neurones (4R and 4L). Neurones 4R and 4L usually are electrically coupled and display synchronous activity. Action potentials in these neurones elicit EPSPs and action potentials in epithelial cells of the salivary glands. Spontaneous miniature potentials similar to those seen at neuromuscular junctions can be recorded from many of the glandular cells. Neurones 4R and rL, and thus also salivary gland cells, can display bursts of action potentials phase-locked with those seen in buccal mass motoneurones during feeding.", "PMID": 624902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5752", "title": "Nonrandom inclusion of H-2K and H-2D antigens in Friend virus particles from mice of various strains.", "content": "Friend murine leukemia virus (FV), isolated from infectious serum of several mouse strains, has been examined for the presence of H-2 antigens. Following banding of the virus on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, pelleting, and disruption with Nonidet P-40 detergent, virus preparations were tested for their capacity to inhibit the lysis of target cells mediated by various anti-H-2K or anti-H-2D antisera. Virus from mice homozygous for the H-2b, H-2d, H-2g H-2k, and H-2ol haplotypes or heterozygous for the H-2g/H-2k, H-2b/H-2d, and H-2b/H-2k haplotypes was used. Of the six H-2D or H-2K alleles examined, the products of only two, H-2Db and H-2Kk were detected. Virus preparations contained no, one, or both antigens, depending on the genotype of the host animal. Control preparations from normal mouse serum and preparations in which the virus had not been disrupted demonstrated no H-2 activity. Furthermore, attempts to neutralize FV spleen focus forming activity with anti-H-2Db or anti-H-2Kk antisera yielded negative results.", "contents": "Nonrandom inclusion of H-2K and H-2D antigens in Friend virus particles from mice of various strains. Friend murine leukemia virus (FV), isolated from infectious serum of several mouse strains, has been examined for the presence of H-2 antigens. Following banding of the virus on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, pelleting, and disruption with Nonidet P-40 detergent, virus preparations were tested for their capacity to inhibit the lysis of target cells mediated by various anti-H-2K or anti-H-2D antisera. Virus from mice homozygous for the H-2b, H-2d, H-2g H-2k, and H-2ol haplotypes or heterozygous for the H-2g/H-2k, H-2b/H-2d, and H-2b/H-2k haplotypes was used. Of the six H-2D or H-2K alleles examined, the products of only two, H-2Db and H-2Kk were detected. Virus preparations contained no, one, or both antigens, depending on the genotype of the host animal. Control preparations from normal mouse serum and preparations in which the virus had not been disrupted demonstrated no H-2 activity. Furthermore, attempts to neutralize FV spleen focus forming activity with anti-H-2Db or anti-H-2Kk antisera yielded negative results.", "PMID": 624903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5753", "title": "Modulation of the formation of the amplification convertase of complement, C3b, Bb, by native and commercial heparin.", "content": "Native rat mast cell macromolecular heparin proteoglycan and commercial hog heparin glycosaminoglycan chains inhibit generation of the amplification convertase, C3b, Bb. The inhibitory action of heparin is not due to chelation of magnesium. Heparin is most active in inhibiting convertase formation on cellular intermediates formed with the lowest C3b input and developed with the highest B concentration, thereby suggesting the receptor site for B on C3b as the point of heparin action. This interpretation is consistent with the demonstration that heparin prevents B utilization during the fluid phase interaction of C3b, B, and D. Inhibition is observed also when C3b,Bb generation takes place on cellular intermediates in the presence of P or C3NeF, which yield stabilized forms of the convertase. 50 times the concentration of heparin required to inhibit convertase generation does not accelerate the decay of the unstabilized or the C3NeF-stabilized convertases and has only a modest effect on the P-stabilized convertase. An additional effect of heparin is to impair beta1H-mediated decay-dissociation of C3b,Bb. The concentration of native or commercial heparin which prevents convertase formation is in the same range as that required for the demonstration of its anti-coagulant and anti-thrombin III cofactor activities. The additional finding that this inhibitory action of heparin can be expressed by the isolated mast cell granule suggests that native heparin may contribute to the modulation of the amplification pathway of complement.", "contents": "Modulation of the formation of the amplification convertase of complement, C3b, Bb, by native and commercial heparin. Native rat mast cell macromolecular heparin proteoglycan and commercial hog heparin glycosaminoglycan chains inhibit generation of the amplification convertase, C3b, Bb. The inhibitory action of heparin is not due to chelation of magnesium. Heparin is most active in inhibiting convertase formation on cellular intermediates formed with the lowest C3b input and developed with the highest B concentration, thereby suggesting the receptor site for B on C3b as the point of heparin action. This interpretation is consistent with the demonstration that heparin prevents B utilization during the fluid phase interaction of C3b, B, and D. Inhibition is observed also when C3b,Bb generation takes place on cellular intermediates in the presence of P or C3NeF, which yield stabilized forms of the convertase. 50 times the concentration of heparin required to inhibit convertase generation does not accelerate the decay of the unstabilized or the C3NeF-stabilized convertases and has only a modest effect on the P-stabilized convertase. An additional effect of heparin is to impair beta1H-mediated decay-dissociation of C3b,Bb. The concentration of native or commercial heparin which prevents convertase formation is in the same range as that required for the demonstration of its anti-coagulant and anti-thrombin III cofactor activities. The additional finding that this inhibitory action of heparin can be expressed by the isolated mast cell granule suggests that native heparin may contribute to the modulation of the amplification pathway of complement.", "PMID": 624904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5754", "title": "Membrane receptors of mouse leukocytes. II. Sequential expression of membrane receptors and phagocytic capacity during leukocyte differentiation.", "content": "Analysis of four mature cell markers on mouse bone marrow leukocytes grown in vitro, demonstrated a distinct sequence of marker appearance during the terminal phases of granulocytic cell differentiation. A similar pattern of marker expression was also suggested by analysis of mature neutrophils and macrophages isolated from normal tissues. Among cultured neutrophils, receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcR) were first expressed on myelocytes and metamyelocytes, and then subsequently on more mature cells. Morphologically mature colony neutrophils (polymorphs) from agar cultures contained only FcR and complement receptor type two (CR(2)) (C3d receptor), and lacked both complement receptor type one (CR(1)) (C3b receptor) and the capacity to ingest latex, bacteria, or iron particles. Neutrophils from 2 and 3 wk liquid media cultures of marrow cells differed from agar grown neutrophils in that they had phagocytic capacity (particle ingestion) [Pi] in addition to FcR and CR(2). Furthermore, in the 4th and 5th wk of these continuous liquid cultures, CR(1) was also expressed, completing the surface marker profile of normal blood neutrophils. Based on these studies, the following order of appearance of these four markers on cells from the myelocytic series was proposed: FcR {arrow} FcR CR(2) {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi CR(1). Differential studies of tissue leukocytes containing these same markers revealed that a heterogeneity existed among morphologically mature neutrophils. Even though 95 percent of blood polymorphs contained all four markers, the same was true of only half of spleen polymorphs and only 20 percent of bone marrow polymorphs. Cells of the monocyte-macrophage series were studies in parallel with neutrophils. Cultured marrow monocytes acquired the four mature cell markers so rapidly that the order of receptor appearance could not be determined. However, it was found that CR2 was lost during the terminal phase of monocyte maturation into activated macrophages.", "contents": "Membrane receptors of mouse leukocytes. II. Sequential expression of membrane receptors and phagocytic capacity during leukocyte differentiation. Analysis of four mature cell markers on mouse bone marrow leukocytes grown in vitro, demonstrated a distinct sequence of marker appearance during the terminal phases of granulocytic cell differentiation. A similar pattern of marker expression was also suggested by analysis of mature neutrophils and macrophages isolated from normal tissues. Among cultured neutrophils, receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcR) were first expressed on myelocytes and metamyelocytes, and then subsequently on more mature cells. Morphologically mature colony neutrophils (polymorphs) from agar cultures contained only FcR and complement receptor type two (CR(2)) (C3d receptor), and lacked both complement receptor type one (CR(1)) (C3b receptor) and the capacity to ingest latex, bacteria, or iron particles. Neutrophils from 2 and 3 wk liquid media cultures of marrow cells differed from agar grown neutrophils in that they had phagocytic capacity (particle ingestion) [Pi] in addition to FcR and CR(2). Furthermore, in the 4th and 5th wk of these continuous liquid cultures, CR(1) was also expressed, completing the surface marker profile of normal blood neutrophils. Based on these studies, the following order of appearance of these four markers on cells from the myelocytic series was proposed: FcR {arrow} FcR CR(2) {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi CR(1). Differential studies of tissue leukocytes containing these same markers revealed that a heterogeneity existed among morphologically mature neutrophils. Even though 95 percent of blood polymorphs contained all four markers, the same was true of only half of spleen polymorphs and only 20 percent of bone marrow polymorphs. Cells of the monocyte-macrophage series were studies in parallel with neutrophils. Cultured marrow monocytes acquired the four mature cell markers so rapidly that the order of receptor appearance could not be determined. However, it was found that CR2 was lost during the terminal phase of monocyte maturation into activated macrophages.", "PMID": 624905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5755", "title": "The genetic basis of susceptibility to leukemia induction in mice by 3-methylcholanthrene applied percutaneously.", "content": "Susceptibility to leukemia induction in mice by skin painting with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) is strain-specific, occurring only in strains relatively resistant to MCA-induced skin tumors. The Ah locus, which has a dominant allele (Ahb) for inducibility of the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) enzyme system and a recessive allele (Ahd) for noninducibility, appears to be the major determinant of this trait. MCA-painted mice of strains and crosses carrying the Ahb allele usually show a high incidence of skin tumors (papillomas which may evolve into malignant tumors) and little or no leukemia, whereas in mice homozygous for the Ahd allele the treatment usually induces a high incidence of leukemia and few or no skin tumors. Among mice of a segregating backcross generation including both Ahb/Ahd heterozygotes and Ahd homozygotes, the occurrence of skin tumors was correlated directly with AHH inducibility and inversely with the leukemic response. Mice of Ahb strains with a high level of endogenous murine leukemia (MuLV) expression (C58, PL) show a much weaker skin tumor response than expected but no increase in leukemia incidence, and this observation tends to confirm the previous finding that MuLV infection of mice of low-MuLV strains results in reduced susceptibility to MCA tumorigenesis.", "contents": "The genetic basis of susceptibility to leukemia induction in mice by 3-methylcholanthrene applied percutaneously. Susceptibility to leukemia induction in mice by skin painting with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) is strain-specific, occurring only in strains relatively resistant to MCA-induced skin tumors. The Ah locus, which has a dominant allele (Ahb) for inducibility of the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) enzyme system and a recessive allele (Ahd) for noninducibility, appears to be the major determinant of this trait. MCA-painted mice of strains and crosses carrying the Ahb allele usually show a high incidence of skin tumors (papillomas which may evolve into malignant tumors) and little or no leukemia, whereas in mice homozygous for the Ahd allele the treatment usually induces a high incidence of leukemia and few or no skin tumors. Among mice of a segregating backcross generation including both Ahb/Ahd heterozygotes and Ahd homozygotes, the occurrence of skin tumors was correlated directly with AHH inducibility and inversely with the leukemic response. Mice of Ahb strains with a high level of endogenous murine leukemia (MuLV) expression (C58, PL) show a much weaker skin tumor response than expected but no increase in leukemia incidence, and this observation tends to confirm the previous finding that MuLV infection of mice of low-MuLV strains results in reduced susceptibility to MCA tumorigenesis.", "PMID": 624906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5756", "title": "Rapid active transport of immunoglobulin A from blood to bile.", "content": "Immunoglobulins were isolated from the serum or ascitic fluid of Lou/Wsl rats bearing plasmacytomas and labeled with 125I. When labeled IgA was injected i.v. it disappeared from the blood serum much more rapidly than IgG2 so that after 3 h less than 10% remained. This rapid disappearance of the injected IgA was not seen in rats with ligated bile ducts. In rats with cannulated bile ducts, the labeled IgA appeared rapidly in the bile so that 25% of the injected dose was recovered in 3 h; at the peak of this biliary excretion the specific radioactivity of the bile (cpm/milligram protein) was about 200 times greater than that of the blood serum. Thus much of the IgA which finds its way into the blood is rapidly and actively transported across the liver so that it enters the gut lumen via the biliary tract.", "contents": "Rapid active transport of immunoglobulin A from blood to bile. Immunoglobulins were isolated from the serum or ascitic fluid of Lou/Wsl rats bearing plasmacytomas and labeled with 125I. When labeled IgA was injected i.v. it disappeared from the blood serum much more rapidly than IgG2 so that after 3 h less than 10% remained. This rapid disappearance of the injected IgA was not seen in rats with ligated bile ducts. In rats with cannulated bile ducts, the labeled IgA appeared rapidly in the bile so that 25% of the injected dose was recovered in 3 h; at the peak of this biliary excretion the specific radioactivity of the bile (cpm/milligram protein) was about 200 times greater than that of the blood serum. Thus much of the IgA which finds its way into the blood is rapidly and actively transported across the liver so that it enters the gut lumen via the biliary tract.", "PMID": 624907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5757", "title": "Macrophage activation: increased ingestion of IgG-coated erythrocytes after administration of interferon inducers to mice.", "content": "In vitro phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized sheep erythrocytes (EA) was used to measure the in vivo activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Uptake of EA as enhanced by the extraperitoneal administration of Newcastle disease virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, tilorone or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Ingestion of EA was similarly stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or killed Corynebacterium parvum. Dose-response curves relating concentrations of IgG to phagocytosis were parallel for both treated and control animals. This indicates that the heterogeneity of the macrophage populations did not change and that the overall populations were activated with respect to phagocytic ability. Numbers of macrophages were not increased (except in C. parvum-treated mice), suggesting that resident, rather than newly recruited macrophages, were activated by the different agents.", "contents": "Macrophage activation: increased ingestion of IgG-coated erythrocytes after administration of interferon inducers to mice. In vitro phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized sheep erythrocytes (EA) was used to measure the in vivo activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Uptake of EA as enhanced by the extraperitoneal administration of Newcastle disease virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, tilorone or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Ingestion of EA was similarly stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or killed Corynebacterium parvum. Dose-response curves relating concentrations of IgG to phagocytosis were parallel for both treated and control animals. This indicates that the heterogeneity of the macrophage populations did not change and that the overall populations were activated with respect to phagocytic ability. Numbers of macrophages were not increased (except in C. parvum-treated mice), suggesting that resident, rather than newly recruited macrophages, were activated by the different agents.", "PMID": 624908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5758", "title": "Drug interference in clinical chemistry: studies on ascorbic acid.", "content": "The expert group \"Drug Interference in Clinical Chemistry\" of the Bureau of Reference, Directorate General for Research, Science and Education of the Commission of the European Communities, consisting of one participant of each member of the European Communities, presents this first report on the final results of its activities. Within the framework of a first stage basic program, the paper describes interferences of therapeutic and elevated doses of ascorbic acid on commonly used clinical chemical methods. This is the result of a bipartite study that was jointly planned, carried out and evaluated. Local and personal influences have been eliminated, as have variations due to methodology, measurement equipment and reagents, in order to be able to present distinct causal effects of ascorbic acid. No definite influence of ascorbic acid on analytical values for urea, cholesterol, calcium, protein, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase could be detected. At therapeutic concentrations, ascorbic acid distinctly interferes with the analysis of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and inorganic phosphate. The extent and direction of interferences vary, depending on the type of reaction, kit and apparatus. In some cases the influence of ascorbic acid results in severe disturbance of the analytical methods leading to useless values.", "contents": "Drug interference in clinical chemistry: studies on ascorbic acid. The expert group \"Drug Interference in Clinical Chemistry\" of the Bureau of Reference, Directorate General for Research, Science and Education of the Commission of the European Communities, consisting of one participant of each member of the European Communities, presents this first report on the final results of its activities. Within the framework of a first stage basic program, the paper describes interferences of therapeutic and elevated doses of ascorbic acid on commonly used clinical chemical methods. This is the result of a bipartite study that was jointly planned, carried out and evaluated. Local and personal influences have been eliminated, as have variations due to methodology, measurement equipment and reagents, in order to be able to present distinct causal effects of ascorbic acid. No definite influence of ascorbic acid on analytical values for urea, cholesterol, calcium, protein, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase could be detected. At therapeutic concentrations, ascorbic acid distinctly interferes with the analysis of glucose, uric acid, creatinine and inorganic phosphate. The extent and direction of interferences vary, depending on the type of reaction, kit and apparatus. In some cases the influence of ascorbic acid results in severe disturbance of the analytical methods leading to useless values.", "PMID": 624909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5759", "title": "[Uroporphyrinogen synthase in erythrocytes in acute intermittent porphyria: new pathobiochemical aspects (author's transl)].", "content": "Uroporphyrinogen synthase (EC 4.3.1.8) was determined in the erythrocytes of 380 patients, of which 21 showed clinical symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria. The normal range of a random sample was 61 +/- 23 mumol/1.h(x +/- 2s, n=302), including the activity of uroporphyrinogen cosynthase and the subsequent enzymes; when all the latter enzymes were destroyed by heating the haemolysate, the normal range for uroporphyrinogen synthase was 65 +/- 25 mumol/1.h(x +/- 2s, n=274). The respective activity of uroporphyrinogen synthase in patients with acute intermittent porphyria was 35 +/- 12, and 40 +/- 18 mumol/1.h which was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the control values. In the 21 cases of acute intermittent porphyria, the diagnosis had already been made from the presence of porphyrin precursors and porphyrin in the urine. In 7 of the 21 cases of acute intermittent porphyria, and in 6 relatives of the patients, the activity of the uroporphyrinogen synthase was in the overlap zone (40-50 mumol/1.h). 32 relatives of 9 of the patients with acute intermittent porphyria were investigated: 22 showed a significant decrease of uroporphyrinogen synthase, and 7 of these showed pathological urinary porphyrin precursors and porphyrin. The relative activity of uroporphyrinogen synthase in patients with acute intermittent porphyria was 57%. A decrease of the uroporphyrinogen synthase activity of greater than 30% compared with the mean of the controls is a sure indicator for the presence of a primary enzymic defect in the gene carrier for acute intermittent porphyria.", "contents": "[Uroporphyrinogen synthase in erythrocytes in acute intermittent porphyria: new pathobiochemical aspects (author's transl)]. Uroporphyrinogen synthase (EC 4.3.1.8) was determined in the erythrocytes of 380 patients, of which 21 showed clinical symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria. The normal range of a random sample was 61 +/- 23 mumol/1.h(x +/- 2s, n=302), including the activity of uroporphyrinogen cosynthase and the subsequent enzymes; when all the latter enzymes were destroyed by heating the haemolysate, the normal range for uroporphyrinogen synthase was 65 +/- 25 mumol/1.h(x +/- 2s, n=274). The respective activity of uroporphyrinogen synthase in patients with acute intermittent porphyria was 35 +/- 12, and 40 +/- 18 mumol/1.h which was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the control values. In the 21 cases of acute intermittent porphyria, the diagnosis had already been made from the presence of porphyrin precursors and porphyrin in the urine. In 7 of the 21 cases of acute intermittent porphyria, and in 6 relatives of the patients, the activity of the uroporphyrinogen synthase was in the overlap zone (40-50 mumol/1.h). 32 relatives of 9 of the patients with acute intermittent porphyria were investigated: 22 showed a significant decrease of uroporphyrinogen synthase, and 7 of these showed pathological urinary porphyrin precursors and porphyrin. The relative activity of uroporphyrinogen synthase in patients with acute intermittent porphyria was 57%. A decrease of the uroporphyrinogen synthase activity of greater than 30% compared with the mean of the controls is a sure indicator for the presence of a primary enzymic defect in the gene carrier for acute intermittent porphyria.", "PMID": 624910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5760", "title": "The precision of clinical estriol and total estrogen estimations in pregnancy urine.", "content": "1. A study of the precision of clinical estriol- and total estrogen determinations in late pregnancy urine was carried out in collaboration with 26 clinical laboratories in the Netherlands and one laboratory in Suriname. 2. Ten urine samples were circulated twice with an interval of 2 weeks. 3. It was shown, that repeated analysis of the same sample in the same clinical laboratory in different assays can yield differences in results up to 40%. This interassay variation can be regarded as the main source of uncertainty of results of clinical estriol and total estrogen determinations. 4. The quantitative differences between results of total estrogen methods and a gas chromatographic method, which measures only estriol, were shown to be caused primarily by the lower recovery of the glucuronide of estriol (both native and added) in the latter method. 5. As expected, methods based on the principle of Ittrich (1960), Acta Endocrinol. 35, 34-48) proved to be more susceptible to the disturbing influence of glucose than a gas chromatographic method that measured estriol specifically. 6. Various recommendations to improve the precision of clinical estrogen determinations in pregnancy urine resulted from this study.", "contents": "The precision of clinical estriol and total estrogen estimations in pregnancy urine. 1. A study of the precision of clinical estriol- and total estrogen determinations in late pregnancy urine was carried out in collaboration with 26 clinical laboratories in the Netherlands and one laboratory in Suriname. 2. Ten urine samples were circulated twice with an interval of 2 weeks. 3. It was shown, that repeated analysis of the same sample in the same clinical laboratory in different assays can yield differences in results up to 40%. This interassay variation can be regarded as the main source of uncertainty of results of clinical estriol and total estrogen determinations. 4. The quantitative differences between results of total estrogen methods and a gas chromatographic method, which measures only estriol, were shown to be caused primarily by the lower recovery of the glucuronide of estriol (both native and added) in the latter method. 5. As expected, methods based on the principle of Ittrich (1960), Acta Endocrinol. 35, 34-48) proved to be more susceptible to the disturbing influence of glucose than a gas chromatographic method that measured estriol specifically. 6. Various recommendations to improve the precision of clinical estrogen determinations in pregnancy urine resulted from this study.", "PMID": 624911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5761", "title": "[Gas chromatographic determination of di- and trisaccharides (author's transl)].", "content": "Three new methods are reported for the gas chromatographic analysis of di- and trisaccharides. Method I: Sugars are converted into their methoximes by reaction with methoxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine, followed by esterification with acetic anhydride. The separation is performed on OV 225 at 260 degrees C. Method II: Disaccharides are reduced to the alditols with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution, followed by acetylation with acetic anhydride in pyridine. In this method, only one peak is observed for each sugar. The derivatives are separated on OV 225 at 260 degrees C. Method III: Sugars are converted into their methoximes by reaction with methoxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine, followed by trifluoroacetylation with N-methyl-bis (trifluoroacetamide). The trisaccharide derivatives still show sufficient volatility. The separation is performed on OV 101 at 130 degrees C for disaccharides, and at 160 degrees C for trisaccharides. The retention times for biologically occurring di- and trisaccharides such as maltose, maltotriose, lactose, and sucrose are reported. The reliability criteria for method I are reported for the analysis of lactose, maltose and sucrose.", "contents": "[Gas chromatographic determination of di- and trisaccharides (author's transl)]. Three new methods are reported for the gas chromatographic analysis of di- and trisaccharides. Method I: Sugars are converted into their methoximes by reaction with methoxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine, followed by esterification with acetic anhydride. The separation is performed on OV 225 at 260 degrees C. Method II: Disaccharides are reduced to the alditols with sodium borohydride in aqueous solution, followed by acetylation with acetic anhydride in pyridine. In this method, only one peak is observed for each sugar. The derivatives are separated on OV 225 at 260 degrees C. Method III: Sugars are converted into their methoximes by reaction with methoxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine, followed by trifluoroacetylation with N-methyl-bis (trifluoroacetamide). The trisaccharide derivatives still show sufficient volatility. The separation is performed on OV 101 at 130 degrees C for disaccharides, and at 160 degrees C for trisaccharides. The retention times for biologically occurring di- and trisaccharides such as maltose, maltotriose, lactose, and sucrose are reported. The reliability criteria for method I are reported for the analysis of lactose, maltose and sucrose.", "PMID": 624913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5762", "title": "[Topical immunochemical consideration of the structure of the tumour cell membrane (author's transl)].", "content": "Fundamental experiments and results in the elucidation of cell membrane structure are reviewed in detail. Special consideration is given to the topochemical organisation and immunochemistry of the glycolipids and glycoproteins that are integrated into the cell membrane, and which form a major component of the surface receptor mosaic. This, in turn, underlies a transmembrane, cytoskeletal control, a mechanism that can only be explained by the modern concept of a fluid membrane. The investigations discussed here provide an interpretation of the behaviour and properties of the membranes of the tumour cell, as observed in the effect of cell transformation on the topography of the plasma membrane, and during the cell cycle and cell growth. In this connection, the so-called tumour associated antigens are discussed fully and their biochemistry and immunology treated in detail. Concepts of tumour immunity and escape mechanisms are then elucidated and defined with the aid of model systems. Using examples, it is shown why the results of this fundamental research form a sound basis for the immunodiagnosis and therapy of tumours.", "contents": "[Topical immunochemical consideration of the structure of the tumour cell membrane (author's transl)]. Fundamental experiments and results in the elucidation of cell membrane structure are reviewed in detail. Special consideration is given to the topochemical organisation and immunochemistry of the glycolipids and glycoproteins that are integrated into the cell membrane, and which form a major component of the surface receptor mosaic. This, in turn, underlies a transmembrane, cytoskeletal control, a mechanism that can only be explained by the modern concept of a fluid membrane. The investigations discussed here provide an interpretation of the behaviour and properties of the membranes of the tumour cell, as observed in the effect of cell transformation on the topography of the plasma membrane, and during the cell cycle and cell growth. In this connection, the so-called tumour associated antigens are discussed fully and their biochemistry and immunology treated in detail. Concepts of tumour immunity and escape mechanisms are then elucidated and defined with the aid of model systems. Using examples, it is shown why the results of this fundamental research form a sound basis for the immunodiagnosis and therapy of tumours.", "PMID": 624914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5763", "title": "The need for process research on psychophysical judgment: comments on \"Ratio and subtractive processes in psychophysical judgment\" by Veit.", "content": "This article is a commentary on Veit's article \"Ratio and Subtractive Processes in Psychophysical Judgment.\" Veit's article makes an important contribution to the area of psychophysical judgment by providing a systematic approach that combines measurement and psychological theory. Using multi-factor designs and a cross-task scale-invariance criterion, Veit shows how to concurrently examine the integration rule, response-transformation function, and psychophysical function for judgment tasks. The need to expand this methodology to further understand the operations and processes underlying psychophysical judgment is stressed in the present article, and an illustration involving feedback mechanisms is provided.", "contents": "The need for process research on psychophysical judgment: comments on \"Ratio and subtractive processes in psychophysical judgment\" by Veit. This article is a commentary on Veit's article \"Ratio and Subtractive Processes in Psychophysical Judgment.\" Veit's article makes an important contribution to the area of psychophysical judgment by providing a systematic approach that combines measurement and psychological theory. Using multi-factor designs and a cross-task scale-invariance criterion, Veit shows how to concurrently examine the integration rule, response-transformation function, and psychophysical function for judgment tasks. The need to expand this methodology to further understand the operations and processes underlying psychophysical judgment is stressed in the present article, and an illustration involving feedback mechanisms is provided.", "PMID": 624915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5764", "title": "Comment on internal feedback as a theory of judgment: a reply to Levin.", "content": "Levin's suggestion that internal feedback strategies be employed in judgmental and learning tasks is discussed. The predictions of an internal feedback notion are seen as inconsistent with Veit's ratio and difference task data. Scale-free frameworks and scale-convergence criteria used in previous research are described as useful techniques for separating integration from judgmental processes in information-integration as well as learning-task situations.", "contents": "Comment on internal feedback as a theory of judgment: a reply to Levin. Levin's suggestion that internal feedback strategies be employed in judgmental and learning tasks is discussed. The predictions of an internal feedback notion are seen as inconsistent with Veit's ratio and difference task data. Scale-free frameworks and scale-convergence criteria used in previous research are described as useful techniques for separating integration from judgmental processes in information-integration as well as learning-task situations.", "PMID": 624916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5765", "title": "Surface modification of guinea pig sperm during in vitro capacitation: an assessment using lectin-induced agglutination of living sperm.", "content": "Plant lectins have been used to advantage to study carbohydrate-containing cell surface receptors in numerous systems. In this study, a simple, reliable assay was developed to quantitate lectin-induced agglutinability of sperm. This assay was used successfully to compare some of the surface properties of uncapacitated and capacitated guinea pig sperm. Capacitation was induced by incubating sperm in minimum capacitation medium (MCM) or modified Tyrodes solution (T-PL). Control incubations were done in Ham's F-10 or Hank's balanced salt solution which do not support capacitation. At timed intervals during incubation, sperm samples were assessed for pattern and degree of lectin-induced agglutination. Results establish that: (1) soybean agglutinin (SBA) and to a lesser extent concanavalin A (Con A) induced agglutinability of guinea pig sperm increase during in vitro capacitation in MCM; (2) a similar increase in SBA induced agglutinability occurs during capacitation in T-PL, but not in the non-capacitating media; and (3) for sperm incubated in MCM or T-PL, there is a significant increase in tail to tail agglutination after capacitation. The results with SBA demonstrate that D-galactose and/or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine containing receptor sites or the guinea pig sperm surface are affected by capacitation, and this effect occurs, at least in part, in the sperm tail. Possible explanations for the observed increase in agglutinability are discussed. The agglutination assay may prove useful as a direct test for the occurrence of capacitation and may be especially valuable for species having a small acrosome or limited number of eggs.", "contents": "Surface modification of guinea pig sperm during in vitro capacitation: an assessment using lectin-induced agglutination of living sperm. Plant lectins have been used to advantage to study carbohydrate-containing cell surface receptors in numerous systems. In this study, a simple, reliable assay was developed to quantitate lectin-induced agglutinability of sperm. This assay was used successfully to compare some of the surface properties of uncapacitated and capacitated guinea pig sperm. Capacitation was induced by incubating sperm in minimum capacitation medium (MCM) or modified Tyrodes solution (T-PL). Control incubations were done in Ham's F-10 or Hank's balanced salt solution which do not support capacitation. At timed intervals during incubation, sperm samples were assessed for pattern and degree of lectin-induced agglutination. Results establish that: (1) soybean agglutinin (SBA) and to a lesser extent concanavalin A (Con A) induced agglutinability of guinea pig sperm increase during in vitro capacitation in MCM; (2) a similar increase in SBA induced agglutinability occurs during capacitation in T-PL, but not in the non-capacitating media; and (3) for sperm incubated in MCM or T-PL, there is a significant increase in tail to tail agglutination after capacitation. The results with SBA demonstrate that D-galactose and/or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine containing receptor sites or the guinea pig sperm surface are affected by capacitation, and this effect occurs, at least in part, in the sperm tail. Possible explanations for the observed increase in agglutinability are discussed. The agglutination assay may prove useful as a direct test for the occurrence of capacitation and may be especially valuable for species having a small acrosome or limited number of eggs.", "PMID": 624919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5766", "title": "Uptake of Ca2+ is one of the earliest responses to fertilization of sea urchin eggs.", "content": "Sea urchin eggs take up Ca for 10 min following insemination (determined as uptake of 45Ca from the SW (3)). Although 90% of this uptake occurs after the beginning of the cortical reaction and may represent external binding of Ca to the egg surface coats, there is a brief phase of uptake (o-30 sec) which precedes the cortical reaction; this may represent a Ca flux into the eggs.", "contents": "Uptake of Ca2+ is one of the earliest responses to fertilization of sea urchin eggs. Sea urchin eggs take up Ca for 10 min following insemination (determined as uptake of 45Ca from the SW (3)). Although 90% of this uptake occurs after the beginning of the cortical reaction and may represent external binding of Ca to the egg surface coats, there is a brief phase of uptake (o-30 sec) which precedes the cortical reaction; this may represent a Ca flux into the eggs.", "PMID": 624920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5767", "title": "Insect cellular differentiation. I. Redifferentiation of the adult labial glands of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera).", "content": "With the exception of a few primitive ephemeropterans, winged insects do not normally molt as adults, although they can molt under appropriate hormonal conditions. We investigated this supernumerary molt process by taking adult labial glands (from Manduca sexta), cutting them into fragments of a single cell type, implanting them into individual freshly molted pupae, and then recovering them from pharate adult and adult hosts. The appearance and function of these fragments were compared to those of normally metamorphosing glands. Based on these criteria: (1) the supernumerary adult molt involved cellular de- and re-differentiation and (2) no transdifferentiation occurred, between the separate adult gland cell types.", "contents": "Insect cellular differentiation. I. Redifferentiation of the adult labial glands of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). With the exception of a few primitive ephemeropterans, winged insects do not normally molt as adults, although they can molt under appropriate hormonal conditions. We investigated this supernumerary molt process by taking adult labial glands (from Manduca sexta), cutting them into fragments of a single cell type, implanting them into individual freshly molted pupae, and then recovering them from pharate adult and adult hosts. The appearance and function of these fragments were compared to those of normally metamorphosing glands. Based on these criteria: (1) the supernumerary adult molt involved cellular de- and re-differentiation and (2) no transdifferentiation occurred, between the separate adult gland cell types.", "PMID": 624921} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5768", "title": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). II. Development of the larval compound eyes.", "content": "The development of the compound eye was analyzed by marking individual ommatidia and by studying naturally occurring pigment band patterns. New ommatidia are added to the eye along its anterior margin. This changes the directions of view of the older ommatidia with the greatest change occurring in the fovea. New ommatidia are added to the fovea medially, and old ones are removed laterally as their interommatidial angles and directions of view in the visual field change. Over one-third of the aeshnid ommatidia are foveal during at least one of the early larval instars, and are then used for peripheral vision later in development. The design of each ommatidium is a compromise so that it is adapted for all stages of development, but sometimes better adapted for one instar than for others. Factors which are balanced for best vision are lens diameter, facet admission function, interommatidial angle, and inclination of the optic axis to the eye surface. Ommatidia are described in terms of these factors throughout their life history, from initial differentiation anteriorly, through passage through the fovea, to their final relatively posterior location.", "contents": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). II. Development of the larval compound eyes. The development of the compound eye was analyzed by marking individual ommatidia and by studying naturally occurring pigment band patterns. New ommatidia are added to the eye along its anterior margin. This changes the directions of view of the older ommatidia with the greatest change occurring in the fovea. New ommatidia are added to the fovea medially, and old ones are removed laterally as their interommatidial angles and directions of view in the visual field change. Over one-third of the aeshnid ommatidia are foveal during at least one of the early larval instars, and are then used for peripheral vision later in development. The design of each ommatidium is a compromise so that it is adapted for all stages of development, but sometimes better adapted for one instar than for others. Factors which are balanced for best vision are lens diameter, facet admission function, interommatidial angle, and inclination of the optic axis to the eye surface. Ommatidia are described in terms of these factors throughout their life history, from initial differentiation anteriorly, through passage through the fovea, to their final relatively posterior location.", "PMID": 624922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5769", "title": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). III. Adult compound eyes.", "content": "The distribution of ommatidial diameters and interommatidial angles, as determined by measuring the angles between the optic axes of adjacent ommatidia, are mapped across the surface of the compound eyes of a variety of species selected for different adult behaviors, developmental histories, and taxonomic positions. The size of the visual fields, prey capture foveas, foveas composed of large dorsal ommatidia, and other specializations in the numbers of ommatidia that view various directions in the visual field are discussed in relation to adult behavior. Advanced species have less resemblance between their larval and adult eyes than primitive species. In contrast to their larvae, adults increase the monocular resolution of each eye at the expense of binocular vision. Most species have foveas which view in approximately the anterior direction, instead of in a region of binocular overlap, and many species have foveal bands which view along the horizon. Some advanced perching species, which approach their prey and other odonates from below, have an additional vertical foveal band that views along a vertical plane from the anterior direction to a more dorsal direction. The most unusual foveal band is seen in active flying species. The large dorsal ommatidia of the migratory Anax junius, which cover approximately one third of the eye surface, view a narrow region of the visual field that extends along a plane from the most lateral direction of one eye to a dorsal direction, and continues without interruption to the most lateral direction of the other eye.", "contents": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). III. Adult compound eyes. The distribution of ommatidial diameters and interommatidial angles, as determined by measuring the angles between the optic axes of adjacent ommatidia, are mapped across the surface of the compound eyes of a variety of species selected for different adult behaviors, developmental histories, and taxonomic positions. The size of the visual fields, prey capture foveas, foveas composed of large dorsal ommatidia, and other specializations in the numbers of ommatidia that view various directions in the visual field are discussed in relation to adult behavior. Advanced species have less resemblance between their larval and adult eyes than primitive species. In contrast to their larvae, adults increase the monocular resolution of each eye at the expense of binocular vision. Most species have foveas which view in approximately the anterior direction, instead of in a region of binocular overlap, and many species have foveal bands which view along the horizon. Some advanced perching species, which approach their prey and other odonates from below, have an additional vertical foveal band that views along a vertical plane from the anterior direction to a more dorsal direction. The most unusual foveal band is seen in active flying species. The large dorsal ommatidia of the migratory Anax junius, which cover approximately one third of the eye surface, view a narrow region of the visual field that extends along a plane from the most lateral direction of one eye to a dorsal direction, and continues without interruption to the most lateral direction of the other eye.", "PMID": 624923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5770", "title": "Identification of eight-cell tw32 homozygous lethal mutants by aberrant compaction.", "content": "Early cleavage stage (4- and uncompacted 8-cell) embryos from experimental (+/tw32 X +/t32) and control (male +/tw32 X female +/T) matings were recovered at 56 hours post coitum, cultured, separated into uncompacted and compacted 8-cell embryo groups, and either analyzed histologically for cytoplasmic lipids or cultured through the morula-to-blastocyst transformation. Abnormal compaction was associated with excess cytoplasmic lipids at the 8-cell stage (P less than 0.01). Also, 89.2% (33/37) of the original uncompacted experimental embryos underwent developmental arrest characteristic of tw32 homozygous lethals. Thus, aberrant compaction, a newly reported symptom of the tw32/tw21 syndrome, affords a visual means to identify tw32 homozygotes at 8-cell stages.", "contents": "Identification of eight-cell tw32 homozygous lethal mutants by aberrant compaction. Early cleavage stage (4- and uncompacted 8-cell) embryos from experimental (+/tw32 X +/t32) and control (male +/tw32 X female +/T) matings were recovered at 56 hours post coitum, cultured, separated into uncompacted and compacted 8-cell embryo groups, and either analyzed histologically for cytoplasmic lipids or cultured through the morula-to-blastocyst transformation. Abnormal compaction was associated with excess cytoplasmic lipids at the 8-cell stage (P less than 0.01). Also, 89.2% (33/37) of the original uncompacted experimental embryos underwent developmental arrest characteristic of tw32 homozygous lethals. Thus, aberrant compaction, a newly reported symptom of the tw32/tw21 syndrome, affords a visual means to identify tw32 homozygotes at 8-cell stages.", "PMID": 624924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5771", "title": "In vitro inhibition of mouse dental development by tetracycline.", "content": "Embryonic molars and incisors were dissected from mandibles of 15-day post-fertilization C57BL/10 mouse embryos and were cultured in vitro for six days on agar-solidified Eagle's basal medium. Experimental explants were cultured on medium which was the same as the control except that 50, 75 or 100 microgram/ml tetracycline was added. Treated explants of both incisors and molars were suppressed in development and reduced in size. Enamel organs and dental papillae of all tooth germs subjected to higher tetracycline concentrations were abnormal in structure and differentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts was inhibited. Explants treated with higher dosage levels of the drug were more severely affected than those exposed to lower concentrations. Recovery from the suppression induced by tetracycline was observed in explants transferred to control medium for four days of growth following treatment. Differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts observed in the recovering tooth germs indicated that the inhibition in development was temporary. The results of this study showed that tetracycline can alter dental development in vitro prior to mineralization. The observed inhibition may be related to a disruption of collagen biosynthesis which is thought to play a role in the controlling epithelial-mesenchymal interaction involved in tooth germ morphogenesis.", "contents": "In vitro inhibition of mouse dental development by tetracycline. Embryonic molars and incisors were dissected from mandibles of 15-day post-fertilization C57BL/10 mouse embryos and were cultured in vitro for six days on agar-solidified Eagle's basal medium. Experimental explants were cultured on medium which was the same as the control except that 50, 75 or 100 microgram/ml tetracycline was added. Treated explants of both incisors and molars were suppressed in development and reduced in size. Enamel organs and dental papillae of all tooth germs subjected to higher tetracycline concentrations were abnormal in structure and differentiation of ameloblasts and odontoblasts was inhibited. Explants treated with higher dosage levels of the drug were more severely affected than those exposed to lower concentrations. Recovery from the suppression induced by tetracycline was observed in explants transferred to control medium for four days of growth following treatment. Differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts observed in the recovering tooth germs indicated that the inhibition in development was temporary. The results of this study showed that tetracycline can alter dental development in vitro prior to mineralization. The observed inhibition may be related to a disruption of collagen biosynthesis which is thought to play a role in the controlling epithelial-mesenchymal interaction involved in tooth germ morphogenesis.", "PMID": 624925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5772", "title": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). IV. Development of the adult compound eyes.", "content": "The changes in the directions of view of marked larval ommatidia were observed after the emergence of the adult. Those ommatidia that had been present during the first larval instar had the most posterior directions of view in the adult visual field while the newest ommatidia that had not been functional for vision in the aquatic larva contributed to the anterior and dorsal foveas of the aerial adults. The changes in interommatidial angles at emergence are discussed. Contrary to the general trend for interommatidial angles between retained larval ommatidia to decrease at emergence, the interommatidial angles in the larval fovea of aeshnid visual predators increase at emergence. The modifications in an odonate compound eye at emergence are like an exaggeration of the modifications that occur at the moult from one larval instar to the next, except that the newest ommatidia do not have any compromises in their design for use in the aquatic vision of the larvae. This is in contrast to the ommatidia retained from the earliest larval instars which have to have the most compromises in their design so that they can be adapted for the visual requirements of every larval instar, as well as the adult. This is discussed in relation to the trend among advanced species of odonates to replace the larval ommatidia by an entirely new set of adult ommatidia.", "contents": "Development of the compound eyes of dragonflies (Odonata). IV. Development of the adult compound eyes. The changes in the directions of view of marked larval ommatidia were observed after the emergence of the adult. Those ommatidia that had been present during the first larval instar had the most posterior directions of view in the adult visual field while the newest ommatidia that had not been functional for vision in the aquatic larva contributed to the anterior and dorsal foveas of the aerial adults. The changes in interommatidial angles at emergence are discussed. Contrary to the general trend for interommatidial angles between retained larval ommatidia to decrease at emergence, the interommatidial angles in the larval fovea of aeshnid visual predators increase at emergence. The modifications in an odonate compound eye at emergence are like an exaggeration of the modifications that occur at the moult from one larval instar to the next, except that the newest ommatidia do not have any compromises in their design for use in the aquatic vision of the larvae. This is in contrast to the ommatidia retained from the earliest larval instars which have to have the most compromises in their design so that they can be adapted for the visual requirements of every larval instar, as well as the adult. This is discussed in relation to the trend among advanced species of odonates to replace the larval ommatidia by an entirely new set of adult ommatidia.", "PMID": 624926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5773", "title": "Effects of puromycin and actinomycin D on fertilized rabbit eggs cultured in vitro.", "content": "Rabbit zygotes were cultured in media containing varying concentrations of puromycin and actinomycin D in order to determine what effect these agents have on events of fertilization and early development. Concentrations of puromycin greater than 10(-5) M inhibited mitosis, cytokinesis of fertilized eggs and leucine incorporation. In approximately 50% of the zygotes treated with puromycin (10(-5) M or greater) the female pronucleus remained at its site of formation, the cortex, and did not migrate centrad. In these instances the male pronucleus moved from its site of development to the female pronucleus. Concentrations of actinomycin D greater than 10(-7) M also inhibited mitosis and cytokinesis of fertilized eggs. Breakdown of the nuclear envelopes and association of the paternally- and maternally-derived chromatin did not occur in either puromycin- or actinomycin D-treated embryos. Actinomycin D at all of the concentrations employed (10(-9) to 10(-4) M) had little effect upon the structure of nucleolus-like bodies within male and female pronuclei. Male and female pronuclei of puromycin (10(-4) M) and actinomycin D (10(-5) M) treated zygotes, incubated with tritiated thymidine and prepared for scintillation counting and autoradiography, synthesized DNA at a reduced level when compared to control specimens. Although \"side effects\" of puromycin and actinomycin D treatment are not excluded, these results suggest that nascent proteins may be required for events of fertilization.", "contents": "Effects of puromycin and actinomycin D on fertilized rabbit eggs cultured in vitro. Rabbit zygotes were cultured in media containing varying concentrations of puromycin and actinomycin D in order to determine what effect these agents have on events of fertilization and early development. Concentrations of puromycin greater than 10(-5) M inhibited mitosis, cytokinesis of fertilized eggs and leucine incorporation. In approximately 50% of the zygotes treated with puromycin (10(-5) M or greater) the female pronucleus remained at its site of formation, the cortex, and did not migrate centrad. In these instances the male pronucleus moved from its site of development to the female pronucleus. Concentrations of actinomycin D greater than 10(-7) M also inhibited mitosis and cytokinesis of fertilized eggs. Breakdown of the nuclear envelopes and association of the paternally- and maternally-derived chromatin did not occur in either puromycin- or actinomycin D-treated embryos. Actinomycin D at all of the concentrations employed (10(-9) to 10(-4) M) had little effect upon the structure of nucleolus-like bodies within male and female pronuclei. Male and female pronuclei of puromycin (10(-4) M) and actinomycin D (10(-5) M) treated zygotes, incubated with tritiated thymidine and prepared for scintillation counting and autoradiography, synthesized DNA at a reduced level when compared to control specimens. Although \"side effects\" of puromycin and actinomycin D treatment are not excluded, these results suggest that nascent proteins may be required for events of fertilization.", "PMID": 624927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5774", "title": "Penetration of the zona-free or intact eggs by foreign spermatozoa and the fertilization of deer mouse eggs in vitro.", "content": "Zona-free eggs were introduced to fresh or preincubated sperm suspensions and the penetration of eggs by foreign spermatozoa was examined, as evidenced by enlargement of the sperm head and formation of the male pronucleus. It was found that zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by guinea-pig, deer mouse and rabbit spermatozoa but zona-free rat, mouse and rabbit eggs cannot be penetrated by guinea-pig spermatozoa. Furthermore, zona-free rat and mouse eggs cannot be penetrated by spermatozoa from two species of deer mice and the Mongolian gerbil. The zona pellucida of a few intact rat eggs can be penetrated by mouse (6%) and by P. leucopus spermatozoa (14%) but enlargement of the sperm head and formation of pronuclei were observed in the former but not in the latter. It seems that (1) sperm capacitation is required for the penetration of zona-free eggs, (2) the attachment of foreign spermatozoa to eggs may indicate their potential ability of penetration in some cases, (3) there is a certain affinity between the vitellus of one species and spermatozoa from another species, (4) the block to the entry of foreign spermatozoa is not only in the zona pellucida but also in the vitelline membrane, (5) zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by spermatozoa of six species, (6) mouse spermatozoa can penetrate zona-free eggs of three species, and (7) fertilization of intact P. maniculatus eggs can be achieved in vitro.", "contents": "Penetration of the zona-free or intact eggs by foreign spermatozoa and the fertilization of deer mouse eggs in vitro. Zona-free eggs were introduced to fresh or preincubated sperm suspensions and the penetration of eggs by foreign spermatozoa was examined, as evidenced by enlargement of the sperm head and formation of the male pronucleus. It was found that zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by guinea-pig, deer mouse and rabbit spermatozoa but zona-free rat, mouse and rabbit eggs cannot be penetrated by guinea-pig spermatozoa. Furthermore, zona-free rat and mouse eggs cannot be penetrated by spermatozoa from two species of deer mice and the Mongolian gerbil. The zona pellucida of a few intact rat eggs can be penetrated by mouse (6%) and by P. leucopus spermatozoa (14%) but enlargement of the sperm head and formation of pronuclei were observed in the former but not in the latter. It seems that (1) sperm capacitation is required for the penetration of zona-free eggs, (2) the attachment of foreign spermatozoa to eggs may indicate their potential ability of penetration in some cases, (3) there is a certain affinity between the vitellus of one species and spermatozoa from another species, (4) the block to the entry of foreign spermatozoa is not only in the zona pellucida but also in the vitelline membrane, (5) zona-free hamster eggs can be penetrated by spermatozoa of six species, (6) mouse spermatozoa can penetrate zona-free eggs of three species, and (7) fertilization of intact P. maniculatus eggs can be achieved in vitro.", "PMID": 624928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5775", "title": "Chick somite determination: the role of factors in young somites and the segmental plate.", "content": "One class of hypotheses proposed to explain the anterior to posterior sequence of chick somite formation envisions the movement of morphogenetic substances or processes along the segmental plate prior to somite formation. An effort was made to demonstrate any such phenomena in the region of somite formation by placing grafts that contained forming somites into the segmental plates of cultured host embryos. No somite-inducing properties on the part of the grafts were detected. Host somite formation proceeded in a normal manner. In additional experiments, posterior portions portions of segmental plates were isolated from the more anterior parts of the segmental plate which might contain the hypothetical morphogenetic factors. It was found that anterior portions of the segmental plate representing as many as eight prospective somites could be removed without impairing the ability of the remaining posterior portion to form somites in vitro. It is concluded that other hypotheses of the type studied here are not likely to be useful and that the present data further strengthen the argument that the cells of the chick segmental plate present at any time between the 8- and 20-somite stages of development are committed to form somites. In addition, the explant experiments described here indicate that a somite pattern representing about 11 prospective somites, becomes established in the segmental plate.", "contents": "Chick somite determination: the role of factors in young somites and the segmental plate. One class of hypotheses proposed to explain the anterior to posterior sequence of chick somite formation envisions the movement of morphogenetic substances or processes along the segmental plate prior to somite formation. An effort was made to demonstrate any such phenomena in the region of somite formation by placing grafts that contained forming somites into the segmental plates of cultured host embryos. No somite-inducing properties on the part of the grafts were detected. Host somite formation proceeded in a normal manner. In additional experiments, posterior portions portions of segmental plates were isolated from the more anterior parts of the segmental plate which might contain the hypothetical morphogenetic factors. It was found that anterior portions of the segmental plate representing as many as eight prospective somites could be removed without impairing the ability of the remaining posterior portion to form somites in vitro. It is concluded that other hypotheses of the type studied here are not likely to be useful and that the present data further strengthen the argument that the cells of the chick segmental plate present at any time between the 8- and 20-somite stages of development are committed to form somites. In addition, the explant experiments described here indicate that a somite pattern representing about 11 prospective somites, becomes established in the segmental plate.", "PMID": 624929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5776", "title": "Serum protein depletion by cultured rat embryos (1).", "content": "Cultures of 10-day rat embryos depleted a protein band with a molecular weight of approximately 125,000 from the rat serum medium. Delayed centrifuged serum differed from immediately centrifuged serum by a reduction in the staining intensity of the 125,000 molecular weight protein band and by the absence of two high molecular weight (greater than 200,000) protein bands.", "contents": "Serum protein depletion by cultured rat embryos (1). Cultures of 10-day rat embryos depleted a protein band with a molecular weight of approximately 125,000 from the rat serum medium. Delayed centrifuged serum differed from immediately centrifuged serum by a reduction in the staining intensity of the 125,000 molecular weight protein band and by the absence of two high molecular weight (greater than 200,000) protein bands.", "PMID": 624930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5777", "title": "Localization of mouse Pgk-2 gene at the D end of the H-2 complex (1).", "content": "A survey of the Pgk-2 alleles carried by H-2 congenic lines of mice has established that the Pgk-2 locus is near the D end of the H-2 complex on chromosome 17. A comparison among inbred strains of the alleles for Pgk-2, H-2, and two other genes in this vicinity, Tla and Ce-2, has revealed a remarkable correlation suggestive of strong linkage disequilibrium in the wild mice from which the inbred strains were derived.", "contents": "Localization of mouse Pgk-2 gene at the D end of the H-2 complex (1). A survey of the Pgk-2 alleles carried by H-2 congenic lines of mice has established that the Pgk-2 locus is near the D end of the H-2 complex on chromosome 17. A comparison among inbred strains of the alleles for Pgk-2, H-2, and two other genes in this vicinity, Tla and Ce-2, has revealed a remarkable correlation suggestive of strong linkage disequilibrium in the wild mice from which the inbred strains were derived.", "PMID": 624931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5778", "title": "Urea levels in plasma and erythrocytes of the southern fiddler skate, Trygonorhina fasciata guanerius.", "content": "Plasma and erythrocyte samples from Trygonorhina fasciata guanerius were analysed for urea content. The erythrocyte urea concentration is higher than plasma urea concentration. The difference in concentration is probably due to the presence of urea normally bound to protein within the erythrocyte. Erythrocyte urea concentrations followed environmentally induced changes in plasma urea concentrations. Naturally occurring plasma urea concentrations, exceeding 500 mMolar, are some of the highest recorded for an elasmobranch.", "contents": "Urea levels in plasma and erythrocytes of the southern fiddler skate, Trygonorhina fasciata guanerius. Plasma and erythrocyte samples from Trygonorhina fasciata guanerius were analysed for urea content. The erythrocyte urea concentration is higher than plasma urea concentration. The difference in concentration is probably due to the presence of urea normally bound to protein within the erythrocyte. Erythrocyte urea concentrations followed environmentally induced changes in plasma urea concentrations. Naturally occurring plasma urea concentrations, exceeding 500 mMolar, are some of the highest recorded for an elasmobranch.", "PMID": 624932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5779", "title": "High levels of inosine monophosphate in the erythrocytes of elasmobranchs.", "content": "The acid soluble organic phosphates of the erythrocytes of three species of elasmobranchs were assayed by chromatography on Dowex 1 anion exchange columns. Organic phosphates in the peaks eluted from these columns were identified by their ultraviolet absorption spectra and by further chromatography on paper. All three species are unusual amongst the vertebrates in that their erythrocytes contain high levels of inosine monophosphate (IMP). IMP has little effect on the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobins of the two species tested.", "contents": "High levels of inosine monophosphate in the erythrocytes of elasmobranchs. The acid soluble organic phosphates of the erythrocytes of three species of elasmobranchs were assayed by chromatography on Dowex 1 anion exchange columns. Organic phosphates in the peaks eluted from these columns were identified by their ultraviolet absorption spectra and by further chromatography on paper. All three species are unusual amongst the vertebrates in that their erythrocytes contain high levels of inosine monophosphate (IMP). IMP has little effect on the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobins of the two species tested.", "PMID": 624933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5780", "title": "Base composition, size and sequence similarities of genoma deoxyribonucleic acids from clinical isolates of Pseudomonas putrefaciens.", "content": "The mean base compositions of DNA from 27 strains of Pseudomonas putrefaciens, P. rubescens and P. piscicida ranged from 43-4 to 53-2 mol% GC with genome sizes from 3.04 X 10(9) to 4.23 X 10(9) daltons. On the basis of in vitro DNA-DNA binding, estimated spectrophotometrically from initial renaturation rates, P. putrefaciens strains were heterogenous in the extent to which they shared similar nucleotide sequences, and were divided into four DNA homology groups. The DNA characteristics of strains in these groups correlated with several biochemical characteristics that facilitated identification of clinical isolates of P. putrefaciens. The two species P. putrefaciens and P. rubescens appear to be synonymous and none of the four groups of P. putrefaciens was related in DNA sequences to P. pisicida. Pseudomonas putrefaciens should theretofore be retained as a single species and characteristics for identifying the various groups within the species are listed.", "contents": "Base composition, size and sequence similarities of genoma deoxyribonucleic acids from clinical isolates of Pseudomonas putrefaciens. The mean base compositions of DNA from 27 strains of Pseudomonas putrefaciens, P. rubescens and P. piscicida ranged from 43-4 to 53-2 mol% GC with genome sizes from 3.04 X 10(9) to 4.23 X 10(9) daltons. On the basis of in vitro DNA-DNA binding, estimated spectrophotometrically from initial renaturation rates, P. putrefaciens strains were heterogenous in the extent to which they shared similar nucleotide sequences, and were divided into four DNA homology groups. The DNA characteristics of strains in these groups correlated with several biochemical characteristics that facilitated identification of clinical isolates of P. putrefaciens. The two species P. putrefaciens and P. rubescens appear to be synonymous and none of the four groups of P. putrefaciens was related in DNA sequences to P. pisicida. Pseudomonas putrefaciens should theretofore be retained as a single species and characteristics for identifying the various groups within the species are listed.", "PMID": 624934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5781", "title": "The effects of temperature and growth rate on the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in bacterial lipids.", "content": "The effects of temperature and growth rate on the fatty acid composition of the extractable lipids of four mesophilic and three psychotrophic bacteria were examined. Two of the mesophiles (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in their lipids with decreasing temperature over their whole growth temperature range. The other mesophiles (Enterobacter aerogenes and Lactobacillus casei) increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with decreasing temperature only over the lower half of their growth temperature ranges. The psychrotrophs Pseudomonas fluorescens and Enterobacter sp. had a constant proportion of unsaturated acids over the lower half of their growth temperature range, while the psychotrophic Lactobacillus sp. showed no consistent change in its unsaturated fatty acid composition with temperature. All species showed some variation of unsaturated fatty acid composition with growth rate at the highest and lowest growth temperatures, although such variations were small in some species (Ent. aerogenes and Lactobacillus sp.).", "contents": "The effects of temperature and growth rate on the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in bacterial lipids. The effects of temperature and growth rate on the fatty acid composition of the extractable lipids of four mesophilic and three psychotrophic bacteria were examined. Two of the mesophiles (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in their lipids with decreasing temperature over their whole growth temperature range. The other mesophiles (Enterobacter aerogenes and Lactobacillus casei) increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with decreasing temperature only over the lower half of their growth temperature ranges. The psychrotrophs Pseudomonas fluorescens and Enterobacter sp. had a constant proportion of unsaturated acids over the lower half of their growth temperature range, while the psychotrophic Lactobacillus sp. showed no consistent change in its unsaturated fatty acid composition with temperature. All species showed some variation of unsaturated fatty acid composition with growth rate at the highest and lowest growth temperatures, although such variations were small in some species (Ent. aerogenes and Lactobacillus sp.).", "PMID": 624935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5782", "title": "Use of canonical variates analysis in differentiation of bacteria by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography.", "content": "Low-resolution pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography (p.g.l.c.) can differentiate genera of aerobic food spoilage bacteria. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied but neither principal components nor furthest neighbour cluster analysis produced a consistent differentiation although both confirmed the reproducibility of p.g.l.c. When the distance between genera was redefined in terms of Mahalanobis D2- a generalized concept taking into account scatter around the mean-good differentiation was observed and could be displayed graphically by plotting the genus group means relative to the first two canonical variate axes. The coefficients of the canonical variates provide a strategy for discriminating between the genus groups. Some practical problems in the identification of unknowns using this technique are discussed.", "contents": "Use of canonical variates analysis in differentiation of bacteria by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography. Low-resolution pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography (p.g.l.c.) can differentiate genera of aerobic food spoilage bacteria. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied but neither principal components nor furthest neighbour cluster analysis produced a consistent differentiation although both confirmed the reproducibility of p.g.l.c. When the distance between genera was redefined in terms of Mahalanobis D2- a generalized concept taking into account scatter around the mean-good differentiation was observed and could be displayed graphically by plotting the genus group means relative to the first two canonical variate axes. The coefficients of the canonical variates provide a strategy for discriminating between the genus groups. Some practical problems in the identification of unknowns using this technique are discussed.", "PMID": 624936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5783", "title": "Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) dionisii: effect of various agents on attachment and entry to macrophages in vitro and on morphogenesis.", "content": "The attachment and entry of Trypanosoma dionisii to mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro were studied. Both occurred to a similar extent whether parasites were alive or heat-killed, and whether macrophages were obtained from normal or immunized mice. Attachment occurred equally at 4 and 37 degrees C, but entry only occurred at the higher temperature. Neither was affected by pretreatment of parasites with active or inactivated complement. Entry, but not attachment, was inhibited by cytochalasin B; both were inhibited by trypsin. Immune mouse plasma (if inactivated) stimulated attachment but not entry (within 24 h). It also stimulated intracellular replication of T. dionisii by multiple fission and subsequent differentiation (probably within macrophages) to small extracellular trypomastigotes. No extracellular parasite and only scanty intracellular forms survived 120 h in cultures containing non-inactivated immune mouse plasma. It was concluded that attachment (in the absence of antibody) occurred to non-specific receptors in the macrophage membrane and was followed by phagocytosis of the parasites rather than their active penetration of the cell.", "contents": "Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) dionisii: effect of various agents on attachment and entry to macrophages in vitro and on morphogenesis. The attachment and entry of Trypanosoma dionisii to mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro were studied. Both occurred to a similar extent whether parasites were alive or heat-killed, and whether macrophages were obtained from normal or immunized mice. Attachment occurred equally at 4 and 37 degrees C, but entry only occurred at the higher temperature. Neither was affected by pretreatment of parasites with active or inactivated complement. Entry, but not attachment, was inhibited by cytochalasin B; both were inhibited by trypsin. Immune mouse plasma (if inactivated) stimulated attachment but not entry (within 24 h). It also stimulated intracellular replication of T. dionisii by multiple fission and subsequent differentiation (probably within macrophages) to small extracellular trypomastigotes. No extracellular parasite and only scanty intracellular forms survived 120 h in cultures containing non-inactivated immune mouse plasma. It was concluded that attachment (in the absence of antibody) occurred to non-specific receptors in the macrophage membrane and was followed by phagocytosis of the parasites rather than their active penetration of the cell.", "PMID": 624937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5784", "title": "Abnormalities of the sciatic nerves of dystrophic mice with reference to the large U-axons.", "content": "A statistical study using regression analysis was used to evaluate the density of axonal organelles in dystrophic peripheral nerves. The slope of the density of neurotubules (NT) in myelinated (M-) axons was different from that in small unmyelinated (U-) axons. The slope of the density of NT in large U-axons (larger than 1.5 micron in diameter) was similar to that of the M-axons in both the dystrophic and control mice. There was a higher density of NT in the dystrophic M-axons than in the controls in the anterior, posterior and mixed nerves of the sciatic nerve. There was also a higher density of NT in the dystrophic small U-axons than in the controls. There was a higher density of neurofilaments (NF) of M-axons in the dystrophic mice than in the controls. On the contrary, the NF of small U-axons were lower in density in the dystrophic mice. These results were different from our previous reports, which were observed in the distal part, depending on when the groups of U-axons were divided (Okada, Mizuhira and Nakamura 1976a).", "contents": "Abnormalities of the sciatic nerves of dystrophic mice with reference to the large U-axons. A statistical study using regression analysis was used to evaluate the density of axonal organelles in dystrophic peripheral nerves. The slope of the density of neurotubules (NT) in myelinated (M-) axons was different from that in small unmyelinated (U-) axons. The slope of the density of NT in large U-axons (larger than 1.5 micron in diameter) was similar to that of the M-axons in both the dystrophic and control mice. There was a higher density of NT in the dystrophic M-axons than in the controls in the anterior, posterior and mixed nerves of the sciatic nerve. There was also a higher density of NT in the dystrophic small U-axons than in the controls. There was a higher density of neurofilaments (NF) of M-axons in the dystrophic mice than in the controls. On the contrary, the NF of small U-axons were lower in density in the dystrophic mice. These results were different from our previous reports, which were observed in the distal part, depending on when the groups of U-axons were divided (Okada, Mizuhira and Nakamura 1976a).", "PMID": 624956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5785", "title": "The incorporation of isotopes into proteins of normal and dystrophic mouse heart and skeletal muscle.", "content": "Studies are described of L-[3H-(G)]leucine and [5-3H]uridine incorporation into proteins in dystrophic mouse skeletal and heart muscle of the 129/Rej/dy Bar Harbor strain. The results show a remarkable difference in isotope incorporation in the 2 muscle types. While skeletal muscle in the dystrophic mouse shows a consistently high cytoplasmic incorporation of leucine and uridine respectively, the heart muscle shows a marked reduction of uptake in nuclear, myofibrillar, and cytoplasmic protein. These findings appear to suggest that in terms of protein synthesis the mouse heart is not affected at the age of 8 weeks by a recognizably similar dystrophic process to that in the skeletal muscle. Whilst our material showed no gross evidence of cardiomyopathy, cytomorphometric analysis of the dystrophic heart muscle is in keeping with an atrophic process. The possibility that this difference in protein synthesis pattern may be related to an embryologically different organogenesis of the heart and skeletal muscle altering the predystrophic synthesis pattern cannot be excluded.", "contents": "The incorporation of isotopes into proteins of normal and dystrophic mouse heart and skeletal muscle. Studies are described of L-[3H-(G)]leucine and [5-3H]uridine incorporation into proteins in dystrophic mouse skeletal and heart muscle of the 129/Rej/dy Bar Harbor strain. The results show a remarkable difference in isotope incorporation in the 2 muscle types. While skeletal muscle in the dystrophic mouse shows a consistently high cytoplasmic incorporation of leucine and uridine respectively, the heart muscle shows a marked reduction of uptake in nuclear, myofibrillar, and cytoplasmic protein. These findings appear to suggest that in terms of protein synthesis the mouse heart is not affected at the age of 8 weeks by a recognizably similar dystrophic process to that in the skeletal muscle. Whilst our material showed no gross evidence of cardiomyopathy, cytomorphometric analysis of the dystrophic heart muscle is in keeping with an atrophic process. The possibility that this difference in protein synthesis pattern may be related to an embryologically different organogenesis of the heart and skeletal muscle altering the predystrophic synthesis pattern cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 624957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5786", "title": "Determination of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in human brain tumors.", "content": "Brain tumors have been tested for their glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content by means of the rocket electrophoresis technique. Meningiomas and neurinomas were low in GFAP. Metastases had a low level of GFAP except when contaminated with surrounding tissue. Non-nervous tumors such as myeloma, myeloplaxoma and adenocarcinoma gave negative results. More detailed correlations with histological observations have been looked for in glial tumors. Low levels of GFAP were always associated with signs of malignancy such as mitoses and giant or atypical cells, whereas high levels of GFAP were correlated with the presence of well-preserved astrocytes.", "contents": "Determination of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in human brain tumors. Brain tumors have been tested for their glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) content by means of the rocket electrophoresis technique. Meningiomas and neurinomas were low in GFAP. Metastases had a low level of GFAP except when contaminated with surrounding tissue. Non-nervous tumors such as myeloma, myeloplaxoma and adenocarcinoma gave negative results. More detailed correlations with histological observations have been looked for in glial tumors. Low levels of GFAP were always associated with signs of malignancy such as mitoses and giant or atypical cells, whereas high levels of GFAP were correlated with the presence of well-preserved astrocytes.", "PMID": 624958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5787", "title": "Defective neutrophil function in myotonic dystrophy.", "content": "Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), obtained from 10 patients with myotonic dystrophy and 39 age-matched controls, were tested for chemotactic activity, chemiluminescence (CL), and phagocytosis. PMNs from 8 of the 10 patients had depressed chemotactic indexes (30 +/- 23) as compared to controls (61 +/- 18) (P less than 0.0003), and 6 of the 10 patients' PMNs produced lower peaks in CL (less than 90%) than those of controls. Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity were evaluated in 7 patients and were normal. Control PMNs incubated in patient serum produced normal chemotactic activity and CL. These results indicate defects in 2 PMN membrane-associated activities in myotonic dystrophy and suggest that the PMN is affected by the generalized membrane abnormality underlying myotonic dystrophy.", "contents": "Defective neutrophil function in myotonic dystrophy. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), obtained from 10 patients with myotonic dystrophy and 39 age-matched controls, were tested for chemotactic activity, chemiluminescence (CL), and phagocytosis. PMNs from 8 of the 10 patients had depressed chemotactic indexes (30 +/- 23) as compared to controls (61 +/- 18) (P less than 0.0003), and 6 of the 10 patients' PMNs produced lower peaks in CL (less than 90%) than those of controls. Phagocytosis and bactericidal activity were evaluated in 7 patients and were normal. Control PMNs incubated in patient serum produced normal chemotactic activity and CL. These results indicate defects in 2 PMN membrane-associated activities in myotonic dystrophy and suggest that the PMN is affected by the generalized membrane abnormality underlying myotonic dystrophy.", "PMID": 624959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5788", "title": "Susceptibility of human skeletal muscle culture to influenza virus infection. I. Cytopathology and immunofluorescence.", "content": "We found that fused human muscle in culture supports neurotropic influenza A viral infection, as demonstrated by viral growth experiments, hemadsorption, observation of cytopathic changes and detection of intracellular viral antigen. The time of peak virion production and the appearance of cytopathic effects in these experiments were similar to previously described characteristics in influenza A-susceptible organotypic cultures of other tissues. Cytopathological changes occurred earlier in mononucleated cells than in myotubes and included cell-rounding; cytoplasmic retraction, granularity and vacuolization; ribonucleic acid-containing cytoplasmic inclusions; nucleolar enlargement; and clumping of chromatin. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated early nuclear fluorescence, followed by spread of viral antigen into the cytoplasm. A subpopulation of mononucleated cells, shown by cloning studies to be myoblasts, showed no cytopathic effects or evidence of intracellular viral antigen and was presumably resistant to neurotropic influenza A infection. The adverse effects of influenza A on fused human muscle cells in tissue culture contrast with the inability of the virus to replicate in skeletal muscle after animal inoculation in acute experiments. Therefore, host factors may affect attempts to produce an animal model of human muscle disease with this virus.", "contents": "Susceptibility of human skeletal muscle culture to influenza virus infection. I. Cytopathology and immunofluorescence. We found that fused human muscle in culture supports neurotropic influenza A viral infection, as demonstrated by viral growth experiments, hemadsorption, observation of cytopathic changes and detection of intracellular viral antigen. The time of peak virion production and the appearance of cytopathic effects in these experiments were similar to previously described characteristics in influenza A-susceptible organotypic cultures of other tissues. Cytopathological changes occurred earlier in mononucleated cells than in myotubes and included cell-rounding; cytoplasmic retraction, granularity and vacuolization; ribonucleic acid-containing cytoplasmic inclusions; nucleolar enlargement; and clumping of chromatin. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated early nuclear fluorescence, followed by spread of viral antigen into the cytoplasm. A subpopulation of mononucleated cells, shown by cloning studies to be myoblasts, showed no cytopathic effects or evidence of intracellular viral antigen and was presumably resistant to neurotropic influenza A infection. The adverse effects of influenza A on fused human muscle cells in tissue culture contrast with the inability of the virus to replicate in skeletal muscle after animal inoculation in acute experiments. Therefore, host factors may affect attempts to produce an animal model of human muscle disease with this virus.", "PMID": 624960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5789", "title": "Quantitative studies of dorsal root ganglia and neuropathologic observations on spinal cords in familial dysautonomia.", "content": "Intrauterine development and postnatal maintenance of dorsal root ganglion neurons are abnormal in familial dysautonomia, an autosomal recessive disorder associated with autonomic, motor and sensory deficits. Normally, dorsal root ganglion weight increases with age. This does not occur in the cervical plexus ganglia of dysautonomic patients. Neurons in dorsal root ganglia are found to be markedly diminished in the youngest patients and slow degeneration causes further depletion with age. Quantitative studies on C8 dorsal root ganglia show the normal neuron content to be between 42,500 and 53,600. In 3 patients with familial dysautonomia the range was 4,090-8,590 with the smallest number being in the oldest patient. Lateral root entry zones and Lissauer's tracts are severely depleted of axons. In older patients loss of dorsal column myelinated axons becomes evident and is first seen in lumbar fasciculus gracilis, cervical fasciculus cuneatus and interfascicular fasciculus. Temperature sensation is markedly impaired from infancy in familial dysautonomia. Loss of pain sensation is prominent and worsens with age. Vibration sense diminishes in adolescence and coordination of limb movements becomes poor in older patients. Neuron depletion in dorsal root ganglia and the progressive pattern of cord changes correlate well with these clinical observations.", "contents": "Quantitative studies of dorsal root ganglia and neuropathologic observations on spinal cords in familial dysautonomia. Intrauterine development and postnatal maintenance of dorsal root ganglion neurons are abnormal in familial dysautonomia, an autosomal recessive disorder associated with autonomic, motor and sensory deficits. Normally, dorsal root ganglion weight increases with age. This does not occur in the cervical plexus ganglia of dysautonomic patients. Neurons in dorsal root ganglia are found to be markedly diminished in the youngest patients and slow degeneration causes further depletion with age. Quantitative studies on C8 dorsal root ganglia show the normal neuron content to be between 42,500 and 53,600. In 3 patients with familial dysautonomia the range was 4,090-8,590 with the smallest number being in the oldest patient. Lateral root entry zones and Lissauer's tracts are severely depleted of axons. In older patients loss of dorsal column myelinated axons becomes evident and is first seen in lumbar fasciculus gracilis, cervical fasciculus cuneatus and interfascicular fasciculus. Temperature sensation is markedly impaired from infancy in familial dysautonomia. Loss of pain sensation is prominent and worsens with age. Vibration sense diminishes in adolescence and coordination of limb movements becomes poor in older patients. Neuron depletion in dorsal root ganglia and the progressive pattern of cord changes correlate well with these clinical observations.", "PMID": 624961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5790", "title": "Hypertrophic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Light and electron microscope studies of the sural nerve.", "content": "Sural nerve biopsies from 15 patients with hypertrophic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease have been studied by light and electron microscopy. There is a considerable variation in size of onion bulbs in patients from different kinships but the appearances were similar in patients from the same kinship. Comparison of sural nerve biopsies from patients within the same kinship suggests that with increasing age there is a progressive reduction in myelinated fibre density, an increased number of fibres undergoing demyelination and an increased frequency of onion bulb formations. Motor conduction velocities were reduced in all patients and were inversely proportional to the number of onion bulb lamellae, and to the proportion of demyelinated fibres found on sural nerve biopsy. Abnormalities of unmyelinated fibres were present in all the nerves studied. There was a relative increase in the density of denervated Schwann cell subunits and collagen pockets. The findings suggest that unmyelinated fibres undergo degeneration in the disease and lend some support to the hypothesis that the primary abnormality may be neuronal.", "contents": "Hypertrophic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Light and electron microscope studies of the sural nerve. Sural nerve biopsies from 15 patients with hypertrophic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease have been studied by light and electron microscopy. There is a considerable variation in size of onion bulbs in patients from different kinships but the appearances were similar in patients from the same kinship. Comparison of sural nerve biopsies from patients within the same kinship suggests that with increasing age there is a progressive reduction in myelinated fibre density, an increased number of fibres undergoing demyelination and an increased frequency of onion bulb formations. Motor conduction velocities were reduced in all patients and were inversely proportional to the number of onion bulb lamellae, and to the proportion of demyelinated fibres found on sural nerve biopsy. Abnormalities of unmyelinated fibres were present in all the nerves studied. There was a relative increase in the density of denervated Schwann cell subunits and collagen pockets. The findings suggest that unmyelinated fibres undergo degeneration in the disease and lend some support to the hypothesis that the primary abnormality may be neuronal.", "PMID": 624962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5791", "title": "Period of risk for recurrence in medulloblastoma.", "content": "Ninety-nine patients with medulloblastoma who received surgery and radiotherapy, and had a statistically sufficient follow-up period were analyzed for factors influencing survival and the relevance of the \"period of risk for recurrence\" hypothesis. This postulate states that the period of risk for recurrence of a congenital tumor is equal to the age at presentation of illness plus 9 months' gestational time. The assumption is made that a tumor of embryonic origin will become manifest after a period of time determined by its inherent rate of growth and that tumor cells surviving treatment will multiply and present with recurrence in an equal period of time. Ten of 43 patients survived the period of risk, a presumed cure rate of 23%. None of these patients has subsequently developed evidence of tumor recurrence. Older patients at initial surgery had a somewhat greater survival rate for the first 5 years after treatment (10 of 26 older patients (38%) versus 15 of 54 younger patients (28%)), but by 10 years there was no appreciable difference in survival rates between those over 16 years of age and those younger. The beneficial effect of total neuraxis megavoltage radiotherapy is indicated by the improved 5-year survival rate from 9 of 41 patients (22%) to 16 of 39 patients (41%) with the newer techniques.", "contents": "Period of risk for recurrence in medulloblastoma. Ninety-nine patients with medulloblastoma who received surgery and radiotherapy, and had a statistically sufficient follow-up period were analyzed for factors influencing survival and the relevance of the \"period of risk for recurrence\" hypothesis. This postulate states that the period of risk for recurrence of a congenital tumor is equal to the age at presentation of illness plus 9 months' gestational time. The assumption is made that a tumor of embryonic origin will become manifest after a period of time determined by its inherent rate of growth and that tumor cells surviving treatment will multiply and present with recurrence in an equal period of time. Ten of 43 patients survived the period of risk, a presumed cure rate of 23%. None of these patients has subsequently developed evidence of tumor recurrence. Older patients at initial surgery had a somewhat greater survival rate for the first 5 years after treatment (10 of 26 older patients (38%) versus 15 of 54 younger patients (28%)), but by 10 years there was no appreciable difference in survival rates between those over 16 years of age and those younger. The beneficial effect of total neuraxis megavoltage radiotherapy is indicated by the improved 5-year survival rate from 9 of 41 patients (22%) to 16 of 39 patients (41%) with the newer techniques.", "PMID": 624963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5792", "title": "Mannitol dose requirements in brain-injured patients.", "content": "There is little information as to the optimal use of mannitol. To determine the dose-response relationship, the osmotic gradient required, and the time course of intracranial pressure (ICP) reduction produced by mannitol, eight patients with acute head injury were studied in whom ICP was monitored with a ventriculostomy and found to be elevated. Ventilation was controlled to a pCO2 of 25 +/- 3 mm Hg and all were paralyzed with Pavulon. None had received barbiturates. Before mannitol administration the intracranial volume-pressure response was determined. Mannitol was administered as a bolus of 0.25 gm/kg, 0.5 gm/kg, and in six patients, 1 gm/kg, separated by at least 8 hours. In all patients the ICP reduction with 0.25 gm/kg (41.3 +/- 10.2 mm Hg leads to 16.4 +/- 5.6, p less than 0.01) was equivalent to that achieved with the larger doses. Serum osmolality rises of 10 mOsm or more were associated with a reduction in ICP. Much smaller doses than those previously recommended were effective in reducing the ICP acutely, although at 5 hours there was a trend toward persistent reduction when the larger dose is used. This trend was small and indicates that smaller and more frequent doses are as effective in reducing the ICP while avoiding the risk of osmotic disequilibrium and severe dehydration.", "contents": "Mannitol dose requirements in brain-injured patients. There is little information as to the optimal use of mannitol. To determine the dose-response relationship, the osmotic gradient required, and the time course of intracranial pressure (ICP) reduction produced by mannitol, eight patients with acute head injury were studied in whom ICP was monitored with a ventriculostomy and found to be elevated. Ventilation was controlled to a pCO2 of 25 +/- 3 mm Hg and all were paralyzed with Pavulon. None had received barbiturates. Before mannitol administration the intracranial volume-pressure response was determined. Mannitol was administered as a bolus of 0.25 gm/kg, 0.5 gm/kg, and in six patients, 1 gm/kg, separated by at least 8 hours. In all patients the ICP reduction with 0.25 gm/kg (41.3 +/- 10.2 mm Hg leads to 16.4 +/- 5.6, p less than 0.01) was equivalent to that achieved with the larger doses. Serum osmolality rises of 10 mOsm or more were associated with a reduction in ICP. Much smaller doses than those previously recommended were effective in reducing the ICP acutely, although at 5 hours there was a trend toward persistent reduction when the larger dose is used. This trend was small and indicates that smaller and more frequent doses are as effective in reducing the ICP while avoiding the risk of osmotic disequilibrium and severe dehydration.", "PMID": 624964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5793", "title": "Time course of vasospasm in man.", "content": "Measurements were made at eight predetermined positions on 627 sets of angiograms from 293 patients with aneurysms. A ratio between the sum of the vessel diameters in the subarachnoid space to the sum in the base of skull and neck was calculated and plotted against time. Vasospasm has its onset in man about Day 3 after subarachnoid hemorrhage, is maximal at Days 6 to 8, and is gone by Day 12. There is a tendency for patients in poor clinical grades to have more vasospasm. The patients with most vasospasm have a significantly higher mortality than those with the least.", "contents": "Time course of vasospasm in man. Measurements were made at eight predetermined positions on 627 sets of angiograms from 293 patients with aneurysms. A ratio between the sum of the vessel diameters in the subarachnoid space to the sum in the base of skull and neck was calculated and plotted against time. Vasospasm has its onset in man about Day 3 after subarachnoid hemorrhage, is maximal at Days 6 to 8, and is gone by Day 12. There is a tendency for patients in poor clinical grades to have more vasospasm. The patients with most vasospasm have a significantly higher mortality than those with the least.", "PMID": 624965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5794", "title": "Intercellular granules and vesicles in prolonged cerebral vasospasm.", "content": "Prolonged vasospasm was produced in the dog basilar arteries by introduction of fresh arterial blood or norepinephrine into the chiasmatic cistern. Myonecrosis was limited to a small number of smooth-muscle cells, and a large number of muscle cells appeared intact. The most characteristic change was the appearance of aggregated granules and vesicles in the widened extracellular space between smooth-muscle cells, particularly near the adventitia and the elastic lamina. The granules were spherical, 50 to 100 nm in diameter, often surrounded by a single membrane, and contained a dense osmiophilic core, about 40 to 90 nm in diameter. In addition, the elastic lamina often became loose and corrugated or broken.", "contents": "Intercellular granules and vesicles in prolonged cerebral vasospasm. Prolonged vasospasm was produced in the dog basilar arteries by introduction of fresh arterial blood or norepinephrine into the chiasmatic cistern. Myonecrosis was limited to a small number of smooth-muscle cells, and a large number of muscle cells appeared intact. The most characteristic change was the appearance of aggregated granules and vesicles in the widened extracellular space between smooth-muscle cells, particularly near the adventitia and the elastic lamina. The granules were spherical, 50 to 100 nm in diameter, often surrounded by a single membrane, and contained a dense osmiophilic core, about 40 to 90 nm in diameter. In addition, the elastic lamina often became loose and corrugated or broken.", "PMID": 624966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5795", "title": "The mega cisterna magna.", "content": "Eleven cases of enlarged cisterna magna were found in a series of 3000 computerized tomography scans. We believe mega cisterna magna by itself is not related to any specific symptoms and may not require further study or treatment.", "contents": "The mega cisterna magna. Eleven cases of enlarged cisterna magna were found in a series of 3000 computerized tomography scans. We believe mega cisterna magna by itself is not related to any specific symptoms and may not require further study or treatment.", "PMID": 624967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5796", "title": "Sacral rootlet rhizotomy at the conus medullaris for hypertonic neurogenic bladder.", "content": "Three patients with spastic neurogenic bladder underwent sacral root stimulation and appropriate section of motor rootlets to the detrusor at the levels of the conus medullaris. Compared to the results obtained with rhizotomies at the sacral levels in a previous series of patients, urinary frequency and infection were inhibited for longer periods of time, but some uninhibited bladder activity recurred in all three patients. Analysis of anatomical and electrophysiological data serves to emphasize the complexity and asymmetry of efferent supply to detrusor muscle. The authors conclude that the role of selective rhizotomy for inhibition of the spastic bladder is inconclusive, and perhaps a combination of surgery and medications that inhibit smooth-muscle contraction may be required for long-term protection of urinary collection systems.", "contents": "Sacral rootlet rhizotomy at the conus medullaris for hypertonic neurogenic bladder. Three patients with spastic neurogenic bladder underwent sacral root stimulation and appropriate section of motor rootlets to the detrusor at the levels of the conus medullaris. Compared to the results obtained with rhizotomies at the sacral levels in a previous series of patients, urinary frequency and infection were inhibited for longer periods of time, but some uninhibited bladder activity recurred in all three patients. Analysis of anatomical and electrophysiological data serves to emphasize the complexity and asymmetry of efferent supply to detrusor muscle. The authors conclude that the role of selective rhizotomy for inhibition of the spastic bladder is inconclusive, and perhaps a combination of surgery and medications that inhibit smooth-muscle contraction may be required for long-term protection of urinary collection systems.", "PMID": 624968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5797", "title": "Carotid endarterectomy. Temporal profile of the healing process and effects of anticoagulation therapy.", "content": "The healing of the canine carotid endarterectomy was defined at intervals from 30 minutes to 3 months after surgery by means of angiography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Immediately after flow was established, a fibrinplatelet carpet formed on the endarterectomized surface. A typical thrombus formed on this initial layer resulting in vessel occlusion in 52% of non-heparinized animals. By 48 hours after surgery, there was little evidence of active thrombus formation, and reendothelialization from existing endothelial cells was noted. One week later, most of the mural thrombus had disappeared and re-endothelialization was well underway; by 3 months after surgery, re-endothelialization was complete. Intraoperative heparinization resulted in a striking reduction in mural thrombus formation and 100% patency rate. Vessel closure with vein-patch grafts resulted in no improvement of vessel patency. However, the results of this aspect of the study cannot be totally extrapolated to human carotid endarterectomy for the reasons discussed. The survival of the vein-patch grafts was investigated.", "contents": "Carotid endarterectomy. Temporal profile of the healing process and effects of anticoagulation therapy. The healing of the canine carotid endarterectomy was defined at intervals from 30 minutes to 3 months after surgery by means of angiography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Immediately after flow was established, a fibrinplatelet carpet formed on the endarterectomized surface. A typical thrombus formed on this initial layer resulting in vessel occlusion in 52% of non-heparinized animals. By 48 hours after surgery, there was little evidence of active thrombus formation, and reendothelialization from existing endothelial cells was noted. One week later, most of the mural thrombus had disappeared and re-endothelialization was well underway; by 3 months after surgery, re-endothelialization was complete. Intraoperative heparinization resulted in a striking reduction in mural thrombus formation and 100% patency rate. Vessel closure with vein-patch grafts resulted in no improvement of vessel patency. However, the results of this aspect of the study cannot be totally extrapolated to human carotid endarterectomy for the reasons discussed. The survival of the vein-patch grafts was investigated.", "PMID": 624969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5798", "title": "Effect of dexamethasone on cerebral edema from cranial impact in the cat.", "content": "A Remington humane stunner was used to deliver blows to the skulls of anesthetized cats. Alternate animals were post-treated with either dexamethasone (4 mg/kg/day) or a comparable volume of saline. Each animal was tested for cerebral edema 48 hours after impact by measurement of the change in density of white matter from normal values. Dexamethasone therapy did not reduce the change in density of hemispheres with contusions involving both cortex and underlying white matter. For hemispheres with contusions limited to cerebral cortex, there was minimal edema of the white matter, which was reduced a slight amount by dexamethasone.", "contents": "Effect of dexamethasone on cerebral edema from cranial impact in the cat. A Remington humane stunner was used to deliver blows to the skulls of anesthetized cats. Alternate animals were post-treated with either dexamethasone (4 mg/kg/day) or a comparable volume of saline. Each animal was tested for cerebral edema 48 hours after impact by measurement of the change in density of white matter from normal values. Dexamethasone therapy did not reduce the change in density of hemispheres with contusions involving both cortex and underlying white matter. For hemispheres with contusions limited to cerebral cortex, there was minimal edema of the white matter, which was reduced a slight amount by dexamethasone.", "PMID": 624970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5799", "title": "Enflurane anesthesia and changes of intracranial pressure.", "content": "Enflurane has been recommended by some as an ideal agent for use in neuroanesthesia. There is no statistically significant alteration of normal intracranial pressure with enflurane anesthesia. However, supporting a clinical impression, this study demonstrates in dogs that enflurane will significantly increase an already elevated intracranial pressure.", "contents": "Enflurane anesthesia and changes of intracranial pressure. Enflurane has been recommended by some as an ideal agent for use in neuroanesthesia. There is no statistically significant alteration of normal intracranial pressure with enflurane anesthesia. However, supporting a clinical impression, this study demonstrates in dogs that enflurane will significantly increase an already elevated intracranial pressure.", "PMID": 624971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5800", "title": "Effects of laminectomy on spinal cord blood flow.", "content": "The effect of a one-segment (L-2) laminectomy on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) was determined by the reference sample method using isotope-labeled microspheres. The SCBF was measured before laminectomy (control) and at 15 minutes postlaminectomy with the dura exposed (Series 1), 1 hour postlaminectomy with the laminectomy site closed (Series 2), 24 hours postlaminectomy with the laminectomy site closed (Series 3), and 24 hours postlaminectomy with the dura exposed (Series 4). With the laminectomy site open, SCBF was significantly depressed (22% to 45%) along the entire length of the spinal cord at 15 minutes postlaminectomy. At 1 hour postlaminectomy (with the laminectomy site closed), SCBF approached control values, although areas with significantly lowered flow were still observed in all portions of the spinal cord. By 24 hours postlaminectomy, SCBF had returned to prelaminectomy levels. However, if within 1 hour preceding the 24-hour SCBF measurement, the laminectomy site was reopened, SCBF tended to fall at and caudad to the laminectomy site. These data indicate that laminectomy can cause a significant decline in SCBF. At the present time, the mechanism(s) for this laminectomy-induced depression of SCBF are unknown, although a temperature-induced vasoconstriction is suspected.", "contents": "Effects of laminectomy on spinal cord blood flow. The effect of a one-segment (L-2) laminectomy on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) was determined by the reference sample method using isotope-labeled microspheres. The SCBF was measured before laminectomy (control) and at 15 minutes postlaminectomy with the dura exposed (Series 1), 1 hour postlaminectomy with the laminectomy site closed (Series 2), 24 hours postlaminectomy with the laminectomy site closed (Series 3), and 24 hours postlaminectomy with the dura exposed (Series 4). With the laminectomy site open, SCBF was significantly depressed (22% to 45%) along the entire length of the spinal cord at 15 minutes postlaminectomy. At 1 hour postlaminectomy (with the laminectomy site closed), SCBF approached control values, although areas with significantly lowered flow were still observed in all portions of the spinal cord. By 24 hours postlaminectomy, SCBF had returned to prelaminectomy levels. However, if within 1 hour preceding the 24-hour SCBF measurement, the laminectomy site was reopened, SCBF tended to fall at and caudad to the laminectomy site. These data indicate that laminectomy can cause a significant decline in SCBF. At the present time, the mechanism(s) for this laminectomy-induced depression of SCBF are unknown, although a temperature-induced vasoconstriction is suspected.", "PMID": 624972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5801", "title": "Hyperemia, CO2 responsiveness, and autoregulation in the white matter following experimental spinal cord injury.", "content": "The authors present the results of a controlled, randomized study of alterations in spinal cord blood flow, CO2 responsiveness, and autoregulation following experimental spinal cord injury in cats. Permanent paraplegia is shown to be associated with persistent hyperemia, loss of CO2 responsiveness, and impaired autoregulation in the white matter at the injury site. Probable mechanisms underlying these changes in spinal cord vasomotor control are discussed. Marked similarities between vascular responses of injured spinal cord and luxury perfusion of the brain are pointed out.", "contents": "Hyperemia, CO2 responsiveness, and autoregulation in the white matter following experimental spinal cord injury. The authors present the results of a controlled, randomized study of alterations in spinal cord blood flow, CO2 responsiveness, and autoregulation following experimental spinal cord injury in cats. Permanent paraplegia is shown to be associated with persistent hyperemia, loss of CO2 responsiveness, and impaired autoregulation in the white matter at the injury site. Probable mechanisms underlying these changes in spinal cord vasomotor control are discussed. Marked similarities between vascular responses of injured spinal cord and luxury perfusion of the brain are pointed out.", "PMID": 624973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5802", "title": "Obliterative arachnoiditis complicating lumbar spinal stenosis.", "content": "The authors report five patients with spinal stenosis who had a total myelographic block at the level of the obliterated subarachnoid space. Arachnoiditis had not been considered as a primary diagnosis until laminectomy revealed a non-pulsating, thickened dural sac that conformed to the internal configuration of the involved spinal canal. Two patients had stenosis complicated by spondyloarthrosis over multiple lumbar levels, one had a previous spinal fusion, another had degenerative spondylolisthesis, and the fifth had a large midline extruded disc at L2-3 that completely blocked the spinal canal. The dura was opened in two patients, confirming the lesion. Despite obliteration of the subarachnoid space, significant relief for approximately 1 year followed decompressive laminectomy, foraminotomy, and discectomy, with disappearance of neurogenic claudication in three patients. Postoperative erect films showed no caudad passage of contrast. While further observations are required, an awareness of this complication of spinal stenosis is important in the diagnosis and management of such patients and in evaluating their ultimate prognosis.", "contents": "Obliterative arachnoiditis complicating lumbar spinal stenosis. The authors report five patients with spinal stenosis who had a total myelographic block at the level of the obliterated subarachnoid space. Arachnoiditis had not been considered as a primary diagnosis until laminectomy revealed a non-pulsating, thickened dural sac that conformed to the internal configuration of the involved spinal canal. Two patients had stenosis complicated by spondyloarthrosis over multiple lumbar levels, one had a previous spinal fusion, another had degenerative spondylolisthesis, and the fifth had a large midline extruded disc at L2-3 that completely blocked the spinal canal. The dura was opened in two patients, confirming the lesion. Despite obliteration of the subarachnoid space, significant relief for approximately 1 year followed decompressive laminectomy, foraminotomy, and discectomy, with disappearance of neurogenic claudication in three patients. Postoperative erect films showed no caudad passage of contrast. While further observations are required, an awareness of this complication of spinal stenosis is important in the diagnosis and management of such patients and in evaluating their ultimate prognosis.", "PMID": 624974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5803", "title": "Congenital inclusion dermoid cyst of the anterior fontanel.", "content": "An unusual type of dermoid cyst is reported in 10 African infants. In these cases a soft, cystic mass located over the anterior fontanel was noted shortly after birth and gradually enlarged. The cyst had no intracranial extension and was easily excised intact. The clinical and x-ray findings of the cyst are described and compared with the usual dermoids. The histology and the contents of the cyst are detailed and some peculiarities of this lesion pointed out.", "contents": "Congenital inclusion dermoid cyst of the anterior fontanel. An unusual type of dermoid cyst is reported in 10 African infants. In these cases a soft, cystic mass located over the anterior fontanel was noted shortly after birth and gradually enlarged. The cyst had no intracranial extension and was easily excised intact. The clinical and x-ray findings of the cyst are described and compared with the usual dermoids. The histology and the contents of the cyst are detailed and some peculiarities of this lesion pointed out.", "PMID": 624975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5804", "title": "Mucoceles with intracranial and extracranial extensions. Report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of unusual childhood mucocele are presented. These serve to illustrate the great potential these lesions have for slow, insidious development and insinuation of themselves into regions of the head and face where they are difficult to remove surgically. A description of the staged surgical excision is presented to emphasize the importance of radical removal of these benign lesions.", "contents": "Mucoceles with intracranial and extracranial extensions. Report of two cases. Two cases of unusual childhood mucocele are presented. These serve to illustrate the great potential these lesions have for slow, insidious development and insinuation of themselves into regions of the head and face where they are difficult to remove surgically. A description of the staged surgical excision is presented to emphasize the importance of radical removal of these benign lesions.", "PMID": 624976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5805", "title": "Progressive neurological dysfunction secondary to postoperative cervical pseudomeningocele in a C-4 quadriplegic. Case report.", "content": "A case is detailed of a patient who developed progressive neurological deficit above a fixed quadriplegic level at C-4 18 years after posterior cervical decompression for trauma. Diagnostic evaluation revealed a pseudomeningocele at the site of his previous surgery. Subsequent operative closure resulted in reversal of his neurological symptoms.", "contents": "Progressive neurological dysfunction secondary to postoperative cervical pseudomeningocele in a C-4 quadriplegic. Case report. A case is detailed of a patient who developed progressive neurological deficit above a fixed quadriplegic level at C-4 18 years after posterior cervical decompression for trauma. Diagnostic evaluation revealed a pseudomeningocele at the site of his previous surgery. Subsequent operative closure resulted in reversal of his neurological symptoms.", "PMID": 624977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5806", "title": "The angiographically occult cerebrovascular malformation. Report of three cases.", "content": "Three cases presenting with hemiparesis, headache, or seizures gave no history suggestive of subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Carotid arteriograms were performed, and in each case failed to demonstrate a vascular malformation. In all three cases cerebral lesions were shown by either computerized tomographic (CT) scan, radionuclide scan, or both. Surgical exploration and biopsy revealed a vascular malformation in each case. The CT scans in two of the cases showed dense lesions that could suggest vascular malformation as a diagnostic possibility.", "contents": "The angiographically occult cerebrovascular malformation. Report of three cases. Three cases presenting with hemiparesis, headache, or seizures gave no history suggestive of subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Carotid arteriograms were performed, and in each case failed to demonstrate a vascular malformation. In all three cases cerebral lesions were shown by either computerized tomographic (CT) scan, radionuclide scan, or both. Surgical exploration and biopsy revealed a vascular malformation in each case. The CT scans in two of the cases showed dense lesions that could suggest vascular malformation as a diagnostic possibility.", "PMID": 624978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5807", "title": "Cervical myelopathy due to spondylosis. Case report.", "content": "The authors report the case of a patient with cervical myelopathy who was examined at autopsy 2 years after a second anterior cervical fusion by Cloward's technique. The clinical course and pre- and postoperative myelograms are presented. Theories as to the etiology of myelopathy are discussed. This case demonstrates chronic changes that seem to implicate a vascular theory but not the specific vessel or vessels. The mechanism of improvement following the Cloward procedure is not explained by the pathological slides.", "contents": "Cervical myelopathy due to spondylosis. Case report. The authors report the case of a patient with cervical myelopathy who was examined at autopsy 2 years after a second anterior cervical fusion by Cloward's technique. The clinical course and pre- and postoperative myelograms are presented. Theories as to the etiology of myelopathy are discussed. This case demonstrates chronic changes that seem to implicate a vascular theory but not the specific vessel or vessels. The mechanism of improvement following the Cloward procedure is not explained by the pathological slides.", "PMID": 624979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5808", "title": "Effects of erotic stimuli on male aggression toward females.", "content": "In order to examine the effects of highly erotic films on aggression toward females, male subjects were first either angered or treated in a neutral manner by a male or female confederate. After viewing a highly erotic film or a neutral film, subjects were given an opportunity to both aggress against and reward the confederate. Erotic films were found to increase aggression overall, but there was no indication of differential aggression as a function of sex of target. Results for physiological arousal, however, suggested that aggression was possibly inhibited for subjects exposed to an erotic film and paired with a female. Various suggestions for future lines of research based upon the notion of inhibition are offered, as well as suggestions regarding the sexual arousal and aggression relationship.", "contents": "Effects of erotic stimuli on male aggression toward females. In order to examine the effects of highly erotic films on aggression toward females, male subjects were first either angered or treated in a neutral manner by a male or female confederate. After viewing a highly erotic film or a neutral film, subjects were given an opportunity to both aggress against and reward the confederate. Erotic films were found to increase aggression overall, but there was no indication of differential aggression as a function of sex of target. Results for physiological arousal, however, suggested that aggression was possibly inhibited for subjects exposed to an erotic film and paired with a female. Various suggestions for future lines of research based upon the notion of inhibition are offered, as well as suggestions regarding the sexual arousal and aggression relationship.", "PMID": 624984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5809", "title": "Aggression-inhibiting influence of sexual humor.", "content": "Forty-eight undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to investigate the hypothesis that prior exposure to sexual humor would reduce the level of aggression directed by angry individuals against the person who had previously provoked them. In order to examine this suggestion, subjects were first angered or not angered by a male confederate; next, exposed to either neutral, nonhumorous pictures or to one of two types of sexual humor (nonexploitative, exploitative); and finally, provided with an opportunity to aggress against this individual by means of electric shock. Results indicated that exposure to exploitative sexual humor, but not exposure to nonexploitative sexual humor, significantly reduced the strength of subjects' later attacks against the victim. These findings are discussed in terms of the results of a follow-up study suggesting that individuals are more likely to think or fantasize about exploitative than nonexploitative sexual humor following the removal of such stimuli.", "contents": "Aggression-inhibiting influence of sexual humor. Forty-eight undergraduate males participated in an experiment designed to investigate the hypothesis that prior exposure to sexual humor would reduce the level of aggression directed by angry individuals against the person who had previously provoked them. In order to examine this suggestion, subjects were first angered or not angered by a male confederate; next, exposed to either neutral, nonhumorous pictures or to one of two types of sexual humor (nonexploitative, exploitative); and finally, provided with an opportunity to aggress against this individual by means of electric shock. Results indicated that exposure to exploitative sexual humor, but not exposure to nonexploitative sexual humor, significantly reduced the strength of subjects' later attacks against the victim. These findings are discussed in terms of the results of a follow-up study suggesting that individuals are more likely to think or fantasize about exploitative than nonexploitative sexual humor following the removal of such stimuli.", "PMID": 624985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5810", "title": "Control of respiration as a means of controlling responses to threat.", "content": "After a 30-minute rest period, (a) subjects in a respiration tracing condition began replicating their breathing patterns from the rest period; (b) subjects in an attention tracing condition participated in a comparable task that did not involve the control of respiration; and (c) subjects in a no-tracing condition were not assigned to perform any task. After the tracing manipulation was introduced, half of the subjects were assigned to a threat condition and informed that they would receive a series of painful electric shocks, whereas the other subjects were assigned to a no-threat condition and informed that they would receive red light stimulation. Analyses of heart rate and self-report data indicated that (a) the threat manipulation was effective; (b) controlling respiration did not reduce subjects' stress responses; and (c) subjects in the no-tracing condition were the only stressed subjects to show decreases in physiological arousal over time, an effect that may have been due to their use of a cognitive coping strategy (situation redefinition). These findings do not provide evidence that control of respiration is an effective strategy for controlling stress but do suggest that, when not interferred with, subjects can employ relatively effective, self-generated cognitive coping strategies.", "contents": "Control of respiration as a means of controlling responses to threat. After a 30-minute rest period, (a) subjects in a respiration tracing condition began replicating their breathing patterns from the rest period; (b) subjects in an attention tracing condition participated in a comparable task that did not involve the control of respiration; and (c) subjects in a no-tracing condition were not assigned to perform any task. After the tracing manipulation was introduced, half of the subjects were assigned to a threat condition and informed that they would receive a series of painful electric shocks, whereas the other subjects were assigned to a no-threat condition and informed that they would receive red light stimulation. Analyses of heart rate and self-report data indicated that (a) the threat manipulation was effective; (b) controlling respiration did not reduce subjects' stress responses; and (c) subjects in the no-tracing condition were the only stressed subjects to show decreases in physiological arousal over time, an effect that may have been due to their use of a cognitive coping strategy (situation redefinition). These findings do not provide evidence that control of respiration is an effective strategy for controlling stress but do suggest that, when not interferred with, subjects can employ relatively effective, self-generated cognitive coping strategies.", "PMID": 624986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5811", "title": "The effect of anaesthesia on pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid secretion in the cat.", "content": "1. The effect of Saffan (alphaxalone and alphadolone acetate) and Nembutal (pentobarbitone) anaesthesia on gastric acid secretion stimulated by I.V. bolus injections of pentagastrin was investigated in the gastric fistula cat. The effect of Saffan anaesthesia was also tested on I.V. near-maximal and sub-maximal infusions of pentagastrin. 2. Neither anaesthetic reduced the acid secreted in response to bolus injections of pentagastrin. Increased acid secretion with the anaesthetic was noted at some doses of pentagastrin in both intact and vagotomized animals. 3. Saffan anaesthesia had no effect on near-maximal gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin 8 microgram kg-1 hr-1 but increased the response to pentagastrin 1 microgram kg-1 hr-1. 4. It is suggested that the differences in the acid secretory responses of the anaesthetized acutely prepared animal compared with the conscious animal are a consequence of the surgical procedures rather than the state of consciousness.", "contents": "The effect of anaesthesia on pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid secretion in the cat. 1. The effect of Saffan (alphaxalone and alphadolone acetate) and Nembutal (pentobarbitone) anaesthesia on gastric acid secretion stimulated by I.V. bolus injections of pentagastrin was investigated in the gastric fistula cat. The effect of Saffan anaesthesia was also tested on I.V. near-maximal and sub-maximal infusions of pentagastrin. 2. Neither anaesthetic reduced the acid secreted in response to bolus injections of pentagastrin. Increased acid secretion with the anaesthetic was noted at some doses of pentagastrin in both intact and vagotomized animals. 3. Saffan anaesthesia had no effect on near-maximal gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin 8 microgram kg-1 hr-1 but increased the response to pentagastrin 1 microgram kg-1 hr-1. 4. It is suggested that the differences in the acid secretory responses of the anaesthetized acutely prepared animal compared with the conscious animal are a consequence of the surgical procedures rather than the state of consciousness.", "PMID": 624987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5812", "title": "The morphology of group Ia afferent fibre collaterals in the spinal cord of the cat.", "content": "1. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into single Ia muscle afferent fibres in anaesthetized cats. Subsequent histochemistry allowed the morphology of the axons and their collaterals in the lumbosacral spinal cord to be determined. 2. Fifteen Ia axons were stained, four from medial gastrocnemius, four from lateral gastrocnemius-soleus and seven from muscles innervated by the posterior tibial nerve. All thirteen axons that could be traced into the dorsal roots bifurcated upon entering the cord. Between 4 and 11 mm of axons were stained and they gave off eighty seven collaterals over distances between 3 and 9 mm. Collaterals were given off at intervals of 100-2600 micron at an average spacing of about 1000 micron. 3. All Ia collaterals had a characteristic morphology. After leaving the parent axon they ran ventrally to lamina VI and then ventrolaterally to the motor nuclei. The collaterals coursed cranially from their point of origin to the motor nuclei so that their lamina VI terminations were about 100-300 micro caudal to their terminations in motor nuclei. Terminal arborizations were limited to three sites; lamina VI (the intermediate region), lamina VII (the Ia inhibitory interneurone region) and lamina IX (the motor nuclei). The three sets of terminals had characteristic arborizations and bouton arrangements. 4. The results are discussed in relation to previous anatomical studies. In particular the present results suggest that a single Ia collateral makes contact with many more motoneurones than has previously been suggested in fact with fifty to sixty rather than with about ten.", "contents": "The morphology of group Ia afferent fibre collaterals in the spinal cord of the cat. 1. The enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into single Ia muscle afferent fibres in anaesthetized cats. Subsequent histochemistry allowed the morphology of the axons and their collaterals in the lumbosacral spinal cord to be determined. 2. Fifteen Ia axons were stained, four from medial gastrocnemius, four from lateral gastrocnemius-soleus and seven from muscles innervated by the posterior tibial nerve. All thirteen axons that could be traced into the dorsal roots bifurcated upon entering the cord. Between 4 and 11 mm of axons were stained and they gave off eighty seven collaterals over distances between 3 and 9 mm. Collaterals were given off at intervals of 100-2600 micron at an average spacing of about 1000 micron. 3. All Ia collaterals had a characteristic morphology. After leaving the parent axon they ran ventrally to lamina VI and then ventrolaterally to the motor nuclei. The collaterals coursed cranially from their point of origin to the motor nuclei so that their lamina VI terminations were about 100-300 micro caudal to their terminations in motor nuclei. Terminal arborizations were limited to three sites; lamina VI (the intermediate region), lamina VII (the Ia inhibitory interneurone region) and lamina IX (the motor nuclei). The three sets of terminals had characteristic arborizations and bouton arrangements. 4. The results are discussed in relation to previous anatomical studies. In particular the present results suggest that a single Ia collateral makes contact with many more motoneurones than has previously been suggested in fact with fifty to sixty rather than with about ten.", "PMID": 624988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5813", "title": "Hepatic portal vein infusion of glucose and sodium solutions on the control of saline drinking in the rat.", "content": "1. Rats were prepared under anaesthesia with non-occlusive catheters in hepatic portal vein (HP) and inferior vena cava (VC) and maintained under standard conditions. 2. Each rat received a series (3 day intervals) of 30 min infusions of different solutions or sham into HP or VC. Oral intake of 0.15 M-NaCl and water were measured for 30 min. Significant change in drinking behaviour was assumed when the response to HP infusion differed from both sham and VC infusion. 3. Saline drinking was inhibited by HP infusion of 1 M- or 2M-NaCl, an effect blocked by right vagotomy or by addition of 16 mM-KCl to the infusate. 4. Saline drinking was increased and water drinking decreased by HP infusion of 2 M-glucose but not sucrose or fructose. 5. Saline drinking was decreased by HP infusion of deoxy-D-glucose to inhibit glucose utilization or ouabain to inhibit (Na4-K+) ATPase. 6. Results are consistent with the presence of afferent nerve terminals in hepatic portal vessels which are sensitive to change in NaCl or glucose concentration and which, in response thereto, alter drinking behaviour. The effects of NaCl and glucose on the discharge rate of the nerve terminals may be interpreted in terms of changing activity or electrogenicity of a Na pump but changes in membrane conductance or Na influx cannot be ruled out.", "contents": "Hepatic portal vein infusion of glucose and sodium solutions on the control of saline drinking in the rat. 1. Rats were prepared under anaesthesia with non-occlusive catheters in hepatic portal vein (HP) and inferior vena cava (VC) and maintained under standard conditions. 2. Each rat received a series (3 day intervals) of 30 min infusions of different solutions or sham into HP or VC. Oral intake of 0.15 M-NaCl and water were measured for 30 min. Significant change in drinking behaviour was assumed when the response to HP infusion differed from both sham and VC infusion. 3. Saline drinking was inhibited by HP infusion of 1 M- or 2M-NaCl, an effect blocked by right vagotomy or by addition of 16 mM-KCl to the infusate. 4. Saline drinking was increased and water drinking decreased by HP infusion of 2 M-glucose but not sucrose or fructose. 5. Saline drinking was decreased by HP infusion of deoxy-D-glucose to inhibit glucose utilization or ouabain to inhibit (Na4-K+) ATPase. 6. Results are consistent with the presence of afferent nerve terminals in hepatic portal vessels which are sensitive to change in NaCl or glucose concentration and which, in response thereto, alter drinking behaviour. The effects of NaCl and glucose on the discharge rate of the nerve terminals may be interpreted in terms of changing activity or electrogenicity of a Na pump but changes in membrane conductance or Na influx cannot be ruled out.", "PMID": 624989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5814", "title": "The effect of age upon the influx of glucose into the brain.", "content": "1. Rats aged from 1 to 116 weeks were studied. 2. Influx of glucose into the brain is low in suckling rats but rises after weaning, to reach its highest level in the young adult, thenceforward declining slowly as age increases. 3. The blood-brain barrier for glucose is fully developed in the rat by the age of 18 days and glucose enters the brain, at this stage, by carrier-mediated transport, as in the adult. 4. The results show that the low influx of glucose into the brain of the suckling animal is due to a low maximum rate of transport of glucose rather than to a low affinity of the carrier-molecule for glucose. 5. In the young adult rat, efflux of glucose back from the brain into the blood is greater than in either the suckling or the old animals. Thus the margin of safety, i.e. the extent to which the blood glucose can be reduced without affecting the utilization of glucose by the brain, is highest in the young adult. 6. The lower margin of safety in the suckling animals is compensated for by the high influx of the ketone bodies which provide an alternative source of energy at this age. In the old animals there is no alternative source of energy, so that the older brain is at greatest risk in hypoglycaemia.", "contents": "The effect of age upon the influx of glucose into the brain. 1. Rats aged from 1 to 116 weeks were studied. 2. Influx of glucose into the brain is low in suckling rats but rises after weaning, to reach its highest level in the young adult, thenceforward declining slowly as age increases. 3. The blood-brain barrier for glucose is fully developed in the rat by the age of 18 days and glucose enters the brain, at this stage, by carrier-mediated transport, as in the adult. 4. The results show that the low influx of glucose into the brain of the suckling animal is due to a low maximum rate of transport of glucose rather than to a low affinity of the carrier-molecule for glucose. 5. In the young adult rat, efflux of glucose back from the brain into the blood is greater than in either the suckling or the old animals. Thus the margin of safety, i.e. the extent to which the blood glucose can be reduced without affecting the utilization of glucose by the brain, is highest in the young adult. 6. The lower margin of safety in the suckling animals is compensated for by the high influx of the ketone bodies which provide an alternative source of energy at this age. In the old animals there is no alternative source of energy, so that the older brain is at greatest risk in hypoglycaemia.", "PMID": 624990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5815", "title": "Effect of exogenous noradrenaline on local cerebral blood flow after osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier in the rat.", "content": "1. The regional penetration into the brain of exogenous labelled noradrenaline (following unilateral injection into the internal carotid artery) was correlated with the effect of this amine on regional cerebral blood flow as measured by the [14C]ethanol technique in anaesthetized rats. 2. A hyperosmolar solution of urea was injected into the ipsilateral internal carotid artery to induce osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier. 3. The extent of the blood-brain barrier damage was followed by macroscopic and fluorescence microscopic visualization of systemically injected Evans blue, and by the determination of the brain uptake index for noradrenaline. 4. The extravasation of Evans blue was restricted to the brain areas nourished by the internal carotid artery on the same side as the injection. 5. The normally low penetration of noradrenaline into the brain was enhanced fourfold in those brain regions that showed Evans blue extravasation following the administration of hypertonic urea. 6. In the same regions, the systemic administration of noradrenaline markedly increased local cerebral blood flow, compared to the contralateral hemisphere that was unaffected by the injection of urea. This effect on regional cerebral blood flow was blocked by the beta-receptor antagonist, propranolol.", "contents": "Effect of exogenous noradrenaline on local cerebral blood flow after osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier in the rat. 1. The regional penetration into the brain of exogenous labelled noradrenaline (following unilateral injection into the internal carotid artery) was correlated with the effect of this amine on regional cerebral blood flow as measured by the [14C]ethanol technique in anaesthetized rats. 2. A hyperosmolar solution of urea was injected into the ipsilateral internal carotid artery to induce osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier. 3. The extent of the blood-brain barrier damage was followed by macroscopic and fluorescence microscopic visualization of systemically injected Evans blue, and by the determination of the brain uptake index for noradrenaline. 4. The extravasation of Evans blue was restricted to the brain areas nourished by the internal carotid artery on the same side as the injection. 5. The normally low penetration of noradrenaline into the brain was enhanced fourfold in those brain regions that showed Evans blue extravasation following the administration of hypertonic urea. 6. In the same regions, the systemic administration of noradrenaline markedly increased local cerebral blood flow, compared to the contralateral hemisphere that was unaffected by the injection of urea. This effect on regional cerebral blood flow was blocked by the beta-receptor antagonist, propranolol.", "PMID": 624991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5816", "title": "Voltage sensitive calcium channels in the presynaptic terminals of a decrementally conducting photoreceptor.", "content": "1. Intracellular recordings were made from the presynaptic regions of the photoreceptors of the median ocellus of the giant barnacle, Balanus nubilus.2. Millivolt changes in membrane potential near the dark resting level in the terminals elicit post-synaptic activity and consequently must be sufficient to modulate transmitter release from these endings.3. In normal saline the terminal voltage usually changes in a graded manner to increasing intensities of illumination of the cell. When the terminal region is superfused with saline containing TEA, 3-AP or high concentrations of K, an all-or-none action potential can be elicited consistently by light or injected current.4. The peak value of this action potential depends on the Ca concentration in the saline. The action potential can be generated if Sr or Ba ions replace Ca, but is reduced or blocked if Mg, Co, or Mn ions are added to the saline. It is virtually unaffected by TTX or replacement of Na with TMA ions in the saline. These results suggest that Ca carries most or all of the inward current during the action potential.5. The action potential is followed by a large undershoot which can last several seconds. The amplitude and duration of the action potential and the duration of the undershoot all grow in increasing concentrations of TEA up to 400 mM, the highest concentration tested. The threshold for the action potential decreases as the concentration of TEA is increased to 10 mM; increasing the concentration further has no effect on the threshold. These observations suggest that TEA blocks a voltage-sensitive potassium conductance at low concentrations but has less effect on the current responsible for the undershoot.6. Electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence suggests that the Ca channels are concentrated in the presynaptic terminals of this photoreceptor.", "contents": "Voltage sensitive calcium channels in the presynaptic terminals of a decrementally conducting photoreceptor. 1. Intracellular recordings were made from the presynaptic regions of the photoreceptors of the median ocellus of the giant barnacle, Balanus nubilus.2. Millivolt changes in membrane potential near the dark resting level in the terminals elicit post-synaptic activity and consequently must be sufficient to modulate transmitter release from these endings.3. In normal saline the terminal voltage usually changes in a graded manner to increasing intensities of illumination of the cell. When the terminal region is superfused with saline containing TEA, 3-AP or high concentrations of K, an all-or-none action potential can be elicited consistently by light or injected current.4. The peak value of this action potential depends on the Ca concentration in the saline. The action potential can be generated if Sr or Ba ions replace Ca, but is reduced or blocked if Mg, Co, or Mn ions are added to the saline. It is virtually unaffected by TTX or replacement of Na with TMA ions in the saline. These results suggest that Ca carries most or all of the inward current during the action potential.5. The action potential is followed by a large undershoot which can last several seconds. The amplitude and duration of the action potential and the duration of the undershoot all grow in increasing concentrations of TEA up to 400 mM, the highest concentration tested. The threshold for the action potential decreases as the concentration of TEA is increased to 10 mM; increasing the concentration further has no effect on the threshold. These observations suggest that TEA blocks a voltage-sensitive potassium conductance at low concentrations but has less effect on the current responsible for the undershoot.6. Electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence suggests that the Ca channels are concentrated in the presynaptic terminals of this photoreceptor.", "PMID": 624992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5817", "title": "Membrane currents in cat myocardium: separation of inward and outward components.", "content": "1. The single sucrose gap method was used to control the membrane potential of cat ventricular fibres.2. Following the early rapid events (capacitive, Na and slow inward (si) current spikes) the membrane current on depolarization contained three time-dependent components which appeared attributable to the inactivation of I(si) and the activation of two outward currents labelled I(K) and I(x).3. Tail currents were analysed with a view to confirming these conductance changes. At -60 mV the tail progressed from being predominantly inward in direction after short (30-50 msec) depolarizations to being predominantly outward after long (> 300 msec) depolarizations. Inward and outward components decayed exponentially with time constants independent of previous membrane history. The Q(10)s were about 3.4. Experiments with D600 and variations of the driving force identified the inward tail component (tau approximately 55 msec at -60 mV) as I(si). The major outward tail component (tau approximately 300 msec) appears to be carried primarily by potassium. A second outward tail component (tau approximately 3 sec) of much smaller amplitude than I(K) was observed after long depolarizations and is tentatively labelled I(x).5. Membrane currents at 0 mV can be described as the sum of three exponential processes: I(si) inactivation (tau approximately 90 msec), I(K) activation (tau approximately 370 msec) and I(x) activation (tau approximately 3 sec). Conductance measurements (envelops of I(si) and I(K) tails) supported these time courses. I(si) time constants increased from 50 msec at -40 mV to 120 msec at +40 mV. I(K) time constants increased from 400 msec at -40 to about 520 msec at -25 mV before declining to 300 msec at +40 mV.6. I(si) amplitudes measured visually (difference between peak I(si) and current level after 200-500 msec) were compared with those measured graphically (semilog plots, subtraction of I(K) and I(x)). As a consequence of the relative amplitudes and time courses of I(si) and I(K), the shapes of the I(si) voltage relations were not markedly different: visual estimates at 200 msec were in agreement with graphic estimates, visual estimates at 300 or 500 msec exceeded these by 15-30% between -20 and +20 mV.", "contents": "Membrane currents in cat myocardium: separation of inward and outward components. 1. The single sucrose gap method was used to control the membrane potential of cat ventricular fibres.2. Following the early rapid events (capacitive, Na and slow inward (si) current spikes) the membrane current on depolarization contained three time-dependent components which appeared attributable to the inactivation of I(si) and the activation of two outward currents labelled I(K) and I(x).3. Tail currents were analysed with a view to confirming these conductance changes. At -60 mV the tail progressed from being predominantly inward in direction after short (30-50 msec) depolarizations to being predominantly outward after long (> 300 msec) depolarizations. Inward and outward components decayed exponentially with time constants independent of previous membrane history. The Q(10)s were about 3.4. Experiments with D600 and variations of the driving force identified the inward tail component (tau approximately 55 msec at -60 mV) as I(si). The major outward tail component (tau approximately 300 msec) appears to be carried primarily by potassium. A second outward tail component (tau approximately 3 sec) of much smaller amplitude than I(K) was observed after long depolarizations and is tentatively labelled I(x).5. Membrane currents at 0 mV can be described as the sum of three exponential processes: I(si) inactivation (tau approximately 90 msec), I(K) activation (tau approximately 370 msec) and I(x) activation (tau approximately 3 sec). Conductance measurements (envelops of I(si) and I(K) tails) supported these time courses. I(si) time constants increased from 50 msec at -40 mV to 120 msec at +40 mV. I(K) time constants increased from 400 msec at -40 to about 520 msec at -25 mV before declining to 300 msec at +40 mV.6. I(si) amplitudes measured visually (difference between peak I(si) and current level after 200-500 msec) were compared with those measured graphically (semilog plots, subtraction of I(K) and I(x)). As a consequence of the relative amplitudes and time courses of I(si) and I(K), the shapes of the I(si) voltage relations were not markedly different: visual estimates at 200 msec were in agreement with graphic estimates, visual estimates at 300 or 500 msec exceeded these by 15-30% between -20 and +20 mV.", "PMID": 624993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5818", "title": "The potassium current underlying delayed rectification in cat ventricular muscle.", "content": "1. Outward currents in cat ventricular fibres have been studied using the single sucrose gap method. The time dependent outward currents can be separated into a fast component, I(K), and a slow component, I(x). The voltage dependence of the I(K) time constant was bell-shaped, being about 150 msec at -90 mV, 500 msec at -25 mV and 300 msec at +30 mV. The combination of much faster time constants and larger amplitudes relative to I(x) allowed the estimation of I(K) amplitude, but not time course, from semilog plots of membrane currents accompanying 2 sec depolarizations.2. The ;steady-state' outward current at 2 sec (I(ss)) was separated into time independent background current (I(bg)) and time dependent I(K). The activation threshold for I(K) was about -50 mV and its amplitude increased steeply between -30 and +10 mV. The ratio of I(bg) to I(K) was about 1 between -30 and +30 mV.3. The current-voltage relations of I(ss) and I(bg) showed inward going rectification but negative slope regions were not observed. Raising the external K concentration from 3 to 10, 20 and 30 mM increased conductance and induced ;cross-overs' in the current-voltage relations. Increases in conductance were offset by the reductions in driving force, i.e. currents at plateau potentials were not larger in high K solutions.4. K accumulation occurs in response to prolonged membrane depolarization but conductance rather than accumulation appears to be responsible for the slowly rising outward current, I(x). However, the accumulation which takes place during the activation of I(x) may preclude an accurate determination of its time course and reversal potential.5. The potential at which outward I(K) tails declined to zero was strongly dependent on external K concentration in the range 3-30 mM. Inward going I(K) tails were difficult to detect because control hyperpolarization from the resting potential triggered large inward time dependent currents. Evidence is presented suggesting that much of this time dependency is due to the depletion of extracellular K from regions of restricted diffusion.6. The steady-state activation variable (n(infinity)) of the I(K)-system had to be calculated from isochronic (300 msec activating pulses) activation relations and tau(n)s because shifts in V(K) due to K accumulation precluded complete activations. The shape of n(infinity) was sigmoid approaching 0 at -60 mV, 0.5 at -20 mV and 1 at +20 mV.7. The fully activated current-voltage relation of I(K) displayed inward going rectification.8. It is concluded that there are strong similarities between I(K) in ventricular muscle and i(x1) in Purkinje fibres. Possible counterparts in frog atrial muscle include the currents labelled I(1) and i(x.slow).", "contents": "The potassium current underlying delayed rectification in cat ventricular muscle. 1. Outward currents in cat ventricular fibres have been studied using the single sucrose gap method. The time dependent outward currents can be separated into a fast component, I(K), and a slow component, I(x). The voltage dependence of the I(K) time constant was bell-shaped, being about 150 msec at -90 mV, 500 msec at -25 mV and 300 msec at +30 mV. The combination of much faster time constants and larger amplitudes relative to I(x) allowed the estimation of I(K) amplitude, but not time course, from semilog plots of membrane currents accompanying 2 sec depolarizations.2. The ;steady-state' outward current at 2 sec (I(ss)) was separated into time independent background current (I(bg)) and time dependent I(K). The activation threshold for I(K) was about -50 mV and its amplitude increased steeply between -30 and +10 mV. The ratio of I(bg) to I(K) was about 1 between -30 and +30 mV.3. The current-voltage relations of I(ss) and I(bg) showed inward going rectification but negative slope regions were not observed. Raising the external K concentration from 3 to 10, 20 and 30 mM increased conductance and induced ;cross-overs' in the current-voltage relations. Increases in conductance were offset by the reductions in driving force, i.e. currents at plateau potentials were not larger in high K solutions.4. K accumulation occurs in response to prolonged membrane depolarization but conductance rather than accumulation appears to be responsible for the slowly rising outward current, I(x). However, the accumulation which takes place during the activation of I(x) may preclude an accurate determination of its time course and reversal potential.5. The potential at which outward I(K) tails declined to zero was strongly dependent on external K concentration in the range 3-30 mM. Inward going I(K) tails were difficult to detect because control hyperpolarization from the resting potential triggered large inward time dependent currents. Evidence is presented suggesting that much of this time dependency is due to the depletion of extracellular K from regions of restricted diffusion.6. The steady-state activation variable (n(infinity)) of the I(K)-system had to be calculated from isochronic (300 msec activating pulses) activation relations and tau(n)s because shifts in V(K) due to K accumulation precluded complete activations. The shape of n(infinity) was sigmoid approaching 0 at -60 mV, 0.5 at -20 mV and 1 at +20 mV.7. The fully activated current-voltage relation of I(K) displayed inward going rectification.8. It is concluded that there are strong similarities between I(K) in ventricular muscle and i(x1) in Purkinje fibres. Possible counterparts in frog atrial muscle include the currents labelled I(1) and i(x.slow).", "PMID": 624994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5819", "title": "The effect of membrane cholesterol on the sodium pump in red blood cells.", "content": "1. Human red blood cells (R.B.C.) were incubated with phosphatidylcholine vesicles to obtain partial depletion of their membrane cholesterol. The kinetic parameters of the Na pump (affinities and maximal fluxes) were determined in these cells and compared with controls. 2. In the presence of internal K, progressive cholesterol depletion induces gradually (i) an increase of the maximal flux (ii) a reduction of the apparent affinity for internal Na. 3. In the absence of internal K, cholesterol depletion has no apparent effect, indicating that the observed changes were mediated by the internal K. Cholesterol depletion acts by increasing these two K effects: (i) activation of the maximal fluxes, and (ii) reduction of the internal Na affinity. 4. The cholesterol effect (on the K-pump interaction) is specific; it occurs without any change (i) in the affinities for internal Na and inorganic phosphate and for external Na and K, and (ii) in the number of pumping sites. 5. Under physiological conditions, cholesterol reduces the cation translocation rate and increases the selectivity of the pump for internal Na.", "contents": "The effect of membrane cholesterol on the sodium pump in red blood cells. 1. Human red blood cells (R.B.C.) were incubated with phosphatidylcholine vesicles to obtain partial depletion of their membrane cholesterol. The kinetic parameters of the Na pump (affinities and maximal fluxes) were determined in these cells and compared with controls. 2. In the presence of internal K, progressive cholesterol depletion induces gradually (i) an increase of the maximal flux (ii) a reduction of the apparent affinity for internal Na. 3. In the absence of internal K, cholesterol depletion has no apparent effect, indicating that the observed changes were mediated by the internal K. Cholesterol depletion acts by increasing these two K effects: (i) activation of the maximal fluxes, and (ii) reduction of the internal Na affinity. 4. The cholesterol effect (on the K-pump interaction) is specific; it occurs without any change (i) in the affinities for internal Na and inorganic phosphate and for external Na and K, and (ii) in the number of pumping sites. 5. Under physiological conditions, cholesterol reduces the cation translocation rate and increases the selectivity of the pump for internal Na.", "PMID": 624995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5820", "title": "The dynamic behaviour of photoreceptor cells in the fly in response to random (white noise) stimulation at a range of temperatures.", "content": "1. Photoreceptor cells in Calliphora stygia were stimulated with randomly fluctuating green light while the resulting fluctuations in membrane potential were recorded with intracellular micro-electrodes. 2. Fourier analysis was used to obtain the frequency response functions between the light intensity fluctuations and the membrane potential fluctuations at a range of different temperatures. 3. The results show that for small light fluctuations the transducer function can be modelled by a cascade of five identical linear exponential filters whose time constants decrease as the temperature of the cell is increased. 4. The time constants of the linear filters and their rate of change with temperature are similar to the electrical behaviour of cell membranes. However, a series of chemical reactions with similar activation energies could also explain the observed behaviour. 5. Evidence is presented that the total light response is a linear summation of discrete waves of depolarization (bumps), which become longer in duration but of constant area as the temperature is reduced.", "contents": "The dynamic behaviour of photoreceptor cells in the fly in response to random (white noise) stimulation at a range of temperatures. 1. Photoreceptor cells in Calliphora stygia were stimulated with randomly fluctuating green light while the resulting fluctuations in membrane potential were recorded with intracellular micro-electrodes. 2. Fourier analysis was used to obtain the frequency response functions between the light intensity fluctuations and the membrane potential fluctuations at a range of different temperatures. 3. The results show that for small light fluctuations the transducer function can be modelled by a cascade of five identical linear exponential filters whose time constants decrease as the temperature of the cell is increased. 4. The time constants of the linear filters and their rate of change with temperature are similar to the electrical behaviour of cell membranes. However, a series of chemical reactions with similar activation energies could also explain the observed behaviour. 5. Evidence is presented that the total light response is a linear summation of discrete waves of depolarization (bumps), which become longer in duration but of constant area as the temperature is reduced.", "PMID": 624996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5821", "title": "Lability of renal papillary tissue composition in the rat.", "content": "1. The acute effects of (a) a minor operative procedure using ether as the anaesthetic, and (b) the administration of 0.9% saline as a single I.V. injection in the conscious rat, on renal tissue composition were studied in hydropenic and normally hydrated rats. 2. The operative procedure and anaesthesia induced a rapid and transient decrease in papillary osmolality in both hydropenic and normally hydrated animals, the important contributing factor being a significant decrease in urea content. 3. Administration of a small volume of saline caused a rapid decrease in urea content, and an increase in water content. 4. It is concluded that papillary composition is extremely labile, large changes being produced by relatively minor experimental procedures.", "contents": "Lability of renal papillary tissue composition in the rat. 1. The acute effects of (a) a minor operative procedure using ether as the anaesthetic, and (b) the administration of 0.9% saline as a single I.V. injection in the conscious rat, on renal tissue composition were studied in hydropenic and normally hydrated rats. 2. The operative procedure and anaesthesia induced a rapid and transient decrease in papillary osmolality in both hydropenic and normally hydrated animals, the important contributing factor being a significant decrease in urea content. 3. Administration of a small volume of saline caused a rapid decrease in urea content, and an increase in water content. 4. It is concluded that papillary composition is extremely labile, large changes being produced by relatively minor experimental procedures.", "PMID": 624997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5822", "title": "The effects of artificial lung inflation on reflexly induced bradycardia associated with apnoea in the dog.", "content": "1. The cardiac effects of artificial inflation of the lungs were studied during reflexly induced apnoea and bradycardia in anaesthetized dogs.2. Reflex apnoea and bradycardia were induced (a) by stimulation of the larynx with water or by electrical stimulation of afferent fibres in the superior laryngeal nerve, or (b) by combined stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve and carotid body chemoreceptors.3. During combined stimulation of the laryngeal and carotid body inputs, the activation of respiration normally evoked by chemoreceptor stimulation was inhibited whereas the chemoreceptor cardio-inhibitory reflex was facilitated leading to periods of temporary cardiac arrest.4. In spontaneously breathing animals and in those artificially ventilated, lung inflation invariably caused tachycardia.5. Rhythmic artificial inflation of the lungs during the apnoeic period produced by the laryngeal input or by a combination of the laryngeal and chemoreceptor inputs wholly or partly reversed the bradycardia. This occurred using lung inflation volumes within the range of the normal tidal volume and inflation pressures of less than 12 mmHg; the response was independent of the composition of the gas used for inflating the lungs, and occurred at constant P(a, O2) and P(a, CO2). Lung inflation carried out during a reflexly induced arrest of the heart immediately restarted the heart and was accompanied by an exaggerated sinus arrhythmia.6. Evidence is presented that the observed effects of artificial lung inflation are reflex in origin with the vagus nerves as the main afferent and efferent pathways.7. Electrical stimulation of the central end of the cut pulmonary branches of the thoracic vagosympathetic nerves also caused tachycardia and had the same effects as lung inflation in modifying the reflexly induced bradycardia.8. Some clinical implications of these results are discussed.", "contents": "The effects of artificial lung inflation on reflexly induced bradycardia associated with apnoea in the dog. 1. The cardiac effects of artificial inflation of the lungs were studied during reflexly induced apnoea and bradycardia in anaesthetized dogs.2. Reflex apnoea and bradycardia were induced (a) by stimulation of the larynx with water or by electrical stimulation of afferent fibres in the superior laryngeal nerve, or (b) by combined stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve and carotid body chemoreceptors.3. During combined stimulation of the laryngeal and carotid body inputs, the activation of respiration normally evoked by chemoreceptor stimulation was inhibited whereas the chemoreceptor cardio-inhibitory reflex was facilitated leading to periods of temporary cardiac arrest.4. In spontaneously breathing animals and in those artificially ventilated, lung inflation invariably caused tachycardia.5. Rhythmic artificial inflation of the lungs during the apnoeic period produced by the laryngeal input or by a combination of the laryngeal and chemoreceptor inputs wholly or partly reversed the bradycardia. This occurred using lung inflation volumes within the range of the normal tidal volume and inflation pressures of less than 12 mmHg; the response was independent of the composition of the gas used for inflating the lungs, and occurred at constant P(a, O2) and P(a, CO2). Lung inflation carried out during a reflexly induced arrest of the heart immediately restarted the heart and was accompanied by an exaggerated sinus arrhythmia.6. Evidence is presented that the observed effects of artificial lung inflation are reflex in origin with the vagus nerves as the main afferent and efferent pathways.7. Electrical stimulation of the central end of the cut pulmonary branches of the thoracic vagosympathetic nerves also caused tachycardia and had the same effects as lung inflation in modifying the reflexly induced bradycardia.8. Some clinical implications of these results are discussed.", "PMID": 624998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5823", "title": "Stimulation of renin secretion and calcium efflux from the isolated perfused cat kidney by noradrenaline after prolonged calcium deprivation.", "content": "1. The effects of noradrenaline on the secretion of renin and on the efflux of Ca have been investigated in the isolated cat kidney perfused with Locke solution containing the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine, to block increases in renal vascular resistance. 2. Noradrenaline elicited a marked increase in renin secretion in the absence of any discernible alterations in renal arterial pressure, and prolonged perfusion with Ca-free Locke solution failed to depress noradrenaline-evoked renin secretion. 3. Noradrenaline caused an increase in the efflux of 45Ca from prelabelled kidneys perfused with Ca-free solution. Increasing the noradrenaline concentration produced graded increases in 45Ca efflux and renin release, and the peak rise in efflux preceded or coincided with peak renin secretion. 4. DL-Propranolol inhibited the increase in 45Ca efflux and renin release resulting from noradrenaline stimulation. 5. Electrical stimulation of the renal nerve enhanced 45Ca efflux and renin release from prelabelled kidneys perfused with noraml Locke solution. 6. These findings provide further support for the view that the process of catecholamine-induced renin secretion involves mobilization of Ca from a cellular site.", "contents": "Stimulation of renin secretion and calcium efflux from the isolated perfused cat kidney by noradrenaline after prolonged calcium deprivation. 1. The effects of noradrenaline on the secretion of renin and on the efflux of Ca have been investigated in the isolated cat kidney perfused with Locke solution containing the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine, to block increases in renal vascular resistance. 2. Noradrenaline elicited a marked increase in renin secretion in the absence of any discernible alterations in renal arterial pressure, and prolonged perfusion with Ca-free Locke solution failed to depress noradrenaline-evoked renin secretion. 3. Noradrenaline caused an increase in the efflux of 45Ca from prelabelled kidneys perfused with Ca-free solution. Increasing the noradrenaline concentration produced graded increases in 45Ca efflux and renin release, and the peak rise in efflux preceded or coincided with peak renin secretion. 4. DL-Propranolol inhibited the increase in 45Ca efflux and renin release resulting from noradrenaline stimulation. 5. Electrical stimulation of the renal nerve enhanced 45Ca efflux and renin release from prelabelled kidneys perfused with noraml Locke solution. 6. These findings provide further support for the view that the process of catecholamine-induced renin secretion involves mobilization of Ca from a cellular site.", "PMID": 624999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5824", "title": "Secretion of a potassium-rich fluid by the secretory coil of the rat paw eccrine sweat gland.", "content": "1. It is already known that the rat paw eccrine sweat contains high K(+) (greater than 150 mM) and low Na(+) concentrations (less than 70 mM). The present study was intended to clarify the site of K(+) secretion within the sweat gland, namely, the duct or the secretory coil. In vivo paw sweat was first induced by systemic pilocarpine injection or nerve stimulation. Both K(+) and Na(+) concentrations were studied in relation to the sweat rate to determine indirectly whether there is ductal secretion or reabsorption.2. Both Na(+) and K(+) concentrations in paw sweat agreed with the previous studies but did not show any saturation-type flow dependence at the high sweat rate range.3. A method has been developed to isolate a single segment of the secretory coil and induce sweat secretion directly from it in an in vitro condition.4. In the presence of fresh serum (30%, preincubated for 30 min at 56 degrees C) in the incubation medium, stable secretory activity due to 10(-6)M-Mecholyl could be maintained for 40 min or longer. The primary sweat thus induced contained low Na(+) (30 mM) and high K(+) (160 mM) concentrations.5. In the secretory coil sweat in vitro, K(+) concentration decreased and Na(+) concentration increased as the secretory rate fell either spontaneously or after addition of atropine or cyanide.6. It remains to be studied whether auxiliary ductal secretion or reabsorption is present at low rates of sweating in the rat sweat gland.7. It was concluded that the secretory coil of the rat paw sweat gland is the major, if not the sole, site of K(+) secretion.", "contents": "Secretion of a potassium-rich fluid by the secretory coil of the rat paw eccrine sweat gland. 1. It is already known that the rat paw eccrine sweat contains high K(+) (greater than 150 mM) and low Na(+) concentrations (less than 70 mM). The present study was intended to clarify the site of K(+) secretion within the sweat gland, namely, the duct or the secretory coil. In vivo paw sweat was first induced by systemic pilocarpine injection or nerve stimulation. Both K(+) and Na(+) concentrations were studied in relation to the sweat rate to determine indirectly whether there is ductal secretion or reabsorption.2. Both Na(+) and K(+) concentrations in paw sweat agreed with the previous studies but did not show any saturation-type flow dependence at the high sweat rate range.3. A method has been developed to isolate a single segment of the secretory coil and induce sweat secretion directly from it in an in vitro condition.4. In the presence of fresh serum (30%, preincubated for 30 min at 56 degrees C) in the incubation medium, stable secretory activity due to 10(-6)M-Mecholyl could be maintained for 40 min or longer. The primary sweat thus induced contained low Na(+) (30 mM) and high K(+) (160 mM) concentrations.5. In the secretory coil sweat in vitro, K(+) concentration decreased and Na(+) concentration increased as the secretory rate fell either spontaneously or after addition of atropine or cyanide.6. It remains to be studied whether auxiliary ductal secretion or reabsorption is present at low rates of sweating in the rat sweat gland.7. It was concluded that the secretory coil of the rat paw sweat gland is the major, if not the sole, site of K(+) secretion.", "PMID": 625000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5825", "title": "Protein digestion and absorption in the rat.", "content": "1. A randomly labelled 14C protein was synthesized in order to investigate the site and rate of digestion and absorption of dietary protein in the rat. 2. A liquid test meal consisting of protein and a non-absorbable marker, 51CrCl3, was administered to rats which were then sacrificed at intervals up to 4 hr after ingestion of the meal. Analysis of intestinal contents showed that as gastric emptying proceeded, the meal moved rapidly to the distal two thirds of the small intestine. 3. Protein digestion and absorption occurred predominantly in this area over a period of 1-2 hr. 4. Amounts of endogenous protein present in the small intestine never exceeded amounts of exogenous protein during maximum absorption of exogenous protein (0-1 hr). At later time periods (2-4 hr), however, more endogenous than exogenous protein was detected in the intestinal lumen. 5. It is concluded that the digestion and absorption of dietary protein is a rapid process, taking place in the distal two-thirds of the small intestine. Endogenous protein levels do not exceed exogenous protein levels until after the bulk of exogeneous protein is absorbed.", "contents": "Protein digestion and absorption in the rat. 1. A randomly labelled 14C protein was synthesized in order to investigate the site and rate of digestion and absorption of dietary protein in the rat. 2. A liquid test meal consisting of protein and a non-absorbable marker, 51CrCl3, was administered to rats which were then sacrificed at intervals up to 4 hr after ingestion of the meal. Analysis of intestinal contents showed that as gastric emptying proceeded, the meal moved rapidly to the distal two thirds of the small intestine. 3. Protein digestion and absorption occurred predominantly in this area over a period of 1-2 hr. 4. Amounts of endogenous protein present in the small intestine never exceeded amounts of exogenous protein during maximum absorption of exogenous protein (0-1 hr). At later time periods (2-4 hr), however, more endogenous than exogenous protein was detected in the intestinal lumen. 5. It is concluded that the digestion and absorption of dietary protein is a rapid process, taking place in the distal two-thirds of the small intestine. Endogenous protein levels do not exceed exogenous protein levels until after the bulk of exogeneous protein is absorbed.", "PMID": 625001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5826", "title": "Aldosterone effects on renal metabolism.", "content": "1. Manometric studies of the sodium dependent oxygen consumption in rat kidney slices have failed to reveal any significant effect of aldosterone treatment, adrenalectomy or sodium diet on sodium diet on sodium metabolism. 2. However, ammonia release from kidney slices was significantly reduced following adrenalectomy and this decrease was influenced by aldosterone treatment. 3. The dose-response characteristic obtained for this aldosterone-stimulated ammonia release has been determined. 4. The effect of a high Na+ diet on the ammonia release has been studied. An initial decrease after 2 days may be associated with decreased endogenous aldosterone secretion. However, aldosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight)injections into these high Na+ treated animals fails to restore the normal ammonia release. 5. The effects of aldosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight), dexamethasone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight) and corticosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight) injections, in adrenalectomized rats, on ammonia release and tissue tyrosine aminotransferase activities have been compared.", "contents": "Aldosterone effects on renal metabolism. 1. Manometric studies of the sodium dependent oxygen consumption in rat kidney slices have failed to reveal any significant effect of aldosterone treatment, adrenalectomy or sodium diet on sodium diet on sodium metabolism. 2. However, ammonia release from kidney slices was significantly reduced following adrenalectomy and this decrease was influenced by aldosterone treatment. 3. The dose-response characteristic obtained for this aldosterone-stimulated ammonia release has been determined. 4. The effect of a high Na+ diet on the ammonia release has been studied. An initial decrease after 2 days may be associated with decreased endogenous aldosterone secretion. However, aldosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight)injections into these high Na+ treated animals fails to restore the normal ammonia release. 5. The effects of aldosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight), dexamethasone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight) and corticosterone (2.5 microgram/100 g body weight) injections, in adrenalectomized rats, on ammonia release and tissue tyrosine aminotransferase activities have been compared.", "PMID": 625002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5827", "title": "Carbon dioxide and venous return and their interaction as stimuli to ventilation in the cat.", "content": "1. Respiratory responses were measured in forty-seven cats, made decerebrate or anaesthetized with pentobarbitone or chloralose-urethane, to changes in the level of CO(2) infused into the inferior vena cava via an external oxygenator circuit or to changes in the volume of venous return or to the inhalation of CO(2).2. No consistent difference was found between the respiratory response to the increase in the level of CO(2) infused or CO(2) inhaled provided that the volume of venous return during both sets of tests was held constant at normal levels.3. If the volume of venous return was increased and the level of CO(2) infused maintained at levels such that V(CO2) did not increase, ventilation increased with a fall in P(a, CO2), a response lying approximately on the isometabolic curve.4. If the volume of venous return and the level of CO(2) infusion were raised together, a spectrum of intermediate respiratory responses was obtained which reproduced all those seen in earlier papers, in muscular exercise or other hypermetabolic states.5. None of the steady-state respiratory responses was significantly affected by bilateral vagotomy or section of the sinus nerves, though sinus nerve section slowed the responses to infused or inhaled CO(2) and they were then less precisely controlled.6. Additional experiments indicated that where CO(2) was infused or inhaled, the effective stimulus to respiration was an increase in mean P(a, CO2) in proportion to the CO(2) added and that the respiratory response to CO(2) was enhanced by reduced blood volume. How the changes in venous return were sensed and affected respiration, remains unclear.7. These results may explain why previous workers have obtained exaggerated respiratory responses to the infusion of CO(2) and why respiration increases rapidly at the start of exercise and is then maintained at high levels without discernible change in the chemical stimulus in arterial blood.", "contents": "Carbon dioxide and venous return and their interaction as stimuli to ventilation in the cat. 1. Respiratory responses were measured in forty-seven cats, made decerebrate or anaesthetized with pentobarbitone or chloralose-urethane, to changes in the level of CO(2) infused into the inferior vena cava via an external oxygenator circuit or to changes in the volume of venous return or to the inhalation of CO(2).2. No consistent difference was found between the respiratory response to the increase in the level of CO(2) infused or CO(2) inhaled provided that the volume of venous return during both sets of tests was held constant at normal levels.3. If the volume of venous return was increased and the level of CO(2) infused maintained at levels such that V(CO2) did not increase, ventilation increased with a fall in P(a, CO2), a response lying approximately on the isometabolic curve.4. If the volume of venous return and the level of CO(2) infusion were raised together, a spectrum of intermediate respiratory responses was obtained which reproduced all those seen in earlier papers, in muscular exercise or other hypermetabolic states.5. None of the steady-state respiratory responses was significantly affected by bilateral vagotomy or section of the sinus nerves, though sinus nerve section slowed the responses to infused or inhaled CO(2) and they were then less precisely controlled.6. Additional experiments indicated that where CO(2) was infused or inhaled, the effective stimulus to respiration was an increase in mean P(a, CO2) in proportion to the CO(2) added and that the respiratory response to CO(2) was enhanced by reduced blood volume. How the changes in venous return were sensed and affected respiration, remains unclear.7. These results may explain why previous workers have obtained exaggerated respiratory responses to the infusion of CO(2) and why respiration increases rapidly at the start of exercise and is then maintained at high levels without discernible change in the chemical stimulus in arterial blood.", "PMID": 625003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5828", "title": "The slowing of gastric emptying by proteins in test meals.", "content": "1. Test solutions containing either glucose, casein, partially hydrolysed gelatin or egg albumin, native or denatured, at concentrations up to 50 g/l. in 33 mM-trisodium citrate solution, were given by tube into the stomachs of nine subjects in volumes of 600 or 750 ml. 2. The volume of the test solution recovered from the stomach after 20 min was measured. 3. The greater the concentration of solute the greater was the volume of the test solution recovered. 4. Gram for gram, gelatin hydrolysate was equivalent to glucose in slowing gastric emptying. Casein was slightly more effective than glucose and native egg albumin was less effective than glucose. 5. The results were explained by assuming that the products of hydrolysis of proteins stimulated osmoreceptors in the walls of the duodenum. 6. The results were in line with the suggestion that proteins in food contribute to the slowing of gastric emptying in such a way that isocaloric amounts of carbohydrate and mixed protein have the same effect. 7. There was a strong correlation between the concentration of glucose giving a recovery of 400 ml. and the corresponding concentration of casein within-subject, but there was no such relationship for gelatin hydrolysate. It was concluded that the between-subject variability in the digestion of casein was small, that for gelatin hydrolysate was large.", "contents": "The slowing of gastric emptying by proteins in test meals. 1. Test solutions containing either glucose, casein, partially hydrolysed gelatin or egg albumin, native or denatured, at concentrations up to 50 g/l. in 33 mM-trisodium citrate solution, were given by tube into the stomachs of nine subjects in volumes of 600 or 750 ml. 2. The volume of the test solution recovered from the stomach after 20 min was measured. 3. The greater the concentration of solute the greater was the volume of the test solution recovered. 4. Gram for gram, gelatin hydrolysate was equivalent to glucose in slowing gastric emptying. Casein was slightly more effective than glucose and native egg albumin was less effective than glucose. 5. The results were explained by assuming that the products of hydrolysis of proteins stimulated osmoreceptors in the walls of the duodenum. 6. The results were in line with the suggestion that proteins in food contribute to the slowing of gastric emptying in such a way that isocaloric amounts of carbohydrate and mixed protein have the same effect. 7. There was a strong correlation between the concentration of glucose giving a recovery of 400 ml. and the corresponding concentration of casein within-subject, but there was no such relationship for gelatin hydrolysate. It was concluded that the between-subject variability in the digestion of casein was small, that for gelatin hydrolysate was large.", "PMID": 625004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5829", "title": "Effects of dopamine analogues and antagonists on carotid body chemosensors in situ.", "content": "1. The effects of dopamine, its analogues and antagonists on the chemosensory discharges originating from carotid bodies in situ were studied in anaesthetized cats. 2. Intracarotid (I.C.) injections of 100 ng or more of dopamine produced transient depression of the frequency of carotid nerve chemosensory discharges. Short term (1-5 sec) complete inhibition was usually elicited by 2 microgram dopamine. 3. I.V. injections of dopamine also produced inhibition of chemosensory discharges, an effect observed with doses which were still too low to produce changes in systemic arterial pressure. Half-maximal inhibition (ID50) of chemoreceptors was elicited with a mean dose of 84 ng.kg-1. 4. I.C. and I.V. injections of apomorphine and amantadine also produced transient inhibition of chemosensory activity. Higher doses of these analogues of dopamine were needed to produce this effect, and the resulting inhibition usually did not silence the nerve discharges. Apomorphine inhibition was slightly more prolonged than that with dopamine. 5. Large doses of amphetamine and tyramine, inducers of dopamine release, did not produce inhibition of chemosensory discharges. 6. The effects of two classes of dopamine antagonists were tested. Dose-response curves for dopamine and apomorphine inhibition were displaced to the right by administration of phenothiazines (chlorpromazine and perphenazine) and butyrophenones (haloperidol and spiroperidol). In animals treated with perphenazine or spiroperidol, dopamine became a stimulator of chemoreceptor activity. 7. It is suggested that dopamine present in carotid body may operate as a modulator of chemosensory activity.", "contents": "Effects of dopamine analogues and antagonists on carotid body chemosensors in situ. 1. The effects of dopamine, its analogues and antagonists on the chemosensory discharges originating from carotid bodies in situ were studied in anaesthetized cats. 2. Intracarotid (I.C.) injections of 100 ng or more of dopamine produced transient depression of the frequency of carotid nerve chemosensory discharges. Short term (1-5 sec) complete inhibition was usually elicited by 2 microgram dopamine. 3. I.V. injections of dopamine also produced inhibition of chemosensory discharges, an effect observed with doses which were still too low to produce changes in systemic arterial pressure. Half-maximal inhibition (ID50) of chemoreceptors was elicited with a mean dose of 84 ng.kg-1. 4. I.C. and I.V. injections of apomorphine and amantadine also produced transient inhibition of chemosensory activity. Higher doses of these analogues of dopamine were needed to produce this effect, and the resulting inhibition usually did not silence the nerve discharges. Apomorphine inhibition was slightly more prolonged than that with dopamine. 5. Large doses of amphetamine and tyramine, inducers of dopamine release, did not produce inhibition of chemosensory discharges. 6. The effects of two classes of dopamine antagonists were tested. Dose-response curves for dopamine and apomorphine inhibition were displaced to the right by administration of phenothiazines (chlorpromazine and perphenazine) and butyrophenones (haloperidol and spiroperidol). In animals treated with perphenazine or spiroperidol, dopamine became a stimulator of chemoreceptor activity. 7. It is suggested that dopamine present in carotid body may operate as a modulator of chemosensory activity.", "PMID": 625005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5830", "title": "The rate of recovery of vision after early monocular deprivation in kittens.", "content": "1. Fifteen kittens were monocularly deprived of vision by suturing the lids of the right eye together for various periods of time at different ages. A simple behavioural technique was used to assess the immediate effects of the period of monocular deprivation on the visual acuity of the deprived eye as well as the time course of any subsequent recovery.2. The extent of the recovery of vision was measured under conditions where the animal was either forced to use its deprived eye by performing a reverse suture or where the animal had both eyes open after the initial period of monocular occlusion.3. The initial effects of monocular deprivation were graded in severity according to the age at which the deprivation was imposed, ranging from apparent blindness in animals deprived at 6 weeks of age to only a small loss of acuity in kittens deprived at 12 weeks of age.4. The effects of deprivation imposed from birth were particularly severe, leading to a temporary blindness. Nevertheless after a period of time that became progressively longer with increasing deprivation, all animals showed some recovery of pattern vision over the course of the next 2 or 3 months. The extent of this recovery became progressively less as the period of deprivation was prolonged. There was even some recovery of vision (an acuity of 2.5 cycles/deg) in animals that were deprived throughout the duration of the ;critical period' to 4 months of age.5. Direct comparison of the rate of behavioural recovery between animals that were reverse sutured with that of litter-mates that received binocular input after monocular occlusion to either 45 or 60 days of age proved to be remarkably similar, although the acuity that was eventually attained by the reverse sutured animals was always slightly higher.6. The recoveries observed after reverse suturing were reasonably well correlated with changes observed in the ocular dominance of visual cortical cells under similar circumstances.7. Although the recovery in these animals can be accounted for by the simple notion of a competitive interaction between the two eyes, the recovery observed in animals that had both eyes open after the initial period of deprivation cannot be so readily explained. Evidently there must be an additional non-competitive mechanism of recovery.", "contents": "The rate of recovery of vision after early monocular deprivation in kittens. 1. Fifteen kittens were monocularly deprived of vision by suturing the lids of the right eye together for various periods of time at different ages. A simple behavioural technique was used to assess the immediate effects of the period of monocular deprivation on the visual acuity of the deprived eye as well as the time course of any subsequent recovery.2. The extent of the recovery of vision was measured under conditions where the animal was either forced to use its deprived eye by performing a reverse suture or where the animal had both eyes open after the initial period of monocular occlusion.3. The initial effects of monocular deprivation were graded in severity according to the age at which the deprivation was imposed, ranging from apparent blindness in animals deprived at 6 weeks of age to only a small loss of acuity in kittens deprived at 12 weeks of age.4. The effects of deprivation imposed from birth were particularly severe, leading to a temporary blindness. Nevertheless after a period of time that became progressively longer with increasing deprivation, all animals showed some recovery of pattern vision over the course of the next 2 or 3 months. The extent of this recovery became progressively less as the period of deprivation was prolonged. There was even some recovery of vision (an acuity of 2.5 cycles/deg) in animals that were deprived throughout the duration of the ;critical period' to 4 months of age.5. Direct comparison of the rate of behavioural recovery between animals that were reverse sutured with that of litter-mates that received binocular input after monocular occlusion to either 45 or 60 days of age proved to be remarkably similar, although the acuity that was eventually attained by the reverse sutured animals was always slightly higher.6. The recoveries observed after reverse suturing were reasonably well correlated with changes observed in the ocular dominance of visual cortical cells under similar circumstances.7. Although the recovery in these animals can be accounted for by the simple notion of a competitive interaction between the two eyes, the recovery observed in animals that had both eyes open after the initial period of deprivation cannot be so readily explained. Evidently there must be an additional non-competitive mechanism of recovery.", "PMID": 625006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5831", "title": "Neurones in cat parastriate cortex sensitive to the direction of motion in three-dimensional space.", "content": "1. On psychophysical grounds, Beverley & Regan suggested that in man different neural mechanisms mediate the binocular perception of movement in depth and the binocular perception of positional (static) depth. They proposed that the human visual pathway contains several neural mechanisms, each sensitive to a different direction of motion in space. These mechanisms compute the direction of motion from the relative speeds and directions of movement of the left and right retinal images.2. We have recorded from 101 units in area 18 of cat visual cortex, searching for neurones tuned to the direction of motion in three dimensions, with properties that could account for the proposed directionally tuned binocular motion detectors in man. The cat's left eye viewed one bar, while its right eye simultaneously viewed a second bar. Single units were stimulated by independently oscillating the bars from side to side. The apparent direction of movement in three dimensions was altered by varying the relative speeds of the bars and their relative directions of motion. The mean (positional) disparity of the bars could also be varied.3. For one class of neurone (twenty cells), binocular stimulation inhibited firing for trajectories parallel to the frontoparallel plane over a large volume of space. Strong firing was produced by oppositely directed bar movements. Some of these neurones were especially narrowly tuned to the direction of movement in depth, responding only to a range of 2-3 degrees , i.e. to moving bodies that would hit or only narrowly miss the cat. These cells emphasized the direction of movement at the expense of positional information.3. These units occurred in clusters. On the perpendicular penetrations in which they were found, they comprised a substantial majority of all cells encountered.5. For a second class of neurone (nine cells), binocular facilitation produced selective responses to objects moving along trajectories that missed the head.6. The two classes of neurone provide a basis for four proposed directionally tuned binocular motion detectors.7. A third class of neurone (seventeen cells) was selectively sensitive to movements parallel to the frontoparallel plane. There was strong binocular facilitation when the bars moved at the same speeds in the same directions: oppositely directed movements might be more than 100 times less effective. These neurones may signal positional disparity.8. These three classes of neurone cut across established categories. Only when both eyes were stimulated simultaneously with targets moving in different speeds and directions was it possible to demonstrate the binocular interactions described here.", "contents": "Neurones in cat parastriate cortex sensitive to the direction of motion in three-dimensional space. 1. On psychophysical grounds, Beverley & Regan suggested that in man different neural mechanisms mediate the binocular perception of movement in depth and the binocular perception of positional (static) depth. They proposed that the human visual pathway contains several neural mechanisms, each sensitive to a different direction of motion in space. These mechanisms compute the direction of motion from the relative speeds and directions of movement of the left and right retinal images.2. We have recorded from 101 units in area 18 of cat visual cortex, searching for neurones tuned to the direction of motion in three dimensions, with properties that could account for the proposed directionally tuned binocular motion detectors in man. The cat's left eye viewed one bar, while its right eye simultaneously viewed a second bar. Single units were stimulated by independently oscillating the bars from side to side. The apparent direction of movement in three dimensions was altered by varying the relative speeds of the bars and their relative directions of motion. The mean (positional) disparity of the bars could also be varied.3. For one class of neurone (twenty cells), binocular stimulation inhibited firing for trajectories parallel to the frontoparallel plane over a large volume of space. Strong firing was produced by oppositely directed bar movements. Some of these neurones were especially narrowly tuned to the direction of movement in depth, responding only to a range of 2-3 degrees , i.e. to moving bodies that would hit or only narrowly miss the cat. These cells emphasized the direction of movement at the expense of positional information.3. These units occurred in clusters. On the perpendicular penetrations in which they were found, they comprised a substantial majority of all cells encountered.5. For a second class of neurone (nine cells), binocular facilitation produced selective responses to objects moving along trajectories that missed the head.6. The two classes of neurone provide a basis for four proposed directionally tuned binocular motion detectors.7. A third class of neurone (seventeen cells) was selectively sensitive to movements parallel to the frontoparallel plane. There was strong binocular facilitation when the bars moved at the same speeds in the same directions: oppositely directed movements might be more than 100 times less effective. These neurones may signal positional disparity.8. These three classes of neurone cut across established categories. Only when both eyes were stimulated simultaneously with targets moving in different speeds and directions was it possible to demonstrate the binocular interactions described here.", "PMID": 625008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5832", "title": "Increase in efflux of inorganic phosphate during electrical activity in small non-myelinated nerve fibres.", "content": "1. The movements of labelled phosphate were measured in garfish olfactory and in rabbit vagus nerves at rest and during activity. 2. In garfish olfactory nerve kept in solutions with 120 mM-sodium and 0.2 mM-phosphate the fractional loss of 32P was 9.82 X 10(-4) min-1. Lowering the sodium concentration of the washing fluid decreased the efflux; lowering the phosphate produced a transient increase with subsequent return towards the efflux in 0.2 mM-phosphate. 3. Stimulation at 0.50 sec produced an extra fractional loss of 12 X 10(-6) impulse-1. At 1/sec the effect was larger; at 5/sec it was about the same as at 0.5/sec. 4. After stimulation the effect of activity disappeared exponentially with a time constant of 4.4 min. 5. Lowering the sodium decreased the extra efflux with stimulation, whereas changing the phosphate concentration did not much affect the extra efflux. 6. In rabbit vagus nerve kept in 154 mM-sodium and 0.2 M-phosphate the fractional loss of 32P was 4.91 X 10(-4) min-1. Lowering the sodium or the phosphate decreased the resting efflux. 7. Stimulation of the vagus nerve at 15/sec produced an extra fractional loss of 0.87 X 10(-6) impulse-1. 8. The extra efflux with stimulation seems to result predominantly from an increase in intracellular inorganic phosphate resulting from increased break-down of ATP after activity.", "contents": "Increase in efflux of inorganic phosphate during electrical activity in small non-myelinated nerve fibres. 1. The movements of labelled phosphate were measured in garfish olfactory and in rabbit vagus nerves at rest and during activity. 2. In garfish olfactory nerve kept in solutions with 120 mM-sodium and 0.2 mM-phosphate the fractional loss of 32P was 9.82 X 10(-4) min-1. Lowering the sodium concentration of the washing fluid decreased the efflux; lowering the phosphate produced a transient increase with subsequent return towards the efflux in 0.2 mM-phosphate. 3. Stimulation at 0.50 sec produced an extra fractional loss of 12 X 10(-6) impulse-1. At 1/sec the effect was larger; at 5/sec it was about the same as at 0.5/sec. 4. After stimulation the effect of activity disappeared exponentially with a time constant of 4.4 min. 5. Lowering the sodium decreased the extra efflux with stimulation, whereas changing the phosphate concentration did not much affect the extra efflux. 6. In rabbit vagus nerve kept in 154 mM-sodium and 0.2 M-phosphate the fractional loss of 32P was 4.91 X 10(-4) min-1. Lowering the sodium or the phosphate decreased the resting efflux. 7. Stimulation of the vagus nerve at 15/sec produced an extra fractional loss of 0.87 X 10(-6) impulse-1. 8. The extra efflux with stimulation seems to result predominantly from an increase in intracellular inorganic phosphate resulting from increased break-down of ATP after activity.", "PMID": 625007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5833", "title": "Modification of visual response properties in the superior colliculus of the golden hamster following stroboscopic rearing.", "content": "1. Visual response properties of superior collicular neurones were investigated in golden hamsters reared from birth to adulthood in a stroboscopic environment.2. In comparison to normally reared animals, there was a marked decrease in the incidence of directionally selective cells in the colliculus of the strobe-reared hamsters. This effect was apparent when directional selectivity was determined by either the null criterion or a statistical measure. The reduction in directionally selective cells was found in both superficial and the deep layers of the colliculus.3. Neurones in strobe-reared hamsters also exhibited a different speed preference distribution from that obtained for normal animals, in that more cells in the restricted hamsters responded only to slow velocities, and less were broadly tuned with regard to the speed of moving stimuli.4. In addition to the effects obtained in dynamic response properties, there were also changes in the static response properties of superior collicular neurones. These were an increase in the proportion of cells whose responses were not affected by changing the size of a stationary flashed stimulus, and a concomitant decrease in the number of cells demonstrating either partial or complete suppression when the size of a flashed stimulus exceeded the boundaries of the receptive field activating region. Furthermore, while all cells which responded to stationary stimuli in normal animals yielded only phasic responses to stimulus onset and/or offset, in the strobe-reared hamsters eight cells were encountered which responded in a sustained fashion to stationary spots.5. There was no indication of an increased responsivity in the restricted animals to strobe stimulation, even when a strobe rate identical to that employed in the rearing environment was employed.6. The results were interpreted as indicating a disruption of normal visual functional organization in the hamster's superior colliculus by an aberrant visual input during development.", "contents": "Modification of visual response properties in the superior colliculus of the golden hamster following stroboscopic rearing. 1. Visual response properties of superior collicular neurones were investigated in golden hamsters reared from birth to adulthood in a stroboscopic environment.2. In comparison to normally reared animals, there was a marked decrease in the incidence of directionally selective cells in the colliculus of the strobe-reared hamsters. This effect was apparent when directional selectivity was determined by either the null criterion or a statistical measure. The reduction in directionally selective cells was found in both superficial and the deep layers of the colliculus.3. Neurones in strobe-reared hamsters also exhibited a different speed preference distribution from that obtained for normal animals, in that more cells in the restricted hamsters responded only to slow velocities, and less were broadly tuned with regard to the speed of moving stimuli.4. In addition to the effects obtained in dynamic response properties, there were also changes in the static response properties of superior collicular neurones. These were an increase in the proportion of cells whose responses were not affected by changing the size of a stationary flashed stimulus, and a concomitant decrease in the number of cells demonstrating either partial or complete suppression when the size of a flashed stimulus exceeded the boundaries of the receptive field activating region. Furthermore, while all cells which responded to stationary stimuli in normal animals yielded only phasic responses to stimulus onset and/or offset, in the strobe-reared hamsters eight cells were encountered which responded in a sustained fashion to stationary spots.5. There was no indication of an increased responsivity in the restricted animals to strobe stimulation, even when a strobe rate identical to that employed in the rearing environment was employed.6. The results were interpreted as indicating a disruption of normal visual functional organization in the hamster's superior colliculus by an aberrant visual input during development.", "PMID": 625009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5834", "title": "The effect of disuse on cholinergic enzymes.", "content": "1. The effects of disuse on the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been investigated in the sciatic nerve and leg muscles of the rat. 2. Disuse was produced by blockade of nerve conduction by repeated subperineurial injection of tetrodotoxin (TTX), and the effects were compared to those of denervation. 3. After 8 days of disuse there was no change in neural ChAT activity in the sciatic nerves, anterior roots or intramuscular terminals. By contrast, surgical section of the sciatic nerve resulted in a marked decrease of ChAT in the nerve terminals. 4. Similarly, after 8 days of disuse there was no change in neural AChE activity in the sciatic nerves or anterior roots. 5. AChE activity in the disused muscles decreased by more than 50%, which was comparable to the effect of surgical denervation. 6. These results indicate that disuse produced by TTX blockade of nerve conduction does not affect the cholinergic enzymes ChAT and AChE in nerves, but does lead to a significant decrease in muscle AChE.", "contents": "The effect of disuse on cholinergic enzymes. 1. The effects of disuse on the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been investigated in the sciatic nerve and leg muscles of the rat. 2. Disuse was produced by blockade of nerve conduction by repeated subperineurial injection of tetrodotoxin (TTX), and the effects were compared to those of denervation. 3. After 8 days of disuse there was no change in neural ChAT activity in the sciatic nerves, anterior roots or intramuscular terminals. By contrast, surgical section of the sciatic nerve resulted in a marked decrease of ChAT in the nerve terminals. 4. Similarly, after 8 days of disuse there was no change in neural AChE activity in the sciatic nerves or anterior roots. 5. AChE activity in the disused muscles decreased by more than 50%, which was comparable to the effect of surgical denervation. 6. These results indicate that disuse produced by TTX blockade of nerve conduction does not affect the cholinergic enzymes ChAT and AChE in nerves, but does lead to a significant decrease in muscle AChE.", "PMID": 625010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5835", "title": "Effect of prior visual experience on cortical recovery from the effects of unilateral eyelid suture in kittens.", "content": "The reversibility of monocular deprivation was tested physiologically in twelve kittens which had received varying amounts of normal visual experience prior to unilateral eye closure. Recordings obtained from cells in cortical area 17 indicated that the effects of monocular deprivation are reversible in cats as old as 8 weeks if the animals have been allowed normal visual experience before eye closure.1. Four kittens had their right eyes closed at 3, 4, and 5 weeks of age. All animals were reverse sutured at about 8 weeks of age, and after 2 weeks forced usage of the deprived eye, each animal was tested physiologically for recovery. Single unit recordings revealed a consistent relation between the extent to which the effects of initial deprivation could reverse and the age of the animal at the time of this deprivation. Recordings from a fifth, 8 week old kitten, which had been monocularly deprived for 3 weeks, ensured that our shortest period of deprivation induces a severe deficit.2. Two kittens which were reared in the dark for 4 and 5 weeks before unilateral eye closure, failed to show substantial (greater than 20%) reversal when reverse lid-sutured at 8 weeks of age. This failure suggests that kittens having their eyes closed after normal experience show enhanced reversibility, at least in part, on account of their early experience and not necessarily because of shorter deprivation. A litter-mate of one of these kittens was allowed 9 days of normal vision after dark rearing and before lid suture. Recordings which were performed both before and after 6 days of reverse suture demonstrated a near total (85%) reversal in ocular dominance.3. Three animals, monocularly deprived after some normal experience, recovered substantial numbers of binocular cells after both eyes had been allowed to remain open. In one of these cats the effectiveness of monocular deprivation was confirmed physiologically before eye opening. These findings contrast with those of other workers who have failed to find many binocular cells in kittens that had been allowed to recover, with eye opening, from monocular deprivation which had lasted since birth.4. One kitten was reared for 2 weeks (3-5 weeks of age) with alternating monocular deprivation. Single unit recordings from this cat, which were made after four additional weeks of unilateral eye closure, revealed some cells which had resisted monocular deprivation and which responded strongly to stimulation of the deprived eye. Reverse suture in the same animal led to the recovery of many cells (36%), dominated by the initially deprived eye, but did not result in a reversal in ocular dominance.", "contents": "Effect of prior visual experience on cortical recovery from the effects of unilateral eyelid suture in kittens. The reversibility of monocular deprivation was tested physiologically in twelve kittens which had received varying amounts of normal visual experience prior to unilateral eye closure. Recordings obtained from cells in cortical area 17 indicated that the effects of monocular deprivation are reversible in cats as old as 8 weeks if the animals have been allowed normal visual experience before eye closure.1. Four kittens had their right eyes closed at 3, 4, and 5 weeks of age. All animals were reverse sutured at about 8 weeks of age, and after 2 weeks forced usage of the deprived eye, each animal was tested physiologically for recovery. Single unit recordings revealed a consistent relation between the extent to which the effects of initial deprivation could reverse and the age of the animal at the time of this deprivation. Recordings from a fifth, 8 week old kitten, which had been monocularly deprived for 3 weeks, ensured that our shortest period of deprivation induces a severe deficit.2. Two kittens which were reared in the dark for 4 and 5 weeks before unilateral eye closure, failed to show substantial (greater than 20%) reversal when reverse lid-sutured at 8 weeks of age. This failure suggests that kittens having their eyes closed after normal experience show enhanced reversibility, at least in part, on account of their early experience and not necessarily because of shorter deprivation. A litter-mate of one of these kittens was allowed 9 days of normal vision after dark rearing and before lid suture. Recordings which were performed both before and after 6 days of reverse suture demonstrated a near total (85%) reversal in ocular dominance.3. Three animals, monocularly deprived after some normal experience, recovered substantial numbers of binocular cells after both eyes had been allowed to remain open. In one of these cats the effectiveness of monocular deprivation was confirmed physiologically before eye opening. These findings contrast with those of other workers who have failed to find many binocular cells in kittens that had been allowed to recover, with eye opening, from monocular deprivation which had lasted since birth.4. One kitten was reared for 2 weeks (3-5 weeks of age) with alternating monocular deprivation. Single unit recordings from this cat, which were made after four additional weeks of unilateral eye closure, revealed some cells which had resisted monocular deprivation and which responded strongly to stimulation of the deprived eye. Reverse suture in the same animal led to the recovery of many cells (36%), dominated by the initially deprived eye, but did not result in a reversal in ocular dominance.", "PMID": 625011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5836", "title": "Human muscle nerve sympathetic activity at rest. Relationship to blood pressure and age.", "content": "1. Recordings of multi-unit sympathetic activity were made from median or peroneal muscle nerve fascicles in thirty-three healthy subjects, resting in recumbent position. Simultaneous recordings of intra-arterial blood pressure were made in seventeen subjects. The neural activity, quantified by counting the number of pulse synchronous sympathetic bursts in the mean voltage neurogram (burst incidence), was plotted against the arterial blood pressure level and the age of the subjects. The effects of spontaneous temporary blood pressure fluctuations were studied by correlating different pressure parameters of individual heart beats to the probability of occurrence of a sympathetic burst and to the amplitude of the occurring burst.2. Between different subjects there were marked differences in burst incidence, from less than 10 to more than 90 bursts/100 heart beats. No correlation was found to interindividual differences in the arterial blood pressure level but there was a slight tendency for increasing burst incidence with increasing age.3. Irrespective of the magnitude of the burst incidence, the bursts always occurred more frequently during spontaneous transient blood pressure reductions than during transient increases in blood pressure. When, for each heart cycle, the occurrence of a sympathetic burst was correlated with different blood pressure parameters there was regularly a close negative correlation to diastolic pressure, a low correlation to systolic and an intermediary negative correlation to mean blood pressure. There was a positive correlation to pulse pressure and to pulse interval.4. When measured for individual heart beats, not only the occurrence but also the mean voltage amplitude of the sympathetic bursts tended to increase with decreasing diastolic pressure.5. In a given subject when comparing heart beats with the same diastolic pressure, the occurrence as well as the amplitude of the sympathetic bursts was higher for heart beats occurring during falling than for heart beats occurring during rising blood pressure. For a given change in diastolic blood pressure, sympathetic activity changed more if pressure was falling than if it was rising.6. The findings suggest that the sympathetic outflow is modulated by arterial baroreflex mechanisms and that transient variations in the strength of the activity are, to a large extent, determined by diastolic blood pressure fluctuations. The intimate correlation with ;dynamic' variations in blood pressure and the absence of correlation to the ;static' blood pressure level suggests that the sympathetic outflow to skeletal muscles is of importance for buffering acute blood pressure changes but has little influence on the long term blood pressure level. The difference in reflex sensitivity between falling and rising pressure indicates that acute blood pressure decreases may be buffered more efficiently than acute blood pressure increases.7. In twenty-seven subjects baroreflex latency was calculated from the QRS-complexes in the e.c.g. to the appropriate systolic inhibition in the sympathetic activity. When recording in the peroneal nerve, the latency ranged between 1.16 and 1.49 sec and there was a positive correlation with the height of the subjects. It is suggested that such latency measurements may be used clinically to evaluate conduction in sympathetic fibres.", "contents": "Human muscle nerve sympathetic activity at rest. Relationship to blood pressure and age. 1. Recordings of multi-unit sympathetic activity were made from median or peroneal muscle nerve fascicles in thirty-three healthy subjects, resting in recumbent position. Simultaneous recordings of intra-arterial blood pressure were made in seventeen subjects. The neural activity, quantified by counting the number of pulse synchronous sympathetic bursts in the mean voltage neurogram (burst incidence), was plotted against the arterial blood pressure level and the age of the subjects. The effects of spontaneous temporary blood pressure fluctuations were studied by correlating different pressure parameters of individual heart beats to the probability of occurrence of a sympathetic burst and to the amplitude of the occurring burst.2. Between different subjects there were marked differences in burst incidence, from less than 10 to more than 90 bursts/100 heart beats. No correlation was found to interindividual differences in the arterial blood pressure level but there was a slight tendency for increasing burst incidence with increasing age.3. Irrespective of the magnitude of the burst incidence, the bursts always occurred more frequently during spontaneous transient blood pressure reductions than during transient increases in blood pressure. When, for each heart cycle, the occurrence of a sympathetic burst was correlated with different blood pressure parameters there was regularly a close negative correlation to diastolic pressure, a low correlation to systolic and an intermediary negative correlation to mean blood pressure. There was a positive correlation to pulse pressure and to pulse interval.4. When measured for individual heart beats, not only the occurrence but also the mean voltage amplitude of the sympathetic bursts tended to increase with decreasing diastolic pressure.5. In a given subject when comparing heart beats with the same diastolic pressure, the occurrence as well as the amplitude of the sympathetic bursts was higher for heart beats occurring during falling than for heart beats occurring during rising blood pressure. For a given change in diastolic blood pressure, sympathetic activity changed more if pressure was falling than if it was rising.6. The findings suggest that the sympathetic outflow is modulated by arterial baroreflex mechanisms and that transient variations in the strength of the activity are, to a large extent, determined by diastolic blood pressure fluctuations. The intimate correlation with ;dynamic' variations in blood pressure and the absence of correlation to the ;static' blood pressure level suggests that the sympathetic outflow to skeletal muscles is of importance for buffering acute blood pressure changes but has little influence on the long term blood pressure level. The difference in reflex sensitivity between falling and rising pressure indicates that acute blood pressure decreases may be buffered more efficiently than acute blood pressure increases.7. In twenty-seven subjects baroreflex latency was calculated from the QRS-complexes in the e.c.g. to the appropriate systolic inhibition in the sympathetic activity. When recording in the peroneal nerve, the latency ranged between 1.16 and 1.49 sec and there was a positive correlation with the height of the subjects. It is suggested that such latency measurements may be used clinically to evaluate conduction in sympathetic fibres.", "PMID": 625012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5837", "title": "The renin-angiotensin system and sodium appetite.", "content": "1. Bilateral nephrectomy or bilateral ureteric ligation greatly reduced the intake and retention of sodium in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats which were experienced at drinking aversive concentrations of saline and which otherwise would have drunk and retained substantial quantities of sodium.2. Pharmacological activation of the renin-angiotensin system with isoprenaline or phentolamine caused increased intake of water but did not stimulate sodium appetite in sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats, and decreased sodium appetite in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized animals.3. Neither I.P. injections of renin nor intravenous infusions of angiotensin II stimulated sodium appetite in normal rats or sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats.4. No differences were found in the saline preference-aversion curves of normal rats not maintained on saline given intracranial injections of angiotensin II or carbachol.5. Preoptic injections of renin, renin substrate or angiotensin II into sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats which were maintained on water and 2.7% saline induced immediate thirst followed by some saline intake. The saline intake was markedly less than the spontaneous saline intake of the same rats when sodium depleted.6. Similar preoptic injections in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats caused increased water intake but did not increase the saline intake any further.7. Intracranial injections of carbachol had little effect on saline intake in either sodium-replete or sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats but caused increased water intake.8. In conclusion, peripheral activation of the renin-angiotensin system stimulates water intake but has no direct effect on sodium appetite. Secondly, central administration of components of the renin-angiotensin system causes thirst and does not inhibit sodium appetite whereas centrally administered carbachol causes thirst and inhibits sodium appetite. Therefore the renin-angiotensin system has only a minor role in sodium appetite.", "contents": "The renin-angiotensin system and sodium appetite. 1. Bilateral nephrectomy or bilateral ureteric ligation greatly reduced the intake and retention of sodium in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats which were experienced at drinking aversive concentrations of saline and which otherwise would have drunk and retained substantial quantities of sodium.2. Pharmacological activation of the renin-angiotensin system with isoprenaline or phentolamine caused increased intake of water but did not stimulate sodium appetite in sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats, and decreased sodium appetite in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized animals.3. Neither I.P. injections of renin nor intravenous infusions of angiotensin II stimulated sodium appetite in normal rats or sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats.4. No differences were found in the saline preference-aversion curves of normal rats not maintained on saline given intracranial injections of angiotensin II or carbachol.5. Preoptic injections of renin, renin substrate or angiotensin II into sodium-replete adrenalectomized rats which were maintained on water and 2.7% saline induced immediate thirst followed by some saline intake. The saline intake was markedly less than the spontaneous saline intake of the same rats when sodium depleted.6. Similar preoptic injections in sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats caused increased water intake but did not increase the saline intake any further.7. Intracranial injections of carbachol had little effect on saline intake in either sodium-replete or sodium-depleted adrenalectomized rats but caused increased water intake.8. In conclusion, peripheral activation of the renin-angiotensin system stimulates water intake but has no direct effect on sodium appetite. Secondly, central administration of components of the renin-angiotensin system causes thirst and does not inhibit sodium appetite whereas centrally administered carbachol causes thirst and inhibits sodium appetite. Therefore the renin-angiotensin system has only a minor role in sodium appetite.", "PMID": 625013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5838", "title": "Pancreatic acinar cells: acetylcholine-evoked electrical uncoupling and its ionic dependency.", "content": "1. Isolated segments of mouse or rat pancreas were placed in a Perspex bath through which physiological saline solutions were circulated. Intracellular recordings from surface acini were made by inserting up to three separate micro-electrodes into neighbouring cells within the same acinus. Through one of these electrodes current pulses could be injected. Electrical coupling between the cells could be continuously assessed. The acinus under investigation was stimulated by iontophoresis of ACh from an extracellular micropipette.2. During resting conditions all cells within an acinus were fully electrically coupled. A 5-10 sec pulse of a relatively large iontophoretic ACh ejecting current, causing initially the well characterized surface cell membrane depolarization and resistance reduction, was followed by a marked electrical uncoupling of neighbouring cells. In some cases one cell was clearly being isolated equally from the two other cells impaled, in other cases the cell into which current pulses were injected was becoming more isolated from one of the neighbouring cells than from the other one.3. The ACh-evoked electrical uncoupling was completely reversible and could be repeatedly observed in the same cell.4. The electrical uncoupling in response to short pulses of ACh (5-10 sec) was not affected by even prolonged (up to 50 min) exposure to Ca-free solution containing EGTA.5. ACh-evoked uncoupling (short pulses) was not reduced about 5 min after introduction of Mn (2 mM), Ni or Co (5 mM). Mn thereafter gradually reduced and finally (after about half an hour) abolished the ACh-evoked uncoupling. Ni and Co gradually enhanced the uncoupling response. The blocking effect of Mn on the ACh-evoked uncoupling occurred much faster in the absence of superfusion fluid Ca.6. During a period of sustained ACh stimulation sustained electrical uncoupling was observed. If Ni or Co (5 mM) was introduced during such a stimulatory period the cells recoupled. This effect of Ni and Co was immediate and fully reversible.7. The uncoupling responses to short pulses of ACh was not reduced immediately after replacing superfusion fluid Na by Tris at a time when the surface cell membrane depolarization and resistance reduction was already severely reduced. Thereafter a gradual slow reduction of the ACh-evoked uncoupling was observed. This did not occur if Na was replaced by Li.8. It is concluded that the Ca needed to raise [Ca(2+)](i) sufficiently to cause electrical uncoupling comes from the cells in cases of uncoupling evoked by short pulses of ACh, but from the external solution in cases of sustained uncoupling evoked by sustained stimulation of ACh.", "contents": "Pancreatic acinar cells: acetylcholine-evoked electrical uncoupling and its ionic dependency. 1. Isolated segments of mouse or rat pancreas were placed in a Perspex bath through which physiological saline solutions were circulated. Intracellular recordings from surface acini were made by inserting up to three separate micro-electrodes into neighbouring cells within the same acinus. Through one of these electrodes current pulses could be injected. Electrical coupling between the cells could be continuously assessed. The acinus under investigation was stimulated by iontophoresis of ACh from an extracellular micropipette.2. During resting conditions all cells within an acinus were fully electrically coupled. A 5-10 sec pulse of a relatively large iontophoretic ACh ejecting current, causing initially the well characterized surface cell membrane depolarization and resistance reduction, was followed by a marked electrical uncoupling of neighbouring cells. In some cases one cell was clearly being isolated equally from the two other cells impaled, in other cases the cell into which current pulses were injected was becoming more isolated from one of the neighbouring cells than from the other one.3. The ACh-evoked electrical uncoupling was completely reversible and could be repeatedly observed in the same cell.4. The electrical uncoupling in response to short pulses of ACh (5-10 sec) was not affected by even prolonged (up to 50 min) exposure to Ca-free solution containing EGTA.5. ACh-evoked uncoupling (short pulses) was not reduced about 5 min after introduction of Mn (2 mM), Ni or Co (5 mM). Mn thereafter gradually reduced and finally (after about half an hour) abolished the ACh-evoked uncoupling. Ni and Co gradually enhanced the uncoupling response. The blocking effect of Mn on the ACh-evoked uncoupling occurred much faster in the absence of superfusion fluid Ca.6. During a period of sustained ACh stimulation sustained electrical uncoupling was observed. If Ni or Co (5 mM) was introduced during such a stimulatory period the cells recoupled. This effect of Ni and Co was immediate and fully reversible.7. The uncoupling responses to short pulses of ACh was not reduced immediately after replacing superfusion fluid Na by Tris at a time when the surface cell membrane depolarization and resistance reduction was already severely reduced. Thereafter a gradual slow reduction of the ACh-evoked uncoupling was observed. This did not occur if Na was replaced by Li.8. It is concluded that the Ca needed to raise [Ca(2+)](i) sufficiently to cause electrical uncoupling comes from the cells in cases of uncoupling evoked by short pulses of ACh, but from the external solution in cases of sustained uncoupling evoked by sustained stimulation of ACh.", "PMID": 625014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5839", "title": "Glucose transport by brush-border membrane vesicles after proximal resection or ileo-jejunal transposition in the rat.", "content": "1. The functional properties of the ileal mucosa following jejunal resection or interposition in the jejunum were studied with the help of membrane vesicles. 2. Despite the development of functional and morphological features in the mucosa which are more generally associated with the jejunum than with the ileum, examination of brush-border vesicles derived from ileal and jejunal enterocytes from resected or transposed intestines reveals that the functional characteristics of apical membranes isolated from the different regions of the intestine are maintained after these surgical manoeuvres. Vesicles from control ileum develop an 'overshoot' uptake of glucose that is 3-4 times smaller than that of jejunal vesicles, a difference that is still observed in membranes prepared from mucosa of ileal loops following proximal resection or interposition in the jejunum.", "contents": "Glucose transport by brush-border membrane vesicles after proximal resection or ileo-jejunal transposition in the rat. 1. The functional properties of the ileal mucosa following jejunal resection or interposition in the jejunum were studied with the help of membrane vesicles. 2. Despite the development of functional and morphological features in the mucosa which are more generally associated with the jejunum than with the ileum, examination of brush-border vesicles derived from ileal and jejunal enterocytes from resected or transposed intestines reveals that the functional characteristics of apical membranes isolated from the different regions of the intestine are maintained after these surgical manoeuvres. Vesicles from control ileum develop an 'overshoot' uptake of glucose that is 3-4 times smaller than that of jejunal vesicles, a difference that is still observed in membranes prepared from mucosa of ileal loops following proximal resection or interposition in the jejunum.", "PMID": 625015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5840", "title": "The effects of position and skin temperature on the capillary pressures in the fingers and toes.", "content": "1. Direct measurements of the capillary pressure (P(c)) were made in capillaries at the base of the nails of the fingers and toes of two subjects (the authors of this paper).2. With the hand or foot at heart level, P(c) varied over the range of 7-70 cm H(2)O with mean values of 43 cm H(2)O in both the fingers and the toes. P(c) was higher in the arterial limb (mean 49 cm H(2)O) than in the venous limb (mean 34 cm H(2)O) of the capillary loops. The plasma colloid osmotic pressures for the two subjects were 33 and 34 cm H(2)O.3. For capillaries at heart level there was a strong positive correlation between P(c) and skin temperature when the latter was varied over the range 23-36 degrees C.4. When the hand or foot was lowered, P(c) increased less than the local arterial (P(a)) and venous pressures (P(v)). Furthermore the variation in P(c) was reduced. In fourteen measurements of P(c) made on capillaries in the toes of standing subjects, P(c) was no more than 10 cm H(2)O greater than P(v). It is argued that the increase in the ratio (P(a) - P(c))/(P(c) - P(v)) with hydrostatic load represents an increase in the ratio of pre- to post-capillary resistance.5. When P(v) was increased by inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff around the upper arm, (P(a) - P(c))/(P(c) - P(v)) increased in the hand held at heart level. These changes were similar to those seen with changes in position.6. The implications of the results are discussed with respect to fluid balance between the blood and tissues. It is argued that since P(c) in the warm hand was never less than the plasma colloid osmotic pressure, fluid is not reabsorbed from the tissues into the capillaries of the warm skin of the hand even at heart level. Compensatory changes in the circulation appear to minimise the filtration of fluid into the feet of the standing subject but the mechanism of these changes remains obscure.", "contents": "The effects of position and skin temperature on the capillary pressures in the fingers and toes. 1. Direct measurements of the capillary pressure (P(c)) were made in capillaries at the base of the nails of the fingers and toes of two subjects (the authors of this paper).2. With the hand or foot at heart level, P(c) varied over the range of 7-70 cm H(2)O with mean values of 43 cm H(2)O in both the fingers and the toes. P(c) was higher in the arterial limb (mean 49 cm H(2)O) than in the venous limb (mean 34 cm H(2)O) of the capillary loops. The plasma colloid osmotic pressures for the two subjects were 33 and 34 cm H(2)O.3. For capillaries at heart level there was a strong positive correlation between P(c) and skin temperature when the latter was varied over the range 23-36 degrees C.4. When the hand or foot was lowered, P(c) increased less than the local arterial (P(a)) and venous pressures (P(v)). Furthermore the variation in P(c) was reduced. In fourteen measurements of P(c) made on capillaries in the toes of standing subjects, P(c) was no more than 10 cm H(2)O greater than P(v). It is argued that the increase in the ratio (P(a) - P(c))/(P(c) - P(v)) with hydrostatic load represents an increase in the ratio of pre- to post-capillary resistance.5. When P(v) was increased by inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff around the upper arm, (P(a) - P(c))/(P(c) - P(v)) increased in the hand held at heart level. These changes were similar to those seen with changes in position.6. The implications of the results are discussed with respect to fluid balance between the blood and tissues. It is argued that since P(c) in the warm hand was never less than the plasma colloid osmotic pressure, fluid is not reabsorbed from the tissues into the capillaries of the warm skin of the hand even at heart level. Compensatory changes in the circulation appear to minimise the filtration of fluid into the feet of the standing subject but the mechanism of these changes remains obscure.", "PMID": 625016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5841", "title": "An ethnic comparison of self-esteem in Portuguese-, Mexican-, and Anglo-American pupils.", "content": "Three groups of Portuguese-, Mexican-, and Anglo-American boys and girls (N - 158) from 5th through 8th grade were compared in self-esteem. The results of the chi square test indicated that there were no significant differences between Mexican and Anglo Ss. However, significant differences were observed when the Portuguese Ss were compared to the other two groups. Here it was discovered that Portuguese boys--but not girls--had significantly higher self-esteem than all other Ss.", "contents": "An ethnic comparison of self-esteem in Portuguese-, Mexican-, and Anglo-American pupils. Three groups of Portuguese-, Mexican-, and Anglo-American boys and girls (N - 158) from 5th through 8th grade were compared in self-esteem. The results of the chi square test indicated that there were no significant differences between Mexican and Anglo Ss. However, significant differences were observed when the Portuguese Ss were compared to the other two groups. Here it was discovered that Portuguese boys--but not girls--had significantly higher self-esteem than all other Ss.", "PMID": 625017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5842", "title": "Driving offenders and the defensive driving course--an archival study.", "content": "Two hundred and seventy-five drivers who had been required by court order to attend a Defensive Driving Course (DDC) were compared on six posttreatment driving measures obtained from archival data with 275 drivers who also had had a court appearance and standard treatment. The DDC group showed greater reductions in serious and accident-promoting convictions but no greater reduction in accidents when compared with the standard treatment comparison group.", "contents": "Driving offenders and the defensive driving course--an archival study. Two hundred and seventy-five drivers who had been required by court order to attend a Defensive Driving Course (DDC) were compared on six posttreatment driving measures obtained from archival data with 275 drivers who also had had a court appearance and standard treatment. The DDC group showed greater reductions in serious and accident-promoting convictions but no greater reduction in accidents when compared with the standard treatment comparison group.", "PMID": 625018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5843", "title": "Sequential response shift rate: a correlate of human adaptivity measureable with existing personality inventories.", "content": "The rate at which Ss changed responses to successive personality inventory items was investigated. It was hypothesized that frequent shifts usually reflect the capacity and motivation to respond differentially to different situations; or that, conversely, too few shifts show a perseverative tendency paralleling inadaptivity in real-life behavior. Eight separate groups (students in nursing, education, social work, and human services paraprofessionals) totaling 286 normal Ss were tested, and their shift rates were compared with supervisory ratings of practical performance. Lanyon's Psychological Screening Inventory, Gough's California Psychological Inventory, or the Minnesota T-S-E were used to elicit shift rate or its approximate antithesis, linear perseveration. Results tended to confirm a moderate, sometimes curvilinear, relationship between shift rate and important practical performance criteria. Sequential shift rate and perseveration are crude but meaningful behavioral measures relatively independent of conventional self-descriptive scores, demonstrating that some inventories detect a previously unrecognized response variable related to general adaptivity.", "contents": "Sequential response shift rate: a correlate of human adaptivity measureable with existing personality inventories. The rate at which Ss changed responses to successive personality inventory items was investigated. It was hypothesized that frequent shifts usually reflect the capacity and motivation to respond differentially to different situations; or that, conversely, too few shifts show a perseverative tendency paralleling inadaptivity in real-life behavior. Eight separate groups (students in nursing, education, social work, and human services paraprofessionals) totaling 286 normal Ss were tested, and their shift rates were compared with supervisory ratings of practical performance. Lanyon's Psychological Screening Inventory, Gough's California Psychological Inventory, or the Minnesota T-S-E were used to elicit shift rate or its approximate antithesis, linear perseveration. Results tended to confirm a moderate, sometimes curvilinear, relationship between shift rate and important practical performance criteria. Sequential shift rate and perseveration are crude but meaningful behavioral measures relatively independent of conventional self-descriptive scores, demonstrating that some inventories detect a previously unrecognized response variable related to general adaptivity.", "PMID": 625019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5844", "title": "Cognitive deficiencies in emotionally disturbed children.", "content": "This research investigated development of cognitive abilities in a normal vs. emotionally disturbed school age population (N = 240) ages 6-12. The Ss had to display skills on the Southern Illinois University Test necessary to show understanding of Piagetian concepts of class inclusion, class exclusion, and complement of set. A three way analysis of variance indicated significant main effects for age, sex, and emotionality factors. There were, however, no significant interactions among these factors. Emotionally disturbed children were not only deficient in the measured cognitive skills, but even the rate of development of these cognitive skills was inferior to that of the normal population.", "contents": "Cognitive deficiencies in emotionally disturbed children. This research investigated development of cognitive abilities in a normal vs. emotionally disturbed school age population (N = 240) ages 6-12. The Ss had to display skills on the Southern Illinois University Test necessary to show understanding of Piagetian concepts of class inclusion, class exclusion, and complement of set. A three way analysis of variance indicated significant main effects for age, sex, and emotionality factors. There were, however, no significant interactions among these factors. Emotionally disturbed children were not only deficient in the measured cognitive skills, but even the rate of development of these cognitive skills was inferior to that of the normal population.", "PMID": 625020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5845", "title": "Analysis of cognitive ability for rural white culturally different children.", "content": "The study investigated WISC-R subtest pattern scores of 176 rural mountain culturally different white children (111 boys and 65 girls) ranging in age from six years three months to 16 years six months. The variation in subtest scores was analyzed by a 1 X 10 analysis of variance with repeated measures on a single factor. Differences between individual subtest means were analyzed by the Newman-Keuls test for simple effects. The evidence indicates that high subtest scores on Comprehension, Object Assembly, and Picture Completion and low scores on Coding, Information, and Similarities were characteristics of this group. The study did not support a Verbal-Performance discrepancy in favor of the Performance skills for these culturally different white children. The WISC-R was found to provide a valid measure of functional or operational intellectual capacity for this sample.", "contents": "Analysis of cognitive ability for rural white culturally different children. The study investigated WISC-R subtest pattern scores of 176 rural mountain culturally different white children (111 boys and 65 girls) ranging in age from six years three months to 16 years six months. The variation in subtest scores was analyzed by a 1 X 10 analysis of variance with repeated measures on a single factor. Differences between individual subtest means were analyzed by the Newman-Keuls test for simple effects. The evidence indicates that high subtest scores on Comprehension, Object Assembly, and Picture Completion and low scores on Coding, Information, and Similarities were characteristics of this group. The study did not support a Verbal-Performance discrepancy in favor of the Performance skills for these culturally different white children. The WISC-R was found to provide a valid measure of functional or operational intellectual capacity for this sample.", "PMID": 625021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5846", "title": "Degree of reported speech anxiety under two descriptive conditions.", "content": "Previous research has suggested that Ss' responses to fear questionnaires may vary with the degree of descriptive detail provided. In a recent study, rather wide variation in the parameters of a situational test of speech anxiety produced little difference in behavioral-physiological measures. In the present study, 263 male and female undergraduates were asked to rate their degree of discomfort about public speaking under two levels of descriptive detail. Results indicated that self-report measures were not affected by the degree of detail, at least for public speaking anxiety. In addition, data tended to support the contention that large, live audiences may not be needed in analogue research on speech anxiety.", "contents": "Degree of reported speech anxiety under two descriptive conditions. Previous research has suggested that Ss' responses to fear questionnaires may vary with the degree of descriptive detail provided. In a recent study, rather wide variation in the parameters of a situational test of speech anxiety produced little difference in behavioral-physiological measures. In the present study, 263 male and female undergraduates were asked to rate their degree of discomfort about public speaking under two levels of descriptive detail. Results indicated that self-report measures were not affected by the degree of detail, at least for public speaking anxiety. In addition, data tended to support the contention that large, live audiences may not be needed in analogue research on speech anxiety.", "PMID": 625022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5847", "title": "Relationship of state-trait anxiety and type of practice to reading comprehension.", "content": "The effects of state-trait anxiety and distribution of practice on reading comprehension were studied in male and female undergraduates of average aptitude. In Experiment 1 no significant differences were found on an 8-item test between 18 high and 18 low A-trait students who studied a reading passage with a 5-sec or 2-min intertrial interval. Experiment 2 employed a total of 60 students, a state-trait measure of anxiety, a 36-item test, ego-involving instructions, and 5-sec or 2-min intertrial intervals. The following significant (p less than .05) results were found: (a) high A-trait students responded to the ego-involving instructions with greater elevations in A-state; (b) low A-trait students demonstrated superior reading comprehension; (c) a low level of A-state immediately prior to the comprehension test produced a higher test score; (d) the A-state level of high A-trait students was reduced with the 2-min intertrial interval. Collectively, the results supported a trait-state conceptualization of anxiety.", "contents": "Relationship of state-trait anxiety and type of practice to reading comprehension. The effects of state-trait anxiety and distribution of practice on reading comprehension were studied in male and female undergraduates of average aptitude. In Experiment 1 no significant differences were found on an 8-item test between 18 high and 18 low A-trait students who studied a reading passage with a 5-sec or 2-min intertrial interval. Experiment 2 employed a total of 60 students, a state-trait measure of anxiety, a 36-item test, ego-involving instructions, and 5-sec or 2-min intertrial intervals. The following significant (p less than .05) results were found: (a) high A-trait students responded to the ego-involving instructions with greater elevations in A-state; (b) low A-trait students demonstrated superior reading comprehension; (c) a low level of A-state immediately prior to the comprehension test produced a higher test score; (d) the A-state level of high A-trait students was reduced with the 2-min intertrial interval. Collectively, the results supported a trait-state conceptualization of anxiety.", "PMID": 625023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5848", "title": "Contrasting personality profiles of male and female medical students.", "content": "The Millon-Illinois Self-Report Inventory Form P, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Personal Orientation Inventory were administered to 155 male and 37 female students across the four years of medical school to assess the personality differences between male and female medical students. Differences in mean scores were found between males and females on eight scales from the tests. The results indicated that female medical students' style of interpersonal relating is characterized by less emotional indifference and uninvolvement, less competitiveness and self-centeredness, less constriction and authoritarianism, and more impulsivity and negativism than that of their male colleagues. Further, compared to male students, the females were more likely to endorse items reflecting anxiety, emotional difficulties, and a value orientation that stresses being sensitive to one's own needs and feelings. The results were compared to those of previous research with male and female medical students.", "contents": "Contrasting personality profiles of male and female medical students. The Millon-Illinois Self-Report Inventory Form P, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Personal Orientation Inventory were administered to 155 male and 37 female students across the four years of medical school to assess the personality differences between male and female medical students. Differences in mean scores were found between males and females on eight scales from the tests. The results indicated that female medical students' style of interpersonal relating is characterized by less emotional indifference and uninvolvement, less competitiveness and self-centeredness, less constriction and authoritarianism, and more impulsivity and negativism than that of their male colleagues. Further, compared to male students, the females were more likely to endorse items reflecting anxiety, emotional difficulties, and a value orientation that stresses being sensitive to one's own needs and feelings. The results were compared to those of previous research with male and female medical students.", "PMID": 625024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5849", "title": "The treatment of smoking as a self-defeating behavior.", "content": "This study (n = 18 men and women) sought to determine whether (a) the Eliminating Self-Defeating Behaviors Workshop would help smokers significantly decrease their smoking behavior, (b) this decrease would be maintained for four weeks, and (c) the Rotter I-E Scale could predict which smokers would show the most significant decrease and maintain this reduction. The results indicated that members of the experimental group made significant decreases in their smoking rates (p less than .001) and maintained this reduction for four weeks. The experimental group also made significant changes toward more internal locus of control at the conclusion of the workshop (p less than .10) but did not maintain this change at the four-week follow-up. The Rotter I-E Scale was unable to predict which individuals would show the most significant decrease in smoking rate and maintain this reduction.", "contents": "The treatment of smoking as a self-defeating behavior. This study (n = 18 men and women) sought to determine whether (a) the Eliminating Self-Defeating Behaviors Workshop would help smokers significantly decrease their smoking behavior, (b) this decrease would be maintained for four weeks, and (c) the Rotter I-E Scale could predict which smokers would show the most significant decrease and maintain this reduction. The results indicated that members of the experimental group made significant decreases in their smoking rates (p less than .001) and maintained this reduction for four weeks. The experimental group also made significant changes toward more internal locus of control at the conclusion of the workshop (p less than .10) but did not maintain this change at the four-week follow-up. The Rotter I-E Scale was unable to predict which individuals would show the most significant decrease in smoking rate and maintain this reduction.", "PMID": 625025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5850", "title": "Economic status, family anomie, and adolescent suicide potential.", "content": "This study attempts to ascertain the existence and economic characteristics of the anomic family as a determinant of high suicide lethality among adolescents. An inverse relationship was hypothesized between economic status, family norm consensus, family power, and adolescent suicide risk. Fifty-five Ss of at least moderate suicide risk--and their families--were obtained from a total sample of 194 adolescents, 13 to 18 years old, who attempted suicide during a three month period. A summary of the descriptive demographic data is as follows: 32.7% of the sample were male and 67.3% female; their mean age was 16.3 years; race was categorized into 81.9% white and 18.1% nonwhite. Correlation coefficients were used to test the hypothesis. Statistically significant differences in the degree of family normlessness and powerlessness were found for suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents and their families.", "contents": "Economic status, family anomie, and adolescent suicide potential. This study attempts to ascertain the existence and economic characteristics of the anomic family as a determinant of high suicide lethality among adolescents. An inverse relationship was hypothesized between economic status, family norm consensus, family power, and adolescent suicide risk. Fifty-five Ss of at least moderate suicide risk--and their families--were obtained from a total sample of 194 adolescents, 13 to 18 years old, who attempted suicide during a three month period. A summary of the descriptive demographic data is as follows: 32.7% of the sample were male and 67.3% female; their mean age was 16.3 years; race was categorized into 81.9% white and 18.1% nonwhite. Correlation coefficients were used to test the hypothesis. Statistically significant differences in the degree of family normlessness and powerlessness were found for suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents and their families.", "PMID": 625026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5851", "title": "General adaptation syndrome and magnetostatic field: effects on sleep and delayed reinforcement of low rate.", "content": "In order to study the effects of a magnetostatic field on the organism, continuous exposure was applied and the resulting effects were observed for a period of 20 days. The Ss were four rats which were continually exposed, one by one, to a vertical field of 2800 oersted for uninterrupted periods of time. In a first series of experiments, the variation of the sleeping period for each of the four SS was observed. An evolution quite characteristic of the different phases of the general adaptation syndrome was noted: reaction, counterreaction, and resistance. The same phenomenon was observed in the response under delayed reinforcement of low rate (DRL) at 5 and 10 seconds. In each case, a slowdown of the weight growth was noted. One can thus consider the magnetostatic field as an agent responsible for a nonspecific general effect similar to other stressing agents. These behavioral observations suggest a verification of these effects on the endocrine system and illustrate the necessity of long exposures for the study of specific and nonspecific effects of the exposure to the magnetostatic field.", "contents": "General adaptation syndrome and magnetostatic field: effects on sleep and delayed reinforcement of low rate. In order to study the effects of a magnetostatic field on the organism, continuous exposure was applied and the resulting effects were observed for a period of 20 days. The Ss were four rats which were continually exposed, one by one, to a vertical field of 2800 oersted for uninterrupted periods of time. In a first series of experiments, the variation of the sleeping period for each of the four SS was observed. An evolution quite characteristic of the different phases of the general adaptation syndrome was noted: reaction, counterreaction, and resistance. The same phenomenon was observed in the response under delayed reinforcement of low rate (DRL) at 5 and 10 seconds. In each case, a slowdown of the weight growth was noted. One can thus consider the magnetostatic field as an agent responsible for a nonspecific general effect similar to other stressing agents. These behavioral observations suggest a verification of these effects on the endocrine system and illustrate the necessity of long exposures for the study of specific and nonspecific effects of the exposure to the magnetostatic field.", "PMID": 625027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5852", "title": "A comparison of externality, anxiety, and life satisfaction in two aged populations.", "content": "An attempt was made to find the relationship between locus of control, anxiety, and life satisfaction and to assess the impact of environmental factors upon these variables in two distinct elderly populations (20 nursing home residents and 20 active elderly). It was hypothesized that internality would be positively correlated with low anxiety and high life satisfaction and that the active elderly group would score higher on internality and life satisfaction and lower on anxiety than the nursing home group. Assessment instruments included a revision of Rotter's I-E Scale, questions from certain MMPI scales, and a life satisfaction questionnaire. Results showed significant correlations between the three measures of locus control, anxiety, and life satisfaction in the nursing home group but not in the active elderly group. As predicted, the active elderly were more internal (p less than .05), showed higher life satisfaction (p less than .01), and reported less anxiety (p less than .01) than the nursing home group.", "contents": "A comparison of externality, anxiety, and life satisfaction in two aged populations. An attempt was made to find the relationship between locus of control, anxiety, and life satisfaction and to assess the impact of environmental factors upon these variables in two distinct elderly populations (20 nursing home residents and 20 active elderly). It was hypothesized that internality would be positively correlated with low anxiety and high life satisfaction and that the active elderly group would score higher on internality and life satisfaction and lower on anxiety than the nursing home group. Assessment instruments included a revision of Rotter's I-E Scale, questions from certain MMPI scales, and a life satisfaction questionnaire. Results showed significant correlations between the three measures of locus control, anxiety, and life satisfaction in the nursing home group but not in the active elderly group. As predicted, the active elderly were more internal (p less than .05), showed higher life satisfaction (p less than .01), and reported less anxiety (p less than .01) than the nursing home group.", "PMID": 625028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5853", "title": "Relationships between self-concept, self-esteem, popularity, and social judgments of junior high school students.", "content": "This study examined the relationship between social self-concept and popularity for 93 male and female seventh, eighth, and ninth graders. It also assessed ability to make accurate social judgments and social self-esteem as a function of self-concept. The results revealed a moderate relationship (r = .29) between self-concept and popularity. No evidence was found to suggest that either self-esteem or ability to make accurate social judgments was related to accuracy of self-concept.", "contents": "Relationships between self-concept, self-esteem, popularity, and social judgments of junior high school students. This study examined the relationship between social self-concept and popularity for 93 male and female seventh, eighth, and ninth graders. It also assessed ability to make accurate social judgments and social self-esteem as a function of self-concept. The results revealed a moderate relationship (r = .29) between self-concept and popularity. No evidence was found to suggest that either self-esteem or ability to make accurate social judgments was related to accuracy of self-concept.", "PMID": 625030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5854", "title": "Comparison of cold conization and directed biopsy.", "content": "A study was performed to compare the results of directed biopsy with those of cold conization of the cervix in the private practice community. The intent of the study was to determine whether the two procedures were comparable in accuracy, to compare them in terms of economic impact and to compare the complications of each procedure. The study shows that directed biopsy is as accurate as cold conization of the cervix, is less expensive for the patient and is not fraught with as many serious hazards as is cold conization.", "contents": "Comparison of cold conization and directed biopsy. A study was performed to compare the results of directed biopsy with those of cold conization of the cervix in the private practice community. The intent of the study was to determine whether the two procedures were comparable in accuracy, to compare them in terms of economic impact and to compare the complications of each procedure. The study shows that directed biopsy is as accurate as cold conization of the cervix, is less expensive for the patient and is not fraught with as many serious hazards as is cold conization.", "PMID": 625040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5855", "title": "Perinatal outcome in the diabetic pregnancy: a retrospective analysis.", "content": "A retrospective analysis was done of all pregnancies in class B through R diabetics over a two-and-one-half-year period. This study demonstrates that early hospitalization, assessment of fetal status via estriols and oxytocin challenge test, fetal maturity studies, close medical supervision of the diabetes problem and advances in neonatology have combined to significantly reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. The expense of prolonged maternal hospitalization is justified by the savings in newborn and child care, which would otherwise be increased. This approach can be used in any obstetric center. The philosophic question is discussed of the increased incidence of congenital malformations and diabetes in offspring of diabetic mothers.", "contents": "Perinatal outcome in the diabetic pregnancy: a retrospective analysis. A retrospective analysis was done of all pregnancies in class B through R diabetics over a two-and-one-half-year period. This study demonstrates that early hospitalization, assessment of fetal status via estriols and oxytocin challenge test, fetal maturity studies, close medical supervision of the diabetes problem and advances in neonatology have combined to significantly reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. The expense of prolonged maternal hospitalization is justified by the savings in newborn and child care, which would otherwise be increased. This approach can be used in any obstetric center. The philosophic question is discussed of the increased incidence of congenital malformations and diabetes in offspring of diabetic mothers.", "PMID": 625043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5856", "title": "The role of the family physician in the care of obstetrics and gynecology patients.", "content": "Primary care is a major interest of all medical specialties today. That level of medical care stresses management of problems common in the population served. Studies of problems presented to general practitioners/family physicians indicate that a high proportion of the most common problems are obstetric/gynecologic. Departments of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology can base their mutual training efforts on care of these problems. The complementary relationship thus developed between residents in the two fields could lead to appropriate regionalization of services and optimum use of current knowledge and technology. Quality of care for the obstetric/gynecologic patient is a shared goal and can be achieved through col-laborative efforts of physicians in these two specialties.", "contents": "The role of the family physician in the care of obstetrics and gynecology patients. Primary care is a major interest of all medical specialties today. That level of medical care stresses management of problems common in the population served. Studies of problems presented to general practitioners/family physicians indicate that a high proportion of the most common problems are obstetric/gynecologic. Departments of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology can base their mutual training efforts on care of these problems. The complementary relationship thus developed between residents in the two fields could lead to appropriate regionalization of services and optimum use of current knowledge and technology. Quality of care for the obstetric/gynecologic patient is a shared goal and can be achieved through col-laborative efforts of physicians in these two specialties.", "PMID": 625044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5857", "title": "Technical aspects of ranged directional doppler: a new doppler method of fetal heart rate monitoring.", "content": "A new technique for clarifying the fetal heart Doppler signal (Ranged Directional Doppler) for fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring has been developed. Ranged Directional Doppler enhances the signals of interest and, in addition, permits a separation of the Doppler signals generated by fast-moving structures of the fetal heart either toward or away from the transducer. The separation of the Doppler signals provides increased clarity and reduced baseline clutter. These Doppler signals may approach the fetal scalp ECG in signal-to-noise ratio, and they may provide a signal that allows more accurate external monitoring of long-term and short-term variability patterns of the FHR.", "contents": "Technical aspects of ranged directional doppler: a new doppler method of fetal heart rate monitoring. A new technique for clarifying the fetal heart Doppler signal (Ranged Directional Doppler) for fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring has been developed. Ranged Directional Doppler enhances the signals of interest and, in addition, permits a separation of the Doppler signals generated by fast-moving structures of the fetal heart either toward or away from the transducer. The separation of the Doppler signals provides increased clarity and reduced baseline clutter. These Doppler signals may approach the fetal scalp ECG in signal-to-noise ratio, and they may provide a signal that allows more accurate external monitoring of long-term and short-term variability patterns of the FHR.", "PMID": 625045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5858", "title": "Case report of uterine rupture after an automobile accident.", "content": "The pregnant woman who is involved in an automobile accident carries the risk of injury to her uterus and fetus. The following is a case report of a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy who had extensive lacerations of the uterus that almost completely severed the fundus from the lower uterine segment. The fetus was stillborn as a result of complete separation from the placenta.", "contents": "Case report of uterine rupture after an automobile accident. The pregnant woman who is involved in an automobile accident carries the risk of injury to her uterus and fetus. The following is a case report of a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy who had extensive lacerations of the uterus that almost completely severed the fundus from the lower uterine segment. The fetus was stillborn as a result of complete separation from the placenta.", "PMID": 625046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5859", "title": "Amniotic fluid contamination during internal fetal monitoring.", "content": "The risk of infections associated with intrauterine fetal monitoring was evaluated in 30 consecutive labors. Amniotic fluid samples collected through the intrauterine catheter were found to be contaminated with bacteria in 15 of 30 consecutively monitored patients during labor. Aerobes were the exclusive isolates in eight, anaerobes in five and both in two patients. Eleven patients developed puerperal fever. One patient developed gonococcal amnionitis, and her newborn infant later developed gonococcal septicemia. The equipment--catheters and fetal scalp electrodes--was sterile. The overall risk of infection associated with internal monitoring in our study was 50% for amniotic fluid contamination and 37% for puerperal febrile morbidity.", "contents": "Amniotic fluid contamination during internal fetal monitoring. The risk of infections associated with intrauterine fetal monitoring was evaluated in 30 consecutive labors. Amniotic fluid samples collected through the intrauterine catheter were found to be contaminated with bacteria in 15 of 30 consecutively monitored patients during labor. Aerobes were the exclusive isolates in eight, anaerobes in five and both in two patients. Eleven patients developed puerperal fever. One patient developed gonococcal amnionitis, and her newborn infant later developed gonococcal septicemia. The equipment--catheters and fetal scalp electrodes--was sterile. The overall risk of infection associated with internal monitoring in our study was 50% for amniotic fluid contamination and 37% for puerperal febrile morbidity.", "PMID": 625047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5860", "title": "Changes in ionic conductances and in sensitivity to amiloride during the natural moulting cycle of toad skin (Bufo viridis, L.).", "content": "The resistance of the apical membranes of toad skin (Bufo viridis) was measured during its natural moulting cycle using a fast flow technique. The skin behaved in all periods of the moulting cycle as a nearly perfect sodium electrode. In the presence of amiloride (10(-4)M), the total resistance of the same skin was identical with solutions which contained either sodium or potassium. The resistance of the skin with potassium was sensitive to amiloride in the period just after moulting. The resistance of skins which were made shunted by treating them with urea on the outside area was insensitive to amiloride in solutions containing potassium; a small effect was still observed with sodium. It is suggested that the transient sensitivity to amiloride, with potassium, is the result of differentiation of the sodium specific sites at the apical membranes of the skin.", "contents": "Changes in ionic conductances and in sensitivity to amiloride during the natural moulting cycle of toad skin (Bufo viridis, L.). The resistance of the apical membranes of toad skin (Bufo viridis) was measured during its natural moulting cycle using a fast flow technique. The skin behaved in all periods of the moulting cycle as a nearly perfect sodium electrode. In the presence of amiloride (10(-4)M), the total resistance of the same skin was identical with solutions which contained either sodium or potassium. The resistance of the skin with potassium was sensitive to amiloride in the period just after moulting. The resistance of skins which were made shunted by treating them with urea on the outside area was insensitive to amiloride in solutions containing potassium; a small effect was still observed with sodium. It is suggested that the transient sensitivity to amiloride, with potassium, is the result of differentiation of the sodium specific sites at the apical membranes of the skin.", "PMID": 625048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5861", "title": "A quantitative resolution of the spectra of a membrane potential indicator, diS-C3-(5), bound to cell components and to red blood cells.", "content": "Cationic cyanine dyes have been widely used to measure electrical potentials of red blood cells and other membrane preparations. A quantitative analysis of the binding of the most extensively studied of these dyes, diS-C3-(5), to red blood cells and their constituents is presented here. Absorption spectra were recorded for the dye in suspensions of isolated red cell membranes and in solutions of cell lysate. The dependence of the spectra on the concentrations of dye and cell constituents shows that the dye binds to these membranes as monomers with an absorbance maximum at 670 nm instead of 650 nm as for free aqueous dye and the dye binds to oxyhaemoglobin partly as monomer but primarily as dimer, with absorbance maxima ca. 670 and 595 nm, respectively. Quantitative estimates are derived for all binding constants and extinction coefficients. These estimates are applied to suspensions of whole cells to predict the dye binding, absorbance spectra, and calibration curves of binding and fluorescence vs. membrane voltage. Satisfactory agreement is found with binding and absorbance data for whole cells at zero membrane potential and with the binding and fluorescence data reported by Hladky and Rink (J. Physiol. (London) 263:287, 1976) for cells driven to positive and negative potentials using valinomycin. The marked tendency of oxyhaemoglobin to bind dye as dimer is not shared by some other proteins tested, including deoxyhaemoglobin and oxymyoglobin.", "contents": "A quantitative resolution of the spectra of a membrane potential indicator, diS-C3-(5), bound to cell components and to red blood cells. Cationic cyanine dyes have been widely used to measure electrical potentials of red blood cells and other membrane preparations. A quantitative analysis of the binding of the most extensively studied of these dyes, diS-C3-(5), to red blood cells and their constituents is presented here. Absorption spectra were recorded for the dye in suspensions of isolated red cell membranes and in solutions of cell lysate. The dependence of the spectra on the concentrations of dye and cell constituents shows that the dye binds to these membranes as monomers with an absorbance maximum at 670 nm instead of 650 nm as for free aqueous dye and the dye binds to oxyhaemoglobin partly as monomer but primarily as dimer, with absorbance maxima ca. 670 and 595 nm, respectively. Quantitative estimates are derived for all binding constants and extinction coefficients. These estimates are applied to suspensions of whole cells to predict the dye binding, absorbance spectra, and calibration curves of binding and fluorescence vs. membrane voltage. Satisfactory agreement is found with binding and absorbance data for whole cells at zero membrane potential and with the binding and fluorescence data reported by Hladky and Rink (J. Physiol. (London) 263:287, 1976) for cells driven to positive and negative potentials using valinomycin. The marked tendency of oxyhaemoglobin to bind dye as dimer is not shared by some other proteins tested, including deoxyhaemoglobin and oxymyoglobin.", "PMID": 625049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5862", "title": "Passive electrical properties of cultured murine lymphoblast (L5178Y) with reference to its cytoplasmic membrane, nuclear envelope, and intracellular phases.", "content": "Dielectric dispersion measurements over a frequency range 0.01-100 MHz were made with the suspensions of a cultured cell line, mouse lymphoma L5178Y, and an attempt to explain the observed dielectric behavior by taking explicitly into consideration the possible involvement of cell nucleus has been presented. The use of a conventional \"single-shell\" model in which the cell is represented by a homogeneous sphere coated with a thin limiting shell phase did not duplicate the observed dispersion curves, whereas a \"double-shell\" model in which one additional concentric shell is incorporated into the \"single-shell\" model gave a much better fit between the observed and the predicted dispersion curves. Based on the latter model, we analyzed the raw data of dielectric measurements to yield a set of plausible electrical parameters for the lymphoma cell: CM approximately or equal to 1.0 muF/cm2, CN approximately or equal to 0.4 muF/cm2, epsilonk approximately or equal to 300, kc/ka approximately to or equal to 0.9, and kk/kc approximately or equal to 0.7. Here, CM and CN are the specific capacities of plasma and nuclear membranes; epsilon and k are the dielectric constant and conductivity with subscript a, c and k referring respectively to the extracellular, the cytoplasmic and the karyoplasmic phases.", "contents": "Passive electrical properties of cultured murine lymphoblast (L5178Y) with reference to its cytoplasmic membrane, nuclear envelope, and intracellular phases. Dielectric dispersion measurements over a frequency range 0.01-100 MHz were made with the suspensions of a cultured cell line, mouse lymphoma L5178Y, and an attempt to explain the observed dielectric behavior by taking explicitly into consideration the possible involvement of cell nucleus has been presented. The use of a conventional \"single-shell\" model in which the cell is represented by a homogeneous sphere coated with a thin limiting shell phase did not duplicate the observed dispersion curves, whereas a \"double-shell\" model in which one additional concentric shell is incorporated into the \"single-shell\" model gave a much better fit between the observed and the predicted dispersion curves. Based on the latter model, we analyzed the raw data of dielectric measurements to yield a set of plausible electrical parameters for the lymphoma cell: CM approximately or equal to 1.0 muF/cm2, CN approximately or equal to 0.4 muF/cm2, epsilonk approximately or equal to 300, kc/ka approximately to or equal to 0.9, and kk/kc approximately or equal to 0.7. Here, CM and CN are the specific capacities of plasma and nuclear membranes; epsilon and k are the dielectric constant and conductivity with subscript a, c and k referring respectively to the extracellular, the cytoplasmic and the karyoplasmic phases.", "PMID": 625050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5863", "title": "Effect of calcium upon sodium inactivation in the giant axon of Loligo pealei.", "content": "Giant axons of Loligo pealei were voltage clamped in artificial seawater solutions containing varying concentrations of calcium from 10 to 100 mM, and the sodium conductance inactivation was measured with a series of two-pulse experiments. The h infinity vs. voltage curve showed a shift of about 10 mV in the depolarizing direction on the voltage axis for a tenfold increase in external calcium without substantial alteration in the slope of the voltage dependence. The kinetics of the inactivation process were found to be exponential for hyperpolarizing prepulses, but showed some indication of a sigmoidal decay for depolarizing prepulses in all calcium concentrations employed. Increasing calcium increased the delay in the sigmoidal response. The inactivation time constant tauh increased as a function of calcium concentration over the potential range studied, -10 to -90 mV. The values of the rate constants alphah and betah are decreased with an increase in calcium and these effects are not consistent with parallel shifts of the rate constant vs. voltage curves along the voltage axis for changes in calcium concentration. Magnesium does not behave as an equimolar substitute for calcium. The effect of a solution containing 10 mM calcium and 50 mM magnesium is intermediate to that of solutions containing 10 and 30 mM calcium alone. Predictions of a recent model for the sodium conductance (Moore, J.W., Cox, E.B., 1976 Biophys. J. 16:171) which employs calcium binding were compared with the experimental data.", "contents": "Effect of calcium upon sodium inactivation in the giant axon of Loligo pealei. Giant axons of Loligo pealei were voltage clamped in artificial seawater solutions containing varying concentrations of calcium from 10 to 100 mM, and the sodium conductance inactivation was measured with a series of two-pulse experiments. The h infinity vs. voltage curve showed a shift of about 10 mV in the depolarizing direction on the voltage axis for a tenfold increase in external calcium without substantial alteration in the slope of the voltage dependence. The kinetics of the inactivation process were found to be exponential for hyperpolarizing prepulses, but showed some indication of a sigmoidal decay for depolarizing prepulses in all calcium concentrations employed. Increasing calcium increased the delay in the sigmoidal response. The inactivation time constant tauh increased as a function of calcium concentration over the potential range studied, -10 to -90 mV. The values of the rate constants alphah and betah are decreased with an increase in calcium and these effects are not consistent with parallel shifts of the rate constant vs. voltage curves along the voltage axis for changes in calcium concentration. Magnesium does not behave as an equimolar substitute for calcium. The effect of a solution containing 10 mM calcium and 50 mM magnesium is intermediate to that of solutions containing 10 and 30 mM calcium alone. Predictions of a recent model for the sodium conductance (Moore, J.W., Cox, E.B., 1976 Biophys. J. 16:171) which employs calcium binding were compared with the experimental data.", "PMID": 625052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5864", "title": "Viability of the human cervical epithelium with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ.", "content": "Autoradiograms of histologic slides of 58 human cone specimens with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ were analyzed after tissue samples were incubated with labeled RNA precursors. Both the vertical and lateral distributions of labeled cells were rather uniform in the major part of the epithelium, which suggested that the tissue remained metabolically active during incubation. Only the uppermost epithelial cells in heavily labeled areas were devitalized as deduced by the morphologic appearance of the cells, the absence of labeling in the cells, the trypan blue exclusion test, and the trypsin digestion test. The viability of large epithelial areas suggested that the previously reported focal distribution of proliferating and nonproliferating areas in the cervical epithelium is a genuine phenomenon and not the result of focal epithelial devitalization acquired during incubation.", "contents": "Viability of the human cervical epithelium with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Autoradiograms of histologic slides of 58 human cone specimens with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ were analyzed after tissue samples were incubated with labeled RNA precursors. Both the vertical and lateral distributions of labeled cells were rather uniform in the major part of the epithelium, which suggested that the tissue remained metabolically active during incubation. Only the uppermost epithelial cells in heavily labeled areas were devitalized as deduced by the morphologic appearance of the cells, the absence of labeling in the cells, the trypan blue exclusion test, and the trypsin digestion test. The viability of large epithelial areas suggested that the previously reported focal distribution of proliferating and nonproliferating areas in the cervical epithelium is a genuine phenomenon and not the result of focal epithelial devitalization acquired during incubation.", "PMID": 625062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5865", "title": "Multiple effects of glucocorticoids and hyperosmolality on isoenzyme expression in cultured KB cells.", "content": "The KB cell line, though indicted as a HeLa-contamined line, is a useful in vitro model for the study of the regulation of isoenzyme expression. KB cells produced three isoenzymic forms of alkaline phosphatase. When KB cells were grown in the presence of prednisolone and/or in hyperosmolar medium, the total enzyme activity was reduced. This change in activity was coupled with specific alterations in the proportion of each isoenzyme. The slow-moving form (identified biochemically and immunologically as the heat-stable, placental, Regan isoenzyme) was substantially increased by the steroid hormone and/or hyperosmolality. The fast-moving form [identified as the intestine-like, amnion (FL) isoenzyme] was strikingly diminished by either treatment. The intermediate form (tentatively referred to as \"hybrid,\" inasmuch as it shared properties of the other two isoenzymes) was decreased only when KB cells were grown in hyperosmolar medium containing prednisolone. These results corroborated the notion that these stimuli cause the induction of increased levels of the heat-stable Regan alkaline phosphatase only. They also point out the necessity of performing isoenzyme analysis when one is investigating the regulation of this enzyme.", "contents": "Multiple effects of glucocorticoids and hyperosmolality on isoenzyme expression in cultured KB cells. The KB cell line, though indicted as a HeLa-contamined line, is a useful in vitro model for the study of the regulation of isoenzyme expression. KB cells produced three isoenzymic forms of alkaline phosphatase. When KB cells were grown in the presence of prednisolone and/or in hyperosmolar medium, the total enzyme activity was reduced. This change in activity was coupled with specific alterations in the proportion of each isoenzyme. The slow-moving form (identified biochemically and immunologically as the heat-stable, placental, Regan isoenzyme) was substantially increased by the steroid hormone and/or hyperosmolality. The fast-moving form [identified as the intestine-like, amnion (FL) isoenzyme] was strikingly diminished by either treatment. The intermediate form (tentatively referred to as \"hybrid,\" inasmuch as it shared properties of the other two isoenzymes) was decreased only when KB cells were grown in hyperosmolar medium containing prednisolone. These results corroborated the notion that these stimuli cause the induction of increased levels of the heat-stable Regan alkaline phosphatase only. They also point out the necessity of performing isoenzyme analysis when one is investigating the regulation of this enzyme.", "PMID": 625064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5866", "title": "Effects of administration to mice of butylated hydroxyanisole by oral intubation on benzo[a]pyrene-induced pulmonary adenoma formation and metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene.", "content": "Administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) by oral intubation 4 hours before challenge with benzo[a]pyrene (BP) inhibited the formation of pulmonary adenomas in A/HeJ mice. Incubation of BP with liver microsomes from mice that received BHA 2,4, or 8 hours before being killed resulted in less binding of BP metabolites to added DNA than occurred with control microsomes. High-pressure liquid chromatography studies of the BP metabolite pattern produced by the incubation of BP with liver microsomes from mice given BHA by oral intubation showed a decrease in formation of BP-4,5-oxide and 9-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene. In contrast, the formation of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]-pyrene was increased. The was increased. The short interval between the administration of BHA by oral intubation and the observed biochemical changes indicated that BHA could exert a direct effect on the microsomal metabolism of BP. These changes in metabolism of BP occurred under conditions of BHA administration that produced a decreased neoplastic response to this carcinogen.", "contents": "Effects of administration to mice of butylated hydroxyanisole by oral intubation on benzo[a]pyrene-induced pulmonary adenoma formation and metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene. Administration of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) by oral intubation 4 hours before challenge with benzo[a]pyrene (BP) inhibited the formation of pulmonary adenomas in A/HeJ mice. Incubation of BP with liver microsomes from mice that received BHA 2,4, or 8 hours before being killed resulted in less binding of BP metabolites to added DNA than occurred with control microsomes. High-pressure liquid chromatography studies of the BP metabolite pattern produced by the incubation of BP with liver microsomes from mice given BHA by oral intubation showed a decrease in formation of BP-4,5-oxide and 9-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene. In contrast, the formation of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]-pyrene was increased. The was increased. The short interval between the administration of BHA by oral intubation and the observed biochemical changes indicated that BHA could exert a direct effect on the microsomal metabolism of BP. These changes in metabolism of BP occurred under conditions of BHA administration that produced a decreased neoplastic response to this carcinogen.", "PMID": 625066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5867", "title": "Flow microfluorometric analysis of P388 murine leukemia after administration of vincristine and maytansine in vivo.", "content": "Maytansine is a new drug undergoing clinical investigation. It has functional similarities to vincristine. Maytansine and vincristine were given to CDF1 mice with P388 leukemic ascites, and the cytokinetic response of the tumor cells was analyzed with a flow microfluorometer; mithramycin was used as the DNA fluorochrome. The results indicated a similar series of cytokinetic effects after administration of both drugs, though these effects were greater and more persistent after maytansine was given. Although both drugs produced some degree of multinucleation and endoreduplication, vincristine produced a discrete population of cells with a DNA content (fluorescence) equivalent to octoploidy (8C). Microscopy of the sorted 8C cells at 24 hours indicated 54% multinucleation and 33% mitotic figures. Most cells remained blocked in the G1-phase for at least 96 hours after administration of both drugs, which indicated that rapid DNA content distributions can be used to determine not only the effects of drugs on cell cycle distribution but also the duration of drug action.", "contents": "Flow microfluorometric analysis of P388 murine leukemia after administration of vincristine and maytansine in vivo. Maytansine is a new drug undergoing clinical investigation. It has functional similarities to vincristine. Maytansine and vincristine were given to CDF1 mice with P388 leukemic ascites, and the cytokinetic response of the tumor cells was analyzed with a flow microfluorometer; mithramycin was used as the DNA fluorochrome. The results indicated a similar series of cytokinetic effects after administration of both drugs, though these effects were greater and more persistent after maytansine was given. Although both drugs produced some degree of multinucleation and endoreduplication, vincristine produced a discrete population of cells with a DNA content (fluorescence) equivalent to octoploidy (8C). Microscopy of the sorted 8C cells at 24 hours indicated 54% multinucleation and 33% mitotic figures. Most cells remained blocked in the G1-phase for at least 96 hours after administration of both drugs, which indicated that rapid DNA content distributions can be used to determine not only the effects of drugs on cell cycle distribution but also the duration of drug action.", "PMID": 625068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5868", "title": "Antitumor activity of purified cell walls from Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "Cell walls (CW), containing peptidoglycan and carbohydrate, were prepared from Corynebacterium parvum and tested for lymphoreticular stimulation and antitumor effects in CBA-T6T6 mice. CW did not induce splenomegaly. Peritoneal macrophages became cytostatic to Rl leukemia cells in vitro after ip injection of CW or of peptidoglycan but not of carbohydrate; however, on a dry-weight basis the activity was low (less than 10%) compared with that of C. parvum. Tumor outgrowth was significantly suppressed after sc injection of mixture of M4 fibrosarcoma cells and CW, but again the activity of CW was less than 10% of the of C. parvum. In contrast to injection of C. parvum, intratumor injection of CW failed to retard tumor growth in normal mice, although a suppressive effect was found in mice presensitized to C. parvum. Again, unlike C. parvum, CW did not act as an adjuvant for tumor-specific transplantation antigen, as judged by a lack of enhanced resistance to tumor challenge after injection of mixtures of CW and irradiated M4 cells. The distribution and persistence of 125l-labeled C. parvum and CW after sc or ip injection were similar. CW activity was not restored by attachment to oil droplets or emulsification in Freund's incomplete adjuvant.", "contents": "Antitumor activity of purified cell walls from Corynebacterium parvum. Cell walls (CW), containing peptidoglycan and carbohydrate, were prepared from Corynebacterium parvum and tested for lymphoreticular stimulation and antitumor effects in CBA-T6T6 mice. CW did not induce splenomegaly. Peritoneal macrophages became cytostatic to Rl leukemia cells in vitro after ip injection of CW or of peptidoglycan but not of carbohydrate; however, on a dry-weight basis the activity was low (less than 10%) compared with that of C. parvum. Tumor outgrowth was significantly suppressed after sc injection of mixture of M4 fibrosarcoma cells and CW, but again the activity of CW was less than 10% of the of C. parvum. In contrast to injection of C. parvum, intratumor injection of CW failed to retard tumor growth in normal mice, although a suppressive effect was found in mice presensitized to C. parvum. Again, unlike C. parvum, CW did not act as an adjuvant for tumor-specific transplantation antigen, as judged by a lack of enhanced resistance to tumor challenge after injection of mixtures of CW and irradiated M4 cells. The distribution and persistence of 125l-labeled C. parvum and CW after sc or ip injection were similar. CW activity was not restored by attachment to oil droplets or emulsification in Freund's incomplete adjuvant.", "PMID": 625069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5869", "title": "Carcinogenicity of some folk medicinal herbs in rats.", "content": "Twelve medicinal herbs were bioassayed to correlate a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma in natives of different places with their habitual consumption of these products. Outbred NIH Black rats were given 72 weekly sc injections of the total aqueous extracts of the plant materials. The tanninrich plant extracts from Areca catechu and Rhus copallina produced local tumors in 100 and 33%, respectively, of the experimental animals. Other materials included Diospyros virginiana and extracts from plants not rich in tannins. Diospyros and extracts of Sassafras albidum and Chenopodium ambrosiodes were tumorigenic in over 50% of the treated animals.", "contents": "Carcinogenicity of some folk medicinal herbs in rats. Twelve medicinal herbs were bioassayed to correlate a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma in natives of different places with their habitual consumption of these products. Outbred NIH Black rats were given 72 weekly sc injections of the total aqueous extracts of the plant materials. The tanninrich plant extracts from Areca catechu and Rhus copallina produced local tumors in 100 and 33%, respectively, of the experimental animals. Other materials included Diospyros virginiana and extracts from plants not rich in tannins. Diospyros and extracts of Sassafras albidum and Chenopodium ambrosiodes were tumorigenic in over 50% of the treated animals.", "PMID": 625070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5870", "title": "Experimental pancreatic carcinogenesis. II. Lifetime carcinogenesis studies in the outbred Syrian golden hamster with N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine.", "content": "A high incidence of pancreatic duct neoplasms was induced in outbred male Syrian golden hamsters following weekly sc injection of N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine for life. The first such tumors appeared as early as 16 experimental weeks; the maximum incidence reached 100% by the termination of the study. Tumors in the respiratory tracts and angiosarcomas of the livers of the hamsters were also observed in high frequency. Latency of the induced neoplasms was significantly decreased by the substitution of distilled water for olive oil as the vehicle for the carcinogen.", "contents": "Experimental pancreatic carcinogenesis. II. Lifetime carcinogenesis studies in the outbred Syrian golden hamster with N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine. A high incidence of pancreatic duct neoplasms was induced in outbred male Syrian golden hamsters following weekly sc injection of N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine for life. The first such tumors appeared as early as 16 experimental weeks; the maximum incidence reached 100% by the termination of the study. Tumors in the respiratory tracts and angiosarcomas of the livers of the hamsters were also observed in high frequency. Latency of the induced neoplasms was significantly decreased by the substitution of distilled water for olive oil as the vehicle for the carcinogen.", "PMID": 625072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5871", "title": "Effect of hyperthermia on vascular functions of normal tissues and experimental tumors; brief communication.", "content": "The effect of hyperthermia on vascular volume and vascular permeability of the Walker carcinoma 256, skin, and muscle of inbred SD male rats was investigated. Whereas heating at 43 degrees C for 1 hour induced a significant increase in the functional vascular volume and vascular permeability in the skin and muscle, it did not change these vascular functions in the tumors. The increased vascular volume in the normal tissues suggested an increased circulation, which may enhance the dissipation of heat and result in a differential effect of hyperthermia on normal tissues and tumors.", "contents": "Effect of hyperthermia on vascular functions of normal tissues and experimental tumors; brief communication. The effect of hyperthermia on vascular volume and vascular permeability of the Walker carcinoma 256, skin, and muscle of inbred SD male rats was investigated. Whereas heating at 43 degrees C for 1 hour induced a significant increase in the functional vascular volume and vascular permeability in the skin and muscle, it did not change these vascular functions in the tumors. The increased vascular volume in the normal tissues suggested an increased circulation, which may enhance the dissipation of heat and result in a differential effect of hyperthermia on normal tissues and tumors.", "PMID": 625073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5872", "title": "Management of the nasal tip in the external approach rhinoplasty.", "content": "This papaer describes some of the advantages of the external rhinoplastic approach in managing the nasal tip, in particular, in revision surgery and cleft palate nose. It also reviews many of the methods of tip management which are essentially similar in the external and closed procedures e.g. altering projection, rotation and shortening of the tip, and management of asymmetries.", "contents": "Management of the nasal tip in the external approach rhinoplasty. This papaer describes some of the advantages of the external rhinoplastic approach in managing the nasal tip, in particular, in revision surgery and cleft palate nose. It also reviews many of the methods of tip management which are essentially similar in the external and closed procedures e.g. altering projection, rotation and shortening of the tip, and management of asymmetries.", "PMID": 625074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5873", "title": "Surgery of the nasal dorsum.", "content": "Careful pre-operative planning is required before the nasal dorsum is changed in profile or width. The highlights of assessment are discussed together with a description of how the surgery should be performed. The advantages of using the external approach to the nasal dorsum are stressed.", "contents": "Surgery of the nasal dorsum. Careful pre-operative planning is required before the nasal dorsum is changed in profile or width. The highlights of assessment are discussed together with a description of how the surgery should be performed. The advantages of using the external approach to the nasal dorsum are stressed.", "PMID": 625075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5874", "title": "Transseptal, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy via the external rhinoplasty approach.", "content": "The external rhinoplastic method provides a rapid and convenient route for transseptal transsphenoid surgery of the pituitary gland. This procedure offers several practical advantages over the conventional subnasal approach and should be seriously considered by rhinologists active in this area.", "contents": "Transseptal, transsphenoidal hypophysectomy via the external rhinoplasty approach. The external rhinoplastic method provides a rapid and convenient route for transseptal transsphenoid surgery of the pituitary gland. This procedure offers several practical advantages over the conventional subnasal approach and should be seriously considered by rhinologists active in this area.", "PMID": 625076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5875", "title": "External septorhinoplasty--why the fuss?", "content": "External approach rhinoplasty has engendered controversy. The merits of the procedure are discussed, together with an outline of indications for its use. It is felt that this operation is a useful addition to the rhinoplastic art.", "contents": "External septorhinoplasty--why the fuss? External approach rhinoplasty has engendered controversy. The merits of the procedure are discussed, together with an outline of indications for its use. It is felt that this operation is a useful addition to the rhinoplastic art.", "PMID": 625077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5876", "title": "Correction of crooked noses by external rhinoplasty.", "content": "External rhinoplasty is considered as the approach of choice in correcting nasal deformity following injury, either accidental or surgical. The advantages of a good exposure, lack of injury to the skin, osteotomies under direct vision, and the accurate placing of grafts giving a good anatomical and physiological correction are discussed. Pictorial demonstration of results is accompanied by drawings showing the nasal pathology as seen through the external approach.", "contents": "Correction of crooked noses by external rhinoplasty. External rhinoplasty is considered as the approach of choice in correcting nasal deformity following injury, either accidental or surgical. The advantages of a good exposure, lack of injury to the skin, osteotomies under direct vision, and the accurate placing of grafts giving a good anatomical and physiological correction are discussed. Pictorial demonstration of results is accompanied by drawings showing the nasal pathology as seen through the external approach.", "PMID": 625078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5877", "title": "Pre- and postoperative management of the rhinoplasty patient.", "content": "The role of the otolaryngologist has widened to include facial cosmetic surgery. As such it encompasses all aspects of age-diminishing surgery as well as facial contour augmentation, surgical and traumatic scar camouflage, and otoplasty as well as rhinoplasty. It necessarily follows that the rhinoplasty surgeon must view the total face rather than the nose in isolation. A complete understanding of the indications and contra-indications of rhinoplasty is necessary for adequate pre- and postoperative assessment of the patient. These ideas are developed and the analysis of the nasal pathology is discussed.", "contents": "Pre- and postoperative management of the rhinoplasty patient. The role of the otolaryngologist has widened to include facial cosmetic surgery. As such it encompasses all aspects of age-diminishing surgery as well as facial contour augmentation, surgical and traumatic scar camouflage, and otoplasty as well as rhinoplasty. It necessarily follows that the rhinoplasty surgeon must view the total face rather than the nose in isolation. A complete understanding of the indications and contra-indications of rhinoplasty is necessary for adequate pre- and postoperative assessment of the patient. These ideas are developed and the analysis of the nasal pathology is discussed.", "PMID": 625079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5878", "title": "Management of the twisted nose.", "content": "This presentation discusses the development, pathophysiology, and method of management of the twisted nose. The surgical logistics of staging, open and closed approach, anesthetic method, and reconstructive planning are considered in detail.", "contents": "Management of the twisted nose. This presentation discusses the development, pathophysiology, and method of management of the twisted nose. The surgical logistics of staging, open and closed approach, anesthetic method, and reconstructive planning are considered in detail.", "PMID": 625080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5879", "title": "Why external rhinoplasty?", "content": "The indications for, advantages, and disadvantages of external rhinoplasty are considered from a pragmatic and philosophic point of view. The results in more than 200 patients are analyzed.", "contents": "Why external rhinoplasty? The indications for, advantages, and disadvantages of external rhinoplasty are considered from a pragmatic and philosophic point of view. The results in more than 200 patients are analyzed.", "PMID": 625081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5880", "title": "Identification of Saint Louis encephalitis virus mRNA.", "content": "Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus-specific RNA was recovered from infected HeLa cells by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-phenol-chloroform extraction, and the molecular species were resolved by SDS-sucrose gradient centrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis. Sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed the presence of a 45S species, minor 20 to 30S heterogeneous species, and an 8 to 10 S RNA species in the cytoplasmic extract. Analysis of the same samples by electrophoresis on agarose gels, under both nondenaturing and denaturing conditions, revealed only two virus-specific RNA molecules, the 45S genome-sized RNA and an 8 to 10S species. Varying the gel concentration to facilitate analysis of nucleic acids with molecular weights ranging from 25,000 to 25 X 10(6) failed to reveal additional RNA species, although low levels of a putative double-stranded replicative form could conceivably have escaped detection. From our observations it appears that the heterogeneous RNA species and presumably the 20S RNase-resistant species reported in other investigations of flavivirus RNA are degradation products or conformers of the 45S molecule. Polysomes from SLE virus-infected cells were prepared and separated from contaminating nucleocapsid by centrifugation on discontinuous sucrose gradients. RNA extracted from these polysome preparations was analyzed by sucrose gradient centrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis. The 45S SLE virus genome-size molecule was found to be the only RNA species associated with the polysomes. This molecule was sensitive to RNase digestion and was released from polysomes by EDTA and puromycin treatment. These findings provide direct evidence that the 45 S SLE virus RNA serves as the messenger during virus replication, in contrast to the 26S RNA species which functions as the predominant messenger during alphavirus replication.", "contents": "Identification of Saint Louis encephalitis virus mRNA. Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus-specific RNA was recovered from infected HeLa cells by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-phenol-chloroform extraction, and the molecular species were resolved by SDS-sucrose gradient centrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis. Sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed the presence of a 45S species, minor 20 to 30S heterogeneous species, and an 8 to 10 S RNA species in the cytoplasmic extract. Analysis of the same samples by electrophoresis on agarose gels, under both nondenaturing and denaturing conditions, revealed only two virus-specific RNA molecules, the 45S genome-sized RNA and an 8 to 10S species. Varying the gel concentration to facilitate analysis of nucleic acids with molecular weights ranging from 25,000 to 25 X 10(6) failed to reveal additional RNA species, although low levels of a putative double-stranded replicative form could conceivably have escaped detection. From our observations it appears that the heterogeneous RNA species and presumably the 20S RNase-resistant species reported in other investigations of flavivirus RNA are degradation products or conformers of the 45S molecule. Polysomes from SLE virus-infected cells were prepared and separated from contaminating nucleocapsid by centrifugation on discontinuous sucrose gradients. RNA extracted from these polysome preparations was analyzed by sucrose gradient centrifugation and agarose gel electrophoresis. The 45S SLE virus genome-size molecule was found to be the only RNA species associated with the polysomes. This molecule was sensitive to RNase digestion and was released from polysomes by EDTA and puromycin treatment. These findings provide direct evidence that the 45 S SLE virus RNA serves as the messenger during virus replication, in contrast to the 26S RNA species which functions as the predominant messenger during alphavirus replication.", "PMID": 625082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5881", "title": "Impaired processing of precursor polypeptides of temperature-sensitive mutants of Rauscher murine leukemia virus.", "content": "The synthesis and processing of virus-specific precursor polypeptides in NIH/3T3 cells infected at the permissive temperature (31 degrees C) with temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of Rauscher murine leukemia virus was studied in pulse-chase experiments at the permissive and nonpermissive (39 degrees C) temperatures. The newly synthesized virus-specific polypeptides were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after immunoprecipitation with polyvalent and monospecific antisera against Rauscher murine leukemia virus proteins. In cells infected with ts mutants defective in early replication steps (the early mutants ts17 and ts29), and ts mutants defective in postintegration steps (the late mutants ts25 and ts26), the processing of the primary gag gene product was impaired at the nonpermissive temperature. gag-pr75 of all four mutants was converted into gag-pr65; however, gag-pr65 accumulated at the nonpermissive temperature, and the main internal virion polypeptide p30 was not formed. Therefore, the proteolytic cleavage is blocked beyond gag-pr65. Concomitantly, the formation of the env gene-related polypeptide p12(E) of all four mutants was blocked at the restrictive temperature. In contrast, cells infected with the late mutant ts28, which produced noninfectious virions at 39 degrees C, showed a normal turnover of the gag and env precursor polypeptides.", "contents": "Impaired processing of precursor polypeptides of temperature-sensitive mutants of Rauscher murine leukemia virus. The synthesis and processing of virus-specific precursor polypeptides in NIH/3T3 cells infected at the permissive temperature (31 degrees C) with temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of Rauscher murine leukemia virus was studied in pulse-chase experiments at the permissive and nonpermissive (39 degrees C) temperatures. The newly synthesized virus-specific polypeptides were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after immunoprecipitation with polyvalent and monospecific antisera against Rauscher murine leukemia virus proteins. In cells infected with ts mutants defective in early replication steps (the early mutants ts17 and ts29), and ts mutants defective in postintegration steps (the late mutants ts25 and ts26), the processing of the primary gag gene product was impaired at the nonpermissive temperature. gag-pr75 of all four mutants was converted into gag-pr65; however, gag-pr65 accumulated at the nonpermissive temperature, and the main internal virion polypeptide p30 was not formed. Therefore, the proteolytic cleavage is blocked beyond gag-pr65. Concomitantly, the formation of the env gene-related polypeptide p12(E) of all four mutants was blocked at the restrictive temperature. In contrast, cells infected with the late mutant ts28, which produced noninfectious virions at 39 degrees C, showed a normal turnover of the gag and env precursor polypeptides.", "PMID": 625083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5882", "title": "Segments of influenza virus complementary RNA synthesized in vitro.", "content": "In the presence of Mg(2+) and a specific primer, ApG or GpG, the influenza WSN virion transcriptase synthesizes large, polyadenylic acid-containing complementary RNA (cRNA) (Plotch and Krug, J. Virol., 21:24-34, 1977). After removal of its polyadenylic acid with RNase H in the presence of polydeoxythymidylic acid, the in vitro cRNA distributed into seven discrete bands during electrophoresis in acrylamide gels containing 6 M urea. The eight known segments of virion RNA (vRNA) also distributed into seven bands under these conditions as two, rather than the expected three, large-sized segments were resolved. Each of the in vitro cRNA segments migrated slightly faster than the corresponding vRNA segment. To determine whether this difference in mobility reflects a difference in size between cRNA and vRNA, the double-stranded RNA formed by annealing labeled in vitro cRNA to unlabeled vRNA was subjected to various nuclease treatments and was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Hybrids treated with RNase T2 or a combination of RNase T2 and RNase H migrated slightly faster than those treated only with RNase H, indicating that RNase T2 removed an RNA sequence other than polyadenylic acid, most probably a short sequence of vRNA not hydrogen bonded to cRNA. These results suggest that the in vitro cRNA segments are shorter than, and thus incomplete transcripts of the corresponding vRNA segments. All eight hybrids were resolved by gel electrophoresis, indicating that all eight vRNA segments are transcribed into cRNA in vitro. We also present evidence suggesting that the ApG primer initiates in vitro transcription exactly at the 3' end of vRNA.", "contents": "Segments of influenza virus complementary RNA synthesized in vitro. In the presence of Mg(2+) and a specific primer, ApG or GpG, the influenza WSN virion transcriptase synthesizes large, polyadenylic acid-containing complementary RNA (cRNA) (Plotch and Krug, J. Virol., 21:24-34, 1977). After removal of its polyadenylic acid with RNase H in the presence of polydeoxythymidylic acid, the in vitro cRNA distributed into seven discrete bands during electrophoresis in acrylamide gels containing 6 M urea. The eight known segments of virion RNA (vRNA) also distributed into seven bands under these conditions as two, rather than the expected three, large-sized segments were resolved. Each of the in vitro cRNA segments migrated slightly faster than the corresponding vRNA segment. To determine whether this difference in mobility reflects a difference in size between cRNA and vRNA, the double-stranded RNA formed by annealing labeled in vitro cRNA to unlabeled vRNA was subjected to various nuclease treatments and was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Hybrids treated with RNase T2 or a combination of RNase T2 and RNase H migrated slightly faster than those treated only with RNase H, indicating that RNase T2 removed an RNA sequence other than polyadenylic acid, most probably a short sequence of vRNA not hydrogen bonded to cRNA. These results suggest that the in vitro cRNA segments are shorter than, and thus incomplete transcripts of the corresponding vRNA segments. All eight hybrids were resolved by gel electrophoresis, indicating that all eight vRNA segments are transcribed into cRNA in vitro. We also present evidence suggesting that the ApG primer initiates in vitro transcription exactly at the 3' end of vRNA.", "PMID": 625084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5883", "title": "Biological properties and physical map of the genome of a new papovavirus, HD virus.", "content": "The superhelical DNA of the HD papovavirus is heterogeneous and consists of two discrete size classes with molecular weights of 3.45 X 10(6) and 3.25 X 10(6). Both size classes of DNA are encapsidated into HD virion particles. Their relative intracellular amounts differ, depending on the cell system. Vero-76 carrier cultures in which HD virus was detected contain both size classes of DNA, with the larger molecules prevailing by a factor of 10. Five clonal lines derived from Vero-76 cell cultures contain exclusively the larger DNA. On the other hand, after cocultivation of Vero-76 with CV-1 cells for several passages, minicircular DNA is accumulated such that both size classes are synthesized in equal amounts. Any of the originally viral DNA-producing cell lines may, upon subcultivation, cease yielding virus. The RITA cell line of Cercopithecus aethiops origin is the only cell line among numerous ones tested which upon infection permits the establishment of a one-step growth cycle. However, between 6 and 8 days after infection, viral DNA synthesis is discontinued, and a persistent viral infection cannot be established. Physical maps of the genomes were constructed, and it could be shown that the smaller, minicircular DNA had originated from the larger DNA as the result of a deletion. The sequences missing in the minicircular DNA are confined to the relative map position 0.15 to 0.21.", "contents": "Biological properties and physical map of the genome of a new papovavirus, HD virus. The superhelical DNA of the HD papovavirus is heterogeneous and consists of two discrete size classes with molecular weights of 3.45 X 10(6) and 3.25 X 10(6). Both size classes of DNA are encapsidated into HD virion particles. Their relative intracellular amounts differ, depending on the cell system. Vero-76 carrier cultures in which HD virus was detected contain both size classes of DNA, with the larger molecules prevailing by a factor of 10. Five clonal lines derived from Vero-76 cell cultures contain exclusively the larger DNA. On the other hand, after cocultivation of Vero-76 with CV-1 cells for several passages, minicircular DNA is accumulated such that both size classes are synthesized in equal amounts. Any of the originally viral DNA-producing cell lines may, upon subcultivation, cease yielding virus. The RITA cell line of Cercopithecus aethiops origin is the only cell line among numerous ones tested which upon infection permits the establishment of a one-step growth cycle. However, between 6 and 8 days after infection, viral DNA synthesis is discontinued, and a persistent viral infection cannot be established. Physical maps of the genomes were constructed, and it could be shown that the smaller, minicircular DNA had originated from the larger DNA as the result of a deletion. The sequences missing in the minicircular DNA are confined to the relative map position 0.15 to 0.21.", "PMID": 625085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5884", "title": "Isolation and characterization of cytoplasmic inclusions from influenza A virus-infected cells.", "content": "Influenza A viruses induce the accumulation of electron-dense inclusions in the cytoplasm of infected cells during the latter stages of the replication cycle. Cell fractionation studies showed that these inclusions could be recovered in subcellular fractions containing ribosomes and polysomes. Isolation of these inclusions was accomplished by procedures involving RNase treatment of these fractions followed by repurification, or by fluorocarbon extraction and gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopy indicated that the isolated inclusions exhibited a major periodicity of approximately 8 nm with minor periodicities of approximately 4 nm. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the influenza virus coded nonstructural protein was the only protein component present in isolated inclusions.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of cytoplasmic inclusions from influenza A virus-infected cells. Influenza A viruses induce the accumulation of electron-dense inclusions in the cytoplasm of infected cells during the latter stages of the replication cycle. Cell fractionation studies showed that these inclusions could be recovered in subcellular fractions containing ribosomes and polysomes. Isolation of these inclusions was accomplished by procedures involving RNase treatment of these fractions followed by repurification, or by fluorocarbon extraction and gradient centrifugation. Electron microscopy indicated that the isolated inclusions exhibited a major periodicity of approximately 8 nm with minor periodicities of approximately 4 nm. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the influenza virus coded nonstructural protein was the only protein component present in isolated inclusions.", "PMID": 625086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5885", "title": "Synthesis of alphavirus-specified RNA.", "content": "UV irradiation of chicken fibroblasts infected with Semliki Forest or Sindbis virus has been used to investigate the mechanism of synthesis of 42S and 26S RNA, the major plus-strand virus-specified RNAs formed during the multiplication of standard virus particles. From an analysis of the kinetics of UV inactivation of the synthesis of these two RNAs, we conclude (i) that 26S RNA is formed by internal transcriptive initiation from a point about two-thirds of the way from the 3' end of the 42S negative-strand template; (ii) that there exists a population of plus-strand synthesizing complexes whose members are each capable of synthesizing both 42S and 26S RNA; and (iii) that, on a time-averaged basis, each complex in wild-type virus-infected cells contains one virus polymerase mediating 42S RNA synthesis and three mediating 26S RNA synthesis. The RNA phenotypes of 15 RNA(-)ts mutants of Sindbis virus have been examined after temperature shift to the restrictive temperature. Under these conditions, cells infected with three mutants, N2, N7, and E268, synthesized four to six times as much 42S RNA (relative to 26S RNA) as wild-type virus-infected cells. These studies were extended by examining, in detail, the RNA and polypeptide phenotypes of mutants N2 and E268. These experiments showed that, in N2- and E268-infected cells, one of the virus-specified nonstructural (NS) polypeptides (NS p89; H. Brzeski and S. I. T. Kennedy, J. Virol. 22:420-429, 1977) is thermolabile after shift up to restrictive temperature. This finding, together with the observation that, after shift, the 26S/42S RNA ratio in N2-infected cells changes markedly in favor of 42S RNA synthesis, leads us to conclude that, of the three NS polypeptides, NS p89 modulates 26S RNA synthesis.", "contents": "Synthesis of alphavirus-specified RNA. UV irradiation of chicken fibroblasts infected with Semliki Forest or Sindbis virus has been used to investigate the mechanism of synthesis of 42S and 26S RNA, the major plus-strand virus-specified RNAs formed during the multiplication of standard virus particles. From an analysis of the kinetics of UV inactivation of the synthesis of these two RNAs, we conclude (i) that 26S RNA is formed by internal transcriptive initiation from a point about two-thirds of the way from the 3' end of the 42S negative-strand template; (ii) that there exists a population of plus-strand synthesizing complexes whose members are each capable of synthesizing both 42S and 26S RNA; and (iii) that, on a time-averaged basis, each complex in wild-type virus-infected cells contains one virus polymerase mediating 42S RNA synthesis and three mediating 26S RNA synthesis. The RNA phenotypes of 15 RNA(-)ts mutants of Sindbis virus have been examined after temperature shift to the restrictive temperature. Under these conditions, cells infected with three mutants, N2, N7, and E268, synthesized four to six times as much 42S RNA (relative to 26S RNA) as wild-type virus-infected cells. These studies were extended by examining, in detail, the RNA and polypeptide phenotypes of mutants N2 and E268. These experiments showed that, in N2- and E268-infected cells, one of the virus-specified nonstructural (NS) polypeptides (NS p89; H. Brzeski and S. I. T. Kennedy, J. Virol. 22:420-429, 1977) is thermolabile after shift up to restrictive temperature. This finding, together with the observation that, after shift, the 26S/42S RNA ratio in N2-infected cells changes markedly in favor of 42S RNA synthesis, leads us to conclude that, of the three NS polypeptides, NS p89 modulates 26S RNA synthesis.", "PMID": 625087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5886", "title": "Assembly intermediates among adenovirus type 5 temperature-sensitive mutants.", "content": "Temperature-sensitive mutants from three different complementation groups, ts5, ts19, and 6s58, have been shown to accumulate assembly intermediates at the restrictive temperature. The polypeptide composition of these intermediates is similar to that of the wild type, including the precursor polypeptides pVI, pVII, and pVIII. ts5 and ts19 also contained cleaved precursors, indicating assembly into defective virions. The increase of infectious virus after temperature shift-down of ts19 and ts58 was rapid when compared with that of ts24, which does not accumulate intermediates, suggesting that intermediates formed at nonpermissive temperature may be processed to mature virus. However, shift-down experiments reveal that only a fraction of the intermediates are utilized for virus assembly and that degradation of intermediates occurs at the restrictive temperature.", "contents": "Assembly intermediates among adenovirus type 5 temperature-sensitive mutants. Temperature-sensitive mutants from three different complementation groups, ts5, ts19, and 6s58, have been shown to accumulate assembly intermediates at the restrictive temperature. The polypeptide composition of these intermediates is similar to that of the wild type, including the precursor polypeptides pVI, pVII, and pVIII. ts5 and ts19 also contained cleaved precursors, indicating assembly into defective virions. The increase of infectious virus after temperature shift-down of ts19 and ts58 was rapid when compared with that of ts24, which does not accumulate intermediates, suggesting that intermediates formed at nonpermissive temperature may be processed to mature virus. However, shift-down experiments reveal that only a fraction of the intermediates are utilized for virus assembly and that degradation of intermediates occurs at the restrictive temperature.", "PMID": 625088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5887", "title": "Identification of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of influenza B virus.", "content": "The genome of influenza B viruses was shown by electrophoresis to consist of eight RNA segments. The fifth largest segment coded for hemagglutinin and the sixth coded for neuraminidase.", "contents": "Identification of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of influenza B virus. The genome of influenza B viruses was shown by electrophoresis to consist of eight RNA segments. The fifth largest segment coded for hemagglutinin and the sixth coded for neuraminidase.", "PMID": 625089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5888", "title": "Glycoproteins of measles virus under reducing and nonreducing conditions.", "content": "Measles virus has two glycoproteins. The larger glycoprotein (HA) is composed of 76,000-dalton subunits that are bound by disulfide bonds. The smaller glycoprotein (F) appears to contain a glucosamine-rich portion that is linked to an unglycosylated protein by disulfide bonds.", "contents": "Glycoproteins of measles virus under reducing and nonreducing conditions. Measles virus has two glycoproteins. The larger glycoprotein (HA) is composed of 76,000-dalton subunits that are bound by disulfide bonds. The smaller glycoprotein (F) appears to contain a glucosamine-rich portion that is linked to an unglycosylated protein by disulfide bonds.", "PMID": 625090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5889", "title": "Neonatal intensive care and radiation.", "content": "Radiography plays an important role in a neonatal intensive care nursery. Diagnostic radiation was measured in 96 newborns. Mean exposure per neonate was 68.1 milliroentgens (mR) (SD = 132.7) with a median exposure per neonate of 28 mR. Radiation received by neonates was low, but further studies are needed to show the safety of radiation or its delayed effects. The measurement of radiation is simple, and routine radiation recording can prove useful in future evaluations of this high-risk population.", "contents": "Neonatal intensive care and radiation. Radiography plays an important role in a neonatal intensive care nursery. Diagnostic radiation was measured in 96 newborns. Mean exposure per neonate was 68.1 milliroentgens (mR) (SD = 132.7) with a median exposure per neonate of 28 mR. Radiation received by neonates was low, but further studies are needed to show the safety of radiation or its delayed effects. The measurement of radiation is simple, and routine radiation recording can prove useful in future evaluations of this high-risk population.", "PMID": 625091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5890", "title": "Cyanotic heart disease: \"low altitude\" risk for carotid body tumor?", "content": "A young woman with hypoplastic right heart syndrome developed a carotid body tumor at age 28. High altitude habitation is known to predispose to hyperplastic and neoplastic carotid bodies; emphysema and congenital cyanotic heart disease have recently been shown to induce hyperplasia of this oxytrophic tissue. Therefore, a link between congenital cyanosis and carotid body tumor is suggested by this patient. Carotid bodies are nonchromaffin paraganglionic analogues of the adrenal medulla. Congenital cyanosis has an association with pheochromocytoma. In the cyanotic milieu carotid body tumor may be a histological analogue of pheochromocytoma.", "contents": "Cyanotic heart disease: \"low altitude\" risk for carotid body tumor? A young woman with hypoplastic right heart syndrome developed a carotid body tumor at age 28. High altitude habitation is known to predispose to hyperplastic and neoplastic carotid bodies; emphysema and congenital cyanotic heart disease have recently been shown to induce hyperplasia of this oxytrophic tissue. Therefore, a link between congenital cyanosis and carotid body tumor is suggested by this patient. Carotid bodies are nonchromaffin paraganglionic analogues of the adrenal medulla. Congenital cyanosis has an association with pheochromocytoma. In the cyanotic milieu carotid body tumor may be a histological analogue of pheochromocytoma.", "PMID": 625092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5891", "title": "The integrated concentration of plasma renin activity and aldosterone in essential hypertension.", "content": "Measurement of the integrated concentration is most suited for the study of blood components that fluctuate rapidly. The integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone (IC-ALDO) and plasma renin activity (IC-PRA) were measured in 24 patients with essential hypertension and in 10 normal adult subjects, using a non-thrombogenic 24-hour constant blood withdrawal system. The integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone in the control subjects was 7.7 +/- 1.8 ng/100 ml (mean +/- 1 SD). Eight hypertensive patients had IC-ALDOs that were more than 3 standard deviations above the mean. Although the mean IC-PRA of the hypertensive patients was lower than the mean of controls (0.6 +/- 0.6 and 0.9 +/- 0.6, respectively), the difference was not significant. However, high integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone was mostly associated with low integrated concentration of plasma renin activity. Consequently, the ratio of IC-ALDO to IC-PRA in the hypertensive patients was significantly higher (p less than 0.001). In six hypertensive patients the ratio was more than 4 standard deviations above the mean for the normal control subjects (12.2 +/- 7.6). Individuals with inappropriately high integrated concentrations of plasma aldosterone can therefore be identified by the simultaneous determination of IC-ALDO and IC-PRA.", "contents": "The integrated concentration of plasma renin activity and aldosterone in essential hypertension. Measurement of the integrated concentration is most suited for the study of blood components that fluctuate rapidly. The integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone (IC-ALDO) and plasma renin activity (IC-PRA) were measured in 24 patients with essential hypertension and in 10 normal adult subjects, using a non-thrombogenic 24-hour constant blood withdrawal system. The integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone in the control subjects was 7.7 +/- 1.8 ng/100 ml (mean +/- 1 SD). Eight hypertensive patients had IC-ALDOs that were more than 3 standard deviations above the mean. Although the mean IC-PRA of the hypertensive patients was lower than the mean of controls (0.6 +/- 0.6 and 0.9 +/- 0.6, respectively), the difference was not significant. However, high integrated concentration of plasma aldosterone was mostly associated with low integrated concentration of plasma renin activity. Consequently, the ratio of IC-ALDO to IC-PRA in the hypertensive patients was significantly higher (p less than 0.001). In six hypertensive patients the ratio was more than 4 standard deviations above the mean for the normal control subjects (12.2 +/- 7.6). Individuals with inappropriately high integrated concentrations of plasma aldosterone can therefore be identified by the simultaneous determination of IC-ALDO and IC-PRA.", "PMID": 625094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5892", "title": "Cinematic display of regional function in nuclear imaging.", "content": "A significant improvement in cardiovascular nuclear medicine has resulted from imaging the beating ventricles by motion-picture display of the intraventricular distribution of 99mTc albumin during 16 phases of the cardiac cycle. We have now begun to make \"fast-motion\" pictures of other body functions, including the cerebral circulation, pulmonary ventilation, biliary excretion, and renal blood flow. Data obtained over minutes, hours or days are compressed into 16 frames per second. These \"compressed-time\" images improve our perception of regional dysfunction, and the degree of certainly of our diagnoses. They do so by eliminating the blurring inevitably produced in the usual static images of moving structures, such as the heart, and by revealing small changes in regional function.", "contents": "Cinematic display of regional function in nuclear imaging. A significant improvement in cardiovascular nuclear medicine has resulted from imaging the beating ventricles by motion-picture display of the intraventricular distribution of 99mTc albumin during 16 phases of the cardiac cycle. We have now begun to make \"fast-motion\" pictures of other body functions, including the cerebral circulation, pulmonary ventilation, biliary excretion, and renal blood flow. Data obtained over minutes, hours or days are compressed into 16 frames per second. These \"compressed-time\" images improve our perception of regional dysfunction, and the degree of certainly of our diagnoses. They do so by eliminating the blurring inevitably produced in the usual static images of moving structures, such as the heart, and by revealing small changes in regional function.", "PMID": 625095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5893", "title": "Apparatus for the hyperchlorination of rodent drinking water.", "content": "An apparatus is described which has been in use for some time providing uniform, low concentrations of chlorine in mouse drinking water.", "contents": "Apparatus for the hyperchlorination of rodent drinking water. An apparatus is described which has been in use for some time providing uniform, low concentrations of chlorine in mouse drinking water.", "PMID": 625096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5894", "title": "Sexual maturity in rabbits defined by the physical and chemical characteristics of the semen.", "content": "Semen was collected weekly from New Zealand white rabbits from the 1st positive mounting test to 43 weeks of age by means of an artificial vagina. The mean values of the results obtained in the 1st and 20th collection weeks were respectively: volume (ml) 0.61 +/- 0.30 and 0.70 +/- 0.19; pH 7.22 +/- 0.50 and 7.19 +/- 0.15; concentration (sperm/mm3 X 10(3)) 750 +/- 207 and 381 +/- 90; fructose (mg/100 ml) 117 +/- 58 and 203 +/- 121; citric acid (mg/100 ml) 256 +/- 90 and 200 +/- 97; sodium ions (mEq/l) 133 +/- 31 and 163 +/- 46; potassium ions (mEq/l) 40 +/- 21 and 29 +/- 14. On the basis of these results, New Zealand white rabbits reach sexual maturity by 6 months of age.", "contents": "Sexual maturity in rabbits defined by the physical and chemical characteristics of the semen. Semen was collected weekly from New Zealand white rabbits from the 1st positive mounting test to 43 weeks of age by means of an artificial vagina. The mean values of the results obtained in the 1st and 20th collection weeks were respectively: volume (ml) 0.61 +/- 0.30 and 0.70 +/- 0.19; pH 7.22 +/- 0.50 and 7.19 +/- 0.15; concentration (sperm/mm3 X 10(3)) 750 +/- 207 and 381 +/- 90; fructose (mg/100 ml) 117 +/- 58 and 203 +/- 121; citric acid (mg/100 ml) 256 +/- 90 and 200 +/- 97; sodium ions (mEq/l) 133 +/- 31 and 163 +/- 46; potassium ions (mEq/l) 40 +/- 21 and 29 +/- 14. On the basis of these results, New Zealand white rabbits reach sexual maturity by 6 months of age.", "PMID": 625098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5895", "title": "Effects of processing and gamma irradiation on the microbiological contaminants of a laboratory animal diet.", "content": "The numbers and types of microorganisms contaminating a commercially available laboratory animal diet were examined by plate-count methods at all stages of production. During the cooking and pelleting stages of manufacture there was a marked reduction in numbers of heat-labile vegetative contaminants introduced via the raw materials, and at subsequent stages plate counts at 37 and 25 degrees C corresponded closely to counts of viable aerobic bacterial endospores. It would seem that the count on the pelleted diet was determined principally by the numbers of bacterial spores being introduced with the ingredients. The response to gamma-irradiation of the innate microflora contaminating the pelleted diet was characteristic of that generally seen with populations of aerobic bacterial endospores.", "contents": "Effects of processing and gamma irradiation on the microbiological contaminants of a laboratory animal diet. The numbers and types of microorganisms contaminating a commercially available laboratory animal diet were examined by plate-count methods at all stages of production. During the cooking and pelleting stages of manufacture there was a marked reduction in numbers of heat-labile vegetative contaminants introduced via the raw materials, and at subsequent stages plate counts at 37 and 25 degrees C corresponded closely to counts of viable aerobic bacterial endospores. It would seem that the count on the pelleted diet was determined principally by the numbers of bacterial spores being introduced with the ingredients. The response to gamma-irradiation of the innate microflora contaminating the pelleted diet was characteristic of that generally seen with populations of aerobic bacterial endospores.", "PMID": 625099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5896", "title": "Comparison of regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism distal to a critical coronary stenosis in the fibrillating heart during alternate periods of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion.", "content": "The effect of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on intramyocardial gas tensions and regional myocardial blood flow was studied in 10 mongrel dogs. Following application of a critical stenosis to the circumflex coronary artery (CIRC), animals were placed on total bypass with vented, fibrillating hearts. During three 45 minute periods of perfusion, animals alternately received pulsatile or linear flow with perfusion pressure carefully maintained at 80 mm. Hg. In myocardium supplied by the stenosed CIRC, intramyocardial oxygen tension (PO2) rose from 13 +/- 3 to 19 +/- 5 mm. Hg when a period of linear flow was followed by a period of pulsatile flow (p less than 0.025). Similarly in the CIRC-supplied area, intramyocardial carbon dioxide (PCO2) decreased from 128 +/- 12 to 99 +/- 12 mm. Hg (p less than 0.005) with conversion from linear to pulsatile flow. Myocardial blood flow (microsphere technique) to endocardial and epicardial layers of the CIRC-supplied area was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) during pulsatile than during linear perfusion. In contrast, when periods of pulsatile bypass were followed by periods of linear perfusion, myocardial PO2 fell from 25 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 3 (less than 0.02) and myocardial PCO2 rose from 82 +/- 12 to 154 +/- 12 mm. Hg (p less than 0.001). These data suggest that (1) fibrillation-induced regional ischemia distal to a critical coronary stenosis can be reduced by pulsatile perfusion during bypass and (2) the mechanism for the reduction in regional ischemia is improved myocardial blood flow.", "contents": "Comparison of regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism distal to a critical coronary stenosis in the fibrillating heart during alternate periods of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion. The effect of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on intramyocardial gas tensions and regional myocardial blood flow was studied in 10 mongrel dogs. Following application of a critical stenosis to the circumflex coronary artery (CIRC), animals were placed on total bypass with vented, fibrillating hearts. During three 45 minute periods of perfusion, animals alternately received pulsatile or linear flow with perfusion pressure carefully maintained at 80 mm. Hg. In myocardium supplied by the stenosed CIRC, intramyocardial oxygen tension (PO2) rose from 13 +/- 3 to 19 +/- 5 mm. Hg when a period of linear flow was followed by a period of pulsatile flow (p less than 0.025). Similarly in the CIRC-supplied area, intramyocardial carbon dioxide (PCO2) decreased from 128 +/- 12 to 99 +/- 12 mm. Hg (p less than 0.005) with conversion from linear to pulsatile flow. Myocardial blood flow (microsphere technique) to endocardial and epicardial layers of the CIRC-supplied area was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) during pulsatile than during linear perfusion. In contrast, when periods of pulsatile bypass were followed by periods of linear perfusion, myocardial PO2 fell from 25 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 3 (less than 0.02) and myocardial PCO2 rose from 82 +/- 12 to 154 +/- 12 mm. Hg (p less than 0.001). These data suggest that (1) fibrillation-induced regional ischemia distal to a critical coronary stenosis can be reduced by pulsatile perfusion during bypass and (2) the mechanism for the reduction in regional ischemia is improved myocardial blood flow.", "PMID": 625124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5897", "title": "Pathology of the sinus node in d-transposition following the Mustard operation.", "content": "In a pathological study of 32 necropsy specimens from patients with d-transposition who had undergone the Mustard operation, lesions were commonly present in the sinus nodal artery, the sinus node, and the paranodal tissues. These had resulted from surgical injury during placement of the atrial baffle and/or closure of the atriotomy incision. Our findings confirm the pathological findings of others. The pathological observations correlate well with reported electrophysiological studies that show frequent occurrence of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias due to sinus nodal dysfunction. Twenty-six of the patients died in the early postoperative period, and the sinus nodal artery had been compressed by sutures in 46 percent of these cases. The sinus node either showed acute necrosis or compression by sutures in 77 percent of cases, and the paranodal areas were involved by acute hemorrhage and/or necrosis in 100 percent of cases. Six patients died in the late postoperative period. The sinus nodal artery was replaced by fibrous tissue in three and was compressed or thrombosed in two additional instances. The sinus node was extensively fibrosed in each of the six cases. In every instance, the paranodal areas were involved by fibrosis and disruption by sutures.", "contents": "Pathology of the sinus node in d-transposition following the Mustard operation. In a pathological study of 32 necropsy specimens from patients with d-transposition who had undergone the Mustard operation, lesions were commonly present in the sinus nodal artery, the sinus node, and the paranodal tissues. These had resulted from surgical injury during placement of the atrial baffle and/or closure of the atriotomy incision. Our findings confirm the pathological findings of others. The pathological observations correlate well with reported electrophysiological studies that show frequent occurrence of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias due to sinus nodal dysfunction. Twenty-six of the patients died in the early postoperative period, and the sinus nodal artery had been compressed by sutures in 46 percent of these cases. The sinus node either showed acute necrosis or compression by sutures in 77 percent of cases, and the paranodal areas were involved by acute hemorrhage and/or necrosis in 100 percent of cases. Six patients died in the late postoperative period. The sinus nodal artery was replaced by fibrous tissue in three and was compressed or thrombosed in two additional instances. The sinus node was extensively fibrosed in each of the six cases. In every instance, the paranodal areas were involved by fibrosis and disruption by sutures.", "PMID": 625125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5898", "title": "Prophylactic antibiotics and the insertion of permanent transvenous cardiac pacemakers.", "content": "Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed frequently for patients requiring permanent transvenous cardiac pacemakers, despite a paucity of data indicating effectiveness. A 10 year retrospective analysis was performed of 298 pacemaker insertion procedures involving 204 patients. On the basis of prestudy criteria relating to timing and dosage of antibiotics, the use of prophylactic antibiotics was judged as adequate or inadequate. There were no postoperative infections in the 108 battery pack replacement procedures despite no or inadequate use of antibiotics in 49 procedures. There were nine infections in the 190 battery pack plus pacing wire procedures for an infection rate of 5 percent. There was no significant difference in infection rate between the group given prophylactic antibiotics and the group given no or inadequate prophylactic antibiotics. Of the 190 battery pack plus pacing wire procedures, no infections occurred in the 50 procedures in which surgical drains were not used (p less than 0.003). In the 140 procedures in which drains were used, there was no correlation between wound infection and absent or inadequate coverage with prophylactic antibiotics. Two severe bacteremic Staphylococcus aureus infections occurred in two patients not given prophylactic antibiotics. The other seven infections were clinically indolent. These results suggest the following: (1) There is no need for prophylactic antibiotics in battery pack replacement procedures; (2) prophylactic antibiotics may decrease the severity of infection in battery pack plus pacing wire procedures; (3) surgical drains should be avoided in battery pack plus pacing wire procedures. A prospective controlled study is necessary to confirm these results.", "contents": "Prophylactic antibiotics and the insertion of permanent transvenous cardiac pacemakers. Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed frequently for patients requiring permanent transvenous cardiac pacemakers, despite a paucity of data indicating effectiveness. A 10 year retrospective analysis was performed of 298 pacemaker insertion procedures involving 204 patients. On the basis of prestudy criteria relating to timing and dosage of antibiotics, the use of prophylactic antibiotics was judged as adequate or inadequate. There were no postoperative infections in the 108 battery pack replacement procedures despite no or inadequate use of antibiotics in 49 procedures. There were nine infections in the 190 battery pack plus pacing wire procedures for an infection rate of 5 percent. There was no significant difference in infection rate between the group given prophylactic antibiotics and the group given no or inadequate prophylactic antibiotics. Of the 190 battery pack plus pacing wire procedures, no infections occurred in the 50 procedures in which surgical drains were not used (p less than 0.003). In the 140 procedures in which drains were used, there was no correlation between wound infection and absent or inadequate coverage with prophylactic antibiotics. Two severe bacteremic Staphylococcus aureus infections occurred in two patients not given prophylactic antibiotics. The other seven infections were clinically indolent. These results suggest the following: (1) There is no need for prophylactic antibiotics in battery pack replacement procedures; (2) prophylactic antibiotics may decrease the severity of infection in battery pack plus pacing wire procedures; (3) surgical drains should be avoided in battery pack plus pacing wire procedures. A prospective controlled study is necessary to confirm these results.", "PMID": 625126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5899", "title": "The electrical dose for direct ventricular defibrillation in man.", "content": "The threshold electrical energy for direct ventricular defibrillation was measured in 100 patients whose hypothermic hearts were fibrillated for cardiac operations. In 93 cases 10 joules or less was sufficient, and in 48 of these cases 5 joules or less defibrillated the ventricles. Because a shock of 10 joules defibrillated the heart of most of our patients, we recommend an initial shock of 5 to 10 joules rather than the 20 joules used more commonly. Until the safety margin between defibrillation threshold and damage threshold is established for direct defibrillation, use of shocks with adequate but not excessive strength may avoid unnecessary damage to the myocardium. When hearts refibrillate after defibrillation, it is unnecessary to use higher energy settings for subsequent defibrillation attempts. Instead, an antiarrhythmic drug should be administered and another shock of the same intensity that defibrillated the first time should be applied.", "contents": "The electrical dose for direct ventricular defibrillation in man. The threshold electrical energy for direct ventricular defibrillation was measured in 100 patients whose hypothermic hearts were fibrillated for cardiac operations. In 93 cases 10 joules or less was sufficient, and in 48 of these cases 5 joules or less defibrillated the ventricles. Because a shock of 10 joules defibrillated the heart of most of our patients, we recommend an initial shock of 5 to 10 joules rather than the 20 joules used more commonly. Until the safety margin between defibrillation threshold and damage threshold is established for direct defibrillation, use of shocks with adequate but not excessive strength may avoid unnecessary damage to the myocardium. When hearts refibrillate after defibrillation, it is unnecessary to use higher energy settings for subsequent defibrillation attempts. Instead, an antiarrhythmic drug should be administered and another shock of the same intensity that defibrillated the first time should be applied.", "PMID": 625127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5900", "title": "Repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta with the TDMAC-heparin shunt.", "content": "Utilizing a heparinized tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC) shunt makes it possible to treat various surgical diseases of the descending thoracic aorta without cardiopulmonary bypass. Since the initial report by Gott and associates on the use of the heparinized shunt, few subsequent clinical trials have appeared in the literature. Six patients with Type III dissecting thoracic aneurysm, acquired and congenital coarctation of the aorta, saccular arteriosclerotic aneurysm, and transection of the descending thoracic aorta were operated upon by means of this technique. Only one patient had more than 500 ml. of chest tube drainage in the first 8 hours postoperatively. There were no instances of paraplegia, renal failure, or death. This technique is also recommended for repair of innominate artery aneurysms, endarterectomy of the innominate or subclavian artery, arch aneurysm, penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta, and proximal abdominal aneurysms. Surgical indications, operative management, and postoperative follow-up are discussed.", "contents": "Repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta with the TDMAC-heparin shunt. Utilizing a heparinized tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC) shunt makes it possible to treat various surgical diseases of the descending thoracic aorta without cardiopulmonary bypass. Since the initial report by Gott and associates on the use of the heparinized shunt, few subsequent clinical trials have appeared in the literature. Six patients with Type III dissecting thoracic aneurysm, acquired and congenital coarctation of the aorta, saccular arteriosclerotic aneurysm, and transection of the descending thoracic aorta were operated upon by means of this technique. Only one patient had more than 500 ml. of chest tube drainage in the first 8 hours postoperatively. There were no instances of paraplegia, renal failure, or death. This technique is also recommended for repair of innominate artery aneurysms, endarterectomy of the innominate or subclavian artery, arch aneurysm, penetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta, and proximal abdominal aneurysms. Surgical indications, operative management, and postoperative follow-up are discussed.", "PMID": 625128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5901", "title": "Aortico--left ventricular tunnel and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Case report with operative repair.", "content": "Aortico--left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare anomaly, only 21 such cases having appeared in the literature. This report describes a case of ALVT in which there were features characteristics of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA). Details of the operative repair are discussed.", "contents": "Aortico--left ventricular tunnel and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Case report with operative repair. Aortico--left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare anomaly, only 21 such cases having appeared in the literature. This report describes a case of ALVT in which there were features characteristics of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA). Details of the operative repair are discussed.", "PMID": 625129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5902", "title": "Surgical repair of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum.", "content": "Five cases of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum, with or without Kommerell's diverticulum, are presented. Either right or left thoracotomy with divesion of the aberrant retroesophageal left subclavian artery can be accomplished with good results. However, a right thoracotomy is recommended in the presence of a large Kommerell diverticulum because such a diverticulum should be excised. The development of a subclavian steal syndrome later in life may be prevented by reimplantation of the divided left subclavian artery into the aorta or the left common carotid artery.", "contents": "Surgical repair of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum. Five cases of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum, with or without Kommerell's diverticulum, are presented. Either right or left thoracotomy with divesion of the aberrant retroesophageal left subclavian artery can be accomplished with good results. However, a right thoracotomy is recommended in the presence of a large Kommerell diverticulum because such a diverticulum should be excised. The development of a subclavian steal syndrome later in life may be prevented by reimplantation of the divided left subclavian artery into the aorta or the left common carotid artery.", "PMID": 625130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5903", "title": "Cyanosis in a patient with combined ostium primum and secundum atial septal defects and anomalous inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Case report and surgical considerations.", "content": "A case is described of combined ostium primum and ostium secundum atrial septal defects and azygos connection of the inferior vena cava plus cyanosis. Emphasis is made to recognize the functional mechanism of cyanosis and to demonstrate the anatomic site of hepatic venous drainage so that an appropriate corrective operative procedure can be planned. A gratifying result was achieved in this case after closure of the atrial septal defects.", "contents": "Cyanosis in a patient with combined ostium primum and secundum atial septal defects and anomalous inferior vena cava with azygos continuation. Case report and surgical considerations. A case is described of combined ostium primum and ostium secundum atrial septal defects and azygos connection of the inferior vena cava plus cyanosis. Emphasis is made to recognize the functional mechanism of cyanosis and to demonstrate the anatomic site of hepatic venous drainage so that an appropriate corrective operative procedure can be planned. A gratifying result was achieved in this case after closure of the atrial septal defects.", "PMID": 625131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5904", "title": "Repair of atrial septal defect primum. Results, course, and prognosis.", "content": "Repair of atrial septal defect primum (ASD primum) continues to be a challenge to the surgeon. The most common problems involve reconstructing the mitral valve and avoiding rhythm disturbances after the operation. In this report we describe our results in 92 patients with ASD primum who were operated upon between 1955 and 1975.", "contents": "Repair of atrial septal defect primum. Results, course, and prognosis. Repair of atrial septal defect primum (ASD primum) continues to be a challenge to the surgeon. The most common problems involve reconstructing the mitral valve and avoiding rhythm disturbances after the operation. In this report we describe our results in 92 patients with ASD primum who were operated upon between 1955 and 1975.", "PMID": 625132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5905", "title": "An alternative to breathing.", "content": "If carbon dioxide is removed by an extracorporeal membrane lung ventilated with room air, the natural lung can be used for oxygen transport alone; we have demonstrated this in lambs by maintaining lungs \"inflated\" with 100 percent oxygen at constant pressure and removing all carbon dioxide through the membrane lung. This process is a variant of \"apneic oxygenation\" without its disadvantages, because the arterial pH, PCO2, and PO2 all remain normal. No nitrogen washout is needed. These studies were carried out in five lambs anesthetized and paralyzed for 24 hours. For carbon dioxide removal, blood from the subclavin artery was pumped through an extracorporeal membrane lung and was returned into the external jugular vein. For oxygen delivery, the lungs were inflated through a tracheostomy tube with 100 percent oxygen to a pressure of 5 cm. H2O. There was no significant change in arterial blood PO2 after perfusion had begun or at the end of the perfusion 24 hours later. The arterial PCO2 remained steady, and there was no change in acid-base balance. The functional residual capacity (FRC) and static lung compliance remained unchanged. The total dead space was 10 to 15 ml. All animals recovered and survived in good health. At equilibrium, alveolar nitrogen partial pressure was always equal to the partial pressure of nitrogen in the ventilating gas of the membrane lung and was the sole determining factor in controlling alveolar oxygen concentration. Direct measurement of pulmonary gas showed alveolar gas at the level of the carina.", "contents": "An alternative to breathing. If carbon dioxide is removed by an extracorporeal membrane lung ventilated with room air, the natural lung can be used for oxygen transport alone; we have demonstrated this in lambs by maintaining lungs \"inflated\" with 100 percent oxygen at constant pressure and removing all carbon dioxide through the membrane lung. This process is a variant of \"apneic oxygenation\" without its disadvantages, because the arterial pH, PCO2, and PO2 all remain normal. No nitrogen washout is needed. These studies were carried out in five lambs anesthetized and paralyzed for 24 hours. For carbon dioxide removal, blood from the subclavin artery was pumped through an extracorporeal membrane lung and was returned into the external jugular vein. For oxygen delivery, the lungs were inflated through a tracheostomy tube with 100 percent oxygen to a pressure of 5 cm. H2O. There was no significant change in arterial blood PO2 after perfusion had begun or at the end of the perfusion 24 hours later. The arterial PCO2 remained steady, and there was no change in acid-base balance. The functional residual capacity (FRC) and static lung compliance remained unchanged. The total dead space was 10 to 15 ml. All animals recovered and survived in good health. At equilibrium, alveolar nitrogen partial pressure was always equal to the partial pressure of nitrogen in the ventilating gas of the membrane lung and was the sole determining factor in controlling alveolar oxygen concentration. Direct measurement of pulmonary gas showed alveolar gas at the level of the carina.", "PMID": 625133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5906", "title": "Anomalous origin of left main cononary artery from anterior sinus of Valsalva with myocardial infarction.", "content": "The origin of the left main coronary artery, or its branches, from the right or anterior sinus of Valsalva is a recognized congenital anomaly. The origin of the entire left main coronary artery from a separate ostium in the right sinus of Valsalva and its course to the right and behind the ascending aorta, in a living patient without associated congenital heart disease, has not been described. This anomaly was recognized as the cause of an anterior myocardial infarction in a 12-year-old girl, and it is the subject of this case report.", "contents": "Anomalous origin of left main cononary artery from anterior sinus of Valsalva with myocardial infarction. The origin of the left main coronary artery, or its branches, from the right or anterior sinus of Valsalva is a recognized congenital anomaly. The origin of the entire left main coronary artery from a separate ostium in the right sinus of Valsalva and its course to the right and behind the ascending aorta, in a living patient without associated congenital heart disease, has not been described. This anomaly was recognized as the cause of an anterior myocardial infarction in a 12-year-old girl, and it is the subject of this case report.", "PMID": 625134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5907", "title": "Surgery for mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect.", "content": "Pure mitral insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect is not an unusual finding. Thirteen patients with significant mitral insufficiency and an associated secundum defect were operated upon. Two of these patients also had severe tricuspid insufficiency. The mitral valve was repaired in 12 patients and replaced in one. The tricuspid valve was reapired in the two patients with associated tricuspid insufficiency. There were two early deaths due to mediastinitis and one late death due to a cerebral embolus in the only patient who had valve replacement; this patient died 3 years after the operation. It is concluded that mitral and tricuspid valve repair should be performed for patients with significant mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with atrial septal defect of the secundum variety. Replacement of the values should be avoided if possible.", "contents": "Surgery for mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect. Pure mitral insufficiency associated with secundum atrial septal defect is not an unusual finding. Thirteen patients with significant mitral insufficiency and an associated secundum defect were operated upon. Two of these patients also had severe tricuspid insufficiency. The mitral valve was repaired in 12 patients and replaced in one. The tricuspid valve was reapired in the two patients with associated tricuspid insufficiency. There were two early deaths due to mediastinitis and one late death due to a cerebral embolus in the only patient who had valve replacement; this patient died 3 years after the operation. It is concluded that mitral and tricuspid valve repair should be performed for patients with significant mitral and tricuspid insufficiency associated with atrial septal defect of the secundum variety. Replacement of the values should be avoided if possible.", "PMID": 625135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5908", "title": "Incidence of emboli with cloth-covered Starr-Edwards valve without anticoagulation and with varying forms of anticoagulation. Analysis of 183 patients followed for 3 1/2 years.", "content": "One hundred eighty-three patients with cloth-covered valves were studied from 1 1/2 to 8 years after operation, with an average follow-up time of 3 1/2 years. Over the total period, patients taking Coumadin sustained a 4 percent embolic incidence (1.2 per 100 patient-years); those taking aspirin had a 7 percent incidence (2.6 per 100 patient-years); and those taking Persantine had a 43 percent incidence (10 per 100 patient-years). Patients on no regimen of anticoagulation had a 16 percent embolic rate (four per 100 patient-years), whereas another group of patients who stopped anticoagulants after a year incurred a 13 percent embolic incidence in the subsequent 2 years (6.4 per 100 patient-years). These data showed a significantly lowered embolic rate with anticoagulation and suggest that all patients with cloth-covered valves should be taking anticoagulants. That these valves become epithelialized and do not form thrombus after a year was not borne out by this study. Persantine alone is not a satisfactory anticoagulant. Coumadin appears to be the superior anticoagulant, but if careful monitoring of its use is in question or if serious bleeding complications ensue, aspirin may provide satisfactory protection.", "contents": "Incidence of emboli with cloth-covered Starr-Edwards valve without anticoagulation and with varying forms of anticoagulation. Analysis of 183 patients followed for 3 1/2 years. One hundred eighty-three patients with cloth-covered valves were studied from 1 1/2 to 8 years after operation, with an average follow-up time of 3 1/2 years. Over the total period, patients taking Coumadin sustained a 4 percent embolic incidence (1.2 per 100 patient-years); those taking aspirin had a 7 percent incidence (2.6 per 100 patient-years); and those taking Persantine had a 43 percent incidence (10 per 100 patient-years). Patients on no regimen of anticoagulation had a 16 percent embolic rate (four per 100 patient-years), whereas another group of patients who stopped anticoagulants after a year incurred a 13 percent embolic incidence in the subsequent 2 years (6.4 per 100 patient-years). These data showed a significantly lowered embolic rate with anticoagulation and suggest that all patients with cloth-covered valves should be taking anticoagulants. That these valves become epithelialized and do not form thrombus after a year was not borne out by this study. Persantine alone is not a satisfactory anticoagulant. Coumadin appears to be the superior anticoagulant, but if careful monitoring of its use is in question or if serious bleeding complications ensue, aspirin may provide satisfactory protection.", "PMID": 625136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5909", "title": "Ball variance and fracture of mitral valve prosthesis causing recurrent thromboemboli.", "content": "This report documents the ninth case of ball variance in a Starr-Edwards Model 6000 mitral prosthesis occurring 10 years, 9 months after implantation. It is the fourth case of fracture of a mitral ball of any type. As this case illustrates, the presence of ball variance in the mitral position may be subtle. One must carry a high index of suspicion if the diagnosis is to be made and treatment undertaken before catastrophic events take place. The incidence of ball variance is likely to increase with the length of implantation. We recommend surgical replacement of the defective prosthesis immediately upon confirmation of diagnosis.", "contents": "Ball variance and fracture of mitral valve prosthesis causing recurrent thromboemboli. This report documents the ninth case of ball variance in a Starr-Edwards Model 6000 mitral prosthesis occurring 10 years, 9 months after implantation. It is the fourth case of fracture of a mitral ball of any type. As this case illustrates, the presence of ball variance in the mitral position may be subtle. One must carry a high index of suspicion if the diagnosis is to be made and treatment undertaken before catastrophic events take place. The incidence of ball variance is likely to increase with the length of implantation. We recommend surgical replacement of the defective prosthesis immediately upon confirmation of diagnosis.", "PMID": 625137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5910", "title": "Malfunction of Cutter-Smeloff mitral prosthesis. An echocardiographic diagnosis.", "content": "Progression of intermittent partial or total impaction of the poppet from a prosthetic mitral valve may be difficult to evaluate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation. Heart sounds may be distant; opening and closing clicks of the poppet are muffled and irregular. Echocardiography provides a noninvasive method to detect early prosthetic malfunction at a time when the patient is clinically asymptomatic.", "contents": "Malfunction of Cutter-Smeloff mitral prosthesis. An echocardiographic diagnosis. Progression of intermittent partial or total impaction of the poppet from a prosthetic mitral valve may be difficult to evaluate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation. Heart sounds may be distant; opening and closing clicks of the poppet are muffled and irregular. Echocardiography provides a noninvasive method to detect early prosthetic malfunction at a time when the patient is clinically asymptomatic.", "PMID": 625138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5911", "title": "Intracranial bypass grafts for vertebral-basilar ischemia.", "content": "Fourteen operations in which an occipital branch of the external carotid artery was anastomosed to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery were performed for occlusions or inaccessible stenotic lesions of the vertebral arteries proximal to the site of origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Eight patients (group 1) had no major focal reurologic deficit but were considered to be at high risk for a posterior circulation infarct; six patients (group 2) had been severely or moderately disabled before the operation. Postoperative angiography revealed that 13 of the 14 grafts were patent. In 9 of the 13 patent grafts, the bypass graft served as the sole or major blood supply of the vertebral-basilar system; in 4, flow was limited to the distribution of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Five of the eight patients in group 1 have returned to full employment or normal retired life. Two of the six patients in group 2 have resumed normal activities with only minimal neurologic dysfunction. This procedure may have a role in the management of highly selected patients suffering from vertebral-basilar ischemia, and it may be useful in the management of selected aneurysms in the vertebral-basilar system.", "contents": "Intracranial bypass grafts for vertebral-basilar ischemia. Fourteen operations in which an occipital branch of the external carotid artery was anastomosed to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery were performed for occlusions or inaccessible stenotic lesions of the vertebral arteries proximal to the site of origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Eight patients (group 1) had no major focal reurologic deficit but were considered to be at high risk for a posterior circulation infarct; six patients (group 2) had been severely or moderately disabled before the operation. Postoperative angiography revealed that 13 of the 14 grafts were patent. In 9 of the 13 patent grafts, the bypass graft served as the sole or major blood supply of the vertebral-basilar system; in 4, flow was limited to the distribution of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Five of the eight patients in group 1 have returned to full employment or normal retired life. Two of the six patients in group 2 have resumed normal activities with only minimal neurologic dysfunction. This procedure may have a role in the management of highly selected patients suffering from vertebral-basilar ischemia, and it may be useful in the management of selected aneurysms in the vertebral-basilar system.", "PMID": 625139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5912", "title": "A reappraisal of clinical, roentgenographic, and endoscopic features of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.", "content": "Recent experience with 40 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome at all Mayo Clinic suggests that traditional clinical criteria for diagnosis are often absent or invalid. Patients are younger have a shorter duration of symptoms, and often present without prior gastric surgery. Clinical, roentgenographic, and endoscopic findings indistinguishable from those of idiopathic duodenal ulcer or erosive duodenitis were the only presenting features in half of the patients in this series. Therefore, increased diagnostic use of serum levels of gastrin and gastric analysis appears desirable, particularly in patients selected for elective surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer disease, because specific therapeutic approaches may be required.", "contents": "A reappraisal of clinical, roentgenographic, and endoscopic features of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Recent experience with 40 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome at all Mayo Clinic suggests that traditional clinical criteria for diagnosis are often absent or invalid. Patients are younger have a shorter duration of symptoms, and often present without prior gastric surgery. Clinical, roentgenographic, and endoscopic findings indistinguishable from those of idiopathic duodenal ulcer or erosive duodenitis were the only presenting features in half of the patients in this series. Therefore, increased diagnostic use of serum levels of gastrin and gastric analysis appears desirable, particularly in patients selected for elective surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer disease, because specific therapeutic approaches may be required.", "PMID": 625140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5913", "title": "Transsphenoidal removal of pituitary microadenoma in Cushing's disease.", "content": "Twenty-two of 32 patients with Cushing's disease seen at the Mayo Clinic during a 3-year period were carefully studied radiologically (triaxial spiral tomograms of the sella and bilateral carotid arteriograms with magnification and subtraction techniques). Eighteen of these 22 pat-ents had radiologic evidence of small pituitary gland tumors and underwent transsphenoidal microsurgical exploration of the pituitary. A microadenoma (less than 10 mm) was found in 17 of the 18 patients. Hypercortisolism was corrected, and a clinical remission occurred in 16 of the 18 patients; the hypercortisolism persisted in 2 patients. A period of hypocortisolism occurred after removal of the pituitary tumor in all patients who experienced a remission. Remissions have been associated with normal anterior pituitary and adrenocortical function in a large percentage of patients who were adequately studied 6 months or more after pituitary surgery.", "contents": "Transsphenoidal removal of pituitary microadenoma in Cushing's disease. Twenty-two of 32 patients with Cushing's disease seen at the Mayo Clinic during a 3-year period were carefully studied radiologically (triaxial spiral tomograms of the sella and bilateral carotid arteriograms with magnification and subtraction techniques). Eighteen of these 22 pat-ents had radiologic evidence of small pituitary gland tumors and underwent transsphenoidal microsurgical exploration of the pituitary. A microadenoma (less than 10 mm) was found in 17 of the 18 patients. Hypercortisolism was corrected, and a clinical remission occurred in 16 of the 18 patients; the hypercortisolism persisted in 2 patients. A period of hypocortisolism occurred after removal of the pituitary tumor in all patients who experienced a remission. Remissions have been associated with normal anterior pituitary and adrenocortical function in a large percentage of patients who were adequately studied 6 months or more after pituitary surgery.", "PMID": 625141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5914", "title": "Prothrombin Quick. A newly identified dysprothrombinemia.", "content": "The rarest of reported inherited plasmatic coagulopathies involve prothrombin. Only 10 families with significant reductions of this plasma protein (hypoprothrombinemia) have been observed. Even fewer, six families, have been found to have a functionally abnormal prothrombin (dysprothrombinemia) in their blood. An as yet undefined prothrombin abnormally has been recognized in eight other families. One of the first patients previously identified by Quick and his associates as having a defect in her plasma prothrombin has been shown to have about half the normal amount of prothrombin antigen but virtually no prothrombic function. We propose that this dysprothrombin be designated prothrombin Quick. An additional patient also first described by Quick was found to be truly hypoprothrombinemic--that is, to lack both functional and antigenic prothrombin. Briefly summarized are the other five families with dysprothrombinemia, nine with hypoprothrombinemia, and the eight in whom the defect has not been classified.", "contents": "Prothrombin Quick. A newly identified dysprothrombinemia. The rarest of reported inherited plasmatic coagulopathies involve prothrombin. Only 10 families with significant reductions of this plasma protein (hypoprothrombinemia) have been observed. Even fewer, six families, have been found to have a functionally abnormal prothrombin (dysprothrombinemia) in their blood. An as yet undefined prothrombin abnormally has been recognized in eight other families. One of the first patients previously identified by Quick and his associates as having a defect in her plasma prothrombin has been shown to have about half the normal amount of prothrombin antigen but virtually no prothrombic function. We propose that this dysprothrombin be designated prothrombin Quick. An additional patient also first described by Quick was found to be truly hypoprothrombinemic--that is, to lack both functional and antigenic prothrombin. Briefly summarized are the other five families with dysprothrombinemia, nine with hypoprothrombinemia, and the eight in whom the defect has not been classified.", "PMID": 625142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5915", "title": "Quantitative imaging of the structure and function of the heart, lungs, and circulation.", "content": "A 28-x-ray-source, cylindrical-scanning, transaxial tomographic x-ray-imaging system is in the process of being fabricated. This system will scan synchronously up to 250 parallel transverse cross sections of the human body over an axial range of 25 cm within 0.01 second at a maximum rate of 60 scans per second. The system will provide numerous variations of scanning configurations to permit quantitative assessment of the relative importance of transverse section thickness, image contrast, spatial and temporal resolution, and related computerized algorithms and display techniques. Synchronous imaging at high temporal resolution of a three-dimensional volume--for example, the heart--eliminates the need for successive periods of breath-holding and gated imaging techniques and is essential for quantitation of cardiovascular and pulmonary function and structure in intact animals or humans. Initial clinical applications are expected to be in the early detection of lung cancer and the diagnosis of the nature and degree of congenital and acquired cardiovascular disabilities.", "contents": "Quantitative imaging of the structure and function of the heart, lungs, and circulation. A 28-x-ray-source, cylindrical-scanning, transaxial tomographic x-ray-imaging system is in the process of being fabricated. This system will scan synchronously up to 250 parallel transverse cross sections of the human body over an axial range of 25 cm within 0.01 second at a maximum rate of 60 scans per second. The system will provide numerous variations of scanning configurations to permit quantitative assessment of the relative importance of transverse section thickness, image contrast, spatial and temporal resolution, and related computerized algorithms and display techniques. Synchronous imaging at high temporal resolution of a three-dimensional volume--for example, the heart--eliminates the need for successive periods of breath-holding and gated imaging techniques and is essential for quantitation of cardiovascular and pulmonary function and structure in intact animals or humans. Initial clinical applications are expected to be in the early detection of lung cancer and the diagnosis of the nature and degree of congenital and acquired cardiovascular disabilities.", "PMID": 625143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5916", "title": "Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis. Four cases with clinical and laboratory observations.", "content": "The clinical and microbiologic features of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis in four patients seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1971 through 1976 are described. All four were men ranging in age from 39 to 60 years. The precipitating factor in three was a dental procedure, and the illness was a prolonged, chronic one, with symptoms having been present 10 to 18 months before diagnosis. The other patient had a late prosthetic valve endocarditis and had had symptoms for only 3 months. Three patients were cured; the fourth died after 32 days of adequate therapy and what was considered a bacteriologic cure. Because of the pronounced fastidiousness of these bacteria, in vitro susceptibility tests could be done in only two of the four; the minimum inhibitory concentration for penicillin G was 0.07 microgram/ml in both. The therapeutic regimens were penicillin G plus streptomycin in the first case, predominantly penicillin G alone in the second, penicillin G for 2 weeks in the third, and ampicillin for 4 weeks in the fourth (prosthetic valve case) in addition to valve replacement. Clinical and laboratory experiences in the total reported cases lead us to believe that 3 weeks of therapy with penicillin G or ampicillin alone is adequate therapy for C. hominis endocarditis of natural valves.", "contents": "Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis. Four cases with clinical and laboratory observations. The clinical and microbiologic features of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis in four patients seen at the Mayo Clinic from 1971 through 1976 are described. All four were men ranging in age from 39 to 60 years. The precipitating factor in three was a dental procedure, and the illness was a prolonged, chronic one, with symptoms having been present 10 to 18 months before diagnosis. The other patient had a late prosthetic valve endocarditis and had had symptoms for only 3 months. Three patients were cured; the fourth died after 32 days of adequate therapy and what was considered a bacteriologic cure. Because of the pronounced fastidiousness of these bacteria, in vitro susceptibility tests could be done in only two of the four; the minimum inhibitory concentration for penicillin G was 0.07 microgram/ml in both. The therapeutic regimens were penicillin G plus streptomycin in the first case, predominantly penicillin G alone in the second, penicillin G for 2 weeks in the third, and ampicillin for 4 weeks in the fourth (prosthetic valve case) in addition to valve replacement. Clinical and laboratory experiences in the total reported cases lead us to believe that 3 weeks of therapy with penicillin G or ampicillin alone is adequate therapy for C. hominis endocarditis of natural valves.", "PMID": 625144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5917", "title": "Chondrosarcoma of the manubrium. Resection and reconstruction with pectoralis major muscle.", "content": "Chondrosarcomas of the sternum are best treated by resection with tumor-free margins. Reconstruction of the manubrium and superior aspect of the sternum is one of the most difficult challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. In the past, most of the structural stability following resection of this area has depended on the formation of dense fibrous tissue and scar. We presented a case of reconstruction of the bony defect with autogenous bone grafting in conjunction with transposition of the pectoralis major muscle for increased protection and stability of the chest wall as well as for nourishment for the bone graft.", "contents": "Chondrosarcoma of the manubrium. Resection and reconstruction with pectoralis major muscle. Chondrosarcomas of the sternum are best treated by resection with tumor-free margins. Reconstruction of the manubrium and superior aspect of the sternum is one of the most difficult challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. In the past, most of the structural stability following resection of this area has depended on the formation of dense fibrous tissue and scar. We presented a case of reconstruction of the bony defect with autogenous bone grafting in conjunction with transposition of the pectoralis major muscle for increased protection and stability of the chest wall as well as for nourishment for the bone graft.", "PMID": 625145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5918", "title": "Neural and endocrine development after chronic tryptophan deficiency in rats: II. Pituitary-thyroid axis.", "content": "Long-Evans female rats, 21 days of age, were weaned and placed on a control (Purina Rat Chow) diet, on a tryptophan deficient diet (T-) and on a diet complete in quality (Purina Rat Chow) but restricted to the daily amount consumed by the rats on the T- diet (pair-feeding). All animals were maintained on these diets for 1 and 2 months and then one group of T- rats was returned to the complete (Purina) diet and kept on this diet for several periods of time (up to 2 months). Growth was interrupted during the period of tryptophan deficiency and pair-feeding, but was restored to normal when the animals were returned to the Purina diet. In control rats, blood levels of TSH, T4 and T3 as determined by radio-immunoassay showed characteristic development patterns. In T- rats, hormonal developmental patterns were similar to those of controls after 1 month on the T- diet but levels fell significantly below control values after 2 months. On the other hand, hormonal levels of pair-fed rats were already significantly low 1 month after treatment and continued to remain low after 2 months. The decrease in thyroid function reported in these experiments as a result of severe dietary restrictions not only may explain the retardation of growth and development characteristic of nutritionally deficient animals, but also suggest some long-term interaction of nutrition and thyroid function on the aging process.", "contents": "Neural and endocrine development after chronic tryptophan deficiency in rats: II. Pituitary-thyroid axis. Long-Evans female rats, 21 days of age, were weaned and placed on a control (Purina Rat Chow) diet, on a tryptophan deficient diet (T-) and on a diet complete in quality (Purina Rat Chow) but restricted to the daily amount consumed by the rats on the T- diet (pair-feeding). All animals were maintained on these diets for 1 and 2 months and then one group of T- rats was returned to the complete (Purina) diet and kept on this diet for several periods of time (up to 2 months). Growth was interrupted during the period of tryptophan deficiency and pair-feeding, but was restored to normal when the animals were returned to the Purina diet. In control rats, blood levels of TSH, T4 and T3 as determined by radio-immunoassay showed characteristic development patterns. In T- rats, hormonal developmental patterns were similar to those of controls after 1 month on the T- diet but levels fell significantly below control values after 2 months. On the other hand, hormonal levels of pair-fed rats were already significantly low 1 month after treatment and continued to remain low after 2 months. The decrease in thyroid function reported in these experiments as a result of severe dietary restrictions not only may explain the retardation of growth and development characteristic of nutritionally deficient animals, but also suggest some long-term interaction of nutrition and thyroid function on the aging process.", "PMID": 625148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5919", "title": "A look at the basic correlates of longevity: is longevity a superficial trait?", "content": "Nature appears to have distributed life spans, whether long or short, entirely upon the possession or non-possession of a few physiologically superficial characteristics, namely, immunity of mature, full-sized specimens from the effects of: (1) predation, (2) competition, (3) fire, (4) disease, and (5) the existence of a definite usefulness for long life spans in bridging lengthy periods unfavorable to the reproduction and/or maturation of offspring. Extremely strong correlations are presented in proof of the above relationships. Since longevity mechanisms can closely correlate to superficial traits, it is unlikely that they comprise an integral part of basic structural or biochemical processes. In the case of trees, all five of the above traits are apparently required for the achievement of potential life spans in excess of 1000 years. By contrast, the longest live animal species appear to fully possess only (1) and (3) of the five prerequisite traits above. This observation may fully account for the fact that maximum life spans of trees are 30-40 times greater than those of the longest lived animals.", "contents": "A look at the basic correlates of longevity: is longevity a superficial trait? Nature appears to have distributed life spans, whether long or short, entirely upon the possession or non-possession of a few physiologically superficial characteristics, namely, immunity of mature, full-sized specimens from the effects of: (1) predation, (2) competition, (3) fire, (4) disease, and (5) the existence of a definite usefulness for long life spans in bridging lengthy periods unfavorable to the reproduction and/or maturation of offspring. Extremely strong correlations are presented in proof of the above relationships. Since longevity mechanisms can closely correlate to superficial traits, it is unlikely that they comprise an integral part of basic structural or biochemical processes. In the case of trees, all five of the above traits are apparently required for the achievement of potential life spans in excess of 1000 years. By contrast, the longest live animal species appear to fully possess only (1) and (3) of the five prerequisite traits above. This observation may fully account for the fact that maximum life spans of trees are 30-40 times greater than those of the longest lived animals.", "PMID": 625149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5920", "title": "Accumulation and identification of lipofuscin-like pigment in the neurons of Bulla gouldiana (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia).", "content": "A few reports suggest that pigmented granules found in molluscan neurons accumulate with age as do lipofuscin granules in vertebrate cells; however, no reports on molluscan neurons include detailed descriptions of granule accumulation or histochemical tests to identify the pigment as lipofuscin-like. In this study light microscope observations of living ganglia from 1.7, 2.7, and 3.0 cm and larger (shell length) sized Bulla gouldiana showed an increasing accumulation of orange-red pigment in the perikaryon corresponding to increasing shell size (i.e. age). With the electron microscope similar results were obtained, and lipofuscin-like granules were seen in the nerve cell cytoplasm of veliger larvae and in all adult sized Bulla. Staining with Sudan black B, Nile blue, chrome alum hematoxylin, PAS reagents, and exposure of the neurons to u.v. light to observe subsequent autofluorescence, yielded positive results in the areas of pigmented granule accumulation. Thus, the brillant orange-red granules that accumulate with age in the peripheral cytoplasm of adult Bulla neurons, and which are probably also present in larval stages, chemically resemble the lipofuscin granules of vertebrates. Similarities and differences between molluscan pigmented granules and vertebrate lipofuscin granules, in relation to structure and mechanisms of development and accumulation, are discussed.", "contents": "Accumulation and identification of lipofuscin-like pigment in the neurons of Bulla gouldiana (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia). A few reports suggest that pigmented granules found in molluscan neurons accumulate with age as do lipofuscin granules in vertebrate cells; however, no reports on molluscan neurons include detailed descriptions of granule accumulation or histochemical tests to identify the pigment as lipofuscin-like. In this study light microscope observations of living ganglia from 1.7, 2.7, and 3.0 cm and larger (shell length) sized Bulla gouldiana showed an increasing accumulation of orange-red pigment in the perikaryon corresponding to increasing shell size (i.e. age). With the electron microscope similar results were obtained, and lipofuscin-like granules were seen in the nerve cell cytoplasm of veliger larvae and in all adult sized Bulla. Staining with Sudan black B, Nile blue, chrome alum hematoxylin, PAS reagents, and exposure of the neurons to u.v. light to observe subsequent autofluorescence, yielded positive results in the areas of pigmented granule accumulation. Thus, the brillant orange-red granules that accumulate with age in the peripheral cytoplasm of adult Bulla neurons, and which are probably also present in larval stages, chemically resemble the lipofuscin granules of vertebrates. Similarities and differences between molluscan pigmented granules and vertebrate lipofuscin granules, in relation to structure and mechanisms of development and accumulation, are discussed.", "PMID": 625150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5921", "title": "[Problems of strumectomy from the ENT viewpoint].", "content": "During surgical ENT-treatment of the neck often operations including the goitre have to be performed. The reason for interferance is the mechanical obstruction of the air and food passage and not a functional leason of the gland. The problems of strumectomy connected with surgical treatment of tumors, with dystopic thyroid tissue and with the stenotic trachea are shown. Possibilities to preserve damage to the recurrent nerve and to restitute a sufficient glottic with in case of palsy are discussed.", "contents": "[Problems of strumectomy from the ENT viewpoint]. During surgical ENT-treatment of the neck often operations including the goitre have to be performed. The reason for interferance is the mechanical obstruction of the air and food passage and not a functional leason of the gland. The problems of strumectomy connected with surgical treatment of tumors, with dystopic thyroid tissue and with the stenotic trachea are shown. Possibilities to preserve damage to the recurrent nerve and to restitute a sufficient glottic with in case of palsy are discussed.", "PMID": 625173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5922", "title": "[Goiter from the ENT viewpoint].", "content": "Patients with struma have to submit a complete ENT-examination, audiometry included, indispensible for operative indication or contra-indication. The usual labor-parameters, the indication for operative therapy, drugs, and radiological measures are mentioned briefly. The drug-prophylaxis must be continued through the whole life. Case report with an improving influence of a hypothyreotic hypacousis by substituting therapy.", "contents": "[Goiter from the ENT viewpoint]. Patients with struma have to submit a complete ENT-examination, audiometry included, indispensible for operative indication or contra-indication. The usual labor-parameters, the indication for operative therapy, drugs, and radiological measures are mentioned briefly. The drug-prophylaxis must be continued through the whole life. Case report with an improving influence of a hypothyreotic hypacousis by substituting therapy.", "PMID": 625174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5923", "title": "[Is the prophylactic hemithyreoidectomy indicated in radical neck dissection? (author's transl)].", "content": "To find an explanation for tumor-recurrences around the tracheostoma, in 59 cases of squamous cell cancer of larynx, hypopharynx, oropharynx and tongue the ipsilateral hemithyreoidectomy was included into the tumorexstirpation and radical neck dissection. This histological work up of the thyroid showed no evidence of metastases within the gland. However in cases of extended metastasis or difficult surgical approach to the prae- and paratracheal areas the hemithyreoidectomy is advised.", "contents": "[Is the prophylactic hemithyreoidectomy indicated in radical neck dissection? (author's transl)]. To find an explanation for tumor-recurrences around the tracheostoma, in 59 cases of squamous cell cancer of larynx, hypopharynx, oropharynx and tongue the ipsilateral hemithyreoidectomy was included into the tumorexstirpation and radical neck dissection. This histological work up of the thyroid showed no evidence of metastases within the gland. However in cases of extended metastasis or difficult surgical approach to the prae- and paratracheal areas the hemithyreoidectomy is advised.", "PMID": 625175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5924", "title": "[Clinic and therapy of the lingual thyreoid (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of a lingual thyreoid without any orthotop thyreoideal tissue is presented. Dystopia of thyreoideal tissue is due to disturbances in the embryological development of the thyreoid gland. The clinical picture, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed in regard of cases of literature.", "contents": "[Clinic and therapy of the lingual thyreoid (author's transl)]. A case of a lingual thyreoid without any orthotop thyreoideal tissue is presented. Dystopia of thyreoideal tissue is due to disturbances in the embryological development of the thyreoid gland. The clinical picture, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed in regard of cases of literature.", "PMID": 625176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5925", "title": "[Phoniatric therapeutical possibilities for paralysis of the vocal lips in paramedian position following a strumectomy (author's transl)].", "content": "The phoniatric-logopedic therapeutical possibilities and results of the two most frequent causes of paralysis following a Strumectomy are presented here. The major aspect of this treatment is the application of electric therapy. Its correct usage will be explained. This \"conservative\" therapy should precede every operative measure and should follow again once the wound has healed. A new post-operative phoniatric therapy method following Glottis widening surgery will also be described. This therapy is based upon the functioning of the Ventricularis muscle, which operates independent of the Recurrens nerve. Furthermore, this therapy functions independent of the operation methods and leaves the natural vocal cord phonation intact, despite vocal cord paralysis.", "contents": "[Phoniatric therapeutical possibilities for paralysis of the vocal lips in paramedian position following a strumectomy (author's transl)]. The phoniatric-logopedic therapeutical possibilities and results of the two most frequent causes of paralysis following a Strumectomy are presented here. The major aspect of this treatment is the application of electric therapy. Its correct usage will be explained. This \"conservative\" therapy should precede every operative measure and should follow again once the wound has healed. A new post-operative phoniatric therapy method following Glottis widening surgery will also be described. This therapy is based upon the functioning of the Ventricularis muscle, which operates independent of the Recurrens nerve. Furthermore, this therapy functions independent of the operation methods and leaves the natural vocal cord phonation intact, despite vocal cord paralysis.", "PMID": 625177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5926", "title": "[Medicolegal consequences of a recurrent nerve palsy after thyroidectomy. (Including a contribution on the function of the medical expert) (author's transl)].", "content": "An Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon was accused because a unilateral recurrent nerve palsy arose after a thyroid operation. The patient was making unreasonable financial claims. The otolaryngologist who provided the medicolegal report recognised that the whole personality of the plaintiff should be assessed by an additional neuro-psychiatric examination. The reporting specialist concluded that she was suffering from an involutional depression and that her symptoms and complaints against the surgeon were attributable to her depression and not to the operation. The facts of the litigation, medicolegal details and judgement rejecting the indictment are presented. The possibility of a reverse \"malpractice suit\" is discussed by the authors.", "contents": "[Medicolegal consequences of a recurrent nerve palsy after thyroidectomy. (Including a contribution on the function of the medical expert) (author's transl)]. An Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon was accused because a unilateral recurrent nerve palsy arose after a thyroid operation. The patient was making unreasonable financial claims. The otolaryngologist who provided the medicolegal report recognised that the whole personality of the plaintiff should be assessed by an additional neuro-psychiatric examination. The reporting specialist concluded that she was suffering from an involutional depression and that her symptoms and complaints against the surgeon were attributable to her depression and not to the operation. The facts of the litigation, medicolegal details and judgement rejecting the indictment are presented. The possibility of a reverse \"malpractice suit\" is discussed by the authors.", "PMID": 625178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5927", "title": "[The \"negative\" SISI-test (author's transl)].", "content": "The SISI-test has gained increased recognition during the past few years and can now be considered as the most important recruitment hearing test. In addition to the positive, negative and not determinable result there are frequent cases of incorrect negative interpretation. A \"negative\" SISI-test can be the result of insufficient or excessive hearing loss, missing adaptation, pathological threshold shift, aggravation, psychogenic deafness, cerebral sclerosis, imbecility etc. A negative result always requires additional audiometric differential-diagnosis.", "contents": "[The \"negative\" SISI-test (author's transl)]. The SISI-test has gained increased recognition during the past few years and can now be considered as the most important recruitment hearing test. In addition to the positive, negative and not determinable result there are frequent cases of incorrect negative interpretation. A \"negative\" SISI-test can be the result of insufficient or excessive hearing loss, missing adaptation, pathological threshold shift, aggravation, psychogenic deafness, cerebral sclerosis, imbecility etc. A negative result always requires additional audiometric differential-diagnosis.", "PMID": 625179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5928", "title": "[Quantitative results of the brainstem audiometry in middle ear, cochlear, and retrocochlear hearing damage (author's transl)].", "content": "After a discussion of the technique and validity of the objective audiometry using acoustically evoked brainstem potentials, we demonstrate the shape of potentials at various locations of the scalp. We compare the objective findings for middle and inner ear hearing losses with the subjective audiogram. Disturbances in the middle ear are marked through a letency shift corresponding to the hearing loss with normal bone conducted reaction. When the cochlea is damaged we notice a quick decrease in amplitude from the loudnesscompensation to the threshold with normal latencies. As examples for retro-cochlear damages we give the cases of a child, retarded after encephalitis, of an infant and of a patient with stato-acoustic neurinoma, whereby also the cochlear, subcortical and cortical potentials are evaluated.", "contents": "[Quantitative results of the brainstem audiometry in middle ear, cochlear, and retrocochlear hearing damage (author's transl)]. After a discussion of the technique and validity of the objective audiometry using acoustically evoked brainstem potentials, we demonstrate the shape of potentials at various locations of the scalp. We compare the objective findings for middle and inner ear hearing losses with the subjective audiogram. Disturbances in the middle ear are marked through a letency shift corresponding to the hearing loss with normal bone conducted reaction. When the cochlea is damaged we notice a quick decrease in amplitude from the loudnesscompensation to the threshold with normal latencies. As examples for retro-cochlear damages we give the cases of a child, retarded after encephalitis, of an infant and of a patient with stato-acoustic neurinoma, whereby also the cochlear, subcortical and cortical potentials are evaluated.", "PMID": 625180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5929", "title": "[Multivariate variability investigations of acoustically evoked slow potentials (AEP) (author's transl)].", "content": "By means of the multivariate variance analysis the ratio of intra- and interindividual variability of the AEP--time function was investigated. 90 AEP from 9 normal hearing persons (10 AEP from every person, averaging sessions spread over 10 weeks) were analyzed. The 10 AEP of every person were treated as a random sample. A multivariate pair comparison (single comparison between samples) on the basis of 12 variables (time points) showed only for 1 out of 36 sample pairs no significant differences between the sample averages. By applying the discriminant analysis false classifications resulted only for 7 out of the 90 AEP (approximately 8%). These facts mean, that even throughout the time of 10 weeks the intraindividual differences of the AEP--time behavior are significantly smaller than the interindividual ones.", "contents": "[Multivariate variability investigations of acoustically evoked slow potentials (AEP) (author's transl)]. By means of the multivariate variance analysis the ratio of intra- and interindividual variability of the AEP--time function was investigated. 90 AEP from 9 normal hearing persons (10 AEP from every person, averaging sessions spread over 10 weeks) were analyzed. The 10 AEP of every person were treated as a random sample. A multivariate pair comparison (single comparison between samples) on the basis of 12 variables (time points) showed only for 1 out of 36 sample pairs no significant differences between the sample averages. By applying the discriminant analysis false classifications resulted only for 7 out of the 90 AEP (approximately 8%). These facts mean, that even throughout the time of 10 weeks the intraindividual differences of the AEP--time behavior are significantly smaller than the interindividual ones.", "PMID": 625181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5930", "title": "[Teratoma in the maxillary sinus (author's transl)].", "content": "Report is made about a patient, with a malignant first sized teratoma of the nasillary sinus, which extended to the orbit. The tumor has been removed surgically one year before and the patient is free of symptoms.", "contents": "[Teratoma in the maxillary sinus (author's transl)]. Report is made about a patient, with a malignant first sized teratoma of the nasillary sinus, which extended to the orbit. The tumor has been removed surgically one year before and the patient is free of symptoms.", "PMID": 625182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5931", "title": "The psychodynamics of terrorism.", "content": "The authors propose a dynamic and social explanation for the 'malignant aggression' of the terrorist. No specific terrorist character is to be looked for. Rather, terrorism can occur whenever political conditions provide social legitimation for the acting out of deeply repressed hatred. The origins of this hatred lie in parental abuse, leading to murderous rage in the child, which must be deflected onto safer targets than the terrifying parent, such as the parent's enemies, or the authorities of one's country. Political terrorism therefore involves the exploitation of mental illness, connived at in turn by the international public through the media.", "contents": "The psychodynamics of terrorism. The authors propose a dynamic and social explanation for the 'malignant aggression' of the terrorist. No specific terrorist character is to be looked for. Rather, terrorism can occur whenever political conditions provide social legitimation for the acting out of deeply repressed hatred. The origins of this hatred lie in parental abuse, leading to murderous rage in the child, which must be deflected onto safer targets than the terrifying parent, such as the parent's enemies, or the authorities of one's country. Political terrorism therefore involves the exploitation of mental illness, connived at in turn by the international public through the media.", "PMID": 625232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5932", "title": "Some requisites of community residential practice models.", "content": "This paper seeks to ascertain the major requirements for practice models in community-based treatment programs. Particular concern is directed toward adaptation of current therapeutic models to community residential practice (foster homes, halfway houses, group homes). Standards for assessing the appropriateness of existing therapies for adaptation to practice in community programs are identified.", "contents": "Some requisites of community residential practice models. This paper seeks to ascertain the major requirements for practice models in community-based treatment programs. Particular concern is directed toward adaptation of current therapeutic models to community residential practice (foster homes, halfway houses, group homes). Standards for assessing the appropriateness of existing therapies for adaptation to practice in community programs are identified.", "PMID": 625233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5933", "title": "Child abuse in terms of a public health model.", "content": "A public health model for child abuse has been developed to assist in investigating and understanding the multiple factors in causation of the problem and in designing appropriate intervention strategies. The parents responsible for abuse of the child are viewed as the host, the physical and social setting in which the abuse occurred as the environment, and the child is seen as the agent. The vector is conceptualized as influences affecting relations between host and agent. Intervention strategies relate to identification of high-risk parents, high-risk environments and high-risk children, as well as development of non-specific approaches applicable to all three.", "contents": "Child abuse in terms of a public health model. A public health model for child abuse has been developed to assist in investigating and understanding the multiple factors in causation of the problem and in designing appropriate intervention strategies. The parents responsible for abuse of the child are viewed as the host, the physical and social setting in which the abuse occurred as the environment, and the child is seen as the agent. The vector is conceptualized as influences affecting relations between host and agent. Intervention strategies relate to identification of high-risk parents, high-risk environments and high-risk children, as well as development of non-specific approaches applicable to all three.", "PMID": 625234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5934", "title": "No speak much English: (or how I stopped worrying about the theory and began treating the indigent Greek).", "content": "A group comprising lower-class Greek immigrant patients with chronic psychiatric illness has been conducted for over three years. The barriers of language, culture and class have been overcome. An analysis of these barriers, as demonstrated in the group, is provided. Contentions about the effects of culture on psychopathology and treatment are discussed.", "contents": "No speak much English: (or how I stopped worrying about the theory and began treating the indigent Greek). A group comprising lower-class Greek immigrant patients with chronic psychiatric illness has been conducted for over three years. The barriers of language, culture and class have been overcome. An analysis of these barriers, as demonstrated in the group, is provided. Contentions about the effects of culture on psychopathology and treatment are discussed.", "PMID": 625235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5935", "title": "Culture, personality, and behavior: a field study in Jerusalem.", "content": "In the setting of Jerusalem's Eastern-Jewish immigrant communities, the author tests the hypothesis that non-Western societies have a theory of disease causation which is at variance with a Western model. What emerges from participant observation, informal interviews, and a formal questionnaire supports the hypothesis, reveals changing attitudes over time, and identifies a category of disease-causation which merits further investigation. These observations may be valuable in the identification of epidemiological aspects of disturbed behavior associated with supernatural beliefs.", "contents": "Culture, personality, and behavior: a field study in Jerusalem. In the setting of Jerusalem's Eastern-Jewish immigrant communities, the author tests the hypothesis that non-Western societies have a theory of disease causation which is at variance with a Western model. What emerges from participant observation, informal interviews, and a formal questionnaire supports the hypothesis, reveals changing attitudes over time, and identifies a category of disease-causation which merits further investigation. These observations may be valuable in the identification of epidemiological aspects of disturbed behavior associated with supernatural beliefs.", "PMID": 625236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5936", "title": "Teaching literature through creative drama--an aid in the development of 'balanced expression.", "content": "An experimental method using literature as a creative and acculturating instrument is described. Universal 'social models' are elicited from literature which are used in the learning process by students through their application to situations they personally experience. This assists in the expansion of their creativity and personal socio-cultural development.", "contents": "Teaching literature through creative drama--an aid in the development of 'balanced expression. An experimental method using literature as a creative and acculturating instrument is described. Universal 'social models' are elicited from literature which are used in the learning process by students through their application to situations they personally experience. This assists in the expansion of their creativity and personal socio-cultural development.", "PMID": 625237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5937", "title": "Suicide prevention in Great Britain.", "content": "An account is given of a unique, national suicide prevention movement. Random study of over 2,000 adults in 1975 showed a 92% level of knowledge and a highly favourable 'public image'. This supports the suggestion that the Samaritans have contributed significantly to the one-third suicide reduction in Britain since the movement was nationally organized.", "contents": "Suicide prevention in Great Britain. An account is given of a unique, national suicide prevention movement. Random study of over 2,000 adults in 1975 showed a 92% level of knowledge and a highly favourable 'public image'. This supports the suggestion that the Samaritans have contributed significantly to the one-third suicide reduction in Britain since the movement was nationally organized.", "PMID": 625238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5938", "title": "Nurses' rejection and acceptance of patients. A study of a chronic hemodialysis unit.", "content": "A questionnaire used to study the phenomenon of rejection of psychiatric patients by the staff was applied to the nurses of a chronic hemodialysis unit. The main findings of the present study are: (a) High emotional involvment of staff in patients. (b) The tendency to reject was much stronger when compared to the staff of the psychiatric unit. (c) The nurses' tendency to reject patients did not correlate to personality measures used in the study (ATDP and Rotter). (d) Although the amount of rejection varied between the nurses, there was a very definite team opinion about which patients are accepted and rejected. (3) Two factors seem to influence the acceptance/rejection of patients by the staff: patient's adjustment and patients' actual behaviour in the unit. It was suggested that the high involvement as well as high rejection found in the staff is one of the main sources of stress for the nurses. It was further suggested that some of the hostility is caused by frustration of nurses' expectations about patients' adjustment and behaviour.", "contents": "Nurses' rejection and acceptance of patients. A study of a chronic hemodialysis unit. A questionnaire used to study the phenomenon of rejection of psychiatric patients by the staff was applied to the nurses of a chronic hemodialysis unit. The main findings of the present study are: (a) High emotional involvment of staff in patients. (b) The tendency to reject was much stronger when compared to the staff of the psychiatric unit. (c) The nurses' tendency to reject patients did not correlate to personality measures used in the study (ATDP and Rotter). (d) Although the amount of rejection varied between the nurses, there was a very definite team opinion about which patients are accepted and rejected. (3) Two factors seem to influence the acceptance/rejection of patients by the staff: patient's adjustment and patients' actual behaviour in the unit. It was suggested that the high involvement as well as high rejection found in the staff is one of the main sources of stress for the nurses. It was further suggested that some of the hostility is caused by frustration of nurses' expectations about patients' adjustment and behaviour.", "PMID": 625240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5939", "title": "The dilemma of traditional childhood education in Africa, south of the Sahara.", "content": "This paper is based on the thesis that a community approach to childhood and child-rearing practices has serious implications for the mental rehabilitation of children born into such a community. Examining such traditional views of childhood and child-rearing practices in an African context, the writer emphasizes that social, religious, economic, and political contacts with Europeans and Arabs, particuarly since the nineteenth century, have radically altered the African Community's view of childhood and child-rearing practices. For instance, socio-educational problems that no one ever thought of in an African traditional perspective are on the increase: abandoned children, delinquent children, broken homes, child stealing, weakening of the mother-child bond, abortion, family planning, etc. These changes are happening to the dismay (not without protest) of Africans who are still guided by traditional African value systems. The paper concludes with the dilemma: How can the Africans advance with the rest of the world, economically, politically, educationally, and socially, and at the same time maintain and preserve their traditional value systems with minimum maladjustment to their mental health?", "contents": "The dilemma of traditional childhood education in Africa, south of the Sahara. This paper is based on the thesis that a community approach to childhood and child-rearing practices has serious implications for the mental rehabilitation of children born into such a community. Examining such traditional views of childhood and child-rearing practices in an African context, the writer emphasizes that social, religious, economic, and political contacts with Europeans and Arabs, particuarly since the nineteenth century, have radically altered the African Community's view of childhood and child-rearing practices. For instance, socio-educational problems that no one ever thought of in an African traditional perspective are on the increase: abandoned children, delinquent children, broken homes, child stealing, weakening of the mother-child bond, abortion, family planning, etc. These changes are happening to the dismay (not without protest) of Africans who are still guided by traditional African value systems. The paper concludes with the dilemma: How can the Africans advance with the rest of the world, economically, politically, educationally, and socially, and at the same time maintain and preserve their traditional value systems with minimum maladjustment to their mental health?", "PMID": 625241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5940", "title": "The optimum principle in community psychiatry.", "content": "In community psychiatry, just as in dynamic psychotherapy, aiming too high may be just as ineffective as setting too minimal goals. In this article, causes and effects of maximalistic and minimalistic attitudes in therapists, community workers and their patients are discussed. The optimum principle and the optimal preventive and therapeutic approaches are presented at a theoretical level. Three clinical examples, where therapeutic techniques based on the optimum principle were applied, are described in detail.", "contents": "The optimum principle in community psychiatry. In community psychiatry, just as in dynamic psychotherapy, aiming too high may be just as ineffective as setting too minimal goals. In this article, causes and effects of maximalistic and minimalistic attitudes in therapists, community workers and their patients are discussed. The optimum principle and the optimal preventive and therapeutic approaches are presented at a theoretical level. Three clinical examples, where therapeutic techniques based on the optimum principle were applied, are described in detail.", "PMID": 625243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5941", "title": "Student-constructed examination items.", "content": "Student-written items were compared with teacher-written items on an objective examination given to first year medical students. While student scores were higher on the student-written items than on teacher-written items, there was a positive correlation between the scores. Student items did not differ from teacher items in the course, according to student ratings of emphasis. As a by-product of this study, correlations were found which suggest that student scores on an item often reflect the degree of teaching emphasis given the content area of the item rather than the inherent difficulty of the content. It is suggested that further research is needed to determine whether students learn through the process of writing examination items. Therefore, if the process proves to be educational, this study indicates that it will be feasible to incorporate the student-constructed items in examinations.", "contents": "Student-constructed examination items. Student-written items were compared with teacher-written items on an objective examination given to first year medical students. While student scores were higher on the student-written items than on teacher-written items, there was a positive correlation between the scores. Student items did not differ from teacher items in the course, according to student ratings of emphasis. As a by-product of this study, correlations were found which suggest that student scores on an item often reflect the degree of teaching emphasis given the content area of the item rather than the inherent difficulty of the content. It is suggested that further research is needed to determine whether students learn through the process of writing examination items. Therefore, if the process proves to be educational, this study indicates that it will be feasible to incorporate the student-constructed items in examinations.", "PMID": 625251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5942", "title": "The continual assessment of medical students.", "content": "At the new Medical Faculty at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (East Africa) a number of innovations were instituted. The most significant was continual assessment of students. During the first 3 years of the course, results of weekly testing may comprise three-fourths of each student's assessment. Later they are assessed on each rotation and clerkship; and these must be completed satisfactorily before Final Examinations are taken. These assessments never contribute less than one-half of the final results. Failures were reduced from 10 to 2% with no reduction in standards or performance levels. The method utilizes Reinforcement Theory techniques; specifically referred to are schedules of testing, grades as reinforcers, and frequent feed-back for students, self-shaping of study strategies and for constant surveilance of its teaching by the Faculty.", "contents": "The continual assessment of medical students. At the new Medical Faculty at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (East Africa) a number of innovations were instituted. The most significant was continual assessment of students. During the first 3 years of the course, results of weekly testing may comprise three-fourths of each student's assessment. Later they are assessed on each rotation and clerkship; and these must be completed satisfactorily before Final Examinations are taken. These assessments never contribute less than one-half of the final results. Failures were reduced from 10 to 2% with no reduction in standards or performance levels. The method utilizes Reinforcement Theory techniques; specifically referred to are schedules of testing, grades as reinforcers, and frequent feed-back for students, self-shaping of study strategies and for constant surveilance of its teaching by the Faculty.", "PMID": 625252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5943", "title": "An evaluation of a course for undergraduate teaching of general practice.", "content": "This paper presents an evaluation of the undergraudate fifth year course of teaching in general practice in the Queen's University, Belfast. Two Modified Essay Question papers were randomly selected from those used for some years past in the Department of General Practice, as learning aids and class tests. These were administered to twelve randomly selected groups of students before and after completion of a five week course of teaching. Results show that the composite mean MEQ scores doubled between pre- and post-course tests. The correlation coefficients tabulated do not indicate that the marked improvement in mean scores before and after the course in general practice was influenced to any extent by knowledge acquired in other disciplines. The overall findings clearly establish the value of small group clinical teaching of general practice based on a problem orientated approach to learning. They suggest that the intellectual skills and attitudes required in the 'holistic' approach to problem solving in general practice may differ in some ways from the skills required in specialized areas of medicine. The evaltion justifies the time spent on clarifying the undergraudate educational objectives.", "contents": "An evaluation of a course for undergraduate teaching of general practice. This paper presents an evaluation of the undergraudate fifth year course of teaching in general practice in the Queen's University, Belfast. Two Modified Essay Question papers were randomly selected from those used for some years past in the Department of General Practice, as learning aids and class tests. These were administered to twelve randomly selected groups of students before and after completion of a five week course of teaching. Results show that the composite mean MEQ scores doubled between pre- and post-course tests. The correlation coefficients tabulated do not indicate that the marked improvement in mean scores before and after the course in general practice was influenced to any extent by knowledge acquired in other disciplines. The overall findings clearly establish the value of small group clinical teaching of general practice based on a problem orientated approach to learning. They suggest that the intellectual skills and attitudes required in the 'holistic' approach to problem solving in general practice may differ in some ways from the skills required in specialized areas of medicine. The evaltion justifies the time spent on clarifying the undergraudate educational objectives.", "PMID": 625253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5944", "title": "Verbal communication in medical instruction.", "content": "Thirteen teachers lecturing to first and second year students at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry were studied. The investigation was designed to identify aspects of teaching, through the use of:(1) questionnaires to students; (2) questionnaires to the teachers; and (3) by means of a classroom interaction analysis instrument, the Sequential Analysis of Verbal Interaction (SAVI). The findings showed that few among possible categories of expression were used in lectures. The categories most frequently recorded were Description, Opinion, and Proposal. Two teachers were identified as expressing more Opinion than the others, and two other teachers were similarly identified as having a more descriptive style than the others. Both teachers who were found to use Opinion often were for the most part regarded by the students as being less effective. One teacher who was found to use Description most often was one of the best regarded teachers.", "contents": "Verbal communication in medical instruction. Thirteen teachers lecturing to first and second year students at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry were studied. The investigation was designed to identify aspects of teaching, through the use of:(1) questionnaires to students; (2) questionnaires to the teachers; and (3) by means of a classroom interaction analysis instrument, the Sequential Analysis of Verbal Interaction (SAVI). The findings showed that few among possible categories of expression were used in lectures. The categories most frequently recorded were Description, Opinion, and Proposal. Two teachers were identified as expressing more Opinion than the others, and two other teachers were similarly identified as having a more descriptive style than the others. Both teachers who were found to use Opinion often were for the most part regarded by the students as being less effective. One teacher who was found to use Description most often was one of the best regarded teachers.", "PMID": 625255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5945", "title": "Effective combination chemotherapy of adult malignant histiocytosis (histiocytic medullary reticulosis).", "content": "Adult malignant histiocytosis, also known as histiocytic medullary reticulosis, has been, in the past, considered a very aggressive disorder usually resistant to chemotherapy. Management in the past has included either single agent therapy or splenectomy. Recently, several cases have been reported that have responded favorably to combination chemotherapy. This paper reports on our experience with combination chemotherapy for this disorder. Of three patients treated, all three responded with a complete remission and two remain alive and free of disease at the present time. The outlook for patients with this diagnosis appears to be changing favorably with the advent of new treatment regimens.", "contents": "Effective combination chemotherapy of adult malignant histiocytosis (histiocytic medullary reticulosis). Adult malignant histiocytosis, also known as histiocytic medullary reticulosis, has been, in the past, considered a very aggressive disorder usually resistant to chemotherapy. Management in the past has included either single agent therapy or splenectomy. Recently, several cases have been reported that have responded favorably to combination chemotherapy. This paper reports on our experience with combination chemotherapy for this disorder. Of three patients treated, all three responded with a complete remission and two remain alive and free of disease at the present time. The outlook for patients with this diagnosis appears to be changing favorably with the advent of new treatment regimens.", "PMID": 625260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5946", "title": "Optic neuroretinitis in association with BCNU and procarbazine therapy.", "content": "A 53-year-old man with multiple myeloma and plasma cell luekemia developed severe, acute bilateral optic neuroretinitis 8 days after chemotherapy with BCNU, procarbazine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisolone. He showed some return of function over the following 6 weeks before his death. Both BCNU and procarbazine are known to cross the blood--brain barrier. Procarbazine is known to interfere with neurological function. BCNU has been reported to transiently interfere with vision and, although this patient had highly morbid disease, the onset of optic neuroretinitis 8 days after combination therapy with these 2 drugs raises the possibility that one or both in combination may have been the cause of the optic neuropathy.", "contents": "Optic neuroretinitis in association with BCNU and procarbazine therapy. A 53-year-old man with multiple myeloma and plasma cell luekemia developed severe, acute bilateral optic neuroretinitis 8 days after chemotherapy with BCNU, procarbazine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisolone. He showed some return of function over the following 6 weeks before his death. Both BCNU and procarbazine are known to cross the blood--brain barrier. Procarbazine is known to interfere with neurological function. BCNU has been reported to transiently interfere with vision and, although this patient had highly morbid disease, the onset of optic neuroretinitis 8 days after combination therapy with these 2 drugs raises the possibility that one or both in combination may have been the cause of the optic neuropathy.", "PMID": 625262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5947", "title": "Calcinosis in nonparathyroid malignant disease: an unusual case report and clinicopathologic review of 17 cases.", "content": "An unusual finding of systemic calcinosis in a patient with a nonparathyroid malignant neoplasm stimulated us to do a sclinicopathologic review of similar cases at our institution in the past seven years. Of 3,268 autopsies performed from 1968 to 1975, a total of 17 cases of calcinosis were found, 11 with solid tumors and 6 with hematopoietic neoplasms. Calcinosis was most prominent in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach and was rarely discovered prior to death. Eighty-two percent of the patients had hypercalcemia and 53% had associated bony metastatic disease. Corticosteroid or phosphate treatment for the hypercalcemia may have contributed to the tissue deposition of calcium. Significant hepatic, renal, metabolic, and pulmonary dysfunctions were also associated with this disorder. Thirty-six percent of the patients had hypercalcemia without skeletal involvement; tumor-produced parathormone-like substances may be responsible for these calcium abnormalities. Calcinosis was a significant complication of neoplastic disease in these patients and contributed to morbidity and mortality.", "contents": "Calcinosis in nonparathyroid malignant disease: an unusual case report and clinicopathologic review of 17 cases. An unusual finding of systemic calcinosis in a patient with a nonparathyroid malignant neoplasm stimulated us to do a sclinicopathologic review of similar cases at our institution in the past seven years. Of 3,268 autopsies performed from 1968 to 1975, a total of 17 cases of calcinosis were found, 11 with solid tumors and 6 with hematopoietic neoplasms. Calcinosis was most prominent in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach and was rarely discovered prior to death. Eighty-two percent of the patients had hypercalcemia and 53% had associated bony metastatic disease. Corticosteroid or phosphate treatment for the hypercalcemia may have contributed to the tissue deposition of calcium. Significant hepatic, renal, metabolic, and pulmonary dysfunctions were also associated with this disorder. Thirty-six percent of the patients had hypercalcemia without skeletal involvement; tumor-produced parathormone-like substances may be responsible for these calcium abnormalities. Calcinosis was a significant complication of neoplastic disease in these patients and contributed to morbidity and mortality.", "PMID": 625263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5948", "title": "Lymphocyte function related to survival curves in patients with metastatic melanoma treated by chemoimmunotherapy.", "content": "Thirty-eight patients with metastatic melanoma were evaluated immunologically prior to chemoimmunotherapy. The assays used included recall antigen skin hypersensitivity; lymphocyte count; nonspecific T, non-T, and K cell lymphocytotoxicity; and T and B cell rosette enumeration. Survival curves were computed for each of four ranges of values of a given immunologic test. The higher ranges of positive skin tests, lymphocyte count, cytotoxicity, and T and B subpopulation numbers were consistently associated with the longer survivals. The differences reached statistical significance for non-T cell cytotoxicity and B and T cell peripheral blood counts. Pretreatment immune reactivity, particularly that involvingg non-T cell function, appears related to length of survival.", "contents": "Lymphocyte function related to survival curves in patients with metastatic melanoma treated by chemoimmunotherapy. Thirty-eight patients with metastatic melanoma were evaluated immunologically prior to chemoimmunotherapy. The assays used included recall antigen skin hypersensitivity; lymphocyte count; nonspecific T, non-T, and K cell lymphocytotoxicity; and T and B cell rosette enumeration. Survival curves were computed for each of four ranges of values of a given immunologic test. The higher ranges of positive skin tests, lymphocyte count, cytotoxicity, and T and B subpopulation numbers were consistently associated with the longer survivals. The differences reached statistical significance for non-T cell cytotoxicity and B and T cell peripheral blood counts. Pretreatment immune reactivity, particularly that involvingg non-T cell function, appears related to length of survival.", "PMID": 625264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5949", "title": "A summer camp for children with cancer.", "content": "The prognosis for children with cancer has changed significantly over the past 10 years. Currently, it is anticipated that cure can be achieved in approximately 50% of newly diagnosed cases of childhood cancer. The quality of life for these children depends not only on their medical treatment but also on the successful management of the psychological problems related to their diagnosis. A summer camp was established in Florida as a part of our psychosocial rehabilitation program for pediatric cancer patients. Participating in the day-to-day camp life were 26 children with various forms of cancer. Each child not only had the opportunity to enjoy a normal out-of-door life style, away from their overprotective parents, but experienced daily contact with other children who shared a similarly stressful existence. It is felt the awareness gained through the realization that they were not along in their plight and the independence instilled through separation from parents was beneficial to each child. It is anticipated that future camps with the inclusion of psychological testing will provide us with the opportunity to further assess the need for psychosocial rehabilitation for the child with cancer.", "contents": "A summer camp for children with cancer. The prognosis for children with cancer has changed significantly over the past 10 years. Currently, it is anticipated that cure can be achieved in approximately 50% of newly diagnosed cases of childhood cancer. The quality of life for these children depends not only on their medical treatment but also on the successful management of the psychological problems related to their diagnosis. A summer camp was established in Florida as a part of our psychosocial rehabilitation program for pediatric cancer patients. Participating in the day-to-day camp life were 26 children with various forms of cancer. Each child not only had the opportunity to enjoy a normal out-of-door life style, away from their overprotective parents, but experienced daily contact with other children who shared a similarly stressful existence. It is felt the awareness gained through the realization that they were not along in their plight and the independence instilled through separation from parents was beneficial to each child. It is anticipated that future camps with the inclusion of psychological testing will provide us with the opportunity to further assess the need for psychosocial rehabilitation for the child with cancer.", "PMID": 625265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5950", "title": "A preliminary study of cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271), adriamycin (NSC-123127), imidazole carboxamide (NSC-45388), and actinomycin D (NSC-3053) with or without MER-BCG in patients with advanced sarcomas.", "content": "Polychemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas has been reported to produce response rates ranging from 24--60% (1, 2). Immunotherapy has reportedly prolonged survival after surgery for some tumors and enhanced the effectiveness of chemotherapy (3, 4). This report summarizes our preliminary experience with the combination of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, imidazole carboxamide (DTIC), and actinomycin D (CAIA) with or without methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER) in patients with advanced sarcomas.", "contents": "A preliminary study of cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271), adriamycin (NSC-123127), imidazole carboxamide (NSC-45388), and actinomycin D (NSC-3053) with or without MER-BCG in patients with advanced sarcomas. Polychemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas has been reported to produce response rates ranging from 24--60% (1, 2). Immunotherapy has reportedly prolonged survival after surgery for some tumors and enhanced the effectiveness of chemotherapy (3, 4). This report summarizes our preliminary experience with the combination of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, imidazole carboxamide (DTIC), and actinomycin D (CAIA) with or without methanol extraction residue of BCG (MER) in patients with advanced sarcomas.", "PMID": 625266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5951", "title": "[Renal cell carcinoma in childhood. Case report and review of the literature (author's transl)].", "content": "14 year old patient suffering from a renal cell carcinoma was treated by surgery and irradiation. 1 1/1 years after diagnosis he developed multiple metastases in the brain, skin, bones, and in regional lymph nodes. Cyclophosphamid and vincristin did not reduce the metastases. The literature is reviewed with regard to symptoms, diagnostic procedures, therapy, and prognosis of hypernephrome in childhood.", "contents": "[Renal cell carcinoma in childhood. Case report and review of the literature (author's transl)]. 14 year old patient suffering from a renal cell carcinoma was treated by surgery and irradiation. 1 1/1 years after diagnosis he developed multiple metastases in the brain, skin, bones, and in regional lymph nodes. Cyclophosphamid and vincristin did not reduce the metastases. The literature is reviewed with regard to symptoms, diagnostic procedures, therapy, and prognosis of hypernephrome in childhood.", "PMID": 625295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5952", "title": "[Thrombo-embolic occlusion disease of the aorta ascendens in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "Three days after delivery a healthy looking newborn with a hypoplastic left heart syndrome died within 15 min due to a thrombosis in the radix aortae. The thrombus had closed the coronary arteries like a valve causing sudden death by infarction.", "contents": "[Thrombo-embolic occlusion disease of the aorta ascendens in a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (author's transl)]. Three days after delivery a healthy looking newborn with a hypoplastic left heart syndrome died within 15 min due to a thrombosis in the radix aortae. The thrombus had closed the coronary arteries like a valve causing sudden death by infarction.", "PMID": 625296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5953", "title": "[On additional food for young infants on commercially prepared milk formulae before the age of four months (author's transl)].", "content": "Infants often get extra food (\"Beikost\") in addition to their milk formula at an earlier time than recommended in text-books of pediatrics. The dangers connected with such feeding practices, i.e. insufficient protein and calcium supply and an overnutrition with carbohydrates, are pointed out. Gluten sensibilisation as a result of early feeding with milk-pap, the high content of sugar in fruit preparations, the addition of salt and the nitrate content of vegetables are discussed. A better label of the composition for industrially prepared \"Beikost\" is recommended. There exists no nutritional or psychological reason to start with \"Beikost\" before the 4th month of life for infants fed on industrially prepared milk formulae with added vitamines and minerals.", "contents": "[On additional food for young infants on commercially prepared milk formulae before the age of four months (author's transl)]. Infants often get extra food (\"Beikost\") in addition to their milk formula at an earlier time than recommended in text-books of pediatrics. The dangers connected with such feeding practices, i.e. insufficient protein and calcium supply and an overnutrition with carbohydrates, are pointed out. Gluten sensibilisation as a result of early feeding with milk-pap, the high content of sugar in fruit preparations, the addition of salt and the nitrate content of vegetables are discussed. A better label of the composition for industrially prepared \"Beikost\" is recommended. There exists no nutritional or psychological reason to start with \"Beikost\" before the 4th month of life for infants fed on industrially prepared milk formulae with added vitamines and minerals.", "PMID": 625297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5954", "title": "Effects of mitomycin C on sister chromatid exchange in normal and Bloom's syndrome cells.", "content": "Bloom's syndrome lymphocytes, which are characterized by a high incidence of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE: 80.6 per cell), were treated with mitomycin C (MMC) and the effect of the chemical on SCE frequency compared with that in normal cells. Raising the concentration of MMC from 1 X 10(-9) to 1 X 10(-7) g/ml led to about 10-fold increase (61.7 SCE per cell) in the SCE frequency over the base line in normal lymphocytes (6.4 SCE per cell), though chromosome aberrations remained at a relatively low frequency. MMC caused about a two-fold rise in SCE in cells of Bloom's syndrome (128.8 SCE at 10(-9) g/ml; 139.3 SCE at 10(-8) g/ml). The frequency of chromosome aberrations in Bloom's syndrome cells at concentrations of MMC of 1 X 10(-9) and 1 X 10(-8) g/ml was 0.350 and 0.825 per cell, respectively, and low when compared to the increased number of SCE. The increased frequency of SCE in normal and Bloom's syndrome cells is in contrast to the reported findings with cells from Fanconi's anemia and xeroderma pigmentosum. The distribution of SCE in MMC-treated normal cell correlates with that of spontaneous SCE in cells of Bloom's syndrome.", "contents": "Effects of mitomycin C on sister chromatid exchange in normal and Bloom's syndrome cells. Bloom's syndrome lymphocytes, which are characterized by a high incidence of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE: 80.6 per cell), were treated with mitomycin C (MMC) and the effect of the chemical on SCE frequency compared with that in normal cells. Raising the concentration of MMC from 1 X 10(-9) to 1 X 10(-7) g/ml led to about 10-fold increase (61.7 SCE per cell) in the SCE frequency over the base line in normal lymphocytes (6.4 SCE per cell), though chromosome aberrations remained at a relatively low frequency. MMC caused about a two-fold rise in SCE in cells of Bloom's syndrome (128.8 SCE at 10(-9) g/ml; 139.3 SCE at 10(-8) g/ml). The frequency of chromosome aberrations in Bloom's syndrome cells at concentrations of MMC of 1 X 10(-9) and 1 X 10(-8) g/ml was 0.350 and 0.825 per cell, respectively, and low when compared to the increased number of SCE. The increased frequency of SCE in normal and Bloom's syndrome cells is in contrast to the reported findings with cells from Fanconi's anemia and xeroderma pigmentosum. The distribution of SCE in MMC-treated normal cell correlates with that of spontaneous SCE in cells of Bloom's syndrome.", "PMID": 625300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5955", "title": "Quantification of chemical mutagenesis in diploid human fibroblasts: induction of azaguanine-resistant mutants by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.", "content": "The toxic and mutagenic effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on cultured diploid human fibroblasts were studied. When 10(5) cells per 60 mm dish were exposed to MNNG for 4 h in Ham's medium F10 containing 0.02 M HEPES buffer at pH 6.8, MNNG concentrations of less than 1 X 10(-6) M resulted in cell survivals near 100%, while the average survival was less than one percent at concentrations greater than 5 X 10(-6) M. After treatment with MNNG, cells were subjected to selection using optimal conditions for the detection of diploid human fibroblasts that are resistant to the guanine-analogs AG and TG because they contain altered or deficient HPRT. The induced mutant frequency was maximized by allowing a 5 to 7 day post-treatment interval for the expression of the mutant phenotype and by replating the cells at the beginning of selection at a population density of less than 450 cells per cm2. Careful attention was given to counting statistically adequate numbers of mutants and to accurately determining cell survival and replating cloning efficiencies. Independent dose-response experiments gave induced mutant frequencies as high as 7.0 X 10(-4) to 8.8 X 10(-4) mutants per viable cell at about 5% survival, compared to a spontaneous mutation rate of 3.7 X 10(-6) to 7.2 X 10(-6) mutants per cell generation. The AGr mutants observed after treatment with MNNG were phenotypically stable and closely resembled prototype AGr cultures derived from humans who have inherited mutant X-chromosomal alleles for HPRT.", "contents": "Quantification of chemical mutagenesis in diploid human fibroblasts: induction of azaguanine-resistant mutants by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The toxic and mutagenic effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) on cultured diploid human fibroblasts were studied. When 10(5) cells per 60 mm dish were exposed to MNNG for 4 h in Ham's medium F10 containing 0.02 M HEPES buffer at pH 6.8, MNNG concentrations of less than 1 X 10(-6) M resulted in cell survivals near 100%, while the average survival was less than one percent at concentrations greater than 5 X 10(-6) M. After treatment with MNNG, cells were subjected to selection using optimal conditions for the detection of diploid human fibroblasts that are resistant to the guanine-analogs AG and TG because they contain altered or deficient HPRT. The induced mutant frequency was maximized by allowing a 5 to 7 day post-treatment interval for the expression of the mutant phenotype and by replating the cells at the beginning of selection at a population density of less than 450 cells per cm2. Careful attention was given to counting statistically adequate numbers of mutants and to accurately determining cell survival and replating cloning efficiencies. Independent dose-response experiments gave induced mutant frequencies as high as 7.0 X 10(-4) to 8.8 X 10(-4) mutants per viable cell at about 5% survival, compared to a spontaneous mutation rate of 3.7 X 10(-6) to 7.2 X 10(-6) mutants per cell generation. The AGr mutants observed after treatment with MNNG were phenotypically stable and closely resembled prototype AGr cultures derived from humans who have inherited mutant X-chromosomal alleles for HPRT.", "PMID": 625304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5956", "title": "Cytogenetic effects of myleran in vivo on bone-marrow cells from male mice.", "content": "The cytogenetic effects of Myleran were examined in bone-marrow cells from male mice. To study the dose--response relationship the male mice were injected with 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg of Myleran/kg. Bone-marrow samples were prepared 24 h later. The time response was investigated by examining bone-marrow samples 1, 2, 4 or 10 days after i.p. injection of 40 mg of Myleran. Most of the structural aberrations were of the chromatid type and the dose--response relationship was linear. The chromatid and chromosomal aberrations were maximal at 2 days and decreased sharply after longer intervals of time.", "contents": "Cytogenetic effects of myleran in vivo on bone-marrow cells from male mice. The cytogenetic effects of Myleran were examined in bone-marrow cells from male mice. To study the dose--response relationship the male mice were injected with 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg of Myleran/kg. Bone-marrow samples were prepared 24 h later. The time response was investigated by examining bone-marrow samples 1, 2, 4 or 10 days after i.p. injection of 40 mg of Myleran. Most of the structural aberrations were of the chromatid type and the dose--response relationship was linear. The chromatid and chromosomal aberrations were maximal at 2 days and decreased sharply after longer intervals of time.", "PMID": 625305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5957", "title": "Induction of dominant-lethal mutations after administration of ethylenethiourea in combination with nitrite of the n-nitroso-ethylenethiourea in mice.", "content": "Mutagenic potentials of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in combination with sodium nitrite or of N-nitroso-ETU, a nitrosation product of ETU in vitro, were investigated in the mouse dominant-lethal test. Simultaneous 5-day p.o. administration of ETU (150 mg/kg) and sodium nitrite (50 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in the percentage pregnancy and the number of implants in weeks 5 and 6 of testing, although no effects were obtained on these indices when the chemicals were applied separately. However, in the group treated with 30 mg ETU plus 10 mg sodium nitrite per kg no dominant-lethal mutations were induced. 5-day oral administration of 100 mg of N-nitroso-ETU per kg also exhibited similar effects to those observed after treatment with 150 mg ETU plus 50 mg sodium nitrite per kg.", "contents": "Induction of dominant-lethal mutations after administration of ethylenethiourea in combination with nitrite of the n-nitroso-ethylenethiourea in mice. Mutagenic potentials of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in combination with sodium nitrite or of N-nitroso-ETU, a nitrosation product of ETU in vitro, were investigated in the mouse dominant-lethal test. Simultaneous 5-day p.o. administration of ETU (150 mg/kg) and sodium nitrite (50 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in the percentage pregnancy and the number of implants in weeks 5 and 6 of testing, although no effects were obtained on these indices when the chemicals were applied separately. However, in the group treated with 30 mg ETU plus 10 mg sodium nitrite per kg no dominant-lethal mutations were induced. 5-day oral administration of 100 mg of N-nitroso-ETU per kg also exhibited similar effects to those observed after treatment with 150 mg ETU plus 50 mg sodium nitrite per kg.", "PMID": 625306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5958", "title": "Hypoventilation in obstructive lung disease. The role of familial factors.", "content": "To determine the role of familial factors in the hypoventilation of chronic obstructive lung disease we measured chemical drives to breathe in normal offspring of two groups of patients with an equal degree of obstruction. One group of five patients had repeatedly normal arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), whereas PaCO2's were elevated in the other group of six. Two adult offspring of each patient were studied. Drives were measured as the ventilatory response to isocapnic hypoxia, and the slopes of the ventilation/PCO2 relation (the hypercapnic ventilatory response). The mean response to isocapnic hypoxia was lower (P less than 0.01) in offspring of patients with high PaCO2's than in the offspring of patients with normal levels (71 +/- 7.8 [S.E.M.] vs. 113 +/- 10.3); one offspring of each patient with high PaCO2 had a response below the range found in offspring of all patients with normal PaCO2. Lower hypercapnic ventilatory responses (P less than 0.05) were also found in the offspring of patients with high PaCO2. Familial factors in the control of breathing may be an important determinant of ventilation in chronic obstructive lung disease.", "contents": "Hypoventilation in obstructive lung disease. The role of familial factors. To determine the role of familial factors in the hypoventilation of chronic obstructive lung disease we measured chemical drives to breathe in normal offspring of two groups of patients with an equal degree of obstruction. One group of five patients had repeatedly normal arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), whereas PaCO2's were elevated in the other group of six. Two adult offspring of each patient were studied. Drives were measured as the ventilatory response to isocapnic hypoxia, and the slopes of the ventilation/PCO2 relation (the hypercapnic ventilatory response). The mean response to isocapnic hypoxia was lower (P less than 0.01) in offspring of patients with high PaCO2's than in the offspring of patients with normal levels (71 +/- 7.8 [S.E.M.] vs. 113 +/- 10.3); one offspring of each patient with high PaCO2 had a response below the range found in offspring of all patients with normal PaCO2. Lower hypercapnic ventilatory responses (P less than 0.05) were also found in the offspring of patients with high PaCO2. Familial factors in the control of breathing may be an important determinant of ventilation in chronic obstructive lung disease.", "PMID": 625307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5959", "title": "Metabolic effects of dichloroacetate in patients with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipoproteinemia.", "content": "Dichloroacetate is known to reduce plasma glucose and triglycerides in diabetic and starved animals and to lower plasma lactate under various experimental conditions. To investigate its metabolic effects in man, we administered oral doses (3 to 4 g) of dichloroacetate as the sodium salt to patients with diabetes mellitus or hyperlipoproteinemia or both for six to seven days. Dichloroacetate significantly reduced fasting hyperglycemia an average of 24 per cent (P less than 0.01) from base line and produced marked, concomitant falls in plasma lactate (73 per cent; P less than 0.05 to less than 0.01) and alanine (82 per cent; P less than 0.01 to less than 0.001). In addition, it significantly decreased plasma cholesterol (22 per cent; P less than 0.01 to less than 0.001) and triglyceride (61 per cent; P less than 0.01) levels while increasing (71 per cent; P less than 0.01) plasma ketone-body concentrations. Plasma insulin, free fatty acid and glycerol levels were not affected. Serum uric acid rose, whereas excretion and renal clearance fell. Some patients experienced mild sedation, but no other laboratory or clinical evidence of adverse effects was noted during or immediately after the treatment phase.", "contents": "Metabolic effects of dichloroacetate in patients with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipoproteinemia. Dichloroacetate is known to reduce plasma glucose and triglycerides in diabetic and starved animals and to lower plasma lactate under various experimental conditions. To investigate its metabolic effects in man, we administered oral doses (3 to 4 g) of dichloroacetate as the sodium salt to patients with diabetes mellitus or hyperlipoproteinemia or both for six to seven days. Dichloroacetate significantly reduced fasting hyperglycemia an average of 24 per cent (P less than 0.01) from base line and produced marked, concomitant falls in plasma lactate (73 per cent; P less than 0.05 to less than 0.01) and alanine (82 per cent; P less than 0.01 to less than 0.001). In addition, it significantly decreased plasma cholesterol (22 per cent; P less than 0.01 to less than 0.001) and triglyceride (61 per cent; P less than 0.01) levels while increasing (71 per cent; P less than 0.01) plasma ketone-body concentrations. Plasma insulin, free fatty acid and glycerol levels were not affected. Serum uric acid rose, whereas excretion and renal clearance fell. Some patients experienced mild sedation, but no other laboratory or clinical evidence of adverse effects was noted during or immediately after the treatment phase.", "PMID": 625308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5960", "title": "Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis due to toxin-producing clostridia.", "content": "A substance producing cytotoxicity in tissue culture was detected in stool specimens from all of four patients with pseudomembranous colitis due to antibiotics and in one of 54 with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These stools also caused enterocolitis when injected intracecally into hamsters. On each occasion, cytotoxicity in tissue culture and enterocolitis in hamsters were neutralized by pretreatment with gas-gangrene antitoxin. The toxicity in both tissue cultures and hamsters could be reproduced with broth cultures of clostridia strains isolated from four of the five stools. These results suggest that toxin-producing clostridia are responsible for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.", "contents": "Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis due to toxin-producing clostridia. A substance producing cytotoxicity in tissue culture was detected in stool specimens from all of four patients with pseudomembranous colitis due to antibiotics and in one of 54 with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These stools also caused enterocolitis when injected intracecally into hamsters. On each occasion, cytotoxicity in tissue culture and enterocolitis in hamsters were neutralized by pretreatment with gas-gangrene antitoxin. The toxicity in both tissue cultures and hamsters could be reproduced with broth cultures of clostridia strains isolated from four of the five stools. These results suggest that toxin-producing clostridia are responsible for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.", "PMID": 625309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5961", "title": "Direct comparison of theoretical and experimental melting profiles for RF II phiX174 DNA.", "content": "The determination by Sanger et al. of the comple nucleotide sequence for phiX174 DNA has made it possible for the first time to compare directly theoretical and experimental DNA melting profiles. The comparison shows that the theory predicts the observed shape of the differential melting curve surprisingly well. Calculation of the denaturation maps allows the peaks on the curve to be correlated with cooperative melting out of concrete regions on the sequence of nucleotides.", "contents": "Direct comparison of theoretical and experimental melting profiles for RF II phiX174 DNA. The determination by Sanger et al. of the comple nucleotide sequence for phiX174 DNA has made it possible for the first time to compare directly theoretical and experimental DNA melting profiles. The comparison shows that the theory predicts the observed shape of the differential melting curve surprisingly well. Calculation of the denaturation maps allows the peaks on the curve to be correlated with cooperative melting out of concrete regions on the sequence of nucleotides.", "PMID": 625323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5962", "title": "Structure of pyruvate kinase and similarities with other enzymes: possible implications for protein taxonomy and evolution.", "content": "The structure determination of pyruvate kinase shows that each subunit of the tetrameric molecule consists of three domains. The largest of these domains has a remarkable similarity to the structure of triosephosphate isomerase. Another domain shows similarities to many other nucleotide binding proteins. We discuss these similarities and their implications for current arguments on protein taxonomy and evolution.", "contents": "Structure of pyruvate kinase and similarities with other enzymes: possible implications for protein taxonomy and evolution. The structure determination of pyruvate kinase shows that each subunit of the tetrameric molecule consists of three domains. The largest of these domains has a remarkable similarity to the structure of triosephosphate isomerase. Another domain shows similarities to many other nucleotide binding proteins. We discuss these similarities and their implications for current arguments on protein taxonomy and evolution.", "PMID": 625331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5963", "title": "Novel cell cycle control of RNA synthesis in yeast.", "content": "During the fission yeast cell cycle, the rate of polyadenylated messenger RNA synthesis doubles when the cell reaches a critical size. This size-related control maintains average mRNA content in balance with total cell mass during exponential growth, even in cells growing at different absolute growth rates per cell.", "contents": "Novel cell cycle control of RNA synthesis in yeast. During the fission yeast cell cycle, the rate of polyadenylated messenger RNA synthesis doubles when the cell reaches a critical size. This size-related control maintains average mRNA content in balance with total cell mass during exponential growth, even in cells growing at different absolute growth rates per cell.", "PMID": 625340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5964", "title": "[Physiopathology of celiac-mesenteric insufficiency].", "content": "The discrepancy between the high incidence of coeliac-mesenteric impairment at necropsy and its low frequency diagnosis intra vitam is stressed and brief mention made of the anastomotic ways which link the coeliac and mesenteric systems. These are useful not only for understanding certain pathological situations in which anatomic damage is not followed by clear-cut clinical phenomenology but also for explain in the ischaemic forms favoured by congenital alteration in such anastomotic systems. After analysing experimental contributions in the literature, the physiopathological aspects of the various forms of acute and chronic coeliac-mesenteric insufficiency are discussed.", "contents": "[Physiopathology of celiac-mesenteric insufficiency]. The discrepancy between the high incidence of coeliac-mesenteric impairment at necropsy and its low frequency diagnosis intra vitam is stressed and brief mention made of the anastomotic ways which link the coeliac and mesenteric systems. These are useful not only for understanding certain pathological situations in which anatomic damage is not followed by clear-cut clinical phenomenology but also for explain in the ischaemic forms favoured by congenital alteration in such anastomotic systems. After analysing experimental contributions in the literature, the physiopathological aspects of the various forms of acute and chronic coeliac-mesenteric insufficiency are discussed.", "PMID": 625373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5965", "title": "[Clinical aspects and medical therapy of celiac-mesenteric vascular insufficiency].", "content": "A distinction is drawn between coeliac-mesenteric occlusion in intestinal infarct, vascular insufficiency, and fully compensated occlusion. The clinical picture of the first is that of acute abdomen with serious circulatory shock syndrome, whereas chronic insufficiency is marked by episodic pain triggered by eating, effort, drugs, etc., canalisation disturbances, meteorism, constipation or diarrhoea, intestinal stenosis, wasting and malabsorption. Their medical management and its principles, possibilities and limits are discussed.", "contents": "[Clinical aspects and medical therapy of celiac-mesenteric vascular insufficiency]. A distinction is drawn between coeliac-mesenteric occlusion in intestinal infarct, vascular insufficiency, and fully compensated occlusion. The clinical picture of the first is that of acute abdomen with serious circulatory shock syndrome, whereas chronic insufficiency is marked by episodic pain triggered by eating, effort, drugs, etc., canalisation disturbances, meteorism, constipation or diarrhoea, intestinal stenosis, wasting and malabsorption. Their medical management and its principles, possibilities and limits are discussed.", "PMID": 625374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5966", "title": "[Angiography in the diagnosis of changes in the celiac-mesenteric area].", "content": "Notes on radiological anatomy are followed by a statement of the advantages of Seldinger's technique for visualisation of the coeliac-mesenteric vascular system. Examples of the principal lesions encountered in the arterial district are illustrated.", "contents": "[Angiography in the diagnosis of changes in the celiac-mesenteric area]. Notes on radiological anatomy are followed by a statement of the advantages of Seldinger's technique for visualisation of the coeliac-mesenteric vascular system. Examples of the principal lesions encountered in the arterial district are illustrated.", "PMID": 625375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5967", "title": "[Creatinine index in the diagnosis of myopathies. New method for determination].", "content": "A new spectrophotometric method for determination of creatine and creatinine values, and hence calculation of the creatine index, is reported. Micropipetting of fingerprick quantities (0.3 ml) of blood enables values to be obtained from obese and progressive muscular dystrophy subjects, whose veins are difficult to find without damaging the tissues.", "contents": "[Creatinine index in the diagnosis of myopathies. New method for determination]. A new spectrophotometric method for determination of creatine and creatinine values, and hence calculation of the creatine index, is reported. Micropipetting of fingerprick quantities (0.3 ml) of blood enables values to be obtained from obese and progressive muscular dystrophy subjects, whose veins are difficult to find without damaging the tissues.", "PMID": 625377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5968", "title": "[Stauffer's syndrome. Report of a clinical case].", "content": "The clinical case of a 52-year-old man with hypernephroma, abnormal hepatic function tests and no evidence of liver metastasis or abnormal histology is described. Liver function tests returned to normal values after nephrectomy. This case presents the features of the syndrome described by Stauffer in 1961 and can be added to the eighty or so cases reported since then.", "contents": "[Stauffer's syndrome. Report of a clinical case]. The clinical case of a 52-year-old man with hypernephroma, abnormal hepatic function tests and no evidence of liver metastasis or abnormal histology is described. Liver function tests returned to normal values after nephrectomy. This case presents the features of the syndrome described by Stauffer in 1961 and can be added to the eighty or so cases reported since then.", "PMID": 625378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5969", "title": "A study of the effect of papaverine in neuroblastoma using the experimental C1300 murine system.", "content": "The effect of papaverine on transplantable C1300 murine neuroblastoma model was evaluated. Subcutaneous inoculation of A/J mice with 10(6) C1300 cells resulted in predictable tumor growth and animal death in 36 +/- 5 days. In 33% of control animals, lung and liver metastases were observed. Subcutaneous injections of papaverine prior to tumor inoculation and during the tumor growth failed to show any detectable effect on local growth of the tumor. Benign transformation of the primary tumor was not observed. However, papaverine injection 21 days after tumor inoculation was associated with only 9% incidence of metastatic development. Papaverine treatment, when started one day prior to tumor inoculation or 10 days after tumor implant, resulted in complete prevention of all detectable metastatic growth, while having no apparent effect on local tumor growth. Further study of papaverine effect in the neuroblastoma murine model is indicated.", "contents": "A study of the effect of papaverine in neuroblastoma using the experimental C1300 murine system. The effect of papaverine on transplantable C1300 murine neuroblastoma model was evaluated. Subcutaneous inoculation of A/J mice with 10(6) C1300 cells resulted in predictable tumor growth and animal death in 36 +/- 5 days. In 33% of control animals, lung and liver metastases were observed. Subcutaneous injections of papaverine prior to tumor inoculation and during the tumor growth failed to show any detectable effect on local growth of the tumor. Benign transformation of the primary tumor was not observed. However, papaverine injection 21 days after tumor inoculation was associated with only 9% incidence of metastatic development. Papaverine treatment, when started one day prior to tumor inoculation or 10 days after tumor implant, resulted in complete prevention of all detectable metastatic growth, while having no apparent effect on local tumor growth. Further study of papaverine effect in the neuroblastoma murine model is indicated.", "PMID": 625392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5970", "title": "Ascitic versus solid growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor influenced by immunological factors.", "content": "A certain number of CBA mice injected intraperitoneally with 1 X 10(6) or fewer Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells did not develop ascites tumors but solid tumors at the inoculation site. The incidence of solid tumors proved dependent on the level of immunological reactivity of recipients, being increased in mice with increased immunological potency and absent in mice in which this potency was reduced. Mice bearing solid tumors had increased level of cytotoxic antitumor antibodies in serum. Possible reasons for a greater immune resistance of cells growing in subcutaneous tissue, than in the abdominal cavity, are discussed.", "contents": "Ascitic versus solid growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor influenced by immunological factors. A certain number of CBA mice injected intraperitoneally with 1 X 10(6) or fewer Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells did not develop ascites tumors but solid tumors at the inoculation site. The incidence of solid tumors proved dependent on the level of immunological reactivity of recipients, being increased in mice with increased immunological potency and absent in mice in which this potency was reduced. Mice bearing solid tumors had increased level of cytotoxic antitumor antibodies in serum. Possible reasons for a greater immune resistance of cells growing in subcutaneous tissue, than in the abdominal cavity, are discussed.", "PMID": 625393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5971", "title": "Hypothesis for the mechanism of elevated serum copper in cancer patients.", "content": "Neoplastic growths seem to interfere with normal processes regulating the serum level of ceruloplasmin, a copper-containing oxidase, which accounts for 96% of serum copper. Normal catabolism of ceruloplasmin in the liver follows desialylation. However, in patients with tumors, ceruloplasmin may be resialylated at the tumor cell surface or in peripheral blood. Decreased catabolism due to resialylation of asialo-ceruloplasmin could account for the increased concentration of serum copper noted in patients with neoplasia.", "contents": "Hypothesis for the mechanism of elevated serum copper in cancer patients. Neoplastic growths seem to interfere with normal processes regulating the serum level of ceruloplasmin, a copper-containing oxidase, which accounts for 96% of serum copper. Normal catabolism of ceruloplasmin in the liver follows desialylation. However, in patients with tumors, ceruloplasmin may be resialylated at the tumor cell surface or in peripheral blood. Decreased catabolism due to resialylation of asialo-ceruloplasmin could account for the increased concentration of serum copper noted in patients with neoplasia.", "PMID": 625394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5972", "title": "Classification of the diffuse chorioretinal heredodystrophies or peripheral tapetoretinal dystrophies.", "content": "The best classification of the diffuse chorioretinal heredodystrophies (predominantly peripheral tapetoretinal dystrophies) is that which is based on the mode of heredity. Thus, it is possible to distinguish the autosomal recessive forms (Leber's disease, pigmentary retinopathy, Bietti's crystalline fundus dystrophy, albipunctate retinopathy, choroidal atrophy and gyrate atrophy of the chorioid and retina), the autosomal dominant forms (certain forms of pigmentary retinopathy, choroidal atrophy, progressive cone dystrophy and Sorsby's pseudo-inflammatory dystrophy), and the sex-lined forms, whether recessive (pigmentary retinopathy), dominant (pigmentary retinopathy) or intermediate (pigmentary retinopathy and choroideraemia).", "contents": "Classification of the diffuse chorioretinal heredodystrophies or peripheral tapetoretinal dystrophies. The best classification of the diffuse chorioretinal heredodystrophies (predominantly peripheral tapetoretinal dystrophies) is that which is based on the mode of heredity. Thus, it is possible to distinguish the autosomal recessive forms (Leber's disease, pigmentary retinopathy, Bietti's crystalline fundus dystrophy, albipunctate retinopathy, choroidal atrophy and gyrate atrophy of the chorioid and retina), the autosomal dominant forms (certain forms of pigmentary retinopathy, choroidal atrophy, progressive cone dystrophy and Sorsby's pseudo-inflammatory dystrophy), and the sex-lined forms, whether recessive (pigmentary retinopathy), dominant (pigmentary retinopathy) or intermediate (pigmentary retinopathy and choroideraemia).", "PMID": 625395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5973", "title": "[Peripheral retinal lesions in aphakia].", "content": "The peripheral retina of 150 aphakic eyes with uncomplicated extraction was studied with the Goldmann three-mirror contact lens. The patients were examined 1 month to more than 2 years after cataract extraction. In addition to degenerations which are descirbed everywhere and are seen both in phakic and aphakic eyes, the authoris have emphasized lesions which they consider to be specific of aphakia. These lesions are retinal haemorrhages of wich four types are described; pigmentary anomalies and retinal tears and holes. Taking into consideration the great frequency of aphakic retinal detachment in comparison with phakic detachment, it is evident that such lesions must be held liable in aphakic retinal detachment.", "contents": "[Peripheral retinal lesions in aphakia]. The peripheral retina of 150 aphakic eyes with uncomplicated extraction was studied with the Goldmann three-mirror contact lens. The patients were examined 1 month to more than 2 years after cataract extraction. In addition to degenerations which are descirbed everywhere and are seen both in phakic and aphakic eyes, the authoris have emphasized lesions which they consider to be specific of aphakia. These lesions are retinal haemorrhages of wich four types are described; pigmentary anomalies and retinal tears and holes. Taking into consideration the great frequency of aphakic retinal detachment in comparison with phakic detachment, it is evident that such lesions must be held liable in aphakic retinal detachment.", "PMID": 625396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5974", "title": "Mitosis in the nontumorous parts of the retina with retinoblastoma.", "content": "Uninvolved retina in the posterior pole in an enucleated eye was examined by electron microscopy for retinoblastoma. A mitotic figure was occasionally found in the outer and inner nuclear layers. The dividing cells were clearly separated from the tumor mass by 450-600 micrometer. They were identified as immature M\u00fcller cells based upon the fine structural features. The existence of the dividing cells in the posterior retina after birth was abnormal and indicated immaturity of the retinal development.", "contents": "Mitosis in the nontumorous parts of the retina with retinoblastoma. Uninvolved retina in the posterior pole in an enucleated eye was examined by electron microscopy for retinoblastoma. A mitotic figure was occasionally found in the outer and inner nuclear layers. The dividing cells were clearly separated from the tumor mass by 450-600 micrometer. They were identified as immature M\u00fcller cells based upon the fine structural features. The existence of the dividing cells in the posterior retina after birth was abnormal and indicated immaturity of the retinal development.", "PMID": 625397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5975", "title": "Retinoblastoma in a microphthalmic eye.", "content": "A case of simultaneous occurrence of microphthalmus and retinoblastoma in an eye removed from a 1-year-old monozygote twin with bilateral retinoblastoma, is reported. The other eye was of normal size, and was treated with irradiation (local application of Stallard disc). This case seems to be the first one published showing that one cannot be usre of the absence of tumours in small eyes although it is extremely rare.", "contents": "Retinoblastoma in a microphthalmic eye. A case of simultaneous occurrence of microphthalmus and retinoblastoma in an eye removed from a 1-year-old monozygote twin with bilateral retinoblastoma, is reported. The other eye was of normal size, and was treated with irradiation (local application of Stallard disc). This case seems to be the first one published showing that one cannot be usre of the absence of tumours in small eyes although it is extremely rare.", "PMID": 625398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5976", "title": "Keratoconus: A disease that can be treated with soft lenses.", "content": "10 patients with keratoconus and very reduced vision were treated with soft contact lenses with good results both in visual acuity and comfort Some patients were able to read 1.0 and demonstrated that soft lenses can give as good visual acuity as hard lenses, a fact quite contrary to the generally established opinion in the contact-lens world. Observation time 9 months.", "contents": "Keratoconus: A disease that can be treated with soft lenses. 10 patients with keratoconus and very reduced vision were treated with soft contact lenses with good results both in visual acuity and comfort Some patients were able to read 1.0 and demonstrated that soft lenses can give as good visual acuity as hard lenses, a fact quite contrary to the generally established opinion in the contact-lens world. Observation time 9 months.", "PMID": 625399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5977", "title": "[Ophthalmophlegic polyneuritis. A clinical contribution to Fisher's syndrome].", "content": "This paper describes 6 patients with the syndrome of ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis fairly identical to that described by Fisher. The most striking symptom of the ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis is the acute ophthalmoplegia, usually total and bilateral, often with sparing of the pupillary reflexes and of the levater palpebrae. The disturbances may simulate a paralysis of gaze or a internuclear palsy. Following features may announce this illness: mild harmless infectious disease, sensory deficits, generalized hyporeflexia or areflexia, albuminocytologic dissociation. There is without a specific treatment a complete recovery within months. Often it is impossible to clarify the etiology.", "contents": "[Ophthalmophlegic polyneuritis. A clinical contribution to Fisher's syndrome]. This paper describes 6 patients with the syndrome of ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis fairly identical to that described by Fisher. The most striking symptom of the ophthalmoplegic polyneuritis is the acute ophthalmoplegia, usually total and bilateral, often with sparing of the pupillary reflexes and of the levater palpebrae. The disturbances may simulate a paralysis of gaze or a internuclear palsy. Following features may announce this illness: mild harmless infectious disease, sensory deficits, generalized hyporeflexia or areflexia, albuminocytologic dissociation. There is without a specific treatment a complete recovery within months. Often it is impossible to clarify the etiology.", "PMID": 625400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5978", "title": "Total responsibility of the surgeon in the management of traumatic spinal paraplegics and tetraplegics.", "content": "Surgeons of whatever speciality concerned with the acute treatment of spinal cord injuries have to accept total and not fragmented responsibility in the management of these patients. This involves certain key responsibilities which are discussed in detail in the light of professional liabilities.", "contents": "Total responsibility of the surgeon in the management of traumatic spinal paraplegics and tetraplegics. Surgeons of whatever speciality concerned with the acute treatment of spinal cord injuries have to accept total and not fragmented responsibility in the management of these patients. This involves certain key responsibilities which are discussed in detail in the light of professional liabilities.", "PMID": 625427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5979", "title": "Some experience with paraplegia in a small hospital in Nepal.", "content": "Paraplegia is a common problem in developing countries. They are the most pitiable group of cases seen, but they can all be offered some help, however limited one's resources. The main causes are Potts Disease, arachnoiditis, tropical spastic paraplegia, trauma, lathyrism and cord compression. The usual trauma is falling from trees and the use of trained monkeys to gather leaves and nuts whilst humorous should not be dismissed. The author saw some 35 cases of paraplegia, of which four are described--two good results and two bad. The physician going to a developing country is advised to prepare himself for the care of these cases and to be prepared to motivate staff, patients and relatives. He will find local medical assistants are kind and enthusiastic and rapidly acquire the necessary skills. Nearly all cases should receive a simple and inexpensive anti-tuberculous regime, vitamins and a very generous diet. Necessary equipment required for the home should be locally made and nothing requiring more than simple maintenance should be used.", "contents": "Some experience with paraplegia in a small hospital in Nepal. Paraplegia is a common problem in developing countries. They are the most pitiable group of cases seen, but they can all be offered some help, however limited one's resources. The main causes are Potts Disease, arachnoiditis, tropical spastic paraplegia, trauma, lathyrism and cord compression. The usual trauma is falling from trees and the use of trained monkeys to gather leaves and nuts whilst humorous should not be dismissed. The author saw some 35 cases of paraplegia, of which four are described--two good results and two bad. The physician going to a developing country is advised to prepare himself for the care of these cases and to be prepared to motivate staff, patients and relatives. He will find local medical assistants are kind and enthusiastic and rapidly acquire the necessary skills. Nearly all cases should receive a simple and inexpensive anti-tuberculous regime, vitamins and a very generous diet. Necessary equipment required for the home should be locally made and nothing requiring more than simple maintenance should be used.", "PMID": 625428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5980", "title": "The costs of spinal cord injury.", "content": "An ongoing study of medical care and associated costs relative to spinal cord injury is being conducted at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, one of 11 federally funded Model Regional Spinal Cord Injury Centres. It was hypothesised such costs would be lower among patients admitted into an organised continuum of care (system) soon after injury than among patients whose entry into the organised system of care was delayed (non-system). A comprehensive economic data set has been acquired on 142 of 233 (61 per cent) patients admitted since implementation of the project. Analysis of these data reveals: (1) system patients require, on average, expenditures of almost $5,000 less than their non-system counterparts; (2) there is little difference in medical or associated costs and length of hospitalisation between tetraplegics and paraplegics; (3) spinal cord injuries secondary to motor vehicle accidents have higher associated costs and longer lengths of stay than do those injuries resulting from other causes including acts of violence.", "contents": "The costs of spinal cord injury. An ongoing study of medical care and associated costs relative to spinal cord injury is being conducted at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, one of 11 federally funded Model Regional Spinal Cord Injury Centres. It was hypothesised such costs would be lower among patients admitted into an organised continuum of care (system) soon after injury than among patients whose entry into the organised system of care was delayed (non-system). A comprehensive economic data set has been acquired on 142 of 233 (61 per cent) patients admitted since implementation of the project. Analysis of these data reveals: (1) system patients require, on average, expenditures of almost $5,000 less than their non-system counterparts; (2) there is little difference in medical or associated costs and length of hospitalisation between tetraplegics and paraplegics; (3) spinal cord injuries secondary to motor vehicle accidents have higher associated costs and longer lengths of stay than do those injuries resulting from other causes including acts of violence.", "PMID": 625429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5981", "title": "First year hospitalisation costs for the spinal cord injured patient.", "content": "This retrospective, descriptive study presents the actual first year hospitalisation costs for a series of 85 spinal cord injured patients, covered by Workmen's Compensation Insurance and cared for in a variety of United States institutions. Mean first year hospital costs for all patients was $35,767. For quadriplegics, $42,240; and paraplegics, $32.619. During initial hospitalisation only, the average length of stay was 184 days and mean cost was $28.637. Room and board comprised 52 per cent of cots; special services, 36 per cent and professional services, 11 per cent. Major special service costs were private duty nursing, medications, medical supplies, respiratory and physical therapy. Major professional charges were centred in the surgical and physical medicine specialties. Home care costs averaged $4000 per patient or $37.00 per day. When compared with the other studies, the costs presented here are higher though the differential is reduced markedly when median rather than mean costs are presented. When compared with the one other known study based on actual and not estimated costs, the results are markedly similar. Differences in costs between this and other studies and the reasons for same are discussed.", "contents": "First year hospitalisation costs for the spinal cord injured patient. This retrospective, descriptive study presents the actual first year hospitalisation costs for a series of 85 spinal cord injured patients, covered by Workmen's Compensation Insurance and cared for in a variety of United States institutions. Mean first year hospital costs for all patients was $35,767. For quadriplegics, $42,240; and paraplegics, $32.619. During initial hospitalisation only, the average length of stay was 184 days and mean cost was $28.637. Room and board comprised 52 per cent of cots; special services, 36 per cent and professional services, 11 per cent. Major special service costs were private duty nursing, medications, medical supplies, respiratory and physical therapy. Major professional charges were centred in the surgical and physical medicine specialties. Home care costs averaged $4000 per patient or $37.00 per day. When compared with the other studies, the costs presented here are higher though the differential is reduced markedly when median rather than mean costs are presented. When compared with the one other known study based on actual and not estimated costs, the results are markedly similar. Differences in costs between this and other studies and the reasons for same are discussed.", "PMID": 625430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5982", "title": "Classification of the severity of acute spinal cord injury: implications for management.", "content": "Sensory and motor function scales using a comprehensive neurological examination in emergency departments were developed during a 5-year prospective study of the epidemiology of acute spinal cord injury. Cross-classification of the scales on 133 patients identified 18.8 per cent who had severe motor impairment but minimal or no sensory loss. This discrepancy was not associated with older age or comorbidity but these patients tended to have a higher prevalence of fracture dislocations, hyperesthesia and Brown-Sequard Syndrome. The discrepancy between sensory and motor function was almost certainly due to the pathology of the cord lesion. Overall, motor function was more likely than sensory function to show improvement during the acute hospitalisation. This was especially true for patients admitted with good sensory but poor motor function. These patients need to be delineated soon after injury if we are to fully understand the aetiology of spinal cord injury and appropriately manage and evaluate different therapeutic modalities.", "contents": "Classification of the severity of acute spinal cord injury: implications for management. Sensory and motor function scales using a comprehensive neurological examination in emergency departments were developed during a 5-year prospective study of the epidemiology of acute spinal cord injury. Cross-classification of the scales on 133 patients identified 18.8 per cent who had severe motor impairment but minimal or no sensory loss. This discrepancy was not associated with older age or comorbidity but these patients tended to have a higher prevalence of fracture dislocations, hyperesthesia and Brown-Sequard Syndrome. The discrepancy between sensory and motor function was almost certainly due to the pathology of the cord lesion. Overall, motor function was more likely than sensory function to show improvement during the acute hospitalisation. This was especially true for patients admitted with good sensory but poor motor function. These patients need to be delineated soon after injury if we are to fully understand the aetiology of spinal cord injury and appropriately manage and evaluate different therapeutic modalities.", "PMID": 625431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5983", "title": "Autonomic hyperreflexia during cystoscopy in patients with high spinal cord injuries.", "content": "Cystoscopic procedures were performed on 102 patients with histories of traumatic spinal cord lesion; 57 patients had sensorimotor levels above T7, and the remaining 45 patients had levels below T7. In 40 of the 57 patients (70 per cent) with levels above T7, signs and symptoms of autonomic hyperreflexia were seen during bladder distension and cystoscopy; the remaining 17 of these patients (30 per cent) did not have this response. No autonomic hyperreflexia was seen during cystoscopy in any of the 45 patients with sensorimotor levels below T7.", "contents": "Autonomic hyperreflexia during cystoscopy in patients with high spinal cord injuries. Cystoscopic procedures were performed on 102 patients with histories of traumatic spinal cord lesion; 57 patients had sensorimotor levels above T7, and the remaining 45 patients had levels below T7. In 40 of the 57 patients (70 per cent) with levels above T7, signs and symptoms of autonomic hyperreflexia were seen during bladder distension and cystoscopy; the remaining 17 of these patients (30 per cent) did not have this response. No autonomic hyperreflexia was seen during cystoscopy in any of the 45 patients with sensorimotor levels below T7.", "PMID": 625432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5984", "title": "Hydatid cyst causing spinal compression.", "content": "This report deals with two cases of spinal cord compression, one secondary to hydatid disease of C4 vertebra and the other due to a posterior mediastinal hydatid with an intraspinal component. After a brief review of the pertinent literature and pathogenesis of the disease, the distinguishing radiological features have been brought out.", "contents": "Hydatid cyst causing spinal compression. This report deals with two cases of spinal cord compression, one secondary to hydatid disease of C4 vertebra and the other due to a posterior mediastinal hydatid with an intraspinal component. After a brief review of the pertinent literature and pathogenesis of the disease, the distinguishing radiological features have been brought out.", "PMID": 625433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5985", "title": "Coping behaviour and the moratorium following spinal cord injury.", "content": "Coping with severe traumatic injury involves three interwoven processes--denial, depression and restitution. Denial and depression are seen as adaptive processes in the appropriate context. A moratorium during the coping process is described; its duration and implications for patient care are discussed.", "contents": "Coping behaviour and the moratorium following spinal cord injury. Coping with severe traumatic injury involves three interwoven processes--denial, depression and restitution. Denial and depression are seen as adaptive processes in the appropriate context. A moratorium during the coping process is described; its duration and implications for patient care are discussed.", "PMID": 625434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5986", "title": "Pain and cervical traction variation during manual turning [proceedings].", "content": "An experiment using a dummy with a cervical traction recorder was used in place of a patient. Nurses and orderlies from the Spinal Unit carried out manual lifting and turning techniques, used in the conservative treatment of spinal injury. Variation in manual traction continues throughout a turn. Traction force may be quadrupled or quartered. Inco-ordination between the individuals lifting, causes bending forces in the neck. This, together with sharp variation in traction, elicits pain. Manual traction, lifting, and turning, should be totally avoided, by employing kinetic nursing, provided by the use of the Roto Rest Spinal Bed.", "contents": "Pain and cervical traction variation during manual turning [proceedings]. An experiment using a dummy with a cervical traction recorder was used in place of a patient. Nurses and orderlies from the Spinal Unit carried out manual lifting and turning techniques, used in the conservative treatment of spinal injury. Variation in manual traction continues throughout a turn. Traction force may be quadrupled or quartered. Inco-ordination between the individuals lifting, causes bending forces in the neck. This, together with sharp variation in traction, elicits pain. Manual traction, lifting, and turning, should be totally avoided, by employing kinetic nursing, provided by the use of the Roto Rest Spinal Bed.", "PMID": 625435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5987", "title": "About pain and its treatment in paraplegics [proceedings].", "content": "Apart from pains by removal of inhibition, there are pains by hyperstimulation as well, even with apparently complete paraplegia. Successively, the author first reviews specific sub-lesional pains, then lesional pains (some of them are probably due to deafferentation), and at last, supra-lesional pains which are the most numerous ones and for which examples of hyperstimulation are given. The therapeutic rules used by the author are enumerated. To ease their suffering about 8 per cent of the patients are given antidepressive drugs, which most of the time can be gradually stopped after several months.", "contents": "About pain and its treatment in paraplegics [proceedings]. Apart from pains by removal of inhibition, there are pains by hyperstimulation as well, even with apparently complete paraplegia. Successively, the author first reviews specific sub-lesional pains, then lesional pains (some of them are probably due to deafferentation), and at last, supra-lesional pains which are the most numerous ones and for which examples of hyperstimulation are given. The therapeutic rules used by the author are enumerated. To ease their suffering about 8 per cent of the patients are given antidepressive drugs, which most of the time can be gradually stopped after several months.", "PMID": 625436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5988", "title": "Semiological value of painful sensitivity of the testis in spinal cord injuries [proceedings].", "content": "About 85 cases of spinal cord male injured patients; the authors bring their experience of the painful sensitivity of the testis by squeezing the gland. This sign has a semiological value about the topography and the level of complete and incomplete cord syndromes. It is of no value for the testicular fertility. The rehabilitation of neurological bladders must take this sign into account so as to appreciate the type of micturition.", "contents": "Semiological value of painful sensitivity of the testis in spinal cord injuries [proceedings]. About 85 cases of spinal cord male injured patients; the authors bring their experience of the painful sensitivity of the testis by squeezing the gland. This sign has a semiological value about the topography and the level of complete and incomplete cord syndromes. It is of no value for the testicular fertility. The rehabilitation of neurological bladders must take this sign into account so as to appreciate the type of micturition.", "PMID": 625437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5989", "title": "The corkscrew sperm defect in Danish bulls--a possible indicator of nuclear fallout?", "content": "The characteristic corkscrew defect in the middle piece of the bull sperm was observed by the author in two infertile bulls in 1958 and described the following year. Since then the spermiograms of all Danish A.I. bulls (about 1200) have been examined yearly, and a total of 60 cases showing more than 2% corkscrew sperms in their semen have been recorded. The sperm defect was found mostly in older bulls and was often accompanied by testis degeneration. The Red Danish breed seems to be highly predisposed. The cause of the defect and the testis degeneration is obsecure. However, by comparing the curves for nuclear fallout during the observation period and the number of cases observed, there seems to be some correlation. It is striking that the maximum of ten new cases of the corkscrew defect was found in the peak year for nuclear testing in the atmosphere (1962), when a total of at least 133 tests were performed, thus polluting grassland all over the world. Since 1963, when a partial test ban treaty came into force, most nuclear testing has been done underground. From that time the number of yearly cases of the corkscrew defect in the Danish bull population has decreased and the defect is now practically non-existent. Attempts to produce the condition experimentally by feeding young bulls with the fission product Iodine131 have so far been negative.", "contents": "The corkscrew sperm defect in Danish bulls--a possible indicator of nuclear fallout? The characteristic corkscrew defect in the middle piece of the bull sperm was observed by the author in two infertile bulls in 1958 and described the following year. Since then the spermiograms of all Danish A.I. bulls (about 1200) have been examined yearly, and a total of 60 cases showing more than 2% corkscrew sperms in their semen have been recorded. The sperm defect was found mostly in older bulls and was often accompanied by testis degeneration. The Red Danish breed seems to be highly predisposed. The cause of the defect and the testis degeneration is obsecure. However, by comparing the curves for nuclear fallout during the observation period and the number of cases observed, there seems to be some correlation. It is striking that the maximum of ten new cases of the corkscrew defect was found in the peak year for nuclear testing in the atmosphere (1962), when a total of at least 133 tests were performed, thus polluting grassland all over the world. Since 1963, when a partial test ban treaty came into force, most nuclear testing has been done underground. From that time the number of yearly cases of the corkscrew defect in the Danish bull population has decreased and the defect is now practically non-existent. Attempts to produce the condition experimentally by feeding young bulls with the fission product Iodine131 have so far been negative.", "PMID": 625447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5990", "title": "In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic milk.", "content": "The antibiotic susceptibility of 2297 strains of Staphylococci aureus isolated from mastitic milk has been tested. The percentage of strains of S. aureus \"resistant\" to penicillin was 16.5%. Approximately 97% of these strains were susceptible both to tetracyclines and sulfonamides. The frequency of \"resistant\" strains is in good agreement with the results from a comparable survey done ten years ago. In this investigation, however, the strains of S. aureus showed great variation in their sensitivity to penicillin according to their geographical origin. Thus, the percentage \"resistant\" strains within counties varied from a minimum of 9.26 to a maximum of 53.05.", "contents": "In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic milk. The antibiotic susceptibility of 2297 strains of Staphylococci aureus isolated from mastitic milk has been tested. The percentage of strains of S. aureus \"resistant\" to penicillin was 16.5%. Approximately 97% of these strains were susceptible both to tetracyclines and sulfonamides. The frequency of \"resistant\" strains is in good agreement with the results from a comparable survey done ten years ago. In this investigation, however, the strains of S. aureus showed great variation in their sensitivity to penicillin according to their geographical origin. Thus, the percentage \"resistant\" strains within counties varied from a minimum of 9.26 to a maximum of 53.05.", "PMID": 625448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5991", "title": "[A case of mastatitis in a goat. Cytological and bacteriological examinations of milk samples throughout the entire lactation period (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of mastitis in a goat caused by S. aureus is described. Cytological and bacteriological examinations of milk samples throughout the entire lactation period were made. The average cell counts/ml in millions in milk samples were 6,12 (right half with mastitis) and 0,51 (left half which was normal) throughout the entire lactation period.", "contents": "[A case of mastatitis in a goat. Cytological and bacteriological examinations of milk samples throughout the entire lactation period (author's transl)]. A case of mastitis in a goat caused by S. aureus is described. Cytological and bacteriological examinations of milk samples throughout the entire lactation period were made. The average cell counts/ml in millions in milk samples were 6,12 (right half with mastitis) and 0,51 (left half which was normal) throughout the entire lactation period.", "PMID": 625449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5992", "title": "[The cell count in milk of goats and the diagnosis of mastitis in goats (author's transl)].", "content": "The cell counts in milk of goats seem to vary quite a lot. It is difficult to diagnose mastitis in goats using only cell counts as a criterion. Clinical symptoms correlated with bacteriology and differences in the cell counts of milk samples from the two halves are probably the criteria of choice in the laboratory mastitis diagnosis in goats.", "contents": "[The cell count in milk of goats and the diagnosis of mastitis in goats (author's transl)]. The cell counts in milk of goats seem to vary quite a lot. It is difficult to diagnose mastitis in goats using only cell counts as a criterion. Clinical symptoms correlated with bacteriology and differences in the cell counts of milk samples from the two halves are probably the criteria of choice in the laboratory mastitis diagnosis in goats.", "PMID": 625450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5993", "title": "[Two cases of hepatoencephalopathia in the dog (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of congenital anomalies in the portal system in young dogs are described. Clinical findings such as poor general condition with chronic weight loss and failure to grow, signs of central nervous disease, are typical for the hepato-encephalopathy syndrome. Clinical and radiological examination revealed a small liver and in one dog large kidneys. Hematological data (hemoglobin, leukocytes and PCV) were normal but elevated bromosulphtalein retention was seen in both cases. Furthermore, low serumprotein, due to reduced albumin fraction, low urea-N and large amounts of ammoniumbiurate crystals in the urine are typical findings in portal anomalies with hepatoencephalopathy. In one dog hepatic insufficiency was due to a porta-cava shunt localized just outside the liver, and in the other dog an intrahepatic porta atresia was found with secondary fibrosis of the liver parenchyma. The liver was atrophic and the kidneys revealed chronic glomerulosclerosis. It is concluded that the clinical and pathological findings were results of vessel anomalies.", "contents": "[Two cases of hepatoencephalopathia in the dog (author's transl)]. Two cases of congenital anomalies in the portal system in young dogs are described. Clinical findings such as poor general condition with chronic weight loss and failure to grow, signs of central nervous disease, are typical for the hepato-encephalopathy syndrome. Clinical and radiological examination revealed a small liver and in one dog large kidneys. Hematological data (hemoglobin, leukocytes and PCV) were normal but elevated bromosulphtalein retention was seen in both cases. Furthermore, low serumprotein, due to reduced albumin fraction, low urea-N and large amounts of ammoniumbiurate crystals in the urine are typical findings in portal anomalies with hepatoencephalopathy. In one dog hepatic insufficiency was due to a porta-cava shunt localized just outside the liver, and in the other dog an intrahepatic porta atresia was found with secondary fibrosis of the liver parenchyma. The liver was atrophic and the kidneys revealed chronic glomerulosclerosis. It is concluded that the clinical and pathological findings were results of vessel anomalies.", "PMID": 625451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5994", "title": "Clinical and electroencephalographic data indicative of brain tumours in a seizure population.", "content": "One hundred and two patients suffering from seizures, with focal EEG signs (101 cases) and focal seizures but generalized EEG abnormalities (one case) were divided into tumour (twenty-one cases) and non-tumour (eighty-one cases) groups on the basis of contrast radiological studies. Retrospective analysis of various clinical data and EEG abnormalities, determined before the contrast radiological examinations, showed that the following were statistically significantly different between the two groups in favour of a tumoral aetiology for the seizures: age at onset of fits (greater than 20 years), presence of focal neurological signs and increased intracranial pressure, presence of focal unilateral delta waves without accompanying epileptic discharges, beta asymmetry between the cerebral hemispheres and hyperventilation-induced electrical seizures. A brain scan was a very useful screening test for the detection of a tumoral aetiology for seizures.", "contents": "Clinical and electroencephalographic data indicative of brain tumours in a seizure population. One hundred and two patients suffering from seizures, with focal EEG signs (101 cases) and focal seizures but generalized EEG abnormalities (one case) were divided into tumour (twenty-one cases) and non-tumour (eighty-one cases) groups on the basis of contrast radiological studies. Retrospective analysis of various clinical data and EEG abnormalities, determined before the contrast radiological examinations, showed that the following were statistically significantly different between the two groups in favour of a tumoral aetiology for the seizures: age at onset of fits (greater than 20 years), presence of focal neurological signs and increased intracranial pressure, presence of focal unilateral delta waves without accompanying epileptic discharges, beta asymmetry between the cerebral hemispheres and hyperventilation-induced electrical seizures. A brain scan was a very useful screening test for the detection of a tumoral aetiology for seizures.", "PMID": 625452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5995", "title": "Acute myocardial infarction and arterial embolectomy.", "content": "Emboli of a main artery cause serious complications in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction, in whom the surgical risk is high. In order to save the limb, embolectomy is indicated and should be considered. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention with the use of the Fogarty catheter simplify the embolectomy procedure and enable restoration of circulation to the ischaemic limb. Thirty-two embolectomies were performed in twenty-eight patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. Patients with cardiac compensation survived the surgery and recovered. However 50% of the patients in whom acute myocardial infarction was accompanied with congestive heart failure and arrhythmias died. The cause of death was the underlying disease. Considering the severity of the acute myocardial infarction this group of patients represents the expected mortality.", "contents": "Acute myocardial infarction and arterial embolectomy. Emboli of a main artery cause serious complications in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction, in whom the surgical risk is high. In order to save the limb, embolectomy is indicated and should be considered. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention with the use of the Fogarty catheter simplify the embolectomy procedure and enable restoration of circulation to the ischaemic limb. Thirty-two embolectomies were performed in twenty-eight patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. Patients with cardiac compensation survived the surgery and recovered. However 50% of the patients in whom acute myocardial infarction was accompanied with congestive heart failure and arrhythmias died. The cause of death was the underlying disease. Considering the severity of the acute myocardial infarction this group of patients represents the expected mortality.", "PMID": 625454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5996", "title": "Furosemide and acute renal failure.", "content": "High dose of intravenous furosemide (2 g/24 hr) was given to six patients with acute renal failure due to leptospirosis. The results, based on urine flow, changes in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, were compared with a control group of eight patients with the same disease and comparable degree of renal failure. Excellent diuresis was observed following furosemide therapy but renal function and the clinical course of the disease were unaltered. The duration of renal failure was the same in both groups.", "contents": "Furosemide and acute renal failure. High dose of intravenous furosemide (2 g/24 hr) was given to six patients with acute renal failure due to leptospirosis. The results, based on urine flow, changes in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, were compared with a control group of eight patients with the same disease and comparable degree of renal failure. Excellent diuresis was observed following furosemide therapy but renal function and the clinical course of the disease were unaltered. The duration of renal failure was the same in both groups.", "PMID": 625455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5997", "title": "Obsolete but dangerous antacid preparations.", "content": "One case of acute hypercalcaemia and two of recurrent nephrolithiasis are reported in patients who had regularly consumed large amounts of calcium carbon-ate-sodium bicarbonate powders for more than 20 years. The powders had been obtained from pharmacists unknown to the patients' medical practitioners. It is suggested that these preparations were responsible for the patient's problems, and that such powders should no longer be freely obtainable.", "contents": "Obsolete but dangerous antacid preparations. One case of acute hypercalcaemia and two of recurrent nephrolithiasis are reported in patients who had regularly consumed large amounts of calcium carbon-ate-sodium bicarbonate powders for more than 20 years. The powders had been obtained from pharmacists unknown to the patients' medical practitioners. It is suggested that these preparations were responsible for the patient's problems, and that such powders should no longer be freely obtainable.", "PMID": 625456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5998", "title": "Myocardial ischaemia in migraine sufferers taking ergotamine.", "content": "Two cases of acute myocardial ischaemia precipitated by oral ergotamine therapy for migraine are described from patients with no previous history of ischaemic heart disease. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.", "contents": "Myocardial ischaemia in migraine sufferers taking ergotamine. Two cases of acute myocardial ischaemia precipitated by oral ergotamine therapy for migraine are described from patients with no previous history of ischaemic heart disease. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 625457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_5999", "title": "Phaeochromocytoma with nocturnal elevation of blood pressure.", "content": "A 47-year-old woman with phaeochromocytoma showed blood pressure changes characterized by the regular appearance of hypertension at night. The urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites showed augmentation roughly parallel with the elevation of the blood pressure. During normotensive periods, the urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites was elevated. The findings suggested that the pressor effect of catecholamine hypersecretion was compromised to a certain degree and that the regular nocturnal appearances of hypertensive paroxysm conceivably resulted from a spontaneous cyclic augmentation of the catecholamine secretion from the tumour.", "contents": "Phaeochromocytoma with nocturnal elevation of blood pressure. A 47-year-old woman with phaeochromocytoma showed blood pressure changes characterized by the regular appearance of hypertension at night. The urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites showed augmentation roughly parallel with the elevation of the blood pressure. During normotensive periods, the urinary excretion of catecholamines and their metabolites was elevated. The findings suggested that the pressor effect of catecholamine hypersecretion was compromised to a certain degree and that the regular nocturnal appearances of hypertensive paroxysm conceivably resulted from a spontaneous cyclic augmentation of the catecholamine secretion from the tumour.", "PMID": 625458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6000", "title": "Chronic active hepatitis, haemolytic anaemia and Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia.", "content": "The association of chronic active hepatitis with haemolytic anaemia is well known. Both conditions may respond to steroid therapy which, in common with other causes of suppressed T-lymphocyte function, predispose to many types of infection. A case is described in which transient Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia occurred and the patient recovered without antimicrobial therapy.", "contents": "Chronic active hepatitis, haemolytic anaemia and Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia. The association of chronic active hepatitis with haemolytic anaemia is well known. Both conditions may respond to steroid therapy which, in common with other causes of suppressed T-lymphocyte function, predispose to many types of infection. A case is described in which transient Listeria monocytogenes bacteraemia occurred and the patient recovered without antimicrobial therapy.", "PMID": 625461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6001", "title": "A comparison of unrefined wheat and rice diets in the management of duodenal ulcer.", "content": "Twenty-one chronic duodenal ulcer patients in a rice-eating area were put on to an unrefined wheat diet and twenty-one continued on their previous rice diet. After 5 years only 14% of the first group had had relapses compared with 81% of the second group. A similar 5-year relapse rate (80%) was obtained in a group of thirty patients from another area with a more varied rice diet. The author attributes this difference to the increased mastication required by the unrefined wheat diet, which is associated with an increase in saliva, lower stomach acidity and reduced bile output.", "contents": "A comparison of unrefined wheat and rice diets in the management of duodenal ulcer. Twenty-one chronic duodenal ulcer patients in a rice-eating area were put on to an unrefined wheat diet and twenty-one continued on their previous rice diet. After 5 years only 14% of the first group had had relapses compared with 81% of the second group. A similar 5-year relapse rate (80%) was obtained in a group of thirty patients from another area with a more varied rice diet. The author attributes this difference to the increased mastication required by the unrefined wheat diet, which is associated with an increase in saliva, lower stomach acidity and reduced bile output.", "PMID": 625462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6002", "title": "Scopolamine does not affect footshock sensitivity in the rat.", "content": "To test the generality of the finding of Feigley, et al. [8] that scopolamine increases sensitivity/reactivity to footshock, rats were tested under either scopolamine or saline conditions for sensitivity to footshock in an automated version of the flinch-jump paradigm. There was no significant trend toward increased sensitivity following scopolamine injection at any of the response magnitudes assessed. Since the previous study included an operant response in the measure of sensitivity, it was suggested that apparent effects of scopolamine on reactivity to footshock are dependent on the inclusion of an operant response in the measure of reactivity, and are not due to changes in sensory thresholds.", "contents": "Scopolamine does not affect footshock sensitivity in the rat. To test the generality of the finding of Feigley, et al. [8] that scopolamine increases sensitivity/reactivity to footshock, rats were tested under either scopolamine or saline conditions for sensitivity to footshock in an automated version of the flinch-jump paradigm. There was no significant trend toward increased sensitivity following scopolamine injection at any of the response magnitudes assessed. Since the previous study included an operant response in the measure of sensitivity, it was suggested that apparent effects of scopolamine on reactivity to footshock are dependent on the inclusion of an operant response in the measure of reactivity, and are not due to changes in sensory thresholds.", "PMID": 625479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6003", "title": "Hypokinesia produced by anterolateral hypothalamic 6-hydroxydopamine lesions and its reversal by some antiparkinson drugs.", "content": "Hypokinesia produced by stereotaxic microinjection of solutions of 6-hydroxydopamine into the anterolateral hypothalamus of male rats is accompanied by a generalized reduction in brain noradrenaline levels and a reduction of dopamine in the striatum and cerebral cortex. The hypokinesia is reversed by the putative dopamine-receptor agonists apomorphine, ET-495 and CB-154 as well as by the amino acids L-Dopa and m-tyrosine when administered in combination with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor Ro 4-4602. The relative importance of noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in the mediation of the action of anti-akinesia drugs is discussed.", "contents": "Hypokinesia produced by anterolateral hypothalamic 6-hydroxydopamine lesions and its reversal by some antiparkinson drugs. Hypokinesia produced by stereotaxic microinjection of solutions of 6-hydroxydopamine into the anterolateral hypothalamus of male rats is accompanied by a generalized reduction in brain noradrenaline levels and a reduction of dopamine in the striatum and cerebral cortex. The hypokinesia is reversed by the putative dopamine-receptor agonists apomorphine, ET-495 and CB-154 as well as by the amino acids L-Dopa and m-tyrosine when administered in combination with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor Ro 4-4602. The relative importance of noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems in the mediation of the action of anti-akinesia drugs is discussed.", "PMID": 625480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6004", "title": "ADH and related peptides: effect of pre- or posttraining treatment on puromycin amnesia.", "content": "The peptide Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 attenuated puromycin-induced amnesia in mice when administered 5 days prior to training, while arginine vasopressin, lysine vasopressin and cyclo(Leu-Gly), were effective when given 24 hr before training. The activity of all peptides to inhibit puromycin-induced amnesia decreased as the interval after training and before peptide administration increased, suggesting that the peptides influence memory processes rather than generalized arousal mechanisms.", "contents": "ADH and related peptides: effect of pre- or posttraining treatment on puromycin amnesia. The peptide Z-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 attenuated puromycin-induced amnesia in mice when administered 5 days prior to training, while arginine vasopressin, lysine vasopressin and cyclo(Leu-Gly), were effective when given 24 hr before training. The activity of all peptides to inhibit puromycin-induced amnesia decreased as the interval after training and before peptide administration increased, suggesting that the peptides influence memory processes rather than generalized arousal mechanisms.", "PMID": 625482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6005", "title": "Experience with a consortium for exploring and arranging clinical eduction programs.", "content": "The Clinical Allied Health Education Center, a prototypic agency, was established to assist in addressing clinical education issues of various allied health professions within the western half of lower Michigan. The agency aids in coordinating the clinical phase of the education of students in the educational programs. In the process of establishing new clinical education sites, the individuals involved in the physical therapy educational program and at the potential site address issues related to the exploration, evaluation, development, and implementation of the clinical education program. The experience and process in establishing the relationship between the Curriculum in Physical Therapy at the University of Michigan and the Clinical Allied Health Education Center are described.", "contents": "Experience with a consortium for exploring and arranging clinical eduction programs. The Clinical Allied Health Education Center, a prototypic agency, was established to assist in addressing clinical education issues of various allied health professions within the western half of lower Michigan. The agency aids in coordinating the clinical phase of the education of students in the educational programs. In the process of establishing new clinical education sites, the individuals involved in the physical therapy educational program and at the potential site address issues related to the exploration, evaluation, development, and implementation of the clinical education program. The experience and process in establishing the relationship between the Curriculum in Physical Therapy at the University of Michigan and the Clinical Allied Health Education Center are described.", "PMID": 625483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6006", "title": "Six design factors for planning and evaluating regional continuing education.", "content": "Four characteristics of a configurational strategy for planning regional continuing education in medical allied health are identified in this article. These characteristics are restated as criteria for six design factors in the planning and evaluation of a regional continuing education program. A perceptual motor dysfunction workshop was planned and evaluated utilizing the configurational strategy.", "contents": "Six design factors for planning and evaluating regional continuing education. Four characteristics of a configurational strategy for planning regional continuing education in medical allied health are identified in this article. These characteristics are restated as criteria for six design factors in the planning and evaluation of a regional continuing education program. A perceptual motor dysfunction workshop was planned and evaluated utilizing the configurational strategy.", "PMID": 625484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6007", "title": "How to care for your neck.", "content": "This paper was written in order to share the comprehensive guidelines I use as handout material when teaching daily living activities to patients with cervical pain. I have found the information to be helpful to patients in their understanding of their disability and in their learning to protect themselves.", "contents": "How to care for your neck. This paper was written in order to share the comprehensive guidelines I use as handout material when teaching daily living activities to patients with cervical pain. I have found the information to be helpful to patients in their understanding of their disability and in their learning to protect themselves.", "PMID": 625491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6008", "title": "Long-term results in epiphyseal transplants in congenital deformities of the hand.", "content": "Experiences in several decades of doing epiphyseal transplants, as free grafts or in island flaps, are described. The long-term results are noted. Based on the latter, some specific policies for the treatment of ectrodactylic hands have been formulated.", "contents": "Long-term results in epiphyseal transplants in congenital deformities of the hand. Experiences in several decades of doing epiphyseal transplants, as free grafts or in island flaps, are described. The long-term results are noted. Based on the latter, some specific policies for the treatment of ectrodactylic hands have been formulated.", "PMID": 625494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6009", "title": "Anastomosis of masseteric nerve to lower division of facial nerve for correction of lower facial paralysis. Preliminary report.", "content": "Another method to reanimate the corner of the mouth in facial paralysis is by reinnervation of the perioral musculature. We have done this in 3 cases by anastomosing the masseteric nerve to the nearby lower division of the facial nerve. The results varied, but are promising.", "contents": "Anastomosis of masseteric nerve to lower division of facial nerve for correction of lower facial paralysis. Preliminary report. Another method to reanimate the corner of the mouth in facial paralysis is by reinnervation of the perioral musculature. We have done this in 3 cases by anastomosing the masseteric nerve to the nearby lower division of the facial nerve. The results varied, but are promising.", "PMID": 625495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6010", "title": "A radical method of correcting the nasal deformity in adult patients with repaired unilateral lip clefts.", "content": "A method of rhinoseptoplasty is described, which combines principles of several well-known procedures, with innovations introduced by the author, for the purpose of eliminating the causes of complex distortions of the lip, maxilla, and nose in unilateral clefts. This method aims at creating a secure support for the atrophic alar cartilage with a pedicled cartilage flap taken from the normal alar cartilage. Elevation of the dome and elongation of the columella on the cleft side are achieved by interdigitating mucocutaneous flaps. To improve symmetry and relieve nasal obstruction, the ala on the normal side is also corrected, as well as the deflected septal cartilage and the anterosuperior margin of the vomer.", "contents": "A radical method of correcting the nasal deformity in adult patients with repaired unilateral lip clefts. A method of rhinoseptoplasty is described, which combines principles of several well-known procedures, with innovations introduced by the author, for the purpose of eliminating the causes of complex distortions of the lip, maxilla, and nose in unilateral clefts. This method aims at creating a secure support for the atrophic alar cartilage with a pedicled cartilage flap taken from the normal alar cartilage. Elevation of the dome and elongation of the columella on the cleft side are achieved by interdigitating mucocutaneous flaps. To improve symmetry and relieve nasal obstruction, the ala on the normal side is also corrected, as well as the deflected septal cartilage and the anterosuperior margin of the vomer.", "PMID": 625496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6011", "title": "Evaluation of prognosis in Stage I cutaneous melanoma.", "content": "A review of the literature on melanoma indicates that age, sex, size, ulceration, presence of satellites, absence of melanin, and whether or not the tumor is markedly raised above the surface of the surrounding skin are all useful criteria in evaluating the prognosis in Stage I cutaneous melanoma. Histological factors include the tumor type, the mitotic rate, and the maximum thickness of the tumor. The last is accurate for prognosis--objective, reproducible, and directly proportional to the mortality rate. Tumors less than 0.76 mm thick rarely, if ever, metastasize--and it appears that the size of the resection margin can safely be reduced for such thin tumors. The level of invasion (Clark) is less accurate in predicting the mortality.", "contents": "Evaluation of prognosis in Stage I cutaneous melanoma. A review of the literature on melanoma indicates that age, sex, size, ulceration, presence of satellites, absence of melanin, and whether or not the tumor is markedly raised above the surface of the surrounding skin are all useful criteria in evaluating the prognosis in Stage I cutaneous melanoma. Histological factors include the tumor type, the mitotic rate, and the maximum thickness of the tumor. The last is accurate for prognosis--objective, reproducible, and directly proportional to the mortality rate. Tumors less than 0.76 mm thick rarely, if ever, metastasize--and it appears that the size of the resection margin can safely be reduced for such thin tumors. The level of invasion (Clark) is less accurate in predicting the mortality.", "PMID": 625497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6012", "title": "Blindness after blepharoplasty: mechanism and early reversal.", "content": "Based on our close personal observation of several patients after blepharoplasty who developed retrobulbar hemorrhage progressing to blindness, the mechanism appears to operate through ischemia of the anterior optic nerve head. Relief of this blindness has followed prompt surgical intervention, with supportive medical therapy. The importance of close nursing observation for some hours after the operation is stressed, as it may be the only means of detecting this complication while the sight can still be saved.", "contents": "Blindness after blepharoplasty: mechanism and early reversal. Based on our close personal observation of several patients after blepharoplasty who developed retrobulbar hemorrhage progressing to blindness, the mechanism appears to operate through ischemia of the anterior optic nerve head. Relief of this blindness has followed prompt surgical intervention, with supportive medical therapy. The importance of close nursing observation for some hours after the operation is stressed, as it may be the only means of detecting this complication while the sight can still be saved.", "PMID": 625498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6013", "title": "Breast reconstruction following radical mastectomy, using custom designed implants.", "content": "Procedures are described for total breast reconstruction in patients who have undergone radical and modified radical mastectomies. The reconstruction includes restoration of the contour of the breast, including the nipple-areola complex and filling the defect from loss of the pectoral muscles. The reconstructions have been done in 37 patients with good results, and several are illustrated.", "contents": "Breast reconstruction following radical mastectomy, using custom designed implants. Procedures are described for total breast reconstruction in patients who have undergone radical and modified radical mastectomies. The reconstruction includes restoration of the contour of the breast, including the nipple-areola complex and filling the defect from loss of the pectoral muscles. The reconstructions have been done in 37 patients with good results, and several are illustrated.", "PMID": 625499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6014", "title": "Cystic lesions of the parotid gland.", "content": "In a series of 708 parotidectomies (partial or total), we found 23 cystic lesions. Of these, 16 met the criteria for so-called \"branchial cysts\"; five were retention cysts of duct origin, and the remaining two were epidermal inclusion cysts. The principles of diagnosis and treatment of parotid cysts are presented.", "contents": "Cystic lesions of the parotid gland. In a series of 708 parotidectomies (partial or total), we found 23 cystic lesions. Of these, 16 met the criteria for so-called \"branchial cysts\"; five were retention cysts of duct origin, and the remaining two were epidermal inclusion cysts. The principles of diagnosis and treatment of parotid cysts are presented.", "PMID": 625500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6015", "title": "Contouring the neck in rhytidectomy by lipectomy and a muscle sling.", "content": "Accurate diagnosis of the cause of the objectionable contour problems is necessary for the execution of appropriate and adequate surgical technique for correction. For improving neck contour, I use an adequate lipectomy combined with deep support provided by a sling made from full-width platysma muscle flaps.", "contents": "Contouring the neck in rhytidectomy by lipectomy and a muscle sling. Accurate diagnosis of the cause of the objectionable contour problems is necessary for the execution of appropriate and adequate surgical technique for correction. For improving neck contour, I use an adequate lipectomy combined with deep support provided by a sling made from full-width platysma muscle flaps.", "PMID": 625501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6016", "title": "Tissue gases in human hypertrophic burn scars.", "content": "The partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide have been measured in hypertrophic scars in burned patients, using mass spectroscopy. The pO2 in scar tissue was significantly depressed in comparison to the pO2 in normal dermis (a decrease of 13.1 +/- 2.9 mm Hg). The pCO2 was noted to be increased in the scar tissue (2.6 +/- 1.6 mm Hg). The possible significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Tissue gases in human hypertrophic burn scars. The partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide have been measured in hypertrophic scars in burned patients, using mass spectroscopy. The pO2 in scar tissue was significantly depressed in comparison to the pO2 in normal dermis (a decrease of 13.1 +/- 2.9 mm Hg). The pCO2 was noted to be increased in the scar tissue (2.6 +/- 1.6 mm Hg). The possible significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 625502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6017", "title": "Spatial play.", "content": "More than sharpening our tools or making them sterile, our task in psychotherapy and analysis is to enliven them, find in them the organic, the animate, and the fecund. For our tools are formed of language, more like living nets than like knives, dies, taps, or templates, and our familiary with them might as well be a marriage of love as one of convenience. One's own onymy (Forrest, 1973) of words and phrases that seem to be one's property and private treasury will include, in the case of a doctor who uses words, several such verbal tools that have acquired greater frequency of use and richer and deeper meanings with experience. For me the word play in its affinity for very spatial senses has grown increasingly helpful in meeting both the practical demands of therapeutic communication and the personal need to maintain theoretical structures to support therapeutic work. I wish here to explore the concept of play--contributions to its definition, its developmental stages, applications of play, and its extended properties.", "contents": "Spatial play. More than sharpening our tools or making them sterile, our task in psychotherapy and analysis is to enliven them, find in them the organic, the animate, and the fecund. For our tools are formed of language, more like living nets than like knives, dies, taps, or templates, and our familiary with them might as well be a marriage of love as one of convenience. One's own onymy (Forrest, 1973) of words and phrases that seem to be one's property and private treasury will include, in the case of a doctor who uses words, several such verbal tools that have acquired greater frequency of use and richer and deeper meanings with experience. For me the word play in its affinity for very spatial senses has grown increasingly helpful in meeting both the practical demands of therapeutic communication and the personal need to maintain theoretical structures to support therapeutic work. I wish here to explore the concept of play--contributions to its definition, its developmental stages, applications of play, and its extended properties.", "PMID": 625506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6018", "title": "The therapeutic relationship in neighborhood psychiatry: impact of clinical setting on clinical practice.", "content": "The relationship between psychotherapist and patient in neighborhood mental health practice differs in important ways from the therapeutic relationship established in other clinical settings. Obviously, no matter where therapist and patient meet, their personality characteristics and the clinical methodology will shape the relationship between them. Most clinical approaches emphasize personality and technique--therapists of all schools are trained to scrutinize these aspects of psychotherapy. But therapists are generally less well prepared to comprehend the clinical impact of the organizational setting itself (Newton and Levinson, 1973). Consequently, the practitioner may not recognize how much the system in which he works influences the way he and his patient relate to each other.", "contents": "The therapeutic relationship in neighborhood psychiatry: impact of clinical setting on clinical practice. The relationship between psychotherapist and patient in neighborhood mental health practice differs in important ways from the therapeutic relationship established in other clinical settings. Obviously, no matter where therapist and patient meet, their personality characteristics and the clinical methodology will shape the relationship between them. Most clinical approaches emphasize personality and technique--therapists of all schools are trained to scrutinize these aspects of psychotherapy. But therapists are generally less well prepared to comprehend the clinical impact of the organizational setting itself (Newton and Levinson, 1973). Consequently, the practitioner may not recognize how much the system in which he works influences the way he and his patient relate to each other.", "PMID": 625507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6019", "title": "Primal-scene experiences as recalled and reported by college students.", "content": "Theoretical and clinical anecdotal studies have assigned considerable significance to the witnessing of and fantasizing about parental sexuality for a person's later understanding and behavior, especially with regard to sexuality and male-female relations. Little is known, however, about the psychology of primal-scene experience, especially if one seeks any systematic or formal data. Even such basic facts as the incidence of recalled primal-scene exposure or fantasy are unavailable, as are any normative data regarding the reactions that may be provoked by such experience. In this study, 345 college student respondents completed questionnaires stating their age and reactions at the time of their initial awareness of their parents' sexual relationship, any actual primal-scene observations, and their ideas and reactions to the idea of their parents' present sexual lives.", "contents": "Primal-scene experiences as recalled and reported by college students. Theoretical and clinical anecdotal studies have assigned considerable significance to the witnessing of and fantasizing about parental sexuality for a person's later understanding and behavior, especially with regard to sexuality and male-female relations. Little is known, however, about the psychology of primal-scene experience, especially if one seeks any systematic or formal data. Even such basic facts as the incidence of recalled primal-scene exposure or fantasy are unavailable, as are any normative data regarding the reactions that may be provoked by such experience. In this study, 345 college student respondents completed questionnaires stating their age and reactions at the time of their initial awareness of their parents' sexual relationship, any actual primal-scene observations, and their ideas and reactions to the idea of their parents' present sexual lives.", "PMID": 625508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6020", "title": "Schizophrenics' mutual glance patterns.", "content": "The schizophrenic patient is often quite incommunicative about his current or past interpersonal relationships. Many workers feel that interviews with the schizophrenic's parents are also unreliable means of getting direct verbal information. Such pessimism is based on their experience that parents of schizophrenics often distort or delete information because of a concern with appearances, an inability to communicate adequately, or an investment in maintaining the patient status of their offspring. Difficulty in getting verbal data limits the therapist's understanding of the schizophrenic and his relationship with people. Observation of implicit communications through gestural interaction provides an important alternate means of getting information about interpersonal relationships which does not necessarily require the cooperation of the patient or his parents. As research in gestural communication improves, it should be possible to attempt a more detailed investigation of the interaction between the schizophrenic patients and others. Through the use of gestural or other implicitly communicative indices, such qualities as seductiveness, hostility, dependency, dominance, and others may ultimately prove to be measurable. Research has demonstrated that gestural behavior as a means of imlicit communication is indicative, in a gross sense, of the quality of interaction between people (Ekman, 1965; Exline and Winter, 1965). This study is concerned with mutual glances--moments in which two people look directly at each other at the same time so that their eyes meet.", "contents": "Schizophrenics' mutual glance patterns. The schizophrenic patient is often quite incommunicative about his current or past interpersonal relationships. Many workers feel that interviews with the schizophrenic's parents are also unreliable means of getting direct verbal information. Such pessimism is based on their experience that parents of schizophrenics often distort or delete information because of a concern with appearances, an inability to communicate adequately, or an investment in maintaining the patient status of their offspring. Difficulty in getting verbal data limits the therapist's understanding of the schizophrenic and his relationship with people. Observation of implicit communications through gestural interaction provides an important alternate means of getting information about interpersonal relationships which does not necessarily require the cooperation of the patient or his parents. As research in gestural communication improves, it should be possible to attempt a more detailed investigation of the interaction between the schizophrenic patients and others. Through the use of gestural or other implicitly communicative indices, such qualities as seductiveness, hostility, dependency, dominance, and others may ultimately prove to be measurable. Research has demonstrated that gestural behavior as a means of imlicit communication is indicative, in a gross sense, of the quality of interaction between people (Ekman, 1965; Exline and Winter, 1965). This study is concerned with mutual glances--moments in which two people look directly at each other at the same time so that their eyes meet.", "PMID": 625510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6021", "title": "Group psychology and the analysis of the ego--a lifetime later.", "content": "In a retrospective evaluation of Freud's essay, the author discusses the formation of emotionally fused mass movements, the implications of drastically changing social patterns and staggering population increases. He sees the critical faculty of the individual ego as the only safeguard against the pull of mass regressions. However, for people long held in subjection, fusion in a common political purpose can constitute a first step toward individual self-awareness, although their leaders may be terrorists, agents of the accumulated aggression. Only the concept of a death drive fully explains the recurrence of mass regression; only the fear of our enormous destructive power may offset its terrible seduction.", "contents": "Group psychology and the analysis of the ego--a lifetime later. In a retrospective evaluation of Freud's essay, the author discusses the formation of emotionally fused mass movements, the implications of drastically changing social patterns and staggering population increases. He sees the critical faculty of the individual ego as the only safeguard against the pull of mass regressions. However, for people long held in subjection, fusion in a common political purpose can constitute a first step toward individual self-awareness, although their leaders may be terrorists, agents of the accumulated aggression. Only the concept of a death drive fully explains the recurrence of mass regression; only the fear of our enormous destructive power may offset its terrible seduction.", "PMID": 625511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6022", "title": "Conscious dream synthesis as a method of learning about dreaming: a pedagogic experiment.", "content": "Stimulated by Freud's comments on the unique perspectives offered by \"building up dreams by synthesis,\" the authors applied this idea to the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute's introductory course on the psychology of dreaming. Each student was assigned the task of purposefully and consciously synthesizing a dream, utilizing certain assigned information and meeting the specified criteria. In the use of this device, it was anticipated that the conscious active effort required to duplicate the usually passively experienced processes of dreaming and the unconscious dream work would lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the dream.", "contents": "Conscious dream synthesis as a method of learning about dreaming: a pedagogic experiment. Stimulated by Freud's comments on the unique perspectives offered by \"building up dreams by synthesis,\" the authors applied this idea to the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute's introductory course on the psychology of dreaming. Each student was assigned the task of purposefully and consciously synthesizing a dream, utilizing certain assigned information and meeting the specified criteria. In the use of this device, it was anticipated that the conscious active effort required to duplicate the usually passively experienced processes of dreaming and the unconscious dream work would lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the dream.", "PMID": 625512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6023", "title": "Pyromania and the primal scene: a psychoanalytic comment on the work of Yukio Mishima.", "content": "In the writings of the Japanese novelist, Yukio Mishima, primal scene experiences and derivative expressions of them recur persistently. The element of fire figures prominently in connection with the wish to wreak vengeance on the persons originally observed in the act of intercourse. As a destructive, attention-compelling spectacle, fire is a particularly suitable vehicle for this purpose. In Mishima's works, revenge takes the form of retaliation in kind: parental figures, or their surrogates, are put into the position of having to observe the child, or substitutes for him, in the act of sexual infidelity. These observations as well as clinical reports in the literature suggest some insights into fantasies of pyromania. They also make possible certain speculations concerning Misima's turbulent life and dramatic suicide.", "contents": "Pyromania and the primal scene: a psychoanalytic comment on the work of Yukio Mishima. In the writings of the Japanese novelist, Yukio Mishima, primal scene experiences and derivative expressions of them recur persistently. The element of fire figures prominently in connection with the wish to wreak vengeance on the persons originally observed in the act of intercourse. As a destructive, attention-compelling spectacle, fire is a particularly suitable vehicle for this purpose. In Mishima's works, revenge takes the form of retaliation in kind: parental figures, or their surrogates, are put into the position of having to observe the child, or substitutes for him, in the act of sexual infidelity. These observations as well as clinical reports in the literature suggest some insights into fantasies of pyromania. They also make possible certain speculations concerning Misima's turbulent life and dramatic suicide.", "PMID": 625515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6024", "title": "Ego function assessment of the psychoanalytic process.", "content": "Pressing needs for objective and rapid clinical assessment of the psychoanalytic process are emerging in the current climate of social and medical change. The Ego Function assessment (EFA) method is presented as an available, valid, and reliable quantitative technique which can be used by clinicians for such objective evaluations. EFA formulations are dynamically highly relevant. They are directly derived from psychoanalytic theory and practice.", "contents": "Ego function assessment of the psychoanalytic process. Pressing needs for objective and rapid clinical assessment of the psychoanalytic process are emerging in the current climate of social and medical change. The Ego Function assessment (EFA) method is presented as an available, valid, and reliable quantitative technique which can be used by clinicians for such objective evaluations. EFA formulations are dynamically highly relevant. They are directly derived from psychoanalytic theory and practice.", "PMID": 625516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6025", "title": "The developmental prestages of defenses: diagnostic and therapeutic implications.", "content": "In the interest of clarifying the distinction between psychopathology based on structural conflict and psychopathology rooted in an arrest in ego development, the hypothesis is offered that there is a developmental line for each defensive process and that a defense mechanism represents the endpoint of a series of developmental achievements. Clinical material is presented to demonstrate the decisive diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of distinguishing between the defenses of projection, incorporation, and splitting, on the one hand, and their specific developmental prestages, on the other.", "contents": "The developmental prestages of defenses: diagnostic and therapeutic implications. In the interest of clarifying the distinction between psychopathology based on structural conflict and psychopathology rooted in an arrest in ego development, the hypothesis is offered that there is a developmental line for each defensive process and that a defense mechanism represents the endpoint of a series of developmental achievements. Clinical material is presented to demonstrate the decisive diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of distinguishing between the defenses of projection, incorporation, and splitting, on the one hand, and their specific developmental prestages, on the other.", "PMID": 625517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6026", "title": "Protection and safety in the X-ray department.", "content": "It should be obvious from the foregoing that the greatest protection to the patient and to the radiographers is a constant awareness of the potential hazards from ionising radiation, combined with a regular check on all procedures and all equipment.", "contents": "Protection and safety in the X-ray department. It should be obvious from the foregoing that the greatest protection to the patient and to the radiographers is a constant awareness of the potential hazards from ionising radiation, combined with a regular check on all procedures and all equipment.", "PMID": 625547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6027", "title": "A 2 hand phantom.", "content": "A technique for embedding hand and wrist bones in plastic resin is described.", "contents": "A 2 hand phantom. A technique for embedding hand and wrist bones in plastic resin is described.", "PMID": 625548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6028", "title": "Vascular pseudo-tumours of the mediastinum in asymptomatic patients. A tomographic study. I. Arteries.", "content": "This is the first of two articles which discuss the radiological features of asymptomatic mediastinal pseudo-tumours of vascular origin, detected accidentally on routine chest X-rays. With a view to possible subsequent surgery, it is of vital importance not to confuse a vascular pseudo-tumour of the meadiastinum with a neoplasm. The radiological appearances of the penetrated chest X-ray, and oesophagographic and tomographic findings, are fairly characteristic. The tomographic features are given special attention. A distinction is made between vascular pseudo- tumours of arterial and of venous origin. The first article discusses pseudo-tumours of arterial origin, the majority of which are based on a tortuous descending aorta, buckling innominate artery, aneurysm of the aorta or congenital anomalies of the aortic arch and its major branches.", "contents": "Vascular pseudo-tumours of the mediastinum in asymptomatic patients. A tomographic study. I. Arteries. This is the first of two articles which discuss the radiological features of asymptomatic mediastinal pseudo-tumours of vascular origin, detected accidentally on routine chest X-rays. With a view to possible subsequent surgery, it is of vital importance not to confuse a vascular pseudo-tumour of the meadiastinum with a neoplasm. The radiological appearances of the penetrated chest X-ray, and oesophagographic and tomographic findings, are fairly characteristic. The tomographic features are given special attention. A distinction is made between vascular pseudo- tumours of arterial and of venous origin. The first article discusses pseudo-tumours of arterial origin, the majority of which are based on a tortuous descending aorta, buckling innominate artery, aneurysm of the aorta or congenital anomalies of the aortic arch and its major branches.", "PMID": 625551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6029", "title": "Selective scintiangiography of the kidney with xenon-133.", "content": "Measurement of the spatial distribution of the clearance rate of xenon-133 from the kidney after its injection into the renal artery for estimating intrarenal blood flow can easily be combined with selective X-ray angiography as a routine method. Using a gamma camera as detection equipment anand applying a special computer analysis technique, 'functional images' can be obtained, by which the spatial distribution of the blood flow in the kidney is quantitatively mapped. Experiments with a rather heterogenous group of 12 patients suggest that in at least one type of renal pathology the xenon-133 flow study is more indicative for clinical evaluation than the X-ray angiography", "contents": "Selective scintiangiography of the kidney with xenon-133. Measurement of the spatial distribution of the clearance rate of xenon-133 from the kidney after its injection into the renal artery for estimating intrarenal blood flow can easily be combined with selective X-ray angiography as a routine method. Using a gamma camera as detection equipment anand applying a special computer analysis technique, 'functional images' can be obtained, by which the spatial distribution of the blood flow in the kidney is quantitatively mapped. Experiments with a rather heterogenous group of 12 patients suggest that in at least one type of renal pathology the xenon-133 flow study is more indicative for clinical evaluation than the X-ray angiography", "PMID": 625552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6030", "title": "Discussion of radiobiological factors operating in low dose rate irradiation.", "content": "Low dose rate irradiation may have advantages over fractionated daily irradiation apart from the small treatment volume, connected with curie therapy. Radiobiological factors such as low OER with dose and low dose rate, per cell cycle time and redistribution effects are discussed.", "contents": "Discussion of radiobiological factors operating in low dose rate irradiation. Low dose rate irradiation may have advantages over fractionated daily irradiation apart from the small treatment volume, connected with curie therapy. Radiobiological factors such as low OER with dose and low dose rate, per cell cycle time and redistribution effects are discussed.", "PMID": 625553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6031", "title": "Use of the computer in high-energy electron therapy.", "content": "The experimental determination of the dose distribution in the body of patients treated with high-energy electrons is very difficult and inaccurate as, among other things, the body contours and the size of the patient's organs are seldom identical with those of a phantom. With the aid of the computer, it is possible to elaborate quickly for each treatment isodose plans sufficiently accurate for practical application. The dose distribution depends on the following factors: number of fields or rotation angle, size of the radiation fields, electron energy, curvature of the body surface and shape and composition of the organs. With the aid of the computer, which is capable of simulating a multiple-field or moving-beam irradiation by the summation of the dose values of two or more single fields, the above-mentioned parameters can be changed as required and thus various types of treatment plans can be prepared. Prior to the treatment, the radiotherapist can select the optimal plan for the case in question from a number of possibilities.", "contents": "Use of the computer in high-energy electron therapy. The experimental determination of the dose distribution in the body of patients treated with high-energy electrons is very difficult and inaccurate as, among other things, the body contours and the size of the patient's organs are seldom identical with those of a phantom. With the aid of the computer, it is possible to elaborate quickly for each treatment isodose plans sufficiently accurate for practical application. The dose distribution depends on the following factors: number of fields or rotation angle, size of the radiation fields, electron energy, curvature of the body surface and shape and composition of the organs. With the aid of the computer, which is capable of simulating a multiple-field or moving-beam irradiation by the summation of the dose values of two or more single fields, the above-mentioned parameters can be changed as required and thus various types of treatment plans can be prepared. Prior to the treatment, the radiotherapist can select the optimal plan for the case in question from a number of possibilities.", "PMID": 625554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6032", "title": "Diagnostic value and limitations of selective spinal angiography in different lesions of the vertebral bones.", "content": "The technique, diagnostic results and significance, differential diagnostic considerations and limitations of selective spinal angiographies in chronic inflammatory processes (Pott's disease 11 cases). hemangiomas (21 cases) and aneurysmal bone cysts (9 cases) as well as benign and malignant tumors (26 cases) of the vertebral bones and adjacent tissues are described and demonstrated with regard to radiological findings.", "contents": "Diagnostic value and limitations of selective spinal angiography in different lesions of the vertebral bones. The technique, diagnostic results and significance, differential diagnostic considerations and limitations of selective spinal angiographies in chronic inflammatory processes (Pott's disease 11 cases). hemangiomas (21 cases) and aneurysmal bone cysts (9 cases) as well as benign and malignant tumors (26 cases) of the vertebral bones and adjacent tissues are described and demonstrated with regard to radiological findings.", "PMID": 625555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6033", "title": "Hippel-Lindau disease. A case history of one family.", "content": "This article describes the results of a prospective study in the 4 asymptomatic members of a family affected with Hippel-Lindau disease after the death of 2 patients and the surgical findings of the third. It stresses the multicentric and bilateral origin of renal cell carcinoma in Hippel-Lindau disease, usually combined with renal cortical cysts. The walls of these cysts often contain carcinoma cells. It is important that all relatives of a patient with the Hippel-Lindau disease are adequately screened.", "contents": "Hippel-Lindau disease. A case history of one family. This article describes the results of a prospective study in the 4 asymptomatic members of a family affected with Hippel-Lindau disease after the death of 2 patients and the surgical findings of the third. It stresses the multicentric and bilateral origin of renal cell carcinoma in Hippel-Lindau disease, usually combined with renal cortical cysts. The walls of these cysts often contain carcinoma cells. It is important that all relatives of a patient with the Hippel-Lindau disease are adequately screened.", "PMID": 625556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6034", "title": "Ulcerative colitis.", "content": "The clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are described and three main points are emphasized: 1. The importance of associated diseases of ulcerative colitis (hepatic involvement, arthropathy, skin affections, uveitis and thyroiditis). 2. The importance of psychopathological conflicts in the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. 3. The necessity to have a well-balanced team of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, psychologists or psychotherapists, pathologists, social workers and stoma therapists for optimal therapy.", "contents": "Ulcerative colitis. The clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are described and three main points are emphasized: 1. The importance of associated diseases of ulcerative colitis (hepatic involvement, arthropathy, skin affections, uveitis and thyroiditis). 2. The importance of psychopathological conflicts in the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease. 3. The necessity to have a well-balanced team of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, psychologists or psychotherapists, pathologists, social workers and stoma therapists for optimal therapy.", "PMID": 625557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6035", "title": "Congenital duodenal obstruction: a review of 82 cases.", "content": "We report our experience with 82 cases of congenital duodenal obstruction. Forty-seven had intrinsic and 35 extrinsic lesions. Treatment of duodenal occlusion resulting from maldevelopment of the common mesentery is well standardized. Treatment of occlusion due to duodenal atresia or complete diaphragmatic obstruction needs re-evaluation. Our critical study of the anastomoses commonly used emphasizes that duodenojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy should be avoided. The recommended operative technique had the following aims in order to utilize fully the duodenal circuit: 1) Reduction in size and remodeling of the proximal dilated duodenal segment; 2) End-to-end anastomosis of the proximal duodenum with the distal duodenum or the jejunum. Only the \"annular pancreas\" lesion is not fully amenable to this technique but, even here, an end-to-side anastomosis is eminently feasible.", "contents": "Congenital duodenal obstruction: a review of 82 cases. We report our experience with 82 cases of congenital duodenal obstruction. Forty-seven had intrinsic and 35 extrinsic lesions. Treatment of duodenal occlusion resulting from maldevelopment of the common mesentery is well standardized. Treatment of occlusion due to duodenal atresia or complete diaphragmatic obstruction needs re-evaluation. Our critical study of the anastomoses commonly used emphasizes that duodenojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy should be avoided. The recommended operative technique had the following aims in order to utilize fully the duodenal circuit: 1) Reduction in size and remodeling of the proximal dilated duodenal segment; 2) End-to-end anastomosis of the proximal duodenum with the distal duodenum or the jejunum. Only the \"annular pancreas\" lesion is not fully amenable to this technique but, even here, an end-to-side anastomosis is eminently feasible.", "PMID": 625558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6036", "title": "Presinusoidal extrahepatic portal hypertension: a review of thirty-five cases variously treated.", "content": "Thirty-five cases of proven preinusoidal extrahepatic portal hypertension in children have been reviewed with particular reference to etiology, clinical course, therapy, and long-term follow up results. Thirty-three patients has significant gastrointestinal bleeding and 31 were operated upon. There were no operative deaths. Portosystemic venous shunts were successful in 12 of 21 patients. A variety of procedures were used for 15 of the 17 \"unshuntable\" individuals. Some form of esophagectomy and proximal partial gastrectomy with colon substitution appears to be the most effective operation for control of hemorrhage in the \"unshuntable\" patients. Expectant treatment is preferred in the infant and younger child, but the older child should have a definitive shunt or direct attack on the varices since recurrent bleeding is usually the rule.", "contents": "Presinusoidal extrahepatic portal hypertension: a review of thirty-five cases variously treated. Thirty-five cases of proven preinusoidal extrahepatic portal hypertension in children have been reviewed with particular reference to etiology, clinical course, therapy, and long-term follow up results. Thirty-three patients has significant gastrointestinal bleeding and 31 were operated upon. There were no operative deaths. Portosystemic venous shunts were successful in 12 of 21 patients. A variety of procedures were used for 15 of the 17 \"unshuntable\" individuals. Some form of esophagectomy and proximal partial gastrectomy with colon substitution appears to be the most effective operation for control of hemorrhage in the \"unshuntable\" patients. Expectant treatment is preferred in the infant and younger child, but the older child should have a definitive shunt or direct attack on the varices since recurrent bleeding is usually the rule.", "PMID": 625559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6037", "title": "The basis of immunosuppressive treatment in ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Clinical signs and immunological findings suggest that causation and subsequent progress of ulcerative colitis are related to the body's immune systems. Among the immunological findings, the following are of special importance: the appearance of humoral antibodies against colonic antigens, the presence of specific adapted lymphocytes against fetal colonic epithelium, the decrease of complement (especially in severe types of the disease), and immunohistological changes in the colonic mucosa. The histological changes in the region of the affected segment of intestine and the regional lymphnodes are also characteristic of an immuno-inflammatory disease. However, it is not yet known whether the immunological mechanism is responsible for causing the disease or whether it occurs together with a disease which has no immunological basis.", "contents": "The basis of immunosuppressive treatment in ulcerative colitis. Clinical signs and immunological findings suggest that causation and subsequent progress of ulcerative colitis are related to the body's immune systems. Among the immunological findings, the following are of special importance: the appearance of humoral antibodies against colonic antigens, the presence of specific adapted lymphocytes against fetal colonic epithelium, the decrease of complement (especially in severe types of the disease), and immunohistological changes in the colonic mucosa. The histological changes in the region of the affected segment of intestine and the regional lymphnodes are also characteristic of an immuno-inflammatory disease. However, it is not yet known whether the immunological mechanism is responsible for causing the disease or whether it occurs together with a disease which has no immunological basis.", "PMID": 625560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6038", "title": "Long-term study of Crohn's disease.", "content": "Nineteen children and 160 adults with Crohn's disease were examined. The children had been under treatment between 1972 and 1974. There were 11 boys and 8 girls. Their main symptoms were general malaise, diarrhea, abdominal pains, anemia and weight loss. Clinical examination showed pallor, malnutrition, and abdominal tenderness on palpation. In 7 of 19 cases, rectosigmoidoscopy showed pathological changes. Radiologically, the most frequent site of the disease was observed to be in the ileocecal area. Since conservative therapy is associated with the risk of grave local and general complications, resection of the affected intestinal segment was the method of choice. Resection must be carried out through healthy tissues. Although the intestinal absorption of B12, fat and bile acids deteriorated after resection of the ileum, the general state of health of the patient improved. Body weight, serum albumin, serum iron concentration and the total iron binding capacity increased and the patient developed normally. Relapses occurred in 8 of the 19 cases. From the large number of adult patients who were studied, it could be shown that the risk of a relapse was greater in the ileal and ileocolic disease than in disease restricted to colon.", "contents": "Long-term study of Crohn's disease. Nineteen children and 160 adults with Crohn's disease were examined. The children had been under treatment between 1972 and 1974. There were 11 boys and 8 girls. Their main symptoms were general malaise, diarrhea, abdominal pains, anemia and weight loss. Clinical examination showed pallor, malnutrition, and abdominal tenderness on palpation. In 7 of 19 cases, rectosigmoidoscopy showed pathological changes. Radiologically, the most frequent site of the disease was observed to be in the ileocecal area. Since conservative therapy is associated with the risk of grave local and general complications, resection of the affected intestinal segment was the method of choice. Resection must be carried out through healthy tissues. Although the intestinal absorption of B12, fat and bile acids deteriorated after resection of the ileum, the general state of health of the patient improved. Body weight, serum albumin, serum iron concentration and the total iron binding capacity increased and the patient developed normally. Relapses occurred in 8 of the 19 cases. From the large number of adult patients who were studied, it could be shown that the risk of a relapse was greater in the ileal and ileocolic disease than in disease restricted to colon.", "PMID": 625561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6039", "title": "Follow-up results of the pull-through operation for ulcerative colitis in children.", "content": "The value of the ileoanal pull-through operation in the surgical treatment of children with ulcerative colitis is shown by this 10-year postoperative follow-up study of 6 patients. The results are based on a questionnaire and the performance of ileoscopic and histological follow-up examinations. In 5 of the 6 children (now adults), normal continence was present and there were no complaints. Postoperative difficulties in a girl now 17 years of age are attributed to an incorrect initial diagnosis.", "contents": "Follow-up results of the pull-through operation for ulcerative colitis in children. The value of the ileoanal pull-through operation in the surgical treatment of children with ulcerative colitis is shown by this 10-year postoperative follow-up study of 6 patients. The results are based on a questionnaire and the performance of ileoscopic and histological follow-up examinations. In 5 of the 6 children (now adults), normal continence was present and there were no complaints. Postoperative difficulties in a girl now 17 years of age are attributed to an incorrect initial diagnosis.", "PMID": 625562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6040", "title": "Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.", "content": "Forty-six cases of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis are reported, with a 46% mortality rate. Unlike most other series, low birth weight children accounted for only half the cases. The recognized initiating factors of hypoxia and hemodynamic changes were not always present. A high index of suspicion in the child with non-specific malaise and earlier positive diagnosis provide the most likely means of improving results.", "contents": "Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Forty-six cases of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis are reported, with a 46% mortality rate. Unlike most other series, low birth weight children accounted for only half the cases. The recognized initiating factors of hypoxia and hemodynamic changes were not always present. A high index of suspicion in the child with non-specific malaise and earlier positive diagnosis provide the most likely means of improving results.", "PMID": 625564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6041", "title": "Surgical problems in necrotizing enterocolitis in childhood.", "content": "The problem of necrotizing enterocolitis is discussed based on the experience with 24 patients. It has been found that the time factor plays an important role in the decision whether to operate. The indications for operation are intestinal perforation, threatening perforation, and penetration of a covered perforation. Operation is carried out in order to treat the peritonitis caused by perforation. The various operative methods are described and evaluated. Intestinal resection, exclusion enterostomies, and suture of the perforation may all be justified, depending on the findings at operation. The difficulties in the differential diagnosis are discussed. The importance of late complications are stressed, and it is pointed out that every case will require routine controls long after discharge from the hospital. The high mortality is directly related not to the surgical complications, but rather to the septicemia which so often develops.", "contents": "Surgical problems in necrotizing enterocolitis in childhood. The problem of necrotizing enterocolitis is discussed based on the experience with 24 patients. It has been found that the time factor plays an important role in the decision whether to operate. The indications for operation are intestinal perforation, threatening perforation, and penetration of a covered perforation. Operation is carried out in order to treat the peritonitis caused by perforation. The various operative methods are described and evaluated. Intestinal resection, exclusion enterostomies, and suture of the perforation may all be justified, depending on the findings at operation. The difficulties in the differential diagnosis are discussed. The importance of late complications are stressed, and it is pointed out that every case will require routine controls long after discharge from the hospital. The high mortality is directly related not to the surgical complications, but rather to the septicemia which so often develops.", "PMID": 625565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6042", "title": "Oxytocin-stimulated production of prostaglandin F2alpha by isolated endometrium of rabbit: modulation by ovarian steroids.", "content": "To test the hypothesis that ovarian steroid hormones modulate oxytocin-induced release of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) from uterine endometrium, 2 ovariectomized rabbits were pretreated with progesterone (5 mg/day for 10 days), 2 with estradiol-17 beta (25 microgram/day for 10 days), 2 with both steroids, and one with sesame oil only. On the last day of treatment, endometrial fragments were excised and incubated in vitro with or without oxytocin (100 muU/ml). Although endometrium from rabbits pretreated with combined steroids released more PGF2alpha immediately after excision than did tissue from animals pretreated with either steroid by itself, endometrium from animals pretreated with estradiol-17 beta alone released the most PGF2alpha during sustained incubation in vitro. Moreover, only this tissue exhibited significant oxytocin-dependent release of PGF2alpha. At the dosages used, progesterone completely antagonized both of these effects of estradiol-17 beta. The results support the hypothesis that ovarian steroid hormones regulate oxytocin-dependent release of PGF2alpha from endometrial cells. A posible mechanism of action is suggested.", "contents": "Oxytocin-stimulated production of prostaglandin F2alpha by isolated endometrium of rabbit: modulation by ovarian steroids. To test the hypothesis that ovarian steroid hormones modulate oxytocin-induced release of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) from uterine endometrium, 2 ovariectomized rabbits were pretreated with progesterone (5 mg/day for 10 days), 2 with estradiol-17 beta (25 microgram/day for 10 days), 2 with both steroids, and one with sesame oil only. On the last day of treatment, endometrial fragments were excised and incubated in vitro with or without oxytocin (100 muU/ml). Although endometrium from rabbits pretreated with combined steroids released more PGF2alpha immediately after excision than did tissue from animals pretreated with either steroid by itself, endometrium from animals pretreated with estradiol-17 beta alone released the most PGF2alpha during sustained incubation in vitro. Moreover, only this tissue exhibited significant oxytocin-dependent release of PGF2alpha. At the dosages used, progesterone completely antagonized both of these effects of estradiol-17 beta. The results support the hypothesis that ovarian steroid hormones regulate oxytocin-dependent release of PGF2alpha from endometrial cells. A posible mechanism of action is suggested.", "PMID": 625567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6043", "title": "Impaired renal production of prostaglandin E2: a newly identified lesion in human essential hypertension.", "content": "To test the hypothesis that impaired renal prostaglandin production may accompany the hypertensive state, we have measured urinary PGE2 by radioimmunoassay in 52 normotensive and 50 hypertensive subjects. PGE2 levels were lower in females, and were not affected by Na+ intake or age. Patients with essential hypertension had significantly lower PGE2, particularly those with low-renin hypertension. Forty percent of the hypertensives excreted less than 70 ng/24 hr, values never observed in normotensives except after receiving indomethacin, a well-known prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor. It appears that impaired renal prostaglandin production is commonly encountered in patients with essential hypertension, perhaps contributing to their increased renal resistance. The data further suggest a role for renal prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of low-renin hypertension.", "contents": "Impaired renal production of prostaglandin E2: a newly identified lesion in human essential hypertension. To test the hypothesis that impaired renal prostaglandin production may accompany the hypertensive state, we have measured urinary PGE2 by radioimmunoassay in 52 normotensive and 50 hypertensive subjects. PGE2 levels were lower in females, and were not affected by Na+ intake or age. Patients with essential hypertension had significantly lower PGE2, particularly those with low-renin hypertension. Forty percent of the hypertensives excreted less than 70 ng/24 hr, values never observed in normotensives except after receiving indomethacin, a well-known prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor. It appears that impaired renal prostaglandin production is commonly encountered in patients with essential hypertension, perhaps contributing to their increased renal resistance. The data further suggest a role for renal prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of low-renin hypertension.", "PMID": 625570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6044", "title": "Fetal effects of cervical ripening with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 in gel.", "content": "A gel containing 0.5 mg prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was extra-amniotically instilled 90 clinically normal gravidae at term, for ripening of the cervix before elective induction of labor by amniotomy and intravenous PGE2. An acceptable increase in the Bishop score was noted to have occurred in 87/90 women, when assessed eight hours after administration of the gel; 14 of these women were then in established labor, which progressed uneventfully. Four of the 90 subjects required cesarean section for cephalopelvic disproportion. No adverse maternal or fetal effects of the procedure were detected under careful clinical, electronic and biochemical monitoring. However, epidural anesthesia adversely influenced the acid-base equilibrium of the fetus.", "contents": "Fetal effects of cervical ripening with extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 in gel. A gel containing 0.5 mg prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was extra-amniotically instilled 90 clinically normal gravidae at term, for ripening of the cervix before elective induction of labor by amniotomy and intravenous PGE2. An acceptable increase in the Bishop score was noted to have occurred in 87/90 women, when assessed eight hours after administration of the gel; 14 of these women were then in established labor, which progressed uneventfully. Four of the 90 subjects required cesarean section for cephalopelvic disproportion. No adverse maternal or fetal effects of the procedure were detected under careful clinical, electronic and biochemical monitoring. However, epidural anesthesia adversely influenced the acid-base equilibrium of the fetus.", "PMID": 625571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6045", "title": "Uterine rupture: a complication of midtrimester abortion.", "content": "The intraamniotic injection of prostaglandin F2alpha and/or hypertonic saline may be associated with serious uterine and cervical trauma. Multiparity and superimposed uterotonic stimulation by oxytocin are generally thought to be contributory. A patient is described who failed to abort vaginally after an uneventful intraamniotic infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha in combination with hypertonic saline; 48 hours later she evacuated the uterine contents into the peritoneal cavity through a rent in the uterine fundus. The uterine rupture occurred even though there had been no uterotonic stimulation by oxytocin.", "contents": "Uterine rupture: a complication of midtrimester abortion. The intraamniotic injection of prostaglandin F2alpha and/or hypertonic saline may be associated with serious uterine and cervical trauma. Multiparity and superimposed uterotonic stimulation by oxytocin are generally thought to be contributory. A patient is described who failed to abort vaginally after an uneventful intraamniotic infusion of prostaglandin F2 alpha in combination with hypertonic saline; 48 hours later she evacuated the uterine contents into the peritoneal cavity through a rent in the uterine fundus. The uterine rupture occurred even though there had been no uterotonic stimulation by oxytocin.", "PMID": 625572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6046", "title": "Accelerated ovum transport in rabbits induced by endotoxin II. Changes in oviductal smooth muscle activity.", "content": "Oviductal mortility, measured with open-ended perfused catheters in anesthetized animals injected with human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), is depressed 2 h following endotoxin injection and returns to control levels by 3 h after endotoxin injection. This decrease in motility is prevented by indomethacin. Endotoxin did not affect spontaneous or phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions of oviduct when it was added to the bathing medium of in vitro tissues. Oviductal segments removed 2 h after endotoxin (26 h after hCG) showed electrical activity confined to the ampullary-isthmic-junction (AIJ), where ova were located; the dose-response curve for PE was shifted to the right and the maximum contraction was depressed. Activity of tissues removed 4 h after endotoxin more closely resembled control tissues except that the maximum contraction to PE was depressed, ova had passed out of the oviduct and a proovarian bias in the isthmus was not present. The response of the oviduct to prostaglandins (PGs) in vivo is critically dependent on the previous exposure to PGs. In endotoxin-treated animals PGE then PGF levels increase and the decrease in motility coincides with increased PGE levels, but accelerated ovum transport with the return of motility and activation of the isthmus.", "contents": "Accelerated ovum transport in rabbits induced by endotoxin II. Changes in oviductal smooth muscle activity. Oviductal mortility, measured with open-ended perfused catheters in anesthetized animals injected with human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), is depressed 2 h following endotoxin injection and returns to control levels by 3 h after endotoxin injection. This decrease in motility is prevented by indomethacin. Endotoxin did not affect spontaneous or phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions of oviduct when it was added to the bathing medium of in vitro tissues. Oviductal segments removed 2 h after endotoxin (26 h after hCG) showed electrical activity confined to the ampullary-isthmic-junction (AIJ), where ova were located; the dose-response curve for PE was shifted to the right and the maximum contraction was depressed. Activity of tissues removed 4 h after endotoxin more closely resembled control tissues except that the maximum contraction to PE was depressed, ova had passed out of the oviduct and a proovarian bias in the isthmus was not present. The response of the oviduct to prostaglandins (PGs) in vivo is critically dependent on the previous exposure to PGs. In endotoxin-treated animals PGE then PGF levels increase and the decrease in motility coincides with increased PGE levels, but accelerated ovum transport with the return of motility and activation of the isthmus.", "PMID": 625576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6047", "title": "Prostaglandins and renin release: II. Assessment of renin secretion following infusion of PGI2,E2 and D2 into the renal artery of anesthetized dogs.", "content": "The influence of intra-renal infusions of prostaglandin (PG) I2, PGE2 and PGD2 on renin secretion and renal blood flow was investigated in renally denervated, beta-adrenergic blocked, indomethacin treated dogs with unilateral nephrectomy. All three prostaglandins when infused at doses of 10(-8) g/kg/min and 10(-7) g/kg/min resulted in marked renal vasodilation. Renin secretory rates increased significantly with both PGI2 and PGE2 at the 10(-8) g/kg/min and 10(-7) g/kg/min infusion rates in a dose dependent manner. However, PGD2 was inactive. At 10(-7) g/kg/min, PGI2 infusions resulted in systemic hypotension indicated recirculation of this prostaglandin. These findings suggest that PGI2 should be included among the cyclooxygenase derived metabolites of arachidonic acid to be considered as possible mediators of renin release.", "contents": "Prostaglandins and renin release: II. Assessment of renin secretion following infusion of PGI2,E2 and D2 into the renal artery of anesthetized dogs. The influence of intra-renal infusions of prostaglandin (PG) I2, PGE2 and PGD2 on renin secretion and renal blood flow was investigated in renally denervated, beta-adrenergic blocked, indomethacin treated dogs with unilateral nephrectomy. All three prostaglandins when infused at doses of 10(-8) g/kg/min and 10(-7) g/kg/min resulted in marked renal vasodilation. Renin secretory rates increased significantly with both PGI2 and PGE2 at the 10(-8) g/kg/min and 10(-7) g/kg/min infusion rates in a dose dependent manner. However, PGD2 was inactive. At 10(-7) g/kg/min, PGI2 infusions resulted in systemic hypotension indicated recirculation of this prostaglandin. These findings suggest that PGI2 should be included among the cyclooxygenase derived metabolites of arachidonic acid to be considered as possible mediators of renin release.", "PMID": 625577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6048", "title": "Central cardiovascular effects of clonidine and another imidazoline derivative ST [600] in adult fowls.", "content": "In adult fowls (Gallus domesticus) with cannulae stereotaxically implanted into the III cerebral ventricle and into the hypothalamus, the effects of clonidine and another imidazoline derivative (St 600) were studied on arterial blood pressure and heart rate. It has been shown that clonidine and St 600 administration into the III ventricle or into the hypothalamus produced an immediate profound and long lasting decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Contrary to the intravenous administration, this response was not preceded by an initial rise in blood pressure. On an equimolar basis St 600 appeared to be at least one-tenth as potent as clonidine. Prior intraventricular administration of alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agents, phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine, prevented changes in cardiovascular effects following intrahypothalamic infusion of clonidine and St 600. In conclusion, present experiments indicate that in fowls the hypothalamus represents the site or sites through which hypotension and bradycardia evoked by clonidine and related compounds are mediated.", "contents": "Central cardiovascular effects of clonidine and another imidazoline derivative ST [600] in adult fowls. In adult fowls (Gallus domesticus) with cannulae stereotaxically implanted into the III cerebral ventricle and into the hypothalamus, the effects of clonidine and another imidazoline derivative (St 600) were studied on arterial blood pressure and heart rate. It has been shown that clonidine and St 600 administration into the III ventricle or into the hypothalamus produced an immediate profound and long lasting decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Contrary to the intravenous administration, this response was not preceded by an initial rise in blood pressure. On an equimolar basis St 600 appeared to be at least one-tenth as potent as clonidine. Prior intraventricular administration of alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agents, phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine, prevented changes in cardiovascular effects following intrahypothalamic infusion of clonidine and St 600. In conclusion, present experiments indicate that in fowls the hypothalamus represents the site or sites through which hypotension and bradycardia evoked by clonidine and related compounds are mediated.", "PMID": 625578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6049", "title": "Effects of inhalation and cutaneous exposure to styrene on drug metabolizing enzymes in the rat.", "content": "The effects of inhalation and cutaneous exposure to styrene on the drug metabolizing enzymes were studied in the rat. Rats were exposed eight hours per day, for seven successive days to 450 ppm concentration of styrene or received one cutaneous dose of styrene daily for seven consecutive days (0.5 and 3.0 g/kg). The animals were killed one day after the last dose. Styrene inhalation increased the activities of epoxide hydrase and UDPglucuronosyltransferase (4-methylumbelliferone as substrate) in liver (1.5- and 1.7-fold, respectively). Ethoxycoumarin deethylation was enhanced 1.7-fold in the kidney. The content of cytochrome P-450 in the liver and the activities of NADPH cytochrome c-reductase, benzpyrene hydroxylase and glutathione S-transferase in the liver and kidney were not altered. No changes in the enzyme activities were detected in the lung. Styrene depressed the epoxide hydrase activity in liver when administered cutaneously. No signs of enzyme induction could be seen after cutaneous administration.", "contents": "Effects of inhalation and cutaneous exposure to styrene on drug metabolizing enzymes in the rat. The effects of inhalation and cutaneous exposure to styrene on the drug metabolizing enzymes were studied in the rat. Rats were exposed eight hours per day, for seven successive days to 450 ppm concentration of styrene or received one cutaneous dose of styrene daily for seven consecutive days (0.5 and 3.0 g/kg). The animals were killed one day after the last dose. Styrene inhalation increased the activities of epoxide hydrase and UDPglucuronosyltransferase (4-methylumbelliferone as substrate) in liver (1.5- and 1.7-fold, respectively). Ethoxycoumarin deethylation was enhanced 1.7-fold in the kidney. The content of cytochrome P-450 in the liver and the activities of NADPH cytochrome c-reductase, benzpyrene hydroxylase and glutathione S-transferase in the liver and kidney were not altered. No changes in the enzyme activities were detected in the lung. Styrene depressed the epoxide hydrase activity in liver when administered cutaneously. No signs of enzyme induction could be seen after cutaneous administration.", "PMID": 625579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6050", "title": "Formation of catechol-like and monophenolic metabolites of propranolol by the rat liver 9000G supernatant.", "content": "The oxidation of the naphthalene ring system of propranolol by the rat liver 9000g supernatant has been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two dihydroxy metabolites, one of which possibly catechol-like, and four monophenols were identified based on the mass fragmentation pattern and retention times of their trimethylsilyl and d9-trimethylsilyl derivatives. These observations emphasize the complex oxidation pattern of this drug. All metabolites identified are proposed to be associated with significant biological activity.", "contents": "Formation of catechol-like and monophenolic metabolites of propranolol by the rat liver 9000G supernatant. The oxidation of the naphthalene ring system of propranolol by the rat liver 9000g supernatant has been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two dihydroxy metabolites, one of which possibly catechol-like, and four monophenols were identified based on the mass fragmentation pattern and retention times of their trimethylsilyl and d9-trimethylsilyl derivatives. These observations emphasize the complex oxidation pattern of this drug. All metabolites identified are proposed to be associated with significant biological activity.", "PMID": 625580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6051", "title": "The interaction of iopanoic and iophenoxic acids with human serum albumin.", "content": "Iopanoic and iophenoxic acids are strongly bound to human serum albumin, as revealed from ultracentrifugation experiments. About two or three high affinity binding sites were found for both drugs. Within the concentration range investigated iopanoic acid is stronglier bound than iophenoxic acid. The binding to only one of the high affinity binding sites produces extrinsic Cotton effects. Further saturation of the high affinity binding sites decreases the extrinsic Cotton effects, possibly due to a binding induced change of the protein conformation.", "contents": "The interaction of iopanoic and iophenoxic acids with human serum albumin. Iopanoic and iophenoxic acids are strongly bound to human serum albumin, as revealed from ultracentrifugation experiments. About two or three high affinity binding sites were found for both drugs. Within the concentration range investigated iopanoic acid is stronglier bound than iophenoxic acid. The binding to only one of the high affinity binding sites produces extrinsic Cotton effects. Further saturation of the high affinity binding sites decreases the extrinsic Cotton effects, possibly due to a binding induced change of the protein conformation.", "PMID": 625581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6052", "title": "Differential effect of ethanol ingestion on the protein synthetic activities of free and membrane-bound ribosomes from liver of the weanling rat.", "content": "The influence of chronic ethanol ingestion on the protein synthetic activities of free and membrane-bound ribosomes was studied in vitro in the liver of young rat. Ethanol administration caused about 120% increase in the amino acid incorporative activity of free ribosomes. In contrast, membrane-bound ribosomes from the livers of ethanol-fed animals exhibited a 25% decline in their protein synthetic activity. This decline in the activity of membrane-bound ribosomes was abolished after dissolution of membranes by Triton X-100. Evidence was obtained suggesting that the observed alterations in protein synthesis due to ethanol intake are attributable to changes in pH5 enzyme fraction, altered amount of ribosome-associated mRNA and a damage to the endoplasmic reticulum membranes.", "contents": "Differential effect of ethanol ingestion on the protein synthetic activities of free and membrane-bound ribosomes from liver of the weanling rat. The influence of chronic ethanol ingestion on the protein synthetic activities of free and membrane-bound ribosomes was studied in vitro in the liver of young rat. Ethanol administration caused about 120% increase in the amino acid incorporative activity of free ribosomes. In contrast, membrane-bound ribosomes from the livers of ethanol-fed animals exhibited a 25% decline in their protein synthetic activity. This decline in the activity of membrane-bound ribosomes was abolished after dissolution of membranes by Triton X-100. Evidence was obtained suggesting that the observed alterations in protein synthesis due to ethanol intake are attributable to changes in pH5 enzyme fraction, altered amount of ribosome-associated mRNA and a damage to the endoplasmic reticulum membranes.", "PMID": 625582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6053", "title": "Effect of levamisole on aggregation of platelets stimulated with compounds associated with the prostaglandin synthetic pathway.", "content": "Levamisole, L-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo-(2,1-b)-thiazole-hydrocholoride at various concentrations (2.5 to 40 microgram) added to platelet rich plasma inhibited aggregation of platelets. The 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50) of levamisole in platelet aggregation induced by hydrogen peroixde (9.4 x 10(-1) mM), epinephrine (1.0 x 10(-1) micrometer), endoperoxide-analog (2.9 x 10(-1) micrometer) and arachidonic acid (3.3 micrometer) were 11.0, 8.0, 11.5 and 16.0 microgram/test, respectively. It is suggested that levamisole like imidazole inhibit platelet aggregation and this factor should be considered in the administration of levamisole, especially in cardiovascular diseases.", "contents": "Effect of levamisole on aggregation of platelets stimulated with compounds associated with the prostaglandin synthetic pathway. Levamisole, L-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo-(2,1-b)-thiazole-hydrocholoride at various concentrations (2.5 to 40 microgram) added to platelet rich plasma inhibited aggregation of platelets. The 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50) of levamisole in platelet aggregation induced by hydrogen peroixde (9.4 x 10(-1) mM), epinephrine (1.0 x 10(-1) micrometer), endoperoxide-analog (2.9 x 10(-1) micrometer) and arachidonic acid (3.3 micrometer) were 11.0, 8.0, 11.5 and 16.0 microgram/test, respectively. It is suggested that levamisole like imidazole inhibit platelet aggregation and this factor should be considered in the administration of levamisole, especially in cardiovascular diseases.", "PMID": 625583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6054", "title": "Long-term effects of adrenal and ovarian ablation on the regulation of energy exchange in the female rat.", "content": "Body weights of female rats in six postsurgical groups were observed over 120 days. Ovariectomy increased body weight as compared with controls, whereas adrenalectomy decreased it. Weights of animals that were both ovariectomized and adrenalectomized were intermediate between those of controls and adrenalectomized groups. The body weights of adrenalectomized rats that were not salt dependent resembled those of animals that had not undergone adrenal surgery. Plasma levels of corticosterone and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Adrenalectomy that resulted in salt dependency, whether or not in conjunction with ovariectomy, markedly decreased corticosterone levels. Ovariectomy alone or in conjunction with adrenalectomy decreased progesterone levels. The increased body weight of the group that was both ovariectomized and adrenalectomized over the group that was only adrenalectomized suggests that the decreased body weight generally observed for adrenalectomized animals may relate to mechanisms of voluntary regulation rather than frank debilitation.", "contents": "Long-term effects of adrenal and ovarian ablation on the regulation of energy exchange in the female rat. Body weights of female rats in six postsurgical groups were observed over 120 days. Ovariectomy increased body weight as compared with controls, whereas adrenalectomy decreased it. Weights of animals that were both ovariectomized and adrenalectomized were intermediate between those of controls and adrenalectomized groups. The body weights of adrenalectomized rats that were not salt dependent resembled those of animals that had not undergone adrenal surgery. Plasma levels of corticosterone and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Adrenalectomy that resulted in salt dependency, whether or not in conjunction with ovariectomy, markedly decreased corticosterone levels. Ovariectomy alone or in conjunction with adrenalectomy decreased progesterone levels. The increased body weight of the group that was both ovariectomized and adrenalectomized over the group that was only adrenalectomized suggests that the decreased body weight generally observed for adrenalectomized animals may relate to mechanisms of voluntary regulation rather than frank debilitation.", "PMID": 625584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6055", "title": "7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine: a selective inhibitor of synaptosomal serotonin uptake.", "content": "7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine (TMT) was synthesized and evaluated as an inhibitor of synaptosomal biogenic amine uptake in rat forebrain homogenates. In addition to inhibiting 3H-serotonin uptake (IC50 = 0.4 micrometer), TMT appears to be quite selective and is much less potent in blocking either 3H-norepinephrine or 3H-dopamine uptake (IC50 = 180 micrometer and 61 micrometer, respectively).", "contents": "7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine: a selective inhibitor of synaptosomal serotonin uptake. 7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine (TMT) was synthesized and evaluated as an inhibitor of synaptosomal biogenic amine uptake in rat forebrain homogenates. In addition to inhibiting 3H-serotonin uptake (IC50 = 0.4 micrometer), TMT appears to be quite selective and is much less potent in blocking either 3H-norepinephrine or 3H-dopamine uptake (IC50 = 180 micrometer and 61 micrometer, respectively).", "PMID": 625585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6056", "title": "Anti leukemia activity (Dunning ascitic) of 6-mercaptopurine and its metallo complexes in rats.", "content": "Six-mercaptopurine and its Pt, Pd and Bi complexes were used at various dosage levels to treat Dunning ascitic leukemia in rats. Significant anticarcinogenic activity was found in all compounds with toxicity apparent at the highest dosage level of all but the platinum compound.", "contents": "Anti leukemia activity (Dunning ascitic) of 6-mercaptopurine and its metallo complexes in rats. Six-mercaptopurine and its Pt, Pd and Bi complexes were used at various dosage levels to treat Dunning ascitic leukemia in rats. Significant anticarcinogenic activity was found in all compounds with toxicity apparent at the highest dosage level of all but the platinum compound.", "PMID": 625586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6057", "title": "The effect of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (TCAP) on RNA synthesis in chick embryo sciatic nerves.", "content": "Injections of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (TCAP) into chick embryos increases the synthesis of the myelin enzyme 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP). Whether this increase is associated with altered RNA synthesis was investigated by examining pulse 3H-uridine labelled RNA from in ovo and in vitro TCAP treated sciatic nerves. Characterization of the resultant TCAP-RNAs by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that they met several criteria of messenger-RNA.", "contents": "The effect of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (TCAP) on RNA synthesis in chick embryo sciatic nerves. Injections of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (TCAP) into chick embryos increases the synthesis of the myelin enzyme 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP). Whether this increase is associated with altered RNA synthesis was investigated by examining pulse 3H-uridine labelled RNA from in ovo and in vitro TCAP treated sciatic nerves. Characterization of the resultant TCAP-RNAs by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that they met several criteria of messenger-RNA.", "PMID": 625587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6058", "title": "Hepatic intracellular distribution of pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile and its influence on adenyl cyclase activity in rat liver cells.", "content": "Pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) enhanced adenyl cyclase activity in the liver cells of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Injection of 14C-PCN and fractionation of hepatocytes into nuclei, mitochondria, total ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, cytosol and plasma membranes revealed that after 4 h there was a preferential localization of the cyanosteroid in ER membranes. Total ribosomes and cytosolar proteins seemed to contain less PCN after 4 h, the optimal time for maximal penetration and intracellular establishment. On the other hand, PCN was localized preferentially in plasma membranes after 2 h and this diminished with time. Only trace amounts of the cyanosteroid were found in the nuclei and mitochondria, from the time of its intracellular introduction to the time of its apparent removal from the hepatocyte.", "contents": "Hepatic intracellular distribution of pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile and its influence on adenyl cyclase activity in rat liver cells. Pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) enhanced adenyl cyclase activity in the liver cells of female Sprague-Dawley rats. Injection of 14C-PCN and fractionation of hepatocytes into nuclei, mitochondria, total ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, cytosol and plasma membranes revealed that after 4 h there was a preferential localization of the cyanosteroid in ER membranes. Total ribosomes and cytosolar proteins seemed to contain less PCN after 4 h, the optimal time for maximal penetration and intracellular establishment. On the other hand, PCN was localized preferentially in plasma membranes after 2 h and this diminished with time. Only trace amounts of the cyanosteroid were found in the nuclei and mitochondria, from the time of its intracellular introduction to the time of its apparent removal from the hepatocyte.", "PMID": 625588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6059", "title": "Serologic response of gilts of breeding age to human influenza vaccines containing A/New Jersey/76 (HSW1N1) antigen.", "content": "Twenty-four cross-bred gilts of breeding age were used in two studies to access the antigenic response to commercially produced human influenza vaccintes containing A/New Jersey/76 viral antigens. In experiments 1 only one of seven animals responded with an HI antibody titer of 1:40 or above. In the second experiment five of six gilts responded to higher dosages of vaccine with HI antibody titers of 1:40 or above. The positive titers persisted at least eighty-one days in two vaccinates in experiment 2.", "contents": "Serologic response of gilts of breeding age to human influenza vaccines containing A/New Jersey/76 (HSW1N1) antigen. Twenty-four cross-bred gilts of breeding age were used in two studies to access the antigenic response to commercially produced human influenza vaccintes containing A/New Jersey/76 viral antigens. In experiments 1 only one of seven animals responded with an HI antibody titer of 1:40 or above. In the second experiment five of six gilts responded to higher dosages of vaccine with HI antibody titers of 1:40 or above. The positive titers persisted at least eighty-one days in two vaccinates in experiment 2.", "PMID": 625589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6060", "title": "Adenosine as a prostaglandin antagonist. Possible mechanism of the defect in combined immunodeficiency disease due to adenosine deaminase deficiency.", "content": "Adenosine inhibition of cell division in EB-virus-transformed human lymphocytes and in normal lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin can be overcome by prostaglandin (PG) E2. Analysis of adenosine/PGE2 interactions in smooth muscle suggests that adenosine causes immuno-deficiency by blocking a PG-dependent calcium stage of lymphocyte activation.", "contents": "Adenosine as a prostaglandin antagonist. Possible mechanism of the defect in combined immunodeficiency disease due to adenosine deaminase deficiency. Adenosine inhibition of cell division in EB-virus-transformed human lymphocytes and in normal lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin can be overcome by prostaglandin (PG) E2. Analysis of adenosine/PGE2 interactions in smooth muscle suggests that adenosine causes immuno-deficiency by blocking a PG-dependent calcium stage of lymphocyte activation.", "PMID": 625590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6061", "title": "Selective inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes as a consequence of ethanol ingestion.", "content": "Ethanol ingestion by weanling rats results in an inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes. Among various amino acids tested, the incorporation of serine was inhibited to a maximum degree. In contrast to membrane-bound ribosomes, the activity of free ribosomes was enhanced as a consequence of ethanol treatment. Aminoacylation of tRNA in pH 5 fraction was also reduced in the brain cortices of ethanol-fed animals.", "contents": "Selective inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes as a consequence of ethanol ingestion. Ethanol ingestion by weanling rats results in an inhibition of protein synthetic activity of cerebral membrane-bound ribosomes. Among various amino acids tested, the incorporation of serine was inhibited to a maximum degree. In contrast to membrane-bound ribosomes, the activity of free ribosomes was enhanced as a consequence of ethanol treatment. Aminoacylation of tRNA in pH 5 fraction was also reduced in the brain cortices of ethanol-fed animals.", "PMID": 625591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6062", "title": "Effect of age on acute morphine response in the rat.", "content": "The importance of age as an experimental variable in the evaluation of the analgesic, thermic, and respiratory depressant effects to morphine was studied in male rats one and one-half, six, and ten months of age. Significant age-related responses were observed in both the analgesic and thermic responses to morphine. Also, following a dose of 30 mg/kg morphine, animals six and ten months of age exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of morphine, a slower decline in both plasma and brain levels of morphine, and lower brain/plasma ratios of morphine indicating possible age-related changes in metabolism, excretion, and the blood-brain barrier. The dose of morphine which produced respiratory depression was significantly higher in the youngest age group; this was accompanied by higher brain levels of morphine in this group. These studies illustrate the importance of age as an experimental variable in the evaluation of drugs.", "contents": "Effect of age on acute morphine response in the rat. The importance of age as an experimental variable in the evaluation of the analgesic, thermic, and respiratory depressant effects to morphine was studied in male rats one and one-half, six, and ten months of age. Significant age-related responses were observed in both the analgesic and thermic responses to morphine. Also, following a dose of 30 mg/kg morphine, animals six and ten months of age exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of morphine, a slower decline in both plasma and brain levels of morphine, and lower brain/plasma ratios of morphine indicating possible age-related changes in metabolism, excretion, and the blood-brain barrier. The dose of morphine which produced respiratory depression was significantly higher in the youngest age group; this was accompanied by higher brain levels of morphine in this group. These studies illustrate the importance of age as an experimental variable in the evaluation of drugs.", "PMID": 625592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6063", "title": "Aminotetralin analogs of methoxamine as potential hypertensive agents.", "content": "Cardiovascular effects of methoxamine and some aminotetralin derivatives (5,8-ADT, DR-31 and DR-17) were studied after systemic intravenous or intraarterial injection into different perfused vascular beds in anesthetized dogs. Intravenous administration of the compounds produced dose-related prolonged increases in blood pressure, which were antagonized by phentolamine. After intro-arterial injection into the perfused hindlimb, mesenteric artery or the saphenous vein, all compounds produced dose-dependent increases in perfusion pressure indicative of vasoconstriction. Phentolamine antagonized these effects. It was demonstrated that desipramine significantly reduced the vasoconstricting actions of intra-arterially injected tyramine in the hindlimb, but did not alter the responses induced by methoxamine and the aminotetralin derivatives. The data indicate that these compounds elicit peripheral vasoconstriction in the dog, through a direct action on the alpha adrenergic receptors.", "contents": "Aminotetralin analogs of methoxamine as potential hypertensive agents. Cardiovascular effects of methoxamine and some aminotetralin derivatives (5,8-ADT, DR-31 and DR-17) were studied after systemic intravenous or intraarterial injection into different perfused vascular beds in anesthetized dogs. Intravenous administration of the compounds produced dose-related prolonged increases in blood pressure, which were antagonized by phentolamine. After intro-arterial injection into the perfused hindlimb, mesenteric artery or the saphenous vein, all compounds produced dose-dependent increases in perfusion pressure indicative of vasoconstriction. Phentolamine antagonized these effects. It was demonstrated that desipramine significantly reduced the vasoconstricting actions of intra-arterially injected tyramine in the hindlimb, but did not alter the responses induced by methoxamine and the aminotetralin derivatives. The data indicate that these compounds elicit peripheral vasoconstriction in the dog, through a direct action on the alpha adrenergic receptors.", "PMID": 625593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6064", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of digoxin in the cat and comparisons with man and the dog.", "content": "Digoxin doses of 14.3, 5.72 or 1.43 mcg/kg were administered to 8 cats and the plasma digoxin concentrations (concns) were measured as a function of time for 96 hr. Pharmacokinetic linearity was evidenced by: (1) mean plasma clearance (Clp) of 4.05 ml/(kg x min) with a coefficient of variation of 34.6% and a range of 2.69-6.71; (2) linear relationship between total area under the plasma concn-time curve and the administered dose. Further evidence for linearity was the lack of dose-dependence of apparent elimination half-life (beta). The volume of distribution and beta for cats were respectively (mean +/- s.d.) 20.4 +/- 5.35 L/kg and 0.0120 +/- 0.0030 hr-1. Results from cats were compared with literature data for dogs and man. The order of Clp in units of ml/(kg x min) were: infant greater than dog greater than cat greater than adult man.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of digoxin in the cat and comparisons with man and the dog. Digoxin doses of 14.3, 5.72 or 1.43 mcg/kg were administered to 8 cats and the plasma digoxin concentrations (concns) were measured as a function of time for 96 hr. Pharmacokinetic linearity was evidenced by: (1) mean plasma clearance (Clp) of 4.05 ml/(kg x min) with a coefficient of variation of 34.6% and a range of 2.69-6.71; (2) linear relationship between total area under the plasma concn-time curve and the administered dose. Further evidence for linearity was the lack of dose-dependence of apparent elimination half-life (beta). The volume of distribution and beta for cats were respectively (mean +/- s.d.) 20.4 +/- 5.35 L/kg and 0.0120 +/- 0.0030 hr-1. Results from cats were compared with literature data for dogs and man. The order of Clp in units of ml/(kg x min) were: infant greater than dog greater than cat greater than adult man.", "PMID": 625594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6065", "title": "Presence of circadian rhythm in the mitotic index of the ruminal epithelium in sheep.", "content": "Mitotic indices of the ruminal epithelium of two castrated male sheep fed at 11:00 h were determined at 00:00, 04:00, 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 h. The schedules were repeated in four trials done in December 1975, February, March and June 1976 respectively. The indices ranged from 0.13 to 0.92 per cent, both animals showing a similar tendency in these fluctuations. The mean rate of cell division was low in the morning, high in the afternoon and in the evening, and declined at about midnight. Another pair of male castrated sheep were fed at 07:00, and rumen samples were biopsied six times in three days. The mean rate of epithelial cell division in the rumen was low at 08:00, but high at noon, suggesting that the rate possibly was affected by the food intake of the experimental animals.", "contents": "Presence of circadian rhythm in the mitotic index of the ruminal epithelium in sheep. Mitotic indices of the ruminal epithelium of two castrated male sheep fed at 11:00 h were determined at 00:00, 04:00, 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 h. The schedules were repeated in four trials done in December 1975, February, March and June 1976 respectively. The indices ranged from 0.13 to 0.92 per cent, both animals showing a similar tendency in these fluctuations. The mean rate of cell division was low in the morning, high in the afternoon and in the evening, and declined at about midnight. Another pair of male castrated sheep were fed at 07:00, and rumen samples were biopsied six times in three days. The mean rate of epithelial cell division in the rumen was low at 08:00, but high at noon, suggesting that the rate possibly was affected by the food intake of the experimental animals.", "PMID": 625595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6066", "title": "The role of sulphide and sulphide oxidation in the copper molybdenum antagonism in rats and guinea pigs.", "content": "The sulphide metabolism of rats fed molybdate up to levels of 1000 ppm molybdenum was examined and large decreases in hepatic sulphite oxidase activity observed; overall sulphide oxidation capacity was also reduced. Molybdate but not tungstate caused increases in the total plasma copper of guinea pigs but in particular the appearance of a new TCA-insoluble fraction. The effect was increased by the addition of 500 ppm sulphur as sulphide, to the molybdate diet whereas the addition of 500 ppm S as sulphate was ineffective. 100 ppm Mo was less effective as thiomolybdate (MoS4=) than as molybdate. The significance of these results in relation to the role of sulphide in the Cu-Mo-S interaction is discussed.", "contents": "The role of sulphide and sulphide oxidation in the copper molybdenum antagonism in rats and guinea pigs. The sulphide metabolism of rats fed molybdate up to levels of 1000 ppm molybdenum was examined and large decreases in hepatic sulphite oxidase activity observed; overall sulphide oxidation capacity was also reduced. Molybdate but not tungstate caused increases in the total plasma copper of guinea pigs but in particular the appearance of a new TCA-insoluble fraction. The effect was increased by the addition of 500 ppm sulphur as sulphide, to the molybdate diet whereas the addition of 500 ppm S as sulphate was ineffective. 100 ppm Mo was less effective as thiomolybdate (MoS4=) than as molybdate. The significance of these results in relation to the role of sulphide in the Cu-Mo-S interaction is discussed.", "PMID": 625596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6067", "title": "Ocular squamous cell carcinoma: immunological responses to tumour tissue and phytomitogens.", "content": "Cows with histologically confirmed ocular squamous cell carcinoma were injected with autochthonous tumour brei in adjuvant. Lymphoproliferative responses of isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to phytomitogens and inhibition of cell migration indicated that afflicted animals were immunocompetent. Similar but lesser responses were evident when autochthonous tumour homogenates were used to stimulate lymphocytes.", "contents": "Ocular squamous cell carcinoma: immunological responses to tumour tissue and phytomitogens. Cows with histologically confirmed ocular squamous cell carcinoma were injected with autochthonous tumour brei in adjuvant. Lymphoproliferative responses of isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to phytomitogens and inhibition of cell migration indicated that afflicted animals were immunocompetent. Similar but lesser responses were evident when autochthonous tumour homogenates were used to stimulate lymphocytes.", "PMID": 625597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6068", "title": "Use of laser nephelometry to measure dog lysozyme: immunological cross-reactivity with human lysozyme.", "content": "Use of the newly developed laser nephelometer provides a sensitive immunochemical assay for lysozyme in dog sera by detection of antigen-antibody complexes formed upon cross-reaction with sheep-anti-human lysozyme. Results of lysoplate and nephelometric assays correlate well.", "contents": "Use of laser nephelometry to measure dog lysozyme: immunological cross-reactivity with human lysozyme. Use of the newly developed laser nephelometer provides a sensitive immunochemical assay for lysozyme in dog sera by detection of antigen-antibody complexes formed upon cross-reaction with sheep-anti-human lysozyme. Results of lysoplate and nephelometric assays correlate well.", "PMID": 625598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6069", "title": "The role of various antigenic fractions of Bacteroides nodosus in eliciting protection against foot-rot in vaccinated sheep.", "content": "Sheep were vaccinated against foot-rot with various antigenic extracts of Bacteroides nodosus and challenged to assess their resistance. The protective immunogen was shown to be a heat-labile, high molecular weight surface antigen which was removed by ultrafiltration and was either identical to or closely associated with the fimbriae of the organism. Resistance appeared to be associated with the presence of a single high molecular precipitinogen distinct from the 0 antigen. Agglutinating antibodies to the surface antigen in immunised sheep were predominantly IgG1 whereas the 0 antigen induced predominantly IgM indirect haemagglutinating antibodies. Reactions at vaccination sites were less marked to the surface antigen than to the 0 antigen.", "contents": "The role of various antigenic fractions of Bacteroides nodosus in eliciting protection against foot-rot in vaccinated sheep. Sheep were vaccinated against foot-rot with various antigenic extracts of Bacteroides nodosus and challenged to assess their resistance. The protective immunogen was shown to be a heat-labile, high molecular weight surface antigen which was removed by ultrafiltration and was either identical to or closely associated with the fimbriae of the organism. Resistance appeared to be associated with the presence of a single high molecular precipitinogen distinct from the 0 antigen. Agglutinating antibodies to the surface antigen in immunised sheep were predominantly IgG1 whereas the 0 antigen induced predominantly IgM indirect haemagglutinating antibodies. Reactions at vaccination sites were less marked to the surface antigen than to the 0 antigen.", "PMID": 625599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6070", "title": "Mycotoxic tremorgens of Claviceps paspali and Penicillium cyclopium: a comparative study of effects on sheep and cattle in relation to natural staggers syndromes.", "content": "Claviceps paspali sclerotia were dosed orally at various levels to sheep and cattle and the neurotoxic effects are described. Evidence is presented which indicates that the tremors are produced by a neutral tremorgen fraction. The ergot alkaloids, principally D-lysergic acid alpha-hydroxyethylamide and its isolysergic acid isomer, are not involved. The mixture of C paspali tremorgens has not been separated and characterised but its components are chemically related to other known tremorgens, such as penitrem A, produced by saprophytic moulds, notably Penicillium cyclopium. P cyclopium mycelium and C paspali sclerotia were dosed to produce comparable effects in sheep and in cattle. Similarly, effects of penitrem A and tremorgen concentrate of C paspali were compared after intravenous dosage to sheep. Observed enurotoxic effects of both moulds were identical in most respects. A low level of tremorgenic activity was detected at the honeydew stage of C paspali. These findings are discussed in relation to staggers syndromes occurring in grazing livestock.", "contents": "Mycotoxic tremorgens of Claviceps paspali and Penicillium cyclopium: a comparative study of effects on sheep and cattle in relation to natural staggers syndromes. Claviceps paspali sclerotia were dosed orally at various levels to sheep and cattle and the neurotoxic effects are described. Evidence is presented which indicates that the tremors are produced by a neutral tremorgen fraction. The ergot alkaloids, principally D-lysergic acid alpha-hydroxyethylamide and its isolysergic acid isomer, are not involved. The mixture of C paspali tremorgens has not been separated and characterised but its components are chemically related to other known tremorgens, such as penitrem A, produced by saprophytic moulds, notably Penicillium cyclopium. P cyclopium mycelium and C paspali sclerotia were dosed to produce comparable effects in sheep and in cattle. Similarly, effects of penitrem A and tremorgen concentrate of C paspali were compared after intravenous dosage to sheep. Observed enurotoxic effects of both moulds were identical in most respects. A low level of tremorgenic activity was detected at the honeydew stage of C paspali. These findings are discussed in relation to staggers syndromes occurring in grazing livestock.", "PMID": 625600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6071", "title": "An indirect haemagglutination test for the sero-diagnosis of C ovis infection in sheep.", "content": "An indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test for the diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep is described; the test uses purified Corynebacterium ovis toxin to sensitise formalinised sheep erythrocytes treated with bis-diazobenzidine. Animals with titres of 1/16 and above were considered positive to the test. Examination of sera from proven cases of caseous lymphadenitis by the IHA test and anti-haemolysin-inhibition (AHI) tests showed that the IHA test was more sensitive than the AHI test.", "contents": "An indirect haemagglutination test for the sero-diagnosis of C ovis infection in sheep. An indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test for the diagnosis of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep is described; the test uses purified Corynebacterium ovis toxin to sensitise formalinised sheep erythrocytes treated with bis-diazobenzidine. Animals with titres of 1/16 and above were considered positive to the test. Examination of sera from proven cases of caseous lymphadenitis by the IHA test and anti-haemolysin-inhibition (AHI) tests showed that the IHA test was more sensitive than the AHI test.", "PMID": 625601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6072", "title": "Further attempts to immunise lambs using metabolites and in vitro grown larvae of Ostertagia circumcincta.", "content": "Attempts were made to immunise lambs by the intramuscular injection of either lyophilised or concentrated metabolites produced by Ostertagia circumcincta when grown in vitro, or macerated fourth and fifth stage worms. The lyophilised metabolites did not stimulate protection against the establishment of worms in nine-months-old lambs but the macerated worms and concentrated metabolites elicited protection in six-months-old and three-months-old lambs respectively. The worm burdens and worm egg counts of the immunised lambs were less than those of control lambs.", "contents": "Further attempts to immunise lambs using metabolites and in vitro grown larvae of Ostertagia circumcincta. Attempts were made to immunise lambs by the intramuscular injection of either lyophilised or concentrated metabolites produced by Ostertagia circumcincta when grown in vitro, or macerated fourth and fifth stage worms. The lyophilised metabolites did not stimulate protection against the establishment of worms in nine-months-old lambs but the macerated worms and concentrated metabolites elicited protection in six-months-old and three-months-old lambs respectively. The worm burdens and worm egg counts of the immunised lambs were less than those of control lambs.", "PMID": 625602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6073", "title": "Pathological and biochemical observations on subclinical cases of fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl.", "content": "A high incidence of subclinical fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) was found in three flocks of laying hens in which deaths from FLHS had occurred. There was so significant difference between the affected hens and the remainder of the block in egg production or quality, but the former were more obese and had higher concentrations of lipids in their livers, suggesting a pathogenic relationship between hepatic steatosis and haemorrhage. Soluble protein tended to accumulate with the fat in the livers. Reticulolysis had occurred in over half the haemorrhagic livers examined. Histological examination and DNA estimations provided no evidence of generalised hyperplasia. From the composition of the liver lipids it was concluded that the steatosis resulted mainly from an increase in lipogenesis from dietary carbohydrate. Lipid levels in the plasma were weakly correlated with those in the liver. No change was detected in the plasma protein pattern.", "contents": "Pathological and biochemical observations on subclinical cases of fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl. A high incidence of subclinical fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) was found in three flocks of laying hens in which deaths from FLHS had occurred. There was so significant difference between the affected hens and the remainder of the block in egg production or quality, but the former were more obese and had higher concentrations of lipids in their livers, suggesting a pathogenic relationship between hepatic steatosis and haemorrhage. Soluble protein tended to accumulate with the fat in the livers. Reticulolysis had occurred in over half the haemorrhagic livers examined. Histological examination and DNA estimations provided no evidence of generalised hyperplasia. From the composition of the liver lipids it was concluded that the steatosis resulted mainly from an increase in lipogenesis from dietary carbohydrate. Lipid levels in the plasma were weakly correlated with those in the liver. No change was detected in the plasma protein pattern.", "PMID": 625603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6074", "title": "Influence of dietary cereal and energy content on the accumulation of lipids in the liver in fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl.", "content": "Isocaloric diets supplying about 2900 kcal/kg and based on maize, wheat and barley respectively, were fed to pullets for 13 weeks from point of lay. The number of cases of subclinical fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome and the mean total lipid, triglyceride and monoglyceride content of the liver decreased in the above order of diets. The final body weight, weight gain and abdominal fat score followed the order wheat greater than maize greater than barley. Reduction of the energy content of the wheat and barley diets to 2670 and 2490 kcal/kg respectively by the omission of animal fat was associated with a reduction in the lipid content of the liver only in the case of the wheat diets. Egg production and quality were uniformly high and no difference was detected in plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid levels.", "contents": "Influence of dietary cereal and energy content on the accumulation of lipids in the liver in fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl. Isocaloric diets supplying about 2900 kcal/kg and based on maize, wheat and barley respectively, were fed to pullets for 13 weeks from point of lay. The number of cases of subclinical fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome and the mean total lipid, triglyceride and monoglyceride content of the liver decreased in the above order of diets. The final body weight, weight gain and abdominal fat score followed the order wheat greater than maize greater than barley. Reduction of the energy content of the wheat and barley diets to 2670 and 2490 kcal/kg respectively by the omission of animal fat was associated with a reduction in the lipid content of the liver only in the case of the wheat diets. Egg production and quality were uniformly high and no difference was detected in plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid levels.", "PMID": 625604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6075", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and dosage of oxytetracycline in dogs.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline, which was given as a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg), was studied in normal beagle dogs. Renal function was evaluated by the single injection technique and based on clearance of the radioiodine compounds 125I-iothalamate and 131I-iodohippurate. Values of GFR (4.42+/-0.77 ml/kg/min) and ERPF (12.91+/-1.49 ml/kg/min) showed normal renal function. The disposition curve describing decline of oxytetracycline activity in serum was described mathematically by a triexponential expression. Body clearance was 4.23+/-1.29 ml/kg/min. A dosage regimen (intravenous route of drug administration), based on overall elimincation rate constant (0.1155 h-1) and apparent specific volume of distribution (2 litre/kg), and consisting of a priming dose (10 mg/kg) followed by maintenance doses (7.5 mg/kg) at 12 h intervals was proposed. This dosage regimen was predicted to rapidly achieve and maintain steady state serum concentrations within the range 1.25 to 5.0 microgram/ml, which is therapeutic level for the majority of susceptible microorganisms.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and dosage of oxytetracycline in dogs. The pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline, which was given as a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg), was studied in normal beagle dogs. Renal function was evaluated by the single injection technique and based on clearance of the radioiodine compounds 125I-iothalamate and 131I-iodohippurate. Values of GFR (4.42+/-0.77 ml/kg/min) and ERPF (12.91+/-1.49 ml/kg/min) showed normal renal function. The disposition curve describing decline of oxytetracycline activity in serum was described mathematically by a triexponential expression. Body clearance was 4.23+/-1.29 ml/kg/min. A dosage regimen (intravenous route of drug administration), based on overall elimincation rate constant (0.1155 h-1) and apparent specific volume of distribution (2 litre/kg), and consisting of a priming dose (10 mg/kg) followed by maintenance doses (7.5 mg/kg) at 12 h intervals was proposed. This dosage regimen was predicted to rapidly achieve and maintain steady state serum concentrations within the range 1.25 to 5.0 microgram/ml, which is therapeutic level for the majority of susceptible microorganisms.", "PMID": 625605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6076", "title": "The oestrogenised chick as an experimental model for fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl.", "content": "A syndrome resembling fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens was reproduced in six- to seven-week-old chickens by injecting oestradiol-17beta-dipropionate intramuscularly (total dose 20-50 mg/kg). The degree of hepatic steatosis and the severity and extent of haemorrhage from the liver varied with the dose and the results suggested a pathogenic relationship between the two conditions. There was no evidence of reticulolysis in the liver. When food was withdrawn for 24 h after the last injection there was a dramatic fall in the haemorrhage score and a reduction in the lipid content of the liver.", "contents": "The oestrogenised chick as an experimental model for fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl. A syndrome resembling fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens was reproduced in six- to seven-week-old chickens by injecting oestradiol-17beta-dipropionate intramuscularly (total dose 20-50 mg/kg). The degree of hepatic steatosis and the severity and extent of haemorrhage from the liver varied with the dose and the results suggested a pathogenic relationship between the two conditions. There was no evidence of reticulolysis in the liver. When food was withdrawn for 24 h after the last injection there was a dramatic fall in the haemorrhage score and a reduction in the lipid content of the liver.", "PMID": 625606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6077", "title": "The 'normal range' and precision of phytohaemagglutinin-induced equine lymphocyte transformation in vitro.", "content": "Data are presented on lymphocyte transformation by phytohaemagglutinin in 20 normal horses. The logarithms of transformation ratios were found to have an approximately normal distribution, giving (for the transformation ratios themselves) a geometric mean of 23.6, a range of 1.92 to 97.3, and an estimated 95 per cent tolerance interval of 1.1 to 488. Analysis of variance on the logarithms of the transformation ratios gave a coefficient of variation of 140 per cent of the transformation ratios themselves for the variation between horses; whereas the coefficient of variation between duplicate samples was only 20 per cent, that is, small compared to the variation between horses. In addition, wide fluctuations of response of individual horses over weekly periods of measurement (comparable with the variation between the horses themselves) suggest that a single set of measurements at one time cannot be taken as evidence of abnormality in a given horse.", "contents": "The 'normal range' and precision of phytohaemagglutinin-induced equine lymphocyte transformation in vitro. Data are presented on lymphocyte transformation by phytohaemagglutinin in 20 normal horses. The logarithms of transformation ratios were found to have an approximately normal distribution, giving (for the transformation ratios themselves) a geometric mean of 23.6, a range of 1.92 to 97.3, and an estimated 95 per cent tolerance interval of 1.1 to 488. Analysis of variance on the logarithms of the transformation ratios gave a coefficient of variation of 140 per cent of the transformation ratios themselves for the variation between horses; whereas the coefficient of variation between duplicate samples was only 20 per cent, that is, small compared to the variation between horses. In addition, wide fluctuations of response of individual horses over weekly periods of measurement (comparable with the variation between the horses themselves) suggest that a single set of measurements at one time cannot be taken as evidence of abnormality in a given horse.", "PMID": 625607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6078", "title": "Biochemical changes produced by Fusarium T-2 toxin in the chicken.", "content": "The administration of 350 microgram T-2 toxin to six-week-old chickens by intramuscular injection produced a temporary reduction in food intake, changes in plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, increases in plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activity, falls in the activities of plasma acid and alkaline phosphatases, a reduction in the weight of the pancreas, enlargement of the liver and an apparent exacerbation of hepatic haemorrhage. It also delayed and reduced the hyperlipaemic response to the injection of oestradiol-17beta-dipropionate. These changes were attributed to cytotoxicity involving the liver, intestine and possibly muscle, and an inhibition of enzyme synthesis.", "contents": "Biochemical changes produced by Fusarium T-2 toxin in the chicken. The administration of 350 microgram T-2 toxin to six-week-old chickens by intramuscular injection produced a temporary reduction in food intake, changes in plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, increases in plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activity, falls in the activities of plasma acid and alkaline phosphatases, a reduction in the weight of the pancreas, enlargement of the liver and an apparent exacerbation of hepatic haemorrhage. It also delayed and reduced the hyperlipaemic response to the injection of oestradiol-17beta-dipropionate. These changes were attributed to cytotoxicity involving the liver, intestine and possibly muscle, and an inhibition of enzyme synthesis.", "PMID": 625608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6079", "title": "Estimation of effective parabronchial gas volume during intermittent ventilatory flow: theory and application in the duck.", "content": "The difference in gas exchange performance between continuous and intermittent ventilatory flow is theoretically studied in the alveolar lung model. When measurements obtained with intermittent flow are analyzed assuming continuous flow, an apparent diffusing capacity. Dapp, results which is an underestimate of the true value, D. This true value, D, may be assessed from measurements at continuous flow. With decreasing effective lung gas volume, Veff, Dapp increasingly deviates D. The dependence of Dapp/D on Veff in the parabronchial lung seems to be similar to that in the alveolar lung. Experimental data of Dapp/D (Scheid et al., 1977) are used to assess Veff for the duck lung. The average value of Veff thus obtained, 93 ml, exceeds the anatomical estimate of parabronchial gas volume. Gas transfer across the open parabronchial ends may contribute in enlarging the parabronchial gas volume to the volume, Veff, that is effective as gas capacity in conditions of non-steady ventilatory flow.", "contents": "Estimation of effective parabronchial gas volume during intermittent ventilatory flow: theory and application in the duck. The difference in gas exchange performance between continuous and intermittent ventilatory flow is theoretically studied in the alveolar lung model. When measurements obtained with intermittent flow are analyzed assuming continuous flow, an apparent diffusing capacity. Dapp, results which is an underestimate of the true value, D. This true value, D, may be assessed from measurements at continuous flow. With decreasing effective lung gas volume, Veff, Dapp increasingly deviates D. The dependence of Dapp/D on Veff in the parabronchial lung seems to be similar to that in the alveolar lung. Experimental data of Dapp/D (Scheid et al., 1977) are used to assess Veff for the duck lung. The average value of Veff thus obtained, 93 ml, exceeds the anatomical estimate of parabronchial gas volume. Gas transfer across the open parabronchial ends may contribute in enlarging the parabronchial gas volume to the volume, Veff, that is effective as gas capacity in conditions of non-steady ventilatory flow.", "PMID": 625609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6080", "title": "A theoretical analysis of the barometric method for measurement of tidal volume.", "content": "The barometric method is unique in allowing measurement of tidal volume in a manner that requires no tactile contact with the subject. The equations used by previous investigators to calculate tidal volume described only events occurring during inspiration. Neglect of events during expiration caused a systematic error. Additional equations needed to calculate tidal volume for the barometric method are derived. An error sensitivity analysis is performed to assess quantitatively the accuracy of the calculated tidal volume due to propagation of errors in the experimentally measured variables. Numberical evaluation for typical cases indicates that the limit of accuracy for tidal volume measurement lies between 10 and 15%.", "contents": "A theoretical analysis of the barometric method for measurement of tidal volume. The barometric method is unique in allowing measurement of tidal volume in a manner that requires no tactile contact with the subject. The equations used by previous investigators to calculate tidal volume described only events occurring during inspiration. Neglect of events during expiration caused a systematic error. Additional equations needed to calculate tidal volume for the barometric method are derived. An error sensitivity analysis is performed to assess quantitatively the accuracy of the calculated tidal volume due to propagation of errors in the experimentally measured variables. Numberical evaluation for typical cases indicates that the limit of accuracy for tidal volume measurement lies between 10 and 15%.", "PMID": 625610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6081", "title": "Determination of binary diffusion coefficients of various gas species used in respiratory physiology.", "content": "In order to provide data required for quantitative analysis of gas diffusion in lung airways, diffusion of He, CO, O2, CO2 and SF6 in various gases used in respiratory physiology was studied in vitro at 37 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The gases were allowed to mix by diffusion in a closed cylindrical tube (length 2 m, internal diameter 1 cm), one half of which was initially filled with 1% test gas in a second gas and the other half of which was filled with the second gas only. Kinetics of diffusional equilibration was determined by withdrawal of spot samples analyzed by gas chromatography. The binary (mutual) diffusion coefficients (D) computed there from were in most cases in good agreement with values calculated on the basis of the Chapman-Enskog theory.", "contents": "Determination of binary diffusion coefficients of various gas species used in respiratory physiology. In order to provide data required for quantitative analysis of gas diffusion in lung airways, diffusion of He, CO, O2, CO2 and SF6 in various gases used in respiratory physiology was studied in vitro at 37 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The gases were allowed to mix by diffusion in a closed cylindrical tube (length 2 m, internal diameter 1 cm), one half of which was initially filled with 1% test gas in a second gas and the other half of which was filled with the second gas only. Kinetics of diffusional equilibration was determined by withdrawal of spot samples analyzed by gas chromatography. The binary (mutual) diffusion coefficients (D) computed there from were in most cases in good agreement with values calculated on the basis of the Chapman-Enskog theory.", "PMID": 625611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6082", "title": "Analysis of gas exchange between air capillaries and blood capillaries in avian lungs.", "content": "A number of models is analyzed to study gas exchange between blood capillaries and air capillaries in the avian parabronchial wall when diffusion is the only transport mechanism in the air capillaries. The existing anatomical arrangement of blood capillaries that traverse the periparabronchial tissue from peripherally located arterioles to draining venules at the luminal surface appears to provide a particularly high gas exchange efficiency. Application of the theory to measurements in the hen using histological estimates suggests that substantial concentration gradients exist inside the air capillary gas whose magnitude vary along the parabronchus. Thus at the gas inflow end of the parabronchus the partial pressure drop within the air capillaries could amount, for both O2 and CO2, to about 10--15 torr at rest and to 30--40 torr during exercise. Due to the peculiar arrangement of capillary blood flow to the air capillaries the effects of these gradients on gas exchange are very slight during rest. During exercise, however, the diffusional resistance inside the air capillaries may become limiting for the over-all gas exchange, and other mechanisms may be needed to secure respiratory gas transfer.", "contents": "Analysis of gas exchange between air capillaries and blood capillaries in avian lungs. A number of models is analyzed to study gas exchange between blood capillaries and air capillaries in the avian parabronchial wall when diffusion is the only transport mechanism in the air capillaries. The existing anatomical arrangement of blood capillaries that traverse the periparabronchial tissue from peripherally located arterioles to draining venules at the luminal surface appears to provide a particularly high gas exchange efficiency. Application of the theory to measurements in the hen using histological estimates suggests that substantial concentration gradients exist inside the air capillary gas whose magnitude vary along the parabronchus. Thus at the gas inflow end of the parabronchus the partial pressure drop within the air capillaries could amount, for both O2 and CO2, to about 10--15 torr at rest and to 30--40 torr during exercise. Due to the peculiar arrangement of capillary blood flow to the air capillaries the effects of these gradients on gas exchange are very slight during rest. During exercise, however, the diffusional resistance inside the air capillaries may become limiting for the over-all gas exchange, and other mechanisms may be needed to secure respiratory gas transfer.", "PMID": 625612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6083", "title": "The effects of changes of maternal PaO2 and PaCO2 on the fetal PaO2 and PaCO2--in vivo study.", "content": "Umbilical PaO2 and PaCO2 were continuously monitored in vivo in acute fetal lamb preparations with a semipermeable membrane connected to a mass spectrometer. The response time of this system (0 to 90% of final value) was 36 sec. In seven pregnant sheep (128--135 days gestation) the maternal inspired mixture was abruptly changed and the following changes in fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 were observed: (1) 100% O2 to room air: PaO2 decreased from 21.5 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SEM) to 14 +/- 1.1 mm Hg at a rate of 1.63 +/- 0.33 mm Hg/min. Following return to 100% O2 the PaO2 returned to 21 +/- 1.1 mm Hg at a rate of 2.44 +/- 0.4 mm Hg/min. (2) 100% O2 to 12% O2/10% CO2: after 6 min the PaO2 fell from 19.3 +/- 1.3 to 6.3 +/- 0.3 mm Hg at a rate of 4.65 mm Hg/min and the PaCO2 rose from 37 +/- 8 to 70 +/-5 mm Hg. At 100% O2 the PaO2 returned to 19 +/- 1.0 mm Hg at a rate of 11.76 +/- 0.086 mm Hg, the PaCO2 to 39 +/- 7 mm Hg. (3) 100% O2 to 90% O2/10% CO2. The PaO2 and PaCO2 increased by 4.7 and 22 mm Hg, respectively. The changes of fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 occurred after 1 minute of changing in maternal inspired mixture except in the transition from 12% O2/10% CO2 to 100% O2 (34 +/- 12 sec). Following the reinstitution of 100% the fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 returned to their previous values within 4 and 16 min, respectively.", "contents": "The effects of changes of maternal PaO2 and PaCO2 on the fetal PaO2 and PaCO2--in vivo study. Umbilical PaO2 and PaCO2 were continuously monitored in vivo in acute fetal lamb preparations with a semipermeable membrane connected to a mass spectrometer. The response time of this system (0 to 90% of final value) was 36 sec. In seven pregnant sheep (128--135 days gestation) the maternal inspired mixture was abruptly changed and the following changes in fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 were observed: (1) 100% O2 to room air: PaO2 decreased from 21.5 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SEM) to 14 +/- 1.1 mm Hg at a rate of 1.63 +/- 0.33 mm Hg/min. Following return to 100% O2 the PaO2 returned to 21 +/- 1.1 mm Hg at a rate of 2.44 +/- 0.4 mm Hg/min. (2) 100% O2 to 12% O2/10% CO2: after 6 min the PaO2 fell from 19.3 +/- 1.3 to 6.3 +/- 0.3 mm Hg at a rate of 4.65 mm Hg/min and the PaCO2 rose from 37 +/- 8 to 70 +/-5 mm Hg. At 100% O2 the PaO2 returned to 19 +/- 1.0 mm Hg at a rate of 11.76 +/- 0.086 mm Hg, the PaCO2 to 39 +/- 7 mm Hg. (3) 100% O2 to 90% O2/10% CO2. The PaO2 and PaCO2 increased by 4.7 and 22 mm Hg, respectively. The changes of fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 occurred after 1 minute of changing in maternal inspired mixture except in the transition from 12% O2/10% CO2 to 100% O2 (34 +/- 12 sec). Following the reinstitution of 100% the fetal PaO2 and PaCO2 returned to their previous values within 4 and 16 min, respectively.", "PMID": 625613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6084", "title": "A mathematical description of the airways of the human lungs.", "content": "To study the physiological implications of the morphological structure of the conducting airways of the human lungs algorithms are derived for Model I of Horsfield et al. (1971). These algorithms produce descriptions of every pathway from the trachea to the respiratory bronchioles in terms of the combined airway orders. The distributions of surface area and circumference with airway order for this model are given. Also illustrated is the frequency distribution of pathway lengths in the lungs. Computations involving fluid flow in the airways are illustrated by developing a model for mucociliary clearance.", "contents": "A mathematical description of the airways of the human lungs. To study the physiological implications of the morphological structure of the conducting airways of the human lungs algorithms are derived for Model I of Horsfield et al. (1971). These algorithms produce descriptions of every pathway from the trachea to the respiratory bronchioles in terms of the combined airway orders. The distributions of surface area and circumference with airway order for this model are given. Also illustrated is the frequency distribution of pathway lengths in the lungs. Computations involving fluid flow in the airways are illustrated by developing a model for mucociliary clearance.", "PMID": 625614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6085", "title": "A new variant of glucosephosphate isomerase deficiency with mild haemolytic anemia (GPI-MYTHO).", "content": "A new case of glucosephosphate isomerase deficiency with mild haemolytic anaemia was observed in a 6-year-old girl. Deficient enzyme was characterized by a profoundly decreased activity in the red cells, a normal electrophoretic phenotype, normal isoelectric point, normal optimum pH, a molecular instability and a clearly decreased Michaelis constant for fructose-6-phosphate. Propositus was double heterozygote for a 'silent gene' inherited from the mother and an abnormal enzyme from the father. Because this abnormal enzyme has undescribed characteristics, it responds to a new variant for which we propose the name GPI-MYTHO.", "contents": "A new variant of glucosephosphate isomerase deficiency with mild haemolytic anemia (GPI-MYTHO). A new case of glucosephosphate isomerase deficiency with mild haemolytic anaemia was observed in a 6-year-old girl. Deficient enzyme was characterized by a profoundly decreased activity in the red cells, a normal electrophoretic phenotype, normal isoelectric point, normal optimum pH, a molecular instability and a clearly decreased Michaelis constant for fructose-6-phosphate. Propositus was double heterozygote for a 'silent gene' inherited from the mother and an abnormal enzyme from the father. Because this abnormal enzyme has undescribed characteristics, it responds to a new variant for which we propose the name GPI-MYTHO.", "PMID": 625628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6086", "title": "Inhibition of haemopoietic stem cell proliferation by a diffusible product of bone marrow cells.", "content": "In a double diffusion chamber (DC) culture system bone marrow cells elaborated diffusible factor(s) that prevented spleen colony-forming cells (CFU-S), but not PHA stimulated lymphocytes, from entering cell cycle. Mature granulocytes and macrophages did not produce such factors(s). Various number of steady-state or regenerating mouse bone marrow cells were cultured in single diffusion chamber for periods up to 7 d. After the initial cell loss,the net growth of CFU-S was inversely related to both total cell number and CFU-S number in DC. Diffusible factors rather than cell-to-cell contact appeared to be involved in the inhibition, even though we were not able to demonstrate inhibition of net growth of CFU-S with the double chamber approach.", "contents": "Inhibition of haemopoietic stem cell proliferation by a diffusible product of bone marrow cells. In a double diffusion chamber (DC) culture system bone marrow cells elaborated diffusible factor(s) that prevented spleen colony-forming cells (CFU-S), but not PHA stimulated lymphocytes, from entering cell cycle. Mature granulocytes and macrophages did not produce such factors(s). Various number of steady-state or regenerating mouse bone marrow cells were cultured in single diffusion chamber for periods up to 7 d. After the initial cell loss,the net growth of CFU-S was inversely related to both total cell number and CFU-S number in DC. Diffusible factors rather than cell-to-cell contact appeared to be involved in the inhibition, even though we were not able to demonstrate inhibition of net growth of CFU-S with the double chamber approach.", "PMID": 625629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6087", "title": "Syndrome of thrombocytopenia and absent radii: qualitatively normal platelets with remission following spenectomy.", "content": "A 41-year-old female with TAR syndrome and a normal number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow improved after splenectomy. There were no signs of a qualitative platelet defect. She was followed for nearly 2 years during which the bleeding time was increased without clinical bleeding, however.", "contents": "Syndrome of thrombocytopenia and absent radii: qualitatively normal platelets with remission following spenectomy. A 41-year-old female with TAR syndrome and a normal number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow improved after splenectomy. There were no signs of a qualitative platelet defect. She was followed for nearly 2 years during which the bleeding time was increased without clinical bleeding, however.", "PMID": 625630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6088", "title": "Fatal aplastic anaemia complicating infectious mononucleosis.", "content": "A 7-year-old boy developed fatal aplastic anaemia, 2 weeks after the first signs of infectious mononucleosis. Although some drugs were administered, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, leading to infectious mononucleosis, is assumed to be the cause of this aplastic anaemia. Some mechanisms possibly leading to the aplasia are discussed.", "contents": "Fatal aplastic anaemia complicating infectious mononucleosis. A 7-year-old boy developed fatal aplastic anaemia, 2 weeks after the first signs of infectious mononucleosis. Although some drugs were administered, infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, leading to infectious mononucleosis, is assumed to be the cause of this aplastic anaemia. Some mechanisms possibly leading to the aplasia are discussed.", "PMID": 625631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6089", "title": "Polycythaemia vera-transformation to myelofibrosis and subsequent reversal.", "content": "A woman aged 67 who developed polycythaemia vera 21 years ago has been seen regularly since the diagnosis was first made. She was treated initially with pyrimethamine and then for 10 years by repeated venesections. After a 4 year period when her myeloproliferative disease was considered to be transitional a complete transformation to myelofibrosis occurred. She was treated by splenic irradiation and later with alkylating agents in an attempt to give her symptomatic relief from massive splenomegaly. Repeated and massive haemorrhage from gastro-oesophageal varices was treated initially by percutaneous transhepatic sclerosis of the gastro-oesophageal collateral vessels. A subsequent dacron mesocaval jump graft operation was successful in preventing further haematemesis and melaena. During the last year transformation back to polycythaemia vera has occurred. The evolution of her myeloproliferative disease has been fully documented by detailed blood counting, bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies, blood volume studies and other radioisotope investigations including the quantitation of functional erythropoietic tissue with 52Fe.", "contents": "Polycythaemia vera-transformation to myelofibrosis and subsequent reversal. A woman aged 67 who developed polycythaemia vera 21 years ago has been seen regularly since the diagnosis was first made. She was treated initially with pyrimethamine and then for 10 years by repeated venesections. After a 4 year period when her myeloproliferative disease was considered to be transitional a complete transformation to myelofibrosis occurred. She was treated by splenic irradiation and later with alkylating agents in an attempt to give her symptomatic relief from massive splenomegaly. Repeated and massive haemorrhage from gastro-oesophageal varices was treated initially by percutaneous transhepatic sclerosis of the gastro-oesophageal collateral vessels. A subsequent dacron mesocaval jump graft operation was successful in preventing further haematemesis and melaena. During the last year transformation back to polycythaemia vera has occurred. The evolution of her myeloproliferative disease has been fully documented by detailed blood counting, bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies, blood volume studies and other radioisotope investigations including the quantitation of functional erythropoietic tissue with 52Fe.", "PMID": 625632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6090", "title": "Iron stores in blood donors evaluated by serum ferritin.", "content": "Male and female blood donors were grouped according to their blood donations, and the iron stores were estimated by a two-site immunoradiometric assay for ferritin. Hb serum iron, serum transferrin and transferrin saturation were also measured. A remarkable low serum ferritin concentration was found in male donors, who had donated blood one or two times. This might indicate that the serum ferritin concentration in male blood donors is not linearly correlated to the iron stores. Among 30 female donors 14 had ferritin values below 10 ng/ml, which have been shown to be indicative of iron deficiency. The serum ferritin concentration could not be used to predict the donors who developed low Hb values by the blood donation which followed. Serum ferritin was correlated to serum iron in men and to serum transferrin and transferrin saturation in both men and women.", "contents": "Iron stores in blood donors evaluated by serum ferritin. Male and female blood donors were grouped according to their blood donations, and the iron stores were estimated by a two-site immunoradiometric assay for ferritin. Hb serum iron, serum transferrin and transferrin saturation were also measured. A remarkable low serum ferritin concentration was found in male donors, who had donated blood one or two times. This might indicate that the serum ferritin concentration in male blood donors is not linearly correlated to the iron stores. Among 30 female donors 14 had ferritin values below 10 ng/ml, which have been shown to be indicative of iron deficiency. The serum ferritin concentration could not be used to predict the donors who developed low Hb values by the blood donation which followed. Serum ferritin was correlated to serum iron in men and to serum transferrin and transferrin saturation in both men and women.", "PMID": 625633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6091", "title": "Sensitivity and precision of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) methods. A multicenter study.", "content": "The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test, Cephotest, was compared to other APTT methods in current use in 4 specialized coagulation laboratories. In 3 of 4 laboratories, the sensitivity of Cephotest was superior (P less than 0.001) to that of the local APTT method. There was no statistically significant difference between the APTT methods with regard to precision of repetitive testing. In each laboratory, the normal range of Cephotest was estimated on freshly collected plasma samples from healthy subjects. A mean value between 28.8 and 35.8 s, with a standard deviation of 1.1-3.3 s, was obtained. It is concluded that the composition of the APTT method if of importance for the sensitivity of this test, but does not influence the precision of repetitive testing to a significant degree. The use of a standardized reagent facilitates comparison of the results obtained with the APTT method from one laboratory to another.", "contents": "Sensitivity and precision of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) methods. A multicenter study. The Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) test, Cephotest, was compared to other APTT methods in current use in 4 specialized coagulation laboratories. In 3 of 4 laboratories, the sensitivity of Cephotest was superior (P less than 0.001) to that of the local APTT method. There was no statistically significant difference between the APTT methods with regard to precision of repetitive testing. In each laboratory, the normal range of Cephotest was estimated on freshly collected plasma samples from healthy subjects. A mean value between 28.8 and 35.8 s, with a standard deviation of 1.1-3.3 s, was obtained. It is concluded that the composition of the APTT method if of importance for the sensitivity of this test, but does not influence the precision of repetitive testing to a significant degree. The use of a standardized reagent facilitates comparison of the results obtained with the APTT method from one laboratory to another.", "PMID": 625634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6092", "title": "[Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in malignant tumors. 2 cases].", "content": "Two cases of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in disseminated carcinoma are reported. Both showed the classical features of this illness, namely acute generalized hemorrhagic diathesis, severe hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fragmentation of erythrocytes in the peripheral blood smear, increased erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis or tumor cell invasion in the bone marrow, tumor cell emboli in venules and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In both cases the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia was the first sign of the disseminated carcinoma. Differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and therapy are discussed.", "contents": "[Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in malignant tumors. 2 cases]. Two cases of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in disseminated carcinoma are reported. Both showed the classical features of this illness, namely acute generalized hemorrhagic diathesis, severe hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fragmentation of erythrocytes in the peripheral blood smear, increased erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis or tumor cell invasion in the bone marrow, tumor cell emboli in venules and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In both cases the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia was the first sign of the disseminated carcinoma. Differential diagnosis, pathogenesis and therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 625635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6093", "title": "[Anti-HBc within the framework of hepatitis B virus infection: correlation to the form of inflammation and to the viral expression].", "content": "168 HBAg seropositive and 105 HBAg seronegative liver biopsies were studied for correlations between anti-HBc titers (indirect immunofluorescence method) and tissue expression of HBsAg and HBcAg (immunofluorescence), Dane particles in blood (immune electron microscopy) and inflammatory reaction. 98.8% of the HBAg seropositive patients were positive for anti-HBc. The mean titers showed statistically significant differences mainly between chronic aggressive hepatitis (1:2(11.3)) versus lobular hepatitis (1:2(10.1)), chronic persistent hepatitis (1:2(9.9)) and nonspecific reactive hepatitis (1:2(7.6)). Due to the considerable deviation of titers within the histological groups, however, titers below 1:2(11) are of low diagnostic relevance, whereas titers above 1:2(12) are mainly indicative of chronic aggressive hepatitis, although acute lobular hepatitis with signs of possible transition to chronicity or chronic persistent hepatitis with strong inflammatory activity may occur. Among HBAg seronegative patients 20% were positive for anti-HBc (mean titer = 1:2(7.7)). Among 78 patients also tested for anti-HBs, 10.2% were positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs. In an additional 12.8%, anti-HBc was the only marker of past hepatitis B virus infection. Anti-HBs was the only marker in a further 33%. In none of the HBAg seronegative patients and in only 59% of all HBAg seropositive patients, there was an association of anti-HBc with complete virus synthesis as measured by the demonstration of HBcAg in tissue or Dane particles in blood. It is concluded that anti-HBc is not a criterion of infectiosity but a specific, although non-characteristic, marker for HBAg seropositive acute and chronic hepatitis as well as for terminated HBV infection of all possible inflammatory and HBAg expression types.", "contents": "[Anti-HBc within the framework of hepatitis B virus infection: correlation to the form of inflammation and to the viral expression]. 168 HBAg seropositive and 105 HBAg seronegative liver biopsies were studied for correlations between anti-HBc titers (indirect immunofluorescence method) and tissue expression of HBsAg and HBcAg (immunofluorescence), Dane particles in blood (immune electron microscopy) and inflammatory reaction. 98.8% of the HBAg seropositive patients were positive for anti-HBc. The mean titers showed statistically significant differences mainly between chronic aggressive hepatitis (1:2(11.3)) versus lobular hepatitis (1:2(10.1)), chronic persistent hepatitis (1:2(9.9)) and nonspecific reactive hepatitis (1:2(7.6)). Due to the considerable deviation of titers within the histological groups, however, titers below 1:2(11) are of low diagnostic relevance, whereas titers above 1:2(12) are mainly indicative of chronic aggressive hepatitis, although acute lobular hepatitis with signs of possible transition to chronicity or chronic persistent hepatitis with strong inflammatory activity may occur. Among HBAg seronegative patients 20% were positive for anti-HBc (mean titer = 1:2(7.7)). Among 78 patients also tested for anti-HBs, 10.2% were positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs. In an additional 12.8%, anti-HBc was the only marker of past hepatitis B virus infection. Anti-HBs was the only marker in a further 33%. In none of the HBAg seronegative patients and in only 59% of all HBAg seropositive patients, there was an association of anti-HBc with complete virus synthesis as measured by the demonstration of HBcAg in tissue or Dane particles in blood. It is concluded that anti-HBc is not a criterion of infectiosity but a specific, although non-characteristic, marker for HBAg seropositive acute and chronic hepatitis as well as for terminated HBV infection of all possible inflammatory and HBAg expression types.", "PMID": 625636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6094", "title": "[Schizophrenia and the ability to drive].", "content": "Based on the files of the Zurich Forensic Medicine Institute, the driving ability of 100 clinically and diagnostically proven schizophrenic cases was studied with the aid of case histories, police and traffic records and personal statements. The data obtained were compared with a healthy control group of equal age and sex. The schizophrenics showed significantly inferior driving performance to the control group over a six-year observation period. The schizophrenics could be divided into sub-groups whose performances varied significantly. The basic character of the patients and the type and degree of delusions had an important bearing on their driving records. The results were especially unfavorable in those with religious type delusions, but favorable in those with a cautious, anxious character. The driving ability test should be administered by an experienced medical expert. Besides investigation of the actual sickness, the basic character and the total personality of the patient should always be considered.", "contents": "[Schizophrenia and the ability to drive]. Based on the files of the Zurich Forensic Medicine Institute, the driving ability of 100 clinically and diagnostically proven schizophrenic cases was studied with the aid of case histories, police and traffic records and personal statements. The data obtained were compared with a healthy control group of equal age and sex. The schizophrenics showed significantly inferior driving performance to the control group over a six-year observation period. The schizophrenics could be divided into sub-groups whose performances varied significantly. The basic character of the patients and the type and degree of delusions had an important bearing on their driving records. The results were especially unfavorable in those with religious type delusions, but favorable in those with a cautious, anxious character. The driving ability test should be administered by an experienced medical expert. Besides investigation of the actual sickness, the basic character and the total personality of the patient should always be considered.", "PMID": 625637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6095", "title": "[Sonographic diagnosis of gallbladder diseases].", "content": "In a prospective study of 174 patients referred for cholecystography, an ultrasound study (gray scale technique) was also carried out and the results of the two examinations were compared. The ultrasound examination served to demonstrate a normal gall bladder in 96% of the patients and, based on typical sonographic findings, permitted the diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis in 97%. The ultrasound examination can be carried out prior to the X-ray study as a screening method and has particular value in the work-up of patients with unclear right upper quadrant abdominal pain.", "contents": "[Sonographic diagnosis of gallbladder diseases]. In a prospective study of 174 patients referred for cholecystography, an ultrasound study (gray scale technique) was also carried out and the results of the two examinations were compared. The ultrasound examination served to demonstrate a normal gall bladder in 96% of the patients and, based on typical sonographic findings, permitted the diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis in 97%. The ultrasound examination can be carried out prior to the X-ray study as a screening method and has particular value in the work-up of patients with unclear right upper quadrant abdominal pain.", "PMID": 625638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6096", "title": "[Prognosis of diabetes mellitus after an early diagnosis by means of glucosuria screening. Results of a 10 year course control].", "content": "The 10-year course of diabetes in 250 patients detected by glucosuria screening in 1963 was evaluated in an inter-individual pair comparison with patients from the same territory admitted during the same calendar year. Pairs were grouped according to age, sex, and weight. Judged by mortality, survival time, causes of death, and vascular complications, the medium-term prognosis was not improved by screening, although in the screening group a strict diet could be maintained to a greater extent. Problems of evaluation and effectiveness of mass examination in chronic diseases are discussed. Glucosuria and hyperglycemia do not suffice as screening criteria for the early recognition of the complex risk of arteriosclerosis in maturity onset diabetes. Multi-screening in groups with especially high diabetes risk is expected to yield higher effectiveness than the mass screening hitherto performed.", "contents": "[Prognosis of diabetes mellitus after an early diagnosis by means of glucosuria screening. Results of a 10 year course control]. The 10-year course of diabetes in 250 patients detected by glucosuria screening in 1963 was evaluated in an inter-individual pair comparison with patients from the same territory admitted during the same calendar year. Pairs were grouped according to age, sex, and weight. Judged by mortality, survival time, causes of death, and vascular complications, the medium-term prognosis was not improved by screening, although in the screening group a strict diet could be maintained to a greater extent. Problems of evaluation and effectiveness of mass examination in chronic diseases are discussed. Glucosuria and hyperglycemia do not suffice as screening criteria for the early recognition of the complex risk of arteriosclerosis in maturity onset diabetes. Multi-screening in groups with especially high diabetes risk is expected to yield higher effectiveness than the mass screening hitherto performed.", "PMID": 625639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6097", "title": "[Papillomatosis coronae glandis. Frequency of occurrence and clinical picture].", "content": "The clinical picture of pearly penile papules (PPP) is described on the basis of the literature and the authors' own investigations. Although symptomless and without functional significance, PPP may lead to damaging therapeutic measures if not recognized as such by physician and patient. The incidence of PPP has been investigated in 642 19-year-old Swiss men originating from the same geographical region. PPP were found in 33%, in 9.2% as the major variant and in 23.8% as the minor variant.", "contents": "[Papillomatosis coronae glandis. Frequency of occurrence and clinical picture]. The clinical picture of pearly penile papules (PPP) is described on the basis of the literature and the authors' own investigations. Although symptomless and without functional significance, PPP may lead to damaging therapeutic measures if not recognized as such by physician and patient. The incidence of PPP has been investigated in 642 19-year-old Swiss men originating from the same geographical region. PPP were found in 33%, in 9.2% as the major variant and in 23.8% as the minor variant.", "PMID": 625640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6098", "title": "[Lung emphysema].", "content": "1. Elastic recoil, size of the perfused surface for gas exchange and flow resistance of the small airways influence the symptomatology and lung function of pulmonary emphysema independently of each other. 2. The loss of elastic force and surface for gas exchange are predominant in panlobular emphysema. Ventilation-perfusion disturbances due to increased airway resistance during inspiration and expiration predominate in chronic obstructive bronchitis with centrilobular emphysema. 3. In the presence of identical values for vital capacity and FEV1.0, arterial blood gas studies during rest and exercise provide the most reliable information on gas exchange surface and ventilation-perfusion disorders.", "contents": "[Lung emphysema]. 1. Elastic recoil, size of the perfused surface for gas exchange and flow resistance of the small airways influence the symptomatology and lung function of pulmonary emphysema independently of each other. 2. The loss of elastic force and surface for gas exchange are predominant in panlobular emphysema. Ventilation-perfusion disturbances due to increased airway resistance during inspiration and expiration predominate in chronic obstructive bronchitis with centrilobular emphysema. 3. In the presence of identical values for vital capacity and FEV1.0, arterial blood gas studies during rest and exercise provide the most reliable information on gas exchange surface and ventilation-perfusion disorders.", "PMID": 625642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6099", "title": "[Endogenous factors in the development of emphysema].", "content": "The relationship between the development of pulmonary emphysema and the presence of proteolytic enzymes with elastolytic properties released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes or by alveolar macrophages is briefly reviewed. The possible role of various antiproteolytic substances present in the lung is also described. The pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema is discussed in the light of hypotheses recently put forward implicating an excess of proteolytic factors and/or a relative or absolute lack of protection substances.", "contents": "[Endogenous factors in the development of emphysema]. The relationship between the development of pulmonary emphysema and the presence of proteolytic enzymes with elastolytic properties released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes or by alveolar macrophages is briefly reviewed. The possible role of various antiproteolytic substances present in the lung is also described. The pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema is discussed in the light of hypotheses recently put forward implicating an excess of proteolytic factors and/or a relative or absolute lack of protection substances.", "PMID": 625643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6100", "title": "[Clinical and radiological diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung syndromes].", "content": "The clinical signs produced by the respiratory movements reveal the main patho-physiological types in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Roentgenological signs do not correlate with the severity of ventilatory disorders and pre-capillary hypertension. Conversely the roentgenological signs of the post-capillalry hypertension are precocious and reliable.", "contents": "[Clinical and radiological diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung syndromes]. The clinical signs produced by the respiratory movements reveal the main patho-physiological types in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Roentgenological signs do not correlate with the severity of ventilatory disorders and pre-capillary hypertension. Conversely the roentgenological signs of the post-capillalry hypertension are precocious and reliable.", "PMID": 625644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6101", "title": "[Lung function tests in emphysema].", "content": "Several lung function tests are capable of detecting typical functional abnormalities in pulmonary emphysema, such as reduced elastic recoil of lung tissue, elevation of intrathoracic gas volumes, expiratory bronchial collapse or uneven patterns of ventilation. The measurement of elastic recoil by means of an esophageal catheter also seems to be a reliable technique for detecting early stages of emphysema, but its use for routine clinical investigations remains impracticable. The elevation of intrathoracic gas volumes determined by body plethysmography or helium dilution technique may sometimes be influenced by reversible bronchial obstructions or additional restrictive ventilatory defects. Expiratory collapse of the intrathoracic airways, however, proves to be a regular finding in advanced pulmonary emphysema. It results from decreased stability of the peripheral and central bronchial wall as well as from a shifting of bronchial and transmural pressure gradients to the peripheral airways. The occurrence of a pressure dependent expiratory stenosis can easily be demonstrated by the spirometric flow-volume curve during forced expiration, thus differentiating patients with asthma from those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The minimal program for detection and evaluation of emphysematous alterations of the lung by functional tests should consist in the measurement of intrathoracic gas volumes, recording of the forced expiratory volume and the analysis of the flow-volume curve.", "contents": "[Lung function tests in emphysema]. Several lung function tests are capable of detecting typical functional abnormalities in pulmonary emphysema, such as reduced elastic recoil of lung tissue, elevation of intrathoracic gas volumes, expiratory bronchial collapse or uneven patterns of ventilation. The measurement of elastic recoil by means of an esophageal catheter also seems to be a reliable technique for detecting early stages of emphysema, but its use for routine clinical investigations remains impracticable. The elevation of intrathoracic gas volumes determined by body plethysmography or helium dilution technique may sometimes be influenced by reversible bronchial obstructions or additional restrictive ventilatory defects. Expiratory collapse of the intrathoracic airways, however, proves to be a regular finding in advanced pulmonary emphysema. It results from decreased stability of the peripheral and central bronchial wall as well as from a shifting of bronchial and transmural pressure gradients to the peripheral airways. The occurrence of a pressure dependent expiratory stenosis can easily be demonstrated by the spirometric flow-volume curve during forced expiration, thus differentiating patients with asthma from those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The minimal program for detection and evaluation of emphysematous alterations of the lung by functional tests should consist in the measurement of intrathoracic gas volumes, recording of the forced expiratory volume and the analysis of the flow-volume curve.", "PMID": 625645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6102", "title": "[Morphometry in central bronchi and tissue sections. A supplemental method in pneumopathology].", "content": "Comparative clinical-pathological studies of pneumopathology call for quantitative analyses of bronchi and pulmonary tissue. Quantification of pathological findings is possible by morphometry. The most important stereologic definitions and the laws of morphometry are briefly described. Methodologic problems are discussed. Baseline data of central bronchi of 5 autopsy cases are calculated (volume densities of the different tissue compartments and the surface density of bronchial basement membrane in three reference volumes). The five patients had normal lung function tests during life.--Further, the grading of emphysema by point-counting on papermounted macrosections is reported. Grading of emphysema on lung slices correlated very well with grading of emphysema by point-counting.", "contents": "[Morphometry in central bronchi and tissue sections. A supplemental method in pneumopathology]. Comparative clinical-pathological studies of pneumopathology call for quantitative analyses of bronchi and pulmonary tissue. Quantification of pathological findings is possible by morphometry. The most important stereologic definitions and the laws of morphometry are briefly described. Methodologic problems are discussed. Baseline data of central bronchi of 5 autopsy cases are calculated (volume densities of the different tissue compartments and the surface density of bronchial basement membrane in three reference volumes). The five patients had normal lung function tests during life.--Further, the grading of emphysema by point-counting on papermounted macrosections is reported. Grading of emphysema on lung slices correlated very well with grading of emphysema by point-counting.", "PMID": 625646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6103", "title": "[The problem of airway collapse in lung emphysema. Correlation between intravital lung function measurements and morphometric data].", "content": "Lowering of forced expired volume in one second as a percentage of vital capacity (FEV1%VC) and check-valve phenomenon of expiratory flow curve (CVPh) are clinical signs of bronchial collapse. In this study the correlations between these functional parameters and morphologic findings are studied. The study comprises autopsy cases in which lung function had been tested 1.5 years on average before death. In 138 cases emphysema was graded on papermounted macrosections and in 52 cases bronchi were studied by morphometry. 19 of the latter were analysed more thoroughly; 9 had shown CVPh. The results were as follows: 1. Collapse phenomena occur more frequently in cases with destructive emphysema than in cases without. However, it is not exclusive to the former. 2. FEV1 and CVPh correlate with hypertrophy of bronchial glands. 3. Cases with CVPh show hypertrophy, not atrophy, of the walls of central bronchi. It follows that bronchial collapse phenomena are mainly influenced by increased bronchial secretion of viscous mucus and not by emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma. On forced expiration, mucus plugging probably leads to a decrease of intrabronchial pressure in the downstream bronchi. Thus, the downstream bronchi may collapse because the equal pressure point between intrabronchial and intrathoracic pressure shifts from the central to more peripheral bronchi.", "contents": "[The problem of airway collapse in lung emphysema. Correlation between intravital lung function measurements and morphometric data]. Lowering of forced expired volume in one second as a percentage of vital capacity (FEV1%VC) and check-valve phenomenon of expiratory flow curve (CVPh) are clinical signs of bronchial collapse. In this study the correlations between these functional parameters and morphologic findings are studied. The study comprises autopsy cases in which lung function had been tested 1.5 years on average before death. In 138 cases emphysema was graded on papermounted macrosections and in 52 cases bronchi were studied by morphometry. 19 of the latter were analysed more thoroughly; 9 had shown CVPh. The results were as follows: 1. Collapse phenomena occur more frequently in cases with destructive emphysema than in cases without. However, it is not exclusive to the former. 2. FEV1 and CVPh correlate with hypertrophy of bronchial glands. 3. Cases with CVPh show hypertrophy, not atrophy, of the walls of central bronchi. It follows that bronchial collapse phenomena are mainly influenced by increased bronchial secretion of viscous mucus and not by emphysematous destruction of lung parenchyma. On forced expiration, mucus plugging probably leads to a decrease of intrabronchial pressure in the downstream bronchi. Thus, the downstream bronchi may collapse because the equal pressure point between intrabronchial and intrathoracic pressure shifts from the central to more peripheral bronchi.", "PMID": 625647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6104", "title": "[Fatal outcome of emphysema without increased bronchial resistance and 6 cases of chronic dyspneic hypoxemic bronchial disease with normal spirometry].", "content": "The cases of seven patients with dyspnea, hypoxemia and normal ventilatory tests are presented. Closing volume was measured in 6 and was increased. Two were heavy smokers, 2 were obese, and 2 were exposed to inhalation of industrial irritants. The last patient had severe dyspnea and pronounced hypoxemia which eventually resulted in pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. Lung scan was normal. Plethysmography showed normal bronchial resistance. Autopsy revealed chronic bronchitis, bronchiolectasis and emphysema. This case was interpreted as an example of fatal outcome of small airway disease.", "contents": "[Fatal outcome of emphysema without increased bronchial resistance and 6 cases of chronic dyspneic hypoxemic bronchial disease with normal spirometry]. The cases of seven patients with dyspnea, hypoxemia and normal ventilatory tests are presented. Closing volume was measured in 6 and was increased. Two were heavy smokers, 2 were obese, and 2 were exposed to inhalation of industrial irritants. The last patient had severe dyspnea and pronounced hypoxemia which eventually resulted in pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. Lung scan was normal. Plethysmography showed normal bronchial resistance. Autopsy revealed chronic bronchitis, bronchiolectasis and emphysema. This case was interpreted as an example of fatal outcome of small airway disease.", "PMID": 625648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6105", "title": "[Benign spontaneous pneumothorax: possibilities and prognosis of conservative therapy].", "content": "There is much divergence of opinion as to how spontaneous pneumothorax should be treated or even whether it should be treated at all. Nowadays this benign pulmonary disease is primarily treated surgically, although conservative management of spontaneous pneumothorax seems to provide equally good results, as already indicated in 1932 by KJAERGAARD. Histories and clinical findings for 87 patients who were initially treated for spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed and the factors responsible for the choice of treatment established. The mean age of the patients was 34 years, and 60% of the patients were below 30. Males predominated over females by 8:1. No coexisting pulmonary diseases were found in 80% of the patients. 54 patients were treated conservatively (no treatment except antitussives or analgesics). 46 conservatively treated patients had pneumothorax for the first time; 4 patients each had pneumothorax for the second or third time or more. 46 of 66 patients with idiopathic pneumothorax received no treatment, whereas 12 of 20 patients who had coexisting pulmonary diseases were treated surgically. The pneumothorax did not recur in 30 of 37 patients treated conservatively and observed for 1--15 years. These data suggest that conservative management is as effective as surgical treatment in uncomplicated spontaneous pneumothorax.", "contents": "[Benign spontaneous pneumothorax: possibilities and prognosis of conservative therapy]. There is much divergence of opinion as to how spontaneous pneumothorax should be treated or even whether it should be treated at all. Nowadays this benign pulmonary disease is primarily treated surgically, although conservative management of spontaneous pneumothorax seems to provide equally good results, as already indicated in 1932 by KJAERGAARD. Histories and clinical findings for 87 patients who were initially treated for spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed and the factors responsible for the choice of treatment established. The mean age of the patients was 34 years, and 60% of the patients were below 30. Males predominated over females by 8:1. No coexisting pulmonary diseases were found in 80% of the patients. 54 patients were treated conservatively (no treatment except antitussives or analgesics). 46 conservatively treated patients had pneumothorax for the first time; 4 patients each had pneumothorax for the second or third time or more. 46 of 66 patients with idiopathic pneumothorax received no treatment, whereas 12 of 20 patients who had coexisting pulmonary diseases were treated surgically. The pneumothorax did not recur in 30 of 37 patients treated conservatively and observed for 1--15 years. These data suggest that conservative management is as effective as surgical treatment in uncomplicated spontaneous pneumothorax.", "PMID": 625650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6106", "title": "[Distribution of the HL-A antigens in patients with pigeon breeder's lung].", "content": "HLA B8 was found in 29% of patients suffering from pigeon fancier's lung, as compared with a normal frequency of HLA B8 of 17%. In patients suffering from the acute form of the disease HLA B8 was found in 42%. HLA B13 and HLA BW17 could not be demonstrated in any patient with pigeon fancier's lung.", "contents": "[Distribution of the HL-A antigens in patients with pigeon breeder's lung]. HLA B8 was found in 29% of patients suffering from pigeon fancier's lung, as compared with a normal frequency of HLA B8 of 17%. In patients suffering from the acute form of the disease HLA B8 was found in 42%. HLA B13 and HLA BW17 could not be demonstrated in any patient with pigeon fancier's lung.", "PMID": 625651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6107", "title": "[Experimental hyperammoniemia].", "content": "The effect of chloralose anesthesia and of hypoxia or hypercapnia of altogether 40 minutes' duration on the concentrations of ammonia in the arterial blood was investigated in mongrel dogs. The NH3 values increased marginally as a result of chloralose anesthesia and only slightly as a result of severe (Pao2=32 mm Hg), acute hypoxia. Hypercapnia (Paco2=75 or 111 mm Hg) induced with a mixture of gases was accompanied by an increase of commensurate degree in the blood ammonia levels which was presumably attributable to an augmented protal-to-systemic shunt circulation.", "contents": "[Experimental hyperammoniemia]. The effect of chloralose anesthesia and of hypoxia or hypercapnia of altogether 40 minutes' duration on the concentrations of ammonia in the arterial blood was investigated in mongrel dogs. The NH3 values increased marginally as a result of chloralose anesthesia and only slightly as a result of severe (Pao2=32 mm Hg), acute hypoxia. Hypercapnia (Paco2=75 or 111 mm Hg) induced with a mixture of gases was accompanied by an increase of commensurate degree in the blood ammonia levels which was presumably attributable to an augmented protal-to-systemic shunt circulation.", "PMID": 625652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6108", "title": "[Partial lipodystrophy and intramembraneous glomerulonephritis].", "content": "The case is presented of a young woman with partial lipodystrophy and intramembranous glomerulonephritis. Light and electron microscopic changes in the kidney biopsy are described and discussed. With immunosuppressive therapy very slow progression of the renal insufficiency was observed. Finally, regular dialysis treatment was required to sustain life. The follow-up after detection of intramembranous glomerulonephritis lasted 8 years.", "contents": "[Partial lipodystrophy and intramembraneous glomerulonephritis]. The case is presented of a young woman with partial lipodystrophy and intramembranous glomerulonephritis. Light and electron microscopic changes in the kidney biopsy are described and discussed. With immunosuppressive therapy very slow progression of the renal insufficiency was observed. Finally, regular dialysis treatment was required to sustain life. The follow-up after detection of intramembranous glomerulonephritis lasted 8 years.", "PMID": 625653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6109", "title": "[Preventive health actions. Various levels of time, of the role of health professions and of individual participation].", "content": "At a time when increasing emphasis is placed on promotive and preventive measures in health care, it is important to bear in mind that the ways and means of prevention are diverse and multidisciplinary. The author briefly discusses the levels which are to be considered, in regard to the timing of the intervention (primary, secondary and tertiary prevention), the requisite professional contribution, and the importance of the individual's active participation. Participation is highly desirable, and is in fact indispensable for improvement of the \"civilization\" health problems we are now facing. It is not always easy, however, to determine its optimal pattern and intensity. It is also necessary to take into account the inteface situations between preventive measures and freedom, at the individual as well as the social level.", "contents": "[Preventive health actions. Various levels of time, of the role of health professions and of individual participation]. At a time when increasing emphasis is placed on promotive and preventive measures in health care, it is important to bear in mind that the ways and means of prevention are diverse and multidisciplinary. The author briefly discusses the levels which are to be considered, in regard to the timing of the intervention (primary, secondary and tertiary prevention), the requisite professional contribution, and the importance of the individual's active participation. Participation is highly desirable, and is in fact indispensable for improvement of the \"civilization\" health problems we are now facing. It is not always easy, however, to determine its optimal pattern and intensity. It is also necessary to take into account the inteface situations between preventive measures and freedom, at the individual as well as the social level.", "PMID": 625654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6110", "title": "[Long-term comparative study: diclofenac (voltaren) and naproxen (proxen) in arthritis].", "content": "Two non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs, diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Proxen), were compared with respect to their analgesic effect and the observed improvement in joint mobility in two groups of patients, each consisting of 20 males with either cox-arthrosis or gonarthrosis. The duration of treatment was up to six months. The therapeutic response was assessed by the mean scores of spontaneous and exercise-induced pain, the clinical state of joints and painfree time of walking. Both drugs led to a persistent improvement in the condition of most patients, but the clinical impression would appear to point to a more marked analgesic effect of diclofenac. The daily maintenance dosage from the fourth week of treatment onwards was 75 mg diclofenac and 500 mg naproxen. Both drugs were generally well tolerated. Occasionally gastrointestinal side effects were observed (more frequently in the naproxen group). Laboratory controls were carried out periodically, but no evidence of organ toxicity or hemotoxic effects was found.", "contents": "[Long-term comparative study: diclofenac (voltaren) and naproxen (proxen) in arthritis]. Two non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs, diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Proxen), were compared with respect to their analgesic effect and the observed improvement in joint mobility in two groups of patients, each consisting of 20 males with either cox-arthrosis or gonarthrosis. The duration of treatment was up to six months. The therapeutic response was assessed by the mean scores of spontaneous and exercise-induced pain, the clinical state of joints and painfree time of walking. Both drugs led to a persistent improvement in the condition of most patients, but the clinical impression would appear to point to a more marked analgesic effect of diclofenac. The daily maintenance dosage from the fourth week of treatment onwards was 75 mg diclofenac and 500 mg naproxen. Both drugs were generally well tolerated. Occasionally gastrointestinal side effects were observed (more frequently in the naproxen group). Laboratory controls were carried out periodically, but no evidence of organ toxicity or hemotoxic effects was found.", "PMID": 625655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6111", "title": "Autoradiographic image intensification: applications in medical radiography.", "content": "The image of an 80 to 90 percent underexposed medical radiograph can be increased to readable density and contrast by autoradiographic image intensification. The technique consists of combining the image silver of the radiograph with a radioactive compound, thiourea labeled with sulfur-35, and then making an autoradiograph from the activated negative.", "contents": "Autoradiographic image intensification: applications in medical radiography. The image of an 80 to 90 percent underexposed medical radiograph can be increased to readable density and contrast by autoradiographic image intensification. The technique consists of combining the image silver of the radiograph with a radioactive compound, thiourea labeled with sulfur-35, and then making an autoradiograph from the activated negative.", "PMID": 625659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6112", "title": "DNA synthesis in cartilage cells is stimulated by oscillating electric fields.", "content": "External oscillating electric fields (1166 volts per centimeter, 5 hertz) enhanced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into the DNA of chondrocytes isolated from the proliferative layer of embryonic (16 days) chick epiphysis. Verapamil or tetrodotoxin at 10(-6)M concentrations completely blocked the electric field effect. Tetracaine reduced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine in both control and electrically stimulated cells. The findings support the hypothesis that Na and Ca2 fluxes generated by the electrical perturbation trigger DNA synthesis in these cells.", "contents": "DNA synthesis in cartilage cells is stimulated by oscillating electric fields. External oscillating electric fields (1166 volts per centimeter, 5 hertz) enhanced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into the DNA of chondrocytes isolated from the proliferative layer of embryonic (16 days) chick epiphysis. Verapamil or tetrodotoxin at 10(-6)M concentrations completely blocked the electric field effect. Tetracaine reduced the incorporation of [3H] thymidine in both control and electrically stimulated cells. The findings support the hypothesis that Na and Ca2 fluxes generated by the electrical perturbation trigger DNA synthesis in these cells.", "PMID": 625660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6113", "title": "Earnings-replacement rate of old-age benefits, 1965-75, selected countries.", "content": "This study is about the earnings-replacement rate of the old-age benefit for the average worker in manufacturing who had average earnings throughout his career. It updates previously published data for earlier years and compares the replacement rate of the combined social security and private pension benefits for selected countries, in an attempt to show what a more complete benefit package might be. The study also traces what has happened to the replacement rate during the decade beginning in the mid-1960's. In several countries the intent has been to raise social security benefits over a period of time to a level sufficient to permit a retired worker to maintain his previous standard of living. The study looks to see if such policies have succeeded in reaching these goals, especially in view of the economic turbulence--recession and inflation--during the 1970's.", "contents": "Earnings-replacement rate of old-age benefits, 1965-75, selected countries. This study is about the earnings-replacement rate of the old-age benefit for the average worker in manufacturing who had average earnings throughout his career. It updates previously published data for earlier years and compares the replacement rate of the combined social security and private pension benefits for selected countries, in an attempt to show what a more complete benefit package might be. The study also traces what has happened to the replacement rate during the decade beginning in the mid-1960's. In several countries the intent has been to raise social security benefits over a period of time to a level sufficient to permit a retired worker to maintain his previous standard of living. The study looks to see if such policies have succeeded in reaching these goals, especially in view of the economic turbulence--recession and inflation--during the 1970's.", "PMID": 625663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6114", "title": "First year impact of SSI on economic status of 1973 adult assistance populations.", "content": "During 1973, interviews were conducted with more than 11,000 adult assistance recipients in the Survey of the Low-Income Aged and Disabled. The sample members were reinterviewed during the last 3 months of 1974, approximately 1 year after the implementation of SSI. This article analyzes the impact of SSI on the economic status of the 1973 adult assistance populations. The analysis considers the United States sample as well as samples for five individual States. Most of the 1973 adult assistance recipients were automatically transferred to SSI on January 1, 1974. The majority realized an improved economic situation during 1974, at least in part because of their transferral to SSI. There was significant improvement for the residents of each of the separate States considered because of increased assistance payments, but SSI generally proved most beneficial to the poorest persons transferred from the State public assistance programs.", "contents": "First year impact of SSI on economic status of 1973 adult assistance populations. During 1973, interviews were conducted with more than 11,000 adult assistance recipients in the Survey of the Low-Income Aged and Disabled. The sample members were reinterviewed during the last 3 months of 1974, approximately 1 year after the implementation of SSI. This article analyzes the impact of SSI on the economic status of the 1973 adult assistance populations. The analysis considers the United States sample as well as samples for five individual States. Most of the 1973 adult assistance recipients were automatically transferred to SSI on January 1, 1974. The majority realized an improved economic situation during 1974, at least in part because of their transferral to SSI. There was significant improvement for the residents of each of the separate States considered because of increased assistance payments, but SSI generally proved most beneficial to the poorest persons transferred from the State public assistance programs.", "PMID": 625664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6115", "title": "Pension coverage and benefits, 1972: findings from the retirement history sutdy.", "content": "This article, based on data from the Retirement History Study, examines coverage by an employee pension plan on the longest job and the extent to which covered workers received an employee pension upon retirement and the size of their benefits. It also examines the joint receipt of employee pension and OASDI benefits and the size of the combined benefits. Each of these pension variables is analyzed for differences by class of worker (private wage and salary or government), sex, and characteristics of the longest job (industry, occupation, tenure, recency of job, extent of employment, and annual earnings rate). The majority of completely retired individuals in their early to middle sixties in 1972 did not receive employee pension benefits in that year. Women employed in private industry on their longest job were the most disadvantaged in this regard. Even when they were fortunate enough to receive retirement benefits from employee pension plans, their benefits were substantially lower than those of men or of women employed in government.", "contents": "Pension coverage and benefits, 1972: findings from the retirement history sutdy. This article, based on data from the Retirement History Study, examines coverage by an employee pension plan on the longest job and the extent to which covered workers received an employee pension upon retirement and the size of their benefits. It also examines the joint receipt of employee pension and OASDI benefits and the size of the combined benefits. Each of these pension variables is analyzed for differences by class of worker (private wage and salary or government), sex, and characteristics of the longest job (industry, occupation, tenure, recency of job, extent of employment, and annual earnings rate). The majority of completely retired individuals in their early to middle sixties in 1972 did not receive employee pension benefits in that year. Women employed in private industry on their longest job were the most disadvantaged in this regard. Even when they were fortunate enough to receive retirement benefits from employee pension plans, their benefits were substantially lower than those of men or of women employed in government.", "PMID": 625665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6116", "title": "Value of arterial pressure measurements in the proximal and distal part of the thigh in arterial occlusive disease.", "content": "A prospective study was carried out comparing two techniques of segmental arterial pressure measurements of the leg to detect, localize and quantify regional arterial occlusive disease. The measurement of pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh with the narrow cuff technique permitted correct anatomic localization of aortoiliac, femoropopliteal or combined disease in 78 per cent of diseased extremities, including all limbs with isolated aortoiliac or femoropopliteal disease. A single wide cuff arterial pressure measurement of the thigh correctly localized arterial obstructions in only 19 per cent of diseased extremities. Although a wide cuff is associated with less artifactual elevation in measured arterial pressure at the thigh, this advantage is outweighed by the limitation of diagnostic accuracy in localizing segmental arterial occlusive disease. We recommend that segmental arterial pressure measurements of the limb be made at four levels on the lower extremity, including arterial pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh to achieve maximal diagnostic accuracy.", "contents": "Value of arterial pressure measurements in the proximal and distal part of the thigh in arterial occlusive disease. A prospective study was carried out comparing two techniques of segmental arterial pressure measurements of the leg to detect, localize and quantify regional arterial occlusive disease. The measurement of pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh with the narrow cuff technique permitted correct anatomic localization of aortoiliac, femoropopliteal or combined disease in 78 per cent of diseased extremities, including all limbs with isolated aortoiliac or femoropopliteal disease. A single wide cuff arterial pressure measurement of the thigh correctly localized arterial obstructions in only 19 per cent of diseased extremities. Although a wide cuff is associated with less artifactual elevation in measured arterial pressure at the thigh, this advantage is outweighed by the limitation of diagnostic accuracy in localizing segmental arterial occlusive disease. We recommend that segmental arterial pressure measurements of the limb be made at four levels on the lower extremity, including arterial pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh to achieve maximal diagnostic accuracy.", "PMID": 625667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6117", "title": "A suggested classification and reappraisal of mortality statistics for ruptured atherosclerotic infrarenal aortic aneurysms.", "content": "A retrospective review of 80 ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms with classification of the patients into clinical groups based upon the findings at laparotomy was undertaken. Patients with small hematomas confined to the area of rupture were uniformly salvaged. Those with free intraperitoneal blood almost invariably died. Intermediate groups had mortalities od 37.5 and 62.5 per cent. It is concluded that operative mortality is related to the clinical group to which the patient belongs. Attention must be focused upon the potentially salvageable intermediate groups, with regard to early laparotomy and prompt, effective proximal and distal control of the aorta before entering the retroperitoneal hematoma. Major improvements in survival have occurred with smaller ruptures but little has been achieved with larger ruptures during the past 25 years.", "contents": "A suggested classification and reappraisal of mortality statistics for ruptured atherosclerotic infrarenal aortic aneurysms. A retrospective review of 80 ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms with classification of the patients into clinical groups based upon the findings at laparotomy was undertaken. Patients with small hematomas confined to the area of rupture were uniformly salvaged. Those with free intraperitoneal blood almost invariably died. Intermediate groups had mortalities od 37.5 and 62.5 per cent. It is concluded that operative mortality is related to the clinical group to which the patient belongs. Attention must be focused upon the potentially salvageable intermediate groups, with regard to early laparotomy and prompt, effective proximal and distal control of the aorta before entering the retroperitoneal hematoma. Major improvements in survival have occurred with smaller ruptures but little has been achieved with larger ruptures during the past 25 years.", "PMID": 625668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6118", "title": "Pharmacologic management of postoperative overdistention of the bladder.", "content": "Postoperative bladder distention, accompanied by serious difficulties in micturition, is not a rare occurrence in surgical patients. Two similar groups of patients undergoing surgical treatment were studied. In one group of 21 patients who received phenoxybenzamine prophylactically only one patient had urinary retention develop; nine of 22 patients in the control group who did not receive prophylactic phenoxybenzamine postoperatively had urinary retention develop. All of the latter patients who then received phenoxybenzamine were ultimately relieved of voiding difficulties. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha adrenergic blocker, is recommended as an effective and safe drug in diminishing or abolishing obstructive urinary symptoms postoperatively.", "contents": "Pharmacologic management of postoperative overdistention of the bladder. Postoperative bladder distention, accompanied by serious difficulties in micturition, is not a rare occurrence in surgical patients. Two similar groups of patients undergoing surgical treatment were studied. In one group of 21 patients who received phenoxybenzamine prophylactically only one patient had urinary retention develop; nine of 22 patients in the control group who did not receive prophylactic phenoxybenzamine postoperatively had urinary retention develop. All of the latter patients who then received phenoxybenzamine were ultimately relieved of voiding difficulties. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha adrenergic blocker, is recommended as an effective and safe drug in diminishing or abolishing obstructive urinary symptoms postoperatively.", "PMID": 625669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6119", "title": "Vagotomy and drainage for elective treatment of peptic ulcers.", "content": "Two hundred and thirty-one patients were treated electively for the complications of peptic ulcer disease other than massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In this group, there was one operative mortality, an incidence of 0.4 per cent; 99.7 per cent were successfully observed for periods extending up to 25 years. The proved rate of recurrence was 3 per cent, with an additional 1.3 per cent suspected of recurrence. It has been repeatedly shown by ourselves and other that vagotomy with drainage is the procedure of choice for patients with peptic ulcer disease presenting with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. On the basis of these data, we also believed that, until the advocates of other procedures can present convincing series of patients observed as thoroughly and as long, that truncal vagotomy with drainage remains a viable choice of surgical therapy for all manifestations of the peptic ulcer.", "contents": "Vagotomy and drainage for elective treatment of peptic ulcers. Two hundred and thirty-one patients were treated electively for the complications of peptic ulcer disease other than massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In this group, there was one operative mortality, an incidence of 0.4 per cent; 99.7 per cent were successfully observed for periods extending up to 25 years. The proved rate of recurrence was 3 per cent, with an additional 1.3 per cent suspected of recurrence. It has been repeatedly shown by ourselves and other that vagotomy with drainage is the procedure of choice for patients with peptic ulcer disease presenting with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. On the basis of these data, we also believed that, until the advocates of other procedures can present convincing series of patients observed as thoroughly and as long, that truncal vagotomy with drainage remains a viable choice of surgical therapy for all manifestations of the peptic ulcer.", "PMID": 625670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6120", "title": "Urinary bladder calculus formation on sutures in rabbits, cats and dogs.", "content": "Cystotomies were performed upon 152 animals with various suture materials. The bladders were examined for the presence of concretions at intervals ranging from three to 120 days. Calculi were found with regularity in rabbits but not in cats or dogs, irrespective of the suture material used. Urinary calculi persisting later than seven days postoperatively were seen only in those rabbit bladders repaired with nonabsorbable sutures. Despite major differences in the geometry and chemical composition of the suture, the two absorbable sutures polyglycolic acid and catgut showed an equivalent incidence of early, reversible calculus formation in the rabbit urinary bladder. The property of suture materials that contributes most to the formation of persistent urinary calculi is nonabsorbability. Surface characteristics and cross sectional geometry appear to play little, or no, role in the calculus formation in the bladders of animals.", "contents": "Urinary bladder calculus formation on sutures in rabbits, cats and dogs. Cystotomies were performed upon 152 animals with various suture materials. The bladders were examined for the presence of concretions at intervals ranging from three to 120 days. Calculi were found with regularity in rabbits but not in cats or dogs, irrespective of the suture material used. Urinary calculi persisting later than seven days postoperatively were seen only in those rabbit bladders repaired with nonabsorbable sutures. Despite major differences in the geometry and chemical composition of the suture, the two absorbable sutures polyglycolic acid and catgut showed an equivalent incidence of early, reversible calculus formation in the rabbit urinary bladder. The property of suture materials that contributes most to the formation of persistent urinary calculi is nonabsorbability. Surface characteristics and cross sectional geometry appear to play little, or no, role in the calculus formation in the bladders of animals.", "PMID": 625671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6121", "title": "Management of unusual traumatic ruptures of the aorta.", "content": "Blunt injuries to the ascending aorta and branches of the aortic arch are unusual but must be considered in any victim of a high speed decelerating injury. Because there are no characteristic clinical or roentgenographic findings, aortography is the only definitive method of establishing the diagnosis. Aortography should therefore, be performed upon any patient who has had a high speed decelerating injury, regardless of the clinical or the roentgenographic findings. An early operation will prevent exsanguination.", "contents": "Management of unusual traumatic ruptures of the aorta. Blunt injuries to the ascending aorta and branches of the aortic arch are unusual but must be considered in any victim of a high speed decelerating injury. Because there are no characteristic clinical or roentgenographic findings, aortography is the only definitive method of establishing the diagnosis. Aortography should therefore, be performed upon any patient who has had a high speed decelerating injury, regardless of the clinical or the roentgenographic findings. An early operation will prevent exsanguination.", "PMID": 625672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6122", "title": "Secretory function of isolated canine pancreas perfused with fluorocarbon emulsion.", "content": "A canine gastroduodenopancreatic block was isolated and perfused ex vivo with fluorocarbon emulsion, oxygenated in vitro, and containing a simulated physiologic protein-free solution. Pancreatic and gastric secretions were collected. The pancreas was stimulated with secretin or cholecystokinin infused intra-arterially. The response of the pancreas to both hormones was essentially identical to that observed under in vivo conditions or during perfusion of the isolated pancreas with homologous blood. Secretin induced pancreatic secretion was rich in bicarbonate and poor in total protein. Cholecystokinin induced pancreatic secretion contained less bicarbonate and more protein than secretin induced secretion. Differences between secretory responses of the pancreas to these hormones were significant. Gastric secretion was alkaline and contained fluorocarbon emulsion. The results of this study demonstrated that, under the experimental conditions described, external secretory function of the isolated canine pancreas was preserved during perfusion of isolated organs with fluorocarbon emulsion.", "contents": "Secretory function of isolated canine pancreas perfused with fluorocarbon emulsion. A canine gastroduodenopancreatic block was isolated and perfused ex vivo with fluorocarbon emulsion, oxygenated in vitro, and containing a simulated physiologic protein-free solution. Pancreatic and gastric secretions were collected. The pancreas was stimulated with secretin or cholecystokinin infused intra-arterially. The response of the pancreas to both hormones was essentially identical to that observed under in vivo conditions or during perfusion of the isolated pancreas with homologous blood. Secretin induced pancreatic secretion was rich in bicarbonate and poor in total protein. Cholecystokinin induced pancreatic secretion contained less bicarbonate and more protein than secretin induced secretion. Differences between secretory responses of the pancreas to these hormones were significant. Gastric secretion was alkaline and contained fluorocarbon emulsion. The results of this study demonstrated that, under the experimental conditions described, external secretory function of the isolated canine pancreas was preserved during perfusion of isolated organs with fluorocarbon emulsion.", "PMID": 625674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6123", "title": "The pulmonary alveolar capillary membrane during hemorrhagic hypotension in dogs.", "content": "Hemorrhagic hypotension is associated with increased lung water accumulation, secondary to loss of integrity of the alveolar capillary membrane. Whether this increased permeability of the alveolar capillary membrane occurs during hypotension or after resuscitation with intravenously administered fluids remains controversial. In an attempt to answer this question, we measured the movement of various molecular weight substances from pulmonary capillaries to the fluid filled alveolus using an in vivo saline solution filled dog lung model. During hemorrhage, T1/2--time to 50 per cent equilibration between blood and alveolar liquid--decreased for urea and dextrans of 3,000 and 10,400 molecular weight. There was no change compared with the base line figures for dextran 20,000 molecular weight and albumin, 69,000 molecular weight. In addition, during hemorrhage, lung liquid--but not blood--histamine levels increased significantly. We conclude that hemorrhagic hypotension leads to increased permeability of the alveolar capillary membrane to molecular weight substances less than 20,000 molecular weight. This increased permeability may be mediated by histamine.", "contents": "The pulmonary alveolar capillary membrane during hemorrhagic hypotension in dogs. Hemorrhagic hypotension is associated with increased lung water accumulation, secondary to loss of integrity of the alveolar capillary membrane. Whether this increased permeability of the alveolar capillary membrane occurs during hypotension or after resuscitation with intravenously administered fluids remains controversial. In an attempt to answer this question, we measured the movement of various molecular weight substances from pulmonary capillaries to the fluid filled alveolus using an in vivo saline solution filled dog lung model. During hemorrhage, T1/2--time to 50 per cent equilibration between blood and alveolar liquid--decreased for urea and dextrans of 3,000 and 10,400 molecular weight. There was no change compared with the base line figures for dextran 20,000 molecular weight and albumin, 69,000 molecular weight. In addition, during hemorrhage, lung liquid--but not blood--histamine levels increased significantly. We conclude that hemorrhagic hypotension leads to increased permeability of the alveolar capillary membrane to molecular weight substances less than 20,000 molecular weight. This increased permeability may be mediated by histamine.", "PMID": 625676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6124", "title": "Mesentericocaval shunt with the internal jugular vein.", "content": "Seventy-nine mesocaval shunts using the internal jugular vein and 54 side-to-side portocaval shunts have been performed during the past six years. Patients were evaluated from the stand-point of protection from recurrent bleeding, patency of the shunt, encephalopathy, rehabilitation and long term survival. All of the patients underwent follow-up observation. In a selected group of patients, postoperative angiographic control was performed, and serum levels of octopamine were examined. In the mesentericocaval group, patency of the shunt was demonstrated in 82 per cent, the incidence of encephalopathy was 35 per cent and the long term survival rate, as computed by the actuarial method, was 65 per cent. In the portocaval group, the incidence of encephalopathy was 54 per cent and the survival rate, 38 per cent. There was no correlation between octopamine serum levels and encephalopathy. Persistent perfusion of the liver was documented in 95 per cent of the patents controlled by arteriography in the mesentericocaval group with patent shunts. The mesentericocaval shunt seems to be an effective technique in terms of incidence of encephalopathy and survival rate, but a randomized study will be necessary to prove that this technique is more effective than the standard portocaval shunt.", "contents": "Mesentericocaval shunt with the internal jugular vein. Seventy-nine mesocaval shunts using the internal jugular vein and 54 side-to-side portocaval shunts have been performed during the past six years. Patients were evaluated from the stand-point of protection from recurrent bleeding, patency of the shunt, encephalopathy, rehabilitation and long term survival. All of the patients underwent follow-up observation. In a selected group of patients, postoperative angiographic control was performed, and serum levels of octopamine were examined. In the mesentericocaval group, patency of the shunt was demonstrated in 82 per cent, the incidence of encephalopathy was 35 per cent and the long term survival rate, as computed by the actuarial method, was 65 per cent. In the portocaval group, the incidence of encephalopathy was 54 per cent and the survival rate, 38 per cent. There was no correlation between octopamine serum levels and encephalopathy. Persistent perfusion of the liver was documented in 95 per cent of the patents controlled by arteriography in the mesentericocaval group with patent shunts. The mesentericocaval shunt seems to be an effective technique in terms of incidence of encephalopathy and survival rate, but a randomized study will be necessary to prove that this technique is more effective than the standard portocaval shunt.", "PMID": 625677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6125", "title": "Cytologic findings of aspiration of tumors of the breast.", "content": "Fine needle aspiration biopsy for cytologic diagnosis has been shown to be an effective adjunct to the clinical evaluation of masses of the breast by physical examination and mammography. In addition to adequately decompressing cystic masses, the procedure has been beneficial in obtaining a pathologic interpretation of any mass that is to be observed. Preoperative knowledge of the malignant nature of a mass of the breast allows the physician to investigate more selectively the possibility of metastatic disease and to consider more intelligently treatment options. Furthermore, the psychologic agony of the unknown for the patient and her family is avoided. Although histologic confirmation is always recommended before proceeding with mastectomy, a positive cytologic diagnosis can suffice when clinically advanced carcinoma is present or when there are medical contraindications to surgical treatment. Because of the false-negative rate of aspiration cytologic diagnosis, all clinically malignant or suspicious masses should have a biopsy in the face of benign cytology. This point cannot be over emphasized and is particularly pertinent to those patients in whom high risk factors of carcinoma of the breast are present. Inconclusive aspirates should be repeated or a biopsy of the mass should be done.", "contents": "Cytologic findings of aspiration of tumors of the breast. Fine needle aspiration biopsy for cytologic diagnosis has been shown to be an effective adjunct to the clinical evaluation of masses of the breast by physical examination and mammography. In addition to adequately decompressing cystic masses, the procedure has been beneficial in obtaining a pathologic interpretation of any mass that is to be observed. Preoperative knowledge of the malignant nature of a mass of the breast allows the physician to investigate more selectively the possibility of metastatic disease and to consider more intelligently treatment options. Furthermore, the psychologic agony of the unknown for the patient and her family is avoided. Although histologic confirmation is always recommended before proceeding with mastectomy, a positive cytologic diagnosis can suffice when clinically advanced carcinoma is present or when there are medical contraindications to surgical treatment. Because of the false-negative rate of aspiration cytologic diagnosis, all clinically malignant or suspicious masses should have a biopsy in the face of benign cytology. This point cannot be over emphasized and is particularly pertinent to those patients in whom high risk factors of carcinoma of the breast are present. Inconclusive aspirates should be repeated or a biopsy of the mass should be done.", "PMID": 625678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6126", "title": "Some etiologic concepts of actinomycosis of the greater omentum.", "content": "Since 1955, 33 patients with actinomycosis were treated at the University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sixty-seven per cent of the lesions involved the cervicofacial region; 24 per cent, the abdomen, and 9 per cent, the thorax. Trauma, inflammation or immunosuppression may have been partly responsible for the infection in 14 of the patients. Follow-up data were available for 21 patients. One of these patients died of thoracic actinomycosis, having received immunosuppressive therapy for leukemia. The others progressed well after treatment. In one patient with intra-abdominal actinomycosis, the disease was confined to the greater omentum and was apparently unrelated to the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts. He recovered after excision of the greater omentum and large dosages of penicillin. A search of the literature reveals that other reports on seemingly isolated intra-abdominal actinomycosis describe disease adjacent to hollow organs which required their removal. Immunologic studies demonstrated that a saline suspension of Actinomyces israelii was capable of inhibiting phytohemagglutinin stimulation of both the lymphocytes of the patient and of those of three normal donors. This may play a part in the progression of the disease.", "contents": "Some etiologic concepts of actinomycosis of the greater omentum. Since 1955, 33 patients with actinomycosis were treated at the University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sixty-seven per cent of the lesions involved the cervicofacial region; 24 per cent, the abdomen, and 9 per cent, the thorax. Trauma, inflammation or immunosuppression may have been partly responsible for the infection in 14 of the patients. Follow-up data were available for 21 patients. One of these patients died of thoracic actinomycosis, having received immunosuppressive therapy for leukemia. The others progressed well after treatment. In one patient with intra-abdominal actinomycosis, the disease was confined to the greater omentum and was apparently unrelated to the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts. He recovered after excision of the greater omentum and large dosages of penicillin. A search of the literature reveals that other reports on seemingly isolated intra-abdominal actinomycosis describe disease adjacent to hollow organs which required their removal. Immunologic studies demonstrated that a saline suspension of Actinomyces israelii was capable of inhibiting phytohemagglutinin stimulation of both the lymphocytes of the patient and of those of three normal donors. This may play a part in the progression of the disease.", "PMID": 625679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6127", "title": "Microlymphangiographic study of lymphatic regeneration following intestinal anastomosis.", "content": "Using a technique of intestinal microlymphangiography, the canine intestinal lymphatic system was studied. Appearance of a two dimentional network above the muscularis mucosa layer was found to be characteristic. A study of the lymphatic regeneration pattern of the intestinal anastomosis showed a cross circulation through newly reconstructed lymphatics to commence on the seventh postoperative day and to be completed by the 21st day.", "contents": "Microlymphangiographic study of lymphatic regeneration following intestinal anastomosis. Using a technique of intestinal microlymphangiography, the canine intestinal lymphatic system was studied. Appearance of a two dimentional network above the muscularis mucosa layer was found to be characteristic. A study of the lymphatic regeneration pattern of the intestinal anastomosis showed a cross circulation through newly reconstructed lymphatics to commence on the seventh postoperative day and to be completed by the 21st day.", "PMID": 625680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6128", "title": "The surgical management of recurrent parotitis.", "content": "Twenty-eight parotidectomies were carried out upon 26 patients with chronic parotitis. The lesion considered is chronic inflammation of the parotid gland associated with such intraglandular defects as sialadenitis secondary to ductal obstruction by calculi, cellular debris, stenosis or infiltrating lesions, that is, Mikulicz's or Sj\u00f6gren's syndromes and sialoangiectasis, either primary or secondary to obstruction of the duct. Seventeen near total parotidectomies were done without significant complications or a recurrence of symptoms. Eleven superficial parotidectomies were performed in which symptoms recurred on the 12th postoperative day in one patient. No permanent weakness of the facial nerve occurred in any of the 28 parotidectomies. Based upon this experience, near total parotidectomy with removal of the parotid duct can be performed safely and should be the procedure of choice in patients with chronic, relapsing parotid sialadenitis.", "contents": "The surgical management of recurrent parotitis. Twenty-eight parotidectomies were carried out upon 26 patients with chronic parotitis. The lesion considered is chronic inflammation of the parotid gland associated with such intraglandular defects as sialadenitis secondary to ductal obstruction by calculi, cellular debris, stenosis or infiltrating lesions, that is, Mikulicz's or Sj\u00f6gren's syndromes and sialoangiectasis, either primary or secondary to obstruction of the duct. Seventeen near total parotidectomies were done without significant complications or a recurrence of symptoms. Eleven superficial parotidectomies were performed in which symptoms recurred on the 12th postoperative day in one patient. No permanent weakness of the facial nerve occurred in any of the 28 parotidectomies. Based upon this experience, near total parotidectomy with removal of the parotid duct can be performed safely and should be the procedure of choice in patients with chronic, relapsing parotid sialadenitis.", "PMID": 625681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6129", "title": "Morbidity and mortality after thyroidectomy.", "content": "To assess the morbidity and mortality of thyroid operations, Professional Activity Study records of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities, representing an estimated one-third of all thyroidectomies performed in the United States in 1970, were reviewed. The mortality after a thyroid operation for nontoxic goiter was 0.02 per cent for patients less than the age of 50 years but increased with age to 0.66 per cent for those 70 years and older. No in-hospital deaths followed thyroidectomy for malignant goiter in 766 patients less than 40 years of age. Thyroidectomy for diffuse toxic goiter had a mortality fivefold greater than did operations for a benign nontoxic goiter. Total thyroidectomy was used for the treatment of nontoxic, nonmalignant goiter for one in 12 patients and resulted in greater morbidity than did partial or subtotal thyroidectomy. Rational choice of operation for the treatment of goiter for individual patients should be based upon knowledge of the specific risks of surgical treatment, which vary greatly depending upon the age of the patient, whether or not the goiter is toxic or nontoxic and whether or not subtotal or total thyroidectomy is performed.", "contents": "Morbidity and mortality after thyroidectomy. To assess the morbidity and mortality of thyroid operations, Professional Activity Study records of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities, representing an estimated one-third of all thyroidectomies performed in the United States in 1970, were reviewed. The mortality after a thyroid operation for nontoxic goiter was 0.02 per cent for patients less than the age of 50 years but increased with age to 0.66 per cent for those 70 years and older. No in-hospital deaths followed thyroidectomy for malignant goiter in 766 patients less than 40 years of age. Thyroidectomy for diffuse toxic goiter had a mortality fivefold greater than did operations for a benign nontoxic goiter. Total thyroidectomy was used for the treatment of nontoxic, nonmalignant goiter for one in 12 patients and resulted in greater morbidity than did partial or subtotal thyroidectomy. Rational choice of operation for the treatment of goiter for individual patients should be based upon knowledge of the specific risks of surgical treatment, which vary greatly depending upon the age of the patient, whether or not the goiter is toxic or nontoxic and whether or not subtotal or total thyroidectomy is performed.", "PMID": 625682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6130", "title": "Iatrogenic injuries to the biliary ductal system.", "content": "One hundred patients who sustained complete transection or ligation of the common bile duct during cholecystectomy were selected from a much larger number of patients admitted to The New York Hospital for surgical correction from 1932 to 1976 for review. The methods of restoration of bile flow from the liver to the intestine were described with an indication of the success and failure that followed. The results were varied and unpredictable. Perhaps the propensity of the transected or ischemic duct wall to form scar tissue with sufficient reduction of the lumen to cause partial to complete obstruction is the reason for some of the failure.", "contents": "Iatrogenic injuries to the biliary ductal system. One hundred patients who sustained complete transection or ligation of the common bile duct during cholecystectomy were selected from a much larger number of patients admitted to The New York Hospital for surgical correction from 1932 to 1976 for review. The methods of restoration of bile flow from the liver to the intestine were described with an indication of the success and failure that followed. The results were varied and unpredictable. Perhaps the propensity of the transected or ischemic duct wall to form scar tissue with sufficient reduction of the lumen to cause partial to complete obstruction is the reason for some of the failure.", "PMID": 625683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6131", "title": "Repair of rectovaginal fistulas.", "content": "Twenty patients with rectovaginal fistulas involving the middle portion of the rectovaginal septum were repaired without failure. The transanal approach would appear to be superior since it allows better access to the rectum which is the high pressure side of this fistula. This technique gives excellent results in benign rectovaginal fistulas occurring within 6 centimeters of the dentate line. The transanal approach also allows for the correction of any concomitant anorectal pathology which might compromise the repair. It is not to be used in instances of inflammatory disease or postradiation carcinoma.", "contents": "Repair of rectovaginal fistulas. Twenty patients with rectovaginal fistulas involving the middle portion of the rectovaginal septum were repaired without failure. The transanal approach would appear to be superior since it allows better access to the rectum which is the high pressure side of this fistula. This technique gives excellent results in benign rectovaginal fistulas occurring within 6 centimeters of the dentate line. The transanal approach also allows for the correction of any concomitant anorectal pathology which might compromise the repair. It is not to be used in instances of inflammatory disease or postradiation carcinoma.", "PMID": 625688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6132", "title": "A new technique for diagnostic peritoneal lavage.", "content": "Because of the unique anatomic relationships present in the umbilical ring, peritoneal lavage puncture is recommended at this site, Lacking in subcutaneous fat, adherent to peritoneum, the umbilical ring appears well suited for lavage puncture. As a locus of entry, it eliminates the necessity to incise down to the peritoneum and obviates the usage of epinephrine. Entry into the peritoneal cavity is enhanced by the intimate relationship between skin and peritoneum. Finally, the strength of the inferior portion of the ring, resulting from the fibrosis and scarring of the urachus and both umbilical arteries, vitiates the potential of postpuncture umbilical hernia.", "contents": "A new technique for diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Because of the unique anatomic relationships present in the umbilical ring, peritoneal lavage puncture is recommended at this site, Lacking in subcutaneous fat, adherent to peritoneum, the umbilical ring appears well suited for lavage puncture. As a locus of entry, it eliminates the necessity to incise down to the peritoneum and obviates the usage of epinephrine. Entry into the peritoneal cavity is enhanced by the intimate relationship between skin and peritoneum. Finally, the strength of the inferior portion of the ring, resulting from the fibrosis and scarring of the urachus and both umbilical arteries, vitiates the potential of postpuncture umbilical hernia.", "PMID": 625689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6133", "title": "Extradural hematoma due to traumatic pseudoaneurysm of middle meningeal artery.", "content": "Extradural hematoma due to rupture of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery is a very rare clinical entity. Only fourteen such cases have been reported in the literature. A 52-year-old, right-handed Mexican male was admitted with motor aphasia and right-sided signs but no history of unconsciousness. He had been struck by an automobile almost 24 hours earlier. His neurological signs appeared shortly thereafter. A left temporoparietal linear fracture of the skull was recognized as well as a fracture of the right knee. Angiography revealed a lenticular parietal avascular area with depression of the middle cerebral artery and a shift of the anterior cerebral artery. An aneurysm was observed on the left middle meningeal artery below the skull fracture. At craniotomy a large extradural hematoma was evacuated and the aneurysm removed. The patient had a complete recovery.", "contents": "Extradural hematoma due to traumatic pseudoaneurysm of middle meningeal artery. Extradural hematoma due to rupture of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery is a very rare clinical entity. Only fourteen such cases have been reported in the literature. A 52-year-old, right-handed Mexican male was admitted with motor aphasia and right-sided signs but no history of unconsciousness. He had been struck by an automobile almost 24 hours earlier. His neurological signs appeared shortly thereafter. A left temporoparietal linear fracture of the skull was recognized as well as a fracture of the right knee. Angiography revealed a lenticular parietal avascular area with depression of the middle cerebral artery and a shift of the anterior cerebral artery. An aneurysm was observed on the left middle meningeal artery below the skull fracture. At craniotomy a large extradural hematoma was evacuated and the aneurysm removed. The patient had a complete recovery.", "PMID": 625691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6134", "title": "Pituitary pseudotumor.", "content": "Non-tumoral aqueductal stenosis with hydrocephalus causes dilatation of the third ventricle. This in turn may compress the hypothalamus and optic nerves and erode the clinoids and enlarge the sella turcica. In female patients, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea is the predominant endocrinologic symptom. Symptoms usually disappear after the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Third ventriculostomy by microtechnique was used for operative treatment of our three cases. In all of these, the hydrocephalus was arrested.", "contents": "Pituitary pseudotumor. Non-tumoral aqueductal stenosis with hydrocephalus causes dilatation of the third ventricle. This in turn may compress the hypothalamus and optic nerves and erode the clinoids and enlarge the sella turcica. In female patients, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea is the predominant endocrinologic symptom. Symptoms usually disappear after the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Third ventriculostomy by microtechnique was used for operative treatment of our three cases. In all of these, the hydrocephalus was arrested.", "PMID": 625694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6135", "title": "Epidural lipoma simulating lumbar disc protrusion.", "content": "Spinal lipomata are usually associated with congenital anomalies. A lipoma, presenting with symptoms, signs and myelographic findings suggestive of a lumbar disc protrusion, is rare. Asymmetry of the origin of some of the scaral nerve roots may be the clue for suspecting epidural lipoma pre-operatively.", "contents": "Epidural lipoma simulating lumbar disc protrusion. Spinal lipomata are usually associated with congenital anomalies. A lipoma, presenting with symptoms, signs and myelographic findings suggestive of a lumbar disc protrusion, is rare. Asymmetry of the origin of some of the scaral nerve roots may be the clue for suspecting epidural lipoma pre-operatively.", "PMID": 625695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6136", "title": "Nonsuture microvascular anastomosis using magnet rings: preliminary report.", "content": "An original method of nonsuture microvascular anastomosis was developed using magnet rings and hollow cogwheel-shaped metal devices held together by magnetic power. Only 8.3 minutes was required on average for the anastomosis with a high rate of patency. Histologically, a continuity of vascular wall is noted. This method of simple, rapid and reliable microvascular anastomosis appears to be the best one at present.", "contents": "Nonsuture microvascular anastomosis using magnet rings: preliminary report. An original method of nonsuture microvascular anastomosis was developed using magnet rings and hollow cogwheel-shaped metal devices held together by magnetic power. Only 8.3 minutes was required on average for the anastomosis with a high rate of patency. Histologically, a continuity of vascular wall is noted. This method of simple, rapid and reliable microvascular anastomosis appears to be the best one at present.", "PMID": 625696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6137", "title": "Reconstruction of the supraorbital ridge using aluminum.", "content": "Aluminum was used to reconstruct the supraorbital ridge and adjacent frontal bone in six patients. Its malleability makes it particularly useful for this purpose. Each cranioplasty was done several months after injury. The longest follow-up is 19 years and the shortest three years. There were no complications. The results are satisfactory.", "contents": "Reconstruction of the supraorbital ridge using aluminum. Aluminum was used to reconstruct the supraorbital ridge and adjacent frontal bone in six patients. Its malleability makes it particularly useful for this purpose. Each cranioplasty was done several months after injury. The longest follow-up is 19 years and the shortest three years. There were no complications. The results are satisfactory.", "PMID": 625697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6138", "title": "Anterior choroidal artery aneurysms: their anatomy and surgical significance.", "content": "The experience of the senior author was 16 anterior choroidal artery aneurysms is reviewed. The anatomic variations of the origin of the anterior choroidal artery are discussed, and the danger of sacrificing the artery in aneurysm surgery is stressed. The surgical procedure upon these aneurysms has frequently been difficult, requiring careful microdissection. This was due to variations of the origin of the aneurysm in respect to the artery and their frequent contiguity.", "contents": "Anterior choroidal artery aneurysms: their anatomy and surgical significance. The experience of the senior author was 16 anterior choroidal artery aneurysms is reviewed. The anatomic variations of the origin of the anterior choroidal artery are discussed, and the danger of sacrificing the artery in aneurysm surgery is stressed. The surgical procedure upon these aneurysms has frequently been difficult, requiring careful microdissection. This was due to variations of the origin of the aneurysm in respect to the artery and their frequent contiguity.", "PMID": 625698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6139", "title": "Pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts.", "content": "The pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts is reviewed. Light and electron microscopic features of arachnoid cysts are presented in support of the hypothesis of Starkman et al, that these cysts are truly intraarachnoid in location and are formed by splitting or duplication of the arachnoid membrane. Documentary evidence is provided to prove that Richard Bright's original description in 1831 contains these concepts, which have passed unnoticed for nearly a century and a half. A brief description of the meninges and the subarachnoid spaces is given.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts. The pathogenesis of intracranial arachnoid cysts is reviewed. Light and electron microscopic features of arachnoid cysts are presented in support of the hypothesis of Starkman et al, that these cysts are truly intraarachnoid in location and are formed by splitting or duplication of the arachnoid membrane. Documentary evidence is provided to prove that Richard Bright's original description in 1831 contains these concepts, which have passed unnoticed for nearly a century and a half. A brief description of the meninges and the subarachnoid spaces is given.", "PMID": 625699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6140", "title": "Traumatic occlusion of internal carotid artery in an infant.", "content": "A case of an 11-months-old girl with traumatic occlusion of supraclinoid portion of internal carotid artery is reported. The patient died about 22 hours after the craniocerebral trauma.", "contents": "Traumatic occlusion of internal carotid artery in an infant. A case of an 11-months-old girl with traumatic occlusion of supraclinoid portion of internal carotid artery is reported. The patient died about 22 hours after the craniocerebral trauma.", "PMID": 625702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6141", "title": "Five years experience with penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds.", "content": "This report reviews the clinical course and treatment of 83 cases of civilian penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds seen over a five-year period. The factors that determine mortality and morbidity are discussed. A conservative surgical approach in neurologically intact or less severely injured patients is re-emphasized. Increased intracranial pressure appears to be a significant factor in more severely injured patients, and should be monitored and treated vigorously.", "contents": "Five years experience with penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds. This report reviews the clinical course and treatment of 83 cases of civilian penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds seen over a five-year period. The factors that determine mortality and morbidity are discussed. A conservative surgical approach in neurologically intact or less severely injured patients is re-emphasized. Increased intracranial pressure appears to be a significant factor in more severely injured patients, and should be monitored and treated vigorously.", "PMID": 625703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6142", "title": "Intracerebral meningioma with disseminated arachnoidal ossification.", "content": "A case of intracerebral meningioma associated with disseminated plaques of arachnoidal ossification is presented. The osseous plaques were situated on the same side and predominant in the neighborhood of the tumor. Histologically the ossification was thought to have originated from the wall of the pial vessels.", "contents": "Intracerebral meningioma with disseminated arachnoidal ossification. A case of intracerebral meningioma associated with disseminated plaques of arachnoidal ossification is presented. The osseous plaques were situated on the same side and predominant in the neighborhood of the tumor. Histologically the ossification was thought to have originated from the wall of the pial vessels.", "PMID": 625704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6143", "title": "Effects in mice of simultaneous prenatal exposure to ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin.", "content": "Aspergillus ochraceus and Fusarium tricinctum are food contaminating molds whose toxic metabolites, ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin, are known mammalian teratogens. In order to determine the possible effects of simultaneous exposure to such environmental agents, ochratoxin A (2 or 4 mg/kg) and T-2 toxin (0.5 mg/kg) were injected ip, either together or individually, in CD-1 mice on gestation days 8 or 10. Ochratoxin induced craniofacial malformations when given alone on day 8, but not on day 10. T-2 toxin induced tail and limb anomalies particularly when given on day 10. When the two toxins were given together on day 10, ochratoxin exacerbated the incidence of T-2 induced gross malformations. An increase in fetocidal effects was also noted in groups treated at the high dose combination on either day, and effects on fetal growth of the high dose combination given on day 10 were greater than those of the other treatments. Few skeletal or visceral malformations were noted. These results indicated that two teratogens with presumably differing mechanisms of teratogenesis may have additive effects when administered concurrently to the same animal. Such results could be due to generalized toxic effects on the fetus or to more specific mechanisms, but further information is needed to differentiate between the two possibilities.", "contents": "Effects in mice of simultaneous prenatal exposure to ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin. Aspergillus ochraceus and Fusarium tricinctum are food contaminating molds whose toxic metabolites, ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin, are known mammalian teratogens. In order to determine the possible effects of simultaneous exposure to such environmental agents, ochratoxin A (2 or 4 mg/kg) and T-2 toxin (0.5 mg/kg) were injected ip, either together or individually, in CD-1 mice on gestation days 8 or 10. Ochratoxin induced craniofacial malformations when given alone on day 8, but not on day 10. T-2 toxin induced tail and limb anomalies particularly when given on day 10. When the two toxins were given together on day 10, ochratoxin exacerbated the incidence of T-2 induced gross malformations. An increase in fetocidal effects was also noted in groups treated at the high dose combination on either day, and effects on fetal growth of the high dose combination given on day 10 were greater than those of the other treatments. Few skeletal or visceral malformations were noted. These results indicated that two teratogens with presumably differing mechanisms of teratogenesis may have additive effects when administered concurrently to the same animal. Such results could be due to generalized toxic effects on the fetus or to more specific mechanisms, but further information is needed to differentiate between the two possibilities.", "PMID": 625706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6144", "title": "Teratogenicity testing in humans: a method demonstrating safety of bendectin.", "content": "We investigated the incidence of birth defects in the offspring of women who took Bendectin during pregnancy. Copies of all prescriptions issued for Bendectin in two Cities, Leeds and Liverpool, over periods of 12 and 14 months, respectively, were scanned and a record initiated for each patient. Birth notifications were later searched for matching with indexed patients. Births were traced for 2,298 patients and the incidence of major defects compared with those in the relevant populations. We found no evidence to suggest that Bendectin is teratogenic in humans.", "contents": "Teratogenicity testing in humans: a method demonstrating safety of bendectin. We investigated the incidence of birth defects in the offspring of women who took Bendectin during pregnancy. Copies of all prescriptions issued for Bendectin in two Cities, Leeds and Liverpool, over periods of 12 and 14 months, respectively, were scanned and a record initiated for each patient. Birth notifications were later searched for matching with indexed patients. Births were traced for 2,298 patients and the incidence of major defects compared with those in the relevant populations. We found no evidence to suggest that Bendectin is teratogenic in humans.", "PMID": 625707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6145", "title": "Potentiation of methotrexate embryolethality by aspirin in rats.", "content": "The augmentation of methotrexate-induced embryotoxicity by aspirin was studied. Pregnant Charles River CD rats were given methotrexate or aspirin alone or in combination on gestation day 9 or 12. The frequency of fetal abnormalities was not affected and fetal body weight loss was not additive in the combined treatment. However, pretreatment with aspirin (200 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the embryolethality of methotrexate given at soes of 0.2 mg/kg on day 9 and 1.5 mg/kg on day 12. Studies with tritiated methotrexate in pregnant rats demonstrated that aspirin delayed the renal excretion of methotrexate and increased the concentrations of methotrexate in maternal plasma and the embryos. It is suggested that these effects are responsible for the observed potentiation of embryolethality.", "contents": "Potentiation of methotrexate embryolethality by aspirin in rats. The augmentation of methotrexate-induced embryotoxicity by aspirin was studied. Pregnant Charles River CD rats were given methotrexate or aspirin alone or in combination on gestation day 9 or 12. The frequency of fetal abnormalities was not affected and fetal body weight loss was not additive in the combined treatment. However, pretreatment with aspirin (200 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the embryolethality of methotrexate given at soes of 0.2 mg/kg on day 9 and 1.5 mg/kg on day 12. Studies with tritiated methotrexate in pregnant rats demonstrated that aspirin delayed the renal excretion of methotrexate and increased the concentrations of methotrexate in maternal plasma and the embryos. It is suggested that these effects are responsible for the observed potentiation of embryolethality.", "PMID": 625708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6146", "title": "Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system incidence in British Columbia, 1952-72.", "content": "The records of an ongoing health surveillance registry that utilizes multiple sources of ascertainment were used to study the incidence rates of congenital malformations of the central nervous system in children born in British Columbia during the period 1952-72. No overall increase in incidence rate of these anomalies was detected over the study period and the total frequency ascertained was three per thousand births. For anencephaly, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, and other CNS anomalies, the estimated incidence rates per 1,000 births are 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 0.5 respectively. A greater incidence rate or neural tube closure defects was found in females than in males and this difference was most marked amongst the stillbirths. The data indicate that multiple sources of ascertainment and follow-up of children beyond one year after birth are necessary for adequate reporting even for these sorts of defects which have generally been though to be readily recognized at or shortly after birth.", "contents": "Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system incidence in British Columbia, 1952-72. The records of an ongoing health surveillance registry that utilizes multiple sources of ascertainment were used to study the incidence rates of congenital malformations of the central nervous system in children born in British Columbia during the period 1952-72. No overall increase in incidence rate of these anomalies was detected over the study period and the total frequency ascertained was three per thousand births. For anencephaly, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, and other CNS anomalies, the estimated incidence rates per 1,000 births are 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 0.5 respectively. A greater incidence rate or neural tube closure defects was found in females than in males and this difference was most marked amongst the stillbirths. The data indicate that multiple sources of ascertainment and follow-up of children beyond one year after birth are necessary for adequate reporting even for these sorts of defects which have generally been though to be readily recognized at or shortly after birth.", "PMID": 625709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6147", "title": "Palate development after fetal tongue removal in cortisone-treated mice.", "content": "Morphological studies of cortisone-induced cleft palate have shown retardation in the rotation of palatine shelves from a sagittal to a transverse plane. Cortisone also reduces fetal muscular movements, which may explain why displacement of the tongue from between the palatine shelves is delayed. Previous work with extrauterine development of control fetuses demonstrated that fetal membranes and tongue were major obstacles to shelf rotation. Thus, removal of these obstacles might permit rotation and fusion of palatine shelves in cortisone-treated fetuses. In the present experiment, fetuses from cortisone-treated strain CD-1 mice were released from uterus and membranes and allowed to develop for eight hours in a fluid medium with the umbilical cord left intact. Compared to 4% fusion in utero, there was palatal fusion in 20% of fetuses released from membranes. When the fetal tongue was removed during extrauterine development, the frequency of fusions increased to 61%. Fusion appeared normal by the criteria applicable through light microscopy. Thus, cortisone induces cleft palate primarily through interference with shelf rotation. The palatine shelves of treated fetuses retain their ability to fuse when they can come in contact during the normal time for palate closure.", "contents": "Palate development after fetal tongue removal in cortisone-treated mice. Morphological studies of cortisone-induced cleft palate have shown retardation in the rotation of palatine shelves from a sagittal to a transverse plane. Cortisone also reduces fetal muscular movements, which may explain why displacement of the tongue from between the palatine shelves is delayed. Previous work with extrauterine development of control fetuses demonstrated that fetal membranes and tongue were major obstacles to shelf rotation. Thus, removal of these obstacles might permit rotation and fusion of palatine shelves in cortisone-treated fetuses. In the present experiment, fetuses from cortisone-treated strain CD-1 mice were released from uterus and membranes and allowed to develop for eight hours in a fluid medium with the umbilical cord left intact. Compared to 4% fusion in utero, there was palatal fusion in 20% of fetuses released from membranes. When the fetal tongue was removed during extrauterine development, the frequency of fusions increased to 61%. Fusion appeared normal by the criteria applicable through light microscopy. Thus, cortisone induces cleft palate primarily through interference with shelf rotation. The palatine shelves of treated fetuses retain their ability to fuse when they can come in contact during the normal time for palate closure.", "PMID": 625710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6148", "title": "The craniofacial skeleton in anencephalic human fetuses. I. Cranial floor.", "content": "Twelve anencephalic and four normal fetuses 26 to 40 weeks gestational age were compared by anatomic, radiographic and histologic methods in order to gain information concerning morphogenesis. In the anencephalics, alterations located within the body of the sphenoid bone led to a reduced cranial floor angle and a more vertical clivus. The reduced lateral extension of the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid constricted the anterior and middle cranial fossae respectively. The posterior cranial fossa tended to have an increased transverse dimension related to the supraoccipital and exoccipital bone orientation. The increased anterior and inferior position of the lateral end of the petrous temporal ridge was positively correlated with the degree of dorsal schisis in the anencephalics. Alterations in the size, form, or duration of the neural functional matrix are suggested as the cause of changes in the cranial floor.", "contents": "The craniofacial skeleton in anencephalic human fetuses. I. Cranial floor. Twelve anencephalic and four normal fetuses 26 to 40 weeks gestational age were compared by anatomic, radiographic and histologic methods in order to gain information concerning morphogenesis. In the anencephalics, alterations located within the body of the sphenoid bone led to a reduced cranial floor angle and a more vertical clivus. The reduced lateral extension of the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid constricted the anterior and middle cranial fossae respectively. The posterior cranial fossa tended to have an increased transverse dimension related to the supraoccipital and exoccipital bone orientation. The increased anterior and inferior position of the lateral end of the petrous temporal ridge was positively correlated with the degree of dorsal schisis in the anencephalics. Alterations in the size, form, or duration of the neural functional matrix are suggested as the cause of changes in the cranial floor.", "PMID": 625711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6149", "title": "Methylmercury: some effects on embryogenesis in the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes.", "content": "Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) eggs were treated with 40, 60, and 80 parts per billion (ppb) methylmercuric chloride (MMC) for a period of 10 to 25 days in order to observe gross teratogenic and lethal effects caused by methylmercury during embryogenesis. Over the period tested, 40 ppb-treated embryos were less affected than other treated animals. Embryos treated with 60 ppb MMC showed greater effects in that there was a higher death rate and those which survived ranged considerably in size, degree of gross teratogenic defects, and behavior if development was normal enough for hatching to occur. Most did not hatch during the 25-day test period. Embryos treated with 80 ppb MMC were very abnormal in development, being stunted, poorly pigmented, and they showed various eye defects. None hatched in 25 days. Many did not incorporate the heart into the body. Methylmercuric chloride in trace amounts caused various defects and presents a potential hazard to development of embryos of aquatic vertebrates.", "contents": "Methylmercury: some effects on embryogenesis in the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes. Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) eggs were treated with 40, 60, and 80 parts per billion (ppb) methylmercuric chloride (MMC) for a period of 10 to 25 days in order to observe gross teratogenic and lethal effects caused by methylmercury during embryogenesis. Over the period tested, 40 ppb-treated embryos were less affected than other treated animals. Embryos treated with 60 ppb MMC showed greater effects in that there was a higher death rate and those which survived ranged considerably in size, degree of gross teratogenic defects, and behavior if development was normal enough for hatching to occur. Most did not hatch during the 25-day test period. Embryos treated with 80 ppb MMC were very abnormal in development, being stunted, poorly pigmented, and they showed various eye defects. None hatched in 25 days. Many did not incorporate the heart into the body. Methylmercuric chloride in trace amounts caused various defects and presents a potential hazard to development of embryos of aquatic vertebrates.", "PMID": 625712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6150", "title": "HLA system and Balkan endemic nephropathy (a collective study with the collaboration of all participants in the HLA workshop--Sofia 1976).", "content": "Balkan endemic nephropathy, a fatal family disease with unknown aetiology and pathogenesis is typical for three neighbouring regions in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Rumania. HLA typing of 180 patients from the endemic area in Bulgaria was done and the antigen frequencies were compared with 1264 healthy controls. An increased frequency (P less than 0.001) of the antigen HLA-B18 in the patients was demonstrated.", "contents": "HLA system and Balkan endemic nephropathy (a collective study with the collaboration of all participants in the HLA workshop--Sofia 1976). Balkan endemic nephropathy, a fatal family disease with unknown aetiology and pathogenesis is typical for three neighbouring regions in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Rumania. HLA typing of 180 patients from the endemic area in Bulgaria was done and the antigen frequencies were compared with 1264 healthy controls. An increased frequency (P less than 0.001) of the antigen HLA-B18 in the patients was demonstrated.", "PMID": 625752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6151", "title": "[Clinical results of pre-operative irradiation in case of adenocarcinoma of the kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "145 patients with adenocarcinomas of the kidney were submitted to tumor resection and irradiation. The irradiation was executed before the operation (in most cases with a focal dose of 1200 to 1600 rd in two days or 2400 to 3500 rd in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 weeks) and/or after the operation. The survival rates of the different therapy groups were examined with regard to the tumor extension and to its degree of differentiation. It was found out that the pre-operative short term irradiation was somewhat superior to the pre-operative long term irradiation except in case of very extensive, hardly operable tumors. On the whole, the combined pre- and post-operative irradiation seems to be more advantageous than the post-operative irradiation alone.", "contents": "[Clinical results of pre-operative irradiation in case of adenocarcinoma of the kidney (author's transl)]. 145 patients with adenocarcinomas of the kidney were submitted to tumor resection and irradiation. The irradiation was executed before the operation (in most cases with a focal dose of 1200 to 1600 rd in two days or 2400 to 3500 rd in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 weeks) and/or after the operation. The survival rates of the different therapy groups were examined with regard to the tumor extension and to its degree of differentiation. It was found out that the pre-operative short term irradiation was somewhat superior to the pre-operative long term irradiation except in case of very extensive, hardly operable tumors. On the whole, the combined pre- and post-operative irradiation seems to be more advantageous than the post-operative irradiation alone.", "PMID": 625767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6152", "title": "[Studies using loperamide in patients with diarrhea following telecobalt irradiation of malignant abdominal tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "45 patients with diarrheas appearing after exposure of the gastro-intestinal region to ionizing radiation were given loperamide in the course of a study. A few days after administration of the loperamide, normalization of the stools took place, except in three cases. Simultaneous tenesmic gripes, some of the patients had also suffered from, disappeared completely, with the exception of two cases where, however, normalization of the stools was obtained by means of the loperamide therapy. Subjective side-effects did not occur. Also no alterations of the blood count, hematological features, liver function tests or urine have been observed.", "contents": "[Studies using loperamide in patients with diarrhea following telecobalt irradiation of malignant abdominal tumors (author's transl)]. 45 patients with diarrheas appearing after exposure of the gastro-intestinal region to ionizing radiation were given loperamide in the course of a study. A few days after administration of the loperamide, normalization of the stools took place, except in three cases. Simultaneous tenesmic gripes, some of the patients had also suffered from, disappeared completely, with the exception of two cases where, however, normalization of the stools was obtained by means of the loperamide therapy. Subjective side-effects did not occur. Also no alterations of the blood count, hematological features, liver function tests or urine have been observed.", "PMID": 625768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6153", "title": "[\"Massfunktionen\" as limit conditions of an optimization scheme for the telecobalt therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "The basic ideas of the \"Score-Funktionen-Modell\" of Hope and his collaborators are used for the establishment of the first stage of an optimization scheme for the telecobalt therapy. The new \"Massfunktionen\" for the telecobalt therapy are limit conditions for the criterion of the optimum, i.e. the dose distribution in a body section. The \"Massfunktionen\" are an analytic registration of parameters for the dose distribution such as dose homogeneity in the focal region and sparing of the subcutaneous tissues, the radiosensitive organs and the sound surroundings of the tumor. The functions are derived from the dose conditions in the irradiated body section. At the actual stage of development of the optimization scheme, these functions allow to decide whether an irradiation scheme is acceptable or not.", "contents": "[\"Massfunktionen\" as limit conditions of an optimization scheme for the telecobalt therapy (author's transl)]. The basic ideas of the \"Score-Funktionen-Modell\" of Hope and his collaborators are used for the establishment of the first stage of an optimization scheme for the telecobalt therapy. The new \"Massfunktionen\" for the telecobalt therapy are limit conditions for the criterion of the optimum, i.e. the dose distribution in a body section. The \"Massfunktionen\" are an analytic registration of parameters for the dose distribution such as dose homogeneity in the focal region and sparing of the subcutaneous tissues, the radiosensitive organs and the sound surroundings of the tumor. The functions are derived from the dose conditions in the irradiated body section. At the actual stage of development of the optimization scheme, these functions allow to decide whether an irradiation scheme is acceptable or not.", "PMID": 625769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6154", "title": "[Draining of radioactive waste water from departments working with radioactive material after introduction of the law for radiation protection (author's transl)].", "content": "In order to establish the drainage of radioactive waste water 1976 in the Federal Republic of Germany a new law for radiation protection was introduced. In this paper a concept is introduced how to determine specifications for constructing a decay plant using the given data of a department for nuclear medicine. The given boundary conditions were to secure a low concentration of radioactive material in order to establish the drainage of extreme low activities without diluting it.", "contents": "[Draining of radioactive waste water from departments working with radioactive material after introduction of the law for radiation protection (author's transl)]. In order to establish the drainage of radioactive waste water 1976 in the Federal Republic of Germany a new law for radiation protection was introduced. In this paper a concept is introduced how to determine specifications for constructing a decay plant using the given data of a department for nuclear medicine. The given boundary conditions were to secure a low concentration of radioactive material in order to establish the drainage of extreme low activities without diluting it.", "PMID": 625770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6155", "title": "[Investigations of the influence of radiation therapy upon the course of the DNA repair in peripheric lymphocytes and tumorous tissues from patients with malignant disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of radiation therapy upon the capacity of DNA repair in peripheric lymphocytes and tumorous tissues was studied in eleven patients with malignant manifestations. A comparison was made between the effects of short-term and of long-term irradiation. The individual cases presented differing results. An enhancement of DNA repair as well as a diminution was observed in peripheric lymphocytes as a response to irradiation. In tumorous tissues, on the contrary, a total inhibition of DNA repair was generally found.", "contents": "[Investigations of the influence of radiation therapy upon the course of the DNA repair in peripheric lymphocytes and tumorous tissues from patients with malignant disease (author's transl)]. The influence of radiation therapy upon the capacity of DNA repair in peripheric lymphocytes and tumorous tissues was studied in eleven patients with malignant manifestations. A comparison was made between the effects of short-term and of long-term irradiation. The individual cases presented differing results. An enhancement of DNA repair as well as a diminution was observed in peripheric lymphocytes as a response to irradiation. In tumorous tissues, on the contrary, a total inhibition of DNA repair was generally found.", "PMID": 625771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6156", "title": "Cytological and quantitative cytochemical studies of post-radiation dysplasia.", "content": "A total of 60 vaginal smears from 19 women treated with ionizing radiation for malignancies of the genital tract in the past seven years in the Division of Radiation Therapy of Emory University School of Medicine were studied for the presence of post-radiation dysplasia (PRD) by means of Feulgen cytospectrophotometry and cytological analysis. PRD was diagnosed on the basis of the presence of dysplastic cytological changes, absence of clinically detectable lesions, and presence of aneuploid DNA values in the dysplastic cells. PRD was detected in 21% of the studied cases. Uniform criteria for PRD, describing premalignant and malignant post-radiation lesions, diagnosed on the basis of aneuploid DNA values, as well as cytological observations is suggested.", "contents": "Cytological and quantitative cytochemical studies of post-radiation dysplasia. A total of 60 vaginal smears from 19 women treated with ionizing radiation for malignancies of the genital tract in the past seven years in the Division of Radiation Therapy of Emory University School of Medicine were studied for the presence of post-radiation dysplasia (PRD) by means of Feulgen cytospectrophotometry and cytological analysis. PRD was diagnosed on the basis of the presence of dysplastic cytological changes, absence of clinically detectable lesions, and presence of aneuploid DNA values in the dysplastic cells. PRD was detected in 21% of the studied cases. Uniform criteria for PRD, describing premalignant and malignant post-radiation lesions, diagnosed on the basis of aneuploid DNA values, as well as cytological observations is suggested.", "PMID": 625772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6157", "title": "MPG protection and goblet cell kinetics in mouse jejunum.", "content": "Experiments were undertaken to study the goblet cell changes in the jejunum of mice irradiated in the presence and absence of the protective drug 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG). One group of adult Swiss albino mice of 6 to 8 weeks was injected with the drug (MPG) intraperitoneally and a second group was injected with distilled water in the same manner and served as a control. 15-30 minutes after injection animals from both the groups were exposed to a Co-60 source to give a total dose of 1000 R at the rate of 25 R/min. Three animals from each group were sacrificed at different successive intervals. 5 micron paraffin sections of the jejunum were prepared and goblet cells were counted in the crypt and villus region. The results from the two groups were compared. The results from MPG treated mice indicated that there was a protection from the radiation-induced changes. The drug accelerated the regeneration process leading to the restoration of normal number of goblet cells by the last interval studies.", "contents": "MPG protection and goblet cell kinetics in mouse jejunum. Experiments were undertaken to study the goblet cell changes in the jejunum of mice irradiated in the presence and absence of the protective drug 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG). One group of adult Swiss albino mice of 6 to 8 weeks was injected with the drug (MPG) intraperitoneally and a second group was injected with distilled water in the same manner and served as a control. 15-30 minutes after injection animals from both the groups were exposed to a Co-60 source to give a total dose of 1000 R at the rate of 25 R/min. Three animals from each group were sacrificed at different successive intervals. 5 micron paraffin sections of the jejunum were prepared and goblet cells were counted in the crypt and villus region. The results from the two groups were compared. The results from MPG treated mice indicated that there was a protection from the radiation-induced changes. The drug accelerated the regeneration process leading to the restoration of normal number of goblet cells by the last interval studies.", "PMID": 625773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6158", "title": "Pyrogen reactions associated with the infusion of normal serum albumin (human).", "content": "In November, 1974, eight patients in three hospitals had pyrogen reactions associated with the infusion of 25% Normal Serum Albumin from the same lot. The reactions were recognized because the same physician or nurse observed several patients having recurrent reactions or because a single patient receiving several vials had consecutive reactions. The remaining albumin in three vials associated with reactions had apparent endotoxin concentrations of 4, 16, and 32 ng/ml and that 22 vials from recalled supplies had a median concentration of 4 ng/ml (range: 2 to 64) as determined by the Limulus amebocyte lysate test, but the lot again passed the rabbit pyrogen test. In a prospective study to determine the efficacy of the Limulus test in quality control, patients had their temperatures taken hourly during albumin infusions and the remaining fluid was tested by the Limulus assay. The albumin in 443 of the 662 vials infused (65%) gave a positive test and 311 of these vials (45%) had apparent endotoxin concentrations of 4 to 64 ng/ml, but no patient had a reaction. Because of the limitations of both the rabbit pyrogen and Limulus test, the detection of some pyrogenic lots continues to depend on hospital surveillance and reporting os suspect reactions.", "contents": "Pyrogen reactions associated with the infusion of normal serum albumin (human). In November, 1974, eight patients in three hospitals had pyrogen reactions associated with the infusion of 25% Normal Serum Albumin from the same lot. The reactions were recognized because the same physician or nurse observed several patients having recurrent reactions or because a single patient receiving several vials had consecutive reactions. The remaining albumin in three vials associated with reactions had apparent endotoxin concentrations of 4, 16, and 32 ng/ml and that 22 vials from recalled supplies had a median concentration of 4 ng/ml (range: 2 to 64) as determined by the Limulus amebocyte lysate test, but the lot again passed the rabbit pyrogen test. In a prospective study to determine the efficacy of the Limulus test in quality control, patients had their temperatures taken hourly during albumin infusions and the remaining fluid was tested by the Limulus assay. The albumin in 443 of the 662 vials infused (65%) gave a positive test and 311 of these vials (45%) had apparent endotoxin concentrations of 4 to 64 ng/ml, but no patient had a reaction. Because of the limitations of both the rabbit pyrogen and Limulus test, the detection of some pyrogenic lots continues to depend on hospital surveillance and reporting os suspect reactions.", "PMID": 625774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6159", "title": "In vitro and in vivo comparison of single-donor platelets and multiple-donor pooled platelets transfusions in leukemic patients.", "content": "In vitro and in vivo studies were done to evaluate efficacy of fresh, single donor platelets (SDP) obtained by Latham-bowl plateletpheresis and multiple donor, pooled platelets (MDPP) obtained by conventional centrifugation for transfusion of leukemic patients. Results indicate increased effectiveness, both in vitro and in vivo, of single donor platelets as compared to multiple donor pooled platelets.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo comparison of single-donor platelets and multiple-donor pooled platelets transfusions in leukemic patients. In vitro and in vivo studies were done to evaluate efficacy of fresh, single donor platelets (SDP) obtained by Latham-bowl plateletpheresis and multiple donor, pooled platelets (MDPP) obtained by conventional centrifugation for transfusion of leukemic patients. Results indicate increased effectiveness, both in vitro and in vivo, of single donor platelets as compared to multiple donor pooled platelets.", "PMID": 625776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6160", "title": "Elevated red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels in black blood donors.", "content": "Mean levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) were significantly increased in erythrocytes (RBC) from 43 nonanemic black blood donors (4.80 +/- 0.06 micromoles/l RBC) compared with 22 white donors 4.47 +/- 0.08 micromoles/l RBCs from eight of the 12 black donors with DPG levels greater than 5 micromoles/l RBC. Although a potentially hemolytic disorder could be defined in four (AS hemoglobin, beta-Thalassemia minor, G6PD deficiency), reticulocyte counts were normal. However, when RBCs from the subgroup were compared to RBCs from an additional 25 unselected white donors, the following suggested an abnormally large population of young RBCs in the subgroup: 1) normal or elevated RBC-ATP with normal serum phosphate level; 2) significantly increased activities of RBC age-dependent enzymes hexokinase (p less than 0.02), pyruvate kinase (p less than 0.05), and glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase (p less than 0.01), with normal activity of phosphoglycerate kinase, an age-independent enzyme; 3) decreased dense (older) RBCs as determined by sedimentation in phthalate esters. Since DPG is increased in young RBCs and falls as the RBC ages, loss of older relatively DPG depleted RBCs due to shortened survival could account for the elevated DPG levels seen in the subgroup.", "contents": "Elevated red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels in black blood donors. Mean levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) were significantly increased in erythrocytes (RBC) from 43 nonanemic black blood donors (4.80 +/- 0.06 micromoles/l RBC) compared with 22 white donors 4.47 +/- 0.08 micromoles/l RBCs from eight of the 12 black donors with DPG levels greater than 5 micromoles/l RBC. Although a potentially hemolytic disorder could be defined in four (AS hemoglobin, beta-Thalassemia minor, G6PD deficiency), reticulocyte counts were normal. However, when RBCs from the subgroup were compared to RBCs from an additional 25 unselected white donors, the following suggested an abnormally large population of young RBCs in the subgroup: 1) normal or elevated RBC-ATP with normal serum phosphate level; 2) significantly increased activities of RBC age-dependent enzymes hexokinase (p less than 0.02), pyruvate kinase (p less than 0.05), and glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase (p less than 0.01), with normal activity of phosphoglycerate kinase, an age-independent enzyme; 3) decreased dense (older) RBCs as determined by sedimentation in phthalate esters. Since DPG is increased in young RBCs and falls as the RBC ages, loss of older relatively DPG depleted RBCs due to shortened survival could account for the elevated DPG levels seen in the subgroup.", "PMID": 625775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6161", "title": "Platelet preservation. IV. Preparation and cryopreservation of platelet concentrates from fresh and overnight-stored human blood.", "content": "Two methods were used for the preparation of platelet concentrates from fresh and overnight-stored human ACD blood. In a two-step method prostoglandin E1 was added to platelet rich plasma and the mixture was centrifuged to obtain platelet concentrate. The IBM 2991 Blood Cell Processor was used in a one-step method. The concentrates were stored in the frozen state. Concentrates prepared with the two-step method had a higher platelet recovery and a lower leukocyte contamination than did concentrates prepared with the one-step method. Based on serotonin uptake volocity, response to hypotonic stress and available platelet factor 3, no essential differences were observed between platelet concentrates prepared from fresh and overnight-stored blood. Concentrates prepared with the one-step method had a higher serotonin uptake velocity than those prepared with the two-step method. This did not result in a better recovery after cryopreservation.", "contents": "Platelet preservation. IV. Preparation and cryopreservation of platelet concentrates from fresh and overnight-stored human blood. Two methods were used for the preparation of platelet concentrates from fresh and overnight-stored human ACD blood. In a two-step method prostoglandin E1 was added to platelet rich plasma and the mixture was centrifuged to obtain platelet concentrate. The IBM 2991 Blood Cell Processor was used in a one-step method. The concentrates were stored in the frozen state. Concentrates prepared with the two-step method had a higher platelet recovery and a lower leukocyte contamination than did concentrates prepared with the one-step method. Based on serotonin uptake volocity, response to hypotonic stress and available platelet factor 3, no essential differences were observed between platelet concentrates prepared from fresh and overnight-stored blood. Concentrates prepared with the one-step method had a higher serotonin uptake velocity than those prepared with the two-step method. This did not result in a better recovery after cryopreservation.", "PMID": 625780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6162", "title": "Motivation of plateletpheresis donors.", "content": "Twenty randomly chosen voluntary plateletpheresis donors were interviewed in depth. Information on their family histories, past histories, present psychosocial adjustment, and history of blood donation was elicited. Most donors had a high level of commitment and drive to achieve, frequently related to low self-image dating from childhood. The act of platelet donation had several important meanings for the subjects. It improved their self-esteem, making them feel more worthy and responsible persons. It provided them with an opportunity to establish relationships with others. The data obtained in this survey suggest that the altruistic behavior of the voluntary donors should be seen both as an act of giving and also one of receiving emotional gratification which fulfills one's important psychological needs. Utilization of these data in recruitment of plateletpheresis donors is suggested.", "contents": "Motivation of plateletpheresis donors. Twenty randomly chosen voluntary plateletpheresis donors were interviewed in depth. Information on their family histories, past histories, present psychosocial adjustment, and history of blood donation was elicited. Most donors had a high level of commitment and drive to achieve, frequently related to low self-image dating from childhood. The act of platelet donation had several important meanings for the subjects. It improved their self-esteem, making them feel more worthy and responsible persons. It provided them with an opportunity to establish relationships with others. The data obtained in this survey suggest that the altruistic behavior of the voluntary donors should be seen both as an act of giving and also one of receiving emotional gratification which fulfills one's important psychological needs. Utilization of these data in recruitment of plateletpheresis donors is suggested.", "PMID": 625783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6163", "title": "Utilisation by sheep of herbage under tree crops in Ghana.", "content": "A study conducted into the utilisation by sheep of herbage under a mango/cashew plantation at Kade (Ghana) showed the native herb, Asystasia gangetica to be the most preferred herbage. Centrosema pubescens was preferred to Pueraria phaseoloides. The physical condition of the herbage affected their preference but the crude protein content did not have any influence. The mean daily digestible dry matter intake of yearling rams (g/kg W0.75) was 34, 31 and 39 for animals on Brachiaria lata/Pueraria phaseoloides, Pueraria phaseoloides and Centrosema pubescens/Aystasia gangetica stands respectively. Intake was not correlated with crude protein levels of the herbage. The mean carrying capacity of the associations was found to be between 11 and 18 sheep/ha/annum.", "contents": "Utilisation by sheep of herbage under tree crops in Ghana. A study conducted into the utilisation by sheep of herbage under a mango/cashew plantation at Kade (Ghana) showed the native herb, Asystasia gangetica to be the most preferred herbage. Centrosema pubescens was preferred to Pueraria phaseoloides. The physical condition of the herbage affected their preference but the crude protein content did not have any influence. The mean daily digestible dry matter intake of yearling rams (g/kg W0.75) was 34, 31 and 39 for animals on Brachiaria lata/Pueraria phaseoloides, Pueraria phaseoloides and Centrosema pubescens/Aystasia gangetica stands respectively. Intake was not correlated with crude protein levels of the herbage. The mean carrying capacity of the associations was found to be between 11 and 18 sheep/ha/annum.", "PMID": 625790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6164", "title": "Stocking rate and the productivity of Rhodes grass pastures on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi.", "content": "An experiment was undertaken over three wet (summer) seasons to investigate the effects of different set stocking rates on animal performance from fertilised Rhodes grass pastures. The three set stocking rates were 2.5, 5 and 7.5 livestock-units/ha (1 livestock unit=342 kg liveweight). Pasture productivity was related to stocking intensity. Animal gain per hectare was directly related to stocking rate. Gain per animal, gain per livestock unit and number of grazing days were all inversely proportional to stocking rate. Animals on the low stocking rate were carried through almost to the end of the dry (winter) season with only small changes in liveweight. The practical significance of the results is discussed.", "contents": "Stocking rate and the productivity of Rhodes grass pastures on the Lilongwe Plain, Malawi. An experiment was undertaken over three wet (summer) seasons to investigate the effects of different set stocking rates on animal performance from fertilised Rhodes grass pastures. The three set stocking rates were 2.5, 5 and 7.5 livestock-units/ha (1 livestock unit=342 kg liveweight). Pasture productivity was related to stocking intensity. Animal gain per hectare was directly related to stocking rate. Gain per animal, gain per livestock unit and number of grazing days were all inversely proportional to stocking rate. Animals on the low stocking rate were carried through almost to the end of the dry (winter) season with only small changes in liveweight. The practical significance of the results is discussed.", "PMID": 625791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6165", "title": "Effects of Fenwal 4C2423 transfusion microfilter on microaggregates and other constituents of stored blood.", "content": "The effects of a new micropore transfusion filter (Fenwal 4C2423) on stored whole blood have been examined. Five filters were preloaded by passage of two units of outdated type specific bank blood, and the effects of filtration on a third unit, consisting of 21-day-old blood, flowing under 150 mmHg pressure, were measured. Filtration did not significantly alter red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, red blood cell fragility, plasma sodium, potassium, albumin, or globulin. Some platelets and white blood cells were removed and a small amount of hemolygis of erythrocytes (less than 0.1%) was observed. Removal of microaggregates, assessed by Coulter counting, screen filtration pressure, total screen porteins, wet and dry weights of material retained, and scanning electron microscopy, was shown to be excellent over the entire range of particle size. Comparison of the Bentley PFS-127, Fenwal 4C2417, Johnson & Johnson Intersept, Pall Ultipore, and Swank IL200 filters led to the conclusion that the Fenwal 4C2423 was both a significant improvement over the previous Fenwal design and comparable to the most efficient of these filters for both the removal of microaggregates during massive blood transfusion and for the blood flow rates obtained.", "contents": "Effects of Fenwal 4C2423 transfusion microfilter on microaggregates and other constituents of stored blood. The effects of a new micropore transfusion filter (Fenwal 4C2423) on stored whole blood have been examined. Five filters were preloaded by passage of two units of outdated type specific bank blood, and the effects of filtration on a third unit, consisting of 21-day-old blood, flowing under 150 mmHg pressure, were measured. Filtration did not significantly alter red blood cell count, total hemoglobin, red blood cell fragility, plasma sodium, potassium, albumin, or globulin. Some platelets and white blood cells were removed and a small amount of hemolygis of erythrocytes (less than 0.1%) was observed. Removal of microaggregates, assessed by Coulter counting, screen filtration pressure, total screen porteins, wet and dry weights of material retained, and scanning electron microscopy, was shown to be excellent over the entire range of particle size. Comparison of the Bentley PFS-127, Fenwal 4C2417, Johnson & Johnson Intersept, Pall Ultipore, and Swank IL200 filters led to the conclusion that the Fenwal 4C2423 was both a significant improvement over the previous Fenwal design and comparable to the most efficient of these filters for both the removal of microaggregates during massive blood transfusion and for the blood flow rates obtained.", "PMID": 625782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6166", "title": "A study on the erythrocyte aggregating properties of polybrene and protamine sulphate.", "content": "By observing the aggregation of erythrocytes in protamine sulphate or Polybrene it is possible to predict MN phenotypes with 97 per cent accuracy. It is probable that one factor influencing aggregation is the relative site density of a receptor common to both M and N antigen structures although other nondiscriminating receptor sites on a lower layer of sialic acid are possible also involved.", "contents": "A study on the erythrocyte aggregating properties of polybrene and protamine sulphate. By observing the aggregation of erythrocytes in protamine sulphate or Polybrene it is possible to predict MN phenotypes with 97 per cent accuracy. It is probable that one factor influencing aggregation is the relative site density of a receptor common to both M and N antigen structures although other nondiscriminating receptor sites on a lower layer of sialic acid are possible also involved.", "PMID": 625786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6167", "title": "Massive extracorporeal blood clotting during discontinuous flow leukapheresis.", "content": "A case is reported in which massive extracorporeal blood clotting necessitated the discontinuance of leukapheresis and loss of the product. An investigation of the cause of the massive clotting is reported along with suggested precautions to prevent similar occurrences in pheresis programs.", "contents": "Massive extracorporeal blood clotting during discontinuous flow leukapheresis. A case is reported in which massive extracorporeal blood clotting necessitated the discontinuance of leukapheresis and loss of the product. An investigation of the cause of the massive clotting is reported along with suggested precautions to prevent similar occurrences in pheresis programs.", "PMID": 625787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6168", "title": "Studies on the livestock of Southern Darfur, Sudan. V. Notes on camels.", "content": "Observations on camels have been made over two separate periods of about 18 months each. Information is provided on population structure and on type, with particular reference to weight and shoulder height. A growth curve has been derived, formulae for estimating weight from girth provided, and a mean population weight has been calculated. Details of live and slaughter weight and dressing percentages of 60 camels are given. The weights and percentages of empty body weight and of edible and nonedible parts are presented. Some notes are made of the unusual method of slaughter. The role of camels in transport and draught is discussed. Camels used for ploughing and for pressing oil from local crops produce more power than other domestic animals doing similar work.", "contents": "Studies on the livestock of Southern Darfur, Sudan. V. Notes on camels. Observations on camels have been made over two separate periods of about 18 months each. Information is provided on population structure and on type, with particular reference to weight and shoulder height. A growth curve has been derived, formulae for estimating weight from girth provided, and a mean population weight has been calculated. Details of live and slaughter weight and dressing percentages of 60 camels are given. The weights and percentages of empty body weight and of edible and nonedible parts are presented. Some notes are made of the unusual method of slaughter. The role of camels in transport and draught is discussed. Camels used for ploughing and for pressing oil from local crops produce more power than other domestic animals doing similar work.", "PMID": 625793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6169", "title": "The incidence of Trypanosoma theileri among cattle in Iran.", "content": "T. theileri has been reported as a parasite of cattle from many parts of the world. The parasites generally are scanty in the peripheral blood and more readily detected by cultural methods than by microscopical examination of stained smears (Herbert, 1964; Wells, 1971). The presence and distribution of the parasite in Iran has not been reported previously. This communication presents the results of studies which have been undertaken to find T. theileri and to determine its seasonal distribution in this country.", "contents": "The incidence of Trypanosoma theileri among cattle in Iran. T. theileri has been reported as a parasite of cattle from many parts of the world. The parasites generally are scanty in the peripheral blood and more readily detected by cultural methods than by microscopical examination of stained smears (Herbert, 1964; Wells, 1971). The presence and distribution of the parasite in Iran has not been reported previously. This communication presents the results of studies which have been undertaken to find T. theileri and to determine its seasonal distribution in this country.", "PMID": 625794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6170", "title": "Therapy with factor IX concentrate resulting in DIC and thromboembolic phenomena.", "content": "The development of subclinical DIC in a patient with factor IX hemophilia receiving concentrate replacement therapy during surgery is discussed with respect to pertinent laboratory features. Subsequent thromboembolic phenomena are presented in the context of current literature. Of significance is the failure of heparin given with the factor IX concentrate to prevent DIC. The value of adequate laboratory monitoring during therapy is stressed.", "contents": "Therapy with factor IX concentrate resulting in DIC and thromboembolic phenomena. The development of subclinical DIC in a patient with factor IX hemophilia receiving concentrate replacement therapy during surgery is discussed with respect to pertinent laboratory features. Subsequent thromboembolic phenomena are presented in the context of current literature. Of significance is the failure of heparin given with the factor IX concentrate to prevent DIC. The value of adequate laboratory monitoring during therapy is stressed.", "PMID": 625789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6171", "title": "Variation in gamma counter efficiency used in radioimmunoassay testing for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody.", "content": "Occasional discordant results on testing samples by radioimmunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody led to this analysis of gamma counters used by different hospitals and testing laboratories. Eight dilutions of purified 125I were sent under code to 11 institutions doing radioimmunoassay testing. Results demonstrated a wide range in background counts-per-minute (cpm) as well as considerable variation between gamma counters in per cent counting efficiency for 125I (ranging from 20 to 48%). These data support the need for regular monitoring and calibration of gamma counters to ensure low background cpm as well as maximum counting efficiency. This will give reproducible and reliable results in radioimmunoassay testing.", "contents": "Variation in gamma counter efficiency used in radioimmunoassay testing for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody. Occasional discordant results on testing samples by radioimmunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody led to this analysis of gamma counters used by different hospitals and testing laboratories. Eight dilutions of purified 125I were sent under code to 11 institutions doing radioimmunoassay testing. Results demonstrated a wide range in background counts-per-minute (cpm) as well as considerable variation between gamma counters in per cent counting efficiency for 125I (ranging from 20 to 48%). These data support the need for regular monitoring and calibration of gamma counters to ensure low background cpm as well as maximum counting efficiency. This will give reproducible and reliable results in radioimmunoassay testing.", "PMID": 625788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6172", "title": "The effect of high passage Mycoplasma strain F38 on the course of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP).", "content": "In comparison with an equal number of untreated controls, goats inoculated with high passage culture of mycoplasma strain F38 were significantly less susceptible to contact infection from CCPP cases.", "contents": "The effect of high passage Mycoplasma strain F38 on the course of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). In comparison with an equal number of untreated controls, goats inoculated with high passage culture of mycoplasma strain F38 were significantly less susceptible to contact infection from CCPP cases.", "PMID": 625796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6173", "title": "Heartwater in Nigeria. II. The isolation of Cowdria ruminantium from live and dead animals and the importance of routes of inoculation.", "content": "A study was carried out to determine which materials from animals dying or dead of heartwater could initiate the disease in susceptible goats, using the intravenous and subcutaneous routes. C. ruminantium was consistently isolated by intravenous injection of the whole blood or of lung macrophages and by subcutaneous injection of brain homogenate. In animals dead of heartwater, it appeared that isolation of the organism was achieved only when extensive post-mortem autolysis had not supervened. Experiments with blood fractions showed that leucocytic and plasma fractions of infective blood transmitted heartwater; the erythrocytic fraction consistently failed to induce an infection.", "contents": "Heartwater in Nigeria. II. The isolation of Cowdria ruminantium from live and dead animals and the importance of routes of inoculation. A study was carried out to determine which materials from animals dying or dead of heartwater could initiate the disease in susceptible goats, using the intravenous and subcutaneous routes. C. ruminantium was consistently isolated by intravenous injection of the whole blood or of lung macrophages and by subcutaneous injection of brain homogenate. In animals dead of heartwater, it appeared that isolation of the organism was achieved only when extensive post-mortem autolysis had not supervened. Experiments with blood fractions showed that leucocytic and plasma fractions of infective blood transmitted heartwater; the erythrocytic fraction consistently failed to induce an infection.", "PMID": 625798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6174", "title": "[Acetylation of histone and acid proteins of rat liver cells chromatin complex in postnatal ontogenesis].", "content": "No significant differences in acetylation of acid proteins was found in 1, 3- and 12-month animals in the process of postnatal development, but in old rats this process is noticeably intensified. The acetate label incorporation into histones H2 and H3 does not vary essentially in impuberal and young animals but intensifies in adult and old animals. A gradual intensification of acetylation during the whole postnatal development is registered for lysin-rich histones Hla and Hlb. The old animals differ by the highest level of acetate label incorporation into all studied fractions of chromatin proteins.", "contents": "[Acetylation of histone and acid proteins of rat liver cells chromatin complex in postnatal ontogenesis]. No significant differences in acetylation of acid proteins was found in 1, 3- and 12-month animals in the process of postnatal development, but in old rats this process is noticeably intensified. The acetate label incorporation into histones H2 and H3 does not vary essentially in impuberal and young animals but intensifies in adult and old animals. A gradual intensification of acetylation during the whole postnatal development is registered for lysin-rich histones Hla and Hlb. The old animals differ by the highest level of acetate label incorporation into all studied fractions of chromatin proteins.", "PMID": 625801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6175", "title": "[Study of hormonal activity of phytoecdysones on house fly larvae and codling moth caterpillars].", "content": "Preparations of ecdysterone, ponasterone A and sum of ecdysones isolated from the plant sources possess a high hormonal activity with respect to house fly larvae and codling moth caterpillars. The latter may be recommended for using as a sensitive test of the ecdysones hormonal activity.", "contents": "[Study of hormonal activity of phytoecdysones on house fly larvae and codling moth caterpillars]. Preparations of ecdysterone, ponasterone A and sum of ecdysones isolated from the plant sources possess a high hormonal activity with respect to house fly larvae and codling moth caterpillars. The latter may be recommended for using as a sensitive test of the ecdysones hormonal activity.", "PMID": 625803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6176", "title": "[Effect of sex hormone on the respiration and glycolysis processes in female rabbit placenta tissue].", "content": "The respiratory and glycolytic activity of the female-rabbits placenta tissue on the 11th and 30th days of pregnancy was studied as affected by progesterone, estrone and chorionic gonadotrophin. The tissue respiration of the placenta at the end of pregnancy is established to be more sensitive to administration of the hormones under study than at the beginning of pregnancy. The glycolytic activity of the placenta tissue under the effect of hormones is decreased both at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy. Only anaerobic glycolysis is an exception when progesterone is administered at the beginning of pregnancy.", "contents": "[Effect of sex hormone on the respiration and glycolysis processes in female rabbit placenta tissue]. The respiratory and glycolytic activity of the female-rabbits placenta tissue on the 11th and 30th days of pregnancy was studied as affected by progesterone, estrone and chorionic gonadotrophin. The tissue respiration of the placenta at the end of pregnancy is established to be more sensitive to administration of the hormones under study than at the beginning of pregnancy. The glycolytic activity of the placenta tissue under the effect of hormones is decreased both at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy. Only anaerobic glycolysis is an exception when progesterone is administered at the beginning of pregnancy.", "PMID": 625802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6177", "title": "[Molecular weight determination of nuclear proteins by disc-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis].", "content": "A technique of molecular weight estimation in proteins according to their electrophoretic mobility in the gradient polyacrylamide gel is used. The method permits analysing the highly heterogenic protein mixtures and determining the molecular weight of proteins within the range of 5000--400.000 simultaneously. The data of the protein spectrum analysis of the liver cell nuclei and some tumors are presented.", "contents": "[Molecular weight determination of nuclear proteins by disc-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis]. A technique of molecular weight estimation in proteins according to their electrophoretic mobility in the gradient polyacrylamide gel is used. The method permits analysing the highly heterogenic protein mixtures and determining the molecular weight of proteins within the range of 5000--400.000 simultaneously. The data of the protein spectrum analysis of the liver cell nuclei and some tumors are presented.", "PMID": 625804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6178", "title": "[Nucleic acid content in calf tissue nuclei].", "content": "The content of cytoplasmic mRNA, rRNA precursors and the content of total RNA in the nuclei of liver, abomasum and intestine mucosa and endometrium were studied. It is established that mare serum gonadotropin and the complex hormone and vitamin preparation increase the level of investigated RNA fractions in the heifers tissues. During the digestive tract disorders in the calves the level of the RNA fractions in the nuclei decreases. Treatment of the disk calves with the premix \"nucleostimol\" and hormone and vitamin preparation results in their recovery and increases the level of RNA fractions.", "contents": "[Nucleic acid content in calf tissue nuclei]. The content of cytoplasmic mRNA, rRNA precursors and the content of total RNA in the nuclei of liver, abomasum and intestine mucosa and endometrium were studied. It is established that mare serum gonadotropin and the complex hormone and vitamin preparation increase the level of investigated RNA fractions in the heifers tissues. During the digestive tract disorders in the calves the level of the RNA fractions in the nuclei decreases. Treatment of the disk calves with the premix \"nucleostimol\" and hormone and vitamin preparation results in their recovery and increases the level of RNA fractions.", "PMID": 625806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6179", "title": "[A device for protein preparative separation in polyacrylamide gel].", "content": "A device of simple design is suggested for proteins preparative separation in polyacrylamide gel. The design of the device include glass and plexiglas elements and ensures bilateral cooling of polyacrylamide gel and continuous elution of protein fractions. Separation of the bull brain neurospecific antigens S-100 and D was performed by the device.", "contents": "[A device for protein preparative separation in polyacrylamide gel]. A device of simple design is suggested for proteins preparative separation in polyacrylamide gel. The design of the device include glass and plexiglas elements and ensures bilateral cooling of polyacrylamide gel and continuous elution of protein fractions. Separation of the bull brain neurospecific antigens S-100 and D was performed by the device.", "PMID": 625805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6180", "title": "[Determination of C-terminal amino acid content in dog prothrombin].", "content": "In the process of dog prothrombin hydrazinolysis 1 M of glycine is relased in 1 M of protein. It was concluded that glycine is the C-terminal amino acid of the prothrombin.", "contents": "[Determination of C-terminal amino acid content in dog prothrombin]. In the process of dog prothrombin hydrazinolysis 1 M of glycine is relased in 1 M of protein. It was concluded that glycine is the C-terminal amino acid of the prothrombin.", "PMID": 625808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6181", "title": "[Effect of motor regimes on water-soluble and membrane proteins and cholinesterase activity in subcellular fractions of rat brain tissue].", "content": "Albino rats were kept for a year under conditions of everyday motor loading or of a constant hypokinesia. An increase of the motor activity results in rise in the acetylcholinesterase activity determined in the synaptosomal and purified mitochondrial fractions while hypokinesia induces a pronounced decrease in this enzyme activity. The butyrylcholinesterase activity somewhat decreases in the synaptosomal fraction after hypokinesa but does not change under the motor loading regime. Motor loading causes an increase in the amount of synaptosomal water-soluble proteins possessing an intermediate electrophoretic mobility and seem to correspond to the brain-specific protein 14-3-2. In the synaptosomal fraction the amount of membrane proteins with a low electrophoretic mobility and with the cholinesterase activity rises. Hypokinesia, on the contrary, decreases the amount of these membrane proteins.", "contents": "[Effect of motor regimes on water-soluble and membrane proteins and cholinesterase activity in subcellular fractions of rat brain tissue]. Albino rats were kept for a year under conditions of everyday motor loading or of a constant hypokinesia. An increase of the motor activity results in rise in the acetylcholinesterase activity determined in the synaptosomal and purified mitochondrial fractions while hypokinesia induces a pronounced decrease in this enzyme activity. The butyrylcholinesterase activity somewhat decreases in the synaptosomal fraction after hypokinesa but does not change under the motor loading regime. Motor loading causes an increase in the amount of synaptosomal water-soluble proteins possessing an intermediate electrophoretic mobility and seem to correspond to the brain-specific protein 14-3-2. In the synaptosomal fraction the amount of membrane proteins with a low electrophoretic mobility and with the cholinesterase activity rises. Hypokinesia, on the contrary, decreases the amount of these membrane proteins.", "PMID": 625807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6182", "title": "[Effect of ascorbic acid and oat polyphenols on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria in alloxan diabetic rats].", "content": "30 mg of ascorbic acid and 80 mg of dry oats extracts were administered to rats with alloxan diabetes during a day per 1 kg of live weight. Administration of these preparations during 6, 12 and 24 days prevents the uncoupling action of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, that was observed in the rats with alloxan diabetes which were not given ascorbic acid and oats polyphenols. The P/O coefficient on the alloxan diabetes rats on the 6, 12 and 24 days was 1.32 +/- 0.027; 1.26 +/- 0.013; 1.22 +/- 0.18, respectively; in the rats which were given ascorbic acid and oats polyphenols to P/O coefficient was 1.85 +/- 0,026, 1.80 +/- 0.024 and 1.75 +/- 0.028, respectively.", "contents": "[Effect of ascorbic acid and oat polyphenols on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria in alloxan diabetic rats]. 30 mg of ascorbic acid and 80 mg of dry oats extracts were administered to rats with alloxan diabetes during a day per 1 kg of live weight. Administration of these preparations during 6, 12 and 24 days prevents the uncoupling action of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, that was observed in the rats with alloxan diabetes which were not given ascorbic acid and oats polyphenols. The P/O coefficient on the alloxan diabetes rats on the 6, 12 and 24 days was 1.32 +/- 0.027; 1.26 +/- 0.013; 1.22 +/- 0.18, respectively; in the rats which were given ascorbic acid and oats polyphenols to P/O coefficient was 1.85 +/- 0,026, 1.80 +/- 0.024 and 1.75 +/- 0.028, respectively.", "PMID": 625810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6183", "title": "[Changes in phospholipid composition of mitochondria after freezing-warming in the presence of Na2S204].", "content": "The phospholipid composition of mitochondria membranes subjected to rapid freezing (300-400 degrees C per 1 min) to -196 degrees C and subsequent slow warning (at 20 degrees C) was determined by the method of chromatography in the thin layer of silicagel. Under such conditions of freezing and warming a significant decrease in lecithin and ethanolamine phosphatide content is observed in the mitochondria membranes. When freezing the suspension of mitochondria in the medium containing Na2S2O4 in a concentration of 0.05 M only the lipid component changes slightly.", "contents": "[Changes in phospholipid composition of mitochondria after freezing-warming in the presence of Na2S204]. The phospholipid composition of mitochondria membranes subjected to rapid freezing (300-400 degrees C per 1 min) to -196 degrees C and subsequent slow warning (at 20 degrees C) was determined by the method of chromatography in the thin layer of silicagel. Under such conditions of freezing and warming a significant decrease in lecithin and ethanolamine phosphatide content is observed in the mitochondria membranes. When freezing the suspension of mitochondria in the medium containing Na2S2O4 in a concentration of 0.05 M only the lipid component changes slightly.", "PMID": 625811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6184", "title": "[Sterol composition of Palaemon adspersus].", "content": "The sterol composition of Palaemon adspersus is studied. It is established that the nonsaponifiable fraction of Palaemon adspersus contains cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, desmosterol, substance \"240\" and inconsiderable amounts of other still nonidentified sterols.", "contents": "[Sterol composition of Palaemon adspersus]. The sterol composition of Palaemon adspersus is studied. It is established that the nonsaponifiable fraction of Palaemon adspersus contains cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, desmosterol, substance \"240\" and inconsiderable amounts of other still nonidentified sterols.", "PMID": 625812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6185", "title": "[Effect of sterols of cholesterol series on secretion of hydrochloric acid in mucosa of animals].", "content": "Secretion of hydrochloric acid of frog gastric mucosa in vitro was studied as affected by some sterols of the cholesterol series. This effect is found to depend on both the sterol molecule structure and the substance concentration. 7-dehydrocholesterol and its products of oxidation are supposed to have a specific effect on the process of hydrochloric acid secretion. Possible mechanism of this effect is under discussion.", "contents": "[Effect of sterols of cholesterol series on secretion of hydrochloric acid in mucosa of animals]. Secretion of hydrochloric acid of frog gastric mucosa in vitro was studied as affected by some sterols of the cholesterol series. This effect is found to depend on both the sterol molecule structure and the substance concentration. 7-dehydrocholesterol and its products of oxidation are supposed to have a specific effect on the process of hydrochloric acid secretion. Possible mechanism of this effect is under discussion.", "PMID": 625814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6186", "title": "[A spectroscopic examination on intermolecular interaction of ergosterol with lecithin].", "content": "The ergosterol and lecithin absorption IR-spectra were studied in a nonpolar anhydrous medium. The thermodynamical and spectral characteristics of dimeric associates and the enthalpy value for trimeric associates of this sterol are determined. Thermodynamical and spectral parameters of ergosterol intermolecular associates with lecithin in a nonpolar anhydrous medium are found. It is established that the intermolecular interaction of lecithin with ergosterol occurs according to the mechanism of hydrogen bond. A conclusion is drawn that the presence of binary bonds and methyl groups in the cyclic and aliphatic parts of the sterol molecule affects greatly the structure of the model membrane and its strength. It is shown that under conditions of the experiment the oxygen of the phosphate group contributes to formation of the molecular associates of lecithin with sterols and not that of the carbonyl group. The obtained experimental data may be at use when studying structural disturbances of native membranes in norm and with different pathologies.", "contents": "[A spectroscopic examination on intermolecular interaction of ergosterol with lecithin]. The ergosterol and lecithin absorption IR-spectra were studied in a nonpolar anhydrous medium. The thermodynamical and spectral characteristics of dimeric associates and the enthalpy value for trimeric associates of this sterol are determined. Thermodynamical and spectral parameters of ergosterol intermolecular associates with lecithin in a nonpolar anhydrous medium are found. It is established that the intermolecular interaction of lecithin with ergosterol occurs according to the mechanism of hydrogen bond. A conclusion is drawn that the presence of binary bonds and methyl groups in the cyclic and aliphatic parts of the sterol molecule affects greatly the structure of the model membrane and its strength. It is shown that under conditions of the experiment the oxygen of the phosphate group contributes to formation of the molecular associates of lecithin with sterols and not that of the carbonyl group. The obtained experimental data may be at use when studying structural disturbances of native membranes in norm and with different pathologies.", "PMID": 625813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6187", "title": "[Effect of dehydration on lipid metabolism].", "content": "Control of 25 sportsmen-wrestlers determined that accelerated loss in weight leads to a significant increase of ketone bodies evacuation with urine. The loss in weight for a 10-11 days period before a competition results in a less pronounced hyperketonuria. In experiment on rats it is shown that 48 and 98 hour hyperthermia and dehydration lead to the inhibition of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the liver. The mentioned permits supposing that under indicated conditions the inhibition of fat acid synthesis caused by NADPH2 and an increase of ketone bodies and cholesterol synthesis are observed.", "contents": "[Effect of dehydration on lipid metabolism]. Control of 25 sportsmen-wrestlers determined that accelerated loss in weight leads to a significant increase of ketone bodies evacuation with urine. The loss in weight for a 10-11 days period before a competition results in a less pronounced hyperketonuria. In experiment on rats it is shown that 48 and 98 hour hyperthermia and dehydration lead to the inhibition of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the liver. The mentioned permits supposing that under indicated conditions the inhibition of fat acid synthesis caused by NADPH2 and an increase of ketone bodies and cholesterol synthesis are observed.", "PMID": 625817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6188", "title": "[Effect of interferon-inducing complex on thymidine 3H-labeling of DNA, RNA and proteins of marrow cells after total X-irradiation of mice].", "content": "Interferonogen is shown to intensify the RNA synthesis only slightly, practically having effect neither on DNA synthesis nor on protein one. Interferonogen administered 2h before irradiation impedes development of the pronounced inhibition of DNA, first of all. Basing on the fact that the mentioned regularities were manifested at the early stages of the post radiation period (up to 3-4 h) and coming from the previously established radioprojection efficiency of interferonogen it is supposed that interferonogenesis takes part in regulation of the cell reparation systems.", "contents": "[Effect of interferon-inducing complex on thymidine 3H-labeling of DNA, RNA and proteins of marrow cells after total X-irradiation of mice]. Interferonogen is shown to intensify the RNA synthesis only slightly, practically having effect neither on DNA synthesis nor on protein one. Interferonogen administered 2h before irradiation impedes development of the pronounced inhibition of DNA, first of all. Basing on the fact that the mentioned regularities were manifested at the early stages of the post radiation period (up to 3-4 h) and coming from the previously established radioprojection efficiency of interferonogen it is supposed that interferonogenesis takes part in regulation of the cell reparation systems.", "PMID": 625818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6189", "title": "[Content of SH-groups in some fractions of rat hemoglobin].", "content": "Eight fractions of rat hemoglobin obtained by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel were studied. Having used parachloromercuric benzoate (PChMB) and 5,5-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) it was established that fractions of 3 and 3a carboxyhemoglobin contain 6 available SH-groups and the rest one (1, 2, 2a, 4, 5, 6) about 4 SH-groups. In all fractions only 2 masked SH-groups are found. A problem is discussed on SH-groups localization in the polypeptide chains of certain hemoglobin fractions in rats.", "contents": "[Content of SH-groups in some fractions of rat hemoglobin]. Eight fractions of rat hemoglobin obtained by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel were studied. Having used parachloromercuric benzoate (PChMB) and 5,5-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) it was established that fractions of 3 and 3a carboxyhemoglobin contain 6 available SH-groups and the rest one (1, 2, 2a, 4, 5, 6) about 4 SH-groups. In all fractions only 2 masked SH-groups are found. A problem is discussed on SH-groups localization in the polypeptide chains of certain hemoglobin fractions in rats.", "PMID": 625815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6190", "title": "[Somatotropin-releasing activity of rat hypothalamus with hypo- and hyperthyroidism].", "content": "The somatotropin-releasing activity of rat hypothalamus was studied in the experiments in vitro incubating of adenohypophysis with the hypothalamic extracts or the whole hypothalamus and serotonin. The studied activity is shown to be increased in the thyroidectomized and hyperthyroid rats. Exogenic somatotropin prevents this increase. A conclusion is drawn that a link of hypothalamic adenohypophysotropic hormones of the regulatory system of the somatotropic function is not an area of the specific disturbances with hypo- and hyperthyroidism which might lead to hyposomatotropism.", "contents": "[Somatotropin-releasing activity of rat hypothalamus with hypo- and hyperthyroidism]. The somatotropin-releasing activity of rat hypothalamus was studied in the experiments in vitro incubating of adenohypophysis with the hypothalamic extracts or the whole hypothalamus and serotonin. The studied activity is shown to be increased in the thyroidectomized and hyperthyroid rats. Exogenic somatotropin prevents this increase. A conclusion is drawn that a link of hypothalamic adenohypophysotropic hormones of the regulatory system of the somatotropic function is not an area of the specific disturbances with hypo- and hyperthyroidism which might lead to hyposomatotropism.", "PMID": 625816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6191", "title": "[The internist's view of hematuria (author's transl)].", "content": "The symptoms of hematuria are easily and accurately detected through careful sediment diagnosis. The path from initial indications to diagnosis often means a major expenditure of laboratory methods, of bioptic excisions, and of radiologic procedures for the examination. Above all, vascular and infected lesions of the kidneys and of the eliminative urinary tracts can cause hematuria, which in every case requires clarification.", "contents": "[The internist's view of hematuria (author's transl)]. The symptoms of hematuria are easily and accurately detected through careful sediment diagnosis. The path from initial indications to diagnosis often means a major expenditure of laboratory methods, of bioptic excisions, and of radiologic procedures for the examination. Above all, vascular and infected lesions of the kidneys and of the eliminative urinary tracts can cause hematuria, which in every case requires clarification.", "PMID": 625848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6192", "title": "[Can recurrent urinary tracts infections with existing vesicoureteral reflux be checked (author's transl)].", "content": "Of 35 female patients with vesicoureteral reflux, 9 had a cessation of their urinary tract infections while the reflux persisted. These findings contrast with the thesis that vesicoureteral reflux is the major cause of susceptibility to urinary tract infections in these patients.", "contents": "[Can recurrent urinary tracts infections with existing vesicoureteral reflux be checked (author's transl)]. Of 35 female patients with vesicoureteral reflux, 9 had a cessation of their urinary tract infections while the reflux persisted. These findings contrast with the thesis that vesicoureteral reflux is the major cause of susceptibility to urinary tract infections in these patients.", "PMID": 625849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6193", "title": "[Hydronephrosis of the right kidney caused by retrocaval course of the ureter (author's transl)].", "content": "The genesis, diagnosis, and therapy of the retrocaval course of the ureter are described with reference to one of the author's own cases. The clinical significance of this anomaly is due to the development of a hydronephrosis. This can be corrected surgically with preservation of the organ by division of the renal pelvis, repositioning, resection of the retrocavally running ureter, and oblique end-to-end anastomosis. An enquiry as to the incidence of this condition revealed 32 retrocaval ureters at 53 West German urology departments in five years.", "contents": "[Hydronephrosis of the right kidney caused by retrocaval course of the ureter (author's transl)]. The genesis, diagnosis, and therapy of the retrocaval course of the ureter are described with reference to one of the author's own cases. The clinical significance of this anomaly is due to the development of a hydronephrosis. This can be corrected surgically with preservation of the organ by division of the renal pelvis, repositioning, resection of the retrocavally running ureter, and oblique end-to-end anastomosis. An enquiry as to the incidence of this condition revealed 32 retrocaval ureters at 53 West German urology departments in five years.", "PMID": 625850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6194", "title": "[PTH radioimmunoassay on selective venous samplings as a method of localization of parathyroid adenomas in primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)].", "content": "Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas by various methods is today in increasing clinical use. The practical value of the methods is discussed, with particular reference to the PTH radioimmunoassay on selective venous samplings, which is the most reliable. The authors report on their 38 cases with suspected primary hyperparathyroidism during the last six years.", "contents": "[PTH radioimmunoassay on selective venous samplings as a method of localization of parathyroid adenomas in primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)]. Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas by various methods is today in increasing clinical use. The practical value of the methods is discussed, with particular reference to the PTH radioimmunoassay on selective venous samplings, which is the most reliable. The authors report on their 38 cases with suspected primary hyperparathyroidism during the last six years.", "PMID": 625851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6195", "title": "[Diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism based on determination of parathormone in venous blood of the neck (author's transl)].", "content": "Experiences with 77 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) are reported. Among the diagnostic parameters, the serum calcium level is the most significant; a definite diagnosis can be made through PTH-RIA. The problem of HPT diagnosis are discussed. For standardization, our own human PTH preparation, produced from tissue culture of operatively removed human adenoma of the parathyroid gland, has been used. For determination of parathormone, venous blood should be selectively extracted from the neck before every relapse-necessitated operation. The technically expensive and difficult examination methods do not excuse the surgeon from carefully exploring all of the parathyroid glands, though the general procedures to be applied before the first operation are still disputed.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism based on determination of parathormone in venous blood of the neck (author's transl)]. Experiences with 77 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) are reported. Among the diagnostic parameters, the serum calcium level is the most significant; a definite diagnosis can be made through PTH-RIA. The problem of HPT diagnosis are discussed. For standardization, our own human PTH preparation, produced from tissue culture of operatively removed human adenoma of the parathyroid gland, has been used. For determination of parathormone, venous blood should be selectively extracted from the neck before every relapse-necessitated operation. The technically expensive and difficult examination methods do not excuse the surgeon from carefully exploring all of the parathyroid glands, though the general procedures to be applied before the first operation are still disputed.", "PMID": 625852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6196", "title": "[Hemorrhagic calico papillitis. Clinical picture of pyelitic hematuria with special reference to cytodiagnostic problems].", "content": "A case is reported of hemorrhagic calico papillitis showing unilateral hematuria. There was no evidence of pathological changes either in i.v.P. or in retrograde pyelogram, angiogram, or angiogram with epinephrine. Large were found in the urine papillary cellgroups, suspicious for papilloma of the renal pelvis. It is pointed on the difficulty of differentiating such cellgroups from real papillomas of the renal pelvis. Possible are discussed causes of this mucosa proliferation and dysplasia. If there is found the following trias: unilateral hematuria, pseudopapillomatous cellgroups in urine, missing pathological changes in urological X-ray examinations (or only minimal blurs at the fornices) the diagnosis of calico papillitis has to be considered carefully.", "contents": "[Hemorrhagic calico papillitis. Clinical picture of pyelitic hematuria with special reference to cytodiagnostic problems]. A case is reported of hemorrhagic calico papillitis showing unilateral hematuria. There was no evidence of pathological changes either in i.v.P. or in retrograde pyelogram, angiogram, or angiogram with epinephrine. Large were found in the urine papillary cellgroups, suspicious for papilloma of the renal pelvis. It is pointed on the difficulty of differentiating such cellgroups from real papillomas of the renal pelvis. Possible are discussed causes of this mucosa proliferation and dysplasia. If there is found the following trias: unilateral hematuria, pseudopapillomatous cellgroups in urine, missing pathological changes in urological X-ray examinations (or only minimal blurs at the fornices) the diagnosis of calico papillitis has to be considered carefully.", "PMID": 625853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6197", "title": "[Long-time observation of a case of retroperitoneal fibrosis with Klinefelter's syndrome (author's transl)].", "content": "The etiology of retroperitoneal fibrosis still is largely unknown. Autoimmunologic mechanisms, traumata, systemic diseases, and drugs have been discussed as possible etiologic factors. The presented case was found to have a Klinefelter's syndrome besides retroperitoneal fibrosis. We do not believe that there is a relation between the two diseases. The retroperitoneal fibrosis of this case responded well to glucocorticosteroid therapy and the severly reduced renal function became normal.", "contents": "[Long-time observation of a case of retroperitoneal fibrosis with Klinefelter's syndrome (author's transl)]. The etiology of retroperitoneal fibrosis still is largely unknown. Autoimmunologic mechanisms, traumata, systemic diseases, and drugs have been discussed as possible etiologic factors. The presented case was found to have a Klinefelter's syndrome besides retroperitoneal fibrosis. We do not believe that there is a relation between the two diseases. The retroperitoneal fibrosis of this case responded well to glucocorticosteroid therapy and the severly reduced renal function became normal.", "PMID": 625854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6198", "title": "[Collateral circulation through uretral arteries caused by chronical central renal artery obstruction (author's transl)].", "content": "In 48-year old hypertonic patient, angiography showed obstruction of the right renal arterial ramus ventralis. Collateral circulation, especially through the ureteral plexus and lumbal arteries, developed. Differential diagnosis, embryologic background, and therapy are discussed.", "contents": "[Collateral circulation through uretral arteries caused by chronical central renal artery obstruction (author's transl)]. In 48-year old hypertonic patient, angiography showed obstruction of the right renal arterial ramus ventralis. Collateral circulation, especially through the ureteral plexus and lumbal arteries, developed. Differential diagnosis, embryologic background, and therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 625855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6199", "title": "[Pseudotumor of the renal pelvis during nonspecific inflammatory granuloma (author's transl)].", "content": "Differential diagnosis of tumors of the renal pelvis cannot be assured preoperatively in every case. A 69-year-old man is reported who had an inflammatory granuloma of the renal pelvis after perforation of an unspecific abscess. The granuloma appeared radiologically like an advanced tumor of the renal pelvis.", "contents": "[Pseudotumor of the renal pelvis during nonspecific inflammatory granuloma (author's transl)]. Differential diagnosis of tumors of the renal pelvis cannot be assured preoperatively in every case. A 69-year-old man is reported who had an inflammatory granuloma of the renal pelvis after perforation of an unspecific abscess. The granuloma appeared radiologically like an advanced tumor of the renal pelvis.", "PMID": 625856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6200", "title": "[The use of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate chains for the treatment of soft-tissue wounds in the region of the urinary tract (author's transl)].", "content": "Bactericidal concentrations of gentamicin can be attained by implanting at the site of the infection pellet chains of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) that permit the protracted release of the antibiotic for several weeks. Satisfactory healing of the wound was achieved in two cases of extensively infected soft-tissue wounds in the region of the urinary tract after temporary implantation of gentamicin-PMMA chains.", "contents": "[The use of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate chains for the treatment of soft-tissue wounds in the region of the urinary tract (author's transl)]. Bactericidal concentrations of gentamicin can be attained by implanting at the site of the infection pellet chains of gentamicin-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) that permit the protracted release of the antibiotic for several weeks. Satisfactory healing of the wound was achieved in two cases of extensively infected soft-tissue wounds in the region of the urinary tract after temporary implantation of gentamicin-PMMA chains.", "PMID": 625857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6201", "title": "[Transvenous perfusion, a new technique of regional renal hypothermia (author's transl)].", "content": "An experimental study demonstrates the feasibility of local renal hypothermia by transvenous perfusion. The method is technically simple and provides continuous renal cooling within a range of 15-19 degrees C, optimally protecting the ischemic kidney. Thromobosis at the site of venous puncture was not observed.", "contents": "[Transvenous perfusion, a new technique of regional renal hypothermia (author's transl)]. An experimental study demonstrates the feasibility of local renal hypothermia by transvenous perfusion. The method is technically simple and provides continuous renal cooling within a range of 15-19 degrees C, optimally protecting the ischemic kidney. Thromobosis at the site of venous puncture was not observed.", "PMID": 625858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6202", "title": "Arteriolar nephrosclerosis in the Syrian hamster.", "content": "Syrian hamsters developed spontaneous renal lesions that resembled those of arteriolar nephrosclerosis in man, and differed from other spontaneously occurring or virus-induced renal diseases in other rodent species. Morphologic changes were mainly degenerative with little cellular exudation and were associated with histologic changes in the intrarenal vasculature. The renal lesions were progressive, often fatal and sometimes were complicated by glomerular amyloidosis with the nephrotic syndrome and uremia. Endstage kidneys often had fibrinoid necrosis of intrarenal arterioles and thus resembled lesions characteristic of the malignant phase of human essential hypertension. Fibrinoid necrosis of small arterioles was common in the uterus, ovaries or testes of affected animals; it was less frequent in mesenteric or coronary vessels. Cardiac thrombosis, often involving the left atrium or left atrioventricular valves, also was common. Changes occurred earlier and often were more severe in females than in males. This disease was a major cause of morbidity and mortality and hampered life-span studies.", "contents": "Arteriolar nephrosclerosis in the Syrian hamster. Syrian hamsters developed spontaneous renal lesions that resembled those of arteriolar nephrosclerosis in man, and differed from other spontaneously occurring or virus-induced renal diseases in other rodent species. Morphologic changes were mainly degenerative with little cellular exudation and were associated with histologic changes in the intrarenal vasculature. The renal lesions were progressive, often fatal and sometimes were complicated by glomerular amyloidosis with the nephrotic syndrome and uremia. Endstage kidneys often had fibrinoid necrosis of intrarenal arterioles and thus resembled lesions characteristic of the malignant phase of human essential hypertension. Fibrinoid necrosis of small arterioles was common in the uterus, ovaries or testes of affected animals; it was less frequent in mesenteric or coronary vessels. Cardiac thrombosis, often involving the left atrium or left atrioventricular valves, also was common. Changes occurred earlier and often were more severe in females than in males. This disease was a major cause of morbidity and mortality and hampered life-span studies.", "PMID": 625859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6203", "title": "Fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in rats. I. Histological changes.", "content": "Yellow fat disease was induced in young rats given a vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with 15% fish oil. The changes in adipose tissue of this oil-induced disorder were different from those of natural yellow fat disease in horse, pig and mink. In the natural disease all fat depots had the early stage of yellow fat disease with interstitial lipofuscin-laden macrophages exclusively. In the rat, however, this change was seen only in the subcutaneous fat depot. Moreover, affected adipose tissue of animals with natural disease had extensive fibrosis, but in the rat fibrosis was always absent. Rats with fish oil-induced yellow fat disease had degenerative changes in various fat depots that occurred at various times but in the horse, pig and mink fat depots were affected simultaneously. Lipofuscin accumulated in the reticuloendothelial system in rats. Accumulation in spleen and liver was dependent on vitamin E deficiency, but only the accumulation in the Kupffer cells was correlated with yellow fat disease. Lipofuscin accumulation in the mesenteric lymph node did not depend on vitamin E deficiency.", "contents": "Fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in rats. I. Histological changes. Yellow fat disease was induced in young rats given a vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with 15% fish oil. The changes in adipose tissue of this oil-induced disorder were different from those of natural yellow fat disease in horse, pig and mink. In the natural disease all fat depots had the early stage of yellow fat disease with interstitial lipofuscin-laden macrophages exclusively. In the rat, however, this change was seen only in the subcutaneous fat depot. Moreover, affected adipose tissue of animals with natural disease had extensive fibrosis, but in the rat fibrosis was always absent. Rats with fish oil-induced yellow fat disease had degenerative changes in various fat depots that occurred at various times but in the horse, pig and mink fat depots were affected simultaneously. Lipofuscin accumulated in the reticuloendothelial system in rats. Accumulation in spleen and liver was dependent on vitamin E deficiency, but only the accumulation in the Kupffer cells was correlated with yellow fat disease. Lipofuscin accumulation in the mesenteric lymph node did not depend on vitamin E deficiency.", "PMID": 625860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6204", "title": "Cryptosporidiosis in immunodeficient Arabian foals.", "content": "Five of six immunodeficient Arabian foals that died of adenoviral infection were found to be infected with an intestinal coccidian of the genus Cryptosporidium. Various developmental stages of the organism were found in the microvillous border of the intestinal mucosa. The foals had diarrhea but it was not possible to separate the effects of the cryptosporidial infection from those of the concomitant adenoviral enteritis.", "contents": "Cryptosporidiosis in immunodeficient Arabian foals. Five of six immunodeficient Arabian foals that died of adenoviral infection were found to be infected with an intestinal coccidian of the genus Cryptosporidium. Various developmental stages of the organism were found in the microvillous border of the intestinal mucosa. The foals had diarrhea but it was not possible to separate the effects of the cryptosporidial infection from those of the concomitant adenoviral enteritis.", "PMID": 625861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6205", "title": "Fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in rats. II. Enzyme histochemistry of adipose tissue.", "content": "Adipose tissue in various stages of fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in the rat had the same acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity pattern as similar stages of the disorder in mink and pig. A weak acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity was seen in interstitial lipofuscin-laden macrophages in \"stage M\" yellow fat disease without fat cell degeneration. Activity of these macrophagic enzymes increased when there was fat cell degeneration (\"stage S\" and \"stage E\" yellow fat disease). This different phosphatase activity in the same cell type may result from phagocytosis of substrates with variable digestibility. Macrophages directly surrounding affected fat cells in steatitis areas (\"stage S\" and \"stage E\") had strong acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity. As in the pig, increased 5-nucleotidase activity was found in affected fat cells, which probably indicates plasma membrane damage. Increased nonspecific esterase activity occurred around affected fat cells. Only a small part of this esterase activity originated from inflammatory cells. This indicates that an increase of esterase activity in degenerating adipose tissue may be an endogeneous process in this tissue.", "contents": "Fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in rats. II. Enzyme histochemistry of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue in various stages of fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in the rat had the same acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity pattern as similar stages of the disorder in mink and pig. A weak acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity was seen in interstitial lipofuscin-laden macrophages in \"stage M\" yellow fat disease without fat cell degeneration. Activity of these macrophagic enzymes increased when there was fat cell degeneration (\"stage S\" and \"stage E\" yellow fat disease). This different phosphatase activity in the same cell type may result from phagocytosis of substrates with variable digestibility. Macrophages directly surrounding affected fat cells in steatitis areas (\"stage S\" and \"stage E\") had strong acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase activity. As in the pig, increased 5-nucleotidase activity was found in affected fat cells, which probably indicates plasma membrane damage. Increased nonspecific esterase activity occurred around affected fat cells. Only a small part of this esterase activity originated from inflammatory cells. This indicates that an increase of esterase activity in degenerating adipose tissue may be an endogeneous process in this tissue.", "PMID": 625862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6206", "title": "Primary neoplasms of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in the dog. A report of 16 cases from the files of the AFIP.", "content": "Sixteen cases of primary neoplasms of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in the dog were reviewed from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). The mean age of affected dogs was 9.5 years. The presenting clinical signs were epistaxis, nasal discharge or facial swelling. Eleven of the affected dogs were purebred. Three of these were Collies and two German Shepherds. The nasal cavity was involved most often. All neoplasms were malignant (11 carcinomas and five sarcomas), and there was invasion of the adjacent bony structures in most dogs. Tumors were classified according to prominent cell type and degree of differentiation into respiratory epithelial carcinoma (four), adenocarcinoma (one), squamous cell carcinoma (one), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (two), undifferentiated carcinoma (three), chondrosarcoma (three) and undifferentiated sarcoma (two).", "contents": "Primary neoplasms of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in the dog. A report of 16 cases from the files of the AFIP. Sixteen cases of primary neoplasms of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in the dog were reviewed from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). The mean age of affected dogs was 9.5 years. The presenting clinical signs were epistaxis, nasal discharge or facial swelling. Eleven of the affected dogs were purebred. Three of these were Collies and two German Shepherds. The nasal cavity was involved most often. All neoplasms were malignant (11 carcinomas and five sarcomas), and there was invasion of the adjacent bony structures in most dogs. Tumors were classified according to prominent cell type and degree of differentiation into respiratory epithelial carcinoma (four), adenocarcinoma (one), squamous cell carcinoma (one), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (two), undifferentiated carcinoma (three), chondrosarcoma (three) and undifferentiated sarcoma (two).", "PMID": 625866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6207", "title": "Fatal strongyloidiasis in gibbons (Hylobates lar).", "content": "A 6-year retrospective study of necropsy material from a colony of 200 gibbons showed strongyloidiasis to be the most frequent cause of death (24 cases). Clinical signs included diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, paralytic ileus and dyspnea. Lesions were most frequent in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. In the gut there were erosive and ulcerative enteritis associated with adult female parasites and rhabditiform larvae and acute and granulomatous enterocolitis associated with invading filariform larvae. There was severe multifocal or diffuse hemorrhage associated with migrating larvae in the lungs of 23 gibbons. Filariform larvae and the lesions they caused also occurred in various tissues; this was commensurate with the wide distribution of these larvae when hyperinfection occurred.", "contents": "Fatal strongyloidiasis in gibbons (Hylobates lar). A 6-year retrospective study of necropsy material from a colony of 200 gibbons showed strongyloidiasis to be the most frequent cause of death (24 cases). Clinical signs included diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, paralytic ileus and dyspnea. Lesions were most frequent in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. In the gut there were erosive and ulcerative enteritis associated with adult female parasites and rhabditiform larvae and acute and granulomatous enterocolitis associated with invading filariform larvae. There was severe multifocal or diffuse hemorrhage associated with migrating larvae in the lungs of 23 gibbons. Filariform larvae and the lesions they caused also occurred in various tissues; this was commensurate with the wide distribution of these larvae when hyperinfection occurred.", "PMID": 625867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6208", "title": "Intimal changes in the coronary arteries of Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).", "content": "Of 75 Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) examined, 14 6-year-old or older buffaloes had early atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries. These lesions resembled fatty streaks seen in man. Ageing changes and gross and microscopic features of the fatty streaks in the vessels resembled those described in the corresponding arteries of man.", "contents": "Intimal changes in the coronary arteries of Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Of 75 Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) examined, 14 6-year-old or older buffaloes had early atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries. These lesions resembled fatty streaks seen in man. Ageing changes and gross and microscopic features of the fatty streaks in the vessels resembled those described in the corresponding arteries of man.", "PMID": 625868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6209", "title": "Mediastinal parathyroid adenocarcinoma in a dog.", "content": "A tumor in the anterior mediastinum was found in an adult male German Shorthaired Pointer. The dog presented with hypercalcemia that varied with the removal and recurrence of the tumor. The neoplasm was characterized by an encapsulated multilobed grey-white soft mass with stroma, and the recurrent tumor infiltrated veins and the heart. The tumor consisted of groups of clear cells with well outlined cytoplasmic boundaries separated by thin vascular stroma. These cells had few organelles, scattered clumps of glycogen, clear cytosol and prominent infolding and interdigitating plasma membranes and desmosomes. The clinical, light and electron microscopic features were consistent with a functional neoplasm of parathyroid tissue origin.", "contents": "Mediastinal parathyroid adenocarcinoma in a dog. A tumor in the anterior mediastinum was found in an adult male German Shorthaired Pointer. The dog presented with hypercalcemia that varied with the removal and recurrence of the tumor. The neoplasm was characterized by an encapsulated multilobed grey-white soft mass with stroma, and the recurrent tumor infiltrated veins and the heart. The tumor consisted of groups of clear cells with well outlined cytoplasmic boundaries separated by thin vascular stroma. These cells had few organelles, scattered clumps of glycogen, clear cytosol and prominent infolding and interdigitating plasma membranes and desmosomes. The clinical, light and electron microscopic features were consistent with a functional neoplasm of parathyroid tissue origin.", "PMID": 625869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6210", "title": "Transmissible congenital demyelinating encephalopathy of lambs.", "content": "Twenty-two fetal lambs were inoculated in utero with tissue suspension prepared from lambs born with weakness, incoordination and clonic tremor. Clinically, affected newborn lambs had clonic tremor, were generally weak and had abnormally pigmented hairy fleece. The inoculation resulted in a disseminated encephalomyelitis with secondary teratologic changes in a significant number of fetuses. The mononuclear inflammatory changes were most obvious 14 days after inoculation, after which there was rapid resolution. Changes seen at birth were chronic astrocytosis with neuron loss in the spinal cord and cerebellar dysplasia. Single radioimmunodiffusion studies showed consistently low IgG in infected fetuses and high IgG in lambs at birth.", "contents": "Transmissible congenital demyelinating encephalopathy of lambs. Twenty-two fetal lambs were inoculated in utero with tissue suspension prepared from lambs born with weakness, incoordination and clonic tremor. Clinically, affected newborn lambs had clonic tremor, were generally weak and had abnormally pigmented hairy fleece. The inoculation resulted in a disseminated encephalomyelitis with secondary teratologic changes in a significant number of fetuses. The mononuclear inflammatory changes were most obvious 14 days after inoculation, after which there was rapid resolution. Changes seen at birth were chronic astrocytosis with neuron loss in the spinal cord and cerebellar dysplasia. Single radioimmunodiffusion studies showed consistently low IgG in infected fetuses and high IgG in lambs at birth.", "PMID": 625870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6211", "title": "Diagnostic clues in metastatic lesions of endocarditis in addicts.", "content": "Gram stains and cultures of multiple extravascular sites showed the infecting organisms in 17 of 26 heroin addicts with endocarditis. In addition to routine blood cultures, the etiologic agent was cultured from Osler nodes and Janeway lesions in ten patients, subcutaneous abscesses in eight, pleural fluids in eight, joint aspirates in three, spinal fluids in three, pericardial fluids in two, muscle abscesses in two and endometrium in one patient. Gram-positive cocci were found in extravascular lesions in 11 of 12 patients with staphy-lococcal endocarditis and from as many as four different sites. In contrast, no Gram-positive cocci were seen in extravascular sites in any of eight patients with enterococcal endocarditis although six of them had peripheral lesions. Gram stain and culture of multiple extravascular sites appears to provide a valuable early clue to the nature of the etiologic agent in addict endocarditis.", "contents": "Diagnostic clues in metastatic lesions of endocarditis in addicts. Gram stains and cultures of multiple extravascular sites showed the infecting organisms in 17 of 26 heroin addicts with endocarditis. In addition to routine blood cultures, the etiologic agent was cultured from Osler nodes and Janeway lesions in ten patients, subcutaneous abscesses in eight, pleural fluids in eight, joint aspirates in three, spinal fluids in three, pericardial fluids in two, muscle abscesses in two and endometrium in one patient. Gram-positive cocci were found in extravascular lesions in 11 of 12 patients with staphy-lococcal endocarditis and from as many as four different sites. In contrast, no Gram-positive cocci were seen in extravascular sites in any of eight patients with enterococcal endocarditis although six of them had peripheral lesions. Gram stain and culture of multiple extravascular sites appears to provide a valuable early clue to the nature of the etiologic agent in addict endocarditis.", "PMID": 625962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6212", "title": "Splenic subcapsular hematoma--ultrasonic diagnosis.", "content": "In five patients with varying histories of blunt abdominal trauma, examinations were carried out with ultrasonography and other imaging modalities. In all five patients, large, fluid-filled masses were noted in the left upper quadrant. Two patients had nonpalpable hematomas, but examinations were done because of history and vague clinical symptoms. Three patients had palpable masses. In all five patients there was surgical confirmation of the ultrasonic findings, and all recovered without complications. Ultrasonic tomography offers a convenient noninvasive method for assessing suspected splenic hematoma and can also exclude the possibility in a careful examination.", "contents": "Splenic subcapsular hematoma--ultrasonic diagnosis. In five patients with varying histories of blunt abdominal trauma, examinations were carried out with ultrasonography and other imaging modalities. In all five patients, large, fluid-filled masses were noted in the left upper quadrant. Two patients had nonpalpable hematomas, but examinations were done because of history and vague clinical symptoms. Three patients had palpable masses. In all five patients there was surgical confirmation of the ultrasonic findings, and all recovered without complications. Ultrasonic tomography offers a convenient noninvasive method for assessing suspected splenic hematoma and can also exclude the possibility in a careful examination.", "PMID": 625972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6213", "title": "Factors influencing the location of rural general practitioners. A study in Washington state.", "content": "Data on (1) personal background, (2) place of medical education and training, (3) reasons for selecting the present place of practice and (4) previous practice location were gathered and analyzed from 41 general practitioners in rural Washington state. The analysis was done to isolate factors influencing the choice of location by physicians. Results show that most of the physicians had spent at least some of their preadulthood years in small communities and that most had some exposure to the state of Washington before establishing their practices in the state. In addition to the apparent importance of previous exposure to small communities and Washington state, the physicians were also influenced in their locational choice by (1) the professional advantages or appeal of the community, (2) recruitment efforts by persons within the community and (3) economic reasons. The physicians were rather immobile. Most had never practiced in another community and only two of the 41 physicians planned to move to another community.", "contents": "Factors influencing the location of rural general practitioners. A study in Washington state. Data on (1) personal background, (2) place of medical education and training, (3) reasons for selecting the present place of practice and (4) previous practice location were gathered and analyzed from 41 general practitioners in rural Washington state. The analysis was done to isolate factors influencing the choice of location by physicians. Results show that most of the physicians had spent at least some of their preadulthood years in small communities and that most had some exposure to the state of Washington before establishing their practices in the state. In addition to the apparent importance of previous exposure to small communities and Washington state, the physicians were also influenced in their locational choice by (1) the professional advantages or appeal of the community, (2) recruitment efforts by persons within the community and (3) economic reasons. The physicians were rather immobile. Most had never practiced in another community and only two of the 41 physicians planned to move to another community.", "PMID": 625975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6214", "title": "Medical school graduates who leave California. A study at the University of California, San Francisco.", "content": "A follow-up survey of 1,087 physicians who had graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine from 1951 through 1971 was completed in 1977. A total of 307 (28.2 percent) of these persons were found to have left California. Comparison of the 307 who left with the 780 who remained showed only slight and statistically insignificant differences on most variables, such as sex, academic performance in premedical and medical education, educational level and social class of parents, age at entry into medical school, ratings by admissions interviewers, choice of specialty and a wide variety of personality inventory measures. Among the variables that did differentiate were place of birth, location and prestige of premedical college, preferences for subjects in the sciences and the humanities, and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores for quantitative ability and general information. However, attempts to combine these individual differentiators into clusters or equations from which to forecast emigration from California were unsuccessful.", "contents": "Medical school graduates who leave California. A study at the University of California, San Francisco. A follow-up survey of 1,087 physicians who had graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine from 1951 through 1971 was completed in 1977. A total of 307 (28.2 percent) of these persons were found to have left California. Comparison of the 307 who left with the 780 who remained showed only slight and statistically insignificant differences on most variables, such as sex, academic performance in premedical and medical education, educational level and social class of parents, age at entry into medical school, ratings by admissions interviewers, choice of specialty and a wide variety of personality inventory measures. Among the variables that did differentiate were place of birth, location and prestige of premedical college, preferences for subjects in the sciences and the humanities, and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores for quantitative ability and general information. However, attempts to combine these individual differentiators into clusters or equations from which to forecast emigration from California were unsuccessful.", "PMID": 625976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6215", "title": "Unprofessional physicians--some correlative data.", "content": "In the background of those physicians who have problems in medical practice serious enough to attract attention by the licensing body, there are factors that apparently can help predict such behavior. As a candidate for medical school the applicant more likely to have future problems has the following profile: (1) older than the average applicant with a lower grade point average; (2) more likely to have used tobacco; (3) did not receive a baccalaureate degree; (4) no military service; (5) turned in a sloppy handwritten application form, and (6) received a less than ideal character reference by the college from which applying. Furthermore, after admission to medical school the person more prone to future problems tends to be a poorer student than his peers and to receive a poorer rating in his first postgraduate year. The Loma Linda University graduate who has had such problems is also more likely to have settled in Southern California and to be in general practice.", "contents": "Unprofessional physicians--some correlative data. In the background of those physicians who have problems in medical practice serious enough to attract attention by the licensing body, there are factors that apparently can help predict such behavior. As a candidate for medical school the applicant more likely to have future problems has the following profile: (1) older than the average applicant with a lower grade point average; (2) more likely to have used tobacco; (3) did not receive a baccalaureate degree; (4) no military service; (5) turned in a sloppy handwritten application form, and (6) received a less than ideal character reference by the college from which applying. Furthermore, after admission to medical school the person more prone to future problems tends to be a poorer student than his peers and to receive a poorer rating in his first postgraduate year. The Loma Linda University graduate who has had such problems is also more likely to have settled in Southern California and to be in general practice.", "PMID": 625977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6216", "title": "Thoracic outlet syndrome.", "content": "Soft tissue cervical injuries are among the most common posttrauma problems faced by general practitioners, orthopedists and neurosurgeons. The development of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) following such injuries is more frequent than is generally recognized. Conservative treatment with physiotherapy, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs and percutaneous electrostimulation usually proves effective in relieving TOS. In this series of 1,958 soft tissue cervical injuries, 459 patients (23 percent) were diagnosed as having TOS. Of these patients, 185 (41 percent) failed to respond to all conservative measures and consequently surgical operation in the form of a supraclavicular neurovascular decompression became necessary to relieve not only the symptoms of the neck-shoulder-arm syndrome but also to relieve a frequently unrecognized (72 percent) vertebrobasilar artery syndrome. The latter is most definitely an integral part of TOS. The most common misdiagnoses were cervical disc syndrome (42 percent) and cervical strain (42 percent). A long-term follow-up (average of seven years) of 90 patients showed that the results were judged good in 75 percent, fair in 11 percent and poor in 14 percent.", "contents": "Thoracic outlet syndrome. Soft tissue cervical injuries are among the most common posttrauma problems faced by general practitioners, orthopedists and neurosurgeons. The development of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) following such injuries is more frequent than is generally recognized. Conservative treatment with physiotherapy, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs and percutaneous electrostimulation usually proves effective in relieving TOS. In this series of 1,958 soft tissue cervical injuries, 459 patients (23 percent) were diagnosed as having TOS. Of these patients, 185 (41 percent) failed to respond to all conservative measures and consequently surgical operation in the form of a supraclavicular neurovascular decompression became necessary to relieve not only the symptoms of the neck-shoulder-arm syndrome but also to relieve a frequently unrecognized (72 percent) vertebrobasilar artery syndrome. The latter is most definitely an integral part of TOS. The most common misdiagnoses were cervical disc syndrome (42 percent) and cervical strain (42 percent). A long-term follow-up (average of seven years) of 90 patients showed that the results were judged good in 75 percent, fair in 11 percent and poor in 14 percent.", "PMID": 625979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6217", "title": "[Poisoning in childhood--an information centre report (author's transl)].", "content": "The Poison Control Centre in Vienna registered 4018 inquires regarding possible poisoning in children over a two-year period. The peak incidence occurred in the age group between 2 and 3 years and poisoning chiefly took place in the mornings and in the afternoons, the most frequently ingested substances being household chemicals and drugs. A study in 100 households showed ignorance and carelessness in dealing with chemical substances. An analysis of inquiries concerning medicines revealed the influence of packaging and external characteristics on the frequency of poisoning with these substances. Possibilities which might be of value in the prevention of poisoning in children are discussed.", "contents": "[Poisoning in childhood--an information centre report (author's transl)]. The Poison Control Centre in Vienna registered 4018 inquires regarding possible poisoning in children over a two-year period. The peak incidence occurred in the age group between 2 and 3 years and poisoning chiefly took place in the mornings and in the afternoons, the most frequently ingested substances being household chemicals and drugs. A study in 100 households showed ignorance and carelessness in dealing with chemical substances. An analysis of inquiries concerning medicines revealed the influence of packaging and external characteristics on the frequency of poisoning with these substances. Possibilities which might be of value in the prevention of poisoning in children are discussed.", "PMID": 625980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6218", "title": "[Changes in mortality of low birth weight infants after the introduction of newborn intensive care (author's transl)].", "content": "The Newborn Intensive Care Centre at the Landeskinderkrankenhaus Linz is the referral centre serving an area in which 20% of births in Austria occur. During a 4-year period ending 1976, after the facilities for intensive care had been introduced, the overall mortality of low birth weight infants (LBWI) was reduced by 44% (from 26% to 14%), whilst the mortality of LBWI born at the Landes-Frauenklinik Linz, which works in close collaboration with the Landeskinderkrankenhaus, went down by 60% (from 24% to 9%). The chances of survival decreased with increasing transportation distance and suboptimum standards of obstetrical care, in spite of intensive treatment after referral. It is suggested that the improved methods of perinatal care applied at the obstetrical and neonatal units are the cause of this remarkable improvement in survival rate of LBWI. These improvements in neonatal survival rate contributed considerably to the 40% decline in infant mortality in Upper Austria from 26.7% in 1973 to 16.2% in 1976..", "contents": "[Changes in mortality of low birth weight infants after the introduction of newborn intensive care (author's transl)]. The Newborn Intensive Care Centre at the Landeskinderkrankenhaus Linz is the referral centre serving an area in which 20% of births in Austria occur. During a 4-year period ending 1976, after the facilities for intensive care had been introduced, the overall mortality of low birth weight infants (LBWI) was reduced by 44% (from 26% to 14%), whilst the mortality of LBWI born at the Landes-Frauenklinik Linz, which works in close collaboration with the Landeskinderkrankenhaus, went down by 60% (from 24% to 9%). The chances of survival decreased with increasing transportation distance and suboptimum standards of obstetrical care, in spite of intensive treatment after referral. It is suggested that the improved methods of perinatal care applied at the obstetrical and neonatal units are the cause of this remarkable improvement in survival rate of LBWI. These improvements in neonatal survival rate contributed considerably to the 40% decline in infant mortality in Upper Austria from 26.7% in 1973 to 16.2% in 1976..", "PMID": 625981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6219", "title": "[The occurrence of nappy rash at a children's hospital and its treatment with Canesten (author's transl)].", "content": "An unselected, mycologically-controlled trial was conducted at the University Children's Hospital of Graz on the treatment of nappy rash by the topical application of Canesten (clotrimazole), a broad-spectrum mycotic in the form of a 1% cream. 56 children, ranging in age from 3 weeks to 41/2 years, were treated for thrush, principally located in the genital area. Only some of the children were admitted primarily on account of the oral and/or perianal moniliasis. The majority of the children were hospitalized for some other reason and thrush was diagnosed as an accompanying condition. Candida albicans proved to be the most frequent pathogenic organism. The results of therapy were judged according to mycological and clinical criteria. The mycological findings became negative in 54 out of the 56 children. Clinical improvement was apparent in all cases between the 5th and 10th day of therapy; complete recovery occurred between the 5th and 25th day, depending on the extent and localization of the moniliasis. One child showed improvement in, but not recovery from the disease, because therapy was interrupted on premature discharge from hospital. Therapy was unsuccessful in the remaining child, although slight improvement occurred. Tolerance was good in all patients on application of Canesten cream thrice daily.", "contents": "[The occurrence of nappy rash at a children's hospital and its treatment with Canesten (author's transl)]. An unselected, mycologically-controlled trial was conducted at the University Children's Hospital of Graz on the treatment of nappy rash by the topical application of Canesten (clotrimazole), a broad-spectrum mycotic in the form of a 1% cream. 56 children, ranging in age from 3 weeks to 41/2 years, were treated for thrush, principally located in the genital area. Only some of the children were admitted primarily on account of the oral and/or perianal moniliasis. The majority of the children were hospitalized for some other reason and thrush was diagnosed as an accompanying condition. Candida albicans proved to be the most frequent pathogenic organism. The results of therapy were judged according to mycological and clinical criteria. The mycological findings became negative in 54 out of the 56 children. Clinical improvement was apparent in all cases between the 5th and 10th day of therapy; complete recovery occurred between the 5th and 25th day, depending on the extent and localization of the moniliasis. One child showed improvement in, but not recovery from the disease, because therapy was interrupted on premature discharge from hospital. Therapy was unsuccessful in the remaining child, although slight improvement occurred. Tolerance was good in all patients on application of Canesten cream thrice daily.", "PMID": 625982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6220", "title": "[Heroin withdrawal syndrome in a newborn infant (author's transl)].", "content": "The case of a newborn infant showing heroin withdrawal syndrome is reported. Symptoms of neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome, together with the complex problem of maternal drug addiction and pregnancy are briefly discussed.", "contents": "[Heroin withdrawal syndrome in a newborn infant (author's transl)]. The case of a newborn infant showing heroin withdrawal syndrome is reported. Symptoms of neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome, together with the complex problem of maternal drug addiction and pregnancy are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 625983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6221", "title": "[Ring chromosome 15 in a child (author's transl)].", "content": "A report is given of the occurrence of a ring chromosome 15 in a 5.6 year-old girl. The features of this case are mental retardation, small stature, microcephaly, malformation of the kidney, congenital heart disease and congenital dislocation of the hips. The features of this syndrome are very variable. Only 4 cases have been described up to 1975.", "contents": "[Ring chromosome 15 in a child (author's transl)]. A report is given of the occurrence of a ring chromosome 15 in a 5.6 year-old girl. The features of this case are mental retardation, small stature, microcephaly, malformation of the kidney, congenital heart disease and congenital dislocation of the hips. The features of this syndrome are very variable. Only 4 cases have been described up to 1975.", "PMID": 625984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6222", "title": "[A comparison of Ultrax, Diazil, Bactrim and Spiramycin in experimental toxoplasmosis in mice (author's transl)].", "content": "White mice infected intraperitoneally with the RH-strain of Toxoplasma gondii (inoculum size 50,000 to 100,000 free protozoans per mouse) received treatment between the second and eighth day after infection with sulphamethazine-pyrimethamine, sulphamethoxy-diazine-pyrimethamine, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole or spiramycin subcutaneously. All untreated controls and all mice of the trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and spiramycin-treated groups died during the acute stage (except two mice in the latter group on the 15th day). The mean survival times were 6.5, 7.5 and 7.6 days, respectively. The best results were obtained in the sulphamethazine-pyrimethamine-treated mice; 18 out of 27 survived the 30-day observation period (5 cured), in contrast to only 9 out of 40 sulphamethoxydiazine-pyrimethamine-treated mice. Considering the high pathogenicity of the RH-strain, the differences in immunological defence mechanisms in mice (absence of antibody-activating \"accessory factor\") and the late commencement of treatment of the infected mice, one can state that the combination of sulphamethoxydiazine-pyrimethamine should also be capable of overcoming acute human toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Spiramycin, by contrast, should be given only in cases where sulphonamide intolerance exists and must then be given in high doses until delivery. The combination of sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim cannot be recommended.", "contents": "[A comparison of Ultrax, Diazil, Bactrim and Spiramycin in experimental toxoplasmosis in mice (author's transl)]. White mice infected intraperitoneally with the RH-strain of Toxoplasma gondii (inoculum size 50,000 to 100,000 free protozoans per mouse) received treatment between the second and eighth day after infection with sulphamethazine-pyrimethamine, sulphamethoxy-diazine-pyrimethamine, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole or spiramycin subcutaneously. All untreated controls and all mice of the trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and spiramycin-treated groups died during the acute stage (except two mice in the latter group on the 15th day). The mean survival times were 6.5, 7.5 and 7.6 days, respectively. The best results were obtained in the sulphamethazine-pyrimethamine-treated mice; 18 out of 27 survived the 30-day observation period (5 cured), in contrast to only 9 out of 40 sulphamethoxydiazine-pyrimethamine-treated mice. Considering the high pathogenicity of the RH-strain, the differences in immunological defence mechanisms in mice (absence of antibody-activating \"accessory factor\") and the late commencement of treatment of the infected mice, one can state that the combination of sulphamethoxydiazine-pyrimethamine should also be capable of overcoming acute human toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. Spiramycin, by contrast, should be given only in cases where sulphonamide intolerance exists and must then be given in high doses until delivery. The combination of sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim cannot be recommended.", "PMID": 625985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6223", "title": "[Mumps meningitis and mumps vaccination (author's transl)].", "content": "Mumps meningitis (MM) is the most frequent inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in children. It occurs twice as often in boys as in girls. Usually it is mild; encephalitic signs are found only in 2-3% of the cases. Even here persistent neurological signs are rare, but psychological alterations are found in about 20% of the cases. 40% of all MM cases occur in children of school age necessitating absence from school for four weeks at last. The frequency of MM makes it a financial problem too. In Viennese hospitals 4.2 million Austrian Schillings were spent yearly for hospitalization of children with MM, on average, during the years 1971-1975. The vaccination of all Viennese children born in a single year (18,000) against mumps would require an outlay of only 2.8 million Austrian Schillings. Wide-spread routine vaccination against mumps is indicated, therefore, not only for medical, but for social and economic reasons as well.", "contents": "[Mumps meningitis and mumps vaccination (author's transl)]. Mumps meningitis (MM) is the most frequent inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in children. It occurs twice as often in boys as in girls. Usually it is mild; encephalitic signs are found only in 2-3% of the cases. Even here persistent neurological signs are rare, but psychological alterations are found in about 20% of the cases. 40% of all MM cases occur in children of school age necessitating absence from school for four weeks at last. The frequency of MM makes it a financial problem too. In Viennese hospitals 4.2 million Austrian Schillings were spent yearly for hospitalization of children with MM, on average, during the years 1971-1975. The vaccination of all Viennese children born in a single year (18,000) against mumps would require an outlay of only 2.8 million Austrian Schillings. Wide-spread routine vaccination against mumps is indicated, therefore, not only for medical, but for social and economic reasons as well.", "PMID": 625986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6224", "title": "[Results achieved on metabolic treatment of 90 pregnant women with manifest diabetes (author's transl)].", "content": "This paper concerns the treatment schedules employed and their outcome in 90 pregnancies in women with insulin-dependent clinical diabetes between 1962 and 1977. During the period 1962 to 1970, during which time diabetic control was still mostly carried out externally, the perinatal mortality rate (pnm) was 23.8%. As from 1971 the patients were put under control by the clinic as soon as possible on an interdisciplinary basis and the pnm dropped to 4.1%. The case history of these patients revealed that the pnm in previous pregnancies supervized elsewhere was 65%. No correlation was found between the pnm and the severity and duration of diabetes according to White's classification. Rigorous metabolic control is essential for an improvment in the pnm. This involves striving for mean blood glucose levels of under 100 mg% during the last trimester. Fetal weight gain above normal levels was sometimes detected by ultrasonic methods in spite of satisfactory metabolic regulation. The daily intake of carbohydrates should be reduced in these cases from 150-200 g to 100 g. Other important aspects include treatment of frequently-occurring complications (toxaemia, urinary infection, etc.), as well as measures to lower the rate of premature birth. The date of delivery was flexible and dependent on the response to metabolic control and the appearance of critical situations. On average, delivery took place at the end of the 38th week of gestation.", "contents": "[Results achieved on metabolic treatment of 90 pregnant women with manifest diabetes (author's transl)]. This paper concerns the treatment schedules employed and their outcome in 90 pregnancies in women with insulin-dependent clinical diabetes between 1962 and 1977. During the period 1962 to 1970, during which time diabetic control was still mostly carried out externally, the perinatal mortality rate (pnm) was 23.8%. As from 1971 the patients were put under control by the clinic as soon as possible on an interdisciplinary basis and the pnm dropped to 4.1%. The case history of these patients revealed that the pnm in previous pregnancies supervized elsewhere was 65%. No correlation was found between the pnm and the severity and duration of diabetes according to White's classification. Rigorous metabolic control is essential for an improvment in the pnm. This involves striving for mean blood glucose levels of under 100 mg% during the last trimester. Fetal weight gain above normal levels was sometimes detected by ultrasonic methods in spite of satisfactory metabolic regulation. The daily intake of carbohydrates should be reduced in these cases from 150-200 g to 100 g. Other important aspects include treatment of frequently-occurring complications (toxaemia, urinary infection, etc.), as well as measures to lower the rate of premature birth. The date of delivery was flexible and dependent on the response to metabolic control and the appearance of critical situations. On average, delivery took place at the end of the 38th week of gestation.", "PMID": 625987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6225", "title": "[Results of an interdisciplinary study on the value of contact thermography in the diagnosis of breast disease (author's transl)].", "content": "An interdisciplinary study was carried out to determine the accuracy of contact thermography in the detection of breast cancer. 200 patients were examined in form of a blind test, the mammographic and clinical findings being listed separately and inaccessible to the thermography team. The findings obtained on contact thermography also were listed separately and afterwards compared with the clinical and mammographic findings. 50 out of these 200 cases required histological clarification, which revealed 24 carcinomas and 26 benign conditions of the breast. Mammography and contact thermography both failed to detect 3 out of the 24 carcinomas, clinical examination gave a false negative result in 2 cases. Therefore, in the present case material, the accuracy of mammography and contact thermography is equal and enables us to state that the combination of clinical examination and contact thermography of the breast is of high accuracy and suited for routine mass screening programmes to enable the detection of breast disease without radiation exposure.", "contents": "[Results of an interdisciplinary study on the value of contact thermography in the diagnosis of breast disease (author's transl)]. An interdisciplinary study was carried out to determine the accuracy of contact thermography in the detection of breast cancer. 200 patients were examined in form of a blind test, the mammographic and clinical findings being listed separately and inaccessible to the thermography team. The findings obtained on contact thermography also were listed separately and afterwards compared with the clinical and mammographic findings. 50 out of these 200 cases required histological clarification, which revealed 24 carcinomas and 26 benign conditions of the breast. Mammography and contact thermography both failed to detect 3 out of the 24 carcinomas, clinical examination gave a false negative result in 2 cases. Therefore, in the present case material, the accuracy of mammography and contact thermography is equal and enables us to state that the combination of clinical examination and contact thermography of the breast is of high accuracy and suited for routine mass screening programmes to enable the detection of breast disease without radiation exposure.", "PMID": 625988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6226", "title": "[Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine for obstetric delivery (author's transl)].", "content": "Twenty five parturients were anaesthetized by administration of 0.3 mg ketamine per kg body weight intravenously before emergence of the head of the newborn infant. 20 patients had complete amnesia for the time of delivery, but most of them remained cooperative, nevertheless. Of the other 5 patients, 3 recounted that they recalled the birth of their child like remembering a dream, but they did not remember pain. The method proved a failure in the case of two patients. The main advantage of this technique lies in keeping most of the parturients cooperative and able to help with pushing, while offering them amnesia and analgesia for this period. Comparison with thiopental and propanidide is discussed.", "contents": "[Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine for obstetric delivery (author's transl)]. Twenty five parturients were anaesthetized by administration of 0.3 mg ketamine per kg body weight intravenously before emergence of the head of the newborn infant. 20 patients had complete amnesia for the time of delivery, but most of them remained cooperative, nevertheless. Of the other 5 patients, 3 recounted that they recalled the birth of their child like remembering a dream, but they did not remember pain. The method proved a failure in the case of two patients. The main advantage of this technique lies in keeping most of the parturients cooperative and able to help with pushing, while offering them amnesia and analgesia for this period. Comparison with thiopental and propanidide is discussed.", "PMID": 625989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6227", "title": "[Clinical evaluation of the antioestrogenic agent tamoxifen in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (author's transl)].", "content": "The endocrine management of advanced breast cancer is of great clinical importance. Apart from the known therapeutic approach with oestrogens, androgens, gestagens and steroids, the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen appears to be a promising therapeutic agent. In this study from October 1st, 1975, to October 1st, 1976, the value of tamoxifen was examined in a controlled clinical trial. An objective remission after 3 months' treatment was achieved in 41% of the cases. The criteria of Karnofsky were used to evaluate clinical success. The median time of remission was 5,5 months. The determination of oestrogen receptors could provide a better selection of patients and, hence, help to achieve an increase in the remission rate. An interesting observation was a probably immunostimulative effect, but further investigations are necessary. The side-effects of treatment are detailed and the indications for the use of tamoxifen are discussed. More astonishing than the objective remission was the subjective improvement with relief of pain due to generalized bone metastases. On the basis of our observations it is concluded, that the use of the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen presents a potent alternative in the treatment of advanced and incurable breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal patients.", "contents": "[Clinical evaluation of the antioestrogenic agent tamoxifen in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (author's transl)]. The endocrine management of advanced breast cancer is of great clinical importance. Apart from the known therapeutic approach with oestrogens, androgens, gestagens and steroids, the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen appears to be a promising therapeutic agent. In this study from October 1st, 1975, to October 1st, 1976, the value of tamoxifen was examined in a controlled clinical trial. An objective remission after 3 months' treatment was achieved in 41% of the cases. The criteria of Karnofsky were used to evaluate clinical success. The median time of remission was 5,5 months. The determination of oestrogen receptors could provide a better selection of patients and, hence, help to achieve an increase in the remission rate. An interesting observation was a probably immunostimulative effect, but further investigations are necessary. The side-effects of treatment are detailed and the indications for the use of tamoxifen are discussed. More astonishing than the objective remission was the subjective improvement with relief of pain due to generalized bone metastases. On the basis of our observations it is concluded, that the use of the oestrogen antagonist, tamoxifen presents a potent alternative in the treatment of advanced and incurable breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal patients.", "PMID": 625990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6228", "title": "[Ideal application of computer tomography in the field of radiotherapeutic planning (author's transl)].", "content": "The value of computerized radiotherapeutic planning is illustrated by the case report of a patient with an extensive pelvic wall metastasis of a carcinoma of the uterine cervix diagnosed by conventional methods. The exact topography is delineated by computer tomography and enables optimum dosimetric radiotherapeutic planning.", "contents": "[Ideal application of computer tomography in the field of radiotherapeutic planning (author's transl)]. The value of computerized radiotherapeutic planning is illustrated by the case report of a patient with an extensive pelvic wall metastasis of a carcinoma of the uterine cervix diagnosed by conventional methods. The exact topography is delineated by computer tomography and enables optimum dosimetric radiotherapeutic planning.", "PMID": 625991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6229", "title": "Techniques for assessment of biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation in the rat.", "content": "1. A surgical technique is described which enables biliary excretion studies to be performed in conscious unrestrained rats. 2. Bile is continuously collected in a glass vessel implanted into the peritoneal cavity. 3. Assessment of enterohepatic circulation is made by a modification of the technique. 4. The application of these techniques to both metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies is described briefly.", "contents": "Techniques for assessment of biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation in the rat. 1. A surgical technique is described which enables biliary excretion studies to be performed in conscious unrestrained rats. 2. Bile is continuously collected in a glass vessel implanted into the peritoneal cavity. 3. Assessment of enterohepatic circulation is made by a modification of the technique. 4. The application of these techniques to both metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies is described briefly.", "PMID": 626000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6230", "title": "Metabolism of methylmercuric chloride by the gastro-intestinal flora of the rat.", "content": "1. The contents of the caecum and small intestine of the rat metabolized methylmercuric chloride in vitro to a volatile product over a period of 3 to 4 days. The bacterial flora of the gut were responsible for the metabolism. 2. in the presence of caecal contents methylmercury was reduced to metallic mercury. 3. The contents of the small intestine metabolized methylmercuric chloride indirectly, as a result of prior synthesis of H2S to a volatile sulphur derivative of methylmercury.", "contents": "Metabolism of methylmercuric chloride by the gastro-intestinal flora of the rat. 1. The contents of the caecum and small intestine of the rat metabolized methylmercuric chloride in vitro to a volatile product over a period of 3 to 4 days. The bacterial flora of the gut were responsible for the metabolism. 2. in the presence of caecal contents methylmercury was reduced to metallic mercury. 3. The contents of the small intestine metabolized methylmercuric chloride indirectly, as a result of prior synthesis of H2S to a volatile sulphur derivative of methylmercury.", "PMID": 626001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6231", "title": "The fate of [103Ru]ruthenocene in mice and rats.", "content": "1. The metabolic fate, rate of excretion and organ distribution of [103Ru]ruthenocene, administered to mice intravenously, intraperitoneally and orally, were investigated. 2. Most of the 103Ru was eliminated from the body in 24 h; the remainder was located mostly in liver, gastro-intestinal tract and fat and was slowly excreted. 3. The 103Ru was excreted in the bile and urine as ruthenocene-O-glucuronide, as shown by enzymic hydrolysis and mass spectrum of the permethylated metabolite.", "contents": "The fate of [103Ru]ruthenocene in mice and rats. 1. The metabolic fate, rate of excretion and organ distribution of [103Ru]ruthenocene, administered to mice intravenously, intraperitoneally and orally, were investigated. 2. Most of the 103Ru was eliminated from the body in 24 h; the remainder was located mostly in liver, gastro-intestinal tract and fat and was slowly excreted. 3. The 103Ru was excreted in the bile and urine as ruthenocene-O-glucuronide, as shown by enzymic hydrolysis and mass spectrum of the permethylated metabolite.", "PMID": 626002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6232", "title": "A comparison of drug-metabolizing capability in isolated viable rat hepatocytes and renal tubule fragments.", "content": "1. The metabolism of a number of xenobiotics has been investigated in isolated viable rat hepatocytes and kidney tubule fragments in suspension. 2. The level of Phase I metabolism was very low in the kidney cells although such cells possess appreciable Phase II metabolic capacity. 3. These findings are discussed in relation to the physiological role of cytochrome P-450 and the conjugating enzymes, and the value of intact cells systems in assessing inter-organ differences in xenobiotic metabolism.", "contents": "A comparison of drug-metabolizing capability in isolated viable rat hepatocytes and renal tubule fragments. 1. The metabolism of a number of xenobiotics has been investigated in isolated viable rat hepatocytes and kidney tubule fragments in suspension. 2. The level of Phase I metabolism was very low in the kidney cells although such cells possess appreciable Phase II metabolic capacity. 3. These findings are discussed in relation to the physiological role of cytochrome P-450 and the conjugating enzymes, and the value of intact cells systems in assessing inter-organ differences in xenobiotic metabolism.", "PMID": 626003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6233", "title": "Metabolism of alpha-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid (cicloprofen): isolation and identification of metabolites from rat urine.", "content": "1. Four metabolites of alpha-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid (cicloprofen) have been isolated from rat urine and identified as the 7-hydroxy, 9-hydroxy, 7,9-dihydroxy and 9-hydroxy-9-methoxy derivatives of cicloprofen. 2. 7-Hydroxy cicloprofen was the major metabolite, contributing 47% of the total radioactivity excreted in rat urine. The other three metabolites each contributed approx. 10% of the radioactivity in urine. There was little unchanged drug excreted in urine (2-6%); at least three other minor metabolites have not been identified. 3. A metabolic pathway for the formation of the 9-hydroxy-9-methoxy metabolite of cicloprofen is proposed.", "contents": "Metabolism of alpha-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid (cicloprofen): isolation and identification of metabolites from rat urine. 1. Four metabolites of alpha-methylfluorene-2-acetic acid (cicloprofen) have been isolated from rat urine and identified as the 7-hydroxy, 9-hydroxy, 7,9-dihydroxy and 9-hydroxy-9-methoxy derivatives of cicloprofen. 2. 7-Hydroxy cicloprofen was the major metabolite, contributing 47% of the total radioactivity excreted in rat urine. The other three metabolites each contributed approx. 10% of the radioactivity in urine. There was little unchanged drug excreted in urine (2-6%); at least three other minor metabolites have not been identified. 3. A metabolic pathway for the formation of the 9-hydroxy-9-methoxy metabolite of cicloprofen is proposed.", "PMID": 626004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6234", "title": "Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on hepatic microsomal enzymes and disposition of methylnaphthalene in rainbow trout in vivo.", "content": "1. The effects of 3-methylcholanthrene, 2,3-benzanthracene and beta-naphthoflavone on xenobiotic metabolism in rainbow trout were studied. 2. These three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increase hepatic arylhydrocarbon (benzo[alpha]pyrene) hydroxylase activity without altering glucuronyl transferase activity. 3. All three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increased hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels by approximately 50%. 4. Pretreatment of trout with 2,3-benzanthracene resulted in an increase in the metabolism and biliary excretion of 2-methylnaphthalene in vivo. 5. These studies demonstrate that the induction of mono-oxygenation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can result in significant effects upon the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics by fish in vivo.", "contents": "Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on hepatic microsomal enzymes and disposition of methylnaphthalene in rainbow trout in vivo. 1. The effects of 3-methylcholanthrene, 2,3-benzanthracene and beta-naphthoflavone on xenobiotic metabolism in rainbow trout were studied. 2. These three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increase hepatic arylhydrocarbon (benzo[alpha]pyrene) hydroxylase activity without altering glucuronyl transferase activity. 3. All three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons increased hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels by approximately 50%. 4. Pretreatment of trout with 2,3-benzanthracene resulted in an increase in the metabolism and biliary excretion of 2-methylnaphthalene in vivo. 5. These studies demonstrate that the induction of mono-oxygenation by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can result in significant effects upon the metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics by fish in vivo.", "PMID": 626005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6235", "title": "Stereochemistry of the metabolic incorporation of oxygen into (+)- and (-)-N-benzylamphetamine.", "content": "1. Both (+)- and (-)-N-benzylamphetamine undergo alpha-carbon and N-oxidation to form N-dealkylated, deaminated and N-oxidized metabolites during incubation with fortified rabbit liver homogenates. 2. Quantitative determination of the metabolites based on specific g.l.c. procedures showed that all activities are localized in the microsomal fraction of rabbit liver. 3. N-Dealkylation, deamination and nitrone and secondary hydroxylamine formation are stereoselective. 4. The characteristics of the enzyme-substrate interactions for both isomers of N-benzylamphetamine indicate that at least two distinct enzyme systems are involved in the N-oxidation and alpha-carbon processes, or a single enzyme possessing an active site with differing conformational requirements for the two oxidative processes.", "contents": "Stereochemistry of the metabolic incorporation of oxygen into (+)- and (-)-N-benzylamphetamine. 1. Both (+)- and (-)-N-benzylamphetamine undergo alpha-carbon and N-oxidation to form N-dealkylated, deaminated and N-oxidized metabolites during incubation with fortified rabbit liver homogenates. 2. Quantitative determination of the metabolites based on specific g.l.c. procedures showed that all activities are localized in the microsomal fraction of rabbit liver. 3. N-Dealkylation, deamination and nitrone and secondary hydroxylamine formation are stereoselective. 4. The characteristics of the enzyme-substrate interactions for both isomers of N-benzylamphetamine indicate that at least two distinct enzyme systems are involved in the N-oxidation and alpha-carbon processes, or a single enzyme possessing an active site with differing conformational requirements for the two oxidative processes.", "PMID": 626006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6236", "title": "The stereoselective metabolism of ethylamphetamine with fortified rabbit liver homogenates.", "content": "1. The liver enzyme systems of rabbits involved in the oxidative metabolism of ethylamphetamine were shown to be localized in the microsomal fraction. 2. The effect of substrate concentration, incubation period and storage of the microsomal preparations at 4 degrees was investigated. 3. The results indicate the involvement of at least two stereoselective enzyme systems or different conformations of binding of different substrates to the same enzyme system. R-(-)-Ethylamphetamine is the preferred substrate for N-oxidation and dealkylation, whereas the S-(+)-isomer is preferred for deamination. When racemic ethyl amphetamine is metabolized, the enantiomers act as independent compounds and compete for the enzymes. 4. Neither alpha-C- nor N-oxidation is induced by pre-treatment with phenobarbitone or 3-methylcholanthrene.", "contents": "The stereoselective metabolism of ethylamphetamine with fortified rabbit liver homogenates. 1. The liver enzyme systems of rabbits involved in the oxidative metabolism of ethylamphetamine were shown to be localized in the microsomal fraction. 2. The effect of substrate concentration, incubation period and storage of the microsomal preparations at 4 degrees was investigated. 3. The results indicate the involvement of at least two stereoselective enzyme systems or different conformations of binding of different substrates to the same enzyme system. R-(-)-Ethylamphetamine is the preferred substrate for N-oxidation and dealkylation, whereas the S-(+)-isomer is preferred for deamination. When racemic ethyl amphetamine is metabolized, the enantiomers act as independent compounds and compete for the enzymes. 4. Neither alpha-C- nor N-oxidation is induced by pre-treatment with phenobarbitone or 3-methylcholanthrene.", "PMID": 626007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6237", "title": "[Special aspects of basaliomas (pigmentation, stroma, glucosaminoglycan capillary patterns)].", "content": "1. 47 out of 61 basalcellepithelomas (BCE) contained melanocytes, but only 16 contained melanin; melanin was found predominantly in cystic BCE. 2. In contrast to malignant melanoma the proliferative activity in the stroma of BCE is low, since proliferating lymphocytes are lacking. Leukocytes and mast cells may be numerous, and are also Dopa-positive. 3. Our findings suggest that BCE produces a partially metachromatic substance, which apparently influences the stroma. 4. A well differentiated BCE has a distinct capillary pattern like a network, related to and similar to the capillary net of the pilosebaceous unit and especially to that of the sebaceous glands. 10% of the BCEs reveal at least a partial double-layered network resembling that of the hair follicle.", "contents": "[Special aspects of basaliomas (pigmentation, stroma, glucosaminoglycan capillary patterns)]. 1. 47 out of 61 basalcellepithelomas (BCE) contained melanocytes, but only 16 contained melanin; melanin was found predominantly in cystic BCE. 2. In contrast to malignant melanoma the proliferative activity in the stroma of BCE is low, since proliferating lymphocytes are lacking. Leukocytes and mast cells may be numerous, and are also Dopa-positive. 3. Our findings suggest that BCE produces a partially metachromatic substance, which apparently influences the stroma. 4. A well differentiated BCE has a distinct capillary pattern like a network, related to and similar to the capillary net of the pilosebaceous unit and especially to that of the sebaceous glands. 10% of the BCEs reveal at least a partial double-layered network resembling that of the hair follicle.", "PMID": 626008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6238", "title": "[Methods for determination of vitamins by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). II. Determination of vitamin A (author's transl)].", "content": "A method is described for the rapid determination of vitamin A in vitamin-concentrates, precursors and mineral supplements. After saponification of the sample, the vitamin A is extracted with petroleum-ether. In this extract the vitamin A is determined spectrophotometrically by HPLC without further clean-up.", "contents": "[Methods for determination of vitamins by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). II. Determination of vitamin A (author's transl)]. A method is described for the rapid determination of vitamin A in vitamin-concentrates, precursors and mineral supplements. After saponification of the sample, the vitamin A is extracted with petroleum-ether. In this extract the vitamin A is determined spectrophotometrically by HPLC without further clean-up.", "PMID": 626033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6239", "title": "[Spectral-photometric determination of L-ascorbic acid with N-bromsuccinimide and starch iodide (author's transl)].", "content": "A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of L-ascorbic acid (AS) with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and starch iodide as an indicator was developed. The questions of pH-dependence, sensitivity and specificity of the oxidation-reduction process were investigated. The method is suitable for the determination of AS in acid solutions; the best pH was 2.6. The specificity of the method for AS cannot be considered as definitely better than other methods. Its sensitivity, however, is higher than when using 2.6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DIP). When applied the method usually yielded results close to the DIP method and due to its high sensitivity AS determinations in very dilute and hazy solutions are possible.", "contents": "[Spectral-photometric determination of L-ascorbic acid with N-bromsuccinimide and starch iodide (author's transl)]. A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of L-ascorbic acid (AS) with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and starch iodide as an indicator was developed. The questions of pH-dependence, sensitivity and specificity of the oxidation-reduction process were investigated. The method is suitable for the determination of AS in acid solutions; the best pH was 2.6. The specificity of the method for AS cannot be considered as definitely better than other methods. Its sensitivity, however, is higher than when using 2.6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DIP). When applied the method usually yielded results close to the DIP method and due to its high sensitivity AS determinations in very dilute and hazy solutions are possible.", "PMID": 626034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6240", "title": "[Copper and zinc contents in milk and plasma of cows after high nutritional copper supplements].", "content": "In three feeding trials with dairy cows over periods of six weeks each, it was studied whether very high nutritional supplements of copper alter the copper and zinc levels of milk and plasma. The supplemented groups with an average milk yield of 20 kg were given CuSO4 X 5H2O at levels varying from 250 to 550 mg copper per cow and day over and above the amount supplied by the commercial winter ration (300 mg copper and 1200 mg zinc). There was no significant influence of the copper supplementation on the copper and zinc contents of milk compared with the untreated control animals. On the average for all experimental weeks, copper contents of 0.15--0.20 mg and zinc content of 4.0--4.6 mg/kg milk were recorded for the various experimental groups. The mean copper contents in plasma varied from 1.00 to 1.18 microgram/ml in the copper-supplemented groups and from 0.93 to 1.09 mircogram/ml in the control groups. The corresponding mean values for zinc ranged from 0.93 to 1.18 microgram/ml. Analysis of variance did not show any significant differences between the experimental groups nor any interactions between the copper and zinc contents. These results were discussed in relation to the dietary supply status.", "contents": "[Copper and zinc contents in milk and plasma of cows after high nutritional copper supplements]. In three feeding trials with dairy cows over periods of six weeks each, it was studied whether very high nutritional supplements of copper alter the copper and zinc levels of milk and plasma. The supplemented groups with an average milk yield of 20 kg were given CuSO4 X 5H2O at levels varying from 250 to 550 mg copper per cow and day over and above the amount supplied by the commercial winter ration (300 mg copper and 1200 mg zinc). There was no significant influence of the copper supplementation on the copper and zinc contents of milk compared with the untreated control animals. On the average for all experimental weeks, copper contents of 0.15--0.20 mg and zinc content of 4.0--4.6 mg/kg milk were recorded for the various experimental groups. The mean copper contents in plasma varied from 1.00 to 1.18 microgram/ml in the copper-supplemented groups and from 0.93 to 1.09 mircogram/ml in the control groups. The corresponding mean values for zinc ranged from 0.93 to 1.18 microgram/ml. Analysis of variance did not show any significant differences between the experimental groups nor any interactions between the copper and zinc contents. These results were discussed in relation to the dietary supply status.", "PMID": 626035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6241", "title": "[Residue analysis of plant material for organophosphorus pesticides with thioether groups including their sulphoxides and sulphones (author's transl)].", "content": "Residue analysis of food of plant origin for organophosphorus pesticides containing thioether groups should include the corresponding sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites. A method is proposed, consisting of a simple clean-up step for extracts from plant material and subsequent oxidation with potassium permanganate. The sulphones formed are detected and determined by gas-liquid chromatography with alkali flame thermionic detection.", "contents": "[Residue analysis of plant material for organophosphorus pesticides with thioether groups including their sulphoxides and sulphones (author's transl)]. Residue analysis of food of plant origin for organophosphorus pesticides containing thioether groups should include the corresponding sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites. A method is proposed, consisting of a simple clean-up step for extracts from plant material and subsequent oxidation with potassium permanganate. The sulphones formed are detected and determined by gas-liquid chromatography with alkali flame thermionic detection.", "PMID": 626036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6242", "title": "[Surgical treatment of ureterocele].", "content": "From 1971 the authors operated on 6 patients with ureterocoele type B (Uson), using a modified Hutch-Chisholm method. Following the removal of the ureterocoele and reconstruction of the detrusor muscle, the hiatus of the ureter and the vesicular wall, the ureter is placed on the reconstructed muscle whereas its free end is fixed to the trigone. Covering the ureter with vesical mucosa is not necessary; in cases with large ureterocoeles that is not even possible. The regenerative capacity of the vesical mucosa is great and rapid and covers the intravesicular part of the ureter without causing damage to the ureteral orifice or to its valvular function. In all 6 patients the results were good at the control examination 3 to 6 years postoperatively.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of ureterocele]. From 1971 the authors operated on 6 patients with ureterocoele type B (Uson), using a modified Hutch-Chisholm method. Following the removal of the ureterocoele and reconstruction of the detrusor muscle, the hiatus of the ureter and the vesicular wall, the ureter is placed on the reconstructed muscle whereas its free end is fixed to the trigone. Covering the ureter with vesical mucosa is not necessary; in cases with large ureterocoeles that is not even possible. The regenerative capacity of the vesical mucosa is great and rapid and covers the intravesicular part of the ureter without causing damage to the ureteral orifice or to its valvular function. In all 6 patients the results were good at the control examination 3 to 6 years postoperatively.", "PMID": 626037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6243", "title": "[Acute gangrenous acalculous cholecystitis in a 6-year-old boy].", "content": "Acute cholecystitis in children and adolescents is unusally rare especialy the gangrenous inflammation. Only a few cases are reported in medical literature and each publication of such a case is a contribution to the further understanding of the clinical picture and diagnosis of this rare childhood disease. Special attention must be given to the early discovery of acute cholecystitis and early surgical intervention because if the pocess gains a foothold it can cause complications which can be life threatening. The treatment consists of an early cholecystectomy in which case the prognosis is good and the mortality rate is very low.", "contents": "[Acute gangrenous acalculous cholecystitis in a 6-year-old boy]. Acute cholecystitis in children and adolescents is unusally rare especialy the gangrenous inflammation. Only a few cases are reported in medical literature and each publication of such a case is a contribution to the further understanding of the clinical picture and diagnosis of this rare childhood disease. Special attention must be given to the early discovery of acute cholecystitis and early surgical intervention because if the pocess gains a foothold it can cause complications which can be life threatening. The treatment consists of an early cholecystectomy in which case the prognosis is good and the mortality rate is very low.", "PMID": 626038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6244", "title": "[Drug therapy of chronic tissue ischemia with improvement of microcirculation].", "content": "In this study the experience in treating 213 patients suffering from chronic ischemia with improvement of the microcirculation has been discussed. Medicamental treatment of chronic ischemia in patients with various pathologiic alterations of the circulation is indicated in cases which do not indicate reconstructive surgery. In the abundance of measures adopted in the treatment of these pathologic conditions the authors summarize their experience with the use of Pentoxyphyllin (Trental). During 1976 theyy treated 213 patients with this drug: 142 patients with pathologically altereed arterial circulation 51 patients with pathologically altered venous circulation 20 patienst on whom transplantations using various tissue transplants were used. The plan of administration of the drug, its undesireable side effects and the manifesting vasoactive effects of trental at the microcirculatory level especially on the microcirculation in tissue with pathologicaly altered perfusions has been discussed. Based on the shortlasting and limeted experiences the authors conclude that this drug can be recommended in therapy for various conditions of pathologicaly altered tissues circulation.", "contents": "[Drug therapy of chronic tissue ischemia with improvement of microcirculation]. In this study the experience in treating 213 patients suffering from chronic ischemia with improvement of the microcirculation has been discussed. Medicamental treatment of chronic ischemia in patients with various pathologiic alterations of the circulation is indicated in cases which do not indicate reconstructive surgery. In the abundance of measures adopted in the treatment of these pathologic conditions the authors summarize their experience with the use of Pentoxyphyllin (Trental). During 1976 theyy treated 213 patients with this drug: 142 patients with pathologically altereed arterial circulation 51 patients with pathologically altered venous circulation 20 patienst on whom transplantations using various tissue transplants were used. The plan of administration of the drug, its undesireable side effects and the manifesting vasoactive effects of trental at the microcirculatory level especially on the microcirculation in tissue with pathologicaly altered perfusions has been discussed. Based on the shortlasting and limeted experiences the authors conclude that this drug can be recommended in therapy for various conditions of pathologicaly altered tissues circulation.", "PMID": 626043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6245", "title": "[Advantages and hazards of the intraoperative control of endocardial electrode pacemakers].", "content": "Discussed in this study are the authors' experiences with electrostimulation of the heart. The study is based on 276 pacemaker operations performed in the past 7 years. The authors remain partial to the transvenously introduced endocardial pacemakers monitored by X-raj. When radiation symptoms manifested themselves in 2 team members, a revision was made in the procedure. As a result, the means by which one may be exposed to uncontrolled and, prolenged stron radiotion were cited. Such radiation can result in pathologic changes in the blood, damage to the skin, nails, germinative epithelium and bone marrow. To prevent such an outcome, certain precautionary measures are taken which protect both the patient and surgical team. Also mentioned is that the surgical personnel should have the same benefits as radiologists.", "contents": "[Advantages and hazards of the intraoperative control of endocardial electrode pacemakers]. Discussed in this study are the authors' experiences with electrostimulation of the heart. The study is based on 276 pacemaker operations performed in the past 7 years. The authors remain partial to the transvenously introduced endocardial pacemakers monitored by X-raj. When radiation symptoms manifested themselves in 2 team members, a revision was made in the procedure. As a result, the means by which one may be exposed to uncontrolled and, prolenged stron radiotion were cited. Such radiation can result in pathologic changes in the blood, damage to the skin, nails, germinative epithelium and bone marrow. To prevent such an outcome, certain precautionary measures are taken which protect both the patient and surgical team. Also mentioned is that the surgical personnel should have the same benefits as radiologists.", "PMID": 626044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6246", "title": "Volume displacement of the tympanic membrane at stapedius reflex activity in different postures. Studies on variations in perilymphatic pressure.", "content": "With the microflow method the volume displacement of the tympanic membrane and its direction of movement can be recorded at stapedius reflex contraction. There is an outward or inward movement of the tympanic membrane, which is affected by changes in posture. The results indicate that the perilymphatic pressure in man varies with the posture and that these variations can be measured indirectly outside the tympanic membrane. This can only be done, however, on condition that there are no pressure variations across the tympanic membrane. This method opens up new ways of studying possible pressure changes in the inner ear in acute diseases.", "contents": "Volume displacement of the tympanic membrane at stapedius reflex activity in different postures. Studies on variations in perilymphatic pressure. With the microflow method the volume displacement of the tympanic membrane and its direction of movement can be recorded at stapedius reflex contraction. There is an outward or inward movement of the tympanic membrane, which is affected by changes in posture. The results indicate that the perilymphatic pressure in man varies with the posture and that these variations can be measured indirectly outside the tympanic membrane. This can only be done, however, on condition that there are no pressure variations across the tympanic membrane. This method opens up new ways of studying possible pressure changes in the inner ear in acute diseases.", "PMID": 626046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6247", "title": "The effects of the vacuum on vascular permeability of the middle ear.", "content": "Following local application of various degrees of negative pressure to the middle ear, the authors observed changes in vascular permeability in guinea pigs, using Majno's vascular labelling technique. Increased permeability and effusions were seen in all experimental middle ears. Any pressure below -5 mm of mercury induced middle ear effusions. Accordingly, a decrease in pressure developed in the middle ear cavity may cause transdation of serum drawn from the submucosal vessels, resulting in fluids in the middle ear of aero-otitis. In such a circumstance, mast cells which are easily influenced by atmospheric pressure may be involved in increasing vascular permeability.", "contents": "The effects of the vacuum on vascular permeability of the middle ear. Following local application of various degrees of negative pressure to the middle ear, the authors observed changes in vascular permeability in guinea pigs, using Majno's vascular labelling technique. Increased permeability and effusions were seen in all experimental middle ears. Any pressure below -5 mm of mercury induced middle ear effusions. Accordingly, a decrease in pressure developed in the middle ear cavity may cause transdation of serum drawn from the submucosal vessels, resulting in fluids in the middle ear of aero-otitis. In such a circumstance, mast cells which are easily influenced by atmospheric pressure may be involved in increasing vascular permeability.", "PMID": 626047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6248", "title": "The influence of cigarette smoke on the pharyngeal mucosa.", "content": "The influence of cigarette smoke on the pharyngeal mucosa was investigated in a clinical study and in an experiment on animals. Histologic reports were evaluated according to the Kambic-Lenart classification of hyperplastic aberrations of the throat mucosa. A close dependence of the degree of hyperplasia and the number of cigarettes smoked was revealed. The more cigarettes the patients smoked every day, the more evident were changes on the mucosa, more clearly manifested in male than in female smokers. It was observed that the changes related to the hyperplasia atypica were more evident the longer the patients smoked. They were also more intense the younger the smokers were when they started smoking. In the experiment on animals, a number of factors with additionally noxious influence on the pharyngeal mucosa were excluded. A great interdependence was observed between the number of daily inhaled cigaretes and the changes on the pharyngeal mucosa.", "contents": "The influence of cigarette smoke on the pharyngeal mucosa. The influence of cigarette smoke on the pharyngeal mucosa was investigated in a clinical study and in an experiment on animals. Histologic reports were evaluated according to the Kambic-Lenart classification of hyperplastic aberrations of the throat mucosa. A close dependence of the degree of hyperplasia and the number of cigarettes smoked was revealed. The more cigarettes the patients smoked every day, the more evident were changes on the mucosa, more clearly manifested in male than in female smokers. It was observed that the changes related to the hyperplasia atypica were more evident the longer the patients smoked. They were also more intense the younger the smokers were when they started smoking. In the experiment on animals, a number of factors with additionally noxious influence on the pharyngeal mucosa were excluded. A great interdependence was observed between the number of daily inhaled cigaretes and the changes on the pharyngeal mucosa.", "PMID": 626050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6249", "title": "Bilateral nasal vascular responses to unilateral sympathetic stimulation.", "content": "Unilateral preganglionic cervical sympathetic stimulation in the anaesthetized cat evoked vasoconstriction in both nasal cavities, dependent on stimulation frequency. Vasoconstriction in the contralateral cavity was 15--20% of that of the stimulated side. Similar findings were obtained on unilateral Vidian nerve stimulation. Vasoconstriction evoked in the sympathectomized nasal cavity by stimulating the opposite cervical chain was reduced but not abolished by sectioning the posterior nasal and ethmoidal nerves of the stimulated side. It is suggested that vasoconstrictor fibres reach the opposite cavity either in these nerves or by way of blood vessels, but more likely that sympathetic fibres from these pathways innervate blood vessels which supply both nasal cavities.", "contents": "Bilateral nasal vascular responses to unilateral sympathetic stimulation. Unilateral preganglionic cervical sympathetic stimulation in the anaesthetized cat evoked vasoconstriction in both nasal cavities, dependent on stimulation frequency. Vasoconstriction in the contralateral cavity was 15--20% of that of the stimulated side. Similar findings were obtained on unilateral Vidian nerve stimulation. Vasoconstriction evoked in the sympathectomized nasal cavity by stimulating the opposite cervical chain was reduced but not abolished by sectioning the posterior nasal and ethmoidal nerves of the stimulated side. It is suggested that vasoconstrictor fibres reach the opposite cavity either in these nerves or by way of blood vessels, but more likely that sympathetic fibres from these pathways innervate blood vessels which supply both nasal cavities.", "PMID": 626048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6250", "title": "Comparative measurements of the mucosal blood flow in the human maxillary sinus by plethysmography and by xenon.", "content": "Two different methods, one plethysmographic and one where the elimination of radioactive inert gas was measured, have been used to calculate the blood flow in the mucosa of the maxillary sinus in living man. A total of 5 persons were investigated and the mean values of the blood flow in the two methods showed a close correlation. Plethysmography is more easily performed and is therefore the preferable method to be used in studies on the physiology of the maxillary sinus.", "contents": "Comparative measurements of the mucosal blood flow in the human maxillary sinus by plethysmography and by xenon. Two different methods, one plethysmographic and one where the elimination of radioactive inert gas was measured, have been used to calculate the blood flow in the mucosa of the maxillary sinus in living man. A total of 5 persons were investigated and the mean values of the blood flow in the two methods showed a close correlation. Plethysmography is more easily performed and is therefore the preferable method to be used in studies on the physiology of the maxillary sinus.", "PMID": 626049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6251", "title": "Congenital hypothyroidism in Sweden. Incidence and age at diagnosis.", "content": "A total number of 112 children with congenital hypothyroidism were diagnosed in all Children's Hospitals and Pediatric Wards in Sweden during the 7-year period 1969-1975. Since it may be assumed that all cases of congenital hypothyroidism, which were diagnosed during that period were seen in one of these hospitals, the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in Sweden can be calculated to be 1:6900 live births. In spite of an efficient National Health Care Program for infants the diagnosis was delayed until after an age of three months in 52% of the cases. This fact supports the view that mass screening of newborns for congenital hypothyroidism has to be introduced in Sweden. However, the beneficial effects of such a program cannot be fully elucidated until it has been considered whether earlier instituted treatment would have improved the outcome of children in whom a diagnosis was made after 3 months of age.", "contents": "Congenital hypothyroidism in Sweden. Incidence and age at diagnosis. A total number of 112 children with congenital hypothyroidism were diagnosed in all Children's Hospitals and Pediatric Wards in Sweden during the 7-year period 1969-1975. Since it may be assumed that all cases of congenital hypothyroidism, which were diagnosed during that period were seen in one of these hospitals, the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism in Sweden can be calculated to be 1:6900 live births. In spite of an efficient National Health Care Program for infants the diagnosis was delayed until after an age of three months in 52% of the cases. This fact supports the view that mass screening of newborns for congenital hypothyroidism has to be introduced in Sweden. However, the beneficial effects of such a program cannot be fully elucidated until it has been considered whether earlier instituted treatment would have improved the outcome of children in whom a diagnosis was made after 3 months of age.", "PMID": 626059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6252", "title": "Labyrinthine and somatosensory convergence upon vestibulo-ocular units.", "content": "The vestibular nuclei were investigated in 18 adult cats. Vestibulo-oculo-motor neurons were identified by antidromic stimulation of the ascending medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF). The neurons were subjected to various stimuli: vestibular, neck, forelimb and hindlimb nerve stimulation on both sides. The recording was extracellular with micropipettes containing Fast Green. Only the medial and the superior vestibular nuclei were found to project to the MLF. All projecting units had input from the labyrinths. Excitatory response latencies to ipsilateral labyrinth stimulation never exceeded 3 msec. Both excitatory and inhibitory response latencies could be distributed into different categories. The majority of the neurons did not receive a somatosensory input, and surprisingly few convergent units could be seen. Peripheral somatosensory information apparently plays a minor role in vestibulo-ocular relations.", "contents": "Labyrinthine and somatosensory convergence upon vestibulo-ocular units. The vestibular nuclei were investigated in 18 adult cats. Vestibulo-oculo-motor neurons were identified by antidromic stimulation of the ascending medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF). The neurons were subjected to various stimuli: vestibular, neck, forelimb and hindlimb nerve stimulation on both sides. The recording was extracellular with micropipettes containing Fast Green. Only the medial and the superior vestibular nuclei were found to project to the MLF. All projecting units had input from the labyrinths. Excitatory response latencies to ipsilateral labyrinth stimulation never exceeded 3 msec. Both excitatory and inhibitory response latencies could be distributed into different categories. The majority of the neurons did not receive a somatosensory input, and surprisingly few convergent units could be seen. Peripheral somatosensory information apparently plays a minor role in vestibulo-ocular relations.", "PMID": 626055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6253", "title": "Deletion short arm 18 and Silver-Russell syndrome.", "content": "A 14-year-old boy presented with physical signs of the Silver-Russell syndrome. He further had low-set, large protruding ears, ptosis, broad nasal base, thick protruding lips, pronounced caried, malaligment of teeth, micrognathia and mental retardation. Chromosome examination showed deletion of the short arms of chromosome No. 18. It is concluded that considering the previous findings of chromosome No. 18 aberrations in some patients with Silver-Russell syndrome such patients should always have chromosome examination made.", "contents": "Deletion short arm 18 and Silver-Russell syndrome. A 14-year-old boy presented with physical signs of the Silver-Russell syndrome. He further had low-set, large protruding ears, ptosis, broad nasal base, thick protruding lips, pronounced caried, malaligment of teeth, micrognathia and mental retardation. Chromosome examination showed deletion of the short arms of chromosome No. 18. It is concluded that considering the previous findings of chromosome No. 18 aberrations in some patients with Silver-Russell syndrome such patients should always have chromosome examination made.", "PMID": 626060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6254", "title": "The size of the middle ear and the mastoid air cell.", "content": "The total volume for the middle ear and mastoid air cells was measured in 55 temporal bones with normal ear drums from a Norwegian post-mortem material. The measurements were made by an acoustic method and checked by means of fluid filling induced by vacuum pumping. As a measuring fluid X-ray contrast medium was employed so that the degree of filling could be examined by X-ray. The volume varied between approximately 2--22 cm3 with an average round 6,5 cm3.", "contents": "The size of the middle ear and the mastoid air cell. The total volume for the middle ear and mastoid air cells was measured in 55 temporal bones with normal ear drums from a Norwegian post-mortem material. The measurements were made by an acoustic method and checked by means of fluid filling induced by vacuum pumping. As a measuring fluid X-ray contrast medium was employed so that the degree of filling could be examined by X-ray. The volume varied between approximately 2--22 cm3 with an average round 6,5 cm3.", "PMID": 626053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6255", "title": "Cytolytic activity of tonsil cells.", "content": "The ability of normal canine tonsil cells, and that of humans with chronic tonsillitis, to lyse heteroerythrocytes in vitro is shown. Heterologous erythrocyte destruction by tonsil cells is markedly increased after immunization of the animal. Tonsil cells of patients with chronic tonsillitis lyse the erythrocytes coated with streptococcus and staphylococcus antigens more actively. An experimental tonsillitis increases the ability of tonsils to lyse erythrocytes. Since cytolytic activity of tonsil cells is not altered by the removal of phagocytes and treatment with antiglobulin serum, one can presume that it is caused by T-lymphocytes.", "contents": "Cytolytic activity of tonsil cells. The ability of normal canine tonsil cells, and that of humans with chronic tonsillitis, to lyse heteroerythrocytes in vitro is shown. Heterologous erythrocyte destruction by tonsil cells is markedly increased after immunization of the animal. Tonsil cells of patients with chronic tonsillitis lyse the erythrocytes coated with streptococcus and staphylococcus antigens more actively. An experimental tonsillitis increases the ability of tonsils to lyse erythrocytes. Since cytolytic activity of tonsil cells is not altered by the removal of phagocytes and treatment with antiglobulin serum, one can presume that it is caused by T-lymphocytes.", "PMID": 626051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6256", "title": "Peliosis hepatis in a child.", "content": "A boy is described with peliosis hepatis. He suffered from a Fanconi anaemia and was treated with prednisolone, dianabol and methyltestosterone. A review of the clinical and pathological aspects of the condition is given.", "contents": "Peliosis hepatis in a child. A boy is described with peliosis hepatis. He suffered from a Fanconi anaemia and was treated with prednisolone, dianabol and methyltestosterone. A review of the clinical and pathological aspects of the condition is given.", "PMID": 626061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6257", "title": "Ultrasonic irradiation of the guinea pig labyrinth. Correlation of morphology and intralabyrinthine temperature.", "content": "The effects of high frequency ultrasound on the inner ear structures after irradiation of the lateral semicircular canal have been analysed by means of light-and electronmicroscopy. Sudden as well as gradual morphological changes in the vestibular sensory epithelium are described. Damage to the connective tissue stroma, blood vessels and nerve fibres characterized the chronic phase. Both cochlear morphology and hearing remained normal after irradiation of some behaviorally conditioned animals. The temperature rise in the labyrinth during continuous irradiation was studied. The experiments indicated that the mechanical effects may be more significant than the thermal in explaining the structural changes of the inner ear of guinea pigs. The results are compared with previous extensive experience of ultrasound treatment of patients with Meniere's disease.", "contents": "Ultrasonic irradiation of the guinea pig labyrinth. Correlation of morphology and intralabyrinthine temperature. The effects of high frequency ultrasound on the inner ear structures after irradiation of the lateral semicircular canal have been analysed by means of light-and electronmicroscopy. Sudden as well as gradual morphological changes in the vestibular sensory epithelium are described. Damage to the connective tissue stroma, blood vessels and nerve fibres characterized the chronic phase. Both cochlear morphology and hearing remained normal after irradiation of some behaviorally conditioned animals. The temperature rise in the labyrinth during continuous irradiation was studied. The experiments indicated that the mechanical effects may be more significant than the thermal in explaining the structural changes of the inner ear of guinea pigs. The results are compared with previous extensive experience of ultrasound treatment of patients with Meniere's disease.", "PMID": 626057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6258", "title": "Immunosuppressive measles encephalopathy.", "content": "A case of measles infection without a rash, which was followed by a severe encephalopathy after two months, is described in a 2 1/2 year old boy. At the age of 8 months he had been irradiated for an inoperable intrathoracic neuroblastoma, and at the time of exposure to measles he was being treated with cyclophosphamide and vincristine. This case closely resembles other cases recently described and termed immunosuppressive measles encephalopathy. The syndrome is believed to represent the effect of measles virus in patients with deficient cellular immunity induced by antineoplastic treatment. The importance of protecting children on immunosuppressive treatment for contracting measles is stressed.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive measles encephalopathy. A case of measles infection without a rash, which was followed by a severe encephalopathy after two months, is described in a 2 1/2 year old boy. At the age of 8 months he had been irradiated for an inoperable intrathoracic neuroblastoma, and at the time of exposure to measles he was being treated with cyclophosphamide and vincristine. This case closely resembles other cases recently described and termed immunosuppressive measles encephalopathy. The syndrome is believed to represent the effect of measles virus in patients with deficient cellular immunity induced by antineoplastic treatment. The importance of protecting children on immunosuppressive treatment for contracting measles is stressed.", "PMID": 626062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6259", "title": "The effects of mercurial poisoning on the vestibular system.", "content": "The sensory epithelium with adjacent nerve endings and the secretory epithelium may both become damaged following mercury chloride intoxication. Peripheral myelinated nerve fibres in the crista ampullaris showed signs of degeneration following chronic poisonins. Ultrastructural alterations of the vestibular hair cells initially occurred in animals free from clinical signs of intoxication. The sensory epithelium and occasionally the secretory cells were affected before signs of ultrastructural damage could be detected in the myelinated nerves.", "contents": "The effects of mercurial poisoning on the vestibular system. The sensory epithelium with adjacent nerve endings and the secretory epithelium may both become damaged following mercury chloride intoxication. Peripheral myelinated nerve fibres in the crista ampullaris showed signs of degeneration following chronic poisonins. Ultrastructural alterations of the vestibular hair cells initially occurred in animals free from clinical signs of intoxication. The sensory epithelium and occasionally the secretory cells were affected before signs of ultrastructural damage could be detected in the myelinated nerves.", "PMID": 626058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6260", "title": "Function and dimensions of the circulatory system in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "The functional and dimensional components of the oxygen transporting system was studied in 17 female and 11 male patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. Both groups were 14.9 years old, on average, and had lost about 25% of their weight. Measurements at rest included blood and heart volume, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake (VO2), RQ, blood lactate (LA) and in 6 of the patients cardiac output. During bicycle ergometry the determinations of heart rate, blood pressure, LA, VO2 and cardiac output were repeated and maximal aerobic power was determined. A low metabolic rate with bradycardia and hypotension was apparent at rest. Blood and heart volume was decreased proportionally to the weight loss. On a given work load VO2 was lowered to the same extent as the resting metabolic rate. At maximal effort VO2 was reduced out of proportion to the circulatory dimensions and maximal heart rate was low. During exercise cardiac output was normally related to VO2 and stroke volume was maintained, indicating a normokinetic circulation and an unimpaired myocardial function. The main cause of the low maximal aerobic power seems to be the reduced muscle mass.", "contents": "Function and dimensions of the circulatory system in anorexia nervosa. The functional and dimensional components of the oxygen transporting system was studied in 17 female and 11 male patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. Both groups were 14.9 years old, on average, and had lost about 25% of their weight. Measurements at rest included blood and heart volume, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake (VO2), RQ, blood lactate (LA) and in 6 of the patients cardiac output. During bicycle ergometry the determinations of heart rate, blood pressure, LA, VO2 and cardiac output were repeated and maximal aerobic power was determined. A low metabolic rate with bradycardia and hypotension was apparent at rest. Blood and heart volume was decreased proportionally to the weight loss. On a given work load VO2 was lowered to the same extent as the resting metabolic rate. At maximal effort VO2 was reduced out of proportion to the circulatory dimensions and maximal heart rate was low. During exercise cardiac output was normally related to VO2 and stroke volume was maintained, indicating a normokinetic circulation and an unimpaired myocardial function. The main cause of the low maximal aerobic power seems to be the reduced muscle mass.", "PMID": 626063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6261", "title": "Reliability of B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing in identification of carriers of genes for an X-linked disease with deafness.", "content": "Seven identified carriers and 20 potential carriers of Norris's disease have been examined by pure tone octave audiometry and B\u00e9k\u00e9sy audiometry. The investigation supports earlier results of B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracings performed in heterozygote carriers of genes for recessive hearing impairment. The sensitivity of the method is poor. The specificity of the B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing is high, meaning that an absent dip cannot exclude the possibility of a subject being a carrier, whereas a present dip can be regarded as an indication of carrier. When comparing conventional octave audiometry and B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing, the latter method is found to be more subtle in finding carriers of genes for recessive deafness. Therefore, B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing may be of help in the genetic counselling of potential carriers of genes for recessive deafness.", "contents": "Reliability of B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing in identification of carriers of genes for an X-linked disease with deafness. Seven identified carriers and 20 potential carriers of Norris's disease have been examined by pure tone octave audiometry and B\u00e9k\u00e9sy audiometry. The investigation supports earlier results of B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracings performed in heterozygote carriers of genes for recessive hearing impairment. The sensitivity of the method is poor. The specificity of the B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing is high, meaning that an absent dip cannot exclude the possibility of a subject being a carrier, whereas a present dip can be regarded as an indication of carrier. When comparing conventional octave audiometry and B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing, the latter method is found to be more subtle in finding carriers of genes for recessive deafness. Therefore, B\u00e9k\u00e9sy threshold tracing may be of help in the genetic counselling of potential carriers of genes for recessive deafness.", "PMID": 626054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6262", "title": "Farber's disease as a ceramidosis: clinical, radiological and biochemical aspects.", "content": "A case of Farber's disease associated with athyreosis is reported in a Belgian infant born from consanguineous parents. A detailed clinical observation made from the early onset of symptoms until death of the patient at age of 22 months, together with radiological, morphological and biochemical data confirmed the diagnosis of Farber's disease and its specific storage process. Cultured fibroblast studies disclosed an abnormal catabolism of ceramides, presumably related to the deficiency in lysosomal ceramidase. Family history confirms that the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.", "contents": "Farber's disease as a ceramidosis: clinical, radiological and biochemical aspects. A case of Farber's disease associated with athyreosis is reported in a Belgian infant born from consanguineous parents. A detailed clinical observation made from the early onset of symptoms until death of the patient at age of 22 months, together with radiological, morphological and biochemical data confirmed the diagnosis of Farber's disease and its specific storage process. Cultured fibroblast studies disclosed an abnormal catabolism of ceramides, presumably related to the deficiency in lysosomal ceramidase. Family history confirms that the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.", "PMID": 626064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6263", "title": "The effect of preceding tilt on the perceived vertical. Hysteresis in perception of the vertical.", "content": "The subjective vertical (SV) was measured at various positions of roll-tilt (R). Positions R90-right, R 45-right, R0, R45-left, R90-left were reached either in clockwise sequence (i.e. starting with R 90-left) or in counterclockwise sequence (starting with R90-right); position R135-right was attained from R 110-right or R 160-right. The SV was affected by the preceding tilt (hysteresis). Clockwise position sequence produced, for example, a counterclockwise SV deviation (from the medium value at the obtained position) as though indicating a more advanced tilt position (Fig. 5). It is concluded that the aftereffects and hysteresis differences in perception of position and of SV depend on adaptational processes in the somatoreception system which interacts with the labyrinth posture-receptors.", "contents": "The effect of preceding tilt on the perceived vertical. Hysteresis in perception of the vertical. The subjective vertical (SV) was measured at various positions of roll-tilt (R). Positions R90-right, R 45-right, R0, R45-left, R90-left were reached either in clockwise sequence (i.e. starting with R 90-left) or in counterclockwise sequence (starting with R90-right); position R135-right was attained from R 110-right or R 160-right. The SV was affected by the preceding tilt (hysteresis). Clockwise position sequence produced, for example, a counterclockwise SV deviation (from the medium value at the obtained position) as though indicating a more advanced tilt position (Fig. 5). It is concluded that the aftereffects and hysteresis differences in perception of position and of SV depend on adaptational processes in the somatoreception system which interacts with the labyrinth posture-receptors.", "PMID": 626056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6264", "title": "Bilateral renal asplasia without Potter's syndrome.", "content": "A newborn infant with bilateral aplasia of kidneys and ureters and a rudimentary bladder is reported. Other manifestations of Potter's syndrome (oligohydramnios, lung hypoplasia and an abnormal face) were missing as were other congenital malformations. Deviations from the full picture of Potter's syndrome seem to be rare. This case, however, shows that bilateral renal aplasia cannot be excluded as a cause of anuria in a newborn infant, even if all other manifestations of Potter's syndrome are missing.", "contents": "Bilateral renal asplasia without Potter's syndrome. A newborn infant with bilateral aplasia of kidneys and ureters and a rudimentary bladder is reported. Other manifestations of Potter's syndrome (oligohydramnios, lung hypoplasia and an abnormal face) were missing as were other congenital malformations. Deviations from the full picture of Potter's syndrome seem to be rare. This case, however, shows that bilateral renal aplasia cannot be excluded as a cause of anuria in a newborn infant, even if all other manifestations of Potter's syndrome are missing.", "PMID": 626065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6265", "title": "Seasonal variations in weight of children attending an under-fives clinic in Lesotho.", "content": "The incidence of weight loss between successive visits, prevalence of under centile 3 weight-for-age and over centile 97, showed a marked bimodal annual variation for 1243 children attending an under-fives clinic. 9949 weighings on 661 boys and 682 girls over a five year period, contributed to the database. Season of birth also significantly influenced the centile distributions of weight-attained-for-age. Children over 1 1/2 years old showed considerably higher rates of weight loss (about 1 in 5 children attending in their fifth year of life), than children younger than the mean age of weaning. The rates of weight loss, together with seasonal variation, was considerably higher for a group of 'Regular Attenders' to the clinic, than for a group of 'Low Attenders'. Seasonal influences on growth need to be taken into accounts in evaluating the quality of care and outcome produced by under-fives clinics.", "contents": "Seasonal variations in weight of children attending an under-fives clinic in Lesotho. The incidence of weight loss between successive visits, prevalence of under centile 3 weight-for-age and over centile 97, showed a marked bimodal annual variation for 1243 children attending an under-fives clinic. 9949 weighings on 661 boys and 682 girls over a five year period, contributed to the database. Season of birth also significantly influenced the centile distributions of weight-attained-for-age. Children over 1 1/2 years old showed considerably higher rates of weight loss (about 1 in 5 children attending in their fifth year of life), than children younger than the mean age of weaning. The rates of weight loss, together with seasonal variation, was considerably higher for a group of 'Regular Attenders' to the clinic, than for a group of 'Low Attenders'. Seasonal influences on growth need to be taken into accounts in evaluating the quality of care and outcome produced by under-fives clinics.", "PMID": 626066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6266", "title": "Relative underweight in cystic fibrosis and its prognostic value.", "content": "On the basis of observations in 117 children with cystic fibrosis, seen from January 1956 to June 1976, it is demonstrated that the relative underweight (weight loss corrected for height) is most pronounced in children with predominantly pulmonary sypmtoms. The degree of underweight closely correlates inversely with survival. Because of its prognostic value, it is recommended that this clinical parameter be included in the checkups which are periodically carried out on children suffering from cystic fibrosis.", "contents": "Relative underweight in cystic fibrosis and its prognostic value. On the basis of observations in 117 children with cystic fibrosis, seen from January 1956 to June 1976, it is demonstrated that the relative underweight (weight loss corrected for height) is most pronounced in children with predominantly pulmonary sypmtoms. The degree of underweight closely correlates inversely with survival. Because of its prognostic value, it is recommended that this clinical parameter be included in the checkups which are periodically carried out on children suffering from cystic fibrosis.", "PMID": 626067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6267", "title": "Cardiovascular impairment and physical working capacity in children with chronic renal failure.", "content": "Forty children with chronic renal failure (CRF) on conservative treatment, on hemodialysis, or after renal transplantation and 22 children respresenting a non-uremic control group were subjected to repeated cardiologic examinations by ECG, PCG, chest X-rays and cycle ergometer exercise tests to monitor signs of uremic heart disease and to evaluate physical working capacity (W170). In the CRF group a progressive impairment of W170 was found, starting at an early stage of the disease. Exercise tolerance was inversely related to the degree of CRF. A correlation was also found between W170 and renal anemia. After starting dialysis, W170 failed to increase significantly. Immediately after dialysis an acute drop in W170 occurred. Renal anemia was found to be the main pathogenetic factor of uremic heart disease in children. In some cases hypercirculation following arteriovenous fistulae became equally important as a cause of reduced myocardial performance. Physical rehabilitation, as measured by exercise tolerance tests, was better in transplanted than in dialysed children.", "contents": "Cardiovascular impairment and physical working capacity in children with chronic renal failure. Forty children with chronic renal failure (CRF) on conservative treatment, on hemodialysis, or after renal transplantation and 22 children respresenting a non-uremic control group were subjected to repeated cardiologic examinations by ECG, PCG, chest X-rays and cycle ergometer exercise tests to monitor signs of uremic heart disease and to evaluate physical working capacity (W170). In the CRF group a progressive impairment of W170 was found, starting at an early stage of the disease. Exercise tolerance was inversely related to the degree of CRF. A correlation was also found between W170 and renal anemia. After starting dialysis, W170 failed to increase significantly. Immediately after dialysis an acute drop in W170 occurred. Renal anemia was found to be the main pathogenetic factor of uremic heart disease in children. In some cases hypercirculation following arteriovenous fistulae became equally important as a cause of reduced myocardial performance. Physical rehabilitation, as measured by exercise tolerance tests, was better in transplanted than in dialysed children.", "PMID": 626068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6268", "title": "Lipolytic activity in milk from mothers of unjaundiced infants.", "content": "Lipoprotein lipase activity and free fatty acid concentrations are measured in samples of milk collected from 50 mothers of infants without prolonged neonatal jaundice; in many samples the values are in the same high range as observed in all samples collected from nine mothers of jaundiced infants. These findings are discussed with relevance to the problems of breast-milk jaundice and factors controlling the milk secretion.", "contents": "Lipolytic activity in milk from mothers of unjaundiced infants. Lipoprotein lipase activity and free fatty acid concentrations are measured in samples of milk collected from 50 mothers of infants without prolonged neonatal jaundice; in many samples the values are in the same high range as observed in all samples collected from nine mothers of jaundiced infants. These findings are discussed with relevance to the problems of breast-milk jaundice and factors controlling the milk secretion.", "PMID": 626069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6269", "title": "Factor VIII activity and antigen in sick newborns with pathological proteolysis in blood.", "content": "Factor VIII clotting activity (VII:C) and factor VIII related antigen (VIII:R:AG) were determined in 12 sick newborn infants with pathological proteolysis in their circulation. A marked discrepancy was noted between VIII:R:AG and VIII:C, the ratio in sick infants being, on average, 2:1, while no discrepancy was seen in healthy newborns. The finding in the sick infants resembled a low grade plasminogen activation, which was studied experimentally. It is concluded that demonstration of a marked discrepancy between VIII:R:AG and VIII:C is a useful indication of pathologic proteolysis in sick newborns.", "contents": "Factor VIII activity and antigen in sick newborns with pathological proteolysis in blood. Factor VIII clotting activity (VII:C) and factor VIII related antigen (VIII:R:AG) were determined in 12 sick newborn infants with pathological proteolysis in their circulation. A marked discrepancy was noted between VIII:R:AG and VIII:C, the ratio in sick infants being, on average, 2:1, while no discrepancy was seen in healthy newborns. The finding in the sick infants resembled a low grade plasminogen activation, which was studied experimentally. It is concluded that demonstration of a marked discrepancy between VIII:R:AG and VIII:C is a useful indication of pathologic proteolysis in sick newborns.", "PMID": 626070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6270", "title": "Electrolytes in nails analysed by X-ray microanalysis in electron microscopy. Considerations on a new method for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.", "content": "Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have an increased concentration of sodium in their nails. Hitherto, only neutron activation analysis has been considered for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by analysis of electrolytes in nails. It has been thoroughly tested methodologically and clinically. However, the intrinsic advantages of X-ray microanalysis and the results obtained in this study suggest that this method, after further testing, may be a useful diagnostic acid for cystic fibrosis. In comparison with neutron activation analysis, X-ray microanalysis has the advantage of simultaneously giving the concentrations of several elements and may be accessible at any hospital with an electron microscope fitted with the necessary equipment. Nails of CF-patients are here shown to have increased concentrations of Na, K and Cl, which will make the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis more reliable. The possibility of using sulphur as a reference element may eliminate the weighing procedure necessary in neutron activation analysis.", "contents": "Electrolytes in nails analysed by X-ray microanalysis in electron microscopy. Considerations on a new method for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have an increased concentration of sodium in their nails. Hitherto, only neutron activation analysis has been considered for the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis by analysis of electrolytes in nails. It has been thoroughly tested methodologically and clinically. However, the intrinsic advantages of X-ray microanalysis and the results obtained in this study suggest that this method, after further testing, may be a useful diagnostic acid for cystic fibrosis. In comparison with neutron activation analysis, X-ray microanalysis has the advantage of simultaneously giving the concentrations of several elements and may be accessible at any hospital with an electron microscope fitted with the necessary equipment. Nails of CF-patients are here shown to have increased concentrations of Na, K and Cl, which will make the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis more reliable. The possibility of using sulphur as a reference element may eliminate the weighing procedure necessary in neutron activation analysis.", "PMID": 626071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6271", "title": "The influence of amphetamine addiction on pregnancy and the newborn infant.", "content": "The influence of amphetamine addiction on pregnancy and the newborn infant has been studied retrospectively in 23 cases. Six of the mothers claimed to have discontinued their abuse in early pregnancy, while the remaining 17 mothers continued throughout. In comparison with the average number of visits by pregnant Swedish women to maternal health centres, the 17 women who continued their abuse made significantly fewer visits, although there was a wide variation. Complications related to pregnancy and delivery were few, however. One child with a myelomeningocele was stillborn. Six children were preterm and three small for gestational age. Two full-term children were extremely drowsy and in need of tube feeding, symptoms that might be due to the maternal abuse. Eight of the ten mothers, who had previous children placed in foster homes by the Social Welfare Department, left the hospital with their newborn infant in their care as well as all the eleven primiparae.", "contents": "The influence of amphetamine addiction on pregnancy and the newborn infant. The influence of amphetamine addiction on pregnancy and the newborn infant has been studied retrospectively in 23 cases. Six of the mothers claimed to have discontinued their abuse in early pregnancy, while the remaining 17 mothers continued throughout. In comparison with the average number of visits by pregnant Swedish women to maternal health centres, the 17 women who continued their abuse made significantly fewer visits, although there was a wide variation. Complications related to pregnancy and delivery were few, however. One child with a myelomeningocele was stillborn. Six children were preterm and three small for gestational age. Two full-term children were extremely drowsy and in need of tube feeding, symptoms that might be due to the maternal abuse. Eight of the ten mothers, who had previous children placed in foster homes by the Social Welfare Department, left the hospital with their newborn infant in their care as well as all the eleven primiparae.", "PMID": 626072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6272", "title": "The incidence of diabetes mellitus in Swedish children 1970--1975.", "content": "We report a retrospective study of diabetic children, 0--14 years of age, from seven Swedish departments of paediatrics. There were 359 new cases in the years 1970--1975. Notification suggested that there was a mean yearly incidence of 19.6 cases per 100 000 with a year to year variation of 10.0--26.4 per 100 000. Consequently about 330 new cases of childhood diabetes would be expected in Sweden every year. Incidence varied considerably between different geographical areas. The age distribution was bimodal with a main peak at about 12 years and another peak at about 7 years. There was some evidence for clustering of new cases in January and the autumn. The mean prevalence of childhood diabetes in the seven districts was 1.3 per 1 000.", "contents": "The incidence of diabetes mellitus in Swedish children 1970--1975. We report a retrospective study of diabetic children, 0--14 years of age, from seven Swedish departments of paediatrics. There were 359 new cases in the years 1970--1975. Notification suggested that there was a mean yearly incidence of 19.6 cases per 100 000 with a year to year variation of 10.0--26.4 per 100 000. Consequently about 330 new cases of childhood diabetes would be expected in Sweden every year. Incidence varied considerably between different geographical areas. The age distribution was bimodal with a main peak at about 12 years and another peak at about 7 years. There was some evidence for clustering of new cases in January and the autumn. The mean prevalence of childhood diabetes in the seven districts was 1.3 per 1 000.", "PMID": 626073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6273", "title": "Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Norwegian adolescent school children.", "content": "The frequency distribution of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in 172 boys and 232 girls, 13--16 years, from four elementary schools in Oslo has been determined. The cholesterol values were significantly higher for girls 15--16 years than for boys of the same age group. In the case of triglycerides boys 15--16 years had significantly higher values than boys 13--14 years. Otherwise no statistically significant differences with regard to sex and age were observed. The 85th percentiles have been suggested as appropriate upper normal limits. In all groups the 85th percentile for plasma cholesterol was slightly below 6 mmol/l. The corresponding plasma triglyceride value was below 2 mmol/l.", "contents": "Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Norwegian adolescent school children. The frequency distribution of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in 172 boys and 232 girls, 13--16 years, from four elementary schools in Oslo has been determined. The cholesterol values were significantly higher for girls 15--16 years than for boys of the same age group. In the case of triglycerides boys 15--16 years had significantly higher values than boys 13--14 years. Otherwise no statistically significant differences with regard to sex and age were observed. The 85th percentiles have been suggested as appropriate upper normal limits. In all groups the 85th percentile for plasma cholesterol was slightly below 6 mmol/l. The corresponding plasma triglyceride value was below 2 mmol/l.", "PMID": 626074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6274", "title": "Brain-typical creatinekinase in the serum of newborn infants with perinatal brain damage.", "content": "The normal values of serum-CK-activity in healthy newborns varied greatly (95% range: 4--165 U/l; 257 probands) and the borderline to pathological values was not sharp. Brain-typical CK-isoenzyme (CK-BB) could be detected in serum of 6 of 8 infants with perinatal brain damage by means of agar gel electrophoresis. The combination of neuropathological symptoms, increased total-serum-CK-activity, and significant amount of CK-BB in serum seemed to be a sure sign of severe CNS-damage in newborns.", "contents": "Brain-typical creatinekinase in the serum of newborn infants with perinatal brain damage. The normal values of serum-CK-activity in healthy newborns varied greatly (95% range: 4--165 U/l; 257 probands) and the borderline to pathological values was not sharp. Brain-typical CK-isoenzyme (CK-BB) could be detected in serum of 6 of 8 infants with perinatal brain damage by means of agar gel electrophoresis. The combination of neuropathological symptoms, increased total-serum-CK-activity, and significant amount of CK-BB in serum seemed to be a sure sign of severe CNS-damage in newborns.", "PMID": 626076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6275", "title": "Ano-rectal manometry in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in infants.", "content": "Manometric recordings of internal sphincter activity were performed during distension of the rectum in 10 healthy control infants and in 9 infants with clinical signs of Hirschsprung's disease. In 8 of the healthy infants relaxations of the internal sphincter were obtained, which were maximal 4 to 7 secs after rectal distension. This was also the case in 5 of the patients who were later proven not to have Hirschsprung's disease. In 3 patients no relaxations of the internal sphincter could be recorded. Subsequent rectal biopsy revealed absence of ganglion cells, confirming the diagnosis Hirschsprung's disease. The remaining 3 infants (2 controls and 1 patient) could not be calmed during the examination and the results were inconclusive. It is concluded that ano-rectal manometry is a valuable method of examination in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in infants. No false results were obtained in this study. Furthermore, it is an easy procedure without risk or discomfort for the patient.", "contents": "Ano-rectal manometry in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in infants. Manometric recordings of internal sphincter activity were performed during distension of the rectum in 10 healthy control infants and in 9 infants with clinical signs of Hirschsprung's disease. In 8 of the healthy infants relaxations of the internal sphincter were obtained, which were maximal 4 to 7 secs after rectal distension. This was also the case in 5 of the patients who were later proven not to have Hirschsprung's disease. In 3 patients no relaxations of the internal sphincter could be recorded. Subsequent rectal biopsy revealed absence of ganglion cells, confirming the diagnosis Hirschsprung's disease. The remaining 3 infants (2 controls and 1 patient) could not be calmed during the examination and the results were inconclusive. It is concluded that ano-rectal manometry is a valuable method of examination in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in infants. No false results were obtained in this study. Furthermore, it is an easy procedure without risk or discomfort for the patient.", "PMID": 626077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6276", "title": "Phenobarbital metabolism in adults and in newborn infants.", "content": "Two adult volunteers and four newborn infants were given a single dose of phenobarbital. The output in the urine o f unchanged phenobartital and of the two main metabolites p-hydroxy phenobarbital and conjugated p-hydroxy phenobarbital was followed during 8 days in the newborns and during 2 or 4 weeks in the adults. The plasma levels were also determined and some pharmacokinetic constants calculated. It was found that the newborn patients excreted unchanged phenobartibal and p-hydroxy phenobarbital in the same proportions relative to dose as did the adult volunteers, 2.e. 16--17% unchanged drug and 9--10% of the metabolite during the first 8 days after administration. On the other hand, there was a clear-cut age difference in output of conjugated metabolite where the newborns excreted only 5% of the given dose during the 8-day observation period. The corresponding value for the adults was 15%. It is concluded that a poor conjugating capacity in the newborn may not have any serious consequences with a drug like phenobarbital where major alternative routes of excretion exist (unchanged drug and unconjugated metabolite). The clinical significance of immature drug metabolites and of unchanged drug is taken into consideration.", "contents": "Phenobarbital metabolism in adults and in newborn infants. Two adult volunteers and four newborn infants were given a single dose of phenobarbital. The output in the urine o f unchanged phenobartital and of the two main metabolites p-hydroxy phenobarbital and conjugated p-hydroxy phenobarbital was followed during 8 days in the newborns and during 2 or 4 weeks in the adults. The plasma levels were also determined and some pharmacokinetic constants calculated. It was found that the newborn patients excreted unchanged phenobartibal and p-hydroxy phenobarbital in the same proportions relative to dose as did the adult volunteers, 2.e. 16--17% unchanged drug and 9--10% of the metabolite during the first 8 days after administration. On the other hand, there was a clear-cut age difference in output of conjugated metabolite where the newborns excreted only 5% of the given dose during the 8-day observation period. The corresponding value for the adults was 15%. It is concluded that a poor conjugating capacity in the newborn may not have any serious consequences with a drug like phenobarbital where major alternative routes of excretion exist (unchanged drug and unconjugated metabolite). The clinical significance of immature drug metabolites and of unchanged drug is taken into consideration.", "PMID": 626078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6277", "title": "Renal function in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "Renal function was examined in twelve patients, eight girls and four boys, with anorexia nervosa (AN) ranging in age from 12.6 to 18.2 years. The weight loss at the time of the study averaged 26%. Determinations were made of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), PAH clearance (CPAH) and urinary concentrating capacity. For references the same studies were also carried out in five healthy teenagers. Both GFR and CPAH were generally CPAH as shown by a significantly lower filtration fraction (FF) in AN. Indirect evidence suggests that the low FF could be attributed to reduced water permeability of the glomerular capillary. The urinary concentrating capacity following fluid deprivation was moderately depressed both before and after the administration of vasopressin. The concentrating defect in AN must therefore be primary of renal origin.", "contents": "Renal function in anorexia nervosa. Renal function was examined in twelve patients, eight girls and four boys, with anorexia nervosa (AN) ranging in age from 12.6 to 18.2 years. The weight loss at the time of the study averaged 26%. Determinations were made of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), PAH clearance (CPAH) and urinary concentrating capacity. For references the same studies were also carried out in five healthy teenagers. Both GFR and CPAH were generally CPAH as shown by a significantly lower filtration fraction (FF) in AN. Indirect evidence suggests that the low FF could be attributed to reduced water permeability of the glomerular capillary. The urinary concentrating capacity following fluid deprivation was moderately depressed both before and after the administration of vasopressin. The concentrating defect in AN must therefore be primary of renal origin.", "PMID": 626079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6278", "title": "Limb circulation in anorexia nervosa.", "content": "Blood flow, skin temperature and blood pressure of the lower limbs and the effect of indirect, radiant heat on calf blood flow and leg skin temperature was determined in sixteen children with anorexia nervosa (group A) and fourteen healthy children (group H) of the same age and body height. Calf blood flow as measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Arm blood pressure was obtained by tourniquet and toe pressure and digital plethysmograms by a strain-gauge. Skin temperature was measured with a thermocouple. In group A calf blood flow was about 50--60% lower than the mean values observed in group H and a marked difference was maintained after the heat load. Skin temperature of the knees and toes were higher in group H. Systolic arm blood pressure and toe pressure were on the average 20 mmHg and 13 mmHg lower in group A. It is suggested that there is a heat-conserving, selective peripheral vasoconstriction in the anorexic patients.", "contents": "Limb circulation in anorexia nervosa. Blood flow, skin temperature and blood pressure of the lower limbs and the effect of indirect, radiant heat on calf blood flow and leg skin temperature was determined in sixteen children with anorexia nervosa (group A) and fourteen healthy children (group H) of the same age and body height. Calf blood flow as measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Arm blood pressure was obtained by tourniquet and toe pressure and digital plethysmograms by a strain-gauge. Skin temperature was measured with a thermocouple. In group A calf blood flow was about 50--60% lower than the mean values observed in group H and a marked difference was maintained after the heat load. Skin temperature of the knees and toes were higher in group H. Systolic arm blood pressure and toe pressure were on the average 20 mmHg and 13 mmHg lower in group A. It is suggested that there is a heat-conserving, selective peripheral vasoconstriction in the anorexic patients.", "PMID": 626080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6279", "title": "Total body potassium fat free weight and maximal aerobic power in children with anorexia nervosa.", "content": "Body composition and aerobic work performance have been studied in 5 boys and 10 girls suffering from anorexia nervosa. The average ages of the two groups of children were 15.4 (boys) and 15.2 (girls) years respectively. Measurements of body composition included height, weight (W), body potassium (40K), skinfold thickness (SFT) at triceps and subscapularis, blood volume (BV) and femoral condylar and radioulnar breadths. From these measurements estimates of fat free weight (FFW), skeletal weight (S) and lean body mass (LBM) were made. Work performance was assessed by measurement of the maximal aerobic power (VO2 max). The patients had lost on average 26% of their former body weight. The boys had on average greater than 7% of their body weight as fat compared with greater than 9% in the girls. However, the loss of weight was not solely due to loss of body fat, but could also be ascribed to a decrease in soft fatfree tissue. LBM or FFW could be estimated as well from SFT as from 40k. vo2 max averaged 1.43 1/min (35.1 ml/kg/min) in the anorexic boys and 1.24 l/min (33.2 ml/kg/min) in the girls and was associated with FFW and LBM. However, VO2 max was lower in relation to LBM than in healthy children of the same age. Thus it was suggested that the emaciation in anorexia is directly attributable to loss of both fat and muscle and accounts in part for the reduction of aerobic power observed. However, an important factor may be the debilitating effect of starvation on the patient, particularly in its advanced and later stages, which reduces his/her level of habitual physical activity.", "contents": "Total body potassium fat free weight and maximal aerobic power in children with anorexia nervosa. Body composition and aerobic work performance have been studied in 5 boys and 10 girls suffering from anorexia nervosa. The average ages of the two groups of children were 15.4 (boys) and 15.2 (girls) years respectively. Measurements of body composition included height, weight (W), body potassium (40K), skinfold thickness (SFT) at triceps and subscapularis, blood volume (BV) and femoral condylar and radioulnar breadths. From these measurements estimates of fat free weight (FFW), skeletal weight (S) and lean body mass (LBM) were made. Work performance was assessed by measurement of the maximal aerobic power (VO2 max). The patients had lost on average 26% of their former body weight. The boys had on average greater than 7% of their body weight as fat compared with greater than 9% in the girls. However, the loss of weight was not solely due to loss of body fat, but could also be ascribed to a decrease in soft fatfree tissue. LBM or FFW could be estimated as well from SFT as from 40k. vo2 max averaged 1.43 1/min (35.1 ml/kg/min) in the anorexic boys and 1.24 l/min (33.2 ml/kg/min) in the girls and was associated with FFW and LBM. However, VO2 max was lower in relation to LBM than in healthy children of the same age. Thus it was suggested that the emaciation in anorexia is directly attributable to loss of both fat and muscle and accounts in part for the reduction of aerobic power observed. However, an important factor may be the debilitating effect of starvation on the patient, particularly in its advanced and later stages, which reduces his/her level of habitual physical activity.", "PMID": 626081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6280", "title": "Pseudohypoaldosteronism. Clinical, biochemical and morphological studies in a long-term follow-up.", "content": "A boy with pseudohypoaldosteronism was followed from birth to the age of 7 years. Failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, hyponatraemia and urinary sodium loss were prominent findings. Urinary excretion of corticosteroid metabolites was normal. Before treatment, excessively high plasma renin concentration was found, associated with a marked activation of aldosterone secretion. A renal biopsy showed pronounced hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Persisting metabolic acidosis and an insufficient urinary acidifying capacity suggested the presence of distal renal tubular acidosis. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride from 19 to 31 months of age resulted in normal growth and normal physical and mental development. The plasma electrolytes were normalized but a pronounced activation of the renin-aldosterone system persisted after therapy, and on sodium restriction this system responded with a considerable further activation.", "contents": "Pseudohypoaldosteronism. Clinical, biochemical and morphological studies in a long-term follow-up. A boy with pseudohypoaldosteronism was followed from birth to the age of 7 years. Failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, hyponatraemia and urinary sodium loss were prominent findings. Urinary excretion of corticosteroid metabolites was normal. Before treatment, excessively high plasma renin concentration was found, associated with a marked activation of aldosterone secretion. A renal biopsy showed pronounced hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Persisting metabolic acidosis and an insufficient urinary acidifying capacity suggested the presence of distal renal tubular acidosis. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride from 19 to 31 months of age resulted in normal growth and normal physical and mental development. The plasma electrolytes were normalized but a pronounced activation of the renin-aldosterone system persisted after therapy, and on sodium restriction this system responded with a considerable further activation.", "PMID": 626083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6281", "title": "Fall in choline acetyltransferase activity in the ventricles of the rat heart after treatment with a ganglion blocking drug.", "content": "The choline acetyltransferase activity was found to be 27% lower in the ventricles of rats which had been given the ganglion blocking drug chlorisondamine than in those of untreated rats. Since the weight of the ventricles were also lower in the treated rats than in the untreated ones, it was wondered whether a change in the muscle mass as such affected the activity of the enzyme: isoprenaline treatment was found to cause the weight to increase markedly, while it left the enzyme activity unchanged. The decrease in enzyme activity observed after the prolonged ganglion blockade is interpreted as being the consequence of a reduced traffic of impulses along the postganglionic parasympathetic nerves of the ventricles. Thus, the results of the present investigation give further support for the ideal of a vagal innervation of this part of the heart.", "contents": "Fall in choline acetyltransferase activity in the ventricles of the rat heart after treatment with a ganglion blocking drug. The choline acetyltransferase activity was found to be 27% lower in the ventricles of rats which had been given the ganglion blocking drug chlorisondamine than in those of untreated rats. Since the weight of the ventricles were also lower in the treated rats than in the untreated ones, it was wondered whether a change in the muscle mass as such affected the activity of the enzyme: isoprenaline treatment was found to cause the weight to increase markedly, while it left the enzyme activity unchanged. The decrease in enzyme activity observed after the prolonged ganglion blockade is interpreted as being the consequence of a reduced traffic of impulses along the postganglionic parasympathetic nerves of the ventricles. Thus, the results of the present investigation give further support for the ideal of a vagal innervation of this part of the heart.", "PMID": 626084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6282", "title": "On the neuromuscular effects of pindolol and sotalol in the rat.", "content": "The effects of pindolol and sotalol on neuromusclar transmission were tested using intracellular microelectrode recording of resting membrane potentials, miniature end-plate potentials and end-plate potentials, and recording of muscle contractions upon nerve stimulation of rat phrenic nerve-hemidaphragm preparations. Both pindolol and sotalol reduced the amplitudes of miniature end-plate potentials and end-plate potentials in a dose-dependent manner without significantly affecting their time-courses. Pindolol, but not sotalol, also increased the frequency of the miniature end-plate potentials and decreased th number of acetylcholine quanta released by nerve impulses. Neither of the drugs significantly affected resting membrane potentials of the muscle fibres or excitability of the motor nerve to electric stimulation.", "contents": "On the neuromuscular effects of pindolol and sotalol in the rat. The effects of pindolol and sotalol on neuromusclar transmission were tested using intracellular microelectrode recording of resting membrane potentials, miniature end-plate potentials and end-plate potentials, and recording of muscle contractions upon nerve stimulation of rat phrenic nerve-hemidaphragm preparations. Both pindolol and sotalol reduced the amplitudes of miniature end-plate potentials and end-plate potentials in a dose-dependent manner without significantly affecting their time-courses. Pindolol, but not sotalol, also increased the frequency of the miniature end-plate potentials and decreased th number of acetylcholine quanta released by nerve impulses. Neither of the drugs significantly affected resting membrane potentials of the muscle fibres or excitability of the motor nerve to electric stimulation.", "PMID": 626087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6283", "title": "Ultrastructure of synaptosomes from fetal rat brain.", "content": "The crude mitochondrial fraction P2 and subfractions of P2 were prepared from the brain stem, hemispheres and whole brain of 19-day-old fetal rats. Samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde-osmium, NaMnO4 or by Tranzer's triple fixation method (aldehydr-chromate-dichromate-osmium) and examined by electron microscopy. The C-fraction from whole brain was the main synaptosome fraction, containing 3.2% presynaptic terminals as counted from all membrane bound particles. The brain stem showed more presynaptic terminals than the hemisphere (2.8% versus 0.9%) suggesting a caudal-rostral maturation gradient for synaptogenesis. The maturity of the nerve endings obtained was very variable in contrast to the rather uniform synaptosomes derived from adult tissue. They varied from profiles without any substructures to mature synaptosomes displaying asymmetric synaptic junctions. Monoamine synaptosomes containing small granular vesicles were not detected in the present study, suggesting immaturity of the granular monoamine pool at this stage of development.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of synaptosomes from fetal rat brain. The crude mitochondrial fraction P2 and subfractions of P2 were prepared from the brain stem, hemispheres and whole brain of 19-day-old fetal rats. Samples were fixed in glutaraldehyde-osmium, NaMnO4 or by Tranzer's triple fixation method (aldehydr-chromate-dichromate-osmium) and examined by electron microscopy. The C-fraction from whole brain was the main synaptosome fraction, containing 3.2% presynaptic terminals as counted from all membrane bound particles. The brain stem showed more presynaptic terminals than the hemisphere (2.8% versus 0.9%) suggesting a caudal-rostral maturation gradient for synaptogenesis. The maturity of the nerve endings obtained was very variable in contrast to the rather uniform synaptosomes derived from adult tissue. They varied from profiles without any substructures to mature synaptosomes displaying asymmetric synaptic junctions. Monoamine synaptosomes containing small granular vesicles were not detected in the present study, suggesting immaturity of the granular monoamine pool at this stage of development.", "PMID": 626088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6284", "title": "Effect of chronic hypoxia on hepatic triacylglycerol concentration and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidizing capacity in liver and heart.", "content": "The effect of moderated hypoxia (50.5 kPa air) and severe hypoxia (40.8 kPa air) in vivo liver and heart triglyceride concentration and mitochondrial respiration rates was studied. Liver triglyceride concentrations increased in severe hypoxia from 7.3 mumol/g wet weight to 23.3 mumol/g wet weight over 7 days. After the period of seven days in severe hypoxia, the palmitate, octanoate and palmitoylcarnitine oxidation rates of mitochondrial suspensions were significantly reduced when the citric acid cycle was operative. No decrease in the fatty acid, fatty acyl-CoA or carnitine derivative oxidation was observed when only the beta oxidation system was studied. Mitochondria isolated from the heart or liver after seven days in severe hypoxia showed reduced respiratory control ratios, the decrease being from the normal 4.9 to 1.9 in the liver mitochondria using succinate as substrate. The reduction in respiratory control was mainly due to lowered State 3 respiration rates. Some reduction in the ratio was also observed in the fasting controls, from 5.8 to 3.4 with succinate. The respiratory control ratio could be partially normalized by the addition of albumin to the isolation medium for the liver mitochondria after severe hypoxia. Under these conditions, however, the State 4 respiration of the mitochondria from the hypoxic animals was higher than that for the controls.", "contents": "Effect of chronic hypoxia on hepatic triacylglycerol concentration and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidizing capacity in liver and heart. The effect of moderated hypoxia (50.5 kPa air) and severe hypoxia (40.8 kPa air) in vivo liver and heart triglyceride concentration and mitochondrial respiration rates was studied. Liver triglyceride concentrations increased in severe hypoxia from 7.3 mumol/g wet weight to 23.3 mumol/g wet weight over 7 days. After the period of seven days in severe hypoxia, the palmitate, octanoate and palmitoylcarnitine oxidation rates of mitochondrial suspensions were significantly reduced when the citric acid cycle was operative. No decrease in the fatty acid, fatty acyl-CoA or carnitine derivative oxidation was observed when only the beta oxidation system was studied. Mitochondria isolated from the heart or liver after seven days in severe hypoxia showed reduced respiratory control ratios, the decrease being from the normal 4.9 to 1.9 in the liver mitochondria using succinate as substrate. The reduction in respiratory control was mainly due to lowered State 3 respiration rates. Some reduction in the ratio was also observed in the fasting controls, from 5.8 to 3.4 with succinate. The respiratory control ratio could be partially normalized by the addition of albumin to the isolation medium for the liver mitochondria after severe hypoxia. Under these conditions, however, the State 4 respiration of the mitochondria from the hypoxic animals was higher than that for the controls.", "PMID": 626089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6285", "title": "Efflux of phenylalanine and troptophan from cerebral cortex slices of adult and 7-day-old rats.", "content": "An equation of two exponential terms was found to adequately describe the efflux of phenylalanine and tryptophan from cerebral cortex slices of adult and 7-day-old rats. These exponential terms described two forms (components) of efflux taking place at different rates. The fast component of efflux was more prominent in the slices from young rats than in those from adults. In both age groups the contribution of the fast component increased with an increasing amino acid concentration in the superfusate, but there were no changes in the rate constants. The rate constants of the fast components were equal in all experimental conditions in both age groups. The rate constants for the slow components of both amino acids were lower in the slices from adult rats than in those from young rats. The reason for efflux occurring at two different rates is discussed. The fast component probably consisted of the amino acid originating from the extracellular space of the slices and of the intracellular amino acid released by exchange. The slow component consisted of the amino acid released from the cells by other mechanisms, e.g. by diffusion through the membranes or by some active efflux processes. The cerebral cortex slices from adult rats have greater ability to concentrate aromatic amino acids than the slices from young rats. This may partly be dependent on the more effective influx and partly on the slower efflux of amino acids in the slices from adults.", "contents": "Efflux of phenylalanine and troptophan from cerebral cortex slices of adult and 7-day-old rats. An equation of two exponential terms was found to adequately describe the efflux of phenylalanine and tryptophan from cerebral cortex slices of adult and 7-day-old rats. These exponential terms described two forms (components) of efflux taking place at different rates. The fast component of efflux was more prominent in the slices from young rats than in those from adults. In both age groups the contribution of the fast component increased with an increasing amino acid concentration in the superfusate, but there were no changes in the rate constants. The rate constants of the fast components were equal in all experimental conditions in both age groups. The rate constants for the slow components of both amino acids were lower in the slices from adult rats than in those from young rats. The reason for efflux occurring at two different rates is discussed. The fast component probably consisted of the amino acid originating from the extracellular space of the slices and of the intracellular amino acid released by exchange. The slow component consisted of the amino acid released from the cells by other mechanisms, e.g. by diffusion through the membranes or by some active efflux processes. The cerebral cortex slices from adult rats have greater ability to concentrate aromatic amino acids than the slices from young rats. This may partly be dependent on the more effective influx and partly on the slower efflux of amino acids in the slices from adults.", "PMID": 626090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6286", "title": "The function of baroreceptor C fibres in the rabbit's aortic nerve.", "content": "The participation of aortic nerve C fibers in the baroreflex was investigated by recording changes in renal nerve activity in response to acute increases in arterial pressure, in two experimental situations: with the A and C fibres of the aortic nerve intact, and with the A fibres temporarily blocked by a hyperpolarizing current (anodal block). Pressure was increased by manual inflation of an intra-aortic balloon, and interference from other barorecptor areas was avoided by carotid occlusion and sectioning of the right aortic nerve. Rises in mean arterial pressure exceeding 20 mmHg, to levels above 110 mmHg, were needed to trigger sympathetic inhibition via C fibres. A rise of 45 mmHg caused 50% reduction in sympathetic activity, equal to that obtained by stimulation of aortic nerve C fibres at about 3 Hz. In contrast, a rise of 20-30 mmHg evoked more than 60% reduction in sympathetic activity when the A fibres were operative. Judged by these studies of peak reflex responses to brief pressure rises, baroreceptors with C fibres in the aortic nerve have a much higher threshold to pressure than their myelinated counterpart; the C fibres contribute to the baroreflex inhibition sympathetic discharge only when pressure is increased well above normal resting levels.", "contents": "The function of baroreceptor C fibres in the rabbit's aortic nerve. The participation of aortic nerve C fibers in the baroreflex was investigated by recording changes in renal nerve activity in response to acute increases in arterial pressure, in two experimental situations: with the A and C fibres of the aortic nerve intact, and with the A fibres temporarily blocked by a hyperpolarizing current (anodal block). Pressure was increased by manual inflation of an intra-aortic balloon, and interference from other barorecptor areas was avoided by carotid occlusion and sectioning of the right aortic nerve. Rises in mean arterial pressure exceeding 20 mmHg, to levels above 110 mmHg, were needed to trigger sympathetic inhibition via C fibres. A rise of 45 mmHg caused 50% reduction in sympathetic activity, equal to that obtained by stimulation of aortic nerve C fibres at about 3 Hz. In contrast, a rise of 20-30 mmHg evoked more than 60% reduction in sympathetic activity when the A fibres were operative. Judged by these studies of peak reflex responses to brief pressure rises, baroreceptors with C fibres in the aortic nerve have a much higher threshold to pressure than their myelinated counterpart; the C fibres contribute to the baroreflex inhibition sympathetic discharge only when pressure is increased well above normal resting levels.", "PMID": 626091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6287", "title": "Tissue osmolality in intestinal villi during luminal perfusion with isotonic electrolyte solutions.", "content": "A cryoscoptic technique has been developed that makes it possible to determine tissue osmolality in the core of the intestinal villi. During absorption from an isotonic electrolyte solution containing glucose an osmolality gradient was demonstrated from tip to base of the villi in both the jejunum and the ileum. The tissue osmolality at the villous tips was measured to 1 000-1 200 mOsm/kg H2O while the osmolality at the villous base was approximately isotonic with plasma. Increasing intestinal blood flow by i.a. administration of a vasodilator drug, or making the intestine ischemic by clamping the intestinal vascular supply while supplying the mucosa with oxygen, markedly decreased tissue osmolality. Substituting all sodium ions with choline in the luminal perfusate abolished almost completely the tissue hyperosmolality and the intestine became a secretory organ. These observations are consistent with the view that the observed villous tissue hyperosmolality was created by a countercurrent multiplication of sodium chloride. The physiological implications of this mechanism is discussed and it is, among other things, proposed that the hyperosmolar region represents the hyperosmotic compartment necessary for explaining intestinal water absorption.", "contents": "Tissue osmolality in intestinal villi during luminal perfusion with isotonic electrolyte solutions. A cryoscoptic technique has been developed that makes it possible to determine tissue osmolality in the core of the intestinal villi. During absorption from an isotonic electrolyte solution containing glucose an osmolality gradient was demonstrated from tip to base of the villi in both the jejunum and the ileum. The tissue osmolality at the villous tips was measured to 1 000-1 200 mOsm/kg H2O while the osmolality at the villous base was approximately isotonic with plasma. Increasing intestinal blood flow by i.a. administration of a vasodilator drug, or making the intestine ischemic by clamping the intestinal vascular supply while supplying the mucosa with oxygen, markedly decreased tissue osmolality. Substituting all sodium ions with choline in the luminal perfusate abolished almost completely the tissue hyperosmolality and the intestine became a secretory organ. These observations are consistent with the view that the observed villous tissue hyperosmolality was created by a countercurrent multiplication of sodium chloride. The physiological implications of this mechanism is discussed and it is, among other things, proposed that the hyperosmolar region represents the hyperosmotic compartment necessary for explaining intestinal water absorption.", "PMID": 626092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6288", "title": "Kidney volume expansion and prostaglandin release by bradykinin. The effect of indomethacin pretreatment.", "content": "100 ng/kg/min bradykinin was infused into the left renal artery in anaesthetized dogs which were loaded with 10% mannitol in saline to produce a diuresis of approximately 1 ml/min. Bradykinin initially increased renal blood flow (70%), kidney volume (20%). Kidney volume, diuresis and urine osmolarity remained equally changed during continuous kinin infusion, while other parameters subsided toward the control levels. When renal blood flow was maintained constant during the infusion of bradykinin, urine PG-excretion increased (330%), the glomerular filtration decreased (60%) and this was accompanied by decreased kidney volume, diuresis/natriuresis with unchanged urine osmolarity. Indomethacin treatment (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) decreased renal blood flow (35%) and inhibited urine PG-excretion. Bradykinin after indomethacin showed effects which were very similar to those observed before indomethacin treatment. It is concluded that increased intratubular volume is a main determinant of bradykinin induced increase of whole kidney volume. The accompanying increase of intrarenal pressure does not apparently contribute to the kinin induced PG-release. The vasodilation by bradykinin seems independent of released prostaglandins. The diuresis/natriuresis and decreased urine osmolarity are probably of hemodynamic origin.", "contents": "Kidney volume expansion and prostaglandin release by bradykinin. The effect of indomethacin pretreatment. 100 ng/kg/min bradykinin was infused into the left renal artery in anaesthetized dogs which were loaded with 10% mannitol in saline to produce a diuresis of approximately 1 ml/min. Bradykinin initially increased renal blood flow (70%), kidney volume (20%). Kidney volume, diuresis and urine osmolarity remained equally changed during continuous kinin infusion, while other parameters subsided toward the control levels. When renal blood flow was maintained constant during the infusion of bradykinin, urine PG-excretion increased (330%), the glomerular filtration decreased (60%) and this was accompanied by decreased kidney volume, diuresis/natriuresis with unchanged urine osmolarity. Indomethacin treatment (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) decreased renal blood flow (35%) and inhibited urine PG-excretion. Bradykinin after indomethacin showed effects which were very similar to those observed before indomethacin treatment. It is concluded that increased intratubular volume is a main determinant of bradykinin induced increase of whole kidney volume. The accompanying increase of intrarenal pressure does not apparently contribute to the kinin induced PG-release. The vasodilation by bradykinin seems independent of released prostaglandins. The diuresis/natriuresis and decreased urine osmolarity are probably of hemodynamic origin.", "PMID": 626093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6289", "title": "Indirect vascular actions of (Gln4)-neurotensin in canine adipose tissue.", "content": "The vasoconstrictor action of the tridecapeptide (Gln4)-neurotensin has been studied in subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inquinal region of anesthetized dogs. Close intra-arterial infusion of (Gln4)-neurotensin, 30--120 pmol X kg-1 b.wt. X min-1, elicited similar vasoconstrictions in the adipose tissue on the infusion side and on the contralateral side. This suggests that (Gln4)-neurotensin must enter the general circulation before it can elicit vasoconstriction. Removal of parts of the gastrointestinal tract did not change the vasoconstrictor response. Thus, there is no indication of release of vasoactive substances from the gastrointestinal tract by (Gln4)-neurotensin. Infusion into the portal vein elicited the same vasoconstriction in adipose tissue as the same dose administered i.v. It is suggested that the vasoconstrictor action in adipose tissue is not caused by (Gln4)-neurotensin per se. Instead, vasoactive substance(s) may be formed from (Gln4)-neurotensin.", "contents": "Indirect vascular actions of (Gln4)-neurotensin in canine adipose tissue. The vasoconstrictor action of the tridecapeptide (Gln4)-neurotensin has been studied in subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inquinal region of anesthetized dogs. Close intra-arterial infusion of (Gln4)-neurotensin, 30--120 pmol X kg-1 b.wt. X min-1, elicited similar vasoconstrictions in the adipose tissue on the infusion side and on the contralateral side. This suggests that (Gln4)-neurotensin must enter the general circulation before it can elicit vasoconstriction. Removal of parts of the gastrointestinal tract did not change the vasoconstrictor response. Thus, there is no indication of release of vasoactive substances from the gastrointestinal tract by (Gln4)-neurotensin. Infusion into the portal vein elicited the same vasoconstriction in adipose tissue as the same dose administered i.v. It is suggested that the vasoconstrictor action in adipose tissue is not caused by (Gln4)-neurotensin per se. Instead, vasoactive substance(s) may be formed from (Gln4)-neurotensin.", "PMID": 626094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6290", "title": "The effects of cholera toxin on intramural blood flow distribution and capillary hydraulic conductivity in the cat small intestine.", "content": "Blood flow distribution to the mucosa-submucosa and to the muscularis in the cat small intestine was investigated with a 85Kr elimination technique before and after exposing the intestinal mucosa for 30 min to cholera enterotoxin. In all experiments the toxin induced an intestinal secretion. Concomitantly, total intestinal blood flow was increased to a level 50 per cent above control 3 h after exposure. This vasodilatation reflected a doubling of mean blood flow in the mucosa--submucosa while muscularis blood flow remained unchanged. In another series of experiments the effect of cholera toxin on intestinal capillary hydraulic conductivity was investigated by determining the capillary filtration coefficient (CFC). A slight increase in CFC was noted during the 3 h observation period but this was not more pronounced than would have been expected from the concomitant vasodilatation. It is concluded that hemodynamic changes in the intestinal mucosa may be one of the several factors that probably are involved in the pathogenesis of cholera.", "contents": "The effects of cholera toxin on intramural blood flow distribution and capillary hydraulic conductivity in the cat small intestine. Blood flow distribution to the mucosa-submucosa and to the muscularis in the cat small intestine was investigated with a 85Kr elimination technique before and after exposing the intestinal mucosa for 30 min to cholera enterotoxin. In all experiments the toxin induced an intestinal secretion. Concomitantly, total intestinal blood flow was increased to a level 50 per cent above control 3 h after exposure. This vasodilatation reflected a doubling of mean blood flow in the mucosa--submucosa while muscularis blood flow remained unchanged. In another series of experiments the effect of cholera toxin on intestinal capillary hydraulic conductivity was investigated by determining the capillary filtration coefficient (CFC). A slight increase in CFC was noted during the 3 h observation period but this was not more pronounced than would have been expected from the concomitant vasodilatation. It is concluded that hemodynamic changes in the intestinal mucosa may be one of the several factors that probably are involved in the pathogenesis of cholera.", "PMID": 626095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6291", "title": "Effect of adenosine, adenosine analogues and drugs inhibiting adenosine inactivation on lipolysis in rat fat cells.", "content": "It has been suggested that adenosine may be a physiologically important modulator of lipolysis. In the present study it was found that adenosine inhibited lipolysis stimulated by low (0.03 micrometer) concentrations of noradrenaline (NA). Lipolysis stimulated by higher concentrations (0.3 and 3 micrometer) of NA was inhibited to a minor degree or not at all. Theophylline (1 micromete)-induced lipolysis was inhibited by adenosine (IC50 approximately 10 micrometer). Inhibition of theophylline-induced lipolysis was tested for several analogues of adenosine. Some N6-substituted adenosine analogues and 2-Cl-adenosine were more potent inhibitors. Adenine-nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP) were about equipotent with adenosine. Several adenosine analogues, including its breakdown products were considerably less potent or ineffective. None of the analogues tested inhibited the action of adenosine. Dipyridamol, dilazep and papaverine, which inhibit the uptake of adenosine into cells, caused only a slight enhancement of the antilipolytic effect of adenosine. None of the analogues inhibited the effect of adenosine. It is concluded that adenosine can inhibit lipolysis due to low, \"physiological\" concentrations of noradrenaline and of low concentration of theophylline via an action on a receptor structure on the cell surface which exhibits structural specificity.", "contents": "Effect of adenosine, adenosine analogues and drugs inhibiting adenosine inactivation on lipolysis in rat fat cells. It has been suggested that adenosine may be a physiologically important modulator of lipolysis. In the present study it was found that adenosine inhibited lipolysis stimulated by low (0.03 micrometer) concentrations of noradrenaline (NA). Lipolysis stimulated by higher concentrations (0.3 and 3 micrometer) of NA was inhibited to a minor degree or not at all. Theophylline (1 micromete)-induced lipolysis was inhibited by adenosine (IC50 approximately 10 micrometer). Inhibition of theophylline-induced lipolysis was tested for several analogues of adenosine. Some N6-substituted adenosine analogues and 2-Cl-adenosine were more potent inhibitors. Adenine-nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP) were about equipotent with adenosine. Several adenosine analogues, including its breakdown products were considerably less potent or ineffective. None of the analogues tested inhibited the action of adenosine. Dipyridamol, dilazep and papaverine, which inhibit the uptake of adenosine into cells, caused only a slight enhancement of the antilipolytic effect of adenosine. None of the analogues inhibited the effect of adenosine. It is concluded that adenosine can inhibit lipolysis due to low, \"physiological\" concentrations of noradrenaline and of low concentration of theophylline via an action on a receptor structure on the cell surface which exhibits structural specificity.", "PMID": 626097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6292", "title": "Prostaglandin-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release: II. Dual mechanism behind its frequency-dependence.", "content": "Sympathetically innervated, isolated rabbit hearts were perfusated according to Langendorff and the nerves were stimulated at 2, 5 or 10 Hz by equally long trains of pulses. The outflows of prostaglandin-like substances (PLS) and of noradrenaline (NA), induced by the nerve stimulations, were followed. The sensitivity of the process of NA release to exogenous PGE1 (2--6 X 10--8 M) at 2, 5 and 10 Hz was assayed. The outflow of PLS was found to be frequency-dependent, being greater at 2 Hz than at higher discharge rates, while the outflow of NA was similar at the different frequencies. The inhibitory action of PGE1 on the NA release process was more pronounced at 2 than at 10 Hz. It is concluded that the frequency-dependence of the endogenous PGE-mediated inhibition of the release of NA from discharging sympathetic nerves is based on 2 independent, frequency-related mechanisms: a) a higher synthesis rate of PLS/impulse, and b) a more pronounced sensitivity of the process of NA release, at low compared to higher impulse frequences.", "contents": "Prostaglandin-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release: II. Dual mechanism behind its frequency-dependence. Sympathetically innervated, isolated rabbit hearts were perfusated according to Langendorff and the nerves were stimulated at 2, 5 or 10 Hz by equally long trains of pulses. The outflows of prostaglandin-like substances (PLS) and of noradrenaline (NA), induced by the nerve stimulations, were followed. The sensitivity of the process of NA release to exogenous PGE1 (2--6 X 10--8 M) at 2, 5 and 10 Hz was assayed. The outflow of PLS was found to be frequency-dependent, being greater at 2 Hz than at higher discharge rates, while the outflow of NA was similar at the different frequencies. The inhibitory action of PGE1 on the NA release process was more pronounced at 2 than at 10 Hz. It is concluded that the frequency-dependence of the endogenous PGE-mediated inhibition of the release of NA from discharging sympathetic nerves is based on 2 independent, frequency-related mechanisms: a) a higher synthesis rate of PLS/impulse, and b) a more pronounced sensitivity of the process of NA release, at low compared to higher impulse frequences.", "PMID": 626098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6293", "title": "The spatial distribution of odour induced potentials in the olfactory bulb of char and trout (Salmonidae).", "content": "Monopolar DC-recordings were made of the gross responses from the olfactory bulb of char (Salvelinus alpinus syn. Salmo alpinsus L.) and trout (Salmo trutta L.) during stimulation with different odours. The response features studied were: the magnitude and polarity of the slow potential shift, the amplitude of the induced waves and their asymmetrical waveform. Amino acids elicited the largest responses in the lateral part of the bulb. Water containing \"crude fish odour\" caused the largest response in the rostral and medial parts. The results demonstrate odour specific differences in the localization of the bulb responses and the separate origin of the slow potential and the induced waves.", "contents": "The spatial distribution of odour induced potentials in the olfactory bulb of char and trout (Salmonidae). Monopolar DC-recordings were made of the gross responses from the olfactory bulb of char (Salvelinus alpinus syn. Salmo alpinsus L.) and trout (Salmo trutta L.) during stimulation with different odours. The response features studied were: the magnitude and polarity of the slow potential shift, the amplitude of the induced waves and their asymmetrical waveform. Amino acids elicited the largest responses in the lateral part of the bulb. Water containing \"crude fish odour\" caused the largest response in the rostral and medial parts. The results demonstrate odour specific differences in the localization of the bulb responses and the separate origin of the slow potential and the induced waves.", "PMID": 626099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6294", "title": "Neuroeffector maturity of portal veins from newborn rats, rabbits, cats and guinea pigs.", "content": "Isolated portal veins from newborn and adult rats, rabbits, cats and guinea pigs were studied isometrically. Spontaneous activity and induced responses to transmural nerve stimulation (NS), noradrenaline, tyramine, acetylcholine and BaCl2 were quantitated. In agreement with our previous observations the portal veins of the newborn rat was found to lack spontaneous activity and responsiveness to applied stimuli whereas the newborn rabbit's portal vein showed inconsistent and weak responses. In the neonatal cat and guinea pig portal veins the pattern of the spontaneous activity and induced responses resembled those found in vessels from adult animals. It is concluded that the portal vein maturity at birth in several respects dramatic neuroeffector development of the portal vein during the postnatal period in the rat corresponds to prenatal events in cats and guinea pigs which are more highly developed at birth. Consequently, the lack of responsiveness of the portal vein during the first week of life does not seem to be secondary to the hormonal and hemodynamic adjustments during the neonatal period. Rather, the postnatal development of the rat portal vein occurs according to a genetically predetermined schedule, possible in parallel with the ontogenesis of vascular control in general.", "contents": "Neuroeffector maturity of portal veins from newborn rats, rabbits, cats and guinea pigs. Isolated portal veins from newborn and adult rats, rabbits, cats and guinea pigs were studied isometrically. Spontaneous activity and induced responses to transmural nerve stimulation (NS), noradrenaline, tyramine, acetylcholine and BaCl2 were quantitated. In agreement with our previous observations the portal veins of the newborn rat was found to lack spontaneous activity and responsiveness to applied stimuli whereas the newborn rabbit's portal vein showed inconsistent and weak responses. In the neonatal cat and guinea pig portal veins the pattern of the spontaneous activity and induced responses resembled those found in vessels from adult animals. It is concluded that the portal vein maturity at birth in several respects dramatic neuroeffector development of the portal vein during the postnatal period in the rat corresponds to prenatal events in cats and guinea pigs which are more highly developed at birth. Consequently, the lack of responsiveness of the portal vein during the first week of life does not seem to be secondary to the hormonal and hemodynamic adjustments during the neonatal period. Rather, the postnatal development of the rat portal vein occurs according to a genetically predetermined schedule, possible in parallel with the ontogenesis of vascular control in general.", "PMID": 626100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6295", "title": "Characteristics of static and dynamic regulatory mechanisms in myogenic microvascular control.", "content": "The recently described static and dynamic components in myogenic microvascular control (Gr\u00e4nde, Lundvall and Mellander 1977) were analysed in this study with regard to their stimulus-effector characteristics. Total and microvascular resistance responses in the sympathectomized vascular bed of skeletal muscle were analysed during graded changes of vascular transmural pressure (PT) applied at different rates (dPT/dt) in the range from +7.5 to -7.5 mmHg/s. The dynamic microvascular resistance responses, developing during the phase of changing PT, were pronounced and distinctly graded in relation to the magnitude of the dPT/dt stimulus, both with regard to amplitude of resistance response and rate of resistance change per unit time (dRmicro/dt). The static responses, revealed in the steady state phase of constant increased PT, were comparatively small and graded in relation to the amplitude of the PT increase. Rate-sensitivity in microvascular myogenic control was bi-directional, eliciting excitatory effects (constriction) in response to positive, and inhibitor effects (dilation) in response to negative, values of dPT/dt. The dynamic constrictor response to a given dPT/dt stimulus increased with increasing amplitude of PT and, thereby, increased duration of the dynamic stimulus. This effect might be explained by successive activation of myogenic \"receptor units\" with different thresholds. The described rate-sensitivity in the myogenic control system seems to increase its rapidity, stability, and sensitivity and thereby can contribute efficiently to well-adapted and refined microvascular adjustments.", "contents": "Characteristics of static and dynamic regulatory mechanisms in myogenic microvascular control. The recently described static and dynamic components in myogenic microvascular control (Gr\u00e4nde, Lundvall and Mellander 1977) were analysed in this study with regard to their stimulus-effector characteristics. Total and microvascular resistance responses in the sympathectomized vascular bed of skeletal muscle were analysed during graded changes of vascular transmural pressure (PT) applied at different rates (dPT/dt) in the range from +7.5 to -7.5 mmHg/s. The dynamic microvascular resistance responses, developing during the phase of changing PT, were pronounced and distinctly graded in relation to the magnitude of the dPT/dt stimulus, both with regard to amplitude of resistance response and rate of resistance change per unit time (dRmicro/dt). The static responses, revealed in the steady state phase of constant increased PT, were comparatively small and graded in relation to the amplitude of the PT increase. Rate-sensitivity in microvascular myogenic control was bi-directional, eliciting excitatory effects (constriction) in response to positive, and inhibitor effects (dilation) in response to negative, values of dPT/dt. The dynamic constrictor response to a given dPT/dt stimulus increased with increasing amplitude of PT and, thereby, increased duration of the dynamic stimulus. This effect might be explained by successive activation of myogenic \"receptor units\" with different thresholds. The described rate-sensitivity in the myogenic control system seems to increase its rapidity, stability, and sensitivity and thereby can contribute efficiently to well-adapted and refined microvascular adjustments.", "PMID": 626101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6296", "title": "Absorption and elimination of D-propoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid, and phenazone in a combination tablet (Doleron): comparison between young and elderly subjects.", "content": "The single-dose kinetics of D-propoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid and phenazone, given in a combination tablet (Doleron), were compared in young and elderly subjects. Serial blood samples were taken 0--48 hours after administration. The plasma concentrations of propoxyphene and of its major metabolite, norporpoxyphene, were assessed by mass fragmentography, those of phenazone by gas chromatography, and those of acetyl salicylic acid plus salicylic acid by spectrofluorometry. Neither for propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid nor phenazone did the areas under the concentration curves or the elimination half-lives differ between young and elderly subjects. These data do not provide pharmacokinetic support for a general reduction of the Doleron dosage in elderly subjects.", "contents": "Absorption and elimination of D-propoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid, and phenazone in a combination tablet (Doleron): comparison between young and elderly subjects. The single-dose kinetics of D-propoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid and phenazone, given in a combination tablet (Doleron), were compared in young and elderly subjects. Serial blood samples were taken 0--48 hours after administration. The plasma concentrations of propoxyphene and of its major metabolite, norporpoxyphene, were assessed by mass fragmentography, those of phenazone by gas chromatography, and those of acetyl salicylic acid plus salicylic acid by spectrofluorometry. Neither for propoxyphene, norpropoxyphene, acetyl salicylic acid nor phenazone did the areas under the concentration curves or the elimination half-lives differ between young and elderly subjects. These data do not provide pharmacokinetic support for a general reduction of the Doleron dosage in elderly subjects.", "PMID": 626106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6297", "title": "Platelet aggregation in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Thirty-eight patients with juvenile diabetes mellitus, aged 21-77, were tested for platelet aggregation in vitro. Vascular complications were found in 20 patients with diabetic retinopathy in 16 of these. All patients received their usual dose of insulin in the morning on the day of the examinations, where were carried out shortly before a 2--3 hours after lunch. Ninety normal controls were tested at the same time of day. The aggregation was estimated turbidometrically and defined by the threshold concentration of adenosine diphosphate or adrenaline that produced a secondary aggregation with a light transmission not less than 80% of that given by the platelet-poor plasma. No significant differences could be demonstrated in platelet aggregation between the normal controls and the patients with diabetes mellitus or any subgroup of these. No correlation was found between the threshold concentrations and the plasma levels of glucose or beta-hydroxybutyric acid.", "contents": "Platelet aggregation in diabetes mellitus. Thirty-eight patients with juvenile diabetes mellitus, aged 21-77, were tested for platelet aggregation in vitro. Vascular complications were found in 20 patients with diabetic retinopathy in 16 of these. All patients received their usual dose of insulin in the morning on the day of the examinations, where were carried out shortly before a 2--3 hours after lunch. Ninety normal controls were tested at the same time of day. The aggregation was estimated turbidometrically and defined by the threshold concentration of adenosine diphosphate or adrenaline that produced a secondary aggregation with a light transmission not less than 80% of that given by the platelet-poor plasma. No significant differences could be demonstrated in platelet aggregation between the normal controls and the patients with diabetes mellitus or any subgroup of these. No correlation was found between the threshold concentrations and the plasma levels of glucose or beta-hydroxybutyric acid.", "PMID": 626107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6298", "title": "Electrocardiographic changes during total energy deprivation (fasting).", "content": "The effect of 10 days of total energy deprivation (fasting) on ECG reactions was evaluated in 14 healthy normal-weight males. The heart rate and the ratios between QRS and T wave amplitudes in leads I and II decreased significantly, as did body weight and blood glucose levels. The urinary excretion of adrenaline increased. It is concluded that other hormonal (e.g. thyroidal), neural and metabolic mechanisms are of greater significance for the heart than the sympatho-adreno-medullary activity during fasting. T wave abnormality without an abnormal Q wave and without other clinical symptoms was noted in one subject on the 8th day of starvation and remained abnormal for more than a year.", "contents": "Electrocardiographic changes during total energy deprivation (fasting). The effect of 10 days of total energy deprivation (fasting) on ECG reactions was evaluated in 14 healthy normal-weight males. The heart rate and the ratios between QRS and T wave amplitudes in leads I and II decreased significantly, as did body weight and blood glucose levels. The urinary excretion of adrenaline increased. It is concluded that other hormonal (e.g. thyroidal), neural and metabolic mechanisms are of greater significance for the heart than the sympatho-adreno-medullary activity during fasting. T wave abnormality without an abnormal Q wave and without other clinical symptoms was noted in one subject on the 8th day of starvation and remained abnormal for more than a year.", "PMID": 626108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6299", "title": "Prognosis for juvenile diabetics with nephropathy and failing renal function.", "content": "A total of 157 consecutive patients with juvenile diabetes (onset before the 31st birthday), diabetic nephropathy, and impaired renal function were followed up until 1.1.1976. All the patients had been admitted to the Steno Memorial Hospital, Copenhagen, between 1934 and 1972. Independently of the patients' age at onset of diabetes, it was found that persistent proteinuria appeared after an average of 19 years, and that death ensued 5--6 years thereafter. Division of the patients into two groups, according to whether the diabetes had set in before or after 1940, showed no signs of an improved prognosis during the past few decades. Once the serum creatinine has started to rise, the prognosis is very grave. Only 50% were alive 21 months after serum creatinine levels of 2--5 mg/100 ml had been ascertained. Among patients whose serum creatinine exceeded 5 mg/100 ml, 50% succumbed in 9 months. It is concluded that renal transplantation, if it is to be done, should be instituted early.", "contents": "Prognosis for juvenile diabetics with nephropathy and failing renal function. A total of 157 consecutive patients with juvenile diabetes (onset before the 31st birthday), diabetic nephropathy, and impaired renal function were followed up until 1.1.1976. All the patients had been admitted to the Steno Memorial Hospital, Copenhagen, between 1934 and 1972. Independently of the patients' age at onset of diabetes, it was found that persistent proteinuria appeared after an average of 19 years, and that death ensued 5--6 years thereafter. Division of the patients into two groups, according to whether the diabetes had set in before or after 1940, showed no signs of an improved prognosis during the past few decades. Once the serum creatinine has started to rise, the prognosis is very grave. Only 50% were alive 21 months after serum creatinine levels of 2--5 mg/100 ml had been ascertained. Among patients whose serum creatinine exceeded 5 mg/100 ml, 50% succumbed in 9 months. It is concluded that renal transplantation, if it is to be done, should be instituted early.", "PMID": 626109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6300", "title": "Overweight in women--metabolic aspects. The population study of women in G\u00f6teborg 1968--1969.", "content": "In a population sample of 1462 women aged 38--60 years, those with overweight were studied separately and compared with the women in the total population sample. Overweight was defined as the upper 5% of a weight index in the various ages studied and the weight index as (formula: see text). Significant differences, with higher values in the overweight women, were found for serum triglycerides, serum uric acid and arterial BP. Smoking was significantly less common in the overweight women. Serum cholesterol was similar in overweight women and in women in the total sample. Higher values for some risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in the overweight group of women thus seemed to be compensated to some extent by a lower number of smokers in this group.", "contents": "Overweight in women--metabolic aspects. The population study of women in G\u00f6teborg 1968--1969. In a population sample of 1462 women aged 38--60 years, those with overweight were studied separately and compared with the women in the total population sample. Overweight was defined as the upper 5% of a weight index in the various ages studied and the weight index as (formula: see text). Significant differences, with higher values in the overweight women, were found for serum triglycerides, serum uric acid and arterial BP. Smoking was significantly less common in the overweight women. Serum cholesterol was similar in overweight women and in women in the total sample. Higher values for some risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in the overweight group of women thus seemed to be compensated to some extent by a lower number of smokers in this group.", "PMID": 626110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6301", "title": "Electroencephalographic prediction of anoxic brain damage after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in patients with acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "The short-term prognostic value of routine electroencephalography (EEG), carried out on the days after cardiac arrest, was evaluated in a consecutive study of 185 patients with acute myocardial infarction together with an episode of clinical cardiac arrest. The individual EEGs were classified on a 5-grade scale. Of the 89 patients who survived, 18 had signs of anoxic brain damage; 96 patients died, 76 as a result of cerebral anoxia. Only 2 patients survived out of the total of 72 for whom the first EEG was classified as grades III--V. The EEGs of both these patients were recorded within a few hours after the cardiac arrest. None of the patients with an EEG of grade I died of cerebral anoxia, while all degrees of brain damage were otherwise observed in connection with EEGs of both grades I and II. It is concluded that an EEG of grades III--V indicates a fatal outcome, provided it has been recorded more than 24 hours after the cardiac arrest. A grade III--V EEG that is recorded within 24 hours after a cardiac arrest should be repeated some days later. It is not possible, on the basis of a single EEG, to predict the extent of the anoxic brain damage.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic prediction of anoxic brain damage after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The short-term prognostic value of routine electroencephalography (EEG), carried out on the days after cardiac arrest, was evaluated in a consecutive study of 185 patients with acute myocardial infarction together with an episode of clinical cardiac arrest. The individual EEGs were classified on a 5-grade scale. Of the 89 patients who survived, 18 had signs of anoxic brain damage; 96 patients died, 76 as a result of cerebral anoxia. Only 2 patients survived out of the total of 72 for whom the first EEG was classified as grades III--V. The EEGs of both these patients were recorded within a few hours after the cardiac arrest. None of the patients with an EEG of grade I died of cerebral anoxia, while all degrees of brain damage were otherwise observed in connection with EEGs of both grades I and II. It is concluded that an EEG of grades III--V indicates a fatal outcome, provided it has been recorded more than 24 hours after the cardiac arrest. A grade III--V EEG that is recorded within 24 hours after a cardiac arrest should be repeated some days later. It is not possible, on the basis of a single EEG, to predict the extent of the anoxic brain damage.", "PMID": 626111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6302", "title": "Third degree atrioventricular block, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and pigmentary degeneration of retina. Case report and survey of the literature.", "content": "A woman was noted to have chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary degeneration of retina and third degree AV block. She was admitted to hospital because of syncopes and was successfully treated with a permanent pacemaker. Since 1958, 12 similar cases have been noted. Three of 7 patients without pacemaker treatment died, and 5 were successfully treated with pacemaker. The disturbances in AV-conduction are not thought to be a mere coincidence to the ocular disorder. Cardiomyopathy has been suggested.", "contents": "Third degree atrioventricular block, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and pigmentary degeneration of retina. Case report and survey of the literature. A woman was noted to have chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary degeneration of retina and third degree AV block. She was admitted to hospital because of syncopes and was successfully treated with a permanent pacemaker. Since 1958, 12 similar cases have been noted. Three of 7 patients without pacemaker treatment died, and 5 were successfully treated with pacemaker. The disturbances in AV-conduction are not thought to be a mere coincidence to the ocular disorder. Cardiomyopathy has been suggested.", "PMID": 626112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6303", "title": "Increased serum levels of immunoglobulins in untreated and treated essential hypertension. I. Relation to blood pressure.", "content": "In 164 consecutive patients with essential hypertension, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM classes were determined, using single radial diffusion techniques, and compared with 80 healthy normotensive subjects without any family history of hypertension. Of 80 untreated and 84 treated patients, IgA and/or IgG were significantly increased in 40% and 37%, respectively. IgG correlated positively to BP in untreated patients (p less than 0.0008), as well as in insufficienctly treated males (p less than 0.004). No correlations were found between Ig and duration of hypertension. The increase in Ig was not associated with any particular drugs. A family history of hypertension was found in 19.6% of the patients with elevated Ig and in 9.7% of those with normal Ig (p less than 0.10). The study provides further evidence for involvement of immune mechanisms in essential hypertension, and suggests a possible genetic predisposition.", "contents": "Increased serum levels of immunoglobulins in untreated and treated essential hypertension. I. Relation to blood pressure. In 164 consecutive patients with essential hypertension, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM classes were determined, using single radial diffusion techniques, and compared with 80 healthy normotensive subjects without any family history of hypertension. Of 80 untreated and 84 treated patients, IgA and/or IgG were significantly increased in 40% and 37%, respectively. IgG correlated positively to BP in untreated patients (p less than 0.0008), as well as in insufficienctly treated males (p less than 0.004). No correlations were found between Ig and duration of hypertension. The increase in Ig was not associated with any particular drugs. A family history of hypertension was found in 19.6% of the patients with elevated Ig and in 9.7% of those with normal Ig (p less than 0.10). The study provides further evidence for involvement of immune mechanisms in essential hypertension, and suggests a possible genetic predisposition.", "PMID": 626113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6304", "title": "The effect of hemodialysis on neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness.", "content": "After several hemodialysis treatments, neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness is commonly depressed. The median chemotactic index of 34 patients was 21, compared with 47 for 21 controls tested simultaneously. The depressed chemotactic responsiveness was not restored to normal when leukocytes were washed and resuspended in normal plasma, neither did plasma from patients with depressed chemotaxis affect control neutrophils.", "contents": "The effect of hemodialysis on neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness. After several hemodialysis treatments, neutrophil chemotactic responsiveness is commonly depressed. The median chemotactic index of 34 patients was 21, compared with 47 for 21 controls tested simultaneously. The depressed chemotactic responsiveness was not restored to normal when leukocytes were washed and resuspended in normal plasma, neither did plasma from patients with depressed chemotaxis affect control neutrophils.", "PMID": 626114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6305", "title": "Embolism in sinoatrial disease.", "content": "Among a series of consecutive patients treated with permanent pacemaker between 1965 and 1976, 43 had sinoatrial disease with paroxysmal tachycardia (group A), 30 sinoatrial disease without tachycardia (group B) and 165 atrioventricular block (group C). A retrospective study showed systemic vascular events compatible with embolism in 35%, 7% and 10% in groups A, B and C, respectively. The groups were comparable as regards age, other diseases and duration of pacemaker therapy. Because of the high incidence of embolism in group A, anticoagulant therapy should be evaluated in patients with the brady-tachycardia syndrome.", "contents": "Embolism in sinoatrial disease. Among a series of consecutive patients treated with permanent pacemaker between 1965 and 1976, 43 had sinoatrial disease with paroxysmal tachycardia (group A), 30 sinoatrial disease without tachycardia (group B) and 165 atrioventricular block (group C). A retrospective study showed systemic vascular events compatible with embolism in 35%, 7% and 10% in groups A, B and C, respectively. The groups were comparable as regards age, other diseases and duration of pacemaker therapy. Because of the high incidence of embolism in group A, anticoagulant therapy should be evaluated in patients with the brady-tachycardia syndrome.", "PMID": 626115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6306", "title": "Cerebrospinal fluid lysozyme in bacterial and viral meningitis.", "content": "The concentration of lysozyme (LZM) in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 25 patients with bacterial meningitis, in 18 patients with viral meningitis and in 25 control patients who had other fibrile illnesses. The concentration of LZM was less than 1.5 microgram/ml in all control patients, and slightly to markedly raised in 10 patients with viral meningitis and in 11 out of 13 patients with untreated bacterial meningitis. The concentration of LZM was significantly different in the viral and bacterial meningitis patients (p less than 0.001). Most raised concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid LZM persisted for at least one week after the start of antibiotic treatment. The concentrations of LZM correlated well with concentrations of lactic dehydrogenase. These results show that the determination of cerebrospinal fluid LZM is a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of meningitis, particularly when the prehospital treatment with antibiotics may be responsible for a diagnostically misleading negative bacterial culture of the cerebrospinal fluid and altered cerebrospinal fluid cytology.", "contents": "Cerebrospinal fluid lysozyme in bacterial and viral meningitis. The concentration of lysozyme (LZM) in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 25 patients with bacterial meningitis, in 18 patients with viral meningitis and in 25 control patients who had other fibrile illnesses. The concentration of LZM was less than 1.5 microgram/ml in all control patients, and slightly to markedly raised in 10 patients with viral meningitis and in 11 out of 13 patients with untreated bacterial meningitis. The concentration of LZM was significantly different in the viral and bacterial meningitis patients (p less than 0.001). Most raised concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid LZM persisted for at least one week after the start of antibiotic treatment. The concentrations of LZM correlated well with concentrations of lactic dehydrogenase. These results show that the determination of cerebrospinal fluid LZM is a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of meningitis, particularly when the prehospital treatment with antibiotics may be responsible for a diagnostically misleading negative bacterial culture of the cerebrospinal fluid and altered cerebrospinal fluid cytology.", "PMID": 626116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6307", "title": "Factors influencing the occurrence of \"on-off\" symptoms during long-term treatment with L-dopa.", "content": "\"On-off\" symptoms were found to have developed in 43 of 85 parkinsonian patients who had been treated with L-dopa for five years or more, the risk of such symptoms apparently being greater the younger the patient had been at the d\u00e9but of the disease and at the start of treatment. The dopa dose had been higher throughout the treatment in the patients developing \"on-off\" symptoms than in those maintaining an even effect, and, furthermore, the initial improvement had been more marked and dyskinesia had appeared earlier and in a higher frequency. The clinical observations in the present studies seemed to be related to some pharmacological findings, where different degrees of the nigrostriatal neuron degeneration and the efficacy of the remaining neurons could be of importance for a varying therapeutic response. It also seemed possible that a higher dopa dose could evoke \"on-off\" symptoms more easily than a lower one in thereto predisposed individuals. As the patients maintaining an even symptomatology during long-term treatment with L-dopa were older, and in particularly as they had dementia in a higher frequency than those developing \"on-off\" symptoms, the possibility of a more widespread neuron damage, influencing the clinical manifestation in these patients, had to be taken into consideration.", "contents": "Factors influencing the occurrence of \"on-off\" symptoms during long-term treatment with L-dopa. \"On-off\" symptoms were found to have developed in 43 of 85 parkinsonian patients who had been treated with L-dopa for five years or more, the risk of such symptoms apparently being greater the younger the patient had been at the d\u00e9but of the disease and at the start of treatment. The dopa dose had been higher throughout the treatment in the patients developing \"on-off\" symptoms than in those maintaining an even effect, and, furthermore, the initial improvement had been more marked and dyskinesia had appeared earlier and in a higher frequency. The clinical observations in the present studies seemed to be related to some pharmacological findings, where different degrees of the nigrostriatal neuron degeneration and the efficacy of the remaining neurons could be of importance for a varying therapeutic response. It also seemed possible that a higher dopa dose could evoke \"on-off\" symptoms more easily than a lower one in thereto predisposed individuals. As the patients maintaining an even symptomatology during long-term treatment with L-dopa were older, and in particularly as they had dementia in a higher frequency than those developing \"on-off\" symptoms, the possibility of a more widespread neuron damage, influencing the clinical manifestation in these patients, had to be taken into consideration.", "PMID": 626117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6308", "title": "Four cases of long-standing diarrhoea and colic pains cured by fructose-free diet--a pathogenetic discussion.", "content": "Four patients with a long history of abdominal swelling, colic pains and diarrhoea were cured by a fructose-free diet. They were all given an oral load of (14C) fructose and their expiratory excretion of 14CO2 was found to be significantly lower than that of control patients with similar symptoms. It is concluded taht the patients cured by a fructose-free diet might have a partial fructose malabsorption.", "contents": "Four cases of long-standing diarrhoea and colic pains cured by fructose-free diet--a pathogenetic discussion. Four patients with a long history of abdominal swelling, colic pains and diarrhoea were cured by a fructose-free diet. They were all given an oral load of (14C) fructose and their expiratory excretion of 14CO2 was found to be significantly lower than that of control patients with similar symptoms. It is concluded taht the patients cured by a fructose-free diet might have a partial fructose malabsorption.", "PMID": 626118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6309", "title": "[Control of the course of iris tumors with the aid of fluorescence angiography].", "content": "The clinical and fluorescence-angiographical control findings of 79 iris tumours are reported. According to the angiographical pattern, these tumours could be divided into three distinct types which correlated to the histopathological findings, if available. Thus, a type I tumour tends to run a benign course; type II we regard as potentially malignant and type III as definitely malignant. Furthermore, an increase in tumour size can be more exactly determined by iris angiographical controls than by other methods of documentation.", "contents": "[Control of the course of iris tumors with the aid of fluorescence angiography]. The clinical and fluorescence-angiographical control findings of 79 iris tumours are reported. According to the angiographical pattern, these tumours could be divided into three distinct types which correlated to the histopathological findings, if available. Thus, a type I tumour tends to run a benign course; type II we regard as potentially malignant and type III as definitely malignant. Furthermore, an increase in tumour size can be more exactly determined by iris angiographical controls than by other methods of documentation.", "PMID": 626121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6310", "title": "Hyperpermeable disc capillaries in glaucoma.", "content": "Nine subjects had leakage of fluorescein dye from the capillaries in the glaucomatous discs. Eight subjects had a solitary leakage and one had four points of leakage in the disc. The leakage was ordinarily found in the centre or the temporal margin of the glaucomatous optic disc. No common factors causing dye leakage from the optic disc capillaries appeared to exist in these subjects, except that they had reached a very advanced stage of glaucoma.", "contents": "Hyperpermeable disc capillaries in glaucoma. Nine subjects had leakage of fluorescein dye from the capillaries in the glaucomatous discs. Eight subjects had a solitary leakage and one had four points of leakage in the disc. The leakage was ordinarily found in the centre or the temporal margin of the glaucomatous optic disc. No common factors causing dye leakage from the optic disc capillaries appeared to exist in these subjects, except that they had reached a very advanced stage of glaucoma.", "PMID": 626122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6311", "title": "[Functional morphology of the cornea].", "content": "The corneal epithelium serves as a barrier between tear film and stroma and maintains a smooth corneal surface. The optical features of the cornea, namely refraction and transparence, depend largely upon the characteristics of the superficial corneal layers. Any lesion of this superficial cell coat facilitates the penetration of particles of even small diameter (virus, bacteria) towards the stroma. In fact, viral corneal diseases usually start in the epithelium, the virus being replicated in transformed epithelial cells. Corneal wounds are rapidly covered by migrating epithelial cells, invading the lesion from the border of the epithelial defect. Cohesion between epithelium and underlying stroma remains very weak unless regenerating epithelial cells have synthesized a basement membrane, allowing thus a firm attachment between epithelial hemidesmosomes and basement membrane. Recurrent erosions occur readily in the absence of epithelial basement membranes. Presumably, corneal epithelium is involved in the biosynthesis of fibrillar collagen of the superficial stromal layers. Corneal wound healing is delayed by a pathological epithelium. Corneal hydratation is controlled by the endothelium. It maintains a bulk flow of water towards the aqueous humor side against a pressure gradient and regulates the movement of metabolites. In the case of endothelial malfunction, the corneal stroma thickens due to a swelling of mucopolysaccharides. The endothelium synthesizes a very thick basement membrane (Descemet's membrane). In penetrating corneal wounds, Descemet's membrane is synthesized by the endothelium.", "contents": "[Functional morphology of the cornea]. The corneal epithelium serves as a barrier between tear film and stroma and maintains a smooth corneal surface. The optical features of the cornea, namely refraction and transparence, depend largely upon the characteristics of the superficial corneal layers. Any lesion of this superficial cell coat facilitates the penetration of particles of even small diameter (virus, bacteria) towards the stroma. In fact, viral corneal diseases usually start in the epithelium, the virus being replicated in transformed epithelial cells. Corneal wounds are rapidly covered by migrating epithelial cells, invading the lesion from the border of the epithelial defect. Cohesion between epithelium and underlying stroma remains very weak unless regenerating epithelial cells have synthesized a basement membrane, allowing thus a firm attachment between epithelial hemidesmosomes and basement membrane. Recurrent erosions occur readily in the absence of epithelial basement membranes. Presumably, corneal epithelium is involved in the biosynthesis of fibrillar collagen of the superficial stromal layers. Corneal wound healing is delayed by a pathological epithelium. Corneal hydratation is controlled by the endothelium. It maintains a bulk flow of water towards the aqueous humor side against a pressure gradient and regulates the movement of metabolites. In the case of endothelial malfunction, the corneal stroma thickens due to a swelling of mucopolysaccharides. The endothelium synthesizes a very thick basement membrane (Descemet's membrane). In penetrating corneal wounds, Descemet's membrane is synthesized by the endothelium.", "PMID": 626123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6312", "title": "Progressive nature of myocardial injury in selected patients with cardiogenic shock.", "content": "To determine whether the extensive myocardial injury associated with cardiogenic shock in some patients results from a progressive rather than a discrete massive insult, a study was made of 15 selected patients who had cardiogenic shock within 48 hours of admission, 5 patients with hypovolemic shock without myocardial infarction and 11 patients with myocardial infarction without shock. Peak plasma MB creatine kinase (CK) activity was significantly higher in the seven patients with cardiogenic shock associated with initial infarction (213 international units [IU]/liter) than in patients with shock and previous infarction (98 IU/liter) and in patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction (125 IU/liter). A prolonged time to peak MB CK activity (averaging 26 hours) and a plateau of elevated MB CK activity were seen in patients with shock associated with initial infarction. Because shock itself did not slow the rate of apparent MB CK disappearance, results obtained suggest that cardiogenic shock associated with initial infarction in selected patients results from progressive myocardial damage underlying continuing release of MB CK into the circulation. The findings are compatible with the concept that, in these patients, cardiogenic shock reflects a vicious cycle of spreading myocardial injury, progressive compromise of cardiac function, exacerbation of ischemia and perpetuation of myocardial damage.", "contents": "Progressive nature of myocardial injury in selected patients with cardiogenic shock. To determine whether the extensive myocardial injury associated with cardiogenic shock in some patients results from a progressive rather than a discrete massive insult, a study was made of 15 selected patients who had cardiogenic shock within 48 hours of admission, 5 patients with hypovolemic shock without myocardial infarction and 11 patients with myocardial infarction without shock. Peak plasma MB creatine kinase (CK) activity was significantly higher in the seven patients with cardiogenic shock associated with initial infarction (213 international units [IU]/liter) than in patients with shock and previous infarction (98 IU/liter) and in patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction (125 IU/liter). A prolonged time to peak MB CK activity (averaging 26 hours) and a plateau of elevated MB CK activity were seen in patients with shock associated with initial infarction. Because shock itself did not slow the rate of apparent MB CK disappearance, results obtained suggest that cardiogenic shock associated with initial infarction in selected patients results from progressive myocardial damage underlying continuing release of MB CK into the circulation. The findings are compatible with the concept that, in these patients, cardiogenic shock reflects a vicious cycle of spreading myocardial injury, progressive compromise of cardiac function, exacerbation of ischemia and perpetuation of myocardial damage.", "PMID": 626124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6313", "title": "Anuloaortic ectasia: angiographic, hemodynamic and clinical comparison with aortic valve insufficiency.", "content": "Thirty-five patients with angiographically diagnosed anuloaortic ectasia were compared with 18 patients with isolated aortic valve insufficiency to study differences between the presentation, hemodynamic or angiographic findings and clinical course in the two groups. The maximal aortic root diameter in anuloaortic ectasia was 7.6 +/- 2.4 cm (mean +/- 1 standard deviation) versus 4.2 +/- 0.6 in aortic insufficiency. Dissection was a common complication of anuloaortic ectasia (44 percent) but was not seen in aortic insufficiency. Neither the size nor the configuration of the aortic aneurysm was a reliable predictor of dissection. Despite surgical therapy, patients with anuloaortic ectasia have a worse prognosis than those with aortic valve insufficiency.", "contents": "Anuloaortic ectasia: angiographic, hemodynamic and clinical comparison with aortic valve insufficiency. Thirty-five patients with angiographically diagnosed anuloaortic ectasia were compared with 18 patients with isolated aortic valve insufficiency to study differences between the presentation, hemodynamic or angiographic findings and clinical course in the two groups. The maximal aortic root diameter in anuloaortic ectasia was 7.6 +/- 2.4 cm (mean +/- 1 standard deviation) versus 4.2 +/- 0.6 in aortic insufficiency. Dissection was a common complication of anuloaortic ectasia (44 percent) but was not seen in aortic insufficiency. Neither the size nor the configuration of the aortic aneurysm was a reliable predictor of dissection. Despite surgical therapy, patients with anuloaortic ectasia have a worse prognosis than those with aortic valve insufficiency.", "PMID": 626125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6314", "title": "Value of the QRS complex in assessing left ventricular ejection fraction.", "content": "The relation between electrocardiographic findings and the angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and the augmented ejection fraction after a premature ventricular contraction was investigated in 73 patients with documented chronic coronary artery disease. The patients were separated into four groups according to the presence or absence of abnormal Q waves. Twenty-four patients had diaphragmatic myocardial infarction, 21 had anterior myocardial infarction, 15 had both and 13 had no myocardial infarction. There was no statistically significant differences in cardiac index, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or number of coronary vessels showing critical narrowing in the four groups. The sum of R waves (in mv) in leads aVL, aVF and V1 to V6 (sigmaR) was correlated with the ejection fraction (EF) and the augmented ejection fraction (EFa). EF in percent = 6.6 sigmaR mv + 9.4 (no. =73, r = 0.61); and EFa in percent = 8.6 sigmaR mv + 11.0 (no. = 73, r = 0.77). Among patients with sigmaR of less than 4.0 mv, augmented ejection fraction was less than 0.45 in 73 percent; among patients with sigmaR of 4.0 mv or more the augmented ejection fraction was greater than 0.45 in 93 percent (P less than 0.001). Thus, the sigmaR, calculated from six precordial and two augmented leads in patients with chronic coronary artery disease, correlated with both ejection fraction and augmented ejection fraction. The electrocardiogram in patients with coronary artery disease may prove useful as a simple, readily available and noninvasive guide in the assessment of left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Value of the QRS complex in assessing left ventricular ejection fraction. The relation between electrocardiographic findings and the angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and the augmented ejection fraction after a premature ventricular contraction was investigated in 73 patients with documented chronic coronary artery disease. The patients were separated into four groups according to the presence or absence of abnormal Q waves. Twenty-four patients had diaphragmatic myocardial infarction, 21 had anterior myocardial infarction, 15 had both and 13 had no myocardial infarction. There was no statistically significant differences in cardiac index, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or number of coronary vessels showing critical narrowing in the four groups. The sum of R waves (in mv) in leads aVL, aVF and V1 to V6 (sigmaR) was correlated with the ejection fraction (EF) and the augmented ejection fraction (EFa). EF in percent = 6.6 sigmaR mv + 9.4 (no. =73, r = 0.61); and EFa in percent = 8.6 sigmaR mv + 11.0 (no. = 73, r = 0.77). Among patients with sigmaR of less than 4.0 mv, augmented ejection fraction was less than 0.45 in 73 percent; among patients with sigmaR of 4.0 mv or more the augmented ejection fraction was greater than 0.45 in 93 percent (P less than 0.001). Thus, the sigmaR, calculated from six precordial and two augmented leads in patients with chronic coronary artery disease, correlated with both ejection fraction and augmented ejection fraction. The electrocardiogram in patients with coronary artery disease may prove useful as a simple, readily available and noninvasive guide in the assessment of left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 626127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6315", "title": "Atrioventricular block: natural history after permanent ventricular pacing.", "content": "The preimplantation status, postimplantation morbidity and causes of late mortality were summarized for 246 patients who underwent pacing for atrioventricular (A-V) block at the University of Michigan for the 14 years from 1961 to 1974. The survival rate at 1, 5 and 10 years was 88, 61 and 49 percent, respectively. Risk of death was greatest among patients with antecedent ischemic or hypertensive heart disease or congestive heart failure in the period before pacemaker implantation, patients older than 74 years at initial implantation and those receiving a pacemaker before 1965. Forty-two percent of the 109 deaths were related to apparent progression of underlying cardiac disease. Pacing system malfunction was a contributing documented cause of only 3 deaths. Even with permanent pacemaker implantation, patients with A-V block have a higher age-specific mortality rate than the general U.S. population. Survival improved steadily over the period of study. This change is attributed to apparent improvements in treatment of cardiovascular disease including more effective treatment of congestive heart failure and valve replacement for selected patients as well as elimination of immediate postoperative mortality.", "contents": "Atrioventricular block: natural history after permanent ventricular pacing. The preimplantation status, postimplantation morbidity and causes of late mortality were summarized for 246 patients who underwent pacing for atrioventricular (A-V) block at the University of Michigan for the 14 years from 1961 to 1974. The survival rate at 1, 5 and 10 years was 88, 61 and 49 percent, respectively. Risk of death was greatest among patients with antecedent ischemic or hypertensive heart disease or congestive heart failure in the period before pacemaker implantation, patients older than 74 years at initial implantation and those receiving a pacemaker before 1965. Forty-two percent of the 109 deaths were related to apparent progression of underlying cardiac disease. Pacing system malfunction was a contributing documented cause of only 3 deaths. Even with permanent pacemaker implantation, patients with A-V block have a higher age-specific mortality rate than the general U.S. population. Survival improved steadily over the period of study. This change is attributed to apparent improvements in treatment of cardiovascular disease including more effective treatment of congestive heart failure and valve replacement for selected patients as well as elimination of immediate postoperative mortality.", "PMID": 626128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6316", "title": "Variability in sequential measures of left ventricular performance assessed with radionuclide angiocardiography.", "content": "The variability of left ventricular ejection fraction, normalized mean ejection rate and regional wall motion was evaluated from first pass quantitative radionuclide angiocardiograms obtained with a computerized multicrystal scintillation camera. Three radionuclide studies separated by an average of 4.3 days were obtained in each of 20 patients. Ejection fraction and ejection rate obtained on the first, second and third studies did not differ significantly. The mean (+/- standard deviation) variability of sequential ejection fraction measurement was 4.4 +/- 3.6 percent, and of sequential ejection rate was 0.56 +/- 0.47 sec(-1). Variations in measurements were not related to fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure. Variability in ejection rate was significantly greater in patients with normal function than in those with abnormal function. Regional wall motion analysis was constant in 19 of 20 patients. Thus, sequential quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography allows reproducible serial assessment of left ventricular performance that can be performed with a low level of intrinsic variability.", "contents": "Variability in sequential measures of left ventricular performance assessed with radionuclide angiocardiography. The variability of left ventricular ejection fraction, normalized mean ejection rate and regional wall motion was evaluated from first pass quantitative radionuclide angiocardiograms obtained with a computerized multicrystal scintillation camera. Three radionuclide studies separated by an average of 4.3 days were obtained in each of 20 patients. Ejection fraction and ejection rate obtained on the first, second and third studies did not differ significantly. The mean (+/- standard deviation) variability of sequential ejection fraction measurement was 4.4 +/- 3.6 percent, and of sequential ejection rate was 0.56 +/- 0.47 sec(-1). Variations in measurements were not related to fluctuations in heart rate or blood pressure. Variability in ejection rate was significantly greater in patients with normal function than in those with abnormal function. Regional wall motion analysis was constant in 19 of 20 patients. Thus, sequential quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography allows reproducible serial assessment of left ventricular performance that can be performed with a low level of intrinsic variability.", "PMID": 626129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6317", "title": "Measurement of atrial septal defect during cardiac catheterization. Experimental and clinical results.", "content": "The size of experimental and clinical secundum atrial septal defects may be accurately measured during cardiac catheterization. The position of the defects in the septum and their distance from the aortic and mitral valves may also be ascertained. A balloon catheter inflated with radiopaque dye is used for the measurement. The volume of dye in the balloon has been correlated with its maximal diameter. Thus, a no. 8-10 French catheter filled with 10 ml of diatrizoate (50 percent) has a diameter of approximately 25 mm and a no. 8-22 French catheter filled with 40 ml of diatrizoate a diameter of approximately 43 mm. Persistent arrhythmias or other adverse effects of the procedure were not observed. There was a high correlation between balloon-measured atrial septal defects and those measured at necropsy in the animals or at operation in the patients. These measurements aid in determining whether an ostium secundum defect is of proper size and location to be closed transvenously and may also prove valuable in physiologic studies of atrial septal defects or other cardiac anomalies.", "contents": "Measurement of atrial septal defect during cardiac catheterization. Experimental and clinical results. The size of experimental and clinical secundum atrial septal defects may be accurately measured during cardiac catheterization. The position of the defects in the septum and their distance from the aortic and mitral valves may also be ascertained. A balloon catheter inflated with radiopaque dye is used for the measurement. The volume of dye in the balloon has been correlated with its maximal diameter. Thus, a no. 8-10 French catheter filled with 10 ml of diatrizoate (50 percent) has a diameter of approximately 25 mm and a no. 8-22 French catheter filled with 40 ml of diatrizoate a diameter of approximately 43 mm. Persistent arrhythmias or other adverse effects of the procedure were not observed. There was a high correlation between balloon-measured atrial septal defects and those measured at necropsy in the animals or at operation in the patients. These measurements aid in determining whether an ostium secundum defect is of proper size and location to be closed transvenously and may also prove valuable in physiologic studies of atrial septal defects or other cardiac anomalies.", "PMID": 626130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6318", "title": "His bundle electrogram after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Analysis of data in 59 patients.", "content": "His bundle electrograms were recorded in 59 patients after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot and were correlated with the postoperative electrocardiogram. Except for five patients with first degree atrioventricular block postoperatively all patients in Group A (those with either a normal electrocardiogram or solitary right bundle branch block) had a normal A-H interval (77.7 +/- 21.6 msec) (mean +/- standard deviation); all had a normal H-V interval (39.5 +/- 7.2 msec). Patients in Group B (bifascicular block) tended to have a normal A-H interval (97.2 +/- 26.2 msec) with a prolonged H-V interval (48.8 +/- 10.7 msec). Patients in Group C (trifascicular block) had prolongation of both the A-H (160.0 +/- 32.4 msec) and the H-V interval (58.8 +/- 10.6 msec) by comparison with control values. Patients in Group D (transient complete heart block) had a normal A-H interval (79.5 +/- 28.2 msec) but a prolonged H-V interval (57.8 +/- 16.4 msec), similar to that in Group C. A good hemodynamic result was associated with a normal H-V interval; a prolonged interval accompanied a poor result.", "contents": "His bundle electrogram after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Analysis of data in 59 patients. His bundle electrograms were recorded in 59 patients after intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot and were correlated with the postoperative electrocardiogram. Except for five patients with first degree atrioventricular block postoperatively all patients in Group A (those with either a normal electrocardiogram or solitary right bundle branch block) had a normal A-H interval (77.7 +/- 21.6 msec) (mean +/- standard deviation); all had a normal H-V interval (39.5 +/- 7.2 msec). Patients in Group B (bifascicular block) tended to have a normal A-H interval (97.2 +/- 26.2 msec) with a prolonged H-V interval (48.8 +/- 10.7 msec). Patients in Group C (trifascicular block) had prolongation of both the A-H (160.0 +/- 32.4 msec) and the H-V interval (58.8 +/- 10.6 msec) by comparison with control values. Patients in Group D (transient complete heart block) had a normal A-H interval (79.5 +/- 28.2 msec) but a prolonged H-V interval (57.8 +/- 16.4 msec), similar to that in Group C. A good hemodynamic result was associated with a normal H-V interval; a prolonged interval accompanied a poor result.", "PMID": 626132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6319", "title": "Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in the neonate.", "content": "Of 16 infants who presented with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in the neonatal period, 50 percent had an electrocardiographic pattern consistent with Wolff-Parkinson-White conduction, type A. It is suggested that infants have bypass pathways similar to or identical with a Kent pathway as part of normal maturation. Infants with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia have electrically active bypass tracts but these are documented in only about one half of the patients because of the short duration of recordings or because of concealment (the bypass tract conducts only in retrograde fashion). The activity of these pathways is enhanced by the predominant cholinergic innervation of the neonatal heart. Resolution of the arrhythmias and the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern in most patients occurs because of anatomic maturation of the conduction tissue, development of adrenergic innervation and a decrease in cholinergic dominance. In some children, maturation is incomplete and the bypass fibers remain quiescent or become active under certain circumstances such as those associated with increased autonomic discharge. Extended surveillance is recommended for all infants who present with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern.", "contents": "Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in the neonate. Of 16 infants who presented with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in the neonatal period, 50 percent had an electrocardiographic pattern consistent with Wolff-Parkinson-White conduction, type A. It is suggested that infants have bypass pathways similar to or identical with a Kent pathway as part of normal maturation. Infants with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia have electrically active bypass tracts but these are documented in only about one half of the patients because of the short duration of recordings or because of concealment (the bypass tract conducts only in retrograde fashion). The activity of these pathways is enhanced by the predominant cholinergic innervation of the neonatal heart. Resolution of the arrhythmias and the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern in most patients occurs because of anatomic maturation of the conduction tissue, development of adrenergic innervation and a decrease in cholinergic dominance. In some children, maturation is incomplete and the bypass fibers remain quiescent or become active under certain circumstances such as those associated with increased autonomic discharge. Extended surveillance is recommended for all infants who present with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and the Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern.", "PMID": 626133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6320", "title": "Hemodynamics of postmyocardial revascularization hypertension.", "content": "The evolution of hemodynamic variables during the development of postcoronary bypass hypertension was investigated with use of serial cardiac output determination (indocyanine green dye) in 17 patients. Seven of the 17 patients remained normotensive (Group I) during the follow-up period of 4 to 6 hours after operation, whereas 10 (Group II) had a steady increase in blood pressure (173/101 mm Hg +/- 5.9/2.4 [mean +/- standard error] from 132/78 +/- 4.0/2.5 mm Hg immediately postoperatively, P less than 0.001) during the same time interval. Patients in Group I had no significant change in cardiac output, total peripheral resistance or heart rate. In contrast, patients who became hypertensive had a significant increase in total peripheral resistance (47 +/- 2.9 units/m2 from an initial level of 38 +/- 2.5 units/m2, P less than 0.001) with no significant change in cardiac index (2.73 +/- 0.17 versus 2.66 +/- 0.25 liters/min per m2, P greater than 0.10). Their heart rate, which was rapid initially (102 +/- 3.7 beats/min), remained unchanged during the hypertensive episode (103 +/- 3.0 beats/min). The mean rate of left ventricular ejection was not reduced by the increase in pressure and even tended to increase further in all but one patient. Central venous pressure (measured in all patients) and left atrial pressure (measured in eight patients) remained constant throughout the study in both Groups I and II. The results suggest that the mechanism underlying this type of hypertension is a generalized hemodynamic disturbance possibly related to overall sympathetic overdrive rather than the result of improved cardiac performance induced by myocardial revascularization.", "contents": "Hemodynamics of postmyocardial revascularization hypertension. The evolution of hemodynamic variables during the development of postcoronary bypass hypertension was investigated with use of serial cardiac output determination (indocyanine green dye) in 17 patients. Seven of the 17 patients remained normotensive (Group I) during the follow-up period of 4 to 6 hours after operation, whereas 10 (Group II) had a steady increase in blood pressure (173/101 mm Hg +/- 5.9/2.4 [mean +/- standard error] from 132/78 +/- 4.0/2.5 mm Hg immediately postoperatively, P less than 0.001) during the same time interval. Patients in Group I had no significant change in cardiac output, total peripheral resistance or heart rate. In contrast, patients who became hypertensive had a significant increase in total peripheral resistance (47 +/- 2.9 units/m2 from an initial level of 38 +/- 2.5 units/m2, P less than 0.001) with no significant change in cardiac index (2.73 +/- 0.17 versus 2.66 +/- 0.25 liters/min per m2, P greater than 0.10). Their heart rate, which was rapid initially (102 +/- 3.7 beats/min), remained unchanged during the hypertensive episode (103 +/- 3.0 beats/min). The mean rate of left ventricular ejection was not reduced by the increase in pressure and even tended to increase further in all but one patient. Central venous pressure (measured in all patients) and left atrial pressure (measured in eight patients) remained constant throughout the study in both Groups I and II. The results suggest that the mechanism underlying this type of hypertension is a generalized hemodynamic disturbance possibly related to overall sympathetic overdrive rather than the result of improved cardiac performance induced by myocardial revascularization.", "PMID": 626134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6321", "title": "Coronary revascularization under age 40 years. Risk factors and results of surgery.", "content": "Groups of patients such as the elderly, the diabetic and women have been studied to evaluate the effectiveness of coronary revascularization. In this report 77 patients under age 40 years undergoing coronary revascularization were studied. There was a high prevalence rate of predisposing factors. Sixty-eight percent reported a family history of heart disease and 27 percent a history of diabetes; 57 percent were hypertensive, 43 percent were overweight, 91 percent smoked, 5 percent were diabetic and 16 percent had abnormal glucose tolerance curves. Sixty-four percent had hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol 250 mg/100 ml) and 56 percent hyperlipidemia. Forty-four percent had had a previous myocardial infarction; 95 percent had angina pectoris, 12 percent preinfarction angina and 9 percent congestive cardiac failure. There were no operative deaths. The incidence rate of perioperative myocardial infarction (new Q waves in the electrocardiogram) was 4 percent. The mean length of of follow-up was 26 months (range 6 months to 5 years). The late mortality rate was 4 percent. Eight percent had a late myocardial infarction. Overall graft patency was 85 percent. Sixty-seven percent of patients were free of angina, and 17 percent were in improved condition. Seventy-one percent returned to work, while 29 percent remained unemployed. This study shows that in young patients, coronary revascularization is associated with low mortality and morbidity rates and that, despite the wide prevalence of predisposing factors, the prognosis and graft patency rate of these patients are similar to those of other groups.", "contents": "Coronary revascularization under age 40 years. Risk factors and results of surgery. Groups of patients such as the elderly, the diabetic and women have been studied to evaluate the effectiveness of coronary revascularization. In this report 77 patients under age 40 years undergoing coronary revascularization were studied. There was a high prevalence rate of predisposing factors. Sixty-eight percent reported a family history of heart disease and 27 percent a history of diabetes; 57 percent were hypertensive, 43 percent were overweight, 91 percent smoked, 5 percent were diabetic and 16 percent had abnormal glucose tolerance curves. Sixty-four percent had hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol 250 mg/100 ml) and 56 percent hyperlipidemia. Forty-four percent had had a previous myocardial infarction; 95 percent had angina pectoris, 12 percent preinfarction angina and 9 percent congestive cardiac failure. There were no operative deaths. The incidence rate of perioperative myocardial infarction (new Q waves in the electrocardiogram) was 4 percent. The mean length of of follow-up was 26 months (range 6 months to 5 years). The late mortality rate was 4 percent. Eight percent had a late myocardial infarction. Overall graft patency was 85 percent. Sixty-seven percent of patients were free of angina, and 17 percent were in improved condition. Seventy-one percent returned to work, while 29 percent remained unemployed. This study shows that in young patients, coronary revascularization is associated with low mortality and morbidity rates and that, despite the wide prevalence of predisposing factors, the prognosis and graft patency rate of these patients are similar to those of other groups.", "PMID": 626135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6322", "title": "Echocardiographic features of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the coronary sinus.", "content": "Six infants with anomalous connection of the pulmonary veins to the coronary sinus were studied with single crystal echocardiography. The posterior left atrial wall echo was identified by its continuity with the left ventricular posterior wall echo during a sweep from the left atrium to the left ventricle. In five of the six infants an echo-free space measuring 7 to 9 mm was identified behind the posterior left atrial wall; this space was thought to represent the common pulmonary vein. In four of these five, and also in the remaining infant, a highly mobile linear echo with a double wave form per cardiac cycle was recorded behind the posterior aortic wall and anterior mitral leaflet echoes. Echocardiographic contrast studies after the injection of saline solution into the coronary sinus disclosed that this additional echo was produced by the anterior wall of the coronary sinus. The anatomic connection of the pulmonary veins were established in each patient with pulmonary cineangiography. In four of the six patients all four pulmonary veins were connected to the coronary sinus by way of a common pulmonary vein; in the remaining two patients three of four pulmonary veins were connected to the coronary sinus, while the left upper lobe pulmonary vein was connected to the left innominate vein. The coronary sinus was greatly enlarged in each patient.", "contents": "Echocardiographic features of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the coronary sinus. Six infants with anomalous connection of the pulmonary veins to the coronary sinus were studied with single crystal echocardiography. The posterior left atrial wall echo was identified by its continuity with the left ventricular posterior wall echo during a sweep from the left atrium to the left ventricle. In five of the six infants an echo-free space measuring 7 to 9 mm was identified behind the posterior left atrial wall; this space was thought to represent the common pulmonary vein. In four of these five, and also in the remaining infant, a highly mobile linear echo with a double wave form per cardiac cycle was recorded behind the posterior aortic wall and anterior mitral leaflet echoes. Echocardiographic contrast studies after the injection of saline solution into the coronary sinus disclosed that this additional echo was produced by the anterior wall of the coronary sinus. The anatomic connection of the pulmonary veins were established in each patient with pulmonary cineangiography. In four of the six patients all four pulmonary veins were connected to the coronary sinus by way of a common pulmonary vein; in the remaining two patients three of four pulmonary veins were connected to the coronary sinus, while the left upper lobe pulmonary vein was connected to the left innominate vein. The coronary sinus was greatly enlarged in each patient.", "PMID": 626136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6323", "title": "Elective mapping and surgical division of the bundle of Kent in a patient with Ebstein's anomaly who required tricuspid valve replacement.", "content": "A 14 year old girl with Ebstein's anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome without supraventricular tachycardia underwent closure of an atrial septal defect and tricuspid valve commissurotomy. Her postoperative course was complicated by her first episodes of recurrent debilitating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Severe tricuspid insufficiency with low cardiac output necessitated a repeat intracardiac operation. At reoperation the patient underwent successful tricuspid valve replacement with concomitent cardiac mapping and division of the bundle of Kent. In patients with heart disease requiring intracardiac repair who also have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, elective surgical division of the anomalous bundle is recommended whether or not preoperative attacks of tachycardia have occurred.", "contents": "Elective mapping and surgical division of the bundle of Kent in a patient with Ebstein's anomaly who required tricuspid valve replacement. A 14 year old girl with Ebstein's anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome without supraventricular tachycardia underwent closure of an atrial septal defect and tricuspid valve commissurotomy. Her postoperative course was complicated by her first episodes of recurrent debilitating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Severe tricuspid insufficiency with low cardiac output necessitated a repeat intracardiac operation. At reoperation the patient underwent successful tricuspid valve replacement with concomitent cardiac mapping and division of the bundle of Kent. In patients with heart disease requiring intracardiac repair who also have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, elective surgical division of the anomalous bundle is recommended whether or not preoperative attacks of tachycardia have occurred.", "PMID": 626137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6324", "title": "Effects of cytochalasin B on the fine structure of organized endodermal cells of the early chick embryo.", "content": "Fresh pullet eggs (White Leghorn) were incubated for 36 to 48 hours. The blastoderms were exposed to cytochalasin B (CB), 10 or 40 microgram/ml, for 2, 5, and 15 minutes prior to fixation by immersion in buffered chick Ringers solution containing CB, previously dissolved in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO), or by sub-blastodermic injection. Controls fixed in ovo possess relatively flat surfaces with bulges due to uptake of yolk. Numerous microappendages (blebs, microvilli and ruffles) are present, especially at cell margins. DMSO-controls present a similar cell surface except that small blebs are more prominent. The plasmalemmas of CB-treated endodermal cells possess numerous large blebs (2-10 micron in diameter), smaller blebs (0.2 micron) and microvilli. Cell dissociation occurs in selected areas resulting in rounded cells, devoid of microappendages, with peripheral processes. Transmission electron microscopic preparations of tissues similar to those used for scanning electron microscopy reveal that large blebs are filled with membranous material. Microfilaments are present but lack their normal subplasmalemmal arrangement. Microtubules and other cell organelles are apparently unaffected by CB. Evidence in this study supports the concept that cytochalasin B exerts its influence through alteration of the plasmalemma.", "contents": "Effects of cytochalasin B on the fine structure of organized endodermal cells of the early chick embryo. Fresh pullet eggs (White Leghorn) were incubated for 36 to 48 hours. The blastoderms were exposed to cytochalasin B (CB), 10 or 40 microgram/ml, for 2, 5, and 15 minutes prior to fixation by immersion in buffered chick Ringers solution containing CB, previously dissolved in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO), or by sub-blastodermic injection. Controls fixed in ovo possess relatively flat surfaces with bulges due to uptake of yolk. Numerous microappendages (blebs, microvilli and ruffles) are present, especially at cell margins. DMSO-controls present a similar cell surface except that small blebs are more prominent. The plasmalemmas of CB-treated endodermal cells possess numerous large blebs (2-10 micron in diameter), smaller blebs (0.2 micron) and microvilli. Cell dissociation occurs in selected areas resulting in rounded cells, devoid of microappendages, with peripheral processes. Transmission electron microscopic preparations of tissues similar to those used for scanning electron microscopy reveal that large blebs are filled with membranous material. Microfilaments are present but lack their normal subplasmalemmal arrangement. Microtubules and other cell organelles are apparently unaffected by CB. Evidence in this study supports the concept that cytochalasin B exerts its influence through alteration of the plasmalemma.", "PMID": 626150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6325", "title": "Qualitative and quantitative morphologic study of Peyer's patches of the mouse after neonatal thymectomy and hydrocortisone injection.", "content": "Peyer's patches in normal adult mice, neonatally thymectomized mice and mice injected with hydrocortisone were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by light microscopy. The patch was divided into germinal center, follicular area, parafollicular area and dome area. In normal mice, the volumetric ratio of the germinal center to the entire patch was 30.9%; that of the follicular area, 33.3%; that of the parafollicular area, 27.7%; and that of the dome area, 8.2%. Thymus-dependent small lymphocytes were 40% of small lymphocytes in the patch. Out of the total thymus-dependent small lymphocytes in the patch, 13% were included in the germinal center; 19%, in the follicular area; 62%, in the parafollicular area; and 6%, in the dome area. Hydrocortisone-sensitive small lymphocytes were 65% of the total small lymphocytes in the patch, the germinal center contained 9%; the follicular area, 84%; the parafollicular area, 2%; and the dome area, 5%. The epithelium over the dome area was invaded by numerous small lymphocytes. Forty-eight percent of lymphocytes within the epithelium over the dome were thymus-dependent and 67% were hydrocortisone-sensitive. It is concluded that Peyer's patch may be considered as a peripheral lymphatic tissue, functionally as well as morphologically.", "contents": "Qualitative and quantitative morphologic study of Peyer's patches of the mouse after neonatal thymectomy and hydrocortisone injection. Peyer's patches in normal adult mice, neonatally thymectomized mice and mice injected with hydrocortisone were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by light microscopy. The patch was divided into germinal center, follicular area, parafollicular area and dome area. In normal mice, the volumetric ratio of the germinal center to the entire patch was 30.9%; that of the follicular area, 33.3%; that of the parafollicular area, 27.7%; and that of the dome area, 8.2%. Thymus-dependent small lymphocytes were 40% of small lymphocytes in the patch. Out of the total thymus-dependent small lymphocytes in the patch, 13% were included in the germinal center; 19%, in the follicular area; 62%, in the parafollicular area; and 6%, in the dome area. Hydrocortisone-sensitive small lymphocytes were 65% of the total small lymphocytes in the patch, the germinal center contained 9%; the follicular area, 84%; the parafollicular area, 2%; and the dome area, 5%. The epithelium over the dome area was invaded by numerous small lymphocytes. Forty-eight percent of lymphocytes within the epithelium over the dome were thymus-dependent and 67% were hydrocortisone-sensitive. It is concluded that Peyer's patch may be considered as a peripheral lymphatic tissue, functionally as well as morphologically.", "PMID": 626154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6326", "title": "A study on the blood vascular system of the lamprey gill filament.", "content": "The blood vessels in the gill filaments of lamprey, Lampetra japonica, were studied with an electron microscope. Each gill filament is supplied by an afferent filament artery (afa) flanked by a pair of filament veins (fv), along the outer border of the axial plate, and an efferent filament artery (efa) along the inner, free border. Between these arteries are interposed the cavernous body and the blood lacunae. The marginal channel arises from the cavernous body, which leads to the afa, runs along the free border of the secondary lamella collecting oxygenated blood from the lamellar blood lacunae, and finally joins efa. This channel is considered to play an important role in the gill circulation as a bypass between afa and efa. Pillar cells were found only in the blood lacunae of the axial plate and the secondary lamellae. The basal lamina is generally absent on the vascular wall, but only a small amount of dense material could be seen on the basal surface of endothelial cells of afa and fv: this is regarded as an anchoring device between the cell and connective tissue fibrils. Fenestrations are generally absent in the endothelial layer but numerous gaps were seen in the wall of fv. Arterio-venus anastomoses were found between afa or the cavernous body and fv, and between efa or the collecting arteries of the efferent branchial artery and the peribranchial venous sinus. The anastomosing channel consists of the inner endothelial layer and the outer smooth muscle layer, which is thicker in the intermediate portion of the channel. The endothelial cells called \"AVA cells\" here are characterized by (1) dense cytoplasms, (2) apical microvilli and (3) basal cytoplasmic processes closely associated with smooth muscle cells.", "contents": "A study on the blood vascular system of the lamprey gill filament. The blood vessels in the gill filaments of lamprey, Lampetra japonica, were studied with an electron microscope. Each gill filament is supplied by an afferent filament artery (afa) flanked by a pair of filament veins (fv), along the outer border of the axial plate, and an efferent filament artery (efa) along the inner, free border. Between these arteries are interposed the cavernous body and the blood lacunae. The marginal channel arises from the cavernous body, which leads to the afa, runs along the free border of the secondary lamella collecting oxygenated blood from the lamellar blood lacunae, and finally joins efa. This channel is considered to play an important role in the gill circulation as a bypass between afa and efa. Pillar cells were found only in the blood lacunae of the axial plate and the secondary lamellae. The basal lamina is generally absent on the vascular wall, but only a small amount of dense material could be seen on the basal surface of endothelial cells of afa and fv: this is regarded as an anchoring device between the cell and connective tissue fibrils. Fenestrations are generally absent in the endothelial layer but numerous gaps were seen in the wall of fv. Arterio-venus anastomoses were found between afa or the cavernous body and fv, and between efa or the collecting arteries of the efferent branchial artery and the peribranchial venous sinus. The anastomosing channel consists of the inner endothelial layer and the outer smooth muscle layer, which is thicker in the intermediate portion of the channel. The endothelial cells called \"AVA cells\" here are characterized by (1) dense cytoplasms, (2) apical microvilli and (3) basal cytoplasmic processes closely associated with smooth muscle cells.", "PMID": 626155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6327", "title": "The spiral constrictor of the gastroesophageal junction.", "content": "The gastroesophageal region was reconstructed from the histological analyses of five human newborn infants. In addition, the nusculature of eight (3 newborn and 5 adult) human stomachs obtained from autopsies, with the lower one-third of the esophagus attached, was dissected with the aid of a binocular dissecting microscope. The muscularis mucosae, in the region of the gastroesophageal junction, exhibited no increase in thickness, nor was there any indication of special mucosal folds. In addition, the gastroesophageal junction contained no morphologic evidence that would support the existence of an anatomic sphincter (a localized thickening of circular muscle fibers). However, the obliquely arranged inner circular muscle fibers of the esophagus separated into fascicular bundles below the esophageal opening. Some of the fasciculi, as they descended, again became circular in shape and continued into the stomach, forming the middle circular muscle layer, while other fasciculi maintained their oblique course toward the left surface of the esophagus. These fasciculi, coursing on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the esophagus, crossed and interdigitated along the left surface of the esophagus in the region of the incisura cardiaca. After crossing, the oblique fasciculi descended into the stomach forming the inner oblique muscle layer. Based upon this description of crossing and interdigitating fasciculi, it is suggested that closure of the gastroesophageal junction may be due to contraction of spirally arranged muscle. Since the term \"sphincter\" generally implies a circular structure, it is proposed that the term \"spiral constrictor\" be considered in naming this anatomical arrangement.", "contents": "The spiral constrictor of the gastroesophageal junction. The gastroesophageal region was reconstructed from the histological analyses of five human newborn infants. In addition, the nusculature of eight (3 newborn and 5 adult) human stomachs obtained from autopsies, with the lower one-third of the esophagus attached, was dissected with the aid of a binocular dissecting microscope. The muscularis mucosae, in the region of the gastroesophageal junction, exhibited no increase in thickness, nor was there any indication of special mucosal folds. In addition, the gastroesophageal junction contained no morphologic evidence that would support the existence of an anatomic sphincter (a localized thickening of circular muscle fibers). However, the obliquely arranged inner circular muscle fibers of the esophagus separated into fascicular bundles below the esophageal opening. Some of the fasciculi, as they descended, again became circular in shape and continued into the stomach, forming the middle circular muscle layer, while other fasciculi maintained their oblique course toward the left surface of the esophagus. These fasciculi, coursing on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the esophagus, crossed and interdigitated along the left surface of the esophagus in the region of the incisura cardiaca. After crossing, the oblique fasciculi descended into the stomach forming the inner oblique muscle layer. Based upon this description of crossing and interdigitating fasciculi, it is suggested that closure of the gastroesophageal junction may be due to contraction of spirally arranged muscle. Since the term \"sphincter\" generally implies a circular structure, it is proposed that the term \"spiral constrictor\" be considered in naming this anatomical arrangement.", "PMID": 626156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6328", "title": "Effects of therapeutic radiation on microstructure of the human mandible.", "content": "Mandibular bone from eight patients who had received therapeutic radiation (6,000-7,200 rads) for intra-oral cancer was obtained at surgery (1 month to 9 years after radiation) and compared histologically with non-irradiated mandibular bone from five subjects. Measurements made on the internal remodeling process of cortical bone included the extent of internal surface and the fraction indicating resorption, and the proportions of osteones which were incomplete (less than 3/4 filled with matrix), complete, and plugged. Appreciable differences were observed in all parameters except plugged osteones. The findings suggested early cessation of osteogenesis, and somewhat later cessation of resopriton, without subsequent resumption of either process. The histologic appearance of the osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteones was in accord. Microfractures found in the irradiated bone were not seen to have healed. Radiation damage to the osteoprogenitor cells is postulated.", "contents": "Effects of therapeutic radiation on microstructure of the human mandible. Mandibular bone from eight patients who had received therapeutic radiation (6,000-7,200 rads) for intra-oral cancer was obtained at surgery (1 month to 9 years after radiation) and compared histologically with non-irradiated mandibular bone from five subjects. Measurements made on the internal remodeling process of cortical bone included the extent of internal surface and the fraction indicating resorption, and the proportions of osteones which were incomplete (less than 3/4 filled with matrix), complete, and plugged. Appreciable differences were observed in all parameters except plugged osteones. The findings suggested early cessation of osteogenesis, and somewhat later cessation of resopriton, without subsequent resumption of either process. The histologic appearance of the osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteones was in accord. Microfractures found in the irradiated bone were not seen to have healed. Radiation damage to the osteoprogenitor cells is postulated.", "PMID": 626157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6329", "title": "The luminal surface of thyroid cysts in SEM.", "content": "Four of the five kinds of cells constituting the walls of thyroid cysts can be identified in the SEM. These are cuboidal cells, mucous cells, cells with large granules and ciliated cells. A correlation between SEM and TEM observations is attempted.", "contents": "The luminal surface of thyroid cysts in SEM. Four of the five kinds of cells constituting the walls of thyroid cysts can be identified in the SEM. These are cuboidal cells, mucous cells, cells with large granules and ciliated cells. A correlation between SEM and TEM observations is attempted.", "PMID": 626158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6330", "title": "Elimination of multiple innervation in the developing avian superior oblique muscle (1).", "content": "Motor endplates in the developing avian superior oblique muscle first appear on day 18 of incubation. Most of the endplates from this time through hatching (day 27) are innervated by multiple fibers. Each endplate in the post-hatching period is innervated by only one fiber. Time of elimination of multineuronal innervation does not correlate with the time of trochlear neuron loss; the former occurs much later in development. Removal of multiple innervation is therefore, not the cause of the naturally occurring neuron loss.", "contents": "Elimination of multiple innervation in the developing avian superior oblique muscle (1). Motor endplates in the developing avian superior oblique muscle first appear on day 18 of incubation. Most of the endplates from this time through hatching (day 27) are innervated by multiple fibers. Each endplate in the post-hatching period is innervated by only one fiber. Time of elimination of multineuronal innervation does not correlate with the time of trochlear neuron loss; the former occurs much later in development. Removal of multiple innervation is therefore, not the cause of the naturally occurring neuron loss.", "PMID": 626159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6331", "title": "The use and application of autopsy in research.", "content": "The only limit to the use and application of the autopsy in research is the imagination of the investigator. As pathologists, it would appear that we have really neglected this powerful tool in recent decades and have undersold the potentiality of this method. As we hope to have made evident by the foregoing discussion, the field of research utilizing autopsy tissues is truly as broad as medicine itself, and if developed properly, becomes an indispensable part of the fabric of on-going research in areas of carcinogenesis, environmental disease, atherosclerosis, and aging.", "contents": "The use and application of autopsy in research. The only limit to the use and application of the autopsy in research is the imagination of the investigator. As pathologists, it would appear that we have really neglected this powerful tool in recent decades and have undersold the potentiality of this method. As we hope to have made evident by the foregoing discussion, the field of research utilizing autopsy tissues is truly as broad as medicine itself, and if developed properly, becomes an indispensable part of the fabric of on-going research in areas of carcinogenesis, environmental disease, atherosclerosis, and aging.", "PMID": 626165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6332", "title": "The autopsy--benefits to society.", "content": "The autopsy has immense value to society but only when it is performed by interested, experienced pathologists who are asking questions relevant to today's world and who are utilizing imaginative approaches to the development of data to answer these questions.", "contents": "The autopsy--benefits to society. The autopsy has immense value to society but only when it is performed by interested, experienced pathologists who are asking questions relevant to today's world and who are utilizing imaginative approaches to the development of data to answer these questions.", "PMID": 626167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6333", "title": "Caveat prosector: the pathologist and autopsy law.", "content": "For more than five centuries autopsies have contributed to the improvement of health care. To support this purpose, society has modified the laws governing the dead body. While the police power of the state authorizes some autopsies, most are performed in hospitals and are governed by the common law as locally modified. The use of living tissues and organs from dead bodies has led to efforts not only to redefine death, but also to regulate tissue banking, transplantation, and experimentation. These legal and social constraints must be recognized and respected by the autopsy pathologist.", "contents": "Caveat prosector: the pathologist and autopsy law. For more than five centuries autopsies have contributed to the improvement of health care. To support this purpose, society has modified the laws governing the dead body. While the police power of the state authorizes some autopsies, most are performed in hospitals and are governed by the common law as locally modified. The use of living tissues and organs from dead bodies has led to efforts not only to redefine death, but also to regulate tissue banking, transplantation, and experimentation. These legal and social constraints must be recognized and respected by the autopsy pathologist.", "PMID": 626174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6334", "title": "Clinical management of father-daughter incest. A critical reexamination.", "content": "The professional literature relevant to child incest cases is reviewed. Four questions related to clinical management are examined. Although physical separation of the offending parent and child is typically recommended, there is insufficient evidence to support the belief that an incestuous relationship per se is inevitably harmful to the mental health of the child. It is suggested that exclusive focus on the sexual relationship can sometimes prevent the clinician from providing maximum assistance to the child and family. A representative case history is discussed.", "contents": "Clinical management of father-daughter incest. A critical reexamination. The professional literature relevant to child incest cases is reviewed. Four questions related to clinical management are examined. Although physical separation of the offending parent and child is typically recommended, there is insufficient evidence to support the belief that an incestuous relationship per se is inevitably harmful to the mental health of the child. It is suggested that exclusive focus on the sexual relationship can sometimes prevent the clinician from providing maximum assistance to the child and family. A representative case history is discussed.", "PMID": 626177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6335", "title": "Goldenhar's syndrome.", "content": "We present a report on 16 patients with Goldenhar's syndrome. The criteria we required for the diagnosis of Goldenhar's syndrome consisted of an eye abnormality (lipoma, lipodermoid, epibulbar dermoid, or upper eyelid coloboma) associated with ear, mandibular, or vertebral anomalies (two of the three). Although Treacher Collins' syndrome can be easily differentiated from Goldenhar's syndrome, the differences between Goldenhar's syndrome and hemifacial microsomia are more difficult to delineate.", "contents": "Goldenhar's syndrome. We present a report on 16 patients with Goldenhar's syndrome. The criteria we required for the diagnosis of Goldenhar's syndrome consisted of an eye abnormality (lipoma, lipodermoid, epibulbar dermoid, or upper eyelid coloboma) associated with ear, mandibular, or vertebral anomalies (two of the three). Although Treacher Collins' syndrome can be easily differentiated from Goldenhar's syndrome, the differences between Goldenhar's syndrome and hemifacial microsomia are more difficult to delineate.", "PMID": 626178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6336", "title": "Sickle cell anemia and transposition of the great vessels.", "content": "A child with homozygous sickle cell disease and transposition of the great vessels had erythrocytosis associated with markedly increased plasma erythropoietin activity. Her clinical course was complicated by neurologic manifestations but not by recurrent sickle cell vasooculsive episodes. The fetal hemoglobin level which had been greater than 25% during the first two years of life gradually decreased to less than 10%. She died at 3 years of age of congestive heart failure and severe anemia. The only sickle cell painful crisis occurred during her terminal illness. It is likely that the high levels of fetal hemorglobin decreased sickling and thus allowed erythrocytosis to develop. Fetal hemoglobin may also have prevented frequent vaso-occlusive events despite the high hematocrit level.", "contents": "Sickle cell anemia and transposition of the great vessels. A child with homozygous sickle cell disease and transposition of the great vessels had erythrocytosis associated with markedly increased plasma erythropoietin activity. Her clinical course was complicated by neurologic manifestations but not by recurrent sickle cell vasooculsive episodes. The fetal hemoglobin level which had been greater than 25% during the first two years of life gradually decreased to less than 10%. She died at 3 years of age of congestive heart failure and severe anemia. The only sickle cell painful crisis occurred during her terminal illness. It is likely that the high levels of fetal hemorglobin decreased sickling and thus allowed erythrocytosis to develop. Fetal hemoglobin may also have prevented frequent vaso-occlusive events despite the high hematocrit level.", "PMID": 626179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6337", "title": "Relationships between child-rearing styles and child behavior over time.", "content": "We investigate the hypothesis that \"authoritarian\" styles of child rearing will lead to more home and school problems than will \"accommodative\" styles. One hundred thirty-five children have been followed up from age 2 into first grade. Follow-up observations show no significant differences between groups on any of the scores indicating malfunctioning for boys or girls at home or school. However, the home behavior of boys being raised with accommodative styles was described in more positive terms by their mothers than those raised with authoritarian styles. The accommodatively raisded girls were described in more positive terms by their first grade teachers. We found no evidence in this study that the permissive style is producing large numbers of \"spoiled brats\" nor that the authoritarian styles are producing large numbers of overly aggressive or inhibited children. The way parents handle authority relationships is not sufficientyl predictive of later problems to warrant any widespread attempts by physicians to change them. The physician should respect individual differences in child-rearing syle and only intervene where there is substantial evidence that a particular approach is having a harmful effect.", "contents": "Relationships between child-rearing styles and child behavior over time. We investigate the hypothesis that \"authoritarian\" styles of child rearing will lead to more home and school problems than will \"accommodative\" styles. One hundred thirty-five children have been followed up from age 2 into first grade. Follow-up observations show no significant differences between groups on any of the scores indicating malfunctioning for boys or girls at home or school. However, the home behavior of boys being raised with accommodative styles was described in more positive terms by their mothers than those raised with authoritarian styles. The accommodatively raisded girls were described in more positive terms by their first grade teachers. We found no evidence in this study that the permissive style is producing large numbers of \"spoiled brats\" nor that the authoritarian styles are producing large numbers of overly aggressive or inhibited children. The way parents handle authority relationships is not sufficientyl predictive of later problems to warrant any widespread attempts by physicians to change them. The physician should respect individual differences in child-rearing syle and only intervene where there is substantial evidence that a particular approach is having a harmful effect.", "PMID": 626180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6338", "title": "Retinoblastoma and subband deletion of chromosome 13.", "content": "Two patients with retinoblastoma and an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13 were studied using G-banded metaphase and prophase chromosomes. One patient showed several congenital defects, developmental retardation, and deletion of bands q14 and q21. The second patient showed mild developmental delay, a few minor congenital defects, and a loss of approximately half of band q14. On the basis of this study and nine others from the literature, it is now possible to tentatively assign a predisposition to retinoblastoma to deletion of a specific small region of chromosome 13.", "contents": "Retinoblastoma and subband deletion of chromosome 13. Two patients with retinoblastoma and an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 13 were studied using G-banded metaphase and prophase chromosomes. One patient showed several congenital defects, developmental retardation, and deletion of bands q14 and q21. The second patient showed mild developmental delay, a few minor congenital defects, and a loss of approximately half of band q14. On the basis of this study and nine others from the literature, it is now possible to tentatively assign a predisposition to retinoblastoma to deletion of a specific small region of chromosome 13.", "PMID": 626181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6339", "title": "Evidence for reinstatement of infants 12 to 14 months of age into routine measles immunization programs.", "content": "The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) serologic responses of 851 measles-susceptible infants and children to the live, further-attenuated measles virus vaccine were evaluated over a ten-year period. The response by age at 23-day intervals was determined. Infants inoculated at 12 through 14 months of age demonstrated seroconversion rates by HI assay comparable to those in infants and children inoculated at 15 months of age or older. This finding does not support the recent recommendation that routine active immunization with measles vaccine should be postponed until 15 months of age. We emphasize the possible consequence of electively leaving infants 12 throught 14 months of age vulnerable to measles because of the current endemicity of this disease in the United States. We also present evidence for the reinstatement of infants 12 through 14 months of age into routine measles immunization programs and for the need to further evaluate the causes for vaccine failure in vaccines after the loss of maternal antibody.", "contents": "Evidence for reinstatement of infants 12 to 14 months of age into routine measles immunization programs. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) serologic responses of 851 measles-susceptible infants and children to the live, further-attenuated measles virus vaccine were evaluated over a ten-year period. The response by age at 23-day intervals was determined. Infants inoculated at 12 through 14 months of age demonstrated seroconversion rates by HI assay comparable to those in infants and children inoculated at 15 months of age or older. This finding does not support the recent recommendation that routine active immunization with measles vaccine should be postponed until 15 months of age. We emphasize the possible consequence of electively leaving infants 12 throught 14 months of age vulnerable to measles because of the current endemicity of this disease in the United States. We also present evidence for the reinstatement of infants 12 through 14 months of age into routine measles immunization programs and for the need to further evaluate the causes for vaccine failure in vaccines after the loss of maternal antibody.", "PMID": 626182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6340", "title": "Cystic fibrosis presenting with the meconium plug syndrome.", "content": "The meconium plug syndrome (MPS) is a common cause of low intestinal obstruction in newborn infants. Usually, it is benign and not associated with other intestinal dysfunction. We describe the cases of three infants in whom there was intestinal obstruction consistent with the MPS and in which cystic fibrosis (CF) was later documented. We suggest that there is an association between the MPS and CF, and that the condition of all infants with the MPS be evaluated for the possibility of both Hirschsprung's disease and CF.", "contents": "Cystic fibrosis presenting with the meconium plug syndrome. The meconium plug syndrome (MPS) is a common cause of low intestinal obstruction in newborn infants. Usually, it is benign and not associated with other intestinal dysfunction. We describe the cases of three infants in whom there was intestinal obstruction consistent with the MPS and in which cystic fibrosis (CF) was later documented. We suggest that there is an association between the MPS and CF, and that the condition of all infants with the MPS be evaluated for the possibility of both Hirschsprung's disease and CF.", "PMID": 626183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6341", "title": "Biological bases of psychological sex differences.", "content": "The mammalian process of sexual differentiation is briefly outlined. It is argued that in becoming girl or boy there are certain constraints and biases placed on the developing individual, some of these stemming from physiological bases, others from sensory-perceptual ones. These bases in turn affect the salience environmental factors for the two sexes. The different \"behavioral styles\" of boys and girls are thus a consequence of the transaction between the environment and these predispositions. The psychosexual anomalies are reviewed as instructive cases. Differences in neural organization and cerebral asymmetry are considered as further evidence of sexual dimorphism in humans.", "contents": "Biological bases of psychological sex differences. The mammalian process of sexual differentiation is briefly outlined. It is argued that in becoming girl or boy there are certain constraints and biases placed on the developing individual, some of these stemming from physiological bases, others from sensory-perceptual ones. These bases in turn affect the salience environmental factors for the two sexes. The different \"behavioral styles\" of boys and girls are thus a consequence of the transaction between the environment and these predispositions. The psychosexual anomalies are reviewed as instructive cases. Differences in neural organization and cerebral asymmetry are considered as further evidence of sexual dimorphism in humans.", "PMID": 626184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6342", "title": "Medical care of the athlete.", "content": "Atheletics involve many health hazards for children. The possibility for injury is present and participation means a calculated risk. To justify the risks, the benefits must outweigh the dangers. Sports, suitably engaged in, promote both physical and mental health. As pediatricians we become involved on two occasions: during the preseason examination to determine the child's fitness to participate, and when injury has occurred. Adequate examining means an understanding of what is involved to participate, promoting safety standards, and equitable competitive situations.", "contents": "Medical care of the athlete. Atheletics involve many health hazards for children. The possibility for injury is present and participation means a calculated risk. To justify the risks, the benefits must outweigh the dangers. Sports, suitably engaged in, promote both physical and mental health. As pediatricians we become involved on two occasions: during the preseason examination to determine the child's fitness to participate, and when injury has occurred. Adequate examining means an understanding of what is involved to participate, promoting safety standards, and equitable competitive situations.", "PMID": 626185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6343", "title": "Evaluation of the professional communications of a pharmacist in a 45-bed rural hospital with comprehensive pharmaceutical services.", "content": "The professional communications of a pharmacist providing comprehensive services were studied to determine the accuracy of the information provided, its usefulness to patient care and the level of expertise needed to respond appropriately. Data were collected by a diary technique for a four-month period. Patient charts were reviewed to collect clinical data needed to evaluate the appropriateness of the pharmacist's responses and to ascertain evidence that the information provided was implemented. The analysis classified the communications as either \"clinical\" or \"pharmaceutical\" in content. Practitioner panels of pharmacists and a physician assessed the communications for accuracy, relevance to the patient episode and level of pharmacy expertise necessary to communicate. Most communications with physicians were \"pharmaceutical\" in content. The most frequent information asked concerned dose or dosage schedule. Approximately one-third of the \"pharmaceutical\" communications could have been handled adequately by a technician. Only one communication should have required an extensive literature search for the pharmacist to respond. Less than half of the pharmacist's communications were pertinent to the patient episode and of clinical importance. Information from half of the communications was implemented in patient care within 48 hours. There did not appear to be any relationship between accuracy of response and implementation of information. It is not known whether the deficiencies identified apply to a large number of pharmacists. Hence, the bearing of the study on the cost-benefit of clinical pharmacy services is not clear.", "contents": "Evaluation of the professional communications of a pharmacist in a 45-bed rural hospital with comprehensive pharmaceutical services. The professional communications of a pharmacist providing comprehensive services were studied to determine the accuracy of the information provided, its usefulness to patient care and the level of expertise needed to respond appropriately. Data were collected by a diary technique for a four-month period. Patient charts were reviewed to collect clinical data needed to evaluate the appropriateness of the pharmacist's responses and to ascertain evidence that the information provided was implemented. The analysis classified the communications as either \"clinical\" or \"pharmaceutical\" in content. Practitioner panels of pharmacists and a physician assessed the communications for accuracy, relevance to the patient episode and level of pharmacy expertise necessary to communicate. Most communications with physicians were \"pharmaceutical\" in content. The most frequent information asked concerned dose or dosage schedule. Approximately one-third of the \"pharmaceutical\" communications could have been handled adequately by a technician. Only one communication should have required an extensive literature search for the pharmacist to respond. Less than half of the pharmacist's communications were pertinent to the patient episode and of clinical importance. Information from half of the communications was implemented in patient care within 48 hours. There did not appear to be any relationship between accuracy of response and implementation of information. It is not known whether the deficiencies identified apply to a large number of pharmacists. Hence, the bearing of the study on the cost-benefit of clinical pharmacy services is not clear.", "PMID": 626194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6344", "title": "The hospital pharmacist: master or victim of the environment?", "content": "The results of an investigation into role perceptions and expectations of hospital pharmacists are reported. The Locus of Control Scale which taps a personality attribute associated with beliefs about personal control over the environment was administered to 443 practitioners and students. It was found that hospital pharmacists are significantly more internal (masters rather than victims of the environment) than pharmacy students, other students and the general population. Implications of this finding are discussed in light of changing roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care and the evaluation of pharmacy education. It is suggested that hospital pharmacists are well suited to the role of change agent, but that certain cautions are indicated in selecting strategies for change.", "contents": "The hospital pharmacist: master or victim of the environment? The results of an investigation into role perceptions and expectations of hospital pharmacists are reported. The Locus of Control Scale which taps a personality attribute associated with beliefs about personal control over the environment was administered to 443 practitioners and students. It was found that hospital pharmacists are significantly more internal (masters rather than victims of the environment) than pharmacy students, other students and the general population. Implications of this finding are discussed in light of changing roles of pharmacists in the delivery of health care and the evaluation of pharmacy education. It is suggested that hospital pharmacists are well suited to the role of change agent, but that certain cautions are indicated in selecting strategies for change.", "PMID": 626195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6345", "title": "Drug use in a day treatment center.", "content": "The medication therapy of participants in a day treatment center was reviewed and evaluated. Medication data from patient or family interviews, physician records, and center records were correlated. Prescription drug use was low (three to four medications per patient). However, when nonprescription drugs were included in the data, drug use was much higher (greater than 11 drugs/patient). Patient compliance was 90% or greater. Specific recommendations for drug use review and control in a day treatment center are given.", "contents": "Drug use in a day treatment center. The medication therapy of participants in a day treatment center was reviewed and evaluated. Medication data from patient or family interviews, physician records, and center records were correlated. Prescription drug use was low (three to four medications per patient). However, when nonprescription drugs were included in the data, drug use was much higher (greater than 11 drugs/patient). Patient compliance was 90% or greater. Specific recommendations for drug use review and control in a day treatment center are given.", "PMID": 626196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6346", "title": "Use review of nutritionally complete liquid diets.", "content": "A study was conducted to determine the manner in which semisynthetic fiber-free liquid diets and complete oral liquid diets were being used in a large teaching hospital, and to determine the influence of the establishment of a dietary formulary and guidelines on prescribing. A use review of the dietary formulations was conducted both prior and subsequent to the publication of the formulary and guidelines. Ninety-five patients were monitored on 22 adult medical, surgical, psychiatric and gynecological divisions. The inappropriate or questionable orders for all types of dietary formulations decreased from 65% to 52% after the publication of the formulary and guidelines. There was a significant decrease (p less than 0.005) in orders for semisynthetic fiber-free diets, from 34 to 4, after publication of the formulary and guidelines. The guidelines and formulary appeared to have caused the decreased use of the diet formulations and to have aided in eliminating less than optimal prescribing of the products.", "contents": "Use review of nutritionally complete liquid diets. A study was conducted to determine the manner in which semisynthetic fiber-free liquid diets and complete oral liquid diets were being used in a large teaching hospital, and to determine the influence of the establishment of a dietary formulary and guidelines on prescribing. A use review of the dietary formulations was conducted both prior and subsequent to the publication of the formulary and guidelines. Ninety-five patients were monitored on 22 adult medical, surgical, psychiatric and gynecological divisions. The inappropriate or questionable orders for all types of dietary formulations decreased from 65% to 52% after the publication of the formulary and guidelines. There was a significant decrease (p less than 0.005) in orders for semisynthetic fiber-free diets, from 34 to 4, after publication of the formulary and guidelines. The guidelines and formulary appeared to have caused the decreased use of the diet formulations and to have aided in eliminating less than optimal prescribing of the products.", "PMID": 626197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6347", "title": "Centralized intravenous admixture program for nine British hospitals.", "content": "The development of a centralized i.v. admixture service for nine British hospitals is described. Emphasis is placed on strict aseptic technique. Production of admixtures is limited only to those situations where i.v. administration is positively indicated.", "contents": "Centralized intravenous admixture program for nine British hospitals. The development of a centralized i.v. admixture service for nine British hospitals is described. Emphasis is placed on strict aseptic technique. Production of admixtures is limited only to those situations where i.v. administration is positively indicated.", "PMID": 626198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6348", "title": "Management stretegy for the diffusion of innovation: unit dose drug distribution.", "content": "The concepts of the change agent and opinion leader are explored as means to aid the pharmacists in affecting the diffusion of an innovation such as unit dose. A four-part model which describes one possible management strategy for the diffusion of innovation into the organization is presented. The effect of changes in the environment of hospital pharmacy, which may result in the recognition of performance gaps and thus stimulate the introduction of innovation, is discussed. Aspects of diffusion of an innovation--supplying the appropriate information, the knowledge function; creating a positive attitude toward the implementation of the innovation, the persuasion function; the adoption or rejection of the innovation, the decision function--are explained. The successful diffusion of an innovation requires a conscious management strategy, such as the four-component model discussed in this paper.", "contents": "Management stretegy for the diffusion of innovation: unit dose drug distribution. The concepts of the change agent and opinion leader are explored as means to aid the pharmacists in affecting the diffusion of an innovation such as unit dose. A four-part model which describes one possible management strategy for the diffusion of innovation into the organization is presented. The effect of changes in the environment of hospital pharmacy, which may result in the recognition of performance gaps and thus stimulate the introduction of innovation, is discussed. Aspects of diffusion of an innovation--supplying the appropriate information, the knowledge function; creating a positive attitude toward the implementation of the innovation, the persuasion function; the adoption or rejection of the innovation, the decision function--are explained. The successful diffusion of an innovation requires a conscious management strategy, such as the four-component model discussed in this paper.", "PMID": 626199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6349", "title": "Computerized controlled drug inventory system.", "content": "The development and use of a computerized system for controlled drug inventory is described. The system configuration, processing and report programs are discussed. The system is capable of producing reports on controlled drug prescriptions and receipts, current balances, and close-out inventory levels, as well as patient use and physician screens. This flexible system, developed with limited hardware, has the ability to provide up-to-the-minute accounting of controlled drugs.", "contents": "Computerized controlled drug inventory system. The development and use of a computerized system for controlled drug inventory is described. The system configuration, processing and report programs are discussed. The system is capable of producing reports on controlled drug prescriptions and receipts, current balances, and close-out inventory levels, as well as patient use and physician screens. This flexible system, developed with limited hardware, has the ability to provide up-to-the-minute accounting of controlled drugs.", "PMID": 626200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6350", "title": "Rationale for patient package inserts.", "content": "The need for patient package inserts (PPIs) is discussed in terms of the \"consumers' right-to-know\" and \"patient health education\" themes, as well as the premise that verbal means of communication are often inadequate. Some of the reasons for the frequent failure of verbal messages are reviewed by detailing the five stages through which any communication must be processed in order to be effective. Verbal information may be inadequate because: (1) patients are not exposed to necessary material, (2) they may not pay attention to the information, (3) they may not understand it, (4) the information may not be accepted as valid, and (5) patients may not remember the material. Written communication which must be processed through the same five stages also may be frequently inadequate. Therefore, PPIs must be viewed as reinforcing and augmenting verbal consultation, and both written and verbal forms are necessary. Consumer surveys and demonstration projects have shown that written communications are a desired and effective means for conveying additional prescription drug information to patients. The wide implementation of PPIs is apt to cause many problems for the pharmacists; however, it may also serve as a means to enhance the pharmacist's clinical role.", "contents": "Rationale for patient package inserts. The need for patient package inserts (PPIs) is discussed in terms of the \"consumers' right-to-know\" and \"patient health education\" themes, as well as the premise that verbal means of communication are often inadequate. Some of the reasons for the frequent failure of verbal messages are reviewed by detailing the five stages through which any communication must be processed in order to be effective. Verbal information may be inadequate because: (1) patients are not exposed to necessary material, (2) they may not pay attention to the information, (3) they may not understand it, (4) the information may not be accepted as valid, and (5) patients may not remember the material. Written communication which must be processed through the same five stages also may be frequently inadequate. Therefore, PPIs must be viewed as reinforcing and augmenting verbal consultation, and both written and verbal forms are necessary. Consumer surveys and demonstration projects have shown that written communications are a desired and effective means for conveying additional prescription drug information to patients. The wide implementation of PPIs is apt to cause many problems for the pharmacists; however, it may also serve as a means to enhance the pharmacist's clinical role.", "PMID": 626201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6351", "title": "Harvey A. K. Whitney Lecture: Patient accountability--pharmacists' future.", "content": "A philosophy of pharmacy practice is expressed, centering on service and accountability to the patient. To attain the goal of comprehensive pharmaceutical services, one must consider the factors of the environment and the characteristics of individual pharmacists. Aspects of the environment include support by the hospital administration and medical staff, and team cooperation among pharmacists and among all health professionals. Individual motivation to perform must be based on service to the patient. It is suggested that economic justification of pharmaceutical services should be a major goal of pharmacy organizations. The problem of employment opportunities for young pharmacists is discussed. The future of pharmacy practice is bright if pharmacists center their activity around the patient and become accountable for patient services.", "contents": "Harvey A. K. Whitney Lecture: Patient accountability--pharmacists' future. A philosophy of pharmacy practice is expressed, centering on service and accountability to the patient. To attain the goal of comprehensive pharmaceutical services, one must consider the factors of the environment and the characteristics of individual pharmacists. Aspects of the environment include support by the hospital administration and medical staff, and team cooperation among pharmacists and among all health professionals. Individual motivation to perform must be based on service to the patient. It is suggested that economic justification of pharmaceutical services should be a major goal of pharmacy organizations. The problem of employment opportunities for young pharmacists is discussed. The future of pharmacy practice is bright if pharmacists center their activity around the patient and become accountable for patient services.", "PMID": 626207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6352", "title": "Compliance clinic: an opportunity for an expanded practice role for pharmacists.", "content": "The development and operation of a pharmacy-based clinic providing specialized services to noncompliant patients is described. Physicians refer patients who are not complying with their medication regimens to the pharmacy. The pharmacist interviews the patient to determine the reasons for noncompliant behavior and to reinforce the need for taking medications as directed. Special packaging, such as unit-of-use, may be used to encourage compliance. Medication calendars also are employed. The program has yet to be evaluated fully, but it is concluded that the compliance clinic has permitted the growth of comprehensive pharmacy practice.", "contents": "Compliance clinic: an opportunity for an expanded practice role for pharmacists. The development and operation of a pharmacy-based clinic providing specialized services to noncompliant patients is described. Physicians refer patients who are not complying with their medication regimens to the pharmacy. The pharmacist interviews the patient to determine the reasons for noncompliant behavior and to reinforce the need for taking medications as directed. Special packaging, such as unit-of-use, may be used to encourage compliance. Medication calendars also are employed. The program has yet to be evaluated fully, but it is concluded that the compliance clinic has permitted the growth of comprehensive pharmacy practice.", "PMID": 626208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6353", "title": "Comparison of selected intravenous infusion pumps and rate regulators.", "content": "Selected intravenous infusion pumps and rate regulators were compared to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages and to formulate guidelines for purchase of these devices. Three basic types of devices were studied: infusion rate regulators, nonvolumetric (peristaltic) infusion pumps and volumetric infusion pumps. Simple syringe-type infusion pumps were not studied. After use and close study of the devices, both in the laboratory and in the clinical area, desirable features were identified. Ideally, the infusion device should operate over a wide rate range, use standard administration sets, be easy to assemble and service, have an internal battery of good power for several hours, have appropriate malfunction alarms, have an automatic keep-open device in alarm situations, be accurate under a variety of situations, and be easy for the nurse to understand and operate. All devices tested were accurate within the limits claimed by the manufacturer, although a couple of models have features which can cause gross volume errors. Overall evaluation resulted in preference of some devices over others. Cost of infusion devices and administration sets can vary widely, and this should be a factor in the final choice of intravenous infusion equipment.", "contents": "Comparison of selected intravenous infusion pumps and rate regulators. Selected intravenous infusion pumps and rate regulators were compared to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages and to formulate guidelines for purchase of these devices. Three basic types of devices were studied: infusion rate regulators, nonvolumetric (peristaltic) infusion pumps and volumetric infusion pumps. Simple syringe-type infusion pumps were not studied. After use and close study of the devices, both in the laboratory and in the clinical area, desirable features were identified. Ideally, the infusion device should operate over a wide rate range, use standard administration sets, be easy to assemble and service, have an internal battery of good power for several hours, have appropriate malfunction alarms, have an automatic keep-open device in alarm situations, be accurate under a variety of situations, and be easy for the nurse to understand and operate. All devices tested were accurate within the limits claimed by the manufacturer, although a couple of models have features which can cause gross volume errors. Overall evaluation resulted in preference of some devices over others. Cost of infusion devices and administration sets can vary widely, and this should be a factor in the final choice of intravenous infusion equipment.", "PMID": 626210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6354", "title": "Stability of carbenicillin and oxacillin frozen in syringes.", "content": "The stability of carbenicillin disodium and oxacillin sodium following storage in syringes for three months at -20 C was studied. Employing a spectrophotometric assay, it was found that carbenicillin (2500 mg/ml) and oxacillin (200 mg/ml) remained stable in both glass and plastic syringes for three months when frozen at -20 C. Stability was not altered by storage in either glass or plastic, nor by the size of the syringe used. Although the results were favorable, additional evidence is necessary before the practice of freezing reconstituted carbenicillin and oxacillin in syringes is advocated.", "contents": "Stability of carbenicillin and oxacillin frozen in syringes. The stability of carbenicillin disodium and oxacillin sodium following storage in syringes for three months at -20 C was studied. Employing a spectrophotometric assay, it was found that carbenicillin (2500 mg/ml) and oxacillin (200 mg/ml) remained stable in both glass and plastic syringes for three months when frozen at -20 C. Stability was not altered by storage in either glass or plastic, nor by the size of the syringe used. Although the results were favorable, additional evidence is necessary before the practice of freezing reconstituted carbenicillin and oxacillin in syringes is advocated.", "PMID": 626211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6355", "title": "Study of particulate matter in carbenicillin disodium using scanning electron microscopy and microbeam x-ray spectrography.", "content": "A scanning electron microscopy membrane filtration study was conducted to determine the particulate contamination of samples of carbenicillin disodium which had been manufactured by bulk filling and by lyophilization. The bulk-filled product contained more contaminating particles than the lyophilized product. In both products, the number of particles increased logarithmically with decreasing particle size in the range measured (exceeding 0.1 micron). X-ray spectrographic analysis of particles larger than 0.5 micron revealed that the major particulate contaminates in both products were composed primarily of elements below atomic number 10. It is concluded that packaging of carbenicillin disodium by lyophilization of a solution results in significantly less submicrometer particulate contamination than packaging by sterile bulk filling of spray-dried powder.", "contents": "Study of particulate matter in carbenicillin disodium using scanning electron microscopy and microbeam x-ray spectrography. A scanning electron microscopy membrane filtration study was conducted to determine the particulate contamination of samples of carbenicillin disodium which had been manufactured by bulk filling and by lyophilization. The bulk-filled product contained more contaminating particles than the lyophilized product. In both products, the number of particles increased logarithmically with decreasing particle size in the range measured (exceeding 0.1 micron). X-ray spectrographic analysis of particles larger than 0.5 micron revealed that the major particulate contaminates in both products were composed primarily of elements below atomic number 10. It is concluded that packaging of carbenicillin disodium by lyophilization of a solution results in significantly less submicrometer particulate contamination than packaging by sterile bulk filling of spray-dried powder.", "PMID": 626212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6356", "title": "Review of gentamicin therapy based on pharmacokinetics.", "content": "The feasibility of using pharmacokinetic estimations of drug serum levels to evaluate gentamicin use was explored. A consecutive series of 40 adult patients who received nonprophylactic \"piggyback\" gentamicin therapy was retrospectively evaluated. Traditional factors in the evaluation of antibiotic use, such as identity of microbe and sensitivity to antibiotic, were monitored. Additionally, peak and trough drug serum levels were computed for each patient. These were compared with toxic serum levels and minimum inhibitory concentrations as reported in the literature. Certain factors, such as duration of therapy and existence of alternate antibiotic therapy, suggested less than optimal therapy in the study patients. However, computed serum levels revealed that the patients experienced both safe and effective peak and trough gentamicin levels. Only with the use of pharmacokinetic estimations of drug serum levels could a comprehensive conclusion be reached regarding the appropriateness of therapy. Gentamicin therapy was generally rational in the study group. The use of pharmacokinetic principles in the calculation of serum levels may be a useful tool in drug use studies.", "contents": "Review of gentamicin therapy based on pharmacokinetics. The feasibility of using pharmacokinetic estimations of drug serum levels to evaluate gentamicin use was explored. A consecutive series of 40 adult patients who received nonprophylactic \"piggyback\" gentamicin therapy was retrospectively evaluated. Traditional factors in the evaluation of antibiotic use, such as identity of microbe and sensitivity to antibiotic, were monitored. Additionally, peak and trough drug serum levels were computed for each patient. These were compared with toxic serum levels and minimum inhibitory concentrations as reported in the literature. Certain factors, such as duration of therapy and existence of alternate antibiotic therapy, suggested less than optimal therapy in the study patients. However, computed serum levels revealed that the patients experienced both safe and effective peak and trough gentamicin levels. Only with the use of pharmacokinetic estimations of drug serum levels could a comprehensive conclusion be reached regarding the appropriateness of therapy. Gentamicin therapy was generally rational in the study group. The use of pharmacokinetic principles in the calculation of serum levels may be a useful tool in drug use studies.", "PMID": 626213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6357", "title": "Tested tips for interviewing technician applicants.", "content": "Suggestions for pharmacists interviewing technician applicants are given. An outline of methods to make interviews more productive and suggested questions to be discussed is presented.", "contents": "Tested tips for interviewing technician applicants. Suggestions for pharmacists interviewing technician applicants are given. An outline of methods to make interviews more productive and suggested questions to be discussed is presented.", "PMID": 626214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6358", "title": "ASHP guidelines for scientific research in institutional pharmacy.", "content": "For institutional pharmacy to continue to be successful it must be able to adapt to an ever-increasing rate of change. The best type of scientific thinking will be required to attempt to understand these changes and to keep the profession relevant.", "contents": "ASHP guidelines for scientific research in institutional pharmacy. For institutional pharmacy to continue to be successful it must be able to adapt to an ever-increasing rate of change. The best type of scientific thinking will be required to attempt to understand these changes and to keep the profession relevant.", "PMID": 626215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6359", "title": "Overview: foundations of cultural psychiatry.", "content": "The authors demonstrate the significance of adding the cultural dimension to basic psychiatric concepts. They point out the areas in which the work of anthropology and social psychology are relevant to psychiatry, including understanding mental health and illness, child-rearing practices and their effects on personality, cognition, family and social networks, sex roles and behavior, alcohol use, communication, and therapy. They also present some of the major conceptual foundations of cultural psychiatry, which include ethnography, emic and etic approaches, the cross-cultural approach, and the study of subjective culture.", "contents": "Overview: foundations of cultural psychiatry. The authors demonstrate the significance of adding the cultural dimension to basic psychiatric concepts. They point out the areas in which the work of anthropology and social psychology are relevant to psychiatry, including understanding mental health and illness, child-rearing practices and their effects on personality, cognition, family and social networks, sex roles and behavior, alcohol use, communication, and therapy. They also present some of the major conceptual foundations of cultural psychiatry, which include ethnography, emic and etic approaches, the cross-cultural approach, and the study of subjective culture.", "PMID": 626217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6360", "title": "A new method of classification for psychophysiologic disorders.", "content": "The authors suggest that there are a number of shortcomings in DSM-II's classification system for psychophysiologic disorders, which lists this group of disorders as a distinct group of diseases different from other organic diseases. They propose a new, multiaxial method of classification in which the clinician could indicate the role of psychological factors in the initiation, exacerbation, or maintenance of any physical disorder. This method would make it possible for the first time in psychiatric nomenclature to indicate a clinical judgment of the importance of psychological factors in all physical disorders rather than focusing on a small group of illnesses traditionally regarded as psychosomatic or psychophysiologic.", "contents": "A new method of classification for psychophysiologic disorders. The authors suggest that there are a number of shortcomings in DSM-II's classification system for psychophysiologic disorders, which lists this group of disorders as a distinct group of diseases different from other organic diseases. They propose a new, multiaxial method of classification in which the clinician could indicate the role of psychological factors in the initiation, exacerbation, or maintenance of any physical disorder. This method would make it possible for the first time in psychiatric nomenclature to indicate a clinical judgment of the importance of psychological factors in all physical disorders rather than focusing on a small group of illnesses traditionally regarded as psychosomatic or psychophysiologic.", "PMID": 626218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6361", "title": "Cocaine hallucinations.", "content": "The author reviews the literature on hallucinations that occur as a result of acute and chronic administration of cocaine. He examined the phenomenology of cocaine hallucinations in a group of 85 recreational cocaine users, 15 of whom reported hallucinatory experiences in visual, tactile, olfactory, auditory, and gustatory modalities. He discusses a new phenomenon of \"snow lights\" in terms of initiating a progression of symptoms leading to the classic \"cocaine bugs.\" He also points out the similarity of cocaine hallucinations to entoptic phenomena and migraine hallucinations, which suggests a common mechanism of action based on CNS excitation and arousal.", "contents": "Cocaine hallucinations. The author reviews the literature on hallucinations that occur as a result of acute and chronic administration of cocaine. He examined the phenomenology of cocaine hallucinations in a group of 85 recreational cocaine users, 15 of whom reported hallucinatory experiences in visual, tactile, olfactory, auditory, and gustatory modalities. He discusses a new phenomenon of \"snow lights\" in terms of initiating a progression of symptoms leading to the classic \"cocaine bugs.\" He also points out the similarity of cocaine hallucinations to entoptic phenomena and migraine hallucinations, which suggests a common mechanism of action based on CNS excitation and arousal.", "PMID": 626219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6362", "title": "Utilization and cost of mental illness coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, 1973.", "content": "The authors examine the utilization of mental illness benefits under the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna plans for federal employees; the latter plan sharply cut back its mental illness benefits in 1975. In 1973 mental illness benefits represented 7.4% of all payments under the Blues plan and 12% under the Aetna plan. The benefit for mental illness treatment under the Blues averaged $12.52 per person covered and was 7.3% of the total benefits for all conditions. Younger enrollees and their spouses tended to receive mental illness benefits primarily for outpatient treatment and children and older adults for hospitalization. These data raise key questions for claims review and peer review activities.", "contents": "Utilization and cost of mental illness coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, 1973. The authors examine the utilization of mental illness benefits under the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Aetna plans for federal employees; the latter plan sharply cut back its mental illness benefits in 1975. In 1973 mental illness benefits represented 7.4% of all payments under the Blues plan and 12% under the Aetna plan. The benefit for mental illness treatment under the Blues averaged $12.52 per person covered and was 7.3% of the total benefits for all conditions. Younger enrollees and their spouses tended to receive mental illness benefits primarily for outpatient treatment and children and older adults for hospitalization. These data raise key questions for claims review and peer review activities.", "PMID": 626220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6363", "title": "The bent twig: psychiatry and medical education.", "content": "The authors note that an increase in psychiatry's involvement in the selection and education of medical school students, which historically has been limited and problematic, would benefit both the discipline and the profession in general. There is evidence indicating the need to pay attention to personal attributes in medical education, particularly in light of the incidence of problems in physicians (e.g., addiction, alcoholism, and suicide) that fall within psychiatry's area of expertise. Active participation by psychiatry in medical education might also help combat the cynicism that seems to develop during training and might contribute to consideration of ethical issues and to the fostering of emotional maturity.", "contents": "The bent twig: psychiatry and medical education. The authors note that an increase in psychiatry's involvement in the selection and education of medical school students, which historically has been limited and problematic, would benefit both the discipline and the profession in general. There is evidence indicating the need to pay attention to personal attributes in medical education, particularly in light of the incidence of problems in physicians (e.g., addiction, alcoholism, and suicide) that fall within psychiatry's area of expertise. Active participation by psychiatry in medical education might also help combat the cynicism that seems to develop during training and might contribute to consideration of ethical issues and to the fostering of emotional maturity.", "PMID": 626221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6364", "title": "Observations on the theoretical bases for seclusion of the psychiatric inpatient.", "content": "Contemporary controversy concerning the seclusion of psychiatric inpatients is focused primarily on the issues of civil rights and behavior control. The author believes that we are in danger of losing sight of the therapeutic aspects of this treatment modality. He offers a brief review of the theoretical and clinical rationale for seclusion.", "contents": "Observations on the theoretical bases for seclusion of the psychiatric inpatient. Contemporary controversy concerning the seclusion of psychiatric inpatients is focused primarily on the issues of civil rights and behavior control. The author believes that we are in danger of losing sight of the therapeutic aspects of this treatment modality. He offers a brief review of the theoretical and clinical rationale for seclusion.", "PMID": 626222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6365", "title": "Prediction of individual dosage of nortriptyline.", "content": "The authors describe a technique that enables a physician to determine individual patient dosage requirements for nortriptyline from a single 24-hour blood sample. Because the technique reveals immediately those patients at the extremes of dosage ranges, toxicity and the need for time-consuming titration of the dosage regimen can be avoided.", "contents": "Prediction of individual dosage of nortriptyline. The authors describe a technique that enables a physician to determine individual patient dosage requirements for nortriptyline from a single 24-hour blood sample. Because the technique reveals immediately those patients at the extremes of dosage ranges, toxicity and the need for time-consuming titration of the dosage regimen can be avoided.", "PMID": 626223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6366", "title": "Lithium erythrocyte/plasma ratio as a predictor of response.", "content": "The authors measured RBC/plasma lithium ratios in 33 patients with primary diagnoses of unipolar depression (N=20), bipolar depression (N=9), schizo-affective psychosis (N=2), and alcoholism (N=2). Subjects rated as having marked or moderate improvement at follow-up (average = 17.1 months) tended to have high ratios (greater than or equal to .41), whereas all 9 patients rated as minimally improved were in the low-ratio group. Although further research with larger samples, controls, and longer follow-up is necessary, the results suggest a predictive value for the RBC/lithium ratio.", "contents": "Lithium erythrocyte/plasma ratio as a predictor of response. The authors measured RBC/plasma lithium ratios in 33 patients with primary diagnoses of unipolar depression (N=20), bipolar depression (N=9), schizo-affective psychosis (N=2), and alcoholism (N=2). Subjects rated as having marked or moderate improvement at follow-up (average = 17.1 months) tended to have high ratios (greater than or equal to .41), whereas all 9 patients rated as minimally improved were in the low-ratio group. Although further research with larger samples, controls, and longer follow-up is necessary, the results suggest a predictive value for the RBC/lithium ratio.", "PMID": 626224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6367", "title": "The evolution of psychiatric services in a health maintenance organization.", "content": "The authors describe a prepaid mental health service program in which outpatients referrals were 34.7 per 1,000 members per month, the hospital admission rate was .80 admissions per 1,000 members per year, and the average length of hospital stay was 5.03 days. They offer several explanations for their finding that the costs for mental health services in this program appear lower than those in fee-for-service programs.", "contents": "The evolution of psychiatric services in a health maintenance organization. The authors describe a prepaid mental health service program in which outpatients referrals were 34.7 per 1,000 members per month, the hospital admission rate was .80 admissions per 1,000 members per year, and the average length of hospital stay was 5.03 days. They offer several explanations for their finding that the costs for mental health services in this program appear lower than those in fee-for-service programs.", "PMID": 626225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6368", "title": "Children of dialysis patients and selection of dialysis setting.", "content": "The authors interviewed hemodialysis patients, their families, and medical staff and found that some patients preferred dialysis at a medical facility, which allowed them to appear more \"normal\" before their children. Patients with more social support involved their children in dialysis at home. The author suggests that social support is of primary importance to the outcome of home dialysis and should be considered by physicians in the assessment of patient's suitability for home dialysis.", "contents": "Children of dialysis patients and selection of dialysis setting. The authors interviewed hemodialysis patients, their families, and medical staff and found that some patients preferred dialysis at a medical facility, which allowed them to appear more \"normal\" before their children. Patients with more social support involved their children in dialysis at home. The author suggests that social support is of primary importance to the outcome of home dialysis and should be considered by physicians in the assessment of patient's suitability for home dialysis.", "PMID": 626226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6369", "title": "The failure to detect low IQ in psychiatric assessment.", "content": "The authors assessed the IQs of 188 hospitalized psychiatric patients and found that 27 (14.4%) had IQs of 85 or less. However, the psychiatric records of 22 of the patients with low IQs showed that only 5 contained any mention of level of intellectual functioning. These findings suggest that a variable of major importance for diagnosis and treatment planning is often ignored.", "contents": "The failure to detect low IQ in psychiatric assessment. The authors assessed the IQs of 188 hospitalized psychiatric patients and found that 27 (14.4%) had IQs of 85 or less. However, the psychiatric records of 22 of the patients with low IQs showed that only 5 contained any mention of level of intellectual functioning. These findings suggest that a variable of major importance for diagnosis and treatment planning is often ignored.", "PMID": 626227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6370", "title": "Dystonia: a disorder often misdiagnosed as a conversion reaction.", "content": "The authors studied the records of 84 patients who had idiopathic torsion dystonia. Thirty-seven cases had originally been misdiagnosed as primarily psychiatric illness. Only 1 patient presented with dystonic movements that were clearly part of a more general psychiatric disorder. The authors believe her to be the first reported patient whose dystonia is undeniably of psychogenic origin.", "contents": "Dystonia: a disorder often misdiagnosed as a conversion reaction. The authors studied the records of 84 patients who had idiopathic torsion dystonia. Thirty-seven cases had originally been misdiagnosed as primarily psychiatric illness. Only 1 patient presented with dystonic movements that were clearly part of a more general psychiatric disorder. The authors believe her to be the first reported patient whose dystonia is undeniably of psychogenic origin.", "PMID": 626228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6371", "title": "The decision to hospitalize.", "content": "The authors explored determinants of psychiatric hospitalization in four Manhattan general hospital emergency rooms and found that although the nature and severity of a patient's problem played the most important role in the decision to hospitalize, the facility involved was also a determining factor. The findings are discussed in relation to policy concerning staffing and organization of emergency room services and future studies of service delivery in this area.", "contents": "The decision to hospitalize. The authors explored determinants of psychiatric hospitalization in four Manhattan general hospital emergency rooms and found that although the nature and severity of a patient's problem played the most important role in the decision to hospitalize, the facility involved was also a determining factor. The findings are discussed in relation to policy concerning staffing and organization of emergency room services and future studies of service delivery in this area.", "PMID": 626229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6372", "title": "Becoming an administrator: the vicissitudes of middle management in mental health organizations.", "content": "Middle management has been a conceptually neglected and operationally abused position in the administrative hierarchy of mental health organizations. The position is viewed as a preparatory exercise for executive responsibility, and frequent changes disrupt service delivery. The author describes the responsibilities, hierarchical role relationships, rewards, and constraints of middle management positions. Health care professionals must actively seek and retain these positions if they wish to maintain their place in directing the work of mental health institutions.", "contents": "Becoming an administrator: the vicissitudes of middle management in mental health organizations. Middle management has been a conceptually neglected and operationally abused position in the administrative hierarchy of mental health organizations. The position is viewed as a preparatory exercise for executive responsibility, and frequent changes disrupt service delivery. The author describes the responsibilities, hierarchical role relationships, rewards, and constraints of middle management positions. Health care professionals must actively seek and retain these positions if they wish to maintain their place in directing the work of mental health institutions.", "PMID": 626230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6373", "title": "Effects of social disincentive policies on fertility behavior in Singapore.", "content": "Five social disincentive policies were implemented by the Singapore government in 1973 to augment its fertility reduction program. The policies involve increasing delivery charges in government hospitals, school admission priority for children, maternity leave, priority in allocation of government housing, and income tax relief. In a two-year prospective study, 1,010 married abortees (study group) and 943 married parturients (comparison group) were questioned to determine their awareness and understanding of these policies, and whether the policies influenced their decision concerning their present pregnancies or would influence future decisions. Except for the tax policy, these disincentives were known to a fairly large proportion of the women studied. Knowledge was positively related to education level. Four of the five disincentives have, to varying degrees, influenced the women's decisions concerning their present pregnancies and may do so in future pregnancies. The two most widely known and most influential disincentives are those affecting school admission priority and accouchement fees.", "contents": "Effects of social disincentive policies on fertility behavior in Singapore. Five social disincentive policies were implemented by the Singapore government in 1973 to augment its fertility reduction program. The policies involve increasing delivery charges in government hospitals, school admission priority for children, maternity leave, priority in allocation of government housing, and income tax relief. In a two-year prospective study, 1,010 married abortees (study group) and 943 married parturients (comparison group) were questioned to determine their awareness and understanding of these policies, and whether the policies influenced their decision concerning their present pregnancies or would influence future decisions. Except for the tax policy, these disincentives were known to a fairly large proportion of the women studied. Knowledge was positively related to education level. Four of the five disincentives have, to varying degrees, influenced the women's decisions concerning their present pregnancies and may do so in future pregnancies. The two most widely known and most influential disincentives are those affecting school admission priority and accouchement fees.", "PMID": 626254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6374", "title": "Efficacy of screening for cervical cancer: a review.", "content": "Cytologic screening for cervical cancer currently enjoys wide acceptance, but there remains controversy in the literature concerning its efficacy in prolonging life. On the basis of a literature review, several conclusions are reached: 1) Cervical screening can identify women who are at greater-than-average risk of developing invasive cervical cancer by detecting asymptomatic lesions that would frequently progress to invasion if left untreated; 2) Therapy based on confirmed positive smears can reduce the incidence and mortality rates of invasive cervical cancer, as shown by declining rates in many centers that had constant or increasing rates before screening began, lower rates for geographic areas and occupational groups having less screening, and lower rates among screened women than unscreened women; and 3) Attempts to estimate the amount of life prolongation attributable to cervical screening have not yet yielded reliable figures, because of difficulties with the models or data used. However, in view of the available evidence, it is suggested that incomplete data should not prevent a vigorous continuation of screening where it is already extensive, and an escalation where it is not.", "contents": "Efficacy of screening for cervical cancer: a review. Cytologic screening for cervical cancer currently enjoys wide acceptance, but there remains controversy in the literature concerning its efficacy in prolonging life. On the basis of a literature review, several conclusions are reached: 1) Cervical screening can identify women who are at greater-than-average risk of developing invasive cervical cancer by detecting asymptomatic lesions that would frequently progress to invasion if left untreated; 2) Therapy based on confirmed positive smears can reduce the incidence and mortality rates of invasive cervical cancer, as shown by declining rates in many centers that had constant or increasing rates before screening began, lower rates for geographic areas and occupational groups having less screening, and lower rates among screened women than unscreened women; and 3) Attempts to estimate the amount of life prolongation attributable to cervical screening have not yet yielded reliable figures, because of difficulties with the models or data used. However, in view of the available evidence, it is suggested that incomplete data should not prevent a vigorous continuation of screening where it is already extensive, and an escalation where it is not.", "PMID": 626255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6375", "title": "The Woodlawn mental health studies: tracking children and families for long-term follow-up.", "content": "Elementary school children in a large public urban school system (Chicago) can be tracked into adolescence, together with their families, by using student numbers established by the Chicago Public Schools. This paper reports on the linkage between a psychiatric follow-up study and the data bank of the Chicago Public Schools. The authors were able to find information about the location and grade placement of 87% of an urban ghetto neighborhood's first grade children after a seven to ten-year lapse in contact. The children about whom information was found did not differ from those missing in the early measures of their school achievement and psychological wellbeing. However, first grade measures of school success of failure did relate to grade placement of children ten years later, as did first grade ratings of bizarreness.", "contents": "The Woodlawn mental health studies: tracking children and families for long-term follow-up. Elementary school children in a large public urban school system (Chicago) can be tracked into adolescence, together with their families, by using student numbers established by the Chicago Public Schools. This paper reports on the linkage between a psychiatric follow-up study and the data bank of the Chicago Public Schools. The authors were able to find information about the location and grade placement of 87% of an urban ghetto neighborhood's first grade children after a seven to ten-year lapse in contact. The children about whom information was found did not differ from those missing in the early measures of their school achievement and psychological wellbeing. However, first grade measures of school success of failure did relate to grade placement of children ten years later, as did first grade ratings of bizarreness.", "PMID": 626256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6376", "title": "Treating obesity in children and adolescents: a review.", "content": "Researchers and health practitioners are becoming increasingly concerned with the problems associated with obesity among children and adolescents. Obesity tends to persist into adulthood and to be associated with a variety of physical and psychological problems. Treatment approaches used to date are generally impotent, but some promising short-term results have been achieved with some forms of dietary counseling, exercise programs, total environmental management, and behavior therapy. But even with these strategies, clinically significant weight loss is rare and advances during treatment are rarely maintained. Radical departures from current treatment strategies are needed in the form of more structured and intensive treatments, family involvement, and training in problem solving. Closer adherence to sound scientific methodology might at least provide a foundation from which more effective treatments might be developed.", "contents": "Treating obesity in children and adolescents: a review. Researchers and health practitioners are becoming increasingly concerned with the problems associated with obesity among children and adolescents. Obesity tends to persist into adulthood and to be associated with a variety of physical and psychological problems. Treatment approaches used to date are generally impotent, but some promising short-term results have been achieved with some forms of dietary counseling, exercise programs, total environmental management, and behavior therapy. But even with these strategies, clinically significant weight loss is rare and advances during treatment are rarely maintained. Radical departures from current treatment strategies are needed in the form of more structured and intensive treatments, family involvement, and training in problem solving. Closer adherence to sound scientific methodology might at least provide a foundation from which more effective treatments might be developed.", "PMID": 626257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6377", "title": "An outbreak of bovine cysticercosis in California.", "content": "Approximately 4.75% of the animals sent to slaughter from a southern California feedlot during a 9-mo period were found to be infected with the cysticercus of Taenia saginata. An investigation of possible transmission sources revealed that the feedlot was the most likely site of infection. One feedlot worker was found to be infected with T. saginata, and the pen infection patterns and other physical relationships indicated that he was the source of infection. The following recommendations were made: 1) treatment of the infected worker; 2) education of employees as to the mode of transmission and personal hygienic practices; 3) addition of sanitary facilities; 4) maintenance of animal source and destination records; 5) inauguration of a surveillance program to include parasitologic examination of employees prior to employment and periodically thereafter; and 6) restriction of unauthorized personnel from critical areas.", "contents": "An outbreak of bovine cysticercosis in California. Approximately 4.75% of the animals sent to slaughter from a southern California feedlot during a 9-mo period were found to be infected with the cysticercus of Taenia saginata. An investigation of possible transmission sources revealed that the feedlot was the most likely site of infection. One feedlot worker was found to be infected with T. saginata, and the pen infection patterns and other physical relationships indicated that he was the source of infection. The following recommendations were made: 1) treatment of the infected worker; 2) education of employees as to the mode of transmission and personal hygienic practices; 3) addition of sanitary facilities; 4) maintenance of animal source and destination records; 5) inauguration of a surveillance program to include parasitologic examination of employees prior to employment and periodically thereafter; and 6) restriction of unauthorized personnel from critical areas.", "PMID": 626265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6378", "title": "Vibrio parahaemolyticus enterocolitis in Bangladesh: report of an outbreak.", "content": "In March 1974 eight men in Chandpur, Bangladesh, experienced an illness characterized by severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea with onset 20 min to 9 h (median 2.5 h) after eating one of two fish dishes at a restaurant. Rectal cultures from all eight grew Kanagawa-positive strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (serotype O3K5) that were negative in the Sereny test for invasiveness and the Y-1 adrenal cell and infant mouse assays for enterotoxin production. The short incubation, severity of abdominal cramps and grossly bloody stools distinguish this illness from that usually associated with V. parahaemolyticus infection in the United States.", "contents": "Vibrio parahaemolyticus enterocolitis in Bangladesh: report of an outbreak. In March 1974 eight men in Chandpur, Bangladesh, experienced an illness characterized by severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea with onset 20 min to 9 h (median 2.5 h) after eating one of two fish dishes at a restaurant. Rectal cultures from all eight grew Kanagawa-positive strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (serotype O3K5) that were negative in the Sereny test for invasiveness and the Y-1 adrenal cell and infant mouse assays for enterotoxin production. The short incubation, severity of abdominal cramps and grossly bloody stools distinguish this illness from that usually associated with V. parahaemolyticus infection in the United States.", "PMID": 626266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6379", "title": "Trachoma in a rural South African community.", "content": "The prevalence of trachoma was studied in a representative sample of family units from a rural community. Evidence of current or previous infection was found in 82% of the total population, but there was a relatively low prevalence of intense upper tarsal disease. Most children acquire the disease within the first 3 yr of life, these primary infections having a tendency towards spontaneous cure without complications. The prevalence of active disease and potentially blinding sequelae is higher in elderly females than in males of the same age. Clinical and microbiological evidence suggests that trachoma is transmitted primarily within households in this community, the main source of infection appearing to be children of pre-school age. Chlamydiae were isolated from the eyes of children with intense upper tarsal disease, but not from elderly persons with similar clinical signs.", "contents": "Trachoma in a rural South African community. The prevalence of trachoma was studied in a representative sample of family units from a rural community. Evidence of current or previous infection was found in 82% of the total population, but there was a relatively low prevalence of intense upper tarsal disease. Most children acquire the disease within the first 3 yr of life, these primary infections having a tendency towards spontaneous cure without complications. The prevalence of active disease and potentially blinding sequelae is higher in elderly females than in males of the same age. Clinical and microbiological evidence suggests that trachoma is transmitted primarily within households in this community, the main source of infection appearing to be children of pre-school age. Chlamydiae were isolated from the eyes of children with intense upper tarsal disease, but not from elderly persons with similar clinical signs.", "PMID": 626267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6380", "title": "An epidemic of yellow fever in central Brazil. 1972-1973. I. Epidemiological studies.", "content": "An epidemic of jungle yellow fever occurred in Goi\u00e1s State, Brazil, between December 1972 and March 1973. Laboratory confirmed cases were observed in 36 counties located in the central and southern parts of the State. Seventy-one cases were proved, of which 44 were fatal. The diagnosis was made on the basis of pathology, serology, and virus isolation. Besides yellow fever, malaria and viral hepatitis were present, and in two fatal cases there was malarial pigment in the liver in addition to the specific lesions associated with yellow fever virus infection. The fact that male patients strikingly outnumbered females (9:1) and that young adults were predominantly affected indicates that transmission occurred mainly inside or adjacent to the forests. The lack of cases in urban areas can be attributed to the absence of Aedes aegypti in these areas. Yellow fever complement-fixing antibody in high titers was found in 18 of 1,201 (1.4%) persons living in eight counties of the affected area. This finding suggests that at least 21,000 persons out of the 1.5 million rural inhabitants of the three districts where the epidemic occurred had been infected by the virus. The epidemic subsided following an intensive vaccination campaign, and the last four cases were observed in March 1973.", "contents": "An epidemic of yellow fever in central Brazil. 1972-1973. I. Epidemiological studies. An epidemic of jungle yellow fever occurred in Goi\u00e1s State, Brazil, between December 1972 and March 1973. Laboratory confirmed cases were observed in 36 counties located in the central and southern parts of the State. Seventy-one cases were proved, of which 44 were fatal. The diagnosis was made on the basis of pathology, serology, and virus isolation. Besides yellow fever, malaria and viral hepatitis were present, and in two fatal cases there was malarial pigment in the liver in addition to the specific lesions associated with yellow fever virus infection. The fact that male patients strikingly outnumbered females (9:1) and that young adults were predominantly affected indicates that transmission occurred mainly inside or adjacent to the forests. The lack of cases in urban areas can be attributed to the absence of Aedes aegypti in these areas. Yellow fever complement-fixing antibody in high titers was found in 18 of 1,201 (1.4%) persons living in eight counties of the affected area. This finding suggests that at least 21,000 persons out of the 1.5 million rural inhabitants of the three districts where the epidemic occurred had been infected by the virus. The epidemic subsided following an intensive vaccination campaign, and the last four cases were observed in March 1973.", "PMID": 626268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6381", "title": "Production of adjuvant-induced ascitic fluid in the white rat.", "content": "A simple method of inducing ascites in the laboratory white rat by intraperitoneal administration of Freund's complete adjuvant is described. Female rats were found to produce ascitic fluid more reliably than males with an average volume yield of 60 ml per rat. The performance of immune rat ascitic fluids in complement fixation, hemagglutination-inhibition, neutralization and immunodiffusion tests was found to be excellent.", "contents": "Production of adjuvant-induced ascitic fluid in the white rat. A simple method of inducing ascites in the laboratory white rat by intraperitoneal administration of Freund's complete adjuvant is described. Female rats were found to produce ascitic fluid more reliably than males with an average volume yield of 60 ml per rat. The performance of immune rat ascitic fluids in complement fixation, hemagglutination-inhibition, neutralization and immunodiffusion tests was found to be excellent.", "PMID": 626269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6382", "title": "Laboratory studies of transovarial transmission of trivittatus virus by Aedes trivittatus.", "content": "Aedes trivittatus were experimentally exposed through a membrane to a concentration of trivittatus (TVT) virus in dog defibrinated blood of 10(3.4)-10(3.5) SMICLD 50/0.025 ml. Transovarial and transstadial transmission was demonstrated. Fifty-five percent of the infected mosquitoes tested transovarially transmitted TVT virus. TVT virus was isolated from 16% of the F1 generation progeny examined, including 19% of the larvae, 23% of adult females, and 10% of adult males.", "contents": "Laboratory studies of transovarial transmission of trivittatus virus by Aedes trivittatus. Aedes trivittatus were experimentally exposed through a membrane to a concentration of trivittatus (TVT) virus in dog defibrinated blood of 10(3.4)-10(3.5) SMICLD 50/0.025 ml. Transovarial and transstadial transmission was demonstrated. Fifty-five percent of the infected mosquitoes tested transovarially transmitted TVT virus. TVT virus was isolated from 16% of the F1 generation progeny examined, including 19% of the larvae, 23% of adult females, and 10% of adult males.", "PMID": 626271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6383", "title": "Venereal transmission of La Crosse virus from male to female Aedes triseriatus.", "content": "Horizontal transmission of La Crosse (LAC) arbovirus in colonized Aedes triseriatus was first observed in mating cages. LAC antigen was visualized by fluorescent antibody technique in multiple organs of 5 (2.5% of 198 females dissected after contact in mating cages with males, with a transovarial infection rate of 31%. Venereal transmission of LAC virus was demonstrated by limited contact induced mating. Antigen was detected in bursal contents of 35 (53%) of 66 females dissected within 24 h after induced mating by males previously infected by intrathoracic inoculation. Antigen was observed in ovaries, heart, gut, salivary glands, or other organs in 13 (3.4%) of 379 females dissected 1 to 14 days post-mating. LAC virus was isolated from infected males, from contents of the bursa copulatrix of females following mating, and from dissection remnants of 6 of the 13 females in which disseminated antigen had been observed. Venereally infected females were shown to be capable of transmission of LAC virus by bite to mice and to eggs.", "contents": "Venereal transmission of La Crosse virus from male to female Aedes triseriatus. Horizontal transmission of La Crosse (LAC) arbovirus in colonized Aedes triseriatus was first observed in mating cages. LAC antigen was visualized by fluorescent antibody technique in multiple organs of 5 (2.5% of 198 females dissected after contact in mating cages with males, with a transovarial infection rate of 31%. Venereal transmission of LAC virus was demonstrated by limited contact induced mating. Antigen was detected in bursal contents of 35 (53%) of 66 females dissected within 24 h after induced mating by males previously infected by intrathoracic inoculation. Antigen was observed in ovaries, heart, gut, salivary glands, or other organs in 13 (3.4%) of 379 females dissected 1 to 14 days post-mating. LAC virus was isolated from infected males, from contents of the bursa copulatrix of females following mating, and from dissection remnants of 6 of the 13 females in which disseminated antigen had been observed. Venereally infected females were shown to be capable of transmission of LAC virus by bite to mice and to eggs.", "PMID": 626272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6384", "title": "Treatment of giardiasis with tinidazole.", "content": "Fifty-five patients, 51 males and 4 females heavily infected with Giardia lamblia were treated with a single 2 g dose of tinidazole (four tablets); 53 were cured. Of 20 other infected patients kept under the same conditions and given four placebo tablets, 18 continued to pass cysts or trophozoites in the stools during the whole 3- to 4-wk follow-up period in hospital. There were no side effects attributed to the drug.", "contents": "Treatment of giardiasis with tinidazole. Fifty-five patients, 51 males and 4 females heavily infected with Giardia lamblia were treated with a single 2 g dose of tinidazole (four tablets); 53 were cured. Of 20 other infected patients kept under the same conditions and given four placebo tablets, 18 continued to pass cysts or trophozoites in the stools during the whole 3- to 4-wk follow-up period in hospital. There were no side effects attributed to the drug.", "PMID": 626273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6385", "title": "In vivo effects of mebendazole and levamisole in the treatment of trichuriasis and ascariasis.", "content": "The anthelmintic drugs mebendazole (Vermox) and levamisole were tested in patients for their possible ovicidal effects on the eggs of Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. The patients studied were 20 Africans of Sierra Leone, and 11 children of Nassau, Bahamas. Egg counts were made before treatment, and for 5 consecutive days following treatment. Eggs were incubated in 2.5% aqueous potassium dichromate and percentages of larval development were determined. Mebendazole completely inhibited the development of the eggs of T. trichiura by day 3 of the follow-up period. The ovicidal action of mebendazole on the eggs of A. lumbricoides was determined to be 64.8% by day 5 of the follow-up study. Levamisole had little (11.6%) ovicidal action on the eggs of T. trichiura and no ovicidal activity for A. lumbricoides.", "contents": "In vivo effects of mebendazole and levamisole in the treatment of trichuriasis and ascariasis. The anthelmintic drugs mebendazole (Vermox) and levamisole were tested in patients for their possible ovicidal effects on the eggs of Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. The patients studied were 20 Africans of Sierra Leone, and 11 children of Nassau, Bahamas. Egg counts were made before treatment, and for 5 consecutive days following treatment. Eggs were incubated in 2.5% aqueous potassium dichromate and percentages of larval development were determined. Mebendazole completely inhibited the development of the eggs of T. trichiura by day 3 of the follow-up period. The ovicidal action of mebendazole on the eggs of A. lumbricoides was determined to be 64.8% by day 5 of the follow-up study. Levamisole had little (11.6%) ovicidal action on the eggs of T. trichiura and no ovicidal activity for A. lumbricoides.", "PMID": 626274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6386", "title": "A case of occipital gnathostomiasis in Thailand.", "content": "A large subcutaneous nodule present for 2 mo was removed from the occiput of a 26-yr-old Thai man and found to contain a male Gnathostoma spinigerum. Aside from the occipital location, a noteworthy feature of the case was the long stationary persistence of the stable, non-tender nodule.", "contents": "A case of occipital gnathostomiasis in Thailand. A large subcutaneous nodule present for 2 mo was removed from the occiput of a 26-yr-old Thai man and found to contain a male Gnathostoma spinigerum. Aside from the occipital location, a noteworthy feature of the case was the long stationary persistence of the stable, non-tender nodule.", "PMID": 626275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6387", "title": "Leptospirosis in zoo workers associated with bears.", "content": "Leptospirosis due to Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae was diagnosed in two zoo animal keepers. The implicated source of infection was bear cubs that had microscopic agglutination antibody titers to leptospires of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup.", "contents": "Leptospirosis in zoo workers associated with bears. Leptospirosis due to Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae was diagnosed in two zoo animal keepers. The implicated source of infection was bear cubs that had microscopic agglutination antibody titers to leptospires of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup.", "PMID": 626276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6388", "title": "Present status of kala-azar in Iran.", "content": "Sporadic cases of visceral leishmaniasis have been reported from all parts of Iran except the deserts and very arid zones in the southeast. About 120 cases have been reported up to the present time, the majority from the mountainous areas of the southwest. Most patients (76%) have been children under 10 years of age. The probable reservoirs of infection are wild carnivores, infection of man and dog being accidental. During a survey conducted in the Caspian area and northeastern part of Iran in 1970, 20 jackals and 10 foxes were shot; examination of smears from bone marrow and spleen showed the infection in a jackal (Canis aureas) and in a fox (Vulpes vulpes). On the basis of epidemiological evidence, Phlebotomus major is the probable vector of kala-azar in Iran.", "contents": "Present status of kala-azar in Iran. Sporadic cases of visceral leishmaniasis have been reported from all parts of Iran except the deserts and very arid zones in the southeast. About 120 cases have been reported up to the present time, the majority from the mountainous areas of the southwest. Most patients (76%) have been children under 10 years of age. The probable reservoirs of infection are wild carnivores, infection of man and dog being accidental. During a survey conducted in the Caspian area and northeastern part of Iran in 1970, 20 jackals and 10 foxes were shot; examination of smears from bone marrow and spleen showed the infection in a jackal (Canis aureas) and in a fox (Vulpes vulpes). On the basis of epidemiological evidence, Phlebotomus major is the probable vector of kala-azar in Iran.", "PMID": 626277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6389", "title": "A case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Light and electron microscopy, and immunohistologic studies.", "content": "A 56-year-old alcoholic developed primary meningoencephalitis and died 3 weeks later. Autopsy revealed multiple areas of necrosis and acute and granulomatous inflammation in the brain and pancreas. Trophozoites and cysts were discovered in the brain and trophozoites alone in the pancreas. Morphologic studies revealed some parasitic features described as characteristic for Naegleria, but clinical, histological and immunohistological features favored in Acanthamoeba infection. This study calls for caution in the use of pure morphological criteria for the differential diagnosis of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba in humans. Cultural characteristics, immunohistology and serologic tests are probably more reliable for differentiating these parasites.", "contents": "A case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Light and electron microscopy, and immunohistologic studies. A 56-year-old alcoholic developed primary meningoencephalitis and died 3 weeks later. Autopsy revealed multiple areas of necrosis and acute and granulomatous inflammation in the brain and pancreas. Trophozoites and cysts were discovered in the brain and trophozoites alone in the pancreas. Morphologic studies revealed some parasitic features described as characteristic for Naegleria, but clinical, histological and immunohistological features favored in Acanthamoeba infection. This study calls for caution in the use of pure morphological criteria for the differential diagnosis of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba in humans. Cultural characteristics, immunohistology and serologic tests are probably more reliable for differentiating these parasites.", "PMID": 626278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6390", "title": "Strongyloides stercoarlis--hyperinfection.", "content": "A case of severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection is described in a patient with renal failure due to bilateral cortical necrosis. Because thiabendazole, the drug of choice in strongyloidiasis, is primarily excreted by the kidneys, alternative therapy with a mebendazole was instituted. Although the patient eventually died as a result of the renal failure, successful therapy with mebendazole was well demonstrated.", "contents": "Strongyloides stercoarlis--hyperinfection. A case of severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection is described in a patient with renal failure due to bilateral cortical necrosis. Because thiabendazole, the drug of choice in strongyloidiasis, is primarily excreted by the kidneys, alternative therapy with a mebendazole was instituted. Although the patient eventually died as a result of the renal failure, successful therapy with mebendazole was well demonstrated.", "PMID": 626279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6391", "title": "An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease in North India.", "content": "An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease occurred after a game of \"kabaddi\" (a local game which results in much body contact with the ground) in 27 young males from one village. It was characterized by an immediate incapacitating dermatitis, followed by severe pulmonary symptoms. Progressive weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss and anemia developed within a few months. Ancylostoma duodenale was found in all except four patients who had received antihelminthic treatment. Specific treatment for hookworm resulted in complete clinical recovery. Features of the outbreak were: 1) the hitherto unrecorded mode of infection; 2) severe dermatitis; 3) pulmonary symptoms lasting more than 3 mo; 4) abdominal symptoms suggestive of subacute obstruction starting 4-6 mo after exposure; and 5) severe disability with weight loss for a period of 1 yr until specific treatment was administered.", "contents": "An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease in North India. An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease occurred after a game of \"kabaddi\" (a local game which results in much body contact with the ground) in 27 young males from one village. It was characterized by an immediate incapacitating dermatitis, followed by severe pulmonary symptoms. Progressive weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss and anemia developed within a few months. Ancylostoma duodenale was found in all except four patients who had received antihelminthic treatment. Specific treatment for hookworm resulted in complete clinical recovery. Features of the outbreak were: 1) the hitherto unrecorded mode of infection; 2) severe dermatitis; 3) pulmonary symptoms lasting more than 3 mo; 4) abdominal symptoms suggestive of subacute obstruction starting 4-6 mo after exposure; and 5) severe disability with weight loss for a period of 1 yr until specific treatment was administered.", "PMID": 626280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6392", "title": "Larvae of Anisakidae in marine fish of coastal waters near Jakarta, Indonesia.", "content": "Three species of marine fish were collected from the waters around Seribu Islands, near Jakarta, Indonesia, and examined for nematode larvae of the family Anisakidae. Larvae were found in 719 (49%) of 1.459 Rastrelliger kanagurta, 445 (50%) of 884 Decapterus russelli, and 217 (41%) of 531 Sardinella sirm. Larvae from a subsample of 150 infected fish, 44 R. kanagurta, 86 D. russelli, and 20 S. sirm, were examined microscopically and only Anisakis type I and Terranova type B larvae were found. In all three species of fish the Anisakis larvae predominated. The Anisakis larvae found in these fish are a potential source of infection for humans in Indonesia; however, human anisakiasis has not yet been reported from this country.", "contents": "Larvae of Anisakidae in marine fish of coastal waters near Jakarta, Indonesia. Three species of marine fish were collected from the waters around Seribu Islands, near Jakarta, Indonesia, and examined for nematode larvae of the family Anisakidae. Larvae were found in 719 (49%) of 1.459 Rastrelliger kanagurta, 445 (50%) of 884 Decapterus russelli, and 217 (41%) of 531 Sardinella sirm. Larvae from a subsample of 150 infected fish, 44 R. kanagurta, 86 D. russelli, and 20 S. sirm, were examined microscopically and only Anisakis type I and Terranova type B larvae were found. In all three species of fish the Anisakis larvae predominated. The Anisakis larvae found in these fish are a potential source of infection for humans in Indonesia; however, human anisakiasis has not yet been reported from this country.", "PMID": 626282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6393", "title": "Immunization of mice with cobalt-60 irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.", "content": "Parameters of immunization of mice with 60Cobalt-irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae are described and related to protection against subsequent challenge infection. Such immunization was found to be dependent on dose of irradiation, number of immunizing cercariae, and number and time course of infections. Low levels of resistance were obtained with low irradiation doses, in contrast to previous studies in mice. In general, resistance increased with increasing irradiation doses, up to approximately 48-56 Kr. Maximal resistance (70-80%) was induced by a single exposure to 250-500 cercariae, irradiated at a dose rate of 2 Kr/minute to a total dose of 56 Kr, administered percutaneously 4-6 wk prior to challenge. Challenge could be delayed for at least 15 wk after immunization without a decrease in resistance. The resistance obtained was not attributable to a delayed migration of challenge worms.", "contents": "Immunization of mice with cobalt-60 irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Parameters of immunization of mice with 60Cobalt-irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae are described and related to protection against subsequent challenge infection. Such immunization was found to be dependent on dose of irradiation, number of immunizing cercariae, and number and time course of infections. Low levels of resistance were obtained with low irradiation doses, in contrast to previous studies in mice. In general, resistance increased with increasing irradiation doses, up to approximately 48-56 Kr. Maximal resistance (70-80%) was induced by a single exposure to 250-500 cercariae, irradiated at a dose rate of 2 Kr/minute to a total dose of 56 Kr, administered percutaneously 4-6 wk prior to challenge. Challenge could be delayed for at least 15 wk after immunization without a decrease in resistance. The resistance obtained was not attributable to a delayed migration of challenge worms.", "PMID": 626284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6394", "title": "Effect of immunization on migration of Schistosoma mansoni through lungs.", "content": "Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula migrate through the lungs of infected mice; peak recovery occurs 6 days following infection. When cercariae were irradiated at 60Cobalt doses of 24 to 64 Kr, the number of schistosomula recovered from lungs 6 days after infection decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. The pattern of lung migration of schistosomes irradiated at 56 Kr prior to infection was similar to that of nonirradiated schistosomes, but greatly reduced numbers were recovered. When mice were immunized by a single infection with 56 Kr attenuated cercariae 6 wk prior to challenge, the pattern of challenge migration through the lungs was altered. The number of schistosomes recovered increased rapidly between 2 and 6 days post-infection, and showed a plateau between 8 and 10 days with peak recovery occurring 10 days post-infection. This peak recovery was reduced in comparison to that of non-immunized mice, but did not account for all of the reduction observed at the adult worm stage.", "contents": "Effect of immunization on migration of Schistosoma mansoni through lungs. Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula migrate through the lungs of infected mice; peak recovery occurs 6 days following infection. When cercariae were irradiated at 60Cobalt doses of 24 to 64 Kr, the number of schistosomula recovered from lungs 6 days after infection decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. The pattern of lung migration of schistosomes irradiated at 56 Kr prior to infection was similar to that of nonirradiated schistosomes, but greatly reduced numbers were recovered. When mice were immunized by a single infection with 56 Kr attenuated cercariae 6 wk prior to challenge, the pattern of challenge migration through the lungs was altered. The number of schistosomes recovered increased rapidly between 2 and 6 days post-infection, and showed a plateau between 8 and 10 days with peak recovery occurring 10 days post-infection. This peak recovery was reduced in comparison to that of non-immunized mice, but did not account for all of the reduction observed at the adult worm stage.", "PMID": 626285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6395", "title": "Hydatid disease screening: Sanpete County, Utah, 1971-1976.", "content": "Between 1971 and 1976 approximately 20% (2,265) of the population of Sanpete County, Utah, was screened for hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus) by intradermal, indirect hemagglutination, and bentonite flocculation tests. Of 34 persons who had follow-up chest radiographs and radioisotope liver scans, 6 were found to have asymptomatic hepatic cysts. If a participant who had pulmonary cysts and negative screening tests were included, the prevalence of asymptomatic hydatid disease would be 3 per 1,000. During the same period, 82 (148 per 1,000) of 553 dogs successfully purged and examined had E. granulosus infections. Human cyst carriage was associated with dog ownership, particularly of infected dogs or in conjunction with sheep raising as the main livelihood. Combinations of immunodiagnostic tests were more efficacious in identifying cyst carriers than the tests used singly. Limitation of screening to high risk groups (e.g., sheep raisers with dogs) can reduce costs without reducing yield. Optimum management of the cyst carrier awaits further information on the natural history of asymptomatic hydatid disease.", "contents": "Hydatid disease screening: Sanpete County, Utah, 1971-1976. Between 1971 and 1976 approximately 20% (2,265) of the population of Sanpete County, Utah, was screened for hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus) by intradermal, indirect hemagglutination, and bentonite flocculation tests. Of 34 persons who had follow-up chest radiographs and radioisotope liver scans, 6 were found to have asymptomatic hepatic cysts. If a participant who had pulmonary cysts and negative screening tests were included, the prevalence of asymptomatic hydatid disease would be 3 per 1,000. During the same period, 82 (148 per 1,000) of 553 dogs successfully purged and examined had E. granulosus infections. Human cyst carriage was associated with dog ownership, particularly of infected dogs or in conjunction with sheep raising as the main livelihood. Combinations of immunodiagnostic tests were more efficacious in identifying cyst carriers than the tests used singly. Limitation of screening to high risk groups (e.g., sheep raisers with dogs) can reduce costs without reducing yield. Optimum management of the cyst carrier awaits further information on the natural history of asymptomatic hydatid disease.", "PMID": 626286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6396", "title": "Insulin-induced attenuation of glucose-stimulated gastric inhibitory polypeptide secretion.", "content": "Administration of exogenous insulin before and after intraduodenal glucose results in blunting of the GIP response to glucose. Physiologic levels of serum insulin were attained. Therefore, the present study suggests the existence of negative feedback regulation of GIP release by endogenous insulin (pancreatico-GIP axis).", "contents": "Insulin-induced attenuation of glucose-stimulated gastric inhibitory polypeptide secretion. Administration of exogenous insulin before and after intraduodenal glucose results in blunting of the GIP response to glucose. Physiologic levels of serum insulin were attained. Therefore, the present study suggests the existence of negative feedback regulation of GIP release by endogenous insulin (pancreatico-GIP axis).", "PMID": 626287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6397", "title": "Prophylactic intraperitoneal povidone-iodine in alimentary tract surgery.", "content": "In controlled experiments intraperitoneal povidone-iodine significantly reduced the mortality of mice (p less than 0.01) and rats (p less than 0.01) with induced peritonitis. Povidone-iodine irrigation of the rat colon before and after anastomosis did not interfere with healing or inhibit peritoneal adhesion formation. However, a newly formulated povidone-iodine solution containing increased PVP significantly reduced adhesion formation in a controlled study in rats.", "contents": "Prophylactic intraperitoneal povidone-iodine in alimentary tract surgery. In controlled experiments intraperitoneal povidone-iodine significantly reduced the mortality of mice (p less than 0.01) and rats (p less than 0.01) with induced peritonitis. Povidone-iodine irrigation of the rat colon before and after anastomosis did not interfere with healing or inhibit peritoneal adhesion formation. However, a newly formulated povidone-iodine solution containing increased PVP significantly reduced adhesion formation in a controlled study in rats.", "PMID": 626288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6398", "title": "Mesenchymal tumor hypoglycemia: the effect of a tumor tissue extract on the insulin and glucagon secretion from the isolated perfused porcine pancreas.", "content": "Severe fasting hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia occurred in a sixty-six year old woman with an intrahepatic mesenchymal tumor. An extract from the tumor was potent in inhibiting the arginine-induced glucagon secretion from the isolated perfused porcine pancreas. This observation supports the theory recently advanced that mesenchymal tumor hypoglycemia in some cases is due to a still unknown factor secreted from the tumor, which directly inhibits pancreatic glucagon secretion.", "contents": "Mesenchymal tumor hypoglycemia: the effect of a tumor tissue extract on the insulin and glucagon secretion from the isolated perfused porcine pancreas. Severe fasting hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia occurred in a sixty-six year old woman with an intrahepatic mesenchymal tumor. An extract from the tumor was potent in inhibiting the arginine-induced glucagon secretion from the isolated perfused porcine pancreas. This observation supports the theory recently advanced that mesenchymal tumor hypoglycemia in some cases is due to a still unknown factor secreted from the tumor, which directly inhibits pancreatic glucagon secretion.", "PMID": 626290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6399", "title": "Incidental cholecystectomy during major abdominal surgery in the elderly.", "content": "Forty-four elderly patients with an average age of seventy-eight years were found to have cholelithiasis during unrelated major abdominal surgery. Thirty-nine of them underwent incidental cholecystectomy, one had cholecystostomy, and four had no surgical treatment of their gallbladder disease. Of the thirty-nine patients with an incidental cholecystectomy, none died and only sixteen had nonfatal complications. Of these complications, only one was clearly related to the cholecystectomy and resolved spontaneously. The results compare favorably with other reports of similar procedures in elderly patients. Incidental cholecystectomy does not seem to significantly alter the mortality and morbidity of elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. We advocate incidental cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis in elderly patients as long as the gallbladder is easily accessible and the condition of the patient warrants the additional procedure.", "contents": "Incidental cholecystectomy during major abdominal surgery in the elderly. Forty-four elderly patients with an average age of seventy-eight years were found to have cholelithiasis during unrelated major abdominal surgery. Thirty-nine of them underwent incidental cholecystectomy, one had cholecystostomy, and four had no surgical treatment of their gallbladder disease. Of the thirty-nine patients with an incidental cholecystectomy, none died and only sixteen had nonfatal complications. Of these complications, only one was clearly related to the cholecystectomy and resolved spontaneously. The results compare favorably with other reports of similar procedures in elderly patients. Incidental cholecystectomy does not seem to significantly alter the mortality and morbidity of elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. We advocate incidental cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis in elderly patients as long as the gallbladder is easily accessible and the condition of the patient warrants the additional procedure.", "PMID": 626291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6400", "title": "Pancreatic pseudocyst: management in fifty-four patients.", "content": "The management of pancreatic pseudocyst was reassessed in fifty-four patients: only sixteen (30 per cent) regressed with nonoperative management; six (11 per cent) died of septic complications; and thirty-two (64 per cent) eventually required operation. Most pseudocysts did not regress with nonoperative therapy, thus emphasizing the need of serial clinical and ultrasonic examination at frequent intervals to detect nonresolution or complications requiring earlier operation than previously advocated.", "contents": "Pancreatic pseudocyst: management in fifty-four patients. The management of pancreatic pseudocyst was reassessed in fifty-four patients: only sixteen (30 per cent) regressed with nonoperative management; six (11 per cent) died of septic complications; and thirty-two (64 per cent) eventually required operation. Most pseudocysts did not regress with nonoperative therapy, thus emphasizing the need of serial clinical and ultrasonic examination at frequent intervals to detect nonresolution or complications requiring earlier operation than previously advocated.", "PMID": 626292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6401", "title": "The role of percutaneous liver biopsy in the pretreatment evaluation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.", "content": "Percutaneous liver biopsies were performed on twenty-two patients with locally unresectable adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas within a median of six weeks of laparotomy. Three patients (13 per cent) had positive biopsies obtained either blindly or at peritoneoscopy. Of these three patients, two had elevations in either alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin, or hepatic transaminase levels, and one of these two patients had an abnormal liver-spleen scintigram. Liver biopsies are recommended for all patients being evaluated for pancreatic resection either pre- or intraoperatively.", "contents": "The role of percutaneous liver biopsy in the pretreatment evaluation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Percutaneous liver biopsies were performed on twenty-two patients with locally unresectable adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas within a median of six weeks of laparotomy. Three patients (13 per cent) had positive biopsies obtained either blindly or at peritoneoscopy. Of these three patients, two had elevations in either alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin, or hepatic transaminase levels, and one of these two patients had an abnormal liver-spleen scintigram. Liver biopsies are recommended for all patients being evaluated for pancreatic resection either pre- or intraoperatively.", "PMID": 626294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6402", "title": "Relationship between postoperative temperature and survival in patients resected for colorectal cancer.", "content": "The present study suggests that the prognosis of patients undergoing resection for colorectal carcinoma might be improved if there is an increase in body temperature during the postoperative period.", "contents": "Relationship between postoperative temperature and survival in patients resected for colorectal cancer. The present study suggests that the prognosis of patients undergoing resection for colorectal carcinoma might be improved if there is an increase in body temperature during the postoperative period.", "PMID": 626295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6403", "title": "Surgical morbidity after mastectomy operations.", "content": "The records of 146 consecutive patients with mastectomy operations over a three year period were reviewed. Of these, ninety-three (63.6 per cent) had one or more complications secondary to surgery. There were 175 complications, of which complications, of which 107 (73.2 per cent) were wound-related. Seroma formation occurred most frequently but was of minor consequence. The incidence of flap necrosis was 19.1 per cent, with cellulitis or suppurative infection appearing in thirteen patients. Immediate postoperative edema of the arm was fairly rare (2.7 per cent) and appeared related to delayed wound healing. Postoperative complications after total, modified radical, and radical mastectomy present problems unique from those seen after other major surgery, in that local complications predominate. The very nature of the procedure, with the creation of large thin skin flaps, extensive axillary dissection, and an open wound for a prolonged period of time, predisposes to wound morbidity.", "contents": "Surgical morbidity after mastectomy operations. The records of 146 consecutive patients with mastectomy operations over a three year period were reviewed. Of these, ninety-three (63.6 per cent) had one or more complications secondary to surgery. There were 175 complications, of which complications, of which 107 (73.2 per cent) were wound-related. Seroma formation occurred most frequently but was of minor consequence. The incidence of flap necrosis was 19.1 per cent, with cellulitis or suppurative infection appearing in thirteen patients. Immediate postoperative edema of the arm was fairly rare (2.7 per cent) and appeared related to delayed wound healing. Postoperative complications after total, modified radical, and radical mastectomy present problems unique from those seen after other major surgery, in that local complications predominate. The very nature of the procedure, with the creation of large thin skin flaps, extensive axillary dissection, and an open wound for a prolonged period of time, predisposes to wound morbidity.", "PMID": 626296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6404", "title": "Stroke associated with carotid endarterectomy.", "content": "Between 1966 and 1976, eleven strokes occurred in association with 509 carotid endarterectomies performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Contralateral carotid arterial occlusion with unilateral stenosis, bilateral carotid stenoses, or multiple extracranial (with or without intracranial) stenoses were present in all patients in whom stroke developed. Preventable technical factors contributing to or directly causing stroke were identifiable in six of the eleven patients. Better appreciation of the high risks associated with the above arteriographic patterns and elimination of technical mishaps should lead to an improvement in our already respectably low stroke rate of 2.2 per cent.", "contents": "Stroke associated with carotid endarterectomy. Between 1966 and 1976, eleven strokes occurred in association with 509 carotid endarterectomies performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Contralateral carotid arterial occlusion with unilateral stenosis, bilateral carotid stenoses, or multiple extracranial (with or without intracranial) stenoses were present in all patients in whom stroke developed. Preventable technical factors contributing to or directly causing stroke were identifiable in six of the eleven patients. Better appreciation of the high risks associated with the above arteriographic patterns and elimination of technical mishaps should lead to an improvement in our already respectably low stroke rate of 2.2 per cent.", "PMID": 626297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6405", "title": "Amputations in peripheral vascular occlusive disease.", "content": "One hundred consecutive patients undergoing major lower extremity amputations were critically analyzed over a five year period. The results of surgical care and the degree of success of rehabilitation were determined. The number of patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease who require major lower extremity amputations appears to be increasing and they continue to present a challenge to the surgeon.", "contents": "Amputations in peripheral vascular occlusive disease. One hundred consecutive patients undergoing major lower extremity amputations were critically analyzed over a five year period. The results of surgical care and the degree of success of rehabilitation were determined. The number of patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease who require major lower extremity amputations appears to be increasing and they continue to present a challenge to the surgeon.", "PMID": 626299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6406", "title": "Effectiveness of reoperation after late failure of femoropopliteal reconstruction.", "content": "Eighty-two femoropopliteal reconstructions were performed on sixty-six consecutive patients. Of seventeen late failures, thirteen were secondarily reconstructed. Clinical and angiographic studies demonstrated the reasons for failure in all patients except one. Seven patients were improved and six unimproved by reoperation. The best results were obtained when an inflow problem was found and there had been a long duration of initial patency.", "contents": "Effectiveness of reoperation after late failure of femoropopliteal reconstruction. Eighty-two femoropopliteal reconstructions were performed on sixty-six consecutive patients. Of seventeen late failures, thirteen were secondarily reconstructed. Clinical and angiographic studies demonstrated the reasons for failure in all patients except one. Seven patients were improved and six unimproved by reoperation. The best results were obtained when an inflow problem was found and there had been a long duration of initial patency.", "PMID": 626300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6407", "title": "Debridement: an essential component of traumatic wound care.", "content": "The harmful influences of devitalized tissue on wound defenses are documented and the importance of wound debridement in the care of the traumatic wound is stressed. All devitalized soft tissues damaged the host's defenses and encouraged the development of infection. The capacity of divitalized muscle, fat, and skin to enhance infection was comparable. The infection-potentiating effect of skin was enhanced by exposing it to a dry thermal injury. The mechanisms by which devitalized soft tissue enhanced infection are several. The devitalized soft tissue acts as a culture medium promoting bacterial growth. In addition, the devitalized tissue inhibits leukocyte phagocytosis of bacteria and subsequent kill. Finally, the anaerobic environment within the devitalized tissue may also limit leukocyte function.", "contents": "Debridement: an essential component of traumatic wound care. The harmful influences of devitalized tissue on wound defenses are documented and the importance of wound debridement in the care of the traumatic wound is stressed. All devitalized soft tissues damaged the host's defenses and encouraged the development of infection. The capacity of divitalized muscle, fat, and skin to enhance infection was comparable. The infection-potentiating effect of skin was enhanced by exposing it to a dry thermal injury. The mechanisms by which devitalized soft tissue enhanced infection are several. The devitalized soft tissue acts as a culture medium promoting bacterial growth. In addition, the devitalized tissue inhibits leukocyte phagocytosis of bacteria and subsequent kill. Finally, the anaerobic environment within the devitalized tissue may also limit leukocyte function.", "PMID": 626301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6408", "title": "Cervico-occipital pain and its surgical treatment: the myth of the bony millstones.", "content": "The proposal was made in 1949 that occipital neuritis/neuralgia was frequently of traumatic origin. The hypothesis was advanced that the C2 sensory root lay unprotected between the lateral masses of the atlas and axis and was vulnerable to squeezing on extreme extension or rotation of the head. This conjecture converted a hitherto banal neurologic affliction into the sequela of a banal trauma. Hence, it has been exploited in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries as well as for headaches of unknown origin. Evidence is presented that the original anatomic proposition was erroneous and that the C2 root is not exposed and is not vulnerable. Indeed, a survey of the \"worst\" traumatic and pathologic disruptions of the craniospinal junction shows that although they would be expected to injure the C2 root, in fact, they do not. The theory as well as the operations based upon it, particularly intradural section of the C2 root, should be abandoned.", "contents": "Cervico-occipital pain and its surgical treatment: the myth of the bony millstones. The proposal was made in 1949 that occipital neuritis/neuralgia was frequently of traumatic origin. The hypothesis was advanced that the C2 sensory root lay unprotected between the lateral masses of the atlas and axis and was vulnerable to squeezing on extreme extension or rotation of the head. This conjecture converted a hitherto banal neurologic affliction into the sequela of a banal trauma. Hence, it has been exploited in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries as well as for headaches of unknown origin. Evidence is presented that the original anatomic proposition was erroneous and that the C2 root is not exposed and is not vulnerable. Indeed, a survey of the \"worst\" traumatic and pathologic disruptions of the craniospinal junction shows that although they would be expected to injure the C2 root, in fact, they do not. The theory as well as the operations based upon it, particularly intradural section of the C2 root, should be abandoned.", "PMID": 626302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6409", "title": "Serum gastrin levels in the differential diagnosis of recurrent peptic ulceration due to retained gastric antrum.", "content": "If recurrent peptic ulceration follows partial gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction, retained antrum on the duodenal stump may be the culprit. Moderate hypergastrinemia and a high basal acid output (BAO) to maximal acid output (MAO) ratio on gastric analysis should alert the clinician. Careful filling of the afferent loop on barium meal or technetium 99m scanning may verify the diagnosis. The secretin provocative test may be helpful in distinguishing retained antrum from the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by eliciting a decrease in serum gastrin levels in patients with retained antrum and an increase in serum gastrin levels in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.", "contents": "Serum gastrin levels in the differential diagnosis of recurrent peptic ulceration due to retained gastric antrum. If recurrent peptic ulceration follows partial gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction, retained antrum on the duodenal stump may be the culprit. Moderate hypergastrinemia and a high basal acid output (BAO) to maximal acid output (MAO) ratio on gastric analysis should alert the clinician. Careful filling of the afferent loop on barium meal or technetium 99m scanning may verify the diagnosis. The secretin provocative test may be helpful in distinguishing retained antrum from the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by eliciting a decrease in serum gastrin levels in patients with retained antrum and an increase in serum gastrin levels in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.", "PMID": 626303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6410", "title": "Gangrene of the stomach: a case of acute necrotizing gastritis.", "content": "Of the several causes of gastric necrosis, the rarest is acute necrotizing gastritis which appears to be a variant of phlegmonous gastritis. In acute necrotizing gastritis all four major gastric vessels are patent, but gastric gangrene occurs secondary to an over-whelming necrobiotic infection. The case presented herein is of unusual interest because it appears to be only the third reported case of acute necrotizing gastritis with overt gangrene of the stomach. Review of the literature on suppurative gastritis emphasizes the rarity and high morbidity of acute necrotizing gastritis; the patient reported on in this study, however, survived after subtotal gastrectomy and antibiotic therapy. It is our opinion that debridement by gastrectomy must be performed in those patients with transmural, diffusely infected, nonviable gastric tissue.", "contents": "Gangrene of the stomach: a case of acute necrotizing gastritis. Of the several causes of gastric necrosis, the rarest is acute necrotizing gastritis which appears to be a variant of phlegmonous gastritis. In acute necrotizing gastritis all four major gastric vessels are patent, but gastric gangrene occurs secondary to an over-whelming necrobiotic infection. The case presented herein is of unusual interest because it appears to be only the third reported case of acute necrotizing gastritis with overt gangrene of the stomach. Review of the literature on suppurative gastritis emphasizes the rarity and high morbidity of acute necrotizing gastritis; the patient reported on in this study, however, survived after subtotal gastrectomy and antibiotic therapy. It is our opinion that debridement by gastrectomy must be performed in those patients with transmural, diffusely infected, nonviable gastric tissue.", "PMID": 626304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6411", "title": "Common bile duct stricture repair with serosal onlay technic.", "content": "To our knowledge this is the first reported patient in whom the technic of serosal onlay for biliary stricture was applied successfully. The approach proved easy and satisfactory, and we plan to continue its use in similar cases.", "contents": "Common bile duct stricture repair with serosal onlay technic. To our knowledge this is the first reported patient in whom the technic of serosal onlay for biliary stricture was applied successfully. The approach proved easy and satisfactory, and we plan to continue its use in similar cases.", "PMID": 626305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6412", "title": "Transabdominal bone biopsy during staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "A bone marrow biopsy is one of the recommended components of the exploratory laparotomy performed for the staging of Hodgkin's disease. A simple method is described for obtaining a full thickness biopsy of the ilium via the laparotomy incision using the Cloward drill.", "contents": "Transabdominal bone biopsy during staging laparotomy for Hodgkin's disease. A bone marrow biopsy is one of the recommended components of the exploratory laparotomy performed for the staging of Hodgkin's disease. A simple method is described for obtaining a full thickness biopsy of the ilium via the laparotomy incision using the Cloward drill.", "PMID": 626306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6413", "title": "Pilonidal cyst: an operative approach.", "content": "An operative technic is presented which has been used on fifty-four patients with pilonidal cyst. This technic has resulted in primary union and complete healing within six weeks in 89 per cent of cases. The use of an incision that crosses the vertical gluteal fold at an angle and eliminates the suture line in the gluteal fold has been beneficial in all patients on whom it was used.", "contents": "Pilonidal cyst: an operative approach. An operative technic is presented which has been used on fifty-four patients with pilonidal cyst. This technic has resulted in primary union and complete healing within six weeks in 89 per cent of cases. The use of an incision that crosses the vertical gluteal fold at an angle and eliminates the suture line in the gluteal fold has been beneficial in all patients on whom it was used.", "PMID": 626307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6414", "title": "The axillary artery to axillary vein bovine graft for circulatory access: surgical considerations.", "content": "The bovine graft axillary artery to axillary vein fistula provides a simple method of circulatory access. This method is reserved for patients in whom Cimino arteriovenous fistulas or looped grafts have failed. The grafts are easy to cannulate, flow is excellent, and the patients adapt to it very promptly.", "contents": "The axillary artery to axillary vein bovine graft for circulatory access: surgical considerations. The bovine graft axillary artery to axillary vein fistula provides a simple method of circulatory access. This method is reserved for patients in whom Cimino arteriovenous fistulas or looped grafts have failed. The grafts are easy to cannulate, flow is excellent, and the patients adapt to it very promptly.", "PMID": 626308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6415", "title": "Restoration of pharyngoesophageal continuity with a replaceable prosthetic conduit: a new method.", "content": "Treatment of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract by high dose radiation and wide surgical resection result in large tissue defects. When the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscles are removed, a replaceable prosthetic conduit can be used effectively to reestablish pharyngoesophageal continuity. This prosthesis can be readily fabricated and obviates the need for extensive reconstructive operations in suitable candidates.", "contents": "Restoration of pharyngoesophageal continuity with a replaceable prosthetic conduit: a new method. Treatment of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract by high dose radiation and wide surgical resection result in large tissue defects. When the inferior pharyngeal constrictor and the cricopharyngeus muscles are removed, a replaceable prosthetic conduit can be used effectively to reestablish pharyngoesophageal continuity. This prosthesis can be readily fabricated and obviates the need for extensive reconstructive operations in suitable candidates.", "PMID": 626309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6416", "title": "Observations on the pathogenesis and management of pulmonary hypertension.", "content": "Experimental subclavian-pulmonary and aorta-pulmonary anastomoses were performed in attempts to produce progressively increasing pulmonary vascular changes and to observe their sequential development. At six weeks after anastomosis there was medial hypertrophy, at eight weeks total involvement of the artery, and at eleven weeks severe pulmonary vascular disease, total decrease in the number of capillaries, and complete obstruction of the lumen. These pathologic changes are compared with the normal course of events in the fetal and postnatal lung. A series of patients with patent ductus arteriosus, single ventricle, and a large ventricular septal defect were studied and categorized into three phases according to the severity of their clinical symptoms. A method for producing pulmonary artery stenosis in the laboratory as applied to a three month old infant is discussed.", "contents": "Observations on the pathogenesis and management of pulmonary hypertension. Experimental subclavian-pulmonary and aorta-pulmonary anastomoses were performed in attempts to produce progressively increasing pulmonary vascular changes and to observe their sequential development. At six weeks after anastomosis there was medial hypertrophy, at eight weeks total involvement of the artery, and at eleven weeks severe pulmonary vascular disease, total decrease in the number of capillaries, and complete obstruction of the lumen. These pathologic changes are compared with the normal course of events in the fetal and postnatal lung. A series of patients with patent ductus arteriosus, single ventricle, and a large ventricular septal defect were studied and categorized into three phases according to the severity of their clinical symptoms. A method for producing pulmonary artery stenosis in the laboratory as applied to a three month old infant is discussed.", "PMID": 626311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6417", "title": "The effect of added bran to the diet on the saturation of bilein people without gallstones.", "content": "Bran was added to the diet of eleven volunteers without gallstones, and its effect on bile saturation, bile acid profile in bile, and serum cholesterol and triglycerides was determined. Bile cholesterol saturation was decreased after two months of feeding bran to those female subjects who had supersaturated bile. Bran may be effective in decreasing the lithogenic potential of bile in people without gallstones, and further studies on its place in the prevention of gallstones in susceptible individuals are indicated.", "contents": "The effect of added bran to the diet on the saturation of bilein people without gallstones. Bran was added to the diet of eleven volunteers without gallstones, and its effect on bile saturation, bile acid profile in bile, and serum cholesterol and triglycerides was determined. Bile cholesterol saturation was decreased after two months of feeding bran to those female subjects who had supersaturated bile. Bran may be effective in decreasing the lithogenic potential of bile in people without gallstones, and further studies on its place in the prevention of gallstones in susceptible individuals are indicated.", "PMID": 626313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6418", "title": "Bacterial contamination of the biliary tree after choledochostomy.", "content": "Secondary exogenous contamination of bile after choledochostomy could be an important cause of long-term morbidity if infection persists after removal of the T tube. Surprisingly, documentation of the frequency of conversion of sterile to infected bile after choledochostomy has rarely been recorded. Patients undergoing exploration and T-tube drainage of the common bile duct between July 1966 and January 1975, in whom intraoperative and postoperative cultures of bile were available, were studied. Postoperative cultures were obtained from five to forty days after operation. Of ninety-five patients available for study, contamination developed postoperatively in previously sterile bile in 44 per cent. The common duct bile contained bacteria at operation in 42 per cent and remained sterile throughout in 14 per cent. The most common secondary contaminants were klebsiella group and Escherichia coli. The fate of the contaminating organisms in a biliary tree without anatomic abnormalities is unknown. Two cases are presented which suggest that persistent infection may linger in the biliary tree for many years and give rise to pigment calculi. Since bacterial cannot be eradicated so long as a foreign body remains in the common duct and because such bacteria may cause symptoms even in an anatomically normal biliary tree, we suggest that a closed system of biliary drainage be employed and that appropriate antibiotic therapy be instituted for seven to ten days after removal of the T tubes.", "contents": "Bacterial contamination of the biliary tree after choledochostomy. Secondary exogenous contamination of bile after choledochostomy could be an important cause of long-term morbidity if infection persists after removal of the T tube. Surprisingly, documentation of the frequency of conversion of sterile to infected bile after choledochostomy has rarely been recorded. Patients undergoing exploration and T-tube drainage of the common bile duct between July 1966 and January 1975, in whom intraoperative and postoperative cultures of bile were available, were studied. Postoperative cultures were obtained from five to forty days after operation. Of ninety-five patients available for study, contamination developed postoperatively in previously sterile bile in 44 per cent. The common duct bile contained bacteria at operation in 42 per cent and remained sterile throughout in 14 per cent. The most common secondary contaminants were klebsiella group and Escherichia coli. The fate of the contaminating organisms in a biliary tree without anatomic abnormalities is unknown. Two cases are presented which suggest that persistent infection may linger in the biliary tree for many years and give rise to pigment calculi. Since bacterial cannot be eradicated so long as a foreign body remains in the common duct and because such bacteria may cause symptoms even in an anatomically normal biliary tree, we suggest that a closed system of biliary drainage be employed and that appropriate antibiotic therapy be instituted for seven to ten days after removal of the T tubes.", "PMID": 626314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6419", "title": "Anaerobic metabolism and wound healing: an hypothesis for the initiation and cessation of collagen synthesis in wounds.", "content": "The implanted cylinder model was used to measure LDH activity and lactate and pyruvate concentrations in the extracellular fluid of wounds and wound tissue. Total LDH activity corresponded directly to lactic acid concentration and inversely to oxygen availability. LDH isoenzymes in wound fluid were in an anaerobic pattern soon after injury and evolved toward the aerotic pattern as oxygen supply more nearly matched metabolic capacity. Lactate levels in the wound space are elevated soon after wounding and remain elevated far above those in blood. These data again indicate that wound metabolism is characterized by a relatively poor oxygen supply. Current data from several sources indicate that lactate found in the hypoxic area of the wound may stimulate collagen synthesis in fibroblasts lying in the high lactate environment. We postulate that elevated concentration of lactate in wounds is a major signal for collagen synthesis and repair.", "contents": "Anaerobic metabolism and wound healing: an hypothesis for the initiation and cessation of collagen synthesis in wounds. The implanted cylinder model was used to measure LDH activity and lactate and pyruvate concentrations in the extracellular fluid of wounds and wound tissue. Total LDH activity corresponded directly to lactic acid concentration and inversely to oxygen availability. LDH isoenzymes in wound fluid were in an anaerobic pattern soon after injury and evolved toward the aerotic pattern as oxygen supply more nearly matched metabolic capacity. Lactate levels in the wound space are elevated soon after wounding and remain elevated far above those in blood. These data again indicate that wound metabolism is characterized by a relatively poor oxygen supply. Current data from several sources indicate that lactate found in the hypoxic area of the wound may stimulate collagen synthesis in fibroblasts lying in the high lactate environment. We postulate that elevated concentration of lactate in wounds is a major signal for collagen synthesis and repair.", "PMID": 626315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6420", "title": "Total gastrectomy.", "content": "Total gastrectomy is indicated principally for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and for potentially curable gastric cancer. The diagnosis of cancer should be verified by biopsy before the resection is performed, and the margins of resection should usually be examined by frozen section. Of the various reconstructions, Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy gave the best long-term results.", "contents": "Total gastrectomy. Total gastrectomy is indicated principally for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and for potentially curable gastric cancer. The diagnosis of cancer should be verified by biopsy before the resection is performed, and the margins of resection should usually be examined by frozen section. Of the various reconstructions, Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy gave the best long-term results.", "PMID": 626316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6421", "title": "\"CRAB\" chemotherapy. Curative, relieving, adjuvant, and basal.", "content": "A selection of patients with a variety of tumors treated effectively by chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or surgery or both is presented. The best success has been achieved with lesions not previously treated by radiotherapy or surgery and which have no fixed lymph node masses. Where possible, we prefer to administer chemotherapeutic agents by direct infusion into the regional artery supplying the tumor mass.", "contents": "\"CRAB\" chemotherapy. Curative, relieving, adjuvant, and basal. A selection of patients with a variety of tumors treated effectively by chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or surgery or both is presented. The best success has been achieved with lesions not previously treated by radiotherapy or surgery and which have no fixed lymph node masses. Where possible, we prefer to administer chemotherapeutic agents by direct infusion into the regional artery supplying the tumor mass.", "PMID": 626318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6422", "title": "Splenectomy for massive splenomegaly.", "content": "Removal of a massively enlarged spleen is a challenging surgical problem that is associated with higher death and complication rates than the removal of smaller spleens. Older age, serious and chronic primary diseases, and associated cardiopulmonary abnormalities contribute to the morbidity and mortality. Most patients with massive splenomegaly have been treated with corticosteroid and/or antineoplastic drugs, which impair wound healing, hemostatic function, and host resistance. Precise surgical technic is especially important in these cases because of the susceptibility to postoperative hemorrhage. Ligation of the splenic artery via the lesser peritoneal sac before mobilization of the spleen is associated with lower intraoperative transfusion requirements than when the spleen is mobilized before the splenic artery is ligated.", "contents": "Splenectomy for massive splenomegaly. Removal of a massively enlarged spleen is a challenging surgical problem that is associated with higher death and complication rates than the removal of smaller spleens. Older age, serious and chronic primary diseases, and associated cardiopulmonary abnormalities contribute to the morbidity and mortality. Most patients with massive splenomegaly have been treated with corticosteroid and/or antineoplastic drugs, which impair wound healing, hemostatic function, and host resistance. Precise surgical technic is especially important in these cases because of the susceptibility to postoperative hemorrhage. Ligation of the splenic artery via the lesser peritoneal sac before mobilization of the spleen is associated with lower intraoperative transfusion requirements than when the spleen is mobilized before the splenic artery is ligated.", "PMID": 626319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6423", "title": "Survival after liver resection for secondary tumors.", "content": "The results achieved by liver resection for metastatic cancer in more than 400 patients have been studied in a collected review. Certain conclusions seem justified: The liver is no longer the surgeon's \"no-man's-land,\" and local excision of metastatic tumor can achieve clinical cure in some patients. The risk-benefit ratio for hepatic resection for secondaries seems to be shifting in favor of benefit for selected patients with primary colorectal tumors. At present liver resection for tumors metastatic from pancreas, breast, lung, stomach, kidney, reproductive organs, and skin (melanoma) cannot be recommended. Liver resection may play an important part in the multi-modal therapy of children with extensive malignant disease.", "contents": "Survival after liver resection for secondary tumors. The results achieved by liver resection for metastatic cancer in more than 400 patients have been studied in a collected review. Certain conclusions seem justified: The liver is no longer the surgeon's \"no-man's-land,\" and local excision of metastatic tumor can achieve clinical cure in some patients. The risk-benefit ratio for hepatic resection for secondaries seems to be shifting in favor of benefit for selected patients with primary colorectal tumors. At present liver resection for tumors metastatic from pancreas, breast, lung, stomach, kidney, reproductive organs, and skin (melanoma) cannot be recommended. Liver resection may play an important part in the multi-modal therapy of children with extensive malignant disease.", "PMID": 626320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6424", "title": "Parathyroid cysts.", "content": "Cystic neck masses may be accurately diagnosed by sonography, and some nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts can be cured by percutaneous aspiration. Primary hyperparathyroidism should be considered in all patients with cystic neck masses. Parathyroid cysts can often be recognized from the characteristics of the cyst fluid which is usually clear and colorless, contains elevated parathyroid hormone levels and normal or low thyroid hormone levels, and may contain parathyroid cells. Parathyroid cysts may be multiple; all four parathyroid glands should therefore be identified and appropriately removed or hyperparathyroidism may persist.", "contents": "Parathyroid cysts. Cystic neck masses may be accurately diagnosed by sonography, and some nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts can be cured by percutaneous aspiration. Primary hyperparathyroidism should be considered in all patients with cystic neck masses. Parathyroid cysts can often be recognized from the characteristics of the cyst fluid which is usually clear and colorless, contains elevated parathyroid hormone levels and normal or low thyroid hormone levels, and may contain parathyroid cells. Parathyroid cysts may be multiple; all four parathyroid glands should therefore be identified and appropriately removed or hyperparathyroidism may persist.", "PMID": 626321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6425", "title": "Metabolism, oxygen transport, and erythropoietin synthesis in the anemia of thermal injury.", "content": "The relationship between metabolism, oxygen transport, and anemia was assessed in burn patients. A significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte 2,3 DPG, the major modulator of oxygen transport, and erythropoietin synthesis. Simultaneous bioassay and radioimmunoassay for erythropoietin revealed elevated values in the anemic burn patients. Elevated 2,3 DPG values during convalescence from thermal injury may remove the \"anemic hypoxia\" stimulus to erythropoieitn production, resulting in persistence of the anemia.", "contents": "Metabolism, oxygen transport, and erythropoietin synthesis in the anemia of thermal injury. The relationship between metabolism, oxygen transport, and anemia was assessed in burn patients. A significant negative correlation was found between erythrocyte 2,3 DPG, the major modulator of oxygen transport, and erythropoietin synthesis. Simultaneous bioassay and radioimmunoassay for erythropoietin revealed elevated values in the anemic burn patients. Elevated 2,3 DPG values during convalescence from thermal injury may remove the \"anemic hypoxia\" stimulus to erythropoieitn production, resulting in persistence of the anemia.", "PMID": 626322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6426", "title": "The prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.", "content": "The development of the 125I-fibrinogen technic in the diagnosis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis provides a valuable tool for the study of the condition itself and of the efficacy of prophylactic measures. These measures may be divided into two groups: the antistasis regimes and the antithrombotic regimes. Published reports based on the 125I-fibrinogen technic are critically reviewed. Although many regimes cause a significant diminution in the incidence of isotopically detected deep vein thrombosis, 90 per cent of which are confined to the calf, this does not necessarily imply a similar diminution in the incidence of major pulmonary emboli, most of which arise from thrombi in the proximal segment of the lower limb veins. The origin of these proximal thrombi, with particular reference to their relationship to calf thrombi, is discussed. The reported studies of the influence of antithrombotic regimes on the incidence of pulmonary embolism are reviewed. It is concluded that a reduction in the incidence of isotopically detected deep vein thrombosis is probably accompanied by a significant reduction in the incidence of major pulmonary embolism, but further studies are required.", "contents": "The prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The development of the 125I-fibrinogen technic in the diagnosis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis provides a valuable tool for the study of the condition itself and of the efficacy of prophylactic measures. These measures may be divided into two groups: the antistasis regimes and the antithrombotic regimes. Published reports based on the 125I-fibrinogen technic are critically reviewed. Although many regimes cause a significant diminution in the incidence of isotopically detected deep vein thrombosis, 90 per cent of which are confined to the calf, this does not necessarily imply a similar diminution in the incidence of major pulmonary emboli, most of which arise from thrombi in the proximal segment of the lower limb veins. The origin of these proximal thrombi, with particular reference to their relationship to calf thrombi, is discussed. The reported studies of the influence of antithrombotic regimes on the incidence of pulmonary embolism are reviewed. It is concluded that a reduction in the incidence of isotopically detected deep vein thrombosis is probably accompanied by a significant reduction in the incidence of major pulmonary embolism, but further studies are required.", "PMID": 626324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6427", "title": "Unusual problems of abdominal aortic aneurysms.", "content": "Complications other than rupture occurred in 12 per cent of 254 patients operated on for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. The unusual problems encountered included aortocaval fistula, inflammatory aneurysm, aortoenteric fistula, aortic thrombosis, peripheral embolization, and retropsoas rupture. The clinical manifestations and management of these lesions are discussed.", "contents": "Unusual problems of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Complications other than rupture occurred in 12 per cent of 254 patients operated on for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. The unusual problems encountered included aortocaval fistula, inflammatory aneurysm, aortoenteric fistula, aortic thrombosis, peripheral embolization, and retropsoas rupture. The clinical manifestations and management of these lesions are discussed.", "PMID": 626325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6428", "title": "Prevention of complications from prolonged tracheal intubation.", "content": "Eight commercially available soft cuff endotracheal tubes were studied to determine the relationship between inflation pressure distention of the cuff. Although the balloon cuff may be easily distensible in open air, when confined within the trachea small increments in the inflation volume may produce high pressures. This means that continuous external control of cuff pressure is required to prevent ischemia of the tracheal wall. Major tracheal complications in a busy ICU were examined before and after the introduction of a controlled pressure tube. Control of intratracheal cuff pressures decreased major tracheal complications tenfold and eliminated complications specifically related to the cuff.", "contents": "Prevention of complications from prolonged tracheal intubation. Eight commercially available soft cuff endotracheal tubes were studied to determine the relationship between inflation pressure distention of the cuff. Although the balloon cuff may be easily distensible in open air, when confined within the trachea small increments in the inflation volume may produce high pressures. This means that continuous external control of cuff pressure is required to prevent ischemia of the tracheal wall. Major tracheal complications in a busy ICU were examined before and after the introduction of a controlled pressure tube. Control of intratracheal cuff pressures decreased major tracheal complications tenfold and eliminated complications specifically related to the cuff.", "PMID": 626327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6429", "title": "Anaesthetic techniques for surgical correction of fractured neck of femur. A comparative study of spinal and general anaesthesia in the elderly.", "content": "Fifty-five patients presenting with fractured neck of femur were randomly allocated to either a standard general anaesthetic or spinal block in the lateral position combined with light sedation. The comparability of the two groups was established. There was little difference in the intra-operative course of postoperative morbidity in the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in post-operative mortality between two groups, the general anaesthetic group showing a much higher mortality than the spinal group.", "contents": "Anaesthetic techniques for surgical correction of fractured neck of femur. A comparative study of spinal and general anaesthesia in the elderly. Fifty-five patients presenting with fractured neck of femur were randomly allocated to either a standard general anaesthetic or spinal block in the lateral position combined with light sedation. The comparability of the two groups was established. There was little difference in the intra-operative course of postoperative morbidity in the two groups. There was a statistically significant difference in post-operative mortality between two groups, the general anaesthetic group showing a much higher mortality than the spinal group.", "PMID": 626331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6430", "title": "Thiopentone and pancuronium crash induction. A comparison with thiopentone and suxamethonium.", "content": "A method of 'crash induction' using pancuronium and thiopentone was studied in 100 patients at risk from vomiting or regurgitation. The technique was inferior to thiopentone/suxamethonium in terms of time to intubation, activity of vocal cords and responses to stimuli during induction. Six cases gave difficulty with intubation due to poor relaxation. Only two patients had a fall in systolic blood pressure of more than 20% following induction. No regurgitation occurred. The technique may be suitable for skilled anaesthetists in cases when suxamethonium is relatively contraindicated, when large doses of pancuronium can be used or when hypotension is likely to follow induction.", "contents": "Thiopentone and pancuronium crash induction. A comparison with thiopentone and suxamethonium. A method of 'crash induction' using pancuronium and thiopentone was studied in 100 patients at risk from vomiting or regurgitation. The technique was inferior to thiopentone/suxamethonium in terms of time to intubation, activity of vocal cords and responses to stimuli during induction. Six cases gave difficulty with intubation due to poor relaxation. Only two patients had a fall in systolic blood pressure of more than 20% following induction. No regurgitation occurred. The technique may be suitable for skilled anaesthetists in cases when suxamethonium is relatively contraindicated, when large doses of pancuronium can be used or when hypotension is likely to follow induction.", "PMID": 626332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6431", "title": "A case of locked twins managed under lumbar epidural analgesia.", "content": "A case of locked twins is described in which delivery of the aftercoming head of the first infant, which presented by the breech, was prevented by the presence below it of the head of the second infant, which presented by the vertex. Disimpaction under lumbar epidural analgesia was achieved, the head of the second infant being pushed up out of the pelvis. Both infants survived. This is thought to be the first case to be described in which disimpaction was achieved rapidly under lumbar epidural analgesia, thereby minimising the period of hypoxia to which the first infant was subjected.", "contents": "A case of locked twins managed under lumbar epidural analgesia. A case of locked twins is described in which delivery of the aftercoming head of the first infant, which presented by the breech, was prevented by the presence below it of the head of the second infant, which presented by the vertex. Disimpaction under lumbar epidural analgesia was achieved, the head of the second infant being pushed up out of the pelvis. Both infants survived. This is thought to be the first case to be described in which disimpaction was achieved rapidly under lumbar epidural analgesia, thereby minimising the period of hypoxia to which the first infant was subjected.", "PMID": 626333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6432", "title": "Blood microfiltration. A review.", "content": "The factors which contribute to the formation of microaggregates in stored blood for transfusion have been discussed and their significance assessed. The history of the development of blood microfiltration is described. The advantages and disadvantages of screen microfilters in comparison with depth filters are considered. Screen filters with a pore diameter of about 40 micron would appear to have definite advantages.", "contents": "Blood microfiltration. A review. The factors which contribute to the formation of microaggregates in stored blood for transfusion have been discussed and their significance assessed. The history of the development of blood microfiltration is described. The advantages and disadvantages of screen microfilters in comparison with depth filters are considered. Screen filters with a pore diameter of about 40 micron would appear to have definite advantages.", "PMID": 626334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6433", "title": "As others see us. The patient's view of the anaesthetist.", "content": "One hundred hospital patients were given a questionnaire, designed to assess their beliefs about the anaesthetist in relationship to other workers in the United Kingdon national health service. The results of this survey, and the comments passed at a simultaneous interview, are discussed.", "contents": "As others see us. The patient's view of the anaesthetist. One hundred hospital patients were given a questionnaire, designed to assess their beliefs about the anaesthetist in relationship to other workers in the United Kingdon national health service. The results of this survey, and the comments passed at a simultaneous interview, are discussed.", "PMID": 626335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6434", "title": "An appraisal of the anaesthetist-patient relationship.", "content": "A questionnaire was used to obtain information from 100 patients about their knowledge of the anaesthetist and his work. The results are presented and discussed.", "contents": "An appraisal of the anaesthetist-patient relationship. A questionnaire was used to obtain information from 100 patients about their knowledge of the anaesthetist and his work. The results are presented and discussed.", "PMID": 626336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6435", "title": "How much is Jack worth? A study of the work of anaesthetists' in the S.E. Thames Region.", "content": "A study of anaesthetists' work in the S.E. Thames Region has indicated that about three-quarters of actual working time is spent giving anaesthetics, the rest of the time being spent on activities outside the operating theatre. In addition, however, equal amounts of time to that spent working is committed to being on call, so that the average total amount of time committed to the N.H.S. by the four grades of staff studied is 75.8 hours. While current maximum salary scales may (arguably) bear a resonable relationship to a 38.5 hour week, calculations of remuneration based on the data elicited from the study in respect of the amount of time actually committed and equivalent rates paid to junior staff or doctors in Europe suggest a considerable shortfall in consultant remuneration.", "contents": "How much is Jack worth? A study of the work of anaesthetists' in the S.E. Thames Region. A study of anaesthetists' work in the S.E. Thames Region has indicated that about three-quarters of actual working time is spent giving anaesthetics, the rest of the time being spent on activities outside the operating theatre. In addition, however, equal amounts of time to that spent working is committed to being on call, so that the average total amount of time committed to the N.H.S. by the four grades of staff studied is 75.8 hours. While current maximum salary scales may (arguably) bear a resonable relationship to a 38.5 hour week, calculations of remuneration based on the data elicited from the study in respect of the amount of time actually committed and equivalent rates paid to junior staff or doctors in Europe suggest a considerable shortfall in consultant remuneration.", "PMID": 626337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6436", "title": "The cost of anaesthetic drugs and equipment.", "content": "A review of the literature and an up-to-date estimate shows that despite inflation, the cost of anaesthesia has stayed fairly constant over the last 17 years. A questionnaire completed by a small number of junior anaesthetists showed only a fair, and at times widly inaccurate, knowledge of the cost of anaesthetic drug and equipment. An up-to-date price list of commonly used drugs and equipment is included, along with the cost of some common anaesthetic techniques.", "contents": "The cost of anaesthetic drugs and equipment. A review of the literature and an up-to-date estimate shows that despite inflation, the cost of anaesthesia has stayed fairly constant over the last 17 years. A questionnaire completed by a small number of junior anaesthetists showed only a fair, and at times widly inaccurate, knowledge of the cost of anaesthetic drug and equipment. An up-to-date price list of commonly used drugs and equipment is included, along with the cost of some common anaesthetic techniques.", "PMID": 626338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6437", "title": "Rational substitution therapy for steroid-treated patients.", "content": "A rational approach to glucocorticoid substitution therapy in steroid-treated surgical patients is described. Betamethasone acetate/phosphate as a single injection, depot-preparation, has been used in 1461 steroid-treated cases of major and minor surgery. No complications or signs of adrenocortical insufficiency druing the pre- and post-operative period were noted.", "contents": "Rational substitution therapy for steroid-treated patients. A rational approach to glucocorticoid substitution therapy in steroid-treated surgical patients is described. Betamethasone acetate/phosphate as a single injection, depot-preparation, has been used in 1461 steroid-treated cases of major and minor surgery. No complications or signs of adrenocortical insufficiency druing the pre- and post-operative period were noted.", "PMID": 626339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6438", "title": "Immunocytochemical and histochemical studies on intestinal epithelial cells producing both lysozyme and mucosubstance.", "content": "The simultaneous demonstration of lysozyme using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method and mucosubstances by staining with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian Blue pH 2.5 techniques has led to the identification of a new subpopulation of mucus-producing cells containing lysozyme in small intestinal specimens from normal rats and from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. These cells, containing both mucosubstances and lysozyme, are located in the lateral walls of the crypts of Lieberkuhn, but can occasionally be found also in or near the tips of the villi. The specific staining for lysozyme was observed in the apical and/or basal cytoplasm of these mucus-producing cells and was readily detected in sections counterstained for mucosubstances with Alcian Blue. The localization of these mucus-producing cells was similar both in the normal rat and in the pathological human specimens. Absorption controls and controls where a non-immune serum was substituted for the specific antilysozyme serum confirmed the specificity of the lysozyme localization.", "contents": "Immunocytochemical and histochemical studies on intestinal epithelial cells producing both lysozyme and mucosubstance. The simultaneous demonstration of lysozyme using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method and mucosubstances by staining with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian Blue pH 2.5 techniques has led to the identification of a new subpopulation of mucus-producing cells containing lysozyme in small intestinal specimens from normal rats and from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. These cells, containing both mucosubstances and lysozyme, are located in the lateral walls of the crypts of Lieberkuhn, but can occasionally be found also in or near the tips of the villi. The specific staining for lysozyme was observed in the apical and/or basal cytoplasm of these mucus-producing cells and was readily detected in sections counterstained for mucosubstances with Alcian Blue. The localization of these mucus-producing cells was similar both in the normal rat and in the pathological human specimens. Absorption controls and controls where a non-immune serum was substituted for the specific antilysozyme serum confirmed the specificity of the lysozyme localization.", "PMID": 626411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6439", "title": "Growth, protein content and distribution of early pig embryos.", "content": "Development of porcine conceptuses included transitions of five stages: blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms containing an embryonic disc and trophoblast, extremely elongated filamentous blastocysts, and stages of embryogenesis between days 9 and 18 after mating. Embryonic survival was reduced by 17% during this period. In this litter-bearing species, intense alteration in distribution patterns occurred at days 11 and 12, when blastocysts rapidly elongated to filamentous forms. Increased embryo mortality did not result from rapid changes in distribution patterns of conceptuses within the same uterine horn at this time. Filamentous blastocysts quickly reached lengths often exceeding 60 cm, and these conceptuses became regularly spaced with no overlap of tubular membranes from other embryos in that horn. The number of conceptuses within a uterine horn ranged from 1 to 13. Protein in individual conceptuses was used as an indicator of growth and denoted exponential increase, but at a lower rate for blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms as compared with that found in filamentous blastocysts and embryogenesis stage conceptuses. Growth on a conceptus, based upon its protein content, was independent of the developmental stage or potential loss of those neighbors nearest that conceptus.", "contents": "Growth, protein content and distribution of early pig embryos. Development of porcine conceptuses included transitions of five stages: blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms containing an embryonic disc and trophoblast, extremely elongated filamentous blastocysts, and stages of embryogenesis between days 9 and 18 after mating. Embryonic survival was reduced by 17% during this period. In this litter-bearing species, intense alteration in distribution patterns occurred at days 11 and 12, when blastocysts rapidly elongated to filamentous forms. Increased embryo mortality did not result from rapid changes in distribution patterns of conceptuses within the same uterine horn at this time. Filamentous blastocysts quickly reached lengths often exceeding 60 cm, and these conceptuses became regularly spaced with no overlap of tubular membranes from other embryos in that horn. The number of conceptuses within a uterine horn ranged from 1 to 13. Protein in individual conceptuses was used as an indicator of growth and denoted exponential increase, but at a lower rate for blastocysts of spherical, ovoid, and tubular forms as compared with that found in filamentous blastocysts and embryogenesis stage conceptuses. Growth on a conceptus, based upon its protein content, was independent of the developmental stage or potential loss of those neighbors nearest that conceptus.", "PMID": 626412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6440", "title": "Acetylcholinesterase activity of primary sensory neurons and dorsal root fibers in the cat.", "content": "Dorsal roots and spinal ganglion cells of adult cats were studied for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) content. An inverse correlation exists between cell size and AChE activity; large neurons are AChE-negative whereas small ones are intensely AChE-positive. A few AChE-positive fibers were demonstrated in the dorsal roots. A possible correlation between AChE activity and substance P content of primary sensory neurons is discussed.", "contents": "Acetylcholinesterase activity of primary sensory neurons and dorsal root fibers in the cat. Dorsal roots and spinal ganglion cells of adult cats were studied for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) content. An inverse correlation exists between cell size and AChE activity; large neurons are AChE-negative whereas small ones are intensely AChE-positive. A few AChE-positive fibers were demonstrated in the dorsal roots. A possible correlation between AChE activity and substance P content of primary sensory neurons is discussed.", "PMID": 626413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6441", "title": "Lipids and cholesterol clefts in the lacunar cells of snake skin.", "content": "The lacunar cell layer in rat snake epidermis contains many characteristic intracellular vacuoles. The lipid nature of these large round vacuoles was demonstrated by histochemical and ultrastructural investigations. Rhomboid-shaped clefts, similar to cholesterol ester clefts, were observed in proximity to the vacuoles.", "contents": "Lipids and cholesterol clefts in the lacunar cells of snake skin. The lacunar cell layer in rat snake epidermis contains many characteristic intracellular vacuoles. The lipid nature of these large round vacuoles was demonstrated by histochemical and ultrastructural investigations. Rhomboid-shaped clefts, similar to cholesterol ester clefts, were observed in proximity to the vacuoles.", "PMID": 626414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6442", "title": "Ultrastructural study of the nerve plexus accompanying the ovarian artery and vein in the rat.", "content": "The ultrastructural characteristics of the nerve plexus that accompanies the ovarian vessels of the rat were studied. The nerve fibers were primarily unmyelinated with less than 5% myelinated. Two types of neuronal cell bodies were found along these nerves. They were located at variable distances along the nerve bundle. The first and more numerous was a larger cell type similar to the autonomic postganglionic neuron. The second and smaller cell type had granulated vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. Synapses of the axodendritic type and synapses between the neuronal cell bodies were found. Most of the synapses possessed agranular vesicles. The presence of neuronal cell bodies is an important characteristic to consider in evaluating denervation of the ovary by interruption of this nerve plexus.", "contents": "Ultrastructural study of the nerve plexus accompanying the ovarian artery and vein in the rat. The ultrastructural characteristics of the nerve plexus that accompanies the ovarian vessels of the rat were studied. The nerve fibers were primarily unmyelinated with less than 5% myelinated. Two types of neuronal cell bodies were found along these nerves. They were located at variable distances along the nerve bundle. The first and more numerous was a larger cell type similar to the autonomic postganglionic neuron. The second and smaller cell type had granulated vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. Synapses of the axodendritic type and synapses between the neuronal cell bodies were found. Most of the synapses possessed agranular vesicles. The presence of neuronal cell bodies is an important characteristic to consider in evaluating denervation of the ovary by interruption of this nerve plexus.", "PMID": 626415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6443", "title": "Functional anatomy of lymph nodes. II. Peripheral lymph-borne mononuclear cells.", "content": "In the rabbit a number of large mononuclear cells with ruffled surface membranes travel from the skin and superficial tissues of the leg, via the lymphatics, to the popliteal lymph node: they constitute 40-50% of the total cell population in the afferent lymph. About 10% of these cells are actively phagocytic when tested in vitro and about 3% are found to contain Langerhans granules. After isotopic labelling the majority of lymph-borne mononuclear cells can be detected within the regional node for at least 24 hours; most being located in the paracortex and a few in the interfollicular cortex. It is proposed that these cells, including those containing Langerhans granules, belong to the \"mononuclear phagocyte system.\" Possible functions of these lymph-borne cells are discussed with particular reference to antigen transport.", "contents": "Functional anatomy of lymph nodes. II. Peripheral lymph-borne mononuclear cells. In the rabbit a number of large mononuclear cells with ruffled surface membranes travel from the skin and superficial tissues of the leg, via the lymphatics, to the popliteal lymph node: they constitute 40-50% of the total cell population in the afferent lymph. About 10% of these cells are actively phagocytic when tested in vitro and about 3% are found to contain Langerhans granules. After isotopic labelling the majority of lymph-borne mononuclear cells can be detected within the regional node for at least 24 hours; most being located in the paracortex and a few in the interfollicular cortex. It is proposed that these cells, including those containing Langerhans granules, belong to the \"mononuclear phagocyte system.\" Possible functions of these lymph-borne cells are discussed with particular reference to antigen transport.", "PMID": 626416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6444", "title": "Differentiation and migration of endoderm in the rat and mouse at implantation.", "content": "The initial differentiation of endoderm at the time of onset of implantation, and the subsequent rapid differentiation of visceral and parietal endoderm were studied in the rat and mouse. Transmission electron microscopy illustrates the reorientation and loosening of embryonic cell mass cells during implantation, as well as cytological evidence that endoderm cells have differentiated. Using scanning electron microscopy, parietal endoderm consists of individual stellate cells with numerous peripheral branching filopodia. As these cells migrate abembryonically, the rest of the embryonic cell mass becomes recompacted. The visceral endoderm proliferates and forms a columnar epithelium which has the cytological characteristic of an absorptive epithelium and is able to ingest exogenous proteins. Thus, by 24 hours after implantation, the two endodermal derivatives have assumed widely diverse shapes and different types of associations and rates of replication, and are probably performing different functions.", "contents": "Differentiation and migration of endoderm in the rat and mouse at implantation. The initial differentiation of endoderm at the time of onset of implantation, and the subsequent rapid differentiation of visceral and parietal endoderm were studied in the rat and mouse. Transmission electron microscopy illustrates the reorientation and loosening of embryonic cell mass cells during implantation, as well as cytological evidence that endoderm cells have differentiated. Using scanning electron microscopy, parietal endoderm consists of individual stellate cells with numerous peripheral branching filopodia. As these cells migrate abembryonically, the rest of the embryonic cell mass becomes recompacted. The visceral endoderm proliferates and forms a columnar epithelium which has the cytological characteristic of an absorptive epithelium and is able to ingest exogenous proteins. Thus, by 24 hours after implantation, the two endodermal derivatives have assumed widely diverse shapes and different types of associations and rates of replication, and are probably performing different functions.", "PMID": 626417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6445", "title": "Ultrastructural characterization of nuage in spermatocytes of the rat testis.", "content": "At least six different types of nuage, as judged by morphological appearance, were found in spermatocytes of the adult rat testis. These were characterized by form, distribution, and association with other organelles. The appearance (with time) and the dissociation of some nuage types were recorded in conjunction with other events of the spermatogenic cycle. The data indicate that all types of nuage behave in a dynamic way. Especially interesting were the findings concerning the chromatoid body. This structure was first observed in mid-pachytene spermatocytes. By late diplotene and during the first meiotic division, it had lost its prominence such that its eventual fate could not be determined. Large dense (0.5 micrometer) bodies appeared de novo in the cytoplasm of newly formed secondary spermatocytes. They were seen scattered throughout the cell and in association with mitochondria. With time these bodies appeared to coalesce to form the large definitive chromatoid of a type similar to that known to be present throughout most of the remainder of spermiogenesis.", "contents": "Ultrastructural characterization of nuage in spermatocytes of the rat testis. At least six different types of nuage, as judged by morphological appearance, were found in spermatocytes of the adult rat testis. These were characterized by form, distribution, and association with other organelles. The appearance (with time) and the dissociation of some nuage types were recorded in conjunction with other events of the spermatogenic cycle. The data indicate that all types of nuage behave in a dynamic way. Especially interesting were the findings concerning the chromatoid body. This structure was first observed in mid-pachytene spermatocytes. By late diplotene and during the first meiotic division, it had lost its prominence such that its eventual fate could not be determined. Large dense (0.5 micrometer) bodies appeared de novo in the cytoplasm of newly formed secondary spermatocytes. They were seen scattered throughout the cell and in association with mitochondria. With time these bodies appeared to coalesce to form the large definitive chromatoid of a type similar to that known to be present throughout most of the remainder of spermiogenesis.", "PMID": 626418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6446", "title": "The blood-testis barrier and its formation relative to spermatocyte maturation in the adult rat: a lanthanum tracer study.", "content": "An electron-opaque substance, lanthanum, was utilized to determine when germ cells of the rat first cross the blood-testis barrier in adult spermatogenesis. Intravascularly perfused lanthanum was shown to surround all spermatogonia. Intravascularly perfused lanthanum was shown to surround all spermatogonia, preleptotene spermatocytes and early leptotene spermatocytes of Stage IX in the adult rat testis. Lanthanum was excluded from the spaces around more mature cells by newly-formed tight junctions between adjoining Sertoli processes. These processes had previously intervened between the leptotene cells and the basal lamina. The results are in close agreement with those of a previous study (Russell, '77a) which indicated that leptotene cells are the first cells of adult spermatogenesis to enter the intermediate compartment and to reside beyond a permeability barrier.", "contents": "The blood-testis barrier and its formation relative to spermatocyte maturation in the adult rat: a lanthanum tracer study. An electron-opaque substance, lanthanum, was utilized to determine when germ cells of the rat first cross the blood-testis barrier in adult spermatogenesis. Intravascularly perfused lanthanum was shown to surround all spermatogonia. Intravascularly perfused lanthanum was shown to surround all spermatogonia, preleptotene spermatocytes and early leptotene spermatocytes of Stage IX in the adult rat testis. Lanthanum was excluded from the spaces around more mature cells by newly-formed tight junctions between adjoining Sertoli processes. These processes had previously intervened between the leptotene cells and the basal lamina. The results are in close agreement with those of a previous study (Russell, '77a) which indicated that leptotene cells are the first cells of adult spermatogenesis to enter the intermediate compartment and to reside beyond a permeability barrier.", "PMID": 626419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6447", "title": "Fertility, reproduction and postnatal survival in mice chronically exposed to halothane.", "content": "Reproductive studies were performed in Swiss/ICR mice chronically exposed to subanesthetic and anesthetic concentrations of halothane. Male and female mice were treated five or seven days a week for nine weeks prior to mating; exposure of females was continued daily throughout pregnancy. Halothane exposures were 0.025, 0.1, 0.4, 1.2, and 4.0 MAC hours per day. No adverse effect on reproduction was observed at the lowest two exposure levels studied. Exposures to 0.4 MAC hour per day or more were associated with decreased maternal weight gain, fetal fetal length and weight, and early postnatal weight gain. Pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and number of live fetuses per litter were significantly decreased at 1.2 MAC hours per day. The percentage of resorption or fetuses dead in utero was not increased, and postnatal survival of offspring was unaltered. Subsequent matings between untreated females and males exposed to halothane, 1.2 MAC hours per day for 17 weeks, resulted in normal reproductive performance; this suggests that the adverse reproductive changes observed when both males and females were exposed represented a primary effect on females. The least exposure at which effects were seen is approximately 40 times greater than the level of human occupational exposure is unscavenged operating rooms.", "contents": "Fertility, reproduction and postnatal survival in mice chronically exposed to halothane. Reproductive studies were performed in Swiss/ICR mice chronically exposed to subanesthetic and anesthetic concentrations of halothane. Male and female mice were treated five or seven days a week for nine weeks prior to mating; exposure of females was continued daily throughout pregnancy. Halothane exposures were 0.025, 0.1, 0.4, 1.2, and 4.0 MAC hours per day. No adverse effect on reproduction was observed at the lowest two exposure levels studied. Exposures to 0.4 MAC hour per day or more were associated with decreased maternal weight gain, fetal fetal length and weight, and early postnatal weight gain. Pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and number of live fetuses per litter were significantly decreased at 1.2 MAC hours per day. The percentage of resorption or fetuses dead in utero was not increased, and postnatal survival of offspring was unaltered. Subsequent matings between untreated females and males exposed to halothane, 1.2 MAC hours per day for 17 weeks, resulted in normal reproductive performance; this suggests that the adverse reproductive changes observed when both males and females were exposed represented a primary effect on females. The least exposure at which effects were seen is approximately 40 times greater than the level of human occupational exposure is unscavenged operating rooms.", "PMID": 626421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6448", "title": "Lidocaine, monoethylglycinexylidide, and isolated human uterine muscle.", "content": "The effects of lidocaine and its primary metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) on isolated human muscle strips from non-gravid and gravid uteri were evaluated. No differences between the effects of lidocaine and those of MEGX on gravid and non-gravid muscle strips were observed. Lidocaine produced significant (P less than 0.01) dose-related depression of uterine contractility, although significant pharamacologic depression occurred only at lidocaine concentrations in excess of 25 microgram/ml. MEGX produced no consistent changes in any of the responses measured.", "contents": "Lidocaine, monoethylglycinexylidide, and isolated human uterine muscle. The effects of lidocaine and its primary metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) on isolated human muscle strips from non-gravid and gravid uteri were evaluated. No differences between the effects of lidocaine and those of MEGX on gravid and non-gravid muscle strips were observed. Lidocaine produced significant (P less than 0.01) dose-related depression of uterine contractility, although significant pharamacologic depression occurred only at lidocaine concentrations in excess of 25 microgram/ml. MEGX produced no consistent changes in any of the responses measured.", "PMID": 626423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6449", "title": "Anesthetic indices--further data.", "content": "Anesthetic indices for methoxyflurane, enflurane, and isoflurane in oxygen and halothane in nitrous oxide and oxygen (50:50), were determined in rats using measurements of heart and brain concentrations of the volatile agents at the endpoints of anesthesia, respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. The indices related respiratory arrest to anesthesia (respiratory index-A1r), cardiac failure to anesthesia (cardiac index-AIc) and respiratory arrest to cardiac failure (cardiorespiratory index-AIcr). Isoflurane had a significantly higher AIr (3.1) and AIc (5.7) than enflurane (AIr 1.8, AIc 3.3), methoxyflurane (AIr 2.2, AIc 3.7) and halothane in nitrous oxide and oxygen (AIr 2.4, AIc 3.7). These indices were also higher than those previously determined for halothane (AIr 2.3, AIc 3.0). Isoflurane had a higher AIcr (1.9) than halothane (1.6). Enflurane had a significantly lower AIr (1.8) than any of the other agents studied. These findings suggested a greater margin of safety for isoflurane, especially with respect to the heart, and a greater potential for respiratory depression for enflurane than for the other agents. Nitrous oxide decreased the amount of halothane necessary to produce anesthesia, but also that needed to produce respiratory arrest or cardiac failure. The addition of nitrous oxide, therefore, did not significantly enhance the overall safety of halothane anesthesia with respect to potential respiratory or cardiac depression.", "contents": "Anesthetic indices--further data. Anesthetic indices for methoxyflurane, enflurane, and isoflurane in oxygen and halothane in nitrous oxide and oxygen (50:50), were determined in rats using measurements of heart and brain concentrations of the volatile agents at the endpoints of anesthesia, respiratory arrest and cardiac failure. The indices related respiratory arrest to anesthesia (respiratory index-A1r), cardiac failure to anesthesia (cardiac index-AIc) and respiratory arrest to cardiac failure (cardiorespiratory index-AIcr). Isoflurane had a significantly higher AIr (3.1) and AIc (5.7) than enflurane (AIr 1.8, AIc 3.3), methoxyflurane (AIr 2.2, AIc 3.7) and halothane in nitrous oxide and oxygen (AIr 2.4, AIc 3.7). These indices were also higher than those previously determined for halothane (AIr 2.3, AIc 3.0). Isoflurane had a higher AIcr (1.9) than halothane (1.6). Enflurane had a significantly lower AIr (1.8) than any of the other agents studied. These findings suggested a greater margin of safety for isoflurane, especially with respect to the heart, and a greater potential for respiratory depression for enflurane than for the other agents. Nitrous oxide decreased the amount of halothane necessary to produce anesthesia, but also that needed to produce respiratory arrest or cardiac failure. The addition of nitrous oxide, therefore, did not significantly enhance the overall safety of halothane anesthesia with respect to potential respiratory or cardiac depression.", "PMID": 626424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6450", "title": "A vagolytic action of neuromuscular blocking agents at the pacemaker of the isolated guinea pig atrium.", "content": "To examine the basis of tachycardia seen clinically with some neuromuscular blocking agents, the potencies of d-tubocurarine, dimethyltubocurarine, gallamine, and pancuronium in antagonizing the effects of vagal stimulation on the guinea pig atrial pacemaker were determined and expressed as an ED50 for vagal blockade. These ED50 values were compared with the respective potency values of these agents at the motor endplate. This comparison showed that in clinical doses, gallamine and pancuronium may reach levels that produce vagal blockade. Comparison with atropine indicated that the vagolytic action of the neuromuscular blocking agents was not attributable to receptor occlusion, but reflected instead an action on the vagus nerve itself.", "contents": "A vagolytic action of neuromuscular blocking agents at the pacemaker of the isolated guinea pig atrium. To examine the basis of tachycardia seen clinically with some neuromuscular blocking agents, the potencies of d-tubocurarine, dimethyltubocurarine, gallamine, and pancuronium in antagonizing the effects of vagal stimulation on the guinea pig atrial pacemaker were determined and expressed as an ED50 for vagal blockade. These ED50 values were compared with the respective potency values of these agents at the motor endplate. This comparison showed that in clinical doses, gallamine and pancuronium may reach levels that produce vagal blockade. Comparison with atropine indicated that the vagolytic action of the neuromuscular blocking agents was not attributable to receptor occlusion, but reflected instead an action on the vagus nerve itself.", "PMID": 626425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6451", "title": "Cerebral effects of nitrous oxide in the dog.", "content": "The cerebral effects of nitrous oxide, 60 per cent, were examined in 27 dogs. During administration of halothane, 0.2 per cent, nitrous oxide increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMR02) to a maximum of 203 and 121 per cent of control, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure paralleled the change in CBF. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed low-voltage slow-wave activity. With halothane, 0.8 per cent, nitrous oxide increased CBF and CMR02 to maximum values of 164 and 108 per cent of control, respectively. After administration of thiamylal, 8 mg/kg, intravenously, nitrous oxide did not increase CBF or CMR02 for the first 30-min period, but thereafter, CMR02 increased to 11 per cent above control. Pretreatment with reserpine, 0.5 mg/kg, intramuscularly, for two days did not modify the cerebral circulator and metabolic responses to nitrous oxide. These results indicate that nitrous oxide causes cerebral metabolic stimulation accompanied by an increase in CBF and slowing of the EEG. Sympathoadrenal stimulation would appear not to be the mechanism for the increases in CBF and CMR02. The cerebral effects of nitrous oxide are modified by the background anesthesia.", "contents": "Cerebral effects of nitrous oxide in the dog. The cerebral effects of nitrous oxide, 60 per cent, were examined in 27 dogs. During administration of halothane, 0.2 per cent, nitrous oxide increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMR02) to a maximum of 203 and 121 per cent of control, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure paralleled the change in CBF. The electroencephalogram (EEG) showed low-voltage slow-wave activity. With halothane, 0.8 per cent, nitrous oxide increased CBF and CMR02 to maximum values of 164 and 108 per cent of control, respectively. After administration of thiamylal, 8 mg/kg, intravenously, nitrous oxide did not increase CBF or CMR02 for the first 30-min period, but thereafter, CMR02 increased to 11 per cent above control. Pretreatment with reserpine, 0.5 mg/kg, intramuscularly, for two days did not modify the cerebral circulator and metabolic responses to nitrous oxide. These results indicate that nitrous oxide causes cerebral metabolic stimulation accompanied by an increase in CBF and slowing of the EEG. Sympathoadrenal stimulation would appear not to be the mechanism for the increases in CBF and CMR02. The cerebral effects of nitrous oxide are modified by the background anesthesia.", "PMID": 626426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6452", "title": "Morphologic abnormalities in a case of malignant hyperthermia.", "content": "An 8-year-old boy underwent general anesthesia and experienced an episode of malignant hyperthemia, characterized by elevated temperature, cardiac arrhythmias, markedly elevated serum enzymes (SGOT, LDH, and CPK), proteinuria, and hemoglobinuria. Sixty-six days after anesthesia a skeletal muscle biopsy was obtained for examination by electron and light microscopy, which showed skeletal muscle cells with abnormally numerous mitochondria, enlarged, and variable in shape. Some contained abnormal cristae. There were more lysosomes than normal, and lipofuscin was increased in quantity. Myelin-like bodies were also present. Previous reports of muscle abnormalities are reviewed and compared with the data in this case.", "contents": "Morphologic abnormalities in a case of malignant hyperthermia. An 8-year-old boy underwent general anesthesia and experienced an episode of malignant hyperthemia, characterized by elevated temperature, cardiac arrhythmias, markedly elevated serum enzymes (SGOT, LDH, and CPK), proteinuria, and hemoglobinuria. Sixty-six days after anesthesia a skeletal muscle biopsy was obtained for examination by electron and light microscopy, which showed skeletal muscle cells with abnormally numerous mitochondria, enlarged, and variable in shape. Some contained abnormal cristae. There were more lysosomes than normal, and lipofuscin was increased in quantity. Myelin-like bodies were also present. Previous reports of muscle abnormalities are reviewed and compared with the data in this case.", "PMID": 626431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6453", "title": "Coronary artery embolism and myocardial infarction.", "content": "Although coronary artery embolism is a recognized entity, there is little morphologic information indicating it is a cause of myocardial infarction. We studied patients with coronary artery embolic infarcts, which comprised 13% of our autopsy-studied infarcts. Underlying diseases predisposing to coronary emboli included valvular heart disease (40%), myocardiopathy (29%), coronary atherosclerosis (16%), and chronic atrial fibrillation (24%). Mural thrombi were present in 18 (33%). Myocardial infaction, clinically diagnosed in 15 (27%) patients, caused death in 11 (20%). Most emboli involved the left coronary artery and lodged distally, causing infarcts that were usually transmural. Because of their distal location and recanalization, coronary emboli may be a cause of infarcts with angiographically normal coronaries. Thus, coronary emboli are not rare, may produce signs and symptoms indistinguishable from altherosclerotic coronary disease, and by lodging distally in coronary arteries that are usually previously normal, they most often cause small but transmural myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Coronary artery embolism and myocardial infarction. Although coronary artery embolism is a recognized entity, there is little morphologic information indicating it is a cause of myocardial infarction. We studied patients with coronary artery embolic infarcts, which comprised 13% of our autopsy-studied infarcts. Underlying diseases predisposing to coronary emboli included valvular heart disease (40%), myocardiopathy (29%), coronary atherosclerosis (16%), and chronic atrial fibrillation (24%). Mural thrombi were present in 18 (33%). Myocardial infaction, clinically diagnosed in 15 (27%) patients, caused death in 11 (20%). Most emboli involved the left coronary artery and lodged distally, causing infarcts that were usually transmural. Because of their distal location and recanalization, coronary emboli may be a cause of infarcts with angiographically normal coronaries. Thus, coronary emboli are not rare, may produce signs and symptoms indistinguishable from altherosclerotic coronary disease, and by lodging distally in coronary arteries that are usually previously normal, they most often cause small but transmural myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 626443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6454", "title": "Temporal arteritis: a 25-year epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic study.", "content": "Among the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, 42 patients with temporal arteritis were identified during a 25-year period. The average annual incidence per 100 000 population aged 50 and older rose from 5.1 in 1950-1959 to 17.4 in 1970-1974. The prevalence of patients with a history of the diagnosis of temporal arteritis on 1 January 1975 was 133 per 100 000 population aged 50 and older. All patients received corticosteroid therapy for a range of 1 to 77 months (median, 7 months). Relapses in 10 of 11 patients were associated with corticosteroid reduction. The majority of patients recovered fully and were followed off corticosteroids for 10 months to 19 years (median, 5 years). Temporal arteritis had no significant effect on survival. Vertebral compression fractures and myopathy were the most serious complications of therapy. The presence of giant cells in biopsies was in part related to the number of sections examined, and their presence had no apparent influence on the clinical course.", "contents": "Temporal arteritis: a 25-year epidemiologic, clinical, and pathologic study. Among the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, 42 patients with temporal arteritis were identified during a 25-year period. The average annual incidence per 100 000 population aged 50 and older rose from 5.1 in 1950-1959 to 17.4 in 1970-1974. The prevalence of patients with a history of the diagnosis of temporal arteritis on 1 January 1975 was 133 per 100 000 population aged 50 and older. All patients received corticosteroid therapy for a range of 1 to 77 months (median, 7 months). Relapses in 10 of 11 patients were associated with corticosteroid reduction. The majority of patients recovered fully and were followed off corticosteroids for 10 months to 19 years (median, 5 years). Temporal arteritis had no significant effect on survival. Vertebral compression fractures and myopathy were the most serious complications of therapy. The presence of giant cells in biopsies was in part related to the number of sections examined, and their presence had no apparent influence on the clinical course.", "PMID": 626444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6455", "title": "Doxorubicin cardiomyopathy: evaluation by phonocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy, and cardiac catheterization.", "content": "Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy, right heart catheterization, and systolic time intervals were done in 33 adult patients receiving doxorubicin (AdriamycinTM). Doxorubicin administration was associated with a dose-related increase in the degree of myocyte damage, and 27 of 29 patients biopsied at doses greater than or equal to 240 mg/m2 had doxorubicin-associated degenerative changes identified on biopsy. The pre-ejection period to left ventriculr ejection time ratio (PEP/LVET) showed a threshold phenomenon and did not begin to increase until a total dose of 400 mg/m2 had been reached. Seven patients with catheterization-proven heart failure had a significantly greater amount of myocyte damage on biopsy than dose-matched control subjects (P less than 0.01). Preveious mediastinal radiation appeared to potentiate the doxorubicin-associated degenerative process. Mediastinal radiation and age greater than or equal to 70 years appeared to be risk factors for doxorubicin-associated heart failure. Dose limitation by combined clinical, noninvasive, invasive, and morphologic criteria offered an advantage over empirical dose limitation or dose limitation by PEP/LVET alone.", "contents": "Doxorubicin cardiomyopathy: evaluation by phonocardiography, endomyocardial biopsy, and cardiac catheterization. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy, right heart catheterization, and systolic time intervals were done in 33 adult patients receiving doxorubicin (AdriamycinTM). Doxorubicin administration was associated with a dose-related increase in the degree of myocyte damage, and 27 of 29 patients biopsied at doses greater than or equal to 240 mg/m2 had doxorubicin-associated degenerative changes identified on biopsy. The pre-ejection period to left ventriculr ejection time ratio (PEP/LVET) showed a threshold phenomenon and did not begin to increase until a total dose of 400 mg/m2 had been reached. Seven patients with catheterization-proven heart failure had a significantly greater amount of myocyte damage on biopsy than dose-matched control subjects (P less than 0.01). Preveious mediastinal radiation appeared to potentiate the doxorubicin-associated degenerative process. Mediastinal radiation and age greater than or equal to 70 years appeared to be risk factors for doxorubicin-associated heart failure. Dose limitation by combined clinical, noninvasive, invasive, and morphologic criteria offered an advantage over empirical dose limitation or dose limitation by PEP/LVET alone.", "PMID": 626445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6456", "title": "Hereditary nephritis: a re-examination of its clinical and genetic features.", "content": "In order to re-evaluate current concepts of hereditary nephritis we studied the urinary findings, the course of the disease, and its genetic transmission in two large pedigrees. We identified 150 patients with hereditary nephritis. Our data show that microscopic hematuria is the most reliable urinary criterion for diagnosing hereditary nephritis in both male and female patients. The hematuria is frequently accompanied by erythrocyte casts indicating that the renal lesion is a glomerulitis. Men are more severely affected than women. They have striking urinary abnormalities, which are present in early childhood, and they progress to renal failure in adult life. Affected women have less obvious urinary abnormalities and rarely develop uremia. In these two families a sex-linked dominant mode of genetic transmission was present. The demonstration that hereditary nephritis is X-linked, at least in some families, helps to explain the difference in severity between men and women and the variable expression among affected women.", "contents": "Hereditary nephritis: a re-examination of its clinical and genetic features. In order to re-evaluate current concepts of hereditary nephritis we studied the urinary findings, the course of the disease, and its genetic transmission in two large pedigrees. We identified 150 patients with hereditary nephritis. Our data show that microscopic hematuria is the most reliable urinary criterion for diagnosing hereditary nephritis in both male and female patients. The hematuria is frequently accompanied by erythrocyte casts indicating that the renal lesion is a glomerulitis. Men are more severely affected than women. They have striking urinary abnormalities, which are present in early childhood, and they progress to renal failure in adult life. Affected women have less obvious urinary abnormalities and rarely develop uremia. In these two families a sex-linked dominant mode of genetic transmission was present. The demonstration that hereditary nephritis is X-linked, at least in some families, helps to explain the difference in severity between men and women and the variable expression among affected women.", "PMID": 626446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6457", "title": "Neurogenic diabetes insipidus: management with dDAVP (1-desamino-8-D arginine vasopressin).", "content": "We used dDAVP, the 1-desamino-8-D arginine analogue of arginine vasopressin with high antidiuretic and low vasopressor potency, to treat 29 patients with neurogenic diabetes insipidus for up to 22 months. Intranasal dDAVP, 2.5 to 15 microgram twice daily, provided excellent control in most patients. Individual responses were independent of age, weight, and severity of diabetes insipidus. Resistance to dDAVP may be a rare complication of prolonged therapy. Two patients with acute postoperative diabetes insipidus were effectively treated with 5 microgram of dDAVP every 14 to 18 h. Compared to previous therapy, side effects of dDAVP were minimal (headaches in two patients), and control of symptoms and urine volume was as good as with vasopressin tannate in oil or better than chlorpropamide and lysine vasopressin nasal spray. We conclude that intranasal dDAVP, because of efficacy, long duration of action, and infrequent side effects, is the preferred treatment of neurogenic diabetes insipidus in children and adults.", "contents": "Neurogenic diabetes insipidus: management with dDAVP (1-desamino-8-D arginine vasopressin). We used dDAVP, the 1-desamino-8-D arginine analogue of arginine vasopressin with high antidiuretic and low vasopressor potency, to treat 29 patients with neurogenic diabetes insipidus for up to 22 months. Intranasal dDAVP, 2.5 to 15 microgram twice daily, provided excellent control in most patients. Individual responses were independent of age, weight, and severity of diabetes insipidus. Resistance to dDAVP may be a rare complication of prolonged therapy. Two patients with acute postoperative diabetes insipidus were effectively treated with 5 microgram of dDAVP every 14 to 18 h. Compared to previous therapy, side effects of dDAVP were minimal (headaches in two patients), and control of symptoms and urine volume was as good as with vasopressin tannate in oil or better than chlorpropamide and lysine vasopressin nasal spray. We conclude that intranasal dDAVP, because of efficacy, long duration of action, and infrequent side effects, is the preferred treatment of neurogenic diabetes insipidus in children and adults.", "PMID": 626447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6458", "title": "Autonomic epilepsy: clonidine blockade of paroxysmal catecholamine release and flushing.", "content": "We studied a 59-year-old man with transient paroxysms of hypertension, tachycardia, and flushing in whom pheochromocytoma was excluded. Although catecholamine excretion was normal, plasma catecholamine levels rose from normal basal levels (282 +/- 14 pg/ml) to increased levels (585 +/- 67 pg/ml; x +/- SEM; n = 4) at the peak of spells. Other hormones or substrates expected to rise with nonspecific \"stress\" did not increase after paroxysms. Therapy with clonidine (0.2 to 0.4 mg/day) suppressed basal catecholamines to undetectable levels and markedly reduced peak levels during spells (80 pg/ml). An epileptic pathogenesis was suggested by stereotypic olfactory and epigastric prodromata before spells, and abolition of paroxysms with the anticonvulsant carbamazepine. This patient represents a rare case of autonomic epilepsy with the seizure focus in the temporal lobe.", "contents": "Autonomic epilepsy: clonidine blockade of paroxysmal catecholamine release and flushing. We studied a 59-year-old man with transient paroxysms of hypertension, tachycardia, and flushing in whom pheochromocytoma was excluded. Although catecholamine excretion was normal, plasma catecholamine levels rose from normal basal levels (282 +/- 14 pg/ml) to increased levels (585 +/- 67 pg/ml; x +/- SEM; n = 4) at the peak of spells. Other hormones or substrates expected to rise with nonspecific \"stress\" did not increase after paroxysms. Therapy with clonidine (0.2 to 0.4 mg/day) suppressed basal catecholamines to undetectable levels and markedly reduced peak levels during spells (80 pg/ml). An epileptic pathogenesis was suggested by stereotypic olfactory and epigastric prodromata before spells, and abolition of paroxysms with the anticonvulsant carbamazepine. This patient represents a rare case of autonomic epilepsy with the seizure focus in the temporal lobe.", "PMID": 626448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6459", "title": "Failure of chloroquine in human babesiosis (Babesia microti): case report and chemotherapeutic trials in hamsters.", "content": "The failure of a 3-week course of chloroquine to eliminate an infection of Babesia microti acquired on Martha's Vineyard led to tests of selected drugs in hamsters infected with the strain from this patient. The results showed response to several antitrypanosomal drugs (pentamidine and 4,4'-diazoaminobenzamidine) but not to antimalarial drugs (chloroquine, sulfadiazine, and pyrimethamine).", "contents": "Failure of chloroquine in human babesiosis (Babesia microti): case report and chemotherapeutic trials in hamsters. The failure of a 3-week course of chloroquine to eliminate an infection of Babesia microti acquired on Martha's Vineyard led to tests of selected drugs in hamsters infected with the strain from this patient. The results showed response to several antitrypanosomal drugs (pentamidine and 4,4'-diazoaminobenzamidine) but not to antimalarial drugs (chloroquine, sulfadiazine, and pyrimethamine).", "PMID": 626449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6460", "title": "Hypomagnesemia and impaired parathyroid hormone secretion in chronic renal disease.", "content": "Severe hypocalcemia secondary to magnesium depletion has been described in numerous patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The development of profound hypomagnesemia in chronic renal disease is a rare finding. We studied three patients with advanced renal failure and magnesium depletion. Severe hypocalcemia also was present in these patients. Despite hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands, the levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) in blood were inappropriately low for the degree of renal insufficiency. After the administration of magnesium there was a significant increase in the levels of circulating i-PTH in serum with a concomitant improvement in the hypocalcemia.", "contents": "Hypomagnesemia and impaired parathyroid hormone secretion in chronic renal disease. Severe hypocalcemia secondary to magnesium depletion has been described in numerous patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The development of profound hypomagnesemia in chronic renal disease is a rare finding. We studied three patients with advanced renal failure and magnesium depletion. Severe hypocalcemia also was present in these patients. Despite hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands, the levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) in blood were inappropriately low for the degree of renal insufficiency. After the administration of magnesium there was a significant increase in the levels of circulating i-PTH in serum with a concomitant improvement in the hypocalcemia.", "PMID": 626450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6461", "title": "Phencyclidine-associated acute rhabdomyolysis.", "content": "Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative veterinary anesthetic and tranquilizer that at present is being abused as a psychedelic and hallucinogenic agent with increasing frequency. The cases of two young patients suffering from phencyclidine toxicity are reported. In each, central nervous system depression was accompanied by an acute dystonic motor reaction resulting in acute rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria. Skeletal muscle injury was felt to be the result of excessive involuntary isometrimc motor activity rather than a direct effect of phencyclidine on skeletal muscle. Patients suffering from phencyclidine intoxication should be screened for acute rhabdomyolysis. Phencyclidine intoxication should be included in the differential of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis and should be considered among the potential causes of acute myoglobinuric renal failure.", "contents": "Phencyclidine-associated acute rhabdomyolysis. Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative veterinary anesthetic and tranquilizer that at present is being abused as a psychedelic and hallucinogenic agent with increasing frequency. The cases of two young patients suffering from phencyclidine toxicity are reported. In each, central nervous system depression was accompanied by an acute dystonic motor reaction resulting in acute rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria. Skeletal muscle injury was felt to be the result of excessive involuntary isometrimc motor activity rather than a direct effect of phencyclidine on skeletal muscle. Patients suffering from phencyclidine intoxication should be screened for acute rhabdomyolysis. Phencyclidine intoxication should be included in the differential of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis and should be considered among the potential causes of acute myoglobinuric renal failure.", "PMID": 626451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6462", "title": "Poliomyelitis prevention.", "content": "Recent data have indicated that 38% of 1- to 4-year-old children have not had primary vaccination against poliomyelitis. To ensure continuing freedom from poliomyelitis, all children should be immunized, beginning in infancy. The primary poliovirus vaccines in use today are the trivalent oral polio vaccine, which is the vaccine of choice for primary vaccination of children in the United States, and inactivated polio vaccine. Prospective vaccinees should be made aware of the reasons why recommendations are made for specific vaccines at particular ages and under certain circumstances.", "contents": "Poliomyelitis prevention. Recent data have indicated that 38% of 1- to 4-year-old children have not had primary vaccination against poliomyelitis. To ensure continuing freedom from poliomyelitis, all children should be immunized, beginning in infancy. The primary poliovirus vaccines in use today are the trivalent oral polio vaccine, which is the vaccine of choice for primary vaccination of children in the United States, and inactivated polio vaccine. Prospective vaccinees should be made aware of the reasons why recommendations are made for specific vaccines at particular ages and under certain circumstances.", "PMID": 626454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6463", "title": "Myocardial ischemia: detection and quantitation.", "content": "Myocardial ischemia at rest occurs only late in the course of coronary artery disease, but transient ischemia can often be induced by increasing myocardial oxygen demand with exercise or atrial pacing. Myocardial ischemia causes a series of physiologic abnormalities that can be detected by assessment of myocardial perfusion, regional mechanical function, electrophysiology, and metabolism. Methods of assessment vary widely in sensitivity, specificity, cost, and ease of application. Although the appropriate choice of diagnostic test may be difficult, the morbidity and mortality that result from myocardial ischemia and infarction and the demonstrated potential of coronary artery bypass surgery to reverse myocardial ischemia before the development of permanent sequellae make the detection of ischemia an important clinical problem. Present methods for quantitating myocardial ischemia are imprecise and difficult to apply but have been used successfully to evaluate the efficacy of therapies designed to reduce the size of myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Myocardial ischemia: detection and quantitation. Myocardial ischemia at rest occurs only late in the course of coronary artery disease, but transient ischemia can often be induced by increasing myocardial oxygen demand with exercise or atrial pacing. Myocardial ischemia causes a series of physiologic abnormalities that can be detected by assessment of myocardial perfusion, regional mechanical function, electrophysiology, and metabolism. Methods of assessment vary widely in sensitivity, specificity, cost, and ease of application. Although the appropriate choice of diagnostic test may be difficult, the morbidity and mortality that result from myocardial ischemia and infarction and the demonstrated potential of coronary artery bypass surgery to reverse myocardial ischemia before the development of permanent sequellae make the detection of ischemia an important clinical problem. Present methods for quantitating myocardial ischemia are imprecise and difficult to apply but have been used successfully to evaluate the efficacy of therapies designed to reduce the size of myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 626455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6464", "title": "Culture, illness, and care: clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research.", "content": "Major health care problems such as patient dissatisfaction, inequity of access to care, and spiraling costs no longer seem amenable to traditional biomedical solutions. Concepts derived from anthropologic and cross-cultural research may provide an alternative framework for identifying issues that require resolution. A limited set of such concepts is described as illustrated, including a fundamental distinction between disease and illness, and the notion of the cultural construction of clinical reality. These social science concepts can be developed into clinical strategies with direct application in practice and teaching. One such strategy is outlined as an example of a clinical social science capable of translating concepts from cultural anthropology into clinical language for practical application. The implementation of this approach in medical teaching and practice requires more support, both curricular and financial.", "contents": "Culture, illness, and care: clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research. Major health care problems such as patient dissatisfaction, inequity of access to care, and spiraling costs no longer seem amenable to traditional biomedical solutions. Concepts derived from anthropologic and cross-cultural research may provide an alternative framework for identifying issues that require resolution. A limited set of such concepts is described as illustrated, including a fundamental distinction between disease and illness, and the notion of the cultural construction of clinical reality. These social science concepts can be developed into clinical strategies with direct application in practice and teaching. One such strategy is outlined as an example of a clinical social science capable of translating concepts from cultural anthropology into clinical language for practical application. The implementation of this approach in medical teaching and practice requires more support, both curricular and financial.", "PMID": 626456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6465", "title": "Malignant melanoma: an evolutionary theory to explain its behaviour.", "content": "The behaviour of malignant melanoma is discussed in relation to the host/tumour relationships and the factors affecting them, and natural selection of tumour cells is suggested as a possible explanation of its variability. These considerations are taken into account in determining treatment, the results of which are briefly outlined.", "contents": "Malignant melanoma: an evolutionary theory to explain its behaviour. The behaviour of malignant melanoma is discussed in relation to the host/tumour relationships and the factors affecting them, and natural selection of tumour cells is suggested as a possible explanation of its variability. These considerations are taken into account in determining treatment, the results of which are briefly outlined.", "PMID": 626469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6466", "title": "Anatomical features of the origin and spread of tumours.", "content": "All tumours have certain broad characteristics in common, though they vary widely in their origin, distribution, shape, and mode of spread. The part played by anatomical factors in determining these variations is discussed and the need for the surgeon to bear these factors in mind in diagnosis and treatment is emphasised.", "contents": "Anatomical features of the origin and spread of tumours. All tumours have certain broad characteristics in common, though they vary widely in their origin, distribution, shape, and mode of spread. The part played by anatomical factors in determining these variations is discussed and the need for the surgeon to bear these factors in mind in diagnosis and treatment is emphasised.", "PMID": 626470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6467", "title": "Walker Prize Lecture, 1977. Choriocarcinoma: can we afford to cure cancer.", "content": "The way the management of patients with trophoblastic tumours has depended on the acquisition of new knowledge and new drugs is demonstrated. Emphasis is put on the ability to detect early disease by biochemical markers and on the ability to define on a multifactorial basis the resistance potential of the tumours. This provides a basis for stratification of treatment and the use of prophylactic chemotherapy to prevent cerebral metastases in certain patients. Although chemotherapy is often intensive and prolonged, there has so far been little evidence of long-term effects and many women have had normal pregnancies subsequently, but the limitations of present data are discussed. The difficulties of matching available resources to society's needs in the cancer field make it necessary to consider whether such treatment is unjustifiably expensive. It is shown that for these tumours early diagnosis not only proves effective in therapeutic terms but provides substantial financial savings. It is suggested that screening programmes for cancer cannot be accepted or rejected on principle. In judging them on their individual merits it is appropriate to anticipate interaction between earlier diagnosis and more effective drug treatment.", "contents": "Walker Prize Lecture, 1977. Choriocarcinoma: can we afford to cure cancer. The way the management of patients with trophoblastic tumours has depended on the acquisition of new knowledge and new drugs is demonstrated. Emphasis is put on the ability to detect early disease by biochemical markers and on the ability to define on a multifactorial basis the resistance potential of the tumours. This provides a basis for stratification of treatment and the use of prophylactic chemotherapy to prevent cerebral metastases in certain patients. Although chemotherapy is often intensive and prolonged, there has so far been little evidence of long-term effects and many women have had normal pregnancies subsequently, but the limitations of present data are discussed. The difficulties of matching available resources to society's needs in the cancer field make it necessary to consider whether such treatment is unjustifiably expensive. It is shown that for these tumours early diagnosis not only proves effective in therapeutic terms but provides substantial financial savings. It is suggested that screening programmes for cancer cannot be accepted or rejected on principle. In judging them on their individual merits it is appropriate to anticipate interaction between earlier diagnosis and more effective drug treatment.", "PMID": 626471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6468", "title": "Bilharzial portal fibrosis: an important cause of portal hypertension.", "content": "Thirty consecutive cases of portal hypertension seen in a surgical unit in Lusaka, Zambia, are reported. Of these cases 70% were due to portal fibrosis caused by Schistosoma mansoni infestation. Portacaval shunting was undertaken in most cases. Patients with portal fibrosis responded more favourably to portal decompression than did patients with cirrhosis. It is probable that the condition is more common than is generally reconigzed in areas where S. mansoni infestation is endemic.", "contents": "Bilharzial portal fibrosis: an important cause of portal hypertension. Thirty consecutive cases of portal hypertension seen in a surgical unit in Lusaka, Zambia, are reported. Of these cases 70% were due to portal fibrosis caused by Schistosoma mansoni infestation. Portacaval shunting was undertaken in most cases. Patients with portal fibrosis responded more favourably to portal decompression than did patients with cirrhosis. It is probable that the condition is more common than is generally reconigzed in areas where S. mansoni infestation is endemic.", "PMID": 626472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6469", "title": "Partial trisomy 13 presumably due to recombination in an inversion heterozygote and by unequal crossing-over.", "content": "Two unrelated infants with partial trisomy 13 for the distal of the long arm are described. In one, a familial pericentric inversion is present in three generations and crossing-over in the inversion loop is considered as cause of partial trisomy 13. The other showed a tandem duplication of the distal half of the long arm of chromosome 13 beyond 13q14. This is interpreted to have arisen by unequal crossing-over in mispaired synapsis. It is suggested that recombination rather than breaks is a distinctive although rare cause of human chromosomal imbalance.", "contents": "Partial trisomy 13 presumably due to recombination in an inversion heterozygote and by unequal crossing-over. Two unrelated infants with partial trisomy 13 for the distal of the long arm are described. In one, a familial pericentric inversion is present in three generations and crossing-over in the inversion loop is considered as cause of partial trisomy 13. The other showed a tandem duplication of the distal half of the long arm of chromosome 13 beyond 13q14. This is interpreted to have arisen by unequal crossing-over in mispaired synapsis. It is suggested that recombination rather than breaks is a distinctive although rare cause of human chromosomal imbalance.", "PMID": 626476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6470", "title": "The role of kin-structured migration in genetic microdifferentiation.", "content": "Most current models of human population structure view migration solely as a deterministic force reducing the variance in gene frequencies among the local colonies of a subdivided population. By an empirical example and through simulation experiments, it is shown that migration structured along kinship lines (by analogy to the lineal or 'kinship' effect) does not always reduce the variances of gene frequencies arising through intergenerational random genetic drift. Thus populations experiencing high rates of migration may not be genetically homogenous.", "contents": "The role of kin-structured migration in genetic microdifferentiation. Most current models of human population structure view migration solely as a deterministic force reducing the variance in gene frequencies among the local colonies of a subdivided population. By an empirical example and through simulation experiments, it is shown that migration structured along kinship lines (by analogy to the lineal or 'kinship' effect) does not always reduce the variances of gene frequencies arising through intergenerational random genetic drift. Thus populations experiencing high rates of migration may not be genetically homogenous.", "PMID": 626477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6471", "title": "Polymorphism of red cell enzymes in Alaskan ethnic groups.", "content": "1. Gene frequencies of esterase D, glyoxalase I and uridine monophosphate kinase in Alaskan populations were determined. 2. Improved methods for demonstrating phenotypes of glyoxalase I and uridine monophosphate kinase are presented. 3. Rare variants of adenylate kinase (AK1) and diaphorase (DIA) were found. One of the AK1 variants is new. 4. Gene frequencies were notably diverse within major ethnic groups. This variability was consistent with a population structure composed of small groups that were relatively isolated from one another.", "contents": "Polymorphism of red cell enzymes in Alaskan ethnic groups. 1. Gene frequencies of esterase D, glyoxalase I and uridine monophosphate kinase in Alaskan populations were determined. 2. Improved methods for demonstrating phenotypes of glyoxalase I and uridine monophosphate kinase are presented. 3. Rare variants of adenylate kinase (AK1) and diaphorase (DIA) were found. One of the AK1 variants is new. 4. Gene frequencies were notably diverse within major ethnic groups. This variability was consistent with a population structure composed of small groups that were relatively isolated from one another.", "PMID": 626478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6472", "title": "Asymptotic behaviour of the mean of a continuous phenotypic diffusion process with overlapping generations.", "content": "The equilibrium position is determined for the phenotypic distribution o f a continuous characteristic in a population which reproduces both randomly and assortatively, and wherein generations are overlapping. It is shown that the major assortative mating models so far proposed for continuous traits are not particularly satisfactory.", "contents": "Asymptotic behaviour of the mean of a continuous phenotypic diffusion process with overlapping generations. The equilibrium position is determined for the phenotypic distribution o f a continuous characteristic in a population which reproduces both randomly and assortatively, and wherein generations are overlapping. It is shown that the major assortative mating models so far proposed for continuous traits are not particularly satisfactory.", "PMID": 626480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6473", "title": "Assay conditions and the demonstration of nitroimidazole resistance in Tritrichomonas foetus.", "content": "Tritrichomonas foetus KV(1), a nitroimidazole-susceptible strain, and KV(1)/M100, its nitroimidazole-resistant daughter strain, differed markedly in their in vivo susceptibility to metronidazole. In vitro susceptibility testing in multiwell plates and tubes with different trichomonad media containing no, or low concentrations of, ascorbate demonstrated that the resistant strain behaves like the susceptible one, if tested under anaerobic conditions (deep cultures in tubes or multiwell plates in anaerobic jars), but shows resistance if tested in the presence of air (multiwell plates exposed to air). In media containing high concentrations of ascorbate, no resistance was observed even in air. The results suggest that the two strains differ in the regulation of internal redox systems and underscore the role testing methods may play in the in vitro detection of nitroimidazole-resistant protozoan parasites.", "contents": "Assay conditions and the demonstration of nitroimidazole resistance in Tritrichomonas foetus. Tritrichomonas foetus KV(1), a nitroimidazole-susceptible strain, and KV(1)/M100, its nitroimidazole-resistant daughter strain, differed markedly in their in vivo susceptibility to metronidazole. In vitro susceptibility testing in multiwell plates and tubes with different trichomonad media containing no, or low concentrations of, ascorbate demonstrated that the resistant strain behaves like the susceptible one, if tested under anaerobic conditions (deep cultures in tubes or multiwell plates in anaerobic jars), but shows resistance if tested in the presence of air (multiwell plates exposed to air). In media containing high concentrations of ascorbate, no resistance was observed even in air. The results suggest that the two strains differ in the regulation of internal redox systems and underscore the role testing methods may play in the in vitro detection of nitroimidazole-resistant protozoan parasites.", "PMID": 626482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6474", "title": "Effect of metronidazole on the intestinal microflora of the american cockroach, Periplaneta americana l.", "content": "The effect of feeding to cockroaches the antimicrobial agent metronidazole, which acts specifically against anaerobes, was assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy, bacteriological examination, and methane formation. Types of organisms and total numbers were greatly reduced from controls. The health of mature adults was unaffected, but stunting occurred in subadult animals maintained on the antibiotic from hatching. The intracellular bacteria of the fat body were not affected by the drug. The results are discussed with respect to a proposed microbe-host extracellular symbiosis.", "contents": "Effect of metronidazole on the intestinal microflora of the american cockroach, Periplaneta americana l. The effect of feeding to cockroaches the antimicrobial agent metronidazole, which acts specifically against anaerobes, was assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy, bacteriological examination, and methane formation. Types of organisms and total numbers were greatly reduced from controls. The health of mature adults was unaffected, but stunting occurred in subadult animals maintained on the antibiotic from hatching. The intracellular bacteria of the fat body were not affected by the drug. The results are discussed with respect to a proposed microbe-host extracellular symbiosis.", "PMID": 626483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6475", "title": "Consequence of cerulenin-released beta-lactamase in clinical coliforms.", "content": "Periplasmic beta-lactamase of certain clinical coliforms was released, without affecting cell viability, by perturbation of the outer membrane utilizing the fatty acid-mimicking antibiotic cerulenin. Release of such compartmentalized beta-lactamase, at high population density, seems to provide an extra margin of resistance to the organisms against cephaloridine.", "contents": "Consequence of cerulenin-released beta-lactamase in clinical coliforms. Periplasmic beta-lactamase of certain clinical coliforms was released, without affecting cell viability, by perturbation of the outer membrane utilizing the fatty acid-mimicking antibiotic cerulenin. Release of such compartmentalized beta-lactamase, at high population density, seems to provide an extra margin of resistance to the organisms against cephaloridine.", "PMID": 626484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6476", "title": "Comparative in vitro activity of five cephalosporin antibiotics against salmonellae.", "content": "The in vitro activities of five cephalosporin antibiotics against 121 strains of salmonellae were compared. Cefamandole and cefaclor were more potent than cefazolin, and these three drugs were more active than cephalothin and cephalexin.", "contents": "Comparative in vitro activity of five cephalosporin antibiotics against salmonellae. The in vitro activities of five cephalosporin antibiotics against 121 strains of salmonellae were compared. Cefamandole and cefaclor were more potent than cefazolin, and these three drugs were more active than cephalothin and cephalexin.", "PMID": 626485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6477", "title": "PC-904, a new semisynthetic penicillin.", "content": "Sodium 6{d(-)-alpha(4-hydroxyl-1,5 naphthyridine-3-carboxamido)phenylacetamido} penicillanate (PC-904) is a new semisynthetic penicillin with broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. At a concentration of 1.56 mug/ml, it inhibited 100% of isolates of Proteus mirabilis, 89% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 67% of Escherichia coli, and 45% of Enterobacter spp. At a concentration of 12.5 mug/ml, it inhibited 75% of Klebsiella spp. and 67% of Serratia marcescens. PC-904 failed to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacilli when large inocula were used. Some differences were noted when organisms were tested in different media or at different hydrogen ion concentrations. It is more active than mezlocillin, azlocillin, ticarcillin, carbenicillin, and amoxicillin against E. coli, Klebsiella spp., and P. aeruginosa.", "contents": "PC-904, a new semisynthetic penicillin. Sodium 6{d(-)-alpha(4-hydroxyl-1,5 naphthyridine-3-carboxamido)phenylacetamido} penicillanate (PC-904) is a new semisynthetic penicillin with broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. At a concentration of 1.56 mug/ml, it inhibited 100% of isolates of Proteus mirabilis, 89% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 67% of Escherichia coli, and 45% of Enterobacter spp. At a concentration of 12.5 mug/ml, it inhibited 75% of Klebsiella spp. and 67% of Serratia marcescens. PC-904 failed to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacilli when large inocula were used. Some differences were noted when organisms were tested in different media or at different hydrogen ion concentrations. It is more active than mezlocillin, azlocillin, ticarcillin, carbenicillin, and amoxicillin against E. coli, Klebsiella spp., and P. aeruginosa.", "PMID": 626486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6478", "title": "Absence of strand breaks in deoxyribonucleic acid treated with metronidazole.", "content": "The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-degrading potential of metronidazole was evaluated in vitro by three techniques: determination of melting curve, measurement of viscosity, and centrifugation in neutral or alkaline sucrose gradients. Studies were performed on calf thymus DNA and on (3)H-labeled or unlabeled pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA after treatment with metronidazole alone or metronidazole reduced by sodium dithionite in the presence of DNA. This latter process is known to elicit covalent binding of metronidazole to DNA. Reduced or unreduced metronidazole had no effect on the melting properties, viscosity, or sedimentation velocity of the nucleic acids studied. Sodium dithionite alone, however, caused a 25% decrease in the intrinsic viscosity of pneumococcal DNA, and decreased the sedimentation velocity of pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA in both neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients. These data suggest that degradation of DNA is not important in the interaction of metronidazole with nucleic acids, an interaction assumed relevant to the cytotoxic, radiosensitizing, and mutagenic activities of this compound.", "contents": "Absence of strand breaks in deoxyribonucleic acid treated with metronidazole. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-degrading potential of metronidazole was evaluated in vitro by three techniques: determination of melting curve, measurement of viscosity, and centrifugation in neutral or alkaline sucrose gradients. Studies were performed on calf thymus DNA and on (3)H-labeled or unlabeled pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA after treatment with metronidazole alone or metronidazole reduced by sodium dithionite in the presence of DNA. This latter process is known to elicit covalent binding of metronidazole to DNA. Reduced or unreduced metronidazole had no effect on the melting properties, viscosity, or sedimentation velocity of the nucleic acids studied. Sodium dithionite alone, however, caused a 25% decrease in the intrinsic viscosity of pneumococcal DNA, and decreased the sedimentation velocity of pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA in both neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients. These data suggest that degradation of DNA is not important in the interaction of metronidazole with nucleic acids, an interaction assumed relevant to the cytotoxic, radiosensitizing, and mutagenic activities of this compound.", "PMID": 626487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6479", "title": "Simplified radioenzymatic assay for chloramphenicol.", "content": "A simplified radioenzymatic assay for chloramphenicol was developed by eliminating the need for cumbersome extraction procedures. After the acetylation of chloramphenicol with [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A in the presence of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, the reaction mixture was added to a toluene-based scintillation fluid. Since (14)C-acetylated chloramphenicol is more soluble than [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A in toluene, the radioactive product could be counted directly. The rapidity of this assay, as well as its accuracy, precision, and specificity, makes it particularly suitable for clinical use. In contrast to previous reports of enzymatic assays for chloramphenicol, we have found that results of the assay of standards prepared in serum were up to 25% higher than those of standards prepared in saline, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine.", "contents": "Simplified radioenzymatic assay for chloramphenicol. A simplified radioenzymatic assay for chloramphenicol was developed by eliminating the need for cumbersome extraction procedures. After the acetylation of chloramphenicol with [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A in the presence of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, the reaction mixture was added to a toluene-based scintillation fluid. Since (14)C-acetylated chloramphenicol is more soluble than [(14)C]acetyl coenzyme A in toluene, the radioactive product could be counted directly. The rapidity of this assay, as well as its accuracy, precision, and specificity, makes it particularly suitable for clinical use. In contrast to previous reports of enzymatic assays for chloramphenicol, we have found that results of the assay of standards prepared in serum were up to 25% higher than those of standards prepared in saline, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine.", "PMID": 626488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6480", "title": "Comparative nephrotoxicity of gentamicin and tobramycin in rats.", "content": "A rat model was utilized to compare the nephrotoxic potential of gentamicin and tobramycin. Gentamicin, 40 mg/kg per day, predictably produced renal failure and morphological evidence of proximal tubular necrosis over 14 days of treatment. An identical dosage of tobramycin was associated with only minimal morphological changes and normal concentrations of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Similar results were obtained even after the tobramycin dosage was tripled to 120 mg/kg per day. A decrease in urine osmolality, mechanism unknown, was observed in all aminoglycoside-treated rats, but the lowest osmolalities were found in the gentamicin-treated rats. According to both histological criteria and renal function measurements, gentamicin was more nephrotoxic than tobramycin in this animal model.", "contents": "Comparative nephrotoxicity of gentamicin and tobramycin in rats. A rat model was utilized to compare the nephrotoxic potential of gentamicin and tobramycin. Gentamicin, 40 mg/kg per day, predictably produced renal failure and morphological evidence of proximal tubular necrosis over 14 days of treatment. An identical dosage of tobramycin was associated with only minimal morphological changes and normal concentrations of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Similar results were obtained even after the tobramycin dosage was tripled to 120 mg/kg per day. A decrease in urine osmolality, mechanism unknown, was observed in all aminoglycoside-treated rats, but the lowest osmolalities were found in the gentamicin-treated rats. According to both histological criteria and renal function measurements, gentamicin was more nephrotoxic than tobramycin in this animal model.", "PMID": 626489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6481", "title": "Chemotherapeutic evaluation of 5-episisomicin (Sch 22591), a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside.", "content": "5-episisomicin (Sch 22591) is a novel semisynthetic aminoglycoside with a spectrum and potency similar to gentamicin in its activity against susceptible bacterial strains, but with increased potency against Pseudomonas, Providencia, and Proteus rettgeri. It is also more active than tobramycin and amikacin against these last-mentioned species.Against resistant strains, Sch 22591 is significantly more active than gentamicin or tobramycin. Against resistant gram-negative bacteria other than Pseudomonas, Sch 22591 has activity similar to that of amikacin, but Sch 22591 is more potent. Against Pseudomonas strains, it is active against most gentamicin- and tobramycin-resistant strains and is more active than the other three antibiotics. Some Pseudomonas strains are resistant to Sch 22591, but susceptible to amikacin. Against a selection of aminoglycoside-resistant staphylococci, Sch 22591 has very good activity against strains resistant to tobramycin, amikacin, and gentamicin. The superior in vitro potency of Sch 22591 against Pseudomonas has been confirmed in vivo in experimental infections in mice. Absorption in dogs is similar to that of other aminoglycoside antibiotics. The acute toxicity of Sch 22591 in mice is greater than that of gentamicin; its vestibular toxicity potential and nephrotoxicity potential in cats and rats appear to be similar to those of gentamicin.", "contents": "Chemotherapeutic evaluation of 5-episisomicin (Sch 22591), a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside. 5-episisomicin (Sch 22591) is a novel semisynthetic aminoglycoside with a spectrum and potency similar to gentamicin in its activity against susceptible bacterial strains, but with increased potency against Pseudomonas, Providencia, and Proteus rettgeri. It is also more active than tobramycin and amikacin against these last-mentioned species.Against resistant strains, Sch 22591 is significantly more active than gentamicin or tobramycin. Against resistant gram-negative bacteria other than Pseudomonas, Sch 22591 has activity similar to that of amikacin, but Sch 22591 is more potent. Against Pseudomonas strains, it is active against most gentamicin- and tobramycin-resistant strains and is more active than the other three antibiotics. Some Pseudomonas strains are resistant to Sch 22591, but susceptible to amikacin. Against a selection of aminoglycoside-resistant staphylococci, Sch 22591 has very good activity against strains resistant to tobramycin, amikacin, and gentamicin. The superior in vitro potency of Sch 22591 against Pseudomonas has been confirmed in vivo in experimental infections in mice. Absorption in dogs is similar to that of other aminoglycoside antibiotics. The acute toxicity of Sch 22591 in mice is greater than that of gentamicin; its vestibular toxicity potential and nephrotoxicity potential in cats and rats appear to be similar to those of gentamicin.", "PMID": 626490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6482", "title": "Evaluation of the micro-media system for quantitative antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing: a collaborative study.", "content": "Micro-Media Systems (MMS) has developed a procedure by which microdilution trays can be filled with dilutions of antimicrobial agents, frozen, and distributed to clinical laboratories. The trays are prepared in various distribution centers throughout the United States to supply clinical laboratories in the vicinity of each center. For use, trays are removed from the freezer, allowed to thaw, and then inoculated with inocula prepared as for any other susceptibility test, using a convenient disposable inoculator (ca. 5 mul per well). A collaborative study was planned to evaluate microdilution trays prepared in three Micro-Media Systems distribution centers. Microdilution minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were compared to standard tube dilution tests (the international collaborative study group method). With gram-positive cocci, the two techniques gave essentially equivalent results. With gram-negative bacilli, the microdilution MICs were generally one doubling dilution lower than the standard tube dilution MICs. Similar results were seen with microdilution trays prepared with a Cooke Dynatech MIC 2000. Inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility with the macro- and microdilution techniques were quite satisfactory, i.e., at least 96% of the end points were within a range of +/-1 log(2) dilution intervals.", "contents": "Evaluation of the micro-media system for quantitative antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing: a collaborative study. Micro-Media Systems (MMS) has developed a procedure by which microdilution trays can be filled with dilutions of antimicrobial agents, frozen, and distributed to clinical laboratories. The trays are prepared in various distribution centers throughout the United States to supply clinical laboratories in the vicinity of each center. For use, trays are removed from the freezer, allowed to thaw, and then inoculated with inocula prepared as for any other susceptibility test, using a convenient disposable inoculator (ca. 5 mul per well). A collaborative study was planned to evaluate microdilution trays prepared in three Micro-Media Systems distribution centers. Microdilution minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were compared to standard tube dilution tests (the international collaborative study group method). With gram-positive cocci, the two techniques gave essentially equivalent results. With gram-negative bacilli, the microdilution MICs were generally one doubling dilution lower than the standard tube dilution MICs. Similar results were seen with microdilution trays prepared with a Cooke Dynatech MIC 2000. Inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility with the macro- and microdilution techniques were quite satisfactory, i.e., at least 96% of the end points were within a range of +/-1 log(2) dilution intervals.", "PMID": 626491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6483", "title": "Frequency of resistance to kanamycin, tobramycin, netilmicin, and amikacin in gentamicin-resistant gram-negative bacteria.", "content": "In vitro evaluation of 66 epidemiologically distinct, gentamicin-resistant, gram-negative isolates from four hospitals revealed that 92% were kanamycin resistant, 44% were netilmicin resistant, 41% were tobramycin resistant, and 6% were amikacin resistant. Combined resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, and netilmicin occurred in 30% of the strains. Although the resistance percentage to amikacin was the lowest of the three newer agents, two strains were resistant to all of the aminoglycosides tested.", "contents": "Frequency of resistance to kanamycin, tobramycin, netilmicin, and amikacin in gentamicin-resistant gram-negative bacteria. In vitro evaluation of 66 epidemiologically distinct, gentamicin-resistant, gram-negative isolates from four hospitals revealed that 92% were kanamycin resistant, 44% were netilmicin resistant, 41% were tobramycin resistant, and 6% were amikacin resistant. Combined resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, and netilmicin occurred in 30% of the strains. Although the resistance percentage to amikacin was the lowest of the three newer agents, two strains were resistant to all of the aminoglycosides tested.", "PMID": 626492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6484", "title": "Treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: comparison of cephalothin, cefazolin, and methicillin.", "content": "The effectiveness of cefazolin in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis has been questioned because of in vitro inactivation by staphylococcal beta-lactamase. Cefazolin, although inactivated in vitro by S. aureus beta-lactamase, was as effective as cephalothin in the treatment of left-sided S. aureus endocarditis in rabbits. Cefazolin (20 mg/kg every 6 or 8 h), cephalothin (40 mg/kg every 6 h), and methicillin (40 mg/kg every 6 h), administered intramuscularly, were compared in the treatment of left-sided endocarditis caused in rabbits by a highly penicillin-resistant strain of S. aureus. The three antibiotics were all effective in reducing titers in vegetations. However, at the dose used, methicillin reduced the titers more rapidly than cephalothin or cefazolin. Cefazolin concentrations in serum were about double those achieved with cephalothin or methicillin. However, cefazolin was only half as active as methicillin and one-eighth as active as cephalothin in vitro in a serum assay. The half life in serum of cefazolin, cephalothin, and methicillin were each about 30 min. Serum bactericidal activities of the three antibiotics were very similar.", "contents": "Treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: comparison of cephalothin, cefazolin, and methicillin. The effectiveness of cefazolin in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis has been questioned because of in vitro inactivation by staphylococcal beta-lactamase. Cefazolin, although inactivated in vitro by S. aureus beta-lactamase, was as effective as cephalothin in the treatment of left-sided S. aureus endocarditis in rabbits. Cefazolin (20 mg/kg every 6 or 8 h), cephalothin (40 mg/kg every 6 h), and methicillin (40 mg/kg every 6 h), administered intramuscularly, were compared in the treatment of left-sided endocarditis caused in rabbits by a highly penicillin-resistant strain of S. aureus. The three antibiotics were all effective in reducing titers in vegetations. However, at the dose used, methicillin reduced the titers more rapidly than cephalothin or cefazolin. Cefazolin concentrations in serum were about double those achieved with cephalothin or methicillin. However, cefazolin was only half as active as methicillin and one-eighth as active as cephalothin in vitro in a serum assay. The half life in serum of cefazolin, cephalothin, and methicillin were each about 30 min. Serum bactericidal activities of the three antibiotics were very similar.", "PMID": 626493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6485", "title": "In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents on Legionnaires disease bacterium.", "content": "Six isolates of Legionnaires disease bacteria were tested for their susceptibility to 22 antimicrobial agents. The most active agent was rifampin (minimal inhibitory concentration, </=0.01 mug/ml). On the basis of minimal inhibitory concentration breakpoints that have been used to categorize susceptibility for most of these drugs, the organisms were susceptible to rifampin, cefoxitin, erythromycin, the aminoglycosides, minocycline and doxycycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, penicillin G, carbenicillin, colistin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (19:1 ratio); sensitive to intermediate in susceptibility to tetracycline, methicillin, cefamandole, cephalothin, and clindamycin; and resistant to vancomycin. More clinical data must be obtained before an optimal therapeutic regimen can be recommended.", "contents": "In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents on Legionnaires disease bacterium. Six isolates of Legionnaires disease bacteria were tested for their susceptibility to 22 antimicrobial agents. The most active agent was rifampin (minimal inhibitory concentration, </=0.01 mug/ml). On the basis of minimal inhibitory concentration breakpoints that have been used to categorize susceptibility for most of these drugs, the organisms were susceptible to rifampin, cefoxitin, erythromycin, the aminoglycosides, minocycline and doxycycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, penicillin G, carbenicillin, colistin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (19:1 ratio); sensitive to intermediate in susceptibility to tetracycline, methicillin, cefamandole, cephalothin, and clindamycin; and resistant to vancomycin. More clinical data must be obtained before an optimal therapeutic regimen can be recommended.", "PMID": 626494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6486", "title": "Identification of an antibiotic-producing bacterium from the human intestinal tract and characterization of its antimicrobial product.", "content": "An antibiotic-producing bacterium repeatedly isolated from human feces was characterized by standard bacteriological methods. The bacterium is a gram-positive bacillus possessing morphological and physiological features similar to those of Bacillus subtilis, except that it lacks temperature-resistant spore formation and has peritrichous flagella. The cell-free antibiotic produced by the organism in vitro was effective against some gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and yeast in minimum inhibitory concentration and antibiotic disk assays. The 1,200-dalton antibiotic had an optimal activity against Proteus vulgaris within the pH range of 5.7 to 6.8. The activity was totally destroyed by digestion with pronase and trypsin but was resistant to pepsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and nuclease digestion. In addition, the antibiotic activity against P. vulgaris was stable between pH 3 to 9 and within the temperature range of 20 to 100 degrees C when tested in the fermentation medium. The activity was only partially retained by membrane filters which normally retain globular proteins of molecular weights between 500 to 10,000. Electrophoresis in phosphate buffer indicated that the activity against P. vulgaris had an isoelectric point of approximately 6.45. These properties are compatible with the antibiotic activity associated with a small peptide.", "contents": "Identification of an antibiotic-producing bacterium from the human intestinal tract and characterization of its antimicrobial product. An antibiotic-producing bacterium repeatedly isolated from human feces was characterized by standard bacteriological methods. The bacterium is a gram-positive bacillus possessing morphological and physiological features similar to those of Bacillus subtilis, except that it lacks temperature-resistant spore formation and has peritrichous flagella. The cell-free antibiotic produced by the organism in vitro was effective against some gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and yeast in minimum inhibitory concentration and antibiotic disk assays. The 1,200-dalton antibiotic had an optimal activity against Proteus vulgaris within the pH range of 5.7 to 6.8. The activity was totally destroyed by digestion with pronase and trypsin but was resistant to pepsin, chymotrypsin, papain, and nuclease digestion. In addition, the antibiotic activity against P. vulgaris was stable between pH 3 to 9 and within the temperature range of 20 to 100 degrees C when tested in the fermentation medium. The activity was only partially retained by membrane filters which normally retain globular proteins of molecular weights between 500 to 10,000. Electrophoresis in phosphate buffer indicated that the activity against P. vulgaris had an isoelectric point of approximately 6.45. These properties are compatible with the antibiotic activity associated with a small peptide.", "PMID": 626495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6487", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of bacampicillin compared with those of ampicillin, pivampicillin, and amoxycillin.", "content": "Bacampicillin, a new oral prodrug which in vivo is rapidly transformed to ampicillin, was compared with ampicillin, pivampicillin, and amoxycillin in a randomized cross-over study on 11 healthy volunteers. All drugs were given in oral doses equimolar to 400 mg of bacampicillin (800 mumol). The mean of the individual peak concentrations in serum was 8.3 mug/ml for bacampicillin, 7.1 mug/ml for pivampicillin, 7.7 mug/ml for amoxycillin, and 3.7 mug/ml for ampicillin. Furthermore, bacampicillin had a higher absorption rate than all the other drugs, although there were statistically significant differences only versus ampicillin. The peak serum levels of the individual subjects were more dispersed with ampicillin and amoxycillin, suggesting a more uniform absorption of bacampicillin and pivampicillin. The relative bioavailability of bacampicillin and pivampicillin was comparable, whereas ampicillin was only 2/3 that of the others.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of bacampicillin compared with those of ampicillin, pivampicillin, and amoxycillin. Bacampicillin, a new oral prodrug which in vivo is rapidly transformed to ampicillin, was compared with ampicillin, pivampicillin, and amoxycillin in a randomized cross-over study on 11 healthy volunteers. All drugs were given in oral doses equimolar to 400 mg of bacampicillin (800 mumol). The mean of the individual peak concentrations in serum was 8.3 mug/ml for bacampicillin, 7.1 mug/ml for pivampicillin, 7.7 mug/ml for amoxycillin, and 3.7 mug/ml for ampicillin. Furthermore, bacampicillin had a higher absorption rate than all the other drugs, although there were statistically significant differences only versus ampicillin. The peak serum levels of the individual subjects were more dispersed with ampicillin and amoxycillin, suggesting a more uniform absorption of bacampicillin and pivampicillin. The relative bioavailability of bacampicillin and pivampicillin was comparable, whereas ampicillin was only 2/3 that of the others.", "PMID": 626496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6488", "title": "Production of an antibiotic substance by Bacillus licheniformis within the digestive tract of gnotobiotic mice.", "content": "In monoxenic mice, vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus licheniformis were enumerated and in vivo antibiotic production was measured at various levels of the digestive tract and in the feces. The apparent independence of vegetative cell and spore populations in the cecum and feces, as well as the marked fluctuations of these two populations in the stomach and small intestine, suggested that sporulation of B. licheniformis and production of antibiotic occur only in the upper levels of the digestive tract. Study of dixenic models wherein B. licheniformis was inoculated after Clostridium perfringens or Lactobacillus sp. or before Lactobacillus sp. revealed the simultaneous disappearance of B. licheniformis from the stomach and antibiotic from the feces. This strain persisted in the cecum, but only in the form of vegetative cells. These models demonstrate that the activity of the microflora in the upper segments can affect the equilibrium of the microflora throughout the digestive tract.", "contents": "Production of an antibiotic substance by Bacillus licheniformis within the digestive tract of gnotobiotic mice. In monoxenic mice, vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus licheniformis were enumerated and in vivo antibiotic production was measured at various levels of the digestive tract and in the feces. The apparent independence of vegetative cell and spore populations in the cecum and feces, as well as the marked fluctuations of these two populations in the stomach and small intestine, suggested that sporulation of B. licheniformis and production of antibiotic occur only in the upper levels of the digestive tract. Study of dixenic models wherein B. licheniformis was inoculated after Clostridium perfringens or Lactobacillus sp. or before Lactobacillus sp. revealed the simultaneous disappearance of B. licheniformis from the stomach and antibiotic from the feces. This strain persisted in the cecum, but only in the form of vegetative cells. These models demonstrate that the activity of the microflora in the upper segments can affect the equilibrium of the microflora throughout the digestive tract.", "PMID": 626497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6489", "title": "Long-term study of smoking by secondary schoolchildren.", "content": "We report the methodology and some first year results of a 5-year longitudinal study of smoking. In 6330 Derbyshire secondary schoolchildren aged 11-16 years, 6% of boys and 2.5% of girls were smoking one or more cigarettes per week. Higher rates of regular smoking and of children who had tried smoking were found in secondary modern schools, followed by middle, comprehensive and grammar schools. The results clarify the relationship between children's smoking habits and those of the parents and siblings. Boys were more likely to smoke if their fathers smoked and girls were more likely to smoke if their mothers smoked. Irrespective of parental smoking, whether or not siblings smoked had a great influence on whether the child would smoke. Having more money to spend, working at a part-time job, spending more evenings out with a mixed-sex peer group, at a youth club, or out dancing, and playing truant from school were all associated with an increased risk of smoking.", "contents": "Long-term study of smoking by secondary schoolchildren. We report the methodology and some first year results of a 5-year longitudinal study of smoking. In 6330 Derbyshire secondary schoolchildren aged 11-16 years, 6% of boys and 2.5% of girls were smoking one or more cigarettes per week. Higher rates of regular smoking and of children who had tried smoking were found in secondary modern schools, followed by middle, comprehensive and grammar schools. The results clarify the relationship between children's smoking habits and those of the parents and siblings. Boys were more likely to smoke if their fathers smoked and girls were more likely to smoke if their mothers smoked. Irrespective of parental smoking, whether or not siblings smoked had a great influence on whether the child would smoke. Having more money to spend, working at a part-time job, spending more evenings out with a mixed-sex peer group, at a youth club, or out dancing, and playing truant from school were all associated with an increased risk of smoking.", "PMID": 626513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6490", "title": "Computerised axial tomography and acute neurological problems of childhood.", "content": "The results of computerised axial tomography (CAT) in 80 children with neurological symptoms and/or signs of less than 3 months' duration are discussed in relation firstly to intracranial pathology and secondly to clinical presentation. 26 children had intracranial space-occupying lesions (tumour, abscess, haemorrhage, infarct). CAT was abnormal in 25 of these and diagnostic in 18. A further 20 children had meningitis or encephalitis, and CAT was abnormal in 12. In contrast with this high rate of scans showing pathology, CAT was abnormal in only 4 of the remaining 34 children who had less definite or no intracranial disease. Analysis of clinical presentation showed that 42 of 69 children presented with persisting neurological signs and of these, 25 had an intracranial space-occupying lesion and 29 had abnormal CAT. Only 5 of 27 children who had symptoms alone or signs lasting less than 24 hours had abnormal CAT, and no intracranial lesion requiring specific treatment was missed. CAT is useful for demonstrating the site, size, and nature of many lesions. The scan may not initially be abnormal in brain stem gliomas and in small subdural collections of fluid.", "contents": "Computerised axial tomography and acute neurological problems of childhood. The results of computerised axial tomography (CAT) in 80 children with neurological symptoms and/or signs of less than 3 months' duration are discussed in relation firstly to intracranial pathology and secondly to clinical presentation. 26 children had intracranial space-occupying lesions (tumour, abscess, haemorrhage, infarct). CAT was abnormal in 25 of these and diagnostic in 18. A further 20 children had meningitis or encephalitis, and CAT was abnormal in 12. In contrast with this high rate of scans showing pathology, CAT was abnormal in only 4 of the remaining 34 children who had less definite or no intracranial disease. Analysis of clinical presentation showed that 42 of 69 children presented with persisting neurological signs and of these, 25 had an intracranial space-occupying lesion and 29 had abnormal CAT. Only 5 of 27 children who had symptoms alone or signs lasting less than 24 hours had abnormal CAT, and no intracranial lesion requiring specific treatment was missed. CAT is useful for demonstrating the site, size, and nature of many lesions. The scan may not initially be abnormal in brain stem gliomas and in small subdural collections of fluid.", "PMID": 626514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6491", "title": "Fetal growth in different racial groups.", "content": "Three racial groups of mothers and their newborn babies-- North European 75, Negro 75, and \"Indian\" Asian 37--were matched for parity, gestational age, sex, maternal age, maternal smoking habits, and social class. Multiple anthropometric measurements, including skinfold thickness, limb circumferences, and various linear measurements were made on the mothers and their infants to determine the effects of race and smoking on fetal size. Indian-Asian mothers, though shorter and lighter than Europeans and Negroes, had similar skinfold thickness and weight: height2 ratios and gained as much weight during pregnancy. Their infants, however, were lighter than the others, and had smaller head and limb circumferences, although their linear measurements were the same. Negro and European infants were almost identical in size. We found no effect on any of the fetal measurements which could be attributed to smoking.", "contents": "Fetal growth in different racial groups. Three racial groups of mothers and their newborn babies-- North European 75, Negro 75, and \"Indian\" Asian 37--were matched for parity, gestational age, sex, maternal age, maternal smoking habits, and social class. Multiple anthropometric measurements, including skinfold thickness, limb circumferences, and various linear measurements were made on the mothers and their infants to determine the effects of race and smoking on fetal size. Indian-Asian mothers, though shorter and lighter than Europeans and Negroes, had similar skinfold thickness and weight: height2 ratios and gained as much weight during pregnancy. Their infants, however, were lighter than the others, and had smaller head and limb circumferences, although their linear measurements were the same. Negro and European infants were almost identical in size. We found no effect on any of the fetal measurements which could be attributed to smoking.", "PMID": 626515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6492", "title": "Echovirus encephalitis and myositis in primary immunoglobulin deficiency.", "content": "Two children are described with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and encephalitis associated with echovirus infection. One also developed a condition resembling dermatomyositis which improved after he was given infusions of plasma containing antibody to the echovirus. Although both died of their encephalitis, the course of the brain disease in one of them may have been prolonged by treatment with specific antibody. These cases, together with another briefly mentioned case in an adult with congenital hypogammaglobulinaemia and echovirus infection, indicate that these patients are particularly susceptible to echoviruses.", "contents": "Echovirus encephalitis and myositis in primary immunoglobulin deficiency. Two children are described with primary hypogammaglobulinaemia and encephalitis associated with echovirus infection. One also developed a condition resembling dermatomyositis which improved after he was given infusions of plasma containing antibody to the echovirus. Although both died of their encephalitis, the course of the brain disease in one of them may have been prolonged by treatment with specific antibody. These cases, together with another briefly mentioned case in an adult with congenital hypogammaglobulinaemia and echovirus infection, indicate that these patients are particularly susceptible to echoviruses.", "PMID": 626516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6493", "title": "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children.", "content": "Details are given of all serologically confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children referred to Bristol hospitals during an epidemic lasting 18 months. 44 children, many below school age, had lower respiratory infections. The majority had cough and malaise which had failed to respond to antibiotics given before referral. Chest x-rays showed no pathognomonic features: segmental or patchy consolidation was common; 3 cases of lobar consolidation. Cold agglutinins were raised in 9 out of 12 cases. In the majority of cases the total leucocyte count was normal and the absolute neutrophil count raised. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.2 weeks (range 1-16). Treatment with erythromycin or tetracycline appeared to have little effect in most cases. Seven nonrespiratory manifestations were seen in 6 children. These were meningitis (2 cases), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (4 cases, 1 case complicated by toxic epidermal necrolysis), and acute haemolytic anaemia (1 case).", "contents": "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children. Details are given of all serologically confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children referred to Bristol hospitals during an epidemic lasting 18 months. 44 children, many below school age, had lower respiratory infections. The majority had cough and malaise which had failed to respond to antibiotics given before referral. Chest x-rays showed no pathognomonic features: segmental or patchy consolidation was common; 3 cases of lobar consolidation. Cold agglutinins were raised in 9 out of 12 cases. In the majority of cases the total leucocyte count was normal and the absolute neutrophil count raised. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.2 weeks (range 1-16). Treatment with erythromycin or tetracycline appeared to have little effect in most cases. Seven nonrespiratory manifestations were seen in 6 children. These were meningitis (2 cases), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (4 cases, 1 case complicated by toxic epidermal necrolysis), and acute haemolytic anaemia (1 case).", "PMID": 626517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6494", "title": "Factors influencing jaundice in immigrant Greek infants.", "content": "A study of 887 consecutively born immigrant Greek and 220 Anglo-Saxon Australian infants has shown that serum bilirubin concentrations are influenced by these factors: breast feeding, delivery with forceps, gestation, birthweight, sex of the infant, presence of hypoxia, presence of blood group incompatibility, a positive direct Coombs's test, maternal sepis, and administration to the mother of promethazine hydrochloride, reserpine, chloral hydrate, barbiturates, narcotic agents, diazepam, oxytocin, aspirin, and phenytoin sodium. Apart from the administration of promethazine hydrochloride, reserpine, chloral hydrate, and quinalbarbitone sodium, only two factors, breast feeding and delivery by forceps, occured with different frequencies in the immigrant Greek and the Australian infants. Among the Greek infants with jaundice, there were few where the cause of the jaundice was inapparent. The immigrant Greek and Australian newborn populations were therefore remarkably similar. Since differences of frequency and severity of jaundice do exist in infants born in Greece, this difference must be lost when the parents emigrate, and therefore an environmental factor must be incriminated as the causative agent for jaundice of unknown origin in Greece.", "contents": "Factors influencing jaundice in immigrant Greek infants. A study of 887 consecutively born immigrant Greek and 220 Anglo-Saxon Australian infants has shown that serum bilirubin concentrations are influenced by these factors: breast feeding, delivery with forceps, gestation, birthweight, sex of the infant, presence of hypoxia, presence of blood group incompatibility, a positive direct Coombs's test, maternal sepis, and administration to the mother of promethazine hydrochloride, reserpine, chloral hydrate, barbiturates, narcotic agents, diazepam, oxytocin, aspirin, and phenytoin sodium. Apart from the administration of promethazine hydrochloride, reserpine, chloral hydrate, and quinalbarbitone sodium, only two factors, breast feeding and delivery by forceps, occured with different frequencies in the immigrant Greek and the Australian infants. Among the Greek infants with jaundice, there were few where the cause of the jaundice was inapparent. The immigrant Greek and Australian newborn populations were therefore remarkably similar. Since differences of frequency and severity of jaundice do exist in infants born in Greece, this difference must be lost when the parents emigrate, and therefore an environmental factor must be incriminated as the causative agent for jaundice of unknown origin in Greece.", "PMID": 626518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6495", "title": "Simple method for measuring oxygen consumption in babies.", "content": "A simple open-circuit method for measuring the rate of oxygen consumption in the neonatal nursery is described and preliminary results on 240 infants reported. The findings are consistent with previous studies using closed systems and artificial environments. The variation between one infant and another was great, which makes it difficult to predict for any one infant the thermal environment at which the rate of oxygen consumption will be minimal.", "contents": "Simple method for measuring oxygen consumption in babies. A simple open-circuit method for measuring the rate of oxygen consumption in the neonatal nursery is described and preliminary results on 240 infants reported. The findings are consistent with previous studies using closed systems and artificial environments. The variation between one infant and another was great, which makes it difficult to predict for any one infant the thermal environment at which the rate of oxygen consumption will be minimal.", "PMID": 626519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6496", "title": "Thermoregulation in babies immediately after birth.", "content": "The fall in body temperature that occurs in babies soon after birth is influenced by the baby's weight and its environmental conditions. The rate of oxygen consumption 1 1/2 hours after birth was unrelated to body temperature and only slightly raised, indicating a limited thermogenic capacity. A radiant heater effectively prevented cooling in babies kept with their mothers in the delivery room. Washing soon after birth caused a significant cooling. Healthy term babies were found to have a limited thermogenic response to a cool environment over the first 12 hour of life and efforts to limit heat losses should be concentrated on this period.", "contents": "Thermoregulation in babies immediately after birth. The fall in body temperature that occurs in babies soon after birth is influenced by the baby's weight and its environmental conditions. The rate of oxygen consumption 1 1/2 hours after birth was unrelated to body temperature and only slightly raised, indicating a limited thermogenic capacity. A radiant heater effectively prevented cooling in babies kept with their mothers in the delivery room. Washing soon after birth caused a significant cooling. Healthy term babies were found to have a limited thermogenic response to a cool environment over the first 12 hour of life and efforts to limit heat losses should be concentrated on this period.", "PMID": 626520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6497", "title": "Motor nerve conduction velocities in Leigh's encephalomyelopathy.", "content": "Slowed motor nerve conduction velocities were found in 3 of 4 cases of Leigh's subacute necrotising encephalopathy. 2 of the patients are sibs, one of whom is clinically normal apart from lactic acidosis and slowed motor nerver conduction velocities.", "contents": "Motor nerve conduction velocities in Leigh's encephalomyelopathy. Slowed motor nerve conduction velocities were found in 3 of 4 cases of Leigh's subacute necrotising encephalopathy. 2 of the patients are sibs, one of whom is clinically normal apart from lactic acidosis and slowed motor nerver conduction velocities.", "PMID": 626521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6498", "title": "Psychological determinants of infantile pyloric stenosis.", "content": "In order to investigate the possible contribution of maternal emotional stress to the aetiology of infantile pyloric stenosis, 100 mothers of affected infants, 100 \"normal\" controls who had not sought medical advice at any time concerning feeding problems, and 50 mothers of children with spina bifida were interviewed. All completed the Life Events Inventory, which gives a quantitative measurement of stressful life events during a given period. In addition, the subject mothers and \"normal\" controls completed form A of the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the Multiple Affect Adjective Check list, and Linear Analogue Scales for the subjective measurement of satisfaction with feeding and distress caused by feeding problems. A highly significant difference was found between the number of items given a heavy weighting on the Life Events Inventory experienced by the subjects and both control groups. This was particularly marked during the last trimester of pregnancy. Personality assessment was very similar in all groups, but maternal anxiety scores were higher in the subjects than in the controls. It is concluded that hypertrophic pyloric stenosis occurs unduly frequently in infants of normal mothers who have been subjected to particularly stressful events during pregnancy.", "contents": "Psychological determinants of infantile pyloric stenosis. In order to investigate the possible contribution of maternal emotional stress to the aetiology of infantile pyloric stenosis, 100 mothers of affected infants, 100 \"normal\" controls who had not sought medical advice at any time concerning feeding problems, and 50 mothers of children with spina bifida were interviewed. All completed the Life Events Inventory, which gives a quantitative measurement of stressful life events during a given period. In addition, the subject mothers and \"normal\" controls completed form A of the Eysenck Personality Inventory, the Multiple Affect Adjective Check list, and Linear Analogue Scales for the subjective measurement of satisfaction with feeding and distress caused by feeding problems. A highly significant difference was found between the number of items given a heavy weighting on the Life Events Inventory experienced by the subjects and both control groups. This was particularly marked during the last trimester of pregnancy. Personality assessment was very similar in all groups, but maternal anxiety scores were higher in the subjects than in the controls. It is concluded that hypertrophic pyloric stenosis occurs unduly frequently in infants of normal mothers who have been subjected to particularly stressful events during pregnancy.", "PMID": 626522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6499", "title": "Diagnosis of meconium aspiration by spectrophotometric analysis of urine.", "content": "The first urine passed by a newborn infant who has inhaled meconium or meconium-stained amniotic fluid often contains a dark-coloured water-soluble substance, recognisable spectrophotometrically by an absorption band at about 405 nm. Spectrophotometric analysis of the first urine can in this way be used to diagnose preceding meconium aspiration.", "contents": "Diagnosis of meconium aspiration by spectrophotometric analysis of urine. The first urine passed by a newborn infant who has inhaled meconium or meconium-stained amniotic fluid often contains a dark-coloured water-soluble substance, recognisable spectrophotometrically by an absorption band at about 405 nm. Spectrophotometric analysis of the first urine can in this way be used to diagnose preceding meconium aspiration.", "PMID": 626523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6500", "title": "Establishing demand feeding in hospital.", "content": "In the summer of 1975 demand feeding was introduced for all babies born at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where previously babies were fed according to a rigid schedule to fit in with ward routine--clock feeding. Over a 10-day period before demand feeding was introduced details were collected about infant feeds concerning 42 normal babies whose mothers had decided to breast feed. 2 weeks after the introduction of demand feeding similar details were collected about 43 normal breast-fed babies. At the time of the observations 65% of all babies born in this hospital were being breast fed. Comparing breast feeding patterns, there was a wider scatter of interfeed time intervals in the demand-fed group than in the clock-fed group, over the first 2 days after birth. By the end of the first week these differences were no longer present. The introduction of demand feeding presented no problems in ward management and is now the established routine in this maternity hospital.", "contents": "Establishing demand feeding in hospital. In the summer of 1975 demand feeding was introduced for all babies born at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where previously babies were fed according to a rigid schedule to fit in with ward routine--clock feeding. Over a 10-day period before demand feeding was introduced details were collected about infant feeds concerning 42 normal babies whose mothers had decided to breast feed. 2 weeks after the introduction of demand feeding similar details were collected about 43 normal breast-fed babies. At the time of the observations 65% of all babies born in this hospital were being breast fed. Comparing breast feeding patterns, there was a wider scatter of interfeed time intervals in the demand-fed group than in the clock-fed group, over the first 2 days after birth. By the end of the first week these differences were no longer present. The introduction of demand feeding presented no problems in ward management and is now the established routine in this maternity hospital.", "PMID": 626524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6501", "title": "Oxidative metabolism in cord-blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes.", "content": "Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were isolated from cord-blood samples collected from healthy, term infants. Oxidative metabolism was assessed in these cells by hexose monophosphate shunt activity and chemiluminescence. Basal levels of oxidative metabolism were spontaneously increased in resting (nonphagocytic) cord-blood cells as compared to adult controls. As a response to phagocytosis, cord-blood cells initiated the expected increase in oxidative metabolism and reached normal peak values of activity. However, these cells were unable to maintain the high metabolic rate for as long a time as adult controls. This aberration of leucocyte function may indicate a deficiency of metabolic reserve and could be related to the increased susceptibility of newborns to bacterial infections.", "contents": "Oxidative metabolism in cord-blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes were isolated from cord-blood samples collected from healthy, term infants. Oxidative metabolism was assessed in these cells by hexose monophosphate shunt activity and chemiluminescence. Basal levels of oxidative metabolism were spontaneously increased in resting (nonphagocytic) cord-blood cells as compared to adult controls. As a response to phagocytosis, cord-blood cells initiated the expected increase in oxidative metabolism and reached normal peak values of activity. However, these cells were unable to maintain the high metabolic rate for as long a time as adult controls. This aberration of leucocyte function may indicate a deficiency of metabolic reserve and could be related to the increased susceptibility of newborns to bacterial infections.", "PMID": 626525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6502", "title": "Case of congenital nonobstructive, nonhaemolytic jaundice. Successful long-term phototherapy at home.", "content": "Use of cholestyramine made it possible to shorten the daily duration of phototherapy in a case of congenital nonobstructive, nonhaemolytic jaundice. Treatment at home was therefore possible, allowing normal parental care. Development and neurological examinations were normal at the age of 27 months. Frequent determinations of reserve bilirubin binding capacity may be useful in controlling such management.", "contents": "Case of congenital nonobstructive, nonhaemolytic jaundice. Successful long-term phototherapy at home. Use of cholestyramine made it possible to shorten the daily duration of phototherapy in a case of congenital nonobstructive, nonhaemolytic jaundice. Treatment at home was therefore possible, allowing normal parental care. Development and neurological examinations were normal at the age of 27 months. Frequent determinations of reserve bilirubin binding capacity may be useful in controlling such management.", "PMID": 626526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6503", "title": "Serial lung function studies in cystic fibrosis in the first 5 years of life.", "content": "Lung mechanics were studied in 8 infants with cystic fibrosis at 6 months of life and radiosotopic lung function was measured in 5 of them at 5 years of age. The children who were initially asymptomatic had normal lung mechanics in infancy but the 2 restudied later had abnormal radioisotopic lung function. The symptomatic children showed abnormalities in infancy and more marked changes later. It is concluded that the lungs in cystic fibrosis are probably normal initially and that damage occurs later even in the absence of symptoms.", "contents": "Serial lung function studies in cystic fibrosis in the first 5 years of life. Lung mechanics were studied in 8 infants with cystic fibrosis at 6 months of life and radiosotopic lung function was measured in 5 of them at 5 years of age. The children who were initially asymptomatic had normal lung mechanics in infancy but the 2 restudied later had abnormal radioisotopic lung function. The symptomatic children showed abnormalities in infancy and more marked changes later. It is concluded that the lungs in cystic fibrosis are probably normal initially and that damage occurs later even in the absence of symptoms.", "PMID": 626527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6504", "title": "Hyponatraemia in children with febrile convulsions.", "content": "In a study of 23 children admitted to hospital with a febrile convulsion, mild hyponatraemia was found on 8 occasions. In 6 of these cases there was evidence of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The hyponatraemia is unlikely to be the cause of the convulsion, but probably predisposes the child to a subsequent convulsion during the same febrile illness.", "contents": "Hyponatraemia in children with febrile convulsions. In a study of 23 children admitted to hospital with a febrile convulsion, mild hyponatraemia was found on 8 occasions. In 6 of these cases there was evidence of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The hyponatraemia is unlikely to be the cause of the convulsion, but probably predisposes the child to a subsequent convulsion during the same febrile illness.", "PMID": 626528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6505", "title": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: III. Clinicopathological studies on teratomas and tumors of Germ Cell type.", "content": "In a series of 82 patients with tumors of the thymus and thymic region there were 11 with teratomas and germinal tumors. Four of these patients had benign cystic teratomas, 4 had malignant teratomas, 1 had an embryonal carcinoma, and 2 had seminomas. The benign teratomas were removed by simple extirpation without complications. The malignant teratomas were highly invasive, and despite extensive operations and postoperative radiotherapy, 3 of the 4 patients died within 9 months. One patient with predominantly seminomatous differentation of the teratoma was alive and well more than 3 years after the operation. The patient with an embryonal carcinoma died after 4 months. One of the 2 patients with seminoma remained alive 20 years after radical excision and postoperative radiotherapy. The other, who had a huge seminoma, died during operation. The prognosis in patients with seminomas or with predominantly seminomatous structures in teratomas seems to be good after combined radical excision and radiotherapy, although nonradical resection followed by raditherapy may be justified in high-risk patients.", "contents": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: III. Clinicopathological studies on teratomas and tumors of Germ Cell type. In a series of 82 patients with tumors of the thymus and thymic region there were 11 with teratomas and germinal tumors. Four of these patients had benign cystic teratomas, 4 had malignant teratomas, 1 had an embryonal carcinoma, and 2 had seminomas. The benign teratomas were removed by simple extirpation without complications. The malignant teratomas were highly invasive, and despite extensive operations and postoperative radiotherapy, 3 of the 4 patients died within 9 months. One patient with predominantly seminomatous differentation of the teratoma was alive and well more than 3 years after the operation. The patient with an embryonal carcinoma died after 4 months. One of the 2 patients with seminoma remained alive 20 years after radical excision and postoperative radiotherapy. The other, who had a huge seminoma, died during operation. The prognosis in patients with seminomas or with predominantly seminomatous structures in teratomas seems to be good after combined radical excision and radiotherapy, although nonradical resection followed by raditherapy may be justified in high-risk patients.", "PMID": 626531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6506", "title": "Sustained-release implants of chemical carcinogens in the canine tracheobronchial tree.", "content": "A proved carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), was incorporated into liquid silicone rubber polymer which was then vulcanized into solid form. Discs of BP polymer containing 9.05 to 12.12% BP were sutured into the trachea and right main bronchi of 10 dogs which were observed for 3 to 8 months. The discs were either in contact with the endobronchial surface of the mucosa or placed into submucosal pockets. All discs that were implanted submucosally remain in place. Only 2 discs implanted by the fixation method were extruded. The pocket implants of BP polymer caused ulceration and erosion of the mucosa; these changes did not occur from discs of polymer without carcinogen. To date these implants have induced squamous metaplasia with atypical changes. A method for sustained-release implantation of carcinogens in the canine tracheobronchial tree has been developed.", "contents": "Sustained-release implants of chemical carcinogens in the canine tracheobronchial tree. A proved carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), was incorporated into liquid silicone rubber polymer which was then vulcanized into solid form. Discs of BP polymer containing 9.05 to 12.12% BP were sutured into the trachea and right main bronchi of 10 dogs which were observed for 3 to 8 months. The discs were either in contact with the endobronchial surface of the mucosa or placed into submucosal pockets. All discs that were implanted submucosally remain in place. Only 2 discs implanted by the fixation method were extruded. The pocket implants of BP polymer caused ulceration and erosion of the mucosa; these changes did not occur from discs of polymer without carcinogen. To date these implants have induced squamous metaplasia with atypical changes. A method for sustained-release implantation of carcinogens in the canine tracheobronchial tree has been developed.", "PMID": 626532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6507", "title": "Carotid endarterectomy: results in 100 patients.", "content": "One hundred twenty-two carotid endarterectomies were done in 100 patients in various clinical states of occlusive disease (4 with asymptomatic bruit, 61 with transient ischemia attacks, 35 following stroke) with an overall operative mortality of 3.27%. The 4 deaths all occurred among patients who had existing deficits when operated on. Among 82 operations done for transient ischemia or asymptomatic bruit there were no deaths; 2 transient but no permanent deficits resulted. Surgical management is described. During long-term follow-up, 3 patients in the transient ischemia group acquired deficits (4.6%), but no strokes occurred among the patients with asymptomatic bruits. Six cerebral deaths are reported (both early and late); 5 of them occurred among poststroke patients and the sixth was related to an unoperated, diseased carotid artery.", "contents": "Carotid endarterectomy: results in 100 patients. One hundred twenty-two carotid endarterectomies were done in 100 patients in various clinical states of occlusive disease (4 with asymptomatic bruit, 61 with transient ischemia attacks, 35 following stroke) with an overall operative mortality of 3.27%. The 4 deaths all occurred among patients who had existing deficits when operated on. Among 82 operations done for transient ischemia or asymptomatic bruit there were no deaths; 2 transient but no permanent deficits resulted. Surgical management is described. During long-term follow-up, 3 patients in the transient ischemia group acquired deficits (4.6%), but no strokes occurred among the patients with asymptomatic bruits. Six cerebral deaths are reported (both early and late); 5 of them occurred among poststroke patients and the sixth was related to an unoperated, diseased carotid artery.", "PMID": 626533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6508", "title": "Complete atrioventricular canal malformation: further clarification of the anatomy of the common leaflet and its relationship to the VSD in surgical correction.", "content": "Thirty-four heart specimens showing complete atrioventricular (AV) canal malformation were studied. The size of defects underneath the anterior common leaflet was compared with the size of those beneath the posterior common leaflet. Wherever such defects were present, they were either of the same size or larger underneath the anterior leaflet. There was no correlation between the type of posterior common leaflet and the size of ventricular communication. The importance of the location of the ventricular defect in relation to surgical correction, especially in small infants, is discussed.", "contents": "Complete atrioventricular canal malformation: further clarification of the anatomy of the common leaflet and its relationship to the VSD in surgical correction. Thirty-four heart specimens showing complete atrioventricular (AV) canal malformation were studied. The size of defects underneath the anterior common leaflet was compared with the size of those beneath the posterior common leaflet. Wherever such defects were present, they were either of the same size or larger underneath the anterior leaflet. There was no correlation between the type of posterior common leaflet and the size of ventricular communication. The importance of the location of the ventricular defect in relation to surgical correction, especially in small infants, is discussed.", "PMID": 626534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6509", "title": "Fourteen years of implanted pacemakers in children.", "content": "Twenty-six children who had permanent pacemakers implanted at 6 hours to 11 years of age have been followed for up to 163 months. There were 14 children with surgical heart block, 9 with congenital heart block, 2 with postcatheterization complete heart block, and 1 with bradytachydysrhythmia syndrome. Eighteen of the 26 patients (69%) are still being paced with their original electrodes, some for more than eight years. Sixty pulse generators lasted an average of 17 months (range, 1 to 55 months). Five of the 26 patients (19%) are dead. Three died of noncorrectable heart disease, but there were 2 sudden unexplained deaths at home, both apparently due to sudden arrhtthmias. Both of these patients had received fixed-rate pulse generators, and 1 had a known potential for competing rhythms. The current optimal choices of equipment and techniques, including the role of synchronized, demand, lithium-powered, and nuclear-powered pulse generators, are discussed.", "contents": "Fourteen years of implanted pacemakers in children. Twenty-six children who had permanent pacemakers implanted at 6 hours to 11 years of age have been followed for up to 163 months. There were 14 children with surgical heart block, 9 with congenital heart block, 2 with postcatheterization complete heart block, and 1 with bradytachydysrhythmia syndrome. Eighteen of the 26 patients (69%) are still being paced with their original electrodes, some for more than eight years. Sixty pulse generators lasted an average of 17 months (range, 1 to 55 months). Five of the 26 patients (19%) are dead. Three died of noncorrectable heart disease, but there were 2 sudden unexplained deaths at home, both apparently due to sudden arrhtthmias. Both of these patients had received fixed-rate pulse generators, and 1 had a known potential for competing rhythms. The current optimal choices of equipment and techniques, including the role of synchronized, demand, lithium-powered, and nuclear-powered pulse generators, are discussed.", "PMID": 626535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6510", "title": "Thoracic traction for median sternotomy dehiscence.", "content": "Standard management of median sternotomy dehiscence sometimes fails to achieve lasting reduction and fixation of the sternal halves. An effective method of external thoracic traction that augments internal fixation of the sternal fracture is presented.", "contents": "Thoracic traction for median sternotomy dehiscence. Standard management of median sternotomy dehiscence sometimes fails to achieve lasting reduction and fixation of the sternal halves. An effective method of external thoracic traction that augments internal fixation of the sternal fracture is presented.", "PMID": 626536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6511", "title": "Reoperation for complictions after inflow correction of transposition of the great arteries: technical considerations.", "content": "A right anterolateral thoracotomy through the fifth or sixth intercostal space is described as an easier approach for reoperations after the Mustard procedure for transportation of the great arteries. Advantages of this approach compared with repeated sternotomy include easier cannulation of the superior and inferior vena cava; less extensive dissection of adhesions, resulting in decreased postoperative bleeding; reduced risk of injury to the coronary asteries and the right phrenic nerve; and improved exposure of intracardiac pathways and the tricuspid valve.", "contents": "Reoperation for complictions after inflow correction of transposition of the great arteries: technical considerations. A right anterolateral thoracotomy through the fifth or sixth intercostal space is described as an easier approach for reoperations after the Mustard procedure for transportation of the great arteries. Advantages of this approach compared with repeated sternotomy include easier cannulation of the superior and inferior vena cava; less extensive dissection of adhesions, resulting in decreased postoperative bleeding; reduced risk of injury to the coronary asteries and the right phrenic nerve; and improved exposure of intracardiac pathways and the tricuspid valve.", "PMID": 626537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6512", "title": "A method for direct coronary sinus flow measurement and blood sampling in the dog.", "content": "Various methods for sampling and measurement of coronary sinus flow in animals have been reported. All have disadvantages because of the need for fluoroscopy or for special tubing or equipment. A technique using readily available materials is described that provides direct measurement of coronary sinus blood flow and allows coronary sampling.", "contents": "A method for direct coronary sinus flow measurement and blood sampling in the dog. Various methods for sampling and measurement of coronary sinus flow in animals have been reported. All have disadvantages because of the need for fluoroscopy or for special tubing or equipment. A technique using readily available materials is described that provides direct measurement of coronary sinus blood flow and allows coronary sampling.", "PMID": 626538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6513", "title": "Successful intracardiac repair of the Taussig-Bing malformation in 2 children.", "content": "Surgical repair of the Taussig-Bing deformity has been successful in 2 children weighting 7.7 and 11.1 kg, respectively. In the first case the right ventricular patch divered left ventricular blood to the pulmonary arter, thus creating a physiologically complete transposition which was then corrected by an interatrial Mustard baffle. In the second case a right ventricular tunnel diverted left ventricular blood to the aorta, and right ventricular blood was directed to the distal pulmonary artery by means of an external conduit bypassing a subpulmonic stenosis. These patients represent the seventh and eighth successful corrections of the Taussig-Bing anomaly. One case (Patient 2) is the youngest to undergo repair and the first to receive an external conduit for bypass of an associated subpulmonic stenosis.", "contents": "Successful intracardiac repair of the Taussig-Bing malformation in 2 children. Surgical repair of the Taussig-Bing deformity has been successful in 2 children weighting 7.7 and 11.1 kg, respectively. In the first case the right ventricular patch divered left ventricular blood to the pulmonary arter, thus creating a physiologically complete transposition which was then corrected by an interatrial Mustard baffle. In the second case a right ventricular tunnel diverted left ventricular blood to the aorta, and right ventricular blood was directed to the distal pulmonary artery by means of an external conduit bypassing a subpulmonic stenosis. These patients represent the seventh and eighth successful corrections of the Taussig-Bing anomaly. One case (Patient 2) is the youngest to undergo repair and the first to receive an external conduit for bypass of an associated subpulmonic stenosis.", "PMID": 626539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6514", "title": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: I. Clinicopathological studies on thymomas.", "content": "A series of 43 patients with thymoma was reviewed. The patients were classified with respect to some factors of prognostic significance. The tumors were reclassified histologically, and a staging system with three defined stage-groups was applied to the series on the basis of operative findings and histological examination of surgical specimens. Surgical-pathological staging is of high prognostic and therapeutic importance in thymomas. Complete removal of the tumor was possible in the 25 patients with stage I or II disease and in 14 of the 18 patients with stage III tumors. Pleural metastases were observed in half of the patients with stage III disease. Even patients with extensive local spread or pleural metastases were subject to tumor resection. The treatment of choice is radical resection along in stage I; radical extirpation and, if indicated, postoperative radiotherapy in stage II; and radical resection whenever possible, even in cases of pleural spread, in stage III, with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Myasthenia gravis is an indication rather than a contraindication to radical treatment of thymoma, although some patients may deterioratte. The importance of total thymectomy is stressed.", "contents": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: I. Clinicopathological studies on thymomas. A series of 43 patients with thymoma was reviewed. The patients were classified with respect to some factors of prognostic significance. The tumors were reclassified histologically, and a staging system with three defined stage-groups was applied to the series on the basis of operative findings and histological examination of surgical specimens. Surgical-pathological staging is of high prognostic and therapeutic importance in thymomas. Complete removal of the tumor was possible in the 25 patients with stage I or II disease and in 14 of the 18 patients with stage III tumors. Pleural metastases were observed in half of the patients with stage III disease. Even patients with extensive local spread or pleural metastases were subject to tumor resection. The treatment of choice is radical resection along in stage I; radical extirpation and, if indicated, postoperative radiotherapy in stage II; and radical resection whenever possible, even in cases of pleural spread, in stage III, with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Myasthenia gravis is an indication rather than a contraindication to radical treatment of thymoma, although some patients may deterioratte. The importance of total thymectomy is stressed.", "PMID": 626543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6515", "title": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: II. Clinicopathological studies on Hodgkin's disease of the thymus.", "content": "Among 82 patients with a tumor in the thymic region, 17 had a lesion that fulfilled the criteria for Hodgkin's disease of the thymus; the histopathological differentiation of this entity from thymomas is discussed. All patients received surgical treatment and postoperative radiotherapy. After a mean observation time of 10 years there was no local recurrence and no death due to the disease, though 3 deaths were cuased by the treatment. New clinical manifestations occurred in 3 of the 14 long-term survivors: they were treated successfully by operation or irradiation. A very aggressive surgical approach involving extirpation of all tumor tissue, extensive excision of the surrounding tissues and adjacent lymph nodes, and supplementary radiotherapy seems to be the treatment of choice.", "contents": "Tumors of the thymus and thymic region: II. Clinicopathological studies on Hodgkin's disease of the thymus. Among 82 patients with a tumor in the thymic region, 17 had a lesion that fulfilled the criteria for Hodgkin's disease of the thymus; the histopathological differentiation of this entity from thymomas is discussed. All patients received surgical treatment and postoperative radiotherapy. After a mean observation time of 10 years there was no local recurrence and no death due to the disease, though 3 deaths were cuased by the treatment. New clinical manifestations occurred in 3 of the 14 long-term survivors: they were treated successfully by operation or irradiation. A very aggressive surgical approach involving extirpation of all tumor tissue, extensive excision of the surrounding tissues and adjacent lymph nodes, and supplementary radiotherapy seems to be the treatment of choice.", "PMID": 626544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6516", "title": "Sleep apnea syndrome in a patient with Shy-Drager syndrome.", "content": "A patient with autonomic insufficiency and extrapyramidal signs (Shy-Drager syndrome) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) underwent hemodynamic studies. In comparison to patients with SAS and intact autonomic reflexes, systemic hypertension was absent and marked sinus arrhythmia during sleep was blunted. Cyclical pulmonary hypertension associated with frequent apneic episodes during sleep persisted, reflecting a minor role of autonomic reflexes in the generation of this abnormality. Autopsy confirmed the Shy-Drager syndrome and multiple areas of degeneration were observed in areas of the CNS outside the medullary respiratory centers, suggesting their importance in the origin of the respiratory abnormalities in SAS.", "contents": "Sleep apnea syndrome in a patient with Shy-Drager syndrome. A patient with autonomic insufficiency and extrapyramidal signs (Shy-Drager syndrome) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) underwent hemodynamic studies. In comparison to patients with SAS and intact autonomic reflexes, systemic hypertension was absent and marked sinus arrhythmia during sleep was blunted. Cyclical pulmonary hypertension associated with frequent apneic episodes during sleep persisted, reflecting a minor role of autonomic reflexes in the generation of this abnormality. Autopsy confirmed the Shy-Drager syndrome and multiple areas of degeneration were observed in areas of the CNS outside the medullary respiratory centers, suggesting their importance in the origin of the respiratory abnormalities in SAS.", "PMID": 626549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6517", "title": "Treatment of myocardial infarction in a community hospital coronary care unit. Experience with 1,246 patients.", "content": "The hospital mortality in 1,246 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients treated in a large community hospital coronary care unit was 14.4%. Of the total, 52.3% showed no evidence of heart failure, 25.8% had mild to moderate failure, 9.9% had pulmonary edema, and 12% developed cardiogenic shock; the mortality in these groups was 2.2%, 7.4%, 8.9%, and 87.2%, respectively. The mortalitiy in the 1,097 patints who did not have cardiogenic shock was 4.5%. Only one patient died as a result of primary ventricular fibrillation (0.08%). The mortality of complete heart block in the absence of cardiogenic shock (8.3%) was not significantly different from that of comparable patients who did not have complete heart block (4.3%). These results are lower than those generally reported.", "contents": "Treatment of myocardial infarction in a community hospital coronary care unit. Experience with 1,246 patients. The hospital mortality in 1,246 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients treated in a large community hospital coronary care unit was 14.4%. Of the total, 52.3% showed no evidence of heart failure, 25.8% had mild to moderate failure, 9.9% had pulmonary edema, and 12% developed cardiogenic shock; the mortality in these groups was 2.2%, 7.4%, 8.9%, and 87.2%, respectively. The mortalitiy in the 1,097 patints who did not have cardiogenic shock was 4.5%. Only one patient died as a result of primary ventricular fibrillation (0.08%). The mortality of complete heart block in the absence of cardiogenic shock (8.3%) was not significantly different from that of comparable patients who did not have complete heart block (4.3%). These results are lower than those generally reported.", "PMID": 626550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6518", "title": "Systemic factors contributory to retinal vein occlusion.", "content": "This study was undertaken in 79 patients with retinal vein occlusion to assess the different systemic mechanisms contributing to the occlusion, namely, intrinsic vessel disease and abnormalities of the blood constituents and blood viscosity. In 55 patients older than 50 years of age, important associations were hypertension, abnormal results on glucose tolerance test, hyperlipidemia, chronic lung disease, and elevated serum IgA levels. In the 24 patients younger than 50 years of age, male incidence was high and important associations were head injuries, hyperlipidemia, and the use of estrogen-containing preparations. Hyperviscosity and cryofibrinogenemia were prominent in both groups. The pathogenesis of retinal venous occlusion is complex involving interaction between the vessel wall and blood constituents.", "contents": "Systemic factors contributory to retinal vein occlusion. This study was undertaken in 79 patients with retinal vein occlusion to assess the different systemic mechanisms contributing to the occlusion, namely, intrinsic vessel disease and abnormalities of the blood constituents and blood viscosity. In 55 patients older than 50 years of age, important associations were hypertension, abnormal results on glucose tolerance test, hyperlipidemia, chronic lung disease, and elevated serum IgA levels. In the 24 patients younger than 50 years of age, male incidence was high and important associations were head injuries, hyperlipidemia, and the use of estrogen-containing preparations. Hyperviscosity and cryofibrinogenemia were prominent in both groups. The pathogenesis of retinal venous occlusion is complex involving interaction between the vessel wall and blood constituents.", "PMID": 626551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6519", "title": "Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and serum gastrin levels after mapped antrectomy.", "content": "We investigated the effect of mapped antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy on serum gastrin levels in fasting patients and resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Serum gastrin levels in fasting patients were lower in those who had an antrectomy without vagotomy (P less than .05) as compared to control subjects or patients with antrectomy and vagotomy. Resting LES pressure was similar in patients and controls and was not affected by the presence or absence of vagotomy. These findings suggest that (1) mapped antrectomy and gastroduodenostomy without vagotomy are followed by a decrease in serum gastrin and (2) resting LES pressure is not affected by mapped antrectomy and a decrease in serum gastrin level.", "contents": "Lower esophageal sphincter pressure and serum gastrin levels after mapped antrectomy. We investigated the effect of mapped antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy on serum gastrin levels in fasting patients and resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Serum gastrin levels in fasting patients were lower in those who had an antrectomy without vagotomy (P less than .05) as compared to control subjects or patients with antrectomy and vagotomy. Resting LES pressure was similar in patients and controls and was not affected by the presence or absence of vagotomy. These findings suggest that (1) mapped antrectomy and gastroduodenostomy without vagotomy are followed by a decrease in serum gastrin and (2) resting LES pressure is not affected by mapped antrectomy and a decrease in serum gastrin level.", "PMID": 626552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6520", "title": "Rocky Mountain spotted fever and jaundice. Two consecutive cases acquired in Florida and a review of the literature on this complication.", "content": "Rocky mountain spotted fever is increasing in Florida, a state that has had few cases in the past. The typical clinical illness has been well described, but jaundice has been rarely reported. In two patients with illnesses resembling leptospirosis, jaundice appeared on the sixth and ninth day of illness, and peak bilirubin levels were between 7 and 9 mg/100 ml. Liver biopsy specimen from one patient showed a nonspecific hepatitis. Hemolysis and renal dysfunction may have contributed to the production of jaundice in these patients. Fourteen instances of jaundice were reported in 43 autopsied cases as of 1941, but since that time only rare mention of jaundice has been made.", "contents": "Rocky Mountain spotted fever and jaundice. Two consecutive cases acquired in Florida and a review of the literature on this complication. Rocky mountain spotted fever is increasing in Florida, a state that has had few cases in the past. The typical clinical illness has been well described, but jaundice has been rarely reported. In two patients with illnesses resembling leptospirosis, jaundice appeared on the sixth and ninth day of illness, and peak bilirubin levels were between 7 and 9 mg/100 ml. Liver biopsy specimen from one patient showed a nonspecific hepatitis. Hemolysis and renal dysfunction may have contributed to the production of jaundice in these patients. Fourteen instances of jaundice were reported in 43 autopsied cases as of 1941, but since that time only rare mention of jaundice has been made.", "PMID": 626553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6521", "title": "Abnormalities in the regulation of growth hormone in chronic renal failure.", "content": "Carbohydrate intolerance is a common abnormality in patients with chronic renal failure. In this group of patients we investigated the interrelation among glucose, insulin, and growth hormone and confirmed the presence of carbohydrate intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. In addition we demonstrated alterations in growth hormone regulation, characterized by (1) the lack of suppression of growth hormone by orally induced hyperglycemia and paradoxical increase in serum levels of growth hormone after the administration of intravenous glucose or glucagon; (2) lack of release of growth hormone with induced hypoglycemia and an exaggerated response to levodopa administration. Furthermore, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone stimulated growth hormone release, a phenomenon not observed in the control population. Our studies show an impaired hypothalamic regulation of growth hormones secretion in patients with renal failure undergoing long-term hemodialysis.", "contents": "Abnormalities in the regulation of growth hormone in chronic renal failure. Carbohydrate intolerance is a common abnormality in patients with chronic renal failure. In this group of patients we investigated the interrelation among glucose, insulin, and growth hormone and confirmed the presence of carbohydrate intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. In addition we demonstrated alterations in growth hormone regulation, characterized by (1) the lack of suppression of growth hormone by orally induced hyperglycemia and paradoxical increase in serum levels of growth hormone after the administration of intravenous glucose or glucagon; (2) lack of release of growth hormone with induced hypoglycemia and an exaggerated response to levodopa administration. Furthermore, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone stimulated growth hormone release, a phenomenon not observed in the control population. Our studies show an impaired hypothalamic regulation of growth hormones secretion in patients with renal failure undergoing long-term hemodialysis.", "PMID": 626554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6522", "title": "Management of alcohol withdrawal syndromes.", "content": "Withdrawal from alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol) or other general sedatives leads to progressive hyperactivity that progresses from tremulousness, sleep disturbance, and hallucinosis, to the more serious rum fits and delirium tremens (DTs). Withdrawal can be prevented and, in most cases, arrested by prompt replacement of alcohol with paraldehyde, benzodiazepines or other general sedatives. Diazepam is appropriate replacement therapy for most patients. When delirium is manifest, the chance is greater than 15% that the patient will die, and this reaction cannot be aborted. The patient with DTs must be calmed with a general sedative that has a rapid onset of maximal effect to prevent overdosage. Diazepam, 5 mg intravenously every five minutes, permits evaluation of the maximal effect of each dose before the next dose is administered. Although some patients have advance sedative or alcohol withdrawal, great care must be taken to elicit the proper history of alcohol abuse so that sedative replacement therapy will prevent or abort early withdrawal, thus sparing the patient a mortality equivalent to that of acute myocardial infarction or Russian roulette.", "contents": "Management of alcohol withdrawal syndromes. Withdrawal from alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol) or other general sedatives leads to progressive hyperactivity that progresses from tremulousness, sleep disturbance, and hallucinosis, to the more serious rum fits and delirium tremens (DTs). Withdrawal can be prevented and, in most cases, arrested by prompt replacement of alcohol with paraldehyde, benzodiazepines or other general sedatives. Diazepam is appropriate replacement therapy for most patients. When delirium is manifest, the chance is greater than 15% that the patient will die, and this reaction cannot be aborted. The patient with DTs must be calmed with a general sedative that has a rapid onset of maximal effect to prevent overdosage. Diazepam, 5 mg intravenously every five minutes, permits evaluation of the maximal effect of each dose before the next dose is administered. Although some patients have advance sedative or alcohol withdrawal, great care must be taken to elicit the proper history of alcohol abuse so that sedative replacement therapy will prevent or abort early withdrawal, thus sparing the patient a mortality equivalent to that of acute myocardial infarction or Russian roulette.", "PMID": 626555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6523", "title": "Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).", "content": "There is uncertainty as to the proper management of a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis who has had his disease for over ten years but has not been sufficiently symptomatic to warrant colectomy. Not all patients are at high risk to develop cancer. Wide extent and long duration of disease are correlated with increased risk. The ability to define a patient at risk beyond these single criteria are very limited. The definition and efficacy of the precancerous lesion observed in rectal biopsies is still a matter of dispute, and the routine use of proctocolectomy for patients with long-standing colitis is still not universally accepted. Careful follow-up is obviously indicated, but it is still uncertain whether roentgenography, colonoscopy, colonic biopsy, or a combination of these methods will ultimately prove the procedure of choice.", "contents": "Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). There is uncertainty as to the proper management of a patient with chronic ulcerative colitis who has had his disease for over ten years but has not been sufficiently symptomatic to warrant colectomy. Not all patients are at high risk to develop cancer. Wide extent and long duration of disease are correlated with increased risk. The ability to define a patient at risk beyond these single criteria are very limited. The definition and efficacy of the precancerous lesion observed in rectal biopsies is still a matter of dispute, and the routine use of proctocolectomy for patients with long-standing colitis is still not universally accepted. Careful follow-up is obviously indicated, but it is still uncertain whether roentgenography, colonoscopy, colonic biopsy, or a combination of these methods will ultimately prove the procedure of choice.", "PMID": 626556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6524", "title": "Carbamazepine-induced syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Reversal by concomitant phenytoin therapy.", "content": "The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, with marked hyponatremia, was observed in an elderly women who was taking carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia. Subsequent studies revealed this effect to be directly related to the administration of the drug. Substantial water retention has not been previously described in patients taking normal volumes of fluid and taking standard doses of carbamazepine. Additionally, it was determined that the antidiuretic effect of carbamazepine could be blocked by phenytoin. The actions of both drugs on renal water excretion, and the interactions of the drugs were observed to be dose-related.", "contents": "Carbamazepine-induced syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Reversal by concomitant phenytoin therapy. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, with marked hyponatremia, was observed in an elderly women who was taking carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia. Subsequent studies revealed this effect to be directly related to the administration of the drug. Substantial water retention has not been previously described in patients taking normal volumes of fluid and taking standard doses of carbamazepine. Additionally, it was determined that the antidiuretic effect of carbamazepine could be blocked by phenytoin. The actions of both drugs on renal water excretion, and the interactions of the drugs were observed to be dose-related.", "PMID": 626557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6525", "title": "Feminizing adrenocortical carcinoma with Cushing's syndrome and pseudohyperparathyroidism.", "content": "A patient with adrenocortical carcinoma had three major endocrine abnormalities attributable directly to the tumor: hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), hyperestrogenism (feminization), and hypercalcemia (pseudohyperparathyroidism). There were higher levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone in venous effluent from the tumor or its abdominal metastases compared to that found in the veins draining the parathyroid glands. This, together with the presence of normal parathyroid glands on autopsy, established the diagnosis of pseudohyperparathyroidism as the cause of hypercalcemia in this patient.", "contents": "Feminizing adrenocortical carcinoma with Cushing's syndrome and pseudohyperparathyroidism. A patient with adrenocortical carcinoma had three major endocrine abnormalities attributable directly to the tumor: hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), hyperestrogenism (feminization), and hypercalcemia (pseudohyperparathyroidism). There were higher levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone in venous effluent from the tumor or its abdominal metastases compared to that found in the veins draining the parathyroid glands. This, together with the presence of normal parathyroid glands on autopsy, established the diagnosis of pseudohyperparathyroidism as the cause of hypercalcemia in this patient.", "PMID": 626558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6526", "title": "Splenic sequestration with sickle cell-C disease.", "content": "During an episode of pneumonia and multiple pulmonary thromboembolic events, an adult male patient with sickle cell-C hemoglobinopathy developed a severe anemia associated with rapidly increasing splenic size and diminished splenic uptake of technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid, indicating diminished splenic function due to hypersequestration, a rare and noteworthy phenomenon in adult patients with sickle cell-C disease.", "contents": "Splenic sequestration with sickle cell-C disease. During an episode of pneumonia and multiple pulmonary thromboembolic events, an adult male patient with sickle cell-C hemoglobinopathy developed a severe anemia associated with rapidly increasing splenic size and diminished splenic uptake of technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid, indicating diminished splenic function due to hypersequestration, a rare and noteworthy phenomenon in adult patients with sickle cell-C disease.", "PMID": 626559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6527", "title": "Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula. An unusual complication of indwelling pericardial catheter and intrapericardial steroid instillation for the treatment of uremic pericarditis.", "content": "The drainage and instillation of poorly absorbable corticosteroids has recently been suggested as an laternative to the present modes of therapy for uremic pericarditis. One patient who underwent such a therapeutic approach subsequently had a left internal mammary artery to right internal mammary vein arteriovenous fistula develop. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the development of arteriovenous fistula after either pericardiocentesis or intrapericardial instillation of steroids.", "contents": "Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula. An unusual complication of indwelling pericardial catheter and intrapericardial steroid instillation for the treatment of uremic pericarditis. The drainage and instillation of poorly absorbable corticosteroids has recently been suggested as an laternative to the present modes of therapy for uremic pericarditis. One patient who underwent such a therapeutic approach subsequently had a left internal mammary artery to right internal mammary vein arteriovenous fistula develop. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the development of arteriovenous fistula after either pericardiocentesis or intrapericardial instillation of steroids.", "PMID": 626560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6528", "title": "Carcinoma of the parathyroid.", "content": "We report on eight cases of parathyroid carcinoma seen at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, since 1969. Diagnosis of a parathyroid disorder was made on the basis of elevated serum calcium levels and associated disorders such as renal calculi, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, and demineralization of bone. Six of the involved glands were on the left side. In seven patients, the disease was localized to the gland or adjacent structures; one patient had cervical lymph node invasion. Except for the last patient, in whom radical neck dissection and wide excision was done, local excision with adequate margins was the only procedure done. The patient with metastases died of his disease four years later. One patient died of myocardial infarction two years later, but had been normocalcemic in the interval between operation and death, and one patient is hypercalcemic and has had two local recurrences within a 3 1/2 year period. The other five patients are alive and well. The routine use of automated serum level determinations of all hospitalized patients has led to early detection of this malignancy, while it is still a stage I lesion in many instances. On the basis of this material, we conclude that radical neck dissection can no longer be advocated as a routine measure in the treatment of parathyroid carcinoma.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the parathyroid. We report on eight cases of parathyroid carcinoma seen at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, since 1969. Diagnosis of a parathyroid disorder was made on the basis of elevated serum calcium levels and associated disorders such as renal calculi, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatitis, and demineralization of bone. Six of the involved glands were on the left side. In seven patients, the disease was localized to the gland or adjacent structures; one patient had cervical lymph node invasion. Except for the last patient, in whom radical neck dissection and wide excision was done, local excision with adequate margins was the only procedure done. The patient with metastases died of his disease four years later. One patient died of myocardial infarction two years later, but had been normocalcemic in the interval between operation and death, and one patient is hypercalcemic and has had two local recurrences within a 3 1/2 year period. The other five patients are alive and well. The routine use of automated serum level determinations of all hospitalized patients has led to early detection of this malignancy, while it is still a stage I lesion in many instances. On the basis of this material, we conclude that radical neck dissection can no longer be advocated as a routine measure in the treatment of parathyroid carcinoma.", "PMID": 626571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6529", "title": "An assessment of routine liver scanning in patients with breast cancer.", "content": "A retrospective review of the value of routine perioperative liver scanning for patients with breast cancer was performed. The liver was considered to be normal in 231 of 234 patients. The hepatoscan uncovered only one patient with unsuspected metastases. There were eight false-positive studies. Measurements of liver function, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels separated true positive from false-positive hepatoscans for all except one patient. Abnormal liver chemistry studies also identified liver metastases in an additional follow-up group of 192 patients. The low yield of detection of hepatic metastases during the initial work-up of breast cancer patients suggests that routine hepatoscanning be abandoned unless there is evidence of abnormal liver function.", "contents": "An assessment of routine liver scanning in patients with breast cancer. A retrospective review of the value of routine perioperative liver scanning for patients with breast cancer was performed. The liver was considered to be normal in 231 of 234 patients. The hepatoscan uncovered only one patient with unsuspected metastases. There were eight false-positive studies. Measurements of liver function, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels separated true positive from false-positive hepatoscans for all except one patient. Abnormal liver chemistry studies also identified liver metastases in an additional follow-up group of 192 patients. The low yield of detection of hepatic metastases during the initial work-up of breast cancer patients suggests that routine hepatoscanning be abandoned unless there is evidence of abnormal liver function.", "PMID": 626572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6530", "title": "Appendiceal abscess revisited.", "content": "Appendiceal abscess developed in 2% of 2,621 patients with acute appendicitis seen between 1962 and 1976. While representing a commendable decline in frequency from earlier studies, in view of the demonstrated prolonged delay in seeking medical care, further decreases in incidence could be affected by increased patient education. Sixty-one of 68 patients underwent surgical drainage of the abscess, with a 28% complication rate. Interval appendectomy was performed in 42 cases, with a 19% complication rate. Two patients (3%) died. These rates do no differ appreciably from those reported during the preantibiotic era. Recurrent appendicitis developed in only one of 13 patients not undergoing interval appendectomy during a follow-up period averaging five years. Interval appendectomy should be withheld only in those poor-risk patients in whom the 10% to 20% incidence of recurrent appendicitis seems the smaller risk.", "contents": "Appendiceal abscess revisited. Appendiceal abscess developed in 2% of 2,621 patients with acute appendicitis seen between 1962 and 1976. While representing a commendable decline in frequency from earlier studies, in view of the demonstrated prolonged delay in seeking medical care, further decreases in incidence could be affected by increased patient education. Sixty-one of 68 patients underwent surgical drainage of the abscess, with a 28% complication rate. Interval appendectomy was performed in 42 cases, with a 19% complication rate. Two patients (3%) died. These rates do no differ appreciably from those reported during the preantibiotic era. Recurrent appendicitis developed in only one of 13 patients not undergoing interval appendectomy during a follow-up period averaging five years. Interval appendectomy should be withheld only in those poor-risk patients in whom the 10% to 20% incidence of recurrent appendicitis seems the smaller risk.", "PMID": 626573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6531", "title": "Abnormalities of phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics. Significance in septic and nonseptic burned patients.", "content": "The flow of phenylalanine, the essential amino acid precursor of thyroid hormone and catecholamines, was severely elevated in five septic burned patients (6.70 +/- 1.07 mg/kg) and six nonseptic burned patients (5.00 +/- 0.44 mg/kg) when compared with seven normal controls (2.10 +/- 0.33 mg/kg). Fasting serum concentrations of phenylalanine were elevated in the septic burned patients (2.33 +/- 0.37 mg/100 ml of serum) relative to the nonseptic patients (1.28 +/- 0.21 mg/100 ml) and the controls (1.01 +/- 0.15 mg/100 ml). The rate of appearance of the phenylalanine metabolite, tyrosine, after an oral phenylalanine dose was normal in all burn patients. Increased serum concentrations and increased flow of phenylalanine are an index of rapid protein catabolism, further augmented by sepsis in the thermally injured, and not a reflection of decreased hepatic conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine.", "contents": "Abnormalities of phenylalanine and tyrosine kinetics. Significance in septic and nonseptic burned patients. The flow of phenylalanine, the essential amino acid precursor of thyroid hormone and catecholamines, was severely elevated in five septic burned patients (6.70 +/- 1.07 mg/kg) and six nonseptic burned patients (5.00 +/- 0.44 mg/kg) when compared with seven normal controls (2.10 +/- 0.33 mg/kg). Fasting serum concentrations of phenylalanine were elevated in the septic burned patients (2.33 +/- 0.37 mg/100 ml of serum) relative to the nonseptic patients (1.28 +/- 0.21 mg/100 ml) and the controls (1.01 +/- 0.15 mg/100 ml). The rate of appearance of the phenylalanine metabolite, tyrosine, after an oral phenylalanine dose was normal in all burn patients. Increased serum concentrations and increased flow of phenylalanine are an index of rapid protein catabolism, further augmented by sepsis in the thermally injured, and not a reflection of decreased hepatic conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine.", "PMID": 626574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6532", "title": "Iatrogenic liver abscesses. A complication of hepatic artery ligation for tumor.", "content": "The use of hepatic artery ligation, with or without placement of an indwelling infusion catheter for the instillation of chemotherapy, became widely employed in the late 1960s. This was a natural outgrowth of observations that it was reasonably well tolerated in man if certain precautions were followed and that tumors in the liver, whether primary or metastatic, received the major portion of their blood supply by that vessel. As tumor necrosis following ligation was the anticipated result, it followed that undrained collections of nonviable tumor might well be expected to develop in a certain number of patients and that such collections would form intrahepatic abscesses. It appears that development of the complication does not adversely affect the result of the procedure, and this must certainly only be true because of recognition and proper therapy directed to the complication.", "contents": "Iatrogenic liver abscesses. A complication of hepatic artery ligation for tumor. The use of hepatic artery ligation, with or without placement of an indwelling infusion catheter for the instillation of chemotherapy, became widely employed in the late 1960s. This was a natural outgrowth of observations that it was reasonably well tolerated in man if certain precautions were followed and that tumors in the liver, whether primary or metastatic, received the major portion of their blood supply by that vessel. As tumor necrosis following ligation was the anticipated result, it followed that undrained collections of nonviable tumor might well be expected to develop in a certain number of patients and that such collections would form intrahepatic abscesses. It appears that development of the complication does not adversely affect the result of the procedure, and this must certainly only be true because of recognition and proper therapy directed to the complication.", "PMID": 626575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6533", "title": "Staged aortofemoropopliteal revascularization.", "content": "Staged proximal and distal revascularization may be required in some patients with combined aortoiliac and femoropopliteal disease due to inadequacy of the profunda femoris artery or distal popliteal arterial disease. When these situations arise, one may expect that the procedures may be performed with very low morbidity (10% in this series) and mortality (0.0% in this series). Moreover, one may expect satisfactory results in most cases. In our series of 20 patients, 72.7% of extremities undergoing distal revascularization after previous proximal revascularization remain improved with over three years' follow-up.", "contents": "Staged aortofemoropopliteal revascularization. Staged proximal and distal revascularization may be required in some patients with combined aortoiliac and femoropopliteal disease due to inadequacy of the profunda femoris artery or distal popliteal arterial disease. When these situations arise, one may expect that the procedures may be performed with very low morbidity (10% in this series) and mortality (0.0% in this series). Moreover, one may expect satisfactory results in most cases. In our series of 20 patients, 72.7% of extremities undergoing distal revascularization after previous proximal revascularization remain improved with over three years' follow-up.", "PMID": 626576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6534", "title": "Vaginitis emphysematosa. Importance of its radiologic recognition.", "content": "Vaginitis emphysematosa (VE) is a benign, self-limited condition characterized by a myriad of gas-filled spaces in the subepithelial lining of the vaginal wall, which give it a distinct radiographic appearance. Failure to make the correct diagnosis may lead to an inappropriate course of treatment, including surgery. Although it is considered rare, we have encountered five cases of VE in the course of a year.", "contents": "Vaginitis emphysematosa. Importance of its radiologic recognition. Vaginitis emphysematosa (VE) is a benign, self-limited condition characterized by a myriad of gas-filled spaces in the subepithelial lining of the vaginal wall, which give it a distinct radiographic appearance. Failure to make the correct diagnosis may lead to an inappropriate course of treatment, including surgery. Although it is considered rare, we have encountered five cases of VE in the course of a year.", "PMID": 626577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6535", "title": "Choledochal cyst. Etiological considerations and surgical management in 22 cases.", "content": "In a 14-year period from 1962 to 1976, there were 22 cases of choledochal cyst treated by two different approaches: choledochocystenterostomy to the duodenum in three and to the jejunum in a Roux-en-Y operation in four cases, and excision of the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy in 14 and with end-to-end anastomosis of the common bile duct in one case. There was one death in each group. In five cases, direct cholangiography, either operative or endoscopic, demonstrated a reflux of the contrast material from the biliary system to the pancreatic duct. In four cases, the amylase level of the cystic content was elevated, ranging from 182 to 50,820 Somogyi units. A reflux of the pancreatic juice into the biliary system was thought to be a possible cause of choledochal cyst. Excision of the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy in a Roux-en-Y operation seems to be the treatment of choice from the aspects of cholangitis, malignant change, and termination of the pancreatic reflux to the biliary system.", "contents": "Choledochal cyst. Etiological considerations and surgical management in 22 cases. In a 14-year period from 1962 to 1976, there were 22 cases of choledochal cyst treated by two different approaches: choledochocystenterostomy to the duodenum in three and to the jejunum in a Roux-en-Y operation in four cases, and excision of the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy in 14 and with end-to-end anastomosis of the common bile duct in one case. There was one death in each group. In five cases, direct cholangiography, either operative or endoscopic, demonstrated a reflux of the contrast material from the biliary system to the pancreatic duct. In four cases, the amylase level of the cystic content was elevated, ranging from 182 to 50,820 Somogyi units. A reflux of the pancreatic juice into the biliary system was thought to be a possible cause of choledochal cyst. Excision of the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy in a Roux-en-Y operation seems to be the treatment of choice from the aspects of cholangitis, malignant change, and termination of the pancreatic reflux to the biliary system.", "PMID": 626578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6536", "title": "Benign polypoid adenoma of the ampulla of vater. Treatment by double sphincteroplasty.", "content": "A patient with a symptomatic duodenal polyp was found at operation to have a 4 cm diameter adenomatous polyp of the ampulla of Vater, with both the common bile duct and pancreatic duct passing through the stalk and emptying from the polyp. The polyp was excised at the base of the stalk, and the two ducts reconstructed by a double spincteroplasty technique. The postoperative course and 2 1/2 year follow-up have been uneventful.", "contents": "Benign polypoid adenoma of the ampulla of vater. Treatment by double sphincteroplasty. A patient with a symptomatic duodenal polyp was found at operation to have a 4 cm diameter adenomatous polyp of the ampulla of Vater, with both the common bile duct and pancreatic duct passing through the stalk and emptying from the polyp. The polyp was excised at the base of the stalk, and the two ducts reconstructed by a double spincteroplasty technique. The postoperative course and 2 1/2 year follow-up have been uneventful.", "PMID": 626579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6537", "title": "A burning issue. Phantom limb pain and psychological preparation of the patient for amputation.", "content": "Fantasies concerning an amputated limb can contribute to the occurrence of persistent phantom limb pain. We report a case in which burning pain perceived as located in the amputated lower extremities was related to the patient's feelings about incineration of the removed limbs against her wishes. Hypnotherapy involving elucidation of the fantasy and suggestion was successfully employed in this case and may be a helpful approach in other such cases. Importantly, adequate preparation of the patient for amputation, including an awareness of concerns about the disposition of the limb, may help prevent pathological limb sensations.", "contents": "A burning issue. Phantom limb pain and psychological preparation of the patient for amputation. Fantasies concerning an amputated limb can contribute to the occurrence of persistent phantom limb pain. We report a case in which burning pain perceived as located in the amputated lower extremities was related to the patient's feelings about incineration of the removed limbs against her wishes. Hypnotherapy involving elucidation of the fantasy and suggestion was successfully employed in this case and may be a helpful approach in other such cases. Importantly, adequate preparation of the patient for amputation, including an awareness of concerns about the disposition of the limb, may help prevent pathological limb sensations.", "PMID": 626580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6538", "title": "Surgeons in the United States. Practice characteristics.", "content": "Data on practice characteristics were obtained as part of a national questionnaire study of surgeons in the United States. These included location and organization of surgeons' practices, use of nonphysician personnel, provision of ambulatory care, other professional activities, and variables associated with work load volume. A multivariate analysis was done to examine the relation between operative work loads and various practice characteristics. The variables associated with larger operative work loads were group or partnership practice, principal office not in a hospital, more nonphysician assistants in direct contact with patients, more hospitals in which operations were regularly done, and smaller proportions of nonsurgical patients. Group or partnership practice and nonsurgical practice were found to be most strongly related to operative work load.", "contents": "Surgeons in the United States. Practice characteristics. Data on practice characteristics were obtained as part of a national questionnaire study of surgeons in the United States. These included location and organization of surgeons' practices, use of nonphysician personnel, provision of ambulatory care, other professional activities, and variables associated with work load volume. A multivariate analysis was done to examine the relation between operative work loads and various practice characteristics. The variables associated with larger operative work loads were group or partnership practice, principal office not in a hospital, more nonphysician assistants in direct contact with patients, more hospitals in which operations were regularly done, and smaller proportions of nonsurgical patients. Group or partnership practice and nonsurgical practice were found to be most strongly related to operative work load.", "PMID": 626581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6539", "title": "A new technique for rapid endoscope-assisted intubation of the small intestine.", "content": "We describe a simple method for rapid intubation of the small intestine. The method was successful in 13 out of 14 attempts. A forward-viewing fiberscope, two endoscopic biopsy forceps, five rubber bands, and the tube to be positioned are required for the method. It should have broad application for the passage of tubes for small intestinal decompression, jejunal feeding, jejunal biopsy, and biliary and pancreatic drainage studies.", "contents": "A new technique for rapid endoscope-assisted intubation of the small intestine. We describe a simple method for rapid intubation of the small intestine. The method was successful in 13 out of 14 attempts. A forward-viewing fiberscope, two endoscopic biopsy forceps, five rubber bands, and the tube to be positioned are required for the method. It should have broad application for the passage of tubes for small intestinal decompression, jejunal feeding, jejunal biopsy, and biliary and pancreatic drainage studies.", "PMID": 626582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6540", "title": "Surgical correction of massive gynecomastia.", "content": "Massive gynecomastia can produce severe psychological problems for the patient. The surgical techniques employed for simple gynecomastia are not effective in correcting the displaced nipple and excess skin. Utilizing a dermal predicle technique, the excess fat and breast tissue have been removed, along with relocation of the nipple. Satisfactory results and acceptable scars have been obtained in four patients.", "contents": "Surgical correction of massive gynecomastia. Massive gynecomastia can produce severe psychological problems for the patient. The surgical techniques employed for simple gynecomastia are not effective in correcting the displaced nipple and excess skin. Utilizing a dermal predicle technique, the excess fat and breast tissue have been removed, along with relocation of the nipple. Satisfactory results and acceptable scars have been obtained in four patients.", "PMID": 626583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6541", "title": "Benign gastric ulcer in a patient with betazole-fast achlorhydria.", "content": "We report a case of benign gastric ulcer that occurred in a 50-year-old man with betazole hydrochloride-fast achlorhydria. The rarity of exceptions to the rule that ulcers in achlorhydric stomachs are malignant (to our knowledge, this is only the sixth reported case) confirms the wisdom of regarding such ulcers as malignant until proved unequivocally to be benign.", "contents": "Benign gastric ulcer in a patient with betazole-fast achlorhydria. We report a case of benign gastric ulcer that occurred in a 50-year-old man with betazole hydrochloride-fast achlorhydria. The rarity of exceptions to the rule that ulcers in achlorhydric stomachs are malignant (to our knowledge, this is only the sixth reported case) confirms the wisdom of regarding such ulcers as malignant until proved unequivocally to be benign.", "PMID": 626584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6542", "title": "Aneurysm formation in an expanded microporous polytetrafluorethylene graft.", "content": "Microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has recently been proposed as an arterial graft. Although excellent graft patency rates have been achieved both experimentally and clinically, aneurysm formation of the graft has occurred in a small number of cases. This report describes a further case of aneurysm formation in a PTFE graft five months after insertion. We discuss the possible causes of graft aneurysm formation and a newly developed reinforced form of PTFE graft.", "contents": "Aneurysm formation in an expanded microporous polytetrafluorethylene graft. Microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has recently been proposed as an arterial graft. Although excellent graft patency rates have been achieved both experimentally and clinically, aneurysm formation of the graft has occurred in a small number of cases. This report describes a further case of aneurysm formation in a PTFE graft five months after insertion. We discuss the possible causes of graft aneurysm formation and a newly developed reinforced form of PTFE graft.", "PMID": 626585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6543", "title": "Revascularization of the ischemic kidney.", "content": "Although acute renal artery obstruction causes cessation of kidney function, the viability of the nephron is often maintained by collateral circulation. When renal artery blood flow is restored, filtration is resumed and the resulting acute tubular necrosis is gradually resolved as renal tubular cells regenerate. We have observed several different mechanisms of acute renal artery obstruction resulting in anuric renal failure: temporary suprarenal placement of an aortic clamp during absominal aneurysmectomy, resulting in bilateral renal artery occlusion; embolus, presumably of cardiac origin, to a solitary kidney; and thrombosis of the distal aorta extending to a level proximal to the renal arteries. There is no correlation between the duration of renal artery occlusion and the viability of kidney parenchyma. Viability of the kidney can only be determined by visual inspection at operation and response to revascularization. When vascular obstruction is a possible cause of acute anuric renal failure, immediate angiography is indicated. If a correctable vascular lesion is identified, operative intervention is mandatory.", "contents": "Revascularization of the ischemic kidney. Although acute renal artery obstruction causes cessation of kidney function, the viability of the nephron is often maintained by collateral circulation. When renal artery blood flow is restored, filtration is resumed and the resulting acute tubular necrosis is gradually resolved as renal tubular cells regenerate. We have observed several different mechanisms of acute renal artery obstruction resulting in anuric renal failure: temporary suprarenal placement of an aortic clamp during absominal aneurysmectomy, resulting in bilateral renal artery occlusion; embolus, presumably of cardiac origin, to a solitary kidney; and thrombosis of the distal aorta extending to a level proximal to the renal arteries. There is no correlation between the duration of renal artery occlusion and the viability of kidney parenchyma. Viability of the kidney can only be determined by visual inspection at operation and response to revascularization. When vascular obstruction is a possible cause of acute anuric renal failure, immediate angiography is indicated. If a correctable vascular lesion is identified, operative intervention is mandatory.", "PMID": 626586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6544", "title": "Evidence for phenotypic mixing between newcastle disease virus (NDV) and a latent virus of BHK 21/WI-2 cells in the early passaged BHK21/WI-2 cells persistently infected with NDV.", "content": "NDV variants released from the early passaged BHK21/WI-2 cells persistently infected with NDV carry the structural antigen of a latent virus of BHK21/WI-2 cells as a result of phenotypic mixing between NDV and the latent virus.", "contents": "Evidence for phenotypic mixing between newcastle disease virus (NDV) and a latent virus of BHK 21/WI-2 cells in the early passaged BHK21/WI-2 cells persistently infected with NDV. NDV variants released from the early passaged BHK21/WI-2 cells persistently infected with NDV carry the structural antigen of a latent virus of BHK21/WI-2 cells as a result of phenotypic mixing between NDV and the latent virus.", "PMID": 626590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6545", "title": "Further studies on the Cowan strain of Staphylococcus aureus as an aid for the diagnosis of influenza.", "content": "Standardization of procedures leading to the identification of influenza viruses with the aid of sensitized staphylococci and also comparative studies between coagglutination and HI during 1976/77 influenza season are described.", "contents": "Further studies on the Cowan strain of Staphylococcus aureus as an aid for the diagnosis of influenza. Standardization of procedures leading to the identification of influenza viruses with the aid of sensitized staphylococci and also comparative studies between coagglutination and HI during 1976/77 influenza season are described.", "PMID": 626591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6546", "title": "Persistent infection of primary human cell cultures with rubella variant carrying DNA Polymerase activity.", "content": "Infection of primary human cells with a rubella variant carrying DNA polymerase activity resulted in persistent infection; infection with wild type virus caused death of the infected cells and a cytopathic effect.", "contents": "Persistent infection of primary human cell cultures with rubella variant carrying DNA Polymerase activity. Infection of primary human cells with a rubella variant carrying DNA polymerase activity resulted in persistent infection; infection with wild type virus caused death of the infected cells and a cytopathic effect.", "PMID": 626592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6547", "title": "[Effect of different environmental factors on the brain during animal ontogenesis].", "content": "The aim of the work was to follow in rats, mice and dogs effects of different environmental factors in certain postnatal periods on the weight indices of the brain. The following factors influenced the brain development: light deprivation, excess of nutrition during suckling period, excess of information. Changes in weight indices are more pronouned if the time of the effect coincides with that of intensive growth and maturation of the brain structure (N. I. Dmitrieva, 1966). Duration of the effects proportionally increases their influence.", "contents": "[Effect of different environmental factors on the brain during animal ontogenesis]. The aim of the work was to follow in rats, mice and dogs effects of different environmental factors in certain postnatal periods on the weight indices of the brain. The following factors influenced the brain development: light deprivation, excess of nutrition during suckling period, excess of information. Changes in weight indices are more pronouned if the time of the effect coincides with that of intensive growth and maturation of the brain structure (N. I. Dmitrieva, 1966). Duration of the effects proportionally increases their influence.", "PMID": 626594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6548", "title": "Morphogenesis of the nodamura virus in the larbae of the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella (L.).", "content": "The pathogenesis and morphogenesis of the Nodamura virus, an insect picorna- virus which can also infect vertebrates such as newborn mice, are described in the larvae of G. mellonella. Examination of thin sections of muscle, salivary and moulting glands, hemocytes adipose tissue and hypodermis of the infected larvae of G. mellonella shows in the cytoplasm the accumulation of viral particles either dispersed or in a stringlike or paracrystalline array. These arrays of virions can be within membrane- bound vesicles. Helical filaments of 110 A of diameter can be observed inside the basal membranes and later in the cytoplasm, in relation to the infection of muscular or adipose tissues. The morphogenesis of Nodamura virus in G. mellonella or in suckling mice is very similar to that of the Coxsackie A virus observed in the mouse.", "contents": "Morphogenesis of the nodamura virus in the larbae of the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella (L.). The pathogenesis and morphogenesis of the Nodamura virus, an insect picorna- virus which can also infect vertebrates such as newborn mice, are described in the larvae of G. mellonella. Examination of thin sections of muscle, salivary and moulting glands, hemocytes adipose tissue and hypodermis of the infected larvae of G. mellonella shows in the cytoplasm the accumulation of viral particles either dispersed or in a stringlike or paracrystalline array. These arrays of virions can be within membrane- bound vesicles. Helical filaments of 110 A of diameter can be observed inside the basal membranes and later in the cytoplasm, in relation to the infection of muscular or adipose tissues. The morphogenesis of Nodamura virus in G. mellonella or in suckling mice is very similar to that of the Coxsackie A virus observed in the mouse.", "PMID": 626593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6549", "title": "[Effect of hypokinesia and physical loading on the ultrastructure of cardiac myocytes].", "content": "The experiments were carried out in rabbits and rats during 1--7.5 months. They demonstrated increasing disturbances in ultrastructure of the protein synthesizing myocardiocyte apparatus. The major and most dangerous disorder is the deficiency in the myocardial apparatus, which is, evidently, the main cause in the reduction of the cardiac functional reserves. Externally, similar reaction of the organism in response to loading (treadmill)--deep fatigue--produces diverse ultrastructural changes in the myocardium depending on the initial adaptive level to motor activity. In rabbits, having satisfactory adaptation to motor activity, the loading (treadmill) results, mainly, in exhaustion of their energy storage. In disadapted animals it produces dangerous lesions in the contractile apparatus of the cardial myocytes.", "contents": "[Effect of hypokinesia and physical loading on the ultrastructure of cardiac myocytes]. The experiments were carried out in rabbits and rats during 1--7.5 months. They demonstrated increasing disturbances in ultrastructure of the protein synthesizing myocardiocyte apparatus. The major and most dangerous disorder is the deficiency in the myocardial apparatus, which is, evidently, the main cause in the reduction of the cardiac functional reserves. Externally, similar reaction of the organism in response to loading (treadmill)--deep fatigue--produces diverse ultrastructural changes in the myocardium depending on the initial adaptive level to motor activity. In rabbits, having satisfactory adaptation to motor activity, the loading (treadmill) results, mainly, in exhaustion of their energy storage. In disadapted animals it produces dangerous lesions in the contractile apparatus of the cardial myocytes.", "PMID": 626595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6550", "title": "[Variability of the superficial veins of the dog cerebrum with age].", "content": "In 42 dogs of the nine different ages, age changeability of the brain superficial veins is described in details. Topographic-anatomical peculiarities of the dog closely resemble those of the man and, moreover, the dog is often used as an experimental model. The work fills up one of the gaps in age morphology of the experimental animals. Besides, the data represented will help to make further conclusions, comparisons and experiments.", "contents": "[Variability of the superficial veins of the dog cerebrum with age]. In 42 dogs of the nine different ages, age changeability of the brain superficial veins is described in details. Topographic-anatomical peculiarities of the dog closely resemble those of the man and, moreover, the dog is often used as an experimental model. The work fills up one of the gaps in age morphology of the experimental animals. Besides, the data represented will help to make further conclusions, comparisons and experiments.", "PMID": 626597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6551", "title": "[Multimeasurement analysis of the quantitative spatial organization of epicardial lymphatic capillaries under normal conditions].", "content": "Principles of quantitative-spatial organization of the epicardial lymphatic capillaries have been studied in 26 normal dogs' hearts. Multimeasurable systemic models have been constructed to demonstrate how quantitative indices of metrical properties of the capillaries depend on the cardiac size. The possibility is discussed to apply the data obtained in the study of microcirculatory pathology of different genesis.", "contents": "[Multimeasurement analysis of the quantitative spatial organization of epicardial lymphatic capillaries under normal conditions]. Principles of quantitative-spatial organization of the epicardial lymphatic capillaries have been studied in 26 normal dogs' hearts. Multimeasurable systemic models have been constructed to demonstrate how quantitative indices of metrical properties of the capillaries depend on the cardiac size. The possibility is discussed to apply the data obtained in the study of microcirculatory pathology of different genesis.", "PMID": 626598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6552", "title": "[Mathematical relationship between the dimensions of the auditory ossicles and fetal age].", "content": "Having applied morphometric data obtained on more than 400 auditory ossicles from prefetuses and fetuses at different stages of intrauterine development, the dynamic changes of the greatest size of the malleus, incus and stapes were investigated in age aspect. Increase in size of the auditory ossicles was stated to occur unevenly, every bone having certain periods of the most intensive growth. Mathematical relation of the auditory ossicles growth has been revealed and presented graphically, in an equation. This relation makes it possible to establish mathematically the dementions of the auditory ossicles at any stage of their development. And, according to the auditory ossicles dementions, it is possible to ascertain the fetus age, the data useful for medicolegal practice.", "contents": "[Mathematical relationship between the dimensions of the auditory ossicles and fetal age]. Having applied morphometric data obtained on more than 400 auditory ossicles from prefetuses and fetuses at different stages of intrauterine development, the dynamic changes of the greatest size of the malleus, incus and stapes were investigated in age aspect. Increase in size of the auditory ossicles was stated to occur unevenly, every bone having certain periods of the most intensive growth. Mathematical relation of the auditory ossicles growth has been revealed and presented graphically, in an equation. This relation makes it possible to establish mathematically the dementions of the auditory ossicles at any stage of their development. And, according to the auditory ossicles dementions, it is possible to ascertain the fetus age, the data useful for medicolegal practice.", "PMID": 626599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6553", "title": "[Ultrastructural features of the interrelationship between nerve fibers and the surrounding tissue in the major arteries of rabbits].", "content": "The fine structure of nerve plexus in the rabbit abdominal aorta, ear and coronary arteries has been studied. Four types of the nerve fibre organization corresponding to different levels of sectioning their preterminal and terminal zones have been determined. Axons form large bundles which lose Schwann sheathes and divide into smaller and even single axons as they approach the distal end. Single axons make up contacts with effector cells without forming special synaptic structures. The smalles distance found between axon membranes and smooth muscle cells is 20 nm and 50 nm for the ear and coronary arteries, respectively. In the abdominal aorta, axons lie at a distance of several microns from the muscle sheath. Such arrangement supports the hypothesis of a \"distant\" nervous influence on the smooth muscle and indicates that the space of nervous influence comprises the tissue surrounding the blood vessel", "contents": "[Ultrastructural features of the interrelationship between nerve fibers and the surrounding tissue in the major arteries of rabbits]. The fine structure of nerve plexus in the rabbit abdominal aorta, ear and coronary arteries has been studied. Four types of the nerve fibre organization corresponding to different levels of sectioning their preterminal and terminal zones have been determined. Axons form large bundles which lose Schwann sheathes and divide into smaller and even single axons as they approach the distal end. Single axons make up contacts with effector cells without forming special synaptic structures. The smalles distance found between axon membranes and smooth muscle cells is 20 nm and 50 nm for the ear and coronary arteries, respectively. In the abdominal aorta, axons lie at a distance of several microns from the muscle sheath. Such arrangement supports the hypothesis of a \"distant\" nervous influence on the smooth muscle and indicates that the space of nervous influence comprises the tissue surrounding the blood vessel", "PMID": 626600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6554", "title": "[Morphologic and histochemical organization of the pericardial nervous apparatus of vertebrates and humans].", "content": "It has been stated that the neuronal apparatus of the vertebrate and human pericardium is represented by plexus of myelinated and amyelinated fibers, nerve cells and receptors. The plexus contain both cholinergic and adrenergic neuronal structures. Pericardial neuronal apparatus in the vertebrates and in man reaches its highes development. In the course of human ontogenesis, free diffuse receptors reveal themselves beginning from the 4th month, and more complex incapsulated ones--from the 5th month of the intrauterine development. Neuronal plexus of the fetal pericardium is formed by the 28th week. Cholinergic neuronal elements in the pericardium begin to reveal themselves at the 13th week, and adrenergic ones--at the 14th week of the intrauterine development. The main source of the afferent and vegetative innervation in the pericardium are inferior and superior thoracic cerebrospinal nodes, vagus nerves and branches from the nodes of the sympathetic trunk. Neuronal fibers composing diaphragmal and parasternal nerves and those of celiac plexus reach the pericardium, too.", "contents": "[Morphologic and histochemical organization of the pericardial nervous apparatus of vertebrates and humans]. It has been stated that the neuronal apparatus of the vertebrate and human pericardium is represented by plexus of myelinated and amyelinated fibers, nerve cells and receptors. The plexus contain both cholinergic and adrenergic neuronal structures. Pericardial neuronal apparatus in the vertebrates and in man reaches its highes development. In the course of human ontogenesis, free diffuse receptors reveal themselves beginning from the 4th month, and more complex incapsulated ones--from the 5th month of the intrauterine development. Neuronal plexus of the fetal pericardium is formed by the 28th week. Cholinergic neuronal elements in the pericardium begin to reveal themselves at the 13th week, and adrenergic ones--at the 14th week of the intrauterine development. The main source of the afferent and vegetative innervation in the pericardium are inferior and superior thoracic cerebrospinal nodes, vagus nerves and branches from the nodes of the sympathetic trunk. Neuronal fibers composing diaphragmal and parasternal nerves and those of celiac plexus reach the pericardium, too.", "PMID": 626601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6555", "title": "[Cytophotometric study of the DNA concentration in the supraoptic neurosecretory nuclei of the hypothalamus].", "content": "DNA content and distribution in supraoptic neuronal nuclei and in their satellites was studied in human subjects died under different conditions of hypothalamo-hypo-physeal neurosecretory activity: moderate (control) and high. In control observations, prevalence of diploid and paradiploid nuclei both in the secretory neurons and in the nuclei of glial satellites was noted. High neurosecretory activity was connected with a tendency towards increased DNA content in the neuronal nuclei, up to the appearance of some tetraploid elements. In the glial nuclei of the satellites, events of poliploidization were observed, that is, evidently, of adaptive character to maintain active functioning of the neurons under certain intensified conditions.", "contents": "[Cytophotometric study of the DNA concentration in the supraoptic neurosecretory nuclei of the hypothalamus]. DNA content and distribution in supraoptic neuronal nuclei and in their satellites was studied in human subjects died under different conditions of hypothalamo-hypo-physeal neurosecretory activity: moderate (control) and high. In control observations, prevalence of diploid and paradiploid nuclei both in the secretory neurons and in the nuclei of glial satellites was noted. High neurosecretory activity was connected with a tendency towards increased DNA content in the neuronal nuclei, up to the appearance of some tetraploid elements. In the glial nuclei of the satellites, events of poliploidization were observed, that is, evidently, of adaptive character to maintain active functioning of the neurons under certain intensified conditions.", "PMID": 626602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6556", "title": "[Effect of serotonin on the growth and differentiation of the cellular elements of the hippocampus during cultivation].", "content": "Dorsal hippocampal fragments taken from newborn rats (1--5 days) were grown in rotating tubes and Maximov's chambers both in a common nutritional medium, consisting of placental human serum, Eagle's medium with embryonal extract and addition of 3 mg/ml serotonin into the medium during the course of cultivation. Experimental and control hippocampal explants were examined 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 23 days after cultivation by means of light and electron microscopy. Comparative morphological investigation demonstrated that presence of serotonin in small concentrations in the nutritional medium of the hippocampal experimental cultures not only produced an increased growth and accelerated, comparing with control cultures, cytodifferentiation of neuronal and glial cells but also speeded up, to a considerable degree, the process forming glio-neuronal interrelations, myelinization including, and formation of interneuronal synaptic connections in them.", "contents": "[Effect of serotonin on the growth and differentiation of the cellular elements of the hippocampus during cultivation]. Dorsal hippocampal fragments taken from newborn rats (1--5 days) were grown in rotating tubes and Maximov's chambers both in a common nutritional medium, consisting of placental human serum, Eagle's medium with embryonal extract and addition of 3 mg/ml serotonin into the medium during the course of cultivation. Experimental and control hippocampal explants were examined 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 23 days after cultivation by means of light and electron microscopy. Comparative morphological investigation demonstrated that presence of serotonin in small concentrations in the nutritional medium of the hippocampal experimental cultures not only produced an increased growth and accelerated, comparing with control cultures, cytodifferentiation of neuronal and glial cells but also speeded up, to a considerable degree, the process forming glio-neuronal interrelations, myelinization including, and formation of interneuronal synaptic connections in them.", "PMID": 626603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6557", "title": "[Gammagraphic diagnosis of diaphragmatic abnormalities in children].", "content": "Hepatic and lung scanning were evaluated as complement methods of congenital defects in the diaphragm, 14 cases were evaluated in which the scan showed alteration on the morphology and function of the liver or lung. On 13 cases correlation was found between the surgical diagnosis and the scan. In 4 cases with diaphragmatic hernia (2 Morgagni and 2 Bochdalek) the scan showed that one portion of the hepatic tissue was localized in the thoracic cavity and in one case of diaphragmatic agenesis in the scan the liver occupied the whole right hemithorax. In 9 cases of diaphragmatic eventration the scan showed alteration of the pulmonary perfussion in large or small areas and generally the hepatic image was displaced towards the thorax. These results showed that the scanning is a trustworthy method and of great help in the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmaic malformations.", "contents": "[Gammagraphic diagnosis of diaphragmatic abnormalities in children]. Hepatic and lung scanning were evaluated as complement methods of congenital defects in the diaphragm, 14 cases were evaluated in which the scan showed alteration on the morphology and function of the liver or lung. On 13 cases correlation was found between the surgical diagnosis and the scan. In 4 cases with diaphragmatic hernia (2 Morgagni and 2 Bochdalek) the scan showed that one portion of the hepatic tissue was localized in the thoracic cavity and in one case of diaphragmatic agenesis in the scan the liver occupied the whole right hemithorax. In 9 cases of diaphragmatic eventration the scan showed alteration of the pulmonary perfussion in large or small areas and generally the hepatic image was displaced towards the thorax. These results showed that the scanning is a trustworthy method and of great help in the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmaic malformations.", "PMID": 626649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6558", "title": "[Intestinal pneumatosis. Analysis of 30 cured cases].", "content": "The study included 30 patients with gastroenteritis and pneumatosis intestinalis, seen at the pediatric hospital of the IMSS, who followed a satisfactory course. Complications and associated diseases were found in these patients to be less severe than in other patients who died. Lethality in this type of patients (33%) is analyzed together with the clinical records in 33 cases of death from gastroenteritis and pneumatosis intestinalis during the period from January 1974 to April 1975. It was found that the period of hospital stay was shorter than in the group that recovered; that complications leading to death were severe and of acute evolution among which, bronchopneumonia, septic shock, intestinal infarct and others, predominated. Decrease in lethality may be considered to lie in an earlier diagnosis together with prevention and treatment of pneumatosis intestinalis and its complications.", "contents": "[Intestinal pneumatosis. Analysis of 30 cured cases]. The study included 30 patients with gastroenteritis and pneumatosis intestinalis, seen at the pediatric hospital of the IMSS, who followed a satisfactory course. Complications and associated diseases were found in these patients to be less severe than in other patients who died. Lethality in this type of patients (33%) is analyzed together with the clinical records in 33 cases of death from gastroenteritis and pneumatosis intestinalis during the period from January 1974 to April 1975. It was found that the period of hospital stay was shorter than in the group that recovered; that complications leading to death were severe and of acute evolution among which, bronchopneumonia, septic shock, intestinal infarct and others, predominated. Decrease in lethality may be considered to lie in an earlier diagnosis together with prevention and treatment of pneumatosis intestinalis and its complications.", "PMID": 626651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6559", "title": "[The Landry-Guillain-Barr\u00e9-Strohl syndrome].", "content": "Landry-Guillain-Barr\u00e9-Strohl syndrome or polyradiculoneuritis in children is becoming more common. The clinical picture is variable, it may be manifested by motor and sensory findings or by a combination of peripheral and cranial nerve signs and symptoms. This is a report of 60 patients observed at the DIF Children's Hospital between 1971 and 1977. The most significant early predictor of eventual incomplete recovery was the time required for improvement to begin after the maximum involvement was reached.", "contents": "[The Landry-Guillain-Barr\u00e9-Strohl syndrome]. Landry-Guillain-Barr\u00e9-Strohl syndrome or polyradiculoneuritis in children is becoming more common. The clinical picture is variable, it may be manifested by motor and sensory findings or by a combination of peripheral and cranial nerve signs and symptoms. This is a report of 60 patients observed at the DIF Children's Hospital between 1971 and 1977. The most significant early predictor of eventual incomplete recovery was the time required for improvement to begin after the maximum involvement was reached.", "PMID": 626650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6560", "title": "[Duodenal obstruction in the newborn infant].", "content": "The autors present their experience with nine cases of duodenal obstruction in newborns, admitted to this hospital between Janurary, 1972 and January, 1977. Six babies had duodenal atresia and three had stenosis. Two groups were formed based on the patient's weight: Group one (good prognosis) patients with weight above 2.500 g. Group two (poor prognosis) patient's weight under 2.500 g. All the patients of the first group survived and all the patients of the second died. The overall mortality was 4/9. All the patients from the second group (poor prognosis) also showed associated congenital malformations (esophageal atresia, multiple atresias, urological and cardiac disease). Even if the number of cases is not statistically significant, it seems that the weight of the baby and the associated malformations bear on the final outcome of these patients.", "contents": "[Duodenal obstruction in the newborn infant]. The autors present their experience with nine cases of duodenal obstruction in newborns, admitted to this hospital between Janurary, 1972 and January, 1977. Six babies had duodenal atresia and three had stenosis. Two groups were formed based on the patient's weight: Group one (good prognosis) patients with weight above 2.500 g. Group two (poor prognosis) patient's weight under 2.500 g. All the patients of the first group survived and all the patients of the second died. The overall mortality was 4/9. All the patients from the second group (poor prognosis) also showed associated congenital malformations (esophageal atresia, multiple atresias, urological and cardiac disease). Even if the number of cases is not statistically significant, it seems that the weight of the baby and the associated malformations bear on the final outcome of these patients.", "PMID": 626653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6561", "title": "[Hemodynamometabolic changes in shock in infants. Report of 2 cases].", "content": "Two cases of infants with shock are presented. Cardiac output was determined in both with dilution dye using an auricular oxymeter, with three determinations: at 0, 30 and 60 minutes while receiving intranvenous fluids. At the same time, blood gases and blood lactatewere determined. The first case showed hypodynamic shock secondary to hypovolemia due to severe dehydration, associated to low central venous pressure, low arterial tension, increased peripheral resistance and increased arteriovenous difference of oxygen. The second case was a newborn with sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation with hyperdynamic shock with very high cardiac output, low peripheral resistance and low arteriovenous difference of oxygen. Both cases had an initial increase of lactate and a mild decrease at the end of the period of clinical observation.", "contents": "[Hemodynamometabolic changes in shock in infants. Report of 2 cases]. Two cases of infants with shock are presented. Cardiac output was determined in both with dilution dye using an auricular oxymeter, with three determinations: at 0, 30 and 60 minutes while receiving intranvenous fluids. At the same time, blood gases and blood lactatewere determined. The first case showed hypodynamic shock secondary to hypovolemia due to severe dehydration, associated to low central venous pressure, low arterial tension, increased peripheral resistance and increased arteriovenous difference of oxygen. The second case was a newborn with sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation with hyperdynamic shock with very high cardiac output, low peripheral resistance and low arteriovenous difference of oxygen. Both cases had an initial increase of lactate and a mild decrease at the end of the period of clinical observation.", "PMID": 626652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6562", "title": "[Cloverleaf cranial anomaly. Report of 2 cases].", "content": "Two cases of cloverleaf anomaly are presented. The first one was associated to complete spina bifida and flexion of elbows and knees, and the second to syndactyly of 3rd and 4th fingers of both hands; short, broad and swerved thumbs; rudimentary bilateral preaxial polydactyly, pes varus with broad first metatarsus. Authors agree with the opinion that this anomaly is a sign which may occur in disorders with early craniosynostosis and emphasise the importance of the identification of the underlying disorder because, knowing its pattern of inheritance, a proper genetic advice may be rendered. The neurosurgical procedure can be useful for cosmetic purposes and for encephalitic decompression, but the results are somewhat unsatisfactory because of the severity of the defect.", "contents": "[Cloverleaf cranial anomaly. Report of 2 cases]. Two cases of cloverleaf anomaly are presented. The first one was associated to complete spina bifida and flexion of elbows and knees, and the second to syndactyly of 3rd and 4th fingers of both hands; short, broad and swerved thumbs; rudimentary bilateral preaxial polydactyly, pes varus with broad first metatarsus. Authors agree with the opinion that this anomaly is a sign which may occur in disorders with early craniosynostosis and emphasise the importance of the identification of the underlying disorder because, knowing its pattern of inheritance, a proper genetic advice may be rendered. The neurosurgical procedure can be useful for cosmetic purposes and for encephalitic decompression, but the results are somewhat unsatisfactory because of the severity of the defect.", "PMID": 626655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6563", "title": "Do patients take digoxin?", "content": "Plasma digoxin concentrations on admission to hospital have been compared with levels on day 8 in a group of 50 patients who were maintained on their preadmission digoxin doses for 7 days. In the absence of a change in renal function, 18 patients (36%) had higher levels on day 8 and were considered to be non-compliant: a further 7 patients (14%) had lower levels on day 8 suggesting that before admission they had been taking more than their prescribed digoxin dose. Fifty per cent were, therefore, taking their digoxin improperly. In addition, an incorrect dose of digoxin may have been prescribed in 14 patients (28%) with plasma digoxin concentrations either below 0.8 ng/ml (1.02nmol/l) or above 2.0 ng/ml (2.56 nmol/l) on day 8. Long-term compliance was assessed by comparing day 8 'steady state' digoxin levels with those obtained at outpatient follow-up. Thirty of the original group were studied at 4 weeks when 27 per cent were considered non-compliant, and 20 at 3 months when 30 per cent were non-compliant. These results have serious implications both for drug prescribing and for the treatment of disease, and suggest that a problem of communication exists between doctors and their patients.", "contents": "Do patients take digoxin? Plasma digoxin concentrations on admission to hospital have been compared with levels on day 8 in a group of 50 patients who were maintained on their preadmission digoxin doses for 7 days. In the absence of a change in renal function, 18 patients (36%) had higher levels on day 8 and were considered to be non-compliant: a further 7 patients (14%) had lower levels on day 8 suggesting that before admission they had been taking more than their prescribed digoxin dose. Fifty per cent were, therefore, taking their digoxin improperly. In addition, an incorrect dose of digoxin may have been prescribed in 14 patients (28%) with plasma digoxin concentrations either below 0.8 ng/ml (1.02nmol/l) or above 2.0 ng/ml (2.56 nmol/l) on day 8. Long-term compliance was assessed by comparing day 8 'steady state' digoxin levels with those obtained at outpatient follow-up. Thirty of the original group were studied at 4 weeks when 27 per cent were considered non-compliant, and 20 at 3 months when 30 per cent were non-compliant. These results have serious implications both for drug prescribing and for the treatment of disease, and suggest that a problem of communication exists between doctors and their patients.", "PMID": 626660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6564", "title": "[Aplasia cutis congenita].", "content": "Communication of fifteen cases of Aplasia Cutis Congenita, seen from 1971 to 1977, in the Department of Pediatric Dermatology at the Hospital del Ni\u00f1o DIF (formerly IMAN). Patients of both sexes were equally affected. The scalp was by far the most common location of lesions. Lesiones were usually single and when multiple, they were symmetrical. The family history for the disease was negative. No relationship could be found with obstetric trauma or with the number of pregnancies. Epithelialized lesions were present in fourteen cases and ulcerated lesions in one. The more frequent congenital associated malformations were: cutaneous, neurological, ocular and osseous.", "contents": "[Aplasia cutis congenita]. Communication of fifteen cases of Aplasia Cutis Congenita, seen from 1971 to 1977, in the Department of Pediatric Dermatology at the Hospital del Ni\u00f1o DIF (formerly IMAN). Patients of both sexes were equally affected. The scalp was by far the most common location of lesions. Lesiones were usually single and when multiple, they were symmetrical. The family history for the disease was negative. No relationship could be found with obstetric trauma or with the number of pregnancies. Epithelialized lesions were present in fourteen cases and ulcerated lesions in one. The more frequent congenital associated malformations were: cutaneous, neurological, ocular and osseous.", "PMID": 626656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6565", "title": "[Organic causes of intestinal intussusception].", "content": "Most of the case of intussuception are considered idiopathic, up to 90-95%. In only a small proportion of them an organic cause is identified. The authors reviewed their experience, including 80 cases of intussusception out of which, 14 showed an organic cause. Six cases were lymphomas, four lymphoid hyperplasia of the colon, two Meckel's diverticulum, one enteric cyst and one Henoch's purpura. An organic cause should be suspected in a child with intussusception who is older than the typical idiopathic intussusception age (6-8 months). Also in those cases with a history of a chronic intussusception.", "contents": "[Organic causes of intestinal intussusception]. Most of the case of intussuception are considered idiopathic, up to 90-95%. In only a small proportion of them an organic cause is identified. The authors reviewed their experience, including 80 cases of intussusception out of which, 14 showed an organic cause. Six cases were lymphomas, four lymphoid hyperplasia of the colon, two Meckel's diverticulum, one enteric cyst and one Henoch's purpura. An organic cause should be suspected in a child with intussusception who is older than the typical idiopathic intussusception age (6-8 months). Also in those cases with a history of a chronic intussusception.", "PMID": 626654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6566", "title": "Conducting tissues in congenitally corrected transposition with situs inversus.", "content": "Three cases of congenitally corrected transposition in situs inversus individuals were characterised by visceroatrial situs inversus, atrioventricular discordance, and ventiruloarterial discordance: one case was studied clinically, and the other 2 were necropsy specimens. The disposition of the atrioventricular conducting tissues was established in each case, in the living patient by intraoperative mapping, and in the necropsy specimens by histopathological investigation. In all, the connecting atrioventricular bundle arose from a normally situated posterior atrioventricular node, normally related to the landmarks of the atrial septum. Though anterior nodes were identified in the necropsy specimens, as reported in congenitally corrected transposition in situs individuals, they differed from those in the latter situation in that they made no atrioventricular connection. These findings have obvious surgical importance. It is suggested that the posterior connection is related to the good septal alignment in these cases which lacked significant septal defects. Posterior connections are not necessarily present in all situs inversus individuals with corrected transposition, particularly when there are malalignment ventricular septal defects: further studies are required in such cases.", "contents": "Conducting tissues in congenitally corrected transposition with situs inversus. Three cases of congenitally corrected transposition in situs inversus individuals were characterised by visceroatrial situs inversus, atrioventricular discordance, and ventiruloarterial discordance: one case was studied clinically, and the other 2 were necropsy specimens. The disposition of the atrioventricular conducting tissues was established in each case, in the living patient by intraoperative mapping, and in the necropsy specimens by histopathological investigation. In all, the connecting atrioventricular bundle arose from a normally situated posterior atrioventricular node, normally related to the landmarks of the atrial septum. Though anterior nodes were identified in the necropsy specimens, as reported in congenitally corrected transposition in situs individuals, they differed from those in the latter situation in that they made no atrioventricular connection. These findings have obvious surgical importance. It is suggested that the posterior connection is related to the good septal alignment in these cases which lacked significant septal defects. Posterior connections are not necessarily present in all situs inversus individuals with corrected transposition, particularly when there are malalignment ventricular septal defects: further studies are required in such cases.", "PMID": 626661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6567", "title": "Primitive ventricle with normally related great vessels and stenotic subpulmonary outlet chamber. Angiographic differentiation from tetralogy of Fallot.", "content": "Four patients with primitive ventricle and normally related great vessels with stenotic subpulmonary outlet chamber (Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis) are reported. The history, physical examination, and chest x-ray film are not helpful in distinguishing Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis from tetralogy of Fallot. Electrocardiogram often provides the first clue to the presence of Holmes' heart; left axis deviation with or without left ventricular hypertrophy is an unusual finding in tetralogy of Fallot, but common in Holmes' heart. Selective ventriculography is diagnostic: the right ventricular outflow chamber overlies the aortic root and aortic valve in the frontal view in Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis, but is to the left of the aortic valve in tetralogy of Fallot; no ventricular septum can be identified in Holmes' heart. The diagnosis can be suspected in a child with clinical features of tetralogy of Fallot but atypical electrocardiogram, and can be established by angiography.", "contents": "Primitive ventricle with normally related great vessels and stenotic subpulmonary outlet chamber. Angiographic differentiation from tetralogy of Fallot. Four patients with primitive ventricle and normally related great vessels with stenotic subpulmonary outlet chamber (Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis) are reported. The history, physical examination, and chest x-ray film are not helpful in distinguishing Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis from tetralogy of Fallot. Electrocardiogram often provides the first clue to the presence of Holmes' heart; left axis deviation with or without left ventricular hypertrophy is an unusual finding in tetralogy of Fallot, but common in Holmes' heart. Selective ventriculography is diagnostic: the right ventricular outflow chamber overlies the aortic root and aortic valve in the frontal view in Holmes' heart with pulmonary stenosis, but is to the left of the aortic valve in tetralogy of Fallot; no ventricular septum can be identified in Holmes' heart. The diagnosis can be suspected in a child with clinical features of tetralogy of Fallot but atypical electrocardiogram, and can be established by angiography.", "PMID": 626662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6568", "title": "Demonstration of pulmonary arteries by contrast injection into pulmonary vein.", "content": "Pulmonary venous injection of contrast medium in the near-wedge position produced a flow into the pulmonary arterial tree in 15 out of 21 children with cyanotic congenital heart disease. In 5 there was good opacification of both sides from a single injection. The technique provides an additional method of demonstrating the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries where surgical treatment is contemplated.", "contents": "Demonstration of pulmonary arteries by contrast injection into pulmonary vein. Pulmonary venous injection of contrast medium in the near-wedge position produced a flow into the pulmonary arterial tree in 15 out of 21 children with cyanotic congenital heart disease. In 5 there was good opacification of both sides from a single injection. The technique provides an additional method of demonstrating the anatomy of the pulmonary arteries where surgical treatment is contemplated.", "PMID": 626663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6569", "title": "Prolapsed mitral cusps in atrial septal defect. An erroneous radiological interpretation.", "content": "Forty patients with simple atrial septal defect had left ventriculograms using cineangiography and/or Elema or Sircam still films. All had open heart surgery and careful scrutiny of the mitral valve by experienced surgeons. Prolapse of the posterior cusp was diagnosed from angiography in 28 patients but was confirmed at operation in only 5. Another 5 had a different mitral valve abnormality and the remaining 18 had no clinical signs to suggest mitral valve dysfunction after operation. It is concluded that though true ballooning or prolapse of the mitral cusps may coexist with simple atrial septal defect, its presence is overdiagnosed from the appearances of left ventriculography on anteroposterior, lateral, and right anterior oblique views. Left ventriculography was equally unreliable in the exact recognition of other anatomical abnormalities of the mitral valve in secundum defect, but accurate when the mitral valve was pronounced to be structurally normal.", "contents": "Prolapsed mitral cusps in atrial septal defect. An erroneous radiological interpretation. Forty patients with simple atrial septal defect had left ventriculograms using cineangiography and/or Elema or Sircam still films. All had open heart surgery and careful scrutiny of the mitral valve by experienced surgeons. Prolapse of the posterior cusp was diagnosed from angiography in 28 patients but was confirmed at operation in only 5. Another 5 had a different mitral valve abnormality and the remaining 18 had no clinical signs to suggest mitral valve dysfunction after operation. It is concluded that though true ballooning or prolapse of the mitral cusps may coexist with simple atrial septal defect, its presence is overdiagnosed from the appearances of left ventriculography on anteroposterior, lateral, and right anterior oblique views. Left ventriculography was equally unreliable in the exact recognition of other anatomical abnormalities of the mitral valve in secundum defect, but accurate when the mitral valve was pronounced to be structurally normal.", "PMID": 626664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6570", "title": "Reassessment of changes in leucocyte and serum ascorbic acid after acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "After an acute myocardial infarction, there is an apparent acute fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid associated with an acute rise in white blood cells and serum cortisol. The apparent fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid is the result of the granulocytosis which occurs after the infarction. Estimations of ascorbic acid disclose that the granulocyte contains approximately half the ascorbic acid of the lymphocyte. When the granulocytosis subsides, the new population of white blood cells is depleted of ascorbic acid for at least 56 days, reflecting tissue desaturation which can be corrected by ascorbic acid supplements. Tissue desaturation is also reflected in subnormal serum ascorbic acid levels which persist also unless ascorbic acid supplements are given. Observations on normal subjects given infusions of tetracosactrin (Synacthen) show that adrenal stimulation can produce a similar rise in white blood cells and an apparent fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid concentration with the exception that the serum ascorbic acid remains unaltered. Therefore, while adrenal stimulation can mimic 'stress' with regard to the changes in the white blood cells, tissue depletion of ascorbic acid as reflected in the white blood cells and serum after a myocardial infarction requires a focus of damaged tissue.", "contents": "Reassessment of changes in leucocyte and serum ascorbic acid after acute myocardial infarction. After an acute myocardial infarction, there is an apparent acute fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid associated with an acute rise in white blood cells and serum cortisol. The apparent fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid is the result of the granulocytosis which occurs after the infarction. Estimations of ascorbic acid disclose that the granulocyte contains approximately half the ascorbic acid of the lymphocyte. When the granulocytosis subsides, the new population of white blood cells is depleted of ascorbic acid for at least 56 days, reflecting tissue desaturation which can be corrected by ascorbic acid supplements. Tissue desaturation is also reflected in subnormal serum ascorbic acid levels which persist also unless ascorbic acid supplements are given. Observations on normal subjects given infusions of tetracosactrin (Synacthen) show that adrenal stimulation can produce a similar rise in white blood cells and an apparent fall in leucocyte ascorbic acid concentration with the exception that the serum ascorbic acid remains unaltered. Therefore, while adrenal stimulation can mimic 'stress' with regard to the changes in the white blood cells, tissue depletion of ascorbic acid as reflected in the white blood cells and serum after a myocardial infarction requires a focus of damaged tissue.", "PMID": 626665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6571", "title": "[Myopathy and hypothyroidism].", "content": "Muscular disturbances in hypothyroid children are: generalized muscular weakness of proximal predominance, muscular hypotonicity, pseudohypertrophy (of gastrocnemius muscles chiefly), slow relaxation stage of osteotendinous reflexes, rise of muscular enzymes (CPK andaldolase), unspecific electromyographic changes and histopathologic disturbances comprised by persistent decrease of fibers type II. All these changes are reversible with thyroglobulin therapy; therefore they exert no influence on the prognosis of hypothyroid patients.", "contents": "[Myopathy and hypothyroidism]. Muscular disturbances in hypothyroid children are: generalized muscular weakness of proximal predominance, muscular hypotonicity, pseudohypertrophy (of gastrocnemius muscles chiefly), slow relaxation stage of osteotendinous reflexes, rise of muscular enzymes (CPK andaldolase), unspecific electromyographic changes and histopathologic disturbances comprised by persistent decrease of fibers type II. All these changes are reversible with thyroglobulin therapy; therefore they exert no influence on the prognosis of hypothyroid patients.", "PMID": 626657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6572", "title": "[Synovectomy in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis].", "content": "Results of 12 late synovectomies in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (6 knees, 5 wrists, 1 hip), have been evaluated. Synovectomies we performed in 5 patients with 7 to 11 years of evolution and with advanced joint lesions at the X-rays. Pain and inflammation disappeared in all synovectomized joints, but one year later the range of motion was slightly decreased in most of them. In the operated hip, the extent of motions decreased at first, but 6 years later it worked better than the opposite. It is concluded that synovectomy in JRA is useful, even with advanced joint lesions. For best results, present day criteria is to perform synovectomy early in the course of the disease.", "contents": "[Synovectomy in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis]. Results of 12 late synovectomies in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) (6 knees, 5 wrists, 1 hip), have been evaluated. Synovectomies we performed in 5 patients with 7 to 11 years of evolution and with advanced joint lesions at the X-rays. Pain and inflammation disappeared in all synovectomized joints, but one year later the range of motion was slightly decreased in most of them. In the operated hip, the extent of motions decreased at first, but 6 years later it worked better than the opposite. It is concluded that synovectomy in JRA is useful, even with advanced joint lesions. For best results, present day criteria is to perform synovectomy early in the course of the disease.", "PMID": 626658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6573", "title": "Critical assessment of diagnostic value of endomyocardial biopsy. Assessment of cardiac biopsy.", "content": "Right or left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy with the Konno or the Olympus bioptome was attempted in 73 patients aged 5 months to 61 years, with 82 per cent success. Light and electron microscopy showed non-specific features in over half the biopsies with new or diagnostically useful information in only 10 per cent of cases, usually as a result of electron microscopy. The method is safe but is of strictly limited diagnostic value and is likely to be of most help as a research tool in the biochemical study of cardiomyopathies.", "contents": "Critical assessment of diagnostic value of endomyocardial biopsy. Assessment of cardiac biopsy. Right or left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy with the Konno or the Olympus bioptome was attempted in 73 patients aged 5 months to 61 years, with 82 per cent success. Light and electron microscopy showed non-specific features in over half the biopsies with new or diagnostically useful information in only 10 per cent of cases, usually as a result of electron microscopy. The method is safe but is of strictly limited diagnostic value and is likely to be of most help as a research tool in the biochemical study of cardiomyopathies.", "PMID": 626666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6574", "title": "Correction of anomalous origin of left coronary artery using left subclavian artery.", "content": "A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is reported in which surgical correction by anastomosis of the left subclavian artery to the left coronary artery was performed at the age of 6 months. There was a dramatic clinical improvement, and at 22 months repeat angiocardiography disclosed a patent graft and remarkable improvement in left ventricular function. It is recommended that this is the operation of choice for infants in whom cardiac catheterisation fails to show a shunt into the pulmonary artery or the shunt is small.", "contents": "Correction of anomalous origin of left coronary artery using left subclavian artery. A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is reported in which surgical correction by anastomosis of the left subclavian artery to the left coronary artery was performed at the age of 6 months. There was a dramatic clinical improvement, and at 22 months repeat angiocardiography disclosed a patent graft and remarkable improvement in left ventricular function. It is recommended that this is the operation of choice for infants in whom cardiac catheterisation fails to show a shunt into the pulmonary artery or the shunt is small.", "PMID": 626667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6575", "title": "Technic and complications of percutaneous renal biopsy.", "content": "A detailed technique to carry out percutaneous renal biopsy is described, together with the complications found in 1,463 procedures. A total of 350 complications (24%) were found, but gross hematuria stood out as the most frequent. In most cases, hematuria was mild and disappeared spontaneously; only 3 patients required transfusion. Following biopsy, 57 cases showed arterial hypertension. One case developed perirenal abscess which was drained surgically. The most important complication was the development of renal pyogenic abscess in a case which ended up in nephrectomy. It is concluded that renal biopsy should be performed only in those cases where the benefit attained by the information surpasses the potential risk. Renal biopsy does not consist only in the taking of a specimen, but also in its adequate study by a specialist with knowledge in renal pathology.", "contents": "Technic and complications of percutaneous renal biopsy. A detailed technique to carry out percutaneous renal biopsy is described, together with the complications found in 1,463 procedures. A total of 350 complications (24%) were found, but gross hematuria stood out as the most frequent. In most cases, hematuria was mild and disappeared spontaneously; only 3 patients required transfusion. Following biopsy, 57 cases showed arterial hypertension. One case developed perirenal abscess which was drained surgically. The most important complication was the development of renal pyogenic abscess in a case which ended up in nephrectomy. It is concluded that renal biopsy should be performed only in those cases where the benefit attained by the information surpasses the potential risk. Renal biopsy does not consist only in the taking of a specimen, but also in its adequate study by a specialist with knowledge in renal pathology.", "PMID": 626659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6576", "title": "Computer-assisted review of digoxin therapy in the elderly.", "content": "Current practice with digoxin was assessed in a group of 42 elderly patients by comparing plasma digoxin concentrations attained on previously established maintenance doses with those generated by a computer programme designed to calculate dosage schedules to suit individual patients. Discrepancies between measured and computed plasma levels and between established and computed doses dictated withdrawal of the drug or revision of dosage in 26 patients (62%), with obvious clinical benefit. An important determinant of dosage was renal function; reduction in creatinine clearance provided good evidence for the loss of ability of the elderly kidney to eliminate digoxin. Simple bedside methods are available which permit a reliable estimate of creatinine clearance without a 24-hour urine collection, provoding a rational basis for the choice of digoxin dosage in the elderly.", "contents": "Computer-assisted review of digoxin therapy in the elderly. Current practice with digoxin was assessed in a group of 42 elderly patients by comparing plasma digoxin concentrations attained on previously established maintenance doses with those generated by a computer programme designed to calculate dosage schedules to suit individual patients. Discrepancies between measured and computed plasma levels and between established and computed doses dictated withdrawal of the drug or revision of dosage in 26 patients (62%), with obvious clinical benefit. An important determinant of dosage was renal function; reduction in creatinine clearance provided good evidence for the loss of ability of the elderly kidney to eliminate digoxin. Simple bedside methods are available which permit a reliable estimate of creatinine clearance without a 24-hour urine collection, provoding a rational basis for the choice of digoxin dosage in the elderly.", "PMID": 626668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6577", "title": "Postpartum coronary artery dissection.", "content": "A 27-year-old woman experienced anterior myocardial infarction three weeks after the delivery of her second child. Coronary arteriography subsequently showed primary dissection of the left coronary artery. This patient is believed to be the second reported survivor of angiographically proven peripartal left coronary artery dissection and the only such patient to achieve and maintain asymptomatic status for a prolonged period without operative intervention.", "contents": "Postpartum coronary artery dissection. A 27-year-old woman experienced anterior myocardial infarction three weeks after the delivery of her second child. Coronary arteriography subsequently showed primary dissection of the left coronary artery. This patient is believed to be the second reported survivor of angiographically proven peripartal left coronary artery dissection and the only such patient to achieve and maintain asymptomatic status for a prolonged period without operative intervention.", "PMID": 626669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6578", "title": "Left cervical aortic arch associated with aortic aneurysm.", "content": "An aortic arch extending into the neck is a rare congenital anaomaly. Left-sided cervical aortic arch was thought to be much less common than right-sided, but they are now almost equal in incidence in the published reports. This paper describes a case of left-sided cervical aortic arch in an adult, with a previously undescribed association, aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Cervical aortic arch must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulsatile cervical swellings. The embryological development of the aortic arch is discussed. This is still controversial and it is not possible to be sure of the embryological explanation of this congenital anomaly of the aortic arch from a study of the adult anatomy.", "contents": "Left cervical aortic arch associated with aortic aneurysm. An aortic arch extending into the neck is a rare congenital anaomaly. Left-sided cervical aortic arch was thought to be much less common than right-sided, but they are now almost equal in incidence in the published reports. This paper describes a case of left-sided cervical aortic arch in an adult, with a previously undescribed association, aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Cervical aortic arch must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulsatile cervical swellings. The embryological development of the aortic arch is discussed. This is still controversial and it is not possible to be sure of the embryological explanation of this congenital anomaly of the aortic arch from a study of the adult anatomy.", "PMID": 626670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6579", "title": "The prostaglandin challenge. Test to unmask obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connections in asplenia syndrome.", "content": "The patient with complex congenital heart disease, severe pulmonary outflow obstruction, and visceral heterotaxia, may have 'silent' obstruction of the pulmonary venous return. Severe reduction of pulmonary blood flow secondary to pulmonary stenosis or atresia in such patients may prevent the usual radiographic appearance of pulmonary oedema. If such obstructed anomalous pulmonary venous connections are not diagnosed before operation, construction of a systemic to pulmonary artery anastomosis will unmask the obstruction, usually resulting in pulmonary oedema and death. We have recently 'challenged' a neonate with dextrocardia, vesceral heterotaxia, presumed asplenia, and complex congenital heart disease including pulmonary atresia, with an infusion of prostaglandin E1 to increase pulmonary blood flow via his ductus arteriosus. This resulted in severe pulmonary oedema which partially resolved after the infusion was discontinued. This was interpreted as consistent with obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return. This was confirmed at necropsy. Thus, the infusion of prostaglandin E1 before operation in the patient with asplenia or similar cardiac disease may be of aid in unmasking 'silent' obstructions of the pulmonary veins, and is of obvious value in the preoperative assessment of such patients.", "contents": "The prostaglandin challenge. Test to unmask obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous connections in asplenia syndrome. The patient with complex congenital heart disease, severe pulmonary outflow obstruction, and visceral heterotaxia, may have 'silent' obstruction of the pulmonary venous return. Severe reduction of pulmonary blood flow secondary to pulmonary stenosis or atresia in such patients may prevent the usual radiographic appearance of pulmonary oedema. If such obstructed anomalous pulmonary venous connections are not diagnosed before operation, construction of a systemic to pulmonary artery anastomosis will unmask the obstruction, usually resulting in pulmonary oedema and death. We have recently 'challenged' a neonate with dextrocardia, vesceral heterotaxia, presumed asplenia, and complex congenital heart disease including pulmonary atresia, with an infusion of prostaglandin E1 to increase pulmonary blood flow via his ductus arteriosus. This resulted in severe pulmonary oedema which partially resolved after the infusion was discontinued. This was interpreted as consistent with obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return. This was confirmed at necropsy. Thus, the infusion of prostaglandin E1 before operation in the patient with asplenia or similar cardiac disease may be of aid in unmasking 'silent' obstructions of the pulmonary veins, and is of obvious value in the preoperative assessment of such patients.", "PMID": 626671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6580", "title": "An investigation of the centrally and peripherally mediated cardiovascular effects of etomidate in the rabbit.", "content": "In the decerebrate rabbit etomidate caused dose-related decreases in mean arterial pressure and preganglionic sympathetic nerve activity. There were no significant alterations in heart rate. Etomidate was found to have no effect on the baroreceptor reflex. In pithed animals the effects of etomidate were of short duration and of a lesser magnitude than in the decerebrate animal. It was concluded that the additional effects in the decerebrate rabbit were a result of depression of central cardiovascular control. It was found that etomidate was largely without effect on the cardiovascular system at normal anaesthetic doses (0.5-1 mg-kg-1). However, larger doses (2-8 mg kg-1) produced marked depression of central cardiovascular control, the myocardium and the peripheral vasculature.", "contents": "An investigation of the centrally and peripherally mediated cardiovascular effects of etomidate in the rabbit. In the decerebrate rabbit etomidate caused dose-related decreases in mean arterial pressure and preganglionic sympathetic nerve activity. There were no significant alterations in heart rate. Etomidate was found to have no effect on the baroreceptor reflex. In pithed animals the effects of etomidate were of short duration and of a lesser magnitude than in the decerebrate animal. It was concluded that the additional effects in the decerebrate rabbit were a result of depression of central cardiovascular control. It was found that etomidate was largely without effect on the cardiovascular system at normal anaesthetic doses (0.5-1 mg-kg-1). However, larger doses (2-8 mg kg-1) produced marked depression of central cardiovascular control, the myocardium and the peripheral vasculature.", "PMID": 626692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6581", "title": "The Bain system: gas flows in small subjects.", "content": "Rabbits weighing 2-4 kg were ventilated using a Bain type co-axial circuit. Acceptable blood-gas tensions were achieved with a tidal volume of 10 ml kg-1, a frequency of 40 b.p.m., and a fresh gas flow of 3 litre min-1. This technique may be applicable to neonatal anaesthesia.", "contents": "The Bain system: gas flows in small subjects. Rabbits weighing 2-4 kg were ventilated using a Bain type co-axial circuit. Acceptable blood-gas tensions were achieved with a tidal volume of 10 ml kg-1, a frequency of 40 b.p.m., and a fresh gas flow of 3 litre min-1. This technique may be applicable to neonatal anaesthesia.", "PMID": 626693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6582", "title": "Effect of pentazocine on renal blood flow.", "content": "Twenty dogs (weight 8-14 kg) were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone 25 mg per kg body weight and anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen. Respiration was controlled with a volume-limited respirator (PaCO2 4.7 +/- 0.4 KPa). Renal blood flow was measured with a square wave electromagnetic flow meter inserted through a left paramedian laparotomy. Renal blood flow decreased transiently following an i.v. injection of pentazocine. The decreases were 81% +/- 10.8 and 77% +/- 3 of the control following the administration of pentazocine 1 mg and 2 mg per kg body weight respectively (P less than 0.01). Renal blood flow returned to control values 10-15 min after the injection of the drug.", "contents": "Effect of pentazocine on renal blood flow. Twenty dogs (weight 8-14 kg) were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone 25 mg per kg body weight and anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen. Respiration was controlled with a volume-limited respirator (PaCO2 4.7 +/- 0.4 KPa). Renal blood flow was measured with a square wave electromagnetic flow meter inserted through a left paramedian laparotomy. Renal blood flow decreased transiently following an i.v. injection of pentazocine. The decreases were 81% +/- 10.8 and 77% +/- 3 of the control following the administration of pentazocine 1 mg and 2 mg per kg body weight respectively (P less than 0.01). Renal blood flow returned to control values 10-15 min after the injection of the drug.", "PMID": 626694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6583", "title": "A sensitive gas chromatograph assay for thiopentone in plasma.", "content": "A sensitive flame ionization gas chromatograph assay method has been developed for thiopentone in human plasma. The extraction procedure minimizes desulphuration of the drug while removing most endogenous substances and is limited by a maximum of 50 ng ml-1 in 2-ml plasma samples. There is linearity throughout the 30.0-5.0 microgram ml-1 and 5.0-0.1 microgram ml-1 ranges. Extraction of six replicate 2.5-microgram ml-1 samples resulted in a coefficient of variation of 3.0%. Similar treatment of six 0.20-microgram ml-1 samples afforded a coefficient of variation of 4.6%.", "contents": "A sensitive gas chromatograph assay for thiopentone in plasma. A sensitive flame ionization gas chromatograph assay method has been developed for thiopentone in human plasma. The extraction procedure minimizes desulphuration of the drug while removing most endogenous substances and is limited by a maximum of 50 ng ml-1 in 2-ml plasma samples. There is linearity throughout the 30.0-5.0 microgram ml-1 and 5.0-0.1 microgram ml-1 ranges. Extraction of six replicate 2.5-microgram ml-1 samples resulted in a coefficient of variation of 3.0%. Similar treatment of six 0.20-microgram ml-1 samples afforded a coefficient of variation of 4.6%.", "PMID": 626695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6584", "title": "A method of gas chromatography using electron-capture detection for the determination of blood concentrations of halothane, chloroform and trichloroethylene.", "content": "A method of gas chromatography using electron-capture detection for the determination of the concentration of the halogenated anaesthetic agents halothane, chloroform and trichloroethylene in blood is described. The accuracy of the analysis (measured blood concentration as a percentage of the calculated concentration) was: Halothane (11 blood samples in the range 37.9-6.00 mg/100 ml), mean 100.7 (SD 2.27), range 97.3-104.0; (12 samples in the range 0.164-0.0045 mg/100 ml), mean 98.8 (SD 6.80), range 90.7-111.1. Chloroform (five blood samples in the range 63.6-7.40 mg/100 ml), mean 100.4 (SD 1.30), range 99.3-102.5. Trichloroethylene (five blood samples in the range 20.6-13.2 mg/100 ml), mean 101.6 (SD 1.60), range 99.6-104.0.", "contents": "A method of gas chromatography using electron-capture detection for the determination of blood concentrations of halothane, chloroform and trichloroethylene. A method of gas chromatography using electron-capture detection for the determination of the concentration of the halogenated anaesthetic agents halothane, chloroform and trichloroethylene in blood is described. The accuracy of the analysis (measured blood concentration as a percentage of the calculated concentration) was: Halothane (11 blood samples in the range 37.9-6.00 mg/100 ml), mean 100.7 (SD 2.27), range 97.3-104.0; (12 samples in the range 0.164-0.0045 mg/100 ml), mean 98.8 (SD 6.80), range 90.7-111.1. Chloroform (five blood samples in the range 63.6-7.40 mg/100 ml), mean 100.4 (SD 1.30), range 99.3-102.5. Trichloroethylene (five blood samples in the range 20.6-13.2 mg/100 ml), mean 101.6 (SD 1.60), range 99.6-104.0.", "PMID": 626696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6585", "title": "Heat loss during anaesthesia.", "content": "The superficial and deep body temperatures of 23 patients were studied during prolonged anaesthesia for microscopic surgery of the fallopian tubes. The patients were divided randomly into three groups, receiving either halothane 0.5%, halothane 1% or low-dose fentanyl as a supplement to nitrous oxide, oxygen and myoneural block. Other variables were kept constant, and the theatre temperature was maintained at 24 degrees C. Temperature changes were unrelated to both the type of anaesthesia and the percentage of subcutaneous fat to body weight. Halothane 1% decreased the rate of heat loss in the 3rd hour. Large heat losses occurred on transfer to the recovery room, where the total heat produced increased rapidly and was unrelated to shivering.", "contents": "Heat loss during anaesthesia. The superficial and deep body temperatures of 23 patients were studied during prolonged anaesthesia for microscopic surgery of the fallopian tubes. The patients were divided randomly into three groups, receiving either halothane 0.5%, halothane 1% or low-dose fentanyl as a supplement to nitrous oxide, oxygen and myoneural block. Other variables were kept constant, and the theatre temperature was maintained at 24 degrees C. Temperature changes were unrelated to both the type of anaesthesia and the percentage of subcutaneous fat to body weight. Halothane 1% decreased the rate of heat loss in the 3rd hour. Large heat losses occurred on transfer to the recovery room, where the total heat produced increased rapidly and was unrelated to shivering.", "PMID": 626697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6586", "title": "Effects of a diazepam-fentanyl mixture on cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption in man.", "content": "The effects of a mixture of diazepam and fentanyl on cerebral blood flow (c.b.f.) and cerebral metabolism of oxygen (CMRo2) were studied in eight normal subjects and 13 patients with organic brain disease. The coupling of flow and metabolism and the carbon dioxide responsiveness of the c.b.f. were studied also. In the normal subjects the injection of the mixture resulted in a significant decrease in c.b.f. (34%), and a similar decrease in CMRo2 (34.5%). The vasoreactivity of the brain to carbon dioxide was maintained. C.b.f. decreased in all patients with intracranial pathology.", "contents": "Effects of a diazepam-fentanyl mixture on cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption in man. The effects of a mixture of diazepam and fentanyl on cerebral blood flow (c.b.f.) and cerebral metabolism of oxygen (CMRo2) were studied in eight normal subjects and 13 patients with organic brain disease. The coupling of flow and metabolism and the carbon dioxide responsiveness of the c.b.f. were studied also. In the normal subjects the injection of the mixture resulted in a significant decrease in c.b.f. (34%), and a similar decrease in CMRo2 (34.5%). The vasoreactivity of the brain to carbon dioxide was maintained. C.b.f. decreased in all patients with intracranial pathology.", "PMID": 626698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6587", "title": "High spinal nerve block for large bowel anastomosis. A retrospective study.", "content": "In a retrospective study, 68 large bowel anastomoses carried out on patients under subarachnoid or extradural spinal nerve block with light general anaesthesia were compared with 26 anastomoses on patients receiving general anaesthesia alone. Dehiscence occurred in 7.4% of anastomoses performed under spinal nerve block compared with 23.1% in the control group. In patients receiving morphine, anastomotic dehiscence occurred after 15.2% of operations, compared with 5.9% in patients receiving pethidine. These differences are not statistically significant. However, the findings indicate the need for larger prospective studies.", "contents": "High spinal nerve block for large bowel anastomosis. A retrospective study. In a retrospective study, 68 large bowel anastomoses carried out on patients under subarachnoid or extradural spinal nerve block with light general anaesthesia were compared with 26 anastomoses on patients receiving general anaesthesia alone. Dehiscence occurred in 7.4% of anastomoses performed under spinal nerve block compared with 23.1% in the control group. In patients receiving morphine, anastomotic dehiscence occurred after 15.2% of operations, compared with 5.9% in patients receiving pethidine. These differences are not statistically significant. However, the findings indicate the need for larger prospective studies.", "PMID": 626699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6588", "title": "Hyperglycaemic effects of Hartmann's solution during surgery in patients with maturity onset diabetes.", "content": "The metabolic effect of infusing 1.0-1.5 litre of Hartmann's solution to normal subjects and those with maturity onset diabetes has been studied during surgery. It was found that the use of Hartmann's solution after operation was associated with a 7.5 mmol litre-u increase in plasm glucose concentration compared with an increase of 2.1 mmol litre-1 in diabetic patients who received no i.v. fluids. In non-diabetic subjects who received Hartmann's solution the increase was 2.5 mmol litre-1. It is suggested that Hartmann's solution may be metabolically disadvantageous in diabetic patients.", "contents": "Hyperglycaemic effects of Hartmann's solution during surgery in patients with maturity onset diabetes. The metabolic effect of infusing 1.0-1.5 litre of Hartmann's solution to normal subjects and those with maturity onset diabetes has been studied during surgery. It was found that the use of Hartmann's solution after operation was associated with a 7.5 mmol litre-u increase in plasm glucose concentration compared with an increase of 2.1 mmol litre-1 in diabetic patients who received no i.v. fluids. In non-diabetic subjects who received Hartmann's solution the increase was 2.5 mmol litre-1. It is suggested that Hartmann's solution may be metabolically disadvantageous in diabetic patients.", "PMID": 626700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6589", "title": "Suxamethonium-induced muscle contracture following traumatic denervation in man.", "content": "The effects of the systemic and of the i.v. regional administration of suxamethonium were investigated in 23 patients with traumatic nerve injury. Following the systemic administration of suxamethonium 100 mg, normally innervated muscles showed muscle fasciculations initially, followed by muscular relaxation. On the other hand, denervated muscles did not fasciculate and, in 21 patients, manifested suxamethonium-induced contractures. In the other two patients no response was observed. In 10 of the patients, the i.v. regional administration of suxamethonium 5 mg was followed by a contracture of the denervated muscle which was maintained until the tourniquet was deflated. No systemic reaction to suxamethonium, other than mild ptosis, followed the release of the tourniquet.", "contents": "Suxamethonium-induced muscle contracture following traumatic denervation in man. The effects of the systemic and of the i.v. regional administration of suxamethonium were investigated in 23 patients with traumatic nerve injury. Following the systemic administration of suxamethonium 100 mg, normally innervated muscles showed muscle fasciculations initially, followed by muscular relaxation. On the other hand, denervated muscles did not fasciculate and, in 21 patients, manifested suxamethonium-induced contractures. In the other two patients no response was observed. In 10 of the patients, the i.v. regional administration of suxamethonium 5 mg was followed by a contracture of the denervated muscle which was maintained until the tourniquet was deflated. No systemic reaction to suxamethonium, other than mild ptosis, followed the release of the tourniquet.", "PMID": 626701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6590", "title": "Fracture of a float catheter. A case report.", "content": "Fracture of a balloon-tipped flow-directed catheter is described. The circumstances associated with the fracture are discussed, but no definite cause could be determined.", "contents": "Fracture of a float catheter. A case report. Fracture of a balloon-tipped flow-directed catheter is described. The circumstances associated with the fracture are discussed, but no definite cause could be determined.", "PMID": 626702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6591", "title": "A concept of diffuse actinic arteritis. The role of actinic damage to elastin in 'age change' and arteritis of the temporal artery and in polymyalgia rheumatica.", "content": "Actinic damage (actinic elastosis) affecting the internal elastic lamina appears to be the prime cause of 'age change' and arteritis of the temporal artery. Resorption and removal of altered elastin (elastolysis) is an integral part of the pathology of actinic damage. Actinic irradiation is probably responsible for the destruction and disappearance of a vast number of arterioles in elastotic skin. The intimate connection between temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica prompts the belief that the vascular and other internal malign components of the temporal arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome might likewise be due, albeit indirectly, to the same actinic cause. Actinic elastotic damage at the body surface could have this effect by provoking a state of systemic elastolysis. Although ultraviolet (uv) light is often regarded as the sole cause of actinic elastosis, penetrating infrared (heat) irradiation may deserve a large or even a dominant share of the blame.", "contents": "A concept of diffuse actinic arteritis. The role of actinic damage to elastin in 'age change' and arteritis of the temporal artery and in polymyalgia rheumatica. Actinic damage (actinic elastosis) affecting the internal elastic lamina appears to be the prime cause of 'age change' and arteritis of the temporal artery. Resorption and removal of altered elastin (elastolysis) is an integral part of the pathology of actinic damage. Actinic irradiation is probably responsible for the destruction and disappearance of a vast number of arterioles in elastotic skin. The intimate connection between temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica prompts the belief that the vascular and other internal malign components of the temporal arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome might likewise be due, albeit indirectly, to the same actinic cause. Actinic elastotic damage at the body surface could have this effect by provoking a state of systemic elastolysis. Although ultraviolet (uv) light is often regarded as the sole cause of actinic elastosis, penetrating infrared (heat) irradiation may deserve a large or even a dominant share of the blame.", "PMID": 626708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6592", "title": "Penicillamine pemphigus and the nephrotic syndrome occurring simultaneously.", "content": "Proteinuria and the nephrotic syndrome are well known to occur as complications of penicillamine therapy, but reports of penicillamine-induced pemphigus have been relatively few. This is the report of a case in which both complications occurred simultaneously.", "contents": "Penicillamine pemphigus and the nephrotic syndrome occurring simultaneously. Proteinuria and the nephrotic syndrome are well known to occur as complications of penicillamine therapy, but reports of penicillamine-induced pemphigus have been relatively few. This is the report of a case in which both complications occurred simultaneously.", "PMID": 626709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6593", "title": "A new apparatus for the delivery of high intensity UVA and UVA+UVB irradiation, and some dermatological applications.", "content": "A new apparatus consisting of a 200 W super pressure mercury lamp and a flexible light guide with a liquid light-conducting core is presented. Its transmission for UVA irradiation is more than threefold as compared to conventional quartz fibre optic bundles. The light guide is capable of transmitting density levels exceeding I W/cm2. UVA and UVB are transmitted. By inserting a filter platelet (WG 345) into the light guide the UVB is cut off. The output of the unfiltered guide is 700 mW (3570 mW/cm2), of the filtered guide 400 mW (2040 mW/cm2), centered mainly at 366 nm. The light apparatus proved useful for several dermatological applications. It replaces in many respects conventional Kromayer lamps, especially because the flexible light guide, which is 160 cm long and weighs only 210 g, can be brought into direct contact with the skin. Results of determining the minimal erythema dose (MED), of phototesting (8-MOP photoallergy, persistent light reactor, erythropoietic protoporphyria) and of photochemotherapy are given.", "contents": "A new apparatus for the delivery of high intensity UVA and UVA+UVB irradiation, and some dermatological applications. A new apparatus consisting of a 200 W super pressure mercury lamp and a flexible light guide with a liquid light-conducting core is presented. Its transmission for UVA irradiation is more than threefold as compared to conventional quartz fibre optic bundles. The light guide is capable of transmitting density levels exceeding I W/cm2. UVA and UVB are transmitted. By inserting a filter platelet (WG 345) into the light guide the UVB is cut off. The output of the unfiltered guide is 700 mW (3570 mW/cm2), of the filtered guide 400 mW (2040 mW/cm2), centered mainly at 366 nm. The light apparatus proved useful for several dermatological applications. It replaces in many respects conventional Kromayer lamps, especially because the flexible light guide, which is 160 cm long and weighs only 210 g, can be brought into direct contact with the skin. Results of determining the minimal erythema dose (MED), of phototesting (8-MOP photoallergy, persistent light reactor, erythropoietic protoporphyria) and of photochemotherapy are given.", "PMID": 626711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6594", "title": "Tests to establish the diagnosis in cholinergic urticaria.", "content": "Methods for establishing the diagnosis in cholinergic urticaria are reviewed and compared. Provocation by exercise or hot bath is more effective than local provocation by intradermal tests. Of the intradermal tests, responses to nicotine acid tartrate and acetyl beta methylcholine chloride are positive only in patients with the more severe, readily induced eruptions. Furthermore, intradermal testing is not always reproducible in the same patient. In our patients, exercise proved the simplest, most effective diagnostic test.", "contents": "Tests to establish the diagnosis in cholinergic urticaria. Methods for establishing the diagnosis in cholinergic urticaria are reviewed and compared. Provocation by exercise or hot bath is more effective than local provocation by intradermal tests. Of the intradermal tests, responses to nicotine acid tartrate and acetyl beta methylcholine chloride are positive only in patients with the more severe, readily induced eruptions. Furthermore, intradermal testing is not always reproducible in the same patient. In our patients, exercise proved the simplest, most effective diagnostic test.", "PMID": 626713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6595", "title": "Oral psoralen photochemotherapy of atopic eczema.", "content": "Oral administration of 8-methoxypsoralen followed by exposure to a high-intensity longwave ultraviolet treatment system resulted in clearing of atopic eczema in 15 patients. Paired-comparison studies demonstrated that this treatment was superior both to conventional ultraviolet light therapy and to no treatment. Short-term observation suggests that regular therapy is necessary to maintain remission of the disease.", "contents": "Oral psoralen photochemotherapy of atopic eczema. Oral administration of 8-methoxypsoralen followed by exposure to a high-intensity longwave ultraviolet treatment system resulted in clearing of atopic eczema in 15 patients. Paired-comparison studies demonstrated that this treatment was superior both to conventional ultraviolet light therapy and to no treatment. Short-term observation suggests that regular therapy is necessary to maintain remission of the disease.", "PMID": 626712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6596", "title": "Myocardial infarction, androgen and the skin.", "content": "Various indices of masculinity were compared in 48 men who had recovered from myocardial infarction and in their age-matched controls. We found little evidence to support the idea that myocardial infarction is related to increased androgenic stimulation. The patients with myocardial infarction had no increase in plasma testosterone, muscle thickness, sebum excretion rate, maximal sweat secretion rate, male pattern alopecia or density of terminal body hair, but as a group they had a slight increase in skin and bone thickness compared with the controls.", "contents": "Myocardial infarction, androgen and the skin. Various indices of masculinity were compared in 48 men who had recovered from myocardial infarction and in their age-matched controls. We found little evidence to support the idea that myocardial infarction is related to increased androgenic stimulation. The patients with myocardial infarction had no increase in plasma testosterone, muscle thickness, sebum excretion rate, maximal sweat secretion rate, male pattern alopecia or density of terminal body hair, but as a group they had a slight increase in skin and bone thickness compared with the controls.", "PMID": 626714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6597", "title": "Gluten-free diet in dermatitis herpetiformis. II. Morphological and immunological findings in the skin and small intestine of 12 patients and matched controls.", "content": "Twelve patients with dermatitis herpetiformis whose skin condition responded to a gluten-free diet (GFD) were re-examined after diet treatment. The findings were compared with those in matched patients on a normal diet. Jejunal histology revealed morphological improvement in every patient on a GFD whereas all patients on a normal diet continued to have villous atrophy. Intra-epithelial lymphocyte counts were normal in 8 patients on a GFD in contrast to one on a normal diet. Immunofluorescence examination of the jejunal mucosa revealed that the numbers of cells containing IgA and IgM were increased significantly in the normal diet group. The figures were lower in the GFD group but these also exceeded the values in the controls. IgA deposits were found in the uninvolved skin of every patient irrespective of the diet treatment, but the fluorescence seemed to be less intense in patients on a GFD. A clear difference was found in the occurrence of C3 deposits in the uninvolved skin. Three patients on a GFD had C3 deposits; two of these did not follow a strict diet. However C3 was found in 8 patients on a normal diet. Circulating dietary and auto-antibodies were found in two patients on a GFD and in 9 on a normal diet. Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement (C3, C4) levels were within normal limits in both patient groups.", "contents": "Gluten-free diet in dermatitis herpetiformis. II. Morphological and immunological findings in the skin and small intestine of 12 patients and matched controls. Twelve patients with dermatitis herpetiformis whose skin condition responded to a gluten-free diet (GFD) were re-examined after diet treatment. The findings were compared with those in matched patients on a normal diet. Jejunal histology revealed morphological improvement in every patient on a GFD whereas all patients on a normal diet continued to have villous atrophy. Intra-epithelial lymphocyte counts were normal in 8 patients on a GFD in contrast to one on a normal diet. Immunofluorescence examination of the jejunal mucosa revealed that the numbers of cells containing IgA and IgM were increased significantly in the normal diet group. The figures were lower in the GFD group but these also exceeded the values in the controls. IgA deposits were found in the uninvolved skin of every patient irrespective of the diet treatment, but the fluorescence seemed to be less intense in patients on a GFD. A clear difference was found in the occurrence of C3 deposits in the uninvolved skin. Three patients on a GFD had C3 deposits; two of these did not follow a strict diet. However C3 was found in 8 patients on a normal diet. Circulating dietary and auto-antibodies were found in two patients on a GFD and in 9 on a normal diet. Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement (C3, C4) levels were within normal limits in both patient groups.", "PMID": 626715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6598", "title": "Psoriasis in Sri-Lanka--a computer analysis of 1366 cases.", "content": "A clinical and epidemiological study of psoriasis in Sri-Lanka is presented. The prevalence in the population is estimated to be over 0.4%. The clinic incidence was 8.7%; of these 53.2% were male, and 46.8% female and 8.3% reported a family history of the disease. The mean age at onset was 25.2 years. The frequency distribution for the age at onset was bimodal with peaks at the second and fifth decades. The age at onset was significantly low in females, in patients with a family history of the disease, in those affected by weather changes and in patients whose disease was precipitated by sore throats. The existence of natural subpopulations of patients is suggested. Clinical types and complications of the disease were not essentially different from those observed in the West.", "contents": "Psoriasis in Sri-Lanka--a computer analysis of 1366 cases. A clinical and epidemiological study of psoriasis in Sri-Lanka is presented. The prevalence in the population is estimated to be over 0.4%. The clinic incidence was 8.7%; of these 53.2% were male, and 46.8% female and 8.3% reported a family history of the disease. The mean age at onset was 25.2 years. The frequency distribution for the age at onset was bimodal with peaks at the second and fifth decades. The age at onset was significantly low in females, in patients with a family history of the disease, in those affected by weather changes and in patients whose disease was precipitated by sore throats. The existence of natural subpopulations of patients is suggested. Clinical types and complications of the disease were not essentially different from those observed in the West.", "PMID": 626716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6599", "title": "Lymphocytotoxicity in mycosis fungoides.", "content": "The phenomenon of lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrated in 29 patients with mycosis fungoides, using a newly described epithelial cell culture system and an isotope marker, 125Iododeoxyuridine (125IUdR). Lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrated in patients in the generalized plaque and the erythroderma phases of the disease (P is less than or equal to 0.05). No significant lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrable in patients who were in the limited plaque (early) phase of the disease. It is hypothesized that this demonstration of lymphocytotoxicity in patients may be a manifestation of a delayed hypersensitivity response to an as yet unidentified antigen in the epidermis.", "contents": "Lymphocytotoxicity in mycosis fungoides. The phenomenon of lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrated in 29 patients with mycosis fungoides, using a newly described epithelial cell culture system and an isotope marker, 125Iododeoxyuridine (125IUdR). Lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrated in patients in the generalized plaque and the erythroderma phases of the disease (P is less than or equal to 0.05). No significant lymphocytotoxicity was demonstrable in patients who were in the limited plaque (early) phase of the disease. It is hypothesized that this demonstration of lymphocytotoxicity in patients may be a manifestation of a delayed hypersensitivity response to an as yet unidentified antigen in the epidermis.", "PMID": 626717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6600", "title": "A randomized controlled trial of selective planned delivery.", "content": "A prospective randomized controlled trial designed to investigate selective planned delivery is reported: 264 obstetrically normal women in the 38th week of pregnancy were admitted to this trial and 184 completed it. The infants of mothers in the planned delivery group had higher serum bilirubin levels on the fifth day post partum than control infants but no baby required treatment for hyperbilirubinaemia. Mothers in the planned delivery group required significantly greater amounts of pethidine while control mothers had a significantly higher incidence of meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. However, the infants in the two groups had similar Apgar scores at birth. There was one stillbirth in the control group; this was due to unrecognized fetal hypoxia during labour induced at 42 weeks for postmaturity.", "contents": "A randomized controlled trial of selective planned delivery. A prospective randomized controlled trial designed to investigate selective planned delivery is reported: 264 obstetrically normal women in the 38th week of pregnancy were admitted to this trial and 184 completed it. The infants of mothers in the planned delivery group had higher serum bilirubin levels on the fifth day post partum than control infants but no baby required treatment for hyperbilirubinaemia. Mothers in the planned delivery group required significantly greater amounts of pethidine while control mothers had a significantly higher incidence of meconium staining of the amniotic fluid. However, the infants in the two groups had similar Apgar scores at birth. There was one stillbirth in the control group; this was due to unrecognized fetal hypoxia during labour induced at 42 weeks for postmaturity.", "PMID": 626718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6601", "title": "Prostaglandins in the human umbilical circulation at birth.", "content": "Prostaglandin E (PGE), prostaglandin F (PGF) and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM) have been measured in umbilical cord plasma obtained immediately after delivery of the baby before clampiing of the cord. In general the prostaglandin levels followed the pattern PGFM greater than PGE greater than PGF. A significant arterio-venous difference was demonstrated only for PGE with raised venous levels (P less than 0.01). In cord blood samples obtained from infants whose mothers had received epidural anaesthesia, no arterio-venous difference for PGE could be demonstrated although the mean levels were not significantly different from controls. The concentrations of prostaglandins in umbilical cord plasma proximal to the placenta were found to rise continuously from the time of delivery of the baby with no significant changes after cord clamping or placental delivery. The possible physiological significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Prostaglandins in the human umbilical circulation at birth. Prostaglandin E (PGE), prostaglandin F (PGF) and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM) have been measured in umbilical cord plasma obtained immediately after delivery of the baby before clampiing of the cord. In general the prostaglandin levels followed the pattern PGFM greater than PGE greater than PGF. A significant arterio-venous difference was demonstrated only for PGE with raised venous levels (P less than 0.01). In cord blood samples obtained from infants whose mothers had received epidural anaesthesia, no arterio-venous difference for PGE could be demonstrated although the mean levels were not significantly different from controls. The concentrations of prostaglandins in umbilical cord plasma proximal to the placenta were found to rise continuously from the time of delivery of the baby with no significant changes after cord clamping or placental delivery. The possible physiological significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 626719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6602", "title": "The distribution of arachidonic acid in plasma and tissues of patients near term undergoing elective or emergency Caesarean section.", "content": "The distribution of arachidonic acid in both the free and the bound state was measured in the maternal circulation, the fetal circulation and tissues within the pregnant uterus in 16 patients undergoing Caesarean section. Half of the patients had an elective Caesarean section and half had a Caesarean section during labour. No differences in arachidonic acid concentrations were found between the maternal or fetal circulations in women having elective Caesarean section and those having a Caesarean section in labour. The total and bound values of arachidonic acid in myometrium were higher in patients undergoing Caesarean section in labour. There was also an increased amount of arachidonic acid when expressed as an arachidonic acid/palmitic acid ratio between the fetal circulation and the maternal circulation, suggesting an active transport mechanism for arachidonic acid across the placenta. Levels of free arachidonic acid were in microgram quantities in both plasma and tissues, suggesting that the availability of free arachidonic acid was not the limiting factor in prostaglandin production.", "contents": "The distribution of arachidonic acid in plasma and tissues of patients near term undergoing elective or emergency Caesarean section. The distribution of arachidonic acid in both the free and the bound state was measured in the maternal circulation, the fetal circulation and tissues within the pregnant uterus in 16 patients undergoing Caesarean section. Half of the patients had an elective Caesarean section and half had a Caesarean section during labour. No differences in arachidonic acid concentrations were found between the maternal or fetal circulations in women having elective Caesarean section and those having a Caesarean section in labour. The total and bound values of arachidonic acid in myometrium were higher in patients undergoing Caesarean section in labour. There was also an increased amount of arachidonic acid when expressed as an arachidonic acid/palmitic acid ratio between the fetal circulation and the maternal circulation, suggesting an active transport mechanism for arachidonic acid across the placenta. Levels of free arachidonic acid were in microgram quantities in both plasma and tissues, suggesting that the availability of free arachidonic acid was not the limiting factor in prostaglandin production.", "PMID": 626720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6603", "title": "The effect of pregnancy and two different contraceptive pills on serum lipids and lipoproteins in a woman with a type III hyperlipoproteinaemia pattern.", "content": "We report a woman who had a moderate elevation of serum triglycerides with a type III pattern of hyperlipoproteinaemia when taking a normal diet. She developed eruptive xanthomata with a grossly raised serum triglyceride concentration and chylomicronaemia when pregnant and also when taking a combined oral contraceptive pill containing 50 microgram of oestrogen. The xanthomata cleared and the triglyceride level fell when the combined oral contraceptive pill was changed to one with a lower oestrogen content, clofibrate was prescribed and the diet was restricted in carbohydrate and fat. Persistent chylomicronaemia is a serious complication of pregnancy because of the risk of pancreatitis and the potential risk of fetal malnutrition. Treatment with diet and clofibrate is indicated. High oestrogen-containing contraceptive pills appear to be contraindicated in patients with type III or other hypertriglyceridaemic states.", "contents": "The effect of pregnancy and two different contraceptive pills on serum lipids and lipoproteins in a woman with a type III hyperlipoproteinaemia pattern. We report a woman who had a moderate elevation of serum triglycerides with a type III pattern of hyperlipoproteinaemia when taking a normal diet. She developed eruptive xanthomata with a grossly raised serum triglyceride concentration and chylomicronaemia when pregnant and also when taking a combined oral contraceptive pill containing 50 microgram of oestrogen. The xanthomata cleared and the triglyceride level fell when the combined oral contraceptive pill was changed to one with a lower oestrogen content, clofibrate was prescribed and the diet was restricted in carbohydrate and fat. Persistent chylomicronaemia is a serious complication of pregnancy because of the risk of pancreatitis and the potential risk of fetal malnutrition. Treatment with diet and clofibrate is indicated. High oestrogen-containing contraceptive pills appear to be contraindicated in patients with type III or other hypertriglyceridaemic states.", "PMID": 626721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6604", "title": "Inhibition of lactation and inhibition of prolactin release after mechanical breast stimulation in puerperal women given tamoxifen or placebo.", "content": "Tamoxifen was given orally to 60 puerperal women to inhibit lactation. Twenty control puerperal women were given placebo. Fifteen women receiving tamoxifen and 15 women receiving placebo were studied before, during and after the use of a breast pump under basal conditions and after five days of treatment. Tamoxifen was effective in inhibiting lactation; no rebound phenomena were observed. Its administration was free from side effects. This drug was capable of preventing the prolactin release induced by mechanical breast stimulation. Placebo failed to inhibit lactation and had no effect on prolactin release induced by the use of a breast pump.", "contents": "Inhibition of lactation and inhibition of prolactin release after mechanical breast stimulation in puerperal women given tamoxifen or placebo. Tamoxifen was given orally to 60 puerperal women to inhibit lactation. Twenty control puerperal women were given placebo. Fifteen women receiving tamoxifen and 15 women receiving placebo were studied before, during and after the use of a breast pump under basal conditions and after five days of treatment. Tamoxifen was effective in inhibiting lactation; no rebound phenomena were observed. Its administration was free from side effects. This drug was capable of preventing the prolactin release induced by mechanical breast stimulation. Placebo failed to inhibit lactation and had no effect on prolactin release induced by the use of a breast pump.", "PMID": 626722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6605", "title": "Serum prolactin, gonadotrophin and oestrogen levels in women receiving hormone replacement therapy.", "content": "Prolactin, oestrone, oestradiol, FSH and LH concentrations have been determined in postmenopausal women receiving different forms of hormone replacement therapy. While the serum oestrogen levels achieved were sufficient to cause a significant decrease in circulating FSH and LH levels, no significant change in prolactin concentrations was found. Two other findings are of interest: despite the absolute concentrations achieved, the ratio of FSH to LH and the ratio of oestradiol to oestrone did not change significantly on any of the hormone formulations used; and while FSH and LH were both suppressed to a significant degree on therapy neither was suppressed to premenopausal values suggesting the possibility of a 'female inhibin' in the normal regulation of gonadotrophin secretion.", "contents": "Serum prolactin, gonadotrophin and oestrogen levels in women receiving hormone replacement therapy. Prolactin, oestrone, oestradiol, FSH and LH concentrations have been determined in postmenopausal women receiving different forms of hormone replacement therapy. While the serum oestrogen levels achieved were sufficient to cause a significant decrease in circulating FSH and LH levels, no significant change in prolactin concentrations was found. Two other findings are of interest: despite the absolute concentrations achieved, the ratio of FSH to LH and the ratio of oestradiol to oestrone did not change significantly on any of the hormone formulations used; and while FSH and LH were both suppressed to a significant degree on therapy neither was suppressed to premenopausal values suggesting the possibility of a 'female inhibin' in the normal regulation of gonadotrophin secretion.", "PMID": 626723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6606", "title": "Effects of nifedipine on myometrial activity and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea.", "content": "The effects of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on uterine activity and lower abdominal pain were studied during the first menstrual day in 10 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. Intrauterine pressure was recorded at three different levels by means of microtransducers. Nifedipine, 20 to 40 mg given orally, within 10 to 30 minutes effectively reduced the myometrial activity and relieved the pain. A moderate increase in heart rate, and a transient facial flushing were noted. In some patients receiving 30 or 40 mg this was associated with a slight headache. Otherwise no side effects were observed. It is suggested that calcium antagonists can be used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea and other conditions in which an inhibition of uterine activity is desirable.", "contents": "Effects of nifedipine on myometrial activity and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. The effects of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on uterine activity and lower abdominal pain were studied during the first menstrual day in 10 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. Intrauterine pressure was recorded at three different levels by means of microtransducers. Nifedipine, 20 to 40 mg given orally, within 10 to 30 minutes effectively reduced the myometrial activity and relieved the pain. A moderate increase in heart rate, and a transient facial flushing were noted. In some patients receiving 30 or 40 mg this was associated with a slight headache. Otherwise no side effects were observed. It is suggested that calcium antagonists can be used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea and other conditions in which an inhibition of uterine activity is desirable.", "PMID": 626724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6607", "title": "Spontaneous voiding after surgery for urinary incontinence.", "content": "Eighty patients with urinary incontinence were treated by colposuspension and bladder neck plication. Fourteen patients had difficulty in establishing normal micturition postoperatively. Of these, 10 patients took longer than 21 days to void and had reduced peak urine flow rates after surgery; the other four patients voided within ten days of surgery but had reduced peak urine flow rates before and after surgery and all had residual urines in excess of 100 ml following surgery. The value of the preoperative diagnosis of pre-existent bladder dysfunction by symptomatology and the peak urine flow rate is discussed.", "contents": "Spontaneous voiding after surgery for urinary incontinence. Eighty patients with urinary incontinence were treated by colposuspension and bladder neck plication. Fourteen patients had difficulty in establishing normal micturition postoperatively. Of these, 10 patients took longer than 21 days to void and had reduced peak urine flow rates after surgery; the other four patients voided within ten days of surgery but had reduced peak urine flow rates before and after surgery and all had residual urines in excess of 100 ml following surgery. The value of the preoperative diagnosis of pre-existent bladder dysfunction by symptomatology and the peak urine flow rate is discussed.", "PMID": 626725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6608", "title": "Haemorrhage into the anterior pituitary during pregnancy after induction of ovulation with clomiphene.", "content": "A 34-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhoea and primary infertility became pregnant after treatment with clomiphene. She developed pre-eclampsia. Visual symptoms were experienced due to rapid enlargement of the anterior pituitary gland. The patient was delivered by Caesarean section. At subsequent craniotomy the patient was found to have haemorrhage into the pituitary gland, but histological examination of the pituitary tissue which was removed revealed no tumour tissue. One year after delivery the patient was still amenorrhoeic and had galactorrhoea with hyperprolactinaemia indicating that she probably had a small pituitary adenoma which was incompletely removed during neurosurgery.", "contents": "Haemorrhage into the anterior pituitary during pregnancy after induction of ovulation with clomiphene. A 34-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhoea and primary infertility became pregnant after treatment with clomiphene. She developed pre-eclampsia. Visual symptoms were experienced due to rapid enlargement of the anterior pituitary gland. The patient was delivered by Caesarean section. At subsequent craniotomy the patient was found to have haemorrhage into the pituitary gland, but histological examination of the pituitary tissue which was removed revealed no tumour tissue. One year after delivery the patient was still amenorrhoeic and had galactorrhoea with hyperprolactinaemia indicating that she probably had a small pituitary adenoma which was incompletely removed during neurosurgery.", "PMID": 626726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6609", "title": "Axillary and vulval breasts associated with pregnancy.", "content": "A patient with accessory breasts in the vulval and axillary regions is presented. There was very little change in accessory breasts during and after pregnancy.", "contents": "Axillary and vulval breasts associated with pregnancy. A patient with accessory breasts in the vulval and axillary regions is presented. There was very little change in accessory breasts during and after pregnancy.", "PMID": 626727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6610", "title": "Risk of pre-term delivery in patients with previous pre-term delivery and/or abortion.", "content": "Patients with a history of two or more pregnancies which ended spontaneously before 37 weeks gestation had an increased risk of spontaneous pre-term labour and delivery in future pregnancies. This increased risk related mainly to previous second trimester abortions and not to previous first trimester abortions. Patients with one previous spontaneous pre-term labour and delivery had a 37 per cent risk, and those with two or more pre-term deliveries a 70 per cent risk of again delivering pre-term. There appeared to be no beneficial effect of cervical suture on the incidence of pre-term delivery in these patients.", "contents": "Risk of pre-term delivery in patients with previous pre-term delivery and/or abortion. Patients with a history of two or more pregnancies which ended spontaneously before 37 weeks gestation had an increased risk of spontaneous pre-term labour and delivery in future pregnancies. This increased risk related mainly to previous second trimester abortions and not to previous first trimester abortions. Patients with one previous spontaneous pre-term labour and delivery had a 37 per cent risk, and those with two or more pre-term deliveries a 70 per cent risk of again delivering pre-term. There appeared to be no beneficial effect of cervical suture on the incidence of pre-term delivery in these patients.", "PMID": 626728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6611", "title": "Effect of maternal glucose ingestion on fetal breathing and body movements in late pregnancy.", "content": "Fetal breathing movements and fetal whole body movements were observed over 2 hours in 22 normal singleton pregnancies between 34 and 38 weeks gestation using a real time ultrasonic B scan method. The proportion of time fetuses spent making breathing movements increased from 9.9 per cent to 48.3 per cent within one hour of their fasting mothers taking a 50 g glucose drink. Fetal whole body movements were not increased after maternal glucose ingestion. Arousal of the fetal central nervous system seems dependent on the level of fetal blood glucose.", "contents": "Effect of maternal glucose ingestion on fetal breathing and body movements in late pregnancy. Fetal breathing movements and fetal whole body movements were observed over 2 hours in 22 normal singleton pregnancies between 34 and 38 weeks gestation using a real time ultrasonic B scan method. The proportion of time fetuses spent making breathing movements increased from 9.9 per cent to 48.3 per cent within one hour of their fasting mothers taking a 50 g glucose drink. Fetal whole body movements were not increased after maternal glucose ingestion. Arousal of the fetal central nervous system seems dependent on the level of fetal blood glucose.", "PMID": 626729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6612", "title": "Non-pregnant maternal plasma volume and fetal growth retardation.", "content": "The hypothesis that low maternal blood volume is an aetiological factor in fetal growth retardation was considered. It was found that a high proportion of women who had repeatedly given birth to small-for-dates babies had a low non-pregnant plasma volume.", "contents": "Non-pregnant maternal plasma volume and fetal growth retardation. The hypothesis that low maternal blood volume is an aetiological factor in fetal growth retardation was considered. It was found that a high proportion of women who had repeatedly given birth to small-for-dates babies had a low non-pregnant plasma volume.", "PMID": 626730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6613", "title": "Pulsed oxytocin infusion in the induction of labour.", "content": "A randomized controlled trial was mounted in which induction of labour at term was successfully accomplished in 12 patients by amniotomy and intermittent (or pulsed) oxytocin, compared with 16 patients receiving continuous oxytocin. In the pulsed group, oxytocin was infused for one minute in every ten using a modified Cardiff Infusion System Mark III in the automatic setting. Compared with the control group the induction-delivery and induction-to-full-dilatation intervals were similar but the total dose of oxytocin required was significantly lower in the pulsed group than in the control group.", "contents": "Pulsed oxytocin infusion in the induction of labour. A randomized controlled trial was mounted in which induction of labour at term was successfully accomplished in 12 patients by amniotomy and intermittent (or pulsed) oxytocin, compared with 16 patients receiving continuous oxytocin. In the pulsed group, oxytocin was infused for one minute in every ten using a modified Cardiff Infusion System Mark III in the automatic setting. Compared with the control group the induction-delivery and induction-to-full-dilatation intervals were similar but the total dose of oxytocin required was significantly lower in the pulsed group than in the control group.", "PMID": 626731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6614", "title": "Anion diffusion selectivity in a pore model. The phosphatidylcholine-water lamellar phase.", "content": "The diffusion coefficients D(cm2.s-1) of the sodium salts of a series of hydrophilic mono- and dicarboxylic acids, have been measured in the hydrophilic layers of phosphatidylcholine-water lamellar phases, as a function of phase hydration. At pH 9.0, the diffusion rates of the anionic (RCOO-) form of the acid exhibit a prominent increase within a narrow range of water content, specific to each anion. This high diffusion rate seems to occur when the Stokes diameter of an anion is equal to the thickness of the aqueous layer between the two planes formed by the quaternary ammonium groups of the choline phosphate dipoles of two facing layers of phosphatidylcholine molecules. This phenomenon demonstrates the importance of the spatial organization of successive binding sites in the rate constant of diffusional processes in hydrophilic channels.", "contents": "Anion diffusion selectivity in a pore model. The phosphatidylcholine-water lamellar phase. The diffusion coefficients D(cm2.s-1) of the sodium salts of a series of hydrophilic mono- and dicarboxylic acids, have been measured in the hydrophilic layers of phosphatidylcholine-water lamellar phases, as a function of phase hydration. At pH 9.0, the diffusion rates of the anionic (RCOO-) form of the acid exhibit a prominent increase within a narrow range of water content, specific to each anion. This high diffusion rate seems to occur when the Stokes diameter of an anion is equal to the thickness of the aqueous layer between the two planes formed by the quaternary ammonium groups of the choline phosphate dipoles of two facing layers of phosphatidylcholine molecules. This phenomenon demonstrates the importance of the spatial organization of successive binding sites in the rate constant of diffusional processes in hydrophilic channels.", "PMID": 626733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6615", "title": "Charge-pulse relaxation studies with lipid bilayer membranes modified by alamethicin.", "content": "Charge-pulse relaxation studies with the alamethicin-lipid membrane system reveal a triphasic decay of membrane voltage. At short times (resolution time 2 microseconds), where a voltage decay due to the orientation of alamethicin dipoles from the interface into the membranes interior (\"gating current\") could possibly be expected, only a slow decrease with a time constant determined by the bare membrane conductance occurs. After approximately 1 ms (depending on the experimental conditions) the formation of alamethicin pores starts, leading to an increase in the voltage decay rate. When the characteristic voltage Vcpc is approached, pores close and after passing Vcpc the voltage decreases slowly again according to the bare membrane conductance. Vcpc is determined as a function of the initially applied voltage Vo, alamethicin and KCl concentration. Since the membrane voltage decreases continuously, the system does not reach the equilibrium states obtained at constant voltages. Taking the presented experimental results into account the estimate of the electrical potential at the functional membrane of photosynthesis induced by a saturating single turnover flash of deltaphio approximately 105-135 mV (Zickler, Witt and Boheim (1976) FEBS Lett. 66, 142-148) is changed to deltaphio approximately 200 mV.", "contents": "Charge-pulse relaxation studies with lipid bilayer membranes modified by alamethicin. Charge-pulse relaxation studies with the alamethicin-lipid membrane system reveal a triphasic decay of membrane voltage. At short times (resolution time 2 microseconds), where a voltage decay due to the orientation of alamethicin dipoles from the interface into the membranes interior (\"gating current\") could possibly be expected, only a slow decrease with a time constant determined by the bare membrane conductance occurs. After approximately 1 ms (depending on the experimental conditions) the formation of alamethicin pores starts, leading to an increase in the voltage decay rate. When the characteristic voltage Vcpc is approached, pores close and after passing Vcpc the voltage decreases slowly again according to the bare membrane conductance. Vcpc is determined as a function of the initially applied voltage Vo, alamethicin and KCl concentration. Since the membrane voltage decreases continuously, the system does not reach the equilibrium states obtained at constant voltages. Taking the presented experimental results into account the estimate of the electrical potential at the functional membrane of photosynthesis induced by a saturating single turnover flash of deltaphio approximately 105-135 mV (Zickler, Witt and Boheim (1976) FEBS Lett. 66, 142-148) is changed to deltaphio approximately 200 mV.", "PMID": 626734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6616", "title": "Biochemical characterization of the submicrosomal membrane of the rat brain. Selective solubilization of the components of the light smooth-surfaced membrane by lysophosphatidylcholine.", "content": "The light smooth-surfaced membrane, one of the three membrane fractions derived from the rat brain microsomal fraction, was fractionated into its soluble and insoluble parts by the use of lysophosphatidylcholine and the chemical composition of these was investigated. Under the condition whereby the maximal amount of the membrane protein was solubilized by lysophosphatidylcholine (0.5% lysophosphatidylcholine at 37 degrees C for 10 min), the insoluble residue, which accounted for approximately 30% of the membrane protein, was ultracentrifugally homogeneous and showed a granular structure under the electron microscope. The lipid composition of the soluble and insoluble fractions, as well as their protein composition, revealed a preferential and limited solubilization of the constituents of the membrane by lysophosphatidylcholine.", "contents": "Biochemical characterization of the submicrosomal membrane of the rat brain. Selective solubilization of the components of the light smooth-surfaced membrane by lysophosphatidylcholine. The light smooth-surfaced membrane, one of the three membrane fractions derived from the rat brain microsomal fraction, was fractionated into its soluble and insoluble parts by the use of lysophosphatidylcholine and the chemical composition of these was investigated. Under the condition whereby the maximal amount of the membrane protein was solubilized by lysophosphatidylcholine (0.5% lysophosphatidylcholine at 37 degrees C for 10 min), the insoluble residue, which accounted for approximately 30% of the membrane protein, was ultracentrifugally homogeneous and showed a granular structure under the electron microscope. The lipid composition of the soluble and insoluble fractions, as well as their protein composition, revealed a preferential and limited solubilization of the constituents of the membrane by lysophosphatidylcholine.", "PMID": 626735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6617", "title": "Anion transport in relation to proteolytic dissection of band 3 protein.", "content": "Sulfate efflux was measured in inside-out vesicles obtained from human red cells. Inhibition was observed in vesicles derived from cells pretreated with DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate) or after addition of dipyridamole to the vesicles, both agents being specific and potent inhibitors of anion transport in cells. Trypsinization of the cytoplasmic side of the membrane in order to release a 40 000 dalton fragment from band 3 (the purported anion transport protein) had no effect on sulfate efflux. Further degradation of band 3 to a 17 000 dalton segment, by trypsinization of inside-out vesicles derived from cells that had been pretreated with chymotrypsin, also showed little reduction in transport activity. Furthermore, such vesicles derived from DIDS pretreated cells were inhibited by over 90%. In DIDS-treated cells, the agent is highly localized in band 3. In trypsinized inside-out vesicles, it is largely found in a 55000 fragment and in trypsinized vesicles derived from cells pretreated with chymotrypsin it is largely located in the 17 000 fragment. The data suggest that both the anion transport and inhibitor binding sites are located in a 17 000 transmembrane segment of band 3.", "contents": "Anion transport in relation to proteolytic dissection of band 3 protein. Sulfate efflux was measured in inside-out vesicles obtained from human red cells. Inhibition was observed in vesicles derived from cells pretreated with DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonate) or after addition of dipyridamole to the vesicles, both agents being specific and potent inhibitors of anion transport in cells. Trypsinization of the cytoplasmic side of the membrane in order to release a 40 000 dalton fragment from band 3 (the purported anion transport protein) had no effect on sulfate efflux. Further degradation of band 3 to a 17 000 dalton segment, by trypsinization of inside-out vesicles derived from cells that had been pretreated with chymotrypsin, also showed little reduction in transport activity. Furthermore, such vesicles derived from DIDS pretreated cells were inhibited by over 90%. In DIDS-treated cells, the agent is highly localized in band 3. In trypsinized inside-out vesicles, it is largely found in a 55000 fragment and in trypsinized vesicles derived from cells pretreated with chymotrypsin it is largely located in the 17 000 fragment. The data suggest that both the anion transport and inhibitor binding sites are located in a 17 000 transmembrane segment of band 3.", "PMID": 626736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6618", "title": "The effects of bioregulators upon amino acid transport and protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes.", "content": "Isolated rat hepatocytes prepared by an enzyme perfusion technique possess a functional amino acid transport system and retain the capacity to synthesize protein. Amino acid transport was studied using the non-metabolizable amino acid analog alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. The transport process was time, temperature and concentration dependent. Similarly, leucine incorporation into protein was time and temperature dependent being optimal at 3m degrees C. Amino acid, fetal calf serum, growth hormone and glucose all produced small, reproducible increases in protein synthesis rates. Bovine serum albumin diminished the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and leucine incorporation into protein. The amino acid content on either side of the cell membrane was found to affect transport into or out of the cellular compartment (transconcentration effects). High cell concentrations decreased transport and protein synthesis as a result of isotopic dilution of labelled amino acids with those released by the hepatocytes. This was consistent with the capacity of naturally occurring amino aicds to compete with alpha-aminoisobutyric acid for uptake into the hepatocyte. In order to define more precisely the effects of bioregulators on transport and protein synthesis it will be necessary to define and subfractionate cellular compartments and proteins which are the specific targets of cellular regulation.", "contents": "The effects of bioregulators upon amino acid transport and protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes. Isolated rat hepatocytes prepared by an enzyme perfusion technique possess a functional amino acid transport system and retain the capacity to synthesize protein. Amino acid transport was studied using the non-metabolizable amino acid analog alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. The transport process was time, temperature and concentration dependent. Similarly, leucine incorporation into protein was time and temperature dependent being optimal at 3m degrees C. Amino acid, fetal calf serum, growth hormone and glucose all produced small, reproducible increases in protein synthesis rates. Bovine serum albumin diminished the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and leucine incorporation into protein. The amino acid content on either side of the cell membrane was found to affect transport into or out of the cellular compartment (transconcentration effects). High cell concentrations decreased transport and protein synthesis as a result of isotopic dilution of labelled amino acids with those released by the hepatocytes. This was consistent with the capacity of naturally occurring amino aicds to compete with alpha-aminoisobutyric acid for uptake into the hepatocyte. In order to define more precisely the effects of bioregulators on transport and protein synthesis it will be necessary to define and subfractionate cellular compartments and proteins which are the specific targets of cellular regulation.", "PMID": 626738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6619", "title": "Transport noise in membranes. Current and voltage fluctuations at equilibrium.", "content": "A formulism is described for the treatment of noise resulting from the transport of ions in channels containing an arbitrary number of activation energy barriers. The analysis is based on Nyquist's theorem and is therefore restricted to fluctuations around the equilibrium state. Within this limit the spectral intensities of current and voltage noise are given by the frequency-dependent admittance, which in turn is closely linked to the relaxation-time spectrum of the transport system. Explicit expressions for the spectral intensity of current noise are derived for channels with two and three energy barriers. The analysis may be used to predict the spectral intensity of noise from the gating system in nerve.", "contents": "Transport noise in membranes. Current and voltage fluctuations at equilibrium. A formulism is described for the treatment of noise resulting from the transport of ions in channels containing an arbitrary number of activation energy barriers. The analysis is based on Nyquist's theorem and is therefore restricted to fluctuations around the equilibrium state. Within this limit the spectral intensities of current and voltage noise are given by the frequency-dependent admittance, which in turn is closely linked to the relaxation-time spectrum of the transport system. Explicit expressions for the spectral intensity of current noise are derived for channels with two and three energy barriers. The analysis may be used to predict the spectral intensity of noise from the gating system in nerve.", "PMID": 626739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6620", "title": "Location of the cooperative melting regions in bacteriophage fd DNA.", "content": "Differential melting profiles of the linear replicative form (RF-III) DNA of bacteriophage fd, of the fragments obtained by the restriction endonuclease R.HinHI and of those obtained by R.Hga were investigated. With these results a physical map which locates the cooperative melting regions on the DNA was constructed, and compared with the genetic map.", "contents": "Location of the cooperative melting regions in bacteriophage fd DNA. Differential melting profiles of the linear replicative form (RF-III) DNA of bacteriophage fd, of the fragments obtained by the restriction endonuclease R.HinHI and of those obtained by R.Hga were investigated. With these results a physical map which locates the cooperative melting regions on the DNA was constructed, and compared with the genetic map.", "PMID": 626741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6621", "title": "The synthesis of presumptive procollagen messenger ribonucleic acid in the calvaria of the developing chick embryo.", "content": "The presumptive messenger RNAs for type I procollagen were isolated from chick embryo calvaria at various stages of development. Poly(A)-containing RNA fractions from denaturing sucrose gradients directed protein synthesis in a cell-free system derived from wheat germ. Procollagen mRNA activity was detected in a region of about 26 S. Approx. 80% of the labeled proline incorporated into cell-free product was susceptible to digestion by purified bacterial collagenase. The synthesis of procollagen mRNAs was followed during development. Comparison of the in vitro labeled mRNAs from calvaria of day 12--16 embryos indicated that the 26 S component was most pronounced at day 13 and decreased progressively towards day 16. In addition, incubation of calvaria with tritiated nucleosides for 1.5--25 h revealed that 26 S mRNA was significantly labeled only after prolonged periods. The results suggest that procollagen mRNA is a relatively stable species with a prolonged half-life compared to the majority of mRNAs in this tissue.", "contents": "The synthesis of presumptive procollagen messenger ribonucleic acid in the calvaria of the developing chick embryo. The presumptive messenger RNAs for type I procollagen were isolated from chick embryo calvaria at various stages of development. Poly(A)-containing RNA fractions from denaturing sucrose gradients directed protein synthesis in a cell-free system derived from wheat germ. Procollagen mRNA activity was detected in a region of about 26 S. Approx. 80% of the labeled proline incorporated into cell-free product was susceptible to digestion by purified bacterial collagenase. The synthesis of procollagen mRNAs was followed during development. Comparison of the in vitro labeled mRNAs from calvaria of day 12--16 embryos indicated that the 26 S component was most pronounced at day 13 and decreased progressively towards day 16. In addition, incubation of calvaria with tritiated nucleosides for 1.5--25 h revealed that 26 S mRNA was significantly labeled only after prolonged periods. The results suggest that procollagen mRNA is a relatively stable species with a prolonged half-life compared to the majority of mRNAs in this tissue.", "PMID": 626742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6622", "title": "Role of prolactin and glucocorticoids in the expression of casein genes in rabbit mammary gland organ culture. Quantification of casein mRNA.", "content": "Milk synthesis is initiated solely by prolactin in the pseudopregnant rabbit and glucocorticoids potentiate this action of prolactin. In organ culture, prolactin, in the presence or in the absence of insulin, enhances casein synthesis and cortisol (inactive alone) amplifies this action. Measurements of casein mRNA concentration in total cellular RNA, by hybridization with DNA complementary to casein mRNA, revealed that the stimulation of casein synthesis by the glucocorticoid is accompanied by an increase in the amount of casein mRNA. A systematic comparison of variations of these two parameters indicated that the major effect of glucocorticoids on lactogenesis in the rabbit at this stage of mammary gland development is mediated through an increase in the quantity of casein mRNA available for translation. No simultaneous control of casein mRNA translation by cortisol was observed.", "contents": "Role of prolactin and glucocorticoids in the expression of casein genes in rabbit mammary gland organ culture. Quantification of casein mRNA. Milk synthesis is initiated solely by prolactin in the pseudopregnant rabbit and glucocorticoids potentiate this action of prolactin. In organ culture, prolactin, in the presence or in the absence of insulin, enhances casein synthesis and cortisol (inactive alone) amplifies this action. Measurements of casein mRNA concentration in total cellular RNA, by hybridization with DNA complementary to casein mRNA, revealed that the stimulation of casein synthesis by the glucocorticoid is accompanied by an increase in the amount of casein mRNA. A systematic comparison of variations of these two parameters indicated that the major effect of glucocorticoids on lactogenesis in the rabbit at this stage of mammary gland development is mediated through an increase in the quantity of casein mRNA available for translation. No simultaneous control of casein mRNA translation by cortisol was observed.", "PMID": 626743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6623", "title": "The course of the assembly of ribosomal subunits in yeast.", "content": "The course of the assembly of the various ribosomal proteins of yeast into ribosomal particles has been studied by following the incorporation of radioactive individual protein species in cytoplasmic ribosomal particles after pulse-labelling of yeast protoplasts with tritiated amino acids. The pool of ribosomal proteins is small relative to the rate of ribosomal protein synthesis, and, therefore, does not affect essentially the appearance of labelled ribosomal proteins on the ribosomal particles. From the labelling kinetics of individual protein species it can be concluded that a number of ribosomal proteins of the 60 S subunit (L6, L7, L8, L9, L11, L15, L16, L23, L24, L30, L32, L36, L40, L41, L42, L44 and L45) associate with the ribonucleoprotein particles at a relatively late stage of the ribosomal maturation process. The same was found to be true for a number of proteins of the 40 S ribosomal subunit (S10, S27, S31, S32, S33 and S34). Several members (L7, L9, L24 and L30) of the late associating group of 60-S subunit proteins were found to be absent from a nuclear 66 S precursor ribosomal fraction. These results indicate that incorporation of these proteins into the ribosomal particles takes place in the cytoplasm at a late stage of the ribosomal maturation process.", "contents": "The course of the assembly of ribosomal subunits in yeast. The course of the assembly of the various ribosomal proteins of yeast into ribosomal particles has been studied by following the incorporation of radioactive individual protein species in cytoplasmic ribosomal particles after pulse-labelling of yeast protoplasts with tritiated amino acids. The pool of ribosomal proteins is small relative to the rate of ribosomal protein synthesis, and, therefore, does not affect essentially the appearance of labelled ribosomal proteins on the ribosomal particles. From the labelling kinetics of individual protein species it can be concluded that a number of ribosomal proteins of the 60 S subunit (L6, L7, L8, L9, L11, L15, L16, L23, L24, L30, L32, L36, L40, L41, L42, L44 and L45) associate with the ribonucleoprotein particles at a relatively late stage of the ribosomal maturation process. The same was found to be true for a number of proteins of the 40 S ribosomal subunit (S10, S27, S31, S32, S33 and S34). Several members (L7, L9, L24 and L30) of the late associating group of 60-S subunit proteins were found to be absent from a nuclear 66 S precursor ribosomal fraction. These results indicate that incorporation of these proteins into the ribosomal particles takes place in the cytoplasm at a late stage of the ribosomal maturation process.", "PMID": 626744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6624", "title": "Effects of polyamines and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase and the template activity of hepatic cell nuclei in vitro.", "content": "Escherichia coli RNA polymerase was assayed with 4 mM Mg2+ and 1 mM Mn2+ using native DNA, heat-denatured DNA, histone-nucleate and isolated rat liver nuclei as the template source. With purified DNA and either or both divalent metal ions, 0.1--5 mM amine stimulated enzyme activity. Spermidine resulted in the greatest stimulation (1.7-fold at 5 mM); whereas, spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) first stimulated, then above 3 mM inhibited, the reaction. The addition of unfractionated histone to purified DNA inhibited the reaction by 90%. The subsequent addition of amines resulted in a slight stimulation in incorporation (1.5-fold) in the range of 1--3 mM amine. Alternatively, when enzyme was combined with DNA before histone, only a 20% inhibition was observed and this could be completely prevented by 3 mM spermidine. The addition of amines to isolated nuclei resulted in marked alterations in ultrastructure and Mg2+ content; however, relatively small effects on RNA polymerase activity were observed. With the E. coli enzyme, 0.1--1.0 mM amine stimulated RNA synthesis (1.5-fold) whereas, none of the amines stimulated endogeneous activity in the absence or presence of 300 mM (NH4)2SO4.", "contents": "Effects of polyamines and methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) on Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase and the template activity of hepatic cell nuclei in vitro. Escherichia coli RNA polymerase was assayed with 4 mM Mg2+ and 1 mM Mn2+ using native DNA, heat-denatured DNA, histone-nucleate and isolated rat liver nuclei as the template source. With purified DNA and either or both divalent metal ions, 0.1--5 mM amine stimulated enzyme activity. Spermidine resulted in the greatest stimulation (1.7-fold at 5 mM); whereas, spermine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) first stimulated, then above 3 mM inhibited, the reaction. The addition of unfractionated histone to purified DNA inhibited the reaction by 90%. The subsequent addition of amines resulted in a slight stimulation in incorporation (1.5-fold) in the range of 1--3 mM amine. Alternatively, when enzyme was combined with DNA before histone, only a 20% inhibition was observed and this could be completely prevented by 3 mM spermidine. The addition of amines to isolated nuclei resulted in marked alterations in ultrastructure and Mg2+ content; however, relatively small effects on RNA polymerase activity were observed. With the E. coli enzyme, 0.1--1.0 mM amine stimulated RNA synthesis (1.5-fold) whereas, none of the amines stimulated endogeneous activity in the absence or presence of 300 mM (NH4)2SO4.", "PMID": 626746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6625", "title": "Action of heparin on mammalian nuclei. II. Cell-cycle-specific changes in chromatin organization correlate temporally with histone H1 phosphorylation.", "content": "The interaction of the polyanion heparin with the inner histones of chromatin has been used to detect changes in chromatin organization associated with cell-cycle traverse. Synchronized populations of Chinese hamster cells were obtained either in early G1 or near the G1/S boundary. The rate of interaction of heparin with chromatin-associated inner histones was measured using nuclei isolated from synchronized cell populations in different phases of the cell cycle. A G1-specific decrease in rate of interaction of heparin with inner histones was observed and found to be independent of the presence of hydroxyurea during traverse of G1. A further decrease in heparin-inner histone interaction occurred in late S and G2. These changes correlate temporally with the interphase phosphorylation(s) of histone H1. This correlation is discussed within the framework of current models of higher order chromatin structure (i.e. organization above the nucleosome level). Analysis of the cooperativity of interaction of heparin with inner histones was performed using the kinetic analog of the Hill equation. This analysis suggests that the organization of inner histones on chromatin does not undergo large variations during the cell cycle.", "contents": "Action of heparin on mammalian nuclei. II. Cell-cycle-specific changes in chromatin organization correlate temporally with histone H1 phosphorylation. The interaction of the polyanion heparin with the inner histones of chromatin has been used to detect changes in chromatin organization associated with cell-cycle traverse. Synchronized populations of Chinese hamster cells were obtained either in early G1 or near the G1/S boundary. The rate of interaction of heparin with chromatin-associated inner histones was measured using nuclei isolated from synchronized cell populations in different phases of the cell cycle. A G1-specific decrease in rate of interaction of heparin with inner histones was observed and found to be independent of the presence of hydroxyurea during traverse of G1. A further decrease in heparin-inner histone interaction occurred in late S and G2. These changes correlate temporally with the interphase phosphorylation(s) of histone H1. This correlation is discussed within the framework of current models of higher order chromatin structure (i.e. organization above the nucleosome level). Analysis of the cooperativity of interaction of heparin with inner histones was performed using the kinetic analog of the Hill equation. This analysis suggests that the organization of inner histones on chromatin does not undergo large variations during the cell cycle.", "PMID": 626747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6626", "title": "A purine nucleoside unequivocally constrained in the syn form. Crystal structure and conformation of 8-(alpha-hydroxyisopropyl)-adenosine.", "content": "Crystals of 8-(alpha-hydroxyisopropyl)-adenosine dihydrate, C13H19N5O5.2H2O, belong to the monoclinic space group P21. Cell dimensions are a = 8.259 (1), b = 11.117 (2), c = 9.663 (1) A, beta = 109.65 (2) degrees. Intensity data were collected on a four-circle diffractometer and the structure was solved by direct methods. Block diagonal least-squares refinement led to R = 0.031 for 1467 reflections. The glycosyl torsion angle chiCN is 241.4 degrees, corresponding to a syn conformation. The conformation of the exocyclic C(4')-C(5') bond is gauche-gauche and the sugar pucker is C(2') endo. It is considered that the bulky, tetrahedral, neutral 8-substituent, with an effective van der Waals radius of 3.5--4.0 A, provides an adenosine analogue which should exhibit the syn conformation about the glycosidic bond in solution as well as in solid state, irrespective of the nature of the sugar pucker. It should therefore be suitable for studies of interactions with enzyme systems requiring the anti conformation of the nucleoside or nucleotide.", "contents": "A purine nucleoside unequivocally constrained in the syn form. Crystal structure and conformation of 8-(alpha-hydroxyisopropyl)-adenosine. Crystals of 8-(alpha-hydroxyisopropyl)-adenosine dihydrate, C13H19N5O5.2H2O, belong to the monoclinic space group P21. Cell dimensions are a = 8.259 (1), b = 11.117 (2), c = 9.663 (1) A, beta = 109.65 (2) degrees. Intensity data were collected on a four-circle diffractometer and the structure was solved by direct methods. Block diagonal least-squares refinement led to R = 0.031 for 1467 reflections. The glycosyl torsion angle chiCN is 241.4 degrees, corresponding to a syn conformation. The conformation of the exocyclic C(4')-C(5') bond is gauche-gauche and the sugar pucker is C(2') endo. It is considered that the bulky, tetrahedral, neutral 8-substituent, with an effective van der Waals radius of 3.5--4.0 A, provides an adenosine analogue which should exhibit the syn conformation about the glycosidic bond in solution as well as in solid state, irrespective of the nature of the sugar pucker. It should therefore be suitable for studies of interactions with enzyme systems requiring the anti conformation of the nucleoside or nucleotide.", "PMID": 626748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6627", "title": "Molecular orbital studies on the conformations of 8-amino- and 8-dimethylaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate.", "content": "The quantum mechanical PCILO method has been applied for the determination of conformational properties of 8-amino- and 8-dimethylaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate. Contrary to other 8-substituted nucleotides the amino derivative shows a preference for an anti arrangement about the glycosidic bond. This conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the purine and the exocyclic group. 8-dimethylamino-adenosine-5'-monophosphate adopts the syn conformation with slightly rotated dimethylamino group. There is, however, a local minimum for the anti form associated with the unusual value of chiCN = 300 degrees. This minimum is probably populated when the nucleotide is bound to lactate dehydrogenase apoenzyme. No particularly strong interactions are necessary for the stabilization of the anti form. The computations account satisfactorily for the available experimental data.", "contents": "Molecular orbital studies on the conformations of 8-amino- and 8-dimethylaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate. The quantum mechanical PCILO method has been applied for the determination of conformational properties of 8-amino- and 8-dimethylaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate. Contrary to other 8-substituted nucleotides the amino derivative shows a preference for an anti arrangement about the glycosidic bond. This conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the purine and the exocyclic group. 8-dimethylamino-adenosine-5'-monophosphate adopts the syn conformation with slightly rotated dimethylamino group. There is, however, a local minimum for the anti form associated with the unusual value of chiCN = 300 degrees. This minimum is probably populated when the nucleotide is bound to lactate dehydrogenase apoenzyme. No particularly strong interactions are necessary for the stabilization of the anti form. The computations account satisfactorily for the available experimental data.", "PMID": 626749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6628", "title": "Spin-orbit couplings in the DNA base pairs.", "content": "The radiative lifetimes of the phosphorescent states of the adenine.thymine (A.T) and guanine.cytosine (G.C) base pairs were calculated on the basis of the singlet-triplet transition probability induced by spin-orbit couplings. The calculated radiative lifetimes averaged over the triplet sublevels of spin state were in the order of G.C less than A.T and in good correlation with those of the composite bases. On the whole the results suggested an important role for thymine triplet having a relatively long lifetime during the course of the triplet localization in DNA, in agreement with the experimental observation that the concentration of triplet is remarkably enhanced with increase in A+T content.", "contents": "Spin-orbit couplings in the DNA base pairs. The radiative lifetimes of the phosphorescent states of the adenine.thymine (A.T) and guanine.cytosine (G.C) base pairs were calculated on the basis of the singlet-triplet transition probability induced by spin-orbit couplings. The calculated radiative lifetimes averaged over the triplet sublevels of spin state were in the order of G.C less than A.T and in good correlation with those of the composite bases. On the whole the results suggested an important role for thymine triplet having a relatively long lifetime during the course of the triplet localization in DNA, in agreement with the experimental observation that the concentration of triplet is remarkably enhanced with increase in A+T content.", "PMID": 626750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6629", "title": "Kinetics of uptake and activity in mouse liver of glutaminase coupled to desialated orosomucoid.", "content": "Desialised orosomucoid (alpha-1-acidic glycoprotein) was coupled to Pseudomonas 7A glutaminase-asparaginase by glutaraldehyde, iodinated and injected into mice. The half-life of radioactivity and glutaminase activity in plasma was about 7 min. Radioactivity and glutaminase activity in the liver reached a peak at about 20 min. The radioactivity in liver then declined with a half-life of about 20 min. Enzyme activity in liver declined with a half-life of about 10 min. The ratio of enzyme activity to radioactivity was lower in the liver than in plasma at all times during the experiment, indicating rapid hepatic inactivation of the enzyme. Uptake into the liver could be blocked by excess desialised orosomucoid. Glutamine levels in the liver were about 10% of normal for 44 min but returned to 50% of normal by 93 min. Intestines, kidney and spleen failed to exhibit any appreciable uptake of desialated orosomucoid glutaminase-asparaginase.", "contents": "Kinetics of uptake and activity in mouse liver of glutaminase coupled to desialated orosomucoid. Desialised orosomucoid (alpha-1-acidic glycoprotein) was coupled to Pseudomonas 7A glutaminase-asparaginase by glutaraldehyde, iodinated and injected into mice. The half-life of radioactivity and glutaminase activity in plasma was about 7 min. Radioactivity and glutaminase activity in the liver reached a peak at about 20 min. The radioactivity in liver then declined with a half-life of about 20 min. Enzyme activity in liver declined with a half-life of about 10 min. The ratio of enzyme activity to radioactivity was lower in the liver than in plasma at all times during the experiment, indicating rapid hepatic inactivation of the enzyme. Uptake into the liver could be blocked by excess desialised orosomucoid. Glutamine levels in the liver were about 10% of normal for 44 min but returned to 50% of normal by 93 min. Intestines, kidney and spleen failed to exhibit any appreciable uptake of desialated orosomucoid glutaminase-asparaginase.", "PMID": 626751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6630", "title": "Some regulatory properties of purine biosynthesis de novo in long-term cultures of epithelial-like rat liver cells.", "content": "De novo synthesis of purine nucleotides and some regulatory properties of this pathway were studied in cultured epithelial-like rat liver cells. It was found that the physiological 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (P-Rib-PP) concentration in these cells is limited for purine synthesis de novo. Increase of P-Rib-PP availability, achieved by activation of P-Rib-PP synthetase at high Pi concentration, resulted in acceleration of purine synthesis. The effects of increasing cellular ribose 5-phosphate (Rib-5-P) availability, by methylene blue-induced acceleration of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, on P-Rib-PP availability and on the rate of the novo purine synthesis were also studied. It was found that at the Pi concentration prevailing in the tissue at extracellular physiological Pi concentration, Rib-5-P availability is saturating for P-Rib-PP generation and therefore also for purine synthesis.", "contents": "Some regulatory properties of purine biosynthesis de novo in long-term cultures of epithelial-like rat liver cells. De novo synthesis of purine nucleotides and some regulatory properties of this pathway were studied in cultured epithelial-like rat liver cells. It was found that the physiological 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (P-Rib-PP) concentration in these cells is limited for purine synthesis de novo. Increase of P-Rib-PP availability, achieved by activation of P-Rib-PP synthetase at high Pi concentration, resulted in acceleration of purine synthesis. The effects of increasing cellular ribose 5-phosphate (Rib-5-P) availability, by methylene blue-induced acceleration of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, on P-Rib-PP availability and on the rate of the novo purine synthesis were also studied. It was found that at the Pi concentration prevailing in the tissue at extracellular physiological Pi concentration, Rib-5-P availability is saturating for P-Rib-PP generation and therefore also for purine synthesis.", "PMID": 626753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6631", "title": "Reduced glucose transport and increased binding of insulin in adipocytes from diabetic and fasted rats.", "content": "1. Animals made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin or animals after 3 days of fasting show decreased insulin levels and a decrease in mean cell diameter of adipocytes from epidydymal fat pads in comparison with cells from normal animals. 2. 14CO2 production from D-[U-14C]glucose is impaired in diabetic and fasted animals both in presence or in absence of a concentration of insulin stimulating 14CO2 production maximally. 3. Insulin binding is increased in adipocytes from diabetic and fasted animals due to changes in affinity. 4. Transport studies show that basal and insulin stimulated 2-deoxy[1-14C]-glucose transport is decreased in absolute terms due to a decrease in V and an increase in Km. 5. The relative stimulatory effect of insulin is impaired in adipocytes of diabetic and fasted animals. 6. A shift of the maximal effect of insulin to lower insulin levels is seen in these cells.", "contents": "Reduced glucose transport and increased binding of insulin in adipocytes from diabetic and fasted rats. 1. Animals made diabetic by injection of streptozotocin or animals after 3 days of fasting show decreased insulin levels and a decrease in mean cell diameter of adipocytes from epidydymal fat pads in comparison with cells from normal animals. 2. 14CO2 production from D-[U-14C]glucose is impaired in diabetic and fasted animals both in presence or in absence of a concentration of insulin stimulating 14CO2 production maximally. 3. Insulin binding is increased in adipocytes from diabetic and fasted animals due to changes in affinity. 4. Transport studies show that basal and insulin stimulated 2-deoxy[1-14C]-glucose transport is decreased in absolute terms due to a decrease in V and an increase in Km. 5. The relative stimulatory effect of insulin is impaired in adipocytes of diabetic and fasted animals. 6. A shift of the maximal effect of insulin to lower insulin levels is seen in these cells.", "PMID": 626754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6632", "title": "Direct measurement of pure absorbance spectra of living phototrophic microorganisms.", "content": "The pure absorbance of turbid cell suspensions of various phototrophic microorganisms were determined by collecting the scattered light. A conventional spectrophotometer was used, equipped with an intergrating sphere as receiver unit, which allowed precise measurements of the absorbance in the range from zero to 0.1. In the wavelength range 300--1100 nm, where photosynthesis occurs, light scattered only once by a bacterial cell retains predominantly the forward direction. This allows measurements of pure absorption, when the concentration of cells which the light has to pass through is small. For example, by comparison of measurements of pigmented and nonpigmented cell suspensions of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, it was shown that the total sum of scattered light can be collected. The best results were obtained using cuvettes with a light path of 0.1 cm or 0.2 cm to measure cell suspensions of about 0.2 mg dry weight per ml. For R. acidophila this corresponds to 1--3 cell layers. Extinction-, absorbance- and scattering spectra for R. acidophila are presented, in addition to the absorbance spectra for Rhodospirillum rubrum, Aphanocapsa and Scenedesmus.", "contents": "Direct measurement of pure absorbance spectra of living phototrophic microorganisms. The pure absorbance of turbid cell suspensions of various phototrophic microorganisms were determined by collecting the scattered light. A conventional spectrophotometer was used, equipped with an intergrating sphere as receiver unit, which allowed precise measurements of the absorbance in the range from zero to 0.1. In the wavelength range 300--1100 nm, where photosynthesis occurs, light scattered only once by a bacterial cell retains predominantly the forward direction. This allows measurements of pure absorption, when the concentration of cells which the light has to pass through is small. For example, by comparison of measurements of pigmented and nonpigmented cell suspensions of Rhodopseudomonas acidophila, it was shown that the total sum of scattered light can be collected. The best results were obtained using cuvettes with a light path of 0.1 cm or 0.2 cm to measure cell suspensions of about 0.2 mg dry weight per ml. For R. acidophila this corresponds to 1--3 cell layers. Extinction-, absorbance- and scattering spectra for R. acidophila are presented, in addition to the absorbance spectra for Rhodospirillum rubrum, Aphanocapsa and Scenedesmus.", "PMID": 626755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6633", "title": "An approach to the study of intracellular proteins related to the excitability of the squid giant axon.", "content": "The technique for covalently labeling proteins with 125I-labelled Bolton-Hunter reagent was used to determine the quantities of proteins released from the axoplasmic side of the squid axon membrane. The reagent could be introduced into the interior of the axon by the technique of intracellular perfusion, the radioiodination reaction being carried out in situ. Alternatively, the reaction could be carried out in vitro, i.e., by mixing the reagent with samples of proteins dissolved in the intracellular perfusion fluid collected from the axon. This technique was found to be sensitive enough to permit analysis of a large number of protein samples collected from a single axon. By the method of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was found that proteins of approx. 56 000 daltons were released into the perfusate when a solution of potassium chloride or potassium bromide was introduced into the interior of an axon. Suppression of axonal excitability was associated with this release of proteins. The significance of these findings in relation to the structure and function of the axon is discussed.", "contents": "An approach to the study of intracellular proteins related to the excitability of the squid giant axon. The technique for covalently labeling proteins with 125I-labelled Bolton-Hunter reagent was used to determine the quantities of proteins released from the axoplasmic side of the squid axon membrane. The reagent could be introduced into the interior of the axon by the technique of intracellular perfusion, the radioiodination reaction being carried out in situ. Alternatively, the reaction could be carried out in vitro, i.e., by mixing the reagent with samples of proteins dissolved in the intracellular perfusion fluid collected from the axon. This technique was found to be sensitive enough to permit analysis of a large number of protein samples collected from a single axon. By the method of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, it was found that proteins of approx. 56 000 daltons were released into the perfusate when a solution of potassium chloride or potassium bromide was introduced into the interior of an axon. Suppression of axonal excitability was associated with this release of proteins. The significance of these findings in relation to the structure and function of the axon is discussed.", "PMID": 626756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6634", "title": "Protein secretion from parotid glands of vitamin D deficient and glucocorticoid-treated rats.", "content": "The rate of isoproterenol stimulated secretion of protein from parotid glands of vitamin D deficient rats and rats treated with methylprednisolone was increased compared to the secretory response of tissue from control rats. It is suggested that the increased secretory response is secondary to a decreased capacity of mitochondria from the tissue of these animals to take up and store Ca2+; i.e. the mitochondria are less efficient buffers of cytoplasmic Ca2+. Under these conditions any process, such as protein secretion, which requires an increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration will operate more effectively.", "contents": "Protein secretion from parotid glands of vitamin D deficient and glucocorticoid-treated rats. The rate of isoproterenol stimulated secretion of protein from parotid glands of vitamin D deficient rats and rats treated with methylprednisolone was increased compared to the secretory response of tissue from control rats. It is suggested that the increased secretory response is secondary to a decreased capacity of mitochondria from the tissue of these animals to take up and store Ca2+; i.e. the mitochondria are less efficient buffers of cytoplasmic Ca2+. Under these conditions any process, such as protein secretion, which requires an increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration will operate more effectively.", "PMID": 626757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6635", "title": "The temperature dependence of the visible/ultraviolet spectra of some cobalt, vitamin B-12 model, compounds.", "content": "The visible/ultraviolet spectra of aqua- and pyridine-alkyl(10-hydroxyimino-3,9-dimethyl-4,8-diazaundeca-3,8-dien-2-oneoximato,-N,N',N'',N''')cobalt perchlorates have been found to be very sensitive to temperature. The phenomenon fits the explanation of an equilibrium between two forms of complex, one with a short and the other a long cobalt-ligand bond.", "contents": "The temperature dependence of the visible/ultraviolet spectra of some cobalt, vitamin B-12 model, compounds. The visible/ultraviolet spectra of aqua- and pyridine-alkyl(10-hydroxyimino-3,9-dimethyl-4,8-diazaundeca-3,8-dien-2-oneoximato,-N,N',N'',N''')cobalt perchlorates have been found to be very sensitive to temperature. The phenomenon fits the explanation of an equilibrium between two forms of complex, one with a short and the other a long cobalt-ligand bond.", "PMID": 626758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6636", "title": "Separation and partial purification of central nervous system peptides from Limulus polyphemus with hyperglycemic and chromatophorotropic activity in crustaceans.", "content": "1. Crude extracts of Limulus CNS cause hyperglycemia in Orconectes immunis and expand chromatophores in Uca pugilator. 2. The hyperglycemic action is due to a previously unknown polypeptide (LHGF) with an estimated molecular weight of 6400 daltons. LHGF is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, pepsin, and protease, but unaffected by trypsin and brief boiling.3. The chromatophorotropic activity is due to the previously reported substance, LUC. LUC is shown to be a peptide with an approximate molecular weight of 1850 daltons; it is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, protease, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin. 4. LUC and LHGF activity can be readily separated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column. 5. The similarity of LUC and LHGF to known crustacean hormones is dicussed.", "contents": "Separation and partial purification of central nervous system peptides from Limulus polyphemus with hyperglycemic and chromatophorotropic activity in crustaceans. 1. Crude extracts of Limulus CNS cause hyperglycemia in Orconectes immunis and expand chromatophores in Uca pugilator. 2. The hyperglycemic action is due to a previously unknown polypeptide (LHGF) with an estimated molecular weight of 6400 daltons. LHGF is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, pepsin, and protease, but unaffected by trypsin and brief boiling.3. The chromatophorotropic activity is due to the previously reported substance, LUC. LUC is shown to be a peptide with an approximate molecular weight of 1850 daltons; it is inactivated by hydrogen peroxide, protease, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin. 4. LUC and LHGF activity can be readily separated by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column. 5. The similarity of LUC and LHGF to known crustacean hormones is dicussed.", "PMID": 626759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6637", "title": "[Comparative characteristics of cold- and fever-induced tremor].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on anesthetized and unanesthetized cats. On the basis of identity of distribution of cold and fever tremor in the muscle groups, its electromyographic picture and the same sensitivity to neurotropic agents a conclusion was drawn that in the cooling of the organism and during fever the same mechanism of the shivering thermogenesis regulation was activated.", "contents": "[Comparative characteristics of cold- and fever-induced tremor]. Experiments were conducted on anesthetized and unanesthetized cats. On the basis of identity of distribution of cold and fever tremor in the muscle groups, its electromyographic picture and the same sensitivity to neurotropic agents a conclusion was drawn that in the cooling of the organism and during fever the same mechanism of the shivering thermogenesis regulation was activated.", "PMID": 626771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6638", "title": "[Endogenous pyrogen formation by bone marrow cells].", "content": "The cells of the rabbit bone marrow produced endogenous pyrogen in response to stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Incubation of the cells in medium No 199 containing a 15% homologous serum is optimal for the release of pyrogen. It is supposed that the cells of the bone marrow take part in the formation of endgenous pyrogen and in the mechanism of pyrexia in the organism.", "contents": "[Endogenous pyrogen formation by bone marrow cells]. The cells of the rabbit bone marrow produced endogenous pyrogen in response to stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Incubation of the cells in medium No 199 containing a 15% homologous serum is optimal for the release of pyrogen. It is supposed that the cells of the bone marrow take part in the formation of endgenous pyrogen and in the mechanism of pyrexia in the organism.", "PMID": 626772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6639", "title": "[Rat hemoglobulin normally and under hypoxic action].", "content": "The hemoglobin (Hb) pattern of adult and newborn rats, as well as of chronically hypoxic rats was studied by the method of electrophoresis on starch gel. It was shown that the experimental animals were Hb polymorphic. The slow-moving bands of Hb pattern were more pronounced and the alkali resistance was greater in newborns as compared to adults. In the course of adaptation to hypoxia there occur some shifts in the quantitative ration of the fractions in favour of one of the slow-moving fractions; however, this phenomenon does not follow the enhancement of the fetal Hb synthesis, as it is generally accepted. There were no changes in the electrophoretic mobility of the fractions. Mildness of the changes revealed under hypoxic conditions suggests that the Hb synthesis in rats is rather stable.", "contents": "[Rat hemoglobulin normally and under hypoxic action]. The hemoglobin (Hb) pattern of adult and newborn rats, as well as of chronically hypoxic rats was studied by the method of electrophoresis on starch gel. It was shown that the experimental animals were Hb polymorphic. The slow-moving bands of Hb pattern were more pronounced and the alkali resistance was greater in newborns as compared to adults. In the course of adaptation to hypoxia there occur some shifts in the quantitative ration of the fractions in favour of one of the slow-moving fractions; however, this phenomenon does not follow the enhancement of the fetal Hb synthesis, as it is generally accepted. There were no changes in the electrophoretic mobility of the fractions. Mildness of the changes revealed under hypoxic conditions suggests that the Hb synthesis in rats is rather stable.", "PMID": 626773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6640", "title": "[Hypophyseal-adrenocortical system reaction to the prolonged action of low doses of selenomethionine-75Se that form during internal contamination].", "content": "A method of radiometry in vivo was applied to study the regularities attending distribution of the absorbed dose and its formation in the course of one year after the administration of 0.033 muCu/g of selenomethionine-75Se to rats, as well as the functional condition of the adaptive hypophysis-adrenal glands system by the determination of plasma corticosterone. A high tropicity of this preparation to the endocrine system organs was demonstrated. Intensification of the functional activity of the adaptive system was indicated by an increase of the blood plasma corticosterone concentration following the administration of a, radioactive preparation and its statistically significant increase (in comparison with control) 3, 6, and 10 months from the beginning of the experiment. The action of acute stress (histamine and formalin) 10 months after the administration of selenomethionine-75Se caused no sharp elevation of the plasma corticosterone concentration characteristic of control rats, this indicating an extreme strain of the hypophysis-adrenal gland system and its incapacity to respond to additional loads. It is supposed that analysis of functional condition of the adaptive system could serve as the key in the assessment of the biological effect of low radiation doses.", "contents": "[Hypophyseal-adrenocortical system reaction to the prolonged action of low doses of selenomethionine-75Se that form during internal contamination]. A method of radiometry in vivo was applied to study the regularities attending distribution of the absorbed dose and its formation in the course of one year after the administration of 0.033 muCu/g of selenomethionine-75Se to rats, as well as the functional condition of the adaptive hypophysis-adrenal glands system by the determination of plasma corticosterone. A high tropicity of this preparation to the endocrine system organs was demonstrated. Intensification of the functional activity of the adaptive system was indicated by an increase of the blood plasma corticosterone concentration following the administration of a, radioactive preparation and its statistically significant increase (in comparison with control) 3, 6, and 10 months from the beginning of the experiment. The action of acute stress (histamine and formalin) 10 months after the administration of selenomethionine-75Se caused no sharp elevation of the plasma corticosterone concentration characteristic of control rats, this indicating an extreme strain of the hypophysis-adrenal gland system and its incapacity to respond to additional loads. It is supposed that analysis of functional condition of the adaptive system could serve as the key in the assessment of the biological effect of low radiation doses.", "PMID": 626774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6641", "title": "[Spermine and spermidine polyamines in the brain and liver of rats under hyperoxic action].", "content": "The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (6 atmospheres) on the content of polyamines spermine and spermidine in the rat brain and liver was studied. A decrease of the spermidine content in the brain and liver during oxygen convulsions and four hours after decompression was revealed. The spermine content in the brain during oxygen convulsions decreased as well, but four hours after decompression it increased significantly not eaching the control level. The spermine content in the liver failed to alter during oxygen convulsions, but the next four hours rose sharply. The role of polyamines in the regulation of protein biosynthetic processes under hyperoxia is discussed.", "contents": "[Spermine and spermidine polyamines in the brain and liver of rats under hyperoxic action]. The effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (6 atmospheres) on the content of polyamines spermine and spermidine in the rat brain and liver was studied. A decrease of the spermidine content in the brain and liver during oxygen convulsions and four hours after decompression was revealed. The spermine content in the brain during oxygen convulsions decreased as well, but four hours after decompression it increased significantly not eaching the control level. The spermine content in the liver failed to alter during oxygen convulsions, but the next four hours rose sharply. The role of polyamines in the regulation of protein biosynthetic processes under hyperoxia is discussed.", "PMID": 626775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6642", "title": "[Electrophysiological characteristics of the aortic baroceptors].", "content": "The presence in the left aortic nerve of rabbits of medullated and nonmedullated fibres with conduction velocities of 12--30 m/s and 0.9--1.2 m/s, respectively, was demonstrated. In experiments on the isolated aortic arch preparation the electrophysiological characteristics of the aortic baroceptors with the medullated and non-medullated fibres were studied by means of a selective block of conduction in these fibers. Baroceptors with the non-medullated fibers had a higher threshold pressure and a wider functional range.", "contents": "[Electrophysiological characteristics of the aortic baroceptors]. The presence in the left aortic nerve of rabbits of medullated and nonmedullated fibres with conduction velocities of 12--30 m/s and 0.9--1.2 m/s, respectively, was demonstrated. In experiments on the isolated aortic arch preparation the electrophysiological characteristics of the aortic baroceptors with the medullated and non-medullated fibres were studied by means of a selective block of conduction in these fibers. Baroceptors with the non-medullated fibers had a higher threshold pressure and a wider functional range.", "PMID": 626776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6643", "title": "[Steroid hormonal interaction with hepatocyte and erythrocyte membranes].", "content": "Absorption and passage through the dense layer of plasma membranes of rat hepatocytes and rabbit red blood cell ghosts, steroid hormones labelled with 3H were studied. The degree of absorption of steroid hormones by plasma membranes decreased in the following succession: progesterone greater than testosterone greater than oestrone greater than prednisolone greater than oestriol. The degree of the hormone absorption correlated with the solubility in lipids and with the effect of the enzyme release from the lysosomes. At the same time it is in inverse ratio to the speed of passage through the dense layer of the membranes. The nature of absorption of the steroid hormones is independent of the origin of plasma membranes.", "contents": "[Steroid hormonal interaction with hepatocyte and erythrocyte membranes]. Absorption and passage through the dense layer of plasma membranes of rat hepatocytes and rabbit red blood cell ghosts, steroid hormones labelled with 3H were studied. The degree of absorption of steroid hormones by plasma membranes decreased in the following succession: progesterone greater than testosterone greater than oestrone greater than prednisolone greater than oestriol. The degree of the hormone absorption correlated with the solubility in lipids and with the effect of the enzyme release from the lysosomes. At the same time it is in inverse ratio to the speed of passage through the dense layer of the membranes. The nature of absorption of the steroid hormones is independent of the origin of plasma membranes.", "PMID": 626777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6644", "title": "[Change in the antinociceptive effect occurring on stimulation of the midbrain under the action of analgesics and tranquilizers].", "content": "It was shown in chronic experiments on cats that analgetics in subanalgetic doses not only revealed the antinociceptive effect under subthreshold stimulation of the midbrain, but also enhanced the analgetic effect of the central stimulation. The tranquilizers promoted only the analgetic action under the subthreshold stimulation of the midbrain. Possible causes of different effect of the drugs under study are discussed.", "contents": "[Change in the antinociceptive effect occurring on stimulation of the midbrain under the action of analgesics and tranquilizers]. It was shown in chronic experiments on cats that analgetics in subanalgetic doses not only revealed the antinociceptive effect under subthreshold stimulation of the midbrain, but also enhanced the analgetic effect of the central stimulation. The tranquilizers promoted only the analgetic action under the subthreshold stimulation of the midbrain. Possible causes of different effect of the drugs under study are discussed.", "PMID": 626778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6645", "title": "[Changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortical neurons in the rabbit under the effect of diazepam].", "content": "The microelectrode technique was applied in the study of changes in the electrical activity of the neurons of the sensory-motor cortex of the rabbit at various time after a single intravenous injection of diazepam (1--5 mg/kg). Several seconds after the injection there was revealed a marked depression of the neuronal activity spontaneous an that induced by stimulation of the sciatic nerve and also an increase in the duration of the inhibitory pause in the neuron responses to the afferent stimulation and direct stimulation of the cortical surface. These changes largely decreased 15 to 60 minutes after injection of the preparation. The results obtained were compared with the data of other investigators who studied clinical and pharmacokinetic effects of benzodiazepines. A conclusion was drawn on the association of the depressive influence of diazepam on the cortical activity with the sedative, amnestic and anticonvulsive effects of the agent, and also on the important role of psi-aminobutyric acid in the realization of these effects.", "contents": "[Changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortical neurons in the rabbit under the effect of diazepam]. The microelectrode technique was applied in the study of changes in the electrical activity of the neurons of the sensory-motor cortex of the rabbit at various time after a single intravenous injection of diazepam (1--5 mg/kg). Several seconds after the injection there was revealed a marked depression of the neuronal activity spontaneous an that induced by stimulation of the sciatic nerve and also an increase in the duration of the inhibitory pause in the neuron responses to the afferent stimulation and direct stimulation of the cortical surface. These changes largely decreased 15 to 60 minutes after injection of the preparation. The results obtained were compared with the data of other investigators who studied clinical and pharmacokinetic effects of benzodiazepines. A conclusion was drawn on the association of the depressive influence of diazepam on the cortical activity with the sedative, amnestic and anticonvulsive effects of the agent, and also on the important role of psi-aminobutyric acid in the realization of these effects.", "PMID": 626779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6646", "title": "[GABA system as a factor facilitating the development of compensation of disordered cerebral hemodynamics].", "content": "Shifts in the system of GABA transformation in ischemia and specific inhibition of GABA-transaminase under conditions of quantitative measurement of the blood circulation by means of hydrogen clearance permitted to establish a definite association between the increased GABA level in the brain and the tissues of the wall of its arteries, and the development of compensation of disturbed cerebral circulation. Consequently, one of the principal manifestations of an increased amount of endogenous GABA in deficiency of the brain blood supply was GABA capacity to improve the cerebral circulation.", "contents": "[GABA system as a factor facilitating the development of compensation of disordered cerebral hemodynamics]. Shifts in the system of GABA transformation in ischemia and specific inhibition of GABA-transaminase under conditions of quantitative measurement of the blood circulation by means of hydrogen clearance permitted to establish a definite association between the increased GABA level in the brain and the tissues of the wall of its arteries, and the development of compensation of disturbed cerebral circulation. Consequently, one of the principal manifestations of an increased amount of endogenous GABA in deficiency of the brain blood supply was GABA capacity to improve the cerebral circulation.", "PMID": 626780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6647", "title": "[Experimental effect of alloocimene on soft tissue wound].", "content": "The action of alloocymen--a representative of carotinoid polyens--metabolism stimulants, active drugs normalising the trophic process, on wound healing by secondary tension of soft tissue was studied. Alloocymen increased the intensity of healing of skin and skin-muscle wounds, accelerated in a number of cases complete wound healing, produced an ntiinflammatory action on the wound and the adjacent zones, eliminated or limited edema, hypermia, maceration, hemorrage, prevented the development of acute inflammation. The applied methods of quantitative analysis of these alloocymen effects make possible evaluation of it's positive actions on trophic process in the course of wound healing.", "contents": "[Experimental effect of alloocimene on soft tissue wound]. The action of alloocymen--a representative of carotinoid polyens--metabolism stimulants, active drugs normalising the trophic process, on wound healing by secondary tension of soft tissue was studied. Alloocymen increased the intensity of healing of skin and skin-muscle wounds, accelerated in a number of cases complete wound healing, produced an ntiinflammatory action on the wound and the adjacent zones, eliminated or limited edema, hypermia, maceration, hemorrage, prevented the development of acute inflammation. The applied methods of quantitative analysis of these alloocymen effects make possible evaluation of it's positive actions on trophic process in the course of wound healing.", "PMID": 626781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6648", "title": "[Relative stability of the central mechanisms that determine the depth and frequency of respiration].", "content": "Not only an intensified respiration, but also an increase in inspiratory discharges can be caused by hypercapnia in vagotomized cats. With the deepening of anesthesia an increase of the inspiratory discharges persists, whereas an increased frequency of respiration disappears. This testifies to the presence of two different central mechanisms for the regulation of the rate and depth of respiration; the first is subject to the suprabulbar influences more than the second.", "contents": "[Relative stability of the central mechanisms that determine the depth and frequency of respiration]. Not only an intensified respiration, but also an increase in inspiratory discharges can be caused by hypercapnia in vagotomized cats. With the deepening of anesthesia an increase of the inspiratory discharges persists, whereas an increased frequency of respiration disappears. This testifies to the presence of two different central mechanisms for the regulation of the rate and depth of respiration; the first is subject to the suprabulbar influences more than the second.", "PMID": 626782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6649", "title": "[Duration of the mitotic cyle of mouse liver cells at different stages of carcinogenesis induced by ortho-aminoazotoluene].", "content": "Orthoaminoazotoluol was administered to mice for a period of 9 months. The duration of the G2-and S-periods of the mitotic cycle determined by the autoradiographic method, and mitotic duration--by the stathmokinetics technique with the use of colchicine in the intact liver, the cells of the adenoma nodes, and primary hepatomas. The duration of the S-period of the intact hepatocytes and adenoma nodes proved to be equal (13.8 hours, respectively). As to the primary hepatoma cells--it decreased to 12.8 hours. The duration of the G2-period showed no essential change during the carcinogenesis, and was equal to 2.2--2.7 hours. An average mitotic duration in the course of 24 hours was also constant and was approximately equal to 1 hour. A rise in the number of mitoses and PNA-synthesizing cells in the hepatomas occurred as a result of entering in mitosis and the S-period of a greater number of cells, but not as a result to prolongation of the duration of the S-and M-periods of the mitotic cycle.", "contents": "[Duration of the mitotic cyle of mouse liver cells at different stages of carcinogenesis induced by ortho-aminoazotoluene]. Orthoaminoazotoluol was administered to mice for a period of 9 months. The duration of the G2-and S-periods of the mitotic cycle determined by the autoradiographic method, and mitotic duration--by the stathmokinetics technique with the use of colchicine in the intact liver, the cells of the adenoma nodes, and primary hepatomas. The duration of the S-period of the intact hepatocytes and adenoma nodes proved to be equal (13.8 hours, respectively). As to the primary hepatoma cells--it decreased to 12.8 hours. The duration of the G2-period showed no essential change during the carcinogenesis, and was equal to 2.2--2.7 hours. An average mitotic duration in the course of 24 hours was also constant and was approximately equal to 1 hour. A rise in the number of mitoses and PNA-synthesizing cells in the hepatomas occurred as a result of entering in mitosis and the S-period of a greater number of cells, but not as a result to prolongation of the duration of the S-and M-periods of the mitotic cycle.", "PMID": 626783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6650", "title": "[Reduction of the prereplicative period of the mitotic cycle in hepatocytes on repeated stimulation of divisions].", "content": "Repeated stimulation of division soon after the primary one (2--3 days later) induces a shorteining of the prereplicative phase of the mitotic cylce of hepatocytes to 9--10 hours in the regenerating rat liver. The cells dividing repeatedly after one stimulation were found to pass through the G1-phase of the second mitotic cycle during the same period. It may be suggested that the cells with the minimal duration of the prereplicative phase failed to pass through the transformation period. With increase of the time interval between the successive stimulation of divisions (to 4--5 days) increases the resting time state for most hepatocytes, and they lose the capacity to pass through the reduced prereplicative phases.", "contents": "[Reduction of the prereplicative period of the mitotic cycle in hepatocytes on repeated stimulation of divisions]. Repeated stimulation of division soon after the primary one (2--3 days later) induces a shorteining of the prereplicative phase of the mitotic cylce of hepatocytes to 9--10 hours in the regenerating rat liver. The cells dividing repeatedly after one stimulation were found to pass through the G1-phase of the second mitotic cycle during the same period. It may be suggested that the cells with the minimal duration of the prereplicative phase failed to pass through the transformation period. With increase of the time interval between the successive stimulation of divisions (to 4--5 days) increases the resting time state for most hepatocytes, and they lose the capacity to pass through the reduced prereplicative phases.", "PMID": 626784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6651", "title": "[Autotransplantation of previously denervated muscles in the rabbit].", "content": "Whole gastrocnemius muscles of rabbits, preliminarily denervated, were grafted. At the moment of grafting (60 days after the operation) the muscles were in the state of deep atrophy attended by distrophic changes. The autotransplantated muscles took at the site of grafting, their further reorganization provided progressive development of the muscle tissue within the transplant, its growth, and formation of definitive muscle fibers with nerve terminals. After a definite time some degenerative changes were observed in the transplant muscle tissue; as a result the muscle tissue was substituted by connective tissue. These data support the statement founded before on feasible free grafting of preliminary denervated whole muscles. However, deep denervation atrophy seems to influence the remote results of the transplantation.", "contents": "[Autotransplantation of previously denervated muscles in the rabbit]. Whole gastrocnemius muscles of rabbits, preliminarily denervated, were grafted. At the moment of grafting (60 days after the operation) the muscles were in the state of deep atrophy attended by distrophic changes. The autotransplantated muscles took at the site of grafting, their further reorganization provided progressive development of the muscle tissue within the transplant, its growth, and formation of definitive muscle fibers with nerve terminals. After a definite time some degenerative changes were observed in the transplant muscle tissue; as a result the muscle tissue was substituted by connective tissue. These data support the statement founded before on feasible free grafting of preliminary denervated whole muscles. However, deep denervation atrophy seems to influence the remote results of the transplantation.", "PMID": 626785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6652", "title": "[Characteristics of the estradiol receptor system of the anterior hypothalamus and adenohypophysis in guinea pigs].", "content": "The presence of a specific receptor system (E2-R) wthith low capacity and high stability of the E2-R complex formation was shown in the guinea pig adenohypophysis and anterior hypothalamus cytozols under the vivo and in vitro conditions. Some parameters of the physico-chemical properties of the E2-R system in these tissues differed. The adenohypophysis and the anterior hypothalamus receptor complexes formed at different temperatures were not identical.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the estradiol receptor system of the anterior hypothalamus and adenohypophysis in guinea pigs]. The presence of a specific receptor system (E2-R) wthith low capacity and high stability of the E2-R complex formation was shown in the guinea pig adenohypophysis and anterior hypothalamus cytozols under the vivo and in vitro conditions. Some parameters of the physico-chemical properties of the E2-R system in these tissues differed. The adenohypophysis and the anterior hypothalamus receptor complexes formed at different temperatures were not identical.", "PMID": 626786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6653", "title": "[Characteristics of the estrogen receptor system of the oviducts in guinea pigs].", "content": "Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the estradiol receptor (E2-R) interact in the guinea pig oviduct cytozol were studied. Specificity of the receptor system was characterized by measurment of the affinity of 14 compounds to the system. It was shown that the guinea pig oviduct R-system had a high affinity to E2 and a limited capacity. Free energy change value (52 KJ/mol) indicated stability of the complex formed. Activity of the steroid-receptor (S-R) complex formation is determined by the presence of the intact hydroxils in positions 3 (phenolic) and 17-beta of the steroid molecule; dependence of the S-R interaction rate on the different steroid molecule modifications at a number of positions supports this point. Besides, the immediate enviroment of hydroxils in positions 3 and 17 beta also influences the S-R interaction rate. Some properties of the nonsteroid diethylstilbestrol estrogen attract attention.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the estrogen receptor system of the oviducts in guinea pigs]. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the estradiol receptor (E2-R) interact in the guinea pig oviduct cytozol were studied. Specificity of the receptor system was characterized by measurment of the affinity of 14 compounds to the system. It was shown that the guinea pig oviduct R-system had a high affinity to E2 and a limited capacity. Free energy change value (52 KJ/mol) indicated stability of the complex formed. Activity of the steroid-receptor (S-R) complex formation is determined by the presence of the intact hydroxils in positions 3 (phenolic) and 17-beta of the steroid molecule; dependence of the S-R interaction rate on the different steroid molecule modifications at a number of positions supports this point. Besides, the immediate enviroment of hydroxils in positions 3 and 17 beta also influences the S-R interaction rate. Some properties of the nonsteroid diethylstilbestrol estrogen attract attention.", "PMID": 626787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6654", "title": "[Effect of gnotobiotic conditions on the histophysiology of liver and spleen tissues].", "content": "The liver and spleen of gnotobiotic Wistar rats were examined by histochemical methods; the liver was also studied by electron microscopy. Under conditions of gnotobiotic animal existance the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, non-specific esterase in the liver was found to be decreased; fatty infiltration was intensified in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and Kupffer's cells; a part of them is subject to fatty dystophy. At the same time both the activity of acid phosphatase of hepatocytes and the contents of lysosomes in the biliary poles of hepatocytes became increased. Decomposition of erythrocytes in the spleen, as well as release of free iron and pigments which stimulated excretion of bile in gnotobiotes were enhanced.", "contents": "[Effect of gnotobiotic conditions on the histophysiology of liver and spleen tissues]. The liver and spleen of gnotobiotic Wistar rats were examined by histochemical methods; the liver was also studied by electron microscopy. Under conditions of gnotobiotic animal existance the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, non-specific esterase in the liver was found to be decreased; fatty infiltration was intensified in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and Kupffer's cells; a part of them is subject to fatty dystophy. At the same time both the activity of acid phosphatase of hepatocytes and the contents of lysosomes in the biliary poles of hepatocytes became increased. Decomposition of erythrocytes in the spleen, as well as release of free iron and pigments which stimulated excretion of bile in gnotobiotes were enhanced.", "PMID": 626788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6655", "title": "[Reparative processes in the liver and adrenal cortex of rats following an experimental vascular crisis].", "content": "Reparative processes in the liver and the adrenal cortex of hemiadrenalectomized female rats, which sustained an acute circulatory disturbance as a result of orthostasis, were investigated by means of quantitative methods (cytometry, kariometry, nucleolometry, determination of cell content calculation of nucleo-cytoplasmic, nucleolo-nuclear ratios). Common features in regeneration of the organs under study were found. During the first days of the experiments the count of the dying cells increased and simultaneously the quantity of amitoses and binucleated cells in the liver grew. The cell composition of the organs was stabilized by the 15th day in the adrenal gland and by the 45th day in the liver. During the first week after orthostasis mitotic activity of epithelial cells rose in both the organs. Later the regeneration took place at the intracellular level (activation of the nuclear apparatus and hypertrophy of the cell cytoplasm).", "contents": "[Reparative processes in the liver and adrenal cortex of rats following an experimental vascular crisis]. Reparative processes in the liver and the adrenal cortex of hemiadrenalectomized female rats, which sustained an acute circulatory disturbance as a result of orthostasis, were investigated by means of quantitative methods (cytometry, kariometry, nucleolometry, determination of cell content calculation of nucleo-cytoplasmic, nucleolo-nuclear ratios). Common features in regeneration of the organs under study were found. During the first days of the experiments the count of the dying cells increased and simultaneously the quantity of amitoses and binucleated cells in the liver grew. The cell composition of the organs was stabilized by the 15th day in the adrenal gland and by the 45th day in the liver. During the first week after orthostasis mitotic activity of epithelial cells rose in both the organs. Later the regeneration took place at the intracellular level (activation of the nuclear apparatus and hypertrophy of the cell cytoplasm).", "PMID": 626789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6656", "title": "[Electroplethysmographic determination of the regional relative engorgement of the lungs].", "content": "On the strength of the theoretical research of a biophysical model of the lung structure and the following experimental checking of the results obtained a method of calculation of the regional relative blood volume in the lungs by the data of electroplethysmographic examination of the lungs and measurement of specific electrical conductivity of the blood is proposed. Calculation formulae for the determination of the regional relative blood volume in the lungs were derived their working ranges within the limits of application of the proposed calculation method in clinical and physiological examination of the lungs were established.", "contents": "[Electroplethysmographic determination of the regional relative engorgement of the lungs]. On the strength of the theoretical research of a biophysical model of the lung structure and the following experimental checking of the results obtained a method of calculation of the regional relative blood volume in the lungs by the data of electroplethysmographic examination of the lungs and measurement of specific electrical conductivity of the blood is proposed. Calculation formulae for the determination of the regional relative blood volume in the lungs were derived their working ranges within the limits of application of the proposed calculation method in clinical and physiological examination of the lungs were established.", "PMID": 626790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6657", "title": "[Method of simultaneous registration of transpulmonary pressure and the electromyogram of the diaphragm].", "content": "Standard esophageal ballon with silver electrodes implanted in it is suggested for simultaneous registration of the hysteresis loop and electromyogram of the diaphragm. The method provides qualitatively new information on the work of the respiratory muscles.", "contents": "[Method of simultaneous registration of transpulmonary pressure and the electromyogram of the diaphragm]. Standard esophageal ballon with silver electrodes implanted in it is suggested for simultaneous registration of the hysteresis loop and electromyogram of the diaphragm. The method provides qualitatively new information on the work of the respiratory muscles.", "PMID": 626791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6658", "title": "Health information for patients: The hospital library's role.", "content": "Libraries today, including most hospital-based patients' libraries, are involved only peripherally in providing patient health science information. Hospital libraries should collaborate with health professionals in getting health information to patients--along with the library's more traditional roles of providing recreational reading for patients and serving the informational needs of the physician and medical staff. The library should act as the center for educational materials and programs within the hospital. Many health agencies, health educators, physicians, and librarians have been discussing the need for patient health education, but there are few effectively organized or established education centers. This paper discusses an overview of patient health education and intellectural freedom, proposes a new role for the existing hospital library in patient health education, and suggests guidelines for establishing a patient education center.", "contents": "Health information for patients: The hospital library's role. Libraries today, including most hospital-based patients' libraries, are involved only peripherally in providing patient health science information. Hospital libraries should collaborate with health professionals in getting health information to patients--along with the library's more traditional roles of providing recreational reading for patients and serving the informational needs of the physician and medical staff. The library should act as the center for educational materials and programs within the hospital. Many health agencies, health educators, physicians, and librarians have been discussing the need for patient health education, but there are few effectively organized or established education centers. This paper discusses an overview of patient health education and intellectural freedom, proposes a new role for the existing hospital library in patient health education, and suggests guidelines for establishing a patient education center.", "PMID": 626792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6659", "title": "Work analysis by random sampling.", "content": "Random sampling of work activities using an electronic random alarm mechanism provided a simple and effective way to determine how time was divided between various activities. At each random alarm the subject simply recorded the time and the activity. Analysis of the data led to reassignment of staff functions and also resulted in additional support for certain critical activities.", "contents": "Work analysis by random sampling. Random sampling of work activities using an electronic random alarm mechanism provided a simple and effective way to determine how time was divided between various activities. At each random alarm the subject simply recorded the time and the activity. Analysis of the data led to reassignment of staff functions and also resulted in additional support for certain critical activities.", "PMID": 626793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6660", "title": "Citation analysis in the literature of tropical medicine.", "content": "A brief historical account of tropical medicine as a science is given, followed by a short survey of the development of the literature in the field. The citations indexed in Tropical Diseases Bulletin for a forty-eight-month period (1972-1975) were analyzed according to the journal in which they were published and the language in which they appeared. The results of the study conformed to Bradford's law of bibliographic distribution. The reference scattering coefficient was determined to be 0.504, which indicated a high concentration of articles in relatively few journal titles. A rank order list of sixty-one journal titles is given in an appendix. The study showed English to be the most important language in the literature in terms of productivity. The results of the study may be used as an acquisition tool for developing a journal collection in tropical medicine.", "contents": "Citation analysis in the literature of tropical medicine. A brief historical account of tropical medicine as a science is given, followed by a short survey of the development of the literature in the field. The citations indexed in Tropical Diseases Bulletin for a forty-eight-month period (1972-1975) were analyzed according to the journal in which they were published and the language in which they appeared. The results of the study conformed to Bradford's law of bibliographic distribution. The reference scattering coefficient was determined to be 0.504, which indicated a high concentration of articles in relatively few journal titles. A rank order list of sixty-one journal titles is given in an appendix. The study showed English to be the most important language in the literature in terms of productivity. The results of the study may be used as an acquisition tool for developing a journal collection in tropical medicine.", "PMID": 626794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6661", "title": "Zero-base budgeting and the library.", "content": "This paper describes the application of zero-base budgeting to libraries and the procedures involved in setting up this type of budget. It describes the \"decision packages\" necessary when this systmem is employed, as well as how to rank the packages and the problems which are related to the process. Zero-base budgeting involves the entire staff of a library, and the incentive engendered makes for a better and more realistic budget. The paper concludes with the problems which one might encounter in zero-base budgeting and the major benefits of the system.", "contents": "Zero-base budgeting and the library. This paper describes the application of zero-base budgeting to libraries and the procedures involved in setting up this type of budget. It describes the \"decision packages\" necessary when this systmem is employed, as well as how to rank the packages and the problems which are related to the process. Zero-base budgeting involves the entire staff of a library, and the incentive engendered makes for a better and more realistic budget. The paper concludes with the problems which one might encounter in zero-base budgeting and the major benefits of the system.", "PMID": 626795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6662", "title": "The tachistoscopic recognition of letters under whole and partial report procedures as related to intelligence.", "content": "Investigations of the short-term memory task performance of retarded individuals have indicated that these individuals demonstrate a deficit in the mechanisms necessary for the acquisition, storage and/or retrieval of information. The present study examined the tachistoscopic letter recognition task performance of retarded and non-retarded individuals under a partial report and a whole report procedure. The results revealed that the retarded subjects did significantly more poorly relative to the non-retarded subjects under both procedures. The data were interpreted as indicating that the retarded subjects were inefficient in their strategy to make the simultaneous imput task manageable. Further, the data provided no support for the suggestion that a visual-to-auditory encoding process exists between iconic and short-term memory.", "contents": "The tachistoscopic recognition of letters under whole and partial report procedures as related to intelligence. Investigations of the short-term memory task performance of retarded individuals have indicated that these individuals demonstrate a deficit in the mechanisms necessary for the acquisition, storage and/or retrieval of information. The present study examined the tachistoscopic letter recognition task performance of retarded and non-retarded individuals under a partial report and a whole report procedure. The results revealed that the retarded subjects did significantly more poorly relative to the non-retarded subjects under both procedures. The data were interpreted as indicating that the retarded subjects were inefficient in their strategy to make the simultaneous imput task manageable. Further, the data provided no support for the suggestion that a visual-to-auditory encoding process exists between iconic and short-term memory.", "PMID": 626800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6663", "title": "A study of psychological well-being.", "content": "The concept of psychological well-being is introduced, and scales to measure three of its different facets are described and applied to 1655 British respondents. Results from measures of positive and negative affect are compared with North American findings, and hypotheses are broadly confirmed. Two clusters of specific anxiety items are identified, to do with financial and family anxiety and with health anxiety. The third measure (ratings of present life in general) yields a major cluster of happiness items, but suggests additional dimensions for more detailed investigation. Interrelationships between the several measures and with employment position, motivation to work, job characteristics and age are examined. The study of everyday life as 'normal psychology' is advocated.", "contents": "A study of psychological well-being. The concept of psychological well-being is introduced, and scales to measure three of its different facets are described and applied to 1655 British respondents. Results from measures of positive and negative affect are compared with North American findings, and hypotheses are broadly confirmed. Two clusters of specific anxiety items are identified, to do with financial and family anxiety and with health anxiety. The third measure (ratings of present life in general) yields a major cluster of happiness items, but suggests additional dimensions for more detailed investigation. Interrelationships between the several measures and with employment position, motivation to work, job characteristics and age are examined. The study of everyday life as 'normal psychology' is advocated.", "PMID": 626801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6664", "title": "Short-term serial tactual recall: effects of grouping on tactually probed recall of Braille letters and nonsense shapes by blind children.", "content": "The study tested the hypothesis that grouping has adverse effects on the recall of tactual shapes but facilitates the recall of tactual letters on the assumption that this depends on different processes. A further question was the relation of grouping to letter recall span (set-size). Tactually probed recall of tactually presented serial nonsense and letter shapes by blind children was tested under grouped and ungrouped conditions. Results showed a highly significant interaction between list type and grouping, and a (smaller) higher order interaction between set size list type and grouping, in the predicted directions. Grouping had adverse effects on nonsense shape recall. Letter recall was better and was facilitated by grouping, except by subjects with poor letter recall spans who were also slow at letter naming. Mental and chronological age were associated with higher scores, but unlike set size, did not relate differentially to letter grouping. It was argued that the form of coding is a factor in determining the nature of processing and in recall efficiency.", "contents": "Short-term serial tactual recall: effects of grouping on tactually probed recall of Braille letters and nonsense shapes by blind children. The study tested the hypothesis that grouping has adverse effects on the recall of tactual shapes but facilitates the recall of tactual letters on the assumption that this depends on different processes. A further question was the relation of grouping to letter recall span (set-size). Tactually probed recall of tactually presented serial nonsense and letter shapes by blind children was tested under grouped and ungrouped conditions. Results showed a highly significant interaction between list type and grouping, and a (smaller) higher order interaction between set size list type and grouping, in the predicted directions. Grouping had adverse effects on nonsense shape recall. Letter recall was better and was facilitated by grouping, except by subjects with poor letter recall spans who were also slow at letter naming. Mental and chronological age were associated with higher scores, but unlike set size, did not relate differentially to letter grouping. It was argued that the form of coding is a factor in determining the nature of processing and in recall efficiency.", "PMID": 626802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6665", "title": "Cross-cultural study of factors influencing orientation errors in the reproduction of Kohs-type figures.", "content": "The aim of the study was to examine pattern difficulty as a general factor influencing orientation errors, and to explore psychological differentiation and task perception as variables accounting for cross-cultural differences. Samples of 30 boys and 30 girls in Ghana and Scotland were tested with a specially devised apparatus under two treatment conditions. Results confirmed the effect of pattern difficulty, but the extent of psychological differentiation was only indirectly related to orientation errors. Variations in the manner subjects perceived the nature of the task appeared as a major determinant of cross-cultural differences.", "contents": "Cross-cultural study of factors influencing orientation errors in the reproduction of Kohs-type figures. The aim of the study was to examine pattern difficulty as a general factor influencing orientation errors, and to explore psychological differentiation and task perception as variables accounting for cross-cultural differences. Samples of 30 boys and 30 girls in Ghana and Scotland were tested with a specially devised apparatus under two treatment conditions. Results confirmed the effect of pattern difficulty, but the extent of psychological differentiation was only indirectly related to orientation errors. Variations in the manner subjects perceived the nature of the task appeared as a major determinant of cross-cultural differences.", "PMID": 626803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6666", "title": "Frequency and imagery in word recognition: further evidence for an attribute model.", "content": "Murdock (1974) located the difference in recognition between common and rare words in the lower frequency of false positives to rare words. Morris & Reid (1974) have similarly located the superiority in recognition of easy to image (high I) words in their lower false positive rate. However, Gregg's (1976) explanation of the word frequency effect in terms of encoding variability and the distinctiveness of word attributes predicts more hits as well as fewer false positives to rare words. Gregg's prediction was confirmed by the experiment reported below. A subsequent survey of dictionary definitions of words differing in frequency and I-value further supported Gregg's model and was incompatible with that of Glanzer & Bowles (1976). A model based upon the likelihood of encoding variability and the distinctiveness of the attributes defining each word meaning accounts for the differences in recognition for items varying in I-value and frequency, and explains Galbraith & Underwood's (1973) finding that abstract words are perceived as more common than concrete words.", "contents": "Frequency and imagery in word recognition: further evidence for an attribute model. Murdock (1974) located the difference in recognition between common and rare words in the lower frequency of false positives to rare words. Morris & Reid (1974) have similarly located the superiority in recognition of easy to image (high I) words in their lower false positive rate. However, Gregg's (1976) explanation of the word frequency effect in terms of encoding variability and the distinctiveness of word attributes predicts more hits as well as fewer false positives to rare words. Gregg's prediction was confirmed by the experiment reported below. A subsequent survey of dictionary definitions of words differing in frequency and I-value further supported Gregg's model and was incompatible with that of Glanzer & Bowles (1976). A model based upon the likelihood of encoding variability and the distinctiveness of the attributes defining each word meaning accounts for the differences in recognition for items varying in I-value and frequency, and explains Galbraith & Underwood's (1973) finding that abstract words are perceived as more common than concrete words.", "PMID": 626805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6667", "title": "Spatial errors made by infants: inadequate spatial cues or evidence of egocentrism?", "content": "Nine month old infants search correctly for an object which they have seen hidden in one position, but cease to do so after they have been moved to the opposite side of the display, searching instead at a position which is apparently defined egocentrically from their experience before movement. This error can be explained on the one hand in terms of response dependence or egocentrism, or on the other hand as due to a lack of adequate spatial cues to allocentric position. In order to distinguish between these hypotheses, 64 nine month old infants were presented with a hidden object problem in which the two alternative positions had covers of different colours. The results show that infants could search correctly for an object in one location although they saw the problem from different sides. This result combines with those of other conditions to indicate that cover colour provides an adequate spatial cue, allowing the infant to specify position allocentrically, provided the correct cover maintains a stable position.", "contents": "Spatial errors made by infants: inadequate spatial cues or evidence of egocentrism? Nine month old infants search correctly for an object which they have seen hidden in one position, but cease to do so after they have been moved to the opposite side of the display, searching instead at a position which is apparently defined egocentrically from their experience before movement. This error can be explained on the one hand in terms of response dependence or egocentrism, or on the other hand as due to a lack of adequate spatial cues to allocentric position. In order to distinguish between these hypotheses, 64 nine month old infants were presented with a hidden object problem in which the two alternative positions had covers of different colours. The results show that infants could search correctly for an object in one location although they saw the problem from different sides. This result combines with those of other conditions to indicate that cover colour provides an adequate spatial cue, allowing the infant to specify position allocentrically, provided the correct cover maintains a stable position.", "PMID": 626806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6668", "title": "Cognitive style and lateral eye movements.", "content": "The lateral eye movement paradigm was employed to test the hypothesis that narrow categorizers, who are believed to be more analytic in information processing, make characteristic use of the left hemisphere, while broad categorizers, being more holistic, depend more on the right hemisphere. Data for narrow categorizers confirmed the hypothesis in that they tended to produce a majority of right shifts. Results from broad categorizers turned out to be less clear, although there was a tendency in the direction of left eye shift. Additionally, narrow categorizers made significantly more total LEMs than did broad categorizers. The results are discussed in terms of cerebral specialization underlying cognitive style.", "contents": "Cognitive style and lateral eye movements. The lateral eye movement paradigm was employed to test the hypothesis that narrow categorizers, who are believed to be more analytic in information processing, make characteristic use of the left hemisphere, while broad categorizers, being more holistic, depend more on the right hemisphere. Data for narrow categorizers confirmed the hypothesis in that they tended to produce a majority of right shifts. Results from broad categorizers turned out to be less clear, although there was a tendency in the direction of left eye shift. Additionally, narrow categorizers made significantly more total LEMs than did broad categorizers. The results are discussed in terms of cerebral specialization underlying cognitive style.", "PMID": 626807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6669", "title": "The effect of catch-trials on speed and accuracy among introverts and extraverts in a simple RT task.", "content": "Three predictions from the model of extraversion put forward by Brebner & Cooper (1974) were tested in a simple RT task. In line with the model, extraverts were found to make more commissive errors and to be more affected by an increase in the catch-trial rate. The third prediction-that extraverts would tend to produce longer runs of decreasing RTs than of increasing RTs in the condition with 10 per cent catch-trials, was not borne out. This effect was, however, seen in the condition with 40 per cent catch-trials although it was not statistically significant, P = 0.06.", "contents": "The effect of catch-trials on speed and accuracy among introverts and extraverts in a simple RT task. Three predictions from the model of extraversion put forward by Brebner & Cooper (1974) were tested in a simple RT task. In line with the model, extraverts were found to make more commissive errors and to be more affected by an increase in the catch-trial rate. The third prediction-that extraverts would tend to produce longer runs of decreasing RTs than of increasing RTs in the condition with 10 per cent catch-trials, was not borne out. This effect was, however, seen in the condition with 40 per cent catch-trials although it was not statistically significant, P = 0.06.", "PMID": 626808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6670", "title": "The effect of osmotic diuresis on urinary iodine concentration using contrast media of differing osmolality.", "content": "The urinary iodine concentrations of a monomer (sodium iothalamate), a dimer (sodium iocarmate) and a non-ionic compound (metrizamide) have been compared in dogs with varying levels of solute excretion. All the animals were undergoing maximal antidiuresis. In dogs with normal solute excretion, metrizamide and iocarmate produced higher urinary iodine concentrations than iothalamate. There was no significant difference between metrizamide and iocarmate. With increasing levels of solute excretion, the differences between the compounds were reduced. These findings suggest that contrast media of reduced osmolality are unlikely to have a special place in advanced renal failure.", "contents": "The effect of osmotic diuresis on urinary iodine concentration using contrast media of differing osmolality. The urinary iodine concentrations of a monomer (sodium iothalamate), a dimer (sodium iocarmate) and a non-ionic compound (metrizamide) have been compared in dogs with varying levels of solute excretion. All the animals were undergoing maximal antidiuresis. In dogs with normal solute excretion, metrizamide and iocarmate produced higher urinary iodine concentrations than iothalamate. There was no significant difference between metrizamide and iocarmate. With increasing levels of solute excretion, the differences between the compounds were reduced. These findings suggest that contrast media of reduced osmolality are unlikely to have a special place in advanced renal failure.", "PMID": 626809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6671", "title": "Ioglycamide (Biligram) studies in man--relation between plasma concentration and billary excretion.", "content": "Plasma ioglycamide concentration was linearly related to the rate of intravenous infusion over a dose range of from 1 to 4 mg per kg per min. The relation between plasma and biliary concentration of ioglycamide was studied in 15 anicteric patients with a T-tube in situ. Peak biliary concentrations and excretory rates of ioglycamide were seen when the plasma concentration was greater than 1500 micrograms per ml. The mean biliary transport maximum (Tm) for ioglycamide in man was 31.6 mg/min (range 22.0-40.4). The results suggest that near optimal concentrations of iodine in the bile duct can be obtained during intravenous cholangiography if ioglycamide is infused for one hour at a rate of about 4 mg per kg per min.", "contents": "Ioglycamide (Biligram) studies in man--relation between plasma concentration and billary excretion. Plasma ioglycamide concentration was linearly related to the rate of intravenous infusion over a dose range of from 1 to 4 mg per kg per min. The relation between plasma and biliary concentration of ioglycamide was studied in 15 anicteric patients with a T-tube in situ. Peak biliary concentrations and excretory rates of ioglycamide were seen when the plasma concentration was greater than 1500 micrograms per ml. The mean biliary transport maximum (Tm) for ioglycamide in man was 31.6 mg/min (range 22.0-40.4). The results suggest that near optimal concentrations of iodine in the bile duct can be obtained during intravenous cholangiography if ioglycamide is infused for one hour at a rate of about 4 mg per kg per min.", "PMID": 626810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6672", "title": "The contribution of echography in the diagnosis of proptosis.", "content": "Echography was used to examine the retro-bulbar space of 150 patients with protosis. An NE Diasonograph was used with an 8 MHz probe using a water bath in the supine position. Lesions were classified ultrasonically as (1) tumour, (2) inflammatory oedema (including pseudo-tumour or other granulomas), (3) traumatic, (4) dysthyroid ophthalmopathy, (5) normal. Thirty-one patients were placed in the tumour group but three of these were subsequently found to have granulomas. In addition, one patient with a normal ultrasonic appearance, was found to have a meningioma en plaque at operation. There were no false positive results in the inflammatory group but again one patient with a normal ultrasonic appearance was eventually diagnosed as having an orbital inflammatory process. The ultrasonic findings in inflammatory disease are non-specific and three were found to be associated with or possibly caused by venous thrombosis or arteritis of the orbit. The changes have to be distinguished from the thyroid ophthalmopathy but this disorder is generally bilateral which is unusual in inflammatory disease. Traumatic oedema and haemorrhage are distinguidhed by the obvious antecedent history. Because of the variability of the amount and position of the retrobulbar fat in the posterior part of the orbit, it is necessary to make a comparative scan of the normal orbit in all patients with suspected retro-bulbar pathology.", "contents": "The contribution of echography in the diagnosis of proptosis. Echography was used to examine the retro-bulbar space of 150 patients with protosis. An NE Diasonograph was used with an 8 MHz probe using a water bath in the supine position. Lesions were classified ultrasonically as (1) tumour, (2) inflammatory oedema (including pseudo-tumour or other granulomas), (3) traumatic, (4) dysthyroid ophthalmopathy, (5) normal. Thirty-one patients were placed in the tumour group but three of these were subsequently found to have granulomas. In addition, one patient with a normal ultrasonic appearance, was found to have a meningioma en plaque at operation. There were no false positive results in the inflammatory group but again one patient with a normal ultrasonic appearance was eventually diagnosed as having an orbital inflammatory process. The ultrasonic findings in inflammatory disease are non-specific and three were found to be associated with or possibly caused by venous thrombosis or arteritis of the orbit. The changes have to be distinguished from the thyroid ophthalmopathy but this disorder is generally bilateral which is unusual in inflammatory disease. Traumatic oedema and haemorrhage are distinguidhed by the obvious antecedent history. Because of the variability of the amount and position of the retrobulbar fat in the posterior part of the orbit, it is necessary to make a comparative scan of the normal orbit in all patients with suspected retro-bulbar pathology.", "PMID": 626811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6673", "title": "Effects of negative pions and neutrons on the growth of Vicia faba bean roots.", "content": "Vicia faba bean roots have been irratiated with neutrons of various energies and with negative pi-mesons, and the effect on the ten-day growth of the roots has been determened. The neutron irratiations were made in beams of 400 and 600 MeV maximum energy, as well as with neutrons from a plutonium-beryllium source (mean energy 4.4 MeV) and from a 14 MeV neutron generator. The bean roots have also been irradiated at various points along the depth-dose curve of negative pi-mesons, including the gegion where the pions annihilate on coming to rest. The results show a maximum relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 3.7 for 50% reduction in ten days growth for stopped negative pions and values up to 3.3 for high-energy neutrons, compared to 5.5 for 14 MeV neutrons. The biological effectiveness of high-energy neutrons and stopped pions shows a more pronounced dependence on dose than does the effect with lower-energy neutrons.", "contents": "Effects of negative pions and neutrons on the growth of Vicia faba bean roots. Vicia faba bean roots have been irratiated with neutrons of various energies and with negative pi-mesons, and the effect on the ten-day growth of the roots has been determened. The neutron irratiations were made in beams of 400 and 600 MeV maximum energy, as well as with neutrons from a plutonium-beryllium source (mean energy 4.4 MeV) and from a 14 MeV neutron generator. The bean roots have also been irradiated at various points along the depth-dose curve of negative pi-mesons, including the gegion where the pions annihilate on coming to rest. The results show a maximum relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 3.7 for 50% reduction in ten days growth for stopped negative pions and values up to 3.3 for high-energy neutrons, compared to 5.5 for 14 MeV neutrons. The biological effectiveness of high-energy neutrons and stopped pions shows a more pronounced dependence on dose than does the effect with lower-energy neutrons.", "PMID": 626812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6674", "title": "Radiological findings in neurosarcoidosis.", "content": "The radiological investigation of neurosarcoidosis is discussed in relation to a series of 32 patients presenting to a neurological hospital. Cranial computed axial tomography, performed in 13 of these cases, was the most frequently positive procedure (77%). The indications for air studies are now limited but in cases with nerve or chiasmal syndromes and negative CAT they may show small mass lesions, or incomplete filling of basal cisterns due to granulomatous infiltration or fibrosis. Sarcoid masses are avascular and angiography is only useful for exclusion of incidental tumours with pathological circulation. Cord syndromes were present in eight cases, but myelography was only indicated in five of these and was normal in three. The cord may be involved by intra-medullary granulomas or meningeal infiltration causing arachnoiditis, both of which cause myelographic abnormalities though these are not specific for sarcoidosis.", "contents": "Radiological findings in neurosarcoidosis. The radiological investigation of neurosarcoidosis is discussed in relation to a series of 32 patients presenting to a neurological hospital. Cranial computed axial tomography, performed in 13 of these cases, was the most frequently positive procedure (77%). The indications for air studies are now limited but in cases with nerve or chiasmal syndromes and negative CAT they may show small mass lesions, or incomplete filling of basal cisterns due to granulomatous infiltration or fibrosis. Sarcoid masses are avascular and angiography is only useful for exclusion of incidental tumours with pathological circulation. Cord syndromes were present in eight cases, but myelography was only indicated in five of these and was normal in three. The cord may be involved by intra-medullary granulomas or meningeal infiltration causing arachnoiditis, both of which cause myelographic abnormalities though these are not specific for sarcoidosis.", "PMID": 626816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6675", "title": "The \"mandibular mantle\"--a sign of rickets in very low birth weight infants.", "content": "Mandibular periosteal new bone formation (the \"mandibular mantle\") is described in very low birth weight infants with other signs of severe metabolic bone disease. In infants with onset of dyspnoea and apnoea, between two and three months of age, this mandibular change suggests that the lung disorder is of skeletal, rather than pulmonary origin and aids in differentiation therefore, from the Mikity-Wilson Syndrome (pulmonary dystmaturity).", "contents": "The \"mandibular mantle\"--a sign of rickets in very low birth weight infants. Mandibular periosteal new bone formation (the \"mandibular mantle\") is described in very low birth weight infants with other signs of severe metabolic bone disease. In infants with onset of dyspnoea and apnoea, between two and three months of age, this mandibular change suggests that the lung disorder is of skeletal, rather than pulmonary origin and aids in differentiation therefore, from the Mikity-Wilson Syndrome (pulmonary dystmaturity).", "PMID": 626817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6676", "title": "Gallstone disease presenting as septicaemic shock.", "content": "Three patients are described who were admitted to hospital with septicaemic shock due to gallstones, but in none of whom had the presence of gallstones, been diagnosed previously. All 3 had positive blood cultures, Clostridium welchii being isolated in one patient (in another patient this organism was isolated from the bile). Two patients had renal failure requiring dialysis. All 3 patients survived. The management of this serious presentation of gallstones, hitherto poorly described in British literature, is discussed.", "contents": "Gallstone disease presenting as septicaemic shock. Three patients are described who were admitted to hospital with septicaemic shock due to gallstones, but in none of whom had the presence of gallstones, been diagnosed previously. All 3 had positive blood cultures, Clostridium welchii being isolated in one patient (in another patient this organism was isolated from the bile). Two patients had renal failure requiring dialysis. All 3 patients survived. The management of this serious presentation of gallstones, hitherto poorly described in British literature, is discussed.", "PMID": 626818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6677", "title": "Rupture of a hydatid cyst of the liver into the biliary tract.", "content": "The history of a patient with intrabiliary rupture of a hydatid cyst of the liver is reported. The patient presented with a distended palpable gallbladder, which is a most unusual feature of this condition.", "contents": "Rupture of a hydatid cyst of the liver into the biliary tract. The history of a patient with intrabiliary rupture of a hydatid cyst of the liver is reported. The patient presented with a distended palpable gallbladder, which is a most unusual feature of this condition.", "PMID": 626819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6678", "title": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in hepatic hydatid disease.", "content": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography provides safe preoperative documentation of the relationship of hepatic hydatid cysts to the biliary ductal system and accurate distinction from coincident calculus disease.", "contents": "Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in hepatic hydatid disease. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography provides safe preoperative documentation of the relationship of hepatic hydatid cysts to the biliary ductal system and accurate distinction from coincident calculus disease.", "PMID": 626820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6679", "title": "Cytotoxic perfusion for colorectal liver metastases.", "content": "A clinical trial to assess the value of different perfusion techniques in the management of colorectal liver metastases is presented. The perfusion with 5-fluorouracil was commenced at the time of resection of the primary tumour when palpable liver metastases were found. In terms of survival, no benefit was found with hepatic artery ligation and perfusion and with portal vein perfusion alone compared with the control group. However, the combination of the two improved the survival rate and a possible explanation for this is discussed.", "contents": "Cytotoxic perfusion for colorectal liver metastases. A clinical trial to assess the value of different perfusion techniques in the management of colorectal liver metastases is presented. The perfusion with 5-fluorouracil was commenced at the time of resection of the primary tumour when palpable liver metastases were found. In terms of survival, no benefit was found with hepatic artery ligation and perfusion and with portal vein perfusion alone compared with the control group. However, the combination of the two improved the survival rate and a possible explanation for this is discussed.", "PMID": 626821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6680", "title": "Interposition left gastric-caval shunt using internal jugular vein autograft in the treatment of portal hypertension.", "content": "The selective left gastric-caval shunt is, in theory, one of the better procedures in the surgical treatment of portal hypertension. We have performed a modification of the previously described technique utilizing an internal jugular vein autograft in 4 patients who had had more than one major haemorrhage from oesophageal varices 3-12 months before operation. There were no post-operative deaths. All 4 patients are still alive 3 months to 4 years after shunting, with no episodes of bleeding. On radiological and endoscopic follow-up, the oesophagogastric varices were noted to be markedly smaller in size than before shunting.", "contents": "Interposition left gastric-caval shunt using internal jugular vein autograft in the treatment of portal hypertension. The selective left gastric-caval shunt is, in theory, one of the better procedures in the surgical treatment of portal hypertension. We have performed a modification of the previously described technique utilizing an internal jugular vein autograft in 4 patients who had had more than one major haemorrhage from oesophageal varices 3-12 months before operation. There were no post-operative deaths. All 4 patients are still alive 3 months to 4 years after shunting, with no episodes of bleeding. On radiological and endoscopic follow-up, the oesophagogastric varices were noted to be markedly smaller in size than before shunting.", "PMID": 626822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6681", "title": "The insulin infusion test: a safe procedure?", "content": "One hundred and thirty insulin infusion tests (dose 0.05 u kg-1h-1) were carried out in 87 patients with peptic ulcer or after a vagotomy. During the test ECG tracings were taken and blood was sampled for blood glucose and serum potassium determination. In 31% of the tests electrocardiographic changes were seen. The cardiovascular effects were supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats, ST-T changes and U waves. In 2 tests there were potentially dangerous arrhythmias. A significant relationship was seen between ECG abnormalities and the age of the patients. Such a relationship was not present between ECG changes and glucose and potassium values. It is concluded that the insulin infusion test is probably safer than the conventional Hollander test, but constant monitoring is still required.", "contents": "The insulin infusion test: a safe procedure? One hundred and thirty insulin infusion tests (dose 0.05 u kg-1h-1) were carried out in 87 patients with peptic ulcer or after a vagotomy. During the test ECG tracings were taken and blood was sampled for blood glucose and serum potassium determination. In 31% of the tests electrocardiographic changes were seen. The cardiovascular effects were supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats, ST-T changes and U waves. In 2 tests there were potentially dangerous arrhythmias. A significant relationship was seen between ECG abnormalities and the age of the patients. Such a relationship was not present between ECG changes and glucose and potassium values. It is concluded that the insulin infusion test is probably safer than the conventional Hollander test, but constant monitoring is still required.", "PMID": 626823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6682", "title": "Operative intubation in the treatment of complicated small bowel obstruction.", "content": "Intestinal intubation carried out at laparotomy for complicated small bowel obstruction is not yet a generally accepted technique. Experience in 32 patients has shown that it is safe and effective. The procedure was initially described in North America for use in recurrent adhesive small intestinal obstruction but the indications have been extended and it has proved of value in other difficult situations. A technique for intubation is described and the results obtained in various clinical situations are given.", "contents": "Operative intubation in the treatment of complicated small bowel obstruction. Intestinal intubation carried out at laparotomy for complicated small bowel obstruction is not yet a generally accepted technique. Experience in 32 patients has shown that it is safe and effective. The procedure was initially described in North America for use in recurrent adhesive small intestinal obstruction but the indications have been extended and it has proved of value in other difficult situations. A technique for intubation is described and the results obtained in various clinical situations are given.", "PMID": 626824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6683", "title": "Evaporative water loss in adult surgical patients in the Sudan.", "content": "Evaporative water loss and urine volume were investigated in 65 healthy adult Sudanese male surgical patients in Khartoum. The mean evaporative water loss per day was found to be 3063 g in the hot dry season and 667 g in the cold dry season. The mean 24-h urine volume was found to be 594 and 1515 ml respectively. There was a significant correlation between evaporative water loss and the air temperature and the effective temperature. These findings support the results reported from other parts of the tropics that the values for evaporative water loss and urine volume quoted for temperate climates are not representative of those encountered in the tropics.", "contents": "Evaporative water loss in adult surgical patients in the Sudan. Evaporative water loss and urine volume were investigated in 65 healthy adult Sudanese male surgical patients in Khartoum. The mean evaporative water loss per day was found to be 3063 g in the hot dry season and 667 g in the cold dry season. The mean 24-h urine volume was found to be 594 and 1515 ml respectively. There was a significant correlation between evaporative water loss and the air temperature and the effective temperature. These findings support the results reported from other parts of the tropics that the values for evaporative water loss and urine volume quoted for temperate climates are not representative of those encountered in the tropics.", "PMID": 626825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6684", "title": "Extra-abdominal desmoid of the face involving the orbit.", "content": "A case of musculoaponeurotic fibrosis of the face invading the orbit is presented. The need for radical local excision of such lesions to prevent recurrence and the value of adequate prostheses following excenteration of the orbit are emphasized.", "contents": "Extra-abdominal desmoid of the face involving the orbit. A case of musculoaponeurotic fibrosis of the face invading the orbit is presented. The need for radical local excision of such lesions to prevent recurrence and the value of adequate prostheses following excenteration of the orbit are emphasized.", "PMID": 626826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6685", "title": "The Gritti-Stokes amputation in ischaemia: a review of 134 cases.", "content": "The results of 134 Gritti-Stokes amputations for ischaemia are presented. The mortality rate was 11% and healing occurred in 88%, reaffirming the good results already reported for this operation. The long term results are reviewed in an attempt to decide whether the most frequently cited criticisms of this procedure are justified. Stump pain and mobility of the patella were not major problems. The difficulties in fitting a suitable prosthesis are discussed and attention is drawn to the advantages of a new prosthesis that has been developed for this amputation.", "contents": "The Gritti-Stokes amputation in ischaemia: a review of 134 cases. The results of 134 Gritti-Stokes amputations for ischaemia are presented. The mortality rate was 11% and healing occurred in 88%, reaffirming the good results already reported for this operation. The long term results are reviewed in an attempt to decide whether the most frequently cited criticisms of this procedure are justified. Stump pain and mobility of the patella were not major problems. The difficulties in fitting a suitable prosthesis are discussed and attention is drawn to the advantages of a new prosthesis that has been developed for this amputation.", "PMID": 626827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6686", "title": "Familial phaeochromocytoma with von Hippel's disease in one sister and ectopic adrenal cortex in the kidney in another.", "content": "Two sisters with bilateral adrenal phaeochromocytomas are reported. Von Hippel's disease of the retina was found in the one and ectopic adrenal cortical tissue was found in the kidney of the other. The latter association has not previously been described with familial phaeochromocytoma.", "contents": "Familial phaeochromocytoma with von Hippel's disease in one sister and ectopic adrenal cortex in the kidney in another. Two sisters with bilateral adrenal phaeochromocytomas are reported. Von Hippel's disease of the retina was found in the one and ectopic adrenal cortical tissue was found in the kidney of the other. The latter association has not previously been described with familial phaeochromocytoma.", "PMID": 626828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6687", "title": "Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.", "content": "A series of 58 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia following blunt and penetrating injury is reviewed. The problems of radiodiagnosis are outlined and the need for barium contrast studies of the entire gastrointestinal tract to ensure recognition of isolated small bowel herniation is emphasized. Surgical access via laparotomy is recommended in the immediate post-traumatic presentation, whereas thoracotomy is preferable in cases diagnosed after a latent interval. Penetrating injury resulted in smaller diaphragmatic defects, greater morbidity and higher mortality due mainly to infective complications.", "contents": "Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. A series of 58 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia following blunt and penetrating injury is reviewed. The problems of radiodiagnosis are outlined and the need for barium contrast studies of the entire gastrointestinal tract to ensure recognition of isolated small bowel herniation is emphasized. Surgical access via laparotomy is recommended in the immediate post-traumatic presentation, whereas thoracotomy is preferable in cases diagnosed after a latent interval. Penetrating injury resulted in smaller diaphragmatic defects, greater morbidity and higher mortality due mainly to infective complications.", "PMID": 626829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6688", "title": "The early use of fine-needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in an approach to the diagnosis of jaundice in a surgical unit.", "content": "Fine-needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) was performed in a series of 46 patients with jaundice or suspected biliary tract disease. The ductal system was successfully outlined in each of 20 patients with dilated intrahepatic ducts and in 19 of 26 patients with intrahepatic ducts of normal calibre. There were two episodes of septicaemia after PTC, one of them fatal. Valuable accurate diagnostic information was obtained in all cases with biliary tract obstruction. A programmed approach to diagnosis of suspected obstructive jaundice is outlined. Fine-needle PTC is an acceptably safe procedure and need not be followed by immediate laparotomy.", "contents": "The early use of fine-needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in an approach to the diagnosis of jaundice in a surgical unit. Fine-needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) was performed in a series of 46 patients with jaundice or suspected biliary tract disease. The ductal system was successfully outlined in each of 20 patients with dilated intrahepatic ducts and in 19 of 26 patients with intrahepatic ducts of normal calibre. There were two episodes of septicaemia after PTC, one of them fatal. Valuable accurate diagnostic information was obtained in all cases with biliary tract obstruction. A programmed approach to diagnosis of suspected obstructive jaundice is outlined. Fine-needle PTC is an acceptably safe procedure and need not be followed by immediate laparotomy.", "PMID": 626830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6689", "title": "Side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy in the management of choledocholithiasis.", "content": "Sixty patients with choledocholithiasis (either single or multiple stones of the biliary tree) were treated with lateral choledochoduodenostomy. Of these cases 83.3% were followed up for from 1 to 7 years. Only 1 patient developed cholangitis, which responded well to conservative treatment. The other cases have been asymptomatic following surgery. The diameter of the common bile duct is not an important problem in constructing a functional anastomosis.", "contents": "Side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy in the management of choledocholithiasis. Sixty patients with choledocholithiasis (either single or multiple stones of the biliary tree) were treated with lateral choledochoduodenostomy. Of these cases 83.3% were followed up for from 1 to 7 years. Only 1 patient developed cholangitis, which responded well to conservative treatment. The other cases have been asymptomatic following surgery. The diameter of the common bile duct is not an important problem in constructing a functional anastomosis.", "PMID": 626831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6690", "title": "Early platelet consumption in pre-eclampsia.", "content": "One hundred and thirty-one women with chronic hypertension were studied serially during pregnancy to determine the sequence of events in the development of superimposed pre-eclampsia and to discover the time of onset. Twenty-seven women developed a sustained rise in plasma urate concentrations, which began at about 28 weeks' gestation and which is characteristic of pre-eclampsia. The mean platelet count was already significantly reduced and continued to fall until delivery, which was on average at 36 weeks' gestation. A comparable but smaller decrease in platelet count was seen in 55 women who had borderline but consistent increases in plasma urate concentrations. In 49 women whose plasma urate concentrations remained steady the platelet count did not change significantly before delivery. The reduced platelet count in women who develop pre-eclampsia suggests that increased platelet consumption is an early feature of the disorder.", "contents": "Early platelet consumption in pre-eclampsia. One hundred and thirty-one women with chronic hypertension were studied serially during pregnancy to determine the sequence of events in the development of superimposed pre-eclampsia and to discover the time of onset. Twenty-seven women developed a sustained rise in plasma urate concentrations, which began at about 28 weeks' gestation and which is characteristic of pre-eclampsia. The mean platelet count was already significantly reduced and continued to fall until delivery, which was on average at 36 weeks' gestation. A comparable but smaller decrease in platelet count was seen in 55 women who had borderline but consistent increases in plasma urate concentrations. In 49 women whose plasma urate concentrations remained steady the platelet count did not change significantly before delivery. The reduced platelet count in women who develop pre-eclampsia suggests that increased platelet consumption is an early feature of the disorder.", "PMID": 626836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6691", "title": "Duodenal ulcer and working-class mobility in an African population in South Africa.", "content": "The number of Africans in Johannesburg presenting with duodenal ulcers has steadily increased over the past 50 years. The characteristics of 105 patients with duodenal ulcer who presented a Baragwanath Hospital were compared with those of matched and unmatched samples of patients without gastrointestinal conditions in the same hospital. Men with duodenal ulcers were found to be significantly better educated than their controls, most had been born in the town, and more of them were employed at higher, though not the highest, educational levels. These data were used to test Susser's proposition that duodenal ulcers are associated with \"early urbanisation.\" Johannesburg blacks with duodenal ulcer did seem to fit the pattern, but the relation between stress and duodenal ulcer remains unclear.", "contents": "Duodenal ulcer and working-class mobility in an African population in South Africa. The number of Africans in Johannesburg presenting with duodenal ulcers has steadily increased over the past 50 years. The characteristics of 105 patients with duodenal ulcer who presented a Baragwanath Hospital were compared with those of matched and unmatched samples of patients without gastrointestinal conditions in the same hospital. Men with duodenal ulcers were found to be significantly better educated than their controls, most had been born in the town, and more of them were employed at higher, though not the highest, educational levels. These data were used to test Susser's proposition that duodenal ulcers are associated with \"early urbanisation.\" Johannesburg blacks with duodenal ulcer did seem to fit the pattern, but the relation between stress and duodenal ulcer remains unclear.", "PMID": 626837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6692", "title": "Coronary heart disease in relation to age, sex, and the menopause.", "content": "Examination of the Registrar General's mortality data suggested that women do not lose protection from coronary heart disease (CHD) after the menopause. Apparently, at around the age of 50 men begin to lose a factor that had previously put them at increased risk of developing CHD compared with women. Male sex hormones may be risk factors for CHD, and further studies are needed to clarify their role in the aetiology of CHD in men.", "contents": "Coronary heart disease in relation to age, sex, and the menopause. Examination of the Registrar General's mortality data suggested that women do not lose protection from coronary heart disease (CHD) after the menopause. Apparently, at around the age of 50 men begin to lose a factor that had previously put them at increased risk of developing CHD compared with women. Male sex hormones may be risk factors for CHD, and further studies are needed to clarify their role in the aetiology of CHD in men.", "PMID": 626838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6693", "title": "One drug for epilepsy.", "content": "We performed prospective trials of phenytoin and carbamazepine, assisted by blood level monitoring, in untreated patients newly referred with grand mal or partial seizures, or both, to a neurological clinic. At the time of follow-up (mean 28.5 months for phenytoin; 12 months for carbamazepine) 76-88% of patients were completely controlled. Twelve per cent of the patients on each drug had further seizures, despite an optimum blood level. When the blood drug concentration was in the optimum range there was a 98% reduction in grand mal attack rate and 92-93% reduction in partial seizure rate. These results suggest that polypharmacy is largely, and possibly totally, unnecessary in newly diagnosed adult epileptics.", "contents": "One drug for epilepsy. We performed prospective trials of phenytoin and carbamazepine, assisted by blood level monitoring, in untreated patients newly referred with grand mal or partial seizures, or both, to a neurological clinic. At the time of follow-up (mean 28.5 months for phenytoin; 12 months for carbamazepine) 76-88% of patients were completely controlled. Twelve per cent of the patients on each drug had further seizures, despite an optimum blood level. When the blood drug concentration was in the optimum range there was a 98% reduction in grand mal attack rate and 92-93% reduction in partial seizure rate. These results suggest that polypharmacy is largely, and possibly totally, unnecessary in newly diagnosed adult epileptics.", "PMID": 626839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6694", "title": "Cellular hyperviscosity as a cause of neurological symptoms in leukaemia.", "content": "Six patients with various forms of leukaemia had neurological signs and symptoms associated with an extremely high white blood cell count and increased whole blood (but not plasma) viscosity. All were treated by leucapheresis with an Aminco Celltrifuge. Rapid and complete reversal of all symptoms occurred in three patients and partial recovery in one. One patient died shortly after leucapheresis and another (from cerebral intravascular coagulation) two days later. It is concluded that a cellular hyperviscosity syndrome may cause neurological dysfunction in patients with extremely high white cell counts, and that leucapheresis, in carefully selected patients, can be an effective method of treatment.", "contents": "Cellular hyperviscosity as a cause of neurological symptoms in leukaemia. Six patients with various forms of leukaemia had neurological signs and symptoms associated with an extremely high white blood cell count and increased whole blood (but not plasma) viscosity. All were treated by leucapheresis with an Aminco Celltrifuge. Rapid and complete reversal of all symptoms occurred in three patients and partial recovery in one. One patient died shortly after leucapheresis and another (from cerebral intravascular coagulation) two days later. It is concluded that a cellular hyperviscosity syndrome may cause neurological dysfunction in patients with extremely high white cell counts, and that leucapheresis, in carefully selected patients, can be an effective method of treatment.", "PMID": 626840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6695", "title": "Changing pattern in a general practitioner obstetric unit.", "content": "Over the past nine years in Watford the proportion of hospital confinements has increased and domiciliary confinements have almost ceased. The proportion of patients originally booked into the general practitioner obstetric unit and subsequently transferred to the consultant unit has increased. Most patients are transferred during pregnancy, and the numbers transferred in labour are decreasing. The proportion of GPs attending their patients for delivery is low: local practitioners appear to be prepared for the consultant unit to supervise delivery with the practitioner co-operating in antenatal and postnatal care and family planning. There seems little doubt that the success of GP units depends on the enthusiasm and interest of individual practitioners.", "contents": "Changing pattern in a general practitioner obstetric unit. Over the past nine years in Watford the proportion of hospital confinements has increased and domiciliary confinements have almost ceased. The proportion of patients originally booked into the general practitioner obstetric unit and subsequently transferred to the consultant unit has increased. Most patients are transferred during pregnancy, and the numbers transferred in labour are decreasing. The proportion of GPs attending their patients for delivery is low: local practitioners appear to be prepared for the consultant unit to supervise delivery with the practitioner co-operating in antenatal and postnatal care and family planning. There seems little doubt that the success of GP units depends on the enthusiasm and interest of individual practitioners.", "PMID": 626847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6696", "title": "A biochemical and morphological study of the altered growth pattern of central catecholamine neurons following 6-hydroxydopamine.", "content": "In this study the effect of administering 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) intracisternally on brain catecholamine content and fluorescence patterns of cerebellar processes was examined. It was found that intracisternal injection of 6-OHDA resulted in widely diverging effects depending upon the dose of 6-OHDA, age of the animal upon injection and the length of the post injection interval. Small doses of 6-OHDA (3 and 10 microgram) selectively depleted telencephalic and upper brain stem NE while larger doses of 6-OHDA (30 and 100 microgram) infringed on dopaminergic as well as noradrenergic neurons. In addition, the lower doses of 6-OHDA, but not the higher ones, led to an approximately two-fold accumulation of NE in the lower brain stem and cerebellum. Morphological observations suggested that the cerebellar norepinephrine accumulation after 10 microgram 6-OHDA was attributable primarily to an invasion of noradrenergic processes into the cerebellum.", "contents": "A biochemical and morphological study of the altered growth pattern of central catecholamine neurons following 6-hydroxydopamine. In this study the effect of administering 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) intracisternally on brain catecholamine content and fluorescence patterns of cerebellar processes was examined. It was found that intracisternal injection of 6-OHDA resulted in widely diverging effects depending upon the dose of 6-OHDA, age of the animal upon injection and the length of the post injection interval. Small doses of 6-OHDA (3 and 10 microgram) selectively depleted telencephalic and upper brain stem NE while larger doses of 6-OHDA (30 and 100 microgram) infringed on dopaminergic as well as noradrenergic neurons. In addition, the lower doses of 6-OHDA, but not the higher ones, led to an approximately two-fold accumulation of NE in the lower brain stem and cerebellum. Morphological observations suggested that the cerebellar norepinephrine accumulation after 10 microgram 6-OHDA was attributable primarily to an invasion of noradrenergic processes into the cerebellum.", "PMID": 626876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6697", "title": "Cardiovascular alteration by nucleus locus coeruleus in spontaneously hypertensive rat.", "content": "Biphasic electrical stimulation of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) produced frequency-related pressor responses associated with increased heart rate in normotensive rats (WKY) at both 50 and 100 microamperemeter. In contrast, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) demonstrated small depressor responses at 50 microamperemeter and 50 Hz, but no consistent pressure or heart rate changes at either 50 or 100 muA stimulation. The LC pressor threshold current (current necessary to increase arterial pressure by greater than or equal 10 mm Hg) was higher in SHR than WKY (136 +/- 5 muA vs. 84 +/- 7 muA; P less than 0.001); and only the SHR LC demonstrated a depressor threshold (current necessary to reduce arterial pressure by greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg) (53 +/- 3 muA). These threshold current levels did not seem to change with acute alterations of arterial pressure produced by either bilateral carotid artery occlusion or caortid sinus stimulation. Therefore, these studies indicate altered levels of responsiveness of the SHR LC to stimulation but that the pressor function of the LC does not seem to be importantly involved in further elevation of abnormally high arterial pressure in the SHR.", "contents": "Cardiovascular alteration by nucleus locus coeruleus in spontaneously hypertensive rat. Biphasic electrical stimulation of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) produced frequency-related pressor responses associated with increased heart rate in normotensive rats (WKY) at both 50 and 100 microamperemeter. In contrast, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) demonstrated small depressor responses at 50 microamperemeter and 50 Hz, but no consistent pressure or heart rate changes at either 50 or 100 muA stimulation. The LC pressor threshold current (current necessary to increase arterial pressure by greater than or equal 10 mm Hg) was higher in SHR than WKY (136 +/- 5 muA vs. 84 +/- 7 muA; P less than 0.001); and only the SHR LC demonstrated a depressor threshold (current necessary to reduce arterial pressure by greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg) (53 +/- 3 muA). These threshold current levels did not seem to change with acute alterations of arterial pressure produced by either bilateral carotid artery occlusion or caortid sinus stimulation. Therefore, these studies indicate altered levels of responsiveness of the SHR LC to stimulation but that the pressor function of the LC does not seem to be importantly involved in further elevation of abnormally high arterial pressure in the SHR.", "PMID": 626877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6698", "title": "Effects of microiontophoretic and intravenous application of gonadotrophic hormones on the discharge of medial-basal hypothalamic neurones in rats.", "content": "In ovariectomized rats, the responses of medial-basal hypothalamic neurones to gonadotrophic hormones have been recorded. The luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones (LH and FSH) were applied to neurones both by microiontophoresis and by intravenous injection. Although LH was the more frequently effective, both hormones caused either excitation or inhibition of neurones, and the effects were consistently repeatable on the same neurones. Iontophoretic and intravenous application of the same hormones to the same neurone gave identical responses. Responsive neurones were found throughout the medial-basal hypothalamus and hormones were effective both on neurones which could be antidromically activated from the median eminence and on those which could not be activated. Treatment of rats with oestradiol, either during the experiment or 24 h earlier, did not significantly alter neuronal responses to the gonadotrophins. The results are discussed in terms of possible feedback by gonadotrophic hormones on the brain and it is suggested that such a feedback may not be concerned with control of gonadotrophic hormone secretion.", "contents": "Effects of microiontophoretic and intravenous application of gonadotrophic hormones on the discharge of medial-basal hypothalamic neurones in rats. In ovariectomized rats, the responses of medial-basal hypothalamic neurones to gonadotrophic hormones have been recorded. The luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones (LH and FSH) were applied to neurones both by microiontophoresis and by intravenous injection. Although LH was the more frequently effective, both hormones caused either excitation or inhibition of neurones, and the effects were consistently repeatable on the same neurones. Iontophoretic and intravenous application of the same hormones to the same neurone gave identical responses. Responsive neurones were found throughout the medial-basal hypothalamus and hormones were effective both on neurones which could be antidromically activated from the median eminence and on those which could not be activated. Treatment of rats with oestradiol, either during the experiment or 24 h earlier, did not significantly alter neuronal responses to the gonadotrophins. The results are discussed in terms of possible feedback by gonadotrophic hormones on the brain and it is suggested that such a feedback may not be concerned with control of gonadotrophic hormone secretion.", "PMID": 626886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6699", "title": "Spinal myelopathy induced by subarachnoid batrachotoxin: ultrastructure and electrophysiology.", "content": "A combined structural and electrophysiologic analysis on the effects of subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin was conducted in rats. Swelling of neuronal perikarya, accompanied by areas of clearing, satellitosis, fatty metamorphosis and central chromatolysis were demonstrated in the spinal anterior horns. Studies on isolated extensor digitorum longus (fast) and soleus (slow) muscles showed membrane depolarization in the extensor 24 h after injection, with progressive augmentation of this phenomenon in animals given multiple injections of the toxin. Differential sensitivity of fast and slow muscles was evident: soleus was only slightly affected. Subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin, which induced swelling of neuronal perikarya and axonal processes, also caused signs of denervation in the extensor muscle 7 days after injection, while spontaneous transmitter release was still present. Some structural and and most electrophysiologic alterations after batrachotoxin injections were reversible.", "contents": "Spinal myelopathy induced by subarachnoid batrachotoxin: ultrastructure and electrophysiology. A combined structural and electrophysiologic analysis on the effects of subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin was conducted in rats. Swelling of neuronal perikarya, accompanied by areas of clearing, satellitosis, fatty metamorphosis and central chromatolysis were demonstrated in the spinal anterior horns. Studies on isolated extensor digitorum longus (fast) and soleus (slow) muscles showed membrane depolarization in the extensor 24 h after injection, with progressive augmentation of this phenomenon in animals given multiple injections of the toxin. Differential sensitivity of fast and slow muscles was evident: soleus was only slightly affected. Subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin, which induced swelling of neuronal perikarya and axonal processes, also caused signs of denervation in the extensor muscle 7 days after injection, while spontaneous transmitter release was still present. Some structural and and most electrophysiologic alterations after batrachotoxin injections were reversible.", "PMID": 626887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6700", "title": "Extrinsic control of intrinsic neuronal plasticity: an hypothesis from work on simple systems.", "content": "All advanced nervous systems use plastic properties of neurons for learning, remembering and achieving other information processing feats. Recent findings on a variety of relatively simple nervous systems or reduced parts of more complex ones suggest the notion that, in addition to having neurons with intrinsically plastic properties, nervous systems also have mechanisms for controlling the development, expression, and maintenance of changes in their inherently malleable neurons. This hypothesis has important implications for understanding both the brain's learning machinery and also aspects of nervous system organization not obviously related to learning.", "contents": "Extrinsic control of intrinsic neuronal plasticity: an hypothesis from work on simple systems. All advanced nervous systems use plastic properties of neurons for learning, remembering and achieving other information processing feats. Recent findings on a variety of relatively simple nervous systems or reduced parts of more complex ones suggest the notion that, in addition to having neurons with intrinsically plastic properties, nervous systems also have mechanisms for controlling the development, expression, and maintenance of changes in their inherently malleable neurons. This hypothesis has important implications for understanding both the brain's learning machinery and also aspects of nervous system organization not obviously related to learning.", "PMID": 626888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6701", "title": "Slowly-developing depolarization of neurones in the guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion following repetitive stimulation of the preganglionic nerves.", "content": "Intracellular recordings were made from cells of the isolated guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion. Stimulation of both hypogastric nerves at 30 Hz for 2 sec caused a slowly developing depolarization (SD) and fall in cell input resistance which reached a peak 10-30 sec after the end of stimulation. The amplitude of the SD was increased in a graded manner if the stimulus voltage was increased. The SD was unaffected by tubocurarine, atropine or guanethidine, but was blocked by removing external Ca. These results suggested that the SD was caused by the release of some substance from a large number of nerve terminals.", "contents": "Slowly-developing depolarization of neurones in the guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion following repetitive stimulation of the preganglionic nerves. Intracellular recordings were made from cells of the isolated guinea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion. Stimulation of both hypogastric nerves at 30 Hz for 2 sec caused a slowly developing depolarization (SD) and fall in cell input resistance which reached a peak 10-30 sec after the end of stimulation. The amplitude of the SD was increased in a graded manner if the stimulus voltage was increased. The SD was unaffected by tubocurarine, atropine or guanethidine, but was blocked by removing external Ca. These results suggested that the SD was caused by the release of some substance from a large number of nerve terminals.", "PMID": 626889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6702", "title": "Identification of vasopressin in the subfornical organ region: effects of dehydration.", "content": "The subfornical organ (SFO), a neuroendocrine structure implicated in saltwater homeostasis, contains secretory structures histochemically similar to those in the neurohypophysis. Because of these morphological similarities, we compared levels of vasopressin (vp) in the SFO area and the adjacent hippocampal commissure-fornix (HC-F) of normally hydrated and 48 h water-deprived (WD) rats. VP in the SFO region from normally hydrated rats was 44 +/- 5 pg/mg protein, 3.5 +/- 0.4 ng/g wet weight or 3.6 +/- 0.4 pg/SFO. These concentrations increased (P less than 0.05) about twofold after WD. The content of VP, ng/g wet weight, in HC-F was higher (P less than 0.05) than the SFO area and also increased (P less than 0.05) after WD. VP was detected in other fiber tracts, anterior commissure (AC) and fornix (F), but was unchanged by WD. Changes in hormone observed in the SFO and HC-F regions were therefore not part of a generalized increase of VP in the brain, nor can they be ascribed to elevated plasma levels. Thus, VP changes in the SFO region may be functionally significant and related to an SFO endocrine role in hydration. VP in fiber tracts (F, AC) unassociated with the hypothalamo-hypophysial system and unchanged after WD may suggest an unidentified role of this hormone in the central nervous system.", "contents": "Identification of vasopressin in the subfornical organ region: effects of dehydration. The subfornical organ (SFO), a neuroendocrine structure implicated in saltwater homeostasis, contains secretory structures histochemically similar to those in the neurohypophysis. Because of these morphological similarities, we compared levels of vasopressin (vp) in the SFO area and the adjacent hippocampal commissure-fornix (HC-F) of normally hydrated and 48 h water-deprived (WD) rats. VP in the SFO region from normally hydrated rats was 44 +/- 5 pg/mg protein, 3.5 +/- 0.4 ng/g wet weight or 3.6 +/- 0.4 pg/SFO. These concentrations increased (P less than 0.05) about twofold after WD. The content of VP, ng/g wet weight, in HC-F was higher (P less than 0.05) than the SFO area and also increased (P less than 0.05) after WD. VP was detected in other fiber tracts, anterior commissure (AC) and fornix (F), but was unchanged by WD. Changes in hormone observed in the SFO and HC-F regions were therefore not part of a generalized increase of VP in the brain, nor can they be ascribed to elevated plasma levels. Thus, VP changes in the SFO region may be functionally significant and related to an SFO endocrine role in hydration. VP in fiber tracts (F, AC) unassociated with the hypothalamo-hypophysial system and unchanged after WD may suggest an unidentified role of this hormone in the central nervous system.", "PMID": 626890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6703", "title": "Denervation of the primary olfactory pathway in mice. V. Long-term effect of intranasal ZnSO4 irrigation on behavior, biochemistry and morphology.", "content": "Intranasal irrigation of mice with 0.17 M ZnSO4 solution results in the immediate and total loss of the ability to find a buried food pellet. This anosmia persists for 6 weeks in at least 80% of the treated mice and for 4 months in half of the animals. This marked behavioral effect is matched by a long-term reduction of the levels of carnosine synthesis and transport in the primary olfactory pathway. These biochemical parameters are virtually undetectable at two weeks after treatment and even at one year after treatment do not exceed 5-10% of average control values. Light microscopic observations of tissues of the primary olfactory pathway at various times after treatment are consistent with these observations and indicate a substantial destruction of the olfactory epithelium with subsequent atrophy of the olfactory bulb. At very long intervals after treatment, some receptor regeneration is apparent with accompanying reinnervation of the olfactory bulb. Estimates from microscopy and biochemistry suggest that much less than 10% of the normal complement of functioning receptor cells is adequate to give apparently normal food-finding behavior.", "contents": "Denervation of the primary olfactory pathway in mice. V. Long-term effect of intranasal ZnSO4 irrigation on behavior, biochemistry and morphology. Intranasal irrigation of mice with 0.17 M ZnSO4 solution results in the immediate and total loss of the ability to find a buried food pellet. This anosmia persists for 6 weeks in at least 80% of the treated mice and for 4 months in half of the animals. This marked behavioral effect is matched by a long-term reduction of the levels of carnosine synthesis and transport in the primary olfactory pathway. These biochemical parameters are virtually undetectable at two weeks after treatment and even at one year after treatment do not exceed 5-10% of average control values. Light microscopic observations of tissues of the primary olfactory pathway at various times after treatment are consistent with these observations and indicate a substantial destruction of the olfactory epithelium with subsequent atrophy of the olfactory bulb. At very long intervals after treatment, some receptor regeneration is apparent with accompanying reinnervation of the olfactory bulb. Estimates from microscopy and biochemistry suggest that much less than 10% of the normal complement of functioning receptor cells is adequate to give apparently normal food-finding behavior.", "PMID": 626892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6704", "title": "The development of intersegmental connections in embryonic spinal cord: an anatomic substrate for early embryonic motility.", "content": "This ultrastructural study of the embryonic chick spinal cord was designed to determine whether intersegmental inputs are formed before the closure of the reflex arc. Lesions were made in the thoracic cord of chick embryos at five days of incubation, when synapses are present in the ventral half of the cord, but before dorsal root afferents have made contacts in the central nervous system. Axons degenerating were observed in the upper brachial and lower lumbar regions of embryos sacrificed two days later. Synapses exhibiting degenerative changes were present up to six segments above and below the lesion. These observations were interpreted to indicate that: (1) intersegmental fibers connect the thoracic cord to brachial and lumbar areas by the fifth day of incubation; (2) early synapses contain both segmental and intersegmental connections; and (3) some intersegmental connections occur prior to the closure of the reflex arc. These morphologic studies, in conjunction with behavioral and electrophysiological data, strongly suggest that the early intersegmental connections are part of the propriospinal system. The development of these intersegmental tracts coincides with the onset of movement and thus provides an anatomical substrate for understanding embryonic motility.", "contents": "The development of intersegmental connections in embryonic spinal cord: an anatomic substrate for early embryonic motility. This ultrastructural study of the embryonic chick spinal cord was designed to determine whether intersegmental inputs are formed before the closure of the reflex arc. Lesions were made in the thoracic cord of chick embryos at five days of incubation, when synapses are present in the ventral half of the cord, but before dorsal root afferents have made contacts in the central nervous system. Axons degenerating were observed in the upper brachial and lower lumbar regions of embryos sacrificed two days later. Synapses exhibiting degenerative changes were present up to six segments above and below the lesion. These observations were interpreted to indicate that: (1) intersegmental fibers connect the thoracic cord to brachial and lumbar areas by the fifth day of incubation; (2) early synapses contain both segmental and intersegmental connections; and (3) some intersegmental connections occur prior to the closure of the reflex arc. These morphologic studies, in conjunction with behavioral and electrophysiological data, strongly suggest that the early intersegmental connections are part of the propriospinal system. The development of these intersegmental tracts coincides with the onset of movement and thus provides an anatomical substrate for understanding embryonic motility.", "PMID": 626898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6705", "title": "The receptive field structure of visual cells from the optic tectum of the freshwater perch (Perca fluviatilis).", "content": "Recordings from the intrinsic tectal cells of the perch have allowed a classification of visual units on the basis of receptive field type. Comparisons with retinal and tectal cells in carp, goldfish, pike, trout and in the Anura were made. Most striking are cells with vertical bar-shaped features forming part of the R.F. The relation between the receptive fields of units lying adjacent within the tectum, suggests that parts of the same pattern are derived from cells within the same vertical column.", "contents": "The receptive field structure of visual cells from the optic tectum of the freshwater perch (Perca fluviatilis). Recordings from the intrinsic tectal cells of the perch have allowed a classification of visual units on the basis of receptive field type. Comparisons with retinal and tectal cells in carp, goldfish, pike, trout and in the Anura were made. Most striking are cells with vertical bar-shaped features forming part of the R.F. The relation between the receptive fields of units lying adjacent within the tectum, suggests that parts of the same pattern are derived from cells within the same vertical column.", "PMID": 626899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6706", "title": "Trigeminal influences on entopeduncular units.", "content": "Because considerable work has implicated the basal ganglia in oral-ingestive behavior, an assessment was made of the effects of trigeminal stimuli upon entopeduncular single units. Units wre recorded extracellularly in awake, paralyzed and locally anesthetized cats. The effects of two types of sensory input were tested. Afferents from periodontal mechano-receptors involved in reflex jaw opening were stimulated via electrodes in the inferior dental nerve. Afferents from stretch receptors involved in reflex jaw closure were stimulated via electrodes in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. A significant proportion of cells responded to both types of stimulation. The data were discussed in the context of a basal ganglionic role in oropharyngeal motor processes and a more general role in movement per se.", "contents": "Trigeminal influences on entopeduncular units. Because considerable work has implicated the basal ganglia in oral-ingestive behavior, an assessment was made of the effects of trigeminal stimuli upon entopeduncular single units. Units wre recorded extracellularly in awake, paralyzed and locally anesthetized cats. The effects of two types of sensory input were tested. Afferents from periodontal mechano-receptors involved in reflex jaw opening were stimulated via electrodes in the inferior dental nerve. Afferents from stretch receptors involved in reflex jaw closure were stimulated via electrodes in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. A significant proportion of cells responded to both types of stimulation. The data were discussed in the context of a basal ganglionic role in oropharyngeal motor processes and a more general role in movement per se.", "PMID": 626900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6707", "title": "Cortical projections of the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus in the rabbit.", "content": "The cortical projection of the thalamic mediodorsal nuclear complex (MD) in the rabbit was mapped retrograde horseradish peroxidase and anterograde tritiated proline techniques. The projection field occupied the entire medial wall rostral to a mid corpus callosal level, wrapped around the frontal pole onto the lateral convexity and tailed off caudally on the dorsal bank of the rhinal sulcus. The projection of the lateral approximately one-half of MD, the half which does not receive olfactory input, was confined to medial cortex supply all but the most rostral region. This projection field of lateral MD was precisely organized in two dimensions with the most lateral part projecting most caudally and the most dorsal part projecting most ventrally. A representation for the third, anterior-posterior (A-P), dimension was not evident since any cortical point within the field was supplied by a cylinder of cells extending the entire A-P extent of lateral MD. The medial half of MD, which does receive olfactory input, projected to the remaining rostral medical cortex, the lateral convexity and rhinal sulcal region. The inverse dorsoventral relationship was partially preserved and on overlapping A-P gradient was present with sulcal projections originating more caudally in medial MD and the rostral medial projection originating more rostrally.", "contents": "Cortical projections of the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus in the rabbit. The cortical projection of the thalamic mediodorsal nuclear complex (MD) in the rabbit was mapped retrograde horseradish peroxidase and anterograde tritiated proline techniques. The projection field occupied the entire medial wall rostral to a mid corpus callosal level, wrapped around the frontal pole onto the lateral convexity and tailed off caudally on the dorsal bank of the rhinal sulcus. The projection of the lateral approximately one-half of MD, the half which does not receive olfactory input, was confined to medial cortex supply all but the most rostral region. This projection field of lateral MD was precisely organized in two dimensions with the most lateral part projecting most caudally and the most dorsal part projecting most ventrally. A representation for the third, anterior-posterior (A-P), dimension was not evident since any cortical point within the field was supplied by a cylinder of cells extending the entire A-P extent of lateral MD. The medial half of MD, which does receive olfactory input, projected to the remaining rostral medical cortex, the lateral convexity and rhinal sulcal region. The inverse dorsoventral relationship was partially preserved and on overlapping A-P gradient was present with sulcal projections originating more caudally in medial MD and the rostral medial projection originating more rostrally.", "PMID": 626902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6708", "title": "Qualitative and quantitative odour discrimation by mitral cells as compared to anterior olfactory nucleus cells.", "content": "The responses to odour stimulation of 61 single mitral cells and of 64 single anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) units were simultaneously recorded from rabbits. The test battery consisted of 6 chemical stimuli delivered at two intensity levels corresponding to a hundred-fold difference in concentration. The odour discrimination reaches its best for the mitral cells stimulated weakly; it decreased somewhere when the same cells are stimulated strongly. At AON level the odour discrimination already limited in the case of weak stimuli, almost disappears for strong stimuli. Multidimensional analysis of the odour similarities, respectively in the olfactory bulb and the AON, reveals an unexpectedly high loading of the first axis with an intensity factor. Our results indicate that the discriminatory ability in the mitral cells and in the AON cells are respectively better and poorer than in the chemoreceptors.", "contents": "Qualitative and quantitative odour discrimation by mitral cells as compared to anterior olfactory nucleus cells. The responses to odour stimulation of 61 single mitral cells and of 64 single anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) units were simultaneously recorded from rabbits. The test battery consisted of 6 chemical stimuli delivered at two intensity levels corresponding to a hundred-fold difference in concentration. The odour discrimination reaches its best for the mitral cells stimulated weakly; it decreased somewhere when the same cells are stimulated strongly. At AON level the odour discrimination already limited in the case of weak stimuli, almost disappears for strong stimuli. Multidimensional analysis of the odour similarities, respectively in the olfactory bulb and the AON, reveals an unexpectedly high loading of the first axis with an intensity factor. Our results indicate that the discriminatory ability in the mitral cells and in the AON cells are respectively better and poorer than in the chemoreceptors.", "PMID": 626912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6709", "title": "A comparison of the proximal negative response and ganglion cell responses to sinusoidal flicker.", "content": "In the mudpuppy retina, sinusoidal light stimulation of the proximal negative response (PNR) demonstrates two main components whose phases are essentially the same as those of the spike discharges of ON/OFF ganglion cells. Oscillations superimposed upon these components are synchronized with the spike discharges of ON/OFF cells, but not of ON or OFF cells. Intracellular recordings from ON/OFF ganglion cells reveal slow potentials with nearly identical waveforms and phases to those of the PNR. These results, together with previously published comparisons between the flesh-evoked PNR and amacrine cell responses, support the suggestion that the PNR arises from activity in the on/off system (amacrine and/or ganglion cells).", "contents": "A comparison of the proximal negative response and ganglion cell responses to sinusoidal flicker. In the mudpuppy retina, sinusoidal light stimulation of the proximal negative response (PNR) demonstrates two main components whose phases are essentially the same as those of the spike discharges of ON/OFF ganglion cells. Oscillations superimposed upon these components are synchronized with the spike discharges of ON/OFF cells, but not of ON or OFF cells. Intracellular recordings from ON/OFF ganglion cells reveal slow potentials with nearly identical waveforms and phases to those of the PNR. These results, together with previously published comparisons between the flesh-evoked PNR and amacrine cell responses, support the suggestion that the PNR arises from activity in the on/off system (amacrine and/or ganglion cells).", "PMID": 626918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6710", "title": "Biochemical evidence for the presence of presynaptic receptors on dopaminergic nerve terminals.", "content": "Two compartments of striatal synaptosome dopamine were identified by differential labelling with the isotopic presursors, L-tyrosine and Dopa, and from specific radioactivity measurement. Either, endogenous or exogenous L-tyrosine could provide a source for the dopamine pool synthesised and released in response to K+ depolarization, whereas external DOPA did not enter this pool. Acetylcholine (0.1 mM) in the presence of neostigmine (0.1 mg/ml) increased dopamine turnover as shown by increased formation of [14C] dopamine and [14C] DOPAC from [14C] DOPA. Haloperidol (0.65 mM) did not affect the size of dopamine pools but increased the conversion of [14C] DOPA to [14C] dopamine and the formation of [14C] DOPAC. Acetylcholine stimulated the release of dopamine from synaptosomes, which effect could be modified by both muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists. In the presence of the muscarinic antagonist, atropine, acetylcholine stimulated dopamine release, whereas in the presence of the nicotinic antagonists, hexamethonium (0.2 mM) or alpha-bungaro-toxin (0.188 muM), acetylcholine inhibited dopamine release. This showed that presynaptic cholinergic receptors were operational, excitatory nicotinic receptors in the former case and inhibitory muscarinic in the latter. The nicotinic receptor was shown to be saturable and to bind specifically 11.2 fmoles of [3H] alpha-bungarotoxin per mg. protein which could be prevented by hexamethonium or D-tubocurarine.", "contents": "Biochemical evidence for the presence of presynaptic receptors on dopaminergic nerve terminals. Two compartments of striatal synaptosome dopamine were identified by differential labelling with the isotopic presursors, L-tyrosine and Dopa, and from specific radioactivity measurement. Either, endogenous or exogenous L-tyrosine could provide a source for the dopamine pool synthesised and released in response to K+ depolarization, whereas external DOPA did not enter this pool. Acetylcholine (0.1 mM) in the presence of neostigmine (0.1 mg/ml) increased dopamine turnover as shown by increased formation of [14C] dopamine and [14C] DOPAC from [14C] DOPA. Haloperidol (0.65 mM) did not affect the size of dopamine pools but increased the conversion of [14C] DOPA to [14C] dopamine and the formation of [14C] DOPAC. Acetylcholine stimulated the release of dopamine from synaptosomes, which effect could be modified by both muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists. In the presence of the muscarinic antagonist, atropine, acetylcholine stimulated dopamine release, whereas in the presence of the nicotinic antagonists, hexamethonium (0.2 mM) or alpha-bungaro-toxin (0.188 muM), acetylcholine inhibited dopamine release. This showed that presynaptic cholinergic receptors were operational, excitatory nicotinic receptors in the former case and inhibitory muscarinic in the latter. The nicotinic receptor was shown to be saturable and to bind specifically 11.2 fmoles of [3H] alpha-bungarotoxin per mg. protein which could be prevented by hexamethonium or D-tubocurarine.", "PMID": 626919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6711", "title": "Neurospecific S-100 protein content in brains of different mouse strains.", "content": "Total whole brain concentrations of S-100 protein and of its water-soluble fraction were determined in 11 inbred mouse straine: DBA/2J, AKR/J, CBA/Lac, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6J-Ay, C3H/He, C3H/f, DD, A/He, BALB/cLac, CC57BR/Mv, and in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus in DBA/2J, AKR/J and CBA/Lac strains. Highly significant differences in the concentrations of the water-soluble S-100 protein were found between some strains. Slight differences were found in total S-100 protein content in whole brains between the strains (0.01 less that P less than 0.05). The DBA/2J mice had the highest brain S-100 protein content, and were characterized by a higher learning rate in shuttle-box as compared to CBA/Lac and AKR/J mice, who had a low content of this neurospecific protein.", "contents": "Neurospecific S-100 protein content in brains of different mouse strains. Total whole brain concentrations of S-100 protein and of its water-soluble fraction were determined in 11 inbred mouse straine: DBA/2J, AKR/J, CBA/Lac, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6J-Ay, C3H/He, C3H/f, DD, A/He, BALB/cLac, CC57BR/Mv, and in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus in DBA/2J, AKR/J and CBA/Lac strains. Highly significant differences in the concentrations of the water-soluble S-100 protein were found between some strains. Slight differences were found in total S-100 protein content in whole brains between the strains (0.01 less that P less than 0.05). The DBA/2J mice had the highest brain S-100 protein content, and were characterized by a higher learning rate in shuttle-box as compared to CBA/Lac and AKR/J mice, who had a low content of this neurospecific protein.", "PMID": 626921} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6712", "title": "Rapid development of keratoacanthoma and accelerated transformation into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a mutagenic effect of polychemotherapy in a patient with Hodgkin's disease?", "content": "A 59-year-old white man developed keratoacanthoma of the nose immediately following one course of MOPP polychemotherapy for clinical state IV B mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease. Despite the dramatic response of Hodgkin's disease to intensive chemotherapy, the skin lesion was rapidly transformed into squamous cell carcinoma in 10 weeks. The immunosuppressive effect of intensive polychemotherapy may play a significant role in accelerating the malignant transformation. We report here our results concerning this complication which may occur in any patient with Hodgkin's disease undergoing intensive therapy.", "contents": "Rapid development of keratoacanthoma and accelerated transformation into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a mutagenic effect of polychemotherapy in a patient with Hodgkin's disease? A 59-year-old white man developed keratoacanthoma of the nose immediately following one course of MOPP polychemotherapy for clinical state IV B mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease. Despite the dramatic response of Hodgkin's disease to intensive chemotherapy, the skin lesion was rapidly transformed into squamous cell carcinoma in 10 weeks. The immunosuppressive effect of intensive polychemotherapy may play a significant role in accelerating the malignant transformation. We report here our results concerning this complication which may occur in any patient with Hodgkin's disease undergoing intensive therapy.", "PMID": 626922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6713", "title": "Radiation-induced carotid artery disease.", "content": "Nine patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease associated with neck radiation were compared to 40 control patients. The data suggest that significant differences in age, incidence of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, elevated lipids and serum cholesterol, and the angiographic incidence of disseminated atherosclerosis justify the description of radiation-induced carotid disease as a clinical entity. Elevated serum cholesterol and hyperlipidemia may contribute to the development of radiation-induced vascular disease. Successful surgical reconstruction does not appear to be influenced by the prior radiotherapy, although periarterial fibrosis and increased difficulty in separating the plaques from the vascular media was encountered.", "contents": "Radiation-induced carotid artery disease. Nine patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease associated with neck radiation were compared to 40 control patients. The data suggest that significant differences in age, incidence of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, elevated lipids and serum cholesterol, and the angiographic incidence of disseminated atherosclerosis justify the description of radiation-induced carotid disease as a clinical entity. Elevated serum cholesterol and hyperlipidemia may contribute to the development of radiation-induced vascular disease. Successful surgical reconstruction does not appear to be influenced by the prior radiotherapy, although periarterial fibrosis and increased difficulty in separating the plaques from the vascular media was encountered.", "PMID": 626923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6714", "title": "Predictive value of bone scans in an adjuvant breast cancer program.", "content": "Technetium 99m phosphate-complex bone scans were performed in 43 women within two months of mastectomy for stage I (1 patient), stage II (28 patients), and stage III (14 patients) breast cancer. Twelve (28%) initial bone scans were interpreted as either equivocally abnormal (6 scans) or definitely abnormal (6 scans). Radiographs confirmed metastatic disease in 2 patients who were then considered ineligible for adjuvant therapy (adriamycin-cyclophosphamide with or without local radiotherapy). Of the remaining 41 eligible patients, all have received adjuvant therapy and 36 have had at least one additional bone scan at 6-month intervals. Among 20 patients whose serial bone scans were unchanged, there has been no clinical recurrence with a mean followup of 20 months. In contrast, among 16 patients whose serial bone scans have changed (e.g., appearance of new focal lesions, disappearance of old lesions), there have been 6 clinical recurrences (p = 0.01) with a mean followup of 43 months. We conclude that carefully performed technetium pyrophosphate bone scans are helpful in the accurate initial staging of patients being considered for adjuvant breat cancer treatment, and that serial changes in the bone scan identify a group of patients at high risk for early recurrence.", "contents": "Predictive value of bone scans in an adjuvant breast cancer program. Technetium 99m phosphate-complex bone scans were performed in 43 women within two months of mastectomy for stage I (1 patient), stage II (28 patients), and stage III (14 patients) breast cancer. Twelve (28%) initial bone scans were interpreted as either equivocally abnormal (6 scans) or definitely abnormal (6 scans). Radiographs confirmed metastatic disease in 2 patients who were then considered ineligible for adjuvant therapy (adriamycin-cyclophosphamide with or without local radiotherapy). Of the remaining 41 eligible patients, all have received adjuvant therapy and 36 have had at least one additional bone scan at 6-month intervals. Among 20 patients whose serial bone scans were unchanged, there has been no clinical recurrence with a mean followup of 20 months. In contrast, among 16 patients whose serial bone scans have changed (e.g., appearance of new focal lesions, disappearance of old lesions), there have been 6 clinical recurrences (p = 0.01) with a mean followup of 43 months. We conclude that carefully performed technetium pyrophosphate bone scans are helpful in the accurate initial staging of patients being considered for adjuvant breat cancer treatment, and that serial changes in the bone scan identify a group of patients at high risk for early recurrence.", "PMID": 626924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6715", "title": "Value of 111Indium chloride bone marrow scanning in the differential diagnosis of blood count depression in lymphoma.", "content": "In patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the etiology of low peripheral blood counts is often difficult to determine. Often it is based on the results of a \"random\" bone marrow biopsy and/or aspirate, plus evaluation of circulating peripheral blood elements. However, these tests may be misleading. The present study evaluates the usefulness of 111Indium chloride bone marrow scanning in conjunction with marrow biopsies in distinguishing intrinsic from extrinsic causes for low peripheral blood counts. Thirty consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, presenting with low peripheral blood counts and without any form of antineoplastic treatment for at least 5 weeks, were analyzed. Scan ratings were felt to be clinically accurate in 27 of the 30 patients analyzed (90%). In 18 patients (60%), the scan provided information which was not provided by any other standard test. 111Indium chloride scanning in conjunction with a marrow biopsy appears to be a useful, accurate means of evaluating bone marrow function in patients with depressed peripheral blood counts.", "contents": "Value of 111Indium chloride bone marrow scanning in the differential diagnosis of blood count depression in lymphoma. In patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the etiology of low peripheral blood counts is often difficult to determine. Often it is based on the results of a \"random\" bone marrow biopsy and/or aspirate, plus evaluation of circulating peripheral blood elements. However, these tests may be misleading. The present study evaluates the usefulness of 111Indium chloride bone marrow scanning in conjunction with marrow biopsies in distinguishing intrinsic from extrinsic causes for low peripheral blood counts. Thirty consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, presenting with low peripheral blood counts and without any form of antineoplastic treatment for at least 5 weeks, were analyzed. Scan ratings were felt to be clinically accurate in 27 of the 30 patients analyzed (90%). In 18 patients (60%), the scan provided information which was not provided by any other standard test. 111Indium chloride scanning in conjunction with a marrow biopsy appears to be a useful, accurate means of evaluating bone marrow function in patients with depressed peripheral blood counts.", "PMID": 626925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6716", "title": "Chromosomes and causation of human cancer and leukemia. XXX. Banding studies of primary intestinal tumors.", "content": "The chromosomes of 15 primary intestinal tumors were analyzed with a banding technique. Of the 15 tumors, 12 had some chromosomal abnormalities (8 with numerical changes and 4 with both numerical and structural abnormalities) and in the remaining three no karyotypic abnormalities were found. No common marker chromosomes were seen among the various tumors and no two tumors with chromosomal changes and identical karyotypes, though some chromosomes were involved more often than others. Excessive chromosomes in the primary tumors were usually due to extra chromosomes in the following groups (numbers of tumors involved are shown in parenthesis): No. 8 (7), No. 13 (4), No. 15 (4), No. 17 (6) and No. 21 (6). On the other hand, chromosomes losses, though much less frequent, involved chromosomes No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 10 and No. 16. Most of the tumor cells with chromosomal changes were hyperdiploid and usually contained less than 60 chromosomes. Only one tumor contained hypodiploid cells. The cytogenetic data presented on primary intestinal tumors indicate that they consist primarily of numerical changes, relative infrequency (when compared to metastases) and small number (1-4) of markers.", "contents": "Chromosomes and causation of human cancer and leukemia. XXX. Banding studies of primary intestinal tumors. The chromosomes of 15 primary intestinal tumors were analyzed with a banding technique. Of the 15 tumors, 12 had some chromosomal abnormalities (8 with numerical changes and 4 with both numerical and structural abnormalities) and in the remaining three no karyotypic abnormalities were found. No common marker chromosomes were seen among the various tumors and no two tumors with chromosomal changes and identical karyotypes, though some chromosomes were involved more often than others. Excessive chromosomes in the primary tumors were usually due to extra chromosomes in the following groups (numbers of tumors involved are shown in parenthesis): No. 8 (7), No. 13 (4), No. 15 (4), No. 17 (6) and No. 21 (6). On the other hand, chromosomes losses, though much less frequent, involved chromosomes No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 10 and No. 16. Most of the tumor cells with chromosomal changes were hyperdiploid and usually contained less than 60 chromosomes. Only one tumor contained hypodiploid cells. The cytogenetic data presented on primary intestinal tumors indicate that they consist primarily of numerical changes, relative infrequency (when compared to metastases) and small number (1-4) of markers.", "PMID": 626926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6717", "title": "NMR in cancer. X. A malignancy index to discriminate normal and cancerous tissue.", "content": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation parameters (T1, T2, T1p) were measured on 84 normal and malignant samples of colon, lung and breast tissue at 22.5 MHz. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of NMR measurements to discriminate between normal and malignant tissue. By combining T1 and T2 into a normalized NMR malignancy index, it was possible to discriminate malignant and normal tissue in all 36 colon samples, 22 out of 23 breast samples, and 26 out of 29 lung cases. Furthermore, histologically normal tissue adjacent to malignant colonic tissue was found to have an elevated NMR malignancy index comparable to that of malignant colon.", "contents": "NMR in cancer. X. A malignancy index to discriminate normal and cancerous tissue. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation parameters (T1, T2, T1p) were measured on 84 normal and malignant samples of colon, lung and breast tissue at 22.5 MHz. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of NMR measurements to discriminate between normal and malignant tissue. By combining T1 and T2 into a normalized NMR malignancy index, it was possible to discriminate malignant and normal tissue in all 36 colon samples, 22 out of 23 breast samples, and 26 out of 29 lung cases. Furthermore, histologically normal tissue adjacent to malignant colonic tissue was found to have an elevated NMR malignancy index comparable to that of malignant colon.", "PMID": 626927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6718", "title": "NMR in cancer. XI. Application of the NMR malignancy index to human gastro-intestinal tumors.", "content": "One hundred two specimens of human gastro-intestinal tissue taken from eighty-seven individuals were inspected by proton magnetic resonance techniques (at 22.5 Megahertz). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique with regard to the diagnosis of malignancy. The combination of two NMR parameters (spin-lattice ((T1) and spin-spin ((T2)) relaxation times) into a malignancy index yielded complete discrimination between the two populations of tissue. The mean and standard deviations obtained were 2.004 +/- 0.342 for normal tissue, and 3.266 +/- 0.642 for malignant specimens. In addition, the NMR technique indicated that histologically normal tissue taken adjacent to the malignancy was pathologically \"involved\". Analysis of the electrolyte and water content of such tissues confirms this abnormality.", "contents": "NMR in cancer. XI. Application of the NMR malignancy index to human gastro-intestinal tumors. One hundred two specimens of human gastro-intestinal tissue taken from eighty-seven individuals were inspected by proton magnetic resonance techniques (at 22.5 Megahertz). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique with regard to the diagnosis of malignancy. The combination of two NMR parameters (spin-lattice ((T1) and spin-spin ((T2)) relaxation times) into a malignancy index yielded complete discrimination between the two populations of tissue. The mean and standard deviations obtained were 2.004 +/- 0.342 for normal tissue, and 3.266 +/- 0.642 for malignant specimens. In addition, the NMR technique indicated that histologically normal tissue taken adjacent to the malignancy was pathologically \"involved\". Analysis of the electrolyte and water content of such tissues confirms this abnormality.", "PMID": 626928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6719", "title": "The significance of vascular invasion and lymphocytic infiltration in invasive cervical cancer.", "content": "Surgical specimens from 100 patients with stage I B cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were reviewed with respect to vascular invasion and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Lymph nodes from these patients were classified morphologically according to the criteria proposed by Cottier. Vascular invasion was associated with a significant increase in nodal metastases and tumor recurrence particularly to extrapelvic sites. A marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate around tumor cells was associated with decreased nodal metastases and tumor recurrence. There was no significant relationship between the degree of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the primary tumor and regional lymph node morphology.", "contents": "The significance of vascular invasion and lymphocytic infiltration in invasive cervical cancer. Surgical specimens from 100 patients with stage I B cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were reviewed with respect to vascular invasion and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Lymph nodes from these patients were classified morphologically according to the criteria proposed by Cottier. Vascular invasion was associated with a significant increase in nodal metastases and tumor recurrence particularly to extrapelvic sites. A marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate around tumor cells was associated with decreased nodal metastases and tumor recurrence. There was no significant relationship between the degree of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the primary tumor and regional lymph node morphology.", "PMID": 626931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6720", "title": "Clear cell sarcoma with melanin: report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of clear cell sarcoma, one with many melanin pigmented cells and the other scanty, are described. Both are associated with tendons of the lower extremities of young Chinese adults. Their clinical behaviour differed vastly; one patient was dead seven months after local excision and block dissection of regional lymph nodes, while the other had a history of the growth of eight years prior to local excision and is well four years later.", "contents": "Clear cell sarcoma with melanin: report of two cases. Two cases of clear cell sarcoma, one with many melanin pigmented cells and the other scanty, are described. Both are associated with tendons of the lower extremities of young Chinese adults. Their clinical behaviour differed vastly; one patient was dead seven months after local excision and block dissection of regional lymph nodes, while the other had a history of the growth of eight years prior to local excision and is well four years later.", "PMID": 626932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6721", "title": "Recurrent and metastasizing gastric leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomyosarcoma) associated with multiple pulmonary chondro-hamartomas: long survival of a patient treated with repeated operations.", "content": "A 15-year-old girl was operated for gastric leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomysocarcoma) with metastasis to a regional lymph node. She has subsequently been operated on twice: once for local recurrence and metastases 9 years after her initial operation and once for an intraabdominal lymph node metastasis. Now, 13 years after her first operation for gastric leiomyoblastoma she is free from symptoms and signs of disease. Preoperative angiography was helpful in diagnosing the recurrence and planning the second operation. Our observations speak in favor of surgical treatment of recurrent and metastasizing gastric leiomyoblastoma. This patient was also operated for multiple pulmonary chondro-hamartomas, primarily suspected to be metastases. Coincidence of gastric leiomyoblastoma and pulmonary chondro-hamartoma does not seem to be due to chance alone.", "contents": "Recurrent and metastasizing gastric leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomyosarcoma) associated with multiple pulmonary chondro-hamartomas: long survival of a patient treated with repeated operations. A 15-year-old girl was operated for gastric leiomyoblastoma (epithelioid leiomysocarcoma) with metastasis to a regional lymph node. She has subsequently been operated on twice: once for local recurrence and metastases 9 years after her initial operation and once for an intraabdominal lymph node metastasis. Now, 13 years after her first operation for gastric leiomyoblastoma she is free from symptoms and signs of disease. Preoperative angiography was helpful in diagnosing the recurrence and planning the second operation. Our observations speak in favor of surgical treatment of recurrent and metastasizing gastric leiomyoblastoma. This patient was also operated for multiple pulmonary chondro-hamartomas, primarily suspected to be metastases. Coincidence of gastric leiomyoblastoma and pulmonary chondro-hamartoma does not seem to be due to chance alone.", "PMID": 626934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6722", "title": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: pleural-pulmonary disease.", "content": "A 48-year-old female with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is described. Her disease was complicated by pleuritic chest pain, an exudative pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates attributable to underlying pleural-pulmonary angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "contents": "Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: pleural-pulmonary disease. A 48-year-old female with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy is described. Her disease was complicated by pleuritic chest pain, an exudative pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates attributable to underlying pleural-pulmonary angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "PMID": 626935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6723", "title": "Colonic carcinoma: a quantitative assessment of lymphocyte infiltration at the periphery of colonic tumors related to prognosis.", "content": "Quantitative analysis of the lymphocyte infiltration at the periphery of colorectal carcinomata has revealed a statistically significant difference, p less than 0.001, in the distribution associated with Dukes B compared with Dukes C tumors of moderate differentiation.", "contents": "Colonic carcinoma: a quantitative assessment of lymphocyte infiltration at the periphery of colonic tumors related to prognosis. Quantitative analysis of the lymphocyte infiltration at the periphery of colorectal carcinomata has revealed a statistically significant difference, p less than 0.001, in the distribution associated with Dukes B compared with Dukes C tumors of moderate differentiation.", "PMID": 626936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6724", "title": "The team approach to the management of pediatric cancer.", "content": "The last 20 years have witnessed remarkable improvements in the prognosis of children with many forms of malignant disease. The reasons for these improvements relate not only to the development of better drugs and more effective radiotherapy, but also to the multidisciplinary approach involving surgeon, chemotherapist, radiotherapist and immunotherapist in providing optimum treatment for the child with a particular cancer. In this paper, the changing role of the pediatric oncologist, surgeon and radiotherapist in improving the management of pediatric cancer is discussed.", "contents": "The team approach to the management of pediatric cancer. The last 20 years have witnessed remarkable improvements in the prognosis of children with many forms of malignant disease. The reasons for these improvements relate not only to the development of better drugs and more effective radiotherapy, but also to the multidisciplinary approach involving surgeon, chemotherapist, radiotherapist and immunotherapist in providing optimum treatment for the child with a particular cancer. In this paper, the changing role of the pediatric oncologist, surgeon and radiotherapist in improving the management of pediatric cancer is discussed.", "PMID": 626937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6725", "title": "Transitional cell tumor of the pituitary gland developing from a Rathke's cleft cyst.", "content": "A tumor of the pituitary gland is reported which developed from the wall of a Rathke's cleft cyst. This was an incidental autopsy finding in a 79-year-old diabetic woman. The cyst wall was lined by ciliated, mucus producing columnar epithelium with areas of squamous metaplasia, the solid portion of the tumor was composed of cells with light and electron microscopic characteristics of squamous cells, mucus producing cells and anterior lobe cells of the pituitary: they displayed intercellular bridges, intracellular mucus droplets and on electron microscopy varying numbers of intracytoplasmic secretory granules in the 220-450 millimicron range. The cells thus correspond to an early developmental stage of the pituitary anterior lobe, when the still squamous and columnar Rathke's cleft cells begin to develop their endocrine granulation. For this reason it was felt that \"transitional cell tumor of the pituitary\" would best characterize this hitherto undescribed neoplasm.", "contents": "Transitional cell tumor of the pituitary gland developing from a Rathke's cleft cyst. A tumor of the pituitary gland is reported which developed from the wall of a Rathke's cleft cyst. This was an incidental autopsy finding in a 79-year-old diabetic woman. The cyst wall was lined by ciliated, mucus producing columnar epithelium with areas of squamous metaplasia, the solid portion of the tumor was composed of cells with light and electron microscopic characteristics of squamous cells, mucus producing cells and anterior lobe cells of the pituitary: they displayed intercellular bridges, intracellular mucus droplets and on electron microscopy varying numbers of intracytoplasmic secretory granules in the 220-450 millimicron range. The cells thus correspond to an early developmental stage of the pituitary anterior lobe, when the still squamous and columnar Rathke's cleft cells begin to develop their endocrine granulation. For this reason it was felt that \"transitional cell tumor of the pituitary\" would best characterize this hitherto undescribed neoplasm.", "PMID": 626939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6726", "title": "Carcinoma of the lower lip: treatment results at Indiana University Hospitals.", "content": "Sixty-six consecutive cases of carcinoma of the lower lip were seen at the Indiana University Hospitals from 1960 to 1972. Each patient's records were reviewed as to age, sex, race, stage, stage by treatment modality, pathology, treatment methods used and cause of failure. Early lip cancer represents a highly curative lesion whether treated by surgery or radiation therapy. Close followup is mandatory on all patients as the development of neck nodes, if discovered late, carries a grave prognosis. Advanced carcinoma of the lip can be successfully treated with current radiation therapy techniques using fractionated doses providing excellent cosmetic results.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the lower lip: treatment results at Indiana University Hospitals. Sixty-six consecutive cases of carcinoma of the lower lip were seen at the Indiana University Hospitals from 1960 to 1972. Each patient's records were reviewed as to age, sex, race, stage, stage by treatment modality, pathology, treatment methods used and cause of failure. Early lip cancer represents a highly curative lesion whether treated by surgery or radiation therapy. Close followup is mandatory on all patients as the development of neck nodes, if discovered late, carries a grave prognosis. Advanced carcinoma of the lip can be successfully treated with current radiation therapy techniques using fractionated doses providing excellent cosmetic results.", "PMID": 626940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6727", "title": "Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the ampulla of vater.", "content": "The first case to appear in the world literature is described of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a child arising from the region of the ampulla of Vater and projecting into the lumen of the duodenum.", "contents": "Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the ampulla of vater. The first case to appear in the world literature is described of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in a child arising from the region of the ampulla of Vater and projecting into the lumen of the duodenum.", "PMID": 626941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6728", "title": "Is the risk of morbidity and rare mortality worth the cure?", "content": "Many more children with cancer are being cured, often as a result of aggressive treatment regimens. These employ several modalities and multiple chemotherapeutic agents. The acute complications resulting from this type of treatment are relatively well known. Those that develop later are becoming better understood; some are formidable. The challenge in pediatric oncology lies in developing better treatment strategies with a view to minimizing normal tissue damage while achieving higher cure rates. The cooperative clinical trial mechanism is well-suited to testing new treatment regimens designed to achieve these goals.", "contents": "Is the risk of morbidity and rare mortality worth the cure? Many more children with cancer are being cured, often as a result of aggressive treatment regimens. These employ several modalities and multiple chemotherapeutic agents. The acute complications resulting from this type of treatment are relatively well known. Those that develop later are becoming better understood; some are formidable. The challenge in pediatric oncology lies in developing better treatment strategies with a view to minimizing normal tissue damage while achieving higher cure rates. The cooperative clinical trial mechanism is well-suited to testing new treatment regimens designed to achieve these goals.", "PMID": 626942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6729", "title": "Neuroblastoma in the adult: effective combination chemotherapy.", "content": "Although neuroblastoma occurs most frequently in children, it also may occur in adults and has been considered of poor prognosis. Six adult patients (greater than 16 years of age) with widespread neuroblastoma diagnosed between 1974 and 1976 are described. Five were treated with a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin and dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (CYVADIC). The sixth received a similar regimen in which actinomycin D was substituted for dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (CYVADACT). There were two complete responses and three partial responses. The median duration of survival is in excess of 11 months. The results indicate that effective chemotherapy is now available for these patients and the achievement of remission and prolongation of survival are realistic goals in neuroblastoma.", "contents": "Neuroblastoma in the adult: effective combination chemotherapy. Although neuroblastoma occurs most frequently in children, it also may occur in adults and has been considered of poor prognosis. Six adult patients (greater than 16 years of age) with widespread neuroblastoma diagnosed between 1974 and 1976 are described. Five were treated with a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin and dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (CYVADIC). The sixth received a similar regimen in which actinomycin D was substituted for dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide (CYVADACT). There were two complete responses and three partial responses. The median duration of survival is in excess of 11 months. The results indicate that effective chemotherapy is now available for these patients and the achievement of remission and prolongation of survival are realistic goals in neuroblastoma.", "PMID": 626943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6730", "title": "The influence of 5-fluorouracil on cellular and humoral immunity in cancer patients.", "content": "The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the immune functions of twelve patients with disseminated cancer were studied, using as parameters the peripheral blood lymphocyte count, serum immunoglobulin levels, titers of natural blood group antibodies, percentages of E and EAC rosette forming cells, and lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA and PPD. No effects on the humoral immune functions or on the percentages of E and EAC rosette forming cells were observed. 5-FU caused a decrease in the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to PHA and PPD. The patients could be divided into two groups: those surviving for six months or more, and those succumbing earlier. The latter ones had already initially poor proliferative responses, particularly to PPD, and the response strongly decreased during the 5-FU treatment. In the patients with a longer survival time, the effects of 5-FU on the PPD and PHA responses were not as striking.", "contents": "The influence of 5-fluorouracil on cellular and humoral immunity in cancer patients. The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the immune functions of twelve patients with disseminated cancer were studied, using as parameters the peripheral blood lymphocyte count, serum immunoglobulin levels, titers of natural blood group antibodies, percentages of E and EAC rosette forming cells, and lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA and PPD. No effects on the humoral immune functions or on the percentages of E and EAC rosette forming cells were observed. 5-FU caused a decrease in the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to PHA and PPD. The patients could be divided into two groups: those surviving for six months or more, and those succumbing earlier. The latter ones had already initially poor proliferative responses, particularly to PPD, and the response strongly decreased during the 5-FU treatment. In the patients with a longer survival time, the effects of 5-FU on the PPD and PHA responses were not as striking.", "PMID": 626944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6731", "title": "Herpes zoster and varicella infections in children with Hodgkin's disease: an analysis of contributing factors.", "content": "181 children with Hodgkin's disease were analyzed with respect to the occurrence of herpes zoster and varicella (HZ-V) infections, possible contributing factors, and prognostic significance. The overall frequency of HZ-V was 34.8%. The occurrence in stage I was significantly lower than in other stages. Previous splenectomy was not found to increase significantly the risk of infection. High-risk patients were those receiving extensive radiotherapy plus combination chemotherapy; 56% developed HZ-V infections in this group. The frequency with extensive field radiotherapy alone was 23.8%. 80% of infections occurred during the first year after completion of treatment. Their occurrence was not a poor prognostic sign in terms of relapse or fatality, even when occurring late. The high frequency of disseminated infection (27%) with its subsequent morbidity should lead toward a better understanding of the immunologic deficiencies in these patients and the possible role of prophylactic measures, in patients undergoing extensive radiotherapy in combination with multiagent chemotherapy.", "contents": "Herpes zoster and varicella infections in children with Hodgkin's disease: an analysis of contributing factors. 181 children with Hodgkin's disease were analyzed with respect to the occurrence of herpes zoster and varicella (HZ-V) infections, possible contributing factors, and prognostic significance. The overall frequency of HZ-V was 34.8%. The occurrence in stage I was significantly lower than in other stages. Previous splenectomy was not found to increase significantly the risk of infection. High-risk patients were those receiving extensive radiotherapy plus combination chemotherapy; 56% developed HZ-V infections in this group. The frequency with extensive field radiotherapy alone was 23.8%. 80% of infections occurred during the first year after completion of treatment. Their occurrence was not a poor prognostic sign in terms of relapse or fatality, even when occurring late. The high frequency of disseminated infection (27%) with its subsequent morbidity should lead toward a better understanding of the immunologic deficiencies in these patients and the possible role of prophylactic measures, in patients undergoing extensive radiotherapy in combination with multiagent chemotherapy.", "PMID": 626945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6732", "title": "Effects of hyperthermia on primary and metastatic tumor growth and host immune response in rats.", "content": "A hot water bath was used to heat locally a metastasizing carcinoma in Wistar/Furth rats. Applying heat such that intratumor temperature is maintained at a mean value of 42.3 degrees for two 90-min sessions results in a decreased growth rate of the primary tumor as well as distant metastases. Heating the primary tumor for only one 90-min session or heating the leg contralateral to the tumor-bearing limb has no effect on the growth rate of either the primary tumor or metastases. Heat therapy has no detrimental effect on the spleen cell-mediated tumor immune response of rats as tested by an in vitro lymphocytotoxicity assay 1 day later. However, heating isolated spleen cells to similar temperatures in vitro reduces their capacity for in vitro tumor cell killing.", "contents": "Effects of hyperthermia on primary and metastatic tumor growth and host immune response in rats. A hot water bath was used to heat locally a metastasizing carcinoma in Wistar/Furth rats. Applying heat such that intratumor temperature is maintained at a mean value of 42.3 degrees for two 90-min sessions results in a decreased growth rate of the primary tumor as well as distant metastases. Heating the primary tumor for only one 90-min session or heating the leg contralateral to the tumor-bearing limb has no effect on the growth rate of either the primary tumor or metastases. Heat therapy has no detrimental effect on the spleen cell-mediated tumor immune response of rats as tested by an in vitro lymphocytotoxicity assay 1 day later. However, heating isolated spleen cells to similar temperatures in vitro reduces their capacity for in vitro tumor cell killing.", "PMID": 626954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6733", "title": "Mutagenicity of heterocyclic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds) in cultured mammalian cells.", "content": "The mutagenicity of six heterocylic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds) has been determined in a cultured mammalian cell system by use of resistance to the purine analog 6-thioguanine to select for mutation induction at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The six compounds tested are ICR 191, 170, 292, 372, 191-OH, and 170-OH. The first four contain a single 2-chloroethyl group (nitrogen half-mustard) on the side chain and are mutagenic, with the tertiary amine types (170 and 292) 3 to 5 times more mutagenic than the secondary amine types (191 and 372). The remaining two compounds (191-OH and 170-OH) are not mutagenic, indicating that the 2-chloroethyl group is needed for mutation induction.", "contents": "Mutagenicity of heterocyclic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds) in cultured mammalian cells. The mutagenicity of six heterocylic nitrogen mustards (ICR compounds) has been determined in a cultured mammalian cell system by use of resistance to the purine analog 6-thioguanine to select for mutation induction at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The six compounds tested are ICR 191, 170, 292, 372, 191-OH, and 170-OH. The first four contain a single 2-chloroethyl group (nitrogen half-mustard) on the side chain and are mutagenic, with the tertiary amine types (170 and 292) 3 to 5 times more mutagenic than the secondary amine types (191 and 372). The remaining two compounds (191-OH and 170-OH) are not mutagenic, indicating that the 2-chloroethyl group is needed for mutation induction.", "PMID": 626955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6734", "title": "Alterations in thermal stability of rat liver chromatin and DNA induced in vivo by dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine.", "content": "A study was made of the effects of administration to rats of dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine on the transition temperature (Tm) of sheared chromatin and DNA isolated from the liver. The analysis was made by thermal chromatography on hydroxylapatite with the use of DNA prelabeled with [3H]thymidine and following the elution pattern during the operation of a continuous temperature gradient. With a nonnecrogenic dose of dimethylnitrosamine (10 mg/kg), the alterations in chromatin were maximal at 24 hr and disappeared by 3 days. Greatest differences in elution profiles of chromatin after dimethylnitrosamine treatment were observed in the region above 80 degrees. Administration of the carcinogen caused a lowering of the \"melting\" curve in this region, the displacement from control position being proportional to the dose. The maximum dose (60 mg/kg) displaced the complete chromatin melting curve up to 5 degrees to the lower side. DNA isolated from this chromatin melted 3 degrees less than that from control rats. However, administration of lower doses of dimethylnitrosamine did not affect the melting profile of DNA. The administration of diethylnitrosamine caused a similar type of change. However, the modification was also seen at 50-60 degrees.", "contents": "Alterations in thermal stability of rat liver chromatin and DNA induced in vivo by dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine. A study was made of the effects of administration to rats of dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine on the transition temperature (Tm) of sheared chromatin and DNA isolated from the liver. The analysis was made by thermal chromatography on hydroxylapatite with the use of DNA prelabeled with [3H]thymidine and following the elution pattern during the operation of a continuous temperature gradient. With a nonnecrogenic dose of dimethylnitrosamine (10 mg/kg), the alterations in chromatin were maximal at 24 hr and disappeared by 3 days. Greatest differences in elution profiles of chromatin after dimethylnitrosamine treatment were observed in the region above 80 degrees. Administration of the carcinogen caused a lowering of the \"melting\" curve in this region, the displacement from control position being proportional to the dose. The maximum dose (60 mg/kg) displaced the complete chromatin melting curve up to 5 degrees to the lower side. DNA isolated from this chromatin melted 3 degrees less than that from control rats. However, administration of lower doses of dimethylnitrosamine did not affect the melting profile of DNA. The administration of diethylnitrosamine caused a similar type of change. However, the modification was also seen at 50-60 degrees.", "PMID": 626956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6735", "title": "Glucocorticoid-binding components in human thymus hyperplasia.", "content": "Preliminary experiments on thymocyte suspensions derived from human thymus hyperplasia indicated the presence of specific cytoplasmic receptors binding [3H]-dexamethasone with high affinity and specificity. The receptor was rapidly transferred into the nuclei at 28 degrees but not at 2 degrees. With cell-free preparations and ion-exchange cellulose-impregnated paper filters, thymus cytosol bound [3H]dexamethasone with a dissociation constant of 4.3 x 10(-9) M; the concentration of receptor sites was 9.6 x 10(-14) mole/mg cytosol protein. Cytosol contained binding components that sedimented at approximately 7S and 3.6S (low ionic strength) and at 4S (high ionic strength). Competition studies showed high specificity for glucocorticoids since binding of labeled dexamethasone was inhibited in the presence of 10(-6) M beta-methasone, prednisolone acetate, dexamethasone, corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone. 17beta-Estradiol, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone at 10(-6) M did not inhibit specific binding of [3H]dexamethasone. Thus, the dexamethasone-binding components of the human thymus hyperplasia had properties similar to those described for steroid hormone receptors present in target tissues.", "contents": "Glucocorticoid-binding components in human thymus hyperplasia. Preliminary experiments on thymocyte suspensions derived from human thymus hyperplasia indicated the presence of specific cytoplasmic receptors binding [3H]-dexamethasone with high affinity and specificity. The receptor was rapidly transferred into the nuclei at 28 degrees but not at 2 degrees. With cell-free preparations and ion-exchange cellulose-impregnated paper filters, thymus cytosol bound [3H]dexamethasone with a dissociation constant of 4.3 x 10(-9) M; the concentration of receptor sites was 9.6 x 10(-14) mole/mg cytosol protein. Cytosol contained binding components that sedimented at approximately 7S and 3.6S (low ionic strength) and at 4S (high ionic strength). Competition studies showed high specificity for glucocorticoids since binding of labeled dexamethasone was inhibited in the presence of 10(-6) M beta-methasone, prednisolone acetate, dexamethasone, corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone. 17beta-Estradiol, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone at 10(-6) M did not inhibit specific binding of [3H]dexamethasone. Thus, the dexamethasone-binding components of the human thymus hyperplasia had properties similar to those described for steroid hormone receptors present in target tissues.", "PMID": 626957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6736", "title": "Effect of hypothermia and hyperthermia on the induction of chromosome aberrations by adriamycin in human leukocytes.", "content": "When human leukocytes are treated with adriamycin (ADR) for brief durations of 1 to 2 hr at concentrations ranging between 0.04 and 0.25 microgram/ml, a dramatic reduction is observed in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in cells treated at 4 degrees in comparison to those treated at 37 degrees. Conversely, a severalfold increase in the frequency of aberrations is found if temperature at the time of ADR treatment is raised to 43 degrees. At higher temperatures, the most dramatic increase is in the frequency of exchanges. These results point to a parallelism between these studies and those carried out previously for determining cell death with hyperthermia and ADR treatment. This effect on chromosome aberrations appears only if temperatures of 4 of 43 degrees are applied during the period of exposure of cells to ADR. No effect is evident if cells are posttreated at 4 or 43 degrees after ADR is removed from the medium. The question of true synergism versus \"facilitation\" of influx of ADR into cells is discussed in light of the information obtained by other workers on total quantities of the drug present in the cell.", "contents": "Effect of hypothermia and hyperthermia on the induction of chromosome aberrations by adriamycin in human leukocytes. When human leukocytes are treated with adriamycin (ADR) for brief durations of 1 to 2 hr at concentrations ranging between 0.04 and 0.25 microgram/ml, a dramatic reduction is observed in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in cells treated at 4 degrees in comparison to those treated at 37 degrees. Conversely, a severalfold increase in the frequency of aberrations is found if temperature at the time of ADR treatment is raised to 43 degrees. At higher temperatures, the most dramatic increase is in the frequency of exchanges. These results point to a parallelism between these studies and those carried out previously for determining cell death with hyperthermia and ADR treatment. This effect on chromosome aberrations appears only if temperatures of 4 of 43 degrees are applied during the period of exposure of cells to ADR. No effect is evident if cells are posttreated at 4 or 43 degrees after ADR is removed from the medium. The question of true synergism versus \"facilitation\" of influx of ADR into cells is discussed in light of the information obtained by other workers on total quantities of the drug present in the cell.", "PMID": 626959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6737", "title": "Nonlinear dose-response relationship for the binding of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene to rat liver DNA in vivo.", "content": "With radioactive compounds of high specific activity, the binding of carcinogens to DNA can be measured with doses that are ineffective in long-term studies. The binding of tritiated benzo(a)pyrene to liver DNA of adult male rats has been determined 50 hr after a single i.p. injection of doses between 40 microgram/kg and 4 mg/kg. The dose-response relationship is linear up to 1 mg/kg, shows a step towards 2 mg/kg, and gives a shallow linear slope above that value. The observed binding ranges from 1.7 to 180 nmoles benzo(a)pyrene per mole DNA phosphate. The nonlinearity could be due to an induction of metabolizing enzymes. The microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity increases significantly 24 hr after a single dose of 4 mg/kg and 48 hr after doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg, but no induction is found with 1 mg/kg. The binding from an equimolar dose is 35 times lower than the one found on mouse skin DNA and 300 times lower than that of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine in rat liver. A good correlation exists to the respective tumor formation in long-term studies.", "contents": "Nonlinear dose-response relationship for the binding of the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene to rat liver DNA in vivo. With radioactive compounds of high specific activity, the binding of carcinogens to DNA can be measured with doses that are ineffective in long-term studies. The binding of tritiated benzo(a)pyrene to liver DNA of adult male rats has been determined 50 hr after a single i.p. injection of doses between 40 microgram/kg and 4 mg/kg. The dose-response relationship is linear up to 1 mg/kg, shows a step towards 2 mg/kg, and gives a shallow linear slope above that value. The observed binding ranges from 1.7 to 180 nmoles benzo(a)pyrene per mole DNA phosphate. The nonlinearity could be due to an induction of metabolizing enzymes. The microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity increases significantly 24 hr after a single dose of 4 mg/kg and 48 hr after doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg, but no induction is found with 1 mg/kg. The binding from an equimolar dose is 35 times lower than the one found on mouse skin DNA and 300 times lower than that of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine in rat liver. A good correlation exists to the respective tumor formation in long-term studies.", "PMID": 626963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6738", "title": "A cancer-associated, fast, homoarginine-sensitive electrophoretic form of serum alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Serum from patients with a variety of cancers often (p = 70%) contains a characteristic electrophoretic form of alkaline phosphatase detectable by cellulose polyacetate electrophoresis. The lower prevalence of this electrophoretic form in presumably healthy individuals (p = 7%) and noncancer hospitalized patients (p = 30%) suggests that it may be useful as a diagnostic or monitory marker.", "contents": "A cancer-associated, fast, homoarginine-sensitive electrophoretic form of serum alkaline phosphatase. Serum from patients with a variety of cancers often (p = 70%) contains a characteristic electrophoretic form of alkaline phosphatase detectable by cellulose polyacetate electrophoresis. The lower prevalence of this electrophoretic form in presumably healthy individuals (p = 7%) and noncancer hospitalized patients (p = 30%) suggests that it may be useful as a diagnostic or monitory marker.", "PMID": 626966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6739", "title": "Cytological effects of 1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol (misonidazole) on hypoxic mammalian cells in vitro.", "content": "Hypoxic Chinese hamster V-79 cells were examined for light-microscope morphology, progression through the cell cycle, chromosomal aberrations, and viability, after incubation with the 2-nitroimidazole, misonidazole [1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3 methoxy-2-propanol]. Cytological examination of cells up to 42 hr after incubation with the drug at 37 degrees indicated that increasing contact time and increasing drug concentrations interfered with cell attachment and progressively slowed cell progression through the cell cycle. Forty-two hr after a 5.5-hr treatment with 5 mM misonidazole, the majority of cells contained heteropyknotic nuclei, whereas less than 3% had progressed into mitosis. Of the few cells that reached mitosis by 42 hr, the level of chromosomal aberrations was 6 times that due to hypoxia alone. However, the majority of metaphases (70%) were unaltered; thus about 2% of the treated cell population passed into mitosis unaltered. After a 5.5-hr incubation with 5 mM misonidazole, 98% of the cells also had lost their ability to produce clones. It is suggested that the cytotoxic effect of this drug on hypoxic cells is that the cytotoxic effect of this drug on hypoxic cells is largely mediated via an interphase cell death, with a minor effect due to chromosome aberrations and cell death from genetic inequality of progeny cells. The ability of misonidazole to kill hypoxic, noncycline cells, which may limit the curability of some tumors with conventional X-rays or chemotherapy agents, makes it of considerable potential interest.", "contents": "Cytological effects of 1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol (misonidazole) on hypoxic mammalian cells in vitro. Hypoxic Chinese hamster V-79 cells were examined for light-microscope morphology, progression through the cell cycle, chromosomal aberrations, and viability, after incubation with the 2-nitroimidazole, misonidazole [1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3 methoxy-2-propanol]. Cytological examination of cells up to 42 hr after incubation with the drug at 37 degrees indicated that increasing contact time and increasing drug concentrations interfered with cell attachment and progressively slowed cell progression through the cell cycle. Forty-two hr after a 5.5-hr treatment with 5 mM misonidazole, the majority of cells contained heteropyknotic nuclei, whereas less than 3% had progressed into mitosis. Of the few cells that reached mitosis by 42 hr, the level of chromosomal aberrations was 6 times that due to hypoxia alone. However, the majority of metaphases (70%) were unaltered; thus about 2% of the treated cell population passed into mitosis unaltered. After a 5.5-hr incubation with 5 mM misonidazole, 98% of the cells also had lost their ability to produce clones. It is suggested that the cytotoxic effect of this drug on hypoxic cells is that the cytotoxic effect of this drug on hypoxic cells is largely mediated via an interphase cell death, with a minor effect due to chromosome aberrations and cell death from genetic inequality of progeny cells. The ability of misonidazole to kill hypoxic, noncycline cells, which may limit the curability of some tumors with conventional X-rays or chemotherapy agents, makes it of considerable potential interest.", "PMID": 626969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6740", "title": "A morphometrical analysis of lymph node responses to tumors of different immunogenicity.", "content": "An immunogenic tumor and a nonimmunogenic tumor were used in C57BL/Ka and CBA/Rij mice, respectively, in a study in which lymph node morphology was quantitatively measured. Lymph nodes were cut in semiseries, and a morphometrical analysis was done on the paracortical and cortical areas as major parts of the active lymph nodes. These parameters could be expressed with confidence in both absolute and relative numbers, since a strong correlation existed between the weight of lymph nodes and the summated surface areas. To determine whether the regional lymph node plays a major role in this response, we performed similar analyses of two nonregional lymph nodes. It was observed that immunogenicity, defined as the ability to evoke an immune response that significantly influences tumor cell take and tumor cell growth, was not relevant in evoking a morphologically evident response. In absolute numbers, the response evoked was strongest in the regional lymph nodes in both systems. However, the percentages of paracortical and cortical areas in the lymph nodes reacting were not essentially different from one node to another during the growth of both tumors. This observation was confirmed by an analysis of variance. These findings suggest that great caution must be exercised when one is interpreting morphological lymph node changes as evidence of an influence of immunological reactions on tumor cell growth.", "contents": "A morphometrical analysis of lymph node responses to tumors of different immunogenicity. An immunogenic tumor and a nonimmunogenic tumor were used in C57BL/Ka and CBA/Rij mice, respectively, in a study in which lymph node morphology was quantitatively measured. Lymph nodes were cut in semiseries, and a morphometrical analysis was done on the paracortical and cortical areas as major parts of the active lymph nodes. These parameters could be expressed with confidence in both absolute and relative numbers, since a strong correlation existed between the weight of lymph nodes and the summated surface areas. To determine whether the regional lymph node plays a major role in this response, we performed similar analyses of two nonregional lymph nodes. It was observed that immunogenicity, defined as the ability to evoke an immune response that significantly influences tumor cell take and tumor cell growth, was not relevant in evoking a morphologically evident response. In absolute numbers, the response evoked was strongest in the regional lymph nodes in both systems. However, the percentages of paracortical and cortical areas in the lymph nodes reacting were not essentially different from one node to another during the growth of both tumors. This observation was confirmed by an analysis of variance. These findings suggest that great caution must be exercised when one is interpreting morphological lymph node changes as evidence of an influence of immunological reactions on tumor cell growth.", "PMID": 626970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6741", "title": "Skin tumor-initiating activities of the twelve isomeric phenols of benzo(a)pyrene.", "content": "The skin tumor-initiating activities of the 12 isomeric phenols of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) were determined in mice by use of a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. 11-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was moderately active, whereas 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and BP were strong tumor initiators when applied topically to CD-1 mice and followed by twice-weekly applications of the promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene had less than 5% of the tumor-initiating activity of BP when the data were expressed as papillomas per mouse. After 30 weeks of promotion, the number of papillomas per mouse was 8.4, 8.5, and 2.8, respectively, for the animals treated with BP, 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, and 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. A 5-week latency period before the appearance of the first tumor was observed after the application of either 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene or BP, whereas a slightly longer latency period of 7 weeks was observed following application of 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. The time required for 50% of the animals to develop tumors was 13 weeks for animals treated with BP and 15 weeks for animals treated with 2- or 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene.", "contents": "Skin tumor-initiating activities of the twelve isomeric phenols of benzo(a)pyrene. The skin tumor-initiating activities of the 12 isomeric phenols of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) were determined in mice by use of a two-stage system of tumorigenesis. 11-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was moderately active, whereas 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and BP were strong tumor initiators when applied topically to CD-1 mice and followed by twice-weekly applications of the promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, and 12-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene had less than 5% of the tumor-initiating activity of BP when the data were expressed as papillomas per mouse. After 30 weeks of promotion, the number of papillomas per mouse was 8.4, 8.5, and 2.8, respectively, for the animals treated with BP, 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, and 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. A 5-week latency period before the appearance of the first tumor was observed after the application of either 2-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene or BP, whereas a slightly longer latency period of 7 weeks was observed following application of 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. The time required for 50% of the animals to develop tumors was 13 weeks for animals treated with BP and 15 weeks for animals treated with 2- or 11-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene.", "PMID": 626971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6742", "title": "Immunotherapy of an established rat mammary adenocarcinoma (13762A) with intratumor injection of Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "We studied the effects of intratumor injection of Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on the survival of 13762A tumor-bearing rats. Vaccine injection of established (7-day-old) tumors produced dose-related prolongation of survival and cured some animals. Although 30 to 40% of the vaccine-injected primary tumors regressed, recurrences and continued growth of metastases ultimately killed one-fourth of the regressors. Rats given 1500 microgram of C. parvum intratumorally at 7 days, with or without later primary tumor excision at 20 days were cured at a rate of 10 to 40%. Repeated injections improved the results (60%). C. parvum injections delayed until 12 and 17 days were ineffective. Cured rats were immune to rechallenge with 13762A tumor.", "contents": "Immunotherapy of an established rat mammary adenocarcinoma (13762A) with intratumor injection of Corynebacterium parvum. We studied the effects of intratumor injection of Corynebacterium parvum vaccine on the survival of 13762A tumor-bearing rats. Vaccine injection of established (7-day-old) tumors produced dose-related prolongation of survival and cured some animals. Although 30 to 40% of the vaccine-injected primary tumors regressed, recurrences and continued growth of metastases ultimately killed one-fourth of the regressors. Rats given 1500 microgram of C. parvum intratumorally at 7 days, with or without later primary tumor excision at 20 days were cured at a rate of 10 to 40%. Repeated injections improved the results (60%). C. parvum injections delayed until 12 and 17 days were ineffective. Cured rats were immune to rechallenge with 13762A tumor.", "PMID": 626972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6743", "title": "Exceptional carcinogenic activity of benz[a]anthracene 3,4-dihydrodiol in the newborn mouse and the bay region theory.", "content": "Benz[a]anthracene and the five metabolically possible trans-dihydrodiols of benz[a]anthracene were tested for carcinogenicity in newborn Swiss-Webster mice. Four hundred, 800, and 1600 nmoles hydrocarbon i.p. were sequentially injected on Days 1, 8, and 15 of life. The mice were killed at 22 weeks of age. Of the mice treated with trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3, 4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, 24% developed malignant lymphoma, whereas 4% of the animals treated with benz[a]anthracene had malignant lymphoma. None of the animals treated with the trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-8,9-dihydroxy-8,9-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, or trans-10,11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene had malignant lymphoma. trans-3,4-Dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene caused about 35-fold more pulmonary adenomas than did benz[a]anthracene, whereas the trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-8,9-dihydroxy-8,9-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, and trans-10, 11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene had little or no activity. The exceptionally high carcinogenicity of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene is consistent with the metabolism of this compound to either or both of the diastereomeric bay region 3,4-dihydroxy-1,2-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenz[a]anthracenes, and the data support the bay region theory of polycyclic hydrocarbon carcinogenesis.", "contents": "Exceptional carcinogenic activity of benz[a]anthracene 3,4-dihydrodiol in the newborn mouse and the bay region theory. Benz[a]anthracene and the five metabolically possible trans-dihydrodiols of benz[a]anthracene were tested for carcinogenicity in newborn Swiss-Webster mice. Four hundred, 800, and 1600 nmoles hydrocarbon i.p. were sequentially injected on Days 1, 8, and 15 of life. The mice were killed at 22 weeks of age. Of the mice treated with trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3, 4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, 24% developed malignant lymphoma, whereas 4% of the animals treated with benz[a]anthracene had malignant lymphoma. None of the animals treated with the trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-8,9-dihydroxy-8,9-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, or trans-10,11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene had malignant lymphoma. trans-3,4-Dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene caused about 35-fold more pulmonary adenomas than did benz[a]anthracene, whereas the trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, trans-8,9-dihydroxy-8,9-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene, and trans-10, 11-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene had little or no activity. The exceptionally high carcinogenicity of trans-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrobenz[a]anthracene is consistent with the metabolism of this compound to either or both of the diastereomeric bay region 3,4-dihydroxy-1,2-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenz[a]anthracenes, and the data support the bay region theory of polycyclic hydrocarbon carcinogenesis.", "PMID": 626973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6744", "title": "Role of lipopolysaccharide in the production of plasma cell tumors in mice given mineral oil injections.", "content": "The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content of peritoneal fluids of BALB/c mice given mineral oil injections and of normal mice was measured. Peritoneal fluids were passed through DEAE-Bio-Gel columns to remove an inhibitor to the Limulus amebocyte lysate reaction and then were assayed for LPS by a spectrophotometric Limulus amebocyte lysate test. A highly significant difference between control animals and animals given mineral oil injections was found. A clear correlation between LPS concentration and time after first oil injection was shown. P-200 gel chromatography and heat stability of the active material were consistent with the behavior of LPS. The possible role of LPS in the pathogenesis of plasma cell tumor is discussed.", "contents": "Role of lipopolysaccharide in the production of plasma cell tumors in mice given mineral oil injections. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content of peritoneal fluids of BALB/c mice given mineral oil injections and of normal mice was measured. Peritoneal fluids were passed through DEAE-Bio-Gel columns to remove an inhibitor to the Limulus amebocyte lysate reaction and then were assayed for LPS by a spectrophotometric Limulus amebocyte lysate test. A highly significant difference between control animals and animals given mineral oil injections was found. A clear correlation between LPS concentration and time after first oil injection was shown. P-200 gel chromatography and heat stability of the active material were consistent with the behavior of LPS. The possible role of LPS in the pathogenesis of plasma cell tumor is discussed.", "PMID": 626974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6745", "title": "Leukemoid reaction in BALB/c mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene.", "content": "During the growth of five of ten primary tumors that were induced by 3-methylcholanthrene in BALB/cMk and BALB/cMk X C57BL/6F1 mice, leukemoid reactions, characterized by increase in number of granulocytes in peripheral blood, and splenomegaly were observed. However, no such reactions occurred in five C57BL/6 mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. The results of leukemoid reactions in mice bearing 3-methylcholanthrene-induced primary tumors are compared with the reactions found in mice bearing transplanted tumors.", "contents": "Leukemoid reaction in BALB/c mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. During the growth of five of ten primary tumors that were induced by 3-methylcholanthrene in BALB/cMk and BALB/cMk X C57BL/6F1 mice, leukemoid reactions, characterized by increase in number of granulocytes in peripheral blood, and splenomegaly were observed. However, no such reactions occurred in five C57BL/6 mice bearing primary tumors induced by 3-methylcholanthrene. The results of leukemoid reactions in mice bearing 3-methylcholanthrene-induced primary tumors are compared with the reactions found in mice bearing transplanted tumors.", "PMID": 626975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6746", "title": "Alterations in serum glycosyltransferases and 5'-nucleotidase in breast cancer patients.", "content": "We have measured sialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase, and fucosyltransferase as sell as 5'-nucleotidase in the serum of breast cancer patients. Serum sialyltransferase values in 65 normal healthy females ranged from 2.6 to 8.5 units, with a mean of 5.4. In 25 women with operable primary breast cancer, serum sialyltransferase levels were found to be between 6.2 and 15.4 units. Marked elevation of this enzyme level (range, 8.8 to 36 units) was observed in 48 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Galactosyltransferase and fucosyltransferase measurements, however, showed considerable overlap between the controls and the cancer patients. On the other hand serum 5'-nucleotidase and sialyltransferase in breast cancer patients showed very similar patterns. Thus, serum 5'-nucleotidase values in 44 normal females ranged from 11.4 to 23.2 units, whereas the levels found in 30 patients with metastasis were between 25 and 71.8 units. The tissue origin of abnormal levels of serum glycosyltransferases and 5'-nucleotidase was discussed in relation to their physiological significance as well as their role as markers for diagnosing early malignant breast neoplasm and for monitoring the extent of metastasis.", "contents": "Alterations in serum glycosyltransferases and 5'-nucleotidase in breast cancer patients. We have measured sialyltransferase, galactosyltransferase, and fucosyltransferase as sell as 5'-nucleotidase in the serum of breast cancer patients. Serum sialyltransferase values in 65 normal healthy females ranged from 2.6 to 8.5 units, with a mean of 5.4. In 25 women with operable primary breast cancer, serum sialyltransferase levels were found to be between 6.2 and 15.4 units. Marked elevation of this enzyme level (range, 8.8 to 36 units) was observed in 48 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Galactosyltransferase and fucosyltransferase measurements, however, showed considerable overlap between the controls and the cancer patients. On the other hand serum 5'-nucleotidase and sialyltransferase in breast cancer patients showed very similar patterns. Thus, serum 5'-nucleotidase values in 44 normal females ranged from 11.4 to 23.2 units, whereas the levels found in 30 patients with metastasis were between 25 and 71.8 units. The tissue origin of abnormal levels of serum glycosyltransferases and 5'-nucleotidase was discussed in relation to their physiological significance as well as their role as markers for diagnosing early malignant breast neoplasm and for monitoring the extent of metastasis.", "PMID": 626976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6747", "title": "DNA repair in normal and preneoplastic mammary tissues.", "content": "The purpose of this investigation was to obtain a comparative measure of DNA repair synthesis in hormone-dependent normal mammary tissue and hormone-independent D1 hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN) outgrowth. Treatment of mammary fragments in culture with 5 mM hydroxyurea inhibits 98% of the semiconservative DNA synthesis. Treatment of mammary fragments with methyl methanesulfonate in the presence of hydroxyurea results in a 4- to 7-fold higher incorporation of [3H]deoxythymidine into the mammary cell DNA than does treatment with hydroxyurea alone. This hydroxyurea-resistant alkylating agent-induced [3H]deoxythymidine incorporation was studied by CsCl density gradient centrifugation and has been found to represent DNA repair replication. Similar levels of repair replication were found in both normal and preneoplastic D1-HAN outgrowth. Autoradiographic analysis of mammary fragments and D1-HAN outgrowth treated with methyl methanesulfonate plus hydroxyurea revealed that 30 to 50% of the epithelial cell nuclei were lightly labeled. No detectable repair synthesis was found in fat or stromal cells. The average number of grains per labeled nuclei was the same for both explants. These results suggest that a reduced DNA repair capacity is not associated with the increased sensitivity of D1-HAN outgrowth to the tumorigenic effect of chemical carcinogens.", "contents": "DNA repair in normal and preneoplastic mammary tissues. The purpose of this investigation was to obtain a comparative measure of DNA repair synthesis in hormone-dependent normal mammary tissue and hormone-independent D1 hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN) outgrowth. Treatment of mammary fragments in culture with 5 mM hydroxyurea inhibits 98% of the semiconservative DNA synthesis. Treatment of mammary fragments with methyl methanesulfonate in the presence of hydroxyurea results in a 4- to 7-fold higher incorporation of [3H]deoxythymidine into the mammary cell DNA than does treatment with hydroxyurea alone. This hydroxyurea-resistant alkylating agent-induced [3H]deoxythymidine incorporation was studied by CsCl density gradient centrifugation and has been found to represent DNA repair replication. Similar levels of repair replication were found in both normal and preneoplastic D1-HAN outgrowth. Autoradiographic analysis of mammary fragments and D1-HAN outgrowth treated with methyl methanesulfonate plus hydroxyurea revealed that 30 to 50% of the epithelial cell nuclei were lightly labeled. No detectable repair synthesis was found in fat or stromal cells. The average number of grains per labeled nuclei was the same for both explants. These results suggest that a reduced DNA repair capacity is not associated with the increased sensitivity of D1-HAN outgrowth to the tumorigenic effect of chemical carcinogens.", "PMID": 626977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6748", "title": "Estrogen profiles of premenopausal women with breast cancer.", "content": "Population surveys have demonstrated an inverse relationship between breast cancer incidence rates and the urine \"estriol ratio,\" the concentration of estriol relative to the sum of the concentrations of estrone and estradiol. In this study, the urine estriol ratio was evaluated in premenopausal breast cancer patients and control women from Boston and San Francisco. Although at least 2 years had passed since last use of oral contraceptives, women with a history or oral contraceptive use for 19 months or longer excreted estrogen in low concentrations compared to nonusers and so were excluded. Among the remaining 73 cases and 55 controls, the cases had lower estriol ratios and higher estrone and estradiol levels than did controls. However, these differences, which averaged about 10%, were not statistically significant. Thus the hypothesis that a low estriol ratio is a cause of breast cancer is given only minimal support. Among women in their 40's, the excretion of estrogens is subject to many influences and is difficult to study. The many determinants of estrogen excretion, including age and oral contraceptive use, should be accommodated in the design of future studies of the estriol ratio.", "contents": "Estrogen profiles of premenopausal women with breast cancer. Population surveys have demonstrated an inverse relationship between breast cancer incidence rates and the urine \"estriol ratio,\" the concentration of estriol relative to the sum of the concentrations of estrone and estradiol. In this study, the urine estriol ratio was evaluated in premenopausal breast cancer patients and control women from Boston and San Francisco. Although at least 2 years had passed since last use of oral contraceptives, women with a history or oral contraceptive use for 19 months or longer excreted estrogen in low concentrations compared to nonusers and so were excluded. Among the remaining 73 cases and 55 controls, the cases had lower estriol ratios and higher estrone and estradiol levels than did controls. However, these differences, which averaged about 10%, were not statistically significant. Thus the hypothesis that a low estriol ratio is a cause of breast cancer is given only minimal support. Among women in their 40's, the excretion of estrogens is subject to many influences and is difficult to study. The many determinants of estrogen excretion, including age and oral contraceptive use, should be accommodated in the design of future studies of the estriol ratio.", "PMID": 626978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6749", "title": "Kinetics of growth and ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotropin by an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma cell line maintained in vitro.", "content": "An established ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma cell line, designated 163, released immunoreactive human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in vitro into the culture medium. The maximal rate of this ectopic activity (10 to 15 ng/day/10(6) cells) occurred at the onset of the logarithmic phase of cell growth and greatly exceeded the intracellular HCG content of cells approaching confluency (0.037 ng/10(6) cells). The HCG production was not detected during the plateau phase of growth. The rate of cellular proliferation and HCG release depended upon the frequency of media change in a manner suggesting that the two processes are interrelated and may be affected by such environmental factors as cell density, nutrient availability, and the accumulation of waste products. The addition of purified HCG to the cultures had no appreciable effect on either the cell growth or the accumulation of HCG. The release of HCG into the medium was greatly stimulated in the presence of sodium butyrate at concentrations from 1 to 10 mM, despite the fact that these concentrations of butyrate resulted in a marked decrease in the cell number/culture in comparison with control media. Equivalent amounts of sodium acetate had no effect on either cell growth or the release of HCG.", "contents": "Kinetics of growth and ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotropin by an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma cell line maintained in vitro. An established ovarian papillary cystadenocarcinoma cell line, designated 163, released immunoreactive human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in vitro into the culture medium. The maximal rate of this ectopic activity (10 to 15 ng/day/10(6) cells) occurred at the onset of the logarithmic phase of cell growth and greatly exceeded the intracellular HCG content of cells approaching confluency (0.037 ng/10(6) cells). The HCG production was not detected during the plateau phase of growth. The rate of cellular proliferation and HCG release depended upon the frequency of media change in a manner suggesting that the two processes are interrelated and may be affected by such environmental factors as cell density, nutrient availability, and the accumulation of waste products. The addition of purified HCG to the cultures had no appreciable effect on either the cell growth or the accumulation of HCG. The release of HCG into the medium was greatly stimulated in the presence of sodium butyrate at concentrations from 1 to 10 mM, despite the fact that these concentrations of butyrate resulted in a marked decrease in the cell number/culture in comparison with control media. Equivalent amounts of sodium acetate had no effect on either cell growth or the release of HCG.", "PMID": 626979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6750", "title": "Retinoic acid inhibition of the comitogenic action of mezerein and phorbol esters in bovine lymphocytes.", "content": "12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is an effective comitogen in phytohemagglutinin-treated bovine lymphocytes. Concurrent addition of 10(-8) M TPA gives a greater than 6-fold increase in DNA synthesis over cultures treated with the lectin alone. The delayed addition of phorbol ester, relative to the start of the lectin treatment, eliminates this synergistic action. Structure-function studies show that the comitogenic activity of different phorbol diesters runs parallel to their tumor-promoting activity. A nontoxic level (50 micronM) of retinoic acid selectively antagonizes this synergistic effect of phorbol ester. This inhibitory action requires the near-concurrent addition of retinoic acid with TPA. In contrast, the TPA-mediated induction of RNA and protein synthesis is unaffected by retinolic acid. A number of natural and synthetic retinoids were evaluated; none were as inhibitory as was retinoic acid. Lymphocyte cultures appear to provide a useful system for exploring the mechanisms of action of both TPA and retinoic acid.", "contents": "Retinoic acid inhibition of the comitogenic action of mezerein and phorbol esters in bovine lymphocytes. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is an effective comitogen in phytohemagglutinin-treated bovine lymphocytes. Concurrent addition of 10(-8) M TPA gives a greater than 6-fold increase in DNA synthesis over cultures treated with the lectin alone. The delayed addition of phorbol ester, relative to the start of the lectin treatment, eliminates this synergistic action. Structure-function studies show that the comitogenic activity of different phorbol diesters runs parallel to their tumor-promoting activity. A nontoxic level (50 micronM) of retinoic acid selectively antagonizes this synergistic effect of phorbol ester. This inhibitory action requires the near-concurrent addition of retinoic acid with TPA. In contrast, the TPA-mediated induction of RNA and protein synthesis is unaffected by retinolic acid. A number of natural and synthetic retinoids were evaluated; none were as inhibitory as was retinoic acid. Lymphocyte cultures appear to provide a useful system for exploring the mechanisms of action of both TPA and retinoic acid.", "PMID": 626980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6751", "title": "Covalent binding of the carcinogen trichloroethylene to hepatic microsomal proteins and to exogenous DNA in vitro.", "content": "Studies were carried out on the in vitro covalent binding of the carcinogen trichloroethylene (TCE) to liver microsomal preparations and to exogenous DNA. The binding of TCE to liver microsomal proteins of male C57BL/6 X C3H/He F1 (hereafter called B6C3F1) hybrid mice, a species and strain susceptible to TCE-induced liver tumorigenesis, was 46% higher than that of [14C]TCE to microsomal proteins from male Osborne-Mendel rats, a species and strain resistant to TCE-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. The in vitro binding of [14C]TCE to liver microsomal proteins was 37% higher for male B6C3F1 mice; female B6C3F1 mice that have been reported to show a lower incidence of TCE-induced hepatocellular carcinoma than do males. Microsomal proteins from the lung, stomach, and kidney of B6C3F1 hybrid mice also metabolized TCE, as indicated by the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to microsomal proteins from these organs. For rats the binding of TCE to liver microsomal proteins of Sprague-Dawley animals was higher than that of Osborne-Mendel and Fischer 344 rats. Incubation of [14C]TCE with salmon sperm DNA in the presence of microsomal preparations from B6C3F1 hybrid mice resulted in covalent binding of [14C]TCE to DNA. This binding was much higher in the presence of microsomal proteins from male rather than female mice. The binding to DNA and protein was enhanced by in vivo phenobarbital administration. The effects of 1,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane on the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to protein and DNA were also examined.", "contents": "Covalent binding of the carcinogen trichloroethylene to hepatic microsomal proteins and to exogenous DNA in vitro. Studies were carried out on the in vitro covalent binding of the carcinogen trichloroethylene (TCE) to liver microsomal preparations and to exogenous DNA. The binding of TCE to liver microsomal proteins of male C57BL/6 X C3H/He F1 (hereafter called B6C3F1) hybrid mice, a species and strain susceptible to TCE-induced liver tumorigenesis, was 46% higher than that of [14C]TCE to microsomal proteins from male Osborne-Mendel rats, a species and strain resistant to TCE-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. The in vitro binding of [14C]TCE to liver microsomal proteins was 37% higher for male B6C3F1 mice; female B6C3F1 mice that have been reported to show a lower incidence of TCE-induced hepatocellular carcinoma than do males. Microsomal proteins from the lung, stomach, and kidney of B6C3F1 hybrid mice also metabolized TCE, as indicated by the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to microsomal proteins from these organs. For rats the binding of TCE to liver microsomal proteins of Sprague-Dawley animals was higher than that of Osborne-Mendel and Fischer 344 rats. Incubation of [14C]TCE with salmon sperm DNA in the presence of microsomal preparations from B6C3F1 hybrid mice resulted in covalent binding of [14C]TCE to DNA. This binding was much higher in the presence of microsomal proteins from male rather than female mice. The binding to DNA and protein was enhanced by in vivo phenobarbital administration. The effects of 1,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane on the covalent binding of [14C]TCE to protein and DNA were also examined.", "PMID": 626981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6752", "title": "Early steps in mutagenesis by hycanthone.", "content": "Hycanthone, the most potent mutagen in a series of nine thiaxanthenones, is a potent inducer of nuclear immunoreactivity to antinucleoside antibodies in HeLa cells. This response indicates exposure of single-stranded DNA regions. All classes of mutagens thus far tested share this property with hycanthone. Immunoreactivity to antinucleoside antibodies was also induced by brief exposure to hycanthone, 3 microgram/ml, in human fibroblasts from three normal subjects and in fibroblasts from seven patients with DNA repair deficiencies. Unlike those of many other mutagens, the metabolic effects and immunoreactivity induction of hycanthone were readily reversible. No evidence for covalent attachment of [3H]hycanthone to HeLa macromolecules could be found. Induction of DNA repair synthesis could not be detected by autoradiography after exposure of cells to hycanthone. Exposure of single-stranded DNA regions appears to be an important feature of the mechanism of action of hycanthone as a mutagen. Both hycanthone and lucanthone intercalate with DNA, but hycanthone was much less active than was lucanthone in reducing the rapid sedimentation of cell lysate DNA in alkaline sucrose gradients. Similarities and differences, therefore, have been found in the way the potent and the weak mutagen affect DNA of HeLa cells. This may provide clues to understanding the mechanism of mutagenesis by thiaxanthenones and other mutagens.", "contents": "Early steps in mutagenesis by hycanthone. Hycanthone, the most potent mutagen in a series of nine thiaxanthenones, is a potent inducer of nuclear immunoreactivity to antinucleoside antibodies in HeLa cells. This response indicates exposure of single-stranded DNA regions. All classes of mutagens thus far tested share this property with hycanthone. Immunoreactivity to antinucleoside antibodies was also induced by brief exposure to hycanthone, 3 microgram/ml, in human fibroblasts from three normal subjects and in fibroblasts from seven patients with DNA repair deficiencies. Unlike those of many other mutagens, the metabolic effects and immunoreactivity induction of hycanthone were readily reversible. No evidence for covalent attachment of [3H]hycanthone to HeLa macromolecules could be found. Induction of DNA repair synthesis could not be detected by autoradiography after exposure of cells to hycanthone. Exposure of single-stranded DNA regions appears to be an important feature of the mechanism of action of hycanthone as a mutagen. Both hycanthone and lucanthone intercalate with DNA, but hycanthone was much less active than was lucanthone in reducing the rapid sedimentation of cell lysate DNA in alkaline sucrose gradients. Similarities and differences, therefore, have been found in the way the potent and the weak mutagen affect DNA of HeLa cells. This may provide clues to understanding the mechanism of mutagenesis by thiaxanthenones and other mutagens.", "PMID": 626982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6753", "title": "Differential repair of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea-induced DNA damage in two human colon tumor cell lines.", "content": "Two human colon tumor cell lines were examined for their responses to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment when maintained as cultured cell lines and xenograft tumors in nude mice. One tumor line, HT, was resistant to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment both in tissue culture and in vivo. The other tumor line, BE, was sensitive to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment in vitro and in vivo. The DNA of tissue-cultured cells treated with 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea was examined by alkaline elution for DNA damage. 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea was found to produce DNA strand breaks and DNA cross-links in both cell types. The DNA cross-links appear to be completely repaired in the resistant HT line over the 48-hr period following drug removal, but in the sensitive BE line little or no cross-link repair was observed during this interval.", "contents": "Differential repair of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea-induced DNA damage in two human colon tumor cell lines. Two human colon tumor cell lines were examined for their responses to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment when maintained as cultured cell lines and xenograft tumors in nude mice. One tumor line, HT, was resistant to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment both in tissue culture and in vivo. The other tumor line, BE, was sensitive to 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea treatment in vitro and in vivo. The DNA of tissue-cultured cells treated with 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea was examined by alkaline elution for DNA damage. 1-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea was found to produce DNA strand breaks and DNA cross-links in both cell types. The DNA cross-links appear to be completely repaired in the resistant HT line over the 48-hr period following drug removal, but in the sensitive BE line little or no cross-link repair was observed during this interval.", "PMID": 626984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6754", "title": "Enhancement by Corynebacterium parvum of the normal and tumor tissue response to hyperthermia.", "content": "The effect of Corynebacterium parvum treatment on the response of tumor and normal tissue to hyperthermia (43.5 degrees) was studied. Animals were C3Hf/Sed mice from our defined flora mouse colony. The time at hyperthermia that achieved control of one-half of methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas and the foot reaction were examined after treatment. C. parvum, if given 3 to 32 days before hyperthermia, enhanced the reaction to local hyperthermia of normal tissue. No enhancement was observed if C. parvum was given after hyperthermia. This enhancement was more dramatic for tumor response resulting in a therapeutic gain factor of congruent to 2.3 (3.7/1.6). Comparative studies on combined Corynebacterium and radiation failed to demonstrate the enhancement to normal tissue.", "contents": "Enhancement by Corynebacterium parvum of the normal and tumor tissue response to hyperthermia. The effect of Corynebacterium parvum treatment on the response of tumor and normal tissue to hyperthermia (43.5 degrees) was studied. Animals were C3Hf/Sed mice from our defined flora mouse colony. The time at hyperthermia that achieved control of one-half of methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas and the foot reaction were examined after treatment. C. parvum, if given 3 to 32 days before hyperthermia, enhanced the reaction to local hyperthermia of normal tissue. No enhancement was observed if C. parvum was given after hyperthermia. This enhancement was more dramatic for tumor response resulting in a therapeutic gain factor of congruent to 2.3 (3.7/1.6). Comparative studies on combined Corynebacterium and radiation failed to demonstrate the enhancement to normal tissue.", "PMID": 626985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6755", "title": "Effect of aging in two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin with phorbol myristate acetate as promoting agent.", "content": "Life table analysis curves have been constructed for some of the data presented in a previous report on the effect of aging and of the interval between primary and secondary treatment in two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin. These curves are compared with those in a recent report from another laboratory also concerning aging and skin carcinogenesis. While comparison was difficult due to differences in experimental protocol, our conclusion that age at the onset of secondary treatment is of overriding importance in determining final tumor yields is substantiated.", "contents": "Effect of aging in two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin with phorbol myristate acetate as promoting agent. Life table analysis curves have been constructed for some of the data presented in a previous report on the effect of aging and of the interval between primary and secondary treatment in two-stage carcinogenesis on mouse skin. These curves are compared with those in a recent report from another laboratory also concerning aging and skin carcinogenesis. While comparison was difficult due to differences in experimental protocol, our conclusion that age at the onset of secondary treatment is of overriding importance in determining final tumor yields is substantiated.", "PMID": 626986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6756", "title": "Pharmacokinetic rationale for peritoneal drug administration in the treatment of ovarian cancer.", "content": "Evidence from the peritoneal dialysis literature suggests that the peritoneal permeability of a number of hydrophilic anticancer drugs may be considerably less than plasma clearance. Pharmacokinetic calculations indicate that such drugs administered ip in large volumes are expected to maintain a significantly greater concentration in the peritoneal space than in the plasma. This concentration difference offers a potentially exploitable biochemical advantage in the treatment of patients with presumed microscopic residual ovarian cancer confined to the peritoneal cavity.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetic rationale for peritoneal drug administration in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Evidence from the peritoneal dialysis literature suggests that the peritoneal permeability of a number of hydrophilic anticancer drugs may be considerably less than plasma clearance. Pharmacokinetic calculations indicate that such drugs administered ip in large volumes are expected to maintain a significantly greater concentration in the peritoneal space than in the plasma. This concentration difference offers a potentially exploitable biochemical advantage in the treatment of patients with presumed microscopic residual ovarian cancer confined to the peritoneal cavity.", "PMID": 626987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6757", "title": "Antitumor activity of N-trifuloroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate.", "content": "The antitumor activity and toxicity of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32) dissolved in 10% Tween 80 in distilled water were compared to those of adriamycin dissolved in distilled water in 10% Tween 80 in distilled water, in mice bearing L1210 leukemia, P388 leukemia, Gross leukemia, and solid Sarcoma 180. Treatments were performed ip or iv according to different schedules. The antitumor-activity of AD 32 was not superior to that of adriamycin. The antitumor activity of adriamycin dissolved in aqueous solution of Tween 80 was higher than that of adriamycin dissolved in distilled water after after iv treatment.", "contents": "Antitumor activity of N-trifuloroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate. The antitumor activity and toxicity of N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32) dissolved in 10% Tween 80 in distilled water were compared to those of adriamycin dissolved in distilled water in 10% Tween 80 in distilled water, in mice bearing L1210 leukemia, P388 leukemia, Gross leukemia, and solid Sarcoma 180. Treatments were performed ip or iv according to different schedules. The antitumor-activity of AD 32 was not superior to that of adriamycin. The antitumor activity of adriamycin dissolved in aqueous solution of Tween 80 was higher than that of adriamycin dissolved in distilled water after after iv treatment.", "PMID": 626988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6758", "title": "Comparative antineoplastic activity of adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate.", "content": "A comparative investigation of the antineoplastic activity of adriamycin and its derivative, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32), was conducted in murine tumor models employing different treatment schedules and injection routes. In all conditions tested, ie, ascitic and disseminated L1210 leukemia, ascitic LSTRA lymphoma, and advanced Lewis lung carcinoma, AD 32 was significantly more effective in terms of lifespan prolongation and induction of cures than optimal adriamycin treatments. As with adriamycin, AD 32 was ineffective on ic transplanted L1210 leukemia.", "contents": "Comparative antineoplastic activity of adriamycin and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate. A comparative investigation of the antineoplastic activity of adriamycin and its derivative, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32), was conducted in murine tumor models employing different treatment schedules and injection routes. In all conditions tested, ie, ascitic and disseminated L1210 leukemia, ascitic LSTRA lymphoma, and advanced Lewis lung carcinoma, AD 32 was significantly more effective in terms of lifespan prolongation and induction of cures than optimal adriamycin treatments. As with adriamycin, AD 32 was ineffective on ic transplanted L1210 leukemia.", "PMID": 626989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6759", "title": "Separation and identification of impurities in parenteral methotrexate dosage forms.", "content": "Eleven lots of parenteral methotrexate (MTX) dosage forms from two manufactures have been analyzed and found to be 93.4% +/- 2.1% (SD) pure by a new procedure employing a DEAE-cellulose column adapted for high performance liquid chromatography instrumentation. In addition to 4-amino-10-methylpteroic acid and N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, which were previously identified contaminants, and benzyl alcohol, which was added as a preservative, we have also isolated and identified 2,4-diamino-6-methylpteridine, 2,4-diamino-6-bromomethylpteridine, and p-methylaminobenzoic acid. Another impurity has tentatively been identified as 4-amino-10-methylpteroic acid amide. The individual impurities vary from 0.1% to 4.8% of the ultraviolet absorbing material which elutes from the column. Additional impurities were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Since \"high-dose\" therapy may involve the administration of up to 20 g of MTX/day, the effect of the impurities present in these dosage forms on the course of the patient's therapy should be determined.", "contents": "Separation and identification of impurities in parenteral methotrexate dosage forms. Eleven lots of parenteral methotrexate (MTX) dosage forms from two manufactures have been analyzed and found to be 93.4% +/- 2.1% (SD) pure by a new procedure employing a DEAE-cellulose column adapted for high performance liquid chromatography instrumentation. In addition to 4-amino-10-methylpteroic acid and N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, which were previously identified contaminants, and benzyl alcohol, which was added as a preservative, we have also isolated and identified 2,4-diamino-6-methylpteridine, 2,4-diamino-6-bromomethylpteridine, and p-methylaminobenzoic acid. Another impurity has tentatively been identified as 4-amino-10-methylpteroic acid amide. The individual impurities vary from 0.1% to 4.8% of the ultraviolet absorbing material which elutes from the column. Additional impurities were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Since \"high-dose\" therapy may involve the administration of up to 20 g of MTX/day, the effect of the impurities present in these dosage forms on the course of the patient's therapy should be determined.", "PMID": 626990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6760", "title": "Metastatic cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus: sequential responses to adriamycin and cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II).", "content": "A case of cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus with pulmonary metastases successfully treated with adriamycin and subsequently with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (CDP) is reviewed. Cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus is a very uncommon tumor, and this is the first report of a major response to chemotherapy alone. Adriamycin and/or CDP should be considered in the therapy of this tumor.", "contents": "Metastatic cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus: sequential responses to adriamycin and cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II). A case of cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus with pulmonary metastases successfully treated with adriamycin and subsequently with cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (CDP) is reviewed. Cloacogenic carcinoma of the anus is a very uncommon tumor, and this is the first report of a major response to chemotherapy alone. Adriamycin and/or CDP should be considered in the therapy of this tumor.", "PMID": 627000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6761", "title": "Pharmaceutical assessment of amygdalin (Laetrile) products.", "content": "The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently acquired a large supply of formulated products of amygdalin manufactured by Cyto Pharma of Mexico, for possible use in a clinical trial in the US. Tablets for oral administration and ampules of the injectable produce were obtained. Both forms were extensively analyzed and evaluated by several analytic and pharmaceutical laboratories under contract with the NCI. Analytic test procedures were developed to determine the chemical integrity and quantitative composition of the formulated products. Routine physical and biologic tests were also performed to evaluate the manufacturing quality of both dosage forms. The results indicate that both the oral and injectable forms of amygdalin were substandard by US criteria for manufactured pharmaceutical products. All samples were determined to be chemically subpotent, mislabeled, and of poor manufacturing quality. More than 20 samples of the ampules were found by visual inspection to contain microbial contamination. Other samples were found to be pyrogenic. Based on the results of the testing performed, both tablet and ampule forms of amygdalin manufactured by Cyto Pharma of Mexico are considered unfit for use in man.", "contents": "Pharmaceutical assessment of amygdalin (Laetrile) products. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently acquired a large supply of formulated products of amygdalin manufactured by Cyto Pharma of Mexico, for possible use in a clinical trial in the US. Tablets for oral administration and ampules of the injectable produce were obtained. Both forms were extensively analyzed and evaluated by several analytic and pharmaceutical laboratories under contract with the NCI. Analytic test procedures were developed to determine the chemical integrity and quantitative composition of the formulated products. Routine physical and biologic tests were also performed to evaluate the manufacturing quality of both dosage forms. The results indicate that both the oral and injectable forms of amygdalin were substandard by US criteria for manufactured pharmaceutical products. All samples were determined to be chemically subpotent, mislabeled, and of poor manufacturing quality. More than 20 samples of the ampules were found by visual inspection to contain microbial contamination. Other samples were found to be pyrogenic. Based on the results of the testing performed, both tablet and ampule forms of amygdalin manufactured by Cyto Pharma of Mexico are considered unfit for use in man.", "PMID": 627001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6762", "title": "Coronary involvement after a single myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography study.", "content": "Coronary angiography was performed in 95 patients 3 months to 3 years after a single myocardial infarction. The patients were categorized into 4 groups according to coronary angiography findings: group I with three or four vessels diseased; group II with two vessels diseased; group III with one vessel diseased, and group IV with normal arteries. Vessel disease was considered present if 50% of the lumen was narrowed. The patient population was almost equally distributed among group I (26), group II (26), group II (33) and group III (34). Group IV included only 3 patients in this retrospective study.", "contents": "Coronary involvement after a single myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography study. Coronary angiography was performed in 95 patients 3 months to 3 years after a single myocardial infarction. The patients were categorized into 4 groups according to coronary angiography findings: group I with three or four vessels diseased; group II with two vessels diseased; group III with one vessel diseased, and group IV with normal arteries. Vessel disease was considered present if 50% of the lumen was narrowed. The patient population was almost equally distributed among group I (26), group II (26), group II (33) and group III (34). Group IV included only 3 patients in this retrospective study.", "PMID": 627002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6763", "title": "Influence of the contractile state of the heart of the preload dependence of the maximal rate of intraventricular pressure rise dP/dt max.", "content": "In canine heart-lung preparations the relation between dP/Dt max and end-diastolic pressure exhibits the steepest slope shortly after isolation of the heart. When the heart is deteriorating, the slopes of the preload dependence of right and left ventricular dP/dt max are progressively reduced, but increase again after application of calcium. The preload dependence of dP/dt max is influenced by the contractile state of the myocardium. In the right and left ventricle the change in preload dependence of dp/dt max show a linear correlation. In the individual heart the slopes of the preload dependence of dP/dt max and of aortic flow (representing ventricular function curves) change in a very similar manner with varying contractility. In 33 different isolated hearts the slopes of the preload dependence of the two parameters show a good correlation shortly after isolation of the hearts. The preload dependence of dP/dt max can not only be used for assessment of acute variations in in myocardial contractility, but appears also to be at least as reliable as the ventricular function curves for the evaluation of the basic contractile state of different hearts. This study further shows that if dP/dt max is used for evaluation of relative changes in contractility, the quantitative results are influenced by the end-diastolic pressure level chosen.", "contents": "Influence of the contractile state of the heart of the preload dependence of the maximal rate of intraventricular pressure rise dP/dt max. In canine heart-lung preparations the relation between dP/Dt max and end-diastolic pressure exhibits the steepest slope shortly after isolation of the heart. When the heart is deteriorating, the slopes of the preload dependence of right and left ventricular dP/dt max are progressively reduced, but increase again after application of calcium. The preload dependence of dP/dt max is influenced by the contractile state of the myocardium. In the right and left ventricle the change in preload dependence of dp/dt max show a linear correlation. In the individual heart the slopes of the preload dependence of dP/dt max and of aortic flow (representing ventricular function curves) change in a very similar manner with varying contractility. In 33 different isolated hearts the slopes of the preload dependence of the two parameters show a good correlation shortly after isolation of the hearts. The preload dependence of dP/dt max can not only be used for assessment of acute variations in in myocardial contractility, but appears also to be at least as reliable as the ventricular function curves for the evaluation of the basic contractile state of different hearts. This study further shows that if dP/dt max is used for evaluation of relative changes in contractility, the quantitative results are influenced by the end-diastolic pressure level chosen.", "PMID": 627003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6764", "title": "Systolic time intervals in induced atrial fibrillation in the dog: effects of ectopic ventricular activation.", "content": "Electrocardiogram, atrial electrogram, phonocardiogram, aortic pressure, and left ventricular pressure were recorded during periods of induced atrial fibrillation in dogs anesthetized with a combination of morphine sulfate and pentobarbital sodium. Data were accumulated by selecting 50 cardiac cycles which terminated in ectopic ventricular electrical complexes, and comparing systolic time intervals (STI) following these beats with STI Following 50 normal ventricular complexes. Ectopic ventricular activation prolonged left ventricular pre-ejection period and external isovolumic contraction time, and reduced duration of left ventricular ejection time. These events resemble changes in STI observed following induction of atrial fibrillation from a sinus rhythm, but they are of significantly greater magnitude than the effects of atrial fibrillation alone.", "contents": "Systolic time intervals in induced atrial fibrillation in the dog: effects of ectopic ventricular activation. Electrocardiogram, atrial electrogram, phonocardiogram, aortic pressure, and left ventricular pressure were recorded during periods of induced atrial fibrillation in dogs anesthetized with a combination of morphine sulfate and pentobarbital sodium. Data were accumulated by selecting 50 cardiac cycles which terminated in ectopic ventricular electrical complexes, and comparing systolic time intervals (STI) following these beats with STI Following 50 normal ventricular complexes. Ectopic ventricular activation prolonged left ventricular pre-ejection period and external isovolumic contraction time, and reduced duration of left ventricular ejection time. These events resemble changes in STI observed following induction of atrial fibrillation from a sinus rhythm, but they are of significantly greater magnitude than the effects of atrial fibrillation alone.", "PMID": 627004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6765", "title": "Natural history of atrial septal defect of secundum type in the middle-aged. Medical versus surgical therapy.", "content": "10 middle-aged patients with atrial septal defect of the secundum type (ASD II) were referred to surgery, but for several noncardiological reasons the operation was not performed. 5 patients were reexamined after an interval from 6 1/2 to 15 years. During the follow-up period only relatively minor changes in pulmonary arteriolar resistance had occurred and all patients were still acceptable candidates for surgical treatment. The other 5 patients died after a period of time ranging from 2 weeks to 16 1/2 years from conditions directly or indirectly related to the cardiac malformation. During the same period of time, 84 ASD II patients underwent surgery with a mortality rate of 8.3% after 74 months, including 2 hospital deaths. These results suggest that middle-aged patients with ASD II without obstructive pulmonary hypertension should be operated on without delay, but that in a significant number of cases, long-term conservative treatment is not associated with an increase in pulmonary arteriolar resistance.", "contents": "Natural history of atrial septal defect of secundum type in the middle-aged. Medical versus surgical therapy. 10 middle-aged patients with atrial septal defect of the secundum type (ASD II) were referred to surgery, but for several noncardiological reasons the operation was not performed. 5 patients were reexamined after an interval from 6 1/2 to 15 years. During the follow-up period only relatively minor changes in pulmonary arteriolar resistance had occurred and all patients were still acceptable candidates for surgical treatment. The other 5 patients died after a period of time ranging from 2 weeks to 16 1/2 years from conditions directly or indirectly related to the cardiac malformation. During the same period of time, 84 ASD II patients underwent surgery with a mortality rate of 8.3% after 74 months, including 2 hospital deaths. These results suggest that middle-aged patients with ASD II without obstructive pulmonary hypertension should be operated on without delay, but that in a significant number of cases, long-term conservative treatment is not associated with an increase in pulmonary arteriolar resistance.", "PMID": 627005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6766", "title": "Electrocardiographic findings before and after surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type in middle-aged patients.", "content": "Surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type was performed in 84 patients over 40 years of age. Electrocardiograms were studied preoperatively and at a follow-up visit 74 months (range 22-174 months) after surgery. Preoperatively, atrial fibrillation was observed in 13% of the patients, complete right bundle branch block in 30%, and a secondary R wave (R') in lead V1 in 72%. A significant correlation was found between the amplitudes of SV6 and R'V1 and the right ventricular systolic pressure, whereas no significant correlation could be demonstrated between the shunt ratio and any of the QRS parameters. After successful surgery, the mean QRS axis in the frontal plane shifted from +99 degrees to +47 degrees (p less than 0.01), and the following highly significant (p less than 0.001) changes were noticed: increase of the amplitude of SV1, shortening of the QRS duration in V1, increase of the ratio QR'/QRS V1, shortening of the duration of SV6, and diminution of the initial forces of the P wave in V1.", "contents": "Electrocardiographic findings before and after surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type in middle-aged patients. Surgery for atrial septal defect of the secundum type was performed in 84 patients over 40 years of age. Electrocardiograms were studied preoperatively and at a follow-up visit 74 months (range 22-174 months) after surgery. Preoperatively, atrial fibrillation was observed in 13% of the patients, complete right bundle branch block in 30%, and a secondary R wave (R') in lead V1 in 72%. A significant correlation was found between the amplitudes of SV6 and R'V1 and the right ventricular systolic pressure, whereas no significant correlation could be demonstrated between the shunt ratio and any of the QRS parameters. After successful surgery, the mean QRS axis in the frontal plane shifted from +99 degrees to +47 degrees (p less than 0.01), and the following highly significant (p less than 0.001) changes were noticed: increase of the amplitude of SV1, shortening of the QRS duration in V1, increase of the ratio QR'/QRS V1, shortening of the duration of SV6, and diminution of the initial forces of the P wave in V1.", "PMID": 627006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6767", "title": "Lysosomal activation in mouse skeletal muscle induced by protamine in vitro.", "content": "Incubation of mouse skeletal muscle in a physiological Ringer solution containing protamine (60 microgram/ml) at +37 degrees C for 1 h induced ultrastructural changes including proliferation of tubular profiles and vesicles at the I-band level close to the A-I junction, formation of numerous acid phosphatase positive lysosomes in the longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum and autophagic vacuolation starting at the level of the A-I junction. Biochemical determination of acid phosphatase in the incubated muscles showed that protamine caused an increase in acid phosphatase activity of about 25% compared to enzyme activities obtained from muscles incubated without protamine at +37 degrees C or with protamine at +4 degrees C. The morphological findings suggest that the vesicles arising adjacent to the A-I junction originate from transverse tubules. Such vesicles, designated as endocytic, may acquire acid phosphatase activity in the longitudinal SR ano be active in an autophagic process resulting in large vacuoles. A causal relationship between endocytosis and lysosomal activation is suggested.", "contents": "Lysosomal activation in mouse skeletal muscle induced by protamine in vitro. Incubation of mouse skeletal muscle in a physiological Ringer solution containing protamine (60 microgram/ml) at +37 degrees C for 1 h induced ultrastructural changes including proliferation of tubular profiles and vesicles at the I-band level close to the A-I junction, formation of numerous acid phosphatase positive lysosomes in the longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum and autophagic vacuolation starting at the level of the A-I junction. Biochemical determination of acid phosphatase in the incubated muscles showed that protamine caused an increase in acid phosphatase activity of about 25% compared to enzyme activities obtained from muscles incubated without protamine at +37 degrees C or with protamine at +4 degrees C. The morphological findings suggest that the vesicles arising adjacent to the A-I junction originate from transverse tubules. Such vesicles, designated as endocytic, may acquire acid phosphatase activity in the longitudinal SR ano be active in an autophagic process resulting in large vacuoles. A causal relationship between endocytosis and lysosomal activation is suggested.", "PMID": 627007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6768", "title": "A freeze-fracture study of tight junctions in the pars convoluta and pars recta of the renal proximal tubule.", "content": "The morphology of tight junctions of the renal proximal tubule was studied comparing the pars convoluta and pars recta of rat, golden hamster, rabbit, cat, dog and tupaia. Though some interspecies variations were observed, the convoluted portions of the proximal tubules revealed quite uniformly very leaky tight junctions with mainly 1-2 strands. Along the whole proximal tubule of the rabbit kidney including the pars recta only minor differences of the zonulae occludentes were found. By contrast, the tight junctions of the pars recta in other species were much more elaborate, especially in cat and tupaia, having up to 6 strands and an overall depth of more than 150 nm. The implications of these findings are discussed with special regard to the functional differences between the pars convoluta and pars recta of the proximal tubule.", "contents": "A freeze-fracture study of tight junctions in the pars convoluta and pars recta of the renal proximal tubule. The morphology of tight junctions of the renal proximal tubule was studied comparing the pars convoluta and pars recta of rat, golden hamster, rabbit, cat, dog and tupaia. Though some interspecies variations were observed, the convoluted portions of the proximal tubules revealed quite uniformly very leaky tight junctions with mainly 1-2 strands. Along the whole proximal tubule of the rabbit kidney including the pars recta only minor differences of the zonulae occludentes were found. By contrast, the tight junctions of the pars recta in other species were much more elaborate, especially in cat and tupaia, having up to 6 strands and an overall depth of more than 150 nm. The implications of these findings are discussed with special regard to the functional differences between the pars convoluta and pars recta of the proximal tubule.", "PMID": 627008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6769", "title": "Increased metabolic activity of rabbit articular cartilage in vitro.", "content": "The metabolic, histochemical and ultrastructural modifications induced in rabbit articular cartilage during in vitro incubation at 37 degrees C, for various periods (10 min to 18 h), using Krebs phosphate-glucose nutrient medium, were studied. It was found that after only 10 min of incubation, the chondrocytes increase their synthesis of matrix macromolecules for, at least, the next 6 h. This was suggested by: 1. Increased incorporation 35S-sulfate and 3H-glycine during the first 6 h of incubation. 2. An intensification of metachromasia, which also spread out into the superficial layer that is normally orthochromatic. Only the most superficial layer corresponding to one or two rows of the cells, retained its staining pattern throughout the incubation; 3. A rapidly acquired abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, enlarged Golgi area and numerous newly synthesized proteoglycan molecules. This study poses fundamental questions about the mechanisms that regulate matrix synthesis by the chondrocytes.", "contents": "Increased metabolic activity of rabbit articular cartilage in vitro. The metabolic, histochemical and ultrastructural modifications induced in rabbit articular cartilage during in vitro incubation at 37 degrees C, for various periods (10 min to 18 h), using Krebs phosphate-glucose nutrient medium, were studied. It was found that after only 10 min of incubation, the chondrocytes increase their synthesis of matrix macromolecules for, at least, the next 6 h. This was suggested by: 1. Increased incorporation 35S-sulfate and 3H-glycine during the first 6 h of incubation. 2. An intensification of metachromasia, which also spread out into the superficial layer that is normally orthochromatic. Only the most superficial layer corresponding to one or two rows of the cells, retained its staining pattern throughout the incubation; 3. A rapidly acquired abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, enlarged Golgi area and numerous newly synthesized proteoglycan molecules. This study poses fundamental questions about the mechanisms that regulate matrix synthesis by the chondrocytes.", "PMID": 627009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6770", "title": "The pattern of innervation of a polyneural muscle: axolotl iliotibialis.", "content": "The pattern of innervation on individual iliotibialis muscle fibres from axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has been investigated histologically and electrophysiologically. These polyneural fibres were found to be innervated on average at five end plate sites. The sites were distributed irregularly along each fibre. Average end plate length was found to be approximately 70 micrometer. Most end plates were separated by less than 1000 micrometer; 26% by less than 150 micrometer; the average separation was 516 micrometer. Advantage was taken of the dual innervation of the muscle to investigate the separation between synaptic terminals from different axons. Some individual fibres were found to be innervated by axons from two different spinal nerves. End plate sites on dually innervated fibres were located by ACh iontophoresis. 30% of such sites were found to be innervated by more than one axon terminal. The average separation of such sites was found to be 9 micrometer. Four different axons were found to innervate some individual muscle fibres. It is suggested that the unusual ability of axolotl muscle fibres to accept synaptic terminals from different axons at closely adjacent sites may be a major factor underlying selective reinnervation in this animal.", "contents": "The pattern of innervation of a polyneural muscle: axolotl iliotibialis. The pattern of innervation on individual iliotibialis muscle fibres from axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has been investigated histologically and electrophysiologically. These polyneural fibres were found to be innervated on average at five end plate sites. The sites were distributed irregularly along each fibre. Average end plate length was found to be approximately 70 micrometer. Most end plates were separated by less than 1000 micrometer; 26% by less than 150 micrometer; the average separation was 516 micrometer. Advantage was taken of the dual innervation of the muscle to investigate the separation between synaptic terminals from different axons. Some individual fibres were found to be innervated by axons from two different spinal nerves. End plate sites on dually innervated fibres were located by ACh iontophoresis. 30% of such sites were found to be innervated by more than one axon terminal. The average separation of such sites was found to be 9 micrometer. Four different axons were found to innervate some individual muscle fibres. It is suggested that the unusual ability of axolotl muscle fibres to accept synaptic terminals from different axons at closely adjacent sites may be a major factor underlying selective reinnervation in this animal.", "PMID": 627010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6771", "title": "Accumulation of secretory granules in pituitary clonal cells derived from the epithelium of Rathke's pouch.", "content": "2A8 clonal cells derived from the epithelium of Rahtke's pouch of the fetal rat are essentially agranular when grown in vitro, in spite of their active secretion of hormones, i.e., ACTH, prolactin and growth hormone. These cells do not produce detectable amounts of thyrotrophic or gonadotrophic hormones in vitro. When the growth medium (Ham's F10) was supplemented with rat median eminence extract (MEE), L-thyroxin and fresh serum from hypophysectomized rats, some of the 2A8 cells accumulated and stored secretory granules which were characteristic of the cells of the intact pituitary gland. Typical thyrotrophic and gonadotrophic cells also became recognizable and all six anterior pituitary hormones were released into the culture medium. Growth of 2A8 cells in this modified culture medium resulted in an increased production of all hormones with increasing time in culture. These results indicate that the processes that lead to the accumulation of typical mature secretory granules which characterize the individual pituitary cell types are initiated or promoted by some unidentified factor or factors which are present in fresh rat serum. It is also apparent that fresh rat serum can promote the differentiation of gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in vitro.", "contents": "Accumulation of secretory granules in pituitary clonal cells derived from the epithelium of Rathke's pouch. 2A8 clonal cells derived from the epithelium of Rahtke's pouch of the fetal rat are essentially agranular when grown in vitro, in spite of their active secretion of hormones, i.e., ACTH, prolactin and growth hormone. These cells do not produce detectable amounts of thyrotrophic or gonadotrophic hormones in vitro. When the growth medium (Ham's F10) was supplemented with rat median eminence extract (MEE), L-thyroxin and fresh serum from hypophysectomized rats, some of the 2A8 cells accumulated and stored secretory granules which were characteristic of the cells of the intact pituitary gland. Typical thyrotrophic and gonadotrophic cells also became recognizable and all six anterior pituitary hormones were released into the culture medium. Growth of 2A8 cells in this modified culture medium resulted in an increased production of all hormones with increasing time in culture. These results indicate that the processes that lead to the accumulation of typical mature secretory granules which characterize the individual pituitary cell types are initiated or promoted by some unidentified factor or factors which are present in fresh rat serum. It is also apparent that fresh rat serum can promote the differentiation of gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in vitro.", "PMID": 627012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6772", "title": "Moulting and morphogenesis of sensilla in a prostigmate mite (acari, actinotrichida, actinedida: caeculidae) I. Mechanoreceptive bristles.", "content": "In the prostigmate mite Microcaeculus steineri delamarei moulting and morphogenesis of mechanoreceptive sensilla were studied by electron microscopy and compared to corresponding sensilla of other arthropods. Dendritic contact with the cuticular parts of old sensilla breaks down during apolysis. Two groups of cells are engaged in the formation of new sensilla: 1) several trichogen and two tormogen cells in a semicircular arrangement, and 2) two sheath cells surrounding the mechanoreceptive dendrites. Cells ensheathing the dendrites do not play any part in the formation of bristles. These observations differ from those on insect sensilla during moulting.", "contents": "Moulting and morphogenesis of sensilla in a prostigmate mite (acari, actinotrichida, actinedida: caeculidae) I. Mechanoreceptive bristles. In the prostigmate mite Microcaeculus steineri delamarei moulting and morphogenesis of mechanoreceptive sensilla were studied by electron microscopy and compared to corresponding sensilla of other arthropods. Dendritic contact with the cuticular parts of old sensilla breaks down during apolysis. Two groups of cells are engaged in the formation of new sensilla: 1) several trichogen and two tormogen cells in a semicircular arrangement, and 2) two sheath cells surrounding the mechanoreceptive dendrites. Cells ensheathing the dendrites do not play any part in the formation of bristles. These observations differ from those on insect sensilla during moulting.", "PMID": 627013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6773", "title": "Prolactin, hypercalcemia and corpuscles of Stannius in seawater eels.", "content": "In intact eels in sea water (SW), ovine prolactin (PRL) treatment induces hypercalcemia, but its mechanism of action, which is discussed, remains to be defined. Corpuscles of Stannius (CSt) are modified simultaneously: two cell categories then become evident. The first cell type (type 1) predominates; it has an oval shape and large granules, it shows a nuclear and nucleolar hypertrophy and a mitotic activity, and appears greatly stimulated by PRL; it may elaborate a hypocalcemic factor (hypocalcin) which would compensate for the PRL-induced hypercalcemia. A similar effect, although slightly less intense, is detected in hypophysectomized-PRL treated eels in SW. A second cell type (type 2), is more elongated, smaller in size, and has an oval nucleus and fine granules. Scarcely less active in SW, it is significantly stimulated by PRL despite an increased blood sodium and potassium level. This experiment does not help to clarify its function.", "contents": "Prolactin, hypercalcemia and corpuscles of Stannius in seawater eels. In intact eels in sea water (SW), ovine prolactin (PRL) treatment induces hypercalcemia, but its mechanism of action, which is discussed, remains to be defined. Corpuscles of Stannius (CSt) are modified simultaneously: two cell categories then become evident. The first cell type (type 1) predominates; it has an oval shape and large granules, it shows a nuclear and nucleolar hypertrophy and a mitotic activity, and appears greatly stimulated by PRL; it may elaborate a hypocalcemic factor (hypocalcin) which would compensate for the PRL-induced hypercalcemia. A similar effect, although slightly less intense, is detected in hypophysectomized-PRL treated eels in SW. A second cell type (type 2), is more elongated, smaller in size, and has an oval nucleus and fine granules. Scarcely less active in SW, it is significantly stimulated by PRL despite an increased blood sodium and potassium level. This experiment does not help to clarify its function.", "PMID": 627014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6774", "title": "The microvascular pattern and perivascular linings of the area postrema. A combined freeze-etching and ultrathin section study.", "content": "The microvasculature and perivascular linings of the area postrema (A.P.) were studied electron microscopically with the ultrathin section and freeze-etching techniques. Special attention was given to the intercellular contacts of the different cellular entities. Two types of microvascular segments were identified. The endothelium of these vascular segments reveals fenestrations and a high pinocytotic activity. There are no significant differences in the frequency and distribution of the endothelial \"openings\" between both types of capillaries. The endothelium of the blood vessels, however, is joined by different types of tight junctions. Focal tight junctions occur between pericytes and the endothelium, and between leptomeningeal cellular elements in the perivascular space. The cell membrane of the perivascular glia shows intramembrane particles which are either distributed at random or organized in the form of membrane-associated orthogonal particle complexes (MOPC, Dermietzel, 1974). The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to the modified blood-brain barrier mechanism in the A.P.", "contents": "The microvascular pattern and perivascular linings of the area postrema. A combined freeze-etching and ultrathin section study. The microvasculature and perivascular linings of the area postrema (A.P.) were studied electron microscopically with the ultrathin section and freeze-etching techniques. Special attention was given to the intercellular contacts of the different cellular entities. Two types of microvascular segments were identified. The endothelium of these vascular segments reveals fenestrations and a high pinocytotic activity. There are no significant differences in the frequency and distribution of the endothelial \"openings\" between both types of capillaries. The endothelium of the blood vessels, however, is joined by different types of tight junctions. Focal tight junctions occur between pericytes and the endothelium, and between leptomeningeal cellular elements in the perivascular space. The cell membrane of the perivascular glia shows intramembrane particles which are either distributed at random or organized in the form of membrane-associated orthogonal particle complexes (MOPC, Dermietzel, 1974). The significance of these findings is discussed with respect to the modified blood-brain barrier mechanism in the A.P.", "PMID": 627015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6775", "title": "Sequestration of neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes. Studies on its topographic, morphologic and immunologic aspects.", "content": "Scintigraphic experiments and radioactivity measurements of tissues have shown that the radioactivity of 51Cr-labelled and neuraminidase-treated rabbit erythrocytes is rapidly accumulated in liver and spleen. Sequestration of these erythrocytes by liver and spleen was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy of theses tissues after perfusion of the rabbits with solutions for tissue fixation. In liver the phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells was increased after injection of desialylated erythrocytes, while in spleen a significantly enhanced number of erythrocytes was found attached to the sinusoidal walls and in the reticulum of the red pulp. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy that neuraminidase-treatment did not influence the shape of erythrocytes. Desialylated and 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes from the cow are rapidly cleared from the blood-stream with a half-life time of about 3 h. It was shown in an in-vitro test that they adsorb to surviving slices from liver and spleen derived from the same animal. The amount of radioactivity adsorbed is appreciably enhanced in the presence of homologous serum when compared with buffer only. Human neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes are agglutinated in the direct and especially in the indirect Coombs-tests. The involvement of T-antigen in this phenomenon was largely excluded. The in vitro experiments and antibody consumption tests suggest that immunoglobulins (IgG) and complement from serum may be involved in recognition and sequestration of desialylated erythrocytes by macrophages in vivo.", "contents": "Sequestration of neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes. Studies on its topographic, morphologic and immunologic aspects. Scintigraphic experiments and radioactivity measurements of tissues have shown that the radioactivity of 51Cr-labelled and neuraminidase-treated rabbit erythrocytes is rapidly accumulated in liver and spleen. Sequestration of these erythrocytes by liver and spleen was demonstrated by light and electron microscopy of theses tissues after perfusion of the rabbits with solutions for tissue fixation. In liver the phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells was increased after injection of desialylated erythrocytes, while in spleen a significantly enhanced number of erythrocytes was found attached to the sinusoidal walls and in the reticulum of the red pulp. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy that neuraminidase-treatment did not influence the shape of erythrocytes. Desialylated and 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes from the cow are rapidly cleared from the blood-stream with a half-life time of about 3 h. It was shown in an in-vitro test that they adsorb to surviving slices from liver and spleen derived from the same animal. The amount of radioactivity adsorbed is appreciably enhanced in the presence of homologous serum when compared with buffer only. Human neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes are agglutinated in the direct and especially in the indirect Coombs-tests. The involvement of T-antigen in this phenomenon was largely excluded. The in vitro experiments and antibody consumption tests suggest that immunoglobulins (IgG) and complement from serum may be involved in recognition and sequestration of desialylated erythrocytes by macrophages in vivo.", "PMID": 627016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6776", "title": "Exocrine pancreas under experimental conditions. IV. Alterations of intercellular junctions between acinar cells following pancreatic duct ligation.", "content": "Exocrine pancreatic tissue was investigated during various intervals after pancreatic duct ligation. Concomitant to the increase of the intraluminal pressure, alterations are found in the arrangement of the luminal membrane surface and the zonulae occludentes of the acinar cells. The zonulae occludentes exhibit a disarrangement of their strands. The number of strands diminishes and small interruptions as well as large discontinuities of the strands are observed in most regions of the acinar cells. Furthermore, gap junctions are found very infrequently between acinar cells. The ultrastructural alterations of the zonulae occludentes suggest a gradual adaptation to the increasing unilateral pressure. However, a leakage of the paracellular permeability barrier occurs which contributes to the known shunt between the compartments of the pancreatic juice and the interstitial space following pancreatic duct obstruction. The present investigation is a further example of alterations in the paracellular permeability and intercellular communication of epithelial cells under pathological conditions.", "contents": "Exocrine pancreas under experimental conditions. IV. Alterations of intercellular junctions between acinar cells following pancreatic duct ligation. Exocrine pancreatic tissue was investigated during various intervals after pancreatic duct ligation. Concomitant to the increase of the intraluminal pressure, alterations are found in the arrangement of the luminal membrane surface and the zonulae occludentes of the acinar cells. The zonulae occludentes exhibit a disarrangement of their strands. The number of strands diminishes and small interruptions as well as large discontinuities of the strands are observed in most regions of the acinar cells. Furthermore, gap junctions are found very infrequently between acinar cells. The ultrastructural alterations of the zonulae occludentes suggest a gradual adaptation to the increasing unilateral pressure. However, a leakage of the paracellular permeability barrier occurs which contributes to the known shunt between the compartments of the pancreatic juice and the interstitial space following pancreatic duct obstruction. The present investigation is a further example of alterations in the paracellular permeability and intercellular communication of epithelial cells under pathological conditions.", "PMID": 627017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6777", "title": "Control of the pars intermedia of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis. I. Ultrastructure of the intact neural lobe.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the neural lobe of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis, was studied after fixation in a threefold aldehyde solution. The neural lobe appeared as narrow vertical diverticula separated from one another and from the pars intermedia by a continuous vascular septum. No nerves passed through this septum. The ependymal, fibrous and external layers were readily recognized. Peptidergic fibres were the main component of the fibrous layer. The peptidergic endings were in intimate contact with the ependymal cells, suggesting that the ependyma mediates the release of neural lobe peptides. The external layer contained ependymal end-feet and numerous aminergic terminals, ending directly on the perivascular basal lamina and/or on the ependymal end-feet. The functional aspects are discussed in terms of intermediate lobe control. The findings suggest that aminergic substances take part in the control of the intermedia, but do not exclude the involvement of peptide hormones.", "contents": "Control of the pars intermedia of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis. I. Ultrastructure of the intact neural lobe. The ultrastructure of the neural lobe of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis, was studied after fixation in a threefold aldehyde solution. The neural lobe appeared as narrow vertical diverticula separated from one another and from the pars intermedia by a continuous vascular septum. No nerves passed through this septum. The ependymal, fibrous and external layers were readily recognized. Peptidergic fibres were the main component of the fibrous layer. The peptidergic endings were in intimate contact with the ependymal cells, suggesting that the ependyma mediates the release of neural lobe peptides. The external layer contained ependymal end-feet and numerous aminergic terminals, ending directly on the perivascular basal lamina and/or on the ependymal end-feet. The functional aspects are discussed in terms of intermediate lobe control. The findings suggest that aminergic substances take part in the control of the intermedia, but do not exclude the involvement of peptide hormones.", "PMID": 627018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6778", "title": "The outer segments of photoreceptive pinealocytes in the pineal organ of the funa, Carassius gibelio langsdorfi. A scanning electron microscopic study.", "content": "The form and size of the outer segments of photoreceptive pinealocytes in the pineal organ of the funa, Carassius gibelio langsdorfi, were observed with the scanning electron microscope. The height of the outer segments measures between 1 and 3 micrometer and the diameter varies widely from 1.5 to 8 micrometer. Various forms of outer segments, i.e. a slender type, a dome-like type, a cap-like type and a helical type, were demonstrated. The parallel-oriented filamentous processes of the inner segments have the same length as the outer segments and a diameter of approximately 100 nm; they are projections from the apical border of the inner segment and surround the cone-like outer segments. The processes make a right angle with the lamellar disks. The distance between two processes averages 100 nm. The lamellar disks of the outer segments are oriented at right angles to the modified cilium in the basal part, but the angle often changes in the peripheral part, where the lamellar disks are raised and become parallel to the cilium.", "contents": "The outer segments of photoreceptive pinealocytes in the pineal organ of the funa, Carassius gibelio langsdorfi. A scanning electron microscopic study. The form and size of the outer segments of photoreceptive pinealocytes in the pineal organ of the funa, Carassius gibelio langsdorfi, were observed with the scanning electron microscope. The height of the outer segments measures between 1 and 3 micrometer and the diameter varies widely from 1.5 to 8 micrometer. Various forms of outer segments, i.e. a slender type, a dome-like type, a cap-like type and a helical type, were demonstrated. The parallel-oriented filamentous processes of the inner segments have the same length as the outer segments and a diameter of approximately 100 nm; they are projections from the apical border of the inner segment and surround the cone-like outer segments. The processes make a right angle with the lamellar disks. The distance between two processes averages 100 nm. The lamellar disks of the outer segments are oriented at right angles to the modified cilium in the basal part, but the angle often changes in the peripheral part, where the lamellar disks are raised and become parallel to the cilium.", "PMID": 627019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6779", "title": "Gap junctional coupling between the JGA and the glomerular tuft.", "content": "The juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in the rabbit kidney was examined by transmission electron microscopy and by freeze fracturing. It was found, that the Goormaghtigh cells of the JGA are extensively coupled with the mesangial cells within the glomerular tuft by gap junctions. A broad band of gap junctions starting within the Goormaghtigh cells, traversing the transitional area at the root of the glomerular tuft and continuing along the mesangial cells has been revealed by freeze fracturing. No gap junctional connections to the macula densa cells have been found. In accordance with data from literature it may be stated that all smooth muscle derived cell groups at the vascular pole of the glomerulus (smooth muscle cells of the vas afferens and efferens, granular cells, Goormaghtigh cells, mesangial cells) are extensively coupled by gap junctions with each other. It is supposed that this cell system may act as a synchronized functional unit.", "contents": "Gap junctional coupling between the JGA and the glomerular tuft. The juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in the rabbit kidney was examined by transmission electron microscopy and by freeze fracturing. It was found, that the Goormaghtigh cells of the JGA are extensively coupled with the mesangial cells within the glomerular tuft by gap junctions. A broad band of gap junctions starting within the Goormaghtigh cells, traversing the transitional area at the root of the glomerular tuft and continuing along the mesangial cells has been revealed by freeze fracturing. No gap junctional connections to the macula densa cells have been found. In accordance with data from literature it may be stated that all smooth muscle derived cell groups at the vascular pole of the glomerulus (smooth muscle cells of the vas afferens and efferens, granular cells, Goormaghtigh cells, mesangial cells) are extensively coupled by gap junctions with each other. It is supposed that this cell system may act as a synchronized functional unit.", "PMID": 627020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6780", "title": "Ultrastructure and lipid content of the liver of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, related to vitellogenin synthesis.", "content": "The female zebrafish is capable of producing mature eggs on the fifth day of each reproductive cycle. During this five-day period the ultrastructure of hepatocytes undergoes several changes. The number of nuclear pores increases rapidly during spawning, followed by a proliferation of RER within 24 h. Two days after spawning, glycogen has disappeared and the liver contains large amounts of lipids. The lipid droplets are closely surrounded by elongated mitochondria. Golgi complexes are abundant, secreting dense bodies. Four days after spawning the hepatocytes tend to regain their pre-spawning appearance. It is suggested that the changes in the hepatocytes, which coincide with special phases of ovarian activity, are related to vitellogenin synthesis. Steroids, especially estradiol-17beta, may trigger this process in the liver.", "contents": "Ultrastructure and lipid content of the liver of the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio, related to vitellogenin synthesis. The female zebrafish is capable of producing mature eggs on the fifth day of each reproductive cycle. During this five-day period the ultrastructure of hepatocytes undergoes several changes. The number of nuclear pores increases rapidly during spawning, followed by a proliferation of RER within 24 h. Two days after spawning, glycogen has disappeared and the liver contains large amounts of lipids. The lipid droplets are closely surrounded by elongated mitochondria. Golgi complexes are abundant, secreting dense bodies. Four days after spawning the hepatocytes tend to regain their pre-spawning appearance. It is suggested that the changes in the hepatocytes, which coincide with special phases of ovarian activity, are related to vitellogenin synthesis. Steroids, especially estradiol-17beta, may trigger this process in the liver.", "PMID": 627021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6781", "title": "An ultrastructural study of the larval integument of the midge, Chironomus riparius Meigen (diptera: chironomidae).", "content": "The larval integument of the midge, Chironomus riparius Mg., is unusually thin although it conforms with the normal insect pattern. The cuticle of the post-cephalic segments is about 3 micrometer thick and overlies an epidermis which has an irregular basal plasma membrane resulting in spaces occurring between it and the basement membrane. The ventral tubuli have a similar epidermis but the cuticle is somewhat thinner. The anal papillae have the thinnest cuticular covering with a uniquely folded epicuticle of variable thickness, and their epidermis has the characteristics of a transporting epithelium. No evidence of pore canals could be found in the cuticle of any part except the head capsule which has a remarkably smooth epicuticle and a distinct layer which may represent the exocuticle. There are no spaces between the basement membrane and basal plasma membrane of the epidermis in the head. Ultrastructural evidence would suggest that gaseous exchange can occur across most of the post-cephalic integument.", "contents": "An ultrastructural study of the larval integument of the midge, Chironomus riparius Meigen (diptera: chironomidae). The larval integument of the midge, Chironomus riparius Mg., is unusually thin although it conforms with the normal insect pattern. The cuticle of the post-cephalic segments is about 3 micrometer thick and overlies an epidermis which has an irregular basal plasma membrane resulting in spaces occurring between it and the basement membrane. The ventral tubuli have a similar epidermis but the cuticle is somewhat thinner. The anal papillae have the thinnest cuticular covering with a uniquely folded epicuticle of variable thickness, and their epidermis has the characteristics of a transporting epithelium. No evidence of pore canals could be found in the cuticle of any part except the head capsule which has a remarkably smooth epicuticle and a distinct layer which may represent the exocuticle. There are no spaces between the basement membrane and basal plasma membrane of the epidermis in the head. Ultrastructural evidence would suggest that gaseous exchange can occur across most of the post-cephalic integument.", "PMID": 627023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6782", "title": "The growth of follicles in the rat ovary under the influence of busulphan and endoxan.", "content": "Busulphan and Endoxan inhibit the normal course of ovarian follicular growth. Older secondary as well as an antral follicles perish within a very short time. Growing follicles, which at the beginning of the experiment exhibited only one layer, remained intact and single-layered during the entire duration of the experiment. The oocytes, however, continue growing, and the cytoplasmic structures, which are characteristic of older growing follicles, develop in them as well as in the follicle cells. Even a theca formation develops. In some of the \"growing\" follicles which have remained single-layered, after 10 days of Busulphan administration, some liquor folliculi is produced and accumulates in a fissure-shaped \"antrum\" between the zona pellucida and the follicular epithelium.", "contents": "The growth of follicles in the rat ovary under the influence of busulphan and endoxan. Busulphan and Endoxan inhibit the normal course of ovarian follicular growth. Older secondary as well as an antral follicles perish within a very short time. Growing follicles, which at the beginning of the experiment exhibited only one layer, remained intact and single-layered during the entire duration of the experiment. The oocytes, however, continue growing, and the cytoplasmic structures, which are characteristic of older growing follicles, develop in them as well as in the follicle cells. Even a theca formation develops. In some of the \"growing\" follicles which have remained single-layered, after 10 days of Busulphan administration, some liquor folliculi is produced and accumulates in a fissure-shaped \"antrum\" between the zona pellucida and the follicular epithelium.", "PMID": 627024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6783", "title": "The cells of the rat gastric groove and cardia. An ultrastructural and carbohydrate histochemical study, with special reference to the fibrillovesicular cells.", "content": "The distal wall of the groove between the rat forestomach and glandular stomach is lined with a special type of columnar cells (CCGG) and with fibrillovesicular cells (FVC). The cardiac glands contain cardiac mucosa (CMC) and serous cells (CSC). The CCGG contain small mucous granules and special vesicles and tubules. The CMC are filled with large mucous granules and resemble mucous neck cells. The CSC are filled with large proteinaceous granules. The FVC are characterized by long microvilli, apical bundles of microfilaments and a complex \"tubulovesicular system\". The pattern of 3H-thymidine incorporation and the presence of immature and transitional forms indicate a possible origin of all the cell types concerned from a common undifferentiated precursor. The membranes of the tubulovesicular system of FVC as well as the apical cell membrane were reactive to Thi\u00e9ry's carbohydrate stain. However, lanthanum tracing of the extracellular space and ultrastructural stereoscopy did not reveal a permanent continuity between both membrane systems. The absence of 3H-thymidine label showed that FVC were not proliferative. The structural characteristics of FVC do not account for a secretory, resorptive or receptive function. The special arrangement of microfilaments and the tubulovesicular system suggests an ability to fast changes in surface area.", "contents": "The cells of the rat gastric groove and cardia. An ultrastructural and carbohydrate histochemical study, with special reference to the fibrillovesicular cells. The distal wall of the groove between the rat forestomach and glandular stomach is lined with a special type of columnar cells (CCGG) and with fibrillovesicular cells (FVC). The cardiac glands contain cardiac mucosa (CMC) and serous cells (CSC). The CCGG contain small mucous granules and special vesicles and tubules. The CMC are filled with large mucous granules and resemble mucous neck cells. The CSC are filled with large proteinaceous granules. The FVC are characterized by long microvilli, apical bundles of microfilaments and a complex \"tubulovesicular system\". The pattern of 3H-thymidine incorporation and the presence of immature and transitional forms indicate a possible origin of all the cell types concerned from a common undifferentiated precursor. The membranes of the tubulovesicular system of FVC as well as the apical cell membrane were reactive to Thi\u00e9ry's carbohydrate stain. However, lanthanum tracing of the extracellular space and ultrastructural stereoscopy did not reveal a permanent continuity between both membrane systems. The absence of 3H-thymidine label showed that FVC were not proliferative. The structural characteristics of FVC do not account for a secretory, resorptive or receptive function. The special arrangement of microfilaments and the tubulovesicular system suggests an ability to fast changes in surface area.", "PMID": 627025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6784", "title": "Calcium and sulphur in neurosecretory granules and calcium in mitochondria as determined by electron microscope x-ray microanalysis.", "content": "Sections of neurosecretory cells fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide were studied by means of an EMMA-4 analytical microscope. Secretory granules in neurosecretory cells of the corpus cardiacum and of the brain, both in the desert locust Schistocerca and in the blowfly Calliphora, as well as neurosecretory granules in posterior pituitaries of the frog Rana and of the albino rat all contain a high concentration of calcium. A distinct sulphur peak was also a constant feature. In neurosecretory cells of the corpus cardiacum of Schistocerca the chromatin contained a high concentration of calcium. The mitochondria also contained much calcium, but part of this disappeared during preparation except when fixative and wash contained calcium chloride. By block staining with uranyl acetate most calcium is displaced from the mitochondria, whereas most of the calcium remains in the neurosecretory granules. Since the calcium peaks in spectra from neurosecretory granules appear of similar size, regardless of variations in the preparative procedure, this calcium must be firmly bound. The possible role of the calcium bound to the neurosecretory substance is discussed. The presence of sulphur in insect neurosecretory granules indicated the presence of a protein besides the hormone, i.e., an insect neurophysin.", "contents": "Calcium and sulphur in neurosecretory granules and calcium in mitochondria as determined by electron microscope x-ray microanalysis. Sections of neurosecretory cells fixed in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide were studied by means of an EMMA-4 analytical microscope. Secretory granules in neurosecretory cells of the corpus cardiacum and of the brain, both in the desert locust Schistocerca and in the blowfly Calliphora, as well as neurosecretory granules in posterior pituitaries of the frog Rana and of the albino rat all contain a high concentration of calcium. A distinct sulphur peak was also a constant feature. In neurosecretory cells of the corpus cardiacum of Schistocerca the chromatin contained a high concentration of calcium. The mitochondria also contained much calcium, but part of this disappeared during preparation except when fixative and wash contained calcium chloride. By block staining with uranyl acetate most calcium is displaced from the mitochondria, whereas most of the calcium remains in the neurosecretory granules. Since the calcium peaks in spectra from neurosecretory granules appear of similar size, regardless of variations in the preparative procedure, this calcium must be firmly bound. The possible role of the calcium bound to the neurosecretory substance is discussed. The presence of sulphur in insect neurosecretory granules indicated the presence of a protein besides the hormone, i.e., an insect neurophysin.", "PMID": 627026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6785", "title": "Localization of serotonin within tanycytes of the rat median eminence.", "content": "Formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid histochemical methods were employed to examine monoamine fluorescence of the rat median eminence. Tanycytes of the median eminence contained a yellow histofluorescence which was verified with microspectrofluorometry as due to the presence of serotonin. Catecholamine-containing varicosities, arranged in linear profiles throughout the depth of the median eminence, were observed. These linear profiles appeared to follow the contours of serotonin-containing tanycytes. Organ-culture experiments supported the hypothesis that the serotonin associated with tanycytes is localized within the tanycytes and does not arise from an extrahypothalamic source of nerve terminals. These data provide evidence that a tanycytic catecholamine-indoleamine morphological juxtaposition occurs in a manner reminiscent of that of another circumventricular organ, the pineal.", "contents": "Localization of serotonin within tanycytes of the rat median eminence. Formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid histochemical methods were employed to examine monoamine fluorescence of the rat median eminence. Tanycytes of the median eminence contained a yellow histofluorescence which was verified with microspectrofluorometry as due to the presence of serotonin. Catecholamine-containing varicosities, arranged in linear profiles throughout the depth of the median eminence, were observed. These linear profiles appeared to follow the contours of serotonin-containing tanycytes. Organ-culture experiments supported the hypothesis that the serotonin associated with tanycytes is localized within the tanycytes and does not arise from an extrahypothalamic source of nerve terminals. These data provide evidence that a tanycytic catecholamine-indoleamine morphological juxtaposition occurs in a manner reminiscent of that of another circumventricular organ, the pineal.", "PMID": 627027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6786", "title": "The structure of the tips of mammalian respiratory cilia.", "content": "The ciliary crown and the relationship of the ciliary crown to the underlying axoneme were studied by electron microscopy in cilia from hamster and rat trachea and bronchioles, and rabbit trachea. The ciliary crown is a cluster of 4 to 6 fibrils 35 nm long protruding beyond the plasma membrane at the tips of the cilia. The fibrils are well preserved after tannic acid-glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation and have high contrast with a periodic density of 4.5 nm. They stain relatively weakly with phosphotungstic acid. The surface of the fibrils stains with ruthenium red. The microtubules of the axonemem end in a plate of electron dense amorphous material. A five layered disc occupies the space between the membrane and the amorphous plate at the tip of the axoneme. The plasma membrane can be dissolved with the detergent triton X-100 without loss of the ciliary crown. This indicates that the ciliary crown is composed of transmembranous filaments which are bound to the disc at the tip of the axoneme.", "contents": "The structure of the tips of mammalian respiratory cilia. The ciliary crown and the relationship of the ciliary crown to the underlying axoneme were studied by electron microscopy in cilia from hamster and rat trachea and bronchioles, and rabbit trachea. The ciliary crown is a cluster of 4 to 6 fibrils 35 nm long protruding beyond the plasma membrane at the tips of the cilia. The fibrils are well preserved after tannic acid-glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation and have high contrast with a periodic density of 4.5 nm. They stain relatively weakly with phosphotungstic acid. The surface of the fibrils stains with ruthenium red. The microtubules of the axonemem end in a plate of electron dense amorphous material. A five layered disc occupies the space between the membrane and the amorphous plate at the tip of the axoneme. The plasma membrane can be dissolved with the detergent triton X-100 without loss of the ciliary crown. This indicates that the ciliary crown is composed of transmembranous filaments which are bound to the disc at the tip of the axoneme.", "PMID": 627028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6787", "title": "Ultrastructural changes in the fat body of adult female Aedes aegypti in relationship to vitellogenin synthesis.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the fat body of Aedes aegypti was followed from emergence through a blood meal. Changes in the volume of protein granules and lipid droplets were also examined. The relationship of these events to the known endocrinology of vitellogenin synthesis in mosquitoes is discussed.", "contents": "Ultrastructural changes in the fat body of adult female Aedes aegypti in relationship to vitellogenin synthesis. The ultrastructure of the fat body of Aedes aegypti was followed from emergence through a blood meal. Changes in the volume of protein granules and lipid droplets were also examined. The relationship of these events to the known endocrinology of vitellogenin synthesis in mosquitoes is discussed.", "PMID": 627029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6788", "title": "A note on the structure of synapses in the ventral nerve cord of the onychophoran Peripatoides leuckarti.", "content": "The fine structure of synapses, their distribution and arrangement in the ventral nerve cord of Peripatoides leuckarti (phylum Onychophora) is described. The asymmetric synaptic junctions show a well developed synaptic cleft (300 A) and pre- and subsynaptic electron dense apposition. They frequently show an array of presynaptic projections and a subsynaptic cisterna of endoplasmic reticulum. The onychophoran synapses differ from those of annelids and insects.", "contents": "A note on the structure of synapses in the ventral nerve cord of the onychophoran Peripatoides leuckarti. The fine structure of synapses, their distribution and arrangement in the ventral nerve cord of Peripatoides leuckarti (phylum Onychophora) is described. The asymmetric synaptic junctions show a well developed synaptic cleft (300 A) and pre- and subsynaptic electron dense apposition. They frequently show an array of presynaptic projections and a subsynaptic cisterna of endoplasmic reticulum. The onychophoran synapses differ from those of annelids and insects.", "PMID": 627030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6789", "title": "An autoradiographic study of satellite cell differentiation into regenerating myotubes following transplantation of muscles in young rats.", "content": "Satellite cells were traced autoradiographically during the regeneration of skeletal muscle in young Sprague-Dawley rats. Approximately 31% of the satellite cells in uninjured muscles appeared labelled after three injections of tritiated thymidine; none of the myonuclei were labelled in the same muscles. Four to six days after transplanting the radioactive muscles to non-radioactive littermates, regenerating myotube nuclei in the host appeared labelled. Thus, this study confirms that satellite cells in young rats can differentiate into multinucleated myotubes following muscle injury.", "contents": "An autoradiographic study of satellite cell differentiation into regenerating myotubes following transplantation of muscles in young rats. Satellite cells were traced autoradiographically during the regeneration of skeletal muscle in young Sprague-Dawley rats. Approximately 31% of the satellite cells in uninjured muscles appeared labelled after three injections of tritiated thymidine; none of the myonuclei were labelled in the same muscles. Four to six days after transplanting the radioactive muscles to non-radioactive littermates, regenerating myotube nuclei in the host appeared labelled. Thus, this study confirms that satellite cells in young rats can differentiate into multinucleated myotubes following muscle injury.", "PMID": 627031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6790", "title": "Electron microscopical microprobe analysis of freeze dried and unstained mineralized epiphyseal cartilage.", "content": "Electron micrographs have been taken of unfixed, freeze dried, unstained epiphyseal cartilage. In the mineralized long septa round to elliptic clusters (up to 0.6 micron in diameter) consisting mainly of dots and needles could be observed. The clusters were surrounded by microareas with a low contrast consisting mainly of ribbon plate-like crystallites. With the aid of scanning mode (STEM) of a transmission electron microscope, equipped with a Si(Li)-detector system, both regions were analyzed for calcium and phosphorus by electronprobe X-ray microanalysis. In ten series of 106 measurements in each region, it could be determined by registration of the CaKalpha and PKalpha X-ray counts that the mineral content in the clusters was in the range of 30-100% higher than in the light regions. The question of the sequence of the epiphyseal plate mineralization is discussed and whether the dense clusters represent the mineralized matrix vesicles.", "contents": "Electron microscopical microprobe analysis of freeze dried and unstained mineralized epiphyseal cartilage. Electron micrographs have been taken of unfixed, freeze dried, unstained epiphyseal cartilage. In the mineralized long septa round to elliptic clusters (up to 0.6 micron in diameter) consisting mainly of dots and needles could be observed. The clusters were surrounded by microareas with a low contrast consisting mainly of ribbon plate-like crystallites. With the aid of scanning mode (STEM) of a transmission electron microscope, equipped with a Si(Li)-detector system, both regions were analyzed for calcium and phosphorus by electronprobe X-ray microanalysis. In ten series of 106 measurements in each region, it could be determined by registration of the CaKalpha and PKalpha X-ray counts that the mineral content in the clusters was in the range of 30-100% higher than in the light regions. The question of the sequence of the epiphyseal plate mineralization is discussed and whether the dense clusters represent the mineralized matrix vesicles.", "PMID": 627032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6791", "title": "The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in acipenseridae. VII. The functional morphology of the peptidergic neurosecretory cells in the preoptic nucleus of the sturgeon, Acipenser g\u00fcldenst\u00e4dti Brandt. A quantitative study.", "content": "The peptidergic neurosecretory cells (NSC) of the nucleus praeopticus (NP) of male and female sturgeons, A. g\u00fcldenst\u00e4dti Brandt, were studied light microscopically at different stages of their life cycle and under experimental conditions. Four main NSC types reflecting different phases of secretory cycle and life course of the cell have been tentatively distinguished. The maximum percentage of the high and moderate active NSC are found in juvenile animals in the sea (stages I and I-II of gonadal maturity, sgm), in upstream migrating fish in spring before spawning, in down-stream migrating fish 1-1.5 months after spawning, and in experimental fish kept for 8.5 hours in a 32% sodium chloride solution. The least active NSC accumulating neurosecretory material (NSM) are characteristic of juvenile fish (sgm II) in the sea, sturgeons maintained in a sodium chloride solution for 3.5 or 6 hours and fish which remained in a net, thrown to the sea, for some hours before fixation. The lowest percentage of these cells is observed in autumn migrants, in females soon after spawning (sgm VI) and in fish kept for 8.5 hours in a sodium chloride solution. Cells rich in basophilic substance and poor in NSM occur in juvenile and in down-stream migrating fish. Cells reflecting the state of exhaustion after hyperactivity and \"ageing\" cells are seen in adults, expecially in sgm VI fish, and in autumn migrants. Pyknomorphous NSC are constantly present in all fish; they are most numerous in sturgeons found in a net. A diagram demonstrating the life course and the secretory cycle of the NSC is presented and the role of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) under stress conditions is discussed.", "contents": "The hypothalamo-hypophysial system in acipenseridae. VII. The functional morphology of the peptidergic neurosecretory cells in the preoptic nucleus of the sturgeon, Acipenser g\u00fcldenst\u00e4dti Brandt. A quantitative study. The peptidergic neurosecretory cells (NSC) of the nucleus praeopticus (NP) of male and female sturgeons, A. g\u00fcldenst\u00e4dti Brandt, were studied light microscopically at different stages of their life cycle and under experimental conditions. Four main NSC types reflecting different phases of secretory cycle and life course of the cell have been tentatively distinguished. The maximum percentage of the high and moderate active NSC are found in juvenile animals in the sea (stages I and I-II of gonadal maturity, sgm), in upstream migrating fish in spring before spawning, in down-stream migrating fish 1-1.5 months after spawning, and in experimental fish kept for 8.5 hours in a 32% sodium chloride solution. The least active NSC accumulating neurosecretory material (NSM) are characteristic of juvenile fish (sgm II) in the sea, sturgeons maintained in a sodium chloride solution for 3.5 or 6 hours and fish which remained in a net, thrown to the sea, for some hours before fixation. The lowest percentage of these cells is observed in autumn migrants, in females soon after spawning (sgm VI) and in fish kept for 8.5 hours in a sodium chloride solution. Cells rich in basophilic substance and poor in NSM occur in juvenile and in down-stream migrating fish. Cells reflecting the state of exhaustion after hyperactivity and \"ageing\" cells are seen in adults, expecially in sgm VI fish, and in autumn migrants. Pyknomorphous NSC are constantly present in all fish; they are most numerous in sturgeons found in a net. A diagram demonstrating the life course and the secretory cycle of the NSC is presented and the role of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system (HHNS) under stress conditions is discussed.", "PMID": 627033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6792", "title": "Neutralization of diphtheria toxin in living cells by microinjection of antifragment A contained within resealed erythrocyte ghosts.", "content": "When human erythrocytes suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing lgG were first dialyzed against a hypotonic solution and then dialyzed against PBS, lgG molecules were entrapped within resealed erythrocyte ghosts. The concentration of lgG inside the ghosts was about 33% of its concentration in the dialysis bag. With the aid of HVJ (Sendai virus), ghosts containing rabbit lgG antibody against fragment A of diphtheria toxin were fused with toxin-sensitive FL cells. The fused FL recipients were found to be resistant to the action of diphtheria toxin. Clones derived from the resistant recipient cells, however, became sensitive to the toxin again. Antifragment A neutralized the enzymic activity of isolated fragment A in vitro, but did not protect FL cells or rabbit skin against the complete toxin.", "contents": "Neutralization of diphtheria toxin in living cells by microinjection of antifragment A contained within resealed erythrocyte ghosts. When human erythrocytes suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) containing lgG were first dialyzed against a hypotonic solution and then dialyzed against PBS, lgG molecules were entrapped within resealed erythrocyte ghosts. The concentration of lgG inside the ghosts was about 33% of its concentration in the dialysis bag. With the aid of HVJ (Sendai virus), ghosts containing rabbit lgG antibody against fragment A of diphtheria toxin were fused with toxin-sensitive FL cells. The fused FL recipients were found to be resistant to the action of diphtheria toxin. Clones derived from the resistant recipient cells, however, became sensitive to the toxin again. Antifragment A neutralized the enzymic activity of isolated fragment A in vitro, but did not protect FL cells or rabbit skin against the complete toxin.", "PMID": 627034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6793", "title": "Appearance of interferon inducibility and sensitivity during differentiation of murine teratocarcinoma cells in vitro.", "content": "Pluripotential embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells do not produce interferon after treatment with a wide variety of inducers, nor are they sensitive to its action. Several differentiated lines derived from the EC cells, however, both produce and are sensitive to mouse interferon. Differentiation of EC cells in vitro is accompanied by development of interferon inducibility and sensitivity.", "contents": "Appearance of interferon inducibility and sensitivity during differentiation of murine teratocarcinoma cells in vitro. Pluripotential embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells do not produce interferon after treatment with a wide variety of inducers, nor are they sensitive to its action. Several differentiated lines derived from the EC cells, however, both produce and are sensitive to mouse interferon. Differentiation of EC cells in vitro is accompanied by development of interferon inducibility and sensitivity.", "PMID": 627035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6794", "title": "Nucleosomal DNA is digested to repeats of 10 bases by exonuclease III.", "content": "Nucleosomes were treated with increasing concentrations of exonuclease III (Exo III) from E. coli. At low levels of Exo III, the heterogeneous distribution of monomers (with associated DNA fragments ranging in size between 140 and 170 bp) is \"trimmed\" down to a discrete core of 140 bp. The \"trimming\" of monomers to 140 bp results from a 3' exonucleolytic digestion accompanied by a 5' clipping activity which is specific for the conformation of internucleosomal DNA. At higher concentrations of Exo III, the enzyme digests the 140 bp \"trimmed\" nucleosome core from both 3' ends without associated 5' nuclease activity. Most striking is the observation that the fragments produced during such a digestion display discrete single-stranded lengths that are integer multiples of 10 bases. For some dimer nucleosomes, Exo III can digest as many as 200 bases from at least one 3' end and produce a 10 base interval ladder from about 400 bases down to 180 bases. This suggests that the enzyme can traverse the length of an entire nucleosome without destroying whatever structural features are necessary to produce a 10 base DNA ladder.", "contents": "Nucleosomal DNA is digested to repeats of 10 bases by exonuclease III. Nucleosomes were treated with increasing concentrations of exonuclease III (Exo III) from E. coli. At low levels of Exo III, the heterogeneous distribution of monomers (with associated DNA fragments ranging in size between 140 and 170 bp) is \"trimmed\" down to a discrete core of 140 bp. The \"trimming\" of monomers to 140 bp results from a 3' exonucleolytic digestion accompanied by a 5' clipping activity which is specific for the conformation of internucleosomal DNA. At higher concentrations of Exo III, the enzyme digests the 140 bp \"trimmed\" nucleosome core from both 3' ends without associated 5' nuclease activity. Most striking is the observation that the fragments produced during such a digestion display discrete single-stranded lengths that are integer multiples of 10 bases. For some dimer nucleosomes, Exo III can digest as many as 200 bases from at least one 3' end and produce a 10 base interval ladder from about 400 bases down to 180 bases. This suggests that the enzyme can traverse the length of an entire nucleosome without destroying whatever structural features are necessary to produce a 10 base DNA ladder.", "PMID": 627037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6795", "title": "Polypeptide maps of cells infected with murine type C leukemia or sarcoma oncovirus.", "content": "The polypeptide composition of murine fibroblast cells and the effect of infection by RNA sarcoma and leukemia viruses were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tryptic peptide mapping. The polypeptide maps of NIH Swiss mouse embryo fibroblasts (NIH/3T3) and BALB/c mouse embryo fibroblasts (BALB/3T3) were very similar except for two major polypeptides of about 65,000 and 75,000 daltons which were not detected in BALB/3T3 cells. NIH/3T3 cells infected with either Rauscher or Gross oncoviruses and outbred Swiss mouse embryo fibroblasts (3T3 FL) showed two major polypeptrides of about 73,000 and 80,000 daltons not found in uninfected NIH/3T3 cells. The 3T3 FL cells, although uninfected, were also found to contain a high concentration of envelope glycoprotein of an endogenous oncovirus. 3T3 FL cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus showed changes in many polypeptides, including several major components: the disappearance or modification of a component of 60,000 daltons, an increased concentration and shift in pl of a glycoprotein of 48,000 daltons, and the apparent loss of several smaller polypeptides. None of the major changes of the transformed cells were associated with cell surface proteins labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination.", "contents": "Polypeptide maps of cells infected with murine type C leukemia or sarcoma oncovirus. The polypeptide composition of murine fibroblast cells and the effect of infection by RNA sarcoma and leukemia viruses were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tryptic peptide mapping. The polypeptide maps of NIH Swiss mouse embryo fibroblasts (NIH/3T3) and BALB/c mouse embryo fibroblasts (BALB/3T3) were very similar except for two major polypeptides of about 65,000 and 75,000 daltons which were not detected in BALB/3T3 cells. NIH/3T3 cells infected with either Rauscher or Gross oncoviruses and outbred Swiss mouse embryo fibroblasts (3T3 FL) showed two major polypeptrides of about 73,000 and 80,000 daltons not found in uninfected NIH/3T3 cells. The 3T3 FL cells, although uninfected, were also found to contain a high concentration of envelope glycoprotein of an endogenous oncovirus. 3T3 FL cells transformed by Moloney sarcoma virus showed changes in many polypeptides, including several major components: the disappearance or modification of a component of 60,000 daltons, an increased concentration and shift in pl of a glycoprotein of 48,000 daltons, and the apparent loss of several smaller polypeptides. None of the major changes of the transformed cells were associated with cell surface proteins labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination.", "PMID": 627038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6796", "title": "Elimination of bagassosis in Louisiana paper manufacturing plant workers.", "content": "The prevalence of bagassosis was investigated in a Louisiana paper mill, which in the past had considerable numbers of workers with the disease. Based on negative clinical histories and the low number of positive serological reactions of the workers' serum with Thermoactinomyces sacchari antigen, it was concluded that bagassosis was no longer present. This was thought to be due to a different method of storage of bagasse, which retards microbial decay and reduces airborne organic dust, and to the increased awareness of plant management resulting in greater safety measures.", "contents": "Elimination of bagassosis in Louisiana paper manufacturing plant workers. The prevalence of bagassosis was investigated in a Louisiana paper mill, which in the past had considerable numbers of workers with the disease. Based on negative clinical histories and the low number of positive serological reactions of the workers' serum with Thermoactinomyces sacchari antigen, it was concluded that bagassosis was no longer present. This was thought to be due to a different method of storage of bagasse, which retards microbial decay and reduces airborne organic dust, and to the increased awareness of plant management resulting in greater safety measures.", "PMID": 627039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6797", "title": "Asthma caused by bromelin inhalation.", "content": "Two cases are reported of bronchial asthma caused by inhalation of bromelin, a proteolytic enzyme utilized in some anti-inflammatory medicine. Prick test results with bromelin extract were positive. Inhalation tests gave immediate reactions which were blocked by sodium cromoglycate, but not corticosteroids.", "contents": "Asthma caused by bromelin inhalation. Two cases are reported of bronchial asthma caused by inhalation of bromelin, a proteolytic enzyme utilized in some anti-inflammatory medicine. Prick test results with bromelin extract were positive. Inhalation tests gave immediate reactions which were blocked by sodium cromoglycate, but not corticosteroids.", "PMID": 627040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6798", "title": "Immediate-type hypersensitivity to reactive dyes.", "content": "Reactive dyes have gained extensive use in recent years. This paper reports four cases of immediate-type occupational allergy to these compounds. All the patients had had symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis, and had been weighing dyes for a minimum of 2 years. The skin prick tests were positive, and nasal and bronchial provocation challenges also produced positive immediate reactions. A high serum titre of specific IgE could be demonstrated for at least one dyd by the radioallergosorbent test. The identification of specific IgE shows that the mechanism of the hypersensitivity is immunological, reactive dyes acting probably as haptens.", "contents": "Immediate-type hypersensitivity to reactive dyes. Reactive dyes have gained extensive use in recent years. This paper reports four cases of immediate-type occupational allergy to these compounds. All the patients had had symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis, and had been weighing dyes for a minimum of 2 years. The skin prick tests were positive, and nasal and bronchial provocation challenges also produced positive immediate reactions. A high serum titre of specific IgE could be demonstrated for at least one dyd by the radioallergosorbent test. The identification of specific IgE shows that the mechanism of the hypersensitivity is immunological, reactive dyes acting probably as haptens.", "PMID": 627041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6799", "title": "Levels of complement components during allergen-induced asthma.", "content": "The levels of circulating complement components C3 and C4, total haemolytic complement, CH50, as well as evidence of complement activation, have been studied in peripheral blood samples during allergen-induced asthma. No evidence of activation of the complement system was detected in these studies.", "contents": "Levels of complement components during allergen-induced asthma. The levels of circulating complement components C3 and C4, total haemolytic complement, CH50, as well as evidence of complement activation, have been studied in peripheral blood samples during allergen-induced asthma. No evidence of activation of the complement system was detected in these studies.", "PMID": 627043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6800", "title": "The danger of \"yellow dyes\" (tartrazine) to allergic subjects.", "content": "Oral administration of 50 mg tartrazine to 122 patients with a variety of allergic disorders caused the following reactions: general weakness, heatwaves, palpitations, blurred vision, rhinorrhoea, feeling of suffocation, pruritus and urticaria. There was activation of the fibrinolytic pathway as shown by reduction of plasminogen with high pre-kallikrein and low kallikrein values. Reduction in complement activity (CH50) was seen in three out of sixteen reactions.", "contents": "The danger of \"yellow dyes\" (tartrazine) to allergic subjects. Oral administration of 50 mg tartrazine to 122 patients with a variety of allergic disorders caused the following reactions: general weakness, heatwaves, palpitations, blurred vision, rhinorrhoea, feeling of suffocation, pruritus and urticaria. There was activation of the fibrinolytic pathway as shown by reduction of plasminogen with high pre-kallikrein and low kallikrein values. Reduction in complement activity (CH50) was seen in three out of sixteen reactions.", "PMID": 627044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6801", "title": "Serum IgE levels in giardiasis.", "content": "Raised levels of serum immunoglobulin E are found in many parasitic diseases. In order to determine the influence of Giardia lamblia on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with giardiasis and those from normal Brazilian controls, although in both groups there were many individuals with values higher than the normal range reported from the northern hemisphere.", "contents": "Serum IgE levels in giardiasis. Raised levels of serum immunoglobulin E are found in many parasitic diseases. In order to determine the influence of Giardia lamblia on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with giardiasis and those from normal Brazilian controls, although in both groups there were many individuals with values higher than the normal range reported from the northern hemisphere.", "PMID": 627045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6802", "title": "Method for screening urinary steroids by gas chromatography.", "content": "Numerous methods are available for measuring urinary steroids in evaluating endocrine dysfunctions. Measurements of these particular steroids, or groups of them, usually involve tedious isolation methods, corrections for interferences and losses of the steroid, and (or) expensive reagents. We show how gas-liquid chromatography provides a rapid, sensitive, and direct method for several steroid metabolites in urine. Androstanol, androsterone, etiocholanolone, dehydroisoandrosterone, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, 11-keto-17-ketosteroids, and the 11beta-hydroxy-17-ketosteroids can be identified and quantified.", "contents": "Method for screening urinary steroids by gas chromatography. Numerous methods are available for measuring urinary steroids in evaluating endocrine dysfunctions. Measurements of these particular steroids, or groups of them, usually involve tedious isolation methods, corrections for interferences and losses of the steroid, and (or) expensive reagents. We show how gas-liquid chromatography provides a rapid, sensitive, and direct method for several steroid metabolites in urine. Androstanol, androsterone, etiocholanolone, dehydroisoandrosterone, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, 11-keto-17-ketosteroids, and the 11beta-hydroxy-17-ketosteroids can be identified and quantified.", "PMID": 627048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6803", "title": "Determination of pyruvate oxidation rate and citric acid cycle activity in intact human leukocytes and fibroblasts.", "content": "We measured pyruvate oxidation in intact leukocytes and fibroblasts by measuring 14C02 production. The optimal pyruvate concentration appeared to be higher than that usually applied. Activities remained constant during the incubation and were proportional to the amount of tissue protein added. Man values (+/-SD) were 2.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/h per 10(6) cells and 37 +/- 14 nmol/h per mg of protein for leukocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, for [1-14C]pyruvate oxidation; and 2.1 +/- 0.8 nmol/h per 10(6) cells and 18 +/- 7 nmol/h per mg of protein, respectively for [2-14C]pyruvate oxidation. We compared oxidation rates of pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate by intact cells with those of isolated mitochondria. The ratio of 14CO2 production vs. activity of mitochondrial marker enzyme demonstrated that the rate of pyruvate oxidation can adequately be assayed in intact cells, but that the permeability of the cell membrane is rate-limiting in the oxidation of 2-oxoglutarate. No significant oxidation of other intermediates of the citric acid cycle was found, presumably owing to a low rate of transport of these substances across the cell membrane.", "contents": "Determination of pyruvate oxidation rate and citric acid cycle activity in intact human leukocytes and fibroblasts. We measured pyruvate oxidation in intact leukocytes and fibroblasts by measuring 14C02 production. The optimal pyruvate concentration appeared to be higher than that usually applied. Activities remained constant during the incubation and were proportional to the amount of tissue protein added. Man values (+/-SD) were 2.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/h per 10(6) cells and 37 +/- 14 nmol/h per mg of protein for leukocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, for [1-14C]pyruvate oxidation; and 2.1 +/- 0.8 nmol/h per 10(6) cells and 18 +/- 7 nmol/h per mg of protein, respectively for [2-14C]pyruvate oxidation. We compared oxidation rates of pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate by intact cells with those of isolated mitochondria. The ratio of 14CO2 production vs. activity of mitochondrial marker enzyme demonstrated that the rate of pyruvate oxidation can adequately be assayed in intact cells, but that the permeability of the cell membrane is rate-limiting in the oxidation of 2-oxoglutarate. No significant oxidation of other intermediates of the citric acid cycle was found, presumably owing to a low rate of transport of these substances across the cell membrane.", "PMID": 627049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6804", "title": "Measurement of free and free-plus-peptide hydroxyproline fractions in plasma.", "content": "Plasma hydroxyproline fractions--free-plus-peptide and free--were determined by a method involving centrifugal ultrafiltration and the procedure of Kivirikko et al. [Anal. Biochem. 19, 249 (1967)]. Within- and between-day precision (CV) for the combined fractions was 4--5% and 2.8--6%, respectively. Mean analytical recoveries of free hydroxyproline were 95.2% (87--109%) in the normal range, and 97% (91--108%) in the above-normal range. Normal ranges for plasma hydroxyproline fractions, based on data for 11 men and 19 women, were free-plus-peptide, 7.5--25.3; free, 4.9--22.7; and peptide (calculated), 0.1--5.1 mumol of hydroxyproline per litre, respectively. These ranges showed no sex-related differences and were gaussian in distribution. A factor was derived to transform data on concentrations in ultrafiltrate into plasma concentrations.", "contents": "Measurement of free and free-plus-peptide hydroxyproline fractions in plasma. Plasma hydroxyproline fractions--free-plus-peptide and free--were determined by a method involving centrifugal ultrafiltration and the procedure of Kivirikko et al. [Anal. Biochem. 19, 249 (1967)]. Within- and between-day precision (CV) for the combined fractions was 4--5% and 2.8--6%, respectively. Mean analytical recoveries of free hydroxyproline were 95.2% (87--109%) in the normal range, and 97% (91--108%) in the above-normal range. Normal ranges for plasma hydroxyproline fractions, based on data for 11 men and 19 women, were free-plus-peptide, 7.5--25.3; free, 4.9--22.7; and peptide (calculated), 0.1--5.1 mumol of hydroxyproline per litre, respectively. These ranges showed no sex-related differences and were gaussian in distribution. A factor was derived to transform data on concentrations in ultrafiltrate into plasma concentrations.", "PMID": 627050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6805", "title": "Variance components of serum constituents in healthy individuals.", "content": "Analytical, intra-individual, and inter-individual components of variance were estimated in 10 volunteers for 34 assays encompassing 22 different constituents. Replicate blood specimens were obtained four times weekly. Nine constituents were measured with more than one instrument [Technicon AutoAnalyzer II and SMAC System, Perkin-Elmer Kinetic Enzyme Analyzer KA-150, and (or) the Abbott Bichromatic Aanalyzer ABA-100]. For those constituents that were stored for randomized batch analysis, results were examined for evidence of changes during storage and within-run analytical drift. Alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and SMAC-measured lactate dehydrogenase had a ratio of intra-individual to interindividual variance of less than 0.10, thus exhibiting a high individuality. This ratio was greater than one for sodium, carbon dioxide, and creatine kinase. Analytical variance was more than 30% of total variance for sodium, carbon dioxide, calcium, total protein, and chloride. Analytical variance was less than 20% of intra-individual variance for bilirubin, creatine kinase, KA-150-measured lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and urea nitrogen. Limits for the expected difference between measurements of the same constituent for the same individual on different days are also presented.", "contents": "Variance components of serum constituents in healthy individuals. Analytical, intra-individual, and inter-individual components of variance were estimated in 10 volunteers for 34 assays encompassing 22 different constituents. Replicate blood specimens were obtained four times weekly. Nine constituents were measured with more than one instrument [Technicon AutoAnalyzer II and SMAC System, Perkin-Elmer Kinetic Enzyme Analyzer KA-150, and (or) the Abbott Bichromatic Aanalyzer ABA-100]. For those constituents that were stored for randomized batch analysis, results were examined for evidence of changes during storage and within-run analytical drift. Alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and SMAC-measured lactate dehydrogenase had a ratio of intra-individual to interindividual variance of less than 0.10, thus exhibiting a high individuality. This ratio was greater than one for sodium, carbon dioxide, and creatine kinase. Analytical variance was more than 30% of total variance for sodium, carbon dioxide, calcium, total protein, and chloride. Analytical variance was less than 20% of intra-individual variance for bilirubin, creatine kinase, KA-150-measured lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and urea nitrogen. Limits for the expected difference between measurements of the same constituent for the same individual on different days are also presented.", "PMID": 627051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6806", "title": "Hyperlipoproteinemia phenotype determination by agarose gel electrophoresis updated.", "content": "Hyperlipoproteinemia phenotyping has been re-evaluated by an improved agarose gel electrophoretic test. Eight varieties of serum lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns are demonstrated, two from clinically normal normolipidemic subjects and six from patients with hyperlipoproteinemia that include the phenotypes 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, and 5. The sharp delineation of the lipoprotein patterns achieved by this technique facilitates the differentiation and identifcation of the lipoprotein phenotypes. Furthermore, the lipoprotein patterns can be visually evaluated, correlated with their corresponding serum lipid values, and associated with the clinical and hereditary features of the hyperlipoproteinemia phenotypes. This test system can also be used in clinical trials and epidemiological studies.", "contents": "Hyperlipoproteinemia phenotype determination by agarose gel electrophoresis updated. Hyperlipoproteinemia phenotyping has been re-evaluated by an improved agarose gel electrophoretic test. Eight varieties of serum lipoprotein electrophoretic patterns are demonstrated, two from clinically normal normolipidemic subjects and six from patients with hyperlipoproteinemia that include the phenotypes 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, and 5. The sharp delineation of the lipoprotein patterns achieved by this technique facilitates the differentiation and identifcation of the lipoprotein phenotypes. Furthermore, the lipoprotein patterns can be visually evaluated, correlated with their corresponding serum lipid values, and associated with the clinical and hereditary features of the hyperlipoproteinemia phenotypes. This test system can also be used in clinical trials and epidemiological studies.", "PMID": 627052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6807", "title": "Hemopyrrole and kryptopyrrole are absent from the urine of schizophrenics and normal persons.", "content": "We describe a method for detecting hemopyrrole and kryptopyrrole in urine, with a detection limit of 100 mug/liter (1 part in 10(7)). Urine is thoroughly extracted with methylene chloride and the extract is concentrated and examined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. No hemopyrrole or kryptopyrrole could be detected in 52 samples, from 17 controls, 29 schizophrenics, and six persons with acute intermittent porphyria.", "contents": "Hemopyrrole and kryptopyrrole are absent from the urine of schizophrenics and normal persons. We describe a method for detecting hemopyrrole and kryptopyrrole in urine, with a detection limit of 100 mug/liter (1 part in 10(7)). Urine is thoroughly extracted with methylene chloride and the extract is concentrated and examined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. No hemopyrrole or kryptopyrrole could be detected in 52 samples, from 17 controls, 29 schizophrenics, and six persons with acute intermittent porphyria.", "PMID": 627053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6808", "title": "Immobilized-enzyme nylon-tube reactors for routine determination of urea and citrulline in serum.", "content": "A continuous-flow clinical analyzer for the routine estimation of urea is described that makes use of an immobilized-enzyme nylon-tube reactor as part of a flow-through system (a Technicon AutoAnalyzer I). Results of blood-urea analyses by use of the immobilized urease are compared with determinations made with the diacetyl monoxime method and the urease solution method. Clinical trials carried out routinely with the immobilized enzyme nylon tube reactor give reliable and reproducible results with high precision and low cost. The reactors are stable to intermittent or continued use for at least four months or for 2000 tests. A method is described in which differential colorimetry is used for determining citrulline in blood and which makes use of the immobilized urease, albeit indirectly.", "contents": "Immobilized-enzyme nylon-tube reactors for routine determination of urea and citrulline in serum. A continuous-flow clinical analyzer for the routine estimation of urea is described that makes use of an immobilized-enzyme nylon-tube reactor as part of a flow-through system (a Technicon AutoAnalyzer I). Results of blood-urea analyses by use of the immobilized urease are compared with determinations made with the diacetyl monoxime method and the urease solution method. Clinical trials carried out routinely with the immobilized enzyme nylon tube reactor give reliable and reproducible results with high precision and low cost. The reactors are stable to intermittent or continued use for at least four months or for 2000 tests. A method is described in which differential colorimetry is used for determining citrulline in blood and which makes use of the immobilized urease, albeit indirectly.", "PMID": 627054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6809", "title": "Methods compared for determining zinc in serum by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.", "content": "We compared two methods for determination of serum zinc by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The first involved 10-fold dilution of serum with water; the second, deproteinization of serum with trichloroacetic acid. Analytical recovery of Zn2+ added to serum averaged 99.3 and 99.9%, respectively, by the two methods, but measured concentrations were consistently greater by the second method [mean difference, 118 +/- 27 (SD) mug/liter]. For the analysis of 55 sera, measured concentrations were also greater by the second method [mean difference, 91 +/- 28 (SD) mug/liter]. We dialyzed serum to remove most of the zinc and measured analytical recovery of increasing amounts of Zn2+ added to this dialyzed serum or, conversely, of zinc in a mixture of increasing volumes of dialyzed serum in a Zn2+ standard. Recovery results for the dilution method showed an interference by an unidentified, but nondialyzable serum component(s). Recovery was not improved by use of (a) a \"high-solids\" burner, (b) a diluent containing 1-butanol, or (c) a Mn2+ internal standard.", "contents": "Methods compared for determining zinc in serum by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. We compared two methods for determination of serum zinc by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The first involved 10-fold dilution of serum with water; the second, deproteinization of serum with trichloroacetic acid. Analytical recovery of Zn2+ added to serum averaged 99.3 and 99.9%, respectively, by the two methods, but measured concentrations were consistently greater by the second method [mean difference, 118 +/- 27 (SD) mug/liter]. For the analysis of 55 sera, measured concentrations were also greater by the second method [mean difference, 91 +/- 28 (SD) mug/liter]. We dialyzed serum to remove most of the zinc and measured analytical recovery of increasing amounts of Zn2+ added to this dialyzed serum or, conversely, of zinc in a mixture of increasing volumes of dialyzed serum in a Zn2+ standard. Recovery results for the dilution method showed an interference by an unidentified, but nondialyzable serum component(s). Recovery was not improved by use of (a) a \"high-solids\" burner, (b) a diluent containing 1-butanol, or (c) a Mn2+ internal standard.", "PMID": 627055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6810", "title": "Creatine kinase in serum: 4. Differences in substrate affinity among the isoenzymes.", "content": "The goal of this work was to find out whether it is possible to measure all three creatine kinase isoenzymes under the same reaction conditions in spite of their different kinetic properties. We found the tightest substrate binding for purified human BB, followed by the MB And MM isoenzyme preparations for both creatine phosphate and ADP. An increase in substrate concentration usually resulted in an inhibition. Nevertheless, it was possible with a method optimized for the MM isoenzyme also to measure the BB and MB isoenzymes at a rate of inhibition of only 6 and 3%, respectively. Marked differences in the apparent Km values between purified and native MM isoenzyme in human serum may indicate that the enzyme declined in substrate affinity during the isolation procedure. The use of enzyme preparations for standardization purposes, therefore, is only suitable if their kinetic properties are close to those of the enzyme in serum. Difficulties in the calculation of the apparent Km values are discussed and the graphical procedures of Lineweaver and Burk and of Eisenthal and Cornish-Bowden compared.", "contents": "Creatine kinase in serum: 4. Differences in substrate affinity among the isoenzymes. The goal of this work was to find out whether it is possible to measure all three creatine kinase isoenzymes under the same reaction conditions in spite of their different kinetic properties. We found the tightest substrate binding for purified human BB, followed by the MB And MM isoenzyme preparations for both creatine phosphate and ADP. An increase in substrate concentration usually resulted in an inhibition. Nevertheless, it was possible with a method optimized for the MM isoenzyme also to measure the BB and MB isoenzymes at a rate of inhibition of only 6 and 3%, respectively. Marked differences in the apparent Km values between purified and native MM isoenzyme in human serum may indicate that the enzyme declined in substrate affinity during the isolation procedure. The use of enzyme preparations for standardization purposes, therefore, is only suitable if their kinetic properties are close to those of the enzyme in serum. Difficulties in the calculation of the apparent Km values are discussed and the graphical procedures of Lineweaver and Burk and of Eisenthal and Cornish-Bowden compared.", "PMID": 627056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6811", "title": "Determination of uric acid on continuous-flow (AutoAnalyzer II and SMA) systems with a uricase/phenol/4-aminophenazone color test.", "content": "This report describes a new specific colorimetric procedure for uric acid assay with AutoAnalyzer II and SMA (Technicon) systems, made specific by the application of uricase. Hydrogen preroxide, formed in this reaction, effects the oxidative coupling of 4-aminophenazone and 2,4-dichlorophenol under the catalytic influence of peroxidase. The red dye formed is measured at 505 or 520 nm. A sample blank measurement is not necessary, and the reagents show very good stability. The test shows linearity up to 714 mumol of uric acid per liter. Results of thie method correlate very well with those by the uricase-ultraviolet and uricase--catalase methods. There is no interference by hemoglobin, bilirubin, lipemia, and various drugs, except a minor interference by alpha-methyldopa. Interference from ascorbate is eliminated by ascorbate oxidase. This method can be regarded as a considerably improved routine test for uric acid on continuous-flow systems in clinical laboratories as compared with the commonly used phosphotungstate method.", "contents": "Determination of uric acid on continuous-flow (AutoAnalyzer II and SMA) systems with a uricase/phenol/4-aminophenazone color test. This report describes a new specific colorimetric procedure for uric acid assay with AutoAnalyzer II and SMA (Technicon) systems, made specific by the application of uricase. Hydrogen preroxide, formed in this reaction, effects the oxidative coupling of 4-aminophenazone and 2,4-dichlorophenol under the catalytic influence of peroxidase. The red dye formed is measured at 505 or 520 nm. A sample blank measurement is not necessary, and the reagents show very good stability. The test shows linearity up to 714 mumol of uric acid per liter. Results of thie method correlate very well with those by the uricase-ultraviolet and uricase--catalase methods. There is no interference by hemoglobin, bilirubin, lipemia, and various drugs, except a minor interference by alpha-methyldopa. Interference from ascorbate is eliminated by ascorbate oxidase. This method can be regarded as a considerably improved routine test for uric acid on continuous-flow systems in clinical laboratories as compared with the commonly used phosphotungstate method.", "PMID": 627057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6812", "title": "Automated assay of gamma-aminobutyric acid in human cerebrospinal fluid.", "content": "We describe an automated amino acid analyzer with fluorescence detection (o-phthalaldehyde) which permits sensitive and rapid determinations of gamma aminobutyric acid in human cerebrospinal fluid. Concentrations as low as 50 nmol/liter can be accurately determined in 100 mul samples at the rate of one sample per hour. Concentrations in untreated cerebrospinal fluid increase rapidly after sampling by lumbar puncture. The concentration in immediately deproteinized samples from 38 patients with intervertebral disc disorders was 220 +/- 81 nmol/liter (mean +/- SD).", "contents": "Automated assay of gamma-aminobutyric acid in human cerebrospinal fluid. We describe an automated amino acid analyzer with fluorescence detection (o-phthalaldehyde) which permits sensitive and rapid determinations of gamma aminobutyric acid in human cerebrospinal fluid. Concentrations as low as 50 nmol/liter can be accurately determined in 100 mul samples at the rate of one sample per hour. Concentrations in untreated cerebrospinal fluid increase rapidly after sampling by lumbar puncture. The concentration in immediately deproteinized samples from 38 patients with intervertebral disc disorders was 220 +/- 81 nmol/liter (mean +/- SD).", "PMID": 627058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6813", "title": "Sensitive radioimmunological screening test for antithyroglobulin autoantibodies.", "content": "The test described here was designed as a screening test to be used in conjunction with the radioimmunoassay for human thyroglobulin. Anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies, when present even in low concentrations, interfere with thyroglobulin determination. A 30-min incubation allows binding of 125I-thyroglobulin to endogenous anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies. A subsequent 2-h incubation with goat anti-human gamma-globulin causes precipitation of such complexes. The immunoprecipitable radioactivity reflects the binding capacity of the sample for 125I-labeled thyroglobulin. Samples that are devoid of autoantibodies, and are therefore suitable for valid thyroglobulin determinations, bind less than 6% of the radiolabeled thyroglobulin. The sensitivity of this radioimmunoassay exceeds that of the tanned-erythrocyte hemagglutination test.", "contents": "Sensitive radioimmunological screening test for antithyroglobulin autoantibodies. The test described here was designed as a screening test to be used in conjunction with the radioimmunoassay for human thyroglobulin. Anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies, when present even in low concentrations, interfere with thyroglobulin determination. A 30-min incubation allows binding of 125I-thyroglobulin to endogenous anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies. A subsequent 2-h incubation with goat anti-human gamma-globulin causes precipitation of such complexes. The immunoprecipitable radioactivity reflects the binding capacity of the sample for 125I-labeled thyroglobulin. Samples that are devoid of autoantibodies, and are therefore suitable for valid thyroglobulin determinations, bind less than 6% of the radiolabeled thyroglobulin. The sensitivity of this radioimmunoassay exceeds that of the tanned-erythrocyte hemagglutination test.", "PMID": 627059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6814", "title": "Determination of quinidine by high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "Quinidine in serum was measured at 330 nm, after protein precipitation, with an alkyl phenyl reversed-phase chromatographic column by peak-height determination (external standards.) Sensitivity was 0.3 mg/liter, with linear response to at least 10 mg/liter serum. Interassay precision, measured on 20 consecutive days, gave a CV of 8.2% at 2 mg/liter of serum and 5.1% at 5 mg/liter. Quinine and primaquine are not separable from quinidine under the assay conditions, and dihydroquinidine and chloridazepoxide are only partly resolved. No assay interference was encountered with a series of control serum samples obtained from patients with various diseases, who were being treated with various drugs other than quinidine, except in one serum sample with a high bilirubin concentration (300 mg/liter). If such an assay interference is present, an alkaline extraction of quinidine before analysis has to be used. Results by our assay and those by a single-extraction fluorescence method correlated poorly (r=0.87), and the fluorescence assay gave 50% +/- 7% (SEM) higher values than our method, due to chromatographic separation of a major fluorescent non-phenolic metabolite of quinidine, which can also be measured by our assay.", "contents": "Determination of quinidine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Quinidine in serum was measured at 330 nm, after protein precipitation, with an alkyl phenyl reversed-phase chromatographic column by peak-height determination (external standards.) Sensitivity was 0.3 mg/liter, with linear response to at least 10 mg/liter serum. Interassay precision, measured on 20 consecutive days, gave a CV of 8.2% at 2 mg/liter of serum and 5.1% at 5 mg/liter. Quinine and primaquine are not separable from quinidine under the assay conditions, and dihydroquinidine and chloridazepoxide are only partly resolved. No assay interference was encountered with a series of control serum samples obtained from patients with various diseases, who were being treated with various drugs other than quinidine, except in one serum sample with a high bilirubin concentration (300 mg/liter). If such an assay interference is present, an alkaline extraction of quinidine before analysis has to be used. Results by our assay and those by a single-extraction fluorescence method correlated poorly (r=0.87), and the fluorescence assay gave 50% +/- 7% (SEM) higher values than our method, due to chromatographic separation of a major fluorescent non-phenolic metabolite of quinidine, which can also be measured by our assay.", "PMID": 627060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6815", "title": "Determination of chromium and cobalt in human serum by neutron activation analysis.", "content": "Confusion exists about the chromium and cobalt concentrations in the serum of healthy individuals. We determined these elements by neutron activation analysis. The samples were irradiated during 12 days at a flux of approximately 10(14) neutrons.cm-2.s-1. Chromium was selectively separated by distillation after the irradiation. We obtained the following values (mean +/- standard deviation): 0.160 +/- 0.083 mug/liter for chromium, and 0.108 +/- 0.060 mug/liter for cobalt.", "contents": "Determination of chromium and cobalt in human serum by neutron activation analysis. Confusion exists about the chromium and cobalt concentrations in the serum of healthy individuals. We determined these elements by neutron activation analysis. The samples were irradiated during 12 days at a flux of approximately 10(14) neutrons.cm-2.s-1. Chromium was selectively separated by distillation after the irradiation. We obtained the following values (mean +/- standard deviation): 0.160 +/- 0.083 mug/liter for chromium, and 0.108 +/- 0.060 mug/liter for cobalt.", "PMID": 627061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6816", "title": "Tartrate-resistant (band 5) acid phosphatase activity measured by electrophoresis on acrylamide gel.", "content": "A tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was isolated from a huma spleen infiltrated with reticulum cells of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. The purified enzyme was used to establish the optimal conditions for quantitative analysis of this enzyme by electrophoresis on acrylamide gel. As little as 0.1 unit of enzyme activity (or 1 ng of the purified enzyme protein) could be quantitatively detected when it was mixed with 4 mg of albumin before electrophoresis.", "contents": "Tartrate-resistant (band 5) acid phosphatase activity measured by electrophoresis on acrylamide gel. A tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was isolated from a huma spleen infiltrated with reticulum cells of leukemic reticuloendotheliosis. The purified enzyme was used to establish the optimal conditions for quantitative analysis of this enzyme by electrophoresis on acrylamide gel. As little as 0.1 unit of enzyme activity (or 1 ng of the purified enzyme protein) could be quantitatively detected when it was mixed with 4 mg of albumin before electrophoresis.", "PMID": 627062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6817", "title": "Individual character of variation in time-series studies of healthy people: II. Differences in values for clinical chemical analytes in serum among demographic groups, by age and sex.", "content": "Assessment of the significance of an observed set of serum chemical values for determining a person's state of health requires comparison with a set of defined reference values. We tested the assumption that a reference group of individuals, categorized by age and sex, gives a narrower range of variation than does a larger mixed population. If this were true, the demographic set would be a more sensitive reference than is the customary \"normal range\" for interpretation of values occurring in the individual. The ratio, R, of intra-personal to inter-personal (group) standard deviations was similar for defined age/sex classes and the overall group for 16 serum constituents. When the \"raw\" intra-individual variation (biological plus analytical variation) was adjusted to remove the average analytical component, the resulting R was less than 80 for all constituents except creatine kinase, which indicates that these are all particularly strong \"discriminators\" of individuality. These results imply the need for individual rather than population-based reference ranges, even if the latter are from persons of similar age and the same sex.", "contents": "Individual character of variation in time-series studies of healthy people: II. Differences in values for clinical chemical analytes in serum among demographic groups, by age and sex. Assessment of the significance of an observed set of serum chemical values for determining a person's state of health requires comparison with a set of defined reference values. We tested the assumption that a reference group of individuals, categorized by age and sex, gives a narrower range of variation than does a larger mixed population. If this were true, the demographic set would be a more sensitive reference than is the customary \"normal range\" for interpretation of values occurring in the individual. The ratio, R, of intra-personal to inter-personal (group) standard deviations was similar for defined age/sex classes and the overall group for 16 serum constituents. When the \"raw\" intra-individual variation (biological plus analytical variation) was adjusted to remove the average analytical component, the resulting R was less than 80 for all constituents except creatine kinase, which indicates that these are all particularly strong \"discriminators\" of individuality. These results imply the need for individual rather than population-based reference ranges, even if the latter are from persons of similar age and the same sex.", "PMID": 627063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6818", "title": "Simplified two-step column-chromatographic determination of taurine in urine.", "content": "A two-step column-chromatographic procedure for accurate and rapid determination of taurine in urine is described. Sulfosalicyclic-acid deproteinized samples are chromatographed on a 0.9 X 10 cm column of cation-exchange resin (AG 50W-XB), with use of a pH 2.2 sodium citrate eluting buffer such that taurine and the more highly acidic compounds in urine are eluted in the void volume, and then on a 0.9 X 8 cm column of anion-exchange resin (AG 2-X8), from which taurine is preferentially eluted with 1 mol/liter acetic acid. The color developed with ninhydrin is directly proportional to taurine amounts as low as 0.01 mumol/sample. The method is highly reproducible, with analytical recoveries greater than 95%. The presence of 333 mumol of urea and 1 mumol of cysteic acid did not interfere in the analysis. When a mixture of C14-labeled amino acids other than taurine were co-chromatographed with taurine, less than 2% of the total counts loaded were located in the taurine fraction. Values for urinary taurine excretion by rats according to the present method agreed well with values obtained with an automated amino acid analyzer. Advantages of the present method for the determination of taurine are discussed.", "contents": "Simplified two-step column-chromatographic determination of taurine in urine. A two-step column-chromatographic procedure for accurate and rapid determination of taurine in urine is described. Sulfosalicyclic-acid deproteinized samples are chromatographed on a 0.9 X 10 cm column of cation-exchange resin (AG 50W-XB), with use of a pH 2.2 sodium citrate eluting buffer such that taurine and the more highly acidic compounds in urine are eluted in the void volume, and then on a 0.9 X 8 cm column of anion-exchange resin (AG 2-X8), from which taurine is preferentially eluted with 1 mol/liter acetic acid. The color developed with ninhydrin is directly proportional to taurine amounts as low as 0.01 mumol/sample. The method is highly reproducible, with analytical recoveries greater than 95%. The presence of 333 mumol of urea and 1 mumol of cysteic acid did not interfere in the analysis. When a mixture of C14-labeled amino acids other than taurine were co-chromatographed with taurine, less than 2% of the total counts loaded were located in the taurine fraction. Values for urinary taurine excretion by rats according to the present method agreed well with values obtained with an automated amino acid analyzer. Advantages of the present method for the determination of taurine are discussed.", "PMID": 627064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6819", "title": "Analytical performance and comparability of the determination of triglycerides by 12 Lipid Research Clinic laboratories.", "content": "Twelve Lipid Research Clinic laboratories performed automated fluorometric triglyceride analyses on four control serum pools of known concentration by a modified Hantzsch reaction. The analyses were done during a two-year period, with use of common standards, methodology, and quality-control procedures. Estimates of analytical bias, variability, and short- and long-term trends for each instrument and for the entire group of LRC instruments are presented. High accuracy, precision, and interlaboratory comparability were achieved through rigorous standardization and control of the entire analytical procedure. Individual instrument biases varied from an average of 4.9% below to 1.0% above reference values. Between-run variability was often less than within-run variability and interlaboratory variation was substantially less than intralaboratory variation. The total standard deviation for all instruments ranged from 37 to 63 mg/liter. Only 5 to 14% of this variation was due to differences among instruments. The among-instruments standard deviation ranged from 12 to 17 mg/liter; the between-run, within-instrument standard deviation ranged from 29 to 46 mg/liter, and within-run standard deviation from 27 to 40 mg/liter. The significance of the results for long-term collaborative studies is discussed.", "contents": "Analytical performance and comparability of the determination of triglycerides by 12 Lipid Research Clinic laboratories. Twelve Lipid Research Clinic laboratories performed automated fluorometric triglyceride analyses on four control serum pools of known concentration by a modified Hantzsch reaction. The analyses were done during a two-year period, with use of common standards, methodology, and quality-control procedures. Estimates of analytical bias, variability, and short- and long-term trends for each instrument and for the entire group of LRC instruments are presented. High accuracy, precision, and interlaboratory comparability were achieved through rigorous standardization and control of the entire analytical procedure. Individual instrument biases varied from an average of 4.9% below to 1.0% above reference values. Between-run variability was often less than within-run variability and interlaboratory variation was substantially less than intralaboratory variation. The total standard deviation for all instruments ranged from 37 to 63 mg/liter. Only 5 to 14% of this variation was due to differences among instruments. The among-instruments standard deviation ranged from 12 to 17 mg/liter; the between-run, within-instrument standard deviation ranged from 29 to 46 mg/liter, and within-run standard deviation from 27 to 40 mg/liter. The significance of the results for long-term collaborative studies is discussed.", "PMID": 627065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6820", "title": "Solid-phase radioimmunoassay for morphine, with use of an affinity-purified morphine antibody.", "content": "Morphine antibody purified by affinity chromatography was used to develop a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for morphine in polystyrene tubes. The tubes are coated with an appropriate concentration of the purified antibody, rinsed three times with buffered saline, and stored at -15 degrees C. Using tritiated dihydromorphine, we determined competitive morphine binding by difference when the radioactivity in the assay supernates was measured after incubation (1 h, 37 degrees C). Five standard curves, with use of serum equivalents of morphine ranging from 0 to 6 mug/liter, were linear and had a mean correlation coefficient of 0.98. Uncer conditions of the assay, levorphanol was comparable to morphine in its inhibitory effect on binding of labeled dihydromorphine, whereas dextrorphan was essentially inactive. Morphine-3-glucuronide, a major metabolite, is 55-fold less inhibitory in terms of its capacity to displace the radiolabel. We believe that the sensitivity of the technique, coupled with the simplicity of nonseparatory sampling, renders the system suitable for rapid determination of morphine and related compounds in biological fluids.", "contents": "Solid-phase radioimmunoassay for morphine, with use of an affinity-purified morphine antibody. Morphine antibody purified by affinity chromatography was used to develop a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for morphine in polystyrene tubes. The tubes are coated with an appropriate concentration of the purified antibody, rinsed three times with buffered saline, and stored at -15 degrees C. Using tritiated dihydromorphine, we determined competitive morphine binding by difference when the radioactivity in the assay supernates was measured after incubation (1 h, 37 degrees C). Five standard curves, with use of serum equivalents of morphine ranging from 0 to 6 mug/liter, were linear and had a mean correlation coefficient of 0.98. Uncer conditions of the assay, levorphanol was comparable to morphine in its inhibitory effect on binding of labeled dihydromorphine, whereas dextrorphan was essentially inactive. Morphine-3-glucuronide, a major metabolite, is 55-fold less inhibitory in terms of its capacity to displace the radiolabel. We believe that the sensitivity of the technique, coupled with the simplicity of nonseparatory sampling, renders the system suitable for rapid determination of morphine and related compounds in biological fluids.", "PMID": 627066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6821", "title": "Automated measurement of serum thyroxine with the \"ARIA II,\" as compared with competitive protein binding and radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Two conventional serum thyroxine assays, run in separate laboratories, one by competitive protein binding and one by radioimmunoassay, were used to evaluate the automated ARIA II (Becton Dickinson Immunodiagnostics) serum thyroxine assay. Competitive protein binding as compared to ARIA II with 111 clinical serum samples gave a slope of 1.04 and a correlation coefficient of 0.94. The radioimmunoassay comparison to ARIA II with 53 clinical serum samples gave a slope of 1.05 and a correlation coefficient of 0.92. The ARIA II inter-assay coefficient of variation for 10 replicates of low, medium, and high thyroxine serum samples was 6.2, 6.0, and 2.9%, respectively, with an inter-assay coefficient of variation among 15 different assays of 15.5, 10.1, and 7.9%. The automated ARIA II, with a 2.2-min cycle per sample, gives results that compare well with those by manual methodology.", "contents": "Automated measurement of serum thyroxine with the \"ARIA II,\" as compared with competitive protein binding and radioimmunoassay. Two conventional serum thyroxine assays, run in separate laboratories, one by competitive protein binding and one by radioimmunoassay, were used to evaluate the automated ARIA II (Becton Dickinson Immunodiagnostics) serum thyroxine assay. Competitive protein binding as compared to ARIA II with 111 clinical serum samples gave a slope of 1.04 and a correlation coefficient of 0.94. The radioimmunoassay comparison to ARIA II with 53 clinical serum samples gave a slope of 1.05 and a correlation coefficient of 0.92. The ARIA II inter-assay coefficient of variation for 10 replicates of low, medium, and high thyroxine serum samples was 6.2, 6.0, and 2.9%, respectively, with an inter-assay coefficient of variation among 15 different assays of 15.5, 10.1, and 7.9%. The automated ARIA II, with a 2.2-min cycle per sample, gives results that compare well with those by manual methodology.", "PMID": 627067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6822", "title": "High-speed automated atomic absorption spectrophotometry.", "content": "We describe an integrated automated system for the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The system makes use of a light-dependent resistor to detect the presence of a marker ion which is present along with the sample ion in the flame. An electronic circuit has been developed which enables the marker ion to trigger the read signal of the spectrophotometer. The system has been tested by determining magnesium and calcium in serum. Alternative modes of operation and different potential applications are discussed.", "contents": "High-speed automated atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We describe an integrated automated system for the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The system makes use of a light-dependent resistor to detect the presence of a marker ion which is present along with the sample ion in the flame. An electronic circuit has been developed which enables the marker ion to trigger the read signal of the spectrophotometer. The system has been tested by determining magnesium and calcium in serum. Alternative modes of operation and different potential applications are discussed.", "PMID": 627068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6823", "title": "Gas-chromatographic method for plasma acetate analysis in acetate-intolerance studies.", "content": "We describe a modified gas-chromatographic method for acetate in serum or plasma, intended for use in the investigation of acetate intolerance in hemodialysis patients. The assay may be adapted for use with a single-column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The analysis, made isothermally, requires only 0.5 ml of plasma or serum. Only one deproteinizing step is required to prepare the sample for analysis. Additionally, we present preliminary findings of an ongoing acetate-intolerance study.", "contents": "Gas-chromatographic method for plasma acetate analysis in acetate-intolerance studies. We describe a modified gas-chromatographic method for acetate in serum or plasma, intended for use in the investigation of acetate intolerance in hemodialysis patients. The assay may be adapted for use with a single-column gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. The analysis, made isothermally, requires only 0.5 ml of plasma or serum. Only one deproteinizing step is required to prepare the sample for analysis. Additionally, we present preliminary findings of an ongoing acetate-intolerance study.", "PMID": 627069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6824", "title": "Faster determination of clottable fibrinogen in human plasma: an improved method and kinetic study.", "content": "Clottable fibrinogen in human plasma was determined by measuring spectrophotometrically the increase in turbidity with time due to the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion with thrombin. From the maximal absorbance, Amax, at 450 nm obtained 2 min or less after thrombin as added to plasma, we estimated the fibrinogen concentration in plasma of normal subjects and patients. Analysis of the rate of the absorbance increase yielded the Km value, 1.6 X 10(-5) mol/liter, which closely agrees with the Km of 1.2 X 10(-5) mol/liter obtained by analysis of the fibrinopeptides released from fibrinogen.", "contents": "Faster determination of clottable fibrinogen in human plasma: an improved method and kinetic study. Clottable fibrinogen in human plasma was determined by measuring spectrophotometrically the increase in turbidity with time due to the fibrinogen-fibrin conversion with thrombin. From the maximal absorbance, Amax, at 450 nm obtained 2 min or less after thrombin as added to plasma, we estimated the fibrinogen concentration in plasma of normal subjects and patients. Analysis of the rate of the absorbance increase yielded the Km value, 1.6 X 10(-5) mol/liter, which closely agrees with the Km of 1.2 X 10(-5) mol/liter obtained by analysis of the fibrinopeptides released from fibrinogen.", "PMID": 627070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6825", "title": "High-performance liquid-chromatographic determination theophylline in plasma.", "content": "A high-performance liquid-chromatographic method is reported for monitoring theophylline in plasma. Samples are deproteinized with 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile and the supernates chromatographed on a reversed-phase column. Absorption at 275 nm is monitored. One can accurately measure 1.5 mg of theophylline per liter, in as little as 10 microliter of plasma, and only about 7 min is required per sample. No interference was found in plasma samples from asthmatic patients. This method is particularly useful for routine therapeutic monitoring of both pediatric and adult patients.", "contents": "High-performance liquid-chromatographic determination theophylline in plasma. A high-performance liquid-chromatographic method is reported for monitoring theophylline in plasma. Samples are deproteinized with 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile and the supernates chromatographed on a reversed-phase column. Absorption at 275 nm is monitored. One can accurately measure 1.5 mg of theophylline per liter, in as little as 10 microliter of plasma, and only about 7 min is required per sample. No interference was found in plasma samples from asthmatic patients. This method is particularly useful for routine therapeutic monitoring of both pediatric and adult patients.", "PMID": 627071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6826", "title": "Improved ultraviolet spectrophotometry of serum theophylline.", "content": "We present an improved method for ultraviolet spectrophotometry of theophylline in serum. We studied various extraction techniques aimed at eliminating interferences from co-extractable serum constituents. In the resulting modified procedure, 1 ml of serum is required and a salt-solvent pair of ammonium sulfate and chloroform/hexane is used for extraction. The solvent forms the top phase after extraction, the lower phase after back-extraction, thereby permitting easy removal of the appropriate phase from culture tubes. The use of ammonium sulfate coupled with the added specificity of the extraction solvent results in an extract with low background absorption and a well-defined spectrum for the extracted theophylline.", "contents": "Improved ultraviolet spectrophotometry of serum theophylline. We present an improved method for ultraviolet spectrophotometry of theophylline in serum. We studied various extraction techniques aimed at eliminating interferences from co-extractable serum constituents. In the resulting modified procedure, 1 ml of serum is required and a salt-solvent pair of ammonium sulfate and chloroform/hexane is used for extraction. The solvent forms the top phase after extraction, the lower phase after back-extraction, thereby permitting easy removal of the appropriate phase from culture tubes. The use of ammonium sulfate coupled with the added specificity of the extraction solvent results in an extract with low background absorption and a well-defined spectrum for the extracted theophylline.", "PMID": 627072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6827", "title": "Preparation of ligand-free human serum for radioimmunoassay by adsorption on activated charcoal.", "content": "I describe a convenient method for stripping hormones and other ligands from human serum. Formation of a serum/charcoal colloid is avoided by incubating serum on a limited surface area with activated charcoal, in a lateral oscillating shaker. Particle-free serum of negligible turbidity is obtained without ultracentrifugation by ejecting the centrifugate through a cellulose ester membrane. By this technique, more than 80% of thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, cortisol, insulin, digoxin, folate, estriol, or an ether derivative of testosterone is removed from serum. About 70% of follitropin and somatotropin are removed, as well as half the choriogonadotropin. Serum protein remains intact throughout the adsorption process.", "contents": "Preparation of ligand-free human serum for radioimmunoassay by adsorption on activated charcoal. I describe a convenient method for stripping hormones and other ligands from human serum. Formation of a serum/charcoal colloid is avoided by incubating serum on a limited surface area with activated charcoal, in a lateral oscillating shaker. Particle-free serum of negligible turbidity is obtained without ultracentrifugation by ejecting the centrifugate through a cellulose ester membrane. By this technique, more than 80% of thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, cortisol, insulin, digoxin, folate, estriol, or an ether derivative of testosterone is removed from serum. About 70% of follitropin and somatotropin are removed, as well as half the choriogonadotropin. Serum protein remains intact throughout the adsorption process.", "PMID": 627073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6828", "title": "Liquid chromatographic assay of cerfuroxime in serum.", "content": "We describe a procedure for determining cefuroxime concentrations in serum by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The drug is extracted from serum with dimethylformamide and separated from other substances in the extract by reversed-phase chromatography. The ultraviolet (280-nm) absorption of the effluent was monitored and quantitated based on the height of the cefuroxime peak. Intra-and inter-assay imprecision (cv) was less than 3.1 and 4.3%, respectively. Serum concentrations as low as 1.0 mg/liter could be accurately measured. No interference from various other drugs and antibiotics was found. A biological half-life of 52 min in serum was observed after intravenous injection of the drug into a human volunteer.", "contents": "Liquid chromatographic assay of cerfuroxime in serum. We describe a procedure for determining cefuroxime concentrations in serum by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The drug is extracted from serum with dimethylformamide and separated from other substances in the extract by reversed-phase chromatography. The ultraviolet (280-nm) absorption of the effluent was monitored and quantitated based on the height of the cefuroxime peak. Intra-and inter-assay imprecision (cv) was less than 3.1 and 4.3%, respectively. Serum concentrations as low as 1.0 mg/liter could be accurately measured. No interference from various other drugs and antibiotics was found. A biological half-life of 52 min in serum was observed after intravenous injection of the drug into a human volunteer.", "PMID": 627074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6829", "title": "Spectrophotometry of theophylline-7-acetic acid and theophylline.", "content": "A spectrophotometric assay procedure is described for individually measuring theophylline-7-acetic acid and theophylline in 2.0 ml of serum. Absorbance is a linear function of concentration over a range of 0.5-40 mg/liter for theophylline-7-acetic acid and 0.5-40 mg/liter for theophylline. No endogenous or exogenous compounds were found that interfere with theophylline-7-acetic acid determinations. As with other spectrophotometric theophylline assays, theobromine and, to a slight extent, phenobarbital interfere with theophylline determinations.", "contents": "Spectrophotometry of theophylline-7-acetic acid and theophylline. A spectrophotometric assay procedure is described for individually measuring theophylline-7-acetic acid and theophylline in 2.0 ml of serum. Absorbance is a linear function of concentration over a range of 0.5-40 mg/liter for theophylline-7-acetic acid and 0.5-40 mg/liter for theophylline. No endogenous or exogenous compounds were found that interfere with theophylline-7-acetic acid determinations. As with other spectrophotometric theophylline assays, theobromine and, to a slight extent, phenobarbital interfere with theophylline determinations.", "PMID": 627075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6830", "title": "Automated serum albumin determination by use of the immediate reaction with bromcresol green reagent.", "content": "It has been demonstrated recently that the reaction of serum samples with bromcresol green reagent proceeds in two steps, albumin being responsible for the immediate reaction and other serum proteins for the slower one. I show here that the immediate reaction, used for albumin determination, can be automated. Two different automated systems are described: the LKB 2086 Reaction Rate Analyzer and the multichannel analysis system LKB 2480 Prisma. With the first system, 60 (or 120) samples per hour were run with a within-day standard deviation of 0.3 g/liter; with the second system, a feed rate of 150 samples per hour was used (SD, 0.3 g/liter, within-day). Comparison with other methods gave the following equations: y (LKB 2086) = 1.44 + 0.97 X (immunodifussion) (n = 43; r = 0.98) and y(Prisma) = 2.04 + 0.96x (manual method) (n = 73; r = 0.98). Thus albumin determinations can be done reliably, quickly, and simply at low reagent and labor cost.", "contents": "Automated serum albumin determination by use of the immediate reaction with bromcresol green reagent. It has been demonstrated recently that the reaction of serum samples with bromcresol green reagent proceeds in two steps, albumin being responsible for the immediate reaction and other serum proteins for the slower one. I show here that the immediate reaction, used for albumin determination, can be automated. Two different automated systems are described: the LKB 2086 Reaction Rate Analyzer and the multichannel analysis system LKB 2480 Prisma. With the first system, 60 (or 120) samples per hour were run with a within-day standard deviation of 0.3 g/liter; with the second system, a feed rate of 150 samples per hour was used (SD, 0.3 g/liter, within-day). Comparison with other methods gave the following equations: y (LKB 2086) = 1.44 + 0.97 X (immunodifussion) (n = 43; r = 0.98) and y(Prisma) = 2.04 + 0.96x (manual method) (n = 73; r = 0.98). Thus albumin determinations can be done reliably, quickly, and simply at low reagent and labor cost.", "PMID": 627076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6831", "title": "Evaluation of a radiometric method for determination of total and unsaturated iron-binding capacities and serum iron.", "content": "We describe an evaluation of the \"RES-OMAT FE-59\" radiometric kit (Mallinckrodt Australia Pty. Ltd.) for determination of total iron-binding capacity and unsaturated iron-binding capacity; serum iron may be calculated from total iron-binding capacity and unsaturated iron-binding capacity. Values obtained on patients' sera were compared with those obtained by continuous-flow analysis; correlation coefficients were 0.92, 0.93, and 0.88 for total iron-binding capacity, unsaturated iron-binding capacity, and iron, respectively. Precision between-run and within-run was almost identical and compares very favorably with that reported by Dixon [Ann. Clin. Biochem. 10, 127 (1973)] and that achieved in inter-laboratory surveys. Analytical recovery averaged only 83.5%, but results of analyses of sera with assigned or consensus values showed good accuracy. Satisfactory performance cannot be achieved with lyophilzed bovine quality-control materials. The kit has significant technical advantages over colorimetric methods and good short- and long-term analytical performance.", "contents": "Evaluation of a radiometric method for determination of total and unsaturated iron-binding capacities and serum iron. We describe an evaluation of the \"RES-OMAT FE-59\" radiometric kit (Mallinckrodt Australia Pty. Ltd.) for determination of total iron-binding capacity and unsaturated iron-binding capacity; serum iron may be calculated from total iron-binding capacity and unsaturated iron-binding capacity. Values obtained on patients' sera were compared with those obtained by continuous-flow analysis; correlation coefficients were 0.92, 0.93, and 0.88 for total iron-binding capacity, unsaturated iron-binding capacity, and iron, respectively. Precision between-run and within-run was almost identical and compares very favorably with that reported by Dixon [Ann. Clin. Biochem. 10, 127 (1973)] and that achieved in inter-laboratory surveys. Analytical recovery averaged only 83.5%, but results of analyses of sera with assigned or consensus values showed good accuracy. Satisfactory performance cannot be achieved with lyophilzed bovine quality-control materials. The kit has significant technical advantages over colorimetric methods and good short- and long-term analytical performance.", "PMID": 627077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6832", "title": "Measurement of chloride in sweat by use of a selective electrode and strip-chart recorder.", "content": "We describe a method for direct potentiometric measurement of sweat chloride by use of a chloride-selective electrode, with strip-chart recording of the measurement to facilitate interpretation of the measurement. Comparison of this method and the Gibson and Cooke method [Pediatrics 23, 545 (1959)] gave a correlation coefficient of 0.86. Recording of the same test at various pressures showed that different pressures had little effect if they were kept constant.", "contents": "Measurement of chloride in sweat by use of a selective electrode and strip-chart recorder. We describe a method for direct potentiometric measurement of sweat chloride by use of a chloride-selective electrode, with strip-chart recording of the measurement to facilitate interpretation of the measurement. Comparison of this method and the Gibson and Cooke method [Pediatrics 23, 545 (1959)] gave a correlation coefficient of 0.86. Recording of the same test at various pressures showed that different pressures had little effect if they were kept constant.", "PMID": 627078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6833", "title": "Pitfalls of the alcohol dehydrogenase procedure for the emergency assay of alcohol: a case study of isopropanol overdose.", "content": "We describe a case of ethanol and isopropanol ingestion that resulted in coma. The concentration of ethanol and isopropanol was 0.90 and 1.65 g/liter in serum and 3.12 and 5.34 g/liter in gastric contents. With an enzymatic (alcohol dehydrogenase) method for ethanol determination we obtained erroneous analytical results. Because of partial cross reactivity with isopropanol, ethanol concentration was overestimated and total alcohol (i.e., the contribution of isopropanol) was underestimated. This was recognized by measuring serum osmolality. Differences between measured and calculated serum osmolality that are not accounted for by the serum ethanol concentration as determined by an enzymatic ethanol method must be further investigated by specific methods to see if other alcohols are present.", "contents": "Pitfalls of the alcohol dehydrogenase procedure for the emergency assay of alcohol: a case study of isopropanol overdose. We describe a case of ethanol and isopropanol ingestion that resulted in coma. The concentration of ethanol and isopropanol was 0.90 and 1.65 g/liter in serum and 3.12 and 5.34 g/liter in gastric contents. With an enzymatic (alcohol dehydrogenase) method for ethanol determination we obtained erroneous analytical results. Because of partial cross reactivity with isopropanol, ethanol concentration was overestimated and total alcohol (i.e., the contribution of isopropanol) was underestimated. This was recognized by measuring serum osmolality. Differences between measured and calculated serum osmolality that are not accounted for by the serum ethanol concentration as determined by an enzymatic ethanol method must be further investigated by specific methods to see if other alcohols are present.", "PMID": 627079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6834", "title": "Serum lipids in treated diabetic children and their families.", "content": "Fasting lipid concentrations have been measured in fifty treated juvenile diabetics, their siblings and parents to determine which types of hyperlipoproteinaemia co-exist with juvenile diabetes and whether the abnormalities relate to diabetic control, or represent familial disorders. Lipid concentrations amongst the parents did not differ from adult control. Triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in those diabetic children with fasting blood glucose concentrations greater than 10 mmol/l than those with concentrations less than 10 mmol/l. The latter group had similar triglyceride levels to non-diabetic siblings. Cholesterol concentrations were not related to fasting blood glucose and were similar in diabetic and sibling controls. Hyperlipoproteinaemia (types IIa, IIb and IV) was present in ten of the diabetic patients. Six of the nine diabetic patients with raised cholesterol had at least one parent with cholesterol in the highest quintile for the control population, whereas only six of the forty-one with lower levels had parents in this category. A similar trend for cholesterol was apparent amongst the non-diabetic siblings. However, no association was apparent between the triglyceride levels of diabetics (or their siblings) and parents. Thus although hyperlipidaemia associated with juvenile diabetes appears to be largely due to inadequate control, raised cholesterol concentrations frequently occur.", "contents": "Serum lipids in treated diabetic children and their families. Fasting lipid concentrations have been measured in fifty treated juvenile diabetics, their siblings and parents to determine which types of hyperlipoproteinaemia co-exist with juvenile diabetes and whether the abnormalities relate to diabetic control, or represent familial disorders. Lipid concentrations amongst the parents did not differ from adult control. Triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in those diabetic children with fasting blood glucose concentrations greater than 10 mmol/l than those with concentrations less than 10 mmol/l. The latter group had similar triglyceride levels to non-diabetic siblings. Cholesterol concentrations were not related to fasting blood glucose and were similar in diabetic and sibling controls. Hyperlipoproteinaemia (types IIa, IIb and IV) was present in ten of the diabetic patients. Six of the nine diabetic patients with raised cholesterol had at least one parent with cholesterol in the highest quintile for the control population, whereas only six of the forty-one with lower levels had parents in this category. A similar trend for cholesterol was apparent amongst the non-diabetic siblings. However, no association was apparent between the triglyceride levels of diabetics (or their siblings) and parents. Thus although hyperlipidaemia associated with juvenile diabetes appears to be largely due to inadequate control, raised cholesterol concentrations frequently occur.", "PMID": 627089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6835", "title": "Bromoergocryptin treatment of acromegaly persisting following conventional therapy.", "content": "Bromoergocryptine has been used to lower growth hormone concentrations in ten patients with acromegaly in whom previous attempts at pituitary ablation had failed to cure the disorder. Plasma immunoreactive and plasma receptor-reactive growth hormone concentrations together with plasma somatomedin concentrations and urinary excretion of immunoreactive growth hormone were used to assess the response to treatment. Casual immunoreactive hormone concentrations in plasma were lowered to less than 8 mu/l and to less than 5 mu/l during glucose infusion in seven patients, and urinary growth hormone excretion was also brought into the normal range (less than 40 micromicron/12 h) in this group. There was at least a 40% reduction in these measurements in the remaining three patients who had the highest basal hormone concentrations of the group. Plasma somatomedin fell with treatment in eight patients, and intravenous glucose tolerance improved in seven of eight patients tested. Used in modest dosage (up to 15 mg/day) bromoergocryptine can lower plasma and urinary growth hormone and plasma somatomedin concentrations in acromegalic patients in whom previous treatments had decreased but not cured hormone overproduction.", "contents": "Bromoergocryptin treatment of acromegaly persisting following conventional therapy. Bromoergocryptine has been used to lower growth hormone concentrations in ten patients with acromegaly in whom previous attempts at pituitary ablation had failed to cure the disorder. Plasma immunoreactive and plasma receptor-reactive growth hormone concentrations together with plasma somatomedin concentrations and urinary excretion of immunoreactive growth hormone were used to assess the response to treatment. Casual immunoreactive hormone concentrations in plasma were lowered to less than 8 mu/l and to less than 5 mu/l during glucose infusion in seven patients, and urinary growth hormone excretion was also brought into the normal range (less than 40 micromicron/12 h) in this group. There was at least a 40% reduction in these measurements in the remaining three patients who had the highest basal hormone concentrations of the group. Plasma somatomedin fell with treatment in eight patients, and intravenous glucose tolerance improved in seven of eight patients tested. Used in modest dosage (up to 15 mg/day) bromoergocryptine can lower plasma and urinary growth hormone and plasma somatomedin concentrations in acromegalic patients in whom previous treatments had decreased but not cured hormone overproduction.", "PMID": 627091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6836", "title": "Metergoline inhibition of thyrotrophin and prolactin secretions in primary hypothyroidism.", "content": "The effect of acute oral administration of metergoline on serum thyrotrophin and prolactin levels in six patients with primary hypothyroidism was studied. Metergoline 4 mg by mouth caused a significant decrease in the concentration of serum thyrotrophin and prolactin in all subjects. There was no consistent change in serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations during the experiment. These findings suggest that metergoline inhibits prolactin and thyrotrophin secretion by a direct action on the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.", "contents": "Metergoline inhibition of thyrotrophin and prolactin secretions in primary hypothyroidism. The effect of acute oral administration of metergoline on serum thyrotrophin and prolactin levels in six patients with primary hypothyroidism was studied. Metergoline 4 mg by mouth caused a significant decrease in the concentration of serum thyrotrophin and prolactin in all subjects. There was no consistent change in serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations during the experiment. These findings suggest that metergoline inhibits prolactin and thyrotrophin secretion by a direct action on the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.", "PMID": 627092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6837", "title": "Effect of fluphenazine on pituitary function in man.", "content": "The growth hormone (hGH) and prolactin (hPRL) response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was studied in six alcoholics on two occasions before and after treatment with a single intramuscular injection of fluphenazine (Modecate). On both occasions blood samples were taken at intervals before and after the intravenous injection of soluble insulin (0.1 u/kg body weight). The patients were investigated on the first occasion, 2-7 days after cessation of drinking and they all demonstrated an adequate hGH response. They then received an injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) and were reinvestigated 1 week later. The hGH response to hypoglycaemia was significantly impaired after treatment with fluphenazine. Basal hPRL concentrations were significantly increased and increased concentrations of hPRL in response to hypoglycaemia occurred after treatment. We conclude that a single injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) has a marked effect on hypothalamic-pituitary mechanisms controlling hGH and hPRL release.", "contents": "Effect of fluphenazine on pituitary function in man. The growth hormone (hGH) and prolactin (hPRL) response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was studied in six alcoholics on two occasions before and after treatment with a single intramuscular injection of fluphenazine (Modecate). On both occasions blood samples were taken at intervals before and after the intravenous injection of soluble insulin (0.1 u/kg body weight). The patients were investigated on the first occasion, 2-7 days after cessation of drinking and they all demonstrated an adequate hGH response. They then received an injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) and were reinvestigated 1 week later. The hGH response to hypoglycaemia was significantly impaired after treatment with fluphenazine. Basal hPRL concentrations were significantly increased and increased concentrations of hPRL in response to hypoglycaemia occurred after treatment. We conclude that a single injection of fluphenazine (Modecate 12.5 mg) has a marked effect on hypothalamic-pituitary mechanisms controlling hGH and hPRL release.", "PMID": 627094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6838", "title": "Failure of somatostatin to diagnose organic hyperinsulinism.", "content": "In four patients with organic hyperinsulinism (two with surgically proven beta-cell adenomas of the body of the pancreas) a standard tolbutamide test during continuous somatostatin infusion (5 microgram/min) was carried out. Tolbutamide induced insulin release was completely inhibited by somatostatin as in normal subjects. These results suggest that the inhibition test with somatostatin does not seem to be a better or safer way of diagnosing insulin producing tumours.", "contents": "Failure of somatostatin to diagnose organic hyperinsulinism. In four patients with organic hyperinsulinism (two with surgically proven beta-cell adenomas of the body of the pancreas) a standard tolbutamide test during continuous somatostatin infusion (5 microgram/min) was carried out. Tolbutamide induced insulin release was completely inhibited by somatostatin as in normal subjects. These results suggest that the inhibition test with somatostatin does not seem to be a better or safer way of diagnosing insulin producing tumours.", "PMID": 627095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6839", "title": "A new syndrome characterized by mental retardation, epilepsy, palpebral conjunctival telangiectasias and IgA deficiency.", "content": "Mental retardation, epilepsy, palpebral conjunctival telangiectasias and diminished serum IgA, with a particular facies and shortened fifth finger were found in a 12-year-old Mexican girl. She has six siblings, of whom five have the same characteristics. The parents and the elder sister were not affected, and there was no history of consanguinity. This seems to be a new syndrome, and as both sexes are affected, the parents are normal and several siblings have the same syndrome, we postulate an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.", "contents": "A new syndrome characterized by mental retardation, epilepsy, palpebral conjunctival telangiectasias and IgA deficiency. Mental retardation, epilepsy, palpebral conjunctival telangiectasias and diminished serum IgA, with a particular facies and shortened fifth finger were found in a 12-year-old Mexican girl. She has six siblings, of whom five have the same characteristics. The parents and the elder sister were not affected, and there was no history of consanguinity. This seems to be a new syndrome, and as both sexes are affected, the parents are normal and several siblings have the same syndrome, we postulate an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.", "PMID": 627106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6840", "title": "Galactose-1-phosphate accumulation by a Duarte-transferase deficiency double heterozygote.", "content": "An infant, suspected of having galactosemia following a positive screening test on dried blood spots, was shown to be a Duarte-transferase deficiency compound heterozygote through studies of electrophoretic mobility of the transferase enzyme in blood from the patient and family members. No rise in blood glucose was seen following oral ingestion of galactose. At the same time, galactose rose in plasma and was excreted in the urine; galactose-1-phosphate accumulated in erythrocytes. A galactose-free diet was considered the prudent course in the presence of the patient's inability to metabolize galactose completely.", "contents": "Galactose-1-phosphate accumulation by a Duarte-transferase deficiency double heterozygote. An infant, suspected of having galactosemia following a positive screening test on dried blood spots, was shown to be a Duarte-transferase deficiency compound heterozygote through studies of electrophoretic mobility of the transferase enzyme in blood from the patient and family members. No rise in blood glucose was seen following oral ingestion of galactose. At the same time, galactose rose in plasma and was excreted in the urine; galactose-1-phosphate accumulated in erythrocytes. A galactose-free diet was considered the prudent course in the presence of the patient's inability to metabolize galactose completely.", "PMID": 627109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6841", "title": "Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis. An autosomal dominant entity.", "content": "The syndromic association of striae in the long bones and pelvis, together with sclerosis of the base of the skull, has been investigated in four families. Impairment of hearing and alteration in the shape of the head are the most important clinical manifestations. Spinal abnormalities are an inconsistent feature. The distribution of affected individuals in the kindreds is compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance.", "contents": "Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis. An autosomal dominant entity. The syndromic association of striae in the long bones and pelvis, together with sclerosis of the base of the skull, has been investigated in four families. Impairment of hearing and alteration in the shape of the head are the most important clinical manifestations. Spinal abnormalities are an inconsistent feature. The distribution of affected individuals in the kindreds is compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance.", "PMID": 627110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6842", "title": "Fine structure alterations of elastic fibers in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.", "content": "Examination by electron microscopy of the elastic fibers of individuals with Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) revealed that the principal alterations were in the elastin moiety of the elastic fibers. The elastin had a granular appearance, an increased affinity for cationic stains, and it often demonstrated sites of increased density presumed to represent foci of calcification. In contrast to the elastin, the microfibrillar component of the elastic fibers was unchanged, both in morphologic appearance and in distribution. There was no clear correlation between the extent of the morphologic alteration in the elastic fiber and the level of clinical severity. Morphologically altered fibers were often found together with unaltered fibers. Changes similar to those seen in patients with PXE were also found in biopsies obtained from clinically unaffected consanguinous relatives. The pattern of inheritance in several of the families examined was compatible with autosomal recessive, whereas in at least one family a more complex mode of transmission seems likely. The electron microscopic data therefore provide further support for the genetic heterogeneity of PXE.", "contents": "Fine structure alterations of elastic fibers in pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Examination by electron microscopy of the elastic fibers of individuals with Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) revealed that the principal alterations were in the elastin moiety of the elastic fibers. The elastin had a granular appearance, an increased affinity for cationic stains, and it often demonstrated sites of increased density presumed to represent foci of calcification. In contrast to the elastin, the microfibrillar component of the elastic fibers was unchanged, both in morphologic appearance and in distribution. There was no clear correlation between the extent of the morphologic alteration in the elastic fiber and the level of clinical severity. Morphologically altered fibers were often found together with unaltered fibers. Changes similar to those seen in patients with PXE were also found in biopsies obtained from clinically unaffected consanguinous relatives. The pattern of inheritance in several of the families examined was compatible with autosomal recessive, whereas in at least one family a more complex mode of transmission seems likely. The electron microscopic data therefore provide further support for the genetic heterogeneity of PXE.", "PMID": 627111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6843", "title": "Prenatal diagnosis of 5p-.", "content": "With the combination of the various banding techniques (G,Q, and R), a small deletion of the short arm of a No.5 chromosome was detected prenatally in the pregnancy of a 39-year-old woman. The deletion appeared to be either intersitial in nature, involving part of p13 and p14, or the result of a translocation with deletion of p13 leads to pter. Both parents were found to have a normal chromosome constitution with normal banding patterns. Thus, this deletion was a de novo event. Repeat amniotic fluid cell chromosome analysis at the time of elective abortion, and postmortem examination of the fetus confirmed the prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. We wish to emphasize that precise identification of a small deletion, as in this case, requires a combination of the various banding techniques.", "contents": "Prenatal diagnosis of 5p-. With the combination of the various banding techniques (G,Q, and R), a small deletion of the short arm of a No.5 chromosome was detected prenatally in the pregnancy of a 39-year-old woman. The deletion appeared to be either intersitial in nature, involving part of p13 and p14, or the result of a translocation with deletion of p13 leads to pter. Both parents were found to have a normal chromosome constitution with normal banding patterns. Thus, this deletion was a de novo event. Repeat amniotic fluid cell chromosome analysis at the time of elective abortion, and postmortem examination of the fetus confirmed the prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis. We wish to emphasize that precise identification of a small deletion, as in this case, requires a combination of the various banding techniques.", "PMID": 627112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6844", "title": "Two cases of an abnormal short arm of chromosome 8 (8p+) associated with mental retardation.", "content": "Morphologically similar chromosome anomalies, 8p+, were found in two inmates of an institution for the mentally retarded. Analysis of the G-and R-banding patterns showed that the first subject had a duplication of region p2 of chromosome 8; the second subject had an insertion of an unidentified chromosome segment at 8p11. Both subjects were severely mentally retarded. The physical malformations were more severe in the second subject than in the first, who had only minor signs. The dermatoglyphics are recorded.", "contents": "Two cases of an abnormal short arm of chromosome 8 (8p+) associated with mental retardation. Morphologically similar chromosome anomalies, 8p+, were found in two inmates of an institution for the mentally retarded. Analysis of the G-and R-banding patterns showed that the first subject had a duplication of region p2 of chromosome 8; the second subject had an insertion of an unidentified chromosome segment at 8p11. Both subjects were severely mentally retarded. The physical malformations were more severe in the second subject than in the first, who had only minor signs. The dermatoglyphics are recorded.", "PMID": 627113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6845", "title": "Tick paralysis in three children. The diversity of neurologic presentations.", "content": "Reviewed are 3 cases of tick paralysis in children each with a different presentation. One child presented with an ascending flaccid weakness, another with weakness and cerebellar signs, and a third with pure cerebellar signs. Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged deer tick, was the offending tick in Case 3 and apparently has not been previously reported to cause paralysis in humans. Because of the potential for a fatal outcome, it is imperative to consider tick paralysis in any child with an ascending flaccid weakness or acute ataxia.", "contents": "Tick paralysis in three children. The diversity of neurologic presentations. Reviewed are 3 cases of tick paralysis in children each with a different presentation. One child presented with an ascending flaccid weakness, another with weakness and cerebellar signs, and a third with pure cerebellar signs. Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged deer tick, was the offending tick in Case 3 and apparently has not been previously reported to cause paralysis in humans. Because of the potential for a fatal outcome, it is imperative to consider tick paralysis in any child with an ascending flaccid weakness or acute ataxia.", "PMID": 627119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6846", "title": "Hemothorax in a child. An unusual cause of chest pain.", "content": "The pediatrician should search carefully in a child with chest pain for evidence in the history or physical examination of an organic cause. Hemothorax is one of the pathologic processes that can present with this symptom. The differential diagnosis of hemothorax in children is reviewed.", "contents": "Hemothorax in a child. An unusual cause of chest pain. The pediatrician should search carefully in a child with chest pain for evidence in the history or physical examination of an organic cause. Hemothorax is one of the pathologic processes that can present with this symptom. The differential diagnosis of hemothorax in children is reviewed.", "PMID": 627127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6847", "title": "Concurrent antagonism of isoproterenol and norepinephrine after labetalol.", "content": "Labetalol reduces blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. The effects of a therapeutic dose of intravenous labetalol upon the cardiovascular responses to intravenous isoproterenol and norepinephrine in 6 normotensive subjects were studied in order to investigate the drug's mode of action. Before labetalol, intravenous isoproterenol increased heart rate and reduced diastolic blood pressure in a dose-dependant manner; likewise, intravenous norepinephrine increased both systolic and diastolic pressure. The order of administration of these agonists was randomized between the subjects before and after labetalol. Following labetalol (1.5 mg/kg intravenously) the effects of isoproterenol were antagonized such that cumulative log-dose response curves of mean isoproterenol-induced increases in heart rate and reductions in diastolic pressure were shifted to the right in a parallel manner to approximately the same extent. At the same time, the mean norepinephrine-induced increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also antagonized in a competitive manner. These responses were compared with others in the same subjects under the same conditions and it was concluded that the antihypertensive effect of labetalol is explained by concurrent blockade of alpha-and beta-adrenoceptors.", "contents": "Concurrent antagonism of isoproterenol and norepinephrine after labetalol. Labetalol reduces blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. The effects of a therapeutic dose of intravenous labetalol upon the cardiovascular responses to intravenous isoproterenol and norepinephrine in 6 normotensive subjects were studied in order to investigate the drug's mode of action. Before labetalol, intravenous isoproterenol increased heart rate and reduced diastolic blood pressure in a dose-dependant manner; likewise, intravenous norepinephrine increased both systolic and diastolic pressure. The order of administration of these agonists was randomized between the subjects before and after labetalol. Following labetalol (1.5 mg/kg intravenously) the effects of isoproterenol were antagonized such that cumulative log-dose response curves of mean isoproterenol-induced increases in heart rate and reductions in diastolic pressure were shifted to the right in a parallel manner to approximately the same extent. At the same time, the mean norepinephrine-induced increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also antagonized in a competitive manner. These responses were compared with others in the same subjects under the same conditions and it was concluded that the antihypertensive effect of labetalol is explained by concurrent blockade of alpha-and beta-adrenoceptors.", "PMID": 627129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6848", "title": "Increase in diuretic effect of chlorothiazide by probenecid.", "content": "Thiazide diuretics reach their presumed intraluminal site of action by active transport at the organic acid secretory site of the proximal tubule. Probenecid competes for this transport and might therefore affect the diuresis induced by thiazide at that site. Doses of 500 mg and 1 gm of chlorothiazide (CTZ) intravenously to 5 volunteers with probenecid pretreatment increased 8-hr rates of excretion of sodium and urine over that without probenecid. Eight-hour excretion of sodium after administering 500 mg of CTZ was 147 +/- 7.5 mEq and 257.9 +/- 16.4 mEq after CTZ with probenecid (p less than 0.0005). The volume of urine after CTZ was 728 +/- 37 ml and 1,886 +/- 301 ml after CTZ with probenecid (p less than 0.001). This increase was associated with prolongation of CTZ diuresis rather than increase in intensity. These results are consistent with CTZ reaching its site of action from the peritubular side or that prolonged exposure of the lumen to lesser amounts of filtered CTZ causes a greater overall effect.", "contents": "Increase in diuretic effect of chlorothiazide by probenecid. Thiazide diuretics reach their presumed intraluminal site of action by active transport at the organic acid secretory site of the proximal tubule. Probenecid competes for this transport and might therefore affect the diuresis induced by thiazide at that site. Doses of 500 mg and 1 gm of chlorothiazide (CTZ) intravenously to 5 volunteers with probenecid pretreatment increased 8-hr rates of excretion of sodium and urine over that without probenecid. Eight-hour excretion of sodium after administering 500 mg of CTZ was 147 +/- 7.5 mEq and 257.9 +/- 16.4 mEq after CTZ with probenecid (p less than 0.0005). The volume of urine after CTZ was 728 +/- 37 ml and 1,886 +/- 301 ml after CTZ with probenecid (p less than 0.001). This increase was associated with prolongation of CTZ diuresis rather than increase in intensity. These results are consistent with CTZ reaching its site of action from the peritubular side or that prolonged exposure of the lumen to lesser amounts of filtered CTZ causes a greater overall effect.", "PMID": 627130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6849", "title": "Physiologic disposition of lergotrile.", "content": "Lergotrile, an ergot alkaloid, has been shown to be effective in treating disorders associated with elevated serum prolactin levels (e.g., galactorrhea-amenorrhea). Lergotrile has also been found to be a potent dopaminergic agonist and thus to be effective in Parkinson's disease. This study describes the physiologic disposition of lergotrile after administration to human volunteers. N-14CH3-lergotrile was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Lergotrile was detected at low concentrations in plasma when subjects received large doses over extended periods of time. The major portion of radioactivity in plasma was attributed to the presence of circulating metabolites of lergotrile. Lergotrile metabolities were eliminated in the feces (ca. 60%), urine (ca. 20%), and breath (ca. 7% as 14CO2). A metabolite in feces was identified as 13-OH-lergotrile (up to 30% of the dose). A metabolite in urine was formed by conversion of the C8-acetonitrile group of lergotrile to a carboxyl group (about 10% of the dose). The presence of 14CO2 in the expired air after administering N-14C-methyl-lergotrile indicated that the drug was N-demethylated to form norlergotrile.", "contents": "Physiologic disposition of lergotrile. Lergotrile, an ergot alkaloid, has been shown to be effective in treating disorders associated with elevated serum prolactin levels (e.g., galactorrhea-amenorrhea). Lergotrile has also been found to be a potent dopaminergic agonist and thus to be effective in Parkinson's disease. This study describes the physiologic disposition of lergotrile after administration to human volunteers. N-14CH3-lergotrile was rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Lergotrile was detected at low concentrations in plasma when subjects received large doses over extended periods of time. The major portion of radioactivity in plasma was attributed to the presence of circulating metabolites of lergotrile. Lergotrile metabolities were eliminated in the feces (ca. 60%), urine (ca. 20%), and breath (ca. 7% as 14CO2). A metabolite in feces was identified as 13-OH-lergotrile (up to 30% of the dose). A metabolite in urine was formed by conversion of the C8-acetonitrile group of lergotrile to a carboxyl group (about 10% of the dose). The presence of 14CO2 in the expired air after administering N-14C-methyl-lergotrile indicated that the drug was N-demethylated to form norlergotrile.", "PMID": 627132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6850", "title": "Hemodynamic and respiratory effects of morphine and butorphanol.", "content": "The hemodynamic effects of butorphanol, a potent synthetic narcotic-antagonist analgesic, were investigated and compared with those of morphine. A total of 20 patients were studied (8 butorphanol, 12 morphine) at the time of diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Butorphanol decreased pH, PCO2, and systemic artery pressure and increased PCO2, cardiac index, and pulmonary artery pressure. Morphine caused similar changes in pH, PO2, systemic artery pressure, and PCO2 but much smaller changes in cardiac index and no change in pulmonary artery pressure. The clinical implications and possible mechanisms are discussed.", "contents": "Hemodynamic and respiratory effects of morphine and butorphanol. The hemodynamic effects of butorphanol, a potent synthetic narcotic-antagonist analgesic, were investigated and compared with those of morphine. A total of 20 patients were studied (8 butorphanol, 12 morphine) at the time of diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Butorphanol decreased pH, PCO2, and systemic artery pressure and increased PCO2, cardiac index, and pulmonary artery pressure. Morphine caused similar changes in pH, PO2, systemic artery pressure, and PCO2 but much smaller changes in cardiac index and no change in pulmonary artery pressure. The clinical implications and possible mechanisms are discussed.", "PMID": 627133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6851", "title": "Disposition of meperidine in pregnancy.", "content": "Plasma concentration-time profiles of meperidine after intravenous administration to 7 pregnant women during labor were investigated. There was considerable interpatient variation in initial plasma concentrations of meperidine and its volume of distribution. When the data in the literature on the disposition of meperidine in nonpregnant subjects were used for comparison, it was found that the initial dilution volume (V1), the volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss), and the apparent volume of distribution during the terminal exponential phase of drug elimination (Vbeta) were less (p less than 0.05) in pregnant subjects than in healthy nonpregnant control subjects but were not significantly different in pregnant subjects and nonpregnant surgical patients. Mean total systemic blood clearance was also significantly less in the pregnant subjects (843 ml/min) than previously reported for healthy nonpregnant control subjects (1,465 ml/min). The blood/plasma concentration ratio of meperidine in pregnant women (0.940) was higher than that in control subjects (0.768; p less than 0.01). Placental transfer of meperidine was investigated in 4 of the patients; in 2 the concentration of the drug was greater in cord plasma than in maternal plasma. Further study is indicated.", "contents": "Disposition of meperidine in pregnancy. Plasma concentration-time profiles of meperidine after intravenous administration to 7 pregnant women during labor were investigated. There was considerable interpatient variation in initial plasma concentrations of meperidine and its volume of distribution. When the data in the literature on the disposition of meperidine in nonpregnant subjects were used for comparison, it was found that the initial dilution volume (V1), the volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss), and the apparent volume of distribution during the terminal exponential phase of drug elimination (Vbeta) were less (p less than 0.05) in pregnant subjects than in healthy nonpregnant control subjects but were not significantly different in pregnant subjects and nonpregnant surgical patients. Mean total systemic blood clearance was also significantly less in the pregnant subjects (843 ml/min) than previously reported for healthy nonpregnant control subjects (1,465 ml/min). The blood/plasma concentration ratio of meperidine in pregnant women (0.940) was higher than that in control subjects (0.768; p less than 0.01). Placental transfer of meperidine was investigated in 4 of the patients; in 2 the concentration of the drug was greater in cord plasma than in maternal plasma. Further study is indicated.", "PMID": 627134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6852", "title": "Studies on theobromine disposition in normal subjects. Alterations induced by dietary abstention from or exposure to methylxanthines.", "content": "Normal male volunteers on xanthine-restricted diets had a plasma theobromine (TB) half-life (t1/2) of 6.1 +/- 0.7 hr (mean +/- SEM), a TB metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of 113.8 +/- 6.8 ml/min (mean +/- SEM), and an apparent volume of distribution (aVd) of 59.9 +/- 7.8 L (mean +/- SEM) after a single oral dose of 6 mg/kg of TB. A two-week period of dietary abstention from methylxanthines shortened the mean plasma TB t1/2 by 33% and increased the mean MCR of TB by 59%, no change occurred in mean aVd of TB. In another experiment, normal male volunteers received the same oral dose of TB for each of five consecutive days. The mean plasma TB t1/2 measured immediately after the last TB dose was prolonged by almost two-thirds, while the mean aVd increased 23%. Although the mean plasma TB t1/2 measured four days after this last TB dose was the same as that measured after a single oral dose, the mean MCR of TB increased by 34%, but this change was balanced by increased mean aVd of 35%. These results suggest that immediately after five daily doses of TB, an impairment of TB clearance occurs that is reversible by four days of dietary abstention from methylxanthines.", "contents": "Studies on theobromine disposition in normal subjects. Alterations induced by dietary abstention from or exposure to methylxanthines. Normal male volunteers on xanthine-restricted diets had a plasma theobromine (TB) half-life (t1/2) of 6.1 +/- 0.7 hr (mean +/- SEM), a TB metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of 113.8 +/- 6.8 ml/min (mean +/- SEM), and an apparent volume of distribution (aVd) of 59.9 +/- 7.8 L (mean +/- SEM) after a single oral dose of 6 mg/kg of TB. A two-week period of dietary abstention from methylxanthines shortened the mean plasma TB t1/2 by 33% and increased the mean MCR of TB by 59%, no change occurred in mean aVd of TB. In another experiment, normal male volunteers received the same oral dose of TB for each of five consecutive days. The mean plasma TB t1/2 measured immediately after the last TB dose was prolonged by almost two-thirds, while the mean aVd increased 23%. Although the mean plasma TB t1/2 measured four days after this last TB dose was the same as that measured after a single oral dose, the mean MCR of TB increased by 34%, but this change was balanced by increased mean aVd of 35%. These results suggest that immediately after five daily doses of TB, an impairment of TB clearance occurs that is reversible by four days of dietary abstention from methylxanthines.", "PMID": 627135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6853", "title": "High plasma nortriptyline levels in the treatment of depression. I.", "content": "Following a 3-day single-dose kinetic study, 21 moderate to severely depressed inpatients were treated with 100 mg of nortriptyline nightly. Eighteen patients completed the 4-wk trial. The severity of depression was measured by weekly Hamilton Rating Scale and global rating. Blood for plasma nortriptyline estimation was taken at weekly intervals 12 h following the nighttime dose. There was a 6-fold variation in mean plasma nortriptyline levels, ranging from 120 microgram/L to 681 microgram/L. Patients with high plasma levels (greater than 200 microgram/L) showed significantly poorer clinical responses than those with levels in routine treatment, high plasma nortriptyline levels are significantly less effective than intermediate levels. Single-dose pharmacokinetic data obtained on the same patients showed a highly significant correlation with mean steady-state plasma levels obtained, which themselves correlated with clinical response. The value of predicting high plasma nortriptyline levels which are associated with poor response is discussed.", "contents": "High plasma nortriptyline levels in the treatment of depression. I. Following a 3-day single-dose kinetic study, 21 moderate to severely depressed inpatients were treated with 100 mg of nortriptyline nightly. Eighteen patients completed the 4-wk trial. The severity of depression was measured by weekly Hamilton Rating Scale and global rating. Blood for plasma nortriptyline estimation was taken at weekly intervals 12 h following the nighttime dose. There was a 6-fold variation in mean plasma nortriptyline levels, ranging from 120 microgram/L to 681 microgram/L. Patients with high plasma levels (greater than 200 microgram/L) showed significantly poorer clinical responses than those with levels in routine treatment, high plasma nortriptyline levels are significantly less effective than intermediate levels. Single-dose pharmacokinetic data obtained on the same patients showed a highly significant correlation with mean steady-state plasma levels obtained, which themselves correlated with clinical response. The value of predicting high plasma nortriptyline levels which are associated with poor response is discussed.", "PMID": 627137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6854", "title": "Effect of a standard breakfast on digoxin absorption in normal subjects.", "content": "The influence of food on absorption of digoxin was studied in 6 healthy volunteers who received 1.0 mg digoxin as 4 tablets of Lanoxin either after an overnight fast, immediately after a standard breakfast, or 90 min after a standard breakfast. There was no significant difference between the three regimens in terms of area under the plasma concentration-time curve for 79 hr or in the 10-day cumulative urinary excretion. The mean peak plasma concentration was higher (p less than 0.05) when digoxin was given fasting (4.2 +/- 0.46 ng/ml) than immediately after food (2.8 +/- 0.24 ng/ml). The mean peak plasma concentration when digoxin was administered 90 min after food (3.3 +/- 0.30 ng/ml) was intermediate but not significantly different from either of the other mean peak concentrations. The results demonstrate that ingestion of food decreases rate but not extent of absorption of concurrently administered digoxin.", "contents": "Effect of a standard breakfast on digoxin absorption in normal subjects. The influence of food on absorption of digoxin was studied in 6 healthy volunteers who received 1.0 mg digoxin as 4 tablets of Lanoxin either after an overnight fast, immediately after a standard breakfast, or 90 min after a standard breakfast. There was no significant difference between the three regimens in terms of area under the plasma concentration-time curve for 79 hr or in the 10-day cumulative urinary excretion. The mean peak plasma concentration was higher (p less than 0.05) when digoxin was given fasting (4.2 +/- 0.46 ng/ml) than immediately after food (2.8 +/- 0.24 ng/ml). The mean peak plasma concentration when digoxin was administered 90 min after food (3.3 +/- 0.30 ng/ml) was intermediate but not significantly different from either of the other mean peak concentrations. The results demonstrate that ingestion of food decreases rate but not extent of absorption of concurrently administered digoxin.", "PMID": 627138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6855", "title": "Kinetics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-epoxide, determined by use of plasma and saliva.", "content": "The concentration-time curves of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its metabolite (carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide; CBZ-epoxide) were determined in patients undergoing long-term antiepileptic drug treatment with the use of plasma and saliva data. Plasma and saliva samples were assayed concurrently for each patient by liquid chromatography. There was excellent linear correlation between CBZ levels in saliva and plasma (r = 0.991, p less than 0.001) over a large concentration range. The saliva/plasma ratio for CBZ concentration was 0.26 +/- 0.01 (SD). Since CBZ binding to plasma proteins is in the order of 76%, saliva CBZ concentration seems to reflect the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma. CBZ-epoxide has not been detected in saliva. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ-epoxide were determined in 6 patients. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ obtained from saliva concentrations were in excellent agreement with those obtained from plasma concentrations. Thus, CBZ determination in saliva is convenient for controlling blood levels in patients as well as for studying pharmacokinetics. The half-life, the relative body clearance of CBZ, and the metabolite concentration during steady-state, expressed as percent the parent compound, appear to be significantly different in patients on single and combined drug therapy.", "contents": "Kinetics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-epoxide, determined by use of plasma and saliva. The concentration-time curves of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its metabolite (carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide; CBZ-epoxide) were determined in patients undergoing long-term antiepileptic drug treatment with the use of plasma and saliva data. Plasma and saliva samples were assayed concurrently for each patient by liquid chromatography. There was excellent linear correlation between CBZ levels in saliva and plasma (r = 0.991, p less than 0.001) over a large concentration range. The saliva/plasma ratio for CBZ concentration was 0.26 +/- 0.01 (SD). Since CBZ binding to plasma proteins is in the order of 76%, saliva CBZ concentration seems to reflect the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma. CBZ-epoxide has not been detected in saliva. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ-epoxide were determined in 6 patients. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ obtained from saliva concentrations were in excellent agreement with those obtained from plasma concentrations. Thus, CBZ determination in saliva is convenient for controlling blood levels in patients as well as for studying pharmacokinetics. The half-life, the relative body clearance of CBZ, and the metabolite concentration during steady-state, expressed as percent the parent compound, appear to be significantly different in patients on single and combined drug therapy.", "PMID": 627139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6856", "title": "Fluoride bioavailability after intravenous and oral administration: importance of renal clearance and urine flow.", "content": "Fluoride (3 mg) was administered as a continous intravenous infusion during 30 min to 6 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of fluoride in these experiments were compared with those obtained following oral administration of 2.82 mg, 4.50 mg, 5.64 mg, and 9.40 mg in the form of tablets and capsules. There were large day-to-day variations in the renal clearance of fluoride. This was shown to be due to differences in the urinary flow, an increase in flow causing an increase in renal clearance. The mean value of renal clearance from all experiments was 66.2 +/- 27.8 (SD; n = 16) ml/min. The extrarenal clearance, suggested to represent mainly the clearance to the bone pool, showed less interindividual variation: mean 110.3 +/- 32.3 (SD; n = 6) ml/min; the fraction remaining in the bone pool was highly consistent: 0.579 +/- 0.049 (SD; n = 6). When apparrent bioavailability was calculated from plasma and from urinary data, there was a great intra- and intersubject variation, as well as poor agreement between the two methods of calculations. This was found to be due to the day-to-day variation in renal clearance, which, in turn, varied with urinary flow. By use of equations that corrected for these variations, it was found that the bioavailability of sodium fluoride tablets is approximately 100%.", "contents": "Fluoride bioavailability after intravenous and oral administration: importance of renal clearance and urine flow. Fluoride (3 mg) was administered as a continous intravenous infusion during 30 min to 6 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of fluoride in these experiments were compared with those obtained following oral administration of 2.82 mg, 4.50 mg, 5.64 mg, and 9.40 mg in the form of tablets and capsules. There were large day-to-day variations in the renal clearance of fluoride. This was shown to be due to differences in the urinary flow, an increase in flow causing an increase in renal clearance. The mean value of renal clearance from all experiments was 66.2 +/- 27.8 (SD; n = 16) ml/min. The extrarenal clearance, suggested to represent mainly the clearance to the bone pool, showed less interindividual variation: mean 110.3 +/- 32.3 (SD; n = 6) ml/min; the fraction remaining in the bone pool was highly consistent: 0.579 +/- 0.049 (SD; n = 6). When apparrent bioavailability was calculated from plasma and from urinary data, there was a great intra- and intersubject variation, as well as poor agreement between the two methods of calculations. This was found to be due to the day-to-day variation in renal clearance, which, in turn, varied with urinary flow. By use of equations that corrected for these variations, it was found that the bioavailability of sodium fluoride tablets is approximately 100%.", "PMID": 627140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6857", "title": "Phenobarbital pharmacokinetics in neonates.", "content": "Phenobarbital pharmacokinetics after intravenous injection were studied in 8 neonates with seizures. Subjects ranged in gestational age from 30 to 40 wk. Plasma concentrations of phenobarbital were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay (EMIT). The volume of distribution (Vd) of phenobarbital was 0.97 +/- .15 L/kg which was independent of the dose administered. Vd and gestational age did not correlate. Phenobarbital clearance calculated from average concentrations in patients maintained on phenobarbital for 1 to 4 wks was consistent, with a decrease in t1/2 from 115 hr after 1 wk to 67 hr after 4 wk of therapy. The elimination of phenobarbital decreased at an exponential rate with a t1/2 of 4.6 days. A pharmacokinetic model with an exponentially increasing elimination rate term was used to describe the data. Average concentrations predicted with the use of the model corresponded adequately with experimental results. The increases in clearance observed are thought to be related to rates of turnover of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the neonate.", "contents": "Phenobarbital pharmacokinetics in neonates. Phenobarbital pharmacokinetics after intravenous injection were studied in 8 neonates with seizures. Subjects ranged in gestational age from 30 to 40 wk. Plasma concentrations of phenobarbital were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay (EMIT). The volume of distribution (Vd) of phenobarbital was 0.97 +/- .15 L/kg which was independent of the dose administered. Vd and gestational age did not correlate. Phenobarbital clearance calculated from average concentrations in patients maintained on phenobarbital for 1 to 4 wks was consistent, with a decrease in t1/2 from 115 hr after 1 wk to 67 hr after 4 wk of therapy. The elimination of phenobarbital decreased at an exponential rate with a t1/2 of 4.6 days. A pharmacokinetic model with an exponentially increasing elimination rate term was used to describe the data. Average concentrations predicted with the use of the model corresponded adequately with experimental results. The increases in clearance observed are thought to be related to rates of turnover of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the neonate.", "PMID": 627141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6858", "title": "Hemoperfusion for methotrexate removal.", "content": "Removal of methotrexate by Amberlite XAD-4 hemoperfusion was determined in a patient with metastatic breast carcinoma. During 4 hr of hemoperfusion the plasma concentration of methotrexate fell from 5.5 x 10(-7) M TO 3.1 x 10(-7) M. After hemoperfusion methotrexate concentration increased as a consequence of multicompartmental pharmacokinetics to 5.5 x 10(-7) M and then slowly declined. Plasma methotrexate clearance decreased from 79 ml/min 30 min into hemoperfusion to 28 ml/min at the conclusion. In vitro clearance of methotrexate by 17 artificial kidneys, Amberlite XAD-4, and uncoated charcoal was determined. Uncoated charcoal had the greatest clearance of methotrexate of all the devices tested. We conclude that: (1) Amberlite XAD-4 transiently reduces plasma methotrexate concentration; (2) in vitro, charcoal hemoperfusion is more effective than XAD-4 in removing methotrexate; (3) as a consequence of the multicompartmental pharmacokinetics of methotrexate a postperfusion rebound in plasma methotrexate concentration is to be expected.", "contents": "Hemoperfusion for methotrexate removal. Removal of methotrexate by Amberlite XAD-4 hemoperfusion was determined in a patient with metastatic breast carcinoma. During 4 hr of hemoperfusion the plasma concentration of methotrexate fell from 5.5 x 10(-7) M TO 3.1 x 10(-7) M. After hemoperfusion methotrexate concentration increased as a consequence of multicompartmental pharmacokinetics to 5.5 x 10(-7) M and then slowly declined. Plasma methotrexate clearance decreased from 79 ml/min 30 min into hemoperfusion to 28 ml/min at the conclusion. In vitro clearance of methotrexate by 17 artificial kidneys, Amberlite XAD-4, and uncoated charcoal was determined. Uncoated charcoal had the greatest clearance of methotrexate of all the devices tested. We conclude that: (1) Amberlite XAD-4 transiently reduces plasma methotrexate concentration; (2) in vitro, charcoal hemoperfusion is more effective than XAD-4 in removing methotrexate; (3) as a consequence of the multicompartmental pharmacokinetics of methotrexate a postperfusion rebound in plasma methotrexate concentration is to be expected.", "PMID": 627142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6859", "title": "Gentamicin binding to serum and plasma proteins.", "content": "Gentamicin binding to serum proteins was studied by equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 in the presence of both physiologic and adjusted concentrations of ionized calcium and magnesium. The percentage of bound drug was inversely related to the concentration of these two divalent cations, raning from 27% bound with no calcium and magnesium present to 17% bound in the presence of four times physiologic concentrations. No significant difference in the extent of drug-protein binding was noted in a comparison of sera from healthy and uremic subjects. Heparin also was found to affect gentamicin binding. Increasing heparin concentration in serum increased apparent gentamicin-protein binding to 34% in the presence of physiologic amounts of calcium and magnesium. Buffered heparin solutions without plasma proteins bound up to 65% of total drug concentration. Gentamicin-protein binding may have implications regarding pharmacokinetics and renal cortical uptake.", "contents": "Gentamicin binding to serum and plasma proteins. Gentamicin binding to serum proteins was studied by equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 in the presence of both physiologic and adjusted concentrations of ionized calcium and magnesium. The percentage of bound drug was inversely related to the concentration of these two divalent cations, raning from 27% bound with no calcium and magnesium present to 17% bound in the presence of four times physiologic concentrations. No significant difference in the extent of drug-protein binding was noted in a comparison of sera from healthy and uremic subjects. Heparin also was found to affect gentamicin binding. Increasing heparin concentration in serum increased apparent gentamicin-protein binding to 34% in the presence of physiologic amounts of calcium and magnesium. Buffered heparin solutions without plasma proteins bound up to 65% of total drug concentration. Gentamicin-protein binding may have implications regarding pharmacokinetics and renal cortical uptake.", "PMID": 627143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6860", "title": "[Transcutaneous PO2 measurement in postoperative monitoring following thoracic surgery].", "content": "Continuous transcutaneous PO2 measurement controlling the arterial PO2 was performed in 40 patients undergoing thoracotomy. The close correlation between the PO2 levels measured transcutaneously and those found in the capillary blood prove that the method is very suitable for monitoring the postoperative course after thoracotomy. Postoperative PO2 values with and without the administration of increasing amounts of oxygen showed great variations in the patients' response to oxygen, thus emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of the arterial PO2 values. This continuous PO2 measurement gives an indication of the possible need for the application of oxygen, and controls the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.", "contents": "[Transcutaneous PO2 measurement in postoperative monitoring following thoracic surgery]. Continuous transcutaneous PO2 measurement controlling the arterial PO2 was performed in 40 patients undergoing thoracotomy. The close correlation between the PO2 levels measured transcutaneously and those found in the capillary blood prove that the method is very suitable for monitoring the postoperative course after thoracotomy. Postoperative PO2 values with and without the administration of increasing amounts of oxygen showed great variations in the patients' response to oxygen, thus emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of the arterial PO2 values. This continuous PO2 measurement gives an indication of the possible need for the application of oxygen, and controls the effectiveness of oxygen therapy.", "PMID": 627159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6861", "title": "[Colon dynamics in ileus].", "content": "All forms of ileus have one thing in common, namely a disorder of the intestinal motility, which, with increasing distension of the intestinal wall, finally leads to paralysis of the intestine. With the increase in distension mechanical and functional colon changes take place which are discussed in this study. During peristalsis the strain on the wall is directed against the intra-luminal course of pressure. In spite of the increase of the internal pressure from 5 cm H2O to 100 cm H2O, the tension of the wall remains low or even decreases (roughly 500 dyn/mm2). In ileus patients, however, the strain on the intestinal wall increases enormously (about 100000 dyn/mm2). The maximum contraction capacity of the large intestine's muscle system (50,000 dyn/mm2) is high and similar to that of the skeletal muscles.", "contents": "[Colon dynamics in ileus]. All forms of ileus have one thing in common, namely a disorder of the intestinal motility, which, with increasing distension of the intestinal wall, finally leads to paralysis of the intestine. With the increase in distension mechanical and functional colon changes take place which are discussed in this study. During peristalsis the strain on the wall is directed against the intra-luminal course of pressure. In spite of the increase of the internal pressure from 5 cm H2O to 100 cm H2O, the tension of the wall remains low or even decreases (roughly 500 dyn/mm2). In ileus patients, however, the strain on the intestinal wall increases enormously (about 100000 dyn/mm2). The maximum contraction capacity of the large intestine's muscle system (50,000 dyn/mm2) is high and similar to that of the skeletal muscles.", "PMID": 627160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6862", "title": "[Manometric studies of the anal canal in chronic primary fissure before and after management using dilatation or sphincterotomy].", "content": "Manometric investigations in patients with primary chronic fissure in ano were performed before and after stretching or sphincterotomy in a randomized clinical trial. Length of the functional anal canal was not influenced by the procedures. At a six-month follow-up, the maximum resting anal pressure was significantly lower in both groups. After stretching and sphincterotomy, the site of maximum pressure in the anal canal had moved orally. This demonstrates that an elevated resting anal pressure is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of a primary chronic fissure. It is successfully cut off by either stretching or sphincterotomy.", "contents": "[Manometric studies of the anal canal in chronic primary fissure before and after management using dilatation or sphincterotomy]. Manometric investigations in patients with primary chronic fissure in ano were performed before and after stretching or sphincterotomy in a randomized clinical trial. Length of the functional anal canal was not influenced by the procedures. At a six-month follow-up, the maximum resting anal pressure was significantly lower in both groups. After stretching and sphincterotomy, the site of maximum pressure in the anal canal had moved orally. This demonstrates that an elevated resting anal pressure is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of a primary chronic fissure. It is successfully cut off by either stretching or sphincterotomy.", "PMID": 627161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6863", "title": "[Haemodialysis in the treatment of biguanide-induced lactate acidosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Severe lactate acidosis developed in nine diabetics on biguanide. When lactate acidosis was diagnosed all patients had reduced renal function, six being oligoanuric. Pre-existing chronic renal failure as a factor in the development of lactic acidosis was excluded in five patients, normal renal function being restored later. All patients were dialysed, seven surviving. This mortality rate is lower than that reported by others for biguanide-induced lactate acidosis. Rapid biguanide elimination by dialysis was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo clearance of buformin was 83 +/- 43 ml/min (mean +/- SD, n = 4), that of phenformin 68 +/- 33 ml/min (n = 7). The main advantages of haemodialysis in the treatment of biguanide-induced lactic acidosis are rapid removal of toxic biguanides and excess lactate and the ability to administer sodium bicarbonate adequately without risking hypernatraemia and fluid overload.", "contents": "[Haemodialysis in the treatment of biguanide-induced lactate acidosis (author's transl)]. Severe lactate acidosis developed in nine diabetics on biguanide. When lactate acidosis was diagnosed all patients had reduced renal function, six being oligoanuric. Pre-existing chronic renal failure as a factor in the development of lactic acidosis was excluded in five patients, normal renal function being restored later. All patients were dialysed, seven surviving. This mortality rate is lower than that reported by others for biguanide-induced lactate acidosis. Rapid biguanide elimination by dialysis was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo clearance of buformin was 83 +/- 43 ml/min (mean +/- SD, n = 4), that of phenformin 68 +/- 33 ml/min (n = 7). The main advantages of haemodialysis in the treatment of biguanide-induced lactic acidosis are rapid removal of toxic biguanides and excess lactate and the ability to administer sodium bicarbonate adequately without risking hypernatraemia and fluid overload.", "PMID": 627171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6864", "title": "[Brachial plexus paralysis after stellate blockade and plexus anaesthesia (author's transl)].", "content": "Brachial plexus paralysis is a serious complication of stellate blockade (n = 2) and plexus anaesthesia (n = 6) as was observed in 8 patients. It is frequently characterised by localised motor and sensory defects in the affected arm and sometimes accompanied by a causalgia-like pain. Pathogenetically mechanical factors--needle trauma, injection pressure, volume, and velocity--are of decisive importance. Prophylactically intraneural injections must be avoided. The electrifying pain during insertion of the needle and (or) immediate anaesthetic effect require correction of needle position.", "contents": "[Brachial plexus paralysis after stellate blockade and plexus anaesthesia (author's transl)]. Brachial plexus paralysis is a serious complication of stellate blockade (n = 2) and plexus anaesthesia (n = 6) as was observed in 8 patients. It is frequently characterised by localised motor and sensory defects in the affected arm and sometimes accompanied by a causalgia-like pain. Pathogenetically mechanical factors--needle trauma, injection pressure, volume, and velocity--are of decisive importance. Prophylactically intraneural injections must be avoided. The electrifying pain during insertion of the needle and (or) immediate anaesthetic effect require correction of needle position.", "PMID": 627172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6865", "title": "[On heavy-metal poisoning, especially by thallium (author's transl)].", "content": "Only thallium poisoning is still of clinical significance among heavy-metal intoxications. Among 1800 cases of poisoning there were 15 caused by thallium, 3 by lead and 1 by iron (none by arsenic or mercury). Among thallium poisonings, 13 were due to suicide, one ending fatally, and two of homicide. Thallium can be demonstrated in urine even after haemodialysis and forced diuresis. As more and more rat poisons contain coumarine derivatives instead of thallium, the number of cases of thallium poisoning is likely to decrease.", "contents": "[On heavy-metal poisoning, especially by thallium (author's transl)]. Only thallium poisoning is still of clinical significance among heavy-metal intoxications. Among 1800 cases of poisoning there were 15 caused by thallium, 3 by lead and 1 by iron (none by arsenic or mercury). Among thallium poisonings, 13 were due to suicide, one ending fatally, and two of homicide. Thallium can be demonstrated in urine even after haemodialysis and forced diuresis. As more and more rat poisons contain coumarine derivatives instead of thallium, the number of cases of thallium poisoning is likely to decrease.", "PMID": 627173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6866", "title": "[Management of treatment-resistant depression (author's transl)].", "content": "An intensive course of drug treatment--combination of a major tranquilliser with two antidepressants--was used in 46 patients with endogenous depression and 31 with exhaustion depression, all of which had proved refractory to other forms of treatment. After one week intramuscular injection of the major tranquilliser, in order to relax the patient, intravenous infusion of the two antidepressants, clomipramine and maprotiline, was performed daily for 10-20 days, while the major tranquilliser was given orally during this period. Complete remission after 4-6 weeks was achieved in 70% of patients with endogenous depression and 48% with exhaustive depression. It is stressed that careful diagnosis and treatment by drug and psychotherapy are preconditions for the successful management of otherwise resistant depressions.", "contents": "[Management of treatment-resistant depression (author's transl)]. An intensive course of drug treatment--combination of a major tranquilliser with two antidepressants--was used in 46 patients with endogenous depression and 31 with exhaustion depression, all of which had proved refractory to other forms of treatment. After one week intramuscular injection of the major tranquilliser, in order to relax the patient, intravenous infusion of the two antidepressants, clomipramine and maprotiline, was performed daily for 10-20 days, while the major tranquilliser was given orally during this period. Complete remission after 4-6 weeks was achieved in 70% of patients with endogenous depression and 48% with exhaustive depression. It is stressed that careful diagnosis and treatment by drug and psychotherapy are preconditions for the successful management of otherwise resistant depressions.", "PMID": 627181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6867", "title": "[Results of long-term treatment of primary osteoporosis with sodium fluoride (author's transl)].", "content": "Twenty-three patients with primary osteoporosis were treated with sodium fluoride over 25 months. Mean total dose was 21 g fluoride. Symptoms, body size, biochemical results, radiological changes and skeletal mineral content as well as bone histomorphometry were evaluated in assessing results of treatment. Accordingly, no advance in the disease process was demonstrable in 13 patients, while there was definite improvement in six, but in four there was further progression.", "contents": "[Results of long-term treatment of primary osteoporosis with sodium fluoride (author's transl)]. Twenty-three patients with primary osteoporosis were treated with sodium fluoride over 25 months. Mean total dose was 21 g fluoride. Symptoms, body size, biochemical results, radiological changes and skeletal mineral content as well as bone histomorphometry were evaluated in assessing results of treatment. Accordingly, no advance in the disease process was demonstrable in 13 patients, while there was definite improvement in six, but in four there was further progression.", "PMID": 627182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6868", "title": "[Blood viscosity during long-term intravenous infusion of low-molecular dextran (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect on whole-blood viscosity and haematocrit was investigated in 54 persons during intravenous infusion of 500 ml Rheomacrodex 10% or 500 ml 0.9% sodium chloride solution for two, four and six hours. Rheomacrodex 10% led to a significant decrease in whole-blood viscosity after all infusion periods and up to two hours afterwards. The decrease in viscosity was definitely more marked at lower degrees of shear than at higher ones and with long-term infusion (four and six hours) than short-term infusion (two hours). Physiological saline caused significant decrease in viscosity compared with initial values at the end of four and six-hour infusions and only at shear of 230 s-1. During all infusion periods and for all degrees of shear the decrease in viscosity was significantly greater with Rheomacrodex 10% than physiological saline.", "contents": "[Blood viscosity during long-term intravenous infusion of low-molecular dextran (author's transl)]. The effect on whole-blood viscosity and haematocrit was investigated in 54 persons during intravenous infusion of 500 ml Rheomacrodex 10% or 500 ml 0.9% sodium chloride solution for two, four and six hours. Rheomacrodex 10% led to a significant decrease in whole-blood viscosity after all infusion periods and up to two hours afterwards. The decrease in viscosity was definitely more marked at lower degrees of shear than at higher ones and with long-term infusion (four and six hours) than short-term infusion (two hours). Physiological saline caused significant decrease in viscosity compared with initial values at the end of four and six-hour infusions and only at shear of 230 s-1. During all infusion periods and for all degrees of shear the decrease in viscosity was significantly greater with Rheomacrodex 10% than physiological saline.", "PMID": 627191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6869", "title": "[Incidence of spontaneous rhythm after pacemaker implantation for total A-V block (author's transl)].", "content": "Follow-up investigation over 12--84 months (mean 30 months) of 86 patients with the primary diagnosis of permanent total atrioventricular block revealed that spontaneous rhythm could be demonstrated in all but 17 patients. A-V conduction was re-established in 13, but in most of them it was on the basis of ventricular ectopic beats. These findings prove that in the described type of patient spontaneous rhythm after pacemaker implantation is common. Therefore, fixed-rate pacemakers are not indicated in these patients.", "contents": "[Incidence of spontaneous rhythm after pacemaker implantation for total A-V block (author's transl)]. Follow-up investigation over 12--84 months (mean 30 months) of 86 patients with the primary diagnosis of permanent total atrioventricular block revealed that spontaneous rhythm could be demonstrated in all but 17 patients. A-V conduction was re-established in 13, but in most of them it was on the basis of ventricular ectopic beats. These findings prove that in the described type of patient spontaneous rhythm after pacemaker implantation is common. Therefore, fixed-rate pacemakers are not indicated in these patients.", "PMID": 627192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6870", "title": "[Immunodiagnostic aspects of breast cancer (author's transl)].", "content": "In 39 patients with breast cancer and in 38 female controls the leucocyte adherence was tested in glass tubes in the presence of a series of extracts of breast cancer and control tissues. It was shown that the adherence of leucocytes of patients with operable carcinoma of the breast (stage I/II) is selectively inhibited by extracts from breast cancer tissues. Leucocyte adherence inhibition tests could thus become important for immunodiagnostics.", "contents": "[Immunodiagnostic aspects of breast cancer (author's transl)]. In 39 patients with breast cancer and in 38 female controls the leucocyte adherence was tested in glass tubes in the presence of a series of extracts of breast cancer and control tissues. It was shown that the adherence of leucocytes of patients with operable carcinoma of the breast (stage I/II) is selectively inhibited by extracts from breast cancer tissues. Leucocyte adherence inhibition tests could thus become important for immunodiagnostics.", "PMID": 627193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6871", "title": "Active-site titration of pig-plasma benzylamine oxidase.", "content": "1. Titration of benzylamine oxidase with benzylamine under anaerobic conditions shows that full reduction of the enzymic 470-nm chromophore is obtained on the addition of one mole of substrate per mole of enzyme. Concomitantly, one mole of benzaldehyde per mole of enzyme is produced. 2. A single prosthetic group interacting with carbonyl reagents can be detected on titration of benzylamine oxidase with phenylhydrazine. Titration data reported to indicate a higher content of prosthetic groups were obtained under conditions where equilibration between enzyme and phenylhydrazine is insufficiently complete. 3. It is concluded that pig-plasma benzylamine oxidase contains a single catalytically active site. This means that the two copper atoms present in the enzyme may be structurally or functionally different.", "contents": "Active-site titration of pig-plasma benzylamine oxidase. 1. Titration of benzylamine oxidase with benzylamine under anaerobic conditions shows that full reduction of the enzymic 470-nm chromophore is obtained on the addition of one mole of substrate per mole of enzyme. Concomitantly, one mole of benzaldehyde per mole of enzyme is produced. 2. A single prosthetic group interacting with carbonyl reagents can be detected on titration of benzylamine oxidase with phenylhydrazine. Titration data reported to indicate a higher content of prosthetic groups were obtained under conditions where equilibration between enzyme and phenylhydrazine is insufficiently complete. 3. It is concluded that pig-plasma benzylamine oxidase contains a single catalytically active site. This means that the two copper atoms present in the enzyme may be structurally or functionally different.", "PMID": 627204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6872", "title": "Quantitative determination of ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin in spinach chloroplasts.", "content": "Ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin extracted from spinach chloroplasts were determined by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in an antiserum-containing gel. The advantage of the method is its high sensitivity and specificity so that crude extracts can be directly analysed. It requires, however, purified electron carriers and the corresponding monospecific antibodies. The ratios of ferredoxin to reductase to plastocyanin approximated 5:3:4, respectively, per cytochrome f or P700 in spinach chloroplasts.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin in spinach chloroplasts. Ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin extracted from spinach chloroplasts were determined by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in an antiserum-containing gel. The advantage of the method is its high sensitivity and specificity so that crude extracts can be directly analysed. It requires, however, purified electron carriers and the corresponding monospecific antibodies. The ratios of ferredoxin to reductase to plastocyanin approximated 5:3:4, respectively, per cytochrome f or P700 in spinach chloroplasts.", "PMID": 627205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6873", "title": "Evidence for the inhibition of trypsin by thiols. The mechanism of enzyme-inhibitor complex formation.", "content": "Ehrlich ascites tumour cells contain a neutral protease, capable of solubilising fluorescein-labelled telopeptides from fluorescein-labelled polymeric collagen fibrils. The cells also contain an inhibitor for this enzyme and for trypsin. The enzymically inactive enzyme-inhibitor complex can be dissociated with the mercurial thiol agent, mersalyl, with the consequent regain of enzymic activity. The reactivated neutral protease and also trypsin can be inhibited by addition of thiols such as cysteine, mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. Trypsin can be protected from inactivation by the tumor inhibitor by addition of cystine or L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone(TosPheCH2Cl)-inactivated chymotrypsin. The evidence suggests that the inhibitor contains a reactive thiol group which exchanges with one or more significant disulphide bridges in trypsin and the neutral protease, resulting in enzyme-inhibitor complex formation and loss of activity. Similarly, thiols interact with these enzymes resulting in a corresponding loss of enzymic activity. The evidence obtained with Tos-PheCH2Cl-inactivated chymotrypsin, which reactivated previously inhibited trypsin and neutral protease, demonstrates that the active site of the enzyme is not involved in the interaction with the thiol of the inhibitor but that the significant disulphide bond in the enzyme is required for the maintenance of the active site conformation. This disulphide exchange mechanism is therefore a form of reversible allosteric control of proteolytic activity and has been shown to be distinct from the mechanism by which soya bean trypsin inhibitor interacts with trypsin.", "contents": "Evidence for the inhibition of trypsin by thiols. The mechanism of enzyme-inhibitor complex formation. Ehrlich ascites tumour cells contain a neutral protease, capable of solubilising fluorescein-labelled telopeptides from fluorescein-labelled polymeric collagen fibrils. The cells also contain an inhibitor for this enzyme and for trypsin. The enzymically inactive enzyme-inhibitor complex can be dissociated with the mercurial thiol agent, mersalyl, with the consequent regain of enzymic activity. The reactivated neutral protease and also trypsin can be inhibited by addition of thiols such as cysteine, mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. Trypsin can be protected from inactivation by the tumor inhibitor by addition of cystine or L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone(TosPheCH2Cl)-inactivated chymotrypsin. The evidence suggests that the inhibitor contains a reactive thiol group which exchanges with one or more significant disulphide bridges in trypsin and the neutral protease, resulting in enzyme-inhibitor complex formation and loss of activity. Similarly, thiols interact with these enzymes resulting in a corresponding loss of enzymic activity. The evidence obtained with Tos-PheCH2Cl-inactivated chymotrypsin, which reactivated previously inhibited trypsin and neutral protease, demonstrates that the active site of the enzyme is not involved in the interaction with the thiol of the inhibitor but that the significant disulphide bond in the enzyme is required for the maintenance of the active site conformation. This disulphide exchange mechanism is therefore a form of reversible allosteric control of proteolytic activity and has been shown to be distinct from the mechanism by which soya bean trypsin inhibitor interacts with trypsin.", "PMID": 627206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6874", "title": "Isolation and chemical characterization of a highly purified phytomitogen from Phaseolus coccineus seeds.", "content": "An effective lymphocyte mitogen with a low erythroagglutinating ability was isolated from the seeds of Phaseolus coccineus L. by ammonium sulphate precipitation and repeated ion-exchange chromatography on modified Sephadex. The mitogen stimulated lymphocytes at concentrations as low as 0.25 microgram/ml, the optimum concentration being in the range of 2.5-5.0 microgram/ml. This stimulating effect was completely inhibited by 5 mg/ml methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Column gel filtration, disc electrophoresis on polyaceylamide gel in an alkaline medium and in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate and the finding of a single N-terminal amino acid (alanine) showed the phytomitogen to be homogenous. Disc electrophoresis in an acid medium revealed the presence of two or three bands which are assumed to be due to aggregates of the mitogen. The minimum molecular weight, as derived from sodium dodecylsulphate electrophoresis on polyacrylamide, was 35000. The mitogen is a glycoprotein containing 10% neutral sugars and 1.3% amino sugars (glucosamine). The amino acid composition of the isolated phytomitogen is presented.", "contents": "Isolation and chemical characterization of a highly purified phytomitogen from Phaseolus coccineus seeds. An effective lymphocyte mitogen with a low erythroagglutinating ability was isolated from the seeds of Phaseolus coccineus L. by ammonium sulphate precipitation and repeated ion-exchange chromatography on modified Sephadex. The mitogen stimulated lymphocytes at concentrations as low as 0.25 microgram/ml, the optimum concentration being in the range of 2.5-5.0 microgram/ml. This stimulating effect was completely inhibited by 5 mg/ml methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Column gel filtration, disc electrophoresis on polyaceylamide gel in an alkaline medium and in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate and the finding of a single N-terminal amino acid (alanine) showed the phytomitogen to be homogenous. Disc electrophoresis in an acid medium revealed the presence of two or three bands which are assumed to be due to aggregates of the mitogen. The minimum molecular weight, as derived from sodium dodecylsulphate electrophoresis on polyacrylamide, was 35000. The mitogen is a glycoprotein containing 10% neutral sugars and 1.3% amino sugars (glucosamine). The amino acid composition of the isolated phytomitogen is presented.", "PMID": 627207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6875", "title": "Free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat liver. 2. Recovery of large free and membrane-bound polysomes.", "content": "Techniques allowing the recovery of large free and membrane-bound polysomes in high yield are reported. Subcellular fractions were prepared from rat liver homogenates as described in the preceding paper. Purified microsomal membranes (obtained from the post-lysosomal supernatant) were adjusted to 50 mM Mg(CH3COO)2 and treated with 2% Triton X-100 and 0.3% sodium deoxycholate in the presence of yeast RNA and cell sap, and polysomes were purified by overnight centrifugation through low-ionic-strength discontinuous sucrose gradients containing 2 mg/ml of cell sap proteins. Polysomes were isolated from the mitochondria/endoplasmic reticulum complex (fraction C) by treatment with 2% Triton X-100 and 0.5% sodium deoxycholate in the presence of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, 0.1 M KCl, 0.15 M NH4Cl and 50 mM Mg(CH3COO)2 and purified through sucrose layers of decreasing ionic strength containing 2 mg/ml of cell sap proteins. Analyses of polysomes in isokinetic sucrose gradients showed that the free polysome fraction and both membrane-bound polysome fractions had 14-15 ribosomes per mRNA at the maximum of absorbance. Experiments from which these methods were derived are described.", "contents": "Free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat liver. 2. Recovery of large free and membrane-bound polysomes. Techniques allowing the recovery of large free and membrane-bound polysomes in high yield are reported. Subcellular fractions were prepared from rat liver homogenates as described in the preceding paper. Purified microsomal membranes (obtained from the post-lysosomal supernatant) were adjusted to 50 mM Mg(CH3COO)2 and treated with 2% Triton X-100 and 0.3% sodium deoxycholate in the presence of yeast RNA and cell sap, and polysomes were purified by overnight centrifugation through low-ionic-strength discontinuous sucrose gradients containing 2 mg/ml of cell sap proteins. Polysomes were isolated from the mitochondria/endoplasmic reticulum complex (fraction C) by treatment with 2% Triton X-100 and 0.5% sodium deoxycholate in the presence of 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.6, 0.1 M KCl, 0.15 M NH4Cl and 50 mM Mg(CH3COO)2 and purified through sucrose layers of decreasing ionic strength containing 2 mg/ml of cell sap proteins. Analyses of polysomes in isokinetic sucrose gradients showed that the free polysome fraction and both membrane-bound polysome fractions had 14-15 ribosomes per mRNA at the maximum of absorbance. Experiments from which these methods were derived are described.", "PMID": 627209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6876", "title": "Purification and characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase from bovine liver.", "content": "Aldehyde dehydrogenase from bovine liver has been purified to homogeneity. Amino acid composition showed a high content of cysteine of 32 mol/mol enzyme. The enzyme is composed of four identical subunits as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and end-group analysis. The molecular weight was determined to be 220 000 +/- 10 000 by sedimentation equilibrium analysis in an analytical ultracentrifuge. The Michaelis constants for NAD+, glyceraldehyde and acetaldehyde were found to be 47 micron, 170 micron and 130 micron, respectively.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of aldehyde dehydrogenase from bovine liver. Aldehyde dehydrogenase from bovine liver has been purified to homogeneity. Amino acid composition showed a high content of cysteine of 32 mol/mol enzyme. The enzyme is composed of four identical subunits as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and end-group analysis. The molecular weight was determined to be 220 000 +/- 10 000 by sedimentation equilibrium analysis in an analytical ultracentrifuge. The Michaelis constants for NAD+, glyceraldehyde and acetaldehyde were found to be 47 micron, 170 micron and 130 micron, respectively.", "PMID": 627210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6877", "title": "Quantitative analysis of the protein composition of yeast ribosomes.", "content": "The molecular weights of the individual yeast ribosomal proteins were determined. The ribosomal proteins from the 40-S subunit have molecular weights ranging from 11 800 to 31 000 (average molecular weight = 21 300). The molecular weights of the 60-S subunit proteins range from 10 000 to 48 400 (average molecular weight = 21 800). Stoichiometric measurements, performed by densitometric scanning on ribosomal proteins extracted from high-salt dissociated subunits revealed that isolated ribosomal subunits contain, besides some protein species occurring in submolar amounts, a number of protein species which are present in multiple copies: S13, S27, L22, L31, L33, L34 and L39. The mass fractions of the ribosomal proteins which were found to be present on isolated ribosomes in non-unimolar amounts, were re-examined by using an isotope dilution technique. Applying this method to proteins extracted from mildely isolated 80-S ribosomes, we found that some protein species such as S32, S34 and L43 still are present in submolar amounts. On the other hand, however, we conclude that some other ribosomal proteins, in particular the strongly acidic proteins L44 and L45 get partially lost during ribosome dissociation. Proteins L44/L45 appears to be present on 80-S ribosomes in three copies.", "contents": "Quantitative analysis of the protein composition of yeast ribosomes. The molecular weights of the individual yeast ribosomal proteins were determined. The ribosomal proteins from the 40-S subunit have molecular weights ranging from 11 800 to 31 000 (average molecular weight = 21 300). The molecular weights of the 60-S subunit proteins range from 10 000 to 48 400 (average molecular weight = 21 800). Stoichiometric measurements, performed by densitometric scanning on ribosomal proteins extracted from high-salt dissociated subunits revealed that isolated ribosomal subunits contain, besides some protein species occurring in submolar amounts, a number of protein species which are present in multiple copies: S13, S27, L22, L31, L33, L34 and L39. The mass fractions of the ribosomal proteins which were found to be present on isolated ribosomes in non-unimolar amounts, were re-examined by using an isotope dilution technique. Applying this method to proteins extracted from mildely isolated 80-S ribosomes, we found that some protein species such as S32, S34 and L43 still are present in submolar amounts. On the other hand, however, we conclude that some other ribosomal proteins, in particular the strongly acidic proteins L44 and L45 get partially lost during ribosome dissociation. Proteins L44/L45 appears to be present on 80-S ribosomes in three copies.", "PMID": 627211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6878", "title": "Association of binding sites for guanine nucleotides with adenylate cyclase activation in rat pancreatic plasma membranes. Interaction of gastrointestinal hormones.", "content": "1. The activation of rat pancreatic adenylate cyclase by guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imido)triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) and GTP, and by the two gastrointestinal hormones pancreozymin (as C-terminal octapeptide) and secretin was correlated with the binding of [8-3H]guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imido)triphosphate to rat pancreatic plasma membranes. 2. The low basal adenylate cyclase activity was stimulated 17-fold by p[NH]ppG (after a 2 min lag period), 3,5-fold only by GTP, 21-fold by C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin, and 8-fold by secretin. GTP inhibited competitively the activation of adenylate cyclase by p[NH]ppG with a Ki,app almost identical with the Ka,app (0.3 micron). p[NH]ppG and GTP enhanced the stimulation by secretin more markedly than that by the C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin, leading to the same maximal activity. Both hormones suppressed the lag period of activation by p[NH]ppG. 3. The binding of [8-3H]p[NH]ppG was dependent on time, temperature and Mg2+ and it was also a saturable and reversible process. Scatchard plots with a concavity upward were linearized after co-addition of ATP, Mg2+ and an ATP-regenerating system that abolished low-affinity sites for p[NH]ppG without saturating higher affinity sites, GTP, ITP and UTP inhibited [8-3H]p[NH]ppG binding to the high-affinity sites in concentration ranges identical with those found for adenylate cyclase activation. Considerable binding of [8-3H]p[NH]ppG was still evident at 20 degrees C, but enzyme activation was not observed any more, except in the presence of hormones.", "contents": "Association of binding sites for guanine nucleotides with adenylate cyclase activation in rat pancreatic plasma membranes. Interaction of gastrointestinal hormones. 1. The activation of rat pancreatic adenylate cyclase by guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imido)triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) and GTP, and by the two gastrointestinal hormones pancreozymin (as C-terminal octapeptide) and secretin was correlated with the binding of [8-3H]guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imido)triphosphate to rat pancreatic plasma membranes. 2. The low basal adenylate cyclase activity was stimulated 17-fold by p[NH]ppG (after a 2 min lag period), 3,5-fold only by GTP, 21-fold by C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin, and 8-fold by secretin. GTP inhibited competitively the activation of adenylate cyclase by p[NH]ppG with a Ki,app almost identical with the Ka,app (0.3 micron). p[NH]ppG and GTP enhanced the stimulation by secretin more markedly than that by the C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin, leading to the same maximal activity. Both hormones suppressed the lag period of activation by p[NH]ppG. 3. The binding of [8-3H]p[NH]ppG was dependent on time, temperature and Mg2+ and it was also a saturable and reversible process. Scatchard plots with a concavity upward were linearized after co-addition of ATP, Mg2+ and an ATP-regenerating system that abolished low-affinity sites for p[NH]ppG without saturating higher affinity sites, GTP, ITP and UTP inhibited [8-3H]p[NH]ppG binding to the high-affinity sites in concentration ranges identical with those found for adenylate cyclase activation. Considerable binding of [8-3H]p[NH]ppG was still evident at 20 degrees C, but enzyme activation was not observed any more, except in the presence of hormones.", "PMID": 627213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6879", "title": "Free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat liver. 1. Improvements of subcellular fractionation.", "content": "Substantial improvements of cellular fractionation in ionic conditions allowing preservation of polysome structure and polysome-membrane interactions are reported. They consist primarily in minimizing the lysosomal content of fractions containing endoplasmic reticulum by isolating a lysosome-rich fraction with little loss (6%) of RNA. Endoplasmic reticulum membranes were recovered in high yield, mainly in association with mitochondria, the remainder being found in the post-lysosomal supernatant. The latter also contained practically all the free polysomes, as judged by metrizamide gradient analyses. The distributions of various constituents (RNA, DNA, protein and marker enzymes) among cell fractions is presented.", "contents": "Free and membrane-bound polysomes from rat liver. 1. Improvements of subcellular fractionation. Substantial improvements of cellular fractionation in ionic conditions allowing preservation of polysome structure and polysome-membrane interactions are reported. They consist primarily in minimizing the lysosomal content of fractions containing endoplasmic reticulum by isolating a lysosome-rich fraction with little loss (6%) of RNA. Endoplasmic reticulum membranes were recovered in high yield, mainly in association with mitochondria, the remainder being found in the post-lysosomal supernatant. The latter also contained practically all the free polysomes, as judged by metrizamide gradient analyses. The distributions of various constituents (RNA, DNA, protein and marker enzymes) among cell fractions is presented.", "PMID": 627214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6880", "title": "Transport of phosphate analogues in rat-liver mitochondria.", "content": "The swelling of rat liver mitochondria has been studied in isotonic ammonium salts of phosphate, thiophosphate, monofluorphosphate, difluorphosphate or in isotonic ammonium malate induced by low concentrations of the mentioned anions. The data lead to the following conclusions. 1. Phosphate, thiophosphate, and monofluorphosphate are taken up by the mitochondria, whereas difluorphosphate is not, indicating that the substrate of the transporter represents the divalent anion HPO24- and not H2PO4-. 2. Thiophosphate, monofluorphosphate and phosphate, but not difluorphosphate induce the swelling of mitochondria in isotonic ammonium malate, only after a lag phase. The length of the lag phase depends on the concentration of inducing anion and pH. This phenomena cannot be explained by the current concept of two independent phosphate-transporting systems in mitochondria.", "contents": "Transport of phosphate analogues in rat-liver mitochondria. The swelling of rat liver mitochondria has been studied in isotonic ammonium salts of phosphate, thiophosphate, monofluorphosphate, difluorphosphate or in isotonic ammonium malate induced by low concentrations of the mentioned anions. The data lead to the following conclusions. 1. Phosphate, thiophosphate, and monofluorphosphate are taken up by the mitochondria, whereas difluorphosphate is not, indicating that the substrate of the transporter represents the divalent anion HPO24- and not H2PO4-. 2. Thiophosphate, monofluorphosphate and phosphate, but not difluorphosphate induce the swelling of mitochondria in isotonic ammonium malate, only after a lag phase. The length of the lag phase depends on the concentration of inducing anion and pH. This phenomena cannot be explained by the current concept of two independent phosphate-transporting systems in mitochondria.", "PMID": 627215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6881", "title": "Characterisation of cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin from human placenta.", "content": "1. Human placental cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin were separated by chromatography on columns of Amberlite CG-50. Collagenolytic cathepsin was partially purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex (A-50) and Sephadex G-100. Cathepsin B was purified by chromatography on CM-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. 2. Both enzymes required activation by thiol compounds and were bound to organomercurial-Sepharose-4B. Sulphydryl-blocking reagents were inhibitory, which confirmed an essential thiol group to be present. 3. The enzymes degraded soluble calf skin collagen and insoluble bovine tendon collagen in the telopeptide region at pH 3.5 and 28 degrees C to yield mainly alpha-chain components. 4. In contrast to cathepsin B, collagenolytic cathepsin was found not to hydrolyse any of the low-molecular-weight synthetic substrates that were tested. 5. Leupeptin, a structural analogue of arginine-containing synthetic substrates, and antipain, an inhibitor of papain, were strongly inhibitory to both enzymes. 6. The isoelectric points of the enzymes were similar, being 5.4 for cathepsin B and 5.1 for collagenolytic cathepsin. 7. From chromatography on Sephadex G-100 the molecular weight of cathepsin B was calculated to be 24 500 and that of collagenolytic cathepsin to be 34 600.", "contents": "Characterisation of cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin from human placenta. 1. Human placental cathepsin B and collagenolytic cathepsin were separated by chromatography on columns of Amberlite CG-50. Collagenolytic cathepsin was partially purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex (A-50) and Sephadex G-100. Cathepsin B was purified by chromatography on CM-cellulose and Sephadex G-100. 2. Both enzymes required activation by thiol compounds and were bound to organomercurial-Sepharose-4B. Sulphydryl-blocking reagents were inhibitory, which confirmed an essential thiol group to be present. 3. The enzymes degraded soluble calf skin collagen and insoluble bovine tendon collagen in the telopeptide region at pH 3.5 and 28 degrees C to yield mainly alpha-chain components. 4. In contrast to cathepsin B, collagenolytic cathepsin was found not to hydrolyse any of the low-molecular-weight synthetic substrates that were tested. 5. Leupeptin, a structural analogue of arginine-containing synthetic substrates, and antipain, an inhibitor of papain, were strongly inhibitory to both enzymes. 6. The isoelectric points of the enzymes were similar, being 5.4 for cathepsin B and 5.1 for collagenolytic cathepsin. 7. From chromatography on Sephadex G-100 the molecular weight of cathepsin B was calculated to be 24 500 and that of collagenolytic cathepsin to be 34 600.", "PMID": 627216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6882", "title": "A simple screening method for detecting gastrointestinal protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia.", "content": "A ten month old female Turkish child with chylous ascites, diarrhea, steatorrhea, peripheral edema and hypoproteinemia was investigated for protein losing enteropathy which probably dated from the first weeks of life. Gastrointestinal protein loss appeared to be due to abnormalities of the intestinal lymphatics. In order to detect a localized lymphoenteric fistula, lymphangiography was tried but failed due to hypoplasia of peripheral lymphatics. However, three hours after intradermal injection of Patent Blue, the dye appeared in the stools of the patient, suggesting intestinal protein loss via a lympho-enteric fistula. This observation may provide the basis for a diagnostic test for gastro-intestinal protein loss in patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia.", "contents": "A simple screening method for detecting gastrointestinal protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia. A ten month old female Turkish child with chylous ascites, diarrhea, steatorrhea, peripheral edema and hypoproteinemia was investigated for protein losing enteropathy which probably dated from the first weeks of life. Gastrointestinal protein loss appeared to be due to abnormalities of the intestinal lymphatics. In order to detect a localized lymphoenteric fistula, lymphangiography was tried but failed due to hypoplasia of peripheral lymphatics. However, three hours after intradermal injection of Patent Blue, the dye appeared in the stools of the patient, suggesting intestinal protein loss via a lympho-enteric fistula. This observation may provide the basis for a diagnostic test for gastro-intestinal protein loss in patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia.", "PMID": 627217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6883", "title": "Hemolytic pattern of erythrocytes in the newborn measured by the coil planet centrifuge system and its relationship to neonatal jaundice.", "content": "Dynamic osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in cord blood and its changes during the neonatal period were studied by means of a coil planet centrifuge system. The starting-point for hemolysis in the newborn become similar to that of adult blood after approximately a week, while the shift of the end-point to the adult range required one month or more. The percentage of fragile cord blood cells with a hemolysis starting-point above 110 m osmol and the maximum bilirubin level during neonatal period were examined. A high percentage of fragile cells was associated with high bilirubin levels, and when fragile cells comprised more than 7.0% of the total cord blood erythrocytes, the bilirubin level tended to rise above 15 mg/dl.", "contents": "Hemolytic pattern of erythrocytes in the newborn measured by the coil planet centrifuge system and its relationship to neonatal jaundice. Dynamic osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in cord blood and its changes during the neonatal period were studied by means of a coil planet centrifuge system. The starting-point for hemolysis in the newborn become similar to that of adult blood after approximately a week, while the shift of the end-point to the adult range required one month or more. The percentage of fragile cord blood cells with a hemolysis starting-point above 110 m osmol and the maximum bilirubin level during neonatal period were examined. A high percentage of fragile cells was associated with high bilirubin levels, and when fragile cells comprised more than 7.0% of the total cord blood erythrocytes, the bilirubin level tended to rise above 15 mg/dl.", "PMID": 627218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6884", "title": "Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in Cushing's syndrome. Series of 7 cases.", "content": "A series of 7 patients (all females) with Cushing's syndrome are presented. The syndrome was due to an adenoma of the cortex in 4 cases, to a carcinoma in 1 and to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia in another. In the 7th patient the cortical hyperplasia was due to a bronchogenic carcinoma (ectopic production of ACTH). Surgery was performed in all patients except 1. In 5 patients (adenoma, carcinoma) the diseased adrenal was removed. In 1 patient a left total and a right subtotal adrenalectomy were performed. Out of those 7 patients 4 survived and 3 died. 1 died a few hours after surgery, another 3 months after operation and the last one was never operated on.", "contents": "Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in Cushing's syndrome. Series of 7 cases. A series of 7 patients (all females) with Cushing's syndrome are presented. The syndrome was due to an adenoma of the cortex in 4 cases, to a carcinoma in 1 and to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia in another. In the 7th patient the cortical hyperplasia was due to a bronchogenic carcinoma (ectopic production of ACTH). Surgery was performed in all patients except 1. In 5 patients (adenoma, carcinoma) the diseased adrenal was removed. In 1 patient a left total and a right subtotal adrenalectomy were performed. Out of those 7 patients 4 survived and 3 died. 1 died a few hours after surgery, another 3 months after operation and the last one was never operated on.", "PMID": 627222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6885", "title": "On the etiology of testicular tumors. An experimental study.", "content": "This paper demonstrates experimentally that autofertilization induces malignant metastatic or recurrent testicular tumors in the rat. The role of fertilization, i.e. of nuclear fusion, in the process of carcinogenesis is discussed.", "contents": "On the etiology of testicular tumors. An experimental study. This paper demonstrates experimentally that autofertilization induces malignant metastatic or recurrent testicular tumors in the rat. The role of fertilization, i.e. of nuclear fusion, in the process of carcinogenesis is discussed.", "PMID": 627223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6886", "title": "A retrovesical echinococcal cyst: unusual cause of acute urinary retention.", "content": "In a middle-aged man a rare case of echinococcal cyst of the retrovesical space is reported as a very unusual cause of acute urinary retention. The discussion points out the difference between primary and secondary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum, the diagnostic problems and a suggested treatment is given.", "contents": "A retrovesical echinococcal cyst: unusual cause of acute urinary retention. In a middle-aged man a rare case of echinococcal cyst of the retrovesical space is reported as a very unusual cause of acute urinary retention. The discussion points out the difference between primary and secondary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum, the diagnostic problems and a suggested treatment is given.", "PMID": 627224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6887", "title": "Lymphovenous shunting in a case of retroperitoneal seminoma.", "content": "Lymphovenous shunting in a patient presenting with a metastatic retroperitoneal seminoma is reported. Its aetiology as well as the prognostic value are discussed. A search of the literature has been made and the various theories offered to explain such a phenomonen have been evaluated, in an attempt to corelate them with the findings in our case.", "contents": "Lymphovenous shunting in a case of retroperitoneal seminoma. Lymphovenous shunting in a patient presenting with a metastatic retroperitoneal seminoma is reported. Its aetiology as well as the prognostic value are discussed. A search of the literature has been made and the various theories offered to explain such a phenomonen have been evaluated, in an attempt to corelate them with the findings in our case.", "PMID": 627225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6888", "title": "Necrotising ureteritis after cystoplasty for leukoplakia of the bladder--an unusual complication.", "content": "Ileocaecocystoplasty was performed after subtotal cystectomy in a man with extensive leukoplakia of the bladder as a prophylaxis against carcinoma. 2 years later the ureter (contralateral nephrectomy had previously been performed) became blocked by an unusual interstitial inflammation complicated by necrosis and calcification. This was excised, and the tail of the ileum anastomosed to the renal pelvis with a good result at 20 months.", "contents": "Necrotising ureteritis after cystoplasty for leukoplakia of the bladder--an unusual complication. Ileocaecocystoplasty was performed after subtotal cystectomy in a man with extensive leukoplakia of the bladder as a prophylaxis against carcinoma. 2 years later the ureter (contralateral nephrectomy had previously been performed) became blocked by an unusual interstitial inflammation complicated by necrosis and calcification. This was excised, and the tail of the ileum anastomosed to the renal pelvis with a good result at 20 months.", "PMID": 627226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6889", "title": "Urethro-balanitis xerotica obliterans.", "content": "A clinical report of 5 cases of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) with urethral involvement is presented. Involvement of the urethra in the BXO is emphasized and the fact that this process is often unnoticed, is stressed. The clinical and histological characteristics of this disease are described in its different localizations. Investigations are suggested to diagnose urethral involvement and the suitable therapy is outlined.", "contents": "Urethro-balanitis xerotica obliterans. A clinical report of 5 cases of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) with urethral involvement is presented. Involvement of the urethra in the BXO is emphasized and the fact that this process is often unnoticed, is stressed. The clinical and histological characteristics of this disease are described in its different localizations. Investigations are suggested to diagnose urethral involvement and the suitable therapy is outlined.", "PMID": 627227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6890", "title": "Serum inhibitors to granulopoiesis in thalassemia major.", "content": "Peripheral blood (pb) and bone marrow CFU-C were evaluated in patients with thalassemia major. A decrease in both pb and marrow CFU-C was noted when compared to normal donors and individuals with hemolytic anemia requiring transfusion therapy. Experiments suggested that a nondialyzable serum factor was resonsible for the depressed pb CFU-C in 6 and of 6 children with thalassemia. Serum lipoprotein electrophoresis revealed type IV pattern in 9 out of 18 children with elevation of the pre-beta fraction. These experiments suggest (1) decreased stem cell CFU-C, (2) decreased pb CFU-C, and (3) a serum inhibitor that may be contributing to the depressed pb CFU-C.", "contents": "Serum inhibitors to granulopoiesis in thalassemia major. Peripheral blood (pb) and bone marrow CFU-C were evaluated in patients with thalassemia major. A decrease in both pb and marrow CFU-C was noted when compared to normal donors and individuals with hemolytic anemia requiring transfusion therapy. Experiments suggested that a nondialyzable serum factor was resonsible for the depressed pb CFU-C in 6 and of 6 children with thalassemia. Serum lipoprotein electrophoresis revealed type IV pattern in 9 out of 18 children with elevation of the pre-beta fraction. These experiments suggest (1) decreased stem cell CFU-C, (2) decreased pb CFU-C, and (3) a serum inhibitor that may be contributing to the depressed pb CFU-C.", "PMID": 627254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6891", "title": "Megakaryocytic responses to thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis in Sl/Sld mice.", "content": "Sl/Sld mice maintain normal platelet counts in spite of a reduced number of megakaryocytes, but their megakaryocytes are macrocytic. The present studied were done to analyze platelet turnover in the steady state and thrombocytopoietic responses to perturbations of the platelet count. Platelet production, estimated with 35S incorporation in the steady state, blood volume, and total complement of peripheral platelets were normal. Sl/Sld mice responded to thrombocytopenia with normal degrees of macromegakaryocytosis and production of macrocytic platelets, but rebound thrombocytosis did not occur. Their megakaryocytes were unusually responsive to transfusion-induced thrombocytosis, showing a prompt and substantial reduction in size. Platelet turnover was normal in undisturbed Sl/Sld mice, and feedback regulation occurred. However, increased numbers of platelets were not produced in response to stimulation. The findings are consistent with the possibility that their megakaryocytes are large because of stimulation rather than a direct local effect of the abnormal microenvironment.", "contents": "Megakaryocytic responses to thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis in Sl/Sld mice. Sl/Sld mice maintain normal platelet counts in spite of a reduced number of megakaryocytes, but their megakaryocytes are macrocytic. The present studied were done to analyze platelet turnover in the steady state and thrombocytopoietic responses to perturbations of the platelet count. Platelet production, estimated with 35S incorporation in the steady state, blood volume, and total complement of peripheral platelets were normal. Sl/Sld mice responded to thrombocytopenia with normal degrees of macromegakaryocytosis and production of macrocytic platelets, but rebound thrombocytosis did not occur. Their megakaryocytes were unusually responsive to transfusion-induced thrombocytosis, showing a prompt and substantial reduction in size. Platelet turnover was normal in undisturbed Sl/Sld mice, and feedback regulation occurred. However, increased numbers of platelets were not produced in response to stimulation. The findings are consistent with the possibility that their megakaryocytes are large because of stimulation rather than a direct local effect of the abnormal microenvironment.", "PMID": 627255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6892", "title": "Marrow stem cell release in the autorepopulation assay.", "content": "The early migration of stem cells from a shielded marrow to an irradiated spleen has been re-evaluated, and the findings have been compared with the results of earlier studies. The composite data reveal a constant rate during the first 24 h after irradiation, with a slope of 1.6 cells per h and an intercept of 2.4. The positive intercept is interpreted to signify an immediate brief perturbation of CFU's release. The low concentration of CFUs in the bloodstream, despite their continuous migration from the shielded marrow, is indicative of a rapid, and probably greatly increased, blood turnover. Despite the constancy of stem cell seeding, it is not yet possible to determine whether the rate of stem cell release is different in shielded marrow than in normal marrow. The resolution of this question requires more precise information about spleen seeding efficiency in the autorepopulation assay and about the normal turnover rate of stem cells in the bloodstream.", "contents": "Marrow stem cell release in the autorepopulation assay. The early migration of stem cells from a shielded marrow to an irradiated spleen has been re-evaluated, and the findings have been compared with the results of earlier studies. The composite data reveal a constant rate during the first 24 h after irradiation, with a slope of 1.6 cells per h and an intercept of 2.4. The positive intercept is interpreted to signify an immediate brief perturbation of CFU's release. The low concentration of CFUs in the bloodstream, despite their continuous migration from the shielded marrow, is indicative of a rapid, and probably greatly increased, blood turnover. Despite the constancy of stem cell seeding, it is not yet possible to determine whether the rate of stem cell release is different in shielded marrow than in normal marrow. The resolution of this question requires more precise information about spleen seeding efficiency in the autorepopulation assay and about the normal turnover rate of stem cells in the bloodstream.", "PMID": 627256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6893", "title": "Characterization of mouse fetal liver granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells using velocity sedimentation.", "content": "Fetal liver cells from CBA mice were separated by velocity sedimentation to determine the distribution and properties of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC). Twelve-day fetal liver GM-CFC separated into two peaks (s=7.7 mm/h, s=9.4 mm/h) in cultures stimulated by mouse lung conditioned medium (GM-CSF MLCM) or human urine (GM-CSFHU). Because fetal liver GM-CFC are of relatively light bouyant density, this finding indicates that fetal liver GM-CFC are much larger than corresponding cell in adult bone marrow (s=4.5 mm/h). By 18 days gestation more slowly sedimenting colony-forming cells were present (s=4.7 mm/h, s=6.0 mm/h). At all gestational ages, the most rapidly sedimenting (larger) colony-forming cells were more responsive to stimulation by GM-CSF MLCM than the smaller (slowly sedimenting) cells. Unlike the situation with adult marrow cells, velocity sedimentation achieved no segregation of GM-CFC according to the morphological type of colony produced.", "contents": "Characterization of mouse fetal liver granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells using velocity sedimentation. Fetal liver cells from CBA mice were separated by velocity sedimentation to determine the distribution and properties of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC). Twelve-day fetal liver GM-CFC separated into two peaks (s=7.7 mm/h, s=9.4 mm/h) in cultures stimulated by mouse lung conditioned medium (GM-CSF MLCM) or human urine (GM-CSFHU). Because fetal liver GM-CFC are of relatively light bouyant density, this finding indicates that fetal liver GM-CFC are much larger than corresponding cell in adult bone marrow (s=4.5 mm/h). By 18 days gestation more slowly sedimenting colony-forming cells were present (s=4.7 mm/h, s=6.0 mm/h). At all gestational ages, the most rapidly sedimenting (larger) colony-forming cells were more responsive to stimulation by GM-CSF MLCM than the smaller (slowly sedimenting) cells. Unlike the situation with adult marrow cells, velocity sedimentation achieved no segregation of GM-CFC according to the morphological type of colony produced.", "PMID": 627257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6894", "title": "Failure of diphenhydramine hydrochloride to prevent thrombosis at sites of endarterectomy in dogs.", "content": "Our previous work has shown that the addition of diphenhydramine hydrochloride to platelet-rich plasma is capable of causing disaggregation of platelet aggregates already induced by adenosine diphosphate as well as of inhibiting platelet aggregation when added prior to the aggregating agent. This led us to attempt to prevent arterial thrombosis in a canine experimental model. Ten dogs received an injection of diphenhydramine (approximately 3 mg/kg of body-weight) into the right common femoral artery 1 cm proximal to the proximal end of a 2 cm endarterectomy immediately after closure of the endarterectomy site and prior to performing an endarterectomy of the other common femoral and both common carotid arteries. The dogs which received diphenhydramine were compared with ten control dogs and found to have no protection against thrombosis at the sites of endarterectomy after 4 and 24 hours.", "contents": "Failure of diphenhydramine hydrochloride to prevent thrombosis at sites of endarterectomy in dogs. Our previous work has shown that the addition of diphenhydramine hydrochloride to platelet-rich plasma is capable of causing disaggregation of platelet aggregates already induced by adenosine diphosphate as well as of inhibiting platelet aggregation when added prior to the aggregating agent. This led us to attempt to prevent arterial thrombosis in a canine experimental model. Ten dogs received an injection of diphenhydramine (approximately 3 mg/kg of body-weight) into the right common femoral artery 1 cm proximal to the proximal end of a 2 cm endarterectomy immediately after closure of the endarterectomy site and prior to performing an endarterectomy of the other common femoral and both common carotid arteries. The dogs which received diphenhydramine were compared with ten control dogs and found to have no protection against thrombosis at the sites of endarterectomy after 4 and 24 hours.", "PMID": 627301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6895", "title": "A comparative study of floctafenine (Idarac) and ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis.", "content": "A two-by-two-week crossover trial was conducted in patients with osteoarthrosis, using a double-dummy technique of drug administration. The drugs used were floctafenine (Idarac) and ibuprofen both given in a dose of 200 mg four times daily. Both drugs provided comparable relief of pain. Side-effects were few and generally mild. The results indicate that in the treatment of osteoarthrosis, floctafenine is comparable to ibuprofen (in the dose used in the study) in terms of efficacy and toxicity.", "contents": "A comparative study of floctafenine (Idarac) and ibuprofen in the treatment of osteoarthrosis. A two-by-two-week crossover trial was conducted in patients with osteoarthrosis, using a double-dummy technique of drug administration. The drugs used were floctafenine (Idarac) and ibuprofen both given in a dose of 200 mg four times daily. Both drugs provided comparable relief of pain. Side-effects were few and generally mild. The results indicate that in the treatment of osteoarthrosis, floctafenine is comparable to ibuprofen (in the dose used in the study) in terms of efficacy and toxicity.", "PMID": 627302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6896", "title": "An open assessment of a new low dose oestrogen combined oral contraceptive.", "content": "This was a multicentre general practitioner study using a new low dose oral contraceptive, Ovamin 30 (ethinyloestradiol 30 microgram, ethynodiol diacetate 2 mg). Results showed a pregnancy rate calculated as a Pearl Index of 0.4. An analysis of bleeding patterns showed consistently acceptable cycle control. From these results it would appear that Ovamin 30 is an effective and well tolerated low dose oral contraceptive preparation.", "contents": "An open assessment of a new low dose oestrogen combined oral contraceptive. This was a multicentre general practitioner study using a new low dose oral contraceptive, Ovamin 30 (ethinyloestradiol 30 microgram, ethynodiol diacetate 2 mg). Results showed a pregnancy rate calculated as a Pearl Index of 0.4. An analysis of bleeding patterns showed consistently acceptable cycle control. From these results it would appear that Ovamin 30 is an effective and well tolerated low dose oral contraceptive preparation.", "PMID": 627304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6897", "title": "Single-dose oral treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis with tinidazole and metronidazole.", "content": "Sixty cases of trichomonal vaginitis were randomly allocated to treatment with tinidazole or metronidazole, both administered as a 2 g single dose. One patient on tinidazole did not complete her follow-up. Parasitological cure was obtained in all patients in both the treatment groups. A satisfactory clinical response was obtained in all 29 patients on tinidazole, and in 27 out of 30 (90%) on metronidazole. Complete relief of sumptoms was obtained in 62% (18/29) and 13% (4/30) of patients ontinidazole and metronidazole, respectively (p less than 0.01). Ten patients on tinidazole and 24 on metronidazole manifested side-effects. The frequency and severity of side-effects were much more in the metronidazole group (p less than 0.01). Tinidazole has distinct advantages over metronidazole in the one-dose treatment of trichomonal vaginitis.", "contents": "Single-dose oral treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis with tinidazole and metronidazole. Sixty cases of trichomonal vaginitis were randomly allocated to treatment with tinidazole or metronidazole, both administered as a 2 g single dose. One patient on tinidazole did not complete her follow-up. Parasitological cure was obtained in all patients in both the treatment groups. A satisfactory clinical response was obtained in all 29 patients on tinidazole, and in 27 out of 30 (90%) on metronidazole. Complete relief of sumptoms was obtained in 62% (18/29) and 13% (4/30) of patients ontinidazole and metronidazole, respectively (p less than 0.01). Ten patients on tinidazole and 24 on metronidazole manifested side-effects. The frequency and severity of side-effects were much more in the metronidazole group (p less than 0.01). Tinidazole has distinct advantages over metronidazole in the one-dose treatment of trichomonal vaginitis.", "PMID": 627305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6898", "title": "A comparative evaluation of oral decongestants in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis.", "content": "In a seven-week double-blind crossover study, Disofrol (dexbrompheniramine maleate +d-isoephedrine sulphate) was compared with Lunerin (brompheniramine + 2-amino-1-phenyl-propanol-(1)-hydrochloride) and with placebo in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis in thirty-one patients. From the patients' evaluations on diary cards Disofrol reduced the symptom running nose to a higher degree than Lunerin, an effect possibly ascribable to a greater anticholinergic activity. Both preparations had equal ability to relieve nasal blockage and both combinations were found to be more effective than placebo.", "contents": "A comparative evaluation of oral decongestants in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis. In a seven-week double-blind crossover study, Disofrol (dexbrompheniramine maleate +d-isoephedrine sulphate) was compared with Lunerin (brompheniramine + 2-amino-1-phenyl-propanol-(1)-hydrochloride) and with placebo in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis in thirty-one patients. From the patients' evaluations on diary cards Disofrol reduced the symptom running nose to a higher degree than Lunerin, an effect possibly ascribable to a greater anticholinergic activity. Both preparations had equal ability to relieve nasal blockage and both combinations were found to be more effective than placebo.", "PMID": 627306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6899", "title": "Further experience with 2100 consecutive ketamine administrations: newer indications and restrictions.", "content": "Two thousand one hundred consecutive administrations of ketamine as an anaesthetic agent are reviewed. On the basis of the experience described, the authors assess that this agent could be used with safety in the average patient presenting for surgery and that it would be likely to suffice as the sole anaesthetic agent in 40% of such cases but would require supplementation by other anaesthetic agents in the remaining 60% of cases. They recommend it as being particularly useful in children submitting to dental surgery as it can be used without sedative premedication and permits of rapid recovery.", "contents": "Further experience with 2100 consecutive ketamine administrations: newer indications and restrictions. Two thousand one hundred consecutive administrations of ketamine as an anaesthetic agent are reviewed. On the basis of the experience described, the authors assess that this agent could be used with safety in the average patient presenting for surgery and that it would be likely to suffice as the sole anaesthetic agent in 40% of such cases but would require supplementation by other anaesthetic agents in the remaining 60% of cases. They recommend it as being particularly useful in children submitting to dental surgery as it can be used without sedative premedication and permits of rapid recovery.", "PMID": 627307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6900", "title": "Calcium and secretin as provocative stimuli in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.", "content": "The effects of calcium and secretin were studied in 8 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and 18 patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate produced marked increases in serum gastrin levels in the patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (4,350 +/- 1,625 pg/mg) and very slight increases in the patients with duodenal ulcer disease (140 +/- 49 pg/ml). Secretin given as a single intravenous injection also induced marked elevations in serum gastrin in the group with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (4,063 +/- 1,990 pg/ml). By contrast, intravenous secretin resulted in a progressive fall in serum gastrin levels in the duodenal ulcer group (from 119 to 97 pg/mg). These results suggest that both stimuli are very useful dagnostic tools in discriminating between Zollinger-Ellison and non-Zollinger-Ellison patients. The secretin challenge test is felt to be superior to the calcium infusions because it is simpler, safer and very rarely produces false-negative or-positive results.", "contents": "Calcium and secretin as provocative stimuli in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The effects of calcium and secretin were studied in 8 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and 18 patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate produced marked increases in serum gastrin levels in the patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (4,350 +/- 1,625 pg/mg) and very slight increases in the patients with duodenal ulcer disease (140 +/- 49 pg/ml). Secretin given as a single intravenous injection also induced marked elevations in serum gastrin in the group with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (4,063 +/- 1,990 pg/ml). By contrast, intravenous secretin resulted in a progressive fall in serum gastrin levels in the duodenal ulcer group (from 119 to 97 pg/mg). These results suggest that both stimuli are very useful dagnostic tools in discriminating between Zollinger-Ellison and non-Zollinger-Ellison patients. The secretin challenge test is felt to be superior to the calcium infusions because it is simpler, safer and very rarely produces false-negative or-positive results.", "PMID": 627316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6901", "title": "Glucagon inhibition of secretin and combined secretin and cholecystokinin stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion in health and disease.", "content": "The effect of glucagon infusion on secretin and combined secretin and cholecystokinin stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in normal subjects and in patients after acute and with chronic pancreatic disease. Glucagon inhibited pancreatic protein secretion and had no inhibitory effect on volume or bicarbonate secretion.", "contents": "Glucagon inhibition of secretin and combined secretin and cholecystokinin stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion in health and disease. The effect of glucagon infusion on secretin and combined secretin and cholecystokinin stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in normal subjects and in patients after acute and with chronic pancreatic disease. Glucagon inhibited pancreatic protein secretion and had no inhibitory effect on volume or bicarbonate secretion.", "PMID": 627317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6902", "title": "Morphology of the gastric mucosa, gastric secretion and serum gastrin concentration following a test meal.", "content": "In 32 subjects, the HCl secretion, the histological state of the antral and fundic mucosa and the gastrin response to a liquid meal extract were studied. Atrophy of the antrum was associated with normal gastrin concentration in the fasting state and after the test meal, in the presence of normal fundic mucosa and HCl secretion. In achlorhydria and atrophic gastritis, fasting gastrinemia was significantly elevated in subjects with a normal antrum, and only moderately increased in subjects with an atrophic antrum. The gastrin response to feeding was correlated to the fasting gastrin concentration in achlorhydric subjects with normal antral mucosa, in contrast to a uniformly reduced output in achlorhydric subjects with atrophic lesions of the antral mucosa.", "contents": "Morphology of the gastric mucosa, gastric secretion and serum gastrin concentration following a test meal. In 32 subjects, the HCl secretion, the histological state of the antral and fundic mucosa and the gastrin response to a liquid meal extract were studied. Atrophy of the antrum was associated with normal gastrin concentration in the fasting state and after the test meal, in the presence of normal fundic mucosa and HCl secretion. In achlorhydria and atrophic gastritis, fasting gastrinemia was significantly elevated in subjects with a normal antrum, and only moderately increased in subjects with an atrophic antrum. The gastrin response to feeding was correlated to the fasting gastrin concentration in achlorhydric subjects with normal antral mucosa, in contrast to a uniformly reduced output in achlorhydric subjects with atrophic lesions of the antral mucosa.", "PMID": 627318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6903", "title": "Hemorrhagic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "content": "Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), experimentally induced by endotoxin, caused severe hemorrhagic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa in dogs. Microscopic observation showed tortuous thrombus formation in the microcirculation of the villi. Ligation of the pancreatic and bile ducts, or administration of heparin protected the mucosa from hemorrhagic necrosis, while systemic administration of tranexamic acid increased the intestinal mucosal lesion. Local pretreatment of the intestinal mucosa by Trasylol or tranexamic acid reduced the degree of hemorrhagic necrosis. It is concluded that intravascular coagulation in the microcirculation of the intestinal mucosa, as well as pancreatic proteases, play a role in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic necrosis in the intestine associated with DIC.", "contents": "Hemorrhagic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), experimentally induced by endotoxin, caused severe hemorrhagic necrosis of the intestinal mucosa in dogs. Microscopic observation showed tortuous thrombus formation in the microcirculation of the villi. Ligation of the pancreatic and bile ducts, or administration of heparin protected the mucosa from hemorrhagic necrosis, while systemic administration of tranexamic acid increased the intestinal mucosal lesion. Local pretreatment of the intestinal mucosa by Trasylol or tranexamic acid reduced the degree of hemorrhagic necrosis. It is concluded that intravascular coagulation in the microcirculation of the intestinal mucosa, as well as pancreatic proteases, play a role in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic necrosis in the intestine associated with DIC.", "PMID": 627319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6904", "title": "Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in normal persons using an improved GLC method.", "content": "An improved GLC method was employed to study individual serum bile acids in 14 control subjects after a 12-hour fast followed by a standard fatty meal. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained at 15-min intervals for up to 2 h in 7 subjects, and 4 h in 2 subjects. The fasting total bile acids, and cholic:chenodeozycholic acid ratio fell within a narrow range. The total bile acids and chenodeoxycholic acid increased significantly within 30 min of the meal, to reach peak values within 75-120 min. The extent of the increase was variable, and the range of values increased progressively after the meal.", "contents": "Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in normal persons using an improved GLC method. An improved GLC method was employed to study individual serum bile acids in 14 control subjects after a 12-hour fast followed by a standard fatty meal. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained at 15-min intervals for up to 2 h in 7 subjects, and 4 h in 2 subjects. The fasting total bile acids, and cholic:chenodeozycholic acid ratio fell within a narrow range. The total bile acids and chenodeoxycholic acid increased significantly within 30 min of the meal, to reach peak values within 75-120 min. The extent of the increase was variable, and the range of values increased progressively after the meal.", "PMID": 627320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6905", "title": "Calcium transport by the normal rat colon in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "We studied calcium transport in vivo and in vitro in large bowel of normally fed young male rats. Solutions containing zero, 1.7, 3.4 and 5.0 mM calcium and isotopic 45Ca as tracer were perfused in vivo through the lumen of cecum and descending colon. In vitro flux studies were also carried out in cecum with 2.0 and 0.2 mM calcium solutions utilizing the technique of Ussing and Zerahn whereby both chemical and electrical gradients across planar sheets of cecal tissues were nulled. The combined findings demonstrated that (i) cecum was more permeable to calcium than descending colon indicating a proximal to distal absorption gradient in large bowel; (ii) the transport of calcium in both segments increased with increasing luminal calcium concentration, and (iii) calcium transport in both cecum and descending colon was passive only. Thus the large bowel appears to play only a minor role in calcium homeostasis in the normally fed rat.", "contents": "Calcium transport by the normal rat colon in vivo and in vitro. We studied calcium transport in vivo and in vitro in large bowel of normally fed young male rats. Solutions containing zero, 1.7, 3.4 and 5.0 mM calcium and isotopic 45Ca as tracer were perfused in vivo through the lumen of cecum and descending colon. In vitro flux studies were also carried out in cecum with 2.0 and 0.2 mM calcium solutions utilizing the technique of Ussing and Zerahn whereby both chemical and electrical gradients across planar sheets of cecal tissues were nulled. The combined findings demonstrated that (i) cecum was more permeable to calcium than descending colon indicating a proximal to distal absorption gradient in large bowel; (ii) the transport of calcium in both segments increased with increasing luminal calcium concentration, and (iii) calcium transport in both cecum and descending colon was passive only. Thus the large bowel appears to play only a minor role in calcium homeostasis in the normally fed rat.", "PMID": 627321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6906", "title": "Fat necrosis - a cause of pancreatic parenchymal necrosis?", "content": "Acute pancreatic necrosis resulted when oleic acid or olive oil was injected into the pancreatic duct or rats. After injection of droplets of both lipids into the pancreatic interstitial tissue, coagulation-type necrosis of acinar tissue developed adjacent to these droplets. Mono-olein or paraffin oil caused no histological alterations of acinar cells. It is concluded that (1) the deleterious effect of olive oil on the pancreas is mediated through fatty acids released by pancreatic lipase, and (2) fatty acids split off in fat necrosis of acute pancreatitis may damage adjacent pancreatic acinar tissue.", "contents": "Fat necrosis - a cause of pancreatic parenchymal necrosis? Acute pancreatic necrosis resulted when oleic acid or olive oil was injected into the pancreatic duct or rats. After injection of droplets of both lipids into the pancreatic interstitial tissue, coagulation-type necrosis of acinar tissue developed adjacent to these droplets. Mono-olein or paraffin oil caused no histological alterations of acinar cells. It is concluded that (1) the deleterious effect of olive oil on the pancreas is mediated through fatty acids released by pancreatic lipase, and (2) fatty acids split off in fat necrosis of acute pancreatitis may damage adjacent pancreatic acinar tissue.", "PMID": 627322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6907", "title": "Effect of highly selective vagotomy on gastric motor activity of duodenal ulcer patients.", "content": "The effect of highly selective vagotomy on the gastric emptying time of a food-barium meal and antral myoelectrical and manometrical activities was studied in two groups of duodenal ulcer patients: one with and another without delay in gastric emptying. Controls performed 1 and 3 months after operation showed that the group of patients with non-delayed preoperative gastric emptying kept a good emptying, only with sporadic, slight and transient disturbances of the gastric myoelectric activity. Conversely, the group of patients with delayed preoperative gastric emptying showed an increase in emptying time together with marked alterations in myoelectric and manometric activities.", "contents": "Effect of highly selective vagotomy on gastric motor activity of duodenal ulcer patients. The effect of highly selective vagotomy on the gastric emptying time of a food-barium meal and antral myoelectrical and manometrical activities was studied in two groups of duodenal ulcer patients: one with and another without delay in gastric emptying. Controls performed 1 and 3 months after operation showed that the group of patients with non-delayed preoperative gastric emptying kept a good emptying, only with sporadic, slight and transient disturbances of the gastric myoelectric activity. Conversely, the group of patients with delayed preoperative gastric emptying showed an increase in emptying time together with marked alterations in myoelectric and manometric activities.", "PMID": 627323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6908", "title": "Diet and cholesterol gallstones. A multicenter study.", "content": "In France, changes in the incidence of gallstones during the 20 years following World War II paralleled the changes in total calories, protein and lipid of the diet. The incidence of gallstones in autopsy statistics has been compared to the diets in different countries: France, India, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and Uganda. Low calorie, low protein, low lipid intake and vegetable diet are associated with a low incidence of gallstones. A positive correlation between calorie intake and gallstones incidence was found at necropsy for calorie intakes lower than 3,000 kcal. In countries with high calorie, high protein and high lipid intakes, such a correlation was not found. These results suggest that a hypocaloric diet associated with a low intake of fat and protein mostly of vegetable origin, is protective against cholelithiasis.", "contents": "Diet and cholesterol gallstones. A multicenter study. In France, changes in the incidence of gallstones during the 20 years following World War II paralleled the changes in total calories, protein and lipid of the diet. The incidence of gallstones in autopsy statistics has been compared to the diets in different countries: France, India, Japan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and Uganda. Low calorie, low protein, low lipid intake and vegetable diet are associated with a low incidence of gallstones. A positive correlation between calorie intake and gallstones incidence was found at necropsy for calorie intakes lower than 3,000 kcal. In countries with high calorie, high protein and high lipid intakes, such a correlation was not found. These results suggest that a hypocaloric diet associated with a low intake of fat and protein mostly of vegetable origin, is protective against cholelithiasis.", "PMID": 627324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6909", "title": "Diet and cholesterol gallstones. A further study.", "content": "In a first study, a population of 1,045 women from 20 to 61 years old has been studies. 24 (2.3%) were known to have gallstones. After excluding these 24 cases, 214 were drawn from the same population and accepted an oral cholecystography. 11 cases of stones (5.1%) were discovered. The diet of these 11 patients and of the 202 women without gallstones was not significantly different. In a second study, the diet of 50 patients with known gallstones and the diet of 50 matched controls have been compared. No significant difference between the two groups can be demonstrated for calories, protein, fat or carbohydrates intake. These results are compared to previous results which showed overconsumption of food in gallstone patients. The method for all studies being similiar, it seems that the dietetic factors are now less important in cholesterol stones pathogenesis than during the period which followed the second world war starvation in southeast France. The assumption that undernutrition diminishes the chance for a women to develop gallstones is proposed.", "contents": "Diet and cholesterol gallstones. A further study. In a first study, a population of 1,045 women from 20 to 61 years old has been studies. 24 (2.3%) were known to have gallstones. After excluding these 24 cases, 214 were drawn from the same population and accepted an oral cholecystography. 11 cases of stones (5.1%) were discovered. The diet of these 11 patients and of the 202 women without gallstones was not significantly different. In a second study, the diet of 50 patients with known gallstones and the diet of 50 matched controls have been compared. No significant difference between the two groups can be demonstrated for calories, protein, fat or carbohydrates intake. These results are compared to previous results which showed overconsumption of food in gallstone patients. The method for all studies being similiar, it seems that the dietetic factors are now less important in cholesterol stones pathogenesis than during the period which followed the second world war starvation in southeast France. The assumption that undernutrition diminishes the chance for a women to develop gallstones is proposed.", "PMID": 627325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6910", "title": "Experimental production of diffuse colitis in rats.", "content": "Diffuse, topical application of dilute acetic acid to the serosal surface of rat colon, or standardized intraluminal (per rectum) instillation induced a reproducible, diffuse colitis in a dose-response manner. These lesions were reproduced with 100% reliability and were evaluated up to 60 days when healing occurred. Histopathological features of this chemically induced colitis were diffuse ulceration of the distal colon, occurrence of pseudopolyp-like structures, alterations in crypt depth and mucus secretion, and a transmural, nonspecific inflammatory response.", "contents": "Experimental production of diffuse colitis in rats. Diffuse, topical application of dilute acetic acid to the serosal surface of rat colon, or standardized intraluminal (per rectum) instillation induced a reproducible, diffuse colitis in a dose-response manner. These lesions were reproduced with 100% reliability and were evaluated up to 60 days when healing occurred. Histopathological features of this chemically induced colitis were diffuse ulceration of the distal colon, occurrence of pseudopolyp-like structures, alterations in crypt depth and mucus secretion, and a transmural, nonspecific inflammatory response.", "PMID": 627326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6911", "title": "The interrelations of gastrin release, antral gastrin concentration and acid secretion rate.", "content": "The interrelations of meal stimulated gastrin release, antral gastrin concentration (AGC) and acid secretion rate were examined in a heterogenous group of 72 patients, Gastrin release calculated as the integrated gastrin output was directly related to AGC, r = 0.50 (p less than 0.001) and inversely related to maximum acid output (MAO), r = -0.31 (p less than 0.01). The relation between integrated gastrin output and AGC was significant in 21 patients with low acid secretion rates (MAO: less than 10 mEq/h), r = 0.66 (p less than 0.01) and in 27 patients with normal acid secretion rates (MAO: 10-25 mEq/h), r = 0.56 (p less than 0.05), but not in 24 patients with high acid secretion rates (MAO: greater than 25 mEq/h), r= 0.35 (p greater than 0.05). A weak inverse relation between AGC and MAO may exist in patients with low acid secretion rates, r = -0.40 (p less than 0.10). Considered together using multiple regression procedures AGC and MAO explained less than one-half of the variability in meal stimulated gastrin release.", "contents": "The interrelations of gastrin release, antral gastrin concentration and acid secretion rate. The interrelations of meal stimulated gastrin release, antral gastrin concentration (AGC) and acid secretion rate were examined in a heterogenous group of 72 patients, Gastrin release calculated as the integrated gastrin output was directly related to AGC, r = 0.50 (p less than 0.001) and inversely related to maximum acid output (MAO), r = -0.31 (p less than 0.01). The relation between integrated gastrin output and AGC was significant in 21 patients with low acid secretion rates (MAO: less than 10 mEq/h), r = 0.66 (p less than 0.01) and in 27 patients with normal acid secretion rates (MAO: 10-25 mEq/h), r = 0.56 (p less than 0.05), but not in 24 patients with high acid secretion rates (MAO: greater than 25 mEq/h), r= 0.35 (p greater than 0.05). A weak inverse relation between AGC and MAO may exist in patients with low acid secretion rates, r = -0.40 (p less than 0.10). Considered together using multiple regression procedures AGC and MAO explained less than one-half of the variability in meal stimulated gastrin release.", "PMID": 627327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6912", "title": "Disaccharidase deficiency in infants with cow's milk protein intolerance. Response to treatment.", "content": "7 infants, aged 5 weeks to 11 months, with clinically documented intolerance to cow's milk protein, chronic diarrhea, and failure to thrive, underwent small intestinal (peroal, suction) biopsy before and after withdrawal of milk proteins. Mucosal specimens were examined by light microscopy and assayed for disaccharidase activities. In all patients, moderate to severe mucosal changes were presented, associated with marked inflammation of lamina propria and damages to the brushborder. Disaccharidase activities (lactase, sucrase, maltase and palatinase) were markedly depressed in all. Follow-up biopsies were obtained in 6 infants, after 3-5 months on a milk-protein-free diet. At the time of the second biopsy, the disaccharidase activities had risen significantly and histologic improvement had occurred in each instance. In infancy, intestinal mucosal lesions due to intolerance to cow's milk protein are histologically indistinguishable from those seen in gluten-sensitive enteropathy and are associated with marked secondary disaccharidase deficiencies. Following therapy, the activity of the disaccharidases become normal or near normal prior to the complete morphologic recovery of the small intestinal mucosa.", "contents": "Disaccharidase deficiency in infants with cow's milk protein intolerance. Response to treatment. 7 infants, aged 5 weeks to 11 months, with clinically documented intolerance to cow's milk protein, chronic diarrhea, and failure to thrive, underwent small intestinal (peroal, suction) biopsy before and after withdrawal of milk proteins. Mucosal specimens were examined by light microscopy and assayed for disaccharidase activities. In all patients, moderate to severe mucosal changes were presented, associated with marked inflammation of lamina propria and damages to the brushborder. Disaccharidase activities (lactase, sucrase, maltase and palatinase) were markedly depressed in all. Follow-up biopsies were obtained in 6 infants, after 3-5 months on a milk-protein-free diet. At the time of the second biopsy, the disaccharidase activities had risen significantly and histologic improvement had occurred in each instance. In infancy, intestinal mucosal lesions due to intolerance to cow's milk protein are histologically indistinguishable from those seen in gluten-sensitive enteropathy and are associated with marked secondary disaccharidase deficiencies. Following therapy, the activity of the disaccharidases become normal or near normal prior to the complete morphologic recovery of the small intestinal mucosa.", "PMID": 627328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6913", "title": "Detection of IgE insulin antibody with radioallergosorbent test.", "content": "An in vitro method for detecting IgE insulin antibody using the principle of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is described. In six patients with insulin allergy, the RAST values were higher than in normal persons or insulin-treated diabetics without insulin-allergy. No differences were observed between normal persons and insulin-treated diabetics without insulin-allergy. Moreover, it was observed that in one patient treated with highly-purified insulin, there was a gradual decrease of RAST value parallel to the radioinsulin binding activity and clinical allergic symptoms. The RAST value of insulin is slightly inhibited by non-IgE antibodies and is, therefore, a semiquantitative value. However, the RAST is simple to perform and reproducible; It therefore is very useful in the detection of IgE insulin antibodies.", "contents": "Detection of IgE insulin antibody with radioallergosorbent test. An in vitro method for detecting IgE insulin antibody using the principle of the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) is described. In six patients with insulin allergy, the RAST values were higher than in normal persons or insulin-treated diabetics without insulin-allergy. No differences were observed between normal persons and insulin-treated diabetics without insulin-allergy. Moreover, it was observed that in one patient treated with highly-purified insulin, there was a gradual decrease of RAST value parallel to the radioinsulin binding activity and clinical allergic symptoms. The RAST value of insulin is slightly inhibited by non-IgE antibodies and is, therefore, a semiquantitative value. However, the RAST is simple to perform and reproducible; It therefore is very useful in the detection of IgE insulin antibodies.", "PMID": 627330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6914", "title": "Oxidation of an exogenous glucose load using naturally labelled 13C-glucose. Effect of butylbiguanide therapy in obese mildly diabetic subjects.", "content": "The effect of a 14 day-administration of butylbiguanide was investigated in a group of 10 obese patients with mild-to-moderate glucose intolerance. Glucose tolerance was significantly improved, while fasting blood glucose and plasma levels of free fatty acids, insulin and glucagon remained unchanged. The estimation of the amount of the oral glucose load oxidized into CO2 was performed by means of a recently described procedure using \"naturally labelled 13C-glucose\" as tracer. The curves depicting the oxidation of the exogenous glucose load were similar in shape and magnitude before and after administration of the biguanide; in the latter case, however, slightly higher rates of oxidation of exogenous glucose were recorded during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hours of the test. These data do not provide evidence that the biguanide-induced improvement in glucose tolerance in patients with mild-to-moderate glucose intolerance is associated with any inhibiting or delaying effect of this type of drug on intestinal absorption (and subsequent oxidation) of the exogenous glucose load. On the contrary, a slight, but statistically significant, increase in the oxidation of exogenous glucose has been observed after butylbiguanide.", "contents": "Oxidation of an exogenous glucose load using naturally labelled 13C-glucose. Effect of butylbiguanide therapy in obese mildly diabetic subjects. The effect of a 14 day-administration of butylbiguanide was investigated in a group of 10 obese patients with mild-to-moderate glucose intolerance. Glucose tolerance was significantly improved, while fasting blood glucose and plasma levels of free fatty acids, insulin and glucagon remained unchanged. The estimation of the amount of the oral glucose load oxidized into CO2 was performed by means of a recently described procedure using \"naturally labelled 13C-glucose\" as tracer. The curves depicting the oxidation of the exogenous glucose load were similar in shape and magnitude before and after administration of the biguanide; in the latter case, however, slightly higher rates of oxidation of exogenous glucose were recorded during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hours of the test. These data do not provide evidence that the biguanide-induced improvement in glucose tolerance in patients with mild-to-moderate glucose intolerance is associated with any inhibiting or delaying effect of this type of drug on intestinal absorption (and subsequent oxidation) of the exogenous glucose load. On the contrary, a slight, but statistically significant, increase in the oxidation of exogenous glucose has been observed after butylbiguanide.", "PMID": 627331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6915", "title": "Effect of insulin in vitro on the isolated, perfused alloxan-diabetic rat liver.", "content": "Withdrawal of exogenous insulin and a subsequent fast (24 h) of alloxan diabetic rats stimulated rates of gluconeogenesis, urogenesis, ketogenesis, and amino acid release by in situ perfused livers when compared to those from normal, fasted rats. The contribution of liver glycogen to the high rates of gluconeogenesis observed with the diabetic liver could be excluded. Perfusate lactate concentrations remained constant during the period when the elevated rate of gluconeogenesis was observed with diabetic liver. Addition of insulin as a bolus (750 mU) and continuous infusion (12.5 mU/min) to the perfusion medium of diabetic livers resulted in constant perfusate levels of glucose, urea and alpha-amino nitrogen indicating a suppression of the catabolic processes present in the fasted, diabetic liver. The rate of ketogenesis was also slowed by insulin to about half the rate prior to addition of the hormone. These data indicate that insulin has an immediate anti-catabolic effect in the perfused, diabetic liver.", "contents": "Effect of insulin in vitro on the isolated, perfused alloxan-diabetic rat liver. Withdrawal of exogenous insulin and a subsequent fast (24 h) of alloxan diabetic rats stimulated rates of gluconeogenesis, urogenesis, ketogenesis, and amino acid release by in situ perfused livers when compared to those from normal, fasted rats. The contribution of liver glycogen to the high rates of gluconeogenesis observed with the diabetic liver could be excluded. Perfusate lactate concentrations remained constant during the period when the elevated rate of gluconeogenesis was observed with diabetic liver. Addition of insulin as a bolus (750 mU) and continuous infusion (12.5 mU/min) to the perfusion medium of diabetic livers resulted in constant perfusate levels of glucose, urea and alpha-amino nitrogen indicating a suppression of the catabolic processes present in the fasted, diabetic liver. The rate of ketogenesis was also slowed by insulin to about half the rate prior to addition of the hormone. These data indicate that insulin has an immediate anti-catabolic effect in the perfused, diabetic liver.", "PMID": 627332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6916", "title": "The serum glucose response to glucagon suppression with somatostatin, insulin or antiglucagon serum in depancreatized rats.", "content": "Total immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) and immunoreactive glucagon of A cell origin (IRGa) were measured in the serum of normal, sham-operated and depancreatized rats, after the administration of three glucagon antagonists: insulin (5--200 mU/rat/h), somatostatin (SRIF; 100 microgram/kg/h) and antiglucagon serum (AGS, enough to bind three times the calculated total amount of circulating IRG). Since no differences were noted between the responses of normal and sham-operated animals, the values were pooled and used as controls. Pancreatectomy caused a significant increase in serum glucose, IRGa and total IRG and a significant decrease in serum insulin. AGS and SRIF significantly decreased serum glucose in control, but not in depancreatized rats, even though SRIF caused a significant decrease of IRGa in all animals. SRIF significantly decreased plasma insulin in control rats, but did not modify total IRG secretion in either groups. In control rats the minimum effective hypoglycaemic dose of insulin (5 mU/rat/h) may have decreased serum IRGa, but not total IRG. At higher doses (20 mU/rat/h) insulin stimulated glucagon secretion. In depancreatized animals, higher doses of insulin (200 mU/rat/h) were needed to lower serum glucose. On the other hand, a dose of 100 muU/rat/h was sufficient to lower the serum IRG. We conclude that although hyperglucagonaemia may contribute to the hyperglycaemia of the untreated depancreatized rats, the excessive secretion of glucagon is secondary to insulin insufficiency and that, at least in this animal model, the hypoglycaemic action of insulin is only minimally dependent upon its ability to suppress glucagon secretion.", "contents": "The serum glucose response to glucagon suppression with somatostatin, insulin or antiglucagon serum in depancreatized rats. Total immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) and immunoreactive glucagon of A cell origin (IRGa) were measured in the serum of normal, sham-operated and depancreatized rats, after the administration of three glucagon antagonists: insulin (5--200 mU/rat/h), somatostatin (SRIF; 100 microgram/kg/h) and antiglucagon serum (AGS, enough to bind three times the calculated total amount of circulating IRG). Since no differences were noted between the responses of normal and sham-operated animals, the values were pooled and used as controls. Pancreatectomy caused a significant increase in serum glucose, IRGa and total IRG and a significant decrease in serum insulin. AGS and SRIF significantly decreased serum glucose in control, but not in depancreatized rats, even though SRIF caused a significant decrease of IRGa in all animals. SRIF significantly decreased plasma insulin in control rats, but did not modify total IRG secretion in either groups. In control rats the minimum effective hypoglycaemic dose of insulin (5 mU/rat/h) may have decreased serum IRGa, but not total IRG. At higher doses (20 mU/rat/h) insulin stimulated glucagon secretion. In depancreatized animals, higher doses of insulin (200 mU/rat/h) were needed to lower serum glucose. On the other hand, a dose of 100 muU/rat/h was sufficient to lower the serum IRG. We conclude that although hyperglucagonaemia may contribute to the hyperglycaemia of the untreated depancreatized rats, the excessive secretion of glucagon is secondary to insulin insufficiency and that, at least in this animal model, the hypoglycaemic action of insulin is only minimally dependent upon its ability to suppress glucagon secretion.", "PMID": 627333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6917", "title": "[The preventive treatment of general risks prior to gynaecological operations (author's transl)].", "content": "The operative treatment of high risk patients is of increasing importance in gynaecology. The preoperative preventive treatment of latent general problems is an important tool in the prevention of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The experience of the department for gynaecology in Hanover, Germany, during 1976 is reported. Among 1583 major operations 158 were carried out on patients in the risk class III. Guidelines are described for the preventive treatment of cardiac, bronchopulmonary, hypertensive and diabetic risks. The importance of obesity and advanced age is discussed in our cases.", "contents": "[The preventive treatment of general risks prior to gynaecological operations (author's transl)]. The operative treatment of high risk patients is of increasing importance in gynaecology. The preoperative preventive treatment of latent general problems is an important tool in the prevention of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The experience of the department for gynaecology in Hanover, Germany, during 1976 is reported. Among 1583 major operations 158 were carried out on patients in the risk class III. Guidelines are described for the preventive treatment of cardiac, bronchopulmonary, hypertensive and diabetic risks. The importance of obesity and advanced age is discussed in our cases.", "PMID": 627335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6918", "title": "Glucose metabolism in the newborn rat: the role of insulin.", "content": "The effect of the administration of anti-insulin serum to newborn rats, surgically delivered under ether anaesthesia at term, was examined with respect to liver glycogen concentration and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate and free fatty acids. Newborn rats thus treated showed decreased liver glycogen concentrations and elevated plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate and free fatty acids compared to untreated control animals one hour later. These effects were dose-dependent with respect to the amount of anti-insulin serum administered. The simultaneous administration of glucagon with anti-insulin serum at birth was no more effective in mobilising glycogen stores than anti-insulin serum alone, although plasma glucose concentrations in these animals were higher and plasma lactate concentrations were lower. Either anti-insulin serum or glucagon abolished the postnatal hypoglycaemia observed in untreated neonatal rats. The rate of fall in plasma lactate concentrations after birth was stimulated in glucagon-treated rats but was retarded in rats treated with anti-insulin serum. Hormonal control over the initiation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the newborn rat appears to be different, a fall in plasma insulin being the prime factor involved in triggering glycogen mobilization and a rise in plasma glucagon the prime event that initiates gluconeogenesis.", "contents": "Glucose metabolism in the newborn rat: the role of insulin. The effect of the administration of anti-insulin serum to newborn rats, surgically delivered under ether anaesthesia at term, was examined with respect to liver glycogen concentration and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate and free fatty acids. Newborn rats thus treated showed decreased liver glycogen concentrations and elevated plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate and free fatty acids compared to untreated control animals one hour later. These effects were dose-dependent with respect to the amount of anti-insulin serum administered. The simultaneous administration of glucagon with anti-insulin serum at birth was no more effective in mobilising glycogen stores than anti-insulin serum alone, although plasma glucose concentrations in these animals were higher and plasma lactate concentrations were lower. Either anti-insulin serum or glucagon abolished the postnatal hypoglycaemia observed in untreated neonatal rats. The rate of fall in plasma lactate concentrations after birth was stimulated in glucagon-treated rats but was retarded in rats treated with anti-insulin serum. Hormonal control over the initiation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the newborn rat appears to be different, a fall in plasma insulin being the prime factor involved in triggering glycogen mobilization and a rise in plasma glucagon the prime event that initiates gluconeogenesis.", "PMID": 627334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6919", "title": "[Chromosome Anomalies in cases of habitual Abortions (author's transl)].", "content": "Chromosome examinations in the case of 78 married couples with recurrent abortions are discussed. The analyses were based on 141 caryogrammes--78 women, 63 men. Inheritied chromosome anomalies as cause of the recurrent abortions could be ascertained with 7 patients (5%): 4 autosomal anomalies in the form of balanced translocations; 1 gonosomal anomaly occurring as X-trisomy with deletion of the short arms of an X-chromosome; 2 cases of striking fragility of the chromosome no. 2. The significance of such chromosome anomalies in women and recurrent miscarriages is discussed. Cytogenetic and histological examinations of the aborted product of conception can give valuable indications for the detection of a chromosome anomaly in the parents. The prognosis and consequences of parental chromosome anomaly and the necessity of prenatal chromosome analyses are discussed.", "contents": "[Chromosome Anomalies in cases of habitual Abortions (author's transl)]. Chromosome examinations in the case of 78 married couples with recurrent abortions are discussed. The analyses were based on 141 caryogrammes--78 women, 63 men. Inheritied chromosome anomalies as cause of the recurrent abortions could be ascertained with 7 patients (5%): 4 autosomal anomalies in the form of balanced translocations; 1 gonosomal anomaly occurring as X-trisomy with deletion of the short arms of an X-chromosome; 2 cases of striking fragility of the chromosome no. 2. The significance of such chromosome anomalies in women and recurrent miscarriages is discussed. Cytogenetic and histological examinations of the aborted product of conception can give valuable indications for the detection of a chromosome anomaly in the parents. The prognosis and consequences of parental chromosome anomaly and the necessity of prenatal chromosome analyses are discussed.", "PMID": 627336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6920", "title": "[Symptomatic therapy of primary dysmonorrhea by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin (author's transl)].", "content": "In a controlled trial the effect of indomethacin was studied in 54 patients with primary dysmenorrhea. 34 patients were treated with 3 X 25 mg indomethacin per day orally for 5 days starting 2 days before onset of menstruation. Treatment was continued for 4 months, 20 patients received a placebo preparation. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea were reduced by 66-73% over the control group during all 4 treatment periods. 18 patients of the treated group reported complete relief from symptoms, 10 a marked improvement. Only 3 patients reported no effect of the drug, while in 3 other patients the treatment had to be discontinued due to the well-known untoward effects of indomethacin (nausea, vertigo). The therapeutic efficacy of indomethacin supports the concept of an essential role of prostaglandins in primary dysmenorrhea. The use of prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors (aspirin-like drugs) is discussed for patient with primary dysmenorrhea who cannot be treated by contraceptive steroids.", "contents": "[Symptomatic therapy of primary dysmonorrhea by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin (author's transl)]. In a controlled trial the effect of indomethacin was studied in 54 patients with primary dysmenorrhea. 34 patients were treated with 3 X 25 mg indomethacin per day orally for 5 days starting 2 days before onset of menstruation. Treatment was continued for 4 months, 20 patients received a placebo preparation. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea were reduced by 66-73% over the control group during all 4 treatment periods. 18 patients of the treated group reported complete relief from symptoms, 10 a marked improvement. Only 3 patients reported no effect of the drug, while in 3 other patients the treatment had to be discontinued due to the well-known untoward effects of indomethacin (nausea, vertigo). The therapeutic efficacy of indomethacin supports the concept of an essential role of prostaglandins in primary dysmenorrhea. The use of prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors (aspirin-like drugs) is discussed for patient with primary dysmenorrhea who cannot be treated by contraceptive steroids.", "PMID": 627337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6921", "title": "[Cervical polyps and diagnostic curettages (author's transl)].", "content": "The early detection of carcinoma of the cervix is successful due to the systematic cytologic and colposcopic examination of the largest number of women possible. In cases with endocervical polyps a diagnostic curettage is customarily done along with removal of the polyp. The curettage which requires admission to hospital and carrie a risk of operative complications is an extensive procedure for the diagnosis of a cervical polyp. Because of the high accuracy of cytologic and colposcopic diagnosis it is suggested to omit the curettage in the management of non-bleeding polyps in the premenopausal woman. The asymptomatic polyp should be followed by cytology or office removal with obligatory histologic examination. Follow-up cytology of the cervical canal is necessary.", "contents": "[Cervical polyps and diagnostic curettages (author's transl)]. The early detection of carcinoma of the cervix is successful due to the systematic cytologic and colposcopic examination of the largest number of women possible. In cases with endocervical polyps a diagnostic curettage is customarily done along with removal of the polyp. The curettage which requires admission to hospital and carrie a risk of operative complications is an extensive procedure for the diagnosis of a cervical polyp. Because of the high accuracy of cytologic and colposcopic diagnosis it is suggested to omit the curettage in the management of non-bleeding polyps in the premenopausal woman. The asymptomatic polyp should be followed by cytology or office removal with obligatory histologic examination. Follow-up cytology of the cervical canal is necessary.", "PMID": 627338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6922", "title": "[Investigation on the mycoplasma population of the lochia (author's transl)].", "content": "105 puerperae were examined for mycoplasma population one day and seven days post partum, after pregnancy and childbirth had remained without any complications. Whereas mycoplasmas could be identified in the lochia of 10 women in the seventh day post partum, all mycoplasma investigations remained negative on the day following childbirth.", "contents": "[Investigation on the mycoplasma population of the lochia (author's transl)]. 105 puerperae were examined for mycoplasma population one day and seven days post partum, after pregnancy and childbirth had remained without any complications. Whereas mycoplasmas could be identified in the lochia of 10 women in the seventh day post partum, all mycoplasma investigations remained negative on the day following childbirth.", "PMID": 627339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6923", "title": "[Investigations on mycoplasma infestation of the human placenta post partum (author's transl)].", "content": "In 95 healthy delivered women the placenta (externally and internally) and the amniotic sac were examined for mycoplasma population. Mycoplasmas could not be identified in any of the cases under investigation. In healthy pregnant women, mycoplasmas are not identifiable as \"harmless commensals\" either in the amniotic sac or in the placenta. In cases where mycoplasmas are found, they may act as pathogens.", "contents": "[Investigations on mycoplasma infestation of the human placenta post partum (author's transl)]. In 95 healthy delivered women the placenta (externally and internally) and the amniotic sac were examined for mycoplasma population. Mycoplasmas could not be identified in any of the cases under investigation. In healthy pregnant women, mycoplasmas are not identifiable as \"harmless commensals\" either in the amniotic sac or in the placenta. In cases where mycoplasmas are found, they may act as pathogens.", "PMID": 627340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6924", "title": "[Contritution of correction to genetic recombination in T4 phage measured by the effect of map contraction].", "content": "Marker-dependence of the fine structure map contraction in T4 phage is studied in two-factor crosses between rIIB mutants separated by indicator distances. The genetic intervals, which were short as compared with mean length of the heteroduplex region in hybrid DNA molecules but which exceeded the length of the DNA strand involved in a single correction event, were selected as indicator ones. On the basis of a deviation of measured frequencies from additivity (map contraction) the marker-specific frequencies of wild type recombinants arising as a result of correction to the wild type (kappa (- leads to +)) were calculated. For the most of the marker studied both of the base substitution and frame shift type the frequencies kappa (- leads to +) have the values below 2.10(-4). In the case of three most highly corrected frame shift markers with kappa (- leads to +) being 14.10(-4)--17.10(-4), about ten percent of all mismatched regions are corrected to the wild type.", "contents": "[Contritution of correction to genetic recombination in T4 phage measured by the effect of map contraction]. Marker-dependence of the fine structure map contraction in T4 phage is studied in two-factor crosses between rIIB mutants separated by indicator distances. The genetic intervals, which were short as compared with mean length of the heteroduplex region in hybrid DNA molecules but which exceeded the length of the DNA strand involved in a single correction event, were selected as indicator ones. On the basis of a deviation of measured frequencies from additivity (map contraction) the marker-specific frequencies of wild type recombinants arising as a result of correction to the wild type (kappa (- leads to +)) were calculated. For the most of the marker studied both of the base substitution and frame shift type the frequencies kappa (- leads to +) have the values below 2.10(-4). In the case of three most highly corrected frame shift markers with kappa (- leads to +) being 14.10(-4)--17.10(-4), about ten percent of all mismatched regions are corrected to the wild type.", "PMID": 627341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6925", "title": "[Mutagenic action of dimethyl sulfate and N-nitrosoethylurea on the mulberry silkworm].", "content": "Mutagenic effect of chemical mutagens, dimethalsulphate (DMS) and N-nitrosoethyl urea (NEU), on silkworm is studied. The effect of these mutagens have never been studied on silkworm before. DMS is found to be completely insufficient as mutagen for the silkworm, because its low mutability is accompanied with strong cytotoxic effect. NEU appeared to be of \"milder\" effect. Injection of male-moth proved to be very efficient. The majority of exuded mutants showed mosaic colouring of the graine.", "contents": "[Mutagenic action of dimethyl sulfate and N-nitrosoethylurea on the mulberry silkworm]. Mutagenic effect of chemical mutagens, dimethalsulphate (DMS) and N-nitrosoethyl urea (NEU), on silkworm is studied. The effect of these mutagens have never been studied on silkworm before. DMS is found to be completely insufficient as mutagen for the silkworm, because its low mutability is accompanied with strong cytotoxic effect. NEU appeared to be of \"milder\" effect. Injection of male-moth proved to be very efficient. The majority of exuded mutants showed mosaic colouring of the graine.", "PMID": 627342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6926", "title": "[Cytogenetics of albinism in polecats of the genus Putorius (Carnivora, Mustelidae)].", "content": "Karyotypes of two ferret species, Putorius eversmanni (2n = 38) and P. putorius (2n = 40), differ in a single Robertsonian rearrangement, resulting in decreased chromosome number in P. eversmanni. Interspecific hybrids from crosses between P. eversmanni and domesticated albino ferret P. putorius furo are fertile. Hybrid individuals have a chromosome set 2 = 39. Analysis of offspring from crosses of these hybrids showed that albinism is a recessive character. Offspring obtained from crosses between interspecific hybrid ferrets and between these hybrids and parental species was subjected to chromosome analysis. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the chromosome number and albinism. As a rule, albino hybrids have a chromosome number 2n = 40. This suggests that the locus, controlling albinism, is located at one of the two pairs of acrocentric chromsomes involved in Robertsonian rearrangement. The rare occurrence of albino hybrids with 2n = 39 may be attributed to recombination. According to our data, recombination probability is less than 0.5 which indicates that the albinism locus located near the centromere. Possible extrapolation of the data obtained for ferrets to other Mustelidae is discussed.", "contents": "[Cytogenetics of albinism in polecats of the genus Putorius (Carnivora, Mustelidae)]. Karyotypes of two ferret species, Putorius eversmanni (2n = 38) and P. putorius (2n = 40), differ in a single Robertsonian rearrangement, resulting in decreased chromosome number in P. eversmanni. Interspecific hybrids from crosses between P. eversmanni and domesticated albino ferret P. putorius furo are fertile. Hybrid individuals have a chromosome set 2 = 39. Analysis of offspring from crosses of these hybrids showed that albinism is a recessive character. Offspring obtained from crosses between interspecific hybrid ferrets and between these hybrids and parental species was subjected to chromosome analysis. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the chromosome number and albinism. As a rule, albino hybrids have a chromosome number 2n = 40. This suggests that the locus, controlling albinism, is located at one of the two pairs of acrocentric chromsomes involved in Robertsonian rearrangement. The rare occurrence of albino hybrids with 2n = 39 may be attributed to recombination. According to our data, recombination probability is less than 0.5 which indicates that the albinism locus located near the centromere. Possible extrapolation of the data obtained for ferrets to other Mustelidae is discussed.", "PMID": 627343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6927", "title": "[Genetic determination of the immune response of mice to cells of various histological types].", "content": "The intensity of the immune response of cells in mice to strong transplantation antigens of the H-2 complex can depend on the histological type of cells taken for immunization. Splenic cells of C3H mice immunized the cells of BALB/c line better that cells of the non-lymphoid origin taken from the same donor. A reverse situation was observed in case of immunization by the same cells of the lines C57Bl/6 and A/He. It was shown by the analysis of the lines of the first generation derived from the crosses between the 3 lines studied and also by the analysis of these characters in mice born from the backcross, that these characters do not exhibit a simple Mendelian segregation.", "contents": "[Genetic determination of the immune response of mice to cells of various histological types]. The intensity of the immune response of cells in mice to strong transplantation antigens of the H-2 complex can depend on the histological type of cells taken for immunization. Splenic cells of C3H mice immunized the cells of BALB/c line better that cells of the non-lymphoid origin taken from the same donor. A reverse situation was observed in case of immunization by the same cells of the lines C57Bl/6 and A/He. It was shown by the analysis of the lines of the first generation derived from the crosses between the 3 lines studied and also by the analysis of these characters in mice born from the backcross, that these characters do not exhibit a simple Mendelian segregation.", "PMID": 627344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6928", "title": "[Reduction of perinatal mortality of twins by means of preventive tocolysis].", "content": "Twins of mothers who were treated with 10 mg Ritodrin q.i.d. beginning from the 26th week of gestation reached higher birth weights and better maturity than twins of an untreated control group. Although the average time of gestation could not be prolonged 20% more children were born between the 36th and 40th week of gestation as compared to the untreated group. These findings seem to be the result of the haemodynamic influence of betamimetic drugs on metabolism of mother and child. The mortality rate (7.5%) was clearly lower than that of the untreated group (12,8%).", "contents": "[Reduction of perinatal mortality of twins by means of preventive tocolysis]. Twins of mothers who were treated with 10 mg Ritodrin q.i.d. beginning from the 26th week of gestation reached higher birth weights and better maturity than twins of an untreated control group. Although the average time of gestation could not be prolonged 20% more children were born between the 36th and 40th week of gestation as compared to the untreated group. These findings seem to be the result of the haemodynamic influence of betamimetic drugs on metabolism of mother and child. The mortality rate (7.5%) was clearly lower than that of the untreated group (12,8%).", "PMID": 627378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6929", "title": "[Localization of the placenta by means of nuclear medical methods].", "content": "Accurate localization of the placenta in the cavity of the uterus is indicated prior to transabdominal amniocentesis and in cases where hemorrhages occur during pregnancy. Several nucleo-medical techniques are available for this purpose. Earlier a so-called placentography was performed, a method later replaced by placental scintigraphy. Today the gamma scintillation camera is ideal for localizing the seat of the placenta. In case of a normally embedded placenta, the profile view makes it possible to determine whether the placenta is attached to the anterior or posterior wall. In case of an anterior wall placenta it is possible with a radioactively labelled marker to draw the outline of the placenta on the abdomen of the patient so that the examiner is certain to puncture in an area that does not contain the placenta. Diagnosis of placenta praevia is assured in all cases by use of the gamma scintillation camera. Short-term introduction of an emitter into the posterior fornix vaginae makes it possible to determine the position of the internal orifice of the cervix uteri. If the caudal part of the placenta extends up to this mark, a placenta praevia is likely and all obstetrical precautions indicated have to be taken.", "contents": "[Localization of the placenta by means of nuclear medical methods]. Accurate localization of the placenta in the cavity of the uterus is indicated prior to transabdominal amniocentesis and in cases where hemorrhages occur during pregnancy. Several nucleo-medical techniques are available for this purpose. Earlier a so-called placentography was performed, a method later replaced by placental scintigraphy. Today the gamma scintillation camera is ideal for localizing the seat of the placenta. In case of a normally embedded placenta, the profile view makes it possible to determine whether the placenta is attached to the anterior or posterior wall. In case of an anterior wall placenta it is possible with a radioactively labelled marker to draw the outline of the placenta on the abdomen of the patient so that the examiner is certain to puncture in an area that does not contain the placenta. Diagnosis of placenta praevia is assured in all cases by use of the gamma scintillation camera. Short-term introduction of an emitter into the posterior fornix vaginae makes it possible to determine the position of the internal orifice of the cervix uteri. If the caudal part of the placenta extends up to this mark, a placenta praevia is likely and all obstetrical precautions indicated have to be taken.", "PMID": 627379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6930", "title": "[Oral contraceptives, hypertension and nephrosclerosis].", "content": "Oral contraceptives are of pathogenetic importance in hypertension of women aged 26 to 35 years. The hypertensive reaction occurs predominantly in those women who have hereditary predisposition to hypertension or diabetes mellitus, who suffer themselves from diabetes or who showed toxemia in previous pregnancies. Our findings are not in agreement with the suggestion that oral contraceptive hypertension in women is always reversible. Simultaneous administration of estrogen and progestogen accelerates Goldblatt-type hypertension in rats. Neither estrogen nor progestogen alone alters arterial blood pressure. In the hormonal combination the hypertensive effect of estrogen can be replaced by epsilon-aminocapronic acid. Estrogen is the only substance increasing plasma renin activity. There is no correlation between the increase of blood pressure and the plasma renin activity in the various groups of experimental animals receiving the different pharmacological substances. Estrogen and the synthetic progestogen cause sodium retention. Because of this, oral contraceptive hypertension may be supposed not to result from a stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-system. Oral contraceptive hypertension may result from a combination of endothelial lesions due to the estrogen's effect on blood coagulation leading to nephrosclerosis, and sodium retention produced predominantly by the synthetic progestogen.", "contents": "[Oral contraceptives, hypertension and nephrosclerosis]. Oral contraceptives are of pathogenetic importance in hypertension of women aged 26 to 35 years. The hypertensive reaction occurs predominantly in those women who have hereditary predisposition to hypertension or diabetes mellitus, who suffer themselves from diabetes or who showed toxemia in previous pregnancies. Our findings are not in agreement with the suggestion that oral contraceptive hypertension in women is always reversible. Simultaneous administration of estrogen and progestogen accelerates Goldblatt-type hypertension in rats. Neither estrogen nor progestogen alone alters arterial blood pressure. In the hormonal combination the hypertensive effect of estrogen can be replaced by epsilon-aminocapronic acid. Estrogen is the only substance increasing plasma renin activity. There is no correlation between the increase of blood pressure and the plasma renin activity in the various groups of experimental animals receiving the different pharmacological substances. Estrogen and the synthetic progestogen cause sodium retention. Because of this, oral contraceptive hypertension may be supposed not to result from a stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-system. Oral contraceptive hypertension may result from a combination of endothelial lesions due to the estrogen's effect on blood coagulation leading to nephrosclerosis, and sodium retention produced predominantly by the synthetic progestogen.", "PMID": 627380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6931", "title": "[The value of the postcoital test (Sims-Huhner test) in the treatment of sterility].", "content": "The analysis of 751 postcoital tests performed in patients consulting the infertility clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cologne, allows the following diagnostic and prognostic conclusions: 1. In case motile spermatozoa are present in the cervical mucus, the assumption can be made that adaequate insemination takes place. 2. The postcoital test and the simultaneous examination of the cervix factors offer themselves for the assessment of the estrogenic status during the normal cycle or after stimulation with clomiphene, HMG-HCG or estrogen. 3. The timing of the postcoital test itself results in a remarkable increase in pregnancy rates. 4. The pregnancy rates are higher when higher numbers of motile sperms are found in the cervical mucus. 5. Negative or doubtful postcoital tests do not rule out the possibility of pregnancy. 6. The postcoital test provides some information about the number of spermatozoa, their progressive motility, their morphology and about the interaction of spermatozoa with the cervical mucus. However, the postcoital test cannot replace a complete semen analysis.", "contents": "[The value of the postcoital test (Sims-Huhner test) in the treatment of sterility]. The analysis of 751 postcoital tests performed in patients consulting the infertility clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cologne, allows the following diagnostic and prognostic conclusions: 1. In case motile spermatozoa are present in the cervical mucus, the assumption can be made that adaequate insemination takes place. 2. The postcoital test and the simultaneous examination of the cervix factors offer themselves for the assessment of the estrogenic status during the normal cycle or after stimulation with clomiphene, HMG-HCG or estrogen. 3. The timing of the postcoital test itself results in a remarkable increase in pregnancy rates. 4. The pregnancy rates are higher when higher numbers of motile sperms are found in the cervical mucus. 5. Negative or doubtful postcoital tests do not rule out the possibility of pregnancy. 6. The postcoital test provides some information about the number of spermatozoa, their progressive motility, their morphology and about the interaction of spermatozoa with the cervical mucus. However, the postcoital test cannot replace a complete semen analysis.", "PMID": 627383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6932", "title": "[Solitary plasmacytoma of the scapula and clavicle].", "content": "A 59 year old female patient with a large solitary medullary plasmocytoma of two years duration of the right scapula and clavicle is presented. The patient refused operation and received telecobalt radiation therapy. The palpable swelling and pain disappeared. Bone marrow puncture, blood and urine analyses were quite normal. An individualized therapeutic procedure is recommended for such cases.", "contents": "[Solitary plasmacytoma of the scapula and clavicle]. A 59 year old female patient with a large solitary medullary plasmocytoma of two years duration of the right scapula and clavicle is presented. The patient refused operation and received telecobalt radiation therapy. The palpable swelling and pain disappeared. Bone marrow puncture, blood and urine analyses were quite normal. An individualized therapeutic procedure is recommended for such cases.", "PMID": 627387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6933", "title": "[Resection in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcer].", "content": "The differing results after gastric resection and vagotomy are extensively discussed in regard to mortality, recurrence, dumping syndrome, post-alimentary problems, nutritional deficiencies, and gastric stump carcinoma. The resection is given preference, except in younger ulcer patients.", "contents": "[Resection in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcer]. The differing results after gastric resection and vagotomy are extensively discussed in regard to mortality, recurrence, dumping syndrome, post-alimentary problems, nutritional deficiencies, and gastric stump carcinoma. The resection is given preference, except in younger ulcer patients.", "PMID": 627388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6934", "title": "[A case of Poland syndrome].", "content": "A typical case of Poland syndrome is reported; brachiothoracic hemi-aplasia with absence of major pectoralis muscle, shortening of the arm and symbrachydactylia. Additionally, there was some evidence of debility. There were no malformations in the family history.", "contents": "[A case of Poland syndrome]. A typical case of Poland syndrome is reported; brachiothoracic hemi-aplasia with absence of major pectoralis muscle, shortening of the arm and symbrachydactylia. Additionally, there was some evidence of debility. There were no malformations in the family history.", "PMID": 627389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6935", "title": "[Modern endoscopy in surgery].", "content": "Our own endoscopic experience in surgical gastroenterology is based on 5000 esophago-gastro-duodenoscopies, 650 coloscopies and 1200 endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticographies. Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy is pre-, intra-, and postoperatively well established today. Improvements of preoperative diagnosis in certain surgical diseases let hope for further successes in this field. Endoscopic procedures and operations reduce the patient's risks to a minimum. Well established endoscopic technique may substitute and support certain surgical procedures.", "contents": "[Modern endoscopy in surgery]. Our own endoscopic experience in surgical gastroenterology is based on 5000 esophago-gastro-duodenoscopies, 650 coloscopies and 1200 endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticographies. Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy is pre-, intra-, and postoperatively well established today. Improvements of preoperative diagnosis in certain surgical diseases let hope for further successes in this field. Endoscopic procedures and operations reduce the patient's risks to a minimum. Well established endoscopic technique may substitute and support certain surgical procedures.", "PMID": 627391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6936", "title": "[The potentiation of stimulated gastric juice secretion by prednisolone].", "content": "In 5 series of dogs the acute effect of a high dose of prednisolone (40 mg/kg i.v.) on Histalog stimulated gastric secretion (5 mg/kg s.c.) was tested. There was no effect of prednisolone alone. The combination of Histalog and prednisolone showed a potentiation of Histalog stimulation in high range. The effect was not seen when truncal vagotomy was performed before stimulation. It is possible that there is a cholinergic reaction or an interaction in the metabolism of histamine.", "contents": "[The potentiation of stimulated gastric juice secretion by prednisolone]. In 5 series of dogs the acute effect of a high dose of prednisolone (40 mg/kg i.v.) on Histalog stimulated gastric secretion (5 mg/kg s.c.) was tested. There was no effect of prednisolone alone. The combination of Histalog and prednisolone showed a potentiation of Histalog stimulation in high range. The effect was not seen when truncal vagotomy was performed before stimulation. It is possible that there is a cholinergic reaction or an interaction in the metabolism of histamine.", "PMID": 627392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6937", "title": "[Changes in the antigenicity of influenza virus neuraminidases due to various methods of preparation].", "content": "The influenza virus strains A/Sing/1/57 (H2N2), A/Bel/42 (HoN1) and A/Bel/42 (Ho)-A/Sing/1/57 (N2) were treated with bromelain under reducing conditions and with reducing agent alone, and the antigenicity of the neuraminidase (NA) of intact virus and of the split products was tested comparatively. It was found that the antigenicity of NA was influenced quantitatively and qualitatively by the preparation procedure. Antineuraminidase (AN) antibodies obtained after vaccination of guinea pigs with intact virus and with split products differed in their cross-reactivity with heterologous neuraminidases. AN antibodies directed against N2 NA on the recombinant differed qualitatively from those directed against N2 NA of parent virus. The results warrant the conclusion that the antigenicity of isolated NA or of NA on recombinant virus can differ from that of the NA on intact homologous virus and that such alterations could influence the determination of antigenic relationship between neuraminidases.", "contents": "[Changes in the antigenicity of influenza virus neuraminidases due to various methods of preparation]. The influenza virus strains A/Sing/1/57 (H2N2), A/Bel/42 (HoN1) and A/Bel/42 (Ho)-A/Sing/1/57 (N2) were treated with bromelain under reducing conditions and with reducing agent alone, and the antigenicity of the neuraminidase (NA) of intact virus and of the split products was tested comparatively. It was found that the antigenicity of NA was influenced quantitatively and qualitatively by the preparation procedure. Antineuraminidase (AN) antibodies obtained after vaccination of guinea pigs with intact virus and with split products differed in their cross-reactivity with heterologous neuraminidases. AN antibodies directed against N2 NA on the recombinant differed qualitatively from those directed against N2 NA of parent virus. The results warrant the conclusion that the antigenicity of isolated NA or of NA on recombinant virus can differ from that of the NA on intact homologous virus and that such alterations could influence the determination of antigenic relationship between neuraminidases.", "PMID": 627393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6938", "title": "Synthesis of collagen by chick calvaria in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridyl. Lack of the aminoterminal extension peptides.", "content": "A precursor of type I collagen was accumulated when cranial bones from embryonic chicken were cultured in vitro in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridyl. While biochemical studies demonstrate that the precursor was present as a covalently linked trimer, evaluation of electron micrographs of segment-long-spacing aggregates show that the molecules of this precursor have an extension at the carboxy terminus only. These data provide further evidence that the inter-chain disulfide bonds in procollagen are located at the carboxy-terminal extension, and secondly, that 2,2'-bipyridyl does not interfere with a normal cleavage of procollagen peptides at the amino terminus, but inhibits the cleavage of the carboxy-terminal procollagen peptides.", "contents": "Synthesis of collagen by chick calvaria in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridyl. Lack of the aminoterminal extension peptides. A precursor of type I collagen was accumulated when cranial bones from embryonic chicken were cultured in vitro in the presence of 2,2'-bipyridyl. While biochemical studies demonstrate that the precursor was present as a covalently linked trimer, evaluation of electron micrographs of segment-long-spacing aggregates show that the molecules of this precursor have an extension at the carboxy terminus only. These data provide further evidence that the inter-chain disulfide bonds in procollagen are located at the carboxy-terminal extension, and secondly, that 2,2'-bipyridyl does not interfere with a normal cleavage of procollagen peptides at the amino terminus, but inhibits the cleavage of the carboxy-terminal procollagen peptides.", "PMID": 627399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6939", "title": "Properties of two Clostridia strains acting as catalysts for the preparative stereospecific hydrogenation of 2-enoic acids and 2-alken-1-ols with hydrogen gas.", "content": "A Clostridium strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, which is able to hydrogenate stereospecifically 2-enoates as well as other unsaturated compounds with hydrogen gas, has been isolated and methods for its propagation elucidated. For this strain and for Clostridium kluyveri DSM 555 grown on ethanol/acetate/hydrogencarbonate, samples of 200-l batches were assayed to determine the hydrogenation activity for (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate and (E)-2-buten-1-ol as a function of time during the exponential and stationary growth phases. For the strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, the hydrogenation rate as a function of substrate concentration, pH and temperature has been measured. Storage conditions for both strains are given.", "contents": "Properties of two Clostridia strains acting as catalysts for the preparative stereospecific hydrogenation of 2-enoic acids and 2-alken-1-ols with hydrogen gas. A Clostridium strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, which is able to hydrogenate stereospecifically 2-enoates as well as other unsaturated compounds with hydrogen gas, has been isolated and methods for its propagation elucidated. For this strain and for Clostridium kluyveri DSM 555 grown on ethanol/acetate/hydrogencarbonate, samples of 200-l batches were assayed to determine the hydrogenation activity for (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate and (E)-2-buten-1-ol as a function of time during the exponential and stationary growth phases. For the strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, the hydrogenation rate as a function of substrate concentration, pH and temperature has been measured. Storage conditions for both strains are given.", "PMID": 627401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6940", "title": "Lysosomal phospholipids from rat liver after treatment with different drugs.", "content": "Rats were treated with 5 different drugs p-ethoxyacetanilide (I), indometacin (II) and nor-amidopyrine-methanesulfonate (III), O,O'-bis(diethylaminoethyl)hexestrol(IV) and choloroquine (V) for 3 - 4 weeks. Liver cell fractions were isolated by discontinuous gradient centrifugation and the specific activity of acid phosphatase was determined in each. Lysosomal fractions contained widely varying amounts of this marker enzyme, indicating that the concentration of lysosomes within these fractions differed. The amounts and patterns of phospholipids reflected this fact. Since we assumed bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate [(MAG)2-P; synonym:lysobisphosphatidic acid] is a marker lipid for secondary lysosomes, we expected and found significant quantities of this acidic phospholipid only in those lysosomal fractions which were also rich in acid phosphatase activity. 12% of the lysosomal phospholipids from animals receiving the hexestrol derivative (IV), and 19% of those from the chloroquine (V) experiment were present as (MAG)2P. The fatty acid compositions of this lysosomal phospholipid were not the same in all lysosome fractions. The more (MAG)2P present in the lysosomes, the more unsaturated are the fatty acids. Thus, after treatment with chloroquine, more than 90% of the fatty acids from (MAG)2P are unsaturated; C22:6 represents about 70% of the total.", "contents": "Lysosomal phospholipids from rat liver after treatment with different drugs. Rats were treated with 5 different drugs p-ethoxyacetanilide (I), indometacin (II) and nor-amidopyrine-methanesulfonate (III), O,O'-bis(diethylaminoethyl)hexestrol(IV) and choloroquine (V) for 3 - 4 weeks. Liver cell fractions were isolated by discontinuous gradient centrifugation and the specific activity of acid phosphatase was determined in each. Lysosomal fractions contained widely varying amounts of this marker enzyme, indicating that the concentration of lysosomes within these fractions differed. The amounts and patterns of phospholipids reflected this fact. Since we assumed bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate [(MAG)2-P; synonym:lysobisphosphatidic acid] is a marker lipid for secondary lysosomes, we expected and found significant quantities of this acidic phospholipid only in those lysosomal fractions which were also rich in acid phosphatase activity. 12% of the lysosomal phospholipids from animals receiving the hexestrol derivative (IV), and 19% of those from the chloroquine (V) experiment were present as (MAG)2P. The fatty acid compositions of this lysosomal phospholipid were not the same in all lysosome fractions. The more (MAG)2P present in the lysosomes, the more unsaturated are the fatty acids. Thus, after treatment with chloroquine, more than 90% of the fatty acids from (MAG)2P are unsaturated; C22:6 represents about 70% of the total.", "PMID": 627402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6941", "title": "Lysosomal bis (monoacylglycero)phosphate of rat liver, its induction by chloroquine and its structure.", "content": "Since chloroquine is able to induce phospholipidosis, and in particular formation of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate [(MAG)2P] in rat liver lysosomes, we tested the influence of the drug on this acidic phospholipid 1) after application of the drug for different periods, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and 2) after application of different doses of the drug for 7 days. In both cases, the amounts of the total phospholipids and of (MAG)2P within the lysosomal lipids showed a direct relationship to the quantity of the drug. Lysosomal fractions were identified by acid phosphatase activity and by electron microscopy. After 14 days of treatment, the lysosomal fractions showed an increase in the marker enzyme to more than 30 times the level in the homogenate, and consisted of almost pure \"lamellar bodies\". (MAG)2P was isolated from those lysosomal lipid fractions by column chromatography. We also isolated this phospholipid from \"tritosomal\" lipids and tested the two preparations in different ways. They both showed glycerophosphoglycerol as the only P-containing product after mild alkaline hydrolysis, and molar ratios for phosphorus: fatty acid: glycerol close to 1:2:2; and yielded diacetylacyl glycerol after acetolysis. Thus, there is no doubt that (MAG)2P occurs in these secondary lysosomes--as we described in others--and that its production is a consequence of accumulation of lysosomes. There is some indication for the occurrence of an acylated (MAG)2P (which is the same as acylphosphatidylglycerol) within the same cell organelles.", "contents": "Lysosomal bis (monoacylglycero)phosphate of rat liver, its induction by chloroquine and its structure. Since chloroquine is able to induce phospholipidosis, and in particular formation of bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate [(MAG)2P] in rat liver lysosomes, we tested the influence of the drug on this acidic phospholipid 1) after application of the drug for different periods, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and 2) after application of different doses of the drug for 7 days. In both cases, the amounts of the total phospholipids and of (MAG)2P within the lysosomal lipids showed a direct relationship to the quantity of the drug. Lysosomal fractions were identified by acid phosphatase activity and by electron microscopy. After 14 days of treatment, the lysosomal fractions showed an increase in the marker enzyme to more than 30 times the level in the homogenate, and consisted of almost pure \"lamellar bodies\". (MAG)2P was isolated from those lysosomal lipid fractions by column chromatography. We also isolated this phospholipid from \"tritosomal\" lipids and tested the two preparations in different ways. They both showed glycerophosphoglycerol as the only P-containing product after mild alkaline hydrolysis, and molar ratios for phosphorus: fatty acid: glycerol close to 1:2:2; and yielded diacetylacyl glycerol after acetolysis. Thus, there is no doubt that (MAG)2P occurs in these secondary lysosomes--as we described in others--and that its production is a consequence of accumulation of lysosomes. There is some indication for the occurrence of an acylated (MAG)2P (which is the same as acylphosphatidylglycerol) within the same cell organelles.", "PMID": 627403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6942", "title": "[2alpha-Hydroxylation of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in rats in vivo and in vitro (author's transl)].", "content": "The hydroxylation of testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone at C-2 was measured quantitatively in vivo and in vitro in rats by using \"metabolically labile\" tritium labelled substrates. The enzyme activity was dependent on the sex and age of the animals. There was a good correlation between in vivo and in vitro experiments. Whereas testosterone was hydroxylated only in liver, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was hydroxylated in adrenals, kidney, lung and prostate as well. Hydroxylation was not sex-dependent in adrenals and lungs.", "contents": "[2alpha-Hydroxylation of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in rats in vivo and in vitro (author's transl)]. The hydroxylation of testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone at C-2 was measured quantitatively in vivo and in vitro in rats by using \"metabolically labile\" tritium labelled substrates. The enzyme activity was dependent on the sex and age of the animals. There was a good correlation between in vivo and in vitro experiments. Whereas testosterone was hydroxylated only in liver, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone was hydroxylated in adrenals, kidney, lung and prostate as well. Hydroxylation was not sex-dependent in adrenals and lungs.", "PMID": 627404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6943", "title": "[Antibody formation following immunization with mono- and bivalent mumps-(measles-)vaccine (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors studied the seroconversion of 307 children, 1-11 years old, induced by Mumpsvax (136 children) and a bivalent mumps-measles vaccine (strain Jeryl Lynn/strain Moraten; 171 vaccines) by the HI-test. The seroconversion induced by the measles component of the bivalent vaccine covered 96.3% of the seronegatives prior to immunization. The comparable values for mumps antibodies were lower (Mumpsvax:80.6%; bivlant vaccine: 82.2%). An increase in titer in seropositive children was obtained in 57.1% after immunization with Mumpsvax and in 50.8% with the bivalent vaccine. Comparative studies to investigate the sensitivity of the HI-test versus the neutralisation test (NT) showed the greater accuracy of the latter. Before the vaccination with Mumpsvax, only 26.6% of 60 sera studied were found to be seronegative, whilst the NT gave a more reliable figure (55%). Similar data were found in 62 sera before immunization with the bivalent vaccine (HI-test: 33.8%; NT:66.1% seronegative). The seroconversion rates were slightly higher when the NT had been used: 75.6% (bivalent) and 81.8% (monovalent vaccine) versus 75.6% and 75%, respectively, by the HI-test.", "contents": "[Antibody formation following immunization with mono- and bivalent mumps-(measles-)vaccine (author's transl)]. The authors studied the seroconversion of 307 children, 1-11 years old, induced by Mumpsvax (136 children) and a bivalent mumps-measles vaccine (strain Jeryl Lynn/strain Moraten; 171 vaccines) by the HI-test. The seroconversion induced by the measles component of the bivalent vaccine covered 96.3% of the seronegatives prior to immunization. The comparable values for mumps antibodies were lower (Mumpsvax:80.6%; bivlant vaccine: 82.2%). An increase in titer in seropositive children was obtained in 57.1% after immunization with Mumpsvax and in 50.8% with the bivalent vaccine. Comparative studies to investigate the sensitivity of the HI-test versus the neutralisation test (NT) showed the greater accuracy of the latter. Before the vaccination with Mumpsvax, only 26.6% of 60 sera studied were found to be seronegative, whilst the NT gave a more reliable figure (55%). Similar data were found in 62 sera before immunization with the bivalent vaccine (HI-test: 33.8%; NT:66.1% seronegative). The seroconversion rates were slightly higher when the NT had been used: 75.6% (bivalent) and 81.8% (monovalent vaccine) versus 75.6% and 75%, respectively, by the HI-test.", "PMID": 627405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6944", "title": "Binding of activated properdin to untreated erythrocytes: a new function of activated properdin.", "content": "Activated human properdin was found to be capable of binding to rabbit and sheep erythrocytes to form new intermediate cells of the alternative pathway of the complement system. The intermediate cells, termed EP, can react with B, D and C3 to form other intermediate cells, tentatively termed EPB(D)C3, which can be lysed by the subsequent action of six late-acting complement components, C3 to C9. The possibility of participation of C3, B, D or immunoglobulin in the formation of EP cells was neglected by the experiments in which the inhibition of the reactivities of P or EP by antisera to P, C3, B, D or immunoglobulins were investigated. The reduction in reactivities of P to E, or of EP to B, D and C3 was observed only when pretreated with antiserum to P. Furthermore, EP cells were agglutinated only by anti-P, not by antisera to C3 or IgG. The other possibility of participation of the classical complement components such as antibody, C1, C4 and C2 in the formation of EPB(D)C3 was excluded by the non-reactivities of EP with C4 and C2 and of EAC1 with B, D and C3. Thus, activated properdin is likely to function not only as modulator of preformed enzyme such as C3bBb but also as one of early-acting components of the alternative pathway.", "contents": "Binding of activated properdin to untreated erythrocytes: a new function of activated properdin. Activated human properdin was found to be capable of binding to rabbit and sheep erythrocytes to form new intermediate cells of the alternative pathway of the complement system. The intermediate cells, termed EP, can react with B, D and C3 to form other intermediate cells, tentatively termed EPB(D)C3, which can be lysed by the subsequent action of six late-acting complement components, C3 to C9. The possibility of participation of C3, B, D or immunoglobulin in the formation of EP cells was neglected by the experiments in which the inhibition of the reactivities of P or EP by antisera to P, C3, B, D or immunoglobulins were investigated. The reduction in reactivities of P to E, or of EP to B, D and C3 was observed only when pretreated with antiserum to P. Furthermore, EP cells were agglutinated only by anti-P, not by antisera to C3 or IgG. The other possibility of participation of the classical complement components such as antibody, C1, C4 and C2 in the formation of EPB(D)C3 was excluded by the non-reactivities of EP with C4 and C2 and of EAC1 with B, D and C3. Thus, activated properdin is likely to function not only as modulator of preformed enzyme such as C3bBb but also as one of early-acting components of the alternative pathway.", "PMID": 627406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6945", "title": "Inhibition by isoptin (a calcium antagonist) of the mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes prior to the S-phase.", "content": "Isoptin (alpha-isopropyl-alpha-(N-methyl-N-homoveratryl)-gamma-amino-propyl-3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetonitril-hydrochloride)--a calcium antagonist--inhibits mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes. Isoptin acts prior to the S-phase of the cehl cycle but does not prevent the early events involved in triggering of cell mitosis. The drug seems to be a good tool for studying the relevance of the 'early events' assumed to be involved in lymphocyte stimulation.", "contents": "Inhibition by isoptin (a calcium antagonist) of the mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes prior to the S-phase. Isoptin (alpha-isopropyl-alpha-(N-methyl-N-homoveratryl)-gamma-amino-propyl-3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetonitril-hydrochloride)--a calcium antagonist--inhibits mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes. Isoptin acts prior to the S-phase of the cehl cycle but does not prevent the early events involved in triggering of cell mitosis. The drug seems to be a good tool for studying the relevance of the 'early events' assumed to be involved in lymphocyte stimulation.", "PMID": 627409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6946", "title": "Shedding and reappearance of Fc, C3 and SRBC receptors on peripheral lymphocytes from normal donors and chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) patients.", "content": "The shedding and resynthesis of Fc, C3 receptors, and receptors binding SRBC has been studied in normal peripheral lymphocytes, in lymphocytes from CLL patients and in a Raji cell line during 4 h incubation at 37 degrees. During the first part of the incubation, an increased release of receptors was observed. The shed, functionally active, receptors were detectable in the incubating medium on the basis of their ability to inhibit rosette formation specifically. After 4 h incubation the original ratios of the different rosette forming cells were observed, showing that the cells were capable of resynthesizing their shed receptors. This later phenomenon may be the result of an active metabolic process. The shedding was not detectable on Raji cells. Different patterns of receptor shedding and resynthesis were demonstrated by the lymphocytes of CLL patients. The correlations between the reappearance of the receptors on the cells, and the metabolism of the lymphocytes, is discussed.", "contents": "Shedding and reappearance of Fc, C3 and SRBC receptors on peripheral lymphocytes from normal donors and chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) patients. The shedding and resynthesis of Fc, C3 receptors, and receptors binding SRBC has been studied in normal peripheral lymphocytes, in lymphocytes from CLL patients and in a Raji cell line during 4 h incubation at 37 degrees. During the first part of the incubation, an increased release of receptors was observed. The shed, functionally active, receptors were detectable in the incubating medium on the basis of their ability to inhibit rosette formation specifically. After 4 h incubation the original ratios of the different rosette forming cells were observed, showing that the cells were capable of resynthesizing their shed receptors. This later phenomenon may be the result of an active metabolic process. The shedding was not detectable on Raji cells. Different patterns of receptor shedding and resynthesis were demonstrated by the lymphocytes of CLL patients. The correlations between the reappearance of the receptors on the cells, and the metabolism of the lymphocytes, is discussed.", "PMID": 627410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6947", "title": "The uptake of IgG and IgM coated sheep erythrocytes in perfused rabbit liver.", "content": "Erythrocytes sensitized with IgM and IgG (EA) are entrapped during perfusion of isolated rabbit liver. The binding of EIgG is of high affinity while that of EIgM is weak and partly reversible. Moreover, the binding of EIgM is dependent on the presence of Ca++ ions in the perfusion medium whilst the binding of EIgG is independent of divalent cations. No uptake of sensitized erythrocytes during perfusion of the inferior extremities of rabbits is found.", "contents": "The uptake of IgG and IgM coated sheep erythrocytes in perfused rabbit liver. Erythrocytes sensitized with IgM and IgG (EA) are entrapped during perfusion of isolated rabbit liver. The binding of EIgG is of high affinity while that of EIgM is weak and partly reversible. Moreover, the binding of EIgM is dependent on the presence of Ca++ ions in the perfusion medium whilst the binding of EIgG is independent of divalent cations. No uptake of sensitized erythrocytes during perfusion of the inferior extremities of rabbits is found.", "PMID": 627411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6948", "title": "Life table analysis of the effectiveness of contraceptive methods using an APL computer program.", "content": "An APL computer program has been developed to perform life table analysis without the tedium and error associated with manual computation. Life table analysis is proposed as the standard method of reporting and analysing the effectiveness of contraceptive methods of all types.", "contents": "Life table analysis of the effectiveness of contraceptive methods using an APL computer program. An APL computer program has been developed to perform life table analysis without the tedium and error associated with manual computation. Life table analysis is proposed as the standard method of reporting and analysing the effectiveness of contraceptive methods of all types.", "PMID": 627419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6949", "title": "An epidemiological database system.", "content": "An epidemiological database system is presented. It is a system built around the concepts of record structure and location, and of processing of the data item values so stored. It is designed to operate in many situations with a minimum of programming, and to be easily expanded to more complex situations by adding new program modules to those already existing and functioning.", "contents": "An epidemiological database system. An epidemiological database system is presented. It is a system built around the concepts of record structure and location, and of processing of the data item values so stored. It is designed to operate in many situations with a minimum of programming, and to be easily expanded to more complex situations by adding new program modules to those already existing and functioning.", "PMID": 627420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6950", "title": "An interpretation of asynchronism in non-sequential ventilation (apical and basal regions of the lung).", "content": "Non-sequential asynchronous ventilation is interpreted by a variation of velocity of fluid at a given level of bronchial tree based on a physical model already published (Chauvet and Tuchais, 1976). The possible different causes of this variation of velocity are examined. A complete study of apical and basal regions of the lung is made and it shows the influence of some factors (phase difference, amplitude, respiratory frequency) on the regional variations of alveolar pressure.", "contents": "An interpretation of asynchronism in non-sequential ventilation (apical and basal regions of the lung). Non-sequential asynchronous ventilation is interpreted by a variation of velocity of fluid at a given level of bronchial tree based on a physical model already published (Chauvet and Tuchais, 1976). The possible different causes of this variation of velocity are examined. A complete study of apical and basal regions of the lung is made and it shows the influence of some factors (phase difference, amplitude, respiratory frequency) on the regional variations of alveolar pressure.", "PMID": 627421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6951", "title": "The assessment of patient prognosis using an interactive computer program.", "content": "The use of chronic disease probabilistic models to calculate patient prognosis is presented. The method relies on the calculation of transition probabilities between discrete disease states from a patient data bank. Maximum likelihood estimates are used for each age and unwanted fluctuations are removed by a moving average. An interactive computer program was written and the method applied to the calculation of the probability of stroke and myocardial infarction for male patients on antihypertensive therapy. A clinician could obtain the prognostic information for a patient in less than one minute. Applications in medical student education are also discussed.", "contents": "The assessment of patient prognosis using an interactive computer program. The use of chronic disease probabilistic models to calculate patient prognosis is presented. The method relies on the calculation of transition probabilities between discrete disease states from a patient data bank. Maximum likelihood estimates are used for each age and unwanted fluctuations are removed by a moving average. An interactive computer program was written and the method applied to the calculation of the probability of stroke and myocardial infarction for male patients on antihypertensive therapy. A clinician could obtain the prognostic information for a patient in less than one minute. Applications in medical student education are also discussed.", "PMID": 627422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6952", "title": "[Study of statistical test connections in non-orthogonal analysis of variance].", "content": "In the Analysis of Variance, we quite often split up the model to test different hypotheses about the model. However, when we analyse the results, we must not forget that the statistics used for the tests are not stochastically independent, either for an orthogonal design, because the test statistics have the same denominator, or for non-orthogonal design. In the latter case, test statistics have not only the same denominator but also not-independent numerators. The links between test statistics have been studied for orthogonal designs (Dall'Aglio, 1962) and for symmetrical Incomplete Block Design (Ballas and Webster, 1966). We shall give here results for the general case of the Analysis of Variance, treat more particularly the case of the Incomplete Block Design and show the joint distribution of two test statistics and, more simply, their correlation coefficient.", "contents": "[Study of statistical test connections in non-orthogonal analysis of variance]. In the Analysis of Variance, we quite often split up the model to test different hypotheses about the model. However, when we analyse the results, we must not forget that the statistics used for the tests are not stochastically independent, either for an orthogonal design, because the test statistics have the same denominator, or for non-orthogonal design. In the latter case, test statistics have not only the same denominator but also not-independent numerators. The links between test statistics have been studied for orthogonal designs (Dall'Aglio, 1962) and for symmetrical Incomplete Block Design (Ballas and Webster, 1966). We shall give here results for the general case of the Analysis of Variance, treat more particularly the case of the Incomplete Block Design and show the joint distribution of two test statistics and, more simply, their correlation coefficient.", "PMID": 627423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6953", "title": "Chromosome findings in effusions from patients with Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Effusion cells from six patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were studied. Even though no Hodgkin or Reed-Sternberg cells could be identified cytologically in five of the six cases, striking chromosome anomalies of a clonal nature, including a number of recurrent marker chromosomes, were demonstrated in all effusions. It is concluded that the effusion cells with abnormal karyotypes were intimately related to the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease.", "contents": "Chromosome findings in effusions from patients with Hodgkin's disease. Effusion cells from six patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were studied. Even though no Hodgkin or Reed-Sternberg cells could be identified cytologically in five of the six cases, striking chromosome anomalies of a clonal nature, including a number of recurrent marker chromosomes, were demonstrated in all effusions. It is concluded that the effusion cells with abnormal karyotypes were intimately related to the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease.", "PMID": 627425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6954", "title": "Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats. I. Tissue and strain distribution, and demonstration of a membrance receptor for the Fc portion of IgG.", "content": "Studies in mice and in humans have provided most of the available information concerning natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Rats represent a second experimental species which is well suited for the study of natural cytotoxicity. Our studies indicate that the distribution of natural killer (NK)3 cells in rat lymphoid tissues is similar to their tissue distribution in man, with high levels in the blood and spleen and low or undetectable levels in lymph node, thymus, thoracic duct or peritoneal exudate cells. The levels of NK activity varied considerably among various inbred strains of rats. However, the genetic control of levels of NK activity did not appear to be linked to the rat major histocompatibility complex. As recently demonstrated in mice by depletion experiments on antibody-erythrocyte monolayers, many or most rat natural killer cells were found to have surface receptors for the Fc portion of IgG.", "contents": "Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats. I. Tissue and strain distribution, and demonstration of a membrance receptor for the Fc portion of IgG. Studies in mice and in humans have provided most of the available information concerning natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Rats represent a second experimental species which is well suited for the study of natural cytotoxicity. Our studies indicate that the distribution of natural killer (NK)3 cells in rat lymphoid tissues is similar to their tissue distribution in man, with high levels in the blood and spleen and low or undetectable levels in lymph node, thymus, thoracic duct or peritoneal exudate cells. The levels of NK activity varied considerably among various inbred strains of rats. However, the genetic control of levels of NK activity did not appear to be linked to the rat major histocompatibility complex. As recently demonstrated in mice by depletion experiments on antibody-erythrocyte monolayers, many or most rat natural killer cells were found to have surface receptors for the Fc portion of IgG.", "PMID": 627427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6955", "title": "Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats. II. In vivo augmentation of NK-cell activity.", "content": "Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats as well as in mice has been shown to vary consistently with age, with peak levels detectable at 5-10 weeks. The levels of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells could be augmented in strains of inbred rats with either high or low levels of natural reactivity, by IP injection of a variety of agents, including C. parvum, LCMV, KRV, and poly I:C. The specificity of the augmented cytotoxicity appeared to be the same as the specificity of natural killer cells which are found in normal rat spleen cells. Similarly, the cells mediating the augmented cellular cytotoxicity were small, non-adherent, esterase-negative lymphocytes with Fc receptors, as are rat NK cells. The kinetics and organ distribution of the augmentation of NK activity by poly I:C and C. parvum were compared and the kinetics were found to differ, with a shorter time course of augmented activity seen after inoculation with poly I:C. These data indicate that interferon may play a central role in the augmentation of NK activity in vivo.", "contents": "Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats. II. In vivo augmentation of NK-cell activity. Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in rats as well as in mice has been shown to vary consistently with age, with peak levels detectable at 5-10 weeks. The levels of cell-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor cells could be augmented in strains of inbred rats with either high or low levels of natural reactivity, by IP injection of a variety of agents, including C. parvum, LCMV, KRV, and poly I:C. The specificity of the augmented cytotoxicity appeared to be the same as the specificity of natural killer cells which are found in normal rat spleen cells. Similarly, the cells mediating the augmented cellular cytotoxicity were small, non-adherent, esterase-negative lymphocytes with Fc receptors, as are rat NK cells. The kinetics and organ distribution of the augmentation of NK activity by poly I:C and C. parvum were compared and the kinetics were found to differ, with a shorter time course of augmented activity seen after inoculation with poly I:C. These data indicate that interferon may play a central role in the augmentation of NK activity in vivo.", "PMID": 627428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6956", "title": "Traumatic sternoclavicular dislocation.", "content": "Traumatic dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint may be anterosternal or retrosternal. Anterior dislocation is due to forces which retract and depress the clavicle. Posterior dislocation is due to either direct force on the medial end of the clavicle or to a force acting on the posterolateral aspect of the shoulder. From 1950 to 1974 we treated 16 patients with traumatic complete sternoclavicular dislocations. Twelve patients were followed and their cases are discussed. Treatment may be closed or open. In some cases we did not attempt reduction because it may be very difficult to maintain and dislocation may recur. Open reduction is extremely difficult and not recommended unless a serious intrathoracic problem also exists. Based on our cases, we conclude that stability of the sternoclavicular joint is not necessary to ensure normal function of the involved limb. The residual prominence of the medial portion of the clavicle does not cause pain and does not interfere with chest or shoulder function.", "contents": "Traumatic sternoclavicular dislocation. Traumatic dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint may be anterosternal or retrosternal. Anterior dislocation is due to forces which retract and depress the clavicle. Posterior dislocation is due to either direct force on the medial end of the clavicle or to a force acting on the posterolateral aspect of the shoulder. From 1950 to 1974 we treated 16 patients with traumatic complete sternoclavicular dislocations. Twelve patients were followed and their cases are discussed. Treatment may be closed or open. In some cases we did not attempt reduction because it may be very difficult to maintain and dislocation may recur. Open reduction is extremely difficult and not recommended unless a serious intrathoracic problem also exists. Based on our cases, we conclude that stability of the sternoclavicular joint is not necessary to ensure normal function of the involved limb. The residual prominence of the medial portion of the clavicle does not cause pain and does not interfere with chest or shoulder function.", "PMID": 627448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6957", "title": "Pattern of bone injury in Ibadan.", "content": "A series of 1,329 patients with 1,327 fractures and 100 dislocations has been studied. Boys under 10 years of age predominated. The majority of the injuries resulted from falls or road traffic accidents. Upper limb fractures occurred more commonly than those of the lower limbs or axial skeleton. Femoral shaft fractures were 2-1/2 to 5 times more common while femoral neck fractures were three to five times less common than in Americans. Dislocations were most common at the elbow, followed by the shoulder. Only 11.5% of the patients had open operations; the others were treated conservatively. The prognosis as regards survival and functional results was very good, but malunion was the most common complication.", "contents": "Pattern of bone injury in Ibadan. A series of 1,329 patients with 1,327 fractures and 100 dislocations has been studied. Boys under 10 years of age predominated. The majority of the injuries resulted from falls or road traffic accidents. Upper limb fractures occurred more commonly than those of the lower limbs or axial skeleton. Femoral shaft fractures were 2-1/2 to 5 times more common while femoral neck fractures were three to five times less common than in Americans. Dislocations were most common at the elbow, followed by the shoulder. Only 11.5% of the patients had open operations; the others were treated conservatively. The prognosis as regards survival and functional results was very good, but malunion was the most common complication.", "PMID": 627449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6958", "title": "Paget's disease of bone in Iran.", "content": "Paget's disease of the bone is extremely rare in this country of 34 million inhabitants. The three cases discussed are probably the only documented cases of this disease seen in natives of Iran (Persia).", "contents": "Paget's disease of bone in Iran. Paget's disease of the bone is extremely rare in this country of 34 million inhabitants. The three cases discussed are probably the only documented cases of this disease seen in natives of Iran (Persia).", "PMID": 627451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6959", "title": "Hyphal production by Pityrosporum ovale.", "content": "Pityrosporum ovale with abundant hyphae was found in 8 patients with lesions of the scalp and glabrous skin. It is thought that P. ovale in its mycelial form can produce lesions on seborrheic areas of the skin that probably represent a clinical form of tinea versicolor.", "contents": "Hyphal production by Pityrosporum ovale. Pityrosporum ovale with abundant hyphae was found in 8 patients with lesions of the scalp and glabrous skin. It is thought that P. ovale in its mycelial form can produce lesions on seborrheic areas of the skin that probably represent a clinical form of tinea versicolor.", "PMID": 627446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6960", "title": "Regional lymph gland biopsy in tubercular synovitis of the knee.", "content": "One hundred patients with proved tubercular synovitis of the knee were studied and 50 patients underwent inguinal lymph node biopsy. Results for and experience with lymph node biopsy in tubercular synovitis of the knee are presented.", "contents": "Regional lymph gland biopsy in tubercular synovitis of the knee. One hundred patients with proved tubercular synovitis of the knee were studied and 50 patients underwent inguinal lymph node biopsy. Results for and experience with lymph node biopsy in tubercular synovitis of the knee are presented.", "PMID": 627454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6961", "title": "Extension contracture of the hip due to idiopathic fibrosis of the gluteus maximus.", "content": "Extension contracture of the hip in our case was produced by a thick fibrous band in the substance of the gluteus maximus. The patient had never received an injection around this hip. Z-plasty of the fibrous band led to immediate and full flexion of the hip and the patient was relieved of her symptoms.", "contents": "Extension contracture of the hip due to idiopathic fibrosis of the gluteus maximus. Extension contracture of the hip in our case was produced by a thick fibrous band in the substance of the gluteus maximus. The patient had never received an injection around this hip. Z-plasty of the fibrous band led to immediate and full flexion of the hip and the patient was relieved of her symptoms.", "PMID": 627455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6962", "title": "Lymphedema of the hand following a fracture of the distal radius.", "content": "A case of chronic lymphedema of the hand and forearm following a fracture of the distal radius is reported. None of the classic causes of secondary lymphedema appeared to be the cause. A strong psychogenic component appeared to be the underlying mechanism. This rare phenomenon was thought to be self-induced and not genetic in nature.", "contents": "Lymphedema of the hand following a fracture of the distal radius. A case of chronic lymphedema of the hand and forearm following a fracture of the distal radius is reported. None of the classic causes of secondary lymphedema appeared to be the cause. A strong psychogenic component appeared to be the underlying mechanism. This rare phenomenon was thought to be self-induced and not genetic in nature.", "PMID": 627456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6963", "title": "A modified method of Achilles tendon lengthening.", "content": "A modified technique of tendo achillis lengthening which takes advantage of the tendon sheath is described. Lengthening of the tendon is achieved by feel under direct vision.", "contents": "A modified method of Achilles tendon lengthening. A modified technique of tendo achillis lengthening which takes advantage of the tendon sheath is described. Lengthening of the tendon is achieved by feel under direct vision.", "PMID": 627457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6964", "title": "True macrodactyly of the hand.", "content": "A case of true progressive macrodactyly was treated by cosmetic amputation of the middle and ring fingers with defatting of the palm and dorsum of the hand. Three months later the result was satisfactory.", "contents": "True macrodactyly of the hand. A case of true progressive macrodactyly was treated by cosmetic amputation of the middle and ring fingers with defatting of the palm and dorsum of the hand. Three months later the result was satisfactory.", "PMID": 627458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6965", "title": "Odontogenic adenomatoid tumor of the mandible (adenoameloblastoma).", "content": "Adenoameloblastoma may recur when treated incompletely by curettage. In the rare case of recurrence, an extensive and mutilating resection may become necessary. A correct diagnosis must be made in cases of atypical ameloblastomas in order to avoid unnecessary radical surgery. In doubtful cases, biopsy with histopathologic examination is indicated. Acknowledgment: We thank Mrs. Frieda Werebe for organizing this manuscript.", "contents": "Odontogenic adenomatoid tumor of the mandible (adenoameloblastoma). Adenoameloblastoma may recur when treated incompletely by curettage. In the rare case of recurrence, an extensive and mutilating resection may become necessary. A correct diagnosis must be made in cases of atypical ameloblastomas in order to avoid unnecessary radical surgery. In doubtful cases, biopsy with histopathologic examination is indicated. Acknowledgment: We thank Mrs. Frieda Werebe for organizing this manuscript.", "PMID": 627459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6966", "title": "Partial characterization of human collagen and procollagen secreted by human corneal stromal fibroblasts in cell culture.", "content": "Human corneal stromal fibroblasts were established into cell culture. Fractions highly enriched for collagen and procollagen were purified from the medium and cell layer. Analysis using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and DEAE cellulose chromatography indicated the presence of a heterogeneous population of procollagen molecules ranging in molecular weights from 200,000 to 120,000 daltons along with alpha1 and alpha2 collagen chains. Cyanogen bromide peptides of a corneal peptide fraction migrated concomitantly with type I standard cyanogen bromide peptides.", "contents": "Partial characterization of human collagen and procollagen secreted by human corneal stromal fibroblasts in cell culture. Human corneal stromal fibroblasts were established into cell culture. Fractions highly enriched for collagen and procollagen were purified from the medium and cell layer. Analysis using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and DEAE cellulose chromatography indicated the presence of a heterogeneous population of procollagen molecules ranging in molecular weights from 200,000 to 120,000 daltons along with alpha1 and alpha2 collagen chains. Cyanogen bromide peptides of a corneal peptide fraction migrated concomitantly with type I standard cyanogen bromide peptides.", "PMID": 627463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6967", "title": "Obstruction of aqueous outflow by lens particles and by heavy-molecular-weight soluble lens proteins.", "content": "Enucleated human eyes were perfused via the anterior chamber at 25 mm Hg pressure with lens particles (whole lens homogenates) in one series of experiments and with soluble lens proteins from human cataractous lenses in another series. Adding 1% of a homogenate of a single cataractous lens to the anterior chamber induced a 68% decrease in outflow. Perfusion with HMW soluble lens proteins (1 mg/ml; MW more than 150 million) caused a 60% decrease in outflow in 1 hr. In neither series was the obstruction to outflow relieved by subsequent irrigation of the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution or alpha-chymotrypsin. The results show that both lens particles and soluble lens proteins can directly obstruct the aqueous outflow pathways of human eyes. Such obstruction may be a significant factor in certain lens-induced glaucomas.", "contents": "Obstruction of aqueous outflow by lens particles and by heavy-molecular-weight soluble lens proteins. Enucleated human eyes were perfused via the anterior chamber at 25 mm Hg pressure with lens particles (whole lens homogenates) in one series of experiments and with soluble lens proteins from human cataractous lenses in another series. Adding 1% of a homogenate of a single cataractous lens to the anterior chamber induced a 68% decrease in outflow. Perfusion with HMW soluble lens proteins (1 mg/ml; MW more than 150 million) caused a 60% decrease in outflow in 1 hr. In neither series was the obstruction to outflow relieved by subsequent irrigation of the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution or alpha-chymotrypsin. The results show that both lens particles and soluble lens proteins can directly obstruct the aqueous outflow pathways of human eyes. Such obstruction may be a significant factor in certain lens-induced glaucomas.", "PMID": 627464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6968", "title": "Localization of lysosomal enzymes in retinal pigment epithelium of rats with inherited retinal dystrophy.", "content": "Four acid hydrolase activities are demonstrable by light microscopy in pigment epithelial cell lysosomes of rats (Royal College of Surgeons--RCS) with inherited retinal dystrophy and in control (Fischer) rats. The enzymes include acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and esterase activities. No marked differences are observed in distribution or staining intensity of lysosomes in the two strains of rat. Acid hydrolase activities are not localized in sites other than lysosomes. Acid phosphatase and aryl sulfatase activities are also demonstrable by electron microscopy. In both strains, acid phosphatase reaction product is localized to various forms of lysosomes in pigment epithelial cells. A diffuse precipitate, considered to be nonspecific in origin, is seen in the cytoplasm, apical processes, outer segments (control), and outer segment debris (RCS). The precipitate is probably due to adsorption of lead from the incubation medium or of lead phosphate that diffuses from heavy accumulations in nearby lysosomes. Aryl sulfatase reaction product, in contrast to acid phosphatase, is localized to far fewer lysosomes and there is virtually no nonspecific precipitate. The findings indicate that lysosomes of RCS pigment epithelial cells possess several cytochemically demonstrable acid hydrolase activities. There is no evidence for the localization of acid phosphatase (or aryl sulfatase) activities in sites other than lysosomes.", "contents": "Localization of lysosomal enzymes in retinal pigment epithelium of rats with inherited retinal dystrophy. Four acid hydrolase activities are demonstrable by light microscopy in pigment epithelial cell lysosomes of rats (Royal College of Surgeons--RCS) with inherited retinal dystrophy and in control (Fischer) rats. The enzymes include acid phosphatase, aryl sulfatase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and esterase activities. No marked differences are observed in distribution or staining intensity of lysosomes in the two strains of rat. Acid hydrolase activities are not localized in sites other than lysosomes. Acid phosphatase and aryl sulfatase activities are also demonstrable by electron microscopy. In both strains, acid phosphatase reaction product is localized to various forms of lysosomes in pigment epithelial cells. A diffuse precipitate, considered to be nonspecific in origin, is seen in the cytoplasm, apical processes, outer segments (control), and outer segment debris (RCS). The precipitate is probably due to adsorption of lead from the incubation medium or of lead phosphate that diffuses from heavy accumulations in nearby lysosomes. Aryl sulfatase reaction product, in contrast to acid phosphatase, is localized to far fewer lysosomes and there is virtually no nonspecific precipitate. The findings indicate that lysosomes of RCS pigment epithelial cells possess several cytochemically demonstrable acid hydrolase activities. There is no evidence for the localization of acid phosphatase (or aryl sulfatase) activities in sites other than lysosomes.", "PMID": 627465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6969", "title": "Ultrastructure of cataract in myotonic dystrophy.", "content": "Four cataractous lenses from patients with myotonic dystrophy were studied by transmission electron microscopy. All lenses showed whorls of what appeared to be plasma membranes.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of cataract in myotonic dystrophy. Four cataractous lenses from patients with myotonic dystrophy were studied by transmission electron microscopy. All lenses showed whorls of what appeared to be plasma membranes.", "PMID": 627466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6970", "title": "Effect of timolol therapy on outflow facility.", "content": "A 14-week course of timolol therapy in 38 eyes with open-angle glaucoma produced a statistically significant drop (6 mm Hg) in their mean intraocular pressure but had no effect on the mean coefficient of aqueous outflow. These data are compatible with those of Zimmerman et al. obtained after a single drop of treatment and suggest that timolol reduces intraocular pressure by inhibiting aqueous production.", "contents": "Effect of timolol therapy on outflow facility. A 14-week course of timolol therapy in 38 eyes with open-angle glaucoma produced a statistically significant drop (6 mm Hg) in their mean intraocular pressure but had no effect on the mean coefficient of aqueous outflow. These data are compatible with those of Zimmerman et al. obtained after a single drop of treatment and suggest that timolol reduces intraocular pressure by inhibiting aqueous production.", "PMID": 627467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6971", "title": "Trace elements in kidney stones from three areas in the United States.", "content": "A large number of trace elements has been found in calcium stones (whewellite, weddellite, and apatite) and in struvite. Significantly fewer elements, with lower abundances, are found in uric acid and cystine. With the exception of four trace elements (lead, silicon, strontium, and zine), the trace element assemblages are identical in the oxalates (whewellite and weddellite); struvite is also similar but with notable exceptions. In general, apatite contains approximately twice the level of trace element abundances as do the oxalates. This study is based on the distribution of 20 elements in 186 mimeralogically identified urinary calculi from three generalized areas of the United States (northeast, southeast, and midwest). In general, there is no statistical difference in the trace element assemblages of mineralogically identical stones from the three areas.", "contents": "Trace elements in kidney stones from three areas in the United States. A large number of trace elements has been found in calcium stones (whewellite, weddellite, and apatite) and in struvite. Significantly fewer elements, with lower abundances, are found in uric acid and cystine. With the exception of four trace elements (lead, silicon, strontium, and zine), the trace element assemblages are identical in the oxalates (whewellite and weddellite); struvite is also similar but with notable exceptions. In general, apatite contains approximately twice the level of trace element abundances as do the oxalates. This study is based on the distribution of 20 elements in 186 mimeralogically identified urinary calculi from three generalized areas of the United States (northeast, southeast, and midwest). In general, there is no statistical difference in the trace element assemblages of mineralogically identical stones from the three areas.", "PMID": 627468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6972", "title": "An evaluation of the role of the Doppler stethoscope and the testicular scan in the diagnosis of torsion of the spermatic cord.", "content": "The spermatic cord of five dogs were twisted 720 degrees. The animals then underwent both Doppler and isotope evaluations of their scrotums. Both modalities proved highly accurate in diagnosing acute testicular ischemia.", "contents": "An evaluation of the role of the Doppler stethoscope and the testicular scan in the diagnosis of torsion of the spermatic cord. The spermatic cord of five dogs were twisted 720 degrees. The animals then underwent both Doppler and isotope evaluations of their scrotums. Both modalities proved highly accurate in diagnosing acute testicular ischemia.", "PMID": 627469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6973", "title": "The effects of topical instillation of adriamycin in bladder tumors of rats fed with FANFT.", "content": "Topical bladder instillation of adriamycin was evaluated in FANET produced rat tumors produced by diets containing (N-[4-(5-Nitro-2-Furyl)-2-Thiazolyl] Formamide). The drug was ineffective in either preventing or eradicating tumors. The failure of response in this animal model may be related to drug schedule, biological potential of this tumor, or ineffectiveness of Adriamycin in this tumor.", "contents": "The effects of topical instillation of adriamycin in bladder tumors of rats fed with FANFT. Topical bladder instillation of adriamycin was evaluated in FANET produced rat tumors produced by diets containing (N-[4-(5-Nitro-2-Furyl)-2-Thiazolyl] Formamide). The drug was ineffective in either preventing or eradicating tumors. The failure of response in this animal model may be related to drug schedule, biological potential of this tumor, or ineffectiveness of Adriamycin in this tumor.", "PMID": 627470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6974", "title": "Minimal medullary droplets in DOCA-induced potassium depletion of rats.", "content": "When potassium depletion is induced in rats administering desoxycorticosterone acetate instead of restricting potassium in the diet, the droplet accumulation in medullary cells is reduced, despite the similar degree and duration of potassium depletion. This finding indicates that the accumulation of droplets is more dependent on the inducing agent than on the severity or duration of potassium depletion.", "contents": "Minimal medullary droplets in DOCA-induced potassium depletion of rats. When potassium depletion is induced in rats administering desoxycorticosterone acetate instead of restricting potassium in the diet, the droplet accumulation in medullary cells is reduced, despite the similar degree and duration of potassium depletion. This finding indicates that the accumulation of droplets is more dependent on the inducing agent than on the severity or duration of potassium depletion.", "PMID": 627471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6975", "title": "The male genitourinary sphincter mechanism in the dog.", "content": "In an effort to locate and characerize a genital sphincter in the male posterior urethra, the intraluminal changes in urethral pressure under both sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation were studied. It appears that the urethra has a specific genital sphincteric length corresponding to the supramontanal portion. The urethral length is seemingly under sympathetic control, so that backflow of semen does not occur during ejaculation. The urinary sphincter apparently involves the entire posterior urethra and is primarily under parasympathetic influence.", "contents": "The male genitourinary sphincter mechanism in the dog. In an effort to locate and characerize a genital sphincter in the male posterior urethra, the intraluminal changes in urethral pressure under both sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation were studied. It appears that the urethra has a specific genital sphincteric length corresponding to the supramontanal portion. The urethral length is seemingly under sympathetic control, so that backflow of semen does not occur during ejaculation. The urinary sphincter apparently involves the entire posterior urethra and is primarily under parasympathetic influence.", "PMID": 627472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6976", "title": "Neurologic control of prostatic secretion in the dog.", "content": "A model to record the volume of prostatic secretion was developed. The influence of both divisions of the autonomic nervous system on the prostate by pharmacologic stimulation and blockade, and by direct electrical nerve stimulation was observed. The prostate responded to parasympathetic stimulus by increasing secretion. Under sympathetic stimulation, the secretion collected in the acini and ducts was expulsed into the urethra by contraction of the smooth muscle fibers surrounding these structures. A correlation between these findings and the normal sexual function may be made: Early in the excitation phase there is parasympathetic activity with increased secretion. With onset of orgasm and emission, sympathetic activity initiates the contractile activity of the genital duct system and the prostatic muscular element. As a result, the secretion is transported to the prostatic urethra (emission) to be later ejaculated by the genital skeletal musculature of the perineum, mainly the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus.", "contents": "Neurologic control of prostatic secretion in the dog. A model to record the volume of prostatic secretion was developed. The influence of both divisions of the autonomic nervous system on the prostate by pharmacologic stimulation and blockade, and by direct electrical nerve stimulation was observed. The prostate responded to parasympathetic stimulus by increasing secretion. Under sympathetic stimulation, the secretion collected in the acini and ducts was expulsed into the urethra by contraction of the smooth muscle fibers surrounding these structures. A correlation between these findings and the normal sexual function may be made: Early in the excitation phase there is parasympathetic activity with increased secretion. With onset of orgasm and emission, sympathetic activity initiates the contractile activity of the genital duct system and the prostatic muscular element. As a result, the secretion is transported to the prostatic urethra (emission) to be later ejaculated by the genital skeletal musculature of the perineum, mainly the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus.", "PMID": 627473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6977", "title": "Organ culture of canine prostate.", "content": "The simple life support system of organ culture contrasts sharply with the life support system in vivo. Organ culture, a technique for characterizing the effect of various substances on an organ, has potential clinical usefulness in many areas. In the present case explants of canine prostate are minimally maintained when cultivated in a medium enriched with testosterone and insulin. Pretreatment of the dog with methylprednisolone or the addition of vitamin A markedly improves the maintenance of normal structure. Methylprednisolone pretreatment and the addition of vitamin A had a significant synergistic effect. The clinical significance and implications of the findings are presented. We believe these preliminary experiments with organ culture can serve as a basis for deciphering some of the complex functions or an organ.", "contents": "Organ culture of canine prostate. The simple life support system of organ culture contrasts sharply with the life support system in vivo. Organ culture, a technique for characterizing the effect of various substances on an organ, has potential clinical usefulness in many areas. In the present case explants of canine prostate are minimally maintained when cultivated in a medium enriched with testosterone and insulin. Pretreatment of the dog with methylprednisolone or the addition of vitamin A markedly improves the maintenance of normal structure. Methylprednisolone pretreatment and the addition of vitamin A had a significant synergistic effect. The clinical significance and implications of the findings are presented. We believe these preliminary experiments with organ culture can serve as a basis for deciphering some of the complex functions or an organ.", "PMID": 627474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6978", "title": "The effect of indomethacin on renal blood flow and uretral pressure in unilateral ureteral obstruction in a awake dogs.", "content": "In the conscious dog, the effect of administering indomethacin before and throughout an 8-hr period of unilateral ureteral occlusion was determined. Before ureteral occlusion, indomethacin infusion caused a 35 to 40 per cent decrease in bilateral renal blood flow. After ureteral occulsion, the characteristic ipsilateral renal vasodilation did not occur and the ureteral pressure rose only to a maximum of 18 mm Hg and remained significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than pressures in control animals during the entire study period. Hence, pathways for renal synthesis of prostalglandins must be intact for renal vasodilation to occur in response to ureteral occlusion.", "contents": "The effect of indomethacin on renal blood flow and uretral pressure in unilateral ureteral obstruction in a awake dogs. In the conscious dog, the effect of administering indomethacin before and throughout an 8-hr period of unilateral ureteral occlusion was determined. Before ureteral occlusion, indomethacin infusion caused a 35 to 40 per cent decrease in bilateral renal blood flow. After ureteral occulsion, the characteristic ipsilateral renal vasodilation did not occur and the ureteral pressure rose only to a maximum of 18 mm Hg and remained significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than pressures in control animals during the entire study period. Hence, pathways for renal synthesis of prostalglandins must be intact for renal vasodilation to occur in response to ureteral occlusion.", "PMID": 627475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6979", "title": "A comparison of the healing processes in uremic and parallel-fed rats.", "content": "The effect of nutrition on the healing capacity of uremic rats was investigated. Wound tensile strenth and the amount of collagen formation in polyvinyl sponges implanted subcutaneously were compared in a group of uremic rats and a group of nonuremic rats parallel-fed an identical diet and caloric intake. Wound tensile strength in the parafed rats closely and significantly approximated that in the uremic snimals conpared to the stronger wounds in the controls. A correlation was also noted for collagen accumulation in the uremic and parafed groups. This experiment lends further evidence to support the theory that the mechanism of action for the shown poor healing associated with uremia is based on the poor state of nutrition in the uremic animal.", "contents": "A comparison of the healing processes in uremic and parallel-fed rats. The effect of nutrition on the healing capacity of uremic rats was investigated. Wound tensile strenth and the amount of collagen formation in polyvinyl sponges implanted subcutaneously were compared in a group of uremic rats and a group of nonuremic rats parallel-fed an identical diet and caloric intake. Wound tensile strength in the parafed rats closely and significantly approximated that in the uremic snimals conpared to the stronger wounds in the controls. A correlation was also noted for collagen accumulation in the uremic and parafed groups. This experiment lends further evidence to support the theory that the mechanism of action for the shown poor healing associated with uremia is based on the poor state of nutrition in the uremic animal.", "PMID": 627476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6980", "title": "Effect of obstruction of renal metabolism. Renal tissue metabolite concentration after alpha-ketoglutarate infusion.", "content": "beta-Hydroxybutyrate and/or alpha-ketoglutarate were infused into awake, resing dogs after varying periods of unilateral ureteral obstruction. The animals were then anesthetized, and the kidneys rapidly excised and frozen in liquid nitrogen. While maintained at temperatures below -60 C, the frozen kidneys were separated into cortical and medullary fractions. The concentrations of alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, citrate, and malate were determined in both cortical and medullary renal tissue. The induction of reversible renal damage by 2 weeks of obstruction was associated with decreased ability to accumulate alpha-ketoglutarate after alpha-ketoglutarate and/or beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion. The induction of irreversible renal damage by 6 weeks of obstruction was associated with the inability to produce or accumulate (i) alpha-ketoglutarate, (ii) lactate, (iii) citrate, or (iv) malate after infusion of alpha-ketoglutarate and/or beta-hydroxybutyrate. The metabolic changes induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction indicatr that aerobic metabolism is inhibited with the virtual elimination of many aerobic reacions in the irreversibly damaged kidney. The reversibly damaged kidney is capable carrying on certain aerobic reactions but usually at a diminished rate. Differences in the extent and character of the metabolic changes induced by ureteral obstruction may make it possible to predict the degree of renal damage and, therefore, recoverability.", "contents": "Effect of obstruction of renal metabolism. Renal tissue metabolite concentration after alpha-ketoglutarate infusion. beta-Hydroxybutyrate and/or alpha-ketoglutarate were infused into awake, resing dogs after varying periods of unilateral ureteral obstruction. The animals were then anesthetized, and the kidneys rapidly excised and frozen in liquid nitrogen. While maintained at temperatures below -60 C, the frozen kidneys were separated into cortical and medullary fractions. The concentrations of alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, citrate, and malate were determined in both cortical and medullary renal tissue. The induction of reversible renal damage by 2 weeks of obstruction was associated with decreased ability to accumulate alpha-ketoglutarate after alpha-ketoglutarate and/or beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion. The induction of irreversible renal damage by 6 weeks of obstruction was associated with the inability to produce or accumulate (i) alpha-ketoglutarate, (ii) lactate, (iii) citrate, or (iv) malate after infusion of alpha-ketoglutarate and/or beta-hydroxybutyrate. The metabolic changes induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction indicatr that aerobic metabolism is inhibited with the virtual elimination of many aerobic reacions in the irreversibly damaged kidney. The reversibly damaged kidney is capable carrying on certain aerobic reactions but usually at a diminished rate. Differences in the extent and character of the metabolic changes induced by ureteral obstruction may make it possible to predict the degree of renal damage and, therefore, recoverability.", "PMID": 627477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6981", "title": "The radiographic demonstration of the dynamic transfer of radio-opaque material from the differential vein to the prostate in the dog.", "content": "Radio-opaque contrast medium was injected into the deferential vein of the dog in vivo and was seen to pass, in two of five animals, into the intrinsic veins of the prostate and the cavernous tissue of the prostatic urethra. In other cases an increase in abdominal venous pressure was required to bring about the retrograde flow. The observations support the previously cited evidence that the prostate receives hormonal stimuli via the deferential vein.", "contents": "The radiographic demonstration of the dynamic transfer of radio-opaque material from the differential vein to the prostate in the dog. Radio-opaque contrast medium was injected into the deferential vein of the dog in vivo and was seen to pass, in two of five animals, into the intrinsic veins of the prostate and the cavernous tissue of the prostatic urethra. In other cases an increase in abdominal venous pressure was required to bring about the retrograde flow. The observations support the previously cited evidence that the prostate receives hormonal stimuli via the deferential vein.", "PMID": 627478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6982", "title": "Intrarenal hemodynamics and renal function in postobstructive uropathy.", "content": "Impairment of renal function was noted after release of 24 hr of unilateral (UUO) and bilateral (BUO) ureteral obstruction. After release of obstruction fractional sodium excretion was identical in both obstructed and intact kidney of UUO rats, whereas massive natriuresis occurred in BUO rats. Renal blood flow in BUO rats, determined by the microsphere method after released of 24 h of obstruction, was approximately 60 per cent of control values. Mean renal blood flow of the obstructed kidney of UUO rats after release of obstruction was 78 per cent of the mean renal blood flow of the contralateral unobstructed kidney. No redistribution of intrarenal blood flow was noted in UUO and BUO rats. Filtration fractions of obstructed kidneys from BUO and UUO rats after release of obstruction were lower than those of controls, suggesting that preglomerular vasoconstriction is primarily involved in the reduction of glomerular filtration rate.", "contents": "Intrarenal hemodynamics and renal function in postobstructive uropathy. Impairment of renal function was noted after release of 24 hr of unilateral (UUO) and bilateral (BUO) ureteral obstruction. After release of obstruction fractional sodium excretion was identical in both obstructed and intact kidney of UUO rats, whereas massive natriuresis occurred in BUO rats. Renal blood flow in BUO rats, determined by the microsphere method after released of 24 h of obstruction, was approximately 60 per cent of control values. Mean renal blood flow of the obstructed kidney of UUO rats after release of obstruction was 78 per cent of the mean renal blood flow of the contralateral unobstructed kidney. No redistribution of intrarenal blood flow was noted in UUO and BUO rats. Filtration fractions of obstructed kidneys from BUO and UUO rats after release of obstruction were lower than those of controls, suggesting that preglomerular vasoconstriction is primarily involved in the reduction of glomerular filtration rate.", "PMID": 627479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6983", "title": "[Tropic-subtropic fungus infections in Germany].", "content": "Observations by the author and other workers on exotic mycoses in Germany are used in order to establish several groups of patients. The following mycoses from tropical and subtropical areas and their causative agents are mentioned: Tinea nigra (Cladosporium werneckii), south American blastomycosis (Paracoccidioides brasiliensis), coccidioidomycosis (Coccidioides immitis), histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum), mycetoma (Madurella mycetomi), dermatophytosis/tinea capitis (Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum ferrugineum), sporotrichosis (Sporothrix schenckii), chromomycosis (Fonsecaea pedrosoi).", "contents": "[Tropic-subtropic fungus infections in Germany]. Observations by the author and other workers on exotic mycoses in Germany are used in order to establish several groups of patients. The following mycoses from tropical and subtropical areas and their causative agents are mentioned: Tinea nigra (Cladosporium werneckii), south American blastomycosis (Paracoccidioides brasiliensis), coccidioidomycosis (Coccidioides immitis), histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum), mycetoma (Madurella mycetomi), dermatophytosis/tinea capitis (Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum ferrugineum), sporotrichosis (Sporothrix schenckii), chromomycosis (Fonsecaea pedrosoi).", "PMID": 627480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6984", "title": "[Reflections on dermatophytes].", "content": "In light of his experiences especially in tropical regions, the author makes some remarks about dermatophytes and dermatophytia, which they cause. The following main items are: 1. The dermatophytes lead a saprophytic life. 2. Exceptionally, they can invade nonkeratinized tissue and cause \"dermatophytic disease\", perhaps mycetomas. 3. 45 percent of the ringworm of the scalp heal before puberty. 4. In the tropical regions, trichophytosis caused by endothrix-species are often of inflammatory nature, the favus appears often without scutula formation (afavic). 5. One can heal a substantial percentage of the ringworm of the scalp with a single dosis of 12 tablets (125 mg each) of fine particle griseofulvin. 6. Athlete's foot has also other causes than only dermatophytes.", "contents": "[Reflections on dermatophytes]. In light of his experiences especially in tropical regions, the author makes some remarks about dermatophytes and dermatophytia, which they cause. The following main items are: 1. The dermatophytes lead a saprophytic life. 2. Exceptionally, they can invade nonkeratinized tissue and cause \"dermatophytic disease\", perhaps mycetomas. 3. 45 percent of the ringworm of the scalp heal before puberty. 4. In the tropical regions, trichophytosis caused by endothrix-species are often of inflammatory nature, the favus appears often without scutula formation (afavic). 5. One can heal a substantial percentage of the ringworm of the scalp with a single dosis of 12 tablets (125 mg each) of fine particle griseofulvin. 6. Athlete's foot has also other causes than only dermatophytes.", "PMID": 627481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6985", "title": "[How should mycoses by most effectively treated in dermatological practice?].", "content": "An appropriate antimycetic therapy in the office is based on the following prerequisites: 1. demonstration and identification or at least determination of species of the causative germ, 2. selection of an adequate antimycetic medicament with a) least possible rate of sensitisation, b) greatest possible effectiveness and c) a spectrum as restricted as possible, d) galenic preparation and e) duration of therapy depending on the clinical and histological type of the mycosis, 3. detection and, if possible, elimination of other predisposing factors. The success of therapy actually obtained is rather unsatisfactory mainly because the factors listed under 2 d), e) and 3) are not or cannot be observed sufficiently.", "contents": "[How should mycoses by most effectively treated in dermatological practice?]. An appropriate antimycetic therapy in the office is based on the following prerequisites: 1. demonstration and identification or at least determination of species of the causative germ, 2. selection of an adequate antimycetic medicament with a) least possible rate of sensitisation, b) greatest possible effectiveness and c) a spectrum as restricted as possible, d) galenic preparation and e) duration of therapy depending on the clinical and histological type of the mycosis, 3. detection and, if possible, elimination of other predisposing factors. The success of therapy actually obtained is rather unsatisfactory mainly because the factors listed under 2 d), e) and 3) are not or cannot be observed sufficiently.", "PMID": 627482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6986", "title": "[Preventive measures against fungal infections].", "content": "The manifestation of a mycotic infection can be prevented by exposition prophylaxis, disposition prophylaxis or chemoprophylaxis. The main statements are discussed. Protective measurements are helpful provided the instructions are followed continually. One must pay attention to one's personal hygiene. The environmental sanitation can be also important.", "contents": "[Preventive measures against fungal infections]. The manifestation of a mycotic infection can be prevented by exposition prophylaxis, disposition prophylaxis or chemoprophylaxis. The main statements are discussed. Protective measurements are helpful provided the instructions are followed continually. One must pay attention to one's personal hygiene. The environmental sanitation can be also important.", "PMID": 627483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6987", "title": "[Current knowledge on imperfect and perfect forms of Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton species].", "content": "The taxonomic status of the members of the form genera: Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton is critically appraised. Two species of epidermophyton, 16 of Microsporum and 21 of Trichophyton are considered to be valid. Currently the perfect status of nine Microsporum and eight Trichophyton species have been described. They are respectively classified in the genera Nannizzia and Arthroderma. The value of the tester strains of the heterothallic perfect states in resolving taxonomic problems is discussed.", "contents": "[Current knowledge on imperfect and perfect forms of Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton species]. The taxonomic status of the members of the form genera: Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton is critically appraised. Two species of epidermophyton, 16 of Microsporum and 21 of Trichophyton are considered to be valid. Currently the perfect status of nine Microsporum and eight Trichophyton species have been described. They are respectively classified in the genera Nannizzia and Arthroderma. The value of the tester strains of the heterothallic perfect states in resolving taxonomic problems is discussed.", "PMID": 627485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6988", "title": "[The behaviour of middle ear mucosa with cholesteatoma and after tympanoplasty (author's transl)].", "content": "The middle ear mucosa of rabbits was studied experimentally. After tympanoplasty inflammatory changes were observed together with an epithelial metaplasia, and the appearance of ciliated and goblet cells was noted. These changes disappeared very slowly over the course of a year when almost normal epithelium was found. Epithelial metaplasia in cholesteatoma was similar to that found following surgery.", "contents": "[The behaviour of middle ear mucosa with cholesteatoma and after tympanoplasty (author's transl)]. The middle ear mucosa of rabbits was studied experimentally. After tympanoplasty inflammatory changes were observed together with an epithelial metaplasia, and the appearance of ciliated and goblet cells was noted. These changes disappeared very slowly over the course of a year when almost normal epithelium was found. Epithelial metaplasia in cholesteatoma was similar to that found following surgery.", "PMID": 627486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6989", "title": "[The technique and importance of examination of the function of the maxillary sinus ostium (author's transl)].", "content": "A method of measuring the patency of the maxillary sinus ostium under physiological conditions is described. By means of a rhinomanometer passed into the ostium the air-pressure within the sinus with artificially induced pressure changes can be studied. Accurate assessment regarding prognosis and the need to perform sinus surgery can thus be made.", "contents": "[The technique and importance of examination of the function of the maxillary sinus ostium (author's transl)]. A method of measuring the patency of the maxillary sinus ostium under physiological conditions is described. By means of a rhinomanometer passed into the ostium the air-pressure within the sinus with artificially induced pressure changes can be studied. Accurate assessment regarding prognosis and the need to perform sinus surgery can thus be made.", "PMID": 627487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6990", "title": "[Problems of hearing aid fitting in elderly adults (author's transl)].", "content": "To provide optimum hearing aid fitting in elderly adults, certain factors are necessary which may affect the frequency response curves of the hearing aids. In cases of presbyacusis, an objective fitting of hearing aids can be based on accurate audiometry (via headphone and loudspeaker) with careful interpretation of test results. Importance is placed on directional hearing as it occurs when listening to a speaker against a background of noise. The test methods used in the Department of Audiology, Basel, are described for minitoring the stereophonic fitting of hearing aids. The advantages of this fitting (as opposed to monaural fitting alone) in cases of presbyacusis with symmetrical hearing losses are discussed.", "contents": "[Problems of hearing aid fitting in elderly adults (author's transl)]. To provide optimum hearing aid fitting in elderly adults, certain factors are necessary which may affect the frequency response curves of the hearing aids. In cases of presbyacusis, an objective fitting of hearing aids can be based on accurate audiometry (via headphone and loudspeaker) with careful interpretation of test results. Importance is placed on directional hearing as it occurs when listening to a speaker against a background of noise. The test methods used in the Department of Audiology, Basel, are described for minitoring the stereophonic fitting of hearing aids. The advantages of this fitting (as opposed to monaural fitting alone) in cases of presbyacusis with symmetrical hearing losses are discussed.", "PMID": 627488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6991", "title": "Age and sex difference in response to short exposure to extreme dry heat.", "content": "Sixty volunteers, 33 males and 27 females (18-63 yr), were divided according to age and sex. They were exposed for 10 min to extreme dry heat: 80-90 degrees C dry bulb temperature and 3-4% relative humidity. Their rectal temperature, skin temperature at eight different points, weight, and heart rate were recorded prior to and immediately following the exposure. A mean rise of only 0.5 degrees C in rectal temperature was recorded following exposure as compared to a mean rise of 5.2 degrees C in mean weighted skin temperature (MWST). Female subjects showed a significantly higher rise in MWST than the male subjects. Similarly, a significantly higher rise in MWST was observed in elderly male subjects as compared to the youngest male group (P less than 0.05). The differences in MWST possibly resulted from differences in mean skin blood flow causing differences in skin conductance. Large individual variation in heat response was recorded in rectal temperature, as well as in weighted skin temperatures. The increase in skin temperature during the first 10 min of exposure to extreme dry heat may serve as an indicator for heat tolerance time, and may help predicting heatstroke susceptible individuals.", "contents": "Age and sex difference in response to short exposure to extreme dry heat. Sixty volunteers, 33 males and 27 females (18-63 yr), were divided according to age and sex. They were exposed for 10 min to extreme dry heat: 80-90 degrees C dry bulb temperature and 3-4% relative humidity. Their rectal temperature, skin temperature at eight different points, weight, and heart rate were recorded prior to and immediately following the exposure. A mean rise of only 0.5 degrees C in rectal temperature was recorded following exposure as compared to a mean rise of 5.2 degrees C in mean weighted skin temperature (MWST). Female subjects showed a significantly higher rise in MWST than the male subjects. Similarly, a significantly higher rise in MWST was observed in elderly male subjects as compared to the youngest male group (P less than 0.05). The differences in MWST possibly resulted from differences in mean skin blood flow causing differences in skin conductance. Large individual variation in heat response was recorded in rectal temperature, as well as in weighted skin temperatures. The increase in skin temperature during the first 10 min of exposure to extreme dry heat may serve as an indicator for heat tolerance time, and may help predicting heatstroke susceptible individuals.", "PMID": 627489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6992", "title": "Ovarian hormonal responses to exercise.", "content": "The effects of exercise on estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were studied in nine healthy females. Subjects were studied during light, heavy, and exhaustive exercise in the midfollicular and midluteal portions of their menstrual cycles. Resting hormone levels followed the expected pattern. Increases in estradiol and progesterone occurred at all intensities of exercise in the luteal phase but only in estradiol at exhaustion in the follicular phase. LH was unchanged with exercise in either phase and FSH increased in the follicular phase but not in the luteal phase. We conclude that exercise is a physiological stimulus to elevations in plasma estradiol, progesterone, and FSH, but not LH. The elevations are more marked in the luteal phase for the steroids and in the follicular phase for FSH. Increases in estradiol and progesterone are related to the intensity of exercise and appear to be independent of pituitary control.", "contents": "Ovarian hormonal responses to exercise. The effects of exercise on estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were studied in nine healthy females. Subjects were studied during light, heavy, and exhaustive exercise in the midfollicular and midluteal portions of their menstrual cycles. Resting hormone levels followed the expected pattern. Increases in estradiol and progesterone occurred at all intensities of exercise in the luteal phase but only in estradiol at exhaustion in the follicular phase. LH was unchanged with exercise in either phase and FSH increased in the follicular phase but not in the luteal phase. We conclude that exercise is a physiological stimulus to elevations in plasma estradiol, progesterone, and FSH, but not LH. The elevations are more marked in the luteal phase for the steroids and in the follicular phase for FSH. Increases in estradiol and progesterone are related to the intensity of exercise and appear to be independent of pituitary control.", "PMID": 627490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6993", "title": "Regional distribution of VA/Q in man at rest and with exercise measured with krypton-81m.", "content": "The regional distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) in the lung was obtained from the continuous inhalation and infusion of 81mKr. With this short half-life isotope (13 s) serial measurements were made in six young normal subjects during spontaneous breathing, with minimal radiation exposure. At rest in the upright position the apical zone had a high VA/Q, but over the lower two thirds VA/Q distribution was relatively homogeneous. There was a slight increase towards the base. During exercise at 50 and 100 W the distribution became more uniform but there was more obvious than at rest. These distributions are consistent with a zone of reduced basal blood flow (zone IV) which becomes more marked on exercise. Apical blood flow was followed during the transition from rest to exercise and recovery. There was a large (40-150%) increase within 30 s of starting to pedal at 50 W, but little change thereafter.", "contents": "Regional distribution of VA/Q in man at rest and with exercise measured with krypton-81m. The regional distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) in the lung was obtained from the continuous inhalation and infusion of 81mKr. With this short half-life isotope (13 s) serial measurements were made in six young normal subjects during spontaneous breathing, with minimal radiation exposure. At rest in the upright position the apical zone had a high VA/Q, but over the lower two thirds VA/Q distribution was relatively homogeneous. There was a slight increase towards the base. During exercise at 50 and 100 W the distribution became more uniform but there was more obvious than at rest. These distributions are consistent with a zone of reduced basal blood flow (zone IV) which becomes more marked on exercise. Apical blood flow was followed during the transition from rest to exercise and recovery. There was a large (40-150%) increase within 30 s of starting to pedal at 50 W, but little change thereafter.", "PMID": 627491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6994", "title": "Creatine metabolism in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats.", "content": "Creatine metabolism in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats was studied with the aid of [14C]creatine as a tracer. Creatine contents of all muscles studied were significantly lower in cold-acclimated rats than in controls. Radioactive creatine uptake by soleus of cold-acclimated rats was significantly lower than that of controls, while radioactive creatine uptakes by heart, diaphragm, and gastrocnemius of cold-acclimated rats were not different from those of controls. Urinary creatine dervied from muscle creatine plus urinary creatinine, which corresponds to total creatine release from muscle, increased in the early stage of cold exposure and was restored to control level after completion of cold acclimation. Creatine turnover rate in skeletal muscle was not different between control and cold-acclimated rats. These findings indicate that cold acclimation results in reduced creatine content and uptake of skeletal muscle, and could be interpreted as reflecting enhanced ability of nonshivering thermogenesis in skeletal muscle.", "contents": "Creatine metabolism in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats. Creatine metabolism in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats was studied with the aid of [14C]creatine as a tracer. Creatine contents of all muscles studied were significantly lower in cold-acclimated rats than in controls. Radioactive creatine uptake by soleus of cold-acclimated rats was significantly lower than that of controls, while radioactive creatine uptakes by heart, diaphragm, and gastrocnemius of cold-acclimated rats were not different from those of controls. Urinary creatine dervied from muscle creatine plus urinary creatinine, which corresponds to total creatine release from muscle, increased in the early stage of cold exposure and was restored to control level after completion of cold acclimation. Creatine turnover rate in skeletal muscle was not different between control and cold-acclimated rats. These findings indicate that cold acclimation results in reduced creatine content and uptake of skeletal muscle, and could be interpreted as reflecting enhanced ability of nonshivering thermogenesis in skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 627492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6995", "title": "In vivo calibration of flow-dependent blood gas catheters.", "content": "In vivo calibration of blood gas catheters is complicated by the fact that their signals are flow dependent. A calibration method is described here, which permits continuous in vivo calibration. The principle is to compensate for flow dependence through simultaneous measurement on an inspired, inert reference gas of known partial pressure. The method is demonstrated by experiments on three anesthetized dogs, in which the arterial oxygen partial pressure was measured in situ with a flow-dependent blood gas catheter. The compensated signal was in good agreement with the partial pressure of oxygen measured with conventional techniques.", "contents": "In vivo calibration of flow-dependent blood gas catheters. In vivo calibration of blood gas catheters is complicated by the fact that their signals are flow dependent. A calibration method is described here, which permits continuous in vivo calibration. The principle is to compensate for flow dependence through simultaneous measurement on an inspired, inert reference gas of known partial pressure. The method is demonstrated by experiments on three anesthetized dogs, in which the arterial oxygen partial pressure was measured in situ with a flow-dependent blood gas catheter. The compensated signal was in good agreement with the partial pressure of oxygen measured with conventional techniques.", "PMID": 627493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6996", "title": "Wheel running of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami, as related to food deprivation and body composition.", "content": "Kangaroo rats deprived of food ran themselves to death in 48 h in wheel cages. Despite the loss of 14.5% of body weight the ratio of water to protein was the same after the run as it was in control rats. Metabolic measurements at rest and in the running wheel and weight loss in the 48-h run were used to estimate fuels used and water expended. Two-thirds of the initial amount of fat and 9% of the protein were metabolized. The terminal mean percentage of body fat was about twice that observed in rats trapped in the spring of 1967, when seed production was low: death in the 48-h run could not have been due to depletion of body fat alone. The powerful activity drive seen in hungary kangaroo rats presumably is intensified in dry years when food is scarce and may deplete their reserves enough to result in death from starvation.", "contents": "Wheel running of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys merriami, as related to food deprivation and body composition. Kangaroo rats deprived of food ran themselves to death in 48 h in wheel cages. Despite the loss of 14.5% of body weight the ratio of water to protein was the same after the run as it was in control rats. Metabolic measurements at rest and in the running wheel and weight loss in the 48-h run were used to estimate fuels used and water expended. Two-thirds of the initial amount of fat and 9% of the protein were metabolized. The terminal mean percentage of body fat was about twice that observed in rats trapped in the spring of 1967, when seed production was low: death in the 48-h run could not have been due to depletion of body fat alone. The powerful activity drive seen in hungary kangaroo rats presumably is intensified in dry years when food is scarce and may deplete their reserves enough to result in death from starvation.", "PMID": 627494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6997", "title": "Cellular dynamics of rats' submaxillary gland during heat acclimatization.", "content": "Male laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) ranging between 130 and 160 g were subjected to ambient temperatures of 34.5 degrees C from 0 to 28 days. The submaxillary gland, liver, spleen, and kidney were weighed. The acini size and the mitotic index of the acinar cells after intraperitoneal injection of vinblastine sulfate and colchicine were recorded for the submaxillary and parotid glands. The submaxillary glands showed increased growth rate over the initial 5 days, whereas the growth rate of the other organs decreased. The submaxillary gland enlargement was due to an initial hyperplasia of the acini cells reaching a maximum on the 2nd day. This was followed by hypertrophy of the Acini reaching a maximum on the l0th day. The parotid acini at control values throughout the experiment. It is postulated that the gland enlargement is effected to increase evaporative heat loss during the early stages of acclimatization prior to the lowering of heat production resulting from biochemical adaptation.", "contents": "Cellular dynamics of rats' submaxillary gland during heat acclimatization. Male laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) ranging between 130 and 160 g were subjected to ambient temperatures of 34.5 degrees C from 0 to 28 days. The submaxillary gland, liver, spleen, and kidney were weighed. The acini size and the mitotic index of the acinar cells after intraperitoneal injection of vinblastine sulfate and colchicine were recorded for the submaxillary and parotid glands. The submaxillary glands showed increased growth rate over the initial 5 days, whereas the growth rate of the other organs decreased. The submaxillary gland enlargement was due to an initial hyperplasia of the acini cells reaching a maximum on the 2nd day. This was followed by hypertrophy of the Acini reaching a maximum on the l0th day. The parotid acini at control values throughout the experiment. It is postulated that the gland enlargement is effected to increase evaporative heat loss during the early stages of acclimatization prior to the lowering of heat production resulting from biochemical adaptation.", "PMID": 627495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6998", "title": "Canine ventilation after acid-base infusions, exercise, and carotid body denervation.", "content": "We studied the effect of exercise and carotid body denervation on the ventilatory response which occurs following acute acid-base infusions. Studies were done in 6 dogs prepared with chronic tracheostomies and carotid loops. Ventilation (VE) and arterial pH were measured at rest and during exercise before and after infusions of lactic acid (70 meq), HCl (26 meq), NaHCO3 (45 and 90 meq), or normal saline alone (250 ml). The VE response to [H+] is expressed as 1.min-1/[H+] in nmol.kgH2O-1. Before carotid body denervation (CBD), the response was 0.1 l.min-1[H+] at rest, 1.2 1.min-1/[H+] during exercise. After CBD there was no ventilatory response to [H+] at rest or during exercise. We conclude that 1) Exercise potentiates the [H+] stimulus to breathing. 2) For small changes in arterial [H+], this exercise potentiation is a function of the carotid body. 3) Therefore, that exercise potentiates the carotid body response directly and/or the central projection of this input in the central nervous system. 4) Finally, since carotid body denervation eliminates only 7% (0.8 1.min-1) of ventilation at pH 7.35 in these dogs, that the effective threshold for this ventilatory response approximates a pH slightly greater than 7.35.", "contents": "Canine ventilation after acid-base infusions, exercise, and carotid body denervation. We studied the effect of exercise and carotid body denervation on the ventilatory response which occurs following acute acid-base infusions. Studies were done in 6 dogs prepared with chronic tracheostomies and carotid loops. Ventilation (VE) and arterial pH were measured at rest and during exercise before and after infusions of lactic acid (70 meq), HCl (26 meq), NaHCO3 (45 and 90 meq), or normal saline alone (250 ml). The VE response to [H+] is expressed as 1.min-1/[H+] in nmol.kgH2O-1. Before carotid body denervation (CBD), the response was 0.1 l.min-1[H+] at rest, 1.2 1.min-1/[H+] during exercise. After CBD there was no ventilatory response to [H+] at rest or during exercise. We conclude that 1) Exercise potentiates the [H+] stimulus to breathing. 2) For small changes in arterial [H+], this exercise potentiation is a function of the carotid body. 3) Therefore, that exercise potentiates the carotid body response directly and/or the central projection of this input in the central nervous system. 4) Finally, since carotid body denervation eliminates only 7% (0.8 1.min-1) of ventilation at pH 7.35 in these dogs, that the effective threshold for this ventilatory response approximates a pH slightly greater than 7.35.", "PMID": 627496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_6999", "title": "Effect of acute and established anemia on O2 transport at rest, submaximal and maximal work.", "content": "Effects of acute and maintained isovolemic anemia on oxygen transport was studied during rest and exercise in normal males. Following 34% reduction in hemoglobin concentration (Hb), supine and standing Q rose acutely by 56% and 20%, respectively, but returned nearly to the control value by 10-14 days, producing a decrease in PVO2. Redistribution of blood flow appeared to compensate significantly for the decrease in systemic oxygen transport. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate rose by 18%, in vivo PO2 at half-saturation of hemoglobin (P50) rose by approximately 2 mm over 7-9 days and probably afforded some compensation. The relationship between VO2 and external work intensity was independent of Hb. During exercise, Q/VO2 and VE/VO2 were increased in acute anemia, but PVO2, for a given VO2, decreased below control levels. After 10-14 days the relative increase in VE with exercise persisted; the increase in Q was less pronounced; and PVO2 was further decreased. With both acute and extablished anemia maximal exercise capacity and maximal VO2 (VO2 max) decreased in proportion to the Hb reduction.", "contents": "Effect of acute and established anemia on O2 transport at rest, submaximal and maximal work. Effects of acute and maintained isovolemic anemia on oxygen transport was studied during rest and exercise in normal males. Following 34% reduction in hemoglobin concentration (Hb), supine and standing Q rose acutely by 56% and 20%, respectively, but returned nearly to the control value by 10-14 days, producing a decrease in PVO2. Redistribution of blood flow appeared to compensate significantly for the decrease in systemic oxygen transport. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate rose by 18%, in vivo PO2 at half-saturation of hemoglobin (P50) rose by approximately 2 mm over 7-9 days and probably afforded some compensation. The relationship between VO2 and external work intensity was independent of Hb. During exercise, Q/VO2 and VE/VO2 were increased in acute anemia, but PVO2, for a given VO2, decreased below control levels. After 10-14 days the relative increase in VE with exercise persisted; the increase in Q was less pronounced; and PVO2 was further decreased. With both acute and extablished anemia maximal exercise capacity and maximal VO2 (VO2 max) decreased in proportion to the Hb reduction.", "PMID": 627497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7000", "title": "Relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and left ventricular function in exercise.", "content": "Left ventricular systolic time intervals (STI's), cardiac output, and arterial blood pressures were measured during bicycle ergometer work in three groups of 10 young men (aged 20-33 yr) who represented average (VO2max = 42-45 ml.kg-1.min-1), moderate (VO2max = 50-56 ml.kg-1.min-1), and high (VO2max = 59-72 ml.kg-1.min-1) levels of cardiovascular fitness. The subjects were studied using noninvasive procedures at steady-state heart rate of approximately 110, 130, and 150 beats.min-1. At all exercise levels, the fitter subjects displayed slightly shorter values for the preejection period (PEP) compared with less fit groups. Significantly (P less than 0.05) larger stroke volumes, longer left ventricular ejection times (LVET), faster mean systolic ejection rates and lower PEP/LVET ratios were found in the group with the highest aerobic capacity. Although these observations appear to indicate a superior mean level of left ventricular performance in groups who represent high levels of cardiovascular fitness, it was concluded that the use of STI values by themselves to describe the cardiovascular fitness of an individual would not be warranted.", "contents": "Relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and left ventricular function in exercise. Left ventricular systolic time intervals (STI's), cardiac output, and arterial blood pressures were measured during bicycle ergometer work in three groups of 10 young men (aged 20-33 yr) who represented average (VO2max = 42-45 ml.kg-1.min-1), moderate (VO2max = 50-56 ml.kg-1.min-1), and high (VO2max = 59-72 ml.kg-1.min-1) levels of cardiovascular fitness. The subjects were studied using noninvasive procedures at steady-state heart rate of approximately 110, 130, and 150 beats.min-1. At all exercise levels, the fitter subjects displayed slightly shorter values for the preejection period (PEP) compared with less fit groups. Significantly (P less than 0.05) larger stroke volumes, longer left ventricular ejection times (LVET), faster mean systolic ejection rates and lower PEP/LVET ratios were found in the group with the highest aerobic capacity. Although these observations appear to indicate a superior mean level of left ventricular performance in groups who represent high levels of cardiovascular fitness, it was concluded that the use of STI values by themselves to describe the cardiovascular fitness of an individual would not be warranted.", "PMID": 627498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7001", "title": "Changes induced by exercise in rates of turnover and oxidation of ketone bodies in fasting man.", "content": "Seven normal subjects fasted for 3 days were exercised for 30 min on a bicycle ergometer at 60 +/- 30% (mean +/- SE) of their maximal aerobic capacity. Rates of transport and oxidation of ketone bodies were determined at rest and during exercise using a primed constant infusion of [14C]acetoacetate. During the initial 7.5 min of exercise, ketone concentration abruptly decreased (-19.4 +/- 3.1%; P less than 0.001) as the result of a 22.2 +/- 7.0% reduction (P less than 0.05) in ketone production rate (Ra) and a 30.4 +/- 7.5% increase (P less than 0.01) in the rate of uptake (Rd) of ketones. As work progressed, blood ketones continued to fall slowly until the 15th min of exercise and thereafter plateaued at a level which was 21.9 +/- 4.1% lower (P less than 0.005) than resting values. During this apparent new steady state, both Ra and Rd were below control values but tended to be equal and to return simultaneously to their preexercise level. The metabolic clearance rate was increased throughout the entire period of exercise, the rise being more marked during the initial 7.5 min (+40.7 +/- 7.5%; P less than 0.01) than at later periods (+19.0 +/- 7.4%; P less than 0.05). Exercise greatly enhanced ketone oxidation which became virtually complete; despite this, the %CO2 derived from ketones, which averaged 17.6 +/- 1.6% at rest, decreased to 10.1 +/- 0.6% (P less than 0.01) after 30 min of work. This indicates that even during the hyperketonemia of fasting, the increased energy needs related to exercise are met primarily by fuels other than ketones.", "contents": "Changes induced by exercise in rates of turnover and oxidation of ketone bodies in fasting man. Seven normal subjects fasted for 3 days were exercised for 30 min on a bicycle ergometer at 60 +/- 30% (mean +/- SE) of their maximal aerobic capacity. Rates of transport and oxidation of ketone bodies were determined at rest and during exercise using a primed constant infusion of [14C]acetoacetate. During the initial 7.5 min of exercise, ketone concentration abruptly decreased (-19.4 +/- 3.1%; P less than 0.001) as the result of a 22.2 +/- 7.0% reduction (P less than 0.05) in ketone production rate (Ra) and a 30.4 +/- 7.5% increase (P less than 0.01) in the rate of uptake (Rd) of ketones. As work progressed, blood ketones continued to fall slowly until the 15th min of exercise and thereafter plateaued at a level which was 21.9 +/- 4.1% lower (P less than 0.005) than resting values. During this apparent new steady state, both Ra and Rd were below control values but tended to be equal and to return simultaneously to their preexercise level. The metabolic clearance rate was increased throughout the entire period of exercise, the rise being more marked during the initial 7.5 min (+40.7 +/- 7.5%; P less than 0.01) than at later periods (+19.0 +/- 7.4%; P less than 0.05). Exercise greatly enhanced ketone oxidation which became virtually complete; despite this, the %CO2 derived from ketones, which averaged 17.6 +/- 1.6% at rest, decreased to 10.1 +/- 0.6% (P less than 0.01) after 30 min of work. This indicates that even during the hyperketonemia of fasting, the increased energy needs related to exercise are met primarily by fuels other than ketones.", "PMID": 627499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7002", "title": "Physical training and connective tissues in young mice: biochemistry of long bones.", "content": "The effect of physical training on collagen, ground substance, and nucleic acid concentrations in long bones was studied in male mice of NMRI strain. The mice to be trained and their controls were about 2 wk old at the beginning of training, which took place on a 5 degrees inclined treadmill 5 days/wk for 3-22 wk. The duration of daily exercise was increased progressively over 3 wk. The final daily exercise bouts were 50 and 80 min for moderate programs and 180 min for the intensive program at a speed of 30 cm/s. Increased concentrations of nitrogen and hexosamines were found at both training intensities, especially after prolonged training. No conclusive changes in nucleic acid concentrations were observed after training. The hexosamine-hydroxyproline ratio was higher and the hydroxyproline-nitrogen ratio lower in the long bones of trained animals compared to the controls. In conclusion these data suggest that prolonged physical activity affects the organic matrix of long bones by maintaining above average concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in matured bones.", "contents": "Physical training and connective tissues in young mice: biochemistry of long bones. The effect of physical training on collagen, ground substance, and nucleic acid concentrations in long bones was studied in male mice of NMRI strain. The mice to be trained and their controls were about 2 wk old at the beginning of training, which took place on a 5 degrees inclined treadmill 5 days/wk for 3-22 wk. The duration of daily exercise was increased progressively over 3 wk. The final daily exercise bouts were 50 and 80 min for moderate programs and 180 min for the intensive program at a speed of 30 cm/s. Increased concentrations of nitrogen and hexosamines were found at both training intensities, especially after prolonged training. No conclusive changes in nucleic acid concentrations were observed after training. The hexosamine-hydroxyproline ratio was higher and the hydroxyproline-nitrogen ratio lower in the long bones of trained animals compared to the controls. In conclusion these data suggest that prolonged physical activity affects the organic matrix of long bones by maintaining above average concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in matured bones.", "PMID": 627500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7003", "title": "Reliability of noninvlasive methods for measuring cardiac function in exercise.", "content": "Externally recorded systolic time intervals (STI's), indirect (CO2 re-breathing) cardiac output, and auscultatory blood pressures were measured during upright bicycle ergometer work in 20 healthy men, aged 24-56 yr. The subjects were studied on 2 separate days at steady-state work loads chosen to represent light (mean heart rate (HR) = 96 beats.min-1), moderate (HR = 118 beats.min-1) and heavy (HR = 147 beats.min-1) exercise. In addition to determinations of cardiac output, systolic time intervals, and blood pressure, the individual's mean systolic ejection rate (stroke volume/left ventricular ejection time) was calculated as a measure of left ventricular function. In general, heart-rate-corrected STI's were found to be reliable and reproducible. Reliability coefficients for total electromechanical systole and left ventricular ejection time ranged from 0.93 to 0.96 while those for the preejection period and its subcomponents were between 0.63 and 0.88. The reliability of cardiac output, stroke volume, mean systolic ejection rate, and systolic blood pressure was also considered to be acceptable but tended to be higher during moderate and heavy work (r = 0.85-0.95) compared to light exercise (r = 0.60-0.83).", "contents": "Reliability of noninvlasive methods for measuring cardiac function in exercise. Externally recorded systolic time intervals (STI's), indirect (CO2 re-breathing) cardiac output, and auscultatory blood pressures were measured during upright bicycle ergometer work in 20 healthy men, aged 24-56 yr. The subjects were studied on 2 separate days at steady-state work loads chosen to represent light (mean heart rate (HR) = 96 beats.min-1), moderate (HR = 118 beats.min-1) and heavy (HR = 147 beats.min-1) exercise. In addition to determinations of cardiac output, systolic time intervals, and blood pressure, the individual's mean systolic ejection rate (stroke volume/left ventricular ejection time) was calculated as a measure of left ventricular function. In general, heart-rate-corrected STI's were found to be reliable and reproducible. Reliability coefficients for total electromechanical systole and left ventricular ejection time ranged from 0.93 to 0.96 while those for the preejection period and its subcomponents were between 0.63 and 0.88. The reliability of cardiac output, stroke volume, mean systolic ejection rate, and systolic blood pressure was also considered to be acceptable but tended to be higher during moderate and heavy work (r = 0.85-0.95) compared to light exercise (r = 0.60-0.83).", "PMID": 627501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7004", "title": "Collateral flow resistance and time constants in dog and horse lungs.", "content": "We studied collateral flow resistance in exsanguinated, excised lower lobes and accessory lobes of dog and horse lungs, respectively. A double lumen catheter obstructed a peripheral airway isolating a segment of the lobe. Oxygen flowed into the segment via a rotameter which measured flow (Vcoll) while the inner catheter recorded segment pressure (Ps). Gas delivered into the segment flowed out via collateral channels. Collateral flow resistance was calculated as (Ps - PL)/Vcoll, where PL = static transpulmonary pressure. Rcoll at PL = 20, 10, and 5 cm H2O averaged 0.24, 1.25, and 2.65 cmH2O.ml-1.s, respectively, in the dog, and 4.53, 6.00, and 12.62 cmH2O.ml-1.s in the horse. At a given PL, Rcoll measured during inflation. At constant PL, Rcoll increased with time at PL = 5 and 10 cmH2O, but was not time dependent at PL = 20 cmH2O. At constant PL, Rcoll increased at Vcoll increased. We conclude Rcoll is greater in horses than in dogs and is a function of PL, Ps - PL, and lung volume history in both species.", "contents": "Collateral flow resistance and time constants in dog and horse lungs. We studied collateral flow resistance in exsanguinated, excised lower lobes and accessory lobes of dog and horse lungs, respectively. A double lumen catheter obstructed a peripheral airway isolating a segment of the lobe. Oxygen flowed into the segment via a rotameter which measured flow (Vcoll) while the inner catheter recorded segment pressure (Ps). Gas delivered into the segment flowed out via collateral channels. Collateral flow resistance was calculated as (Ps - PL)/Vcoll, where PL = static transpulmonary pressure. Rcoll at PL = 20, 10, and 5 cm H2O averaged 0.24, 1.25, and 2.65 cmH2O.ml-1.s, respectively, in the dog, and 4.53, 6.00, and 12.62 cmH2O.ml-1.s in the horse. At a given PL, Rcoll measured during inflation. At constant PL, Rcoll increased with time at PL = 5 and 10 cmH2O, but was not time dependent at PL = 20 cmH2O. At constant PL, Rcoll increased at Vcoll increased. We conclude Rcoll is greater in horses than in dogs and is a function of PL, Ps - PL, and lung volume history in both species.", "PMID": 627502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7005", "title": "Intravascular volume and tonicity as factors in the regulation of body temperature.", "content": "The effect of alterations in intravascular volume and tonicity on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses to heat and exercise have been compared in four subjects. Core temperatures were found to be significantly higher during dehydration, and when dehydration was prevented by administration of 1% saline, than when dehydration was prevented by water administration. These higher temperatures were associated with elevated levels of plasma [Na] and osmolarity, but no consistent relationship between temperature and changes in intravascular volume could be demonstrated. Relationships observed between core temperature and plasma tonicity were consistent with the hypothesis that the adverse effects of dehydration on thermoregulation can be attributed to an inhibition of sweating mediated by an increase in either plasma osmotic pressure or plasma [Na]. In separate experiments the heart rate response to exercise was shown to be reduced by saline, compared with water and dehydration, and this may be explained by the smaller reduction in intravascular volume which occurs during exercise following administration of hypertonic saline. It is concluded that the effects of reduced intravascular volume, and increased intravascular tonicity on physical work capacity may be distinguished by the adverse effect on the cardiovascular system of the former, and on the thermoregulatory system of the latter.", "contents": "Intravascular volume and tonicity as factors in the regulation of body temperature. The effect of alterations in intravascular volume and tonicity on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses to heat and exercise have been compared in four subjects. Core temperatures were found to be significantly higher during dehydration, and when dehydration was prevented by administration of 1% saline, than when dehydration was prevented by water administration. These higher temperatures were associated with elevated levels of plasma [Na] and osmolarity, but no consistent relationship between temperature and changes in intravascular volume could be demonstrated. Relationships observed between core temperature and plasma tonicity were consistent with the hypothesis that the adverse effects of dehydration on thermoregulation can be attributed to an inhibition of sweating mediated by an increase in either plasma osmotic pressure or plasma [Na]. In separate experiments the heart rate response to exercise was shown to be reduced by saline, compared with water and dehydration, and this may be explained by the smaller reduction in intravascular volume which occurs during exercise following administration of hypertonic saline. It is concluded that the effects of reduced intravascular volume, and increased intravascular tonicity on physical work capacity may be distinguished by the adverse effect on the cardiovascular system of the former, and on the thermoregulatory system of the latter.", "PMID": 627503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7006", "title": "Potentiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by ethyl alcohol in dogs.", "content": "Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and arterial blood gases were measured in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs before and after oral or intravenous administration of ethanol. Increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred. Platelet antiserum-induced thrombocytopenia inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with meclofenamate, or alpha-adrenergic blockade did not alter the pulmonary pressor response to ethanol. However, the increase in resistance following ethanol was abolished by hyperoxia and potentiated by hypoxia. Thus, it appears that the effect of ethanol is to augment hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, whereas ethanol per se has no independent pulmonary pressor activity.", "contents": "Potentiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by ethyl alcohol in dogs. Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and arterial blood gases were measured in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs before and after oral or intravenous administration of ethanol. Increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred. Platelet antiserum-induced thrombocytopenia inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with meclofenamate, or alpha-adrenergic blockade did not alter the pulmonary pressor response to ethanol. However, the increase in resistance following ethanol was abolished by hyperoxia and potentiated by hypoxia. Thus, it appears that the effect of ethanol is to augment hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, whereas ethanol per se has no independent pulmonary pressor activity.", "PMID": 627504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7007", "title": "Transient O2 uptake response at the onset of exercise.", "content": "One purpose of this study was to determine whether the half time of the oxygen consumption (VO2) response at the onset of exercise varies with work intensity. Fifteen subjects performed 5 min of bicycle ergometer exercise across a range of relative work loads with VO2 determined continuously via computer analysis. The results revealed that the half time of the VO2 response increased as work intensity increased. Our second purpose was to determine whether VO2 response kinetics are dependent on the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the subject. When VO2 response kinetics were compared at equal absolute work loads for a highly trained (n = 8, mean VO2max = 70.2 ml/kg.min) and an untrained (n = 7, mean VO2max = 49.7 ml/kg.min) group, the highly trained group had a more rapid VO2 response (P less than 0.05). The same tendency was evident at equal relative work loads but the differences were not significant. The more rapid adaptation of the highly trained subjects at absolute work loads may be caused by the enzymatic and circulatory adaptations which result from endurance training. The more rapid adjustment of VO2 at the onset of exercise may explain the slower phosphagen and glycogen depletion found in highly trained subjects following short-term work at equal absolute loads.", "contents": "Transient O2 uptake response at the onset of exercise. One purpose of this study was to determine whether the half time of the oxygen consumption (VO2) response at the onset of exercise varies with work intensity. Fifteen subjects performed 5 min of bicycle ergometer exercise across a range of relative work loads with VO2 determined continuously via computer analysis. The results revealed that the half time of the VO2 response increased as work intensity increased. Our second purpose was to determine whether VO2 response kinetics are dependent on the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) of the subject. When VO2 response kinetics were compared at equal absolute work loads for a highly trained (n = 8, mean VO2max = 70.2 ml/kg.min) and an untrained (n = 7, mean VO2max = 49.7 ml/kg.min) group, the highly trained group had a more rapid VO2 response (P less than 0.05). The same tendency was evident at equal relative work loads but the differences were not significant. The more rapid adaptation of the highly trained subjects at absolute work loads may be caused by the enzymatic and circulatory adaptations which result from endurance training. The more rapid adjustment of VO2 at the onset of exercise may explain the slower phosphagen and glycogen depletion found in highly trained subjects following short-term work at equal absolute loads.", "PMID": 627505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7008", "title": "Changes in arterial blood gas tensions during unsteady-state exercise.", "content": "Arterial oxygen (Pao2) and carbon dioxide (Paco2) tensions and inspired minute ventilation were measured during the first 2 min of stair-climbing exercise in nine normal subjects. The subjects climbed a staircase at a rate of approximately 9 m vertical height every minute and arterial blood was drawn from an indwelling cannula at 15-s intervals. Large falls in Pao2 from a resting value of 92 +/- 2.0 (mean +/- SE) Torr to a lowest value of 65 +/- 3.4 Torr were recorded in the first 50 s of exercise while Paco2 oscillated around the resting value. Most subjects demonstrated an initial plateau of Pao2 for at least 7 s followed by a rapid fall and subsequent rise toward the resting level after 1 min. The falls in Pao2 measured were larger than those reported for laboratory exercise. The possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.", "contents": "Changes in arterial blood gas tensions during unsteady-state exercise. Arterial oxygen (Pao2) and carbon dioxide (Paco2) tensions and inspired minute ventilation were measured during the first 2 min of stair-climbing exercise in nine normal subjects. The subjects climbed a staircase at a rate of approximately 9 m vertical height every minute and arterial blood was drawn from an indwelling cannula at 15-s intervals. Large falls in Pao2 from a resting value of 92 +/- 2.0 (mean +/- SE) Torr to a lowest value of 65 +/- 3.4 Torr were recorded in the first 50 s of exercise while Paco2 oscillated around the resting value. Most subjects demonstrated an initial plateau of Pao2 for at least 7 s followed by a rapid fall and subsequent rise toward the resting level after 1 min. The falls in Pao2 measured were larger than those reported for laboratory exercise. The possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.", "PMID": 627506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7009", "title": "Ventilatory and gas exchange responses to cycling with sinusoidally varying pedal rate.", "content": "To investigate factors controlling ventilation under conditions where the applied work load remains constant, but where hypothesized proprioceptive influences would be expected to vary, five subjects exercised at a constant work rate of 50 W on a cycle ergometer at pedaling rates which varied sinusoidally between 40 and 80 rpm. Each subject exercised continuously for 30 min at each of five sinusoidal periods. Minute ventilation (VE), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), oxygen uptake (VO2), and heart rate were computed breath-by-breath and amplitude and phase relations were extracted. We observed small fluctuations in VCO2 and VO2 engendered by varying metabolic requirements of moving the legs at varying rates. VE fluctuations were closely in phase with VCO2 and the amplitudes of the fluctuations were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.83, P less than 0.001); consequently end-tidal carbon dioxide tension fluctuations were small. Variation of pedaling rate, therefore, did not produce a ventilatory response independent of the effect of VCO2. The ventilatory responses to these forcings are inconsistent with an appreciable role for neurally mediated influences from the exercising limbs and provide further evidence that the exercise hyperpnea is linked to CO2 flow to the central circulation.", "contents": "Ventilatory and gas exchange responses to cycling with sinusoidally varying pedal rate. To investigate factors controlling ventilation under conditions where the applied work load remains constant, but where hypothesized proprioceptive influences would be expected to vary, five subjects exercised at a constant work rate of 50 W on a cycle ergometer at pedaling rates which varied sinusoidally between 40 and 80 rpm. Each subject exercised continuously for 30 min at each of five sinusoidal periods. Minute ventilation (VE), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), oxygen uptake (VO2), and heart rate were computed breath-by-breath and amplitude and phase relations were extracted. We observed small fluctuations in VCO2 and VO2 engendered by varying metabolic requirements of moving the legs at varying rates. VE fluctuations were closely in phase with VCO2 and the amplitudes of the fluctuations were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.83, P less than 0.001); consequently end-tidal carbon dioxide tension fluctuations were small. Variation of pedaling rate, therefore, did not produce a ventilatory response independent of the effect of VCO2. The ventilatory responses to these forcings are inconsistent with an appreciable role for neurally mediated influences from the exercising limbs and provide further evidence that the exercise hyperpnea is linked to CO2 flow to the central circulation.", "PMID": 627507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7010", "title": "Effect of age on survivability of pups eating a carbohydrate-free diet.", "content": "Seventy-nine pups from 18 litters were changed to a carbohydrate-free diet between 7 and 19 weeks of age. It was found that if the diet change was made after pups were 17 weeks old, the pups remained clinically normal. If the change was made before pups were 17 weeks old, the survival rate was less than or equal to 45.5%.", "contents": "Effect of age on survivability of pups eating a carbohydrate-free diet. Seventy-nine pups from 18 litters were changed to a carbohydrate-free diet between 7 and 19 weeks of age. It was found that if the diet change was made after pups were 17 weeks old, the pups remained clinically normal. If the change was made before pups were 17 weeks old, the survival rate was less than or equal to 45.5%.", "PMID": 627508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7011", "title": "A comparative study of T-61 and pentobarbital for euthanasia of dogs.", "content": "A comparative study of T-61 and double-strength pentobarbital for euthanasia of dogs was performed. Effects on EEG, ECG, arterial blood pressure, and respiration were monitored, and time to collapse was measured. In most respects, the effects of the 2 agents were similar; however, 3 of 12 dogs given pentobarbital resumed respiration and cardiac function. None of 9 dogs given T-61 evidenced signs of recovery.", "contents": "A comparative study of T-61 and pentobarbital for euthanasia of dogs. A comparative study of T-61 and double-strength pentobarbital for euthanasia of dogs was performed. Effects on EEG, ECG, arterial blood pressure, and respiration were monitored, and time to collapse was measured. In most respects, the effects of the 2 agents were similar; however, 3 of 12 dogs given pentobarbital resumed respiration and cardiac function. None of 9 dogs given T-61 evidenced signs of recovery.", "PMID": 627509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7012", "title": "Hemophilia A in three unrelated cats.", "content": "Factor VIII deficiency, consistent with hemophilia A, was detected in 3 unrelated male domestic short-haired cats. Clinical history of each case differed and illustrated the spectrum of clinical manifestations of this disease in cats. Clinical expression of feline hemophilia A was similar to that of man and other animals, in which the degree of factor VIII deficiency tends to determine the severity and frequency of bleeding. All 3 cats had severe protracted bleeding after minor surgical procedures. Hemorrhage was eventually controlled in each case by transfusions of fresh whole blood.", "contents": "Hemophilia A in three unrelated cats. Factor VIII deficiency, consistent with hemophilia A, was detected in 3 unrelated male domestic short-haired cats. Clinical history of each case differed and illustrated the spectrum of clinical manifestations of this disease in cats. Clinical expression of feline hemophilia A was similar to that of man and other animals, in which the degree of factor VIII deficiency tends to determine the severity and frequency of bleeding. All 3 cats had severe protracted bleeding after minor surgical procedures. Hemorrhage was eventually controlled in each case by transfusions of fresh whole blood.", "PMID": 627514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7013", "title": "Infectious peritonitis in a cat that subsequently developed a myeloproliferative disorder.", "content": "The effusive form of feline infectious peritonitis was diagnosed clinically and serologically in a 3-year-old male domestic cat. The cat responded to treatment for 9 months, then developed a myeloproliferative disorder with cytologic characteristics of reticuloendotheliosis.", "contents": "Infectious peritonitis in a cat that subsequently developed a myeloproliferative disorder. The effusive form of feline infectious peritonitis was diagnosed clinically and serologically in a 3-year-old male domestic cat. The cat responded to treatment for 9 months, then developed a myeloproliferative disorder with cytologic characteristics of reticuloendotheliosis.", "PMID": 627515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7014", "title": "Intracerebral migration of Cuterebra larva in a kitten.", "content": "Verminous encephalitis in a 4-week-old kitten was manifested by depression, hysteria, and terminal convulsions. Necropsy revealed a second instar of Cutebra sp in the right cerebral hemisphere. The main lesions in the brain were those of acute focal hemorrhagic encephalomalacia.", "contents": "Intracerebral migration of Cuterebra larva in a kitten. Verminous encephalitis in a 4-week-old kitten was manifested by depression, hysteria, and terminal convulsions. Necropsy revealed a second instar of Cutebra sp in the right cerebral hemisphere. The main lesions in the brain were those of acute focal hemorrhagic encephalomalacia.", "PMID": 627516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7015", "title": "The isolation and characterization of narasin, a new polyether antibiotic.", "content": "Narasin is a new polyether antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens. It is purified by organic solvent extraction and silica gel chromatography. Narasin is active in vitro against gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and fungi and is effective in protecting chickens from coccidial infections.", "contents": "The isolation and characterization of narasin, a new polyether antibiotic. Narasin is a new polyether antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens. It is purified by organic solvent extraction and silica gel chromatography. Narasin is active in vitro against gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and fungi and is effective in protecting chickens from coccidial infections.", "PMID": 627518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7016", "title": "G2201-C, a new cyclopentenedione antibiotic, isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces cattleya.", "content": "Streptomyces cattleya produced a new cyclopentenedione antibiotic, G2201-C [C6H6O4(I)], which is moderatley active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria, weakly active against Gram-negative bacteria, and inactive against fungi. G2201-C is toxic to mice.", "contents": "G2201-C, a new cyclopentenedione antibiotic, isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces cattleya. Streptomyces cattleya produced a new cyclopentenedione antibiotic, G2201-C [C6H6O4(I)], which is moderatley active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria, weakly active against Gram-negative bacteria, and inactive against fungi. G2201-C is toxic to mice.", "PMID": 627519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7017", "title": "A32390A, a new biologically active metabolite. II. Isolation and structure.", "content": "An inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, designated A32390A, was isolated from the culture broth of a Pyrenochaeta species. The inhibitor showed antimicrobial activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria. Spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation studies indicated that the structure was 1,6-di-O-(2-isocyano-3-methylcrotonyl)-D-mannitol.", "contents": "A32390A, a new biologically active metabolite. II. Isolation and structure. An inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, designated A32390A, was isolated from the culture broth of a Pyrenochaeta species. The inhibitor showed antimicrobial activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria. Spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation studies indicated that the structure was 1,6-di-O-(2-isocyano-3-methylcrotonyl)-D-mannitol.", "PMID": 627520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7018", "title": "Quadrone, a new antitumor substance produced by Aspergillus terreus. Production, isolation and properties.", "content": "A new antitumor compound named quadrone was isolated from the culture broth of Aspergillus terreus NRRL 11,156. Quadrone was active against KB cells in vitro, but died not possess antimicrobial activity.", "contents": "Quadrone, a new antitumor substance produced by Aspergillus terreus. Production, isolation and properties. A new antitumor compound named quadrone was isolated from the culture broth of Aspergillus terreus NRRL 11,156. Quadrone was active against KB cells in vitro, but died not possess antimicrobial activity.", "PMID": 627521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7019", "title": "Chemical modification of some gentamicins and sisomicin at the 3''-position.", "content": "Chemical and photochemical oxidative methods of de-N-methylation of some gentamicins and sisomicins at the 3''-position are described. Selective acetylation of gentamicins and sisomicins at the 1, 3, 2' and 6' and of gentamicin B at the 1, 3, and 6'positions are achieved by treatment of the free bases with carbon dioxide prior to acetylation. De-N-methylation of the above selectively blocked gentamicins and sisomicins followed by re-alkylation at the 3''-position and de-N-protection gives a series of 3''-N-alkyl analogues. The in vitro antibacterial properties of the new derivatives of gentamicins and sisomicins are given.", "contents": "Chemical modification of some gentamicins and sisomicin at the 3''-position. Chemical and photochemical oxidative methods of de-N-methylation of some gentamicins and sisomicins at the 3''-position are described. Selective acetylation of gentamicins and sisomicins at the 1, 3, 2' and 6' and of gentamicin B at the 1, 3, and 6'positions are achieved by treatment of the free bases with carbon dioxide prior to acetylation. De-N-methylation of the above selectively blocked gentamicins and sisomicins followed by re-alkylation at the 3''-position and de-N-protection gives a series of 3''-N-alkyl analogues. The in vitro antibacterial properties of the new derivatives of gentamicins and sisomicins are given.", "PMID": 627522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7020", "title": "The structures of the m-chloroperbenzoic acid oxidation products of 8,9-anhydroerythromycins A- and B-6,9-hemiacetal and of (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B.", "content": "13C-NMR studies have confirmed the structures of (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycins A- and B-6,9;9,11-acetal proposed by KROWICKI and ZAMOJSKI2,3) for the products of the m-chloroperbenzoic acid oxidation of 8,9-anhydroerythromycins A- and B-6,9-hemiacetal. The preparations of (8S)-8-methylthiomethoxy- and (8S)-8-methoxyerythromycin B-6,9;9,11-acetals are described. The latter are stable in aqueous acetic acid under conditions which convert (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B-6,9;9,11-acetal into (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B.", "contents": "The structures of the m-chloroperbenzoic acid oxidation products of 8,9-anhydroerythromycins A- and B-6,9-hemiacetal and of (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B. 13C-NMR studies have confirmed the structures of (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycins A- and B-6,9;9,11-acetal proposed by KROWICKI and ZAMOJSKI2,3) for the products of the m-chloroperbenzoic acid oxidation of 8,9-anhydroerythromycins A- and B-6,9-hemiacetal. The preparations of (8S)-8-methylthiomethoxy- and (8S)-8-methoxyerythromycin B-6,9;9,11-acetals are described. The latter are stable in aqueous acetic acid under conditions which convert (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B-6,9;9,11-acetal into (8S)-8-hydroxyerythromycin B.", "PMID": 627523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7021", "title": "Biotransformation of lankamycin, darcanolide, and 11-acetyllankolide by a blocked mutant of the erythromcyin producing organism Streptomyces erythreus.", "content": "The biotransformation of lankamycin and congeners darcanolide and 11-acetylankolide by a blocked mutant of the erythromycin-producing organism Streptomyces erythreus, which cannot synthesize erythromycin without supplementation with erythromycin precursors, was investigated. Darcanolide and 11-acetyllankolide were converted into the corresponding 15-deoxy-15-oxo derivatives. Lankamycin was transformed to 15-deoxy-15-oxolankamycin, 4''-deacetyl-15-deoxy-15-oxolankamycin and 3'-de-O-methylankamycin. None of the derivatives possessed high antimicrobial activity.", "contents": "Biotransformation of lankamycin, darcanolide, and 11-acetyllankolide by a blocked mutant of the erythromcyin producing organism Streptomyces erythreus. The biotransformation of lankamycin and congeners darcanolide and 11-acetylankolide by a blocked mutant of the erythromycin-producing organism Streptomyces erythreus, which cannot synthesize erythromycin without supplementation with erythromycin precursors, was investigated. Darcanolide and 11-acetyllankolide were converted into the corresponding 15-deoxy-15-oxo derivatives. Lankamycin was transformed to 15-deoxy-15-oxolankamycin, 4''-deacetyl-15-deoxy-15-oxolankamycin and 3'-de-O-methylankamycin. None of the derivatives possessed high antimicrobial activity.", "PMID": 627524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7022", "title": "Sub-unit assembly in the biosynthesis of neomycin. The synthesis of 5-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl and 4-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxystreptamines.", "content": "The preparation of the deoxy- analogues of two pseudodisaccharide fragments of neomycin, 5-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxy-streptamine and 6-deoxyneamine is described. When added to the growth medium of a deoxystreptamine-idiotroph of Streptomyces rimosus forma paromomycinus only the latter was incorporated into antibiotic, suggesting an obligatory order for the assembly of sub-units. 4-O-beta-D-Ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxystreptamine was also prepared. When added to the growth medium of a deoxystreptamine-idiotroph of Streptomyces fradiae it was converted into the 6-deoxyneomycins, apparently after hydrolysis to 2,6-dideoxystreptamine. The structure of the protected derivatives of the ribofuranosyl 2,6-dideoxystreptamines, potentially useful intermediates for the synthesis of novel antibiotics, was shown by using 15C NMR spectroscopy.", "contents": "Sub-unit assembly in the biosynthesis of neomycin. The synthesis of 5-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl and 4-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxystreptamines. The preparation of the deoxy- analogues of two pseudodisaccharide fragments of neomycin, 5-O-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxy-streptamine and 6-deoxyneamine is described. When added to the growth medium of a deoxystreptamine-idiotroph of Streptomyces rimosus forma paromomycinus only the latter was incorporated into antibiotic, suggesting an obligatory order for the assembly of sub-units. 4-O-beta-D-Ribofuranosyl-2,6-dideoxystreptamine was also prepared. When added to the growth medium of a deoxystreptamine-idiotroph of Streptomyces fradiae it was converted into the 6-deoxyneomycins, apparently after hydrolysis to 2,6-dideoxystreptamine. The structure of the protected derivatives of the ribofuranosyl 2,6-dideoxystreptamines, potentially useful intermediates for the synthesis of novel antibiotics, was shown by using 15C NMR spectroscopy.", "PMID": 627525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7023", "title": "Biological and chemotherapeutic studies on three semisynthetic cephamycins.", "content": "Three semisynthetic cephamycin antibiotics (7alpha-methoxy-cephalosporins), SK&F 73678, SK&F 83088 (CS-1170) and cefoxitin, have been found to possess favorable biological and chemotherapeutic properties. All three cephamycins are active in vitro against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and a variety of gram-negative bacilli. Beta-lactamase producing organisms including indole-producing Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. and Serratia strains as well as certain anaerobic bacteria were found to be susceptible to these antibiotics. SK&F 73768 showed somewhat better MIC values than cefoxitin against multiple strains of bacteria. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and group D streptococci are essentially insensitive to these compounds. Their binding to serum proteins is relatively low. In mice, cefoxitin showed the most favorable pharmacokinetics with respect to peak serum level, serum half-life and urinary recovery. These cephamycins protected mice experimentally infected with a variety of bacterial strains. All three compounds are rapidly bacteriolytic to the logarithmically growing Escherichia coli and belatedly so to Staphylococcus strains with complete sterilizing effect. SK&F 73678 and SK&F 83088 showed activity and potency comparable to or better than cefoxitin and thus can be considered candidates for clinical study.", "contents": "Biological and chemotherapeutic studies on three semisynthetic cephamycins. Three semisynthetic cephamycin antibiotics (7alpha-methoxy-cephalosporins), SK&F 73678, SK&F 83088 (CS-1170) and cefoxitin, have been found to possess favorable biological and chemotherapeutic properties. All three cephamycins are active in vitro against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and a variety of gram-negative bacilli. Beta-lactamase producing organisms including indole-producing Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp. and Serratia strains as well as certain anaerobic bacteria were found to be susceptible to these antibiotics. SK&F 73768 showed somewhat better MIC values than cefoxitin against multiple strains of bacteria. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and group D streptococci are essentially insensitive to these compounds. Their binding to serum proteins is relatively low. In mice, cefoxitin showed the most favorable pharmacokinetics with respect to peak serum level, serum half-life and urinary recovery. These cephamycins protected mice experimentally infected with a variety of bacterial strains. All three compounds are rapidly bacteriolytic to the logarithmically growing Escherichia coli and belatedly so to Staphylococcus strains with complete sterilizing effect. SK&F 73678 and SK&F 83088 showed activity and potency comparable to or better than cefoxitin and thus can be considered candidates for clinical study.", "PMID": 627526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7024", "title": "Regulation of the beta-1,3-glucanase system in Penicillium italicum: glucose repression of the various enzymes.", "content": "The microscopic fungus Penicillium italicum when grown in a synthetic liquid medium produced at least three enzymes with beta-1,3-glucanase activity which were separated by diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex column chromatography. These were named beta-1,3-glucanases I, II, and III respective to their order of elution from the column. A tentative characterization of these three enzymes indicated that they have different modes of action; the first one is an endoglucanase, the second is an exoglucanase, and the third probably has both mechanisms of action. Glucose had a repressive effect on all three enzymes. Only small amounts of beta-1,3-glucanases II and III were present in the cells when they were actively growing in the presence of this sugar. However, when the cells were transferred to a medium low in glucose, a significant increase in the specific activity of beta-1,3-glucanase took place; this was due in part to a much more active production of beta-1,3-glucanases II and III and in part to the appearance of beta-1,3-glucanase I, which could only be detected after more than 12 h of incubation in this medium. The results are discussed in the context of possible beta-1,3-glucanase functions in the fungal cells.", "contents": "Regulation of the beta-1,3-glucanase system in Penicillium italicum: glucose repression of the various enzymes. The microscopic fungus Penicillium italicum when grown in a synthetic liquid medium produced at least three enzymes with beta-1,3-glucanase activity which were separated by diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex column chromatography. These were named beta-1,3-glucanases I, II, and III respective to their order of elution from the column. A tentative characterization of these three enzymes indicated that they have different modes of action; the first one is an endoglucanase, the second is an exoglucanase, and the third probably has both mechanisms of action. Glucose had a repressive effect on all three enzymes. Only small amounts of beta-1,3-glucanases II and III were present in the cells when they were actively growing in the presence of this sugar. However, when the cells were transferred to a medium low in glucose, a significant increase in the specific activity of beta-1,3-glucanase took place; this was due in part to a much more active production of beta-1,3-glucanases II and III and in part to the appearance of beta-1,3-glucanase I, which could only be detected after more than 12 h of incubation in this medium. The results are discussed in the context of possible beta-1,3-glucanase functions in the fungal cells.", "PMID": 627529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7025", "title": "Physiology of lysine permeases in Saccharomycopsis lipolytica.", "content": "Two active lysine transport systems were detected in Saccharomycopsis lipolytica. No excretion of lysine out of the cells could be obtained, even by chasing with L-lysine or by poisoning with sodium azide. The kinetic properties of one of the permeases, the high-affinity lysine permease, were studied in detail. Its Km was 1.91 +/- 0.23 X 10(-5) M. It proved highly specific, the only potent competitive inhibitors being (i) arginine and its analogs L-canavanine and L-ornithine, and (ii) the lysine analogs L-5 aminoethylcysteine and L-4,5-transdehydrolysine. It is suggested that the high-affinity lysine permease is common to L-lysine, L-ornithine, and L-arginine. The other amino acids tested behaved as noncompetitive inhibitors. The variation of uptake during a growth cycle was studied on ammonia-rich, ammonia-poor, and ammonia-free media. In each case, the uptake exhibited a peak in the early exponential growth phase. No new permease activity was detected during the lag phase or the stationary phase. Ammonia ions competitively inhibited the uptake and also decreased the Vmax value.", "contents": "Physiology of lysine permeases in Saccharomycopsis lipolytica. Two active lysine transport systems were detected in Saccharomycopsis lipolytica. No excretion of lysine out of the cells could be obtained, even by chasing with L-lysine or by poisoning with sodium azide. The kinetic properties of one of the permeases, the high-affinity lysine permease, were studied in detail. Its Km was 1.91 +/- 0.23 X 10(-5) M. It proved highly specific, the only potent competitive inhibitors being (i) arginine and its analogs L-canavanine and L-ornithine, and (ii) the lysine analogs L-5 aminoethylcysteine and L-4,5-transdehydrolysine. It is suggested that the high-affinity lysine permease is common to L-lysine, L-ornithine, and L-arginine. The other amino acids tested behaved as noncompetitive inhibitors. The variation of uptake during a growth cycle was studied on ammonia-rich, ammonia-poor, and ammonia-free media. In each case, the uptake exhibited a peak in the early exponential growth phase. No new permease activity was detected during the lag phase or the stationary phase. Ammonia ions competitively inhibited the uptake and also decreased the Vmax value.", "PMID": 627530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7026", "title": "Stability of ribosomes of Staphylococcus aureus S6 sublethally heated in different buffers.", "content": "Cells of Staphylococcus aureus heated at 52 degrees C in magnesium-chelating buffers [pH 7.2, 50 mM potassium phosphate or 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane containing 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid] leaked 260-nm absorbing material, shown to be RNA, and suffered destruction of their ribosomes. These cells did not regain their salt tolerance when repair was carried out in the presence of actinomycin D (5 microgram/ml). Cells similarly heated in magnesium-conserving buffers [pH 7.2, 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane containing 10 mM MgCl2 or piperazine buffer] did not leak RNA, suffered no ribosomal damage when heated for 15 min, and recovered, at least partially, in the presence of actinomycin D. Ribosomal damage, is therefore, a consequence of Mg2+ loss and is not an effect of heat per se. Cells suspended in either Mg2+-chelating or Mg2+-conserving buffers lost salt tolerance to about the same extent during heating at 52 degrees C. Therefore, sublethal heat injury can not be attributed to ribosomal damage.", "contents": "Stability of ribosomes of Staphylococcus aureus S6 sublethally heated in different buffers. Cells of Staphylococcus aureus heated at 52 degrees C in magnesium-chelating buffers [pH 7.2, 50 mM potassium phosphate or 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane containing 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid] leaked 260-nm absorbing material, shown to be RNA, and suffered destruction of their ribosomes. These cells did not regain their salt tolerance when repair was carried out in the presence of actinomycin D (5 microgram/ml). Cells similarly heated in magnesium-conserving buffers [pH 7.2, 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane containing 10 mM MgCl2 or piperazine buffer] did not leak RNA, suffered no ribosomal damage when heated for 15 min, and recovered, at least partially, in the presence of actinomycin D. Ribosomal damage, is therefore, a consequence of Mg2+ loss and is not an effect of heat per se. Cells suspended in either Mg2+-chelating or Mg2+-conserving buffers lost salt tolerance to about the same extent during heating at 52 degrees C. Therefore, sublethal heat injury can not be attributed to ribosomal damage.", "PMID": 627531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7027", "title": "Polyadenylic acid sequences in the RNA of Hyphomicrobium.", "content": "Heterogeneous RNA containing polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] sequence has been isolated from Hyphomicrobium by affinity chromatography on oligothymidylic acid cellulose and polyuridylic acid Sepharose columns. About 0.1 to 0.3% of [3H]adenine-labeled RNA over a 60-min period is associated with poly(A) sequences. This percentage decreases to about 0.03 in a 20-h labeling period. The poly(A) tracts recovered after digestion with ribonuclease A and T1 are composed of greater than 95% adenine residues and are up to 200 nucleotides in length with a predominant range of 15 to 40 nucleotides. Adenosine and AMP are present in the ratio of 1:36 in alkaline digests of Hyphomicrobium poly(A) tracts. This is compatible with nucleotide lengths determined on acrylamide gels and location at the 3'-OH terminus of the RNA molecule.", "contents": "Polyadenylic acid sequences in the RNA of Hyphomicrobium. Heterogeneous RNA containing polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] sequence has been isolated from Hyphomicrobium by affinity chromatography on oligothymidylic acid cellulose and polyuridylic acid Sepharose columns. About 0.1 to 0.3% of [3H]adenine-labeled RNA over a 60-min period is associated with poly(A) sequences. This percentage decreases to about 0.03 in a 20-h labeling period. The poly(A) tracts recovered after digestion with ribonuclease A and T1 are composed of greater than 95% adenine residues and are up to 200 nucleotides in length with a predominant range of 15 to 40 nucleotides. Adenosine and AMP are present in the ratio of 1:36 in alkaline digests of Hyphomicrobium poly(A) tracts. This is compatible with nucleotide lengths determined on acrylamide gels and location at the 3'-OH terminus of the RNA molecule.", "PMID": 627532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7028", "title": "Stimulation of lipase production during bacterial growth on alkanes.", "content": "Acinetobacter lwoffi strain O(16), a facultative psychrophile, can grow on crude oil, hexadecane, octadecane, and most alkanes when tested at 20 but not at 30 degrees C. Growth occurred on a few alkanes at 30 degrees C but after a longer lag than at 20 degrees C. Cells grown on alkanes as sole carbon sources had high levels of cell-bound lipase. In contrast, previous work has shown that those grown on complex medium produced cell-free lipase and those grown on defined medium without alkanes produced little or no lipase. Low concentrations of the detergent Triton X-100 caused the liberation of most of the lipase activity of alkane-grown cells and increased total lipase activity. When ethanol and hexadecane were both present in a mineral medium, diauxic growth occurred; until the ethanol was completely used up, hexadecane was not utilized, and the lipase activity was very low. When growth on hexadecane began, lipase activity increased, reaching a level 50- to 100-fold higher than that of cells growing on ethanol. A similar pattern of lipase formation and hexadecane utilization was observed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whenever A. lwoffi and other bacteria degraded alkanes they exhibited substantial lipase activity. Not all bacteria that produced lipase, however, could attack alkanes. Bacteria that could not produce lipase did not attack alkanes. The results suggest that a correlation may exist between lipase formation and alkane utilization.", "contents": "Stimulation of lipase production during bacterial growth on alkanes. Acinetobacter lwoffi strain O(16), a facultative psychrophile, can grow on crude oil, hexadecane, octadecane, and most alkanes when tested at 20 but not at 30 degrees C. Growth occurred on a few alkanes at 30 degrees C but after a longer lag than at 20 degrees C. Cells grown on alkanes as sole carbon sources had high levels of cell-bound lipase. In contrast, previous work has shown that those grown on complex medium produced cell-free lipase and those grown on defined medium without alkanes produced little or no lipase. Low concentrations of the detergent Triton X-100 caused the liberation of most of the lipase activity of alkane-grown cells and increased total lipase activity. When ethanol and hexadecane were both present in a mineral medium, diauxic growth occurred; until the ethanol was completely used up, hexadecane was not utilized, and the lipase activity was very low. When growth on hexadecane began, lipase activity increased, reaching a level 50- to 100-fold higher than that of cells growing on ethanol. A similar pattern of lipase formation and hexadecane utilization was observed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whenever A. lwoffi and other bacteria degraded alkanes they exhibited substantial lipase activity. Not all bacteria that produced lipase, however, could attack alkanes. Bacteria that could not produce lipase did not attack alkanes. The results suggest that a correlation may exist between lipase formation and alkane utilization.", "PMID": 627533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7029", "title": "Effects of streptomycin and novobiocin on Staphylococcus aureus gene expression.", "content": "Streptomycin and novobiocin induced production of protein A and inhibited production of alpha- and beta-hemolysins in mutants of Staphylococcus aureus strains RN450 and RN1 resistant to these antibiotics. Streptomycin, but not novobiocin, also inhibited propagation of bacteriophages of serological group B, whereas phages of group A were unaffected. Streptomycin had to be present at adsorption of the phage, and 10 mM CACL2 reversed the inhibitory effect. Lysogenization and competence induction occurred in the presence of streptomycin, suggesting that some early phage genes were expressed.", "contents": "Effects of streptomycin and novobiocin on Staphylococcus aureus gene expression. Streptomycin and novobiocin induced production of protein A and inhibited production of alpha- and beta-hemolysins in mutants of Staphylococcus aureus strains RN450 and RN1 resistant to these antibiotics. Streptomycin, but not novobiocin, also inhibited propagation of bacteriophages of serological group B, whereas phages of group A were unaffected. Streptomycin had to be present at adsorption of the phage, and 10 mM CACL2 reversed the inhibitory effect. Lysogenization and competence induction occurred in the presence of streptomycin, suggesting that some early phage genes were expressed.", "PMID": 627534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7030", "title": "dnaA acts before dnaC in the initiation of DNA replication.", "content": "We constructed a double mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying dnaA(Ts) and dnaC(Cs) lesions. In this mutant DNA synthesis proeceeds normally at 32 degrees C and initiation is inhibited at both 41 and 20 degrees C. By shifting this culture grown at 32 degrees C to the two restrictive temperatures in different time sequences and assaying protein and DNA synthesis of cells growing at different temperatures, we found that dnaA and dnaC genes work independently with dnaA acting before dnaC. While preparing special strains for this work, we also showed that the order of genes in the neighborhood of dnaA is dnaA-tnaA-phoS-ilv.", "contents": "dnaA acts before dnaC in the initiation of DNA replication. We constructed a double mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 carrying dnaA(Ts) and dnaC(Cs) lesions. In this mutant DNA synthesis proeceeds normally at 32 degrees C and initiation is inhibited at both 41 and 20 degrees C. By shifting this culture grown at 32 degrees C to the two restrictive temperatures in different time sequences and assaying protein and DNA synthesis of cells growing at different temperatures, we found that dnaA and dnaC genes work independently with dnaA acting before dnaC. While preparing special strains for this work, we also showed that the order of genes in the neighborhood of dnaA is dnaA-tnaA-phoS-ilv.", "PMID": 627535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7031", "title": "Utilization of oxalacetate by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: evidence for coupling between malic enzyme and malic dehydrogenase.", "content": "Growth of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain BD413 in malate-mineral medium resulted in the excretion of large quantities of oxalacetate. Malate was virtually depleted by the time the cell density reached 60% of its final value; most of the remaining growth took place at the expense of oxalacetate. Experiments in which oxalacetate was used as the initial substrate showed that pyruvate was not utilized until most of the oxalacetate disappeared. The generation time for growth on malate or oxalacetate was approximately 40 min; the generation time for growth on pyruvate was 62 min, which implies that pyruvate transport may be rate limiting. Oxalacetate and pyruvate, however, supported approximately the same growth yield. These observations suggested that the first step in the utilization of oxalacetate as an energy source consisted of an enzymatic decarboxylation of the keto acid to pyruvate and CO(2). Three enzyme reactions that carry out this decarboxylation have been detected in extracts of A. calcoaceticus. The first, which functioned maximally at pH 4.8, was attributable to the oxalacetate decarboxylase activity of oxidized diphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme. The second and third, which functioned in the neutral pH range, resulted from coupling of oxidized diphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme to reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic dehydrogenase, and oxidized triphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme to a reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic dehydrogenase. The efficiency of these coupled reactions was high enough so that the overall reaction could be physiologically significant.", "contents": "Utilization of oxalacetate by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: evidence for coupling between malic enzyme and malic dehydrogenase. Growth of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain BD413 in malate-mineral medium resulted in the excretion of large quantities of oxalacetate. Malate was virtually depleted by the time the cell density reached 60% of its final value; most of the remaining growth took place at the expense of oxalacetate. Experiments in which oxalacetate was used as the initial substrate showed that pyruvate was not utilized until most of the oxalacetate disappeared. The generation time for growth on malate or oxalacetate was approximately 40 min; the generation time for growth on pyruvate was 62 min, which implies that pyruvate transport may be rate limiting. Oxalacetate and pyruvate, however, supported approximately the same growth yield. These observations suggested that the first step in the utilization of oxalacetate as an energy source consisted of an enzymatic decarboxylation of the keto acid to pyruvate and CO(2). Three enzyme reactions that carry out this decarboxylation have been detected in extracts of A. calcoaceticus. The first, which functioned maximally at pH 4.8, was attributable to the oxalacetate decarboxylase activity of oxidized diphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme. The second and third, which functioned in the neutral pH range, resulted from coupling of oxidized diphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme to reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic dehydrogenase, and oxidized triphosphopyridine nucleotide-malic enzyme to a reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent malic dehydrogenase. The efficiency of these coupled reactions was high enough so that the overall reaction could be physiologically significant.", "PMID": 627536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7032", "title": "Protein-lipid-lipopolysaccharide association in the superficial layer of Spirillum serpens cell walls.", "content": "The backing layer of the Spirillum serpens VHA cell wall, which supports and is bonded to the outer, structured protein layer, was isolated and shown to be similar in composition to the same elements of the outer membrane. It contained a lipopolysaccharide that was similar, but not identical, to that of the intact wall and the same phospholipids. The interaction of the isolated wall lipopolysaccharide with the loosely bound wall lipids provided lamellae, whose surfaces were an effective template for a lifelike reassembly of the isolated outer-layer hexagonal protein in the presence of Ca2+. Assembly did not take place on pure lipopolysaccharide, which dispersed in differing forms. A lipid-lipopolysaccharide-water interface appeared to be required as a template surface for the assembly. Lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was able to replace that of S. serpens in the template. These observations suggest that lipid-lipopolysaccharide complexes are highly ordered, and this order is important to the nucleation and assembly of the protein array.", "contents": "Protein-lipid-lipopolysaccharide association in the superficial layer of Spirillum serpens cell walls. The backing layer of the Spirillum serpens VHA cell wall, which supports and is bonded to the outer, structured protein layer, was isolated and shown to be similar in composition to the same elements of the outer membrane. It contained a lipopolysaccharide that was similar, but not identical, to that of the intact wall and the same phospholipids. The interaction of the isolated wall lipopolysaccharide with the loosely bound wall lipids provided lamellae, whose surfaces were an effective template for a lifelike reassembly of the isolated outer-layer hexagonal protein in the presence of Ca2+. Assembly did not take place on pure lipopolysaccharide, which dispersed in differing forms. A lipid-lipopolysaccharide-water interface appeared to be required as a template surface for the assembly. Lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was able to replace that of S. serpens in the template. These observations suggest that lipid-lipopolysaccharide complexes are highly ordered, and this order is important to the nucleation and assembly of the protein array.", "PMID": 627537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7033", "title": "Chemical and structural alterations at the cell surface of Candida tropicalis, induced by hydrocarbon substrate.", "content": "The surface-localized polysaccharide of alkane-grown cells of Candida tropicalis was identified as mannan containing approximately 4% covalently linked fatty acids. Glucose-grown cells lacked the mannan-fatty acid complex. The surface structure of alkane-grown cells showed a radial arrangement of the wall polymers, with protruding parts. The cell surface of glucose-grown cells was smooth, with a coherent outer limit. The mannan was localized by using concanavalin A. Masking of the mannan with concanavalin A reduced the binding affinity of the surface for alkane, indicating the involvement of the surface-localized mannan-fatty acid complex in the binding of alkanes.", "contents": "Chemical and structural alterations at the cell surface of Candida tropicalis, induced by hydrocarbon substrate. The surface-localized polysaccharide of alkane-grown cells of Candida tropicalis was identified as mannan containing approximately 4% covalently linked fatty acids. Glucose-grown cells lacked the mannan-fatty acid complex. The surface structure of alkane-grown cells showed a radial arrangement of the wall polymers, with protruding parts. The cell surface of glucose-grown cells was smooth, with a coherent outer limit. The mannan was localized by using concanavalin A. Masking of the mannan with concanavalin A reduced the binding affinity of the surface for alkane, indicating the involvement of the surface-localized mannan-fatty acid complex in the binding of alkanes.", "PMID": 627538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7034", "title": "Caulobacter crescentus cell envelope: effect of growth conditions on murein and outer membrane protein composition.", "content": "The murein and membrane protein compositions of Caulobacter crescentus strains CB13B1a and CB15 have been characterized, and the influence on cell envelope constituents of culture conditions which affect morphogenesis have been studied. Amino acid and sugar analysis of murein sacculi revealed a simple A1gamma murein configuration typical of gram-negative bacteria. The membranes of C. crescentus had low levels of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate relative to enteric bacteria, in addition to the absence of lipid A components (Shapiro et al., Science 173:884-892, 1971; Chow and Schmidt, J. Gen. Microbiol, 83:369-373, 1974). Nevertheless, C. crescentus membranes could be fractionated into inner and outer membrane components by sucrose density gradient centrifugation procedures developed for Escherichia coli. The proteins of the outer membrane were distributed between three major (I, II, and III) and two minor (IV and V) protein classes. Class I proteins were greater than or equal to 74,000 daltons and constituted the primary proteins of the outer membrane. Class I proteins were separated into approximately 50 polypeptides by two dimensional gel electrophoresis; the protein composition of thi s class was affected by culture conditions in both CB13B1a and CB15. Class II (47,000 to 39,000 daltons) and III (20,000 to 11,500 daltons) proteins differed in each strain in composition and response to culture conditions.", "contents": "Caulobacter crescentus cell envelope: effect of growth conditions on murein and outer membrane protein composition. The murein and membrane protein compositions of Caulobacter crescentus strains CB13B1a and CB15 have been characterized, and the influence on cell envelope constituents of culture conditions which affect morphogenesis have been studied. Amino acid and sugar analysis of murein sacculi revealed a simple A1gamma murein configuration typical of gram-negative bacteria. The membranes of C. crescentus had low levels of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate relative to enteric bacteria, in addition to the absence of lipid A components (Shapiro et al., Science 173:884-892, 1971; Chow and Schmidt, J. Gen. Microbiol, 83:369-373, 1974). Nevertheless, C. crescentus membranes could be fractionated into inner and outer membrane components by sucrose density gradient centrifugation procedures developed for Escherichia coli. The proteins of the outer membrane were distributed between three major (I, II, and III) and two minor (IV and V) protein classes. Class I proteins were greater than or equal to 74,000 daltons and constituted the primary proteins of the outer membrane. Class I proteins were separated into approximately 50 polypeptides by two dimensional gel electrophoresis; the protein composition of thi s class was affected by culture conditions in both CB13B1a and CB15. Class II (47,000 to 39,000 daltons) and III (20,000 to 11,500 daltons) proteins differed in each strain in composition and response to culture conditions.", "PMID": 627539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7035", "title": "Identification of an activator protein for myosin light chain kinase as the Ca2+-dependent modulator protein.", "content": "Myosin light chain kinase which phosphorylates g2 light chain of skeletal muscle myosin requires an activator for the activity (Yazawa, M., and Yagi, K (1977) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 82, 287-289). This activator has now been identified as the modulator protein known to be a Ca2+-dependent regulator for phosphodiesterase, adenylate cyclase, and ATPases. The identification is based on the quantitative cross-reactivity of muscle activator protein and brain modulator protein in activating myosin light chain kinase and brain phosphodiesterase and identical properties of both proteins in regard to sensitivities to Ca2+, UV absorption spectra, UV absorption difference spectra with or without Ca2+, and mobilities upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of modulator protein, the activity of myosin light chain kinase was reversibly controlled by the physiological concentration of Ca2+. We suggest that two Ca2+-receptive proteins, i.e. modulator protein and troponin-C, may play roles in the contraction-relaxation cycle of skeletal muscle.", "contents": "Identification of an activator protein for myosin light chain kinase as the Ca2+-dependent modulator protein. Myosin light chain kinase which phosphorylates g2 light chain of skeletal muscle myosin requires an activator for the activity (Yazawa, M., and Yagi, K (1977) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 82, 287-289). This activator has now been identified as the modulator protein known to be a Ca2+-dependent regulator for phosphodiesterase, adenylate cyclase, and ATPases. The identification is based on the quantitative cross-reactivity of muscle activator protein and brain modulator protein in activating myosin light chain kinase and brain phosphodiesterase and identical properties of both proteins in regard to sensitivities to Ca2+, UV absorption spectra, UV absorption difference spectra with or without Ca2+, and mobilities upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of modulator protein, the activity of myosin light chain kinase was reversibly controlled by the physiological concentration of Ca2+. We suggest that two Ca2+-receptive proteins, i.e. modulator protein and troponin-C, may play roles in the contraction-relaxation cycle of skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 627540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7036", "title": "Self-association of glucagon as measured by the optical properties of rhodamine 6G.", "content": "The fluorescence of rhodamine 6G is completely quenched in glucagon solutions in 0.6 M K2HOP4 at pH 10.6. The absorption of rhodamine 6G is red-shifted by the same reaction. A single rhodamine 6G molecule appears to be bound to a hydrophobic patch in the center of the trimer of glucagon. Since the glucagon monomer has almost no organized structure this site exists only in the associated trimer form of glucagon. The self-association of glucagon to the trimer has been determined from the variation in rhodamine 6G fluorescence and absorption measured over a 60-fold range of dye concentration. The self-association constant agrees with values determined by other methods in the absence of dye. The binding isotherms of rhodamine 6G to glucagon shift with glucagon concentration and exhibit negative cooperativity.", "contents": "Self-association of glucagon as measured by the optical properties of rhodamine 6G. The fluorescence of rhodamine 6G is completely quenched in glucagon solutions in 0.6 M K2HOP4 at pH 10.6. The absorption of rhodamine 6G is red-shifted by the same reaction. A single rhodamine 6G molecule appears to be bound to a hydrophobic patch in the center of the trimer of glucagon. Since the glucagon monomer has almost no organized structure this site exists only in the associated trimer form of glucagon. The self-association of glucagon to the trimer has been determined from the variation in rhodamine 6G fluorescence and absorption measured over a 60-fold range of dye concentration. The self-association constant agrees with values determined by other methods in the absence of dye. The binding isotherms of rhodamine 6G to glucagon shift with glucagon concentration and exhibit negative cooperativity.", "PMID": 627541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7037", "title": "Purification and properties of a thioesterase from lactating rat mammary gland which modifies the product specificity of fatty acid synthetase.", "content": "An acyl coenzyme A hydrolase (thioesterase II) has been purified to near homogeneity from lactating rat mammary gland. The enzyme is a monomer of molecular weight 33,000 and contains a single active site residue. The enzyme is specific for acyl groups, as acyl-CoA thioesters, containing eight or more carbon atoms and can also hydrolyze oxygen esters. Thioesterase II is capable of shifting the product specificity of rat mammary gland fatty acid synthetase from predominately long chain fatty acids (C14, C16, and C18) to mainly medium chain fatty acids (C8, C10, and C12). Thioesterase II can restore the capacity for fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid synthetase in which the thioesterase component (thioesterase I) has been inactivated with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride or removed by trypsinization. No evidence was found of significant levels of thioesterase II in lactating rat liver. The presence of thioesterase II in the lactating mammary gland and the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyze acyl-fatty acid synthetase thioesters of intermediate chain length, are indicative of a major role for this enzyme in the synthesis of the medium chain fatty acids characteristic of milk fat.", "contents": "Purification and properties of a thioesterase from lactating rat mammary gland which modifies the product specificity of fatty acid synthetase. An acyl coenzyme A hydrolase (thioesterase II) has been purified to near homogeneity from lactating rat mammary gland. The enzyme is a monomer of molecular weight 33,000 and contains a single active site residue. The enzyme is specific for acyl groups, as acyl-CoA thioesters, containing eight or more carbon atoms and can also hydrolyze oxygen esters. Thioesterase II is capable of shifting the product specificity of rat mammary gland fatty acid synthetase from predominately long chain fatty acids (C14, C16, and C18) to mainly medium chain fatty acids (C8, C10, and C12). Thioesterase II can restore the capacity for fatty acid synthesis to fatty acid synthetase in which the thioesterase component (thioesterase I) has been inactivated with phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride or removed by trypsinization. No evidence was found of significant levels of thioesterase II in lactating rat liver. The presence of thioesterase II in the lactating mammary gland and the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyze acyl-fatty acid synthetase thioesters of intermediate chain length, are indicative of a major role for this enzyme in the synthesis of the medium chain fatty acids characteristic of milk fat.", "PMID": 627544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7038", "title": "Studies on the regulation of leucine catabolism in the liver. Stimulation by pyruvate and dichloroacetate.", "content": "The rate of oxidation of L-[1-14C]leucine to 14CO2 by isolated rat hepatocytes is increased by pyruvate and dichloroacetate. This effect is specific for L-leucine, not being observed for L-valine, L-isoleucine, or D-leucine. Transamination, the rate-limiting step of L-leucine catabolism in the liver, is the site of stimulation, because uptake of L-leucine by the cells and the oxidation of its transamination product, alpha-ketoisocaproate, are not increased. Measurement of steady state levels of alpha-ketoisocaproate indicate that both pyruvate and dichloroacetate promote the transamination of L-leucine, thereby increasing the availability of substrate for decarboxylation by the alpha-ketoisocaproate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.4.3). Pyruvate stimulation of transamination is secondary to the provision of keto acid acceptors for the amino group of L-leucine. The mechanism of the effect of dichloroacetate remains unknown.", "contents": "Studies on the regulation of leucine catabolism in the liver. Stimulation by pyruvate and dichloroacetate. The rate of oxidation of L-[1-14C]leucine to 14CO2 by isolated rat hepatocytes is increased by pyruvate and dichloroacetate. This effect is specific for L-leucine, not being observed for L-valine, L-isoleucine, or D-leucine. Transamination, the rate-limiting step of L-leucine catabolism in the liver, is the site of stimulation, because uptake of L-leucine by the cells and the oxidation of its transamination product, alpha-ketoisocaproate, are not increased. Measurement of steady state levels of alpha-ketoisocaproate indicate that both pyruvate and dichloroacetate promote the transamination of L-leucine, thereby increasing the availability of substrate for decarboxylation by the alpha-ketoisocaproate dehydrogenase complex (EC 1.2.4.3). Pyruvate stimulation of transamination is secondary to the provision of keto acid acceptors for the amino group of L-leucine. The mechanism of the effect of dichloroacetate remains unknown.", "PMID": 627549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7039", "title": "Size and detergent binding of adenylate cyclase from bovine cerebral cortex.", "content": "Adenylate cyclase from the bovine cerebral cortex has been solubilized with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. The physical properties of the enzyme have been determined. These are: sedimentation coefficient, 8.1 S; Stokes radius, 70 A; partial specific volume, 0.79 ml/g; mass, 305,000 daltons; f/f0 1.5. The high partial specific volume measured in the presence of detergent indicates that the enzyme binds a large quantity of detergent (0.28mg of Triton X-100/mg of protein). The mass of the enzyme protein alone is 220,000 daltons. The size and detergent-binding properties of adenylate cyclase from bovine cerebral cortex are different from those previously reported for adenylate cyclase from the rat renal medulla (Neer, E. J. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 6527-6531). The renal enzyme is smaller by 60,000 daltons than the cerebral enzyme and does not bind measurable amounts of detergent. The amount of detergent bound by cerebral adenylate cyclase is characteristic of intrinsic membrane proteins. It suggests that there is a hydrophobic region on the surface of the molecule by which it is held in the plasma membrane.", "contents": "Size and detergent binding of adenylate cyclase from bovine cerebral cortex. Adenylate cyclase from the bovine cerebral cortex has been solubilized with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. The physical properties of the enzyme have been determined. These are: sedimentation coefficient, 8.1 S; Stokes radius, 70 A; partial specific volume, 0.79 ml/g; mass, 305,000 daltons; f/f0 1.5. The high partial specific volume measured in the presence of detergent indicates that the enzyme binds a large quantity of detergent (0.28mg of Triton X-100/mg of protein). The mass of the enzyme protein alone is 220,000 daltons. The size and detergent-binding properties of adenylate cyclase from bovine cerebral cortex are different from those previously reported for adenylate cyclase from the rat renal medulla (Neer, E. J. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 6527-6531). The renal enzyme is smaller by 60,000 daltons than the cerebral enzyme and does not bind measurable amounts of detergent. The amount of detergent bound by cerebral adenylate cyclase is characteristic of intrinsic membrane proteins. It suggests that there is a hydrophobic region on the surface of the molecule by which it is held in the plasma membrane.", "PMID": 627551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7040", "title": "Rat liver peroxisomes catalyze the beta oxidation of fatty acids.", "content": "Peroxisomes were purified by differential and equilibrium density centrifugation from the livers of rats treated with clofibrate to enhance their peroxisomal system of fatty acid oxidation. These purified peroxisomes were tested for the presence of crotonase, beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase and thiolase using spectroscopic techniques that utilize the characteristic absorption bands of the appropriate 4-carbon acyl-CoA substrates. All three enzymes were found. Analysis of the fractions from equilibrium density centrifugation revealed major peaks of these enzyme activities in peroxisomes and excluded contamination by mitochondria as an explanation of the results. In the presence of excess CoA the purified peroxisomes oxidized palmitoyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA, and reduced NAD, with a 1:5:5 stoichiometry. The peroxisomes were inactive with butyryl-CoA and less active with octanoyl-CoA than with lauroyl-CoA or palmitoyl-CoA; they appear specialized for the beta oxidation of long chain fatty acids.", "contents": "Rat liver peroxisomes catalyze the beta oxidation of fatty acids. Peroxisomes were purified by differential and equilibrium density centrifugation from the livers of rats treated with clofibrate to enhance their peroxisomal system of fatty acid oxidation. These purified peroxisomes were tested for the presence of crotonase, beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase and thiolase using spectroscopic techniques that utilize the characteristic absorption bands of the appropriate 4-carbon acyl-CoA substrates. All three enzymes were found. Analysis of the fractions from equilibrium density centrifugation revealed major peaks of these enzyme activities in peroxisomes and excluded contamination by mitochondria as an explanation of the results. In the presence of excess CoA the purified peroxisomes oxidized palmitoyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA, and reduced NAD, with a 1:5:5 stoichiometry. The peroxisomes were inactive with butyryl-CoA and less active with octanoyl-CoA than with lauroyl-CoA or palmitoyl-CoA; they appear specialized for the beta oxidation of long chain fatty acids.", "PMID": 627552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7041", "title": "Metabolic properties of maintained oligodendroglia purified from brain.", "content": "Oligodendroglia isolated in bulk from dissected white matter of lamb or calf brain can now be maintained in culture for several days. The cells remain intact and viable during this time. The in vitro incorporation of various radiolabeled precursors into lipids or proteins was examined, and its was found that oligodendroglia synthesize the lipids which are predominant in brain, and especially in myelin. They actively synthesize cholesterol, cerebrosides, sulfatides, and all of the phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine. In addition, they produce a variety of radiolabeled proteins, with those of high molecular weight exhibiting the most radioactivity. Thus the cells are metabolically very active in vitro and can be used as a model system to study turnover of lipids in the cell, as well as the synthesis of myelin-specific components.", "contents": "Metabolic properties of maintained oligodendroglia purified from brain. Oligodendroglia isolated in bulk from dissected white matter of lamb or calf brain can now be maintained in culture for several days. The cells remain intact and viable during this time. The in vitro incorporation of various radiolabeled precursors into lipids or proteins was examined, and its was found that oligodendroglia synthesize the lipids which are predominant in brain, and especially in myelin. They actively synthesize cholesterol, cerebrosides, sulfatides, and all of the phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine. In addition, they produce a variety of radiolabeled proteins, with those of high molecular weight exhibiting the most radioactivity. Thus the cells are metabolically very active in vitro and can be used as a model system to study turnover of lipids in the cell, as well as the synthesis of myelin-specific components.", "PMID": 627557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7042", "title": "The in vivo stimulation of mannose incorporation into mannosylretinylphosphate, dolichylmannosylphosphate, and specific glycopeptides of rat liver by high doses of retinylpalmitate.", "content": "Excess vitamin A stimulated the incorporation of mannose into rat liver mannosylretinylphosphate (MRP), dolichylmannosylphosphate (DMP), and into glycoproteins by over 200% during a 20-min labeling period. The glycoproteins were digested with pronase and separated into three components by molecular sieve chromatography. The stimulation of mannose incorporation was greatest in the Peak II glycopeptide (Mr = 6500). In contrast, the incorporation of galactose into glycolipids or glycopeptides was not altered by vitamin A treatment. Analysis of the glycopeptide stimulated by vitamin A treatment showed it to contain mannose, glucose, galactose, and glucosamine in the respective molar ratios of 7:10:17:1 and to be rich in glutamic acid, serine, glycine, aspartic acid, and threonine. The results suggest that excess vitamin A stimulates the incorporation of mannose into glycoproteins by enhancing the synthesis of lipid intermediates involved in specific mannosyl transfer reactions.", "contents": "The in vivo stimulation of mannose incorporation into mannosylretinylphosphate, dolichylmannosylphosphate, and specific glycopeptides of rat liver by high doses of retinylpalmitate. Excess vitamin A stimulated the incorporation of mannose into rat liver mannosylretinylphosphate (MRP), dolichylmannosylphosphate (DMP), and into glycoproteins by over 200% during a 20-min labeling period. The glycoproteins were digested with pronase and separated into three components by molecular sieve chromatography. The stimulation of mannose incorporation was greatest in the Peak II glycopeptide (Mr = 6500). In contrast, the incorporation of galactose into glycolipids or glycopeptides was not altered by vitamin A treatment. Analysis of the glycopeptide stimulated by vitamin A treatment showed it to contain mannose, glucose, galactose, and glucosamine in the respective molar ratios of 7:10:17:1 and to be rich in glutamic acid, serine, glycine, aspartic acid, and threonine. The results suggest that excess vitamin A stimulates the incorporation of mannose into glycoproteins by enhancing the synthesis of lipid intermediates involved in specific mannosyl transfer reactions.", "PMID": 627560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7043", "title": "Proteinase inhibitors from the excretory gland cells of Stephanurus dentatus. Purification and properties of three secretory proteinase inhibitors.", "content": "Three proteinase inhibitors designated as I, II, and III were isolated from the excretory gland cells of the swine kidney worm, Stephanurus dentatus. The inhibitors, which were trichloroacetic acid-soluble, were purified by affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The homogeneity of each inhibitor was shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrofocusing. The molecular weights of the inhibitors estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis fell within a limited range of 9300 to 9700, and the isoelectric points were 6.45, 6.20, and 5.34 for Inhibitors I, II, and III, respectively. The inhibitors formed complexes with trypsin having apparent dissociation constants (Ki) of 2.9 X 10(-11), 7.6 X 10(-11), and 6.4 X 10(-11) M, respectively. Each inhibitor inhibits the esterolytic and proteolytic activities of both trypsin and chymotrypsin. A proteinase inhibitor present in the reproductive organs, intestines, body walls, and esophagi was identical with Inhibitor II found in the excretory gland cells. Culture medium collected after 24-h incubation with adult worms contained the same three inhibitors as the excretory gland cells. These data suggest that the gland cells may secrete the inhibitors internally and externally.", "contents": "Proteinase inhibitors from the excretory gland cells of Stephanurus dentatus. Purification and properties of three secretory proteinase inhibitors. Three proteinase inhibitors designated as I, II, and III were isolated from the excretory gland cells of the swine kidney worm, Stephanurus dentatus. The inhibitors, which were trichloroacetic acid-soluble, were purified by affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. The homogeneity of each inhibitor was shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrofocusing. The molecular weights of the inhibitors estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis fell within a limited range of 9300 to 9700, and the isoelectric points were 6.45, 6.20, and 5.34 for Inhibitors I, II, and III, respectively. The inhibitors formed complexes with trypsin having apparent dissociation constants (Ki) of 2.9 X 10(-11), 7.6 X 10(-11), and 6.4 X 10(-11) M, respectively. Each inhibitor inhibits the esterolytic and proteolytic activities of both trypsin and chymotrypsin. A proteinase inhibitor present in the reproductive organs, intestines, body walls, and esophagi was identical with Inhibitor II found in the excretory gland cells. Culture medium collected after 24-h incubation with adult worms contained the same three inhibitors as the excretory gland cells. These data suggest that the gland cells may secrete the inhibitors internally and externally.", "PMID": 627562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7044", "title": "Carnitine biosynthesis. beta-Hydroxylation of trimethyllysine by an alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent mitochondrial dioxygenase.", "content": "Rat liver mitochondria were found to hydroxylate epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine to produce beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine, an intermediate in carnitine biosynthesis. The hydroxylating system requires alpha-ketoglutarate, Fe2+, and ascorbate, but does not require NADPH nor NADH. No activity was found in the microsomal or soluble fractions of liver extracts. The hydroxylated alpha-amino acid was isolated and characterized by column chromatography using Dowex 50-H+ and Chelex 100-Cu2+ resins and by high voltage paper electrophoresis. The enzymatically produced beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine was shown to be periodate-sensitive and one periodation product was characterized as gamma-butyrobetaine aldehyde. The hydroxylated product was acted upon by crystalline serine transhydroxymethylase (EC 2.1.2.1) to yield gamma-butyrobetaine aldehyde and glycine. Conversion of about 40% of the epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine to beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine was accomplished by this system with little or no further metabolism.", "contents": "Carnitine biosynthesis. beta-Hydroxylation of trimethyllysine by an alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent mitochondrial dioxygenase. Rat liver mitochondria were found to hydroxylate epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine to produce beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine, an intermediate in carnitine biosynthesis. The hydroxylating system requires alpha-ketoglutarate, Fe2+, and ascorbate, but does not require NADPH nor NADH. No activity was found in the microsomal or soluble fractions of liver extracts. The hydroxylated alpha-amino acid was isolated and characterized by column chromatography using Dowex 50-H+ and Chelex 100-Cu2+ resins and by high voltage paper electrophoresis. The enzymatically produced beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine was shown to be periodate-sensitive and one periodation product was characterized as gamma-butyrobetaine aldehyde. The hydroxylated product was acted upon by crystalline serine transhydroxymethylase (EC 2.1.2.1) to yield gamma-butyrobetaine aldehyde and glycine. Conversion of about 40% of the epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine to beta-hydroxy-epsilon-N-trimethyl-L-lysine was accomplished by this system with little or no further metabolism.", "PMID": 627563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7045", "title": "Identification of pyruvate in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from rat liver.", "content": "S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase has been purified to homogeneity (26,000-fold) from rat liver. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 155,000 and a subunit molecular weight of 42,000. One mole of covalently bound pyruvate was found to be present per mole of enzyme subunit. This is the first mammalian enzyme found to contain covalently linked pyruvate.", "contents": "Identification of pyruvate in S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase from rat liver. S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase has been purified to homogeneity (26,000-fold) from rat liver. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 155,000 and a subunit molecular weight of 42,000. One mole of covalently bound pyruvate was found to be present per mole of enzyme subunit. This is the first mammalian enzyme found to contain covalently linked pyruvate.", "PMID": 627565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7046", "title": "Influence of 5'-terminal cap structure on the initiation of translation of vaccinia virus mRNA.", "content": "The ability of methylated vaccinia virus mRNA to bind to ribosomes derived from wheat germ of rabbit reticulocyte lysates has been studied after beta elimination, to remove the 5'-terminal m7G, and after \"recapping\" of beta-eliminated mRNA molecules using guanylyltransferase.guanine-7-methyltransferase complex from vaccinia virions. Removal of m7G from the mRNA results in significant loss of ability to bind to ribosomes and to simulate protein synthesis in vitro. Readdition of m7G, but not of unmethylated guanosine to the 5' end results in recovery of both of these functions. To evaluate the role of 2'-O-methylation of the penultimate ribonucleoside, mRNAs containing m7G-(5')pppA- and m7G(5')pppG- as well as m7G(5')pppAm- and m7G(5')pppGm- ends were synthesized in vitro at limiting S-adenosylmethionine concentrations by vaccinia virus cores. By comparing the cap sequences of ribosome-bound and unbound mRNAs, we concluded that 2'-O-methylation has at most a minor effect compared to that of m7G upon ribosome binding under in vitro conditions. Only at high input mRNA concentrations, at which competition might occur, was there some ribodomal enrichment of mRNAs containing a specific terminal structure, namely m7G(5')pppAm-.", "contents": "Influence of 5'-terminal cap structure on the initiation of translation of vaccinia virus mRNA. The ability of methylated vaccinia virus mRNA to bind to ribosomes derived from wheat germ of rabbit reticulocyte lysates has been studied after beta elimination, to remove the 5'-terminal m7G, and after \"recapping\" of beta-eliminated mRNA molecules using guanylyltransferase.guanine-7-methyltransferase complex from vaccinia virions. Removal of m7G from the mRNA results in significant loss of ability to bind to ribosomes and to simulate protein synthesis in vitro. Readdition of m7G, but not of unmethylated guanosine to the 5' end results in recovery of both of these functions. To evaluate the role of 2'-O-methylation of the penultimate ribonucleoside, mRNAs containing m7G-(5')pppA- and m7G(5')pppG- as well as m7G(5')pppAm- and m7G(5')pppGm- ends were synthesized in vitro at limiting S-adenosylmethionine concentrations by vaccinia virus cores. By comparing the cap sequences of ribosome-bound and unbound mRNAs, we concluded that 2'-O-methylation has at most a minor effect compared to that of m7G upon ribosome binding under in vitro conditions. Only at high input mRNA concentrations, at which competition might occur, was there some ribodomal enrichment of mRNAs containing a specific terminal structure, namely m7G(5')pppAm-.", "PMID": 627567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7047", "title": "Cystic angiomatosis (hamartous haemolymphagiomatosis) of bone. A clinicopathological study of three cases.", "content": "The clinical and radiological features in three cases of cystic angiomatosis of bone are reported. Although these features are generally diagnostic except from histiocytosis X, the definitive diagnosis must be established by a pathological study, preferably of a segment of an involved rib or fibula. The prognosis varies according to the type of clinical presentation-in particular upon whether the lesions are solely skeletal or whether there is extraskeletal visceral involvement. Whereas these last cases may often prove fatal, those with only skeletal involvement have a favourable prognosis: indeed, the cystic bone lesions may regress without any treatment, as occurred in some cases reported in the literature and in two of our three cases.", "contents": "Cystic angiomatosis (hamartous haemolymphagiomatosis) of bone. A clinicopathological study of three cases. The clinical and radiological features in three cases of cystic angiomatosis of bone are reported. Although these features are generally diagnostic except from histiocytosis X, the definitive diagnosis must be established by a pathological study, preferably of a segment of an involved rib or fibula. The prognosis varies according to the type of clinical presentation-in particular upon whether the lesions are solely skeletal or whether there is extraskeletal visceral involvement. Whereas these last cases may often prove fatal, those with only skeletal involvement have a favourable prognosis: indeed, the cystic bone lesions may regress without any treatment, as occurred in some cases reported in the literature and in two of our three cases.", "PMID": 627569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7048", "title": "Points in the technique of recementing in the revision of an implant arthroplasty.", "content": "When aseptic failure of the bond between the cement and the prosthesis of a total joint replacement occurs, complete removal of the cement has been advocated before the insertion of a new prosthesis. The present study questions this practice. Both laboratory tests on variously prepared specimens of cement and clinical experiences demonstrate that recementing over old cement is a practical alternative if the technique employed includes the removal of blood from the old cement surface, rasping of this surface and the early application of fresh cement.", "contents": "Points in the technique of recementing in the revision of an implant arthroplasty. When aseptic failure of the bond between the cement and the prosthesis of a total joint replacement occurs, complete removal of the cement has been advocated before the insertion of a new prosthesis. The present study questions this practice. Both laboratory tests on variously prepared specimens of cement and clinical experiences demonstrate that recementing over old cement is a practical alternative if the technique employed includes the removal of blood from the old cement surface, rasping of this surface and the early application of fresh cement.", "PMID": 627570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7049", "title": "Partial amputation of the foot for diabetic or arteriosclerotic gangrene. Results and factors of prognostic value.", "content": "One hundred and eighty-three conservative amputations of some part of the foot in 161 patients with gangrene from diabetes or arteriosclerosis have been studied retrospectively. They constituted 48 per cent of all amputations in one orthopaedic service over a period of twelve years, during which the minimal feasible procedure was always chosen. Sixty per cent healed soundly, but in over a third of these cases at least one revision to a higher level on the foot had been required. Factors that significantly influenced the outcome of the initial operation were the level of amputation, the age of the patient, the interval between the onset of gangrene and operation, anaemia and pyrexia.", "contents": "Partial amputation of the foot for diabetic or arteriosclerotic gangrene. Results and factors of prognostic value. One hundred and eighty-three conservative amputations of some part of the foot in 161 patients with gangrene from diabetes or arteriosclerosis have been studied retrospectively. They constituted 48 per cent of all amputations in one orthopaedic service over a period of twelve years, during which the minimal feasible procedure was always chosen. Sixty per cent healed soundly, but in over a third of these cases at least one revision to a higher level on the foot had been required. Factors that significantly influenced the outcome of the initial operation were the level of amputation, the age of the patient, the interval between the onset of gangrene and operation, anaemia and pyrexia.", "PMID": 627572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7050", "title": "Pemberton's acetabuloplasty for congenital dislocation or subluxation of the hip.", "content": "The results obtained in a consecutive series of thirty-seven Pemberton operations for congenital dislocation or subluxation of the hip are reported. Over the period under review, 1967 to 1973, it was the only type of acetabuloplasty employed at Winford. Unless the mandatory concentric reduction could be obtained with ease, preliminary open reduction was favoured, especially in cases of primary care. Femoral rotation osteotomy was added for marked anteversion. The programme was designed to be complete inside fourteen weeks, and was so for eighteen hips. Secondary acetabuloplasty was performed on hips with instability or dislocation persisting despite previous treatment. The operations were performed from eighteen months to thirteen years of age. One initial failure required a repeat operation which was successful, but one severely dysplastic hip remained so. The average follow-up was six years.", "contents": "Pemberton's acetabuloplasty for congenital dislocation or subluxation of the hip. The results obtained in a consecutive series of thirty-seven Pemberton operations for congenital dislocation or subluxation of the hip are reported. Over the period under review, 1967 to 1973, it was the only type of acetabuloplasty employed at Winford. Unless the mandatory concentric reduction could be obtained with ease, preliminary open reduction was favoured, especially in cases of primary care. Femoral rotation osteotomy was added for marked anteversion. The programme was designed to be complete inside fourteen weeks, and was so for eighteen hips. Secondary acetabuloplasty was performed on hips with instability or dislocation persisting despite previous treatment. The operations were performed from eighteen months to thirteen years of age. One initial failure required a repeat operation which was successful, but one severely dysplastic hip remained so. The average follow-up was six years.", "PMID": 627574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7051", "title": "A long-term follow-up of congenital dislocation of the hip.", "content": "Drawing upon a total experience of 450 hips affected by established congenital dislocation or subluxation, the author presents the long-term results in 177 hips treated for the first time between the ages of nine months and three and a half years, in support of his contention that surgical endeavour should in the first place be directed towards the limbus and upper end of femur rather than the acetabulum. The 144 patients, all treated on lines previously described in this journal (Scott 1953; Somerville 1953a, b; Somerville and Scott 1957), have now been followed up annually for between ten and twenty-five years, both hips receiving equal scrutiny. In brief, the routine has consisted of arthrography, excision of any limbus shown to be inverted, reduction by traction in abduction, and rotation osteotomy of 70 degrees. The addition of 10 to 15 degrees of varus was found beneficial and has become routine. Some hips required secondary procedures, and regret is expressed that these were not carried out sooner. The upper age at which recovery of the acetabulum may occur was found to be much higher than generally supposed, with a critical period between eleven and fourteen. The main conclusion is that in the great majority of cases first seen in this particular age group, improvement of the mechanics of the joint, especially by attention to the upper end of femur, leads to satisfactory development of the acetabulum and good functional results, at least up to early adult life.", "contents": "A long-term follow-up of congenital dislocation of the hip. Drawing upon a total experience of 450 hips affected by established congenital dislocation or subluxation, the author presents the long-term results in 177 hips treated for the first time between the ages of nine months and three and a half years, in support of his contention that surgical endeavour should in the first place be directed towards the limbus and upper end of femur rather than the acetabulum. The 144 patients, all treated on lines previously described in this journal (Scott 1953; Somerville 1953a, b; Somerville and Scott 1957), have now been followed up annually for between ten and twenty-five years, both hips receiving equal scrutiny. In brief, the routine has consisted of arthrography, excision of any limbus shown to be inverted, reduction by traction in abduction, and rotation osteotomy of 70 degrees. The addition of 10 to 15 degrees of varus was found beneficial and has become routine. Some hips required secondary procedures, and regret is expressed that these were not carried out sooner. The upper age at which recovery of the acetabulum may occur was found to be much higher than generally supposed, with a critical period between eleven and fourteen. The main conclusion is that in the great majority of cases first seen in this particular age group, improvement of the mechanics of the joint, especially by attention to the upper end of femur, leads to satisfactory development of the acetabulum and good functional results, at least up to early adult life.", "PMID": 627575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7052", "title": "The surgical management of kyphosis in older children with myelomeningocele.", "content": "An operative technique for correction of the severe kyphosis that may develop in cases of myelomeningocele is described. It includes excision of the apical vertebrae, correction of the full length of the kyphotic segment and of rigid compensatory curves, and extensive fusion aided by internal fixation with longitudinal threaded wires. The technique evolved during the management of eleven children. Of these, in the first two the internal fixation employed was inadequate; two others died; and in the remainder good correction was maintained up to the time of review one to six years later.", "contents": "The surgical management of kyphosis in older children with myelomeningocele. An operative technique for correction of the severe kyphosis that may develop in cases of myelomeningocele is described. It includes excision of the apical vertebrae, correction of the full length of the kyphotic segment and of rigid compensatory curves, and extensive fusion aided by internal fixation with longitudinal threaded wires. The technique evolved during the management of eleven children. Of these, in the first two the internal fixation employed was inadequate; two others died; and in the remainder good correction was maintained up to the time of review one to six years later.", "PMID": 627577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7053", "title": "Proximal femoral focal deficiency.", "content": "Children with congenital focal deficiency of the proximal femur present many problems that are but rarely encountered by the individual surgeon who is thus unable to accumulate a wide experience. This paper reviews the literature and analyses the treatment of twenty-three cases at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, with the object of producing a rational plan of treatment. The management of instability of the hip, malrotation, inadequate proximal musculature and leg length inequality are separately considered for five grades of deficiency. Milder forms are amenable to subtrochanteric osteotomy to correct varus deformity. Exploration and grafting of the pseudarthrosis is indicated where progressive deformity develops. In the more severe deficiency, conservative management of the proximal bony defect provides a better result with an operation only rarely indicated. The gross leg length inequality may be most successfully overcome by Syme's amputation with subsequent fusion of the knee to create an above-knee amputee with an end-bearing stump allowing ready fitting of a prosthesis.", "contents": "Proximal femoral focal deficiency. Children with congenital focal deficiency of the proximal femur present many problems that are but rarely encountered by the individual surgeon who is thus unable to accumulate a wide experience. This paper reviews the literature and analyses the treatment of twenty-three cases at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, with the object of producing a rational plan of treatment. The management of instability of the hip, malrotation, inadequate proximal musculature and leg length inequality are separately considered for five grades of deficiency. Milder forms are amenable to subtrochanteric osteotomy to correct varus deformity. Exploration and grafting of the pseudarthrosis is indicated where progressive deformity develops. In the more severe deficiency, conservative management of the proximal bony defect provides a better result with an operation only rarely indicated. The gross leg length inequality may be most successfully overcome by Syme's amputation with subsequent fusion of the knee to create an above-knee amputee with an end-bearing stump allowing ready fitting of a prosthesis.", "PMID": 627578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7054", "title": "Snapping elbow due to dislocation of the medial head of the triceps. A report of two cases.", "content": "Two cases of unusual snapping at the elbow are described. In both, the medial head of the triceps was found to be separated from the main muscle belly. During flexion of the elbow, the medial head dislocated over the medial epicondyle, producing a characteristic snapping phenomenon. Both cases were of long standing and had been asymptomatic for years. The first clinical symptoms were those of an ulnar neuropathy. In order to restore the normal position of the medial head of the triceps, its tendon was detached from the olecranon, passed under the central tendon and interlaced to it. The ulnar nerve was left in the epicondylar groove in one case and transposed anteriorly in the other. At the end of the procedure flexion of the elbow was unobstructed and the snapping phenomenon had disappeared.", "contents": "Snapping elbow due to dislocation of the medial head of the triceps. A report of two cases. Two cases of unusual snapping at the elbow are described. In both, the medial head of the triceps was found to be separated from the main muscle belly. During flexion of the elbow, the medial head dislocated over the medial epicondyle, producing a characteristic snapping phenomenon. Both cases were of long standing and had been asymptomatic for years. The first clinical symptoms were those of an ulnar neuropathy. In order to restore the normal position of the medial head of the triceps, its tendon was detached from the olecranon, passed under the central tendon and interlaced to it. The ulnar nerve was left in the epicondylar groove in one case and transposed anteriorly in the other. At the end of the procedure flexion of the elbow was unobstructed and the snapping phenomenon had disappeared.", "PMID": 627579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7055", "title": "Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase after femoral fractures.", "content": "Osteomalacia may be a contributory factor in some patients in the development of fractures of the femoral neck and complicate the subsequent management. The level of serum alkaline phosphatase is often valuable in the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease but rises after any uncomplicated fracture, and since such a rise may limit the diagnostic usefulness of this measurement in detecting osteomalacia its extent was assessed in 106 patients. In the majority serum levels were normal on admission, rising after seven to nine days to reach a maximum within a month after fracture. Elevated levels on admission were found in patients with osteomalacia, liver damage or where there had been a delay of several weeks between injury and admission. In a small number of patients normal levels on admission subsequently reached very high values, usually in association with comminution or instability of the fracture. Elevated levels persisted for six to twelve weeks after fracture, the major influence upon the level at this time being the maximum value achieved rather than the presence of osteomalacia. If patients are to be screened for osteomalacia, the alkaline phosphatase must be measured within the first week after a fracture to avoid the distorting influences of the fracture itself.", "contents": "Changes in serum alkaline phosphatase after femoral fractures. Osteomalacia may be a contributory factor in some patients in the development of fractures of the femoral neck and complicate the subsequent management. The level of serum alkaline phosphatase is often valuable in the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease but rises after any uncomplicated fracture, and since such a rise may limit the diagnostic usefulness of this measurement in detecting osteomalacia its extent was assessed in 106 patients. In the majority serum levels were normal on admission, rising after seven to nine days to reach a maximum within a month after fracture. Elevated levels on admission were found in patients with osteomalacia, liver damage or where there had been a delay of several weeks between injury and admission. In a small number of patients normal levels on admission subsequently reached very high values, usually in association with comminution or instability of the fracture. Elevated levels persisted for six to twelve weeks after fracture, the major influence upon the level at this time being the maximum value achieved rather than the presence of osteomalacia. If patients are to be screened for osteomalacia, the alkaline phosphatase must be measured within the first week after a fracture to avoid the distorting influences of the fracture itself.", "PMID": 627581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7056", "title": "Patella alta and chondromalacia.", "content": "The Insall-Salvati method of determining the position of the patella by radiography was employed in fifty-one patients with chondromalacia patellae that had been proved at arthrotomy. There was no definite relationship between chondromalacia patellae and patella alta. There was, however, a highly significant statistical difference between the ratio of the length of the patella to that of the patellar tendon in normal men and women.", "contents": "Patella alta and chondromalacia. The Insall-Salvati method of determining the position of the patella by radiography was employed in fifty-one patients with chondromalacia patellae that had been proved at arthrotomy. There was no definite relationship between chondromalacia patellae and patella alta. There was, however, a highly significant statistical difference between the ratio of the length of the patella to that of the patellar tendon in normal men and women.", "PMID": 627582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7057", "title": "The surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae.", "content": "Four methods of surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae have been evaluated after periods ranging from two to thirty years (average seven years), to discover the success rate, complications and indications for each. A total of 140 operations had been performed in 98 patients. Overall, satisfactory results were achieved in 25 per cent after forty shavings of the patellar cartilage, 35 per cent after twenty cartilage excisions and drilling of the subchondral bone, 60 per cent after twenty medial transfers of the patellar tendon and 77 per cent after sixty patellectomies. Thirty-four primary patellectomies gave 82 per cent satisfactory results compared with 62 per cent after twenty-six patellectomies performed after a previously unsuccessful operation. The results were worst in patients below twenty years of age especially women and in those with Grade IV changes in the patellar cartilage. Weakness of the quadriceps after any procedure predisposed to an unsatisfactory result. Extensive late radiological degenerative changes in the knee were not seen. On the basis of the results in this report, patellar tendon transfer is recommended in adolescents and athletes with Grade I, II or III changes in the patellar cartilage. In adults over twenty years of age with Grade I and II changes cartilage excision and drilling is satisfactory. In adults with Grade III and adults or adolescents with Grade IV changes patellectomy is the treatment of choice.", "contents": "The surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae. Four methods of surgical treatment of chondromalacia patellae have been evaluated after periods ranging from two to thirty years (average seven years), to discover the success rate, complications and indications for each. A total of 140 operations had been performed in 98 patients. Overall, satisfactory results were achieved in 25 per cent after forty shavings of the patellar cartilage, 35 per cent after twenty cartilage excisions and drilling of the subchondral bone, 60 per cent after twenty medial transfers of the patellar tendon and 77 per cent after sixty patellectomies. Thirty-four primary patellectomies gave 82 per cent satisfactory results compared with 62 per cent after twenty-six patellectomies performed after a previously unsuccessful operation. The results were worst in patients below twenty years of age especially women and in those with Grade IV changes in the patellar cartilage. Weakness of the quadriceps after any procedure predisposed to an unsatisfactory result. Extensive late radiological degenerative changes in the knee were not seen. On the basis of the results in this report, patellar tendon transfer is recommended in adolescents and athletes with Grade I, II or III changes in the patellar cartilage. In adults over twenty years of age with Grade I and II changes cartilage excision and drilling is satisfactory. In adults with Grade III and adults or adolescents with Grade IV changes patellectomy is the treatment of choice.", "PMID": 627583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7058", "title": "The pathogenesis of hallux rigidus.", "content": "The clinical, radiological and pathological features of hallux rigidus affecting nine toes (in seven patients) are described. Characteristic chondral and osteochondral lesions are seen to occur at a specific site on the metatarsal head, and account for the limitation of dorsiflexion but relatively unrestricted plantarflexion typical of hallux rigidus. Radiologically these lesions are often missed because they are mainly cartilaginous and are later obscured by secondary degenerative changes. Histological evidence indicates a traumatic aetiology and a mechanism of injury is suggested.", "contents": "The pathogenesis of hallux rigidus. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of hallux rigidus affecting nine toes (in seven patients) are described. Characteristic chondral and osteochondral lesions are seen to occur at a specific site on the metatarsal head, and account for the limitation of dorsiflexion but relatively unrestricted plantarflexion typical of hallux rigidus. Radiologically these lesions are often missed because they are mainly cartilaginous and are later obscured by secondary degenerative changes. Histological evidence indicates a traumatic aetiology and a mechanism of injury is suggested.", "PMID": 627584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7059", "title": "Total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.", "content": "Various prostheses for total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint for painful hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are briefly discussed. Altogether, the results of eighty-six replacements in sixty-nine patients have been recorded after an average interval of two years. In seventy-eight operations a Silastic* prosthesis as designed by Swanson for the replacement of metacarpophalangeal joints was used, with no case of fracture or deep infection up to date. Overall, the assessment of pain showed that 98 per cent of operations gave either complete or considerable relief. For hallux valgus, the objective assessment showed excellent or good results in 79 per cent, fair in 16 per cent and poor in 5 per cent. For hallux rigidus the corresponding figures were 86, 14 and 0. The technique of replacement described promises to be most satisfactory, especially for hallux rigidus. In selected cases of hallux valgus, a basal osteotomy of the first metatarsal should be added.", "contents": "Total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Various prostheses for total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint for painful hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are briefly discussed. Altogether, the results of eighty-six replacements in sixty-nine patients have been recorded after an average interval of two years. In seventy-eight operations a Silastic* prosthesis as designed by Swanson for the replacement of metacarpophalangeal joints was used, with no case of fracture or deep infection up to date. Overall, the assessment of pain showed that 98 per cent of operations gave either complete or considerable relief. For hallux valgus, the objective assessment showed excellent or good results in 79 per cent, fair in 16 per cent and poor in 5 per cent. For hallux rigidus the corresponding figures were 86, 14 and 0. The technique of replacement described promises to be most satisfactory, especially for hallux rigidus. In selected cases of hallux valgus, a basal osteotomy of the first metatarsal should be added.", "PMID": 627585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7060", "title": "The problems associated with flail feet in children and their treatment with orthoses.", "content": "Children with flail feet who have control of their hips and knees are able to walk but are unable to stand still and find it difficult to walk slowly. These problems have been overcome in fifty-three children with flail feet due to myelomeningocele by fitting them with below-knee orthoses which provide maximum stability and yet allow normal walking. The biomechanical principles and the development of the orthoses are discussed.", "contents": "The problems associated with flail feet in children and their treatment with orthoses. Children with flail feet who have control of their hips and knees are able to walk but are unable to stand still and find it difficult to walk slowly. These problems have been overcome in fifty-three children with flail feet due to myelomeningocele by fitting them with below-knee orthoses which provide maximum stability and yet allow normal walking. The biomechanical principles and the development of the orthoses are discussed.", "PMID": 627586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7061", "title": "The management of the foot and ankle in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.", "content": "Sixty-six deformities of the foot and ankle in forty-two patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita were reviewd. Pes equinovarus proved particularly difficult to treat as there was a tendency for the deformity to recur because of the thick and rigid capsule. Intracapsular procedures were more successful than those done adjacent to the joint. Wide capsulotomy or talectomy were the best procedures under the age of three years and triple arthordesis was most successful for the older child.", "contents": "The management of the foot and ankle in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Sixty-six deformities of the foot and ankle in forty-two patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita were reviewd. Pes equinovarus proved particularly difficult to treat as there was a tendency for the deformity to recur because of the thick and rigid capsule. Intracapsular procedures were more successful than those done adjacent to the joint. Wide capsulotomy or talectomy were the best procedures under the age of three years and triple arthordesis was most successful for the older child.", "PMID": 627587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7062", "title": "Combined application of metabolic myocardial arrest and general profound hypothermia in aortic valve replacement.", "content": "To determine the value of general hypothermia in combination with magnesium-aspartate-procaine induced metabolic myocardial arrest, the surgical results of 2 similar groups of patients subjected to aortic valve replacement were compared. Metabolic arrest of the myocardium was achieved under mild hypothermic conditions in group I (71 patients) and in profound hypothermia in group II (48 patients). The operative mortality was 5.6% in group I and 4.1% in group II. There was no cardiac related with in group II. In group I two deaths were due to a low cardiac output state. In addition, 3 patients required inotropic support during the early postoperative period. Our results indicate, that magnesium-aspartate-procaine induced cardioplegia in combination with general profound hypothermia can provide effective myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement.", "contents": "Combined application of metabolic myocardial arrest and general profound hypothermia in aortic valve replacement. To determine the value of general hypothermia in combination with magnesium-aspartate-procaine induced metabolic myocardial arrest, the surgical results of 2 similar groups of patients subjected to aortic valve replacement were compared. Metabolic arrest of the myocardium was achieved under mild hypothermic conditions in group I (71 patients) and in profound hypothermia in group II (48 patients). The operative mortality was 5.6% in group I and 4.1% in group II. There was no cardiac related with in group II. In group I two deaths were due to a low cardiac output state. In addition, 3 patients required inotropic support during the early postoperative period. Our results indicate, that magnesium-aspartate-procaine induced cardioplegia in combination with general profound hypothermia can provide effective myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement.", "PMID": 627588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7063", "title": "One stage correction of coarctation of the aorta associated with intracardiac defects in infancy.", "content": "A two stage surgical approach is usually prepared for symptomatic babies affected by coarctation of aorta associated with intracardiac defects, the preliminary operation being the resection of the coarctation. One stage correction has been attempted in six patients, ranging from 2 to 24 m. of age and from 3,2 to 9,7 Kg. of weight. The associated lesions were a large V.S.D. (3 patients), a V.S.D. with pulmonary stenosis, a mitral stenosis and a mitral insufficiency. The coarctation was approached through a left thoracotomy and the intracardiac defect through a midline sternotomy incision, after the patient was turned around. All patients survived and did well following the double procedure. The two-stage surgical approach is unnecessary and probably unadvisable for patients with coarctation of the aorta and associated intracardiac lesions.", "contents": "One stage correction of coarctation of the aorta associated with intracardiac defects in infancy. A two stage surgical approach is usually prepared for symptomatic babies affected by coarctation of aorta associated with intracardiac defects, the preliminary operation being the resection of the coarctation. One stage correction has been attempted in six patients, ranging from 2 to 24 m. of age and from 3,2 to 9,7 Kg. of weight. The associated lesions were a large V.S.D. (3 patients), a V.S.D. with pulmonary stenosis, a mitral stenosis and a mitral insufficiency. The coarctation was approached through a left thoracotomy and the intracardiac defect through a midline sternotomy incision, after the patient was turned around. All patients survived and did well following the double procedure. The two-stage surgical approach is unnecessary and probably unadvisable for patients with coarctation of the aorta and associated intracardiac lesions.", "PMID": 627589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7064", "title": "Repair of coarctation of the thoracic aorta without resection. Patch graft aortoplasty. Follow-up study of 46 cases.", "content": "Two hundred and seventy-six patients (276) over the age of one were operated for coarctation of the thoracic aorta from 1949 to 1972. Patch graft aortoplasty, rather than resection of the coarcted segment was the operation of choice in forty-six patients. No hospital or late deaths occurred in this group of patients. Associated defects were present in 20% of these cases. The first patch aortoplasty was performed in 1962. The follow-up study covers a period of 12 years. Haemodynamic study and aortography were performed to assess the long term results. There was no evidence of recoarctation in the follow-up period up to 14 years following surgery and the pressure difference across the repair varied between a minimum of 5 mmHg to 18 mmHg (Table 2). The technique of patch aortoplasty without resection as been extended to a large number of patients and seems to be a very important factor in avoiding a circular constricting anastomosis, preventing the growth of the anastomosis. Maintaining the whole wall of the aorta may also influence the further growth and prevent recurrence in infants and children. Very little surgical dissection is required and suture line tension is also avoided. The technique of patch aortoplasty should be recommended in infants, children and adults with difficult and hazardous dissection.", "contents": "Repair of coarctation of the thoracic aorta without resection. Patch graft aortoplasty. Follow-up study of 46 cases. Two hundred and seventy-six patients (276) over the age of one were operated for coarctation of the thoracic aorta from 1949 to 1972. Patch graft aortoplasty, rather than resection of the coarcted segment was the operation of choice in forty-six patients. No hospital or late deaths occurred in this group of patients. Associated defects were present in 20% of these cases. The first patch aortoplasty was performed in 1962. The follow-up study covers a period of 12 years. Haemodynamic study and aortography were performed to assess the long term results. There was no evidence of recoarctation in the follow-up period up to 14 years following surgery and the pressure difference across the repair varied between a minimum of 5 mmHg to 18 mmHg (Table 2). The technique of patch aortoplasty without resection as been extended to a large number of patients and seems to be a very important factor in avoiding a circular constricting anastomosis, preventing the growth of the anastomosis. Maintaining the whole wall of the aorta may also influence the further growth and prevent recurrence in infants and children. Very little surgical dissection is required and suture line tension is also avoided. The technique of patch aortoplasty should be recommended in infants, children and adults with difficult and hazardous dissection.", "PMID": 627592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7065", "title": "Pattern formation in early insect embryogenesis - data calling for modification of a recent model.", "content": "A mathematical model of biological pattern formation based upon lateral inhibition has recently been applied by Meinhardt to insect embryogenesis. This model has stimulated a re-evaluation of previous results, and new experiments designed to test the validity of the model. Split u.v. dose experiments with eggs of the chironomid midge Smittia show that the effective targets for the production of the aberrant 'double abdomen' are not subject to the rapid turnover which is required by the model in its currently published version. Certain types of segment pattern, and differences in the length of segments as predicted by the model could not be observed. Other data conflict with the rather unusual type of photoreversal and the particular view of determination associated with the model. The model can be reconciled with part of the conflicting data if the effective targets for double abdomen induction are regarded as morphogen-producing structures, rather than the morphogen itself which specifies the segment pattern (Meinhardt, personal communication). This version of the model, however, is still at variance with some of the data discussed here. A complementary explanation is proposed taking into account relevant aspects of homoeotic transformations.", "contents": "Pattern formation in early insect embryogenesis - data calling for modification of a recent model. A mathematical model of biological pattern formation based upon lateral inhibition has recently been applied by Meinhardt to insect embryogenesis. This model has stimulated a re-evaluation of previous results, and new experiments designed to test the validity of the model. Split u.v. dose experiments with eggs of the chironomid midge Smittia show that the effective targets for the production of the aberrant 'double abdomen' are not subject to the rapid turnover which is required by the model in its currently published version. Certain types of segment pattern, and differences in the length of segments as predicted by the model could not be observed. Other data conflict with the rather unusual type of photoreversal and the particular view of determination associated with the model. The model can be reconciled with part of the conflicting data if the effective targets for double abdomen induction are regarded as morphogen-producing structures, rather than the morphogen itself which specifies the segment pattern (Meinhardt, personal communication). This version of the model, however, is still at variance with some of the data discussed here. A complementary explanation is proposed taking into account relevant aspects of homoeotic transformations.", "PMID": 627599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7066", "title": "Pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery following a modified Bristow operation: report of a case and review.", "content": "The Bristow operation with its modifications has become a popular therapeutic modality for recurrent subluxation of the humerus. A patient was recently treated for a false aneurysm of the axillary artery six months after such a procedure. The artery had been lacerated by the dislodged fixation screw. The clinical presentation, intraoperative management and postoperative course were described, and a suggestion for removing the orthopedic screw eight weeks after a Bristow procedure was offered.", "contents": "Pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery following a modified Bristow operation: report of a case and review. The Bristow operation with its modifications has become a popular therapeutic modality for recurrent subluxation of the humerus. A patient was recently treated for a false aneurysm of the axillary artery six months after such a procedure. The artery had been lacerated by the dislodged fixation screw. The clinical presentation, intraoperative management and postoperative course were described, and a suggestion for removing the orthopedic screw eight weeks after a Bristow procedure was offered.", "PMID": 627594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7067", "title": "The dissociation of nuclear proteins from superhelical DNA.", "content": "Structures retaining many of the morphological features of nuclei may be released by gently lysing human cells in solutions containing non-ionic detergents and high concentrations of salt. These nucleoids contain superhelical DNA. Using a double-labelling procedure we have compared, at different salt concentrations, the amounts and types of protein associated with human nucleoides containings superhelical or relaxed DNA. We find that the slightly lysine-rich histones (H2A and H2B) but not the arginine-rich histones (H3 and H4) dissociate more slowly from nucleoids containing superhelical DNA than from those containing relaxed DNA. A protein of apparent molecular weight of 22000 also binds more tightly to superhelical DNA. We conclude that this protein and the slightly lysine-rich histones transmute free energy of supercoiling into binding energy when they bind to superhelical DNA.", "contents": "The dissociation of nuclear proteins from superhelical DNA. Structures retaining many of the morphological features of nuclei may be released by gently lysing human cells in solutions containing non-ionic detergents and high concentrations of salt. These nucleoids contain superhelical DNA. Using a double-labelling procedure we have compared, at different salt concentrations, the amounts and types of protein associated with human nucleoides containings superhelical or relaxed DNA. We find that the slightly lysine-rich histones (H2A and H2B) but not the arginine-rich histones (H3 and H4) dissociate more slowly from nucleoids containing superhelical DNA than from those containing relaxed DNA. A protein of apparent molecular weight of 22000 also binds more tightly to superhelical DNA. We conclude that this protein and the slightly lysine-rich histones transmute free energy of supercoiling into binding energy when they bind to superhelical DNA.", "PMID": 627600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7068", "title": "Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral annuloplasty. Immediate and longterm follow up results.", "content": "Mitral annuloplasty is preferable to mitral replacement for patients with pure mitral insufficiency. This conservative procedure can be applied to those patients with torn or significantly stretched chordae tendineae unrelated to the site of lesions of the chordae tendineae. The 6 recent recent patients were examined by echocardiography pre- and postoperatively. The study of 35 long term follow up patients revealed longevity and safety of this procedure. Echocardiograms document normalization of abnormal mitral motion, reduction of excursion, and diastolic velocity of the leaflets, and decrease in left atrial size. These findings, showing apparent diminution of mitral flow, suggest significant improvement in valve function.", "contents": "Echocardiographic evaluation of mitral annuloplasty. Immediate and longterm follow up results. Mitral annuloplasty is preferable to mitral replacement for patients with pure mitral insufficiency. This conservative procedure can be applied to those patients with torn or significantly stretched chordae tendineae unrelated to the site of lesions of the chordae tendineae. The 6 recent recent patients were examined by echocardiography pre- and postoperatively. The study of 35 long term follow up patients revealed longevity and safety of this procedure. Echocardiograms document normalization of abnormal mitral motion, reduction of excursion, and diastolic velocity of the leaflets, and decrease in left atrial size. These findings, showing apparent diminution of mitral flow, suggest significant improvement in valve function.", "PMID": 627590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7069", "title": "Involvement of the iliac artery in Buerger's disease (pathogenesis and arterial reconstruction).", "content": "Out of 216 patients with Buerger's disease, 14 showed the involvement of the iliac artery in addition to the occlusive lesion in the leg arteries. It occurred within 2 to 8 years after the onset of symptom. The obliterative lesion of the iliac artery might owe its cause to a direct proximal progression of thromboangitis obliterans of the femoral artery or to a skip progression of the disease. The skip lesion of the iliac artery might be due to an ascending progress of the thromboangiitic lesion in the branch arteries of the iliac artery. The indication for arterial reconstruction in the case with the involvement of the iliac artery depends on run-off in the deep femoral artery. Out of the 14 cases, 2 underwent thromboendarterectomy with autogenous vein patch grafting of the external iliac artery and 6 underwent bypass grafting, but their long-term follow-up result was poor.", "contents": "Involvement of the iliac artery in Buerger's disease (pathogenesis and arterial reconstruction). Out of 216 patients with Buerger's disease, 14 showed the involvement of the iliac artery in addition to the occlusive lesion in the leg arteries. It occurred within 2 to 8 years after the onset of symptom. The obliterative lesion of the iliac artery might owe its cause to a direct proximal progression of thromboangitis obliterans of the femoral artery or to a skip progression of the disease. The skip lesion of the iliac artery might be due to an ascending progress of the thromboangiitic lesion in the branch arteries of the iliac artery. The indication for arterial reconstruction in the case with the involvement of the iliac artery depends on run-off in the deep femoral artery. Out of the 14 cases, 2 underwent thromboendarterectomy with autogenous vein patch grafting of the external iliac artery and 6 underwent bypass grafting, but their long-term follow-up result was poor.", "PMID": 627595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7070", "title": "Near fatal hemolysis following repair of ostium primum atrial septal defect.", "content": "A 15 month old black male who developed near fatal intravascular hemolysis two days after repair of an ostium primum septal defect with a teflon patch is presented. One month after initial operation, reoperation was required for control of hemolysis. At that time a piece of pericardium was placed over the underendothelialized left atrial side of the patch and the mitral cleft was repaired. He initially did well but within several days developed mitral regurgitation. Hemolysis recurred two months postoperatively, but then spontaneously subsided. We propose that the recurrent mitral insufficiency created a defect in the pericardial patch and that caused recurrent hemolysis. Normal endothelial ingrowth probably covered this small defect and hemolysis subsided. Following the second hemolytic episode six months ago, the patient continues to do well.", "contents": "Near fatal hemolysis following repair of ostium primum atrial septal defect. A 15 month old black male who developed near fatal intravascular hemolysis two days after repair of an ostium primum septal defect with a teflon patch is presented. One month after initial operation, reoperation was required for control of hemolysis. At that time a piece of pericardium was placed over the underendothelialized left atrial side of the patch and the mitral cleft was repaired. He initially did well but within several days developed mitral regurgitation. Hemolysis recurred two months postoperatively, but then spontaneously subsided. We propose that the recurrent mitral insufficiency created a defect in the pericardial patch and that caused recurrent hemolysis. Normal endothelial ingrowth probably covered this small defect and hemolysis subsided. Following the second hemolytic episode six months ago, the patient continues to do well.", "PMID": 627596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7071", "title": "Assessment of the heart by histochemical and birefringence techniques as compared with ventricular function tests.", "content": "We have compared results of isovolumic ventricular function studies and results of histochemical and birefringence examinations of biopsy specimens from 80 isolated canine hearts both before and after three hours of preservation utilizing several variables. The direct and derived mechanical tests and histochemical and birefringence assessments of the myocardium were correlated by multiple regression analysis. Our results suggest that initial ventricular health may be indicated by acid hematein staining of free phospholipids and by the response of myocardial birefringence to adenosine triphosphate and calcium, while succinic dehydrogenase staining and birefringence without adenosine-triphosphate treatment are more useful in showing ventricular deterioration during operation.", "contents": "Assessment of the heart by histochemical and birefringence techniques as compared with ventricular function tests. We have compared results of isovolumic ventricular function studies and results of histochemical and birefringence examinations of biopsy specimens from 80 isolated canine hearts both before and after three hours of preservation utilizing several variables. The direct and derived mechanical tests and histochemical and birefringence assessments of the myocardium were correlated by multiple regression analysis. Our results suggest that initial ventricular health may be indicated by acid hematein staining of free phospholipids and by the response of myocardial birefringence to adenosine triphosphate and calcium, while succinic dehydrogenase staining and birefringence without adenosine-triphosphate treatment are more useful in showing ventricular deterioration during operation.", "PMID": 627591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7072", "title": "Effect of intra-arterial reserpine in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon.", "content": "Several papers have established the beneficial effect of Reserpine applied intra-arterially in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon. In the present study this effect was investigated in 15 patients, some of whom had been submitted previously to sympathectomy, and in healthy controls. A solution of 1.25 mg Reserpine in 10 ml normal saline was injected in the course of one minute in the brachial artery. Blood pressure, pulse rate, bilateral finger venous occlusion plethysmography and fingertip temperature measurements were carried out for two hours following the injection. Later, venous occlusion plethysmographic and clinical controls were continued weekly, until the Reserpine effect had ceased. Normal subjects, patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon undergoing no surgical treatment and those submitted to preganglionic sympathectomy showed a conspicuous increase in digital blood flow, while in one patient, who had stellectomy the fingerflow remained unchanged. This effect remained chiefly located on the injected side. There were no blood pressure or pulse rate changes while in the lying position. Hypotension by passive orthostasis was observed two hours after the injection. The possible mechanism of Reserpine is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of intra-arterial reserpine in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon. Several papers have established the beneficial effect of Reserpine applied intra-arterially in patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon. In the present study this effect was investigated in 15 patients, some of whom had been submitted previously to sympathectomy, and in healthy controls. A solution of 1.25 mg Reserpine in 10 ml normal saline was injected in the course of one minute in the brachial artery. Blood pressure, pulse rate, bilateral finger venous occlusion plethysmography and fingertip temperature measurements were carried out for two hours following the injection. Later, venous occlusion plethysmographic and clinical controls were continued weekly, until the Reserpine effect had ceased. Normal subjects, patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon undergoing no surgical treatment and those submitted to preganglionic sympathectomy showed a conspicuous increase in digital blood flow, while in one patient, who had stellectomy the fingerflow remained unchanged. This effect remained chiefly located on the injected side. There were no blood pressure or pulse rate changes while in the lying position. Hypotension by passive orthostasis was observed two hours after the injection. The possible mechanism of Reserpine is discussed.", "PMID": 627597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7073", "title": "The effect of oxygen tension and mechanical stress on the outcome of fresh autogenous tissue implants in the canine blood stream.", "content": "Fresh autogenous collagenous tissue grafts were implanted in the lumen of the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery and vein of thirty dogs. Grafts were studied at varying periods postimplantation. Grafts in the latter three situations were vascularized and absorbed early and were replaced by host fibrous tissue; whereas grafts in the aorta remained unabsorbed because of lack of vascularization. We conclude that fresh autogenous fibrous tissue is not a good material for the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with a competent valve.", "contents": "The effect of oxygen tension and mechanical stress on the outcome of fresh autogenous tissue implants in the canine blood stream. Fresh autogenous collagenous tissue grafts were implanted in the lumen of the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery and vein of thirty dogs. Grafts were studied at varying periods postimplantation. Grafts in the latter three situations were vascularized and absorbed early and were replaced by host fibrous tissue; whereas grafts in the aorta remained unabsorbed because of lack of vascularization. We conclude that fresh autogenous fibrous tissue is not a good material for the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with a competent valve.", "PMID": 627598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7074", "title": "Development of Hydra lacking nerve and interstitial cells.", "content": "Hydra attenuata were rendered free of interstitial cells (I cells) and interstitial cell derivatives by colchicine treatment. These hydra were then cloned and cultivated for 18 months and their developmental capacities were studied. Some experimental hydra possessed a few (about 1% of the normal numbers) interstitial cells and retained this low level during prolonged culture and active growth without the differentiation of I-cells into specialized cells. Other hydra were completely freed of interstitial cells by the colchicine treatment. Maceration and histological analyses showed that once a hydra is freed of all interstitial cells it does not recover them, nor do its buds contain interstitial cells. I cell-free hydra also lack nerve cells, nematocytes, gametes and endodermal gland cells, and the tissue consists only of ectodermal and endodermal epithelial cells. Hydra completely lacking interstitial cells grow, bud, exhibit tissue renewal patterns, regenerate and preserve polarity generally typical of normal hydra. I cell-free hypostomal tissue has inductive capacity, as does normal hypostomal tissue, when implanted in I cell-free or normal gastric tissue. Regenerating I cell-free tissue undergoes precocious determination as does normal tissue. Only in some quantitative aspects do I cell-free hydra develop abnormally. We conclude that hydra consisting only of epithelial cells are capable of essentially normal development.", "contents": "Development of Hydra lacking nerve and interstitial cells. Hydra attenuata were rendered free of interstitial cells (I cells) and interstitial cell derivatives by colchicine treatment. These hydra were then cloned and cultivated for 18 months and their developmental capacities were studied. Some experimental hydra possessed a few (about 1% of the normal numbers) interstitial cells and retained this low level during prolonged culture and active growth without the differentiation of I-cells into specialized cells. Other hydra were completely freed of interstitial cells by the colchicine treatment. Maceration and histological analyses showed that once a hydra is freed of all interstitial cells it does not recover them, nor do its buds contain interstitial cells. I cell-free hydra also lack nerve cells, nematocytes, gametes and endodermal gland cells, and the tissue consists only of ectodermal and endodermal epithelial cells. Hydra completely lacking interstitial cells grow, bud, exhibit tissue renewal patterns, regenerate and preserve polarity generally typical of normal hydra. I cell-free hypostomal tissue has inductive capacity, as does normal hypostomal tissue, when implanted in I cell-free or normal gastric tissue. Regenerating I cell-free tissue undergoes precocious determination as does normal tissue. Only in some quantitative aspects do I cell-free hydra develop abnormally. We conclude that hydra consisting only of epithelial cells are capable of essentially normal development.", "PMID": 627604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7075", "title": "A microtubule--nuclear envelope complex in the spermatozoid of Pteridium.", "content": "The microtubules on the outside of the nucleus of the mature spermatozoid of Pteridium form a complex with the envelope, and the perinuclear space is eliminated. These dissimilar components are held firmly together, possibly by hydrophobic bonding. The outer part of the chromatin is also attached to the inner boundary of the envelope, and pulls away when the envelope is detached.", "contents": "A microtubule--nuclear envelope complex in the spermatozoid of Pteridium. The microtubules on the outside of the nucleus of the mature spermatozoid of Pteridium form a complex with the envelope, and the perinuclear space is eliminated. These dissimilar components are held firmly together, possibly by hydrophobic bonding. The outer part of the chromatin is also attached to the inner boundary of the envelope, and pulls away when the envelope is detached.", "PMID": 627605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7076", "title": "The cellular origin of chemically induced tumours.", "content": "Tumours were induced by chemical carcinogens in chimaeric mice made by the amalgamation of two embryos each producing a different electrophoretic variant of the enzyme glucose phosphate isomerase. Although, in these chimaeras, the smallest samples of normal tissue that could be analysed almost invariably contained both isoenzymes, almost all the tumours contained only one. An analysis of the size of the clones that formed the chimaeric epidermis permitted the conclusion that the epidermal tumours produced could not have risen from more than 8 cells; and the most probable interpretation of the data is that these tumours were clonal growths.", "contents": "The cellular origin of chemically induced tumours. Tumours were induced by chemical carcinogens in chimaeric mice made by the amalgamation of two embryos each producing a different electrophoretic variant of the enzyme glucose phosphate isomerase. Although, in these chimaeras, the smallest samples of normal tissue that could be analysed almost invariably contained both isoenzymes, almost all the tumours contained only one. An analysis of the size of the clones that formed the chimaeric epidermis permitted the conclusion that the epidermal tumours produced could not have risen from more than 8 cells; and the most probable interpretation of the data is that these tumours were clonal growths.", "PMID": 627606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7077", "title": "The effects of tumour cells on embryonic cell aggregation, adhesion and detachment.", "content": "The presence of small numbers of tumour cells inhibits the aggregation of embryonic chicken neural retina cells grown in gyratory shaker culture. The aggregation of neural retina cells was also inhibited by ascites cell medium. We investigated whether the inhibitory effect of the tumour cells on aggregate size is effected by inhibition of the initial adhesion or by enhancement of their separation. The number of neural retina cells adherent to microtest plate surfaces was significantly reduced after incubation with either Ehrlich ascites cells or cell-free, conditioned medium, while the percentage of cells removed from glass by shearing was unchanged under those conditions. These results suggest that the reduction in neural retina cell aggregate size produced by Ehrlich ascites cells and their products is due to partial inhibition of neural retina cell adhesion processes, as distinct from enhancement of separation.", "contents": "The effects of tumour cells on embryonic cell aggregation, adhesion and detachment. The presence of small numbers of tumour cells inhibits the aggregation of embryonic chicken neural retina cells grown in gyratory shaker culture. The aggregation of neural retina cells was also inhibited by ascites cell medium. We investigated whether the inhibitory effect of the tumour cells on aggregate size is effected by inhibition of the initial adhesion or by enhancement of their separation. The number of neural retina cells adherent to microtest plate surfaces was significantly reduced after incubation with either Ehrlich ascites cells or cell-free, conditioned medium, while the percentage of cells removed from glass by shearing was unchanged under those conditions. These results suggest that the reduction in neural retina cell aggregate size produced by Ehrlich ascites cells and their products is due to partial inhibition of neural retina cell adhesion processes, as distinct from enhancement of separation.", "PMID": 627607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7078", "title": "Lectin-binding sites are found in rat liver cell plasma membrane only on its extracellular surface.", "content": "In the present study ultrastructural localization of binding sites for 5 lectins was studied in rat liver cell surface membrane fractions. For this purpose ferritin-coupled Concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, soybean agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin 120 and Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin I were used as probes for mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine, galactose and fucose moieties in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Although recent reports suggest presence of glycogroups on the cytoplasmic surface of cellular membranes ultrastructural identification of membrane surfaces in the present study indicated an asymmetric localization of lectin-binding sites exclusively on the extracellular side of the membranes.", "contents": "Lectin-binding sites are found in rat liver cell plasma membrane only on its extracellular surface. In the present study ultrastructural localization of binding sites for 5 lectins was studied in rat liver cell surface membrane fractions. For this purpose ferritin-coupled Concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin, soybean agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin 120 and Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin I were used as probes for mannose, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine, galactose and fucose moieties in glycoproteins and glycolipids. Although recent reports suggest presence of glycogroups on the cytoplasmic surface of cellular membranes ultrastructural identification of membrane surfaces in the present study indicated an asymmetric localization of lectin-binding sites exclusively on the extracellular side of the membranes.", "PMID": 627608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7079", "title": "Genetic analysis of developmental mechanisms in Hydra. II. Isolation and characterization of an interstitial cell-deficient strain.", "content": "A mutant strain (nf-I) of Hydra magnipapillata was isolated that contained no interstitial cells, nerve cells or nematocytes. This strain appeared spontaneously in a sexually inbred clone of hydra, and it was recognized by its inability to eat. When force-fed, however, it grew, multiplied by budding and regenerated. In this and in many other respects, nf-I was very similar to the interstitial cell-deficient strain produced by Campbell (1976) by means of colchicine. A chimera strain was produced by the reintroduction of interstitial cells from another strain into nf-I. The properties of nf-I, the chimera and other related strains were examined, and the possible roles that the interstitial cells and the nerve cells play in growth and morphogenesis of hydra are discussed.", "contents": "Genetic analysis of developmental mechanisms in Hydra. II. Isolation and characterization of an interstitial cell-deficient strain. A mutant strain (nf-I) of Hydra magnipapillata was isolated that contained no interstitial cells, nerve cells or nematocytes. This strain appeared spontaneously in a sexually inbred clone of hydra, and it was recognized by its inability to eat. When force-fed, however, it grew, multiplied by budding and regenerated. In this and in many other respects, nf-I was very similar to the interstitial cell-deficient strain produced by Campbell (1976) by means of colchicine. A chimera strain was produced by the reintroduction of interstitial cells from another strain into nf-I. The properties of nf-I, the chimera and other related strains were examined, and the possible roles that the interstitial cells and the nerve cells play in growth and morphogenesis of hydra are discussed.", "PMID": 627611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7080", "title": "DNA replication studies in genus Vicia through fibre radioautography.", "content": "An experiment has been conducted to study the mode of replication in 3 species of Vicia having different C-values by means of fibre radioautography. Characteristics of the units involved in DNA replication of these species have been compared. It has been observed that replication occurs predominantly through bidirectional chain growth, replicating units are arranged in tandem, and replication proceeds from the point of origin in both directions. It has also been shown that there is a positive, though not proportionate, correlation between replication rates, the sizes of replication units and C-values.", "contents": "DNA replication studies in genus Vicia through fibre radioautography. An experiment has been conducted to study the mode of replication in 3 species of Vicia having different C-values by means of fibre radioautography. Characteristics of the units involved in DNA replication of these species have been compared. It has been observed that replication occurs predominantly through bidirectional chain growth, replicating units are arranged in tandem, and replication proceeds from the point of origin in both directions. It has also been shown that there is a positive, though not proportionate, correlation between replication rates, the sizes of replication units and C-values.", "PMID": 627612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7081", "title": "Complex nature of serum lysozyme activity: evidence of thermolability in inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "In patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, alterations in serum storage temperature produced significant changes in serum lysozyme activity (SLA) as measured by the lysoplate method. This was not the case in healthy controls or in a group with other gastrointestinal disorders. Electrophoretic separation of serum revealed two components of lysozyme-type lytic activity but only one in extracts of gut mucosa, leucocytes, and egg white. The major lytic component of serum migrated towards the cathode and reacted with specific antilysozyme serum, but the minor component which migrated towards the anode did not. Although the cause of this anionic lytic activity is uncertain, it contributes to total serum activity as estimated by any method utilising the lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, and may possibly be related to the observed thermolability.", "contents": "Complex nature of serum lysozyme activity: evidence of thermolability in inflammatory bowel disease. In patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, alterations in serum storage temperature produced significant changes in serum lysozyme activity (SLA) as measured by the lysoplate method. This was not the case in healthy controls or in a group with other gastrointestinal disorders. Electrophoretic separation of serum revealed two components of lysozyme-type lytic activity but only one in extracts of gut mucosa, leucocytes, and egg white. The major lytic component of serum migrated towards the cathode and reacted with specific antilysozyme serum, but the minor component which migrated towards the anode did not. Although the cause of this anionic lytic activity is uncertain, it contributes to total serum activity as estimated by any method utilising the lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, and may possibly be related to the observed thermolability.", "PMID": 627614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7082", "title": "Early detection of folic acid deficiency in elderly patients.", "content": "Folic acid deficiency is very common in elderly patients who have a mean red cell volume greater than 94 fl. Eighteen out of 40 elderly patients with red cell macrocytosis who initially had normal red cell folate and serum B12 levels subsequently developed folic acid deficiency.", "contents": "Early detection of folic acid deficiency in elderly patients. Folic acid deficiency is very common in elderly patients who have a mean red cell volume greater than 94 fl. Eighteen out of 40 elderly patients with red cell macrocytosis who initially had normal red cell folate and serum B12 levels subsequently developed folic acid deficiency.", "PMID": 627615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7083", "title": "Measurement of red cell folate with 75Se-selenofolate radioassay.", "content": "75Se-selenofolate radioassay was adapted for the purpose of red cell folate measurement. The results of assay of 124 whole blood samples by Lactobacillus casei microbiological assay and by radioassay using the adapted selenofolate method were concordant (r = 0.8). Red cell folate levels by the radioassay were below 170 microgram/1 in people who had haematological features of folate depletion. The distribution of results among reputedly healthy subjects extended down to 140 microgram/1.", "contents": "Measurement of red cell folate with 75Se-selenofolate radioassay. 75Se-selenofolate radioassay was adapted for the purpose of red cell folate measurement. The results of assay of 124 whole blood samples by Lactobacillus casei microbiological assay and by radioassay using the adapted selenofolate method were concordant (r = 0.8). Red cell folate levels by the radioassay were below 170 microgram/1 in people who had haematological features of folate depletion. The distribution of results among reputedly healthy subjects extended down to 140 microgram/1.", "PMID": 627616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7084", "title": "A whole blood control for the Coulter Model S.", "content": "The white cell count, red cell count, haemoglobin, and mean cell volume of a new preserved whole blood preparations used as a control material for the Coulter Model S were found to be stable for at least two months. This material provides a cheap and stable whole blood control which is now in routine use in 18 laboratories throughout Wales.", "contents": "A whole blood control for the Coulter Model S. The white cell count, red cell count, haemoglobin, and mean cell volume of a new preserved whole blood preparations used as a control material for the Coulter Model S were found to be stable for at least two months. This material provides a cheap and stable whole blood control which is now in routine use in 18 laboratories throughout Wales.", "PMID": 627617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7085", "title": "A rapid screening test for reduced fibrinolytic activity of plasma: streptokinase activated lysis time.", "content": "A simple screening method for determining the fibrinolytic activity of plasma is described. A streptokinase activated system is used, which measures the result of the interplay of all components of the fibrinolytic system with the exception of activators, which are added in excess. Mean lysis time and standard deviation with this method is 6.9 +/- 1.4 min. The sensitivity of the method in detecting minor delays in clot lysis time is demonstrated.", "contents": "A rapid screening test for reduced fibrinolytic activity of plasma: streptokinase activated lysis time. A simple screening method for determining the fibrinolytic activity of plasma is described. A streptokinase activated system is used, which measures the result of the interplay of all components of the fibrinolytic system with the exception of activators, which are added in excess. Mean lysis time and standard deviation with this method is 6.9 +/- 1.4 min. The sensitivity of the method in detecting minor delays in clot lysis time is demonstrated.", "PMID": 627618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7086", "title": "Serum bile acids in patients with hyperlipidaemia.", "content": "Individual serum bile acids were analysed by an improved gas liquid chromatography method in 12 patients with primary hyperlipidaemia. Total serum bile acid concentrations were raised in 10 subjects. Ursodeoxycholic acid was found in all 12 patients. It was present in significantly greater concentrations, accounted for a greater proportion of the total serum bile acids, and occurred more frequently than in patients with various forms of hepatobiliary disease. Patients with hyperlipidaemia had proportionately less deoxycholic acid than controls but more than patients with liver disease. There was proportionately less chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, in whom the primary bile acid ratio was raised.", "contents": "Serum bile acids in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Individual serum bile acids were analysed by an improved gas liquid chromatography method in 12 patients with primary hyperlipidaemia. Total serum bile acid concentrations were raised in 10 subjects. Ursodeoxycholic acid was found in all 12 patients. It was present in significantly greater concentrations, accounted for a greater proportion of the total serum bile acids, and occurred more frequently than in patients with various forms of hepatobiliary disease. Patients with hyperlipidaemia had proportionately less deoxycholic acid than controls but more than patients with liver disease. There was proportionately less chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, in whom the primary bile acid ratio was raised.", "PMID": 627619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7087", "title": "Idiopathic fibrosis of mediastinum: a discussion of three cases and review of the literature.", "content": "In two out of three cases of idiopathic fibrosis of the mediastinum there was also retroperitoneal fibrosis, and in one of them extensive fibrosis of the lungs. One of these, a fit middle-aged man, died suddenly with severe coronary artery stenosis due to fibrosis. The third case was that of a young man with a solitary fibrous mass around the right lower lobe bronchus mimicking a malignant tumour and producing bronchial stenosis. Of the various hypotheses about the aetiology and pathogenesis of the fibrous proliferation, that of an autoimmune process seemed the most likely in these cases.", "contents": "Idiopathic fibrosis of mediastinum: a discussion of three cases and review of the literature. In two out of three cases of idiopathic fibrosis of the mediastinum there was also retroperitoneal fibrosis, and in one of them extensive fibrosis of the lungs. One of these, a fit middle-aged man, died suddenly with severe coronary artery stenosis due to fibrosis. The third case was that of a young man with a solitary fibrous mass around the right lower lobe bronchus mimicking a malignant tumour and producing bronchial stenosis. Of the various hypotheses about the aetiology and pathogenesis of the fibrous proliferation, that of an autoimmune process seemed the most likely in these cases.", "PMID": 627620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7088", "title": "Dysfibrinogenaemia and liver cell growth.", "content": "From the evidence presented, it is proposed that 'dysfibrinogenaemia' represents the production of normal fetal fibrinogen by rapidly proliferating liver cells in both regenerating and neoplastic tissue. Prolongation of the reptilase clotting time, which was formerly believed to reflect dysfibrinogenaemia, may be rather the result of hepatocytic death.", "contents": "Dysfibrinogenaemia and liver cell growth. From the evidence presented, it is proposed that 'dysfibrinogenaemia' represents the production of normal fetal fibrinogen by rapidly proliferating liver cells in both regenerating and neoplastic tissue. Prolongation of the reptilase clotting time, which was formerly believed to reflect dysfibrinogenaemia, may be rather the result of hepatocytic death.", "PMID": 627621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7089", "title": "Morphological and ultrastructural study of the ventral nerve cord in Branchiobdella pentodonta Whitman (Annelida, Oligochaeta).", "content": "The ventral nerve cord of Branchiobdella pentodonta consists of paired ganglia containing three different types of neurons, a central neuropil showing characteristic synapses and of an intersegmental apparatus made up of two large lateral connectives and a smaller ventral one. Some remarkable differences exist between the ventral nerve cord and that found in other oligochaetes; these include the presence of a large dorsal blood vessel, two dorsal muscular cells per metamere, and supportive glial cells ventral to the neuropil which have long transverse processes coming into contact with the segmental nerves.", "contents": "Morphological and ultrastructural study of the ventral nerve cord in Branchiobdella pentodonta Whitman (Annelida, Oligochaeta). The ventral nerve cord of Branchiobdella pentodonta consists of paired ganglia containing three different types of neurons, a central neuropil showing characteristic synapses and of an intersegmental apparatus made up of two large lateral connectives and a smaller ventral one. Some remarkable differences exist between the ventral nerve cord and that found in other oligochaetes; these include the presence of a large dorsal blood vessel, two dorsal muscular cells per metamere, and supportive glial cells ventral to the neuropil which have long transverse processes coming into contact with the segmental nerves.", "PMID": 627629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7090", "title": "Hyperphagia in rats with experimental diabetes mellitus: a response to a decreased supply of utilizable fuels.", "content": "Alloxan-diabetic rats were hyperphagic when fed diets containing little fat, but they ate normal amounts of food when given diets rich in fat. Normal rats increased food intake to the same degree when the caloric density of their diet was decreased by reducing the content of fats or carbohydrates in isocaloric amounts. Diabetic rats did not respond substantially to changes in caloric density of their diet which were produced by altering the content of dietary carbohydrates, but they systematically increased food intake as the amount of fat in their diet was reduced. Diabetic rats ate normal amounts of a high-fat diet despite continued loss of nutrients in urine and persisting impairments in glucose utilization, fat storage, and liver glycogen deposition. These findings suggest that hyperphagia in experimental diabetes mellitus is a compensatory response to a lack of utiliziable fat fuels rather than the result of a metabolic disturbance per se.", "contents": "Hyperphagia in rats with experimental diabetes mellitus: a response to a decreased supply of utilizable fuels. Alloxan-diabetic rats were hyperphagic when fed diets containing little fat, but they ate normal amounts of food when given diets rich in fat. Normal rats increased food intake to the same degree when the caloric density of their diet was decreased by reducing the content of fats or carbohydrates in isocaloric amounts. Diabetic rats did not respond substantially to changes in caloric density of their diet which were produced by altering the content of dietary carbohydrates, but they systematically increased food intake as the amount of fat in their diet was reduced. Diabetic rats ate normal amounts of a high-fat diet despite continued loss of nutrients in urine and persisting impairments in glucose utilization, fat storage, and liver glycogen deposition. These findings suggest that hyperphagia in experimental diabetes mellitus is a compensatory response to a lack of utiliziable fat fuels rather than the result of a metabolic disturbance per se.", "PMID": 627630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7091", "title": "Genetic dominance for low activity in infant mice.", "content": "Locomotor activity of 2,140 four-day-old inbred, hybrid, and wild mice was measured. Consonant with the prediction that high rates of locomotor activity would be maladaptive in infant mice, hybrids were less active than inbred lines. A triple test cross analysis indicated low heritability and nearly complete dominance toward low activity. Mice from wild stock were even less active than hybrids, which suggests that selection pressures for low infantile activity have relaxed during laboratory domestication. A test is described for estimating changes in selection pressures resulting from laboratory rearing.", "contents": "Genetic dominance for low activity in infant mice. Locomotor activity of 2,140 four-day-old inbred, hybrid, and wild mice was measured. Consonant with the prediction that high rates of locomotor activity would be maladaptive in infant mice, hybrids were less active than inbred lines. A triple test cross analysis indicated low heritability and nearly complete dominance toward low activity. Mice from wild stock were even less active than hybrids, which suggests that selection pressures for low infantile activity have relaxed during laboratory domestication. A test is described for estimating changes in selection pressures resulting from laboratory rearing.", "PMID": 627631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7092", "title": "Hepatic versus cerebral origin of stimulus for feeding induced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose in rats.", "content": "Intravenous administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a competitive inhibitor of glucose utilization, increased the food intake of rats. Infusions of glucose or mannose abolished this effect, whereas equimolar fructose solutions did not affect 2-DG-induced feeding. Similar results were obtained when 2-DG and the hexoses were administered into the hepatic portal vein. These findings suggest that 2-DG elicits feeding due to glucoprivation at a site that is inaccessible to fructose. This site is likely to be in the brain, not the liver, because all three sugars can nourish peripheral tissue but only fructose cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, 2-DG-induced feeding was abolished by intravenous infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a substrate that can be oxidized by brain and other tissues but not by the liver.", "contents": "Hepatic versus cerebral origin of stimulus for feeding induced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose in rats. Intravenous administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a competitive inhibitor of glucose utilization, increased the food intake of rats. Infusions of glucose or mannose abolished this effect, whereas equimolar fructose solutions did not affect 2-DG-induced feeding. Similar results were obtained when 2-DG and the hexoses were administered into the hepatic portal vein. These findings suggest that 2-DG elicits feeding due to glucoprivation at a site that is inaccessible to fructose. This site is likely to be in the brain, not the liver, because all three sugars can nourish peripheral tissue but only fructose cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, 2-DG-induced feeding was abolished by intravenous infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a substrate that can be oxidized by brain and other tissues but not by the liver.", "PMID": 627632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7093", "title": "Effects of perinatal androstenedione on sexual differentiation in female rats.", "content": "Androstenedione was administered prenatally, postnatally, postnatally, or both pre-and postnatally to female rats. The extent to which reproductive morphology, ovarian functioning, and adult sexual behavior were masculinized and defeminized depended on the dosage, timing, and duration of the hormone treatment. The combined pre-plus postnatal treatment resulted in the greatest degree of modification in that such females were anatomically masculinized and did not ovulate. When tested in adulthood, they showed a high potential for the male copulatory pattern and little lordotic behavior. It is concluded that androstenedione, while not as potent an androgen as testosterone propionate, nevertheless has the potential to participate in the process of sexual differentiation.", "contents": "Effects of perinatal androstenedione on sexual differentiation in female rats. Androstenedione was administered prenatally, postnatally, postnatally, or both pre-and postnatally to female rats. The extent to which reproductive morphology, ovarian functioning, and adult sexual behavior were masculinized and defeminized depended on the dosage, timing, and duration of the hormone treatment. The combined pre-plus postnatal treatment resulted in the greatest degree of modification in that such females were anatomically masculinized and did not ovulate. When tested in adulthood, they showed a high potential for the male copulatory pattern and little lordotic behavior. It is concluded that androstenedione, while not as potent an androgen as testosterone propionate, nevertheless has the potential to participate in the process of sexual differentiation.", "PMID": 627633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7094", "title": "Effects of simultaneous oral-intragastric ingestion on meal patterns and satiety in humans.", "content": "Simultaneous oral-intragastric ingestion of a liquid diet was compared with oral ingestion for 15-21 days in four males or normal weight, 18-21 years old. All the subjects are significantly more (M= 222 cm3 or kcal [930 kJ] per meal, p less than .025) during simultaneous compared with oral lunches and dinners. Subjects reduced the size and frequency of breakfasts and snacks, which were always ingested orally, however, and did not gain weight. In a second experiment, the same four subjects ate significantly more (M-177 cm3 more, p less than .001 at lunch when the rate of ingestion was 200 cm3/min compared with 100 cm3/min regardless of route (oral, intragastric or simultaneous). They also ate significantly more (M=135 cm3 more, p less than 0.25) during simultaneous meals compared with oral or intragastric meals ingested at the same rate. Thus, rate of ingestion and oral stimulation are important determinants of meal size in humans.", "contents": "Effects of simultaneous oral-intragastric ingestion on meal patterns and satiety in humans. Simultaneous oral-intragastric ingestion of a liquid diet was compared with oral ingestion for 15-21 days in four males or normal weight, 18-21 years old. All the subjects are significantly more (M= 222 cm3 or kcal [930 kJ] per meal, p less than .025) during simultaneous compared with oral lunches and dinners. Subjects reduced the size and frequency of breakfasts and snacks, which were always ingested orally, however, and did not gain weight. In a second experiment, the same four subjects ate significantly more (M-177 cm3 more, p less than .001 at lunch when the rate of ingestion was 200 cm3/min compared with 100 cm3/min regardless of route (oral, intragastric or simultaneous). They also ate significantly more (M=135 cm3 more, p less than 0.25) during simultaneous meals compared with oral or intragastric meals ingested at the same rate. Thus, rate of ingestion and oral stimulation are important determinants of meal size in humans.", "PMID": 627634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7095", "title": "Rat hippocampus and memory for places of changing significance.", "content": "Rats were tested once daily on a four-choice delayed match from sample task with a water reward. Each day the correct place changed, and a single exposure to it was provided on information trials. Lesions of the hippocampal formation that involved the fornix, or dorsal hippocampus bilaterally, produced a severe impairment in the performance of previously trained rats. By contrast, lesions of the ventral hippocampus did not preclude reacquisition of the place-memory task. Some otherwise impaired rats with fornical lesions were able to find the water when aided by nonplace cues that consistently signaled reward. Reducing the number of choices from four to two did not aid the impaired rats. Certain lesions of the hippocampal formation in the rat produce a deficit appropriately described as amnesia. The memory deficit is consistent with a role for the hippocampus in processing of place information and shows some parallels to the amnesia seen in persons with temporal lobe lesions.", "contents": "Rat hippocampus and memory for places of changing significance. Rats were tested once daily on a four-choice delayed match from sample task with a water reward. Each day the correct place changed, and a single exposure to it was provided on information trials. Lesions of the hippocampal formation that involved the fornix, or dorsal hippocampus bilaterally, produced a severe impairment in the performance of previously trained rats. By contrast, lesions of the ventral hippocampus did not preclude reacquisition of the place-memory task. Some otherwise impaired rats with fornical lesions were able to find the water when aided by nonplace cues that consistently signaled reward. Reducing the number of choices from four to two did not aid the impaired rats. Certain lesions of the hippocampal formation in the rat produce a deficit appropriately described as amnesia. The memory deficit is consistent with a role for the hippocampus in processing of place information and shows some parallels to the amnesia seen in persons with temporal lobe lesions.", "PMID": 627635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7096", "title": "Ontogeny of behavioral arousal: the role of environmental stimuli.", "content": "During the course of ontogenesis the developing rat has been reported to pass through a transient period of intense behavioral arousal which peaks at 15 days of age, a phenomenon that has been interpreted to reflect a sequential caudal to rostral development of excitatory and inhibitory systems in the mammalian brain. In a series of four experiments it was shown (a) that this period of intense hyperactivity occurs only when the animal is tested alone in an unfamiliar environment, that the degree of arousal is proportional to the dissimilarity between the home cage and the test environment, and that isolation per se is insufficient to elicit the arousal response; (b) that environmental temperature has a minimal influence on the degree of behavioral arousal seen in either familiar of unfamiliar environments; (c) that unlearned responses to pheromonal or other naturally occurring nest odors do not suppress the high levels of locomotor activity evoked by unfamiliar environments in the 15-day old rat pup; and (d) that it is fear or distress evoked by the unfamiliar environment rather than curiosity that underlies this developmental phenomenon. It is concluded that the sequential increase and decrease in locomotor activity that occurs during ontogenesis cannot be used to support the principle of caudal to rostral development of excitatory and inhibitory centers in the central nervous system.", "contents": "Ontogeny of behavioral arousal: the role of environmental stimuli. During the course of ontogenesis the developing rat has been reported to pass through a transient period of intense behavioral arousal which peaks at 15 days of age, a phenomenon that has been interpreted to reflect a sequential caudal to rostral development of excitatory and inhibitory systems in the mammalian brain. In a series of four experiments it was shown (a) that this period of intense hyperactivity occurs only when the animal is tested alone in an unfamiliar environment, that the degree of arousal is proportional to the dissimilarity between the home cage and the test environment, and that isolation per se is insufficient to elicit the arousal response; (b) that environmental temperature has a minimal influence on the degree of behavioral arousal seen in either familiar of unfamiliar environments; (c) that unlearned responses to pheromonal or other naturally occurring nest odors do not suppress the high levels of locomotor activity evoked by unfamiliar environments in the 15-day old rat pup; and (d) that it is fear or distress evoked by the unfamiliar environment rather than curiosity that underlies this developmental phenomenon. It is concluded that the sequential increase and decrease in locomotor activity that occurs during ontogenesis cannot be used to support the principle of caudal to rostral development of excitatory and inhibitory centers in the central nervous system.", "PMID": 627636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7097", "title": "Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking.", "content": "Newborn guinea pigs were tested to determine their ability to approach an auditory stimulus early in development. Observations of the behavior of 1-4-day-old animals in a circular eight-choice maze revealed a pronounced tendency to orient toward and approach a tape-recorded signal of guinea pig vocalizations. The occurrence of approach responses was reduced to chance in animals tested with one ear occluded by wax ear plugs which attenuated but did not totally eliminate sound. The effect of monaural ear blocks was more severe than binaural blocks, which reflects the importance of binaural cues in the maintenance of approach responses to sound. In a second study, the ability of older animals, 11-31 days of age, was examined. Directional approach responses to sound were also evident at this age, and ear plugs disrupted performance only under monaural conditions. Furthermore, in animals raised from birth with monaural ear blocks but tested without ear plugs, there was a subsequent disruption of performance for at least 21 days. These results indicate the importance of binaural cues in the development of early auditory spatial responses and suggest the need for appropriate binaural experience for subsequent localization of sounds.", "contents": "Auditory spatial responses of young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) during and after ear blocking. Newborn guinea pigs were tested to determine their ability to approach an auditory stimulus early in development. Observations of the behavior of 1-4-day-old animals in a circular eight-choice maze revealed a pronounced tendency to orient toward and approach a tape-recorded signal of guinea pig vocalizations. The occurrence of approach responses was reduced to chance in animals tested with one ear occluded by wax ear plugs which attenuated but did not totally eliminate sound. The effect of monaural ear blocks was more severe than binaural blocks, which reflects the importance of binaural cues in the maintenance of approach responses to sound. In a second study, the ability of older animals, 11-31 days of age, was examined. Directional approach responses to sound were also evident at this age, and ear plugs disrupted performance only under monaural conditions. Furthermore, in animals raised from birth with monaural ear blocks but tested without ear plugs, there was a subsequent disruption of performance for at least 21 days. These results indicate the importance of binaural cues in the development of early auditory spatial responses and suggest the need for appropriate binaural experience for subsequent localization of sounds.", "PMID": 627637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7098", "title": "Deficits in visual learning produced by posterior temporal lesions in cats.", "content": "Eight cats with lesions in the posterior temporal (PT) cortex, seven cats with lesions in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and eight intact controls were observed on eight tests of visual discrimination learning and of spontaneous responses to salient visual stimuli. The effects of the two lesions were somewhat dissociable. The PT lesions were accompanied by a severe deficit in pattern discrimination learning but no loss in visual tracking or orientation to the silhouette of a threatening cat. The BLA lesions produced a milder and less consistent loss in pattern discrimination but serious defects in tracking and reponse to the cat silhouette. Both operated groups performed well on the visual cliff. The deficit from PT lesions appeared independent of damage to the geniculocortical system. The parallel of symptoms from PT lesions in cats and inferotemporal lesions in monkeys is discussed.", "contents": "Deficits in visual learning produced by posterior temporal lesions in cats. Eight cats with lesions in the posterior temporal (PT) cortex, seven cats with lesions in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), and eight intact controls were observed on eight tests of visual discrimination learning and of spontaneous responses to salient visual stimuli. The effects of the two lesions were somewhat dissociable. The PT lesions were accompanied by a severe deficit in pattern discrimination learning but no loss in visual tracking or orientation to the silhouette of a threatening cat. The BLA lesions produced a milder and less consistent loss in pattern discrimination but serious defects in tracking and reponse to the cat silhouette. Both operated groups performed well on the visual cliff. The deficit from PT lesions appeared independent of damage to the geniculocortical system. The parallel of symptoms from PT lesions in cats and inferotemporal lesions in monkeys is discussed.", "PMID": 627638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7099", "title": "Behavioral effects of neurotoxic lesions of the ascending monoamine pathways in the rat brain.", "content": "Intracranial microinjections of 6-hydroxydopamine or 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine into six ascending monoamine pathways produced the expected patterns of depletion of telencephalic serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin level was specifically lowered after dorsal or median raphe lesions but not after mesolimbic or nigrostriatal system lesions which lowered both norepinephrine and dopamine. Lesions in the locus coeruleus or ventral nor-adrenergic bundle lowered only norepinephrine, and locus coeruleus lesions elevated serotonin level. Behavior was examined in an open field, one-way active avoidance, and two passive avoidance tasks, and measures were taken of water consumption and body weight. Dorsal raphe lesions had no effect on any of the measures; the other five lesion groups exhibited deficient acquisition of the one-way active avoidance task. In the appetitive passive avoidance task, only the substantia nigra lesion group exhibited a deficiency. In the step-through passive avoidance task, both the substantia nigra and the median raphe groups exhibited a deficit, with the median raphe group exhibiting hyperactivity in the start box during testing. Water consumption was decreased by lesions in the ventral noradrenergic bundle during the first postoperative week and was increased in the median raphe group by the fourth postoperative week. Lastly, lesions in the locus coeruleus dramatically decreased activity in the open field. The results are discussed in regard to the search for specificity of behavioral functions of the distinct ascending monoamine pathways.", "contents": "Behavioral effects of neurotoxic lesions of the ascending monoamine pathways in the rat brain. Intracranial microinjections of 6-hydroxydopamine or 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine into six ascending monoamine pathways produced the expected patterns of depletion of telencephalic serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin level was specifically lowered after dorsal or median raphe lesions but not after mesolimbic or nigrostriatal system lesions which lowered both norepinephrine and dopamine. Lesions in the locus coeruleus or ventral nor-adrenergic bundle lowered only norepinephrine, and locus coeruleus lesions elevated serotonin level. Behavior was examined in an open field, one-way active avoidance, and two passive avoidance tasks, and measures were taken of water consumption and body weight. Dorsal raphe lesions had no effect on any of the measures; the other five lesion groups exhibited deficient acquisition of the one-way active avoidance task. In the appetitive passive avoidance task, only the substantia nigra lesion group exhibited a deficiency. In the step-through passive avoidance task, both the substantia nigra and the median raphe groups exhibited a deficit, with the median raphe group exhibiting hyperactivity in the start box during testing. Water consumption was decreased by lesions in the ventral noradrenergic bundle during the first postoperative week and was increased in the median raphe group by the fourth postoperative week. Lastly, lesions in the locus coeruleus dramatically decreased activity in the open field. The results are discussed in regard to the search for specificity of behavioral functions of the distinct ascending monoamine pathways.", "PMID": 627639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7100", "title": "Medial septal lesions: disruptions of microregulatory patterns and circadian rhythmicity in rats.", "content": "The microregulatory patterns of food and water intake were examined in male and female rats bearing medical septal lesions and in sham-operated controls. Medial septal ablation, although not affecting the total amount of food or water ingested, resulted in a profound disruption of the pattern of intake. Circadian rhythmicity was disrupted for a period, returning to normal by 25 days postlesion. Permanent disruptions occurred in feeding patterns in the rats with septal lesions ingested more frequent but smaller meals. There was also a marked increase in food-intake-associated drinking and a decrease in non-food-intake-associated drinking. The results are interpreted to reflect two separate independent effects, a general circadian disruption and an alteration in requlatory behavior produced by a chronic depletion of body fluid.", "contents": "Medial septal lesions: disruptions of microregulatory patterns and circadian rhythmicity in rats. The microregulatory patterns of food and water intake were examined in male and female rats bearing medical septal lesions and in sham-operated controls. Medial septal ablation, although not affecting the total amount of food or water ingested, resulted in a profound disruption of the pattern of intake. Circadian rhythmicity was disrupted for a period, returning to normal by 25 days postlesion. Permanent disruptions occurred in feeding patterns in the rats with septal lesions ingested more frequent but smaller meals. There was also a marked increase in food-intake-associated drinking and a decrease in non-food-intake-associated drinking. The results are interpreted to reflect two separate independent effects, a general circadian disruption and an alteration in requlatory behavior produced by a chronic depletion of body fluid.", "PMID": 627640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7101", "title": "Central catecholamine and peripheral noradrenaline depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine and active avoidance learning in rats.", "content": "Three experiments are reported on the relation among catecholamine (CA) depletion, plasma corticosterone (11-OHCS) levels, and active aversive learning. A baseline study showed no significant relation beteen resting levels of 11-OHCS and central and/or peripheral CA depletion. On a two-way avoidance learning task, depletion of brain CAs produced a widespread learning deficit. When both central and peripheral CAs were depleted, only escape learning emerged. Similar effects occurred on a one-way task, but differences were not so marked. The findings are discussed in terms of a theory of CA-dependent cues.", "contents": "Central catecholamine and peripheral noradrenaline depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine and active avoidance learning in rats. Three experiments are reported on the relation among catecholamine (CA) depletion, plasma corticosterone (11-OHCS) levels, and active aversive learning. A baseline study showed no significant relation beteen resting levels of 11-OHCS and central and/or peripheral CA depletion. On a two-way avoidance learning task, depletion of brain CAs produced a widespread learning deficit. When both central and peripheral CAs were depleted, only escape learning emerged. Similar effects occurred on a one-way task, but differences were not so marked. The findings are discussed in terms of a theory of CA-dependent cues.", "PMID": 627641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7102", "title": "Colostral constituents including immunoglobulins in the first three milkings postpartum.", "content": "Colostral changes in immunoglobulin (IgG), dry matter, ash, total protein, and whey protein were studied over the first three milkings postpartum. Immunoglobulin IgG concentration in colostrum from Holstein cows beginning their first, second, or third lactation was similar. However, older animals had more IgG in colostrum. Its rate of disappearance from colostrum was greater in younger animals. Dry matter, ash, total protein, and whey protein concentrations decreased from the first to the third milking (24 h) postpartum. Protein was the most variable constituent between cows at the same postpartum time.", "contents": "Colostral constituents including immunoglobulins in the first three milkings postpartum. Colostral changes in immunoglobulin (IgG), dry matter, ash, total protein, and whey protein were studied over the first three milkings postpartum. Immunoglobulin IgG concentration in colostrum from Holstein cows beginning their first, second, or third lactation was similar. However, older animals had more IgG in colostrum. Its rate of disappearance from colostrum was greater in younger animals. Dry matter, ash, total protein, and whey protein concentrations decreased from the first to the third milking (24 h) postpartum. Protein was the most variable constituent between cows at the same postpartum time.", "PMID": 627642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7103", "title": "Sources of variation of semen output.", "content": "Data from 5033 ejaculates during 1 yr from 55 mature Holstein bulls were analyzed to determine the effects of ejaculate number, days between ejaculates, month of the year, solunar periods, and sires on spermatozoal output and seminal characteristics. First ejaculates contained 49.7% more sperm and 40.8% more sperm per ml than second ejaculates. Increasing the interval between collections from 2 to 6+ days resulted in 45.9% more sperm per ejaculate, 31.0% more sperm per ml. and 14.0% greater volume. However, daily sperm output was highest when bulls were ejaculated most frequently. Lowest semen output was in February and March, associated with a decrease in sperm per ml. Highest semen output was in April and June, associated with the highest concentration of sperm per ml. Solunar periods had no effect on any measure of semen output. The concentration of sperm per ml varied more than the volume per ejaculate and had the largest influence on variation in total sperm harvested per ejaculate. Frequency of ejaculation was a major factor in total sperm harvested per bull per year.", "contents": "Sources of variation of semen output. Data from 5033 ejaculates during 1 yr from 55 mature Holstein bulls were analyzed to determine the effects of ejaculate number, days between ejaculates, month of the year, solunar periods, and sires on spermatozoal output and seminal characteristics. First ejaculates contained 49.7% more sperm and 40.8% more sperm per ml than second ejaculates. Increasing the interval between collections from 2 to 6+ days resulted in 45.9% more sperm per ejaculate, 31.0% more sperm per ml. and 14.0% greater volume. However, daily sperm output was highest when bulls were ejaculated most frequently. Lowest semen output was in February and March, associated with a decrease in sperm per ml. Highest semen output was in April and June, associated with the highest concentration of sperm per ml. Solunar periods had no effect on any measure of semen output. The concentration of sperm per ml varied more than the volume per ejaculate and had the largest influence on variation in total sperm harvested per ejaculate. Frequency of ejaculation was a major factor in total sperm harvested per bull per year.", "PMID": 627644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7104", "title": "Bromocriptine: effect on serum prolactin and growth hormone in psychogeriatric hospital patients.", "content": "Serum prolactin (PRL) and human growth hormone (HGH) were assessed before, and three hours after oral administration of 2.5 mg of bromocriptine in 39 hospitalized geriatric patients with organic brain syndrome. Serum PRL concentrations decreased significantly irrespective of initial values (also in the 7 geriatric control subjects), but HGH levels were low in all patients and did not change during the three hours after administration of bromocriptine. Closer scrutiny of the HGH responses to bromocriptine in 5 patients and 5 controls showed that the serum HGH response was more variable among the patients than among the controls. The findings are discussed in relation to neuroendocrine changes associated with aging, institutional living, and mental disease.", "contents": "Bromocriptine: effect on serum prolactin and growth hormone in psychogeriatric hospital patients. Serum prolactin (PRL) and human growth hormone (HGH) were assessed before, and three hours after oral administration of 2.5 mg of bromocriptine in 39 hospitalized geriatric patients with organic brain syndrome. Serum PRL concentrations decreased significantly irrespective of initial values (also in the 7 geriatric control subjects), but HGH levels were low in all patients and did not change during the three hours after administration of bromocriptine. Closer scrutiny of the HGH responses to bromocriptine in 5 patients and 5 controls showed that the serum HGH response was more variable among the patients than among the controls. The findings are discussed in relation to neuroendocrine changes associated with aging, institutional living, and mental disease.", "PMID": 627685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7105", "title": "Brain function, intellectual impairment and education in the aged.", "content": "In assessing behavioral problems of the elderly there is a need for procedures which reliably indicate the presence and extent of impaired brain function. In this study, the relation of two mental status measures [the Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Face-Hand test] to intellectual performance and education was evaluated. The sample consisted of 153 consecutive inpatients and outpatients referred to a gerontology clinic. Intellectual performance was assessed with 8 tests of learning and memory, such as Paired Associates and Babcock Story Recall. The findings indicate that positive ratings for impaired brain function on either mental status test were related to lower intellectual performance at each of three levels of education - grade school, high school, and college. Subjects with more education and mental status scores indicating mild impairment performed better on intellectual tests than did less educated persons with no brain dysfunction, but they showed significant deficits compared to other subjects with similar education and intact brain function. Larger intellectual deficits were found when the patient made more test errors and when both tests gave positive ratings. These results confirm the importance of the MSQ and Face-Hand tests as screening devices for the intellectual deficits associated with impaired brain function in a clinically heterogeneous population.", "contents": "Brain function, intellectual impairment and education in the aged. In assessing behavioral problems of the elderly there is a need for procedures which reliably indicate the presence and extent of impaired brain function. In this study, the relation of two mental status measures [the Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Face-Hand test] to intellectual performance and education was evaluated. The sample consisted of 153 consecutive inpatients and outpatients referred to a gerontology clinic. Intellectual performance was assessed with 8 tests of learning and memory, such as Paired Associates and Babcock Story Recall. The findings indicate that positive ratings for impaired brain function on either mental status test were related to lower intellectual performance at each of three levels of education - grade school, high school, and college. Subjects with more education and mental status scores indicating mild impairment performed better on intellectual tests than did less educated persons with no brain dysfunction, but they showed significant deficits compared to other subjects with similar education and intact brain function. Larger intellectual deficits were found when the patient made more test errors and when both tests gave positive ratings. These results confirm the importance of the MSQ and Face-Hand tests as screening devices for the intellectual deficits associated with impaired brain function in a clinically heterogeneous population.", "PMID": 627686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7106", "title": "Sliding inguinal hernia in patients over 70 years of age.", "content": "In a 1973 study of 200 aged patients with groin hernias, a comparatively high incidence of the type known as sliding hernia was noted. The present study of 60 patients over age 70 seen at the Henry Ford Hospital between the years 1940 and 1972 was devoted specifically to the problem of sliding hernias. The threat of bowel strangulation is often advanced as a reason for the operative repair of such hernias, but this complication is rare. Bowel dysfunction, constipation and local discomfort are far more common, and gave rise to annoying symptoms in 75 percent of the patient studied. Barium enema x-ray examinations often revealed some degree of bowel obstruction. Most often the sigmoid colon the left side and the ileocecal segment on the right side constituted the sliding components of the hernia; the bladder was involved less often. Repair of 62 sliding hernias in 60 patients was performed successfully. There were no deaths, and only one recurrence of the hernia.", "contents": "Sliding inguinal hernia in patients over 70 years of age. In a 1973 study of 200 aged patients with groin hernias, a comparatively high incidence of the type known as sliding hernia was noted. The present study of 60 patients over age 70 seen at the Henry Ford Hospital between the years 1940 and 1972 was devoted specifically to the problem of sliding hernias. The threat of bowel strangulation is often advanced as a reason for the operative repair of such hernias, but this complication is rare. Bowel dysfunction, constipation and local discomfort are far more common, and gave rise to annoying symptoms in 75 percent of the patient studied. Barium enema x-ray examinations often revealed some degree of bowel obstruction. Most often the sigmoid colon the left side and the ileocecal segment on the right side constituted the sliding components of the hernia; the bladder was involved less often. Repair of 62 sliding hernias in 60 patients was performed successfully. There were no deaths, and only one recurrence of the hernia.", "PMID": 627687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7107", "title": "The social behavior of elderly aphasic versus nonaphasic long-term patients.", "content": "A study was made of the social consequences of communicative disorders among 51 elderly hospitalized long-term patients. Independent variables used to account for variations in social behavior were: 1) the presence or absence of aphasia, an impairment resulting in varying degrees of loss of verbal recognition, comprehension and language production; 2) sex; and 3) the level of nursing-care needs as an indicator of overall physical independence. A rating scale for measuring \"Social Involvement\" was constructed. It involved four analytically-derived factors - Interpersonal Behavior, Familial and Social Contacts, Group Participation, and Extent of Social Contacts. Since a comparison of the 15 aphasic and 36 nonaphasic subjects on the basis of these four factors revealed no substantial main effect, it would seem that social isolation was not attributable to aphasia per se. Rather, a number of significant interactions indicated that differences in the levels of social involvement were attributable to the combined influences of sex, presence or absence of aphasia, and varying levels of physical independence. The relationship between social involvement and social isolation has implications for the overall management and rehibilitation of long-term patients.", "contents": "The social behavior of elderly aphasic versus nonaphasic long-term patients. A study was made of the social consequences of communicative disorders among 51 elderly hospitalized long-term patients. Independent variables used to account for variations in social behavior were: 1) the presence or absence of aphasia, an impairment resulting in varying degrees of loss of verbal recognition, comprehension and language production; 2) sex; and 3) the level of nursing-care needs as an indicator of overall physical independence. A rating scale for measuring \"Social Involvement\" was constructed. It involved four analytically-derived factors - Interpersonal Behavior, Familial and Social Contacts, Group Participation, and Extent of Social Contacts. Since a comparison of the 15 aphasic and 36 nonaphasic subjects on the basis of these four factors revealed no substantial main effect, it would seem that social isolation was not attributable to aphasia per se. Rather, a number of significant interactions indicated that differences in the levels of social involvement were attributable to the combined influences of sex, presence or absence of aphasia, and varying levels of physical independence. The relationship between social involvement and social isolation has implications for the overall management and rehibilitation of long-term patients.", "PMID": 627688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7108", "title": "Disengagement versus engagement - a need for greater expectations.", "content": "An attempt is made to clarify some existing perspectives of successful aging. The environmental milieu of the aged is laden with potent and pervasive implications about successful adaptation. Considerable exploration is required to facilitate a realistic focus upon various theoretical contributions already presented. The influence of stresses and adaptive energy depletions preceding the senescent state is discussed in an effort to facilitate knowledgeable assimilation of the potential impact of the socioeconomic milieu upon the aged. It is the author's contention that the elderly person, upon retirement, presents an adaptive energy reserve highly personalized in its ability to accommodate to change, and especially dependent upon the nature, number and intensity of environmental stressors to adapt, successfully or unsuccessfully, to senescence. Various environmental stressors are identified (e.g., changes in social opportunities and expectations which create new needs and constrict the realm of emotional and vocational influence, thus reducing opportunities and diminishing self-esteem). Heavy emphasis is placed upon role theory, interaction ritual, and transactional analysis. These concepts are extended to the institutional setting - an environment which serves only to magnify mechanisms occurring throghout the social system while adding its own unique dimension to the stressors confronting the elderly.", "contents": "Disengagement versus engagement - a need for greater expectations. An attempt is made to clarify some existing perspectives of successful aging. The environmental milieu of the aged is laden with potent and pervasive implications about successful adaptation. Considerable exploration is required to facilitate a realistic focus upon various theoretical contributions already presented. The influence of stresses and adaptive energy depletions preceding the senescent state is discussed in an effort to facilitate knowledgeable assimilation of the potential impact of the socioeconomic milieu upon the aged. It is the author's contention that the elderly person, upon retirement, presents an adaptive energy reserve highly personalized in its ability to accommodate to change, and especially dependent upon the nature, number and intensity of environmental stressors to adapt, successfully or unsuccessfully, to senescence. Various environmental stressors are identified (e.g., changes in social opportunities and expectations which create new needs and constrict the realm of emotional and vocational influence, thus reducing opportunities and diminishing self-esteem). Heavy emphasis is placed upon role theory, interaction ritual, and transactional analysis. These concepts are extended to the institutional setting - an environment which serves only to magnify mechanisms occurring throghout the social system while adding its own unique dimension to the stressors confronting the elderly.", "PMID": 627689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7109", "title": "Electron microscopic study of bone surface changes during aging. The loss of cellular control and biofeedback.", "content": "An electron microscopic study was made to determine (1) the effects of aging on periosteal and endosteal bone surfaces and (2) whether the membrane-like arrangement of osteoblasts at bone surfaces was retained during aging. Short-lived BNL inbred Swiss albino mice 5 to 130 weeks of age were perfused with glutaraldehyde. Femoral samples were taken and fixed in cold glutaraldehyde, decalcified in EDTA, and postfixed in OsO4. Epon sections were cut and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. In young mice, during bone formation a zone of osteoid was observed while the preosseous zone above consisted of young collagen fibers in formation. The osteoblasts formed a tight membrane-like structure at all bone surfaces. Where bone formation did not occur, single and multiple osmiophilic laminae were observed. With increasing age collagen formation became diminished as did the width of the preosseous and osteoid zones. Subsequently, the zones disappeared. Increased surface structural complexity was seen in some areas, while other areas revealed simplification with advancing age. This depended upon the net accretionary or resorptive activity at a given surface. The membrane-like arrangement of osteogenic cells was lost in 104-week-old animals, exposing bone surfaces to physio-chemical changes not under cellular control and biofeedback.", "contents": "Electron microscopic study of bone surface changes during aging. The loss of cellular control and biofeedback. An electron microscopic study was made to determine (1) the effects of aging on periosteal and endosteal bone surfaces and (2) whether the membrane-like arrangement of osteoblasts at bone surfaces was retained during aging. Short-lived BNL inbred Swiss albino mice 5 to 130 weeks of age were perfused with glutaraldehyde. Femoral samples were taken and fixed in cold glutaraldehyde, decalcified in EDTA, and postfixed in OsO4. Epon sections were cut and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. In young mice, during bone formation a zone of osteoid was observed while the preosseous zone above consisted of young collagen fibers in formation. The osteoblasts formed a tight membrane-like structure at all bone surfaces. Where bone formation did not occur, single and multiple osmiophilic laminae were observed. With increasing age collagen formation became diminished as did the width of the preosseous and osteoid zones. Subsequently, the zones disappeared. Increased surface structural complexity was seen in some areas, while other areas revealed simplification with advancing age. This depended upon the net accretionary or resorptive activity at a given surface. The membrane-like arrangement of osteogenic cells was lost in 104-week-old animals, exposing bone surfaces to physio-chemical changes not under cellular control and biofeedback.", "PMID": 627701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7110", "title": "Body weight increment and length of life: the effect of genetic constitution and dietary protein.", "content": "Groups of inbred A/J and C57BL/6J mice and hybrid F1 mice were fed low dietary protein (4% casein) or normal dietary protein (26% casein), with 50 mice in each of the six subgroups. For individual mice within subgroups, growth rate was negatively related to longevity; i.e., the slower the rate of growth the greater the life-span. Between subgroups, the longer the mean growth duration, the longer the mean lifespan. Positive relationships were obtained within subgroups for peak body weight and longevity. It is concluded that, for mice, slowing the rate of growth and increasing growth duration results in a significant increase in the life-span, and the life-span increment is not related to high peak body weight since high body weight, per se, was not correlated with life-span.", "contents": "Body weight increment and length of life: the effect of genetic constitution and dietary protein. Groups of inbred A/J and C57BL/6J mice and hybrid F1 mice were fed low dietary protein (4% casein) or normal dietary protein (26% casein), with 50 mice in each of the six subgroups. For individual mice within subgroups, growth rate was negatively related to longevity; i.e., the slower the rate of growth the greater the life-span. Between subgroups, the longer the mean growth duration, the longer the mean lifespan. Positive relationships were obtained within subgroups for peak body weight and longevity. It is concluded that, for mice, slowing the rate of growth and increasing growth duration results in a significant increase in the life-span, and the life-span increment is not related to high peak body weight since high body weight, per se, was not correlated with life-span.", "PMID": 627702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7111", "title": "Serum testosterone and testicular response to HCG in young and aged male rats.", "content": "Serum testosterone and testicular response to HCG was measured in young (3 - 6 mo) and aged (20 - 30 mo) male Long-Evans rats. Serum testosterone was measured by radioimmunoassays on serial blood samples taken before and after injections of HCG. Control group serum testosterone concentrations were lower in aged compared to young groups. Intravenous injection of 1, 5, and 20 IU of HCG increased serum testosterone in both age groups and testosterone remained elevated throughout the 150-min sampling interval. The increase in serum testosterone concentrations following acute HCG stimulation was greater in young than in aged rats. Serum testosterone concentrations and testicular response to intravenous HCG injections were increased to similar levels in young and aged male rats following 7 days of daily subcutaneous injections of 5 IU of HCG/100 gm bw. These data suggest that while testicular secretion and responsiveness is reduced with age, the aged male rat retains the capacity to secrete more testosterone than it normally maintains.", "contents": "Serum testosterone and testicular response to HCG in young and aged male rats. Serum testosterone and testicular response to HCG was measured in young (3 - 6 mo) and aged (20 - 30 mo) male Long-Evans rats. Serum testosterone was measured by radioimmunoassays on serial blood samples taken before and after injections of HCG. Control group serum testosterone concentrations were lower in aged compared to young groups. Intravenous injection of 1, 5, and 20 IU of HCG increased serum testosterone in both age groups and testosterone remained elevated throughout the 150-min sampling interval. The increase in serum testosterone concentrations following acute HCG stimulation was greater in young than in aged rats. Serum testosterone concentrations and testicular response to intravenous HCG injections were increased to similar levels in young and aged male rats following 7 days of daily subcutaneous injections of 5 IU of HCG/100 gm bw. These data suggest that while testicular secretion and responsiveness is reduced with age, the aged male rat retains the capacity to secrete more testosterone than it normally maintains.", "PMID": 627703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7112", "title": "Effect of sodium fluoride, inorganic phosphate, and oxymetholone therapies in osteoporosis: a six-year progress report.", "content": "Elderly osteoporotic males treated with sodium fluoride or inorganic phosphate for 4 years plus 2 years of follow-up observations exhibited a mean but not significant decrease in the rate of bone mass loss in comparison with those receiving oxymetholone or a placebo. No hip fractures occurred in the patients who received fluoride, while 11 hip fractures occurred in the patients in the phosphate, oxymetholone, and control groups. Because the densitometric trends and fracture incidence are impressive, the progress of all subjects will be followed for an additional 4 years.", "contents": "Effect of sodium fluoride, inorganic phosphate, and oxymetholone therapies in osteoporosis: a six-year progress report. Elderly osteoporotic males treated with sodium fluoride or inorganic phosphate for 4 years plus 2 years of follow-up observations exhibited a mean but not significant decrease in the rate of bone mass loss in comparison with those receiving oxymetholone or a placebo. No hip fractures occurred in the patients who received fluoride, while 11 hip fractures occurred in the patients in the phosphate, oxymetholone, and control groups. Because the densitometric trends and fracture incidence are impressive, the progress of all subjects will be followed for an additional 4 years.", "PMID": 627704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7113", "title": "Effect of aging on the peripheral blood lymphocyte count.", "content": "Analysis of 1684 inpatient and 884 outpatient peripheral blood counts revealed the following: (1) The absolute lymphocyte count declines sharply from 5000/microletre to 2000/microletre in the first two decades, remains constant for three decades, then declines at an accelerated rate beginning in the 40s, to reach 1500/microletre at age 90. (2) The absolute granulocyte count does not show age-dependent variation, remaining essentially constant throughout life. (3) The values of absolute lymphocytes are indistinguishable for ambulatory or hospitalized subjects except for higher absolute lymphocyte counts in hospitalized children in the first decade. (4) The data support other evidence for declining cellular and humoral immunity in aging man.", "contents": "Effect of aging on the peripheral blood lymphocyte count. Analysis of 1684 inpatient and 884 outpatient peripheral blood counts revealed the following: (1) The absolute lymphocyte count declines sharply from 5000/microletre to 2000/microletre in the first two decades, remains constant for three decades, then declines at an accelerated rate beginning in the 40s, to reach 1500/microletre at age 90. (2) The absolute granulocyte count does not show age-dependent variation, remaining essentially constant throughout life. (3) The values of absolute lymphocytes are indistinguishable for ambulatory or hospitalized subjects except for higher absolute lymphocyte counts in hospitalized children in the first decade. (4) The data support other evidence for declining cellular and humoral immunity in aging man.", "PMID": 627705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7114", "title": "Modifiability of fluid intelligence in aging: a short-term longitudinal training approach.", "content": "The aim of this study was to examine to what degree fluid intelligence can be modified in aged subjects. The effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed to enhance one primary component of fluid intelligence, Figural Relations, was assessed by comparing the posttraining performances of 15 experimental and 15 control subjects (mean age: 69; age range 59-85) using a transfer paradigm and three posttraining assessments conducted approximately 1 week, 1 mo, and 6 mo following training. The post-training performance of the two groups was compared on three near (fluid intelligence) and one far (crystallized intelligence) transfer measures. A hierarchical pattern was predicted with the magnitude of training effects ordering themselves in descending order from near to far transfer measures. The training program was successful in enhancing performance on the fluid-nearest measure on all three posttests and for the next fluid-near measure on the first posttest. In addition, significant retest effects resulted which, however, were neither task-specific nor hierarchically ordered, but general and therefore indicative of ability-extraneous factors, such as test sophistication. The findings contribute to a position implying that intellectual performance in old age is more modifiable through short-term behavioral intervention than traditionally assumed.", "contents": "Modifiability of fluid intelligence in aging: a short-term longitudinal training approach. The aim of this study was to examine to what degree fluid intelligence can be modified in aged subjects. The effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed to enhance one primary component of fluid intelligence, Figural Relations, was assessed by comparing the posttraining performances of 15 experimental and 15 control subjects (mean age: 69; age range 59-85) using a transfer paradigm and three posttraining assessments conducted approximately 1 week, 1 mo, and 6 mo following training. The post-training performance of the two groups was compared on three near (fluid intelligence) and one far (crystallized intelligence) transfer measures. A hierarchical pattern was predicted with the magnitude of training effects ordering themselves in descending order from near to far transfer measures. The training program was successful in enhancing performance on the fluid-nearest measure on all three posttests and for the next fluid-near measure on the first posttest. In addition, significant retest effects resulted which, however, were neither task-specific nor hierarchically ordered, but general and therefore indicative of ability-extraneous factors, such as test sophistication. The findings contribute to a position implying that intellectual performance in old age is more modifiable through short-term behavioral intervention than traditionally assumed.", "PMID": 627706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7115", "title": "Orienting task effects on EDR and free recall in three age groups.", "content": "The present investigation was designed to examine the effects of orienting task-controlled processing on electrodermal response and free recall at two delay intervals for 94 young, 49 young-old (age 55 to 70), and 61 old-old (age 71 to 85) individuals. Subjects were presented with a list of 25 words and performed one of the following tasks: semantic, nonsemantic, or passive listening, presented in an incidental memory paradigm, or intentional memorization. Recall was obtained 2 min or 48 hours after list presentation. At the 2-min delay, the pattern of recall across tasks for the young-old and old-old subjects was similar to that of college students. Overall, the old-old recalled fewer words than the young and young-old, while the young-old recalled as many words as the young. After 48 hours, the task-related recall pattern was observed only in the young group. The skin conductance data indicated that task effects were similar across the three age groups and that response magnitude was lower in the old-old than the two younger groups. No differences in skin conductance were found between the young and young-old. Age differences in memory processing suggest that difficulties in delayed retrieval of semantically encoded words may increase during late adult years. Differences in electrodermal responses in the old-old compared to the young and young-old suggest that the range of autonomic responsivitiy to task demands may become restricted in advanced age.", "contents": "Orienting task effects on EDR and free recall in three age groups. The present investigation was designed to examine the effects of orienting task-controlled processing on electrodermal response and free recall at two delay intervals for 94 young, 49 young-old (age 55 to 70), and 61 old-old (age 71 to 85) individuals. Subjects were presented with a list of 25 words and performed one of the following tasks: semantic, nonsemantic, or passive listening, presented in an incidental memory paradigm, or intentional memorization. Recall was obtained 2 min or 48 hours after list presentation. At the 2-min delay, the pattern of recall across tasks for the young-old and old-old subjects was similar to that of college students. Overall, the old-old recalled fewer words than the young and young-old, while the young-old recalled as many words as the young. After 48 hours, the task-related recall pattern was observed only in the young group. The skin conductance data indicated that task effects were similar across the three age groups and that response magnitude was lower in the old-old than the two younger groups. No differences in skin conductance were found between the young and young-old. Age differences in memory processing suggest that difficulties in delayed retrieval of semantically encoded words may increase during late adult years. Differences in electrodermal responses in the old-old compared to the young and young-old suggest that the range of autonomic responsivitiy to task demands may become restricted in advanced age.", "PMID": 627707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7116", "title": "Evaluation of job applicants: the effects of age versus success.", "content": "177 participants evaluated female job applicants on the basis of a transcript of a job interview. One-half of the participants were told that the applicant was 63, one-half that the applicant was 24. Success or failure in obtaining the job was also manipulated. In addition, participants' scores on an attitude scale were compared to their assessment of the job applicants. There were no clear differences in evaluation of young and old applicants. Scores on the attitude scale were also unrelated to these evaluations. However, female participants rated the older applicants more positively than did males. In addition, knowledge of the outcome of the interview affected ratings. Regardless of age, people who were hired were rated more positively than those who were not. These results are disucssed in terms of implications for future studies of attitudes toward the elderly.", "contents": "Evaluation of job applicants: the effects of age versus success. 177 participants evaluated female job applicants on the basis of a transcript of a job interview. One-half of the participants were told that the applicant was 63, one-half that the applicant was 24. Success or failure in obtaining the job was also manipulated. In addition, participants' scores on an attitude scale were compared to their assessment of the job applicants. There were no clear differences in evaluation of young and old applicants. Scores on the attitude scale were also unrelated to these evaluations. However, female participants rated the older applicants more positively than did males. In addition, knowledge of the outcome of the interview affected ratings. Regardless of age, people who were hired were rated more positively than those who were not. These results are disucssed in terms of implications for future studies of attitudes toward the elderly.", "PMID": 627708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7117", "title": "Retirement reorientation: senior adult education.", "content": "Senior Adult Educational Programs are being implemented widely as an avenue to social reorientation and greater fulfillment after retirement. Although this investigation of one program reveals limited impact on the SMSA, the findings do indicate successful retirement adjustment for program participants. The average enrollee is white, middle-class, Protestant and female, and living in close proximity to the Community College campus where the program is based. The data indicate that participation in the Senior Adult Education Program eases the transition from the primary occupational role into the retirement role. Intergenerational social distance appears to be minimal between older and younger college students, thus facilitating the sharing of a common campus.", "contents": "Retirement reorientation: senior adult education. Senior Adult Educational Programs are being implemented widely as an avenue to social reorientation and greater fulfillment after retirement. Although this investigation of one program reveals limited impact on the SMSA, the findings do indicate successful retirement adjustment for program participants. The average enrollee is white, middle-class, Protestant and female, and living in close proximity to the Community College campus where the program is based. The data indicate that participation in the Senior Adult Education Program eases the transition from the primary occupational role into the retirement role. Intergenerational social distance appears to be minimal between older and younger college students, thus facilitating the sharing of a common campus.", "PMID": 627709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7118", "title": "Liberalizing the social security retirement test; who would receive the increased pension benefits?", "content": "The article examines the distributional impact of liberalizing the social security retirement test. The results of simulations that explore ten liberalization alternatives are presented. The distribution of pension benefit gains from liberalization of the test are determined for the aged who were affected by the test in 1972. The relative costs of various liberalization alternatives are compared with complete abolition of the test.", "contents": "Liberalizing the social security retirement test; who would receive the increased pension benefits? The article examines the distributional impact of liberalizing the social security retirement test. The results of simulations that explore ten liberalization alternatives are presented. The distribution of pension benefit gains from liberalization of the test are determined for the aged who were affected by the test in 1972. The relative costs of various liberalization alternatives are compared with complete abolition of the test.", "PMID": 627710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7119", "title": "Survival after early and normal retirement.", "content": "This paper describes an epidemiological study of the patterns and correlates of survival after early (age 62 to 64) and normal retirement (age 65) among 3,971 U.S. rubber tire workers. For the two companies, death rates were significantly elevated during the first, fourth, and fifth years after early retirement. Among normal retirees, elevations in death rates occurred during the third or fourth years after retirement in Company B and Company A, respectively. When the experiences of both companies were combined, no significant mortality excesses were observed. Comparisons of deaths (cases) within 5 years of retirement with survivors (controls) showed that pre-retirement health status was the only significant predictor of survival after early retirement. Among normal retirees, lower status workers were more likely to die within 3 years of retirement than higher status workers, who were more prominent among deaths 4 to 5 years after retirement. Risks of dying were greater among normal retirees with a history of repeated medical and nonmedical absences.", "contents": "Survival after early and normal retirement. This paper describes an epidemiological study of the patterns and correlates of survival after early (age 62 to 64) and normal retirement (age 65) among 3,971 U.S. rubber tire workers. For the two companies, death rates were significantly elevated during the first, fourth, and fifth years after early retirement. Among normal retirees, elevations in death rates occurred during the third or fourth years after retirement in Company B and Company A, respectively. When the experiences of both companies were combined, no significant mortality excesses were observed. Comparisons of deaths (cases) within 5 years of retirement with survivors (controls) showed that pre-retirement health status was the only significant predictor of survival after early retirement. Among normal retirees, lower status workers were more likely to die within 3 years of retirement than higher status workers, who were more prominent among deaths 4 to 5 years after retirement. Risks of dying were greater among normal retirees with a history of repeated medical and nonmedical absences.", "PMID": 627711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7120", "title": "Organizational position and perceptions of problems in a nursing home.", "content": "This paper examines perceptions of problems expressed by persons living and working in a 100-bed skilled nursing home. Data were obtained from administrative staff, professional and nonprofessional nursing staffs, therapy staff, auxiliary staff, and residents by means of interview, observation, and analyses of records. The relationship between perceptions of problems and location within the organization and the scope and content of roles played was studied. We sought to ascertain the extent to which members agree or disagree with one another as to what are problems, to locate areas of agreement and disagreement, and to relate the results to the broader issue of the quality of care provided elderly institutionalized persons. Position and associated roles of members were found to be related to perceptions of problems. Differential perceptions of the numbers of problems and their priority were observed. Some problems were mentioned more frequently than others. Perceptions of problems varied both within and between organizational units. A person's location within the nursing home was related to the identification of problems as important and the frequency with which different problems were mentioned.", "contents": "Organizational position and perceptions of problems in a nursing home. This paper examines perceptions of problems expressed by persons living and working in a 100-bed skilled nursing home. Data were obtained from administrative staff, professional and nonprofessional nursing staffs, therapy staff, auxiliary staff, and residents by means of interview, observation, and analyses of records. The relationship between perceptions of problems and location within the organization and the scope and content of roles played was studied. We sought to ascertain the extent to which members agree or disagree with one another as to what are problems, to locate areas of agreement and disagreement, and to relate the results to the broader issue of the quality of care provided elderly institutionalized persons. Position and associated roles of members were found to be related to perceptions of problems. Differential perceptions of the numbers of problems and their priority were observed. Some problems were mentioned more frequently than others. Perceptions of problems varied both within and between organizational units. A person's location within the nursing home was related to the identification of problems as important and the frequency with which different problems were mentioned.", "PMID": 627712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7121", "title": "Return migration of the elderly in the USA: 1955-1960 and 1965-1970.", "content": "This paper reports on changes in the volume and rate of return migration among the population aged 65 and over in the USA for the periods 1955-1960 and 1965-1970. Based on the earlier findings of Long and Hansen and of Eldridge, it is not surprising to find that return migration is not primarily a movement of persons returning to their place of birth to retire. Only about 5% of all return migrants in the USA are of retirement age. Return migration is more important in the migration stream of the elderly than in the total migration stream, and the rate of return migration increased at a greater rate for older persons than it did for the population as a whole.", "contents": "Return migration of the elderly in the USA: 1955-1960 and 1965-1970. This paper reports on changes in the volume and rate of return migration among the population aged 65 and over in the USA for the periods 1955-1960 and 1965-1970. Based on the earlier findings of Long and Hansen and of Eldridge, it is not surprising to find that return migration is not primarily a movement of persons returning to their place of birth to retire. Only about 5% of all return migrants in the USA are of retirement age. Return migration is more important in the migration stream of the elderly than in the total migration stream, and the rate of return migration increased at a greater rate for older persons than it did for the population as a whole.", "PMID": 627713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7122", "title": "Alterations in intramembrane particle distribution during interaction of erythrocyte-bound ligands with immunoprotein receptors.", "content": "Freeze fracture studies have been performed on rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages and a nonphagocytic murine lymphoblastoid cell line, PU-5 Fc+, incubated with sheep erythrocytes, sheep erythrocyte-IgG Forssman antibody complex, sheep erythrocyte-IgG Forssman antibody-C complexes and aggregated IgG. Alveolar macrophages show redistribution of intramembrane particles after interaction with (EIgG) and E(IgM)C. The murine lymphoblastoid cell line shows intramembrane particle redistribution consequential to binding of E(IgG) and aggregated IgG. The results demonstrate that after specific immunoprotein receptor-ligand interaction, there is extensive plasma membrane reorganization which results in a redistribution and loss of intramembrane particles. Changes are observed in the protoplasmic face of the plasma membrane after the binding of ligand to the outer membrane surface. The findings suggest that interaction of erthrocyte-bound ligands with specific lymphoid and macrophage plasma membrane receptors leads to a generalized redistribution of integral membrane components in the membrane.", "contents": "Alterations in intramembrane particle distribution during interaction of erythrocyte-bound ligands with immunoprotein receptors. Freeze fracture studies have been performed on rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages and a nonphagocytic murine lymphoblastoid cell line, PU-5 Fc+, incubated with sheep erythrocytes, sheep erythrocyte-IgG Forssman antibody complex, sheep erythrocyte-IgG Forssman antibody-C complexes and aggregated IgG. Alveolar macrophages show redistribution of intramembrane particles after interaction with (EIgG) and E(IgM)C. The murine lymphoblastoid cell line shows intramembrane particle redistribution consequential to binding of E(IgG) and aggregated IgG. The results demonstrate that after specific immunoprotein receptor-ligand interaction, there is extensive plasma membrane reorganization which results in a redistribution and loss of intramembrane particles. Changes are observed in the protoplasmic face of the plasma membrane after the binding of ligand to the outer membrane surface. The findings suggest that interaction of erthrocyte-bound ligands with specific lymphoid and macrophage plasma membrane receptors leads to a generalized redistribution of integral membrane components in the membrane.", "PMID": 627715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7123", "title": "Colonic basophil hypersensitivity.", "content": "Contact hypersensitivity reactions were elicited by intraluminal application of DNCB to the colon of guinea pigs and were found sometimes to contain large infiltrates of basophils. These colonic basophil hypersensitivity reactions were accompanied by systemic sensitization and were not seen in nonspecific colonic inflammatory responses induced by croton oil. The heterogenous immune inflammatory responses induced in the colon by DNCB contact sensitivity may serve as a model for the study of inflammatory bowel disease.", "contents": "Colonic basophil hypersensitivity. Contact hypersensitivity reactions were elicited by intraluminal application of DNCB to the colon of guinea pigs and were found sometimes to contain large infiltrates of basophils. These colonic basophil hypersensitivity reactions were accompanied by systemic sensitization and were not seen in nonspecific colonic inflammatory responses induced by croton oil. The heterogenous immune inflammatory responses induced in the colon by DNCB contact sensitivity may serve as a model for the study of inflammatory bowel disease.", "PMID": 627717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7124", "title": "Functional and biochemical properties of the early classical complement system of mice.", "content": "Mouse serum and EDTA plasma were subjected to low ionicity precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography in an attempt to purify C1, C4, and C2 to functional and chemical homogeneity. In marked contrast to human and guinea pig components, those of the mouse could not be separated by these techniques. Except for partial separation of C1 from C4 and C2 on DE-52 cellulose columuns with EDTA in the eluting buffers, there was no separation of those three components on ion exchange chromatographic columns. Sephadex G-200 gel filtration columns, or with precipitation of euglobulins from serum or plasma. Generation of EAC142 by incubation of EA in whole serum followed first order kinetics when mouse serum was used and second (or greater) order kinetics when human or guinea pig sera were used. Generation of EAC142 by incubation of EA in whole mouse serum followed by incubation in EDTA containing buffers resulted in rapid loss of all three activities from the cell. These experiments indicated that there were significant differences between the early classical C system of mice and those of human and guinea pig. In addition, they indicated that under a variety of in vitro conditions, murine C1, C4, and C2 behaved biochemically and functionally as a unit. The reasons for the major differences in behavior of the murine C components with not become clear until methods to stabilize their function are found so that they can survive multiple purification steps.", "contents": "Functional and biochemical properties of the early classical complement system of mice. Mouse serum and EDTA plasma were subjected to low ionicity precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography in an attempt to purify C1, C4, and C2 to functional and chemical homogeneity. In marked contrast to human and guinea pig components, those of the mouse could not be separated by these techniques. Except for partial separation of C1 from C4 and C2 on DE-52 cellulose columuns with EDTA in the eluting buffers, there was no separation of those three components on ion exchange chromatographic columns. Sephadex G-200 gel filtration columns, or with precipitation of euglobulins from serum or plasma. Generation of EAC142 by incubation of EA in whole serum followed first order kinetics when mouse serum was used and second (or greater) order kinetics when human or guinea pig sera were used. Generation of EAC142 by incubation of EA in whole mouse serum followed by incubation in EDTA containing buffers resulted in rapid loss of all three activities from the cell. These experiments indicated that there were significant differences between the early classical C system of mice and those of human and guinea pig. In addition, they indicated that under a variety of in vitro conditions, murine C1, C4, and C2 behaved biochemically and functionally as a unit. The reasons for the major differences in behavior of the murine C components with not become clear until methods to stabilize their function are found so that they can survive multiple purification steps.", "PMID": 627718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7125", "title": "Autochthonous, allogeneic, and exenogeneic cells as targets for vaccinia immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity.", "content": "The cytotoxicity of vaccinia-immune rabbit spleen cells against autochthonous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic vaccinia-infected target cells was studied by using the 51Cr release assay. The results showed that whereas effector cells from rabbit spleen could not lyse the xenogeneic target cells, there was no consistent difference in lysis of autochthonous and allogeneic targets. Antibody-mediated cytotoxicity showed the resistance to cell-mediated lysis in this system not to be the result to reduced virus antigen on the cell surface. The data also showed the established cell line RK13 eas markedly more sensitive to immune spleen cell lysis than short-term rabbit skin fibroblast cultures. The data suggested that it is possible to develop standardized tests to evaluate cell-mediated immunity to virus infections in a noinbred population.", "contents": "Autochthonous, allogeneic, and exenogeneic cells as targets for vaccinia immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity of vaccinia-immune rabbit spleen cells against autochthonous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic vaccinia-infected target cells was studied by using the 51Cr release assay. The results showed that whereas effector cells from rabbit spleen could not lyse the xenogeneic target cells, there was no consistent difference in lysis of autochthonous and allogeneic targets. Antibody-mediated cytotoxicity showed the resistance to cell-mediated lysis in this system not to be the result to reduced virus antigen on the cell surface. The data also showed the established cell line RK13 eas markedly more sensitive to immune spleen cell lysis than short-term rabbit skin fibroblast cultures. The data suggested that it is possible to develop standardized tests to evaluate cell-mediated immunity to virus infections in a noinbred population.", "PMID": 627720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7126", "title": "The selective binding of aggregated IgG to lipid A-rich bacterial lipopolysaccharides.", "content": "To explore the mechanism by which certain bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) enhance platelet stimulation by aggregated IgG, we studied potential interactions between the two ligands. Lipid A or the lipid A-rich LPS from Salmonella minnesota R595 (LPS R595) selectively increased the sedimentation of aggregated rather than monomer IgG in sucrose density gradients. Insolubilized IgG aggregates adsorbed LPS R595 from solution. These two experiments suggested binding of IgG aggregates to LPS R595 or lipid A and this was confirmed by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation studies. The presence of R595 LPS shifted the equilibrium density profile of aggregated IgG from its usual equilibrium density at 1.30 g/ml to a new position superimposable with that of the LPS R595. The possibility that a selective binding of IgG aggregates to LPS may represent a fundamental mechanism of the action of LPS on cellular mediation systems is proposed.", "contents": "The selective binding of aggregated IgG to lipid A-rich bacterial lipopolysaccharides. To explore the mechanism by which certain bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) enhance platelet stimulation by aggregated IgG, we studied potential interactions between the two ligands. Lipid A or the lipid A-rich LPS from Salmonella minnesota R595 (LPS R595) selectively increased the sedimentation of aggregated rather than monomer IgG in sucrose density gradients. Insolubilized IgG aggregates adsorbed LPS R595 from solution. These two experiments suggested binding of IgG aggregates to LPS R595 or lipid A and this was confirmed by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation studies. The presence of R595 LPS shifted the equilibrium density profile of aggregated IgG from its usual equilibrium density at 1.30 g/ml to a new position superimposable with that of the LPS R595. The possibility that a selective binding of IgG aggregates to LPS may represent a fundamental mechanism of the action of LPS on cellular mediation systems is proposed.", "PMID": 627721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7127", "title": "Defective tumoricidal capacity of macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice.", "content": "Peritoneal macrophages from C3H/HeN mice treated i.p. with T cell mitogens or viable BCG organisms were cytotoxic to syngeneic tumor cells in vitro. Macrophages from endotoxin-unresponsive C3H/HeJ mice treated with BCG or T cell mitogens, however, were not tumoricidal. Furthermore, unlike cells from C3H/HeN mice, macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice could not be activated for tumor cytotoxicity after in vitro treatment with bacterial endotoxins or with lymphokine-rich supernatants. The subnormal induction of cytotoxic macrophages after in vitro or in vivo treatments in C3H/HeJ mice appears to be a highly selective defect. Macrophage responses (yield, phagocytosis, or peroxidase staining) in inflammatory exudates induced by BCG, T cell mitogens, or heterologous serum in C3H/HeJ or C3H/HeN mice were identical. C3H/HeJ macrophages also responded normally in vitor to chemotactic lymphokines. Thus, C3H/HeJ macrophages possess a profound and selective defect in tumoricidal capacity. This defect was not dependent upon exogenous endotoxins. Defective macrophage cytotoxic responses may reflect non-LPS related functions regulated by the LPS gene.", "contents": "Defective tumoricidal capacity of macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice. Peritoneal macrophages from C3H/HeN mice treated i.p. with T cell mitogens or viable BCG organisms were cytotoxic to syngeneic tumor cells in vitro. Macrophages from endotoxin-unresponsive C3H/HeJ mice treated with BCG or T cell mitogens, however, were not tumoricidal. Furthermore, unlike cells from C3H/HeN mice, macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice could not be activated for tumor cytotoxicity after in vitro treatment with bacterial endotoxins or with lymphokine-rich supernatants. The subnormal induction of cytotoxic macrophages after in vitro or in vivo treatments in C3H/HeJ mice appears to be a highly selective defect. Macrophage responses (yield, phagocytosis, or peroxidase staining) in inflammatory exudates induced by BCG, T cell mitogens, or heterologous serum in C3H/HeJ or C3H/HeN mice were identical. C3H/HeJ macrophages also responded normally in vitor to chemotactic lymphokines. Thus, C3H/HeJ macrophages possess a profound and selective defect in tumoricidal capacity. This defect was not dependent upon exogenous endotoxins. Defective macrophage cytotoxic responses may reflect non-LPS related functions regulated by the LPS gene.", "PMID": 627723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7128", "title": "Lymphocyte cytotoxicity in x-irradiation-induced rat small bowel adenocarcinoma. III. Blocking by 3 M KCL extract.", "content": "Hypertonic salt extracts (3 M KCl) of x-irradiation-induced Holtzman rat small bowel adenocarcinomas blocked the in vitro destruction of allogeneic cultured cells of this malignancy by sensitized lymphoid cells obtained from tumor-bearing animals. The protective effect were mediated by a blocking action at both the effector and the target cell level. The extracts were separated into 50% ammonium sulfate soluble and insoluble fractions with the soluble fraction being more effective in blocking the cytotoxic responses through interaction with the lymphoid cells whereas the insoluble one had a greater effect upon tumor target cells. Associated with both fractions was the oncofetal glycoprotein previously identified with the cellular membrane of this x-ray-induced malignancy. Immunoglobulins were identified with insoluble fraction; some were able to bind the oncofetal protein, thus clasifying it as a fetal antigen. The protective effects of the soluble fraction and this neoantigen were found to be citric acid labile, whereas the effects due to the insoluble fraction were unchanged.", "contents": "Lymphocyte cytotoxicity in x-irradiation-induced rat small bowel adenocarcinoma. III. Blocking by 3 M KCL extract. Hypertonic salt extracts (3 M KCl) of x-irradiation-induced Holtzman rat small bowel adenocarcinomas blocked the in vitro destruction of allogeneic cultured cells of this malignancy by sensitized lymphoid cells obtained from tumor-bearing animals. The protective effect were mediated by a blocking action at both the effector and the target cell level. The extracts were separated into 50% ammonium sulfate soluble and insoluble fractions with the soluble fraction being more effective in blocking the cytotoxic responses through interaction with the lymphoid cells whereas the insoluble one had a greater effect upon tumor target cells. Associated with both fractions was the oncofetal glycoprotein previously identified with the cellular membrane of this x-ray-induced malignancy. Immunoglobulins were identified with insoluble fraction; some were able to bind the oncofetal protein, thus clasifying it as a fetal antigen. The protective effects of the soluble fraction and this neoantigen were found to be citric acid labile, whereas the effects due to the insoluble fraction were unchanged.", "PMID": 627724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7129", "title": "Responses of human platelets to immunologic stimuli: independent roles for complement and IgG in zymosan activation.", "content": "Analysis of the zymosan (Z)-induced human platelet response with washed platelets, fresh agammaglobulinemic plasma, and purified human IgG has identified a previously unrecognized role of IgG in this reaction, in addition to the previously reported requirements for C and fibrinogen. The rate-limiting step involves the assembly of C components on the Z particles and is independent of immunoglobulin. After the heat-labile components (supplied by agammaglobulinemic plasma) are Z bound, Z-specific IgG (apparently antibody) can bind to Z very rapidly, conferring on the previously inactive Z-complement-fibrinogen intermediate the capacity to induce platelet aggregation and serotonin release. The critical function of this Z-bound IgG appears to be in the interaction of the active Z complex with the platelet through Fc receptors, since soluble Fc fragments of each IgG subclass can totally block platelet activation. It is proposed that the human platelet requires a dual, or multi-site, stimulation to become activated during some forms of immunologic injury. These findings may provide some insight into clinical syndromes involving thrombocytopenia and intravascular coagulation during sepsis.", "contents": "Responses of human platelets to immunologic stimuli: independent roles for complement and IgG in zymosan activation. Analysis of the zymosan (Z)-induced human platelet response with washed platelets, fresh agammaglobulinemic plasma, and purified human IgG has identified a previously unrecognized role of IgG in this reaction, in addition to the previously reported requirements for C and fibrinogen. The rate-limiting step involves the assembly of C components on the Z particles and is independent of immunoglobulin. After the heat-labile components (supplied by agammaglobulinemic plasma) are Z bound, Z-specific IgG (apparently antibody) can bind to Z very rapidly, conferring on the previously inactive Z-complement-fibrinogen intermediate the capacity to induce platelet aggregation and serotonin release. The critical function of this Z-bound IgG appears to be in the interaction of the active Z complex with the platelet through Fc receptors, since soluble Fc fragments of each IgG subclass can totally block platelet activation. It is proposed that the human platelet requires a dual, or multi-site, stimulation to become activated during some forms of immunologic injury. These findings may provide some insight into clinical syndromes involving thrombocytopenia and intravascular coagulation during sepsis.", "PMID": 627728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7130", "title": "Antibody response and tumor growth in syngeneic mice immunized to partially purified B16 melanoma-associated antigens.", "content": "Soluble murine melanoma-associated antigens (MAA), partially purified from the media of B16 melanoma cells in culture by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G-200 chromatography, were tested for their effect on tumor growth. MAA were immunogenic in syngenic mice as evidenced by their ability to induce anti-melanoma antibodies and partial protective tumor immunity. The level of immunity was variable. It ranged from retardation of tumor development to almost complete suppression of tumor growth. The results were influenced by the nature of the control group, since immunization to either normal tissue antigens or complete Freund's adjuvant enhanced tumor growth. Overall, 46 of 91 MAA immunized mice, but none of 114 control mice, survived over 6 weeks (p less than 0.001). The protective immunity was specific since MAA immunized mice were not resistant to challenge with an unrelated syngeneic tumor (BW 10232 ADENOCARCINOMA). Partially purified normal tissue antigens were also immunogenic in syngeneic mice. They induced low levels of antibodies to, and enhanced the growth of, melanoma. These findings indicate that the culture media of melanoma cells contains tumor antigens that retain their biologic activity after partial purification, and that can induce specific, although only partial, protective immunity to melanoma.", "contents": "Antibody response and tumor growth in syngeneic mice immunized to partially purified B16 melanoma-associated antigens. Soluble murine melanoma-associated antigens (MAA), partially purified from the media of B16 melanoma cells in culture by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G-200 chromatography, were tested for their effect on tumor growth. MAA were immunogenic in syngenic mice as evidenced by their ability to induce anti-melanoma antibodies and partial protective tumor immunity. The level of immunity was variable. It ranged from retardation of tumor development to almost complete suppression of tumor growth. The results were influenced by the nature of the control group, since immunization to either normal tissue antigens or complete Freund's adjuvant enhanced tumor growth. Overall, 46 of 91 MAA immunized mice, but none of 114 control mice, survived over 6 weeks (p less than 0.001). The protective immunity was specific since MAA immunized mice were not resistant to challenge with an unrelated syngeneic tumor (BW 10232 ADENOCARCINOMA). Partially purified normal tissue antigens were also immunogenic in syngeneic mice. They induced low levels of antibodies to, and enhanced the growth of, melanoma. These findings indicate that the culture media of melanoma cells contains tumor antigens that retain their biologic activity after partial purification, and that can induce specific, although only partial, protective immunity to melanoma.", "PMID": 627729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7131", "title": "A method for testing for synergy with any number of agents.", "content": "The standard checkerboard titration for detecting synergy between antibiotics is practicable for combinations of two antibiotics, laborious for combinations of three, and not feasible for combinations of four or more. Nevertheless, methods for testing of combinations of several antibiotics are urgently needed because some combinations might be superior to those in use and enable the successful treatment of infections resistant to current therapy. A simple method for measurement of synergy (or antagonism) with combinations of any number of agents has been developed which requires less effort than the standard checkerboard titration of two agents. With this method, the concentrations of each of n agents producing some specified effect (such as minimal inhibitory concentration or minimal bactericidal concentration) are determined. A reference combination made up of 1/n of each of these concentrations is titrated to find a dilution that produces the specified effect. The degree of dilution required is equal to the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (concentration of each agent in combination/concentration of each agent alone) as conventionally determined by checkerboard titrations; sums of less than 1, 1, and greater than 1 indicate synergy, additivity, and antagonism, respectively.", "contents": "A method for testing for synergy with any number of agents. The standard checkerboard titration for detecting synergy between antibiotics is practicable for combinations of two antibiotics, laborious for combinations of three, and not feasible for combinations of four or more. Nevertheless, methods for testing of combinations of several antibiotics are urgently needed because some combinations might be superior to those in use and enable the successful treatment of infections resistant to current therapy. A simple method for measurement of synergy (or antagonism) with combinations of any number of agents has been developed which requires less effort than the standard checkerboard titration of two agents. With this method, the concentrations of each of n agents producing some specified effect (such as minimal inhibitory concentration or minimal bactericidal concentration) are determined. A reference combination made up of 1/n of each of these concentrations is titrated to find a dilution that produces the specified effect. The degree of dilution required is equal to the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (concentration of each agent in combination/concentration of each agent alone) as conventionally determined by checkerboard titrations; sums of less than 1, 1, and greater than 1 indicate synergy, additivity, and antagonism, respectively.", "PMID": 627734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7132", "title": "Experimental osteomyelitis. V. Therapeutic trials with oxacillin and sisomicin alone and in combination.", "content": "Oxacillin was used alone and in combination with sisomicin in the treatment of experimental osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits. Within diseased bone, levels of oxacillin and sisomicin remained higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration for 2 and 6 hr, respectively, after injection of 50 mg of oxacillin/kg and 10 mg of sisomicin/kg. Treatment with 50 mg of oxacillin/kg four times daily or 50 mg/kg every 4 hr around the clock for 28 days sterilized 30% of the rabbit bones. Sisomicin (10 mg/kg) injected twice daily for 28 days sterilized only 5% of the rabbit bones. In contrast, treatment with the combination of oxacillin and sisomicin for either 14 or 28 days was significantly more effective, sterilizing 78% and 85%, respectively, of the bones of treated animals. S. Aureus isolated from bones of animals treated with sisomicin alone contained aminoglycoside-resistant microcolonies. Resistant microcolonies were not recovered from animals treated with oxacillin or with the combination of oxacillin plus sisomicin. In vitro studies of bacterial killing by each antibiotic alone and in combination showed more bacterial killing with the combination than with either agent alone; in vitro the combination prevented emergence of resistant microcolonies. Combination antibiotic therapy appears to be more effective in treatment of experimental osteomyelitis due to S. aureus than therapy with a single agent.", "contents": "Experimental osteomyelitis. V. Therapeutic trials with oxacillin and sisomicin alone and in combination. Oxacillin was used alone and in combination with sisomicin in the treatment of experimental osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits. Within diseased bone, levels of oxacillin and sisomicin remained higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration for 2 and 6 hr, respectively, after injection of 50 mg of oxacillin/kg and 10 mg of sisomicin/kg. Treatment with 50 mg of oxacillin/kg four times daily or 50 mg/kg every 4 hr around the clock for 28 days sterilized 30% of the rabbit bones. Sisomicin (10 mg/kg) injected twice daily for 28 days sterilized only 5% of the rabbit bones. In contrast, treatment with the combination of oxacillin and sisomicin for either 14 or 28 days was significantly more effective, sterilizing 78% and 85%, respectively, of the bones of treated animals. S. Aureus isolated from bones of animals treated with sisomicin alone contained aminoglycoside-resistant microcolonies. Resistant microcolonies were not recovered from animals treated with oxacillin or with the combination of oxacillin plus sisomicin. In vitro studies of bacterial killing by each antibiotic alone and in combination showed more bacterial killing with the combination than with either agent alone; in vitro the combination prevented emergence of resistant microcolonies. Combination antibiotic therapy appears to be more effective in treatment of experimental osteomyelitis due to S. aureus than therapy with a single agent.", "PMID": 627735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7133", "title": "Repeated gonorrhea: an analysis of importance and risk factors.", "content": "This study was designed to assess the epidemiological importance of repeated infections due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and to analyze variables potentially associated with repeated gonorrhea. The retrospective analysis was of 7,347 patients seen during one year, and the prospective study was of a stratified randomly selected sample of 429 patients. The 492 retrospectively identified repeaters constituted 0.06% of the county population and 6.7% of the clinic population. The 492 repeaters had 21.6% of the cases of gonorrhea reported from the county and 29.4% of the cases reported from the clinic. The repeaters tended to be younger than those without repeated infection (P less than 0.001), male (62%), black (81.7%), and residents of areas of lower socioeconomic status than those who were not repeaters (P less than 0.001). Most repeaters (73.5%) had not graduated from high school. Repeaters did not have significantly greater numbers of sex partners (P greater than 0.05) or greater exposure to prostitutes or clients than those who did not have repeated infections and less frequently had sexual contact while symptomatic. Intensive follow-up of the small number of high-risk repeaters and their contacts could result in a major reduction in the number of reported cases of gonorrhea.", "contents": "Repeated gonorrhea: an analysis of importance and risk factors. This study was designed to assess the epidemiological importance of repeated infections due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae and to analyze variables potentially associated with repeated gonorrhea. The retrospective analysis was of 7,347 patients seen during one year, and the prospective study was of a stratified randomly selected sample of 429 patients. The 492 retrospectively identified repeaters constituted 0.06% of the county population and 6.7% of the clinic population. The 492 repeaters had 21.6% of the cases of gonorrhea reported from the county and 29.4% of the cases reported from the clinic. The repeaters tended to be younger than those without repeated infection (P less than 0.001), male (62%), black (81.7%), and residents of areas of lower socioeconomic status than those who were not repeaters (P less than 0.001). Most repeaters (73.5%) had not graduated from high school. Repeaters did not have significantly greater numbers of sex partners (P greater than 0.05) or greater exposure to prostitutes or clients than those who did not have repeated infections and less frequently had sexual contact while symptomatic. Intensive follow-up of the small number of high-risk repeaters and their contacts could result in a major reduction in the number of reported cases of gonorrhea.", "PMID": 627736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7134", "title": "Bacterial adherence to virus-infected cells: a cell culture model of bacterial superinfection.", "content": "MDCK cells (a line of stable canine kidney cells) infected with influenza A/NWS/33 virus (a neurotropic variant of the Wilson Smith strain) were tested with 18 selected bacterial species to determine whether mammalian cells become susceptible to bacterial adherence as a result of virus infection. Cell monolayers were washed and examined microscopically for adherence. Bacteria of only two of 18 species were seen to adhere to the infected cells: a group B Streptococcus and Streptococcus sanguis. Control monolayers were negative for adherence. Pretreatment of virus-infected cultures with mouse ascitic fluid containing antibody to influenza A virus completely blocked adherence of the bacteria. Further testing with the strains representative of the five serotypes of group B Streptococcus disclosed that adherence occurred with types Ia, Ic, and II, but not with types Ib and III.", "contents": "Bacterial adherence to virus-infected cells: a cell culture model of bacterial superinfection. MDCK cells (a line of stable canine kidney cells) infected with influenza A/NWS/33 virus (a neurotropic variant of the Wilson Smith strain) were tested with 18 selected bacterial species to determine whether mammalian cells become susceptible to bacterial adherence as a result of virus infection. Cell monolayers were washed and examined microscopically for adherence. Bacteria of only two of 18 species were seen to adhere to the infected cells: a group B Streptococcus and Streptococcus sanguis. Control monolayers were negative for adherence. Pretreatment of virus-infected cultures with mouse ascitic fluid containing antibody to influenza A virus completely blocked adherence of the bacteria. Further testing with the strains representative of the five serotypes of group B Streptococcus disclosed that adherence occurred with types Ia, Ic, and II, but not with types Ib and III.", "PMID": 627737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7135", "title": "Cyclic thrombocytopenia induced by a Rickettsia-like agent in dogs.", "content": "Hematologic manifestations and the ultrastructure of a platelet-specific microorganism isolated from a dog in Florida were studied. The agent was readily transmitted experimentally to adult dogs by intravenous inoculation with infected blood. Parasitemias and concomitant thrombocytopenias were cyclic in that both recurred within relatively constant periods of one to two weeks following experimental infections. Hemorrhage was not a manifestation of the disease even though thrombocytopenias were severe. Microorganisms were visualized by light and electron microscopy. They were observed only in platelets and were composed of single or multiple subunits (morula forms). The microorganisms were ultrastructurally very similar to those reported in Ehrlichia canis infections of dogs and Anaplasma marginale infections of cattle. Microorganisms were surrounded by single membranes which more or less conformed to the external surfaces of subunits that were surrounded by double membranes. From electron microscopic studies, it is suggested that these organisms be classified in the order Rickettsiales.", "contents": "Cyclic thrombocytopenia induced by a Rickettsia-like agent in dogs. Hematologic manifestations and the ultrastructure of a platelet-specific microorganism isolated from a dog in Florida were studied. The agent was readily transmitted experimentally to adult dogs by intravenous inoculation with infected blood. Parasitemias and concomitant thrombocytopenias were cyclic in that both recurred within relatively constant periods of one to two weeks following experimental infections. Hemorrhage was not a manifestation of the disease even though thrombocytopenias were severe. Microorganisms were visualized by light and electron microscopy. They were observed only in platelets and were composed of single or multiple subunits (morula forms). The microorganisms were ultrastructurally very similar to those reported in Ehrlichia canis infections of dogs and Anaplasma marginale infections of cattle. Microorganisms were surrounded by single membranes which more or less conformed to the external surfaces of subunits that were surrounded by double membranes. From electron microscopic studies, it is suggested that these organisms be classified in the order Rickettsiales.", "PMID": 627738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7136", "title": "Outcome of chronic active hepatitis: influence of histocompatibility antigens and triggering factors.", "content": "Twenty-five patients with chronic active hepatitis triggered by external factors (viruses or drugs) and 20 patients with cryptogenic chronic active hepatitis were studied for two to five years. The first group showed a significantly higher frequency of clinical and biochemical resolution at the end of the observation period than did the second group. The group with cryptogenic disease had a predominance of females carrying the histocompatibility antigen HLA-B8, whereas the group with virus- or drug-induced hepatitis did not differ from normal controls in regard to the distribution of HLA antigens. HLA-B8 and HLA-B12 were found in all but two patients in the group with cryptogenic hepatitis; this group of patients had elevated levels of gamma-globulin and autoantibodies in their sera more frequently than did the group with virus- or drug-induced disease. The results suggest that there are at least two types of chronic active hepatitis: one genetically determined, with signs of enhanced immunoreactivity and with a low degree of healing in five years; and another type triggered by external factors and without predisposing genetic factors. The data suggest that the clinical outcome is more favorable for patients with the second type of chronic active hepatitis.", "contents": "Outcome of chronic active hepatitis: influence of histocompatibility antigens and triggering factors. Twenty-five patients with chronic active hepatitis triggered by external factors (viruses or drugs) and 20 patients with cryptogenic chronic active hepatitis were studied for two to five years. The first group showed a significantly higher frequency of clinical and biochemical resolution at the end of the observation period than did the second group. The group with cryptogenic disease had a predominance of females carrying the histocompatibility antigen HLA-B8, whereas the group with virus- or drug-induced hepatitis did not differ from normal controls in regard to the distribution of HLA antigens. HLA-B8 and HLA-B12 were found in all but two patients in the group with cryptogenic hepatitis; this group of patients had elevated levels of gamma-globulin and autoantibodies in their sera more frequently than did the group with virus- or drug-induced disease. The results suggest that there are at least two types of chronic active hepatitis: one genetically determined, with signs of enhanced immunoreactivity and with a low degree of healing in five years; and another type triggered by external factors and without predisposing genetic factors. The data suggest that the clinical outcome is more favorable for patients with the second type of chronic active hepatitis.", "PMID": 627739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7137", "title": "Discrimination of hepatobiliary diseases by the evaluation of bromsulfophthalein blood kinetics.", "content": "Blood BSP kinetics was studied by compartmental analysis in 10 normal subjects, 11 cirrhotic patients, and nine patients suffering from obstructive jaundice. Plasma levels of both free and conjugated BSP were determined at different times after intravenous injection of a standard dose (5 mg/kg body weight) of the dye. A six-compartment model was found suitable for the correct evaluation of hepatobiliary function, but simpler models cannot be used in this respect. Some of the parameters of the model can be adequately evaluated in the studied measurement situation and are used to carry out a diagnostic discrimination; they are lambda21 (transfer constant from blood to liver cells), alpha1 (expression of both conjugating and excretory activity), and beta (related to the blood level of conjugated BSP). It is shown that the values of these parameters allow a fairly good separation among the three groups of subjects under study.", "contents": "Discrimination of hepatobiliary diseases by the evaluation of bromsulfophthalein blood kinetics. Blood BSP kinetics was studied by compartmental analysis in 10 normal subjects, 11 cirrhotic patients, and nine patients suffering from obstructive jaundice. Plasma levels of both free and conjugated BSP were determined at different times after intravenous injection of a standard dose (5 mg/kg body weight) of the dye. A six-compartment model was found suitable for the correct evaluation of hepatobiliary function, but simpler models cannot be used in this respect. Some of the parameters of the model can be adequately evaluated in the studied measurement situation and are used to carry out a diagnostic discrimination; they are lambda21 (transfer constant from blood to liver cells), alpha1 (expression of both conjugating and excretory activity), and beta (related to the blood level of conjugated BSP). It is shown that the values of these parameters allow a fairly good separation among the three groups of subjects under study.", "PMID": 627746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7138", "title": "Beh\u00e7et's disease: possible role of secretory component deficiency, synovial inclusions, and fibrinolytic abnormality in the various manifestations of the disease.", "content": "Detailed study of four patients with BD, four controls with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and 12 healthy controls has demonstrated markedly decreased levels of salivary SC in both its free and bound forms, and normal total protein concentration in BD salivas. In two BD patients, SC deficiency was also found in jejunal fluids. Depressed in vitro response of blood T cells to mitogens was also noted in BD. Levels of IgA in serum were normal, as well as total numbers of T cells and IgA-carrying B cells in blood. A fluid phase abnormality of the fibrinolytic system as tested by the clot lysis assay was demonstrated in the blood from BD patients. Studies of BD SF and synovial membrane by light and electron microscopy showed inclusions composed of degenerated neutrophils inside monocytes. Abnormalities of host defense mechanisms at the mucous membrane level due to SC deficiency, together with a systemic T cell functional defect and fibrinolytic abnormality, could be important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of recurrent mucosal ulcers and thrombosis in BD.", "contents": "Beh\u00e7et's disease: possible role of secretory component deficiency, synovial inclusions, and fibrinolytic abnormality in the various manifestations of the disease. Detailed study of four patients with BD, four controls with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and 12 healthy controls has demonstrated markedly decreased levels of salivary SC in both its free and bound forms, and normal total protein concentration in BD salivas. In two BD patients, SC deficiency was also found in jejunal fluids. Depressed in vitro response of blood T cells to mitogens was also noted in BD. Levels of IgA in serum were normal, as well as total numbers of T cells and IgA-carrying B cells in blood. A fluid phase abnormality of the fibrinolytic system as tested by the clot lysis assay was demonstrated in the blood from BD patients. Studies of BD SF and synovial membrane by light and electron microscopy showed inclusions composed of degenerated neutrophils inside monocytes. Abnormalities of host defense mechanisms at the mucous membrane level due to SC deficiency, together with a systemic T cell functional defect and fibrinolytic abnormality, could be important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of recurrent mucosal ulcers and thrombosis in BD.", "PMID": 627747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7139", "title": "Quantitative binding of penicillin G to tissue homogenates as determined with the preparative ultracentrifuge.", "content": "The preparative ultracentrifuge was used to determine quantitative binding of penicillin G to rabbit serum and homogenates of muscle, liver, kidney, bone, lung, spleen, brain, skin, heart, and pancreas. At 10 U/ml rabbit serum bound 46.7% of penicillin G, and all tissues bound 9.0% or less. The ultracentrifuge method was reliable and reproducible and eliminated problems encountered in other methods used to study antibiotic-tissue binding. The results demonstrate only minor extravascular binding of penicillin G and allow prediction of total achievable tissue levels from knowledge of the concentration of unbound drug in the serum at equilibrium and the fraction of drug bound to each tissue. The small amount of extravascular penicillin G- tissue binding found would be expected to lower predicted serum levels by only 3.1%.", "contents": "Quantitative binding of penicillin G to tissue homogenates as determined with the preparative ultracentrifuge. The preparative ultracentrifuge was used to determine quantitative binding of penicillin G to rabbit serum and homogenates of muscle, liver, kidney, bone, lung, spleen, brain, skin, heart, and pancreas. At 10 U/ml rabbit serum bound 46.7% of penicillin G, and all tissues bound 9.0% or less. The ultracentrifuge method was reliable and reproducible and eliminated problems encountered in other methods used to study antibiotic-tissue binding. The results demonstrate only minor extravascular binding of penicillin G and allow prediction of total achievable tissue levels from knowledge of the concentration of unbound drug in the serum at equilibrium and the fraction of drug bound to each tissue. The small amount of extravascular penicillin G- tissue binding found would be expected to lower predicted serum levels by only 3.1%.", "PMID": 627749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7140", "title": "Normalization of plasma glucose of unstable diabetes: studies under ambulatory, fed conditions with pumped intravenous insulin.", "content": "A program using continuously pumped IVI was devised to restore glycemia of unstable diabetes under ambulatory, fed conditions to that of nondiabetic subjects. Five patients with unstable diabetes were studied. The daily regimen consisted of four meals of equal carbohydrate, fat, and protein content taken at 8 A.M., 2 P.M., 8 P.M., and 2 A.M. and 1 hr of standardized exercise in the second postprandial hour (except after the 2 A.M. meal). Confirmation of physiologic replacement of insulin by the IVI program was possible because four patients had low insulin-binding antibodies and minimal distortion of serum IRI. Best glucose control was achieved by increasing the basal flow rate (mean, 0.15 mU/kg/min) 10-fold from 15 to 60 min after daytime meals and from 15 to 105 min after the 2 A.M. meal and doubling the basal rate overnight. Contrasted to the results with SCI, the IVI program significantly improved the mean blood glucose and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions. The IVI program restored the time to glucose peak and postprandial baseline glucose recovery to normal; the amplitude of glucose increase to peak remained somewhat greater than normal.", "contents": "Normalization of plasma glucose of unstable diabetes: studies under ambulatory, fed conditions with pumped intravenous insulin. A program using continuously pumped IVI was devised to restore glycemia of unstable diabetes under ambulatory, fed conditions to that of nondiabetic subjects. Five patients with unstable diabetes were studied. The daily regimen consisted of four meals of equal carbohydrate, fat, and protein content taken at 8 A.M., 2 P.M., 8 P.M., and 2 A.M. and 1 hr of standardized exercise in the second postprandial hour (except after the 2 A.M. meal). Confirmation of physiologic replacement of insulin by the IVI program was possible because four patients had low insulin-binding antibodies and minimal distortion of serum IRI. Best glucose control was achieved by increasing the basal flow rate (mean, 0.15 mU/kg/min) 10-fold from 15 to 60 min after daytime meals and from 15 to 105 min after the 2 A.M. meal and doubling the basal rate overnight. Contrasted to the results with SCI, the IVI program significantly improved the mean blood glucose and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions. The IVI program restored the time to glucose peak and postprandial baseline glucose recovery to normal; the amplitude of glucose increase to peak remained somewhat greater than normal.", "PMID": 627751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7141", "title": "Determinants of baroreflex sensitivity in man.", "content": "To determine the relationship of BRS to age, ACI, TPRI, and MBP, 61 male subjects, 19 to 65 years of age, whose MBP ranged from 77 to 134 mm Hg, were investigated. Partial correlative analysis was used to hold individual variables constant so that the effect of each on a given BRS relationship could be observed. An independent and significant relationship was observed between BRS and age; BRS and ACI correlated significantly through the influence of age, TPRI, and MBP; BRS and TPRI did not correlate; a significant BRS-MBP relationship existed through the influence of ACI. It was concluded that TPRI was not directly related to BRS and that the relationship of MBP to BRS was dependent on the influence of ACI whereas age was independently related to BRS.", "contents": "Determinants of baroreflex sensitivity in man. To determine the relationship of BRS to age, ACI, TPRI, and MBP, 61 male subjects, 19 to 65 years of age, whose MBP ranged from 77 to 134 mm Hg, were investigated. Partial correlative analysis was used to hold individual variables constant so that the effect of each on a given BRS relationship could be observed. An independent and significant relationship was observed between BRS and age; BRS and ACI correlated significantly through the influence of age, TPRI, and MBP; BRS and TPRI did not correlate; a significant BRS-MBP relationship existed through the influence of ACI. It was concluded that TPRI was not directly related to BRS and that the relationship of MBP to BRS was dependent on the influence of ACI whereas age was independently related to BRS.", "PMID": 627752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7142", "title": "Renal sodium retention and ascites formation in dogs with experimental cirrhosis but without portal hypertension or increased splanchnic vascular capacity.", "content": "Renal handling of sodium was studied in five dogs where an end-to-side portacaval fistula was constructed prior to the induction of cirrhosis with DMN. Such a model permits the effects of cirrhosis to be studied separately from the consequences of portal hypertension. Three control animals without cirrhosis maintained normal liver and kidney function and remained in sodium balance for as long as 8 weeks following surgery. In the five cirrhotic dogs, urinary sodium retention preceded ascites formation and was independent of hyperaldosteronism, hypoalbuminemia, hepatic ischemia, or decreased renal perfusion. Portal venous pressure remained normal in all cirrhotic dogs, and the splanchnic area remained free of venous collaterals. Plasma volume expansion also preceded ascites formation, and this variable increased by 8.4% (p less than 0.05) following 6 days of sodium retention. These temporal relationships between sodium retention, expanded plasma volume, and ascites formation are similar to those observed in ordinary cirrhotic dogs previously studied in this laboratory. Total plasma volume increased by 13.2% (p less than 0.05) when measured during the ascitic phase of cirrhosis. However, when the splanchnic and nonsplanchnic (\"effective\") components of plasma volume were measured by an exclusion technique, the ratio of these components to total plasma volume was not different from that observed in normal dogs. Thus no preferential consignment of retained salt and water had occurred. We conclude that urinary sodium retention in cirrhotic dogs occurs independently of portal hypertension or augmented splanchnic vascular capacity and is associated with expansion of the effective plasma volume, even though ascites is present.", "contents": "Renal sodium retention and ascites formation in dogs with experimental cirrhosis but without portal hypertension or increased splanchnic vascular capacity. Renal handling of sodium was studied in five dogs where an end-to-side portacaval fistula was constructed prior to the induction of cirrhosis with DMN. Such a model permits the effects of cirrhosis to be studied separately from the consequences of portal hypertension. Three control animals without cirrhosis maintained normal liver and kidney function and remained in sodium balance for as long as 8 weeks following surgery. In the five cirrhotic dogs, urinary sodium retention preceded ascites formation and was independent of hyperaldosteronism, hypoalbuminemia, hepatic ischemia, or decreased renal perfusion. Portal venous pressure remained normal in all cirrhotic dogs, and the splanchnic area remained free of venous collaterals. Plasma volume expansion also preceded ascites formation, and this variable increased by 8.4% (p less than 0.05) following 6 days of sodium retention. These temporal relationships between sodium retention, expanded plasma volume, and ascites formation are similar to those observed in ordinary cirrhotic dogs previously studied in this laboratory. Total plasma volume increased by 13.2% (p less than 0.05) when measured during the ascitic phase of cirrhosis. However, when the splanchnic and nonsplanchnic (\"effective\") components of plasma volume were measured by an exclusion technique, the ratio of these components to total plasma volume was not different from that observed in normal dogs. Thus no preferential consignment of retained salt and water had occurred. We conclude that urinary sodium retention in cirrhotic dogs occurs independently of portal hypertension or augmented splanchnic vascular capacity and is associated with expansion of the effective plasma volume, even though ascites is present.", "PMID": 627753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7143", "title": "Dentigerous cysts of the maxilla.", "content": "Four cases of dentigerous cysts of the maxilla are recorded representing the three known types, namely: central, and multiple. The etiological theories are reviewed and treatment described.", "contents": "Dentigerous cysts of the maxilla. Four cases of dentigerous cysts of the maxilla are recorded representing the three known types, namely: central, and multiple. The etiological theories are reviewed and treatment described.", "PMID": 627755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7144", "title": "Partial upper airway obstruction and sleep apnoea.", "content": "An unusual case is described in which partial upper airway obstruction led to a sequence of events characterized by sleep disturbance, enuresis, somnolence and cardio-respiratory collapse. The upper airway obstruction was not immediately apparent as the cause of subsequent clinical events. Attention is drawn to the general medical problems which may be produced by upper airway obstruction, with particular reference to those accompanying obesity and abnormal stature.", "contents": "Partial upper airway obstruction and sleep apnoea. An unusual case is described in which partial upper airway obstruction led to a sequence of events characterized by sleep disturbance, enuresis, somnolence and cardio-respiratory collapse. The upper airway obstruction was not immediately apparent as the cause of subsequent clinical events. Attention is drawn to the general medical problems which may be produced by upper airway obstruction, with particular reference to those accompanying obesity and abnormal stature.", "PMID": 627756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7145", "title": "Internal nasal implant to correct nasal valve obstruction.", "content": "A simple method of correcting nasal valve obstruction is described. The procedure both widens and strengthens the nasal wall at this area. A flat piece of septal cartilage is placed so that it straddles the dorsal margin of the septum internal to the upper lateral cartilages which are not divided but remain in continuity across dorsum.", "contents": "Internal nasal implant to correct nasal valve obstruction. A simple method of correcting nasal valve obstruction is described. The procedure both widens and strengthens the nasal wall at this area. A flat piece of septal cartilage is placed so that it straddles the dorsal margin of the septum internal to the upper lateral cartilages which are not divided but remain in continuity across dorsum.", "PMID": 627757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7146", "title": "Hamartomas of the nose.", "content": "Three cases of hamartomas of the nose, very rare conditions in otolaryngology are reported. According to the Willis (1953) classification two of these cases, belonged to the angiomatous, and the third one to the lipomatous, group of hamartomas.", "contents": "Hamartomas of the nose. Three cases of hamartomas of the nose, very rare conditions in otolaryngology are reported. According to the Willis (1953) classification two of these cases, belonged to the angiomatous, and the third one to the lipomatous, group of hamartomas.", "PMID": 627759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7147", "title": "Laryngeal involvement in multiple myeloma.", "content": "A case of multiple myeloma who developed laryngeal involvement is described. The literature is reviewed to emphasize the variety of this condition. The possibility of a solitary lesion being part of a systemic condition is considered.", "contents": "Laryngeal involvement in multiple myeloma. A case of multiple myeloma who developed laryngeal involvement is described. The literature is reviewed to emphasize the variety of this condition. The possibility of a solitary lesion being part of a systemic condition is considered.", "PMID": 627760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7148", "title": "The use of intravenous lignocaine in the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus.", "content": "The effect of intravenous lignocaine upon the symptom of tinnitus has been assessed in seventy-eight patients and the results correlated with associated hearing loss. Lignocaine appears to be highly effective in suppressing tinnitus in patients with presumed damage or degeneration of the Organ of Corti and is less effective in other groups. It is postulated that tinnitus in patients with Organ of Corti damage is the result of abnormal hyperactivity in the auditory pathway following deafferentation.", "contents": "The use of intravenous lignocaine in the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus. The effect of intravenous lignocaine upon the symptom of tinnitus has been assessed in seventy-eight patients and the results correlated with associated hearing loss. Lignocaine appears to be highly effective in suppressing tinnitus in patients with presumed damage or degeneration of the Organ of Corti and is less effective in other groups. It is postulated that tinnitus in patients with Organ of Corti damage is the result of abnormal hyperactivity in the auditory pathway following deafferentation.", "PMID": 627764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7149", "title": "Tinnitus: a theoretical view and a therapeutic study using amylobarbitone.", "content": "A hypothetical discussion of the mechanisms producing tinnitus has been described along with an outline of previous treatments given. A small group of 40 patients with troublesome tinnitus were studied, 20 of whom were treated with amylobarbitone, and the results have been presented. An attempt is made to compare the subjective assessment made by patients of their symptom with an audiometric assessment of the same symptom both before and after the study.", "contents": "Tinnitus: a theoretical view and a therapeutic study using amylobarbitone. A hypothetical discussion of the mechanisms producing tinnitus has been described along with an outline of previous treatments given. A small group of 40 patients with troublesome tinnitus were studied, 20 of whom were treated with amylobarbitone, and the results have been presented. An attempt is made to compare the subjective assessment made by patients of their symptom with an audiometric assessment of the same symptom both before and after the study.", "PMID": 627765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7150", "title": "The influence of nitrous oxide anaesthetic on middle-ear fluid.", "content": "Nitrous oxide anaesthesia invades the middle-ear cavity, resulting in a positive pressure within this cavity. It has been suggested that the pressure may be sufficient to force open the Eustachian tube and evacuate fluid from the middle ear. This study examined the possible influence of nitrous oxide on middle-ear fluid. Pre- and intra-operative tympanograms were obtained on 39 children scheduled for myringotomy surgery. Fluid was found in 83.1% of the operated ears while the absence of fluid was noted in 16.9%. It is possible that the nitrous oxide anaesthetic did cause an evacuation of fluid from this latter group of ears prior to actual surgery.", "contents": "The influence of nitrous oxide anaesthetic on middle-ear fluid. Nitrous oxide anaesthesia invades the middle-ear cavity, resulting in a positive pressure within this cavity. It has been suggested that the pressure may be sufficient to force open the Eustachian tube and evacuate fluid from the middle ear. This study examined the possible influence of nitrous oxide on middle-ear fluid. Pre- and intra-operative tympanograms were obtained on 39 children scheduled for myringotomy surgery. Fluid was found in 83.1% of the operated ears while the absence of fluid was noted in 16.9%. It is possible that the nitrous oxide anaesthetic did cause an evacuation of fluid from this latter group of ears prior to actual surgery.", "PMID": 627766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7151", "title": "Arterio-venous fistula of the ear.", "content": "A case of congenital arterio-venous fistula involving the external ear in a 33-year-old female patient is described in this paper. She presented to the hospital with severe haemorrhage from the swelling over the ear necessitating immediate admission into hospital and transfusion of whole blood. The treatment of the case is described in detail. She is alive and well 3 years after her definitive treatment.", "contents": "Arterio-venous fistula of the ear. A case of congenital arterio-venous fistula involving the external ear in a 33-year-old female patient is described in this paper. She presented to the hospital with severe haemorrhage from the swelling over the ear necessitating immediate admission into hospital and transfusion of whole blood. The treatment of the case is described in detail. She is alive and well 3 years after her definitive treatment.", "PMID": 627771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7152", "title": "Precocious 'feminization' of rat liver enzymes in the presence of ectopic pituitary tissue.", "content": "The presence of ectopic pituitary tissue (derived from an adult rat) in prepubertal male and female rats caused the immature, masculine-type hepatic steroid metabolism to develop into female-type metabolism. It is concluded that the hypothalamus-pituitary system controls the ontogenesis of sex-dependent steroid metabolism in rat liver.", "contents": "Precocious 'feminization' of rat liver enzymes in the presence of ectopic pituitary tissue. The presence of ectopic pituitary tissue (derived from an adult rat) in prepubertal male and female rats caused the immature, masculine-type hepatic steroid metabolism to develop into female-type metabolism. It is concluded that the hypothalamus-pituitary system controls the ontogenesis of sex-dependent steroid metabolism in rat liver.", "PMID": 627814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7153", "title": "Internal quality control of radioimmunoassays.", "content": "A modified cumulative sum technique has been applied to radioimmunoassay quality control data. The method is approximately 50% more efficient in detecting systematic changes in the mean and variance of quality control values for plasma samples than more widely used conventional methods. The salient features of the technique have been restricted to changes in the mean quality control value of a plasma pool, but potential applications to changes in variance and as a diagnostic aid to problems in radioimmunoassay have been evaluated. The method is independent of computing facilities and statistical expertise since all computations have been presented in the form of a nomogram and thus can be used by technicians at the bench.", "contents": "Internal quality control of radioimmunoassays. A modified cumulative sum technique has been applied to radioimmunoassay quality control data. The method is approximately 50% more efficient in detecting systematic changes in the mean and variance of quality control values for plasma samples than more widely used conventional methods. The salient features of the technique have been restricted to changes in the mean quality control value of a plasma pool, but potential applications to changes in variance and as a diagnostic aid to problems in radioimmunoassay have been evaluated. The method is independent of computing facilities and statistical expertise since all computations have been presented in the form of a nomogram and thus can be used by technicians at the bench.", "PMID": 627815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7154", "title": "Neurophysin(s) of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and the effects of saline imbibition.", "content": "The neural lobe of the golden hamster contains one major and two minor proteins. The major protein was identified as a neurophysin in view of its electrophoretic properties, its high cysteine content and its depletion from the neural lobe upon saline imbibition. The depletion of neurophysin and vasopressin from the neural lobe and the alterations of several indices of dehydration in the blood of the hamster were less than those found in the rat upon saline imbibition, suggesting that the hamster has a greater ability to adapt to conditions in which water is scarce.", "contents": "Neurophysin(s) of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and the effects of saline imbibition. The neural lobe of the golden hamster contains one major and two minor proteins. The major protein was identified as a neurophysin in view of its electrophoretic properties, its high cysteine content and its depletion from the neural lobe upon saline imbibition. The depletion of neurophysin and vasopressin from the neural lobe and the alterations of several indices of dehydration in the blood of the hamster were less than those found in the rat upon saline imbibition, suggesting that the hamster has a greater ability to adapt to conditions in which water is scarce.", "PMID": 627816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7155", "title": "Effects of anti-oestrogen treatment of neonatal male rats on lordosis behaviour and mounting behaviour in the adult.", "content": "Male rats were treated daily with 100 microgram of the anti-oestrogen ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25) or oil during the first 10 days of life and tested for lordosis behaviour and mounting behaviour as intact adults, after castration and after castration and oestradiol benzoate or testosterone propionate treatment. The MER-25-treated rats showed higher levels of lordosis behaviour than oil-treated rats in all four treatment groups. Under each of these endocrine conditions, except after castration alone, the MER-25-treated rats showed a reduced capacity to ejaculate. Treatment of the neonatal rat with MER-25 reduced body weight in adulthood but did not change the weight of the accessory sexual glands, the testes, the number of cornified papillae on the glans penis or plasma testosterone concentrations during development. The response of the accessory sexual glands and cornified papillae on the glans penis to treatment with oestradiol benzoate or testosterone propionate after castration in adulthood was unaffected by treatment with MER-25. It is suggested that formation of oestrogen in the neonatal male rat brain from testosterone in the circulation inhibits the capacity to show lordosis behaviour and facilitates the capacity to ejaculate in response to ejaculate in response to gonadal hormone treatment in adulthood.", "contents": "Effects of anti-oestrogen treatment of neonatal male rats on lordosis behaviour and mounting behaviour in the adult. Male rats were treated daily with 100 microgram of the anti-oestrogen ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25) or oil during the first 10 days of life and tested for lordosis behaviour and mounting behaviour as intact adults, after castration and after castration and oestradiol benzoate or testosterone propionate treatment. The MER-25-treated rats showed higher levels of lordosis behaviour than oil-treated rats in all four treatment groups. Under each of these endocrine conditions, except after castration alone, the MER-25-treated rats showed a reduced capacity to ejaculate. Treatment of the neonatal rat with MER-25 reduced body weight in adulthood but did not change the weight of the accessory sexual glands, the testes, the number of cornified papillae on the glans penis or plasma testosterone concentrations during development. The response of the accessory sexual glands and cornified papillae on the glans penis to treatment with oestradiol benzoate or testosterone propionate after castration in adulthood was unaffected by treatment with MER-25. It is suggested that formation of oestrogen in the neonatal male rat brain from testosterone in the circulation inhibits the capacity to show lordosis behaviour and facilitates the capacity to ejaculate in response to ejaculate in response to gonadal hormone treatment in adulthood.", "PMID": 627818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7156", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of oxytocin.", "content": "The evaluation of a radioimmunoassay of oxytocin is described. The method involved careful collection and transportation of blood at 4 degrees C, acidification of the plasma, extraction with Fuller's earth and radioimmunoassay using antisera raised in rabbits immunized against oxytocin conjugated to bovine serum albumin and 125I-labelled oxytocin. The antisera showed insignificant cross-reaction with a variety of small peptides including vasopressin and vasotocin. The limit of detection of the assay was 2.5 pg with intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation of 7-15% and 12-18% respectively. Seventy-seven per cent (88 out of 116) of the pregnant women tested had detectable maternal plasma oxytocin. Serial samples of maternal plasma showed a significant increase in oxytocin from the first to the second stage of labour and a significant decrease in the third stage. Oxytocin concentrations in the umbilical arterial plasma were significantly higher in patients in labour. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of oxytocin. The evaluation of a radioimmunoassay of oxytocin is described. The method involved careful collection and transportation of blood at 4 degrees C, acidification of the plasma, extraction with Fuller's earth and radioimmunoassay using antisera raised in rabbits immunized against oxytocin conjugated to bovine serum albumin and 125I-labelled oxytocin. The antisera showed insignificant cross-reaction with a variety of small peptides including vasopressin and vasotocin. The limit of detection of the assay was 2.5 pg with intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation of 7-15% and 12-18% respectively. Seventy-seven per cent (88 out of 116) of the pregnant women tested had detectable maternal plasma oxytocin. Serial samples of maternal plasma showed a significant increase in oxytocin from the first to the second stage of labour and a significant decrease in the third stage. Oxytocin concentrations in the umbilical arterial plasma were significantly higher in patients in labour. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 627820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7157", "title": "Effects of inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis on compensation of fluid loss and on survivial after limb ischaemia in the rat.", "content": "In rats injected with a specific inhibitor of adrenal steroidogenesis, 4alpha,5-epoxy-17beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-5alpha-androstane-2alpha-carbonitrile (WIN 24 540), the increase in the concentration of corticosterone in the plasma caused by bilateral hind-limb ischaemia was greatly reduced. The lethality of this injury was increased. Fluid loss into the hind limbs was unaltered but the compensatory movement of fluid into the plasma was imparied. The hyperglycaemia that occurred after the injury was markedly reduced by WIN 24 540, but this was probably unrelated to the poorer compensation of fluid loss as there was no corresponding fall in plasma osmolality. The effects of injecting WIN 24 540 could be completely reversed by the simultaneous injection of corticosterone, so as to restore the rise in its concentration in the plasma. We conclude that the adrenal cortex plays an active part in the early circulatory and metabolic responses to injury, in contrast to its reportedly permissive role in the later catabolic phase.", "contents": "Effects of inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis on compensation of fluid loss and on survivial after limb ischaemia in the rat. In rats injected with a specific inhibitor of adrenal steroidogenesis, 4alpha,5-epoxy-17beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-5alpha-androstane-2alpha-carbonitrile (WIN 24 540), the increase in the concentration of corticosterone in the plasma caused by bilateral hind-limb ischaemia was greatly reduced. The lethality of this injury was increased. Fluid loss into the hind limbs was unaltered but the compensatory movement of fluid into the plasma was imparied. The hyperglycaemia that occurred after the injury was markedly reduced by WIN 24 540, but this was probably unrelated to the poorer compensation of fluid loss as there was no corresponding fall in plasma osmolality. The effects of injecting WIN 24 540 could be completely reversed by the simultaneous injection of corticosterone, so as to restore the rise in its concentration in the plasma. We conclude that the adrenal cortex plays an active part in the early circulatory and metabolic responses to injury, in contrast to its reportedly permissive role in the later catabolic phase.", "PMID": 627821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7158", "title": "Perinatal changes in plasma and adrenal corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations in the mouse.", "content": "The concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone in the plasma and adrenal glands of foetal, newborn and mother mice were estimated during the last 4 days of pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period. The level of corticosterone in the maternal and foetal plasma fell from day 17 of gestation until birth, and then remained stable. Whereas the corticosterone content of the maternal adrenal glands did not change significantly, that of the foetal adrenal glands reached a peak on day 19 of gestation. At every stage of gestation, the level of corticosterone in the maternal plasma was higher than that in the foetus. Changes in the concentration of aldosterone in the foetal plasma and adrenal glands were similar and characterized by peak values at birth. In the mother during the last 4 days of pregnancy, the level of aldosterone in the plasma was higher than in non-pregnant mice, but lower than that in the foetus.", "contents": "Perinatal changes in plasma and adrenal corticosterone and aldosterone concentrations in the mouse. The concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone in the plasma and adrenal glands of foetal, newborn and mother mice were estimated during the last 4 days of pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period. The level of corticosterone in the maternal and foetal plasma fell from day 17 of gestation until birth, and then remained stable. Whereas the corticosterone content of the maternal adrenal glands did not change significantly, that of the foetal adrenal glands reached a peak on day 19 of gestation. At every stage of gestation, the level of corticosterone in the maternal plasma was higher than that in the foetus. Changes in the concentration of aldosterone in the foetal plasma and adrenal glands were similar and characterized by peak values at birth. In the mother during the last 4 days of pregnancy, the level of aldosterone in the plasma was higher than in non-pregnant mice, but lower than that in the foetus.", "PMID": 627822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7159", "title": "Neurohypophysial hormonal control of kidney function in the Furopean eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) adapted to sea-water or fresh water.", "content": "Low doses of arginine-vasotocin (AVT), isotocin and oxytocin (1 pg-1 ng/kg body weight) were antidiuretic in eels adapted to fresh water but not in those adapted to sea-water. High doses (more than 10 ng/kg) were always diuretic. No effects on tubular water reabsorption were observed and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was proportional to the maximum reabsorptive rate for glucose (Tm(glucose)) in eels adapted to sea-water. Increases in urinary flow appeared therefore to result from glomerular recruitment. Infusion of AVT or isotocin at low rates reduced the GFR and urinary flow of freshwater eels to the levels found in seawater eels. Vasopressin (lysine or arginine) had no direct effect on kidney function in freshwater eels but blocked both the diuretic and antidiuretic actions of the other hormones. When infused into seawater eels it was diuretic. This effect could have been due to blockade of the actions of endogenous AVT and/or isotocin.", "contents": "Neurohypophysial hormonal control of kidney function in the Furopean eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) adapted to sea-water or fresh water. Low doses of arginine-vasotocin (AVT), isotocin and oxytocin (1 pg-1 ng/kg body weight) were antidiuretic in eels adapted to fresh water but not in those adapted to sea-water. High doses (more than 10 ng/kg) were always diuretic. No effects on tubular water reabsorption were observed and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was proportional to the maximum reabsorptive rate for glucose (Tm(glucose)) in eels adapted to sea-water. Increases in urinary flow appeared therefore to result from glomerular recruitment. Infusion of AVT or isotocin at low rates reduced the GFR and urinary flow of freshwater eels to the levels found in seawater eels. Vasopressin (lysine or arginine) had no direct effect on kidney function in freshwater eels but blocked both the diuretic and antidiuretic actions of the other hormones. When infused into seawater eels it was diuretic. This effect could have been due to blockade of the actions of endogenous AVT and/or isotocin.", "PMID": 627824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7160", "title": "Migratory behavior of lymphocytes with specific reactivity to alloantigens. II. Selective recruitment to lymphoid cell allografts and their draining lymph nodes.", "content": "A dual-antigen, dual-isotope assay has been used to monitor the migratory behavior of selectively labeled antiallogeneic lymphocytes in mice challenged subcutaneously in all four foot pads with semiallogeneic spleen cells. 3H-labeled anti-C3H and 14C-labeled anti-C57BL lymphocytes of DBA/2J origin were pooled and adoptively transferred to multiple groups of previously challenged DBA/2J recipients. In some of the studies, separate groups of recipients were challenged with either CDF or BDF spleen cells in all four paws, whereas in others CDF spleen cells were used to challenge the right paws of each mouse in the group and BDF spleen cells to challenge the left paws of each mouse in the group. At intervals varying from 24 to 96 h after challenge, a subgroup of four mice from each appropriate group was sacrificed and the relative numbers of anti-C3H and anti-C57BL lymphocytes present in the challenged paws, draining lymph nodes, and other tissues of each mouse were inferred from the mean 3H/14C ratios of the respective tissues of that subgroup. The results of these studies firmly establish that specific antiallogeneic lymphocytes are selectively recruited to the paws and draining lymph nodes of mice challenged subcutaneously in the foot pads with semiallogeneic spleen cells and are deleted from their circulating blood and nondraining lymph nodes. A mechanism for antigen-induced selective recruitment and its possible functional significance in tumor immunology are discussed.", "contents": "Migratory behavior of lymphocytes with specific reactivity to alloantigens. II. Selective recruitment to lymphoid cell allografts and their draining lymph nodes. A dual-antigen, dual-isotope assay has been used to monitor the migratory behavior of selectively labeled antiallogeneic lymphocytes in mice challenged subcutaneously in all four foot pads with semiallogeneic spleen cells. 3H-labeled anti-C3H and 14C-labeled anti-C57BL lymphocytes of DBA/2J origin were pooled and adoptively transferred to multiple groups of previously challenged DBA/2J recipients. In some of the studies, separate groups of recipients were challenged with either CDF or BDF spleen cells in all four paws, whereas in others CDF spleen cells were used to challenge the right paws of each mouse in the group and BDF spleen cells to challenge the left paws of each mouse in the group. At intervals varying from 24 to 96 h after challenge, a subgroup of four mice from each appropriate group was sacrificed and the relative numbers of anti-C3H and anti-C57BL lymphocytes present in the challenged paws, draining lymph nodes, and other tissues of each mouse were inferred from the mean 3H/14C ratios of the respective tissues of that subgroup. The results of these studies firmly establish that specific antiallogeneic lymphocytes are selectively recruited to the paws and draining lymph nodes of mice challenged subcutaneously in the foot pads with semiallogeneic spleen cells and are deleted from their circulating blood and nondraining lymph nodes. A mechanism for antigen-induced selective recruitment and its possible functional significance in tumor immunology are discussed.", "PMID": 627833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7161", "title": "Complement-mediated killing of schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni by rat eosinophils in vitro.", "content": "Eosinophils from the peritoneal cavity of normal rats, in the presence of fresh normal rat serum (NRS), adhered to schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and killed the majority of parasites within 18 h. The reaction differed from the previously described antibody-mediated eosinophil adherence to schistosomula which occurs in heat-inactivated immune rat serum (IRS) and where adherence is mediated through Fc receptors. Adherence of eosinophils in fresh NRS was shown to be due to the activation of complement at the schistosomular surface by the alternative pathway, and it was effected through C3 receptors. The ability of eosinophils to kill in Fc-mediated adherence. This enhancement of killer activity may be due to the generation by complement activation of eosinophil chemotactic factors which increase the concentration of cells at the target surface. It is suggested that eosinophil adherence mediated through complement activation could be the principla mechanism of destroying schistosomula in the host.", "contents": "Complement-mediated killing of schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni by rat eosinophils in vitro. Eosinophils from the peritoneal cavity of normal rats, in the presence of fresh normal rat serum (NRS), adhered to schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and killed the majority of parasites within 18 h. The reaction differed from the previously described antibody-mediated eosinophil adherence to schistosomula which occurs in heat-inactivated immune rat serum (IRS) and where adherence is mediated through Fc receptors. Adherence of eosinophils in fresh NRS was shown to be due to the activation of complement at the schistosomular surface by the alternative pathway, and it was effected through C3 receptors. The ability of eosinophils to kill in Fc-mediated adherence. This enhancement of killer activity may be due to the generation by complement activation of eosinophil chemotactic factors which increase the concentration of cells at the target surface. It is suggested that eosinophil adherence mediated through complement activation could be the principla mechanism of destroying schistosomula in the host.", "PMID": 627834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7162", "title": "Chemiluminescence of phagocytic cells caused by N-formylmethionyl peptides.", "content": "N-formylmethionyl (F-Met) peptides, when added alone to macrophages or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), were found to induce a chemiluminescent response of shorter duration than that produced by the commonly employed particulate stimulant, zymosan. The cellular nature of F-Met peptide-induced chemiluminescence was indicated by its dependence on cell concentration, and by its inhibition by cell disruption, heat inactivation, or previous maximal stimulation by the peptides. Comparison of PMN and macrophages from different species showed that the maximal chemiluminescent response seen in the dose-response curve of F-Met- Phe was different in different cell types. Chemiluminescence reached highest values in human PMN, it was intermediate in guinea pig macrophages and PMN, and in rabbit PMN; but it was nonexistent in rabbit alveolar macrophages and very low in rabbit peritoneal macrophages. A definite relationship was observed between peptide structure and chemiluminescent activity. Met-Phe, F- Met and Phe were inactive even at millimolar concentrations, while F-Met-Phe caused chemiluminescence at micromolar concentrations. Four active peptides were tested in guinea pig, rabbit, and human PMN, and in guinea pig alveolar and peritoneal macrophages. The relative activity of these peptides was the same in all cells studied, e.g. F-Met-Leu-Phe >> F-Met-Phe > F-Met-Val > F- Met-Ala. The values of ED50 for each peptide were also comparable to previously reported ED50 values of these peptides in inducing lysosomal enzyme release. These results were seen both in the presence and absence ofthe chemiluminescent oxidant indicator, luminol. Low concentrations of superoxide dismutase (10 mug/ml) completely inhibited chemiluminescence caused by the F-Met peptides, suggesting the involvement of 0(2)(-) or O(2)(-)-derived compounds in this response. Sodium azide, an inhibitor of peroxidase reactions, had either no effect or a slight inhibitory effect on chemiluminescence. However, when the extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes was induced by cytochalasin B, an azide- inhibitable enhancement of chemiluminescence was seen in PMN, but not in macrophages. This effect appears to be correlated with the presence of granule-associated myeloperoxidase. Although azide-inhibitable peroxidases could be a potential source of light, they did not appear to be a significant contributor in these experiments. Based on these results and on those of previous investigators, we postulate that the F-Met-peptides stimulate 0(2)(-) production in addition to stimulating lysosomal enzyme release and chemotaxis. The similar structure- activity relationship which appears to exist for these processes may indicate that they are all initiated by a single receptor mechanism. Since F-Met peptides are formed in bacteria it is likely that their actions represent an important physiologic response.", "contents": "Chemiluminescence of phagocytic cells caused by N-formylmethionyl peptides. N-formylmethionyl (F-Met) peptides, when added alone to macrophages or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), were found to induce a chemiluminescent response of shorter duration than that produced by the commonly employed particulate stimulant, zymosan. The cellular nature of F-Met peptide-induced chemiluminescence was indicated by its dependence on cell concentration, and by its inhibition by cell disruption, heat inactivation, or previous maximal stimulation by the peptides. Comparison of PMN and macrophages from different species showed that the maximal chemiluminescent response seen in the dose-response curve of F-Met- Phe was different in different cell types. Chemiluminescence reached highest values in human PMN, it was intermediate in guinea pig macrophages and PMN, and in rabbit PMN; but it was nonexistent in rabbit alveolar macrophages and very low in rabbit peritoneal macrophages. A definite relationship was observed between peptide structure and chemiluminescent activity. Met-Phe, F- Met and Phe were inactive even at millimolar concentrations, while F-Met-Phe caused chemiluminescence at micromolar concentrations. Four active peptides were tested in guinea pig, rabbit, and human PMN, and in guinea pig alveolar and peritoneal macrophages. The relative activity of these peptides was the same in all cells studied, e.g. F-Met-Leu-Phe >> F-Met-Phe > F-Met-Val > F- Met-Ala. The values of ED50 for each peptide were also comparable to previously reported ED50 values of these peptides in inducing lysosomal enzyme release. These results were seen both in the presence and absence ofthe chemiluminescent oxidant indicator, luminol. Low concentrations of superoxide dismutase (10 mug/ml) completely inhibited chemiluminescence caused by the F-Met peptides, suggesting the involvement of 0(2)(-) or O(2)(-)-derived compounds in this response. Sodium azide, an inhibitor of peroxidase reactions, had either no effect or a slight inhibitory effect on chemiluminescence. However, when the extracellular release of lysosomal enzymes was induced by cytochalasin B, an azide- inhibitable enhancement of chemiluminescence was seen in PMN, but not in macrophages. This effect appears to be correlated with the presence of granule-associated myeloperoxidase. Although azide-inhibitable peroxidases could be a potential source of light, they did not appear to be a significant contributor in these experiments. Based on these results and on those of previous investigators, we postulate that the F-Met-peptides stimulate 0(2)(-) production in addition to stimulating lysosomal enzyme release and chemotaxis. The similar structure- activity relationship which appears to exist for these processes may indicate that they are all initiated by a single receptor mechanism. Since F-Met peptides are formed in bacteria it is likely that their actions represent an important physiologic response.", "PMID": 627835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7163", "title": "Enhancement of platelet response to immune complexes and IgG aggregates by lipid A-rich bacterial lipopolysaccharides.", "content": "The effect of the common lipid moiety of bacterial LPS on secretion from washed human platelets has been studied. The lipid A-rich LPS of S. minnesota R595 and a lipid A preparation both potentiated platelet serotonin secretion in response to IgG aggregates or immune complexes up to 50-fold but had little effect in the absence of IgG. Lipid A has been shown to bind immune aggregates, raising the possibility that its mechanism of action involved effective enlargement or insolubilization of the aggregates. IgG aggregates of dimer to tetramer size were shown to be platelet simuli, equivalent on a weight basis to larger soluble aggregates. The effect of both sizes of aggregates on platelets were equally enhanced by the LPS, indicating that increased size of aggregates alone could not account for the effect of LPS. Similarly, because lipid A-rich LPS enhanced platelet response to already insoluble immune complexes, its mechanism of action cannot simply be insolubilization of immune aggregates. These LPS did not enhance platelet stimulation by antiplatelet antibody, monosodium urate crystals, or thrombin and only slightly enhanced stimulation by insoluble human skin collagen. This indicates some stimulus specificity in the ability of LPS to increase platelet secretion. The enhancement of cell response to immune complexes by the common lipid region of LPS may represent a mechanism for the diverse effects of LPS in vivo and in vitro.", "contents": "Enhancement of platelet response to immune complexes and IgG aggregates by lipid A-rich bacterial lipopolysaccharides. The effect of the common lipid moiety of bacterial LPS on secretion from washed human platelets has been studied. The lipid A-rich LPS of S. minnesota R595 and a lipid A preparation both potentiated platelet serotonin secretion in response to IgG aggregates or immune complexes up to 50-fold but had little effect in the absence of IgG. Lipid A has been shown to bind immune aggregates, raising the possibility that its mechanism of action involved effective enlargement or insolubilization of the aggregates. IgG aggregates of dimer to tetramer size were shown to be platelet simuli, equivalent on a weight basis to larger soluble aggregates. The effect of both sizes of aggregates on platelets were equally enhanced by the LPS, indicating that increased size of aggregates alone could not account for the effect of LPS. Similarly, because lipid A-rich LPS enhanced platelet response to already insoluble immune complexes, its mechanism of action cannot simply be insolubilization of immune aggregates. These LPS did not enhance platelet stimulation by antiplatelet antibody, monosodium urate crystals, or thrombin and only slightly enhanced stimulation by insoluble human skin collagen. This indicates some stimulus specificity in the ability of LPS to increase platelet secretion. The enhancement of cell response to immune complexes by the common lipid region of LPS may represent a mechanism for the diverse effects of LPS in vivo and in vitro.", "PMID": 627836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7164", "title": "Hemagglutinin-specific complement-dependent cytolytic antibody response to influenza infection.", "content": "The host defense response to influenza infection is complex. Specific humoral antibodies develop to the strain-specific surface antigens, the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase, and to the internal antigens (matrix and nucleoprotein) which are common to all influenza A viruses (1). Antibodies to the hemagglutinin, which is the major surface antigen, neutralize viral infectivity (2). In addition to antibodies which have been detected against virion antigens, a cytotoxic T-cell response with specificity against the viral hemagglutinin on influenza-infected target cells (3-5) has been recently described. A more cross-reactive cytotoxic T-cell response has also been observed when a nonpermissively infected target cell is used in cytotoxicity assays (6,7). The present report describes the development during influenza infection and after vaccination of a cytolytic humoral antibody response which is directed against the hemagglutinin on infected target cells. This antibody-mediated lysis of infected cells in complement dependent, as has been reported with other virus infections (8-11).", "contents": "Hemagglutinin-specific complement-dependent cytolytic antibody response to influenza infection. The host defense response to influenza infection is complex. Specific humoral antibodies develop to the strain-specific surface antigens, the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase, and to the internal antigens (matrix and nucleoprotein) which are common to all influenza A viruses (1). Antibodies to the hemagglutinin, which is the major surface antigen, neutralize viral infectivity (2). In addition to antibodies which have been detected against virion antigens, a cytotoxic T-cell response with specificity against the viral hemagglutinin on influenza-infected target cells (3-5) has been recently described. A more cross-reactive cytotoxic T-cell response has also been observed when a nonpermissively infected target cell is used in cytotoxicity assays (6,7). The present report describes the development during influenza infection and after vaccination of a cytolytic humoral antibody response which is directed against the hemagglutinin on infected target cells. This antibody-mediated lysis of infected cells in complement dependent, as has been reported with other virus infections (8-11).", "PMID": 627837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7165", "title": "Size scaling in visual pattern recognition.", "content": "Human visual recognition on the basis of shape but regardless of size was investigated by reaction time methods. For successive matching of random figures, reaction time increased linearly with the linear size ratio of stimulus pairs. For single-character classification, reaction time increased with divergence between cued size format and stimulus format such that for character nonrepetitions, the increment in latency was approximately proportional to the logarithm of the linear size ratio of the two formats. However, when reactions to character repetitions were faster than those to nonrepetitions, the repetition reaction time function was similar to that for successive matching of random figures. The results suggested two processes of size scaling: mental-image transformation and perceptual-scale transformation. Image transformation accounted for matching performance based on visual short-term memory, whereas scale transformation accounted for size invariance in recognition based on comparison against visual representations in long-term memory.", "contents": "Size scaling in visual pattern recognition. Human visual recognition on the basis of shape but regardless of size was investigated by reaction time methods. For successive matching of random figures, reaction time increased linearly with the linear size ratio of stimulus pairs. For single-character classification, reaction time increased with divergence between cued size format and stimulus format such that for character nonrepetitions, the increment in latency was approximately proportional to the logarithm of the linear size ratio of the two formats. However, when reactions to character repetitions were faster than those to nonrepetitions, the repetition reaction time function was similar to that for successive matching of random figures. The results suggested two processes of size scaling: mental-image transformation and perceptual-scale transformation. Image transformation accounted for matching performance based on visual short-term memory, whereas scale transformation accounted for size invariance in recognition based on comparison against visual representations in long-term memory.", "PMID": 627838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7166", "title": "Perceptual processes that may create stick figures and balance.", "content": "A series of experiments looked at the pattern of dot placements created when people individually placed a single dot inside empty outline figures. The superimposed results were found to compare better with the predictions of Blum's grassfire model than with a size-constancy process. The pattern of superimposed dots conformed to the stick figure of the outlined contours. A perceptual model based on spatial harmonic analysis of complex visual scenes is offered as an explanation for the pattern of results.", "contents": "Perceptual processes that may create stick figures and balance. A series of experiments looked at the pattern of dot placements created when people individually placed a single dot inside empty outline figures. The superimposed results were found to compare better with the predictions of Blum's grassfire model than with a size-constancy process. The pattern of superimposed dots conformed to the stick figure of the outlined contours. A perceptual model based on spatial harmonic analysis of complex visual scenes is offered as an explanation for the pattern of results.", "PMID": 627839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7167", "title": "An investigation of the cues responsible for figure impossibility.", "content": "Two different perceptual confrontations produced by two different cues (sides that seem to twist and apparent levels of depth), which were thought to influence the perception of the degree of possibility of impossible torus figures, were examined in two experiments. In Experiment 1 it was found that net change in depth experienced with one scan around the figure was inversely related to magnitude estimates of possibility, whereas the number of apparently twisted sides was not. These results were verified in Experiment 2, a replication of Experiment 1 using stereograms of the figures, in which an interpretation of multiple levels of depth was more difficult.", "contents": "An investigation of the cues responsible for figure impossibility. Two different perceptual confrontations produced by two different cues (sides that seem to twist and apparent levels of depth), which were thought to influence the perception of the degree of possibility of impossible torus figures, were examined in two experiments. In Experiment 1 it was found that net change in depth experienced with one scan around the figure was inversely related to magnitude estimates of possibility, whereas the number of apparently twisted sides was not. These results were verified in Experiment 2, a replication of Experiment 1 using stereograms of the figures, in which an interpretation of multiple levels of depth was more difficult.", "PMID": 627840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7168", "title": "Visual laterality patterns for pure- versus mixed-list presentation.", "content": "In Experiment 1, an overall left visual field advantage for nonverbal form recognition was found in a pure list of forms, but an overall right visual field form recognition advantage was found when the form trials were randomly intermixed with word recognition trials. Form complexity also influenced the form recognition laterality pattern, but the complexity effects were independent of (i.e., additive with) those produced by randomly mixing forms with words. Experiment 2 found that the mixed-list laterality pattern was unchanged by a pretrial cue indicating whether a word or form would follow. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that holding two nouns in memory on each trial in a pure list of forms has much the same effect on laterality pattern as mixing forms with words but that the combined effect of these two variables is no larger than the effect of either variable alone. The entire pattern of results suggests that (a) laterality patterns are caused by the interaction of several factors, (b) the effects of random mixing and concurrent verbal memory are both caused by selective left-hemisphere activation, and (c) the form-complexity effects are caused by some other mechanism--perhaps subtle difference in stimulus codability.", "contents": "Visual laterality patterns for pure- versus mixed-list presentation. In Experiment 1, an overall left visual field advantage for nonverbal form recognition was found in a pure list of forms, but an overall right visual field form recognition advantage was found when the form trials were randomly intermixed with word recognition trials. Form complexity also influenced the form recognition laterality pattern, but the complexity effects were independent of (i.e., additive with) those produced by randomly mixing forms with words. Experiment 2 found that the mixed-list laterality pattern was unchanged by a pretrial cue indicating whether a word or form would follow. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that holding two nouns in memory on each trial in a pure list of forms has much the same effect on laterality pattern as mixing forms with words but that the combined effect of these two variables is no larger than the effect of either variable alone. The entire pattern of results suggests that (a) laterality patterns are caused by the interaction of several factors, (b) the effects of random mixing and concurrent verbal memory are both caused by selective left-hemisphere activation, and (c) the form-complexity effects are caused by some other mechanism--perhaps subtle difference in stimulus codability.", "PMID": 627841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7169", "title": "Binocular processing of brightness information: a vector-sum model.", "content": "The relation between monocular and binocular brightness was examined. Clear evidence was found that the interaction between visual channels in binocular processing of brightness information implicates both an apparent averaging of monocular brightness when they are grossly different and a partial summation when they approach equality. A vector-sum model is shown to predict these properties. A nonmetric method was used to fit such a model to data from three experiments in each of which 15 subjects estimated brightness of binocularly fused targets. Magnitude estimation was used in two experiments, and cateogry ratings were obtained in the third experiment. When it was assumed only that subjects' responses were monotone with perceived brightness, estimates of the model's parameters from the data of the three experiments were almost identical, indicating that results from magnitude estimati;n and category rating can converge once nonlinear response functions are eliminated.", "contents": "Binocular processing of brightness information: a vector-sum model. The relation between monocular and binocular brightness was examined. Clear evidence was found that the interaction between visual channels in binocular processing of brightness information implicates both an apparent averaging of monocular brightness when they are grossly different and a partial summation when they approach equality. A vector-sum model is shown to predict these properties. A nonmetric method was used to fit such a model to data from three experiments in each of which 15 subjects estimated brightness of binocularly fused targets. Magnitude estimation was used in two experiments, and cateogry ratings were obtained in the third experiment. When it was assumed only that subjects' responses were monotone with perceived brightness, estimates of the model's parameters from the data of the three experiments were almost identical, indicating that results from magnitude estimati;n and category rating can converge once nonlinear response functions are eliminated.", "PMID": 627842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7170", "title": "Invariance of odor strength with sniff vigor: an olfactory analogue to size constancy.", "content": "Previous evidence has shown that detection threshold in humans and olfactory neural discharge rate in animal preparations both depend on flow rate of odorous vapor. But no data have been reported that show the effects of flow rate in humans on perceived odor strength at suprathreshold intensities. Subjects learned to inspire at two flow rates, one twice as great as the other, by adjusting (on a cathode ray tube) the transduced trace of a sniff-produced pressure change to match either of two target contours. They then made magnitude estimations of odor strength, while producing either weak or strong sniffs, for odorants presented over a wide range of concentrations via a specially designed sniff-bottle system. The odorant, diluted in diethyl phthalate, was n-butanol in two experiments and n-amyl acetate in two others. Subject-controlled flow rate had no effect on odor strength for either odorant. There was an apparent contradiction between these data and those on neural discharge rate that may, however, be resolved by adopting an odor constancy model: When sniff intensity varies during the olfactory exploration of an odor source, information about the rate at which odorant molecules are established at the receptor site is combined with information about sniff vigor so that the resulting percept is of invariant odor strength.", "contents": "Invariance of odor strength with sniff vigor: an olfactory analogue to size constancy. Previous evidence has shown that detection threshold in humans and olfactory neural discharge rate in animal preparations both depend on flow rate of odorous vapor. But no data have been reported that show the effects of flow rate in humans on perceived odor strength at suprathreshold intensities. Subjects learned to inspire at two flow rates, one twice as great as the other, by adjusting (on a cathode ray tube) the transduced trace of a sniff-produced pressure change to match either of two target contours. They then made magnitude estimations of odor strength, while producing either weak or strong sniffs, for odorants presented over a wide range of concentrations via a specially designed sniff-bottle system. The odorant, diluted in diethyl phthalate, was n-butanol in two experiments and n-amyl acetate in two others. Subject-controlled flow rate had no effect on odor strength for either odorant. There was an apparent contradiction between these data and those on neural discharge rate that may, however, be resolved by adopting an odor constancy model: When sniff intensity varies during the olfactory exploration of an odor source, information about the rate at which odorant molecules are established at the receptor site is combined with information about sniff vigor so that the resulting percept is of invariant odor strength.", "PMID": 627843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7171", "title": "Critical-band effects in two-channel auditory signal detection.", "content": "Two-channel auditory signal detection was investigated with 50-msec sinusoidal signals masked by binaurally uncorrelated noise. In the two-channel tasks, the signals in each earphone channel were presented with an independent probability during the single observation interval and the observers were required to detect the inputs in a single earphone (selective-attention condition) or in both earphones (divided-attention condition). When the signals in each earphone were within the same critical band (the assumed singled processing unit in frequency domain), there was a decrement in detection performance in both the selective- and divided-attention (i.e. dichotic) conditions compared with the monaural condition. However, when signals were separated in frequency by several critical bands, a decrement in dichotic performance, as compared with monaural performance, occurred only in the divided-attention condition. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications regarding models of multichannel signal processing and the definition of input channels in terms of earphones.", "contents": "Critical-band effects in two-channel auditory signal detection. Two-channel auditory signal detection was investigated with 50-msec sinusoidal signals masked by binaurally uncorrelated noise. In the two-channel tasks, the signals in each earphone channel were presented with an independent probability during the single observation interval and the observers were required to detect the inputs in a single earphone (selective-attention condition) or in both earphones (divided-attention condition). When the signals in each earphone were within the same critical band (the assumed singled processing unit in frequency domain), there was a decrement in detection performance in both the selective- and divided-attention (i.e. dichotic) conditions compared with the monaural condition. However, when signals were separated in frequency by several critical bands, a decrement in dichotic performance, as compared with monaural performance, occurred only in the divided-attention condition. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications regarding models of multichannel signal processing and the definition of input channels in terms of earphones.", "PMID": 627844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7172", "title": "Levels of processing in speech perception.", "content": "Four experiments are reported investigating previous findings that speech perception interferes with concurrent verbal memory but difficult nonverbal perceptual tasks do not, to any great degree. The forgetting produced by processing noisy speech could not be attributed to task difficulty, since equally difficult nonspeech tasks did not produce forgetting, and the extent of forgetting produced by speech could be manipulated independently of task difficulty. The forgetting could not be attributed to similarity between memory material and speech stimuli, since clear speech, analyzed in a simple and probably acoustically mediated discrimination task, produced little forgetting. The forgetting could not be attributed to a combination of similarity and difficutly since a very easy speech task involving clear speech produced as much forgetting as noisy speech tasks, as long as overt reproduction of the stimuli was required. By assuming that noisy speech and overtly reproduced speech are processed at a phonetic level but that clear, repetitive speech can be processed at a purely acoustic level, the forgetting produced by speech perception could be entirely attributed to the level at which the speech was processed. In a final experiment, results were obtained which suggest that if prior set induces processing of noisy and clear speech at comparable levels, the difference between the effects of noisy speech processing and clear speech processing on concurrent memory is completely eliminated.", "contents": "Levels of processing in speech perception. Four experiments are reported investigating previous findings that speech perception interferes with concurrent verbal memory but difficult nonverbal perceptual tasks do not, to any great degree. The forgetting produced by processing noisy speech could not be attributed to task difficulty, since equally difficult nonspeech tasks did not produce forgetting, and the extent of forgetting produced by speech could be manipulated independently of task difficulty. The forgetting could not be attributed to similarity between memory material and speech stimuli, since clear speech, analyzed in a simple and probably acoustically mediated discrimination task, produced little forgetting. The forgetting could not be attributed to a combination of similarity and difficutly since a very easy speech task involving clear speech produced as much forgetting as noisy speech tasks, as long as overt reproduction of the stimuli was required. By assuming that noisy speech and overtly reproduced speech are processed at a phonetic level but that clear, repetitive speech can be processed at a purely acoustic level, the forgetting produced by speech perception could be entirely attributed to the level at which the speech was processed. In a final experiment, results were obtained which suggest that if prior set induces processing of noisy and clear speech at comparable levels, the difference between the effects of noisy speech processing and clear speech processing on concurrent memory is completely eliminated.", "PMID": 627845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7173", "title": "Additivity in adaptation to optical tilt.", "content": "Tests of proprioceptive adaptation (head-hand), visual adaptation (eye-head), and both components (eye-hand) were made during 15-min exposure to 20 degrees tilt in two experiments. In both experiments, subjects alternated exposures in which they explored hallways (hall) or viewed their active hand (hand), but in Experiment 2 subjects received two exposures to each condition, while in Experiment 1 only one exposure was given. Hall exposure produced greater visual change, and hand exposure produced greater proprioceptive change; but in both conditions, when order of conditions was controlled, the sum of performance on visual and proprioceptive tests was not statistically different from performance on the common test. In Experiment 2, adaptive components appeared to be inversely related, both within and between exposure conditions, thus providing some evidence of a reciprocal relationship, but a reliable negative correlation between components was not found. Finally, adaptation increased over alternation-repetition of exposure tasks in the second experiment, even though adaptation appeared limited within any given exposure. Results are interpreted in terms of the linear model, and the possible role of attentional factors in processing sensory inconsistencies is discussed.", "contents": "Additivity in adaptation to optical tilt. Tests of proprioceptive adaptation (head-hand), visual adaptation (eye-head), and both components (eye-hand) were made during 15-min exposure to 20 degrees tilt in two experiments. In both experiments, subjects alternated exposures in which they explored hallways (hall) or viewed their active hand (hand), but in Experiment 2 subjects received two exposures to each condition, while in Experiment 1 only one exposure was given. Hall exposure produced greater visual change, and hand exposure produced greater proprioceptive change; but in both conditions, when order of conditions was controlled, the sum of performance on visual and proprioceptive tests was not statistically different from performance on the common test. In Experiment 2, adaptive components appeared to be inversely related, both within and between exposure conditions, thus providing some evidence of a reciprocal relationship, but a reliable negative correlation between components was not found. Finally, adaptation increased over alternation-repetition of exposure tasks in the second experiment, even though adaptation appeared limited within any given exposure. Results are interpreted in terms of the linear model, and the possible role of attentional factors in processing sensory inconsistencies is discussed.", "PMID": 627846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7174", "title": "A two-factor theory of stimulus-repetition effects.", "content": "It is a well-documented finding that children respond more slowly to a stimulus that has been presented repeatedly just before test than to a novel stimulus. The effect, for which a two-factor theory has recently been proposed, did not occur in the only previous study of adults using a comparable procedure. Experiment 1 demonstrated the effect with adults. The previous negative finding may have been the result of too few repetitions of the stimulus. Experiment 2 provided additional support for the two-factor theory. The theory suggests that the effect is the net result of partially counteracting changes in two attentional processes. One process, the alertness elicited by a stimulus, is held to decrease as a result of repeated presentation of the stimulus, while the second process, encoding, is facilitated. The hypothesis tested in Experiment 2 was that the alertness decrement dissipates over a brief passage of time, while the facilitation of encoding does not. Subjects exposed to a repeatedly presented color were tested either immediately thereafter or after a 15-min or 30-min interval. As predicted, the observed effect shifted from one of flower response to one of faster response to the repeated stimulus as the delay interval increased.", "contents": "A two-factor theory of stimulus-repetition effects. It is a well-documented finding that children respond more slowly to a stimulus that has been presented repeatedly just before test than to a novel stimulus. The effect, for which a two-factor theory has recently been proposed, did not occur in the only previous study of adults using a comparable procedure. Experiment 1 demonstrated the effect with adults. The previous negative finding may have been the result of too few repetitions of the stimulus. Experiment 2 provided additional support for the two-factor theory. The theory suggests that the effect is the net result of partially counteracting changes in two attentional processes. One process, the alertness elicited by a stimulus, is held to decrease as a result of repeated presentation of the stimulus, while the second process, encoding, is facilitated. The hypothesis tested in Experiment 2 was that the alertness decrement dissipates over a brief passage of time, while the facilitation of encoding does not. Subjects exposed to a repeatedly presented color were tested either immediately thereafter or after a 15-min or 30-min interval. As predicted, the observed effect shifted from one of flower response to one of faster response to the repeated stimulus as the delay interval increased.", "PMID": 627847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7175", "title": "Functional representations common to visual perception and imagination.", "content": "Subjects determined whether probe dots appearing in component squares of a 5 X 5 grid fell on a figure that, depending on the condition, was (a) visually presented as a pattern of darkened squares, (b) only remembered from a preceding presentation of such a pattern, or (c) imaginally generated from a verbal code. The speed and accuracy of the responses to the probes as well as the functional dependencies of the reaction times on structural variables were essentially the same whether the figural pattern was imagined, remembered, or actually seen. Reaction times averaged between 400 and 500 msec and were consistently faster (a) for on-figure than for off-figure responses, (b) for simpler figures that had fewer squares, (c) for off-figure probes that were more distant from the figure, and (d) for on-figure probes that consisted either of more dots on the figure or of a dot at the intersection of a horizontal and a vertical bar. The reults were consistent with a model in which a subject's perceptual or imaginal representations of these forms contain barlike units that respond independently to the probes.", "contents": "Functional representations common to visual perception and imagination. Subjects determined whether probe dots appearing in component squares of a 5 X 5 grid fell on a figure that, depending on the condition, was (a) visually presented as a pattern of darkened squares, (b) only remembered from a preceding presentation of such a pattern, or (c) imaginally generated from a verbal code. The speed and accuracy of the responses to the probes as well as the functional dependencies of the reaction times on structural variables were essentially the same whether the figural pattern was imagined, remembered, or actually seen. Reaction times averaged between 400 and 500 msec and were consistently faster (a) for on-figure than for off-figure responses, (b) for simpler figures that had fewer squares, (c) for off-figure probes that were more distant from the figure, and (d) for on-figure probes that consisted either of more dots on the figure or of a dot at the intersection of a horizontal and a vertical bar. The reults were consistent with a model in which a subject's perceptual or imaginal representations of these forms contain barlike units that respond independently to the probes.", "PMID": 627848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7176", "title": "Normalization of irrelevant dimensions in stimulus comparisons.", "content": "When subjects compared two multidimensional stimuli with respect to a single (relevant) dimension in a same-different task, variation in the irrelevant dimension systematically affected reaction times. For same trials, reaction times increased monotonically with the amount of disparity between the stimuli on the irrelevant dimension. The dimensions were heights and widths of ellipses or hues and tints of color patches. The results were interpreted in terms of a normalization process that internally transforms the irrelevant dimensions of the two stimuli until they are equal. The amount of normalization, and hence same reaction time, increased with increasing disparity on the irrelevant dimension. These results suggest that in order to decide that two objects are equivalent in some criterial respect, it is often necessary to normalize irrelevant disparities.", "contents": "Normalization of irrelevant dimensions in stimulus comparisons. When subjects compared two multidimensional stimuli with respect to a single (relevant) dimension in a same-different task, variation in the irrelevant dimension systematically affected reaction times. For same trials, reaction times increased monotonically with the amount of disparity between the stimuli on the irrelevant dimension. The dimensions were heights and widths of ellipses or hues and tints of color patches. The results were interpreted in terms of a normalization process that internally transforms the irrelevant dimensions of the two stimuli until they are equal. The amount of normalization, and hence same reaction time, increased with increasing disparity on the irrelevant dimension. These results suggest that in order to decide that two objects are equivalent in some criterial respect, it is often necessary to normalize irrelevant disparities.", "PMID": 627849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7177", "title": "Visual images preserve metric spatial information: evidence from studies of image scanning.", "content": "Four experiments demonstrated that more time is required to scan further distances across visual images, even when the same amount of material falls between the initial focus point and the target. Not only did times systematically increase with distance but subjectively larger images required more time to scan than did subjectively smaller ones. Finally, when subjects were not asked to base all judgments on examination of their images, the distance between an initial focus point and a target did not affect reaction times.", "contents": "Visual images preserve metric spatial information: evidence from studies of image scanning. Four experiments demonstrated that more time is required to scan further distances across visual images, even when the same amount of material falls between the initial focus point and the target. Not only did times systematically increase with distance but subjectively larger images required more time to scan than did subjectively smaller ones. Finally, when subjects were not asked to base all judgments on examination of their images, the distance between an initial focus point and a target did not affect reaction times.", "PMID": 627850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7178", "title": "Comparisons of mental clocks.", "content": "Subjects in three experiments were presented with pairs of clock times and were required to choose the one in which the hour and minute hand formed the smaller angle. In Experiments 1 and 2, the times were presented digitally, necessitating a transformation into symbolic representations from which the angular size difference could be inferred. The results revealed orderly symbolic distance effects so that comparison reaction time increased as the angular size difference decreased. Moreover, subjects generally reported using imagery to make the judgment, and subjects scoring high on test of imagery ability were faster than those scoring low on such tests. Experiment 3 added a direct perceptual condition in which subjects compared angles between pairs of hands on two drawn (analog) clocks, as well as a mixed condition involving one digital and one analog clock time. The results showed comparable distance effects for all conditions. In addition, reaction time increased from the perceptual, to the mixed, to the pure-digital condition. These results are consistent with predictions from an image-based dual-coding theory.", "contents": "Comparisons of mental clocks. Subjects in three experiments were presented with pairs of clock times and were required to choose the one in which the hour and minute hand formed the smaller angle. In Experiments 1 and 2, the times were presented digitally, necessitating a transformation into symbolic representations from which the angular size difference could be inferred. The results revealed orderly symbolic distance effects so that comparison reaction time increased as the angular size difference decreased. Moreover, subjects generally reported using imagery to make the judgment, and subjects scoring high on test of imagery ability were faster than those scoring low on such tests. Experiment 3 added a direct perceptual condition in which subjects compared angles between pairs of hands on two drawn (analog) clocks, as well as a mixed condition involving one digital and one analog clock time. The results showed comparable distance effects for all conditions. In addition, reaction time increased from the perceptual, to the mixed, to the pure-digital condition. These results are consistent with predictions from an image-based dual-coding theory.", "PMID": 627851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7179", "title": "Interitem structure and the facilitation of simultaneous comparison.", "content": "The effects of bilateral display symmetry on simultaneous comparison were examined. Experiment 1 demonstrated that symmetric letter pairs are classified as same more rapidly and accurately than asymmetric letter pairs. Experiments 2 and 3 disentangled the contributions of single-letter and whole-display symmetries (these being confounded in normal letter pairs) and showed that the primary determinant of response facilitation is the presence and registration of interitem relational structure. The last three experiments suggested that this facilitation does not arise from the detection and diagnostic utilization of symmetry. It is concluded that bilateral display symmetry facilitates the normal operations of form comparison. The early operations of field segmentation are discussed as the probable locus for this facilitation effect.", "contents": "Interitem structure and the facilitation of simultaneous comparison. The effects of bilateral display symmetry on simultaneous comparison were examined. Experiment 1 demonstrated that symmetric letter pairs are classified as same more rapidly and accurately than asymmetric letter pairs. Experiments 2 and 3 disentangled the contributions of single-letter and whole-display symmetries (these being confounded in normal letter pairs) and showed that the primary determinant of response facilitation is the presence and registration of interitem relational structure. The last three experiments suggested that this facilitation does not arise from the detection and diagnostic utilization of symmetry. It is concluded that bilateral display symmetry facilitates the normal operations of form comparison. The early operations of field segmentation are discussed as the probable locus for this facilitation effect.", "PMID": 627852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7180", "title": "Role of visual familiarity in the word-superiority effects obtained with the simultaneous-matching task.", "content": "Three experiments assessed the effect of visual familiarity of words on same-different reaction times (RTs) in a simultaneous-matching task. Visual familiarity was disrupted by using upper- and lowercase letters within sequences. The results for same judgments in Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that visual familiarity was responsible for most of the large word-superiority effect obtained. The third experiment investigated the extent to which the effects obtained with word-frequency and orthographic-regularity manipulations were due to visual familiarity. For same RTs the results indicated both types of familiarity effects were dependent on visual familiarity. With pure-case stimuli, high-frequency words were processed faster than low-frequency words. Low-frequency words and orthographically regular nonwords produced similar reaction times, and both were processed faster than unpronounceable nonwords. These effects were not evident with mixed-case stimuli. All three studies showed visual familiarity to be responsible for differences in slope over sequence length between words and nonwords. Results with different judgments were dissimilar enough from the pattern of results for same judgments to present problems of interpretation, and it was suggested that additional or alternative processes were involved. The implications of these data for models of word processing were discussed.", "contents": "Role of visual familiarity in the word-superiority effects obtained with the simultaneous-matching task. Three experiments assessed the effect of visual familiarity of words on same-different reaction times (RTs) in a simultaneous-matching task. Visual familiarity was disrupted by using upper- and lowercase letters within sequences. The results for same judgments in Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that visual familiarity was responsible for most of the large word-superiority effect obtained. The third experiment investigated the extent to which the effects obtained with word-frequency and orthographic-regularity manipulations were due to visual familiarity. For same RTs the results indicated both types of familiarity effects were dependent on visual familiarity. With pure-case stimuli, high-frequency words were processed faster than low-frequency words. Low-frequency words and orthographically regular nonwords produced similar reaction times, and both were processed faster than unpronounceable nonwords. These effects were not evident with mixed-case stimuli. All three studies showed visual familiarity to be responsible for differences in slope over sequence length between words and nonwords. Results with different judgments were dissimilar enough from the pattern of results for same judgments to present problems of interpretation, and it was suggested that additional or alternative processes were involved. The implications of these data for models of word processing were discussed.", "PMID": 627853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7181", "title": "Acute otitis media in children: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.", "content": "Otitis media is still a condition with a level of diagnostic confidence lower than physicians fresh from hospital training are accustomed to. Even with improved diagnostic criteria, there will still be other influences which will affect the physician's prescribing habits, especially in the treatment of early signs of otitis media. This study shows that the determinants of prescribing behavior by ambulatory care physicians are more complex than traditional teaching of students implies. The appropriate use of antibiotics is discussed, and the importance of limiting additional medication is stressed. It is the author's contention that the outcome of care is frequently being measured without attempting to examine closely the dilemmas facing ambulatory care physicians in their day-to-day decisions. Otitis media has been used as the model in this report, but the complexities of clinical judgment are equally applicable to other common infections presenting to the primary care physician.", "contents": "Acute otitis media in children: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Otitis media is still a condition with a level of diagnostic confidence lower than physicians fresh from hospital training are accustomed to. Even with improved diagnostic criteria, there will still be other influences which will affect the physician's prescribing habits, especially in the treatment of early signs of otitis media. This study shows that the determinants of prescribing behavior by ambulatory care physicians are more complex than traditional teaching of students implies. The appropriate use of antibiotics is discussed, and the importance of limiting additional medication is stressed. It is the author's contention that the outcome of care is frequently being measured without attempting to examine closely the dilemmas facing ambulatory care physicians in their day-to-day decisions. Otitis media has been used as the model in this report, but the complexities of clinical judgment are equally applicable to other common infections presenting to the primary care physician.", "PMID": 627855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7182", "title": "Pit viper snakebite in the United States.", "content": "Pit viper snakebite is a relatively uncommon medical emergency which must be adequately diagnosed and treated to minimize local tissue destruction and systemic complications and to prevent death. Severity is highly variable and may range from minimal local pain and swelling to marked pain, edema, tissue necrosis, hemorrhage, shock, and death within one hour. By far, the most common complication is local tissue destruction often resulting in loss of function. Pit viper venom is extremely complex, containing factors which directly destroy muscle, blood vessels, and renal tissues. Other components anticoagulate blood and cause hypotension, local edema, and pain. Neurotoxicity is unusual, but respiratory paralysis may follow Mojave rattlesnake bites. Proper first aid consists of a proximal mildly constricting tourniquet, superficial incision at fang marks, and constant suction. Medical management consists of early intravenous antivenin in adequate dosage, after hypersensitivity testing. Other measures are largely supportive. The early use of corticosteroids is controversial. Cryotherapy is to be avoided. Fasciotomy may be necessary when edema is severe and impairs arterial perfusion. Promising developments include immunization trials against pit viper venom as well as studies on the antivenom activity of rattlesnake plasma.", "contents": "Pit viper snakebite in the United States. Pit viper snakebite is a relatively uncommon medical emergency which must be adequately diagnosed and treated to minimize local tissue destruction and systemic complications and to prevent death. Severity is highly variable and may range from minimal local pain and swelling to marked pain, edema, tissue necrosis, hemorrhage, shock, and death within one hour. By far, the most common complication is local tissue destruction often resulting in loss of function. Pit viper venom is extremely complex, containing factors which directly destroy muscle, blood vessels, and renal tissues. Other components anticoagulate blood and cause hypotension, local edema, and pain. Neurotoxicity is unusual, but respiratory paralysis may follow Mojave rattlesnake bites. Proper first aid consists of a proximal mildly constricting tourniquet, superficial incision at fang marks, and constant suction. Medical management consists of early intravenous antivenin in adequate dosage, after hypersensitivity testing. Other measures are largely supportive. The early use of corticosteroids is controversial. Cryotherapy is to be avoided. Fasciotomy may be necessary when edema is severe and impairs arterial perfusion. Promising developments include immunization trials against pit viper venom as well as studies on the antivenom activity of rattlesnake plasma.", "PMID": 627856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7183", "title": "The management of patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.", "content": "This article outlines the principles of management of the patient with a cerebrospinal fluid shunt, emphasizing the clinical and laboratory methods of determining shunt malfunction or infection. Appropriate therapies for each complication are described.", "contents": "The management of patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts. This article outlines the principles of management of the patient with a cerebrospinal fluid shunt, emphasizing the clinical and laboratory methods of determining shunt malfunction or infection. Appropriate therapies for each complication are described.", "PMID": 627857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7184", "title": "The application of behavior modification to behavior management: guidelines for the family physician.", "content": "Treatment in ambulatory care settings depends on the patient's behavior to implement the regimen prescribed by the family physician. Behavior modification offers a means for developing behavioral programs that will improve the physician's ability to effectively influence the patient's behavior. This article outlines some of the principles of behavior modification as they can be applied in office settings to diverse behavioral problems. Some specific suggestions are made for identifying behaviors, setting goals, delineating the steps to reach these goals, monitoring progress, and developing treatment contracts that will aid the physician in the management of the behavioral aspects of treatment.", "contents": "The application of behavior modification to behavior management: guidelines for the family physician. Treatment in ambulatory care settings depends on the patient's behavior to implement the regimen prescribed by the family physician. Behavior modification offers a means for developing behavioral programs that will improve the physician's ability to effectively influence the patient's behavior. This article outlines some of the principles of behavior modification as they can be applied in office settings to diverse behavioral problems. Some specific suggestions are made for identifying behaviors, setting goals, delineating the steps to reach these goals, monitoring progress, and developing treatment contracts that will aid the physician in the management of the behavioral aspects of treatment.", "PMID": 627858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7185", "title": "Family therapy techniques for the family physician.", "content": "Since 1960, family therapy has emerged from the general field of psychotherapy as a discipline in itself. An extensive literature has been developed, much of it based on general systems theory. Family physicians have routinely recognized problem families within their practice. Skills and techniques are suggested in this article for introducing changes within a family system.", "contents": "Family therapy techniques for the family physician. Since 1960, family therapy has emerged from the general field of psychotherapy as a discipline in itself. An extensive literature has been developed, much of it based on general systems theory. Family physicians have routinely recognized problem families within their practice. Skills and techniques are suggested in this article for introducing changes within a family system.", "PMID": 627859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7186", "title": "Basic science in a predoctoral family practice curriculum.", "content": "A course in applied basic science was designed with topic material organized according to anatomic body regions. Details of the diagnostic method were explained early in the course, and clinical procedures for data gathering and problem analyzing were followed while the significance of basic science knowledge in dealing with clinical situations was described. A collection of 35mm slides constituted the focal point of the course. The authors conducted the course together and an atmosphere of intellectual honesty was developed through open discussion between faculty and students. Student curiosity was respected and rewarded. Summaries of the discussions were prepared retrospectively by the faculty instructors for review gy the students. This experience proved that family physicians can demonstrate effectively the relevance of basic science to clinical medicine.", "contents": "Basic science in a predoctoral family practice curriculum. A course in applied basic science was designed with topic material organized according to anatomic body regions. Details of the diagnostic method were explained early in the course, and clinical procedures for data gathering and problem analyzing were followed while the significance of basic science knowledge in dealing with clinical situations was described. A collection of 35mm slides constituted the focal point of the course. The authors conducted the course together and an atmosphere of intellectual honesty was developed through open discussion between faculty and students. Student curiosity was respected and rewarded. Summaries of the discussions were prepared retrospectively by the faculty instructors for review gy the students. This experience proved that family physicians can demonstrate effectively the relevance of basic science to clinical medicine.", "PMID": 627860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7187", "title": "Documentation of resident exposure to disease entities.", "content": "The medical privilege application forms of hospitals in 15 southern states were examined for the degree of privilege delineation required. Forty-nine percent of the responding hospitals require extensive delineation of privileges. Residents in the Anderson, South Carolina Family Practice Center have instituted a method of systematically recording exposure to disease entities encountered in the patient population not enrolled in the Family Practice Center. These records can be integrated with existing tabulation of enrolled patients. There are potential benefits for residents' future hospital privilege applications as well as for modification of the curriculum by faculty.", "contents": "Documentation of resident exposure to disease entities. The medical privilege application forms of hospitals in 15 southern states were examined for the degree of privilege delineation required. Forty-nine percent of the responding hospitals require extensive delineation of privileges. Residents in the Anderson, South Carolina Family Practice Center have instituted a method of systematically recording exposure to disease entities encountered in the patient population not enrolled in the Family Practice Center. These records can be integrated with existing tabulation of enrolled patients. There are potential benefits for residents' future hospital privilege applications as well as for modification of the curriculum by faculty.", "PMID": 627861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7188", "title": "What do family physicians in a prepaid group do in their offices?", "content": "Each family physician at the Permanente Group of San Diego was observed for one half-day. As with two earlier time studies, the time spent with each patient was tabulated to show the number of minutes used in each of the usual activity categories that are encompassed in a patient encounter. Previously, similar studies had been carried out with rural practitioners in Missouri (1965) and rural and urban physicians in New Zealand (1975). The Missouri physicians practicing in pre-Medicaid days spent less time doing administrative work than their counterparts in this study, but appreciably more time in treatment and preventive activities. The time utilization of the physicians in prepaid groups was remarkably similar to that of the physicians in the fee-for-service system in New Zealand.", "contents": "What do family physicians in a prepaid group do in their offices? Each family physician at the Permanente Group of San Diego was observed for one half-day. As with two earlier time studies, the time spent with each patient was tabulated to show the number of minutes used in each of the usual activity categories that are encompassed in a patient encounter. Previously, similar studies had been carried out with rural practitioners in Missouri (1965) and rural and urban physicians in New Zealand (1975). The Missouri physicians practicing in pre-Medicaid days spent less time doing administrative work than their counterparts in this study, but appreciably more time in treatment and preventive activities. The time utilization of the physicians in prepaid groups was remarkably similar to that of the physicians in the fee-for-service system in New Zealand.", "PMID": 627863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7189", "title": "Organizational complexity in family practice: a sociological model of a family practice group.", "content": "The growth of a family practice goup is presented as a case study. Enlarging size and increasing functions require organizational change--from solo to collegial to bureaucratic to political systems. Organizational theory distinguishes between the characteristics and functions of individual, collegial, bureaucratic, and political organizations. Different styles and strategies are appropriate at different stages.", "contents": "Organizational complexity in family practice: a sociological model of a family practice group. The growth of a family practice goup is presented as a case study. Enlarging size and increasing functions require organizational change--from solo to collegial to bureaucratic to political systems. Organizational theory distinguishes between the characteristics and functions of individual, collegial, bureaucratic, and political organizations. Different styles and strategies are appropriate at different stages.", "PMID": 627864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7190", "title": "Elevated blood pressures in infants and children.", "content": "Blood pressure should be routinely measured in all infants and children. Measurements should be performed with an appropriate size cuff and observed pressures compared to normal values for age. Elevated blood pressure is seen in one to ten percent of children, depending on the age group surveyed and the definition of hypertension selected. Thirty to fifty percent of children with elevated blood pressures are asymptomatic. The remainder have symptoms which are nonspecific, including headaches, visual disturbances, seizures, congestive heart failure, and facial palsy. Hypertension in children, unlike hypertension in the adult, usually has a definite cause which often responds to adequate medical and/or surgical treatment. For this reason, children with well-confirmed hypertension should be thoroughly evaluated. The most common causes of hypertension found in children are renal disease (pyelonephritis, vascular disease, structural malformations) and coarctation of the aorta. An approach to the child with transient or persistent hypertension is described. Diagnostic studies should be individualized and should follow clinical clues where possible. Medical management of the child with acute hypertension is discussed.", "contents": "Elevated blood pressures in infants and children. Blood pressure should be routinely measured in all infants and children. Measurements should be performed with an appropriate size cuff and observed pressures compared to normal values for age. Elevated blood pressure is seen in one to ten percent of children, depending on the age group surveyed and the definition of hypertension selected. Thirty to fifty percent of children with elevated blood pressures are asymptomatic. The remainder have symptoms which are nonspecific, including headaches, visual disturbances, seizures, congestive heart failure, and facial palsy. Hypertension in children, unlike hypertension in the adult, usually has a definite cause which often responds to adequate medical and/or surgical treatment. For this reason, children with well-confirmed hypertension should be thoroughly evaluated. The most common causes of hypertension found in children are renal disease (pyelonephritis, vascular disease, structural malformations) and coarctation of the aorta. An approach to the child with transient or persistent hypertension is described. Diagnostic studies should be individualized and should follow clinical clues where possible. Medical management of the child with acute hypertension is discussed.", "PMID": 627865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7191", "title": "Arenavirus defective interfering particles mask the cell-killing potential of standard virus.", "content": "Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) and Pichinde virus grew readily and produced cytopathology in MDCK and PK-15 cells. It is known that in these cell lines, the synthesis or function of defective interfering (DI) virus particles is restricted. Survival curves of single MDCK cells infected with low multiplicities of LCM showed one-particle-to-kill kinetics. At high multiplicities of infection, there was a maximum degree of cell-killing, or even a reduction in the amount of cell-killing, depending on how much DI virus was present in a particular standard virus stock. DI LCM virus could completely prevent standard virus from producing c.p.e. in MDCK monolayers with one-particle-to-protect kinetics. It could still prevent killing of the cells when added within a short time after infection with standard virus, but was able to interfere with synthesis of standard virus when added even later, On passage of LCM or Pichinde virus without dilution in MDCK cells, there was no homologous auto-interference. Furthermore, there was only slight interference with the synthesis of standard virus when these cells were pre-treated with DI virus.", "contents": "Arenavirus defective interfering particles mask the cell-killing potential of standard virus. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) and Pichinde virus grew readily and produced cytopathology in MDCK and PK-15 cells. It is known that in these cell lines, the synthesis or function of defective interfering (DI) virus particles is restricted. Survival curves of single MDCK cells infected with low multiplicities of LCM showed one-particle-to-kill kinetics. At high multiplicities of infection, there was a maximum degree of cell-killing, or even a reduction in the amount of cell-killing, depending on how much DI virus was present in a particular standard virus stock. DI LCM virus could completely prevent standard virus from producing c.p.e. in MDCK monolayers with one-particle-to-protect kinetics. It could still prevent killing of the cells when added within a short time after infection with standard virus, but was able to interfere with synthesis of standard virus when added even later, On passage of LCM or Pichinde virus without dilution in MDCK cells, there was no homologous auto-interference. Furthermore, there was only slight interference with the synthesis of standard virus when these cells were pre-treated with DI virus.", "PMID": 627871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7192", "title": "Adaptation of an Aedes aegypti mosquito cell line to growth at 15 degrees C and its response to infection by Sindbis virus.", "content": "Aedes aegypti mosquito cells, usually cultured at 28 to 30 degrees C, were adapted to grow at 15 degrees C. They were designated A. aegypti (c) cells, and had an estimated doubling time of 10 days. Sindbis virus (SV) replicated in these cells to peak titres of over 1.0 x 10(9) p.f.u./ml 8 to 10 days after inoculation. These, or about 10-fold lower titres, continued to be produced over a 130 day test period without causing visible cell damage. Continuous virus proliferation and the yield of uniformly large plaque forming progeny viruses are the two most important features which differentiate infection with this virus in A. aegypti (c) cells from that of A. aegypti cells grown at 28 degrees C (Peleg & Stollar, 1974). Absence of homologous interference vis-\u00e0-vis cell-virus coexistence suggests that homologous interference is not a prerequisite for maintaining cell-virus coexistence. Preinoculation of A. aegypti (c) cultures with a small plaque forming Sindbis virus (SV-S) leads, under certain conditions, to the establishment of homologous interference.", "contents": "Adaptation of an Aedes aegypti mosquito cell line to growth at 15 degrees C and its response to infection by Sindbis virus. Aedes aegypti mosquito cells, usually cultured at 28 to 30 degrees C, were adapted to grow at 15 degrees C. They were designated A. aegypti (c) cells, and had an estimated doubling time of 10 days. Sindbis virus (SV) replicated in these cells to peak titres of over 1.0 x 10(9) p.f.u./ml 8 to 10 days after inoculation. These, or about 10-fold lower titres, continued to be produced over a 130 day test period without causing visible cell damage. Continuous virus proliferation and the yield of uniformly large plaque forming progeny viruses are the two most important features which differentiate infection with this virus in A. aegypti (c) cells from that of A. aegypti cells grown at 28 degrees C (Peleg & Stollar, 1974). Absence of homologous interference vis-\u00e0-vis cell-virus coexistence suggests that homologous interference is not a prerequisite for maintaining cell-virus coexistence. Preinoculation of A. aegypti (c) cultures with a small plaque forming Sindbis virus (SV-S) leads, under certain conditions, to the establishment of homologous interference.", "PMID": 627872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7193", "title": "Defective particle assembly in wild type P2 bacteriophage and its correction by the lg mutation.", "content": "The mutation lg of phage P2 has been located on the genetic map of P2 to the right of, and closely linked to, the del2 deletion, probably within tail gene F. The lg mutation causes larger burst sizes, compared with the wild type, especially at high incubation temperatures. The frequency of defective particles is lower in preparations of P2 lg than in those of wild type P2. It seems that the mutation lg improves the efficiency of particle assembly.", "contents": "Defective particle assembly in wild type P2 bacteriophage and its correction by the lg mutation. The mutation lg of phage P2 has been located on the genetic map of P2 to the right of, and closely linked to, the del2 deletion, probably within tail gene F. The lg mutation causes larger burst sizes, compared with the wild type, especially at high incubation temperatures. The frequency of defective particles is lower in preparations of P2 lg than in those of wild type P2. It seems that the mutation lg improves the efficiency of particle assembly.", "PMID": 627873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7194", "title": "Isolation of a new avian paramyxovirus from budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).", "content": "In 1974 an epizootic occurred among budgerigar flocks in Kunitachi, Tokyo, and a causative agent which possessed haemagglutinating, neuraminidase, and haemolytic activities was isolated from the lung of a dead budgerigar. This agent was 100 to 300 nm in diamter and pleomorphic. The width of the ribonucleo-protein was estimated to be about 20 nm. These results indicated that the virus, designated Kunitachi virus, was a member of the paramyxovirus group. The virus contained in the amniotic fluid from infected embryonated hen's eggs, however, at times displayed no haemagglutinating activity with different erythrocytes and complete haemagglutination could only be detected in purified preparations. The Kunitachi viruses including three strains recently isolated from the same host were found to be serologically distinct from the known paramyxovirus strains and appeared to constitute a new subtype of avian paramyxovirus.", "contents": "Isolation of a new avian paramyxovirus from budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). In 1974 an epizootic occurred among budgerigar flocks in Kunitachi, Tokyo, and a causative agent which possessed haemagglutinating, neuraminidase, and haemolytic activities was isolated from the lung of a dead budgerigar. This agent was 100 to 300 nm in diamter and pleomorphic. The width of the ribonucleo-protein was estimated to be about 20 nm. These results indicated that the virus, designated Kunitachi virus, was a member of the paramyxovirus group. The virus contained in the amniotic fluid from infected embryonated hen's eggs, however, at times displayed no haemagglutinating activity with different erythrocytes and complete haemagglutination could only be detected in purified preparations. The Kunitachi viruses including three strains recently isolated from the same host were found to be serologically distinct from the known paramyxovirus strains and appeared to constitute a new subtype of avian paramyxovirus.", "PMID": 627875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7195", "title": "Cellular and humoral immunity in guinea pigs to two major polypeptides derived from hepatitis B surface antigen.", "content": "Guinea pigs immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), types adw, adr and ayw, and with two major polypeptides derived from HBsAg/adw developed cell-mediated immunity as determined by the macrophage migration inhibition assay. Peritoneal exudate cells from animals immunized with a 22000- or a 25000-mol. wt. polypeptide derived from HBsAg/adw showed significant migration inhibition after challenge with either polypeptide or with purified HBsAg. Significant inhibition of macrophage migration was not observed when polypeptide-sensitized cells were challenged with normal human serum or with normal human liver extract. Similarly, a cell-mediated immune response was not observed in peritoneal exudate cells from animals sensitized to normal human serum or normal human liver extract which were challenged with either of the polypeptides. The humoral immune response to either of the polypeptides, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was substantially lower than that observed in animals immunized with intact particles. This apparent difference between cellular and humoral responses suggests that the macrophage migration assay is a sensitive indicator of the immunogenicity of the smaller mol. wt. HBsAg-derived polypeptides in guinea pigs.", "contents": "Cellular and humoral immunity in guinea pigs to two major polypeptides derived from hepatitis B surface antigen. Guinea pigs immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), types adw, adr and ayw, and with two major polypeptides derived from HBsAg/adw developed cell-mediated immunity as determined by the macrophage migration inhibition assay. Peritoneal exudate cells from animals immunized with a 22000- or a 25000-mol. wt. polypeptide derived from HBsAg/adw showed significant migration inhibition after challenge with either polypeptide or with purified HBsAg. Significant inhibition of macrophage migration was not observed when polypeptide-sensitized cells were challenged with normal human serum or with normal human liver extract. Similarly, a cell-mediated immune response was not observed in peritoneal exudate cells from animals sensitized to normal human serum or normal human liver extract which were challenged with either of the polypeptides. The humoral immune response to either of the polypeptides, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was substantially lower than that observed in animals immunized with intact particles. This apparent difference between cellular and humoral responses suggests that the macrophage migration assay is a sensitive indicator of the immunogenicity of the smaller mol. wt. HBsAg-derived polypeptides in guinea pigs.", "PMID": 627876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7196", "title": "A quantitative confirmation of visual capture of curvature.", "content": "An investigation was performed to quantify the experience of contour curvature formed under sensory discrepancy inspection conditions. N = 80 male and female undergraduates were used. Experimental Ss finger-tracked a horizontal straight edge while viewing limb movements through a curve inducing lens. Control Ss inspected the edge unimodally, either through vision (distorted) or proprioception. Rather than relying on verbal reports all Ss were required to match their impressions of contour shape with an adjustable metal curve. Findings indicated that (a) the mean impression of contour shape derived from discrepant visual and proprioceptive information was curved and did not differ from that derived from distorted visual information, (b) proprioceptive inspection alone resulted in accurate judgements of physical straightness, (c) response modality effects did not emerge, and (d) a manipulation designed to direct Ss attention to the left contour shape and during sensory discrepancy inspection did not affect mean curvature matches but created sizeable variability among matches. A sensory organization versus a selective processing interpretation of visual capture was discussed.", "contents": "A quantitative confirmation of visual capture of curvature. An investigation was performed to quantify the experience of contour curvature formed under sensory discrepancy inspection conditions. N = 80 male and female undergraduates were used. Experimental Ss finger-tracked a horizontal straight edge while viewing limb movements through a curve inducing lens. Control Ss inspected the edge unimodally, either through vision (distorted) or proprioception. Rather than relying on verbal reports all Ss were required to match their impressions of contour shape with an adjustable metal curve. Findings indicated that (a) the mean impression of contour shape derived from discrepant visual and proprioceptive information was curved and did not differ from that derived from distorted visual information, (b) proprioceptive inspection alone resulted in accurate judgements of physical straightness, (c) response modality effects did not emerge, and (d) a manipulation designed to direct Ss attention to the left contour shape and during sensory discrepancy inspection did not affect mean curvature matches but created sizeable variability among matches. A sensory organization versus a selective processing interpretation of visual capture was discussed.", "PMID": 627877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7197", "title": "Further observations on the incremental stimulus intensity effect and habituation of the human electrodermal response.", "content": "Two studies are reported which examined the relative effectiveness of an incremental series of stimulus intensities for reducing electrodermal responsiveness to a test stimulus. In the first study, employing five pairs of male undergraduates matched on electrodermal responsiveness, habituation to a 100 db (re 20muN/m2) noise burst was compared following two training procedures. In one, stimulation began at 64 db and increased by 4 db up to 96 db whenever two consecutive presentations of the stimulus failed to elicit a response. In the other, an equivalent number of presentations with a 100 db noise burst were provided. While habituation occurred during both training conditions, subsequent habituation to a 100 db test stimulus was more rapid following incremental training. In the second experiment, employing 40 female undergraduates, incremental and fixed conditions of training were compared for effectiveness using more moderate intensities of test stimulus: viz., 60 db and 80 db. A these levels, the fixed training series was superior to the incremental in reducing responsiveness. The data extend previous findings on the incremental stimulus intensity effect with the human electrodermal response but suggest limiting conditions for its demonstration.", "contents": "Further observations on the incremental stimulus intensity effect and habituation of the human electrodermal response. Two studies are reported which examined the relative effectiveness of an incremental series of stimulus intensities for reducing electrodermal responsiveness to a test stimulus. In the first study, employing five pairs of male undergraduates matched on electrodermal responsiveness, habituation to a 100 db (re 20muN/m2) noise burst was compared following two training procedures. In one, stimulation began at 64 db and increased by 4 db up to 96 db whenever two consecutive presentations of the stimulus failed to elicit a response. In the other, an equivalent number of presentations with a 100 db noise burst were provided. While habituation occurred during both training conditions, subsequent habituation to a 100 db test stimulus was more rapid following incremental training. In the second experiment, employing 40 female undergraduates, incremental and fixed conditions of training were compared for effectiveness using more moderate intensities of test stimulus: viz., 60 db and 80 db. A these levels, the fixed training series was superior to the incremental in reducing responsiveness. The data extend previous findings on the incremental stimulus intensity effect with the human electrodermal response but suggest limiting conditions for its demonstration.", "PMID": 627878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7198", "title": "Prismatically induced eye strain and autokinetic direction frequency.", "content": "Autokinetic movement (AKM) as assessed by number of reported direction changes was evaluated for 25 college sophomores as a function of prism displacement strength. The results indicated that the strain on the eye muscles produced by prism displacement significantly affected frequency of direction change reports: the greater the displacement, the fewer the number of reported direction changes. These results were interpreted according to outflow theory in terms of the prism-imposed strain effectively increasing the level of noise in the outflow monitoring system, thereby making the detection of a cancelling response signal, the direction change, more difficult.", "contents": "Prismatically induced eye strain and autokinetic direction frequency. Autokinetic movement (AKM) as assessed by number of reported direction changes was evaluated for 25 college sophomores as a function of prism displacement strength. The results indicated that the strain on the eye muscles produced by prism displacement significantly affected frequency of direction change reports: the greater the displacement, the fewer the number of reported direction changes. These results were interpreted according to outflow theory in terms of the prism-imposed strain effectively increasing the level of noise in the outflow monitoring system, thereby making the detection of a cancelling response signal, the direction change, more difficult.", "PMID": 627879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7199", "title": "Effects of stimulus size, intensity, color, and eye strain on autokinetic movement: an error signal and noise analysis.", "content": "In two experiments, with a total of 116 male and female undergraduate S s, predictions were tested from the following hypothesized explanation of autokinetic movement (AKM): undetected eye drifts lead to movement of the AKM target across the retina; this movement or error signal leads to the initiation of a cancelling response, and the AKM is directly due to CNS monitoring of the efferent responses or signals sent to the eye muscles with subsequent detection of these signals against a background of efferent noise. The error signal variables studied were stimulus color (yellow or blue-green), stimulus intensity (dim or bright), and stimulus size (1.0 or .1 deg visual angle). Small, dim lights foveally viewed and yellow as opposed to blue-green lights led to significantly more error signals and hence more AKM as measured by mean number of perceived direction changes. Also, increasing retinal displacement by changing viewing angle (from zero to 60 deg) or increasing displacement by increasing diopter strength of prisms (from zero to 30) decreased AKM as measured by number of direction changes, and this effect is due at least in part to the increase in efferent noise caused by the increases in eye muscle tension involved. It was concluded that retinal displacement affects both error signal and noise variables in the AKM and, presumably, in the perception of real movement as well.", "contents": "Effects of stimulus size, intensity, color, and eye strain on autokinetic movement: an error signal and noise analysis. In two experiments, with a total of 116 male and female undergraduate S s, predictions were tested from the following hypothesized explanation of autokinetic movement (AKM): undetected eye drifts lead to movement of the AKM target across the retina; this movement or error signal leads to the initiation of a cancelling response, and the AKM is directly due to CNS monitoring of the efferent responses or signals sent to the eye muscles with subsequent detection of these signals against a background of efferent noise. The error signal variables studied were stimulus color (yellow or blue-green), stimulus intensity (dim or bright), and stimulus size (1.0 or .1 deg visual angle). Small, dim lights foveally viewed and yellow as opposed to blue-green lights led to significantly more error signals and hence more AKM as measured by mean number of perceived direction changes. Also, increasing retinal displacement by changing viewing angle (from zero to 60 deg) or increasing displacement by increasing diopter strength of prisms (from zero to 30) decreased AKM as measured by number of direction changes, and this effect is due at least in part to the increase in efferent noise caused by the increases in eye muscle tension involved. It was concluded that retinal displacement affects both error signal and noise variables in the AKM and, presumably, in the perception of real movement as well.", "PMID": 627880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7200", "title": "Extroversion and reminiscence following a frustrating paired-associate task.", "content": "Two experiments were reported relating extroversion to reminiscence following a frustrating paired-associate (PA) task. In the first experiment a group of 30 male and female college students was randomly assigned to one of two tasks in which they learned a PA list of high or low stimulus similarity. All PA lists were mixed lists composed of half solvable and half unsolvable (randomized) stimulus-response items. Recall for solvable items was tested immediately, 15 min, and 30 min after criterion was reached. Results indicated a significant difference between high and low stimulus similarity with superior recall for low similarity. The predicted reminiscence effect for high stimulus similarity recall was present but not significant. Comparison of recall scores for extroverts and introverts indicated a significant difference in recall favoring the introverts. The second experiment made a similar test of recall for two groups of S s that had been established as extreme extroverts or introverts (N = 8 in each group). The superiority of recall for introverts was replicated, and a reminiscence effect was found for the extroverts. Results were discussed in relation to Eysenck's formulation and previous conflicting results.", "contents": "Extroversion and reminiscence following a frustrating paired-associate task. Two experiments were reported relating extroversion to reminiscence following a frustrating paired-associate (PA) task. In the first experiment a group of 30 male and female college students was randomly assigned to one of two tasks in which they learned a PA list of high or low stimulus similarity. All PA lists were mixed lists composed of half solvable and half unsolvable (randomized) stimulus-response items. Recall for solvable items was tested immediately, 15 min, and 30 min after criterion was reached. Results indicated a significant difference between high and low stimulus similarity with superior recall for low similarity. The predicted reminiscence effect for high stimulus similarity recall was present but not significant. Comparison of recall scores for extroverts and introverts indicated a significant difference in recall favoring the introverts. The second experiment made a similar test of recall for two groups of S s that had been established as extreme extroverts or introverts (N = 8 in each group). The superiority of recall for introverts was replicated, and a reminiscence effect was found for the extroverts. Results were discussed in relation to Eysenck's formulation and previous conflicting results.", "PMID": 627881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7201", "title": "The reinforcing effects of the recommendation in the threatening communication.", "content": "An instrumental escape conditioning paradigm was used to test the drive reducing effects of the recommendation in a threatening communication. Analogies were drawn between threatening communications and conditioning. Instrumental response speed was a monotonic decreasing function of delay of reinforcement: 0, 2, 6 sec (p less than .001). Each of the three delay groups acquired the instrumental response (p less than .001). Speed = 1/latency, automatically measured to .01 sec by a Lafayette digital stop clock. The Ss were 54 undergraduate males. A procedure was introduced to allow the separation and analysis of the drive inducing and reinforcing components of a threatening communication. Significant differences were detected between the reinforcing effects of communications (p less than .008). The results were interpreted in terms of the fear reduction model of persuasive communication.", "contents": "The reinforcing effects of the recommendation in the threatening communication. An instrumental escape conditioning paradigm was used to test the drive reducing effects of the recommendation in a threatening communication. Analogies were drawn between threatening communications and conditioning. Instrumental response speed was a monotonic decreasing function of delay of reinforcement: 0, 2, 6 sec (p less than .001). Each of the three delay groups acquired the instrumental response (p less than .001). Speed = 1/latency, automatically measured to .01 sec by a Lafayette digital stop clock. The Ss were 54 undergraduate males. A procedure was introduced to allow the separation and analysis of the drive inducing and reinforcing components of a threatening communication. Significant differences were detected between the reinforcing effects of communications (p less than .008). The results were interpreted in terms of the fear reduction model of persuasive communication.", "PMID": 627882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7202", "title": "Methadone dose, plasma level, and cross-tolerance to heroin in man.", "content": "The development of cross-tolerance between methadone and heroin was studied in postaddict volunteers who had been drug-free for at least 6 weeks. Two methadone dose schedules were used; each was employed in six subjects. One schedule brought the subjects to a dose of 40 mg, while the other brought them to 80 mg of methadone a day. Subjects received injections of heroin (0.214 mg/kg) and placebo at various times before and during methadone treatment. Pupillary and subjective effects of injections were measured. Plasma levels of methadone were determined concurrently. Subjects on both treatment schedules developed an incomplete cross-tolerance to this dose of heroin. As the dose and plasma level of methadone increased with time, the cross-tolerance to all heroin effects increased. Plasma levels did not affect the development of cross-tolerance independently of methadone dose. The most important contribution to the cross-tolerance to pupillary effects was made by the duration of methadone treatment. Furthermore, the cross-tolerance to the subjective effects of heroin developed earlier than that to the pupil effect.", "contents": "Methadone dose, plasma level, and cross-tolerance to heroin in man. The development of cross-tolerance between methadone and heroin was studied in postaddict volunteers who had been drug-free for at least 6 weeks. Two methadone dose schedules were used; each was employed in six subjects. One schedule brought the subjects to a dose of 40 mg, while the other brought them to 80 mg of methadone a day. Subjects received injections of heroin (0.214 mg/kg) and placebo at various times before and during methadone treatment. Pupillary and subjective effects of injections were measured. Plasma levels of methadone were determined concurrently. Subjects on both treatment schedules developed an incomplete cross-tolerance to this dose of heroin. As the dose and plasma level of methadone increased with time, the cross-tolerance to all heroin effects increased. Plasma levels did not affect the development of cross-tolerance independently of methadone dose. The most important contribution to the cross-tolerance to pupillary effects was made by the duration of methadone treatment. Furthermore, the cross-tolerance to the subjective effects of heroin developed earlier than that to the pupil effect.", "PMID": 627883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7203", "title": "The clinical utility of the hand-held tachistoscope.", "content": "A hand-held tachistoscope for use at the bedside was constructed and used to examine 40 normal controls and 170 psychiatric and neurological patients. This instrument quickly provided an index (perception time) which distinguished between idiopathic psychiatric illness and delirium, and between cortical and subcortical neuropathology. Slow perception time was seen in patients with delirium or cortical neuropathology.", "contents": "The clinical utility of the hand-held tachistoscope. A hand-held tachistoscope for use at the bedside was constructed and used to examine 40 normal controls and 170 psychiatric and neurological patients. This instrument quickly provided an index (perception time) which distinguished between idiopathic psychiatric illness and delirium, and between cortical and subcortical neuropathology. Slow perception time was seen in patients with delirium or cortical neuropathology.", "PMID": 627884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7204", "title": "The Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome in man.", "content": "It is apparent that the importance of the limbic system is essentially for survival. The inability to discriminate enemy from friend as well as loss of the proper affective response to what is dangerous or safe to the organism may be thought of as more central to survival than what is described as \"other higher intellectual functions.\" The case described is a dramatic expression of such a transient limbic dementia originally described by Kl\u00fcver and Bucy in their syndrome. Since Kl\u00fcver and Bucy originally described their syndrome, the structural and functional understanding of the limbic system has been greatly increased. Although a rare occurrence in man, the Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome serves as a demonstration of an unusual brain syndrome whose theoretical and experimental basis has been greatly enlarged since first described.", "contents": "The Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome in man. It is apparent that the importance of the limbic system is essentially for survival. The inability to discriminate enemy from friend as well as loss of the proper affective response to what is dangerous or safe to the organism may be thought of as more central to survival than what is described as \"other higher intellectual functions.\" The case described is a dramatic expression of such a transient limbic dementia originally described by Kl\u00fcver and Bucy in their syndrome. Since Kl\u00fcver and Bucy originally described their syndrome, the structural and functional understanding of the limbic system has been greatly increased. Although a rare occurrence in man, the Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome serves as a demonstration of an unusual brain syndrome whose theoretical and experimental basis has been greatly enlarged since first described.", "PMID": 627885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7205", "title": "Hyperactivity: diagnostic confusion.", "content": "Histories of hyperactive symptoms were evaluated for two samples of young men and women under treatment for drug or psychiatric disorders. More than one in five had shown hyperactivity but almost all of these developed pictures of other psychiatric problems, frequently the antisocial personality, by late adolescence. This picture is felt to reflect inaccurate use of hyperactive labels in difficult-to-handle children. The potential consequences of these practices are discussed.", "contents": "Hyperactivity: diagnostic confusion. Histories of hyperactive symptoms were evaluated for two samples of young men and women under treatment for drug or psychiatric disorders. More than one in five had shown hyperactivity but almost all of these developed pictures of other psychiatric problems, frequently the antisocial personality, by late adolescence. This picture is felt to reflect inaccurate use of hyperactive labels in difficult-to-handle children. The potential consequences of these practices are discussed.", "PMID": 627887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7206", "title": "Effects of subliminal and supraliminal stress on symptoms of anxiety.", "content": "Two experiments were carried out with volunteer subjects to test whether the subliminal viewing of emotive material induced anxiety and its associated bodily symptoms. In one experiment 24 subjects looked at anxiety-inducing words presented singly through a tachistoscope under supraliminal or subliminal conditions, and in the other study 50 subjects looked at a neutral and an emotive movie film under similar conditions. Subliminality was insured in the first experiment by reducing the duration of exposure and in the second by reducing the level of illumination. The results showed that ratings of anxiety were significantly increased under subliminal emotive conditions, and reduced following subliminal neutral exposure. Correlations between psychic and somatic symptoms of anxiety were significantly higher under supraliminal conditions compared with subliminal ones. The possible role of subliminal stimulation in investigating the psychic and somatic components of anxiety is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of subliminal and supraliminal stress on symptoms of anxiety. Two experiments were carried out with volunteer subjects to test whether the subliminal viewing of emotive material induced anxiety and its associated bodily symptoms. In one experiment 24 subjects looked at anxiety-inducing words presented singly through a tachistoscope under supraliminal or subliminal conditions, and in the other study 50 subjects looked at a neutral and an emotive movie film under similar conditions. Subliminality was insured in the first experiment by reducing the duration of exposure and in the second by reducing the level of illumination. The results showed that ratings of anxiety were significantly increased under subliminal emotive conditions, and reduced following subliminal neutral exposure. Correlations between psychic and somatic symptoms of anxiety were significantly higher under supraliminal conditions compared with subliminal ones. The possible role of subliminal stimulation in investigating the psychic and somatic components of anxiety is discussed.", "PMID": 627888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7207", "title": "Size estimation in paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics.", "content": "Fifteen paranoid and 15 nonparanoid schizophrenics and 15 normal controls were administered a size estimation task which featured two administrations of nonthematic standard stimuli. The standard stimuli were presented under three conditions of background stimuli: a) surrounded by four smaller stimuli of the same kind; b) surrounded by four larger stimuli of the same kind; c) presented without background stimuli. Standard stimuli were presented at exposure times of 33 and 4000 milliseconds. On the first administration, nonparanoid schizophrenics were found to overestimate size relative to paranoidschizophrenics with normal controls intermediate in performance between the paranoid schizophrenics and nonparanoid schizophrenics, particularly on longer stimulus exposure times. The groups did not differ on the second administration. This replication of the results of earlier investigations suggest that the repeated administration of size estimation procedures in which the effects of sequence and thematic content stimuli were inextricably confounded may have contributed to recent conflicting findings in the size estimation literature. Contrary to predictions generated by Cromwell's stimulus redundancy formation, the paranoid schizophrenics were not more affected by the size of the background stimuli than the nonparanoid schizophrenics.", "contents": "Size estimation in paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics. Fifteen paranoid and 15 nonparanoid schizophrenics and 15 normal controls were administered a size estimation task which featured two administrations of nonthematic standard stimuli. The standard stimuli were presented under three conditions of background stimuli: a) surrounded by four smaller stimuli of the same kind; b) surrounded by four larger stimuli of the same kind; c) presented without background stimuli. Standard stimuli were presented at exposure times of 33 and 4000 milliseconds. On the first administration, nonparanoid schizophrenics were found to overestimate size relative to paranoidschizophrenics with normal controls intermediate in performance between the paranoid schizophrenics and nonparanoid schizophrenics, particularly on longer stimulus exposure times. The groups did not differ on the second administration. This replication of the results of earlier investigations suggest that the repeated administration of size estimation procedures in which the effects of sequence and thematic content stimuli were inextricably confounded may have contributed to recent conflicting findings in the size estimation literature. Contrary to predictions generated by Cromwell's stimulus redundancy formation, the paranoid schizophrenics were not more affected by the size of the background stimuli than the nonparanoid schizophrenics.", "PMID": 627889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7208", "title": "Cardiac chamber imaging: a comparison of red blood cells labeled with Tc-99m in vitro and in vivo.", "content": "A detailed comparison was performed between the quality of cardiac images obtained using red blood cells labeled in vitro and in vivo. Both methods gave cardiac images of high quality. The in vitro method resulted in subjectively superior images, better intravascular retention of injected radioactivity, and a higher left-ventricle-to-background count ratio (p less than 0.05). The differences in image quality and left-ventricular blood-pool activity were not great, however, and the slight advantage of the in vitro method was offset by a somewhat more complicated preparative procedure. We believe that both agents are suitable for radionuclide imaging of the cardiac chambers.", "contents": "Cardiac chamber imaging: a comparison of red blood cells labeled with Tc-99m in vitro and in vivo. A detailed comparison was performed between the quality of cardiac images obtained using red blood cells labeled in vitro and in vivo. Both methods gave cardiac images of high quality. The in vitro method resulted in subjectively superior images, better intravascular retention of injected radioactivity, and a higher left-ventricle-to-background count ratio (p less than 0.05). The differences in image quality and left-ventricular blood-pool activity were not great, however, and the slight advantage of the in vitro method was offset by a somewhat more complicated preparative procedure. We believe that both agents are suitable for radionuclide imaging of the cardiac chambers.", "PMID": 627890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7209", "title": "Normal adrenal asymmetry: explanation and interpretation.", "content": "Although adrenal imaging with 19-iodocholesterol provided much useful diagnostic information, spatial resolution was less than ideal. With the greater target-to-background ratios afforded by NP-59, differences between the right and left adrenal glands--in terms of position, configuration, and depth-related activity--can now be defined. Analysis of the scintigrams of 21 individuals with no evidence of adrenal disease has allowed us to characterize the normal degree of adrenal asymmetry. Appreciation of this asymmetry is necessary if the potential for greater diagnostic accuracy afforded by NP-59 is to be realized.", "contents": "Normal adrenal asymmetry: explanation and interpretation. Although adrenal imaging with 19-iodocholesterol provided much useful diagnostic information, spatial resolution was less than ideal. With the greater target-to-background ratios afforded by NP-59, differences between the right and left adrenal glands--in terms of position, configuration, and depth-related activity--can now be defined. Analysis of the scintigrams of 21 individuals with no evidence of adrenal disease has allowed us to characterize the normal degree of adrenal asymmetry. Appreciation of this asymmetry is necessary if the potential for greater diagnostic accuracy afforded by NP-59 is to be realized.", "PMID": 627893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7210", "title": "Liver scintigraphic features associated with alcoholism.", "content": "The relationships between scintigraphic features and clinical alcoholism were studied by review of 2,406 liver scintiphotos. Two distinct patterns were significantly associated with alcoholism: (a) heterogeneous distribution of radiocolloid in the liver, and (b) jointly increased uptake of tracer by the spleen and vertebral bone marrow. A total of 13 overall patterns were found to distinguish, with considerable reliability, alcoholics from all other patients. This finding reflects the frequency with which alcohol abuse is associated with hepatic dysfunction in hospital patients. These observations indicate an important role for the nuclear medicine physician in detection of alcoholism among patients referred for liver-spleen imaging, and they form a basis for comparison with the diagnostic efficacy of other methods of evaluating diffuse liver diseases.", "contents": "Liver scintigraphic features associated with alcoholism. The relationships between scintigraphic features and clinical alcoholism were studied by review of 2,406 liver scintiphotos. Two distinct patterns were significantly associated with alcoholism: (a) heterogeneous distribution of radiocolloid in the liver, and (b) jointly increased uptake of tracer by the spleen and vertebral bone marrow. A total of 13 overall patterns were found to distinguish, with considerable reliability, alcoholics from all other patients. This finding reflects the frequency with which alcohol abuse is associated with hepatic dysfunction in hospital patients. These observations indicate an important role for the nuclear medicine physician in detection of alcoholism among patients referred for liver-spleen imaging, and they form a basis for comparison with the diagnostic efficacy of other methods of evaluating diffuse liver diseases.", "PMID": 627894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7211", "title": "Ventilation-perfusion lung imaging and selective pulmonary angiography in dogs with experimental pulmonary embolism.", "content": "To determine the accuracy and limitations of Xe-133 ventilation and Tc-99m perfusion lung images (V-P images) in detecting pulmonary emboli (PE), these studies were performed in 23 dogs after experimental production of PE by a modified Wessler technique. Fourteen of the animals also underwent selective pulmonary angiography. Xenon-133 abnormalities were seen immediately after embolization in two of the 23 animals (8.7%). Perfusion images revealed the location of 83% of emboli that completely obstructed pulmonary vessels, but only 26% of those that partially obstructed flow. Defects were seen with 97% of emboli that completely occluded vessels larger than 2.0 mm in diameter, but in only 66% of those occluding smaller vessels. Oblique perfusion images provided the only evidence of the perfusion defect associated with five of 88 (5.7%) angiographically proven emboli. V-P imaging is a sensitive technique for detecting PE unless the emboli lodge in very small vessels or incompletely obstruct a vessel. Xenon-133 abnormalities occur infrequently following PE, and should not be a common cause for a false-negative V-P match in clinical practice.", "contents": "Ventilation-perfusion lung imaging and selective pulmonary angiography in dogs with experimental pulmonary embolism. To determine the accuracy and limitations of Xe-133 ventilation and Tc-99m perfusion lung images (V-P images) in detecting pulmonary emboli (PE), these studies were performed in 23 dogs after experimental production of PE by a modified Wessler technique. Fourteen of the animals also underwent selective pulmonary angiography. Xenon-133 abnormalities were seen immediately after embolization in two of the 23 animals (8.7%). Perfusion images revealed the location of 83% of emboli that completely obstructed pulmonary vessels, but only 26% of those that partially obstructed flow. Defects were seen with 97% of emboli that completely occluded vessels larger than 2.0 mm in diameter, but in only 66% of those occluding smaller vessels. Oblique perfusion images provided the only evidence of the perfusion defect associated with five of 88 (5.7%) angiographically proven emboli. V-P imaging is a sensitive technique for detecting PE unless the emboli lodge in very small vessels or incompletely obstruct a vessel. Xenon-133 abnormalities occur infrequently following PE, and should not be a common cause for a false-negative V-P match in clinical practice.", "PMID": 627895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7212", "title": "Relative renal accumulation of Tc-99m penicillamine as an index of differential renal function: concise communication.", "content": "The relative renal accumulation of technetium-99m penicillamine (TPEN) was evaluated as an index of differential renal function. Using a scintillation camera interfaced to a computer, renal uptake of TPEN was determined for each kidney by subtracting the renal activity at 10 min from that at 25 min. This percentage of TPEN activity in the left kidney was compared with the percentage of total creatinine clearance contributed by the left kidney in six patients with ureteral obstruction and nephrostomy drainage. The two measurements agreed extremely well, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The relative renal uptake of TPEN and similar cortex imaging agents such as Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid can probably be used to assess differential renal function.", "contents": "Relative renal accumulation of Tc-99m penicillamine as an index of differential renal function: concise communication. The relative renal accumulation of technetium-99m penicillamine (TPEN) was evaluated as an index of differential renal function. Using a scintillation camera interfaced to a computer, renal uptake of TPEN was determined for each kidney by subtracting the renal activity at 10 min from that at 25 min. This percentage of TPEN activity in the left kidney was compared with the percentage of total creatinine clearance contributed by the left kidney in six patients with ureteral obstruction and nephrostomy drainage. The two measurements agreed extremely well, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The relative renal uptake of TPEN and similar cortex imaging agents such as Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid can probably be used to assess differential renal function.", "PMID": 627897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7213", "title": "The increasing incidence of hypothyroidism within one year after radioiodine therapy for toxic diffuse goiter.", "content": "Patients treated with 10 mCi of I-131 for toxic diffuse goiter in the period January 1974--June 1976 were evaluated for development of hypothyroidism. Fifty percent were hypothyroid within 3 mo and 69% within 1 yr of treatment. Our data suggest that there is a higher incidence of hypothyroidism after standard doses of I-131 in the 1970s as contrasted with treatment groups in the 1950s and 1960s. The pathophysiology of this increased incidence is not known with certainty; however, infrequent use of thionamide medication, together with recent increases in dietary iodine, may render the gland more radiosensitive.", "contents": "The increasing incidence of hypothyroidism within one year after radioiodine therapy for toxic diffuse goiter. Patients treated with 10 mCi of I-131 for toxic diffuse goiter in the period January 1974--June 1976 were evaluated for development of hypothyroidism. Fifty percent were hypothyroid within 3 mo and 69% within 1 yr of treatment. Our data suggest that there is a higher incidence of hypothyroidism after standard doses of I-131 in the 1970s as contrasted with treatment groups in the 1950s and 1960s. The pathophysiology of this increased incidence is not known with certainty; however, infrequent use of thionamide medication, together with recent increases in dietary iodine, may render the gland more radiosensitive.", "PMID": 627898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7214", "title": "Thallium-201 imaging in thyroid carcinoma--appearance of a lymph-node metastasis.", "content": "Before surgery, thallium-201 chloride detected a supraclavicular metastasis from a mixed follicular and papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid.", "contents": "Thallium-201 imaging in thyroid carcinoma--appearance of a lymph-node metastasis. Before surgery, thallium-201 chloride detected a supraclavicular metastasis from a mixed follicular and papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid.", "PMID": 627899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7215", "title": "Cerebral perfusion deficit masked by Paget's disease of skull.", "content": "Prominent extracerebral perfusion on an emission angiogram of the head in a patient with Paget's disease of the skull masked an underlying intracerebral perfusion deficiency, due to occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.", "contents": "Cerebral perfusion deficit masked by Paget's disease of skull. Prominent extracerebral perfusion on an emission angiogram of the head in a patient with Paget's disease of the skull masked an underlying intracerebral perfusion deficiency, due to occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.", "PMID": 627900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7216", "title": "Imaging the adrenal glands with radiolabeled inhibitors of enzymes: concise communication.", "content": "Although radioiodinated cholesterols furnished the first noninvasive imaging of the adrenal glands, it would be desirable to decrease the time for imaging and decrease the radiation dose. The relative tissue distributions of two radiolabeled enzyme inhibitors [3H] metyrapol and I-125-SKF-12185 were studied in dogs and man. Their percentage uptakes and target-to-nontarget ratios were similar. The adrenals of three dogs were imaged sharply at 2 hr after injection with 4--6 mCi of I-131-SKF-12185, confirmed by subsequent imaging with 1 mCi of I-131-6-beta-19-nor cholesterol at 5 days after injection. The use of 1 mCi of I-123-SKF will permit imaging of the adrenals in 1--2 hr and will decrease the radiation dose in the human to 0.76 rads to the adrenal, 0.18 rads to the ovaries and 1.7 rads to the liver.", "contents": "Imaging the adrenal glands with radiolabeled inhibitors of enzymes: concise communication. Although radioiodinated cholesterols furnished the first noninvasive imaging of the adrenal glands, it would be desirable to decrease the time for imaging and decrease the radiation dose. The relative tissue distributions of two radiolabeled enzyme inhibitors [3H] metyrapol and I-125-SKF-12185 were studied in dogs and man. Their percentage uptakes and target-to-nontarget ratios were similar. The adrenals of three dogs were imaged sharply at 2 hr after injection with 4--6 mCi of I-131-SKF-12185, confirmed by subsequent imaging with 1 mCi of I-131-6-beta-19-nor cholesterol at 5 days after injection. The use of 1 mCi of I-123-SKF will permit imaging of the adrenals in 1--2 hr and will decrease the radiation dose in the human to 0.76 rads to the adrenal, 0.18 rads to the ovaries and 1.7 rads to the liver.", "PMID": 627901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7217", "title": "The use of videotape for off-line viewing of computer-assisted radionuclide cardiology studies.", "content": "Videotape offers an inexpensive method for off-line viewing of dynamic radionuclide cardiac studies. Two approaches to videotaping have been explored and demonstrated to be feasible. In the first, a video camera in conjunction with a cassette-type recorder is used to record from the computer display scope. Alternatively, for computer systems already linked to video display units, the video signal can be routed directly to the recorder. Acceptance and use of tracer cardiology studies will be enhanced by increased availability of the studies for clinical review. Videotape offers an inexpensive flexible means of achieving this.", "contents": "The use of videotape for off-line viewing of computer-assisted radionuclide cardiology studies. Videotape offers an inexpensive method for off-line viewing of dynamic radionuclide cardiac studies. Two approaches to videotaping have been explored and demonstrated to be feasible. In the first, a video camera in conjunction with a cassette-type recorder is used to record from the computer display scope. Alternatively, for computer systems already linked to video display units, the video signal can be routed directly to the recorder. Acceptance and use of tracer cardiology studies will be enhanced by increased availability of the studies for clinical review. Videotape offers an inexpensive flexible means of achieving this.", "PMID": 627903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7218", "title": "Studies on ribosomal RNA synthesis in vivo in rat liver during short-term protein malnutrition.", "content": "To better understand the increased incorporation of [14C] orotate into rRNA, as detailed study of liver rRNA synthesis was performed on young rats fed a 6% casein diet for 1 week. From 10 to 180 minutes after i.v. injection of [14C] orotate, nucleolar RNA specific activity of malnourished rats was 1.6 times higher than controls. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that 45S pre-rRNA from malnourished rats was synthesized more rapidly than controls. Specific activities of other nucleolar RNA species was increased but the time of appearance of labeled peaks did not change. The cellular cytoplasmic rRNA pool was reduced to 70% of controls, the time of appearance of labeled rRNA in the cytoplasm was the same, but cytoplasmic rRNA specific activity was 2.1 times greater than controls. Absorbance profiles and radioactivity patterns of nucleoplasmic RNA were similar in the two groups of rats. Nucleoplasmic radioactivity patterns were complex and heterodispersed, and the amount of radioactivity was greatest in RNA from malnourished rat liver. Our data indicate that short-term dietary protein restriction leads to cellular events which increase the synthesis of nuclear RNA. Nucleolar RNA is processed and transported to the cytoplasm in a manner similar to controls.", "contents": "Studies on ribosomal RNA synthesis in vivo in rat liver during short-term protein malnutrition. To better understand the increased incorporation of [14C] orotate into rRNA, as detailed study of liver rRNA synthesis was performed on young rats fed a 6% casein diet for 1 week. From 10 to 180 minutes after i.v. injection of [14C] orotate, nucleolar RNA specific activity of malnourished rats was 1.6 times higher than controls. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that 45S pre-rRNA from malnourished rats was synthesized more rapidly than controls. Specific activities of other nucleolar RNA species was increased but the time of appearance of labeled peaks did not change. The cellular cytoplasmic rRNA pool was reduced to 70% of controls, the time of appearance of labeled rRNA in the cytoplasm was the same, but cytoplasmic rRNA specific activity was 2.1 times greater than controls. Absorbance profiles and radioactivity patterns of nucleoplasmic RNA were similar in the two groups of rats. Nucleoplasmic radioactivity patterns were complex and heterodispersed, and the amount of radioactivity was greatest in RNA from malnourished rat liver. Our data indicate that short-term dietary protein restriction leads to cellular events which increase the synthesis of nuclear RNA. Nucleolar RNA is processed and transported to the cytoplasm in a manner similar to controls.", "PMID": 627907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7219", "title": "Dietary components and gastrointestinal growth in rats.", "content": "Groups of young rats, weighing 50--80 g, were fed nutritionally adequate purified diets containing different types of protein, carbohydrate, lipid and fiber, or no fiber. Effect of diet on growth of the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated from differences in size of the organs and organ weight: body weight ratios at the end of a 5 week feeding period. The results suggested that type of dietary protein (casein or soy protein), or carbohydrate (dextrose, sucrose, hydrolyzed starch), or lipid (mixed animal + vegetable, corn oil or lard) did not seem to influence growth of the stomach, small intestine, cecum or colon. However, fiber (mixed vegetable, from oats or cellulose) in the diet appeared to have enhanced growth of the small intestine, and more markedly that of the colon (both its length and weight) but not that of the stomach or cecum. On the basis of crude fiber, growth enhancement appeared to be greater in response to the diet with mixed animal and vegetable components than to the semi-purified diets containing oats or cellulose.", "contents": "Dietary components and gastrointestinal growth in rats. Groups of young rats, weighing 50--80 g, were fed nutritionally adequate purified diets containing different types of protein, carbohydrate, lipid and fiber, or no fiber. Effect of diet on growth of the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated from differences in size of the organs and organ weight: body weight ratios at the end of a 5 week feeding period. The results suggested that type of dietary protein (casein or soy protein), or carbohydrate (dextrose, sucrose, hydrolyzed starch), or lipid (mixed animal + vegetable, corn oil or lard) did not seem to influence growth of the stomach, small intestine, cecum or colon. However, fiber (mixed vegetable, from oats or cellulose) in the diet appeared to have enhanced growth of the small intestine, and more markedly that of the colon (both its length and weight) but not that of the stomach or cecum. On the basis of crude fiber, growth enhancement appeared to be greater in response to the diet with mixed animal and vegetable components than to the semi-purified diets containing oats or cellulose.", "PMID": 627908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7220", "title": "The effects of prenatal protein restriction on the developing mouse cerebrum.", "content": "Purified low protein maternal diets cause a reduction in total weight and protein content but not in DNA content (cell number) of the cerebrum of newborn mice. Female mice were fed diets in which 8%, 11%, 15%, or 27% (control) was casein as the sole source of protein for 1 or 2 months prior to mating and throughout gestation. A 15% casein diet fed for 1 month had no effect on brain weight, DNA content (cell number) or protein content in the cerebrums of newborn mice. Female mice fed an 8% or 11% protein diet for 1 or 2 months prior to conception and throughout gestation gave birth to young that had a decreased cerebral weight and protein content. However in neither case was the amount of cerebral DNA (cell number) of the newborn from females in the low protein group significantly different from that in the cerebrums of mice born to females on the normal protein diet.", "contents": "The effects of prenatal protein restriction on the developing mouse cerebrum. Purified low protein maternal diets cause a reduction in total weight and protein content but not in DNA content (cell number) of the cerebrum of newborn mice. Female mice were fed diets in which 8%, 11%, 15%, or 27% (control) was casein as the sole source of protein for 1 or 2 months prior to mating and throughout gestation. A 15% casein diet fed for 1 month had no effect on brain weight, DNA content (cell number) or protein content in the cerebrums of newborn mice. Female mice fed an 8% or 11% protein diet for 1 or 2 months prior to conception and throughout gestation gave birth to young that had a decreased cerebral weight and protein content. However in neither case was the amount of cerebral DNA (cell number) of the newborn from females in the low protein group significantly different from that in the cerebrums of mice born to females on the normal protein diet.", "PMID": 627911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7221", "title": "Dietary protein intake and arginine requirements in the rat.", "content": "Experiments were conducted with immature rats fed L-amino acid purified diets varying in total N and arginine. The experiments demonstrated that total N intake was the factor responsible for increased orotic acid excretion during arginine deficiency. Increased orotic acid excretion was accompanied by increased liver transaminase activities and increased liver concentrations of NH4-N and glutamine. Arginine requirements for growth and normal metabolite excretion increased as dietary N was increased. Accompanying elevated urinary citrate during N deprivation and arginine deficiency was a depression of liver isocitrate dehydrogenase activity. Citrate excretion was lower if arginine was fed as the HCl compared to the free base. During a partial or total arginine deficiency citrate excretion was elevated at varying dietary N concentrations. Urinary pH was not significantly changed by level of dietary N or arginine.", "contents": "Dietary protein intake and arginine requirements in the rat. Experiments were conducted with immature rats fed L-amino acid purified diets varying in total N and arginine. The experiments demonstrated that total N intake was the factor responsible for increased orotic acid excretion during arginine deficiency. Increased orotic acid excretion was accompanied by increased liver transaminase activities and increased liver concentrations of NH4-N and glutamine. Arginine requirements for growth and normal metabolite excretion increased as dietary N was increased. Accompanying elevated urinary citrate during N deprivation and arginine deficiency was a depression of liver isocitrate dehydrogenase activity. Citrate excretion was lower if arginine was fed as the HCl compared to the free base. During a partial or total arginine deficiency citrate excretion was elevated at varying dietary N concentrations. Urinary pH was not significantly changed by level of dietary N or arginine.", "PMID": 627913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7222", "title": "Age-related changes in ribosomal profiles and in vitro protein synthesis in skeletal muscle during fasting and subsequent refeeding of rats.", "content": "Age-dependent changes in ribosomal profiles and in in vitro protein synthesis in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius muscle) were studied in rats subjected to fasting and subsequent refeeding. Male rats of 4, 7, and 21 weeks of age were used. Incorporation of 14C-leucine into protein in vitro using skeletal muscle ribosomes from fed rats decreased with the age of the animals. Sucrose density gradient analyses of ribosomal profiles revealed that the changes in protein synthesis were accompanied by progressive declines in the concentrations of polyribosomes and total RNA in skeletal muscle. After fasting for 1 or 2 days, protein synthesis in muscle of young rats dropped markedly and this change could be attributed to the fall in the concentrations of polyribosomes. Also, the concentration and total RNA in the muscles of the young rats decreased. During refeeding of rats after fasting for 2 days, the incorporation of 14C-amino acids into protein recovered more efficiently using ribosomes of skeletal muscle of young animals compared with using those of older animals. This rapid increase in the protein synthesizing activity of skeletal muscle may be related to the efficient recovery of the ribosomes toward heavier aggregates. The results indicate that young animals adapt more efficiently to fasting and refeeding than do older animals.", "contents": "Age-related changes in ribosomal profiles and in vitro protein synthesis in skeletal muscle during fasting and subsequent refeeding of rats. Age-dependent changes in ribosomal profiles and in in vitro protein synthesis in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius muscle) were studied in rats subjected to fasting and subsequent refeeding. Male rats of 4, 7, and 21 weeks of age were used. Incorporation of 14C-leucine into protein in vitro using skeletal muscle ribosomes from fed rats decreased with the age of the animals. Sucrose density gradient analyses of ribosomal profiles revealed that the changes in protein synthesis were accompanied by progressive declines in the concentrations of polyribosomes and total RNA in skeletal muscle. After fasting for 1 or 2 days, protein synthesis in muscle of young rats dropped markedly and this change could be attributed to the fall in the concentrations of polyribosomes. Also, the concentration and total RNA in the muscles of the young rats decreased. During refeeding of rats after fasting for 2 days, the incorporation of 14C-amino acids into protein recovered more efficiently using ribosomes of skeletal muscle of young animals compared with using those of older animals. This rapid increase in the protein synthesizing activity of skeletal muscle may be related to the efficient recovery of the ribosomes toward heavier aggregates. The results indicate that young animals adapt more efficiently to fasting and refeeding than do older animals.", "PMID": 627915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7223", "title": "The determination of thiamin pyrophosphate in blood and other tissues, and its correlation with erythrocyte transketolase activity.", "content": "A sensitive method for the specific measurement of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) has been developed using the apoenzyme recombination concept. Yeast pyruvic decarboxylase apoenzyme can be reconstituted by the addition of TPP or samples containing TPP, yielding the holoenzyme with activity proportionate to the amount of TPP added. Using this technique, reaction mixtures containing 0.2 to 1.5 ng TPP can be assayed. Normal human erythrocyte TPP ranges from 50 to 150 ng per ml packed cells. When rats are fed a thiamin deficient diet, the erythrocyte TPP level falls more rapidly than the erythrocyte transketolase activity. After 8 days, the level of TPP in the erythrocytes of deficient animals was 10% of the level in pair-fed controls. At this time, however, there was no appreciable decrease in their respective transketolase activities. The level of TPP in the liver also is decreased drastically after 8 days. Therefore it appears that erytyrocyte and liver TPP stores have begun to be depleted and suggest that erythrocyte TPP levels are a more sensitive indicator of thiamin status.", "contents": "The determination of thiamin pyrophosphate in blood and other tissues, and its correlation with erythrocyte transketolase activity. A sensitive method for the specific measurement of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) has been developed using the apoenzyme recombination concept. Yeast pyruvic decarboxylase apoenzyme can be reconstituted by the addition of TPP or samples containing TPP, yielding the holoenzyme with activity proportionate to the amount of TPP added. Using this technique, reaction mixtures containing 0.2 to 1.5 ng TPP can be assayed. Normal human erythrocyte TPP ranges from 50 to 150 ng per ml packed cells. When rats are fed a thiamin deficient diet, the erythrocyte TPP level falls more rapidly than the erythrocyte transketolase activity. After 8 days, the level of TPP in the erythrocytes of deficient animals was 10% of the level in pair-fed controls. At this time, however, there was no appreciable decrease in their respective transketolase activities. The level of TPP in the liver also is decreased drastically after 8 days. Therefore it appears that erytyrocyte and liver TPP stores have begun to be depleted and suggest that erythrocyte TPP levels are a more sensitive indicator of thiamin status.", "PMID": 627916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7224", "title": "Choline deficiency and the reversibility of renal lesions in rats.", "content": "A transient choline deficiency was induced in young rats subsequently fed a nutritionally complete purified diet during recovery periods of 0 to 119 days. The purpose was to investigate the pathomorphology of the renal lesions and relate this to observed biochemical changes. Acute renal lesions consisting of tubular epithelial cell necrosis and tubulorrhexis were observed in rats immediately after the insult. Chronic renal lesions consisting of interstitial nephritis and scarring were observed 28 to 119 days after the insult; these lesions were qualitatively similar at all times but showed a healing trend as the recovery period lengthened. Kidney and liver weights, liver fat concentration, and serum urea nitrogen concentration were higher in treated rats than in control rats at 0 days (no recovery period allowed) but treatment effects at all other times were minor. Significant changes occurred in serum phenylalanine and tyrosine concentrations and in the phenylalanine to tyrosine ratios after recovery periods of 0, 42 and 84 days. It was concluded that the proximal convoluted tubule was most seriously affected and that the chronic lesions represent a potential threat to kidney function in a stress situation. Some implications for human nutrition are discussed.", "contents": "Choline deficiency and the reversibility of renal lesions in rats. A transient choline deficiency was induced in young rats subsequently fed a nutritionally complete purified diet during recovery periods of 0 to 119 days. The purpose was to investigate the pathomorphology of the renal lesions and relate this to observed biochemical changes. Acute renal lesions consisting of tubular epithelial cell necrosis and tubulorrhexis were observed in rats immediately after the insult. Chronic renal lesions consisting of interstitial nephritis and scarring were observed 28 to 119 days after the insult; these lesions were qualitatively similar at all times but showed a healing trend as the recovery period lengthened. Kidney and liver weights, liver fat concentration, and serum urea nitrogen concentration were higher in treated rats than in control rats at 0 days (no recovery period allowed) but treatment effects at all other times were minor. Significant changes occurred in serum phenylalanine and tyrosine concentrations and in the phenylalanine to tyrosine ratios after recovery periods of 0, 42 and 84 days. It was concluded that the proximal convoluted tubule was most seriously affected and that the chronic lesions represent a potential threat to kidney function in a stress situation. Some implications for human nutrition are discussed.", "PMID": 627918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7225", "title": "Variable effects of iron status on the concentration of ferritin in rat plasma, liver, and spleen.", "content": "The present studies were conducted to determine the relationships between iron status and ferritin levels in plasma, liver, and spleen of rats. Rats were fed either iron-adequate or iron-deficient purified diets, and measurements of hemoglobin and plasma and tissue ferritin levels were made at various times during iron depletion and iron repletion. Although mean plasma ferritin concentrations of iron-deficient rats were directionally less than those of iron-adequate rats, these differences were not statistically significant due to high variability among similarly treated animals. During iron repletion plasma ferritin concentrations again were so variable that no significant effect of iron repletion on plasma ferritin concentrations was observed. On the other hand, liver and spleen ferritin concentrations of similarly treated rats were much less variable. Ferritin liver and spleen stores decreased more rapidly than hemoglobin during iron deficiency and were restored more slowly than hemoglobin during iron repletion. There was no evidence of correlation between liver and plasma ferritin concentration. Because of the variable responses of plasma ferritin concentration to iron depletion and repletion and the lack of relationship between plasma and liver ferritin concentrations, it is concluded that plasma ferritin concentration is not a good indicator of iron status in rats.", "contents": "Variable effects of iron status on the concentration of ferritin in rat plasma, liver, and spleen. The present studies were conducted to determine the relationships between iron status and ferritin levels in plasma, liver, and spleen of rats. Rats were fed either iron-adequate or iron-deficient purified diets, and measurements of hemoglobin and plasma and tissue ferritin levels were made at various times during iron depletion and iron repletion. Although mean plasma ferritin concentrations of iron-deficient rats were directionally less than those of iron-adequate rats, these differences were not statistically significant due to high variability among similarly treated animals. During iron repletion plasma ferritin concentrations again were so variable that no significant effect of iron repletion on plasma ferritin concentrations was observed. On the other hand, liver and spleen ferritin concentrations of similarly treated rats were much less variable. Ferritin liver and spleen stores decreased more rapidly than hemoglobin during iron deficiency and were restored more slowly than hemoglobin during iron repletion. There was no evidence of correlation between liver and plasma ferritin concentration. Because of the variable responses of plasma ferritin concentration to iron depletion and repletion and the lack of relationship between plasma and liver ferritin concentrations, it is concluded that plasma ferritin concentration is not a good indicator of iron status in rats.", "PMID": 627922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7226", "title": "Effects of age, diet and lactation on lipogenesis in rat adipose, liver and mammary tissues.", "content": "Four diets varying in safflower oil content from zero to 20% were used in a study of interactions among diet and physiological state. Increasing fat in the diet did not alter food intakes but decreased digestibility coefficients. Increasing safflower oil intake did not alter milk fat content in lactating rats but increased relative amounts of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat. In liver and perirenal adipose tissues from young male and non-lactating female rats, low fat diets increased rates of lipogenesis from glucose in vitro and specific activities of enzymes whose functions are closely associated with lipogenesis. This adaptive hyperlipogenic response was not evident or was less prominent in aged or lactating rats. In the case of lactating rats it appears that lactation produces a marked reduction in adipose lipogenesis when low fat diets are fed. Reduced glyceride glycerol synthesis in lactating as compared to non-lactating rat adipose coupled with reduced fatty acid synthesis and in increased lipolysis indicated a shift in adipose function in the direction of increased fat mobilization as would be supportive of lactation. Only minor diet effects upon mammary enzyme patterns and rates of in vitro lipogenesis were observed.", "contents": "Effects of age, diet and lactation on lipogenesis in rat adipose, liver and mammary tissues. Four diets varying in safflower oil content from zero to 20% were used in a study of interactions among diet and physiological state. Increasing fat in the diet did not alter food intakes but decreased digestibility coefficients. Increasing safflower oil intake did not alter milk fat content in lactating rats but increased relative amounts of unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat. In liver and perirenal adipose tissues from young male and non-lactating female rats, low fat diets increased rates of lipogenesis from glucose in vitro and specific activities of enzymes whose functions are closely associated with lipogenesis. This adaptive hyperlipogenic response was not evident or was less prominent in aged or lactating rats. In the case of lactating rats it appears that lactation produces a marked reduction in adipose lipogenesis when low fat diets are fed. Reduced glyceride glycerol synthesis in lactating as compared to non-lactating rat adipose coupled with reduced fatty acid synthesis and in increased lipolysis indicated a shift in adipose function in the direction of increased fat mobilization as would be supportive of lactation. Only minor diet effects upon mammary enzyme patterns and rates of in vitro lipogenesis were observed.", "PMID": 627923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7227", "title": "Nitrogen dioxide-induced pulmonary disease: five new cases and a review of the leterature.", "content": "Twenty-three patients exposed to nitrogen dioxide in agriculture or industry were referred to the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. Eighteen experienced a transient upper respiratory tract syndrome; five developed pulmonary edema or bronchiolitis obliterans. This latter group responded to steroid therapy but all demonstrated evidence of persistent pulmonary dysfunction on follow-up studies. Combining our findings with those in the literature we concluded: (1) exposure to NO2 is more common than generally appreciated; (2) case fatality is high--29% for silo-filler's disease; (3) steroids are effective therapy and should be continued for at least eight weeks; (4) although the majority recover without significant sequelae, some individuals may develop persistent functional abnormalities; (5) there is no evidence that long-term exposure to low concentrations of NO2 leads to chronic airway obstruction; and, (6) NO2-induced pulmonary disease could be elminated with appropriate preventive measures.", "contents": "Nitrogen dioxide-induced pulmonary disease: five new cases and a review of the leterature. Twenty-three patients exposed to nitrogen dioxide in agriculture or industry were referred to the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. Eighteen experienced a transient upper respiratory tract syndrome; five developed pulmonary edema or bronchiolitis obliterans. This latter group responded to steroid therapy but all demonstrated evidence of persistent pulmonary dysfunction on follow-up studies. Combining our findings with those in the literature we concluded: (1) exposure to NO2 is more common than generally appreciated; (2) case fatality is high--29% for silo-filler's disease; (3) steroids are effective therapy and should be continued for at least eight weeks; (4) although the majority recover without significant sequelae, some individuals may develop persistent functional abnormalities; (5) there is no evidence that long-term exposure to low concentrations of NO2 leads to chronic airway obstruction; and, (6) NO2-induced pulmonary disease could be elminated with appropriate preventive measures.", "PMID": 627925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7228", "title": "Stress levels of ambulance paramedics and fire fighters.", "content": "Responses to Rahe and job stress questionnaires and urinary concentrations of cortisols and catecholamines served to indicate work related stress in 56 fire fighters and 67 paramedics. Although the average Rahe test scores, indicative of stress arising from life events, were comparable, those of the job stress test were statistically significantly higher for the paramedics. The paramedics felt their jobs more exhausting, less satisfying and requiring too much responsibility. For the paramedics, statistically significant higher levels of epinephrine and elevated levels of norepinephrine were found for the work as compared to the off day. For fire fighters, higher levels of cortisol and norepinephrine evident on the off day rather than the work day apparently reflect the relatively light work load experienced during the span of urine collections.", "contents": "Stress levels of ambulance paramedics and fire fighters. Responses to Rahe and job stress questionnaires and urinary concentrations of cortisols and catecholamines served to indicate work related stress in 56 fire fighters and 67 paramedics. Although the average Rahe test scores, indicative of stress arising from life events, were comparable, those of the job stress test were statistically significantly higher for the paramedics. The paramedics felt their jobs more exhausting, less satisfying and requiring too much responsibility. For the paramedics, statistically significant higher levels of epinephrine and elevated levels of norepinephrine were found for the work as compared to the off day. For fire fighters, higher levels of cortisol and norepinephrine evident on the off day rather than the work day apparently reflect the relatively light work load experienced during the span of urine collections.", "PMID": 627926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7229", "title": "Meat worker's asthma.", "content": "A meat cutter who experienced wheezing when working in the area where price labels were heated, was challenged with the inhalation of the emission of heated price labels and nebulized phthalic anhydride. Only exposure to the emissions from the heated price labels evoked a response. The spectrum of emissions from heated price labels, analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, was found to include phthalic anhydride, 2,5-di-tert-amyl quinone and dicyclohexylphthalate.", "contents": "Meat worker's asthma. A meat cutter who experienced wheezing when working in the area where price labels were heated, was challenged with the inhalation of the emission of heated price labels and nebulized phthalic anhydride. Only exposure to the emissions from the heated price labels evoked a response. The spectrum of emissions from heated price labels, analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, was found to include phthalic anhydride, 2,5-di-tert-amyl quinone and dicyclohexylphthalate.", "PMID": 627927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7230", "title": "Industrial Grenz ray overexposure: report of a case.", "content": "A case of accidental industrial exposure to a single large dose of ultrasoft (Grenz) x-rays is reported. Certain inferences can be made by estimating average skin target dosage, average kilovoltage, milliamperage and duration of exposure. From these data the quality and skin depth dosage of the ray can be tentatively estimated. Comparison of these figures with known biological phenomena such as immediate x-ray burn reaction, late cutaneous sequelae and temporary epilation permits a reasonable estimate of probable skin surface dosage and prognosis.", "contents": "Industrial Grenz ray overexposure: report of a case. A case of accidental industrial exposure to a single large dose of ultrasoft (Grenz) x-rays is reported. Certain inferences can be made by estimating average skin target dosage, average kilovoltage, milliamperage and duration of exposure. From these data the quality and skin depth dosage of the ray can be tentatively estimated. Comparison of these figures with known biological phenomena such as immediate x-ray burn reaction, late cutaneous sequelae and temporary epilation permits a reasonable estimate of probable skin surface dosage and prognosis.", "PMID": 627928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7231", "title": "Byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease in U.S. cotton gins.", "content": "A pilot study of cotton gin workers was undertaken in the ginning industry so as to determine if a definitive study could be undertaken and to make some first order estimates of byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease and to compare the findings to those reported in the African and European gins. Baseline medical data were collected on 203 gin workers and 260 controls, consisting of a medical symptom questionnaire, a chest x-ray and the forced expiratory spirogram pulmonary test. Results revealed a prevalence of functional reactors equal to that found in the textile industry and other gin studies (44%) as determined by spirometric testing, without any association to smoking history. The major reaction group within the ginning population was those working in the baling press area. These same workers demonstrated evidence of chronic depressions in their spirometry data. No excess of chronic respiratory disease as determined by the questionnaire was detected within the gin worker population.", "contents": "Byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease in U.S. cotton gins. A pilot study of cotton gin workers was undertaken in the ginning industry so as to determine if a definitive study could be undertaken and to make some first order estimates of byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease and to compare the findings to those reported in the African and European gins. Baseline medical data were collected on 203 gin workers and 260 controls, consisting of a medical symptom questionnaire, a chest x-ray and the forced expiratory spirogram pulmonary test. Results revealed a prevalence of functional reactors equal to that found in the textile industry and other gin studies (44%) as determined by spirometric testing, without any association to smoking history. The major reaction group within the ginning population was those working in the baling press area. These same workers demonstrated evidence of chronic depressions in their spirometry data. No excess of chronic respiratory disease as determined by the questionnaire was detected within the gin worker population.", "PMID": 627931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7232", "title": "Monomethylformamide levels in human urine after repetitive exposure to dimethylformamide vapor.", "content": "Eight healthy male subjects were exposed to DMF vapor at a concentration of 8.79 +/- 0.33 ppm for six hours daily for five consecutive days. All urine voided by the subjects was collected from the beginning of the first exposure to 24 hours past the end of the last exposure and each sample was analyzed for monomethylformamide (MMF). MMF was rapidly eliminated from the body with urine values peaking within a few hours following the end of each exposure period. Very little was found in the 24-hour postexposure sample and none was found in a 48-hour postexposure sample. There was no increased excretion of MMF in the urine following repetitive exposure. The mean for the seven-hour (end of exposure) sample was 4.74 microgram/ml or 736.8 microgram. Lower and upper one-sided 95% tolerance limits for 95% of the population were 1.2 microgram/ml (367 microgram) and 13.9 microgram/ml (1625 microgram). The coefficient of variation (CV) for microgram MMF/ml was approximately 25 times more variable than the CV for total microgram.", "contents": "Monomethylformamide levels in human urine after repetitive exposure to dimethylformamide vapor. Eight healthy male subjects were exposed to DMF vapor at a concentration of 8.79 +/- 0.33 ppm for six hours daily for five consecutive days. All urine voided by the subjects was collected from the beginning of the first exposure to 24 hours past the end of the last exposure and each sample was analyzed for monomethylformamide (MMF). MMF was rapidly eliminated from the body with urine values peaking within a few hours following the end of each exposure period. Very little was found in the 24-hour postexposure sample and none was found in a 48-hour postexposure sample. There was no increased excretion of MMF in the urine following repetitive exposure. The mean for the seven-hour (end of exposure) sample was 4.74 microgram/ml or 736.8 microgram. Lower and upper one-sided 95% tolerance limits for 95% of the population were 1.2 microgram/ml (367 microgram) and 13.9 microgram/ml (1625 microgram). The coefficient of variation (CV) for microgram MMF/ml was approximately 25 times more variable than the CV for total microgram.", "PMID": 627935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7233", "title": "Occupational asthma due to tetrachlorophthalic anhydride.", "content": "The plastics industry utilizes a number of organic chemicals which have the potential of producing pulmonary reactions, particularly in susceptible individuals. Five workers are reported who were involved in the production of epoxy resins and developed recurrent respiratory symptoms and physiologic abnormalities following exposure to tetrachlorophthalic anhydride (TCPA). Inhalation challenge with TCPA reproduced their symptoms and demonstrated both an immediate and late (4-6 hours) physiologic response. Although the clinical picture strongly suggested a hypersensitivity reaction, immunologic studies failed to demonstrate precipitating or specific IgE antibody. Avoidance of exposure resulted in resolution of symptoms; however, three of the five individuals had residual functional impairment.", "contents": "Occupational asthma due to tetrachlorophthalic anhydride. The plastics industry utilizes a number of organic chemicals which have the potential of producing pulmonary reactions, particularly in susceptible individuals. Five workers are reported who were involved in the production of epoxy resins and developed recurrent respiratory symptoms and physiologic abnormalities following exposure to tetrachlorophthalic anhydride (TCPA). Inhalation challenge with TCPA reproduced their symptoms and demonstrated both an immediate and late (4-6 hours) physiologic response. Although the clinical picture strongly suggested a hypersensitivity reaction, immunologic studies failed to demonstrate precipitating or specific IgE antibody. Avoidance of exposure resulted in resolution of symptoms; however, three of the five individuals had residual functional impairment.", "PMID": 627936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7234", "title": "Physiological effects of rotational work shifting: a review.", "content": "The high cost of capital equipment, demands of the world markets, and continuity requirements of many technological processes have forced industry to operate three-shift, 24-hour days. Workers on fixed schedules experience no particular problems from shift work, but those who are shifted periodically can undergo physiological and emotional disturbances. These disturbances occur because most human systems function according to circadian rhythms that can be easily disoriented. The primary cause is the periodic shifting of the light-dark, wake-sleep cycles. Extensive literature exists on the cause and symptoms of disturbances in the human physiological rhythms. The information contained in this literature can be applied to protecting the health and well-being of the worker.", "contents": "Physiological effects of rotational work shifting: a review. The high cost of capital equipment, demands of the world markets, and continuity requirements of many technological processes have forced industry to operate three-shift, 24-hour days. Workers on fixed schedules experience no particular problems from shift work, but those who are shifted periodically can undergo physiological and emotional disturbances. These disturbances occur because most human systems function according to circadian rhythms that can be easily disoriented. The primary cause is the periodic shifting of the light-dark, wake-sleep cycles. Extensive literature exists on the cause and symptoms of disturbances in the human physiological rhythms. The information contained in this literature can be applied to protecting the health and well-being of the worker.", "PMID": 627940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7235", "title": "Changing habits--an experience in industry.", "content": "A company-sponsored No Smoking Clinic was attended by 118 persons. The sessions consisted of a total of eight hours divided over five consecutive work days. A 12 month follow-up showed a \"quit rate\" of 25%. This experience in behavior modification is consistent with the goals of preventive medicine and can be adapted to an industrial setting. Approaches of this type should offer us a challenge in the future.", "contents": "Changing habits--an experience in industry. A company-sponsored No Smoking Clinic was attended by 118 persons. The sessions consisted of a total of eight hours divided over five consecutive work days. A 12 month follow-up showed a \"quit rate\" of 25%. This experience in behavior modification is consistent with the goals of preventive medicine and can be adapted to an industrial setting. Approaches of this type should offer us a challenge in the future.", "PMID": 627942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7236", "title": "Population biology and behavior of larval Eustrongylides tubifex (Nematoda: Dioctophymatida) in poikilothermous hosts.", "content": "A total of 178 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), 162 freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), 60 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) and 2,488 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were examined for larval Eustrongylides tubifex (Nitzsch 1819) J\u00e4gerskiold 1909 during 1973 and 1974. Older, large fish exhibited higher prevalence, larger mean numbers of larvae in infected fish, larger mean numbers of larvae in all fish examined, and wider range of intensity of infection. Infections were most extensive in yellow perch. The majority of larvae were removed from mesenteric cysts. Under experimental conditions, larvae migrated from cysts through the body wall when environmental temperatures reached or exceeded 40 C. Fourth-stage larvae removed from yellow perch successfully reinfected a variety of poikilothermous experimental hosts. Both young-of-the-year and I+ age/size class yellow perch exhibited increasing monthly larval worm burdens during portions of the sampling period. Older (II+) age/size class yellow perch did not exhibit significantly increasing worm burdens. No significant differences were noted in numbers of male and female larvae or in worm burdens in male and female yellow perch.", "contents": "Population biology and behavior of larval Eustrongylides tubifex (Nematoda: Dioctophymatida) in poikilothermous hosts. A total of 178 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), 162 freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), 60 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) and 2,488 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were examined for larval Eustrongylides tubifex (Nitzsch 1819) J\u00e4gerskiold 1909 during 1973 and 1974. Older, large fish exhibited higher prevalence, larger mean numbers of larvae in infected fish, larger mean numbers of larvae in all fish examined, and wider range of intensity of infection. Infections were most extensive in yellow perch. The majority of larvae were removed from mesenteric cysts. Under experimental conditions, larvae migrated from cysts through the body wall when environmental temperatures reached or exceeded 40 C. Fourth-stage larvae removed from yellow perch successfully reinfected a variety of poikilothermous experimental hosts. Both young-of-the-year and I+ age/size class yellow perch exhibited increasing monthly larval worm burdens during portions of the sampling period. Older (II+) age/size class yellow perch did not exhibit significantly increasing worm burdens. No significant differences were noted in numbers of male and female larvae or in worm burdens in male and female yellow perch.", "PMID": 627946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7237", "title": "Cuticular morphology of five species of Dirofilaria: a scanning electron microscope study.", "content": "Cuticular markings of five species of Dirofilaria were examined by SEM. Variations in the patterns on the en face view were observed among the species. Transverse striations were observed on the cuticles of all five species, but longitudinal ridges were lacking on Dirofilaria immitis, the type species of the subgenus Dirofilaria. They were present on the other four species, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria corynodes, and Dirofilaria magnilarvatum, members of the subgenus Nochtiella. Longitudinal ridges and other cuticular structures and patterns were seen to vary among the species and with the portion and aspect of the worm examined. It is suggested that SEM would be a good tool for a detailed study of specific cuticular morphology of all species of Dirofilaria, thus contributing toward their differentiation and recognition.", "contents": "Cuticular morphology of five species of Dirofilaria: a scanning electron microscope study. Cuticular markings of five species of Dirofilaria were examined by SEM. Variations in the patterns on the en face view were observed among the species. Transverse striations were observed on the cuticles of all five species, but longitudinal ridges were lacking on Dirofilaria immitis, the type species of the subgenus Dirofilaria. They were present on the other four species, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria tenuis, Dirofilaria corynodes, and Dirofilaria magnilarvatum, members of the subgenus Nochtiella. Longitudinal ridges and other cuticular structures and patterns were seen to vary among the species and with the portion and aspect of the worm examined. It is suggested that SEM would be a good tool for a detailed study of specific cuticular morphology of all species of Dirofilaria, thus contributing toward their differentiation and recognition.", "PMID": 627947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7238", "title": "Increased susceptibility to infection with Brugia pahangi in aged female jirds (Meriones unguiculatus).", "content": "Female Mongolian jirds, Meriones unguiculatus, from 5 age groups of 2, 12, 16, 21, and 28 months, were infected with Brugia pahangi. Infections were followed for 125 days by weekly bleedings beginning 55 days postinoculation. Jirds were then killed and adult parasites recovered. Results showed a significant shortening of the prepatent period in the 12-, 21-, and 28-month-old groups. The proportion of gravid female worms did not vary significantly among the 5 groups. Similarly, the ratio of females to male worms showed little variation from group to group. Microfilaremia data for the 5 infection groups show an age-associated increase in numbers of circulating microfilariae. Some individuals in the 28-month group demonstrated 1,500 to 3,000 microfilariae per 0.25 ml peripheral blood, a level that was not approached by young females.", "contents": "Increased susceptibility to infection with Brugia pahangi in aged female jirds (Meriones unguiculatus). Female Mongolian jirds, Meriones unguiculatus, from 5 age groups of 2, 12, 16, 21, and 28 months, were infected with Brugia pahangi. Infections were followed for 125 days by weekly bleedings beginning 55 days postinoculation. Jirds were then killed and adult parasites recovered. Results showed a significant shortening of the prepatent period in the 12-, 21-, and 28-month-old groups. The proportion of gravid female worms did not vary significantly among the 5 groups. Similarly, the ratio of females to male worms showed little variation from group to group. Microfilaremia data for the 5 infection groups show an age-associated increase in numbers of circulating microfilariae. Some individuals in the 28-month group demonstrated 1,500 to 3,000 microfilariae per 0.25 ml peripheral blood, a level that was not approached by young females.", "PMID": 627948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7239", "title": "Dirofilaria immitis: experimental infections in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo).", "content": "The ferret, Mustela putorius furo, was found to be susceptible to Dirofilaria immitis infection when exposed to low (14) or high (280-420) numbers of infective larvae harvested from Aedes aegypti. Eight ferrets (half of them cortisonized) were inoculated subcutaneously with 14 larvae each. All of them were subsequently found to harbor D. immitis in the heart, and all but one of them had worms of both sexes. Six of these ferrets were examined for microfilaremia at 31 to 35 weeks after inoculation; 3 were positive (one observed only at postmortem examination) and there was evidence that fertilization of female worms had occurred in one other. Females up to 25.5 cm and males up to 16.0 cm were recovered. There was no evidence that the cortisonization of some ferrets had affected the infections. Both male and female ferrets became infected. Four cortisonized ferrets were inoculated with 280 or 420 larvae of D. immitis (divided equally between subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes). All of them died 16 to 18 weeks after inoculation, yielding 102 to 125 immature D. immitis. In these lethal infections, worms were recovered from the heart and adjoining vessels, and also from vascular and extravascular sites throughout the body.", "contents": "Dirofilaria immitis: experimental infections in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo). The ferret, Mustela putorius furo, was found to be susceptible to Dirofilaria immitis infection when exposed to low (14) or high (280-420) numbers of infective larvae harvested from Aedes aegypti. Eight ferrets (half of them cortisonized) were inoculated subcutaneously with 14 larvae each. All of them were subsequently found to harbor D. immitis in the heart, and all but one of them had worms of both sexes. Six of these ferrets were examined for microfilaremia at 31 to 35 weeks after inoculation; 3 were positive (one observed only at postmortem examination) and there was evidence that fertilization of female worms had occurred in one other. Females up to 25.5 cm and males up to 16.0 cm were recovered. There was no evidence that the cortisonization of some ferrets had affected the infections. Both male and female ferrets became infected. Four cortisonized ferrets were inoculated with 280 or 420 larvae of D. immitis (divided equally between subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes). All of them died 16 to 18 weeks after inoculation, yielding 102 to 125 immature D. immitis. In these lethal infections, worms were recovered from the heart and adjoining vessels, and also from vascular and extravascular sites throughout the body.", "PMID": 627949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7240", "title": "Dirofilaria cancrivori sp. n. (Nematoda: Filarioidea from the crabdog, Procyon cancrivorus, in Guyana.", "content": "Dirofilaria cancrivori sp. n. is described from subcutaneous tissues of the crabdog, Procyon cancrivorus, in Guyana, South America. The filarid is morphologically distinct from Dirofilaria tenuis, parasite of a related host, the raccoon, in the southern United States, and all other species of Dirofilaria. The parasite can be distinguished from other dirofilarias based on a combination of morphological features including its size, number, and arrangement of caudal papillae on the male tail, size and shape of the spicules, the presence of longitudinal ridges and transverse striations on the cuticle, and the microfilaria.", "contents": "Dirofilaria cancrivori sp. n. (Nematoda: Filarioidea from the crabdog, Procyon cancrivorus, in Guyana. Dirofilaria cancrivori sp. n. is described from subcutaneous tissues of the crabdog, Procyon cancrivorus, in Guyana, South America. The filarid is morphologically distinct from Dirofilaria tenuis, parasite of a related host, the raccoon, in the southern United States, and all other species of Dirofilaria. The parasite can be distinguished from other dirofilarias based on a combination of morphological features including its size, number, and arrangement of caudal papillae on the male tail, size and shape of the spicules, the presence of longitudinal ridges and transverse striations on the cuticle, and the microfilaria.", "PMID": 627950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7241", "title": "Ultrastructural characterization of the cuticle of Onchocerca volvulus microfilaria.", "content": "Previous ultrastructural studies on various microfilariae have suggested the presence of a trilaminar membrane at the parasite cuticle. In the present report, the formation of the cuticle of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae was studied at different developmental stages by transmission electron microscopy of samples obtained from subcutaneous nodules of untreated patients. The cuticle is formed by the layering of surface coat fibrillar components of the hypodermal cells. No plasma membrane is found at the cuticle of the microfilaria. The use of freeze-fracture replication confirmed the absence of a classic plasma membrane at the parasite cuticle. Our results suggest that immunogenic determinants of the microfilaria cellular elements are hidden from the exterior by the acellular cuticle. This may explain the lack of cellular reaction usually found around living O. volvulus microfilariae in the dermis of onchocerciasis patients.", "contents": "Ultrastructural characterization of the cuticle of Onchocerca volvulus microfilaria. Previous ultrastructural studies on various microfilariae have suggested the presence of a trilaminar membrane at the parasite cuticle. In the present report, the formation of the cuticle of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae was studied at different developmental stages by transmission electron microscopy of samples obtained from subcutaneous nodules of untreated patients. The cuticle is formed by the layering of surface coat fibrillar components of the hypodermal cells. No plasma membrane is found at the cuticle of the microfilaria. The use of freeze-fracture replication confirmed the absence of a classic plasma membrane at the parasite cuticle. Our results suggest that immunogenic determinants of the microfilaria cellular elements are hidden from the exterior by the acellular cuticle. This may explain the lack of cellular reaction usually found around living O. volvulus microfilariae in the dermis of onchocerciasis patients.", "PMID": 627951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7242", "title": "The life cycle of the tick Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch (Acarina: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.", "content": "The life cycle of Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch was studied under laboratory conditions at 26 +/- 1 C. The preoviposition period was 7.1 +/- 0.23 days. The mean (+/- SE) number of eggs was 6,867 +/- 2,609 (max. 13,180, min. 3,184). The greatest egg production was recorded on day 3 (avg 1,170 egg/female). The incubation period was 29.3 +/- 2.96 days. The feeding time of larvae and nymphs of this 2-host tick was 22.8 +/- 0.13 days. Nymphs producing males weighed less (23.1 +/- 0.748 mg) than those producing females (26.8 +/- 1.19 mg); the combined larval-nymphal feeding time of the former was shorter (21.9 +/- 0.1 days) than that of the latter (22.9 +/- 1.12 days). The premolting period of nymphs to adults of both sexes was similar.", "contents": "The life cycle of the tick Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch (Acarina: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions. The life cycle of Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch was studied under laboratory conditions at 26 +/- 1 C. The preoviposition period was 7.1 +/- 0.23 days. The mean (+/- SE) number of eggs was 6,867 +/- 2,609 (max. 13,180, min. 3,184). The greatest egg production was recorded on day 3 (avg 1,170 egg/female). The incubation period was 29.3 +/- 2.96 days. The feeding time of larvae and nymphs of this 2-host tick was 22.8 +/- 0.13 days. Nymphs producing males weighed less (23.1 +/- 0.748 mg) than those producing females (26.8 +/- 1.19 mg); the combined larval-nymphal feeding time of the former was shorter (21.9 +/- 0.1 days) than that of the latter (22.9 +/- 1.12 days). The premolting period of nymphs to adults of both sexes was similar.", "PMID": 627955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7243", "title": "Phalacropsylla oregonensis sp. n., with a key to the species of Phalacropsylla Rothschild 1915 (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae).", "content": "A new species of flea belonging to the genus Phalacropsylla is described. The known distribution and host associations of the 5 recognized species are briefly discussed, and a key to these taxa is included.", "contents": "Phalacropsylla oregonensis sp. n., with a key to the species of Phalacropsylla Rothschild 1915 (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae). A new species of flea belonging to the genus Phalacropsylla is described. The known distribution and host associations of the 5 recognized species are briefly discussed, and a key to these taxa is included.", "PMID": 627957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7244", "title": "Glochidiosis of salmonid fishes. II. Comparison of tissue response of coho and chinook salmon to experimental infection with Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) (Pelecypoda: Margaritanidae).", "content": "Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are more resistant to experimental infection with the glochidia of the freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) than are chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Histological sections made at intervals during the infection showed that coho salmon sloughed the parasites from their gills by 4.5 days postinfection, but the parasites remained encysted in the gills of chinook salmon for 12 weeks, when metamorphosis to juvenile mussels was complete. Coho salmon sloughed the parasites by a well-developed hyperplasia. No such pronounced hyperplastic reaction was seen in the gills of chinook salmon.", "contents": "Glochidiosis of salmonid fishes. II. Comparison of tissue response of coho and chinook salmon to experimental infection with Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) (Pelecypoda: Margaritanidae). Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are more resistant to experimental infection with the glochidia of the freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) than are chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Histological sections made at intervals during the infection showed that coho salmon sloughed the parasites from their gills by 4.5 days postinfection, but the parasites remained encysted in the gills of chinook salmon for 12 weeks, when metamorphosis to juvenile mussels was complete. Coho salmon sloughed the parasites by a well-developed hyperplasia. No such pronounced hyperplastic reaction was seen in the gills of chinook salmon.", "PMID": 627958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7245", "title": "Effect of coccidiosis on blood coagulation in broilers.", "content": "Severe infection with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria tenella increased the prothrombin times in broilers compared with the times in uninfected birds. Recalcification time was not affected. The increase in prothrombin time was related to the severity of infection (as measured by lesion score), and was significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) only in the most severely infected birds. The increase was of short duration, lasting only 1 or 2 days, and first appeared on day 5 or 6 postinoculation. Restricting the feed intake of uninoculated birds to the amount of feed consumed by infected birds showed that the reduction in feed intake with coccidiosis was not responsible for the increase in prothrombin time.", "contents": "Effect of coccidiosis on blood coagulation in broilers. Severe infection with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria tenella increased the prothrombin times in broilers compared with the times in uninfected birds. Recalcification time was not affected. The increase in prothrombin time was related to the severity of infection (as measured by lesion score), and was significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) only in the most severely infected birds. The increase was of short duration, lasting only 1 or 2 days, and first appeared on day 5 or 6 postinoculation. Restricting the feed intake of uninoculated birds to the amount of feed consumed by infected birds showed that the reduction in feed intake with coccidiosis was not responsible for the increase in prothrombin time.", "PMID": 627969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7246", "title": "The endogenous stages of Eimeria utahensis (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) in the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ordii.", "content": "The endogenous life cycle of Eimeria utahensis is described from experimentally infected kangaroo rats, Dipodomys ordii. The endogenous asexual cycle consisted of 4 generations of meronts. First-generation meronts were concentrated in the anterior third of the small intestine. The succeeding generations of meronts and the sexual stages were concentrated in the middle third of the small intestine. First-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 9.7 micrometer and contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Second-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 8.0 micrometer and contained 12 to 16 merozoites and a residual body. Third-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 12.4 micrometer and contained 4 to 8 merozoites. Fourth-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 8.6 micrometer and contained 16 to 24 merozoites. Young gamonts were located in epithelial cells of the crypts of the small intestine. Shortly after the parasites entered the epithelial cells, the infected cells became displaced into the lamina propria, and most of the mature gamonts were in this location. The nuclei of host cells containing young sexual stages became greatly elongated and flattened. A few young gamonts were seen in cells in which the host cell nuclei were dividing. During development, nuclei of microgamonts became arranged on the periphery of numerous compartments. Only one type of wall-forming body could be distinguished in the macrogamonts.", "contents": "The endogenous stages of Eimeria utahensis (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) in the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ordii. The endogenous life cycle of Eimeria utahensis is described from experimentally infected kangaroo rats, Dipodomys ordii. The endogenous asexual cycle consisted of 4 generations of meronts. First-generation meronts were concentrated in the anterior third of the small intestine. The succeeding generations of meronts and the sexual stages were concentrated in the middle third of the small intestine. First-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 9.7 micrometer and contained 12 to 16 merozoites. Second-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 8.0 micrometer and contained 12 to 16 merozoites and a residual body. Third-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 12.4 micrometer and contained 4 to 8 merozoites. Fourth-generation meronts had a mean diameter of 8.6 micrometer and contained 16 to 24 merozoites. Young gamonts were located in epithelial cells of the crypts of the small intestine. Shortly after the parasites entered the epithelial cells, the infected cells became displaced into the lamina propria, and most of the mature gamonts were in this location. The nuclei of host cells containing young sexual stages became greatly elongated and flattened. A few young gamonts were seen in cells in which the host cell nuclei were dividing. During development, nuclei of microgamonts became arranged on the periphery of numerous compartments. Only one type of wall-forming body could be distinguished in the macrogamonts.", "PMID": 627970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7247", "title": "Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Microcotyloidea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of the pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), in southern California.", "content": "Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), from Redondo Beach, California is described. This species is distinguished primarily by the prebifurcal position of the genital atrium and vagina, and by possessing an elongate esophagus. The systematic arrangement of microcotyloid forms characterized by an asymmetric haptor is discussed.", "contents": "Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Microcotyloidea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of the pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), in southern California. Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), from Redondo Beach, California is described. This species is distinguished primarily by the prebifurcal position of the genital atrium and vagina, and by possessing an elongate esophagus. The systematic arrangement of microcotyloid forms characterized by an asymmetric haptor is discussed.", "PMID": 627974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7248", "title": "Parasitism in some east Atlantic bathypelagic fishes with a description of Lecithophyllum irelandeum sp. n. (Trematoda).", "content": "Eighty-four bathypelagic fishes collected at depths from 975 to 1,555 m in the eastern Atlantic Ocean were examined for animal parasites. Ninety-five percent (including all the Gonostomatidae) were free from parasites. A digenetic trematode, Lecithophyllum irelandeum sp. n. from the stomach of one specimen of the family. Melamphaidae, is described. One copepod was found in the kidney of Bathylagus euryops, and another copepod infected the liver of a melamphaid. This paucity of parasites is of a different pattern from that found in mesopelagic waters. Some environmental factors that may be involved in the causes of this differences are mentioned.", "contents": "Parasitism in some east Atlantic bathypelagic fishes with a description of Lecithophyllum irelandeum sp. n. (Trematoda). Eighty-four bathypelagic fishes collected at depths from 975 to 1,555 m in the eastern Atlantic Ocean were examined for animal parasites. Ninety-five percent (including all the Gonostomatidae) were free from parasites. A digenetic trematode, Lecithophyllum irelandeum sp. n. from the stomach of one specimen of the family. Melamphaidae, is described. One copepod was found in the kidney of Bathylagus euryops, and another copepod infected the liver of a melamphaid. This paucity of parasites is of a different pattern from that found in mesopelagic waters. Some environmental factors that may be involved in the causes of this differences are mentioned.", "PMID": 627975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7249", "title": "Scanning electron microscope observations on miracidium, cercaria, and cercarial papillar patterns of Schistosoma japonicum.", "content": "The surfaces of Schistosoma japonicum miracidia and cercariae were examined with the scanning electron microscope, and argentophilic papillae of S. japonicum cercariae, presumed to be sensory, with both the scanning electron microscope and the light microscope. Miracidia are covered with cilia, and the apical papilla is covered with cytoplasmic folds that form an anastomosing network. There is an excretory pore on the posterior one-third of the body. The tegument of S. japonicum cercariae is covered with spines that point in a posterior direction. The tail has a more irregular surface than the body, with fewer spines. The openings of the penetration gland ducts on a disclike area with netlike ridges at the anterior tip of the head organ are linearly arranged in 2 lateral crescents each containing 7 separate apertures. The basic number of the body papillae of S. japonicum (excluding those at the anterior end) is 56: 18 ventral, 4 acetabular, 18 dorsal, and 16 lateral (8 on each side). The number of papillae at the anterior tip is 14 (7 on each side). There are 9 papillae on the ventral side of the tail, and 10 on the dorsal and lateral sides.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscope observations on miracidium, cercaria, and cercarial papillar patterns of Schistosoma japonicum. The surfaces of Schistosoma japonicum miracidia and cercariae were examined with the scanning electron microscope, and argentophilic papillae of S. japonicum cercariae, presumed to be sensory, with both the scanning electron microscope and the light microscope. Miracidia are covered with cilia, and the apical papilla is covered with cytoplasmic folds that form an anastomosing network. There is an excretory pore on the posterior one-third of the body. The tegument of S. japonicum cercariae is covered with spines that point in a posterior direction. The tail has a more irregular surface than the body, with fewer spines. The openings of the penetration gland ducts on a disclike area with netlike ridges at the anterior tip of the head organ are linearly arranged in 2 lateral crescents each containing 7 separate apertures. The basic number of the body papillae of S. japonicum (excluding those at the anterior end) is 56: 18 ventral, 4 acetabular, 18 dorsal, and 16 lateral (8 on each side). The number of papillae at the anterior tip is 14 (7 on each side). There are 9 papillae on the ventral side of the tail, and 10 on the dorsal and lateral sides.", "PMID": 627977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7250", "title": "Survival of protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus at constant temperatures.", "content": "A study was conducted to determine the effects of storage at constant temperatures upon the survival of protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus from hydatid cysts removed from infected sheep. Parallel tests were conducted on intact cysts from both lung and liver, and on protoscolices stored within 1-ml samples of hydatid fluid. The longest survival times of any of the samples tested at each temperature were: -20 C, 1 hr; -10 C, 4 hr; 1 C, 16 days; 10 C, 16 days; 20 C, 8 days; 30 C, 4 days; 40 C, 2 days, and 50 C, 2 hr. In general, protoscolices survived considerably better when stored within intact cysts than when in 1 ml of hydatid fluid. At temperature ranges where putrefaction occurred, protoscolices in cysts from lung survived longer than those from liver. The ability of these protoscolices to survive extended periods of time after an infected sheep has died or been killed suggests that stringent preventive and control measures should be established in areas where hydatid disease is endemic. Animal pits at community dumping grounds where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be enclosed or covered, and all stray and roving dogs in those regions should be rigidly controlled.", "contents": "Survival of protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus at constant temperatures. A study was conducted to determine the effects of storage at constant temperatures upon the survival of protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus from hydatid cysts removed from infected sheep. Parallel tests were conducted on intact cysts from both lung and liver, and on protoscolices stored within 1-ml samples of hydatid fluid. The longest survival times of any of the samples tested at each temperature were: -20 C, 1 hr; -10 C, 4 hr; 1 C, 16 days; 10 C, 16 days; 20 C, 8 days; 30 C, 4 days; 40 C, 2 days, and 50 C, 2 hr. In general, protoscolices survived considerably better when stored within intact cysts than when in 1 ml of hydatid fluid. At temperature ranges where putrefaction occurred, protoscolices in cysts from lung survived longer than those from liver. The ability of these protoscolices to survive extended periods of time after an infected sheep has died or been killed suggests that stringent preventive and control measures should be established in areas where hydatid disease is endemic. Animal pits at community dumping grounds where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be enclosed or covered, and all stray and roving dogs in those regions should be rigidly controlled.", "PMID": 627978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7251", "title": "Intestinal helminths of some Nile fishes near Cairo, Egypt with redescriptions of Camallanus kirandensis Baylis 1928 (Nematoda) and Bothriocephalus aegyptiacus Rysav\u00fd and Moravec 1975 (Cestoda).", "content": "Of 10 species of Nile fishes collected during the summer of 1975 at Giza near Cairo, Egypt, 7 harbored 7 helminth species. Recovered material includes 3 species of nematodes: Camallanus kirandensis Baylis 1928 (new host and geographical record), Cucullanus barbi Baylis 1923, and Rhabdochona congolensis Campana-Rouget 1961 (new host record); three species of cestodes: Khawia sp. (new in Africa), Polyonchobothrium clarias (Woodland 1925) Meggitt 1930, and Bothriocephalus aegyptiacus Rysav\u00fd and Moravec 1975; and one acanthocephalan species, Acanthosentis tilapiae Baylis 1947 (new geographical record). Morphologic observations of each species are reported. C. kirandensis and B. aegyptiacus are redescribed.", "contents": "Intestinal helminths of some Nile fishes near Cairo, Egypt with redescriptions of Camallanus kirandensis Baylis 1928 (Nematoda) and Bothriocephalus aegyptiacus Rysav\u00fd and Moravec 1975 (Cestoda). Of 10 species of Nile fishes collected during the summer of 1975 at Giza near Cairo, Egypt, 7 harbored 7 helminth species. Recovered material includes 3 species of nematodes: Camallanus kirandensis Baylis 1928 (new host and geographical record), Cucullanus barbi Baylis 1923, and Rhabdochona congolensis Campana-Rouget 1961 (new host record); three species of cestodes: Khawia sp. (new in Africa), Polyonchobothrium clarias (Woodland 1925) Meggitt 1930, and Bothriocephalus aegyptiacus Rysav\u00fd and Moravec 1975; and one acanthocephalan species, Acanthosentis tilapiae Baylis 1947 (new geographical record). Morphologic observations of each species are reported. C. kirandensis and B. aegyptiacus are redescribed.", "PMID": 627980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7252", "title": "Is psychodiagnostic assessment humanistic?", "content": "The views of psychologists associated with the humanistic orientation in regard to psychodiagnostic assessment was examined. For the most part these theorists describe assessment as nonhumanistic. Their concerns about assessment were divided into five categories: that assessment is reductionistic; it is artificial; it does not pay attention to the examiner-patient relatinship; it judges people; it is overly intellectual. These concerns were elaborated and then responded to from a pro-assessment stance. Although these criticisms could be valid, their validity was said to reflect poor diagnostic practice rather than an inherent weakness in the assessment enterprise. As long as the examiner attempts actively to engage the patient in the assessment process and is aware of the interpersonal context of the test responses and behavior, then psychodiagnostic assessment is consistent with a humanistic orientation.", "contents": "Is psychodiagnostic assessment humanistic? The views of psychologists associated with the humanistic orientation in regard to psychodiagnostic assessment was examined. For the most part these theorists describe assessment as nonhumanistic. Their concerns about assessment were divided into five categories: that assessment is reductionistic; it is artificial; it does not pay attention to the examiner-patient relatinship; it judges people; it is overly intellectual. These concerns were elaborated and then responded to from a pro-assessment stance. Although these criticisms could be valid, their validity was said to reflect poor diagnostic practice rather than an inherent weakness in the assessment enterprise. As long as the examiner attempts actively to engage the patient in the assessment process and is aware of the interpersonal context of the test responses and behavior, then psychodiagnostic assessment is consistent with a humanistic orientation.", "PMID": 627981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7253", "title": "Six-month prognostic norms derived from studies of the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale.", "content": "The Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale (RPRS) was introduced in 1951 by Klopfer. Kirkner, Wisham, and Baker. The predictions of Klopfer et al. are compared to the outcomes in four studies of the RPRS. The originalinterpretation is shown to predict higher percentages of success than revealed by the empirical studies. A second interpretation of the scale is proposed on the basis of the experimental data. This interpretation relates RPRS scores to the chance for substantial improvement within 30 weeks of once weekly therapy by client-centered, rational-emotive, desensitization, aversion, or traditional methods. For any given RPRS score, the chance for substantial improvement is approximately the same for every type of therapy, and increases as the RPRS score increases. The second interpretation is proposed in both tubular and algebraic forms as a stimulus to further research and clinical applications.", "contents": "Six-month prognostic norms derived from studies of the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale. The Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale (RPRS) was introduced in 1951 by Klopfer. Kirkner, Wisham, and Baker. The predictions of Klopfer et al. are compared to the outcomes in four studies of the RPRS. The originalinterpretation is shown to predict higher percentages of success than revealed by the empirical studies. A second interpretation of the scale is proposed on the basis of the experimental data. This interpretation relates RPRS scores to the chance for substantial improvement within 30 weeks of once weekly therapy by client-centered, rational-emotive, desensitization, aversion, or traditional methods. For any given RPRS score, the chance for substantial improvement is approximately the same for every type of therapy, and increases as the RPRS score increases. The second interpretation is proposed in both tubular and algebraic forms as a stimulus to further research and clinical applications.", "PMID": 627982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7254", "title": "The Rorschach response process.", "content": "Five groups of subjects, consisting of 20 schizophrenics, 20 depressives, 20 nonpatient adolescents, and 40 nonpatient adults split at the median on the MMPI K Scale, were instructed to give as many responses as possible to each Rorschach card within a 60-second time limit per card. The average number of answers given by each group was dramatically greater than the mean number obtained under standard test conditions, with approximately two-thirds of all answers occurring during the first 30 seconds of card exposure. Evaluation of form quality shows no deterioration of goodness of it with the increase in R, that is, all groups, except the schizophrenics, consistently gave good form quality answers. After testing was completed, subjects in the four adult groups were asked to select their two \"best\" answers to each card. The high K nonpatients and depressive tended to select the greatest number of Popular answers while the schizophrenics selected the fewest Populars and picked a significant number of poor form answers. In a related study, 20 therapists recruited two each of their own patients for testing. Each therapist tested one of his own patients while the second patient was tested by another therapist. Results show that therapists and to obtain longer and more \"revealing\" protocols from their own patients. The findings of these studies are discussed in the context of stimulus assimilation, ranking of interpretations, and the issue of social desirability.", "contents": "The Rorschach response process. Five groups of subjects, consisting of 20 schizophrenics, 20 depressives, 20 nonpatient adolescents, and 40 nonpatient adults split at the median on the MMPI K Scale, were instructed to give as many responses as possible to each Rorschach card within a 60-second time limit per card. The average number of answers given by each group was dramatically greater than the mean number obtained under standard test conditions, with approximately two-thirds of all answers occurring during the first 30 seconds of card exposure. Evaluation of form quality shows no deterioration of goodness of it with the increase in R, that is, all groups, except the schizophrenics, consistently gave good form quality answers. After testing was completed, subjects in the four adult groups were asked to select their two \"best\" answers to each card. The high K nonpatients and depressive tended to select the greatest number of Popular answers while the schizophrenics selected the fewest Populars and picked a significant number of poor form answers. In a related study, 20 therapists recruited two each of their own patients for testing. Each therapist tested one of his own patients while the second patient was tested by another therapist. Results show that therapists and to obtain longer and more \"revealing\" protocols from their own patients. The findings of these studies are discussed in the context of stimulus assimilation, ranking of interpretations, and the issue of social desirability.", "PMID": 627983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7255", "title": "Reality testing and Rorschach perceptual regression in female patients.", "content": "In an effort to study the relationship between severity of psychological disturbances and developmental level scoring of the Rorschach, 43 female psychiatric inpatients were divided into two groups based on whether or not they were displaying behavioral evidence of poor reality testing. As expected, the poor reality testers group produced a significantly greater percentage of responses at the lowest developments level (amorphous responses). The more intact group produced a greater percentage of vague responses, as would be anticipated in patients fending off further regression or emerging from a regressive state. Findings add to the information available on the developmental system's utility within clinical settings and its applicability to female patients.", "contents": "Reality testing and Rorschach perceptual regression in female patients. In an effort to study the relationship between severity of psychological disturbances and developmental level scoring of the Rorschach, 43 female psychiatric inpatients were divided into two groups based on whether or not they were displaying behavioral evidence of poor reality testing. As expected, the poor reality testers group produced a significantly greater percentage of responses at the lowest developments level (amorphous responses). The more intact group produced a greater percentage of vague responses, as would be anticipated in patients fending off further regression or emerging from a regressive state. Findings add to the information available on the developmental system's utility within clinical settings and its applicability to female patients.", "PMID": 627984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7256", "title": "The power motive, n power, and fear of weakness.", "content": "Among 85 male undergraduates, high need for power as measured by the 1968 Winter scoring system is shown to relate to high drinking frequency (p less than .01), high alcohol consumption (p less than .05), and taking the first drink at age 16 or less (p less than .05); to the Disinhibition (\"Swinger\") factor on Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (p less than .05) to poor academic performance (p less than .05); and to generate a regression equation with the California Psychological Inventory that suggests qualities of personal disorderliness and intellectual aggression. These findings, considered in terms of power motive theory, are seen as replicating earlier evidence that high n Power is maladaptie, voyeuristic and power avoidant.", "contents": "The power motive, n power, and fear of weakness. Among 85 male undergraduates, high need for power as measured by the 1968 Winter scoring system is shown to relate to high drinking frequency (p less than .01), high alcohol consumption (p less than .05), and taking the first drink at age 16 or less (p less than .05); to the Disinhibition (\"Swinger\") factor on Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (p less than .05) to poor academic performance (p less than .05); and to generate a regression equation with the California Psychological Inventory that suggests qualities of personal disorderliness and intellectual aggression. These findings, considered in terms of power motive theory, are seen as replicating earlier evidence that high n Power is maladaptie, voyeuristic and power avoidant.", "PMID": 627985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7257", "title": "The interpretative validity of the FAM: long-term psychotherapists' ratings of psychiatric inpatients.", "content": "Newmark, Conger, and Faschingbauer (1976) found a significant difference between mean ratings of MMPI and FAM (Faschingbauer's Abbreviated MMPI) based interpretations. Since this may have been specific to lack of rater experience, the present study attempted a replication using long-term psychotherapists as raters. The only significant difference was for 20 male psychiatric inpatients. Females (n = 16) and the pooled sample showed no significant differences between ratings regardless of the source test. When the present results are compared to those of Newmark, Conger and Faschinbauer (1976) and earlier work by Fashcinbauer (1973), it appears that the FAM yields interpretation as accurate as one would expect given its psychometric dissimilarity from the MMPI.", "contents": "The interpretative validity of the FAM: long-term psychotherapists' ratings of psychiatric inpatients. Newmark, Conger, and Faschingbauer (1976) found a significant difference between mean ratings of MMPI and FAM (Faschingbauer's Abbreviated MMPI) based interpretations. Since this may have been specific to lack of rater experience, the present study attempted a replication using long-term psychotherapists as raters. The only significant difference was for 20 male psychiatric inpatients. Females (n = 16) and the pooled sample showed no significant differences between ratings regardless of the source test. When the present results are compared to those of Newmark, Conger and Faschinbauer (1976) and earlier work by Fashcinbauer (1973), it appears that the FAM yields interpretation as accurate as one would expect given its psychometric dissimilarity from the MMPI.", "PMID": 627986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7258", "title": "Item subtletly and faking on the MMPI: a paradoxical relationship.", "content": "The X-zero distinction has been used as the operational definition of MMPI item subtlety in previous research. A consistent finding has been that the X items, which are obvious in terms of pathological content, can be faked whereas the more subtle zero items cannot be faked. The present study examined the relationship between instructional sets and endorsement patterns, using a more refined, comprehensive measure of item subtlety. Sixty (30 male, 30 female) subjects completed two MMPI protocols, one under a standard instructional set and the other under either a fake-good or fake-bad response set. Order of administration and sex were counterbalanced. In general, the findings for the sublte-obvious dimension paralleled the previous findings with the X-zero distinction. Endorsement of obvious items was a direct function of instructional set, whereas endorsement of sublte items was inversely related to instructional set. Because subtle items did not appear to measure the constructs for which they had been originally intended, other uses for subtle items were discussed.", "contents": "Item subtletly and faking on the MMPI: a paradoxical relationship. The X-zero distinction has been used as the operational definition of MMPI item subtlety in previous research. A consistent finding has been that the X items, which are obvious in terms of pathological content, can be faked whereas the more subtle zero items cannot be faked. The present study examined the relationship between instructional sets and endorsement patterns, using a more refined, comprehensive measure of item subtlety. Sixty (30 male, 30 female) subjects completed two MMPI protocols, one under a standard instructional set and the other under either a fake-good or fake-bad response set. Order of administration and sex were counterbalanced. In general, the findings for the sublte-obvious dimension paralleled the previous findings with the X-zero distinction. Endorsement of obvious items was a direct function of instructional set, whereas endorsement of sublte items was inversely related to instructional set. Because subtle items did not appear to measure the constructs for which they had been originally intended, other uses for subtle items were discussed.", "PMID": 627987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7259", "title": "The laugh of Satan: a study of a familial murderer.", "content": "A teenage murderer who killed his mother, his tiny half-brother, and his step-father was studied through the imagery he associated to three different editions of inkblots. These sets included the Rorschach, Behn-Rorschach, and Ka-Ro plates. The data were used to theorize about clues, dynamics, and diagnosis in this extreme case of adolescent violence. Family background and developmental history are included. The author takes the position that a conventional analysis of these data alone is not sufficient to fully understand familial murderers. Several of C.G. Jung's concepts, notably his view about the power of shadow-projections to influence conscious percepts and his philosophy about evil as a collective phenomenon, were used to speculate about ways we might extend our understanding of this subject's extreme form of violence. Defining the archetype as an energy-complex, the discussion theorized about possible ways different forms of paranoid ideation may arise.", "contents": "The laugh of Satan: a study of a familial murderer. A teenage murderer who killed his mother, his tiny half-brother, and his step-father was studied through the imagery he associated to three different editions of inkblots. These sets included the Rorschach, Behn-Rorschach, and Ka-Ro plates. The data were used to theorize about clues, dynamics, and diagnosis in this extreme case of adolescent violence. Family background and developmental history are included. The author takes the position that a conventional analysis of these data alone is not sufficient to fully understand familial murderers. Several of C.G. Jung's concepts, notably his view about the power of shadow-projections to influence conscious percepts and his philosophy about evil as a collective phenomenon, were used to speculate about ways we might extend our understanding of this subject's extreme form of violence. Defining the archetype as an energy-complex, the discussion theorized about possible ways different forms of paranoid ideation may arise.", "PMID": 627988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7260", "title": "Hypotensive phospholipids. Some stable analogues of Darmstoff.", "content": "2-Pentadecyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane monosodium phosphate (1) has been shown to exhibit bradycardia and hypotension in rats. It is, however, unstable in aqueous solution. In this study, the stable analogues of 1, 2-pentadecyl-5-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran monosodium phosphate (7), and 1-hydroxymethyl-3-pentadecylcyclopentane monosodium phosphate (17) were prepared. These substances exhibited cardiovascular effects similar both qualitively and quantitatively to those elicited by 1 and were stable in solution for about 24 and at least 72 h, respectively.", "contents": "Hypotensive phospholipids. Some stable analogues of Darmstoff. 2-Pentadecyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane monosodium phosphate (1) has been shown to exhibit bradycardia and hypotension in rats. It is, however, unstable in aqueous solution. In this study, the stable analogues of 1, 2-pentadecyl-5-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran monosodium phosphate (7), and 1-hydroxymethyl-3-pentadecylcyclopentane monosodium phosphate (17) were prepared. These substances exhibited cardiovascular effects similar both qualitively and quantitatively to those elicited by 1 and were stable in solution for about 24 and at least 72 h, respectively.", "PMID": 627998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7261", "title": "Acetylenics. 2. Synthesis and pharmacology of certain N,N-diakyl-3-phenylpropyn-2-amines. Some analogues with tryptamine-like behavioral effects in mice.", "content": "A number of N,N-dialkyl-3-phenylpropyn-2-amines 7 have been prepared and tested for their biological action. Certain analogues show tryptamine-like behavior effects in mice. The tryptamine-like activity of these compounds appears to be controlled by their lipophilicity. These compounds show only weak inhibition of rat liver monoamine oxidase. Although these compounds exhibit tryptamine-like action, experiments seem to indicate that there is no interaction with the tryptamine receptors.", "contents": "Acetylenics. 2. Synthesis and pharmacology of certain N,N-diakyl-3-phenylpropyn-2-amines. Some analogues with tryptamine-like behavioral effects in mice. A number of N,N-dialkyl-3-phenylpropyn-2-amines 7 have been prepared and tested for their biological action. Certain analogues show tryptamine-like behavior effects in mice. The tryptamine-like activity of these compounds appears to be controlled by their lipophilicity. These compounds show only weak inhibition of rat liver monoamine oxidase. Although these compounds exhibit tryptamine-like action, experiments seem to indicate that there is no interaction with the tryptamine receptors.", "PMID": 627999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7262", "title": "Analgesic and tranquilizing activity of 5,8-disubstituted 2-aminomethyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalenes.", "content": "Interesting analgesic activity approaching that of meperidine and codeine was observed in standard animal models for 8-chloro-3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinomethylnaphthalene (compound 7). This compound was orally effective and its analgesic activity was not reversed by the opiate antagonist, naloxone. A limited number of other 2-aminomethyl analogues displayed activity in neuroleptic screens.", "contents": "Analgesic and tranquilizing activity of 5,8-disubstituted 2-aminomethyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalenes. Interesting analgesic activity approaching that of meperidine and codeine was observed in standard animal models for 8-chloro-3,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-pyrrolidinomethylnaphthalene (compound 7). This compound was orally effective and its analgesic activity was not reversed by the opiate antagonist, naloxone. A limited number of other 2-aminomethyl analogues displayed activity in neuroleptic screens.", "PMID": 628000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7263", "title": "Diazepines. 5. Synthesis and biological action of 6-phenyl-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines.", "content": "A series of 6-phenyl-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines (2) has been prepared with 2-phthalimidomethylfurans (12) and 1-phthalimidoalkane-2,5-diones (15) or 2,5-dimethoxy-2-phthalimidomethyltetrahydrofurans (16) as the key intermediates and subsequently evaluated for CNS activity. The structure-activity data generated indicate that, in general, introduction of the methyl and/or ethyl group(s) in the pyrrole ring and a chlorine atom at the ortho position of the 6-phenyl group increases the activity and that substitution of the above chlorine atom for a fluorine atom decreases the activity. 8-Chloro-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-4H-pyrrolo[,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (2p), the most potent among the compounds synthesized, was equipotent in taming and sedative activities to diazepam. The acute LD50 of 2p in mice was larger than 3000 mg/kg po.", "contents": "Diazepines. 5. Synthesis and biological action of 6-phenyl-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines. A series of 6-phenyl-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines (2) has been prepared with 2-phthalimidomethylfurans (12) and 1-phthalimidoalkane-2,5-diones (15) or 2,5-dimethoxy-2-phthalimidomethyltetrahydrofurans (16) as the key intermediates and subsequently evaluated for CNS activity. The structure-activity data generated indicate that, in general, introduction of the methyl and/or ethyl group(s) in the pyrrole ring and a chlorine atom at the ortho position of the 6-phenyl group increases the activity and that substitution of the above chlorine atom for a fluorine atom decreases the activity. 8-Chloro-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-4H-pyrrolo[,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (2p), the most potent among the compounds synthesized, was equipotent in taming and sedative activities to diazepam. The acute LD50 of 2p in mice was larger than 3000 mg/kg po.", "PMID": 628001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7264", "title": "Synthesis and antitumor activity of halogen-substituted 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines.", "content": "Halogenated 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines were synthesized as potential antitumor agents on the basis of the biochemical pharmacological properties of existing triazenes, their structural-activity relationships, and the high melanin binding of chloroquine and iodoquine in vivo and in vitro. They were synthesized by diazotization of appropriate halogen-substituted 4-aminoquinolines in fluoboric acid at -5 degrees C followed by coupling with dimethylamine. Among these new compounds, 8-chloro-4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinoline produces significant antitumor activity against both P-388 and L1210 murine leukemias. Although only marginally active or inactive against P-388, the other chloro, bromo, or iodo analogues show activity against L1210 comparable to that of dacarbazine (DIC). However, none of these compounds is active against B-16 melanoma. Compared with DIC these new agents demonstrate a higher in vitro affinity for melanin; however, this affinity is apparently not correlated with their antitumor activity.", "contents": "Synthesis and antitumor activity of halogen-substituted 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines. Halogenated 4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinolines were synthesized as potential antitumor agents on the basis of the biochemical pharmacological properties of existing triazenes, their structural-activity relationships, and the high melanin binding of chloroquine and iodoquine in vivo and in vitro. They were synthesized by diazotization of appropriate halogen-substituted 4-aminoquinolines in fluoboric acid at -5 degrees C followed by coupling with dimethylamine. Among these new compounds, 8-chloro-4-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)quinoline produces significant antitumor activity against both P-388 and L1210 murine leukemias. Although only marginally active or inactive against P-388, the other chloro, bromo, or iodo analogues show activity against L1210 comparable to that of dacarbazine (DIC). However, none of these compounds is active against B-16 melanoma. Compared with DIC these new agents demonstrate a higher in vitro affinity for melanin; however, this affinity is apparently not correlated with their antitumor activity.", "PMID": 628002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7265", "title": "Adriamycin analogues. 2. Synthesis of 13-deoxyanthracyclines.", "content": "The syntheses of several 13-deoxyanthracyclines are described. Koenigs-Knorr condensation of epsilon-rhodomycinone (12) with the protected daunosaminyl chloride 15 afforded 14 after deprotection. Efforts to decarbomethoxylate 12, as well as attempts to selectively deoxygenate the 13 position of daunomycinone and adriamycinone, were unsuccessful as approaches to 13-deoxyanthracyclines. However, reaction of the readily available tosylhydrazones 4 and 5, of daunorubicin and adriamycin with NaCNBH3 in acidic MeOH, afforded the 13-deoxy analogues 6 and 7 in satisfactory yield. These compounds retained antitumor activity, being comparable to the parent compounds in both efficacy and potency in the P-388 mouse leukemia screen. The epsilon-rhodomycinone glycoside 14 was less active than 6 and 7.", "contents": "Adriamycin analogues. 2. Synthesis of 13-deoxyanthracyclines. The syntheses of several 13-deoxyanthracyclines are described. Koenigs-Knorr condensation of epsilon-rhodomycinone (12) with the protected daunosaminyl chloride 15 afforded 14 after deprotection. Efforts to decarbomethoxylate 12, as well as attempts to selectively deoxygenate the 13 position of daunomycinone and adriamycinone, were unsuccessful as approaches to 13-deoxyanthracyclines. However, reaction of the readily available tosylhydrazones 4 and 5, of daunorubicin and adriamycin with NaCNBH3 in acidic MeOH, afforded the 13-deoxy analogues 6 and 7 in satisfactory yield. These compounds retained antitumor activity, being comparable to the parent compounds in both efficacy and potency in the P-388 mouse leukemia screen. The epsilon-rhodomycinone glycoside 14 was less active than 6 and 7.", "PMID": 628003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7266", "title": "Metabolism of cis-delta4-15(S)-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha methyl ester in the rat.", "content": "The metabolic transformation and excretion of tritium-labeled cis-delta4-15(S)-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha methyl ester (1) have been investigated in rats after chronic and single dose oral administration. Three metabolites have been identified from a partially purified urinary extract. They were the cis-delta4-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha (2), 15-methyl-2,3-dinorprostaglandin F1alpha (3), and 15-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetranorprostaglandin F1alpha (4). The excretion of the drug-related species was significantly slower than that of the natural prostaglandin F2alpha. The slow excretion rate and the presence of unchanged cis-delta4-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha in urine suggested that the metabolically protected prostaglandin could persist in the body and, therefore, exhibit longer duration of action.", "contents": "Metabolism of cis-delta4-15(S)-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha methyl ester in the rat. The metabolic transformation and excretion of tritium-labeled cis-delta4-15(S)-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha methyl ester (1) have been investigated in rats after chronic and single dose oral administration. Three metabolites have been identified from a partially purified urinary extract. They were the cis-delta4-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha (2), 15-methyl-2,3-dinorprostaglandin F1alpha (3), and 15-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetranorprostaglandin F1alpha (4). The excretion of the drug-related species was significantly slower than that of the natural prostaglandin F2alpha. The slow excretion rate and the presence of unchanged cis-delta4-15-methylprostaglandin F1alpha in urine suggested that the metabolically protected prostaglandin could persist in the body and, therefore, exhibit longer duration of action.", "PMID": 628004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7267", "title": "Antineoplastic agents. Structure-activity relationship study of bis(substituted aminoalkylamino)anthraquinones.", "content": "A structure-activity relationship study was conducted on a number of bis(substituted aminoalkylamino)anthraquinones. These compounds were prepared by the condensation of substituted or unsubstituted leucoquinizarin with appropriate amines, followed by air oxidation. Both the position and the nature of the center nitrogen atom of the side chain are vital to the antineoplastic activity. The possible mode of action of these aminoquinones was discussed. 1,4-Dihydroxy-5,8-bis[[2-(hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl]amino-9,10-anthracenedione (DHAQ) was found to possess potent inhibitory activity against both the P-388 leukemia system (T/C of 299 at 0.5 mg/kg with 4/6 cures) and the B-16 melanoma system (T/C of 503 at 1 mg/kg with 7/10 cures).", "contents": "Antineoplastic agents. Structure-activity relationship study of bis(substituted aminoalkylamino)anthraquinones. A structure-activity relationship study was conducted on a number of bis(substituted aminoalkylamino)anthraquinones. These compounds were prepared by the condensation of substituted or unsubstituted leucoquinizarin with appropriate amines, followed by air oxidation. Both the position and the nature of the center nitrogen atom of the side chain are vital to the antineoplastic activity. The possible mode of action of these aminoquinones was discussed. 1,4-Dihydroxy-5,8-bis[[2-(hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl]amino-9,10-anthracenedione (DHAQ) was found to possess potent inhibitory activity against both the P-388 leukemia system (T/C of 299 at 0.5 mg/kg with 4/6 cures) and the B-16 melanoma system (T/C of 503 at 1 mg/kg with 7/10 cures).", "PMID": 628005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7268", "title": "Syntheses and biological activities of basically substituted isoalloxazines.", "content": "A number of flavins possessing a 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminolethyl side chain in place of the usual D-ribityl side chain at position 10 have been synthesized and evaluated for riboflavin antagnostic activity in the rat. Two flavins of those synthesized are potent antagonists of the vitamin.", "contents": "Syntheses and biological activities of basically substituted isoalloxazines. A number of flavins possessing a 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminolethyl side chain in place of the usual D-ribityl side chain at position 10 have been synthesized and evaluated for riboflavin antagnostic activity in the rat. Two flavins of those synthesized are potent antagonists of the vitamin.", "PMID": 628006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7269", "title": "A ureido group containing analogue of oxytocin comprising eight amino acid residues.", "content": "A new analogue of oxytocin was constructed from L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L-glutaminyl-L-asparaginyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyglycinamide. Reaction of this 8-peptide amide with di-p-nitrophenyl carbonate yielded a cyclic compound, in which the -CH2SSCH2-bridging portion of oxytocin formed by the oxidative linking of the two cysteine side chains was replaced by the -CH2CH2CH2CH2-group of lysine, while the epsilon-NH2 group of the same residue took the place of the alpha-CH of cysteine-1. The N-terminal amino group of oxytocin, which is not necessary for its hormonal activities, was omitted. The new analogue, referred to as [1,6-Nepsilon-carbonyl-L-lysine]oxytocin, possessed a rat uterotonic activity in vitro of 3.9 +/- 0.3 units/mg, less than 0.5 unit/mg of rat antidiuretic activity, and caused a marked tachyphylaxis in the rat pressor assay. Moreover, the analogue was a strong competitive inhibitor, with a pA2 value of 7.27 +/- 0.13 of the oxytocin induced vasodepressor response in chickens.", "contents": "A ureido group containing analogue of oxytocin comprising eight amino acid residues. A new analogue of oxytocin was constructed from L-tyrosyl-L-isoleucyl-L-glutaminyl-L-asparaginyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyglycinamide. Reaction of this 8-peptide amide with di-p-nitrophenyl carbonate yielded a cyclic compound, in which the -CH2SSCH2-bridging portion of oxytocin formed by the oxidative linking of the two cysteine side chains was replaced by the -CH2CH2CH2CH2-group of lysine, while the epsilon-NH2 group of the same residue took the place of the alpha-CH of cysteine-1. The N-terminal amino group of oxytocin, which is not necessary for its hormonal activities, was omitted. The new analogue, referred to as [1,6-Nepsilon-carbonyl-L-lysine]oxytocin, possessed a rat uterotonic activity in vitro of 3.9 +/- 0.3 units/mg, less than 0.5 unit/mg of rat antidiuretic activity, and caused a marked tachyphylaxis in the rat pressor assay. Moreover, the analogue was a strong competitive inhibitor, with a pA2 value of 7.27 +/- 0.13 of the oxytocin induced vasodepressor response in chickens.", "PMID": 628007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7270", "title": "Piperidylalkylindoles. 1. Hypotensive activity of 3-[2-(phenoxypiperidyl)ethyl]indoles.", "content": "A series of 3-[2-(phenoxypiperidyl)-ethyl]indoles was synthesized and evaluated for hypotensive activity in the spontaneous hypertensive rat. Maximum hypotensive activity appeared when the phenoxy substituent was para substituted and occupied the 4 position of the piperidine ring.", "contents": "Piperidylalkylindoles. 1. Hypotensive activity of 3-[2-(phenoxypiperidyl)ethyl]indoles. A series of 3-[2-(phenoxypiperidyl)-ethyl]indoles was synthesized and evaluated for hypotensive activity in the spontaneous hypertensive rat. Maximum hypotensive activity appeared when the phenoxy substituent was para substituted and occupied the 4 position of the piperidine ring.", "PMID": 628008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7271", "title": "[1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),4-valine,-8-D-arginine]vasopressin, a potent and selective inhibitor of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin.", "content": "As part of a program in which we are attempting the design and synthesis of an antagonist of the antidiuretic response to arginine-vasopressin (AVP) [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin [d(CH2)5VDAVP] was synthesized and assayed for antidiuretic, vasopressor, and oxytocic activities. The required protected intermediate was synthesized by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and an [8 + 1] coupling in solution. d(CH2)5VDAVP has an antidiuretic potency of 0.10 +/- 0.02 unit/mg, less than 1/10000 that of its parent [deamino,4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dVDAVP). d(CH2)5VDAVP is a specific antagonist of the vasopressor responses to AVP. It has an antivasopressor pA2 value of 7.68 +/- 0.05 when tested against AVP. It is also an antagonist of the in vitro oxytocic response to oxytocin (pA2 value = 6.62 +/- 0.07). With its negligible antidiuretic activity, absence of oxytocic activity, and its potent and specific ability to antagonize the vasopressor effects of AVP, d(CH2)5VDAVP is one of the most potent and selective vasopressor antagonists reported to date. It should thus be a useful tool with which to probe the possible role(s) that AVP may play in cardiovascular regulation under normal and pathological conditions.", "contents": "[1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),4-valine,-8-D-arginine]vasopressin, a potent and selective inhibitor of the vasopressor response to arginine-vasopressin. As part of a program in which we are attempting the design and synthesis of an antagonist of the antidiuretic response to arginine-vasopressin (AVP) [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid),4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin [d(CH2)5VDAVP] was synthesized and assayed for antidiuretic, vasopressor, and oxytocic activities. The required protected intermediate was synthesized by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and an [8 + 1] coupling in solution. d(CH2)5VDAVP has an antidiuretic potency of 0.10 +/- 0.02 unit/mg, less than 1/10000 that of its parent [deamino,4-valine,8-D-arginine]vasopressin (dVDAVP). d(CH2)5VDAVP is a specific antagonist of the vasopressor responses to AVP. It has an antivasopressor pA2 value of 7.68 +/- 0.05 when tested against AVP. It is also an antagonist of the in vitro oxytocic response to oxytocin (pA2 value = 6.62 +/- 0.07). With its negligible antidiuretic activity, absence of oxytocic activity, and its potent and specific ability to antagonize the vasopressor effects of AVP, d(CH2)5VDAVP is one of the most potent and selective vasopressor antagonists reported to date. It should thus be a useful tool with which to probe the possible role(s) that AVP may play in cardiovascular regulation under normal and pathological conditions.", "PMID": 628009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7272", "title": "Statistical aspects of extrapolation of dichotomous dose-response data.", "content": "A mathematical model based on the hypothesis that carcinogenesis is a multistage process was proposed for the statistical problem of extrapolating the results of bioassay experiments performed at high dose levels of the carcinogenic risk at lower dose levels. This general multistage model had extrapolation characteristic similar to those of the more specific models that are commonly used; a graphic technique based on statistical likelihood procedures provided a measure of the uncertainty in this extrapolation problem. The examples used were 1) exposure to DES and mammary carcinoma and 2) exposure to DMN and liver carcinoma.", "contents": "Statistical aspects of extrapolation of dichotomous dose-response data. A mathematical model based on the hypothesis that carcinogenesis is a multistage process was proposed for the statistical problem of extrapolating the results of bioassay experiments performed at high dose levels of the carcinogenic risk at lower dose levels. This general multistage model had extrapolation characteristic similar to those of the more specific models that are commonly used; a graphic technique based on statistical likelihood procedures provided a measure of the uncertainty in this extrapolation problem. The examples used were 1) exposure to DES and mammary carcinoma and 2) exposure to DMN and liver carcinoma.", "PMID": 628012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7273", "title": "Enhancement of growth of allogeneic mouse tumor by the IgG1 fraction of alloantibody preparations.", "content": "Because staphylococcal protein A binds all the known subclasses of mouse IgG except IgG1, ethanol-fixed staphylococci were used as an adsorbent to prepare IgG1 fractions of anti-BALB/c alloantibody-containing globulins and normal globulins of the same strains. The loss of more than 99% of the IgG2 as a result of this adsorption was demonstrated by immunodiffusion. The IgG1 fractions of C3H and CBA anti-BALB/c globulins were tested for their effect on growth of the BALB/c plasmacytomas MOPC-315 and MOPC-460 in C3H and CBA mice by incubation with the tumor cells before transplantation and by injection periodically thereafter into the hosts. With alloantibody-containing globulins that showed slight enhancement of growth of these tumors, or none, the IgG1 preparations caused considerable enhancement of tumor growth. Control preparations of normal C3H or CBA globulins, or IgG1 fractions similarly prepared from the normal globulins, showed no enhancing effect on the growth of these tumors.", "contents": "Enhancement of growth of allogeneic mouse tumor by the IgG1 fraction of alloantibody preparations. Because staphylococcal protein A binds all the known subclasses of mouse IgG except IgG1, ethanol-fixed staphylococci were used as an adsorbent to prepare IgG1 fractions of anti-BALB/c alloantibody-containing globulins and normal globulins of the same strains. The loss of more than 99% of the IgG2 as a result of this adsorption was demonstrated by immunodiffusion. The IgG1 fractions of C3H and CBA anti-BALB/c globulins were tested for their effect on growth of the BALB/c plasmacytomas MOPC-315 and MOPC-460 in C3H and CBA mice by incubation with the tumor cells before transplantation and by injection periodically thereafter into the hosts. With alloantibody-containing globulins that showed slight enhancement of growth of these tumors, or none, the IgG1 preparations caused considerable enhancement of tumor growth. Control preparations of normal C3H or CBA globulins, or IgG1 fractions similarly prepared from the normal globulins, showed no enhancing effect on the growth of these tumors.", "PMID": 628014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7274", "title": "Isolation from a murine fibrosarcoma of cell lines with enhanced plating efficiency in vitro.", "content": "The technique for the isolation of mutants was applied to establish highly clonogenic cells from a fibrosarcoma (FSA) that had an extremely poor growth capacity in vitro (10(-6)--10(-7) of surviving fraction of cells). After consecutive clonings, the surviving fraction of cells increased to 1--5 X 10(-1), whereas that of the ordinarily maintained culture remained at a low level. Selected clones were analyzed in vitro and/or in vivo. The results indicated that the FSA was composed of heterogeneous cells or cells having a potential variability in cloning ability in vitro, metastatic ability in vivo [lung colony-forming efficiency (LCFE)], and DNA content. The relatively high DNA content of one of the clones, FSA 1233, continued after growth in vivo or in vitro, indicating its hereditary nature. FSA 1233 was also demonstrated to have a lower LCFE when the cell suspension was made from a tumor rather than from a culture in vitro. The difference of surviving fractions between the cells in the two conditions was not enough to explain the difference in LCFE's between them. These cells could grow under either in vitro or in vivo conditions and could be made readily into single-cell suspensions. The cells are, therefore, available as a system for analysis of the response of cells in vitro after in vivo treatment with various agents.", "contents": "Isolation from a murine fibrosarcoma of cell lines with enhanced plating efficiency in vitro. The technique for the isolation of mutants was applied to establish highly clonogenic cells from a fibrosarcoma (FSA) that had an extremely poor growth capacity in vitro (10(-6)--10(-7) of surviving fraction of cells). After consecutive clonings, the surviving fraction of cells increased to 1--5 X 10(-1), whereas that of the ordinarily maintained culture remained at a low level. Selected clones were analyzed in vitro and/or in vivo. The results indicated that the FSA was composed of heterogeneous cells or cells having a potential variability in cloning ability in vitro, metastatic ability in vivo [lung colony-forming efficiency (LCFE)], and DNA content. The relatively high DNA content of one of the clones, FSA 1233, continued after growth in vivo or in vitro, indicating its hereditary nature. FSA 1233 was also demonstrated to have a lower LCFE when the cell suspension was made from a tumor rather than from a culture in vitro. The difference of surviving fractions between the cells in the two conditions was not enough to explain the difference in LCFE's between them. These cells could grow under either in vitro or in vivo conditions and could be made readily into single-cell suspensions. The cells are, therefore, available as a system for analysis of the response of cells in vitro after in vivo treatment with various agents.", "PMID": 628015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7275", "title": "Carcinogenic effect of subcutaneously administered N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine in Syrian golden hamsters.", "content": "N-Nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (DMNM) was examined in Syrian golden hamsters in a comparative study of N-N-dipropylnitrosamine (DPN) metabolites. DMNM was administered sc, and the results were compared with those of a previous study in which the compound was given intragastrically. DMNM was more toxic when administered sc, and the respiratory tract was the main target organ (with a 100% tumor incidence). With an sc administration, neoplasms occurred earlier in the hamsters than with an intragastric administration, and fewer tumors of the pancreas and biliary tract were found. However, neoplasms of the upper digestive tract and vagina were seen only with sc treatment. These studies indicated the importance of the treatment route but did not substantiate the role of common metabolites, such as DMNM, formed by beta-oxidation from DPN, with regard to induction of a given tumor type.", "contents": "Carcinogenic effect of subcutaneously administered N-nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine in Syrian golden hamsters. N-Nitroso-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (DMNM) was examined in Syrian golden hamsters in a comparative study of N-N-dipropylnitrosamine (DPN) metabolites. DMNM was administered sc, and the results were compared with those of a previous study in which the compound was given intragastrically. DMNM was more toxic when administered sc, and the respiratory tract was the main target organ (with a 100% tumor incidence). With an sc administration, neoplasms occurred earlier in the hamsters than with an intragastric administration, and fewer tumors of the pancreas and biliary tract were found. However, neoplasms of the upper digestive tract and vagina were seen only with sc treatment. These studies indicated the importance of the treatment route but did not substantiate the role of common metabolites, such as DMNM, formed by beta-oxidation from DPN, with regard to induction of a given tumor type.", "PMID": 628016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7276", "title": "Tumors induced in mice by N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine of the false morel Gyromitra esculenta.", "content": "Continuous administration of 0.0078% N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine (MFH) in drinking water to 6-week-old outbred Swiss mice for life produced tumors of the liver, lung, gallbladder, and bile duct. The incidences of tumors in these four tissues were 33, 50, 9, and 7%, whereas in the untreated controls they were 1, 18, 0, and 0%, respectively. The higher dose (0.0156% MFH) given under identical conditions had no tumorigenic effect, since it proved too toxic for the animals. Histopathologically, the lesions were classified as benign hepatomas, liver cell carcinomas, adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the lungs, adenomas of the gallbladder, cholangiomas, and cholangiocarcinomas. Since the edible false morel Gyromitra esculenta contains a high amount of MFH, the human population should be dissuaded from consumption of this dangerous mushroom.", "contents": "Tumors induced in mice by N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine of the false morel Gyromitra esculenta. Continuous administration of 0.0078% N-methyl-N-formylhydrazine (MFH) in drinking water to 6-week-old outbred Swiss mice for life produced tumors of the liver, lung, gallbladder, and bile duct. The incidences of tumors in these four tissues were 33, 50, 9, and 7%, whereas in the untreated controls they were 1, 18, 0, and 0%, respectively. The higher dose (0.0156% MFH) given under identical conditions had no tumorigenic effect, since it proved too toxic for the animals. Histopathologically, the lesions were classified as benign hepatomas, liver cell carcinomas, adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the lungs, adenomas of the gallbladder, cholangiomas, and cholangiocarcinomas. Since the edible false morel Gyromitra esculenta contains a high amount of MFH, the human population should be dissuaded from consumption of this dangerous mushroom.", "PMID": 628017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7277", "title": "Focal suppression and induction of hyperplasia by the bladder carcinogens butyl(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine and buty(3-carboxypropyl)nitrosamine in organ-cultured rat bladder epithelium.", "content": "The effects of the bladder carcinogens butyl(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) and butyl(3-carboxypropyl)-nitrosamine (BCPN) on proliferating transitional rat epithelium in organ culture were studied. At low to intermediate concentration ranges (0.5--2.9 mM), both compounds appeared to stimulate hyperplasia in some regions of epithelia. The major effect of both carcinogens, however, was to suppress hyperplasia in other regions of epithelia and, at higher concentrations (5--6 mM), to cause necrosis. For comparable concentrations, BBN was more effective in suppressing proliferation and causing necrosis than was BCPN.", "contents": "Focal suppression and induction of hyperplasia by the bladder carcinogens butyl(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine and buty(3-carboxypropyl)nitrosamine in organ-cultured rat bladder epithelium. The effects of the bladder carcinogens butyl(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) and butyl(3-carboxypropyl)-nitrosamine (BCPN) on proliferating transitional rat epithelium in organ culture were studied. At low to intermediate concentration ranges (0.5--2.9 mM), both compounds appeared to stimulate hyperplasia in some regions of epithelia. The major effect of both carcinogens, however, was to suppress hyperplasia in other regions of epithelia and, at higher concentrations (5--6 mM), to cause necrosis. For comparable concentrations, BBN was more effective in suppressing proliferation and causing necrosis than was BCPN.", "PMID": 628018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7278", "title": "Specificity of the deletion of chromosome No. 15 in mouse plasmacytoma: brief communication.", "content": "Q-banding studies in two independent hyperdiploid mouse plasmacytomas, 63-1 and the NP-38-ABCD subline of MSPC-1, revealed that deletion of a No. 15 chromosome was common. The deletion of No. 15 appeared to result from a translocation between No. 12 and 15 in the NP-38-ABCD, as in most plasmacytomas. In 63-1, however, No. 10 was probably a recipient chromosome of the missing segment from the deleted No. 15, and both chromosomes No. 12 remained intact. These karyotypic features suggest that the deleted No. 15 is a tumor-specific marker chromosome in mouse plasmacytoma and that an abnormality of No. 12 is not essential for development of the tumor. The constitution of chromosomes in the two plasmacytomas remained remarkably stable in their homogeneous modal population.", "contents": "Specificity of the deletion of chromosome No. 15 in mouse plasmacytoma: brief communication. Q-banding studies in two independent hyperdiploid mouse plasmacytomas, 63-1 and the NP-38-ABCD subline of MSPC-1, revealed that deletion of a No. 15 chromosome was common. The deletion of No. 15 appeared to result from a translocation between No. 12 and 15 in the NP-38-ABCD, as in most plasmacytomas. In 63-1, however, No. 10 was probably a recipient chromosome of the missing segment from the deleted No. 15, and both chromosomes No. 12 remained intact. These karyotypic features suggest that the deleted No. 15 is a tumor-specific marker chromosome in mouse plasmacytoma and that an abnormality of No. 12 is not essential for development of the tumor. The constitution of chromosomes in the two plasmacytomas remained remarkably stable in their homogeneous modal population.", "PMID": 628020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7279", "title": "Antiproliferative activity of highly purified mouse interferon: brief communication.", "content": "The antiproliferative effect of mouse L-cell interferon, purified by bovine serum albumin--agarose chromatography (which yields a sp act of 3 X 10(8) international reference U/ml protein), and its two subcomponents, obtained by CH-Sepharose 4B chromatography, has been studied in Balb/3T3 fibroblast cultues. Four to 10 international reference U of interferon/ml resulted in a 50% inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell growth, as determined by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine and cell counts, respectively. Hence the degree of inhibition produced by the purified interferon preparations was comparable to that produced by the original crude interferon (sp act, 1.5 X 10(6) international reference U/mg protein). Our results, obtained with L-cell mouse interferon purified by two novel affinity ligands, provided further evidence linking the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of this molecule.", "contents": "Antiproliferative activity of highly purified mouse interferon: brief communication. The antiproliferative effect of mouse L-cell interferon, purified by bovine serum albumin--agarose chromatography (which yields a sp act of 3 X 10(8) international reference U/ml protein), and its two subcomponents, obtained by CH-Sepharose 4B chromatography, has been studied in Balb/3T3 fibroblast cultues. Four to 10 international reference U of interferon/ml resulted in a 50% inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell growth, as determined by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine and cell counts, respectively. Hence the degree of inhibition produced by the purified interferon preparations was comparable to that produced by the original crude interferon (sp act, 1.5 X 10(6) international reference U/mg protein). Our results, obtained with L-cell mouse interferon purified by two novel affinity ligands, provided further evidence linking the antiviral and antiproliferative activities of this molecule.", "PMID": 628021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7280", "title": "Subpopulations of cytogenetically abnormal cells in fibroblast cultures derived from workers exposed to mineral oil.", "content": "Fibroblast cultures were grown from skin biopsy specimens from individuals with a high risk of cancer due to occupational exposure to mineral oil. A high frequency of chromosomally abnormal fibroblast subpopulations was found in cultures derived from tissue that had been exposed to the carcinogen, but these aberrant clonal populations were also present in control lines from the same individuals. Abnormal clones formed a greater proportion of the total cell population in the lines derived from the oil-exposed tissue compared with the control lines after a comparable time in culture. This difference in clone size may be a consequence of the in vivo exposure to mineral oil or other environmental agents.", "contents": "Subpopulations of cytogenetically abnormal cells in fibroblast cultures derived from workers exposed to mineral oil. Fibroblast cultures were grown from skin biopsy specimens from individuals with a high risk of cancer due to occupational exposure to mineral oil. A high frequency of chromosomally abnormal fibroblast subpopulations was found in cultures derived from tissue that had been exposed to the carcinogen, but these aberrant clonal populations were also present in control lines from the same individuals. Abnormal clones formed a greater proportion of the total cell population in the lines derived from the oil-exposed tissue compared with the control lines after a comparable time in culture. This difference in clone size may be a consequence of the in vivo exposure to mineral oil or other environmental agents.", "PMID": 628022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7281", "title": "Androgenesis as a cause of hydatidiform mole.", "content": "Q-band chromosome studies were done in 3 molar conceptuses and their parents, with special attention to six pairs of chromosomes (No. 3, 13--15, 21, and 22) in which polymorphic variants occur frequently. Those six pairs of chromosomes were uniformly homomorphic in moles, whereas at least one of them was heteromorphic in both paternal and maternal cells. Closer analyses provided evidence strongly suggesting that the moles inherited two morphologically identical haploid sets from the father and none from the mother. Thus androgenesis seemed causally related to pathogenesis of complete hydatidiform moles.", "contents": "Androgenesis as a cause of hydatidiform mole. Q-band chromosome studies were done in 3 molar conceptuses and their parents, with special attention to six pairs of chromosomes (No. 3, 13--15, 21, and 22) in which polymorphic variants occur frequently. Those six pairs of chromosomes were uniformly homomorphic in moles, whereas at least one of them was heteromorphic in both paternal and maternal cells. Closer analyses provided evidence strongly suggesting that the moles inherited two morphologically identical haploid sets from the father and none from the mother. Thus androgenesis seemed causally related to pathogenesis of complete hydatidiform moles.", "PMID": 628023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7282", "title": "Bone cancer among female radium dial workers. Latency periods and incidence rates by time after exposure: brief communication.", "content": "Bone cancer in 1,250 women exposed to radium while working in the luminous watch-dial industry between 1913 and 1929 were analyzed for times of appearance (\"latency periods\") and incidence rates over time after first exposure. The lowest radium intake dose associated with bone cancer, among 751 women whose intake doses had been determined, was 202.5 muCi. Mean and median bone cancer latency periods tended to decline, but average survival among women without bone cancer also decreased with increasing intake level. Bone cancer incidence rates over time were compared in 2 intake-dose groups (200--749 and greater than or equal to 759 muCi) by means of an actuarial method that takes competing risks into account. Incidence rates were consistently higher in the higher intake-dose group versus the lower dose group at each 5-year period after first exposure. The variability in the odds ratios across the time periods was not statistically significant, and the actuarial method provided little evidence for an effect of intake dose on the pattern of incidence rate over time. With the use of similar methods, no significant variability was evident in the relative odds of bone cancer over time after exposure between one group of women first exposed to radium at less than 18 years of age and another group exposed when 18 or more years old.", "contents": "Bone cancer among female radium dial workers. Latency periods and incidence rates by time after exposure: brief communication. Bone cancer in 1,250 women exposed to radium while working in the luminous watch-dial industry between 1913 and 1929 were analyzed for times of appearance (\"latency periods\") and incidence rates over time after first exposure. The lowest radium intake dose associated with bone cancer, among 751 women whose intake doses had been determined, was 202.5 muCi. Mean and median bone cancer latency periods tended to decline, but average survival among women without bone cancer also decreased with increasing intake level. Bone cancer incidence rates over time were compared in 2 intake-dose groups (200--749 and greater than or equal to 759 muCi) by means of an actuarial method that takes competing risks into account. Incidence rates were consistently higher in the higher intake-dose group versus the lower dose group at each 5-year period after first exposure. The variability in the odds ratios across the time periods was not statistically significant, and the actuarial method provided little evidence for an effect of intake dose on the pattern of incidence rate over time. With the use of similar methods, no significant variability was evident in the relative odds of bone cancer over time after exposure between one group of women first exposed to radium at less than 18 years of age and another group exposed when 18 or more years old.", "PMID": 628024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7283", "title": "Early clinical study of an intermittent schedule for maytansine (NSC-153858): brief communication.", "content": "Maytansine, an ansa macrolide, was evaluated in an early clinical trial in 40 adult patients with various solid tumors. Severe nausea and vomiting, sometimes associated with watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps, and liver function abnormalities, mainly elevation of serum glutamic--oxaloacetic transaminase levels, together constituted what we considered dose-limiting toxicity. Mild hematologic toxicity (mainly thrombocytopenia), neurotoxicity, and possibly cardiac toxicity were also noted. No antitumor effect was seen. An iv dose of 0.750 mg/m2 on days 1, 3, and 5 (total dose, 2.25 mg/m2) repeated every 4 weeks is recommended for Phase II trials.", "contents": "Early clinical study of an intermittent schedule for maytansine (NSC-153858): brief communication. Maytansine, an ansa macrolide, was evaluated in an early clinical trial in 40 adult patients with various solid tumors. Severe nausea and vomiting, sometimes associated with watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps, and liver function abnormalities, mainly elevation of serum glutamic--oxaloacetic transaminase levels, together constituted what we considered dose-limiting toxicity. Mild hematologic toxicity (mainly thrombocytopenia), neurotoxicity, and possibly cardiac toxicity were also noted. No antitumor effect was seen. An iv dose of 0.750 mg/m2 on days 1, 3, and 5 (total dose, 2.25 mg/m2) repeated every 4 weeks is recommended for Phase II trials.", "PMID": 628025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7284", "title": "Fluorescent probe study of DNA conformation in briefly heated human squamous cells: brief communication.", "content": "To determine whether temperature levels commonly encountered in hot beverages denatured the DNA of intact human squamous cells, a fluorescent probe and model system with trypsin-treated desquamated buccal cells were employed. The probe statistically distinguished between single- and double-stranded DNA in a population of suspended cells by the differential bond strengths of DNA-acriflavine complexes over a 4--25 degrees C temperature gradient. The fluorescence of complexed dye was quenched and that of freed dye was restored, which simplified analysis. After cell pellets were admixed with small volumes of suspension medium preheated to 70 or 80 degrees C for 6 seconds, quickly cooled, and stained with acriflavine under conditions favoring the intercalative mode of binding, a temperature-dependent increase occurred in the fraction of complexed dye that was released over the 4--25 degrees C test range. This increase suggested that brief heating partially denatured the DNA of human buccal squamous cells.", "contents": "Fluorescent probe study of DNA conformation in briefly heated human squamous cells: brief communication. To determine whether temperature levels commonly encountered in hot beverages denatured the DNA of intact human squamous cells, a fluorescent probe and model system with trypsin-treated desquamated buccal cells were employed. The probe statistically distinguished between single- and double-stranded DNA in a population of suspended cells by the differential bond strengths of DNA-acriflavine complexes over a 4--25 degrees C temperature gradient. The fluorescence of complexed dye was quenched and that of freed dye was restored, which simplified analysis. After cell pellets were admixed with small volumes of suspension medium preheated to 70 or 80 degrees C for 6 seconds, quickly cooled, and stained with acriflavine under conditions favoring the intercalative mode of binding, a temperature-dependent increase occurred in the fraction of complexed dye that was released over the 4--25 degrees C test range. This increase suggested that brief heating partially denatured the DNA of human buccal squamous cells.", "PMID": 628026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7285", "title": "Pulmonary fiber embolism and granuloma.", "content": "Three infants had pulmonary fiber embolism and granuloma following cardiac catheterization. These complications were traced to the use of nondisposable woven synthetic fiber catheters. The fibrous linings of the catheter may fray and break, and the debris may become disseminated during angiography to the lungs to form emboli and intravascular and extravascular granulomas.", "contents": "Pulmonary fiber embolism and granuloma. Three infants had pulmonary fiber embolism and granuloma following cardiac catheterization. These complications were traced to the use of nondisposable woven synthetic fiber catheters. The fibrous linings of the catheter may fray and break, and the debris may become disseminated during angiography to the lungs to form emboli and intravascular and extravascular granulomas.", "PMID": 628039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7286", "title": "A legacy of Osler. Teaching clinical ethics at the bedside.", "content": "The teaching of clinical medicine at the bedside is an enduring legacy of the Oslerian revolution in American education. The advantages of teaching clinical ethics at the bedside including dealing with actual cases to maximize personal accountability, reinforcing the relationship between technical competence and ethical decisions, involving the entire health care team, and possibly decreasing the resistance of the medical profession to formal medical ethics. The proposal to teach clinical ethics at the bedside is intended to indicate a primary role for ethicists and clinicians at different stages in the medical curriculum. During the preclinical years of medical school, ethicist-philosophers, assisted by clinicians, should assume primary responsibility for teaching medical ethics. During the clinical years, physicians, assisted by clinically informed ethicist-philosophers, should accept the primary obligation to teach clinical ethics at the bedside.", "contents": "A legacy of Osler. Teaching clinical ethics at the bedside. The teaching of clinical medicine at the bedside is an enduring legacy of the Oslerian revolution in American education. The advantages of teaching clinical ethics at the bedside including dealing with actual cases to maximize personal accountability, reinforcing the relationship between technical competence and ethical decisions, involving the entire health care team, and possibly decreasing the resistance of the medical profession to formal medical ethics. The proposal to teach clinical ethics at the bedside is intended to indicate a primary role for ethicists and clinicians at different stages in the medical curriculum. During the preclinical years of medical school, ethicist-philosophers, assisted by clinicians, should assume primary responsibility for teaching medical ethics. During the clinical years, physicians, assisted by clinically informed ethicist-philosophers, should accept the primary obligation to teach clinical ethics at the bedside.", "PMID": 628040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7287", "title": "Severity of underlying disease as a predictor of nosocomial infection. Utility in the control of nosocomial infection.", "content": "In a prospective study, we determined that severity of underlying disease at time of admission indicates medical patients at unusual risk of nosocomial infection. The nosocomial infection rate was 23.6% in patients with fatal underlying disease, 9.6% in those with ultimately fatal disease, and 2.1% in those with nonfatal disease. After an awareness program that promoted the use of established methods for prevention of nosocomial infections was established, there was a decline of overall incidence of endemic nosocomial infections from 9.2% to 4.8% (P less than .001) within an eight-month period. With subsequent discontinuation of the program, the infection rate rose to 8.1%. Reinstitution of the program resulted in a decline to 5.2% (P = .05).", "contents": "Severity of underlying disease as a predictor of nosocomial infection. Utility in the control of nosocomial infection. In a prospective study, we determined that severity of underlying disease at time of admission indicates medical patients at unusual risk of nosocomial infection. The nosocomial infection rate was 23.6% in patients with fatal underlying disease, 9.6% in those with ultimately fatal disease, and 2.1% in those with nonfatal disease. After an awareness program that promoted the use of established methods for prevention of nosocomial infections was established, there was a decline of overall incidence of endemic nosocomial infections from 9.2% to 4.8% (P less than .001) within an eight-month period. With subsequent discontinuation of the program, the infection rate rose to 8.1%. Reinstitution of the program resulted in a decline to 5.2% (P = .05).", "PMID": 628050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7288", "title": "Acute hemorrhagic cystitis. Industrial exposure to the pesticide chlordimeform.", "content": "An outbreak of hematuria occurred from May 20 to May 23, 1975, among employees of a chemical packaging plant. Nine of 22 workers who packaged the insecticide chlordimeform in a separate shed became severely ill with abdominal pain, dysuria, urgency to void, or hematuria. None of 18 persons who worked in other areas of the plant were affected. Four additional workers who had packaged the chemical during the previous year had a history of similar symptoms. Bladder biopsy specimens from three affected persons showed severe hemorrhagic cystitis; chlordimeform and 2-methyl-4-chloroaniline, a metabolite of chlordimeform, were present in urine specimens collected three days after exposure. The illness lasted from one week to two months; the workers recovered completely. Chlordimeform that was injected subcutaneously into three cats produced similar, though less severe, changes in the bladders of two animals.", "contents": "Acute hemorrhagic cystitis. Industrial exposure to the pesticide chlordimeform. An outbreak of hematuria occurred from May 20 to May 23, 1975, among employees of a chemical packaging plant. Nine of 22 workers who packaged the insecticide chlordimeform in a separate shed became severely ill with abdominal pain, dysuria, urgency to void, or hematuria. None of 18 persons who worked in other areas of the plant were affected. Four additional workers who had packaged the chemical during the previous year had a history of similar symptoms. Bladder biopsy specimens from three affected persons showed severe hemorrhagic cystitis; chlordimeform and 2-methyl-4-chloroaniline, a metabolite of chlordimeform, were present in urine specimens collected three days after exposure. The illness lasted from one week to two months; the workers recovered completely. Chlordimeform that was injected subcutaneously into three cats produced similar, though less severe, changes in the bladders of two animals.", "PMID": 628051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7289", "title": "Endobronchial Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Endobronchial involvement with Hodgkin's disease has been reported infrequently. A 26-year-old woman with previously diagnosed nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease had substernal chest pain and a right middle lobe infiltrate. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed nodular endobronchial lesions located at the carina, the right mainstem bronchus, and the right middle lobe orifice. A biopsy specimen of one of these lesions showed Hodgkin's disease. The patient was then treated with sequential systemic chemotherapy. Repeated bronchoscopy showed complete resolution of the endobronchial lesions, and the patient has remained in complete remission for 24 months.", "contents": "Endobronchial Hodgkin's disease. Endobronchial involvement with Hodgkin's disease has been reported infrequently. A 26-year-old woman with previously diagnosed nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease had substernal chest pain and a right middle lobe infiltrate. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed nodular endobronchial lesions located at the carina, the right mainstem bronchus, and the right middle lobe orifice. A biopsy specimen of one of these lesions showed Hodgkin's disease. The patient was then treated with sequential systemic chemotherapy. Repeated bronchoscopy showed complete resolution of the endobronchial lesions, and the patient has remained in complete remission for 24 months.", "PMID": 628053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7290", "title": "Carcinoembryonic antigen test for recurrent colorectal carcinoma. Inadequacy for early detection.", "content": "Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests were performed on 36 patients with histologically proved locally recurrent or residual malignant disease after resection of colorectal carcinoma but with no clinical evidence of distant metastasis. Only nine patients (25%) had abnormal CEA levels of greater than 5 ng/ml despite the fact that most patients had had symptoms of recurrence for several months. Among the nine of our patients, none had CEA values greater than 5 ng/ml, and only three had levels greater than 2.5 ng/ml (3.4, 3.8, and 4.7 ng/ml). The CEA assay is not a sensitive test for early detection of recurrence of colorectal carcinoma.", "contents": "Carcinoembryonic antigen test for recurrent colorectal carcinoma. Inadequacy for early detection. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests were performed on 36 patients with histologically proved locally recurrent or residual malignant disease after resection of colorectal carcinoma but with no clinical evidence of distant metastasis. Only nine patients (25%) had abnormal CEA levels of greater than 5 ng/ml despite the fact that most patients had had symptoms of recurrence for several months. Among the nine of our patients, none had CEA values greater than 5 ng/ml, and only three had levels greater than 2.5 ng/ml (3.4, 3.8, and 4.7 ng/ml). The CEA assay is not a sensitive test for early detection of recurrence of colorectal carcinoma.", "PMID": 628054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7291", "title": "How physicians use laboratory tests.", "content": "The aim of our study was to measure the ways in which a physician perceives and reacts to a laboratory result. After reviewing a series of brief clinical problems, physicians were asked to indicate the change in test results that would alter the diagnosis or treatment. Although there were wide differences in attitudes, the pattern of responses from 125 internists offered estimates of what is a clinically important change. In selected clinical settings, the change in successive measurements chosen with the greatest frequency as indicators of a clinically important change in level were glucose, 35 mg/dl; BUN, 6 mg/dl; serum sodium, 4 to 6 mEq/liter; serum potassium, 4 to 6 mEq/liter; uric acid, 8 mg/dl; creatinine, 0.4 mg/dl; serum calcium, 4 to 5 mg/dl; triglycerides, 20 mg/dl; hemoglobin, 1 g/dl; and serum osmolality, 11 mOsm/kg. The responses were compared with estimates of laboratory precision drawn from a national quality control program. The quality of laboratory testing was rated as satisfactory for clinical use in four of five clinical settings. The study points out the need to correlate the activities in the clinical laboratory with the application of test results in the care of patients.", "contents": "How physicians use laboratory tests. The aim of our study was to measure the ways in which a physician perceives and reacts to a laboratory result. After reviewing a series of brief clinical problems, physicians were asked to indicate the change in test results that would alter the diagnosis or treatment. Although there were wide differences in attitudes, the pattern of responses from 125 internists offered estimates of what is a clinically important change. In selected clinical settings, the change in successive measurements chosen with the greatest frequency as indicators of a clinically important change in level were glucose, 35 mg/dl; BUN, 6 mg/dl; serum sodium, 4 to 6 mEq/liter; serum potassium, 4 to 6 mEq/liter; uric acid, 8 mg/dl; creatinine, 0.4 mg/dl; serum calcium, 4 to 5 mg/dl; triglycerides, 20 mg/dl; hemoglobin, 1 g/dl; and serum osmolality, 11 mOsm/kg. The responses were compared with estimates of laboratory precision drawn from a national quality control program. The quality of laboratory testing was rated as satisfactory for clinical use in four of five clinical settings. The study points out the need to correlate the activities in the clinical laboratory with the application of test results in the care of patients.", "PMID": 628059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7292", "title": "Chenotherapy for gallstone dissolution. II. Induced changes in bile composition and gallstone response.", "content": "Changes in bile saturation and biliary bile acid composition in patients with gallstones who received chenodeoxycholic (\"chenic\") acid, cholic acid, or placebo were measured. Chenodeoxycholic induced bile desaturation; this effect was attributable solely to a decrease in the proportion of cholesterol. By gas chromatography, chenodeoxycholic acid increased substantially in the biliary bile acids of patients receiving it, and by mass spectrometry, no unusual bile acids were detected in appreciable amounts. Changes in bile saturation and biliary bile acid composition were then related to chenodeoxycholic acid dosage, and all of these variables were, in turn, related to gallstone response. In general, patients whose gallstones dissolved ingested a higher dose of chenodeoxycholic acid or had bile that contained a higher proportion of this acid and it was more unsaturated, but there were many exceptions, casting doubt on the value of a single analysis of fasting-state bile for predicting gallstone dissolutions. The major factor influencing response, provided dosage is adequate, appears to be gallstone type. Nonetheless, the proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in biliary bile acids can probably be used to infer patient compliance.", "contents": "Chenotherapy for gallstone dissolution. II. Induced changes in bile composition and gallstone response. Changes in bile saturation and biliary bile acid composition in patients with gallstones who received chenodeoxycholic (\"chenic\") acid, cholic acid, or placebo were measured. Chenodeoxycholic induced bile desaturation; this effect was attributable solely to a decrease in the proportion of cholesterol. By gas chromatography, chenodeoxycholic acid increased substantially in the biliary bile acids of patients receiving it, and by mass spectrometry, no unusual bile acids were detected in appreciable amounts. Changes in bile saturation and biliary bile acid composition were then related to chenodeoxycholic acid dosage, and all of these variables were, in turn, related to gallstone response. In general, patients whose gallstones dissolved ingested a higher dose of chenodeoxycholic acid or had bile that contained a higher proportion of this acid and it was more unsaturated, but there were many exceptions, casting doubt on the value of a single analysis of fasting-state bile for predicting gallstone dissolutions. The major factor influencing response, provided dosage is adequate, appears to be gallstone type. Nonetheless, the proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in biliary bile acids can probably be used to infer patient compliance.", "PMID": 628065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7293", "title": "Causes and consequences of placental growth retardation.", "content": "Placental growth retardation caused 84 fetal and neonatal deaths per 100,000 births. Its frequency increased as mothers' diastolic blood pressure levels increased, an effect augmented by proteinuria. The perinatal deaths also increased with advancing maternal age, anemia, and poverty. Maternal weight gains were low in the involved pregnancies, and the fetuses and neonates who died had a pattern of growth retardation characteristic of fetal undernutrition. Microscopic abnormalities in the decidua and placenta were characteristic of inadequate perfusion of the placenta from the uterus. They included fibrinoid changes in the arteries and arterioles of the decidua, villous cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia, and an obliterative endarteritis in fetal stem arteries of the placenta.", "contents": "Causes and consequences of placental growth retardation. Placental growth retardation caused 84 fetal and neonatal deaths per 100,000 births. Its frequency increased as mothers' diastolic blood pressure levels increased, an effect augmented by proteinuria. The perinatal deaths also increased with advancing maternal age, anemia, and poverty. Maternal weight gains were low in the involved pregnancies, and the fetuses and neonates who died had a pattern of growth retardation characteristic of fetal undernutrition. Microscopic abnormalities in the decidua and placenta were characteristic of inadequate perfusion of the placenta from the uterus. They included fibrinoid changes in the arteries and arterioles of the decidua, villous cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia, and an obliterative endarteritis in fetal stem arteries of the placenta.", "PMID": 628066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7294", "title": "Orbitofacial wounds and cerebral artery injuries caused by umbrella tips.", "content": "Penetrating orbitofacial wounds inflicted by the sharp metal tips of umbrellas may go unrecognized. This type of injury is not generally appreciated as having fatal consequences. Immediate neurologic and radiologic evaluations are diagnostic. The value of computerized tomography and cerebral angiography is stressed.", "contents": "Orbitofacial wounds and cerebral artery injuries caused by umbrella tips. Penetrating orbitofacial wounds inflicted by the sharp metal tips of umbrellas may go unrecognized. This type of injury is not generally appreciated as having fatal consequences. Immediate neurologic and radiologic evaluations are diagnostic. The value of computerized tomography and cerebral angiography is stressed.", "PMID": 628067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7295", "title": "What to do about tic douloureux.", "content": "Tic douloureux is a common disease that causes excruciating pain. It is a central pain due to a lesion within the trigeminal nerve or brain stem. The majority of patients with tic douloureux are successfully treated by pharmacotherapy with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Those who fail under medical management should promptly be offered modern surgical alleviation of their pain: percutaneous radiofrequency gangliolysis or decompression of the trigeminal nerve at the brain stem (Jannetta procedure). The goal of surgical therapy should be pain relief with minimal sensory loss; the complications of surgery are usually due to denervation of the face or eye. Patients with tic douloureux should not be subjected to extraneous drug therapy or other procedures with a low likelihood of long-term success.", "contents": "What to do about tic douloureux. Tic douloureux is a common disease that causes excruciating pain. It is a central pain due to a lesion within the trigeminal nerve or brain stem. The majority of patients with tic douloureux are successfully treated by pharmacotherapy with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Those who fail under medical management should promptly be offered modern surgical alleviation of their pain: percutaneous radiofrequency gangliolysis or decompression of the trigeminal nerve at the brain stem (Jannetta procedure). The goal of surgical therapy should be pain relief with minimal sensory loss; the complications of surgery are usually due to denervation of the face or eye. Patients with tic douloureux should not be subjected to extraneous drug therapy or other procedures with a low likelihood of long-term success.", "PMID": 628068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7296", "title": "The extent and character of drug consumption during pregnancy.", "content": "One hundred sixty-eight obstetrical patients' conditions were monitored prospectively throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum periods to obtain data on maternal drug consumption. In the prenatal period, all patients received at least two different drug products: 93.4% received five or more, while one patient reported taking 32 different products. The average number of drug products used in the prenatal period was 11.0. The mean perinatal exposure in patients undergoing vaginal delivery was 7.0. Analysis by therapeutic category was performed. Information gathered confirms the fact that pregnant women do take a large number of different types of medications, the consequences of which remain unknown.", "contents": "The extent and character of drug consumption during pregnancy. One hundred sixty-eight obstetrical patients' conditions were monitored prospectively throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum periods to obtain data on maternal drug consumption. In the prenatal period, all patients received at least two different drug products: 93.4% received five or more, while one patient reported taking 32 different products. The average number of drug products used in the prenatal period was 11.0. The mean perinatal exposure in patients undergoing vaginal delivery was 7.0. Analysis by therapeutic category was performed. Information gathered confirms the fact that pregnant women do take a large number of different types of medications, the consequences of which remain unknown.", "PMID": 628081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7297", "title": "The ethics of terminal care.", "content": "The widely used notion of dignity is questioned as an adequate ideal for care of terminally ill persons. Instead of dying with dignity, the essential ethical components of dying with a sense of worth are proposed as comprising truly humane and personal care.", "contents": "The ethics of terminal care. The widely used notion of dignity is questioned as an adequate ideal for care of terminally ill persons. Instead of dying with dignity, the essential ethical components of dying with a sense of worth are proposed as comprising truly humane and personal care.", "PMID": 628082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7298", "title": "A modified, simple device for the emergency administration of percutaneous transtracheal ventilation.", "content": "Studies of percutaneous transtracheal ventilation with intermittent jets of oxygen under high pressure have demonstrated a tendency toward carbon dioxide retention and poor alveolar washout. A modification of the percutaneous transtracheal ventilation fevice to include an expiratory phase improves pulmonary gas exchange and minimizes the possibility of CO2 retention. The most common complication is subcutaneous emphysema caused by incorrect catheter placement. Although endotracheal intubation is unquestionably the treatment of choice, percutaneous transtracheal ventilation does offer a viable alternative when intubation cannot be rapidly accomplished.", "contents": "A modified, simple device for the emergency administration of percutaneous transtracheal ventilation. Studies of percutaneous transtracheal ventilation with intermittent jets of oxygen under high pressure have demonstrated a tendency toward carbon dioxide retention and poor alveolar washout. A modification of the percutaneous transtracheal ventilation fevice to include an expiratory phase improves pulmonary gas exchange and minimizes the possibility of CO2 retention. The most common complication is subcutaneous emphysema caused by incorrect catheter placement. Although endotracheal intubation is unquestionably the treatment of choice, percutaneous transtracheal ventilation does offer a viable alternative when intubation cannot be rapidly accomplished.", "PMID": 628119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7299", "title": "Walk-out patients in the hospital emergency department.", "content": "Four hundred twenty-six patients walked out of The Johns Hopkins Hospital Adult Emergency Department before being treated between April 1976 and March 1977. Of these, 179 were matched for sex, race, age, shift and presenting complaint with controls to identify the distinguishing characteristics of walk-out patients. Walk-out patients have recent onset of symptoms, report a great deal of pain and discomfort at the time of initial visit, and wait a relatively short period of time before walking out. They are, however, likely to report little continuing pain or discomfort one to two weeks after followup, although they believe that they still need care. Walk-out patients do not seem to be exposed to objectively worse treatment in the emergency departemnt but seem to have less subjective tolerance for waiting.", "contents": "Walk-out patients in the hospital emergency department. Four hundred twenty-six patients walked out of The Johns Hopkins Hospital Adult Emergency Department before being treated between April 1976 and March 1977. Of these, 179 were matched for sex, race, age, shift and presenting complaint with controls to identify the distinguishing characteristics of walk-out patients. Walk-out patients have recent onset of symptoms, report a great deal of pain and discomfort at the time of initial visit, and wait a relatively short period of time before walking out. They are, however, likely to report little continuing pain or discomfort one to two weeks after followup, although they believe that they still need care. Walk-out patients do not seem to be exposed to objectively worse treatment in the emergency departemnt but seem to have less subjective tolerance for waiting.", "PMID": 628120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7300", "title": "Evaluation of the emergency department as a site for hypertension screening.", "content": "To see if the emergency department is an appropriate site for hypertension screening, the coverage, appropriateness of the target population and the adequacy of follow-up procedures were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which 61% of the community regard as their regular source of care. All patients had their blood pressure read in the emergency department. A reading of 95 diastolic or greater was used as the definition of hypertension. Data from the 1970 census and The Johns Hopkins outpatient department billing system were used to evaluate screening coverage. Data to judge the appropriateness of the target population and adequacy of follow-up were collected in a retrospective audit of a random sample of emergency department records. The overall prevalence rate of hypertensive blood pressure reading was 19.5%. Blood pressure was read in only 75% of sample cases. The potential screeining coverage ranged from 9.9% to 38.6% with an overall community coverage of 24.2%. Less than 10% of the detected hypertensives were referred for follow-up. Therefore, in some emergency departments, including the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, hypertension screening may be feasible.", "contents": "Evaluation of the emergency department as a site for hypertension screening. To see if the emergency department is an appropriate site for hypertension screening, the coverage, appropriateness of the target population and the adequacy of follow-up procedures were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, which 61% of the community regard as their regular source of care. All patients had their blood pressure read in the emergency department. A reading of 95 diastolic or greater was used as the definition of hypertension. Data from the 1970 census and The Johns Hopkins outpatient department billing system were used to evaluate screening coverage. Data to judge the appropriateness of the target population and adequacy of follow-up were collected in a retrospective audit of a random sample of emergency department records. The overall prevalence rate of hypertensive blood pressure reading was 19.5%. Blood pressure was read in only 75% of sample cases. The potential screeining coverage ranged from 9.9% to 38.6% with an overall community coverage of 24.2%. Less than 10% of the detected hypertensives were referred for follow-up. Therefore, in some emergency departments, including the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, hypertension screening may be feasible.", "PMID": 628121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7301", "title": "Phencyclidine overdose: an emerging concept of management.", "content": "Emergency physicians should be prepared to treat overdosage from phencyclidine, a common street drug abused throughout North America. A dearth of laboratory resources to establish the diagnosis makes it essential that diagnoses include awareness of symptomatology. A specific therapeutic approach utilizing ion-trapping by continuous gastric suctioning and acidification of urine and/or blood can be used successfully to treat these patients.", "contents": "Phencyclidine overdose: an emerging concept of management. Emergency physicians should be prepared to treat overdosage from phencyclidine, a common street drug abused throughout North America. A dearth of laboratory resources to establish the diagnosis makes it essential that diagnoses include awareness of symptomatology. A specific therapeutic approach utilizing ion-trapping by continuous gastric suctioning and acidification of urine and/or blood can be used successfully to treat these patients.", "PMID": 628122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7302", "title": "The EMS system and disaster planning: some observations.", "content": "Disaster planning, one of the 15 essential components of the Emergency Medical Service System Act of 1973, should be the culmination of the establishment of other components. Regions have gone to varying lengths to describe disaster plans but how realistic the plans are is questionable. New York has planned for multiple casualty incidents (MCI) to care for victims of fires, explosions, structural collapses and major transportation incidents. The irrational emotional response in mass disasters conflicts with the rational disaster plans written by health planners. Drills of disaster plans are not realistic. One solution is to designate the next serious incident, such as a fire or traffic accident, a major MCI. The ability to handle an MCI is probably the best measure of an EMS system's effectiveness.", "contents": "The EMS system and disaster planning: some observations. Disaster planning, one of the 15 essential components of the Emergency Medical Service System Act of 1973, should be the culmination of the establishment of other components. Regions have gone to varying lengths to describe disaster plans but how realistic the plans are is questionable. New York has planned for multiple casualty incidents (MCI) to care for victims of fires, explosions, structural collapses and major transportation incidents. The irrational emotional response in mass disasters conflicts with the rational disaster plans written by health planners. Drills of disaster plans are not realistic. One solution is to designate the next serious incident, such as a fire or traffic accident, a major MCI. The ability to handle an MCI is probably the best measure of an EMS system's effectiveness.", "PMID": 628123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7303", "title": "Zygomatic fractures in the emergency department: evaluation and treatment.", "content": "Diagnosis of zygomatic fractures in the emergency department is possible by history and clinical signs together with a routine series of facial bone x-ray films. Three case reports are submitted to illustrate this approach, one case with obvious clinical signs and x-ray findings and two \"unclear\" cases where either the physical findings or the x-ray findings were equivocal. There may be pain, tenderness, cheekbone displacement subconjuctive hemorrhage and numbness, enophthalmos, and blurred vision. A Water's view is recommended for x-ray films. Zygomatic fractures are best treated in five to seven days; eye signs indicate earlier treatment. To treat, expose the probable fracture site and reduce under direct vision. The zygoma can be immobilized by passing a Kirschner wire through the body of the zygoma medially towards and through the lateral wall of the nose and into the bony nasal septum.", "contents": "Zygomatic fractures in the emergency department: evaluation and treatment. Diagnosis of zygomatic fractures in the emergency department is possible by history and clinical signs together with a routine series of facial bone x-ray films. Three case reports are submitted to illustrate this approach, one case with obvious clinical signs and x-ray findings and two \"unclear\" cases where either the physical findings or the x-ray findings were equivocal. There may be pain, tenderness, cheekbone displacement subconjuctive hemorrhage and numbness, enophthalmos, and blurred vision. A Water's view is recommended for x-ray films. Zygomatic fractures are best treated in five to seven days; eye signs indicate earlier treatment. To treat, expose the probable fracture site and reduce under direct vision. The zygoma can be immobilized by passing a Kirschner wire through the body of the zygoma medially towards and through the lateral wall of the nose and into the bony nasal septum.", "PMID": 628124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7304", "title": "A descriptive study of nosocomial bacteremias at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1968--1974.", "content": "Patient, infection and pathogen characteristics are analyzed for 935 cases of nosocomial bacteremia at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1968--1974. The overall nosocomial bacteremia attack rate was 4.1 cases per 1,000 hospital patients. Rougly 6% of all hospital deaths were among patients with nosocomial bacteremias. The case-fatality rate for the seven years was 37.1% compared with an overall hospital mortality rate of 2.7 deaths per 100 hospital patients. The mortality rate for the entire hospital and the case-fatality rate declined significantly (P less than 0.1) over the seven-year study period. There was a significant increase (P less than .01) in Gram-positive nosocomial bacteremias over the seven-year period. During the period, Bacteroides species and Escherichia coli bacteremias increased significantly (P less than .01) while Candida species and Klebsiella species bacteremias had significant decreases (P less than .01). The nosocomial bacteremia attack rate was high for infacts under one year of age, excluding newborns. The attack rates were low for young adults but increased markedly with age in adults older than 40. The cardiac surgery service had the highest nosocomial bacteremia attack rate of 12.4 cases per 1,000 patients. Hospital patients with infective diseases, neoplasms, digestive diseases, diseases of early infancy or circulatory diseases had a much greater risk of acquiring nosocomial bacteremias. Of the 935 cases, 9.5% had multiple episodes of bacteremia.", "contents": "A descriptive study of nosocomial bacteremias at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1968--1974. Patient, infection and pathogen characteristics are analyzed for 935 cases of nosocomial bacteremia at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1968--1974. The overall nosocomial bacteremia attack rate was 4.1 cases per 1,000 hospital patients. Rougly 6% of all hospital deaths were among patients with nosocomial bacteremias. The case-fatality rate for the seven years was 37.1% compared with an overall hospital mortality rate of 2.7 deaths per 100 hospital patients. The mortality rate for the entire hospital and the case-fatality rate declined significantly (P less than 0.1) over the seven-year study period. There was a significant increase (P less than .01) in Gram-positive nosocomial bacteremias over the seven-year period. During the period, Bacteroides species and Escherichia coli bacteremias increased significantly (P less than .01) while Candida species and Klebsiella species bacteremias had significant decreases (P less than .01). The nosocomial bacteremia attack rate was high for infacts under one year of age, excluding newborns. The attack rates were low for young adults but increased markedly with age in adults older than 40. The cardiac surgery service had the highest nosocomial bacteremia attack rate of 12.4 cases per 1,000 patients. Hospital patients with infective diseases, neoplasms, digestive diseases, diseases of early infancy or circulatory diseases had a much greater risk of acquiring nosocomial bacteremias. Of the 935 cases, 9.5% had multiple episodes of bacteremia.", "PMID": 628128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7305", "title": "Association of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hypernephroma.", "content": "A male patient with clinical and pathologic features of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is described. Multiple hemangiomata were disseminated throughout the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and typical findings of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and renal cell carcinoma were evident. This case demonstrates a unique instance of associated neoplasia in blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.", "contents": "Association of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hypernephroma. A male patient with clinical and pathologic features of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is described. Multiple hemangiomata were disseminated throughout the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and typical findings of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and renal cell carcinoma were evident. This case demonstrates a unique instance of associated neoplasia in blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.", "PMID": 628129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7306", "title": "[Clinical electrocardiographic diagnosis of the preinfarct state].", "content": "The management of 164 patients with a paroxysm of angina pectoris by a cardiologic emergency aid unit included, besides a clinical examination, the recording of the ECG in 12 commonly accepted and additional leads suggested by Neb, N.F. Gurevich, and Slapac--Partilla. The values of the atrial and the end portion of the ventricular complexes of the ECG were analysed. Three groups of patients were distinguished; group 1 with uncomplicated (stable) angina pectoris; group 2 with subacute and group 3 with acute preinfarction state. It was established that the severity of ischemic changes in the left ventricular myocardium and the pronounced character of changes in values charaterizing definite deficiency of left atrial bio-electric potentials correlate and grow successively from group 1 to group 3. Among the patients hospitalized with a state of preinfarction 53.9% developed myocardial infarction; in 89.9% of patients the localization of the necrosis coincided with the ischemic zones in the preinfarction state.", "contents": "[Clinical electrocardiographic diagnosis of the preinfarct state]. The management of 164 patients with a paroxysm of angina pectoris by a cardiologic emergency aid unit included, besides a clinical examination, the recording of the ECG in 12 commonly accepted and additional leads suggested by Neb, N.F. Gurevich, and Slapac--Partilla. The values of the atrial and the end portion of the ventricular complexes of the ECG were analysed. Three groups of patients were distinguished; group 1 with uncomplicated (stable) angina pectoris; group 2 with subacute and group 3 with acute preinfarction state. It was established that the severity of ischemic changes in the left ventricular myocardium and the pronounced character of changes in values charaterizing definite deficiency of left atrial bio-electric potentials correlate and grow successively from group 1 to group 3. Among the patients hospitalized with a state of preinfarction 53.9% developed myocardial infarction; in 89.9% of patients the localization of the necrosis coincided with the ischemic zones in the preinfarction state.", "PMID": 628131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7307", "title": "[Effectiveness of physical rehabilitation in myocardial infarct taking into account long-term observation data].", "content": "The article discusses the results of a one-year follow-up of 439 persons who had suffered from macrofocal or transmural myocardial infarction; aneurysm of the heart was suspected in 128 of them. Four to six months after recovery, 60.1% of patients with suspected aneurysm of the heart and 69.1% of those with transmural or macrofocal myocardial infarction were engaged in work involving small physical exertion. Mortality in the follow-up period after the end of the acute period of the disease was 8.6%, the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction, 9.3%. Persons who had resumed work one year after recovery endured physical exertion better. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of recurrent myocardial infarction and in mortality depending on the size of the infarct suffered, while incapacity for work was encountered more frequently among persons in whom cardiac aneurysm has bee suspected.", "contents": "[Effectiveness of physical rehabilitation in myocardial infarct taking into account long-term observation data]. The article discusses the results of a one-year follow-up of 439 persons who had suffered from macrofocal or transmural myocardial infarction; aneurysm of the heart was suspected in 128 of them. Four to six months after recovery, 60.1% of patients with suspected aneurysm of the heart and 69.1% of those with transmural or macrofocal myocardial infarction were engaged in work involving small physical exertion. Mortality in the follow-up period after the end of the acute period of the disease was 8.6%, the incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction, 9.3%. Persons who had resumed work one year after recovery endured physical exertion better. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of recurrent myocardial infarction and in mortality depending on the size of the infarct suffered, while incapacity for work was encountered more frequently among persons in whom cardiac aneurysm has bee suspected.", "PMID": 628132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7308", "title": "[Intensive therapy and resuscitation of heart rhythm disorders in myocardial infarct patients and the role of express methods of controlling respiratory function].", "content": "The authors used a complex of express methods to examine respiration and acid-base equilibrium in the unit of intensive care and therapy. Examination by means of these methods during intensive therapy and resuscitation helps in individualizing the therapeutic measures. Various individual disorders of respiration were revealed during electroimpulse therapy in paroxysms of tachyarrhythmia, but the final effect of this treatment in restoration of the sinus rhythm had a beneficial influence on the dynamics of cardiogenic respiratory insufficiency.", "contents": "[Intensive therapy and resuscitation of heart rhythm disorders in myocardial infarct patients and the role of express methods of controlling respiratory function]. The authors used a complex of express methods to examine respiration and acid-base equilibrium in the unit of intensive care and therapy. Examination by means of these methods during intensive therapy and resuscitation helps in individualizing the therapeutic measures. Various individual disorders of respiration were revealed during electroimpulse therapy in paroxysms of tachyarrhythmia, but the final effect of this treatment in restoration of the sinus rhythm had a beneficial influence on the dynamics of cardiogenic respiratory insufficiency.", "PMID": 628139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7309", "title": "[Prognosis in myocardial infarct complicated in the acute period by heart conduction disorders].", "content": "The influence of disorders of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction, encountered in the acute period of myocardial infarction, on the immediate and remote prognosis of the disease was studied. In the acute period of myocardial infarction, III degree atrioventricular block and the right branch of the bundle of His block with the left posterior semiblock had a significant deteriorating effect on the prognosis. The remote prognosis was worse only due to the effect of III degree atrioventricular block.", "contents": "[Prognosis in myocardial infarct complicated in the acute period by heart conduction disorders]. The influence of disorders of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction, encountered in the acute period of myocardial infarction, on the immediate and remote prognosis of the disease was studied. In the acute period of myocardial infarction, III degree atrioventricular block and the right branch of the bundle of His block with the left posterior semiblock had a significant deteriorating effect on the prognosis. The remote prognosis was worse only due to the effect of III degree atrioventricular block.", "PMID": 628140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7310", "title": "[Hemodynamics in atrioventricular block in acute myocardial infarct and its changes under the influence of electric stimulation of the heart].", "content": "Hemodynamics was studied in the initial condition and against the background of electric stimulation of the heart in 18 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block. It is shown that block promotes the development of circulatory insufficiency in patients with myocardial infarction. The marked character of hemodynamic disorders and the changes induced in it by electric stimulation are determined in many respects by the functional condition of the left ventricle. In most patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block, with the exception of those with a clinical picture of cardiogenic shock, the main values of hemodynamics demonstrated against the background of electric stimulation hardly differ from the corresponding values in patients with myocardial infarction and no disturbances of atrioventricular conduction. During electric stimulation of the heart in the contingent of patients examined, the external work of the heart and the \"tension/time\" index considerably increase which suggests a marked increase in the myocardium requirements in oxygen. The probability of unbalanced increase in the requirements of the myocardium in oxygen against the background of electric stimulation dictates the necessity for raising its parameters to optimum levels.", "contents": "[Hemodynamics in atrioventricular block in acute myocardial infarct and its changes under the influence of electric stimulation of the heart]. Hemodynamics was studied in the initial condition and against the background of electric stimulation of the heart in 18 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block. It is shown that block promotes the development of circulatory insufficiency in patients with myocardial infarction. The marked character of hemodynamic disorders and the changes induced in it by electric stimulation are determined in many respects by the functional condition of the left ventricle. In most patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block, with the exception of those with a clinical picture of cardiogenic shock, the main values of hemodynamics demonstrated against the background of electric stimulation hardly differ from the corresponding values in patients with myocardial infarction and no disturbances of atrioventricular conduction. During electric stimulation of the heart in the contingent of patients examined, the external work of the heart and the \"tension/time\" index considerably increase which suggests a marked increase in the myocardium requirements in oxygen. The probability of unbalanced increase in the requirements of the myocardium in oxygen against the background of electric stimulation dictates the necessity for raising its parameters to optimum levels.", "PMID": 628141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7311", "title": "[Radioisotope studies in the practice of an intensive therapy department].", "content": "The article discusses the 10-year experience in the use of radioisotop diagnosis in the practice of an intensive therapy department. The results of the examination of over 300 patients who had been operated on under conditions of extracorporeal circulation are analyzed. With the use of radioactive indicators some new aspects of the pathophysiology of acute circulatory disorders were revealed, among others those related to the problem of blood deposition, the correlation between the functioning of the right and left parts of the heart; the diagnostic possibilities in appraising the causes of the disorders of circulation, functioning of the parenchymatous organs, and tissue blood flow were widened; the therapeutic tactics in the development of hypovolemia, acute cardiac failure, and disturbances in tissue perfusion could be elaborated.", "contents": "[Radioisotope studies in the practice of an intensive therapy department]. The article discusses the 10-year experience in the use of radioisotop diagnosis in the practice of an intensive therapy department. The results of the examination of over 300 patients who had been operated on under conditions of extracorporeal circulation are analyzed. With the use of radioactive indicators some new aspects of the pathophysiology of acute circulatory disorders were revealed, among others those related to the problem of blood deposition, the correlation between the functioning of the right and left parts of the heart; the diagnostic possibilities in appraising the causes of the disorders of circulation, functioning of the parenchymatous organs, and tissue blood flow were widened; the therapeutic tactics in the development of hypovolemia, acute cardiac failure, and disturbances in tissue perfusion could be elaborated.", "PMID": 628142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7312", "title": "[Procedural aspects and indications for using stimulation of the heart in the therapeutic clinic].", "content": "Temporary endocardial decelerating stimulation of the heart was conducted 151 times in 57 patients with various tachysystolic disorders of the rhythm. The values of central and intracardiac hemodynamics were studied in some patients against the background of decelerating stimulation. Definite groups of patients were distinguished according to the results of decelerating stimulation. In 17 patients decelerating stimulation of the heart served as an independent method of treatment of cardiac arrhythmias the underlying factor of which was the re-entry mechanism. In 11 patients paired and combined stimulation of the ventricles promoted the normalization of the values of hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism which had occurred against the background of severe disorders of the rhythm. In 14 patients with marked electric instability of the myocardium due to various causes, decelerating stimulation allowed time to be gained for choosing and carrying out adequate drug therapy.", "contents": "[Procedural aspects and indications for using stimulation of the heart in the therapeutic clinic]. Temporary endocardial decelerating stimulation of the heart was conducted 151 times in 57 patients with various tachysystolic disorders of the rhythm. The values of central and intracardiac hemodynamics were studied in some patients against the background of decelerating stimulation. Definite groups of patients were distinguished according to the results of decelerating stimulation. In 17 patients decelerating stimulation of the heart served as an independent method of treatment of cardiac arrhythmias the underlying factor of which was the re-entry mechanism. In 11 patients paired and combined stimulation of the ventricles promoted the normalization of the values of hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism which had occurred against the background of severe disorders of the rhythm. In 14 patients with marked electric instability of the myocardium due to various causes, decelerating stimulation allowed time to be gained for choosing and carrying out adequate drug therapy.", "PMID": 628143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7313", "title": "[Stimulation of the heart in tachycardia].", "content": "The results of decelerating stimulation of the heart in 52 patients with tachysystolic complications of various etiology were studied. Paired and combined stimulation of the ventricles induced artificial rhythm in 41 patients (78.9%), in 5 patients (9.6%) the paroxysmus of tachycardia were arrested when the electrode was being inserted into the right ventricle. Favourable results were produced in 29 patients (70.7%).", "contents": "[Stimulation of the heart in tachycardia]. The results of decelerating stimulation of the heart in 52 patients with tachysystolic complications of various etiology were studied. Paired and combined stimulation of the ventricles induced artificial rhythm in 41 patients (78.9%), in 5 patients (9.6%) the paroxysmus of tachycardia were arrested when the electrode was being inserted into the right ventricle. Favourable results were produced in 29 patients (70.7%).", "PMID": 628144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7314", "title": "[Transportation of patients with myocardial infarct complicated by cardiogenic shock and the use of countershock via an intra-aortic balloon].", "content": "The article deals with the first experience in the use of auxiliary circulation by contrapulsation with an intraaortic balloon during the transportation of patients with myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock from an unspecialized hospital to a cardiosurgical hospital. Transportation on the background of contrapulsation does not affect the efficacy of auxiliary circulation and does not lead to a recurrence. A conclusion is drawn on the experiency of using contrapulsation during transportation of patients with myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock to specialized cardiosurgical hospitals for continuation of auxiliary circulation and emergency revascularization of the myocardium.", "contents": "[Transportation of patients with myocardial infarct complicated by cardiogenic shock and the use of countershock via an intra-aortic balloon]. The article deals with the first experience in the use of auxiliary circulation by contrapulsation with an intraaortic balloon during the transportation of patients with myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock from an unspecialized hospital to a cardiosurgical hospital. Transportation on the background of contrapulsation does not affect the efficacy of auxiliary circulation and does not lead to a recurrence. A conclusion is drawn on the experiency of using contrapulsation during transportation of patients with myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock to specialized cardiosurgical hospitals for continuation of auxiliary circulation and emergency revascularization of the myocardium.", "PMID": 628146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7315", "title": "[Clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of cardiogenic shock].", "content": "The clinical course of cardiogenic shock was studied in 441 patients with myocardial infarction. The incidence of this complication was found to be dependent on the variant of myocardial infarction and was 7.4% in primary, 14.2% in repeated myocardial infarction, and 22.2% in the recurrent variant. The duration of the shock was 3 to 4 days and its course indulant. Disorders of central and peripheral hemodynamics are of principal pathogenetic importance in cardiogenic shock; these were studied by the method of dilution of T-1824 dye. Of auxiliary importance are autoantigens entering the blood from the zone of myocardial infarction 6 hours after the onset of the disease and possessing depressor, negative inotropic and cardiotoxic properties. This was established in experiments on intact and sensitized dogs. One of the components of the shock in a second attack of myocardial infarction or in recurrent infarction may be anaphylactic shock due to reaction of autoantibodies, circulating in blood after the first myocardial infarction, with the autoantigens arriving from the focus of the fresh necrosis.", "contents": "[Clinical and pathogenetic characteristics of cardiogenic shock]. The clinical course of cardiogenic shock was studied in 441 patients with myocardial infarction. The incidence of this complication was found to be dependent on the variant of myocardial infarction and was 7.4% in primary, 14.2% in repeated myocardial infarction, and 22.2% in the recurrent variant. The duration of the shock was 3 to 4 days and its course indulant. Disorders of central and peripheral hemodynamics are of principal pathogenetic importance in cardiogenic shock; these were studied by the method of dilution of T-1824 dye. Of auxiliary importance are autoantigens entering the blood from the zone of myocardial infarction 6 hours after the onset of the disease and possessing depressor, negative inotropic and cardiotoxic properties. This was established in experiments on intact and sensitized dogs. One of the components of the shock in a second attack of myocardial infarction or in recurrent infarction may be anaphylactic shock due to reaction of autoantibodies, circulating in blood after the first myocardial infarction, with the autoantigens arriving from the focus of the fresh necrosis.", "PMID": 628147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7316", "title": "[Prolonged catheterization of the left atrium in assessing the circulatory state following the surgical correction of a mitral heart defect].", "content": "Left-atrial pressure was measured in 36 patients 24 hours to 6 days after surgical correction of the mitral valve under conditions of extracorporeal circulation. The interrelation of the average pressure in the left atrium and the pressure in the right atrium, the end-diastolic pressure in the pulmonary trunk, the cardiac index, and the circulation volume was studied. Normal relation between the average pressure in the left atrium and that in the right atrium was observed in only 1/3 of the patients. The end-diastolic pressure in the pulmonary trunk was close to the pressure in the left atrium in value only in patients with pulmonary-arterial resistance below 220 dyn.s.cm--5. Normal values of the cardiac index were in most patients encountered when the average pressure in the left atrium ranged from 12 to 15 mm Hg. On the basis of the measurement of average pressure in the left atrium, the value of the cardiac index, and the average arterial pressure the tactics in the management of patients after surgical correction of mitral heart disease have been developed.", "contents": "[Prolonged catheterization of the left atrium in assessing the circulatory state following the surgical correction of a mitral heart defect]. Left-atrial pressure was measured in 36 patients 24 hours to 6 days after surgical correction of the mitral valve under conditions of extracorporeal circulation. The interrelation of the average pressure in the left atrium and the pressure in the right atrium, the end-diastolic pressure in the pulmonary trunk, the cardiac index, and the circulation volume was studied. Normal relation between the average pressure in the left atrium and that in the right atrium was observed in only 1/3 of the patients. The end-diastolic pressure in the pulmonary trunk was close to the pressure in the left atrium in value only in patients with pulmonary-arterial resistance below 220 dyn.s.cm--5. Normal values of the cardiac index were in most patients encountered when the average pressure in the left atrium ranged from 12 to 15 mm Hg. On the basis of the measurement of average pressure in the left atrium, the value of the cardiac index, and the average arterial pressure the tactics in the management of patients after surgical correction of mitral heart disease have been developed.", "PMID": 628148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7317", "title": "[Lesion of the heart in exotoxic shock].", "content": "The functional condition of the heart in exotoxic shock, the most severe complication in the early toxicogenic form of acute poisoning, was studied in 230 patients in whom shock had developed on the background of severe acute poisoning with fluid caustics, dichloroethane, organophosphoric insecticides or soporifics. The results of the studies show that in the phase of compensated shock the revealed disorders are mainly due to the compensatory intensification of the cardiac activity in response to the \"chemical trauma\". Affection of the contractile myocardium in this period of shock does not play any noticeable role in the development of hemodynamic disorders, the only exception are cases in which the preparation that had caused the poisoning possesses a specific cardiotoxic effect (\"primary specific cardiotoxic effect\"). The increase of the general phenomena of disorders of microcirculation and hypoxia leads to diminution of the enzyme control of metabolic processes in the myocardium and the development of secondary dystrophic changes in the myocardial fibre (\"secondary nonspecific cardiotoxic effect\").", "contents": "[Lesion of the heart in exotoxic shock]. The functional condition of the heart in exotoxic shock, the most severe complication in the early toxicogenic form of acute poisoning, was studied in 230 patients in whom shock had developed on the background of severe acute poisoning with fluid caustics, dichloroethane, organophosphoric insecticides or soporifics. The results of the studies show that in the phase of compensated shock the revealed disorders are mainly due to the compensatory intensification of the cardiac activity in response to the \"chemical trauma\". Affection of the contractile myocardium in this period of shock does not play any noticeable role in the development of hemodynamic disorders, the only exception are cases in which the preparation that had caused the poisoning possesses a specific cardiotoxic effect (\"primary specific cardiotoxic effect\"). The increase of the general phenomena of disorders of microcirculation and hypoxia leads to diminution of the enzyme control of metabolic processes in the myocardium and the development of secondary dystrophic changes in the myocardial fibre (\"secondary nonspecific cardiotoxic effect\").", "PMID": 628149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7318", "title": "[Heart rhythm disorders and blood rehology in ischemic heart disease].", "content": "Blood rheology was studied in 92 patients with ischemic heart disease having cardiac rhythm disorders. The syndrome of high blood viscosity and increased blood platelets aggregation were observed in paroxysmal tachycardia. In patients suffering from myocardial infarction with arrhythmia there was noted higher blood viscosity and more intensive blood platelet aggregation than in atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis. Treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia by means of electric impulse and agents blocking beta-adrenergic receptors results in a decrease of blood viscosity, the blood platelets aggregation intensity being unchanged.", "contents": "[Heart rhythm disorders and blood rehology in ischemic heart disease]. Blood rheology was studied in 92 patients with ischemic heart disease having cardiac rhythm disorders. The syndrome of high blood viscosity and increased blood platelets aggregation were observed in paroxysmal tachycardia. In patients suffering from myocardial infarction with arrhythmia there was noted higher blood viscosity and more intensive blood platelet aggregation than in atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis. Treatment of paroxysmal tachycardia by means of electric impulse and agents blocking beta-adrenergic receptors results in a decrease of blood viscosity, the blood platelets aggregation intensity being unchanged.", "PMID": 628150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7319", "title": "[Changes in the indications and techniques in the surgery of retrobulbar orbital tumours (author's transl)].", "content": "In the past 3 decades, surgery of retrobulbar tumours was mainly done by neurosurgeions (transfrontal orbital approach) or ENT surgeons (transethmoidal approach), especially in Europe. More recently, especially in USA this has changed and the majority of these cases, in an increasing number of hospitals, are now treated by a modified Kr\u00f6nlein operation, usually performed by ophthalmic surgeons. In this paper we tried to elucidate the background of this development. Ultrasound exophthalmometry (Fig. 3), ultrasound A- and B-scans of the orbital tissues (Fig. 4 and 5) and computerized axial X-ray-tomography of the orbits (Fig. 6) improved the preoperative diagnoses markedly. In the most cases it is now possible to decide preoperatively on the existence, size and location (and sometimes even on the nature) of a spaceoccupying lesion in the orbit. The technic and the instruments for Kr\u00f6nlein's operation have been improved (Kr\u00f6nlein-Berke, Fig. 8-11). The oscillating saw (Stryker) facilitates the resection of the bone, and microsurgical technics are now preferred for removal of the tumour from the orbit. The modified Kr\u00f6nlein operation is also recommended for orbital decompression in severe endocrine exophthalmos, provided the lateral orbital wall is removed to the described extent.", "contents": "[Changes in the indications and techniques in the surgery of retrobulbar orbital tumours (author's transl)]. In the past 3 decades, surgery of retrobulbar tumours was mainly done by neurosurgeions (transfrontal orbital approach) or ENT surgeons (transethmoidal approach), especially in Europe. More recently, especially in USA this has changed and the majority of these cases, in an increasing number of hospitals, are now treated by a modified Kr\u00f6nlein operation, usually performed by ophthalmic surgeons. In this paper we tried to elucidate the background of this development. Ultrasound exophthalmometry (Fig. 3), ultrasound A- and B-scans of the orbital tissues (Fig. 4 and 5) and computerized axial X-ray-tomography of the orbits (Fig. 6) improved the preoperative diagnoses markedly. In the most cases it is now possible to decide preoperatively on the existence, size and location (and sometimes even on the nature) of a spaceoccupying lesion in the orbit. The technic and the instruments for Kr\u00f6nlein's operation have been improved (Kr\u00f6nlein-Berke, Fig. 8-11). The oscillating saw (Stryker) facilitates the resection of the bone, and microsurgical technics are now preferred for removal of the tumour from the orbit. The modified Kr\u00f6nlein operation is also recommended for orbital decompression in severe endocrine exophthalmos, provided the lateral orbital wall is removed to the described extent.", "PMID": 628171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7320", "title": "[Pigmented paravenous retino-choroidal atrophy (author's transl)].", "content": "A 22-year-old man presented a typical appearance of pigmented paravenous retino-choroidal atrophy. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated a profound loss of the choriocapillaris in the affected areas. The amplitude of the scotopic and photopic electroretinogramme response was reduced. The electro-oculographic light rise was normal.", "contents": "[Pigmented paravenous retino-choroidal atrophy (author's transl)]. A 22-year-old man presented a typical appearance of pigmented paravenous retino-choroidal atrophy. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated a profound loss of the choriocapillaris in the affected areas. The amplitude of the scotopic and photopic electroretinogramme response was reduced. The electro-oculographic light rise was normal.", "PMID": 628172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7321", "title": "[Macular haemorrhage in dengue fever (author's transl)].", "content": "During the course of a dengue infection a 25-year-old female patient developed intraretinal haemorrhage in the mucula region of both eyes. This complication is interpreted as a result of a generalized tendency to bleed, which is typical for this disorder.", "contents": "[Macular haemorrhage in dengue fever (author's transl)]. During the course of a dengue infection a 25-year-old female patient developed intraretinal haemorrhage in the mucula region of both eyes. This complication is interpreted as a result of a generalized tendency to bleed, which is typical for this disorder.", "PMID": 628173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7322", "title": "[Multiple corneal foreign bodies after auto-scooter driving in a fair (author's transl)].", "content": "We have observed of numerous superficial corneal foreign bodies especially in young patients (22 cases) driving so-called auto-scooters at a fair.", "contents": "[Multiple corneal foreign bodies after auto-scooter driving in a fair (author's transl)]. We have observed of numerous superficial corneal foreign bodies especially in young patients (22 cases) driving so-called auto-scooters at a fair.", "PMID": 628174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7323", "title": "[Postoperative fitting of soft contact lenses in aphakia. (A trial with Weicon 38 and Weicon 72) (author's transl)].", "content": "In a controlled clinical pilot study 48 aphakic eyes were fitted with HEMA soft lenses on the 3rd postoperative day. An optically satisfactory and wearable fit was obtained neither with the conventional hydrated Weicon 38, nor with the highly hydrophilic Weicon 72. The main reasons were centralizing and motility defects of the lenses, which might be eliminated by an improved lens design. A further 57 patients showed an increase in corneal thickness following cataract extraction. The early fitting of permanent soft aphakic lenses should be delayed until the 4th day postoperatively, by which time the oedema has reduced and the cornea has reached approximately its pre-operative thickness.", "contents": "[Postoperative fitting of soft contact lenses in aphakia. (A trial with Weicon 38 and Weicon 72) (author's transl)]. In a controlled clinical pilot study 48 aphakic eyes were fitted with HEMA soft lenses on the 3rd postoperative day. An optically satisfactory and wearable fit was obtained neither with the conventional hydrated Weicon 38, nor with the highly hydrophilic Weicon 72. The main reasons were centralizing and motility defects of the lenses, which might be eliminated by an improved lens design. A further 57 patients showed an increase in corneal thickness following cataract extraction. The early fitting of permanent soft aphakic lenses should be delayed until the 4th day postoperatively, by which time the oedema has reduced and the cornea has reached approximately its pre-operative thickness.", "PMID": 628175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7324", "title": "[Eye-symptoms in a case of lactate acidosis caused by Biguanide-therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "A report is given of a case in which visual disorders had preceded an excess lactate coma. In both eyes evolution of an intense papillary and retinal edema with, in a high degree narrowed vessels and retinal hemorrhages.", "contents": "[Eye-symptoms in a case of lactate acidosis caused by Biguanide-therapy (author's transl)]. A report is given of a case in which visual disorders had preceded an excess lactate coma. In both eyes evolution of an intense papillary and retinal edema with, in a high degree narrowed vessels and retinal hemorrhages.", "PMID": 628177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7325", "title": "[Topographical diagnosis of orbital lesions with contact B-scan ultrasonography (author's transl)].", "content": "With contact B-scan ultrasongraphy it is possible, to determine the topographical relations of space occupieing lesions to the main orbital structures. This enables the examiner to answer three important questions: (1) In which part of the orbit the lesion is located? (2) Is the proptosis produced by a lesion separate from the muscles and the optic nerve or (3) are these structures themselves affected? Our results are compared with those made by A-scan ultrasonography. The existing range of echographical patterns known of orbital tumors is thus widened by the topographical diagnosis elicited by contact B-scan ultrasonography.", "contents": "[Topographical diagnosis of orbital lesions with contact B-scan ultrasonography (author's transl)]. With contact B-scan ultrasongraphy it is possible, to determine the topographical relations of space occupieing lesions to the main orbital structures. This enables the examiner to answer three important questions: (1) In which part of the orbit the lesion is located? (2) Is the proptosis produced by a lesion separate from the muscles and the optic nerve or (3) are these structures themselves affected? Our results are compared with those made by A-scan ultrasonography. The existing range of echographical patterns known of orbital tumors is thus widened by the topographical diagnosis elicited by contact B-scan ultrasonography.", "PMID": 628178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7326", "title": "[Synthesis of glaucoma problems (author's transl)].", "content": "Author intends to unite the part results of the glaucoma research (viz. blood vessel system, blood chemism, chamber angle, vegetative reflexes, psychosomatic factors, central effects) in a synthesis. The outcome of this synthesis is displayed in a schematic table.", "contents": "[Synthesis of glaucoma problems (author's transl)]. Author intends to unite the part results of the glaucoma research (viz. blood vessel system, blood chemism, chamber angle, vegetative reflexes, psychosomatic factors, central effects) in a synthesis. The outcome of this synthesis is displayed in a schematic table.", "PMID": 628179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7327", "title": "[The influence of healing on the long-term effect of trabeculotomy in primary open angle glaucoma (author's transl)].", "content": "83 eyes underwent a re-examination 3-7 years after trabeculotomy. By surgery alone the diurnal curve in 58 out of 74 eyes (78 percent) was regulated. In the majority of the other eyes additional medication controlled the i.o. pressure. There was no secondary cataract or other late complication. In 5 eyes there was a moderate deterioration of glaucomatous field defects without a decrease of visual acuity. The average i.o. pressure increased 2 mm Hg during the first 6 months postop., later on it was constant. The scarring processes in the chamber angle known from experimental surgery seemed to come to an end usually 6 months postoperatively. To judge the final result of trabeculotomy a postoperative follow-up of 6 months is necessary.", "contents": "[The influence of healing on the long-term effect of trabeculotomy in primary open angle glaucoma (author's transl)]. 83 eyes underwent a re-examination 3-7 years after trabeculotomy. By surgery alone the diurnal curve in 58 out of 74 eyes (78 percent) was regulated. In the majority of the other eyes additional medication controlled the i.o. pressure. There was no secondary cataract or other late complication. In 5 eyes there was a moderate deterioration of glaucomatous field defects without a decrease of visual acuity. The average i.o. pressure increased 2 mm Hg during the first 6 months postop., later on it was constant. The scarring processes in the chamber angle known from experimental surgery seemed to come to an end usually 6 months postoperatively. To judge the final result of trabeculotomy a postoperative follow-up of 6 months is necessary.", "PMID": 628180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7328", "title": "[Direct ciliary body coagulation as a treatment for various forms of glaucoma (author's transl)].", "content": "At the University eye clinic in Mainz a new method was carried out on 40 patients to coagulate the ciliary body whereby this was laid open and directly coagulated. In the post operative stage within the first 4 weeks a further increase of pressure could be observed in 3 cases only. The other patients, who have been observed up to 15 months, did not show any further increase of pressure and are well. This operation method is commendable especially in the cases of hemorhagic and absolute glaucoma.", "contents": "[Direct ciliary body coagulation as a treatment for various forms of glaucoma (author's transl)]. At the University eye clinic in Mainz a new method was carried out on 40 patients to coagulate the ciliary body whereby this was laid open and directly coagulated. In the post operative stage within the first 4 weeks a further increase of pressure could be observed in 3 cases only. The other patients, who have been observed up to 15 months, did not show any further increase of pressure and are well. This operation method is commendable especially in the cases of hemorhagic and absolute glaucoma.", "PMID": 628181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7329", "title": "[Indications and limitations of fibrinolytic therapy for central artery occlusion (author's transl)].", "content": "Fibrinolytic therapy was started 90 min after central retinal occlusion in a 62-year-old male patient, but the retinal function did not recover. Another patient, aged 64 years, with occlusion of a retinal artery branch, had therapy started only 6 hours after the event and showed full recovery as was documented by angiography. General contraindications against fibrinolytic therapy are: hypertension over 200 mm Hg, arteriosclerosis, diabetes with retinal changes, previous cerebral insults, malignancy or ulcer, hepatocirrhosis, recent surgical or angiographic interventions, renal insufficiency, pregnancy, cogenital or acquired abnormal blood coagulation. If these contraindications do not apply, fibrinolytic therapy of central retinal arterial obstruction is recommended provided this therapy can be started not later than 6 hours after the event. Occlusions of the central retinal vein should have fibrinolytic therapy only if there are very few haemorrhages and if the occlusion is not older than 24 hours.", "contents": "[Indications and limitations of fibrinolytic therapy for central artery occlusion (author's transl)]. Fibrinolytic therapy was started 90 min after central retinal occlusion in a 62-year-old male patient, but the retinal function did not recover. Another patient, aged 64 years, with occlusion of a retinal artery branch, had therapy started only 6 hours after the event and showed full recovery as was documented by angiography. General contraindications against fibrinolytic therapy are: hypertension over 200 mm Hg, arteriosclerosis, diabetes with retinal changes, previous cerebral insults, malignancy or ulcer, hepatocirrhosis, recent surgical or angiographic interventions, renal insufficiency, pregnancy, cogenital or acquired abnormal blood coagulation. If these contraindications do not apply, fibrinolytic therapy of central retinal arterial obstruction is recommended provided this therapy can be started not later than 6 hours after the event. Occlusions of the central retinal vein should have fibrinolytic therapy only if there are very few haemorrhages and if the occlusion is not older than 24 hours.", "PMID": 628182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7330", "title": "[A suggestion on the microsurgical treatment of the persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous body (PHPV) (author's transl)].", "content": "Three children suffering from PHPV are described, who originally had been sent to the hospital because of suspected retinoblastoma. Exstirpation of the PHPV after opening the anterior chamber with a corneal cut of 180 degrees under the microscope seems a recommendable treatment. The A. hyaloidea has to be observed carefully during the preparation. In order to avoid massive hemorrhage into the vitreous, it is necessary to ligate this vessel before cutting. The cosmetical results were good but the visual acuity was unsatisfactory. The problems arising after a successful operation of the PHPV are similar to those in children with unilateral cataract.", "contents": "[A suggestion on the microsurgical treatment of the persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous body (PHPV) (author's transl)]. Three children suffering from PHPV are described, who originally had been sent to the hospital because of suspected retinoblastoma. Exstirpation of the PHPV after opening the anterior chamber with a corneal cut of 180 degrees under the microscope seems a recommendable treatment. The A. hyaloidea has to be observed carefully during the preparation. In order to avoid massive hemorrhage into the vitreous, it is necessary to ligate this vessel before cutting. The cosmetical results were good but the visual acuity was unsatisfactory. The problems arising after a successful operation of the PHPV are similar to those in children with unilateral cataract.", "PMID": 628183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7331", "title": "[Results of surgical treatment in intermittent divergent squint with deliberate overcorrection (author's transl)].", "content": "A review is given of 28 cases (39 surgical procedures) with intermittent exotropia. Prior to surgery a prismatic correction was prescribed and gradually increased to stabilize the objective angle. The amount of surgery was calculated to give a slight overcorrection (approximately 5 degrees). Follow up over a 6 months period revealed better results if overcorrection was achieved. Consecutive esotropia occured if the surgery did not make proper allowances for distance/near ratios of the objective angle. Secondary surgery was delayed up to 6 months. Spectacle occlusion followed by base-out prisms were prescribed in any case of overcorrection until bifoveal fixation could be maintained.", "contents": "[Results of surgical treatment in intermittent divergent squint with deliberate overcorrection (author's transl)]. A review is given of 28 cases (39 surgical procedures) with intermittent exotropia. Prior to surgery a prismatic correction was prescribed and gradually increased to stabilize the objective angle. The amount of surgery was calculated to give a slight overcorrection (approximately 5 degrees). Follow up over a 6 months period revealed better results if overcorrection was achieved. Consecutive esotropia occured if the surgery did not make proper allowances for distance/near ratios of the objective angle. Secondary surgery was delayed up to 6 months. Spectacle occlusion followed by base-out prisms were prescribed in any case of overcorrection until bifoveal fixation could be maintained.", "PMID": 628184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7332", "title": "[Lens caused shifts in color co-ordinates measured on the ocular fundus (author's transl)].", "content": "Changes in certain areas of the ocular fundus are frequently accompanied by changes in the spectral distribution of the reflected light. In many diseases of the ocular fundus, it is desirable to have an objective difinition of the color of the fundus during a particular phase of the disease. An instrument designed by Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, West Germany, provides a satisfactory solution to the problem of measuring color on the ocular fundus. Transformational equations make it possible to convert the measurement parameters obtained by visual comparison into standardized color measurment values. The measurement error is slighter than necessary for clinical examinations. The possible influence of the ocular lens's own color on the color co-ordinates measured on the fundus was examined. Measurement of fundus color in three suitable situations showed no differences in color coordinates on the fundus between aphakic eyes of younger patients and eyes containing lenses. Incipient cataracts cause only a slight shift of the color co-ordinates. More marked cataracts cannot lead to erroneous interpretation of the measurement results, since measurement with this method is no longer technically possible in such cases.", "contents": "[Lens caused shifts in color co-ordinates measured on the ocular fundus (author's transl)]. Changes in certain areas of the ocular fundus are frequently accompanied by changes in the spectral distribution of the reflected light. In many diseases of the ocular fundus, it is desirable to have an objective difinition of the color of the fundus during a particular phase of the disease. An instrument designed by Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, West Germany, provides a satisfactory solution to the problem of measuring color on the ocular fundus. Transformational equations make it possible to convert the measurement parameters obtained by visual comparison into standardized color measurment values. The measurement error is slighter than necessary for clinical examinations. The possible influence of the ocular lens's own color on the color co-ordinates measured on the fundus was examined. Measurement of fundus color in three suitable situations showed no differences in color coordinates on the fundus between aphakic eyes of younger patients and eyes containing lenses. Incipient cataracts cause only a slight shift of the color co-ordinates. More marked cataracts cannot lead to erroneous interpretation of the measurement results, since measurement with this method is no longer technically possible in such cases.", "PMID": 628185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7333", "title": "[Nuclear-technical diagnosis procedures in clinical ophthalmology (author's transl)].", "content": "Recently in nuclear medicine two diagnostic methods have been developed: the topographical diagnosis utilizing mobile probes or scanners and the advanced diagnosis of function with the scintillation gamma camera. A similar trend is encountered in ophthalmic nuclear medicine.", "contents": "[Nuclear-technical diagnosis procedures in clinical ophthalmology (author's transl)]. Recently in nuclear medicine two diagnostic methods have been developed: the topographical diagnosis utilizing mobile probes or scanners and the advanced diagnosis of function with the scintillation gamma camera. A similar trend is encountered in ophthalmic nuclear medicine.", "PMID": 628186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7334", "title": "[The ultrastructure of the terminal segments of the human lacrimal gland (author's transl)].", "content": "Eleven human lacrimal glands of patients between the age of 13 months and 42 years were examined. The following results were obtained: 1. The human lacrimal gland shows a tubuloacinous structure. 2. The cells of the gland epithelium are high cylindrical to conical. The height of the cells depends on the functional state. 3. The secretory epithelium shows different cell types: Most cells have pale cytoplasm and different coloured prosecretory granules. Also there are cells with pale cytoplasm and few prosecretory granules, and cells with dark cytoplasm and many osmiophile prosecretory granules and finally a few cells with dark cytoplasm and very few prosecretory granules. 4. The different cell types represent most likely different stages of the cycle of secretion within the lacrimal gland. 5. The myopithelial cells show a dependence of the functional state of the gland epithelium.", "contents": "[The ultrastructure of the terminal segments of the human lacrimal gland (author's transl)]. Eleven human lacrimal glands of patients between the age of 13 months and 42 years were examined. The following results were obtained: 1. The human lacrimal gland shows a tubuloacinous structure. 2. The cells of the gland epithelium are high cylindrical to conical. The height of the cells depends on the functional state. 3. The secretory epithelium shows different cell types: Most cells have pale cytoplasm and different coloured prosecretory granules. Also there are cells with pale cytoplasm and few prosecretory granules, and cells with dark cytoplasm and many osmiophile prosecretory granules and finally a few cells with dark cytoplasm and very few prosecretory granules. 4. The different cell types represent most likely different stages of the cycle of secretion within the lacrimal gland. 5. The myopithelial cells show a dependence of the functional state of the gland epithelium.", "PMID": 628187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7335", "title": "[Studies of the lymph drainage of the eye. 4. Drainage of lymphotropic radioactive tracers (99mTc-Microcolloid) after intravitreal injection (author's transl)].", "content": "In 7 rabbits the drainage of 99mTc-labelled Micro-colloid from the vitreous body of the eye was studied. In vivo measurements with an Anger-type camera were undertaken as well as in vitro measurements after dissection and excision of tissue-probes. From the data followed that indicator's elimination half-life from the vitreous body was on an average 7.8 hours. The drainage occurred partially along structures which are associated to the optic nerve. Furthermore drainage to the ipsilateral retrobulbar space and to the regional cervical lymph nodes, mainly to the bilateral deep cervical lymph nodes could be observed.", "contents": "[Studies of the lymph drainage of the eye. 4. Drainage of lymphotropic radioactive tracers (99mTc-Microcolloid) after intravitreal injection (author's transl)]. In 7 rabbits the drainage of 99mTc-labelled Micro-colloid from the vitreous body of the eye was studied. In vivo measurements with an Anger-type camera were undertaken as well as in vitro measurements after dissection and excision of tissue-probes. From the data followed that indicator's elimination half-life from the vitreous body was on an average 7.8 hours. The drainage occurred partially along structures which are associated to the optic nerve. Furthermore drainage to the ipsilateral retrobulbar space and to the regional cervical lymph nodes, mainly to the bilateral deep cervical lymph nodes could be observed.", "PMID": 628188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7336", "title": "[Impaired visual perception in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; a clinical diagnosis based on sequential computerized axial tomography (author's transl)].", "content": "Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral illness affecting principally cerebral white matter of patients, who have diminished immunologic resistance. A patient is presented, whose initial complaint was blurred vision. Relentless progression over a period of seven months to left hemianopsia, prosopagnosia, alexia with agraphia and eventually cortical blindness was observed. Accompanying the visual impairment was a steady deterioration of mental function. Sequential computerized axial tomography defined low density lesions in the occipital white matter with sparing of the cortical ribbon. As hemianopsia progressed to cortical blindness, the scans confirmed the evolution of bilaterial occipital lesions. The diagnosis was made clinically and established on histological and cultural grounds. Computerized tomography seems to be valuable in diagnosis and monitoring progress of PML.", "contents": "[Impaired visual perception in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; a clinical diagnosis based on sequential computerized axial tomography (author's transl)]. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a viral illness affecting principally cerebral white matter of patients, who have diminished immunologic resistance. A patient is presented, whose initial complaint was blurred vision. Relentless progression over a period of seven months to left hemianopsia, prosopagnosia, alexia with agraphia and eventually cortical blindness was observed. Accompanying the visual impairment was a steady deterioration of mental function. Sequential computerized axial tomography defined low density lesions in the occipital white matter with sparing of the cortical ribbon. As hemianopsia progressed to cortical blindness, the scans confirmed the evolution of bilaterial occipital lesions. The diagnosis was made clinically and established on histological and cultural grounds. Computerized tomography seems to be valuable in diagnosis and monitoring progress of PML.", "PMID": 628189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7337", "title": "Sea blue histiocytosis. A clinical cytologic and nosographic study on 23 cases.", "content": "The authors examine the main clinical, cytologic and nosographic aspects of conditions and syndromes associated with SBH on the basis of the literature data (about 40 cases) and 23 personal ones. It is necessary to distinguish between three nosological conditions of SBH: hereditary disease, hereditary asymptomatic, acquired per se asymptomatic. From the clinical viewpoint less a half of all SBH cases are hereditary and present a syndrome based on splenomegaly, periodic hemorrhagic diathesis (due to variable thrombocytopenia), not rarely associated with hepatomegaly and lung or nervous system changes (often eyes are involved). There is also a second SBH hereditary form, vary rare and clinically different from the former, determined by deficiency of plasma-lecitin-cholesterol acyltransferase. The peculiar features of SBH are discussed by means of optical, cytochemical, electron microscopical investigations which point out the polymorphous aspect of these \"famished\" macrophages. The material stored by SBH is heterogeneous and the enzymatic defect of the most frequent form still remains obscure. The presence of SBH in different haemopathies has an analogous significance as Gaucher's cells found outside Gaucher's disease. It is impossible today to deny the existence of two well-identified SBHS.", "contents": "Sea blue histiocytosis. A clinical cytologic and nosographic study on 23 cases. The authors examine the main clinical, cytologic and nosographic aspects of conditions and syndromes associated with SBH on the basis of the literature data (about 40 cases) and 23 personal ones. It is necessary to distinguish between three nosological conditions of SBH: hereditary disease, hereditary asymptomatic, acquired per se asymptomatic. From the clinical viewpoint less a half of all SBH cases are hereditary and present a syndrome based on splenomegaly, periodic hemorrhagic diathesis (due to variable thrombocytopenia), not rarely associated with hepatomegaly and lung or nervous system changes (often eyes are involved). There is also a second SBH hereditary form, vary rare and clinically different from the former, determined by deficiency of plasma-lecitin-cholesterol acyltransferase. The peculiar features of SBH are discussed by means of optical, cytochemical, electron microscopical investigations which point out the polymorphous aspect of these \"famished\" macrophages. The material stored by SBH is heterogeneous and the enzymatic defect of the most frequent form still remains obscure. The presence of SBH in different haemopathies has an analogous significance as Gaucher's cells found outside Gaucher's disease. It is impossible today to deny the existence of two well-identified SBHS.", "PMID": 628190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7338", "title": "Effect of prolonged low-dose infusions of ile5-angiotensin ii on blood pressure, aldosterone and electrolyte excretion in sodium replete man.", "content": "Two healthy young males on a constant normal sodium diet (135 mM/day) were infused for 132 h with 3 ng/kg/min of angiotensin II. Plasma angiotensin II levels were therby raised to the range of moderate sodium depletion. Plasma aldosterone and the urinary excretion rate of aldosterone-18-glucuronide were markedly increased during the whole infusion period and returned to control levels after the infusion was stopped. A slight tendency of aldosterone secretion to decrease towards the end of infusion was probably due to sodium retention (appr. 200 mM and 350 mM respectively) and to a fall in plasma potassium by approximately 0.5 mM/1. Plasma aldosterone during infusion, maintained circadian variations similar to those of cortisol. Plasma cortisol patterns were unaffected by angiotensin II. Blood pressure increased gradually during angiotensin II infusion, reflecting changes in sodium balance. The results, differing from those of studies in dog and sheep, support the assumption that angiotensin II is an important regulator of aldosterone secretion in man rather than a merely permissive factor.", "contents": "Effect of prolonged low-dose infusions of ile5-angiotensin ii on blood pressure, aldosterone and electrolyte excretion in sodium replete man. Two healthy young males on a constant normal sodium diet (135 mM/day) were infused for 132 h with 3 ng/kg/min of angiotensin II. Plasma angiotensin II levels were therby raised to the range of moderate sodium depletion. Plasma aldosterone and the urinary excretion rate of aldosterone-18-glucuronide were markedly increased during the whole infusion period and returned to control levels after the infusion was stopped. A slight tendency of aldosterone secretion to decrease towards the end of infusion was probably due to sodium retention (appr. 200 mM and 350 mM respectively) and to a fall in plasma potassium by approximately 0.5 mM/1. Plasma aldosterone during infusion, maintained circadian variations similar to those of cortisol. Plasma cortisol patterns were unaffected by angiotensin II. Blood pressure increased gradually during angiotensin II infusion, reflecting changes in sodium balance. The results, differing from those of studies in dog and sheep, support the assumption that angiotensin II is an important regulator of aldosterone secretion in man rather than a merely permissive factor.", "PMID": 628191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7339", "title": "[Amniotic fluid insulin content as a parameter in assessing fetal condition in diabetic pregnancy (author's transl)].", "content": "The average insulin level in the amniotic fluid rises between the 27th and 40th week of pregnancy from 8 muU/ml to 17 muU/ml (n equal to 62). In diabetic pregnancy, the insulin level in the amniotic fluid is in the average elevated to 488%. This indicates oversupply of glucose to the fetus. In the healthy fetus the intercellular apparatus reacts by overproduction of insulin. Part of this insulin reaches the amniotic fluid via the urine. The fetus is in the paradoxical situation of showing simultaneously elevated glucose and insulin levels. The resulting surfeit of insulin is the cause of diabetogenic fetal morbidity. Amniotic fluid insulin levels can be used both to evaluate diabetogenic fetal morbidity, and in order to allow metabolic compensation with insulin to be carried out in accordance with fetal parameters in pregnancy. Examination of the amniotic fluid at bi-weekly intervals from week 27 on thus provides a means of adjusting the metabolic compensation with insulin in the diabetic mother in such a way that diabetogenic fetal morbidity is prevented.", "contents": "[Amniotic fluid insulin content as a parameter in assessing fetal condition in diabetic pregnancy (author's transl)]. The average insulin level in the amniotic fluid rises between the 27th and 40th week of pregnancy from 8 muU/ml to 17 muU/ml (n equal to 62). In diabetic pregnancy, the insulin level in the amniotic fluid is in the average elevated to 488%. This indicates oversupply of glucose to the fetus. In the healthy fetus the intercellular apparatus reacts by overproduction of insulin. Part of this insulin reaches the amniotic fluid via the urine. The fetus is in the paradoxical situation of showing simultaneously elevated glucose and insulin levels. The resulting surfeit of insulin is the cause of diabetogenic fetal morbidity. Amniotic fluid insulin levels can be used both to evaluate diabetogenic fetal morbidity, and in order to allow metabolic compensation with insulin to be carried out in accordance with fetal parameters in pregnancy. Examination of the amniotic fluid at bi-weekly intervals from week 27 on thus provides a means of adjusting the metabolic compensation with insulin in the diabetic mother in such a way that diabetogenic fetal morbidity is prevented.", "PMID": 628192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7340", "title": "[Enteral absorption of high calcium doses determined by means of stable isotopes (author's transl)].", "content": "The calcium absorption was determined in 8 healthy test persons (average age 25.6 years) after oral administration of 500 mg and 1000 mg of this element. A double isotope method with enriched stable calcium isotopes was used which can be applied without any restriction as, unlike in radiotracer techniques, any exposure to ionizing radiation is avoided. The calcium administered orally was labelled with 48Ca, the CaCl2 injected intravenously with 46Ca. The determination of both isotopes in serum and urine samples was carried out by means of neutron activation analysis. Independent of the calcium dose given, an absorption of 30% was found. From the 46Ca content in the serum samples a mean value of 6.4 +/- 1.0 g calcium or 98.8 +/- 15.4 mg Ca/kg body weight was calculated for the 24 hr-exchangeable calcium body pool.", "contents": "[Enteral absorption of high calcium doses determined by means of stable isotopes (author's transl)]. The calcium absorption was determined in 8 healthy test persons (average age 25.6 years) after oral administration of 500 mg and 1000 mg of this element. A double isotope method with enriched stable calcium isotopes was used which can be applied without any restriction as, unlike in radiotracer techniques, any exposure to ionizing radiation is avoided. The calcium administered orally was labelled with 48Ca, the CaCl2 injected intravenously with 46Ca. The determination of both isotopes in serum and urine samples was carried out by means of neutron activation analysis. Independent of the calcium dose given, an absorption of 30% was found. From the 46Ca content in the serum samples a mean value of 6.4 +/- 1.0 g calcium or 98.8 +/- 15.4 mg Ca/kg body weight was calculated for the 24 hr-exchangeable calcium body pool.", "PMID": 628193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7341", "title": "[Computer system for the automatic analysis of cath-lab data. Reliability of pattern-recognition and measurements (author's transl)].", "content": "The computer-system for the on-line-analysis of hemodynamic data developed in Aachen enables the clinical user to perform the immediate on-line analysis of ECG, pressure-curves and thermo- or dye-dilution-curves in a dialog mode. The procedure of pressure analysis as well as the calculations by the computer for the individual haemodynamic parameters are described. The comparison of the medical-manual evaluation of the pressure curves on paper-registration and the computer results of the same measurement shows a very good correlation for wave-recognitions and wave-measurements for this system, integrated in the daily routine since 24 months. As well in the application of various fluid-filled catheters used in praxis as in tip-manometers it could be proved for the pressure-analysis in the different positions of the heart, that the computer-system produced reliable evaluations for all catheter materials used. The flexible conception of the computer program with its fast adaption to new problems allows its use not only in the clinical routine, but also and especially in the handling of scientific questions in the frame-work of haemodynamic analysis.", "contents": "[Computer system for the automatic analysis of cath-lab data. Reliability of pattern-recognition and measurements (author's transl)]. The computer-system for the on-line-analysis of hemodynamic data developed in Aachen enables the clinical user to perform the immediate on-line analysis of ECG, pressure-curves and thermo- or dye-dilution-curves in a dialog mode. The procedure of pressure analysis as well as the calculations by the computer for the individual haemodynamic parameters are described. The comparison of the medical-manual evaluation of the pressure curves on paper-registration and the computer results of the same measurement shows a very good correlation for wave-recognitions and wave-measurements for this system, integrated in the daily routine since 24 months. As well in the application of various fluid-filled catheters used in praxis as in tip-manometers it could be proved for the pressure-analysis in the different positions of the heart, that the computer-system produced reliable evaluations for all catheter materials used. The flexible conception of the computer program with its fast adaption to new problems allows its use not only in the clinical routine, but also and especially in the handling of scientific questions in the frame-work of haemodynamic analysis.", "PMID": 628194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7342", "title": "[Plasma digoxin concentration in different age groups (author's transl)].", "content": "Plasma digoxin concentration during maintenance therapy with digoxin was determined in premature and mature newborns, infants, children and adults. The plasma digoxin concentration of newborns was significantly higher than in adults; in addition, in the group of premature newborns it also was higher than in infants and children. These differences in plasma digoxin concentrations may be explained by differences in dose, volume of distribution and excretion rate of digoxin in the various age groups.", "contents": "[Plasma digoxin concentration in different age groups (author's transl)]. Plasma digoxin concentration during maintenance therapy with digoxin was determined in premature and mature newborns, infants, children and adults. The plasma digoxin concentration of newborns was significantly higher than in adults; in addition, in the group of premature newborns it also was higher than in infants and children. These differences in plasma digoxin concentrations may be explained by differences in dose, volume of distribution and excretion rate of digoxin in the various age groups.", "PMID": 628195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7343", "title": "Non-interaction of spironolactone medication and cortisol metabolism in man.", "content": "In 5 healthy subjects and in 5 patients with decompensated liver diseases, the concentrations of cortisol, canrenone and canrenoate-K were determined after single doses and after a long-term treatment with spironolactone. The concentrations of the metabolites of spironolactone were determined fluorimetrically, those of cortisol by a highly specific radioimmunoassay with previous chromatographic separation. As a result, non-interaction between spironolactone medication and cortisol metabolism, even at high dose and long-term treatment conditions, was established neither in normal test subjects nor in patients with liver failure.", "contents": "Non-interaction of spironolactone medication and cortisol metabolism in man. In 5 healthy subjects and in 5 patients with decompensated liver diseases, the concentrations of cortisol, canrenone and canrenoate-K were determined after single doses and after a long-term treatment with spironolactone. The concentrations of the metabolites of spironolactone were determined fluorimetrically, those of cortisol by a highly specific radioimmunoassay with previous chromatographic separation. As a result, non-interaction between spironolactone medication and cortisol metabolism, even at high dose and long-term treatment conditions, was established neither in normal test subjects nor in patients with liver failure.", "PMID": 628197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7344", "title": "[Myasthenic syndrome during penicillamine treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical and electrophysiological findings in 2 men who had developed a myasthenic syndrome after taking penicillamine for rheumatoid arthritis will be described. The symptoms began with dysfunction of the eye muscles following a generalised muscle weakness. Course of illness after withdrawal of penicillamine was not uniform. In one of the patients a complete remission occurred within a year. The other became steadily worse and required continuous treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Electrophysiological examinations showed neuromuscular blockade, posttetanic exhaustion, posttetanic potentiation was found in one patient only. An immunopharmacological block of acetylcholine receptors induced by penicillamine is discussed from a pathogenetical point of view.", "contents": "[Myasthenic syndrome during penicillamine treatment (author's transl)]. The clinical and electrophysiological findings in 2 men who had developed a myasthenic syndrome after taking penicillamine for rheumatoid arthritis will be described. The symptoms began with dysfunction of the eye muscles following a generalised muscle weakness. Course of illness after withdrawal of penicillamine was not uniform. In one of the patients a complete remission occurred within a year. The other became steadily worse and required continuous treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors. Electrophysiological examinations showed neuromuscular blockade, posttetanic exhaustion, posttetanic potentiation was found in one patient only. An immunopharmacological block of acetylcholine receptors induced by penicillamine is discussed from a pathogenetical point of view.", "PMID": 628198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7345", "title": "A possible mechanism of demyelination of the Syrian hamster with hindleg paralysis.", "content": "Electron microscopic studies of the spinal roots and the sciatic nerves of mutant hamsters with hindleg paralysis and of similar age control animals are reported. Fibrillary accumulations, some of which showed a crystalloid organization, were found in the inner loops of the myelin sheath. These changes were severe in the mutant but only mild in the controls. Moreover, the mutant alone showed demyelination with apparent sparing of the Schwann cell perikaryon and subsequent remyelination. A possible mechanism relating the fibrillary accumulations to the demyelination is discussed.", "contents": "A possible mechanism of demyelination of the Syrian hamster with hindleg paralysis. Electron microscopic studies of the spinal roots and the sciatic nerves of mutant hamsters with hindleg paralysis and of similar age control animals are reported. Fibrillary accumulations, some of which showed a crystalloid organization, were found in the inner loops of the myelin sheath. These changes were severe in the mutant but only mild in the controls. Moreover, the mutant alone showed demyelination with apparent sparing of the Schwann cell perikaryon and subsequent remyelination. A possible mechanism relating the fibrillary accumulations to the demyelination is discussed.", "PMID": 628201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7346", "title": "[Drug treatment of primary hyperlipoproteinemia (author's transl)].", "content": "Cardiovascular disease has become the major cause of death in the Western countries. There is strong evidence that elevations of serum lipids contribute to the pathogenesis of premature atherosclerosis. The classification of the hyperlipoproteinemias has been most beneficial as a guide to development of dietary and pharmacological regimens for lowering serum lipid concentrations. The results of dietary and drug prevention trials are discussed. Insight into the mechanisms involved in lipoprotein metabolism as well as the mode of action and of side-effects of hypolipidemic drugs is reviewed. Using present knowledge of heart disease research, it is reasonable to suggest dietary and drug treatments for the high risk patient.", "contents": "[Drug treatment of primary hyperlipoproteinemia (author's transl)]. Cardiovascular disease has become the major cause of death in the Western countries. There is strong evidence that elevations of serum lipids contribute to the pathogenesis of premature atherosclerosis. The classification of the hyperlipoproteinemias has been most beneficial as a guide to development of dietary and pharmacological regimens for lowering serum lipid concentrations. The results of dietary and drug prevention trials are discussed. Insight into the mechanisms involved in lipoprotein metabolism as well as the mode of action and of side-effects of hypolipidemic drugs is reviewed. Using present knowledge of heart disease research, it is reasonable to suggest dietary and drug treatments for the high risk patient.", "PMID": 628199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7347", "title": "Early appearance and mitotic activity of multinucleated giant cells in mice after combined injection of talc and prednisolone acetate. A model for studying rapid histiocytic polykarion formation in vivo.", "content": "Combined intraperitoneal injection of talc and particulate prednisolone acetate resulted in the formation of significant numbers of multinucleated giant cells within 48 hours. Neither one of these two agents had a comparable effect when injected alone. Evidence is presented showing that the multinucleated giant cells arose by cell fusion. Synchronous nuclear division could be observed in a considerable proportion of newly formed polykarions. Although the late prophases were usually normal, high proportions of abnormal mitotic figures were observed at later stages of mitosis, particularly in anaphase and telophase. The chromosome abnormalities were so severe that it is highly improbable that mitosis led to successful nuclear multiplication within a given syncytium. Similar to prednisolone acetate, prednisone elicited the formation of multinucleated giant cells when injected with talc. No polykarion formation was observed, however, when prednisolone acetate was substituted for other steroid preparations of similar particle size such as cortexon acetate, cortisone, or testosterone isobutyrate.", "contents": "Early appearance and mitotic activity of multinucleated giant cells in mice after combined injection of talc and prednisolone acetate. A model for studying rapid histiocytic polykarion formation in vivo. Combined intraperitoneal injection of talc and particulate prednisolone acetate resulted in the formation of significant numbers of multinucleated giant cells within 48 hours. Neither one of these two agents had a comparable effect when injected alone. Evidence is presented showing that the multinucleated giant cells arose by cell fusion. Synchronous nuclear division could be observed in a considerable proportion of newly formed polykarions. Although the late prophases were usually normal, high proportions of abnormal mitotic figures were observed at later stages of mitosis, particularly in anaphase and telophase. The chromosome abnormalities were so severe that it is highly improbable that mitosis led to successful nuclear multiplication within a given syncytium. Similar to prednisolone acetate, prednisone elicited the formation of multinucleated giant cells when injected with talc. No polykarion formation was observed, however, when prednisolone acetate was substituted for other steroid preparations of similar particle size such as cortexon acetate, cortisone, or testosterone isobutyrate.", "PMID": 628203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7348", "title": "Systemic effects of the VX2 carcinoma on the osseous skeleton. A quantitative study of trabecular bone.", "content": "The skeleton of rabbits bearing the transplantable VX2 carcinoma has been studied by a combination of radiographic and histomorphometric techniques. It has previously been shown that this tumor produces and secretes large amounts of prostaglandin E2. In vivo experiments, as well as cell and organ culture studies, have led to the conclusion that the hyerpcalcemia observed in tumor-bearing rabbits is due to excessive secretion of prostaglandin E2 by the tumor and its subsequent action on bone throughout the organism. Our new findings reveal (1) no evidence of local invasion of bone by the VX2 tumor or osseous metastases; (2) radiographic evidence of generalized osteopenia; (3) histomorphometric documentation in trabecular bone of reduced volume density of bone matrix, consistent with increased resorption in trabecular bone at sites distant from tumor; and (4) a marked generalized reduction in surface density of osteoblastic layers, volume density of osteoid, osteoid seam thickness, and surface density of osteoid. These findings in trabecular bone of iliac crest and vertebra offer quantitative data in support of the conclusion that VX2 carcinoma affects skeletal metabolism systemically.", "contents": "Systemic effects of the VX2 carcinoma on the osseous skeleton. A quantitative study of trabecular bone. The skeleton of rabbits bearing the transplantable VX2 carcinoma has been studied by a combination of radiographic and histomorphometric techniques. It has previously been shown that this tumor produces and secretes large amounts of prostaglandin E2. In vivo experiments, as well as cell and organ culture studies, have led to the conclusion that the hyerpcalcemia observed in tumor-bearing rabbits is due to excessive secretion of prostaglandin E2 by the tumor and its subsequent action on bone throughout the organism. Our new findings reveal (1) no evidence of local invasion of bone by the VX2 tumor or osseous metastases; (2) radiographic evidence of generalized osteopenia; (3) histomorphometric documentation in trabecular bone of reduced volume density of bone matrix, consistent with increased resorption in trabecular bone at sites distant from tumor; and (4) a marked generalized reduction in surface density of osteoblastic layers, volume density of osteoid, osteoid seam thickness, and surface density of osteoid. These findings in trabecular bone of iliac crest and vertebra offer quantitative data in support of the conclusion that VX2 carcinoma affects skeletal metabolism systemically.", "PMID": 628205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7349", "title": "Response of lymphoid leukemia L1210 in mice to implantable sustained release cytosine arabinoside capsules.", "content": "The lifespan of BDF mice with ascitic L1210 leukemia is more than doubled when they are treated with a single subcutaneously or intraperitoneally implanted sustained release cytosine arabinoside capsule. These capsules are drug-polymer composites, with dimensions of 1.0 cm in diameter and 0.15 cm in thickness, and a drug content of 17 +/- 3 mg each. Blank silicone rubber discs implanted intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in the leukemic mice produced no beneficial effects. Control healthy mice receiving the ARA-C releasing capsules continued to live with no obvious signs of drug toxicity. In vitro release of ARA-C from the discs was measured. Drug release was maintained above 20 micrograms per day for more than 35 days. ARA-C extracted from discs recovered from implant studies showed that less than 16% of the total drug content was released in vivo.", "contents": "Response of lymphoid leukemia L1210 in mice to implantable sustained release cytosine arabinoside capsules. The lifespan of BDF mice with ascitic L1210 leukemia is more than doubled when they are treated with a single subcutaneously or intraperitoneally implanted sustained release cytosine arabinoside capsule. These capsules are drug-polymer composites, with dimensions of 1.0 cm in diameter and 0.15 cm in thickness, and a drug content of 17 +/- 3 mg each. Blank silicone rubber discs implanted intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in the leukemic mice produced no beneficial effects. Control healthy mice receiving the ARA-C releasing capsules continued to live with no obvious signs of drug toxicity. In vitro release of ARA-C from the discs was measured. Drug release was maintained above 20 micrograms per day for more than 35 days. ARA-C extracted from discs recovered from implant studies showed that less than 16% of the total drug content was released in vivo.", "PMID": 628213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7350", "title": "Intraoral basal cell carcinoma.", "content": "The evaluation and treatment of an intraoral lesion over a period of 8 years is presented. Clinical appearance and course, microscopic findings, and response to treatment were consistent with a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the mucous membrane. Current theories of histogenesis and the biological behavior of basal cell lesions are discussed.", "contents": "Intraoral basal cell carcinoma. The evaluation and treatment of an intraoral lesion over a period of 8 years is presented. Clinical appearance and course, microscopic findings, and response to treatment were consistent with a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the mucous membrane. Current theories of histogenesis and the biological behavior of basal cell lesions are discussed.", "PMID": 628214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7351", "title": "Experiences with intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer.", "content": "During the 10-year period from 1966-1975, 250 patients with various head and neck cancers were treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy using single agents or various combinations. Only 15 patients showed response of I-C category according to Karnofsky's criteria, and 100 patients had I-B response. Another 100 patients showed I-A category of response and 35 patient had progressive disease out of which 5 patients exhibited excessive toxicity to drugs, eventually succumbing to it. A majority of patients in nonresponding (O-O) category and I-A category were earlier treated by radiotherapy, and intra-arterial chemotherapy was given for recurrent disease. The responses were relatively good whenever chemotherapy was given as a primary treatment before surgery and radiotherapy. Again response was additive when chemotherapy was given concurrently with radiotherapy.", "contents": "Experiences with intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. During the 10-year period from 1966-1975, 250 patients with various head and neck cancers were treated by intra-arterial chemotherapy using single agents or various combinations. Only 15 patients showed response of I-C category according to Karnofsky's criteria, and 100 patients had I-B response. Another 100 patients showed I-A category of response and 35 patient had progressive disease out of which 5 patients exhibited excessive toxicity to drugs, eventually succumbing to it. A majority of patients in nonresponding (O-O) category and I-A category were earlier treated by radiotherapy, and intra-arterial chemotherapy was given for recurrent disease. The responses were relatively good whenever chemotherapy was given as a primary treatment before surgery and radiotherapy. Again response was additive when chemotherapy was given concurrently with radiotherapy.", "PMID": 628215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7352", "title": "Serum fucose as a monitor for recurrent malignancy.", "content": "Serum fucose determinations were performed on 19 patients with \"stable\" or \"inactive\" malignancies, 33 patients with \"active\" malignancies, and 14 \"normals.\" A significant difference in the values between \"normal\" and \"stable\" patients and those with \"active\" cancer is shown. A role for this relatively simple serological test for diagnosing and following metastatic cancer is suggested.", "contents": "Serum fucose as a monitor for recurrent malignancy. Serum fucose determinations were performed on 19 patients with \"stable\" or \"inactive\" malignancies, 33 patients with \"active\" malignancies, and 14 \"normals.\" A significant difference in the values between \"normal\" and \"stable\" patients and those with \"active\" cancer is shown. A role for this relatively simple serological test for diagnosing and following metastatic cancer is suggested.", "PMID": 628216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7353", "title": "Chemotherapy in recurrent noncystic low-grade astrocytomas of the cerebrum in children.", "content": "Six children with grade II astrocytomas were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of 1,3 bis(2-chloroethyl) 1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Vincristine (VCR), intrathecal Methotrexate (i.t. MTX), and Dexamethasone. Of the children, 3 showed a partial remission, and 1 other showed clinical improvement. Our data suggest that chemotherapy is effective in low-grade astrocytomas, and there is now a need for larger trials in low-grade astrocytomas to document the role of chemotherapy accurately in these tumors. It is suggested that trials of chemotherapy as adjuvant to surgery and radiotherapy should be initiated.", "contents": "Chemotherapy in recurrent noncystic low-grade astrocytomas of the cerebrum in children. Six children with grade II astrocytomas were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of 1,3 bis(2-chloroethyl) 1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Vincristine (VCR), intrathecal Methotrexate (i.t. MTX), and Dexamethasone. Of the children, 3 showed a partial remission, and 1 other showed clinical improvement. Our data suggest that chemotherapy is effective in low-grade astrocytomas, and there is now a need for larger trials in low-grade astrocytomas to document the role of chemotherapy accurately in these tumors. It is suggested that trials of chemotherapy as adjuvant to surgery and radiotherapy should be initiated.", "PMID": 628217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7354", "title": "Needle biopsy of endothoracic neoformations: a five-year experience.", "content": "We dwell upon the importance of percutaneous biopsy in the diagnosis of endothoracic masses, comparing the results of the cutting needles to those of the fine needle aspiration biopsy. We began utilizing the Vim-Silverman needle with good results (73.7% diagnoses) and a small number of complications, only 1 of which needed treatment, but in the light of the severe and lethal complications described in the literature, we came to prefer the use of the fine needle aspiration technique, which provided good results, too, (74% diagnoses) and enlarged the diagnostic range of the percutaneous biopsy of the lung in cases of deep, or mediastinal masses. We also hold that the use of cutting needles should not be given up: in fact when a technically good smear from an aspiration biopsy does not allow a diagnosis, we usually repeat the biopsy using a cutting needle, if there is no contraindication.", "contents": "Needle biopsy of endothoracic neoformations: a five-year experience. We dwell upon the importance of percutaneous biopsy in the diagnosis of endothoracic masses, comparing the results of the cutting needles to those of the fine needle aspiration biopsy. We began utilizing the Vim-Silverman needle with good results (73.7% diagnoses) and a small number of complications, only 1 of which needed treatment, but in the light of the severe and lethal complications described in the literature, we came to prefer the use of the fine needle aspiration technique, which provided good results, too, (74% diagnoses) and enlarged the diagnostic range of the percutaneous biopsy of the lung in cases of deep, or mediastinal masses. We also hold that the use of cutting needles should not be given up: in fact when a technically good smear from an aspiration biopsy does not allow a diagnosis, we usually repeat the biopsy using a cutting needle, if there is no contraindication.", "PMID": 628218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7355", "title": "Excretory urography in evaluation of the surgical cancer patient.", "content": "Excretory urography was performed routinely in 504 patients with sarcoma, melanoma, pelvic, head and neck, or other localized tumors over a 5-year period. There were benign abnormalities in 14.4% of the patients examined, tumor associated abnormalities in 10.7%, and 1.4% false positives. The diagnosis of a benign lesion did not change cancer therapy in any patient. Findings on excretory urography were valuable in the management of patients with pelvic and intra-abdominal tumors. In these patients ureteral obstruction was always caused by tumor. There was a high rate of false positively in non-abdominal tumors. No second primary tumors were found.", "contents": "Excretory urography in evaluation of the surgical cancer patient. Excretory urography was performed routinely in 504 patients with sarcoma, melanoma, pelvic, head and neck, or other localized tumors over a 5-year period. There were benign abnormalities in 14.4% of the patients examined, tumor associated abnormalities in 10.7%, and 1.4% false positives. The diagnosis of a benign lesion did not change cancer therapy in any patient. Findings on excretory urography were valuable in the management of patients with pelvic and intra-abdominal tumors. In these patients ureteral obstruction was always caused by tumor. There was a high rate of false positively in non-abdominal tumors. No second primary tumors were found.", "PMID": 628219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7356", "title": "The effect of mixed distributions on the methods of survival analysis.", "content": "A study of the effectiveness of preoperative radiation as an adjuvant for surgery for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma revealed a subpopulation of patients having advanced disease who could not benefit from radiation treatment. The effect of such a group of patients on the efficiency of 2 common nonparametric tests is investigated here. Both Gehan's tests and Greenwood's tests were shown to have a very low efficiency when compared with a parametric test when this group of patients is present.", "contents": "The effect of mixed distributions on the methods of survival analysis. A study of the effectiveness of preoperative radiation as an adjuvant for surgery for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma revealed a subpopulation of patients having advanced disease who could not benefit from radiation treatment. The effect of such a group of patients on the efficiency of 2 common nonparametric tests is investigated here. Both Gehan's tests and Greenwood's tests were shown to have a very low efficiency when compared with a parametric test when this group of patients is present.", "PMID": 628220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7357", "title": "The usefulness of pretreatment DNCB in 85 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract.", "content": "Pretreatment DNCB skin testing and absolute lymphocyte counts were studied in 85 consecutive head and neck cancer patients. All patients were treated primarily with radiation therapy alone or combined radiation plus surgery. The results of DNCB testing and absolute lymphocyte counts were not sufficiently predictive of outcome, (no evidence of disease after 2 years) to be useful in making treatment decisions on an individual patient. This applied to the good prognosis (T1, T2, N0-N3) and poor prognosis (T3, T4, N0-N3) groups.", "contents": "The usefulness of pretreatment DNCB in 85 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. Pretreatment DNCB skin testing and absolute lymphocyte counts were studied in 85 consecutive head and neck cancer patients. All patients were treated primarily with radiation therapy alone or combined radiation plus surgery. The results of DNCB testing and absolute lymphocyte counts were not sufficiently predictive of outcome, (no evidence of disease after 2 years) to be useful in making treatment decisions on an individual patient. This applied to the good prognosis (T1, T2, N0-N3) and poor prognosis (T3, T4, N0-N3) groups.", "PMID": 628221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7358", "title": "Cryosurgical treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts.", "content": "An aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, locally aggressive bone process which frequently recurs after excochleation. Exocochleation can be extended without loss of bone tissue by making use of cryosurgery. This combined technique was used in the treatment of 5 patients, without complications. None of the patients described had a demonstrable recurrence 12-60 (average 35) months after this combined therapy.", "contents": "Cryosurgical treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts. An aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, locally aggressive bone process which frequently recurs after excochleation. Exocochleation can be extended without loss of bone tissue by making use of cryosurgery. This combined technique was used in the treatment of 5 patients, without complications. None of the patients described had a demonstrable recurrence 12-60 (average 35) months after this combined therapy.", "PMID": 628222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7359", "title": "Rest therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Rest therapy in rheumatoid arthritis has long been controversial. Available evidence indicates that exercise increases joint inflammation and destruction and rest reduces inflammation. Hospitalization may produce improvement in inflammation, which is sometimes marked. Fatigue, a frequent and often prominent symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, is a guide to therapy. Sufficient rest to prevent fatigue combined with appropriate physical therapy would be expected to improve the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Rest therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Rest therapy in rheumatoid arthritis has long been controversial. Available evidence indicates that exercise increases joint inflammation and destruction and rest reduces inflammation. Hospitalization may produce improvement in inflammation, which is sometimes marked. Fatigue, a frequent and often prominent symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, is a guide to therapy. Sufficient rest to prevent fatigue combined with appropriate physical therapy would be expected to improve the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 628223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7360", "title": "Infectious mononucleosis in the older patient.", "content": "Six cases of infectious mononucleosis in patients more than 60 years old were reviewed. The geriatric patient with infectious mononucleosis often presents with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, without exudative pharyngitis. The disease may present as fever of obscure origin or mimic chronic lymphocytic leukemia in this age group. Diagnosis is established through characteristic findings on hematologic and serologic studies.", "contents": "Infectious mononucleosis in the older patient. Six cases of infectious mononucleosis in patients more than 60 years old were reviewed. The geriatric patient with infectious mononucleosis often presents with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, without exudative pharyngitis. The disease may present as fever of obscure origin or mimic chronic lymphocytic leukemia in this age group. Diagnosis is established through characteristic findings on hematologic and serologic studies.", "PMID": 628224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7361", "title": "Fluorescent thyroid scanning. A method based on stable iodine measurements.", "content": "Analysis by x-ray fluorescence allows in vitro determination of iodine content of the thyroid gland and a mapping of the regional distribution of iodine in the gland. The picture produced is similar to that of the conventional radioisotope thyroid scan. In 5 normal subjects and 70 patients with thyroid disease, the thyroid concentration of iodine varied between undetectable and 28 mg. With the exception of hypothyroid patients, who showed low thyroid levels of iodine, all patients showed iodine values overlapping the normal range. The fluorescent scan gave results similar to those of the isotope scan in most cases. Exceptions were noted in some hypothyroid patients, patients with flooded iodine pool, and patients receiving suppressive doses of exogenous thyroid hormone. Small cold nodules were best detected by the radionuclide scintigram. The value of the fluorescent scan is in its low radiation dose and in the possibility it affords of studying patients whose thyroid glands have reduced uptake of the radioactive tracer.", "contents": "Fluorescent thyroid scanning. A method based on stable iodine measurements. Analysis by x-ray fluorescence allows in vitro determination of iodine content of the thyroid gland and a mapping of the regional distribution of iodine in the gland. The picture produced is similar to that of the conventional radioisotope thyroid scan. In 5 normal subjects and 70 patients with thyroid disease, the thyroid concentration of iodine varied between undetectable and 28 mg. With the exception of hypothyroid patients, who showed low thyroid levels of iodine, all patients showed iodine values overlapping the normal range. The fluorescent scan gave results similar to those of the isotope scan in most cases. Exceptions were noted in some hypothyroid patients, patients with flooded iodine pool, and patients receiving suppressive doses of exogenous thyroid hormone. Small cold nodules were best detected by the radionuclide scintigram. The value of the fluorescent scan is in its low radiation dose and in the possibility it affords of studying patients whose thyroid glands have reduced uptake of the radioactive tracer.", "PMID": 628225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7362", "title": "Deferoxamine-chelatable iron in hemochromatosis and other disorders of iron overload.", "content": "Deferoxamine-chelatable iron was measured in 103 patients with known or suspected iron overload. All of 34 patients with untreated hemochromatosis had distinctly elevated values for deferoxamine-chelatable iron. The mean value in these cases was significantly greater than that in patients with cirrhosis, who had little or no stainable hepatic iron. In 15 patients with hemochromatosis who were tested sequentially during the course of phlebotomy therapy, deferoxamine-chelatable iron proved a reliable index of the degree of reduction of storage iron. In 22 additional patients with partially treated hemochromatosis and 14 with iron overload accompanying chronic anemia, this test correlated well with the magnitude of iron deposits in liver or bone marrow. In patients with unexplained elevations of serum iron, normal or only slightly elevated deferoxamine-chelatable iron correctly indicated that storage (hepatic) iron was not excessive. The test was more reliable than determination of serum iron or transferrin saturation as an indicator of increased storage iron. Elevated values could not be attributed to disturbed liver function. Determination of deferoxamine-chelatable iron is a safe, practical, and useful procedure for identifying persons with increased iron stores and for assessing the effect of phlebotomy therapy.", "contents": "Deferoxamine-chelatable iron in hemochromatosis and other disorders of iron overload. Deferoxamine-chelatable iron was measured in 103 patients with known or suspected iron overload. All of 34 patients with untreated hemochromatosis had distinctly elevated values for deferoxamine-chelatable iron. The mean value in these cases was significantly greater than that in patients with cirrhosis, who had little or no stainable hepatic iron. In 15 patients with hemochromatosis who were tested sequentially during the course of phlebotomy therapy, deferoxamine-chelatable iron proved a reliable index of the degree of reduction of storage iron. In 22 additional patients with partially treated hemochromatosis and 14 with iron overload accompanying chronic anemia, this test correlated well with the magnitude of iron deposits in liver or bone marrow. In patients with unexplained elevations of serum iron, normal or only slightly elevated deferoxamine-chelatable iron correctly indicated that storage (hepatic) iron was not excessive. The test was more reliable than determination of serum iron or transferrin saturation as an indicator of increased storage iron. Elevated values could not be attributed to disturbed liver function. Determination of deferoxamine-chelatable iron is a safe, practical, and useful procedure for identifying persons with increased iron stores and for assessing the effect of phlebotomy therapy.", "PMID": 628226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7363", "title": "Rehabilitation techniques for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.", "content": "Rehabilitation techniques for the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are aimed at maintaining the patients at their optimum functional levels for as long as possible and at preventing complications secondary to disuse of muscles and immobilization. A functional staging of patients is proposed which is helpful in categorizing them in reference to the type of rehabilitative techniques required and the kinds of assistive devices needed.", "contents": "Rehabilitation techniques for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rehabilitation techniques for the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are aimed at maintaining the patients at their optimum functional levels for as long as possible and at preventing complications secondary to disuse of muscles and immobilization. A functional staging of patients is proposed which is helpful in categorizing them in reference to the type of rehabilitative techniques required and the kinds of assistive devices needed.", "PMID": 628227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7364", "title": "Medical fee and service advertising: a response from physicians.", "content": "Restrictions on advertising about services performed by professional groups have recently been questioned by the government and consumerists. The purpose of this study was to determine physicians' attitudes about the use of advertising in their profession and also to compare these results with responses from dentists, attorneys, and accountants. While a survey of these groups in three metropolitan areas indicate mild support for advertising in general, there was a definite negative reaction to advertising in the respective professions. Participants also reported their attitudes about the effects of advertising on prices and fees, quality of services, and public expectation and governmental regulations. The concepts of social marketing and informative advertising are suggested as approaches that may meet the requirements of both the government and the professions.", "contents": "Medical fee and service advertising: a response from physicians. Restrictions on advertising about services performed by professional groups have recently been questioned by the government and consumerists. The purpose of this study was to determine physicians' attitudes about the use of advertising in their profession and also to compare these results with responses from dentists, attorneys, and accountants. While a survey of these groups in three metropolitan areas indicate mild support for advertising in general, there was a definite negative reaction to advertising in the respective professions. Participants also reported their attitudes about the effects of advertising on prices and fees, quality of services, and public expectation and governmental regulations. The concepts of social marketing and informative advertising are suggested as approaches that may meet the requirements of both the government and the professions.", "PMID": 628232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7365", "title": "Understanding the growth of emergency department utilization.", "content": "Much research on utilization of hospital emergency departments has been published over the past 10 to 15 years. It has failed to yield a coherent view of why the volume of use has increased, however, because most of it has focused on users of one or more ERs, ignoring the nonusers, and has provided insufficient detail about the local context in which the ER operates. The result has been large quantities of data which, when compared, produce inconsistencies which cannot be resolved without additional data from different studies. Yet, a tentative explanation of ER growth can be presented if the question of why people use ERs, which is usually thought of as being similar to the question of why people use medical care services, is restated as, why do people who want to use medical care choose the ER as the site of care? That question can best be answered by paying greater attention to enabling and illness factors than to the predisposing demographic factors upon which much research has focused. A tentative explanation of the growth of ER utilization is offered. Then, the support from the literature for it is presented and the remaining questions are identified for future research.", "contents": "Understanding the growth of emergency department utilization. Much research on utilization of hospital emergency departments has been published over the past 10 to 15 years. It has failed to yield a coherent view of why the volume of use has increased, however, because most of it has focused on users of one or more ERs, ignoring the nonusers, and has provided insufficient detail about the local context in which the ER operates. The result has been large quantities of data which, when compared, produce inconsistencies which cannot be resolved without additional data from different studies. Yet, a tentative explanation of ER growth can be presented if the question of why people use ERs, which is usually thought of as being similar to the question of why people use medical care services, is restated as, why do people who want to use medical care choose the ER as the site of care? That question can best be answered by paying greater attention to enabling and illness factors than to the predisposing demographic factors upon which much research has focused. A tentative explanation of the growth of ER utilization is offered. Then, the support from the literature for it is presented and the remaining questions are identified for future research.", "PMID": 628233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7366", "title": "An evaluation of the Illinois trauma system.", "content": "The impact of the Illinois Trauma System is assessed in the Southernmost region of the state. A sample of vehicular injuries and deaths are compared for a four year study period: two years prior to system implementation (FY 1970-1971) and two years after system initiation (FY 1972-1973). Decreases in mortality rates are experienced at trauma hospitals in FY 1972-1973 while mortality rates at those hospitals which did not become trauma centers remained constant. Trauma hospitals also exhibit significant declines in mortality rates during weekends and for the age group 45 to 64. When examined on a statewide basis the Illinois Trauma System appears to have little impact on urban mortality rates but a substantial effect upon rural mortality rates.", "contents": "An evaluation of the Illinois trauma system. The impact of the Illinois Trauma System is assessed in the Southernmost region of the state. A sample of vehicular injuries and deaths are compared for a four year study period: two years prior to system implementation (FY 1970-1971) and two years after system initiation (FY 1972-1973). Decreases in mortality rates are experienced at trauma hospitals in FY 1972-1973 while mortality rates at those hospitals which did not become trauma centers remained constant. Trauma hospitals also exhibit significant declines in mortality rates during weekends and for the age group 45 to 64. When examined on a statewide basis the Illinois Trauma System appears to have little impact on urban mortality rates but a substantial effect upon rural mortality rates.", "PMID": 628234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7367", "title": "The tides of rural physicians: the ebb and flow, or why physicians move out of and into small communities.", "content": "To determine the characteristics of physicians who move into and out of rural areas, as well as their reasons for establishing or leaving such practices, we sent questionnaires to 67 physicians who began practice in selected rural counties in upstate New York and 88 physicians who left practices in roughly the same area. From the 52 physicians (77.6 per cent) who responded to the former survey we found that 1) good professional support is mandatory for maintaining a satisfying small community practice, 2) a predisposition to small community living is essential for physicians to be recruited for rural practice, and 3) there are substantial differences with respect to demographic characteristics among persons who share similar reasons for practicing medicine in this region. For the 68 physicians (72.0) per cent ) who responded to the latter survey, the reasons for leaving could be grouped in the following categories: economic, social, and professional logistic. Although all of these factors contribute to the decision to leave, physician geographical mobility seems to stem chiefly from an unsatisfactory professional situation. These findings suggest several strategies for improving the situations in which rural physicians practice, and thus altering the massive imbalance in physician:patient ratios in urban and rural areas.", "contents": "The tides of rural physicians: the ebb and flow, or why physicians move out of and into small communities. To determine the characteristics of physicians who move into and out of rural areas, as well as their reasons for establishing or leaving such practices, we sent questionnaires to 67 physicians who began practice in selected rural counties in upstate New York and 88 physicians who left practices in roughly the same area. From the 52 physicians (77.6 per cent) who responded to the former survey we found that 1) good professional support is mandatory for maintaining a satisfying small community practice, 2) a predisposition to small community living is essential for physicians to be recruited for rural practice, and 3) there are substantial differences with respect to demographic characteristics among persons who share similar reasons for practicing medicine in this region. For the 68 physicians (72.0) per cent ) who responded to the latter survey, the reasons for leaving could be grouped in the following categories: economic, social, and professional logistic. Although all of these factors contribute to the decision to leave, physician geographical mobility seems to stem chiefly from an unsatisfactory professional situation. These findings suggest several strategies for improving the situations in which rural physicians practice, and thus altering the massive imbalance in physician:patient ratios in urban and rural areas.", "PMID": 628235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7368", "title": "Improving community hospital board performance.", "content": "There has been little focus on improving hospital governance as an approach to controlling costs and improving the quality of care in community hospitals. The author examines assumptions underlying such an approach, describes various proposals, and presents criteria to be used in evaluating them. The author recommends governing board involvement in goal setting and monitoring activities. This requires the development of standards on hospital performance and governing board performance, as well as methodology for external monitoring and external impact on the boards in these respects.", "contents": "Improving community hospital board performance. There has been little focus on improving hospital governance as an approach to controlling costs and improving the quality of care in community hospitals. The author examines assumptions underlying such an approach, describes various proposals, and presents criteria to be used in evaluating them. The author recommends governing board involvement in goal setting and monitoring activities. This requires the development of standards on hospital performance and governing board performance, as well as methodology for external monitoring and external impact on the boards in these respects.", "PMID": 628236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7369", "title": "Market structure and advertising in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry: some implications for public policy.", "content": "Distortions in market processes for pharmaceuticals raise the important policy problem of devising measures to improve industry performance. This paper first reviews the basic issues involved in formulating economic policy regarding the pharmaceutical industry. Methods for reducing structural market power and undesirable promotional expenditures are examined, and the impacts of four oft-suggested policy \"reforms\"--removal of trade names, removal of patents, relaxation of requirements for certification of new drug products, and increased enforcement of antitrust laws--are then analyzed. Finally, problems requiring additional research are identified.", "contents": "Market structure and advertising in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry: some implications for public policy. Distortions in market processes for pharmaceuticals raise the important policy problem of devising measures to improve industry performance. This paper first reviews the basic issues involved in formulating economic policy regarding the pharmaceutical industry. Methods for reducing structural market power and undesirable promotional expenditures are examined, and the impacts of four oft-suggested policy \"reforms\"--removal of trade names, removal of patents, relaxation of requirements for certification of new drug products, and increased enforcement of antitrust laws--are then analyzed. Finally, problems requiring additional research are identified.", "PMID": 628237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7370", "title": "[Animal experiments about chondrogenesis in allogenic (homologous) auditory ossicles (author's transl)].", "content": "After the transplantation of allogenic ossicular transplants chondrogenesis could be observed during the integration process. This chondrogenesis in the allogenic (homologous) transplants could be demonstrated mainly in the area of the joint between incus and malleus. It is probable that the contact with a cartilaginous transplant bed of the host is very important for the chondrogenesis in the ossicular homografts.", "contents": "[Animal experiments about chondrogenesis in allogenic (homologous) auditory ossicles (author's transl)]. After the transplantation of allogenic ossicular transplants chondrogenesis could be observed during the integration process. This chondrogenesis in the allogenic (homologous) transplants could be demonstrated mainly in the area of the joint between incus and malleus. It is probable that the contact with a cartilaginous transplant bed of the host is very important for the chondrogenesis in the ossicular homografts.", "PMID": 628283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7371", "title": "[A clinical study on allogenetic ossicle-implantation (author's transl)].", "content": "Here we report a first three years clinical experience with allogenetic ossicles in middle ear surgery. The several allogenetic implants in tympanoplasty type III are coordinated to symbolic abbreviations for documentation. The technique and biology of Cialit-preservation is summarized. Findings and results vindicate the application of allogenetic ossicles outside large ENT hospitals too.", "contents": "[A clinical study on allogenetic ossicle-implantation (author's transl)]. Here we report a first three years clinical experience with allogenetic ossicles in middle ear surgery. The several allogenetic implants in tympanoplasty type III are coordinated to symbolic abbreviations for documentation. The technique and biology of Cialit-preservation is summarized. Findings and results vindicate the application of allogenetic ossicles outside large ENT hospitals too.", "PMID": 628284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7372", "title": "[Clinical testing of impulse-gustometry as a new method of gustometry (author's transl)].", "content": "For the first time in clinical routine testings impulse-gustometry was used in comparison to normal chemical or electrogustometric methods. Loss of taste caused by tympanoplasty, radiation of tumors in head and neck and accompanying facial nerve palsies was tested. The exactly defined location of the stimulus is known advantage in electrogustometry. Impulse-gustometry, however, is able to stimulate different taste sensations like the chemical methods. The sensible sensation, therefore, is eliminated. The stimulating pulses ranged between 0,5 and 2,0 ms at frequencies of 10 to 300 cps. Like with Krarup's method in impulsegustometry there is not always a taste sensation.", "contents": "[Clinical testing of impulse-gustometry as a new method of gustometry (author's transl)]. For the first time in clinical routine testings impulse-gustometry was used in comparison to normal chemical or electrogustometric methods. Loss of taste caused by tympanoplasty, radiation of tumors in head and neck and accompanying facial nerve palsies was tested. The exactly defined location of the stimulus is known advantage in electrogustometry. Impulse-gustometry, however, is able to stimulate different taste sensations like the chemical methods. The sensible sensation, therefore, is eliminated. The stimulating pulses ranged between 0,5 and 2,0 ms at frequencies of 10 to 300 cps. Like with Krarup's method in impulsegustometry there is not always a taste sensation.", "PMID": 628285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7373", "title": "[Comparison of different nystagmus-parameters with the measured so-called maximal velocity of the slow phase in connexion with caloric vestibular examination (author's transl)].", "content": "The adequate stimulus of the semicircular canals by a rotatory acceleration is producing a nystagmus, whose graph of the postrotatorius I is adequate to a decreasing e-function. The constants of the function are calculabe, the variance is very small. The inadequate stimulus of the semicircular canals by caloric stimulation effects a nystagmus, which shows an intensive changing course of the graph with a large variance. Only smoothings and standardisations by counting of an individual coefficient of the reaction-intensity lead to a graph, which is nearly adequate to an increasing and decreasing e-function. The variance of the single nystagmus-parameters grows with its range of reaction. The velocity of the slow phase shows the largest variance. Each experimental arrangement, which enlarges the nystagmus-intensity, is enlarging the variance coincident. The experimental conditions are neither to form by illumination of the eyes nor by increasing of the mental activity in such a uniform way that the variance would be reduced. The valuation of the singular nystagmus-parameters for the clinic is only to confirm by the examination of otoneurologic syndroms.", "contents": "[Comparison of different nystagmus-parameters with the measured so-called maximal velocity of the slow phase in connexion with caloric vestibular examination (author's transl)]. The adequate stimulus of the semicircular canals by a rotatory acceleration is producing a nystagmus, whose graph of the postrotatorius I is adequate to a decreasing e-function. The constants of the function are calculabe, the variance is very small. The inadequate stimulus of the semicircular canals by caloric stimulation effects a nystagmus, which shows an intensive changing course of the graph with a large variance. Only smoothings and standardisations by counting of an individual coefficient of the reaction-intensity lead to a graph, which is nearly adequate to an increasing and decreasing e-function. The variance of the single nystagmus-parameters grows with its range of reaction. The velocity of the slow phase shows the largest variance. Each experimental arrangement, which enlarges the nystagmus-intensity, is enlarging the variance coincident. The experimental conditions are neither to form by illumination of the eyes nor by increasing of the mental activity in such a uniform way that the variance would be reduced. The valuation of the singular nystagmus-parameters for the clinic is only to confirm by the examination of otoneurologic syndroms.", "PMID": 628286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7374", "title": "[The influence of aging on middle ear function (author's transl)].", "content": "Aging does not only affect the sensory-neural region of the hearing organ but as well the middle ear and its mechanic acoustic function. To determine changes in friction and elasticity of middle ear function due to growing age impedance audiometric methods were used. Alterations of middle ear impedance correlating with age and sex were proved by tympanometry, compliance measurement, reflex-activity and Eustachian tube function. The audiological results confirm morphological data of the middle ear and prove that the hearing organ may be looked at as a sensitive indicator of human physiological aging process.", "contents": "[The influence of aging on middle ear function (author's transl)]. Aging does not only affect the sensory-neural region of the hearing organ but as well the middle ear and its mechanic acoustic function. To determine changes in friction and elasticity of middle ear function due to growing age impedance audiometric methods were used. Alterations of middle ear impedance correlating with age and sex were proved by tympanometry, compliance measurement, reflex-activity and Eustachian tube function. The audiological results confirm morphological data of the middle ear and prove that the hearing organ may be looked at as a sensitive indicator of human physiological aging process.", "PMID": 628287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7375", "title": "[The last ear (author's transl)].", "content": "An operation of the last ear should not be rejected completely, neither from the clinical nor from the audiological point of view. The special pathology of the ear should be considered critically. Many factors can influence the success of the surgical intervention. An exact and adequate diagnosis taking into consideration all the risk factors has to precede each intervention on the last ear. The personality of the patient and his psychological structure have an important influence on the final decision. The surgeon must be very thorough and careful in explaining the possible consequences of an operation. The intervention should be carried out by an experienced surgeon using a tried and proven method. In the case of operations that are neither threatening the life of the patient nor absolutely necessary from the medical point of view he should stop the intervention when--during the operation--the risk for the remaining hearing capacity results to be too high. In this situation the ear should be dried up and prepared for an hearing-aid. We should ever keep in mind that the hearing-aid even if the communication is not fully-satisfying--is better than an understanding by only lip-reading. The medical principle \"nil nocere\" is particularly important for the last ear.", "contents": "[The last ear (author's transl)]. An operation of the last ear should not be rejected completely, neither from the clinical nor from the audiological point of view. The special pathology of the ear should be considered critically. Many factors can influence the success of the surgical intervention. An exact and adequate diagnosis taking into consideration all the risk factors has to precede each intervention on the last ear. The personality of the patient and his psychological structure have an important influence on the final decision. The surgeon must be very thorough and careful in explaining the possible consequences of an operation. The intervention should be carried out by an experienced surgeon using a tried and proven method. In the case of operations that are neither threatening the life of the patient nor absolutely necessary from the medical point of view he should stop the intervention when--during the operation--the risk for the remaining hearing capacity results to be too high. In this situation the ear should be dried up and prepared for an hearing-aid. We should ever keep in mind that the hearing-aid even if the communication is not fully-satisfying--is better than an understanding by only lip-reading. The medical principle \"nil nocere\" is particularly important for the last ear.", "PMID": 628288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7376", "title": "[The cancer of the middle ear (author's transl)].", "content": "In a histological point of view there is in the first line the squamous cell carcinoma. Mostly a chronic otitis media is important for the genesis. Because of the hidden place of the tumor there are usually late stages to be observed. The success of therapy therefore is not all convincing as are about 25% 5-year-survival-rate. The mono-bloc-resection of the temporal bone turns out to be more and more important. As this operation involves high risks, the partial resektion of the temporal is still used. Radio-therapy before or after the operation is widely contested in its value, although there are statistically ensured results. Sole radio-therapy is only convincing with very tiny tumors, in other cases it is only palliative. Because of the histological structure of the squamous cell carcinoma the results of chemotherapy cannot be better.", "contents": "[The cancer of the middle ear (author's transl)]. In a histological point of view there is in the first line the squamous cell carcinoma. Mostly a chronic otitis media is important for the genesis. Because of the hidden place of the tumor there are usually late stages to be observed. The success of therapy therefore is not all convincing as are about 25% 5-year-survival-rate. The mono-bloc-resection of the temporal bone turns out to be more and more important. As this operation involves high risks, the partial resektion of the temporal is still used. Radio-therapy before or after the operation is widely contested in its value, although there are statistically ensured results. Sole radio-therapy is only convincing with very tiny tumors, in other cases it is only palliative. Because of the histological structure of the squamous cell carcinoma the results of chemotherapy cannot be better.", "PMID": 628289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7377", "title": "[Our way in the treatment of middle ear carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The treatment of middle ear carcinoma is in first place surgical, completed electrocoagulation and post-operative irradiation. The first intervention should be as radical as possible. But we do not consider that a total resection of the temporal bone should be routinely performed in each case. The range of the operation should be adapted to the size and localisation of the tumours process. It is impossible and unnecessary to preserve the labyrinth with a radical operation. The facial nerve can be preserved only in singled out cases. The retroauricular incision should be left open whenever possible because it helps to discover a relapse in due time and to apply radium, i.e., radioactive isotopes. A radical neck-resection should be performed only in case of a clinically obvious metastasis.", "contents": "[Our way in the treatment of middle ear carcinoma (author's transl)]. The treatment of middle ear carcinoma is in first place surgical, completed electrocoagulation and post-operative irradiation. The first intervention should be as radical as possible. But we do not consider that a total resection of the temporal bone should be routinely performed in each case. The range of the operation should be adapted to the size and localisation of the tumours process. It is impossible and unnecessary to preserve the labyrinth with a radical operation. The facial nerve can be preserved only in singled out cases. The retroauricular incision should be left open whenever possible because it helps to discover a relapse in due time and to apply radium, i.e., radioactive isotopes. A radical neck-resection should be performed only in case of a clinically obvious metastasis.", "PMID": 628290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7378", "title": "[Protects stapedectomy from increasing otosclerotic inner ear deafness? (author's transl)].", "content": "The favourable influence--first shown by Shambaugh--of fenestration operation used in cases of the otosclerosis which cause a rapid sensorineural hearing loss can also be stated for stapedectomy. A negative influence of stapedectomy on inner ear stability was not determined. Especially the ears whose inner ear function is very bad were favoured by this operation.", "contents": "[Protects stapedectomy from increasing otosclerotic inner ear deafness? (author's transl)]. The favourable influence--first shown by Shambaugh--of fenestration operation used in cases of the otosclerosis which cause a rapid sensorineural hearing loss can also be stated for stapedectomy. A negative influence of stapedectomy on inner ear stability was not determined. Especially the ears whose inner ear function is very bad were favoured by this operation.", "PMID": 628291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7379", "title": "Round window membrane rupture.", "content": "Round Window Membrane Rupture is a surgically correctable cause of sudden hearing loss and vertigo. Reported is a 19-year-old male who had proven round window membrane rupture secondary to barotrauma. Surgical exploration revealed an abnormally large round window niche and membrane, possibly predisposing him to this injury. Diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of this entity are presented.", "contents": "Round window membrane rupture. Round Window Membrane Rupture is a surgically correctable cause of sudden hearing loss and vertigo. Reported is a 19-year-old male who had proven round window membrane rupture secondary to barotrauma. Surgical exploration revealed an abnormally large round window niche and membrane, possibly predisposing him to this injury. Diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of this entity are presented.", "PMID": 628292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7380", "title": "Genesis of the round window rupture syndrome; some experimental observations.", "content": "Clinical and experimental evidence has revealed that rupture of the round window membrane, by itself, is not a major cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Eighteen guinea pigs underwent removal of the round window. The status of cochlear function was determined by recording the cochlear microphonic. An average loss of only about 6 db was observed after surgery. It is felt that there must commonly be more cochlear damage concurrent with window rupture to explain the significant and often relatively immediate hearing losses seen in clinical practice. The site(s) of this primary trauma has not yet been discovered, but it would seen reasonable in the light of recent reports that the perilymphatic vessels, the vas spirale, the stria vascularis and/or the intergrity of the cochlear duct might be involved in the genesis of this hearing loss. We propose that the term \"round window rupture syndrome\" be used as a more accurate description of this entity. The round window damage provides evidence of more devastating trauma within the cochlea. Thus, the clinician, being alerted, should not stop his therapeutic efforts with surgical closure of the RW. Better prognosis for the patient, as well as leading into new avenues for the investigation of cochlear function, would be the result.", "contents": "Genesis of the round window rupture syndrome; some experimental observations. Clinical and experimental evidence has revealed that rupture of the round window membrane, by itself, is not a major cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Eighteen guinea pigs underwent removal of the round window. The status of cochlear function was determined by recording the cochlear microphonic. An average loss of only about 6 db was observed after surgery. It is felt that there must commonly be more cochlear damage concurrent with window rupture to explain the significant and often relatively immediate hearing losses seen in clinical practice. The site(s) of this primary trauma has not yet been discovered, but it would seen reasonable in the light of recent reports that the perilymphatic vessels, the vas spirale, the stria vascularis and/or the intergrity of the cochlear duct might be involved in the genesis of this hearing loss. We propose that the term \"round window rupture syndrome\" be used as a more accurate description of this entity. The round window damage provides evidence of more devastating trauma within the cochlea. Thus, the clinician, being alerted, should not stop his therapeutic efforts with surgical closure of the RW. Better prognosis for the patient, as well as leading into new avenues for the investigation of cochlear function, would be the result.", "PMID": 628293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7381", "title": "Treatment of severe tinnitus with biofeedback training.", "content": "Tinnitus has long been a problem which has plagued patients with otologic problems. We have been using biofeedback as a method of treatment for patients with severe debilitating type tinnitus. Most of the patients had sensori-neural type hearing impairment while a few had conductive hearing loss and normal hearing. The patients were given 10-12 one hour sessions of biofeedback training. They have been followed from 6 to 12 months after this initial training period. Over half of thondition. A few of the patients were dramatically improved while none are worse. Biofeedback has been shown to be an excellent method of treatment for patients with severe tinnitus.", "contents": "Treatment of severe tinnitus with biofeedback training. Tinnitus has long been a problem which has plagued patients with otologic problems. We have been using biofeedback as a method of treatment for patients with severe debilitating type tinnitus. Most of the patients had sensori-neural type hearing impairment while a few had conductive hearing loss and normal hearing. The patients were given 10-12 one hour sessions of biofeedback training. They have been followed from 6 to 12 months after this initial training period. Over half of thondition. A few of the patients were dramatically improved while none are worse. Biofeedback has been shown to be an excellent method of treatment for patients with severe tinnitus.", "PMID": 628294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7382", "title": "Tinnitus: a new management.", "content": "Tinnitus Clinic was established at the University of Oregon Medical School and the result of treatment for 158 patients is discussed. Patients received three forms of masking as treatment: masking from hearing aids, masking from the Tinnitus Masker, and FM-Masking. Conditions leading to each kind of recommendation are discussed. The examination procedures used in the Tinnitus Clinic are presented. The phenomenon of residual inhibition is explained and discussed in relation to possible long-term or permanent relief of tinnitus. Future plans for the clinic and needs of tinnitus patients are presented.", "contents": "Tinnitus: a new management. Tinnitus Clinic was established at the University of Oregon Medical School and the result of treatment for 158 patients is discussed. Patients received three forms of masking as treatment: masking from hearing aids, masking from the Tinnitus Masker, and FM-Masking. Conditions leading to each kind of recommendation are discussed. The examination procedures used in the Tinnitus Clinic are presented. The phenomenon of residual inhibition is explained and discussed in relation to possible long-term or permanent relief of tinnitus. Future plans for the clinic and needs of tinnitus patients are presented.", "PMID": 628295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7383", "title": "Management of congenital ear abnormalities.", "content": "Congenital malformation of the ear has a complex origin and the possibility of hereditary, viral and toxic etiologies. The authors require audiometric evaluation, using the objective brain stem evoked response in young children, and polytomography of the middle and inner ears in all patients with atretic external auditory canals. Unilaterally atretic ear canals can be repaired electively at the discretion of the family and the patient, while in bilateral cases reconstruction is ideally done at approximately age four years. Regular follow-up is recommended to be certain that no cholesteatoma develops medial to an atretic external ear canal. The authors propose a working classification for congenital malformation of the ear. In the author's series of 35 operations for the repair of congenital ear abnormalities, 55% were improved to adequate levels of hearing without the use of a hearing aid. Eight exemplary cases and comments are presented.", "contents": "Management of congenital ear abnormalities. Congenital malformation of the ear has a complex origin and the possibility of hereditary, viral and toxic etiologies. The authors require audiometric evaluation, using the objective brain stem evoked response in young children, and polytomography of the middle and inner ears in all patients with atretic external auditory canals. Unilaterally atretic ear canals can be repaired electively at the discretion of the family and the patient, while in bilateral cases reconstruction is ideally done at approximately age four years. Regular follow-up is recommended to be certain that no cholesteatoma develops medial to an atretic external ear canal. The authors propose a working classification for congenital malformation of the ear. In the author's series of 35 operations for the repair of congenital ear abnormalities, 55% were improved to adequate levels of hearing without the use of a hearing aid. Eight exemplary cases and comments are presented.", "PMID": 628296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7384", "title": "Epidemiology of head and neck cancer.", "content": "The epidemiology of head and neck cancer can be accounted for largely in terms of known carcinogens introduced into the body through the mouth. Though there are many environmental exposures--such as asbestos, radon, nickel and arsenic--which have strong carcinogenic effects, most of these have only a small impact on the general population because exposure is limited, usually to small occupational groups. Two prevalent exposures, however, tobacco and alcohol, are strong risk factors for nearly all sites in the head and neck, and together account for about 80%-90% of all cancers of the head and neck. There is evidence for biologic interaction between some occupational exposures and cigarette smoking for cancer of the lung, and tobacco and alcohol for cancer of the mouth. Based on this evidence for biologic interaction and the prevalence of smoking, it seems likely that tobacco is related to about 80% of all cancers of the head and neck in the United States.", "contents": "Epidemiology of head and neck cancer. The epidemiology of head and neck cancer can be accounted for largely in terms of known carcinogens introduced into the body through the mouth. Though there are many environmental exposures--such as asbestos, radon, nickel and arsenic--which have strong carcinogenic effects, most of these have only a small impact on the general population because exposure is limited, usually to small occupational groups. Two prevalent exposures, however, tobacco and alcohol, are strong risk factors for nearly all sites in the head and neck, and together account for about 80%-90% of all cancers of the head and neck. There is evidence for biologic interaction between some occupational exposures and cigarette smoking for cancer of the lung, and tobacco and alcohol for cancer of the mouth. Based on this evidence for biologic interaction and the prevalence of smoking, it seems likely that tobacco is related to about 80% of all cancers of the head and neck in the United States.", "PMID": 628297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7385", "title": "Spinal accessory lymph nodes: a prospective study of metastatic involvement.", "content": "The traditional radical neck dissection involves excision of the spinal accessory nerve en bloc with the soft tissue of the posterior triangle in an effort ot remove completely all node-bearing tissue. The resultant decrease in range of motion of the involved extremity and subsequent pain have prompted some surgeons to seek alternatives. The purpose of this study is to review prospectively radical neck specimens with the specific intent of evaluating the frequency of metastatic involvement of the spinal accessory lymph nodes with head and neck malignancies. Fifty neck specimens were studied and the frequency of cancerous involvement of the spinal accessory nodes was not found to be significantly different from nodal involvement of the entire neck specimen. The location of accessory nerve involvement was predominantly in the proximal portion which is not within the posterior triangle. The results are further evaluated with the subsequent conclusion that preservation of the spinal accessory nerve cannot be justified on the basis of infrequent involvement with metastatic lymph nodes.", "contents": "Spinal accessory lymph nodes: a prospective study of metastatic involvement. The traditional radical neck dissection involves excision of the spinal accessory nerve en bloc with the soft tissue of the posterior triangle in an effort ot remove completely all node-bearing tissue. The resultant decrease in range of motion of the involved extremity and subsequent pain have prompted some surgeons to seek alternatives. The purpose of this study is to review prospectively radical neck specimens with the specific intent of evaluating the frequency of metastatic involvement of the spinal accessory lymph nodes with head and neck malignancies. Fifty neck specimens were studied and the frequency of cancerous involvement of the spinal accessory nodes was not found to be significantly different from nodal involvement of the entire neck specimen. The location of accessory nerve involvement was predominantly in the proximal portion which is not within the posterior triangle. The results are further evaluated with the subsequent conclusion that preservation of the spinal accessory nerve cannot be justified on the basis of infrequent involvement with metastatic lymph nodes.", "PMID": 628298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7386", "title": "Computerized tomography in the evaluation of head and neck lesions.", "content": "The development of computerized tomography (CT) has been called the most important contribution to medical diagnostic techniques since Roentgen discovered the X-ray in 1895. Over the past several years, the growth in technology and literature concerning computerized tomography has been rapid. CT is useful in evaluation of head and neck lesions such as lesions of the paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, base of skull, the larynx and neck areas. It is also useful in evaluation of intracranial complications of head and neck diseases. CT has added the horizontal plane in the evaluation of these lesions. The ease of obtaining CT scans and its non-invasiveness are advantages. The most important single feature of CT that distinguishes it from other radiographic techniques is the capability of imaging of soft tissue. CT demonstration of bone destruction is not superior to polytomography. The transaxial orientation of CT planes seems to be particularly useful in certain locations such as the pterygopalatine fossa. CT is an additional diagnostic tool, but it has limitations of other radiologic techniques in differentiating histologic types. In this series, one case of ethmoiditis resembled carcinoma. In another, radiation necrosis was indistinguishable from intracranial metastasis. As technology advances in the use of CT, its application in head and neck lesions will be increasing.", "contents": "Computerized tomography in the evaluation of head and neck lesions. The development of computerized tomography (CT) has been called the most important contribution to medical diagnostic techniques since Roentgen discovered the X-ray in 1895. Over the past several years, the growth in technology and literature concerning computerized tomography has been rapid. CT is useful in evaluation of head and neck lesions such as lesions of the paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, base of skull, the larynx and neck areas. It is also useful in evaluation of intracranial complications of head and neck diseases. CT has added the horizontal plane in the evaluation of these lesions. The ease of obtaining CT scans and its non-invasiveness are advantages. The most important single feature of CT that distinguishes it from other radiographic techniques is the capability of imaging of soft tissue. CT demonstration of bone destruction is not superior to polytomography. The transaxial orientation of CT planes seems to be particularly useful in certain locations such as the pterygopalatine fossa. CT is an additional diagnostic tool, but it has limitations of other radiologic techniques in differentiating histologic types. In this series, one case of ethmoiditis resembled carcinoma. In another, radiation necrosis was indistinguishable from intracranial metastasis. As technology advances in the use of CT, its application in head and neck lesions will be increasing.", "PMID": 628299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7387", "title": "Hemangiopericytoma-like tumors of the nasal cavity: a comparison with hemangiopericytoma of soft tissues.", "content": "This study compares the published clinical and pathological features of hemangiopericytoma-like intranasal tumors with those of the hemangiopericytomas of other sites. Hemangiopericytoma-like intranasal tumors often originate in a paranasal sinus and extend into the nasal cavity secondarily. They occur most commonly in adults in the sixth and seventh decades of life and clinically mimic allergic polyps. These patients most commonly present with symptoms of nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Microscopically, these tumors demonstrate a vascular architecture, are composed predominantly of spindle cells, and lack nuclear or cytoplasmic pleomorphism, mitotic activity, hemorrhage, or necrosis. Follow-up data suggest that these tumors are unaggressive and are of local consequence only. Hemangiopericytomas of soft tissues usually occur in the retroperitoneum or the thigh and are uncommon in the nasal and paranasal sinuses. They usually present as painless masses. Attention to certain microscopic features of these tumors has led to reasonably good predictions of their behavior based on strict adherence to microscopic criteria. These criteria include the presence or absence of mitotic figures, necrosis, anaplasia, and hemorrhage.", "contents": "Hemangiopericytoma-like tumors of the nasal cavity: a comparison with hemangiopericytoma of soft tissues. This study compares the published clinical and pathological features of hemangiopericytoma-like intranasal tumors with those of the hemangiopericytomas of other sites. Hemangiopericytoma-like intranasal tumors often originate in a paranasal sinus and extend into the nasal cavity secondarily. They occur most commonly in adults in the sixth and seventh decades of life and clinically mimic allergic polyps. These patients most commonly present with symptoms of nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Microscopically, these tumors demonstrate a vascular architecture, are composed predominantly of spindle cells, and lack nuclear or cytoplasmic pleomorphism, mitotic activity, hemorrhage, or necrosis. Follow-up data suggest that these tumors are unaggressive and are of local consequence only. Hemangiopericytomas of soft tissues usually occur in the retroperitoneum or the thigh and are uncommon in the nasal and paranasal sinuses. They usually present as painless masses. Attention to certain microscopic features of these tumors has led to reasonably good predictions of their behavior based on strict adherence to microscopic criteria. These criteria include the presence or absence of mitotic figures, necrosis, anaplasia, and hemorrhage.", "PMID": 628300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7388", "title": "Diagnosis of palatal defects by trispiral tomography: a pilot study.", "content": "A pilot study is presented in which 12 selected patients, ages 3-11 years, were evaluated for a palatal defect utilizing trispiral tomography. Each patient, because of speech and hearing abnormalities, was evaluated by a speech pathologist and an otolaryngolgist and voice recordings, audiometry, tympanometry and plain and cine radiographic X-rays were obtained. Those children with speech and hearing abnormalities in whom the question of a palatal defect was raised underwent trispiral palatal tomography. Nine of the 12 patients selected for tomography demonstrated a palatal defect that was not detected by other means. Trispiral tomography appears to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of suspected palatal defects in selected patients.", "contents": "Diagnosis of palatal defects by trispiral tomography: a pilot study. A pilot study is presented in which 12 selected patients, ages 3-11 years, were evaluated for a palatal defect utilizing trispiral tomography. Each patient, because of speech and hearing abnormalities, was evaluated by a speech pathologist and an otolaryngolgist and voice recordings, audiometry, tympanometry and plain and cine radiographic X-rays were obtained. Those children with speech and hearing abnormalities in whom the question of a palatal defect was raised underwent trispiral palatal tomography. Nine of the 12 patients selected for tomography demonstrated a palatal defect that was not detected by other means. Trispiral tomography appears to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of suspected palatal defects in selected patients.", "PMID": 628301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7389", "title": "The growth of cartilage from a free perichondrial graft in the larynx.", "content": "An attempt was made to promote the growth of new cartilage from a frlage. Three dogs had the perichondrial grafting alone, while two had both the perichondrial grafting and a full thickness buccal mucosal graft. In all these dogs new cartilage was found as early as four weeks postoperative.", "contents": "The growth of cartilage from a free perichondrial graft in the larynx. An attempt was made to promote the growth of new cartilage from a frlage. Three dogs had the perichondrial grafting alone, while two had both the perichondrial grafting and a full thickness buccal mucosal graft. In all these dogs new cartilage was found as early as four weeks postoperative.", "PMID": 628302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7390", "title": "Lipids of the antarctic sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis.", "content": "The blubber, liver, and muscle of the Antarctic sei whale were analyzed for total lipid content, composition of lipid by classes and positional distribution of fatty acids in individual lipids. The major glycerolipids (triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine) were fractionated by silver nitrate thin layer chromatography. The phospholipid fractions were analyzed for fatty acid positional distribution. The whale stomach contained almost exclusively the amphipod Parathemisto gaudichaudi. Its lipids were also studied and compared with the lipids of the body tissues. The results indicate that the stomach content lipids are subjected to modifications before being deposited in the blubber, liver, and muscle. According to the silver nitrate thin layer chromatographic studies, liver and blubber triglycerides resembel each other in their patterns of positional distribution of fatty acids and in molecular species composition. The phospholipids of liver and blubber also exhibited closely related fatty acid distribution patterns. In general, while the proportions of lipid classes and their predominant fatty acids varied from tissue to tissue, the patterns according to which the lipids had been synthesized seemed to be common.", "contents": "Lipids of the antarctic sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis. The blubber, liver, and muscle of the Antarctic sei whale were analyzed for total lipid content, composition of lipid by classes and positional distribution of fatty acids in individual lipids. The major glycerolipids (triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine) were fractionated by silver nitrate thin layer chromatography. The phospholipid fractions were analyzed for fatty acid positional distribution. The whale stomach contained almost exclusively the amphipod Parathemisto gaudichaudi. Its lipids were also studied and compared with the lipids of the body tissues. The results indicate that the stomach content lipids are subjected to modifications before being deposited in the blubber, liver, and muscle. According to the silver nitrate thin layer chromatographic studies, liver and blubber triglycerides resembel each other in their patterns of positional distribution of fatty acids and in molecular species composition. The phospholipids of liver and blubber also exhibited closely related fatty acid distribution patterns. In general, while the proportions of lipid classes and their predominant fatty acids varied from tissue to tissue, the patterns according to which the lipids had been synthesized seemed to be common.", "PMID": 628313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7391", "title": "Nutritional and metabolic studies of distillable fractions from fresh and thermally oxidized corn oil and olive oil.", "content": "A semisynthetic diet containing 15% by weight of dietary fat was fed to six groups of male wistar rats for 28 days. Two groups received the distillable fraction of fresh corn oil (DCO) or fresh olive oil (DOO), two groups the distallable fractions of the thermally oxidized fats (OCO,OOO), and two groups received the respective fresh fats as controls (FCO, FOO). Substantial changes in the fatty acid composition occurred in the fats upon thermal oxidation. Only the rats that received OOO showed overt symptoms of heated fat toxicity. This was reflected in the histological scores of these animals with the liver sustaining the most numerous and severe lesions. Tissue fatty acid changes of any significance were confined largely to the polar liver lipid of the rats that were fed OCO or OOO. The results of this study would suggest that the relatively greater toxicity of OOO, compared to OCO, may in part be due to the high oleic:linoleic acid ratio of the fresh olive oil and in part to a higher tocopherol content of the corn oil.", "contents": "Nutritional and metabolic studies of distillable fractions from fresh and thermally oxidized corn oil and olive oil. A semisynthetic diet containing 15% by weight of dietary fat was fed to six groups of male wistar rats for 28 days. Two groups received the distillable fraction of fresh corn oil (DCO) or fresh olive oil (DOO), two groups the distallable fractions of the thermally oxidized fats (OCO,OOO), and two groups received the respective fresh fats as controls (FCO, FOO). Substantial changes in the fatty acid composition occurred in the fats upon thermal oxidation. Only the rats that received OOO showed overt symptoms of heated fat toxicity. This was reflected in the histological scores of these animals with the liver sustaining the most numerous and severe lesions. Tissue fatty acid changes of any significance were confined largely to the polar liver lipid of the rats that were fed OCO or OOO. The results of this study would suggest that the relatively greater toxicity of OOO, compared to OCO, may in part be due to the high oleic:linoleic acid ratio of the fresh olive oil and in part to a higher tocopherol content of the corn oil.", "PMID": 628315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7392", "title": "Composition and synthesis of three higher ganglioside homologs in bovine mammary tissue.", "content": "Three higher gangliosides were identified as constituents of bovine mammary gland. The structures of these three gangliosides were shown to be ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose, ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)2-N-acetylgalactosamine, and ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)2-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose. These gangliosides accounted for only a small fraction (less than 20%) of the lipid-bound sialic in mammary gland. White fatty acids with even carbon numbers from C14 to C26 were predominant in these gangliosides, they also contained C23 and C25 fatty acids. Mammary gland Golgi apparatus-rich fractions had all glycosyltransferases required for synthesis of these gangliosides starting with ceramide.", "contents": "Composition and synthesis of three higher ganglioside homologs in bovine mammary tissue. Three higher gangliosides were identified as constituents of bovine mammary gland. The structures of these three gangliosides were shown to be ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose, ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)2-N-acetylgalactosamine, and ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)2-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose. These gangliosides accounted for only a small fraction (less than 20%) of the lipid-bound sialic in mammary gland. White fatty acids with even carbon numbers from C14 to C26 were predominant in these gangliosides, they also contained C23 and C25 fatty acids. Mammary gland Golgi apparatus-rich fractions had all glycosyltransferases required for synthesis of these gangliosides starting with ceramide.", "PMID": 628316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7393", "title": "Linolenic acid deficiency: changes in fatty acid patterns in female and male rats raised on a linolenic acid-deficient diet for two generations.", "content": "Rats were fed for two generations a purified, linolenic acid-deficient diet in which the only source of lipid was purified methyl linoleate. This diet contained about 38 mg linolenic acid/kg diet. Control rats were given the same diet supplemented with methyl linolenate (2,500 mg/kg diet). Male and female rats ranged in age from weaning pups to adults. Lipids were extracted from liver, brain, kidney, spleen, heart, muscle, gastrointestinal tract, lung, ovary, testis, adrenal, plasma, erythrocytes, retina, and adipose tissue. Fatty acids of major phospholipid classes (choline phosphoglycerides, ethanolamine phosphoglycerides, and mixed serine phosphoglycerides plus inositol phosphoglycerides) or of total lipid extracts were measured by gas liquid chromatography. Growth rates and organ weights were similar in control and linolenic acid-deficient rats. The major effect of the deficiency was to lower the proportions of n-3 fatty acids, especially 22:6 n-3, in all the organs analyzed. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) was mainly replaced by 22:5 n-6 in deficient rats. The greatest changes in composition were found in brain, heart, muscle, retina, and liver.", "contents": "Linolenic acid deficiency: changes in fatty acid patterns in female and male rats raised on a linolenic acid-deficient diet for two generations. Rats were fed for two generations a purified, linolenic acid-deficient diet in which the only source of lipid was purified methyl linoleate. This diet contained about 38 mg linolenic acid/kg diet. Control rats were given the same diet supplemented with methyl linolenate (2,500 mg/kg diet). Male and female rats ranged in age from weaning pups to adults. Lipids were extracted from liver, brain, kidney, spleen, heart, muscle, gastrointestinal tract, lung, ovary, testis, adrenal, plasma, erythrocytes, retina, and adipose tissue. Fatty acids of major phospholipid classes (choline phosphoglycerides, ethanolamine phosphoglycerides, and mixed serine phosphoglycerides plus inositol phosphoglycerides) or of total lipid extracts were measured by gas liquid chromatography. Growth rates and organ weights were similar in control and linolenic acid-deficient rats. The major effect of the deficiency was to lower the proportions of n-3 fatty acids, especially 22:6 n-3, in all the organs analyzed. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) was mainly replaced by 22:5 n-6 in deficient rats. The greatest changes in composition were found in brain, heart, muscle, retina, and liver.", "PMID": 628317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7394", "title": "Triglyceride synthesis from dihydroxyacetone phosphate and palmitate by microsomes from mammary glands of lactating mice.", "content": "Both di- and triglycerides were synthesized when microsomes isolated from mammary glands of lactating mice were incubated with dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), 1(-14)C)palmitate, ATP, CoASH, GSH, KF, MgC12, and NADPH. When NADH replaced NADPH, glyceride synthesis was very low. In the absence of either NADPH or NADH, DHAP was acylated to palmityl-DHAP. Since microsomes do not have glycerol 3-phosphate NAD:oxidoreductase activity , we inferred that glycerol 3-phosphate (GP) is not an intermediate in triglyceride biosynthesis from DHAP. This reductase, present in the cytosol, was active only with NADH. With the same concentration of either GP or DHAP, microsomes yielded essentially similar amounts of di- and triglycerides. Mitochondria, while capable of synthesizing palmityl-DHAP, did not produce di- and triglycerides.", "contents": "Triglyceride synthesis from dihydroxyacetone phosphate and palmitate by microsomes from mammary glands of lactating mice. Both di- and triglycerides were synthesized when microsomes isolated from mammary glands of lactating mice were incubated with dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), 1(-14)C)palmitate, ATP, CoASH, GSH, KF, MgC12, and NADPH. When NADH replaced NADPH, glyceride synthesis was very low. In the absence of either NADPH or NADH, DHAP was acylated to palmityl-DHAP. Since microsomes do not have glycerol 3-phosphate NAD:oxidoreductase activity , we inferred that glycerol 3-phosphate (GP) is not an intermediate in triglyceride biosynthesis from DHAP. This reductase, present in the cytosol, was active only with NADH. With the same concentration of either GP or DHAP, microsomes yielded essentially similar amounts of di- and triglycerides. Mitochondria, while capable of synthesizing palmityl-DHAP, did not produce di- and triglycerides.", "PMID": 628319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7395", "title": "Comparative intestinal and colonic absorption of [4-14C] cholesterol in the rat.", "content": "[4(-14)C] Cholesterol was administered as an aqueous emulsion with triolein and dry non-fat milk either directly into the upper duodenum or into the ileocaecal junction of lymph duct cannulated rats. Lymph flow rates were similar in the two groups of animals. Whereas ca. 53% of the administered tracer dose of cholesterol was absorbed when introduced into the upper small intestine, only 0.06% appeared in lymph when administered into the caecum. Furthermore, less than 0.01% of the administered isotope was detected in urine and blood. The data demonstrate that the large intestine does not contribute significantly to the absorption of exogenous cholesterol in the rat.", "contents": "Comparative intestinal and colonic absorption of [4-14C] cholesterol in the rat. [4(-14)C] Cholesterol was administered as an aqueous emulsion with triolein and dry non-fat milk either directly into the upper duodenum or into the ileocaecal junction of lymph duct cannulated rats. Lymph flow rates were similar in the two groups of animals. Whereas ca. 53% of the administered tracer dose of cholesterol was absorbed when introduced into the upper small intestine, only 0.06% appeared in lymph when administered into the caecum. Furthermore, less than 0.01% of the administered isotope was detected in urine and blood. The data demonstrate that the large intestine does not contribute significantly to the absorption of exogenous cholesterol in the rat.", "PMID": 628320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7396", "title": "Inhibition of fetal growth and survival by testosterone administration to pregnant sheep.", "content": "Testosterone (as testosterone enanthate, 250 mg i.m. every 2 wk) was administered to pregnant ewes (n = 16), and injections of vehicle were used in 10 control pregnant ewes between days 75 of gestation and term (day 147). Fetal survival (7 of 16 in the treated group versus 10 of 10 in the controls) and growth (birth weights 4.00 +- 0.51 kg in the treated group versus 5.79 +- 0.93, mean +- SD, in the controls) were markedly impaired by testosterone administration. The mechanism of the testosterone effect is unknown, but could be through metabolism to estrogens by the feto-placental unit. These results imply that alterations in the production or metabolism of androgens by the mother or the feto-placement unit may exert important effects on fetal growth and survival.", "contents": "Inhibition of fetal growth and survival by testosterone administration to pregnant sheep. Testosterone (as testosterone enanthate, 250 mg i.m. every 2 wk) was administered to pregnant ewes (n = 16), and injections of vehicle were used in 10 control pregnant ewes between days 75 of gestation and term (day 147). Fetal survival (7 of 16 in the treated group versus 10 of 10 in the controls) and growth (birth weights 4.00 +- 0.51 kg in the treated group versus 5.79 +- 0.93, mean +- SD, in the controls) were markedly impaired by testosterone administration. The mechanism of the testosterone effect is unknown, but could be through metabolism to estrogens by the feto-placental unit. These results imply that alterations in the production or metabolism of androgens by the mother or the feto-placement unit may exert important effects on fetal growth and survival.", "PMID": 628349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7397", "title": "Growth hormone response to propranolol and L--dopa in obese subjects.", "content": "Oral administration of propranolol and L-dopa produced a marked increase in plasma growth hormone values in 12 obese subjects who had failed to respond to L-dopa alone. GH values after propranolol and L-dopa in obese subjects were not significantly different from those of normal subjects after L-dopa at 60, 90, and 120 min. Association of propranolol and L-dopa appears to be a simple means of investigating GH response in obese subjects.", "contents": "Growth hormone response to propranolol and L--dopa in obese subjects. Oral administration of propranolol and L-dopa produced a marked increase in plasma growth hormone values in 12 obese subjects who had failed to respond to L-dopa alone. GH values after propranolol and L-dopa in obese subjects were not significantly different from those of normal subjects after L-dopa at 60, 90, and 120 min. Association of propranolol and L-dopa appears to be a simple means of investigating GH response in obese subjects.", "PMID": 628352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7398", "title": "A rapid method for the determination of glycosylated hemoglobins using high pressure liquid chromatography.", "content": "Hemoglobin (Hb) Alc is a minor component of Hb found in normal individuals but elevated two or threefold in patients with diabetes mellitus. Limited studies have suggested that the level of Hb Alc is proportional to the integrated concentration of glucose over time. Thus it could serve as an index of hyperglycemia. Its measurement may enable a more objective approach to assessing whether or not the control of hyperglycemia can be correlated with the severity of complications of diabetes. Large scale clinicab studies of Hb Alc have not been undertaken for lack of a rapid assay system. This article describes a method of high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) which enables the isolation of Hb Alc in 27 min using only 12 microgram of Hb (100 microliter of blood) and a second method for the isolation of total fast Hb components (also elevated in diabetes) in 11 min. Using the first method, a total of 36 assays were performed on the blood of a single normal volunteer over a one month period. the mean level of Hb Alc was 4.95 +/- 0.12% (SD) +/- 0.02% (SEM), while the coefficient of variation (C.V.) was 2.4%. The mean Hb Alc & b level was 1.65 +/- 0.06% +/- 0.01% (C.V. = 3.6%). Values for Hb Alc in 10 normal individuals were 5.06 (mean) +/- 0.32% (SD) +/- 0.01% (SEM). Hb Alc values in 15 patients with diabetes mellitus ranged from 6.8 to 20.0%. The second method was designed to assay Hb Ala, Hb Alb, and Hb Alc as a single peak and yielded results identical to the sum of these components as determined by the first method ( r = 0.98; p less than 0.001).", "contents": "A rapid method for the determination of glycosylated hemoglobins using high pressure liquid chromatography. Hemoglobin (Hb) Alc is a minor component of Hb found in normal individuals but elevated two or threefold in patients with diabetes mellitus. Limited studies have suggested that the level of Hb Alc is proportional to the integrated concentration of glucose over time. Thus it could serve as an index of hyperglycemia. Its measurement may enable a more objective approach to assessing whether or not the control of hyperglycemia can be correlated with the severity of complications of diabetes. Large scale clinicab studies of Hb Alc have not been undertaken for lack of a rapid assay system. This article describes a method of high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) which enables the isolation of Hb Alc in 27 min using only 12 microgram of Hb (100 microliter of blood) and a second method for the isolation of total fast Hb components (also elevated in diabetes) in 11 min. Using the first method, a total of 36 assays were performed on the blood of a single normal volunteer over a one month period. the mean level of Hb Alc was 4.95 +/- 0.12% (SD) +/- 0.02% (SEM), while the coefficient of variation (C.V.) was 2.4%. The mean Hb Alc & b level was 1.65 +/- 0.06% +/- 0.01% (C.V. = 3.6%). Values for Hb Alc in 10 normal individuals were 5.06 (mean) +/- 0.32% (SD) +/- 0.01% (SEM). Hb Alc values in 15 patients with diabetes mellitus ranged from 6.8 to 20.0%. The second method was designed to assay Hb Ala, Hb Alb, and Hb Alc as a single peak and yielded results identical to the sum of these components as determined by the first method ( r = 0.98; p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 628353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7399", "title": "Effect of exercise on glucose and insulin utilization in the forearm.", "content": "Glucose and insulin utilization by forearm muscle was examined at rest and during exercise. Care was taken to have a steady state with regard to arterial plasma concentrations for 1 hr prior to as well as during the measurements. At rest, insulin uptake was linearly related to arterial insulin concentration. During exercise with no change in arterial plasma concentration of either glucose or insulin, there was an increase in uptake of both substances, and the relation of insulin uptake to concentration became exponential. It is hypothesizes that the latter phenomenon is due to an increase in cellular uptake of insulin by a mechanism independent of membrane receptors.", "contents": "Effect of exercise on glucose and insulin utilization in the forearm. Glucose and insulin utilization by forearm muscle was examined at rest and during exercise. Care was taken to have a steady state with regard to arterial plasma concentrations for 1 hr prior to as well as during the measurements. At rest, insulin uptake was linearly related to arterial insulin concentration. During exercise with no change in arterial plasma concentration of either glucose or insulin, there was an increase in uptake of both substances, and the relation of insulin uptake to concentration became exponential. It is hypothesizes that the latter phenomenon is due to an increase in cellular uptake of insulin by a mechanism independent of membrane receptors.", "PMID": 628354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7400", "title": "Plasma insulin patterns in the unanesthetized rat during intracardial infusion and spontaneous ingestion of graded loads of glucose.", "content": "Rats were provided with double permanent heart catheters, allowing simultaneous infusion and rapid blood sampling in the freely moving animals. Intracardial glucose infusion (75, 150, and 300 mg) over 15-min periods induced biphasic plasma insulin responses, their onset and magnitude being correlated with the blood glucose increments. The insulin-ogenic index decreased at increasing infused loads. After spontaneous oral ingestion of 75, 150, 300, and 750 mg glucose over 2 min or less, plasma insulin increased rapidly during the initial 4 to 8 min. At the highest leads this was followed by a gradual further increase until 15 min. The rapid insulin response increased with the ingested load. About half of this response had occurred already at 2 min, i.e., prior to the first rise of blood glucose at 3 min. Maximum blood glucose levels (125-135 mg/dl) occurred between 8 and 15 min and did not correlate with the ingested loads. The insulinogenic index increased at higher oral loads. It is suggested that the plasma insulin response to glucose ingestion results from successive and cumulative operation of anticipatory nervously triggered insulin secretion, anticipatory loaded-dependent potentiation of secretory stimulation by rising blood glucose, and further adjustment of the secretion rate until blood glucose declines. The possible mechanisms are discussed.", "contents": "Plasma insulin patterns in the unanesthetized rat during intracardial infusion and spontaneous ingestion of graded loads of glucose. Rats were provided with double permanent heart catheters, allowing simultaneous infusion and rapid blood sampling in the freely moving animals. Intracardial glucose infusion (75, 150, and 300 mg) over 15-min periods induced biphasic plasma insulin responses, their onset and magnitude being correlated with the blood glucose increments. The insulin-ogenic index decreased at increasing infused loads. After spontaneous oral ingestion of 75, 150, 300, and 750 mg glucose over 2 min or less, plasma insulin increased rapidly during the initial 4 to 8 min. At the highest leads this was followed by a gradual further increase until 15 min. The rapid insulin response increased with the ingested load. About half of this response had occurred already at 2 min, i.e., prior to the first rise of blood glucose at 3 min. Maximum blood glucose levels (125-135 mg/dl) occurred between 8 and 15 min and did not correlate with the ingested loads. The insulinogenic index increased at higher oral loads. It is suggested that the plasma insulin response to glucose ingestion results from successive and cumulative operation of anticipatory nervously triggered insulin secretion, anticipatory loaded-dependent potentiation of secretory stimulation by rising blood glucose, and further adjustment of the secretion rate until blood glucose declines. The possible mechanisms are discussed.", "PMID": 628355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7401", "title": "[Diagnosis and therapy of acute penetrating myocardial injury (author's transl)].", "content": "Clinical signs of an acute penetrating wound of the heart not always are clear. Because of hemorrhage and reduced cardiac output during heart tamponade venous pressure not necessarily must be increased. If by pericardiocentesis an aspiration of blood is possible, diagnosis of a penetrating heart wound is of high probability; otherwise there is no diagnostic value of a negative pericardiocentesis. Only in a case of a very small cardiac wound pericardial drainage can be used as a sole therapeutic proceeding; clinical observation is mandatory and an emergency operation at all time must be possible. In most cases immediately thoracotomy with suture of the cardiac wound should be performed. Attention is necessary because of an injury of a coronary artery. Following this principle prognosis is good if the patient is reaching clinical treatment alive. Lethal outcome in 2 of our 12 reported cases in one of them is caused by refusing immediate surgical intervention by the patient himself, in the other by development of ischemic cardiac necrosis involving a papillary muscle after suturing a cardiac wound.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and therapy of acute penetrating myocardial injury (author's transl)]. Clinical signs of an acute penetrating wound of the heart not always are clear. Because of hemorrhage and reduced cardiac output during heart tamponade venous pressure not necessarily must be increased. If by pericardiocentesis an aspiration of blood is possible, diagnosis of a penetrating heart wound is of high probability; otherwise there is no diagnostic value of a negative pericardiocentesis. Only in a case of a very small cardiac wound pericardial drainage can be used as a sole therapeutic proceeding; clinical observation is mandatory and an emergency operation at all time must be possible. In most cases immediately thoracotomy with suture of the cardiac wound should be performed. Attention is necessary because of an injury of a coronary artery. Following this principle prognosis is good if the patient is reaching clinical treatment alive. Lethal outcome in 2 of our 12 reported cases in one of them is caused by refusing immediate surgical intervention by the patient himself, in the other by development of ischemic cardiac necrosis involving a papillary muscle after suturing a cardiac wound.", "PMID": 628358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7402", "title": "[Symptoms, signs and therapy of the septate gallbladder (author's transl)].", "content": "The septate gallbladder probably represents a congenital anomaly of form, that can be proven by X-ray in 3,8% of hospitalized patients. Only in 25% of these cases it has an own symptomatic significance. Here it does lead though, more or less distinctly, to the typical painful discomfort, comparable to the cholelithiasis, especially augmented by dietary sins, up to the state of colics. The symptoms intensify during the clinical course. Because the gallbladder remains in most cases without the finding of concrements, the misjudgement in these cases often leads to an unnecessary prolongation of the interval between diagnosis and operative treatment.", "contents": "[Symptoms, signs and therapy of the septate gallbladder (author's transl)]. The septate gallbladder probably represents a congenital anomaly of form, that can be proven by X-ray in 3,8% of hospitalized patients. Only in 25% of these cases it has an own symptomatic significance. Here it does lead though, more or less distinctly, to the typical painful discomfort, comparable to the cholelithiasis, especially augmented by dietary sins, up to the state of colics. The symptoms intensify during the clinical course. Because the gallbladder remains in most cases without the finding of concrements, the misjudgement in these cases often leads to an unnecessary prolongation of the interval between diagnosis and operative treatment.", "PMID": 628359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7403", "title": "[Symptomatic hernia (author's transl)].", "content": "A symptomatic hernia (most inguinal or femoral hernia, seldom epigastric, umbilical or post-operative hernia)--appeared a little while ago--originates from a preexisting, so far unknown or long since known illness. All patients with a hernia--especially those over 40 years old--are to be carefully asked for preexisting illnesses. Barium-enema and rectoscopy are not indicated at each inguinal or femoral hernia as a screening-method to exclude a symptomatic hernia; however, both methods must be employed in suspicious cases. 320 Patients with a histologically verified carcinoma of the rectum and colon had no inguinal or femoral hernia. From 387 patients with an inguinal or femoral hernia 318 patients were over 40 years old; at these patients polyps were found in five cases by rectoscopy, but never by barium-enema, and two carcinoma of the colon transverse appeared by barium-enema. A 23-years old patient with a great intraabdominal malignant tumor must be added to the sum total.", "contents": "[Symptomatic hernia (author's transl)]. A symptomatic hernia (most inguinal or femoral hernia, seldom epigastric, umbilical or post-operative hernia)--appeared a little while ago--originates from a preexisting, so far unknown or long since known illness. All patients with a hernia--especially those over 40 years old--are to be carefully asked for preexisting illnesses. Barium-enema and rectoscopy are not indicated at each inguinal or femoral hernia as a screening-method to exclude a symptomatic hernia; however, both methods must be employed in suspicious cases. 320 Patients with a histologically verified carcinoma of the rectum and colon had no inguinal or femoral hernia. From 387 patients with an inguinal or femoral hernia 318 patients were over 40 years old; at these patients polyps were found in five cases by rectoscopy, but never by barium-enema, and two carcinoma of the colon transverse appeared by barium-enema. A 23-years old patient with a great intraabdominal malignant tumor must be added to the sum total.", "PMID": 628360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7404", "title": "[The uricosuric effect of benzbromaron and probenecid under fasting conditions (author's transl)].", "content": "As we could demonstrate in a group of 39 obese subjects submitted to a 15-days period of absolute fasting, the developing hyperuricemia coincides with a decrease of uric acid clearance following an increase of the reabsorbed amount of filtered uric acid. After daily application of 2 g probenecid a marked uricosuric effect was detectable only during the first 3 days, while in the following time this effect was perceptible only impaired. As a reason for the diminution of efficacy the fasting-dependent urinary acidosis is discussed, which leads to low tubular concentration of the pharmacon by non ionic diffusion. In a dosage of 100 and 300 mg/day benzbromaron proved to be a much more potent uricosuricum. Additionally, related to the increase of dose the unproportional strong fall of serum uric acid levels, which stood in contrast to higher rations of uric acid excretion under a lower dose and which exceeded the dose-depending increase of uric acid clearance, indicated an additional extrarenal site of action. The depression of PAH-excretion after application of 2 g/day probenecid, which comes about the competitive inhibition, did not occur under 100 mg/day benzbromaron. This difference signifies, that benzbromaron does not develop its uricosuric effect by influencing the tubular transport system, which is specific for PAH and probenecid.", "contents": "[The uricosuric effect of benzbromaron and probenecid under fasting conditions (author's transl)]. As we could demonstrate in a group of 39 obese subjects submitted to a 15-days period of absolute fasting, the developing hyperuricemia coincides with a decrease of uric acid clearance following an increase of the reabsorbed amount of filtered uric acid. After daily application of 2 g probenecid a marked uricosuric effect was detectable only during the first 3 days, while in the following time this effect was perceptible only impaired. As a reason for the diminution of efficacy the fasting-dependent urinary acidosis is discussed, which leads to low tubular concentration of the pharmacon by non ionic diffusion. In a dosage of 100 and 300 mg/day benzbromaron proved to be a much more potent uricosuricum. Additionally, related to the increase of dose the unproportional strong fall of serum uric acid levels, which stood in contrast to higher rations of uric acid excretion under a lower dose and which exceeded the dose-depending increase of uric acid clearance, indicated an additional extrarenal site of action. The depression of PAH-excretion after application of 2 g/day probenecid, which comes about the competitive inhibition, did not occur under 100 mg/day benzbromaron. This difference signifies, that benzbromaron does not develop its uricosuric effect by influencing the tubular transport system, which is specific for PAH and probenecid.", "PMID": 628361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7405", "title": "[Gray-scale ultrasound B-scanning in case of cholelithiasis, especially with negative cholecystoradiogram (author's transl)].", "content": "Report on the accuracy of gray-scale B-scanning concerning cholelithiasis. In 37 cases out of 43 examined patients sonographical results could be compared to operative and radiological results. In the case of 20 patients with a negative cholecystangiogram the results of sonography could be compared to operative results. Sonographically the gallbladder was shown in 89% of the cases. Gallstones were diagnosed at a high percentage (sensitivity 80%, specificity 88%). There were 20% false-negative diagnoses and 13% false-positive diagnoses.", "contents": "[Gray-scale ultrasound B-scanning in case of cholelithiasis, especially with negative cholecystoradiogram (author's transl)]. Report on the accuracy of gray-scale B-scanning concerning cholelithiasis. In 37 cases out of 43 examined patients sonographical results could be compared to operative and radiological results. In the case of 20 patients with a negative cholecystangiogram the results of sonography could be compared to operative results. Sonographically the gallbladder was shown in 89% of the cases. Gallstones were diagnosed at a high percentage (sensitivity 80%, specificity 88%). There were 20% false-negative diagnoses and 13% false-positive diagnoses.", "PMID": 628362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7406", "title": "[Diagnostic features of the abnormal endoscopic pancreatogram (author's transl)].", "content": "Features of 75 abnormal pancreatograms are analysed. Radiomorphology is conferred with surgical or postmortem findings in all cases. None of the anatomical alterations was found to be specific for any given diseases entity, some consistency was verified however. Solitary stenosis suggests cancer. Diffuse alterations point to chronic pancreatitis. Cave filling is a likely sign of cyst or pseudocyst. Since, however, these features are nonspecific, the diagnosis must be based on clinical data as well.", "contents": "[Diagnostic features of the abnormal endoscopic pancreatogram (author's transl)]. Features of 75 abnormal pancreatograms are analysed. Radiomorphology is conferred with surgical or postmortem findings in all cases. None of the anatomical alterations was found to be specific for any given diseases entity, some consistency was verified however. Solitary stenosis suggests cancer. Diffuse alterations point to chronic pancreatitis. Cave filling is a likely sign of cyst or pseudocyst. Since, however, these features are nonspecific, the diagnosis must be based on clinical data as well.", "PMID": 628363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7407", "title": "[Effect of Dapotum D minor on somatization (unstable stomachs on a vegetative base). 2nd Communication (author's transl)].", "content": "This study established that as a result of treatment of fluphenazin dekanoate (Dapotum D minor)--additional to the usual treatment for a nervous unstable stomach--the therapeutical effect could be improved. For this purpose 30 patients underwent a double blind trial for 6 weeks with a \"cross over\" after 3 weeks. In order to control the therapeutical effects the patients were given special questionnaires and in addition to this they had to answer a memorandum-sheet of self assessment as well as a self rating scale so that the stabilizing of the \"vitality level\" could be checked. Test data were analysed by variance and covariance analysis. After analysing the medical results by way of statistics the self assessment scale showed that by \"unstable stomachs on a vegetative base\" an additional treatment with Dapotum D minor achieved superior results over the conventional treatment.", "contents": "[Effect of Dapotum D minor on somatization (unstable stomachs on a vegetative base). 2nd Communication (author's transl)]. This study established that as a result of treatment of fluphenazin dekanoate (Dapotum D minor)--additional to the usual treatment for a nervous unstable stomach--the therapeutical effect could be improved. For this purpose 30 patients underwent a double blind trial for 6 weeks with a \"cross over\" after 3 weeks. In order to control the therapeutical effects the patients were given special questionnaires and in addition to this they had to answer a memorandum-sheet of self assessment as well as a self rating scale so that the stabilizing of the \"vitality level\" could be checked. Test data were analysed by variance and covariance analysis. After analysing the medical results by way of statistics the self assessment scale showed that by \"unstable stomachs on a vegetative base\" an additional treatment with Dapotum D minor achieved superior results over the conventional treatment.", "PMID": 628364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7408", "title": "Autosomal phosphoglycerate kinase linked to mouse major histocompatibility complex.", "content": "The mouse autosomal locus that determines the form of phosphoglycerate kinase found only in testes is shown here to be closely linked to but not included within the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 17. Data are presented that strongly favor the location of this locus, designated Pgk-2, distal to H-2, Qa-1, and Qa-2, and closely associated with T1a. The Pgk-2 strain distribution pattern for 103 inbred and congenic strains of mice is given. Because Pgk-2 is polymorphic among inbred strains, it should be of value in linkage studies.", "contents": "Autosomal phosphoglycerate kinase linked to mouse major histocompatibility complex. The mouse autosomal locus that determines the form of phosphoglycerate kinase found only in testes is shown here to be closely linked to but not included within the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 17. Data are presented that strongly favor the location of this locus, designated Pgk-2, distal to H-2, Qa-1, and Qa-2, and closely associated with T1a. The Pgk-2 strain distribution pattern for 103 inbred and congenic strains of mice is given. Because Pgk-2 is polymorphic among inbred strains, it should be of value in linkage studies.", "PMID": 628373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7409", "title": "Treatment of hypoparathyroid patients with chlorthalidone.", "content": "In an effort to maintain normal serum calcium levels without inducing hypercalciuria, we treated seven hypoparathyroid patients for up to 25 months with chlorthalidone, a thiazide-like sulfonamide diuretic, plus a salt-restricted diet, without added vitamin D. Mean 24-hour calcium excretion decreased from 179 to 88 mg (P less than 0.001), and mean serum calcium increased from 8.2 to 9.3 mg per deciliter (P less than 0.05). Diuretic therapy or moderate salt restriction alone was not as effective as combined therapy. Beneficial effects were sustained for as long as therapy was maintained. The rise in serum calcium, which involves the filterable and ionized fractions, cannot be due entirely to reduced excretion and may in part be explained by increased intestinal absorption. Oral chlorthalidone plus a low salt diet appears to be an effective alternative to vitamin D in the maintenance therapy of at least some patients with hypoparathyroidism.", "contents": "Treatment of hypoparathyroid patients with chlorthalidone. In an effort to maintain normal serum calcium levels without inducing hypercalciuria, we treated seven hypoparathyroid patients for up to 25 months with chlorthalidone, a thiazide-like sulfonamide diuretic, plus a salt-restricted diet, without added vitamin D. Mean 24-hour calcium excretion decreased from 179 to 88 mg (P less than 0.001), and mean serum calcium increased from 8.2 to 9.3 mg per deciliter (P less than 0.05). Diuretic therapy or moderate salt restriction alone was not as effective as combined therapy. Beneficial effects were sustained for as long as therapy was maintained. The rise in serum calcium, which involves the filterable and ionized fractions, cannot be due entirely to reduced excretion and may in part be explained by increased intestinal absorption. Oral chlorthalidone plus a low salt diet appears to be an effective alternative to vitamin D in the maintenance therapy of at least some patients with hypoparathyroidism.", "PMID": 628374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7410", "title": "Interpandemic influenza in the Houston area, 1974-76.", "content": "Prospective virologic surveillance has defined two influenza epidemics representing the fifth and sixth outbreaks attributed to H3N2 viruses since the prototype, A/Hong Kong/68 ((H3N2), emerged in 1968. The 1975 epidemic was caused by influenza A/Port Chalmers and yielded an estimated attack rate of 9 per cent; the second, attributed to influenza A/Victoria, produced an explosive outbreak, with an estimated attack rate of 18 per cent in 1976. The highest morbidity occurred in preschool children, with an estimated attack rate of over 30 per cent. During the early stages of both epidemics there was a predominance of cases among school-aged children, and school absenteeism peaked earlier than other nonvirologic indexes. These observations support the concept of rapid dissemination of influenza among schoolchildren and suggest that control of epidemic influenza might be facilitated by prophylaxis for that age group and other accessible, healthy populations.", "contents": "Interpandemic influenza in the Houston area, 1974-76. Prospective virologic surveillance has defined two influenza epidemics representing the fifth and sixth outbreaks attributed to H3N2 viruses since the prototype, A/Hong Kong/68 ((H3N2), emerged in 1968. The 1975 epidemic was caused by influenza A/Port Chalmers and yielded an estimated attack rate of 9 per cent; the second, attributed to influenza A/Victoria, produced an explosive outbreak, with an estimated attack rate of 18 per cent in 1976. The highest morbidity occurred in preschool children, with an estimated attack rate of over 30 per cent. During the early stages of both epidemics there was a predominance of cases among school-aged children, and school absenteeism peaked earlier than other nonvirologic indexes. These observations support the concept of rapid dissemination of influenza among schoolchildren and suggest that control of epidemic influenza might be facilitated by prophylaxis for that age group and other accessible, healthy populations.", "PMID": 628375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7411", "title": "Family practice in evolution: progress, problems and projections.", "content": "Family practice has developed in direct response to the public need for primary care with the elements of comprehensiveness, continuity and accessibility. This specialty represents a re-emphasis of the generalist role in medicine, with particular concern for the family as the unit of care. Since the American Board of Family Practice was formed nine years ago, the first phase of development has been completed. Teaching programs in family medicine have been effectively established at undergraduate and graduate levels throughout the country in both university and community settings. Refinement of teaching programs and initiation of a strong ongoing research effort are now required. The continued successful evolution of family practice as a foundation of primary care in the United States is essential to extend the highest possible quality of care to the entire population at a cost that can be afforded in a society with limited resources for health care.", "contents": "Family practice in evolution: progress, problems and projections. Family practice has developed in direct response to the public need for primary care with the elements of comprehensiveness, continuity and accessibility. This specialty represents a re-emphasis of the generalist role in medicine, with particular concern for the family as the unit of care. Since the American Board of Family Practice was formed nine years ago, the first phase of development has been completed. Teaching programs in family medicine have been effectively established at undergraduate and graduate levels throughout the country in both university and community settings. Refinement of teaching programs and initiation of a strong ongoing research effort are now required. The continued successful evolution of family practice as a foundation of primary care in the United States is essential to extend the highest possible quality of care to the entire population at a cost that can be afforded in a society with limited resources for health care.", "PMID": 628376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7412", "title": "Transmission of hepatitis B virus infection by transfusion of frozen-deglycerolized red blood cells.", "content": "Chimpanzees were used to determine the ability of prior freezing of red blood cells to prevent the transmission of Type B post-transfusion hepatitis. Four units of human whole blood were each inoculated with 10(6) infectious doses of hepatitis B virus. Although all units became HBsAg negative after freezing and deglycerolization, hepatitis B virus infection developed in all four chimpanzees when these units were transfused. Two of these chimpanzees had only serologic evidence of infection, including the development of HBsAg and antibody to both the hepatitis B surface and core antigens; in these animals, the incubation periods were prolonged (24 to 25 weeks). In contrast, the other two animals also had elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (peaks of 190 and 461 IU per liter) and had a more rapid onset. There was no hepatitis B virus infection in two nontransfused controls. Our results do not support the use of frozen red blood cells for the prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis.", "contents": "Transmission of hepatitis B virus infection by transfusion of frozen-deglycerolized red blood cells. Chimpanzees were used to determine the ability of prior freezing of red blood cells to prevent the transmission of Type B post-transfusion hepatitis. Four units of human whole blood were each inoculated with 10(6) infectious doses of hepatitis B virus. Although all units became HBsAg negative after freezing and deglycerolization, hepatitis B virus infection developed in all four chimpanzees when these units were transfused. Two of these chimpanzees had only serologic evidence of infection, including the development of HBsAg and antibody to both the hepatitis B surface and core antigens; in these animals, the incubation periods were prolonged (24 to 25 weeks). In contrast, the other two animals also had elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (peaks of 190 and 461 IU per liter) and had a more rapid onset. There was no hepatitis B virus infection in two nontransfused controls. Our results do not support the use of frozen red blood cells for the prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis.", "PMID": 628386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7413", "title": "Thyroid function after surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis. A report of 100 cases treated with propranolol before operation.", "content": "We assessed thyroid function for 12 months after subtotal thyroidectomy in 100 tyrotoxic patients treated with propranolol alone before and immediately after operation. The operation proved safe, with low morbidity. Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, present in the majority one month after operation, was evidenced by normal or low levels of serum total tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine, but absent or subnormal serum thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Eighty patients were euthyroid at 12 months. Three patterns of thyroid function were observed in this group between the first and 12th months: normal serum total tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin levels at all stages (20 patients); normal serum total tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine, but raised thyrotropin levels on one or more occasions (40 patients); and temporary hypothyroidism (20 patients). Of the remaining 20 patients, permanent hypothyroidism developed in 14, and six relapsed. Postoperative thyroid function was related to the estimated weight of the thyroid remnant.", "contents": "Thyroid function after surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis. A report of 100 cases treated with propranolol before operation. We assessed thyroid function for 12 months after subtotal thyroidectomy in 100 tyrotoxic patients treated with propranolol alone before and immediately after operation. The operation proved safe, with low morbidity. Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, present in the majority one month after operation, was evidenced by normal or low levels of serum total tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine, but absent or subnormal serum thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Eighty patients were euthyroid at 12 months. Three patterns of thyroid function were observed in this group between the first and 12th months: normal serum total tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin levels at all stages (20 patients); normal serum total tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine, but raised thyrotropin levels on one or more occasions (40 patients); and temporary hypothyroidism (20 patients). Of the remaining 20 patients, permanent hypothyroidism developed in 14, and six relapsed. Postoperative thyroid function was related to the estimated weight of the thyroid remnant.", "PMID": 628387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7414", "title": "Racial patterns in pernicious anemia. Early age at onset and increased frequency of intrinsic-factor antibody in black women.", "content": "Pernicious anemia affects primarily elderly northern Europeans, but may affect others more often than previously thought. Therefore, we analyzed the data from 156 documented cases: there were 73 patients of \"European\" origin, 52 black patients and 31 Latin-American patients. The mean age (+/- 1 S.D.) at presentation among black women, 53 +/- 16 years, was lower than that of all the others (P less than 0.001 in most comparisons), and seven of the 33 black women were less than 40 years old. In addition, 23 of the 24 black women tested had circulating antibody to intrinsic factor. A similar though less striking antibody prevalence (85 per cent) and age pattern (60 +/- 13 years) in Latin-American women did not reach statistical significance. No other group exceeded the usual 55 to 70 per cent prevalence of antibody. These finding suggest a different form of or a different response to the disease in black women and perhaps in Latin-American women.", "contents": "Racial patterns in pernicious anemia. Early age at onset and increased frequency of intrinsic-factor antibody in black women. Pernicious anemia affects primarily elderly northern Europeans, but may affect others more often than previously thought. Therefore, we analyzed the data from 156 documented cases: there were 73 patients of \"European\" origin, 52 black patients and 31 Latin-American patients. The mean age (+/- 1 S.D.) at presentation among black women, 53 +/- 16 years, was lower than that of all the others (P less than 0.001 in most comparisons), and seven of the 33 black women were less than 40 years old. In addition, 23 of the 24 black women tested had circulating antibody to intrinsic factor. A similar though less striking antibody prevalence (85 per cent) and age pattern (60 +/- 13 years) in Latin-American women did not reach statistical significance. No other group exceeded the usual 55 to 70 per cent prevalence of antibody. These finding suggest a different form of or a different response to the disease in black women and perhaps in Latin-American women.", "PMID": 628388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7415", "title": "Familial hypopituitarism with large sella turcica.", "content": "We studied endocrine function in three siblings with short stature and enlargement of the sella turcica. Sellar volumes were 5.9, 3.7 and 4.0 standard deviations above age-specific means. Computed tomography or pneumoencephalography showed full sellae without suprasellar extension. Basal thyrotropin levels were low despite hypothyroidism and increments were less than 3 micromicron per milliliter after thyrotropin-releasing hormone injection. Stimulated growth hormone levels were less than 5 ng per milliliter, declining to less than 2 ng per milliliter after thyroxine treatment. Both thyroxine and growth hormone treatments were required for rapid growth. Impaired thyrotropin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone distinguish these patients from most cases of idiopathic or familial deficiency of thyrotropin and growth hormone. Persistent deficiency of growth hormone during thyroxine treatment indicates that the defects is not limited to thyrotropin structure or release. The findings are compatible with either familial neoplasia of the anterior pituitary or a regulatory defect promoting anterior pituitary-cell hyperplasia and inhibiting thyrotropin and growth hormone release.", "contents": "Familial hypopituitarism with large sella turcica. We studied endocrine function in three siblings with short stature and enlargement of the sella turcica. Sellar volumes were 5.9, 3.7 and 4.0 standard deviations above age-specific means. Computed tomography or pneumoencephalography showed full sellae without suprasellar extension. Basal thyrotropin levels were low despite hypothyroidism and increments were less than 3 micromicron per milliliter after thyrotropin-releasing hormone injection. Stimulated growth hormone levels were less than 5 ng per milliliter, declining to less than 2 ng per milliliter after thyroxine treatment. Both thyroxine and growth hormone treatments were required for rapid growth. Impaired thyrotropin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone distinguish these patients from most cases of idiopathic or familial deficiency of thyrotropin and growth hormone. Persistent deficiency of growth hormone during thyroxine treatment indicates that the defects is not limited to thyrotropin structure or release. The findings are compatible with either familial neoplasia of the anterior pituitary or a regulatory defect promoting anterior pituitary-cell hyperplasia and inhibiting thyrotropin and growth hormone release.", "PMID": 628396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7416", "title": "Chlamydia trachomatis infant pneumonitis: comparison with matched controls and other infant pneumonitis.", "content": "We determined the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 30 consecutive hospitalized infants less than six months of age with pneumonitis and in 28 matched controls (nine of 30 vs. one of 28. P less than 0.05). In comparing 16 cases of pneumonitis due to C. trachomatis with 27 not due to that agent, we found several distinguishing clinical and laboratory features: C. trachomatis was highly correlated with radiographic hyperinflation, prolonged cough and congestion, greater than or equal to 400 eosinophils per cubic millimeter and serum lgG greater than or equal to 500 and lgM greater than or equal to 110 mg per deciliter. C. trachomatis was responsible for 13 of 21 cases seen at three to 11 weeks vs. three of 22 seen at other ages. Antibody to C. trachomatis in tears (13 of 14 vs. two of 27), nasopharynx (12 of 14 vs. one of 27) and blood (16 of 16 vs. two of 23) was specific for C. trachomatis pneumonitis. C. trachomatis is prevalent among hospitalized infants with pneumonitis. Conjunctival infection precedes C. trachomatis pneumonitis more commonly than has previously been thought.", "contents": "Chlamydia trachomatis infant pneumonitis: comparison with matched controls and other infant pneumonitis. We determined the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 30 consecutive hospitalized infants less than six months of age with pneumonitis and in 28 matched controls (nine of 30 vs. one of 28. P less than 0.05). In comparing 16 cases of pneumonitis due to C. trachomatis with 27 not due to that agent, we found several distinguishing clinical and laboratory features: C. trachomatis was highly correlated with radiographic hyperinflation, prolonged cough and congestion, greater than or equal to 400 eosinophils per cubic millimeter and serum lgG greater than or equal to 500 and lgM greater than or equal to 110 mg per deciliter. C. trachomatis was responsible for 13 of 21 cases seen at three to 11 weeks vs. three of 22 seen at other ages. Antibody to C. trachomatis in tears (13 of 14 vs. two of 27), nasopharynx (12 of 14 vs. one of 27) and blood (16 of 16 vs. two of 23) was specific for C. trachomatis pneumonitis. C. trachomatis is prevalent among hospitalized infants with pneumonitis. Conjunctival infection precedes C. trachomatis pneumonitis more commonly than has previously been thought.", "PMID": 628397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7417", "title": "A twenty-five-year follow-up study of women exposed to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy.", "content": "To assess the long-term effects of diethylstilbestrol we conducted a health survey among 693 mothers who had taken the drug during pregnancy and a comparable group of 668 who had not. These women had participated in a study during 1951-52 to evaluate the drug. There were 32 (4.6 per cent) breast cancers among the 693 exposed and 21 (3.1 per cent) among the 668 unexposed, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). No statistically significant differences occurred between the groups in any of the other categories of disease. The occurrence of breast cancer in both groups was compared to the Connecticut State Tumor Registry for 1963-65. Compared to the registry data, a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher incidence of breast cancer occurred in both the exposed and unexposed groups at ages over 50. The reason for this increase is not known, but effects linked to the selection of mothers participating in the original clinical study cannot be excluded.", "contents": "A twenty-five-year follow-up study of women exposed to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy. To assess the long-term effects of diethylstilbestrol we conducted a health survey among 693 mothers who had taken the drug during pregnancy and a comparable group of 668 who had not. These women had participated in a study during 1951-52 to evaluate the drug. There were 32 (4.6 per cent) breast cancers among the 693 exposed and 21 (3.1 per cent) among the 668 unexposed, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). No statistically significant differences occurred between the groups in any of the other categories of disease. The occurrence of breast cancer in both groups was compared to the Connecticut State Tumor Registry for 1963-65. Compared to the registry data, a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher incidence of breast cancer occurred in both the exposed and unexposed groups at ages over 50. The reason for this increase is not known, but effects linked to the selection of mothers participating in the original clinical study cannot be excluded.", "PMID": 628409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7418", "title": "Clinical healing two to six years after poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis in Trinidad.", "content": "To determine the incidence of chronic nephritis after poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis in Trinidad, 760 patients (41 adult) were examined two to six years after recovery from the illness, 344 being studied twice (four and six years). Only 1.8 per cent had persistent urine abnormalities on their last follow-up examination, and another 8.0 per cent had abnormalities that were transient or occurred only after the patient had assumed the lordotic position. In 1.4 per cent hypertension was present, whereas only one had azotemia. Both persistent urine abnormalities and hypertension increased in prevalence with age at onset of prior poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis but did not vary between sexes, races or epidemic versus endemic forms. Half the urine abnormalities present four years after recovery were absent two years later. Thus, poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis appears to have a low incidence of chronicity in Trinidad, with continuing resolution for more than four years.", "contents": "Clinical healing two to six years after poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis in Trinidad. To determine the incidence of chronic nephritis after poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis in Trinidad, 760 patients (41 adult) were examined two to six years after recovery from the illness, 344 being studied twice (four and six years). Only 1.8 per cent had persistent urine abnormalities on their last follow-up examination, and another 8.0 per cent had abnormalities that were transient or occurred only after the patient had assumed the lordotic position. In 1.4 per cent hypertension was present, whereas only one had azotemia. Both persistent urine abnormalities and hypertension increased in prevalence with age at onset of prior poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis but did not vary between sexes, races or epidemic versus endemic forms. Half the urine abnormalities present four years after recovery were absent two years later. Thus, poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis appears to have a low incidence of chronicity in Trinidad, with continuing resolution for more than four years.", "PMID": 628410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7419", "title": "Structures and moelcular motions in alkaline earth hexammines.", "content": "The alkaline earth hexammines have novel structures and molecular motions. The ammonia molecules in these compounds adopt an entirely different geometry from that of normal ammonia. There are two motional transitions as the temperature is increased. The first transition is due to ammonia rotation, and the second results from ammonia diffusion.", "contents": "Structures and moelcular motions in alkaline earth hexammines. The alkaline earth hexammines have novel structures and molecular motions. The ammonia molecules in these compounds adopt an entirely different geometry from that of normal ammonia. There are two motional transitions as the temperature is increased. The first transition is due to ammonia rotation, and the second results from ammonia diffusion.", "PMID": 628423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7420", "title": "Nucleotide sequence of the origin of replication in bacteriophage phiX174 RF DNA.", "content": "The gene A protein of bacteriophage phiX174 has been used in vitro to convert phiX RFI DNA into the relaxed RFII form by nicking the viral strand. The nucleotide sequence at the 3' end of the nick has been determined as -- T G C T C C C C C A A C T T Goh. This sequence gives the exact position of the origin of phiX RF DNA replication.", "contents": "Nucleotide sequence of the origin of replication in bacteriophage phiX174 RF DNA. The gene A protein of bacteriophage phiX174 has been used in vitro to convert phiX RFI DNA into the relaxed RFII form by nicking the viral strand. The nucleotide sequence at the 3' end of the nick has been determined as -- T G C T C C C C C A A C T T Goh. This sequence gives the exact position of the origin of phiX RF DNA replication.", "PMID": 628424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7421", "title": "31P magnetic resonance of DNA in nucleosome core particles of chromatin.", "content": "The 31P magnetic resonance spectrum of nucleosome cores from calf thymus nuclei has been measured. The spectrum consists of a single symmetric line, with a maximum second component of 5%. It is argued that this reflects a single average state of the DNA backbone, and does not support models that invoke backbone kinking at a frequency of 1 in 10 base pairs.", "contents": "31P magnetic resonance of DNA in nucleosome core particles of chromatin. The 31P magnetic resonance spectrum of nucleosome cores from calf thymus nuclei has been measured. The spectrum consists of a single symmetric line, with a maximum second component of 5%. It is argued that this reflects a single average state of the DNA backbone, and does not support models that invoke backbone kinking at a frequency of 1 in 10 base pairs.", "PMID": 628441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7422", "title": "Neurophysiological basis of directional hearing in amphibia.", "content": "Discrete regions of neural tissue along the anterior-posterior axis of the torus semicircularis act as resonators, each one broadly tuned to a different range of frequencies, and each one responding optimally to the incident sound from a different direction. In this way, a map of auditory space is represented in the midbrain.", "contents": "Neurophysiological basis of directional hearing in amphibia. Discrete regions of neural tissue along the anterior-posterior axis of the torus semicircularis act as resonators, each one broadly tuned to a different range of frequencies, and each one responding optimally to the incident sound from a different direction. In this way, a map of auditory space is represented in the midbrain.", "PMID": 628442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7423", "title": "Computer simulation of the solvent structure around biological macromolecules.", "content": "The structure and energetics of the solvent, both ordered and disordered, in a small peptide crystal and in the triclinic lysozyme crystal have been simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data and provide insight into the role of solvent structure around biological macromolecules in solution.", "contents": "Computer simulation of the solvent structure around biological macromolecules. The structure and energetics of the solvent, both ordered and disordered, in a small peptide crystal and in the triclinic lysozyme crystal have been simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data and provide insight into the role of solvent structure around biological macromolecules in solution.", "PMID": 628447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7424", "title": "[Neurons of the rabbit visual cortex with simple and complex visual fields].", "content": "The receptive filelds of orientation-selective neurons were studied in the rabbit visual cortex. Two mechanisms of the selectivity were found: the mutual inhibition between on- and off-regions of the receptive field (simple type) and the orientation-dependent inhibition within the uniform region of the receptive field. The non-selective neurons could exhibit the lateral inhibition within the uniform region of the receptive field also. It is supposed that both \"simple\" and \"complex\" cells originate from the non-selective units.", "contents": "[Neurons of the rabbit visual cortex with simple and complex visual fields]. The receptive filelds of orientation-selective neurons were studied in the rabbit visual cortex. Two mechanisms of the selectivity were found: the mutual inhibition between on- and off-regions of the receptive field (simple type) and the orientation-dependent inhibition within the uniform region of the receptive field. The non-selective neurons could exhibit the lateral inhibition within the uniform region of the receptive field also. It is supposed that both \"simple\" and \"complex\" cells originate from the non-selective units.", "PMID": 628467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7425", "title": "[Responses of neurons in the Clare-Bishop cortical association area of the cat cerebral cortex to photic stimulation].", "content": "In acute experiments on cats with protrigeminal section immobilized by flaxedil the electrical activity of single neurons in associative visual cortex of Clare-Bishop was investigated by the extracellular registration of their spike activity. 95.5% of investigated neurons responding to natural stimulation (light spots) were sensitive to the movement of stimulus through the receptive field. Nearly 55% of neurons exhibited selective responses to the direction of stimulus movement. Some neurones responded only when the stimulus was crossing the border points of receptive field. Nearly 85.3% of neurons responded to the flashing spot with \"on\", \"on-off\" and \"off\" reactions, and also to the stimulation by diffuse flashes. Receptive fields of neurons in the Clare-Bishop area were of strip-like form with longitudinal axis in horizontal orientation. Presented observations allow concluding that the Clare-Bishop cortical association area plays an essential role in the central processing of visual information.", "contents": "[Responses of neurons in the Clare-Bishop cortical association area of the cat cerebral cortex to photic stimulation]. In acute experiments on cats with protrigeminal section immobilized by flaxedil the electrical activity of single neurons in associative visual cortex of Clare-Bishop was investigated by the extracellular registration of their spike activity. 95.5% of investigated neurons responding to natural stimulation (light spots) were sensitive to the movement of stimulus through the receptive field. Nearly 55% of neurons exhibited selective responses to the direction of stimulus movement. Some neurones responded only when the stimulus was crossing the border points of receptive field. Nearly 85.3% of neurons responded to the flashing spot with \"on\", \"on-off\" and \"off\" reactions, and also to the stimulation by diffuse flashes. Receptive fields of neurons in the Clare-Bishop area were of strip-like form with longitudinal axis in horizontal orientation. Presented observations allow concluding that the Clare-Bishop cortical association area plays an essential role in the central processing of visual information.", "PMID": 628468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7426", "title": "[Analysis of the neuronal activity of the lateral geniculate body in cats].", "content": "Activity of the lateral geniculate body neurons was studied in immobilized cats. Four parameters of impulse activity of every neuron were determined by computer analysis: T1, minimal, T2, average interspike intervals of the spontaneous activity, T3, latent period, and T4, duration of the first cluster of poststimulation activity. Classification of neuronal groups was made according to these parameters. This classification was used as a basis for the construction of a scheme of neuronal interaction in the lateral geniculate body.", "contents": "[Analysis of the neuronal activity of the lateral geniculate body in cats]. Activity of the lateral geniculate body neurons was studied in immobilized cats. Four parameters of impulse activity of every neuron were determined by computer analysis: T1, minimal, T2, average interspike intervals of the spontaneous activity, T3, latent period, and T4, duration of the first cluster of poststimulation activity. Classification of neuronal groups was made according to these parameters. This classification was used as a basis for the construction of a scheme of neuronal interaction in the lateral geniculate body.", "PMID": 628469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7427", "title": "[Alteration of the functional organization of the lateral geniculate body after injection of tetanus toxin into it].", "content": "Changes in neuronal activity of the lateral geniculate body were studied in cat under conditions of the formation of a generator of pathologically enhanced excitation after local injection of tetanus toxin into this nucleus. To evaluate the changes, an analysis of interdischarge intervals histograms of spontaneous activity and poststimulation histograms were performed. A conclusion was made that as a result of the tetanus toxin injection the inhibitory mechanisms of many relay neurons became destructed, producing substantial changes in their discharge patterns.", "contents": "[Alteration of the functional organization of the lateral geniculate body after injection of tetanus toxin into it]. Changes in neuronal activity of the lateral geniculate body were studied in cat under conditions of the formation of a generator of pathologically enhanced excitation after local injection of tetanus toxin into this nucleus. To evaluate the changes, an analysis of interdischarge intervals histograms of spontaneous activity and poststimulation histograms were performed. A conclusion was made that as a result of the tetanus toxin injection the inhibitory mechanisms of many relay neurons became destructed, producing substantial changes in their discharge patterns.", "PMID": 628470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7428", "title": "[Spike activity of superior colliculus neurons following blockade of corticofugal regulation].", "content": "Changes in background and evoked activity of the superior cooliculus neurons were studied in cats before and after cessation of ipsilateral corticofugal connections. On the operated side of the brain the superior cooliculus neurons slackened their impulsation and most of them were unresponsible to light stimulation (only 7.1% neurons responded to light after operation). It is suggested that afferent inputs to superior colliculus neurons are modulated by corticofugal mechanisms.", "contents": "[Spike activity of superior colliculus neurons following blockade of corticofugal regulation]. Changes in background and evoked activity of the superior cooliculus neurons were studied in cats before and after cessation of ipsilateral corticofugal connections. On the operated side of the brain the superior cooliculus neurons slackened their impulsation and most of them were unresponsible to light stimulation (only 7.1% neurons responded to light after operation). It is suggested that afferent inputs to superior colliculus neurons are modulated by corticofugal mechanisms.", "PMID": 628471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7429", "title": "[Postsynaptic potentials of motor neurons in the nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve in cats, evoked by rubrofugal impulses].", "content": "The effects of ipsi- and contralateral red nuclei stimulation on the hypoglossal motoneurons were studied in the cats under chloralose-nembutal anesthesia. Repetitive ipsi- and contralateral rubrofugal volleys evoked PSPs in 35 (69%) from 51 investigated motoneurons (3-5 stimuli of threshold intensity at frequency 500-600 per/s were used). EPSPs appeared in 33 motoneurons with latencies from 3.5 to 14.0 ms (mean value 5.7 +/- 0.75 ms for ipsilateral and 6.8 +/- 0.8 ms for contralateral rubral stimulations). In two motoneurons IPSPs were observed with latency 6.2 ms. Stimulation of the lingual nerve evoked EPSPs and action potentials in 31 motoneurons and IPSPs in 4 motoneurons. 16 motoneurons which could not be activated by rubral stimulation also responded by IPSPs to lingual nerve stimulation. The presented data testify to the existence of two rubrobulbar systems connected by polysynaptic pathways mainly with motoneurons of tongue retractor muscle.", "contents": "[Postsynaptic potentials of motor neurons in the nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve in cats, evoked by rubrofugal impulses]. The effects of ipsi- and contralateral red nuclei stimulation on the hypoglossal motoneurons were studied in the cats under chloralose-nembutal anesthesia. Repetitive ipsi- and contralateral rubrofugal volleys evoked PSPs in 35 (69%) from 51 investigated motoneurons (3-5 stimuli of threshold intensity at frequency 500-600 per/s were used). EPSPs appeared in 33 motoneurons with latencies from 3.5 to 14.0 ms (mean value 5.7 +/- 0.75 ms for ipsilateral and 6.8 +/- 0.8 ms for contralateral rubral stimulations). In two motoneurons IPSPs were observed with latency 6.2 ms. Stimulation of the lingual nerve evoked EPSPs and action potentials in 31 motoneurons and IPSPs in 4 motoneurons. 16 motoneurons which could not be activated by rubral stimulation also responded by IPSPs to lingual nerve stimulation. The presented data testify to the existence of two rubrobulbar systems connected by polysynaptic pathways mainly with motoneurons of tongue retractor muscle.", "PMID": 628472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7430", "title": "[Changes in the RNA concentration in neurons of the superior olivary complex in cats following monaural and binaural stimulation].", "content": "The nature of binaurally converging connections on the level of the superior olive nuclei was studied in cats anesthetized by the method of quantitative cytospectrophotometry. Significant increase in cytoplasmic RNA content in neurons of ipsi- and contralateral medial and lateral nuclei was observed after 2 hrs monaural stimulation nad 1.5 hrs binaural stimulation by rhythmical noise signals. The volume of functioning neurons of the nuclei studied was observed either to increase or not to differ from the control. The increase in RNA quantity both in ipsi-, and contralateral medial and lateral nuclei permits making the conclusion on the uniform distribution of binaurally converging connections on the neurons of these nuclei. Moreover, the data obtained enable us to assume that the accumulation of cytoplasmatic RNA occurs not only during excitation but also during inhibition.", "contents": "[Changes in the RNA concentration in neurons of the superior olivary complex in cats following monaural and binaural stimulation]. The nature of binaurally converging connections on the level of the superior olive nuclei was studied in cats anesthetized by the method of quantitative cytospectrophotometry. Significant increase in cytoplasmic RNA content in neurons of ipsi- and contralateral medial and lateral nuclei was observed after 2 hrs monaural stimulation nad 1.5 hrs binaural stimulation by rhythmical noise signals. The volume of functioning neurons of the nuclei studied was observed either to increase or not to differ from the control. The increase in RNA quantity both in ipsi-, and contralateral medial and lateral nuclei permits making the conclusion on the uniform distribution of binaurally converging connections on the neurons of these nuclei. Moreover, the data obtained enable us to assume that the accumulation of cytoplasmatic RNA occurs not only during excitation but also during inhibition.", "PMID": 628473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7431", "title": "[Mechanism of perception of magnetic field changes by the ampullae of Lorenzini of elasmobranchs].", "content": "Investigating the impulse activity from single nerve fibres connected with Lorenzinian ampullae in Black Sea skates, the mechanisms of changing magnetic field detection were studied. It was shown that the receptor to magnetic stimulation were caused by induction of electric currents in fish body or sea water. The peculiarities of receptor responses enable the animal to differ magnetic stimuli from any other stimuli. An increase in fish receptor reaction to magnetic stimulation near the \"coast\" of the tank was observed. The biological significance of magnetic detection by the Lorenzini ampullae is discussed.", "contents": "[Mechanism of perception of magnetic field changes by the ampullae of Lorenzini of elasmobranchs]. Investigating the impulse activity from single nerve fibres connected with Lorenzinian ampullae in Black Sea skates, the mechanisms of changing magnetic field detection were studied. It was shown that the receptor to magnetic stimulation were caused by induction of electric currents in fish body or sea water. The peculiarities of receptor responses enable the animal to differ magnetic stimuli from any other stimuli. An increase in fish receptor reaction to magnetic stimulation near the \"coast\" of the tank was observed. The biological significance of magnetic detection by the Lorenzini ampullae is discussed.", "PMID": 628474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7432", "title": "[Relationship between the spike responses of crayfish mechanoreceptor neurons and the initial functional state and degree of aggregation of their Nissl substance].", "content": "The discharges of a single neuron in the crayfish isolated stretch receptor to square standard adequate stimuli were studied. The following parameters were analyzed: response duration, number of impulses per burst, inhibitory pause duration, amplitude and shape of the frequencygram. Preliminary desaggregation of Nissl substance correlated with increase in discharges. When initial frequency of the discharge was low or when the stretch receptor was in resting state, especially in winter time, and the Nissl substance showed high degree of aggregation, discharges to the same stimuli were weaker, and their range diminished. It is suggested that intensified discharges are determined by intracellular redistribution and uptake of calcium which take place during desaggregation of the Nissl substance.", "contents": "[Relationship between the spike responses of crayfish mechanoreceptor neurons and the initial functional state and degree of aggregation of their Nissl substance]. The discharges of a single neuron in the crayfish isolated stretch receptor to square standard adequate stimuli were studied. The following parameters were analyzed: response duration, number of impulses per burst, inhibitory pause duration, amplitude and shape of the frequencygram. Preliminary desaggregation of Nissl substance correlated with increase in discharges. When initial frequency of the discharge was low or when the stretch receptor was in resting state, especially in winter time, and the Nissl substance showed high degree of aggregation, discharges to the same stimuli were weaker, and their range diminished. It is suggested that intensified discharges are determined by intracellular redistribution and uptake of calcium which take place during desaggregation of the Nissl substance.", "PMID": 628475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7433", "title": "[Variations in the membrane potentials of motor neurons during the generation of scratching].", "content": "The activity of motoneurons of the ankle flexor and extensor muscles was recorded intracellularly during fictitious scratching in decerebrate curarized cats. Before the beginning of rhythmical oscillation a large depolarization and tonic discharge were observed in flexor motoneurons, while the membrane potential of extensor ones did not change. When the rhythmical generation began, a short periodic hyperpolarization and corresponding pause in the discharge lasting for the extensor phase of the cycle appeared in flexor motoneurons. In extensor motoneurons a periodic depolarization increasing in the course of the flexor phase was observed; a maximal depolarization occurred in the extensor phase in which a short burst of spikes was generated.", "contents": "[Variations in the membrane potentials of motor neurons during the generation of scratching]. The activity of motoneurons of the ankle flexor and extensor muscles was recorded intracellularly during fictitious scratching in decerebrate curarized cats. Before the beginning of rhythmical oscillation a large depolarization and tonic discharge were observed in flexor motoneurons, while the membrane potential of extensor ones did not change. When the rhythmical generation began, a short periodic hyperpolarization and corresponding pause in the discharge lasting for the extensor phase of the cycle appeared in flexor motoneurons. In extensor motoneurons a periodic depolarization increasing in the course of the flexor phase was observed; a maximal depolarization occurred in the extensor phase in which a short burst of spikes was generated.", "PMID": 628476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7434", "title": "[Effect of blockers of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition on processes of habituation in the system of cutaneous sensitivity].", "content": "The role of pre- and postsynaptic inhibition in the habituation of spinal ascending neurons transmitting cutaneous sensory signals was studied in cat. Pharmacological blockade of these types of inhibition by strychnine, bicuculline and picrotoxin did not evoke substantial changes in initial suppression of neuronal discharges during prolonged high-frequency (more than 50 per s) stimulation. Neuronal responses to stimulation of a cutaneous nerve fibres were not influenced during habituation of the neuron evoked by stimulation of other converging cutaneous nerve fibres.", "contents": "[Effect of blockers of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition on processes of habituation in the system of cutaneous sensitivity]. The role of pre- and postsynaptic inhibition in the habituation of spinal ascending neurons transmitting cutaneous sensory signals was studied in cat. Pharmacological blockade of these types of inhibition by strychnine, bicuculline and picrotoxin did not evoke substantial changes in initial suppression of neuronal discharges during prolonged high-frequency (more than 50 per s) stimulation. Neuronal responses to stimulation of a cutaneous nerve fibres were not influenced during habituation of the neuron evoked by stimulation of other converging cutaneous nerve fibres.", "PMID": 628477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7435", "title": "Calcium flux during hemodialysis.", "content": "A system of equations has been derived, and examined, to decribed membrane permeability and calcium fluxes within a commonly used hemodialyzer, the Mini-Kiil. By a statistical technique of sequential multiple regression analysis, factors which might influence these variables were tested on data derived from 74 hemodialysis periods in 5 patients. Calcium flux from plasma to dialysate was influenced positively by dialysate calcium concentration and plasma volume flow and negatively by dialysate volume flow. Calcium flux from dialysate to plasma was influenced positively by dialysate calcium concentration and plasma volume flow and negatively by plasma phosphate concentration. Net calcium flux from dialysate to plasma was influenced positively by the calcium gradient (dialysate calcium minus plasma ultrafiltrable calcium) and plasma volume flow and negatively by plasma phosphate concentration (coefficient of multiple correlation =0.970). Because of the magnitude of regression coefficients, manipulations of the dialysate calcium concentration and plasma phosphate concentration were concluded to be the most practical means of adjusting calcium delivery during dialysis.", "contents": "Calcium flux during hemodialysis. A system of equations has been derived, and examined, to decribed membrane permeability and calcium fluxes within a commonly used hemodialyzer, the Mini-Kiil. By a statistical technique of sequential multiple regression analysis, factors which might influence these variables were tested on data derived from 74 hemodialysis periods in 5 patients. Calcium flux from plasma to dialysate was influenced positively by dialysate calcium concentration and plasma volume flow and negatively by dialysate volume flow. Calcium flux from dialysate to plasma was influenced positively by dialysate calcium concentration and plasma volume flow and negatively by plasma phosphate concentration. Net calcium flux from dialysate to plasma was influenced positively by the calcium gradient (dialysate calcium minus plasma ultrafiltrable calcium) and plasma volume flow and negatively by plasma phosphate concentration (coefficient of multiple correlation =0.970). Because of the magnitude of regression coefficients, manipulations of the dialysate calcium concentration and plasma phosphate concentration were concluded to be the most practical means of adjusting calcium delivery during dialysis.", "PMID": 628495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7436", "title": "HgCl2-induced acute renal failure studied by split drop micropuncture technique in the rat.", "content": "Proximal tubular reabsorption was studied by the split drop micropuncture technique in HgCl2-induced severe as well as mild acute renal failure. 4 mg/kg of HgCl2 given subcutaneously to normal rats resulted in severe and usually oliguric acute renale failure at 48 h, mean plasma creatinine and urea having risen to 6.9 +/- 0.4 and 420 +/- 30 mg%. On inspection of the kidney surface, usually more than 50% of the convolutions appeared white opaque and collapased. Split drop reabsorption of 0.9% NaCl, 20% mannitol and 20% albumin was markedly accelerated in these necrotic tubular segments, while reabsorptive rates were usually quite reduced in the normal-looking red transparent convolutions. DOCA/saline-pretreated rats developed mild renal failure, with plasma creatinine and urea rising slightly to 1.6 +/-0.3 and 83 +/- 14 mg%, respectively, at 48 h after 4 mg/kh HgCl2. Reabsorptive rates were almost uniformly reduced from 0.55 +/- 0.02 in controls to 0.32 +/- 0.03 nl-mm-2 sec-1 in mild HgCl2-induced acute renale failure. Mild proximal tubular injury features decreased reabsorptive rate while severely damaged tubules appear to be leaky to the extent of allowing rapid disappearance from the tubular lument of the normally barely reabsorbable 20% albumin. Although compatible with unrestricted passive backflow being an additional factor in the pathogenesis of HgCl2-induced acute renal failure, these results do not challenge the importance of primary filtration failure.", "contents": "HgCl2-induced acute renal failure studied by split drop micropuncture technique in the rat. Proximal tubular reabsorption was studied by the split drop micropuncture technique in HgCl2-induced severe as well as mild acute renal failure. 4 mg/kg of HgCl2 given subcutaneously to normal rats resulted in severe and usually oliguric acute renale failure at 48 h, mean plasma creatinine and urea having risen to 6.9 +/- 0.4 and 420 +/- 30 mg%. On inspection of the kidney surface, usually more than 50% of the convolutions appeared white opaque and collapased. Split drop reabsorption of 0.9% NaCl, 20% mannitol and 20% albumin was markedly accelerated in these necrotic tubular segments, while reabsorptive rates were usually quite reduced in the normal-looking red transparent convolutions. DOCA/saline-pretreated rats developed mild renal failure, with plasma creatinine and urea rising slightly to 1.6 +/-0.3 and 83 +/- 14 mg%, respectively, at 48 h after 4 mg/kh HgCl2. Reabsorptive rates were almost uniformly reduced from 0.55 +/- 0.02 in controls to 0.32 +/- 0.03 nl-mm-2 sec-1 in mild HgCl2-induced acute renale failure. Mild proximal tubular injury features decreased reabsorptive rate while severely damaged tubules appear to be leaky to the extent of allowing rapid disappearance from the tubular lument of the normally barely reabsorbable 20% albumin. Although compatible with unrestricted passive backflow being an additional factor in the pathogenesis of HgCl2-induced acute renal failure, these results do not challenge the importance of primary filtration failure.", "PMID": 628496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7437", "title": "Effect of furosemide on acut ischaemic renal failure in the dog.", "content": "The effect of furosemide on the development of the acute ischaemic renal failure in the dog was studied. 11 canine kidneys were used as controls (group I) and 12 as a group where furosemide (6-8 mg/kg of body weight) was given (group II) immediately after releasing the clamps. Urine volume and sodium clearance were found significantly higher in the second group of kidneys during a period of 60 min after restoration of the blood flow to the kidney. Urea clearances remained low with no noted difference between the 2 groups. By the end of the first hour osmolar and potassium clearances were found to be significantly higher in the second group. The above findings suggest that furosemide given after an induction of acute ischaemic renal failure in the dog provides, up to the 1st hour after recirculation, some benefit in water and solute excretion but no benefit in urea clearance.", "contents": "Effect of furosemide on acut ischaemic renal failure in the dog. The effect of furosemide on the development of the acute ischaemic renal failure in the dog was studied. 11 canine kidneys were used as controls (group I) and 12 as a group where furosemide (6-8 mg/kg of body weight) was given (group II) immediately after releasing the clamps. Urine volume and sodium clearance were found significantly higher in the second group of kidneys during a period of 60 min after restoration of the blood flow to the kidney. Urea clearances remained low with no noted difference between the 2 groups. By the end of the first hour osmolar and potassium clearances were found to be significantly higher in the second group. The above findings suggest that furosemide given after an induction of acute ischaemic renal failure in the dog provides, up to the 1st hour after recirculation, some benefit in water and solute excretion but no benefit in urea clearance.", "PMID": 628497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7438", "title": "Cigarette smoking habits and urine characteristics: urinalysis abnormalities are more common is smokers, but the reasons are unclear.", "content": "Voided urines of 53,000 white and 9,3000 black cigarette smokers and nonsmokers were studied. Proteinuria was found to be commoner in smokers of both races and sexes. Heavy smokers showed proteinuria more frequently than light smokers. Of eight possible explanatory variables, one, alcohol consumption history, showed some interrelationship in that the smoking status-proteinuria association disappeared among heavy drinkers. Stopping smoking was not associated with a relative decline in proteinuria prevalence. Proteinuria associated with smoking did not appear to be indicative of more serious renal disease. There was a smoker-nonsmoker difference in urine glucose response to oral glucose challenge, apparently explained by higher average 1-hour serum glucose values for smokers, of unknown mechanism but partially explained by differences in alcohol usage. Hematuria, bacteriuria, and high urine acidity tended to be more prevalent in smokers, though these relationships were not consistently significant.", "contents": "Cigarette smoking habits and urine characteristics: urinalysis abnormalities are more common is smokers, but the reasons are unclear. Voided urines of 53,000 white and 9,3000 black cigarette smokers and nonsmokers were studied. Proteinuria was found to be commoner in smokers of both races and sexes. Heavy smokers showed proteinuria more frequently than light smokers. Of eight possible explanatory variables, one, alcohol consumption history, showed some interrelationship in that the smoking status-proteinuria association disappeared among heavy drinkers. Stopping smoking was not associated with a relative decline in proteinuria prevalence. Proteinuria associated with smoking did not appear to be indicative of more serious renal disease. There was a smoker-nonsmoker difference in urine glucose response to oral glucose challenge, apparently explained by higher average 1-hour serum glucose values for smokers, of unknown mechanism but partially explained by differences in alcohol usage. Hematuria, bacteriuria, and high urine acidity tended to be more prevalent in smokers, though these relationships were not consistently significant.", "PMID": 628498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7439", "title": "Albumin excretion by the kidney: the effects of osmotic diuresis.", "content": "Urine albumin excretion rate in female Sprague-Dawley rats was measured duing a stable period of normal hydration and following mannitol-induced osmotic diuresis. Mannitol infusion resulted in a significant increase in urine volume and fractional excretion of sodium, but glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, and the sieving coefficient for albumin remained stable. The results suggest that under physiological conditions, changes in albumin excretion are dependent upon changes in glomerular filtration rather than urine flow.", "contents": "Albumin excretion by the kidney: the effects of osmotic diuresis. Urine albumin excretion rate in female Sprague-Dawley rats was measured duing a stable period of normal hydration and following mannitol-induced osmotic diuresis. Mannitol infusion resulted in a significant increase in urine volume and fractional excretion of sodium, but glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, and the sieving coefficient for albumin remained stable. The results suggest that under physiological conditions, changes in albumin excretion are dependent upon changes in glomerular filtration rather than urine flow.", "PMID": 628499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7440", "title": "[Critical evaluation of neurosurgical methods of treatment in so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus (author's transl)].", "content": "This retrospective investigation of 55 patients, who had been treated with shunts, on account of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an evaluation of the results in relation to the type of shunt and the complications developing from it. Sixty per cent of these patients showed an objective improvement after diversion of the CSF, 44 per cent had complications, which were fatal in 9 per cent. The patients who had a primary theco-perintoneal shunt showed a greater amount of improvement and fewer severe complications after the shunt. The successfully treated complications were not incompatible with a post-operative improvement.", "contents": "[Critical evaluation of neurosurgical methods of treatment in so-called normal pressure hydrocephalus (author's transl)]. This retrospective investigation of 55 patients, who had been treated with shunts, on account of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an evaluation of the results in relation to the type of shunt and the complications developing from it. Sixty per cent of these patients showed an objective improvement after diversion of the CSF, 44 per cent had complications, which were fatal in 9 per cent. The patients who had a primary theco-perintoneal shunt showed a greater amount of improvement and fewer severe complications after the shunt. The successfully treated complications were not incompatible with a post-operative improvement.", "PMID": 628500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7441", "title": "Hydrocephalus associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage.", "content": "That blood in the subarachnoid space could possibly produce hydrocephalus was first suggested by Bagley in 1928 (3, 4). His conclusions were based on both experimental and clinical studies even though he actually failed to demonstrate a communicating hydrocephalus. Subsequent workers have repeatedly demonstrated leptomeningeal thickening associated with blood in the subarachnoid space from a variety of causes (8, 9). Recently neurosurgeons have become more aware of this pathological and clinical entity and have reported excellent results in patients treated soon after its recognition (5,9,16). We report a single case of post-subarachnoid haemorrhage hydrocephalus which we feel serves to emphasize the dramatic improvement which can follow treatment of the hydrocephalus.", "contents": "Hydrocephalus associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage. That blood in the subarachnoid space could possibly produce hydrocephalus was first suggested by Bagley in 1928 (3, 4). His conclusions were based on both experimental and clinical studies even though he actually failed to demonstrate a communicating hydrocephalus. Subsequent workers have repeatedly demonstrated leptomeningeal thickening associated with blood in the subarachnoid space from a variety of causes (8, 9). Recently neurosurgeons have become more aware of this pathological and clinical entity and have reported excellent results in patients treated soon after its recognition (5,9,16). We report a single case of post-subarachnoid haemorrhage hydrocephalus which we feel serves to emphasize the dramatic improvement which can follow treatment of the hydrocephalus.", "PMID": 628501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7442", "title": "[Meningiomas in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of meningioma in an 11-year-old boy is described. Attention is called to the rarity of these tumours in childhood. The diagnostic and therapeutic methods are also discussed.", "contents": "[Meningiomas in childhood (author's transl)]. A case of meningioma in an 11-year-old boy is described. Attention is called to the rarity of these tumours in childhood. The diagnostic and therapeutic methods are also discussed.", "PMID": 628502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7443", "title": "Arnold-Chiari type II malformation. A clinicopathological study with special reference to its surgical treatment.", "content": "We report two cases of Arnold-Chiari type II malformation which died as a result of respiratory arrest due to malfunction of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. The autopsy findings are described with special reference to surgical treatment of the condition.", "contents": "Arnold-Chiari type II malformation. A clinicopathological study with special reference to its surgical treatment. We report two cases of Arnold-Chiari type II malformation which died as a result of respiratory arrest due to malfunction of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. The autopsy findings are described with special reference to surgical treatment of the condition.", "PMID": 628503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7444", "title": "[Closure of traumatic internal carotid-cavernous fistula with an improved type of captive embolus (author's transl)].", "content": "A 29-year-old male was treated for a traumatic internal carotid-cavernous fistula by embolization with an improved type of captive polyurethane foam embolus which was inserted through the common carotid artery. Neither the intracranial nor cervical carotid artery was ligated. The angiogram of right carotid taken one month after the surgery revealed satisfactory closure of the fistula and a perfect blood flow from the carotid artery involved. Soon after the operation, the chemosis, exophthalmos and disturbance of the right ocular movements began to diminish. The intracranial noise and bruit disappeared completely. There have been several opinions concerning the best kind of embolizing material and operative procedure. In our case, we devised an improved type of captive mooring embolus. A cylindrical piece of polyurethane foam was used because of its elasticity, plasticity and unabsorbability. To make our embolus we tied one end of a cylindrical embolus with a mooring suture of Nylon mono-filament so that its tip would be small enough to pass easily into the fistula, threaded discoid piece under the other end of the embolus for hook holding action, and fixed a silver clip marker at the tip of the embolus for locating with X-ray. We kept the mooring Nylon thread straignt without curling till operative use. The incised common carotid artery was closed by Iwabuchi's interlacing vascular suture method with excellent results.", "contents": "[Closure of traumatic internal carotid-cavernous fistula with an improved type of captive embolus (author's transl)]. A 29-year-old male was treated for a traumatic internal carotid-cavernous fistula by embolization with an improved type of captive polyurethane foam embolus which was inserted through the common carotid artery. Neither the intracranial nor cervical carotid artery was ligated. The angiogram of right carotid taken one month after the surgery revealed satisfactory closure of the fistula and a perfect blood flow from the carotid artery involved. Soon after the operation, the chemosis, exophthalmos and disturbance of the right ocular movements began to diminish. The intracranial noise and bruit disappeared completely. There have been several opinions concerning the best kind of embolizing material and operative procedure. In our case, we devised an improved type of captive mooring embolus. A cylindrical piece of polyurethane foam was used because of its elasticity, plasticity and unabsorbability. To make our embolus we tied one end of a cylindrical embolus with a mooring suture of Nylon mono-filament so that its tip would be small enough to pass easily into the fistula, threaded discoid piece under the other end of the embolus for hook holding action, and fixed a silver clip marker at the tip of the embolus for locating with X-ray. We kept the mooring Nylon thread straignt without curling till operative use. The incised common carotid artery was closed by Iwabuchi's interlacing vascular suture method with excellent results.", "PMID": 628507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7445", "title": "[Postoperative systemic candidiasis in neurosurgical patients (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of postoperative systemic candidiasis in neurosurgical practice are reported. Postoperatively these patients showed signs and symptoms of systemic infection and unfortunately died in spite of intensive chemotherapy. In both cases systemic candidiasis became evident by histological examinations at autopsy. Long use of antibiotics and aggressive nosocomy were supposed to be the cause of the systemic candidiasis. The authors emphasized a high possibility of opportunistic fungal infection in neurosurgical practice. The symptomatology, treatment and prevention of this disease are also discussed.", "contents": "[Postoperative systemic candidiasis in neurosurgical patients (author's transl)]. Two cases of postoperative systemic candidiasis in neurosurgical practice are reported. Postoperatively these patients showed signs and symptoms of systemic infection and unfortunately died in spite of intensive chemotherapy. In both cases systemic candidiasis became evident by histological examinations at autopsy. Long use of antibiotics and aggressive nosocomy were supposed to be the cause of the systemic candidiasis. The authors emphasized a high possibility of opportunistic fungal infection in neurosurgical practice. The symptomatology, treatment and prevention of this disease are also discussed.", "PMID": 628510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7446", "title": "[Spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii--report of a case (author's transl)].", "content": "Spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii has not been reported in the literatures. The aurthors presented a very rare case of sinus pericranii, which was diagnosed as early as nine days after birth and completely disappeared in seven years. The patient was a nine-day-old boy from normal delivery in full term, who had a soft tumor simulating cephalhematoma in the right parietal region. The overlying scalp looked like a hemangioma bitemporally connecting with strikingly dilated scalp veins. Soft X-ray examination of the skull revealed a homogenous mass and a small bone defect beneath the mass. Venous blood was punctured from the tumor. By means of direct injection of contrast media into the tumor, the superior sagittal sinus as well as many extracranial varicositous veins were shown. No intracranial vascular anomaly. In a year the tumor spontaneously declined and in the following seven years it disappeared completely. Pathogenesis of this lesion was discussed with special reference to cephalhematoma and a possibility of spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii was stressed.", "contents": "[Spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii--report of a case (author's transl)]. Spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii has not been reported in the literatures. The aurthors presented a very rare case of sinus pericranii, which was diagnosed as early as nine days after birth and completely disappeared in seven years. The patient was a nine-day-old boy from normal delivery in full term, who had a soft tumor simulating cephalhematoma in the right parietal region. The overlying scalp looked like a hemangioma bitemporally connecting with strikingly dilated scalp veins. Soft X-ray examination of the skull revealed a homogenous mass and a small bone defect beneath the mass. Venous blood was punctured from the tumor. By means of direct injection of contrast media into the tumor, the superior sagittal sinus as well as many extracranial varicositous veins were shown. No intracranial vascular anomaly. In a year the tumor spontaneously declined and in the following seven years it disappeared completely. Pathogenesis of this lesion was discussed with special reference to cephalhematoma and a possibility of spontaneous regression of sinus pericranii was stressed.", "PMID": 628511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7447", "title": "[Pisani's pressopodostatiradiography: an x-ray method of study of the weight-bearing foot].", "content": "Further reference is made to Pisani's pressopodostatiRXgraphy as a means of obtaining X-ray evidence of the plantar support surface, its skeletal segments, and load distribution. Data collected have been employed in the elaboration of isobaric charts as an indispensable aid in the diagnosis of functional pathology and disorders due to altered load.", "contents": "[Pisani's pressopodostatiradiography: an x-ray method of study of the weight-bearing foot]. Further reference is made to Pisani's pressopodostatiRXgraphy as a means of obtaining X-ray evidence of the plantar support surface, its skeletal segments, and load distribution. Data collected have been employed in the elaboration of isobaric charts as an indispensable aid in the diagnosis of functional pathology and disorders due to altered load.", "PMID": 628515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7448", "title": "[Evaluation of the flow/volume curve in normal subjects. Study of the flow fall index].", "content": "Variations in the flow/volume curve have been examined in normal subjects in relation to age. It was noted that although flow varies in absolute terms, its fall is constant in both men and women, at equal age. On the other hand, a flow reduction first of 25% and then 50% of CVF was noted in relation to age.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the flow/volume curve in normal subjects. Study of the flow fall index]. Variations in the flow/volume curve have been examined in normal subjects in relation to age. It was noted that although flow varies in absolute terms, its fall is constant in both men and women, at equal age. On the other hand, a flow reduction first of 25% and then 50% of CVF was noted in relation to age.", "PMID": 628520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7449", "title": "[Pulmonary oncoscintigraphy using 67 Ga].", "content": "Following a survey of the literature on oncoscintigraphy, investigation with radiogallium is examined. If carried out following careful patient selection, it has been found personally that use of this element is highly advantageous in oncological diagnosis in the pulmonary field. Results (no false negative and only one false positive) confirm this.", "contents": "[Pulmonary oncoscintigraphy using 67 Ga]. Following a survey of the literature on oncoscintigraphy, investigation with radiogallium is examined. If carried out following careful patient selection, it has been found personally that use of this element is highly advantageous in oncological diagnosis in the pulmonary field. Results (no false negative and only one false positive) confirm this.", "PMID": 628521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7450", "title": "[Contribution of radiological and radioisotope technics to the study of lung physiopathology].", "content": "Reference is made to the problems posed by the physiopathology of the senile lung and the manifold effects of structural deformities. A comparison is made between the possibilities offered by radiological techniques and the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of scintiscans obtained after the perfusion of 131I MAA. Examination of the data from healthy subjects of various ages and those from patients with obstructive bronchopathy and emphysema showed that uniform distribution of the isotope can generally be expected in 2/3 of subjects with \"senile lung\". Uneven borders and occasionally irregular distribution of radioactivity were noted in the remainder.", "contents": "[Contribution of radiological and radioisotope technics to the study of lung physiopathology]. Reference is made to the problems posed by the physiopathology of the senile lung and the manifold effects of structural deformities. A comparison is made between the possibilities offered by radiological techniques and the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of scintiscans obtained after the perfusion of 131I MAA. Examination of the data from healthy subjects of various ages and those from patients with obstructive bronchopathy and emphysema showed that uniform distribution of the isotope can generally be expected in 2/3 of subjects with \"senile lung\". Uneven borders and occasionally irregular distribution of radioactivity were noted in the remainder.", "PMID": 628522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7451", "title": "[Effects of isoprenaline bronchodilation on the partial pressure of oxygen in various clinical forms of bronchial asthma].", "content": "Blood gas disturbances noted in recent asthma were fully corrected with 1% isoprenalin aerosol, though changes in PaO2 were usually unobtainable in patients with chronic bronchopneumopathic obstruction. Simultaneous administration of 70% hyperoxygenated air via an intermittent positive pressure respirator led to a significant increase in this parameter, but was rarely followed by normalisation of the blood gas picture. It is considered that this finding is attributable to increased anatomical shunt at the alveolocapillary level.", "contents": "[Effects of isoprenaline bronchodilation on the partial pressure of oxygen in various clinical forms of bronchial asthma]. Blood gas disturbances noted in recent asthma were fully corrected with 1% isoprenalin aerosol, though changes in PaO2 were usually unobtainable in patients with chronic bronchopneumopathic obstruction. Simultaneous administration of 70% hyperoxygenated air via an intermittent positive pressure respirator led to a significant increase in this parameter, but was rarely followed by normalisation of the blood gas picture. It is considered that this finding is attributable to increased anatomical shunt at the alveolocapillary level.", "PMID": 628523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7452", "title": "[Frequency distribution of excess weight and comparative results of somatotype aspects over a period of 8 years. Studies made in young Sicilian subjects].", "content": "Weight excess frequency distribution with respect to ideal weight was studied in a sample of 2000 men and 2000 women from Sicily aged between 19 and 24. The following findings were made: greater representation of subjects with excess weight in the female sample (18.75%) than in the males (11.80%); about twice the percentage of females in classes with greater overweight incidence (+20 +29%; +30% and over); a slight distributional discrepancy of weight excess in relation to province of origin of the subjects under examination. The standards of thirteen somatic measurements obtained in the samples were compared with those obtained personally in 1967 in a sample of Sicilian men and women with similar characteristics, for the purpose of assessing any modifications in somatotype aspects between 1967 and 1975. No statural growth was found in either men or women while both showed fair weight decrease (about 3 kg) together with a reduction in almost all trunk diameters and extremity perimeters. Thus the somatic aspect of the 1975 sample compared with the 1967 sample would seem to be slimmer and more agile.", "contents": "[Frequency distribution of excess weight and comparative results of somatotype aspects over a period of 8 years. Studies made in young Sicilian subjects]. Weight excess frequency distribution with respect to ideal weight was studied in a sample of 2000 men and 2000 women from Sicily aged between 19 and 24. The following findings were made: greater representation of subjects with excess weight in the female sample (18.75%) than in the males (11.80%); about twice the percentage of females in classes with greater overweight incidence (+20 +29%; +30% and over); a slight distributional discrepancy of weight excess in relation to province of origin of the subjects under examination. The standards of thirteen somatic measurements obtained in the samples were compared with those obtained personally in 1967 in a sample of Sicilian men and women with similar characteristics, for the purpose of assessing any modifications in somatotype aspects between 1967 and 1975. No statural growth was found in either men or women while both showed fair weight decrease (about 3 kg) together with a reduction in almost all trunk diameters and extremity perimeters. Thus the somatic aspect of the 1975 sample compared with the 1967 sample would seem to be slimmer and more agile.", "PMID": 628524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7453", "title": "The normal menstrual cycle. Chronology and mechanism of endometrial desquamation.", "content": "Morphologic studies were performed on 25 uteri obtained at different times during the menstrual cycle, ranging from 2 to 140 hours following the onset of menstruation. The amount of endometrium desquamated varied; usually only the more superficial parts--the compacta layer and small areas of the spongiosa--were shed, but in some instances desquamation extended almost to the muscularis. The remaining spongiosa, depleted and shrunken, is misleading in its appearance, resembling a basalis layer. Actually, such a layer appears morphologically distinct only during the initial parts of the cycle and undergoes secretory changes at the same rate as the rest of the endometrium. Desquamation and regeneration coexist, desquamation appearing almost complete by 60 hours, whereas regenerating epithelium is seen as early as 36 hours. Complete regeneration takes place by 140 hours after the initiation of menstruation.", "contents": "The normal menstrual cycle. Chronology and mechanism of endometrial desquamation. Morphologic studies were performed on 25 uteri obtained at different times during the menstrual cycle, ranging from 2 to 140 hours following the onset of menstruation. The amount of endometrium desquamated varied; usually only the more superficial parts--the compacta layer and small areas of the spongiosa--were shed, but in some instances desquamation extended almost to the muscularis. The remaining spongiosa, depleted and shrunken, is misleading in its appearance, resembling a basalis layer. Actually, such a layer appears morphologically distinct only during the initial parts of the cycle and undergoes secretory changes at the same rate as the rest of the endometrium. Desquamation and regeneration coexist, desquamation appearing almost complete by 60 hours, whereas regenerating epithelium is seen as early as 36 hours. Complete regeneration takes place by 140 hours after the initiation of menstruation.", "PMID": 628526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7454", "title": "Ovulation and pregnancy rates with clomiphene citrate.", "content": "A review of recent experience with clomiphene citrate at the Yale-New Haven Medical Center yields the following conclusions: 1) Clomiphene citrate administered at high doses (150 mg and 200 mg) is effective in inducing ovulation in women who would otherwise have failed to conceive if treatment were restricted to only lower dosage regimens. 2) Therapy with clomiphene citrate should be initiated with the 50-mg dose. The 100-mg dose should be reserved for those who fail with the lower dose. 3) Children resulting from clomiphene-induced ovulations appear to be developing normally both mentally and physically. Congenital malformations found in children from clomiphene-induced pregnancies are those seen commonly in general obstetric practice resulting in no significant problems for the children. 4) After 3 ovulations with clomiphene citrate approximately 50% of the patients can be expected to conceive. A 50% conception rate after 3 ovulations with clomiphene citrate does not represent a discrepancy between ovulation rates and pregnancy results, for it agrees statistically with the results obtained for the general population.", "contents": "Ovulation and pregnancy rates with clomiphene citrate. A review of recent experience with clomiphene citrate at the Yale-New Haven Medical Center yields the following conclusions: 1) Clomiphene citrate administered at high doses (150 mg and 200 mg) is effective in inducing ovulation in women who would otherwise have failed to conceive if treatment were restricted to only lower dosage regimens. 2) Therapy with clomiphene citrate should be initiated with the 50-mg dose. The 100-mg dose should be reserved for those who fail with the lower dose. 3) Children resulting from clomiphene-induced ovulations appear to be developing normally both mentally and physically. Congenital malformations found in children from clomiphene-induced pregnancies are those seen commonly in general obstetric practice resulting in no significant problems for the children. 4) After 3 ovulations with clomiphene citrate approximately 50% of the patients can be expected to conceive. A 50% conception rate after 3 ovulations with clomiphene citrate does not represent a discrepancy between ovulation rates and pregnancy results, for it agrees statistically with the results obtained for the general population.", "PMID": 628527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7455", "title": "Stimulation of follicular growth with \"pure\" FSH in patients with anovulation and elevated LH levels.", "content": "Ovarian follicular growth was stimulated in 4 patients with clomiphene resistant polycystic ovary (PCO)-like disease, with \"pure\" human pituitary FSH during 10 cycles. In 8 cycles additional hCG was given to induce ovulation. Serum LH and FSH and plasma estradiol and progesterone were determined daily. From the response patterns of steroidogenesis, four functional stages of follicular development can be distinguished, each subsequent stage being characterized by an increasing spontaneous estradiol production and a decreasing capacity to produce extra estradiol in response to stimulation with additional hCG. It is concluded that the unpredictable response to gonadotropin stimulation of patients with PCO-like disease is due to the varying state of development of the follicles at the start of the stimulation. The suggestion is made, based on the different responses in 3 cycles of the same patient (EW), that the lack of positive estrogen feedback in patients with PCO-like disease may be a hyposensitivity to estrogens rather than an absolute insensitivity.", "contents": "Stimulation of follicular growth with \"pure\" FSH in patients with anovulation and elevated LH levels. Ovarian follicular growth was stimulated in 4 patients with clomiphene resistant polycystic ovary (PCO)-like disease, with \"pure\" human pituitary FSH during 10 cycles. In 8 cycles additional hCG was given to induce ovulation. Serum LH and FSH and plasma estradiol and progesterone were determined daily. From the response patterns of steroidogenesis, four functional stages of follicular development can be distinguished, each subsequent stage being characterized by an increasing spontaneous estradiol production and a decreasing capacity to produce extra estradiol in response to stimulation with additional hCG. It is concluded that the unpredictable response to gonadotropin stimulation of patients with PCO-like disease is due to the varying state of development of the follicles at the start of the stimulation. The suggestion is made, based on the different responses in 3 cycles of the same patient (EW), that the lack of positive estrogen feedback in patients with PCO-like disease may be a hyposensitivity to estrogens rather than an absolute insensitivity.", "PMID": 628528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7456", "title": "Fetal well-being in gravidas with diminished fetal activity at term.", "content": "Twenty-five patients reporting a marked diminution in fetal activity at term in otherwise normal pregnancies were compared with 25 controls, matched for age, parity, and other factors, in whom movements were reported to be vigorous. Fetal well-being was assessed by maternal serum human placental lactogen concentration, maternal urinary estriol excretion, and fetal scalp blood acid-base values and hemoglobin concentration. Fetal biologic maturity was assessed by liquor creatinine concentration, percentage of orange cells on Nile blue staining, and \"shake\" testing. The 2 groups of patients showed no difference in fetoplacental well-being or degree of fetal biologic maturity.", "contents": "Fetal well-being in gravidas with diminished fetal activity at term. Twenty-five patients reporting a marked diminution in fetal activity at term in otherwise normal pregnancies were compared with 25 controls, matched for age, parity, and other factors, in whom movements were reported to be vigorous. Fetal well-being was assessed by maternal serum human placental lactogen concentration, maternal urinary estriol excretion, and fetal scalp blood acid-base values and hemoglobin concentration. Fetal biologic maturity was assessed by liquor creatinine concentration, percentage of orange cells on Nile blue staining, and \"shake\" testing. The 2 groups of patients showed no difference in fetoplacental well-being or degree of fetal biologic maturity.", "PMID": 628529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7457", "title": "Real-time sonography in obstetrics.", "content": "Three hundred fifty real-time scans were performed on pregnant women for various indications. Placental localization was satisfactorily obtained in 173 of 174 studies. Estimates of fetal gestation from directly measured biparietal diameter were +/-2 weeks of actual gestation in 153 of 172 (88.9%) measurements. The presence or absence of fetal motion and cardiac activity established a diagnosis of fetal viability or fetal death in 32 patients after the first trimester. Accurate diagnosis was made in 52 of 57 patients with threatened abortions, and two of these errors occurred in scans performed before completion of the eighth postmenstrual week. Because of the ability to demonstrate fetal motion, real-time sonography should have many applications in obstetrics.", "contents": "Real-time sonography in obstetrics. Three hundred fifty real-time scans were performed on pregnant women for various indications. Placental localization was satisfactorily obtained in 173 of 174 studies. Estimates of fetal gestation from directly measured biparietal diameter were +/-2 weeks of actual gestation in 153 of 172 (88.9%) measurements. The presence or absence of fetal motion and cardiac activity established a diagnosis of fetal viability or fetal death in 32 patients after the first trimester. Accurate diagnosis was made in 52 of 57 patients with threatened abortions, and two of these errors occurred in scans performed before completion of the eighth postmenstrual week. Because of the ability to demonstrate fetal motion, real-time sonography should have many applications in obstetrics.", "PMID": 628530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7458", "title": "The value of amniocentesis in prolonged pregnancy.", "content": "A total of 2702 transabdominal amniocenteses performed at the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center were reviewed, with particular emphasis on 392 samples performed beyong 41 weeks' gestation. A significant rise in the percent of amniocenteses with meconium staining was found to occur at an beyond 39 weeks. Meconium-stained fluid at amniocentesis was found to be associated with an increased incidence of babies weighing greater than 4000 g, maternal diabetes mellitus, and cesarean deliveries, in comparison to samples with clear amniotic fluid. Infants with meconium-stained fluid had an increased incidence of low 1-minute Apgar scores, but all 5-minute Apgar scores were 7 or greater. Ten perinatal deaths occurred after an amniocentesis with clear fluid in prolonged pregnancy, with four of these occurring within 7 days of amniocentesis. Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios less than 2.0 were found in 6% of amniocenteses performed beyond 41 weeks. However, none of the newborns with low L/S ratios develop subsequent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Amniotic fluid creatine values or blood-contaminated fluid were not found to be correlated with fetal outcome. No fetal mortality was attributable to amniocentesis. In view of the significant amount of false-positive and false-negative results, and the rare inherent danger associated with amniocentesis, its use solely to demonstrate the presence or absence of meconium staining appears to be of questionable value in the management of prolonged pregnancy.", "contents": "The value of amniocentesis in prolonged pregnancy. A total of 2702 transabdominal amniocenteses performed at the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center were reviewed, with particular emphasis on 392 samples performed beyong 41 weeks' gestation. A significant rise in the percent of amniocenteses with meconium staining was found to occur at an beyond 39 weeks. Meconium-stained fluid at amniocentesis was found to be associated with an increased incidence of babies weighing greater than 4000 g, maternal diabetes mellitus, and cesarean deliveries, in comparison to samples with clear amniotic fluid. Infants with meconium-stained fluid had an increased incidence of low 1-minute Apgar scores, but all 5-minute Apgar scores were 7 or greater. Ten perinatal deaths occurred after an amniocentesis with clear fluid in prolonged pregnancy, with four of these occurring within 7 days of amniocentesis. Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios less than 2.0 were found in 6% of amniocenteses performed beyond 41 weeks. However, none of the newborns with low L/S ratios develop subsequent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Amniotic fluid creatine values or blood-contaminated fluid were not found to be correlated with fetal outcome. No fetal mortality was attributable to amniocentesis. In view of the significant amount of false-positive and false-negative results, and the rare inherent danger associated with amniocentesis, its use solely to demonstrate the presence or absence of meconium staining appears to be of questionable value in the management of prolonged pregnancy.", "PMID": 628531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7459", "title": "Insulin therapy for gestational diabetes.", "content": "Seventy-two patient with gestational diabetes were randomly treated with insulin (20 units NPH and 10 units regular) and diabetic diet, diet alone, or neither. Of the 27 patients treated with insulin and diet, 2 (7%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. Of the 11 patients treated with diet alone, 4 (36.4%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. Of the 34 patients treated with neither diet nor insulin, 17 (50%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. These data support the hypothesis that treatment of the gestational diabetic with insulin will reduce the incidence of fetal macrosomia.", "contents": "Insulin therapy for gestational diabetes. Seventy-two patient with gestational diabetes were randomly treated with insulin (20 units NPH and 10 units regular) and diabetic diet, diet alone, or neither. Of the 27 patients treated with insulin and diet, 2 (7%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. Of the 11 patients treated with diet alone, 4 (36.4%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. Of the 34 patients treated with neither diet nor insulin, 17 (50%) had babies weighing more than 8 1/2 pounds. These data support the hypothesis that treatment of the gestational diabetic with insulin will reduce the incidence of fetal macrosomia.", "PMID": 628532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7460", "title": "Prostaglandin F2alpha human blood during labor.", "content": "Plasma prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in serial samples during labor and the early postpartum period. PGF2alpha was also measured during and between contractions every 20 to 30 seconds. The highest levels of PGF2alpha were found during expulsion of the fetus and placenta with an additional rise half an hour after delivery and a decrease 2 hours after delivery to the levels of first stage of labor. PGF2alpha values from cord blood were higher than in maternal peripheral blood in labor. The maximum PGF2alpha concentration occurred between 100 to 120 seconds after the peak uterine contraction and between 40 and 60 seconds prior to peak of the next contraction. The possible explanation is that PGF2alpha initiates uterine contractions and plays a role in the maintenance of labor, in the expulsion of the fetus and the placenta, and in the involution after delivery.", "contents": "Prostaglandin F2alpha human blood during labor. Plasma prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in serial samples during labor and the early postpartum period. PGF2alpha was also measured during and between contractions every 20 to 30 seconds. The highest levels of PGF2alpha were found during expulsion of the fetus and placenta with an additional rise half an hour after delivery and a decrease 2 hours after delivery to the levels of first stage of labor. PGF2alpha values from cord blood were higher than in maternal peripheral blood in labor. The maximum PGF2alpha concentration occurred between 100 to 120 seconds after the peak uterine contraction and between 40 and 60 seconds prior to peak of the next contraction. The possible explanation is that PGF2alpha initiates uterine contractions and plays a role in the maintenance of labor, in the expulsion of the fetus and the placenta, and in the involution after delivery.", "PMID": 628533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7461", "title": "Comparative risk of death from legally induced abortion in hospitals and nonhospital facilities.", "content": "The rapid emergence of nonhospital abortion facilities as alternatives to traditional hospital-based surgical care has raised important questions concerning their safety. Using 1974--1975 data from the Center for Disease Control's nationwide surveillance of abortion mortality and the Alan Guttmacher Institute's nationwide surveys of abortion providers, we have calculated the risk of death from legally induced abortion in the United States at less than or equal to 12 menstrual weeks' gestation in hospitals and nonhospital facilities (clinics and physicians' ofices). The adjusted death-to-case rate for hospitals was 1.1 deaths/100,000 abortions, compared with a crude rate of 1.0 for nonhospital facilities. The risk of death from legal abortion in nonhospital facilities is apparently similar to the risk in hospitals.", "contents": "Comparative risk of death from legally induced abortion in hospitals and nonhospital facilities. The rapid emergence of nonhospital abortion facilities as alternatives to traditional hospital-based surgical care has raised important questions concerning their safety. Using 1974--1975 data from the Center for Disease Control's nationwide surveillance of abortion mortality and the Alan Guttmacher Institute's nationwide surveys of abortion providers, we have calculated the risk of death from legally induced abortion in the United States at less than or equal to 12 menstrual weeks' gestation in hospitals and nonhospital facilities (clinics and physicians' ofices). The adjusted death-to-case rate for hospitals was 1.1 deaths/100,000 abortions, compared with a crude rate of 1.0 for nonhospital facilities. The risk of death from legal abortion in nonhospital facilities is apparently similar to the risk in hospitals.", "PMID": 628534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7462", "title": "A randomized comparison of the Ypsilon-Y and Lippes loop D intrauterine devices in parous women.", "content": "A randomized single-blind clinical study was performed to determine whether there was any difference in the termination event rates between parous women using the Ypsilon-Y intrauterine device (IUD) and those using the Lippes loop D. A total of 174 women received the Ypsilon-Y IUD and 173 women received the loop D. A significant higher incidence of expulsion occurred with use of the Ypsilon-Y IUD.", "contents": "A randomized comparison of the Ypsilon-Y and Lippes loop D intrauterine devices in parous women. A randomized single-blind clinical study was performed to determine whether there was any difference in the termination event rates between parous women using the Ypsilon-Y intrauterine device (IUD) and those using the Lippes loop D. A total of 174 women received the Ypsilon-Y IUD and 173 women received the loop D. A significant higher incidence of expulsion occurred with use of the Ypsilon-Y IUD.", "PMID": 628535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7463", "title": "Ultrasonic localization of missing intrauterine contraceptive devices.", "content": "Ultrasonic localization of missing IUDs was performed on 51 patients with a high degree of accuracy. This method also demonstrated pregnancy where present and other pathologic conditions including fibroids and ovarian cysts. Other methods recommended for localization of missing IUDs are discussed with particular reference to their adverse effects. A protocol for localizing missing IUDs using ultrasound is recommended.", "contents": "Ultrasonic localization of missing intrauterine contraceptive devices. Ultrasonic localization of missing IUDs was performed on 51 patients with a high degree of accuracy. This method also demonstrated pregnancy where present and other pathologic conditions including fibroids and ovarian cysts. Other methods recommended for localization of missing IUDs are discussed with particular reference to their adverse effects. A protocol for localizing missing IUDs using ultrasound is recommended.", "PMID": 628536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7464", "title": "Postoperative electroanalgesia.", "content": "Fifty-six patients who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy and 10 patients who had undergone cesarean section had fine steel wires placed subdermally in order to provide continuous electrostimulation for pain relief during a 5-day postoperative period. Compared to the same number of patients with identical surgical procedures and postoperative medication orders, but no electrostimulation, they required considerably less analgesic medication. A smaller group of 20 patients who had had abdominal hysterectomy and received mock electrostimulation required approximately the same average amount of medication for pain relief as the group without electrostimulation. Other beneficial effects noted in the patients with electroanalgesia included marked stimulation of the bowel and contraction of the postpartum uterus.", "contents": "Postoperative electroanalgesia. Fifty-six patients who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy and 10 patients who had undergone cesarean section had fine steel wires placed subdermally in order to provide continuous electrostimulation for pain relief during a 5-day postoperative period. Compared to the same number of patients with identical surgical procedures and postoperative medication orders, but no electrostimulation, they required considerably less analgesic medication. A smaller group of 20 patients who had had abdominal hysterectomy and received mock electrostimulation required approximately the same average amount of medication for pain relief as the group without electrostimulation. Other beneficial effects noted in the patients with electroanalgesia included marked stimulation of the bowel and contraction of the postpartum uterus.", "PMID": 628537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7465", "title": "Aspiration curettage for asymptomatic patients receiving estrogen.", "content": "Recent epidemiologic data suggest that patients treated with exogenous estrogens have an increased risk of developing endometrial carcinoma and support the concept that patients taking estrogens must be monitored with special vigor. The hypothesis that endometrial aspiration curettage might be an appropriate modality to accomplish adequate surveillance was tested from January 1, 1976, to January 1, 1977, on a group of 208 consecutive patients undergoing hormonal replacement therapy. Although no patient in the test group experienced abnormal or unusual bleeding, focal adenomatous hyperplasia or a more severe lesion was found in 16.0% of the specimens. Among these were 4 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma and 2 of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia. This study demonstrated that routine endometrial aspiration curettage of patients receiving exogenous hormone replacement therapy can not only help diagnose very early lesions which are amenable to definitive and completely corrective treatment, but also can uncover significant endometrial pathology before it becomes symptomatic. It further suggests the possibility that the incidence of such pathology among this category of patients might be higher than previously suspected.", "contents": "Aspiration curettage for asymptomatic patients receiving estrogen. Recent epidemiologic data suggest that patients treated with exogenous estrogens have an increased risk of developing endometrial carcinoma and support the concept that patients taking estrogens must be monitored with special vigor. The hypothesis that endometrial aspiration curettage might be an appropriate modality to accomplish adequate surveillance was tested from January 1, 1976, to January 1, 1977, on a group of 208 consecutive patients undergoing hormonal replacement therapy. Although no patient in the test group experienced abnormal or unusual bleeding, focal adenomatous hyperplasia or a more severe lesion was found in 16.0% of the specimens. Among these were 4 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma and 2 of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia. This study demonstrated that routine endometrial aspiration curettage of patients receiving exogenous hormone replacement therapy can not only help diagnose very early lesions which are amenable to definitive and completely corrective treatment, but also can uncover significant endometrial pathology before it becomes symptomatic. It further suggests the possibility that the incidence of such pathology among this category of patients might be higher than previously suspected.", "PMID": 628538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7466", "title": "Cervical cytologic screening among females with nongynecologic hospital admissions.", "content": "Routine vaginal cytologic screening in nongynecologic admissions to Tygerberg Hospital revealed a detection rate for pelvic neoplasia of 9.3/1000 patients. Of these, 22 (16%) did not derive any benefit from this program because of the severity of the primary extrapelvic disease. However, 57% of those detected were still in the in situ stage and should have a 100% 5-year survival. The treatment was considered to be complete in 54.4% of the cases. As this service is performed by nursing personnel as part of their daily duty, this program seems to be a sound economic proposition.", "contents": "Cervical cytologic screening among females with nongynecologic hospital admissions. Routine vaginal cytologic screening in nongynecologic admissions to Tygerberg Hospital revealed a detection rate for pelvic neoplasia of 9.3/1000 patients. Of these, 22 (16%) did not derive any benefit from this program because of the severity of the primary extrapelvic disease. However, 57% of those detected were still in the in situ stage and should have a 100% 5-year survival. The treatment was considered to be complete in 54.4% of the cases. As this service is performed by nursing personnel as part of their daily duty, this program seems to be a sound economic proposition.", "PMID": 628539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7467", "title": "Urogenital sinus origin of mucinous and ciliated cysts of the vulva.", "content": "The origin of mucinous and ciliated cells in the vulva and the pathogenesis of cysts lined by these epithelia were investigated. Small mucinous glands numbering from one to more than a hundred were encountered in 9 of 19 vulvas (53%) that were consecutively examined at autopsy. Eleven other cysts were encountered clinically. Six were lined by mucinous epithelium, three by pseudostratified cells with cilia plus small foci of mucinous epithelium, and two by ciliated epithelium only. Four of the cysts with ciliated epithelium were otherwise typical Bartholin's gland cysts. It is concluded that glands lined by either mucinous or ciliated epithelia are normal constituents of the vulvar vestibule, are derived from urogenital sinus, and develop into cysts when the neck leading to the vulvar surface becomes inflamed and obstructed.", "contents": "Urogenital sinus origin of mucinous and ciliated cysts of the vulva. The origin of mucinous and ciliated cells in the vulva and the pathogenesis of cysts lined by these epithelia were investigated. Small mucinous glands numbering from one to more than a hundred were encountered in 9 of 19 vulvas (53%) that were consecutively examined at autopsy. Eleven other cysts were encountered clinically. Six were lined by mucinous epithelium, three by pseudostratified cells with cilia plus small foci of mucinous epithelium, and two by ciliated epithelium only. Four of the cysts with ciliated epithelium were otherwise typical Bartholin's gland cysts. It is concluded that glands lined by either mucinous or ciliated epithelia are normal constituents of the vulvar vestibule, are derived from urogenital sinus, and develop into cysts when the neck leading to the vulvar surface becomes inflamed and obstructed.", "PMID": 628540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7468", "title": "Melphalan chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma.", "content": "One hundred and eleven consecutive women with FIGO Stages III and IV ovarian adenocarcinoma were treated with melphalan as their initial chemotherapy. The response rate was 19.8% with 10.8% having a complete response. There was a statistically significant improvement in response in those women with no prior radiation therapy. Moreover, there was a statistically significant improvement in median survival in those patients achieving a complete response to melphalan as compared to those with a partial response, with no change or progression of their malignancy. A review of the results of maximal surgery and combination chemotherapy is presented as a plan of therapy to improve upon the results of melphalan chemotherapy in women with advanced ovarian carcinoma.", "contents": "Melphalan chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma. One hundred and eleven consecutive women with FIGO Stages III and IV ovarian adenocarcinoma were treated with melphalan as their initial chemotherapy. The response rate was 19.8% with 10.8% having a complete response. There was a statistically significant improvement in response in those women with no prior radiation therapy. Moreover, there was a statistically significant improvement in median survival in those patients achieving a complete response to melphalan as compared to those with a partial response, with no change or progression of their malignancy. A review of the results of maximal surgery and combination chemotherapy is presented as a plan of therapy to improve upon the results of melphalan chemotherapy in women with advanced ovarian carcinoma.", "PMID": 628541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7469", "title": "Surgery for congenital absence of the vagina.", "content": "The Counsellor modification of McIndoe's procedure was used to create a vagina in 12 of 15 patients who presented with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. Eighty percent of these patients, followed postoperatively from 4 months to 8 years, report satisfactory coital function. Our experience suggests that a malleable stent fashioned to conform to the surgically created neovagina is superior to a preformed, nonmoldable stent to which the endopelvic fascial dissection must conform.", "contents": "Surgery for congenital absence of the vagina. The Counsellor modification of McIndoe's procedure was used to create a vagina in 12 of 15 patients who presented with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. Eighty percent of these patients, followed postoperatively from 4 months to 8 years, report satisfactory coital function. Our experience suggests that a malleable stent fashioned to conform to the surgically created neovagina is superior to a preformed, nonmoldable stent to which the endopelvic fascial dissection must conform.", "PMID": 628543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7470", "title": "Microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva.", "content": "A case is presented of a patient with microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva which was treated by conservative surgery. Six years later, the patient developed inguinal and pelvic lymph node recurrence of carcinoma. A review of the literature on similar cases is also presented.", "contents": "Microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva. A case is presented of a patient with microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva which was treated by conservative surgery. Six years later, the patient developed inguinal and pelvic lymph node recurrence of carcinoma. A review of the literature on similar cases is also presented.", "PMID": 628545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7471", "title": "An alternative birth center in a community teaching hospital.", "content": "The hospital-based alternative birth center answers the needs of many low-risk patients. At the same time, it provides safety factors that cannot be approached by home delivery. A home-like environment facilitates labor, simplifies delivery, and strengthens the family unit.", "contents": "An alternative birth center in a community teaching hospital. The hospital-based alternative birth center answers the needs of many low-risk patients. At the same time, it provides safety factors that cannot be approached by home delivery. A home-like environment facilitates labor, simplifies delivery, and strengthens the family unit.", "PMID": 628546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7472", "title": "Hyperstimulation of the uterus during the oxytocin stress test.", "content": "Two thousand seven hundred ninety two contraction stress tests (CST) were analysed. Oxytocin was administered in 1730 of these to stimulate uterine contractions and the hyperstimulation which occurred in 48 tests (2.8%) was studied extensively. Seven patients went into labor within 24 hours of the hyperstimulation. Two infants weighed less than 2500 g. One was mature but small-for-dates and the other (who died neonatally) had a trisomy-18 syndrome with severe congenital abnormalities. There were no other intrapartum or neonatal complications. Ten CSTs demonstrated hypertonicity without any preceding oxytocin administration. No harmful effects from the hyperstimulation could be found.", "contents": "Hyperstimulation of the uterus during the oxytocin stress test. Two thousand seven hundred ninety two contraction stress tests (CST) were analysed. Oxytocin was administered in 1730 of these to stimulate uterine contractions and the hyperstimulation which occurred in 48 tests (2.8%) was studied extensively. Seven patients went into labor within 24 hours of the hyperstimulation. Two infants weighed less than 2500 g. One was mature but small-for-dates and the other (who died neonatally) had a trisomy-18 syndrome with severe congenital abnormalities. There were no other intrapartum or neonatal complications. Ten CSTs demonstrated hypertonicity without any preceding oxytocin administration. No harmful effects from the hyperstimulation could be found.", "PMID": 628547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7473", "title": "Growth adjusted sonographic age. A simplified method.", "content": "It recently has been shown that the sonar predictive accuracy of gestational age can be markedly enhanced by separating fetuses into one of three cephalic growth patterns, namely, large, average, and small. In this way it becomes possible to adjust fetal age in relation to biparietal diameter (BPD) growth. In this report we are defining the application of a growth adjusted sonographic age (GASA). Additionally, we are introducing a table which simplifies the assignment of GASA on a routine basis.", "contents": "Growth adjusted sonographic age. A simplified method. It recently has been shown that the sonar predictive accuracy of gestational age can be markedly enhanced by separating fetuses into one of three cephalic growth patterns, namely, large, average, and small. In this way it becomes possible to adjust fetal age in relation to biparietal diameter (BPD) growth. In this report we are defining the application of a growth adjusted sonographic age (GASA). Additionally, we are introducing a table which simplifies the assignment of GASA on a routine basis.", "PMID": 628548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7474", "title": "[Differentiation of astroglial cells of the cerebellar cortex in the postnatal development of the rat: a morphological and histochemical study].", "content": "The morphological autoradiographic and cytospectrophotometric analysis of proliferation and differentation of the cerebellar cortex astroglial cells has been carried out during the rat early postnatal development. The proliferating astroglial cells constitute a major part of the whole cell population of the internal granular layer during the first week. It was proved by means of double labelling (3H- and 14C-thymidine) that these cells synthesize DNA and divide repeatedly, their division proceeding without preliminary morphological dedifferentiation, i. e. with the preservation of plasmatic processes. A suggestion is put forward that the precursors of the cerebellar cortex astroglial cells under study take their origin from the subependymal zone during the prenatal development. The results obtained allow to identify the proliferating glial cells as the Bergman's glia.", "contents": "[Differentiation of astroglial cells of the cerebellar cortex in the postnatal development of the rat: a morphological and histochemical study]. The morphological autoradiographic and cytospectrophotometric analysis of proliferation and differentation of the cerebellar cortex astroglial cells has been carried out during the rat early postnatal development. The proliferating astroglial cells constitute a major part of the whole cell population of the internal granular layer during the first week. It was proved by means of double labelling (3H- and 14C-thymidine) that these cells synthesize DNA and divide repeatedly, their division proceeding without preliminary morphological dedifferentiation, i. e. with the preservation of plasmatic processes. A suggestion is put forward that the precursors of the cerebellar cortex astroglial cells under study take their origin from the subependymal zone during the prenatal development. The results obtained allow to identify the proliferating glial cells as the Bergman's glia.", "PMID": 628549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7475", "title": "[Electron microscopic analysis of the fibroblast differentiation of amebocytes in the common snail, Lymnaea stagnalis L. (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in a lesion focus].", "content": "The amoebocytes and fibroblasts of intact connective tissues of the common pond snail foot, as well as the amoebocytes of the burn wound were studied by means of electron microscope. The found transitional forms from the amoebocytes to the fibroblasts allowed to conclude that there were cells--precursors of fibroblasts among the amoebocytes migrating in the wound. A tentative scheme of histogenetic series of amoebocytes is given.", "contents": "[Electron microscopic analysis of the fibroblast differentiation of amebocytes in the common snail, Lymnaea stagnalis L. (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in a lesion focus]. The amoebocytes and fibroblasts of intact connective tissues of the common pond snail foot, as well as the amoebocytes of the burn wound were studied by means of electron microscope. The found transitional forms from the amoebocytes to the fibroblasts allowed to conclude that there were cells--precursors of fibroblasts among the amoebocytes migrating in the wound. A tentative scheme of histogenetic series of amoebocytes is given.", "PMID": 628550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7476", "title": "[Analysis of the steroid hormones in pig blastocysts].", "content": "The steroid hormonal activity was established in the pig blastocysts by means of histochemical methods. This is supported by the presence of hormones (pregnenolon, pregnandion), activity of 3beta-ol steroid dehydrogenase, high content of lipids (sterols) in the trophoblast. The results of thin-layer chromatography on silicagel suggest that the qualitative composition of lipids of the early embryos and the yellow bodies of the ovaries at the corresponding stage of pregnancy is the same.", "contents": "[Analysis of the steroid hormones in pig blastocysts]. The steroid hormonal activity was established in the pig blastocysts by means of histochemical methods. This is supported by the presence of hormones (pregnenolon, pregnandion), activity of 3beta-ol steroid dehydrogenase, high content of lipids (sterols) in the trophoblast. The results of thin-layer chromatography on silicagel suggest that the qualitative composition of lipids of the early embryos and the yellow bodies of the ovaries at the corresponding stage of pregnancy is the same.", "PMID": 628551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7477", "title": "Epidemiology of essential hypertension in youth--implications for clinical practice.", "content": "Essential hypertension, a highly prevalent and devastating disease, likely begins in childhood, and presumably might respond at this stage to general preventive measures. The problems encountered in the recording of reproducible blood pressure levels are largely of a quantitative nature, and involve instrument validity, observer (examiner) training, and the interaction between the child and the physician's office environment. The problems of early diagnosis of hypertension are related to the lack of long-term observations of children. Population percentiles of normal blood pressure values could aid in the early diagnosis of hypertension. For this purpose the method of blood pressure measurement in the physician's office has to be strictly comparable to methods employed in accumulating the percentile or reference observations. Repeated measurements under basal-like conditions are advised, and the weight or height of the child is more important for standardization than is age.", "contents": "Epidemiology of essential hypertension in youth--implications for clinical practice. Essential hypertension, a highly prevalent and devastating disease, likely begins in childhood, and presumably might respond at this stage to general preventive measures. The problems encountered in the recording of reproducible blood pressure levels are largely of a quantitative nature, and involve instrument validity, observer (examiner) training, and the interaction between the child and the physician's office environment. The problems of early diagnosis of hypertension are related to the lack of long-term observations of children. Population percentiles of normal blood pressure values could aid in the early diagnosis of hypertension. For this purpose the method of blood pressure measurement in the physician's office has to be strictly comparable to methods employed in accumulating the percentile or reference observations. Repeated measurements under basal-like conditions are advised, and the weight or height of the child is more important for standardization than is age.", "PMID": 628561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7478", "title": "Clinical and physiological significance of borderline hypertension at youth.", "content": "Marginal blood pressure elevation at youth is widely prevalent. Clinically such patients represent a dilemma, since they are at highest risk to develop hypertension and its sequelae, but the risk is not sufficiently strong to mandate antihypertensive medication. The decision as to whether to treat will depend on the presence of other risk factors for hypertension. Multiple and complex pathophysiologic abnormalities have been described in borderline hypertension. A better understanding of the relationship of some of these abnormalities to the development of hypertension is needed.", "contents": "Clinical and physiological significance of borderline hypertension at youth. Marginal blood pressure elevation at youth is widely prevalent. Clinically such patients represent a dilemma, since they are at highest risk to develop hypertension and its sequelae, but the risk is not sufficiently strong to mandate antihypertensive medication. The decision as to whether to treat will depend on the presence of other risk factors for hypertension. Multiple and complex pathophysiologic abnormalities have been described in borderline hypertension. A better understanding of the relationship of some of these abnormalities to the development of hypertension is needed.", "PMID": 628567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7479", "title": "Hypotheses in perception: their development about unambiguous stimuli in the environment.", "content": "A series of seven photographs which depict a real scene as it is approached by an observer were shown, in sequence, to ninety-six university students. The photographs were either projected colour transparencies or black-and-white prints. Two sixes of photographs were used in each set and the series was presented with or without the first photograph. In earlier studies in which blurred photographs were used as stimuli, observers were unsure about their hypotheses. That was not the case in this study. Although individual observers differed widely in their initial hypotheses, the initial photographs were not perceived as ambiguous. It required on average from 2.9 photographs (large, black-and-white, full series) to 4.5 photographs (small, colour, full series) for correct identification. In general, colour is a hindrance to correct identification. For the full series approximately three hypotheses are put forward before the scene is correctly identified.", "contents": "Hypotheses in perception: their development about unambiguous stimuli in the environment. A series of seven photographs which depict a real scene as it is approached by an observer were shown, in sequence, to ninety-six university students. The photographs were either projected colour transparencies or black-and-white prints. Two sixes of photographs were used in each set and the series was presented with or without the first photograph. In earlier studies in which blurred photographs were used as stimuli, observers were unsure about their hypotheses. That was not the case in this study. Although individual observers differed widely in their initial hypotheses, the initial photographs were not perceived as ambiguous. It required on average from 2.9 photographs (large, black-and-white, full series) to 4.5 photographs (small, colour, full series) for correct identification. In general, colour is a hindrance to correct identification. For the full series approximately three hypotheses are put forward before the scene is correctly identified.", "PMID": 628574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7480", "title": "The use of numerical and graphical statistical methods in the analysis of data on learning to see complex random-dot stereograms.", "content": "Several numerical and graphical statistical methods are illustrated in an analysis of data from an experiment that investigated a hypothesis of Julesz that giving a person a priori information about the structure of a complex random-dot stereogram reduces the time needed to perceive it when it is viewed. The data are divided into two groups, one consisting of those observers who received no cue or verbal cues (NV) and the other consisting of those who received verbal-visual cues (VV). A quantile-quantile plot shows that the NV times (mean = 7.6) are longer than the VV times (mean =5.6). By using probability plots, it is shown that the perception times have an exponential probability distribution. A hypothesis test based upon this distribution is used to show that the difference between the NV and VV times has significance slightly below 0.05.", "contents": "The use of numerical and graphical statistical methods in the analysis of data on learning to see complex random-dot stereograms. Several numerical and graphical statistical methods are illustrated in an analysis of data from an experiment that investigated a hypothesis of Julesz that giving a person a priori information about the structure of a complex random-dot stereogram reduces the time needed to perceive it when it is viewed. The data are divided into two groups, one consisting of those observers who received no cue or verbal cues (NV) and the other consisting of those who received verbal-visual cues (VV). A quantile-quantile plot shows that the NV times (mean = 7.6) are longer than the VV times (mean =5.6). By using probability plots, it is shown that the perception times have an exponential probability distribution. A hypothesis test based upon this distribution is used to show that the difference between the NV and VV times has significance slightly below 0.05.", "PMID": 628575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7481", "title": "A possible explanation as to why the newly sighted commonly perform well on pseudoisochromatic colour vision tests.", "content": "Patients whose vision has been restored after long periods of blindness commonly experience difficulty in perceiving. Parodoxically, such patients often perform well on pseudoisochromatic colour-vision tests. A well-known example is Gregory and Wallace's subject, S.B. who performance on the Ishihara test was perfect. It is suggested that restoration of vision may be associated with relatively poor visual acuity and that this, by filtering higher spatial frequencies, enhances the legibility of pseudoisochromatic test patterns. Two experiments confirm that the Ishihara plates are more legible when seen as defocused images.", "contents": "A possible explanation as to why the newly sighted commonly perform well on pseudoisochromatic colour vision tests. Patients whose vision has been restored after long periods of blindness commonly experience difficulty in perceiving. Parodoxically, such patients often perform well on pseudoisochromatic colour-vision tests. A well-known example is Gregory and Wallace's subject, S.B. who performance on the Ishihara test was perfect. It is suggested that restoration of vision may be associated with relatively poor visual acuity and that this, by filtering higher spatial frequencies, enhances the legibility of pseudoisochromatic test patterns. Two experiments confirm that the Ishihara plates are more legible when seen as defocused images.", "PMID": 628576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7482", "title": "Op art and visual perception.", "content": "An attempt is made to list the visual phenomena exploited in op art. These include moire frinlude moir\u00e9 fringes, afterimages, Hermann grid effects, Gestalt grouping principles, blurring and movement due to astigmatic fluctuations in accommodation, scintillation and streaming possibly due to eye movements, and visual persistence. The historical origins of these phenomena are also noted.", "contents": "Op art and visual perception. An attempt is made to list the visual phenomena exploited in op art. These include moire frinlude moir\u00e9 fringes, afterimages, Hermann grid effects, Gestalt grouping principles, blurring and movement due to astigmatic fluctuations in accommodation, scintillation and streaming possibly due to eye movements, and visual persistence. The historical origins of these phenomena are also noted.", "PMID": 628578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7483", "title": "Pictorial depth and related constancy effects as a function of recognition.", "content": "It is argued that while pictorial cues must be fundamental in the perception of an extended ground plane in daily life (and, by definition, in the perception of depth in pictures), the traditional pictorial cues such as perspective or texture gradients are neither a necessary nor a sufficient basis for it. That they are not necessary was shown by experiments in which such cues were eliminated from pictures representing a scene in depth. Illusory size perception based on localization of objects in depth in such pictures nonetheless occurred. That they are not sufficient was shown by experiments in which photographs of grassy fields did not yield impressions of depth or related size illusions when conditions were such that the scene was not recognized. Once recognized, however, these same pictures did yield such perceptions. It is suggested that a critical step in perceiving depth based on pictorial information is recognition of the scene.", "contents": "Pictorial depth and related constancy effects as a function of recognition. It is argued that while pictorial cues must be fundamental in the perception of an extended ground plane in daily life (and, by definition, in the perception of depth in pictures), the traditional pictorial cues such as perspective or texture gradients are neither a necessary nor a sufficient basis for it. That they are not necessary was shown by experiments in which such cues were eliminated from pictures representing a scene in depth. Illusory size perception based on localization of objects in depth in such pictures nonetheless occurred. That they are not sufficient was shown by experiments in which photographs of grassy fields did not yield impressions of depth or related size illusions when conditions were such that the scene was not recognized. Once recognized, however, these same pictures did yield such perceptions. It is suggested that a critical step in perceiving depth based on pictorial information is recognition of the scene.", "PMID": 628579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7484", "title": "The role of apparent depth and context in the perception of the Ponzo illusion.", "content": "The role of apparent depth features and the proximity of the test lines to the adjacent contours in the actuation of the Ponzo illusion was examined. Six versions of the Ponzo figure were employed: a standard Ponzo figure and five modified figures in which the test lines varied in orientation (horizontal or vertical) and in location (inside or outside the converging contours). Both manipulations resulted in a significant decrease in the magnitude of the illusion in comparison to the standard Ponzo figure. The results suggest that the Ponzo illusion is significantly affected by contextual factors.", "contents": "The role of apparent depth and context in the perception of the Ponzo illusion. The role of apparent depth features and the proximity of the test lines to the adjacent contours in the actuation of the Ponzo illusion was examined. Six versions of the Ponzo figure were employed: a standard Ponzo figure and five modified figures in which the test lines varied in orientation (horizontal or vertical) and in location (inside or outside the converging contours). Both manipulations resulted in a significant decrease in the magnitude of the illusion in comparison to the standard Ponzo figure. The results suggest that the Ponzo illusion is significantly affected by contextual factors.", "PMID": 628580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7485", "title": "Are curves detected by 'curvature detectors'?", "content": "Five experiments which attempted to evaluate the relationship between orientation and curvature selectivity in human vision are described. In the first two experiments, threshold elevation for curved gratings was measured after exposure to similar gratings, with the use of either an adaptation (experiment 1) or a masking (experiment 2) paradigm. In both experiments threshold elevation occurred which was selective for both the degree and the direction of curvature of the adapting pattern. Experiment 3 compared the effects of adapting to tilted rectilinear or vertical curved gratings upon threshold for a vertical rectilinear grating. Threshold elevation declined systematically as the adapting gratings were either tilted or made more curved. Experiment 4 measured curvature selectivity as a function of the orientation of a curved adapting grating. Threshold elevation declined as the adapting grating was tilted more, but curvature selectivity remained. Experiment 5 measured the orientation tuning for curved gratings directly. Threshold elevation declined to 50% of its maximum value at an adpating orientation of about 28 degrees. This was constant for all values of curvature used. The resulsts are discussed with reference to the question of whether the human visual system contains 'curvature detectors' or linear-contour detectors which respond to the tangents of curves.", "contents": "Are curves detected by 'curvature detectors'? Five experiments which attempted to evaluate the relationship between orientation and curvature selectivity in human vision are described. In the first two experiments, threshold elevation for curved gratings was measured after exposure to similar gratings, with the use of either an adaptation (experiment 1) or a masking (experiment 2) paradigm. In both experiments threshold elevation occurred which was selective for both the degree and the direction of curvature of the adapting pattern. Experiment 3 compared the effects of adapting to tilted rectilinear or vertical curved gratings upon threshold for a vertical rectilinear grating. Threshold elevation declined systematically as the adapting gratings were either tilted or made more curved. Experiment 4 measured curvature selectivity as a function of the orientation of a curved adapting grating. Threshold elevation declined as the adapting grating was tilted more, but curvature selectivity remained. Experiment 5 measured the orientation tuning for curved gratings directly. Threshold elevation declined to 50% of its maximum value at an adpating orientation of about 28 degrees. This was constant for all values of curvature used. The resulsts are discussed with reference to the question of whether the human visual system contains 'curvature detectors' or linear-contour detectors which respond to the tangents of curves.", "PMID": 628581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7486", "title": "Storage of spatially specific threshold elevation.", "content": "The decay of several visual aftereffects may be prolonged by interposing a period of light-free or pattern-free viewing between adaptation and testing. We demonstrate that this storage phenomenon can be observed using the threshold elevation aftereffect that follows inspection of a high-contrast grating pattern. Control experiments comparing thresholds for vertical and horizontal gratings after adaptation to a vertical grating reveal that the stored aftereffect, like its unstored counterpart, is pattern-selective. Storage is equally pronounced with stimuli that are detected by pattern-analyzing or movement-analyzing visual channels. Unlike other aftereffects, the threshold-elevation aftereffect requires that the storage period be light-free; no storage is seen if a blank field is inspected between adaptation and testing. The results are discussed with respect to the nature of visual aftereffects, and possible cognitive or physiological models of storage.", "contents": "Storage of spatially specific threshold elevation. The decay of several visual aftereffects may be prolonged by interposing a period of light-free or pattern-free viewing between adaptation and testing. We demonstrate that this storage phenomenon can be observed using the threshold elevation aftereffect that follows inspection of a high-contrast grating pattern. Control experiments comparing thresholds for vertical and horizontal gratings after adaptation to a vertical grating reveal that the stored aftereffect, like its unstored counterpart, is pattern-selective. Storage is equally pronounced with stimuli that are detected by pattern-analyzing or movement-analyzing visual channels. Unlike other aftereffects, the threshold-elevation aftereffect requires that the storage period be light-free; no storage is seen if a blank field is inspected between adaptation and testing. The results are discussed with respect to the nature of visual aftereffects, and possible cognitive or physiological models of storage.", "PMID": 628582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7487", "title": "Apparent movement, eye movements and phoria when two eyes alternate in viewing a stimulus.", "content": "Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the apparent movement of a stimulus when the two eyes are alternately occluded can be explained by phoria and Hering's principles of visual direction. In experiments 1 and 2, the direction of apparent movement, eye position, and eye movements were measured when eye movements did and did not occur. In experiment 3, the magnitude of apparent movement and the extent of phoria were comapred. Results from the experiments 1 and 2 indicated that the direction of apparent movement could be predicted from the direction of phoria, in conjunction with Hering's principles, and was not contingent on eye movements. In experiment 3, a high positive correlation (r = 0.95) between the magnitude of apparent movement and the extent of phoria was obtained.", "contents": "Apparent movement, eye movements and phoria when two eyes alternate in viewing a stimulus. Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the apparent movement of a stimulus when the two eyes are alternately occluded can be explained by phoria and Hering's principles of visual direction. In experiments 1 and 2, the direction of apparent movement, eye position, and eye movements were measured when eye movements did and did not occur. In experiment 3, the magnitude of apparent movement and the extent of phoria were comapred. Results from the experiments 1 and 2 indicated that the direction of apparent movement could be predicted from the direction of phoria, in conjunction with Hering's principles, and was not contingent on eye movements. In experiment 3, a high positive correlation (r = 0.95) between the magnitude of apparent movement and the extent of phoria was obtained.", "PMID": 628583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7488", "title": "A delayed induced-motion illusion.", "content": "We report a striking visual illusion which involves an induced motion that is delayed in time. An observer visually tracks a moving target in the neightborhood of a fixed target. The fixed target appears to be entrained by the moving target and appears to follow its movements after a lag of 0.33 second. A series of experiments showed that while the illusion depends on low background salience it obtains with both smooth and oscillatory motion in all directions including depth, under monocular and binocular viewing, in the absence of vestibular and kinesthetic motion cues or eye movements, and under a wide range of relative and absolute target luminance and position. The strength of the illusion and the magnitude of the induced movement's delay seem not to depend on any of the above factors. The illusion, by resisting a peripheral explanation, may provide some clues to central perceptual processing. In addition, we suggest the possibility that errors of judgment based on the nonveridical perception of motion displaced in time may play a role in nighttime automobile and aircraft accidents.", "contents": "A delayed induced-motion illusion. We report a striking visual illusion which involves an induced motion that is delayed in time. An observer visually tracks a moving target in the neightborhood of a fixed target. The fixed target appears to be entrained by the moving target and appears to follow its movements after a lag of 0.33 second. A series of experiments showed that while the illusion depends on low background salience it obtains with both smooth and oscillatory motion in all directions including depth, under monocular and binocular viewing, in the absence of vestibular and kinesthetic motion cues or eye movements, and under a wide range of relative and absolute target luminance and position. The strength of the illusion and the magnitude of the induced movement's delay seem not to depend on any of the above factors. The illusion, by resisting a peripheral explanation, may provide some clues to central perceptual processing. In addition, we suggest the possibility that errors of judgment based on the nonveridical perception of motion displaced in time may play a role in nighttime automobile and aircraft accidents.", "PMID": 628584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7489", "title": "Feedback versus an illusion in time.", "content": "The accuracy of many perceptual comparisons depends greatly on the order in which the to-be-compared stimuli are presented. With comparisons of durations around 300 ms, these presentation-order effects do not diminish, even with extended practice, when feedback about response accuracy is withheld. Providing such feedback greatly diminishes presentation-order effects and coincidentally produces substantial increases in response accuracy. The feedback acts in part through inducing response biases and in part through changes in sensitivity. The contradiction between studies which report time-order errors in duration comparison and those which do not is attributable to differences in the use of information feedback.", "contents": "Feedback versus an illusion in time. The accuracy of many perceptual comparisons depends greatly on the order in which the to-be-compared stimuli are presented. With comparisons of durations around 300 ms, these presentation-order effects do not diminish, even with extended practice, when feedback about response accuracy is withheld. Providing such feedback greatly diminishes presentation-order effects and coincidentally produces substantial increases in response accuracy. The feedback acts in part through inducing response biases and in part through changes in sensitivity. The contradiction between studies which report time-order errors in duration comparison and those which do not is attributable to differences in the use of information feedback.", "PMID": 628585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7490", "title": "Pandemonium and visual search.", "content": "Pandemonium-like models have played a central role in theories of perceptual recognition. One model is examined which asserts that information is sorted unidirectionally through a hierarchy of increasingly abstract levels only to a depth required by the logical demands of the task and read off from the appropriate level to control response decisions. The support originally claimed for the model in terms of its application to visual search performance is questioned. It is suggested that the pervasiveness of such models is not due to their competition with alternative theories but rather to methatheoretic considerations.", "contents": "Pandemonium and visual search. Pandemonium-like models have played a central role in theories of perceptual recognition. One model is examined which asserts that information is sorted unidirectionally through a hierarchy of increasingly abstract levels only to a depth required by the logical demands of the task and read off from the appropriate level to control response decisions. The support originally claimed for the model in terms of its application to visual search performance is questioned. It is suggested that the pervasiveness of such models is not due to their competition with alternative theories but rather to methatheoretic considerations.", "PMID": 628586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7491", "title": "Mammary-coronary artery anastomosis for myocardial revascularization.", "content": "My experience with the use of mammary-coronary artery anastomosis for myocardial revascularization in 1,500 patients over a nine-year period has been described. The procedure was used in approximately 85% of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, but mammary arteries accounted for only one third of the grafts. Patency rates as determined by arteriography performed from two weeks to seven years after operation were more than 95%. No late alterations in the mammary artery grafts have been seen. Clinical results have been so gratifying that I regard the procedure as the one of choice for bypass of stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery.", "contents": "Mammary-coronary artery anastomosis for myocardial revascularization. My experience with the use of mammary-coronary artery anastomosis for myocardial revascularization in 1,500 patients over a nine-year period has been described. The procedure was used in approximately 85% of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, but mammary arteries accounted for only one third of the grafts. Patency rates as determined by arteriography performed from two weeks to seven years after operation were more than 95%. No late alterations in the mammary artery grafts have been seen. Clinical results have been so gratifying that I regard the procedure as the one of choice for bypass of stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery.", "PMID": 628625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7492", "title": "Putting zip in prescription writing a proposal.", "content": "For centuries tedious, often confusing Latin abbreviations have been used in writing prescriptions. A simple four-digit (zip) code is proposed as a new method of writing directions for most drug regimens.", "contents": "Putting zip in prescription writing a proposal. For centuries tedious, often confusing Latin abbreviations have been used in writing prescriptions. A simple four-digit (zip) code is proposed as a new method of writing directions for most drug regimens.", "PMID": 628628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7493", "title": "Acute and chronic hepatitis in children.", "content": "Discrimination between hepatitis A and B is becoming easier as the serologic and clinical characteristics of each type become better known. Hepatitis A is generally a benign pediatric illness with few sequelae. In contrast, hepatitis B is more often associated with complications and may progress to chronic liver disease in as many as 10% of cases. Chronic persistent hepatitis appears to be a benign disorder not requiring therapy. Occasionally related etiologically to virus B, chronic active hepatitis is often associated with severe clinical illness. However, it generally responds to steroid therapy, at least initially, and may be arrested or cured.", "contents": "Acute and chronic hepatitis in children. Discrimination between hepatitis A and B is becoming easier as the serologic and clinical characteristics of each type become better known. Hepatitis A is generally a benign pediatric illness with few sequelae. In contrast, hepatitis B is more often associated with complications and may progress to chronic liver disease in as many as 10% of cases. Chronic persistent hepatitis appears to be a benign disorder not requiring therapy. Occasionally related etiologically to virus B, chronic active hepatitis is often associated with severe clinical illness. However, it generally responds to steroid therapy, at least initially, and may be arrested or cured.", "PMID": 628629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7494", "title": "Spirometry in office practice: getting full measure from a useful tool.", "content": "Spirometry is a simple but underutilized test that is particularly well suited for office practice. With it, the physician can distinguish among different types of ventilatory impairment and follow the patient's course. It also permits detection of small-airway disease at an early stage, when measures to prevent development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema may be effective.", "contents": "Spirometry in office practice: getting full measure from a useful tool. Spirometry is a simple but underutilized test that is particularly well suited for office practice. With it, the physician can distinguish among different types of ventilatory impairment and follow the patient's course. It also permits detection of small-airway disease at an early stage, when measures to prevent development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema may be effective.", "PMID": 628630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7495", "title": "Insulin allergy and insulin resistance: two immunologic reactions.", "content": "Insulin allergy and insulin resistance can cause life-threatening problems for diabetic patients. Fortunately, allergic manifestations are usually localized, but increasingly severe local reactions can precede a systemic reaction. How use of newer and purer insulin preparations than those previously available will affect the incidence of immunologic reactions is yet to be determined.", "contents": "Insulin allergy and insulin resistance: two immunologic reactions. Insulin allergy and insulin resistance can cause life-threatening problems for diabetic patients. Fortunately, allergic manifestations are usually localized, but increasingly severe local reactions can precede a systemic reaction. How use of newer and purer insulin preparations than those previously available will affect the incidence of immunologic reactions is yet to be determined.", "PMID": 628631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7496", "title": "Myocardial revascularization 1978.", "content": "After more than ten years of clinical application, direct myocardial revascularization with saphenous or mammary vein grafts is becomining one of the most common types of elective major surgery performed in the United States. The need for and the results of revascularization surgery are determined by cine coronary arteriography. The principles on which this type of surgery is based are simple. Critical occlusion of a coronary artery may produce an arteriographically identifiable area of myocardial perfusion deficit in the left ventricle. The functional demand for blood that results is usually manifested by anginal pain. When the occlusion is reduced by rest and administration of vasodilators, the immediate threat of infarction is alleviated. When pain persists in spite of treatment, direct revascularization surgery should be considered. This type of surgery need not involve ultrasophisticated adjuncts. Some of these adjuncts increase morbidity and contribute appreciably to the cost of operation and hospitalization. The record of myocardial revascularization suggests that the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease can and should be done in qualified community hospitals.", "contents": "Myocardial revascularization 1978. After more than ten years of clinical application, direct myocardial revascularization with saphenous or mammary vein grafts is becomining one of the most common types of elective major surgery performed in the United States. The need for and the results of revascularization surgery are determined by cine coronary arteriography. The principles on which this type of surgery is based are simple. Critical occlusion of a coronary artery may produce an arteriographically identifiable area of myocardial perfusion deficit in the left ventricle. The functional demand for blood that results is usually manifested by anginal pain. When the occlusion is reduced by rest and administration of vasodilators, the immediate threat of infarction is alleviated. When pain persists in spite of treatment, direct revascularization surgery should be considered. This type of surgery need not involve ultrasophisticated adjuncts. Some of these adjuncts increase morbidity and contribute appreciably to the cost of operation and hospitalization. The record of myocardial revascularization suggests that the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease can and should be done in qualified community hospitals.", "PMID": 628632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7497", "title": "When to operate for carcinoma of the lung.", "content": "Surgical resection remains the accepted treatment of localized carcinoma of the lung. The present means of patient evaluation have made possible accurate tumor staging and have led to an appreciable increase in the rate of resectability. When the tumor is found at operation to be localized to the lung, the patient has a 35% to 50% chance of surviving for five years. This observation makes it imperative that patients with bronchogenic carcinoma be evaluated rapidly and operated on, if indicated, as quickly as possible.", "contents": "When to operate for carcinoma of the lung. Surgical resection remains the accepted treatment of localized carcinoma of the lung. The present means of patient evaluation have made possible accurate tumor staging and have led to an appreciable increase in the rate of resectability. When the tumor is found at operation to be localized to the lung, the patient has a 35% to 50% chance of surviving for five years. This observation makes it imperative that patients with bronchogenic carcinoma be evaluated rapidly and operated on, if indicated, as quickly as possible.", "PMID": 628633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7498", "title": "Case report: Infectious mononucleosis in a 41-year-old man.", "content": "A 41-year-old man was found to have infectious mononucleosis, a disease frequently overlooked in patients of this age group. The symptoms and signs observed in this patient are seen in less than 10% of patients with this disease: arthralgia, epistaxis, jaundice, skin rash, and pneumonitis. Although mildly depressed platelet counts are common in patients with infectious mononucleosis, the count in this patient was markedly depressed.", "contents": "Case report: Infectious mononucleosis in a 41-year-old man. A 41-year-old man was found to have infectious mononucleosis, a disease frequently overlooked in patients of this age group. The symptoms and signs observed in this patient are seen in less than 10% of patients with this disease: arthralgia, epistaxis, jaundice, skin rash, and pneumonitis. Although mildly depressed platelet counts are common in patients with infectious mononucleosis, the count in this patient was markedly depressed.", "PMID": 628636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7499", "title": "Pericardial effusion and electrical alternans: echocardiographic assessment.", "content": "Clinical diagnosis of pericardial effusion is often difficult, and assessment of the effects of effusion on cardiac hemodynamics is often imprecise. Electrical alternans is a reasonably specific ECG indicator of the presence of a large effusion and imminent or actual cardiac tamponade. If echocardiography verifies the presennce of pericardial fluid and shows abnormal cardiac motion, a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade can be made without further, more invasive, studies.", "contents": "Pericardial effusion and electrical alternans: echocardiographic assessment. Clinical diagnosis of pericardial effusion is often difficult, and assessment of the effects of effusion on cardiac hemodynamics is often imprecise. Electrical alternans is a reasonably specific ECG indicator of the presence of a large effusion and imminent or actual cardiac tamponade. If echocardiography verifies the presennce of pericardial fluid and shows abnormal cardiac motion, a diagnosis of cardiac tamponade can be made without further, more invasive, studies.", "PMID": 628641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7500", "title": "How mind, body, and environment influence nutrition in the elderly.", "content": "Eating habits, food preferences, and attitudes affecting nutrition in the elderly are the result of the interaction of numerous interpersonal and intrapersonal forces. The physiologic changes that accompany aging must be understood by the clinician and accepted by the elderly person. Social stress and other environmental factors can adversely affect nutritional status.", "contents": "How mind, body, and environment influence nutrition in the elderly. Eating habits, food preferences, and attitudes affecting nutrition in the elderly are the result of the interaction of numerous interpersonal and intrapersonal forces. The physiologic changes that accompany aging must be understood by the clinician and accepted by the elderly person. Social stress and other environmental factors can adversely affect nutritional status.", "PMID": 628643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7501", "title": "Vitamin needs of the elderly.", "content": "Vitamin deficiency is a result of gradual depletion of body stores secondary to poor dietary habits or to disease. Marginal or preclinical vitamin deficiency results in nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, irritability or somnolence, loss of appetite and weight, and impairment of psychologic and physical performance socially or at work. These signs precede clinical signs of disease. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to vitamin deficiency because of the high incidence of illness and disability in the later years of life and because of other common problems, such as low income, poor appetite, and social isolation.", "contents": "Vitamin needs of the elderly. Vitamin deficiency is a result of gradual depletion of body stores secondary to poor dietary habits or to disease. Marginal or preclinical vitamin deficiency results in nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, irritability or somnolence, loss of appetite and weight, and impairment of psychologic and physical performance socially or at work. These signs precede clinical signs of disease. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to vitamin deficiency because of the high incidence of illness and disability in the later years of life and because of other common problems, such as low income, poor appetite, and social isolation.", "PMID": 628646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7502", "title": "Case report: fatal anaerobic pulmonary infection due to Bifidobacterium eriksonii.", "content": "This case illustrates progressive anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection caused by Bifidobacterium eriksonii that eventually was fatal. Aspiration pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema, and finally necrotizing pneumonia characterized the clinical course. The organism is difficult to recover, but there is reason to suspect that it may be of greater etiologic importance than heretofore recognized in debilitated patients with pleuropulmonary infections. This patient was a 52-year-old alcoholic with periodontal disease. Both conditions are well-known factors underlying anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection. Alcoholism probably predisposed the patient to aspiration of oral secretions, the likely source of the infection.", "contents": "Case report: fatal anaerobic pulmonary infection due to Bifidobacterium eriksonii. This case illustrates progressive anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection caused by Bifidobacterium eriksonii that eventually was fatal. Aspiration pneumonia, lung abscess, empyema, and finally necrotizing pneumonia characterized the clinical course. The organism is difficult to recover, but there is reason to suspect that it may be of greater etiologic importance than heretofore recognized in debilitated patients with pleuropulmonary infections. This patient was a 52-year-old alcoholic with periodontal disease. Both conditions are well-known factors underlying anaerobic pleuropulmonary infection. Alcoholism probably predisposed the patient to aspiration of oral secretions, the likely source of the infection.", "PMID": 628649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7503", "title": "Antibiotics: how to use them in 1977-1978. Cases 21, 22, and 23.", "content": "Self-assessment case studies illustrating prudent selection of antimicrobial agents in septic shock following urinary catheterization, bacteremia and skin lesions in an immunocompromised patient, and endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic heart valve.", "contents": "Antibiotics: how to use them in 1977-1978. Cases 21, 22, and 23. Self-assessment case studies illustrating prudent selection of antimicrobial agents in septic shock following urinary catheterization, bacteremia and skin lesions in an immunocompromised patient, and endocarditis in a patient with a prosthetic heart valve.", "PMID": 628650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7504", "title": "Endometriosis: when is surgical treatment indicated?", "content": "Although oral contraceptives provide the primary therapy for endometriosis, surgery is sometimes indicated. Surgical treatment should be conservative, with salvage of as much tissue as possible. Ovarian and presacral neurectomy, in addition to dissection and desiccation, should be done in most cases. Hysterectomy is often elected by middle-aged patients in preference to almost continual suppressive therapy. Retroperitoneal endometriosis must be treated by dissection and electrocoagulation to prevent ureteral obstruction.", "contents": "Endometriosis: when is surgical treatment indicated? Although oral contraceptives provide the primary therapy for endometriosis, surgery is sometimes indicated. Surgical treatment should be conservative, with salvage of as much tissue as possible. Ovarian and presacral neurectomy, in addition to dissection and desiccation, should be done in most cases. Hysterectomy is often elected by middle-aged patients in preference to almost continual suppressive therapy. Retroperitoneal endometriosis must be treated by dissection and electrocoagulation to prevent ureteral obstruction.", "PMID": 628651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7505", "title": "Case report: severe respiratory alkalosis--unusual manifestation of viral hepatitis.", "content": "A middle-aged man who had been in good general health presented with marked hyperventilation and severe respiratory alkalosis. Typical signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis subsequently developed. Investigation showed that he and 32 other patients with hepatitis had all eaten at the same restaurant prior to illness. Because of his distressing constitutional symptoms and markedly elevated hepatic enzyme levels, corticosteroid therapy was begun. The symptoms and hyperventilation improved dramatically. Although respiratory alkalosis has been observed during the course of other infectious diseases, to our knowledge it has not previously been reported in association with hepatitis A infection.", "contents": "Case report: severe respiratory alkalosis--unusual manifestation of viral hepatitis. A middle-aged man who had been in good general health presented with marked hyperventilation and severe respiratory alkalosis. Typical signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis subsequently developed. Investigation showed that he and 32 other patients with hepatitis had all eaten at the same restaurant prior to illness. Because of his distressing constitutional symptoms and markedly elevated hepatic enzyme levels, corticosteroid therapy was begun. The symptoms and hyperventilation improved dramatically. Although respiratory alkalosis has been observed during the course of other infectious diseases, to our knowledge it has not previously been reported in association with hepatitis A infection.", "PMID": 628652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7506", "title": "Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: new alternatives for rheumatic disease.", "content": "New antirheumatic drugs which are moderately effective clinically and less toxic than similarly acting, previously available drugs are believed to act by blocking certain mediators of inflammation. At present, there is no evidence that they influence the release of lysosomes, inhibit the action of complement, or modify immune mechanisms.", "contents": "Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: new alternatives for rheumatic disease. New antirheumatic drugs which are moderately effective clinically and less toxic than similarly acting, previously available drugs are believed to act by blocking certain mediators of inflammation. At present, there is no evidence that they influence the release of lysosomes, inhibit the action of complement, or modify immune mechanisms.", "PMID": 628654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7507", "title": "Complications of sinusitis: what to watch for.", "content": "Sinus infection remains a common cause of orbital inflammatory disease, and prompt diagnosis is essential. A team approach early in the course of the disease, with an otolaryngologist serving as coordinator, is recommended. If vigorous medical therapy fails, abscess formation should be suspected and surgical drainage instituted without delay. Of 24 patients hospitalized with complications of sinusitis, 13 were found to have acute inflammatory disease and 11 had mucocele formation. Mortality in patients with acute inflammatory was 30%; in those with intracranial extension of infection it was 67%.", "contents": "Complications of sinusitis: what to watch for. Sinus infection remains a common cause of orbital inflammatory disease, and prompt diagnosis is essential. A team approach early in the course of the disease, with an otolaryngologist serving as coordinator, is recommended. If vigorous medical therapy fails, abscess formation should be suspected and surgical drainage instituted without delay. Of 24 patients hospitalized with complications of sinusitis, 13 were found to have acute inflammatory disease and 11 had mucocele formation. Mortality in patients with acute inflammatory was 30%; in those with intracranial extension of infection it was 67%.", "PMID": 628655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7508", "title": "Effects of cooling on the levels of acetylcholine, cholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase and the intramural electrical stimulation on the guinea pig ileum.", "content": "The effects of hypothermia (4 degrees C) on the components of the cholinergic system of the ileal longitudinal muscle and the adherent Auerbach's plexus of the guinea pig ileum have been investigated. Acetylcholine (ACh) content of the muscle was determined by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. It decreased from 119 to a fairly steady level of 16 nmol/g of wet tissue during the first 72 h of cold storage at 4 degrees C under anoxic conditions. Concomitantly, responsiveness to intramural electrical stimulation decreased by 72%. Cholinesterase (ChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChA) activities each dropped by 40% during this period. However, the de novo synthesis of ACh over the period of study did not change significantly. The response of the preparation to the exogenously applied ACh remained fairly constant suggesting that the changes in the cholinergic receptor are not accountable for the decrease in responsiveness to intramural stimulation. From the results of this study, it has been concluded that cold storage for 5 days leads to: (1) a significant decline in ACh content within 72 h of storage; (2) a decrease in ChE and ChA activities; (3) no significant effect on the cholinergic receptor; and (4) a decrease in responsiveness to intramural electrical stimulation which is probably due to a malfunction of the ACh-releasing mechanism.", "contents": "Effects of cooling on the levels of acetylcholine, cholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase and the intramural electrical stimulation on the guinea pig ileum. The effects of hypothermia (4 degrees C) on the components of the cholinergic system of the ileal longitudinal muscle and the adherent Auerbach's plexus of the guinea pig ileum have been investigated. Acetylcholine (ACh) content of the muscle was determined by pyrolysis-gas chromatography. It decreased from 119 to a fairly steady level of 16 nmol/g of wet tissue during the first 72 h of cold storage at 4 degrees C under anoxic conditions. Concomitantly, responsiveness to intramural electrical stimulation decreased by 72%. Cholinesterase (ChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChA) activities each dropped by 40% during this period. However, the de novo synthesis of ACh over the period of study did not change significantly. The response of the preparation to the exogenously applied ACh remained fairly constant suggesting that the changes in the cholinergic receptor are not accountable for the decrease in responsiveness to intramural stimulation. From the results of this study, it has been concluded that cold storage for 5 days leads to: (1) a significant decline in ACh content within 72 h of storage; (2) a decrease in ChE and ChA activities; (3) no significant effect on the cholinergic receptor; and (4) a decrease in responsiveness to intramural electrical stimulation which is probably due to a malfunction of the ACh-releasing mechanism.", "PMID": 628670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7509", "title": "Variations in hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in C57Bl/6 mice from three different suppliers.", "content": "Drug metabolism by hepatic microsomal and soluble fractions was compared in male C57Bl/6 mice purchased from three different suppliers. Mice were studied at 9 weeks of age after having been purchased either as weanlings or at 8 weeks of age. Significant differences were found in the specific activity of several mixed-function oxidase enzymes and in amounts of cytochrome P-450 among the three sources of mice.", "contents": "Variations in hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in C57Bl/6 mice from three different suppliers. Drug metabolism by hepatic microsomal and soluble fractions was compared in male C57Bl/6 mice purchased from three different suppliers. Mice were studied at 9 weeks of age after having been purchased either as weanlings or at 8 weeks of age. Significant differences were found in the specific activity of several mixed-function oxidase enzymes and in amounts of cytochrome P-450 among the three sources of mice.", "PMID": 628671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7510", "title": "Interrelationships between the gastric secretory responses, prostaglandin E2 inhibition and serum level of immunoreactive gastrin in pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats.", "content": "The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been studied on the gastric secretion and the serum level of immunoreactive gastrin in pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats. It has been observed that: (1) a significant inhibition of gastric secretion (volume and acid output) was caused by PGE2, applied in doses of 75, 150 and 300 microgram/kg body weight, subcutaneously, in both pylorus-occluded and antrectomized rats: PGE2 inhibition of gastric secretion was more pronounced in rats with antrectomy; (2) no significant changes were found in the serum gastrin levels of both pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats, and (3) no significant changes in serum levels of immunoreactive gastrin were produced by different doses of PGE2, in comparison with their marked inhibitory effects on gastric H+ secretion. It was concluded that there is no essential role of the immunoreactive gastrin, originated from the antral part of the stomach, neither in development of gastric hypersecretion nor in PGE2-produced inhibition on gastric secretion of the pylorus-occluded rats.", "contents": "Interrelationships between the gastric secretory responses, prostaglandin E2 inhibition and serum level of immunoreactive gastrin in pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats. The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been studied on the gastric secretion and the serum level of immunoreactive gastrin in pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats. It has been observed that: (1) a significant inhibition of gastric secretion (volume and acid output) was caused by PGE2, applied in doses of 75, 150 and 300 microgram/kg body weight, subcutaneously, in both pylorus-occluded and antrectomized rats: PGE2 inhibition of gastric secretion was more pronounced in rats with antrectomy; (2) no significant changes were found in the serum gastrin levels of both pylorus-ligated and antrectomized rats, and (3) no significant changes in serum levels of immunoreactive gastrin were produced by different doses of PGE2, in comparison with their marked inhibitory effects on gastric H+ secretion. It was concluded that there is no essential role of the immunoreactive gastrin, originated from the antral part of the stomach, neither in development of gastric hypersecretion nor in PGE2-produced inhibition on gastric secretion of the pylorus-occluded rats.", "PMID": 628672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7511", "title": "Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced depletions of brain catecholamines or dopamine on meperidine antinociception in rats.", "content": "The participation of brain norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the production of the antinociceptive effect of meperidine was investigated. Rats were permanently depleted of brain catecholamines via 6-hydroxydopamine treatments at 2 weeks of age. 6-8 weeks later, the antinociceptive activity of meperidine was determined in control, NE- and DA-depleted, and DA-depleted rats by both the tail-flick and hot-plate methods. The antinociceptive activity of meperidine was reduced in DA-depleted male rats. In DA-depleted female rats, however, the antinociceptive activity was increased at low doses of meperidine and decreased only at higher doses of the drug. In male NE + DA-depelted rats, the activity was generally intermediate between that seen in DA-depleted and control rats. No consistent change in the activity of meperidine was observed in female NE + DA-depleted rats.", "contents": "Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced depletions of brain catecholamines or dopamine on meperidine antinociception in rats. The participation of brain norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the production of the antinociceptive effect of meperidine was investigated. Rats were permanently depleted of brain catecholamines via 6-hydroxydopamine treatments at 2 weeks of age. 6-8 weeks later, the antinociceptive activity of meperidine was determined in control, NE- and DA-depleted, and DA-depleted rats by both the tail-flick and hot-plate methods. The antinociceptive activity of meperidine was reduced in DA-depleted male rats. In DA-depleted female rats, however, the antinociceptive activity was increased at low doses of meperidine and decreased only at higher doses of the drug. In male NE + DA-depelted rats, the activity was generally intermediate between that seen in DA-depleted and control rats. No consistent change in the activity of meperidine was observed in female NE + DA-depleted rats.", "PMID": 628673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7512", "title": "Comparative antiphlogistic activity of meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and hydrocortisone in various rat paw edema models.", "content": "The antiphlogistic activity of meseclazone and its major metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, have been directly compared to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and hydrocortisone in rat paw edema induced by eleven different phlogistic agents. Based on the profile of activity and milligram/kilogram potency displayed by meseclazone, it most closely resembles acetylsalicylic acid and phenylbutazone in its mode of action.", "contents": "Comparative antiphlogistic activity of meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and hydrocortisone in various rat paw edema models. The antiphlogistic activity of meseclazone and its major metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, have been directly compared to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, indomethacin and hydrocortisone in rat paw edema induced by eleven different phlogistic agents. Based on the profile of activity and milligram/kilogram potency displayed by meseclazone, it most closely resembles acetylsalicylic acid and phenylbutazone in its mode of action.", "PMID": 628674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7513", "title": "A new mechanical method for measuring rat paw edema.", "content": "A new method is presented for measuring swelling or rat paw edema in inflammation induced by carrageenin injection. This technique is compared to other widely used ones. A spring-loaded dial indicator produces results that are accurate, precise and reproducible. It is recommended for investigators seeking the advantages of a noninvasive, low cost, rapid method quantifying the swelling of inflammation.", "contents": "A new mechanical method for measuring rat paw edema. A new method is presented for measuring swelling or rat paw edema in inflammation induced by carrageenin injection. This technique is compared to other widely used ones. A spring-loaded dial indicator produces results that are accurate, precise and reproducible. It is recommended for investigators seeking the advantages of a noninvasive, low cost, rapid method quantifying the swelling of inflammation.", "PMID": 628675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7514", "title": "Effect of actinomycin D on pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated secretion from isolated canine stomachs.", "content": "Pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated secretion of HCl was investigated using isolated canine stomachs perfused ex vivo with homologous blood. The effect of actinomycin D, an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, on the secretion of HCl by so stimulated stomachs was assessed. The purpose of this experiment was to find whether the trophic action of pentagastrin (RNA synthesis) is interdependent with the secretory action of this hormone. Such interdependence was found in rats by other investigators who reported the suppression of pentagastrin-induced HCl secretion and of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D. Our study did not demonstrate any effect of actinomycin D on pentagastrin-stimulated HCl secretion by isolated canine stomachs. It appears that in dogs the trophic effect of pentagastrin is independent from its secretory action. Review of the literature suggests that the mechanism of gastrin-like hormones on gastric acid secretion in dogs differs from the one found in rats.", "contents": "Effect of actinomycin D on pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated secretion from isolated canine stomachs. Pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated secretion of HCl was investigated using isolated canine stomachs perfused ex vivo with homologous blood. The effect of actinomycin D, an inhibitor of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis, on the secretion of HCl by so stimulated stomachs was assessed. The purpose of this experiment was to find whether the trophic action of pentagastrin (RNA synthesis) is interdependent with the secretory action of this hormone. Such interdependence was found in rats by other investigators who reported the suppression of pentagastrin-induced HCl secretion and of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D. Our study did not demonstrate any effect of actinomycin D on pentagastrin-stimulated HCl secretion by isolated canine stomachs. It appears that in dogs the trophic effect of pentagastrin is independent from its secretory action. Review of the literature suggests that the mechanism of gastrin-like hormones on gastric acid secretion in dogs differs from the one found in rats.", "PMID": 628677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7515", "title": "Combined motor and peripheral sensory insufficiency. III. Management of spinal cord injury.", "content": "For clarity in presenting the concepts of care, the patients have been divided into discrete neurological levels according to their dominant patterns of muscle strength. Individuals can vary considerably, however, and these differences must be accommodated by corresponding modification in the orthotic functional plan. The C6 level patient, with his effective wrist extensor as well as arm musculature, can recover a single mode of grasp and release through a wrist-driven, flexor-hinge-hand orthosis, or a natural tenodesis. Available arm function, despite the loss of all wrist and hand musculature, enables the C5 quadriplegic patient to regain prehension with a passive ratchet flexor-hinge or an electric flexor-hinge-hand orthosis. Both groups of patients also require various aids to accomplish wheelchair propulsion, ischial pressure relief, bed transfers, and, for the C6 level, driving.", "contents": "Combined motor and peripheral sensory insufficiency. III. Management of spinal cord injury. For clarity in presenting the concepts of care, the patients have been divided into discrete neurological levels according to their dominant patterns of muscle strength. Individuals can vary considerably, however, and these differences must be accommodated by corresponding modification in the orthotic functional plan. The C6 level patient, with his effective wrist extensor as well as arm musculature, can recover a single mode of grasp and release through a wrist-driven, flexor-hinge-hand orthosis, or a natural tenodesis. Available arm function, despite the loss of all wrist and hand musculature, enables the C5 quadriplegic patient to regain prehension with a passive ratchet flexor-hinge or an electric flexor-hinge-hand orthosis. Both groups of patients also require various aids to accomplish wheelchair propulsion, ischial pressure relief, bed transfers, and, for the C6 level, driving.", "PMID": 628682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7516", "title": "Central control insufficiency. III. Disturbed motor control and sensation: a treatment approach emphasizing upper extremity orthoses.", "content": "In the discussion of the problems, the selection of patients, and some of the approaches to treatment, three major areas need emphasis. 1. Guidelines are necessary to select patients who require and can respond to treatment. The patients who will benefit the most must be identified and provided with structured therapy programs. 2. Effective bracing of the severely spastic wrist and hand may not be possible. The orthoses described are used to prevent deformity and relieve pain. 3. All motor control available to a patient must be incorporated immediately into the patient's daily activities.", "contents": "Central control insufficiency. III. Disturbed motor control and sensation: a treatment approach emphasizing upper extremity orthoses. In the discussion of the problems, the selection of patients, and some of the approaches to treatment, three major areas need emphasis. 1. Guidelines are necessary to select patients who require and can respond to treatment. The patients who will benefit the most must be identified and provided with structured therapy programs. 2. Effective bracing of the severely spastic wrist and hand may not be possible. The orthoses described are used to prevent deformity and relieve pain. 3. All motor control available to a patient must be incorporated immediately into the patient's daily activities.", "PMID": 628685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7517", "title": "Radiological determination of changes in bone mineral content.", "content": "It is possible to obtain reliable data of changes in bone mineral content using simple radiographic techniques. Methods available include morphometry and densitometry. Of these morphometry of the third metacarpal is most accurate in our hands and cortical width is the most reliable of such morphometric data. Densitometry produces more variable results and shows no advantage over straight measurement of cortical width. The only acceptable alternative method of obtaining information about bone status is photon absorptiometry. Results of these methods are shown in a trial of oestrogen therapy for the prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis. The data suggest that oestrogens prevent post menopausal bone loss when this is estimated by measurement of cortical width or photonabsorptiometry.", "contents": "Radiological determination of changes in bone mineral content. It is possible to obtain reliable data of changes in bone mineral content using simple radiographic techniques. Methods available include morphometry and densitometry. Of these morphometry of the third metacarpal is most accurate in our hands and cortical width is the most reliable of such morphometric data. Densitometry produces more variable results and shows no advantage over straight measurement of cortical width. The only acceptable alternative method of obtaining information about bone status is photon absorptiometry. Results of these methods are shown in a trial of oestrogen therapy for the prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis. The data suggest that oestrogens prevent post menopausal bone loss when this is estimated by measurement of cortical width or photonabsorptiometry.", "PMID": 628711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7518", "title": "[Pathologic features in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis (author's transl)].", "content": "Morphological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis are discussed particularily considering macroscopic features. A special form with radiological significance is ncrotizing \"emphysematous\" pyelonephritis. Chronic non-obstructive pyelonephritis is rarer than formerly thought if strict morphological criteria are applied. It should be differentiated from nephropathy caused by analgetics. In analgesic nephropathy bilateral papillary necrosis is the earliest and most characteristic alteration. Differentiation between chronic pyelonephritis and analgesic nephropathy is possible in most cases but may be difficult if analgesic nephropathy is complicated by bacterial infection. A classification of \"unilateral small kidney\" is presented. Unilateral acquired \"renal shrinkage\" should be differentiated from congenital \"unilateral hypoplasia\". It remains to be discussed whether the so-called \"Ask-Upmark-Kidney\" is a malformation or the result of chronic pyelonephritis.", "contents": "[Pathologic features in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis (author's transl)]. Morphological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis are discussed particularily considering macroscopic features. A special form with radiological significance is ncrotizing \"emphysematous\" pyelonephritis. Chronic non-obstructive pyelonephritis is rarer than formerly thought if strict morphological criteria are applied. It should be differentiated from nephropathy caused by analgetics. In analgesic nephropathy bilateral papillary necrosis is the earliest and most characteristic alteration. Differentiation between chronic pyelonephritis and analgesic nephropathy is possible in most cases but may be difficult if analgesic nephropathy is complicated by bacterial infection. A classification of \"unilateral small kidney\" is presented. Unilateral acquired \"renal shrinkage\" should be differentiated from congenital \"unilateral hypoplasia\". It remains to be discussed whether the so-called \"Ask-Upmark-Kidney\" is a malformation or the result of chronic pyelonephritis.", "PMID": 628716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7519", "title": "[Roentgen diagnosis of interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) by excretory urography and renovasography. Indications and diagnostic value of both methods including elektronic harmonization (author's transl)].", "content": "The roentgen signs of pyelonephritis may well be demonstrated by intravenous or infusion excretory urography. Discrete lesions of the calyces are better demonstrable by means of electronic magnification and harmonization. Inflammatory disease of the kidneys have characteristic patterns of vascular formation in renal arteriography. Electronic magnification and harmonization allow to detect initial stages of this illness.", "contents": "[Roentgen diagnosis of interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) by excretory urography and renovasography. Indications and diagnostic value of both methods including elektronic harmonization (author's transl)]. The roentgen signs of pyelonephritis may well be demonstrated by intravenous or infusion excretory urography. Discrete lesions of the calyces are better demonstrable by means of electronic magnification and harmonization. Inflammatory disease of the kidneys have characteristic patterns of vascular formation in renal arteriography. Electronic magnification and harmonization allow to detect initial stages of this illness.", "PMID": 628717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7520", "title": "[Hemangioma of the renal pelvis (author's transl)].", "content": "A cavernous hemangioma of the renal pelvis preoperatively diagnosed by angiography is reported. The pathologic-anatomical findings are included.", "contents": "[Hemangioma of the renal pelvis (author's transl)]. A cavernous hemangioma of the renal pelvis preoperatively diagnosed by angiography is reported. The pathologic-anatomical findings are included.", "PMID": 628718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7521", "title": "[The problem of angiographic diagnosis of giant cell tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "The value of angiography in the diagnosis of giant cell tumors of the bone was investigated in 12 patients listed in the Viennese bone tumor register. It could be shown that angiographic criteria of malignancy can frequently be found in grade II cell tumors. Therefore angiography does not seem to be helpful in differentiation and prediction of benign and malignant course of giant cell tumors.", "contents": "[The problem of angiographic diagnosis of giant cell tumors (author's transl)]. The value of angiography in the diagnosis of giant cell tumors of the bone was investigated in 12 patients listed in the Viennese bone tumor register. It could be shown that angiographic criteria of malignancy can frequently be found in grade II cell tumors. Therefore angiography does not seem to be helpful in differentiation and prediction of benign and malignant course of giant cell tumors.", "PMID": 628719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7522", "title": "[Radiology of bacterial and abacterial interstitial nephritis (author's transl)].", "content": "The x-ray findings of 727 patients with chronic interstitial nephritis are evaluated; these patients have been controlled over a period of several years: 594 suffer from chronic bacterial interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) and 133 patients from chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis of different etiology. The causes for the abacterial type of nephritis are phenacetin and primary gout. The radiological signs of the two forms of chronic interstitial nephritis in different degrees of involvement are pointed out. Whereas with the chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis symmetrical affection is typical, the chronic bacterial interstitial nephritis shows asymmetrical findings, especially in ascending pyelonephritis. Differentiation between the chronic bacterial nephritis and the chronic abacterial nephritis can be achieved in most cases by radiological signs, (morphological findings). The microscopic evaluation does not always allow a differentiation; because there are mixed forms and secondary bacterial infections are associated with primary chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis in the late stages. The multiple causes for chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis is radiologically reflected mostly by uniform signs during the different degrees of involvement.", "contents": "[Radiology of bacterial and abacterial interstitial nephritis (author's transl)]. The x-ray findings of 727 patients with chronic interstitial nephritis are evaluated; these patients have been controlled over a period of several years: 594 suffer from chronic bacterial interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) and 133 patients from chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis of different etiology. The causes for the abacterial type of nephritis are phenacetin and primary gout. The radiological signs of the two forms of chronic interstitial nephritis in different degrees of involvement are pointed out. Whereas with the chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis symmetrical affection is typical, the chronic bacterial interstitial nephritis shows asymmetrical findings, especially in ascending pyelonephritis. Differentiation between the chronic bacterial nephritis and the chronic abacterial nephritis can be achieved in most cases by radiological signs, (morphological findings). The microscopic evaluation does not always allow a differentiation; because there are mixed forms and secondary bacterial infections are associated with primary chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis in the late stages. The multiple causes for chronic abacterial interstitial nephritis is radiologically reflected mostly by uniform signs during the different degrees of involvement.", "PMID": 628720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7523", "title": "The clinical course of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and a negative pulmonary arteriogram.", "content": "Selective pulmonary arteriography, with superselective magnification views of the lung bases or other areas where abnormalities are shown on perfusion lung scans, performed within 24-48 hours after the onset of symptoms, can effectively rule out clinically significant pulmonary thromboembolism. One hundred and eighty consecutive patients (minimum follow up, six months) with suspected pulmonary embolism and negative pulmonary arteriograms were studied. Not one of the 167 untreated patients died as a result of thromboembolic disease during the acute illness (20 died from unrelated causes), and none of the 147 patients who survived suffered \"recurrent embolism\" during follow up.", "contents": "The clinical course of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and a negative pulmonary arteriogram. Selective pulmonary arteriography, with superselective magnification views of the lung bases or other areas where abnormalities are shown on perfusion lung scans, performed within 24-48 hours after the onset of symptoms, can effectively rule out clinically significant pulmonary thromboembolism. One hundred and eighty consecutive patients (minimum follow up, six months) with suspected pulmonary embolism and negative pulmonary arteriograms were studied. Not one of the 167 untreated patients died as a result of thromboembolic disease during the acute illness (20 died from unrelated causes), and none of the 147 patients who survived suffered \"recurrent embolism\" during follow up.", "PMID": 628721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7524", "title": "Gangrene of the lung: successful medical management of three patients.", "content": "Three patients with massive pulmonary gangrene who have survived without recourse to surgery are presented. In 2 cases, anaerobic organisms were suspected as being the causative pathogens although this was not proved. With resolution the radiological appearances of the involved lobe varied from no more than segmental to almost complete loss of the whole lobe.", "contents": "Gangrene of the lung: successful medical management of three patients. Three patients with massive pulmonary gangrene who have survived without recourse to surgery are presented. In 2 cases, anaerobic organisms were suspected as being the causative pathogens although this was not proved. With resolution the radiological appearances of the involved lobe varied from no more than segmental to almost complete loss of the whole lobe.", "PMID": 628722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7525", "title": "Benign blood vascular tumors of the mediastinum. Report of four cases and review of the literature.", "content": "The authors present 4 new cases and review 77 previously reported cases of benign blood vascular tumors of the mediastinum. The vast majority are hemangiomas (90%), occur in the first four decades of life (75%), and arise in the anterior mediastinum (68%). Compression and/or invasion of adjacent structures is not uncommon. Concomitant extrathoracic extension (2%) and multiple sites of involvement (2%) are rare. The tumors are smoothly outlined, occasionally lobulated and can be accurately identified when phleboliths are present (10%).", "contents": "Benign blood vascular tumors of the mediastinum. Report of four cases and review of the literature. The authors present 4 new cases and review 77 previously reported cases of benign blood vascular tumors of the mediastinum. The vast majority are hemangiomas (90%), occur in the first four decades of life (75%), and arise in the anterior mediastinum (68%). Compression and/or invasion of adjacent structures is not uncommon. Concomitant extrathoracic extension (2%) and multiple sites of involvement (2%) are rare. The tumors are smoothly outlined, occasionally lobulated and can be accurately identified when phleboliths are present (10%).", "PMID": 628723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7526", "title": "Plain film findings of anatomically corrected malposition: its association with juxtaposition of the atrial appendages and right aortic arch.", "content": "Three cases of anatomically corrected malposition of the great arteries (ACM) are presented. The association of ACM with juxtaposition of the atrial appendages and right aortic arch is emphasized. The unique plain film findings of anatomically corrected malposition include: (a) 1-position of the ascending aorta; (b) discrete convexity of the mid-left heart border in association with findings of an abnormal right atrial border (left juxtaposition of the atrial appendages); and (c) right aortic arch. This unusual combination of findings on the postero-anterior chest should lead to a high degree of suspicion in regard to the diagnosis of anatomically corrected malposition.", "contents": "Plain film findings of anatomically corrected malposition: its association with juxtaposition of the atrial appendages and right aortic arch. Three cases of anatomically corrected malposition of the great arteries (ACM) are presented. The association of ACM with juxtaposition of the atrial appendages and right aortic arch is emphasized. The unique plain film findings of anatomically corrected malposition include: (a) 1-position of the ascending aorta; (b) discrete convexity of the mid-left heart border in association with findings of an abnormal right atrial border (left juxtaposition of the atrial appendages); and (c) right aortic arch. This unusual combination of findings on the postero-anterior chest should lead to a high degree of suspicion in regard to the diagnosis of anatomically corrected malposition.", "PMID": 628724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7527", "title": "Superficial esophageal carcinoma. Radiological findings in double-contrast studies.", "content": "Most cases of superficial esophageal cancer have been reported in Japan and China. Radiological findings in 11 patients (13 lesions) are described. Superficial spreading cancer is difficult to detect despite widespread mucosal involvement. Double-contrast technique is essential, both to detect lesions and to demonstrate their extent. An irregular, rigid wall, mucosal abnormalities such as barium pooling and coating, and protrusions of various sizes and shapes are diagnostic features.", "contents": "Superficial esophageal carcinoma. Radiological findings in double-contrast studies. Most cases of superficial esophageal cancer have been reported in Japan and China. Radiological findings in 11 patients (13 lesions) are described. Superficial spreading cancer is difficult to detect despite widespread mucosal involvement. Double-contrast technique is essential, both to detect lesions and to demonstrate their extent. An irregular, rigid wall, mucosal abnormalities such as barium pooling and coating, and protrusions of various sizes and shapes are diagnostic features.", "PMID": 628725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7528", "title": "Small-bowel malabsorption and gastrointestinal malignancy.", "content": "In addition to lymphoma, there is an increased incidence of gastrointestinal carcinoma in patients with malabsorption due to celiac disease. This is frequently manifested by a loss of response to gluten withdrawal. Four such cases are described: one patient had lymphoma and the other three had cancer of the esophagus, jejunum, and pancreas, respectively. The literature indicates that carcinoma of the esophagus and small bowel is particularly common in patients with celiac disease. These findings suggest that celiac disease should be considered a premalignant condition and that such patients should undergo a regular radiographic survey to detect early cancer.", "contents": "Small-bowel malabsorption and gastrointestinal malignancy. In addition to lymphoma, there is an increased incidence of gastrointestinal carcinoma in patients with malabsorption due to celiac disease. This is frequently manifested by a loss of response to gluten withdrawal. Four such cases are described: one patient had lymphoma and the other three had cancer of the esophagus, jejunum, and pancreas, respectively. The literature indicates that carcinoma of the esophagus and small bowel is particularly common in patients with celiac disease. These findings suggest that celiac disease should be considered a premalignant condition and that such patients should undergo a regular radiographic survey to detect early cancer.", "PMID": 628726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7529", "title": "The protean gastrointestinal manifestations of metastatic breast carcinoma.", "content": "Metastatic breast carcinoma commonly remains silent for many years following initial diagnosis and mastectomy, and then appears as metastases at various locations. Gastrointestinal involvement is not uncommon and includes any site along the whole length of the gut, the liver, and the biliary tree; it occasionally simulates other diseases and causes difficulty in diagnosis. The radiographic features and differential diagnoses are discussed.", "contents": "The protean gastrointestinal manifestations of metastatic breast carcinoma. Metastatic breast carcinoma commonly remains silent for many years following initial diagnosis and mastectomy, and then appears as metastases at various locations. Gastrointestinal involvement is not uncommon and includes any site along the whole length of the gut, the liver, and the biliary tree; it occasionally simulates other diseases and causes difficulty in diagnosis. The radiographic features and differential diagnoses are discussed.", "PMID": 628727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7530", "title": "Strongyloides stercoralis colitis: findings in four cases.", "content": "The 4 cases of Strongyloides stercoralis colitis presented show various radiological manifestations of colonic reaction. Mild involvement may be associated with minimal radiographic changes. Invasion of the bowel wall by the larvae results in ulceration and edema with loss of haustral markings; stricture may develop. Barium-enema examinations can help in evaluating the nature and clinical progress of the disease.", "contents": "Strongyloides stercoralis colitis: findings in four cases. The 4 cases of Strongyloides stercoralis colitis presented show various radiological manifestations of colonic reaction. Mild involvement may be associated with minimal radiographic changes. Invasion of the bowel wall by the larvae results in ulceration and edema with loss of haustral markings; stricture may develop. Barium-enema examinations can help in evaluating the nature and clinical progress of the disease.", "PMID": 628728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7531", "title": "Neoplastic pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.", "content": "The authors describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery caused by arterial invasion by a liposarcoma. Neoplastic pseudoaneurysms are rare; most are due to sarcomas and usually involve veins.", "contents": "Neoplastic pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery. The authors describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery caused by arterial invasion by a liposarcoma. Neoplastic pseudoaneurysms are rare; most are due to sarcomas and usually involve veins.", "PMID": 628729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7532", "title": "The origin of the left gastric artery.", "content": "Five hundred celiac angiograms were reviewed to evaluate the frequency of clinically significant variations in the origin of the left gastric artery. In 13 of 500 cases, the left gastric artery arose anomalously most often as a direct branch of the aorta; in 14 of 500 cases, the left gastric artery primarily supplied the liver with only minor contributions to the stomach. An aberrant origin of the left gastric artery necessarily influences the angiographic diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.", "contents": "The origin of the left gastric artery. Five hundred celiac angiograms were reviewed to evaluate the frequency of clinically significant variations in the origin of the left gastric artery. In 13 of 500 cases, the left gastric artery arose anomalously most often as a direct branch of the aorta; in 14 of 500 cases, the left gastric artery primarily supplied the liver with only minor contributions to the stomach. An aberrant origin of the left gastric artery necessarily influences the angiographic diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal hemorrhage.", "PMID": 628730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7533", "title": "The angiographic diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic renal cortical necrosis.", "content": "The authors report a case of acute renal failure resulting from acute cortical necrosis. A selective renal angiogram defined a very unusual, abrupt termination of vascularity at the interlobular and arcuate levels. Nephro-angiography is an important tool in the diagnosis of acute cortical necrosis in the initial phase of acute renal failure.", "contents": "The angiographic diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic renal cortical necrosis. The authors report a case of acute renal failure resulting from acute cortical necrosis. A selective renal angiogram defined a very unusual, abrupt termination of vascularity at the interlobular and arcuate levels. Nephro-angiography is an important tool in the diagnosis of acute cortical necrosis in the initial phase of acute renal failure.", "PMID": 628731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7534", "title": "Urethrographic manifestations of venereal warts (condyloma acuminata).", "content": "Intraurethral spread of venereal warts is a serious complication. Urethral involvement may be extensive and is associated with severe irritative symptoms. Spread to the bladder is possible. Recurrence are frequent and eradication difficult. We describe the urethrographic appearance of intraurethral verrucae and believe it to be strongly suggestive of the diagnosis. Voiding cystourethrography is recommended, and satisfactory visualization may be obtained with either voiding or retrograde urethrography. Voiding urethrography following intravenously administered contrast (excretory voiding cystourethrography) is particularly advantageous since it avoids the need for urethral instrumentation and, therefore, cannot contribute to retrograde spread of these contagious growths.", "contents": "Urethrographic manifestations of venereal warts (condyloma acuminata). Intraurethral spread of venereal warts is a serious complication. Urethral involvement may be extensive and is associated with severe irritative symptoms. Spread to the bladder is possible. Recurrence are frequent and eradication difficult. We describe the urethrographic appearance of intraurethral verrucae and believe it to be strongly suggestive of the diagnosis. Voiding cystourethrography is recommended, and satisfactory visualization may be obtained with either voiding or retrograde urethrography. Voiding urethrography following intravenously administered contrast (excretory voiding cystourethrography) is particularly advantageous since it avoids the need for urethral instrumentation and, therefore, cannot contribute to retrograde spread of these contagious growths.", "PMID": 628732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7535", "title": "Retroperitoneal iliac fossa pyogenic abscess.", "content": "Five cases of retroperitoneal iliac fossa abscess are presented. Abnormal excretory urogram and plain films, coupled with a history of either hip pain, limp, or pelvic mass should suggest the diagnosis. The excretory urogram is the most sensitive means of detecting iliopsoas abscess; all patients had medial displacement on the distal ureter. The upper urinary tract was normal in all cases. Study of the gastrointestinal tract may be of additional help in localizing the abscess and ruling out other pathology. A retroperitoneal muscle splitting approach is the preferred surgical procedure. Drainage of the abscess cavity and systemic antibiotic coverage are curative.", "contents": "Retroperitoneal iliac fossa pyogenic abscess. Five cases of retroperitoneal iliac fossa abscess are presented. Abnormal excretory urogram and plain films, coupled with a history of either hip pain, limp, or pelvic mass should suggest the diagnosis. The excretory urogram is the most sensitive means of detecting iliopsoas abscess; all patients had medial displacement on the distal ureter. The upper urinary tract was normal in all cases. Study of the gastrointestinal tract may be of additional help in localizing the abscess and ruling out other pathology. A retroperitoneal muscle splitting approach is the preferred surgical procedure. Drainage of the abscess cavity and systemic antibiotic coverage are curative.", "PMID": 628733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7536", "title": "Angiographic manifestations of soft-tissue and osseous hemangiopericytomas.", "content": "Hemangiopericytomas are rare vascular tumors and may originate wherever there are capillaries. So far, the author has found 341 cases of soft-tissue and 10 cases of osseous hemangiopericytomas. Only a few of these vascular tumors have been investigated angiographically. A review of 20 previously reported cases and 5 cases of his own, including a case of periosteal hemangiopericytoma, reveals that these are the only vascular tumors which present some characteristic angiographic features, regardless of their location or site of origin. Typically, a few feeder arteries enter the mass with radially arranged branching around and inside the tumor and a longstanding, well-demarcated tumor stain is seen.", "contents": "Angiographic manifestations of soft-tissue and osseous hemangiopericytomas. Hemangiopericytomas are rare vascular tumors and may originate wherever there are capillaries. So far, the author has found 341 cases of soft-tissue and 10 cases of osseous hemangiopericytomas. Only a few of these vascular tumors have been investigated angiographically. A review of 20 previously reported cases and 5 cases of his own, including a case of periosteal hemangiopericytoma, reveals that these are the only vascular tumors which present some characteristic angiographic features, regardless of their location or site of origin. Typically, a few feeder arteries enter the mass with radially arranged branching around and inside the tumor and a longstanding, well-demarcated tumor stain is seen.", "PMID": 628734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7537", "title": "Double contrast arthrographic evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament.", "content": "A review of 100 surgically confirmed cases indicates that double contrast arthrography, performed and interpreted with the described criteria, can accurately demonstrate the status of the anterior cruciate ligament. Visualization of the posterior cruciate ligament, which is less commonly injured, assures that proper radiologic positioning has been attained. Joint distraction is used to increase the visualized length of the anterior cruciate ligament coated by contrast agent. Various types of anterior cruciate ligament abnormalities as well as the high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament in young athletes are emphasized.", "contents": "Double contrast arthrographic evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament. A review of 100 surgically confirmed cases indicates that double contrast arthrography, performed and interpreted with the described criteria, can accurately demonstrate the status of the anterior cruciate ligament. Visualization of the posterior cruciate ligament, which is less commonly injured, assures that proper radiologic positioning has been attained. Joint distraction is used to increase the visualized length of the anterior cruciate ligament coated by contrast agent. Various types of anterior cruciate ligament abnormalities as well as the high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament in young athletes are emphasized.", "PMID": 628735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7538", "title": "Arthrography in the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint.", "content": "Temporomandibular joint arthrography has been helpful in selecting patients for reconstructive surgery who have severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Structural abnormalities of the soft tissues can be demonstrated where only minimal osseous changes are seen on tomography. The normal arthrographic anatomy of the joint is reviewed and normal and pathological joints are illustrated.", "contents": "Arthrography in the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint. Temporomandibular joint arthrography has been helpful in selecting patients for reconstructive surgery who have severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Structural abnormalities of the soft tissues can be demonstrated where only minimal osseous changes are seen on tomography. The normal arthrographic anatomy of the joint is reviewed and normal and pathological joints are illustrated.", "PMID": 628736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7539", "title": "Superior marginal rib defects in traumatic quadriplegia.", "content": "The interpretation of the chest films of hospitalized quadriplegic and paraplegic patients over a one-year period revealed three quadriplegic patients with superior marginal rib defects. The resorptive defect involved the posterior portion of the third through seventh ribs. The etiology is probably intercostal muscle atrophy with resulting loss of muscle stress causing bone resorption.", "contents": "Superior marginal rib defects in traumatic quadriplegia. The interpretation of the chest films of hospitalized quadriplegic and paraplegic patients over a one-year period revealed three quadriplegic patients with superior marginal rib defects. The resorptive defect involved the posterior portion of the third through seventh ribs. The etiology is probably intercostal muscle atrophy with resulting loss of muscle stress causing bone resorption.", "PMID": 628737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7540", "title": "Influence of age at first pregnancy on breast parenchymal pattern: a preliminary report.", "content": "Two groups of women, aged 50 and 60, were randomly selected from a mammographic screening project. The parenchymal pattern was classified according to Wolfe. A correlation was found between a known risk factor, age at first pregnancy, and parenchymal pattern. The results support the hypothesis of a relationship between breast parenchymal pattern and risk of cancer development.", "contents": "Influence of age at first pregnancy on breast parenchymal pattern: a preliminary report. Two groups of women, aged 50 and 60, were randomly selected from a mammographic screening project. The parenchymal pattern was classified according to Wolfe. A correlation was found between a known risk factor, age at first pregnancy, and parenchymal pattern. The results support the hypothesis of a relationship between breast parenchymal pattern and risk of cancer development.", "PMID": 628738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7541", "title": "Army technologists: 29-year follow up for cause of death.", "content": "A previous 18-year follow-up study revealed no significant excess of cancer among men who served in the Army during World War II as radiological technologists (n = 6,560) as compared with men who served as medical, laboratory, or pharmacy technologists (n = 6,826). Extension of the follow up by 11 years (1946-1974) revealed that 145 former radiological technologists had died of cancer, as compared with 158 controls. No statistically significant differences were found between these groups for individual sites of cancer or for deaths from other causes.", "contents": "Army technologists: 29-year follow up for cause of death. A previous 18-year follow-up study revealed no significant excess of cancer among men who served in the Army during World War II as radiological technologists (n = 6,560) as compared with men who served as medical, laboratory, or pharmacy technologists (n = 6,826). Extension of the follow up by 11 years (1946-1974) revealed that 145 former radiological technologists had died of cancer, as compared with 158 controls. No statistically significant differences were found between these groups for individual sites of cancer or for deaths from other causes.", "PMID": 628739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7542", "title": "A protocol for the use of contrast enhancement in cranial computed tomography.", "content": "There is some confusion regarding the indications for and methodology of the use of contrast material in cranial computed tomography. Some authors recommend a nonenhanced scan in all cases, followed by an enhanced scan if indicated by the symptoms or the appearance of the unenhanced scan. Others have questioned the value of the nonenhanced scan in patients with tumor. The authors offer a protocol for the use of contrast material. Possible tumor patients are scanned with contrast material alone; other patients are scanned either (a) without contrast material or (b) both with and without contrast material, depending upon the most likely clinical diagnosis.", "contents": "A protocol for the use of contrast enhancement in cranial computed tomography. There is some confusion regarding the indications for and methodology of the use of contrast material in cranial computed tomography. Some authors recommend a nonenhanced scan in all cases, followed by an enhanced scan if indicated by the symptoms or the appearance of the unenhanced scan. Others have questioned the value of the nonenhanced scan in patients with tumor. The authors offer a protocol for the use of contrast material. Possible tumor patients are scanned with contrast material alone; other patients are scanned either (a) without contrast material or (b) both with and without contrast material, depending upon the most likely clinical diagnosis.", "PMID": 628740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7543", "title": "Non-contrast CT scanning: limited value in suspected brain tumor.", "content": "Most patients who have computed tomography because of a suspected brain tumor are subjected to a noncontrast scan followed by a contrast study. Analysis of the scans of all such patients over a two-year period indicates that in most cases a single contrast scan affords the same degree of diagnostic accuracy as a combined pre- and postcontrast study.", "contents": "Non-contrast CT scanning: limited value in suspected brain tumor. Most patients who have computed tomography because of a suspected brain tumor are subjected to a noncontrast scan followed by a contrast study. Analysis of the scans of all such patients over a two-year period indicates that in most cases a single contrast scan affords the same degree of diagnostic accuracy as a combined pre- and postcontrast study.", "PMID": 628741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7544", "title": "Computed tomography and radionuclide imaging in the evaluation of ischemic stroke.", "content": "One hundred forty-one patients with cerebral or cerebellar infarction were examined by computed tomography (CT) as soon after the ictus as possible. The examination was repeated in 7 days, and a radionuclide brain scan was performed. The overall detection rate for ischemic infarction was approximately equal for both techniques, ranging from 58% for radionuclide scanning to 66% for the delayed CT. Almost half of the supratentorial infarcts examined by CT on the day of the ictus were demonstrated. Mass effect was observed as early as the first day and as late as the 25th day.", "contents": "Computed tomography and radionuclide imaging in the evaluation of ischemic stroke. One hundred forty-one patients with cerebral or cerebellar infarction were examined by computed tomography (CT) as soon after the ictus as possible. The examination was repeated in 7 days, and a radionuclide brain scan was performed. The overall detection rate for ischemic infarction was approximately equal for both techniques, ranging from 58% for radionuclide scanning to 66% for the delayed CT. Almost half of the supratentorial infarcts examined by CT on the day of the ictus were demonstrated. Mass effect was observed as early as the first day and as late as the 25th day.", "PMID": 628742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7545", "title": "Adrenoleukodystrophy. A correlative analysis of computed tomography and radionuclide studies.", "content": "A discrepancy in location of abnormality has been noted between computed tomography (CT) and radionuclide studies in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Radionuclide concentration occurs only in the periphery of the lesion or area of acute demyelinating process and no concentration is seen in the area af gliosis whereas gliosis appears as a low-density lesion in the CT scan. Forward migration of radionuclide uptake in the follow-up study is another characteristic feature of this disease.", "contents": "Adrenoleukodystrophy. A correlative analysis of computed tomography and radionuclide studies. A discrepancy in location of abnormality has been noted between computed tomography (CT) and radionuclide studies in patients with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Radionuclide concentration occurs only in the periphery of the lesion or area of acute demyelinating process and no concentration is seen in the area af gliosis whereas gliosis appears as a low-density lesion in the CT scan. Forward migration of radionuclide uptake in the follow-up study is another characteristic feature of this disease.", "PMID": 628743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7546", "title": "The effect of gastrografin and glucagon on CT scanning of the pancreas: a blind clinical trial.", "content": "The effect of Gastrografin and glucagon on pancreatic CT scanning was studied in a blind clinical trial. Twenty-five patients had a pancreatic CT scan performed on an 18-second scanner and a repeat pancreatic CT scan following administration of Gastrografin and glucagon. The results were statistically significant: decreased streak artifacts; improved pancreatic head, body and tail delineation; and improved overall pancreatic visualization. Gastrografin-glucagon administration is recommended prior to pancreatic CT scanning if the scanning cycle is 18 seconds or longer.", "contents": "The effect of gastrografin and glucagon on CT scanning of the pancreas: a blind clinical trial. The effect of Gastrografin and glucagon on pancreatic CT scanning was studied in a blind clinical trial. Twenty-five patients had a pancreatic CT scan performed on an 18-second scanner and a repeat pancreatic CT scan following administration of Gastrografin and glucagon. The results were statistically significant: decreased streak artifacts; improved pancreatic head, body and tail delineation; and improved overall pancreatic visualization. Gastrografin-glucagon administration is recommended prior to pancreatic CT scanning if the scanning cycle is 18 seconds or longer.", "PMID": 628744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7547", "title": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of renal masses.", "content": "CT diagnosis of renal lesions proved to be highly efficient and reliable. This modality was most accurate in diagnosing renal cysts and the great majority of solid lesions. There was an indeterminate group (5% of cases studied) that included cysts, tumors and abscesses. This group requires additional investigation, but angiography is often not conclusive because of the avascular nature of these tumors. Other problem areas included cysts with apparently irregular margins and artifacts produced by the presence of contrast agent in the collecting systems.", "contents": "Computed tomography in the diagnosis of renal masses. CT diagnosis of renal lesions proved to be highly efficient and reliable. This modality was most accurate in diagnosing renal cysts and the great majority of solid lesions. There was an indeterminate group (5% of cases studied) that included cysts, tumors and abscesses. This group requires additional investigation, but angiography is often not conclusive because of the avascular nature of these tumors. Other problem areas included cysts with apparently irregular margins and artifacts produced by the presence of contrast agent in the collecting systems.", "PMID": 628745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7548", "title": "The ultrasonic and computed tomographic appearance of splenic lobulations: a consideration in the ultrasonic differential of masses adjacent to the left kidney.", "content": "A splenic lobulation interposed between the tail of the pancreas and the left kidney is not uncommon. On prone ultrasonic scans, this variant of splenic configuration must be considered in the differentiation of anterior masses adjacent to the left kidney and masses originating in the tail of the pancreas. Computed tomography is the most sensitive method to use in making this distinction.", "contents": "The ultrasonic and computed tomographic appearance of splenic lobulations: a consideration in the ultrasonic differential of masses adjacent to the left kidney. A splenic lobulation interposed between the tail of the pancreas and the left kidney is not uncommon. On prone ultrasonic scans, this variant of splenic configuration must be considered in the differentiation of anterior masses adjacent to the left kidney and masses originating in the tail of the pancreas. Computed tomography is the most sensitive method to use in making this distinction.", "PMID": 628746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7549", "title": "Characteristics of calcification in tumors of the pineal gland.", "content": "Thirty-two cases of proved pineal tumor were analyzed. Calcification was seen in 75%. The size, character, and position of the calcification were useful indicators of abnormality on plain-film evaluation. Fray's cranioangle method was more sensitive than Oon's method in determining abnormal position of the calcified pineal tumor on the lateral skull film. Most calcifications were displaced postero-inferiorly or inferiorly, which can be explained by obstructive hydrocephalus or direct tumor expansion.", "contents": "Characteristics of calcification in tumors of the pineal gland. Thirty-two cases of proved pineal tumor were analyzed. Calcification was seen in 75%. The size, character, and position of the calcification were useful indicators of abnormality on plain-film evaluation. Fray's cranioangle method was more sensitive than Oon's method in determining abnormal position of the calcified pineal tumor on the lateral skull film. Most calcifications were displaced postero-inferiorly or inferiorly, which can be explained by obstructive hydrocephalus or direct tumor expansion.", "PMID": 628747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7550", "title": "Decreased 99mTc sulfur colloid activity in healed rib fractures.", "content": "This report describes 2 patients in whom focal areas of decreased 99mTc sulfur colloid marrow activity were associated with callus formation and healing rib fractures in one case and rib fractures with bony bridging in the second. Since bone marrow scans are occasionally used to select appropriate sites for marrow biopsy in patients with suspected metastatic disease, radiographic correlation of \"cold\" lesions on marrow scans is recommended prior to biopsy to exclude fracture with callus formation as a benign cause of the abnormality.", "contents": "Decreased 99mTc sulfur colloid activity in healed rib fractures. This report describes 2 patients in whom focal areas of decreased 99mTc sulfur colloid marrow activity were associated with callus formation and healing rib fractures in one case and rib fractures with bony bridging in the second. Since bone marrow scans are occasionally used to select appropriate sites for marrow biopsy in patients with suspected metastatic disease, radiographic correlation of \"cold\" lesions on marrow scans is recommended prior to biopsy to exclude fracture with callus formation as a benign cause of the abnormality.", "PMID": 628748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7551", "title": "Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. A report of three unusual cases.", "content": "Most children with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation present in the first six months of life. Three cases are described with unusually late presentation. One child was completely asymptomatic and another became symptomatic only after secondary infection of a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. In two cases the correct diagnosis was not made preoperatively. The value of preoperative lung scanning was demonstrated in one case in which a lung scan showed a larger perfused area than indicated on the radiograph. At operation, a lobulated cystic structure was seen attached by a thin pedicle to the interior surface of the left upper lobe.", "contents": "Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. A report of three unusual cases. Most children with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation present in the first six months of life. Three cases are described with unusually late presentation. One child was completely asymptomatic and another became symptomatic only after secondary infection of a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. In two cases the correct diagnosis was not made preoperatively. The value of preoperative lung scanning was demonstrated in one case in which a lung scan showed a larger perfused area than indicated on the radiograph. At operation, a lobulated cystic structure was seen attached by a thin pedicle to the interior surface of the left upper lobe.", "PMID": 628749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7552", "title": "Empyema as a complication of retropharyngeal and neck abscesses in children.", "content": "Empyema developing from retropharyngeal abscess is a rare complication. Two infants with clinical symptomatology and inital chest radiographic findings of pleural fluid which suggested the possibility of retrophoryngeal abscess are described. A child with submandibular and cervical abscesses is also reported; pleural fluid and mediastinal abscess developed less than 24 hours after admission. Pathological processes in the neck can spread into the chest or conversely, either by direct continuity or by dissection through the fascial planes enveloping the cervical compartments. The middle or visceral space which is in direct continuity with the mediastinum is generally the area in which cervicothoracic disease inter-relates.", "contents": "Empyema as a complication of retropharyngeal and neck abscesses in children. Empyema developing from retropharyngeal abscess is a rare complication. Two infants with clinical symptomatology and inital chest radiographic findings of pleural fluid which suggested the possibility of retrophoryngeal abscess are described. A child with submandibular and cervical abscesses is also reported; pleural fluid and mediastinal abscess developed less than 24 hours after admission. Pathological processes in the neck can spread into the chest or conversely, either by direct continuity or by dissection through the fascial planes enveloping the cervical compartments. The middle or visceral space which is in direct continuity with the mediastinum is generally the area in which cervicothoracic disease inter-relates.", "PMID": 628750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7553", "title": "\"Vascular\" benign liver cyst in children: report of two cases.", "content": "Cyst wall vascularity not evident on abdominal aortography was demonstrated by selective magnification angiography in two children with complicated solitary, nonparasitic liver cysts. In one, its character and degree led to a false diagnosis of tumor. The observed mural vascularity probably reflected secondary changes of inflammation and necrosis in one case and prior surgery in the other case. Histologic findings in previously reported cases, however, indicate that, contrary to accepted angiographic beliefs, mural vascularity also occurs in many noncomplicated, simple liver cysts. Angiographers should be aware of this, and that the possibility exists of visualizing this mural vascularity by selective magnification angiography.", "contents": "\"Vascular\" benign liver cyst in children: report of two cases. Cyst wall vascularity not evident on abdominal aortography was demonstrated by selective magnification angiography in two children with complicated solitary, nonparasitic liver cysts. In one, its character and degree led to a false diagnosis of tumor. The observed mural vascularity probably reflected secondary changes of inflammation and necrosis in one case and prior surgery in the other case. Histologic findings in previously reported cases, however, indicate that, contrary to accepted angiographic beliefs, mural vascularity also occurs in many noncomplicated, simple liver cysts. Angiographers should be aware of this, and that the possibility exists of visualizing this mural vascularity by selective magnification angiography.", "PMID": 628751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7554", "title": "Renovascular hypertension as a complication of umbilical arterial catheterization.", "content": "Renovascular hypertension (RVH) in the neonatal period is frequently associated with thromboembolic complications of umbilical artery catheterization. Seven newborn infants with RVH were studied by angiography and/or radionuclide examination. Aortography and, in one case, selective angiography showed variable degrees of renal artery occlusion or attenuation. Thromboembolic defects were frequently present in other vessels. Radionuclide flow studies, renograms, and computer analysis of data (ADAC) demonstrated defects in renal function, indicative of renal ischemia. There was a high degree of correlation between angiographic and radionuclide studies. Successful medical management suggests a more conservative alternative to nephrectomy in the hypertensive newborn.", "contents": "Renovascular hypertension as a complication of umbilical arterial catheterization. Renovascular hypertension (RVH) in the neonatal period is frequently associated with thromboembolic complications of umbilical artery catheterization. Seven newborn infants with RVH were studied by angiography and/or radionuclide examination. Aortography and, in one case, selective angiography showed variable degrees of renal artery occlusion or attenuation. Thromboembolic defects were frequently present in other vessels. Radionuclide flow studies, renograms, and computer analysis of data (ADAC) demonstrated defects in renal function, indicative of renal ischemia. There was a high degree of correlation between angiographic and radionuclide studies. Successful medical management suggests a more conservative alternative to nephrectomy in the hypertensive newborn.", "PMID": 628752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7555", "title": "Gray scale ultrasound in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.", "content": "Gray scale ultrasound at a frequency of 5.0 MHz was used as part of a study to evaluate the results of yttrium-90 injection as therapy for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Popliteal cysts, suprapatellar effusions and synovial thickening in the suprapatellar pouch were demonstrated and ultrasound studies were correlated with the clinical and arthrographic findings. Gray scale ultrasound can be a useful adjunct in the evaluation and follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.", "contents": "Gray scale ultrasound in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Gray scale ultrasound at a frequency of 5.0 MHz was used as part of a study to evaluate the results of yttrium-90 injection as therapy for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. Popliteal cysts, suprapatellar effusions and synovial thickening in the suprapatellar pouch were demonstrated and ultrasound studies were correlated with the clinical and arthrographic findings. Gray scale ultrasound can be a useful adjunct in the evaluation and follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.", "PMID": 628753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7556", "title": "Antepartum ultrasonic diagnosis of congenital hydrocele.", "content": "Ultrasound scans are presented in 2 cases of bilateral congenital hydroceles. In both cases, large scrotal sacs were identified and seen to contain prominent fluid collections. In one case, the testes were identified within the fluid. No testes were seen in the other patient, who subsequently proved to have bilateral undescended testicles.", "contents": "Antepartum ultrasonic diagnosis of congenital hydrocele. Ultrasound scans are presented in 2 cases of bilateral congenital hydroceles. In both cases, large scrotal sacs were identified and seen to contain prominent fluid collections. In one case, the testes were identified within the fluid. No testes were seen in the other patient, who subsequently proved to have bilateral undescended testicles.", "PMID": 628754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7557", "title": "Generation of iso-TDF maps: considerations for radiation therapy planning.", "content": "The NSD (nominal standard dose) concept has been useful in therapy for comparing various radiation treatment schedules. More recently, TDF (time, dose, and fractionation) factors were introduced. By incorporating treatment schedules (time and fractionation) with isodose summations, TDFs can be determined throughout the patient contour, including tissue in and outside the tumor volume. For this purpose an isodose summation program was modified to generate iso-TDF maps based on the treatment schedule. For schedules in which all fields are not treated every day, recovery is not inhibited throughout the total treatment volume. It was necessary to reevaluate the concept of \"recovery time\" for tissues outside the tumor volume and to introduce a \"threshold to inhibit recovery\" model. Clinical examples assuming this recovery model are presented.", "contents": "Generation of iso-TDF maps: considerations for radiation therapy planning. The NSD (nominal standard dose) concept has been useful in therapy for comparing various radiation treatment schedules. More recently, TDF (time, dose, and fractionation) factors were introduced. By incorporating treatment schedules (time and fractionation) with isodose summations, TDFs can be determined throughout the patient contour, including tissue in and outside the tumor volume. For this purpose an isodose summation program was modified to generate iso-TDF maps based on the treatment schedule. For schedules in which all fields are not treated every day, recovery is not inhibited throughout the total treatment volume. It was necessary to reevaluate the concept of \"recovery time\" for tissues outside the tumor volume and to introduce a \"threshold to inhibit recovery\" model. Clinical examples assuming this recovery model are presented.", "PMID": 628755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7558", "title": "Apparent reformation of the base of the skull following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "Skull radiographs of 11 selected patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx were reviewed before and after radiotherapy. Apparent bone reformation was seen at the initial sites of osteolytic destruction within four to six months after delivery of cancericidal radiation dosages.", "contents": "Apparent reformation of the base of the skull following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Skull radiographs of 11 selected patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx were reviewed before and after radiotherapy. Apparent bone reformation was seen at the initial sites of osteolytic destruction within four to six months after delivery of cancericidal radiation dosages.", "PMID": 628756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7559", "title": "Experimental observations on short and long-term effects of arterial occlusion with Ivalon.", "content": "Ivalon sponge has proved to be a useful embolic material, particularly when long-term or permanent occlusions are desirable. It has been stated that Ivalon is well tolerated and that it produces little if any damage to the wall or periadventitial tissues of the embolized artery. Our study demonstrates definite evidence of inflammatory reaction in the wall of the embolized arteries; these changes were seen only in the acute phase and seem to be secondary to damage of the vessel wall by the plastic material. Permanent occlusion results with disappearance of the inflammatory changes at nine months postembolization.", "contents": "Experimental observations on short and long-term effects of arterial occlusion with Ivalon. Ivalon sponge has proved to be a useful embolic material, particularly when long-term or permanent occlusions are desirable. It has been stated that Ivalon is well tolerated and that it produces little if any damage to the wall or periadventitial tissues of the embolized artery. Our study demonstrates definite evidence of inflammatory reaction in the wall of the embolized arteries; these changes were seen only in the acute phase and seem to be secondary to damage of the vessel wall by the plastic material. Permanent occlusion results with disappearance of the inflammatory changes at nine months postembolization.", "PMID": 628757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7560", "title": "A method for rapid determination of the energy of electron beams from medical linear accelerators.", "content": "A method has been developed using a Varian Clinac-18 LINAC for the rapid determination of electron beam energy for clinically used linear accelerators. The method involves measuring the ionization values in a water or polystyrene phantom with an ion chamber at two predetermined depths. Then with predetermined Bremsstrahlung \"tail\" values which are presented here or which can be developed by the user, the practical range, Rp can be measured. With the Rp, the effective surface energy Eo of the electron beam can be determined by the Markus range-energy formula. Thus, by measuring just two depth ionization values, one is quickly able to determine the Eo of an electron beam without plotting a full depth ionization curve.", "contents": "A method for rapid determination of the energy of electron beams from medical linear accelerators. A method has been developed using a Varian Clinac-18 LINAC for the rapid determination of electron beam energy for clinically used linear accelerators. The method involves measuring the ionization values in a water or polystyrene phantom with an ion chamber at two predetermined depths. Then with predetermined Bremsstrahlung \"tail\" values which are presented here or which can be developed by the user, the practical range, Rp can be measured. With the Rp, the effective surface energy Eo of the electron beam can be determined by the Markus range-energy formula. Thus, by measuring just two depth ionization values, one is quickly able to determine the Eo of an electron beam without plotting a full depth ionization curve.", "PMID": 628758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7561", "title": "Orthogonal fields: variations in dose vs. gap size for treatment of the central nervous system.", "content": "Variations in dose at the junction at the lower end of two lateral skull portals and the upper end of a posterior spinal portal used for irradiation of the central nervous system (CNS) were studied using 60Co and 6 MV linear accelerator radiation. The relationship between dose and gap size was measured via film dosimetry. Small variations in gap size resulted in large variations in dose (+/- 40%) at the junction. These variations in dose were more pronounced for the 6 MV accelerator than for the 60Co, but the volume of high and low dose tended to be smaller with the 6 MV linear accelerator.", "contents": "Orthogonal fields: variations in dose vs. gap size for treatment of the central nervous system. Variations in dose at the junction at the lower end of two lateral skull portals and the upper end of a posterior spinal portal used for irradiation of the central nervous system (CNS) were studied using 60Co and 6 MV linear accelerator radiation. The relationship between dose and gap size was measured via film dosimetry. Small variations in gap size resulted in large variations in dose (+/- 40%) at the junction. These variations in dose were more pronounced for the 6 MV accelerator than for the 60Co, but the volume of high and low dose tended to be smaller with the 6 MV linear accelerator.", "PMID": 628759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7562", "title": "Effects of negative pi mesons on immune responses in mice.", "content": "Spleen cells from normal or preimmunized mice were exposed to graded doses of peak pions or 300-kVp x rays in vitro and then cultured in heavily irradiated mice to determine antibody production against sheep erythrocytes. The RBE for the primary antibody response was 1.46. Equal suppression of secondary responses was seen with both pions and x rays. When spleen cells were irradiated 1, 3, or 5 days after antigen injection, developing immune responses became less sensitive to pions than to x rays. Because T-cell activity (needed for the antibody response) is also implicated in tumor immunity, antitumor immune responses might not be more sensitive to pions than the response used; also, pions might not impair ongoing autochthonous immune responses more than conventional radiation modalities do.", "contents": "Effects of negative pi mesons on immune responses in mice. Spleen cells from normal or preimmunized mice were exposed to graded doses of peak pions or 300-kVp x rays in vitro and then cultured in heavily irradiated mice to determine antibody production against sheep erythrocytes. The RBE for the primary antibody response was 1.46. Equal suppression of secondary responses was seen with both pions and x rays. When spleen cells were irradiated 1, 3, or 5 days after antigen injection, developing immune responses became less sensitive to pions than to x rays. Because T-cell activity (needed for the antibody response) is also implicated in tumor immunity, antitumor immune responses might not be more sensitive to pions than the response used; also, pions might not impair ongoing autochthonous immune responses more than conventional radiation modalities do.", "PMID": 628760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7563", "title": "Computed tomographic angiography of the body.", "content": "Large and medium-sized blood vessels can be identified on extracranial computed tomographic (CT) scans when a combination of infusion and bolus injection of conventional contrast material is administered. The cases illustrated in this report show that CT angiography can sometimes offer clinically useful information not present on CT scans obtained without contrast injection.", "contents": "Computed tomographic angiography of the body. Large and medium-sized blood vessels can be identified on extracranial computed tomographic (CT) scans when a combination of infusion and bolus injection of conventional contrast material is administered. The cases illustrated in this report show that CT angiography can sometimes offer clinically useful information not present on CT scans obtained without contrast injection.", "PMID": 628761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7564", "title": "Experimental investigations of the possible cause of liver appearance during bone scanning.", "content": "Rats were injected with 99mTc-Sn-diphosphonate preparation containing various concentrations of Al+3, ranging from 0 microgram/ml to 60 microgram/ml, and whole-body rat images were obtained at two hours postinjection to assess soft-tissue uptake. Uptake (kidney and liver) occurred at approximately 20 microgram/ml Al+3. [This is the maximum allowed in pertechnetate eluate by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ] Increased soft-tissue uptake and progressive degradation of bone scan images occurred with higher Al+3 concentrations. Chromatographic analysis confirmed the breakdown of the radiopharmaceutical preparation containing 20 microgram/ml or more Al+3. Millipore filtration showed no evidence of large colloid particles (greater than 0.2 micrometer).", "contents": "Experimental investigations of the possible cause of liver appearance during bone scanning. Rats were injected with 99mTc-Sn-diphosphonate preparation containing various concentrations of Al+3, ranging from 0 microgram/ml to 60 microgram/ml, and whole-body rat images were obtained at two hours postinjection to assess soft-tissue uptake. Uptake (kidney and liver) occurred at approximately 20 microgram/ml Al+3. [This is the maximum allowed in pertechnetate eluate by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ] Increased soft-tissue uptake and progressive degradation of bone scan images occurred with higher Al+3 concentrations. Chromatographic analysis confirmed the breakdown of the radiopharmaceutical preparation containing 20 microgram/ml or more Al+3. Millipore filtration showed no evidence of large colloid particles (greater than 0.2 micrometer).", "PMID": 628762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7565", "title": "An easy method to demonstrate the cruciate ligaments by double contrast arthrography.", "content": "A reproducible technique which does not require special equipment for demonstrating the cruciate ligaments by double contrast arthrography is described. The positive contrast medium coats the synovial surfaces of the ligaments, i.e., the anterior aspect of the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior aspect of the posterior cruciate ligaments. The ligaments appear lucent by this technique because they are delineated by a sharp positive contrast medium/lucent interface. The study is performed prior to the meniscal exam before medium absorption occurs.", "contents": "An easy method to demonstrate the cruciate ligaments by double contrast arthrography. A reproducible technique which does not require special equipment for demonstrating the cruciate ligaments by double contrast arthrography is described. The positive contrast medium coats the synovial surfaces of the ligaments, i.e., the anterior aspect of the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior aspect of the posterior cruciate ligaments. The ligaments appear lucent by this technique because they are delineated by a sharp positive contrast medium/lucent interface. The study is performed prior to the meniscal exam before medium absorption occurs.", "PMID": 628763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7566", "title": "An efficient patient data entry system for a busy computer.", "content": "The authors describe an independent minicomputer consisting of a CRT and a cassette unit which was designed to store patient data and interact with the main computer at a convenient time. This system permits the computer to handle data entry and treatment planning functions simultaneously. The layout of the overall system, the function of the program and a time analysis of the system are discussed.", "contents": "An efficient patient data entry system for a busy computer. The authors describe an independent minicomputer consisting of a CRT and a cassette unit which was designed to store patient data and interact with the main computer at a convenient time. This system permits the computer to handle data entry and treatment planning functions simultaneously. The layout of the overall system, the function of the program and a time analysis of the system are discussed.", "PMID": 628764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7567", "title": "Distinguishing ischemic from fibrotic myocardium during ventriculograpy by means of physiological potentiation.", "content": "Physiological potentiation during ventriculography is more helpful than the routine ventriculogram in predicting postoperative ventricular function. The authors describe a control device which allows the operator to flexibly program a pacing stimulus, thus making it possible to obtain both a resting beat and an optimum potentiated beat during a single ventriculographic study.", "contents": "Distinguishing ischemic from fibrotic myocardium during ventriculograpy by means of physiological potentiation. Physiological potentiation during ventriculography is more helpful than the routine ventriculogram in predicting postoperative ventricular function. The authors describe a control device which allows the operator to flexibly program a pacing stimulus, thus making it possible to obtain both a resting beat and an optimum potentiated beat during a single ventriculographic study.", "PMID": 628765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7568", "title": "A cyclotron target for the production of radioxenons.", "content": "A liquid cesium target has been developed which allows the production and separate identification of the neutron deficient isotopes of xenon. The present report describes irradiations utilizing 34--41 MeV protons to produce millicurie quantities of 127Xe and 129Xem. At higher energies, however, the target could be used without modification to produce xenon isotopes as light as 119.", "contents": "A cyclotron target for the production of radioxenons. A liquid cesium target has been developed which allows the production and separate identification of the neutron deficient isotopes of xenon. The present report describes irradiations utilizing 34--41 MeV protons to produce millicurie quantities of 127Xe and 129Xem. At higher energies, however, the target could be used without modification to produce xenon isotopes as light as 119.", "PMID": 628783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7569", "title": "A catalytic generator for the production of H2 14O and H2 15O.", "content": "A technique is described for the continuous production of water labelled with 14O or 15O. Total activities are achieved which are virtually independent of the distance separating the accelerator from the user site, limited only by beam current and energy. The specific activity is determined by the user's needs, since the entire 100-mCi inventory can be collected in liquid volumes on the order of microliters. The studies triggered by this resource range from basic investigations in physics and biochemistry to practical nuclear medical procedures.", "contents": "A catalytic generator for the production of H2 14O and H2 15O. A technique is described for the continuous production of water labelled with 14O or 15O. Total activities are achieved which are virtually independent of the distance separating the accelerator from the user site, limited only by beam current and energy. The specific activity is determined by the user's needs, since the entire 100-mCi inventory can be collected in liquid volumes on the order of microliters. The studies triggered by this resource range from basic investigations in physics and biochemistry to practical nuclear medical procedures.", "PMID": 628787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7570", "title": "[Physical training and sports exercises within the framework of an early rehabilitation programme at a health resort (author's transl)].", "content": "The article reports on early rehabilitation measures carried out at a health resort on nearly 4000 patients with signs of \"wear and tear\", degenerative and other changes of the musculo-skeletal system as well as insufficiencies of cardiovascular system. Provided the preliminary diagnostic examinations are carried out and medical supervision ensured physical training and sports become increasingly important as integral parts of an active treatment plan including natural healing methods. Sport-physiological experiences have, however, shown that a real and measurable positive training effect can only be achieved if these components are administered in the correct dosages. This holds particularly true if a wide spectrum of gymnastic and sports exercises is offered - primarily in groups and under professional supervision - which are not only intended to increase physical capacity, but also respond to individual inclinations. Thus, in addition to its therapeutic value, early rehabilitation at a health resort can provide the feeling of achievement appropriate to give the rehabilitees new impulses at home. As a consequence, these programmes make a positive contribution to the well-being of the general public.", "contents": "[Physical training and sports exercises within the framework of an early rehabilitation programme at a health resort (author's transl)]. The article reports on early rehabilitation measures carried out at a health resort on nearly 4000 patients with signs of \"wear and tear\", degenerative and other changes of the musculo-skeletal system as well as insufficiencies of cardiovascular system. Provided the preliminary diagnostic examinations are carried out and medical supervision ensured physical training and sports become increasingly important as integral parts of an active treatment plan including natural healing methods. Sport-physiological experiences have, however, shown that a real and measurable positive training effect can only be achieved if these components are administered in the correct dosages. This holds particularly true if a wide spectrum of gymnastic and sports exercises is offered - primarily in groups and under professional supervision - which are not only intended to increase physical capacity, but also respond to individual inclinations. Thus, in addition to its therapeutic value, early rehabilitation at a health resort can provide the feeling of achievement appropriate to give the rehabilitees new impulses at home. As a consequence, these programmes make a positive contribution to the well-being of the general public.", "PMID": 628797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7571", "title": "Renal osmol clearance during prolonged heavy exercise.", "content": "Serum and urine osmolality and creatinine were measured in fifty-eight well-trained men, aged 21-57 years, in connection with three 70 km cross-country ski races taking place under essentially the same external circumstances, leading to slight dehydration. Although the race urine flow was low, 0.51 (0.05-1.10) ml/min, the urine osmolality and the urine to serum osmolality ratio were relatively low, averaging 860 (399-1220) mosm/kg H2O and 2.84 (1.32-4.10), respectively. Decreasing urine flow and endogenou- creatinine clearance were associated with decreasing urine to serum osmolality ratio, indicating declining urine concentrating ability. Thus, the data confirm the author's recent suggestion, based on the measurement of a limited number of urine solutes, that during prolonged heavy exercise a decrease in urine flow and glomerular filtration rate is accompanied by a decline in the urine concentrating ability.", "contents": "Renal osmol clearance during prolonged heavy exercise. Serum and urine osmolality and creatinine were measured in fifty-eight well-trained men, aged 21-57 years, in connection with three 70 km cross-country ski races taking place under essentially the same external circumstances, leading to slight dehydration. Although the race urine flow was low, 0.51 (0.05-1.10) ml/min, the urine osmolality and the urine to serum osmolality ratio were relatively low, averaging 860 (399-1220) mosm/kg H2O and 2.84 (1.32-4.10), respectively. Decreasing urine flow and endogenou- creatinine clearance were associated with decreasing urine to serum osmolality ratio, indicating declining urine concentrating ability. Thus, the data confirm the author's recent suggestion, based on the measurement of a limited number of urine solutes, that during prolonged heavy exercise a decrease in urine flow and glomerular filtration rate is accompanied by a decline in the urine concentrating ability.", "PMID": 628812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7572", "title": "The glomerular filtration rate determined with 99mTc-DTPA and a portable cadmium telluride detector.", "content": "In twenty-two patients with 51Cr-EDTA renal clearance (glomerular filtration rate) values of 36-141 ml/min, the final plasma disappearance rate constant of i.v. injected 99mTc-DTPA (Sn) was found to be very close to that of 51Cr-EDTA determined from 180 to 300 min after injection. The disappearance of i.v. injected 99mTc-DTPA (Sn) was also recorded from the body surface by means of a low weight cadmium telluride detector (CRN, Strasbourg, France) and commercially available stationary or portable tape recorders. The disappearance rate constant of 99mTc-DTPA as determined externally from 30 min was comparable to that in plasma determined from 180-300 min. The external rate constant could be converted to plasma clearance by means of one plasma 99mTc-activity determination 180 min after injection. The calculated values agreed with the conventionally determined 51Cr-EDTA clearance values. The portability of the detector system allows it to be used to estimate alterations in GFR during the measurement due to changes in physical conditions such as posture, exercise, etc.", "contents": "The glomerular filtration rate determined with 99mTc-DTPA and a portable cadmium telluride detector. In twenty-two patients with 51Cr-EDTA renal clearance (glomerular filtration rate) values of 36-141 ml/min, the final plasma disappearance rate constant of i.v. injected 99mTc-DTPA (Sn) was found to be very close to that of 51Cr-EDTA determined from 180 to 300 min after injection. The disappearance of i.v. injected 99mTc-DTPA (Sn) was also recorded from the body surface by means of a low weight cadmium telluride detector (CRN, Strasbourg, France) and commercially available stationary or portable tape recorders. The disappearance rate constant of 99mTc-DTPA as determined externally from 30 min was comparable to that in plasma determined from 180-300 min. The external rate constant could be converted to plasma clearance by means of one plasma 99mTc-activity determination 180 min after injection. The calculated values agreed with the conventionally determined 51Cr-EDTA clearance values. The portability of the detector system allows it to be used to estimate alterations in GFR during the measurement due to changes in physical conditions such as posture, exercise, etc.", "PMID": 628813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7573", "title": "Plasma citrate during submaximal and intermittent supramaximal exercise.", "content": "Plasma citrate was determined in seven subjects working 45 min at 50-60% of their maximal aerobic power and in six subjects who were exercised intermittently for five periods of 1 min at supramaximal work loads. Determinations of plasma lactate, glucose, free fatty acids and insulin were carried out simultaneously. During submaximal work the mean plasma citrate concentration decreased from 116 +/- 4 mumol/1 at rest to 108 +/- 5 mumol/1 after 10 min exercise (P less than 0.05) and increased above resting level to 136 +/- 5 mumol/1 40 min after cessation of work (P less than 0.05). During intermittent supramaximal exercise, mean plasma citrate concentration rose after the third work period and during recovery from 117 +/- 6 mumol/1 at rest to 181 +/- 9 mumol/1 40 min after last work period (P less than 0.05). Plasma citrate varied similarly to variations in plasma free fatty acids and inversely to changes of lactate concentrations during submaximal exercise. Opposite interrelationships were demonstrated during intermittent supramaximal exercise. Plasma citrate concentration varied in the same way as might be expected for changes in cytosolic citrate levels of muscle from in vitro knowledge of the regulatory role of citrate on glucose oxidation.", "contents": "Plasma citrate during submaximal and intermittent supramaximal exercise. Plasma citrate was determined in seven subjects working 45 min at 50-60% of their maximal aerobic power and in six subjects who were exercised intermittently for five periods of 1 min at supramaximal work loads. Determinations of plasma lactate, glucose, free fatty acids and insulin were carried out simultaneously. During submaximal work the mean plasma citrate concentration decreased from 116 +/- 4 mumol/1 at rest to 108 +/- 5 mumol/1 after 10 min exercise (P less than 0.05) and increased above resting level to 136 +/- 5 mumol/1 40 min after cessation of work (P less than 0.05). During intermittent supramaximal exercise, mean plasma citrate concentration rose after the third work period and during recovery from 117 +/- 6 mumol/1 at rest to 181 +/- 9 mumol/1 40 min after last work period (P less than 0.05). Plasma citrate varied similarly to variations in plasma free fatty acids and inversely to changes of lactate concentrations during submaximal exercise. Opposite interrelationships were demonstrated during intermittent supramaximal exercise. Plasma citrate concentration varied in the same way as might be expected for changes in cytosolic citrate levels of muscle from in vitro knowledge of the regulatory role of citrate on glucose oxidation.", "PMID": 628814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7574", "title": "The relation between carbohydrate extraction by the forearm and arterial free fatty acid concentration in man. I. Forearm work with nicotinic acid infusion.", "content": "To see if the magnitude of carbohydrate extraction by working skeletal muscle in man is inversely correlated with the arterial free fatty acid (FFA) concentration as in the heart, eighteen healthy men were studied during dynamic forearm work with and without nicotinic acid. The extraction or release of glucose, lactate and pyruvate was determined by the simultaneous sampling of blood from the brachial artery (a) and a deep vein (dv) of the active forearm. Nicotinic acid decreased the arterial FFA concentration from 498 +/- 53 to 134 +/- 12 mumol per litre plasma and this caused a decrease in calculated extraction of FFA. However, it did not affect the extraction of glucose, which was of a magnitude similar to one third of the oxidative metabolism in both situations. One of the possible reasons of this difference compared to the human heart muscle is that the exercising skeletal muscle may utilize stored substrate to a greater extent, which makes possible shifts in substrate utilized for oxidation without changes in substrate extraction. Another reason may be that FFA utilization covers a far smaller proportion of oxidative metabolism in skeletal than in heart muscle already before nicotinic acid.", "contents": "The relation between carbohydrate extraction by the forearm and arterial free fatty acid concentration in man. I. Forearm work with nicotinic acid infusion. To see if the magnitude of carbohydrate extraction by working skeletal muscle in man is inversely correlated with the arterial free fatty acid (FFA) concentration as in the heart, eighteen healthy men were studied during dynamic forearm work with and without nicotinic acid. The extraction or release of glucose, lactate and pyruvate was determined by the simultaneous sampling of blood from the brachial artery (a) and a deep vein (dv) of the active forearm. Nicotinic acid decreased the arterial FFA concentration from 498 +/- 53 to 134 +/- 12 mumol per litre plasma and this caused a decrease in calculated extraction of FFA. However, it did not affect the extraction of glucose, which was of a magnitude similar to one third of the oxidative metabolism in both situations. One of the possible reasons of this difference compared to the human heart muscle is that the exercising skeletal muscle may utilize stored substrate to a greater extent, which makes possible shifts in substrate utilized for oxidation without changes in substrate extraction. Another reason may be that FFA utilization covers a far smaller proportion of oxidative metabolism in skeletal than in heart muscle already before nicotinic acid.", "PMID": 628816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7575", "title": "Uromucoid in normal urine.", "content": "Uromucoid was determined in urine from persons or various ages with normal kidney function by a radial immunodiffusion technique. Uromucoid concentration was inversely correlated to diuresis. Excretion rates showed a weak correlation to body surface area in young adults of both sexes. Children had a greater excretion of uromucoid per m2 than young adults, and even newborn had a considerable excretion. Elderly subjects had similar excretion rates to young adults. Excretion rates were uninfluenced by sex, salt load or diuresis, and no difference between day and night excretion rates was observed. Intraindividual fluctuations were small, and determination of uromucoid in one single night's urine therefore gives an adequate expression of the uromucoid excretion rate.", "contents": "Uromucoid in normal urine. Uromucoid was determined in urine from persons or various ages with normal kidney function by a radial immunodiffusion technique. Uromucoid concentration was inversely correlated to diuresis. Excretion rates showed a weak correlation to body surface area in young adults of both sexes. Children had a greater excretion of uromucoid per m2 than young adults, and even newborn had a considerable excretion. Elderly subjects had similar excretion rates to young adults. Excretion rates were uninfluenced by sex, salt load or diuresis, and no difference between day and night excretion rates was observed. Intraindividual fluctuations were small, and determination of uromucoid in one single night's urine therefore gives an adequate expression of the uromucoid excretion rate.", "PMID": 628817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7576", "title": "Release of newly synthesized squalene, methyl sterols and cholesterol from human adipocytes in the presence of lipoproteins.", "content": "Upon incubation of free fat cells for 3 h with labelled mevalonate, more than 90% of the radioactivity of the non-saponifiable material was found in the squalene fraction and less than 10% in the methyl sterol and cholesterol fractions. About 25, 30 and 65% of the cholesterol counts were found respectively in VLDL, LDL, or HDL added to the medium while none of the newly synthesized squalene was released into the lipoproteins. The results indicate that adipose tissue squalene can originate from local synthesis. It is not released from the cells into the medium, but can contribute to local cholesterol synthesis in both rapidly and slowly exchangeable cholesterol pools of adipose tissue.", "contents": "Release of newly synthesized squalene, methyl sterols and cholesterol from human adipocytes in the presence of lipoproteins. Upon incubation of free fat cells for 3 h with labelled mevalonate, more than 90% of the radioactivity of the non-saponifiable material was found in the squalene fraction and less than 10% in the methyl sterol and cholesterol fractions. About 25, 30 and 65% of the cholesterol counts were found respectively in VLDL, LDL, or HDL added to the medium while none of the newly synthesized squalene was released into the lipoproteins. The results indicate that adipose tissue squalene can originate from local synthesis. It is not released from the cells into the medium, but can contribute to local cholesterol synthesis in both rapidly and slowly exchangeable cholesterol pools of adipose tissue.", "PMID": 628820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7577", "title": "Bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio and bone histomorphometry in normals.", "content": "Bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (P/Hypro) was compared to bone histomorphometry in thirty-four normal individuals. Bone P/Hypro ratio correlated significantly to both the relative mineralized bone volume (r = 0.38, P less than 0.05), the relative osteoid volume (r = -0.38, P less than 0.05) and the percentage of osteoid covered surfaces in trabecular bone (r = -0.38, P less than 0.05).", "contents": "Bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio and bone histomorphometry in normals. Bone phosphorus/hydroxyproline ratio (P/Hypro) was compared to bone histomorphometry in thirty-four normal individuals. Bone P/Hypro ratio correlated significantly to both the relative mineralized bone volume (r = 0.38, P less than 0.05), the relative osteoid volume (r = -0.38, P less than 0.05) and the percentage of osteoid covered surfaces in trabecular bone (r = -0.38, P less than 0.05).", "PMID": 628821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7578", "title": "[Problems in prolonged artificial respiration. A review].", "content": "For about twenty years, the method for prolonged artificial respiration was an imitation of spontaneous breathing pattern. New pathophysiological informations about acute respiratory failure showed that a technique which is widely different in frequency, cycle, and tidal volume is more suitable for the fast and safe restauration of spontaneous breathing. Especially the determination of pulmonary shunt flow (QS/Qt), and of the ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) have completed our knowledge. In the management of patients with prolonged artificial ventilation, the calculation of shunt flow allows an evaluation of therapeutic procedures. This was the reason to present a nomogram, which simplifies the determination of pulmonary shunt and to discuss an easy, non-invasive method to at least estimate its amount.", "contents": "[Problems in prolonged artificial respiration. A review]. For about twenty years, the method for prolonged artificial respiration was an imitation of spontaneous breathing pattern. New pathophysiological informations about acute respiratory failure showed that a technique which is widely different in frequency, cycle, and tidal volume is more suitable for the fast and safe restauration of spontaneous breathing. Especially the determination of pulmonary shunt flow (QS/Qt), and of the ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) have completed our knowledge. In the management of patients with prolonged artificial ventilation, the calculation of shunt flow allows an evaluation of therapeutic procedures. This was the reason to present a nomogram, which simplifies the determination of pulmonary shunt and to discuss an easy, non-invasive method to at least estimate its amount.", "PMID": 628822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7579", "title": "[Glomerulonephritis in sarcoidosis].", "content": "A case of lung sarcoidosis and proliferative glomerulonephritis is reported. The medical literature includes several descriptions of coincidence of sarcoidosis and glomerulonephritis, but only three times is complete documentation by standard microscopy, immunofluorescence and electronic microscopy available. In view of the augmented humoral immunity in sarcoidosis, the authors believe that the association of sarcoidosis and glomerulonephritis is more than a fortuitous coincidence.", "contents": "[Glomerulonephritis in sarcoidosis]. A case of lung sarcoidosis and proliferative glomerulonephritis is reported. The medical literature includes several descriptions of coincidence of sarcoidosis and glomerulonephritis, but only three times is complete documentation by standard microscopy, immunofluorescence and electronic microscopy available. In view of the augmented humoral immunity in sarcoidosis, the authors believe that the association of sarcoidosis and glomerulonephritis is more than a fortuitous coincidence.", "PMID": 628823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7580", "title": "[Selective proximal vagotomy with or without pyloroplasty. Results of a prospective randomized study].", "content": "The authors report on the one-to-five year results of a prospective randomized trial of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) with and without pyloroplasty in 64 men operated upon electively for chronic duodenal ulcer. The effects of the operation on gastric secretion tested at six months with pentagastrin and insulin were identical in both groups. There were fewer long-term side effects in the group without pyloroplasty. The differences between the groups do not reach statistical significance. So far no recurrent ulcers have been found in this series. It is concluded that a drainage procedure is unnecessary with PGV and that the long-term results of the operation are probably better when not combined with a pyloroplasty.", "contents": "[Selective proximal vagotomy with or without pyloroplasty. Results of a prospective randomized study]. The authors report on the one-to-five year results of a prospective randomized trial of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) with and without pyloroplasty in 64 men operated upon electively for chronic duodenal ulcer. The effects of the operation on gastric secretion tested at six months with pentagastrin and insulin were identical in both groups. There were fewer long-term side effects in the group without pyloroplasty. The differences between the groups do not reach statistical significance. So far no recurrent ulcers have been found in this series. It is concluded that a drainage procedure is unnecessary with PGV and that the long-term results of the operation are probably better when not combined with a pyloroplasty.", "PMID": 628824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7581", "title": "[Doxycycline hyclate in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis].", "content": "91 men with non-gonococcal urethritis (including urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis and non-specific urethritis) were treated by a 14-day course of doxycycline hyclate; 75% were considered cured at follow-up on the 10th day and 3-4 months post-treatment. The results show a bettter cure rate (83%) in urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis than in non-specific urethritis (64%). A 5-day course of doxycycline hyclate was disappointing and was followed by a very high recurrence rate in both groups. Simultaneous treatment of sex patners is advisable as this appears to lower the recurrence rate in the group of men with chlamydial urethritis.", "contents": "[Doxycycline hyclate in the treatment of non-gonococcal urethritis]. 91 men with non-gonococcal urethritis (including urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis and non-specific urethritis) were treated by a 14-day course of doxycycline hyclate; 75% were considered cured at follow-up on the 10th day and 3-4 months post-treatment. The results show a bettter cure rate (83%) in urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis than in non-specific urethritis (64%). A 5-day course of doxycycline hyclate was disappointing and was followed by a very high recurrence rate in both groups. Simultaneous treatment of sex patners is advisable as this appears to lower the recurrence rate in the group of men with chlamydial urethritis.", "PMID": 628825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7582", "title": "[Once-weekly intravenous L-thyroxine replacement in hypothyroidism].", "content": "A 58-year-old female patient with gastrointestinal complications also had primary hypothyroidism which proved therapy-resistant against high-dosage oral replacement with L-thyroxine or an L-thyroxine/L-triiodothyronine combination. Administration of four intravenous injections each of 2 mg L-thyroxine given at weekly intervals brought about a clinical and chemical euthyroid state. Thereafter it was possible to adopt an oral L-thyroxine replacement procedure without complications. Intravenous replacement of L-thyroxine and later transfer to oral medication appears a superior and safer method than the daily subcutaneous or intramuscular administration described hitherto.", "contents": "[Once-weekly intravenous L-thyroxine replacement in hypothyroidism]. A 58-year-old female patient with gastrointestinal complications also had primary hypothyroidism which proved therapy-resistant against high-dosage oral replacement with L-thyroxine or an L-thyroxine/L-triiodothyronine combination. Administration of four intravenous injections each of 2 mg L-thyroxine given at weekly intervals brought about a clinical and chemical euthyroid state. Thereafter it was possible to adopt an oral L-thyroxine replacement procedure without complications. Intravenous replacement of L-thyroxine and later transfer to oral medication appears a superior and safer method than the daily subcutaneous or intramuscular administration described hitherto.", "PMID": 628826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7583", "title": "Rabies viruses increase in virulence when propagated in neuroblastoma cell culture.", "content": "Several strains of attenuated rabies virus lacking the capacity to kill adult mice acquired a high lethal potential for mice after one to five serial passages in murine or human neuroblastoma cells. The virulence acquired after passage in neuroblastoma cells is a stable genetic trait retained during subsequent passage of viruses in nonneuroblastoma cell systems.", "contents": "Rabies viruses increase in virulence when propagated in neuroblastoma cell culture. Several strains of attenuated rabies virus lacking the capacity to kill adult mice acquired a high lethal potential for mice after one to five serial passages in murine or human neuroblastoma cells. The virulence acquired after passage in neuroblastoma cells is a stable genetic trait retained during subsequent passage of viruses in nonneuroblastoma cell systems.", "PMID": 628831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7584", "title": "Eye movements of African chameleons: spontaneous saccade timing.", "content": "Despite asynchrony, saccades of left and right eyes of African chameleons had similar timing statistics. Prominent qualitative aspects of these statistics did not change if one or both eyes were masked. Evidently, an internal stochastic process regulated chameleon saccade generation.", "contents": "Eye movements of African chameleons: spontaneous saccade timing. Despite asynchrony, saccades of left and right eyes of African chameleons had similar timing statistics. Prominent qualitative aspects of these statistics did not change if one or both eyes were masked. Evidently, an internal stochastic process regulated chameleon saccade generation.", "PMID": 628832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7585", "title": "Discrimination of intermediate sounds in a synthetic call continuum by female green tree frogs.", "content": "Male Hyla cinerea produce two distinctive calls. Acoustically intermediate calls are rare. Females discriminate between synthetic intermediates that differ by one cycle of amplitude modulation (50 per second). Processing appears to be continuous. The tree frog's auditory system thus provides a wide margin for the discrimination of its two principal signals.", "contents": "Discrimination of intermediate sounds in a synthetic call continuum by female green tree frogs. Male Hyla cinerea produce two distinctive calls. Acoustically intermediate calls are rare. Females discriminate between synthetic intermediates that differ by one cycle of amplitude modulation (50 per second). Processing appears to be continuous. The tree frog's auditory system thus provides a wide margin for the discrimination of its two principal signals.", "PMID": 628833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7586", "title": "An ultrastructural correlate of the membrane mutant \"paranoiac\" in Paramecium.", "content": "The highly organized array of intramembranous particles, the ciliary plaque, varies from the wild type in size and organization in two stocks of the Paramecium behavioral mutant, paranoiac. In one of these stocks, the alteration is dramatic.", "contents": "An ultrastructural correlate of the membrane mutant \"paranoiac\" in Paramecium. The highly organized array of intramembranous particles, the ciliary plaque, varies from the wild type in size and organization in two stocks of the Paramecium behavioral mutant, paranoiac. In one of these stocks, the alteration is dramatic.", "PMID": 628834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7587", "title": "Pyrazole-induced thyroid necrosis: a distinct organ lesion.", "content": "One oral dose of pyrazole caused necrosis of rat thyroid follicular epithelial cells but spared the parafollicular (C) cells and the parathyroid glands. Serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were significantly decreased on day 3 after pyrazole administration and were immeasurable on day 5. At day 5 the thyroid was enlarged and the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the serum was increased, indicating an appropriate pituitary response to a primary lesion in the thyroid. Doses of pyrazole which produced no morphologic change in the thyroids also significantly depressed the concentrations of T4 and T3 in the serum.", "contents": "Pyrazole-induced thyroid necrosis: a distinct organ lesion. One oral dose of pyrazole caused necrosis of rat thyroid follicular epithelial cells but spared the parafollicular (C) cells and the parathyroid glands. Serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were significantly decreased on day 3 after pyrazole administration and were immeasurable on day 5. At day 5 the thyroid was enlarged and the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the serum was increased, indicating an appropriate pituitary response to a primary lesion in the thyroid. Doses of pyrazole which produced no morphologic change in the thyroids also significantly depressed the concentrations of T4 and T3 in the serum.", "PMID": 628835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7588", "title": "Postprandial changes in the exhalation rate of radon produced in vivo.", "content": "The rate of exhalation of radon by persons with long-standing radium burdens increases about twofold shortly after a meal. The increase is short-lived and \"normal\" values are regained in 1.5 to 2 hours. The effect may account in part for the poor reproducibility in estimates of the freely emanating part of the radium content.", "contents": "Postprandial changes in the exhalation rate of radon produced in vivo. The rate of exhalation of radon by persons with long-standing radium burdens increases about twofold shortly after a meal. The increase is short-lived and \"normal\" values are regained in 1.5 to 2 hours. The effect may account in part for the poor reproducibility in estimates of the freely emanating part of the radium content.", "PMID": 628836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7589", "title": "Pupillometric signs of brain activation vary with level of cognitive processing.", "content": "The idea that hierarchically higher brain processes require greater amounts of central nervous system vigilance or activation for their execution was tested in two experiments measuring pupillary dilation during the decision interval of a hierarchically structured letter-matching task. Larger dilations indicative of increased activation were observed for letter pairs requiring higher levels of processing.", "contents": "Pupillometric signs of brain activation vary with level of cognitive processing. The idea that hierarchically higher brain processes require greater amounts of central nervous system vigilance or activation for their execution was tested in two experiments measuring pupillary dilation during the decision interval of a hierarchically structured letter-matching task. Larger dilations indicative of increased activation were observed for letter pairs requiring higher levels of processing.", "PMID": 628837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7590", "title": "Cat color vision: the effect of stimulus size.", "content": "Adult cats were trained to discriminate blue from green and gray. Although the cats could discriminate the intensity of stimuli whose areas ranged from 33 to 0.36 square centimeters they could not discriminate color when the stimulus was 0.36 square centimeter (less than 20 degrees visual angle). This influence of stimulus size may account for both positive and negative results of previous studies.", "contents": "Cat color vision: the effect of stimulus size. Adult cats were trained to discriminate blue from green and gray. Although the cats could discriminate the intensity of stimuli whose areas ranged from 33 to 0.36 square centimeters they could not discriminate color when the stimulus was 0.36 square centimeter (less than 20 degrees visual angle). This influence of stimulus size may account for both positive and negative results of previous studies.", "PMID": 628838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7591", "title": "Merging of modalities in the optic tectum: infrared and visual integration in rattlesnakes.", "content": "The optic tectum of pit vipers (Crotalinae) contains a layer of infrared-sensitive neurons subjacent to the visual layer; these indirectly receive input from the facial pit organs. They respond transiently to the appearance or motion of warm objects within their 25 degrees to 70 degrees excitatory receptive fields (some have inhibitory regions) and presumably allow the snake to orient or strike toward prey. The infrared and visual spatiotopic tectal maps have similar but not identical axes; the infrared magnification is greater than that for vision. Bimodal neurons have receptive fields for each modality that reflect the disparity of the two maps. This finding suggests that (i) during development the infrared and visual fibers spread out independently to fill available tectal sites and (ii) bimodal neurons form local connections without regard to establishing spatial correspondence between the two modalities.", "contents": "Merging of modalities in the optic tectum: infrared and visual integration in rattlesnakes. The optic tectum of pit vipers (Crotalinae) contains a layer of infrared-sensitive neurons subjacent to the visual layer; these indirectly receive input from the facial pit organs. They respond transiently to the appearance or motion of warm objects within their 25 degrees to 70 degrees excitatory receptive fields (some have inhibitory regions) and presumably allow the snake to orient or strike toward prey. The infrared and visual spatiotopic tectal maps have similar but not identical axes; the infrared magnification is greater than that for vision. Bimodal neurons have receptive fields for each modality that reflect the disparity of the two maps. This finding suggests that (i) during development the infrared and visual fibers spread out independently to fill available tectal sites and (ii) bimodal neurons form local connections without regard to establishing spatial correspondence between the two modalities.", "PMID": 628839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7592", "title": "Effect of prolonged illumination (phototherapy) on concentrations of luteinizing hormone in human infants.", "content": "Concentrations of luteinizing hormone in the serums of human neonates were altered when the neonates were exposed to prolonged, intense illumination (phototherapy) with their eyes covered. Concentrations decreased after 48 to 72 hours of exposure, increased 6 to 9 days after phototherapy, and subsequently returned to levels similar to those of controls. These data suggest that light may affect pituitary-gonadal function in the human neonate.", "contents": "Effect of prolonged illumination (phototherapy) on concentrations of luteinizing hormone in human infants. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone in the serums of human neonates were altered when the neonates were exposed to prolonged, intense illumination (phototherapy) with their eyes covered. Concentrations decreased after 48 to 72 hours of exposure, increased 6 to 9 days after phototherapy, and subsequently returned to levels similar to those of controls. These data suggest that light may affect pituitary-gonadal function in the human neonate.", "PMID": 628840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7593", "title": "Increased resistance to Staphylococcus aureus infection and enhancement in serum lysozyme activity by glucan.", "content": "Glucan is a potent reticuloendothelial stimulant whose immunobiological activity is mediated, in part, by an increase in the number and function of macrophages. In studying the role of glucan as a mediator of antibacterial activity, we attempted to ascertain the ability of glucan to modify the mortality of mice with experimentally induced Gram-positive bacteremia, and to enhance antibacterial defenses in rats as denoted by serum lysozyme and phagocytic activity. After intravenous administration of glucan, serum lysozyme concentrations were increased approximately sevenfold over control concentrations. The increase in serum lysozyme appeared to parallel the glucan-induced increase in phagocytosis and induced hyperplasia of macrophages. Prior treatment of mice with glucan significantly enhanced their survival when they were challenged systemically with Staphylococcus aureus. These studies indicate that glucan confers an enhanced state of host defense against bacterial infections.", "contents": "Increased resistance to Staphylococcus aureus infection and enhancement in serum lysozyme activity by glucan. Glucan is a potent reticuloendothelial stimulant whose immunobiological activity is mediated, in part, by an increase in the number and function of macrophages. In studying the role of glucan as a mediator of antibacterial activity, we attempted to ascertain the ability of glucan to modify the mortality of mice with experimentally induced Gram-positive bacteremia, and to enhance antibacterial defenses in rats as denoted by serum lysozyme and phagocytic activity. After intravenous administration of glucan, serum lysozyme concentrations were increased approximately sevenfold over control concentrations. The increase in serum lysozyme appeared to parallel the glucan-induced increase in phagocytosis and induced hyperplasia of macrophages. Prior treatment of mice with glucan significantly enhanced their survival when they were challenged systemically with Staphylococcus aureus. These studies indicate that glucan confers an enhanced state of host defense against bacterial infections.", "PMID": 628841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7594", "title": "Nonhistone proteins HMG1 and HMG2 change the DNA helical structure.", "content": "Two chromatin nonhistone proteins (from calf thymus) of the high mobility group, HMG1 and HMG2, reduce the linking number (topological winding number) of a circular DNA if the covalent closure of the DNA is carried out in their presence. This indicates that these proteins can either unwind the double helix, or induce a supercoiling of the DNA.", "contents": "Nonhistone proteins HMG1 and HMG2 change the DNA helical structure. Two chromatin nonhistone proteins (from calf thymus) of the high mobility group, HMG1 and HMG2, reduce the linking number (topological winding number) of a circular DNA if the covalent closure of the DNA is carried out in their presence. This indicates that these proteins can either unwind the double helix, or induce a supercoiling of the DNA.", "PMID": 628842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7595", "title": "Isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus from overwintering Culex pipiens mosquitoes.", "content": "Two strains of St. Louis encephalitis virus were isolated from overwintering mosquitoes collected in Maryland and Pennsylvania during January and February 1977. There isolations from Culex pipiens constitute evidence that a mosquito-borne flavivirus can persist in a vector mosquito in temperate climates during the winter season.", "contents": "Isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus from overwintering Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Two strains of St. Louis encephalitis virus were isolated from overwintering mosquitoes collected in Maryland and Pennsylvania during January and February 1977. There isolations from Culex pipiens constitute evidence that a mosquito-borne flavivirus can persist in a vector mosquito in temperate climates during the winter season.", "PMID": 628843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7596", "title": "Erythroid progenitors circulating in the blood of adult individuals produce fetal hemoglobin in culture.", "content": "Erythroid colonies, raised from erythroid stem cells circulating in the peripheral blood of normal adult individuals, synthesize considerable amounts of fetal hemoglobin. In cultures from persons with sickling disorders, amounts of hemoglobin F that are known to inhibit sickling in vivo are produced. The results provide evidence that primitive erythroid progenitors are able to express the hemoglobin F production program and that cultures of mononuclear cells of the adult blood can be used to investigate the mechanisms involved in regulation of gamma-globin gene switching.", "contents": "Erythroid progenitors circulating in the blood of adult individuals produce fetal hemoglobin in culture. Erythroid colonies, raised from erythroid stem cells circulating in the peripheral blood of normal adult individuals, synthesize considerable amounts of fetal hemoglobin. In cultures from persons with sickling disorders, amounts of hemoglobin F that are known to inhibit sickling in vivo are produced. The results provide evidence that primitive erythroid progenitors are able to express the hemoglobin F production program and that cultures of mononuclear cells of the adult blood can be used to investigate the mechanisms involved in regulation of gamma-globin gene switching.", "PMID": 628844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7597", "title": "Optokinetic eye movements in albino rabbits: inversion in anterior visual field.", "content": "When visual contrasts are restricted to the anterior sector (90 degrees to 180 degrees) of the albino rabbit's visual field, eye position is dramatically unstable, and when such contrasts are moved, horizontal optokinetic eye movements are inverted: the direction of pursuit is opposite to that of the stimulus. In the posterior visual field stability and optokinetic reactions are normal, as in all parts of the pigmented rabbit's visual field. This phenomenon may be one more of the complex of visual system defects linked to albinism.", "contents": "Optokinetic eye movements in albino rabbits: inversion in anterior visual field. When visual contrasts are restricted to the anterior sector (90 degrees to 180 degrees) of the albino rabbit's visual field, eye position is dramatically unstable, and when such contrasts are moved, horizontal optokinetic eye movements are inverted: the direction of pursuit is opposite to that of the stimulus. In the posterior visual field stability and optokinetic reactions are normal, as in all parts of the pigmented rabbit's visual field. This phenomenon may be one more of the complex of visual system defects linked to albinism.", "PMID": 628845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7598", "title": "Frequency discrimination following the selective destruction of cochlear inner and outer hair cells.", "content": "Frequency discrimination was measured behaviorally before and after drug-induced lesions of cochlear hair cells in the cat. Discrimination was unaffected by complete loss of outer hair cells provided that at least 50% of inner hair cells were intact. Thus, inner hair cells are important for frequency discrimination, and they can function normally in this regard without the influence of outer hair cells.", "contents": "Frequency discrimination following the selective destruction of cochlear inner and outer hair cells. Frequency discrimination was measured behaviorally before and after drug-induced lesions of cochlear hair cells in the cat. Discrimination was unaffected by complete loss of outer hair cells provided that at least 50% of inner hair cells were intact. Thus, inner hair cells are important for frequency discrimination, and they can function normally in this regard without the influence of outer hair cells.", "PMID": 628846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7599", "title": "Moyamoya disease in children.", "content": "A review of the recent Mayo Clinic experience with stroke in children having cerebral angiography revealed five patients with moyamoya disease. The disease commonly presents as recurrent strokes and only rarely as a seizure disorder. The angiographic pattern suggests that the telangiectasia characteristic of this condition represents normally present dilated vessels.", "contents": "Moyamoya disease in children. A review of the recent Mayo Clinic experience with stroke in children having cerebral angiography revealed five patients with moyamoya disease. The disease commonly presents as recurrent strokes and only rarely as a seizure disorder. The angiographic pattern suggests that the telangiectasia characteristic of this condition represents normally present dilated vessels.", "PMID": 628848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7600", "title": "Radiographic evaluation of treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate.", "content": "Radiographic evaluation of 65 patients with disseminated carcinoma of the prostate shows that 8% demonstrated resolution of metastatic deposits after palliative transurethral resection and/or estrogen or castration therapy. The increased effectiveness of therapy and the improved management of patients are reflected in longer survival. Roentgenographic evidence of increasing sclerosis of osteoblastic metastases of carcinoma of the prostate indicates that the rate of bone repair exceeds the rate of bone destruction, and is not necessarily an indication of progression of the disease. Increasing prominence of blastic bony lesions is not a poor prognostic sign; several patients showing it were symptom-free and survived for long periods. Sclerotization of lytic deposits is definitely a good prognostic sign of treatment and represents \"healing change\" within involved bone.", "contents": "Radiographic evaluation of treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate. Radiographic evaluation of 65 patients with disseminated carcinoma of the prostate shows that 8% demonstrated resolution of metastatic deposits after palliative transurethral resection and/or estrogen or castration therapy. The increased effectiveness of therapy and the improved management of patients are reflected in longer survival. Roentgenographic evidence of increasing sclerosis of osteoblastic metastases of carcinoma of the prostate indicates that the rate of bone repair exceeds the rate of bone destruction, and is not necessarily an indication of progression of the disease. Increasing prominence of blastic bony lesions is not a poor prognostic sign; several patients showing it were symptom-free and survived for long periods. Sclerotization of lytic deposits is definitely a good prognostic sign of treatment and represents \"healing change\" within involved bone.", "PMID": 628849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7601", "title": "Diagnostic compound B-mode ultrasound scanning in gynecology.", "content": "Diagnostic compound B-mode ultrasound scans done on gynecologic patients during the past three years were reviewed and compared with surgical findings or clinical follow-up. The 190 scans were analyzed and categorized as diagnostic, compatible (or confirmatory), equivocal, misleading, or negative. Although only 6.4% were diagnostic, the majority (66.3%) were compatible with the clinical and pathologic findings. Criteria for interpreting B-mode scans are discussed.", "contents": "Diagnostic compound B-mode ultrasound scanning in gynecology. Diagnostic compound B-mode ultrasound scans done on gynecologic patients during the past three years were reviewed and compared with surgical findings or clinical follow-up. The 190 scans were analyzed and categorized as diagnostic, compatible (or confirmatory), equivocal, misleading, or negative. Although only 6.4% were diagnostic, the majority (66.3%) were compatible with the clinical and pathologic findings. Criteria for interpreting B-mode scans are discussed.", "PMID": 628850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7602", "title": "Otolaryngologic manifestations of acute leukemia and lymphoma.", "content": "This paper reviews the otolaryngologic manifestations of acute leukemia and lymphoma. Our experience includes 50 patients with acute leukemia and 61 patients with lymphoma of the head and neck. Acute leukemia was manifested by infection, bleeding, tissue infiltration, and complications of chemotherapy. Lymphoma manifestations were usually head and neck masses. The otolaryngologist must be familiar with the manifestations of these disease entities.", "contents": "Otolaryngologic manifestations of acute leukemia and lymphoma. This paper reviews the otolaryngologic manifestations of acute leukemia and lymphoma. Our experience includes 50 patients with acute leukemia and 61 patients with lymphoma of the head and neck. Acute leukemia was manifested by infection, bleeding, tissue infiltration, and complications of chemotherapy. Lymphoma manifestations were usually head and neck masses. The otolaryngologist must be familiar with the manifestations of these disease entities.", "PMID": 628851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7603", "title": "Functional status evaluation form: development and implications.", "content": "A medical audit revealed marked deficiency in the quality of functional evaluations in a rehabilitation hospital. Routine staff educational programs and an optional, simple functional evaluation form failed to correct this deficiency. The functional evaluations of the patients never reached 100% completion and the quality of the evaluations varied widely. As a result, a mandatory functional status form was devised for incorporation into the patients' charts. This form included past, present, and future goals in a problem-oriented design. Review of charts after six months of use showed that the form led to improved rates of functional status reporting, with all functional areas now documented in over 90% of charts. It is hoped that a comprehensive program including use of functional status form will be successful in improving patient care and physician education, and in facilitating a comprehensive medical audit.", "contents": "Functional status evaluation form: development and implications. A medical audit revealed marked deficiency in the quality of functional evaluations in a rehabilitation hospital. Routine staff educational programs and an optional, simple functional evaluation form failed to correct this deficiency. The functional evaluations of the patients never reached 100% completion and the quality of the evaluations varied widely. As a result, a mandatory functional status form was devised for incorporation into the patients' charts. This form included past, present, and future goals in a problem-oriented design. Review of charts after six months of use showed that the form led to improved rates of functional status reporting, with all functional areas now documented in over 90% of charts. It is hoped that a comprehensive program including use of functional status form will be successful in improving patient care and physician education, and in facilitating a comprehensive medical audit.", "PMID": 628853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7604", "title": "Massive airway hemorrhage after transtracheal aspiration.", "content": "An instance of massive hemorrhage following transtracheal aspiration with successful resuscitation is reported. Indications for the procedure are pneumonia with poor ability to produce sputum, fever, or pulmonary infiltrate in a stuporous patient, and facial injuries which would complicate nasotracheal suction. The cricothyroid membrane is recommended as the site of entry. If airway hemorrhage does occur, immediate maintenance of the airway and tamponade of the bleeding can aid in successful resuscitation of the patient.", "contents": "Massive airway hemorrhage after transtracheal aspiration. An instance of massive hemorrhage following transtracheal aspiration with successful resuscitation is reported. Indications for the procedure are pneumonia with poor ability to produce sputum, fever, or pulmonary infiltrate in a stuporous patient, and facial injuries which would complicate nasotracheal suction. The cricothyroid membrane is recommended as the site of entry. If airway hemorrhage does occur, immediate maintenance of the airway and tamponade of the bleeding can aid in successful resuscitation of the patient.", "PMID": 628856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7605", "title": "Traumatic avulsion of the lumbar nerve roots.", "content": "Lumbar nerve root avulsion is rare but may follow severe traction injury of the pelvis. Diagnosis is based on neurologic deficit and myelographic demonstration of traumatic meningocele. Nerve root avulsion should be differentiated from peripheral nerve injury because surgical treatment of nerve root avulsion has uniformly proved futile.", "contents": "Traumatic avulsion of the lumbar nerve roots. Lumbar nerve root avulsion is rare but may follow severe traction injury of the pelvis. Diagnosis is based on neurologic deficit and myelographic demonstration of traumatic meningocele. Nerve root avulsion should be differentiated from peripheral nerve injury because surgical treatment of nerve root avulsion has uniformly proved futile.", "PMID": 628857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7606", "title": "Treatment of Raynaud's disease with temperature biofeedback.", "content": "A 40-year-old white woman who for 15 years had had Raynaud's disease--a vascular disorder characterized by poor blood circulation and coldness in the extremities--was treated with temperature biofeedback. In treatment sessions over a 13-month period she was provided with continuous, moment-to-moment information about the rise and fall of fingertip temperature. Gradually she was able to learn to raise her peripheral temperature and to gain some volitional control over a highly complex physiologic response.", "contents": "Treatment of Raynaud's disease with temperature biofeedback. A 40-year-old white woman who for 15 years had had Raynaud's disease--a vascular disorder characterized by poor blood circulation and coldness in the extremities--was treated with temperature biofeedback. In treatment sessions over a 13-month period she was provided with continuous, moment-to-moment information about the rise and fall of fingertip temperature. Gradually she was able to learn to raise her peripheral temperature and to gain some volitional control over a highly complex physiologic response.", "PMID": 628858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7607", "title": "Middiastolic click in mitral valve prolapse.", "content": "The interesting and unusual occurrence of a middiastolic click is documented in an asymptomatic young woman with typical mitral valve prolapse. This click is shown to occur later in diastole than previously reported diastolic clicks in this syndrome.", "contents": "Middiastolic click in mitral valve prolapse. The interesting and unusual occurrence of a middiastolic click is documented in an asymptomatic young woman with typical mitral valve prolapse. This click is shown to occur later in diastole than previously reported diastolic clicks in this syndrome.", "PMID": 628859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7608", "title": "Acute abdominal pain precipitated by phenformin-associated lactic acidosis.", "content": "Phenformin-associated lactic acidosis is an important though unusual cause of acute abdominal pain. Its clinical picture suggests other catastrophic abdominal entities. A representative case is presented. Aids to arriving at this diagnosis are presented and the specific therapy is outlined. The pathophysiology of this condition is discussed.", "contents": "Acute abdominal pain precipitated by phenformin-associated lactic acidosis. Phenformin-associated lactic acidosis is an important though unusual cause of acute abdominal pain. Its clinical picture suggests other catastrophic abdominal entities. A representative case is presented. Aids to arriving at this diagnosis are presented and the specific therapy is outlined. The pathophysiology of this condition is discussed.", "PMID": 628860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7609", "title": "Infectious mononucleosis associated with rhabdomyolysis and renal failure.", "content": "Acute rhabdomyolysis and renal failure occurred in a 16-year-old boy with infectious mononucleosis; recovery was complete. Renal failure is a rare complication of infectious mononucleosis. Rhabdomyolysis has been reported only once in association with the Epstein-Barr virus, but has frequently been associated with influenza virus infections. Prospective studies measuring creatine phosphokinase enzymes should establish the frequency of rhabdomyolysis in viral infections.", "contents": "Infectious mononucleosis associated with rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Acute rhabdomyolysis and renal failure occurred in a 16-year-old boy with infectious mononucleosis; recovery was complete. Renal failure is a rare complication of infectious mononucleosis. Rhabdomyolysis has been reported only once in association with the Epstein-Barr virus, but has frequently been associated with influenza virus infections. Prospective studies measuring creatine phosphokinase enzymes should establish the frequency of rhabdomyolysis in viral infections.", "PMID": 628861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7610", "title": "Staphylococcus aureus sternal osteomyelitis complicating bone marrow aspiration.", "content": "This case of S aureus sternal osteomyelitis occurring at the site of bone marrow aspiration in a 24 year-old man illustrates the potential for infection that complicates any clinical procedure, even those considered to have a very minimal risk of infection. The patient recovered uneventfully after antibiotic therapy with nafcillin administered intravenously, followed by dicloxacillin taken orally.", "contents": "Staphylococcus aureus sternal osteomyelitis complicating bone marrow aspiration. This case of S aureus sternal osteomyelitis occurring at the site of bone marrow aspiration in a 24 year-old man illustrates the potential for infection that complicates any clinical procedure, even those considered to have a very minimal risk of infection. The patient recovered uneventfully after antibiotic therapy with nafcillin administered intravenously, followed by dicloxacillin taken orally.", "PMID": 628862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7611", "title": "Reminiscences on the antireflux mechanism.", "content": "A common view is that the lower esophageal sphincter is the sole component of the antireflux mechanism. Other methods of investigation especially radiology, and the effects of surgery suggest that the position of the sphincter and the size and shape of the hiatus are at least as important as the sphincter in the control of reflux and recent appropriate manometric studies support this view. The development of some of the ideas about what is and what is not a significant component is reviewed. A unifying hypothesis is offered which proposes that the sphincter is of primary importance in resisting the challenge of intragastric pressure developed by contraction of the stomach wall which may lead to physiologic reflux; whereas the position of the sphincter and the size of the hiatus are concerned with resisting the challenge of intra-abdominal pressure. The physiologic component has a limited capability of resisting intra-abdominal pressure so that when the anatomic component fails, pathologic reflux occurs.", "contents": "Reminiscences on the antireflux mechanism. A common view is that the lower esophageal sphincter is the sole component of the antireflux mechanism. Other methods of investigation especially radiology, and the effects of surgery suggest that the position of the sphincter and the size and shape of the hiatus are at least as important as the sphincter in the control of reflux and recent appropriate manometric studies support this view. The development of some of the ideas about what is and what is not a significant component is reviewed. A unifying hypothesis is offered which proposes that the sphincter is of primary importance in resisting the challenge of intragastric pressure developed by contraction of the stomach wall which may lead to physiologic reflux; whereas the position of the sphincter and the size of the hiatus are concerned with resisting the challenge of intra-abdominal pressure. The physiologic component has a limited capability of resisting intra-abdominal pressure so that when the anatomic component fails, pathologic reflux occurs.", "PMID": 628868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7612", "title": "Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter: a reappraisal.", "content": "The hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is defined as one with normal relaxation and an average LES-intragastric pressure gradient greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg. Case histories of two patients with hypertensive LES and normal peristalsis in the body of the esophagus are contrasted to that of a patient with a hypertensive LES and diffuse esophageal spasm. In one patient, the postdeglutitive contractions were excessively prolonged due primarily to a slower return to baseline pressure. It is suggested that the hypertensive LES may be a separate disease entitly, and that it should be separated from diffuse esophageal spasm so that its pathophysiology and natural history can be elucidated.", "contents": "Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter: a reappraisal. The hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is defined as one with normal relaxation and an average LES-intragastric pressure gradient greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg. Case histories of two patients with hypertensive LES and normal peristalsis in the body of the esophagus are contrasted to that of a patient with a hypertensive LES and diffuse esophageal spasm. In one patient, the postdeglutitive contractions were excessively prolonged due primarily to a slower return to baseline pressure. It is suggested that the hypertensive LES may be a separate disease entitly, and that it should be separated from diffuse esophageal spasm so that its pathophysiology and natural history can be elucidated.", "PMID": 628871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7613", "title": "Medical management of patients with reflux esophagitis.", "content": "Medical management of reflux esophagitis includes physical manipulations, antacids, and antireflux medications (bethanechol and alginic acid). Their combined usage in the continuous dyspeptic and the problem case help \"break the cycle,\" providing relief for long periods of time. Identification of possible inciting factors in cases of recurrence should be pointed out to the patient so that he will develop an instinctive antireflux behavior. The effect of this combined therapy on the pathophysiology and natural history of the disease remains to be determined.", "contents": "Medical management of patients with reflux esophagitis. Medical management of reflux esophagitis includes physical manipulations, antacids, and antireflux medications (bethanechol and alginic acid). Their combined usage in the continuous dyspeptic and the problem case help \"break the cycle,\" providing relief for long periods of time. Identification of possible inciting factors in cases of recurrence should be pointed out to the patient so that he will develop an instinctive antireflux behavior. The effect of this combined therapy on the pathophysiology and natural history of the disease remains to be determined.", "PMID": 628873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7614", "title": "Association of aspirin ingestion with symptomatic esophageal hiatus hernia.", "content": "The observed association of aspirin ingestion and symptomatic esophageal hiatus hernia is ascribed by me to injury of the esophageal mucosa during delayed passage of ingested aspirin from mouth to stomach. Physiologic alterations attributable to esophageal hiatus hernia act to prolong contact between swallowed material and the esophageal mucosa. This prolongation of contact between swallowed aspirin and the esophageal mucosa predisposes patients with esophageal hiatus hernia, and who are aspirin-users, to develop symptomatic esophagitis. Clinical data obtained from human subjects are presented which show that swallowed material may become trapped for extended periods in the esophagi of patients with esophageal hiatus hernia. Also, the capability of aspirin to injure alkaline mucosa by direct contact, in the absence of acid, is demonstrated.", "contents": "Association of aspirin ingestion with symptomatic esophageal hiatus hernia. The observed association of aspirin ingestion and symptomatic esophageal hiatus hernia is ascribed by me to injury of the esophageal mucosa during delayed passage of ingested aspirin from mouth to stomach. Physiologic alterations attributable to esophageal hiatus hernia act to prolong contact between swallowed material and the esophageal mucosa. This prolongation of contact between swallowed aspirin and the esophageal mucosa predisposes patients with esophageal hiatus hernia, and who are aspirin-users, to develop symptomatic esophagitis. Clinical data obtained from human subjects are presented which show that swallowed material may become trapped for extended periods in the esophagi of patients with esophageal hiatus hernia. Also, the capability of aspirin to injure alkaline mucosa by direct contact, in the absence of acid, is demonstrated.", "PMID": 628874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7615", "title": "Endoscopic evaluation of gastroesophageal sphincter dysfunction.", "content": "The introduction of modern endoscopes, light sources, and cameras has greatly improved the endoscopist's ability to diagnose and document the presence of reflux esophagitis. A reliable objective diagnosis of reflux esophagitis can be made in the presence of active erosion, friability, and ulceration. Reflux can be suspected in the presence of a patulous cardia. Gross reflux is uncommonly seen in the relaxed patient during endoscopy, but its presence is pathologic. The x-ray and endoscopic diagnosis of hiatal hernia correlate well. Endoscopists must be aware of those rare cases where an infectious cause for esophageal inflammation may be present. Although endoscopic biopsy and brush cytology are of limited value in the diagnosis of esophagitis, they permit an accurate differentiation between benign and malignant lesions in the esophagus and their use is encouraged in chronic cases of esophagitis where an increased risk of malignancy is present.", "contents": "Endoscopic evaluation of gastroesophageal sphincter dysfunction. The introduction of modern endoscopes, light sources, and cameras has greatly improved the endoscopist's ability to diagnose and document the presence of reflux esophagitis. A reliable objective diagnosis of reflux esophagitis can be made in the presence of active erosion, friability, and ulceration. Reflux can be suspected in the presence of a patulous cardia. Gross reflux is uncommonly seen in the relaxed patient during endoscopy, but its presence is pathologic. The x-ray and endoscopic diagnosis of hiatal hernia correlate well. Endoscopists must be aware of those rare cases where an infectious cause for esophageal inflammation may be present. Although endoscopic biopsy and brush cytology are of limited value in the diagnosis of esophagitis, they permit an accurate differentiation between benign and malignant lesions in the esophagus and their use is encouraged in chronic cases of esophagitis where an increased risk of malignancy is present.", "PMID": 628878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7616", "title": "Conservative management of esophageal stricture using dilatation and antireflux therapy.", "content": "Ninety patients with benign esophageal stricture were treated conservatively with bougienage, antireflux, and antacid therapy. There was improvement in 79% of these patients, only 14% were unchanged, and 7% became worse. Only three patients eventually were operated upon. Bougienage was accomplished in many cases using the fiberscope as a bougie, followed by progressive dilatations with soft mercury-filled dilators. Many patients had initial dilatation with a guidewire placed through the stricture into the stomach under direct vision through the fiberscope. All patients were treated with antireflux measures and antacid subsequent to their dilatations. These measures were found to be both safe and effective in most cases. Surgery was believed to be indicated only in patients who failed to respond to these measures.", "contents": "Conservative management of esophageal stricture using dilatation and antireflux therapy. Ninety patients with benign esophageal stricture were treated conservatively with bougienage, antireflux, and antacid therapy. There was improvement in 79% of these patients, only 14% were unchanged, and 7% became worse. Only three patients eventually were operated upon. Bougienage was accomplished in many cases using the fiberscope as a bougie, followed by progressive dilatations with soft mercury-filled dilators. Many patients had initial dilatation with a guidewire placed through the stricture into the stomach under direct vision through the fiberscope. All patients were treated with antireflux measures and antacid subsequent to their dilatations. These measures were found to be both safe and effective in most cases. Surgery was believed to be indicated only in patients who failed to respond to these measures.", "PMID": 628879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7617", "title": "Control of argininosuccinate synthetase by arginine in human lymphoblasts.", "content": "Human lymphoblasts in long-term culture have the enzyme activities necessary to convert citrulline to arginine: argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. Upon transfer from arginine-supplemented to citrulline-supplemented medium, lymphoblasts exhibit a lag period before resuming exponential growth. During this lag the specific activity of argininosuccinate synthetase increases an average of 60-fold. Argininosuccinate lyase activity remains unchanged. If normal lymphoblasts are starved in arginine-deficient medium without citrulline or if argininosuccinate lyase--deficient lymphoblasts are transferred to citrulline-containing medium, argininosuccinate synthetase activity increases linearly for several days and reaches even higher levels. Cycloheximide blocks the increase in enzyme activity. Cells grown in citrulline medium and pulse labeled with 35S-methionine incorporate more 35S-methionine into argininosuccinate synthetase protein than cells grown in arginine; the rate of disappearance of radioactively labeled enzyme is the same in citrulline- and arginine-grown cells. Arginine or a closely related metabolite thus appears to repress the synthesis of argininosuccinate synthetase of human lymphoblasts in culture.", "contents": "Control of argininosuccinate synthetase by arginine in human lymphoblasts. Human lymphoblasts in long-term culture have the enzyme activities necessary to convert citrulline to arginine: argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. Upon transfer from arginine-supplemented to citrulline-supplemented medium, lymphoblasts exhibit a lag period before resuming exponential growth. During this lag the specific activity of argininosuccinate synthetase increases an average of 60-fold. Argininosuccinate lyase activity remains unchanged. If normal lymphoblasts are starved in arginine-deficient medium without citrulline or if argininosuccinate lyase--deficient lymphoblasts are transferred to citrulline-containing medium, argininosuccinate synthetase activity increases linearly for several days and reaches even higher levels. Cycloheximide blocks the increase in enzyme activity. Cells grown in citrulline medium and pulse labeled with 35S-methionine incorporate more 35S-methionine into argininosuccinate synthetase protein than cells grown in arginine; the rate of disappearance of radioactively labeled enzyme is the same in citrulline- and arginine-grown cells. Arginine or a closely related metabolite thus appears to repress the synthesis of argininosuccinate synthetase of human lymphoblasts in culture.", "PMID": 628880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7618", "title": "A recurring temperature-sensitive mutant class of BHK-21 cells.", "content": "A particular technique designed to select for temperature-sensitive DNA-synthesis mutants of BHK cells has yielded primarily a class of mutants which do not show complementation in cell hybrids.", "contents": "A recurring temperature-sensitive mutant class of BHK-21 cells. A particular technique designed to select for temperature-sensitive DNA-synthesis mutants of BHK cells has yielded primarily a class of mutants which do not show complementation in cell hybrids.", "PMID": 628881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7619", "title": "Heterogeneity of alkaline phosphatases in different HeLa lines.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) components in 8 cell lines of HeLa were examined. Line to line heterogeneity in ALP expression was observed using the criteria of electrophoretic mobility before and after neuraminidase treatment, heat stability, L-phenylanine inhibition, and reactivity against antiplacental ALP antiserum. Six lines contained a placentallike ALP isozyme and varying amounts of a liverlike ALP isozyme. One line contained a liverlike ALP isozyme only. One line contained a new ALP form which was clearly distinguished from the placental, liver, bone, and intestinal ALPs. Thus, derepression of the placental ALP structural locus appeared to have occurred in 6 of the 8 lines. However, where expressed, the placentallike ALP varied electrophoretically from line to line, and in only one case was the mobility identical to that of a common placental ALP phenotype. This phenotypic heterogeneity of the \"\"derepressed'' placentallike ALP contrasts markedly with the phenotypic stability of other enzymes expressed in HeLa cells.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of alkaline phosphatases in different HeLa lines. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) components in 8 cell lines of HeLa were examined. Line to line heterogeneity in ALP expression was observed using the criteria of electrophoretic mobility before and after neuraminidase treatment, heat stability, L-phenylanine inhibition, and reactivity against antiplacental ALP antiserum. Six lines contained a placentallike ALP isozyme and varying amounts of a liverlike ALP isozyme. One line contained a liverlike ALP isozyme only. One line contained a new ALP form which was clearly distinguished from the placental, liver, bone, and intestinal ALPs. Thus, derepression of the placental ALP structural locus appeared to have occurred in 6 of the 8 lines. However, where expressed, the placentallike ALP varied electrophoretically from line to line, and in only one case was the mobility identical to that of a common placental ALP phenotype. This phenotypic heterogeneity of the \"\"derepressed'' placentallike ALP contrasts markedly with the phenotypic stability of other enzymes expressed in HeLa cells.", "PMID": 628882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7620", "title": "Six complementation classes of conditionally lethal protein synthesis mutants of CHO cells selected by 3H-amino acid.", "content": "Using a tritiated amino acid suicide procedure designed specifically to select conditional protein synthesis mutants, we have isolated and characterized a large number of such mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells. All of the mutants are genetically stable and behave as recessives in somatic cell hybrids. Most of the new mutants are phenotypically dependent on the concentration of a specific amino acid as well as on temperature. In addition to identifying many additional leucyl- and asparagyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, complementation analysis has distinguished four new genetic classes representing methionine-, glutamine-, histidine-, and arginine-dependent mutants. Biochemical characterization of representative mutants from each of these six classes has identified the primary lesions as being defective aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Our selection results further demonstrate the high specificity of the 3H-amino acid procedure for isolating protein synthesis mutants. Reconstruction experiments performed with two representative mutants indicated a selection efficiency of approximately 10% under standard conditions.", "contents": "Six complementation classes of conditionally lethal protein synthesis mutants of CHO cells selected by 3H-amino acid. Using a tritiated amino acid suicide procedure designed specifically to select conditional protein synthesis mutants, we have isolated and characterized a large number of such mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells. All of the mutants are genetically stable and behave as recessives in somatic cell hybrids. Most of the new mutants are phenotypically dependent on the concentration of a specific amino acid as well as on temperature. In addition to identifying many additional leucyl- and asparagyl-tRNA synthetase mutants, complementation analysis has distinguished four new genetic classes representing methionine-, glutamine-, histidine-, and arginine-dependent mutants. Biochemical characterization of representative mutants from each of these six classes has identified the primary lesions as being defective aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Our selection results further demonstrate the high specificity of the 3H-amino acid procedure for isolating protein synthesis mutants. Reconstruction experiments performed with two representative mutants indicated a selection efficiency of approximately 10% under standard conditions.", "PMID": 628883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7621", "title": "Assignment of the gene locus for human alpha-L-fucosidase to chromosome 1 by analysis of somatic cell hybrids.", "content": "The alpha-L-fucosidases (EC 3.2.1.51) from human and mouse cells could be separated by isoelectric focusing of neuraminidase-treated cell extracts in acrylamide slab gels. Fourteen hybrid clones derived from the fusion of mouse and human cultured fibroblasts and 37 hybrid clones derived from the fusion of human long-term lymphoid lines with mouse RAG cells were tested for expression of human alpha-L-fucosidase. A strong correlation between the expression of the human enzyme and the presence or absence of human chromosome 1 was found. The presence of human alpha-L-fucosidase in clones scored as positive by isoelectric focusing was confirmed by Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion against IgG from rabbits immunized with purified human alpha-L-fucosidase. It is concluded that the structural gene locus for human alpha-L-fucosidase is located on chromosome 1.", "contents": "Assignment of the gene locus for human alpha-L-fucosidase to chromosome 1 by analysis of somatic cell hybrids. The alpha-L-fucosidases (EC 3.2.1.51) from human and mouse cells could be separated by isoelectric focusing of neuraminidase-treated cell extracts in acrylamide slab gels. Fourteen hybrid clones derived from the fusion of mouse and human cultured fibroblasts and 37 hybrid clones derived from the fusion of human long-term lymphoid lines with mouse RAG cells were tested for expression of human alpha-L-fucosidase. A strong correlation between the expression of the human enzyme and the presence or absence of human chromosome 1 was found. The presence of human alpha-L-fucosidase in clones scored as positive by isoelectric focusing was confirmed by Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion against IgG from rabbits immunized with purified human alpha-L-fucosidase. It is concluded that the structural gene locus for human alpha-L-fucosidase is located on chromosome 1.", "PMID": 628884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7622", "title": "Uptake and early fate of metaphase chromosomes ingested by the Wi-L2 human lymphoid cell line.", "content": "Aspects of the ingestion and early intracellular fate of homologous. [3H]-thymidine-labeled chromosomes (donor) were studied in recipient Wi-L2 cells in the absence of reutilized radioactivity. As much as 67% of the cell-associated radioactivity was resistant to hydrolysis by DNase I after 4 h of incubation. Cell fractionation and electron microscope autoradiography indicated that chromosome uptake was rapid, into both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions and was facilitator and dose dependent. Sedimentation analysis demonstrated that at 4 h donor DNA of approximate single-strand mol wt of 1--6 X 10(6), as compared to 6--12 X 10(6) for chromosomal DNA, was recoverable in cell fractions. By 6 h, a significant portion of the nucleus-associated donor DNA was converted into material of higher mol wt, although no evidence was found for integration into recipient DNA. Cytoplasmic donor DNA continued to be degraded. An average number of chromosome equivalents of nucleus-associated donor DNA to recipient cell nuclei of 1--4 was obtained and its relationship to the lower frequency of chromosome-mediated gene transfer is discussed.", "contents": "Uptake and early fate of metaphase chromosomes ingested by the Wi-L2 human lymphoid cell line. Aspects of the ingestion and early intracellular fate of homologous. [3H]-thymidine-labeled chromosomes (donor) were studied in recipient Wi-L2 cells in the absence of reutilized radioactivity. As much as 67% of the cell-associated radioactivity was resistant to hydrolysis by DNase I after 4 h of incubation. Cell fractionation and electron microscope autoradiography indicated that chromosome uptake was rapid, into both cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions and was facilitator and dose dependent. Sedimentation analysis demonstrated that at 4 h donor DNA of approximate single-strand mol wt of 1--6 X 10(6), as compared to 6--12 X 10(6) for chromosomal DNA, was recoverable in cell fractions. By 6 h, a significant portion of the nucleus-associated donor DNA was converted into material of higher mol wt, although no evidence was found for integration into recipient DNA. Cytoplasmic donor DNA continued to be degraded. An average number of chromosome equivalents of nucleus-associated donor DNA to recipient cell nuclei of 1--4 was obtained and its relationship to the lower frequency of chromosome-mediated gene transfer is discussed.", "PMID": 628885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7623", "title": "Mutants of CHO cells resistant to the protein synthesis inhibitor emetine: genetic and biochemical characterization of second-step mutants.", "content": "Second-step mutants highly resistant to the protein synthesis inhibitor emetine (Emt(RII) have been selected from emetine resistant (Emt(RI)) Chinese hamster ovary cells described earlier. The frequency of the Emt(RII) mutants was increased 50- to 75-fold after mutagenesis, and none of these highly resistant mutants could be selected in one step using wild-type cells. Like the Emt(RI) mutants, the increased resistance of Emt(RII) mutants results from another lesion in the polyribosomal fraction, as measured by the effects of emetine in fractionated extracts. As with the first-step mutants, the Emt(RII) isolates behave recessively in somatic cell hybrids. Segregation studies have shown that the Emt(R) lesions are not on the X chromosome, and in at least one isolate there is evidence that the Emt(RI) and Emt(RII) mutations may occur at different sites.", "contents": "Mutants of CHO cells resistant to the protein synthesis inhibitor emetine: genetic and biochemical characterization of second-step mutants. Second-step mutants highly resistant to the protein synthesis inhibitor emetine (Emt(RII) have been selected from emetine resistant (Emt(RI)) Chinese hamster ovary cells described earlier. The frequency of the Emt(RII) mutants was increased 50- to 75-fold after mutagenesis, and none of these highly resistant mutants could be selected in one step using wild-type cells. Like the Emt(RI) mutants, the increased resistance of Emt(RII) mutants results from another lesion in the polyribosomal fraction, as measured by the effects of emetine in fractionated extracts. As with the first-step mutants, the Emt(RII) isolates behave recessively in somatic cell hybrids. Segregation studies have shown that the Emt(R) lesions are not on the X chromosome, and in at least one isolate there is evidence that the Emt(RI) and Emt(RII) mutations may occur at different sites.", "PMID": 628886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7624", "title": "Distal profunda femoris to popliteal artery bypass for patients with a short length of long saphenous vein.", "content": "A technique of distal profunda femoris to popliteal artery bypass is described in two patients in whom the length of long saphenous vein available for grafting was too short for a conventional femoropopliteal bypass. Because each patient has a large profunda system which was free from proximal disease, a bypass was constructed betweeen the distal profunda femoris and the upper popliteal arteries, utilizing the short length of long saphenous vein available. Both patients had complete relief of their symptoms and objective evidence of improvement.", "contents": "Distal profunda femoris to popliteal artery bypass for patients with a short length of long saphenous vein. A technique of distal profunda femoris to popliteal artery bypass is described in two patients in whom the length of long saphenous vein available for grafting was too short for a conventional femoropopliteal bypass. Because each patient has a large profunda system which was free from proximal disease, a bypass was constructed betweeen the distal profunda femoris and the upper popliteal arteries, utilizing the short length of long saphenous vein available. Both patients had complete relief of their symptoms and objective evidence of improvement.", "PMID": 628887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7625", "title": "The continent reservoir ileostomy: review of a collective series of thirty-six patients from three surgical departments.", "content": "A reservoir ileostomy was created in 36 patients. Three patients died from septic complications in the postoperative period, and one patient died from rectal carcinoma during the observation period. In six patients the reservoirs were removed during the observation period because of nipple-valve extrusion, nonspecific ileitis of the reservoir, or recurrence of Crohn's disease. Complications from the reservoir and its outlet were quite frequent and included fistula formation in eight patients, nipple-valve extrusion in 12 patients, nonspecific ileitis of the reservoir in five patients, and stenosis of the nipple in one patient. Malabsorption of vitamin B12 and fat due to a stagnant loop syndrome was found in four of seven patients examined for this. Fifteen patients underwent 25 reoperations for complications from the reservoir and its outlet. Twenty-six patients still have their reservoirs. Twenty-five of them are continent. They do not wear external appliances and they empty their reservoirs with a tube two to five times daily. One patient is incontinent due to an unrepaired nipple-valve extrusion.", "contents": "The continent reservoir ileostomy: review of a collective series of thirty-six patients from three surgical departments. A reservoir ileostomy was created in 36 patients. Three patients died from septic complications in the postoperative period, and one patient died from rectal carcinoma during the observation period. In six patients the reservoirs were removed during the observation period because of nipple-valve extrusion, nonspecific ileitis of the reservoir, or recurrence of Crohn's disease. Complications from the reservoir and its outlet were quite frequent and included fistula formation in eight patients, nipple-valve extrusion in 12 patients, nonspecific ileitis of the reservoir in five patients, and stenosis of the nipple in one patient. Malabsorption of vitamin B12 and fat due to a stagnant loop syndrome was found in four of seven patients examined for this. Fifteen patients underwent 25 reoperations for complications from the reservoir and its outlet. Twenty-six patients still have their reservoirs. Twenty-five of them are continent. They do not wear external appliances and they empty their reservoirs with a tube two to five times daily. One patient is incontinent due to an unrepaired nipple-valve extrusion.", "PMID": 628888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7626", "title": "Prevention of stroke by carotid endarterectomy.", "content": "Cerebral stroke can occur in patients having visual symptoms only. Fundoscopy is valuable in identifying those patients with visual symptoms who are likely to have carotid disease; and carotid endarterectomy can prevent a stroke in a significant percentage of patients at risk. Meticulous operative technique is essential. In a series of 187 carotid endarterectomies performed on 154 patients over a 7-year period, the operative mortality rate was zero. Operative morbidity was 1.3% in 139 patients who had no prior permanent neurological deficits, and 13% in 15 patients who had suffered previous strokes. Data compiled on follow-up for an average of 20 months indicated that six patients (4.7%) suffered postoperative strokes, nine patients (7%) experienced persistence of symptoms, and 113 patients (88.3%) remained neurologically well.", "contents": "Prevention of stroke by carotid endarterectomy. Cerebral stroke can occur in patients having visual symptoms only. Fundoscopy is valuable in identifying those patients with visual symptoms who are likely to have carotid disease; and carotid endarterectomy can prevent a stroke in a significant percentage of patients at risk. Meticulous operative technique is essential. In a series of 187 carotid endarterectomies performed on 154 patients over a 7-year period, the operative mortality rate was zero. Operative morbidity was 1.3% in 139 patients who had no prior permanent neurological deficits, and 13% in 15 patients who had suffered previous strokes. Data compiled on follow-up for an average of 20 months indicated that six patients (4.7%) suffered postoperative strokes, nine patients (7%) experienced persistence of symptoms, and 113 patients (88.3%) remained neurologically well.", "PMID": 628889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7627", "title": "Cardiac arrhythmias associated with treadmill claudication testing.", "content": "Eighty-one consecutive patients of an average age of 58 years with suspected lower limb arterial disease underwent standard 5-minute treadmill claudication testing. Prior to, during, and after testing the patients were monitored electrocardiographically. The number of electrocardiographic abnormalities seen in 81 patients undergoing study increased from 33 (40.6%) at rest to 49 (60.5%) with exercise. The commonest abnormalities encountered with exercise were the development and increased incidence of paroxysmal beats and ST-T wave changes which, in some instances, became life-threatening, aborting the test. Since the principal hazard for patients with claudication appears to derive from an increase propensity to cardiac mortality and morbidity, rather than from the consequences of impaired circulation to the limb, electrocardiographic monitoring during treadmill claudication testing, though little practiced, is strongly advised.", "contents": "Cardiac arrhythmias associated with treadmill claudication testing. Eighty-one consecutive patients of an average age of 58 years with suspected lower limb arterial disease underwent standard 5-minute treadmill claudication testing. Prior to, during, and after testing the patients were monitored electrocardiographically. The number of electrocardiographic abnormalities seen in 81 patients undergoing study increased from 33 (40.6%) at rest to 49 (60.5%) with exercise. The commonest abnormalities encountered with exercise were the development and increased incidence of paroxysmal beats and ST-T wave changes which, in some instances, became life-threatening, aborting the test. Since the principal hazard for patients with claudication appears to derive from an increase propensity to cardiac mortality and morbidity, rather than from the consequences of impaired circulation to the limb, electrocardiographic monitoring during treadmill claudication testing, though little practiced, is strongly advised.", "PMID": 628891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7628", "title": "Spontaneous perforation of bile ducts in neonates.", "content": "Three neonates with spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct have been described. All were treated by laparotomy in the seventh week, with attempted closure of the perforation and a simple biliary diversion by cholecyst-jejunostomy with jejunojejunostomy below it. They have done well and represent 100% salvage of our cases to date. One is now 12 years of age. As far as we are aware, this method of dealing with the condition has not been described before.", "contents": "Spontaneous perforation of bile ducts in neonates. Three neonates with spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct have been described. All were treated by laparotomy in the seventh week, with attempted closure of the perforation and a simple biliary diversion by cholecyst-jejunostomy with jejunojejunostomy below it. They have done well and represent 100% salvage of our cases to date. One is now 12 years of age. As far as we are aware, this method of dealing with the condition has not been described before.", "PMID": 628892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7629", "title": "An objective assessment of common femoral endarterectomy and profundaplasty in patients with superficial femoral occlusion.", "content": "Common femoral endarterectomy with profundaplasty has become accepted as a useful operation in the treatment of ischemic arterial disease which is the result of superficial femoral occlusion. However, objective assessment of its long-term postoperative hemodynamic effects has not been reported. This study determines the effect of this operation on the resting pressure index, the walking distance on the treadmill, the fall in postexercise ankle pressure, and the recovery time. Measurements were made just before operation and 1 month later in 20 patients with severe claudication and superficial femoral occlusion. Sixteen patients were available for follow-up at 1 year. These patients were matched according to the resting pressure index to another group of 20 patients with superficial femoral occlusion followed up conservatively. The results indicate that common femoral endarterectomy with profundaplasty improves the distal perfusion pressure and, by inference, flow, which provides strong objective confirmation of the clinical impression that this operation is of value and help in determining its place in the management of severe lower limb ischemia.", "contents": "An objective assessment of common femoral endarterectomy and profundaplasty in patients with superficial femoral occlusion. Common femoral endarterectomy with profundaplasty has become accepted as a useful operation in the treatment of ischemic arterial disease which is the result of superficial femoral occlusion. However, objective assessment of its long-term postoperative hemodynamic effects has not been reported. This study determines the effect of this operation on the resting pressure index, the walking distance on the treadmill, the fall in postexercise ankle pressure, and the recovery time. Measurements were made just before operation and 1 month later in 20 patients with severe claudication and superficial femoral occlusion. Sixteen patients were available for follow-up at 1 year. These patients were matched according to the resting pressure index to another group of 20 patients with superficial femoral occlusion followed up conservatively. The results indicate that common femoral endarterectomy with profundaplasty improves the distal perfusion pressure and, by inference, flow, which provides strong objective confirmation of the clinical impression that this operation is of value and help in determining its place in the management of severe lower limb ischemia.", "PMID": 628894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7630", "title": "Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in neurosurgical patients: a controlled, randomized trial of external pneumatic compression boots.", "content": "A prospective, randomized clinical trial in 95 patients undergoing neurosurgical operative procedures was performed to investigate the efficacy of external pneumatic compression (EPC) of the calves as compared with results in a control group that received no specific form of prophylaxis for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of DVT was established by the I125 fibrinogen scan and radiographic contrast phlebography. The data indicate that EPC provides significant protection against the development of DVT in comparison with results in the control group (p less than 0.005). There were no known pulmonary emboli in any of the EPC-treated patients. There were no complications of EPC.", "contents": "Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in neurosurgical patients: a controlled, randomized trial of external pneumatic compression boots. A prospective, randomized clinical trial in 95 patients undergoing neurosurgical operative procedures was performed to investigate the efficacy of external pneumatic compression (EPC) of the calves as compared with results in a control group that received no specific form of prophylaxis for prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of DVT was established by the I125 fibrinogen scan and radiographic contrast phlebography. The data indicate that EPC provides significant protection against the development of DVT in comparison with results in the control group (p less than 0.005). There were no known pulmonary emboli in any of the EPC-treated patients. There were no complications of EPC.", "PMID": 628896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7631", "title": "The influence of the incubation period and the amount of antigen on the haemagglutination inhibition titres to Newcastle disease virus.", "content": "An investigation was made into the significance of incubation period and amount of antigen used in the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for Newcastle disease virus in chicken serum. Also the results of a manually performed macrotest were compared with those of an automated microtest. Both incubation period and amount of antigen greatly influenced the HI titres. In incubating sera the titres increased up to 75 or 120 minutes when respectively 2 or 4 haemagglutinating units per volume were used. By contrast they became stable after 45 minutes' incubation with 8 units per volume. It was concluded that the latter combination gave optimum results. There were no significant differences between the results obtained with the macro and the micro technique.", "contents": "The influence of the incubation period and the amount of antigen on the haemagglutination inhibition titres to Newcastle disease virus. An investigation was made into the significance of incubation period and amount of antigen used in the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for Newcastle disease virus in chicken serum. Also the results of a manually performed macrotest were compared with those of an automated microtest. Both incubation period and amount of antigen greatly influenced the HI titres. In incubating sera the titres increased up to 75 or 120 minutes when respectively 2 or 4 haemagglutinating units per volume were used. By contrast they became stable after 45 minutes' incubation with 8 units per volume. It was concluded that the latter combination gave optimum results. There were no significant differences between the results obtained with the macro and the micro technique.", "PMID": 628928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7632", "title": "Quantitation of P metabolism in the rabbit by means of 32P.", "content": "Cr2O3 was found to be very effective in correcting the daily variations in the excretion of dry matter, Ca, Mg, and P in rabbit faeces. It can shorten the length of a balance experiment by 50%. We have an idea that a considerable part (about 50%) of the total P retained is incorporated in the organism so quickly that it cannot be observed with the intravenous radioactive tracer method. The excretion of the endogenous faecal P amounted to 20 mg per day. No significant difference was found between the apparent and the actual absorption coefficient of P. The exchangeable P pool of the organism amounted to 690 mg. The experiment results should be subjected to detailed biometric evaluation.", "contents": "Quantitation of P metabolism in the rabbit by means of 32P. Cr2O3 was found to be very effective in correcting the daily variations in the excretion of dry matter, Ca, Mg, and P in rabbit faeces. It can shorten the length of a balance experiment by 50%. We have an idea that a considerable part (about 50%) of the total P retained is incorporated in the organism so quickly that it cannot be observed with the intravenous radioactive tracer method. The excretion of the endogenous faecal P amounted to 20 mg per day. No significant difference was found between the apparent and the actual absorption coefficient of P. The exchangeable P pool of the organism amounted to 690 mg. The experiment results should be subjected to detailed biometric evaluation.", "PMID": 628929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7633", "title": "An infection with the lungworm Filaroides milksi Whitlock, 1956 (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in a dog from Belgium.", "content": "A one-year-old male boxer coming from Belgium was presented at the Small Animal Clinic with signs of respiratory distress which had been present for three weeks. A radiograph of the thorax showed features of peribronchitis and infiltration in both lungs. In spite of antibiotic and supportive therapy the dog died. Postmortem examination of the lungs revealed a large number of nematodes in most of the bronchioles and alveoli. These nematodes were identified as filaroides milksi, Whitlock, 1956, a lungworm of dogs which has not been reported in Europe previously.", "contents": "An infection with the lungworm Filaroides milksi Whitlock, 1956 (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in a dog from Belgium. A one-year-old male boxer coming from Belgium was presented at the Small Animal Clinic with signs of respiratory distress which had been present for three weeks. A radiograph of the thorax showed features of peribronchitis and infiltration in both lungs. In spite of antibiotic and supportive therapy the dog died. Postmortem examination of the lungs revealed a large number of nematodes in most of the bronchioles and alveoli. These nematodes were identified as filaroides milksi, Whitlock, 1956, a lungworm of dogs which has not been reported in Europe previously.", "PMID": 628930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7634", "title": "Fertility control in cattle by use of the \"milk progesterone test\".", "content": "The development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for progesterone in cow's milk is described. Control of the temperature during storage of the milk and also during the sample incubation procedure appeared to be a critical requirement with respect to reduction of nonspecific binding of tritiated progesterone. Ranges of milk progesterone levels were established during pregnancy as well as during the luteal and the follicular phase of the oestrus and of pregnancy in three trials on two experimental farms. The mean accuracy with respect to the diagnosis \"pregnant\", \"non-pregnant\" or \"not in oestrus\" were 84.0, 97.6, and 100%, respectively. By leaving out of account all animals with high progesterone values (greater than 10 ng. ml(-1)) on day 1 (= day of insemination) the accuracy of the diagnosis \"pregnant\" was improved to 87.1%.", "contents": "Fertility control in cattle by use of the \"milk progesterone test\". The development and validation of a radioimmunoassay for progesterone in cow's milk is described. Control of the temperature during storage of the milk and also during the sample incubation procedure appeared to be a critical requirement with respect to reduction of nonspecific binding of tritiated progesterone. Ranges of milk progesterone levels were established during pregnancy as well as during the luteal and the follicular phase of the oestrus and of pregnancy in three trials on two experimental farms. The mean accuracy with respect to the diagnosis \"pregnant\", \"non-pregnant\" or \"not in oestrus\" were 84.0, 97.6, and 100%, respectively. By leaving out of account all animals with high progesterone values (greater than 10 ng. ml(-1)) on day 1 (= day of insemination) the accuracy of the diagnosis \"pregnant\" was improved to 87.1%.", "PMID": 628931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7635", "title": "[Value of different systems of mammography records with regard to their exposure to radiation and their information content (author's transl)].", "content": "We learned from our examinations that, if there were optimum conditions, the combination Medichrome MR50 as a form of low dose method offers the same information content as the film without intensifying screens PE 4006. We found out that the discernibleness of details of 70 non selected mammographies which had each been taken by both systems was absolutely identical. By xeroradiography, however, a more precise representation of details, especially if there are microcalcifications, is possible because of its effect which renders the edges more visible. If the Medichrome low dose method was applied, the exposure to radiation of the breast was, depending on the density and width or the organ, only 1/12 to 1/14 of the dose measured if the film without intensifying screens was used. The exposure to radiation connected with xeroradiography is between these two values. We came to the following conclusion: the low dose method is recommended for routine mammographies, and only if there are special problems or if suspicious findings are to be clarified, xeroradiography is applied as supplementary examination method. Before using the film without intensifying screens, one should consider the high radiation exposure which, however, does not involve a greater information content.", "contents": "[Value of different systems of mammography records with regard to their exposure to radiation and their information content (author's transl)]. We learned from our examinations that, if there were optimum conditions, the combination Medichrome MR50 as a form of low dose method offers the same information content as the film without intensifying screens PE 4006. We found out that the discernibleness of details of 70 non selected mammographies which had each been taken by both systems was absolutely identical. By xeroradiography, however, a more precise representation of details, especially if there are microcalcifications, is possible because of its effect which renders the edges more visible. If the Medichrome low dose method was applied, the exposure to radiation of the breast was, depending on the density and width or the organ, only 1/12 to 1/14 of the dose measured if the film without intensifying screens was used. The exposure to radiation connected with xeroradiography is between these two values. We came to the following conclusion: the low dose method is recommended for routine mammographies, and only if there are special problems or if suspicious findings are to be clarified, xeroradiography is applied as supplementary examination method. Before using the film without intensifying screens, one should consider the high radiation exposure which, however, does not involve a greater information content.", "PMID": 628932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7636", "title": "[Measurement of post-irradiation population kinetics using single-cell cytophotometry combined with double-labeling autoradiography: model investigations into a diploid Ehrlich ascites tumor after 475 rd X-irradiation (author's transl)].", "content": "A technique for in vivo determination of the population kinetics in tumors following irradiation is reported in this paper. Using the model of a diploid Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT-dipl), the migration of cells from different subpopulations was followed up through the generation cycle. The measurability of post-irradiation growth kinetics in different subpopulations is emphasized with regard to its importance for practical application with combination treatments or possibility for the problem of dose-time relations. The individual results obtained after 475 rd are presented in detail.", "contents": "[Measurement of post-irradiation population kinetics using single-cell cytophotometry combined with double-labeling autoradiography: model investigations into a diploid Ehrlich ascites tumor after 475 rd X-irradiation (author's transl)]. A technique for in vivo determination of the population kinetics in tumors following irradiation is reported in this paper. Using the model of a diploid Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT-dipl), the migration of cells from different subpopulations was followed up through the generation cycle. The measurability of post-irradiation growth kinetics in different subpopulations is emphasized with regard to its importance for practical application with combination treatments or possibility for the problem of dose-time relations. The individual results obtained after 475 rd are presented in detail.", "PMID": 628933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7637", "title": "Estimation of cell cycle parameters by the cumulative method.", "content": "Cell cycle parameters exhibit one of the characters of tumor cells. The cumulative method for the estimation of the parameters was analysed and evaluated, considering variations of the phase duration. The following procedure was proposed for the accurate estimation: The cell cycle time and the duration of G2 phase are estimated from the accumulation of mitotic cells and labeled mitotic cells, respectively, by the simultaneous administration of an inhibitor of cell division and a labeled DNA precursor. The duration of S phase is calculated with the labeling index using an equation. The duration of G1 phase is obtained by subtraction from the cell cycle time.", "contents": "Estimation of cell cycle parameters by the cumulative method. Cell cycle parameters exhibit one of the characters of tumor cells. The cumulative method for the estimation of the parameters was analysed and evaluated, considering variations of the phase duration. The following procedure was proposed for the accurate estimation: The cell cycle time and the duration of G2 phase are estimated from the accumulation of mitotic cells and labeled mitotic cells, respectively, by the simultaneous administration of an inhibitor of cell division and a labeled DNA precursor. The duration of S phase is calculated with the labeling index using an equation. The duration of G1 phase is obtained by subtraction from the cell cycle time.", "PMID": 628934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7638", "title": "Alterations in tissue lipids of rats subjected to whole-body X-irradiation.", "content": "Whole-body irradiation of rats at sublethal doses leads to hepatic lipid accumulation which reaches a maximum by the sixth day; this effect on lipid metabolism does not appear to be due to accompanying inanition but due to irradiation per se. The female rats show a greater and more consistent increase in liver lipids than males and this better response of the females is not abolished by prolonged administration of testosterone to these animals. An accumulation of triglycerides accounts for almost all the increases in total liver lipids, although smaller elevations in the levels of free fatty acids and cholesterol are also seen. Free fatty acids of liver show a marked decrease on the second day following irradiation. Serum lipids do not show any appreciable changes while adipose lipids progressively decrease reaching a minimum by the sixth day. Although an insufficiency of ATP may be responsible for lipid accumulation in the irradiated rat as is the case in rats treated with ethionine or orotic acid, adenine administration, which prevents fatty infiltration due to these chemical agents, does not protect against the radiation-induced increase in liver triglycerides.", "contents": "Alterations in tissue lipids of rats subjected to whole-body X-irradiation. Whole-body irradiation of rats at sublethal doses leads to hepatic lipid accumulation which reaches a maximum by the sixth day; this effect on lipid metabolism does not appear to be due to accompanying inanition but due to irradiation per se. The female rats show a greater and more consistent increase in liver lipids than males and this better response of the females is not abolished by prolonged administration of testosterone to these animals. An accumulation of triglycerides accounts for almost all the increases in total liver lipids, although smaller elevations in the levels of free fatty acids and cholesterol are also seen. Free fatty acids of liver show a marked decrease on the second day following irradiation. Serum lipids do not show any appreciable changes while adipose lipids progressively decrease reaching a minimum by the sixth day. Although an insufficiency of ATP may be responsible for lipid accumulation in the irradiated rat as is the case in rats treated with ethionine or orotic acid, adenine administration, which prevents fatty infiltration due to these chemical agents, does not protect against the radiation-induced increase in liver triglycerides.", "PMID": 628935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7639", "title": "Total and local X-radiation effects on 18F uptake of bones.", "content": "Flourine uptake in rat bones under local and total-body X-irradiation was studied. Data were obtained by measurements with a scintillation crystal counter and in the case of limbs by means of macro and microautoradiographies. The autoradiographic studies showed a higher concentration of the isotope in the metaphyseal area of the endochondral plate. Irradiation produced a depression of 18F uptake in both cases. An alteration in the mineralization mechanism due to irradiation is presumed.", "contents": "Total and local X-radiation effects on 18F uptake of bones. Flourine uptake in rat bones under local and total-body X-irradiation was studied. Data were obtained by measurements with a scintillation crystal counter and in the case of limbs by means of macro and microautoradiographies. The autoradiographic studies showed a higher concentration of the isotope in the metaphyseal area of the endochondral plate. Irradiation produced a depression of 18F uptake in both cases. An alteration in the mineralization mechanism due to irradiation is presumed.", "PMID": 628936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7640", "title": "[The place of radiation therapy in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone (osteoclastomas): results from 32 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Radiotherapeutic results of giant-cell tumors of the bone in 32 own cases are presented. The frequency of local recurrency was 30%, the 10-year survival rate was somewhat about 70% and in nearly 12% of primary benign giant-cell tumors there appeared malignant transformations (inclusive two fibrosarcomas in irradiated tissue). In other radiotherapeutic series, the frequency of malignant transformation is between 14 and 19%, in series with primary surgical therapy the rate of secundary malignant transformation is between 3 and 10%. Despite of the limited comparability of the surgical and radiotherapeutic material, we recommend in accordance with most authors in operable lesions surgical treatment. In inoperable lesions or when the lesion is not radically operable, radiation therapy has a definite place in the treatment of giant-cell tumors of the bone with a curative rate of about 80%.", "contents": "[The place of radiation therapy in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone (osteoclastomas): results from 32 cases (author's transl)]. Radiotherapeutic results of giant-cell tumors of the bone in 32 own cases are presented. The frequency of local recurrency was 30%, the 10-year survival rate was somewhat about 70% and in nearly 12% of primary benign giant-cell tumors there appeared malignant transformations (inclusive two fibrosarcomas in irradiated tissue). In other radiotherapeutic series, the frequency of malignant transformation is between 14 and 19%, in series with primary surgical therapy the rate of secundary malignant transformation is between 3 and 10%. Despite of the limited comparability of the surgical and radiotherapeutic material, we recommend in accordance with most authors in operable lesions surgical treatment. In inoperable lesions or when the lesion is not radically operable, radiation therapy has a definite place in the treatment of giant-cell tumors of the bone with a curative rate of about 80%.", "PMID": 628937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7641", "title": "[Results of radiation therapy in chordoma: data from seven patients and a review of the literature (author's transl)].", "content": "Seven patients with chordoma who were treated in the Universit\u00e4tsklinik f\u00fcr Nuklearmedizin und Radiotherapie, Z\u00fcrich, since 1950 are presented. In all the cases, high-dose irradiation resulted in symptom-free survival of many years duration. Five years after the first treatment, all the patients are alive, after ten years about 50% of the patients are alive. Our own experiences as well as the already published cases show that radiotherapy has an important role in the management of chordoma.", "contents": "[Results of radiation therapy in chordoma: data from seven patients and a review of the literature (author's transl)]. Seven patients with chordoma who were treated in the Universit\u00e4tsklinik f\u00fcr Nuklearmedizin und Radiotherapie, Z\u00fcrich, since 1950 are presented. In all the cases, high-dose irradiation resulted in symptom-free survival of many years duration. Five years after the first treatment, all the patients are alive, after ten years about 50% of the patients are alive. Our own experiences as well as the already published cases show that radiotherapy has an important role in the management of chordoma.", "PMID": 628938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7642", "title": "[The electroresection as therapy of the vulva carcinoma. Method and results (author's transl)].", "content": "At the Ist Gynecologic University-Clinic of Vienna 292 patients with vulvar carcinoma were admitted and treated in the years 1952--1970. The therapy was an electroresection and -coagulation of the primary tumor, followed, if necessary, by a surgical dissection of the inguinal groin. An electrocoagulation is indicated for the more extended cases, too--a local healing in 97% of the cases is obtained in this way. The inguinal dissection was progressively replaced by telecobalt-irradiation (6000 rd). Of the 292 cases 139 of 47.6% presented palpable nodes and only 56 patients were operated. 79.3% were aged between 61 and 90 years. Of the 292 cases 167 or 57.4% were cured for five years or more. The primary mortality was 1% (three cases). 40 patients (13.3%) died of intercurrent diseases.", "contents": "[The electroresection as therapy of the vulva carcinoma. Method and results (author's transl)]. At the Ist Gynecologic University-Clinic of Vienna 292 patients with vulvar carcinoma were admitted and treated in the years 1952--1970. The therapy was an electroresection and -coagulation of the primary tumor, followed, if necessary, by a surgical dissection of the inguinal groin. An electrocoagulation is indicated for the more extended cases, too--a local healing in 97% of the cases is obtained in this way. The inguinal dissection was progressively replaced by telecobalt-irradiation (6000 rd). Of the 292 cases 139 of 47.6% presented palpable nodes and only 56 patients were operated. 79.3% were aged between 61 and 90 years. Of the 292 cases 167 or 57.4% were cured for five years or more. The primary mortality was 1% (three cases). 40 patients (13.3%) died of intercurrent diseases.", "PMID": 628939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7643", "title": "[Light-chain plasmacytoma with reversible renal insufficiency after intravascular application of thorotrast (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty-three years after intravascular injection of Thorotrast, a light-chain plasmacytoma with hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency was diagnosed in a 60-year-old man. The question of causal relation between Thorotrast deposit and plasmacytoma is discussed. The accumulated radiation load to the bone-marrow as caused by thorium dioxide deposition amounts to circa 3000 rem. According to casuistic and epidemiological communications, induction of plasmacytomas by external X-irradiation may be regarded as possible. A distinct increase in myeloproliferative diseases but only small numbers of plasmacytomas are reported in extensive epidemiological Thorotrast studies. From combination of results of the three most comprehensive epidemiological Thorotrast studies is obtained a numerical ratio of 1:5 for the spontaneous rate against the number of plasmacytomas observed. Identical correlations are yielded by investigations at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hence it is to be supposed that also plasmacytomas can be induced by thorotrastosis of the reticulohistiocytic system.", "contents": "[Light-chain plasmacytoma with reversible renal insufficiency after intravascular application of thorotrast (author's transl)]. Thirty-three years after intravascular injection of Thorotrast, a light-chain plasmacytoma with hypercalcemia and renal insufficiency was diagnosed in a 60-year-old man. The question of causal relation between Thorotrast deposit and plasmacytoma is discussed. The accumulated radiation load to the bone-marrow as caused by thorium dioxide deposition amounts to circa 3000 rem. According to casuistic and epidemiological communications, induction of plasmacytomas by external X-irradiation may be regarded as possible. A distinct increase in myeloproliferative diseases but only small numbers of plasmacytomas are reported in extensive epidemiological Thorotrast studies. From combination of results of the three most comprehensive epidemiological Thorotrast studies is obtained a numerical ratio of 1:5 for the spontaneous rate against the number of plasmacytomas observed. Identical correlations are yielded by investigations at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hence it is to be supposed that also plasmacytomas can be induced by thorotrastosis of the reticulohistiocytic system.", "PMID": 628940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7644", "title": "Urothelial neoplasia: what constitutes adequate follow-up?", "content": "The need for constant vigilance in the follow-up care of patients with transitional cell carcinoma is illustrated by the case reports of 12 patients whose tumors recurred after tumor-free periods of eleven years and longer. Emphasis is placed on monitoring, which includes pyelographic study, cytologic study, and cystoscopic examinations for as long as the patient survives.", "contents": "Urothelial neoplasia: what constitutes adequate follow-up? The need for constant vigilance in the follow-up care of patients with transitional cell carcinoma is illustrated by the case reports of 12 patients whose tumors recurred after tumor-free periods of eleven years and longer. Emphasis is placed on monitoring, which includes pyelographic study, cytologic study, and cystoscopic examinations for as long as the patient survives.", "PMID": 628986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7645", "title": "Developments in preoperative staging of bladder tumors.", "content": "We have found that routine bilateral selective angiographic studies for patients considered candidates for radical cystectomy is a useful technique. Our experiences since 1968 to present have indicated that early bladder invasion and occult metastases can be detected at a rate exceeding that of clinical staging alone. Angiographic staging in D lesions, when supplemented by lymphangiogram, can approach 100 per cent accuracy. Our current false negative lymphangiogram rate is relatively low, that is, 1.9 per cent. The over-all angiographic and lymphangiographic staging accuracy prior to surgery in our most recent series of cystectomy patients was nearly 79 per cent. Such techniques and reliability of data are discussed in detail including the factors which interfere with the exact angiographic staging of bladder cancer. These techniques in no way are meant to surplant routine preoperative clinical evaluations which are appropriately used with additional accuracy and success.", "contents": "Developments in preoperative staging of bladder tumors. We have found that routine bilateral selective angiographic studies for patients considered candidates for radical cystectomy is a useful technique. Our experiences since 1968 to present have indicated that early bladder invasion and occult metastases can be detected at a rate exceeding that of clinical staging alone. Angiographic staging in D lesions, when supplemented by lymphangiogram, can approach 100 per cent accuracy. Our current false negative lymphangiogram rate is relatively low, that is, 1.9 per cent. The over-all angiographic and lymphangiographic staging accuracy prior to surgery in our most recent series of cystectomy patients was nearly 79 per cent. Such techniques and reliability of data are discussed in detail including the factors which interfere with the exact angiographic staging of bladder cancer. These techniques in no way are meant to surplant routine preoperative clinical evaluations which are appropriately used with additional accuracy and success.", "PMID": 628985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7646", "title": "Ectopic ureterocele, hydroureter, and renal dysplasia: an embryogenic triad.", "content": "A review of the literature of the embryogenesis of ectopic ureterocele is presented. A theory linking the triad of ectopic ureterocele, hydroureter, and renal dysplasia to a primary intrinsic developmental abnormality of size and position of the ureteral bud is postulated.", "contents": "Ectopic ureterocele, hydroureter, and renal dysplasia: an embryogenic triad. A review of the literature of the embryogenesis of ectopic ureterocele is presented. A theory linking the triad of ectopic ureterocele, hydroureter, and renal dysplasia to a primary intrinsic developmental abnormality of size and position of the ureteral bud is postulated.", "PMID": 628989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7647", "title": "Extensive renal involvement by renal cell carcinoma.", "content": "Experience with the management of 3 cases of bilateral adenocarcinoma and 1 case of unilateral carcinoma in the solitary kidney is presented. Two patients died of metastases six and thirteen months postoperatively, while one is alive with metastases at fourteen months and another is alive without metastases at four months. The literature is reviewed, and the various treatments are discussed.", "contents": "Extensive renal involvement by renal cell carcinoma. Experience with the management of 3 cases of bilateral adenocarcinoma and 1 case of unilateral carcinoma in the solitary kidney is presented. Two patients died of metastases six and thirteen months postoperatively, while one is alive with metastases at fourteen months and another is alive without metastases at four months. The literature is reviewed, and the various treatments are discussed.", "PMID": 628987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7648", "title": "Renal artery trauma.", "content": "The ability to preserve renal function in patients with renal artery trauma is a goal sought by all urologists. We have reviewed our own experience as well as data published in the literature to formulate guidelines concerning which patients should be treated with revascularization and what factors are most likely to make this procedure successful.", "contents": "Renal artery trauma. The ability to preserve renal function in patients with renal artery trauma is a goal sought by all urologists. We have reviewed our own experience as well as data published in the literature to formulate guidelines concerning which patients should be treated with revascularization and what factors are most likely to make this procedure successful.", "PMID": 628988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7649", "title": "Single-stage reconstruction of urinary tract after loop cutaneous ureterostomy.", "content": "Three patients with four renoureteral units have undergone single-stage reconstruction involving ureteroureterostomy and ipsilateral ureteroneocystostomy following temporary loop cutaneous ureterostomy. Preliminary loop cutaneous ureterostomy diversion allowed adequate ureteral recompensation such that ureteral tapering was unnecessary in any of these cases. Rich collateral circulation as well as strict preservation of adventitial ureteral vasculature allows the performance of upper and lower ureteral procedures in a single session.", "contents": "Single-stage reconstruction of urinary tract after loop cutaneous ureterostomy. Three patients with four renoureteral units have undergone single-stage reconstruction involving ureteroureterostomy and ipsilateral ureteroneocystostomy following temporary loop cutaneous ureterostomy. Preliminary loop cutaneous ureterostomy diversion allowed adequate ureteral recompensation such that ureteral tapering was unnecessary in any of these cases. Rich collateral circulation as well as strict preservation of adventitial ureteral vasculature allows the performance of upper and lower ureteral procedures in a single session.", "PMID": 628990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7650", "title": "Incidence of later ureteral obstruction after antireflux surgery in infants and children.", "content": "Forty infants and children who underwent antireflux surgery for primary reflux had long-term follow-up with intravenous pyelograms (IVP). The IVPs were evaluated for the incidence of late ureteral obstruction. Although 4 cases (5.5 per cent) of early ureteral obstruction were noted, no instances of late ureteral obstruction were found. After antireflux surgery, patients should have a follow-up IVP within the first six months to rule out the possibility of early ureteral obstruction. The need for performing periodic IVPs for many years postoperatively, when obstruction is absent in the immediate postoperative period, is questioned.", "contents": "Incidence of later ureteral obstruction after antireflux surgery in infants and children. Forty infants and children who underwent antireflux surgery for primary reflux had long-term follow-up with intravenous pyelograms (IVP). The IVPs were evaluated for the incidence of late ureteral obstruction. Although 4 cases (5.5 per cent) of early ureteral obstruction were noted, no instances of late ureteral obstruction were found. After antireflux surgery, patients should have a follow-up IVP within the first six months to rule out the possibility of early ureteral obstruction. The need for performing periodic IVPs for many years postoperatively, when obstruction is absent in the immediate postoperative period, is questioned.", "PMID": 628991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7651", "title": "Hemitrigone: renal agenesis or single ureteral ectopia.", "content": "Hemitrigone is pathognomonic of either renal agenesis or single ureteral ectopia. The latter may present as urinary incontinence in the female patient, with prostatitis or seminal vesiculitis often occurring in the male.", "contents": "Hemitrigone: renal agenesis or single ureteral ectopia. Hemitrigone is pathognomonic of either renal agenesis or single ureteral ectopia. The latter may present as urinary incontinence in the female patient, with prostatitis or seminal vesiculitis often occurring in the male.", "PMID": 628993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7652", "title": "Plasma testosterone in patients receiving diethylstilbestrol.", "content": "With accurate, inexpensive plasma testosterone assays now available it is possible to monitor the efficacy of hormonal manipulation in the patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. We monitored plasma testosterone in our patients receiving diethylstilbestrol (DES) 1 mg. per day. We found no statistical difference in mean plasma testosterone between patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate and castrated patients with prostatic carcinoma, all receiving DES, 1 mg. per day. We recommend that plasma testosterone be closely monitored in patients receiving hormonal therapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.", "contents": "Plasma testosterone in patients receiving diethylstilbestrol. With accurate, inexpensive plasma testosterone assays now available it is possible to monitor the efficacy of hormonal manipulation in the patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. We monitored plasma testosterone in our patients receiving diethylstilbestrol (DES) 1 mg. per day. We found no statistical difference in mean plasma testosterone between patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate and castrated patients with prostatic carcinoma, all receiving DES, 1 mg. per day. We recommend that plasma testosterone be closely monitored in patients receiving hormonal therapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.", "PMID": 628992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7653", "title": "Blue collection bag after ileal diversion.", "content": "Five children with ileal diversions have shown asymptomatic blue staining of the urine collection bags. A tryptophan derivative (indican) in the urine that oxidizes to indigo blue on exposure to air is thought to be the cause of this benign transient phenomenon.", "contents": "Blue collection bag after ileal diversion. Five children with ileal diversions have shown asymptomatic blue staining of the urine collection bags. A tryptophan derivative (indican) in the urine that oxidizes to indigo blue on exposure to air is thought to be the cause of this benign transient phenomenon.", "PMID": 628994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7654", "title": "Strangulation of glans penis by hair.", "content": "Three cases of strangulation of the glans penis by hair are reported. Ensuing complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula and gangrene of the glans are described. The need for prompt diagnosis and treatment is stressed.", "contents": "Strangulation of glans penis by hair. Three cases of strangulation of the glans penis by hair are reported. Ensuing complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula and gangrene of the glans are described. The need for prompt diagnosis and treatment is stressed.", "PMID": 628995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7655", "title": "Low-velocity gunshot injury to ureter.", "content": "An unusual type of ureteral injury is described. The conventional surgical management of a penetrating ureteral injury was not utilized. Because debridement was not necessary in this case, we did not use an internal ureteral stent. A good postoperative result was obtained with this conservative treatment.", "contents": "Low-velocity gunshot injury to ureter. An unusual type of ureteral injury is described. The conventional surgical management of a penetrating ureteral injury was not utilized. Because debridement was not necessary in this case, we did not use an internal ureteral stent. A good postoperative result was obtained with this conservative treatment.", "PMID": 628996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7656", "title": "Liver and prostate adenocarcinoma: an \"estrogen-free\" environment?", "content": "We believe that the probable \"estrogen-free\" site which is present in the liver while a patient is on estrogens gives a conductive environment for local growth of prostate malignancy. We report 1 patient who improved with local irradiation and 2 others who stabilized and symptomatically improved with chemotherapy. Hopefully, future reports will shed more light on the treatment of hepatic metastases from prostatic adenocarcinoma.", "contents": "Liver and prostate adenocarcinoma: an \"estrogen-free\" environment? We believe that the probable \"estrogen-free\" site which is present in the liver while a patient is on estrogens gives a conductive environment for local growth of prostate malignancy. We report 1 patient who improved with local irradiation and 2 others who stabilized and symptomatically improved with chemotherapy. Hopefully, future reports will shed more light on the treatment of hepatic metastases from prostatic adenocarcinoma.", "PMID": 628997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7657", "title": "Liposarcoma of spermatic cord.", "content": "Four patients with myxoid liposarcoma of the spermatic cord are presented, three of whom have survived longer than five years. Wide local excision is usually the treatment of choice with radiotherapy reserved for control of either extensive local disease or following incomplete removal of the lesion.", "contents": "Liposarcoma of spermatic cord. Four patients with myxoid liposarcoma of the spermatic cord are presented, three of whom have survived longer than five years. Wide local excision is usually the treatment of choice with radiotherapy reserved for control of either extensive local disease or following incomplete removal of the lesion.", "PMID": 629001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7658", "title": "[Effectiveness of orotic acid and calcium pangamate in experimental liver dystrophy].", "content": "In tests staged on albino rats with acute dystrophy of the liver provoked with carbon tetrachloride the effect of orotic acid and calcium pangamate on the functional state of the liver was studied. Combined application of orotic acid and calcium pangamate was found to promote a more complete restoration of an intensive secretion of bile, synthesis and secretion of cholates together with bile, formation and secretion of bilirubin, excretion of cholesterol than this could be achieved by separate application of these compounds.", "contents": "[Effectiveness of orotic acid and calcium pangamate in experimental liver dystrophy]. In tests staged on albino rats with acute dystrophy of the liver provoked with carbon tetrachloride the effect of orotic acid and calcium pangamate on the functional state of the liver was studied. Combined application of orotic acid and calcium pangamate was found to promote a more complete restoration of an intensive secretion of bile, synthesis and secretion of cholates together with bile, formation and secretion of bilirubin, excretion of cholesterol than this could be achieved by separate application of these compounds.", "PMID": 629026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7659", "title": "[Modern principles of assessing the effectiveness of dietetic nutrition in internal diseases].", "content": "Modern dietology is based on the metabolic principle. In all internal diseases it is composing a balanced diet adapted, above all, to metabolic disorders inherent in a given malady, that is envisaged. The range of current investigation methods permits it to ensure a strict control over the proportions of nutritional components in the dietary and to establish the limits of permissible increase or restriction of the content of each of them. Substance is given to dietetic approaches to various nosological forms of the disease that include the nutritional pattern, caloricity, qualitative and quantitative content of the nutrients.", "contents": "[Modern principles of assessing the effectiveness of dietetic nutrition in internal diseases]. Modern dietology is based on the metabolic principle. In all internal diseases it is composing a balanced diet adapted, above all, to metabolic disorders inherent in a given malady, that is envisaged. The range of current investigation methods permits it to ensure a strict control over the proportions of nutritional components in the dietary and to establish the limits of permissible increase or restriction of the content of each of them. Substance is given to dietetic approaches to various nosological forms of the disease that include the nutritional pattern, caloricity, qualitative and quantitative content of the nutrients.", "PMID": 629027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7660", "title": "[Evaluation of the vegetable oil taken up into the duodenum as a factor in pancreozymin liberation in healthy persons and in digestive organ diseases].", "content": "Investigations carried out in 14 healthy volunteers, 29 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 15 patients with chronic hepatitis showed that infusion into the duodenum of an optimally tolerable quantity (25 ml) of vegetable oil makes for a release of an amount of pancreozymin, which, by the criterion for stimulating secretion of pancreatic amylase, is equivalent to 0.5 Un/kg of pure preparation of pancreozymin and, as to the degree of stimulating the secretion of lipase and trypsin, it exceeds the effect of 0.5 Un/kg, but is less than that of 1.5 Un/kg of pure pancreozymin. These data should be taken into account in evaluating the ability of some alimentary fats to stimulate the release of endogenous pancreozymin.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the vegetable oil taken up into the duodenum as a factor in pancreozymin liberation in healthy persons and in digestive organ diseases]. Investigations carried out in 14 healthy volunteers, 29 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 15 patients with chronic hepatitis showed that infusion into the duodenum of an optimally tolerable quantity (25 ml) of vegetable oil makes for a release of an amount of pancreozymin, which, by the criterion for stimulating secretion of pancreatic amylase, is equivalent to 0.5 Un/kg of pure preparation of pancreozymin and, as to the degree of stimulating the secretion of lipase and trypsin, it exceeds the effect of 0.5 Un/kg, but is less than that of 1.5 Un/kg of pure pancreozymin. These data should be taken into account in evaluating the ability of some alimentary fats to stimulate the release of endogenous pancreozymin.", "PMID": 629025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7661", "title": "[Effect of massive doses of ascorbic acid on oxidative and glycolytic processes in the tissues].", "content": "Ascorbic acid in a dose of 500 mg/kg was given perorally to guinea pigs once in 24 hours. Investigations were carried out on animals receiving ascorbic acid in single doses and also with its administration of 7, 14, 21, 60 and 90 days. Subject to studies were tissue respiration and glycolysis of the skin, liver and kidneys as well as oxidative phosphorylation in hepatic homogenates. With introduction of large doses of ascorbic acid the tissue respiration of the kidneys and the effectiveness of oxidative phosphorylation in the liver were found to be on the increase. Both effects depended on the time during which massive doses of ascorbic acid were administered. The liver and kidney glycolysis did not show any changes with any duration of the ascorbic acid loading. The skin glycolysis intensity gained somewhat in strength with ascorbic acid administration for 21 days.", "contents": "[Effect of massive doses of ascorbic acid on oxidative and glycolytic processes in the tissues]. Ascorbic acid in a dose of 500 mg/kg was given perorally to guinea pigs once in 24 hours. Investigations were carried out on animals receiving ascorbic acid in single doses and also with its administration of 7, 14, 21, 60 and 90 days. Subject to studies were tissue respiration and glycolysis of the skin, liver and kidneys as well as oxidative phosphorylation in hepatic homogenates. With introduction of large doses of ascorbic acid the tissue respiration of the kidneys and the effectiveness of oxidative phosphorylation in the liver were found to be on the increase. Both effects depended on the time during which massive doses of ascorbic acid were administered. The liver and kidney glycolysis did not show any changes with any duration of the ascorbic acid loading. The skin glycolysis intensity gained somewhat in strength with ascorbic acid administration for 21 days.", "PMID": 629028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7662", "title": "[Interaction of vitamins K and C in the body of rats].", "content": "The influence of ascorbic acid on the content and intracellular distribution of ubiquinone in the tissues of K-avitaminotic rats was investigated. Following introduction of pelentan (30--40 mg/kg), a vitamin K antagonist, a rise in the level of ubiquinone in all of the study organs, occurring both at the expense of the post-mitochondrial fraction of the liver, heart, spleen and also at that of the cardiac and splenic mitochondria, could be registered. The ubiquinone concentration in hepatic mitochondria was going down. In K-avitaminotic rats, which received ascorbic acid, the co-enzyme content in the tissues approached control values. Vitamin C exerted a positive action on the ubiquinone level in the mitochondria of the liver, heart and spleen. The cited data suggest that vitamin C abolishes manifestations of the K-vitamin deficiency affecting the ubiquinone pool and secures its optimal content in the mitochondria. Considering the significance of vitamins K, C and ubiquinone in the tissular redox processes an interaction of the said vitamins at the level of the tissue respiration chain is presumed.", "contents": "[Interaction of vitamins K and C in the body of rats]. The influence of ascorbic acid on the content and intracellular distribution of ubiquinone in the tissues of K-avitaminotic rats was investigated. Following introduction of pelentan (30--40 mg/kg), a vitamin K antagonist, a rise in the level of ubiquinone in all of the study organs, occurring both at the expense of the post-mitochondrial fraction of the liver, heart, spleen and also at that of the cardiac and splenic mitochondria, could be registered. The ubiquinone concentration in hepatic mitochondria was going down. In K-avitaminotic rats, which received ascorbic acid, the co-enzyme content in the tissues approached control values. Vitamin C exerted a positive action on the ubiquinone level in the mitochondria of the liver, heart and spleen. The cited data suggest that vitamin C abolishes manifestations of the K-vitamin deficiency affecting the ubiquinone pool and secures its optimal content in the mitochondria. Considering the significance of vitamins K, C and ubiquinone in the tissular redox processes an interaction of the said vitamins at the level of the tissue respiration chain is presumed.", "PMID": 629029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7663", "title": "[Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in rabbits with a limited mobility and an excess sacharose consumption].", "content": "Under restricted motor activity an excess of the introduced saccharose is used not for replenishment of the spent energy which, judging by the glycolysis level, was less marked than in controls, but rather for maintaining the synthetic processes, being, first of all, incorporated in glucose-aminoglycanes. At the same time, the activity of the pentophosphate way of the carbohydrates assimilation increased in the brain, liver and heart and in consequence of this the cholesterol and triglycerides content rose in the blood serum and liver. The triglycerides concentration in the aorta proved to be lowered.", "contents": "[Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in rabbits with a limited mobility and an excess sacharose consumption]. Under restricted motor activity an excess of the introduced saccharose is used not for replenishment of the spent energy which, judging by the glycolysis level, was less marked than in controls, but rather for maintaining the synthetic processes, being, first of all, incorporated in glucose-aminoglycanes. At the same time, the activity of the pentophosphate way of the carbohydrates assimilation increased in the brain, liver and heart and in consequence of this the cholesterol and triglycerides content rose in the blood serum and liver. The triglycerides concentration in the aorta proved to be lowered.", "PMID": 629031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7664", "title": "[Effect of a varying ascorbic acid allowance in guinea pigs on the metabolic indices in their bodies to cold exposure].", "content": "Changes in the content of ascorbic acid in the blood, urine and suprarenals and also of glucose and 11-oxycorticosteroids in guinea pigs with different vitamin C allowances under conditions of cold stress were studied. The data obtained suggest that the degree of the vitamin C allowances is essential for adequate reactions of the organism exposed to the action of cold, but the shifts in metabolic transformations point to the need for a more reserved utilization of high ascorbid acid doses.", "contents": "[Effect of a varying ascorbic acid allowance in guinea pigs on the metabolic indices in their bodies to cold exposure]. Changes in the content of ascorbic acid in the blood, urine and suprarenals and also of glucose and 11-oxycorticosteroids in guinea pigs with different vitamin C allowances under conditions of cold stress were studied. The data obtained suggest that the degree of the vitamin C allowances is essential for adequate reactions of the organism exposed to the action of cold, but the shifts in metabolic transformations point to the need for a more reserved utilization of high ascorbid acid doses.", "PMID": 629030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7665", "title": "[Biological value of canned baby food with added protein enrichment].", "content": "The biological value of new canned meat baby food \"Kroshka\" with an addition of a protein enrichment agent was investigated. The introduction of protein enrichment in the formulation of the canned food was found to increase its biological value, the latter being related to the concentration of the protein addition. Moreover, the study of canned food containing an additional protein enrichment agent had a beneficial effect on hemopoiesis as well as on the function of the liver and on some aspects of the mineral metabolism.", "contents": "[Biological value of canned baby food with added protein enrichment]. The biological value of new canned meat baby food \"Kroshka\" with an addition of a protein enrichment agent was investigated. The introduction of protein enrichment in the formulation of the canned food was found to increase its biological value, the latter being related to the concentration of the protein addition. Moreover, the study of canned food containing an additional protein enrichment agent had a beneficial effect on hemopoiesis as well as on the function of the liver and on some aspects of the mineral metabolism.", "PMID": 629036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7666", "title": "[Fatty acid make-up of the muscle tissue lipids of ocean fish].", "content": "Consequent upon the results of investigating fatty acids composition in the tissue lipids of a number of marine fish (marmoreal and green nototenia, merow, stavrida, klykach, lufar, marine perch and marine bream) of different degrees of fatness there were ascertained substantial differences in the correlation of basic acid components and the nutritional value of the lipids. A comparison between the overall lipid content and the quantity of highly unsaturated acids enabled it to disclose a possible relative resistance of the studied fish to the oxidative lipids decay.", "contents": "[Fatty acid make-up of the muscle tissue lipids of ocean fish]. Consequent upon the results of investigating fatty acids composition in the tissue lipids of a number of marine fish (marmoreal and green nototenia, merow, stavrida, klykach, lufar, marine perch and marine bream) of different degrees of fatness there were ascertained substantial differences in the correlation of basic acid components and the nutritional value of the lipids. A comparison between the overall lipid content and the quantity of highly unsaturated acids enabled it to disclose a possible relative resistance of the studied fish to the oxidative lipids decay.", "PMID": 629037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7667", "title": "[Permeability of physiological barriers for chromium and its balance in the body when administered with water or food].", "content": "In experiments set up on albino male-rats by using Cr51 the permeability of physiological barriers to hexad stable chromium (sodium chromate), introduced with water per os in doses of 2.5 and 2250 gamma/kg was studied and the chromium balance in the rats' organism with an addition of the same doses of trivalent (chromium sulfide) chromium to the ration investigated. With all the tested additions of stable hexad chromium in water Cr51 is prevalently retained in the stomach and intestines. With an addition of 2.5 gamma/kg of stable chromium to the ration and without chromium addition to the ration it is only 7.8--9.5 per cent of the introduced Cr51 that is excreted in 4 days, the respective figures with additions of 24 gamma/kg and 2250 gamma/kg being 59.7 and 54.5 per cent. An addition of 2.5 gamma/kg of chromium to the ration is physiologically justified, for with this dose the retention in the barriers and excretion of chromium with this dose do not increase, whereas higher doses of tri- and hexavalent chromium are non-physiological, since with these doses the retention of chromium by physiological barriers sharply increases and so doses its elimination from the organism.", "contents": "[Permeability of physiological barriers for chromium and its balance in the body when administered with water or food]. In experiments set up on albino male-rats by using Cr51 the permeability of physiological barriers to hexad stable chromium (sodium chromate), introduced with water per os in doses of 2.5 and 2250 gamma/kg was studied and the chromium balance in the rats' organism with an addition of the same doses of trivalent (chromium sulfide) chromium to the ration investigated. With all the tested additions of stable hexad chromium in water Cr51 is prevalently retained in the stomach and intestines. With an addition of 2.5 gamma/kg of stable chromium to the ration and without chromium addition to the ration it is only 7.8--9.5 per cent of the introduced Cr51 that is excreted in 4 days, the respective figures with additions of 24 gamma/kg and 2250 gamma/kg being 59.7 and 54.5 per cent. An addition of 2.5 gamma/kg of chromium to the ration is physiologically justified, for with this dose the retention in the barriers and excretion of chromium with this dose do not increase, whereas higher doses of tri- and hexavalent chromium are non-physiological, since with these doses the retention of chromium by physiological barriers sharply increases and so doses its elimination from the organism.", "PMID": 629033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7668", "title": "[Effect of different amounts of manganese in the daily food ration on the growth and development of the progeny of white rats].", "content": "In doses of 7.5 to 17.5 mg/kg of body weight manganese exerts a stimulating effect on the growth and development of the albino rats progeny as well as on the general condition of pregnant and lactating rat-females. The requirement for manganese rat-females in lactating rattlings is 2--3 times as high by comparison with its content in an ordinary ration, permanent for a given organism. Introduction of manganese in doses of 30.0 and 42.5 mg/kg exerts an inhibiting action on the growth, weight and viability of newborn rattlings.", "contents": "[Effect of different amounts of manganese in the daily food ration on the growth and development of the progeny of white rats]. In doses of 7.5 to 17.5 mg/kg of body weight manganese exerts a stimulating effect on the growth and development of the albino rats progeny as well as on the general condition of pregnant and lactating rat-females. The requirement for manganese rat-females in lactating rattlings is 2--3 times as high by comparison with its content in an ordinary ration, permanent for a given organism. Introduction of manganese in doses of 30.0 and 42.5 mg/kg exerts an inhibiting action on the growth, weight and viability of newborn rattlings.", "PMID": 629035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7669", "title": "Red cells and gelatin as the core of a unified program for the national procurement of blood components and derivatives. Prediction, performance, and impact on supply of albumin and factor VIII.", "content": "The use of a gelatin plasma substitute as an integral part of a unified national program for the procurement of blood components and derivatives paves the way for the extensive use of red cell concentrates in the treatment of hemorrhage, the plasma from the original donations being partly diverted to the fractionation program of a national transfusion service. We estimated the potential of such a system paced by the demand for red cells and predicted that the use of 20% of fresh whole blood and 80% concentrates would not increase the demand for albumin, the yield of which would suffice to cover three-quarters of current needs in our country. The actual performance of a program using 85% of red cell concentrates in a university hospital with an exceptionally high incidence of major hemorrhage was analyzed in detail. The use of albumin per unit of transfused red cells rose by 9%. With a nationwide increase of this magnitude, 67% of the demand in our country could still be met and the estimated true need for albumin of 200 kg per million inhabitants and year would be fully covered. The yield of factor VIII is 200--300% of the demand. The determinants of the effects of such a system vary from country to country, but its fundamental potential is obviously considerable.", "contents": "Red cells and gelatin as the core of a unified program for the national procurement of blood components and derivatives. Prediction, performance, and impact on supply of albumin and factor VIII. The use of a gelatin plasma substitute as an integral part of a unified national program for the procurement of blood components and derivatives paves the way for the extensive use of red cell concentrates in the treatment of hemorrhage, the plasma from the original donations being partly diverted to the fractionation program of a national transfusion service. We estimated the potential of such a system paced by the demand for red cells and predicted that the use of 20% of fresh whole blood and 80% concentrates would not increase the demand for albumin, the yield of which would suffice to cover three-quarters of current needs in our country. The actual performance of a program using 85% of red cell concentrates in a university hospital with an exceptionally high incidence of major hemorrhage was analyzed in detail. The use of albumin per unit of transfused red cells rose by 9%. With a nationwide increase of this magnitude, 67% of the demand in our country could still be met and the estimated true need for albumin of 200 kg per million inhabitants and year would be fully covered. The yield of factor VIII is 200--300% of the demand. The determinants of the effects of such a system vary from country to country, but its fundamental potential is obviously considerable.", "PMID": 629044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7670", "title": "Effect of centrifugation and subsequent storage on red blood cells.", "content": "Blood drawn into CPD solution from 33 normal donors was divided into four groups: (I) centrifuged (at 5,000 g for 7 min) after 7 days of storage, (II) centrifuged after 14 days storage, (III) centrifuged after 21 days storage and (IV) uncentrifuged. After 21 days of storage, aliquots of all units were labeled with chromium-51, reinjected into the donor from which they were drawn and erythrocyte survival was measured. Red blood cell recovery and survival for all four groups was essentially the same; 24-hour recovery was 85%; T 1/2 was 28.2--31.6 days. Our results suggest that blood can be centrifuged and stored at any time during its 21-day shelf life without detrimental effect on erythrocyte survival.", "contents": "Effect of centrifugation and subsequent storage on red blood cells. Blood drawn into CPD solution from 33 normal donors was divided into four groups: (I) centrifuged (at 5,000 g for 7 min) after 7 days of storage, (II) centrifuged after 14 days storage, (III) centrifuged after 21 days storage and (IV) uncentrifuged. After 21 days of storage, aliquots of all units were labeled with chromium-51, reinjected into the donor from which they were drawn and erythrocyte survival was measured. Red blood cell recovery and survival for all four groups was essentially the same; 24-hour recovery was 85%; T 1/2 was 28.2--31.6 days. Our results suggest that blood can be centrifuged and stored at any time during its 21-day shelf life without detrimental effect on erythrocyte survival.", "PMID": 629045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7671", "title": "Genetic polymorphism of the fourth component of human complement.", "content": "A modified electrophoretic system for the determination of C4 polymorphism has been found with which the new allotype F1 could be detected. The system has been applied to the population distribution of C4 in 266 unrelated Germans, further to association and linkage studies. Gene frequency was 0.3985 for C4F, 0.5526 for C4S and 0.0489 for the rare C4 genes. In the population sample, significant association between Bf and C4 but no indication for close association between C4 and GLO I has been found. In the families HLA, Bf and C4 segregated together.", "contents": "Genetic polymorphism of the fourth component of human complement. A modified electrophoretic system for the determination of C4 polymorphism has been found with which the new allotype F1 could be detected. The system has been applied to the population distribution of C4 in 266 unrelated Germans, further to association and linkage studies. Gene frequency was 0.3985 for C4F, 0.5526 for C4S and 0.0489 for the rare C4 genes. In the population sample, significant association between Bf and C4 but no indication for close association between C4 and GLO I has been found. In the families HLA, Bf and C4 segregated together.", "PMID": 629046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7672", "title": "[New food dye from sorghum grain hull and its toxicological characteristics].", "content": "The chemical composition and biological action of a new food dyestuff separated from the grain sorhum film were studied. From 1 kg of the grain sorhum 169--248 g of the film are retrieved; and from this it is possible to obtain from 17 to 40 g of a flavonoid dyestuff that consists of cyanadine, quercitrol and pelargonidine. The dyestuff can be utilized in the food industry in preparing bisquit cream products, caramels and fruit starch jellies. Biological investigations with applied testing methods proved the dyestuff to be non-toxic: its introduction to animals for six months did not produce any morphological changes in the tissues of the liver, kidneys, thyroid and pancreatic glands, nor did it affect the content of glycogen in the hepatic tissues.", "contents": "[New food dye from sorghum grain hull and its toxicological characteristics]. The chemical composition and biological action of a new food dyestuff separated from the grain sorhum film were studied. From 1 kg of the grain sorhum 169--248 g of the film are retrieved; and from this it is possible to obtain from 17 to 40 g of a flavonoid dyestuff that consists of cyanadine, quercitrol and pelargonidine. The dyestuff can be utilized in the food industry in preparing bisquit cream products, caramels and fruit starch jellies. Biological investigations with applied testing methods proved the dyestuff to be non-toxic: its introduction to animals for six months did not produce any morphological changes in the tissues of the liver, kidneys, thyroid and pancreatic glands, nor did it affect the content of glycogen in the hepatic tissues.", "PMID": 629038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7673", "title": "Treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma.", "content": "Pheochromocytoma is a tumor derived from chromaffin tissue, which secretes catecholamines. Today, about 90 percent of patients with this tumor are cured by surgical procedures. In 8 to 15 percent of patients with this tumor there is unresectable, recurrent or metastatic disease, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. The natural history of metastatic disease includes long-term survivors; many, however, die early of disseminated disease. The most common site of metastatic lesions is the skeleton. Palliation for these lesions can often be achieved with the use of radiation therapy. Other sites are, in general, less responsive to radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has been used in combination with radiation therapy, but the results generally have been disappointing. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide in combination with radiation therapy has provided good palliation for skeletal disease for about five months, when disease progression was again noted. Further information is needed concerning the optimal chemotherapeutic treatment of this unusual tumor.", "contents": "Treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor derived from chromaffin tissue, which secretes catecholamines. Today, about 90 percent of patients with this tumor are cured by surgical procedures. In 8 to 15 percent of patients with this tumor there is unresectable, recurrent or metastatic disease, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. The natural history of metastatic disease includes long-term survivors; many, however, die early of disseminated disease. The most common site of metastatic lesions is the skeleton. Palliation for these lesions can often be achieved with the use of radiation therapy. Other sites are, in general, less responsive to radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has been used in combination with radiation therapy, but the results generally have been disappointing. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide in combination with radiation therapy has provided good palliation for skeletal disease for about five months, when disease progression was again noted. Further information is needed concerning the optimal chemotherapeutic treatment of this unusual tumor.", "PMID": 629048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7674", "title": "Head injury and early signs of tentorial herniation: a management dilemma.", "content": "In 100 patients intracranial exploration was done soon after severe head injury when signs of transtentorial herniation were present. A third of patients had extracerebral hematomas shown on initial burr hole examination. An additional 18 percent had parenchymal clots of clinical significance disclosed only by angiography after burr hole exploration or at autopsy. Half the patients in whom exploration was done did not have intracranial hematomas of sufficient size to warrant an operative approach. Detailed neurological examinations soon after injury and the availability of more rapid diagnostic tools may improve the accuracy of early diagnosis and allow more specific prognostication in patients with severe head injury.", "contents": "Head injury and early signs of tentorial herniation: a management dilemma. In 100 patients intracranial exploration was done soon after severe head injury when signs of transtentorial herniation were present. A third of patients had extracerebral hematomas shown on initial burr hole examination. An additional 18 percent had parenchymal clots of clinical significance disclosed only by angiography after burr hole exploration or at autopsy. Half the patients in whom exploration was done did not have intracranial hematomas of sufficient size to warrant an operative approach. Detailed neurological examinations soon after injury and the availability of more rapid diagnostic tools may improve the accuracy of early diagnosis and allow more specific prognostication in patients with severe head injury.", "PMID": 629049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7675", "title": "Viral hepatitis.", "content": "Viral hepatitis may be classified into three or more forms including type A hepatitis, type B hepatitis, and a group denoted as non-A non-B hepatitis which may represent viral hepatitis of one or more causes. The differentiation of these forms of hepatitis is primarily serologic. The development of antibody to hepatitis A virus can be detected by radioimmunoassay as well as by other test systems. The serologic diagnosis of type B hepatitis rests on the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen or on the development of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen or hepatitis B surface antigen. The serologic diagnosis of non-A non-B hepatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion for assay systems for this form of disease are not yet available.A prototype hepatitis B vaccine has been prepared and is currently undergoing clinical trials. Gamma globulin is now available that contains high titered antibody against hepatitis B virus. Normal immune globulin contains high titers directed against hepatitis A virus. Therefore, for documented exposure, effective prophylaxis is available for both of these forms of acute liver disease. The past decade has resulted in rapid advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of acute hepatitis and its extrahepatic manifestations. However, it is clear that specific treatment for acute hepatitis and the accurate description of the etiologic agents of non-A non-B hepatitis require exploration.", "contents": "Viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis may be classified into three or more forms including type A hepatitis, type B hepatitis, and a group denoted as non-A non-B hepatitis which may represent viral hepatitis of one or more causes. The differentiation of these forms of hepatitis is primarily serologic. The development of antibody to hepatitis A virus can be detected by radioimmunoassay as well as by other test systems. The serologic diagnosis of type B hepatitis rests on the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen or on the development of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen or hepatitis B surface antigen. The serologic diagnosis of non-A non-B hepatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion for assay systems for this form of disease are not yet available.A prototype hepatitis B vaccine has been prepared and is currently undergoing clinical trials. Gamma globulin is now available that contains high titered antibody against hepatitis B virus. Normal immune globulin contains high titers directed against hepatitis A virus. Therefore, for documented exposure, effective prophylaxis is available for both of these forms of acute liver disease. The past decade has resulted in rapid advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of acute hepatitis and its extrahepatic manifestations. However, it is clear that specific treatment for acute hepatitis and the accurate description of the etiologic agents of non-A non-B hepatitis require exploration.", "PMID": 629050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7676", "title": "[Myocardial scintigraphy].", "content": "A distinction can be made between invasive and non-invasive methods in myocardial scintigraphy. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy as an invasive procedure always requires catherization of the coronary arteries and can be performed only in conjunction with coronary arteririography. The technique of this type of myocardial scintigraphy is described in detail and an explanation given of the normal scintigram and the results obtainable by this method in cases of coronary heart disease. In particular, the possibilities of \"doulbe-radionuclide\" scintigraphy are discussed. The non-invasive methods serve either to image the still-viable myocardium (cold-spot technique) or for direct visualization of recently-infarcted myocardial tissue (hot-spot technique). The diagnostic importance of these procedures is stressed, especially dual radionuclide investigation of recent myocardial infarct with technetium and thallium.", "contents": "[Myocardial scintigraphy]. A distinction can be made between invasive and non-invasive methods in myocardial scintigraphy. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy as an invasive procedure always requires catherization of the coronary arteries and can be performed only in conjunction with coronary arteririography. The technique of this type of myocardial scintigraphy is described in detail and an explanation given of the normal scintigram and the results obtainable by this method in cases of coronary heart disease. In particular, the possibilities of \"doulbe-radionuclide\" scintigraphy are discussed. The non-invasive methods serve either to image the still-viable myocardium (cold-spot technique) or for direct visualization of recently-infarcted myocardial tissue (hot-spot technique). The diagnostic importance of these procedures is stressed, especially dual radionuclide investigation of recent myocardial infarct with technetium and thallium.", "PMID": 629057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7677", "title": "[Diagnostic and clinical features of atrial myxoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The most common benign cardiac tumours are artial myxomas. Characteristically they may interfere with the normal functioning of atrioventricular valves or manifest themselves by embolism to cerebral or peripheral arteries or they may mimic systemic diseases. Hence, early diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment are important. A case of left atrial myxoma is reported and the various non-invasive and invasive diagnositc methods and their significance are outlined. If the angiocardiographic findings are questionable, the echocardiographic features are believed to be of greater reliability. Finally, the histopathology of atrial myxoma, the rate of tumour growth, as well as the possibility of postoperative reappearance of the myxoma are discussed.", "contents": "[Diagnostic and clinical features of atrial myxoma (author's transl)]. The most common benign cardiac tumours are artial myxomas. Characteristically they may interfere with the normal functioning of atrioventricular valves or manifest themselves by embolism to cerebral or peripheral arteries or they may mimic systemic diseases. Hence, early diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment are important. A case of left atrial myxoma is reported and the various non-invasive and invasive diagnositc methods and their significance are outlined. If the angiocardiographic findings are questionable, the echocardiographic features are believed to be of greater reliability. Finally, the histopathology of atrial myxoma, the rate of tumour growth, as well as the possibility of postoperative reappearance of the myxoma are discussed.", "PMID": 629059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7678", "title": "[Occlusion of both femoral arteries in one case of ergotism (author's transl)].", "content": "In a 29 year-old female occlusions of both femoral arteries were caused by the administration of ergotamine in the form of Cafergot-suppositories. Angiographically long smooth-walled stenoses and occlusions over a segment of approximately 5 cm length in each superficial femoral artery as well as occlusions of both tibial arteries were demonstrated. Follow-up was carried out with oscillography, rheography, plethysmography and Doppler ultra-sound technique. A repeat angiogram 1 week after discontinuation of the drug and medical management with intravenous infusions of Ronicol and Valium revealed patent vessels of the lower extremities.", "contents": "[Occlusion of both femoral arteries in one case of ergotism (author's transl)]. In a 29 year-old female occlusions of both femoral arteries were caused by the administration of ergotamine in the form of Cafergot-suppositories. Angiographically long smooth-walled stenoses and occlusions over a segment of approximately 5 cm length in each superficial femoral artery as well as occlusions of both tibial arteries were demonstrated. Follow-up was carried out with oscillography, rheography, plethysmography and Doppler ultra-sound technique. A repeat angiogram 1 week after discontinuation of the drug and medical management with intravenous infusions of Ronicol and Valium revealed patent vessels of the lower extremities.", "PMID": 629060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7679", "title": "[Long-term examinations of fundic mucosa in gastroduodenal ulcer after SpV and pyloroplasty (author's transl)].", "content": "Morphological examinations of the fundic mucosa with quantitative analysis of the parietal, chief and mucous neck cells were carried out with duodenal ulcer cases before selective proximal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, and over a period of more than four years after the operation. In the material removed by forceps biopsy from 15 duodenal ulcer cases, an early post-operative parietal cell density reduction of 74.15% was found, and from 5 gastric ulcer cases a reduction of 73.77%. This result occurred over an examination period of four years. The post-operative displacement in the distribution of the parietal cell within the fundic gland was pointed out, as well as the increased post-operative inflammatory indurating changes in the fundic mucosa, which occur only in gastric ulcer cases. The thickness of the mucosa was measured with an ocular micrometer pre- and post-operatively in 8 cases, and a post-operative reduction of about 20% was found. The relationshiop between the degree of post-operative parietal cell reduction and the insulin-stimulated acid-secretion was checked and no significant difference between the absolutely insulin-negative and insulin-positive groups was found post-operatively. To supplement these findings, the reaction of the succinatdehydrogenase activity in the mitochondria of the parietal cell was analysed semiquantitatively and by absorption-photometer. Thus a post-operative reduction of enzyme-activity of 20.45% on average was found in duodenal ulcer cases. In gastric ulcer cases there was no evidence of any reduction.", "contents": "[Long-term examinations of fundic mucosa in gastroduodenal ulcer after SpV and pyloroplasty (author's transl)]. Morphological examinations of the fundic mucosa with quantitative analysis of the parietal, chief and mucous neck cells were carried out with duodenal ulcer cases before selective proximal vagotomy and pyloroplasty, and over a period of more than four years after the operation. In the material removed by forceps biopsy from 15 duodenal ulcer cases, an early post-operative parietal cell density reduction of 74.15% was found, and from 5 gastric ulcer cases a reduction of 73.77%. This result occurred over an examination period of four years. The post-operative displacement in the distribution of the parietal cell within the fundic gland was pointed out, as well as the increased post-operative inflammatory indurating changes in the fundic mucosa, which occur only in gastric ulcer cases. The thickness of the mucosa was measured with an ocular micrometer pre- and post-operatively in 8 cases, and a post-operative reduction of about 20% was found. The relationshiop between the degree of post-operative parietal cell reduction and the insulin-stimulated acid-secretion was checked and no significant difference between the absolutely insulin-negative and insulin-positive groups was found post-operatively. To supplement these findings, the reaction of the succinatdehydrogenase activity in the mitochondria of the parietal cell was analysed semiquantitatively and by absorption-photometer. Thus a post-operative reduction of enzyme-activity of 20.45% on average was found in duodenal ulcer cases. In gastric ulcer cases there was no evidence of any reduction.", "PMID": 629065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7680", "title": "[Chemically induced carcinogenesis of stomach of the rat after vagotomy and resection (author's transl)].", "content": "180 male Wistar-rats were daily exposed to 30 and 100 mg MNNG/1000 ccm tapwater. After 7 weeks exposure a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty or a Billroth-II-resection was performed in 25 animals of each dosage-group. 80 rats were not operated. The incidence of carcinomas in the Billroth-II-rats of both dosage-groups was evidently higher than in the exposed controls. In the vagotomized rats an increased occurrence of carcinomas could not be observed.", "contents": "[Chemically induced carcinogenesis of stomach of the rat after vagotomy and resection (author's transl)]. 180 male Wistar-rats were daily exposed to 30 and 100 mg MNNG/1000 ccm tapwater. After 7 weeks exposure a truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty or a Billroth-II-resection was performed in 25 animals of each dosage-group. 80 rats were not operated. The incidence of carcinomas in the Billroth-II-rats of both dosage-groups was evidently higher than in the exposed controls. In the vagotomized rats an increased occurrence of carcinomas could not be observed.", "PMID": 629066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7681", "title": "[Pancreatic dose-response curves to cholecystokinin in dogs (author's transl)].", "content": "Dose-response (DR) curves for pancreatic flow rate, bicarbonate and protein output to cholecystokinin (CCK) were determined by two techniques in 3 conscious dogs with gastric and duodenal Thomas fistulas. With the continuous DR technique the dose of CCK was doubled each 45 minutes and with the single DR technique, only one dose of CCK was infused on each test day. The dose-response curves for pancreatic flow rate and bicarbonate output did not differ with the two techniques. The maximal protein output was higher with the single DR than with the continuous DR technique.", "contents": "[Pancreatic dose-response curves to cholecystokinin in dogs (author's transl)]. Dose-response (DR) curves for pancreatic flow rate, bicarbonate and protein output to cholecystokinin (CCK) were determined by two techniques in 3 conscious dogs with gastric and duodenal Thomas fistulas. With the continuous DR technique the dose of CCK was doubled each 45 minutes and with the single DR technique, only one dose of CCK was infused on each test day. The dose-response curves for pancreatic flow rate and bicarbonate output did not differ with the two techniques. The maximal protein output was higher with the single DR than with the continuous DR technique.", "PMID": 629067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7682", "title": "[Technetium 99m-diphosphate as an imaging agent in acute myocardial infarction (author's transl)].", "content": "To test the sensitivity and specificity of 99m-Technetium-Diphosphat myocardial scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction we examined the scintigrams of 53 patients admitted to our CCU. In all 38 patients with transmural myocardial infarction positive scintigrams with localized uptake of the tracer found. Myocardial imaging was performed 70--90 minutes after the intravenous injection of 15 mCi 99m-Technetium-Diphosphat in anterior and LAO position. The clinical value of the method for proving the presence or absence of a myocardial infarction is demonstrated on infarctions combined with bundle-branch block, pacemaker Ecg and on reinfarction. All normal cases in this group showed no tracer activity outside the bones. In unstable angina pectoris a faint but not localized tracer activity was found.", "contents": "[Technetium 99m-diphosphate as an imaging agent in acute myocardial infarction (author's transl)]. To test the sensitivity and specificity of 99m-Technetium-Diphosphat myocardial scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction we examined the scintigrams of 53 patients admitted to our CCU. In all 38 patients with transmural myocardial infarction positive scintigrams with localized uptake of the tracer found. Myocardial imaging was performed 70--90 minutes after the intravenous injection of 15 mCi 99m-Technetium-Diphosphat in anterior and LAO position. The clinical value of the method for proving the presence or absence of a myocardial infarction is demonstrated on infarctions combined with bundle-branch block, pacemaker Ecg and on reinfarction. All normal cases in this group showed no tracer activity outside the bones. In unstable angina pectoris a faint but not localized tracer activity was found.", "PMID": 629069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7683", "title": "[Contractile and relaxation reserve of the left ventricle. III. Patients with cardiomyopathy (author's transl)].", "content": "Seven of 22 patients with cardiomyopathy increased maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise (max dP/dt) above 3200 mm Hg/s and dP/dt/P above 60/s. Relaxation reserve was normal with an increase of min dP/dt above 2400 mm Hg/s.--In 15 patients contractile and relaxation reserve was reduced. In congestive cardiomyopathy, contractility and relaxation reserve were equally reduced. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure increased during exercise slightly or not (grade 1). Enddiastolic volume was elevated to 173 +/- 50 ml/1.73 m2 and endsystolic volume to 63 +/- 22 ml/1.73 m2; ejection fraction and mean circumferential fiber shortening were reduced (61 +/- 17%; 1.3 +/- 0.9 circ/s). In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without obstruction, contractile and relaxation reserve and ejection phase parameters could be found to be normal. Enddiastolic pressure at rest was elevated. In severe cases, contractile and relaxation reserve were markedly reduced and enddiastolic pressure increased to a greater extent than in congestive cardiomyopathy. In addition, relaxation reserve was reduced, especially in patients with excessive hypertrophy of the myocardium. These had abnormal (grade 2) and pathological reaction to exercise: contractile and relaxation reserve were decreased and enddiastolic pressure (grade 3) increased. Left ventricular contractility was found to be almost normal in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This was the case despite increases in enddiastolic pressure. Contractile reserve was reduced, however, in patients with excessive hypertrophy. Diastolic filling was impeded during exercise.--Measuring left ventricular function during exercise, different types of cardiomyopathy correlate with typical hemodynamic alterations.", "contents": "[Contractile and relaxation reserve of the left ventricle. III. Patients with cardiomyopathy (author's transl)]. Seven of 22 patients with cardiomyopathy increased maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise (max dP/dt) above 3200 mm Hg/s and dP/dt/P above 60/s. Relaxation reserve was normal with an increase of min dP/dt above 2400 mm Hg/s.--In 15 patients contractile and relaxation reserve was reduced. In congestive cardiomyopathy, contractility and relaxation reserve were equally reduced. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure increased during exercise slightly or not (grade 1). Enddiastolic volume was elevated to 173 +/- 50 ml/1.73 m2 and endsystolic volume to 63 +/- 22 ml/1.73 m2; ejection fraction and mean circumferential fiber shortening were reduced (61 +/- 17%; 1.3 +/- 0.9 circ/s). In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without obstruction, contractile and relaxation reserve and ejection phase parameters could be found to be normal. Enddiastolic pressure at rest was elevated. In severe cases, contractile and relaxation reserve were markedly reduced and enddiastolic pressure increased to a greater extent than in congestive cardiomyopathy. In addition, relaxation reserve was reduced, especially in patients with excessive hypertrophy of the myocardium. These had abnormal (grade 2) and pathological reaction to exercise: contractile and relaxation reserve were decreased and enddiastolic pressure (grade 3) increased. Left ventricular contractility was found to be almost normal in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. This was the case despite increases in enddiastolic pressure. Contractile reserve was reduced, however, in patients with excessive hypertrophy. Diastolic filling was impeded during exercise.--Measuring left ventricular function during exercise, different types of cardiomyopathy correlate with typical hemodynamic alterations.", "PMID": 629070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7684", "title": "[Contractile and relaxation reserve of the left ventricle. IV. Patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)].", "content": "51 patients with coronary heart disease had exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer (86 +/- 32 watts). Compared to a normal control group, only 13 patients had normal contractile reserve (group 4.1). In 32 patients the increase in contractility during exercise was reduced (max dP/dt below 3200 mm Hg/s, group 4.2). Patients with reduced contractile reserve were graded according to the height of left ventricular enddiastolic pressure during exercise: In patients with grade 1, enddiastolic pressure was normal. In patients with grade 2, enddiastolic pressure increased between + 4 and + 15 mm Hg and in the patients with grade 3a a above + 15 mm Hg. Contractile and relaxation reserve decreased along with a rise in enddiastolic pressure and an increase in the complaints of the patients. Severe chest pain led to termination of exercise in patients of grade 3b. Enddiastolic pressure increased above + 15 mm Hg. During ischemia, peak-measured velocity of contractile elements (dP/dt/P) and the maximal rate of left ventricular pressure fall (min dP/dt) decreased. In conclusion, with increasing chest pain a decrease of contractile reserve was observed. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure rose excessively. This has to be taken as a sign of myocardial failure due to ischemic dyskinesia and impeded relaxation.", "contents": "[Contractile and relaxation reserve of the left ventricle. IV. Patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)]. 51 patients with coronary heart disease had exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer (86 +/- 32 watts). Compared to a normal control group, only 13 patients had normal contractile reserve (group 4.1). In 32 patients the increase in contractility during exercise was reduced (max dP/dt below 3200 mm Hg/s, group 4.2). Patients with reduced contractile reserve were graded according to the height of left ventricular enddiastolic pressure during exercise: In patients with grade 1, enddiastolic pressure was normal. In patients with grade 2, enddiastolic pressure increased between + 4 and + 15 mm Hg and in the patients with grade 3a a above + 15 mm Hg. Contractile and relaxation reserve decreased along with a rise in enddiastolic pressure and an increase in the complaints of the patients. Severe chest pain led to termination of exercise in patients of grade 3b. Enddiastolic pressure increased above + 15 mm Hg. During ischemia, peak-measured velocity of contractile elements (dP/dt/P) and the maximal rate of left ventricular pressure fall (min dP/dt) decreased. In conclusion, with increasing chest pain a decrease of contractile reserve was observed. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure rose excessively. This has to be taken as a sign of myocardial failure due to ischemic dyskinesia and impeded relaxation.", "PMID": 629071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7685", "title": "[The comparative hemodynamic effects of antiarrhythmic drugs in acute myocardial infarction (comparison of propafenone and lidocaine) (author's transl)].", "content": "Hemodynamic changes after single intravenous injection of antiarrhythmic doses of propafenone (70 mg) and lidocaine (100 mg) were measured comparatively in 11 patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable cardiac rhythm and without evidence of manifest left heart failure. The effects of propafenone were characterized by a significant decrease of cardiac index by 6% and an increase in left and right ventricular filling pressures by 15% and 23%. Mean arterial pressure was significantly lowered (8%) and left ventricular stroke work index decreased by an average of 11%. Mean pulmonary artery pressure significantly increased by 7%. A fall in systemic vascular resistance by 7% was not statistically significant. Intravenous administration of propafenone at a dose of 70 mg thus caused a transitory decrease in ventricular function and acute vasodilation with a fall in systemic blood pressure. The intravenous administration of lidocaine did not result in significant changes of cardiac index or left and right ventricular filling pressures. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, systemic blood pressure and vascular resistance increased significantly.", "contents": "[The comparative hemodynamic effects of antiarrhythmic drugs in acute myocardial infarction (comparison of propafenone and lidocaine) (author's transl)]. Hemodynamic changes after single intravenous injection of antiarrhythmic doses of propafenone (70 mg) and lidocaine (100 mg) were measured comparatively in 11 patients with acute myocardial infarction, stable cardiac rhythm and without evidence of manifest left heart failure. The effects of propafenone were characterized by a significant decrease of cardiac index by 6% and an increase in left and right ventricular filling pressures by 15% and 23%. Mean arterial pressure was significantly lowered (8%) and left ventricular stroke work index decreased by an average of 11%. Mean pulmonary artery pressure significantly increased by 7%. A fall in systemic vascular resistance by 7% was not statistically significant. Intravenous administration of propafenone at a dose of 70 mg thus caused a transitory decrease in ventricular function and acute vasodilation with a fall in systemic blood pressure. The intravenous administration of lidocaine did not result in significant changes of cardiac index or left and right ventricular filling pressures. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, systemic blood pressure and vascular resistance increased significantly.", "PMID": 629072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7686", "title": "[Hemodynamic differences in the effects of mepindolol-sulfate and propranolol after 4 weeks treatment under conditions of rest and physical exercise in patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)].", "content": "The hemodynamic effect of mepindolol-sulfate, a new non-cardioselective beta-receptor blocking agent, was compared with the hemodynamic effect of propranolol at rest and during exercise in five patients with coronary artery disease during an eight week double blind cross-over study. 1. The beta-receptor blocking effect of mepindolol-sulfate is 25 times higher than that of propranolol. 2. No hemodynamic difference between mepindolol-sulfate and propranolol was seen at rest. 3. The increase of blood pressure during exercise was less pronounced during mepindolol-sulfate-medication compared to propranolol. 4. Propranolol seems to achieve a more pronounced negative inotropic effect than mepindolol-sulfate.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic differences in the effects of mepindolol-sulfate and propranolol after 4 weeks treatment under conditions of rest and physical exercise in patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)]. The hemodynamic effect of mepindolol-sulfate, a new non-cardioselective beta-receptor blocking agent, was compared with the hemodynamic effect of propranolol at rest and during exercise in five patients with coronary artery disease during an eight week double blind cross-over study. 1. The beta-receptor blocking effect of mepindolol-sulfate is 25 times higher than that of propranolol. 2. No hemodynamic difference between mepindolol-sulfate and propranolol was seen at rest. 3. The increase of blood pressure during exercise was less pronounced during mepindolol-sulfate-medication compared to propranolol. 4. Propranolol seems to achieve a more pronounced negative inotropic effect than mepindolol-sulfate.", "PMID": 629073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7687", "title": "The interrelationship of cataract and glaucoma.", "content": "The visual loss in a patient with cataract might actually be due to a coexistent glaucoma. This significant interrelationship of cataract and glaucoma is discussed. A thorough ophthalmic evaluation is mandatory in every case of cateract.", "contents": "The interrelationship of cataract and glaucoma. The visual loss in a patient with cataract might actually be due to a coexistent glaucoma. This significant interrelationship of cataract and glaucoma is discussed. A thorough ophthalmic evaluation is mandatory in every case of cateract.", "PMID": 629075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7688", "title": "Febrile morbidity following vaginal hysterectomy.", "content": "The author suggests that each gynecological service determine the incidencd of febrile morbidity before adopting routine use of prophylactic antibiotics or vaginal cuff suction drainage.", "contents": "Febrile morbidity following vaginal hysterectomy. The author suggests that each gynecological service determine the incidencd of febrile morbidity before adopting routine use of prophylactic antibiotics or vaginal cuff suction drainage.", "PMID": 629076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7689", "title": "[Distribution patterns and functional relationships of the encephalopathy (author's transl)].", "content": "\"Wernicke's encephalopathy\", as one of the sequelae of chronic alcoholism, is discussed with regard to its effects on driving ability. The neurological symptoms are presented with reference to 33 cases and the possible personality defects with thalamic lesions and abortive types of disease are emphasized.", "contents": "[Distribution patterns and functional relationships of the encephalopathy (author's transl)]. \"Wernicke's encephalopathy\", as one of the sequelae of chronic alcoholism, is discussed with regard to its effects on driving ability. The neurological symptoms are presented with reference to 33 cases and the possible personality defects with thalamic lesions and abortive types of disease are emphasized.", "PMID": 629082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7690", "title": "Post-mortem vitreous ammonium concentrations in estimating the time of death.", "content": "On a total of 150 specimens of vitreous humor the post-mortem ammonia value was determined by diffusion method. The results established that there existed a regular ammonia increase after a sudden death and that deviating high or low vitreous ammonia values are strongly correlated with the cause of death and with environmental temperature. The ammonia content of the vitreous humor extracted from both eyes at the same and at different post-mortem intervals showed no differences in the concentrations between both specimens sampled at the same moment while an obvious variation in the individual rate of the vitreous ammonia increase is found, especially when hospital cases with antemortem existing disease are concerned.", "contents": "Post-mortem vitreous ammonium concentrations in estimating the time of death. On a total of 150 specimens of vitreous humor the post-mortem ammonia value was determined by diffusion method. The results established that there existed a regular ammonia increase after a sudden death and that deviating high or low vitreous ammonia values are strongly correlated with the cause of death and with environmental temperature. The ammonia content of the vitreous humor extracted from both eyes at the same and at different post-mortem intervals showed no differences in the concentrations between both specimens sampled at the same moment while an obvious variation in the individual rate of the vitreous ammonia increase is found, especially when hospital cases with antemortem existing disease are concerned.", "PMID": 629083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7691", "title": "[Mathematic-statistical discrimination between suicide and accident in falls from height (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of 185 deaths caused by falls from height we examined the probability to differentiate between suicide and accident. Variables about the person, about the course and the background of the action as well as about the injury-pattern were taken into consideration. Contingency table analysis, chilsqare tests and probportional reduction in error measure were used first to determine the significant differences in criminal classification: sex, job, domicile, hour of the day, locality and height of the fall and the injuries established by postmortem examination. To test the discriminative power of the identified characteristics discriminant function analysis was used. Utilizing only 11 characteristics 88,6 percent of the deaths could be classified correctly.", "contents": "[Mathematic-statistical discrimination between suicide and accident in falls from height (author's transl)]. On the basis of 185 deaths caused by falls from height we examined the probability to differentiate between suicide and accident. Variables about the person, about the course and the background of the action as well as about the injury-pattern were taken into consideration. Contingency table analysis, chilsqare tests and probportional reduction in error measure were used first to determine the significant differences in criminal classification: sex, job, domicile, hour of the day, locality and height of the fall and the injuries established by postmortem examination. To test the discriminative power of the identified characteristics discriminant function analysis was used. Utilizing only 11 characteristics 88,6 percent of the deaths could be classified correctly.", "PMID": 629084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7692", "title": "Determination of glucose in human vitreous humor. Various analytical methods give different results.", "content": "In twenty cases, human vitreous humor glucose concentrations were measured with five different methods in common use. Striking differences in glucose values were obtained by the various analytical procedures. The reasons for these discrepancies remain obscure. Before interpretation of a given vitreous value, therefore, the analytical method employed must be known.", "contents": "Determination of glucose in human vitreous humor. Various analytical methods give different results. In twenty cases, human vitreous humor glucose concentrations were measured with five different methods in common use. Striking differences in glucose values were obtained by the various analytical procedures. The reasons for these discrepancies remain obscure. Before interpretation of a given vitreous value, therefore, the analytical method employed must be known.", "PMID": 629085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7693", "title": "[On the proof of MN-differentiation from blood samples (author's transl)].", "content": "1. The results of MN testing are--so far as the factor N is concerned--especially in the case of older samples to be used only with caution. 2. The provision for a reliable result demands several good sera that have been previously used in testing and found to be satisfactory. 3. It is especially necessary to work with two different methods. The mixed agglutination method is no longer reliable in cases of months-old or very dryly stored samples.", "contents": "[On the proof of MN-differentiation from blood samples (author's transl)]. 1. The results of MN testing are--so far as the factor N is concerned--especially in the case of older samples to be used only with caution. 2. The provision for a reliable result demands several good sera that have been previously used in testing and found to be satisfactory. 3. It is especially necessary to work with two different methods. The mixed agglutination method is no longer reliable in cases of months-old or very dryly stored samples.", "PMID": 629086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7694", "title": "[Histopathological findings in drug addicts (author's transl)].", "content": "Human organic lesions, which were induced by narcotic poisons, are caused by application and directly or indirectly by toxic substances. Cause of death is very often edema of the lung and the brain or toxic circulatory failure as well as an insufficiency of organic functions by cellular degeneration. Users of narcotic poisons mainly show liver damage. Cell degeneration and infiltration of round cells in the portal-biliary areas are mostly interpreted as drug hepatopathy and not as viral hepatitis. Enzyme levels in histochemical reactions are decreased in the damaged liver tissue. The kidneys show toxic degeneration and inflammatory reactions. Brain lesions are confined to cellular damage, without necrotic degeneration of larger areas. Sporadically perivascular hemorrhages are seen. Heart and vascular system mainly show an inflammatory reaction caused by the application of the poison and seldom embolism in the capillaries by injection of dissolved tablets. Centrally stimulating substances cause hypertrophy of the tunica media in the lung vessels, combined with pulmonary hypertension.", "contents": "[Histopathological findings in drug addicts (author's transl)]. Human organic lesions, which were induced by narcotic poisons, are caused by application and directly or indirectly by toxic substances. Cause of death is very often edema of the lung and the brain or toxic circulatory failure as well as an insufficiency of organic functions by cellular degeneration. Users of narcotic poisons mainly show liver damage. Cell degeneration and infiltration of round cells in the portal-biliary areas are mostly interpreted as drug hepatopathy and not as viral hepatitis. Enzyme levels in histochemical reactions are decreased in the damaged liver tissue. The kidneys show toxic degeneration and inflammatory reactions. Brain lesions are confined to cellular damage, without necrotic degeneration of larger areas. Sporadically perivascular hemorrhages are seen. Heart and vascular system mainly show an inflammatory reaction caused by the application of the poison and seldom embolism in the capillaries by injection of dissolved tablets. Centrally stimulating substances cause hypertrophy of the tunica media in the lung vessels, combined with pulmonary hypertension.", "PMID": 629087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7695", "title": "[Myocardial lesions in acute increase of the intracranial pressure (author's transl)].", "content": "Myocardial lesions occuring in diseases with acute increase of intracranial pressure were investigated. Morphologic alterations in heart muscle in spite of different lengh of surviving and various causes of the death were of similar type. In every case subendocardial haemorrhage could be observed on the septal surface and on the papillary muscle of the left ventricle. Focal intracellular edema, myocytolysis were revealed in 76%, focal necrosis of hypercontractic type developed in 52% of the cases. Cellular infiltration occurred around the alternations observed in 3 cases. It is concluded, that damage to the heart muscle is not caused directly by the increased intracranial pressure or catecholamine mobilisation, but seems to be the consequence of the acute myocardial hypoxia.", "contents": "[Myocardial lesions in acute increase of the intracranial pressure (author's transl)]. Myocardial lesions occuring in diseases with acute increase of intracranial pressure were investigated. Morphologic alterations in heart muscle in spite of different lengh of surviving and various causes of the death were of similar type. In every case subendocardial haemorrhage could be observed on the septal surface and on the papillary muscle of the left ventricle. Focal intracellular edema, myocytolysis were revealed in 76%, focal necrosis of hypercontractic type developed in 52% of the cases. Cellular infiltration occurred around the alternations observed in 3 cases. It is concluded, that damage to the heart muscle is not caused directly by the increased intracranial pressure or catecholamine mobilisation, but seems to be the consequence of the acute myocardial hypoxia.", "PMID": 629088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7696", "title": "[Occurrence of diazepam in blood samples of drivers under the influence of alcohol (author's transl)].", "content": "Diazepam was determined by radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography in 2050 unselected blood or serum specimens of subjects, who were sus,ected of driving under the influence of alcohol in the years 1974 and 1976. A \"cut-off\" limit of 20 ng/ml was selected. Diazepam was found in 46 samples corresponding to 2.24%, 27 samples (1.3%) exhibited concentrations of 20--100 ng/ml, 14 samples (0.7%) of 100--500 ng/ml, 1 sample (0.05%) of 500--1000 ng/ml and 4 samples (0.2%, as related to the total of 2050 samples) of more than 1000 ng/ml. Furthermore, 44 blood specimens of subjects were analyzed, who had claimed diazepam intake before the blood sample was withdrawn. Diazepam was found in 27 cases corresponding to 61%. Finally, blood specimens of 219 unselected inpatients of a surgical ward were investigated; 59 of these (27%) were found to be diazepam-positive.", "contents": "[Occurrence of diazepam in blood samples of drivers under the influence of alcohol (author's transl)]. Diazepam was determined by radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography in 2050 unselected blood or serum specimens of subjects, who were sus,ected of driving under the influence of alcohol in the years 1974 and 1976. A \"cut-off\" limit of 20 ng/ml was selected. Diazepam was found in 46 samples corresponding to 2.24%, 27 samples (1.3%) exhibited concentrations of 20--100 ng/ml, 14 samples (0.7%) of 100--500 ng/ml, 1 sample (0.05%) of 500--1000 ng/ml and 4 samples (0.2%, as related to the total of 2050 samples) of more than 1000 ng/ml. Furthermore, 44 blood specimens of subjects were analyzed, who had claimed diazepam intake before the blood sample was withdrawn. Diazepam was found in 27 cases corresponding to 61%. Finally, blood specimens of 219 unselected inpatients of a surgical ward were investigated; 59 of these (27%) were found to be diazepam-positive.", "PMID": 629089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7697", "title": "Fractures of the axis caused by hanging.", "content": "Prerequisities for fractures of the neural arch of the axis in the region of the isthmus (hangman's fracture) during hanging are considered to be a long drop and a submental knot. A case is presented showing that hangman's fracture arising in hanging can result from stretching of the neck combined with anteroflexion of the head.", "contents": "Fractures of the axis caused by hanging. Prerequisities for fractures of the neural arch of the axis in the region of the isthmus (hangman's fracture) during hanging are considered to be a long drop and a submental knot. A case is presented showing that hangman's fracture arising in hanging can result from stretching of the neck combined with anteroflexion of the head.", "PMID": 629090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7698", "title": "[DNA-synthesis and DNA-repair in chronic rheumatism influenced by small doses of natural radioactivity (radon)].", "content": "Elevated natural radioactivity during a treatment at Badgastein (Austria) caused an increase in DNA-repair of lymphocytes of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis. Semiconservative DNA-synthesis was remarkably lower after the treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and a small decrease was obtained also in lymphocytes of osteoarthritis patients. These effects are discussed in relation to late effects.", "contents": "[DNA-synthesis and DNA-repair in chronic rheumatism influenced by small doses of natural radioactivity (radon)]. Elevated natural radioactivity during a treatment at Badgastein (Austria) caused an increase in DNA-repair of lymphocytes of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis. Semiconservative DNA-synthesis was remarkably lower after the treatment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and a small decrease was obtained also in lymphocytes of osteoarthritis patients. These effects are discussed in relation to late effects.", "PMID": 629091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7699", "title": "[Behavior of the complement components C3 and C4, C-reactive protein and blood sedimentation rate for activity control in arthritis patients during thermo-hydrotherapy].", "content": "21 male patients suffering since years from classical rheumatoid arthritis were treated with daily thermal baths of 37 degrees Celsius temperature during a 3 week period. To control the activity of the rheumatoid inflammation we used the complement components C3 and C4, the C-reactive protein and the blood sedimentation rate. No changes in the different activity parameters could be found during the course of the treatment. Joint function improved significantly. Therefore the combined treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with physio- and pharmacotherapy is recommended.", "contents": "[Behavior of the complement components C3 and C4, C-reactive protein and blood sedimentation rate for activity control in arthritis patients during thermo-hydrotherapy]. 21 male patients suffering since years from classical rheumatoid arthritis were treated with daily thermal baths of 37 degrees Celsius temperature during a 3 week period. To control the activity of the rheumatoid inflammation we used the complement components C3 and C4, the C-reactive protein and the blood sedimentation rate. No changes in the different activity parameters could be found during the course of the treatment. Joint function improved significantly. Therefore the combined treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with physio- and pharmacotherapy is recommended.", "PMID": 629093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7700", "title": "[Age-dependent changes of stress-related immunosuppression].", "content": "The present investigations on the influence of physical stress and physical training and on the influence of aging on 19-S-antibody producing spleen cells showed: 1. Physical stress causes a failing of immunity in mice, which had no training. The immune response can be diminished by physical stress before and after sensitization. The immunosuppressive effect of stress is greater, if it was placed after sensitization. There is a strict correlation between the immunosuppressive effect of physical stress and the time of maximum production of 19-S-antibodies. 2. The immunosuppressive effect of physical stress increases with increasing age. The protecting effect of physical training is lower in adult and old animals than in young mice. 3. There is an increase of antibody loaded spleen cells until an age of eight months. In elder mice the number of immunocytes decreases significantly. 4. The mortality rate is greater in stressed and trained young mice than in the adult and old animals. Supposing a better adaptation in young mice it is to be considered that the biologically better developed animals survived by selections.", "contents": "[Age-dependent changes of stress-related immunosuppression]. The present investigations on the influence of physical stress and physical training and on the influence of aging on 19-S-antibody producing spleen cells showed: 1. Physical stress causes a failing of immunity in mice, which had no training. The immune response can be diminished by physical stress before and after sensitization. The immunosuppressive effect of stress is greater, if it was placed after sensitization. There is a strict correlation between the immunosuppressive effect of physical stress and the time of maximum production of 19-S-antibodies. 2. The immunosuppressive effect of physical stress increases with increasing age. The protecting effect of physical training is lower in adult and old animals than in young mice. 3. There is an increase of antibody loaded spleen cells until an age of eight months. In elder mice the number of immunocytes decreases significantly. 4. The mortality rate is greater in stressed and trained young mice than in the adult and old animals. Supposing a better adaptation in young mice it is to be considered that the biologically better developed animals survived by selections.", "PMID": 629092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7701", "title": "[Progressive chronic polyarthritis from the viewpoint of individual psychology].", "content": "In 106 patients with rheumatoid arthritis it could be shown by Adlerian Psychology that in more than half of the patients both physical over activity before the disease and painful inhibition of movement during the disease were an imaginary solution of the problem. Both are functions of a threatened mental and physical mobility and autonomy. In pointing out this relationship we aim to show lifestyle as a risk factor for the disease and indicate causative therapeutic aspects.", "contents": "[Progressive chronic polyarthritis from the viewpoint of individual psychology]. In 106 patients with rheumatoid arthritis it could be shown by Adlerian Psychology that in more than half of the patients both physical over activity before the disease and painful inhibition of movement during the disease were an imaginary solution of the problem. Both are functions of a threatened mental and physical mobility and autonomy. In pointing out this relationship we aim to show lifestyle as a risk factor for the disease and indicate causative therapeutic aspects.", "PMID": 629095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7702", "title": "[Lymphocyte nucleoli in the peripheral blood and knee joint effusions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].", "content": "Since the activation of nucleoli in lymphocytes reflected by the presence of nucleoli with more or less distinct nucleolonemata (compact nucleoli in the light microscope) in these cells is considered as a marker of the autoimmune disease development, nucleoli of lymphocytes were investigated in the peripheral blood (22 investigations) and knee joint fluid (52 investigations) of juvenile and adult persons with rheumatoid arthritis. The results clearly indicate that the investigated joint exudates possessed a higher number of \"active\" lymphocytes (lymphocytes with compact nucleoli) in comparison with the peripheral blood. This observation can be interpreted as an accumulation of stimulated immunocompetent cells in the target organ.", "contents": "[Lymphocyte nucleoli in the peripheral blood and knee joint effusions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. Since the activation of nucleoli in lymphocytes reflected by the presence of nucleoli with more or less distinct nucleolonemata (compact nucleoli in the light microscope) in these cells is considered as a marker of the autoimmune disease development, nucleoli of lymphocytes were investigated in the peripheral blood (22 investigations) and knee joint fluid (52 investigations) of juvenile and adult persons with rheumatoid arthritis. The results clearly indicate that the investigated joint exudates possessed a higher number of \"active\" lymphocytes (lymphocytes with compact nucleoli) in comparison with the peripheral blood. This observation can be interpreted as an accumulation of stimulated immunocompetent cells in the target organ.", "PMID": 629094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7703", "title": "[Mode of action of D-penicillamine in chronic polyarthritis. 1. Protein synthesis inhibition in synovial fluid cells].", "content": "The influence of D-Penicillamine on protein synthesis in synovial fluid cells was investigated in 5 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Intra-articular injection of this substance at a dosage of 5 to 250 mg is followed by an inhibition of protein synthesis in the synovial fluid cells.", "contents": "[Mode of action of D-penicillamine in chronic polyarthritis. 1. Protein synthesis inhibition in synovial fluid cells]. The influence of D-Penicillamine on protein synthesis in synovial fluid cells was investigated in 5 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Intra-articular injection of this substance at a dosage of 5 to 250 mg is followed by an inhibition of protein synthesis in the synovial fluid cells.", "PMID": 629096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7704", "title": "[Mode of action of D-penicillamine in chronic polyarthritis. 2. Studies on DNA repair in synovial fluid cells following intra-articular administration of D-penicillamine].", "content": "6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated intraarticularly with 50 or 100 mg D-Penicillamine. The influence of this substance on DNA repair in cells of synovial fluid was investigated. DNA repair was investigated by gradient centrifugation. 50 mg D-PA showed no effect, 100 mg D-PA a slight slowing of the DNA-rejoining till the native supercoiled DNA form.", "contents": "[Mode of action of D-penicillamine in chronic polyarthritis. 2. Studies on DNA repair in synovial fluid cells following intra-articular administration of D-penicillamine]. 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated intraarticularly with 50 or 100 mg D-Penicillamine. The influence of this substance on DNA repair in cells of synovial fluid was investigated. DNA repair was investigated by gradient centrifugation. 50 mg D-PA showed no effect, 100 mg D-PA a slight slowing of the DNA-rejoining till the native supercoiled DNA form.", "PMID": 629097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7705", "title": "[Seasonal shifts in the chemical makeup of the fatty tissue of the Arctic suslik, Citellus parryi].", "content": "Fat stores in three forms of adipose tissue (brown, subcutaneous and visceral) differ in their composition in five populations of the ground squirrel C. parryi. Oleic aicd content is always several times higher in subcutaneous and visceral fat during spring period as compared to the content of linoleic acid. Linoleic and linoleic acids content increased in autumn animals, although in the most northern population it remained unchanged.", "contents": "[Seasonal shifts in the chemical makeup of the fatty tissue of the Arctic suslik, Citellus parryi]. Fat stores in three forms of adipose tissue (brown, subcutaneous and visceral) differ in their composition in five populations of the ground squirrel C. parryi. Oleic aicd content is always several times higher in subcutaneous and visceral fat during spring period as compared to the content of linoleic acid. Linoleic and linoleic acids content increased in autumn animals, although in the most northern population it remained unchanged.", "PMID": 629111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7706", "title": "[Neural control of somatic muscle function in the earthworm, Allobophora longa, and in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis].", "content": "Studies have been made on the electrical activity of the segmentary nerves and connectives of the abdominal nervous chain in the earthworm and leech. It was shown that the electrical activity of the isolated piece of the abdominal chain of the leech is manifested of periodic outbursts of impulsation. Presumably this central periodicity accounts for the discharge-like pattern of muscle rhythmic activity which was revealed in our earlier investigations. The electrical activity in the central nervous system of the earthworm depends on afferent influences which pass to the ganglia from the peripheral sensory nervous cells. Stimulation of the abdominal nervous chain did not result in extra discharges of muscle activity, but only affected some of the parameters of the latter.", "contents": "[Neural control of somatic muscle function in the earthworm, Allobophora longa, and in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis]. Studies have been made on the electrical activity of the segmentary nerves and connectives of the abdominal nervous chain in the earthworm and leech. It was shown that the electrical activity of the isolated piece of the abdominal chain of the leech is manifested of periodic outbursts of impulsation. Presumably this central periodicity accounts for the discharge-like pattern of muscle rhythmic activity which was revealed in our earlier investigations. The electrical activity in the central nervous system of the earthworm depends on afferent influences which pass to the ganglia from the peripheral sensory nervous cells. Stimulation of the abdominal nervous chain did not result in extra discharges of muscle activity, but only affected some of the parameters of the latter.", "PMID": 629112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7707", "title": "[Age-related characteristics of the electrical activity of the cardiac fibers in the human embryo].", "content": "Transmembrane action potential and intercellular electric coupling have been studied in isolated heart during various stages of intrauterine growth of human embryos as well as in heart preparations of human adults. Formation of electrical properties of ventricular myocardium was slower than that of atrial fibres and was found to be fully completed in the first 14 weeks of intrauterine growth. Intercellular electrical coupling enhanced in the course of the embryonic development as indicated by a drop in the input resistance and an increase in electronic length.", "contents": "[Age-related characteristics of the electrical activity of the cardiac fibers in the human embryo]. Transmembrane action potential and intercellular electric coupling have been studied in isolated heart during various stages of intrauterine growth of human embryos as well as in heart preparations of human adults. Formation of electrical properties of ventricular myocardium was slower than that of atrial fibres and was found to be fully completed in the first 14 weeks of intrauterine growth. Intercellular electrical coupling enhanced in the course of the embryonic development as indicated by a drop in the input resistance and an increase in electronic length.", "PMID": 629113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7708", "title": "[State of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal neurocirculatory system of the gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, during dehydration].", "content": "Big gerbils, inhabitants of desert, were found to have indices of an increased functional activity of HHNS: low content of neurosecretory material all over the system, relatively large volumes of neurosecretory cell nuclei and nucleoli, hyperemia. Under the condition of a seven-day dehydration, the neurosecretory material reduction in all links of HHNS, enlargement of neurosecretory cell nuclei and nucleoli, intensification of hyperemia were found. With the increase in dehydration time to 23 days a progressive reduction of neurosecretory material in cell processes and hypophysis are seen. However, the decrease in nuclear size takes place under the condition of continuing increase in nucleolar size both in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Extremely intensive hyperemia of all regions of HHNS is seen. The activation of HHNS under the water-salt regime change, seen in big gerbils, is not as pronounced as in albino rats. This is, evidently, due to a specificity of the function and their osmoregulating system.", "contents": "[State of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal neurocirculatory system of the gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, during dehydration]. Big gerbils, inhabitants of desert, were found to have indices of an increased functional activity of HHNS: low content of neurosecretory material all over the system, relatively large volumes of neurosecretory cell nuclei and nucleoli, hyperemia. Under the condition of a seven-day dehydration, the neurosecretory material reduction in all links of HHNS, enlargement of neurosecretory cell nuclei and nucleoli, intensification of hyperemia were found. With the increase in dehydration time to 23 days a progressive reduction of neurosecretory material in cell processes and hypophysis are seen. However, the decrease in nuclear size takes place under the condition of continuing increase in nucleolar size both in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Extremely intensive hyperemia of all regions of HHNS is seen. The activation of HHNS under the water-salt regime change, seen in big gerbils, is not as pronounced as in albino rats. This is, evidently, due to a specificity of the function and their osmoregulating system.", "PMID": 629114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7709", "title": "[Thalamic neuronal reactions of the tortoise, Emys orbicularis, to visual stimuli].", "content": "Reactions of 300 neurons and characteristics of their receptive fields (RF) in response to moving stimuli and diffuse illumination have been investigated in three hypothalamic regions of the tortoise Emys orbicularis. With respect to their reactions to different stimuli, the neurons investigated were divided into two groups. Neurons of the 1st type (85%) were activated by the stimuli of any size exhibiting large, small and mean RF. Adaptive changes were usually weak and mean (63%); strong changes were less frequent (37%). Some of the neurons (33) did not react to diffuse illumination, whereas other ones produced reactions of different types: 57% of the neurons exhibited a spontaneous activity, 9%--directional sensitivity. Neurons of the 2nd type (15%) reacted only to large stimuli and were characterized by large RF, strong adaptation (89%), low reactivity to diffuse illumination (46%); 35% of the neurons revealed the spontaneous activity, 20%-directional sensitivity.", "contents": "[Thalamic neuronal reactions of the tortoise, Emys orbicularis, to visual stimuli]. Reactions of 300 neurons and characteristics of their receptive fields (RF) in response to moving stimuli and diffuse illumination have been investigated in three hypothalamic regions of the tortoise Emys orbicularis. With respect to their reactions to different stimuli, the neurons investigated were divided into two groups. Neurons of the 1st type (85%) were activated by the stimuli of any size exhibiting large, small and mean RF. Adaptive changes were usually weak and mean (63%); strong changes were less frequent (37%). Some of the neurons (33) did not react to diffuse illumination, whereas other ones produced reactions of different types: 57% of the neurons exhibited a spontaneous activity, 9%--directional sensitivity. Neurons of the 2nd type (15%) reacted only to large stimuli and were characterized by large RF, strong adaptation (89%), low reactivity to diffuse illumination (46%); 35% of the neurons revealed the spontaneous activity, 20%-directional sensitivity.", "PMID": 629115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7710", "title": "[Principles of optimization and scaling of certain processes in the vaccine production technology. 3. Method of determination of the optimal method of thermal sterilization of sugar solutions].", "content": "One of the most widespread methods of thermal sugar sterilization is the use of saturated water vapour under pressure in the capacity of heat source. Guaranteed sterility of solutions should be reached under conditions providing the least sugar splitting. However, in practice the integral effect of the thermal field on the solution is as a rule not taken into consideration. A new calculation method permitting to determine the amount of sugar split in the varying thermal field.", "contents": "[Principles of optimization and scaling of certain processes in the vaccine production technology. 3. Method of determination of the optimal method of thermal sterilization of sugar solutions]. One of the most widespread methods of thermal sugar sterilization is the use of saturated water vapour under pressure in the capacity of heat source. Guaranteed sterility of solutions should be reached under conditions providing the least sugar splitting. However, in practice the integral effect of the thermal field on the solution is as a rule not taken into consideration. A new calculation method permitting to determine the amount of sugar split in the varying thermal field.", "PMID": 629124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7711", "title": "[Comparative characteristics of the spatial hearing in the dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, and in man].", "content": "The paper presents data on the directional selectivity of hearing in the bottlenose dolphin as a function of masking noise angle. It has been shown that the hearing system of dolphins is characterised by sharp lowering of masked thresholds depending on the noise going in the high frequency region. The same effect is shown in man, but not so evidently.", "contents": "[Comparative characteristics of the spatial hearing in the dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, and in man]. The paper presents data on the directional selectivity of hearing in the bottlenose dolphin as a function of masking noise angle. It has been shown that the hearing system of dolphins is characterised by sharp lowering of masked thresholds depending on the noise going in the high frequency region. The same effect is shown in man, but not so evidently.", "PMID": 629118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7712", "title": "[Comparative bioacoustical study of diurnal and nocturanl rodents from closed ranges].", "content": "Studies have been made on the evoked potentials at the level of the colliculus inferior in the nocturnal rodent Glis glis and diuranl one--Eutamias sibiricus. In G. glis, the evoked potentials were recorded in a wide range of sonic and ultrasonic frequencies up to 90 kc, while in E. sibiricus these potentials were recorded in a range of frequencies up to 60 kc. The auditory threshold curves for G. glis exhibited two areas of minimum thresholds-- a low frequency area and an area at a boundary between sonic and ultrasonic frequencies. Threshold curves for E. sibiricus have no clear sensitivity maximum. In G. glis, correlation between the spectrum of their communication signals and acoustic noise in the habitat was observed. The species investigated differ in the rate of the recovery of the evoked potentials to paired stimuli and in the values of critical summation time.", "contents": "[Comparative bioacoustical study of diurnal and nocturanl rodents from closed ranges]. Studies have been made on the evoked potentials at the level of the colliculus inferior in the nocturnal rodent Glis glis and diuranl one--Eutamias sibiricus. In G. glis, the evoked potentials were recorded in a wide range of sonic and ultrasonic frequencies up to 90 kc, while in E. sibiricus these potentials were recorded in a range of frequencies up to 60 kc. The auditory threshold curves for G. glis exhibited two areas of minimum thresholds-- a low frequency area and an area at a boundary between sonic and ultrasonic frequencies. Threshold curves for E. sibiricus have no clear sensitivity maximum. In G. glis, correlation between the spectrum of their communication signals and acoustic noise in the habitat was observed. The species investigated differ in the rate of the recovery of the evoked potentials to paired stimuli and in the values of critical summation time.", "PMID": 629117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7713", "title": "[Neurochemical analysis of the brain structures in the formation of adaptive behavior in chicken embryogenesis].", "content": "Studies have been made on the rate of biosynthesis of high molecular and neurospecific proteins in the hippocamp and archistriatum of chick embryos during the formation of adaptive changes in motor activity under controlled experimental conditions and unmonitored occasional stimulation. It was shown that during uncontrolled sensory stress the rate of synthesis of high molecular and neurospecific proteins in the structures investigated is increased whereas during learning these changes are absent.", "contents": "[Neurochemical analysis of the brain structures in the formation of adaptive behavior in chicken embryogenesis]. Studies have been made on the rate of biosynthesis of high molecular and neurospecific proteins in the hippocamp and archistriatum of chick embryos during the formation of adaptive changes in motor activity under controlled experimental conditions and unmonitored occasional stimulation. It was shown that during uncontrolled sensory stress the rate of synthesis of high molecular and neurospecific proteins in the structures investigated is increased whereas during learning these changes are absent.", "PMID": 629116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7714", "title": "[Reaction of single cercal mechanoreceptors of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, to mechanical stimulation].", "content": "Naked tungsten microelectrodes were introduced through the chitinous wall close to the cell body of the receptor cells of trichoid hair sensillae, and responses to airpuffs, and rectangular, and trapezoidal displacements of the hair were recorded. Receptors of dorsal zone are activated during lateral deflection, those of ventral zone--during medial deflection and receptors of medial and lateral zones--during deflection to the cercal base. Sensitivity of receptors to the air-puffs is a function of hair length, the largest hairs being most sensitive. During trapezoidal displacement of the hair with different velocities of the slope, discharge frequency of the dynamic response is a function of velocity and angle in the range of angles up to 3-5 degrees (fig. 1). Discharge frequency of the stationary phase (corresponding to the plateau of the stimulus) is mainly a function of velocity in the range up to 6 degrees (fig. 2). The presence of sensillae with different hair length, and hence sensitivity, and definite directionality of receptors in different hair length, and hence sensitivity, and definite directionality of receptors in different zones may provide a basis for amplitude, velocity and direction discrimination of air-puffs or low-frequency mechanical stimulation by the cercal system of crickets.", "contents": "[Reaction of single cercal mechanoreceptors of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, to mechanical stimulation]. Naked tungsten microelectrodes were introduced through the chitinous wall close to the cell body of the receptor cells of trichoid hair sensillae, and responses to airpuffs, and rectangular, and trapezoidal displacements of the hair were recorded. Receptors of dorsal zone are activated during lateral deflection, those of ventral zone--during medial deflection and receptors of medial and lateral zones--during deflection to the cercal base. Sensitivity of receptors to the air-puffs is a function of hair length, the largest hairs being most sensitive. During trapezoidal displacement of the hair with different velocities of the slope, discharge frequency of the dynamic response is a function of velocity and angle in the range of angles up to 3-5 degrees (fig. 1). Discharge frequency of the stationary phase (corresponding to the plateau of the stimulus) is mainly a function of velocity in the range up to 6 degrees (fig. 2). The presence of sensillae with different hair length, and hence sensitivity, and definite directionality of receptors in different hair length, and hence sensitivity, and definite directionality of receptors in different zones may provide a basis for amplitude, velocity and direction discrimination of air-puffs or low-frequency mechanical stimulation by the cercal system of crickets.", "PMID": 629121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7715", "title": "[Electrophysiological study of the functional connections of the hypothalamus with the forebrain in the tortoise Emys orbicularis].", "content": "During stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus, the evoked potentials with short latent periods, high amplitude and poor exhaustion by rhythmic stimulation were recorded in the hippocampal cortex. In the piriform cortex, the evoked potentials exhibited longer latent periods and complex configuration. Less readily the evoked potentials appeared in the neocortex, their latency being very large. During stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus, maximum activity was also localized in the hippocampal cortex. The data obtained indicate close connection between hypothalamic structures and the hippocampal cortex. The latter is presumably the main projectional area for the ascending afferentation from the hypothalamus.", "contents": "[Electrophysiological study of the functional connections of the hypothalamus with the forebrain in the tortoise Emys orbicularis]. During stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus, the evoked potentials with short latent periods, high amplitude and poor exhaustion by rhythmic stimulation were recorded in the hippocampal cortex. In the piriform cortex, the evoked potentials exhibited longer latent periods and complex configuration. Less readily the evoked potentials appeared in the neocortex, their latency being very large. During stimulation of the anterior hypothalamus, maximum activity was also localized in the hippocampal cortex. The data obtained indicate close connection between hypothalamic structures and the hippocampal cortex. The latter is presumably the main projectional area for the ascending afferentation from the hypothalamus.", "PMID": 629122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7716", "title": "[Erysipeloid on the islands of the Ohhotsk Sea. 2. Landscape types of the natural foci of erysipeloid].", "content": "Cases of skin (skin-artericular) form of erysipeloid were recorded in the islands of the Sea of Okhotsk. The natural foci of the causative agent of this infection were polyhostal and polyvectoral in character. The causative agent of erysipeloid exists among the animals habitating on land and sea. Mass species of animals characteristic of the island landscape served as the sources of infection. Their four landscape types (mountaineous-taiga, of sea coast and rocks, anthropurgic settlement, and of water bodies--salt and freshwater) were preliminarily distinguished by the combination of biocenological, epidemiological, and epizootological peculiarities of natural erysipeloid foci.", "contents": "[Erysipeloid on the islands of the Ohhotsk Sea. 2. Landscape types of the natural foci of erysipeloid]. Cases of skin (skin-artericular) form of erysipeloid were recorded in the islands of the Sea of Okhotsk. The natural foci of the causative agent of this infection were polyhostal and polyvectoral in character. The causative agent of erysipeloid exists among the animals habitating on land and sea. Mass species of animals characteristic of the island landscape served as the sources of infection. Their four landscape types (mountaineous-taiga, of sea coast and rocks, anthropurgic settlement, and of water bodies--salt and freshwater) were preliminarily distinguished by the combination of biocenological, epidemiological, and epizootological peculiarities of natural erysipeloid foci.", "PMID": 629128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7717", "title": "[Para-aminohippuric acid secretion by the vertebrate kidney].", "content": "Tubular secretory capacity has been investigated in the kidney of marine fishes Scorpaena porcus, Spicara smaris, frog Rana ridibunda and albino rat by determination of maximal transport of p-aminohippurate--TmPAH, Following values of Tmax expressed in mg/hour per 100 g of body weight were obtained: 0.73 +/- 0.17 for S. porcus, 0.92 +/- 0.09 for S. smaris, 0.93 +/- 0.10 for R. ridibunda and 15.6 +/- 1.6 for rats.", "contents": "[Para-aminohippuric acid secretion by the vertebrate kidney]. Tubular secretory capacity has been investigated in the kidney of marine fishes Scorpaena porcus, Spicara smaris, frog Rana ridibunda and albino rat by determination of maximal transport of p-aminohippurate--TmPAH, Following values of Tmax expressed in mg/hour per 100 g of body weight were obtained: 0.73 +/- 0.17 for S. porcus, 0.92 +/- 0.09 for S. smaris, 0.93 +/- 0.10 for R. ridibunda and 15.6 +/- 1.6 for rats.", "PMID": 629119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7718", "title": "[Cortical representation of nonclassical parts of the visual system].", "content": "Cortical evoked potentials and extracellular evoked neuronal activity have been investigated in unanesthetized d-curarine immobilized rats during stimulation of the superior colliculi. The focus of responses was found in the lateral part of the visual neocortex (area 18a according to Krieg [5]). The evoked potential includes a negative and subsequent positive waves, its latency being equal to 7.9 +/- 2.8 msec. With deepening the electrode the amplitude of the response decreases, although its polarity remains unchanged. The neuronal activity is of phasic character. During simultaneous record of the evoked potentials and neuronal activity, temporal correlation between impulse activity and the ascending part of the main negative wave of the EP is observed. The data obtained indicate imcomplete overlapping of the retino-geniculo-cortical and retino-tecto-thalamo-cortical channels in the visual system of rats.", "contents": "[Cortical representation of nonclassical parts of the visual system]. Cortical evoked potentials and extracellular evoked neuronal activity have been investigated in unanesthetized d-curarine immobilized rats during stimulation of the superior colliculi. The focus of responses was found in the lateral part of the visual neocortex (area 18a according to Krieg [5]). The evoked potential includes a negative and subsequent positive waves, its latency being equal to 7.9 +/- 2.8 msec. With deepening the electrode the amplitude of the response decreases, although its polarity remains unchanged. The neuronal activity is of phasic character. During simultaneous record of the evoked potentials and neuronal activity, temporal correlation between impulse activity and the ascending part of the main negative wave of the EP is observed. The data obtained indicate imcomplete overlapping of the retino-geniculo-cortical and retino-tecto-thalamo-cortical channels in the visual system of rats.", "PMID": 629123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7719", "title": "[Study of the multiple puncture method in smallpox vaccination of children].", "content": "In this work the multiple puncture method (in 76 cases) was compared with the scarification method--2 clinear cuts (in 70 cases). \"Vaccine take\" of the vaccines demonstrated a statistically significant difference: by the first method the percentage of personal \"vaccine take\" was 98.7, and by the second--86.4. The multiple puncture method produced a less pronounced local and general reaction. Immunological efficacy of the multiple puncture method (evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition test and neutralization test in the tissue culture) was quite satisfactory and failed to differ from such in vaccination by scarification.", "contents": "[Study of the multiple puncture method in smallpox vaccination of children]. In this work the multiple puncture method (in 76 cases) was compared with the scarification method--2 clinear cuts (in 70 cases). \"Vaccine take\" of the vaccines demonstrated a statistically significant difference: by the first method the percentage of personal \"vaccine take\" was 98.7, and by the second--86.4. The multiple puncture method produced a less pronounced local and general reaction. Immunological efficacy of the multiple puncture method (evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition test and neutralization test in the tissue culture) was quite satisfactory and failed to differ from such in vaccination by scarification.", "PMID": 629129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7720", "title": "[Effect of hydrocortisone and methods of infection on the isolation of Brucella from the body of albino mice].", "content": "It was experimentally revealed that subcutaneous method of albino mice infection in combination with hydrocortisone administration offered a possibility of decreasing the period of discharge of brucella to 7 days with a 100% culturing from the inguinal, paraaortal lymph nodes and the spleen. In intracerebral method of infection with a preliminary treatment with hydrocortisone the period of the culture isolation decreased to 14 days.", "contents": "[Effect of hydrocortisone and methods of infection on the isolation of Brucella from the body of albino mice]. It was experimentally revealed that subcutaneous method of albino mice infection in combination with hydrocortisone administration offered a possibility of decreasing the period of discharge of brucella to 7 days with a 100% culturing from the inguinal, paraaortal lymph nodes and the spleen. In intracerebral method of infection with a preliminary treatment with hydrocortisone the period of the culture isolation decreased to 14 days.", "PMID": 629130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7721", "title": "[Certain data concerning the analysis of the foci of infectious hepatitis in cases of subsequent occurrence of the disease in families].", "content": "Materials of epidemiological analysis of familial infectious hepatitis nidality in 104 families are presented. The data obtained pointed to the preponderant affection of children constituting 97.1% of primary and 87.7% of subsequent cases in familial foci. Infection was brought to the families by schoolchildren in 57.7% of the cases, and by organized preschoolchildren--in 31.7% of the cases. The greatest affection of schoolchildren aged from 7 to 14 years in the foci with subsequent occurrence of the disease (77.7%) was explained by their marked age activity. This led to the conclusion that mass prophylaxis with alpha-globulin of these particular groups of children was of primary importance. The differences of the specific ratio of adults who contracted the disease in familial foci and in the region as a whole pointed to the possibility of infection of adults outside the family and on the prevalence in them of serum hepatitis.", "contents": "[Certain data concerning the analysis of the foci of infectious hepatitis in cases of subsequent occurrence of the disease in families]. Materials of epidemiological analysis of familial infectious hepatitis nidality in 104 families are presented. The data obtained pointed to the preponderant affection of children constituting 97.1% of primary and 87.7% of subsequent cases in familial foci. Infection was brought to the families by schoolchildren in 57.7% of the cases, and by organized preschoolchildren--in 31.7% of the cases. The greatest affection of schoolchildren aged from 7 to 14 years in the foci with subsequent occurrence of the disease (77.7%) was explained by their marked age activity. This led to the conclusion that mass prophylaxis with alpha-globulin of these particular groups of children was of primary importance. The differences of the specific ratio of adults who contracted the disease in familial foci and in the region as a whole pointed to the possibility of infection of adults outside the family and on the prevalence in them of serum hepatitis.", "PMID": 629131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7722", "title": "Prognosis of the duration of the remissions in attack-like schizophrenia.", "content": "On the basis of a clinico-epidemiological study of patients with attack-like developing schizophrenia and duration of the disease of 15 years and more the authors report of some results of the prevalence of remissions of different duration. The paper contains data concerning correlations between different duration intra-attack intervals, the type of the sustained attacks, number of sustained attacks and the patient's age at the onset of the disease. The study demonstrated direct correlations between the duration and the type of the attack on the one hand and the character of negative changes--on the other. The formation of protracted remissions is more characteristic of shift-like attacks, i. e. attacks possessing more destructive qualities than in attacks characteristic of recurrent schizophrenia.", "contents": "Prognosis of the duration of the remissions in attack-like schizophrenia. On the basis of a clinico-epidemiological study of patients with attack-like developing schizophrenia and duration of the disease of 15 years and more the authors report of some results of the prevalence of remissions of different duration. The paper contains data concerning correlations between different duration intra-attack intervals, the type of the sustained attacks, number of sustained attacks and the patient's age at the onset of the disease. The study demonstrated direct correlations between the duration and the type of the attack on the one hand and the character of negative changes--on the other. The formation of protracted remissions is more characteristic of shift-like attacks, i. e. attacks possessing more destructive qualities than in attacks characteristic of recurrent schizophrenia.", "PMID": 629132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7723", "title": "Clinical psychological problems in the rehabilitation of mental patients.", "content": "The paper deals with the problems of the clinico-physiological and socio-psychological bases of rehabilitation of mental patients. The basis of the analysis of these problems is a patient's personality in its relationship with social environment (medical personnel, family, working surrounding. The author puts forward the tasks to be solved by physians and specialists in the field of clinical psychology.", "contents": "Clinical psychological problems in the rehabilitation of mental patients. The paper deals with the problems of the clinico-physiological and socio-psychological bases of rehabilitation of mental patients. The basis of the analysis of these problems is a patient's personality in its relationship with social environment (medical personnel, family, working surrounding. The author puts forward the tasks to be solved by physians and specialists in the field of clinical psychology.", "PMID": 629133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7724", "title": "[Experience with the early use of combined intensive drug and occupational (at an industrial enterprise) therapy of schizophrenic patients].", "content": "The report contains some results of a 3 year study of combined intensive psychopharmacological and occupational therapy of 120 patients (on the basis of the Gannushkin City Mental Hospital N4 and 2 industrial plants) during the stage of a subacute development of the schizophrenic process. On the basis of clinical and methodological criteria the authors distinguish 3 groups of patients and 3 types of rehabilitative programmes respectively. The medical and socio-occupational effectiveness of the new modification of combined intensive psychopharmacological industrial therapy of schizophrenic patients has been confirmed.", "contents": "[Experience with the early use of combined intensive drug and occupational (at an industrial enterprise) therapy of schizophrenic patients]. The report contains some results of a 3 year study of combined intensive psychopharmacological and occupational therapy of 120 patients (on the basis of the Gannushkin City Mental Hospital N4 and 2 industrial plants) during the stage of a subacute development of the schizophrenic process. On the basis of clinical and methodological criteria the authors distinguish 3 groups of patients and 3 types of rehabilitative programmes respectively. The medical and socio-occupational effectiveness of the new modification of combined intensive psychopharmacological industrial therapy of schizophrenic patients has been confirmed.", "PMID": 629134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7725", "title": "[Outpatient arrest of recidives and exacerbations in schizophrenia].", "content": "The report contains successful results of ambulatory treatment of 54 patients with relapses of attack-like developing forms and exacerbations of continuous forms of schizophrenia. The basic principles in the treatment were intensity and dynamic influence of psychopharmacotherapeutical agents. As a rule under such conditions there were a rapid reduction in the acuity. The authors distinguish clinical, family-environmental and organizational-therapeutic indications, which may lie at the basis of the place of choice for treatment--hospital or dispensary (out patient clinic).", "contents": "[Outpatient arrest of recidives and exacerbations in schizophrenia]. The report contains successful results of ambulatory treatment of 54 patients with relapses of attack-like developing forms and exacerbations of continuous forms of schizophrenia. The basic principles in the treatment were intensity and dynamic influence of psychopharmacotherapeutical agents. As a rule under such conditions there were a rapid reduction in the acuity. The authors distinguish clinical, family-environmental and organizational-therapeutic indications, which may lie at the basis of the place of choice for treatment--hospital or dispensary (out patient clinic).", "PMID": 629135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7726", "title": "[Ophthalmocalibrometric assessment of the state of the microcirculation in the retinal vessels in transient disorders of cerebral circulation].", "content": "The report analyses some results of a neuro-ophthalmological study of 82 patients from 34--76 years (37 males and 45 females) with transient disorders of cerebral circulation. Besides clinical studies the authors applied EEG and REG registrations, studies of the lipid metabolism, coagulative and anticoagulative blood systems. Ophthalmological studies included the assessment of visual acuity with and without correction, quantitative perimetry, the determination of a genuine intra-ocular pressure, ophthalmodynamometry, biomicroscopy of the conjunctiva and episclera, biomicro-ophthalmoscopy, ophthalmoscopy with the use of electro-ophthalmoscopy, a large nonreflex ophthalmoscope, ophthalmocalibrometry. By means of ophthalmocalibtometrical studies the authors established an existence of expressed pathology of microcirculation in the form of a marked narrowing of arterioles and a dilatation of the venoules with a significant decrease of the arterio-venous correlations. The achieved data are analyzed with consideration of the etiology, development and topography of transient disorders of cerebral circulation.", "contents": "[Ophthalmocalibrometric assessment of the state of the microcirculation in the retinal vessels in transient disorders of cerebral circulation]. The report analyses some results of a neuro-ophthalmological study of 82 patients from 34--76 years (37 males and 45 females) with transient disorders of cerebral circulation. Besides clinical studies the authors applied EEG and REG registrations, studies of the lipid metabolism, coagulative and anticoagulative blood systems. Ophthalmological studies included the assessment of visual acuity with and without correction, quantitative perimetry, the determination of a genuine intra-ocular pressure, ophthalmodynamometry, biomicroscopy of the conjunctiva and episclera, biomicro-ophthalmoscopy, ophthalmoscopy with the use of electro-ophthalmoscopy, a large nonreflex ophthalmoscope, ophthalmocalibrometry. By means of ophthalmocalibtometrical studies the authors established an existence of expressed pathology of microcirculation in the form of a marked narrowing of arterioles and a dilatation of the venoules with a significant decrease of the arterio-venous correlations. The achieved data are analyzed with consideration of the etiology, development and topography of transient disorders of cerebral circulation.", "PMID": 629136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7727", "title": "[Experimental and psychopathological characteristics of psychophysical infantilism in the structure of the hysterical form of psychopathy].", "content": "The authors report of some results of an experimentalpathopsychological study of 100 patients with hysterical forms of psychopathy and the syndrome of psychophysical infantilism. It was demonstrated that there is an irregular intellectual development (according to Wecksler's method) which is described by the authors in the form of a characteristic \"intellectual profile\" and a high level of claims with inadequate reactions of selection, a high assessment of physical and psychic \"I\", with a low evaluation of the \"situational I\". The achieved personality characteristics are closely connected with abnormal behaviour and asocial actions of the patients.", "contents": "[Experimental and psychopathological characteristics of psychophysical infantilism in the structure of the hysterical form of psychopathy]. The authors report of some results of an experimentalpathopsychological study of 100 patients with hysterical forms of psychopathy and the syndrome of psychophysical infantilism. It was demonstrated that there is an irregular intellectual development (according to Wecksler's method) which is described by the authors in the form of a characteristic \"intellectual profile\" and a high level of claims with inadequate reactions of selection, a high assessment of physical and psychic \"I\", with a low evaluation of the \"situational I\". The achieved personality characteristics are closely connected with abnormal behaviour and asocial actions of the patients.", "PMID": 629137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7728", "title": "[Suicidal behavioural characteristics in depressive states in children and adolescents].", "content": "The author discusses 40 cases of suicidal attempts in children and adolescents with depressive states of a different nosological affinity. Special attention was drawn to the different traits of a depressive syndrome connected with the formation of suicidal tendencies. The data obtained demonstrate that the degree of a suidal risk depends not only on the depth and quality of depressions, but on the nosological and syndromal traits. A special role in the genesis of a suicidal attempt belongs to supplementary psychotraumatizing factors.", "contents": "[Suicidal behavioural characteristics in depressive states in children and adolescents]. The author discusses 40 cases of suicidal attempts in children and adolescents with depressive states of a different nosological affinity. Special attention was drawn to the different traits of a depressive syndrome connected with the formation of suicidal tendencies. The data obtained demonstrate that the degree of a suidal risk depends not only on the depth and quality of depressions, but on the nosological and syndromal traits. A special role in the genesis of a suicidal attempt belongs to supplementary psychotraumatizing factors.", "PMID": 629138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7729", "title": "[Computer tomography of the brain in neurology].", "content": "The results of the studies, obtained in a computer head tomography confirms its effectiveness in the diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, tumor and degenerative brain diseases, as well as in investigations of the brain ventricular systems and subarachnoidal spaces. A computer head tomography--is a perspective method in the study of brain lesions with the aid of X-ray equipment and computers.", "contents": "[Computer tomography of the brain in neurology]. The results of the studies, obtained in a computer head tomography confirms its effectiveness in the diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, tumor and degenerative brain diseases, as well as in investigations of the brain ventricular systems and subarachnoidal spaces. A computer head tomography--is a perspective method in the study of brain lesions with the aid of X-ray equipment and computers.", "PMID": 629139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7730", "title": "[Cerebral infarct risk factors].", "content": "The possible risk factors were evaluated in 249 patients with cerebral infarction and in the control group consisting of 190 subjects of the same age and sex distribution. The following factors were significantly associated with brain infarction: elevated blood pressure, cardiac abnormalities, elevated blood glucose content, abnormal glucose tolerance, elevated blood cholesterol and beta-lipoproteid content and hemoglobin level. It was concluded that at present the key to stroke prevention is the early detection and control of hypertension and cardiac activity impairment.", "contents": "[Cerebral infarct risk factors]. The possible risk factors were evaluated in 249 patients with cerebral infarction and in the control group consisting of 190 subjects of the same age and sex distribution. The following factors were significantly associated with brain infarction: elevated blood pressure, cardiac abnormalities, elevated blood glucose content, abnormal glucose tolerance, elevated blood cholesterol and beta-lipoproteid content and hemoglobin level. It was concluded that at present the key to stroke prevention is the early detection and control of hypertension and cardiac activity impairment.", "PMID": 629140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7731", "title": "[Loss of consciousness in migraine].", "content": "The author conducted a clinico-electrophysiological study of 350 patients with migraine. In 12.5% of the patients there were cases with a loss of consciousness. The conclusion is made that in combination of one attack of symptoms of migraine and epilepsy they have one pathogenesis: vasomotor disorders evoking both migrainose crises and syncopes with a convulsive syndrome. Quite typical of such conditions are precursors, massive vegetative disturbances, a tonic character of the convulsions. A loss of consciousness in the intra-attack period may be assessed as a syncope, mainly of orthostatic and vaso-vagal type; a loss of consciousness during the attack--as a syncope connected with migrainose disorders of cerebral hemodynamics. In alternation of migrainose and epileptical attacks it is claimed that there is a combination of 2 diseases. The conclusion is made that a loss of consciousness in migraine and epilepsy are different not only by clinical signs, but by its pathogenesis. This fact determines the preventive therapy of both diseases.", "contents": "[Loss of consciousness in migraine]. The author conducted a clinico-electrophysiological study of 350 patients with migraine. In 12.5% of the patients there were cases with a loss of consciousness. The conclusion is made that in combination of one attack of symptoms of migraine and epilepsy they have one pathogenesis: vasomotor disorders evoking both migrainose crises and syncopes with a convulsive syndrome. Quite typical of such conditions are precursors, massive vegetative disturbances, a tonic character of the convulsions. A loss of consciousness in the intra-attack period may be assessed as a syncope, mainly of orthostatic and vaso-vagal type; a loss of consciousness during the attack--as a syncope connected with migrainose disorders of cerebral hemodynamics. In alternation of migrainose and epileptical attacks it is claimed that there is a combination of 2 diseases. The conclusion is made that a loss of consciousness in migraine and epilepsy are different not only by clinical signs, but by its pathogenesis. This fact determines the preventive therapy of both diseases.", "PMID": 629141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7732", "title": "[Correlation of electroencephalographic, autonomic and rheoencephalographic indices in I- and II-stage hypertensives under emotional strains].", "content": "The paper is concerned with a study of 55 pateints with hypertensive disease and of 14 normals under the conditions of emotional stress. These studies were conducted in order to detect interrelationship between vegetative, EEG and REG indices. In 3 groups of patients distinguished according to symptoms of vegetative changes the indices of the tone in the sympathetical and parasympathetical parts of the nervous system in the working period (i. e. during the period of emotional stress) significantly differed from the indices of the control group. They also correlated with the character of activity and the EEG indices. Unlike normals, patients with hypertension in the working period demonstrate not a dilatation of the frequency spectrum in the EEG, but are somewhat narrower. Correlations between shifts on the EEG and REG were not detected. However, in the group of patients with weakened vegetative reactions in a visual assessment of the REG there was a weakening of the autoregulation of cerebral reactions, which coincided with somewhat less frequent alpha-rhythm in a lower work productivity.", "contents": "[Correlation of electroencephalographic, autonomic and rheoencephalographic indices in I- and II-stage hypertensives under emotional strains]. The paper is concerned with a study of 55 pateints with hypertensive disease and of 14 normals under the conditions of emotional stress. These studies were conducted in order to detect interrelationship between vegetative, EEG and REG indices. In 3 groups of patients distinguished according to symptoms of vegetative changes the indices of the tone in the sympathetical and parasympathetical parts of the nervous system in the working period (i. e. during the period of emotional stress) significantly differed from the indices of the control group. They also correlated with the character of activity and the EEG indices. Unlike normals, patients with hypertension in the working period demonstrate not a dilatation of the frequency spectrum in the EEG, but are somewhat narrower. Correlations between shifts on the EEG and REG were not detected. However, in the group of patients with weakened vegetative reactions in a visual assessment of the REG there was a weakening of the autoregulation of cerebral reactions, which coincided with somewhat less frequent alpha-rhythm in a lower work productivity.", "PMID": 629142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7733", "title": "[Structural characteristics of the EEG in the secondary stem syndrome in patients with acute circulatory disorders in the cerebral hemispheres].", "content": "The authors analyse changes seen in the EEG and secondary dysfunction of the brain stem structures in patients with acute disorders of circulation in the brain hemispheres. On the basis of implicative analysis of the clinico-morphological and EEG data the authors come to the conclusion on the existence of significant EEG criteria in secondary dysfunctions of brain stem structures on the different stages of its development. The significance of EEG in differential diagnosis of primary and secondary brain stem lesions is stressed.", "contents": "[Structural characteristics of the EEG in the secondary stem syndrome in patients with acute circulatory disorders in the cerebral hemispheres]. The authors analyse changes seen in the EEG and secondary dysfunction of the brain stem structures in patients with acute disorders of circulation in the brain hemispheres. On the basis of implicative analysis of the clinico-morphological and EEG data the authors come to the conclusion on the existence of significant EEG criteria in secondary dysfunctions of brain stem structures on the different stages of its development. The significance of EEG in differential diagnosis of primary and secondary brain stem lesions is stressed.", "PMID": 629143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7734", "title": "[Role of congophilis angiopathy in the genesis of subarachnoid--parenchymatous hemorrhages in middle-aged and elderly persons].", "content": "The author conducted a morphological analysis of 8 cases (from 61--83 years old) with extensive subarachnoidoparenchymatous hemorrhages, accompanied by expressed congofil angiopathy in different clinical processes. In 5 cases congofil angiopathy was the only lesion of cerebral vessels, in 3 cases it was combined with hypertensive angiography and atherosclerosis. In the latter cases the morphological picture was characterized by a great diversity due to greater expressiveness of accompanying hyalinosis and proliferative changes in the walls of the vessels. In both subgroups all the changes were prevalently in the meningocortical vessels. The author points to frequent relapses of the process.", "contents": "[Role of congophilis angiopathy in the genesis of subarachnoid--parenchymatous hemorrhages in middle-aged and elderly persons]. The author conducted a morphological analysis of 8 cases (from 61--83 years old) with extensive subarachnoidoparenchymatous hemorrhages, accompanied by expressed congofil angiopathy in different clinical processes. In 5 cases congofil angiopathy was the only lesion of cerebral vessels, in 3 cases it was combined with hypertensive angiography and atherosclerosis. In the latter cases the morphological picture was characterized by a great diversity due to greater expressiveness of accompanying hyalinosis and proliferative changes in the walls of the vessels. In both subgroups all the changes were prevalently in the meningocortical vessels. The author points to frequent relapses of the process.", "PMID": 629144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7735", "title": "[Blood serum enzymatic spectrum in vascular diseases of the brain].", "content": "The presentation deals with the enzymatic spectrum of the blood serum (aminotransferase-glutamino-pyruvic and glutamino-oxaloacetic acid, sera cholinesterase, histidase, acid alkaline phosphatase) in 100 patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation in the form of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. These disorders of circulation appeared on the background [corrected] of atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease or in other combination along with vasculitis of a different etiology. The most significant were changes of histidase and acid phosphatase activity and an inhibition of cholinesterase activity in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes with expressed focal disorders of cerebral circulation. In an improvement of the clinical state following medicative therapy there was a normalization of these indices. The only exclusion was histidase the content of which in some cases remained cunhanged.", "contents": "[Blood serum enzymatic spectrum in vascular diseases of the brain]. The presentation deals with the enzymatic spectrum of the blood serum (aminotransferase-glutamino-pyruvic and glutamino-oxaloacetic acid, sera cholinesterase, histidase, acid alkaline phosphatase) in 100 patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation in the form of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. These disorders of circulation appeared on the background [corrected] of atherosclerosis and hypertensive disease or in other combination along with vasculitis of a different etiology. The most significant were changes of histidase and acid phosphatase activity and an inhibition of cholinesterase activity in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes with expressed focal disorders of cerebral circulation. In an improvement of the clinical state following medicative therapy there was a normalization of these indices. The only exclusion was histidase the content of which in some cases remained cunhanged.", "PMID": 629145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7736", "title": "[11-hydroxycorticosteriod content in the peripheral blood plasma and in the cerebrospinal fluid in acute disorders of the cerebral circulation].", "content": "The author studied the glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in 93 patients (40 males and 53 females) with acute disturbances of brain circulation, in 59 patients with ischemic strokes and 21 patients with cerebral hemorrhages. The functional activity of the adrenal cortex was judged by the content of 11-oxycorticosteroids in the plasma of the peripheral blood and in the liquor in the dynamics during 4 weeks from the beginning of the stroke. The patients with a severe course of the stroke (in spite of its character) demonstrated a statistically significant increase of 11-OCS concentration in the above-mentioned biological fluids during the acute period of the disease (first 14 days).", "contents": "[11-hydroxycorticosteriod content in the peripheral blood plasma and in the cerebrospinal fluid in acute disorders of the cerebral circulation]. The author studied the glucocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in 93 patients (40 males and 53 females) with acute disturbances of brain circulation, in 59 patients with ischemic strokes and 21 patients with cerebral hemorrhages. The functional activity of the adrenal cortex was judged by the content of 11-oxycorticosteroids in the plasma of the peripheral blood and in the liquor in the dynamics during 4 weeks from the beginning of the stroke. The patients with a severe course of the stroke (in spite of its character) demonstrated a statistically significant increase of 11-OCS concentration in the above-mentioned biological fluids during the acute period of the disease (first 14 days).", "PMID": 629146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7737", "title": "[Active attention and the conditioned slow negative potential in schizophrenia].", "content": "The detected changes of conditioned slow negative potential (changes in the configuration of potentials, its increase in duration, a drop in the amplitude) as well as results of corrective tests in schizophrenic patients testify to changes in the function of active attention in this form of pathology. The authors discuss the possible moderation of changes of attention in schizophrenic patients--by disordres of the thalamo-cortical system, the activity of which is expressed in the electrographical phenomena of the conditioned slow negative potential.", "contents": "[Active attention and the conditioned slow negative potential in schizophrenia]. The detected changes of conditioned slow negative potential (changes in the configuration of potentials, its increase in duration, a drop in the amplitude) as well as results of corrective tests in schizophrenic patients testify to changes in the function of active attention in this form of pathology. The authors discuss the possible moderation of changes of attention in schizophrenic patients--by disordres of the thalamo-cortical system, the activity of which is expressed in the electrographical phenomena of the conditioned slow negative potential.", "PMID": 629147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7738", "title": "[Hemolytic properties of the lymphocytes of schizophrenia patients].", "content": "The authors studied the cytotoxic activity of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 16 schizophrenic patients and 14 normal donors in respect to autological erythrocytes. It was demonstrated that the hemolytic activity of the lymphocytes of patients was significantly higher, than in the control group. Activated cells possess cytotoxic properties.", "contents": "[Hemolytic properties of the lymphocytes of schizophrenia patients]. The authors studied the cytotoxic activity of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 16 schizophrenic patients and 14 normal donors in respect to autological erythrocytes. It was demonstrated that the hemolytic activity of the lymphocytes of patients was significantly higher, than in the control group. Activated cells possess cytotoxic properties.", "PMID": 629148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7739", "title": "[General and cerebral hemodynamics in atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels with transient disorders of cerebral circulation].", "content": "The authors studied general and cerebral hemodynamics in 51 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis transient disorders of cerebral circulation. The studies demonstrated correlation between the indices of general peripheral resistance of the blood flow, cardiac and pulse indices. The rate of the blood flow in the segment hand-ear was slower. REG studies detected deficit of blood repletion, intrahemispheric asymmetry, a drop in the elasticity of the vascular wall. These data may be used in prescribing pathogenetical treatment to patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation.", "contents": "[General and cerebral hemodynamics in atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels with transient disorders of cerebral circulation]. The authors studied general and cerebral hemodynamics in 51 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis transient disorders of cerebral circulation. The studies demonstrated correlation between the indices of general peripheral resistance of the blood flow, cardiac and pulse indices. The rate of the blood flow in the segment hand-ear was slower. REG studies detected deficit of blood repletion, intrahemispheric asymmetry, a drop in the elasticity of the vascular wall. These data may be used in prescribing pathogenetical treatment to patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation.", "PMID": 629149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7740", "title": "[Clinical and catamnesic study of slowly progressing, juvenile schizophrenia].", "content": "A clinico-catamnestical study of 154 patients demonstrated, that following 10--15 years after their initial state it was first evaluated as sluggish schizophrenia with pseudoneurotic, psychasthenia-like, depersonalizational and obliterated affective disorders, the prognosis in such cases was relatively favorable. In the majority of the cases even during remote periods the disease had a slowly progressive character of the process. In half of the cases there was a tendency to a reduction of the positive disturbances, a compensation of the personality defect and distinct signs of social and working readaptation, after the adolescent period was behind.", "contents": "[Clinical and catamnesic study of slowly progressing, juvenile schizophrenia]. A clinico-catamnestical study of 154 patients demonstrated, that following 10--15 years after their initial state it was first evaluated as sluggish schizophrenia with pseudoneurotic, psychasthenia-like, depersonalizational and obliterated affective disorders, the prognosis in such cases was relatively favorable. In the majority of the cases even during remote periods the disease had a slowly progressive character of the process. In half of the cases there was a tendency to a reduction of the positive disturbances, a compensation of the personality defect and distinct signs of social and working readaptation, after the adolescent period was behind.", "PMID": 629150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7741", "title": "[Age-related dynamics of outpatient forms of schizophrenia (on the age-related dynamics of so-called latent schizophrenia in light of late catamneses in senescence)].", "content": "The report contains a study of 45 patients aged 60--84 in whom during the entire life there were gradually increasing subclinical symptoms of schizophrenia: emotional shallowness, oddness, episodic rudimentary affective or paranoial disturbances. However, the level of adaptation and mental activity did not suffer significantly. The age-specific dynamics of such forms corresponded to general regularities in the development of schizophrenia: in the involutional period there was revivification of the above-mentioned symptoms of schizophrenia while in senescence only paranoial disorders and an increase of deficitary changes remained. The author discusses the question of justified diagnosis of latent schizophrenia in such cases.", "contents": "[Age-related dynamics of outpatient forms of schizophrenia (on the age-related dynamics of so-called latent schizophrenia in light of late catamneses in senescence)]. The report contains a study of 45 patients aged 60--84 in whom during the entire life there were gradually increasing subclinical symptoms of schizophrenia: emotional shallowness, oddness, episodic rudimentary affective or paranoial disturbances. However, the level of adaptation and mental activity did not suffer significantly. The age-specific dynamics of such forms corresponded to general regularities in the development of schizophrenia: in the involutional period there was revivification of the above-mentioned symptoms of schizophrenia while in senescence only paranoial disorders and an increase of deficitary changes remained. The author discusses the question of justified diagnosis of latent schizophrenia in such cases.", "PMID": 629151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7742", "title": "Distribution of CAP and methylated nucleotides between the RNase sensitive and resistant fractions of mRNA in messenger ribonucleoprotein particles.", "content": "When polyribosomal mRNP is exposed to ribonucleases most but not all of the mRNA is converted to acid soluble products. If mRNP is prepared under isotonic conditions there are two types of ribonuclease resistant core fractions, one which contains the poly(A) part of the mRNA and a second which contains mRNA fragments, 30-40 nucleotides in length. Like poly(A) these fragments appear to be protein associated in the mRNP complex. Non-poly(A) fragments in mRNP prepared from adenovirus-infected cells harvested in the late phase of infection contained only 3% of CAP structures and 12% of internally located methylated nucleotides. This indicates that no CAP structures but one out of the seven internally located methylated nucleotides found in the mRNA are situated in protein associated regions.", "contents": "Distribution of CAP and methylated nucleotides between the RNase sensitive and resistant fractions of mRNA in messenger ribonucleoprotein particles. When polyribosomal mRNP is exposed to ribonucleases most but not all of the mRNA is converted to acid soluble products. If mRNP is prepared under isotonic conditions there are two types of ribonuclease resistant core fractions, one which contains the poly(A) part of the mRNA and a second which contains mRNA fragments, 30-40 nucleotides in length. Like poly(A) these fragments appear to be protein associated in the mRNP complex. Non-poly(A) fragments in mRNP prepared from adenovirus-infected cells harvested in the late phase of infection contained only 3% of CAP structures and 12% of internally located methylated nucleotides. This indicates that no CAP structures but one out of the seven internally located methylated nucleotides found in the mRNA are situated in protein associated regions.", "PMID": 629152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7743", "title": "Cytology of human cerebro-spinal fluid after cardiac arrest.", "content": "The cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (obtained by suboccipital puncture) from patients after cardiac arrest was investigated by means of the cytocentrifugation method. In patients with unsuccessful resuscitation an increased number of monocytes and macrophages was found immediately after abandoned resuscitation. A pronounced increase in the number of granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages was found in patients with poor neurologic restitution. The increase in the number of macrophages was seen immediately after cardiac arrest. The granulocyte increase was most pronounced after 24 h. The CSF from patients with full neurologic restitution after cardiac arrest showed small numbers of lymphocytes and granulocytes and an equal amount of monocytes and macrophages. The findings indicate that monocytes/macrophages appear in the cisternal fluid shortly after anoxic/ischemic damage to the brain and that the increase of macrophages and later granulocytes probably is a result of damage to brain tissue.", "contents": "Cytology of human cerebro-spinal fluid after cardiac arrest. The cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (obtained by suboccipital puncture) from patients after cardiac arrest was investigated by means of the cytocentrifugation method. In patients with unsuccessful resuscitation an increased number of monocytes and macrophages was found immediately after abandoned resuscitation. A pronounced increase in the number of granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages was found in patients with poor neurologic restitution. The increase in the number of macrophages was seen immediately after cardiac arrest. The granulocyte increase was most pronounced after 24 h. The CSF from patients with full neurologic restitution after cardiac arrest showed small numbers of lymphocytes and granulocytes and an equal amount of monocytes and macrophages. The findings indicate that monocytes/macrophages appear in the cisternal fluid shortly after anoxic/ischemic damage to the brain and that the increase of macrophages and later granulocytes probably is a result of damage to brain tissue.", "PMID": 629153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7744", "title": "Long-term prognosis of patients with central cerebral ventricular enlargement. A fifth follow-up study of 100 patients with a 3rd ventricle measuring 12 mm or more in width.", "content": "One hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width of 12 mm or more were examined for the fifth time in 1976 after an average observation period of 20.8 years. On first admission, a predominant aetiological factor was found in 27 cases. Two patients had air-encephalogrophical findings indicating normal pressure hydrocephalus. One of these had a shunt operation, however, without improvement. Seventy-one patients had died, 7 patients were in need of care and supervision, 11 patients were unable to work, the remaining 11 were able to work to some extent. The group studied had a significantly increased mortality rate. The causes of death were divided into three groups: 1. Probably related to the underlying brain disorder; 2. Related to those in an average Norwegian population; and 3. Minor disorder usually not leading to death. The following factors indicated a poor long-term prognosis: 1. Serious associated disease; 2. A relatively high age; 3. Associated cardiovascular disease; 4. Marked degree of ventricular enlargement; 5. Marked enlargement of the temporal horns; 6. Many and/or marked neurological signs; and 7. Prognosis intellectual deterioration.", "contents": "Long-term prognosis of patients with central cerebral ventricular enlargement. A fifth follow-up study of 100 patients with a 3rd ventricle measuring 12 mm or more in width. One hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width of 12 mm or more were examined for the fifth time in 1976 after an average observation period of 20.8 years. On first admission, a predominant aetiological factor was found in 27 cases. Two patients had air-encephalogrophical findings indicating normal pressure hydrocephalus. One of these had a shunt operation, however, without improvement. Seventy-one patients had died, 7 patients were in need of care and supervision, 11 patients were unable to work, the remaining 11 were able to work to some extent. The group studied had a significantly increased mortality rate. The causes of death were divided into three groups: 1. Probably related to the underlying brain disorder; 2. Related to those in an average Norwegian population; and 3. Minor disorder usually not leading to death. The following factors indicated a poor long-term prognosis: 1. Serious associated disease; 2. A relatively high age; 3. Associated cardiovascular disease; 4. Marked degree of ventricular enlargement; 5. Marked enlargement of the temporal horns; 6. Many and/or marked neurological signs; and 7. Prognosis intellectual deterioration.", "PMID": 629154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7745", "title": "Mitogen stimulation of cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes in aseptic meningitis.", "content": "The cell responses to different polyclonal lymphocyte activating substances were studied in 15 patients with aseptic meningitis by analysis of lymphocyte proliferation. The in vitro response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and poke weed mitogen (PWM) was investigated in blood and CSF lymphocytes simultaneously. The blood lymphocytes responded stronger than the corresponding number of CSF lymphocytes. These cells were, however, always capable of a response, suggesting that they were immunologically competent. No predominance of either PHA or Con A populations of T lymphocytes could be demonstrated in CSF compared to blood by this technique. When culture conditions were changed from the optimal cell or mitogen concentrations, the decrease in proliferation of the CSF lymphocytes was more pronounced than that of blood lymphocytes.", "contents": "Mitogen stimulation of cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes in aseptic meningitis. The cell responses to different polyclonal lymphocyte activating substances were studied in 15 patients with aseptic meningitis by analysis of lymphocyte proliferation. The in vitro response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and poke weed mitogen (PWM) was investigated in blood and CSF lymphocytes simultaneously. The blood lymphocytes responded stronger than the corresponding number of CSF lymphocytes. These cells were, however, always capable of a response, suggesting that they were immunologically competent. No predominance of either PHA or Con A populations of T lymphocytes could be demonstrated in CSF compared to blood by this technique. When culture conditions were changed from the optimal cell or mitogen concentrations, the decrease in proliferation of the CSF lymphocytes was more pronounced than that of blood lymphocytes.", "PMID": 629156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7746", "title": "The resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption in humans. A method of evaluation by lumbo-ventricular perfusion, with particular reference to normal pressure hydrocephalus.", "content": "In order to measure the resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption in humans a lumbo-ventricular perfusion test, using several intraventricular pressure levels, has been developed. The test has been performed in 15 patients fulfilling criterias of normal pressure hydrocephalus. A considerable variation in the resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption revealed by the test indicates that clinical and pneumoencephalographic signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus are of little use in the selection of patients who may benefit from shunting procedures.", "contents": "The resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption in humans. A method of evaluation by lumbo-ventricular perfusion, with particular reference to normal pressure hydrocephalus. In order to measure the resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption in humans a lumbo-ventricular perfusion test, using several intraventricular pressure levels, has been developed. The test has been performed in 15 patients fulfilling criterias of normal pressure hydrocephalus. A considerable variation in the resistance to cerebrospinal fluid absorption revealed by the test indicates that clinical and pneumoencephalographic signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus are of little use in the selection of patients who may benefit from shunting procedures.", "PMID": 629157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7747", "title": "Computed axial tomography in otorhinolaryngology.", "content": "The value of computed tomography in ORL and its applications have been briefly discussed. Better soft tissue detail and its relationship to bony structures is obtained. At the present time this modality may be utilized as a screening test in some suspected cases or as an adjunct of conventional methods. With the technical refinements that are constantly being made, better diagnostic information will be obtained in CT scanning.", "contents": "Computed axial tomography in otorhinolaryngology. The value of computed tomography in ORL and its applications have been briefly discussed. Better soft tissue detail and its relationship to bony structures is obtained. At the present time this modality may be utilized as a screening test in some suspected cases or as an adjunct of conventional methods. With the technical refinements that are constantly being made, better diagnostic information will be obtained in CT scanning.", "PMID": 629158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7748", "title": "Nasal and paranasal sinus polyposis. Current concepts in radiologic diagnosis and surgical therapy.", "content": "We believe that hypocycloidal tomography is the method of choice in the pre and postoperative evaluation of chronic nasal and paranasal sinus polyposis, based on the radiographic examinations of 80 patients who have undergone intranasal ethmoidectomy. Although our overall study is incomplete at this time due the extended period necessary for follow-up, we hope that the basic information which is now available will be beneficial to others.", "contents": "Nasal and paranasal sinus polyposis. Current concepts in radiologic diagnosis and surgical therapy. We believe that hypocycloidal tomography is the method of choice in the pre and postoperative evaluation of chronic nasal and paranasal sinus polyposis, based on the radiographic examinations of 80 patients who have undergone intranasal ethmoidectomy. Although our overall study is incomplete at this time due the extended period necessary for follow-up, we hope that the basic information which is now available will be beneficial to others.", "PMID": 629160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7749", "title": "Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses.", "content": "The diagnostic value of computer tomography in lesions of the paranasal sinuses has been investigated in three cases with maxillary carcinoma and in five cases with fractures of the facial bones. In most of the cases, particularly in carcinoma, computer tomography was found to provide additional information to that obtained with conventional X-ray techniques. In fractures, however, a supplementary plain film examination was found to be indispensable.", "contents": "Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses. The diagnostic value of computer tomography in lesions of the paranasal sinuses has been investigated in three cases with maxillary carcinoma and in five cases with fractures of the facial bones. In most of the cases, particularly in carcinoma, computer tomography was found to provide additional information to that obtained with conventional X-ray techniques. In fractures, however, a supplementary plain film examination was found to be indispensable.", "PMID": 629169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7750", "title": "Congenital deformity of the internal auditory meatus and labyrinth associated with cerebrospinal fluid fistula.", "content": "A type of inner ear deformity characterised by a tapering internal auditory meatus and dilated, dysplastic labyrinth was demonstrated by tomography in seven patients. Two of these developed cerebrospinal fluid fistulae through the oval window. The path of the fistula in this and other congenital deformities of the inner ear is discussed.", "contents": "Congenital deformity of the internal auditory meatus and labyrinth associated with cerebrospinal fluid fistula. A type of inner ear deformity characterised by a tapering internal auditory meatus and dilated, dysplastic labyrinth was demonstrated by tomography in seven patients. Two of these developed cerebrospinal fluid fistulae through the oval window. The path of the fistula in this and other congenital deformities of the inner ear is discussed.", "PMID": 629170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7751", "title": "Value and limits of computerized axial tomography in ORL.", "content": "The CT findings in some selected cases presenting lesions of the paranasal sinuses and the orbits are compared with the conventional tomograms. Referring to these examples, our experience of value and limits of CT in ORL is reported. Furthermore, a few remarks to CT in cerebellopontine angle tumors are given. Finally, there are pointed out some general considerations concerning radiodiagnostic questions in tumors of the ORL region.", "contents": "Value and limits of computerized axial tomography in ORL. The CT findings in some selected cases presenting lesions of the paranasal sinuses and the orbits are compared with the conventional tomograms. Referring to these examples, our experience of value and limits of CT in ORL is reported. Furthermore, a few remarks to CT in cerebellopontine angle tumors are given. Finally, there are pointed out some general considerations concerning radiodiagnostic questions in tumors of the ORL region.", "PMID": 629173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7752", "title": "Acoustic neuromas presenting with symptoms of morbus Meni\u00e8re.", "content": "If a patient with Meni\u00e8re's disease or a sudden deafness does not respond to adequate therapy, an acoustic neuroma should be excluded. This is achieved by a positive contrast cisternography using multidirectional tomography. The examples might have shown that sometimes acoustic neuromas present with atypical symptoms, with sudden deafness or even with the typical symptoms of morbus meni\u00e8re.", "contents": "Acoustic neuromas presenting with symptoms of morbus Meni\u00e8re. If a patient with Meni\u00e8re's disease or a sudden deafness does not respond to adequate therapy, an acoustic neuroma should be excluded. This is achieved by a positive contrast cisternography using multidirectional tomography. The examples might have shown that sometimes acoustic neuromas present with atypical symptoms, with sudden deafness or even with the typical symptoms of morbus meni\u00e8re.", "PMID": 629174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7753", "title": "Effects of a low-stimulus environment on behavior.", "content": "Psychological studies related to sensory and perceptual deprivation, immobilization, and isolation provide a body of literature that describes behavioral deficits occurring in experimental low-stimulus and meaningless environments. Specific hospital environments analogous to those used in the sensory deprivation experiments can also be used to identify patients who may be at high risk for maladaptive behavioral change. The studies offer extensive experimental evidence to support occupational therapy theory that a variety of meaningful tasks and stimuli are necessary to support the hospitalized person's adaptive behavior.", "contents": "Effects of a low-stimulus environment on behavior. Psychological studies related to sensory and perceptual deprivation, immobilization, and isolation provide a body of literature that describes behavioral deficits occurring in experimental low-stimulus and meaningless environments. Specific hospital environments analogous to those used in the sensory deprivation experiments can also be used to identify patients who may be at high risk for maladaptive behavioral change. The studies offer extensive experimental evidence to support occupational therapy theory that a variety of meaningful tasks and stimuli are necessary to support the hospitalized person's adaptive behavior.", "PMID": 629175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7754", "title": "The effectiveness of laboratory vs written examinations in an anatomy course.", "content": "This paper reports a two-year study on the methods used to evaluate 63 junior occupational therapy students in a musculo-skeletal anatomy course offered at the University of Florida. Laboratory learning processes were not significantly different compared to class learning processes as shown by test results. There was also no significant difference between laboratory and written examination scores in anatomy when compared with final grades in subsequent courses with both laboratory and lecture components. This study was undertaken because of the varying attitudes of students and faculty and their knowledge about the most efficient and productive manner in which to conduct the course. Very little research on educational methods has been completed in our profession and the validation of current methods is needed.", "contents": "The effectiveness of laboratory vs written examinations in an anatomy course. This paper reports a two-year study on the methods used to evaluate 63 junior occupational therapy students in a musculo-skeletal anatomy course offered at the University of Florida. Laboratory learning processes were not significantly different compared to class learning processes as shown by test results. There was also no significant difference between laboratory and written examination scores in anatomy when compared with final grades in subsequent courses with both laboratory and lecture components. This study was undertaken because of the varying attitudes of students and faculty and their knowledge about the most efficient and productive manner in which to conduct the course. Very little research on educational methods has been completed in our profession and the validation of current methods is needed.", "PMID": 629176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7755", "title": "Claw finger.", "content": "Besides the known intrinsic paralytic claw hand, the claw hand without intrinsic paralysis is also observed. The mechanisms of clawing of the finger in individuals with intrinsic paralysis are reviewed and are explained by the tensing effect of the flexor tendons and the relaxation of the extensor digitorum communis tendon distal to the transverse lamina as the metacarpophalangeal joint is extended. Early recognition, prevention, and treatment are essential. The clawing of the finger in those without intrinsic paralysis is a result of maintaining a position of flexed wrist, extended metacarpophalangeal joint, and flexed interphalangeal joints; thus an extension contracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint may develop. Experiments show that this contracture blocks not only the action of the extensor digitorum communis tendon, but also the interossei in finger extension. Early proper positioning and exercises may prevent the deformity.", "contents": "Claw finger. Besides the known intrinsic paralytic claw hand, the claw hand without intrinsic paralysis is also observed. The mechanisms of clawing of the finger in individuals with intrinsic paralysis are reviewed and are explained by the tensing effect of the flexor tendons and the relaxation of the extensor digitorum communis tendon distal to the transverse lamina as the metacarpophalangeal joint is extended. Early recognition, prevention, and treatment are essential. The clawing of the finger in those without intrinsic paralysis is a result of maintaining a position of flexed wrist, extended metacarpophalangeal joint, and flexed interphalangeal joints; thus an extension contracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint may develop. Experiments show that this contracture blocks not only the action of the extensor digitorum communis tendon, but also the interossei in finger extension. Early proper positioning and exercises may prevent the deformity.", "PMID": 629177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7756", "title": "A variation of a four-post cervical collar.", "content": "The four-post cervical collar constructed from polyform is an effective means of supporting the neck for a patient with complex special requirements negating the use of a commercial cervical collar. This collar can easily be adjusted and put on independently and removed by the patient by leaving one side of the collar attached. The cervical collar can be molded and adjusted to the individual. It is light weight, comfortable, and easily cleaned.", "contents": "A variation of a four-post cervical collar. The four-post cervical collar constructed from polyform is an effective means of supporting the neck for a patient with complex special requirements negating the use of a commercial cervical collar. This collar can easily be adjusted and put on independently and removed by the patient by leaving one side of the collar attached. The cervical collar can be molded and adjusted to the individual. It is light weight, comfortable, and easily cleaned.", "PMID": 629178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7757", "title": "Improving free play skills of severely retarded children.", "content": "Severely and profoundly retarded children are usually deficient in play skills. Since play facilitates socialization, language, and motor development, it is a vitally improtant skill to acquire. This pilot study examined the effects of a behavioral training program on the autistic, independent, and social types of play of four severely and profoundly retarded children. The training program involved the use of instructions, modeling, physical guidance, and verbal reinforcement. Results indicated that a marked increase in independent and social play occurred with the introduction of the training program with all four children. Occupational therapists can play an increasingly important role in helping educators formulate relevant educational programs for severely retarded children, particularly in the areas of play and motor skill development.", "contents": "Improving free play skills of severely retarded children. Severely and profoundly retarded children are usually deficient in play skills. Since play facilitates socialization, language, and motor development, it is a vitally improtant skill to acquire. This pilot study examined the effects of a behavioral training program on the autistic, independent, and social types of play of four severely and profoundly retarded children. The training program involved the use of instructions, modeling, physical guidance, and verbal reinforcement. Results indicated that a marked increase in independent and social play occurred with the introduction of the training program with all four children. Occupational therapists can play an increasingly important role in helping educators formulate relevant educational programs for severely retarded children, particularly in the areas of play and motor skill development.", "PMID": 629181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7758", "title": "Automated upper extremity progressive resistive exercise system.", "content": "This paper describes a semiautomated, motorized skateboard and skate system for use in progressive resistive arm exercises. This experimental system has been evaluated in an occupational therapy clinic for the past two years and found to be valuable in the treatment of impaired upper extremity function. It is superior in function and design to the previously used apparatus and provides the following features: adjustable load (force), adjustable range of motion limits, an automatic method of counting the correct repetitions of the prescribed exercise, the visual feedback to patients regarding their performance. Based on therapists' evaluations, the system's three main advantages are: a decrease in the amount of therapist/attendant time needed for the exercise program, improved performances by the patients, and a better, quantitative measure of the patients' progress.", "contents": "Automated upper extremity progressive resistive exercise system. This paper describes a semiautomated, motorized skateboard and skate system for use in progressive resistive arm exercises. This experimental system has been evaluated in an occupational therapy clinic for the past two years and found to be valuable in the treatment of impaired upper extremity function. It is superior in function and design to the previously used apparatus and provides the following features: adjustable load (force), adjustable range of motion limits, an automatic method of counting the correct repetitions of the prescribed exercise, the visual feedback to patients regarding their performance. Based on therapists' evaluations, the system's three main advantages are: a decrease in the amount of therapist/attendant time needed for the exercise program, improved performances by the patients, and a better, quantitative measure of the patients' progress.", "PMID": 629182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7759", "title": "Experience and Youth Group: for elderly and adolescent psychiatric patients.", "content": "Patients in a state psychiatric hospital often have little exposure to groups of various ages. This paper describes an occupational therapy group that brought together geriatric and adolescent mentally disabled patients to provide them with an opportunity to increase socialization skills, to practice role playing, and to explore authority relationships while working together on planned activities. In addition, the group leaders could stimulate expression of feeling and increased self-esteem.", "contents": "Experience and Youth Group: for elderly and adolescent psychiatric patients. Patients in a state psychiatric hospital often have little exposure to groups of various ages. This paper describes an occupational therapy group that brought together geriatric and adolescent mentally disabled patients to provide them with an opportunity to increase socialization skills, to practice role playing, and to explore authority relationships while working together on planned activities. In addition, the group leaders could stimulate expression of feeling and increased self-esteem.", "PMID": 629186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7760", "title": "Parent education in well-baby care: a new role for the occupational therapist.", "content": "Children who grow up without adequate stimulation often develop learning problems that require intensive treatment to permit them to perform at their optimum level. Many times they do not have the opportunity to make up for the experiences missed and become school drop-outs. Remedial services are time-consuming for children and wasteful of public funds, whereas preventive services enable children to achieve their intellectual potential. Occupational therapists can make an important contribution to ambulatory pediatrics because of their background in physical and mental development, as well as their expertise in planning and carrying out treatment programs. They could put these skills to good use in the pediatric clinic playroom by screening children who presentdevelopmental lags and who could then be referred for additional testing and evaluation. The playroom could extend its role to provide needed services: a base for a cognitively oriented educational program for parents of infants and toddlers; recreation activities for waiting children and their siblings; and early detection of developmental and/or emotional problems.", "contents": "Parent education in well-baby care: a new role for the occupational therapist. Children who grow up without adequate stimulation often develop learning problems that require intensive treatment to permit them to perform at their optimum level. Many times they do not have the opportunity to make up for the experiences missed and become school drop-outs. Remedial services are time-consuming for children and wasteful of public funds, whereas preventive services enable children to achieve their intellectual potential. Occupational therapists can make an important contribution to ambulatory pediatrics because of their background in physical and mental development, as well as their expertise in planning and carrying out treatment programs. They could put these skills to good use in the pediatric clinic playroom by screening children who presentdevelopmental lags and who could then be referred for additional testing and evaluation. The playroom could extend its role to provide needed services: a base for a cognitively oriented educational program for parents of infants and toddlers; recreation activities for waiting children and their siblings; and early detection of developmental and/or emotional problems.", "PMID": 629188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7761", "title": "Drool control and tongue thrust therapy for the mentally retarded.", "content": "The evaluation and neurophysiologically based treatment for drooling and infantile tongue thrust found in adolescent, mentally retarded persons living in an institution is reported. Eleven residents were treated over a two-year-period. Evaluation was made of the specific oral dysfunctions thought to contribute to drooling, rather than the composite dysfunction of drooling, so that treatment could be definitive. Tongue immobility, including infantile tongue thrust, is the dysfunction most often seen. There has been some success in inhibiting infantile tongue thrust, resulting in improved ability to eat, as well as in decreased drooling.", "contents": "Drool control and tongue thrust therapy for the mentally retarded. The evaluation and neurophysiologically based treatment for drooling and infantile tongue thrust found in adolescent, mentally retarded persons living in an institution is reported. Eleven residents were treated over a two-year-period. Evaluation was made of the specific oral dysfunctions thought to contribute to drooling, rather than the composite dysfunction of drooling, so that treatment could be definitive. Tongue immobility, including infantile tongue thrust, is the dysfunction most often seen. There has been some success in inhibiting infantile tongue thrust, resulting in improved ability to eat, as well as in decreased drooling.", "PMID": 629189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7762", "title": "A comparison of operant and sensory integrative methods on developmental parameters in profoundly retarded adults.", "content": "The expertise of speech pathologists and occupational therapists was combined to compare the relative effectiveness of an operant approach, a modified sensory integrative approach, and a combination of both methods in eliciting vocalization on other developmental skills on a sample of 27 profoundly retarded, minimally vocal, institutionalized adults. The combined results indicated that the therapy programs promoted significant gains in frequency of eye contact, frequency of vocalization, and quality of postural adaptation. There were no differences in the effects of the respective therapies. The fact that the more controversial sensory integrative procedures elicited comparable gains when compared with the more widely recognized operant method lends credence to the viability of sensory integrative methods.", "contents": "A comparison of operant and sensory integrative methods on developmental parameters in profoundly retarded adults. The expertise of speech pathologists and occupational therapists was combined to compare the relative effectiveness of an operant approach, a modified sensory integrative approach, and a combination of both methods in eliciting vocalization on other developmental skills on a sample of 27 profoundly retarded, minimally vocal, institutionalized adults. The combined results indicated that the therapy programs promoted significant gains in frequency of eye contact, frequency of vocalization, and quality of postural adaptation. There were no differences in the effects of the respective therapies. The fact that the more controversial sensory integrative procedures elicited comparable gains when compared with the more widely recognized operant method lends credence to the viability of sensory integrative methods.", "PMID": 629190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7763", "title": "Arthroscopy of the knee.", "content": "Fiberoptics permit a minimally invasive direct inspection of the knee joint. Arthroscopy is indicated when no definitive clinical diagnosis can be made. An organized approach includes inspection of the suprapatellar pouch, the articular surfaces of the patella, the medial and lateral compartments of the knee and the intercondylar area. Common afflictions diagnosed by arthroscopy include chondromalacia, meniscal lesions, osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament injuries, chronic synovitis and loose bodies. Complications and morbidity are minimal.", "contents": "Arthroscopy of the knee. Fiberoptics permit a minimally invasive direct inspection of the knee joint. Arthroscopy is indicated when no definitive clinical diagnosis can be made. An organized approach includes inspection of the suprapatellar pouch, the articular surfaces of the patella, the medial and lateral compartments of the knee and the intercondylar area. Common afflictions diagnosed by arthroscopy include chondromalacia, meniscal lesions, osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament injuries, chronic synovitis and loose bodies. Complications and morbidity are minimal.", "PMID": 629191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7764", "title": "Skin signs of internal malignancy.", "content": "Nonspecific dermatologic problems occasionally associated with malignant disease include pruritus, reactive erythemas and skin infections. Frequently associated with internal neoplasms are acanthosis nigricans, dermatomyositis, rapid development of multiple seborrheic keratoses, hypertrichosis lanuginosa and other syndromes. Skin metastases may be the first signs of internal cancer. The most common visceral primaries are the lung and colon in men and the breast, colon and ovary in women. Recognizing these lesions can lead to early diagnosis and improved prognosis.", "contents": "Skin signs of internal malignancy. Nonspecific dermatologic problems occasionally associated with malignant disease include pruritus, reactive erythemas and skin infections. Frequently associated with internal neoplasms are acanthosis nigricans, dermatomyositis, rapid development of multiple seborrheic keratoses, hypertrichosis lanuginosa and other syndromes. Skin metastases may be the first signs of internal cancer. The most common visceral primaries are the lung and colon in men and the breast, colon and ovary in women. Recognizing these lesions can lead to early diagnosis and improved prognosis.", "PMID": 629192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7765", "title": "Behavioral pediatrics.", "content": "The family physician can, through instruction in standard caregiving skills and discussion of parental expectations, prevent or minimize behavioral problems in infants and toddlers. Behavioral problems can be detected early by having parents describe a typical day. When detected early enough, many problems which occur at bedtime, mealtime and when dressing can be managed by the interested physician.", "contents": "Behavioral pediatrics. The family physician can, through instruction in standard caregiving skills and discussion of parental expectations, prevent or minimize behavioral problems in infants and toddlers. Behavioral problems can be detected early by having parents describe a typical day. When detected early enough, many problems which occur at bedtime, mealtime and when dressing can be managed by the interested physician.", "PMID": 629193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7766", "title": "Pleural effusion.", "content": "Pleural effusion unassociated with other radiologic evidence of disease is a challenging diagnostic problem. With small effusion, only silhouetting of the diaphragm may be noted. A lateral decubitus view will often be helpful. After a careful history, physical examination and selected hematologic studies, diagnostic thoracentesis is indicated. The following determinations on the fluid may be useful: color, character, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, amylase and cytology. Pleural biopsy may be helpful with tuberculosis and malignancy.", "contents": "Pleural effusion. Pleural effusion unassociated with other radiologic evidence of disease is a challenging diagnostic problem. With small effusion, only silhouetting of the diaphragm may be noted. A lateral decubitus view will often be helpful. After a careful history, physical examination and selected hematologic studies, diagnostic thoracentesis is indicated. The following determinations on the fluid may be useful: color, character, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, amylase and cytology. Pleural biopsy may be helpful with tuberculosis and malignancy.", "PMID": 629194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7767", "title": "Psychologic stress in myocardial infarction.", "content": "During the acute phase of myocardial infarction, patients may experience anxiety, depression, denial and decompensation. Their ability to master the painful aspects associated with the stress of this severe illness and to convert defenses to beneficial coping directions depends on their character traits and effective psychiatric intervention. Sequelae to myocardial infarction include invalidism and prolonged disruption of the patient's family life and development.", "contents": "Psychologic stress in myocardial infarction. During the acute phase of myocardial infarction, patients may experience anxiety, depression, denial and decompensation. Their ability to master the painful aspects associated with the stress of this severe illness and to convert defenses to beneficial coping directions depends on their character traits and effective psychiatric intervention. Sequelae to myocardial infarction include invalidism and prolonged disruption of the patient's family life and development.", "PMID": 629195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7768", "title": "Consequences of childhood irradiation.", "content": "Many patients as children or adolescents received treatment for nonmalignant conditions with therapeutic-range doses of ionizing radiation. Great interest exists in this group of patients because of the possible long-term adverse effects of such irradiation. A thorough physical examination should be performed, and a careful history, listing any instances of radiation exposure, should be taken. Photographic documentation of skin and/or mucosal changes is beneficial.", "contents": "Consequences of childhood irradiation. Many patients as children or adolescents received treatment for nonmalignant conditions with therapeutic-range doses of ionizing radiation. Great interest exists in this group of patients because of the possible long-term adverse effects of such irradiation. A thorough physical examination should be performed, and a careful history, listing any instances of radiation exposure, should be taken. Photographic documentation of skin and/or mucosal changes is beneficial.", "PMID": 629196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7769", "title": "Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma.", "content": "Physical examination and selected x-rays are helpful in diagnosing blunt abdominal trauma. Peritoneal lavage may assist in diagnosis of free abdominal blood. Stab wounds may be trivial injuries to the abdominal wall or penetrations of the peritoneum and underlying viscera. The \"stabogram\" offers some diagnostic help in selecting patients for operation. Gunshot wounds require laparotomy. The spleen is the solid organ most often injured in blunt trauma. Splenectomy is the only satisfactory treatment for this injury.", "contents": "Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Physical examination and selected x-rays are helpful in diagnosing blunt abdominal trauma. Peritoneal lavage may assist in diagnosis of free abdominal blood. Stab wounds may be trivial injuries to the abdominal wall or penetrations of the peritoneum and underlying viscera. The \"stabogram\" offers some diagnostic help in selecting patients for operation. Gunshot wounds require laparotomy. The spleen is the solid organ most often injured in blunt trauma. Splenectomy is the only satisfactory treatment for this injury.", "PMID": 629199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7770", "title": "The effect of probe bluntness on sampling particulates from calm air.", "content": "The size-selective characteristics of circular inlets as a function of bluntness was examined using polydisperse spherical glass beads. Four levels of bluntness (0.5, 1, 5, and 50) and three sampling velocities (4, 20, and 40 cm/sec) were studied. Particle count and weight percent distributions were determined using a 15-channel electronic counter. At a sampling velocity of 40 cm/sec the weight percent distributions shifted toward particles of larger diameters with increasing bluntness. Little or no effect was discerned at sampling velocities of 20 and 4 cm/sec. As the velocity increased from 4 to 40 cm/sec at constant bluntness, the weight percent distributions shifted away from larger diameter particles. The results suggest that at some sampling conditions probe bluntness may be a variable which deserves consideration in particulate sampling.", "contents": "The effect of probe bluntness on sampling particulates from calm air. The size-selective characteristics of circular inlets as a function of bluntness was examined using polydisperse spherical glass beads. Four levels of bluntness (0.5, 1, 5, and 50) and three sampling velocities (4, 20, and 40 cm/sec) were studied. Particle count and weight percent distributions were determined using a 15-channel electronic counter. At a sampling velocity of 40 cm/sec the weight percent distributions shifted toward particles of larger diameters with increasing bluntness. Little or no effect was discerned at sampling velocities of 20 and 4 cm/sec. As the velocity increased from 4 to 40 cm/sec at constant bluntness, the weight percent distributions shifted away from larger diameter particles. The results suggest that at some sampling conditions probe bluntness may be a variable which deserves consideration in particulate sampling.", "PMID": 629206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7771", "title": "Modeling the uptake, metabolism and excretion of dichloromethane by man.", "content": "Data were obtained from the exposure of eleven men to dichloromethane concentrations of 50, 100, 250, and 500 ppm, 1,3 or 7.5 hours per day, for up to five successive days and from the exposure of nine women to 250 ppm on a similar schedule. Breath concentrations of the solvent following exposure were related mathematically to exposure parameters as were blood concentrations of the metabolite, carbon monoxide (as carboxyhemoglobin percentage saturation elevations). The resulting emprical equations can be used to predict the consequences of many industrial and non-industrial exposure situations.", "contents": "Modeling the uptake, metabolism and excretion of dichloromethane by man. Data were obtained from the exposure of eleven men to dichloromethane concentrations of 50, 100, 250, and 500 ppm, 1,3 or 7.5 hours per day, for up to five successive days and from the exposure of nine women to 250 ppm on a similar schedule. Breath concentrations of the solvent following exposure were related mathematically to exposure parameters as were blood concentrations of the metabolite, carbon monoxide (as carboxyhemoglobin percentage saturation elevations). The resulting emprical equations can be used to predict the consequences of many industrial and non-industrial exposure situations.", "PMID": 629207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7772", "title": "Size characteristics of cigarette smoke.", "content": "The aerodynamic size distribution of cigarette smoke was measured using an aerosol centrifuge and a cascade impactor. The observed size distribution was log normal with an initial mass median aerodynamic diameter which decreased from 0.52 to 0.38 mu m as the dilution was increased from 10:1 to 700:1. The average geometric standard deviation was 1.38. The differences between these results and those reported by other investigators are attributed to differences in measurement methods.", "contents": "Size characteristics of cigarette smoke. The aerodynamic size distribution of cigarette smoke was measured using an aerosol centrifuge and a cascade impactor. The observed size distribution was log normal with an initial mass median aerodynamic diameter which decreased from 0.52 to 0.38 mu m as the dilution was increased from 10:1 to 700:1. The average geometric standard deviation was 1.38. The differences between these results and those reported by other investigators are attributed to differences in measurement methods.", "PMID": 629208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7773", "title": "Evaluation of glass sampling tubes for industrial breath analysis.", "content": "The storage of halogenated hydrocarbons in breath and air samples in glass cylindrical tubes was investigated to determine procedures to achieve a representative breath sampling technique. The loss of solvent vapor concentration over a fixed time period was observed and postulated to result from non-reactive absorption. If considerations are made for adverse sampling conditions of moisture, temperature, and tube surface condition, glass tubes prove to be an acceptable container for breath samples.", "contents": "Evaluation of glass sampling tubes for industrial breath analysis. The storage of halogenated hydrocarbons in breath and air samples in glass cylindrical tubes was investigated to determine procedures to achieve a representative breath sampling technique. The loss of solvent vapor concentration over a fixed time period was observed and postulated to result from non-reactive absorption. If considerations are made for adverse sampling conditions of moisture, temperature, and tube surface condition, glass tubes prove to be an acceptable container for breath samples.", "PMID": 629209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7774", "title": "Hemoglobin concentration in white, black, and Oriental children: is there a need for separate criteria in screening for anemia?", "content": "The concentration of hemoglobin in blacks was found to be 0.5 to 1.0 g/dl lower than that of income-matched whites in several large surveys. This difference could be a racial characteristic of blacks, or it might be due to a higher frequency of genetic traits such as thalassemia minor and hemoglobinopathies, or to environmental factors such as iron deficiency. To help in making this distinction, we analyzed the data from multiphasic examinations (1973 to 1975) on 1718 white, 741 black, and 315 Oriental healthy, nonindigent children between 5 and 14 years of age. In the entire population, the median hemoglobin concentration averaged 0.5 g/dl lower in blacks than in whites of both sexes (t test, P less than 0.001). The differences still averaged 0.5 g/dl (P less than 0.001) after exclusion of all those with abnormal hemoglobin by electrophoresis (Hgb S and C) and those whose mean corpuscular volume was more than 5% below the normal mean for age (to exclude iron deficiency or thalassemia minor). The data strengthen the impression that blacks normally have a concentration of hemoglobin averaging about 0.5 g/dl less than in whites. If this is the case, about 10% of normal blacks will be mistakenly designated anemic, if the same norms are applied.", "contents": "Hemoglobin concentration in white, black, and Oriental children: is there a need for separate criteria in screening for anemia? The concentration of hemoglobin in blacks was found to be 0.5 to 1.0 g/dl lower than that of income-matched whites in several large surveys. This difference could be a racial characteristic of blacks, or it might be due to a higher frequency of genetic traits such as thalassemia minor and hemoglobinopathies, or to environmental factors such as iron deficiency. To help in making this distinction, we analyzed the data from multiphasic examinations (1973 to 1975) on 1718 white, 741 black, and 315 Oriental healthy, nonindigent children between 5 and 14 years of age. In the entire population, the median hemoglobin concentration averaged 0.5 g/dl lower in blacks than in whites of both sexes (t test, P less than 0.001). The differences still averaged 0.5 g/dl (P less than 0.001) after exclusion of all those with abnormal hemoglobin by electrophoresis (Hgb S and C) and those whose mean corpuscular volume was more than 5% below the normal mean for age (to exclude iron deficiency or thalassemia minor). The data strengthen the impression that blacks normally have a concentration of hemoglobin averaging about 0.5 g/dl less than in whites. If this is the case, about 10% of normal blacks will be mistakenly designated anemic, if the same norms are applied.", "PMID": 629213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7775", "title": "Relationship of maternal amino acid profiles at 25 weeks of gestation to fetal growth.", "content": "In a study of the relationship of maternal nutrition to fetal development, the free amino acid concentration was determined in the plasma of 43 subjects sampled between the 20th to 30th (25 +/- 3.7) week of pregnancy. Significant positive correlations were found between mothers' 25-week plasma levels of aspartic acid, serine, alanine, tyrosine, ornithine, and arginine, and babies' size at birth. The concentration of total free amino acids in plasma from mothers of fetally malnourished infants, was significantly lower than that from mothers having normal babies. The branched chain amino acids isoleucine and valine were at normal levels, suggesting a sparing effect for these amino acids.", "contents": "Relationship of maternal amino acid profiles at 25 weeks of gestation to fetal growth. In a study of the relationship of maternal nutrition to fetal development, the free amino acid concentration was determined in the plasma of 43 subjects sampled between the 20th to 30th (25 +/- 3.7) week of pregnancy. Significant positive correlations were found between mothers' 25-week plasma levels of aspartic acid, serine, alanine, tyrosine, ornithine, and arginine, and babies' size at birth. The concentration of total free amino acids in plasma from mothers of fetally malnourished infants, was significantly lower than that from mothers having normal babies. The branched chain amino acids isoleucine and valine were at normal levels, suggesting a sparing effect for these amino acids.", "PMID": 629214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7776", "title": "Relative zinc availability in human breast milk, infant formulas, and cow's milk.", "content": "The concentration and bioavailability of zinc was analyzed in 10 varieties of milk. The concentration of zinc averaged 4.1 microgram/ml in unprocessed (raw) cow's milk; fortified infant formulas contained about 3 to 5 microgram Zn/ml; human breast milk and processed cow's milk contained approximately 2 microgram Zn/ml; sweetened condensed milk contained 1.3 microgram Zn/ml, and reconstituted nonfat dry milk contained 0.4 microgram Zn/ml. The mean values for zinc bioavailability to rats were as follows: sweetened condensed milk = 66%; human breast milk 59.2%, processed cow's milk = 43.7 to 50.9%; unprocessed (raw) cow's milk = 42%; nonfat dry milk = 41.2%, and infant formulas = 26.8 to 39.5%. Assuming similar absorption of zinc in rats and humans, our experimental results provide some guidelines for estimating the quantity of zinc that would actually be absorbed from various types of milk.", "contents": "Relative zinc availability in human breast milk, infant formulas, and cow's milk. The concentration and bioavailability of zinc was analyzed in 10 varieties of milk. The concentration of zinc averaged 4.1 microgram/ml in unprocessed (raw) cow's milk; fortified infant formulas contained about 3 to 5 microgram Zn/ml; human breast milk and processed cow's milk contained approximately 2 microgram Zn/ml; sweetened condensed milk contained 1.3 microgram Zn/ml, and reconstituted nonfat dry milk contained 0.4 microgram Zn/ml. The mean values for zinc bioavailability to rats were as follows: sweetened condensed milk = 66%; human breast milk 59.2%, processed cow's milk = 43.7 to 50.9%; unprocessed (raw) cow's milk = 42%; nonfat dry milk = 41.2%, and infant formulas = 26.8 to 39.5%. Assuming similar absorption of zinc in rats and humans, our experimental results provide some guidelines for estimating the quantity of zinc that would actually be absorbed from various types of milk.", "PMID": 629215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7777", "title": "Zinc anc copper status of Polynesian residents in the Tokelau Islands.", "content": "Analyses for zinc and copper were performed in samples of serum, hair, toenails, and a 24-hr urine from Polynesian men and women resident in the Tokelau Islands. Selection of subjects was according to rank of systolic blood pressure obtained in a previous survey. The only difference in zinc anc copper values between the men and the women was a higher hair zinc concentration observed for the men. Rank of blood pressure had no influence on the measurements for zinc or copper, although within blood pressure ranks the men again had a higher hair zinc concentration than the women. Analysis of Tokelauan foods showed that most contained very low concentrations of zinc anc also low concentrations of copper. Octopus was one of the few rich sources of zinc and copper. Estimated daily dietary intakes (excluding water) were 4.5 mg Zn and 1.5 mg Cu. The reliability of measurements in serum, urine, hair, and toenails for assessing zinc and copper status is questioned.", "contents": "Zinc anc copper status of Polynesian residents in the Tokelau Islands. Analyses for zinc and copper were performed in samples of serum, hair, toenails, and a 24-hr urine from Polynesian men and women resident in the Tokelau Islands. Selection of subjects was according to rank of systolic blood pressure obtained in a previous survey. The only difference in zinc anc copper values between the men and the women was a higher hair zinc concentration observed for the men. Rank of blood pressure had no influence on the measurements for zinc or copper, although within blood pressure ranks the men again had a higher hair zinc concentration than the women. Analysis of Tokelauan foods showed that most contained very low concentrations of zinc anc also low concentrations of copper. Octopus was one of the few rich sources of zinc and copper. Estimated daily dietary intakes (excluding water) were 4.5 mg Zn and 1.5 mg Cu. The reliability of measurements in serum, urine, hair, and toenails for assessing zinc and copper status is questioned.", "PMID": 629216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7778", "title": "Antioxidant effects in the development of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.", "content": "The effect of Ehrlich ascites tumor growth on selenium-turnover rates and selenium-75 distribution in liver, kidney, and immunological tissues (spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes) was investigated in Swiss Webster mice that had been prelabeled with selenium-75. Ehrlich ascites tumor caused a decrease in the selenium-75 content of liver, kidney, and thymus; it also decreased the rate of the total-body selenium-turnover. In liver, depletion of selenium-75 was almost as great as that produced by a selenium and vitamin E-deficient diet. When mice had been fed an antioxidant-deficient diet, considerable quantities of selenium-75 were accumulated by the tumor; the specific activity of the tumor increased 9-fold over that in antioxidant-supplemented mice. The same diet produced a premature, and in some cases drastic, contraction in tumor volume. The possible significance of tumor-induced antioxidant deficiencies to the etiology of certain paraneoplastic syndromes is discussed.", "contents": "Antioxidant effects in the development of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. The effect of Ehrlich ascites tumor growth on selenium-turnover rates and selenium-75 distribution in liver, kidney, and immunological tissues (spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes) was investigated in Swiss Webster mice that had been prelabeled with selenium-75. Ehrlich ascites tumor caused a decrease in the selenium-75 content of liver, kidney, and thymus; it also decreased the rate of the total-body selenium-turnover. In liver, depletion of selenium-75 was almost as great as that produced by a selenium and vitamin E-deficient diet. When mice had been fed an antioxidant-deficient diet, considerable quantities of selenium-75 were accumulated by the tumor; the specific activity of the tumor increased 9-fold over that in antioxidant-supplemented mice. The same diet produced a premature, and in some cases drastic, contraction in tumor volume. The possible significance of tumor-induced antioxidant deficiencies to the etiology of certain paraneoplastic syndromes is discussed.", "PMID": 629217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7779", "title": "Effect of calcium supplementation to undernourished mothers during pregnancy on the bone density of the bone density of the neonates.", "content": "Eighty seven pregnant women belonging to poor socioeconomic groups of population were investigated to find out the effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on the bone density of the mother as well as of the neonate. Supplements of 300 and 600 mg of elemental calcium administered daily from the 20th week of gestation onward until term, brought about a significant increase in the bone density of the neonates born of such mothers compared to that of the neonates born to unsupplemented mothers. Although no significant difference was observed between the initial and final values for bone densities among the mothers, there was a tendency for an increase in the bone density of the mothers who received 600 mg of calcium supplements. Individual variation of different neonatal bones in their response to maternal calcium supplements was observed. Bone density of the neonate was not related to the birth weight, crown-heel, or crown-rump lengths.", "contents": "Effect of calcium supplementation to undernourished mothers during pregnancy on the bone density of the bone density of the neonates. Eighty seven pregnant women belonging to poor socioeconomic groups of population were investigated to find out the effect of calcium supplementation during pregnancy on the bone density of the mother as well as of the neonate. Supplements of 300 and 600 mg of elemental calcium administered daily from the 20th week of gestation onward until term, brought about a significant increase in the bone density of the neonates born of such mothers compared to that of the neonates born to unsupplemented mothers. Although no significant difference was observed between the initial and final values for bone densities among the mothers, there was a tendency for an increase in the bone density of the mothers who received 600 mg of calcium supplements. Individual variation of different neonatal bones in their response to maternal calcium supplements was observed. Bone density of the neonate was not related to the birth weight, crown-heel, or crown-rump lengths.", "PMID": 629218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7780", "title": "Alteration of the zinc anc copper concentration of hair.", "content": "A washing and analytical procedure for the analysis of the zinc and copper concentrations of hair samples is described. The treatment of samples with nonionic detergent + EDTA wash removed the most adsorbed zinc anc copper from hair and was the washing procedure chosen for routine analyses. Beauty treatments had a variable effect on hair zinc and copper concentrations; the most drastic procedures were cold waving and bleaching; conditioner, hair spray, tint, and a permanent dye had a less drastic or no effect. Increasing distance of the hair from the scalp was associated with a regular increase in copper concentration and also increases in zinc concentration for most subjects.", "contents": "Alteration of the zinc anc copper concentration of hair. A washing and analytical procedure for the analysis of the zinc and copper concentrations of hair samples is described. The treatment of samples with nonionic detergent + EDTA wash removed the most adsorbed zinc anc copper from hair and was the washing procedure chosen for routine analyses. Beauty treatments had a variable effect on hair zinc and copper concentrations; the most drastic procedures were cold waving and bleaching; conditioner, hair spray, tint, and a permanent dye had a less drastic or no effect. Increasing distance of the hair from the scalp was associated with a regular increase in copper concentration and also increases in zinc concentration for most subjects.", "PMID": 629219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7781", "title": "Hair as a biopsy material. V. Hair metal as an index of hepatic metal in rats: copper and zinc.", "content": "Hair copper in 500 day-old adult rats was found to correlate directly with copper in whole liver (P less than 0.001) and the subcellular liver nuclear (P less than 0.022), and cytosol fractions (P less than 0.001). An inverse correlation was found between copper in liver microsomes and plasma cholesterol (P less than 0.044). Similar data analysis for zinc showed no significant correlations (P greater than 0.05). The determination of copper in hair may be useful for assessing total liver copper content in human beings. Copper in liver microsomes may participate in the control of plasma cholesterol.", "contents": "Hair as a biopsy material. V. Hair metal as an index of hepatic metal in rats: copper and zinc. Hair copper in 500 day-old adult rats was found to correlate directly with copper in whole liver (P less than 0.001) and the subcellular liver nuclear (P less than 0.022), and cytosol fractions (P less than 0.001). An inverse correlation was found between copper in liver microsomes and plasma cholesterol (P less than 0.044). Similar data analysis for zinc showed no significant correlations (P greater than 0.05). The determination of copper in hair may be useful for assessing total liver copper content in human beings. Copper in liver microsomes may participate in the control of plasma cholesterol.", "PMID": 629220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7782", "title": "Intake of nickel and vanadium by humans. A survey of selected diets.", "content": "The nickel and vanadium contents of nine institutional diets were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with background correction. The following values were obtained for nickel: mean concentration, 0.27 +/- 0.02 microgram/g (dry weight); range, 0.19 and 0.41 microgram/g; mean intake, 165 +/- 11 microgram/day or 75 +/- 10 microgram/1000 cal. The respective values for vanadium were: 0.032 +/- 0.004 microgram/g (dry weight); 0.019 to 0.050 microgram/g; 20.4 +/- 2.3 microgram/day or 8.9 +/- 1.0 microgram/1000 cal. Thus, vanadium is present at approximately one order of magnitude less than nickel.", "contents": "Intake of nickel and vanadium by humans. A survey of selected diets. The nickel and vanadium contents of nine institutional diets were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with background correction. The following values were obtained for nickel: mean concentration, 0.27 +/- 0.02 microgram/g (dry weight); range, 0.19 and 0.41 microgram/g; mean intake, 165 +/- 11 microgram/day or 75 +/- 10 microgram/1000 cal. The respective values for vanadium were: 0.032 +/- 0.004 microgram/g (dry weight); 0.019 to 0.050 microgram/g; 20.4 +/- 2.3 microgram/day or 8.9 +/- 1.0 microgram/1000 cal. Thus, vanadium is present at approximately one order of magnitude less than nickel.", "PMID": 629221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7783", "title": "Nutrition and infant behavior: a replication study in the Katmandu Valley, Nepal.", "content": "As a cross cultural comparison with an earlier study done in West Bengal, behavioral observations were made in the Katmandu Valley of 36 well-nourished and 38 undernourished children, 7 to 18 months of age, and their mothers. Undernourished children showed lowered levels of exploratory activity and attachment behavior, especially distance interaction, and a heightened need for physical closeness to the mother. Moreover, among the undernourished children the level of intellectual performance and the overall time spent in play were decreased, while time spent sucking at the breast was increased. In contrast to the West Bengali study, maternal behavior showed no differences between the two nutritional groups, and the intercorrelations between maternal and child scores showed similar or parallel patterns of reciprocity for the well-nourished and the undernourished children. No sex or age differences were found. The findings were interpreted to support Levitsky and Barnes' hypothesis of \"functional isolation\" as a mechanism between undernutrition and environmental stimulation to produce long-term behavioral changes. In addition, hunger as a motivational state, expressed as increased sucking, may interfere with other motivational determinants that might lead to exploration and/or increased social contacts.", "contents": "Nutrition and infant behavior: a replication study in the Katmandu Valley, Nepal. As a cross cultural comparison with an earlier study done in West Bengal, behavioral observations were made in the Katmandu Valley of 36 well-nourished and 38 undernourished children, 7 to 18 months of age, and their mothers. Undernourished children showed lowered levels of exploratory activity and attachment behavior, especially distance interaction, and a heightened need for physical closeness to the mother. Moreover, among the undernourished children the level of intellectual performance and the overall time spent in play were decreased, while time spent sucking at the breast was increased. In contrast to the West Bengali study, maternal behavior showed no differences between the two nutritional groups, and the intercorrelations between maternal and child scores showed similar or parallel patterns of reciprocity for the well-nourished and the undernourished children. No sex or age differences were found. The findings were interpreted to support Levitsky and Barnes' hypothesis of \"functional isolation\" as a mechanism between undernutrition and environmental stimulation to produce long-term behavioral changes. In addition, hunger as a motivational state, expressed as increased sucking, may interfere with other motivational determinants that might lead to exploration and/or increased social contacts.", "PMID": 629222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7784", "title": "\"Inflammatory pseudotumor\" of liver with occlusive phlebitis: report of a case in a child and review of the literature.", "content": "An unusual \"tumor\" involving the right lobe of the liver of a young child is reported. Morphologically, the lesion had the features of \"inflammatory pseudotumor.\" We were able to find only one previous report of a similar case in the literature. Unusual changes, which may be designated \"occlusive phlebitis,\" were present in the medium-sized and large veins. Histologically, the lesion, including the vascular changes, had similaritites to the entities included in the group of \"multifocal fibrosclerosis.\" It is believed that these unusual vascular changes, which have also been observed in a case of \"inflammatory pseudotumor\" of the parotid gland, probably contributed to the disease process.", "contents": "\"Inflammatory pseudotumor\" of liver with occlusive phlebitis: report of a case in a child and review of the literature. An unusual \"tumor\" involving the right lobe of the liver of a young child is reported. Morphologically, the lesion had the features of \"inflammatory pseudotumor.\" We were able to find only one previous report of a similar case in the literature. Unusual changes, which may be designated \"occlusive phlebitis,\" were present in the medium-sized and large veins. Histologically, the lesion, including the vascular changes, had similaritites to the entities included in the group of \"multifocal fibrosclerosis.\" It is believed that these unusual vascular changes, which have also been observed in a case of \"inflammatory pseudotumor\" of the parotid gland, probably contributed to the disease process.", "PMID": 629225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7785", "title": "Interstitial pneumonitis associated with azathioprine therapy.", "content": "A 24-year-old female patient with rapidly progressive renal failure secondary to membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis is thought to have subsequently had acute interstitial pneumonitis as a consequence of azathioprine therapy. The occurrence of the pulmonary injury coincided with the rapid onset of severe renal failure and was reversible with cessation of the drug. Accumulation of toxic metabolic products of azathioprine with subsequent injury to the pulmonary interstitium is suggested as the etiology. Azathioprine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis in all patients taking the drug.", "contents": "Interstitial pneumonitis associated with azathioprine therapy. A 24-year-old female patient with rapidly progressive renal failure secondary to membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis is thought to have subsequently had acute interstitial pneumonitis as a consequence of azathioprine therapy. The occurrence of the pulmonary injury coincided with the rapid onset of severe renal failure and was reversible with cessation of the drug. Accumulation of toxic metabolic products of azathioprine with subsequent injury to the pulmonary interstitium is suggested as the etiology. Azathioprine should be considered in the differential diagnosis of interstitial pneumonitis in all patients taking the drug.", "PMID": 629226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7786", "title": "Prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes.", "content": "Clinical and necropsy observations in the case of a patient with prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes are presented. Although rare cases of L. monocytogenes infection of natural cardiac valves have been reported, this represents the first known case of infection of a prosthetic cardiac valve by this organism.", "contents": "Prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes. Clinical and necropsy observations in the case of a patient with prosthetic-valve endocarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes are presented. Although rare cases of L. monocytogenes infection of natural cardiac valves have been reported, this represents the first known case of infection of a prosthetic cardiac valve by this organism.", "PMID": 629227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7787", "title": "Social stress and community psychology.", "content": "Two questions that embarrass community psychologists are: \"What do community psychologists do?\" \"What's the difference between community psychology and clinical psychology?\" A conceptual model is proposed to help to find answers to these questions. The model describes a process whereby psychosocial stress leads to psychopathology. The argument is developed that the apparently disparate activities of community psychologists are uniformly directed at undermining the stress process but, given the complexity of this process, vary because they tackle it at different points.", "contents": "Social stress and community psychology. Two questions that embarrass community psychologists are: \"What do community psychologists do?\" \"What's the difference between community psychology and clinical psychology?\" A conceptual model is proposed to help to find answers to these questions. The model describes a process whereby psychosocial stress leads to psychopathology. The argument is developed that the apparently disparate activities of community psychologists are uniformly directed at undermining the stress process but, given the complexity of this process, vary because they tackle it at different points.", "PMID": 629232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7788", "title": "The consultation readiness scale: an attempt to improve consultation practice.", "content": "The Consultation Readiness Scale is designed to facilitate mental health and other forms of human services consultation. The scale is based on the assumption that consultee-consultant relationships vary in their \"readiness\" for consultation. A basic task for consultants is to assess the current readiness level and help move the relationship to a higher level. The Consultation Readiness Scale facilitates this process by specifying six levels of readiness and indicating the general intervention strategies appropriate for each. Initial, descriptive data based on five consultants and 366 consulteees are presented. Most consultation relationships were not as high levels of readiness; readiness varied with the amount of time consultants had worked in the consultees' setting and did not vary by more than one level over a 6-month period.", "contents": "The consultation readiness scale: an attempt to improve consultation practice. The Consultation Readiness Scale is designed to facilitate mental health and other forms of human services consultation. The scale is based on the assumption that consultee-consultant relationships vary in their \"readiness\" for consultation. A basic task for consultants is to assess the current readiness level and help move the relationship to a higher level. The Consultation Readiness Scale facilitates this process by specifying six levels of readiness and indicating the general intervention strategies appropriate for each. Initial, descriptive data based on five consultants and 366 consulteees are presented. Most consultation relationships were not as high levels of readiness; readiness varied with the amount of time consultants had worked in the consultees' setting and did not vary by more than one level over a 6-month period.", "PMID": 629233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7789", "title": "The verbal helping skills of trained and untrained human service paraprofessionals.", "content": "The verbal helping skills of human service paraprofessionals in a youth service agency were studied. Workers who had previously completed a 10-week systematic training program in basic helping skills were compared to untrained volunteer staff. Using simulated helping interviews, it was found that training made a significant impact on trainees' verbal helping responses. Skill level was maintained at a 2-month follow-up for certain responses whereas others returned to pretraining levels. Trainees were found to use significantly more \"helpful\" responses than volunteers. The need for training even carefully selected paraprofessionals is discussed.", "contents": "The verbal helping skills of trained and untrained human service paraprofessionals. The verbal helping skills of human service paraprofessionals in a youth service agency were studied. Workers who had previously completed a 10-week systematic training program in basic helping skills were compared to untrained volunteer staff. Using simulated helping interviews, it was found that training made a significant impact on trainees' verbal helping responses. Skill level was maintained at a 2-month follow-up for certain responses whereas others returned to pretraining levels. Trainees were found to use significantly more \"helpful\" responses than volunteers. The need for training even carefully selected paraprofessionals is discussed.", "PMID": 629234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7790", "title": "The group assessment of interpersonal traits (GAIT): differentiation of measures and their relationship to behavioral response modes.", "content": "GAIT performances of undergraduates were rated by peers and professsional clinical psychologists from video tape. Two additional measures; Potential for Clinical Effectiveness, and Insight into the Client's Problem, were included with GAIT measures of Openness, Empathy, Acceptance, and Outgoing and were also rated. GAIT ratings of Empathy, Acceptance, Potential for Clinical Effectiveness were not well differentiated. The behavioral response modes of each participant in the Understander's role were analyzed and correlated with GAIT measures, Potential and Insight. Empathy was correlated with reflecting feelings and advice-giving questions and negatively correlated with dysfunctional questions and silence. Acceptance was correlated with nonverbal attending behavior and negatively correlated with dysfunctional questions. Outgoing was positively correlated with information-gathering questions and total questions. Insight was correlated with reflecting feelings and negatively correlated with silence. An Understander who was rated high on Potential for Clinical Effectiveness was active, made statements about or asked questions pertaining to the Discloser's feelings, asked advice giving questions, tended to have infrequent silences during the interaction, and did not ask digressive or dysfunctional questions. Finally, the importance of Outgoing suggests the salience of an activity dimension in judged Clinical Potential.", "contents": "The group assessment of interpersonal traits (GAIT): differentiation of measures and their relationship to behavioral response modes. GAIT performances of undergraduates were rated by peers and professsional clinical psychologists from video tape. Two additional measures; Potential for Clinical Effectiveness, and Insight into the Client's Problem, were included with GAIT measures of Openness, Empathy, Acceptance, and Outgoing and were also rated. GAIT ratings of Empathy, Acceptance, Potential for Clinical Effectiveness were not well differentiated. The behavioral response modes of each participant in the Understander's role were analyzed and correlated with GAIT measures, Potential and Insight. Empathy was correlated with reflecting feelings and advice-giving questions and negatively correlated with dysfunctional questions and silence. Acceptance was correlated with nonverbal attending behavior and negatively correlated with dysfunctional questions. Outgoing was positively correlated with information-gathering questions and total questions. Insight was correlated with reflecting feelings and negatively correlated with silence. An Understander who was rated high on Potential for Clinical Effectiveness was active, made statements about or asked questions pertaining to the Discloser's feelings, asked advice giving questions, tended to have infrequent silences during the interaction, and did not ask digressive or dysfunctional questions. Finally, the importance of Outgoing suggests the salience of an activity dimension in judged Clinical Potential.", "PMID": 629235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7791", "title": "Theoretical and applied inputs in mental health center research.", "content": "Successful implementation of projects in mental health centers aimed at meeting programmatic needs and exploring theoretical issues encounter a number of difficulties. These include time, staffing and funding. While researchers may be interested in complex theoretical questions, agencies require data collected quickly, at minimum cost, and utilizing limited personnel. This paper discusses a model for conducting significant theoretical and applied research in mental health centers. A project undertaken in a mental health center is described to illustrate the model.", "contents": "Theoretical and applied inputs in mental health center research. Successful implementation of projects in mental health centers aimed at meeting programmatic needs and exploring theoretical issues encounter a number of difficulties. These include time, staffing and funding. While researchers may be interested in complex theoretical questions, agencies require data collected quickly, at minimum cost, and utilizing limited personnel. This paper discusses a model for conducting significant theoretical and applied research in mental health centers. A project undertaken in a mental health center is described to illustrate the model.", "PMID": 629236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7792", "title": "Knowledge assessment of mental health advisory boards.", "content": "Informed citizen advisory boards are vital to the operation of community mental health programs. In order to provide relevant educational experiences, a continuing education program conducted a survey of the self-judged level of knowledge of a sample of board members in a large city. The sample consisted of 57 respondents representing 16 of 19 city mental health centers and the three federally funded community health centers located in the city. The results indicated areas of strength and weakness. Also, knowledge assessments differeed in relation to years of experience on advisory boards. Several suggestions are made about designing curricula for mental advisory boards.", "contents": "Knowledge assessment of mental health advisory boards. Informed citizen advisory boards are vital to the operation of community mental health programs. In order to provide relevant educational experiences, a continuing education program conducted a survey of the self-judged level of knowledge of a sample of board members in a large city. The sample consisted of 57 respondents representing 16 of 19 city mental health centers and the three federally funded community health centers located in the city. The results indicated areas of strength and weakness. Also, knowledge assessments differeed in relation to years of experience on advisory boards. Several suggestions are made about designing curricula for mental advisory boards.", "PMID": 629237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7793", "title": "Intake dispersal patterns: a community mental health study.", "content": "This paper is a descriptive research effort aimed at identifying a profile of the client who is not accepted for community mental health services. A review of 100 closed intakes revealed significant correlations by chi-square analysis between the following items: referral source and units of service; referral source and disposition, referall source and presenting problem, referral source and age; and age and units of service. Some ideas on the different services available through a multidisciplined agency as compared to a single-disciplined agency are discussed. Conformation of the intuitive impression that clients who call in for services themselves are more likely therapy candidates is statistically affirmed. Discussion includes ideas on the value and effect of community outreach to clarify referral procedures. Implications for practice are also presented.", "contents": "Intake dispersal patterns: a community mental health study. This paper is a descriptive research effort aimed at identifying a profile of the client who is not accepted for community mental health services. A review of 100 closed intakes revealed significant correlations by chi-square analysis between the following items: referral source and units of service; referral source and disposition, referall source and presenting problem, referral source and age; and age and units of service. Some ideas on the different services available through a multidisciplined agency as compared to a single-disciplined agency are discussed. Conformation of the intuitive impression that clients who call in for services themselves are more likely therapy candidates is statistically affirmed. Discussion includes ideas on the value and effect of community outreach to clarify referral procedures. Implications for practice are also presented.", "PMID": 629238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7794", "title": "Adrenocortical carcinoma in two children with subsequent primary tumors.", "content": "Two 13-month-old children with adrenocortical carcinoma were treated surgically; each developed a second primary tumor, four and seven years later, and died shortly thereafter. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare childhood tumor. Second primary tumors in children are also uncommon. The coupling of two unusual events in each child is thought to represent genetic predisposition since potentially carcinogenic therapeutic modalities were not employed in treating their original tumors and neither patient exhibited an immune defense deficit.", "contents": "Adrenocortical carcinoma in two children with subsequent primary tumors. Two 13-month-old children with adrenocortical carcinoma were treated surgically; each developed a second primary tumor, four and seven years later, and died shortly thereafter. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare childhood tumor. Second primary tumors in children are also uncommon. The coupling of two unusual events in each child is thought to represent genetic predisposition since potentially carcinogenic therapeutic modalities were not employed in treating their original tumors and neither patient exhibited an immune defense deficit.", "PMID": 629240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7795", "title": "The physical working capacity of healthy black children.", "content": "The exercise performance of 170 black boys and girls, 7 to 14 years of age, was evaluated on a mechanically braked bicycle ergometer. The protocol is simple to perform in the hospital or in the field with normal children or children with heart or pulmonary disease. The results of the physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC170), a submaximal workload, are comparable to values previously recorded in California children. For a given body surface area, boys and girls younger than 10 years of age had similar PWC170 but boys 11 years and older had a greater capacity than girls of similar age or body surface area. There was a significant correlation between PWC170 and total work performed for boys (r = .81) and girls (r = .69).", "contents": "The physical working capacity of healthy black children. The exercise performance of 170 black boys and girls, 7 to 14 years of age, was evaluated on a mechanically braked bicycle ergometer. The protocol is simple to perform in the hospital or in the field with normal children or children with heart or pulmonary disease. The results of the physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC170), a submaximal workload, are comparable to values previously recorded in California children. For a given body surface area, boys and girls younger than 10 years of age had similar PWC170 but boys 11 years and older had a greater capacity than girls of similar age or body surface area. There was a significant correlation between PWC170 and total work performed for boys (r = .81) and girls (r = .69).", "PMID": 629241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7796", "title": "Mixed connective tissue disease in childhood. Relationship Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome.", "content": "Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) seems to be a distinct entity that has some manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and is serologically characterized by the presence of an antibody to ribonucleoprotein. We report the cases of three children with MCTD with high titers of antibody to ribonucleoprotein. Two fulfilled criteria of lupus erythematosus, two had polymyosis; all three had suggestive features of scleroderma, fulfilled criteria for the diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and had Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome. Additional superimposed features of another connective tissue disease should arouse suspicion of MCTD. All three of our patients responded adequately to corticosteroid treatment that makes recognition of this entity by the pediatrician all the more important.", "contents": "Mixed connective tissue disease in childhood. Relationship Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome. Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) seems to be a distinct entity that has some manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis, and Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and is serologically characterized by the presence of an antibody to ribonucleoprotein. We report the cases of three children with MCTD with high titers of antibody to ribonucleoprotein. Two fulfilled criteria of lupus erythematosus, two had polymyosis; all three had suggestive features of scleroderma, fulfilled criteria for the diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and had Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome. Additional superimposed features of another connective tissue disease should arouse suspicion of MCTD. All three of our patients responded adequately to corticosteroid treatment that makes recognition of this entity by the pediatrician all the more important.", "PMID": 629242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7797", "title": "Tracheostomy decannulation.", "content": "Tracheostomy in pediatric patients involves major morbidity that is often reflected in prolonged decannulation difficulty. A review of 123 consecutive pediatric tracheostomies shows that 44 patients experienced such difficulties. Among those patients suffering decannulation delay, subglottic stenosis had developed in 39%, tracheal granuloma in 25%, fused cords in 11%, and temporary laryngeal abductor failure in 25%. Although the overall incidence of decannulation failure is high, more than 60% of those patients affected respond to treatment when diagnosis is prompt and accurate. In this regard, the laryngologist may play a central role in the management of the pediatric decannulation process.", "contents": "Tracheostomy decannulation. Tracheostomy in pediatric patients involves major morbidity that is often reflected in prolonged decannulation difficulty. A review of 123 consecutive pediatric tracheostomies shows that 44 patients experienced such difficulties. Among those patients suffering decannulation delay, subglottic stenosis had developed in 39%, tracheal granuloma in 25%, fused cords in 11%, and temporary laryngeal abductor failure in 25%. Although the overall incidence of decannulation failure is high, more than 60% of those patients affected respond to treatment when diagnosis is prompt and accurate. In this regard, the laryngologist may play a central role in the management of the pediatric decannulation process.", "PMID": 629243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7798", "title": "Basilar artery migraine. A review of 30 cases.", "content": "Thirty patients with basilar artery migraine were followed up for a period of six months to three years. The mean age of onset was 7 years. The patients were seen with recurrent transient attacks of neurological disturbances localized to the vertebrobasilar arterial tree. Attacks often included pulsatile cephalagia. A history of migraine was present in 86% of the families studied. The majority of family members with migraine were female and on the maternal side. Permanent neurological residua developed in only one patient. There was a tendency for attacks to be more severe with an older age of onset. Basilar artery migraine is a migraine variant that may affect children from late infancy through adolescence.", "contents": "Basilar artery migraine. A review of 30 cases. Thirty patients with basilar artery migraine were followed up for a period of six months to three years. The mean age of onset was 7 years. The patients were seen with recurrent transient attacks of neurological disturbances localized to the vertebrobasilar arterial tree. Attacks often included pulsatile cephalagia. A history of migraine was present in 86% of the families studied. The majority of family members with migraine were female and on the maternal side. Permanent neurological residua developed in only one patient. There was a tendency for attacks to be more severe with an older age of onset. Basilar artery migraine is a migraine variant that may affect children from late infancy through adolescence.", "PMID": 629244} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7799", "title": "Recurrent pseudocyst from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. An unusual abdominal mass.", "content": "A 4-year-old girl developed a recurrent abdominal pseudocyst from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There was no infection of the peritoneum or CSF. Diagnosis of this unusual abdominal mass was made roentgenographically by direct injection of soluble contrast material under antiseptic conditions into the shunt tubing. Ultrasonography was confirmatory. Management included excision of the cyst and removal of the shunt catheter from the peritoneal cavity.", "contents": "Recurrent pseudocyst from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. An unusual abdominal mass. A 4-year-old girl developed a recurrent abdominal pseudocyst from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There was no infection of the peritoneum or CSF. Diagnosis of this unusual abdominal mass was made roentgenographically by direct injection of soluble contrast material under antiseptic conditions into the shunt tubing. Ultrasonography was confirmatory. Management included excision of the cyst and removal of the shunt catheter from the peritoneal cavity.", "PMID": 629245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7800", "title": "Measles revaccination. Persistence and degree of antibody titer by type of immune response.", "content": "During a measles immunization campaign 203 children were enrolled in an antibody response study. Of this group, follow-up clinical data and sera samples were available from 125 children three weeks after immunization and from 90 children ten months later. Seventy-six of the children had been previously vaccinated, ten had a history of measles and 39 denied vaccination or illness. Twenty-six of the children had prevaccination hemagglutination inhibiting antibody titers of less than 5. Of this group 12 had a primary immune response (IgM measles antibody) with geometric mean titers (GMT) of 90 and 40 three weeks and ten months respectively after vaccination. In contrast, the other 14 children with initial titers of less than 5 had secondary immune responses (only IgG measles antibody) with GMTs of 28 and 9 three weeks and ten months after vaccination. Since the antibody responses in these children who had previously been stimulated by measles antigen were modest and transient, it is suggested that booster immunization may not be effective in preventing future secondary vaccine failures. Also noted in this study was a poor correlation between historical data and actual measles antibody.", "contents": "Measles revaccination. Persistence and degree of antibody titer by type of immune response. During a measles immunization campaign 203 children were enrolled in an antibody response study. Of this group, follow-up clinical data and sera samples were available from 125 children three weeks after immunization and from 90 children ten months later. Seventy-six of the children had been previously vaccinated, ten had a history of measles and 39 denied vaccination or illness. Twenty-six of the children had prevaccination hemagglutination inhibiting antibody titers of less than 5. Of this group 12 had a primary immune response (IgM measles antibody) with geometric mean titers (GMT) of 90 and 40 three weeks and ten months respectively after vaccination. In contrast, the other 14 children with initial titers of less than 5 had secondary immune responses (only IgG measles antibody) with GMTs of 28 and 9 three weeks and ten months after vaccination. Since the antibody responses in these children who had previously been stimulated by measles antigen were modest and transient, it is suggested that booster immunization may not be effective in preventing future secondary vaccine failures. Also noted in this study was a poor correlation between historical data and actual measles antibody.", "PMID": 629246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7801", "title": "Prothrombin complex concentrates. Use in treatment of hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors.", "content": "The development of factor VIII inhibitors has been a major problem in the management of hemophiliacs. The use of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) has been advocated as a method of overcoming this problem. We utilized PCC in the treatment of nine hemophiliac patients who had significant levels of inhibitor. Acute bleeding episodes were successfully treated in all nine patients. Single infusions of PCC were usually adequate for control of joint and soft tissue bleeding episodes, while multiple infusions were usually required for more serious hemorrhages. In addition, programs of repeated infusions were used to heal chronically inflamed joints in three patients. The only side effect of treatment was one episode of asymptomatic elevation of liver function values that resolved spontaneously. There were no thrombotic events associated with the PCC infusions. Therapy with PCC is recommended for the management of hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors.", "contents": "Prothrombin complex concentrates. Use in treatment of hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors. The development of factor VIII inhibitors has been a major problem in the management of hemophiliacs. The use of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) has been advocated as a method of overcoming this problem. We utilized PCC in the treatment of nine hemophiliac patients who had significant levels of inhibitor. Acute bleeding episodes were successfully treated in all nine patients. Single infusions of PCC were usually adequate for control of joint and soft tissue bleeding episodes, while multiple infusions were usually required for more serious hemorrhages. In addition, programs of repeated infusions were used to heal chronically inflamed joints in three patients. The only side effect of treatment was one episode of asymptomatic elevation of liver function values that resolved spontaneously. There were no thrombotic events associated with the PCC infusions. Therapy with PCC is recommended for the management of hemophiliacs with factor VIII inhibitors.", "PMID": 629247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7802", "title": "Disproportionate growth of the lower extremities. A major determinant of short stature in Turner's syndrome.", "content": "The relationships between the height (H), sitting height (SH), and the lower segment (H-SH) were studied in a group of 21 patients with Turner's syndrome. The SH/H ratio was markedly abnormal (0.55), equivalent to that of 6-year-old normal girls. The abnormality in ratio was a result of markedly shortened lower extremities. Further, there was a significant inverse correlation between SH/H-SH ratio and height such that patients with the most shortening of their legs were the shortest. The degree of abnormality in lower segment, therefore, is a major determinant of stature in Turner's syndrome.", "contents": "Disproportionate growth of the lower extremities. A major determinant of short stature in Turner's syndrome. The relationships between the height (H), sitting height (SH), and the lower segment (H-SH) were studied in a group of 21 patients with Turner's syndrome. The SH/H ratio was markedly abnormal (0.55), equivalent to that of 6-year-old normal girls. The abnormality in ratio was a result of markedly shortened lower extremities. Further, there was a significant inverse correlation between SH/H-SH ratio and height such that patients with the most shortening of their legs were the shortest. The degree of abnormality in lower segment, therefore, is a major determinant of stature in Turner's syndrome.", "PMID": 629248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7803", "title": "Daily alcohol consumption and fatal coronary heart disease.", "content": "For a series of 568 married white men who died from coronary heart disease (CHD) and an equal number of matched controls, information was collected on a large number of variables, including daily alcohol consumption. The crude matched pair ratio estimate for any versus no daily drinking was 0.6 (95% confidence limits 0.4 to 0.7). After controlling for additional confounding variables the risk ratio for any versus no daily alcohol consumption was 0.6 (0.5--0.8). This preventive effect was restricted to light drinkers, defined as those who drank less than or equal to 59.2 ml (2 oz) of alcohol daily. These data provide strong evidence against a causal role of daily alcohol consumption in fatal CHD and are consistent with a small preventive effect of any versus no daily drinking which is attributable only to light but not heavy drinkers.", "contents": "Daily alcohol consumption and fatal coronary heart disease. For a series of 568 married white men who died from coronary heart disease (CHD) and an equal number of matched controls, information was collected on a large number of variables, including daily alcohol consumption. The crude matched pair ratio estimate for any versus no daily drinking was 0.6 (95% confidence limits 0.4 to 0.7). After controlling for additional confounding variables the risk ratio for any versus no daily alcohol consumption was 0.6 (0.5--0.8). This preventive effect was restricted to light drinkers, defined as those who drank less than or equal to 59.2 ml (2 oz) of alcohol daily. These data provide strong evidence against a causal role of daily alcohol consumption in fatal CHD and are consistent with a small preventive effect of any versus no daily drinking which is attributable only to light but not heavy drinkers.", "PMID": 629256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7804", "title": "Cost considerations and sample size requirements in cohort and case-control studies.", "content": "Three methods for incorporating cost considerations into sample size determination for cohort and case-control studies are considered. It is found that when the costs of obtaining exposed and nonexposed subjects or of obtaining case and control subjects differ, an improvement in design can be achieved.", "contents": "Cost considerations and sample size requirements in cohort and case-control studies. Three methods for incorporating cost considerations into sample size determination for cohort and case-control studies are considered. It is found that when the costs of obtaining exposed and nonexposed subjects or of obtaining case and control subjects differ, an improvement in design can be achieved.", "PMID": 629257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7805", "title": "Urban-rural differences in coronary heart disease in a low incidence area. The Puerto Rico heart study.", "content": "This report explores coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and the incidence of new CHD events developing over a two and one-half year period in 8793 urban and rural Puerto Rican men aged 45--64 years. Rural men had a lower average blood pressure, serum cholesterol, blood sugar, heart rate and relative weight than urban men. They were more active physically and although more of them smoked, they smoked fewer cigarettes than urban dwellers. The age-adjusted CHD incidence rate for urban men was 1.5 times that of rural men. Among rural areas the most rural had the lowest incidence. Among urban areas there was a suggestive trend of increasing incidence with degree of urbanization. Differences in conventional risk factors, while substantial, do not entirely explain the modest differences in incidence. There also appeared to be a relation with geographic mobility. Urban men who had always lived in the same area had an incidence rate as low as that for rural men whereas recent rural migrants to urban areas had the highest rates of all.", "contents": "Urban-rural differences in coronary heart disease in a low incidence area. The Puerto Rico heart study. This report explores coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and the incidence of new CHD events developing over a two and one-half year period in 8793 urban and rural Puerto Rican men aged 45--64 years. Rural men had a lower average blood pressure, serum cholesterol, blood sugar, heart rate and relative weight than urban men. They were more active physically and although more of them smoked, they smoked fewer cigarettes than urban dwellers. The age-adjusted CHD incidence rate for urban men was 1.5 times that of rural men. Among rural areas the most rural had the lowest incidence. Among urban areas there was a suggestive trend of increasing incidence with degree of urbanization. Differences in conventional risk factors, while substantial, do not entirely explain the modest differences in incidence. There also appeared to be a relation with geographic mobility. Urban men who had always lived in the same area had an incidence rate as low as that for rural men whereas recent rural migrants to urban areas had the highest rates of all.", "PMID": 629258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7806", "title": "A fetal-infant life table based on single births in Norway, 1967--1973.", "content": "The study is based on 440,452 single births occurring in Norway, 1967--1973, with known gestational age. The information was collected through a notification system known as \"Medical Registration of Births,\" covering all births occurring in Norway, and the data are made available through the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which allows for linkage between births and infant deaths. The life table describes the experience of women still pregnant at a gestational age of 16 completed weeks, and states for each subsequent week the number of pregnancy terminations, the outcome, and the number of women still pregnant. Seven outcomes of pregnancy are considered: fetal death prior to labor, fetal death during labor, death within 24 hours, death 1--6 days, death 7--27 days, death 28 days--1 year, and survival of one year or more. The data in the life table provide information on the probability of pregnancy termination in each week of gestation (after 16 completed weeks), and the probabilities of the various outcomes. The fetal-infant life table is considered as an extension of descriptive perinatal statistics and is of value in monitoring health changes and in comparing perinatal mortality between populations. It also provides information on time of pregnancy termination and outcome, which has some clinical applications.", "contents": "A fetal-infant life table based on single births in Norway, 1967--1973. The study is based on 440,452 single births occurring in Norway, 1967--1973, with known gestational age. The information was collected through a notification system known as \"Medical Registration of Births,\" covering all births occurring in Norway, and the data are made available through the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which allows for linkage between births and infant deaths. The life table describes the experience of women still pregnant at a gestational age of 16 completed weeks, and states for each subsequent week the number of pregnancy terminations, the outcome, and the number of women still pregnant. Seven outcomes of pregnancy are considered: fetal death prior to labor, fetal death during labor, death within 24 hours, death 1--6 days, death 7--27 days, death 28 days--1 year, and survival of one year or more. The data in the life table provide information on the probability of pregnancy termination in each week of gestation (after 16 completed weeks), and the probabilities of the various outcomes. The fetal-infant life table is considered as an extension of descriptive perinatal statistics and is of value in monitoring health changes and in comparing perinatal mortality between populations. It also provides information on time of pregnancy termination and outcome, which has some clinical applications.", "PMID": 629259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7807", "title": "Agreement rates between oral contraceptive users and prescribers in relation to drug use histories.", "content": "A comparison between prescriber records and patient-reported oral contraceptive histories obtained during a case-control study of thromboembolism and oral contraceptive use served as the basis for evaluating the extent of agreement between these two sources of information. Agreement between oral contraceptive user and prescriber was highest on the name of the most recently-used product (89% agreement), and dropped to 62.5% on the name of the product taken before the more recent one. For total duration of oral contraceptive use (to within one month of hospital admission), agreement (defined as differences not exceeding one month) was 36%, while 39% showed the users reporting longer duration of use, and 25% showed users reporting shorter duration. Cases showed a higher rate of agreement with prescriber records than the controls on both the name of the product and the total duration of use. Disagreement from prescriber records in the direction of reporting longer duration of use was 45% for the controls compared to 27% for the cases. These results indicate that while user information in connection with the most recently used oral contraceptive can be acceptable in studies employing the case-control research strategy, user reports about previous oral contraceptive use may be less useful.", "contents": "Agreement rates between oral contraceptive users and prescribers in relation to drug use histories. A comparison between prescriber records and patient-reported oral contraceptive histories obtained during a case-control study of thromboembolism and oral contraceptive use served as the basis for evaluating the extent of agreement between these two sources of information. Agreement between oral contraceptive user and prescriber was highest on the name of the most recently-used product (89% agreement), and dropped to 62.5% on the name of the product taken before the more recent one. For total duration of oral contraceptive use (to within one month of hospital admission), agreement (defined as differences not exceeding one month) was 36%, while 39% showed the users reporting longer duration of use, and 25% showed users reporting shorter duration. Cases showed a higher rate of agreement with prescriber records than the controls on both the name of the product and the total duration of use. Disagreement from prescriber records in the direction of reporting longer duration of use was 45% for the controls compared to 27% for the cases. These results indicate that while user information in connection with the most recently used oral contraceptive can be acceptable in studies employing the case-control research strategy, user reports about previous oral contraceptive use may be less useful.", "PMID": 629260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7808", "title": "Oral contraceptives and breast disease. An epidemiological study.", "content": "A case-control study of the relationship between use of oral contraceptives and cancer of the breast, cancer of the corpus uteri, cancer of the ovary, and benign breast diseases was undertaken among women in the age group 20--44 years who had been admitted to several large hospitals in Connecticut. No significant association was seen between use of oral contraceptives and breast cancer. It was found that the longer a woman had used sequential oral contraceptives, the lower her relative risk of benign breast disease. Use of combination oral contraceptives, however, did not appear to influence the risk of benign breast diseases. The numbers of cases with cancer of the ovary and of the corpus uteri in this age group were too small for any conclusions to be reached.", "contents": "Oral contraceptives and breast disease. An epidemiological study. A case-control study of the relationship between use of oral contraceptives and cancer of the breast, cancer of the corpus uteri, cancer of the ovary, and benign breast diseases was undertaken among women in the age group 20--44 years who had been admitted to several large hospitals in Connecticut. No significant association was seen between use of oral contraceptives and breast cancer. It was found that the longer a woman had used sequential oral contraceptives, the lower her relative risk of benign breast disease. Use of combination oral contraceptives, however, did not appear to influence the risk of benign breast diseases. The numbers of cases with cancer of the ovary and of the corpus uteri in this age group were too small for any conclusions to be reached.", "PMID": 629261} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7809", "title": "Multivariate analysis for matched case-control studies.", "content": "A multivariate method based on the linear logistic model is presented for the analysis of case-control studies with pairwise matching. This technique enables one to investigate the effect of several variables simultaneously in the analysis while allowing for the matched design. The odds ratio is used as the basic measure of risk. One is able to control for variables which are not matching variables while investigating the odds ratio for a particular factor, and to estimate the change in the odds ratio as the level of one or more interval variables changes. The computing methods used for obtaining maximum conditional likelihood estimates of the parameters of interest are modifications of standard programs for logit regression.", "contents": "Multivariate analysis for matched case-control studies. A multivariate method based on the linear logistic model is presented for the analysis of case-control studies with pairwise matching. This technique enables one to investigate the effect of several variables simultaneously in the analysis while allowing for the matched design. The odds ratio is used as the basic measure of risk. One is able to control for variables which are not matching variables while investigating the odds ratio for a particular factor, and to estimate the change in the odds ratio as the level of one or more interval variables changes. The computing methods used for obtaining maximum conditional likelihood estimates of the parameters of interest are modifications of standard programs for logit regression.", "PMID": 629262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7810", "title": "The effect of high-sodium and low-sodium intakes on blood pressure and other related variables in human subjects with idiopathic hypertension.", "content": "Nineteen patients with hypertension in whom all known causes of blood pressure elevation had been ruled out were classified as \"salt-sensitive\" or \"nonsalt-sensitive\" from the changes in blood pressure with changes in sodium intake from 9 meq to 249 meq/day. With the diet containing 249 meq sodium per day, there were no statistically significant differences in plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, aldosterone, cortisol or renin activity, or in urinary potassium, aldosterone or 17-hydroxycorticosteroids between the two groups. The \"salt-sensitive\" patients retained more sodium on the high-sodium diet than did the patients who were not sensitive to salt (\"nonsalt-sensitive\"); accordingly, sodium induced more weight gain in the salt-sensitive patients.", "contents": "The effect of high-sodium and low-sodium intakes on blood pressure and other related variables in human subjects with idiopathic hypertension. Nineteen patients with hypertension in whom all known causes of blood pressure elevation had been ruled out were classified as \"salt-sensitive\" or \"nonsalt-sensitive\" from the changes in blood pressure with changes in sodium intake from 9 meq to 249 meq/day. With the diet containing 249 meq sodium per day, there were no statistically significant differences in plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, aldosterone, cortisol or renin activity, or in urinary potassium, aldosterone or 17-hydroxycorticosteroids between the two groups. The \"salt-sensitive\" patients retained more sodium on the high-sodium diet than did the patients who were not sensitive to salt (\"nonsalt-sensitive\"); accordingly, sodium induced more weight gain in the salt-sensitive patients.", "PMID": 629267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7811", "title": "Late prosthetic valve endocarditis: clinical features influencing therapy.", "content": "To assess the clinical features which might influence therapy, we studied 43 patients with late prosthetic valve endocarditis (LPVE). Twenty patients (47 per cent) survived. Of patients with streptococcal LPVE 61 per cent (11 of 18) survived compared to 36 per cent (nine of 25) of the patients with nonstreptococcal LPVE (p less than 0.10). Among patients with new regurgitant murmurs 33 per cent (nine of 27) survived versus 69 per cent (11 of 16) with such murmurs (p less than 0.03). Of patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) 16 per cent (three of 19) survived compared to 71 per cent (17 of 24) with mild or no CHF (p less than 0.001). The concurrence of two of these three features, i.e., nonstreptococcal etiology, a new regurgitant murmur or moderate to severe CHF, was associated with a mortality rate of 50 to 90 per cent. Persistent fever during therapy, a regurgitant murmur, atrioventricular conduction disturbances and relapse frequently reflected myocardial invasion. In view of the poor outcome with medical therapy and late reoperation, early surgical intervention should be considered when two of the three features noted are present or when myocardial invasion is suspected.", "contents": "Late prosthetic valve endocarditis: clinical features influencing therapy. To assess the clinical features which might influence therapy, we studied 43 patients with late prosthetic valve endocarditis (LPVE). Twenty patients (47 per cent) survived. Of patients with streptococcal LPVE 61 per cent (11 of 18) survived compared to 36 per cent (nine of 25) of the patients with nonstreptococcal LPVE (p less than 0.10). Among patients with new regurgitant murmurs 33 per cent (nine of 27) survived versus 69 per cent (11 of 16) with such murmurs (p less than 0.03). Of patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) 16 per cent (three of 19) survived compared to 71 per cent (17 of 24) with mild or no CHF (p less than 0.001). The concurrence of two of these three features, i.e., nonstreptococcal etiology, a new regurgitant murmur or moderate to severe CHF, was associated with a mortality rate of 50 to 90 per cent. Persistent fever during therapy, a regurgitant murmur, atrioventricular conduction disturbances and relapse frequently reflected myocardial invasion. In view of the poor outcome with medical therapy and late reoperation, early surgical intervention should be considered when two of the three features noted are present or when myocardial invasion is suspected.", "PMID": 629268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7812", "title": "Resistance to endogenous norepinephrine in Bartter's syndrome: reversion during indomethacin administration.", "content": "In five patients with Bartter's syndrome, mean (+/-SE) plasma norepinephrine concentrations increased from 324 +/- 75 pg/ml with the patients in the supine position to 550 +/- 100 pg/ml, 753 +/- 104 pg/ml and 808 +/- 116 pg/ml after 2,5 and 10 minutes, respectively, in the standing position, levels significantly higher than normal. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were indistinguishable from normal. One patient was shown to resistant the pressor (but not the metabolic) effects of intravenously administered norepinephrine prior to treatment with reversion to normal pressor responsiveness during indomethacin administration. Similarly, that patient's exaggerated endogenous norepinephrine response to standing (10 minute plasma value of 1,110 pg/ml) reverted to normal (10 minute value of 462 pg/ml) during indomethacin administration. Thus, patients with Bartter's syndrome exhibit a hyperadrenergic state consisten with resistance to endogenous, as well as exogenous, norepinephrine. Since the metabolic responses to intravenously administered norepinephrine were normal in the patient studied, norepinephrine resistance would appear to be limited to the vasculare system. Reversion of norepinephrine resistance during administration of an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis suggests that this hyperadrenergic state is not a primary pathogenetic abnormality in Bartter's syndrome.", "contents": "Resistance to endogenous norepinephrine in Bartter's syndrome: reversion during indomethacin administration. In five patients with Bartter's syndrome, mean (+/-SE) plasma norepinephrine concentrations increased from 324 +/- 75 pg/ml with the patients in the supine position to 550 +/- 100 pg/ml, 753 +/- 104 pg/ml and 808 +/- 116 pg/ml after 2,5 and 10 minutes, respectively, in the standing position, levels significantly higher than normal. Plasma epinephrine concentrations were indistinguishable from normal. One patient was shown to resistant the pressor (but not the metabolic) effects of intravenously administered norepinephrine prior to treatment with reversion to normal pressor responsiveness during indomethacin administration. Similarly, that patient's exaggerated endogenous norepinephrine response to standing (10 minute plasma value of 1,110 pg/ml) reverted to normal (10 minute value of 462 pg/ml) during indomethacin administration. Thus, patients with Bartter's syndrome exhibit a hyperadrenergic state consisten with resistance to endogenous, as well as exogenous, norepinephrine. Since the metabolic responses to intravenously administered norepinephrine were normal in the patient studied, norepinephrine resistance would appear to be limited to the vasculare system. Reversion of norepinephrine resistance during administration of an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis suggests that this hyperadrenergic state is not a primary pathogenetic abnormality in Bartter's syndrome.", "PMID": 629272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7813", "title": "Early detection of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in office workers.", "content": "Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in three employees in an office building led to an investigation of their work environment. An open spray water air cooling system was implicated when inhalation challenge with the spray water caused acute illness in one of them. A questionnaire survey of the 4,023 co-workers identified 48 other suspect cases, and laboaratory studies confirmed hypersensitivity pneumonitis in three additional workers of this group. A significant change in pulmonary function, occurring only after exposure to the work environment, was the most useful laboratory finding and was found in five workers with no other pulmonary abnormalities, but not is asymptomatic workers or controls, since five of the six patients with hypersensitivy pneumonitis worked in offices cooled by the spray water system and since three had positive responses to inhalation challenge, use of the spray water system was discontinued. The affected workers improved after they were removed from the office complex.", "contents": "Early detection of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in office workers. Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in three employees in an office building led to an investigation of their work environment. An open spray water air cooling system was implicated when inhalation challenge with the spray water caused acute illness in one of them. A questionnaire survey of the 4,023 co-workers identified 48 other suspect cases, and laboaratory studies confirmed hypersensitivity pneumonitis in three additional workers of this group. A significant change in pulmonary function, occurring only after exposure to the work environment, was the most useful laboratory finding and was found in five workers with no other pulmonary abnormalities, but not is asymptomatic workers or controls, since five of the six patients with hypersensitivy pneumonitis worked in offices cooled by the spray water system and since three had positive responses to inhalation challenge, use of the spray water system was discontinued. The affected workers improved after they were removed from the office complex.", "PMID": 629273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7814", "title": "Irreversibly sickled cells and red cell survival in sickle cell anemia: a study with both DF32P and 51CR.", "content": "For 25 subjects with sickle cell anemia the mean red cell life span measured with Di-isopropylfluorophosphite-32P (DF32P) was 17.32 +/- 4.51 days. Performed simultaneously, the half life (T1/2 of radioactively-labelled chromium 51Cr) was 10.11 +/- 2.82 days (14 subjects). Eight additional subjects, or more than 30 per cent of those studied using both red cell tags, had 51Cr red cell survival curves better described by two exponents than by one, apparently due to two different rates of 51Cr elution from the red cells. This finding limits the value of quantitative data obtained by this procedure. A negative correlation was found between the mean red cell life span measured with DF32P-tagged cells and the proportion of irreversibly sickled cells in venous or capillary blood. A similar negative correlation was found between the red cell half survival time measured with 51Cr-tagged cells and the proportion of irreversibly sickled cells. These data are compatible with the view that repeated sickling and, in particular, the formation of irreversibly sickled cells play a distinct role in the pathogenesis of hemolysis in sickle cell anemia.", "contents": "Irreversibly sickled cells and red cell survival in sickle cell anemia: a study with both DF32P and 51CR. For 25 subjects with sickle cell anemia the mean red cell life span measured with Di-isopropylfluorophosphite-32P (DF32P) was 17.32 +/- 4.51 days. Performed simultaneously, the half life (T1/2 of radioactively-labelled chromium 51Cr) was 10.11 +/- 2.82 days (14 subjects). Eight additional subjects, or more than 30 per cent of those studied using both red cell tags, had 51Cr red cell survival curves better described by two exponents than by one, apparently due to two different rates of 51Cr elution from the red cells. This finding limits the value of quantitative data obtained by this procedure. A negative correlation was found between the mean red cell life span measured with DF32P-tagged cells and the proportion of irreversibly sickled cells in venous or capillary blood. A similar negative correlation was found between the red cell half survival time measured with 51Cr-tagged cells and the proportion of irreversibly sickled cells. These data are compatible with the view that repeated sickling and, in particular, the formation of irreversibly sickled cells play a distinct role in the pathogenesis of hemolysis in sickle cell anemia.", "PMID": 629275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7815", "title": "The effect of normalization of serum complement and anti-DNA antibody on the course of lupus nephritis: a two year prospective study.", "content": "A prospective study was carried out in 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) on the effect of normalizing serum complement (CH50) and anti-DNA antibodies on the course of lupus nephritis. In 16 of the 25 patients, CH50 was maintained within the normal range for two years. Urinary protein excretion increased or remained low in all 16. Repeat renal biopsies were performed in 10 of these 16, and disclosed either stabilization of glomerular disease or diminution. In the nine patients in whom CH50 could not be normalized with tolerated doses of drugs, urinary protein excretion increased or remained increased. Repeat renal biopsies in six of these nine patients were carried out and showed worsening of glomerular disease in five. No clear-cut correlation was found between urinary protein excretion or renal disease and the serum levels of anti-DNA antibody. We conclude from these observations that continuous normalization of CH50 by drug therapy in patients with SLE is associated with stabilization or diminution of lupus nephritis.", "contents": "The effect of normalization of serum complement and anti-DNA antibody on the course of lupus nephritis: a two year prospective study. A prospective study was carried out in 25 patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) on the effect of normalizing serum complement (CH50) and anti-DNA antibodies on the course of lupus nephritis. In 16 of the 25 patients, CH50 was maintained within the normal range for two years. Urinary protein excretion increased or remained low in all 16. Repeat renal biopsies were performed in 10 of these 16, and disclosed either stabilization of glomerular disease or diminution. In the nine patients in whom CH50 could not be normalized with tolerated doses of drugs, urinary protein excretion increased or remained increased. Repeat renal biopsies in six of these nine patients were carried out and showed worsening of glomerular disease in five. No clear-cut correlation was found between urinary protein excretion or renal disease and the serum levels of anti-DNA antibody. We conclude from these observations that continuous normalization of CH50 by drug therapy in patients with SLE is associated with stabilization or diminution of lupus nephritis.", "PMID": 629276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7816", "title": "Why does anyone still use desiccated thyroid USP?", "content": "The effect on thyroid status of changing from thyroid USP to sodium L-thyroxine was evaluated in 40 patients. With thyroid, abnormally high triiodothyronine (T3) levels were seen in 36 of 38 patients receiving doses of 90 to 240 mg; compared to sodium L-thyroxine, 0.15 to 0.2 mg, the serum T3 was higher (289 +/- 15 ng/dl versus 176 +/- 9 ng/dl, p less than 0.0005) and the thyroxine (T4) lower (7.4 +/- 0.3 microgram/dl versus 11.6 +/- 0.5 microgram/dl, P less than 0.01). Thyrotoxic symptoms occurred in six patients and diminished or disappeared after the change to sodium L-thyroxine, suggesting that the raised T3 level with thyroid may have undesirable effects in some patients. The T4 level, because it is low whether symptoms are present or not, may inadvertently suggest the need for higher dosage of desiccated thyroid in patients who have already received adequate replacement. The dose of sodium L-thyroxine was adequately assessed by measurement of both T4 and T3 levels. Thyroid USP should be discontinued as thyroid medication since it produces thyroid hormone levels that are misleading estimates of thyroid function and can cause thyrotoxic symptoms.", "contents": "Why does anyone still use desiccated thyroid USP? The effect on thyroid status of changing from thyroid USP to sodium L-thyroxine was evaluated in 40 patients. With thyroid, abnormally high triiodothyronine (T3) levels were seen in 36 of 38 patients receiving doses of 90 to 240 mg; compared to sodium L-thyroxine, 0.15 to 0.2 mg, the serum T3 was higher (289 +/- 15 ng/dl versus 176 +/- 9 ng/dl, p less than 0.0005) and the thyroxine (T4) lower (7.4 +/- 0.3 microgram/dl versus 11.6 +/- 0.5 microgram/dl, P less than 0.01). Thyrotoxic symptoms occurred in six patients and diminished or disappeared after the change to sodium L-thyroxine, suggesting that the raised T3 level with thyroid may have undesirable effects in some patients. The T4 level, because it is low whether symptoms are present or not, may inadvertently suggest the need for higher dosage of desiccated thyroid in patients who have already received adequate replacement. The dose of sodium L-thyroxine was adequately assessed by measurement of both T4 and T3 levels. Thyroid USP should be discontinued as thyroid medication since it produces thyroid hormone levels that are misleading estimates of thyroid function and can cause thyrotoxic symptoms.", "PMID": 629277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7817", "title": "Circulating immune complexes in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the serum of patients with Hodgkin's disease were measured by the Raji cell radioimmunoassay. Elevated levels of immune complexes (mean value of 49 microgram/ml +/- 21 SE) were detected in 20 of 40 (50 per cent) untreated patients. After treatment, the level of CIC was normal (less than 15 microgram/ml) in 39 of 41 patients. Recurrent disease developed in two of the 39 patients with normal post-treatment levels of CIC and in one of the two patients with elevated post-treatment levels during the follow-up period of six months to six years. Elevated levels of CIC were detected in patients with Hodgkin's disease in stages I, II and III but not in stage IV. No significant correlations were found in the frequency of elevated levels of CIC or the values observed, and the presence or absence of symptoms (fever, sweats, weight loss) or the histologic subtype of the tumor. Our data indicate that the measurement of CIC by the sensitive and specific raji cell assay may prove useful in the management of patients with Hodgkin's disease. In particular, serial measurement of the level of CIC could be employed to monitor the response to treatment and to detect recurrent diseases.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes in Hodgkin's disease. Levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the serum of patients with Hodgkin's disease were measured by the Raji cell radioimmunoassay. Elevated levels of immune complexes (mean value of 49 microgram/ml +/- 21 SE) were detected in 20 of 40 (50 per cent) untreated patients. After treatment, the level of CIC was normal (less than 15 microgram/ml) in 39 of 41 patients. Recurrent disease developed in two of the 39 patients with normal post-treatment levels of CIC and in one of the two patients with elevated post-treatment levels during the follow-up period of six months to six years. Elevated levels of CIC were detected in patients with Hodgkin's disease in stages I, II and III but not in stage IV. No significant correlations were found in the frequency of elevated levels of CIC or the values observed, and the presence or absence of symptoms (fever, sweats, weight loss) or the histologic subtype of the tumor. Our data indicate that the measurement of CIC by the sensitive and specific raji cell assay may prove useful in the management of patients with Hodgkin's disease. In particular, serial measurement of the level of CIC could be employed to monitor the response to treatment and to detect recurrent diseases.", "PMID": 629278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7818", "title": "Mid-systolic click and mitral valve prolapse following mitral commissurotomy.", "content": "Five patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were observed to have mid-systolic clicks with murmurs of mitral regurgitation at various intervals after mitral commissurotomy. In two patients echocardiography showed an unusually rapid posterior deflection of the mitral valve coinciding exactly with a systolic nonejection click. It is speculated that the shortened, fused chordae tendineae, compromised by mitral commissurotomy, rigidly hold the valve leaflets fixed at the onset of systole. During systole, ventricular conformational changes, in the face of marginal coaptation of thickened and fibrotic mitral leaflets, allow the mitral valve to be forced abruptly towards the left atrium with great velocity. This is manifested by a loud systolic click and, in some patients, a near vertical posterior systolic deflection of the mitral valve on the echocardiogram. The systolic click may occur without echocardiographic or angiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse. Unusually loud mid-systolic clicks can be heard in patients with rheumatic heart disease after mitral commissurotomy and may be accompanied by a distinctive echocardiographic appearance of the mitral valve.", "contents": "Mid-systolic click and mitral valve prolapse following mitral commissurotomy. Five patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were observed to have mid-systolic clicks with murmurs of mitral regurgitation at various intervals after mitral commissurotomy. In two patients echocardiography showed an unusually rapid posterior deflection of the mitral valve coinciding exactly with a systolic nonejection click. It is speculated that the shortened, fused chordae tendineae, compromised by mitral commissurotomy, rigidly hold the valve leaflets fixed at the onset of systole. During systole, ventricular conformational changes, in the face of marginal coaptation of thickened and fibrotic mitral leaflets, allow the mitral valve to be forced abruptly towards the left atrium with great velocity. This is manifested by a loud systolic click and, in some patients, a near vertical posterior systolic deflection of the mitral valve on the echocardiogram. The systolic click may occur without echocardiographic or angiographic evidence of mitral valve prolapse. Unusually loud mid-systolic clicks can be heard in patients with rheumatic heart disease after mitral commissurotomy and may be accompanied by a distinctive echocardiographic appearance of the mitral valve.", "PMID": 629279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7819", "title": "Plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive agents in antibasement membrane antibody-induced Goodpasture's syndrome.", "content": "Four patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage (Goodpasture's syndrome) induced by circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies were treated with immunosuppressive agents and varying amounts of plasma exchange. All four patients showed progressive decreases in circulating anti-GBM antibody during therapy. Two patients with established renal failure before therapy showed no improvement in renal function but had a remission from pulmonary disease. In two other patients, renal failure developed early in the course of therapy and required maintenance hemodialysis. Later, their renal function improved coincident with a decrease in circulating anti-GBM antibody. Aggressive measures to reduce the levels of circulating anti-GBM antibody may have a salutory effect on the clinical course of the disease, particularly when undertaken early.", "contents": "Plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive agents in antibasement membrane antibody-induced Goodpasture's syndrome. Four patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage (Goodpasture's syndrome) induced by circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies were treated with immunosuppressive agents and varying amounts of plasma exchange. All four patients showed progressive decreases in circulating anti-GBM antibody during therapy. Two patients with established renal failure before therapy showed no improvement in renal function but had a remission from pulmonary disease. In two other patients, renal failure developed early in the course of therapy and required maintenance hemodialysis. Later, their renal function improved coincident with a decrease in circulating anti-GBM antibody. Aggressive measures to reduce the levels of circulating anti-GBM antibody may have a salutory effect on the clinical course of the disease, particularly when undertaken early.", "PMID": 629280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7820", "title": "Vascular reactivity to angiotensin II infusion during gestation.", "content": "We serially tested 26 healthy, young, nulliparous patients, while they were maintained in the left lateral recumbent position, during a four-week interval (29 to 32 weeks), with progressive increments of angiotensin-II (A-II) 2.0 to 15.0 ng. per kilogram per minute). Blood pressure was recorded with an ultrasound device. All patients were followed through delivery. Three patients (12 per cent) developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH); only one of these demonstrated enhanced vasoreactivity prior to PIH. Conversely, 13 patients who did not develop PIH demonstrated enhanced vasoreactivity at least once during the testing interval. Comparison of results obtained from one week to the next was evaluated in 57 test pairs; discordant data, i.e. reaction to less than 8 ng. per kilogram per minute one week and nonreaction the next, was observed in 17 pairs (30 per cent). We conclude that assessment of the risk of PIH, with the use of the diastolic pressor response to infused A-II, is unreliable.", "contents": "Vascular reactivity to angiotensin II infusion during gestation. We serially tested 26 healthy, young, nulliparous patients, while they were maintained in the left lateral recumbent position, during a four-week interval (29 to 32 weeks), with progressive increments of angiotensin-II (A-II) 2.0 to 15.0 ng. per kilogram per minute). Blood pressure was recorded with an ultrasound device. All patients were followed through delivery. Three patients (12 per cent) developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH); only one of these demonstrated enhanced vasoreactivity prior to PIH. Conversely, 13 patients who did not develop PIH demonstrated enhanced vasoreactivity at least once during the testing interval. Comparison of results obtained from one week to the next was evaluated in 57 test pairs; discordant data, i.e. reaction to less than 8 ng. per kilogram per minute one week and nonreaction the next, was observed in 17 pairs (30 per cent). We conclude that assessment of the risk of PIH, with the use of the diastolic pressor response to infused A-II, is unreliable.", "PMID": 629282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7821", "title": "Effect of oxytocin and oral prostaglandin E2 on uterine contractility and fetal heart rate patterns.", "content": "The incidnce of uterine contractility and of abnormalities of fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern was determined in a series of 2,834 monitored gravid women with singleton pregnancies producing mature infants in vertex presentation. Those subjected to uterotonic agents for induction or augmentation of lbaor had significantly more tetanic contractions, baseline hypertonus, and coupling of contractions. Similarly, significantly more variable and late FHR decelerations occurred in stimulated labors, and these were concentrated primarily in those receiving oxytocin. The overall incidence of FHR decelerations associated with the use of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was comparable to that encountered in unstimulated labor. The similarity between the contractions of spontaineous labor and those labors produced by PGE2 is noted.", "contents": "Effect of oxytocin and oral prostaglandin E2 on uterine contractility and fetal heart rate patterns. The incidnce of uterine contractility and of abnormalities of fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern was determined in a series of 2,834 monitored gravid women with singleton pregnancies producing mature infants in vertex presentation. Those subjected to uterotonic agents for induction or augmentation of lbaor had significantly more tetanic contractions, baseline hypertonus, and coupling of contractions. Similarly, significantly more variable and late FHR decelerations occurred in stimulated labors, and these were concentrated primarily in those receiving oxytocin. The overall incidence of FHR decelerations associated with the use of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was comparable to that encountered in unstimulated labor. The similarity between the contractions of spontaineous labor and those labors produced by PGE2 is noted.", "PMID": 629283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7822", "title": "Vasoconstrictive effects of prostaglandins in sheep placental circulations.", "content": "Changes in the uterine and umbilical circulations after intra-aortic injection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or protaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) to either the fetus or the mother have been examined in 13 ewes at late gestation. PGF2alpha vien to either the fetus or the mother is vasoconstrictive in both uterine and umbilical circulations. PGE2 given to the fetus results in a dissociated response with vasodilation of the uterine circulation and vasoconstriction of the umbilical circulation. PGE2 given to the mother causes a uterine contraction that precludes specific hemodynamic analysis. Therefore, exposure of either maternal or fetal ovine circulation to exogenous prostaglandins in associated with acute changes in both placental circulations. Similar responses to pertubations in endogenous prostaglandin levels may exist in pregnant sheep.", "contents": "Vasoconstrictive effects of prostaglandins in sheep placental circulations. Changes in the uterine and umbilical circulations after intra-aortic injection of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or protaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) to either the fetus or the mother have been examined in 13 ewes at late gestation. PGF2alpha vien to either the fetus or the mother is vasoconstrictive in both uterine and umbilical circulations. PGE2 given to the fetus results in a dissociated response with vasodilation of the uterine circulation and vasoconstriction of the umbilical circulation. PGE2 given to the mother causes a uterine contraction that precludes specific hemodynamic analysis. Therefore, exposure of either maternal or fetal ovine circulation to exogenous prostaglandins in associated with acute changes in both placental circulations. Similar responses to pertubations in endogenous prostaglandin levels may exist in pregnant sheep.", "PMID": 629284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7823", "title": "Changes in cervical compliance at parturition independent of uterine activity.", "content": "A new animal model has been developed to measure intrinsic changes of cerivcal compliance during spontaneous parturition or exposure to hormonal manipulation. Intermittent measurements of cervical compliance and continous measurements of uterine and cervical pressure were made during the last month of gestation of nine pregnant ewes. Cervical compliance increased abruptly and dramatically during spontanous and dexamethasone-induced parturition. Maternal progesterone supplementation at parturition inhibited uterine contractions but not the increase in cervical compliance, demonstrating the independence of the two events. The cervix was found to contract rhythmically and vigorously with a gradual decrease in activity as parturition approached.", "contents": "Changes in cervical compliance at parturition independent of uterine activity. A new animal model has been developed to measure intrinsic changes of cerivcal compliance during spontaneous parturition or exposure to hormonal manipulation. Intermittent measurements of cervical compliance and continous measurements of uterine and cervical pressure were made during the last month of gestation of nine pregnant ewes. Cervical compliance increased abruptly and dramatically during spontanous and dexamethasone-induced parturition. Maternal progesterone supplementation at parturition inhibited uterine contractions but not the increase in cervical compliance, demonstrating the independence of the two events. The cervix was found to contract rhythmically and vigorously with a gradual decrease in activity as parturition approached.", "PMID": 629285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7824", "title": "Cardiac output and uterine blood flow in the pregnant ewe.", "content": "Fifteen pregnant ewes were studied to determine what fractions of the increases in maternal cardiac output and oxygen consumption found in pregnancy were due to the concomitant increases in blood flow to and oxygen consumption of the uterus and its tissue contents. Maternal cardiac output rose at term to 6.65 +/- 0.47 L. per minute, a value 40 per cent above the postpartum level. Uterine blood flow, which had increased at term to 1.62 +/- 0.15 L. per minute, represented 24 per cent of maternal cardiac output above postpartum levels. Maternal oxygen consumption at term was 259 +/- 11 c.c. per minute, a value 33 per cent above the postpartum level. Uterine oxygen consumption, which had increased at term to 57 +/- 4 c.c. per minute, represented 22 per cent of maternal oxygen consumption and accounted for 87 per cent of the increase in maternal cardiac output above postpartum levels. These data indicate that in the ewe most of the pregnancy-associated increases in maternal cardiac output and oxygen consumption are due to the demands of the uterus and its tissue contents.", "contents": "Cardiac output and uterine blood flow in the pregnant ewe. Fifteen pregnant ewes were studied to determine what fractions of the increases in maternal cardiac output and oxygen consumption found in pregnancy were due to the concomitant increases in blood flow to and oxygen consumption of the uterus and its tissue contents. Maternal cardiac output rose at term to 6.65 +/- 0.47 L. per minute, a value 40 per cent above the postpartum level. Uterine blood flow, which had increased at term to 1.62 +/- 0.15 L. per minute, represented 24 per cent of maternal cardiac output above postpartum levels. Maternal oxygen consumption at term was 259 +/- 11 c.c. per minute, a value 33 per cent above the postpartum level. Uterine oxygen consumption, which had increased at term to 57 +/- 4 c.c. per minute, represented 22 per cent of maternal oxygen consumption and accounted for 87 per cent of the increase in maternal cardiac output above postpartum levels. These data indicate that in the ewe most of the pregnancy-associated increases in maternal cardiac output and oxygen consumption are due to the demands of the uterus and its tissue contents.", "PMID": 629286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7825", "title": "Initiation of human parturition. X. Substrate specificity of phospholipase A2 in human fetal membranes.", "content": "The substrate specificity of phospholipase A acitivty of fetal membranes and uterine decidua was investigated with the use of synthetic substrates, and emphasis was on the specificity of fatty acid esters in the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids. Rat liver mitochondria were also used as an enzyme source for the substrate specificity studies. Phosphatidylethanolamine was found to be hydrolyzed more rapidly than was phosphatidycholine by the phospholipase A activities of human fetal membranes and uterine decidua and of rat liver mitochondria. The phopholipase A2 in fetal membranes preferentially effected the hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamines containing specific fatty acids in the sn-2 position in the following order: arachidonic acid greater than oleic acid less than palmitic acid. No remarkable specificity for arachidonyl esters in the sn-2 position of phosphatidylethanolamines was observed for the phospholipase A activities of human uterine decidua or rat liver mitochondria. The results of this study are consistent with the view that human fetal membrane phospholipase A2 that preferentially hydrolyzes the phosphatidylethanolamines that contain arachidonic acid in the sn-2 position is, in part, responsible for the highly selective accumulation of free arachidonic acid in the amniotic fluid of women in labor.", "contents": "Initiation of human parturition. X. Substrate specificity of phospholipase A2 in human fetal membranes. The substrate specificity of phospholipase A acitivty of fetal membranes and uterine decidua was investigated with the use of synthetic substrates, and emphasis was on the specificity of fatty acid esters in the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids. Rat liver mitochondria were also used as an enzyme source for the substrate specificity studies. Phosphatidylethanolamine was found to be hydrolyzed more rapidly than was phosphatidycholine by the phospholipase A activities of human fetal membranes and uterine decidua and of rat liver mitochondria. The phopholipase A2 in fetal membranes preferentially effected the hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamines containing specific fatty acids in the sn-2 position in the following order: arachidonic acid greater than oleic acid less than palmitic acid. No remarkable specificity for arachidonyl esters in the sn-2 position of phosphatidylethanolamines was observed for the phospholipase A activities of human uterine decidua or rat liver mitochondria. The results of this study are consistent with the view that human fetal membrane phospholipase A2 that preferentially hydrolyzes the phosphatidylethanolamines that contain arachidonic acid in the sn-2 position is, in part, responsible for the highly selective accumulation of free arachidonic acid in the amniotic fluid of women in labor.", "PMID": 629287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7826", "title": "Effect of obesity on conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in postmenopausal women with and without endometrial cancer.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to ascertain if a relationship exists between the transfer constant of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone ([rho]AE1BU) and total body weight or excessive body weight in 50 postmenopausal women, of whom 25 had adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and 25 had no endometrial disease. The [rho]AE1BU ranged from 0.015 to 0.129 in these 50 women. The [rho]AE1BU in the women with endometrial cancer was 0.051 +/- 0.006 (mean +/- S.E.), whereas that in the women with no endometrial disease was 0.039 +/- 0.004. These values are not significantly different (p greater than 0.05). The body weights of these 50 women ranged from 104 to 430 pounds. The weight of the patients with endometrial cancer was 234 +/- 16 pounds (mean +/- S.E.), and that for the women with no endometrial disease was 194 +/- 12 pounds. A statistically significant correlation (p less than 0.001) was found between [rho]AE1BU and body weight and between [rho]AE1BU and excessive body weight in both groups of women. Moreover, obesity and aging appear to act in concert to potentiate the conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in extraglandular sites since the [rho]AE1BU is considerably greater among obese postmenopausal women than among comparably obese premenopausal women.", "contents": "Effect of obesity on conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in postmenopausal women with and without endometrial cancer. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if a relationship exists between the transfer constant of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone ([rho]AE1BU) and total body weight or excessive body weight in 50 postmenopausal women, of whom 25 had adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and 25 had no endometrial disease. The [rho]AE1BU ranged from 0.015 to 0.129 in these 50 women. The [rho]AE1BU in the women with endometrial cancer was 0.051 +/- 0.006 (mean +/- S.E.), whereas that in the women with no endometrial disease was 0.039 +/- 0.004. These values are not significantly different (p greater than 0.05). The body weights of these 50 women ranged from 104 to 430 pounds. The weight of the patients with endometrial cancer was 234 +/- 16 pounds (mean +/- S.E.), and that for the women with no endometrial disease was 194 +/- 12 pounds. A statistically significant correlation (p less than 0.001) was found between [rho]AE1BU and body weight and between [rho]AE1BU and excessive body weight in both groups of women. Moreover, obesity and aging appear to act in concert to potentiate the conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in extraglandular sites since the [rho]AE1BU is considerably greater among obese postmenopausal women than among comparably obese premenopausal women.", "PMID": 629289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7827", "title": "Effect of obesity on conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in ovulatory and anovulator young women.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transfer constant of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone ([p]AE1BU) as a function of total body weight and excess body weight in ovulatory and anovulatory young adult women. Twenty-four ovulatory and 31 anovulatory women were studied; their weights ranged from 90 to 350 pounds. The [p]AE1BU among these women ranged from 0.006 to 0.048. The extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone was significantly correlated with total body weight and with excessive body weight in both ovulatory and anovulatory young women. However, the mean [p]AE1BU for the anovulatory women (0.018) was not significantly different from that of the ovulatory women (0.015). Indeed, when the [p]AE1BU values of ovulatory and anovulatory women of similar total body weight or excessive body weight were compared, no difference was found in the extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone between the two groups.", "contents": "Effect of obesity on conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone in ovulatory and anovulator young women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transfer constant of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone ([p]AE1BU) as a function of total body weight and excess body weight in ovulatory and anovulatory young adult women. Twenty-four ovulatory and 31 anovulatory women were studied; their weights ranged from 90 to 350 pounds. The [p]AE1BU among these women ranged from 0.006 to 0.048. The extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone was significantly correlated with total body weight and with excessive body weight in both ovulatory and anovulatory young women. However, the mean [p]AE1BU for the anovulatory women (0.018) was not significantly different from that of the ovulatory women (0.015). Indeed, when the [p]AE1BU values of ovulatory and anovulatory women of similar total body weight or excessive body weight were compared, no difference was found in the extent of conversion of plasma androstenedione to estrone between the two groups.", "PMID": 629290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7828", "title": "Contribution of maternal circulation to blood-borne progesterone in the fetus. I. Studies on human subjects.", "content": "Tritiated progesterone was infused intravenously at a constant rate into three pregnant volunteers in labor, for at least two hours before delivery. Blood samples from a maternal peripheral vein and from unbilical vessels were taken at birth. Comparison of the specific activities of progesterone in these samples indicated that 10 per cent or less of the hormone in fetal circulation is derived from transfer of maternally circulating progesterone. After consideration of reported values of umbilical vein blood flow at term and measured arteriovenous differences in concentrations of progesterone in umbilical vessels, the secretion rate of the placental hormone toward the fetus was estimated to be about 1/10 of the rate of secretion of progesterone toward the maternal circulation. About 1 per cent of the maternally circulating hormone was found to cross the placenta.", "contents": "Contribution of maternal circulation to blood-borne progesterone in the fetus. I. Studies on human subjects. Tritiated progesterone was infused intravenously at a constant rate into three pregnant volunteers in labor, for at least two hours before delivery. Blood samples from a maternal peripheral vein and from unbilical vessels were taken at birth. Comparison of the specific activities of progesterone in these samples indicated that 10 per cent or less of the hormone in fetal circulation is derived from transfer of maternally circulating progesterone. After consideration of reported values of umbilical vein blood flow at term and measured arteriovenous differences in concentrations of progesterone in umbilical vessels, the secretion rate of the placental hormone toward the fetus was estimated to be about 1/10 of the rate of secretion of progesterone toward the maternal circulation. About 1 per cent of the maternally circulating hormone was found to cross the placenta.", "PMID": 629291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7829", "title": "Contribution of maternal circulation to blood-borne progesterone in the fetus. II. Studies on sheep.", "content": "Catheters were placed in maternal and fetal vessels in four ewes in the last month of gestation. Tritiated progesterone (P) was infused at a constant rate into a maternal peripheral vein. Specific activities and endogenous concentrations of P were measured in blood samples drawn from a maternal artery and either a fetal femoral artery or an umbilical vein. Comparison of the specific activities of P in fetal and maternal samples revealed that direct secretion of the placental hormone into the umbilical vein accounted for 90 to 93 per cent of the hormone in the fetal circulation. Estimates of the rates of production of P in the fetal circulation, obtained by multiplying metabolic clearance rates previously reported and concentrations of P in a fetal femoral artery, indicate that placental P is preferentially secreted toward the maternal circulation.", "contents": "Contribution of maternal circulation to blood-borne progesterone in the fetus. II. Studies on sheep. Catheters were placed in maternal and fetal vessels in four ewes in the last month of gestation. Tritiated progesterone (P) was infused at a constant rate into a maternal peripheral vein. Specific activities and endogenous concentrations of P were measured in blood samples drawn from a maternal artery and either a fetal femoral artery or an umbilical vein. Comparison of the specific activities of P in fetal and maternal samples revealed that direct secretion of the placental hormone into the umbilical vein accounted for 90 to 93 per cent of the hormone in the fetal circulation. Estimates of the rates of production of P in the fetal circulation, obtained by multiplying metabolic clearance rates previously reported and concentrations of P in a fetal femoral artery, indicate that placental P is preferentially secreted toward the maternal circulation.", "PMID": 629292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7830", "title": "Human fetal respiration. IV. Failure of severe distress to stimulate aspiration of amniotic fluid by the immature human fetus.", "content": "Reported herein are studies on fetal breathing, specifically the inhalation of labeled amniotic fluid, by immature human fetuses so severely distressed that they subsequently died in utero. Decreased rather than increased amounts of the amniotic fluid label were found in the lungs of the distressed fetuses compared to the amounts in fetuses of comparable weight that were not distressed. We conclude from this study of the immature human fetus that severe distress depresses rather than stimulates aspiration of amniotic fluid.", "contents": "Human fetal respiration. IV. Failure of severe distress to stimulate aspiration of amniotic fluid by the immature human fetus. Reported herein are studies on fetal breathing, specifically the inhalation of labeled amniotic fluid, by immature human fetuses so severely distressed that they subsequently died in utero. Decreased rather than increased amounts of the amniotic fluid label were found in the lungs of the distressed fetuses compared to the amounts in fetuses of comparable weight that were not distressed. We conclude from this study of the immature human fetus that severe distress depresses rather than stimulates aspiration of amniotic fluid.", "PMID": 629293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7831", "title": "An in vivo system in man for quantitation of estrogenicity. I. Physiologic changes in binding capacity of serum corticosteroid-binding globulin.", "content": "A modified method of measuring the binding capacity of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG-BC) in serum using 3H-cortisol saturation-charcoal adsorption is described. Forty serum samples per day can be assayed in duplicate, each sample with a heated nonspecific binding blank (60 degrees C.). The interassay coefficient of variation is less than 6 per cent. All age groups of men and women had similar levels of CBG-BC, except postmenopausal women, whose levels were higher (15.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 18.7 +/- 0.8 microgram per 100 ml., mean +/- standard error of the mean, respectively; z = -3.51, p less than 0.001). The variance of serum levels of CBG-BC throughout the menstrual cycle in five women was small (coefficient of variation = 13 per cent) and showed no relationship to the marked and cyclic changes in estradiol levels (coefficient of variation = 73 per cent). In pregnancy the levels of CBG-BC increased linearly after estradiol levels exceeded 1,300 pg. per milliliter and after estrone levels exceeded 500 pg. per milliliter (r = 0.88, p less than 0.001; and r = 0.85, p less than 0.001, logarithmic regression analysis). The findings of this study indicate that serum levels of CBG-BC are relatively constant in men and menstruating women. In pregnancy after a high threshold of endogenous estrogen is reached, CBG-BC increases in a direct dose-response manner as levels of estradiol increase further.", "contents": "An in vivo system in man for quantitation of estrogenicity. I. Physiologic changes in binding capacity of serum corticosteroid-binding globulin. A modified method of measuring the binding capacity of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG-BC) in serum using 3H-cortisol saturation-charcoal adsorption is described. Forty serum samples per day can be assayed in duplicate, each sample with a heated nonspecific binding blank (60 degrees C.). The interassay coefficient of variation is less than 6 per cent. All age groups of men and women had similar levels of CBG-BC, except postmenopausal women, whose levels were higher (15.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 18.7 +/- 0.8 microgram per 100 ml., mean +/- standard error of the mean, respectively; z = -3.51, p less than 0.001). The variance of serum levels of CBG-BC throughout the menstrual cycle in five women was small (coefficient of variation = 13 per cent) and showed no relationship to the marked and cyclic changes in estradiol levels (coefficient of variation = 73 per cent). In pregnancy the levels of CBG-BC increased linearly after estradiol levels exceeded 1,300 pg. per milliliter and after estrone levels exceeded 500 pg. per milliliter (r = 0.88, p less than 0.001; and r = 0.85, p less than 0.001, logarithmic regression analysis). The findings of this study indicate that serum levels of CBG-BC are relatively constant in men and menstruating women. In pregnancy after a high threshold of endogenous estrogen is reached, CBG-BC increases in a direct dose-response manner as levels of estradiol increase further.", "PMID": 629295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7832", "title": "Embryonic development in consecutive specimens from recurrent spontaneous abortions.", "content": "Although habitual abortion occurs in a relatively small number of patients, its successful management is often difficult. Etiologic factors may be either maternal or embryonic or both; there is much information available on maternal factors but little is known of factors related to the embryo. Information obtained from examining and karyotyping the aborted embryo or fetus may be of considerable importance in determining the possible cause of the abortion and subsequent investigation and counseling of the patient. At least two specimens from over 50 women who have had two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions have been examined and the results show that: (1) Patients aborted conceptuses of the same developmental stage, i.e., embryo or fetus, in consecutive pregnancies. This suggests that investigation should be directed to factors which may be important in the stage of pregnancy indicated. (2) Late abortions were associated with normal fetal development and factors related to the uterine environment. (3) The conceptus in an early abortion was significantly more likely to have a cytogenetic abnormality, suggesting a problem at, or prior to, conception/fertilization. A case study is also included.", "contents": "Embryonic development in consecutive specimens from recurrent spontaneous abortions. Although habitual abortion occurs in a relatively small number of patients, its successful management is often difficult. Etiologic factors may be either maternal or embryonic or both; there is much information available on maternal factors but little is known of factors related to the embryo. Information obtained from examining and karyotyping the aborted embryo or fetus may be of considerable importance in determining the possible cause of the abortion and subsequent investigation and counseling of the patient. At least two specimens from over 50 women who have had two or more consecutive spontaneous abortions have been examined and the results show that: (1) Patients aborted conceptuses of the same developmental stage, i.e., embryo or fetus, in consecutive pregnancies. This suggests that investigation should be directed to factors which may be important in the stage of pregnancy indicated. (2) Late abortions were associated with normal fetal development and factors related to the uterine environment. (3) The conceptus in an early abortion was significantly more likely to have a cytogenetic abnormality, suggesting a problem at, or prior to, conception/fertilization. A case study is also included.", "PMID": 629306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7833", "title": "Intrapartum fetal asphyxia: a preliminary report in regard to long-term morbidity.", "content": "This is a preliminary report of a prospective follow-up study of 42 infants who had episodes of intrapartum fetal asphyxia at delivery identified by an acid-base assessment and a control group of 69 babies who had no evidence of intrapartum fetal asphyxia. The newborn infants were mature at delivery. There were no major neurologic disabilities in the asphyxia group. The pattern of physical growth and the mental and physical development indices of the babies of the asphyxia group were similar to those of the control group babies at 12 months of age. Results have not as yet indicated that the mature fetus with at least a terminal episode of asphyxia will exhibit evidence of handicap due to central nervous system injury.", "contents": "Intrapartum fetal asphyxia: a preliminary report in regard to long-term morbidity. This is a preliminary report of a prospective follow-up study of 42 infants who had episodes of intrapartum fetal asphyxia at delivery identified by an acid-base assessment and a control group of 69 babies who had no evidence of intrapartum fetal asphyxia. The newborn infants were mature at delivery. There were no major neurologic disabilities in the asphyxia group. The pattern of physical growth and the mental and physical development indices of the babies of the asphyxia group were similar to those of the control group babies at 12 months of age. Results have not as yet indicated that the mature fetus with at least a terminal episode of asphyxia will exhibit evidence of handicap due to central nervous system injury.", "PMID": 629307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7834", "title": "Intrauterine growth retardation: a preliminary report of long-term morbidity.", "content": "This is a preliminary report of a prospective follow-up study of 88 intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) babies and a control group of 97 babies with weights appropriate for gestational age. The characteristic clinical features of IUGR pregnancies were observed in the obstetric patients of the IUGR group. The babies of the IUGR group have a phase of accelerated growth during the 3 months following delivery although they continue to be smaller than the babies of the control group at 12 months of age. No major neurologic abnormalities have been noted in the IUGR babies although behavioral differences were observed during the neonatal period and at 12 months of age. There were lower mental and physical development indices at 12 months of age which were due to the IUGR babies of lowest birth weight and those with a low maternal urinary estrogen index.", "contents": "Intrauterine growth retardation: a preliminary report of long-term morbidity. This is a preliminary report of a prospective follow-up study of 88 intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) babies and a control group of 97 babies with weights appropriate for gestational age. The characteristic clinical features of IUGR pregnancies were observed in the obstetric patients of the IUGR group. The babies of the IUGR group have a phase of accelerated growth during the 3 months following delivery although they continue to be smaller than the babies of the control group at 12 months of age. No major neurologic abnormalities have been noted in the IUGR babies although behavioral differences were observed during the neonatal period and at 12 months of age. There were lower mental and physical development indices at 12 months of age which were due to the IUGR babies of lowest birth weight and those with a low maternal urinary estrogen index.", "PMID": 629308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7835", "title": "Cryosurgery for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.", "content": "Cryosurgery was used to treat 208 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. These patients were referred to our Colposcopy Clinic for investigation of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear. Prior to treatment a colposcopically directed biopsy was taken in all cases. The regrigerant used for cryosurgery was nitrous oxide. Included in the 208 patients were 57 with mild dysplasia, 76 with moderate dysplasia, 44 with severe dysplasia and 31 with carcinoma in situ. The cure rates were 100 per cent for patients with mild dysplasia, 95 per cent for those with moderate dysplasia, 96 per cent for those with severe dysplasia and 91 per cent for those with carcinoma in situ. Cryosurgery is an effective method of treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, with cures obtained in 199 of 208 patients in this study.", "contents": "Cryosurgery for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cryosurgery was used to treat 208 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. These patients were referred to our Colposcopy Clinic for investigation of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear. Prior to treatment a colposcopically directed biopsy was taken in all cases. The regrigerant used for cryosurgery was nitrous oxide. Included in the 208 patients were 57 with mild dysplasia, 76 with moderate dysplasia, 44 with severe dysplasia and 31 with carcinoma in situ. The cure rates were 100 per cent for patients with mild dysplasia, 95 per cent for those with moderate dysplasia, 96 per cent for those with severe dysplasia and 91 per cent for those with carcinoma in situ. Cryosurgery is an effective method of treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, with cures obtained in 199 of 208 patients in this study.", "PMID": 629310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7836", "title": "Breech presentation at term.", "content": "Of 835 cases of breech presentation occurring from 1964 through 1973, 507 which produced mature singleton babies, were studied. This presentation has a high correlation with prematurity. This report indicates that with the term patient, a rational and competent approach results in reduction of the morbidity and mortality rates to equal those for cephalic presentation.", "contents": "Breech presentation at term. Of 835 cases of breech presentation occurring from 1964 through 1973, 507 which produced mature singleton babies, were studied. This presentation has a high correlation with prematurity. This report indicates that with the term patient, a rational and competent approach results in reduction of the morbidity and mortality rates to equal those for cephalic presentation.", "PMID": 629311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7837", "title": "Cesarean section in the management of breech presentation.", "content": "In a retrospective analysis of 275 consecutive deliveries of singleton infants in a breech presentation, the liberal use of cesarean section (58.2 per cent) resulted in a corrected perinatal mortality rate of zero for both vaginal and abdominal deliveries of infants weighing over 2,500 grams although perinatal morbidity was greater for vaginal deliveries (5.6 per cent) compared to cesarean section (0.8 per cent). Comparison of perinatal morbidity for delivery of infants weighing between 1,000 and 2,500 grams in a breech presentation suggests that cesarean section is the method of choice for delivery of infants in this weight range in a breech presentation.", "contents": "Cesarean section in the management of breech presentation. In a retrospective analysis of 275 consecutive deliveries of singleton infants in a breech presentation, the liberal use of cesarean section (58.2 per cent) resulted in a corrected perinatal mortality rate of zero for both vaginal and abdominal deliveries of infants weighing over 2,500 grams although perinatal morbidity was greater for vaginal deliveries (5.6 per cent) compared to cesarean section (0.8 per cent). Comparison of perinatal morbidity for delivery of infants weighing between 1,000 and 2,500 grams in a breech presentation suggests that cesarean section is the method of choice for delivery of infants in this weight range in a breech presentation.", "PMID": 629312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7838", "title": "Surface-active material in human amniotic fluid.", "content": "Surface-active fractions similar to the biochemical constituents of the pulmonary surfactant system can be isolated from human amniotic fluid and lung tissue from week 10 of gestation through term. Amniotic fluid yielded 10 mg. per 100 ml. surface-active material at 10 to 28 weeks' gestation and 330 mg. per 100 ml. at term. Fetal lung at 10 weeks of gestation gave 1,233 mg. per 100 ml. and 1,670 mg. per 100 ml. at 4 days after birth. The constituent PC of these surface-active fractions from amniotic fluid and lung contained in excess of 60 per cent palmitoyl residues. PC associated with the surface-active fraction accounted for no more than 15 per cent of the total amniotic fluid concentration of this compound. Minimum surface tensions obtained with these preparations from amniotic fluid ranged from 2.5 dynes per centimeter at 33 weeks to 8.3 dynes per centimeter at 40 weeks. At 14 to 28 weeks, the surface-active fraction from lung gave a minimum surface tension of 18.1 dynes per centimeter and 7.0 dynes per centimeter by 4 days after birth. These findings are consistent with the observation that an increase in the activity or concentration of the fetal lung surfactant system takes place in the last 4 weeks of gestation. Some constituents of this system, or their derivatives which have possibly been altered as a result of biochemical changes, are found in amniotic fluid. We infer that the majority of PC in amniotic fluid is not directly associated with the biochemical constituents of the fetal lung surfactant system.", "contents": "Surface-active material in human amniotic fluid. Surface-active fractions similar to the biochemical constituents of the pulmonary surfactant system can be isolated from human amniotic fluid and lung tissue from week 10 of gestation through term. Amniotic fluid yielded 10 mg. per 100 ml. surface-active material at 10 to 28 weeks' gestation and 330 mg. per 100 ml. at term. Fetal lung at 10 weeks of gestation gave 1,233 mg. per 100 ml. and 1,670 mg. per 100 ml. at 4 days after birth. The constituent PC of these surface-active fractions from amniotic fluid and lung contained in excess of 60 per cent palmitoyl residues. PC associated with the surface-active fraction accounted for no more than 15 per cent of the total amniotic fluid concentration of this compound. Minimum surface tensions obtained with these preparations from amniotic fluid ranged from 2.5 dynes per centimeter at 33 weeks to 8.3 dynes per centimeter at 40 weeks. At 14 to 28 weeks, the surface-active fraction from lung gave a minimum surface tension of 18.1 dynes per centimeter and 7.0 dynes per centimeter by 4 days after birth. These findings are consistent with the observation that an increase in the activity or concentration of the fetal lung surfactant system takes place in the last 4 weeks of gestation. Some constituents of this system, or their derivatives which have possibly been altered as a result of biochemical changes, are found in amniotic fluid. We infer that the majority of PC in amniotic fluid is not directly associated with the biochemical constituents of the fetal lung surfactant system.", "PMID": 629313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7839", "title": "Falope Ring tubal ligation.", "content": "By minilaparotomy or through the laparpscope, Falope Ring sterilization is accomplished by applying silicone rubber bands to the Fallopian tubes. The applicator and its use are described and 383 cases without any major complication are reported. The major advantage is elimination of thermocoagulation. The occlusion is complete in a short segment and offers theoretical possibilities of tubal reconstruction.", "contents": "Falope Ring tubal ligation. By minilaparotomy or through the laparpscope, Falope Ring sterilization is accomplished by applying silicone rubber bands to the Fallopian tubes. The applicator and its use are described and 383 cases without any major complication are reported. The major advantage is elimination of thermocoagulation. The occlusion is complete in a short segment and offers theoretical possibilities of tubal reconstruction.", "PMID": 629314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7840", "title": "Loss of oncogenicity and concomitant increased immunogenicity of murine plasmacytoma cell lines.", "content": "Murine plasmacytoma cells gradually decrease in oncogenicity with prolonged culture in vitro. Newly established cultures are oncogenic and cause lethal tumors. Subsequently, the cultures are oncogenic but some of the tumors regress. Later in the life of the culture none of the tumors are lethal. The longer the cells are in culture, the less oncogenic they become; eventually the cultures are nononcogenic in normal mice but do cause tumors in irradiated mice. Clones from the cultures vary from being very oncogenic to being nononcogenic. It appears that the nononcogenic cells have a selective growth advantage and become the dominant cell type in the cultures. Nononcogenic cultures are more effective for immunization to subsequent challenge with the original tumor than are the tumor cells or oncogenic cultures and may confer complete protection against lethal tumor challenge in adoptive transfer experiments. Mixtures of nononcogenic and oncogenic cells decrease the tumor-forming ability of the latter when they are injected together in one site or injected separately in two sites.", "contents": "Loss of oncogenicity and concomitant increased immunogenicity of murine plasmacytoma cell lines. Murine plasmacytoma cells gradually decrease in oncogenicity with prolonged culture in vitro. Newly established cultures are oncogenic and cause lethal tumors. Subsequently, the cultures are oncogenic but some of the tumors regress. Later in the life of the culture none of the tumors are lethal. The longer the cells are in culture, the less oncogenic they become; eventually the cultures are nononcogenic in normal mice but do cause tumors in irradiated mice. Clones from the cultures vary from being very oncogenic to being nononcogenic. It appears that the nononcogenic cells have a selective growth advantage and become the dominant cell type in the cultures. Nononcogenic cultures are more effective for immunization to subsequent challenge with the original tumor than are the tumor cells or oncogenic cultures and may confer complete protection against lethal tumor challenge in adoptive transfer experiments. Mixtures of nononcogenic and oncogenic cells decrease the tumor-forming ability of the latter when they are injected together in one site or injected separately in two sites.", "PMID": 629324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7841", "title": "Ultrastructural changes in the liver in heatstroke.", "content": "The ultrastructural changes in the human liver 24 to 96 hours after an attack of heatstroke are described. The alterations are most obvious along the vascular pole of the hepatocytes. These consist of degenerative changes or desquamation of sinusoidal lining cells, ballooning or flattening of microvilli, breaks in hepatocyte outer membranes, and electron-lucent vacuoles along the sinusoidal border. Also noteworthy is the appearance, in a number of cases, of basement membranes or ill-defined electron-dense material which may be of basement membrane character. Sinusoidal elements, such as erythrocytes, are found in hepatocytes, and hepatocellular debris appears in sinusoids. The membranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells thus seem to be the prime targets of the hepatic injury in heatstroke. Other changes in the hepatocytes include vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum, detachment of ribosomes, and alterations of mitochondria. Morphologic evidence of intravascular coagulation of intravascular hemolysis is often encountered. A comparison between the findings described here and those in experimental hyperthermia suggests that many of the hepatic changes seen in heatstroke are due to an excessively high tissue temperature per se but that some of the alterations are probably a consequence of complicating factors such as hypoxia, intravascular hemolysis, or disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "contents": "Ultrastructural changes in the liver in heatstroke. The ultrastructural changes in the human liver 24 to 96 hours after an attack of heatstroke are described. The alterations are most obvious along the vascular pole of the hepatocytes. These consist of degenerative changes or desquamation of sinusoidal lining cells, ballooning or flattening of microvilli, breaks in hepatocyte outer membranes, and electron-lucent vacuoles along the sinusoidal border. Also noteworthy is the appearance, in a number of cases, of basement membranes or ill-defined electron-dense material which may be of basement membrane character. Sinusoidal elements, such as erythrocytes, are found in hepatocytes, and hepatocellular debris appears in sinusoids. The membranes of hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells thus seem to be the prime targets of the hepatic injury in heatstroke. Other changes in the hepatocytes include vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum, detachment of ribosomes, and alterations of mitochondria. Morphologic evidence of intravascular coagulation of intravascular hemolysis is often encountered. A comparison between the findings described here and those in experimental hyperthermia suggests that many of the hepatic changes seen in heatstroke are due to an excessively high tissue temperature per se but that some of the alterations are probably a consequence of complicating factors such as hypoxia, intravascular hemolysis, or disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "PMID": 629325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7842", "title": "Structural analysis of hemopoiesis in S1/S1d anemic mice.", "content": "This study is an ultrastructural analysis of hemopoiesis in S1/S1d anemic mice. The anemia in this strain is caused by a defect in hemopoietic microenvironment which fails to support hemopoiesis. Marrow cellularity is reduced and vascular channels are dilated. Coverage of sinus endothelium by adventitial cells is nearly twice as in normal mice, suggesting a reduced rate of cell traffic into the circulation. Central macrophages are small with little or no interdigitation with erythroid cells and no crystalloid inclusions as seen in normal littermates. The findings suggest that a fundamental abnormality in the central macrophage may be responsible for the defect in hemopoietic microenvironment.", "contents": "Structural analysis of hemopoiesis in S1/S1d anemic mice. This study is an ultrastructural analysis of hemopoiesis in S1/S1d anemic mice. The anemia in this strain is caused by a defect in hemopoietic microenvironment which fails to support hemopoiesis. Marrow cellularity is reduced and vascular channels are dilated. Coverage of sinus endothelium by adventitial cells is nearly twice as in normal mice, suggesting a reduced rate of cell traffic into the circulation. Central macrophages are small with little or no interdigitation with erythroid cells and no crystalloid inclusions as seen in normal littermates. The findings suggest that a fundamental abnormality in the central macrophage may be responsible for the defect in hemopoietic microenvironment.", "PMID": 629326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7843", "title": "Inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative metabolism and degranulation in vitro by nitroblue tetrazolium and vitamin E.", "content": "The effect of a mixture of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and vitamin E on the metabolism and ultrastructure of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from normal subjects or patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) was determined in vitro. Increasing concentrations of NBT and vitamin E progressively decreased rates of oxygen consumption and 1-14C-glucose oxidation by normal PMN stimulated with particulates to a degree that exceeded either agent alone. NBT-vitamin-E also inhibited vacuole formation and the cytochemical release of myeloperoxidase-positive granules. The depressed oxidative metabolism and degranulation of NBT-vitamin-E-treated control PMN closely approximated the blunted responses of CGD PMN which were similar alone or in the presence of NBT-vitamin-E. In contrast to these effects, the highest concentration of NBT-vitamin-E used in the study did not damage, decrease rates of unstimulated oxidative metabolism of, or impair ingestion of particulates by control or CGD PMN. NBT and vitamin E impose a state on normal PMN which is remarkably similar to that observed in PMN from patients with CGD.", "contents": "Inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative metabolism and degranulation in vitro by nitroblue tetrazolium and vitamin E. The effect of a mixture of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and vitamin E on the metabolism and ultrastructure of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from normal subjects or patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) was determined in vitro. Increasing concentrations of NBT and vitamin E progressively decreased rates of oxygen consumption and 1-14C-glucose oxidation by normal PMN stimulated with particulates to a degree that exceeded either agent alone. NBT-vitamin-E also inhibited vacuole formation and the cytochemical release of myeloperoxidase-positive granules. The depressed oxidative metabolism and degranulation of NBT-vitamin-E-treated control PMN closely approximated the blunted responses of CGD PMN which were similar alone or in the presence of NBT-vitamin-E. In contrast to these effects, the highest concentration of NBT-vitamin-E used in the study did not damage, decrease rates of unstimulated oxidative metabolism of, or impair ingestion of particulates by control or CGD PMN. NBT and vitamin E impose a state on normal PMN which is remarkably similar to that observed in PMN from patients with CGD.", "PMID": 629327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7844", "title": "Nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits. The role of the sympathetic nervous system.", "content": "The sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines play a major role in fibrin deposition in organs in rabbits after endotoxin administration. Glomerular fibrin deposition is also a key factor in the pathogenesis of nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits, but the role of the sympathetic nervous system in this type of fibrin deposition has not been defined. We investigated sympathetic nervous system involvement in nephrotoxic nephritis using a model of isolated chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine. Different quantities of pooled nephrotoxic serum were injected intravenously into control and sympathectomized rabbits to produce a known spectrum of pathology in normal rabbits. Animals were killed and their organs were analyzed to ascertain that sympathectomy had been accomplished. Biochemical, immunohistologic, and histopathologic evaluation of the animals, comparing controls and sympathectomized rabbits, revealed no differences in the degree of renal damage for a given quantity of nephrotoxic serum. We conclude that, in the rabbit model, the sympathetic nervous system plays no significant role in the pathogenesis of fibrin deposition and glomerular damage in nephrotoxic nephritis.", "contents": "Nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits. The role of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines play a major role in fibrin deposition in organs in rabbits after endotoxin administration. Glomerular fibrin deposition is also a key factor in the pathogenesis of nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits, but the role of the sympathetic nervous system in this type of fibrin deposition has not been defined. We investigated sympathetic nervous system involvement in nephrotoxic nephritis using a model of isolated chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine. Different quantities of pooled nephrotoxic serum were injected intravenously into control and sympathectomized rabbits to produce a known spectrum of pathology in normal rabbits. Animals were killed and their organs were analyzed to ascertain that sympathectomy had been accomplished. Biochemical, immunohistologic, and histopathologic evaluation of the animals, comparing controls and sympathectomized rabbits, revealed no differences in the degree of renal damage for a given quantity of nephrotoxic serum. We conclude that, in the rabbit model, the sympathetic nervous system plays no significant role in the pathogenesis of fibrin deposition and glomerular damage in nephrotoxic nephritis.", "PMID": 629328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7845", "title": "The morphology of the Legionnaires' disease organism.", "content": "The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, has isolated the Legionnaires disease organism from two patients with Legionnaires' disease proved by serologic techniques. We have studied the morphology which the isolate assumes in yolk sac tissue and on bacteriologic media. The organism was Gim\u00e9nez-positive and gram-variable. Using an indirect immunofluorescent procedure, it was shown to react with convalescent serum samples taken from patients who had Legionnaires' disease. The organism multiplies by binary fission extracellularly and intracellulary; is both coccoid and bacillary in form; and contains characteristic cytoplasm, nucleoids, a cytoplasmic membrane, and a small cell wall of variable size. It may produce spores of unusual appearance. Intracellular replication characteristically occurs within vacuoles. The Legionnaires' disease organism conforms to the morphologic criteria for a prokaryocyte.", "contents": "The morphology of the Legionnaires' disease organism. The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, has isolated the Legionnaires disease organism from two patients with Legionnaires' disease proved by serologic techniques. We have studied the morphology which the isolate assumes in yolk sac tissue and on bacteriologic media. The organism was Gim\u00e9nez-positive and gram-variable. Using an indirect immunofluorescent procedure, it was shown to react with convalescent serum samples taken from patients who had Legionnaires' disease. The organism multiplies by binary fission extracellularly and intracellulary; is both coccoid and bacillary in form; and contains characteristic cytoplasm, nucleoids, a cytoplasmic membrane, and a small cell wall of variable size. It may produce spores of unusual appearance. Intracellular replication characteristically occurs within vacuoles. The Legionnaires' disease organism conforms to the morphologic criteria for a prokaryocyte.", "PMID": 629329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7846", "title": "Induction of cytochrome P-450 in a selective subpopulation of hepatocytes.", "content": "The objective of this study was to determine whether the inductive effect of phenobarbital (PB) on liver cytochrome P-450 was the result of the action of this drug on all or some hepatocytes. For this purpose, a light (cell band I) and a heavy (cell band II) subpopulation of hepatocytes were separated from rat liver in a continuous density gradient. To determine the location of these hepatocytes in tissue, [14C]bromobenzene, which binds covalently to centrilobular hepatocytes, was administered. The specific activity (14C dpm/mg protein) was greater in cells of band I than in cells of band II, suggesting a predominant contribution of centrilobular hepatocytes to the lighter cell band. Microsomes were separated from each cell subpopulation after 3 days of PB administration and cytochrome P-450 was measured. Although a fivefold increment in cytochrome P-450 content of light hepatocytes was noted, the content of heavy hepatocytes was similar to that of the respective subpopulation in controls. Concomitantly, PB administered for 3 days induced the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of centrilobular hepatocytes only, as revealed by electron microscopy of whole tissue. These results indicated that PB induces cytochrome P-450 in a selective subpopulation of hepatocytes, most likely located near the terminal hepatic venule.", "contents": "Induction of cytochrome P-450 in a selective subpopulation of hepatocytes. The objective of this study was to determine whether the inductive effect of phenobarbital (PB) on liver cytochrome P-450 was the result of the action of this drug on all or some hepatocytes. For this purpose, a light (cell band I) and a heavy (cell band II) subpopulation of hepatocytes were separated from rat liver in a continuous density gradient. To determine the location of these hepatocytes in tissue, [14C]bromobenzene, which binds covalently to centrilobular hepatocytes, was administered. The specific activity (14C dpm/mg protein) was greater in cells of band I than in cells of band II, suggesting a predominant contribution of centrilobular hepatocytes to the lighter cell band. Microsomes were separated from each cell subpopulation after 3 days of PB administration and cytochrome P-450 was measured. Although a fivefold increment in cytochrome P-450 content of light hepatocytes was noted, the content of heavy hepatocytes was similar to that of the respective subpopulation in controls. Concomitantly, PB administered for 3 days induced the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of centrilobular hepatocytes only, as revealed by electron microscopy of whole tissue. These results indicated that PB induces cytochrome P-450 in a selective subpopulation of hepatocytes, most likely located near the terminal hepatic venule.", "PMID": 629331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7847", "title": "Magnesium net fluxes and distribution in rabbit myocardium in irreversible contracture.", "content": "Distribution of magnesium (Mg) in heart muscle was studied by measuring fluxes of Mg and transmembrane potentials as a function of perfusate [Mg2+] after a massive increase in permeability of the sarcolemma was induced in the Langendorff prepared heart from the Nembutal-anesthetized rabbit. After onset of 0 mM [Ca2+] perfusion which produced excitation-contraction (E-C) uncoupling and mechanical arrest, action potentials recorded from subepicardial cells showed an increase in duration and decrease in amplitude, which progressed until no transmembrane potentials could be observed. Restoration of physiological salt solution perfusion after 15 min of [Ca2+]-free perfusion caused an irreversible contracture that was associated with 1) efflux of potassium (K) and myoglobin, 2) perfusate [Mg2+]-dependent flux of Mg, and 3) transmembrane potentials of 0 mV. The magnitude of net efflux of K and myoglobin during contracture was unaffected by perfusate [Mg2+]. During the first 2 min of contracture, net efflux of Mg (mumoles per gram wet muscle +/- SE) was 1.37 +/- 0.09 and 0.48 +/- 0.19 during 0 mM and 2.5 mM [Mg2+] perfusion, respectively; but a net influx of 0.56 +/- 0.23 occurred during 5 mM [Mg2+] perfusion. Total sarcoplasmic [Mg] may correspond to perfusate [Mg2+] of 3.6 mM, which was found by interpolation to prevent any net flux of Mg during contracture. 3.6 mM may, therefore, represent the upper limit of the intracellular free-ionized Mg concentration in rabbit heart.", "contents": "Magnesium net fluxes and distribution in rabbit myocardium in irreversible contracture. Distribution of magnesium (Mg) in heart muscle was studied by measuring fluxes of Mg and transmembrane potentials as a function of perfusate [Mg2+] after a massive increase in permeability of the sarcolemma was induced in the Langendorff prepared heart from the Nembutal-anesthetized rabbit. After onset of 0 mM [Ca2+] perfusion which produced excitation-contraction (E-C) uncoupling and mechanical arrest, action potentials recorded from subepicardial cells showed an increase in duration and decrease in amplitude, which progressed until no transmembrane potentials could be observed. Restoration of physiological salt solution perfusion after 15 min of [Ca2+]-free perfusion caused an irreversible contracture that was associated with 1) efflux of potassium (K) and myoglobin, 2) perfusate [Mg2+]-dependent flux of Mg, and 3) transmembrane potentials of 0 mV. The magnitude of net efflux of K and myoglobin during contracture was unaffected by perfusate [Mg2+]. During the first 2 min of contracture, net efflux of Mg (mumoles per gram wet muscle +/- SE) was 1.37 +/- 0.09 and 0.48 +/- 0.19 during 0 mM and 2.5 mM [Mg2+] perfusion, respectively; but a net influx of 0.56 +/- 0.23 occurred during 5 mM [Mg2+] perfusion. Total sarcoplasmic [Mg] may correspond to perfusate [Mg2+] of 3.6 mM, which was found by interpolation to prevent any net flux of Mg during contracture. 3.6 mM may, therefore, represent the upper limit of the intracellular free-ionized Mg concentration in rabbit heart.", "PMID": 629332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7848", "title": "Glucose metabolism by adult hepatocytes in primary culture and by cell lines from rat liver.", "content": "The metabolic fate of [U-14C]glucose has been examined in detail in adult rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture, as well as in two permanent cell lines--Buffalo rat liver (BRL) and transplantable rat hepatoma (HTC) cells-derived from normal rat liver and from rat hepatoma, respectively. Under defined conditions of incubation, at a glucose concentration of 5.5 mM, the three types of cultured liver cells exhibited pronounced differences in glucose metabolism. Primary cultures, like the intact liver, differed from the cell lines in consuming relatively small amounts of glucose and converting approximately 50% of the total metabolized glucose to lactate. By contrast, the permantent cell lines consumed glucose at a 40-fold greater rate than did primary cultures, converting 80--90% of the carbohydrate to lactate. Oxidative metabolism of glucose carbon also differed among the three types of liver culture. Of the total [U-14C]glucose consumed, primary cultures converted approximately 30% to labeled CO2 per hour, whereas the liver cell lines converted 5--10%. Finally, glucose metabolism in primary culture exhibited adaptation as hepatocytes aged in culture, shifting progressively toward the pattern exhibited by the permanent cell lines. This change occurred over a time course similar to that for other kinds of functional change in hepatocytes in primary culture and thus may be relevant to the general problem of phenotypic alteration in liver cell culture.", "contents": "Glucose metabolism by adult hepatocytes in primary culture and by cell lines from rat liver. The metabolic fate of [U-14C]glucose has been examined in detail in adult rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture, as well as in two permanent cell lines--Buffalo rat liver (BRL) and transplantable rat hepatoma (HTC) cells-derived from normal rat liver and from rat hepatoma, respectively. Under defined conditions of incubation, at a glucose concentration of 5.5 mM, the three types of cultured liver cells exhibited pronounced differences in glucose metabolism. Primary cultures, like the intact liver, differed from the cell lines in consuming relatively small amounts of glucose and converting approximately 50% of the total metabolized glucose to lactate. By contrast, the permantent cell lines consumed glucose at a 40-fold greater rate than did primary cultures, converting 80--90% of the carbohydrate to lactate. Oxidative metabolism of glucose carbon also differed among the three types of liver culture. Of the total [U-14C]glucose consumed, primary cultures converted approximately 30% to labeled CO2 per hour, whereas the liver cell lines converted 5--10%. Finally, glucose metabolism in primary culture exhibited adaptation as hepatocytes aged in culture, shifting progressively toward the pattern exhibited by the permanent cell lines. This change occurred over a time course similar to that for other kinds of functional change in hepatocytes in primary culture and thus may be relevant to the general problem of phenotypic alteration in liver cell culture.", "PMID": 629333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7849", "title": "Effects of phloretin and theophylline on 3-O-methylglucose transport by intestinal epithelial cells.", "content": "Phloretin and theophylline each exert an immediate inhibitory effect on the Na+-independent, facilitated-diffusion transport system for sugar associated with intestinal epithelial cells. Phloretin inhibits approximately 50% more of the total Na+-independent sugar flux than theophylline. Neither agent has an immediate effect on the Na+-dependent, concentrative sugar transport system, although preincubation of the cells with phloretin causes a significant inhibition. The slowly developing effect is correlated with a decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an elevation of intracellular Na+. Other agents which elevate cell Na+ also inhibit Na+-dependent sugar influx, even if ATP levels are not depleted. On the other hand, if ATP is depleted by phloretin under conditions in which the cells do not gain Na+, the inhibitory effect on Na+-dependent sugar flux tends to disappear. The slow-onset phloretin effects are due to transinhibition of the Na+-dependent sugar carrier by cellular Na+. When the passive sugar carrier is inhibited by phloretin or theophylline, the concentrative system can establish an enhanced sugar gradient. Because of the secondary metabolic effects of phloretin, theophylline induces a greater gradient enhancement despite its more limited effect on the passive sugar-transport system. Sugar gradients as large as 20-fold are induced by theophylline, in contrast to 12-fold gradients observed in the presence of phloretin and approximately 7- to 8-fold for untreated cells. These results are discussed in terms of conceptual questions regarding the energetics of Na+-dependent transport systems.", "contents": "Effects of phloretin and theophylline on 3-O-methylglucose transport by intestinal epithelial cells. Phloretin and theophylline each exert an immediate inhibitory effect on the Na+-independent, facilitated-diffusion transport system for sugar associated with intestinal epithelial cells. Phloretin inhibits approximately 50% more of the total Na+-independent sugar flux than theophylline. Neither agent has an immediate effect on the Na+-dependent, concentrative sugar transport system, although preincubation of the cells with phloretin causes a significant inhibition. The slowly developing effect is correlated with a decrease in cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an elevation of intracellular Na+. Other agents which elevate cell Na+ also inhibit Na+-dependent sugar influx, even if ATP levels are not depleted. On the other hand, if ATP is depleted by phloretin under conditions in which the cells do not gain Na+, the inhibitory effect on Na+-dependent sugar flux tends to disappear. The slow-onset phloretin effects are due to transinhibition of the Na+-dependent sugar carrier by cellular Na+. When the passive sugar carrier is inhibited by phloretin or theophylline, the concentrative system can establish an enhanced sugar gradient. Because of the secondary metabolic effects of phloretin, theophylline induces a greater gradient enhancement despite its more limited effect on the passive sugar-transport system. Sugar gradients as large as 20-fold are induced by theophylline, in contrast to 12-fold gradients observed in the presence of phloretin and approximately 7- to 8-fold for untreated cells. These results are discussed in terms of conceptual questions regarding the energetics of Na+-dependent transport systems.", "PMID": 629334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7850", "title": "Properties of thyroidectomized rat extensor muscle.", "content": "Basic mechanical and electrical properties of rat extensor muscle were analyzed 4--6 wk after thyroid removal. Isometric twitch tensions in thyroidectomized (Tx) rat muscle varied considerably, with over 60% of the muscles showing abnormally low values and the remainder showing a high twitch force. The duration of the twitch was significantly increased from 137 to 245 ms but contraction and half-relaxation times were not significantly changed. Tetanic force was not effected by thyroidectomy. Electrical properties of the muscle fiber membranes were made exclusively via intracellular techniques. The resting membrane potential was slightly higher in thyroidectomized rats (-79 mV) as compared to sham controls (-78 mV). Both direct and indirect action potentials showed higher overshoots, amplitudes, and rates of depolarization in thyroidectomized rats. The threshold of the indirect action potential appeared at a higher transmembrane potential as compared to sham-operated controls. The input resistance, space constant, time constant, and specific membrane resistance were all significantly increased in thyroidectomized rat extensor muscle, whereas fiber diameter and capacitance were significantly decreased. Estimates of specific ionic conductance show that both potassium and chloride conductance are decreased in thyroidectomized rat muscle.", "contents": "Properties of thyroidectomized rat extensor muscle. Basic mechanical and electrical properties of rat extensor muscle were analyzed 4--6 wk after thyroid removal. Isometric twitch tensions in thyroidectomized (Tx) rat muscle varied considerably, with over 60% of the muscles showing abnormally low values and the remainder showing a high twitch force. The duration of the twitch was significantly increased from 137 to 245 ms but contraction and half-relaxation times were not significantly changed. Tetanic force was not effected by thyroidectomy. Electrical properties of the muscle fiber membranes were made exclusively via intracellular techniques. The resting membrane potential was slightly higher in thyroidectomized rats (-79 mV) as compared to sham controls (-78 mV). Both direct and indirect action potentials showed higher overshoots, amplitudes, and rates of depolarization in thyroidectomized rats. The threshold of the indirect action potential appeared at a higher transmembrane potential as compared to sham-operated controls. The input resistance, space constant, time constant, and specific membrane resistance were all significantly increased in thyroidectomized rat extensor muscle, whereas fiber diameter and capacitance were significantly decreased. Estimates of specific ionic conductance show that both potassium and chloride conductance are decreased in thyroidectomized rat muscle.", "PMID": 629335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7851", "title": "Reduced triglyceride secretion: a metabolic consequence of chronic exercise.", "content": "Chronic exercise training is recognized to reduce plasma lipid levels in man and animals, but the mechanism(s) mediating this phenomenon have not been defined. In the present study, we examined triglyceride (TG) production and disposal in vivo in a genetic model of human type IV hyperlipemia, the obese Zucker rat. Utilizing the normolipemic thin littermate as the control, we investigated endogenous production of TG utilizing the Triton methodology and peripheral disposal of an exogenous lipid emulsion utilizing Intralipid injection. In the sedentary state, the hyperlipemic obese Zucker rat demonstrated a threefold elevation in triglyceride secretion rate relative to the normolipemic thin littermate. After a 3-wk period of exercise training, a reduction of basal plasma TG concentration of 42% was associated with a 51% reduction in TG secretion rate, a change adequate to account for the hypolipemic response. Moreover, chronic exercise training also improved the ability to dispose of an Intralipid load. A similar reduction in TG production with reduced TG removal was observed in the thin normolipemic rats, a result that suggests that the lipid lowering response to exercise training may be predominantly mediated by reduced secretion of TG. The possible relationship between reduced TG secretion and alterations in the bihormonal axis of insulin and glucagon are discussed.", "contents": "Reduced triglyceride secretion: a metabolic consequence of chronic exercise. Chronic exercise training is recognized to reduce plasma lipid levels in man and animals, but the mechanism(s) mediating this phenomenon have not been defined. In the present study, we examined triglyceride (TG) production and disposal in vivo in a genetic model of human type IV hyperlipemia, the obese Zucker rat. Utilizing the normolipemic thin littermate as the control, we investigated endogenous production of TG utilizing the Triton methodology and peripheral disposal of an exogenous lipid emulsion utilizing Intralipid injection. In the sedentary state, the hyperlipemic obese Zucker rat demonstrated a threefold elevation in triglyceride secretion rate relative to the normolipemic thin littermate. After a 3-wk period of exercise training, a reduction of basal plasma TG concentration of 42% was associated with a 51% reduction in TG secretion rate, a change adequate to account for the hypolipemic response. Moreover, chronic exercise training also improved the ability to dispose of an Intralipid load. A similar reduction in TG production with reduced TG removal was observed in the thin normolipemic rats, a result that suggests that the lipid lowering response to exercise training may be predominantly mediated by reduced secretion of TG. The possible relationship between reduced TG secretion and alterations in the bihormonal axis of insulin and glucagon are discussed.", "PMID": 629336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7852", "title": "Effect of sugar and monoglyceride on fatty acid esterification.", "content": "The effect of hexose and monoolein on fatty acid esterification was studied in everted rings of rat jejunum. By use of [3H]oleic acid and [U-14C]glucose, esterification via both phosphatidic acid and monoglyceride pathways was quantified. Our results showed that 1) metabolizable sugars stimulate fatty acids esterification regardless of their mode of transport; 2) in the presence of glucose alone, in vitro fatty acid esterification is mediated entirely by the phosphatidic acid pathway; 3) glucose stimulates both esterification pathways in the presence of monoolein; 4) monoolein stimulates only the monoglyceride pathway and has no effect on the phosphatidic acid pathway; and 5) the rate-limiting factor in the presence of monoolein alone is the formation of acyl-CoA, whereas in the presence of glucose alone, the rate-limiting factor is the formation of alpha-glycerophosphate.", "contents": "Effect of sugar and monoglyceride on fatty acid esterification. The effect of hexose and monoolein on fatty acid esterification was studied in everted rings of rat jejunum. By use of [3H]oleic acid and [U-14C]glucose, esterification via both phosphatidic acid and monoglyceride pathways was quantified. Our results showed that 1) metabolizable sugars stimulate fatty acids esterification regardless of their mode of transport; 2) in the presence of glucose alone, in vitro fatty acid esterification is mediated entirely by the phosphatidic acid pathway; 3) glucose stimulates both esterification pathways in the presence of monoolein; 4) monoolein stimulates only the monoglyceride pathway and has no effect on the phosphatidic acid pathway; and 5) the rate-limiting factor in the presence of monoolein alone is the formation of acyl-CoA, whereas in the presence of glucose alone, the rate-limiting factor is the formation of alpha-glycerophosphate.", "PMID": 629337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7853", "title": "Inhibition of lower esophageal sphincter circular muscle by female sex hormones.", "content": "To determine the effect of estrogenic and progesteronic activity on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) circular muscle, studies were performed on 20 adult opossums. Does-response curves on circular smooth muscle strips from the LES were constructed for gastrin and acetylcholine alone, and with 17beta-estradiol and/or progesterone added. Each female hormone significantly decreased the maximal LES muscle responses to gastrin and acetylcholine. A combination of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone abolished the response to gastrin. In contrast, the male sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone, had no effect. In conclusion, administration of estrogen and progesteron, but not dihydrotestosterone, in vitro reduced LES muscle responses to gastrin and acetylcholine. These studies suggest that the female sex hormones can alter LES function and potentially may be of importance in the pathogenesis of heartburn of pregnancy.", "contents": "Inhibition of lower esophageal sphincter circular muscle by female sex hormones. To determine the effect of estrogenic and progesteronic activity on lower esophageal sphincter (LES) circular muscle, studies were performed on 20 adult opossums. Does-response curves on circular smooth muscle strips from the LES were constructed for gastrin and acetylcholine alone, and with 17beta-estradiol and/or progesterone added. Each female hormone significantly decreased the maximal LES muscle responses to gastrin and acetylcholine. A combination of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone abolished the response to gastrin. In contrast, the male sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone, had no effect. In conclusion, administration of estrogen and progesteron, but not dihydrotestosterone, in vitro reduced LES muscle responses to gastrin and acetylcholine. These studies suggest that the female sex hormones can alter LES function and potentially may be of importance in the pathogenesis of heartburn of pregnancy.", "PMID": 629338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7854", "title": "Intestinal O2 consumption and 86Rb extraction during arterial hypoxia.", "content": "Earlier reports indicated that arterial hypoxia not only dilated intestinal resistance vessels but also increased capillary filtration coefficients. The latter finding was interpreted as reflecting an increased number of perfused capillaries. Because both increased blood flow and increased capillary density would tend to maintain tissue oxygenation in spite of arterial hypoxia, the main purpose of this paper was to determine how effectively intestinal O2 utilization is maintained during arterial hypoxia. Therefore, I perfused isolated loops of canine small bowel at constant arterial pressure. Under this condition, reducing arterial PO2 to a mean value of 46 +/- 2.4 mmHg caused blood flow to increase to 146% of control, and O2 consumption was kept within 26% of control. In gut loops perfused at constant blood flow, arterial hypoxia depressed O2 uptake still further, but measurements of 86Rb extraction confirmed that the density of the perfused capillary bed increased. Thus, the responses of both resistance and exchange vessels tend to maintain O2 delivery to intestinal tissue during arterial hypoxia.", "contents": "Intestinal O2 consumption and 86Rb extraction during arterial hypoxia. Earlier reports indicated that arterial hypoxia not only dilated intestinal resistance vessels but also increased capillary filtration coefficients. The latter finding was interpreted as reflecting an increased number of perfused capillaries. Because both increased blood flow and increased capillary density would tend to maintain tissue oxygenation in spite of arterial hypoxia, the main purpose of this paper was to determine how effectively intestinal O2 utilization is maintained during arterial hypoxia. Therefore, I perfused isolated loops of canine small bowel at constant arterial pressure. Under this condition, reducing arterial PO2 to a mean value of 46 +/- 2.4 mmHg caused blood flow to increase to 146% of control, and O2 consumption was kept within 26% of control. In gut loops perfused at constant blood flow, arterial hypoxia depressed O2 uptake still further, but measurements of 86Rb extraction confirmed that the density of the perfused capillary bed increased. Thus, the responses of both resistance and exchange vessels tend to maintain O2 delivery to intestinal tissue during arterial hypoxia.", "PMID": 629339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7855", "title": "Transport characteristics of isolated newborn rabbit ileum.", "content": "Segments of ileum from newborn rabbits were mounted as flat sheets in Lucite chambers and transmural fluxes of Na, Cl, and alanine were measured in the absence of electrochemical potential gradients. In the presence of 140 mM Na, the ileum of the newborn exhibited a serosa-positive electrical PD and a corresponding short-circuit current (Isc) which was markedly enhanced by the addition of D-glucose of L-alanine to the mucosal solution. Alanine-induced increments in Isc were a saturable function of the mucosal alanine concentration. In the presence of Na, alanine was actively absorbed, and the net alanine flux was a saturable function of alanine concentration. When the Na in the bathing solutions was completely replaced by choline, Isc declined to near zero, and the response of Isc to mucosal alanine was abolished. In addition, active amino acid transport was abolished in the absence of Na. In the absence of alanine, the isolated ileum of the newborn actively absorbed Na and Cl, and the algebraic sum of the net movements of these ions accounted for Isc. In the presence of alanine, active Cl transport was abolished and Isc was equal to the net Na absorption. These results indicate that the ileum of the newborn rabbit is similar to that of the adult in its ability to actively absorb Na, Cl, and alanine, but differs from the ileum of the adult by having a greater passive permeability to ions and amino acid, and differs particularly with regard to the effect of mucosal alanine on transmural ion transport.", "contents": "Transport characteristics of isolated newborn rabbit ileum. Segments of ileum from newborn rabbits were mounted as flat sheets in Lucite chambers and transmural fluxes of Na, Cl, and alanine were measured in the absence of electrochemical potential gradients. In the presence of 140 mM Na, the ileum of the newborn exhibited a serosa-positive electrical PD and a corresponding short-circuit current (Isc) which was markedly enhanced by the addition of D-glucose of L-alanine to the mucosal solution. Alanine-induced increments in Isc were a saturable function of the mucosal alanine concentration. In the presence of Na, alanine was actively absorbed, and the net alanine flux was a saturable function of alanine concentration. When the Na in the bathing solutions was completely replaced by choline, Isc declined to near zero, and the response of Isc to mucosal alanine was abolished. In addition, active amino acid transport was abolished in the absence of Na. In the absence of alanine, the isolated ileum of the newborn actively absorbed Na and Cl, and the algebraic sum of the net movements of these ions accounted for Isc. In the presence of alanine, active Cl transport was abolished and Isc was equal to the net Na absorption. These results indicate that the ileum of the newborn rabbit is similar to that of the adult in its ability to actively absorb Na, Cl, and alanine, but differs from the ileum of the adult by having a greater passive permeability to ions and amino acid, and differs particularly with regard to the effect of mucosal alanine on transmural ion transport.", "PMID": 629340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7856", "title": "Sexual maturation of male rats in continuous light.", "content": "Male rats were raised from birth in either continuous light (LL) or in 14 h light/10 h dark per day (LD) at 22 +/- 1 degree C. Food and water were administered ad libitum. Groups of rats were killed by decapitation at 14, 20, 25, 35, 41, 45, 51, 55, 58, 63, and 79 days of age. Testicular (TW), ventral prostate (VPW), and seminal vesicle (SVW) weights were measured. Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and androgens were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Results indicate no significant change in TW or spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa were first seen in the lumen of 10% of seminiferous tubules at 35 days of age in both LD and LL rats and by 42 days of age, 80% of tubules from both LD and LL rats contained spermatozoa in the lumen. A highly significant depression in accessory structure development (VPW, SVW) was observed as a result of LL exposure. Serum FSH levels in LL rats were depressed on days 45, 51, 55, and 58 but elevated at 79. Serum PRL concentrations were elevated in LL rats on days 41, 55, 58, 63, and 79, whereas serum androgen levels were depressed on days 58, 63, and 79. Results suggest that exposure to LL results in delayed maturation of the accessory structures in the reproductive system of the male rat possibly as a result of reduced FSH or elevated PRL levels, which in turn may modify the rate and pattern of LH and/or androgen secretion.", "contents": "Sexual maturation of male rats in continuous light. Male rats were raised from birth in either continuous light (LL) or in 14 h light/10 h dark per day (LD) at 22 +/- 1 degree C. Food and water were administered ad libitum. Groups of rats were killed by decapitation at 14, 20, 25, 35, 41, 45, 51, 55, 58, 63, and 79 days of age. Testicular (TW), ventral prostate (VPW), and seminal vesicle (SVW) weights were measured. Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and androgens were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Results indicate no significant change in TW or spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa were first seen in the lumen of 10% of seminiferous tubules at 35 days of age in both LD and LL rats and by 42 days of age, 80% of tubules from both LD and LL rats contained spermatozoa in the lumen. A highly significant depression in accessory structure development (VPW, SVW) was observed as a result of LL exposure. Serum FSH levels in LL rats were depressed on days 45, 51, 55, and 58 but elevated at 79. Serum PRL concentrations were elevated in LL rats on days 41, 55, 58, 63, and 79, whereas serum androgen levels were depressed on days 58, 63, and 79. Results suggest that exposure to LL results in delayed maturation of the accessory structures in the reproductive system of the male rat possibly as a result of reduced FSH or elevated PRL levels, which in turn may modify the rate and pattern of LH and/or androgen secretion.", "PMID": 629341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7857", "title": "Adrenal gland in experimental renal hypertension.", "content": "The effect of total adrenalectomy on the mechanisms of arterial pressure control was studied in uninephrectomized rats with and without renal artery stenosis (Goldblatt one-kidney model). Four groups of rats were prepared and maintained on high-salt intake (1% NaCl): uninephrectomized-KI; KI + adrenalectomy-KIAx; uninephrectomized with renal artery stenosis-GI; and GI with adrenalectomy-GIAx. Over 3 wk blood pressure rose significantly in both GI and GIAx but the degree of increase in GI was greater. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and increased plasma urea nitrogen were observed in both KIAx and GIAx. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma renine activity (PRA) were markedly increased and plasma renin substrate (PRS) was decreased in both adrenalectomized groups. Infusion of saralasin resulted in significant and similar reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in KIAx and GIAx, but had no effect on MAP in KI and GI. These results allow approximations of the contribution to total MAP of identifiable components, which are: the total adrenal component, the renin-angiotensin system component, which partially compensates for loss of the adrenal secretions, and the independent effect of the renal artery clip. Thus, a multifactorial analysis of GI hypertension is provided.", "contents": "Adrenal gland in experimental renal hypertension. The effect of total adrenalectomy on the mechanisms of arterial pressure control was studied in uninephrectomized rats with and without renal artery stenosis (Goldblatt one-kidney model). Four groups of rats were prepared and maintained on high-salt intake (1% NaCl): uninephrectomized-KI; KI + adrenalectomy-KIAx; uninephrectomized with renal artery stenosis-GI; and GI with adrenalectomy-GIAx. Over 3 wk blood pressure rose significantly in both GI and GIAx but the degree of increase in GI was greater. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and increased plasma urea nitrogen were observed in both KIAx and GIAx. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma renine activity (PRA) were markedly increased and plasma renin substrate (PRS) was decreased in both adrenalectomized groups. Infusion of saralasin resulted in significant and similar reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in KIAx and GIAx, but had no effect on MAP in KI and GI. These results allow approximations of the contribution to total MAP of identifiable components, which are: the total adrenal component, the renin-angiotensin system component, which partially compensates for loss of the adrenal secretions, and the independent effect of the renal artery clip. Thus, a multifactorial analysis of GI hypertension is provided.", "PMID": 629342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7858", "title": "Biological function of metallothionein. V. Its induction in rats by various stresses.", "content": "Induction of metallothionein (a Zn-binding protein) was investigated in liver and kidneys of rats under the following stresses: cold environment, hot environment, heat burn, strenuous exercise, and CCl4 intoxication. As markers of metallothionein (MT) synthesis, [14C]cystine and 65Zn were injected parenterally into rats, and MT in liver and kidney supernatants was separated on Sephadex G-75 columns. Among stresses tested, the greatest stimulations of MT synthesis in liver were observed under cold (315%), strenuous exercise (302%), and CCl4 intoxication (543%), as evidenced by increased amount of [14C]cystine and 65Zn incorporation into the MT fraction. In contrast to liver, only small responses were observed in MT synthesis in kidneys. There was a general decline in plasma Zn levels in rats under the stresses employed. However, no great differences were observed in Zn levels in whole liver and kidneys. The present study suggests that various unrelated physiological stresses, which are accompanied with a change in Zn distribution, increase the synthesis of MT in liver of rats.", "contents": "Biological function of metallothionein. V. Its induction in rats by various stresses. Induction of metallothionein (a Zn-binding protein) was investigated in liver and kidneys of rats under the following stresses: cold environment, hot environment, heat burn, strenuous exercise, and CCl4 intoxication. As markers of metallothionein (MT) synthesis, [14C]cystine and 65Zn were injected parenterally into rats, and MT in liver and kidney supernatants was separated on Sephadex G-75 columns. Among stresses tested, the greatest stimulations of MT synthesis in liver were observed under cold (315%), strenuous exercise (302%), and CCl4 intoxication (543%), as evidenced by increased amount of [14C]cystine and 65Zn incorporation into the MT fraction. In contrast to liver, only small responses were observed in MT synthesis in kidneys. There was a general decline in plasma Zn levels in rats under the stresses employed. However, no great differences were observed in Zn levels in whole liver and kidneys. The present study suggests that various unrelated physiological stresses, which are accompanied with a change in Zn distribution, increase the synthesis of MT in liver of rats.", "PMID": 629343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7859", "title": "Mechanism of lithium-induced hypercalciuria in rats.", "content": "Chronic administration of lithium salts is associated with hypercalciuria in the rat. To study the renal and extrarenal mechanisms of this phenomenon, we utilized balance and clearance techniques in rats pair-fed diets with or without Li2CO3 (0.5 meq/day per rat). Lithium induced hypercalcemia (mean +/- SE: 5.40 +/- 0.09 VS. 5.06 +/- 0.05 meq/liter) and hypercalciuria (Ca/creatinine = 0.28 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.03) only during feeding. When CaCO2 supplement to a calcium-deficient diet was abruptly withdrawn, hypercalciuria was abolished. However, polyuria and polydipsia persisted. No significant changes in serum phosphate, urine phosphate, sodium, pH, or citrate were observed. Chronic parathyroidectomy (PTX) also abolished this effect. During clearance studies, fasting excretion of calcium was similar between treated and control animals. Superimposed acute PTX resulted in comparable changes, hence arguing against primary changes in renal calcium reabsorption or changes in parathyroid hormone effects on the renal tubule. Thus, lithium produces absorptive hypercalciuria by a mechanism dependent on intact parathyroid glands and adequate diet calcium, but independent of urine sodium, phosphate, or pH. The active component of gut calcium transport may be involved, possibly via alterations of vitamin D metabolism.", "contents": "Mechanism of lithium-induced hypercalciuria in rats. Chronic administration of lithium salts is associated with hypercalciuria in the rat. To study the renal and extrarenal mechanisms of this phenomenon, we utilized balance and clearance techniques in rats pair-fed diets with or without Li2CO3 (0.5 meq/day per rat). Lithium induced hypercalcemia (mean +/- SE: 5.40 +/- 0.09 VS. 5.06 +/- 0.05 meq/liter) and hypercalciuria (Ca/creatinine = 0.28 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.03) only during feeding. When CaCO2 supplement to a calcium-deficient diet was abruptly withdrawn, hypercalciuria was abolished. However, polyuria and polydipsia persisted. No significant changes in serum phosphate, urine phosphate, sodium, pH, or citrate were observed. Chronic parathyroidectomy (PTX) also abolished this effect. During clearance studies, fasting excretion of calcium was similar between treated and control animals. Superimposed acute PTX resulted in comparable changes, hence arguing against primary changes in renal calcium reabsorption or changes in parathyroid hormone effects on the renal tubule. Thus, lithium produces absorptive hypercalciuria by a mechanism dependent on intact parathyroid glands and adequate diet calcium, but independent of urine sodium, phosphate, or pH. The active component of gut calcium transport may be involved, possibly via alterations of vitamin D metabolism.", "PMID": 629344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7860", "title": "LES pressure response to pentagastrin: effect of cholinergic augmentation and inhibition.", "content": "Studies were performed on the anesthetized adult opossum to examine a) the pressure response of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to both bolus injections and continuous infusions of pentagastrin (PG), and b) how this response is affected by either cholinergic antagonism with atropine or cholinergic enhancement with edrophonium, an anticholinesterase. Both the bolus injection and the continuous infusion of PG produced dose-dependent rises in LES pressure. The peak pressure responses occurred at 1 microgram/kg and 32 microgram/kg-h, respectively. Atropine (100 microgram/kg), in a dose that significantly diminished the LES response to exogenous acetylcholine, had no significant effect on PG-induced increases in LES pressure. Similarly, edrophonium (100 microgram/kg) had no effect on the response of the LES to PG stimulation. The Sphincter's response to exogenous acetylcholine was significantly enhanced after edrophonium pretreatment. From these studied, we conclude that PG-induced increases in the LES pressure are due primarily to the direct stimulation of sphincter smooth muscle rather than to activation of excitatory cholinergic neurons.", "contents": "LES pressure response to pentagastrin: effect of cholinergic augmentation and inhibition. Studies were performed on the anesthetized adult opossum to examine a) the pressure response of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to both bolus injections and continuous infusions of pentagastrin (PG), and b) how this response is affected by either cholinergic antagonism with atropine or cholinergic enhancement with edrophonium, an anticholinesterase. Both the bolus injection and the continuous infusion of PG produced dose-dependent rises in LES pressure. The peak pressure responses occurred at 1 microgram/kg and 32 microgram/kg-h, respectively. Atropine (100 microgram/kg), in a dose that significantly diminished the LES response to exogenous acetylcholine, had no significant effect on PG-induced increases in LES pressure. Similarly, edrophonium (100 microgram/kg) had no effect on the response of the LES to PG stimulation. The Sphincter's response to exogenous acetylcholine was significantly enhanced after edrophonium pretreatment. From these studied, we conclude that PG-induced increases in the LES pressure are due primarily to the direct stimulation of sphincter smooth muscle rather than to activation of excitatory cholinergic neurons.", "PMID": 629345} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7861", "title": "Regulation of cardiac protein balance by hydrocortisone: interaction with insulin.", "content": "In fetal mouse hearts in organ culture the rate of protein synthesis was substantially reduced and the rate of protein degradation slightly increased by hydrocortisone in the absence of insulin, but in the presence of insulin the steroid caused a small increase in protein synthesis and a significant reduction in protein degradation. Hydrocortisone promoted the net uptake (or reduced the net release) of branched-chain amino acids independent of insulin and independent of simultaneous changes in protein balance. The specific activities of the lysosomal enzymes cathepsin D and glucosaminidase were reduced by hydrocortisone in all media, whereas the specific activity of creatine kinase increased when the medium contained insulin but decreased in the absence of insulin. It is concluded that hydrocortisone regulates cardiac protein balance via alterations both in synthesis and in degradation. Some of the hormone's myocardial effects are influenced by insulin so that hydrocortisone is anabolic in its presence but catabolic in its absence.", "contents": "Regulation of cardiac protein balance by hydrocortisone: interaction with insulin. In fetal mouse hearts in organ culture the rate of protein synthesis was substantially reduced and the rate of protein degradation slightly increased by hydrocortisone in the absence of insulin, but in the presence of insulin the steroid caused a small increase in protein synthesis and a significant reduction in protein degradation. Hydrocortisone promoted the net uptake (or reduced the net release) of branched-chain amino acids independent of insulin and independent of simultaneous changes in protein balance. The specific activities of the lysosomal enzymes cathepsin D and glucosaminidase were reduced by hydrocortisone in all media, whereas the specific activity of creatine kinase increased when the medium contained insulin but decreased in the absence of insulin. It is concluded that hydrocortisone regulates cardiac protein balance via alterations both in synthesis and in degradation. Some of the hormone's myocardial effects are influenced by insulin so that hydrocortisone is anabolic in its presence but catabolic in its absence.", "PMID": 629346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7862", "title": "Loss of glucagon suppression of feeding after vagotomy in rats.", "content": "Infusion of pancreatic glucagon through the hepatic-portal vein decreased short-term food intake in sham-vagotomized but not in subdiaphragmatically vagotomized rats. Measurement of hepatic glycogen storage showed that vagotomized rats maintain a lower glycogen level than control animals over the four fasting periods evaluated. To determine whether the absence of a glucagon effect on feeding in vagotomized rats was the result of the reduced amount of substrate for glycogenolysis, vagotomized rats were not fasted and control animals were food deprived for 8h to produce comparable hepatic glycogen levels. Hepatic-portal infusion of glucagon into these differentially fasted animals suppressed feeding in control rats but not in vagotomized rats. It is concluded that the ineffectiveness of glucagon in suppressing feeding in vagotomized rats is not due to reduced concentration of hepatic glycogen. Instead, it is likely that glucagon induces glycogenolysis, but the glucose, or some other correlate of glycogen breakdown, loses its ability to produce satiety subsequent to vagotomy.", "contents": "Loss of glucagon suppression of feeding after vagotomy in rats. Infusion of pancreatic glucagon through the hepatic-portal vein decreased short-term food intake in sham-vagotomized but not in subdiaphragmatically vagotomized rats. Measurement of hepatic glycogen storage showed that vagotomized rats maintain a lower glycogen level than control animals over the four fasting periods evaluated. To determine whether the absence of a glucagon effect on feeding in vagotomized rats was the result of the reduced amount of substrate for glycogenolysis, vagotomized rats were not fasted and control animals were food deprived for 8h to produce comparable hepatic glycogen levels. Hepatic-portal infusion of glucagon into these differentially fasted animals suppressed feeding in control rats but not in vagotomized rats. It is concluded that the ineffectiveness of glucagon in suppressing feeding in vagotomized rats is not due to reduced concentration of hepatic glycogen. Instead, it is likely that glucagon induces glycogenolysis, but the glucose, or some other correlate of glycogen breakdown, loses its ability to produce satiety subsequent to vagotomy.", "PMID": 629347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7863", "title": "Acid secretion and motility of isolated mammalian gastric mucosa and attached muscularis externa.", "content": "A procedure is described for the setting up of a preparation of mammalian gastric mucosa from kitten or ferret. The mucosa is stripped of its outer muscle coats except for a 2-mm strip of circular muscle fibers running across the diameter of the preparation. The connections of this strip to the underlying mucosa are undisturbed. The preparation is immersed on the nutrient side in Krebs-Henseleit solution, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2, and the secretory side contains 5% dextrose, both at 37 degrees C. Acid secretion is determined by a pH stat method and motility is recorded by a strain gauge attached to one end of the muscle strip. Secretory and motility responses are recorded for the three main parietal cell agonists, acetylcholine (ACh), pentagastrin, and histamine. In all cases, concentrations adequate to produce secretory effects also produced modulation of motor activity. In both animals the similarity between the motility responses produced by cholinergic stimulation and pentagastrin was notable.", "contents": "Acid secretion and motility of isolated mammalian gastric mucosa and attached muscularis externa. A procedure is described for the setting up of a preparation of mammalian gastric mucosa from kitten or ferret. The mucosa is stripped of its outer muscle coats except for a 2-mm strip of circular muscle fibers running across the diameter of the preparation. The connections of this strip to the underlying mucosa are undisturbed. The preparation is immersed on the nutrient side in Krebs-Henseleit solution, gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2, and the secretory side contains 5% dextrose, both at 37 degrees C. Acid secretion is determined by a pH stat method and motility is recorded by a strain gauge attached to one end of the muscle strip. Secretory and motility responses are recorded for the three main parietal cell agonists, acetylcholine (ACh), pentagastrin, and histamine. In all cases, concentrations adequate to produce secretory effects also produced modulation of motor activity. In both animals the similarity between the motility responses produced by cholinergic stimulation and pentagastrin was notable.", "PMID": 629348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7864", "title": "Interdigestive motor activity of Heidenhain pouches in relation to main stomach in conscious dogs.", "content": "A great number of studies using Heidenhain pouches have been reported, but most of them have been concerned with secretory activity. Studies on the motor activity of the pouch are few, and our knowledge about it is rather limited. In the present study, therefore, long-term changes in contractile activity of the Heidenhain pouches were recorded simultaneously with those of the main stomach in conscious dogs by means of chronically implanted force transducers. It was found that during the interdigestive state Heidenhain pouches contracted precisely in association with the main stomach. During this time a series of strong contractions arose simultaneously in the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach, lasted for 24.2 +/- 1.90 min, and then ceased abruptly. Such strong contractions were followed by a long period of motor quiescence lasting for 86.9 +/- 6.06 min. These characteristic recurring episodes in the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach lasted during the interdigestive state but were inhibited by the ingestion of food or intravenous administration of pentagastrin. These findings indicate that the interdigestive motor activity of the stomach is strongly controlled by a humoral factor(s) rather than the parasympathetic nervous system; however, we also propose a possible role for the sympathetic nervous system for coordinated occurrence of the interdigestive contractions between the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach.", "contents": "Interdigestive motor activity of Heidenhain pouches in relation to main stomach in conscious dogs. A great number of studies using Heidenhain pouches have been reported, but most of them have been concerned with secretory activity. Studies on the motor activity of the pouch are few, and our knowledge about it is rather limited. In the present study, therefore, long-term changes in contractile activity of the Heidenhain pouches were recorded simultaneously with those of the main stomach in conscious dogs by means of chronically implanted force transducers. It was found that during the interdigestive state Heidenhain pouches contracted precisely in association with the main stomach. During this time a series of strong contractions arose simultaneously in the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach, lasted for 24.2 +/- 1.90 min, and then ceased abruptly. Such strong contractions were followed by a long period of motor quiescence lasting for 86.9 +/- 6.06 min. These characteristic recurring episodes in the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach lasted during the interdigestive state but were inhibited by the ingestion of food or intravenous administration of pentagastrin. These findings indicate that the interdigestive motor activity of the stomach is strongly controlled by a humoral factor(s) rather than the parasympathetic nervous system; however, we also propose a possible role for the sympathetic nervous system for coordinated occurrence of the interdigestive contractions between the Heidenhain pouch and the main stomach.", "PMID": 629349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7865", "title": "Factors influencing transepithelial potential difference in mammalian distal tubule.", "content": "Studies were performed to examine some electrical properties of the mammalian distal tubule. Experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of changes in ion concentration in luminal fluid on transepithelial potential difference. Variations in the concentration of Na+ and K+, near the physiologic range, resulted in only modest changes in potential difference. During changes in Na+ the average slope, deltaV/ln C2/C1, was -1.52 +/- 0.39 mV and during variations in K+ the slope was -5.60 +/- 0.95 mV. Changes in Cl- concentration had no effect on transepithelial potential difference. Since the sum of transferase numbers did not equal 1, it seems likely that potential difference is influenced by a shunt current due to cellular rheogenic pumps. These data, therefore, indicate that variations in ion concentration in tubular fluid of the mammalian distal tubule do not significantly influence the resting transepithelial potential difference, and they suggest that analysis of permselective properties of the luminal cell membrane by transepithelial electrophysiologic approaches is probably invalid.", "contents": "Factors influencing transepithelial potential difference in mammalian distal tubule. Studies were performed to examine some electrical properties of the mammalian distal tubule. Experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of changes in ion concentration in luminal fluid on transepithelial potential difference. Variations in the concentration of Na+ and K+, near the physiologic range, resulted in only modest changes in potential difference. During changes in Na+ the average slope, deltaV/ln C2/C1, was -1.52 +/- 0.39 mV and during variations in K+ the slope was -5.60 +/- 0.95 mV. Changes in Cl- concentration had no effect on transepithelial potential difference. Since the sum of transferase numbers did not equal 1, it seems likely that potential difference is influenced by a shunt current due to cellular rheogenic pumps. These data, therefore, indicate that variations in ion concentration in tubular fluid of the mammalian distal tubule do not significantly influence the resting transepithelial potential difference, and they suggest that analysis of permselective properties of the luminal cell membrane by transepithelial electrophysiologic approaches is probably invalid.", "PMID": 629352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7866", "title": "Effect of phosphate deprivation on renal phosphate transport in the dog.", "content": "In order to examine the role of dietary intake of phosphate in regulating renal phosphate transport, clearance and micropuncture studies were performed in 25 dogs with various duration of phosphate deprivation induced by low phosphate diet and aluminum hydroxide gel. In phosphate deprivation of 17-41 days duration, the phosphaturic response to extracellular volume expansion (ECVE) was blunted in the intact group and was virtually abolished in the acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) group. With longer phosphate deprivation of 53-110 days, no phosphaturia occurred after ECVE or administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH), even with intact parathyroids. These alterations in phosphaturic responses did not correlate with the plasma phosphate but rather with the duration of phosphate deprivation. Fractional proximal tubule phosphate reabsorption was enhanced in phosphate deprivation and the proximal tubule fluid-to-ultrafilterable phosphate ratio appeared to be a good index for the degree of phosphate deprivation. Acute infusion of phosphate to raise plasma phosphate slightly above normal did not completely restore the responsiveness to ECVE. It is concluded that the adaptive response to phosphate deprivation occurs in both proximal and distal nephron segments and that factors other than plasma phosphate are primarily responsible for such an adaptation.", "contents": "Effect of phosphate deprivation on renal phosphate transport in the dog. In order to examine the role of dietary intake of phosphate in regulating renal phosphate transport, clearance and micropuncture studies were performed in 25 dogs with various duration of phosphate deprivation induced by low phosphate diet and aluminum hydroxide gel. In phosphate deprivation of 17-41 days duration, the phosphaturic response to extracellular volume expansion (ECVE) was blunted in the intact group and was virtually abolished in the acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) group. With longer phosphate deprivation of 53-110 days, no phosphaturia occurred after ECVE or administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH), even with intact parathyroids. These alterations in phosphaturic responses did not correlate with the plasma phosphate but rather with the duration of phosphate deprivation. Fractional proximal tubule phosphate reabsorption was enhanced in phosphate deprivation and the proximal tubule fluid-to-ultrafilterable phosphate ratio appeared to be a good index for the degree of phosphate deprivation. Acute infusion of phosphate to raise plasma phosphate slightly above normal did not completely restore the responsiveness to ECVE. It is concluded that the adaptive response to phosphate deprivation occurs in both proximal and distal nephron segments and that factors other than plasma phosphate are primarily responsible for such an adaptation.", "PMID": 629353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7867", "title": "Superficial nephron tubular-vascular relationships in the rat kidney.", "content": "Silicone rubber injections of methyl salicylate-cleared rat kidneys were performed. In 50 of 56 injections of superficial nephrons with their accompanying blood supply, the efferent vessel and early proximal tubule were closely approximated. In 18 of 21 tubular injections filling through the pars recta, the proximal tubule folded upon itself with early and late proximal segments, in close contact, located over their parent glomerulus, and the midproximal segments separate and located over their parent interlobular artery. The distribution of blood was serially through the early-late proximal region above the glomerulus via a long unbranched efferent vessel, via branches over the capsular surface, via capillaries down through the midproximal region, then into the interlobular vein. The observed anatomical pattern of the superficial nephron appears to permit direct functional interactions between the juxtaposed early and late proximal tubule, and in turn may effect midproximal function via the distribution of blood (modified by early proximal) from the efferent vessel to midproximal convolutions. In addition, the relationship between specific segments of the proximal tubule and specific portions of the postglomerular peritubular blood supply may be important in determining the distribution of peritubular physical forces to these nephrons.", "contents": "Superficial nephron tubular-vascular relationships in the rat kidney. Silicone rubber injections of methyl salicylate-cleared rat kidneys were performed. In 50 of 56 injections of superficial nephrons with their accompanying blood supply, the efferent vessel and early proximal tubule were closely approximated. In 18 of 21 tubular injections filling through the pars recta, the proximal tubule folded upon itself with early and late proximal segments, in close contact, located over their parent glomerulus, and the midproximal segments separate and located over their parent interlobular artery. The distribution of blood was serially through the early-late proximal region above the glomerulus via a long unbranched efferent vessel, via branches over the capsular surface, via capillaries down through the midproximal region, then into the interlobular vein. The observed anatomical pattern of the superficial nephron appears to permit direct functional interactions between the juxtaposed early and late proximal tubule, and in turn may effect midproximal function via the distribution of blood (modified by early proximal) from the efferent vessel to midproximal convolutions. In addition, the relationship between specific segments of the proximal tubule and specific portions of the postglomerular peritubular blood supply may be important in determining the distribution of peritubular physical forces to these nephrons.", "PMID": 629354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7868", "title": "Mathematical modeling of transport in structured tissues: corneal epithelium.", "content": "A computer model has been constructed to describe multi-ionic transport across an epithelium consisting of a transcellular pathway in parallel with a shunt. The model is parameterized to simulate rabbit corneal epithelium. Calculations show that when this tissue is stimulated by epinephrine at open circuit, there is a flux of electrolyte across it into the tears. The magnitude of the flux is sensitive to paracellular resistance, which also affects the potentials across the mucosal cell border and entire epithelium. The electrolyte extrusion rate of the tissue is found to be near zero in the absence of stimulation. More generally, it is shown that for epithelia whose structure is at least as complex as that used here, the active transport rate of ions exceeds their net flux at short circuit; tracer fluxes in one direction at two polarizations cannot be used to identify active transport or significant tracer interactions; and tracer measurements yield ionic permeabilities only at short circuit and only if the ion is not actively transported.", "contents": "Mathematical modeling of transport in structured tissues: corneal epithelium. A computer model has been constructed to describe multi-ionic transport across an epithelium consisting of a transcellular pathway in parallel with a shunt. The model is parameterized to simulate rabbit corneal epithelium. Calculations show that when this tissue is stimulated by epinephrine at open circuit, there is a flux of electrolyte across it into the tears. The magnitude of the flux is sensitive to paracellular resistance, which also affects the potentials across the mucosal cell border and entire epithelium. The electrolyte extrusion rate of the tissue is found to be near zero in the absence of stimulation. More generally, it is shown that for epithelia whose structure is at least as complex as that used here, the active transport rate of ions exceeds their net flux at short circuit; tracer fluxes in one direction at two polarizations cannot be used to identify active transport or significant tracer interactions; and tracer measurements yield ionic permeabilities only at short circuit and only if the ion is not actively transported.", "PMID": 629355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7869", "title": "Permeability changes in Necturus proximal tubule during volume expansion.", "content": "The permeability of Necturus proximal tubule to hydrophilic nonelectrolytes of varying molecular size was studied under control conditions and during isotonic expansion of the animal's extracellular volume. Transepithelial permeability was measured in perfused tubular segments under conditions of zero net water flux. During volume expansion, tubular permeability to urea increased slightly, whereas mannitol decreased slightly and permeability to sucrose was significantly decreased. Volume expansion had a greater effect on osmotic flow parameters; the NaCl reflection coefficient decreased from 0.64 to 0.47 (summer animals) and from 0.41 to 0.27 (winter animals). Osmotic water flux and hydraulic conductivity increased but only in the lumen-to-capillary direction. Reflection coefficients of nonelectrolytes measured at the apical surface were reduced during volume expansion for probing molecules greater than 3 A in radius and were unchanged for smaller molecules, less than 3 A, suggesting two pore populations. We propose that an increase in tight-junction permeability can account for modification of osmotic flow parameters, whereas the whole thickness of the epithelium, particularly the intercellular space, plays the dominant role in regulation of diffusional permeability.", "contents": "Permeability changes in Necturus proximal tubule during volume expansion. The permeability of Necturus proximal tubule to hydrophilic nonelectrolytes of varying molecular size was studied under control conditions and during isotonic expansion of the animal's extracellular volume. Transepithelial permeability was measured in perfused tubular segments under conditions of zero net water flux. During volume expansion, tubular permeability to urea increased slightly, whereas mannitol decreased slightly and permeability to sucrose was significantly decreased. Volume expansion had a greater effect on osmotic flow parameters; the NaCl reflection coefficient decreased from 0.64 to 0.47 (summer animals) and from 0.41 to 0.27 (winter animals). Osmotic water flux and hydraulic conductivity increased but only in the lumen-to-capillary direction. Reflection coefficients of nonelectrolytes measured at the apical surface were reduced during volume expansion for probing molecules greater than 3 A in radius and were unchanged for smaller molecules, less than 3 A, suggesting two pore populations. We propose that an increase in tight-junction permeability can account for modification of osmotic flow parameters, whereas the whole thickness of the epithelium, particularly the intercellular space, plays the dominant role in regulation of diffusional permeability.", "PMID": 629356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7870", "title": "Generation of transepithelial potentials by isolated perfused reptilian distal tubules.", "content": "Transepithelial potentials were measured in the most distal segments of garter snake (Thamnophis spp.) distal tubles perfused in vitro. The segments generated high lumen-negative potentials when sodium was in the lumen. The size of the potentials was a saturable function of luminal sodium concentrations between 0 and 32 mM. The potentials were stable with time only when sodium concentrations in the lumen were less than 30 mM. Perfusion with high sodium concentrations resulted in transient potentials. Stable potentials changed markedly when the lumen sodium concentration or the bath potassium concentration was altered suddenly, but they were independent of lumen potassium concentrations and bath sodium concentrations. Amiloride stimulated or inhibited the potentials, ouabain partially depressed them, and ethacrynic acid and cyanide inhibited them slowly and often irreversibly. We conclude that distal transepithelial potentials reflect sodium transport from lumen to bath across a tight asymmetric epithelium which differs from other sodium-transporting epithelia in that stable transepithelial potentials are maintained only with luminal sodium concentrations less than 30 mM.", "contents": "Generation of transepithelial potentials by isolated perfused reptilian distal tubules. Transepithelial potentials were measured in the most distal segments of garter snake (Thamnophis spp.) distal tubles perfused in vitro. The segments generated high lumen-negative potentials when sodium was in the lumen. The size of the potentials was a saturable function of luminal sodium concentrations between 0 and 32 mM. The potentials were stable with time only when sodium concentrations in the lumen were less than 30 mM. Perfusion with high sodium concentrations resulted in transient potentials. Stable potentials changed markedly when the lumen sodium concentration or the bath potassium concentration was altered suddenly, but they were independent of lumen potassium concentrations and bath sodium concentrations. Amiloride stimulated or inhibited the potentials, ouabain partially depressed them, and ethacrynic acid and cyanide inhibited them slowly and often irreversibly. We conclude that distal transepithelial potentials reflect sodium transport from lumen to bath across a tight asymmetric epithelium which differs from other sodium-transporting epithelia in that stable transepithelial potentials are maintained only with luminal sodium concentrations less than 30 mM.", "PMID": 629357} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7871", "title": "Techniques for microdrop analysis of fluids (sweat, saliva, urine) with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer on a scanning electron microscope.", "content": "Volumes of 10(-10) liter of sweat, saliva, and urine were analyzed with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) X-ray analyzer on a standard scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of the EDS analysis of diluted and undiluted samples were verified by comparison with results of analyses of the same sample prepared by conventional quantitative methods. Except for Cl in concentrated urines and Mg in low concentrations, good agreement was found between the methods. The analysis provides quantitation of most elements of biological interest present in concentrations of about 1 mM, while it demonstrates good linearity (r greater than 0.99) throughout a wide range of commonly encountered biological concentrations. Reproducibility of the analysis is on the order of 2% and the minimal determinable concentration is generally between 0.5 and 1.0 mM for S, P, K, and Ca and slightly more than 1.0 mM for Mg.", "contents": "Techniques for microdrop analysis of fluids (sweat, saliva, urine) with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer on a scanning electron microscope. Volumes of 10(-10) liter of sweat, saliva, and urine were analyzed with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) X-ray analyzer on a standard scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results of the EDS analysis of diluted and undiluted samples were verified by comparison with results of analyses of the same sample prepared by conventional quantitative methods. Except for Cl in concentrated urines and Mg in low concentrations, good agreement was found between the methods. The analysis provides quantitation of most elements of biological interest present in concentrations of about 1 mM, while it demonstrates good linearity (r greater than 0.99) throughout a wide range of commonly encountered biological concentrations. Reproducibility of the analysis is on the order of 2% and the minimal determinable concentration is generally between 0.5 and 1.0 mM for S, P, K, and Ca and slightly more than 1.0 mM for Mg.", "PMID": 629358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7872", "title": "Interaction of descending spinal sympathetic pathways and afferent nerves.", "content": "With the use of computer-aided techniques, the interaction of descending spinal sympathetic pathways and afferent nerve fibers (cervical dorsal roots and tibial nerve) in regulation of thoracic (T2) preganglionic nerve activity was investigated in anesthetized, vagotomized, and paralyzed cats. High-frequency activation of a sympathoinhibitory pathway (ventrolateral funiculus) depressed the evoked discharges in the T2 preganglionic nerve elicited by stimulation of a sympathoexcitatory pathway (dorsolateral funiculus) and the spinal component of the somatosympathetic reflex. Submaximal evoked responses were also inhibited through baroreceptor reflex activation (blood pressure elevations up to 225 mmHg). Facilitation of the spinal component of the somatosympathetic reflex occurred during stimulation of the excitatory pathway. Carotid occlusion (baroreceptor inactivation) facilitated the submaximal evoked discharges from stimulation of the descending excitatory pathway. These data support the contention that sympathetic nerve activity can be modified by the integration of excitatory and inhibitory impulses at the spinal level.", "contents": "Interaction of descending spinal sympathetic pathways and afferent nerves. With the use of computer-aided techniques, the interaction of descending spinal sympathetic pathways and afferent nerve fibers (cervical dorsal roots and tibial nerve) in regulation of thoracic (T2) preganglionic nerve activity was investigated in anesthetized, vagotomized, and paralyzed cats. High-frequency activation of a sympathoinhibitory pathway (ventrolateral funiculus) depressed the evoked discharges in the T2 preganglionic nerve elicited by stimulation of a sympathoexcitatory pathway (dorsolateral funiculus) and the spinal component of the somatosympathetic reflex. Submaximal evoked responses were also inhibited through baroreceptor reflex activation (blood pressure elevations up to 225 mmHg). Facilitation of the spinal component of the somatosympathetic reflex occurred during stimulation of the excitatory pathway. Carotid occlusion (baroreceptor inactivation) facilitated the submaximal evoked discharges from stimulation of the descending excitatory pathway. These data support the contention that sympathetic nerve activity can be modified by the integration of excitatory and inhibitory impulses at the spinal level.", "PMID": 629359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7873", "title": "Norepinephrine metabolism in canine saphenous vein: prevalence of glycol metabolites.", "content": "To examine the disposition of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) in adrenergically innervated veins, helical strips of canine saphenous veins were incubated in Krebs-Ringer solution containing D,L[3H]NE (2 X 10(-7) M) for 2 h. [3H]NE and its metabolites were measured in extracts of veins and in superfusate (Krebs-Ringer) collected during basal conditions and during release of [3H]NE evoked by electrical stimulation (1-8 Hz), tyramine (5 X 10(-6) to 5 X 10(-4) M), or high concentrations of potassium (35-100 meq/liter). During basal conditions, the efflux from veins comprised mainly metabolits of [3H]NE, especially 3,4-dihydroxphenylglycol (DOPEG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MOPEG); this pattern was unchanged by cocaine treatment, and monoamine oxidase inhibition reduced the formation of DOPEG. During evoked release of NE, the major metabolites in the perfusate were DOPEG, MOPEG, and normetanephrine, and their proportions differed with the stimulus used: O-methylated metabolites in the perfusate always increased more than did the deaminated catechol compounds; DOPEG and MOPEG were released in greater amounts than the corresponding acids; and cocaine treatment caused a higher content of all metabolites except DOPEG. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was also formed by the vein but was retained in the tissue.", "contents": "Norepinephrine metabolism in canine saphenous vein: prevalence of glycol metabolites. To examine the disposition of [3H]norepinephrine ([3H]NE) in adrenergically innervated veins, helical strips of canine saphenous veins were incubated in Krebs-Ringer solution containing D,L[3H]NE (2 X 10(-7) M) for 2 h. [3H]NE and its metabolites were measured in extracts of veins and in superfusate (Krebs-Ringer) collected during basal conditions and during release of [3H]NE evoked by electrical stimulation (1-8 Hz), tyramine (5 X 10(-6) to 5 X 10(-4) M), or high concentrations of potassium (35-100 meq/liter). During basal conditions, the efflux from veins comprised mainly metabolits of [3H]NE, especially 3,4-dihydroxphenylglycol (DOPEG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MOPEG); this pattern was unchanged by cocaine treatment, and monoamine oxidase inhibition reduced the formation of DOPEG. During evoked release of NE, the major metabolites in the perfusate were DOPEG, MOPEG, and normetanephrine, and their proportions differed with the stimulus used: O-methylated metabolites in the perfusate always increased more than did the deaminated catechol compounds; DOPEG and MOPEG were released in greater amounts than the corresponding acids; and cocaine treatment caused a higher content of all metabolites except DOPEG. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was also formed by the vein but was retained in the tissue.", "PMID": 629360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7874", "title": "Effect of activation sequence on MVO2 before and after coronary ligation.", "content": "In pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs with fixed heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic arterial pressure, ectopic ventricular activation originating from apical as compared to basilar regions of either ventricle was associated with small (3--5%) but significantly (P less than 0.005) lower myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2) and thus higher left ventricular (LV) efficiency without change in LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), work index (LVWI), and LV dP/dt. Data obtained during epicardial and corresponding endocardial activation did not differ. During normal ventricular activation, MVO2 remained unchanged but LVEDP was significantly (P less than 0.005) lower, thus yielding higher LVWI and efficiency. MVO2 differences among ectopic sites were abolished after coronary artery occlusion, whereas data obtained during endocardial and epicardial on normal and ectopic activation were not affected. Thus, normal activation resulting in lower LVEDP is most efficient; apical ventricular activation is less efficient at the same MVO2P basilar is the least efficient, because both MVO2 and LVEDP are higher. Ventricular activation sequence changes do not constitute a substantial determinant of MVO2.", "contents": "Effect of activation sequence on MVO2 before and after coronary ligation. In pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest dogs with fixed heart rate, cardiac output, and systemic arterial pressure, ectopic ventricular activation originating from apical as compared to basilar regions of either ventricle was associated with small (3--5%) but significantly (P less than 0.005) lower myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2) and thus higher left ventricular (LV) efficiency without change in LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), work index (LVWI), and LV dP/dt. Data obtained during epicardial and corresponding endocardial activation did not differ. During normal ventricular activation, MVO2 remained unchanged but LVEDP was significantly (P less than 0.005) lower, thus yielding higher LVWI and efficiency. MVO2 differences among ectopic sites were abolished after coronary artery occlusion, whereas data obtained during endocardial and epicardial on normal and ectopic activation were not affected. Thus, normal activation resulting in lower LVEDP is most efficient; apical ventricular activation is less efficient at the same MVO2P basilar is the least efficient, because both MVO2 and LVEDP are higher. Ventricular activation sequence changes do not constitute a substantial determinant of MVO2.", "PMID": 629361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7875", "title": "Estimation of the filtration coefficient of pulmonary exchange vessels.", "content": "Filtration characteristics of the exchange vessels in isolated dog lung were studied by calculating the volume conductance (LP,C) with use of different components of the weight-gain curve following changes in capillary pressure. In one series of lungs, capillary pressure was elevated to levels that produced alveolar edema (29.4 +/- 5.3 (mean +/- SD) mmHg), and total alveolar capillary membrane conductances (LP,T) were calculated using different components of the accumulated weight-gain measurements. These conductance values are similar to those found in the literature for studies in which alveolar edema developed and LP,T was calculated using wet-to-dry weight ratios as a measure of filtered volume. In another series of lungs, capillary pressure was altered by only 5.8 +/- 2.5 mmHg, and LP,C was calculated by estimating the initial filtration rate by an extrapolation method LP,C calculated by use of the extrapolation method (0.71 X 10(-11) cm3/dyn-s) was larger than the LP,T reported in the literature, because LP,T is an estimate of the conductance of the alveolar plus the capillary membrane. Also, for the most calculations of LP,T, tissue forces have changed which causes an overestimation of the filtration driving pressure and thus an underestimate of the capillary volume conductance. After estimating both LP,C and LP,T, the maximum volume conductance of the alveolar membrane (LP,a) was calculated to be 0.13 X 10(-11) cm3/dyn-s.", "contents": "Estimation of the filtration coefficient of pulmonary exchange vessels. Filtration characteristics of the exchange vessels in isolated dog lung were studied by calculating the volume conductance (LP,C) with use of different components of the weight-gain curve following changes in capillary pressure. In one series of lungs, capillary pressure was elevated to levels that produced alveolar edema (29.4 +/- 5.3 (mean +/- SD) mmHg), and total alveolar capillary membrane conductances (LP,T) were calculated using different components of the accumulated weight-gain measurements. These conductance values are similar to those found in the literature for studies in which alveolar edema developed and LP,T was calculated using wet-to-dry weight ratios as a measure of filtered volume. In another series of lungs, capillary pressure was altered by only 5.8 +/- 2.5 mmHg, and LP,C was calculated by estimating the initial filtration rate by an extrapolation method LP,C calculated by use of the extrapolation method (0.71 X 10(-11) cm3/dyn-s) was larger than the LP,T reported in the literature, because LP,T is an estimate of the conductance of the alveolar plus the capillary membrane. Also, for the most calculations of LP,T, tissue forces have changed which causes an overestimation of the filtration driving pressure and thus an underestimate of the capillary volume conductance. After estimating both LP,C and LP,T, the maximum volume conductance of the alveolar membrane (LP,a) was calculated to be 0.13 X 10(-11) cm3/dyn-s.", "PMID": 629362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7876", "title": "Comparison of carotid artery mechanics in the rat, rabbit, and dog.", "content": "Cylindrical segments of carotid arteries from rat, rabbit, and dog were studied in vitro in order to compare active and passive mechanical properties, with gross morphology and composition. Pressure-diameter relations were determined under active (norepinephrine) and passive (2 mM EGTA) conditions, and were used to compute values of tangential wall stress, incremental elastic moduli, characteristic impedance, and active smooth muscle responses. The water and connective tissue contents of these segments were also determined. Significant differences were found in the passive mechanical properties of these arteries, with those of the rat being most compliant and those of the dog being the stiffest. These differences were consistent with the connective tissue content of these arteries. The ratio of collagen to elastin was smallest in the rat and largest in the canine carotids. Differences were also demonstrated in the responses to smooth muscle activation. The maximum value of active stress response was essentially the same in the canine and rabbit arteries, both of which were larger than that of the rat carotids. On the other hand, the rabbit vessels produced a larger maximum diameter response than either of the other arteries. Values of incremental elastic modulus were largest at specific values of transmural pressure for the rabbit vessels. This latter fact may make the contractile system more effective in reducing wall diameter in the rabbit arteries in spite of the fact that they did not have the capacity to generate a larger active stress response.", "contents": "Comparison of carotid artery mechanics in the rat, rabbit, and dog. Cylindrical segments of carotid arteries from rat, rabbit, and dog were studied in vitro in order to compare active and passive mechanical properties, with gross morphology and composition. Pressure-diameter relations were determined under active (norepinephrine) and passive (2 mM EGTA) conditions, and were used to compute values of tangential wall stress, incremental elastic moduli, characteristic impedance, and active smooth muscle responses. The water and connective tissue contents of these segments were also determined. Significant differences were found in the passive mechanical properties of these arteries, with those of the rat being most compliant and those of the dog being the stiffest. These differences were consistent with the connective tissue content of these arteries. The ratio of collagen to elastin was smallest in the rat and largest in the canine carotids. Differences were also demonstrated in the responses to smooth muscle activation. The maximum value of active stress response was essentially the same in the canine and rabbit arteries, both of which were larger than that of the rat carotids. On the other hand, the rabbit vessels produced a larger maximum diameter response than either of the other arteries. Values of incremental elastic modulus were largest at specific values of transmural pressure for the rabbit vessels. This latter fact may make the contractile system more effective in reducing wall diameter in the rabbit arteries in spite of the fact that they did not have the capacity to generate a larger active stress response.", "PMID": 629363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7877", "title": "Maternal placental vascular compliance in rabbits.", "content": "We studied compliance on the maternal side of the placenta of 20 New Zealand white rabbits, using 51Cr and 125I labels to determine erythrocyte, plasma, and whole-blood volumes per gram of placental tissue under varying maternal pressure conditions. At normal maternal arterial (Pa) and venous (Pv) pressures of 71.8 and 5.5 mmHg, placental blood volume (mean +/- SE) was 0.447 +/- 0.051 ml/g placental tissue. When venous pressure was raised (Pa = 45.5, Pv = 12.2) by occluding the inferior vena cava, blood volume increased to 0.729 +/- 0.068 ml/g, a significant 63% rise. However, when arterial pressure was lowered by occluding the aorta in two steps, dropping to Pa = 33.8, Pv = 7.0, and Pa = 13.5, Pv = 5.4, volume did not decrease significantly. We estimated intervillous space pressure (Pivs) from arterial and venous pressures assuming a ratio of venous to total resistance of 0.02. Compliance calculated from the slope of Pivs vs. volume was 0.0471 ml/mmHg per g. Maternal placental hematocrit averaged 27%, appreciably less than the circulating hematocrit of 38%. Overall, the results suggest that placental volume would be maintained during hypotension and would increase when venous pressure is elevated.", "contents": "Maternal placental vascular compliance in rabbits. We studied compliance on the maternal side of the placenta of 20 New Zealand white rabbits, using 51Cr and 125I labels to determine erythrocyte, plasma, and whole-blood volumes per gram of placental tissue under varying maternal pressure conditions. At normal maternal arterial (Pa) and venous (Pv) pressures of 71.8 and 5.5 mmHg, placental blood volume (mean +/- SE) was 0.447 +/- 0.051 ml/g placental tissue. When venous pressure was raised (Pa = 45.5, Pv = 12.2) by occluding the inferior vena cava, blood volume increased to 0.729 +/- 0.068 ml/g, a significant 63% rise. However, when arterial pressure was lowered by occluding the aorta in two steps, dropping to Pa = 33.8, Pv = 7.0, and Pa = 13.5, Pv = 5.4, volume did not decrease significantly. We estimated intervillous space pressure (Pivs) from arterial and venous pressures assuming a ratio of venous to total resistance of 0.02. Compliance calculated from the slope of Pivs vs. volume was 0.0471 ml/mmHg per g. Maternal placental hematocrit averaged 27%, appreciably less than the circulating hematocrit of 38%. Overall, the results suggest that placental volume would be maintained during hypotension and would increase when venous pressure is elevated.", "PMID": 629364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7878", "title": "Measurement of Vmax of the cardiac action potential with a sample/hold peak detector.", "content": "A simple device for measuring the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) of the cardiac action potential is described. It consists of a differentiator, filter, and sample/hold peak detector. The sample/hold cycles are automatically set by the stimulus. The circuit can drive a standard pen recorder and digital voltmeter, resulting in rapid and accurate measurements. An example of the effect of quinidine on the upstroke of the cardiac action potential is shown. The circuit can easily be adapted to other applications.", "contents": "Measurement of Vmax of the cardiac action potential with a sample/hold peak detector. A simple device for measuring the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) of the cardiac action potential is described. It consists of a differentiator, filter, and sample/hold peak detector. The sample/hold cycles are automatically set by the stimulus. The circuit can drive a standard pen recorder and digital voltmeter, resulting in rapid and accurate measurements. An example of the effect of quinidine on the upstroke of the cardiac action potential is shown. The circuit can easily be adapted to other applications.", "PMID": 629365} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7879", "title": "Overall characteristics of arterial pressure control system studied by mild hemorrhage.", "content": "The overall, static, open-loop gain of the negative-feedback arterial pressure control system was determined repeatedly in anesthetized cats under normal and hypovolumic states. The gain, H, was assessed as (deltaAPI/deltaAPS)-1, where deltaAPI is the immediate fall and deltaAPS the steady-state fall in arterial pressure following a stepwise reduction in blood volume. When the step size was increased from 1.25 to 25% of the total blood volume, H decreased from 30 to less than unity. Considering this amplitude dependence of H, a small amount (1.25%) of quick (in less than 0.3 s) hemorrhage was used to determine H throughout the rest of the experiments. Time-dependent variation of H was evident after a large amount (6.25%) of blood loss. During the initial 10 min, H increased to 126% of the control value, decreased to 43% over the subsequent 20--70 min, and showed a trend toward recovery. The small signal analysis permits a quantitative characterization of the time and input size dependent nature of the arterial pressure control system after various degrees of hemorrhage.", "contents": "Overall characteristics of arterial pressure control system studied by mild hemorrhage. The overall, static, open-loop gain of the negative-feedback arterial pressure control system was determined repeatedly in anesthetized cats under normal and hypovolumic states. The gain, H, was assessed as (deltaAPI/deltaAPS)-1, where deltaAPI is the immediate fall and deltaAPS the steady-state fall in arterial pressure following a stepwise reduction in blood volume. When the step size was increased from 1.25 to 25% of the total blood volume, H decreased from 30 to less than unity. Considering this amplitude dependence of H, a small amount (1.25%) of quick (in less than 0.3 s) hemorrhage was used to determine H throughout the rest of the experiments. Time-dependent variation of H was evident after a large amount (6.25%) of blood loss. During the initial 10 min, H increased to 126% of the control value, decreased to 43% over the subsequent 20--70 min, and showed a trend toward recovery. The small signal analysis permits a quantitative characterization of the time and input size dependent nature of the arterial pressure control system after various degrees of hemorrhage.", "PMID": 629366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7880", "title": "Circadian rhythms in blinded rats: correlation between pineal and activity cycles.", "content": "The rat pineal gland exhibits diurnal rhythms in levels of N-acetyltransferase activity and its substrate serotonin. We attempted to demonstrate the endogenous nature of these changes by measuring the pineal enzyme and its substrate in rats blinded for 37 and 60 days. In order to determine the proper sampling times for these one-time, terminal measurements, the running activity rhythm of each rat was monitored continuously and the animals were killed at either midrest or midrun. Circadian changes of pineal N-acetyltransferase and serotonin were demonstrated, with enzyme levels high and substrate content low during midrun. Absolute values during each activity phase were similar to those of control rats entrained to a light cycle (LD 12:12). Levels of the pineal constituents were unrelated to local time. These results suggest that rats blinded for up to 60 days maintain their free-running pineal rhythms with undamped amplitudes and in synchronization with the activity rhythm.", "contents": "Circadian rhythms in blinded rats: correlation between pineal and activity cycles. The rat pineal gland exhibits diurnal rhythms in levels of N-acetyltransferase activity and its substrate serotonin. We attempted to demonstrate the endogenous nature of these changes by measuring the pineal enzyme and its substrate in rats blinded for 37 and 60 days. In order to determine the proper sampling times for these one-time, terminal measurements, the running activity rhythm of each rat was monitored continuously and the animals were killed at either midrest or midrun. Circadian changes of pineal N-acetyltransferase and serotonin were demonstrated, with enzyme levels high and substrate content low during midrun. Absolute values during each activity phase were similar to those of control rats entrained to a light cycle (LD 12:12). Levels of the pineal constituents were unrelated to local time. These results suggest that rats blinded for up to 60 days maintain their free-running pineal rhythms with undamped amplitudes and in synchronization with the activity rhythm.", "PMID": 629367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7881", "title": "Periventricular preoptic-hypothalamus is vital for thirst and normal water economy.", "content": "A midline stereotaxic lesion in rats destroying the periventricular tissue (lamina terminalis and preoptic-anterior hypothalamic periventricular stratum) surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) produces adipsia without other marked behavioral changes. Although food consumption is reduced in animals rendered adipsic by the lesion, feeding continued and intake is comparable to that of water-deprived-sham-lesioned animals. About half the rats recover drinking after a period of adipsia, but the others never resume water intake and become moribund. An analysis of urinary output indicates that adipsic animals fail to reduce urine volume and continue to elaborate an inappropriately dilute urine. The periventricular lesion-induced adipsia without compensating antidiuresis produces a significant rise in plasma protein, sodium, osmolality, and urea nitrogen which if untreated often results in acute encephalopathy leading to death. These data suggest that preoptic-anterior hypothalamic periventricular tissue houses vital neural elements which function in the modulation of water ingestive and conservation mechanisms directed at the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis.", "contents": "Periventricular preoptic-hypothalamus is vital for thirst and normal water economy. A midline stereotaxic lesion in rats destroying the periventricular tissue (lamina terminalis and preoptic-anterior hypothalamic periventricular stratum) surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) produces adipsia without other marked behavioral changes. Although food consumption is reduced in animals rendered adipsic by the lesion, feeding continued and intake is comparable to that of water-deprived-sham-lesioned animals. About half the rats recover drinking after a period of adipsia, but the others never resume water intake and become moribund. An analysis of urinary output indicates that adipsic animals fail to reduce urine volume and continue to elaborate an inappropriately dilute urine. The periventricular lesion-induced adipsia without compensating antidiuresis produces a significant rise in plasma protein, sodium, osmolality, and urea nitrogen which if untreated often results in acute encephalopathy leading to death. These data suggest that preoptic-anterior hypothalamic periventricular tissue houses vital neural elements which function in the modulation of water ingestive and conservation mechanisms directed at the maintenance of body fluid homeostasis.", "PMID": 629368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7882", "title": "Blood flow distribution in the duck lung and its control by respiratory gases.", "content": "Blood flow to subunits of the lung was studied in the duck by use of radioactive microspheres. In spontaneously breathing, unanesthetized animals (series I) neopulmo was slightly better perfused than the average lung and along the paleopulmonic parabronchi, blood flow was found to decrease in the direction of ventilatory gas flow and thus of decreasing PO2 and increasing PCO2 in lung gas. The effects of respiratory gases on regional lung perfusion were investigated in unidirectionally ventilated animals (series II) in which gas mixtures offered to both lungs could be controlled independently. Local hypoxia resulted in reduction of local blood flow, whereas effects from hyperoxia or CO2 could not be substantiated. Reversal of the direction of unidirectional ventilatory flow (series III), and thus reversal of the profiles of respired gas concentrations along the parabronchi, suggest that the inhomogeneity in blood flow observed in spontaneously breathing animals of series I can only in part be explained as an acute adjustment to the local hypoxia. Calculations show that this inhomogeneity of blood flow constitutes an only minor impairment of the overall gas exchange efficacy of the parabronchial lung.", "contents": "Blood flow distribution in the duck lung and its control by respiratory gases. Blood flow to subunits of the lung was studied in the duck by use of radioactive microspheres. In spontaneously breathing, unanesthetized animals (series I) neopulmo was slightly better perfused than the average lung and along the paleopulmonic parabronchi, blood flow was found to decrease in the direction of ventilatory gas flow and thus of decreasing PO2 and increasing PCO2 in lung gas. The effects of respiratory gases on regional lung perfusion were investigated in unidirectionally ventilated animals (series II) in which gas mixtures offered to both lungs could be controlled independently. Local hypoxia resulted in reduction of local blood flow, whereas effects from hyperoxia or CO2 could not be substantiated. Reversal of the direction of unidirectional ventilatory flow (series III), and thus reversal of the profiles of respired gas concentrations along the parabronchi, suggest that the inhomogeneity in blood flow observed in spontaneously breathing animals of series I can only in part be explained as an acute adjustment to the local hypoxia. Calculations show that this inhomogeneity of blood flow constitutes an only minor impairment of the overall gas exchange efficacy of the parabronchial lung.", "PMID": 629369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7883", "title": "Myocardial inotrophy of CO2 in water- and air-breathing vertebrates.", "content": "A negative-inotropic effect of CO2 on myocardial contractility presumably occurs because increasing H+ concentration competes with Ca2+ at cellular membranes and proteins. Since air-breathing vertebrates have higher blood and tissue CO2 concentration than water breathers the question was raised whether the cardiac cell has a modified sensitivity to CO2 correlated with the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water breathers to air breathers. The water-breathing fish, Salmo gairdneri, and the air-breathing turtle, Pseudemys scripta, were selected as experimental animals, since their total CO2 concentration differs markedly (3.0 and 16.0 mmol.kg-1). Electrically paced isometric ventricular strips from both species were subjected to a stepwise increase in PCO2 from 25 to 114 Torr (pH0 7.80 to 7.0; HCO3- 30 mM). Trout were additionally exposed to the same pH0 changes at 5 mM HCO3- by a stepwise increase in PCO2 (4.5-12 Torr). At each increase in PCO2 the turtle heart showed a lesser negative inotropic effect than trout. The present findings offer direct evidence that the negative inotropic effect of CO2 on heart muscle is inversely proportional to the in vivo levels of tissue CO2 concentration. The results obtained are discussed in relation to phylogenetical and ecological aspects of acid-base balance.", "contents": "Myocardial inotrophy of CO2 in water- and air-breathing vertebrates. A negative-inotropic effect of CO2 on myocardial contractility presumably occurs because increasing H+ concentration competes with Ca2+ at cellular membranes and proteins. Since air-breathing vertebrates have higher blood and tissue CO2 concentration than water breathers the question was raised whether the cardiac cell has a modified sensitivity to CO2 correlated with the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water breathers to air breathers. The water-breathing fish, Salmo gairdneri, and the air-breathing turtle, Pseudemys scripta, were selected as experimental animals, since their total CO2 concentration differs markedly (3.0 and 16.0 mmol.kg-1). Electrically paced isometric ventricular strips from both species were subjected to a stepwise increase in PCO2 from 25 to 114 Torr (pH0 7.80 to 7.0; HCO3- 30 mM). Trout were additionally exposed to the same pH0 changes at 5 mM HCO3- by a stepwise increase in PCO2 (4.5-12 Torr). At each increase in PCO2 the turtle heart showed a lesser negative inotropic effect than trout. The present findings offer direct evidence that the negative inotropic effect of CO2 on heart muscle is inversely proportional to the in vivo levels of tissue CO2 concentration. The results obtained are discussed in relation to phylogenetical and ecological aspects of acid-base balance.", "PMID": 629370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7884", "title": "Arterial pressure-urinary output relationship in hypertensive rats.", "content": "The steady-state relationship between mean arterial pressure (AP) and output of sodium and water was determined for one-kidney control (1KC), one-kidney Goldblatt (1KG), normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Control fluid intake (given by intravenous infusion) was set at approximately 30 ml/day Ringer solution. The infusion rate was then increased progressively to 2, 4, and 8 times control for 24- to 48-h periods each. Control AP averaged 115 Torr in 1KC, 152 Torr in 1KG, 120 Torr in WKY, and 158 Torr in SHR. The eightfold increase in salt and water intake was accompanied by almost equal increase in salt and water output and increases in AP to 157 Torr in 1KC, 190 Torr in 1KG, 126 Torr in WKY, and 166 Torr in SHR. The arterial pressure-urinary output relationship in 1KG is parallel to that of 1KC but shifted to higher AP levels. Similarly, this relationship in SHR is parallel to that of WKY but shifted to higher AP levels. This parallel shift is indicative of uniform renal vasoconstriction but normal functional renal mass in the SHR.", "contents": "Arterial pressure-urinary output relationship in hypertensive rats. The steady-state relationship between mean arterial pressure (AP) and output of sodium and water was determined for one-kidney control (1KC), one-kidney Goldblatt (1KG), normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Control fluid intake (given by intravenous infusion) was set at approximately 30 ml/day Ringer solution. The infusion rate was then increased progressively to 2, 4, and 8 times control for 24- to 48-h periods each. Control AP averaged 115 Torr in 1KC, 152 Torr in 1KG, 120 Torr in WKY, and 158 Torr in SHR. The eightfold increase in salt and water intake was accompanied by almost equal increase in salt and water output and increases in AP to 157 Torr in 1KC, 190 Torr in 1KG, 126 Torr in WKY, and 166 Torr in SHR. The arterial pressure-urinary output relationship in 1KG is parallel to that of 1KC but shifted to higher AP levels. Similarly, this relationship in SHR is parallel to that of WKY but shifted to higher AP levels. This parallel shift is indicative of uniform renal vasoconstriction but normal functional renal mass in the SHR.", "PMID": 629373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7885", "title": "A histological study of the development of the avian middle ear and tympanum.", "content": "The development of the middle ear and tympanum of Gallus gallus has been studied in embryos Hamilton-Hamburger stages 20-46. Particular attention was paid to the pattern of expansion of the pharyngeal pouch forming the tympanic cavity, and the histogenesis of the tissues of the region of the vestibular window. It is concluded that pouch expansion is brought about by simple epithelial growth into regions devoid of mesenchyme. The mesenchyme does not show significant cell death, but differentiates as connective tissue, macrophages, and sinus vascular spaces. The epithelium of the mature cavity is of endodermal origin, and there is no indication of celomic contributions. We provide a detailed morphological analysis of the development of the footplate from cells of both the second visceral arch and the otic capsule. These detailed observations on the patterns of chondrification of columella and capsular tissues permit the presentation of a model for cellular interactions leading to the differentiation of the annular ligament.", "contents": "A histological study of the development of the avian middle ear and tympanum. The development of the middle ear and tympanum of Gallus gallus has been studied in embryos Hamilton-Hamburger stages 20-46. Particular attention was paid to the pattern of expansion of the pharyngeal pouch forming the tympanic cavity, and the histogenesis of the tissues of the region of the vestibular window. It is concluded that pouch expansion is brought about by simple epithelial growth into regions devoid of mesenchyme. The mesenchyme does not show significant cell death, but differentiates as connective tissue, macrophages, and sinus vascular spaces. The epithelium of the mature cavity is of endodermal origin, and there is no indication of celomic contributions. We provide a detailed morphological analysis of the development of the footplate from cells of both the second visceral arch and the otic capsule. These detailed observations on the patterns of chondrification of columella and capsular tissues permit the presentation of a model for cellular interactions leading to the differentiation of the annular ligament.", "PMID": 629401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7886", "title": "The histogenesis of lymph nodes in rat and rabbit.", "content": "The histogenesis of the popliteal lymph node in the rat and the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes in the rabbit was examined by light microscopy. Special emphasis has been laid on the initial lymphocyte population in the lymph node anlage. In the rat on the seventeenth day of gestation lymphoid cells populate a limited mesenchymal area along the vein wall. The next day the mesenchyme shows a bulb-shaped outgrowth causing an indentation in the wall of a lymph vessel, running parallel to the vein and having a saccular widening at this place. The bulb-shaped lymphoid outgrowth fills up the widened lymph vessel; the subcapsular sinus originates from the remaining parts of the lymph vessel. At birth the lymph node can be divided into a primitive cortex consisting of an area with evenly scattered lymphocytes among the basic network of reticular cells and a medulla. About three days after birth an ovoid area containing a dense concentration of lymphocytes is observed in the inner cortex. In the next days it expands in both lateral and medullary direction but not into the outer cortex. Primary follicles appear in the outer cortex 18 days after birth. The development of the inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes in the rabbit shows the same characteristics as the histogenesis of the popliteal lymph node in the rat. The morphogenesis of the lymph node is summarized in a schematic diagram.", "contents": "The histogenesis of lymph nodes in rat and rabbit. The histogenesis of the popliteal lymph node in the rat and the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes in the rabbit was examined by light microscopy. Special emphasis has been laid on the initial lymphocyte population in the lymph node anlage. In the rat on the seventeenth day of gestation lymphoid cells populate a limited mesenchymal area along the vein wall. The next day the mesenchyme shows a bulb-shaped outgrowth causing an indentation in the wall of a lymph vessel, running parallel to the vein and having a saccular widening at this place. The bulb-shaped lymphoid outgrowth fills up the widened lymph vessel; the subcapsular sinus originates from the remaining parts of the lymph vessel. At birth the lymph node can be divided into a primitive cortex consisting of an area with evenly scattered lymphocytes among the basic network of reticular cells and a medulla. About three days after birth an ovoid area containing a dense concentration of lymphocytes is observed in the inner cortex. In the next days it expands in both lateral and medullary direction but not into the outer cortex. Primary follicles appear in the outer cortex 18 days after birth. The development of the inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes in the rabbit shows the same characteristics as the histogenesis of the popliteal lymph node in the rat. The morphogenesis of the lymph node is summarized in a schematic diagram.", "PMID": 629402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7887", "title": "Action of the pterygoideus muscle during feeding in the lizard Uromastix aegyptius (Agamidae).", "content": "The actions of the deep and superficial portions of the pterygoideus muscle and the depressor mandibulae were studied in the agamid lizard, Uromastix aegyptius, using fine wire electrodes. The EMG signals were recorded, while simultaneously recording the jaw positions during feeding on movie film at 32 fps. Muscle activity varies with different types of food. The deep and superficial portions of the pterygoideus performed different functions. The deep pterygoideus functioned during opening of the jaws, presumably to protract the jaw. The superficial pterygoideus was strictly a jaw elevator. The depressor mandibulae is not the initiator of jaw opening. When biting on tough food items, the deep pterygoideus and depressor mandibular were active.", "contents": "Action of the pterygoideus muscle during feeding in the lizard Uromastix aegyptius (Agamidae). The actions of the deep and superficial portions of the pterygoideus muscle and the depressor mandibulae were studied in the agamid lizard, Uromastix aegyptius, using fine wire electrodes. The EMG signals were recorded, while simultaneously recording the jaw positions during feeding on movie film at 32 fps. Muscle activity varies with different types of food. The deep and superficial portions of the pterygoideus performed different functions. The deep pterygoideus functioned during opening of the jaws, presumably to protract the jaw. The superficial pterygoideus was strictly a jaw elevator. The depressor mandibulae is not the initiator of jaw opening. When biting on tough food items, the deep pterygoideus and depressor mandibular were active.", "PMID": 629403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7888", "title": "Experimental studies on the acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves in the ovary of the rat.", "content": "Adrenergic and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerves were studied in the rat ovary four days after various experimental denervation procedures. Ablation of pelvic parasympathetic nerves (pelvic neurectomy [PN]) or abdominal vagotomy (AV) had no obvious affect on the adrenergic of AChE-positive nerves in the ovary. Section of the mesovarium resulted in the loss of all histochemically demonstrable adrenergic and AChE-positive nerves. Chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HD) resulted in the loss of all histochemically demonstrable adrenergic nerves. A few AChE-positive nerves remained in the hilar and medullary regions following chemical sympathectomy. When the presumptive parasympathectomy procedures (AV and PN) were combined with chemical sympathectomy, again no adrenergic nerves remained, however a few hilar and medullary AChE-positive fibers persisted after sympathectomy plus PN, but no AChD-positive fibers were demonstrable in the AV plus 6-HD group. These findings show that most of the AChE- in ovarian nerves is localized in adrenergic nerves. It is suggested that the few AChE-positive fibers remaining in the ovarian hilar area after 6-HD treatment of 6-HD plus PN are derived from the vagus. These few AChE-positive nerves may be postganglionic vagal parasympathetic or they may be sensory fibers.", "contents": "Experimental studies on the acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves in the ovary of the rat. Adrenergic and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerves were studied in the rat ovary four days after various experimental denervation procedures. Ablation of pelvic parasympathetic nerves (pelvic neurectomy [PN]) or abdominal vagotomy (AV) had no obvious affect on the adrenergic of AChE-positive nerves in the ovary. Section of the mesovarium resulted in the loss of all histochemically demonstrable adrenergic and AChE-positive nerves. Chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HD) resulted in the loss of all histochemically demonstrable adrenergic nerves. A few AChE-positive nerves remained in the hilar and medullary regions following chemical sympathectomy. When the presumptive parasympathectomy procedures (AV and PN) were combined with chemical sympathectomy, again no adrenergic nerves remained, however a few hilar and medullary AChE-positive fibers persisted after sympathectomy plus PN, but no AChD-positive fibers were demonstrable in the AV plus 6-HD group. These findings show that most of the AChE- in ovarian nerves is localized in adrenergic nerves. It is suggested that the few AChE-positive fibers remaining in the ovarian hilar area after 6-HD treatment of 6-HD plus PN are derived from the vagus. These few AChE-positive nerves may be postganglionic vagal parasympathetic or they may be sensory fibers.", "PMID": 629404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7889", "title": "Use of the L-proline analog, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (LACA) to analyse embryonic growth and determination and expression of the chondrogenic phenotype in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "The L-proline analog, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, (LACA) was injected into embryonated eggs of the common fowl, Gallus domesticus at daily doses of 350 microgram/egg on one or several days betweeh 8 and 12 days of incubation. Treatment at nine-days of incubation preferentially retarded embryonic growth to the twelfth day but recovery of growth rate occurred by 15 days of incubation. Relationships between growth and LACA-inhibited aspects of collagenogenesis are discussed. The earliest aged embryos from which isolated stem cells from membrane bones will form secondary cartilage is ten days of incubation. Secondary chondrogenesis on the quadratojugal, a membrane bone of the skull, was inhibited by treatment of whole embryos with LACA at nine days of incubation but not by treatment at eight days. We concluded that an event involving collagen began at nine days of incubation, was blocked by LACA and was part of the process of chondrogenic determination of these stem cells. Addition of LACA to the medium in which already determined stem cells from the quadratojugal were cultured prevented expression of the chondrogenic phenotype. This proline analog is then a useful probe for events relating both to determination and to expression of the differentiated state, and allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the role of collagenogenesis in these events.", "contents": "Use of the L-proline analog, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (LACA) to analyse embryonic growth and determination and expression of the chondrogenic phenotype in vivo and in vitro. The L-proline analog, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, (LACA) was injected into embryonated eggs of the common fowl, Gallus domesticus at daily doses of 350 microgram/egg on one or several days betweeh 8 and 12 days of incubation. Treatment at nine-days of incubation preferentially retarded embryonic growth to the twelfth day but recovery of growth rate occurred by 15 days of incubation. Relationships between growth and LACA-inhibited aspects of collagenogenesis are discussed. The earliest aged embryos from which isolated stem cells from membrane bones will form secondary cartilage is ten days of incubation. Secondary chondrogenesis on the quadratojugal, a membrane bone of the skull, was inhibited by treatment of whole embryos with LACA at nine days of incubation but not by treatment at eight days. We concluded that an event involving collagen began at nine days of incubation, was blocked by LACA and was part of the process of chondrogenic determination of these stem cells. Addition of LACA to the medium in which already determined stem cells from the quadratojugal were cultured prevented expression of the chondrogenic phenotype. This proline analog is then a useful probe for events relating both to determination and to expression of the differentiated state, and allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the role of collagenogenesis in these events.", "PMID": 629405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7890", "title": "Serous cysts of the aging guinea pig ovary. II. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy.", "content": "Ovarian cysts which developed spontaneously from the rete ovarii in the ovaries of guinea pigs have been examined in 1- and 2-year-old animals by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two cell types have been described, a tufted cell with numerous motile cilia and a non-tufted cell with a solitary cilium. While the non-tufted cell exhibited numerous smooth coated vesicles in its lateral and basal regions, no signs of secretion to the lumen of the cyst have been seen and occluding junctions have not been observed.", "contents": "Serous cysts of the aging guinea pig ovary. II. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ovarian cysts which developed spontaneously from the rete ovarii in the ovaries of guinea pigs have been examined in 1- and 2-year-old animals by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two cell types have been described, a tufted cell with numerous motile cilia and a non-tufted cell with a solitary cilium. While the non-tufted cell exhibited numerous smooth coated vesicles in its lateral and basal regions, no signs of secretion to the lumen of the cyst have been seen and occluding junctions have not been observed.", "PMID": 629407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7891", "title": "Changes in the satellite cells of growing muscle following denervation.", "content": "Satellite cells exhibit a number of distinct morphological changes after denervation which appear to be a direct response to nerve section or altered functional state of the muscle fibers. These changes appear generally related to increased movement and overall activation of the cells. After longer periods of denervation many satellite cells appear to separate from their fibers and become free cells in the interstitial space. It is proposed that this mechanism provides a cellular source for the small-diameter, immature fibers dispersed throughout the muscle after two to three weeks. Although neo-formation of myofibers appears to be a feature of denervated growing muscle, an increase in total fiber population was not observed. It is suggested that in the absence of a viable nerve supply the new fibers degenerate.", "contents": "Changes in the satellite cells of growing muscle following denervation. Satellite cells exhibit a number of distinct morphological changes after denervation which appear to be a direct response to nerve section or altered functional state of the muscle fibers. These changes appear generally related to increased movement and overall activation of the cells. After longer periods of denervation many satellite cells appear to separate from their fibers and become free cells in the interstitial space. It is proposed that this mechanism provides a cellular source for the small-diameter, immature fibers dispersed throughout the muscle after two to three weeks. Although neo-formation of myofibers appears to be a feature of denervated growing muscle, an increase in total fiber population was not observed. It is suggested that in the absence of a viable nerve supply the new fibers degenerate.", "PMID": 629408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7892", "title": "Human testicular development and the role of the mesonephros in the origin of a dual Sertoli cell system.", "content": "Some aspects of the development of the human testis (and overy) are discussed and the main theories regarding gonadal differentiation summarized. The major part of this review deals with the origin and differentiation of the three groups of somatic cellular content: Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and peritubular cells. The most important role of the mesonephros in gonadal development is described. Under the influence of the mesonephros, a second type of meiosis-inducing Sertoli cell differentiates and becomes the opponent of a meiosis-preventing type of Sertoli cell which derives from the coelomic epithelium. All somatic cells are pooled in the central gonadal blastema which is part of the medulla. They migrate via the rete blastema to the sites of their final differentiation. Included are the precursors of the Leydig cells and the peritubular cells.", "contents": "Human testicular development and the role of the mesonephros in the origin of a dual Sertoli cell system. Some aspects of the development of the human testis (and overy) are discussed and the main theories regarding gonadal differentiation summarized. The major part of this review deals with the origin and differentiation of the three groups of somatic cellular content: Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and peritubular cells. The most important role of the mesonephros in gonadal development is described. Under the influence of the mesonephros, a second type of meiosis-inducing Sertoli cell differentiates and becomes the opponent of a meiosis-preventing type of Sertoli cell which derives from the coelomic epithelium. All somatic cells are pooled in the central gonadal blastema which is part of the medulla. They migrate via the rete blastema to the sites of their final differentiation. Included are the precursors of the Leydig cells and the peritubular cells.", "PMID": 629409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7893", "title": "First spermiation and spermatozoa concentration in hemicastrated rats.", "content": "Male rats ten days of age were divided in three groups: a) hemicastrated, b) sham operated and c) control. They were daily sacrificed between 30 and 50 days of age. Wet weight and dry weight were determined in testis, seminal vesicles and epididymis. The concentration of spermatozoa was measured in testis and caput epididymis. The results show a significant increase in both wet and dry weight of testis of hemicastrated animals (40.5% at 30 days of age). The total population of psermatozoa per testis is higher in hemicastrated after 48 days of age. The first arrival of spermatozoa to the caput epididymis (first spermiation) which occurs in control at 45 days of age is delayed 48 hours in the hemicastrated group, however at 50 days of age the concentration of spermatozoa in the caput is higher than in control. We related our results to the rise in plasma FSH which occurs immediately after hemicastration and involved a larger and higher exposure of the testis to FSH.", "contents": "First spermiation and spermatozoa concentration in hemicastrated rats. Male rats ten days of age were divided in three groups: a) hemicastrated, b) sham operated and c) control. They were daily sacrificed between 30 and 50 days of age. Wet weight and dry weight were determined in testis, seminal vesicles and epididymis. The concentration of spermatozoa was measured in testis and caput epididymis. The results show a significant increase in both wet and dry weight of testis of hemicastrated animals (40.5% at 30 days of age). The total population of psermatozoa per testis is higher in hemicastrated after 48 days of age. The first arrival of spermatozoa to the caput epididymis (first spermiation) which occurs in control at 45 days of age is delayed 48 hours in the hemicastrated group, however at 50 days of age the concentration of spermatozoa in the caput is higher than in control. We related our results to the rise in plasma FSH which occurs immediately after hemicastration and involved a larger and higher exposure of the testis to FSH.", "PMID": 629410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7894", "title": "Stereology: a new quantitative morphological method to study epididymal function.", "content": "Stereology is a method to obtain quantitative information of structural changes at the light and electron microscopic level. The basic principles of stereology are outlined below. This paper shows how stereologic techniques can be used to obtain structural data from histologic and electron micrographs of intact tissue and cells. A stereologic model, which provides information on the structure of the epididymis has been developed for the rat epididymal head. The model consists of morphologically defined space and membrane compartments of the rat epididymal head and the principal cells. The alterations, induced in the principal cell of the epididymal head after long term hypophysectomy were studied by electron microscopy. The results presented are relative to a cubic centimeter of epididymal tissue, a cubic centimeter of principal cells and principal cell cytoplasm. An attempt to relate stereologic and biochemical data is shown.", "contents": "Stereology: a new quantitative morphological method to study epididymal function. Stereology is a method to obtain quantitative information of structural changes at the light and electron microscopic level. The basic principles of stereology are outlined below. This paper shows how stereologic techniques can be used to obtain structural data from histologic and electron micrographs of intact tissue and cells. A stereologic model, which provides information on the structure of the epididymis has been developed for the rat epididymal head. The model consists of morphologically defined space and membrane compartments of the rat epididymal head and the principal cells. The alterations, induced in the principal cell of the epididymal head after long term hypophysectomy were studied by electron microscopy. The results presented are relative to a cubic centimeter of epididymal tissue, a cubic centimeter of principal cells and principal cell cytoplasm. An attempt to relate stereologic and biochemical data is shown.", "PMID": 629411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7895", "title": "On the development of different morphologic abnormalities of human spermatozoa.", "content": "morphologic comparisons of the live and dead sperm population gives information concerning non-lethal and lethal abnormalities. Many of the abnormalities of the sperm heads and midpieces and in particular enlarged heads belong to the latter group. On the other hand, tapering of the head, cytoplasmic droplets and abnormal tails have littel lethal significance. Depletion of the extra-gonadal sperm reserve does not affect the morphology of neither the living nor the dead spermatozoa. This indicates that no significant abnormalities develop after sperm maturation within the epididymis. Cyproterone acetate was shown to affect midpieces and fails of the living spermatozoa within two weeks of treatment indicating an effect on the epididymal level, whereas abnormal heads increase after four weeks indicating an effect on the germinative epithelium, not before the spermatid stage.", "contents": "On the development of different morphologic abnormalities of human spermatozoa. morphologic comparisons of the live and dead sperm population gives information concerning non-lethal and lethal abnormalities. Many of the abnormalities of the sperm heads and midpieces and in particular enlarged heads belong to the latter group. On the other hand, tapering of the head, cytoplasmic droplets and abnormal tails have littel lethal significance. Depletion of the extra-gonadal sperm reserve does not affect the morphology of neither the living nor the dead spermatozoa. This indicates that no significant abnormalities develop after sperm maturation within the epididymis. Cyproterone acetate was shown to affect midpieces and fails of the living spermatozoa within two weeks of treatment indicating an effect on the epididymal level, whereas abnormal heads increase after four weeks indicating an effect on the germinative epithelium, not before the spermatid stage.", "PMID": 629412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7896", "title": "Clinical experience with the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis.", "content": "Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were used in 44 patients in the last 18 months. In 13 patients the graft was used for various types of peripheral vascular reconstructive procedures, as a substitute of the autogenous saphenous veins. In 31 patients the prosthesis was used for the construction of vascular access for hemodialysis. Results of the use of this new vascular prosthesis are comparable to those achieved with the autogenous saphenous vein when used for the same purposes. A much longer period of observation is necessary before a definitive verdict can be reached on the safety and clinical applicability of any new vascular prosthetic material. But preliminary clinical results with the PTFE vascular prosthesis are encouraging and seem to justify continued cautious application of this vascular substitute.", "contents": "Clinical experience with the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were used in 44 patients in the last 18 months. In 13 patients the graft was used for various types of peripheral vascular reconstructive procedures, as a substitute of the autogenous saphenous veins. In 31 patients the prosthesis was used for the construction of vascular access for hemodialysis. Results of the use of this new vascular prosthesis are comparable to those achieved with the autogenous saphenous vein when used for the same purposes. A much longer period of observation is necessary before a definitive verdict can be reached on the safety and clinical applicability of any new vascular prosthetic material. But preliminary clinical results with the PTFE vascular prosthesis are encouraging and seem to justify continued cautious application of this vascular substitute.", "PMID": 629419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7897", "title": "Variations in sperm count in oligozoospermic or asthenozoospermic patients.", "content": "Using a Coulter Counter, sperm density and total sperm population per ejaculate has been measured repeatedly in a series of oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients. Marked variations in these parameters were found with repeated sampling from the same patient. The implications of such findings are discussed.", "contents": "Variations in sperm count in oligozoospermic or asthenozoospermic patients. Using a Coulter Counter, sperm density and total sperm population per ejaculate has been measured repeatedly in a series of oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients. Marked variations in these parameters were found with repeated sampling from the same patient. The implications of such findings are discussed.", "PMID": 629414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7898", "title": "Arteriographic evaluation of vascular changes in leprosy.", "content": "Two hundred and eighty-four arteriograms were performed in the hands and feet 178 leprosy patients. Narrowing and tortuosity of the digital vessels, especially in the presence of bone absorption, were constant features. Digital tufts revealed signs of ischemia. However, in the presence of infection, hyperemia was a definite observation. Diminution in the caliber of the digital arteries and thinning or absence of the vascular end loops prove that ischemia plays a vital role in the production of various lesions in leprosy.", "contents": "Arteriographic evaluation of vascular changes in leprosy. Two hundred and eighty-four arteriograms were performed in the hands and feet 178 leprosy patients. Narrowing and tortuosity of the digital vessels, especially in the presence of bone absorption, were constant features. Digital tufts revealed signs of ischemia. However, in the presence of infection, hyperemia was a definite observation. Diminution in the caliber of the digital arteries and thinning or absence of the vascular end loops prove that ischemia plays a vital role in the production of various lesions in leprosy.", "PMID": 629420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7899", "title": "Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus.", "content": "A 59-year-old man with an aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus is described. Macroscopically and histologically it was ascertained that the aneurysm had originated from the ductus arteriosus itself. We suggest the following pathogenesis: after obliteration of the pulmonary end, the aneurysm was formed, and as a result of a gradual increase in pressure in the lumen, the obliterated pulmonary end, the aneurysm was formed, and as a result of a gradual increase in pressure in the lumen, the obliterated pulmonary end recanalized.", "contents": "Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus. A 59-year-old man with an aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus is described. Macroscopically and histologically it was ascertained that the aneurysm had originated from the ductus arteriosus itself. We suggest the following pathogenesis: after obliteration of the pulmonary end, the aneurysm was formed, and as a result of a gradual increase in pressure in the lumen, the obliterated pulmonary end, the aneurysm was formed, and as a result of a gradual increase in pressure in the lumen, the obliterated pulmonary end recanalized.", "PMID": 629421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7900", "title": "Monosaccharide transport across membranes of human spermatozoa. I. Development of a radiochemical method of measuring monosaccharide uptake by spermatozoa.", "content": "A method for determination of the monosaccharide uptake into human spermatozoa is described. Intracellular monosaccharide concentrations were calculated on the basis of determination of intracellular radioactivity after incubation of the cells with labelled monosaccharide and using a mathematical procedure to approximate the intracellular space of spermatozoa. The D-fructose uptake depends on the extracellular D-fructose concentration in a hyperbolic manner. Half maximal saturation is present at 4,1 mM. This corresponds closely with the lowest limit of D-fructose concentration in human fertile semen.", "contents": "Monosaccharide transport across membranes of human spermatozoa. I. Development of a radiochemical method of measuring monosaccharide uptake by spermatozoa. A method for determination of the monosaccharide uptake into human spermatozoa is described. Intracellular monosaccharide concentrations were calculated on the basis of determination of intracellular radioactivity after incubation of the cells with labelled monosaccharide and using a mathematical procedure to approximate the intracellular space of spermatozoa. The D-fructose uptake depends on the extracellular D-fructose concentration in a hyperbolic manner. Half maximal saturation is present at 4,1 mM. This corresponds closely with the lowest limit of D-fructose concentration in human fertile semen.", "PMID": 629417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7901", "title": "Some factors affecting erythrocyte deformability and rupture.", "content": "Human erythrocytes suspended in a viscous isotonic saline medium may be ruptured in vitro by the application of uniform hydrodynamic shear stresses. For any given combination of exposure parameters, cellular fragility is a measure of cellular deformability; i.e., it is related to the cellular dimensions that result from the competition between those forces that tend to extend the cell and those forces--particularly those associated with the resistance to bending of the membrane--that tend to restore the cell to its original biconcave shape. The pharmacologically active agent nicotinic acid increases cellular fragility in our experimental system and so has presumably increased the deformability of the human erythrocyte.", "contents": "Some factors affecting erythrocyte deformability and rupture. Human erythrocytes suspended in a viscous isotonic saline medium may be ruptured in vitro by the application of uniform hydrodynamic shear stresses. For any given combination of exposure parameters, cellular fragility is a measure of cellular deformability; i.e., it is related to the cellular dimensions that result from the competition between those forces that tend to extend the cell and those forces--particularly those associated with the resistance to bending of the membrane--that tend to restore the cell to its original biconcave shape. The pharmacologically active agent nicotinic acid increases cellular fragility in our experimental system and so has presumably increased the deformability of the human erythrocyte.", "PMID": 629422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7902", "title": "L-dopa and oligozoospermia.", "content": "A clinical investigation of L-Dopa on idiopathic oligozoospermia is carried out. Thirty nine male oligozoospermic patients with primary sterility were divided in two groups. The first group of 25 patients was treated with 500 mg a day during two months. The second group of 14 patients received 750 mg a day for the same time. In the first group we find 14 improvements, 9 at the first month and 5 at the second month. In the second group 8 improvements were observed, 5 in the first month and 3 in the second months. It would seem that L-Dopa has a stimulatory effect on spermatogenesis possibly through hypophysis when it is administered at these dosis and for these periods of time, and it was also observed similar results for longer terms of treatment.", "contents": "L-dopa and oligozoospermia. A clinical investigation of L-Dopa on idiopathic oligozoospermia is carried out. Thirty nine male oligozoospermic patients with primary sterility were divided in two groups. The first group of 25 patients was treated with 500 mg a day during two months. The second group of 14 patients received 750 mg a day for the same time. In the first group we find 14 improvements, 9 at the first month and 5 at the second month. In the second group 8 improvements were observed, 5 in the first month and 3 in the second months. It would seem that L-Dopa has a stimulatory effect on spermatogenesis possibly through hypophysis when it is administered at these dosis and for these periods of time, and it was also observed similar results for longer terms of treatment.", "PMID": 629418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7903", "title": "Isovolumic relaxation time in normal subjects and patients with cardiac disease: comparison of determinations made with echocardiographic techniques and apex cardiography.", "content": "Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was determined in 17 controls and 41 patients. Nine patients had ischemic heart disease (IHD), 7 mitral prolapse (MVPS), 13 hypertension (HPB), 7 pregnancy (P), and 5 cardiomyopathy (CM). Echocardiographic measurements of IVRT were made from the aortic second sound to the rapid opening of the mitral valve (A2D1). Determinations by apexcardiography were made from the aortic second sound to the 0 point (A2O). The IVRT was distinctly shorter when assessed by A2D1 than by conventional apexdardiography in conventional apexcardiography in controls (69.2 +/- 16.4 msec vs 118.7 +/- 16.5 msec) and in patients with cardiac disease. The IVRT in 9 older normal controls (mean age 47.7 years) was longer than in 8 younger ones (age 26.3 +/- 4.9 years). Patients with myocardial disease (IHD, HBP, and CM) had prolonged IVRTs when compared to normal subjects. Pregnant subjects had shortened intervals. IVRT may be a sensitive indicator of disturbances in myocardial contractility and may be shortened and enhanced contractility.", "contents": "Isovolumic relaxation time in normal subjects and patients with cardiac disease: comparison of determinations made with echocardiographic techniques and apex cardiography. Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was determined in 17 controls and 41 patients. Nine patients had ischemic heart disease (IHD), 7 mitral prolapse (MVPS), 13 hypertension (HPB), 7 pregnancy (P), and 5 cardiomyopathy (CM). Echocardiographic measurements of IVRT were made from the aortic second sound to the rapid opening of the mitral valve (A2D1). Determinations by apexcardiography were made from the aortic second sound to the 0 point (A2O). The IVRT was distinctly shorter when assessed by A2D1 than by conventional apexdardiography in conventional apexcardiography in controls (69.2 +/- 16.4 msec vs 118.7 +/- 16.5 msec) and in patients with cardiac disease. The IVRT in 9 older normal controls (mean age 47.7 years) was longer than in 8 younger ones (age 26.3 +/- 4.9 years). Patients with myocardial disease (IHD, HBP, and CM) had prolonged IVRTs when compared to normal subjects. Pregnant subjects had shortened intervals. IVRT may be a sensitive indicator of disturbances in myocardial contractility and may be shortened and enhanced contractility.", "PMID": 629424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7904", "title": "Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and house dust allergy in west Malaysia.", "content": "Three groups of people with different clinical histories and manifestations to house dust were skin tested with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts. The results showed close correlation between positive skin tests and clinical sensitivity to dust. The correlation was not, however, perfect and, although D. pteronyssinus is a major factor in house dust allergy, it does not appear to be the sole antigen involved.", "contents": "Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and house dust allergy in west Malaysia. Three groups of people with different clinical histories and manifestations to house dust were skin tested with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extracts. The results showed close correlation between positive skin tests and clinical sensitivity to dust. The correlation was not, however, perfect and, although D. pteronyssinus is a major factor in house dust allergy, it does not appear to be the sole antigen involved.", "PMID": 629426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7905", "title": "Studies on atmospheric pollens in the Philippines.", "content": "The predominant pollen in the Philippines is the grass pollen, followed by Mimosa, Moraceae, Cyperaceae, lower vascular plants spores, Amaranth, Coconut, Tiliaceae, Pinus, Compositae and Alnus (in decreasing order of significance). The atmospheric pollen pollution in Quezon City is heavy in November, December and January; in Los Banos during January, February, March, April, June and November; and in Baguio City during February, March, April and May. Compared to the density of pollution in these areas, the incidence of pollen pollution in Bacolod City, Davao City and Naga City is very light.", "contents": "Studies on atmospheric pollens in the Philippines. The predominant pollen in the Philippines is the grass pollen, followed by Mimosa, Moraceae, Cyperaceae, lower vascular plants spores, Amaranth, Coconut, Tiliaceae, Pinus, Compositae and Alnus (in decreasing order of significance). The atmospheric pollen pollution in Quezon City is heavy in November, December and January; in Los Banos during January, February, March, April, June and November; and in Baguio City during February, March, April and May. Compared to the density of pollution in these areas, the incidence of pollen pollution in Bacolod City, Davao City and Naga City is very light.", "PMID": 629427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7906", "title": "Correlation between the antigen-binding activity and the relative concentration of IgE antibodies to mite.", "content": "Antigen-binding activity of IgE antibodies to mite was determined by the triple antibody assay. Relative concentration of IgE antibodies in mite was determined by RAST. The antigen-binding activity of IgE antibodies correlated with the relative concentration of the antibodies (r equal to 902). This suggests that the absolute concentration of IgE antibodies may be determined by RAST using a reference serum of known absolute concentration of IgE antibodies.", "contents": "Correlation between the antigen-binding activity and the relative concentration of IgE antibodies to mite. Antigen-binding activity of IgE antibodies to mite was determined by the triple antibody assay. Relative concentration of IgE antibodies in mite was determined by RAST. The antigen-binding activity of IgE antibodies correlated with the relative concentration of the antibodies (r equal to 902). This suggests that the absolute concentration of IgE antibodies may be determined by RAST using a reference serum of known absolute concentration of IgE antibodies.", "PMID": 629428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7907", "title": "The use of chromium-51 sodium chromate for the detection of food and chemical sensitivities.", "content": "Both antibody mediated lysis of human RBC's and toxic hemolysis were found to occur with chemicals used as coloring agents for foods, drugs and cosmetics. Because of the strong chromaticity of these dyes, chromium-51 sodium chromate was bound to the hemoglobin of target human RBC's and its efflux was used as an indicator of lysis instead of spectrophotometry, which had been used with food antigens. The major antibody effect was noted when treatment of the target RBC's with antiIgG resulted in a marked inhibition of lysis, indicating that IgG is a lysis-promoting factor (LPF) in this system. Weaker effects were noted by treatment of the target RBC's with monospecific antisera for the other four classes of immunoglobulin and for alpha2-macroglobulin. No neutralizing effects were observed by pre-incubation of the dyes with autologous serum prior to the addition of RBC's.", "contents": "The use of chromium-51 sodium chromate for the detection of food and chemical sensitivities. Both antibody mediated lysis of human RBC's and toxic hemolysis were found to occur with chemicals used as coloring agents for foods, drugs and cosmetics. Because of the strong chromaticity of these dyes, chromium-51 sodium chromate was bound to the hemoglobin of target human RBC's and its efflux was used as an indicator of lysis instead of spectrophotometry, which had been used with food antigens. The major antibody effect was noted when treatment of the target RBC's with antiIgG resulted in a marked inhibition of lysis, indicating that IgG is a lysis-promoting factor (LPF) in this system. Weaker effects were noted by treatment of the target RBC's with monospecific antisera for the other four classes of immunoglobulin and for alpha2-macroglobulin. No neutralizing effects were observed by pre-incubation of the dyes with autologous serum prior to the addition of RBC's.", "PMID": 629429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7908", "title": "Epizootiologic aspects of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease in six pet bird species.", "content": "Pet birds of 6 species were exposed to a psittacine isolate to viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) virus to evaluate the impact of VVND in those species. Species examined were the budgerigar, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, canary, halfmoon conure, lesser hill mynah, and blackheaded nun. Five of the 6 species were highly susceptible to infection with VVND virus. Canaries were relatively refractory to infection with the virus. Contact birds of the same species developed infections almost as rapidly as did the birds directly exposed to nebulized VVND virus. Mortality was most marked for the conures. Less than half of the parrots exposed to nebulized virus died of VVND. Of the directly exposed budgerigars, mynahs, and nuns, 16% to 22% died during an observation period of postexposure days 0 through 28.", "contents": "Epizootiologic aspects of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease in six pet bird species. Pet birds of 6 species were exposed to a psittacine isolate to viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) virus to evaluate the impact of VVND in those species. Species examined were the budgerigar, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, canary, halfmoon conure, lesser hill mynah, and blackheaded nun. Five of the 6 species were highly susceptible to infection with VVND virus. Canaries were relatively refractory to infection with the virus. Contact birds of the same species developed infections almost as rapidly as did the birds directly exposed to nebulized VVND virus. Mortality was most marked for the conures. Less than half of the parrots exposed to nebulized virus died of VVND. Of the directly exposed budgerigars, mynahs, and nuns, 16% to 22% died during an observation period of postexposure days 0 through 28.", "PMID": 629430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7909", "title": "Effect of dry versus wet bowl environment on pet turtles.", "content": "Recently hatched, certified Salmonella-free, red-eared slider turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans) were obtained from a commercial breeder. Half of the turtles were kept in a traditional wet-bowl environment, whereas the other half lived in individual dry-bowl environments, except for 30 minutes each day when they were immersed in water and were fed. Both groups were fed commercial turtle food. During the 26 weeks of the study, individual weight and general observations were recorded for each turtle. Neither Salmonella nor Arizona bacteria were recovered from the turtles, their food, or their bowen environments. Histologic observations were completed on organs of both groups. Turtles maintained in the dry-bowl environment ate poorly, were considerably less active and less developed histologically, and lost significantly more weight than those turtles living in the wet bowl environment. Neither the environment nor the feeding program were found to be satisfactory for prolonged household maintenance of pet turtles.", "contents": "Effect of dry versus wet bowl environment on pet turtles. Recently hatched, certified Salmonella-free, red-eared slider turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans) were obtained from a commercial breeder. Half of the turtles were kept in a traditional wet-bowl environment, whereas the other half lived in individual dry-bowl environments, except for 30 minutes each day when they were immersed in water and were fed. Both groups were fed commercial turtle food. During the 26 weeks of the study, individual weight and general observations were recorded for each turtle. Neither Salmonella nor Arizona bacteria were recovered from the turtles, their food, or their bowen environments. Histologic observations were completed on organs of both groups. Turtles maintained in the dry-bowl environment ate poorly, were considerably less active and less developed histologically, and lost significantly more weight than those turtles living in the wet bowl environment. Neither the environment nor the feeding program were found to be satisfactory for prolonged household maintenance of pet turtles.", "PMID": 629431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7910", "title": "Immunization of mice against Fusobacterium necrophorum infection by perenteral or oral administration of vaccine.", "content": "Immunization of mice against Fusobacterium necrophorum infection was attempted by using 3 vaccination procedures: (1) intraperitoneal (IP) injection of F necrophorum cells in saline solution, (2) IP injection of cells with added aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, and (3) feeding of a powdered mouse diet containing lyophilized cells. One or 2 weekly IP injections of the bacteria cells (in saline solution) for 3, 6, or 12 weeks resulted in protection of 48.7% to 64.5% of the mice against challenge exposure. Of the 2 control groups (given saline solution only), 100% and 97.4% became infected. Weekly IP injections of bacterial cells in an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant for 3, 6, or 12 weeks resulted in protectivity of 54.1% to 77.5%. Of the control mice (given adjuvant only), 97.5% became infected. Bacterial cells fed to mice at a dose level of 1.5 mg (dry weight)/g of powdered diet for 30 days (4 or 5g of diet each day) resulted in only a delay in the mean time of death as compared with the rapid death of the control mice. The feeding dose of 0.15 mg of cells/g of diet did not delay the mean time of death.", "contents": "Immunization of mice against Fusobacterium necrophorum infection by perenteral or oral administration of vaccine. Immunization of mice against Fusobacterium necrophorum infection was attempted by using 3 vaccination procedures: (1) intraperitoneal (IP) injection of F necrophorum cells in saline solution, (2) IP injection of cells with added aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, and (3) feeding of a powdered mouse diet containing lyophilized cells. One or 2 weekly IP injections of the bacteria cells (in saline solution) for 3, 6, or 12 weeks resulted in protection of 48.7% to 64.5% of the mice against challenge exposure. Of the 2 control groups (given saline solution only), 100% and 97.4% became infected. Weekly IP injections of bacterial cells in an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant for 3, 6, or 12 weeks resulted in protectivity of 54.1% to 77.5%. Of the control mice (given adjuvant only), 97.5% became infected. Bacterial cells fed to mice at a dose level of 1.5 mg (dry weight)/g of powdered diet for 30 days (4 or 5g of diet each day) resulted in only a delay in the mean time of death as compared with the rapid death of the control mice. The feeding dose of 0.15 mg of cells/g of diet did not delay the mean time of death.", "PMID": 629432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7911", "title": "Minimal nitrogen requirements of Corynebacterium renal strains.", "content": "Corynebacterium renale strain 10849 was grown in a chemically defined medium containing glucosamine, ammonium sulfate, and 5 amino acids as possible nitrogen sources. Although glucosamine was slightly stimulatory, its omission from the medium had a minimal effect on growth, and washed cells introduced into glucosamine-free medium grew readily through 10 serial transfers, demonstrating that this compound was not required for growth. Individual omissions of isoleucine, valine, methionine, and glutamine resulted in lengthened lag periods and reduced growth rates in initial transfers, but recovery occurred in subsequent serial transfers so that by the 3rd or 4th transfer, growth rates and cell crops were only slightly less than in control cultures in complete medium. Omission of cystine resulted in a permanently low growth rate and reduced cell crop, but this was remedied by substituting various nonnitrogenous compounds containing reduced sulfur. Strain 10849 and 6 additional strains were then serially cultured in a minimal defined medium in which sodium thioglycolate provided reduced sulfur and ammonium sulfate served as sole nitrogen source. Since only ammonium ion was required as the nitrogen source, it could be concluded that C renale, which rapidly hydrolyzes urea, should find an adequate source of nitrogen for growth in the urinary tract of animals.", "contents": "Minimal nitrogen requirements of Corynebacterium renal strains. Corynebacterium renale strain 10849 was grown in a chemically defined medium containing glucosamine, ammonium sulfate, and 5 amino acids as possible nitrogen sources. Although glucosamine was slightly stimulatory, its omission from the medium had a minimal effect on growth, and washed cells introduced into glucosamine-free medium grew readily through 10 serial transfers, demonstrating that this compound was not required for growth. Individual omissions of isoleucine, valine, methionine, and glutamine resulted in lengthened lag periods and reduced growth rates in initial transfers, but recovery occurred in subsequent serial transfers so that by the 3rd or 4th transfer, growth rates and cell crops were only slightly less than in control cultures in complete medium. Omission of cystine resulted in a permanently low growth rate and reduced cell crop, but this was remedied by substituting various nonnitrogenous compounds containing reduced sulfur. Strain 10849 and 6 additional strains were then serially cultured in a minimal defined medium in which sodium thioglycolate provided reduced sulfur and ammonium sulfate served as sole nitrogen source. Since only ammonium ion was required as the nitrogen source, it could be concluded that C renale, which rapidly hydrolyzes urea, should find an adequate source of nitrogen for growth in the urinary tract of animals.", "PMID": 629434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7912", "title": "Isolation of San Miguel Sea Lion Virus from Samples of an animal food product produced from northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) carcasses.", "content": "A virus was isolated from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in 1972. It was later named San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV). State and federal livestock disease control agencies became concerned, because SMSV was found to be indistinguishable from vesicular exanthema of swine virus and to cause (in laboratory trials) clinical signs in swine similar to those produced by vesicular exanthema of swine virus. Ground carcasses of northern fur seals, salvaged after harvesting pelts, are fed to mink on ranches in the United States. Domestic swine are kept on some of these same ranches. Samples withheld from lots of this seal carcass mink food were found to contain SMSV (serotype 5) in titers of 10(6.1) and 10(6.8) tissue culture infective doses.", "contents": "Isolation of San Miguel Sea Lion Virus from Samples of an animal food product produced from northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) carcasses. A virus was isolated from California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in 1972. It was later named San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV). State and federal livestock disease control agencies became concerned, because SMSV was found to be indistinguishable from vesicular exanthema of swine virus and to cause (in laboratory trials) clinical signs in swine similar to those produced by vesicular exanthema of swine virus. Ground carcasses of northern fur seals, salvaged after harvesting pelts, are fed to mink on ranches in the United States. Domestic swine are kept on some of these same ranches. Samples withheld from lots of this seal carcass mink food were found to contain SMSV (serotype 5) in titers of 10(6.1) and 10(6.8) tissue culture infective doses.", "PMID": 629435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7913", "title": "Stimulation of lymphocytes from a dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by phytomitogens.", "content": "Activation of dolphin peripheral blood lymphocytes by the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen, was evaluated. Whole blood culture technique was employed, which eliminated the necessity of lymphocyte isolation or purification procedures. Dolphin lymphocytes responded (by increased [14C]thymidine incorporation) to all 3 mitogens, but concanavalin A consistently produced the highest degree of stimulation.", "contents": "Stimulation of lymphocytes from a dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by phytomitogens. Activation of dolphin peripheral blood lymphocytes by the phytomitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen, was evaluated. Whole blood culture technique was employed, which eliminated the necessity of lymphocyte isolation or purification procedures. Dolphin lymphocytes responded (by increased [14C]thymidine incorporation) to all 3 mitogens, but concanavalin A consistently produced the highest degree of stimulation.", "PMID": 629436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7914", "title": "Thymus cell variations in AKR leukemia.", "content": "The thymus cells from spontaneous and 1st generation AKR leukemic mice were investigated, using electronic cell-volume distributions. The growth pattern of thymus cells in the mice with transplanted leukemic cells varied with the type of donor cells injected. After the transplantation of leukemic cells into 2 month-old recipients, the cortex of thymus decreased in size and medulla of thymus enlarged. The thymus underwent atrophy next, followed by a proliferation of the large-sized cells (greater than channel 40, 136 micrometer3). The electronic cell-volume distributions of the thymus cells from the spontaneous leukemic mice encompass the distributions of thymus cells during the growth of the transplanted leukemia.", "contents": "Thymus cell variations in AKR leukemia. The thymus cells from spontaneous and 1st generation AKR leukemic mice were investigated, using electronic cell-volume distributions. The growth pattern of thymus cells in the mice with transplanted leukemic cells varied with the type of donor cells injected. After the transplantation of leukemic cells into 2 month-old recipients, the cortex of thymus decreased in size and medulla of thymus enlarged. The thymus underwent atrophy next, followed by a proliferation of the large-sized cells (greater than channel 40, 136 micrometer3). The electronic cell-volume distributions of the thymus cells from the spontaneous leukemic mice encompass the distributions of thymus cells during the growth of the transplanted leukemia.", "PMID": 629437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7915", "title": "Pili-mediated attachment of Corynebacterium renale to mucous membrane of urinary bladder of mice.", "content": "Corynebacterium renal strain 115 with numerous pili became attached in vivo to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder of mice 10 to 30 times more frequently than did that of C renale American Type Culture Collection 19412, which showed few pili. Antipili serum-treated C renale strain 115 was not recovered from the membrane in as large amounts as was untreated bacteria. Antisomatic serum-treated strain 115, on the other hand, was recovered from the membrane in amounts similar to untreated bacteria. Untreated organisms became attached to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder more effectively than did the antipili serum-treated bacteria, as seen on scanning electron micrographs. It may be concluded that C renale strain 115 attaches itself to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder om mice by the pili.", "contents": "Pili-mediated attachment of Corynebacterium renale to mucous membrane of urinary bladder of mice. Corynebacterium renal strain 115 with numerous pili became attached in vivo to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder of mice 10 to 30 times more frequently than did that of C renale American Type Culture Collection 19412, which showed few pili. Antipili serum-treated C renale strain 115 was not recovered from the membrane in as large amounts as was untreated bacteria. Antisomatic serum-treated strain 115, on the other hand, was recovered from the membrane in amounts similar to untreated bacteria. Untreated organisms became attached to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder more effectively than did the antipili serum-treated bacteria, as seen on scanning electron micrographs. It may be concluded that C renale strain 115 attaches itself to the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder om mice by the pili.", "PMID": 629438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7916", "title": "Effect of thyroid state on magnesium concentration of rat tissues.", "content": "The effect of alteration of thyroid status by thiouracil (0.1% concentration in drinking water for 60 days) or exogenous thyroxine (25 mg/dg of body weight administered SC from days 30 to 60) on magnesium content of rat tissues following exogenous magnesium was evaluated. Treatment of rats with magnesium solution (25 mg of magnesium sulfate/dg of body weight) resulted in increased magnesium concentration in most tissues of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats, with the mesenchymal-derived tissues (aorta, trachea, and ear cartilage) exhibiting the greatest increases (respectively, 154, 130, and 133% of control group values for hypothyroid rats, and 115, 108, and 107% of control group values for the hyperthyroid group). Magnesium concentration in skeletal and cardiac muscle was similar for hyperthyroid and control rats, but magnesium concentration in these same tissues of hypothyroid rats was decreased. Magnesium distribution and retention in rat tissues is altered considerably, depending on the functional status of thyroid gland.", "contents": "Effect of thyroid state on magnesium concentration of rat tissues. The effect of alteration of thyroid status by thiouracil (0.1% concentration in drinking water for 60 days) or exogenous thyroxine (25 mg/dg of body weight administered SC from days 30 to 60) on magnesium content of rat tissues following exogenous magnesium was evaluated. Treatment of rats with magnesium solution (25 mg of magnesium sulfate/dg of body weight) resulted in increased magnesium concentration in most tissues of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats, with the mesenchymal-derived tissues (aorta, trachea, and ear cartilage) exhibiting the greatest increases (respectively, 154, 130, and 133% of control group values for hypothyroid rats, and 115, 108, and 107% of control group values for the hyperthyroid group). Magnesium concentration in skeletal and cardiac muscle was similar for hyperthyroid and control rats, but magnesium concentration in these same tissues of hypothyroid rats was decreased. Magnesium distribution and retention in rat tissues is altered considerably, depending on the functional status of thyroid gland.", "PMID": 629439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7917", "title": "Complement activity, serum protein, and hepatic changes in guinea pigs given sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination.", "content": "Effects of either sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination, given orally to guinea pigs were studied. Sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B1 given alone and in combination at 4.2 mg/day and 0.01 mg/day, respectively, markedly reduced body weight. Although changes in total serum protein were not marked in any of the guinea pigs in this study, sterigmatocystin given alone and aflatoxin given alone significantly ( less than 0.05) decreased alpha2-globulin. The combination of toxins significantly (P less than 0.01) increased albumin and significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased both alpha2- and beta-globulins. Sterigmatocystin depressed complement activity, although not significantly. However, the combination of sterimatocystin with 0.01 mg of aflatoxin B1/day (an amount that does not affect complement activity alone) significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced complement activity. Increased severity of lesions was not found in guinea pigs given aflatoxin at 0.01 mg of B1 equivalents/day in addition to the sterigmatocystin.", "contents": "Complement activity, serum protein, and hepatic changes in guinea pigs given sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination. Effects of either sterigmatocystin or aflatoxin, alone or in combination, given orally to guinea pigs were studied. Sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B1 given alone and in combination at 4.2 mg/day and 0.01 mg/day, respectively, markedly reduced body weight. Although changes in total serum protein were not marked in any of the guinea pigs in this study, sterigmatocystin given alone and aflatoxin given alone significantly ( less than 0.05) decreased alpha2-globulin. The combination of toxins significantly (P less than 0.01) increased albumin and significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased both alpha2- and beta-globulins. Sterigmatocystin depressed complement activity, although not significantly. However, the combination of sterimatocystin with 0.01 mg of aflatoxin B1/day (an amount that does not affect complement activity alone) significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced complement activity. Increased severity of lesions was not found in guinea pigs given aflatoxin at 0.01 mg of B1 equivalents/day in addition to the sterigmatocystin.", "PMID": 629440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7918", "title": "Analysis of lead in animal feed ingredients.", "content": "Analyses for lead content were done on 124 specific feed ingredients from 5 major pet food companies. The lead content of the different ingredients varied from 0.1 parts per million (ppm) to 3,600 ppm. Of the samples 48 (39%) had greater than 1 ppm lead. In particular, one type of ingredient (mineral mix) was contaminated with large amounts of this element. Feeds that contain a marked amount of lead could add an uncontrolled variable to experiments using laboratory animals and could cause misinterpretation of experimental results.", "contents": "Analysis of lead in animal feed ingredients. Analyses for lead content were done on 124 specific feed ingredients from 5 major pet food companies. The lead content of the different ingredients varied from 0.1 parts per million (ppm) to 3,600 ppm. Of the samples 48 (39%) had greater than 1 ppm lead. In particular, one type of ingredient (mineral mix) was contaminated with large amounts of this element. Feeds that contain a marked amount of lead could add an uncontrolled variable to experiments using laboratory animals and could cause misinterpretation of experimental results.", "PMID": 629441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7919", "title": "Serum hydrocortisone (cortisol) values in normal and adrenopathic dogs as determined by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Using a specific radioimmunoassay, serum hydrocortisone values were measured in dogs. Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, the base-line hydrocortisone value for 56 clinically normal dogs ranged from 6.0 to 28.5 ng/ml, with a mean value of 17.8 +/- 1.32 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM). Marked differences due to age, sex, body weight, or breed were not observed in the hydrocortisone values. In 11 dogs with definitive hyperadrenocorticism, serum hydrocortisone values were from 32 to 148 ng/ml. In 2 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, the values were 4.5 and 3.1 ng/ml. The estimation of serum hydrocortisone values by radioimmunoassay is simple and precise, and can be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of adrenopathy in dogs.", "contents": "Serum hydrocortisone (cortisol) values in normal and adrenopathic dogs as determined by radioimmunoassay. Using a specific radioimmunoassay, serum hydrocortisone values were measured in dogs. Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, the base-line hydrocortisone value for 56 clinically normal dogs ranged from 6.0 to 28.5 ng/ml, with a mean value of 17.8 +/- 1.32 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM). Marked differences due to age, sex, body weight, or breed were not observed in the hydrocortisone values. In 11 dogs with definitive hyperadrenocorticism, serum hydrocortisone values were from 32 to 148 ng/ml. In 2 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, the values were 4.5 and 3.1 ng/ml. The estimation of serum hydrocortisone values by radioimmunoassay is simple and precise, and can be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of adrenopathy in dogs.", "PMID": 629443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7920", "title": "Attempts to produce salivary cysts in the dog.", "content": "Attempts were made to create salivary cysts by ligation of the mandibular salivary duct at the angle of the mandible and near the frenulum of the tongue, by rupture of the mandibular duct at the angle of the mandible and near the frenulum of the tongue, and by direct trauma to the mandibular salivary gland. Cysts were not formed as a result of the experimental procedures, but observations are made on the results obtained.", "contents": "Attempts to produce salivary cysts in the dog. Attempts were made to create salivary cysts by ligation of the mandibular salivary duct at the angle of the mandible and near the frenulum of the tongue, by rupture of the mandibular duct at the angle of the mandible and near the frenulum of the tongue, and by direct trauma to the mandibular salivary gland. Cysts were not formed as a result of the experimental procedures, but observations are made on the results obtained.", "PMID": 629444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7921", "title": "Isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from tonsils of apparently normal swine by two methods.", "content": "Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from the tonsils of 62 of 63 (98%) apparently normal pigs, using 2 procedures: (1) enrichment culture at 5 C followed by mouse inoculation, and (2) Wood's technique. There was no significant difference (P less than or equal to 0.01) in the sensitivity of erysipelothrix detection between the 2 procedures. Each of the isolates selected for identification had morphologic and tinctorial properties consistent with E rhusiopathiae and was identified by direct immunofluorescence.", "contents": "Isolation of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from tonsils of apparently normal swine by two methods. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from the tonsils of 62 of 63 (98%) apparently normal pigs, using 2 procedures: (1) enrichment culture at 5 C followed by mouse inoculation, and (2) Wood's technique. There was no significant difference (P less than or equal to 0.01) in the sensitivity of erysipelothrix detection between the 2 procedures. Each of the isolates selected for identification had morphologic and tinctorial properties consistent with E rhusiopathiae and was identified by direct immunofluorescence.", "PMID": 629445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7922", "title": "Bending properties of cortical bone of the horse.", "content": "Bending properties of samples of cortical bone taken from the cranial, caudal, medial, and lateral quadrants of the midshaft of the radius, femur, and metacarpus of 12 ponies, 18 months old, were determined by 4-point loading at a rate of 10 mm/minute. The elastic modulus for all samples was between 16.2 and 20.2 GN/m2, and the ultimate breaking strength, between 204 and 255 MN/m2. There was greater variation in these properties between bone quadrants than between bones. Samples from the cranial and medial quadrants of both femur and radius were stiffer and had greater ultimate breaking strength than caudal or lateral samples. All samples of radius deformed more and absorbed more energy before reaching the greatest load than did samples of femur. The elastic modulus and the ultimate breaking strength of radius within any quadrant were highly correlated to specific gravity. However, at any specific gravity, caudal and lateral samples were not as strong as cranial and medial samples. Samples taken from exercised ponies, male ponies, or those fed diets containing 0.7% Ca,0.6% P or 2.7% Ca,1.1% P tended to be stiffer and have a greater ultimate breaking strength than samples taken from unexercised ponies, females, or those fed diets containing 0.7% Ca,1.4% P.", "contents": "Bending properties of cortical bone of the horse. Bending properties of samples of cortical bone taken from the cranial, caudal, medial, and lateral quadrants of the midshaft of the radius, femur, and metacarpus of 12 ponies, 18 months old, were determined by 4-point loading at a rate of 10 mm/minute. The elastic modulus for all samples was between 16.2 and 20.2 GN/m2, and the ultimate breaking strength, between 204 and 255 MN/m2. There was greater variation in these properties between bone quadrants than between bones. Samples from the cranial and medial quadrants of both femur and radius were stiffer and had greater ultimate breaking strength than caudal or lateral samples. All samples of radius deformed more and absorbed more energy before reaching the greatest load than did samples of femur. The elastic modulus and the ultimate breaking strength of radius within any quadrant were highly correlated to specific gravity. However, at any specific gravity, caudal and lateral samples were not as strong as cranial and medial samples. Samples taken from exercised ponies, male ponies, or those fed diets containing 0.7% Ca,0.6% P or 2.7% Ca,1.1% P tended to be stiffer and have a greater ultimate breaking strength than samples taken from unexercised ponies, females, or those fed diets containing 0.7% Ca,1.4% P.", "PMID": 629446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7923", "title": "Induced staphylococcal infections in the bovine mammary gland.", "content": "In a study to develop and define a practical model of bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, induced infections were attempted in 203 bovine mammary glands of 41 cows, using 12 strains of S aureus. Approximately 100 colony-forming units of S aureus in saline solution were injected after milking, and milk samples were collected daily from test glands for 14 days to monitor the progress of infections and inflammatory responses. Relationships were examined for cow-related factors and for various characteristics of the strains of S aureus used to the development of a persistent intramammary infection. A dairy cow that was useful in this model was defined as follows: (1) the 2nd to 7th month in the 1st to 5th lactation; (2) producing milk from all mammary glands that contained less than 6 x 10(5) somatic cells/ml; and (3) having mammary glands that were free of any primary mastitis pathogen, as well as micrococci and Corynebacterium bovis. From the present study, it was not possible to define clearly a strain of S aureus which would be useful in the model, but 5 strains of S aureus were identified as being capable of producing persistent subacute infections with a high degree of repeatability.", "contents": "Induced staphylococcal infections in the bovine mammary gland. In a study to develop and define a practical model of bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, induced infections were attempted in 203 bovine mammary glands of 41 cows, using 12 strains of S aureus. Approximately 100 colony-forming units of S aureus in saline solution were injected after milking, and milk samples were collected daily from test glands for 14 days to monitor the progress of infections and inflammatory responses. Relationships were examined for cow-related factors and for various characteristics of the strains of S aureus used to the development of a persistent intramammary infection. A dairy cow that was useful in this model was defined as follows: (1) the 2nd to 7th month in the 1st to 5th lactation; (2) producing milk from all mammary glands that contained less than 6 x 10(5) somatic cells/ml; and (3) having mammary glands that were free of any primary mastitis pathogen, as well as micrococci and Corynebacterium bovis. From the present study, it was not possible to define clearly a strain of S aureus which would be useful in the model, but 5 strains of S aureus were identified as being capable of producing persistent subacute infections with a high degree of repeatability.", "PMID": 629447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7924", "title": "Ovine coccidiosis: effect of the antibiotic monensin against Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae and other naturally occurring coccidia of sheep.", "content": "Sixteen female and 16 male lambs were used in 4 groups to determine the effect of monensin on naturally occurring and experimentally induced coccidiosis. Determinations of numbers of oocysts discharged, quantities of feces discharged, feed consumption, and weight gain were made for female and male lambs in each group. The effect of experimentally induced and naturally occurring coccidiosis on the performance of each group was compared. Nonmedicated lambs, experimentally inoculated with Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, gained the least weight. Lambs naturally infected with coccidia gained next best and inoculated lambs, in 2 groups medicated with 10 or 20 ppm of monensin in the feed, gained best. The average net gain for the 4 groups was 7.8, 9.7, 13.7, and 13.7 kg. The medicated lambs required less feed/kilogram of weight gain than did the nonmedicated lambs. In general, female lambs were more severely affected by the coccidia, consumed more feed, produced more fecal material, and gained less weight than did male lambs.", "contents": "Ovine coccidiosis: effect of the antibiotic monensin against Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae and other naturally occurring coccidia of sheep. Sixteen female and 16 male lambs were used in 4 groups to determine the effect of monensin on naturally occurring and experimentally induced coccidiosis. Determinations of numbers of oocysts discharged, quantities of feces discharged, feed consumption, and weight gain were made for female and male lambs in each group. The effect of experimentally induced and naturally occurring coccidiosis on the performance of each group was compared. Nonmedicated lambs, experimentally inoculated with Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, gained the least weight. Lambs naturally infected with coccidia gained next best and inoculated lambs, in 2 groups medicated with 10 or 20 ppm of monensin in the feed, gained best. The average net gain for the 4 groups was 7.8, 9.7, 13.7, and 13.7 kg. The medicated lambs required less feed/kilogram of weight gain than did the nonmedicated lambs. In general, female lambs were more severely affected by the coccidia, consumed more feed, produced more fecal material, and gained less weight than did male lambs.", "PMID": 629450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7925", "title": "Effect of canine immune serum on the growth of Ehrlichia canis within nonimmune canine macrophages.", "content": "The effect of canine immune serum (CIS) on the growth of Ehrlichia canis was studied in macrophage cultures derived from peripheral blood monocytes of normal dogs. Ehrlichiae treated with canine normal serum and then introduced into normal macrophage cultures maintained in canine normal serum multiplied within the macrophages and destroyed them. Immune serum, collected from E canis carrier dogs, suppressed ehrlichial growth in normal macrophages. An inverse relationship existed between the amount of CIS to which ehrlichiae were exposed and the growth of the organism in normal macrophages. The anti-E canis activity was most prevalent in the 7-S fraction of immune serum. Fresh CIS had a greater suppressive effect on the growth of E canis than did heat-inactivated CIS. Antibody cytophilic for canine monocyte-derived macrophages was not detected in CIS.", "contents": "Effect of canine immune serum on the growth of Ehrlichia canis within nonimmune canine macrophages. The effect of canine immune serum (CIS) on the growth of Ehrlichia canis was studied in macrophage cultures derived from peripheral blood monocytes of normal dogs. Ehrlichiae treated with canine normal serum and then introduced into normal macrophage cultures maintained in canine normal serum multiplied within the macrophages and destroyed them. Immune serum, collected from E canis carrier dogs, suppressed ehrlichial growth in normal macrophages. An inverse relationship existed between the amount of CIS to which ehrlichiae were exposed and the growth of the organism in normal macrophages. The anti-E canis activity was most prevalent in the 7-S fraction of immune serum. Fresh CIS had a greater suppressive effect on the growth of E canis than did heat-inactivated CIS. Antibody cytophilic for canine monocyte-derived macrophages was not detected in CIS.", "PMID": 629451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7926", "title": "Effect of canine immune macrophages and canine immune serum on the growth of Ehrlichia canis.", "content": "The effect of canine immune macrophages and canine immune serum (CIS) on the growth of Ehrlichia canis was studied in vitro. Treatment of E canis organisms with CIS before they were inoculated into immune macrophage cultures, coupled with pre- and postinoculation maintenance of cultures in CIS, suppressed macrophage infection rates to 1% or less. Immune macrophages collected from E canis-carrier dogs and maintained in canine normal serum were more resistant to the intracellular growth of E canis than were normal macrophages maintained in the same serum. Ehrlichiae introduced into normal macrophage cultures maintained in canine normal serum multiplied within the macrophages and destroyed them. Maximal immunity to intracellular growth of E canis, maximal destruction of this organism, or both, required the interaction of E canis with both humoral and cellular factors in proper sequence.", "contents": "Effect of canine immune macrophages and canine immune serum on the growth of Ehrlichia canis. The effect of canine immune macrophages and canine immune serum (CIS) on the growth of Ehrlichia canis was studied in vitro. Treatment of E canis organisms with CIS before they were inoculated into immune macrophage cultures, coupled with pre- and postinoculation maintenance of cultures in CIS, suppressed macrophage infection rates to 1% or less. Immune macrophages collected from E canis-carrier dogs and maintained in canine normal serum were more resistant to the intracellular growth of E canis than were normal macrophages maintained in the same serum. Ehrlichiae introduced into normal macrophage cultures maintained in canine normal serum multiplied within the macrophages and destroyed them. Maximal immunity to intracellular growth of E canis, maximal destruction of this organism, or both, required the interaction of E canis with both humoral and cellular factors in proper sequence.", "PMID": 629452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7927", "title": "Effects of topical 1-epinephrine and dipivalyl epinephrine on intraocular pressure and pupil size in the normotensive and glaucomatous Beagle.", "content": "Dipivalyl epinephrine and l-epinephrine were evaluated in various concentrations in normotensive and glaucomatous Beagles. In higher concentrations, both drugs produced significant lowering of intraocular pressure. Mydriasis and some local irritation occurred. The hypotony after drug administration tended to be greater in glaucomatous than in normotensive Beagles. The glaucomatous Beagle may be a valuable biomedical model in the investigation of various pharmacologic substances.", "contents": "Effects of topical 1-epinephrine and dipivalyl epinephrine on intraocular pressure and pupil size in the normotensive and glaucomatous Beagle. Dipivalyl epinephrine and l-epinephrine were evaluated in various concentrations in normotensive and glaucomatous Beagles. In higher concentrations, both drugs produced significant lowering of intraocular pressure. Mydriasis and some local irritation occurred. The hypotony after drug administration tended to be greater in glaucomatous than in normotensive Beagles. The glaucomatous Beagle may be a valuable biomedical model in the investigation of various pharmacologic substances.", "PMID": 629453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7928", "title": "Life cycle of Isospora burrowsi n sp (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the dog Canis familiaris.", "content": "Exogenous and endogenous stages of Isospora burrowsi n sp from the dog are described. Oocysts were spherical or ellipisoidal and 17 to 22 by 16 to 19 micrometer (mean 20.3 by 17.3 micrometer). Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule were not present. Sporocysts were 12 to 16 by 8 to 11 micrometer (mean 14.4 by 9.7 micrometer). Stieda body was absent, but a sporocyst residuum was present. Endogenous stages were in the caudal three-fifths of the small intestine and in the cecum. Mature 1st-generation schizonts (11 to 18 by 9 to 18 micrometer) were present on the 4th day of infection. One day later, mature 2nd-generation schizonts (18 to 35 by 17 to 22 micrometer) were present. Immature gamonts were found 5 days after infection, and unsporulated oocysts were also present later that day. The prepatent period was 6 days, and the mean patent period was 11 days. The oocysts of I burrowsi differ markedly in size from all other Isospora species from dogs, except Isospora ohioensis; however, the endogenous stages of the 2 species differ.", "contents": "Life cycle of Isospora burrowsi n sp (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the dog Canis familiaris. Exogenous and endogenous stages of Isospora burrowsi n sp from the dog are described. Oocysts were spherical or ellipisoidal and 17 to 22 by 16 to 19 micrometer (mean 20.3 by 17.3 micrometer). Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule were not present. Sporocysts were 12 to 16 by 8 to 11 micrometer (mean 14.4 by 9.7 micrometer). Stieda body was absent, but a sporocyst residuum was present. Endogenous stages were in the caudal three-fifths of the small intestine and in the cecum. Mature 1st-generation schizonts (11 to 18 by 9 to 18 micrometer) were present on the 4th day of infection. One day later, mature 2nd-generation schizonts (18 to 35 by 17 to 22 micrometer) were present. Immature gamonts were found 5 days after infection, and unsporulated oocysts were also present later that day. The prepatent period was 6 days, and the mean patent period was 11 days. The oocysts of I burrowsi differ markedly in size from all other Isospora species from dogs, except Isospora ohioensis; however, the endogenous stages of the 2 species differ.", "PMID": 629454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7929", "title": "Evaluation of polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite-coated total hip prostheses in goats.", "content": "This study was designed to determine if a porous polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite coating could furnish long-term stabilization of total hip prostheses. Prostheses were surgically implanted in 12 mature goats, which were observed postoperatively for as long as 1 year. Effective stabilization occurred in only 4 animals. Poor results in the other animals were attributed to lack of stabilization of the prostheses following initial implantation, which allowed movement at the interface between bone and polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite.", "contents": "Evaluation of polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite-coated total hip prostheses in goats. This study was designed to determine if a porous polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite coating could furnish long-term stabilization of total hip prostheses. Prostheses were surgically implanted in 12 mature goats, which were observed postoperatively for as long as 1 year. Effective stabilization occurred in only 4 animals. Poor results in the other animals were attributed to lack of stabilization of the prostheses following initial implantation, which allowed movement at the interface between bone and polytetrafluoroethylene-graphite.", "PMID": 629455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7930", "title": "Efficacy of attenuated Anaplasma marginale vaccine under laboratory and field conditions in Colombia.", "content": "Four-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves were inoculated with 3 different doses (1, 2, and 3 ml) of attenuated Anaplasma marginale vaccine. Vaccinated calves showed mild anaplasma parasitemia, slight decrease in packed cell volume, low serologic conversion, and no clinical illness. An artificial challenge exposure of vaccinated and unvaccinated calves with virulent Colombian A marginale showed that the vaccine provided protection against clinical signs of the disease, including parasitemia and anemia. The volume of the vaccinal dose did not alter the degree of protection provided. A 2nd group of 8- to 9-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves was then inoculated with 3 ml of anaplasma vaccine and premunized with both Babesia bigemina and Babesia argentina while being housed in an area free of these diseases. Calves were moved to an enzootic region heavily infested with various arthropods, including ticks, for natural field challenge exposure. Control calves, which were not given anaplasma vaccine, suffered clinical illness manifested by severe anemia and an average weight loss of 50.6 kg due to anaplasma field challenge exposure. In contrast, vaccinated calves did not show anemia and their weight loss was 3.9 kg.", "contents": "Efficacy of attenuated Anaplasma marginale vaccine under laboratory and field conditions in Colombia. Four-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves were inoculated with 3 different doses (1, 2, and 3 ml) of attenuated Anaplasma marginale vaccine. Vaccinated calves showed mild anaplasma parasitemia, slight decrease in packed cell volume, low serologic conversion, and no clinical illness. An artificial challenge exposure of vaccinated and unvaccinated calves with virulent Colombian A marginale showed that the vaccine provided protection against clinical signs of the disease, including parasitemia and anemia. The volume of the vaccinal dose did not alter the degree of protection provided. A 2nd group of 8- to 9-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves was then inoculated with 3 ml of anaplasma vaccine and premunized with both Babesia bigemina and Babesia argentina while being housed in an area free of these diseases. Calves were moved to an enzootic region heavily infested with various arthropods, including ticks, for natural field challenge exposure. Control calves, which were not given anaplasma vaccine, suffered clinical illness manifested by severe anemia and an average weight loss of 50.6 kg due to anaplasma field challenge exposure. In contrast, vaccinated calves did not show anemia and their weight loss was 3.9 kg.", "PMID": 629456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7931", "title": "A relationship between gait and breakdown in the horse.", "content": "A biomechanical model of running has been presented. A basic premise has been that the swing time is nearly independent of speed. In fact, both the racehorse and the trotter have nearly equal swing times. Consequently, as speed increases and the stance phase becomes shorter, the horse must compensate by increasing his extension or the length of the airborne phase (or both). The safe speed which allows the horse adequate preparation time for contact of a leg with the ground is calculated, using a stride-by-stride analysis of the motion of the horse. This is seen to be a very sensitive function of the overlap time in the gait. The overlap between the legs appears to affect both the ultimate performance potential of the horse and also his prospects for soundness.", "contents": "A relationship between gait and breakdown in the horse. A biomechanical model of running has been presented. A basic premise has been that the swing time is nearly independent of speed. In fact, both the racehorse and the trotter have nearly equal swing times. Consequently, as speed increases and the stance phase becomes shorter, the horse must compensate by increasing his extension or the length of the airborne phase (or both). The safe speed which allows the horse adequate preparation time for contact of a leg with the ground is calculated, using a stride-by-stride analysis of the motion of the horse. This is seen to be a very sensitive function of the overlap time in the gait. The overlap between the legs appears to affect both the ultimate performance potential of the horse and also his prospects for soundness.", "PMID": 629458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7932", "title": "Anthelmintic efficacy of thenium closylate-piperazine phosphate combination tablets against Toxocara canis in pups and young dogs.", "content": "Thenium closylate-piperazine phosphate combination tablets, tablets containing either thenium or piperazine, and control tablets (excipients only) were administered in 2 doses 5 to 7.5 hours apart to weaned pups and young dogs, in critical controlled trials to test efficacy against naturally acquired infections of Toxocara canis. In the 1st trial, the combination tablets produced a mean clearance of 94% from 18 pups. Tablets containing thenium alone showed a mean clearance of 9% from 25 pups, and tablets containing piperazine alone caused a mean clearance of 56% from 16 pups. Clearances, corrected for spontaneous worm losses observed in pups treated with the control tablets, were 90% (combination), 5% (thenium alone), and 52% (piperazine alone). In the 2nd and 3rd trials, efficacy of the combination tablet in 15 pups was 78% when corrected for worm losses in pups which had received placebo (excipient) tablets. Each component in the combination tablet contributed its full single-entity efficacy and, if in combination, synergistic effect between the components.", "contents": "Anthelmintic efficacy of thenium closylate-piperazine phosphate combination tablets against Toxocara canis in pups and young dogs. Thenium closylate-piperazine phosphate combination tablets, tablets containing either thenium or piperazine, and control tablets (excipients only) were administered in 2 doses 5 to 7.5 hours apart to weaned pups and young dogs, in critical controlled trials to test efficacy against naturally acquired infections of Toxocara canis. In the 1st trial, the combination tablets produced a mean clearance of 94% from 18 pups. Tablets containing thenium alone showed a mean clearance of 9% from 25 pups, and tablets containing piperazine alone caused a mean clearance of 56% from 16 pups. Clearances, corrected for spontaneous worm losses observed in pups treated with the control tablets, were 90% (combination), 5% (thenium alone), and 52% (piperazine alone). In the 2nd and 3rd trials, efficacy of the combination tablet in 15 pups was 78% when corrected for worm losses in pups which had received placebo (excipient) tablets. Each component in the combination tablet contributed its full single-entity efficacy and, if in combination, synergistic effect between the components.", "PMID": 629460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7933", "title": "Interrelationships of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase system enzymes in the fasted Beagle.", "content": "Eight adult female Beagles were fasted for 21 days to investigate responses of the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase system enzymes. Blood samples were collected once a week. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione was maintained within 10% of base-line value. Hexose monophosphate pathway dehydrogenases showed a significant inverse relationship to glutathione reductase (GR) activity. Further, active GR, as a percentage of total GR, increased as hexose monophosphate pathway dehydrogenase activity fell. A similar relationship between these enzymes has been reported in human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Also, glutathione peroxidase showed an inverse linear response to erythrocytic reduced glutathione. Though the responses of this system are complex, they appear interrelated.", "contents": "Interrelationships of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase system enzymes in the fasted Beagle. Eight adult female Beagles were fasted for 21 days to investigate responses of the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase system enzymes. Blood samples were collected once a week. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione was maintained within 10% of base-line value. Hexose monophosphate pathway dehydrogenases showed a significant inverse relationship to glutathione reductase (GR) activity. Further, active GR, as a percentage of total GR, increased as hexose monophosphate pathway dehydrogenase activity fell. A similar relationship between these enzymes has been reported in human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Also, glutathione peroxidase showed an inverse linear response to erythrocytic reduced glutathione. Though the responses of this system are complex, they appear interrelated.", "PMID": 629461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7934", "title": "Prevalence of vesicular exanthema of swine antibodies among feral mammals associated with the southern California coastal zones.", "content": "Serum-neutralizing antibodies to both vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) and San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV) were found in a number of animal species having an association with the southern California coastal zones. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) had antibodies to 9 VESV types (A48, C52, D53, E54, F54, G55, I55, J56, and K56). Fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris) were tested for antibodies to 6 VESV types and all were negative. California gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were tested for antibodies to 9 VESV types, and sperm whale (Physeter catodon), finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) were tested for 6 VESV types. Among the last 4 species, antibodies were present for each VESV type except C52, and all species were positive for antibodies to 2 or more VESV types. Feral swine from both Santa Cruz Island and Santa Catalina Island were tested and antibodies were present for 8 of 9 VESV types and all SMSV types except SMSV-4. One donkey from San Miguel Island was positive for VESV I55 and 2 were positive for SMSV-2.", "contents": "Prevalence of vesicular exanthema of swine antibodies among feral mammals associated with the southern California coastal zones. Serum-neutralizing antibodies to both vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VESV) and San Miguel sea lion virus (SMSV) were found in a number of animal species having an association with the southern California coastal zones. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) had antibodies to 9 VESV types (A48, C52, D53, E54, F54, G55, I55, J56, and K56). Fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris) were tested for antibodies to 6 VESV types and all were negative. California gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were tested for antibodies to 9 VESV types, and sperm whale (Physeter catodon), finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) were tested for 6 VESV types. Among the last 4 species, antibodies were present for each VESV type except C52, and all species were positive for antibodies to 2 or more VESV types. Feral swine from both Santa Cruz Island and Santa Catalina Island were tested and antibodies were present for 8 of 9 VESV types and all SMSV types except SMSV-4. One donkey from San Miguel Island was positive for VESV I55 and 2 were positive for SMSV-2.", "PMID": 629463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7935", "title": "Experimental placental transfer of Akabane virus in the hamster.", "content": "Transplacental infection of hamster fetuses was produced by inoculation of pregnant hamsters with 10(6.3) plaque-forming units (PFU) of Akabane virus by either the intraperitoneal or the subcutaneous route. Virus with titers as high as 10(7.5) PFU/g of tissue was detected first in the placenta and later in the fetus. Virus could also be readily isolated from blood, lung, spleen, and liver of both pregnant and nonpregnant hamsters, but it reached higher titers and persisted longer in the placenta and fetus. Young dying at birth had Akabane virus titers as high as 10(7.3) PFU/g of brain tissue. Litter size was reduced by inoculation of the pregnant hamster at gestational day 11 or earlier, and survival of the newborn to 1 week of age was decreased by inoculation at gestational day 9 or later.", "contents": "Experimental placental transfer of Akabane virus in the hamster. Transplacental infection of hamster fetuses was produced by inoculation of pregnant hamsters with 10(6.3) plaque-forming units (PFU) of Akabane virus by either the intraperitoneal or the subcutaneous route. Virus with titers as high as 10(7.5) PFU/g of tissue was detected first in the placenta and later in the fetus. Virus could also be readily isolated from blood, lung, spleen, and liver of both pregnant and nonpregnant hamsters, but it reached higher titers and persisted longer in the placenta and fetus. Young dying at birth had Akabane virus titers as high as 10(7.3) PFU/g of brain tissue. Litter size was reduced by inoculation of the pregnant hamster at gestational day 11 or earlier, and survival of the newborn to 1 week of age was decreased by inoculation at gestational day 9 or later.", "PMID": 629464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7936", "title": "Rapid turbidimetric determination of serum pancreatic lipase in the dog.", "content": "A rapid and highly reproducible turbidimetric method for the determination of serum pancreatic lipase activity in the dog is described. Values of 0 to 50 IU/L of serum were obtained in 35 healthy mature dogs, and the maximum values of 325 to 800 IU/L were observed in 8 dogs with induced pancreatitis.", "contents": "Rapid turbidimetric determination of serum pancreatic lipase in the dog. A rapid and highly reproducible turbidimetric method for the determination of serum pancreatic lipase activity in the dog is described. Values of 0 to 50 IU/L of serum were obtained in 35 healthy mature dogs, and the maximum values of 325 to 800 IU/L were observed in 8 dogs with induced pancreatitis.", "PMID": 629465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7937", "title": "Reference ovine serum chemistry values.", "content": "Twenty-five serum chemistry values were determined on 18 female sheep. These average values were obtained using current semiautomated analytical techniques, with all enzyme measurements reported in international units. Where possible, these results were compared with those of 4 other investigators. This compilation will provide a set of reference values which can be used for comparison with results obtained from current commercial clinical laboratories.", "contents": "Reference ovine serum chemistry values. Twenty-five serum chemistry values were determined on 18 female sheep. These average values were obtained using current semiautomated analytical techniques, with all enzyme measurements reported in international units. Where possible, these results were compared with those of 4 other investigators. This compilation will provide a set of reference values which can be used for comparison with results obtained from current commercial clinical laboratories.", "PMID": 629466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7938", "title": "Elimination of porcine parvovirus from infected cell cultures by inclusion of homologous antiserum in the nutrient medium.", "content": "Cell cultures of porcine fetal kidney and porcine adult thyroid gland were freed of infection with porcine parvovirus by adding homologous viral antiserum to their nutrient medium. The use of antiserum appeared practical and effective for eliminating the virus from contaminated cell lines.", "contents": "Elimination of porcine parvovirus from infected cell cultures by inclusion of homologous antiserum in the nutrient medium. Cell cultures of porcine fetal kidney and porcine adult thyroid gland were freed of infection with porcine parvovirus by adding homologous viral antiserum to their nutrient medium. The use of antiserum appeared practical and effective for eliminating the virus from contaminated cell lines.", "PMID": 629467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7939", "title": "Immunity to Lancefield's group E. streptococcus: flank inoculation of susceptible and immune swine.", "content": "Healthy swine flank inoculated with Lancefield's group E Streptococcus sp developed characteristic signs of streptococcal lymphadenitis of swine; however, abscesses were found in prefemoral lymph nodes rather than in cervical lymph nodes. After 6 months, swine (recovered from the cervical form of streptococcal lymphadenitis of swine caused by oral exposure to group E Streptococcus) were flank inoculated with group E Streptococcus sp. Only transitory signs of diseases developed and abscesses did not develop in the prefemoral lymph nodes.", "contents": "Immunity to Lancefield's group E. streptococcus: flank inoculation of susceptible and immune swine. Healthy swine flank inoculated with Lancefield's group E Streptococcus sp developed characteristic signs of streptococcal lymphadenitis of swine; however, abscesses were found in prefemoral lymph nodes rather than in cervical lymph nodes. After 6 months, swine (recovered from the cervical form of streptococcal lymphadenitis of swine caused by oral exposure to group E Streptococcus) were flank inoculated with group E Streptococcus sp. Only transitory signs of diseases developed and abscesses did not develop in the prefemoral lymph nodes.", "PMID": 629468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7940", "title": "Clinical signs and chemical confirmation of 4-aminopyridine poisoning in horses.", "content": "4-Aminopyridine poisoning in horses was diagnosed. Specific methods, utilizing thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography, were developed for determining the compound in stomach contents and corn bait. The lethal dose was estimated at 2 to 3 mg/kg of body weight.", "contents": "Clinical signs and chemical confirmation of 4-aminopyridine poisoning in horses. 4-Aminopyridine poisoning in horses was diagnosed. Specific methods, utilizing thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography, were developed for determining the compound in stomach contents and corn bait. The lethal dose was estimated at 2 to 3 mg/kg of body weight.", "PMID": 629469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7941", "title": "Comparative study of blood coagulation tests in the horse and pony.", "content": "The clotting times obtained with different assay procedures for routine coagulation tests were examined for horse and pony samples. The whole blood clotting time test and the activated coagulation test seemed to give similar results when both tests were done at 22 C. The results obtained for the activated partial thromboplastin time assay varied, depending on the commercial reagent used for the test. Consistent results were obtained for the one-stage prothrombin time assay with each reagent used.", "contents": "Comparative study of blood coagulation tests in the horse and pony. The clotting times obtained with different assay procedures for routine coagulation tests were examined for horse and pony samples. The whole blood clotting time test and the activated coagulation test seemed to give similar results when both tests were done at 22 C. The results obtained for the activated partial thromboplastin time assay varied, depending on the commercial reagent used for the test. Consistent results were obtained for the one-stage prothrombin time assay with each reagent used.", "PMID": 629470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7942", "title": "In vitro stimulation of bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes: effect of short-term storage of blood prior to lymphocyte culture.", "content": "Storage of peripheral blood from Mycobacterium bovis-sensitized cattle from 1 to 48 hours at 4, 22, and 37 C was shown not to alter markedly the lymphocyte blastogenic response to M bovis-purified protein derivative. Concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte mitogenic responses were unaffected by storage of blood for 1, 24, or 48 hours at 22 C and 37 C; however, storage of blood for 48 hours at 4 C significantly lowered (P less than 0.05) mitogenic responses to concanavalin A, as compared with responses to blood kept at 22 C. Mononuclear cell recovery from stored blood at all temperatures was markedly less than that from freshly drawn blood samples. Cell recoveries were most affected by storage of blood at 4 C and 37 C.", "contents": "In vitro stimulation of bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes: effect of short-term storage of blood prior to lymphocyte culture. Storage of peripheral blood from Mycobacterium bovis-sensitized cattle from 1 to 48 hours at 4, 22, and 37 C was shown not to alter markedly the lymphocyte blastogenic response to M bovis-purified protein derivative. Concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte mitogenic responses were unaffected by storage of blood for 1, 24, or 48 hours at 22 C and 37 C; however, storage of blood for 48 hours at 4 C significantly lowered (P less than 0.05) mitogenic responses to concanavalin A, as compared with responses to blood kept at 22 C. Mononuclear cell recovery from stored blood at all temperatures was markedly less than that from freshly drawn blood samples. Cell recoveries were most affected by storage of blood at 4 C and 37 C.", "PMID": 629471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7943", "title": "Fluorescein diacetate staining of Anaplasma marginale as a possible measure of viability.", "content": "Fluorescein diacetate viability-staining technique was applied to Anaplasma marginale. Marginal bodies took up the stain and became fluorescent. When infected red blood cells were incubated at 55 C, the number of fluorescent Anaplasma decreased at a rate similar to the known loss of viability.", "contents": "Fluorescein diacetate staining of Anaplasma marginale as a possible measure of viability. Fluorescein diacetate viability-staining technique was applied to Anaplasma marginale. Marginal bodies took up the stain and became fluorescent. When infected red blood cells were incubated at 55 C, the number of fluorescent Anaplasma decreased at a rate similar to the known loss of viability.", "PMID": 629472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7944", "title": "Relative efficacy of two oxytetracycline formulations and doxycycline in the treatment of acute anaplasmosis in splenectomized calves.", "content": "The efficacy of 3 antibiotic formulations was measured in the treatment of artificially induced anaplasmosis in the early stages of an ascending parasitemia (1% to 4%) in 23 splenectomized calves. Group 1, consisting of 5 calves, served as nontreated controls. Four calves (group 2) were treated 1 time with 10 mg of oxytetracycline (T-50)/kg of body weight IM; 5 calves (group 3) were treated 3 times with 10 mg of T-50/kg IM; 5 calves (group 4) were treated 1 time with 20 mg of an experimental oxytetracycline (T-200)/kg IM; and 4 calves (group 5) were treated 1 time with 10 mg of a synthetically derived antibacterial agent, doxycycline (D-100)/kg IM. All control calves died and 1 of 4 calves died that was treated 1 time with T-50. Other deaths did not occur. All treatments were effective in moderating the infective process, but T-50 given 3 times and T-200 given 1 time were markedly more effective than T-50 and D-100 given 1 time. There appeared to be little or no difference in therapeutic efficacy between T-50 and D-100 given 1 time and between T-50 given 3 times and T-200 given 1 time.", "contents": "Relative efficacy of two oxytetracycline formulations and doxycycline in the treatment of acute anaplasmosis in splenectomized calves. The efficacy of 3 antibiotic formulations was measured in the treatment of artificially induced anaplasmosis in the early stages of an ascending parasitemia (1% to 4%) in 23 splenectomized calves. Group 1, consisting of 5 calves, served as nontreated controls. Four calves (group 2) were treated 1 time with 10 mg of oxytetracycline (T-50)/kg of body weight IM; 5 calves (group 3) were treated 3 times with 10 mg of T-50/kg IM; 5 calves (group 4) were treated 1 time with 20 mg of an experimental oxytetracycline (T-200)/kg IM; and 4 calves (group 5) were treated 1 time with 10 mg of a synthetically derived antibacterial agent, doxycycline (D-100)/kg IM. All control calves died and 1 of 4 calves died that was treated 1 time with T-50. Other deaths did not occur. All treatments were effective in moderating the infective process, but T-50 given 3 times and T-200 given 1 time were markedly more effective than T-50 and D-100 given 1 time. There appeared to be little or no difference in therapeutic efficacy between T-50 and D-100 given 1 time and between T-50 given 3 times and T-200 given 1 time.", "PMID": 629473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7945", "title": "Blood volume measurements in gopher snakes, using autologous 51Cr-labeled red blood cells.", "content": "Blood volume determinations were performed in 5 anesthetized gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus catenifer) by means of a 51Cr-labeled red blood cell (RBC) method. The mean blood volume was 52.8 ml/kg of body weight (+/- 6.21 SE). Previous blood volume measurements have not been reported for this species. The RBC survival rate was estimated to be greater than 660 days. The RBC survival rate is long, but it cannot be determined accurately by this method.", "contents": "Blood volume measurements in gopher snakes, using autologous 51Cr-labeled red blood cells. Blood volume determinations were performed in 5 anesthetized gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus catenifer) by means of a 51Cr-labeled red blood cell (RBC) method. The mean blood volume was 52.8 ml/kg of body weight (+/- 6.21 SE). Previous blood volume measurements have not been reported for this species. The RBC survival rate was estimated to be greater than 660 days. The RBC survival rate is long, but it cannot be determined accurately by this method.", "PMID": 629474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7946", "title": "Lung function and respiratory symptoms in silicotic and nonsilicotic gold miners.", "content": "In a cross-sectional sample of 1,973 white gold miners 45 to 54 years of age, symptoms of chronic bronchitis were equally common in men with radiologically diagnosed silicosis and those without silicosis; however, more silicotic miners complained of missing work during the previous 3 years because of chest illness. Whereas mean forced vital capacity did not differ between the 2 groups, both the 1-sec forced expiratory volume and the mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the forced vital capacity were significantly lower in those with silicosis. This difference was almost entirely accounted for by their higher exposure to dust in the mines. Men with silicosis, therefore, have the same or only slightly more airway obstruction than men without silicosis who have had similar total exposure to dust.", "contents": "Lung function and respiratory symptoms in silicotic and nonsilicotic gold miners. In a cross-sectional sample of 1,973 white gold miners 45 to 54 years of age, symptoms of chronic bronchitis were equally common in men with radiologically diagnosed silicosis and those without silicosis; however, more silicotic miners complained of missing work during the previous 3 years because of chest illness. Whereas mean forced vital capacity did not differ between the 2 groups, both the 1-sec forced expiratory volume and the mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the forced vital capacity were significantly lower in those with silicosis. This difference was almost entirely accounted for by their higher exposure to dust in the mines. Men with silicosis, therefore, have the same or only slightly more airway obstruction than men without silicosis who have had similar total exposure to dust.", "PMID": 629477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7947", "title": "Long-term follow-up and bronchial reactivity testing in survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "Long-term follow-up of 9 survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome at 39 to 83 months demonstrated 2 patients with continued improvement of their restrictive pattern, 3 patients with stable mild obstructive disease, one patient who had had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before the adult respiratory distress syndrome with continued pulmonary deterioration, and 4 patients without symptoms and with normal pulmonary function tests. Attention is drawn to bronchial reactivity as defined by a bronchodilator response of more than 60 per cent increase in maximal mid-expiratory flow, positive methacholine challenge, or development of bronchospasm after exercise in 3 patients having clinical symptoms of wheezing on recovery.", "contents": "Long-term follow-up and bronchial reactivity testing in survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Long-term follow-up of 9 survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome at 39 to 83 months demonstrated 2 patients with continued improvement of their restrictive pattern, 3 patients with stable mild obstructive disease, one patient who had had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before the adult respiratory distress syndrome with continued pulmonary deterioration, and 4 patients without symptoms and with normal pulmonary function tests. Attention is drawn to bronchial reactivity as defined by a bronchodilator response of more than 60 per cent increase in maximal mid-expiratory flow, positive methacholine challenge, or development of bronchospasm after exercise in 3 patients having clinical symptoms of wheezing on recovery.", "PMID": 629479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7948", "title": "Chemical markers of mucous and serum glycoproteins and their relation to viscosity in mucoid and purulent sputum from various hypersecretory diseases.", "content": "Mucus and serum are always present in sputum. The concentrations of their markers were measured in mucoid and purulent sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. Differences in the concentrations of both mucous and serum glycoproteins were greater among different macroscopic types of sputum than among diseases for the same macroscopic type. Comparison between diseases showed that sputum from patients with asthma had the widest variation in concentrations of markers of mucous glycoprotein and dry macromolecular weight. When the asthma group was further analyzed, it became apparent that patients with extrinsic asthma without chronic bronchitis represented a homogeneous group, whereas those with intrinsic asthma, with or without chronic bronchitis, were responsible for the wide variation. The concentrations of markers of mucous and serum glycoproteins in a sputum sample were correlated with the apparent viscosity of the sputum to establish the relative contribution of the glycoproteins to the viscosity of sputum. In mucoid sputum, the mucous glycoprotein was most important in determining the viscosity, whereas when in infected sputum, both mucous and serum components contributed to the viscosity.", "contents": "Chemical markers of mucous and serum glycoproteins and their relation to viscosity in mucoid and purulent sputum from various hypersecretory diseases. Mucus and serum are always present in sputum. The concentrations of their markers were measured in mucoid and purulent sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. Differences in the concentrations of both mucous and serum glycoproteins were greater among different macroscopic types of sputum than among diseases for the same macroscopic type. Comparison between diseases showed that sputum from patients with asthma had the widest variation in concentrations of markers of mucous glycoprotein and dry macromolecular weight. When the asthma group was further analyzed, it became apparent that patients with extrinsic asthma without chronic bronchitis represented a homogeneous group, whereas those with intrinsic asthma, with or without chronic bronchitis, were responsible for the wide variation. The concentrations of markers of mucous and serum glycoproteins in a sputum sample were correlated with the apparent viscosity of the sputum to establish the relative contribution of the glycoproteins to the viscosity of sputum. In mucoid sputum, the mucous glycoprotein was most important in determining the viscosity, whereas when in infected sputum, both mucous and serum components contributed to the viscosity.", "PMID": 629481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7949", "title": "H2 receptor mediated inhibition of immediate type hypersensitivity reactions in vivo.", "content": "The effects of H2-blocking agents and the H2 receptor agonist, 4-methylhistamine, on the severity of anaphylactic reactions were studied in the guinea pig in vivo. The increase in gas volume of the lungs 90 sec after intravenous infusion of ovalbumin in animals immunized previously by intraperitoneal ovalbumin injection was used as an index of the severity of the reaction in vivo. The H2 receptor antagonists burimamide (1.0 and 3.0 mg per kg) and metiamide (3 mg per kg) significantly increased the severity of the reaction but did not significantly alter the effects of subcutaneous histamine. Neither 3 nor 30 mg of cimetidine per kg increased the severity of the reaction, and the higher dose significantly blunted the response to subcutaneous histamine. The H2 receptor agonist, 4-methylhistamine, significantly diminished the severity of the reation. These experiments demonstrate that H2 receptor stimulation may act to limit the severity of the anaphylactic reactions in vivo.", "contents": "H2 receptor mediated inhibition of immediate type hypersensitivity reactions in vivo. The effects of H2-blocking agents and the H2 receptor agonist, 4-methylhistamine, on the severity of anaphylactic reactions were studied in the guinea pig in vivo. The increase in gas volume of the lungs 90 sec after intravenous infusion of ovalbumin in animals immunized previously by intraperitoneal ovalbumin injection was used as an index of the severity of the reaction in vivo. The H2 receptor antagonists burimamide (1.0 and 3.0 mg per kg) and metiamide (3 mg per kg) significantly increased the severity of the reaction but did not significantly alter the effects of subcutaneous histamine. Neither 3 nor 30 mg of cimetidine per kg increased the severity of the reaction, and the higher dose significantly blunted the response to subcutaneous histamine. The H2 receptor agonist, 4-methylhistamine, significantly diminished the severity of the reation. These experiments demonstrate that H2 receptor stimulation may act to limit the severity of the anaphylactic reactions in vivo.", "PMID": 629482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7950", "title": "The effects of preferential deposition of histamine in the human airway.", "content": "Two inhalation techniques were performed to obtain airway and diffuse airway deposition of histamine aerosol. A radiotracer method was used to confirm the patterns of aerosol deposition and to measure the dose of histamine aerosol in the airways. In 5 subjects the effect of cumulative doses of histamine aerosol given either centrally or diffusely to the airways was measured. Histamine aerosol deposited predominantly in the large airways was more effective in increasing airway obstruction that was diffusely deposited histamine aerosol, suggesting that the receptors mediating the action of histamine reside mainly in the large airways.", "contents": "The effects of preferential deposition of histamine in the human airway. Two inhalation techniques were performed to obtain airway and diffuse airway deposition of histamine aerosol. A radiotracer method was used to confirm the patterns of aerosol deposition and to measure the dose of histamine aerosol in the airways. In 5 subjects the effect of cumulative doses of histamine aerosol given either centrally or diffusely to the airways was measured. Histamine aerosol deposited predominantly in the large airways was more effective in increasing airway obstruction that was diffusely deposited histamine aerosol, suggesting that the receptors mediating the action of histamine reside mainly in the large airways.", "PMID": 629483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7951", "title": "An examination of the microbiologic flora of normal lung of the dog.", "content": "We examined the hypothesis that normal lung is sterile. A laboratory animal, the dog, was chosen so that sample size could be maximized. Controls were used to eliminate the possible artifactual presence of bacteria in the lung. Thirty-seven per cent of lung samples contained aerobic bacteria with a mean concentration of 1.3 X 10(3) organisms per g of tissue. Seventy-four per cent of identical bacterial isolates were found in the pharynx of the same animal. We concluded that viable bacteria are aspirated into normal lung where they may survive for at least limited intervals.", "contents": "An examination of the microbiologic flora of normal lung of the dog. We examined the hypothesis that normal lung is sterile. A laboratory animal, the dog, was chosen so that sample size could be maximized. Controls were used to eliminate the possible artifactual presence of bacteria in the lung. Thirty-seven per cent of lung samples contained aerobic bacteria with a mean concentration of 1.3 X 10(3) organisms per g of tissue. Seventy-four per cent of identical bacterial isolates were found in the pharynx of the same animal. We concluded that viable bacteria are aspirated into normal lung where they may survive for at least limited intervals.", "PMID": 629484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7952", "title": "Phytohemagglutinin response of lymphocyte fractions isolated by velocity sedimentation and enhanced helper cell activity.", "content": "Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis were examined for the presence of suppressor activity to explain diminished phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation. Phytohemagglutinin responses of unfractionated cells, cell fractions obtained by velocity sedimentation, and mixtures of various cell fractions were studied by uptake of thymidine labeled with hydrogen-3 in 72-hour cultures. The in vitro impaired response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation of unfractionated sarcoid lymphocytes occurred only in patients with more disseminated disease (group 2). Sarcoid lymphocyte fractions 2 and 4 showed significantly decreased stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, suggesting that the over-all impaired response of unfractionated sarcoid lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin stimulation could be explained by the sum of impaired phytohemagglutinin responses of lymphocytes in these fractions. No evidence of suppressor cell activity was detected. In contrast, slowly sedimenting sarcoid fraction 4 cells appeared to have helper activity, and this was independent of the extent of disease and results of skin tests.", "contents": "Phytohemagglutinin response of lymphocyte fractions isolated by velocity sedimentation and enhanced helper cell activity. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis were examined for the presence of suppressor activity to explain diminished phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphoblastic transformation. Phytohemagglutinin responses of unfractionated cells, cell fractions obtained by velocity sedimentation, and mixtures of various cell fractions were studied by uptake of thymidine labeled with hydrogen-3 in 72-hour cultures. The in vitro impaired response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation of unfractionated sarcoid lymphocytes occurred only in patients with more disseminated disease (group 2). Sarcoid lymphocyte fractions 2 and 4 showed significantly decreased stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, suggesting that the over-all impaired response of unfractionated sarcoid lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin stimulation could be explained by the sum of impaired phytohemagglutinin responses of lymphocytes in these fractions. No evidence of suppressor cell activity was detected. In contrast, slowly sedimenting sarcoid fraction 4 cells appeared to have helper activity, and this was independent of the extent of disease and results of skin tests.", "PMID": 629485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7953", "title": "Delayed hypersensitivity reactions in patients with Mycobacterium chelonei and Mycobacterium fortuitum infections.", "content": "Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to skin test antigens prepared from rapidly growing mycobacteria were measured in patients with postoperative wound infections due to Mycobacterium chelonei and M. fortuitum. Sixteen of 19 patients with M. chelonei infection had more than 10 mm of induration to the M. chelonei purified protein derivative antigen (PPD-CG) and were significantly more likely to react to PPD-CG than patients or hospital personnel who had no evidence of infection. All but one patient had more induration with PPD-CG than with the antigen prepared from M. fortuitum (PPD-F). Three of 4 patients with M. fortuitum infection had greater than or equal to 9mm of induration with PPD-F and were significantly more likely than noninfected patients to react to PPD-F. Three of the 4 patients also had at least as much induration with PPD-F as with PPD-CG. In an outbreak of infections due to M. chelonei, testing with PPD-CG may be useful epidemiologically. Although the data are less clearly defined for PPD-F, testing with this antigen may be of value in an outbreak caused by M. fortuitum.", "contents": "Delayed hypersensitivity reactions in patients with Mycobacterium chelonei and Mycobacterium fortuitum infections. Delayed hypersensitivity reactions to skin test antigens prepared from rapidly growing mycobacteria were measured in patients with postoperative wound infections due to Mycobacterium chelonei and M. fortuitum. Sixteen of 19 patients with M. chelonei infection had more than 10 mm of induration to the M. chelonei purified protein derivative antigen (PPD-CG) and were significantly more likely to react to PPD-CG than patients or hospital personnel who had no evidence of infection. All but one patient had more induration with PPD-CG than with the antigen prepared from M. fortuitum (PPD-F). Three of 4 patients with M. fortuitum infection had greater than or equal to 9mm of induration with PPD-F and were significantly more likely than noninfected patients to react to PPD-F. Three of the 4 patients also had at least as much induration with PPD-F as with PPD-CG. In an outbreak of infections due to M. chelonei, testing with PPD-CG may be useful epidemiologically. Although the data are less clearly defined for PPD-F, testing with this antigen may be of value in an outbreak caused by M. fortuitum.", "PMID": 629486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7954", "title": "Lung and dermal vascular injury produced by preformed immune complexes.", "content": "Tissue injury was studied in rat lung and in the dermal vasculature after the injection of preformed, heterologous immune complexes. In lung, these complexes induced an acute, hemorrhagic alveolitis with large numbers of neutrophils. There were marked increases in permeability and extensive intrapulmonary hemorrhage. Similar changes of lesser magnitude developed at sites of dermal injection of immune complexes. The lung and skin reactions were complement- and neutrophil-dependent. The tissue damage in lung, as measured by permeability changes and development of hemorrhage, appeared to intensify during the first 24 hours and then began to wane. By the second and third day after the acute insult, permeability changes and hemorrhage had returned toward control values. Inflammatory, tissue-damaging reactions did not develop in lung or dermis if heat-aggregated bovine serum albumin was injected in place of immune complexes. This model permits the direct study of lung and vascular injury induced by preformed immune complexes.", "contents": "Lung and dermal vascular injury produced by preformed immune complexes. Tissue injury was studied in rat lung and in the dermal vasculature after the injection of preformed, heterologous immune complexes. In lung, these complexes induced an acute, hemorrhagic alveolitis with large numbers of neutrophils. There were marked increases in permeability and extensive intrapulmonary hemorrhage. Similar changes of lesser magnitude developed at sites of dermal injection of immune complexes. The lung and skin reactions were complement- and neutrophil-dependent. The tissue damage in lung, as measured by permeability changes and development of hemorrhage, appeared to intensify during the first 24 hours and then began to wane. By the second and third day after the acute insult, permeability changes and hemorrhage had returned toward control values. Inflammatory, tissue-damaging reactions did not develop in lung or dermis if heat-aggregated bovine serum albumin was injected in place of immune complexes. This model permits the direct study of lung and vascular injury induced by preformed immune complexes.", "PMID": 629488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7955", "title": "Pleural effusion associated with primary lymphedema: a perspective on the yellow nail syndrome.", "content": "A 28-year-old woman with bilateral pleural effusions and generalized, primary lymphedema beginning with facial erysipelas at 6 years of age is presented. The pleural effusions were exudates with 250 cells per mm3, 92 per cent of which were lymphocytes. Lymphatic stasis was demonstrated by persistence of the blue dye in the dorsa of her feet 3 months after a lymphangiogram of both lower extremities, pelvis, and abdomen. Her nails were not remarkable. Our patient represents the twentieth recorded case of pleural effusion in association with primary lymphedema. Women have been afflicted more than twice as often as men, and the age of onset has varied from birth to the eighth decade. Yellow dystrophic nails may precede or follow lymphedema or the pleural effusion and have occurred in only 11 of the 20 patients.", "contents": "Pleural effusion associated with primary lymphedema: a perspective on the yellow nail syndrome. A 28-year-old woman with bilateral pleural effusions and generalized, primary lymphedema beginning with facial erysipelas at 6 years of age is presented. The pleural effusions were exudates with 250 cells per mm3, 92 per cent of which were lymphocytes. Lymphatic stasis was demonstrated by persistence of the blue dye in the dorsa of her feet 3 months after a lymphangiogram of both lower extremities, pelvis, and abdomen. Her nails were not remarkable. Our patient represents the twentieth recorded case of pleural effusion in association with primary lymphedema. Women have been afflicted more than twice as often as men, and the age of onset has varied from birth to the eighth decade. Yellow dystrophic nails may precede or follow lymphedema or the pleural effusion and have occurred in only 11 of the 20 patients.", "PMID": 629489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7956", "title": "Asthma due to African zebrawood (Microberlinia) dust.", "content": "Inhalation of wood dusts can cause immediate and late onset asthma. The list of woods responsible for such reactions is continually increasing. We report a patient with asthma induced by exposure to the dust of African zebrawood (genus Microberlinia). Sensitivity to this dust was confirmed by immediate skin-test reactivity, a positive bronchial challenge, and a positive radio allergo-sorbent test to an aqueous extract. The bronchial response was inhibited by sodium cromoglycate. Unexposed persons did not exhibit skin or bronchial reactivity.", "contents": "Asthma due to African zebrawood (Microberlinia) dust. Inhalation of wood dusts can cause immediate and late onset asthma. The list of woods responsible for such reactions is continually increasing. We report a patient with asthma induced by exposure to the dust of African zebrawood (genus Microberlinia). Sensitivity to this dust was confirmed by immediate skin-test reactivity, a positive bronchial challenge, and a positive radio allergo-sorbent test to an aqueous extract. The bronchial response was inhibited by sodium cromoglycate. Unexposed persons did not exhibit skin or bronchial reactivity.", "PMID": 629490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7957", "title": "Long-term therapy with rifampin and the secondary antibody response to killed influenza vaccine.", "content": "The secondary antibody response was studied in 22 patients with tuberculosis, 11 of whom were taking rifampin as part of their antituberculous regimen. The mean duration of rifampin therapy was 12.7 months. Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers to bivalent influenza vaccine were determined before, and 4 and 8 weeks after, vaccination. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who developed a 4-fold or greater increase in titer, or in the level of titer response between the rifampin and control groups. Long-term therapy with rifampin was not found to suppress the secondary antibody response to influenza vaccination.", "contents": "Long-term therapy with rifampin and the secondary antibody response to killed influenza vaccine. The secondary antibody response was studied in 22 patients with tuberculosis, 11 of whom were taking rifampin as part of their antituberculous regimen. The mean duration of rifampin therapy was 12.7 months. Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers to bivalent influenza vaccine were determined before, and 4 and 8 weeks after, vaccination. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who developed a 4-fold or greater increase in titer, or in the level of titer response between the rifampin and control groups. Long-term therapy with rifampin was not found to suppress the secondary antibody response to influenza vaccination.", "PMID": 629491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7958", "title": "Legionnaires' disease in non-Legionnaires. A report of five cases.", "content": "Seventeen patients with illness resembling Legionnaires' disease were evaluated for antibodies to the Legionnaires' bacillus. Three patients were Legionnaires who developed pneumonia after attending the July 1976 convention. All three were seropositive (titers greater than or equal to 1:128) to the Legionnaires' bacillus. None of the remaining 14 patients were Legionnaires. Five were seropositive and nine, seronegative (titers less than or equal to 1:32). The seropositive patients had illnesses best explained by Legionnaires' disease, whereas the seronegative patients had illnesses better explained by other diagnoses. This correlation between serology and clinical findings supports the specificity of the antibody test for Legionnaires' disease. Of the five non-Legionnaire seropositive cases, two occurred before, and one 3 months after, the convention. The case histories of these five patients are presented. Disease generally involved the lungs, kidneys, and the central nervous system. Although the pathogenesis of this multiple organ involvement is unclear, a possible explanation is the production of a toxin by the Legionnaires' bacillus.", "contents": "Legionnaires' disease in non-Legionnaires. A report of five cases. Seventeen patients with illness resembling Legionnaires' disease were evaluated for antibodies to the Legionnaires' bacillus. Three patients were Legionnaires who developed pneumonia after attending the July 1976 convention. All three were seropositive (titers greater than or equal to 1:128) to the Legionnaires' bacillus. None of the remaining 14 patients were Legionnaires. Five were seropositive and nine, seronegative (titers less than or equal to 1:32). The seropositive patients had illnesses best explained by Legionnaires' disease, whereas the seronegative patients had illnesses better explained by other diagnoses. This correlation between serology and clinical findings supports the specificity of the antibody test for Legionnaires' disease. Of the five non-Legionnaire seropositive cases, two occurred before, and one 3 months after, the convention. The case histories of these five patients are presented. Disease generally involved the lungs, kidneys, and the central nervous system. Although the pathogenesis of this multiple organ involvement is unclear, a possible explanation is the production of a toxin by the Legionnaires' bacillus.", "PMID": 629493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7959", "title": "Respiratory dyskinesias: extrapyramidal dysfunction and dyspnea.", "content": "Four patients had acute dyspnea and chest pain due to primary neurologic disease, not to cardiac or pulmonary disorders. They suffered from severe, involuntary respiratory dyskinesias, which resulted in an irregular respiratory rate, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. These respiratory dyskinesias occurred as one aspect of more generalized choreiform movement disorders. Three patients had neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias, and one had levodopa-induced dyskinesias. As a result of their ages and the nature of their complaints, some of these patients were originally thought to have cardiac and pulmonary disorders. Respiratory dyskinesias should be considered as a possible cause of respiratory distress in patients with extrapyramidal dysfunction.", "contents": "Respiratory dyskinesias: extrapyramidal dysfunction and dyspnea. Four patients had acute dyspnea and chest pain due to primary neurologic disease, not to cardiac or pulmonary disorders. They suffered from severe, involuntary respiratory dyskinesias, which resulted in an irregular respiratory rate, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. These respiratory dyskinesias occurred as one aspect of more generalized choreiform movement disorders. Three patients had neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias, and one had levodopa-induced dyskinesias. As a result of their ages and the nature of their complaints, some of these patients were originally thought to have cardiac and pulmonary disorders. Respiratory dyskinesias should be considered as a possible cause of respiratory distress in patients with extrapyramidal dysfunction.", "PMID": 629494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7960", "title": "Determination of mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography.", "content": "Cross-sectional echocardiograms of the mitral valve orifice were recorded in 37 patients with mitral stenosis. Twenty-seven had pure mitral stenosis, and 10 had associated mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve area in patients with pure mitral stenosis measured from cross-sectional echocardiography was highly correlated (r = 0.89) with that calculated with the Gorlin formula using the pressure gradient and Fick cardiac output. With mitral regurgitation, mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography correlated well (r = 0.90) with that calculated from the pressure gradient and cineangiographic stroke output. In two cases, direct pathologic measurements of mitral valve area agreed exactly with the cross-sectional echocardiographic measurement. Correlation between the mitral E-F slope and mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography (r = 0.56) and catheterization (r = 0.49) was less reliable. Cross-sectional echocardiographic measurement of the mitral valve area correlates well with catheterization in patients with pure mitral stenosis and those with associated regurgitation.", "contents": "Determination of mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography. Cross-sectional echocardiograms of the mitral valve orifice were recorded in 37 patients with mitral stenosis. Twenty-seven had pure mitral stenosis, and 10 had associated mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve area in patients with pure mitral stenosis measured from cross-sectional echocardiography was highly correlated (r = 0.89) with that calculated with the Gorlin formula using the pressure gradient and Fick cardiac output. With mitral regurgitation, mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography correlated well (r = 0.90) with that calculated from the pressure gradient and cineangiographic stroke output. In two cases, direct pathologic measurements of mitral valve area agreed exactly with the cross-sectional echocardiographic measurement. Correlation between the mitral E-F slope and mitral valve area by cross-sectional echocardiography (r = 0.56) and catheterization (r = 0.49) was less reliable. Cross-sectional echocardiographic measurement of the mitral valve area correlates well with catheterization in patients with pure mitral stenosis and those with associated regurgitation.", "PMID": 629495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7961", "title": "Predicting risk of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease from systolic and diastolic blood pressures.", "content": "The relative importance of systolic versus diastolic blood pressure in predicting risk of ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease is controversial. Since 1948 we have observed in the Manitoba Study 3983 men (most between 25 to 34 years old at entry), in whom risk of both diseases was determined using the multiple logistic model. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures after adjustment for age and body weight were compared at entry and at four other examinations during the follow-up period. When both blood pressures were considered together, a stronger association with cerebrovascular disease was found for systolic compared to diastolic blood pressure at entry and at most of the other examinations. For ischemic heart disease, diastolic pressure showed a stronger association at the earlier examinations, whereas systolic pressure was more important when the majority of the cohort was between 40 to 50 years of age. In middle-aged men the general concept that diastolic is more important than systolic is not justified for cerebrovascular disease or for ischemic heart disease.", "contents": "Predicting risk of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease from systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The relative importance of systolic versus diastolic blood pressure in predicting risk of ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease is controversial. Since 1948 we have observed in the Manitoba Study 3983 men (most between 25 to 34 years old at entry), in whom risk of both diseases was determined using the multiple logistic model. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures after adjustment for age and body weight were compared at entry and at four other examinations during the follow-up period. When both blood pressures were considered together, a stronger association with cerebrovascular disease was found for systolic compared to diastolic blood pressure at entry and at most of the other examinations. For ischemic heart disease, diastolic pressure showed a stronger association at the earlier examinations, whereas systolic pressure was more important when the majority of the cohort was between 40 to 50 years of age. In middle-aged men the general concept that diastolic is more important than systolic is not justified for cerebrovascular disease or for ischemic heart disease.", "PMID": 629496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7962", "title": "Peritoneal dialysis for psoriasis. An uncontrolled study.", "content": "Remissions of long-standing psoriasis have been reported in patients starting either chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for renal failure. To see if dialysis influences the course of psoriasis in the absence of renal failure, we selected three patients with severe, refractory, long-standing psoriasis to undergo weekly peritoneal dialysis treatments. Two began to improve after the first dialysis, with nearly complete resolution after four and nine treatments, respectively. The third patient showed no objective changes after four dialyses. These findings add to increasing anecdotal reports of psoriasis improving with dialysis and extend the observations to patients without renal disease.", "contents": "Peritoneal dialysis for psoriasis. An uncontrolled study. Remissions of long-standing psoriasis have been reported in patients starting either chronic hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for renal failure. To see if dialysis influences the course of psoriasis in the absence of renal failure, we selected three patients with severe, refractory, long-standing psoriasis to undergo weekly peritoneal dialysis treatments. Two began to improve after the first dialysis, with nearly complete resolution after four and nine treatments, respectively. The third patient showed no objective changes after four dialyses. These findings add to increasing anecdotal reports of psoriasis improving with dialysis and extend the observations to patients without renal disease.", "PMID": 629497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7963", "title": "Local pulmonary immunity in pigeon breeder's disease. A case study.", "content": "We studied pulmonary and systemic aspects of the immune response in a patient with pigeon breeder's disease before and after an inhalation challenge with pigeon serum. Macrophage migration inhibition was induced with bronchoalveolar wash cells exposed to both pigeon serum and pigeon dropping extract before but not after challenge. Peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to these antigens did not induce inhibition of guinea pig peritoneal macrophage migration before challenge. However, after challenge peripheral blood lymphocytes did cause macrophage migration inhibition when exposed to pigeon serum. Both systemic and bronchoalveolar lymphocytes proliferated when exposed to these pigeon antigens in vitro. Our patient represents the first reported case of lymphokine production by pulmonary as well as systemic lymphocytes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.", "contents": "Local pulmonary immunity in pigeon breeder's disease. A case study. We studied pulmonary and systemic aspects of the immune response in a patient with pigeon breeder's disease before and after an inhalation challenge with pigeon serum. Macrophage migration inhibition was induced with bronchoalveolar wash cells exposed to both pigeon serum and pigeon dropping extract before but not after challenge. Peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to these antigens did not induce inhibition of guinea pig peritoneal macrophage migration before challenge. However, after challenge peripheral blood lymphocytes did cause macrophage migration inhibition when exposed to pigeon serum. Both systemic and bronchoalveolar lymphocytes proliferated when exposed to these pigeon antigens in vitro. Our patient represents the first reported case of lymphokine production by pulmonary as well as systemic lymphocytes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.", "PMID": 629498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7964", "title": "The problem patient. Evaluation and care of medical patients with psychosocial disturbances.", "content": "The physician often finds that certain patients are poorly responsive to usual methods of therapy, especially those with somatic symptoms in whom psychosocial factors are a major, if not the sole, determinant of the illness. To care for such patients one must understand their illness as the product of mutually interacting biologic, psychologic, and sociologic determinants. Guidelines for evaluation and treatment using this more comprehensive approach are presented.", "contents": "The problem patient. Evaluation and care of medical patients with psychosocial disturbances. The physician often finds that certain patients are poorly responsive to usual methods of therapy, especially those with somatic symptoms in whom psychosocial factors are a major, if not the sole, determinant of the illness. To care for such patients one must understand their illness as the product of mutually interacting biologic, psychologic, and sociologic determinants. Guidelines for evaluation and treatment using this more comprehensive approach are presented.", "PMID": 629502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7965", "title": "Noncontraceptive estrogens and abnormalities of endometrial proliferation.", "content": "Use of estrogen preparations among menopausal women has been causally associated with the development of hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. The magnitude of the association seems to be greater for the hyperplastic and least aggressive malignant lesions, and smaller for tumors of higher stage and grade. This observed inverse relation of estrogen use to degree of malignancy is probably due to relatively early or overly liberal diagnoses of endometrial cancer among estrogen users, but could mean simply that estrogens promote less aggressive tumors. It appears the current increased incidence of endometrial cancer in the United States will not be followed by a corresponding increase in mortality from the disease.", "contents": "Noncontraceptive estrogens and abnormalities of endometrial proliferation. Use of estrogen preparations among menopausal women has been causally associated with the development of hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. The magnitude of the association seems to be greater for the hyperplastic and least aggressive malignant lesions, and smaller for tumors of higher stage and grade. This observed inverse relation of estrogen use to degree of malignancy is probably due to relatively early or overly liberal diagnoses of endometrial cancer among estrogen users, but could mean simply that estrogens promote less aggressive tumors. It appears the current increased incidence of endometrial cancer in the United States will not be followed by a corresponding increase in mortality from the disease.", "PMID": 629503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7966", "title": "National Study of Internal Medicine Manpower: I. Residency Training 1976-1977.", "content": "The National Study of Internal Medicine Manpower was undertaken to collect data on the supply of newly trained internists. The questionnaire data returned by 98% of the 418 internal medicine residency training program directors showed that there were more than 15,000 residents in training in internal medicine in 1976-1977. Twenty-five percent of the first-year positions were held by physicians destined for specialties other than internal medicine. Over a third of each medical school graduating class opts for a full year of internal medicine for their first residency year; an additional third of all medical school graduates rotate for a variable number of months on internal medicine teaching services. More than half of the practicing internists participate in the training of residents. Hospital revenue (for example, Medicare and third-party payers) provides the bulk of financial support for residents and teaching staff. Local, state, and federal governments, by direct appropriation, provide 25% of residents' stipends and teaching staff salaries.", "contents": "National Study of Internal Medicine Manpower: I. Residency Training 1976-1977. The National Study of Internal Medicine Manpower was undertaken to collect data on the supply of newly trained internists. The questionnaire data returned by 98% of the 418 internal medicine residency training program directors showed that there were more than 15,000 residents in training in internal medicine in 1976-1977. Twenty-five percent of the first-year positions were held by physicians destined for specialties other than internal medicine. Over a third of each medical school graduating class opts for a full year of internal medicine for their first residency year; an additional third of all medical school graduates rotate for a variable number of months on internal medicine teaching services. More than half of the practicing internists participate in the training of residents. Hospital revenue (for example, Medicare and third-party payers) provides the bulk of financial support for residents and teaching staff. Local, state, and federal governments, by direct appropriation, provide 25% of residents' stipends and teaching staff salaries.", "PMID": 629504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7967", "title": "A limited protocol for assessment of within-batch performance of multichannel analysers.", "content": "An experimental protocol is described to evaluate rapidly the performance of biochemical analysers. A trial in which this protocol was applied to 15 multichannel continuous-flow analysers is described and the results are discussed. Some consideration is given to the effects of applying a commonly-used drift correction procedure to the raw data, and values of within-batch standard deviation are proposed which may be useful in assessing performance.", "contents": "A limited protocol for assessment of within-batch performance of multichannel analysers. An experimental protocol is described to evaluate rapidly the performance of biochemical analysers. A trial in which this protocol was applied to 15 multichannel continuous-flow analysers is described and the results are discussed. Some consideration is given to the effects of applying a commonly-used drift correction procedure to the raw data, and values of within-batch standard deviation are proposed which may be useful in assessing performance.", "PMID": 629521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7968", "title": "A comparative study of commercial human and bovine albumin preparations.", "content": "A number of commercial human and bovine albumin preparations were compared using seven assay procedures, to assess their suitability as reference materials for albumin and total protein assays. The results indicate that before a particular commercial albumin preparation can be used for standardisation purposes, its suitability should be checked in several assay systems which measure a different functional aspect of the protein molecule. The measurement of extinction coefficient in the range 278-280 nm does not appear to be a valid measure of protein content if the albumin preparation is to be used for standardisation of immunochemical or dye-binding assays.", "contents": "A comparative study of commercial human and bovine albumin preparations. A number of commercial human and bovine albumin preparations were compared using seven assay procedures, to assess their suitability as reference materials for albumin and total protein assays. The results indicate that before a particular commercial albumin preparation can be used for standardisation purposes, its suitability should be checked in several assay systems which measure a different functional aspect of the protein molecule. The measurement of extinction coefficient in the range 278-280 nm does not appear to be a valid measure of protein content if the albumin preparation is to be used for standardisation of immunochemical or dye-binding assays.", "PMID": 629522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7969", "title": "[Morphological changes in the digestive organs on the administration of the antineoplastic antibiotics, rubomycin and carminomycin].", "content": "The effect of antitumour antibiotics, such as rubomycin and karminomycin on the digestive tract as one of the most vulnerable systems during chemotherapy was studied. Investigation of the tongue, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine of mice with the current morphological and some histochemical methods showed that the most pronounced changes in the above organs occurred during the first 10 days after the drug administration. The damages were of the same type, i.e. dystrophic changes in the tegmental and granular epithelium with edema and infiltration of the mucosa and tunica submucosa. The drugs induced a decrease in the levels of the nucleic acids, protein and hydrolytic enzymes and impairement of the distribution pattern of these substances in the cells. Karminomycin had a more pronounced effect and its damaging effect was more stable as compared to rubomycin.", "contents": "[Morphological changes in the digestive organs on the administration of the antineoplastic antibiotics, rubomycin and carminomycin]. The effect of antitumour antibiotics, such as rubomycin and karminomycin on the digestive tract as one of the most vulnerable systems during chemotherapy was studied. Investigation of the tongue, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine of mice with the current morphological and some histochemical methods showed that the most pronounced changes in the above organs occurred during the first 10 days after the drug administration. The damages were of the same type, i.e. dystrophic changes in the tegmental and granular epithelium with edema and infiltration of the mucosa and tunica submucosa. The drugs induced a decrease in the levels of the nucleic acids, protein and hydrolytic enzymes and impairement of the distribution pattern of these substances in the cells. Karminomycin had a more pronounced effect and its damaging effect was more stable as compared to rubomycin.", "PMID": 629523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7970", "title": "[Acute toxicity of carminomycin administered perorally to laboratory animals].", "content": "Rather high species sensitivity to carminomycin was found in the experiment with albino mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. The highest difference in the antibiotic toxicity for various species of the laboratory animals was shown on oral administration of the drug which was due to the differences in the antibiotic absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. On single oral administration to the dogs in toxic or lethal doses the antibiotic suppressed the blood formation up to aplasia of the bone marrow. The equitoxic doses of carminomycin on its single oral and intravenous administration differed approximately by 3 times. Carminomycin had no effect on the smooth muscles of the isolated rabbit ear vessels and cat intestine in situ. The antibiotic had an irritating effect on the rabbit eye mucosa. Carminomycin had no skin-irritating effect.", "contents": "[Acute toxicity of carminomycin administered perorally to laboratory animals]. Rather high species sensitivity to carminomycin was found in the experiment with albino mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. The highest difference in the antibiotic toxicity for various species of the laboratory animals was shown on oral administration of the drug which was due to the differences in the antibiotic absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. On single oral administration to the dogs in toxic or lethal doses the antibiotic suppressed the blood formation up to aplasia of the bone marrow. The equitoxic doses of carminomycin on its single oral and intravenous administration differed approximately by 3 times. Carminomycin had no effect on the smooth muscles of the isolated rabbit ear vessels and cat intestine in situ. The antibiotic had an irritating effect on the rabbit eye mucosa. Carminomycin had no skin-irritating effect.", "PMID": 629524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7971", "title": "[Actinomyces streptomycini mutants blocked in the biosynthesis of the streptobiosamine portion of the streptomycin molecule].", "content": "Four low active mutants of Act. streptomycini were obtained under the effect of nitrozo-methylbiuret. The mutants increased their antibiotic production level, when streptobiosamine was present in the formentation medium. It was shown that in 3 out of the 4 mutants the highest antibiotic yield was in the medium containing streptobiosamine in an amount of 1 mg/ml and in 1 strain the highest yield was in the medium with 0.5 mg/ml of streptobiosamine. When the mutants were grown in a medium containing N-methyl-L-glucosamine no increase in streptomycin production was registered.", "contents": "[Actinomyces streptomycini mutants blocked in the biosynthesis of the streptobiosamine portion of the streptomycin molecule]. Four low active mutants of Act. streptomycini were obtained under the effect of nitrozo-methylbiuret. The mutants increased their antibiotic production level, when streptobiosamine was present in the formentation medium. It was shown that in 3 out of the 4 mutants the highest antibiotic yield was in the medium containing streptobiosamine in an amount of 1 mg/ml and in 1 strain the highest yield was in the medium with 0.5 mg/ml of streptobiosamine. When the mutants were grown in a medium containing N-methyl-L-glucosamine no increase in streptomycin production was registered.", "PMID": 629525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7972", "title": "[Flocculant interaction with native antibiotic solutions. An examination of the mechanism of the process].", "content": "Some characteristics of the fermentation broth filtrates, i.e. concentration of the disperse particles and some of their parameters (projected length, area, distribution of the particles along the maximum chord) were determined and estimated after flocculation. It was shown that the floccules were mainly formed as fine colloid admixtures present not only in \"turbid\", but also in visually transparant solutions. It was found that the mechanism of flocculation was rather complicated and not always similar for different batches of the fermentation broth filtrate: it was, in particular, affected by the electrostatic interactions, the flocculant interaction with inorganic reagents, bridge-forming processes.", "contents": "[Flocculant interaction with native antibiotic solutions. An examination of the mechanism of the process]. Some characteristics of the fermentation broth filtrates, i.e. concentration of the disperse particles and some of their parameters (projected length, area, distribution of the particles along the maximum chord) were determined and estimated after flocculation. It was shown that the floccules were mainly formed as fine colloid admixtures present not only in \"turbid\", but also in visually transparant solutions. It was found that the mechanism of flocculation was rather complicated and not always similar for different batches of the fermentation broth filtrate: it was, in particular, affected by the electrostatic interactions, the flocculant interaction with inorganic reagents, bridge-forming processes.", "PMID": 629526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7973", "title": "[Dependence of the lethal and mutagenic effect of mitomycin C and UV rays on the Streptoverticillium mucoheptinicum spore germination process].", "content": "The lethal and mutagenic effects of the DNA-tropic antibiotic mithomycin C and UV-light on Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum during the period of the spore replication were studied. The spores were more stable to the effect of the mutagens during DNA replication after 120 minutes of incubation. The mutagenic activity of mithomycin C and UV-light was closely connected with the quantitative changes in the genetic material of the pores. During DNA replication the rate of the morphological mutants was the highest. With respect to production of mycoheptin the spores were most mutable under the effect of mithomycin C during the period of DNA replication, while under the effect of UV-light they were most mutable at the lag-phase.", "contents": "[Dependence of the lethal and mutagenic effect of mitomycin C and UV rays on the Streptoverticillium mucoheptinicum spore germination process]. The lethal and mutagenic effects of the DNA-tropic antibiotic mithomycin C and UV-light on Streptoverticillium mycoheptinicum during the period of the spore replication were studied. The spores were more stable to the effect of the mutagens during DNA replication after 120 minutes of incubation. The mutagenic activity of mithomycin C and UV-light was closely connected with the quantitative changes in the genetic material of the pores. During DNA replication the rate of the morphological mutants was the highest. With respect to production of mycoheptin the spores were most mutable under the effect of mithomycin C during the period of DNA replication, while under the effect of UV-light they were most mutable at the lag-phase.", "PMID": 629527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7974", "title": "Heredity of chronic polymorphous light eruptions.", "content": "The familial occurrence of chronic polymorphous light eruptions (CPLE) was investigated by a thorough interrogation of 91 CPLE patients. Fifty-one of these were aware of the presence of one to five familial cases, a number of which were evaluated and confirmed as CPLE. The secondary cases were usually morphologically similar to the primary case, but notable exceptions were occasionally recorded. The genealogical data pointed toward an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance of the CPLE trait, with a reduced penetrance. In the sibships of 80 persons with presumed or confirmed CPLE, the rate of penetrance was estimated to be 52%. The atopic trait appeared to be a factor promoting the manifestation of the latent CPLE trait.", "contents": "Heredity of chronic polymorphous light eruptions. The familial occurrence of chronic polymorphous light eruptions (CPLE) was investigated by a thorough interrogation of 91 CPLE patients. Fifty-one of these were aware of the presence of one to five familial cases, a number of which were evaluated and confirmed as CPLE. The secondary cases were usually morphologically similar to the primary case, but notable exceptions were occasionally recorded. The genealogical data pointed toward an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance of the CPLE trait, with a reduced penetrance. In the sibships of 80 persons with presumed or confirmed CPLE, the rate of penetrance was estimated to be 52%. The atopic trait appeared to be a factor promoting the manifestation of the latent CPLE trait.", "PMID": 629543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7975", "title": "The cutaneous manifestations of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy.", "content": "Ten patients with sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) also had cutaneous involvement. Seven of the ten were children. The skin lesions were solitary in three patients and multiple in seven. They were papular or nodular, up to 4 cm in diameter, and often had a xanthomatous appearance. Microscopically, they were constituted by a dermal infiltrate made up predominantly of histiocytes, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. Some of the histiocytes contained phagocytosed lymphocytes in their cytoplasm. The microscopic differential diagnosis includes dermatofibroma, xanthoma, Tangier disease, histiocytosis X, reticulohistiocytoma, juvenile xanthogranuloma, and leprosy.", "contents": "The cutaneous manifestations of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy. Ten patients with sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) also had cutaneous involvement. Seven of the ten were children. The skin lesions were solitary in three patients and multiple in seven. They were papular or nodular, up to 4 cm in diameter, and often had a xanthomatous appearance. Microscopically, they were constituted by a dermal infiltrate made up predominantly of histiocytes, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. Some of the histiocytes contained phagocytosed lymphocytes in their cytoplasm. The microscopic differential diagnosis includes dermatofibroma, xanthoma, Tangier disease, histiocytosis X, reticulohistiocytoma, juvenile xanthogranuloma, and leprosy.", "PMID": 629544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7976", "title": "Apocrine gland adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the axilla.", "content": "Apocrine tumors from the axilla of 12 patients were studied clinically and pathologically. Based on histologic features, two tumors were classified as adenomas and ten as adenocarcinomas. All of the neoplasms were characterized by a glandular arrangement of large cells with abundant eosinophillic cytoplasm and evidence of decapitation secretion. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells contained PAS-positive, diastase-resistant granules. Intracytoplasmic particles of iron were demonstrable in three of ten tumors. Follow-up was available for all 12 patients. The two patients with apocrine adenoma are alive and well. Two patients with adenocarcinoma died of unrelated causes shortly after diagnosis. Of the remaining eight patients with adenocarcinoma, three have died of disease, and one is living with skeletal metastasis. A correlation appears to exist between tumor differentiation and prognosis.", "contents": "Apocrine gland adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the axilla. Apocrine tumors from the axilla of 12 patients were studied clinically and pathologically. Based on histologic features, two tumors were classified as adenomas and ten as adenocarcinomas. All of the neoplasms were characterized by a glandular arrangement of large cells with abundant eosinophillic cytoplasm and evidence of decapitation secretion. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells contained PAS-positive, diastase-resistant granules. Intracytoplasmic particles of iron were demonstrable in three of ten tumors. Follow-up was available for all 12 patients. The two patients with apocrine adenoma are alive and well. Two patients with adenocarcinoma died of unrelated causes shortly after diagnosis. Of the remaining eight patients with adenocarcinoma, three have died of disease, and one is living with skeletal metastasis. A correlation appears to exist between tumor differentiation and prognosis.", "PMID": 629545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7977", "title": "Mycetomas caused by Streptomyces pelletieri in Madras, India.", "content": "Biopsy specimens from 93 patients with mycetoma were examined histologically; Streptomyces pelletieri was found in 12 cases. In addition, two cases of actinomycetoma pedis in which S pelletieri has been isolated in culture are described. In both, the characteristic red granules were seen.", "contents": "Mycetomas caused by Streptomyces pelletieri in Madras, India. Biopsy specimens from 93 patients with mycetoma were examined histologically; Streptomyces pelletieri was found in 12 cases. In addition, two cases of actinomycetoma pedis in which S pelletieri has been isolated in culture are described. In both, the characteristic red granules were seen.", "PMID": 629546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7978", "title": "Selective immunological evaluation of mycosis fungoides.", "content": "Tests of specific aspects of immune function were conducted on 15 patients with clinically and histologically evident mycosis fungoides of various stages. These tests included peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, T and B cell counts, mitogen stimulation tests to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (con A), and pokeweed mitogen, as well as determinations of IgE levels and antinuclear factor (ANF). We found that mycosis fungoides patients, as a group, had normal peripheral blood lymphocyte, T cell, and B cell counts, but had decreased stimulation to PHA and con A. When evaluated by stage of disease, the peripheral blood lymphocytes, T and B cell counts did not differ significantly from normal, at least until stage V. Concanavalin A stimulation was decreased by stage II disease, and PHA was decreased by stage III, indicating at least a selective immunological deficit in the plaque stage or in later disease. Values of IgE and ANF were rarely abnormal.", "contents": "Selective immunological evaluation of mycosis fungoides. Tests of specific aspects of immune function were conducted on 15 patients with clinically and histologically evident mycosis fungoides of various stages. These tests included peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, T and B cell counts, mitogen stimulation tests to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (con A), and pokeweed mitogen, as well as determinations of IgE levels and antinuclear factor (ANF). We found that mycosis fungoides patients, as a group, had normal peripheral blood lymphocyte, T cell, and B cell counts, but had decreased stimulation to PHA and con A. When evaluated by stage of disease, the peripheral blood lymphocytes, T and B cell counts did not differ significantly from normal, at least until stage V. Concanavalin A stimulation was decreased by stage II disease, and PHA was decreased by stage III, indicating at least a selective immunological deficit in the plaque stage or in later disease. Values of IgE and ANF were rarely abnormal.", "PMID": 629547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7979", "title": "Response of generalized granuloma annulare to alkylating agents.", "content": "The conditions of three patients who had generalized granuloma annulare responded favorably to treatment with alkylating agents. This mode of therapy in two cases was chosen on the basis of recent evidence that implicates delayed hypersensitivity mechanisms as forming part of the pathogenesis of granuloma annulare. Two patients had rapid clearing of their lesions. The response in one of these patients was observed during therapy for a concomitant plasma cell dyscrasia. The third patient had an unusual form of granuloma annulare that had evolved during a period of 28 years, with hand deformities secondary to fascial and tendon involvement and the production of contractures and lymphedema, which responded partially to therapy. The results lend further support to data implicating cellular immunity to granuloma annulare.", "contents": "Response of generalized granuloma annulare to alkylating agents. The conditions of three patients who had generalized granuloma annulare responded favorably to treatment with alkylating agents. This mode of therapy in two cases was chosen on the basis of recent evidence that implicates delayed hypersensitivity mechanisms as forming part of the pathogenesis of granuloma annulare. Two patients had rapid clearing of their lesions. The response in one of these patients was observed during therapy for a concomitant plasma cell dyscrasia. The third patient had an unusual form of granuloma annulare that had evolved during a period of 28 years, with hand deformities secondary to fascial and tendon involvement and the production of contractures and lymphedema, which responded partially to therapy. The results lend further support to data implicating cellular immunity to granuloma annulare.", "PMID": 629548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7980", "title": "Mutilating basal cell epithelioma.", "content": "A 49-year-old man was found to have a rare, mutilating basal cell epithelioma of the face. Conventional early therapy with surgery and radiotherapy did not halt the progress of the disease in a hospital environment. The patient died 12 years later.", "contents": "Mutilating basal cell epithelioma. A 49-year-old man was found to have a rare, mutilating basal cell epithelioma of the face. Conventional early therapy with surgery and radiotherapy did not halt the progress of the disease in a hospital environment. The patient died 12 years later.", "PMID": 629549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7981", "title": "Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.", "content": "The Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a multisystem inflammatory disorder associated with a widespread erythematous eruption that can result in death. Although usually considered a pediatric disease, this syndrome frequently affects adults. There are many etiologic associations including drugs and infections; however, the pathophysiology of the syndrome remains obscure. Treatment at present is symptomatic and supportive. Although frequently used, the beneficial role of corticosteroids in this syndrome remains to be proved. The case report describes a young woman who after treatment with several drugs developed the Stevens-Johnson syndrome in association with a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. We include a brief review of the literature with emphasis on the Stevens-Johnsons syndrome's association with M pneumoniae infections. Those caring for patients with skin disease should be aware of the association between such treatable infections and this syndrome.", "contents": "Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. The Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a multisystem inflammatory disorder associated with a widespread erythematous eruption that can result in death. Although usually considered a pediatric disease, this syndrome frequently affects adults. There are many etiologic associations including drugs and infections; however, the pathophysiology of the syndrome remains obscure. Treatment at present is symptomatic and supportive. Although frequently used, the beneficial role of corticosteroids in this syndrome remains to be proved. The case report describes a young woman who after treatment with several drugs developed the Stevens-Johnson syndrome in association with a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. We include a brief review of the literature with emphasis on the Stevens-Johnsons syndrome's association with M pneumoniae infections. Those caring for patients with skin disease should be aware of the association between such treatable infections and this syndrome.", "PMID": 629550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7982", "title": "Tinea faciei.", "content": "A 62-year-old man had a long-standing fungal infection of the face. The eruption had been treated as a photosensitivity disorder for 22 years. A literature review revealed only 35 reported cases classified as tinea faciei, most of which also were misdiagnosed originally. Pertinent clinical findings include facila erythema, pruritus, and scaling patches with arcuate or annular borders. The most common organisms isolated with Trichophyton rubrum or T mentagrophytes. To our knowledge, this unique case represents the longest duration of Tinea faciei.", "contents": "Tinea faciei. A 62-year-old man had a long-standing fungal infection of the face. The eruption had been treated as a photosensitivity disorder for 22 years. A literature review revealed only 35 reported cases classified as tinea faciei, most of which also were misdiagnosed originally. Pertinent clinical findings include facila erythema, pruritus, and scaling patches with arcuate or annular borders. The most common organisms isolated with Trichophyton rubrum or T mentagrophytes. To our knowledge, this unique case represents the longest duration of Tinea faciei.", "PMID": 629551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7983", "title": "Erythema chronicum migrans in America.", "content": "Erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) developed in a man after a tick bite; the tick was probably lxodes pacificus. Despite extensive laboratory evaluation, including bacterial culture of involved skin, viral and rickettsial titers, biopsy and special stains, animal inoculation, and electron microscopy, the causal agent could not be identified. Although probably unrelated, an elevated measles titer with a twofold drop on serial determinations was of interest. To our knowledge, this report documents the first reported case of ECM acquired in this country in which the tick that caused the disease has been recovered.", "contents": "Erythema chronicum migrans in America. Erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) developed in a man after a tick bite; the tick was probably lxodes pacificus. Despite extensive laboratory evaluation, including bacterial culture of involved skin, viral and rickettsial titers, biopsy and special stains, animal inoculation, and electron microscopy, the causal agent could not be identified. Although probably unrelated, an elevated measles titer with a twofold drop on serial determinations was of interest. To our knowledge, this report documents the first reported case of ECM acquired in this country in which the tick that caused the disease has been recovered.", "PMID": 629552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7984", "title": "Triad of lichen planus, myasthenia gravis, and thymoma.", "content": "Myasthenia gravis in a woman was followed by the development of severe erosive lichen planus and thymoma. Lichen planus is not ordinarily associated with other cutaneous or systemic disorders. The reported immunologic findings in some patients with lichen planus and especially the occasional association of lichen planus with certain disorders linked with immunologic disturbances suggest an autoimmune pathogenesis for this disorder.", "contents": "Triad of lichen planus, myasthenia gravis, and thymoma. Myasthenia gravis in a woman was followed by the development of severe erosive lichen planus and thymoma. Lichen planus is not ordinarily associated with other cutaneous or systemic disorders. The reported immunologic findings in some patients with lichen planus and especially the occasional association of lichen planus with certain disorders linked with immunologic disturbances suggest an autoimmune pathogenesis for this disorder.", "PMID": 629553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7985", "title": "Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp disease). Histopathologic and ultrastructural observations.", "content": "Histopathologic and ultrastructural observations in a case of Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer and Kolopp disease) are reported. The most important clinical feature of this disease is manifestation as a single very slowly enlarging verrucoid, plaque-type skin lesion without internal organ involvement. Histologically, the epidermis is extremely acanthotic and densely infiltrated with numerous atypical appearing cells that are entirely absent from the dermis, which simply contains a banal dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Ultrastructural study showed that there are two major types of unusual cells infiltrating the epidermis. One type is a large lymphoid cell similar to the stimulated lymphocyte. The second type differs from the first in having paler staining of the nucleus and cytoplasm and showing cell membrane damage. These cells probably derive by degeneration from the large lymphoid cells. The presence of transitional forms favors this interpretation. Occasionally, degeneration of these cells proceeds to their complete necrosis.", "contents": "Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp disease). Histopathologic and ultrastructural observations. Histopathologic and ultrastructural observations in a case of Pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer and Kolopp disease) are reported. The most important clinical feature of this disease is manifestation as a single very slowly enlarging verrucoid, plaque-type skin lesion without internal organ involvement. Histologically, the epidermis is extremely acanthotic and densely infiltrated with numerous atypical appearing cells that are entirely absent from the dermis, which simply contains a banal dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Ultrastructural study showed that there are two major types of unusual cells infiltrating the epidermis. One type is a large lymphoid cell similar to the stimulated lymphocyte. The second type differs from the first in having paler staining of the nucleus and cytoplasm and showing cell membrane damage. These cells probably derive by degeneration from the large lymphoid cells. The presence of transitional forms favors this interpretation. Occasionally, degeneration of these cells proceeds to their complete necrosis.", "PMID": 629554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7986", "title": "Trichophytin reactions in children with tinea capitis.", "content": "Of 52 patients with proved Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp, 16 had an inflammatory reaction to this infection (kerion), while the rest had only slight scaling and broken hairs (black dot ring-worm). Each patient was tested with trichophytin antigen to determine whether cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was responsible for the differences in these different clinical presentations. Fifteen of 16 with kerion had a 48-hour reaction greater than 10 mm, while none of the 36 with noninflammatory (black dot) tinea capitis had a similar response. This suggests that the patient's immune response (CMI) may be responsible for kerion infections of the scalp and that therapy could be directed initially toward suppressing this reaction.", "contents": "Trichophytin reactions in children with tinea capitis. Of 52 patients with proved Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp, 16 had an inflammatory reaction to this infection (kerion), while the rest had only slight scaling and broken hairs (black dot ring-worm). Each patient was tested with trichophytin antigen to determine whether cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was responsible for the differences in these different clinical presentations. Fifteen of 16 with kerion had a 48-hour reaction greater than 10 mm, while none of the 36 with noninflammatory (black dot) tinea capitis had a similar response. This suggests that the patient's immune response (CMI) may be responsible for kerion infections of the scalp and that therapy could be directed initially toward suppressing this reaction.", "PMID": 629569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7987", "title": "Generalized argyria. Clinicopathologic features and histochemical studies.", "content": "In three cases of generalized argyria, the degree of slate-gray cutaneous discoloration varied from barely perceptible to pronounced. Deposition of silver-containing granules in and around cutaneous adnexal structures was best seen with darkfield microscopy. Histochemical studies suggested that the granules consisted of silver sulfide. Indiscriminate use of currently available silver-containing medications can result in generalized argyria.", "contents": "Generalized argyria. Clinicopathologic features and histochemical studies. In three cases of generalized argyria, the degree of slate-gray cutaneous discoloration varied from barely perceptible to pronounced. Deposition of silver-containing granules in and around cutaneous adnexal structures was best seen with darkfield microscopy. Histochemical studies suggested that the granules consisted of silver sulfide. Indiscriminate use of currently available silver-containing medications can result in generalized argyria.", "PMID": 629570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7988", "title": "Relationship between arsenic intake and internal malignant neoplasms.", "content": "An attempt has been made to assess the carcinogenic effect of arsenic intake by analyzing a group of patients who were treated with arsenic for various skin diseases in the 1930s. When compared with the expected incidence of malignant internal neoplasms, based on figures obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry, a significant increase in the incidence of internal malignant neoplasms was observed in females with multiple basal cell carcinomas. A group comprising 53 patients with arsenic keratoses presented a considerable increase in the incidence of internal malignant neoplasms. However, these patients were so specifically selected that no regular statistical analysis can be made of this group. It may be said that arsenic has a carcinogenic effect even in the relatively small doses applied in dermatological therapy.", "contents": "Relationship between arsenic intake and internal malignant neoplasms. An attempt has been made to assess the carcinogenic effect of arsenic intake by analyzing a group of patients who were treated with arsenic for various skin diseases in the 1930s. When compared with the expected incidence of malignant internal neoplasms, based on figures obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry, a significant increase in the incidence of internal malignant neoplasms was observed in females with multiple basal cell carcinomas. A group comprising 53 patients with arsenic keratoses presented a considerable increase in the incidence of internal malignant neoplasms. However, these patients were so specifically selected that no regular statistical analysis can be made of this group. It may be said that arsenic has a carcinogenic effect even in the relatively small doses applied in dermatological therapy.", "PMID": 629571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7989", "title": "Diaper area granuloma of the aged.", "content": "Nine women, aged 77 to 89 years, suffered from diaper dermatitis, and many granulomas were seen in the genital or gluteal region restricted to the lesion of dermatitis. Because these granulomas resembled granuloma gluteale infantum of Tappeiner and Pfleger, we propose to call this condition diaper area granuloma of the aged.", "contents": "Diaper area granuloma of the aged. Nine women, aged 77 to 89 years, suffered from diaper dermatitis, and many granulomas were seen in the genital or gluteal region restricted to the lesion of dermatitis. Because these granulomas resembled granuloma gluteale infantum of Tappeiner and Pfleger, we propose to call this condition diaper area granuloma of the aged.", "PMID": 629572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7990", "title": "Effects of occlusive tape systems on the mitotic activity of epidermis. With and without corticosteroids.", "content": "This study was designed to elaborate on the effects of occlusion and corticosteroids on human epidermal mitotic activity. The experimental variables included tape delivery systems that afforded total, partial (50%), or no occlusion to normal human skin. In some experiments, hydrocortisone, flurandrenolide, betamethasone, betamethasone valerate, and fluorometholone were added to these tape systems. Using demecolcine cream, biopsies were taken, and mitotic figures were determined. Results suggest that potent antimitotic effects occur with semiocclusive and nonocclusive tapes that contain corticosteroids, and that total occlusion is not necessary for this physiological effect. This suggests the possibility that the presumably better tolerated nonocclussive and partially occlusive systems might be used as dermatological drug delivery systems.", "contents": "Effects of occlusive tape systems on the mitotic activity of epidermis. With and without corticosteroids. This study was designed to elaborate on the effects of occlusion and corticosteroids on human epidermal mitotic activity. The experimental variables included tape delivery systems that afforded total, partial (50%), or no occlusion to normal human skin. In some experiments, hydrocortisone, flurandrenolide, betamethasone, betamethasone valerate, and fluorometholone were added to these tape systems. Using demecolcine cream, biopsies were taken, and mitotic figures were determined. Results suggest that potent antimitotic effects occur with semiocclusive and nonocclusive tapes that contain corticosteroids, and that total occlusion is not necessary for this physiological effect. This suggests the possibility that the presumably better tolerated nonocclussive and partially occlusive systems might be used as dermatological drug delivery systems.", "PMID": 629573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7991", "title": "Photochemotherapy of psoriasis (PUVA) without specialized equipment.", "content": "High intensity long ultraviolet light (UV-A) systems along with oral methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen [8-MOP]) have been dramatically successful in clearing long-standing psoriasis. Since this equipment is beyond the reach of many dermatologists, we have examined alternate ways of achieving the benefits of PUVA photochemotherapy. A total of 24 patients with psoriasis have been treated with ordinary fluorescent blacklights in a conventional Zimmerman cabinet. Fourteen patients' conditions (58%) were cleared completely and the conditions of three (12%) were more than 80% improved. We used higher doses of 8-MOP, starting with 50 mg, and increased the dosage further in 15 cases. In five instances, 80-mg levels were given. With certain modifications, it may be possible to attain satisfactory therapeutic results with ordinary equipment. Higher doses of 8-MOP may be necessary to compensate for the lower irradiance light source in some instances. However, wide-spread use of PUVA therapy cannot be recommended at this time until the long-term effects of this treatment become known.", "contents": "Photochemotherapy of psoriasis (PUVA) without specialized equipment. High intensity long ultraviolet light (UV-A) systems along with oral methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen [8-MOP]) have been dramatically successful in clearing long-standing psoriasis. Since this equipment is beyond the reach of many dermatologists, we have examined alternate ways of achieving the benefits of PUVA photochemotherapy. A total of 24 patients with psoriasis have been treated with ordinary fluorescent blacklights in a conventional Zimmerman cabinet. Fourteen patients' conditions (58%) were cleared completely and the conditions of three (12%) were more than 80% improved. We used higher doses of 8-MOP, starting with 50 mg, and increased the dosage further in 15 cases. In five instances, 80-mg levels were given. With certain modifications, it may be possible to attain satisfactory therapeutic results with ordinary equipment. Higher doses of 8-MOP may be necessary to compensate for the lower irradiance light source in some instances. However, wide-spread use of PUVA therapy cannot be recommended at this time until the long-term effects of this treatment become known.", "PMID": 629574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7992", "title": "Atopic dermatitis, impaired cellular immunity, and molluscum contagiosum.", "content": "A substantial elevation in the level of serum IgE (7,000 to 19,000 ng/ml) was noted in a man with atopic dermatitis and chronic molluscum contagiosum. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was depressed in vivo (cutaneous anergy), whereas in vitro tests showed normal numbers of \"T\" rosette-forming lymphocytes, a normal phytohemagglutinin-P-elicited lymphocyte transformation response, and lymphocyte transformation reactivity to the antigens streptokinase-streptodornase and purified protein derivative. Accumulated evidence suggests that patients with atopic dermatitis may have, associated with an elevated serum IgE level, a functional defect(s) in CMI that is greater in vivo than in vitro. This functional defect may impair host defense and account for the chronic molluscum contagiosum infection present in this patient.", "contents": "Atopic dermatitis, impaired cellular immunity, and molluscum contagiosum. A substantial elevation in the level of serum IgE (7,000 to 19,000 ng/ml) was noted in a man with atopic dermatitis and chronic molluscum contagiosum. Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was depressed in vivo (cutaneous anergy), whereas in vitro tests showed normal numbers of \"T\" rosette-forming lymphocytes, a normal phytohemagglutinin-P-elicited lymphocyte transformation response, and lymphocyte transformation reactivity to the antigens streptokinase-streptodornase and purified protein derivative. Accumulated evidence suggests that patients with atopic dermatitis may have, associated with an elevated serum IgE level, a functional defect(s) in CMI that is greater in vivo than in vitro. This functional defect may impair host defense and account for the chronic molluscum contagiosum infection present in this patient.", "PMID": 629575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7993", "title": "Lymphangioma circumscriptum. A case with deep lymphatic involvement.", "content": "Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a rare disorder that is localized to the skin. To our knowledge, involvement of deeper lymphatic structures has been reported on only two prior occasions. Our patient had typical lymphangioma circumscriptum of her inner thigh, which was associated with deep lymphatic involvement and enlargement of the extremity. We report this case to alert others to this disease entity.", "contents": "Lymphangioma circumscriptum. A case with deep lymphatic involvement. Lymphangioma circumscriptum is a rare disorder that is localized to the skin. To our knowledge, involvement of deeper lymphatic structures has been reported on only two prior occasions. Our patient had typical lymphangioma circumscriptum of her inner thigh, which was associated with deep lymphatic involvement and enlargement of the extremity. We report this case to alert others to this disease entity.", "PMID": 629576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7994", "title": "Mycosis fungoides involving the brain and optic nerves.", "content": "In a patient with long-standing plaque-stage mycosis fungoides, eye pain, a visual field defect, decreased acuity, and a swollen optic disc developed. A lymphomatous infiltrate consistent with mycosis fungoides was found in the brain at craniotomy and in the optic nerves at autopsy. Ten months elapsed between the presenting symptoms and death and during this period the patient's symptoms were controlled with prednisone therapy. The optic nerves as well as the brain can be involved with mycosis fungoides.", "contents": "Mycosis fungoides involving the brain and optic nerves. In a patient with long-standing plaque-stage mycosis fungoides, eye pain, a visual field defect, decreased acuity, and a swollen optic disc developed. A lymphomatous infiltrate consistent with mycosis fungoides was found in the brain at craniotomy and in the optic nerves at autopsy. Ten months elapsed between the presenting symptoms and death and during this period the patient's symptoms were controlled with prednisone therapy. The optic nerves as well as the brain can be involved with mycosis fungoides.", "PMID": 629577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7995", "title": "Reticular pigmented anomaly of the flexures.", "content": "Reticular pigmented anomaly of the flexures (Dowling-Degos' anomaly) is a rare, benign, new genodermatosis that has recently evolved from independent observations and studies by several dermatologists. Because of its favorable prognosis, differentiation of this benign disorder from acanthosis nigricans, a cutaneous marker of possible or existing internal malignant disease, is highly important. Careful clinical appraisal of the eruption in correlation with the characteristic microscopic features makes the diagnosis simple and straightforward.", "contents": "Reticular pigmented anomaly of the flexures. Reticular pigmented anomaly of the flexures (Dowling-Degos' anomaly) is a rare, benign, new genodermatosis that has recently evolved from independent observations and studies by several dermatologists. Because of its favorable prognosis, differentiation of this benign disorder from acanthosis nigricans, a cutaneous marker of possible or existing internal malignant disease, is highly important. Careful clinical appraisal of the eruption in correlation with the characteristic microscopic features makes the diagnosis simple and straightforward.", "PMID": 629578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7996", "title": "Varicella-like infection due to herpes simplex.", "content": "Hepes simplex usually presents with fairly characteristic skin lesions that are localized to small area. A less well appreciated presentation for herpes simplex is a varicelliform eruption that may be difficult to differentiate from chickenpox. We treated a patient with such an eruption who had systemic lupus erythematosus and was receiving oral prednisone. We also review seven other cases from the literature of varicella-like herpes simplex and discuss the role played by immuno-suppression in herpetic infections.", "contents": "Varicella-like infection due to herpes simplex. Hepes simplex usually presents with fairly characteristic skin lesions that are localized to small area. A less well appreciated presentation for herpes simplex is a varicelliform eruption that may be difficult to differentiate from chickenpox. We treated a patient with such an eruption who had systemic lupus erythematosus and was receiving oral prednisone. We also review seven other cases from the literature of varicella-like herpes simplex and discuss the role played by immuno-suppression in herpetic infections.", "PMID": 629579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7997", "title": "Inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus.", "content": "We treated three patients with inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus. The lesions were either verrucose or psoriasiform and all had an inflammatory component. Histologic features included psoriasiform acanthosis with spongiosis and parakeratosis. Features that distinguish this entity and the differential diagnoses are discussed.", "contents": "Inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus. We treated three patients with inflammatory linear verrucose epidermal nevus. The lesions were either verrucose or psoriasiform and all had an inflammatory component. Histologic features included psoriasiform acanthosis with spongiosis and parakeratosis. Features that distinguish this entity and the differential diagnoses are discussed.", "PMID": 629580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7998", "title": "Uveitis, poliosis, hypomelanosis, and alopecia in a patient with malignant melanoma.", "content": "Bilateral uveitis, poliosis, hypomelanosis, and alopecia (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome) developed spontaneously in a 57-year-old woman following operation for metastatic malignant melanoma. She has been disease-free for 8 1/2 years in spite of a highly unfavourable prognosis. Within the framework of current concepts of cell-mediated and humoral immunity in patients with malignant melanoma, activity of the host's immune system is postulated for the destruction of normal melanocytes in the skin, hair follicle, and uveal tract, as well as for the favorable outcome.", "contents": "Uveitis, poliosis, hypomelanosis, and alopecia in a patient with malignant melanoma. Bilateral uveitis, poliosis, hypomelanosis, and alopecia (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome) developed spontaneously in a 57-year-old woman following operation for metastatic malignant melanoma. She has been disease-free for 8 1/2 years in spite of a highly unfavourable prognosis. Within the framework of current concepts of cell-mediated and humoral immunity in patients with malignant melanoma, activity of the host's immune system is postulated for the destruction of normal melanocytes in the skin, hair follicle, and uveal tract, as well as for the favorable outcome.", "PMID": 629581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_7999", "title": "Contact dermatitis to homomenthyl salicylate.", "content": "Two patients with follicular dermatitis were found to have a contact sensitivity to homomenthyl salicylate, a sunscreening chemical present in a commercially available suntan lotion. One patient did not use the product, but her boyfriend did, and contact between the two individuals resulted in a follicular dermatitis developing in her. A second patient with contact dermatitis to homomenthyl salicylate also had a follicular eruption. Both patients appear to represent true allergic sensitivities.", "contents": "Contact dermatitis to homomenthyl salicylate. Two patients with follicular dermatitis were found to have a contact sensitivity to homomenthyl salicylate, a sunscreening chemical present in a commercially available suntan lotion. One patient did not use the product, but her boyfriend did, and contact between the two individuals resulted in a follicular dermatitis developing in her. A second patient with contact dermatitis to homomenthyl salicylate also had a follicular eruption. Both patients appear to represent true allergic sensitivities.", "PMID": 629582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8000", "title": "Residence under an airport landing pattern as a factor in teratism.", "content": "An analysis of all Los Angeles County birth records for the years 1970, 1971, and 1972 reveals a higher incidence of reportable birth defects in those census tracts lying wholly or partly within the 90 dbA loudness contours under the landing pattern at Los Angeles International Airport than in the rest of the County. While not proving that noise is responsible for the increase in teratism, these results point to a potentially important physical environmental effect with significant public health implications.", "contents": "Residence under an airport landing pattern as a factor in teratism. An analysis of all Los Angeles County birth records for the years 1970, 1971, and 1972 reveals a higher incidence of reportable birth defects in those census tracts lying wholly or partly within the 90 dbA loudness contours under the landing pattern at Los Angeles International Airport than in the rest of the County. While not proving that noise is responsible for the increase in teratism, these results point to a potentially important physical environmental effect with significant public health implications.", "PMID": 629590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8001", "title": "The occupational hazards of formulating oral contraceptives--a survey of plant employees.", "content": "In May 1976 an investigation of a factory in Puerto Rico which formulates oral contraceptives revealed that during the previous 12 months five of the company's twenty-five employees (20%), and twelve of the company's thirty female employees (40%) had experienced symptoms associated with hyperestrogenism. The affected males had gynecomastia and three of them also reported a history of decreased libido or impotence. The affected females each had had at least one episode of intermenstrual bleeding during the preceding 12 months. There was an estimated relative risk of 4.3 for intermenstrual bleeding in nonclerical female employees compared with matched controls who did not work at the plant. Elevated levels of plasma ethinyl estradiol were twice as frequent in the two highest-risk job categories compared with the rest of the factory population, but the difference in prevalence of elevated levels was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Wide variations in mestranol concentration were noted in the environmental dust samples. Prompt consideration should be given to establishing health standards for persons occupationally exposed to estrogens in view of the possible long-term sequelae of such exposure.", "contents": "The occupational hazards of formulating oral contraceptives--a survey of plant employees. In May 1976 an investigation of a factory in Puerto Rico which formulates oral contraceptives revealed that during the previous 12 months five of the company's twenty-five employees (20%), and twelve of the company's thirty female employees (40%) had experienced symptoms associated with hyperestrogenism. The affected males had gynecomastia and three of them also reported a history of decreased libido or impotence. The affected females each had had at least one episode of intermenstrual bleeding during the preceding 12 months. There was an estimated relative risk of 4.3 for intermenstrual bleeding in nonclerical female employees compared with matched controls who did not work at the plant. Elevated levels of plasma ethinyl estradiol were twice as frequent in the two highest-risk job categories compared with the rest of the factory population, but the difference in prevalence of elevated levels was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Wide variations in mestranol concentration were noted in the environmental dust samples. Prompt consideration should be given to establishing health standards for persons occupationally exposed to estrogens in view of the possible long-term sequelae of such exposure.", "PMID": 629591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8002", "title": "Neutrophil chemotaxis in rheumatoid arthritis. Effect of D-penicillamine, gold salts, and levamisole.", "content": "The effect of therapeutic concentrations of D-penicillamine, sodium aurothiomalate, and levamisole on in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration in normal subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied. D-penicillamine produced no changes. Sodium aurothiomalate produced dose-related reductions in chemotaxis in normal subjects and in patients who had a good clinical response to gold therapy, while patients who had failed to respond to gold showed a minimal nondose dependent reduction. Levamisole produced dose-dependent stimulation of chemotaxis, a greater effect found with the patients cells. Neutrophil chemotaxis improved to normal values in most patients responding to several months of D-penicillamine treatment but showed an immediate and marked stimulation in patients treated with levamisole.", "contents": "Neutrophil chemotaxis in rheumatoid arthritis. Effect of D-penicillamine, gold salts, and levamisole. The effect of therapeutic concentrations of D-penicillamine, sodium aurothiomalate, and levamisole on in vitro neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration in normal subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied. D-penicillamine produced no changes. Sodium aurothiomalate produced dose-related reductions in chemotaxis in normal subjects and in patients who had a good clinical response to gold therapy, while patients who had failed to respond to gold showed a minimal nondose dependent reduction. Levamisole produced dose-dependent stimulation of chemotaxis, a greater effect found with the patients cells. Neutrophil chemotaxis improved to normal values in most patients responding to several months of D-penicillamine treatment but showed an immediate and marked stimulation in patients treated with levamisole.", "PMID": 629595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8003", "title": "Mesothelioma and asbestos in the Province of Quebec, 1969-1972.", "content": "All records of patients who died of mesothelioma in the Province of Quebec during the period 1969-1972 were collected and reviewed. Asbestos exposure in this group was compared with that in two control groups, one of persons dying of accidental causes and the other of those dying of cardiovascular disease. The mortality rate for mesothelioma was estimated at between 2.3 and 2.8 per million per year. Men were affected twice as frequently as women, this difference being related exclusively to pleural mesothelioma. The incidence in urban regions was much higher than in rural areas, and areas involved in mining showed an incidence in the expected range. Thirty-four percent of the patients with mesothelioma and only 2% of controls had histories of direct exposure to asbestos. This exposure was related to asbestos processing and not its production. No woman gave a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. It appeared that chrysotile may be less related to the production of mesothelioma than other types of asbestos fibers.", "contents": "Mesothelioma and asbestos in the Province of Quebec, 1969-1972. All records of patients who died of mesothelioma in the Province of Quebec during the period 1969-1972 were collected and reviewed. Asbestos exposure in this group was compared with that in two control groups, one of persons dying of accidental causes and the other of those dying of cardiovascular disease. The mortality rate for mesothelioma was estimated at between 2.3 and 2.8 per million per year. Men were affected twice as frequently as women, this difference being related exclusively to pleural mesothelioma. The incidence in urban regions was much higher than in rural areas, and areas involved in mining showed an incidence in the expected range. Thirty-four percent of the patients with mesothelioma and only 2% of controls had histories of direct exposure to asbestos. This exposure was related to asbestos processing and not its production. No woman gave a history of occupational exposure to asbestos. It appeared that chrysotile may be less related to the production of mesothelioma than other types of asbestos fibers.", "PMID": 629592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8004", "title": "Synovial cysts in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "In a case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with large synovial cysts, cyst fluid aspiration was performed to relieve pain, but recurrence was prevented with salicylate therapy alone. The mechanism of formation of synovial cysts is discussed.", "contents": "Synovial cysts in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In a case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with large synovial cysts, cyst fluid aspiration was performed to relieve pain, but recurrence was prevented with salicylate therapy alone. The mechanism of formation of synovial cysts is discussed.", "PMID": 629596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8005", "title": "Effect of TLV levels of SO2 and H2 SO4 on bronchial clearance in exercising man.", "content": "Pulmonary mucociliary function was assessed following exposure to industrial threshold limit values (TLV) of sulfur dioxide (5 ppm) SO2) and sulphuric acid mist (1 mg/m3 H2SO4). Bronchial clearance was measured in two sets of ten healthy exercising non-smoking adults under control and exposure conditions. A 99mTc-albumen saline aerosol (MMD 3 micrometer) was inhaled as a bolus in late inspiration under controlled conditions to produce reproducible deposition in large airways. Lung retention of radioactivity was quantified using a gamma camera and computer analysis. Clearance was significantly faster (P less than .05) on exposure to both SO2 and H2SO4 compared to control values. Maximum mid-expiratory flow rates (MMFR) were significantly reduced (P less than .01) on exposure to SO2 (mean decrease 8.5%), but only slightly reduced for H2SO4 (1.4%). The speeding in clearance was probably an irritant response in both cases. For SO2 the response appeared predominantly reflex, while H2SO4 showed evidence of a direct effect.", "contents": "Effect of TLV levels of SO2 and H2 SO4 on bronchial clearance in exercising man. Pulmonary mucociliary function was assessed following exposure to industrial threshold limit values (TLV) of sulfur dioxide (5 ppm) SO2) and sulphuric acid mist (1 mg/m3 H2SO4). Bronchial clearance was measured in two sets of ten healthy exercising non-smoking adults under control and exposure conditions. A 99mTc-albumen saline aerosol (MMD 3 micrometer) was inhaled as a bolus in late inspiration under controlled conditions to produce reproducible deposition in large airways. Lung retention of radioactivity was quantified using a gamma camera and computer analysis. Clearance was significantly faster (P less than .05) on exposure to both SO2 and H2SO4 compared to control values. Maximum mid-expiratory flow rates (MMFR) were significantly reduced (P less than .01) on exposure to SO2 (mean decrease 8.5%), but only slightly reduced for H2SO4 (1.4%). The speeding in clearance was probably an irritant response in both cases. For SO2 the response appeared predominantly reflex, while H2SO4 showed evidence of a direct effect.", "PMID": 629593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8006", "title": "Antigammaglobulin (rheumatoid factor) activity of human IgG subclasses.", "content": "A sensitive radioimmunoassay has been applied to the study of rheumatoid factor activity of IgM and IgG subclasses in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Although rheumatoid factor activity was found in all four subclasses, its distribution was not the same as that of the total subclasses in normal sera. Results are discussed in relation to the possible clinical value of measuring IgG rheumatoid factor in sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "contents": "Antigammaglobulin (rheumatoid factor) activity of human IgG subclasses. A sensitive radioimmunoassay has been applied to the study of rheumatoid factor activity of IgM and IgG subclasses in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Although rheumatoid factor activity was found in all four subclasses, its distribution was not the same as that of the total subclasses in normal sera. Results are discussed in relation to the possible clinical value of measuring IgG rheumatoid factor in sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.", "PMID": 629598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8007", "title": "Mortality among individuals occupationally exposed to benzene.", "content": "The mortality experience of 594 individuals occupationally exposed to benzene was investigated using a retrospective cohort design. Three hundred thirty-five of the employees began working in benzene areas prior to 1950, which provided a sound data base from which to examine latency. Data derived from work histories and industrial hygiene records permitted estimation of exposure intensities and cumulative dosages for each employee. No mortalities directly attributable to benzene exposure were observed. Several cases of leukemia and other blood disorders were noted and discussed.", "contents": "Mortality among individuals occupationally exposed to benzene. The mortality experience of 594 individuals occupationally exposed to benzene was investigated using a retrospective cohort design. Three hundred thirty-five of the employees began working in benzene areas prior to 1950, which provided a sound data base from which to examine latency. Data derived from work histories and industrial hygiene records permitted estimation of exposure intensities and cumulative dosages for each employee. No mortalities directly attributable to benzene exposure were observed. Several cases of leukemia and other blood disorders were noted and discussed.", "PMID": 629594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8008", "title": "Altered phospholipids in human rheumatoid synoviocytes.", "content": "A specific cytochemical reaction for freely available phospholipids has shown a raised concentration of such phospholipids in the lining cells of human synovial membranes removed from rheumatoid joints. Quantitative measurement, by microdensitometry, of the amount of reaction-product per cell showed that the rheumatoid synoviocytes contained almost three times the amount of free phospholipids present in the equivalent nonrheumatoid cells; statistically the difference was highly significant. Evidence from studies in which the bound phospholipids were 'unmasked' by methanol-chloroform confirmed the view that the increased content of freely available phospholipids was related to altered lipid-protein binding rather than to an increase in total phospholipids.", "contents": "Altered phospholipids in human rheumatoid synoviocytes. A specific cytochemical reaction for freely available phospholipids has shown a raised concentration of such phospholipids in the lining cells of human synovial membranes removed from rheumatoid joints. Quantitative measurement, by microdensitometry, of the amount of reaction-product per cell showed that the rheumatoid synoviocytes contained almost three times the amount of free phospholipids present in the equivalent nonrheumatoid cells; statistically the difference was highly significant. Evidence from studies in which the bound phospholipids were 'unmasked' by methanol-chloroform confirmed the view that the increased content of freely available phospholipids was related to altered lipid-protein binding rather than to an increase in total phospholipids.", "PMID": 629599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8009", "title": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. I. Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis.", "content": "To establish the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 79 AS patients underwent detailed medical screening, including sigmoidoscopic and roentgenological examination, 48 had gastrointestinal symptoms and the others did not. In 3 patients a diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made which was previously established. In all other patients inflammatory bowel disease could be excluded. The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in this series of patients with AS therefore was 3.8%.", "contents": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. I. Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis. To establish the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 79 AS patients underwent detailed medical screening, including sigmoidoscopic and roentgenological examination, 48 had gastrointestinal symptoms and the others did not. In 3 patients a diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made which was previously established. In all other patients inflammatory bowel disease could be excluded. The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in this series of patients with AS therefore was 3.8%.", "PMID": 629600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8010", "title": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. II. Prevalence of peripheral arthritis, sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "To establish the prevalence of peripheral arthritis, radiographic sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 58 consecutive patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) and 51 with Crohn's disease (CD) underwent a detailed rheumatological examination. In addition, all patients were screened for the presence of the antigen HLA B27. Peripheral arthritis was found in 14 (8 UC, 6 CD) patients (12.8%); radiographic sacroiliitis was diagnosed in 11 (5 UC, 6 CD) (10.1%), of whom 10 were asymptomatic; and ankylosing spondylitis was diagnosed in 2 UC and 2 CD patients (3.7%). 18.9% of the UC and 3.9% of the CD patients were HLA B27 positive. One of the 11 patients with radiographic sacroiliitis and 2 of the 4 with ankylosing spondylitis had the HLA B27 antigen. Peripheral arthritis, radiographic sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis are apparently frequent manifestations in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. Asymptomatic radiographic sacroiliitis in these patients appears to differ from idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis, both clinically and genetically. Evaluation of subjective rheumatological complaints, necessary for a confident diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, according to the New York criteria is difficult during a flare-up of the inflammatory bowel process, as was shown in 4 CD cases with marked limitation of lumbovertebral function and chest expansion, but no radiological abnormalities of the SI joints.", "contents": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. II. Prevalence of peripheral arthritis, sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. To establish the prevalence of peripheral arthritis, radiographic sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 58 consecutive patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) and 51 with Crohn's disease (CD) underwent a detailed rheumatological examination. In addition, all patients were screened for the presence of the antigen HLA B27. Peripheral arthritis was found in 14 (8 UC, 6 CD) patients (12.8%); radiographic sacroiliitis was diagnosed in 11 (5 UC, 6 CD) (10.1%), of whom 10 were asymptomatic; and ankylosing spondylitis was diagnosed in 2 UC and 2 CD patients (3.7%). 18.9% of the UC and 3.9% of the CD patients were HLA B27 positive. One of the 11 patients with radiographic sacroiliitis and 2 of the 4 with ankylosing spondylitis had the HLA B27 antigen. Peripheral arthritis, radiographic sacroiliitis, and ankylosing spondylitis are apparently frequent manifestations in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. Asymptomatic radiographic sacroiliitis in these patients appears to differ from idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis, both clinically and genetically. Evaluation of subjective rheumatological complaints, necessary for a confident diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, according to the New York criteria is difficult during a flare-up of the inflammatory bowel process, as was shown in 4 CD cases with marked limitation of lumbovertebral function and chest expansion, but no radiological abnormalities of the SI joints.", "PMID": 629601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8011", "title": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. III. Clinical characteristics and results of histocompatibility typing (HLA B27) in 50 patients with both ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "A study was made, in co-operation with several gastroenterology and rheumatology centres, of the clinical and genetic characteristics (HLA B27) of 50 patients suffering from both inflammatory bowel disease (38 Crohn's disease (CD), 12 ulcerated colitis (UC)) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the latter diagnosis being established according to the New York criteria. 20 CD (52.6%) and 8 UC (66.7%) patients were HLA B27 positive. The presence of HLA B27 was studied in relation to clinical parameters, such as first occurrence of symptoms of AS or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a history of peripheral arthritis, iridocyclitis, and a positive history of AS or IBD. Our patients were found to have heterogeneous clinical features: on one side of the spectrum a group of cases was distingiushed with the typical characteristics of idiopathic AS, often being HLA B27 positive. On the other side a smaller group of HLA B27 negative patients was observed, with severe intestinal inflammatory pathology, lacking most of the typical clinical features of idiopathic AS ('secondary' form of AS). Finally, between these two extremes a group of patients was found with less pronounced clinical or genetic characteristics. These different clinical and histocompatibility patterns suggest a mixed aetiopathogenesis of AS in IBD patients. Such a 'syndrome' of AS might harbour both idiopathic AS and forms of AS 'secondary' to the intestinal inflammatory pathology.", "contents": "Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. III. Clinical characteristics and results of histocompatibility typing (HLA B27) in 50 patients with both ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease. A study was made, in co-operation with several gastroenterology and rheumatology centres, of the clinical and genetic characteristics (HLA B27) of 50 patients suffering from both inflammatory bowel disease (38 Crohn's disease (CD), 12 ulcerated colitis (UC)) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the latter diagnosis being established according to the New York criteria. 20 CD (52.6%) and 8 UC (66.7%) patients were HLA B27 positive. The presence of HLA B27 was studied in relation to clinical parameters, such as first occurrence of symptoms of AS or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a history of peripheral arthritis, iridocyclitis, and a positive history of AS or IBD. Our patients were found to have heterogeneous clinical features: on one side of the spectrum a group of cases was distingiushed with the typical characteristics of idiopathic AS, often being HLA B27 positive. On the other side a smaller group of HLA B27 negative patients was observed, with severe intestinal inflammatory pathology, lacking most of the typical clinical features of idiopathic AS ('secondary' form of AS). Finally, between these two extremes a group of patients was found with less pronounced clinical or genetic characteristics. These different clinical and histocompatibility patterns suggest a mixed aetiopathogenesis of AS in IBD patients. Such a 'syndrome' of AS might harbour both idiopathic AS and forms of AS 'secondary' to the intestinal inflammatory pathology.", "PMID": 629602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8012", "title": "Assessment of rheumatoid inflammation in the knee joint. A reappraisal.", "content": "Subjective pain score, clinical assessment, 99m technetium joint uptake, infrared thermography, and thermistor skin temperature measurements were evaluated and compared in patients with rheumatoid knee treated with intra-articular hydrocortisone. In 11 patients with definite and classical rheumatoid arthritis, 10 of whom had unilateral knee involvement, the affected knee joints were assessed by the above techniques before and at intervals after treatment of up to 14 days. The anti-inflammatory property of the steroid therapy was shown by all the assessment parameters, values having decreased significantly from the pretreatment values. However, the only parameter still showing a statistically significant decrease on the 14th post-treatment day was 99mTc joint uptake. Correlations were obtained between the two clinical measurements assessed by a physician i.e. pain score and index of joint inflammation. Both of these also correlated with the 99mTc joint uptake but not with skin temperature measurements. Using the clinical assessments as a yardstick, 99mTc joint uptake seemed to provide a useful index of changes in disease activity in the group as a whole. However, skin temperature measurements by infrared thermography and by the thermistor were of considerably less value.", "contents": "Assessment of rheumatoid inflammation in the knee joint. A reappraisal. Subjective pain score, clinical assessment, 99m technetium joint uptake, infrared thermography, and thermistor skin temperature measurements were evaluated and compared in patients with rheumatoid knee treated with intra-articular hydrocortisone. In 11 patients with definite and classical rheumatoid arthritis, 10 of whom had unilateral knee involvement, the affected knee joints were assessed by the above techniques before and at intervals after treatment of up to 14 days. The anti-inflammatory property of the steroid therapy was shown by all the assessment parameters, values having decreased significantly from the pretreatment values. However, the only parameter still showing a statistically significant decrease on the 14th post-treatment day was 99mTc joint uptake. Correlations were obtained between the two clinical measurements assessed by a physician i.e. pain score and index of joint inflammation. Both of these also correlated with the 99mTc joint uptake but not with skin temperature measurements. Using the clinical assessments as a yardstick, 99mTc joint uptake seemed to provide a useful index of changes in disease activity in the group as a whole. However, skin temperature measurements by infrared thermography and by the thermistor were of considerably less value.", "PMID": 629603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8013", "title": "A family with primary protrusio acetabuli.", "content": "The family of a child who developed symptoms and flexion contractures with protrusio acetabuli rapidly between the age of 8 and 11 was examined. The mother and one sib showed limitation of hip movements, while radiological criteria for protrusio were found in the mother and 4 of the proband's 8 sibs; only one had complained of pain. At the age of 16 the proband underwent bilateral total replacement arthroplasty; histologically the changes were those of fibrocartilaginous replacement and osteophyte formation.", "contents": "A family with primary protrusio acetabuli. The family of a child who developed symptoms and flexion contractures with protrusio acetabuli rapidly between the age of 8 and 11 was examined. The mother and one sib showed limitation of hip movements, while radiological criteria for protrusio were found in the mother and 4 of the proband's 8 sibs; only one had complained of pain. At the age of 16 the proband underwent bilateral total replacement arthroplasty; histologically the changes were those of fibrocartilaginous replacement and osteophyte formation.", "PMID": 629604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8014", "title": "A second study of tensile fatigue properties of human articular cartilage.", "content": "The tensile fatigue properties of the collagen fibre meshwork in normal human articular cartilage were measured by subjecting isolated specimens of post-mortem femoral head cartilage to cyclic tensile stress. The results of the study showed (1) that the collagen fibre meshwork is fatigue prone and (2) that its fatigue strength decreases rapidly with age. Extrapolation of the data to physiologically possible stress levels suggests that tensile fatigue failure of the collagen meshwork could occur in life.", "contents": "A second study of tensile fatigue properties of human articular cartilage. The tensile fatigue properties of the collagen fibre meshwork in normal human articular cartilage were measured by subjecting isolated specimens of post-mortem femoral head cartilage to cyclic tensile stress. The results of the study showed (1) that the collagen fibre meshwork is fatigue prone and (2) that its fatigue strength decreases rapidly with age. Extrapolation of the data to physiologically possible stress levels suggests that tensile fatigue failure of the collagen meshwork could occur in life.", "PMID": 629605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8015", "title": "Neck movements in ankylosing spondylitis and their responses to physiotherapy.", "content": "Cervical spine movements were compared in 35 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and matched controls. In AS there were limitations of all movements and particularly of lateral flexion. These limitations could not be correlated with any particular features of AS except radiological involvement of the lower apophyseal joints. In 25 patients there were significant improvements in all measurements after 3 weeks of intensive inpatient physiotherapy. After discharge the patients were encouraged to perform unsupervised physiotherapy and in 11 patients seen at 3 months the improvements in neck movements were either maintained or increased further. In contrast no changes in movements were found in 9 patients assessed 3 weeks and immediately before starting physiotherapy.", "contents": "Neck movements in ankylosing spondylitis and their responses to physiotherapy. Cervical spine movements were compared in 35 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and matched controls. In AS there were limitations of all movements and particularly of lateral flexion. These limitations could not be correlated with any particular features of AS except radiological involvement of the lower apophyseal joints. In 25 patients there were significant improvements in all measurements after 3 weeks of intensive inpatient physiotherapy. After discharge the patients were encouraged to perform unsupervised physiotherapy and in 11 patients seen at 3 months the improvements in neck movements were either maintained or increased further. In contrast no changes in movements were found in 9 patients assessed 3 weeks and immediately before starting physiotherapy.", "PMID": 629606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8016", "title": "Serum copper and related variables in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "Serum copper, caeruloplasmin, iron, iron-binding capacity, and antioxidant activity were measured in 120 normal subjects and in 189 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both serum copper and serum caeruloplasmin were significantly raised in rheumatoid disease in both sexes. A significant inverse relation was found between serum iron and serum copper, and a strong direct correlation between serum antioxidant activity and caeruloplasmin.", "contents": "Serum copper and related variables in rheumatoid arthritis. Serum copper, caeruloplasmin, iron, iron-binding capacity, and antioxidant activity were measured in 120 normal subjects and in 189 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both serum copper and serum caeruloplasmin were significantly raised in rheumatoid disease in both sexes. A significant inverse relation was found between serum iron and serum copper, and a strong direct correlation between serum antioxidant activity and caeruloplasmin.", "PMID": 629607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8017", "title": "Synovial fluid copper and related variables in rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis.", "content": "Copper, caeruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, and total protein were measured in the serum and synovial fluid of 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 40 patients with osteoarthrosis. A raised synovial fluid copper and caeruloplasmin have been found to be characteristic of rheumatoid effusions. The relation between copper and caeruloplasmin in synovial fluid differs from that in serum. Synovial fluid caeruloplasmin was increased disproportionately in relation to other plasma proteins present in rheumatoid effusions.", "contents": "Synovial fluid copper and related variables in rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis. Copper, caeruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, and total protein were measured in the serum and synovial fluid of 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 40 patients with osteoarthrosis. A raised synovial fluid copper and caeruloplasmin have been found to be characteristic of rheumatoid effusions. The relation between copper and caeruloplasmin in synovial fluid differs from that in serum. Synovial fluid caeruloplasmin was increased disproportionately in relation to other plasma proteins present in rheumatoid effusions.", "PMID": 629608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8018", "title": "Rheumatoid arthritis in population samples in Iraq.", "content": "A prevalence survey for rheumatoid arthritis was carried out during the summer of 1975 in persons aged 16 years and over in areas of Iraq representative of differences in geography and ethnicity. Definite rheumatoid arthritis was observed in 1% of the 6999 individuals studied, but differences in occurrence rates in relation to various associated characteristics were not detected. It is concluded that present rheumatological services in Iraq have not developed in response to the magnitude of the existing burden. Morning stiffness was reported fairly frequently by individuals without rheumatoid arthritis, but the significance of this observation is not easy to determine. Raynaud's phenomenon was also recorded, but comparative evaluation of the findings is not possible.", "contents": "Rheumatoid arthritis in population samples in Iraq. A prevalence survey for rheumatoid arthritis was carried out during the summer of 1975 in persons aged 16 years and over in areas of Iraq representative of differences in geography and ethnicity. Definite rheumatoid arthritis was observed in 1% of the 6999 individuals studied, but differences in occurrence rates in relation to various associated characteristics were not detected. It is concluded that present rheumatological services in Iraq have not developed in response to the magnitude of the existing burden. Morning stiffness was reported fairly frequently by individuals without rheumatoid arthritis, but the significance of this observation is not easy to determine. Raynaud's phenomenon was also recorded, but comparative evaluation of the findings is not possible.", "PMID": 629609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8019", "title": "Therapeutic value of arthroscopy.", "content": "Thermography before and after joint irrigation at arthroscopy showed no significant improvement of inflammation in 14 patients. Subjectively, those with chondrocalcinosis did best.", "contents": "Therapeutic value of arthroscopy. Thermography before and after joint irrigation at arthroscopy showed no significant improvement of inflammation in 14 patients. Subjectively, those with chondrocalcinosis did best.", "PMID": 629610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8020", "title": "Neutrophil chemotaxis in ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease, and polymyalgia rheumatica.", "content": "Neutrophil chemotaxis was found to be normal in 14 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, in 10 patients with Reiter's disease, and in 8 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.", "contents": "Neutrophil chemotaxis in ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease, and polymyalgia rheumatica. Neutrophil chemotaxis was found to be normal in 14 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, in 10 patients with Reiter's disease, and in 8 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.", "PMID": 629611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8021", "title": "Cholestatic jaundice caused by D-penicillamine.", "content": "D-penicillamine is not generally considered to cause hepatic damage. Cholestatic jaundice developed in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis 4 weeks after penicillamine was added to his regimen, and he died in acute renal failure. The probability that penicillamine caused the cholestasis is discussed.", "contents": "Cholestatic jaundice caused by D-penicillamine. D-penicillamine is not generally considered to cause hepatic damage. Cholestatic jaundice developed in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis 4 weeks after penicillamine was added to his regimen, and he died in acute renal failure. The probability that penicillamine caused the cholestasis is discussed.", "PMID": 629612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8022", "title": "Effect of glucagon and blood transfusion on liver metabolism in hemorrhagic shock.", "content": "Treatment with glucagon in addition to blood transfusion was compared with blood transfusion alone after one hour of hemorrhagic shock in the rat. In liver tissue Na+ increased and K+ decreased during haemorrhagic shock. After treatment the initial values were restored equally in both groups within ten minutes. Incubation of liver slices in cold Krebs' solution resulted in a pronounced increase in Na+ and decrease in K+, the values being partially restored to initial levels after subsequent incubation at 37 degrees. Thirty minutes after treatment the liver slices obtained from rats given glucagon showed a more normal ion composition after leaching and rewarming than slices from rats not given glucagon. ATP decreased and glucose and lactate increased in liver tissue during hemorrhagic shock. These variables were partially restored 30 minutes after treatment. No difference between the treatment groups was noted. Animals trreated with glucagon were, however, more efficient in reducing the elevated blood lactate level. The results suggest that the use of glucagon in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock might be of benefit for cellular function in the liver.", "contents": "Effect of glucagon and blood transfusion on liver metabolism in hemorrhagic shock. Treatment with glucagon in addition to blood transfusion was compared with blood transfusion alone after one hour of hemorrhagic shock in the rat. In liver tissue Na+ increased and K+ decreased during haemorrhagic shock. After treatment the initial values were restored equally in both groups within ten minutes. Incubation of liver slices in cold Krebs' solution resulted in a pronounced increase in Na+ and decrease in K+, the values being partially restored to initial levels after subsequent incubation at 37 degrees. Thirty minutes after treatment the liver slices obtained from rats given glucagon showed a more normal ion composition after leaching and rewarming than slices from rats not given glucagon. ATP decreased and glucose and lactate increased in liver tissue during hemorrhagic shock. These variables were partially restored 30 minutes after treatment. No difference between the treatment groups was noted. Animals trreated with glucagon were, however, more efficient in reducing the elevated blood lactate level. The results suggest that the use of glucagon in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock might be of benefit for cellular function in the liver.", "PMID": 629613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8023", "title": "Jejunal inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by hypertonic glucose in duodenal ulcer patients before and after truncal vagotomy.", "content": "The effect of intrajejunal infusion of hypertonic glucose on pentagastrin-stimulated (0.5 microgram/kg-hr) gastric acid secretion was studied in eight duodenal ulcer patients before and three to five months after truncal vagotomy. Preoperatively mean acid output was reduced from 44.0 +/- 3.1 meq H+/hr to 29.2 +/- 2.9 meq H+/hr (p less than 0.05), whereas no consistent changes were found postoperatively, suggesting that jejunal inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by hypertonic glucose primarily is under vegal control. Furthermore, the study shows that glucose induced jejunal inhibition of acid secretion seems to be less pronouced in duodenal ulcer patients than previously found in healthy subjects.", "contents": "Jejunal inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by hypertonic glucose in duodenal ulcer patients before and after truncal vagotomy. The effect of intrajejunal infusion of hypertonic glucose on pentagastrin-stimulated (0.5 microgram/kg-hr) gastric acid secretion was studied in eight duodenal ulcer patients before and three to five months after truncal vagotomy. Preoperatively mean acid output was reduced from 44.0 +/- 3.1 meq H+/hr to 29.2 +/- 2.9 meq H+/hr (p less than 0.05), whereas no consistent changes were found postoperatively, suggesting that jejunal inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by hypertonic glucose primarily is under vegal control. Furthermore, the study shows that glucose induced jejunal inhibition of acid secretion seems to be less pronouced in duodenal ulcer patients than previously found in healthy subjects.", "PMID": 629614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8024", "title": "Incidence and surgical importance of the posterior gastric artery.", "content": "In a series of 61 adult cadavers, the posterior gastric artery was found in 38 (62.3%), originating from the superior aspect of the mid-third of the splenic artery. The posterior gastric artery, running behind the parietal peritoneum of the omental bursa, produced a peritoneal fold before reaching the posterior wall of the superior portion of the gastric body, near the cardiac region, and the fundus. Its high incidence, hidden origin, deep course, and distribution make this artery very important for surgical procedures relating to the stomach, pancreas, spleen, and celiac region. It may be crucial, especially if partial gastric resection of splenectomy have obliterated other gastric vessels.", "contents": "Incidence and surgical importance of the posterior gastric artery. In a series of 61 adult cadavers, the posterior gastric artery was found in 38 (62.3%), originating from the superior aspect of the mid-third of the splenic artery. The posterior gastric artery, running behind the parietal peritoneum of the omental bursa, produced a peritoneal fold before reaching the posterior wall of the superior portion of the gastric body, near the cardiac region, and the fundus. Its high incidence, hidden origin, deep course, and distribution make this artery very important for surgical procedures relating to the stomach, pancreas, spleen, and celiac region. It may be crucial, especially if partial gastric resection of splenectomy have obliterated other gastric vessels.", "PMID": 629615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8025", "title": "Aneurysm of anomalous subclavian artery: an unusal cause of dysphagia lusoria in childhood.", "content": "An 11-year-old female child with Down's syndrome presented with increasing dyspnea and dysphagia. Radiologic studies demonstrated a false aneurysm of an anomalous right subclavian artery which was compressing both trachea and esophagus. The etiology of this aneurysm most probably related to an unsuccessful cardiac catheterization two years prior to this admission. Proximal and distal ligation of the anomalous sublavian artery was accomplished through a right thoracotomy and the patient has remained asymptomatic.", "contents": "Aneurysm of anomalous subclavian artery: an unusal cause of dysphagia lusoria in childhood. An 11-year-old female child with Down's syndrome presented with increasing dyspnea and dysphagia. Radiologic studies demonstrated a false aneurysm of an anomalous right subclavian artery which was compressing both trachea and esophagus. The etiology of this aneurysm most probably related to an unsuccessful cardiac catheterization two years prior to this admission. Proximal and distal ligation of the anomalous sublavian artery was accomplished through a right thoracotomy and the patient has remained asymptomatic.", "PMID": 629616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8026", "title": "Pulse pressure wave analysis in the diagnosis of aorto-iliac disease.", "content": "The severity of aorto-iliac disease has been evaluated by direct pressure recording at the time of translumbar aortography. Pulse wave analysis confirmed the radiological appearance of 35 aorto-iliac segments and in one further segment, identified a normal haemodynamic pattern in the presence of marked degenerative disease. The method is safe, accurate, simple and relatively inexpensive.", "contents": "Pulse pressure wave analysis in the diagnosis of aorto-iliac disease. The severity of aorto-iliac disease has been evaluated by direct pressure recording at the time of translumbar aortography. Pulse wave analysis confirmed the radiological appearance of 35 aorto-iliac segments and in one further segment, identified a normal haemodynamic pattern in the presence of marked degenerative disease. The method is safe, accurate, simple and relatively inexpensive.", "PMID": 629617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8027", "title": "Factors predicing survival after portacaval shunt: a multiple linear regression analysis.", "content": "The predictive value of 15 pre- and peroperative parameters upon survival after portacaval shunt was analyzed in a retrospective investigation of 134 elective operations. A multiple linear regression model was used. Survival was measured at three different points of time: one month, one year and five years after the operation. Survival at one month was influenced by the parameters bilirubin/s and ascites only. Survival at one year was influenced by albumin/s, sex, bilirubin/s, BSP, heart disease history and ascites Survival at five years was influenced by albumin/s, alkaline phosphatase/s, history of alcohol abuse, and globulin/s. These findings indicate that prediction of survival after portacaval shunt is an intricate process and that considerable improvement of the child criteria is possible.", "contents": "Factors predicing survival after portacaval shunt: a multiple linear regression analysis. The predictive value of 15 pre- and peroperative parameters upon survival after portacaval shunt was analyzed in a retrospective investigation of 134 elective operations. A multiple linear regression model was used. Survival was measured at three different points of time: one month, one year and five years after the operation. Survival at one month was influenced by the parameters bilirubin/s and ascites only. Survival at one year was influenced by albumin/s, sex, bilirubin/s, BSP, heart disease history and ascites Survival at five years was influenced by albumin/s, alkaline phosphatase/s, history of alcohol abuse, and globulin/s. These findings indicate that prediction of survival after portacaval shunt is an intricate process and that considerable improvement of the child criteria is possible.", "PMID": 629618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8028", "title": "Hepatofugal portal blood flow in hepatic cirrhosis.", "content": "A variety of indirect techniques has been claimed to provide evidence of spontaneous reversal of portal blood flow in hepatic cirrhosis but the existence of the phenomenon has been doubted by some who do not accept the validity of the indirect evidence. There are few reports of the demonstration of hepatofugal portal flow by selective hepatic arteriography, which is the only acceptable technique. We report three patients with histologically confirmed cirrhosis in whom hepatofugal portal blood flow was unequivocally demonstrated by arteriography, in whom no surgical portosystemic shunt had been performed and in whom there was no evidence of the Budd-Chiari Syndrome or hepatoma, situations accepted as associated with reversed portal blood flow. Theoretical considerations suggest that shunt surgery for bleeding esophageal varices should not be ruled out on the grounds of hepatofugal portal flow. However, end-to-side portacaval anastomosis and distal splenorenal shunt might predispose to the early redevelopment of esophageal varices when reversed portal flow is present. Side-to-side portacaval and conventional splenorenal shunts might be preferable in having less effect on hepatic parenchyma perfusion than when orthograde portal flow in the case.", "contents": "Hepatofugal portal blood flow in hepatic cirrhosis. A variety of indirect techniques has been claimed to provide evidence of spontaneous reversal of portal blood flow in hepatic cirrhosis but the existence of the phenomenon has been doubted by some who do not accept the validity of the indirect evidence. There are few reports of the demonstration of hepatofugal portal flow by selective hepatic arteriography, which is the only acceptable technique. We report three patients with histologically confirmed cirrhosis in whom hepatofugal portal blood flow was unequivocally demonstrated by arteriography, in whom no surgical portosystemic shunt had been performed and in whom there was no evidence of the Budd-Chiari Syndrome or hepatoma, situations accepted as associated with reversed portal blood flow. Theoretical considerations suggest that shunt surgery for bleeding esophageal varices should not be ruled out on the grounds of hepatofugal portal flow. However, end-to-side portacaval anastomosis and distal splenorenal shunt might predispose to the early redevelopment of esophageal varices when reversed portal flow is present. Side-to-side portacaval and conventional splenorenal shunts might be preferable in having less effect on hepatic parenchyma perfusion than when orthograde portal flow in the case.", "PMID": 629619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8029", "title": "Critical operative management of small bowel obstruction.", "content": "The records of 238 patients with the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction at the University of Illinois Hospital from 1967 through the spring of 1976 were reviewed. Mortality, intra-operative management, and clinical findings were evaluated. Previous reports list a mortality of gangrenous small bowel obstruction, secondary to hernia and/or adhesions, as greater than 20%, although in this series, the mortality was 4.5% in patients with gangrenous small bowel obstruction. The present data reveal a 60% incidence of wound infection in patients in whom an enterotomy (iatrogenic, decompressive or resective) was made and the subcutaneous tissue and skin closed, and it is therefore recommended that the wound be left open in these situations. Although a variety of individual clinical findings have been advocated as diagnostic aids in patients with small bowel obstruction, this review suggests that attention to a combination of \"classic\" findings, i.e., leukocytosis, fever, tachycardia and localized tenderness, portends a situation in which conservative observation is safe--namely, the absence of all four findings. The presence of any one or more of these findings mandates early operative intervention.", "contents": "Critical operative management of small bowel obstruction. The records of 238 patients with the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction at the University of Illinois Hospital from 1967 through the spring of 1976 were reviewed. Mortality, intra-operative management, and clinical findings were evaluated. Previous reports list a mortality of gangrenous small bowel obstruction, secondary to hernia and/or adhesions, as greater than 20%, although in this series, the mortality was 4.5% in patients with gangrenous small bowel obstruction. The present data reveal a 60% incidence of wound infection in patients in whom an enterotomy (iatrogenic, decompressive or resective) was made and the subcutaneous tissue and skin closed, and it is therefore recommended that the wound be left open in these situations. Although a variety of individual clinical findings have been advocated as diagnostic aids in patients with small bowel obstruction, this review suggests that attention to a combination of \"classic\" findings, i.e., leukocytosis, fever, tachycardia and localized tenderness, portends a situation in which conservative observation is safe--namely, the absence of all four findings. The presence of any one or more of these findings mandates early operative intervention.", "PMID": 629620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8030", "title": "Venous angiography and the surgical management of subcutaneous hemodialysis fistulas.", "content": "Venous angiography of subcutaneous arteriovenous (A-V)) hemodialysis fistulas involves venous injection of radiographic contrast material which spreads throughout the venous system and into the arteries via the A-V anastomosis when blood flow to the extremity is temporarily occluded. Direct arterial cannulation is avoided. Subsequent restoration of blood flow with rapid sequential roentgenograms differentiates arteries from veins and identifies direction of fistula blood flow. A 44 month experience with 125 consecutive studies in 82 patients was performed with a 0.8% complication rate. Indications for fistulography included insufficient blood flow during dialysis (67%), cardiac failure (10%), aneurysms (6%), sepsis of undertermined site (6%) and other (77%). Roentgenographic findings identified vascular stenoses or occlusions (45%), malpositioned dialysis needles (11%), aneurysms (9%), unsuitable veins for dialysis (6%), absence of septic origin (5%), abnormal flow rates or patterns (5%), technically unsuitable studies (2%) and normal or baseline studies (17%). Information useful in planning clinical management of the patient was obtained in 88% of studies and fistular operations were performed in 65 patients (52%). Venous fistulography can be an effective and safe method of evaluating and planning correction of A-V dialysis fistula complications.", "contents": "Venous angiography and the surgical management of subcutaneous hemodialysis fistulas. Venous angiography of subcutaneous arteriovenous (A-V)) hemodialysis fistulas involves venous injection of radiographic contrast material which spreads throughout the venous system and into the arteries via the A-V anastomosis when blood flow to the extremity is temporarily occluded. Direct arterial cannulation is avoided. Subsequent restoration of blood flow with rapid sequential roentgenograms differentiates arteries from veins and identifies direction of fistula blood flow. A 44 month experience with 125 consecutive studies in 82 patients was performed with a 0.8% complication rate. Indications for fistulography included insufficient blood flow during dialysis (67%), cardiac failure (10%), aneurysms (6%), sepsis of undertermined site (6%) and other (77%). Roentgenographic findings identified vascular stenoses or occlusions (45%), malpositioned dialysis needles (11%), aneurysms (9%), unsuitable veins for dialysis (6%), absence of septic origin (5%), abnormal flow rates or patterns (5%), technically unsuitable studies (2%) and normal or baseline studies (17%). Information useful in planning clinical management of the patient was obtained in 88% of studies and fistular operations were performed in 65 patients (52%). Venous fistulography can be an effective and safe method of evaluating and planning correction of A-V dialysis fistula complications.", "PMID": 629621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8031", "title": "Myocardial oxygen delivery after experimental hemorrhagic shock.", "content": "The two components of myocardial oxygen delivery, coronary blood flow to capillaries and diffusion from capillaries to mitochondria, were studied in six dogs, (1) prior to shock, (2) after three hours of hemorrhage shock at a mean systemic arterial pressure of 40 torr, (3) after reinfusion of shed blood, and (4) during the irreversible late posttransfusion stage. There was a maldistribution of left ventricular coronary flow during late shock consistent with subendocardial ischemia. Cardiac performance was significantly impaired after resuscitation and all dogs became irreversible. Total and regional left ventricular coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen delivery to capillaries were significantly greater than preshock values in (3) but not different from preshock values in (4). However, the myocardial oxygen diffusion area to distance ratio was significantly lower than preshock values in (3), and slightly lower in (4). These data suggest that myocardial oxygen diffusion may be impaired in the early post transfusion period, (3). Accordingly, the probable etiology of left ventricular dysfunction and possibly irreversibility after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is subendocardial ischemia during shock with either post-resuscitation impairment of myocardial oxygen diffusion, or in cellular oxygen utilization, or both.", "contents": "Myocardial oxygen delivery after experimental hemorrhagic shock. The two components of myocardial oxygen delivery, coronary blood flow to capillaries and diffusion from capillaries to mitochondria, were studied in six dogs, (1) prior to shock, (2) after three hours of hemorrhage shock at a mean systemic arterial pressure of 40 torr, (3) after reinfusion of shed blood, and (4) during the irreversible late posttransfusion stage. There was a maldistribution of left ventricular coronary flow during late shock consistent with subendocardial ischemia. Cardiac performance was significantly impaired after resuscitation and all dogs became irreversible. Total and regional left ventricular coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen delivery to capillaries were significantly greater than preshock values in (3) but not different from preshock values in (4). However, the myocardial oxygen diffusion area to distance ratio was significantly lower than preshock values in (3), and slightly lower in (4). These data suggest that myocardial oxygen diffusion may be impaired in the early post transfusion period, (3). Accordingly, the probable etiology of left ventricular dysfunction and possibly irreversibility after resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is subendocardial ischemia during shock with either post-resuscitation impairment of myocardial oxygen diffusion, or in cellular oxygen utilization, or both.", "PMID": 629622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8032", "title": "Gastrocutaneous fistula: etiology and treatment.", "content": "Gastrocutaneous fistula is an infrequent but serious surgical complication which has received little attention in the recent literature. The current report analyzes 13 patients with this complication. The fistula most commonly occurs in the fundic portion of the greater curvature of the stomach and is usually a result of unrecognized iatrogenic injury or associated with severe left upper quadrant inflammation and external drainage. Clinical recognition occurs when the patient develops left subphrenic sepsis or drains gastric content. The fistula is best documented by upper gastrointestinal contrast studies and usually responds to wide drainage and supportive treatment in the presence of benign disease. Oral alimentation apparently need not be delayed until complete fistula closure.", "contents": "Gastrocutaneous fistula: etiology and treatment. Gastrocutaneous fistula is an infrequent but serious surgical complication which has received little attention in the recent literature. The current report analyzes 13 patients with this complication. The fistula most commonly occurs in the fundic portion of the greater curvature of the stomach and is usually a result of unrecognized iatrogenic injury or associated with severe left upper quadrant inflammation and external drainage. Clinical recognition occurs when the patient develops left subphrenic sepsis or drains gastric content. The fistula is best documented by upper gastrointestinal contrast studies and usually responds to wide drainage and supportive treatment in the presence of benign disease. Oral alimentation apparently need not be delayed until complete fistula closure.", "PMID": 629623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8033", "title": "Clinical observation on brittle diabetes.", "content": "The brittleness of 100 severe diabetics was calculated as the mean of differences of blood glucose between two consecutive days at four time points (fasting, one and two hours after breakfast, and two hours after lunch). Mean daily difference (MDD) had a unimodal distribution; 15 patients with a MDD greater than 100 mg/100 ml were classified as most brittle. There was no correlation between MDD and insulin requirement. The brittle diabetics received 26 to 48 units of insulin/day. The insulin-resistant patients had low MDD values. No difference was found between seven patients with brittle diabetes and seven stable matched controls in insulin-binding capacity or total insulin. In two groups of six patients each with brittle diabetes, it was found that the stable dosage caused less brittleness than a sliding-scale regimen and that routine injection of 4 units of regular insulin before meals slightly decreased the mean diurnal glycemia level but increased the number of hypoglycemias. In two brittle diabetics, the blood glucose level was stabilized on intravenously administered insulin infusion, and in these patients, meals caused only a moderate hyperglycemia.", "contents": "Clinical observation on brittle diabetes. The brittleness of 100 severe diabetics was calculated as the mean of differences of blood glucose between two consecutive days at four time points (fasting, one and two hours after breakfast, and two hours after lunch). Mean daily difference (MDD) had a unimodal distribution; 15 patients with a MDD greater than 100 mg/100 ml were classified as most brittle. There was no correlation between MDD and insulin requirement. The brittle diabetics received 26 to 48 units of insulin/day. The insulin-resistant patients had low MDD values. No difference was found between seven patients with brittle diabetes and seven stable matched controls in insulin-binding capacity or total insulin. In two groups of six patients each with brittle diabetes, it was found that the stable dosage caused less brittleness than a sliding-scale regimen and that routine injection of 4 units of regular insulin before meals slightly decreased the mean diurnal glycemia level but increased the number of hypoglycemias. In two brittle diabetics, the blood glucose level was stabilized on intravenously administered insulin infusion, and in these patients, meals caused only a moderate hyperglycemia.", "PMID": 629631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8034", "title": "Contrast media-induced oliguric renal failure.", "content": "Seven patients had acute oliguric renal failure after intravenous urography (2), celiac arteriography (2), or cardiac angiography (3). Diatrizoate meglumine was the contrast media used in all of the cases. These patients had an average age of 63 years and six were 55 years of age or older. Diabetes mellitus, negative fluid balance before the procedure, underlying renal insufficiency, and hypertension were common, being present in three, four, five, and six of the patients respectively . Anuria or oliguria occurred within 24 hours of the procedure and persisted from 36 to 96 hours (72 hours average). The serum creatinine level rose significantly in all of the patients and reached a peak in two to seven days after the procedure. In six patients, recovery was complete by two to three weeks. The seventh patient experienced only partial recovery. These cases taken together with a mounting number of recent reports suggest that contrast media-induced oliguric renal failure is more common than generally believed. Diabetes mellitus, older age, and underlying renal insufficiency seem to be important predisposing factors.", "contents": "Contrast media-induced oliguric renal failure. Seven patients had acute oliguric renal failure after intravenous urography (2), celiac arteriography (2), or cardiac angiography (3). Diatrizoate meglumine was the contrast media used in all of the cases. These patients had an average age of 63 years and six were 55 years of age or older. Diabetes mellitus, negative fluid balance before the procedure, underlying renal insufficiency, and hypertension were common, being present in three, four, five, and six of the patients respectively . Anuria or oliguria occurred within 24 hours of the procedure and persisted from 36 to 96 hours (72 hours average). The serum creatinine level rose significantly in all of the patients and reached a peak in two to seven days after the procedure. In six patients, recovery was complete by two to three weeks. The seventh patient experienced only partial recovery. These cases taken together with a mounting number of recent reports suggest that contrast media-induced oliguric renal failure is more common than generally believed. Diabetes mellitus, older age, and underlying renal insufficiency seem to be important predisposing factors.", "PMID": 629632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8035", "title": "Hyperpigmentation of pernicious anemia in blacks. Report of three cases.", "content": "We investigated three black women who had anemia and skin hyperpigmentation. They were found to have pernicious anemia (PA) and normal adrenal functions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of skin hyperpigmentation of PA in black patients. This report reemphasizes the similarities in clinical features of PA and Addison's disease.", "contents": "Hyperpigmentation of pernicious anemia in blacks. Report of three cases. We investigated three black women who had anemia and skin hyperpigmentation. They were found to have pernicious anemia (PA) and normal adrenal functions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of skin hyperpigmentation of PA in black patients. This report reemphasizes the similarities in clinical features of PA and Addison's disease.", "PMID": 629633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8036", "title": "Decreased insulin requirement in acute renal failure in diabetic nephropathy.", "content": "Twelve of 13 diabetics with azotemic nephropathy experienced exacerbation of renal failure and decreased insulin requirement after coronary angiography utilizing radiographic contrast material. The single patient who did not develop acute renal failure had no evidence of decreased insulin requirement. Eleven of 12 patients had decreased insulin requirement: mean decrement in insulin dose, 40%; mean decrement in fasting blood glucose level, 33%; mean decrement in peak blood glucose level, 42%. The 12th patient underwent peritoneal dialysis against hypertonic glucose without need of an increased insulin dose. Eight of 11 patients experienced a total of 19 insulin reactions; one patient was hypoglycemic continuously, despite infusion of glucose and discontinuation of insulin. The decrement of insulin requirement was not proportional to the rise in either serum creatinine or potassium concentrations. We suggest that when acute renal failure occurs in diabetics, decreased insulin requirement should be anticipated and the insulin dose lowered.", "contents": "Decreased insulin requirement in acute renal failure in diabetic nephropathy. Twelve of 13 diabetics with azotemic nephropathy experienced exacerbation of renal failure and decreased insulin requirement after coronary angiography utilizing radiographic contrast material. The single patient who did not develop acute renal failure had no evidence of decreased insulin requirement. Eleven of 12 patients had decreased insulin requirement: mean decrement in insulin dose, 40%; mean decrement in fasting blood glucose level, 33%; mean decrement in peak blood glucose level, 42%. The 12th patient underwent peritoneal dialysis against hypertonic glucose without need of an increased insulin dose. Eight of 11 patients experienced a total of 19 insulin reactions; one patient was hypoglycemic continuously, despite infusion of glucose and discontinuation of insulin. The decrement of insulin requirement was not proportional to the rise in either serum creatinine or potassium concentrations. We suggest that when acute renal failure occurs in diabetics, decreased insulin requirement should be anticipated and the insulin dose lowered.", "PMID": 629634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8037", "title": "Typhoid fever. Studies of blood coagulation, bacteremia, and endotoxemia.", "content": "Patients with typhoid fever were studied to determine whether disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), circulating bacteria, and endotoxemia were responsible for the signs and symptoms of their illnesses. Coagulation tests in 28 patients detected thrombocytopenia in 17, hypofibrinogenemia in nine, and elevated titers of fibrinogen-related antigens in 20. Repeated testing during convalescence showed a return toward normal values. Intestinal bleeding, however, did not correlate with abnormalities of coagulation tests. Thus, DIC occurred commonly but appeared to be a subclinical event in these patients. In 25 patients with positive blood cultures for Salmonella typhi, quantitative cultures detected from less than 10 to 9 x 10(2) bacteria/ml. Limulus tests for endotoxin in plasma were negative in all 21 patients tested. These results indicated that the concentrations of circulating bacteria and endotoxin in typhoid fever are lower than in other Gram-negative bacterial infections and suggested that circulating bacteria and endotoxin do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of typhoid fever.", "contents": "Typhoid fever. Studies of blood coagulation, bacteremia, and endotoxemia. Patients with typhoid fever were studied to determine whether disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), circulating bacteria, and endotoxemia were responsible for the signs and symptoms of their illnesses. Coagulation tests in 28 patients detected thrombocytopenia in 17, hypofibrinogenemia in nine, and elevated titers of fibrinogen-related antigens in 20. Repeated testing during convalescence showed a return toward normal values. Intestinal bleeding, however, did not correlate with abnormalities of coagulation tests. Thus, DIC occurred commonly but appeared to be a subclinical event in these patients. In 25 patients with positive blood cultures for Salmonella typhi, quantitative cultures detected from less than 10 to 9 x 10(2) bacteria/ml. Limulus tests for endotoxin in plasma were negative in all 21 patients tested. These results indicated that the concentrations of circulating bacteria and endotoxin in typhoid fever are lower than in other Gram-negative bacterial infections and suggested that circulating bacteria and endotoxin do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of typhoid fever.", "PMID": 629635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8038", "title": "Factors predicting for response and survival in adults with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.", "content": "Knowledge of the prognostic factors that characterize a disease can assist in planning and analyzing clinical trials. The present study was conducted to determine the characteristics related to response and survival in patients with stage III and IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were treated with combinations of cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone. Considering each characteristic individually and using stepwise regression analysis, tumor bulkiness, prior therapy, sex, and pretreatment lymphocyte count were selected as the four most important prognostic variables. Tumor architecture (diffuse or nodular pattern) and cell type, hemoglobin level, and symptoms although not important in predicting response were found to be important in predicting survival. The hemoglobin level had only marginal importance in predicting response. Factors found not be important were age, stage, symptoms, cell type, nodularity, marrow involvement, prior extensive radiotherapy, and bone involvement. A logistic regression equation has been derived that can be used to predict response rate.", "contents": "Factors predicting for response and survival in adults with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Knowledge of the prognostic factors that characterize a disease can assist in planning and analyzing clinical trials. The present study was conducted to determine the characteristics related to response and survival in patients with stage III and IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were treated with combinations of cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone. Considering each characteristic individually and using stepwise regression analysis, tumor bulkiness, prior therapy, sex, and pretreatment lymphocyte count were selected as the four most important prognostic variables. Tumor architecture (diffuse or nodular pattern) and cell type, hemoglobin level, and symptoms although not important in predicting response were found to be important in predicting survival. The hemoglobin level had only marginal importance in predicting response. Factors found not be important were age, stage, symptoms, cell type, nodularity, marrow involvement, prior extensive radiotherapy, and bone involvement. A logistic regression equation has been derived that can be used to predict response rate.", "PMID": 629636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8039", "title": "Myoglobinuria associated with herpes-group viral infections.", "content": "Two cases of myoglobinuria were associated with herpes-group viral infection (herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr). Muscle atrophy and acute renal failure were important complications. No evidence of direct invasion of muscle fibers by virus was found, nor was the severity of myoglobinuria correlated with histologic appearance of muscle.", "contents": "Myoglobinuria associated with herpes-group viral infections. Two cases of myoglobinuria were associated with herpes-group viral infection (herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr). Muscle atrophy and acute renal failure were important complications. No evidence of direct invasion of muscle fibers by virus was found, nor was the severity of myoglobinuria correlated with histologic appearance of muscle.", "PMID": 629637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8040", "title": "Ultrasonic guidance for renal biopsy.", "content": "B-mode ultrasonic guidance was used to perform 76 percutaneous renal biopsies. Renal tissue was obtained from 73 (96.1%) subjects with adequate tissue for interpretation or diagnosis in 72 instances. Major bleeding complications occurred in four (5.3%) patients. Ultrasound has proved to be a safe and effective means of guiding physicians performing renal biopsies. In addition, it has many advantages over other techniques.", "contents": "Ultrasonic guidance for renal biopsy. B-mode ultrasonic guidance was used to perform 76 percutaneous renal biopsies. Renal tissue was obtained from 73 (96.1%) subjects with adequate tissue for interpretation or diagnosis in 72 instances. Major bleeding complications occurred in four (5.3%) patients. Ultrasound has proved to be a safe and effective means of guiding physicians performing renal biopsies. In addition, it has many advantages over other techniques.", "PMID": 629638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8041", "title": "Septic shock with Micrococcus luteus.", "content": "Micrococcus luteus is considered a non-pathogenic saprophyte of human skin and eye. Disease in man caused by this organism is not recorded in medical literature. We present a case of septic shock cause by M luteus. The value of this report is to document the pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci in patients without valvular heart disease, surgically implanted artifificial prosthetic devices, or polyethylene intravenous catheters.", "contents": "Septic shock with Micrococcus luteus. Micrococcus luteus is considered a non-pathogenic saprophyte of human skin and eye. Disease in man caused by this organism is not recorded in medical literature. We present a case of septic shock cause by M luteus. The value of this report is to document the pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci in patients without valvular heart disease, surgically implanted artifificial prosthetic devices, or polyethylene intravenous catheters.", "PMID": 629642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8042", "title": "[Microcirculatory bed of the serous membranes in hypertension].", "content": "In hypertension, all the components are affected in the microcirculatory bed of serous membranes: arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, postcapillaries, venules, lymph capillaries and postcapillaries. Convolution of microvessels, formation of loops, skeins, torsions along the longitudinal axis, deformation of walls (folds and angularity of the contours, multiple unilateral and bilateral protrusions and invaginations, sacciform and cylindrical microaneurisms, multiplication of venules) are observed. In the control material collected from subjects who had died of various traumas vascular changes in serous membranes are poorly manifest or absent indicating a relative specificity of the microvessel involvement in hypertension. The results of the study are in accord with known from literature descriptions of changes in the microcirculatory bed of the eye conjunctiva observed in biomicroscopy in patients with hypertension which confirms the generalized nature of MCB involvement in this disease.", "contents": "[Microcirculatory bed of the serous membranes in hypertension]. In hypertension, all the components are affected in the microcirculatory bed of serous membranes: arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, postcapillaries, venules, lymph capillaries and postcapillaries. Convolution of microvessels, formation of loops, skeins, torsions along the longitudinal axis, deformation of walls (folds and angularity of the contours, multiple unilateral and bilateral protrusions and invaginations, sacciform and cylindrical microaneurisms, multiplication of venules) are observed. In the control material collected from subjects who had died of various traumas vascular changes in serous membranes are poorly manifest or absent indicating a relative specificity of the microvessel involvement in hypertension. The results of the study are in accord with known from literature descriptions of changes in the microcirculatory bed of the eye conjunctiva observed in biomicroscopy in patients with hypertension which confirms the generalized nature of MCB involvement in this disease.", "PMID": 629646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8043", "title": "[Structural changes in the vessels of the heart in different hemodynamic disorders in the coronary basin].", "content": "Coarctation of the aorta was created in 15 and stenosis of the pulmonary arteri in 20 puppies. In the first experimental defect the blood inflow into the coronary basin increased, in the second the outflow from it was disturbed. The proposed method of complex histomicrometria was used to study changes in coronary vessels of various calibers. In both disorders of the coronary hemodynamics, hypertrophy of tunica media of arteries of all levels, an increase in their walls of the amount and power of obliquelongitudinal muscles, and hypertrophy of muscle-elastic sphincters in the openings of side branches going from small arteries were observed. Signs distinguishing one defect from the other were found at different levels of the vascular system of the heart. Their emergence is associated with hypertrophy of one or another part of the heart and features of the coronary hemodynamics inherent in each defect.", "contents": "[Structural changes in the vessels of the heart in different hemodynamic disorders in the coronary basin]. Coarctation of the aorta was created in 15 and stenosis of the pulmonary arteri in 20 puppies. In the first experimental defect the blood inflow into the coronary basin increased, in the second the outflow from it was disturbed. The proposed method of complex histomicrometria was used to study changes in coronary vessels of various calibers. In both disorders of the coronary hemodynamics, hypertrophy of tunica media of arteries of all levels, an increase in their walls of the amount and power of obliquelongitudinal muscles, and hypertrophy of muscle-elastic sphincters in the openings of side branches going from small arteries were observed. Signs distinguishing one defect from the other were found at different levels of the vascular system of the heart. Their emergence is associated with hypertrophy of one or another part of the heart and features of the coronary hemodynamics inherent in each defect.", "PMID": 629647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8044", "title": "[State of the vascular bed of the lungs and pleura in congenital heart defects with hypovolemia of the lesser circulation].", "content": "The status of the vessel bed of the lungs and pleura in congenital heart diseases with hypovolemia of the pulmonary circulation was studied. Morphological manifestations of adaptative changes in the vessels of microcirculation of these organs were found. The importance of the discovered changes in the maintenance of hemodynamic homeostasis under conditions of deficiency of blood inflow into the pulmonary artery is demonstrated.", "contents": "[State of the vascular bed of the lungs and pleura in congenital heart defects with hypovolemia of the lesser circulation]. The status of the vessel bed of the lungs and pleura in congenital heart diseases with hypovolemia of the pulmonary circulation was studied. Morphological manifestations of adaptative changes in the vessels of microcirculation of these organs were found. The importance of the discovered changes in the maintenance of hemodynamic homeostasis under conditions of deficiency of blood inflow into the pulmonary artery is demonstrated.", "PMID": 629648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8045", "title": "[Biopsy of the mucosa of the lower lip for purposes of diagnosing Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome].", "content": "Thirty biopsies of the lower lip mucosa from patients with clinical and subclinical manifestations of Sj\u00f6gren syndrome were studied. The results indicate characteristic morphological changes in small salivary glands. The dynamics of these changes consists in progressive lymphoid infiltration of the gland tissue and includes 4 stages: I--weak lymphoid infiltration, II--focal lymphoid infiltration, III--focal-extensive lymphoid infiltration, IV--diffuse lymphoid infiltration, that is, lymphomatosis. In parallel with the progressive lymphoid infiltration there occur sclerosis of the stroma, atrophy and loss of parenchyma of the salivary glands in which the chemical composition of the secrete is changes as confirmed by tests done for mucus. The results obtained and data from literature permit a conclusion that Sj\u00f6gren syndrome is a generalized autoimmune disease underlain by the disturbance of immunological homeostasis.", "contents": "[Biopsy of the mucosa of the lower lip for purposes of diagnosing Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome]. Thirty biopsies of the lower lip mucosa from patients with clinical and subclinical manifestations of Sj\u00f6gren syndrome were studied. The results indicate characteristic morphological changes in small salivary glands. The dynamics of these changes consists in progressive lymphoid infiltration of the gland tissue and includes 4 stages: I--weak lymphoid infiltration, II--focal lymphoid infiltration, III--focal-extensive lymphoid infiltration, IV--diffuse lymphoid infiltration, that is, lymphomatosis. In parallel with the progressive lymphoid infiltration there occur sclerosis of the stroma, atrophy and loss of parenchyma of the salivary glands in which the chemical composition of the secrete is changes as confirmed by tests done for mucus. The results obtained and data from literature permit a conclusion that Sj\u00f6gren syndrome is a generalized autoimmune disease underlain by the disturbance of immunological homeostasis.", "PMID": 629649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8046", "title": "[Morphofunctional aspects of the experimental effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the myocardium of the healthy organism].", "content": "Changes in the myocardium arter numerous treatments with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) (PO2 3 technical atmospheres, time of saturation--45 min) were studied by morphological, histochemical and enzymohistochemical methods in 50 rabbits. Three stages were found to occur in the development of these changes: 1) functional-morphological changes (1--3 seanses of HBO), 2) early morphological changes (4--5 seanses), 3) marked morphological lesions (6--8 seanses). The first three treatments produce reversible changes on the part of metabolic processes (a reduction in the content of glycogen and changes in the activity of oxidoreductases: succinate-, malate- and lactate dehydrogenase). Morphological signs of oxygen toxicity in the form of disorders in hemodynamics and microcirculation, and dystrophy of cardiomyocytes appear after 4 seanses of HBO and increase with further treatment. The experimental data permit to recommend short HBO courses (1--3 seanses) for therapeutic application.", "contents": "[Morphofunctional aspects of the experimental effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the myocardium of the healthy organism]. Changes in the myocardium arter numerous treatments with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) (PO2 3 technical atmospheres, time of saturation--45 min) were studied by morphological, histochemical and enzymohistochemical methods in 50 rabbits. Three stages were found to occur in the development of these changes: 1) functional-morphological changes (1--3 seanses of HBO), 2) early morphological changes (4--5 seanses), 3) marked morphological lesions (6--8 seanses). The first three treatments produce reversible changes on the part of metabolic processes (a reduction in the content of glycogen and changes in the activity of oxidoreductases: succinate-, malate- and lactate dehydrogenase). Morphological signs of oxygen toxicity in the form of disorders in hemodynamics and microcirculation, and dystrophy of cardiomyocytes appear after 4 seanses of HBO and increase with further treatment. The experimental data permit to recommend short HBO courses (1--3 seanses) for therapeutic application.", "PMID": 629650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8047", "title": "[Morphology of heart tumors in rats induced by methyl- and ethylnitrosourea].", "content": "The results of morphological examinations of 78 heart tumors in BD IX rats induced by methyl- and ethylnitrosourea (MNU, ENU) administered by various routes are described. After repeated intravenous or intraperitoneal injections of MNU heart tumors developed in 39--46% of the treated animals. The following localizations were found: left ventricle--55, right ventricle--7, both ventricles--12, other sites--4. In 51 (65.4%) of 78 cases there were early stages of tumor with a ribbon-like lining of the affected ventricle wall. They consisted of elongated stream-like-arranged tumor cells. Large tumor nodules protruding into the ventricular lumen usually showed considerable features of cellular and nuclear polymorphism. The heart tumors were classified as fibromas or neurinoma-like tumors, fibrosarcomas, and polymorphous sarcomas. Histogenetically, the neoplastic cells are probably derived from fibroblasts and Schwann cells.", "contents": "[Morphology of heart tumors in rats induced by methyl- and ethylnitrosourea]. The results of morphological examinations of 78 heart tumors in BD IX rats induced by methyl- and ethylnitrosourea (MNU, ENU) administered by various routes are described. After repeated intravenous or intraperitoneal injections of MNU heart tumors developed in 39--46% of the treated animals. The following localizations were found: left ventricle--55, right ventricle--7, both ventricles--12, other sites--4. In 51 (65.4%) of 78 cases there were early stages of tumor with a ribbon-like lining of the affected ventricle wall. They consisted of elongated stream-like-arranged tumor cells. Large tumor nodules protruding into the ventricular lumen usually showed considerable features of cellular and nuclear polymorphism. The heart tumors were classified as fibromas or neurinoma-like tumors, fibrosarcomas, and polymorphous sarcomas. Histogenetically, the neoplastic cells are probably derived from fibroblasts and Schwann cells.", "PMID": 629651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8048", "title": "Potentialities of the cytological method in diagnosing adenocarcinoma of the lung.", "content": "Parallel cytological and histological studies were performed for 87 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Sputum, impression smears of the bronchial mucosa, aspirates from the bronchi, punctates of the tumor obtained transbronchially, pieces of tumor obtained at bronchoscopy, and operation material were examined. Considerable difficulties wre found in cytological diagnosis of adenocarcinomas due to degenerative changes in tumor cells, the presence of cells of the metaplastic columnar epithelium and marked anaplasia of tumor cells in adenocarcinoma with low differentiation. The frequency of diagnostic errors was 20.0--50.6% depending on the histological form of adenocarcinoma and the accompanying processes in bronchi. The cytological criteria improving the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma are presented. The validity of cytological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma does not depend on the nature of the material examined.", "contents": "Potentialities of the cytological method in diagnosing adenocarcinoma of the lung. Parallel cytological and histological studies were performed for 87 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Sputum, impression smears of the bronchial mucosa, aspirates from the bronchi, punctates of the tumor obtained transbronchially, pieces of tumor obtained at bronchoscopy, and operation material were examined. Considerable difficulties wre found in cytological diagnosis of adenocarcinomas due to degenerative changes in tumor cells, the presence of cells of the metaplastic columnar epithelium and marked anaplasia of tumor cells in adenocarcinoma with low differentiation. The frequency of diagnostic errors was 20.0--50.6% depending on the histological form of adenocarcinoma and the accompanying processes in bronchi. The cytological criteria improving the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma are presented. The validity of cytological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma does not depend on the nature of the material examined.", "PMID": 629652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8049", "title": "[2 cases of reticulohistiocytosis].", "content": "Excerpts from case histories and the results of morphological examinations of organs and tissues of a man of 17 with Letterer-Siwe disease and a man of 26 with Gaucher's disease are presented. Noteworthy is the fact of morphological similarity of eosinophilic granulema and Letterer-Siwe disease and transition of the former into the latter.", "contents": "[2 cases of reticulohistiocytosis]. Excerpts from case histories and the results of morphological examinations of organs and tissues of a man of 17 with Letterer-Siwe disease and a man of 26 with Gaucher's disease are presented. Noteworthy is the fact of morphological similarity of eosinophilic granulema and Letterer-Siwe disease and transition of the former into the latter.", "PMID": 629653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8050", "title": "Ataxic hemiparesis. A pathologic study.", "content": "Three stroke patients showed weakness and pyramidal signs on one side combined with a cerebellar-like ataxia on the same side. Pathologic study in each case showed an old infarct cavity in the basis pontis at the level of the junction of the upper one third and lower two thirds on the side opposite the neurologic deficit. The basilar artery was patent and the infarcts were probably the result of occlusion of penetrating arteries. This study demonstrates that a lesion of the basis pontis may be associated with a contralateral ataxia that is cerebellar in character. The designation ataxic hemiparesis is suggested for the syndrome.", "contents": "Ataxic hemiparesis. A pathologic study. Three stroke patients showed weakness and pyramidal signs on one side combined with a cerebellar-like ataxia on the same side. Pathologic study in each case showed an old infarct cavity in the basis pontis at the level of the junction of the upper one third and lower two thirds on the side opposite the neurologic deficit. The basilar artery was patent and the infarcts were probably the result of occlusion of penetrating arteries. This study demonstrates that a lesion of the basis pontis may be associated with a contralateral ataxia that is cerebellar in character. The designation ataxic hemiparesis is suggested for the syndrome.", "PMID": 629655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8051", "title": "Controlled use of cranial computerized tomography.", "content": "This study attempts to assess the impact of computerized cranial tomography (CT) on clinical practice in a veterans hospital. A CT scan could be performed only if there existed a reasonable potential for the results to affect the patient's clinical course. We document many instances of how the 163 CT scans obtained during a one-year period aided patients. We quantitated one beneficial aspect by estimating the major neuroradiologic contrast procedures obviated by CT scan. Case-by-case review indicates 70 cerebral arteriograms and 58 pneumoencephalograms would have been performed had CT scanning not been available.", "contents": "Controlled use of cranial computerized tomography. This study attempts to assess the impact of computerized cranial tomography (CT) on clinical practice in a veterans hospital. A CT scan could be performed only if there existed a reasonable potential for the results to affect the patient's clinical course. We document many instances of how the 163 CT scans obtained during a one-year period aided patients. We quantitated one beneficial aspect by estimating the major neuroradiologic contrast procedures obviated by CT scan. Case-by-case review indicates 70 cerebral arteriograms and 58 pneumoencephalograms would have been performed had CT scanning not been available.", "PMID": 629656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8052", "title": "Glissadic overshoots are due to pulse width errors.", "content": "Glissades are the slow, gliding eye movements often appended to the end of human saccadic eye movements. They have been used as an aid in diagnosing disease states, eg, multiple sclerosis and vascular lesions. Glissades are a consequence of a mismatch between the sizes of the pulse and step components of the pulse-step motoneuronal controller signals. This physiological and simulation study shows that glissadic overshoot is caused by pulse width errors and not by pulse height errors. This implies that the CNS can control the firing frequencies and recruitment of motoneurons more precisely than it can control the duration of the high-frequency motoneuronal saccadic burst.", "contents": "Glissadic overshoots are due to pulse width errors. Glissades are the slow, gliding eye movements often appended to the end of human saccadic eye movements. They have been used as an aid in diagnosing disease states, eg, multiple sclerosis and vascular lesions. Glissades are a consequence of a mismatch between the sizes of the pulse and step components of the pulse-step motoneuronal controller signals. This physiological and simulation study shows that glissadic overshoot is caused by pulse width errors and not by pulse height errors. This implies that the CNS can control the firing frequencies and recruitment of motoneurons more precisely than it can control the duration of the high-frequency motoneuronal saccadic burst.", "PMID": 629657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8053", "title": "Computerized tomography and auditory-evoked potentials. Use in the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration.", "content": "The pneumoencephalogram has been the only diagnostic test available to confirm the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration during life. This study suggests that pneumoencephalography may be obsolete and that the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration may be established by abnormalities seen during computerized tomography (CT) and by abnormal responses to auditory-evoked potentials (AEPs). The combination of CT scans and AEPs provides a completely nontraumatic method of diagnosis in olivopontocerebellar degeneration and eliminates the need for pneumoencephalography.", "contents": "Computerized tomography and auditory-evoked potentials. Use in the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration. The pneumoencephalogram has been the only diagnostic test available to confirm the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration during life. This study suggests that pneumoencephalography may be obsolete and that the diagnosis of olivopontocerebellar degeneration may be established by abnormalities seen during computerized tomography (CT) and by abnormal responses to auditory-evoked potentials (AEPs). The combination of CT scans and AEPs provides a completely nontraumatic method of diagnosis in olivopontocerebellar degeneration and eliminates the need for pneumoencephalography.", "PMID": 629658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8054", "title": "Tuberculous brain abscess. Report of a case and review of the literature.", "content": "Tuberculous brain abscess is a rarely reported form of central nervous system tuberculosis. Fifty-seven cases were found in a review of the world's literature; only 16 met rigid diagnostic criteria. Tuberculous brain abscesses are devoid of the granulomatous reaction associated with tuberculosis. Histologically and clinically, these abscesses are similar to pyogenic brain abscesses. An analysis of 16 verified cases from the literature and one reported case showed that tuberculous brain abscesses usually present acutely, often in the third and fourth decades, commonly have a supratentorial location, frequently present with focal neurologic signs, and are associated with historical and laboratory evidence of tuberculosis. Tuberculous brain abscesses may be difficult to differentiate from pyogenic brain abscesses, tuberculomas, and tuberculous meningitis on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic information. Appropriate therapy includes adequate antituberculous chemotherapy and surgical excision.", "contents": "Tuberculous brain abscess. Report of a case and review of the literature. Tuberculous brain abscess is a rarely reported form of central nervous system tuberculosis. Fifty-seven cases were found in a review of the world's literature; only 16 met rigid diagnostic criteria. Tuberculous brain abscesses are devoid of the granulomatous reaction associated with tuberculosis. Histologically and clinically, these abscesses are similar to pyogenic brain abscesses. An analysis of 16 verified cases from the literature and one reported case showed that tuberculous brain abscesses usually present acutely, often in the third and fourth decades, commonly have a supratentorial location, frequently present with focal neurologic signs, and are associated with historical and laboratory evidence of tuberculosis. Tuberculous brain abscesses may be difficult to differentiate from pyogenic brain abscesses, tuberculomas, and tuberculous meningitis on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and roentgenographic information. Appropriate therapy includes adequate antituberculous chemotherapy and surgical excision.", "PMID": 629659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8055", "title": "Dominant spinopontine atrophy. Report of two additional members of family W.", "content": "In five generations of Anglo-Saxon family W, 28 members were affected with dominant hereditary ataxia. In 1969, two members of this family were reported as prototypes of dominant spinopontine atrophy. We discuss two additional members of the original family, with one postmortem examination, including ultrastructual study. In contrast to previously accepted clinical generalizations, we found abolished tendon reflexes and flexion contractures of the lower extremities in patient 1 and onset of illness at the age of 18 years, palatal myoclonus, and optic atrophy in patient 2. Dementia was observed in both patients. Unlike in previous pathological reports, our patient 1 showed definite involvement of the cerebellum and mild degeneration of the inferior olivary nuclei. We conclude, therefore, that clinical and pathological distinction between dominant spinopontine atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy is not clear and raises the question of the justification for regarding dominant spinopontine atrophy as a nosological entity.", "contents": "Dominant spinopontine atrophy. Report of two additional members of family W. In five generations of Anglo-Saxon family W, 28 members were affected with dominant hereditary ataxia. In 1969, two members of this family were reported as prototypes of dominant spinopontine atrophy. We discuss two additional members of the original family, with one postmortem examination, including ultrastructual study. In contrast to previously accepted clinical generalizations, we found abolished tendon reflexes and flexion contractures of the lower extremities in patient 1 and onset of illness at the age of 18 years, palatal myoclonus, and optic atrophy in patient 2. Dementia was observed in both patients. Unlike in previous pathological reports, our patient 1 showed definite involvement of the cerebellum and mild degeneration of the inferior olivary nuclei. We conclude, therefore, that clinical and pathological distinction between dominant spinopontine atrophy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy is not clear and raises the question of the justification for regarding dominant spinopontine atrophy as a nosological entity.", "PMID": 629660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8056", "title": "Cebocephalus associated with trisomy 13-15 mosaicism.", "content": "A case of cebocephalus occurred in association with a 10% mosaicism of trisomy 13-15. Both parents of the affected child had normal karyotypes. Cebocephalus has been associated with abnormal chromosomes such as a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 18 as well as the trisomy 13-15.", "contents": "Cebocephalus associated with trisomy 13-15 mosaicism. A case of cebocephalus occurred in association with a 10% mosaicism of trisomy 13-15. Both parents of the affected child had normal karyotypes. Cebocephalus has been associated with abnormal chromosomes such as a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 18 as well as the trisomy 13-15.", "PMID": 629661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8057", "title": "Recurrent disseminated vasculomyelinopathy.", "content": "The monosymptomatic (recurrent infantile hemiplegia) and the polysymptomatic forms of disseminated vasculomyelinopathy that follow various infections and antigenic challenge to the nervous system were seen in two cases. These cases emphasize the importance of vasculopathy as the initial and obligatory component of the postinfectious and postimmunization neurologic syndromes as well as the clinical and pathological variability of the secondary effects on the nervous system. Recurrent infantile hemiplegia occurred in the first patient. In the second patient, after two episodes of postinfectious myelinoclastic encephalopathy, concurrent acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy and an acute Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome following swine flu vaccination developed.", "contents": "Recurrent disseminated vasculomyelinopathy. The monosymptomatic (recurrent infantile hemiplegia) and the polysymptomatic forms of disseminated vasculomyelinopathy that follow various infections and antigenic challenge to the nervous system were seen in two cases. These cases emphasize the importance of vasculopathy as the initial and obligatory component of the postinfectious and postimmunization neurologic syndromes as well as the clinical and pathological variability of the secondary effects on the nervous system. Recurrent infantile hemiplegia occurred in the first patient. In the second patient, after two episodes of postinfectious myelinoclastic encephalopathy, concurrent acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy and an acute Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome following swine flu vaccination developed.", "PMID": 629662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8058", "title": "Intracerebral arterial aneurysm in a newborn.", "content": "Angiographic diagnosis of an intracerebral aneurysm in a neonate was made on the 13th day of life following persistent neurological symptoms that began at birth. Rupture of the aneurysm probably occurred within the first day of life. This unusual condition should be considered in newborn infants with unexplained neurological signs or intracranial hemorrhage.", "contents": "Intracerebral arterial aneurysm in a newborn. Angiographic diagnosis of an intracerebral aneurysm in a neonate was made on the 13th day of life following persistent neurological symptoms that began at birth. Rupture of the aneurysm probably occurred within the first day of life. This unusual condition should be considered in newborn infants with unexplained neurological signs or intracranial hemorrhage.", "PMID": 629663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8059", "title": "Intermittent see-saw eye movements. Report of a patient in coma after hyperextension head injury.", "content": "For 24 hours after an automobile accident, a 19-year-old comatose man exhibited spontaneous, intermittent, see-saw, rotatory, and downward eye movements with synchronous lid elevation. These unusual movements, which appear most closely related to nonpendular see-saw nystagmus and atypical ocular bobbing, probably resulted from the severe pontomedullary tegmental damage found at autopsy.", "contents": "Intermittent see-saw eye movements. Report of a patient in coma after hyperextension head injury. For 24 hours after an automobile accident, a 19-year-old comatose man exhibited spontaneous, intermittent, see-saw, rotatory, and downward eye movements with synchronous lid elevation. These unusual movements, which appear most closely related to nonpendular see-saw nystagmus and atypical ocular bobbing, probably resulted from the severe pontomedullary tegmental damage found at autopsy.", "PMID": 629664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8060", "title": "Cryptococcal meningitis. Cure despite cryptococcemia.", "content": "Cure of cryptococcal meningitis accompanied by cryptococcemia was achieved with amphotericin B therapy. Cryptococcal meningitis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, especially when accompanied by evidence of extraneural infection. Experience with the patient reported suggests that associated cryptococcemia is not invariably associated with treatment failure.", "contents": "Cryptococcal meningitis. Cure despite cryptococcemia. Cure of cryptococcal meningitis accompanied by cryptococcemia was achieved with amphotericin B therapy. Cryptococcal meningitis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, especially when accompanied by evidence of extraneural infection. Experience with the patient reported suggests that associated cryptococcemia is not invariably associated with treatment failure.", "PMID": 629665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8061", "title": "Vitrectomy for complications of diabetic retinopathy.", "content": "Pars plana vitrectomy was used to treat 134 consecutive eyes with complications resulting from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, including nonabsorbing vitreous hemorrhage, recent traction and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, progressive fibrovascular proliferation, and early rubeosis iridis with recent vitreous hemorrhage. Vision improved after surgery in 65% of the eyes, was unchanged in 16%, and decreased after surgery in 19%. In 24% of the successful cases, vision of 20/50 or better was achieved. When all posterior cortical vitreous was removed, no preretinal fibrovascular growth occurred after surgery. Nonatrophic epiretinal fibrovascular membranes that were not removed usually underwent centripetal contraction after surgery, causing tangential traction on the adjacent retina. Rubeosis iridis was the most common postoperative complication in otherwise successful cases, and rubeosis underwent regression after scatter retinal photocoagulation in some eyes.", "contents": "Vitrectomy for complications of diabetic retinopathy. Pars plana vitrectomy was used to treat 134 consecutive eyes with complications resulting from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, including nonabsorbing vitreous hemorrhage, recent traction and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, progressive fibrovascular proliferation, and early rubeosis iridis with recent vitreous hemorrhage. Vision improved after surgery in 65% of the eyes, was unchanged in 16%, and decreased after surgery in 19%. In 24% of the successful cases, vision of 20/50 or better was achieved. When all posterior cortical vitreous was removed, no preretinal fibrovascular growth occurred after surgery. Nonatrophic epiretinal fibrovascular membranes that were not removed usually underwent centripetal contraction after surgery, causing tangential traction on the adjacent retina. Rubeosis iridis was the most common postoperative complication in otherwise successful cases, and rubeosis underwent regression after scatter retinal photocoagulation in some eyes.", "PMID": 629669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8062", "title": "Immunosuppressive therapy for severe chronic uveitis.", "content": "Twenty-five patients with severe, progressive, chronic uveitis who were poorly responsive or unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy received low-dose prednisone and cytotoxic immunosuppressive therapy. Azathioprine (2.0 to 2.5 mg/kg) or chlorambucil (6 to 8 mg) was combined with prednisone (10 to 15 mg) daily in a long-term therapeutic program. All 25 patients exhibited a therapeutic response. In 18 of 25 patients, complete quiescence of the inflammatory process was observed. The remaining seven patients showed a substantial decrease of uveitis with persistence of some inflammatory changes. Adverse side effects that resulted from this therapy were infrequent.", "contents": "Immunosuppressive therapy for severe chronic uveitis. Twenty-five patients with severe, progressive, chronic uveitis who were poorly responsive or unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy received low-dose prednisone and cytotoxic immunosuppressive therapy. Azathioprine (2.0 to 2.5 mg/kg) or chlorambucil (6 to 8 mg) was combined with prednisone (10 to 15 mg) daily in a long-term therapeutic program. All 25 patients exhibited a therapeutic response. In 18 of 25 patients, complete quiescence of the inflammatory process was observed. The remaining seven patients showed a substantial decrease of uveitis with persistence of some inflammatory changes. Adverse side effects that resulted from this therapy were infrequent.", "PMID": 629670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8063", "title": "Indirect traumatic rupture of the globe.", "content": "Indirect rupture of the globe was found to be a rare injury, more common in males (P less than .01), and having a tendency to involve the left eye. Severe chemosis, a hyphema, and hypotony were usually present, but the intraocular pressure was elevated in three eyes. Of the 50 ruptures in this study, 41 were at the equator or anterior to it (P less than .01), and 37 were parallel to the equator. Thirty-three of the 41 anterior ruptures were located in the superior half of the eye. The nasal-superior quadrant between the limbus and spiral of Tillaux, the temporosuperior quadrant between the spiral of Tillaux and 5 mm posterior to the equator, and the temporosuperior quadrant between the limbus and spiral of Tillaux were the three most common areas involved, in decreasing order of frequency. A theory has been described to explain this distribution. The absence of a hyphema (P less than .001), the presence of a rupture of 9 mm or less (P less than .01), and the use of cryotherapy or diathermy at the wound edge at the time of closure of the rupture (P less than .01) were all good prognostic signs. The visual outcome was light perception or worse in 45 of the 50 ruptures, but every effort must be made to preserve the eye rather than to remove it.", "contents": "Indirect traumatic rupture of the globe. Indirect rupture of the globe was found to be a rare injury, more common in males (P less than .01), and having a tendency to involve the left eye. Severe chemosis, a hyphema, and hypotony were usually present, but the intraocular pressure was elevated in three eyes. Of the 50 ruptures in this study, 41 were at the equator or anterior to it (P less than .01), and 37 were parallel to the equator. Thirty-three of the 41 anterior ruptures were located in the superior half of the eye. The nasal-superior quadrant between the limbus and spiral of Tillaux, the temporosuperior quadrant between the spiral of Tillaux and 5 mm posterior to the equator, and the temporosuperior quadrant between the limbus and spiral of Tillaux were the three most common areas involved, in decreasing order of frequency. A theory has been described to explain this distribution. The absence of a hyphema (P less than .001), the presence of a rupture of 9 mm or less (P less than .01), and the use of cryotherapy or diathermy at the wound edge at the time of closure of the rupture (P less than .01) were all good prognostic signs. The visual outcome was light perception or worse in 45 of the 50 ruptures, but every effort must be made to preserve the eye rather than to remove it.", "PMID": 629671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8064", "title": "Sympathetic ophthalmia. A long-term follow-up.", "content": "Seventeen cases of sympathetic ophthalmia have been followed up for as long as 23 years (average 10.6 years). Sixty-five percent of those patients treated with corticosteroids retained a visual acuity of 20/60 or better. Complications were frequent and included secondary glaucoma, cataract, exudative retinal detachment, and choroidal scarring. Uneventful cataract extraction was difficult to manage, requiring frequent changes in the steroid dosage, and in one patient two glaucoma procedures. The duration of steroid therapy was quite variable and ranged from a few months to six years or longer. Relapses were common and several occurred many years after the initial episode had resolved. If the histopathologic picture were moderate or severe, the clinical course most often would be difficult and protracted.", "contents": "Sympathetic ophthalmia. A long-term follow-up. Seventeen cases of sympathetic ophthalmia have been followed up for as long as 23 years (average 10.6 years). Sixty-five percent of those patients treated with corticosteroids retained a visual acuity of 20/60 or better. Complications were frequent and included secondary glaucoma, cataract, exudative retinal detachment, and choroidal scarring. Uneventful cataract extraction was difficult to manage, requiring frequent changes in the steroid dosage, and in one patient two glaucoma procedures. The duration of steroid therapy was quite variable and ranged from a few months to six years or longer. Relapses were common and several occurred many years after the initial episode had resolved. If the histopathologic picture were moderate or severe, the clinical course most often would be difficult and protracted.", "PMID": 629672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8065", "title": "Treatment of intermittent exotropia.", "content": "To study the long-range results of surgically treated intermittent exotropia, 100 consecutive patients have been followed up for an average of 6.1 years. In all cases, the initial procedure was bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles. The overall functional cure rate was 78%. To accomplish this result, 27 patients were operated on a second time, 21 for undercorrection and six for overcorrection. A number of patients cooperated very poorly or were lost to follow-up while still under treatment. Had these patients been eliminated from the series, the cure rate would have been greater than 90%. In this study, bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles corrected the distant measurement more than the near measurement only with the divergence excess type of deviation. Also, this procedure was not notably more effective with divergence excess than with basic-type intermittent exotropia.", "contents": "Treatment of intermittent exotropia. To study the long-range results of surgically treated intermittent exotropia, 100 consecutive patients have been followed up for an average of 6.1 years. In all cases, the initial procedure was bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles. The overall functional cure rate was 78%. To accomplish this result, 27 patients were operated on a second time, 21 for undercorrection and six for overcorrection. A number of patients cooperated very poorly or were lost to follow-up while still under treatment. Had these patients been eliminated from the series, the cure rate would have been greater than 90%. In this study, bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles corrected the distant measurement more than the near measurement only with the divergence excess type of deviation. Also, this procedure was not notably more effective with divergence excess than with basic-type intermittent exotropia.", "PMID": 629674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8066", "title": "Sympathetic uveitis after trauma and vitrectomy.", "content": "A case is describes in which the earliest clinical manifestations of sympathetic uveitis that occurred after trauma and pars plana vitrectomy were confined primarily to the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid posteriorly, and resembled focal lesions of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Similar focal lesions were noted on gross examination of the enucleated inciting eye. Histopathological examination revealed that these lesions were caused by focal choroidal granulomas and overlying Dalen-Fuchs nodules. Sympathetic ophthalmia was also noted in four other patients in whom the condition developed after trauma and vitrectomy.", "contents": "Sympathetic uveitis after trauma and vitrectomy. A case is describes in which the earliest clinical manifestations of sympathetic uveitis that occurred after trauma and pars plana vitrectomy were confined primarily to the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid posteriorly, and resembled focal lesions of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Similar focal lesions were noted on gross examination of the enucleated inciting eye. Histopathological examination revealed that these lesions were caused by focal choroidal granulomas and overlying Dalen-Fuchs nodules. Sympathetic ophthalmia was also noted in four other patients in whom the condition developed after trauma and vitrectomy.", "PMID": 629673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8067", "title": "Cryptogenic unilateral paralysis of the superior oblique muscle.", "content": "Fifteen patients spontaneously developed paralysis of one superior oblique muscle, which remained unexplained after an initial evaluation. Follow-up evaluation showed that all of the patients' conditions were improved. Twelve of the patients had enjoyed spontaneous, functional recoveries within four months. Three had residual diplopia that was relieved by prisms. No patient subsequently developed evidence of any local or systemic disease that could explain the ophthalmoplegia. One patient suffered a recurrence 3 1/2 years after his first episode that lasted three months and spontaneously cleared.", "contents": "Cryptogenic unilateral paralysis of the superior oblique muscle. Fifteen patients spontaneously developed paralysis of one superior oblique muscle, which remained unexplained after an initial evaluation. Follow-up evaluation showed that all of the patients' conditions were improved. Twelve of the patients had enjoyed spontaneous, functional recoveries within four months. Three had residual diplopia that was relieved by prisms. No patient subsequently developed evidence of any local or systemic disease that could explain the ophthalmoplegia. One patient suffered a recurrence 3 1/2 years after his first episode that lasted three months and spontaneously cleared.", "PMID": 629675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8068", "title": "Retinal involvement in thoracic-pelvic-phalangeal dystrophy.", "content": "A patient with typical thoracic-pelvic-phalangeal dystrophy has survived to the age of 11 years with no pulmonary problem except a single episode of pneumonia at the age of 5 years. She has no evidence of renal disease. An associated ocular lesion resembled Leber's congenital amaurosis clinically but was different on electrophysiologic testing.", "contents": "Retinal involvement in thoracic-pelvic-phalangeal dystrophy. A patient with typical thoracic-pelvic-phalangeal dystrophy has survived to the age of 11 years with no pulmonary problem except a single episode of pneumonia at the age of 5 years. She has no evidence of renal disease. An associated ocular lesion resembled Leber's congenital amaurosis clinically but was different on electrophysiologic testing.", "PMID": 629676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8069", "title": "Oncocytic adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac.", "content": "A well-differentiated, oncocytic adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac recurred locally in a patient during a period of 13 years. This appears to be the second documented instance of such a neoplasm.", "contents": "Oncocytic adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac. A well-differentiated, oncocytic adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal sac recurred locally in a patient during a period of 13 years. This appears to be the second documented instance of such a neoplasm.", "PMID": 629677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8070", "title": "Human albinism. Light and electron microscopy study.", "content": "The eyes of a 13-year-old leukemic boy with the attributes of tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism were obtained for light and electron microscopic study. Repeated examinations had failed to reveal WBCs with giant oxidase-positive granules, and leukemic involvement of the fundus never occurred. Light microscopic examination of horizontal and vertical sections through the retina confirms earlier reports that the fovea is absent in albinos. The synaptic apparatus of the photoreceptor terminals appears abnormal. The rough endoplasmic reticulum of the retinal pigment epithelial cells is sparse though the presence of phagosomes suggests that phagocytic function is intact. Suggestions as to the importance that the morphological findings may have on albino visual function are made.", "contents": "Human albinism. Light and electron microscopy study. The eyes of a 13-year-old leukemic boy with the attributes of tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism were obtained for light and electron microscopic study. Repeated examinations had failed to reveal WBCs with giant oxidase-positive granules, and leukemic involvement of the fundus never occurred. Light microscopic examination of horizontal and vertical sections through the retina confirms earlier reports that the fovea is absent in albinos. The synaptic apparatus of the photoreceptor terminals appears abnormal. The rough endoplasmic reticulum of the retinal pigment epithelial cells is sparse though the presence of phagosomes suggests that phagocytic function is intact. Suggestions as to the importance that the morphological findings may have on albino visual function are made.", "PMID": 629678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8071", "title": "Choroidal Osteoma.", "content": "Choroidal osteomas caused visual symptoms in four healthy young women. A positive 32P test led to enucleation and histopathologic confirmation of the diagnosis in one patient. The characteristic ophthalmoscopic findings in these patients included the following: (1) slightly and irregularly elevated, yellow-white, juxtapapillary, choroidal tumor and well-defined geographic borders; (2) diffuse and mottled depigmentation of the overlying pigment epithelium; and (3) multiple small vascular networks on the tumor surface. A diffuse mottled pattern of hyperfluorescence in the area of the tumor occurred during the early and later stages of angiography. The tumors were ultrasonically dense, and the orbital tissue behind them was rendered silent. The tumors were visible on routine orbital x-ray films and computerized tomograms. The latter study demonstrated the tumors as having the consistency of normal bone.", "contents": "Choroidal Osteoma. Choroidal osteomas caused visual symptoms in four healthy young women. A positive 32P test led to enucleation and histopathologic confirmation of the diagnosis in one patient. The characteristic ophthalmoscopic findings in these patients included the following: (1) slightly and irregularly elevated, yellow-white, juxtapapillary, choroidal tumor and well-defined geographic borders; (2) diffuse and mottled depigmentation of the overlying pigment epithelium; and (3) multiple small vascular networks on the tumor surface. A diffuse mottled pattern of hyperfluorescence in the area of the tumor occurred during the early and later stages of angiography. The tumors were ultrasonically dense, and the orbital tissue behind them was rendered silent. The tumors were visible on routine orbital x-ray films and computerized tomograms. The latter study demonstrated the tumors as having the consistency of normal bone.", "PMID": 629679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8072", "title": "Clinically stationary choroidal melanoma with extraocular extension.", "content": "A malignant melanoma of the choroid was observed for three years because of an erroneous diagnosis of disciform macular degeneration. No lateral or vertical growth was noted during the observation period, but significant extrascieral extension was discovered at the time of radioactive phosphorus uptake test and enucleation.", "contents": "Clinically stationary choroidal melanoma with extraocular extension. A malignant melanoma of the choroid was observed for three years because of an erroneous diagnosis of disciform macular degeneration. No lateral or vertical growth was noted during the observation period, but significant extrascieral extension was discovered at the time of radioactive phosphorus uptake test and enucleation.", "PMID": 629680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8073", "title": "Peripapillary choroidal melanomas. Extension along the optic nerve and its sheaths.", "content": "We reviewed 26 cases of peripapillary melanoma, 21 (80.8%) of which extended into the optic nerve or its meningeal sheaths. Most melanomas that extended into the optic nerve were necrotic and of the mixed or epithelioid cell type; all invaded the overlying retina and occurred in blind eyes with secondary glaucoma. The extension of melanoma cells into the subarachnoidal space was only influenced by the presence of the melanoma around the optic nerve head (peripapillary). The prognosis of these patients was highly dependent on the presence of orbital extension. A long piece of optic nerve should be excised when eyes with peripapillary melanomas are enucleated.", "contents": "Peripapillary choroidal melanomas. Extension along the optic nerve and its sheaths. We reviewed 26 cases of peripapillary melanoma, 21 (80.8%) of which extended into the optic nerve or its meningeal sheaths. Most melanomas that extended into the optic nerve were necrotic and of the mixed or epithelioid cell type; all invaded the overlying retina and occurred in blind eyes with secondary glaucoma. The extension of melanoma cells into the subarachnoidal space was only influenced by the presence of the melanoma around the optic nerve head (peripapillary). The prognosis of these patients was highly dependent on the presence of orbital extension. A long piece of optic nerve should be excised when eyes with peripapillary melanomas are enucleated.", "PMID": 629681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8074", "title": "The effect of phacoemulsification on corneal endothelial cell density.", "content": "Seventy-six patients who had undergone unilateral phacoemulsification of cataracts had their endothelial cell density (ECD) measured by specular microscopy. When compared with the unoperated contralateral eye, there was a mean decrease in ECD of 33.8%. Ten patients who had undergone unilateral intracapsular cataract extraction had a mean decrease in ECD of 14.9%. Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification appears to be more traumatic to the corneal endothelium than is intracapsular extraction.", "contents": "The effect of phacoemulsification on corneal endothelial cell density. Seventy-six patients who had undergone unilateral phacoemulsification of cataracts had their endothelial cell density (ECD) measured by specular microscopy. When compared with the unoperated contralateral eye, there was a mean decrease in ECD of 33.8%. Ten patients who had undergone unilateral intracapsular cataract extraction had a mean decrease in ECD of 14.9%. Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification appears to be more traumatic to the corneal endothelium than is intracapsular extraction.", "PMID": 629682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8075", "title": "Endothelial trauma and cell loss from intraocular lens insertion.", "content": "Eighty-six patients who underwent intraocular lens implantation in one eye, with no surgery in the contralateral eye, were examined by specular microscopy. The mean endothelial cell density (ECD) was 39.5% lower in the operated eye. The loss of ECD was roughly proportional to the endothelial trauma from the intraocular lens at the time of surgery.", "contents": "Endothelial trauma and cell loss from intraocular lens insertion. Eighty-six patients who underwent intraocular lens implantation in one eye, with no surgery in the contralateral eye, were examined by specular microscopy. The mean endothelial cell density (ECD) was 39.5% lower in the operated eye. The loss of ECD was roughly proportional to the endothelial trauma from the intraocular lens at the time of surgery.", "PMID": 629683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8076", "title": "Ischemic optic neuropathy in cavernous sinus thrombosis.", "content": "Visual loss is uncommon in thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. A patient observed closely in the acute stages developed high introcular and intraorbital pressures. Although the retinal vasculature remained patent, total unilateral blindness occurred within 48 hours. To our knowledge this is the first documented case in which ischemic optic neuropathy caused blindness in a patient suffering from cavernous sinus thrombosis.", "contents": "Ischemic optic neuropathy in cavernous sinus thrombosis. Visual loss is uncommon in thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. A patient observed closely in the acute stages developed high introcular and intraorbital pressures. Although the retinal vasculature remained patent, total unilateral blindness occurred within 48 hours. To our knowledge this is the first documented case in which ischemic optic neuropathy caused blindness in a patient suffering from cavernous sinus thrombosis.", "PMID": 629684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8077", "title": "Meningiomas and aneurysms of the cavernous sinus. Neuro-ophthalmologic features.", "content": "A series of 16 patients with unilateral ophthalmoplegia due to mass lesions of the cavernous sinus was analyzed; there were six cavernous meninglomas and nine intracavernous aneurysms. All meningiomas were characterized by painless, insidiously progressive partial nerve palsies, as were half of the aneurysms; the remaining aneurysm patients experienced acute painful episodes. Pharmacologic pupillary tests failed to confirm a coexisting Horner syndrome in the majority of cases with anisocoria. Although plain skull films were unremarkable or misinterpreted as normal, bone tomograms, computerized axial tomograms, radionuclide scans, and cerebral angiograms established the diagnosis in all cases. Because cavernous meningiomas show slow progression and are surgically inaccessible, craniotomy is advised only if the visual pathways or brain stem is compromised. Intractable pain appears to be the only distinct indication for intervention with cavernous aneurysms.", "contents": "Meningiomas and aneurysms of the cavernous sinus. Neuro-ophthalmologic features. A series of 16 patients with unilateral ophthalmoplegia due to mass lesions of the cavernous sinus was analyzed; there were six cavernous meninglomas and nine intracavernous aneurysms. All meningiomas were characterized by painless, insidiously progressive partial nerve palsies, as were half of the aneurysms; the remaining aneurysm patients experienced acute painful episodes. Pharmacologic pupillary tests failed to confirm a coexisting Horner syndrome in the majority of cases with anisocoria. Although plain skull films were unremarkable or misinterpreted as normal, bone tomograms, computerized axial tomograms, radionuclide scans, and cerebral angiograms established the diagnosis in all cases. Because cavernous meningiomas show slow progression and are surgically inaccessible, craniotomy is advised only if the visual pathways or brain stem is compromised. Intractable pain appears to be the only distinct indication for intervention with cavernous aneurysms.", "PMID": 629685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8078", "title": "Perineural optic nerve changes in endocrine orbitopathy.", "content": "A-scan ultrasonographic measurements of the differences between nerve and dural diameters of the retrobulbar optic nerve were made in 55 eyes of 30 patients with endocrine orbitopathy. This measurement was found to be enlarged in all cases. Extraocular muscle thickness measurements were also made ultrasonically in these eyes, and the degree of intervaginal distension was found to increase with increasing extraocular muscle involvement. These findings were consistent whether the patients were hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, or euthyroid clinically, and the findings occurred in the absence of any detectable functional optic nerve compromise. The cause of this subdural perineural enlargement remains unknown.", "contents": "Perineural optic nerve changes in endocrine orbitopathy. A-scan ultrasonographic measurements of the differences between nerve and dural diameters of the retrobulbar optic nerve were made in 55 eyes of 30 patients with endocrine orbitopathy. This measurement was found to be enlarged in all cases. Extraocular muscle thickness measurements were also made ultrasonically in these eyes, and the degree of intervaginal distension was found to increase with increasing extraocular muscle involvement. These findings were consistent whether the patients were hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, or euthyroid clinically, and the findings occurred in the absence of any detectable functional optic nerve compromise. The cause of this subdural perineural enlargement remains unknown.", "PMID": 629686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8079", "title": "Cataracts induced by topical dexamethasone in diabetics.", "content": "Eleven diabetic patients were treated with unilateral topical dexamethasone for 14 to 36 months in an attempt to control their retinopathy. Cataracts developed in the treated eye of nine patients, compared with only one cataract in an untreated eye.", "contents": "Cataracts induced by topical dexamethasone in diabetics. Eleven diabetic patients were treated with unilateral topical dexamethasone for 14 to 36 months in an attempt to control their retinopathy. Cataracts developed in the treated eye of nine patients, compared with only one cataract in an untreated eye.", "PMID": 629687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8080", "title": "Multiple-slit illumination of the optic disc.", "content": "A modification to a photo slit-lamp illuminator adds detail to the human optic disc surface by projecting onto it a pattern of fine parallel lines. These stripes curve as they traverse the disc, and its surface contour is revealed. Application of this technique may improve the reliability of methods used to quantitate disc topography.", "contents": "Multiple-slit illumination of the optic disc. A modification to a photo slit-lamp illuminator adds detail to the human optic disc surface by projecting onto it a pattern of fine parallel lines. These stripes curve as they traverse the disc, and its surface contour is revealed. Application of this technique may improve the reliability of methods used to quantitate disc topography.", "PMID": 629688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8081", "title": "New diagnostic and surgical gonioprism.", "content": "A modification of Zeiss' four-mirror goniolens for static and dynamic indirect gonioscopy in the office and during surgery has been designed. The lens is also used for determining the position of the haptics of anterior chamber-fixated intraocular lenses at the time of placement. Advantages of this lens compared with Zeiss' lens are discussed.", "contents": "New diagnostic and surgical gonioprism. A modification of Zeiss' four-mirror goniolens for static and dynamic indirect gonioscopy in the office and during surgery has been designed. The lens is also used for determining the position of the haptics of anterior chamber-fixated intraocular lenses at the time of placement. Advantages of this lens compared with Zeiss' lens are discussed.", "PMID": 629689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8082", "title": "Intraocular sulfur hexafluoride and octofluorocyclobutane. Effects on intraocular pressure and vitreous volume.", "content": "Partial vitrectomies were performed on rabbits and the amount of vitreous removed was replaced with either 100% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), 100% octofluorocyclobutane (freon-C318), 40% SF6, or air. Intraocular pressure and vitreous volume were determined. Replacing 40% of the initial vitreous volume with either 100% SF6 or 100% octofluorocyclobutane caused an increase over 20 mm Hg in the IOP with an associated loss of the remaining vitreous, whereas replacement with 40% SF6 or air caused no significant increase in IOP. Replacement with 40% SF6 caused a significant loss of the remaining vitreous, whereas the air replacement did not result in a vitreous loss. The experiments were repeated substituting only 20% of initial vitreous volume with 100% SF6 and 100% octofluorocyclobutane. Using this amount of SF6 and octofluorocyclobutane, the IOP did not increase but an associated vitreous loss occurred equal to twice the amount of SF6 injected and three times the amount of octofluorocyclobutane injected.", "contents": "Intraocular sulfur hexafluoride and octofluorocyclobutane. Effects on intraocular pressure and vitreous volume. Partial vitrectomies were performed on rabbits and the amount of vitreous removed was replaced with either 100% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), 100% octofluorocyclobutane (freon-C318), 40% SF6, or air. Intraocular pressure and vitreous volume were determined. Replacing 40% of the initial vitreous volume with either 100% SF6 or 100% octofluorocyclobutane caused an increase over 20 mm Hg in the IOP with an associated loss of the remaining vitreous, whereas replacement with 40% SF6 or air caused no significant increase in IOP. Replacement with 40% SF6 caused a significant loss of the remaining vitreous, whereas the air replacement did not result in a vitreous loss. The experiments were repeated substituting only 20% of initial vitreous volume with 100% SF6 and 100% octofluorocyclobutane. Using this amount of SF6 and octofluorocyclobutane, the IOP did not increase but an associated vitreous loss occurred equal to twice the amount of SF6 injected and three times the amount of octofluorocyclobutane injected.", "PMID": 629691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8083", "title": "Intraocular irrigating solutions. A comparative study of BSS Plus and lactated Ringer's solution.", "content": "Isolated human corneas maintained normal corneal thickness and endothelial ultrastructural integrity throughout a three-to four-hour period of perfusion of BSS plus to the endothelial surface. By comparison, only one of six human corneas perfused with lactated Ringer's solution was able to maintain normal thickness and ultrastructural integrity. The other five corneas perfused with lactated Ringer's solution showed various degrees of endothelial cell breakdown and corneal swelling during three hours of perfusion. The results of these studies suggest that BSS plus is a better solution for maintenance of human corneal endothelium during long-term (one- to three-hour) surgical procedures.", "contents": "Intraocular irrigating solutions. A comparative study of BSS Plus and lactated Ringer's solution. Isolated human corneas maintained normal corneal thickness and endothelial ultrastructural integrity throughout a three-to four-hour period of perfusion of BSS plus to the endothelial surface. By comparison, only one of six human corneas perfused with lactated Ringer's solution was able to maintain normal thickness and ultrastructural integrity. The other five corneas perfused with lactated Ringer's solution showed various degrees of endothelial cell breakdown and corneal swelling during three hours of perfusion. The results of these studies suggest that BSS plus is a better solution for maintenance of human corneal endothelium during long-term (one- to three-hour) surgical procedures.", "PMID": 629692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8084", "title": "An improved method for practice vitrectomy.", "content": "Practice is essential for acquiring the skills necessary for the delicate technique of pars plana vitrectomy. An improved animal model is presented for the beginning surgeon and the assistant to learn basic as well as advanced vitrectomy techniques. A stepwise scheme progressing from simple vitrectomy in the phakic rabbit eye to complicated situations is introduced. Fluorescein staining helps in visualization of the normal vitreous. Double perforating injuries are created to simulate complicated vitreoretinal problems. Methods for learning manipulations with two instruments in the eye are described.", "contents": "An improved method for practice vitrectomy. Practice is essential for acquiring the skills necessary for the delicate technique of pars plana vitrectomy. An improved animal model is presented for the beginning surgeon and the assistant to learn basic as well as advanced vitrectomy techniques. A stepwise scheme progressing from simple vitrectomy in the phakic rabbit eye to complicated situations is introduced. Fluorescein staining helps in visualization of the normal vitreous. Double perforating injuries are created to simulate complicated vitreoretinal problems. Methods for learning manipulations with two instruments in the eye are described.", "PMID": 629693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8085", "title": "Radiation effects on microvascular anastomosis.", "content": "Three groups of rats were studied. Group 1 rats received 6,000 R of irradiation, group 2 rats received 4,000 R, and group 3 rats acted as a control. Four weeks following irradiation, the femoral artery of each rat was cut and reapproximated using microvascular surgical techniques. Four weeks after surgery, the same femoral artery was evaluated for patency. There was no notable effect of irradiation on the patency of subsequently performed anastomosis of these small (1 mm in diameter) muscular arteries. Radiation effects were obvious on histological examination, but the anatomical and physiological alterations apparently were not severe enough to cause early thrombosis after microsurgical manipulation of these vessels.", "contents": "Radiation effects on microvascular anastomosis. Three groups of rats were studied. Group 1 rats received 6,000 R of irradiation, group 2 rats received 4,000 R, and group 3 rats acted as a control. Four weeks following irradiation, the femoral artery of each rat was cut and reapproximated using microvascular surgical techniques. Four weeks after surgery, the same femoral artery was evaluated for patency. There was no notable effect of irradiation on the patency of subsequently performed anastomosis of these small (1 mm in diameter) muscular arteries. Radiation effects were obvious on histological examination, but the anatomical and physiological alterations apparently were not severe enough to cause early thrombosis after microsurgical manipulation of these vessels.", "PMID": 629697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8086", "title": "The long tracheostomy tube. Alternative management of distal tracheal stenosis.", "content": "The incidence of tracheal strictures has greatly increased, and even in the most controlled clinical setting, the treatment of this problem requires sophisticated surgical management. We present an alternative method of management that was initially used to secure a temporary airway in young and debilitated patients. This technique has provided both immediate relief of the airway obstruction and definitive long-term correction of the stenosis, with a low complication rate.", "contents": "The long tracheostomy tube. Alternative management of distal tracheal stenosis. The incidence of tracheal strictures has greatly increased, and even in the most controlled clinical setting, the treatment of this problem requires sophisticated surgical management. We present an alternative method of management that was initially used to secure a temporary airway in young and debilitated patients. This technique has provided both immediate relief of the airway obstruction and definitive long-term correction of the stenosis, with a low complication rate.", "PMID": 629698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8087", "title": "Basal cell tumors of the parotid gland.", "content": "We present two patients with parotid tumors; one had a basal cell adenoma, and the other had a malignant tumor of uncommon morphologic features that was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Both tumors showed morphologic similarities: peripheral, palisading, nests-like arrangements and organelle-poor cytoplasm. This suggests the same cell of origin.", "contents": "Basal cell tumors of the parotid gland. We present two patients with parotid tumors; one had a basal cell adenoma, and the other had a malignant tumor of uncommon morphologic features that was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Both tumors showed morphologic similarities: peripheral, palisading, nests-like arrangements and organelle-poor cytoplasm. This suggests the same cell of origin.", "PMID": 629699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8088", "title": "Reversible sudden deafness in early acquired syphilis.", "content": "Although congenital syphilis is a well established cause of hearing loss, early acquired syphilis is frequently overlooked in the differential diagnosis of sensorineural deafness. This is due, in part, to a decrease in the incidence of syphilis and to the advent of penicillin in previous years which reduced this complication to a clinical rarity. However, with the increase in new cases of syphilis in the past decade, early acquired syphilitic deafness is being seen with increasing frequency. Along with it is the syndrome of early syphilitic meningitis with sudden sensorineural deafness. This potentially reversible condition should be considered in sexually active patients in whom sudden deafness develops. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for maximum recovery of hearing.", "contents": "Reversible sudden deafness in early acquired syphilis. Although congenital syphilis is a well established cause of hearing loss, early acquired syphilis is frequently overlooked in the differential diagnosis of sensorineural deafness. This is due, in part, to a decrease in the incidence of syphilis and to the advent of penicillin in previous years which reduced this complication to a clinical rarity. However, with the increase in new cases of syphilis in the past decade, early acquired syphilitic deafness is being seen with increasing frequency. Along with it is the syndrome of early syphilitic meningitis with sudden sensorineural deafness. This potentially reversible condition should be considered in sexually active patients in whom sudden deafness develops. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for maximum recovery of hearing.", "PMID": 629700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8089", "title": "The brow-lift operation in a man.", "content": "Various techniques of brow elevation, including their advantages and limitations, are discussed. Since there are no lines immediately above the eyebrow, the direct brow-lift operation results in a scar that cannot be camouflaged with makeup by a man. The approach via temporofrontal scalp produces limited and temporary brow elevation, and the scars may eventually become visible with hairline recession in men. A technique of the brow-lift operation in a man via the natural, horizontal forehead crease above the eyebrow has been found to be very effective. The complications have been minimal, the resulting scars have been unnoticeable.", "contents": "The brow-lift operation in a man. Various techniques of brow elevation, including their advantages and limitations, are discussed. Since there are no lines immediately above the eyebrow, the direct brow-lift operation results in a scar that cannot be camouflaged with makeup by a man. The approach via temporofrontal scalp produces limited and temporary brow elevation, and the scars may eventually become visible with hairline recession in men. A technique of the brow-lift operation in a man via the natural, horizontal forehead crease above the eyebrow has been found to be very effective. The complications have been minimal, the resulting scars have been unnoticeable.", "PMID": 629701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8090", "title": "Congenital choanal atresia. Anatomic, physiological, and therapeutic aspects, especially the endonasal approach under endoscopic vision.", "content": "In four cases of congenital bilateral choanal atresia, endonasal perforation using a modified surgical technique was employed with satisfactory results. In each patient, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the nasal cavity and left in place for varying lengths of time; a period of three months is recommended. This calls attention to a lenient, safe, and relatively easy operative technique that can be applied as soon as the anomaly is detected. By this technique, sufficient nasal respiration, which is of vital importance to the newborn, can be established.", "contents": "Congenital choanal atresia. Anatomic, physiological, and therapeutic aspects, especially the endonasal approach under endoscopic vision. In four cases of congenital bilateral choanal atresia, endonasal perforation using a modified surgical technique was employed with satisfactory results. In each patient, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the nasal cavity and left in place for varying lengths of time; a period of three months is recommended. This calls attention to a lenient, safe, and relatively easy operative technique that can be applied as soon as the anomaly is detected. By this technique, sufficient nasal respiration, which is of vital importance to the newborn, can be established.", "PMID": 629702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8091", "title": "Burn perforation as a method of middle ear ventilation.", "content": "Eardrum perforation caused by burn is well known to have a tendency to resist closure. This unfavorable tendency to resist closure. This unfavorable tendency can be turned to the benefit of patients with severe, Eustachian tube dysfunction. Pressure equalization of sufficient duration can be produced by making a burn perforation of the tympanic membrane. Multiple, small perforations placed closely or a large perforation of about one eighth of the tympanic membrane will remain patent and equalize pressure across the tympanic membrane for a period greater than three months. The procedure is of a minor nature comparable with myringotomy or with the removal of a plugged clot from a tube.", "contents": "Burn perforation as a method of middle ear ventilation. Eardrum perforation caused by burn is well known to have a tendency to resist closure. This unfavorable tendency to resist closure. This unfavorable tendency can be turned to the benefit of patients with severe, Eustachian tube dysfunction. Pressure equalization of sufficient duration can be produced by making a burn perforation of the tympanic membrane. Multiple, small perforations placed closely or a large perforation of about one eighth of the tympanic membrane will remain patent and equalize pressure across the tympanic membrane for a period greater than three months. The procedure is of a minor nature comparable with myringotomy or with the removal of a plugged clot from a tube.", "PMID": 629703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8092", "title": "Ultrastructural features of spiral ganglion cells. A study of patients with hearing loss of varying origins.", "content": "Fresh specimens of the acoustic nerve that were obtained during vestibular neurectomy or acoustic neuroma removal were studied for structure of the spiral ganglion cells. These were large, round or oval cells with many cytoplasmic organelles and were surrounded by Schwann cells. Schwann cells formed a single layer or perikaryal sheath and the cells were thus unmyelinated. In one case the specimen contained part of the spiral ganglion, but in six others spiral ganglion cells were found outside of Rosenthal's canal, among the myelinated nerve fibers. In three cases the ear was deaf due to cochlear insult, but the nerve fibers and ganglion cells showed no retrograde degeneration. The neurophysiologic features of the cochlear nerve should be considered because unmyelinated ganglion cells may have a different conduction capacity in comparison with thickly myelinated cells.", "contents": "Ultrastructural features of spiral ganglion cells. A study of patients with hearing loss of varying origins. Fresh specimens of the acoustic nerve that were obtained during vestibular neurectomy or acoustic neuroma removal were studied for structure of the spiral ganglion cells. These were large, round or oval cells with many cytoplasmic organelles and were surrounded by Schwann cells. Schwann cells formed a single layer or perikaryal sheath and the cells were thus unmyelinated. In one case the specimen contained part of the spiral ganglion, but in six others spiral ganglion cells were found outside of Rosenthal's canal, among the myelinated nerve fibers. In three cases the ear was deaf due to cochlear insult, but the nerve fibers and ganglion cells showed no retrograde degeneration. The neurophysiologic features of the cochlear nerve should be considered because unmyelinated ganglion cells may have a different conduction capacity in comparison with thickly myelinated cells.", "PMID": 629704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8093", "title": "A self-administered history questionnaire for cosmetic facial surgery candidates.", "content": "The collection of information concerning a patient's history is every bit as important in the evaluation of candidates for cosmetic surgery as it is in any other branch of medicine. Consequently, a self-administered questionnaire was developed to save time and to ensure thoroughness. The questionnaire helps elicit a patient's motivations and expectations, and also satisfies some of the requirements of the legal doctrine of informed consent. A particularly noteworthy feature of the form is the \"Personal Inventory\" section, which attempts to \"red flag\" patterns of psychogenic conditions in prospective patients.", "contents": "A self-administered history questionnaire for cosmetic facial surgery candidates. The collection of information concerning a patient's history is every bit as important in the evaluation of candidates for cosmetic surgery as it is in any other branch of medicine. Consequently, a self-administered questionnaire was developed to save time and to ensure thoroughness. The questionnaire helps elicit a patient's motivations and expectations, and also satisfies some of the requirements of the legal doctrine of informed consent. A particularly noteworthy feature of the form is the \"Personal Inventory\" section, which attempts to \"red flag\" patterns of psychogenic conditions in prospective patients.", "PMID": 629705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8094", "title": "Incidence of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease.", "content": "The incidence of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease in Sweden for the year 1973 has been calculated as one case in a population of 2,163. This gives an overall incidence of 46/100,000. Extrapolating the Swedish incidence data to the population of the United States, there should have been 97,000 cases of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease treated as inpatients or outpatients during the year 1973. The incidence in the United States of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, cochlear type, is considered to be even higher. In addition, the Swedish statistic for some other disorders, including otosclerosis, are reported. For otosclerosis, the yearly incidence in Sweden is 12/100,000 or one case in a population of 8,414. This could be extrapolated to 25,000 patients with clinical otosclerosis in the United States for the year 1973. By comparison, M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, by stringent diagnostic criteria, is approximately four times as common as clinical otosclerosis. It is also more common than all laryngeal carcinomas, all salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant, as well as acute epiglottitis and acute nephritis.", "contents": "Incidence of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease. The incidence of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease in Sweden for the year 1973 has been calculated as one case in a population of 2,163. This gives an overall incidence of 46/100,000. Extrapolating the Swedish incidence data to the population of the United States, there should have been 97,000 cases of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease treated as inpatients or outpatients during the year 1973. The incidence in the United States of M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, cochlear type, is considered to be even higher. In addition, the Swedish statistic for some other disorders, including otosclerosis, are reported. For otosclerosis, the yearly incidence in Sweden is 12/100,000 or one case in a population of 8,414. This could be extrapolated to 25,000 patients with clinical otosclerosis in the United States for the year 1973. By comparison, M\u00e9ni\u00e8re's disease, by stringent diagnostic criteria, is approximately four times as common as clinical otosclerosis. It is also more common than all laryngeal carcinomas, all salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant, as well as acute epiglottitis and acute nephritis.", "PMID": 629706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8095", "title": "Allograft stapes-incus assembly. A new ossiculoplasty.", "content": "In 45 patients with absence of the stapedial arch, including 24 with a history of radical surgery and without ossicles, the head of an allograft stapes was placed on the patient's footplate and on top of this an incus body, either as allograft or autograft. The results of this assembly, judging by different methods of analysis, are the same as in 45 ears having approximately the same pathologic condition treated by an autograft or allograft incus as the columella between the footplate and eardrum. The allograft stapes-incus assembly is an alternative method to the commonly used incudal columella, particularly in patients previously subjected to radical surgery in whom all ossicles are absent.", "contents": "Allograft stapes-incus assembly. A new ossiculoplasty. In 45 patients with absence of the stapedial arch, including 24 with a history of radical surgery and without ossicles, the head of an allograft stapes was placed on the patient's footplate and on top of this an incus body, either as allograft or autograft. The results of this assembly, judging by different methods of analysis, are the same as in 45 ears having approximately the same pathologic condition treated by an autograft or allograft incus as the columella between the footplate and eardrum. The allograft stapes-incus assembly is an alternative method to the commonly used incudal columella, particularly in patients previously subjected to radical surgery in whom all ossicles are absent.", "PMID": 629707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8096", "title": "Nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcoma. A clinical perspective.", "content": "Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx is an uncommon tumor occurring almost exclusively in children. The clinical characteristics of 56 previously reported cases are analyzed and four patients recently treated at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences are described. Special attention has been given to the prognosis of these tumors as it relates to current methods of treatment.", "contents": "Nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcoma. A clinical perspective. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx is an uncommon tumor occurring almost exclusively in children. The clinical characteristics of 56 previously reported cases are analyzed and four patients recently treated at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences are described. Special attention has been given to the prognosis of these tumors as it relates to current methods of treatment.", "PMID": 629708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8097", "title": "The mastoid air cell system in ear surgery.", "content": "Despite the overall high success rate of myringoplasty, the long-term results in ears with preoperative dysfunction of the Eustachian tube and with a small mastoid air cell system are disappointing. In this communication, we report an 83% healing rate after myringoplasty that included mastoidectomy with posterior and anterior tympanotomy in a selected group of patients with poor tubal function and small mastoids.", "contents": "The mastoid air cell system in ear surgery. Despite the overall high success rate of myringoplasty, the long-term results in ears with preoperative dysfunction of the Eustachian tube and with a small mastoid air cell system are disappointing. In this communication, we report an 83% healing rate after myringoplasty that included mastoidectomy with posterior and anterior tympanotomy in a selected group of patients with poor tubal function and small mastoids.", "PMID": 629709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8098", "title": "Transport of antibiotics into the canine sinus. Experiments with penicillin G and erythromycin.", "content": "Complete and consistent occlusion of the nasofrontal duct of the canine sinus was achieved by introducing acrylic through a trephinated opening in the nasal dorsum. This surgical procedure resulted in the isolation of the frontal sinus, without impairing the integrity of the cavity. In this experimental canine model, potassium penicillin G and erythromycin lactobionate were absorbed into the blood equally well when placement was either in the intramuscular (IM) space or in frontal sinus cavity. When different concentrations of these antibiotics were injected into the IM space, peak blood levels occurred between one and two hours; however, peak sinus levels, following IM introduction, did not occur until four hours. The peak ratios show that between 4% and 20% of penicillin, and 1% and 12% of erythromycin in the blood is transferred across the normal sinus membrane.", "contents": "Transport of antibiotics into the canine sinus. Experiments with penicillin G and erythromycin. Complete and consistent occlusion of the nasofrontal duct of the canine sinus was achieved by introducing acrylic through a trephinated opening in the nasal dorsum. This surgical procedure resulted in the isolation of the frontal sinus, without impairing the integrity of the cavity. In this experimental canine model, potassium penicillin G and erythromycin lactobionate were absorbed into the blood equally well when placement was either in the intramuscular (IM) space or in frontal sinus cavity. When different concentrations of these antibiotics were injected into the IM space, peak blood levels occurred between one and two hours; however, peak sinus levels, following IM introduction, did not occur until four hours. The peak ratios show that between 4% and 20% of penicillin, and 1% and 12% of erythromycin in the blood is transferred across the normal sinus membrane.", "PMID": 629710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8099", "title": "Risks of facial plastic surgery in an otolaryngology program.", "content": "By reviewing 680 rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, and chin implant procedures that were performed during a two-year period by UCLA Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngology) residents, we have found that the rate of major and minor complications compares favorably with that rate achieved by physicians in practice who have reported their results in the literature. Three hundred and sixty-eight rhinoplasties resulted in 1.6% major complications, 14.4% in minor complications, and 5.2% in revision surgeries. One hundred fourteen facelifts had 5.3% major complications, and 24.5% had minor complications. One hundred fifty-six blepharoplasties had no major complications, and 7.7% had minor complications; 21 chin implants resulted in no major complications, and 9.5% resulted in minor complications; and 21 bilateral otoplasties had no major complications, and 14.3% had minor complications, with 4.8% revisions.", "contents": "Risks of facial plastic surgery in an otolaryngology program. By reviewing 680 rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, and chin implant procedures that were performed during a two-year period by UCLA Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngology) residents, we have found that the rate of major and minor complications compares favorably with that rate achieved by physicians in practice who have reported their results in the literature. Three hundred and sixty-eight rhinoplasties resulted in 1.6% major complications, 14.4% in minor complications, and 5.2% in revision surgeries. One hundred fourteen facelifts had 5.3% major complications, and 24.5% had minor complications. One hundred fifty-six blepharoplasties had no major complications, and 7.7% had minor complications; 21 chin implants resulted in no major complications, and 9.5% resulted in minor complications; and 21 bilateral otoplasties had no major complications, and 14.3% had minor complications, with 4.8% revisions.", "PMID": 629711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8100", "title": "Mycotic infection of the temporal bone.", "content": "Herein is a histopathologic study of the temporal bone changes in three patients with fatal systemic fungal infections. All three patients were compromised hosts who failed to respond to adequate chemotherapy. Interestingly, one patient with cryptococcosis had a unilateral hearing loss as the sole manifestation of cerebral cryptococcosis. The most common histopathologic change consisted of a fungal infiltration of the nerves in the internal auditory canal, with moderate infiltration of the sense organs of the membranous labyrinth.", "contents": "Mycotic infection of the temporal bone. Herein is a histopathologic study of the temporal bone changes in three patients with fatal systemic fungal infections. All three patients were compromised hosts who failed to respond to adequate chemotherapy. Interestingly, one patient with cryptococcosis had a unilateral hearing loss as the sole manifestation of cerebral cryptococcosis. The most common histopathologic change consisted of a fungal infiltration of the nerves in the internal auditory canal, with moderate infiltration of the sense organs of the membranous labyrinth.", "PMID": 629712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8101", "title": "The anatomy of the nose. External support.", "content": "The anatomy of the nose is poorly defined, even in standard anatomical texts. Wide disagreement exists regarding the interdigitation of the supporting cartilages, the articulation of these cartilages with the nasal bones, and the contribution of each of these cartilages to the support of the external nose. An understanding of this nasal anatomy is essential to the facial plastic surgeon. The authors describe the fundamental anatomical structure of the adult nose based on gross and microscopical observations and serial sections in 31 cadaveric noses. Tables of cartilage measurements and variation, plus appropriate drawings define the anatomy encountered. Structural variations are common and can be predicted by external appearance in selected cases. To discuss relationships of importance in the surgical alteration of the nose in rhinoplasty, anatomical findings are compared to descriptions in the surgical and anatomical literature. Preservation of essential support and physiological function is stressed.", "contents": "The anatomy of the nose. External support. The anatomy of the nose is poorly defined, even in standard anatomical texts. Wide disagreement exists regarding the interdigitation of the supporting cartilages, the articulation of these cartilages with the nasal bones, and the contribution of each of these cartilages to the support of the external nose. An understanding of this nasal anatomy is essential to the facial plastic surgeon. The authors describe the fundamental anatomical structure of the adult nose based on gross and microscopical observations and serial sections in 31 cadaveric noses. Tables of cartilage measurements and variation, plus appropriate drawings define the anatomy encountered. Structural variations are common and can be predicted by external appearance in selected cases. To discuss relationships of importance in the surgical alteration of the nose in rhinoplasty, anatomical findings are compared to descriptions in the surgical and anatomical literature. Preservation of essential support and physiological function is stressed.", "PMID": 629713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8102", "title": "Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility in laryngeal carcinoma.", "content": "The chief carcinogens of tobacco smoke--the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons--must be activated in the cells to exert their carcinogenic effect. This activation is carried out by the enzyme system aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH). Mitogen-stimulated, human lymphocyte studies of AHH activity indicate wide individual variation, which is under strict genetic control. The venous blood samples from 90 patients with a laryngeal carcinoma were assayed, and a significant overrepresentation of patients with genetically high AHH inducibility was demonstrated. Our results suggest the possibility of identifying those tobacco users at higher genetic risk for developing carcinoma of the larynx.", "contents": "Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility in laryngeal carcinoma. The chief carcinogens of tobacco smoke--the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons--must be activated in the cells to exert their carcinogenic effect. This activation is carried out by the enzyme system aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH). Mitogen-stimulated, human lymphocyte studies of AHH activity indicate wide individual variation, which is under strict genetic control. The venous blood samples from 90 patients with a laryngeal carcinoma were assayed, and a significant overrepresentation of patients with genetically high AHH inducibility was demonstrated. Our results suggest the possibility of identifying those tobacco users at higher genetic risk for developing carcinoma of the larynx.", "PMID": 629714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8103", "title": "Simultaneous recurrent multiple chemodectomas.", "content": "We report a case of concomitant, recurrent carotid body tumor and recurrent bilateral glomus jugulare tumors, with extensive intrajugular-venous extension. The patient's family history confirms the previously reported familial occurrence of chemodectomas. The value of preoperative angiographich evaluation is emphasized in establishing a diagnosis and formulating a therapeutic approach. Recurrence of chemodectomas after appropriate therapy, although unusual, was present in all three previously treated sites in this patient.", "contents": "Simultaneous recurrent multiple chemodectomas. We report a case of concomitant, recurrent carotid body tumor and recurrent bilateral glomus jugulare tumors, with extensive intrajugular-venous extension. The patient's family history confirms the previously reported familial occurrence of chemodectomas. The value of preoperative angiographich evaluation is emphasized in establishing a diagnosis and formulating a therapeutic approach. Recurrence of chemodectomas after appropriate therapy, although unusual, was present in all three previously treated sites in this patient.", "PMID": 629715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8104", "title": "Lymphoepithelioma of the vocal cord.", "content": "Lymphoepithelioma is a predominantly nasopharyngeal tumor with some incidence elsewhere in the pharynx. Occurrence in other sites is unusual. This report presents an example of a lymphoepithelioma arising in the vocal cord. The basal cells of the squamous epithelium lining the tonsillar crypts bear a close resemblance to the cells of this tumor, and they are intimately related to lymphoid tissue. It is our belief that lymphoepitheliomas arise from the basal zone and that the basal layer of epithelium even further afield might on occasion produce the lesion.", "contents": "Lymphoepithelioma of the vocal cord. Lymphoepithelioma is a predominantly nasopharyngeal tumor with some incidence elsewhere in the pharynx. Occurrence in other sites is unusual. This report presents an example of a lymphoepithelioma arising in the vocal cord. The basal cells of the squamous epithelium lining the tonsillar crypts bear a close resemblance to the cells of this tumor, and they are intimately related to lymphoid tissue. It is our belief that lymphoepitheliomas arise from the basal zone and that the basal layer of epithelium even further afield might on occasion produce the lesion.", "PMID": 629716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8105", "title": "Congenital deafness and spontaneous CSF otorrhea.", "content": "Two patients with congenital deafness had spontaneous CSF otorrhea and recurrent bacterial meningitis. A careful workup, including tomograms, is especially important in the treatment of the closed type of CSF otorrhea. At operation of our patients, the leak was found to be at or near the oval window. The stapes was removed, and muscle was packed into the defect. The profuse flow of CSF was believed to be secondary to a wide-open cochlear aqueduct in the first case, and to an abnormal communication between the internal auditory meatus and the vestibule in the second case. These findings were the bases for the recurrent bacterial meningitis.", "contents": "Congenital deafness and spontaneous CSF otorrhea. Two patients with congenital deafness had spontaneous CSF otorrhea and recurrent bacterial meningitis. A careful workup, including tomograms, is especially important in the treatment of the closed type of CSF otorrhea. At operation of our patients, the leak was found to be at or near the oval window. The stapes was removed, and muscle was packed into the defect. The profuse flow of CSF was believed to be secondary to a wide-open cochlear aqueduct in the first case, and to an abnormal communication between the internal auditory meatus and the vestibule in the second case. These findings were the bases for the recurrent bacterial meningitis.", "PMID": 629717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8106", "title": "Operating table for guinea pig ear surgery.", "content": "This communication describes the construction and method of use of an adjustable operating table. The small table was designed especially to immobilize guinea pigs for experimental ear surgery.", "contents": "Operating table for guinea pig ear surgery. This communication describes the construction and method of use of an adjustable operating table. The small table was designed especially to immobilize guinea pigs for experimental ear surgery.", "PMID": 629719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8107", "title": "Inhalation anesthesia with methoxyflurane for guinea pig ear surgery.", "content": "Anesthesia with methoxyflurane is ideal for long-term middle ear experiments on guinea pigs. This communication describes the use of a conventional pediatric anesthetic circuit that delivers a mixture of methoxyflurane and air by a face mask; it is effective, safe, and simple to use.", "contents": "Inhalation anesthesia with methoxyflurane for guinea pig ear surgery. Anesthesia with methoxyflurane is ideal for long-term middle ear experiments on guinea pigs. This communication describes the use of a conventional pediatric anesthetic circuit that delivers a mixture of methoxyflurane and air by a face mask; it is effective, safe, and simple to use.", "PMID": 629720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8108", "title": "Foreign bodies in the ear, nose and throat.", "content": "Foreign bodies in ear, nose and throat orifices should not be hastily removed. Inaction is the order of the day, with the exception of the larynx and trachea which have to be rapidly assessed, and the FB removed as a life saving procedure.", "contents": "Foreign bodies in the ear, nose and throat. Foreign bodies in ear, nose and throat orifices should not be hastily removed. Inaction is the order of the day, with the exception of the larynx and trachea which have to be rapidly assessed, and the FB removed as a life saving procedure.", "PMID": 629721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8109", "title": "Earache and glue ear.", "content": "In most cases, the cause of an earache is obvious. If the cause is not apparent after careful inspection, a systematic approach to the associated causes and sites of referred pain is necessary. Glue ear is the most frequent cause of hearing loss in children. The diagnosis, investigation and management have been described. Recurrent earache from pressure change or from recurrent middle ear infection is an important clue to the presence of a glue ear.", "contents": "Earache and glue ear. In most cases, the cause of an earache is obvious. If the cause is not apparent after careful inspection, a systematic approach to the associated causes and sites of referred pain is necessary. Glue ear is the most frequent cause of hearing loss in children. The diagnosis, investigation and management have been described. Recurrent earache from pressure change or from recurrent middle ear infection is an important clue to the presence of a glue ear.", "PMID": 629722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8110", "title": "Blocked, runny or stuffy nose.", "content": "The blocked, runny or stuffy nose is purely a symptom caused by a multitude of complaints. Whether the discharge be serous or mucoid is not necessarily important, but more so is the transition from mucoid to purulent. Where signs and symptoms of so many causative pathological agents are so similar, a better understanding of nasal function coupled with a more thorough examination of the nasal cavity and indeed of the whole patient, is the only way to come to an accurate diagnosis.", "contents": "Blocked, runny or stuffy nose. The blocked, runny or stuffy nose is purely a symptom caused by a multitude of complaints. Whether the discharge be serous or mucoid is not necessarily important, but more so is the transition from mucoid to purulent. Where signs and symptoms of so many causative pathological agents are so similar, a better understanding of nasal function coupled with a more thorough examination of the nasal cavity and indeed of the whole patient, is the only way to come to an accurate diagnosis.", "PMID": 629724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8111", "title": "Reconstructive surgery of the nose.", "content": "Reconstruction of the nose either for disease or deformity is often a complex procedure. The methods used follow time-honoured plastic surgical principles. Modifications of and improvement on existing methods continue to appear, and will continue to do so as long as the art of plastic surgeon develops further, and the challenge of a difficult deformity remains. It has been said that once the surgeon has completed his first 1,000 rhinoplasties, he may begin to have some understanding of the subtleties of the procedure. No-one has performed this operation with patience, care and what skill he imagines he has developed over the years, only to find that on removing the plaster the result is less than pleasing, would seriously challenge this statement.", "contents": "Reconstructive surgery of the nose. Reconstruction of the nose either for disease or deformity is often a complex procedure. The methods used follow time-honoured plastic surgical principles. Modifications of and improvement on existing methods continue to appear, and will continue to do so as long as the art of plastic surgeon develops further, and the challenge of a difficult deformity remains. It has been said that once the surgeon has completed his first 1,000 rhinoplasties, he may begin to have some understanding of the subtleties of the procedure. No-one has performed this operation with patience, care and what skill he imagines he has developed over the years, only to find that on removing the plaster the result is less than pleasing, would seriously challenge this statement.", "PMID": 629725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8112", "title": "Hoarse voice.", "content": "Various causes of hoarse voice are briefly discussed in this article. As it is not possible to give a detailed account of all the causes of this important condition affecting the larynx, any patient with persistent hoarseness of more than four weeks' duration should have his larynx thoroughly examined. The head mirror, suitable light source, laryngeal mirror, spirit lamp, pierce of gauze and a local anaethetical spray is all that is required to carry out a mirror examination of the larynx.", "contents": "Hoarse voice. Various causes of hoarse voice are briefly discussed in this article. As it is not possible to give a detailed account of all the causes of this important condition affecting the larynx, any patient with persistent hoarseness of more than four weeks' duration should have his larynx thoroughly examined. The head mirror, suitable light source, laryngeal mirror, spirit lamp, pierce of gauze and a local anaethetical spray is all that is required to carry out a mirror examination of the larynx.", "PMID": 629726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8113", "title": "The diagnosis of asthma.", "content": "There are three steps in establishing the diagnosis of asthma in a child presenting with recurrent wheezing or recurrent coughing. The first is to decide whether the symptoms are due to asthma, the second is to consider possible aetiological factors--mainly to reassure the parents that there is nothing particular in this area that need be done--and the third is to determine what is the pattern of airways obstruction. Is it purely episodic or alternatively, are there periods where it persits? In younger children, clinical evidence alone is all that is available to decide whether the respiratory symptoms are due to asthma, and to determine its pattern. In older children, pulmonary function tests are very helpful.", "contents": "The diagnosis of asthma. There are three steps in establishing the diagnosis of asthma in a child presenting with recurrent wheezing or recurrent coughing. The first is to decide whether the symptoms are due to asthma, the second is to consider possible aetiological factors--mainly to reassure the parents that there is nothing particular in this area that need be done--and the third is to determine what is the pattern of airways obstruction. Is it purely episodic or alternatively, are there periods where it persits? In younger children, clinical evidence alone is all that is available to decide whether the respiratory symptoms are due to asthma, and to determine its pattern. In older children, pulmonary function tests are very helpful.", "PMID": 629727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8114", "title": "The allergist's concept of asthma.", "content": "Asthma is a disease characterized by bronchial hyper-reactivity which leads to airway obstruction of varying degree. Numerous factors are able to induce the obstruction; amongst theses, allergy is prominent and the asthma/allergy relationships listed in Table 1 are generally accepted. Thus, although asthma is not necessarily an allergic disease, all asthmatic patients deserve a full allergic investigation aimed at either finding or excluding a relevant allergen.", "contents": "The allergist's concept of asthma. Asthma is a disease characterized by bronchial hyper-reactivity which leads to airway obstruction of varying degree. Numerous factors are able to induce the obstruction; amongst theses, allergy is prominent and the asthma/allergy relationships listed in Table 1 are generally accepted. Thus, although asthma is not necessarily an allergic disease, all asthmatic patients deserve a full allergic investigation aimed at either finding or excluding a relevant allergen.", "PMID": 629728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8115", "title": "Characteristics of hepatic alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase in different mammalian species.", "content": "Mitochondrial extracts of dog, cat, rat and mouse liver contain two forms of alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.44): one, designated isoenzyme 1, has mol.wt. approx. 80 000 and predominates in dog and cat liver; the other, designated isoenzyme 2, has mol.wt. approx. 175 000 and predominates in rat and mouse liver. In rat and mouse liver, isoenzyme 1 activity was increased by the injection in vivo of glucagon, but not isoenzyme 2 activity. Isoenzyme 1 was purified and characterized from liver mitochondrial extracts of the four species. Both rat and mouse enzyme preparations catalysed transamination between a number of L-amino acids and glyoxylate, and with L-alanine as amino donor the effective amino acceptors were glyoxylate, phenylpyruvate and hydroxypyruvate. In contrast, both dog and cat enzyme preparations were specific for L-alanine and L-serine with glyoxylate, and used glyoxylate and hydroxypyruvate as effective amino acceptors with L-alanine. Evidence that isoenzyme 1 is identical with serine-pyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) was obtained. Isoenzyme 2 was partially purified from mitochondrial extracts of rat and mouse liver. Both enzyme preparations were specific for L-alanine and glyoxylate. On the basis of physical properties and substrate specificity, it was concluded that isoenzyme 2 is a separate enzyme. Some other properties of isoenzymes 1 and 2 are described.", "contents": "Characteristics of hepatic alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase in different mammalian species. Mitochondrial extracts of dog, cat, rat and mouse liver contain two forms of alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.44): one, designated isoenzyme 1, has mol.wt. approx. 80 000 and predominates in dog and cat liver; the other, designated isoenzyme 2, has mol.wt. approx. 175 000 and predominates in rat and mouse liver. In rat and mouse liver, isoenzyme 1 activity was increased by the injection in vivo of glucagon, but not isoenzyme 2 activity. Isoenzyme 1 was purified and characterized from liver mitochondrial extracts of the four species. Both rat and mouse enzyme preparations catalysed transamination between a number of L-amino acids and glyoxylate, and with L-alanine as amino donor the effective amino acceptors were glyoxylate, phenylpyruvate and hydroxypyruvate. In contrast, both dog and cat enzyme preparations were specific for L-alanine and L-serine with glyoxylate, and used glyoxylate and hydroxypyruvate as effective amino acceptors with L-alanine. Evidence that isoenzyme 1 is identical with serine-pyruvate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.51) was obtained. Isoenzyme 2 was partially purified from mitochondrial extracts of rat and mouse liver. Both enzyme preparations were specific for L-alanine and glyoxylate. On the basis of physical properties and substrate specificity, it was concluded that isoenzyme 2 is a separate enzyme. Some other properties of isoenzymes 1 and 2 are described.", "PMID": 629740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8116", "title": "Articular-cartilage proteoglycans in aging and osteoarthritis.", "content": "The composition of macroscopically normal hip articular cartilage obtained from dogs of various ages was studied. Pieces of cartilage with signs of degeneration were studied separately. In normal aging, the extraction yield of proteoglycans decreased; the keratan sulphate content of extracted proteoglycans increased and the chondroitin sulphate content decreased. The extracted proteoglycans were smaller in the older cartilage, mainly owing to a decrease in the chondroitin sulphate-rich region of the proteoglycan monomers. The hyaluronic acid-binding region and the keratan sulphaterich region were increased and the molar concentration of proteoglycan probably increase with increasing age. The degenerated cartilage had higher water content and the proteoglycans, as well as other tissue components, gave higher yields. The proteoglycan monomers from the degenerated cartilage were smaller than those from normal cartilage of the same age, and hence had a smaller chondroitin sulphate-rich region and some of the molecules also appeared to lack the hyaluronic acid-binding region. Increased proteolytic activity may be involved in the process of cartilage degeneration.", "contents": "Articular-cartilage proteoglycans in aging and osteoarthritis. The composition of macroscopically normal hip articular cartilage obtained from dogs of various ages was studied. Pieces of cartilage with signs of degeneration were studied separately. In normal aging, the extraction yield of proteoglycans decreased; the keratan sulphate content of extracted proteoglycans increased and the chondroitin sulphate content decreased. The extracted proteoglycans were smaller in the older cartilage, mainly owing to a decrease in the chondroitin sulphate-rich region of the proteoglycan monomers. The hyaluronic acid-binding region and the keratan sulphaterich region were increased and the molar concentration of proteoglycan probably increase with increasing age. The degenerated cartilage had higher water content and the proteoglycans, as well as other tissue components, gave higher yields. The proteoglycan monomers from the degenerated cartilage were smaller than those from normal cartilage of the same age, and hence had a smaller chondroitin sulphate-rich region and some of the molecules also appeared to lack the hyaluronic acid-binding region. Increased proteolytic activity may be involved in the process of cartilage degeneration.", "PMID": 629741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8117", "title": "The interaction of alpha-N-(p-toluenesulphonyl)-p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine methyl ester with thrombin and trypsin.", "content": "The syntheses are described of p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine and some of its derivatives. alpha-N-(p-Toluenesulphonyl)-p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine methyl ester is an excellent substrate of bovine trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) (Km 57 micron; kcat. 320s-1 at pH 7.4-8.0) and a very poor substrate of human thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5) (Km 190 micron, kcat. 0.2s-1) and bovine chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1). The ester inhibits thrombin clotting activity. It also inhibits the amidase and esterase activities of human thrombin, this inhibition being of the mixed type. The inhibition constant, K1, of the order of 1 micron, increases with increasing inhibitor concentration. This suggests that the enzyme binds the inhibitor at multiple sites. The importance of the residue at the P1 position [notation of Berger & Schechter (1970) Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. B 257, 249-264] in determining the selectivity of a substrate or quasi-substrate among trypsin-like enzymes is borne out. p-Guanidino-L-phenylalanine may have a use in the synthesis of selective peptide inhibitors of thrombin.", "contents": "The interaction of alpha-N-(p-toluenesulphonyl)-p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine methyl ester with thrombin and trypsin. The syntheses are described of p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine and some of its derivatives. alpha-N-(p-Toluenesulphonyl)-p-guanidino-L-phenylalanine methyl ester is an excellent substrate of bovine trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) (Km 57 micron; kcat. 320s-1 at pH 7.4-8.0) and a very poor substrate of human thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5) (Km 190 micron, kcat. 0.2s-1) and bovine chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1). The ester inhibits thrombin clotting activity. It also inhibits the amidase and esterase activities of human thrombin, this inhibition being of the mixed type. The inhibition constant, K1, of the order of 1 micron, increases with increasing inhibitor concentration. This suggests that the enzyme binds the inhibitor at multiple sites. The importance of the residue at the P1 position [notation of Berger & Schechter (1970) Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London Ser. B 257, 249-264] in determining the selectivity of a substrate or quasi-substrate among trypsin-like enzymes is borne out. p-Guanidino-L-phenylalanine may have a use in the synthesis of selective peptide inhibitors of thrombin.", "PMID": 629742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8118", "title": "Actin in young and senescent fibroblasts.", "content": "Double labelling and the isolation of peptides specific to muscle actin were used to determine the amount of actin in young and senescent fibroblasts from chicken embryo. A 20-residue peptide produced from the C-terminus of muscle actin was found in amounts that indicated 6.9% of the protein of young fibroblasts and 11.5% of the protein of senescent fibroblasts to be actin. Two other peptides of muscle actin were present in very small amounts. This indicates that the actin of both young and senescent fibroblasts is homologous to, but not identical with, muscle actin. Increased actin content of senescent fibroblasts may be related to their loss of proliferative capacity and low cell density at confluence.", "contents": "Actin in young and senescent fibroblasts. Double labelling and the isolation of peptides specific to muscle actin were used to determine the amount of actin in young and senescent fibroblasts from chicken embryo. A 20-residue peptide produced from the C-terminus of muscle actin was found in amounts that indicated 6.9% of the protein of young fibroblasts and 11.5% of the protein of senescent fibroblasts to be actin. Two other peptides of muscle actin were present in very small amounts. This indicates that the actin of both young and senescent fibroblasts is homologous to, but not identical with, muscle actin. Increased actin content of senescent fibroblasts may be related to their loss of proliferative capacity and low cell density at confluence.", "PMID": 629743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8119", "title": "The binding of 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl derivatives to the mouse myeloma immunoglobulin A protein MOPC 315.", "content": "The binding of Tnp (2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) derivatives to the Fv fragment (variable region of heavy and light chains) of the mouse myeloma IgA protein MOPC 315 was investigated by 270MHz proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Two of the haptens, Tnp-glycine and Tnp-l-aspartate, are in fast exchange with the Fv fragment, and the changes in chemical shifts for both protein and hapten resonances were determined by titrations. For the tightly binding hapten epsilon-N-Tnp-alpha-N-acetyl-l-lysine, which is in slow exchange with the Fv fragment, the changes in chemical shifts for the hapten H(3)+H(5) resonances were determined by cross-saturation. By using these data and the known structure of the combining site of protein MOPC 315 [Dwek, Wain-Hobson, Dower, Gettins, Sutton, Perkins & Givol (1977), Nature (London) 266, 31-37] the mode of binding of Tnp derivatives is deduced by ring-current calculations. The trinitrophenyl ring stacks with tryptophan-93(L) (light chain) in the ;aromatic box' formed by tryptophan-93(L), tyrosine-34(L) and phenyl-alanine-34(H) (heavy chain). Further evidence for the stacking interaction with a tryptophan residue is provided by the similarity of the optical-difference spectra observed with Tnp-aminomethylphosphonate in the presence of either the Fab fragment (light chain and N-terminal half of heavy chain) of protein MOPC 315 or tryptophan. These data show that the modes of binding of all the Tnp derivatives are very similar, despite a 100-fold range in their affinities. It is also concluded that the modes of binding of Dnp (2,4-dinitrophenyl) and Tnp derivatives to protein MOPC 315 are very similar, and that the structural basis for this is that the aromatic box is large enought to allow the trinitrophenyl ring to stack with tryptophan-93(L) while still forming hydrogen bonds to asparagine-36(L) and tyrosine-34(L).", "contents": "The binding of 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl derivatives to the mouse myeloma immunoglobulin A protein MOPC 315. The binding of Tnp (2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) derivatives to the Fv fragment (variable region of heavy and light chains) of the mouse myeloma IgA protein MOPC 315 was investigated by 270MHz proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Two of the haptens, Tnp-glycine and Tnp-l-aspartate, are in fast exchange with the Fv fragment, and the changes in chemical shifts for both protein and hapten resonances were determined by titrations. For the tightly binding hapten epsilon-N-Tnp-alpha-N-acetyl-l-lysine, which is in slow exchange with the Fv fragment, the changes in chemical shifts for the hapten H(3)+H(5) resonances were determined by cross-saturation. By using these data and the known structure of the combining site of protein MOPC 315 [Dwek, Wain-Hobson, Dower, Gettins, Sutton, Perkins & Givol (1977), Nature (London) 266, 31-37] the mode of binding of Tnp derivatives is deduced by ring-current calculations. The trinitrophenyl ring stacks with tryptophan-93(L) (light chain) in the ;aromatic box' formed by tryptophan-93(L), tyrosine-34(L) and phenyl-alanine-34(H) (heavy chain). Further evidence for the stacking interaction with a tryptophan residue is provided by the similarity of the optical-difference spectra observed with Tnp-aminomethylphosphonate in the presence of either the Fab fragment (light chain and N-terminal half of heavy chain) of protein MOPC 315 or tryptophan. These data show that the modes of binding of all the Tnp derivatives are very similar, despite a 100-fold range in their affinities. It is also concluded that the modes of binding of Dnp (2,4-dinitrophenyl) and Tnp derivatives to protein MOPC 315 are very similar, and that the structural basis for this is that the aromatic box is large enought to allow the trinitrophenyl ring to stack with tryptophan-93(L) while still forming hydrogen bonds to asparagine-36(L) and tyrosine-34(L).", "PMID": 629744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8120", "title": "Further characterization of collagen galactosyltransferase from chick embryos.", "content": "Optimum extraction of collagen galactosyltransferase activity from chick embryos required relatively high concentrations of detergent and salt. The activity was inhibited by concanavalin A, and the enzyme had a high affinity for columns of this lectin coupled to agarose; these results suggest the presence of carbohydrate units in the enzyme molecule. Collagen galactosyltransferase was highly labile, and only 1% of the originally bound enzyme activity could be eluted from the concanavalin A-agarose column with a buffer containing methyl glucoside and ethylene glycol. The purification of the activity over the original supernatant of chick embryo homogenate was 250-300-fold, with the optimum reaction conditions for the purified transferase differing somewhat from those for crude enzyme preparations. The reaction was inhibited by glucose-free basement-membrane collagen, UDP and galactosylhydroxylsine, and also by Co2+ and a number of compounds resembling UDP-galactose. Hydroxylysine was also a weak inhibitor. Immobilized hydroxylysine and UDP-glucuronic acid did not bind the collagen galactosyltransferase, but the enzyme was retarded in a column of UDP-galacturonic acid linked to agarose.", "contents": "Further characterization of collagen galactosyltransferase from chick embryos. Optimum extraction of collagen galactosyltransferase activity from chick embryos required relatively high concentrations of detergent and salt. The activity was inhibited by concanavalin A, and the enzyme had a high affinity for columns of this lectin coupled to agarose; these results suggest the presence of carbohydrate units in the enzyme molecule. Collagen galactosyltransferase was highly labile, and only 1% of the originally bound enzyme activity could be eluted from the concanavalin A-agarose column with a buffer containing methyl glucoside and ethylene glycol. The purification of the activity over the original supernatant of chick embryo homogenate was 250-300-fold, with the optimum reaction conditions for the purified transferase differing somewhat from those for crude enzyme preparations. The reaction was inhibited by glucose-free basement-membrane collagen, UDP and galactosylhydroxylsine, and also by Co2+ and a number of compounds resembling UDP-galactose. Hydroxylysine was also a weak inhibitor. Immobilized hydroxylysine and UDP-glucuronic acid did not bind the collagen galactosyltransferase, but the enzyme was retarded in a column of UDP-galacturonic acid linked to agarose.", "PMID": 629745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8121", "title": "A radiochemical method for the measurement of coproporphyrinogen oxidase and the utilization of substrates other than coproporphyrinogen III by the enzyme from rat liver.", "content": "[14C2]Coproporphyrin III, 14C-labelled in the carboxyl carbon atoms of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents, was prepared by stepwise modification of the vinyl groups of protoporphyrin IX. The corresponding porphyrinogen was used as substrate in a specific sensitive assay for coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3) in which the rate of production of 14CO2 is measured. With this method, the Km of the enzyme from rat liver for coproporphyrinogen III is 1.2 micron. Coproporphyrin III is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki 7.6 micron). Apparent Km values for other substrates were measured by a mixed-substrate method: that for coproporphyrinogen IV is 0.9 micron and that for harderoporphyrinogen 1.6 micron. Rat liver mitochondria convert pentacarboxylate porphyrinogen III into dehydroisocoproporphyrinogen at a rate similar to that for the formation of protoporphyrinogen IX from coproporphyrinogen III. Mixed-substrate experiments indicate that this reaction is catalysed by coproporphyrinogen oxidase and that the Km for this substrate is 29 micron. It is suggested that the ratio of the concentration of pentacarboxylate porphyrinogen III to coproporphyrinogen III in the hepatocyte determines the relative rates of formation of dehydroisocoproporphyrinogen and protoporphyrinogen IX.", "contents": "A radiochemical method for the measurement of coproporphyrinogen oxidase and the utilization of substrates other than coproporphyrinogen III by the enzyme from rat liver. [14C2]Coproporphyrin III, 14C-labelled in the carboxyl carbon atoms of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents, was prepared by stepwise modification of the vinyl groups of protoporphyrin IX. The corresponding porphyrinogen was used as substrate in a specific sensitive assay for coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3) in which the rate of production of 14CO2 is measured. With this method, the Km of the enzyme from rat liver for coproporphyrinogen III is 1.2 micron. Coproporphyrin III is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki 7.6 micron). Apparent Km values for other substrates were measured by a mixed-substrate method: that for coproporphyrinogen IV is 0.9 micron and that for harderoporphyrinogen 1.6 micron. Rat liver mitochondria convert pentacarboxylate porphyrinogen III into dehydroisocoproporphyrinogen at a rate similar to that for the formation of protoporphyrinogen IX from coproporphyrinogen III. Mixed-substrate experiments indicate that this reaction is catalysed by coproporphyrinogen oxidase and that the Km for this substrate is 29 micron. It is suggested that the ratio of the concentration of pentacarboxylate porphyrinogen III to coproporphyrinogen III in the hepatocyte determines the relative rates of formation of dehydroisocoproporphyrinogen and protoporphyrinogen IX.", "PMID": 629746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8122", "title": "Factors determining the sequence of oxidative decarboxylation of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents of coproporphyrinogen III by coproporphyrinogen oxidase in rat liver.", "content": "Coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3) catalyses the oxidative decarboxylation of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents of coproporphyrinogen III to form protoporphyrinogen IX. A 4-propionate-substituted porphyrinogen, harderoporphyrinogen, which is also a substrate for coproporphyrinogen oxidase, is formed during the reaction. Synthetic [(14)C]coproporphyrinogens III, specifically labelled in the carboxyl carbon atoms of either the 2- or 4-propionate substituents, were used to measure the rate of decarboxylation of each substituent by rat liver coproporphyrinogen oxidase. The experimental results, together with the recognition that in all known substrates of coproporphyrinogen oxidase only those propionate groups flanked by a specific arrangement of substituents are decarboxylated, indicate that the 4-propionate group of coproporphyrinogen III cannot be attacked until the 2-propionate group has been decarboxylated. Production of (14)CO(2) from the substrate labelled in the 2-propionate group therefore measures the formation of harderoporphyrinogen, whereas (14)CO(2) from the 4-propionate-labelled substrate measures protoporphyrinogen IX formation. The rate of harderoporphyrinogen formation is about twice that of protoporphyrinogen, and this ratio is unchanged by varying the concentration of coproporphyrinogen III or by competitive inhibition of the enzyme. When coproporphyrinogen III is present in an excess, two fractions of harderoporphyrinogen can be distinguished. One accumulates during the reaction, and the other, which is destined to become protoporphyrinogen IX, does not equilibrate with added harderoporphyrinogen. It is suggested that both decarboxylations take place at the same active centre, which becomes temporarily inaccessible to coproporphyrinogen III and added harderoporphyrinogen, and that the molecule rotates after the first decarboxylation to allow the second to take place.", "contents": "Factors determining the sequence of oxidative decarboxylation of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents of coproporphyrinogen III by coproporphyrinogen oxidase in rat liver. Coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3) catalyses the oxidative decarboxylation of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents of coproporphyrinogen III to form protoporphyrinogen IX. A 4-propionate-substituted porphyrinogen, harderoporphyrinogen, which is also a substrate for coproporphyrinogen oxidase, is formed during the reaction. Synthetic [(14)C]coproporphyrinogens III, specifically labelled in the carboxyl carbon atoms of either the 2- or 4-propionate substituents, were used to measure the rate of decarboxylation of each substituent by rat liver coproporphyrinogen oxidase. The experimental results, together with the recognition that in all known substrates of coproporphyrinogen oxidase only those propionate groups flanked by a specific arrangement of substituents are decarboxylated, indicate that the 4-propionate group of coproporphyrinogen III cannot be attacked until the 2-propionate group has been decarboxylated. Production of (14)CO(2) from the substrate labelled in the 2-propionate group therefore measures the formation of harderoporphyrinogen, whereas (14)CO(2) from the 4-propionate-labelled substrate measures protoporphyrinogen IX formation. The rate of harderoporphyrinogen formation is about twice that of protoporphyrinogen, and this ratio is unchanged by varying the concentration of coproporphyrinogen III or by competitive inhibition of the enzyme. When coproporphyrinogen III is present in an excess, two fractions of harderoporphyrinogen can be distinguished. One accumulates during the reaction, and the other, which is destined to become protoporphyrinogen IX, does not equilibrate with added harderoporphyrinogen. It is suggested that both decarboxylations take place at the same active centre, which becomes temporarily inaccessible to coproporphyrinogen III and added harderoporphyrinogen, and that the molecule rotates after the first decarboxylation to allow the second to take place.", "PMID": 629747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8123", "title": "A reappraisal of the reaction pathway of pyruvate carboxylase.", "content": "The reaction pathway catalysed by pyruvate carboxylase was re-examined by using two independent experimental approaches not previously applied to this enzyme. To avoid the variable stoicheiometry associated with oxaloacetate formation, the reaction rate was measured by following release of Pi. Initial velocities, when plotted as a function of varying concentrations of either MgATP2- or HCO3-, at fixed concentrations of pyruvate, gave in double-reciprocal-form families of straight intersecting lines. Further, when the reaction velocity was determined as a function of varying MgATP2- concentrations by using pyruvate, 3-fluoropyruvate and 2-oxobutyrate as alternative carboxyl-acceptor substrates, the slopes of the double-reciprocal plots were significantly different. Both results support a sequential reaction pathway.", "contents": "A reappraisal of the reaction pathway of pyruvate carboxylase. The reaction pathway catalysed by pyruvate carboxylase was re-examined by using two independent experimental approaches not previously applied to this enzyme. To avoid the variable stoicheiometry associated with oxaloacetate formation, the reaction rate was measured by following release of Pi. Initial velocities, when plotted as a function of varying concentrations of either MgATP2- or HCO3-, at fixed concentrations of pyruvate, gave in double-reciprocal-form families of straight intersecting lines. Further, when the reaction velocity was determined as a function of varying MgATP2- concentrations by using pyruvate, 3-fluoropyruvate and 2-oxobutyrate as alternative carboxyl-acceptor substrates, the slopes of the double-reciprocal plots were significantly different. Both results support a sequential reaction pathway.", "PMID": 629748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8124", "title": "The components of troponin from chicken fast skeletal muscle. A comparison of troponin T and troponin I from breast and leg muscle.", "content": "The three components of troponin were prepared from chicken breast and leg muscle. The troponin I and T components were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose after citraconylation and without the use of urea-containing buffers. The troponin I and C components were similar to their counterparts from rabbit fast skeletal muscle, and a comparison of the troponin I components from breast and leg muscle by amino acid analysis, gel electrophoresis and peptide 'mapping' provides strong evidence for the identity of these proteins. The molecular weights of the troponin T components from breast and leg muscle were 33 500 and 30 500 respectively, determined by gel filtration. A comparison of these two proteins by methods similar to those used for the troponin I components suggested that they differed only in the N-terminal region of the sequence, the breast-muscle troponin T having an extra length of polypeptide chain of approx. 24 residues that is rich in histidine and alanine. The N-terminal hexapeptide sequence, however, is the same in both proteins and is (Ser,Asx,Glx)Thr-Glu-Glu. The genetic implications of these findings are considered.", "contents": "The components of troponin from chicken fast skeletal muscle. A comparison of troponin T and troponin I from breast and leg muscle. The three components of troponin were prepared from chicken breast and leg muscle. The troponin I and T components were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose after citraconylation and without the use of urea-containing buffers. The troponin I and C components were similar to their counterparts from rabbit fast skeletal muscle, and a comparison of the troponin I components from breast and leg muscle by amino acid analysis, gel electrophoresis and peptide 'mapping' provides strong evidence for the identity of these proteins. The molecular weights of the troponin T components from breast and leg muscle were 33 500 and 30 500 respectively, determined by gel filtration. A comparison of these two proteins by methods similar to those used for the troponin I components suggested that they differed only in the N-terminal region of the sequence, the breast-muscle troponin T having an extra length of polypeptide chain of approx. 24 residues that is rich in histidine and alanine. The N-terminal hexapeptide sequence, however, is the same in both proteins and is (Ser,Asx,Glx)Thr-Glu-Glu. The genetic implications of these findings are considered.", "PMID": 629749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8125", "title": "Anomalous migration of leghaemoglobin on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.", "content": "The estimate of the molecular weight of leghaemoglobin by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis is about 20% too low. This is due to an anomalously high limiting relative mobility. Leghaemoglobin binds 1.4 g of sodium dodecyl sulphate/g of protein with a concomitant decrease in the helical content from 71-72% to 49-51%.", "contents": "Anomalous migration of leghaemoglobin on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The estimate of the molecular weight of leghaemoglobin by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis is about 20% too low. This is due to an anomalously high limiting relative mobility. Leghaemoglobin binds 1.4 g of sodium dodecyl sulphate/g of protein with a concomitant decrease in the helical content from 71-72% to 49-51%.", "PMID": 629750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8126", "title": "Use of flux ratio measurements for the determination of the order of addition of substrates and products in enzyme reactions.", "content": "1. Methods of determining the order of addition of substrates and dissociation of products by using flux ratios are investigated. Where an enzyme obeys hyperbolic steady-state velocity kinetics it is concluded that it may be particularly useful to compare the measured flux ratios with those calculated from the steady-state velocity parameters. 2. An expression is derived relating the relative contribution of the two pathways in a branched pathway to the flux ratios. 3. The relationship of equilibrium-reaction-rate measurements [Boyer & Silverstein (1963) Acta Chem. Scand. 17, Suppl. 1, S195] to the flux ratios is considered. Equilibrium-reaction rates are shown to be affected both by the addition of substrates and dissociation of products. Methods of analysing the data to distinguish between these events are discussed. 4. Methods of measurement of flux ratios are described, and it is concluded that the non-equilibrium steady-state method is preferable to measurements at chemical equilibrium. 5. The relative significance of flux ratio measurements and steady-state velocity inhibition data is discussed. It is concluded that flux ratios, when taken in conjunction with the inhibition data, provide the least ambiguous information about mechanism.", "contents": "Use of flux ratio measurements for the determination of the order of addition of substrates and products in enzyme reactions. 1. Methods of determining the order of addition of substrates and dissociation of products by using flux ratios are investigated. Where an enzyme obeys hyperbolic steady-state velocity kinetics it is concluded that it may be particularly useful to compare the measured flux ratios with those calculated from the steady-state velocity parameters. 2. An expression is derived relating the relative contribution of the two pathways in a branched pathway to the flux ratios. 3. The relationship of equilibrium-reaction-rate measurements [Boyer & Silverstein (1963) Acta Chem. Scand. 17, Suppl. 1, S195] to the flux ratios is considered. Equilibrium-reaction rates are shown to be affected both by the addition of substrates and dissociation of products. Methods of analysing the data to distinguish between these events are discussed. 4. Methods of measurement of flux ratios are described, and it is concluded that the non-equilibrium steady-state method is preferable to measurements at chemical equilibrium. 5. The relative significance of flux ratio measurements and steady-state velocity inhibition data is discussed. It is concluded that flux ratios, when taken in conjunction with the inhibition data, provide the least ambiguous information about mechanism.", "PMID": 629751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8127", "title": "Kinetics and mechanism of action of muscle pyruvate kinase.", "content": "1. The mechanism of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase was investigated by measurements of fluxes, isotope trapping, steady-state velocity and binding of the substrates. All measurements were made at pH8.5 in Tris/HCl buffer and at 5mm-free Mg(2+). 2. Methods of preparing [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate from [(32)P]P(i) in high yield and determining [(32)P]-phosphoenolpyruvate and [8-(14)C]ADP are described. 3. The ratio Flux of ATP to ADP/Flux of ATP to phosphoenolpyruvate (measured at equilibrium) increased hyperbolically with ADP concentration from unity to about 2.1 at 2mm-ADP, but was unaffected by phosphoenolpyruvate concentration. Since the ratio is greater than unity, one pathway for the addition of substrates must involve phosphoenolpyruvate adding first to the enzyme in a rate-limiting step. However, the substrates must also add in the alternative order, because of the non-linear increase in the ratio with ADP concentration and because the rate of increase is very much less than that predicted from the steady-state velocity data for an ordered addition. The lack of influence of phosphoenolpyruvate on the ratio is consistent with the rapid addition of ADP in the alternative pathway. At low ADP concentrations the alternative pathway contributes less than 33% to the total reaction. 4. Isotope trapping was observed with [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate, confirming that when phosphoenolpyruvate adds first to the enzyme it is in a rate-limiting step. The release of phosphoenolpyruvate from the ternary complex must also be a slow step. Trapping was not observed with [8-(14)C]ADP, hence the addition of ADP to the free enzyme must be rapid unless its dissociation constant is very large (>20mm). 5. Binding studies showed that 4mol of [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate binds to 1mol of the enzyme, probably unligated to Mg(2+), with a dissociation constant appropriate to the mechanism indicated above. Binding of [8-(14)C]ADP could not be detected, and hence the binding of ADP occurs by a low-affinity step. The latter is also demanded by the steady-state velocity data. 6. The ratio Flux of phosphoenolpyruvate to ATP/Flux of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate (determined from the incorporation of label into phosphoenolpyruvate from [3-(14)C]-pyruvate or [gamma-(32)P]ATP during the forward reaction) did not differ significantly from unity. Steady-state velocity data predicted grossly different flux ratios for ordered dissociations of the products, and the results indicate that the dissociation must be rapid and random. The data also exclude a Ping-Pong mechanism. 7. Permissible rate constants for the above mechanism are calculated. The results indicate a high degree of cooperativity in binding, whatever the order of addition of substrate.", "contents": "Kinetics and mechanism of action of muscle pyruvate kinase. 1. The mechanism of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase was investigated by measurements of fluxes, isotope trapping, steady-state velocity and binding of the substrates. All measurements were made at pH8.5 in Tris/HCl buffer and at 5mm-free Mg(2+). 2. Methods of preparing [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate from [(32)P]P(i) in high yield and determining [(32)P]-phosphoenolpyruvate and [8-(14)C]ADP are described. 3. The ratio Flux of ATP to ADP/Flux of ATP to phosphoenolpyruvate (measured at equilibrium) increased hyperbolically with ADP concentration from unity to about 2.1 at 2mm-ADP, but was unaffected by phosphoenolpyruvate concentration. Since the ratio is greater than unity, one pathway for the addition of substrates must involve phosphoenolpyruvate adding first to the enzyme in a rate-limiting step. However, the substrates must also add in the alternative order, because of the non-linear increase in the ratio with ADP concentration and because the rate of increase is very much less than that predicted from the steady-state velocity data for an ordered addition. The lack of influence of phosphoenolpyruvate on the ratio is consistent with the rapid addition of ADP in the alternative pathway. At low ADP concentrations the alternative pathway contributes less than 33% to the total reaction. 4. Isotope trapping was observed with [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate, confirming that when phosphoenolpyruvate adds first to the enzyme it is in a rate-limiting step. The release of phosphoenolpyruvate from the ternary complex must also be a slow step. Trapping was not observed with [8-(14)C]ADP, hence the addition of ADP to the free enzyme must be rapid unless its dissociation constant is very large (>20mm). 5. Binding studies showed that 4mol of [(32)P]phosphoenolpyruvate binds to 1mol of the enzyme, probably unligated to Mg(2+), with a dissociation constant appropriate to the mechanism indicated above. Binding of [8-(14)C]ADP could not be detected, and hence the binding of ADP occurs by a low-affinity step. The latter is also demanded by the steady-state velocity data. 6. The ratio Flux of phosphoenolpyruvate to ATP/Flux of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate (determined from the incorporation of label into phosphoenolpyruvate from [3-(14)C]-pyruvate or [gamma-(32)P]ATP during the forward reaction) did not differ significantly from unity. Steady-state velocity data predicted grossly different flux ratios for ordered dissociations of the products, and the results indicate that the dissociation must be rapid and random. The data also exclude a Ping-Pong mechanism. 7. Permissible rate constants for the above mechanism are calculated. The results indicate a high degree of cooperativity in binding, whatever the order of addition of substrate.", "PMID": 629752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8128", "title": "Identification of the sites in collagen alpha-chains that bind serum anti-gelatin factor (cold-insoluble globulin).", "content": "Anti-gelatin factor was prepared from guinea-pig and human serum by affinity chromatography on denatured type-I collagen. As shown previously, this component is related to cold-insoluble globulin. It reacted with 125I-labelled denatured collagen, and the reaction could be inhibited by preincubation with unlabelled collagenous components. In the inhibition assay comparable activities were observed for native and denatured type-I, -II, -III and -IV collagens. There was also no difference in reactivity between collagens of different species. The reactive sites in the collagen alpha-chains were located by inhibition assays on distinct CNBr- and collagenase-derived peptides. The results obtained with fragments from alpha1(I)-, alpha2- and alpha1(II)-chains indicate that the most active region is located between positions 643 and 819 of the alpha1-chain. Lower activities were found for other regions of collagen and may indicate that the factor has the potential to interact with several sites in the alpha-chains. The present data agree with observations by Kleinman, McGoodwin & Klebe [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1976) 72, 426-432] on the specificity of a serum factor promoting the attachment of fibroblasts to collagen.", "contents": "Identification of the sites in collagen alpha-chains that bind serum anti-gelatin factor (cold-insoluble globulin). Anti-gelatin factor was prepared from guinea-pig and human serum by affinity chromatography on denatured type-I collagen. As shown previously, this component is related to cold-insoluble globulin. It reacted with 125I-labelled denatured collagen, and the reaction could be inhibited by preincubation with unlabelled collagenous components. In the inhibition assay comparable activities were observed for native and denatured type-I, -II, -III and -IV collagens. There was also no difference in reactivity between collagens of different species. The reactive sites in the collagen alpha-chains were located by inhibition assays on distinct CNBr- and collagenase-derived peptides. The results obtained with fragments from alpha1(I)-, alpha2- and alpha1(II)-chains indicate that the most active region is located between positions 643 and 819 of the alpha1-chain. Lower activities were found for other regions of collagen and may indicate that the factor has the potential to interact with several sites in the alpha-chains. The present data agree with observations by Kleinman, McGoodwin & Klebe [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1976) 72, 426-432] on the specificity of a serum factor promoting the attachment of fibroblasts to collagen.", "PMID": 629753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8129", "title": "Biosynthesis of a hypermodified nucleotide in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S and HeLa-cell 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid.", "content": "The biosynthesis of a hypermodified nucleotide, similar to or identical with 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)-1-methylpseudouridine monophosphate, present in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S and HeLa-cell 18S rRNA, was investigated with respect to the sequence of reactions required for synthesis and their timing in ribosome maturation. In both yeast and HeLa cells methylation precedes attachment of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group. In yeast the methylated precursor nucleotide was tentatively characterized as 1-methylpseudouridine. This precursor nucleotide was demonstrated in both 37S and most of the cytoplasmic 18S pre-rRNA (rRNA precursor) molecules. The synthesis of the hypermodified nucleotide is completed just before the final cleavage of 18S pre-rRNA to give 17S rRNA, so that the final addition of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group is a cytoplasmic event. Comparable experiments with HeLa cells indicated that formation of 1-methylpseudouridine occurs at the level of 45S RNA and addition of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group occurs in the cytoplasm on newly synthesized 18S RNA.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of a hypermodified nucleotide in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S and HeLa-cell 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. The biosynthesis of a hypermodified nucleotide, similar to or identical with 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)-1-methylpseudouridine monophosphate, present in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S and HeLa-cell 18S rRNA, was investigated with respect to the sequence of reactions required for synthesis and their timing in ribosome maturation. In both yeast and HeLa cells methylation precedes attachment of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group. In yeast the methylated precursor nucleotide was tentatively characterized as 1-methylpseudouridine. This precursor nucleotide was demonstrated in both 37S and most of the cytoplasmic 18S pre-rRNA (rRNA precursor) molecules. The synthesis of the hypermodified nucleotide is completed just before the final cleavage of 18S pre-rRNA to give 17S rRNA, so that the final addition of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group is a cytoplasmic event. Comparable experiments with HeLa cells indicated that formation of 1-methylpseudouridine occurs at the level of 45S RNA and addition of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group occurs in the cytoplasm on newly synthesized 18S RNA.", "PMID": 629754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8130", "title": "Localization of the ribonucleotide sites in rat liver mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid.", "content": "Supercoiled rat liver mitochondrial DNA is relaxed by treatment with ribonucleases A, T1 or H. All the supercoiled mitochondrial DNA is sensitive to ribonuclease H and ribonuclease A, but only 35% of the supercoiled population is sensitive to ribonuclease T1. Removal of the ribonucleotides with calf thymus ribonuclease H, followed by denaturation of the mitochondrial DNA and analysis of the single-strand fragment lengths in the electron microscope, showed that the ribonucleotides were randomly located on both strands of the DNA. Endonuclease-S1 digestion of mitochondrial DNA after removal of the ribonucleotides reveals that no unique fragments are produced and ribonucleotides are randomly distributed with respect to one another. The average number of ribonucleotide sites per molecule was estimated to be between 8 and 13. Two possible mechanisms for the origin of ribonucleotide sites are discussed.", "contents": "Localization of the ribonucleotide sites in rat liver mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid. Supercoiled rat liver mitochondrial DNA is relaxed by treatment with ribonucleases A, T1 or H. All the supercoiled mitochondrial DNA is sensitive to ribonuclease H and ribonuclease A, but only 35% of the supercoiled population is sensitive to ribonuclease T1. Removal of the ribonucleotides with calf thymus ribonuclease H, followed by denaturation of the mitochondrial DNA and analysis of the single-strand fragment lengths in the electron microscope, showed that the ribonucleotides were randomly located on both strands of the DNA. Endonuclease-S1 digestion of mitochondrial DNA after removal of the ribonucleotides reveals that no unique fragments are produced and ribonucleotides are randomly distributed with respect to one another. The average number of ribonucleotide sites per molecule was estimated to be between 8 and 13. Two possible mechanisms for the origin of ribonucleotide sites are discussed.", "PMID": 629755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8131", "title": "NAD(P)H dehydrogenase and its role in the vitamin K (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinone)-dependent carboxylation reaction.", "content": "A simple three-step method was established for the purification of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone) ('DT-diaphorase', EC 1.6.99.2) from rat liver by affinity chromatography with a recovery of above 50%. The final enzyme preparation was purified about 750-fold and was electrophoretically homogeneous. Gel filtration showed that the enzyme had a mol.wt. of about 55 000, and one molecule of FAD was found per 55 000 mol.wt. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis gave a mol.wt. of about 27 000. Two N-terminal amino acids, asparagine/aspartic acid and glutamine/glutamic acid, were found in about equal yield, suggesting the presence of two non-identical polypeptide chains in the enzyme. NAD(P)H dehydrogenase was selectively removed by this affinity-chromatographic method from a microsomal carboxylation system. The system, which was solubilized by detergent and is dependent on vitamin K (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinone or analogues with other side chains), lost its activity on the removal of the enzyme. The activity can be completely restored to the system by adding purified cytoplasmic NAD(P)H dehydrogenase or by using the quinol form of vitamin K1 (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinol).", "contents": "NAD(P)H dehydrogenase and its role in the vitamin K (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinone)-dependent carboxylation reaction. A simple three-step method was established for the purification of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone) ('DT-diaphorase', EC 1.6.99.2) from rat liver by affinity chromatography with a recovery of above 50%. The final enzyme preparation was purified about 750-fold and was electrophoretically homogeneous. Gel filtration showed that the enzyme had a mol.wt. of about 55 000, and one molecule of FAD was found per 55 000 mol.wt. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis gave a mol.wt. of about 27 000. Two N-terminal amino acids, asparagine/aspartic acid and glutamine/glutamic acid, were found in about equal yield, suggesting the presence of two non-identical polypeptide chains in the enzyme. NAD(P)H dehydrogenase was selectively removed by this affinity-chromatographic method from a microsomal carboxylation system. The system, which was solubilized by detergent and is dependent on vitamin K (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinone or analogues with other side chains), lost its activity on the removal of the enzyme. The activity can be completely restored to the system by adding purified cytoplasmic NAD(P)H dehydrogenase or by using the quinol form of vitamin K1 (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthaquinol).", "PMID": 629756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8132", "title": "The linkage of sugar phosphate polymer to peptidoglycan in walls of Micrococcus sp. 2102.", "content": "1. Protein-free walls of Micrococcus sp. 2102 contain peptidoglycan, poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) and small amounts of glycerol phosphate. 2. After destruction of the poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) with periodate, the glycerol phosphate remains attached to the wall, but can be removed by controlled alkaline hydrolysis. The homogeneous product comprises a chain of three glycerol phosphates and an additional phosphate residue. 3. The poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) is attached through its terminal phosphate to one end of the tri(glycerol phosphate). 4. The other end of the glycerol phosphate trimer is attached through its terminal phosphate to the 3-or 4-position of an N-acetylglucosamine. It is concluded that the sequence of residues in the sugar 1-phosphate polymer-peptidoglycan complex is: (N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate)24-(glycerol phosphate)3-N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate-muramic acid (in peptidoglycan). Thus in this organism the phosphorylated wall polymer is attached to the peptidoglycan of the wall through a linkage unit comprising a chain of three glycerol phosphate residues and an N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate, similar to or identical with the linkage unit in Staphylococcus aureus H.", "contents": "The linkage of sugar phosphate polymer to peptidoglycan in walls of Micrococcus sp. 2102. 1. Protein-free walls of Micrococcus sp. 2102 contain peptidoglycan, poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) and small amounts of glycerol phosphate. 2. After destruction of the poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) with periodate, the glycerol phosphate remains attached to the wall, but can be removed by controlled alkaline hydrolysis. The homogeneous product comprises a chain of three glycerol phosphates and an additional phosphate residue. 3. The poly-(N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate) is attached through its terminal phosphate to one end of the tri(glycerol phosphate). 4. The other end of the glycerol phosphate trimer is attached through its terminal phosphate to the 3-or 4-position of an N-acetylglucosamine. It is concluded that the sequence of residues in the sugar 1-phosphate polymer-peptidoglycan complex is: (N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate)24-(glycerol phosphate)3-N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate-muramic acid (in peptidoglycan). Thus in this organism the phosphorylated wall polymer is attached to the peptidoglycan of the wall through a linkage unit comprising a chain of three glycerol phosphate residues and an N-acetylglucosamine 1-phosphate, similar to or identical with the linkage unit in Staphylococcus aureus H.", "PMID": 629757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8133", "title": "Isolation, composition and ordering of cyanogen bromide peptides in human casein.", "content": "The major component of the casein fraction of human milk was cleaved by cyanogen bromide, and the composition of the resulting peptides was determined. Casein was also subjected to limited digestion by trypsin, and the amino acid composition of the isolated peptides was established. With this information the peptides were ordered as they occur in the purified protein.", "contents": "Isolation, composition and ordering of cyanogen bromide peptides in human casein. The major component of the casein fraction of human milk was cleaved by cyanogen bromide, and the composition of the resulting peptides was determined. Casein was also subjected to limited digestion by trypsin, and the amino acid composition of the isolated peptides was established. With this information the peptides were ordered as they occur in the purified protein.", "PMID": 629758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8134", "title": "Purification and properties of a nuclear protein kinase associated with ribonucleic acid polymerase I.", "content": "A cyclic AMP-dependent nuclear protein kinase was found to be closely associated with rat liver nucleolar RNA polymerase I throughout most of its purification. This protein kinase was purified to near homogeneity. It exhibits a number of unusual catalytic properties, including the inability to utilize Mn2+ when RNA polymerase is the substrate and the ability to phosphorylate both acidic and basic substrates. Phosphorylation of RNA polymerase I by this protein kinase results in the formation of phosphoester bonds characteristic of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. Radioautography of polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretograms of the phosphorylated RNA polymerase I revealed that the 32P was located primarily on enzyme subunits SA1, SA3, SA5, and SA6 [nomenclature of Kedinger, Gissinger & Chambon (1974) Eur. J. Biochem, 44, 421-436].", "contents": "Purification and properties of a nuclear protein kinase associated with ribonucleic acid polymerase I. A cyclic AMP-dependent nuclear protein kinase was found to be closely associated with rat liver nucleolar RNA polymerase I throughout most of its purification. This protein kinase was purified to near homogeneity. It exhibits a number of unusual catalytic properties, including the inability to utilize Mn2+ when RNA polymerase is the substrate and the ability to phosphorylate both acidic and basic substrates. Phosphorylation of RNA polymerase I by this protein kinase results in the formation of phosphoester bonds characteristic of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. Radioautography of polyacrylamide-gel electrophoretograms of the phosphorylated RNA polymerase I revealed that the 32P was located primarily on enzyme subunits SA1, SA3, SA5, and SA6 [nomenclature of Kedinger, Gissinger & Chambon (1974) Eur. J. Biochem, 44, 421-436].", "PMID": 629759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8135", "title": "Preferential nitration with tetranitromethane of a specific tyrosine residue in penicillinase from Staphylococcus aureus PCl. Evidence that the preferentially nitrated residue is not part of the active site but that loss of activity is due to intermolecular cross-linking.", "content": "1. Nitration of tyrosine residues of staphylococal penicillinase was accompanied by a partial loss of enzymic activity, which was not readily explained by nitration of a single residue. 2. Loss of activity correlated with low recovery of tyrosine plus nitrotyrosine, which was consistent with cross-linking. 3. The fraction of treated enzyme that was eluted from Sephadex G-75 earlier than native penicillinase was similar to the fraction of enzyme activity lost. Protein eluted in positions corresponding to monomer, dimer and higher oligomers respectively showed major bands in corresponding positions in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, indicating that the increase in molecular weight was due to intermolecular cross-linking. Monomeric enzyme containing up to 4 mol of nitrotyrosine/mol retained full catalytic activity. Dimeric enzyme retained 50% of normal activity, whereas higher oligomers retained an average of 8-15% of normal activity. 4. Monomeric enzyme isolated after treatment with equimolar tetranitromethane was nitrated predominantly at tyrosine-72.5. Reaction of reduced nitrated monomer with 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene gave a monomeric, apparently cross-linked product with full catalytic activity. 6. It is concluded that tyrosine-72 plays no part in the active site. Its preferential nitration may be due to its being insufficiently exposed to be available for intermolecular cross-linking. This poperty may make it useful for attachment of a reporter group.", "contents": "Preferential nitration with tetranitromethane of a specific tyrosine residue in penicillinase from Staphylococcus aureus PCl. Evidence that the preferentially nitrated residue is not part of the active site but that loss of activity is due to intermolecular cross-linking. 1. Nitration of tyrosine residues of staphylococal penicillinase was accompanied by a partial loss of enzymic activity, which was not readily explained by nitration of a single residue. 2. Loss of activity correlated with low recovery of tyrosine plus nitrotyrosine, which was consistent with cross-linking. 3. The fraction of treated enzyme that was eluted from Sephadex G-75 earlier than native penicillinase was similar to the fraction of enzyme activity lost. Protein eluted in positions corresponding to monomer, dimer and higher oligomers respectively showed major bands in corresponding positions in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, indicating that the increase in molecular weight was due to intermolecular cross-linking. Monomeric enzyme containing up to 4 mol of nitrotyrosine/mol retained full catalytic activity. Dimeric enzyme retained 50% of normal activity, whereas higher oligomers retained an average of 8-15% of normal activity. 4. Monomeric enzyme isolated after treatment with equimolar tetranitromethane was nitrated predominantly at tyrosine-72.5. Reaction of reduced nitrated monomer with 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene gave a monomeric, apparently cross-linked product with full catalytic activity. 6. It is concluded that tyrosine-72 plays no part in the active site. Its preferential nitration may be due to its being insufficiently exposed to be available for intermolecular cross-linking. This poperty may make it useful for attachment of a reporter group.", "PMID": 629760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8136", "title": "Substrate specificity and mode of action of a cellulase from Aspergillus niger.", "content": "The mode of action and substrate specificity of a cellulase purified from Aspergillus niger were examined. The enzyme showed little capacity to hydrolyse highly ordered cellulose, but readily attacked soluble cellulose derivatives and amorphous alkali-swollen cellulose. Activity towards barley glucan and lichenin was greater than with CM-cellulose. Low activity was detected with CM-pachyman (a substituted beta-1,3-glucose polymer) and xylan. Activity towards yeast glucan, mannan, ethlene glycol chitin, glycol chitosan, laminarin, polygalacturonic acid and pectin could not be demonstrated. Cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucoside were not hydrolysed, whereas the rate of hydrolysis of the higher members of the reduced cellulodextrins increased with chain length. The central bonds of cellotetraosylsorbitol and cellopentaosylsorbitol were the preferred points of clevage. Kinetic data indicated that the specificity region of the cellulase is five glucose units in length. The evidence indicates that the cellulase is an endoglucanase.", "contents": "Substrate specificity and mode of action of a cellulase from Aspergillus niger. The mode of action and substrate specificity of a cellulase purified from Aspergillus niger were examined. The enzyme showed little capacity to hydrolyse highly ordered cellulose, but readily attacked soluble cellulose derivatives and amorphous alkali-swollen cellulose. Activity towards barley glucan and lichenin was greater than with CM-cellulose. Low activity was detected with CM-pachyman (a substituted beta-1,3-glucose polymer) and xylan. Activity towards yeast glucan, mannan, ethlene glycol chitin, glycol chitosan, laminarin, polygalacturonic acid and pectin could not be demonstrated. Cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucoside were not hydrolysed, whereas the rate of hydrolysis of the higher members of the reduced cellulodextrins increased with chain length. The central bonds of cellotetraosylsorbitol and cellopentaosylsorbitol were the preferred points of clevage. Kinetic data indicated that the specificity region of the cellulase is five glucose units in length. The evidence indicates that the cellulase is an endoglucanase.", "PMID": 629761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8137", "title": "An equilibrium study of metal ion binding to human plasma coagulation factor XIII.", "content": "1. The binding of Ca2+ to plasma coagulation Factor XIII from man and from cow caused a small decrease in the intrinsic fluorescence of the protein with a dissociation constant of 0.1 mM. A similar decrease was observed with the thrombin-activated Factors (Factors XIIa). The decrease in protein fluorescence was also caused by both Ni2+ and Mn2+ but not by Mg2+. 2. 45Ca2+ binding was directly demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis. Ca2+ at 0.2 mM bound to Factor XIII (a2b2) and Factor XIIIa (a'2b2) but not to isolated b2-protein. A tight-binding site for Ca2+ is associated with the a-subunits. 3. The Ca2+ essential for the enzyme activity of Factor XIII from man, pig and cow can be replaced by Ni2+, Cu2+, La3+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Y3+, Co2+, Sr2+ or Tb3+, but not by Mg2+.", "contents": "An equilibrium study of metal ion binding to human plasma coagulation factor XIII. 1. The binding of Ca2+ to plasma coagulation Factor XIII from man and from cow caused a small decrease in the intrinsic fluorescence of the protein with a dissociation constant of 0.1 mM. A similar decrease was observed with the thrombin-activated Factors (Factors XIIa). The decrease in protein fluorescence was also caused by both Ni2+ and Mn2+ but not by Mg2+. 2. 45Ca2+ binding was directly demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis. Ca2+ at 0.2 mM bound to Factor XIII (a2b2) and Factor XIIIa (a'2b2) but not to isolated b2-protein. A tight-binding site for Ca2+ is associated with the a-subunits. 3. The Ca2+ essential for the enzyme activity of Factor XIII from man, pig and cow can be replaced by Ni2+, Cu2+, La3+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Y3+, Co2+, Sr2+ or Tb3+, but not by Mg2+.", "PMID": 629762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8138", "title": "Protein-protein interactions in blood clotting. The use of polarization of fluorescence to measure the dissociation of plasma factor XIIIa.", "content": "1. Human plasma Factor XIII (the precursor of fibrin-glutamine-fibrin-lysine endo-gamma-glutamyltransferase) was randomly labelled by incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The biochemical properties of the system were unaltered by the label. The polarization of the fluorescein fluorescence attached to the plasma protein was measured and the following conclusions were reached. 2. Factor XIII (a'2b2) does not dissociate in the protein-concentration range 10-500 microgram/ml either with or without added Ca2+. 3. Factor XIIIa (a'2b2) does not dissociate in the absence of Ca2+ in the protein-concentration range 10-500 microgram/ml. 4. Additions of Ca2+ to Factor XIIIa result in a decreased polarization of fluorescence as the tetramer dissociates. The decrease in polarization was the same amplitude at protein concentrations 10-500 microgram/ml and Ca2+ concentrations 2-66 mM and indicates that the overall process is essentially irreversible. The decrease in polarization consisted of fast and slow exponential phases. Both the rate of the fast phase and the proportion of the reaction it represented increased with Ca2+ concentration. 5. A comparison of the rate of dissociation measured by fluorescence polarization and the rate of appearance of enzyme activity in the presence of a protein substrate suggests that the Factor XIII is autoactivated by a soluble a-subunit-containing molecular forming a tight complex with the substrate.", "contents": "Protein-protein interactions in blood clotting. The use of polarization of fluorescence to measure the dissociation of plasma factor XIIIa. 1. Human plasma Factor XIII (the precursor of fibrin-glutamine-fibrin-lysine endo-gamma-glutamyltransferase) was randomly labelled by incubation with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The biochemical properties of the system were unaltered by the label. The polarization of the fluorescein fluorescence attached to the plasma protein was measured and the following conclusions were reached. 2. Factor XIII (a'2b2) does not dissociate in the protein-concentration range 10-500 microgram/ml either with or without added Ca2+. 3. Factor XIIIa (a'2b2) does not dissociate in the absence of Ca2+ in the protein-concentration range 10-500 microgram/ml. 4. Additions of Ca2+ to Factor XIIIa result in a decreased polarization of fluorescence as the tetramer dissociates. The decrease in polarization was the same amplitude at protein concentrations 10-500 microgram/ml and Ca2+ concentrations 2-66 mM and indicates that the overall process is essentially irreversible. The decrease in polarization consisted of fast and slow exponential phases. Both the rate of the fast phase and the proportion of the reaction it represented increased with Ca2+ concentration. 5. A comparison of the rate of dissociation measured by fluorescence polarization and the rate of appearance of enzyme activity in the presence of a protein substrate suggests that the Factor XIII is autoactivated by a soluble a-subunit-containing molecular forming a tight complex with the substrate.", "PMID": 629763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8139", "title": "Molecular weights of the Thy-1 glycoproteins from rat thymus and brain in the presence and absence of deoxycholate.", "content": "1. The Thy-1 membrane glycoproteins from rat thymus and brain bound deoxycholate to 24% of their own weight as measured by equilibrium dialysis. The binding occurred co-operatively at the critical micelle concentration of deoxycholate, suggesting that the glycoproteins bind to a micelle, and not to the detergent monomer. 2. From sedimentation-equilibrium and deoxycholate-binding data the molecular weights of the glycoprotein monomers were calculated to be 18700 and 17500 for thymus and brain Thy-1 glycoprotein monomers were calculated to be 18700 and 17500 for thymus and brain Thy-1 glycoproteins respectively. The molecular weight of the polypeptide part of the glycoprotein is thus 12500. 3. In the absence of deoxycholate, brain or thymus Thy-1 glycoprotein formed large homogeneous complexes of mol. wt. 270000 or 300000 respectively. The sedimentation coefficient of these was 12.8 S. The complex was only partially dissociated by 4M-guanidinium chloride. 4. After cleavage of brain or thymus Thy-1 glycoprotein with CNBr, two peptides were clearly identified. They were linked by disulphide bonds and both contained carbohydrate. This cleavage suggests there is only one methionine residue per molecule, which is consistent with the above molecular weights and the known amino acid composition.", "contents": "Molecular weights of the Thy-1 glycoproteins from rat thymus and brain in the presence and absence of deoxycholate. 1. The Thy-1 membrane glycoproteins from rat thymus and brain bound deoxycholate to 24% of their own weight as measured by equilibrium dialysis. The binding occurred co-operatively at the critical micelle concentration of deoxycholate, suggesting that the glycoproteins bind to a micelle, and not to the detergent monomer. 2. From sedimentation-equilibrium and deoxycholate-binding data the molecular weights of the glycoprotein monomers were calculated to be 18700 and 17500 for thymus and brain Thy-1 glycoprotein monomers were calculated to be 18700 and 17500 for thymus and brain Thy-1 glycoproteins respectively. The molecular weight of the polypeptide part of the glycoprotein is thus 12500. 3. In the absence of deoxycholate, brain or thymus Thy-1 glycoprotein formed large homogeneous complexes of mol. wt. 270000 or 300000 respectively. The sedimentation coefficient of these was 12.8 S. The complex was only partially dissociated by 4M-guanidinium chloride. 4. After cleavage of brain or thymus Thy-1 glycoprotein with CNBr, two peptides were clearly identified. They were linked by disulphide bonds and both contained carbohydrate. This cleavage suggests there is only one methionine residue per molecule, which is consistent with the above molecular weights and the known amino acid composition.", "PMID": 629764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8140", "title": "Kinetics and template-dependency of ribonucleic acid synthesis by bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase.", "content": "The rate of RNA synthesis catalysed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase shows a Michealis-Menten-type saturation curve with increasing template concentration. However, the apparent Km is proportional to enzyme concentration, indicating that the reaction does not obey a simple kinetic scheme. The action of inhibitors also indicates a more complex interaction between the enzyme and the DNA template; many inhibitors of RNA synthesis either decrease Vmax. without affecting Km, or increase Km without affecting Vmax. All of these observations can be accounted for quantitatively by a reaction pathway in which the non-specific binding sites of the viral DNA template inhibit competitively the binding of the enzyme to the initiation sites. In terms of this pathway the two classes of inhibitors of RNA synthesis must then act predominantly either on the rate of elongation or on the availability of the binding sites respectively.", "contents": "Kinetics and template-dependency of ribonucleic acid synthesis by bacterial ribonucleic acid polymerase. The rate of RNA synthesis catalysed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase shows a Michealis-Menten-type saturation curve with increasing template concentration. However, the apparent Km is proportional to enzyme concentration, indicating that the reaction does not obey a simple kinetic scheme. The action of inhibitors also indicates a more complex interaction between the enzyme and the DNA template; many inhibitors of RNA synthesis either decrease Vmax. without affecting Km, or increase Km without affecting Vmax. All of these observations can be accounted for quantitatively by a reaction pathway in which the non-specific binding sites of the viral DNA template inhibit competitively the binding of the enzyme to the initiation sites. In terms of this pathway the two classes of inhibitors of RNA synthesis must then act predominantly either on the rate of elongation or on the availability of the binding sites respectively.", "PMID": 629765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8141", "title": "The pyridoxal-binding site in pyridoxamine-pyruvate transaminase.", "content": "The enzyme-substrate complex formed between pyridoxamine-pyruvate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.30) and pyridoxal was reduced with NaBH4. After carboxymethylation and tryptic digestion, pyridoxyl-lysine-containing peptides were isolated by a combination of Sephadex and Dowex 50 chromatography. Analysis of these peptides shows the structure around the pyridoxal-binding lysine residues to be Ala-Asp-Ile-Tyr-Val-Thr-Gly-Pro-Asx-Lys(Pxy)-Cys-Leu(Pro2, Gly2, Ala2, Met)(Thr, Leu2)Gly-Val-Ser-Glu-Arg. This structure differs from those found for the corresponding peptides from pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes.", "contents": "The pyridoxal-binding site in pyridoxamine-pyruvate transaminase. The enzyme-substrate complex formed between pyridoxamine-pyruvate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.30) and pyridoxal was reduced with NaBH4. After carboxymethylation and tryptic digestion, pyridoxyl-lysine-containing peptides were isolated by a combination of Sephadex and Dowex 50 chromatography. Analysis of these peptides shows the structure around the pyridoxal-binding lysine residues to be Ala-Asp-Ile-Tyr-Val-Thr-Gly-Pro-Asx-Lys(Pxy)-Cys-Leu(Pro2, Gly2, Ala2, Met)(Thr, Leu2)Gly-Val-Ser-Glu-Arg. This structure differs from those found for the corresponding peptides from pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes.", "PMID": 629766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8142", "title": "A theoretical analysis of the use of zonal gel filtration in the detection and purification of protein-ligand complexes.", "content": "A simple model of zonal gel filtration is analysed numerically to establish semiquantitatively how the capacity of a protein-ligand complex to survive gel filtration intact depends on several experimental variables and on the kinetic characteristics of the complex. The design of gel-filtration experiments aimed at detecting and partially purifying binding proteins is discussed.", "contents": "A theoretical analysis of the use of zonal gel filtration in the detection and purification of protein-ligand complexes. A simple model of zonal gel filtration is analysed numerically to establish semiquantitatively how the capacity of a protein-ligand complex to survive gel filtration intact depends on several experimental variables and on the kinetic characteristics of the complex. The design of gel-filtration experiments aimed at detecting and partially purifying binding proteins is discussed.", "PMID": 629767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8143", "title": "Physical measurements of the liver glucocorticoid receptor.", "content": "Physical measurements were made on the cytosolic form of the liver [3H]dexamethasone receptor. These include a Stokes radius of 3.5 nm, determined by gel filtration, and sedimentation coefficients of 5.1 and 7-8S, by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. From these measurements, the following physical properties were calculated: apparent mol. wt. 78000 (the 5.1 S form); D app. 6.1 X 10(-7) cm2-S-1; f/fo 1.25; axial ratio 4.7; these indicate a globular protein. Measurements of sedimentation coefficient of cytosol steroid-receptor complexes previously subjected to various activating conditions gave different values and lead to the conclusion that the mechanism of activation in vitro enabling the steroid-receptor complex to bind to DNA is more complex than simple disaggregation to a uniform size.", "contents": "Physical measurements of the liver glucocorticoid receptor. Physical measurements were made on the cytosolic form of the liver [3H]dexamethasone receptor. These include a Stokes radius of 3.5 nm, determined by gel filtration, and sedimentation coefficients of 5.1 and 7-8S, by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. From these measurements, the following physical properties were calculated: apparent mol. wt. 78000 (the 5.1 S form); D app. 6.1 X 10(-7) cm2-S-1; f/fo 1.25; axial ratio 4.7; these indicate a globular protein. Measurements of sedimentation coefficient of cytosol steroid-receptor complexes previously subjected to various activating conditions gave different values and lead to the conclusion that the mechanism of activation in vitro enabling the steroid-receptor complex to bind to DNA is more complex than simple disaggregation to a uniform size.", "PMID": 629768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8144", "title": "Phosphorus nuclear-magnetic-resonance studies of compartmentation in muscle.", "content": "1. Phosphorus nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements were made on rat vastus lateralis muscle. 2. In the absence of oxygenation, the resonance from P1 broadens, as the 'energy pool' of the muscle gradually runs down. This, together with measurements of transverse relaxation times (T2) indicate that the intracellular pH is not uniform within the muscle volume. 3. Incubation of the muscle with acetate buffer at low pH (5.2) results in splitting of the P1 resonance into two components; one corresponds to phosphate in a low-pH environment and the other to phosphate in its original environment. These observations indicate that P1 is distributed among different compartments in the muscle cell. 4. Compartmentation of sugar phosphate (mainly glucose 6-phosphate) is also indicated by this method, but no evidence has been obtained for this type of compartmentation of ATP and phosphocreatine.", "contents": "Phosphorus nuclear-magnetic-resonance studies of compartmentation in muscle. 1. Phosphorus nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements were made on rat vastus lateralis muscle. 2. In the absence of oxygenation, the resonance from P1 broadens, as the 'energy pool' of the muscle gradually runs down. This, together with measurements of transverse relaxation times (T2) indicate that the intracellular pH is not uniform within the muscle volume. 3. Incubation of the muscle with acetate buffer at low pH (5.2) results in splitting of the P1 resonance into two components; one corresponds to phosphate in a low-pH environment and the other to phosphate in its original environment. These observations indicate that P1 is distributed among different compartments in the muscle cell. 4. Compartmentation of sugar phosphate (mainly glucose 6-phosphate) is also indicated by this method, but no evidence has been obtained for this type of compartmentation of ATP and phosphocreatine.", "PMID": 629769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8145", "title": "Testosterone regulates the synthesis of major proteins in rat ventral prostate.", "content": "The presence of three major proteins alpha, beta and gamma in rat ventral prostate was demonstrated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. Their regulation by androgens was studied by measuring the rates of synthesis of the proteins in minced prostatic tissue by using L-[35S]methionine. The three proteins account for 30-40% of the proteins synthesized in the gland. After castration, their rates of synthesis rapidly decline to about 1% that of normal animals, and this cannot be accounted for by the accompanying decrease in general protein synthesis. Testosterone reverses these changes in castrated animals, so that after 4 days normal synthesis is restored. The regulation is specific for androgens, since cyproterone acetate, an anti-androgen, is inhibitory and oestradiol-17beta and corticosterone are without effect. Preliminary characterization of the proteins indicates that protein alpha (mol.wt. 22000, pI unknown) is a glycoprotein containing glucose and/or mannose residues and occurs in both the mitochondrial and cytosol fractions. Protein beta (mol.wt. 12000, pI5.4) is also a glycoprotein, but is found exclusively in the cytosol fraction. Protein gamma (mol.wt. 8000, pI5.4) is also a glycoprotein, but is found exclusively in the cytosol fraction. Protein gamma (mol.wt. 8000, pI5.4) is also found exclusively in the cytosol fraction.", "contents": "Testosterone regulates the synthesis of major proteins in rat ventral prostate. The presence of three major proteins alpha, beta and gamma in rat ventral prostate was demonstrated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. Their regulation by androgens was studied by measuring the rates of synthesis of the proteins in minced prostatic tissue by using L-[35S]methionine. The three proteins account for 30-40% of the proteins synthesized in the gland. After castration, their rates of synthesis rapidly decline to about 1% that of normal animals, and this cannot be accounted for by the accompanying decrease in general protein synthesis. Testosterone reverses these changes in castrated animals, so that after 4 days normal synthesis is restored. The regulation is specific for androgens, since cyproterone acetate, an anti-androgen, is inhibitory and oestradiol-17beta and corticosterone are without effect. Preliminary characterization of the proteins indicates that protein alpha (mol.wt. 22000, pI unknown) is a glycoprotein containing glucose and/or mannose residues and occurs in both the mitochondrial and cytosol fractions. Protein beta (mol.wt. 12000, pI5.4) is also a glycoprotein, but is found exclusively in the cytosol fraction. Protein gamma (mol.wt. 8000, pI5.4) is also a glycoprotein, but is found exclusively in the cytosol fraction. Protein gamma (mol.wt. 8000, pI5.4) is also found exclusively in the cytosol fraction.", "PMID": 629770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8146", "title": "Ornithine decarboxylase activity and the onset of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in regenerating liver.", "content": "Compared with normally fed animals, rats fed on a low-protein diet for 3 days exhibit a considerable delay in DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy. In the regenerating livers of these animals (a) the timing of the first peak of ornithine decarboxylase activity is not altered and (b) the second peak of enzyme activity is delayed by a few hours, but polyamine concentrations are similar to those of normally fed rats. The results suggest that regardless of the possible effect of polyamines on DNA synthesis, the time course of ornithine decarboxylase activity appears to be independent of the onset of DNA replication in regenerating livers.", "contents": "Ornithine decarboxylase activity and the onset of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in regenerating liver. Compared with normally fed animals, rats fed on a low-protein diet for 3 days exhibit a considerable delay in DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy. In the regenerating livers of these animals (a) the timing of the first peak of ornithine decarboxylase activity is not altered and (b) the second peak of enzyme activity is delayed by a few hours, but polyamine concentrations are similar to those of normally fed rats. The results suggest that regardless of the possible effect of polyamines on DNA synthesis, the time course of ornithine decarboxylase activity appears to be independent of the onset of DNA replication in regenerating livers.", "PMID": 629771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8147", "title": "The effect of copper excess on iron metabolism in sheep.", "content": "Sheep were treated with large amounts of copper (20 mg of CuSO4,5H2O/kg body wt. per day) for 9 weeks to examine the effect of copper excess on iron metabolism. In addition to confirming that massive haemolysis and accumulation of copper occurs in the liver, kidney and plasma after 7 weeks of exposure to excess copper, it was observed that excess copper produced an increased plasma iron concentration and transferrin saturation within 1 week. Further, iron preferentially accumulated in the spleen between 4 and 6 weeks of copper treatment, producing 3-fold increases in the iron content of both the ferritin and non-ferritin fractions. A 3-4 fold increase was also observed in the amount of ferritin that could be isolated from the spleen. The copper treatment had little or no effect on the concentration of iron in the liver and bone marrow. The following properties of erythrocytes were also unaffected by copper treatment: size, haemoglobin content and pyruvate kinase activity, although the erythrocyte concentration of copper increased after 6 weeks. Copper accumulated in the spleen between 6 and 9 weeks, probably owing to the phagocytosis of erythrocytes containing high concentrations of copper. The data suggest that copper excess influences iron metabolism, initially by causing a compensated haemolytic anaemia, and later by interfering with re-utilization of iron from ferritin in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen.", "contents": "The effect of copper excess on iron metabolism in sheep. Sheep were treated with large amounts of copper (20 mg of CuSO4,5H2O/kg body wt. per day) for 9 weeks to examine the effect of copper excess on iron metabolism. In addition to confirming that massive haemolysis and accumulation of copper occurs in the liver, kidney and plasma after 7 weeks of exposure to excess copper, it was observed that excess copper produced an increased plasma iron concentration and transferrin saturation within 1 week. Further, iron preferentially accumulated in the spleen between 4 and 6 weeks of copper treatment, producing 3-fold increases in the iron content of both the ferritin and non-ferritin fractions. A 3-4 fold increase was also observed in the amount of ferritin that could be isolated from the spleen. The copper treatment had little or no effect on the concentration of iron in the liver and bone marrow. The following properties of erythrocytes were also unaffected by copper treatment: size, haemoglobin content and pyruvate kinase activity, although the erythrocyte concentration of copper increased after 6 weeks. Copper accumulated in the spleen between 6 and 9 weeks, probably owing to the phagocytosis of erythrocytes containing high concentrations of copper. The data suggest that copper excess influences iron metabolism, initially by causing a compensated haemolytic anaemia, and later by interfering with re-utilization of iron from ferritin in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen.", "PMID": 629772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8148", "title": "Studies on the mitochondrially bound form of rat brain creatine kinase.", "content": "1. The development of the total rat brain creatine kinase was studied in brain homogenates. Until approx. 14-15 days after birth, the activity remains less than one-third that of the adult activity (207+/-6 units/g wet wt. s.d.; n=3). Over the next 10 days the activity increases markedly to the adult value and thereafter remains essentially constant. 2. In the adult brain, approx. 5% (11.9+/-2.2 units/g wet wt. s.d.; n=5) of the total creatine kinase is associated with the mitochondrial fraction. This creatine kinase could not be solubilized by sodium acetate solutions of up to 0.8m concentration, whereas 66% of the hexokinase associated with brain mitochondria was released under these conditions. 3. Rat brain mitochondria incubated in the presence of various concentrations of creatine (1, 5 and 10mm) and ADP (100mum) synthesized phosphocreatine at rates of approx. 4.5, 11 and 17.5nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein. Atractyloside (50mum) or oligomycin (1.5mug/mg of mitochondrial protein) completely inhibited the synthesis of phosphocreatine. 4. The apparent K(m) and V(max.) values of the mitochondrially bound rat brain creatine kinase were determined in both directions. The V(max.) in the direction of phosphocreatine synthesis is 237nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein, with an apparent K(m) for creatine of 1.67mm and for MgATP(2-) of 0.1mm, and in the reverse direction V(max.) is 489nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein, with an apparent K(m) for phosphocreatine of 0.4mm and for MgADP(-) of 27mum. 5. The results are discussed with reference to the role that the mitochondrially bound creatine kinase may play in the development of brain energy metabolism.", "contents": "Studies on the mitochondrially bound form of rat brain creatine kinase. 1. The development of the total rat brain creatine kinase was studied in brain homogenates. Until approx. 14-15 days after birth, the activity remains less than one-third that of the adult activity (207+/-6 units/g wet wt. s.d.; n=3). Over the next 10 days the activity increases markedly to the adult value and thereafter remains essentially constant. 2. In the adult brain, approx. 5% (11.9+/-2.2 units/g wet wt. s.d.; n=5) of the total creatine kinase is associated with the mitochondrial fraction. This creatine kinase could not be solubilized by sodium acetate solutions of up to 0.8m concentration, whereas 66% of the hexokinase associated with brain mitochondria was released under these conditions. 3. Rat brain mitochondria incubated in the presence of various concentrations of creatine (1, 5 and 10mm) and ADP (100mum) synthesized phosphocreatine at rates of approx. 4.5, 11 and 17.5nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein. Atractyloside (50mum) or oligomycin (1.5mug/mg of mitochondrial protein) completely inhibited the synthesis of phosphocreatine. 4. The apparent K(m) and V(max.) values of the mitochondrially bound rat brain creatine kinase were determined in both directions. The V(max.) in the direction of phosphocreatine synthesis is 237nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein, with an apparent K(m) for creatine of 1.67mm and for MgATP(2-) of 0.1mm, and in the reverse direction V(max.) is 489nmol/min per mg of mitochondrial protein, with an apparent K(m) for phosphocreatine of 0.4mm and for MgADP(-) of 27mum. 5. The results are discussed with reference to the role that the mitochondrially bound creatine kinase may play in the development of brain energy metabolism.", "PMID": 629773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8149", "title": "Lipoprotein lipase activity in the tissues of guinea pigs exposed to different dietary fats from conception to three months of age.", "content": "Long-term exposure of guinea pigs to a diet rich in maize oil caused an increase in adipose-tissue lipoprotein lipase activity. A similar diet rich in beef tallow had no such effect, and neither diet affected the enzyme activity in heart, lung, diaphragm or skeletal muscle.", "contents": "Lipoprotein lipase activity in the tissues of guinea pigs exposed to different dietary fats from conception to three months of age. Long-term exposure of guinea pigs to a diet rich in maize oil caused an increase in adipose-tissue lipoprotein lipase activity. A similar diet rich in beef tallow had no such effect, and neither diet affected the enzyme activity in heart, lung, diaphragm or skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 629774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8150", "title": "The metabolic fate of glutamine nitrogen in the perfused rat kidney.", "content": "The fate of glutamine amide and amino nitrogen was determined in the perfused rat kidney. There is a deficit of about 40% in the recovery of glutamine nitrogen and NH3 in the perfusion medium. After correction for the tissue conetent of glutamine, the remaining nitrogen was fully accounted for by small amounts of NH3, glutamate, aspartate and a compound that liberated glutamate on acid hydrolysis, probably 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (pyroglutamate). The latter accounted for 8% of the glutamine metabolized.", "contents": "The metabolic fate of glutamine nitrogen in the perfused rat kidney. The fate of glutamine amide and amino nitrogen was determined in the perfused rat kidney. There is a deficit of about 40% in the recovery of glutamine nitrogen and NH3 in the perfusion medium. After correction for the tissue conetent of glutamine, the remaining nitrogen was fully accounted for by small amounts of NH3, glutamate, aspartate and a compound that liberated glutamate on acid hydrolysis, probably 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (pyroglutamate). The latter accounted for 8% of the glutamine metabolized.", "PMID": 629776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8151", "title": "The pentose phosphate pathway in regenerating skeletal muscle.", "content": "1. The activities of the oxidative enzymes (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) and of the non-oxidative enzymes (transaldolase, tranketolase, ribose 5 phosphate isomerase and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase) of the pentose phosphate pathway were measured at various times during the first 24h of skeletal-muscle regeneration after administration of Marcaine, a mytoxic local anesthetic. 2. The activities of the oxidative enzymes increased after Marcaine injection and rose to 9 times control activities by 24h. 3. The activities of all non-oxidative enzymes were increased after Marcaine administration, but to a much smaller extent than the oxidative enzymes (1.1-1.7-fold). 4. Histochemical analysis localized glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity within muscle fibres of control and Marcaine-treated muscles. 5. Cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevented the increase in oxidative enzyme activities, suggesting a requirement for synthesis of protein and RNA.", "contents": "The pentose phosphate pathway in regenerating skeletal muscle. 1. The activities of the oxidative enzymes (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) and of the non-oxidative enzymes (transaldolase, tranketolase, ribose 5 phosphate isomerase and ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase) of the pentose phosphate pathway were measured at various times during the first 24h of skeletal-muscle regeneration after administration of Marcaine, a mytoxic local anesthetic. 2. The activities of the oxidative enzymes increased after Marcaine injection and rose to 9 times control activities by 24h. 3. The activities of all non-oxidative enzymes were increased after Marcaine administration, but to a much smaller extent than the oxidative enzymes (1.1-1.7-fold). 4. Histochemical analysis localized glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity within muscle fibres of control and Marcaine-treated muscles. 5. Cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevented the increase in oxidative enzyme activities, suggesting a requirement for synthesis of protein and RNA.", "PMID": 629775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8152", "title": "Oestriol-stimulated synthesis of ribonucleic acid in the uterus of the immature rat.", "content": "Oestradiol-17beta and oestriol both sequentially stimulate the synthesis of heterogeneous nuclear RNA and rRNA in vivo. However, the stimulation by oestradiol-17beta, particularly of rRNA synthesis, is very much greater than that elicited by oestriol.", "contents": "Oestriol-stimulated synthesis of ribonucleic acid in the uterus of the immature rat. Oestradiol-17beta and oestriol both sequentially stimulate the synthesis of heterogeneous nuclear RNA and rRNA in vivo. However, the stimulation by oestradiol-17beta, particularly of rRNA synthesis, is very much greater than that elicited by oestriol.", "PMID": 629777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8153", "title": "Surface glycosaminoglycans and calcium distribution in 3T3 cells.", "content": "Resting 3T3 cells have relatively more sulphated glycosaminoglycans and Ca2+ in their cell coat than do growing or SV40-virus-transformed cells. It is suggested that the different Ca2+-binding capacity controls cellular activities by affecting the distribution of Ca2+ between the intra- and ecto-cellular compartments.", "contents": "Surface glycosaminoglycans and calcium distribution in 3T3 cells. Resting 3T3 cells have relatively more sulphated glycosaminoglycans and Ca2+ in their cell coat than do growing or SV40-virus-transformed cells. It is suggested that the different Ca2+-binding capacity controls cellular activities by affecting the distribution of Ca2+ between the intra- and ecto-cellular compartments.", "PMID": 629778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8154", "title": "Synthesis of guinea-pig cardiac myosin as measured by constant infusion.", "content": "An equation was derived from which the turnover time of individual muscle proteins could be calculated from measurements made at a single time interval in individual animals after initiation of constant intravenous infusion of labelled amino acid. The calculation requires only the specific radioactivities of the amino acid in plasma, in the intracellular fluid and in the protein under study. Pool sizes were not required. When the equation was applied to adult guinea-pig cardiac myosin, the average turnover time was 16 +/- 1 days.", "contents": "Synthesis of guinea-pig cardiac myosin as measured by constant infusion. An equation was derived from which the turnover time of individual muscle proteins could be calculated from measurements made at a single time interval in individual animals after initiation of constant intravenous infusion of labelled amino acid. The calculation requires only the specific radioactivities of the amino acid in plasma, in the intracellular fluid and in the protein under study. Pool sizes were not required. When the equation was applied to adult guinea-pig cardiac myosin, the average turnover time was 16 +/- 1 days.", "PMID": 629779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8155", "title": "Mode of action of alpha-chlorohydrin as a male anti-fertility agent. Inhibition of the metabolism of ram spermatozoa by alpha-chlorohydrin and location of block in glycolysis.", "content": "1. The effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on the metabolism of glycolytic and tricarboxylate-cycle substrates by ram spermatozoa was investigated. The utilization and oxidation of fructose and triose phosphate were much more sensitive to inhibition by alpha-chlorohydrin (0.1-1.0mm) than lactate or pyruvate. Inhibition of glycolysis by alpha-chlorohydrin is concluded to be between triose phosphate and pyruvate formation. Oxidation of glycerol was not as severely inhibited as that of the triose phosphate. This unexpected finding can be explained in terms of competition between glycerol and alpha-chlorohydrin. A second, much less sensitive site, of alpha-chlorohydrin inhibition appears to be associated with production of acetyl-CoA from exogenous and endogenous fatty acids. 2. Measurement of the glycolytic intermediates after incubation of spermatozoal suspensions with 15mm-fructose in the presence of 3mm-alpha-chlorohydrin showed a ;block' in the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate into 3-phosphoglycerate. alpha-Chlorohydrin also caused conversion of most of the ATP in spermatozoa into AMP. After incubation with 3mm-alpha-chlorohydrin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase activities were decreased by approx. 90% and 80% respectively, and in some experiments aldolase was also inhibited. Other glycolytic enzymes were not affected by a low concentration (0.3mm) of alpha-chlorohydrin. Loss of motility of spermatozoa paralleled the decrease in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. alpha-Chlorohydrin, however, did not inhibit glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase or triose phosphate isomerase in sonicated enzyme preparations when added to the assay cuvette. 3. Measurement of intermediates and glycolytic enzymes in ejaculated spermatozoa before, during and after injection of rams with alpha-chlorohydrin (25mg/kg body wt.) confirmed a severe block in glycolysis in vivo at the site of triose phosphate conversion into 3-phosphoglycerate within 24h of the first injection. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was no longer detectable and both aldolase and triose phosphate isomerase were severely inhibited. Spermatozoal ATP decreased by 92% at this time, being quantitatively converted into AMP. At 1 month after injection of alpha-chlorohydrin glycolytic intermediate concentrations returned to normal in the spermatozoa but ATP was still only 38% of the pre-injection concentration. Motility of spermatozoa was, however, as good as during the pre-injection period. The activity of the inhibited enzymes also returned to normal during the recovery period and 26 days after injection were close to pre-injection values. 4. An unknown metabolic product of alpha-chlorohydrin is suggested to inhibit glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase of spermatozoa. This results in a lower ATP content, motility and fertility of the spermatozoa. Glycidol was shown not to be an active intermediate of alpha-chlorohydrin in vitro.", "contents": "Mode of action of alpha-chlorohydrin as a male anti-fertility agent. Inhibition of the metabolism of ram spermatozoa by alpha-chlorohydrin and location of block in glycolysis. 1. The effect of alpha-chlorohydrin on the metabolism of glycolytic and tricarboxylate-cycle substrates by ram spermatozoa was investigated. The utilization and oxidation of fructose and triose phosphate were much more sensitive to inhibition by alpha-chlorohydrin (0.1-1.0mm) than lactate or pyruvate. Inhibition of glycolysis by alpha-chlorohydrin is concluded to be between triose phosphate and pyruvate formation. Oxidation of glycerol was not as severely inhibited as that of the triose phosphate. This unexpected finding can be explained in terms of competition between glycerol and alpha-chlorohydrin. A second, much less sensitive site, of alpha-chlorohydrin inhibition appears to be associated with production of acetyl-CoA from exogenous and endogenous fatty acids. 2. Measurement of the glycolytic intermediates after incubation of spermatozoal suspensions with 15mm-fructose in the presence of 3mm-alpha-chlorohydrin showed a ;block' in the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate into 3-phosphoglycerate. alpha-Chlorohydrin also caused conversion of most of the ATP in spermatozoa into AMP. After incubation with 3mm-alpha-chlorohydrin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase activities were decreased by approx. 90% and 80% respectively, and in some experiments aldolase was also inhibited. Other glycolytic enzymes were not affected by a low concentration (0.3mm) of alpha-chlorohydrin. Loss of motility of spermatozoa paralleled the decrease in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. alpha-Chlorohydrin, however, did not inhibit glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase or triose phosphate isomerase in sonicated enzyme preparations when added to the assay cuvette. 3. Measurement of intermediates and glycolytic enzymes in ejaculated spermatozoa before, during and after injection of rams with alpha-chlorohydrin (25mg/kg body wt.) confirmed a severe block in glycolysis in vivo at the site of triose phosphate conversion into 3-phosphoglycerate within 24h of the first injection. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was no longer detectable and both aldolase and triose phosphate isomerase were severely inhibited. Spermatozoal ATP decreased by 92% at this time, being quantitatively converted into AMP. At 1 month after injection of alpha-chlorohydrin glycolytic intermediate concentrations returned to normal in the spermatozoa but ATP was still only 38% of the pre-injection concentration. Motility of spermatozoa was, however, as good as during the pre-injection period. The activity of the inhibited enzymes also returned to normal during the recovery period and 26 days after injection were close to pre-injection values. 4. An unknown metabolic product of alpha-chlorohydrin is suggested to inhibit glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase of spermatozoa. This results in a lower ATP content, motility and fertility of the spermatozoa. Glycidol was shown not to be an active intermediate of alpha-chlorohydrin in vitro.", "PMID": 629780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8156", "title": "Transport of phosphoenolpyruvate through the erythrocyte membrane.", "content": "Phosphoenolpyruvate was transported through the erythrocyte membrane at low pH (4.5-6.5). The influx was observed not only in an iso-osmotic sucrose medium, but also in 0.1 M-citrate solution, but it was negligible in an iso-osmotic NaC1 solution. Efflux, however, was observed in both the sucrose and NaC1 solutions. Compounds derived from phosphoenolpyruvate by replacing the methene group by similarly hydrophobic groups such as hydrogen or the methyl group were permeant but those with the hydrophilic hydroxymethyl group were impermeant. This transport was inhibited by the treatment with 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid or pyridoxal phosphate/NaBH4, which are known to be specific for the transport of anions such as C1-, SO42- and HPO42-. It showed saturation kinetics with respect to phosphoenolpyruvate concentration in the medium. These results suggest that the transport of phosphoenolpyruvate is mediated by the anion-transport system. Although phosphoenolpyruvate was transported against the concentration gradient, the transport was characterized as a passive transport, and this apparent uphill transport was interpreted by the Donnan equilibrium.", "contents": "Transport of phosphoenolpyruvate through the erythrocyte membrane. Phosphoenolpyruvate was transported through the erythrocyte membrane at low pH (4.5-6.5). The influx was observed not only in an iso-osmotic sucrose medium, but also in 0.1 M-citrate solution, but it was negligible in an iso-osmotic NaC1 solution. Efflux, however, was observed in both the sucrose and NaC1 solutions. Compounds derived from phosphoenolpyruvate by replacing the methene group by similarly hydrophobic groups such as hydrogen or the methyl group were permeant but those with the hydrophilic hydroxymethyl group were impermeant. This transport was inhibited by the treatment with 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid or pyridoxal phosphate/NaBH4, which are known to be specific for the transport of anions such as C1-, SO42- and HPO42-. It showed saturation kinetics with respect to phosphoenolpyruvate concentration in the medium. These results suggest that the transport of phosphoenolpyruvate is mediated by the anion-transport system. Although phosphoenolpyruvate was transported against the concentration gradient, the transport was characterized as a passive transport, and this apparent uphill transport was interpreted by the Donnan equilibrium.", "PMID": 629781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8157", "title": "Comparison of the metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants by the perfused liver.", "content": "1. The hepatic metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants was compared after adding approximately equal numbers of each lipoprotein particle to the perfusate of isolated livers. 2. At least 40% of the added remnants were metabolized by the liver compared with less than 3% for chylomicrons. 3. There was significantly more net removal of labelled remnants than of chylomicrons by the liver. 4. A greater proportion of labelled cholesterol than of labelled triacylglycerol fatty acids was transferred to the liver from each lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty acids of remnants were oxidized to CO2 more extensively than those of chylomicrons. 6. There was greater oxidation of remnant glycerolipic [(1(-14)C]oleate than of glycerolipid [1(-14)C]palmitate. 7. A large fraction of the fatty acids of remnants, but not of chylomicrons, was transferred to phospholipids, which were released by the liver in a lipoprotein of relative density less than 1.006. 8. Label from remnants, but not from chylomicrons, was found in lipoproteins of relative density greater than 1.006, which were not released during perfusion but could be flushed out from the liver at the end of perfusion.", "contents": "Comparison of the metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants by the perfused liver. 1. The hepatic metabolism of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants was compared after adding approximately equal numbers of each lipoprotein particle to the perfusate of isolated livers. 2. At least 40% of the added remnants were metabolized by the liver compared with less than 3% for chylomicrons. 3. There was significantly more net removal of labelled remnants than of chylomicrons by the liver. 4. A greater proportion of labelled cholesterol than of labelled triacylglycerol fatty acids was transferred to the liver from each lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty lipoprotein. 5. Cholesteryl esters of remnants were hydrolysed to triacylglycerol fatty acids of remnants were oxidized to CO2 more extensively than those of chylomicrons. 6. There was greater oxidation of remnant glycerolipic [(1(-14)C]oleate than of glycerolipid [1(-14)C]palmitate. 7. A large fraction of the fatty acids of remnants, but not of chylomicrons, was transferred to phospholipids, which were released by the liver in a lipoprotein of relative density less than 1.006. 8. Label from remnants, but not from chylomicrons, was found in lipoproteins of relative density greater than 1.006, which were not released during perfusion but could be flushed out from the liver at the end of perfusion.", "PMID": 629782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8158", "title": "The mode of action of alpha sarcin and a novel assay of the puromycin reaction.", "content": "A new technique was developed for measuring the amount of peptidyl-tRNA in a protein-synthesizing system in vitro. By this technique the course of the puromycin reaction may be followed and the modes of action of various inhibitors of protein synthesis readily determined. We conclude that the polypeptide alpha sarcin inhibits the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA into the ribosomal 'A' site, that sparsomycin inhibits the peptidyl transferase reaction and that cycloheximide may block translocation.", "contents": "The mode of action of alpha sarcin and a novel assay of the puromycin reaction. A new technique was developed for measuring the amount of peptidyl-tRNA in a protein-synthesizing system in vitro. By this technique the course of the puromycin reaction may be followed and the modes of action of various inhibitors of protein synthesis readily determined. We conclude that the polypeptide alpha sarcin inhibits the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA into the ribosomal 'A' site, that sparsomycin inhibits the peptidyl transferase reaction and that cycloheximide may block translocation.", "PMID": 629783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8159", "title": "Changes in the response of mitochondrial calcium transport to exogenous phosphate during development in flight muscle of the sheep blowfly Lucilla cuprina.", "content": "1. Ca2+ transport by mitochondria isolated from flight muscle of the sheep blowfly Lucilla cuprina does not occur in the absence of added P1. Maximum rates of transport are attained when about 2.5 mM-phosphate is present. 2. As mitochondria develop, high but not low phosphate concentrations begin to inhibit Ca2+ transport markedly; those isolated from 2-day-old flies for example, are inhibited by about 75% by 20 mM-phosphate. Maximum rates of transport, i.e. those measured in the presence of 2.5 mM-phosphate, begin to decline only when the fly is about 3 days old. 3. Mitochondrial phosphate transport activity does not change during development of the blowfly, but the endogenous concentration of the anion does. At emergence it is about 6nmol/mg of protein, increases to about 17 nmol/mg of protein at 2-3h and then rapidly declines to reach less than 5 nmol/mg of protein after 2 days of adult life. 4. Studies on the effect of phosphate on oxidation of alpha-glycerophosphate in the absence and presence of ADP reveal a lack of inhibition by high phosphate concentrations indicating that the anion does not influence Ca2+ transport by preventing the generation of the proton electrochemical gradient across the inner membrane. 5. It is concluded that the molecular assembly in the inner membrane of Lucilla mitochondria responsible for transporting Ca2+ is fully developed at emergence and remains so for at least 2-3 days of adult life. The possibility exists that Ca2+-transport activity in these mitochondria is controlled at least in part by P1.", "contents": "Changes in the response of mitochondrial calcium transport to exogenous phosphate during development in flight muscle of the sheep blowfly Lucilla cuprina. 1. Ca2+ transport by mitochondria isolated from flight muscle of the sheep blowfly Lucilla cuprina does not occur in the absence of added P1. Maximum rates of transport are attained when about 2.5 mM-phosphate is present. 2. As mitochondria develop, high but not low phosphate concentrations begin to inhibit Ca2+ transport markedly; those isolated from 2-day-old flies for example, are inhibited by about 75% by 20 mM-phosphate. Maximum rates of transport, i.e. those measured in the presence of 2.5 mM-phosphate, begin to decline only when the fly is about 3 days old. 3. Mitochondrial phosphate transport activity does not change during development of the blowfly, but the endogenous concentration of the anion does. At emergence it is about 6nmol/mg of protein, increases to about 17 nmol/mg of protein at 2-3h and then rapidly declines to reach less than 5 nmol/mg of protein after 2 days of adult life. 4. Studies on the effect of phosphate on oxidation of alpha-glycerophosphate in the absence and presence of ADP reveal a lack of inhibition by high phosphate concentrations indicating that the anion does not influence Ca2+ transport by preventing the generation of the proton electrochemical gradient across the inner membrane. 5. It is concluded that the molecular assembly in the inner membrane of Lucilla mitochondria responsible for transporting Ca2+ is fully developed at emergence and remains so for at least 2-3 days of adult life. The possibility exists that Ca2+-transport activity in these mitochondria is controlled at least in part by P1.", "PMID": 629784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8160", "title": "Properties of energy-dependent calcium transport by rat liver microsomal fraction as revealed by initial-rate measurements.", "content": "Measurements of the initial rate of Ca2+ transport by rat liver microsomal preparations reveal the existence of two phases of transport activity. The first, a phase of rapid transport, is complete by 3-5 min, at which time the second (slower) phase begins; this remains linear for up to at least 40 min. The initial phase is minimal in the absence of MgATP. The initial rate of Ca2+ transport reaches values as high as 25 nmol/min per mg of protein; the Km for Ca2+total is 1-2 micrometer and that for MgATPtotal about 500 micrometer. Ruthenium Red (3-5 nmol/mg of protein) has little effect on the initial rate of transport, whereas tributylin (2 micrometer) inhibits equally in a KC1- or a KNO3-containing medium. Compunds that collapse components of the proton electrochemical gradient in mitochondria (valinomycin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) each inhibit by 70-80% the initial rate of microsomal Ca2+ transport.", "contents": "Properties of energy-dependent calcium transport by rat liver microsomal fraction as revealed by initial-rate measurements. Measurements of the initial rate of Ca2+ transport by rat liver microsomal preparations reveal the existence of two phases of transport activity. The first, a phase of rapid transport, is complete by 3-5 min, at which time the second (slower) phase begins; this remains linear for up to at least 40 min. The initial phase is minimal in the absence of MgATP. The initial rate of Ca2+ transport reaches values as high as 25 nmol/min per mg of protein; the Km for Ca2+total is 1-2 micrometer and that for MgATPtotal about 500 micrometer. Ruthenium Red (3-5 nmol/mg of protein) has little effect on the initial rate of transport, whereas tributylin (2 micrometer) inhibits equally in a KC1- or a KNO3-containing medium. Compunds that collapse components of the proton electrochemical gradient in mitochondria (valinomycin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) each inhibit by 70-80% the initial rate of microsomal Ca2+ transport.", "PMID": 629785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8161", "title": "Plasma lipids, triglyceride/fatty acid pattern, and plasma insulin in fasted healthy volunteers during continuous ingestion of ethanol. Influence of lipolysis inhibited by nicotinic acid.", "content": "Healthy fasted volunteers were subjected to an acute oral ethanol load over 12 h after a diet of 3 days with high linolenic acid content. Free fatty acids, triglycerides, glycerol, phospholipids, cholesterol and insulin, as well as the fatty acid pattern of triglycerides in the plasma, were determined during the test. The test was repeated with nicotinic acid added. The lipid values obtained and the comparisons of fatty acid composition both indicate that the predominant role of peripheral lipolysis in the genesis of acute ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia, in spite of the possibility of enhanced synthesis of palmitic acid in the liver.", "contents": "Plasma lipids, triglyceride/fatty acid pattern, and plasma insulin in fasted healthy volunteers during continuous ingestion of ethanol. Influence of lipolysis inhibited by nicotinic acid. Healthy fasted volunteers were subjected to an acute oral ethanol load over 12 h after a diet of 3 days with high linolenic acid content. Free fatty acids, triglycerides, glycerol, phospholipids, cholesterol and insulin, as well as the fatty acid pattern of triglycerides in the plasma, were determined during the test. The test was repeated with nicotinic acid added. The lipid values obtained and the comparisons of fatty acid composition both indicate that the predominant role of peripheral lipolysis in the genesis of acute ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia, in spite of the possibility of enhanced synthesis of palmitic acid in the liver.", "PMID": 629823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8162", "title": "Fractional fatty acid incorporation into human adipose tissue (FIAT) in hypertriglyceridemia.", "content": "Two processes regulate the removal of lipoprotein triglycerides from plasma: (1) hydrolysis of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase to fatty acids in the capillaries; (2) local uptake and esterification of fatty acids by adipose tissue, muscle and other tissues. This second process has been studied on needle biopsy specimens of adipose tissue from normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic subjects. Hypertriglyceridemie was found to be associated to low fatty acid incorporation into adipose tissue.", "contents": "Fractional fatty acid incorporation into human adipose tissue (FIAT) in hypertriglyceridemia. Two processes regulate the removal of lipoprotein triglycerides from plasma: (1) hydrolysis of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase to fatty acids in the capillaries; (2) local uptake and esterification of fatty acids by adipose tissue, muscle and other tissues. This second process has been studied on needle biopsy specimens of adipose tissue from normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic subjects. Hypertriglyceridemie was found to be associated to low fatty acid incorporation into adipose tissue.", "PMID": 629825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8163", "title": "Platelet aggregation in patients with peripheral vascular disease.", "content": "Platelet aggregation has been studied in 28 control subjects and 46 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The platelets from the patients with peripheral vascular disease were significantly more sensitive to the aggregating effects of adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline than those from the control group (P less than 0.001). In addition, spontaneous platelet aggregation was observed in vitro in several of the vascular patients; this response was not apparent in the control group. Increased platelet aggregation could add to the vascular impairment in the unoperated subject and might also play a part in premature graft failure. Platelet function studies should perhaps be included as a routine in the assessment of patients with peripheral vascular disease.", "contents": "Platelet aggregation in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Platelet aggregation has been studied in 28 control subjects and 46 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The platelets from the patients with peripheral vascular disease were significantly more sensitive to the aggregating effects of adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline than those from the control group (P less than 0.001). In addition, spontaneous platelet aggregation was observed in vitro in several of the vascular patients; this response was not apparent in the control group. Increased platelet aggregation could add to the vascular impairment in the unoperated subject and might also play a part in premature graft failure. Platelet function studies should perhaps be included as a routine in the assessment of patients with peripheral vascular disease.", "PMID": 629826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8164", "title": "Cholesterolemia and cardiovascular abnormalities in rats caused by copper deficiency.", "content": "The association of copper with cardiovascular disease and a possible involvement of copper in the metabolism of cholesterol prompted the study on hypercholesterolemia mediated by copper deficiency. Copper deficient rats were found to exhibit a highly significant cholesterolemia (P less than 0.001), and plasma cholesterol showed a significant correlation with hepatic copper concentration (P less than 0.03). Two copper deficient rats died with hemothorax. The hearts of copper deficient rats were hypertrophied with large areas of hemorrhage, inflammation and focal necrosis. Prominent subendocardial fibroplasia was evident in copper deficient animals. The myocardial arteries of copper deficient rats were normal, however, aortas showed large areas of distorted and depleted elastic fibers. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role for copper in cholesterol metabolism, and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.", "contents": "Cholesterolemia and cardiovascular abnormalities in rats caused by copper deficiency. The association of copper with cardiovascular disease and a possible involvement of copper in the metabolism of cholesterol prompted the study on hypercholesterolemia mediated by copper deficiency. Copper deficient rats were found to exhibit a highly significant cholesterolemia (P less than 0.001), and plasma cholesterol showed a significant correlation with hepatic copper concentration (P less than 0.03). Two copper deficient rats died with hemothorax. The hearts of copper deficient rats were hypertrophied with large areas of hemorrhage, inflammation and focal necrosis. Prominent subendocardial fibroplasia was evident in copper deficient animals. The myocardial arteries of copper deficient rats were normal, however, aortas showed large areas of distorted and depleted elastic fibers. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role for copper in cholesterol metabolism, and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.", "PMID": 629827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8165", "title": "Preparation of [14C]colestipol hydrochloride and its disposition in the human, dog and rat.", "content": "Colestipol hydrochloride, a polymeric, ion-exchange type, hypocholesterolemic agent, acting by sequestering bile acids, was labeled with carbon-14. The disposition of the labeled material was studied in the human, dog and rat. The extent of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, as judged by urinary excretion of radioactivity, was very small and correlated well with the contents of water-soluble and dialyzable materials in the colestipol hydrochloride. Results were consistent with the dialyzable material in the drug being the absorbable species.", "contents": "Preparation of [14C]colestipol hydrochloride and its disposition in the human, dog and rat. Colestipol hydrochloride, a polymeric, ion-exchange type, hypocholesterolemic agent, acting by sequestering bile acids, was labeled with carbon-14. The disposition of the labeled material was studied in the human, dog and rat. The extent of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, as judged by urinary excretion of radioactivity, was very small and correlated well with the contents of water-soluble and dialyzable materials in the colestipol hydrochloride. Results were consistent with the dialyzable material in the drug being the absorbable species.", "PMID": 629828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8166", "title": "Effects of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human aortic inner and outer layers on partial thromboplastin time.", "content": "(1) Acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) were prepared from the inner and outer layers of human aorta and fractionated by Dowex 1-X2 columns. The anticoagulant activity of the fractionated AGAG was measured by the partial thromboplastin time. (2) Heparan sulfates were the main AGAG in the 1.25 M NaCl fraction and were more abundant in the outer layer than in the inner. Likewise, there was more dermatan sulfate in the outer layer. (3) The AGAG in the outer layer showed much greater anticoagulant activity than those in the inner layer, both in the 1.25 M and 1.75 M NaCl fractions. (4) Anticoagulant activity was attributed to the heparan sulfates in the 1.25 M fraction and to the dermatan sulfate in the 1.75 M fraction.", "contents": "Effects of acidic glycosaminoglycans in human aortic inner and outer layers on partial thromboplastin time. (1) Acidic glycosaminoglycans (AGAG) were prepared from the inner and outer layers of human aorta and fractionated by Dowex 1-X2 columns. The anticoagulant activity of the fractionated AGAG was measured by the partial thromboplastin time. (2) Heparan sulfates were the main AGAG in the 1.25 M NaCl fraction and were more abundant in the outer layer than in the inner. Likewise, there was more dermatan sulfate in the outer layer. (3) The AGAG in the outer layer showed much greater anticoagulant activity than those in the inner layer, both in the 1.25 M and 1.75 M NaCl fractions. (4) Anticoagulant activity was attributed to the heparan sulfates in the 1.25 M fraction and to the dermatan sulfate in the 1.75 M fraction.", "PMID": 629829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8167", "title": "[Erythrocyte potassium in premature infants small for gestational age].", "content": "A direct method was used to study the concentration of intraerythrocytic sodium and postassium in 21 prematures with adequate weight for their gestational age and in 24 small for their gestational age. Intraerythrocytic potassium showed to be less, while sodium turned out to be greater in the group of prematures small for their gestational age when compared with those with adequates weight. No significant differences were found between concentrations of serum sodium and potassium in both groups. These results are in close relationship with the findings of potassium in the muscular cell and in the leukocytes of infants with protein-calorie malnutrition and may show importance in terms of the flow of ions through the erythrocytic membrane.", "contents": "[Erythrocyte potassium in premature infants small for gestational age]. A direct method was used to study the concentration of intraerythrocytic sodium and postassium in 21 prematures with adequate weight for their gestational age and in 24 small for their gestational age. Intraerythrocytic potassium showed to be less, while sodium turned out to be greater in the group of prematures small for their gestational age when compared with those with adequates weight. No significant differences were found between concentrations of serum sodium and potassium in both groups. These results are in close relationship with the findings of potassium in the muscular cell and in the leukocytes of infants with protein-calorie malnutrition and may show importance in terms of the flow of ions through the erythrocytic membrane.", "PMID": 629830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8168", "title": "[Atmospheric pollution and spirometry in healthy children of the Distrito Federal].", "content": "Investigation of the vital capacity, maximum expiratory flow and maximum mean expiratory flow was carried out in children living in two areas of Mexico City, one of them with a high degree (azcapotzalco) and the other one with low degree (Tizap\u00e1n) of air pollution. Timed spirometry was carried out on children attending 4th, 5th and 6th grades in two official grammar schools so both groups were as uniform as possible in their social-economical level and nutritional and health conditions. This goal was attained quite satisfactorily and groups turned similar, after comparing results and analysing statistically somatometric data, together with scholarship of the parents, economical income, history of respiratory diseases and physical examination. However, quite a significant statistical difference (p less than 0.001) was found between the parameters involving measurements of ventilation in favor of Tizap\u00e1n children. The difference between Azcapotzalco and Tizap\u00e1n children in terms of the three ventilatory parameters analyzed was possibly due to the fact the former lived in a greater polluted area.", "contents": "[Atmospheric pollution and spirometry in healthy children of the Distrito Federal]. Investigation of the vital capacity, maximum expiratory flow and maximum mean expiratory flow was carried out in children living in two areas of Mexico City, one of them with a high degree (azcapotzalco) and the other one with low degree (Tizap\u00e1n) of air pollution. Timed spirometry was carried out on children attending 4th, 5th and 6th grades in two official grammar schools so both groups were as uniform as possible in their social-economical level and nutritional and health conditions. This goal was attained quite satisfactorily and groups turned similar, after comparing results and analysing statistically somatometric data, together with scholarship of the parents, economical income, history of respiratory diseases and physical examination. However, quite a significant statistical difference (p less than 0.001) was found between the parameters involving measurements of ventilation in favor of Tizap\u00e1n children. The difference between Azcapotzalco and Tizap\u00e1n children in terms of the three ventilatory parameters analyzed was possibly due to the fact the former lived in a greater polluted area.", "PMID": 629831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8169", "title": "[Analysis of 2 studies of weight and height separated by a 50-year interval in children of Mexico City].", "content": "The investigation of somatometric values to be used as reference patterns for Mexican children has de be scanty; the author mentions the most significant works carried out within the last 50 years. Considering that the material is comparable and in view of the magnitude of the samples, (4,757 vs. 5,533 cases) the author analyses the values published in 1926 and his own (1975). Differences in weight, height and corporal surface were found in both sexes at 5 years, which gradually increases to become quite marked at 17 years of age. At the same time, there was acceleration in development which was calculated in 14 months within 50 years; thus, in 1926, menarche was expected at 159 months of age when the average weight reached 45,600 gms. and height was 149.5 cm., while at present, it is expected at 144 months, with same weight and height. The rate weight/height has remained unchanged, but the silhouette has changed because of greater relative growth of the lower segment. The author comments that these changes, favorable to the privileged groups may not be found in the rural areas and that in some places, the height in females is gradually decreasing at the rate of 1 cm, every 5 years, which means a remarkable impairment.", "contents": "[Analysis of 2 studies of weight and height separated by a 50-year interval in children of Mexico City]. The investigation of somatometric values to be used as reference patterns for Mexican children has de be scanty; the author mentions the most significant works carried out within the last 50 years. Considering that the material is comparable and in view of the magnitude of the samples, (4,757 vs. 5,533 cases) the author analyses the values published in 1926 and his own (1975). Differences in weight, height and corporal surface were found in both sexes at 5 years, which gradually increases to become quite marked at 17 years of age. At the same time, there was acceleration in development which was calculated in 14 months within 50 years; thus, in 1926, menarche was expected at 159 months of age when the average weight reached 45,600 gms. and height was 149.5 cm., while at present, it is expected at 144 months, with same weight and height. The rate weight/height has remained unchanged, but the silhouette has changed because of greater relative growth of the lower segment. The author comments that these changes, favorable to the privileged groups may not be found in the rural areas and that in some places, the height in females is gradually decreasing at the rate of 1 cm, every 5 years, which means a remarkable impairment.", "PMID": 629833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8170", "title": "[Dermatomyositis in pediatrics].", "content": "The study included 19 children with dermatomyositis. All showed frequently atypical cutaneous disords which in most cases were the initial manifestation. In every case there was some clinical evidence of proximal myopathy. Arthralgias were frequently found and sinusal tachycardia was present in 10 cases. The correct diagnosis was made from the beginning only in 6 cases. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the main cause of confusion. The differential diagnosis between these two entities cannot be made only by the presence or not of nephropathy, even if this disease was evident in 42% of patients with dermatomyositis. The most useful laboratory tests for the diagnosis and management were CPK, aldose and serum TGO. Electromyography was abnormal in every case where it was practiced. Muscular biopsy was valuable in 15 of the 19 patients. All were treated with prednisone and in most cases with good results.", "contents": "[Dermatomyositis in pediatrics]. The study included 19 children with dermatomyositis. All showed frequently atypical cutaneous disords which in most cases were the initial manifestation. In every case there was some clinical evidence of proximal myopathy. Arthralgias were frequently found and sinusal tachycardia was present in 10 cases. The correct diagnosis was made from the beginning only in 6 cases. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the main cause of confusion. The differential diagnosis between these two entities cannot be made only by the presence or not of nephropathy, even if this disease was evident in 42% of patients with dermatomyositis. The most useful laboratory tests for the diagnosis and management were CPK, aldose and serum TGO. Electromyography was abnormal in every case where it was practiced. Muscular biopsy was valuable in 15 of the 19 patients. All were treated with prednisone and in most cases with good results.", "PMID": 629832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8171", "title": "[Obstructive vascular ring. Report of a case].", "content": "The case of an infant with obstructive vascular ring is reported. Considerations are made on the most frequent types of this anomaly, its embryology, clinical picture and its diagnosis and taking into account advances made of the surgical treatment in recent years, the importance of the diagnosis is emphasized together with the consequence of complications in untreated cases.", "contents": "[Obstructive vascular ring. Report of a case]. The case of an infant with obstructive vascular ring is reported. Considerations are made on the most frequent types of this anomaly, its embryology, clinical picture and its diagnosis and taking into account advances made of the surgical treatment in recent years, the importance of the diagnosis is emphasized together with the consequence of complications in untreated cases.", "PMID": 629834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8172", "title": "[Reye's syndrome: pathological aspects].", "content": "A clinical and statistical review of Reye's syndrome is made, reporting the case of a female seven months old infant with disturbances of the digestive tract associated to hepatomegaly, convulsive crises, maculopapular exanthema, extreme hypoglycemia, hyperammoniemia and high blood urea. The post-mortem study showed fine drop diffuse liver steatosis, renal tubuli steatosis, focal steatosis of myocardial fibers, generalized meningoencephalic edema and viral pneumonia. These clinico-pathologic characteristics lead to the diagnosis of Reye's syndrome, an infrequent entity in our milieu judged by national literature.", "contents": "[Reye's syndrome: pathological aspects]. A clinical and statistical review of Reye's syndrome is made, reporting the case of a female seven months old infant with disturbances of the digestive tract associated to hepatomegaly, convulsive crises, maculopapular exanthema, extreme hypoglycemia, hyperammoniemia and high blood urea. The post-mortem study showed fine drop diffuse liver steatosis, renal tubuli steatosis, focal steatosis of myocardial fibers, generalized meningoencephalic edema and viral pneumonia. These clinico-pathologic characteristics lead to the diagnosis of Reye's syndrome, an infrequent entity in our milieu judged by national literature.", "PMID": 629835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8173", "title": "[Intestinal atresia].", "content": "The authors reviewed their experience with 20 cases of intestinal atresia (jejunum, ileum and colon) admitted between January 1972 and January 1977. International literature shows 80% mortality rate for this malformation before 1940 and 10-25% in current reports. In Mexico, before 1959, the mortality rate was 80%, but the most recent reports showed 28% mortality rate for atresia and 33% in cases of stenosis. The group of patient studied included twelve cases with a weight over 2,500 g. and eight patients under 2,500 g. Four patients showed multiple associated malformations (incompatible with life in one case) and in 17, there were no associated malformations. Nineteen cases were operated, the dilated and atresic segments were resected and anastomosis was performed. It was termino-terminal in 13 cases and termino-lateral in 6. One case was explored surgically and no attempt to repair the atresias was made, because there were malformations incompatible with life. Four patients died. Even if this series is very small, the associated malformations, low weight and techniques used do not seem to influence the prognosis of these patients.", "contents": "[Intestinal atresia]. The authors reviewed their experience with 20 cases of intestinal atresia (jejunum, ileum and colon) admitted between January 1972 and January 1977. International literature shows 80% mortality rate for this malformation before 1940 and 10-25% in current reports. In Mexico, before 1959, the mortality rate was 80%, but the most recent reports showed 28% mortality rate for atresia and 33% in cases of stenosis. The group of patient studied included twelve cases with a weight over 2,500 g. and eight patients under 2,500 g. Four patients showed multiple associated malformations (incompatible with life in one case) and in 17, there were no associated malformations. Nineteen cases were operated, the dilated and atresic segments were resected and anastomosis was performed. It was termino-terminal in 13 cases and termino-lateral in 6. One case was explored surgically and no attempt to repair the atresias was made, because there were malformations incompatible with life. Four patients died. Even if this series is very small, the associated malformations, low weight and techniques used do not seem to influence the prognosis of these patients.", "PMID": 629836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8174", "title": "[Atresia of the esophagus. Experience in 33 patients].", "content": "The authors present their experience in the management of 33 patients with esophageal atresia. Twenty-six of them were type III (fistula from the lower end of the esophagus); four cases were \"H\" type of fistula and three cases were type one (with no fistula). In the type III group (26 patients) the major associated malformations seemed to be the most important factor that contributted to the mortality rate. Birth weight and the age at the moment of the diagnosis, did not seem to influence the final outcome. In this group, 13 patients died (50% mortality), ten patients had major associated malformations, all of them died (100% mortality). 16 patients did not have associated malformations; from them, only three died (18% mortality). All the patients with type \"H\" malformations survived. All the patients with type I malformations underwent gastrostomy and a cervical esophagostomy. One patient died in the immediate postoperatory period. The second one underwent a successful colon interposition and the third one was lost from control.", "contents": "[Atresia of the esophagus. Experience in 33 patients]. The authors present their experience in the management of 33 patients with esophageal atresia. Twenty-six of them were type III (fistula from the lower end of the esophagus); four cases were \"H\" type of fistula and three cases were type one (with no fistula). In the type III group (26 patients) the major associated malformations seemed to be the most important factor that contributted to the mortality rate. Birth weight and the age at the moment of the diagnosis, did not seem to influence the final outcome. In this group, 13 patients died (50% mortality), ten patients had major associated malformations, all of them died (100% mortality). 16 patients did not have associated malformations; from them, only three died (18% mortality). All the patients with type \"H\" malformations survived. All the patients with type I malformations underwent gastrostomy and a cervical esophagostomy. One patient died in the immediate postoperatory period. The second one underwent a successful colon interposition and the third one was lost from control.", "PMID": 629837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8175", "title": "[Globular sedimentation rate as an index of infection in the newborn].", "content": "Sedimentation (VSG) rate was studied following the microhematocrit technique in 40 healthy and in 52 infected preterm infants complaining of gastroenteritis, bronchopneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. In healthy infants, VSG was measured at 3, 6, 9, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days of age and in infected cases, it was measured in the course of disease or during recovery. Increment of VSG was shown in healthy cases from 1.29 mm/1 hour at the age of 3 days up to 9.39 mm/1 hour at one month of age. In infected newborns, average VSG was higher than in healthy infants in every one of the days measured. In 8 of the infants with septicemia, VSG showed a marked rise followed by drop as the patients improved. At the end, comments are made on the usefulness of the method as and aid in the diagnosis of infection in preterm newborns.", "contents": "[Globular sedimentation rate as an index of infection in the newborn]. Sedimentation (VSG) rate was studied following the microhematocrit technique in 40 healthy and in 52 infected preterm infants complaining of gastroenteritis, bronchopneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. In healthy infants, VSG was measured at 3, 6, 9, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days of age and in infected cases, it was measured in the course of disease or during recovery. Increment of VSG was shown in healthy cases from 1.29 mm/1 hour at the age of 3 days up to 9.39 mm/1 hour at one month of age. In infected newborns, average VSG was higher than in healthy infants in every one of the days measured. In 8 of the infants with septicemia, VSG showed a marked rise followed by drop as the patients improved. At the end, comments are made on the usefulness of the method as and aid in the diagnosis of infection in preterm newborns.", "PMID": 629839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8176", "title": "[Furosemide at high doses in a girl with chronic renal failure].", "content": "A case is reported of a female preschool, age child with nephrotic syndrome, probably secondary to focal and segmentary hyalinosis with progressive decrease of the renal function. The patient was given increasing doses of furosemide to control the important retention of fluids she showed until a daily dose of 120 mg/kg. of body weight was reached. Adequate control of edema was managed and it was possible to decrease sodium restriction from the diet when urinary excretion of sodium increased. Such effect was useful for four months during which, the patient's diet turned more adequate and there was improvement of the nutritional state which was seriously impaired because of the restrictive diet given. However, control was lost because the patient died at home from bronchopneumonia. Thus, it is considered furosemide may be used in chronic renal failure at higher than usual doses in selected patients.", "contents": "[Furosemide at high doses in a girl with chronic renal failure]. A case is reported of a female preschool, age child with nephrotic syndrome, probably secondary to focal and segmentary hyalinosis with progressive decrease of the renal function. The patient was given increasing doses of furosemide to control the important retention of fluids she showed until a daily dose of 120 mg/kg. of body weight was reached. Adequate control of edema was managed and it was possible to decrease sodium restriction from the diet when urinary excretion of sodium increased. Such effect was useful for four months during which, the patient's diet turned more adequate and there was improvement of the nutritional state which was seriously impaired because of the restrictive diet given. However, control was lost because the patient died at home from bronchopneumonia. Thus, it is considered furosemide may be used in chronic renal failure at higher than usual doses in selected patients.", "PMID": 629840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8177", "title": "[Anatomo-radiological correlation of shock lung in pediatrics].", "content": "We reviewed three post-mortem studies of pediatric patients who died with the diagnosis of shock lung. We try to correlate the thorax X Ray studies obtained during clinical shock, with the anatomopathological findings. We established the basis for the anatomopathological and radiological diagnosis, and its comparation with the adult studies. No correlation could be establish with this a prospective study to try recognize this entity during life with serial X Ray studies, like was performed in adults.", "contents": "[Anatomo-radiological correlation of shock lung in pediatrics]. We reviewed three post-mortem studies of pediatric patients who died with the diagnosis of shock lung. We try to correlate the thorax X Ray studies obtained during clinical shock, with the anatomopathological findings. We established the basis for the anatomopathological and radiological diagnosis, and its comparation with the adult studies. No correlation could be establish with this a prospective study to try recognize this entity during life with serial X Ray studies, like was performed in adults.", "PMID": 629838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8178", "title": "[Gaucher's disease. Morphological study of lymph nodes by electron microscopy].", "content": "The morphological study of lymph node biopsies by light and electron microscopes is reported. The patient was a 7 months old infant with Gaucher's disease and infection symptoms of upper respiratory ducts. We believe this to be a case of lesser affection, since the patient was admitted complaining of complications that gave way to medical treatment. Lymphadenopathy and moderate liver and splenomegaly were occasional findings during examination. Through the light microscope, Gaucher's cells showed an eccentric nucleous, cytoplasmic striae which, at the electron microscope showed to be tubular bodies.", "contents": "[Gaucher's disease. Morphological study of lymph nodes by electron microscopy]. The morphological study of lymph node biopsies by light and electron microscopes is reported. The patient was a 7 months old infant with Gaucher's disease and infection symptoms of upper respiratory ducts. We believe this to be a case of lesser affection, since the patient was admitted complaining of complications that gave way to medical treatment. Lymphadenopathy and moderate liver and splenomegaly were occasional findings during examination. Through the light microscope, Gaucher's cells showed an eccentric nucleous, cytoplasmic striae which, at the electron microscope showed to be tubular bodies.", "PMID": 629842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8179", "title": "Immunogenetics of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: search for LD determinants as genetic markers of the syndrome.", "content": "In a previous work we demonstrated a strong association between HLA-B7 and the susceptibility to the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In this work we report some preliminary results obtained performing one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures in vitro between 15 unrelated children showing the typical EEG and clinical patterns of the syndrome. The same children were also tested against unrelated control cells from healthy donors. The low stimulation displayed by Lennox-Gastaut patients between them as compared with the higher stimulation found in patients/controls and controls/controls comparisons suggests the existence of an LD allele which may be associated with the disease.", "contents": "Immunogenetics of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: search for LD determinants as genetic markers of the syndrome. In a previous work we demonstrated a strong association between HLA-B7 and the susceptibility to the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In this work we report some preliminary results obtained performing one-way mixed lymphocyte cultures in vitro between 15 unrelated children showing the typical EEG and clinical patterns of the syndrome. The same children were also tested against unrelated control cells from healthy donors. The low stimulation displayed by Lennox-Gastaut patients between them as compared with the higher stimulation found in patients/controls and controls/controls comparisons suggests the existence of an LD allele which may be associated with the disease.", "PMID": 629848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8180", "title": "[Evaluation of the effectiveness of thiabendazole, pyrantel and mebendazole in the treatment of necatoriasis in children].", "content": "A study was made of 48 patients from the different departments of the Hospital del Ni\u00f1o, DIF, in which hookworm eggs were demonstrated by qualitative coproparasitoscopic study (CPS). During the study, quantitative CPS was practiced on them by Stoll's dilution and the Harada-Mori technique, for the identification of the hookworm larvae. They were divided into three groups: A, B and C (16 patients in each group); the study was single-blind. The effectiveness of the evaluated drugs was based on the disappearance or diminution of hookworms eggs in the CPS (Stoll) practiced 2 weeks after the drug treatment had finished. The work was done with patients parasitized by Necator americanus (verified by the Harada-Mori technique). The A group was given pyrantel pamoate; the B group, thiabendazole and the C group, mebendazole. The results obtained were statistically processed by means of X2 proportions. There was no significant difference between the three groups when a light to moderate necatoriasis was treated; when a massive infection was involved, there was a significant difference and it was found that the best drug was pyrantel pamoate administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg/day/3 days. There were few side effects in the three groups, but they were not sufficient to cause suspension of the treatment. The cheapest drug was thiabendazole.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the effectiveness of thiabendazole, pyrantel and mebendazole in the treatment of necatoriasis in children]. A study was made of 48 patients from the different departments of the Hospital del Ni\u00f1o, DIF, in which hookworm eggs were demonstrated by qualitative coproparasitoscopic study (CPS). During the study, quantitative CPS was practiced on them by Stoll's dilution and the Harada-Mori technique, for the identification of the hookworm larvae. They were divided into three groups: A, B and C (16 patients in each group); the study was single-blind. The effectiveness of the evaluated drugs was based on the disappearance or diminution of hookworms eggs in the CPS (Stoll) practiced 2 weeks after the drug treatment had finished. The work was done with patients parasitized by Necator americanus (verified by the Harada-Mori technique). The A group was given pyrantel pamoate; the B group, thiabendazole and the C group, mebendazole. The results obtained were statistically processed by means of X2 proportions. There was no significant difference between the three groups when a light to moderate necatoriasis was treated; when a massive infection was involved, there was a significant difference and it was found that the best drug was pyrantel pamoate administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg/day/3 days. There were few side effects in the three groups, but they were not sufficient to cause suspension of the treatment. The cheapest drug was thiabendazole.", "PMID": 629844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8181", "title": "Applications of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (M.E.M.).", "content": "This paper describes the principle of the M.E.M. test (macrophage electrophoretic mobility). Human lymphocytes from normal or diseased patients, if exposed to an antigen to which they were sensitized may produce a factor which would reduce the electrophoretic mobility of a normal guinea pig peritoneal macrophage population. It is shown a summary of the applications of the test system and disadvantages of using P.E.C. and a summary of test system used for assessing slowing factors produced by lymphocyte-antigen reaction.", "contents": "Applications of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (M.E.M.). This paper describes the principle of the M.E.M. test (macrophage electrophoretic mobility). Human lymphocytes from normal or diseased patients, if exposed to an antigen to which they were sensitized may produce a factor which would reduce the electrophoretic mobility of a normal guinea pig peritoneal macrophage population. It is shown a summary of the applications of the test system and disadvantages of using P.E.C. and a summary of test system used for assessing slowing factors produced by lymphocyte-antigen reaction.", "PMID": 629849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8182", "title": "[Trichotillomania].", "content": "Trichotillomania is a relatively frequent cause of alopecia in children. An area of the scalp, of irregular shape, partially devoided of hair or eventually a geometrically designed alopecic area should suggest the diagnosis. The histologic alterationes are characteristic. Most children with trichotillomania have mild alterationes of personality, some require psychiatric evaluation.", "contents": "[Trichotillomania]. Trichotillomania is a relatively frequent cause of alopecia in children. An area of the scalp, of irregular shape, partially devoided of hair or eventually a geometrically designed alopecic area should suggest the diagnosis. The histologic alterationes are characteristic. Most children with trichotillomania have mild alterationes of personality, some require psychiatric evaluation.", "PMID": 629843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8183", "title": "E-UFA test in multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Field et al. have recently suggested a blood test for multiple sclerosis based on determination of the absolute electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes alone and in the presence of linoleic acid (LA) or arachidonic acid (AA). We attempted to reinvestigate this phenomenon in an Italian population.", "contents": "E-UFA test in multiple sclerosis. Field et al. have recently suggested a blood test for multiple sclerosis based on determination of the absolute electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes alone and in the presence of linoleic acid (LA) or arachidonic acid (AA). We attempted to reinvestigate this phenomenon in an Italian population.", "PMID": 629850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8184", "title": "M.S. diagnostic test: a comparison of different electrophoretic and immunologic methods for CFS IgG estimation.", "content": "In order to select the most discriminative laboratory method of MS diagnosis, the results obtained with CSF IgG/total protein ratio, CSF-IgG Index, agarose and cellulose acetate electrophoresis were compared. The electrophoretic methods appear to be more discriminative for MS than IgG/total protein ratio or the CSF-IgG Index. Furthermore, cellulose acetate electrophoresis was found to be simpler and quicker to perform than agarose electrophoresis.", "contents": "M.S. diagnostic test: a comparison of different electrophoretic and immunologic methods for CFS IgG estimation. In order to select the most discriminative laboratory method of MS diagnosis, the results obtained with CSF IgG/total protein ratio, CSF-IgG Index, agarose and cellulose acetate electrophoresis were compared. The electrophoretic methods appear to be more discriminative for MS than IgG/total protein ratio or the CSF-IgG Index. Furthermore, cellulose acetate electrophoresis was found to be simpler and quicker to perform than agarose electrophoresis.", "PMID": 629851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8185", "title": "Another possible precipitating factor in multiple sclerosis: the exposure to organic solvents.", "content": "Recent clinical observations seem to indicate that a possible correlation may exist between the appearance of inflammatory diseases of the nervous system and exposure to organic solvents. In certain cases the patients could not be distinguished, either from the clinical or laboratory point of view, from typical cases of multiple sclerosis. These observations raise the problem of a possible action of organic solvents on the immunological responses, already described in different pathological conditions as a further possible precipitating factor in MS.", "contents": "Another possible precipitating factor in multiple sclerosis: the exposure to organic solvents. Recent clinical observations seem to indicate that a possible correlation may exist between the appearance of inflammatory diseases of the nervous system and exposure to organic solvents. In certain cases the patients could not be distinguished, either from the clinical or laboratory point of view, from typical cases of multiple sclerosis. These observations raise the problem of a possible action of organic solvents on the immunological responses, already described in different pathological conditions as a further possible precipitating factor in MS.", "PMID": 629852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8186", "title": "[Correct placement of the endotracheal tube].", "content": "The authors present their experience with correct placement of an endotracheal tube. Thirty children were intubated for different indications following the same method. The correct position of the tube was confirmed by chest films. The method included: 1. Tracheal tube introduction by direct laryngoscopy. 2. Deliberate tube displacement to the main right bronchus. 3. Auscultatory carina detection while giving positive pressure ventilation with ambu, when the respiratory murmur appears in the left hemithorax. 4. Tube withdrawal a distance equal to the patient's little finger length, leaving off the tracheal tube tip at an appropriate distance from the carina. The placement was found correct in 29 cases.", "contents": "[Correct placement of the endotracheal tube]. The authors present their experience with correct placement of an endotracheal tube. Thirty children were intubated for different indications following the same method. The correct position of the tube was confirmed by chest films. The method included: 1. Tracheal tube introduction by direct laryngoscopy. 2. Deliberate tube displacement to the main right bronchus. 3. Auscultatory carina detection while giving positive pressure ventilation with ambu, when the respiratory murmur appears in the left hemithorax. 4. Tube withdrawal a distance equal to the patient's little finger length, leaving off the tracheal tube tip at an appropriate distance from the carina. The placement was found correct in 29 cases.", "PMID": 629846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8187", "title": "[Proctologic examination in pediatrics].", "content": "The study included 873 rectal examinations carried out in children where inspection, rectal examination and endoscopy were performed in each case. Most examinations were done in children complaining of gastroenterocolitis. Inspection of gluteal, perianal and sacrococcygeal areas was normal in most cases: however, ammoniacal erythema was frequently found (44.2%). Rectal examination showed hypotonicity of the external sphincter in 146 cases which was linked to prolonged diarrhea and malnutrition. At the endoscopy, the rectal mucosa showed ulcerations, congestion, friability, edema and bleeding; however, it was considered normal in 274 occasions. In 540 patients, the endoscopic diagnosis was colitis of different types. In 54 cases, the endoscopic examination, plus the examination of fecal mucus taken directly from the rectal mucosa led to the diagnosis of amebic colitis. In opposition with adults, neoplastic lesions were uncommon and usually corresponded to leukemic infiltration or tumoral metastases. There were no complications attributable to the process.", "contents": "[Proctologic examination in pediatrics]. The study included 873 rectal examinations carried out in children where inspection, rectal examination and endoscopy were performed in each case. Most examinations were done in children complaining of gastroenterocolitis. Inspection of gluteal, perianal and sacrococcygeal areas was normal in most cases: however, ammoniacal erythema was frequently found (44.2%). Rectal examination showed hypotonicity of the external sphincter in 146 cases which was linked to prolonged diarrhea and malnutrition. At the endoscopy, the rectal mucosa showed ulcerations, congestion, friability, edema and bleeding; however, it was considered normal in 274 occasions. In 540 patients, the endoscopic diagnosis was colitis of different types. In 54 cases, the endoscopic examination, plus the examination of fecal mucus taken directly from the rectal mucosa led to the diagnosis of amebic colitis. In opposition with adults, neoplastic lesions were uncommon and usually corresponded to leukemic infiltration or tumoral metastases. There were no complications attributable to the process.", "PMID": 629845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8188", "title": "Chemical modifications of the protein of carcinoembryonic antigen: associated changes in immunological activity and conformation.", "content": "Chemical substitution of the exposed residues of tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine and arginine in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), using appropriately selective reagents, caused no significant change in the capacity of the antigen to bind to anti-CEA serum. However, treatments of CEA with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide and tetranitromethane, both in the presence of guanidine HCl, caused a large reduction in binding capacity. Measurement of the circular dichroism spectra of all of the products showed that retention of conformation of the molecular correlated well with retained antigenic activity, whereas the large losses in capacity to bind to anti-CEA sera were accompanied by a probably the result of gross conformational changes. The tyrosine residues of CEA may be classified into three categories: (i) 3 freely reacting residues, (ii) 7 or 8 moderately buried residues and (iii) 15 unreactive residues.", "contents": "Chemical modifications of the protein of carcinoembryonic antigen: associated changes in immunological activity and conformation. Chemical substitution of the exposed residues of tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine and arginine in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), using appropriately selective reagents, caused no significant change in the capacity of the antigen to bind to anti-CEA serum. However, treatments of CEA with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide and tetranitromethane, both in the presence of guanidine HCl, caused a large reduction in binding capacity. Measurement of the circular dichroism spectra of all of the products showed that retention of conformation of the molecular correlated well with retained antigenic activity, whereas the large losses in capacity to bind to anti-CEA sera were accompanied by a probably the result of gross conformational changes. The tyrosine residues of CEA may be classified into three categories: (i) 3 freely reacting residues, (ii) 7 or 8 moderately buried residues and (iii) 15 unreactive residues.", "PMID": 629857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8189", "title": "Maintenance of biological and biochemical characteristics of human colorectal tumours during serial passage in immune-deprived mice.", "content": "The effect of serial passage in immune-deprived mice on certain biological and biochemical parameters has been studied in a series of 6 human colorectal tumour xenografts. Histological integrity is maintained for up to 10 serial passages, together with production of epithelial mucins and carcinoembryonic antigen. Passaged tumours retain human lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns and a human chromosome constitution. The induction of a murine tumour has been identified in this system, and the importance of routine checks for the presence of human tissue during serial passage is stressed.", "contents": "Maintenance of biological and biochemical characteristics of human colorectal tumours during serial passage in immune-deprived mice. The effect of serial passage in immune-deprived mice on certain biological and biochemical parameters has been studied in a series of 6 human colorectal tumour xenografts. Histological integrity is maintained for up to 10 serial passages, together with production of epithelial mucins and carcinoembryonic antigen. Passaged tumours retain human lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns and a human chromosome constitution. The induction of a murine tumour has been identified in this system, and the importance of routine checks for the presence of human tissue during serial passage is stressed.", "PMID": 629858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8190", "title": "Growth characteristics of human colorectal tumours during serial passage in immune-deprived mice.", "content": "The growth characteristics of 6 human colorectal tumours have been examined during serial passage in both male and female immune-deprived mice. Exponential growth is a characteristic feature, especially on very early passages. Growth rates in 5 out of the 6 tumour lines increase during the first few transplant generations. This is accompanied by a shorter exponential growth phase and an increased slope of the growth curves. Lag phases and growth rates for individual tumours are variable within a passage. Growth rates for tumours maintained within the same host are similar, and are at least partially influenced by the host. In one tumour line examined in detail, the increased growth rate is attributable to a decreased cell-loss factor, and the difference in growth rate between human colorectal tumours and their corresponding xenografts may therefore largely be due to a difference in the contribution of this factor.", "contents": "Growth characteristics of human colorectal tumours during serial passage in immune-deprived mice. The growth characteristics of 6 human colorectal tumours have been examined during serial passage in both male and female immune-deprived mice. Exponential growth is a characteristic feature, especially on very early passages. Growth rates in 5 out of the 6 tumour lines increase during the first few transplant generations. This is accompanied by a shorter exponential growth phase and an increased slope of the growth curves. Lag phases and growth rates for individual tumours are variable within a passage. Growth rates for tumours maintained within the same host are similar, and are at least partially influenced by the host. In one tumour line examined in detail, the increased growth rate is attributable to a decreased cell-loss factor, and the difference in growth rate between human colorectal tumours and their corresponding xenografts may therefore largely be due to a difference in the contribution of this factor.", "PMID": 629859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8191", "title": "Cytogenetics of malignant epithelial cells and lymphoblastoid cell lines from nasopharyngeal carcinoma.", "content": "The malignant epithelial cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and cells of lines derived form the lymphoid cells which infiltrate this tumour have been investigated cytogenetically. Chromosome spreads of lymphoblastoid cells of lines established from 7 different NPC biopsy specimens were examined after banding staining. Banding was also applied to the epithelial tumour cells of 5 further biopsy specimens freed from non-malignant infiltrating cells by passage through nude mice; epithelial cell spreads were obtained by in vivo splindle arrest. Five of the lymphoblastoid lines were found to be diploid, and 2 tetraploid; the karyotypes were essentially normal. The squamous epithelial nature of the cells in the nude-mouse-grown NPC tumours was established by light and electronmicroscopy, and 3 tumours were found to be near-triploid, and 2 near-diploid. The cells of the near-triploid tumours contained grossly abnormal chromosomes but those of the near-diploid tumours showed only relatively minor changes. Although abnormalities were observed which were specific for cells from each individual tumour, no discernible change was common to cells from all the tumours.", "contents": "Cytogenetics of malignant epithelial cells and lymphoblastoid cell lines from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The malignant epithelial cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and cells of lines derived form the lymphoid cells which infiltrate this tumour have been investigated cytogenetically. Chromosome spreads of lymphoblastoid cells of lines established from 7 different NPC biopsy specimens were examined after banding staining. Banding was also applied to the epithelial tumour cells of 5 further biopsy specimens freed from non-malignant infiltrating cells by passage through nude mice; epithelial cell spreads were obtained by in vivo splindle arrest. Five of the lymphoblastoid lines were found to be diploid, and 2 tetraploid; the karyotypes were essentially normal. The squamous epithelial nature of the cells in the nude-mouse-grown NPC tumours was established by light and electronmicroscopy, and 3 tumours were found to be near-triploid, and 2 near-diploid. The cells of the near-triploid tumours contained grossly abnormal chromosomes but those of the near-diploid tumours showed only relatively minor changes. Although abnormalities were observed which were specific for cells from each individual tumour, no discernible change was common to cells from all the tumours.", "PMID": 629860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8192", "title": "The structure of tumours derived from mouse submandibular gland epithelium transformed in vitro.", "content": "The morphology and ultrastructure of 48 primary tumours established from 5 cell lines of adult mouse salivary gland epithelial cells transformed in vitro are described. Tumours from 4 of the cells lines were adenocarcinomas with a wide range of structural variation, and resembled human salivary gland carcinomas. The fifth cell line produced tumours with carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements.", "contents": "The structure of tumours derived from mouse submandibular gland epithelium transformed in vitro. The morphology and ultrastructure of 48 primary tumours established from 5 cell lines of adult mouse salivary gland epithelial cells transformed in vitro are described. Tumours from 4 of the cells lines were adenocarcinomas with a wide range of structural variation, and resembled human salivary gland carcinomas. The fifth cell line produced tumours with carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements.", "PMID": 629861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8193", "title": "Quantitative relationship between volume of tumour cell units and their intravascular survival.", "content": "The derivation of the median volume (MV) and the geometric standard deviation (SDg) for a suspension of tumour cells quantifies the size and distribution of tumour cell aggregates in the suspension. Data collected in a group of 14 experiments shwoed a significant correlation of 0.80 (P less than 0.001) between the number of lung tumours formed by a suspension of B16 melanoma cells injected i.v. into C57BL/6J mice and the product of the MV and SDg of each cell suspension. These data define a size parameter of tumour cell suspensions that correlates with the intravascular survival properties of tumour cells.", "contents": "Quantitative relationship between volume of tumour cell units and their intravascular survival. The derivation of the median volume (MV) and the geometric standard deviation (SDg) for a suspension of tumour cells quantifies the size and distribution of tumour cell aggregates in the suspension. Data collected in a group of 14 experiments shwoed a significant correlation of 0.80 (P less than 0.001) between the number of lung tumours formed by a suspension of B16 melanoma cells injected i.v. into C57BL/6J mice and the product of the MV and SDg of each cell suspension. These data define a size parameter of tumour cell suspensions that correlates with the intravascular survival properties of tumour cells.", "PMID": 629862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8194", "title": "Antitumour responses induced by short-term pretreatment with tumour cells.", "content": "The injection (s.c. or i.p.) of 10(6) live or lethally irradiated methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma cells into CBA/Ca mice one or 2 days before i.v. challenge with the same tumour inhibited the formation of artificial lung tumour metastases. In addition, it also frequently enhanced the cytostatic effect of peritoneal exudate cells on monolayers of the same tumour. The effects on lung tumour metastasis were not noted if X-irradiated tumour was injected i.v., or if s.c. administration was delayed until one day after i.v. challenge. Similar effects on tumour growth were also observed in C3Hf/Bu mice and (CBA/Ca x A/HeJ) F1 hybrids which were pretreated (s.c.) with tumour shortly before i.v. challenge with the same tumour. Further studies in CBA/Ca mice suggested that the protective effect was tumour-specific, for the growth of i.v. injected tumour was not significantly inhibited by pretreatement with a number of other MC-induced or spontaneous tumours from the same and different strains.", "contents": "Antitumour responses induced by short-term pretreatment with tumour cells. The injection (s.c. or i.p.) of 10(6) live or lethally irradiated methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma cells into CBA/Ca mice one or 2 days before i.v. challenge with the same tumour inhibited the formation of artificial lung tumour metastases. In addition, it also frequently enhanced the cytostatic effect of peritoneal exudate cells on monolayers of the same tumour. The effects on lung tumour metastasis were not noted if X-irradiated tumour was injected i.v., or if s.c. administration was delayed until one day after i.v. challenge. Similar effects on tumour growth were also observed in C3Hf/Bu mice and (CBA/Ca x A/HeJ) F1 hybrids which were pretreated (s.c.) with tumour shortly before i.v. challenge with the same tumour. Further studies in CBA/Ca mice suggested that the protective effect was tumour-specific, for the growth of i.v. injected tumour was not significantly inhibited by pretreatement with a number of other MC-induced or spontaneous tumours from the same and different strains.", "PMID": 629863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8195", "title": "Familial breast cancer: report of a family pedigree.", "content": "Following a report of several relatives suffering from breast cancer, the occurrence of neoplasms in 3 generations of a large family was carefully checked. Members of one out of 8 branches were found to have a high incidence of breast cancer with 6 women affected, 4 of them under the age of 40. As well as early onset, these women presented other features typical of \"breast cancer families\": bilateral breast cancer, other second primary tumours, ovarian cancer in the daughter of one affected patient, and benign breast disease in the sister of another.", "contents": "Familial breast cancer: report of a family pedigree. Following a report of several relatives suffering from breast cancer, the occurrence of neoplasms in 3 generations of a large family was carefully checked. Members of one out of 8 branches were found to have a high incidence of breast cancer with 6 women affected, 4 of them under the age of 40. As well as early onset, these women presented other features typical of \"breast cancer families\": bilateral breast cancer, other second primary tumours, ovarian cancer in the daughter of one affected patient, and benign breast disease in the sister of another.", "PMID": 629864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8196", "title": "Controlled study of PUVA and adjunctive topical therapy in the management of psoriasis.", "content": "In a random study of 116 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) used alone was compared to PUVA plus adjunctive topical therapy with tar, dithranol, or topical corticosteroids. PUVA plus topical corticosteroids produced more rapid clearing of psoriasis but despite maintenance therapy, the frequency of recurrences of the disease during the early phase of follow-up was significantly higher with that treatment, as compared to all other treatments. Dithranol plus PUVA also cleared psoriasis quicker than PUVA alone but patient acceptability for that regimen was low. The addition of tar to PUVA therapy appeared to have little influence on results.", "contents": "Controlled study of PUVA and adjunctive topical therapy in the management of psoriasis. In a random study of 116 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) used alone was compared to PUVA plus adjunctive topical therapy with tar, dithranol, or topical corticosteroids. PUVA plus topical corticosteroids produced more rapid clearing of psoriasis but despite maintenance therapy, the frequency of recurrences of the disease during the early phase of follow-up was significantly higher with that treatment, as compared to all other treatments. Dithranol plus PUVA also cleared psoriasis quicker than PUVA alone but patient acceptability for that regimen was low. The addition of tar to PUVA therapy appeared to have little influence on results.", "PMID": 629867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8197", "title": "Dose-effects of 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA in cultured human lymphocytes.", "content": "Cultures of human lymphocytes were incubated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and irradiated with long wave ultraviolet light (UVA). Subsequently the mitogenic response to PHA was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. The minimal effective dosages of drug and light for the partial suppression of lymphocyte PHA-responsiveness were found to be 0.1 microgram/ml 8-MOP and 0.5 J/cm2 UVA. While an increase in the concentration of 8-MOP revealed a comparatively small rise in phototoxicity, a marked inhibition of 3H-thymidine uptake was obtained by increasing the UVA dosage. Cell viability of non-stimulated lymphocytes was similarly affected by the combined treatment.", "contents": "Dose-effects of 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA in cultured human lymphocytes. Cultures of human lymphocytes were incubated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and irradiated with long wave ultraviolet light (UVA). Subsequently the mitogenic response to PHA was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. The minimal effective dosages of drug and light for the partial suppression of lymphocyte PHA-responsiveness were found to be 0.1 microgram/ml 8-MOP and 0.5 J/cm2 UVA. While an increase in the concentration of 8-MOP revealed a comparatively small rise in phototoxicity, a marked inhibition of 3H-thymidine uptake was obtained by increasing the UVA dosage. Cell viability of non-stimulated lymphocytes was similarly affected by the combined treatment.", "PMID": 629869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8198", "title": "Psoriasis and stress. II.", "content": "A retrospective assessment of insight was undertaken in 61 patients whose psoriasis was considered to have been precipitated by stress. A significantly better prognosis was observed in those patients assessed as having had insight.", "contents": "Psoriasis and stress. II. A retrospective assessment of insight was undertaken in 61 patients whose psoriasis was considered to have been precipitated by stress. A significantly better prognosis was observed in those patients assessed as having had insight.", "PMID": 629870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8199", "title": "Precursor keratin protein from human epidermis.", "content": "Prekeratin has been isolated from human epidermis using the method of Matoltsy for bovine nose epidermis. Analysis by sedimentation equilibrium indicates that human prekeratin is heterogeneous in solution. The molecular weight range is from about 200 X 10(3) to at least 2 X 10(6). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows three polypeptide chains of molecular weights 65,000 60,000 and 58,000. A lower than average ratio of polar/apolar amino acid residues suggests that hydrophobic interactions are important for stability.", "contents": "Precursor keratin protein from human epidermis. Prekeratin has been isolated from human epidermis using the method of Matoltsy for bovine nose epidermis. Analysis by sedimentation equilibrium indicates that human prekeratin is heterogeneous in solution. The molecular weight range is from about 200 X 10(3) to at least 2 X 10(6). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows three polypeptide chains of molecular weights 65,000 60,000 and 58,000. A lower than average ratio of polar/apolar amino acid residues suggests that hydrophobic interactions are important for stability.", "PMID": 629871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8200", "title": "Low nickel diet in the treatment of patients with chronic nickel dermatitis.", "content": "Of 28 patients with chronic nickel dermatitis 17 experienced aggravation following oral ingestion of 2.5 mg nickel, but not a placebo tablet. The dermatitis of 9 of the 17 patients improved during a period of 6 weeks on a low nickel diet. The dermatitis of 7 of the 9 patients flared again when a normal diet was resumed. Nickel excretion over a 24-h period was measured for 14 of the 17 patients by atomic absorption spectrophotometry before, during, and after the diet. Reduced excretion was seen during the diet with no statistically significant difference between patients whose dermatitis improved during the diet and those whose dermatitis showed no change.", "contents": "Low nickel diet in the treatment of patients with chronic nickel dermatitis. Of 28 patients with chronic nickel dermatitis 17 experienced aggravation following oral ingestion of 2.5 mg nickel, but not a placebo tablet. The dermatitis of 9 of the 17 patients improved during a period of 6 weeks on a low nickel diet. The dermatitis of 7 of the 9 patients flared again when a normal diet was resumed. Nickel excretion over a 24-h period was measured for 14 of the 17 patients by atomic absorption spectrophotometry before, during, and after the diet. Reduced excretion was seen during the diet with no statistically significant difference between patients whose dermatitis improved during the diet and those whose dermatitis showed no change.", "PMID": 629873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8201", "title": "Treatment of eczema with cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.", "content": "Nine patients with eczema were treated with the immunosuppressive drugs cyclophosphamide and azathioprine. In all patients the eczema was severe and incapacitating and had not responded satisfactorily to systemic and topical corticosteroid therapy. The eczema improved in all patients and systemic corticosteroids, which had resulted in undesirable side-effects, could be decreased or stopped. Leukopenia was not necessary for achieving clinical improvement. Several months of treatment were needed to obtain significant improvement in the eczema and long term remissions followed cessation of therapy.", "contents": "Treatment of eczema with cyclophosphamide and azathioprine. Nine patients with eczema were treated with the immunosuppressive drugs cyclophosphamide and azathioprine. In all patients the eczema was severe and incapacitating and had not responded satisfactorily to systemic and topical corticosteroid therapy. The eczema improved in all patients and systemic corticosteroids, which had resulted in undesirable side-effects, could be decreased or stopped. Leukopenia was not necessary for achieving clinical improvement. Several months of treatment were needed to obtain significant improvement in the eczema and long term remissions followed cessation of therapy.", "PMID": 629874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8202", "title": "An animal model for evaluating the local and systemic effects of topically applied corticosteroids on epidermal DNA synthesis.", "content": "A simple animal model for studying topically applied glucocorticosteroids for their effect on epidermal DNA synthesis is described. It is designed so that their potential for systemic side effects may be predicted and its usefulness in this respect is illustrated by the results obtained with two of the steroids investigated. One, a new formulation Temetex, is predicted to have considerable systemic potential. The other, Molivate, is remarkable for having moderate local, without demonstrable systemic activity.", "contents": "An animal model for evaluating the local and systemic effects of topically applied corticosteroids on epidermal DNA synthesis. A simple animal model for studying topically applied glucocorticosteroids for their effect on epidermal DNA synthesis is described. It is designed so that their potential for systemic side effects may be predicted and its usefulness in this respect is illustrated by the results obtained with two of the steroids investigated. One, a new formulation Temetex, is predicted to have considerable systemic potential. The other, Molivate, is remarkable for having moderate local, without demonstrable systemic activity.", "PMID": 629875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8203", "title": "Photosensitivity after treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda with low dose chloroquine.", "content": "Treatment of a patient with porphyria cutanea tarda with low dose chloroquine improved the clinical and biochemical abnormalities in association with a reduction in photosensitivity as shown by changes in the action spectrum.", "contents": "Photosensitivity after treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda with low dose chloroquine. Treatment of a patient with porphyria cutanea tarda with low dose chloroquine improved the clinical and biochemical abnormalities in association with a reduction in photosensitivity as shown by changes in the action spectrum.", "PMID": 629877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8204", "title": "Opportunistic infection of chronic skin ulcers with Pseudomonas putrefaciens.", "content": "Heavy growth of Pseudomonas putrefaciens was isolated repeatedly in mixed culture with other Gram-negative rods from chronic ulcers on the extremities of an elderly patient with burnt-out leprosy. Treatment was with systemic cotrimoxazole, topical framycetin and general supportive therapy, and the ulcers gradually healed over a period of 4 weeks.", "contents": "Opportunistic infection of chronic skin ulcers with Pseudomonas putrefaciens. Heavy growth of Pseudomonas putrefaciens was isolated repeatedly in mixed culture with other Gram-negative rods from chronic ulcers on the extremities of an elderly patient with burnt-out leprosy. Treatment was with systemic cotrimoxazole, topical framycetin and general supportive therapy, and the ulcers gradually healed over a period of 4 weeks.", "PMID": 629878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8205", "title": "Leg ulcers in alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease).", "content": "A case of recurrent leg ulceration associated with alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease) is reported. It is suggested that leg ulcers occurring in the thalassaemic syndromes may be due to structural changes in the affected red cells which result in increased cell rigidity, decreased deformability and consequent diminished blood flow in capillary beds that are subjected to venous stasis.", "contents": "Leg ulcers in alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease). A case of recurrent leg ulceration associated with alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease) is reported. It is suggested that leg ulcers occurring in the thalassaemic syndromes may be due to structural changes in the affected red cells which result in increased cell rigidity, decreased deformability and consequent diminished blood flow in capillary beds that are subjected to venous stasis.", "PMID": 629879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8206", "title": "Pathogenicity of the intercellular antibodies of pemphigus and their periodic removal from the circulation by plasmapheresis.", "content": "The authors are convinced that the intercellular antibodies of pemphigus are pathogenic. Consequently periodic plasmapheresis in two patients with pemphigus has been performed to remove the antibodies from the circulation. After larger plasma-exchanges there was a decrease of the antibody titre and a parallel improvement of the clinical condition.", "contents": "Pathogenicity of the intercellular antibodies of pemphigus and their periodic removal from the circulation by plasmapheresis. The authors are convinced that the intercellular antibodies of pemphigus are pathogenic. Consequently periodic plasmapheresis in two patients with pemphigus has been performed to remove the antibodies from the circulation. After larger plasma-exchanges there was a decrease of the antibody titre and a parallel improvement of the clinical condition.", "PMID": 629880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8207", "title": "In vivo observations of skin capillaries in workers exposed to vinyl chloride. An English-American comparison.", "content": "An unselected sample of vinyl chloride (VC)-exposed individuals, all employees of a polyvinyl chloride production plant in England (129 subjects), were examined by in vivo capillary microscopy. Results were compared with those previously obtained from a similar study in the USA to determine whether an association between VC exposure and capillary abnormalities could be found in different environments. The results showed a similar distribution of capillary abnormalities among the VC workers in both countries (39.5% in England compared with 36% in the USA). These capillary abnormalities were significantly more frequent among VC-exposed subjects than among control industrial workers (7.7%, 6%). In vivo microscopy also showed a higher incidence of papular lesions (13.5%) than had been detected clinically (1%).", "contents": "In vivo observations of skin capillaries in workers exposed to vinyl chloride. An English-American comparison. An unselected sample of vinyl chloride (VC)-exposed individuals, all employees of a polyvinyl chloride production plant in England (129 subjects), were examined by in vivo capillary microscopy. Results were compared with those previously obtained from a similar study in the USA to determine whether an association between VC exposure and capillary abnormalities could be found in different environments. The results showed a similar distribution of capillary abnormalities among the VC workers in both countries (39.5% in England compared with 36% in the USA). These capillary abnormalities were significantly more frequent among VC-exposed subjects than among control industrial workers (7.7%, 6%). In vivo microscopy also showed a higher incidence of papular lesions (13.5%) than had been detected clinically (1%).", "PMID": 629883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8208", "title": "Respiratory function and symptoms in workers exposed simultaneously to jute and hemp.", "content": "The environment and health of a working population exposed simultaneously to jute and hemp were studied. Classical symptoms of byssinosis were not present but 21 workers (7%) complained of atypical tightness of the chest. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis among the exposed workers was statistically significant in comparison with controls. Effects of dust concentrations, age and duration of exposure on the prevalence of chronic bronchitis were studied. A statistically significant reduction in FEV1.0 at the end of a work shift occurred in all the exposed workers. Bronchodilators given after the shift showed that acute reductions in forced expiratory volumes were nearly fully reversible in all exposed workers. Smokers and those with chronic bronchitis had greater reductions in FEV1.0 values at the end of the work shift.", "contents": "Respiratory function and symptoms in workers exposed simultaneously to jute and hemp. The environment and health of a working population exposed simultaneously to jute and hemp were studied. Classical symptoms of byssinosis were not present but 21 workers (7%) complained of atypical tightness of the chest. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis among the exposed workers was statistically significant in comparison with controls. Effects of dust concentrations, age and duration of exposure on the prevalence of chronic bronchitis were studied. A statistically significant reduction in FEV1.0 at the end of a work shift occurred in all the exposed workers. Bronchodilators given after the shift showed that acute reductions in forced expiratory volumes were nearly fully reversible in all exposed workers. Smokers and those with chronic bronchitis had greater reductions in FEV1.0 values at the end of the work shift.", "PMID": 629884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8209", "title": "Trichloroethylene exposure. Biological monitoring by breath and urine analyses.", "content": "A mathematical model developed previously has been used to study some aspects of biological monitoring of exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI) by the analysis of this solvent in alveolar air or of its metabolites, trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), in urine. Assuming that a biological control must be representative of the time-weighted average concentration (TWA), it was found that sampling for TRI and TCE analyses must be carried out the morning after the exposure being considered. On the other hand, for a TCA analysis, the timing of urine sampling is not a determinant factor. Theortical limit concentrations have been set up for these biological indicators, but it is shown that their application must be restricted to exposures which are quantitatively reproducible from one day to the next. In all other cases, it appears that this monitoring method can lead to errors in the estimated exposure concentrations. A tentative method of biological monitoring is therefore proposed. It is based on the analysis of TCE in the urine or TRI in the alveolar air before and after the exposure being monitored. TCA is not considered to be sensitive enough to variations in the inspired concentration to be used as an indicator of a single exposure risk.", "contents": "Trichloroethylene exposure. Biological monitoring by breath and urine analyses. A mathematical model developed previously has been used to study some aspects of biological monitoring of exposure to trichloroethylene (TRI) by the analysis of this solvent in alveolar air or of its metabolites, trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), in urine. Assuming that a biological control must be representative of the time-weighted average concentration (TWA), it was found that sampling for TRI and TCE analyses must be carried out the morning after the exposure being considered. On the other hand, for a TCA analysis, the timing of urine sampling is not a determinant factor. Theortical limit concentrations have been set up for these biological indicators, but it is shown that their application must be restricted to exposures which are quantitatively reproducible from one day to the next. In all other cases, it appears that this monitoring method can lead to errors in the estimated exposure concentrations. A tentative method of biological monitoring is therefore proposed. It is based on the analysis of TCE in the urine or TRI in the alveolar air before and after the exposure being monitored. TCA is not considered to be sensitive enough to variations in the inspired concentration to be used as an indicator of a single exposure risk.", "PMID": 629887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8210", "title": "Differences following skin or inhalation exposure in the absorption and excretion kinetics of trichloroethylene and toluene.", "content": "The concentrations of trichloroethylene in breath and blood and the urinary excretion of its metabolites following 30 minutes' direct immersion of one hand in the liquid, were compared with those obtained after four hours' inhalation exposure to the vapour of 100 ppm, described in a previous paper. The comparison shows that the end-tidal air concentrations during the first two hours of the post-exposure period were about twice as high in the case of skin exposure as in that of inhalation exposure, although the uptake of the solvent through the skin was only about one-third of the inhaled uptake. A kinetic approach suggested that differences in trichloroethylene movement in the body would be a principal cause of this discrepancy. The results of a similar series of experiments using toluene suggested that it is less readily taken up than trichloroethylene through the skin. It was concluded from the present investigation that analyses of not only breath but also of blood or urine are necessary and toluene would rarely be absorbed through the skin in toxic quantities during normal industrial use.", "contents": "Differences following skin or inhalation exposure in the absorption and excretion kinetics of trichloroethylene and toluene. The concentrations of trichloroethylene in breath and blood and the urinary excretion of its metabolites following 30 minutes' direct immersion of one hand in the liquid, were compared with those obtained after four hours' inhalation exposure to the vapour of 100 ppm, described in a previous paper. The comparison shows that the end-tidal air concentrations during the first two hours of the post-exposure period were about twice as high in the case of skin exposure as in that of inhalation exposure, although the uptake of the solvent through the skin was only about one-third of the inhaled uptake. A kinetic approach suggested that differences in trichloroethylene movement in the body would be a principal cause of this discrepancy. The results of a similar series of experiments using toluene suggested that it is less readily taken up than trichloroethylene through the skin. It was concluded from the present investigation that analyses of not only breath but also of blood or urine are necessary and toluene would rarely be absorbed through the skin in toxic quantities during normal industrial use.", "PMID": 629888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8211", "title": "Absorption of m-xylene vapours through the respiratory tract and excretion of m-methylhippuric acid in urine.", "content": "Absorption of m-xylene and excretion of m-methylhippuric acid were investigated under controlled conditions in ten volunteers aged 17-33 years. They were exposed to m-xylene vapours at concentrations of 100, 300, and 600 mg/m3. It was found that m-xylene vapour retained in the lungs tended to decrease at the end of the exposure. An exposure test was devised, based upon the results obtained during our investigations. The amount of xylene absorbed in the course of eight hours' work can be calculated with an accuracy of about +/- 8%.", "contents": "Absorption of m-xylene vapours through the respiratory tract and excretion of m-methylhippuric acid in urine. Absorption of m-xylene and excretion of m-methylhippuric acid were investigated under controlled conditions in ten volunteers aged 17-33 years. They were exposed to m-xylene vapours at concentrations of 100, 300, and 600 mg/m3. It was found that m-xylene vapour retained in the lungs tended to decrease at the end of the exposure. An exposure test was devised, based upon the results obtained during our investigations. The amount of xylene absorbed in the course of eight hours' work can be calculated with an accuracy of about +/- 8%.", "PMID": 629889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8212", "title": "Simultaneous determination by gas chromatography of the major metabolites in urine of toluene, xylenes and styrene.", "content": "A gas chromatographic method has been developed to determine the following metabolites in urine simultaneously if necessary: hippuric acid from toluene or styrene; 3- and 4-methyl hippuric acids from xylenes; phenylglyoxylic acid and mandelic acid from styrene. Heptadecanoic acid is added to the urine as an internal standard and after ethyl acetate extraction from acidic solution, the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of the metabolites are formed and simultaneously analysed by gas chromatography on 3% OV-1 on 80/100 gas chrom Q (flame ionisation detector).", "contents": "Simultaneous determination by gas chromatography of the major metabolites in urine of toluene, xylenes and styrene. A gas chromatographic method has been developed to determine the following metabolites in urine simultaneously if necessary: hippuric acid from toluene or styrene; 3- and 4-methyl hippuric acids from xylenes; phenylglyoxylic acid and mandelic acid from styrene. Heptadecanoic acid is added to the urine as an internal standard and after ethyl acetate extraction from acidic solution, the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of the metabolites are formed and simultaneously analysed by gas chromatography on 3% OV-1 on 80/100 gas chrom Q (flame ionisation detector).", "PMID": 629890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8213", "title": "A simplified method for rapid determination of porphyrins by thin-layer chromatography.", "content": "Free porphyrins, especially copro-, uro-, and protoporphyrin, were successfully separated by talc thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and were determined from the relationship of the weight and the area of porphyrins in the spot on the thin-layer plate. The results obtained from both the solvent extraction and the simple, rapid TLC method reported in this paper showed good correlation for coproporphyrin levels up to 400 microgram/1. The TLC method was applied to the determination of urinary coproporphyrin in lead workers and in rats.", "contents": "A simplified method for rapid determination of porphyrins by thin-layer chromatography. Free porphyrins, especially copro-, uro-, and protoporphyrin, were successfully separated by talc thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and were determined from the relationship of the weight and the area of porphyrins in the spot on the thin-layer plate. The results obtained from both the solvent extraction and the simple, rapid TLC method reported in this paper showed good correlation for coproporphyrin levels up to 400 microgram/1. The TLC method was applied to the determination of urinary coproporphyrin in lead workers and in rats.", "PMID": 629891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8214", "title": "A new method of carboxyhaemoglobin determination.", "content": "A quick and accurate method of determining the concentration of carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) in blood has been developed. The method uses a dual wavelength double beam spectrophotometer in the 1st derivative mode, linked to a digital voltmeter (DVM), with the two beams set 3 nm apart around an isobestic point of reduced haemoglobin (Hbred) and carboxyhaemoglobin at 579 nm. The 1st derivative mode measures the slope, and this slope is proportional to the concentration of COHb.", "contents": "A new method of carboxyhaemoglobin determination. A quick and accurate method of determining the concentration of carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) in blood has been developed. The method uses a dual wavelength double beam spectrophotometer in the 1st derivative mode, linked to a digital voltmeter (DVM), with the two beams set 3 nm apart around an isobestic point of reduced haemoglobin (Hbred) and carboxyhaemoglobin at 579 nm. The 1st derivative mode measures the slope, and this slope is proportional to the concentration of COHb.", "PMID": 629892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8215", "title": "Determination of urinary manganese by the direct chelation-extraction method and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.", "content": "The direct chelation-extraction method, originally developed by Hessel (1968) for blood lead analysis, has been successfully applied to urinalysis for manganese. The analyses of 35 urine samples containing up to 100 microgram/1 of manganese from manganese-exposed workers showed that the data obtained by this method agree well with those by wet digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and also by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.", "contents": "Determination of urinary manganese by the direct chelation-extraction method and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The direct chelation-extraction method, originally developed by Hessel (1968) for blood lead analysis, has been successfully applied to urinalysis for manganese. The analyses of 35 urine samples containing up to 100 microgram/1 of manganese from manganese-exposed workers showed that the data obtained by this method agree well with those by wet digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and also by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.", "PMID": 629893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8216", "title": "Arsenic exposure and mortality: a case-referent study from a Swedish copper smelter.", "content": "An increased mortality from lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, haematolymphatic malignancy and cirrhosis of the liver has been reported among smelter workers and others exposed to arsenic. This study uses the case-referent (case-control) technique and is concerned with workers in a copper smelter in a complex work environment, characterised by the presence of trivalent arsenic in combination with sulphur dioxide and copper, and also with other agents. Lung cancer mortality was found to be increased about five-fold and cardiovascular disease about two-fold, showing a dose-response relationship to arsenic exposure. Mortality from malignant blood disease (leukaemia and myeloma) and cirrhosis of the liver was also slightly increased. This mortality pattern among the smelter workers is consistent with earlier reports. An increased mortality from cardiovascular disease in this type of industry is of particular interest as it has been reported only once before.", "contents": "Arsenic exposure and mortality: a case-referent study from a Swedish copper smelter. An increased mortality from lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, haematolymphatic malignancy and cirrhosis of the liver has been reported among smelter workers and others exposed to arsenic. This study uses the case-referent (case-control) technique and is concerned with workers in a copper smelter in a complex work environment, characterised by the presence of trivalent arsenic in combination with sulphur dioxide and copper, and also with other agents. Lung cancer mortality was found to be increased about five-fold and cardiovascular disease about two-fold, showing a dose-response relationship to arsenic exposure. Mortality from malignant blood disease (leukaemia and myeloma) and cirrhosis of the liver was also slightly increased. This mortality pattern among the smelter workers is consistent with earlier reports. An increased mortality from cardiovascular disease in this type of industry is of particular interest as it has been reported only once before.", "PMID": 629894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8217", "title": "Characteristics of patients requesting reversal of sterilization.", "content": "With the increased number of female patients seeking sterilization and the good chance of successful reversal using modern microsurgical techniques, it can be anticipated there will be a rise in the number of patients requesting reversal of sterilization. We have studied the characteristics of 36 patients who requested reversal of sterilization at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, in the last five years. The majority of patients requested reversal on the basis of a new relationship. Other reasons included sexual problems and child death. Eighteen of the patients had clear evidence of marital disharmony at the time of sterilization. Seven of the patients had been admitted to hospital with a drug overdose since being sterilized.", "contents": "Characteristics of patients requesting reversal of sterilization. With the increased number of female patients seeking sterilization and the good chance of successful reversal using modern microsurgical techniques, it can be anticipated there will be a rise in the number of patients requesting reversal of sterilization. We have studied the characteristics of 36 patients who requested reversal of sterilization at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, in the last five years. The majority of patients requested reversal on the basis of a new relationship. Other reasons included sexual problems and child death. Eighteen of the patients had clear evidence of marital disharmony at the time of sterilization. Seven of the patients had been admitted to hospital with a drug overdose since being sterilized.", "PMID": 629895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8218", "title": "A cervimeter for continuous measurement of cervical dilatation in labour-preliminary results.", "content": "We briefly review instruments that have been used to measure cervical dilatation and describe the development of a new cervimeter. Curves derived from cervical dilatation and intrauterine pressure traces are presented in a form that clearly records the activity of the uterus and the response of the cervix to individual contractions. Our results suggest a new concept for behaviour of the cervix in labour.", "contents": "A cervimeter for continuous measurement of cervical dilatation in labour-preliminary results. We briefly review instruments that have been used to measure cervical dilatation and describe the development of a new cervimeter. Curves derived from cervical dilatation and intrauterine pressure traces are presented in a form that clearly records the activity of the uterus and the response of the cervix to individual contractions. Our results suggest a new concept for behaviour of the cervix in labour.", "PMID": 629897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8219", "title": "Pregnancy in patients with bronchiectasis.", "content": "Pulmonary function was monitored at regular intervals throughout pregnancy in three patients with bronchiectasis. They tolerated pregnancy well, and the underlying lung disease did not appear to have any adverse effect on the outcome of the pregnancy.", "contents": "Pregnancy in patients with bronchiectasis. Pulmonary function was monitored at regular intervals throughout pregnancy in three patients with bronchiectasis. They tolerated pregnancy well, and the underlying lung disease did not appear to have any adverse effect on the outcome of the pregnancy.", "PMID": 629898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8220", "title": "Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices in adolescent nulliparae.", "content": "Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) were used in 243 young nulligravidae attending a gynaecological clinic for schoolgirls in Uppsala between March 1973 and June 1975; 226 of these girls (93%) were seen again during December 1975 making a total of 3138 months of observation. At the time of follow up, 126 patients (55.8%) still had the IUCD in situ; 20% had expelled the IUCD and in another 24.2% the IUCD had been removed because of bleeding and/or pain or because of suspected pelvic inflammatory disease (7 patients). Twelve of the girls conceived during the period of observation making the Pearl index 4.6; nine of the conceptions occurred within nine months of the insertion of the IUCD. Unlike others we do not advocate the use of the IUCD for young nulligravidae.", "contents": "Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices in adolescent nulliparae. Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) were used in 243 young nulligravidae attending a gynaecological clinic for schoolgirls in Uppsala between March 1973 and June 1975; 226 of these girls (93%) were seen again during December 1975 making a total of 3138 months of observation. At the time of follow up, 126 patients (55.8%) still had the IUCD in situ; 20% had expelled the IUCD and in another 24.2% the IUCD had been removed because of bleeding and/or pain or because of suspected pelvic inflammatory disease (7 patients). Twelve of the girls conceived during the period of observation making the Pearl index 4.6; nine of the conceptions occurred within nine months of the insertion of the IUCD. Unlike others we do not advocate the use of the IUCD for young nulligravidae.", "PMID": 629899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8221", "title": "Cyclic changes in the concentration of prostaglandin F2alpha in human uterine flushings.", "content": "Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) was measured by radioimmunoassay in uterine flushings obtained from 41 women at various stages of the menstrual cycle. The concentration of PGF2alpha changed significantly during the cycle, with highest values in the mid secretory phase of the cycle (mean 9.1 ng/ml of uterine flushing, range 3.9 to 16.0 ng/ml, n = 9). The still unresolved role of intrauterine PGF2alpha is discussed in relation to luteolysis, myometrial contractility and implantation.", "contents": "Cyclic changes in the concentration of prostaglandin F2alpha in human uterine flushings. Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) was measured by radioimmunoassay in uterine flushings obtained from 41 women at various stages of the menstrual cycle. The concentration of PGF2alpha changed significantly during the cycle, with highest values in the mid secretory phase of the cycle (mean 9.1 ng/ml of uterine flushing, range 3.9 to 16.0 ng/ml, n = 9). The still unresolved role of intrauterine PGF2alpha is discussed in relation to luteolysis, myometrial contractility and implantation.", "PMID": 629900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8222", "title": "Oestradiol production by human graafian follicles cultured in vitro.", "content": "Intact human Graafian follicles recovered during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and cultured in vitro, gave a mean oestradiol production of 33 ng/hour over periods of 4 to 92 hours. Treatment of follicles with human pituitary gonadotrophin or human chorionic gonadotrophin resulted in an increased production of oestradiol.", "contents": "Oestradiol production by human graafian follicles cultured in vitro. Intact human Graafian follicles recovered during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and cultured in vitro, gave a mean oestradiol production of 33 ng/hour over periods of 4 to 92 hours. Treatment of follicles with human pituitary gonadotrophin or human chorionic gonadotrophin resulted in an increased production of oestradiol.", "PMID": 629901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8223", "title": "Testosterone in the molar vesicle fluid and theca-lutein cyst fluid.", "content": "Testosterone was estimated by radioimmunoassay in molar vesicle fluid in 41 patients and theca-lutein cyst fluid in three patients with hydatidiform moles. The testosterone concentration in the molar vesicle fluid ranged from 0.4 ng/ml to 28.1 ng/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 6.0+/-1.0 ng/ml while in the theca-lutein cyst fluid, it ranged from 4.7 ng/ml to 23.5 ng/ml. Oestradiol-17beta and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were also estimated in the molar vesicle fluid. The oestradiol-17beta concentration ranged from 0.1 ng/ml to 26.2 ng/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 10.7+/-1.1 ng/ml. HCG concentration ranged from 18 000 to 150 000 mIU/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 49 800+/-5 000 mIU/ml. A positive correlation was found between testosterone and oestradiol-17beta (r = +0.37; P less than 0.01) but not between testosterone and HCG (r = 0.32; 0.1 greater than P greater than 0.05). Our findings suggest that molar trophoblast is the major source of testosterone.", "contents": "Testosterone in the molar vesicle fluid and theca-lutein cyst fluid. Testosterone was estimated by radioimmunoassay in molar vesicle fluid in 41 patients and theca-lutein cyst fluid in three patients with hydatidiform moles. The testosterone concentration in the molar vesicle fluid ranged from 0.4 ng/ml to 28.1 ng/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 6.0+/-1.0 ng/ml while in the theca-lutein cyst fluid, it ranged from 4.7 ng/ml to 23.5 ng/ml. Oestradiol-17beta and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were also estimated in the molar vesicle fluid. The oestradiol-17beta concentration ranged from 0.1 ng/ml to 26.2 ng/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 10.7+/-1.1 ng/ml. HCG concentration ranged from 18 000 to 150 000 mIU/ml with a mean+/-SEM of 49 800+/-5 000 mIU/ml. A positive correlation was found between testosterone and oestradiol-17beta (r = +0.37; P less than 0.01) but not between testosterone and HCG (r = 0.32; 0.1 greater than P greater than 0.05). Our findings suggest that molar trophoblast is the major source of testosterone.", "PMID": 629902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8224", "title": "Hypothyroidism in pregnancy.", "content": "Two mothers with hypothyroidism gave birth to normal infants. In one patient there was good evidence that maternal hypothyroidism improved during the last trimester due to placental transfer of fetal thyroid hormone. If pregnancy is advanced when the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made, it would seem that replacement therapy may be withheld without detriment to the fetus.", "contents": "Hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Two mothers with hypothyroidism gave birth to normal infants. In one patient there was good evidence that maternal hypothyroidism improved during the last trimester due to placental transfer of fetal thyroid hormone. If pregnancy is advanced when the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made, it would seem that replacement therapy may be withheld without detriment to the fetus.", "PMID": 629903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8225", "title": "Unusual presacral tumours obstructing delivery.", "content": "Two patients who had obstructed labour due to a presacral tumour are reported. Both tumours were diagnosed in the second stage of labour. In one patient delivery was accomplished with Barton's forceps. The other patient required a Caesarean section. The tumours were excised at later date. One was an epidermoid cyst and the other was thought to be a malignant haemangioendothelioma.", "contents": "Unusual presacral tumours obstructing delivery. Two patients who had obstructed labour due to a presacral tumour are reported. Both tumours were diagnosed in the second stage of labour. In one patient delivery was accomplished with Barton's forceps. The other patient required a Caesarean section. The tumours were excised at later date. One was an epidermoid cyst and the other was thought to be a malignant haemangioendothelioma.", "PMID": 629904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8226", "title": "The tilted disc.", "content": "Sixty tilted discs were studied by colour photography, including some by fluorescein angiography. Attention was drawn to the contracted, D-shaped outline of the scleral canal, and it was suggested that fewer fibres than normal enter the defective side of the disc. This was supported by examination of the nerve fibre layer and the discovery of field defects in 13 of the 27 eyes in which the visual fields were examined. The similarity of these features with congenital hypoplasia of the optic nerve head was noted.", "contents": "The tilted disc. Sixty tilted discs were studied by colour photography, including some by fluorescein angiography. Attention was drawn to the contracted, D-shaped outline of the scleral canal, and it was suggested that fewer fibres than normal enter the defective side of the disc. This was supported by examination of the nerve fibre layer and the discovery of field defects in 13 of the 27 eyes in which the visual fields were examined. The similarity of these features with congenital hypoplasia of the optic nerve head was noted.", "PMID": 629907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8227", "title": "Amblyopia resulting from penalisation: neurophysiological studies of kittens reared with atropinisation of one or both eyes.", "content": "Atropinisation of the eyes--a clinical method of treating strabismus called \"penalisation\"--in developing kittens caused a reduction in the spatial resolving power of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus driven by the penalised eye, regardless of whether 1 eye or both eyes had been atropinised. However, binocularity of cells in the visual cortex was reduced only in monocularly penalised cats. It appears that sharply focused foveal images are important in the development of good visual acuity but synergy of the inputs to the 2 eyes is required for the development of binocular vision.", "contents": "Amblyopia resulting from penalisation: neurophysiological studies of kittens reared with atropinisation of one or both eyes. Atropinisation of the eyes--a clinical method of treating strabismus called \"penalisation\"--in developing kittens caused a reduction in the spatial resolving power of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus driven by the penalised eye, regardless of whether 1 eye or both eyes had been atropinised. However, binocularity of cells in the visual cortex was reduced only in monocularly penalised cats. It appears that sharply focused foveal images are important in the development of good visual acuity but synergy of the inputs to the 2 eyes is required for the development of binocular vision.", "PMID": 629908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8228", "title": "Contrast threshold of random dot stereograms in anisometropic amblyopia: A clinical investigation.", "content": "The contrast thresholds of random dot stereograms were obtained for both anisometropic amblyopic and normal patients. The elevation of the contrast threshold found in both amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes of the anisometropes reflects the relative strength of the binocular inhibition mechanism present. These findings were related to the standard clinical tests used in this investigation and other recent psychophysical and physiological investigations.", "contents": "Contrast threshold of random dot stereograms in anisometropic amblyopia: A clinical investigation. The contrast thresholds of random dot stereograms were obtained for both anisometropic amblyopic and normal patients. The elevation of the contrast threshold found in both amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes of the anisometropes reflects the relative strength of the binocular inhibition mechanism present. These findings were related to the standard clinical tests used in this investigation and other recent psychophysical and physiological investigations.", "PMID": 629909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8229", "title": "Histopathology of human superficial herpes simplex keratitis.", "content": "In vivo corneal replicas were made in 20 cases of patients with superficial dendritic ulcers of the cornea. Histopathological study of the replicas and superficial epithelial cells showed that the dendrites are composed of rounded epithelial cells and variable sized syncytia containing bizarre shaped nuclei. Pseudopodia-like processes containing DNA and some RNA extend from the syncytia into the surrounding epithelial cells, which on coming into contact with these processes become rounded and liquefied to give rise to another syncytium. The epithelial cells adjacent to the dendrite and elongated and usually orientated parallel to the long axis of the lesion. Surrounding the terminal bulbs, they are disposed in an arcuate fashion. These cells show C-mitotic lesions, intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and polykaryocyte formation. Microscopic examination of the corneal replicas shows the intranuclear lesions and rounding of cells up to about 2 mm away from the dendritic ulcers. These areas appear normal on clinical examination.", "contents": "Histopathology of human superficial herpes simplex keratitis. In vivo corneal replicas were made in 20 cases of patients with superficial dendritic ulcers of the cornea. Histopathological study of the replicas and superficial epithelial cells showed that the dendrites are composed of rounded epithelial cells and variable sized syncytia containing bizarre shaped nuclei. Pseudopodia-like processes containing DNA and some RNA extend from the syncytia into the surrounding epithelial cells, which on coming into contact with these processes become rounded and liquefied to give rise to another syncytium. The epithelial cells adjacent to the dendrite and elongated and usually orientated parallel to the long axis of the lesion. Surrounding the terminal bulbs, they are disposed in an arcuate fashion. These cells show C-mitotic lesions, intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, and polykaryocyte formation. Microscopic examination of the corneal replicas shows the intranuclear lesions and rounding of cells up to about 2 mm away from the dendritic ulcers. These areas appear normal on clinical examination.", "PMID": 629910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8230", "title": "Histology of spheroidal degeneration of the cornea in Labrador.", "content": "Nine specimens of the corneas of patients from Labrador and Northern Newfoundland affected by spheroidal degeneration (climatic droplet keratopathy) have been examined microscopically. Histochemical stains confirmed studies of similar corneal degenerations from other geographical areas that the droplets contain a protein which does not have all the characteristic properties of elastic tissue. Staining compatible in some instances with fibrin and \"fibrinoid\" was found. By immunoperoxidase techniques the droplets were located in the zones of greatest concentration of various plasma constituents, especially albumin and immunoglobulins G and A. Reasons are given why the abnormal deposits are not thought to be derived directly from corneal collagen. It is suggested that some of the plasma proteins, which are known to be diffusing through the cornea from the limbal vessels under normal conditions are acted upon by the ultraviolet light reflected from the ice of Labrador and degraded so that they accumulate in the superficial stroma.", "contents": "Histology of spheroidal degeneration of the cornea in Labrador. Nine specimens of the corneas of patients from Labrador and Northern Newfoundland affected by spheroidal degeneration (climatic droplet keratopathy) have been examined microscopically. Histochemical stains confirmed studies of similar corneal degenerations from other geographical areas that the droplets contain a protein which does not have all the characteristic properties of elastic tissue. Staining compatible in some instances with fibrin and \"fibrinoid\" was found. By immunoperoxidase techniques the droplets were located in the zones of greatest concentration of various plasma constituents, especially albumin and immunoglobulins G and A. Reasons are given why the abnormal deposits are not thought to be derived directly from corneal collagen. It is suggested that some of the plasma proteins, which are known to be diffusing through the cornea from the limbal vessels under normal conditions are acted upon by the ultraviolet light reflected from the ice of Labrador and degraded so that they accumulate in the superficial stroma.", "PMID": 629911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8231", "title": "Keratitis from abuse of corneal anaesthetics.", "content": "Topically applied anaesthetics are potentially dangerous, as frequent and continuous application may lead to anaesthetic-induced keratitis. Three patients with serious corneal lesions are described.", "contents": "Keratitis from abuse of corneal anaesthetics. Topically applied anaesthetics are potentially dangerous, as frequent and continuous application may lead to anaesthetic-induced keratitis. Three patients with serious corneal lesions are described.", "PMID": 629912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8232", "title": "An illustration of an in-vivo corneal response to a soft lens presoaked in a non-isotonic solution.", "content": "The use of hydrophilic gel contact lenses as a carrier of a non-isotonic saline solution provokes an irreversible increase in corneal thickness in the in-vivo rabbit eye. Studies on humans confirm the nature of the animal response, and it is therefore suggested that particular care should be taken when patients prepare saline solutions.", "contents": "An illustration of an in-vivo corneal response to a soft lens presoaked in a non-isotonic solution. The use of hydrophilic gel contact lenses as a carrier of a non-isotonic saline solution provokes an irreversible increase in corneal thickness in the in-vivo rabbit eye. Studies on humans confirm the nature of the animal response, and it is therefore suggested that particular care should be taken when patients prepare saline solutions.", "PMID": 629913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8233", "title": "Spectrum of optic nerve hypoplasia.", "content": "Optic nerve hypoplasia is a non-progressive condition characterised by subnormal vision and a subnormal number of optic nerve axons. It may be unilateral or bilateral, isolated or combined with other defects. Analysis of fundus photographs from a series of 7 patients with a stationary abnormality of different degrees showed that the functional defects could be closely correlated with defects in the retinal nerve fibre layer. Our observations show that the condition has a wide range of both functional and anatomical defects and that a subnormal diameter of the optic disc is not a requisite for the diagnosis. Presumably, there is also a wide variety of causes, not only a primary failure of development of retinal ganglion cells. We suggest that optic nerve hypoplasia can be viewed as a non-specific manifestation of damage to the visual system, sustained any time before its full development.", "contents": "Spectrum of optic nerve hypoplasia. Optic nerve hypoplasia is a non-progressive condition characterised by subnormal vision and a subnormal number of optic nerve axons. It may be unilateral or bilateral, isolated or combined with other defects. Analysis of fundus photographs from a series of 7 patients with a stationary abnormality of different degrees showed that the functional defects could be closely correlated with defects in the retinal nerve fibre layer. Our observations show that the condition has a wide range of both functional and anatomical defects and that a subnormal diameter of the optic disc is not a requisite for the diagnosis. Presumably, there is also a wide variety of causes, not only a primary failure of development of retinal ganglion cells. We suggest that optic nerve hypoplasia can be viewed as a non-specific manifestation of damage to the visual system, sustained any time before its full development.", "PMID": 629914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8234", "title": "Simulation of energy metabolism in the simple-stomached animal.", "content": "1. A computer programme is described which simulates energy metabolism in the whole animal. Simulation was based on representation of the animal as a quasi-steady-state system. 2. Input for the programme consisted of the chemical composition of the diet and an estimate of either the maintenance energy requirement or an estimate of energy retention. 3. Simulation was performed by estimating the yield of adenosine triphosphate in the major metabolic pathways operative in simple-stomached animals, and on the utilization of adenosine triphosphate in major anabolic processes. 4. Results obtained from simulation were in close agreement with experimental observations reported by McCracken (1975).", "contents": "Simulation of energy metabolism in the simple-stomached animal. 1. A computer programme is described which simulates energy metabolism in the whole animal. Simulation was based on representation of the animal as a quasi-steady-state system. 2. Input for the programme consisted of the chemical composition of the diet and an estimate of either the maintenance energy requirement or an estimate of energy retention. 3. Simulation was performed by estimating the yield of adenosine triphosphate in the major metabolic pathways operative in simple-stomached animals, and on the utilization of adenosine triphosphate in major anabolic processes. 4. Results obtained from simulation were in close agreement with experimental observations reported by McCracken (1975).", "PMID": 629915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8235", "title": "Effects of diet on the protozoa population in permeable continuous cultures of rumen contents.", "content": "1. Responses of the protozoa population to the composition and the components of the diet were studied in permeable continuous cultures of rumen contents. 2. In Expt 1 a study was made of responses to diets containing different combinations of rice straw, lucerne meal and mixed concentrates given to the cow supplying inocula for cultures. It was found that (1) when a diet devoid of concentrates was fed, entodiniomorphs decreased in numbers; (2) their numbers increased with the increase in the amount of concentrates; (3) holtrich numbers were hardly affected by the type of diet; (4) rice straw and lucerne meal were not essential for protozoa to survive in culture medium. 3. In Expt 2 responses were determined to diets containing different combinations of maize, maize starch, sugars (glucose-sucrose (1:1, w/w)), soya-bean meal and isolated soya-bean protein. The results suggested the following relationship between dietary component and protozoa population. (1) The diet rich in both starch and sugars sustains the increased numbers of protozoa on the whole. (2) The diet rich in starch and deficient in sugars decreases selectively Dasytricha and small species of Entodinium such as Entodinium minimum and E. nanellum. The other species of protozoa, especially large entodiniomorphs such as Ophyroscolex and Polyplastron, are maintained at relatively high levels. (3) The diet deficient in starch and abundant in sugars decreases general entodiniomorphs except small species, while the numbers of Holotrichs are kept at relatively high levels.", "contents": "Effects of diet on the protozoa population in permeable continuous cultures of rumen contents. 1. Responses of the protozoa population to the composition and the components of the diet were studied in permeable continuous cultures of rumen contents. 2. In Expt 1 a study was made of responses to diets containing different combinations of rice straw, lucerne meal and mixed concentrates given to the cow supplying inocula for cultures. It was found that (1) when a diet devoid of concentrates was fed, entodiniomorphs decreased in numbers; (2) their numbers increased with the increase in the amount of concentrates; (3) holtrich numbers were hardly affected by the type of diet; (4) rice straw and lucerne meal were not essential for protozoa to survive in culture medium. 3. In Expt 2 responses were determined to diets containing different combinations of maize, maize starch, sugars (glucose-sucrose (1:1, w/w)), soya-bean meal and isolated soya-bean protein. The results suggested the following relationship between dietary component and protozoa population. (1) The diet rich in both starch and sugars sustains the increased numbers of protozoa on the whole. (2) The diet rich in starch and deficient in sugars decreases selectively Dasytricha and small species of Entodinium such as Entodinium minimum and E. nanellum. The other species of protozoa, especially large entodiniomorphs such as Ophyroscolex and Polyplastron, are maintained at relatively high levels. (3) The diet deficient in starch and abundant in sugars decreases general entodiniomorphs except small species, while the numbers of Holotrichs are kept at relatively high levels.", "PMID": 629916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8236", "title": "The effect of frequency of feeding on the response by growing pigs to supplements of free lysine.", "content": "1. Six experiments, involving a total of 320 pigs, were conducted to examine the response of growing pigs to diets supplemented with free lysine when fed either once daily or in six equal portions at intervals of 3 h. The effect of dry or wet feeding on the response to free lysine was examined in Expt nos. 4 and 5. The assumption of linear lysine response over the range of lysine supplementation was examined in Expt no. 6. 2. A significant (P less than 0.01) interaction between lysine supplementation and frequency of feeding occurred for growth rate and food conversion ratio. Growth responses to the supplements of free lysine with once daily feeding were only 67% of that achieved with frequent feeding. 3. Wet feeding had no effect on the growth responses to free lysine supplements. 4. The lysine response was linear over the range of lysine supplementation examined. 5. The implication of these results to the interpretation of experiments examining the lysine requirements of pigs are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of frequency of feeding on the response by growing pigs to supplements of free lysine. 1. Six experiments, involving a total of 320 pigs, were conducted to examine the response of growing pigs to diets supplemented with free lysine when fed either once daily or in six equal portions at intervals of 3 h. The effect of dry or wet feeding on the response to free lysine was examined in Expt nos. 4 and 5. The assumption of linear lysine response over the range of lysine supplementation was examined in Expt no. 6. 2. A significant (P less than 0.01) interaction between lysine supplementation and frequency of feeding occurred for growth rate and food conversion ratio. Growth responses to the supplements of free lysine with once daily feeding were only 67% of that achieved with frequent feeding. 3. Wet feeding had no effect on the growth responses to free lysine supplements. 4. The lysine response was linear over the range of lysine supplementation examined. 5. The implication of these results to the interpretation of experiments examining the lysine requirements of pigs are discussed.", "PMID": 629917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8237", "title": "The assessment of zinc status of an animal from the uptake of 65Zn by the cells of whole blood in vitro.", "content": "1. 65Zn uptake by blood cells in vitro has been compared with plasma Zn concentration and plasma alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity as indicators of an animal's Zn status. 2. Dietary Zn deficiency, low food intake, reduced dietary protein content and endotoxin administration all reduced plasma Zn concentration in the rat. In each case there was a parallel reduction in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and an increase in 65Zn uptake in vitro by cells of whole blood. 3. A similar relationship between the three measurements existed in sheep with lowered plasma Zn concentrations whether these were caused by dietary deficiency or by post-surgical stress. 4. 65Zn uptake by cells of whole blood did not differentiate dietary Zn deficiency from the other factors which reduce plasma Zn under 'field' conditions. 5. 65Zn uptake by the cells in whole blood in vitro was three to five times less rapid in blood of ruminant origin than in that from non-ruminants. This difference related to the erythrocytes rather than to the leukocytes or the plasma.", "contents": "The assessment of zinc status of an animal from the uptake of 65Zn by the cells of whole blood in vitro. 1. 65Zn uptake by blood cells in vitro has been compared with plasma Zn concentration and plasma alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity as indicators of an animal's Zn status. 2. Dietary Zn deficiency, low food intake, reduced dietary protein content and endotoxin administration all reduced plasma Zn concentration in the rat. In each case there was a parallel reduction in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and an increase in 65Zn uptake in vitro by cells of whole blood. 3. A similar relationship between the three measurements existed in sheep with lowered plasma Zn concentrations whether these were caused by dietary deficiency or by post-surgical stress. 4. 65Zn uptake by cells of whole blood did not differentiate dietary Zn deficiency from the other factors which reduce plasma Zn under 'field' conditions. 5. 65Zn uptake by the cells in whole blood in vitro was three to five times less rapid in blood of ruminant origin than in that from non-ruminants. This difference related to the erythrocytes rather than to the leukocytes or the plasma.", "PMID": 629920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8238", "title": "Effects of dietary molybdenum and sulphur on the distribution of copper in plasma and kidneys of sheep.", "content": "1. A 30-week study has been made in growing ewe lambs of the effects of dietary supplementation with molybdenum, or Mo plus inorganic sulphate on the distribution of copper in their blood plasma and kidneys. 2. The addition of 25 mg Mo and 5 g SO42-/kg diet increased Cu concentrations in plasma and kidney and decreased those in liver. Plasma caeruloplasmin activities (ferroxidase; EC 1.16.3.1) were unaffected. 3. Subcellular fractionation of the kidney cortex and gel filtration of the plasma and kidney cortex cytosol showed that the increased Cu content of these tissues was associated with abnormalities in the distribution of Cu. It appeared that both Cu and Mo were associated with the same proteins. 4. Dietary supplementation with Mo alone (25 mg/kg) had no effect on plasma or kidney Cu concentrations, suggesting that S metabolism is involved in the formation of the abnormal Cu-binding proteins in plasma and kidney. 5. The results are discussed in relation to the induction of Mo-induced Cu-deficiency states and the possible involvement of thiomolybdates.", "contents": "Effects of dietary molybdenum and sulphur on the distribution of copper in plasma and kidneys of sheep. 1. A 30-week study has been made in growing ewe lambs of the effects of dietary supplementation with molybdenum, or Mo plus inorganic sulphate on the distribution of copper in their blood plasma and kidneys. 2. The addition of 25 mg Mo and 5 g SO42-/kg diet increased Cu concentrations in plasma and kidney and decreased those in liver. Plasma caeruloplasmin activities (ferroxidase; EC 1.16.3.1) were unaffected. 3. Subcellular fractionation of the kidney cortex and gel filtration of the plasma and kidney cortex cytosol showed that the increased Cu content of these tissues was associated with abnormalities in the distribution of Cu. It appeared that both Cu and Mo were associated with the same proteins. 4. Dietary supplementation with Mo alone (25 mg/kg) had no effect on plasma or kidney Cu concentrations, suggesting that S metabolism is involved in the formation of the abnormal Cu-binding proteins in plasma and kidney. 5. The results are discussed in relation to the induction of Mo-induced Cu-deficiency states and the possible involvement of thiomolybdates.", "PMID": 629921} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8239", "title": "Methane production in the rumen and lower gut of sheep given lucerne chaff: effect of level of intake.", "content": "1. Methane production rates were estimated simultaneously in the rumen and caecum of sheep given 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g lucerne (Medicago sativa) chaff/d using isotope dilution techniques. Estimates were also made of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen at each level of feeding. In all studies three to four animals were used at each level of intake. 2. Production of VFA and of methane were both related to digestible energy (DE) intake. Regression lines for both VFA production and methane production v. DE intake had significant intercepts indicating an input of endogenous, fermentable organic matter into the rumen in excess of 50 g/d. 3. The values obtained for rates of methane production were compared with those calculated from stoicheiometric equations relating rates of methane and VFA production. Comparisons of methane production with that predicted from DE intake were also made. 4. Balances for digestion of food determined for the rumen indicated that the energies in the end-products were more than 100% of the DE intakes of lucerne chaff. Correction for fermentation of apparent endogenous materials resulted in more realistic values. Endogenous materials appeared to make a significant contribution to VFA and methane production, particularly at low levels of intake.", "contents": "Methane production in the rumen and lower gut of sheep given lucerne chaff: effect of level of intake. 1. Methane production rates were estimated simultaneously in the rumen and caecum of sheep given 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g lucerne (Medicago sativa) chaff/d using isotope dilution techniques. Estimates were also made of volatile fatty acid (VFA) production in the rumen at each level of feeding. In all studies three to four animals were used at each level of intake. 2. Production of VFA and of methane were both related to digestible energy (DE) intake. Regression lines for both VFA production and methane production v. DE intake had significant intercepts indicating an input of endogenous, fermentable organic matter into the rumen in excess of 50 g/d. 3. The values obtained for rates of methane production were compared with those calculated from stoicheiometric equations relating rates of methane and VFA production. Comparisons of methane production with that predicted from DE intake were also made. 4. Balances for digestion of food determined for the rumen indicated that the energies in the end-products were more than 100% of the DE intakes of lucerne chaff. Correction for fermentation of apparent endogenous materials resulted in more realistic values. Endogenous materials appeared to make a significant contribution to VFA and methane production, particularly at low levels of intake.", "PMID": 629922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8240", "title": "The effect of litter size on placental blood flow and placental calcium transfer in the multifoetate guinea-pig.", "content": "1. Placental blood flow rate and calcium transfer rate were measured at 61 d of pregnancy in guinea-pigs carrying between one and eight foetuses. 2. Placental blood flow rate was significantly correlated with foetal weight. Ca transfer rate was related to placental size. Irrespective of litter size the mean amount of Ca transferred across a placenta was between 0.22 and 0.34 mg/h per g placental tissue. 3. It was concluded that there was a limit to the rate of transfer which was produced by a combination of limitations in placental blood flow rate, maternal plasma Ca concentration and placental tissue transfer capacity.", "contents": "The effect of litter size on placental blood flow and placental calcium transfer in the multifoetate guinea-pig. 1. Placental blood flow rate and calcium transfer rate were measured at 61 d of pregnancy in guinea-pigs carrying between one and eight foetuses. 2. Placental blood flow rate was significantly correlated with foetal weight. Ca transfer rate was related to placental size. Irrespective of litter size the mean amount of Ca transferred across a placenta was between 0.22 and 0.34 mg/h per g placental tissue. 3. It was concluded that there was a limit to the rate of transfer which was produced by a combination of limitations in placental blood flow rate, maternal plasma Ca concentration and placental tissue transfer capacity.", "PMID": 629923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8241", "title": "Prospective comparison of modified fat-high-carbohydrate with standard low-carbohydrate dietary advice in the treatment of diabetes: one year follow-up study.", "content": "1. A prospective randomized study of two dietary regimens has been started in newly-diagnosed diabetics to determine their effect on circulating metabolites and on diabetic complications. 2. During the first year of treatment the fasting plasma glucose concentrations on both the low-carbohydrate diet and the high-carbohydrate, modified-fat (MF) diet showed a similar decrease. 3. Plasma cholesterol showed a sustained decrease only in patients recommended a MF diet. Transient changes in plasma triglyceride concentrations occurred in patients on both dietary regimens. 4. Increased plasma cholesterol levels are associated with atheromatous disease which is common in diabetics in Europe and North America. A MF diet may therefore have an advantage in that it lowers the plasma cholesterol as well as being effective in lowering the plasma glucose.", "contents": "Prospective comparison of modified fat-high-carbohydrate with standard low-carbohydrate dietary advice in the treatment of diabetes: one year follow-up study. 1. A prospective randomized study of two dietary regimens has been started in newly-diagnosed diabetics to determine their effect on circulating metabolites and on diabetic complications. 2. During the first year of treatment the fasting plasma glucose concentrations on both the low-carbohydrate diet and the high-carbohydrate, modified-fat (MF) diet showed a similar decrease. 3. Plasma cholesterol showed a sustained decrease only in patients recommended a MF diet. Transient changes in plasma triglyceride concentrations occurred in patients on both dietary regimens. 4. Increased plasma cholesterol levels are associated with atheromatous disease which is common in diabetics in Europe and North America. A MF diet may therefore have an advantage in that it lowers the plasma cholesterol as well as being effective in lowering the plasma glucose.", "PMID": 629924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8242", "title": "Trace nutrients. Selenium in British food.", "content": "1. The amount of selenium in nationally representative samples of prepared and cooked groups of foods, and in a variety of raw individual foods, was determined fluorimetrically. 2. The average British diet was calculated to provide approximately 60 microgram Se/d, of which half was derived from cereals and cereal products and another 40% from meat and fish. Milk, table fats, fruit and vegetables provided little or no Se. 3. Individual foods which were particularly rich in Se (greater than 0.2 mg/kg) included 'bread-making' and wholemeal flours, kidney, fatty fish, brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) and several other varieties of nut. In contrast, breast milk and other foods for babies (except some cereal products) contained little Se. 4. The total intake, and the amounts of Se in major foods, were lower than in most other studies. This is probably the result of the comparatively low levels of this element in British soil.", "contents": "Trace nutrients. Selenium in British food. 1. The amount of selenium in nationally representative samples of prepared and cooked groups of foods, and in a variety of raw individual foods, was determined fluorimetrically. 2. The average British diet was calculated to provide approximately 60 microgram Se/d, of which half was derived from cereals and cereal products and another 40% from meat and fish. Milk, table fats, fruit and vegetables provided little or no Se. 3. Individual foods which were particularly rich in Se (greater than 0.2 mg/kg) included 'bread-making' and wholemeal flours, kidney, fatty fish, brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) and several other varieties of nut. In contrast, breast milk and other foods for babies (except some cereal products) contained little Se. 4. The total intake, and the amounts of Se in major foods, were lower than in most other studies. This is probably the result of the comparatively low levels of this element in British soil.", "PMID": 629926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8243", "title": "The development of obesity in preweaning obob mice.", "content": "1. The body compositions of obob and lean (ob+ and ++) mice at 10, 12, 17 and 28 d of age were investigated using a 'cold stress' test to identify the two groups. 2. At each of these ages the obob mice were found to contain significantly more fat than the lean. At 10 d 20% more fat was present and by 17 d the increase was 72%. The obob mice at 28 d contained nearly three times as much fat as the lean. 3. Carcass energy was significantly higher in obob mice at all ages investigated. 4. Other changes in body composition found in the 28 d obob mice, i.e. a reduction in total carcass nitrogen and water content, were already established in the 17-d-old mice but differences at 10 and 12 d were not apparent. 5. The livers of obob mice were significantly heavier than those from lean control mice at 28 d but no differences were detected at the earlier ages. 6. The results are discussed with reference to the early origin of obesity in obob mice.", "contents": "The development of obesity in preweaning obob mice. 1. The body compositions of obob and lean (ob+ and ++) mice at 10, 12, 17 and 28 d of age were investigated using a 'cold stress' test to identify the two groups. 2. At each of these ages the obob mice were found to contain significantly more fat than the lean. At 10 d 20% more fat was present and by 17 d the increase was 72%. The obob mice at 28 d contained nearly three times as much fat as the lean. 3. Carcass energy was significantly higher in obob mice at all ages investigated. 4. Other changes in body composition found in the 28 d obob mice, i.e. a reduction in total carcass nitrogen and water content, were already established in the 17-d-old mice but differences at 10 and 12 d were not apparent. 5. The livers of obob mice were significantly heavier than those from lean control mice at 28 d but no differences were detected at the earlier ages. 6. The results are discussed with reference to the early origin of obesity in obob mice.", "PMID": 629927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8244", "title": "Fat-free body mass from skinfold thickness: a close relationship with total body nitrogen.", "content": "Fat-free body mass is an important component of body composition which is of particular interest to nutritionists and related workers. Fat-free mass has been determined from the simple measurement of skinfold thickness and it has been demonstrated that there is a close correlation with total body nitrogen even though the test subjects had a wide range of nutritional status.", "contents": "Fat-free body mass from skinfold thickness: a close relationship with total body nitrogen. Fat-free body mass is an important component of body composition which is of particular interest to nutritionists and related workers. Fat-free mass has been determined from the simple measurement of skinfold thickness and it has been demonstrated that there is a close correlation with total body nitrogen even though the test subjects had a wide range of nutritional status.", "PMID": 629928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8245", "title": "The energy content of rat carcasses prepared for analysis by different methods.", "content": "The effect of oven-drying on the gross energy content of rat carcasses was investigated. No losses of carcass energy could be ascribed to oven-drying per se.", "contents": "The energy content of rat carcasses prepared for analysis by different methods. The effect of oven-drying on the gross energy content of rat carcasses was investigated. No losses of carcass energy could be ascribed to oven-drying per se.", "PMID": 629929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8246", "title": "A comparison of the effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus deficiency on the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the chick.", "content": "1. Young chicks fed a diet deficient in calcium showed an eightfold increase in the in vitro renal production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC) and those fed a diet deficient in phosphorus showed a threefold increase when compared to chicks on a normal diet. 2. The in vivo accumulation of 1,25-DHCC in the gut mucosa was doubled in both low-Ca and low-P groups as was the rate of Ca absorption from the duodenum and the Ca-binding protein activity. The accumulation of 1,25-DHCC in bone increased threefold in the low-Ca group but showed no change in the low-P group. 3. It was concluded that the increased rate of Ca absorption found in dietary P deficiency depends rather upon the capacity of the gut mucosa to accumulate larger amounts of 1,25-DHCC than upon an increased renal production of this metabolite. The mechanism by which this is achieved is unknown, but it unlikely to be a general increase in availability of 1,25-DHCC since no rise occurred in bone 1,25-DHCC levels.", "contents": "A comparison of the effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus deficiency on the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the chick. 1. Young chicks fed a diet deficient in calcium showed an eightfold increase in the in vitro renal production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC) and those fed a diet deficient in phosphorus showed a threefold increase when compared to chicks on a normal diet. 2. The in vivo accumulation of 1,25-DHCC in the gut mucosa was doubled in both low-Ca and low-P groups as was the rate of Ca absorption from the duodenum and the Ca-binding protein activity. The accumulation of 1,25-DHCC in bone increased threefold in the low-Ca group but showed no change in the low-P group. 3. It was concluded that the increased rate of Ca absorption found in dietary P deficiency depends rather upon the capacity of the gut mucosa to accumulate larger amounts of 1,25-DHCC than upon an increased renal production of this metabolite. The mechanism by which this is achieved is unknown, but it unlikely to be a general increase in availability of 1,25-DHCC since no rise occurred in bone 1,25-DHCC levels.", "PMID": 629930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8247", "title": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobin Providence (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asn or Asp): a residue involved in anion binding.", "content": "High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobins Providence-Asn (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asn) and Providence-Asp (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asp) show that different amino acid substitutions at the same position in the hemoglobin molecule have different effects on the structure of the protein molecule. Hemoglobin Providence-Asp appears to be in a low-affinity tertiary structure in both the deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms. Deoxyhemoglobin Providence-Asn has its beta heme resonance shifted downfield slightly from its position in normal adult hemoglobin; however, the tertiary structures of the heme pocket of hemoglobins A and Providence-Asn are very similar when both proteins are in the carbonmonoxy form. These results are consistent with the oxygen equilibrium measurements of Bonaventura, J., et al. [(1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7563] which show that both Hb Providence-Asn and Hb Providence-Asp have oxygen affinities lower than normal adult hemoglobin, with Hb Providence-Asp having the lowest. Our studies of the effects of sodium chloride on the hyperfine shifted proton resonances of deoxyhemoglobins A, Providence-Asn, and Providence-Asp indicate that the beta82EF6 lysine is probably one, but not the only binding site for chloride ions.", "contents": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobin Providence (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asn or Asp): a residue involved in anion binding. High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobins Providence-Asn (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asn) and Providence-Asp (beta82EF6 Lys replaced by Asp) show that different amino acid substitutions at the same position in the hemoglobin molecule have different effects on the structure of the protein molecule. Hemoglobin Providence-Asp appears to be in a low-affinity tertiary structure in both the deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms. Deoxyhemoglobin Providence-Asn has its beta heme resonance shifted downfield slightly from its position in normal adult hemoglobin; however, the tertiary structures of the heme pocket of hemoglobins A and Providence-Asn are very similar when both proteins are in the carbonmonoxy form. These results are consistent with the oxygen equilibrium measurements of Bonaventura, J., et al. [(1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7563] which show that both Hb Providence-Asn and Hb Providence-Asp have oxygen affinities lower than normal adult hemoglobin, with Hb Providence-Asp having the lowest. Our studies of the effects of sodium chloride on the hyperfine shifted proton resonances of deoxyhemoglobins A, Providence-Asn, and Providence-Asp indicate that the beta82EF6 lysine is probably one, but not the only binding site for chloride ions.", "PMID": 629931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8248", "title": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKee Rocks (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by term): an assignment for an important tertiary structural probe in hemoglobin.", "content": "High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of deoxyhemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKees Rocks (beta 145HC2 Tyr replaced by term) indicate that these hemoglobins are predominately in the oxy quaternary structure in 0.1 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)imino]-tris(hydroxymethyl) methane buffer at pH 7. Upon the addition of inositol hexaphosphate, the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these hemoglobins become similar to those characteristic of a hemoglobin molecule in the deoxy quaternary structure. The exchangeable proton resonance which is found at -6.4 ppm from H2O in the spectrum of normal human adult deoxyhemoglobin is absent in the spectra of these two mutant hemoglobins. Consequently we believe the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group of tyrosine-beta145HC2 and the carboxyl oxygen of valine-beta98FG5 gives rise to this resonance. This assignment allows us to use the -6.4ppm resonance as an important tertiary structural probe in the investigation of the cooperative oxygenation of hemoglobin.", "contents": "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKee Rocks (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by term): an assignment for an important tertiary structural probe in hemoglobin. High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of deoxyhemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKees Rocks (beta 145HC2 Tyr replaced by term) indicate that these hemoglobins are predominately in the oxy quaternary structure in 0.1 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)imino]-tris(hydroxymethyl) methane buffer at pH 7. Upon the addition of inositol hexaphosphate, the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these hemoglobins become similar to those characteristic of a hemoglobin molecule in the deoxy quaternary structure. The exchangeable proton resonance which is found at -6.4 ppm from H2O in the spectrum of normal human adult deoxyhemoglobin is absent in the spectra of these two mutant hemoglobins. Consequently we believe the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group of tyrosine-beta145HC2 and the carboxyl oxygen of valine-beta98FG5 gives rise to this resonance. This assignment allows us to use the -6.4ppm resonance as an important tertiary structural probe in the investigation of the cooperative oxygenation of hemoglobin.", "PMID": 629932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8249", "title": "Covalent structure of a group-specific protease from rat small intestine. Appendix: crystallographic data for a group specific protease from rat intestine.", "content": "\"Group-specific\" protease (GSP) is a serine protease, obtained from rat small intestine, which preferentially inactivates the apo forms of certain pyridoxal phosphate requiring enzymes. The enzyme contains 224 amino acid residues in a single polypeptide chain and three disulfide bonds. In the present work the covalent structure has been determined and its homologous relationship to those of chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase has been established (approximately 33% identity with each). The residues forming the \"charge-relay\" system of the active site of chymotrypsin (His-57, Asp-102, and Ser-195) are found in corresponding regions in GSP, whereas an alanyl residue at position 176 of GSP corresponds to a residue which participates in the primary substrate binding site in serine proteases (Asp-177 in trypsin; Ser-189 in chymotrypsin). Three disulfide bonds in GSP occur in similar positions in chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase. However, GSP lacks a disulfide bond which is present in all known serine proteases (linking Cys-191 to Cys-220 in chymotrypsin). In view of the close proximity of this bond to both the primary and the antiparallel binding sites of various serine proteases, it is likely that its absence in GSP is related to the substrate specificity of this enzyme. It is concluded that GSP diverged from a common ancestor preceding chymotrypsin but following trypsin.", "contents": "Covalent structure of a group-specific protease from rat small intestine. Appendix: crystallographic data for a group specific protease from rat intestine. \"Group-specific\" protease (GSP) is a serine protease, obtained from rat small intestine, which preferentially inactivates the apo forms of certain pyridoxal phosphate requiring enzymes. The enzyme contains 224 amino acid residues in a single polypeptide chain and three disulfide bonds. In the present work the covalent structure has been determined and its homologous relationship to those of chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase has been established (approximately 33% identity with each). The residues forming the \"charge-relay\" system of the active site of chymotrypsin (His-57, Asp-102, and Ser-195) are found in corresponding regions in GSP, whereas an alanyl residue at position 176 of GSP corresponds to a residue which participates in the primary substrate binding site in serine proteases (Asp-177 in trypsin; Ser-189 in chymotrypsin). Three disulfide bonds in GSP occur in similar positions in chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase. However, GSP lacks a disulfide bond which is present in all known serine proteases (linking Cys-191 to Cys-220 in chymotrypsin). In view of the close proximity of this bond to both the primary and the antiparallel binding sites of various serine proteases, it is likely that its absence in GSP is related to the substrate specificity of this enzyme. It is concluded that GSP diverged from a common ancestor preceding chymotrypsin but following trypsin.", "PMID": 629933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8250", "title": "Surface areas of lipid membranes.", "content": "Upon photolysis, alkyl pentacyanocobaltate complexes generate alkyl radicals which react rapidly and specifically with nitroxide radicals, and which do not penetrate phospholipid bilayers. By measuring the loss of paramagnetic resonance signal intensity when multilamellar liposomes containing a small amount of spin-labeled lipid are exposed to these radicals, we have measured the proportion of lipid on the external surface of liposomes. We have shown that liposomes prepared under specified conditions from dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and binary mixtures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol all have the same proportion of external lipid.", "contents": "Surface areas of lipid membranes. Upon photolysis, alkyl pentacyanocobaltate complexes generate alkyl radicals which react rapidly and specifically with nitroxide radicals, and which do not penetrate phospholipid bilayers. By measuring the loss of paramagnetic resonance signal intensity when multilamellar liposomes containing a small amount of spin-labeled lipid are exposed to these radicals, we have measured the proportion of lipid on the external surface of liposomes. We have shown that liposomes prepared under specified conditions from dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and binary mixtures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and cholesterol all have the same proportion of external lipid.", "PMID": 629935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8251", "title": "Multiple thymine dimer excising nuclease activities in extracts of human KB cells.", "content": "Crude extracts of human KB cells grown in suspension culture contain enzyme activity that catalyzes the preferential excision of thymine-containing pyrimidine dimers from UV-irradiated E. coli DNA specifically incised adjacent to dimer sites. Fractionation of KB cell crude extracts reveals the presence of three such activities with distinct affinities for both DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose. One of the activities (activity B) is distinguished by its s 20,w (2.6) and isoelectric point (9.0) from the other two (activities A and C) which have similar s 20,w's (3.0-3.2) and isoelectric points (6.0). All three differ in their extent of stimulation by divalent cation and inhibition by NaCl or a sulfhydryl group inhibitor. These results indicate that multiple 5' leads to 3' dimer excision nuclease activities exist in human cells; however, there is as yet no direct evidence that these enzymes are functional in nucleotide excision repair in vivo.", "contents": "Multiple thymine dimer excising nuclease activities in extracts of human KB cells. Crude extracts of human KB cells grown in suspension culture contain enzyme activity that catalyzes the preferential excision of thymine-containing pyrimidine dimers from UV-irradiated E. coli DNA specifically incised adjacent to dimer sites. Fractionation of KB cell crude extracts reveals the presence of three such activities with distinct affinities for both DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose. One of the activities (activity B) is distinguished by its s 20,w (2.6) and isoelectric point (9.0) from the other two (activities A and C) which have similar s 20,w's (3.0-3.2) and isoelectric points (6.0). All three differ in their extent of stimulation by divalent cation and inhibition by NaCl or a sulfhydryl group inhibitor. These results indicate that multiple 5' leads to 3' dimer excision nuclease activities exist in human cells; however, there is as yet no direct evidence that these enzymes are functional in nucleotide excision repair in vivo.", "PMID": 629936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8252", "title": "Mode of chromatin reconstitution. Elements controlling globin gene transcription.", "content": "The mode of reconstitution has been determined for the factors that control globin gene transcription in chicken reticulocyte chromatin. During chromatin reconstitution, elements in the nonhistone protein fraction that control the globin gene reassociate with the DNA before the histones. From our results, it appears that it is necessary for these elements to reassociate with the DNA before the histones for the globin gene to be transcribed.", "contents": "Mode of chromatin reconstitution. Elements controlling globin gene transcription. The mode of reconstitution has been determined for the factors that control globin gene transcription in chicken reticulocyte chromatin. During chromatin reconstitution, elements in the nonhistone protein fraction that control the globin gene reassociate with the DNA before the histones. From our results, it appears that it is necessary for these elements to reassociate with the DNA before the histones for the globin gene to be transcribed.", "PMID": 629938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8253", "title": "S-trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A:a 19F analogue of acetyl-coenzyme A.", "content": "S-Trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A has been synthesized in 87% yield by reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-bromopropanone with trilithium coenzyme A in presence of pyridine. The compound was characterized by its ultraviolet absorption spectrum and 1H and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The alpha-methylene protons of the S-trifluoroacetonyl group exchanged with D2O and showed a pKa of 9.85 in S-trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol. S-Trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A is a competitive inhibitor of porcine heart citrate synthetase (Ki = 0.16 mM). It forms a binary complex with the enzyme and a ternary complex with enzyme/oxaloaetate binary complex, as evidenced ty the 19F shift. S-Trifluoracetonyl-coenzyme A and S-trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol form weak to moderately strong complexes with alpha-cyclodextrin and show little or no interaction with the methylglucose polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharides from Mycobacterium smegmatis [Smith, W. L., & Ballou, C. E. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7118]. S-Trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol probably forms an inclusion complex with alpha-cyclodextrin because the interaction is reversed by compounds that do form inclusion complexes.", "contents": "S-trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A:a 19F analogue of acetyl-coenzyme A. S-Trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A has been synthesized in 87% yield by reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-bromopropanone with trilithium coenzyme A in presence of pyridine. The compound was characterized by its ultraviolet absorption spectrum and 1H and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The alpha-methylene protons of the S-trifluoroacetonyl group exchanged with D2O and showed a pKa of 9.85 in S-trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol. S-Trifluoroacetonyl-coenzyme A is a competitive inhibitor of porcine heart citrate synthetase (Ki = 0.16 mM). It forms a binary complex with the enzyme and a ternary complex with enzyme/oxaloaetate binary complex, as evidenced ty the 19F shift. S-Trifluoracetonyl-coenzyme A and S-trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol form weak to moderately strong complexes with alpha-cyclodextrin and show little or no interaction with the methylglucose polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharides from Mycobacterium smegmatis [Smith, W. L., & Ballou, C. E. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7118]. S-Trifluoroacetonylmercaptoethanol probably forms an inclusion complex with alpha-cyclodextrin because the interaction is reversed by compounds that do form inclusion complexes.", "PMID": 629939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8254", "title": "Phase transitions of the purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium.", "content": "Purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. No transition was detected at temperatures below 70 degrees C. A small endothermic transition was seen at about 80 degrees C and a larger one at 100 degrees C. The larger transition is the irreversible denaturation of bacteriorhodopsin. The smaller transition is accompanied by a change in the visible absorption spectrum and is believed to be reversible, involving a cooperative change in crystalline structure of the membrane.", "contents": "Phase transitions of the purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium. Purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. No transition was detected at temperatures below 70 degrees C. A small endothermic transition was seen at about 80 degrees C and a larger one at 100 degrees C. The larger transition is the irreversible denaturation of bacteriorhodopsin. The smaller transition is accompanied by a change in the visible absorption spectrum and is believed to be reversible, involving a cooperative change in crystalline structure of the membrane.", "PMID": 629940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8255", "title": "Mechanism of inactivation of ornithine decarboxylase by alpha-methylornithine.", "content": "Ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a is gradually inactivated by treatment with alpha-methylornithine, but activity is restored by treatment of the inactivated enzyme with pyridoxal phosphate. Inactivation of the enzyme is associated with formation of pyridoxamine phosphate and 5-amino-2-pentanone, alpha-Methylornithine is decarboxylated by the enzyme about 6000 times more slowly than is ornithine under the same conditions. These observations provide an explanation for the previously observed inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase by alpha-methylornithine [M. M. Adbel-Monem, N. E. Newton, and C. E. Weeks (1974), J. Med. Chem. 17, 4447]: alpha-Methylornithine undergoes a decarboxylation-dependent transamination as a result of incorrect protonation of the quinoid intermediate which is formed by decarboxylation of the enzyme-bound pyridoxal phosphate-substrate Schiff base. This protonation produces inactive enzyme. Decarboxylation of ornithine by this enzyme produces a small amount of 4-aminobutanal, presumably also by decarboxylation-dependent transamination.", "contents": "Mechanism of inactivation of ornithine decarboxylase by alpha-methylornithine. Ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a is gradually inactivated by treatment with alpha-methylornithine, but activity is restored by treatment of the inactivated enzyme with pyridoxal phosphate. Inactivation of the enzyme is associated with formation of pyridoxamine phosphate and 5-amino-2-pentanone, alpha-Methylornithine is decarboxylated by the enzyme about 6000 times more slowly than is ornithine under the same conditions. These observations provide an explanation for the previously observed inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase by alpha-methylornithine [M. M. Adbel-Monem, N. E. Newton, and C. E. Weeks (1974), J. Med. Chem. 17, 4447]: alpha-Methylornithine undergoes a decarboxylation-dependent transamination as a result of incorrect protonation of the quinoid intermediate which is formed by decarboxylation of the enzyme-bound pyridoxal phosphate-substrate Schiff base. This protonation produces inactive enzyme. Decarboxylation of ornithine by this enzyme produces a small amount of 4-aminobutanal, presumably also by decarboxylation-dependent transamination.", "PMID": 629941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8256", "title": "Triplet state of tryptophan in proteins: the nature of the optically detected magnetic resonance lines.", "content": "Optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) has been employed to examine the homogeneity of the tryptophan environment, both of the isolated residue in solvent, and of tryptophan in glucagon and lysozyme and azurin B (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). From the shifts in the zero-field splittings, we can safely conclude that tryptophan in lysozyme, azurin B, or glucagon does not have the same type of solvent interaction as the free residue. However, by \"burning holes\" in the OSMR lines, it is evident that the lines in these cases are inhomogeneously broadened. From the relative line widths and hole widths, it appears that ODMR can be used to examine the relative diversity of interactions for a luminescent amino acid in a protein. We have followed the ODMR line characteristics in a progression from free N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide, to tryptophan in lysozyme, to \"denatured\" lysozyme, and present evidence that the line widths narrow as the tryptophan residues become less solvent accessible.", "contents": "Triplet state of tryptophan in proteins: the nature of the optically detected magnetic resonance lines. Optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) has been employed to examine the homogeneity of the tryptophan environment, both of the isolated residue in solvent, and of tryptophan in glucagon and lysozyme and azurin B (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). From the shifts in the zero-field splittings, we can safely conclude that tryptophan in lysozyme, azurin B, or glucagon does not have the same type of solvent interaction as the free residue. However, by \"burning holes\" in the OSMR lines, it is evident that the lines in these cases are inhomogeneously broadened. From the relative line widths and hole widths, it appears that ODMR can be used to examine the relative diversity of interactions for a luminescent amino acid in a protein. We have followed the ODMR line characteristics in a progression from free N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide, to tryptophan in lysozyme, to \"denatured\" lysozyme, and present evidence that the line widths narrow as the tryptophan residues become less solvent accessible.", "PMID": 629948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8257", "title": "Primary structure of the lambda repressor.", "content": "The complete covalent structure of the bacteriophage lambda repressor has been determined by sequential Edman degradation, gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric peptide sequencing, and DNA sequencing of the repressor gene cI. The repressor is a single-chain, acidic protein containing 236 amino acids. The amino terminal 40 residues are highly polar and basic. Lysines and arginines in the sequence tend to be clustered.", "contents": "Primary structure of the lambda repressor. The complete covalent structure of the bacteriophage lambda repressor has been determined by sequential Edman degradation, gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric peptide sequencing, and DNA sequencing of the repressor gene cI. The repressor is a single-chain, acidic protein containing 236 amino acids. The amino terminal 40 residues are highly polar and basic. Lysines and arginines in the sequence tend to be clustered.", "PMID": 629949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8258", "title": "Nuclear magnetic resonance study of fibrinogen-like peptides and their structure in dimethyl sulfoxide and water.", "content": "The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of four fibrinogen-like oligopeptides (H-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, H-Val-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, and H-Gly-Val-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2) in dimethyl-d6 sulfoxide (Me2SO-d6), and of the hexapeptide in water, and the 13C NMR spectrum of H-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2 in Me2SO-d6, were recorded and interpreted in terms of preferred conformations in solution. Each peptide exists in Me2SO-d6 as in a 30:70 mixture of cis and trans isomers about the Gly-Pro bond, and the hexapeptide in water is solely the trans isomer. For the trans isomers in Me2SO-d6, there is a hydrogen bond between the Gly CO group and one of the C-terminal primary amide hydrogens, and a beta turn involving the Gly-Pro-Ala-NH, section of the molecules. A strong NOE between Pro CalphaH and Ala NH for the trans isomer of the tripeptide in Me2SO-d6 completes the identification of this structural feature as a type II beta turn.", "contents": "Nuclear magnetic resonance study of fibrinogen-like peptides and their structure in dimethyl sulfoxide and water. The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of four fibrinogen-like oligopeptides (H-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, H-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, H-Val-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2, and H-Gly-Val-Arg-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2) in dimethyl-d6 sulfoxide (Me2SO-d6), and of the hexapeptide in water, and the 13C NMR spectrum of H-Gly-Pro-Ala-NH2 in Me2SO-d6, were recorded and interpreted in terms of preferred conformations in solution. Each peptide exists in Me2SO-d6 as in a 30:70 mixture of cis and trans isomers about the Gly-Pro bond, and the hexapeptide in water is solely the trans isomer. For the trans isomers in Me2SO-d6, there is a hydrogen bond between the Gly CO group and one of the C-terminal primary amide hydrogens, and a beta turn involving the Gly-Pro-Ala-NH, section of the molecules. A strong NOE between Pro CalphaH and Ala NH for the trans isomer of the tripeptide in Me2SO-d6 completes the identification of this structural feature as a type II beta turn.", "PMID": 629953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8259", "title": "Effects of shearing on chromatin structure.", "content": "The effects of mechanical shearing on chromatin structure were investigated by using thermal denaturation and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Under ordinary conditions of mechanical shearing used for preparation of soluble chromatin, we observed only minor changes (less than 10%) of chromatin properties with respect to (a) absorption melting curves, (b) CD spectra, (c) CD melting curves and (d) histone transfer from chromatin to exogenous DNA. Such small pertubation of structural properties could be due to the generation of free ends when a large chromatin was cut into smaller fragments and by weakening the binding of histones to DNA near these free ends. In addition to mechanical shearing, sonication was used to shear some samples of chromatin. The effect of sonication on chromatin structure was investigated by the same physical methods used for mechanically sheared chromatin. The results indicate that sonication only slightly changes the chromatin properties with respect to CD spectra, similar to the results obtained by mechanical shearing, but sonication at high settings has a greater effect on the thermal denaturation property of chromatin as contrasted to our results from mechanically sheared chromatin.", "contents": "Effects of shearing on chromatin structure. The effects of mechanical shearing on chromatin structure were investigated by using thermal denaturation and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Under ordinary conditions of mechanical shearing used for preparation of soluble chromatin, we observed only minor changes (less than 10%) of chromatin properties with respect to (a) absorption melting curves, (b) CD spectra, (c) CD melting curves and (d) histone transfer from chromatin to exogenous DNA. Such small pertubation of structural properties could be due to the generation of free ends when a large chromatin was cut into smaller fragments and by weakening the binding of histones to DNA near these free ends. In addition to mechanical shearing, sonication was used to shear some samples of chromatin. The effect of sonication on chromatin structure was investigated by the same physical methods used for mechanically sheared chromatin. The results indicate that sonication only slightly changes the chromatin properties with respect to CD spectra, similar to the results obtained by mechanical shearing, but sonication at high settings has a greater effect on the thermal denaturation property of chromatin as contrasted to our results from mechanically sheared chromatin.", "PMID": 629954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8260", "title": "Methylation and capping of RNA polymerase II primary transcripts by HeLa nuclear homogenates.", "content": "HeLa nuclear homogenates incubated in vitro incorporate [beta-32P]ATP and S-[methyl-3H]-adenosylmeth-ionine ([3H]SAM) into blocked methylated 5' termini of newly synthesized RNA. Approximately 10% of the RNA chains initiated in vitro with [beta-32P]ATP are subsequently blocked by condensation of GMP to di- or triphosphate terminated RNA. The blocked termini can then be methylated by transfer of methyl groups from [3H]SAM to the 7 position of the guanosine and 2'-O position of the adenosine to form m7Gpp*pAm- capped terminus. In addition to conventional triphosphate caps, HeLa nuclear homogenates produce capping structures containing two phosphate residues in the pyrophosphate bridge. The two distinct cap forms were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and analyzed. In contrast to triphosphate caps (m7GpppXm) in which X can be any one of the four nucleosides (G, A, C, or U), in diphosphate caps (m7GppXm), more than 95% of the penultimate nucleoside Xm is G. Incorporation of both [beta-32P]ATP and [3H]SAM into caps was markedly reduced by low concentrations of alpha-amanitin. However, an ammonium sulfate fraction of the nuclear homogenate can cap beta-32P-labeled RNA (pp*pA-RNA) to form m7Gpp*pA-RNA, in the presence of 0.5 microgram/mL of alpha-amanitin. Therefore, the nuclear capping enzyme is resistant to this drug. Our results indicate that RNA polymerase II primary transcripts are the substrate for the cellular capping enzyme and that the beta phosphate in the pyrophosphate bridge (m7GgammapbetapalphapXm) is derived from the 5' ends of the RNA chains.", "contents": "Methylation and capping of RNA polymerase II primary transcripts by HeLa nuclear homogenates. HeLa nuclear homogenates incubated in vitro incorporate [beta-32P]ATP and S-[methyl-3H]-adenosylmeth-ionine ([3H]SAM) into blocked methylated 5' termini of newly synthesized RNA. Approximately 10% of the RNA chains initiated in vitro with [beta-32P]ATP are subsequently blocked by condensation of GMP to di- or triphosphate terminated RNA. The blocked termini can then be methylated by transfer of methyl groups from [3H]SAM to the 7 position of the guanosine and 2'-O position of the adenosine to form m7Gpp*pAm- capped terminus. In addition to conventional triphosphate caps, HeLa nuclear homogenates produce capping structures containing two phosphate residues in the pyrophosphate bridge. The two distinct cap forms were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and analyzed. In contrast to triphosphate caps (m7GpppXm) in which X can be any one of the four nucleosides (G, A, C, or U), in diphosphate caps (m7GppXm), more than 95% of the penultimate nucleoside Xm is G. Incorporation of both [beta-32P]ATP and [3H]SAM into caps was markedly reduced by low concentrations of alpha-amanitin. However, an ammonium sulfate fraction of the nuclear homogenate can cap beta-32P-labeled RNA (pp*pA-RNA) to form m7Gpp*pA-RNA, in the presence of 0.5 microgram/mL of alpha-amanitin. Therefore, the nuclear capping enzyme is resistant to this drug. Our results indicate that RNA polymerase II primary transcripts are the substrate for the cellular capping enzyme and that the beta phosphate in the pyrophosphate bridge (m7GgammapbetapalphapXm) is derived from the 5' ends of the RNA chains.", "PMID": 629955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8261", "title": "Characterization of DNA binding protein from rat liver chromatin which decreases during growth.", "content": "A nuclear nonhistone protein which decreases in chromatin during growth (Yeoman, L. C., et al. (1975) Cancer Res. 35, 1249) has been isolated in high purity from the chromatin of normal rat liver nuclei by gel electrophoresis and column chromatography. This protein, designated BA (Yeoman, L.C., et al. (1973) Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 53, 1067), has a molecular weight of 31 000, an acidic to basic amino acid composition ratio of 0.9, and contains one tryptophan residue per molecule. Hydrazinolysis indicated protein BA has a lysine carboxyl terminus; however, the amino terminal is blocked as no reaction occurred with dansyl chloride. Maps of tryptic peptides of protein BA contained 46 spots. Protein BA binding to various DNAs was examined by the nitrocellulose filter assay. Binding was slightly enhanced by 2mM Mn2+ion; Mg2+, however, decreased binding. Binding was optimal at neutral pH and an ionic strength of 0.2 M [NaCl]. Equilibrium competition binding studies indicated a binding preference of protein BA for dA-dT rich DNA.", "contents": "Characterization of DNA binding protein from rat liver chromatin which decreases during growth. A nuclear nonhistone protein which decreases in chromatin during growth (Yeoman, L. C., et al. (1975) Cancer Res. 35, 1249) has been isolated in high purity from the chromatin of normal rat liver nuclei by gel electrophoresis and column chromatography. This protein, designated BA (Yeoman, L.C., et al. (1973) Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 53, 1067), has a molecular weight of 31 000, an acidic to basic amino acid composition ratio of 0.9, and contains one tryptophan residue per molecule. Hydrazinolysis indicated protein BA has a lysine carboxyl terminus; however, the amino terminal is blocked as no reaction occurred with dansyl chloride. Maps of tryptic peptides of protein BA contained 46 spots. Protein BA binding to various DNAs was examined by the nitrocellulose filter assay. Binding was slightly enhanced by 2mM Mn2+ion; Mg2+, however, decreased binding. Binding was optimal at neutral pH and an ionic strength of 0.2 M [NaCl]. Equilibrium competition binding studies indicated a binding preference of protein BA for dA-dT rich DNA.", "PMID": 629956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8262", "title": "Properties and reaction mechanism of the bioluminescence system of the deep-sea shrimp Oplophorus gracilorostris.", "content": "The bioluminescent reaction of Oplophorus takes place when the oxidation of coelenterazine (the luciferin) with molecular oxygen is catalyzed by Oplophorus luciferase, resulting in light of maximum intensity at 462 nm and the products CO2 and coelenteramide. Oplophorus luciferase has now been obtained in a highly purified state. Optimum luminescence occurs at pH 9 in the presence of 0.05--0.1 M NaCl at 40 degrees C, and, due to the unusual resistance of this enzyme to heat, visible luminescence occurs at temperatures above 70 degrees C when partially purified enzyme is used. The specific activity of purest preparations is 1.75 X 10(15) photons s-1 mg-1 at 23 degrees C. At pH 8.7, native luciferase has a molecular weight of approximately 130 000, apparently comprising 4 monomers of 31 000; at lower pHs, the native luciferase tends to polymerize. The quantum yield of coelenterazine is 0.34 at 22 degrees C with this enzyme. After the luminescent reaction, the spent solution is nonfluorescent, and likewise solutions of luciferase alone. When the bioluminescent reaction was carried out in the presence of 18O2, the product CO2 contained more than 50% C18O16O, supporting the dioxetane mechanism, but without ruling out the linear peroxide mechanism.", "contents": "Properties and reaction mechanism of the bioluminescence system of the deep-sea shrimp Oplophorus gracilorostris. The bioluminescent reaction of Oplophorus takes place when the oxidation of coelenterazine (the luciferin) with molecular oxygen is catalyzed by Oplophorus luciferase, resulting in light of maximum intensity at 462 nm and the products CO2 and coelenteramide. Oplophorus luciferase has now been obtained in a highly purified state. Optimum luminescence occurs at pH 9 in the presence of 0.05--0.1 M NaCl at 40 degrees C, and, due to the unusual resistance of this enzyme to heat, visible luminescence occurs at temperatures above 70 degrees C when partially purified enzyme is used. The specific activity of purest preparations is 1.75 X 10(15) photons s-1 mg-1 at 23 degrees C. At pH 8.7, native luciferase has a molecular weight of approximately 130 000, apparently comprising 4 monomers of 31 000; at lower pHs, the native luciferase tends to polymerize. The quantum yield of coelenterazine is 0.34 at 22 degrees C with this enzyme. After the luminescent reaction, the spent solution is nonfluorescent, and likewise solutions of luciferase alone. When the bioluminescent reaction was carried out in the presence of 18O2, the product CO2 contained more than 50% C18O16O, supporting the dioxetane mechanism, but without ruling out the linear peroxide mechanism.", "PMID": 629957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8263", "title": "Mitochondrial framework (reticulum mitochondriale) in rat diaphragm muscle.", "content": "Reconstitution of rat diaphragm mitochondria has been carried out with the use of the serial section technique. It is shown that mitochondrial material is organized as networks transpiercing the I band regions of the muscle near the Z-discs. Each network forms tubules, oriented perpendicular to its plane, and branches, connecting the network with mitochondrial clusters in the fiber periphery. Such a system, defined as mitochondrial reticulum, is found to be characteristic of the diaphragm of adult animals. It is absent in the diaphragm of rat embryos and newborn rats. The junctions of the branches of mitochondrial reticulum are described. In the junction site, the outer membranes of two mitochondrial branches are in contact, and spaces between outer and inner membranes are filled with an osmiophilic substance. No junctions were found in the embryos and in newborn animals whose diaphragm contains single, elliptical or worm-like mitochondria. The hypothesis is put forward that the mitochondrial reticulum serves as a system for transport of energy, oxygen and fatty acid residues along mitochondrial membranes over distances commensurable with the muscle fiber diameter.", "contents": "Mitochondrial framework (reticulum mitochondriale) in rat diaphragm muscle. Reconstitution of rat diaphragm mitochondria has been carried out with the use of the serial section technique. It is shown that mitochondrial material is organized as networks transpiercing the I band regions of the muscle near the Z-discs. Each network forms tubules, oriented perpendicular to its plane, and branches, connecting the network with mitochondrial clusters in the fiber periphery. Such a system, defined as mitochondrial reticulum, is found to be characteristic of the diaphragm of adult animals. It is absent in the diaphragm of rat embryos and newborn rats. The junctions of the branches of mitochondrial reticulum are described. In the junction site, the outer membranes of two mitochondrial branches are in contact, and spaces between outer and inner membranes are filled with an osmiophilic substance. No junctions were found in the embryos and in newborn animals whose diaphragm contains single, elliptical or worm-like mitochondria. The hypothesis is put forward that the mitochondrial reticulum serves as a system for transport of energy, oxygen and fatty acid residues along mitochondrial membranes over distances commensurable with the muscle fiber diameter.", "PMID": 629958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8264", "title": "The effects of uncoupler on the rates of cytochrome oxidation and reduction in the photosynthetic bacterium, Chromatium. Evidence for a possible cytochrome switching.", "content": "The uncoupler, m-chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone (CCCP) added to anerobic, dark-adapted whole cells of Chromatium vinosum is found to speed the reduction of cytochrome after oxidation by laser or by steady illumination and, subject to unknown factors, to slow the laser-induced oxidation. There is considerable evidence, including spectra and loss of low-temperature oxidizability that this results from a switch of the identity of the cytochrome oxidized from the low-potential cytochrome c-552 to the high-potential cytochrome c555. Redox control and/or control by conformational movements of the cytochromes, either being coupled to energy transduction in the cyclic system, are suggested as mechanisms for the switching. If the switching hypothesis is not accepted, the increased rate of reduction could alternatively be explained by postulating a phosphorylation site in the reduction pathway.", "contents": "The effects of uncoupler on the rates of cytochrome oxidation and reduction in the photosynthetic bacterium, Chromatium. Evidence for a possible cytochrome switching. The uncoupler, m-chlorocarbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone (CCCP) added to anerobic, dark-adapted whole cells of Chromatium vinosum is found to speed the reduction of cytochrome after oxidation by laser or by steady illumination and, subject to unknown factors, to slow the laser-induced oxidation. There is considerable evidence, including spectra and loss of low-temperature oxidizability that this results from a switch of the identity of the cytochrome oxidized from the low-potential cytochrome c-552 to the high-potential cytochrome c555. Redox control and/or control by conformational movements of the cytochromes, either being coupled to energy transduction in the cyclic system, are suggested as mechanisms for the switching. If the switching hypothesis is not accepted, the increased rate of reduction could alternatively be explained by postulating a phosphorylation site in the reduction pathway.", "PMID": 629959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8265", "title": "Properties of photochemical reaction centers purified from Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa.", "content": "Reaction centers were isolated from a carotenoidless mutant of Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa by hydroxyapatite chromatography of purified chromatophores treated with lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. Absorption spectra and spectra of light-induced absorbance changes are similar to those of reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The ratio of absorbance at 280 nm to that at 799 nm was 1.8 in the purest preparations. The extinction coefficient at the 799 nm absorption maximum was estimated to be 305 +/- 20 mM--1 . CM--1. The molecular weight based on protein and chromophore assays was found to be 1.5 . 10(5); the reaction center protein accounted for 6% of the total membrane protein. These reaction centers contained no cytochrome and showed just two components of apparent molecular weights 33 000 and 25 000 in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The chromatophores contained 42 molecules of antenna bacteriochlorophyll for each reaction center.", "contents": "Properties of photochemical reaction centers purified from Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa. Reaction centers were isolated from a carotenoidless mutant of Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa by hydroxyapatite chromatography of purified chromatophores treated with lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. Absorption spectra and spectra of light-induced absorbance changes are similar to those of reaction centers from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. The ratio of absorbance at 280 nm to that at 799 nm was 1.8 in the purest preparations. The extinction coefficient at the 799 nm absorption maximum was estimated to be 305 +/- 20 mM--1 . CM--1. The molecular weight based on protein and chromophore assays was found to be 1.5 . 10(5); the reaction center protein accounted for 6% of the total membrane protein. These reaction centers contained no cytochrome and showed just two components of apparent molecular weights 33 000 and 25 000 in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The chromatophores contained 42 molecules of antenna bacteriochlorophyll for each reaction center.", "PMID": 629960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8266", "title": "Isolation and characterization of light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll.protein complexes from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.", "content": "The isolation of two native light harvesting bacteriochlorophyl.protein complexes from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata is described. The light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I (B 875) has been isolated from the blue-green mutant A1a+ lacking both carotenoids and light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll II. Light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I is associated with a protein (light harvesting band 2) of 12 000 molecular weight. Light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll II complex has been isolated from the mutant Y5 lacking a reaction center and light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I. Light harvesting bacteriochlorphyll II (B 800 + 850) together with carotenoids is associated with two polypeptides (light harvesting bands 3 and 4) having molecular weights of about 8000 and 10 000 (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). A third protein (light harvesting band 1) is in the purified light harvesting II fraction (mol. wt. approx. 14 000), but not associated with bacteriochlorophyll or carotenoids. The amino acid composition of the 3 antenna pigment II proteins is given. The polarity of these proteins was found to be 48%. From the amino acid composition the following molecular weights were calculated band 1: 17 350, band 3: 13 350 and band 4: 10 500.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll.protein complexes from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. The isolation of two native light harvesting bacteriochlorophyl.protein complexes from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata is described. The light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I (B 875) has been isolated from the blue-green mutant A1a+ lacking both carotenoids and light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll II. Light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I is associated with a protein (light harvesting band 2) of 12 000 molecular weight. Light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll II complex has been isolated from the mutant Y5 lacking a reaction center and light harvesting bacteriochlorophyll I. Light harvesting bacteriochlorphyll II (B 800 + 850) together with carotenoids is associated with two polypeptides (light harvesting bands 3 and 4) having molecular weights of about 8000 and 10 000 (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). A third protein (light harvesting band 1) is in the purified light harvesting II fraction (mol. wt. approx. 14 000), but not associated with bacteriochlorophyll or carotenoids. The amino acid composition of the 3 antenna pigment II proteins is given. The polarity of these proteins was found to be 48%. From the amino acid composition the following molecular weights were calculated band 1: 17 350, band 3: 13 350 and band 4: 10 500.", "PMID": 629962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8267", "title": "Absorption and circular dichroism spectra of chloroplast membrane fragments from spinach, barley and a barley mutant at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature.", "content": "The absorption and CD spectra of chloroplast fragments from spinach, barley and a barley mutant (chlorophyll b-minus) were studied at temperatures of 23 degrees C and --196 degrees C. The CD spectrum of wild type barley and spinach at --196 degrees C showed troughs at 640, 653, 676 and 695 nm and a maximum at 667 nm. The CD spectrum of the barley mutant at --196 degrees C consisted of a large trough at 684 nm, a small trough at 695 nm and a positive peak at 670 nm. A new feature observed at --196 degrees C but not at 23 degrees C is the trough at 640 nm. This 640 nm CD signal is missing in the CD spectrum of the barley mutant. It is attributable to the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein which appears to be missing in the mutant. Another new feature, the trough at 695 nm, was observed in the CD spectra of spinach, barley and the barley mutant at --196 degrees C. The 695 nm trough appears to be sensitive to detergents and it may be due to a labile chlorophyll a.protein complex. Possible interpretations of the data are discussed.", "contents": "Absorption and circular dichroism spectra of chloroplast membrane fragments from spinach, barley and a barley mutant at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. The absorption and CD spectra of chloroplast fragments from spinach, barley and a barley mutant (chlorophyll b-minus) were studied at temperatures of 23 degrees C and --196 degrees C. The CD spectrum of wild type barley and spinach at --196 degrees C showed troughs at 640, 653, 676 and 695 nm and a maximum at 667 nm. The CD spectrum of the barley mutant at --196 degrees C consisted of a large trough at 684 nm, a small trough at 695 nm and a positive peak at 670 nm. A new feature observed at --196 degrees C but not at 23 degrees C is the trough at 640 nm. This 640 nm CD signal is missing in the CD spectrum of the barley mutant. It is attributable to the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein which appears to be missing in the mutant. Another new feature, the trough at 695 nm, was observed in the CD spectra of spinach, barley and the barley mutant at --196 degrees C. The 695 nm trough appears to be sensitive to detergents and it may be due to a labile chlorophyll a.protein complex. Possible interpretations of the data are discussed.", "PMID": 629963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8268", "title": "The modulation of membrane fluidity by hydrogenation processes. II. Homogeneous catalysis and model biomembranes.", "content": "A homogeneous catalyst, chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (I) has been incorporated into model biomembrane structures in the form of lipid bilayer dispersions in water. This enables the hydrogenation of the double bonds of the unsaturated lipids within the bilayers to be accomplished. To decide the optimum conditions for efficient hydrogenation the reaction conditions have been varied. The effect of catalyst concentration, hydrogen gas pressure and lipid composition (with and without cholesterol) have all been studied. The partition of the catalyst into the lipid medium was checked by rhodium analysis. The results show that an increase of catalyst concentration or an increase of hydrogen gas pressure leads to increasing rates of hydrogenation. Successful hydrogenation was accomplished with different types of lipid dispersions (mitochondrial, microsomal and erythrocyte lipids). A selectivity of the homogeneous hydrogenation process is indicated. The polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues are hydrogenated at an earlier stage and at a faster rate than the monoenoic acids. Furthermore, an increase in the proportion of cholesterol to lipid within the bilayer structures causes a progressive decrease in the rate of hydrogenation. The fluidity of the lipid bilayers can be altered to such an extent by the hydrogenation process that new sharp endotherms corresponding to the order-disorder transition of saturated lipids occur at temperatures as high as 319 K. Some potential uses of hydrogenation for the modulation of cell membrane fluidity are discussed as well as the design of new types of catalyst molecules.", "contents": "The modulation of membrane fluidity by hydrogenation processes. II. Homogeneous catalysis and model biomembranes. A homogeneous catalyst, chlorotris (triphenylphosphine) rhodium (I) has been incorporated into model biomembrane structures in the form of lipid bilayer dispersions in water. This enables the hydrogenation of the double bonds of the unsaturated lipids within the bilayers to be accomplished. To decide the optimum conditions for efficient hydrogenation the reaction conditions have been varied. The effect of catalyst concentration, hydrogen gas pressure and lipid composition (with and without cholesterol) have all been studied. The partition of the catalyst into the lipid medium was checked by rhodium analysis. The results show that an increase of catalyst concentration or an increase of hydrogen gas pressure leads to increasing rates of hydrogenation. Successful hydrogenation was accomplished with different types of lipid dispersions (mitochondrial, microsomal and erythrocyte lipids). A selectivity of the homogeneous hydrogenation process is indicated. The polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues are hydrogenated at an earlier stage and at a faster rate than the monoenoic acids. Furthermore, an increase in the proportion of cholesterol to lipid within the bilayer structures causes a progressive decrease in the rate of hydrogenation. The fluidity of the lipid bilayers can be altered to such an extent by the hydrogenation process that new sharp endotherms corresponding to the order-disorder transition of saturated lipids occur at temperatures as high as 319 K. Some potential uses of hydrogenation for the modulation of cell membrane fluidity are discussed as well as the design of new types of catalyst molecules.", "PMID": 629964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8269", "title": "Interpretation of light scattering associated with prolonged neural activity and temperature changes.", "content": "Changes in light scattering from lobster giant axon which accompany the action potential were observed during periods of prolonged stimulation and as a function of temperature. At an initial temperature of 10 degrees C most (more than 90%) axons produced positive light scattering signals which increased in amplitude when the temperature was lowered. At 2 and 5 degrees C approximately half of the axons produced positive scattering signals. The remaining half produced negative scattering signals which became positive when the temperature was raised to 10 degrees C. The amplitude of the negative signals followed sigmoid transition to positive values as a function of time. The time and temperature dependence of the signal are interpreted in terms of differential changes between the indices of refraction of the membrane matrix and the open or closed early activation channel.", "contents": "Interpretation of light scattering associated with prolonged neural activity and temperature changes. Changes in light scattering from lobster giant axon which accompany the action potential were observed during periods of prolonged stimulation and as a function of temperature. At an initial temperature of 10 degrees C most (more than 90%) axons produced positive light scattering signals which increased in amplitude when the temperature was lowered. At 2 and 5 degrees C approximately half of the axons produced positive scattering signals. The remaining half produced negative scattering signals which became positive when the temperature was raised to 10 degrees C. The amplitude of the negative signals followed sigmoid transition to positive values as a function of time. The time and temperature dependence of the signal are interpreted in terms of differential changes between the indices of refraction of the membrane matrix and the open or closed early activation channel.", "PMID": 629965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8270", "title": "Preparation of liver microsomes with high recovery of endoplasmic reticulum and a low grade of contamination.", "content": "A modified procedure for preparing the microsomal fraction from rat liver was developed with the aim of increasing the recovery without increasing the degree of contamination. 87% of the membranes of the microsomal fraction isolated from the first mitochondrial (10 000 X g) supernatant originates from the endoplasmic reticulum, representing a 35% yield. By gentle resuspension of the 10 000 X g pellet followed by differential centrifugation a second crop of microsomes can be prepared which, together with the first crop, gives a 55% total recovery of microsomal markers. 87% of the protein in this second crop also originates from the endoplasmic reticulum and this fraction has properties similar to those of the first crop. Contaminating membranes include Golgi membranes (0.6% of the total protein), mitochondria (2.5%), lysosomes (5%) and plasma membranes (5%). Collecting further crops increases the contamination. Subfractionation studies revealed almost identical distributions of ribosome-rich, ribosome-poor and smooth membranes in the two crops of microsomal fractions. The results obtained after treatment of the animals with phenobarbital or methylcholantrene were similar to those obtained with control animals; but in the case of methylcholantrene treatment the second crop represents a larger portion of the total membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum.", "contents": "Preparation of liver microsomes with high recovery of endoplasmic reticulum and a low grade of contamination. A modified procedure for preparing the microsomal fraction from rat liver was developed with the aim of increasing the recovery without increasing the degree of contamination. 87% of the membranes of the microsomal fraction isolated from the first mitochondrial (10 000 X g) supernatant originates from the endoplasmic reticulum, representing a 35% yield. By gentle resuspension of the 10 000 X g pellet followed by differential centrifugation a second crop of microsomes can be prepared which, together with the first crop, gives a 55% total recovery of microsomal markers. 87% of the protein in this second crop also originates from the endoplasmic reticulum and this fraction has properties similar to those of the first crop. Contaminating membranes include Golgi membranes (0.6% of the total protein), mitochondria (2.5%), lysosomes (5%) and plasma membranes (5%). Collecting further crops increases the contamination. Subfractionation studies revealed almost identical distributions of ribosome-rich, ribosome-poor and smooth membranes in the two crops of microsomal fractions. The results obtained after treatment of the animals with phenobarbital or methylcholantrene were similar to those obtained with control animals; but in the case of methylcholantrene treatment the second crop represents a larger portion of the total membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum.", "PMID": 629966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8271", "title": "Fluorescence measurements of environmental relaxation at the lipid-water interface region of bilayer membranes.", "content": "Nanosecond time-resolved emission spectroscopy is used to characterize the complex fluorescence behavior of the probe 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene 6-sulfonate (2,6 p-TNS) when adsorbed to several bilayer membrane system. These include egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles with and without added cholesterol as well as erythrocyte ghost membranes. In each case a nanosecond time-dependent shift of the fluorescence emission to lower energy follows pulsed photoexcitation. The properties of the time-resolved surfaces obtained are consistent with a non-exponential decay law which describes a continuous interaction process of 2,6 p-TNS with its local environment in the membrane. This environment consists in part of polar residues (water plus polar head region) undergoing nanosecond motions. The pure phosphatidylcholine bilayer system was studied at four temperatures and electronic and spectral relaxation contributions to the total fluorescence decay were separated. Temperature coefficients for empirical rate parameters derived for the separated processes were obtained. It appears that a treatment of the fluorescence behavior of amphiphilic probes such as 2,6 p-TNS adsorbed to bilayer membranes at temperatures near ambient in which a single lifetime and radiative decay channel have been assumed is inappropriate.", "contents": "Fluorescence measurements of environmental relaxation at the lipid-water interface region of bilayer membranes. Nanosecond time-resolved emission spectroscopy is used to characterize the complex fluorescence behavior of the probe 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene 6-sulfonate (2,6 p-TNS) when adsorbed to several bilayer membrane system. These include egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles with and without added cholesterol as well as erythrocyte ghost membranes. In each case a nanosecond time-dependent shift of the fluorescence emission to lower energy follows pulsed photoexcitation. The properties of the time-resolved surfaces obtained are consistent with a non-exponential decay law which describes a continuous interaction process of 2,6 p-TNS with its local environment in the membrane. This environment consists in part of polar residues (water plus polar head region) undergoing nanosecond motions. The pure phosphatidylcholine bilayer system was studied at four temperatures and electronic and spectral relaxation contributions to the total fluorescence decay were separated. Temperature coefficients for empirical rate parameters derived for the separated processes were obtained. It appears that a treatment of the fluorescence behavior of amphiphilic probes such as 2,6 p-TNS adsorbed to bilayer membranes at temperatures near ambient in which a single lifetime and radiative decay channel have been assumed is inappropriate.", "PMID": 629967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8272", "title": "Glycoprotein synthesis in the adult rat pancreas. IV. Subcellular distribution of membrane glycoproteins.", "content": "Zymogen granule membranes from the rat exocrine pancreas displays distinctive, simple protein and glycoprotein compositions when compared to other intracellular membranes. The carbohydrate content of zymogen granule membrane protein was 5-10-fold greater than that of membrane fractions isolated from smooth and rough microsomes, mitochondria and a preparation containing plasma membranes, and 50-100-fold greater than the zymogen granule content and the postmicrosomal supernate. The granule membrane glycoprotein contained primarily sialic acid, fucose, mannose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. The levels of galactose, fucose and sialic acid increased in membranes in the following order: rough microsomes less than smooth microsomes less than zymogen granules. Membrane polypeptides were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The profile of zymogen granule membrane polypeptides was characterized by GP-2, a species with an apparent molecular weight of 74 000. Radioactivity profiles of membranes labeled with [3H]glucosamine or [3H]leucine, as well as periodic acid-Schiff stain profiles, indicated that GP-2 accounted for approx. 40% of the firmly bound granule membrane protein. Low levels of a species similar to GP-2 were detected in membranes of smooth microsomes and the preparation enriched in plasma membranes but not in other subcellular fractions. These results suggest that GP-2 is a biochemical marker for zymogen granules. Membrane glycoproteins of intact zymogen granules were resistant to neuraminidase treatment, while those in isolated granule membranes were readily degraded by neuraminidase. GP-2 of intact granules was not labeled by exposure to galactose oxidase followed by reduction with NaB3H4. In contrast, GP-2 in purified granule membranes was readily labeled by this procedure. Therefore GP-2 appears to be located on the zymogen granule interior.", "contents": "Glycoprotein synthesis in the adult rat pancreas. IV. Subcellular distribution of membrane glycoproteins. Zymogen granule membranes from the rat exocrine pancreas displays distinctive, simple protein and glycoprotein compositions when compared to other intracellular membranes. The carbohydrate content of zymogen granule membrane protein was 5-10-fold greater than that of membrane fractions isolated from smooth and rough microsomes, mitochondria and a preparation containing plasma membranes, and 50-100-fold greater than the zymogen granule content and the postmicrosomal supernate. The granule membrane glycoprotein contained primarily sialic acid, fucose, mannose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine. The levels of galactose, fucose and sialic acid increased in membranes in the following order: rough microsomes less than smooth microsomes less than zymogen granules. Membrane polypeptides were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The profile of zymogen granule membrane polypeptides was characterized by GP-2, a species with an apparent molecular weight of 74 000. Radioactivity profiles of membranes labeled with [3H]glucosamine or [3H]leucine, as well as periodic acid-Schiff stain profiles, indicated that GP-2 accounted for approx. 40% of the firmly bound granule membrane protein. Low levels of a species similar to GP-2 were detected in membranes of smooth microsomes and the preparation enriched in plasma membranes but not in other subcellular fractions. These results suggest that GP-2 is a biochemical marker for zymogen granules. Membrane glycoproteins of intact zymogen granules were resistant to neuraminidase treatment, while those in isolated granule membranes were readily degraded by neuraminidase. GP-2 of intact granules was not labeled by exposure to galactose oxidase followed by reduction with NaB3H4. In contrast, GP-2 in purified granule membranes was readily labeled by this procedure. Therefore GP-2 appears to be located on the zymogen granule interior.", "PMID": 629968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8273", "title": "Protein-mediated transbilayer movement of lysophosphatidylcholine in glycophorin-containing vesicles.", "content": "1. Sonicated glycophorin-containing vesicles of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine have been made. The outside-inside distributions of the lipid molecules in these vesicles was measured with NMR and was found to be comparable with that of protein-free vesicles. 2. The transbilayer distribution of palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine in these vesicles is such that they have a significantly higher content of the lyso-compound in the inner monolayer when compared with vesicles without glycophorin. 3. Lysophosphatidylcholine, added to pre-existing glycophorin-containing vesicles, is incorporated in the outer monolayer of these vesicles. Subsequently it is able to move to the inner monolayer with an estimated half time of about 1.5 h at 4 degrees C. This was measured with 13C-NMR using [N-13CH3]lysophosphatidylcholine. 4. Treatment of co-sonicated vesicles of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine containing glycophorin with the enzyme lysophospholipase results in a complete degradation of the lyso-compound. A half time of transbilayer movement of lysophosphatidylcholine during this experiment was estimated to be about 1 h at 37 degrees C.", "contents": "Protein-mediated transbilayer movement of lysophosphatidylcholine in glycophorin-containing vesicles. 1. Sonicated glycophorin-containing vesicles of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine have been made. The outside-inside distributions of the lipid molecules in these vesicles was measured with NMR and was found to be comparable with that of protein-free vesicles. 2. The transbilayer distribution of palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine in these vesicles is such that they have a significantly higher content of the lyso-compound in the inner monolayer when compared with vesicles without glycophorin. 3. Lysophosphatidylcholine, added to pre-existing glycophorin-containing vesicles, is incorporated in the outer monolayer of these vesicles. Subsequently it is able to move to the inner monolayer with an estimated half time of about 1.5 h at 4 degrees C. This was measured with 13C-NMR using [N-13CH3]lysophosphatidylcholine. 4. Treatment of co-sonicated vesicles of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine containing glycophorin with the enzyme lysophospholipase results in a complete degradation of the lyso-compound. A half time of transbilayer movement of lysophosphatidylcholine during this experiment was estimated to be about 1 h at 37 degrees C.", "PMID": 629969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8274", "title": "The complexing of guanine nucleosides by poly(inosinic acid).", "content": "Under conditions where it is single-stranded (pH 7.0, 0.05 M Na+), poly(inosinic acid) complexes guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine in a strongly cooperative process that ultimately results in gel formation. The binding isotherm for formation of the poly(I).deoxyguanosine complex at 3.5 degrees C shows that it contains approximately one molecule of deoxyguanosine bound per IMP residue of the poly(I). This is compatible with the complex having a structure similar to that of the four-stranded secondary structure of poly(I) in which two of the poly(I) strands are replaced by helical arrays of deoxyguanosine molecules. The complex is laevorotatory at wavelengths longer than 300 nm. Optical rotation and ultraviolet absorbance versus temperature profiles show that on thermal dissociation the complex undergoes a co-operative helix-coil transition with Tm in the range 10--20 degrees C.", "contents": "The complexing of guanine nucleosides by poly(inosinic acid). Under conditions where it is single-stranded (pH 7.0, 0.05 M Na+), poly(inosinic acid) complexes guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine in a strongly cooperative process that ultimately results in gel formation. The binding isotherm for formation of the poly(I).deoxyguanosine complex at 3.5 degrees C shows that it contains approximately one molecule of deoxyguanosine bound per IMP residue of the poly(I). This is compatible with the complex having a structure similar to that of the four-stranded secondary structure of poly(I) in which two of the poly(I) strands are replaced by helical arrays of deoxyguanosine molecules. The complex is laevorotatory at wavelengths longer than 300 nm. Optical rotation and ultraviolet absorbance versus temperature profiles show that on thermal dissociation the complex undergoes a co-operative helix-coil transition with Tm in the range 10--20 degrees C.", "PMID": 629970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8275", "title": "Regulation of hepatic synthesis of proteins by the chronology of protein ingestion.", "content": "Circadian variations in liver protein synthesis were were assessed in control rats fed a mixed 10% protein diet and in rats fed proteins as a separate meal either at 09:00 (SF 09) or at 21:00 (SF 21) and provided with a protein-free diet ad libitum. Protein synthesis was measured by incorporation of labelled leucine over a short period of time (15 min) at time-points regularly spaced over 24 h. In controls, the circadian variations observed were of moderate amplitude (from 2.75 mg/h per g at 09:00 to 5.77 mg/h per g at 06:00) correlated with increased protein and RNA contents of the liver. In separately fed animals ingestion of the protein meal triggered a 300% increase in protein synthesis within 1 h while the feeding pattern was unaltered. In the SF 09 group, high synthetic activity was not followed by an increase of hepatic protein content while hepatic urea concentrations were sharply increased and glucogenic amino acid pools were greatly depleted. It is suggested that the high influx of amino acids consecutive to the absorption of the dietary proteins is the key factor stimulating protein synthesis, while synchronisation with the energetic metabolism controls the degree of degradation. The possible involvement of variations in the insulin to glucagon ratio is discussed.", "contents": "Regulation of hepatic synthesis of proteins by the chronology of protein ingestion. Circadian variations in liver protein synthesis were were assessed in control rats fed a mixed 10% protein diet and in rats fed proteins as a separate meal either at 09:00 (SF 09) or at 21:00 (SF 21) and provided with a protein-free diet ad libitum. Protein synthesis was measured by incorporation of labelled leucine over a short period of time (15 min) at time-points regularly spaced over 24 h. In controls, the circadian variations observed were of moderate amplitude (from 2.75 mg/h per g at 09:00 to 5.77 mg/h per g at 06:00) correlated with increased protein and RNA contents of the liver. In separately fed animals ingestion of the protein meal triggered a 300% increase in protein synthesis within 1 h while the feeding pattern was unaltered. In the SF 09 group, high synthetic activity was not followed by an increase of hepatic protein content while hepatic urea concentrations were sharply increased and glucogenic amino acid pools were greatly depleted. It is suggested that the high influx of amino acids consecutive to the absorption of the dietary proteins is the key factor stimulating protein synthesis, while synchronisation with the energetic metabolism controls the degree of degradation. The possible involvement of variations in the insulin to glucagon ratio is discussed.", "PMID": 629971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8276", "title": "The activity of mammalian polynucleotide ligase on x-irradiated DNAs.", "content": "Selected samples of heterogeneous DNA from calf thymus with similar number-average molecular weight, Mn, and a low incidence of single-strand breaks were exposed in aqueous solutions to a mild X-ray dose of 1500 rads. The irradiation produced on the average about 0.2 bihelical and 2.2 monohelical scissions per DNA molecule of 1708 000 Mn. The percent distribution of the chemical termini released at the radiation nicks of DNA was as follows: 64.0 OH, 9.0 PO4 and 27.0 unknowns at the 3' ends: 3.8 OH, 68.2 PO4 and 28.0 unknowns at the 5' ends. A nuclease-free polynucleotide ligase I purified about 3000-fold over the crude homogenate from calf thymus succeeded in rejoining 50% of the breaks in the X-irradiated DNA. The ability of the enzyme to close radiation nicks in DNA directly was confirmed also by experiments on synthetic poly(dA).poly([3H]dT),poly(dT)-cellulose substrates with an irradiated dT chain at either the 3' or the 5' side of the functional break. The poor discrimination of mammalian ligase versus nicked DNA containing radiation damage is of practical relevance. While rejoining altered nucleotide chains in the helices of DNA, the enzyme might contribute to the fixation of premutational lesions in the genetic material.", "contents": "The activity of mammalian polynucleotide ligase on x-irradiated DNAs. Selected samples of heterogeneous DNA from calf thymus with similar number-average molecular weight, Mn, and a low incidence of single-strand breaks were exposed in aqueous solutions to a mild X-ray dose of 1500 rads. The irradiation produced on the average about 0.2 bihelical and 2.2 monohelical scissions per DNA molecule of 1708 000 Mn. The percent distribution of the chemical termini released at the radiation nicks of DNA was as follows: 64.0 OH, 9.0 PO4 and 27.0 unknowns at the 3' ends: 3.8 OH, 68.2 PO4 and 28.0 unknowns at the 5' ends. A nuclease-free polynucleotide ligase I purified about 3000-fold over the crude homogenate from calf thymus succeeded in rejoining 50% of the breaks in the X-irradiated DNA. The ability of the enzyme to close radiation nicks in DNA directly was confirmed also by experiments on synthetic poly(dA).poly([3H]dT),poly(dT)-cellulose substrates with an irradiated dT chain at either the 3' or the 5' side of the functional break. The poor discrimination of mammalian ligase versus nicked DNA containing radiation damage is of practical relevance. While rejoining altered nucleotide chains in the helices of DNA, the enzyme might contribute to the fixation of premutational lesions in the genetic material.", "PMID": 629972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8277", "title": "Purification and characterization of two tRNA-(guanine)-methyltransferases from rat liver.", "content": "tRNA(guanine-1-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.31) and tRNA(N2-guanine)-methyltransferase I (EC 2.1.1.32) were isolated from rat liver. The (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase preparation is 6800-fold purified and is free from contaminating methyltransferases or ribonuclease. The molecular weight of (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase is 83 000. Of seven purified Escherichia coli tRNAs examined, only tRNAMetf was utilized as substrate by (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. The methylation of tRNAMetf is maximally stimulated by 40 mM putrescine with a pH optimum of 8.0. Using E. coli K-12 tRNA, the Km for S-adenosylmethionine is 3 micrometer and Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine is 0.11 micrometer for (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase is 6200-fold purified and is also free of interfering enzymes. It has a molecular weight of 69 000. E. coli tRNAPhe, tRNAVal and tRNAArg are substrates for this enzyme which introduces a methyl at the 2-amino group of the guanine at position 10 from the 5'-terminus of these tRNAs. The methylation of tRNAPhe is maximally stimulated by 100 micrometer spermidine with a pH optimum of 8.0. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase has a Km for S-adenosylmethionine of 2 micrometer and a Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine of 23 micrometer with E. coli K-12 tRNA as methyl acceptor.", "contents": "Purification and characterization of two tRNA-(guanine)-methyltransferases from rat liver. tRNA(guanine-1-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.31) and tRNA(N2-guanine)-methyltransferase I (EC 2.1.1.32) were isolated from rat liver. The (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase preparation is 6800-fold purified and is free from contaminating methyltransferases or ribonuclease. The molecular weight of (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase is 83 000. Of seven purified Escherichia coli tRNAs examined, only tRNAMetf was utilized as substrate by (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. The methylation of tRNAMetf is maximally stimulated by 40 mM putrescine with a pH optimum of 8.0. Using E. coli K-12 tRNA, the Km for S-adenosylmethionine is 3 micrometer and Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine is 0.11 micrometer for (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase is 6200-fold purified and is also free of interfering enzymes. It has a molecular weight of 69 000. E. coli tRNAPhe, tRNAVal and tRNAArg are substrates for this enzyme which introduces a methyl at the 2-amino group of the guanine at position 10 from the 5'-terminus of these tRNAs. The methylation of tRNAPhe is maximally stimulated by 100 micrometer spermidine with a pH optimum of 8.0. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase has a Km for S-adenosylmethionine of 2 micrometer and a Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine of 23 micrometer with E. coli K-12 tRNA as methyl acceptor.", "PMID": 629973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8278", "title": "A conformational basis for the antiviral inactivity of tetrazole ribonucleosides.", "content": "The antiviral activity of ribavirin has been associated with its inhibition of the enzyme, IMP dehydrogenase. The ability of ribavirin to inhibit this enzyme has previously been shown to be related to its stability in the high anti glycosidic conformation. The antiviral effectiveness of several analogs of ribavirin have been investigated recently. The evidence indicates their antiviral effectiveness is related to their stability in the high anti conformation. Recently the disposition of purine analogs that pass through the inosine monophosphate branch point has been investigated. The results of these studies are consistent with the concept that the conversion of IMP to XMP requires the high anti conformation and that the conversion of IMP to adenylosuccinate requires some other conformation, possibly the anti conformation.", "contents": "A conformational basis for the antiviral inactivity of tetrazole ribonucleosides. The antiviral activity of ribavirin has been associated with its inhibition of the enzyme, IMP dehydrogenase. The ability of ribavirin to inhibit this enzyme has previously been shown to be related to its stability in the high anti glycosidic conformation. The antiviral effectiveness of several analogs of ribavirin have been investigated recently. The evidence indicates their antiviral effectiveness is related to their stability in the high anti conformation. Recently the disposition of purine analogs that pass through the inosine monophosphate branch point has been investigated. The results of these studies are consistent with the concept that the conversion of IMP to XMP requires the high anti conformation and that the conversion of IMP to adenylosuccinate requires some other conformation, possibly the anti conformation.", "PMID": 629974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8279", "title": "Complexes of DNA with arginine-rich and slightly lysine-rich histones. Transcription and electron microscopy.", "content": "Calf thymus DNA was reconstituted with arginine-rich histones H3 and H4 and slightly lysine-rich histones H2A and H2B respectively. Complexes containing histones H3 and H4 exhibit nucleosome-like structures when examined in the electron microscope and show a restriction of in vitro transcription similar to that obtained for reconstitutes made up from the four histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. One the contrary, complexes of DNA and histones H2A and H2B create different morphological structures of short stretches of bound histones and do not cause a template restriction in vitro.", "contents": "Complexes of DNA with arginine-rich and slightly lysine-rich histones. Transcription and electron microscopy. Calf thymus DNA was reconstituted with arginine-rich histones H3 and H4 and slightly lysine-rich histones H2A and H2B respectively. Complexes containing histones H3 and H4 exhibit nucleosome-like structures when examined in the electron microscope and show a restriction of in vitro transcription similar to that obtained for reconstitutes made up from the four histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. One the contrary, complexes of DNA and histones H2A and H2B create different morphological structures of short stretches of bound histones and do not cause a template restriction in vitro.", "PMID": 629975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8280", "title": "DNA damage during the peroxidase-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of isobutanal.", "content": "The aerobic oxidation of isobutanal catalyzed by peroxidase, when carried out in the presence of DNA, produces alkali-sensitive bonds in this macromolecule. Neither the initial components of this reaction nor the final stable products are responsible for this effect. Since triplet acetone has been recently identified as an intermediate in this oxidation (Dur\u00e1n, N., Faria Oliviera, O.M.M., Haun, M. and Cilento, G. (1977) J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 442--443), this species is a likely candidate for the entity which brings about the lesions, via transfer of its electronic energy to DNA.", "contents": "DNA damage during the peroxidase-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of isobutanal. The aerobic oxidation of isobutanal catalyzed by peroxidase, when carried out in the presence of DNA, produces alkali-sensitive bonds in this macromolecule. Neither the initial components of this reaction nor the final stable products are responsible for this effect. Since triplet acetone has been recently identified as an intermediate in this oxidation (Dur\u00e1n, N., Faria Oliviera, O.M.M., Haun, M. and Cilento, G. (1977) J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 442--443), this species is a likely candidate for the entity which brings about the lesions, via transfer of its electronic energy to DNA.", "PMID": 629976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8281", "title": "Ribonuclease H activity in cultured plant cells.", "content": "Ribonuclease H (RNAase H) was extracted from cultured plant cells, strain GD-2 and characterized. RNAase H activity in logarithmical growing cells is much higher than that of stationary cells, and the response of RNAase H activity was very similar to that of DNA polymerase after culture. The activities of RNAase, DNAase, phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase decrease parallel with the increase in growth, and increase to stationary phase, contrasting with those of DNA polymerase and RNAase H.", "contents": "Ribonuclease H activity in cultured plant cells. Ribonuclease H (RNAase H) was extracted from cultured plant cells, strain GD-2 and characterized. RNAase H activity in logarithmical growing cells is much higher than that of stationary cells, and the response of RNAase H activity was very similar to that of DNA polymerase after culture. The activities of RNAase, DNAase, phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase decrease parallel with the increase in growth, and increase to stationary phase, contrasting with those of DNA polymerase and RNAase H.", "PMID": 629977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8282", "title": "Comparative utilization of bromodeoxyuridine and iododeoxyuridine triphosphates for mammalian DNA replication in vitro.", "content": "Relative utilization, of dThd, BrdUrd, and IdUrd as exogenous precursors of DNA in vivo was compared with utilization of the respective triphosphates in vitro. To measure relative utilization, exponentially growing P-815 or CHO cells were incubated with different mixtures of dThd/BrdUrd or dThd/IdUrd in the presence of FdUrd and dCyd, and Brij-58 lysed cells with mixtures of dTTP/BrdUTP or dTTP/IdUTP. The degree of substitution of dTMP by BrdUMP or IdUMP in DNA newly synthesized in vivo or in vitro was determined by isopycnic centrifugation. BrdUrd was utilized by intact cells with equal efficiency as dThd, while IdUrd was less efficiently incorporated when the total concentration of dThd and the tested analogue was 3.10(-5) M. During semiconservative DNA replication in vitro, however, dTTP, BrdUTP and IdUTP were utilized with equal efficiency. Thus, we conclude that observed preference for dThd by intact cells incubated with dThd/IdUrd mixtures is related to characteristics of precursor metabolism and not to different affinities of the replication complex for the respective precursors. dUTP was rapidly dephosphorylated in vitro and no incorporation into DNA was detected.", "contents": "Comparative utilization of bromodeoxyuridine and iododeoxyuridine triphosphates for mammalian DNA replication in vitro. Relative utilization, of dThd, BrdUrd, and IdUrd as exogenous precursors of DNA in vivo was compared with utilization of the respective triphosphates in vitro. To measure relative utilization, exponentially growing P-815 or CHO cells were incubated with different mixtures of dThd/BrdUrd or dThd/IdUrd in the presence of FdUrd and dCyd, and Brij-58 lysed cells with mixtures of dTTP/BrdUTP or dTTP/IdUTP. The degree of substitution of dTMP by BrdUMP or IdUMP in DNA newly synthesized in vivo or in vitro was determined by isopycnic centrifugation. BrdUrd was utilized by intact cells with equal efficiency as dThd, while IdUrd was less efficiently incorporated when the total concentration of dThd and the tested analogue was 3.10(-5) M. During semiconservative DNA replication in vitro, however, dTTP, BrdUTP and IdUTP were utilized with equal efficiency. Thus, we conclude that observed preference for dThd by intact cells incubated with dThd/IdUrd mixtures is related to characteristics of precursor metabolism and not to different affinities of the replication complex for the respective precursors. dUTP was rapidly dephosphorylated in vitro and no incorporation into DNA was detected.", "PMID": 629978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8283", "title": "Fractionation of renatured repetitive human DNA according to thermal stability, sequence length, and renaturation rate.", "content": "Renatured repetitive human DNA sequences have been fractionated according to three criteria: length, thermal stability, and rate of renaturation. Satellite sequences are found in the long repetitive sequence fractions and renatured satellite sequences are well base paired by the criterion of thermal stability. No satellites are observed in short repeated sequences. Short repeated sequences are interspersed with single copy sequences and are poorly base paired. This implies satellite components are relatively homogeneous in base sequence whereas short interspersed repeated sequences are inexact copies of each other. A method for isolating satellite DNAs based on their high thermal stabilities is discussed.", "contents": "Fractionation of renatured repetitive human DNA according to thermal stability, sequence length, and renaturation rate. Renatured repetitive human DNA sequences have been fractionated according to three criteria: length, thermal stability, and rate of renaturation. Satellite sequences are found in the long repetitive sequence fractions and renatured satellite sequences are well base paired by the criterion of thermal stability. No satellites are observed in short repeated sequences. Short repeated sequences are interspersed with single copy sequences and are poorly base paired. This implies satellite components are relatively homogeneous in base sequence whereas short interspersed repeated sequences are inexact copies of each other. A method for isolating satellite DNAs based on their high thermal stabilities is discussed.", "PMID": 629979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8284", "title": "Nuclear columns, Kinetics of RNA synthesis and release in isolated rat liver nuclei.", "content": "By continuous perfusion of columns containing isolated immobilized rat liver nuclei with media containing labeled RNA precursors, the in vitro synthesis and release of RNA was studied. The combined reaction of synthesis and release could be adjusted to proceed at a constant rate. The reaction rate responded to variation of termperature, ionic conditions, nucleoside triphosphate concentration and to the addition of RNA polymerase inhibitors. During 60 min perfusion approximately equal amounts of radioactive low molecular weight RNA and of ribonucleoproteins were released. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the low molecular weight RNA was synthesized throughout the perfusion and released immediately after formation. The ribonucleoproteins were primarly labeled during the first period of perfusion and were gradually released. Synthesis of RNA contained in the ribonucleoproteins was inhibited by low alpha-amanitin concentrations, indicating that it was catalyzed by RNA polymerase II. The in vitro labeled ribonucleoproteins exhibited properties of the stable nuclear particles which can be extracted from isolated nuclei after rapid in vivo labeling of RNA. They had a buoyant density of 1.41--1.43 in CsCl, were partially unstable in 1% deoxycholate, but stable in 0.1% deoxycholate, in 100 mM NaCl and in 10 mM EDTA. Due to the dilution by the perfusion medium, the ribonucleoproteins sedimented with a peak at 22--27 S, and not at 30--45 S. The RNA synthesized in the immobilized nuclei was not degraded during the perfusion. Less than 20% was gradually released, whereby the 20--30 S peak zone was reduced. While the properties of the in vitro labeled ribonucleoproteins and of rapidly in vivo labeled ribonucleoproteins were the same, the kinetics of their release differed.", "contents": "Nuclear columns, Kinetics of RNA synthesis and release in isolated rat liver nuclei. By continuous perfusion of columns containing isolated immobilized rat liver nuclei with media containing labeled RNA precursors, the in vitro synthesis and release of RNA was studied. The combined reaction of synthesis and release could be adjusted to proceed at a constant rate. The reaction rate responded to variation of termperature, ionic conditions, nucleoside triphosphate concentration and to the addition of RNA polymerase inhibitors. During 60 min perfusion approximately equal amounts of radioactive low molecular weight RNA and of ribonucleoproteins were released. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the low molecular weight RNA was synthesized throughout the perfusion and released immediately after formation. The ribonucleoproteins were primarly labeled during the first period of perfusion and were gradually released. Synthesis of RNA contained in the ribonucleoproteins was inhibited by low alpha-amanitin concentrations, indicating that it was catalyzed by RNA polymerase II. The in vitro labeled ribonucleoproteins exhibited properties of the stable nuclear particles which can be extracted from isolated nuclei after rapid in vivo labeling of RNA. They had a buoyant density of 1.41--1.43 in CsCl, were partially unstable in 1% deoxycholate, but stable in 0.1% deoxycholate, in 100 mM NaCl and in 10 mM EDTA. Due to the dilution by the perfusion medium, the ribonucleoproteins sedimented with a peak at 22--27 S, and not at 30--45 S. The RNA synthesized in the immobilized nuclei was not degraded during the perfusion. Less than 20% was gradually released, whereby the 20--30 S peak zone was reduced. While the properties of the in vitro labeled ribonucleoproteins and of rapidly in vivo labeled ribonucleoproteins were the same, the kinetics of their release differed.", "PMID": 629980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8285", "title": "5-Substituents in the uridine moiety and their effect on the conformation of ApU-type dinucleoside phosphates.", "content": "The ApU analogues ApT, Apcl5U, Apbr5U, Apa5U and Apno5(2)U were synthesized with the aid of ribonuclease U2 starting from 2',3'-cyclic Ap and the respective uridine derivatives. For these compounds the ultraviolet data, the difference spectra, the hypochromism and the temperature dependence of the CD spectra are reported. The dimerisation shifts of the pyrimidine protons which were obtained from the 100 MHz PMR spectra confirm the optical results. The influence of the substituents in the 5 position of the uracil ring on base-base interaction and the conformation of the dinucleoside phosphates is discussed with respect to the van der Waals radii and the electronic effects of these groups. As calculated from the hypochromism the dinucleoside phosphates can be arranged according to decreasing base-base interaction: Apno5(2)U greater than Apbr5U approximately ApT greater than Apcl5U greater than ApU greater than Apa5U.", "contents": "5-Substituents in the uridine moiety and their effect on the conformation of ApU-type dinucleoside phosphates. The ApU analogues ApT, Apcl5U, Apbr5U, Apa5U and Apno5(2)U were synthesized with the aid of ribonuclease U2 starting from 2',3'-cyclic Ap and the respective uridine derivatives. For these compounds the ultraviolet data, the difference spectra, the hypochromism and the temperature dependence of the CD spectra are reported. The dimerisation shifts of the pyrimidine protons which were obtained from the 100 MHz PMR spectra confirm the optical results. The influence of the substituents in the 5 position of the uracil ring on base-base interaction and the conformation of the dinucleoside phosphates is discussed with respect to the van der Waals radii and the electronic effects of these groups. As calculated from the hypochromism the dinucleoside phosphates can be arranged according to decreasing base-base interaction: Apno5(2)U greater than Apbr5U approximately ApT greater than Apcl5U greater than ApU greater than Apa5U.", "PMID": 629981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8286", "title": "The role of nonhistone chromosomal proteins in the interaction of prostate chromatin with androgen.receptor complex.", "content": "Rat prostate nonhistone chromatin proteins were fractionated by sequential extraction with 0.35 M NaCl and 2.0 M NaCl into 0.35 M NaCl-soluble, 2 M NaCl-soluble and -insoluble (residual) fractions. Interactions of [3H]dihydrotestosterone.receptor complex with reconstituted chromatin lacking one of these fractions and with reconstituted hybrid chromatin using spleen fractions indicate that binding of chromatin to androgen.receptor is largely determined by the residual fraction. The residual fraction of prostate also interacts directly with [3H]dihydrotestosterone.receptor complex target tissue-specifically similar to prostate chromatin. The DNA in the residual fraction is mostly bound by nonhistone proteins and the template activity of te residual DNA in transcription is severely restricted. These characteristics are discussed in relation to the acceptor role in the residual fraction in androgen action.", "contents": "The role of nonhistone chromosomal proteins in the interaction of prostate chromatin with androgen.receptor complex. Rat prostate nonhistone chromatin proteins were fractionated by sequential extraction with 0.35 M NaCl and 2.0 M NaCl into 0.35 M NaCl-soluble, 2 M NaCl-soluble and -insoluble (residual) fractions. Interactions of [3H]dihydrotestosterone.receptor complex with reconstituted chromatin lacking one of these fractions and with reconstituted hybrid chromatin using spleen fractions indicate that binding of chromatin to androgen.receptor is largely determined by the residual fraction. The residual fraction of prostate also interacts directly with [3H]dihydrotestosterone.receptor complex target tissue-specifically similar to prostate chromatin. The DNA in the residual fraction is mostly bound by nonhistone proteins and the template activity of te residual DNA in transcription is severely restricted. These characteristics are discussed in relation to the acceptor role in the residual fraction in androgen action.", "PMID": 629982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8287", "title": "Identification of the methylated ribosomal proteins in HeLa cells and the fluctuation of methylation during the cell cycle.", "content": "Methylated proteins from HeLa cell cytoplasmic ribosomes have been identified. At least seven proteins are methylated and four of them are mildly acidic. The nature of the methylated amino acid in each protein is presented. In synchronized HeLa cell culture, the extent of methylation for both subunits varies with the cell cycle. Methylation of the 40 S subunit occurs heavily in the late G1 phase whereas methylation of the 60 S subunit is most pronounced in the early S phase.", "contents": "Identification of the methylated ribosomal proteins in HeLa cells and the fluctuation of methylation during the cell cycle. Methylated proteins from HeLa cell cytoplasmic ribosomes have been identified. At least seven proteins are methylated and four of them are mildly acidic. The nature of the methylated amino acid in each protein is presented. In synchronized HeLa cell culture, the extent of methylation for both subunits varies with the cell cycle. Methylation of the 40 S subunit occurs heavily in the late G1 phase whereas methylation of the 60 S subunit is most pronounced in the early S phase.", "PMID": 629983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8288", "title": "Supercooled water as medium for enzyme reactions at subzero temperatures.", "content": "A water-in-oil emulsion technique was employed to investigate enzyme-catalyzed reactions at sub-zero temperatures in the supercooled liquid state. The results obtained with a monooxygenase (bacterial cytochrome P-450) clearly indicate the potentialities as well as the technical problems of the procedure which might be successfully used to investigate enzyme systems sensitive to cosolvents.", "contents": "Supercooled water as medium for enzyme reactions at subzero temperatures. A water-in-oil emulsion technique was employed to investigate enzyme-catalyzed reactions at sub-zero temperatures in the supercooled liquid state. The results obtained with a monooxygenase (bacterial cytochrome P-450) clearly indicate the potentialities as well as the technical problems of the procedure which might be successfully used to investigate enzyme systems sensitive to cosolvents.", "PMID": 629984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8289", "title": "Purification and properties of Arthrobacter neuraminidase.", "content": "Neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) from an Arthrobacter species was purified homogeneity by conventional procedures (yield approx. 1 mg/1) and was judged to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Gel electrofocusing of neuraminidase revealed 1 major band (85-90%), pI 5.35 +/- 0.05, and 6 minor bands, whose pI ranged from 5.25 to 5.70, and each of which had catalytic activity. Arthrobacter neuraminidase is a monomeric glycoprotein of molecular weight 88 000, has an apparent Km of 7.8-10(-4) M for N-acetylneuraminlactose, is insensitive to inhibition by N-acetylneuraminic acid, and is about 2% carbohydrate by weight. The amino acid composition as well as the galactosamine and glucosamine content was determined. The enzyme can hydrolyze (alpha, 2-3), (alpha, 2-6), (alpha, 2-8) linkages. The active size of the enzyme appears to be inaccessible since no inhibition was observed by reagents known to modify sulfhydryl, lysyl, carboxyl, histidinyl, and argininyl residues. In contrast, N-bromosuccinimide at a 60-fold molar ratio to enzyme, gave complete inhibition. These results suggest that a tryptophan residue is essential for catalysis.", "contents": "Purification and properties of Arthrobacter neuraminidase. Neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18) from an Arthrobacter species was purified homogeneity by conventional procedures (yield approx. 1 mg/1) and was judged to be homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. Gel electrofocusing of neuraminidase revealed 1 major band (85-90%), pI 5.35 +/- 0.05, and 6 minor bands, whose pI ranged from 5.25 to 5.70, and each of which had catalytic activity. Arthrobacter neuraminidase is a monomeric glycoprotein of molecular weight 88 000, has an apparent Km of 7.8-10(-4) M for N-acetylneuraminlactose, is insensitive to inhibition by N-acetylneuraminic acid, and is about 2% carbohydrate by weight. The amino acid composition as well as the galactosamine and glucosamine content was determined. The enzyme can hydrolyze (alpha, 2-3), (alpha, 2-6), (alpha, 2-8) linkages. The active size of the enzyme appears to be inaccessible since no inhibition was observed by reagents known to modify sulfhydryl, lysyl, carboxyl, histidinyl, and argininyl residues. In contrast, N-bromosuccinimide at a 60-fold molar ratio to enzyme, gave complete inhibition. These results suggest that a tryptophan residue is essential for catalysis.", "PMID": 629985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8290", "title": "Purification and properties of three proteases from the larvae of the brine shrimp Artemia salina.", "content": "Three proteases, termed A, B and C, have been characterized and partially purified from Artemia salina larvae. Enzyme A is active on benzyloxycarbonyl L-leucin p-nitrophenyl ester (Km = 53 micron, determined at pH 8 and 37 degrees C) but not on alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide and is strongly inhibited by micron concentrations of phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride. Enzymes B and C are active on alpha-N-benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide (Km = 20 and 11 micron, respectively) but not on benzyloxycarbonyl-L-leucine p-nitrophenyl ester and B, but not C, is inhibited by mM concentrations of phenylmethylsulfonyfluoride. Enzymes A, B and C are optimally active at alkaline pH values, do not require either metal ions or -SH groups for their catalytic activity and have molecular weights of 38 000, 33 000 and 34 000, respectively. After heating for 5 min at pH 7.5 and in the presence of 0.7 M KCl half inactivation of proteases A, B and C was attained at 60, 52 and 45 degrees C, respectively.", "contents": "Purification and properties of three proteases from the larvae of the brine shrimp Artemia salina. Three proteases, termed A, B and C, have been characterized and partially purified from Artemia salina larvae. Enzyme A is active on benzyloxycarbonyl L-leucin p-nitrophenyl ester (Km = 53 micron, determined at pH 8 and 37 degrees C) but not on alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide and is strongly inhibited by micron concentrations of phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride. Enzymes B and C are active on alpha-N-benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide (Km = 20 and 11 micron, respectively) but not on benzyloxycarbonyl-L-leucine p-nitrophenyl ester and B, but not C, is inhibited by mM concentrations of phenylmethylsulfonyfluoride. Enzymes A, B and C are optimally active at alkaline pH values, do not require either metal ions or -SH groups for their catalytic activity and have molecular weights of 38 000, 33 000 and 34 000, respectively. After heating for 5 min at pH 7.5 and in the presence of 0.7 M KCl half inactivation of proteases A, B and C was attained at 60, 52 and 45 degrees C, respectively.", "PMID": 629986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8291", "title": "Purification and properties of an acid protease from human ascitic fluid.", "content": "An acid protease was isolated from the ascitic fluid of a patient with ovarian cancer. It was purified about 400-fold to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Its molecular weight was calculated to be 28 000 by gel filtration, and its isoelectric points was found to be pH 4.1. It showed similar activities on acid-denatured bovine serum albumin and on acid-denatured bovine hemoglobin, and its optimal pH for both substrates was 3.0. Sulfhydryl compounds and metal ions had no apparent effects on this enzyme, but pepstatin was strongly inhibitory.", "contents": "Purification and properties of an acid protease from human ascitic fluid. An acid protease was isolated from the ascitic fluid of a patient with ovarian cancer. It was purified about 400-fold to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Its molecular weight was calculated to be 28 000 by gel filtration, and its isoelectric points was found to be pH 4.1. It showed similar activities on acid-denatured bovine serum albumin and on acid-denatured bovine hemoglobin, and its optimal pH for both substrates was 3.0. Sulfhydryl compounds and metal ions had no apparent effects on this enzyme, but pepstatin was strongly inhibitory.", "PMID": 629987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8292", "title": "Rate constants of individual steps in papain-catalysed reactions.", "content": "Rate constants for acylation of papain (EC 3.4.22.2) by specific substrates and its subsequent deacylation are derived from kinetic analysis of the reactions in the presence of aminoacetonitrile and methanol. Methyl and ethyl hippurate and methyl N-benzyloxycarbonylglycinate have marginally higher values of rate constants for acylation than for deacylation, while the reverse is true for ethyl N-benzoyl-L-arginate. Both acylation and deacylation are rate-determining for these substrates, while only deacylation irate-determining for methyl-N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycinate. Deacylation is the only rate-determining step for p-nitrophenyl esters of hippuric acid, N-benzyloxycarbonylglycine and N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycine. These results are discussed in relation to those from inactivation of the enzyme by alkylating agent in the presence of substrate.", "contents": "Rate constants of individual steps in papain-catalysed reactions. Rate constants for acylation of papain (EC 3.4.22.2) by specific substrates and its subsequent deacylation are derived from kinetic analysis of the reactions in the presence of aminoacetonitrile and methanol. Methyl and ethyl hippurate and methyl N-benzyloxycarbonylglycinate have marginally higher values of rate constants for acylation than for deacylation, while the reverse is true for ethyl N-benzoyl-L-arginate. Both acylation and deacylation are rate-determining for these substrates, while only deacylation irate-determining for methyl-N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycinate. Deacylation is the only rate-determining step for p-nitrophenyl esters of hippuric acid, N-benzyloxycarbonylglycine and N-acetyl-L-phenylalanylglycine. These results are discussed in relation to those from inactivation of the enzyme by alkylating agent in the presence of substrate.", "PMID": 629988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8293", "title": "N-Acyl-L-aromatic amino acid deacylase in animal tissues.", "content": "An enzyme deacylating preferentially N-acyl-L-aromatic amino acids was partially purified from rat kidney. The purification procedure included DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, gel-filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column and further DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme was thus separated from aminoacylase (N-acylamino-acid amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.14) (acylase I). Although the enzyme preparation contained other acylases, the experimental data (effect of p-chloromercuric benzoate, heat stability and inhibition between substrates) suggest that the enzyme acts preferentially on N-acyl derivatives of L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine and L-histidine. This enzyme appears to be present in many animal tissues.", "contents": "N-Acyl-L-aromatic amino acid deacylase in animal tissues. An enzyme deacylating preferentially N-acyl-L-aromatic amino acids was partially purified from rat kidney. The purification procedure included DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, gel-filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column and further DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme was thus separated from aminoacylase (N-acylamino-acid amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.14) (acylase I). Although the enzyme preparation contained other acylases, the experimental data (effect of p-chloromercuric benzoate, heat stability and inhibition between substrates) suggest that the enzyme acts preferentially on N-acyl derivatives of L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine and L-histidine. This enzyme appears to be present in many animal tissues.", "PMID": 629989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8294", "title": "Estimation of Michaelis constant and maximum velocity from the direct linear plot.", "content": "When estimates of Michaelis-Menten parameters are obtained from kinetic observations taken in pairs, as in the direct linear plot, bias can arise in the final estimates if any pairs lead to negative values of the maximum velocity V. This bias can be removed by treating such negative values as if they were large and positive, and by treating the corresponding values of Km in the same way.", "contents": "Estimation of Michaelis constant and maximum velocity from the direct linear plot. When estimates of Michaelis-Menten parameters are obtained from kinetic observations taken in pairs, as in the direct linear plot, bias can arise in the final estimates if any pairs lead to negative values of the maximum velocity V. This bias can be removed by treating such negative values as if they were large and positive, and by treating the corresponding values of Km in the same way.", "PMID": 629990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8295", "title": "Glutathione peroxidase activities from rat liver.", "content": "There are two enzymes in rat liver with glutathione peroxidase activity when cumene hydroperoxide is used as substrate. One is the selenium-requiring glutathione peroxidase (glutathione:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.9) and the other appears to be independent of dietary selenium. Activities of the two enzymes vary greatly among tissues and among animals. The molecular weight of the enzyme with selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity was estimated by gel filtration to be 35 000, and the subunit molecular weight was estimated by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 17 000. Double reciprocal plots of enzyme activity as a function of substrate concentration produced intersecting lines which are suggestive of a sequential reaction mechanism. The Km for glutathione was 0.20 mM and the Km for cumene hydroperoxide was 0.57 mM. The enzyme was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, but not by iodoacetic acid. Inhibition by cyanide was competitive with respect to glutathione and the Ki for cyanide was 0.95 mM. This selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase also catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Along with other similarities to glutathione S-transferase, this suggests that the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat liver are of the same enzyme.", "contents": "Glutathione peroxidase activities from rat liver. There are two enzymes in rat liver with glutathione peroxidase activity when cumene hydroperoxide is used as substrate. One is the selenium-requiring glutathione peroxidase (glutathione:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.9) and the other appears to be independent of dietary selenium. Activities of the two enzymes vary greatly among tissues and among animals. The molecular weight of the enzyme with selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity was estimated by gel filtration to be 35 000, and the subunit molecular weight was estimated by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 17 000. Double reciprocal plots of enzyme activity as a function of substrate concentration produced intersecting lines which are suggestive of a sequential reaction mechanism. The Km for glutathione was 0.20 mM and the Km for cumene hydroperoxide was 0.57 mM. The enzyme was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, but not by iodoacetic acid. Inhibition by cyanide was competitive with respect to glutathione and the Ki for cyanide was 0.95 mM. This selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase also catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Along with other similarities to glutathione S-transferase, this suggests that the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat liver are of the same enzyme.", "PMID": 629991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8296", "title": "FAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase, a phospholipid-requiring enzyme from Mycobacterium sp. strain Takeo. Purification and some properties.", "content": "FAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase, a phospholipid-requiring enzyme, was homogeneously purified from the particulate fraction of Mycobacterium sp. strain Takeo. The isolated enzyme contains no FAD and few phospholipid, and has a specific activity of 300-360 units/mg of protein. In the assay system without addition of phospholipid (cardiolipin), the enzyme activity was only about 3% of maximum activity. The molecular weight was estimated to be 51 000-55 000 by four methods. Titration by p-chloromercuribenzoate revealed the presence of one cysteine residue/mol of enzyme. The isoelectric point was found to be pH 6.9 by isoelectric focusing. From circular dichroism spectral data, the enzyme protein was found to contain alpha-helix structure of 24%.", "contents": "FAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase, a phospholipid-requiring enzyme from Mycobacterium sp. strain Takeo. Purification and some properties. FAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase, a phospholipid-requiring enzyme, was homogeneously purified from the particulate fraction of Mycobacterium sp. strain Takeo. The isolated enzyme contains no FAD and few phospholipid, and has a specific activity of 300-360 units/mg of protein. In the assay system without addition of phospholipid (cardiolipin), the enzyme activity was only about 3% of maximum activity. The molecular weight was estimated to be 51 000-55 000 by four methods. Titration by p-chloromercuribenzoate revealed the presence of one cysteine residue/mol of enzyme. The isoelectric point was found to be pH 6.9 by isoelectric focusing. From circular dichroism spectral data, the enzyme protein was found to contain alpha-helix structure of 24%.", "PMID": 629992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8297", "title": "The genetic system of the L-type pyruvate kinase forms in man. Subunit structure, interrelation and kinetic characteristics of the pyruvate kinase enzymes from erythrocytes and liver.", "content": "Pyruvate kinase (ATP: pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from human liver and red cells has been purified to homogeneity; its subunit structure and some of its kinetic characteristics have been studied. The influence of a partial proteolysis by trypsin on the subunit structure, the isozymic pattern and the kinetic characteristics of red cell and liver enzyme have been investigated. From the results of this study we may conclude that: 1. Liver (L-type) pyruvate kinase is composed of 4 identical L subunits while the major form of erythrocyte enzyme (PK-R2) is a heterotetramer designated as L2L2', the molecular weight of L' being slightly higher than that of L subunits (63 000 and 58 000 respectively). Pyruvate kinase PK-R1, predominant in the erythroblasts and the young red cells, is composed of four identical L' subunits. 2. A mild tryptic attack is able to transform PK-R1 into PK-R2, then PK-R2 into pyruvate kinase L (PK-L). The same proteolytic treatment transforms the L' subunits into L ones. 3. Consequently L-type pyruvate kinase seems to be initially synthesized in the erythroid precursors as an L4' enzyme secondarily partially proteolysed into L2L2'. In liver a very active proteolytic system would be responsible for the total transformation into L4 pyruvate kinase. 4. L4' enzyme exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetic behaviour with an apparent Michaelis constant of 3.8 mM whereas L4 enzyme shows both positive and negative homotropic interactions towards phosphoenolpyruvate and has [S] 0.5 of 1.2 mM. The characteristics of L2L2' are roughly intermediate between those of L4' and of L4. Fructose 1,6-biphosphate decreases [S]0.5 for these three pyruvate kinase forms without suppressing the differences in the apparent affinity for phosphoenolpyruvate of these enzymes. 5. L4 pyruvate kinase is more inhibited by Mg-ATP than L4', with L2L2' in the intermediate range. 6. Tryptic treatment of each enzyme form studied transforms its kinetic behaviour into that observed for L4.", "contents": "The genetic system of the L-type pyruvate kinase forms in man. Subunit structure, interrelation and kinetic characteristics of the pyruvate kinase enzymes from erythrocytes and liver. Pyruvate kinase (ATP: pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from human liver and red cells has been purified to homogeneity; its subunit structure and some of its kinetic characteristics have been studied. The influence of a partial proteolysis by trypsin on the subunit structure, the isozymic pattern and the kinetic characteristics of red cell and liver enzyme have been investigated. From the results of this study we may conclude that: 1. Liver (L-type) pyruvate kinase is composed of 4 identical L subunits while the major form of erythrocyte enzyme (PK-R2) is a heterotetramer designated as L2L2', the molecular weight of L' being slightly higher than that of L subunits (63 000 and 58 000 respectively). Pyruvate kinase PK-R1, predominant in the erythroblasts and the young red cells, is composed of four identical L' subunits. 2. A mild tryptic attack is able to transform PK-R1 into PK-R2, then PK-R2 into pyruvate kinase L (PK-L). The same proteolytic treatment transforms the L' subunits into L ones. 3. Consequently L-type pyruvate kinase seems to be initially synthesized in the erythroid precursors as an L4' enzyme secondarily partially proteolysed into L2L2'. In liver a very active proteolytic system would be responsible for the total transformation into L4 pyruvate kinase. 4. L4' enzyme exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetic behaviour with an apparent Michaelis constant of 3.8 mM whereas L4 enzyme shows both positive and negative homotropic interactions towards phosphoenolpyruvate and has [S] 0.5 of 1.2 mM. The characteristics of L2L2' are roughly intermediate between those of L4' and of L4. Fructose 1,6-biphosphate decreases [S]0.5 for these three pyruvate kinase forms without suppressing the differences in the apparent affinity for phosphoenolpyruvate of these enzymes. 5. L4 pyruvate kinase is more inhibited by Mg-ATP than L4', with L2L2' in the intermediate range. 6. Tryptic treatment of each enzyme form studied transforms its kinetic behaviour into that observed for L4.", "PMID": 629993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8298", "title": "Properties of taurine: alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase of Achromobacter superficialis. Inactivation and reactivation of enzyme.", "content": "The activity of taurine: alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase (taurine: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.55) from Achromobacter superficialis is significantly diminished by treatment of the enzyme with (NH4)2SO4 in the course of purification, and recovered by incubation with pyridoxal phosphate at high temperatures such as 60 degrees C. The inactive form of enzyme absorbing at 280 and 345 nm contains 3 mol of pyridoxal phosphate per mol. The activated enzyme contains additional 1 mol of pyridoxal phosphate with a maximum at 430 nm. This peak is shifted to about 400 nm as a shoulder by dialysis of the enzyme, but the activity is not influenced. The inactive form is regarded as a partially resolved form, i.e. a semiapoenzyme. The enzyme catalyzes transamination of various omega-amino aicds with alpha-ketoglutarate, which is the exclusive amino acceptor. Hypotaurine, DL-beta-aminoisobutyrate, beta-alanine and taurine are the preferred amino donors. The apparent Michaelis constants are as follows; taurine 12 mM, hypotaurine 16 mM, DL-beta-aminoisobutyrate 11 mM, beta-alanine 17 mM, alpha ketoglutarate 11 mM and pyridoxal phosphate 5 micron.", "contents": "Properties of taurine: alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase of Achromobacter superficialis. Inactivation and reactivation of enzyme. The activity of taurine: alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase (taurine: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.55) from Achromobacter superficialis is significantly diminished by treatment of the enzyme with (NH4)2SO4 in the course of purification, and recovered by incubation with pyridoxal phosphate at high temperatures such as 60 degrees C. The inactive form of enzyme absorbing at 280 and 345 nm contains 3 mol of pyridoxal phosphate per mol. The activated enzyme contains additional 1 mol of pyridoxal phosphate with a maximum at 430 nm. This peak is shifted to about 400 nm as a shoulder by dialysis of the enzyme, but the activity is not influenced. The inactive form is regarded as a partially resolved form, i.e. a semiapoenzyme. The enzyme catalyzes transamination of various omega-amino aicds with alpha-ketoglutarate, which is the exclusive amino acceptor. Hypotaurine, DL-beta-aminoisobutyrate, beta-alanine and taurine are the preferred amino donors. The apparent Michaelis constants are as follows; taurine 12 mM, hypotaurine 16 mM, DL-beta-aminoisobutyrate 11 mM, beta-alanine 17 mM, alpha ketoglutarate 11 mM and pyridoxal phosphate 5 micron.", "PMID": 629994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8299", "title": "Transient and long-term differential modulations of branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase activity in hypophysectomized rats.", "content": "Hypophysectomy caused a marked but transient increase in branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase activities in rat liver mitochondria, peaking at about nine days post-surgery. The magnitude of increase is different for each of the three branched-chain alpha-keto acids. The activities then fall to a new steady state in three weeks with alpha-ketoisovalerate decarboxylase activity within the normal range, alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate decarboxylase activity at twice normal, and alpha-ketoisocaproate decarboxylase activity decreased to a level too low for accurate measurements.", "contents": "Transient and long-term differential modulations of branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase activity in hypophysectomized rats. Hypophysectomy caused a marked but transient increase in branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase activities in rat liver mitochondria, peaking at about nine days post-surgery. The magnitude of increase is different for each of the three branched-chain alpha-keto acids. The activities then fall to a new steady state in three weeks with alpha-ketoisovalerate decarboxylase activity within the normal range, alpha-keto-beta-methylvalerate decarboxylase activity at twice normal, and alpha-ketoisocaproate decarboxylase activity decreased to a level too low for accurate measurements.", "PMID": 629995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8300", "title": "A comparison of imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid. Two selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitors.", "content": "Two selective thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitors, imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid (azo analog I) were compared to determine their effects on the quantitative formation of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 accompanying human platelet aggregation. Azo analog I was at least 200 times more potent, on a molar basis, than imidazole in suppressing thromboxane B2 formation in either platelet-rich plasma or washed platelet suspensions aggregated with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H2. The inhibitors differed in their effect on the aggregation response itself. Azo analog I selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation with an accompanying, parallel, suppression of the platelet aggregation. Imidazole selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation, but only suppressed the accompanying aggregation in platelet rich plasma, and not washed platelet suspensions. The results indicate that azo analog I functions by competitive inhibition of prostaglandin H2 on the thromboxane synthetase, and that imidazole, while it suppresses thromboxane A2 formation, may have an associated agonist activity that enhances platelet aggregation. The data presented support this hypothesis, and they emphasize the importance of thromboxane A2 in arachidonate mediated platelet aggregation.", "contents": "A comparison of imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid. Two selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitors. Two selective thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitors, imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid (azo analog I) were compared to determine their effects on the quantitative formation of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 accompanying human platelet aggregation. Azo analog I was at least 200 times more potent, on a molar basis, than imidazole in suppressing thromboxane B2 formation in either platelet-rich plasma or washed platelet suspensions aggregated with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H2. The inhibitors differed in their effect on the aggregation response itself. Azo analog I selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation with an accompanying, parallel, suppression of the platelet aggregation. Imidazole selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation, but only suppressed the accompanying aggregation in platelet rich plasma, and not washed platelet suspensions. The results indicate that azo analog I functions by competitive inhibition of prostaglandin H2 on the thromboxane synthetase, and that imidazole, while it suppresses thromboxane A2 formation, may have an associated agonist activity that enhances platelet aggregation. The data presented support this hypothesis, and they emphasize the importance of thromboxane A2 in arachidonate mediated platelet aggregation.", "PMID": 629996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8301", "title": "Metabolism and transport of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid.", "content": "gamma-Carboxyglutamic acid residues have beeh shown to be present in prothrombin, the other vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and more recently in bone and kidney proteins. This amino acid is formed by a posttranslational vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamyl residues in polypeptide precursors of these protens. It has now been demonstrated that this amino acid, either in the free or peptide-bound form, is not metabolically degraded by the rat, but is quantitatively excreted in the urine. In nephrectomized rats, the tissue concentration of intravenously administered gamma-carboxyglutamic acid is increased, but there is still no evidence of any oxidative metabolism of this amino acid. These amino acid is transported by kidney slices against a concentration gradient, but does not accumulate in liver, intestinal or brain tissues. Preliminary data suggest that gamma-carboxyglutamic acid may be concentrated by a carrier system different from that utilized by other amino acids.", "contents": "Metabolism and transport of gamma-carboxyglutamic acid. gamma-Carboxyglutamic acid residues have beeh shown to be present in prothrombin, the other vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and more recently in bone and kidney proteins. This amino acid is formed by a posttranslational vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamyl residues in polypeptide precursors of these protens. It has now been demonstrated that this amino acid, either in the free or peptide-bound form, is not metabolically degraded by the rat, but is quantitatively excreted in the urine. In nephrectomized rats, the tissue concentration of intravenously administered gamma-carboxyglutamic acid is increased, but there is still no evidence of any oxidative metabolism of this amino acid. These amino acid is transported by kidney slices against a concentration gradient, but does not accumulate in liver, intestinal or brain tissues. Preliminary data suggest that gamma-carboxyglutamic acid may be concentrated by a carrier system different from that utilized by other amino acids.", "PMID": 629998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8302", "title": "The degradation of normal and analogue-containing proteins in MRC-5 fibroblasts.", "content": "Proteins containing the arginine analogue canavanine were degraded much more quickly in MRC-5 fibroblasts than those containing only normal amino acids. The degradation of both classes of protein could be well described by a pair of exponential curves, the first representing an early rapid degradation and the second, a slower phase. There were no general trends in the variation with passage number of the cells' ability to degrade either normal or analogue-containing proteins, as judged by the half-lives of proteins. But there was an increase in the proportion of labelled normal protein falling into the early rapid degradation phase as the cells senesced in culture.", "contents": "The degradation of normal and analogue-containing proteins in MRC-5 fibroblasts. Proteins containing the arginine analogue canavanine were degraded much more quickly in MRC-5 fibroblasts than those containing only normal amino acids. The degradation of both classes of protein could be well described by a pair of exponential curves, the first representing an early rapid degradation and the second, a slower phase. There were no general trends in the variation with passage number of the cells' ability to degrade either normal or analogue-containing proteins, as judged by the half-lives of proteins. But there was an increase in the proportion of labelled normal protein falling into the early rapid degradation phase as the cells senesced in culture.", "PMID": 629999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8303", "title": "Precocious decrease of chymotrypsinogen by thyroxine in the pancreas of suckling mice.", "content": "Chymotrypsinogen activity in mouse pancreas gradually decreased from birth, reaching the adult level on day 20 after birth. In suckling mice the enzyme activity was decreased to 1/9 of the control value by injection of thyroxine. The activity was not affected by insulin, and was slightly increased, rather than decreased, by daily injection of hydrocortisone. The effect of thyroxine seemed to be direct, not due to modification of adrenal function.", "contents": "Precocious decrease of chymotrypsinogen by thyroxine in the pancreas of suckling mice. Chymotrypsinogen activity in mouse pancreas gradually decreased from birth, reaching the adult level on day 20 after birth. In suckling mice the enzyme activity was decreased to 1/9 of the control value by injection of thyroxine. The activity was not affected by insulin, and was slightly increased, rather than decreased, by daily injection of hydrocortisone. The effect of thyroxine seemed to be direct, not due to modification of adrenal function.", "PMID": 630000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8304", "title": "Inhibition of elastolysis by proteinase inhibitors from chick plasma and aorta.", "content": "Chick plasma contains inhibitor(s) against trypsin and elastase which also appear to retard the degradation of tropoelastin by arterial tissue extracts. Chick aorta extracts also contain similar inhibitors against elastase and trypsin. Both levels of the plasma inhibitor(s) and inhibitor(s) extracted from thoracic aorta increase during early stages of growth and maturation. There is a three- to four-fold increase in the levels of the inhibitor(s) in chick plasma and aorta between one to four weeks after hatching. Of particular interest are the observations that the presence of the inhibitor(s) retards the conversion of soluble elastin (tropoelastin) to smaller elastin peptides. Subsequently, it is speculated that in addition to other vital roles, such proteinase inhibitors may also act in regulating elastogenesis and elastin fiber formation.", "contents": "Inhibition of elastolysis by proteinase inhibitors from chick plasma and aorta. Chick plasma contains inhibitor(s) against trypsin and elastase which also appear to retard the degradation of tropoelastin by arterial tissue extracts. Chick aorta extracts also contain similar inhibitors against elastase and trypsin. Both levels of the plasma inhibitor(s) and inhibitor(s) extracted from thoracic aorta increase during early stages of growth and maturation. There is a three- to four-fold increase in the levels of the inhibitor(s) in chick plasma and aorta between one to four weeks after hatching. Of particular interest are the observations that the presence of the inhibitor(s) retards the conversion of soluble elastin (tropoelastin) to smaller elastin peptides. Subsequently, it is speculated that in addition to other vital roles, such proteinase inhibitors may also act in regulating elastogenesis and elastin fiber formation.", "PMID": 630001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8305", "title": "Trifolin: a Rhizobium recognition protein from white clover.", "content": "A protein agglutinin, trifoliin, was purified from white clover seeds and seedling roots. Trifoliin specifically agglutinates the symbiont of clover, Rhizobium trifolii, at concentrations as low as 0.2 microgram protein/ml, and binds to the surface of encapsulated R. trifolii 0403. This clover protein has a subunit with Mr approximately 50 000, an isoelectric point of 7.3, and contains carbohydrate. Antibody to purified trifoliin binds to the root hair region of 24-h-old clover seedlings, but does not bind to alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil or joint vetch. The highest concentration of trifoliin on a clover root is present at sites where material in the capsule of R. trifolii binds. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose elutes trifoliin from intact clover-seedling roots, suggesting that this protein is anchored to root cell walls through its carbohydrate binding sites. We propose that trifoliin on the root hair surface plays an important role in the recognition of R. trifolii by clover.", "contents": "Trifolin: a Rhizobium recognition protein from white clover. A protein agglutinin, trifoliin, was purified from white clover seeds and seedling roots. Trifoliin specifically agglutinates the symbiont of clover, Rhizobium trifolii, at concentrations as low as 0.2 microgram protein/ml, and binds to the surface of encapsulated R. trifolii 0403. This clover protein has a subunit with Mr approximately 50 000, an isoelectric point of 7.3, and contains carbohydrate. Antibody to purified trifoliin binds to the root hair region of 24-h-old clover seedlings, but does not bind to alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil or joint vetch. The highest concentration of trifoliin on a clover root is present at sites where material in the capsule of R. trifolii binds. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose elutes trifoliin from intact clover-seedling roots, suggesting that this protein is anchored to root cell walls through its carbohydrate binding sites. We propose that trifoliin on the root hair surface plays an important role in the recognition of R. trifolii by clover.", "PMID": 630002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8306", "title": "Studies on lectins. XLIII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from restharrow roots (Ononis hircina Jacq.).", "content": "From 1 kg of dried Ononis hircina Jacq. roots 36 mg of a lectin were isolated by affinity chromatography on O-beta-lactosyl polyacrylamide gel. The lectin is homogeneous as judged by ultracentrifugal analysis (S20,W=6.2 S), polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis at pH 8.6 or 4.5, gel filtration on thin layers of Sephadex G-200 (Mr = 110 000) and dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (Mr of subunits 31 000, both in presence and absence of mercaptoethanol) and disc dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (pH 9.5). The lectin contains much aspartic and glutamic acids, serine and threonine and also 7.2% of neutral sugar. It is relatively specific for human type O erythrocytes that are agglutinated at a minimal lectin concentration 0.3 microgram/ml. The erythroagglutinating activity is not stimulated by Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+ or Ni2+ salts; it is inhibited most effectively by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and a number of D-galactose derivatives. Dissociation constants of several lectin . sugar complexes were estimated by affinity electrophoresis. The lectin is not mitogenic in rabbit lymph node lymphocytes.", "contents": "Studies on lectins. XLIII. Isolation and characterization of the lectin from restharrow roots (Ononis hircina Jacq.). From 1 kg of dried Ononis hircina Jacq. roots 36 mg of a lectin were isolated by affinity chromatography on O-beta-lactosyl polyacrylamide gel. The lectin is homogeneous as judged by ultracentrifugal analysis (S20,W=6.2 S), polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis at pH 8.6 or 4.5, gel filtration on thin layers of Sephadex G-200 (Mr = 110 000) and dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (Mr of subunits 31 000, both in presence and absence of mercaptoethanol) and disc dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (pH 9.5). The lectin contains much aspartic and glutamic acids, serine and threonine and also 7.2% of neutral sugar. It is relatively specific for human type O erythrocytes that are agglutinated at a minimal lectin concentration 0.3 microgram/ml. The erythroagglutinating activity is not stimulated by Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+ or Ni2+ salts; it is inhibited most effectively by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and a number of D-galactose derivatives. Dissociation constants of several lectin . sugar complexes were estimated by affinity electrophoresis. The lectin is not mitogenic in rabbit lymph node lymphocytes.", "PMID": 630003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8307", "title": "Keratan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycan in the cerebral cortex of the brain and its variation with age.", "content": "A keratan sulfate-like substance was found kn the cerebral cortex proteoglycans of rats. This substance tripled during the rapid growth phase from 1 to 3 months of age and then decreased steadily to a negligible quantity in the senescent rat, aged 25 months. In contrast, the uronic acid-containing glycosaminoglycans remained constant during the life span studied. The marked decrease observed in the proportion of keratan sulfate-like moiety to the other glycosaminoglycans in the cerebral cortex of the senescent rat (aged 25 months) compared with the young adult rat (aged 3 months) may explain the reduced extracellular volume observed by others in the senescent brain.", "contents": "Keratan sulfate-like glycosaminoglycan in the cerebral cortex of the brain and its variation with age. A keratan sulfate-like substance was found kn the cerebral cortex proteoglycans of rats. This substance tripled during the rapid growth phase from 1 to 3 months of age and then decreased steadily to a negligible quantity in the senescent rat, aged 25 months. In contrast, the uronic acid-containing glycosaminoglycans remained constant during the life span studied. The marked decrease observed in the proportion of keratan sulfate-like moiety to the other glycosaminoglycans in the cerebral cortex of the senescent rat (aged 25 months) compared with the young adult rat (aged 3 months) may explain the reduced extracellular volume observed by others in the senescent brain.", "PMID": 630004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8308", "title": "Heterogeneity of rat rib chondroitin sulfate and susceptibility to rat gastric chondrosulfatase.", "content": "Cartilage chondroitin sulfate isolated directly from rat rib or from in vitro culture of rat rib constitutes a population of glycosaminoglycans which is heterogeneous with respect to size, degree of sulfation and content of N-acetyl-galactosamine 4-sulfate. Fractions, elute from Dowex-1 in order of increasing molecular size and degree of sulfation up to a certain limit. Unsulfated disaccharides and disulfated disaccharides are present in both the undersulfated chondroitin sulfate fractions and in the average or more representative chondroitin sulfate. A small content of disccharide 6-sulfate is present in all fractions and appears to be an integral part of the chondroitin 4-sulfate molecules. Rat gastric chondrosulfatase hydrolyzes sulfate preferentially from the larger chondroitin 4-sulfate molecules, and the sulfate is removed primarily from the disaccharide 4-sulfate units.", "contents": "Heterogeneity of rat rib chondroitin sulfate and susceptibility to rat gastric chondrosulfatase. Cartilage chondroitin sulfate isolated directly from rat rib or from in vitro culture of rat rib constitutes a population of glycosaminoglycans which is heterogeneous with respect to size, degree of sulfation and content of N-acetyl-galactosamine 4-sulfate. Fractions, elute from Dowex-1 in order of increasing molecular size and degree of sulfation up to a certain limit. Unsulfated disaccharides and disulfated disaccharides are present in both the undersulfated chondroitin sulfate fractions and in the average or more representative chondroitin sulfate. A small content of disccharide 6-sulfate is present in all fractions and appears to be an integral part of the chondroitin 4-sulfate molecules. Rat gastric chondrosulfatase hydrolyzes sulfate preferentially from the larger chondroitin 4-sulfate molecules, and the sulfate is removed primarily from the disaccharide 4-sulfate units.", "PMID": 630005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8309", "title": "Aggregation and dispersity of isolated chromaffin granules studied by intensity fluctuation spectroscopy.", "content": "The aggregation and dispersity of isolated bovine adrenal secretory vesicles (chromaffin granules) were studied by intensity fluctuation spectroscopy. The degree of dispersity and the Z-average translational diffusion coefficients were calculated from the autocorrelation functions of the intensity fluctuations in laser light scattered from the granules in solution. Granules purified by sedimentation through 0.3 M sucrose/Ficoll/2H2O showed greater dispersity than granules purified by sedimentation through 1.6 M sucrose. By monitoring the scattered light intensity and the diffusion coefficients of the granules, many of the difficulties encountered in the interpretation of absorbance measurements were avoided. Measurements over a range of granule concentrations in sucrose solutions (10 mM HERPES, pH 7.0), indicated that aggregation of the granules occurred at concentrations above 150 microgram protein/ml. At low granule concentrations (15-30 microgram protein/ml) Ca2+-induced aggregation was detected at a threshold of 2-10 mM calcium.", "contents": "Aggregation and dispersity of isolated chromaffin granules studied by intensity fluctuation spectroscopy. The aggregation and dispersity of isolated bovine adrenal secretory vesicles (chromaffin granules) were studied by intensity fluctuation spectroscopy. The degree of dispersity and the Z-average translational diffusion coefficients were calculated from the autocorrelation functions of the intensity fluctuations in laser light scattered from the granules in solution. Granules purified by sedimentation through 0.3 M sucrose/Ficoll/2H2O showed greater dispersity than granules purified by sedimentation through 1.6 M sucrose. By monitoring the scattered light intensity and the diffusion coefficients of the granules, many of the difficulties encountered in the interpretation of absorbance measurements were avoided. Measurements over a range of granule concentrations in sucrose solutions (10 mM HERPES, pH 7.0), indicated that aggregation of the granules occurred at concentrations above 150 microgram protein/ml. At low granule concentrations (15-30 microgram protein/ml) Ca2+-induced aggregation was detected at a threshold of 2-10 mM calcium.", "PMID": 630006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8310", "title": "Cluster analysis of respiratory time series.", "content": "We have investigated the respiratory control system with the hypothesis that, although many variables such as minute ventilation (VI), tidal volume (VT), breathing period (TT), inspiratory duration (TI), and expiratory duration (TE) may be observed, the controller functions more simply by manipulating only 2 or 3 of these. Thus, if tidal volume is the only independent variable, TI being determined by the \"off-switch\" threshold, these variables should have very similar time courses. Anesthetized dogs were subjected to CO2 breathing and carotid sinus perfusion to stimulate both chemoreceptors. The time series of the variables VI, VT, TT, TE, and TI as well as PACO2 were determined on a breath by breath basis. Derived characteristics of these time series were compared using Cluster Analysis and the latent dimensionality of respiratory control determined by Factor Analysis. The characteristics of the time series clustered into 4 groups: magnitude (of the response), speed, variability and relative change. One respiratory factor accounted for 86% of the variance for the variability characteristics, 2 factors for magnitude (91%) and relative change (85%) and 3 factors for speed (89%). The respiratory variables were analysed for each of the 4 groups of characteristics with the following results: VT and TI clustered together only for the magnitude and relative change characteristics where as TT and TE clustered closely for all four characteristics. One latent factor was associated with the [TT-TE] group and the other usually with PACO2.", "contents": "Cluster analysis of respiratory time series. We have investigated the respiratory control system with the hypothesis that, although many variables such as minute ventilation (VI), tidal volume (VT), breathing period (TT), inspiratory duration (TI), and expiratory duration (TE) may be observed, the controller functions more simply by manipulating only 2 or 3 of these. Thus, if tidal volume is the only independent variable, TI being determined by the \"off-switch\" threshold, these variables should have very similar time courses. Anesthetized dogs were subjected to CO2 breathing and carotid sinus perfusion to stimulate both chemoreceptors. The time series of the variables VI, VT, TT, TE, and TI as well as PACO2 were determined on a breath by breath basis. Derived characteristics of these time series were compared using Cluster Analysis and the latent dimensionality of respiratory control determined by Factor Analysis. The characteristics of the time series clustered into 4 groups: magnitude (of the response), speed, variability and relative change. One respiratory factor accounted for 86% of the variance for the variability characteristics, 2 factors for magnitude (91%) and relative change (85%) and 3 factors for speed (89%). The respiratory variables were analysed for each of the 4 groups of characteristics with the following results: VT and TI clustered together only for the magnitude and relative change characteristics where as TT and TE clustered closely for all four characteristics. One latent factor was associated with the [TT-TE] group and the other usually with PACO2.", "PMID": 630012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8311", "title": "Loudness and the power series transformation. Preliminary model and measurements.", "content": "A nonlinear-algebraic approach to monaural intensity processing is proposed: the purpose is to integrate the conscious loudness attribute evoked by a pure tone with the power-series description of auditory distortion. The preliminary model consists of six postulates leading to a mathematical definition for loudness. To evaluate this equation, two task-specific sets of loudness judgments from each of seven subjects are examined. When linked to loudness-interval responses via the equisection assumption, the equation describes the behaviors quite well. Extrapolations into other intensity ranges predict similar responses with relatively slight overestimates. By relaxing the assumption that subjects will adjust the loudness proportions exactly as instructed, their ratio productions also can be described and predicted with sometimes surprising accuracy. Particularly striking is the prediction of overall levels and the curvilinearities of \"doublings\" from the \"halvings\". In addition, the theory proposes absolute loudness measurement, an explanation for the growth of loudness including the principle underlying Steven's Power Law, and might prove useful in examining some exceptions to this relationship. Several aspects of this model differ from traditional approaches to intensity processing, but it appears to warrent further critical evaluations.", "contents": "Loudness and the power series transformation. Preliminary model and measurements. A nonlinear-algebraic approach to monaural intensity processing is proposed: the purpose is to integrate the conscious loudness attribute evoked by a pure tone with the power-series description of auditory distortion. The preliminary model consists of six postulates leading to a mathematical definition for loudness. To evaluate this equation, two task-specific sets of loudness judgments from each of seven subjects are examined. When linked to loudness-interval responses via the equisection assumption, the equation describes the behaviors quite well. Extrapolations into other intensity ranges predict similar responses with relatively slight overestimates. By relaxing the assumption that subjects will adjust the loudness proportions exactly as instructed, their ratio productions also can be described and predicted with sometimes surprising accuracy. Particularly striking is the prediction of overall levels and the curvilinearities of \"doublings\" from the \"halvings\". In addition, the theory proposes absolute loudness measurement, an explanation for the growth of loudness including the principle underlying Steven's Power Law, and might prove useful in examining some exceptions to this relationship. Several aspects of this model differ from traditional approaches to intensity processing, but it appears to warrent further critical evaluations.", "PMID": 630013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8312", "title": "Analysis of a cooperative stereo algorithm.", "content": "Marr and Poggio (1976) recently described a cooperative algorithm that solves the correspondence problem for stereopsis. This article uses a probabilistic technique to analyze the convergence of that algorithm, and derives the conditions governing the stability of the solution state. The actual results of applying the algorithm to random-dot stereograms are compared with the probabilistic analysis. A satisfactory mathematical analysis of the asymptotic behaviour of the algorithm is possible for a suitable choice of the parameter values and loading rules, and again the actual performance of the algorithm under these conditions is compared with the theoretical predictions. Finally, some problems raised by the analysis of this type of \"cooperative\" algorithm are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Analysis of a cooperative stereo algorithm. Marr and Poggio (1976) recently described a cooperative algorithm that solves the correspondence problem for stereopsis. This article uses a probabilistic technique to analyze the convergence of that algorithm, and derives the conditions governing the stability of the solution state. The actual results of applying the algorithm to random-dot stereograms are compared with the probabilistic analysis. A satisfactory mathematical analysis of the asymptotic behaviour of the algorithm is possible for a suitable choice of the parameter values and loading rules, and again the actual performance of the algorithm under these conditions is compared with the theoretical predictions. Finally, some problems raised by the analysis of this type of \"cooperative\" algorithm are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 630015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8313", "title": "Are there two logistic regressions for retrospective studies?", "content": "A comparison is made between two different approaches to the linear logistic regression analysis of retrospective study data: the prospective model wherein the dependent variable is a dichotomous indicator of case/control status; and the retrospective model wherein the dependent variable is a binary or polychotomous classification of exposure. The two models yield increasingly similar estimates of the relative risk with increasing degrees of covariate adjustment. When the covariate effects are saturated with parameters, the relative risk estimates are identical. The prospective model is generally to be preferred for studies involving multiple quantitative risk factors.", "contents": "Are there two logistic regressions for retrospective studies? A comparison is made between two different approaches to the linear logistic regression analysis of retrospective study data: the prospective model wherein the dependent variable is a dichotomous indicator of case/control status; and the retrospective model wherein the dependent variable is a binary or polychotomous classification of exposure. The two models yield increasingly similar estimates of the relative risk with increasing degrees of covariate adjustment. When the covariate effects are saturated with parameters, the relative risk estimates are identical. The prospective model is generally to be preferred for studies involving multiple quantitative risk factors.", "PMID": 630033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8314", "title": "A graphical aid for determining sample size when comparing two independent proportions.", "content": "Standard sample size calculations for n, the number of observations per group when comparing two independent proportions, P1 and P2, require the specification of four quantities: P1, one of the two proportions of interest; delta = P2 - P1, the smallest difference which it is important to detect; alpha, the significance level; and beta, the chance of failing to detect a difference as large as delta. In terms of these four quantities, the graphical aid is a series of charts showing isographs of sample size for selected values of n ranging from 35 to 500. The isographs, i.e. curves connecting points of equal sample size, are based on the asymptotic arc sine approximation and are plotted on the grid formed by P1 on the abscissa and delta on the ordinate. Eight separate charts are available for different choices of alpha and beta. These charts are especially useful in situations where the feasible sample size is roughly known, in which case the detectable difference, delta, can be read directly from the graph.", "contents": "A graphical aid for determining sample size when comparing two independent proportions. Standard sample size calculations for n, the number of observations per group when comparing two independent proportions, P1 and P2, require the specification of four quantities: P1, one of the two proportions of interest; delta = P2 - P1, the smallest difference which it is important to detect; alpha, the significance level; and beta, the chance of failing to detect a difference as large as delta. In terms of these four quantities, the graphical aid is a series of charts showing isographs of sample size for selected values of n ranging from 35 to 500. The isographs, i.e. curves connecting points of equal sample size, are based on the asymptotic arc sine approximation and are plotted on the grid formed by P1 on the abscissa and delta on the ordinate. Eight separate charts are available for different choices of alpha and beta. These charts are especially useful in situations where the feasible sample size is roughly known, in which case the detectable difference, delta, can be read directly from the graph.", "PMID": 630034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8315", "title": "A genetic model involving fetal effects on traits of the dam.", "content": "The genetic fetal effects model shows that the usual sire effect is composed of one-half the direct additive genetic value and one-fourth of the fetal additive genetic value of the sire. The usual sire component of variance is actually the variance of that function. Genetic covariances between records of relatives influenced by fetuses of related sires can easily be written. If the magnitude of fetal sire effects is such that nonrandom use of fetal sires on daughters of sires being evaluated on daughter performance results in bias, the bias can be eliminated (Henderson 1975) by considering the fetal sire effects to be fixed effects. Some reduction in prediction error variance is likely by including fetal sire in the sire evaluation model.", "contents": "A genetic model involving fetal effects on traits of the dam. The genetic fetal effects model shows that the usual sire effect is composed of one-half the direct additive genetic value and one-fourth of the fetal additive genetic value of the sire. The usual sire component of variance is actually the variance of that function. Genetic covariances between records of relatives influenced by fetuses of related sires can easily be written. If the magnitude of fetal sire effects is such that nonrandom use of fetal sires on daughters of sires being evaluated on daughter performance results in bias, the bias can be eliminated (Henderson 1975) by considering the fetal sire effects to be fixed effects. Some reduction in prediction error variance is likely by including fetal sire in the sire evaluation model.", "PMID": 630035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8316", "title": "Regression analysis of grouped survival data with application to breast cancer data.", "content": "Use of the proportional hazards regression model (Cox 1972) substantially liberalized the analysis of censored survival data with covariates. Available procedures for estimation of the relative risk parameter, however, do not adequately handle grouped survival data, or large data sets with many tied failure times. The grouped data version of the proportional hazards model is proposed here for such estimation. Asymptotic likelihood results are given, both for the estimation of the regression coefficient and the survivor function. Some special results are given for testing the hypothesis of a zero regression coefficient which leads, for example, to a generalization of the log-rank test for the comparison of several survival curves. Application to breast cancer data, from the National Cancer Institute-sponsored End Results Group, indicates that previously noted race differences in breast cancer survival times are explained to a large extent by differences in disease extent and other demographic characteristics at diagnosis.", "contents": "Regression analysis of grouped survival data with application to breast cancer data. Use of the proportional hazards regression model (Cox 1972) substantially liberalized the analysis of censored survival data with covariates. Available procedures for estimation of the relative risk parameter, however, do not adequately handle grouped survival data, or large data sets with many tied failure times. The grouped data version of the proportional hazards model is proposed here for such estimation. Asymptotic likelihood results are given, both for the estimation of the regression coefficient and the survivor function. Some special results are given for testing the hypothesis of a zero regression coefficient which leads, for example, to a generalization of the log-rank test for the comparison of several survival curves. Application to breast cancer data, from the National Cancer Institute-sponsored End Results Group, indicates that previously noted race differences in breast cancer survival times are explained to a large extent by differences in disease extent and other demographic characteristics at diagnosis.", "PMID": 630037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8317", "title": "The estimation of false negatives in medical screening.", "content": "In a medical screening program for early detection of disease, one or more screening modes are administered to an apparently healthy population. Knowledge of the true disease status for all screened individuals would allow estimation of the false negative and false positive rates for each mode of detection and for the program as a whole. This paper develops capture-recapture methods applicable to programs as a whole. This paper develops capture-recapture methods applicable to programs when follow-up of individuals negative on screening is not performed or is incomplete. The methods require at least two independent modes of detection. Data from a breast cancer screening program illustrate the procedure. The results of four screening examinations at approximately one-year intervals and the long-term follow-up of all screened individuals support the usefulness of these methods in the evaluation of a screening program.", "contents": "The estimation of false negatives in medical screening. In a medical screening program for early detection of disease, one or more screening modes are administered to an apparently healthy population. Knowledge of the true disease status for all screened individuals would allow estimation of the false negative and false positive rates for each mode of detection and for the program as a whole. This paper develops capture-recapture methods applicable to programs as a whole. This paper develops capture-recapture methods applicable to programs when follow-up of individuals negative on screening is not performed or is incomplete. The methods require at least two independent modes of detection. Data from a breast cancer screening program illustrate the procedure. The results of four screening examinations at approximately one-year intervals and the long-term follow-up of all screened individuals support the usefulness of these methods in the evaluation of a screening program.", "PMID": 630038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8318", "title": "Role of voltage-sensitive receptors in nicotinic transmission.", "content": "This paper compares the conductance induced by bath-applied acetyl-choline (ACh) and by the same transmitter released from nerve terminals at Electrophorus electroplaques. For the former case, dose-response relations are characterized by the maximal agonist-induced conductance, rgamma (130 mmho/cm2), and by the concentration which induces half this conductance; this concentration is termed Kapp and equals 50 micron at -85 mV. For the latter case, neurally evoked postsynaptic currents (PSCs) are characterized by the peak conductance during strongly facilitated release, gPSC, and by the rate constant for decay, alpha. Since gPSC roughly equals rgamma, it is concluded that the PSC activates nearly all available receptor channels. These and other data agree with recent estimates that during the growth phase of the quantal response, (a) the ACh concentration is at least several hundred micromolar; and (b) most nearby channels are activated. However both alpha and Kapp increase during depolarization, at a rate of about e-fold per 86 mV. These observations on voltage sensitivity suggest that a suprathreshold synaptic event is rapidly terminated because the action potential abruptly releases ACh molecules from receptors.", "contents": "Role of voltage-sensitive receptors in nicotinic transmission. This paper compares the conductance induced by bath-applied acetyl-choline (ACh) and by the same transmitter released from nerve terminals at Electrophorus electroplaques. For the former case, dose-response relations are characterized by the maximal agonist-induced conductance, rgamma (130 mmho/cm2), and by the concentration which induces half this conductance; this concentration is termed Kapp and equals 50 micron at -85 mV. For the latter case, neurally evoked postsynaptic currents (PSCs) are characterized by the peak conductance during strongly facilitated release, gPSC, and by the rate constant for decay, alpha. Since gPSC roughly equals rgamma, it is concluded that the PSC activates nearly all available receptor channels. These and other data agree with recent estimates that during the growth phase of the quantal response, (a) the ACh concentration is at least several hundred micromolar; and (b) most nearby channels are activated. However both alpha and Kapp increase during depolarization, at a rate of about e-fold per 86 mV. These observations on voltage sensitivity suggest that a suprathreshold synaptic event is rapidly terminated because the action potential abruptly releases ACh molecules from receptors.", "PMID": 630039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8319", "title": "Quantum yield and image contrast of bacteriochlorophyll monolayers in photoelectron microscopy.", "content": "The photoelectron quantum yield spectrum of bacteriochlorophyll aGg (Bchl a ) from Rhodospirillum rubrum was determined in order to evaluate the possibility of mapping photoreceptor distribution and organization in bacterial chromatophores. The quantum yield is on the order of 1 X 10(-3) electrons/incident photon at 180 nm and decreases to 2.5 X 10(-5) electrons/incident photon at 230 nm. Photoelectron micrographs confirm the high contrast predicted between monolayers of Bchl a against a lipid background (calcium arachidate). A significant contrast difference is found between the two monolayer orientations, demonstrating that photoelectron microscopy is a sensitive detector of asymmetry in Bch1 a monolayers.", "contents": "Quantum yield and image contrast of bacteriochlorophyll monolayers in photoelectron microscopy. The photoelectron quantum yield spectrum of bacteriochlorophyll aGg (Bchl a ) from Rhodospirillum rubrum was determined in order to evaluate the possibility of mapping photoreceptor distribution and organization in bacterial chromatophores. The quantum yield is on the order of 1 X 10(-3) electrons/incident photon at 180 nm and decreases to 2.5 X 10(-5) electrons/incident photon at 230 nm. Photoelectron micrographs confirm the high contrast predicted between monolayers of Bchl a against a lipid background (calcium arachidate). A significant contrast difference is found between the two monolayer orientations, demonstrating that photoelectron microscopy is a sensitive detector of asymmetry in Bch1 a monolayers.", "PMID": 630040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8320", "title": "Swimming speed distributions of bull spermatozoa as determined by quasi-elastic light scattering.", "content": "88 semen samples from 39 bulls have been investigated by the quasi-elastic light scattering technique. Normal, defective, and dead cells each yielded characteristic autocorrelation functions. The form of these functions indicates that the swimming speed distribution of normal cells is a gamma distribution with two degrees of freedom while that for defective or circular swimmers is a gamma distribution with one degree of freedom. The resulting analysis of the experimental autocorrelation functions yields the fraction of the sample that is normal, the fraction that is defective, and the average speed of each group. The average helical swimming speed of normal cells was found to be 384 micron/s, while the average trajectory speed of the circular swimmers was found to be 103 micron/s. The overall quality of the semen samples as determined by light scattering is compared to quality determination on the same samples by technicians from the artificial insemination industry.", "contents": "Swimming speed distributions of bull spermatozoa as determined by quasi-elastic light scattering. 88 semen samples from 39 bulls have been investigated by the quasi-elastic light scattering technique. Normal, defective, and dead cells each yielded characteristic autocorrelation functions. The form of these functions indicates that the swimming speed distribution of normal cells is a gamma distribution with two degrees of freedom while that for defective or circular swimmers is a gamma distribution with one degree of freedom. The resulting analysis of the experimental autocorrelation functions yields the fraction of the sample that is normal, the fraction that is defective, and the average speed of each group. The average helical swimming speed of normal cells was found to be 384 micron/s, while the average trajectory speed of the circular swimmers was found to be 103 micron/s. The overall quality of the semen samples as determined by light scattering is compared to quality determination on the same samples by technicians from the artificial insemination industry.", "PMID": 630041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8321", "title": "The effects of calcium++ on bursting neurons. A modeling study.", "content": "Many observed effects of ionized calcium on bursting pacemaker neurons may be accounted for by assuming that calcium has multiple effects on the membrane conductance mechanisms. Two models are proposed that represent extreme cases of a set of possible models for these multiple effects. Both models are a priori designed to account for directly observed phenomena, and both are found to be able to simulate a posteriori certain observed phenomena, including persistent inactivation, increasing spike width, and decreasing after-polarization. Experimental tests are proposed for the decision of validity between the set of models discussed and the null hypothesis, and for the decision of validity between the two models themselves. Extensions of the models are discussed. One of these extensions leads to a simulation of the behavior of the cell when placed in a calcium-free bathing medium.", "contents": "The effects of calcium++ on bursting neurons. A modeling study. Many observed effects of ionized calcium on bursting pacemaker neurons may be accounted for by assuming that calcium has multiple effects on the membrane conductance mechanisms. Two models are proposed that represent extreme cases of a set of possible models for these multiple effects. Both models are a priori designed to account for directly observed phenomena, and both are found to be able to simulate a posteriori certain observed phenomena, including persistent inactivation, increasing spike width, and decreasing after-polarization. Experimental tests are proposed for the decision of validity between the set of models discussed and the null hypothesis, and for the decision of validity between the two models themselves. Extensions of the models are discussed. One of these extensions leads to a simulation of the behavior of the cell when placed in a calcium-free bathing medium.", "PMID": 630042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8322", "title": "Fluorescence changes in isolated broken chloroplasts and the involvement of the electrical double layer.", "content": "We studied the effects of a variety of cations on chlorophyll fluorescence yield of broken chloroplasts prepared under carefully controlled ionic conditions. In the absence of light-induced electron transport and associated proton pumping, two types of cation-induced chlorophyll fluorescence changes could be distinguished in broken chloroplasts. These are termed \"reversible\" and \"irreversible\" fluorescence yield changes. Reversible fluorescence yield changes are characterized by antagonistic effects of monovalent and divalent cations and are prevented by the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ in the suspending media. Reversible-type fluorescence yield changes show little or no dependence on the structure, lipid solubility, or coordination number of the cation, but depend strictly on the net positive charge carried by the ion. It is proposed that these fluorescence changes are brought about through the interaction of monovalent or divalent cations with an electrical double layer at the interface of the outer surface of the thylakoid membrane and the surrounding aqueous solution. The results are interpreted in terms of the Gouy-Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer, indicating that the thylakoid outer surface bears an excess fixed negative charge density of about 2.5 muC/cm2, or approximately 1 negative charge per 640 A2 of membrane surface. Chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in isolated broken chloroplasts suspended in media containing 5 mM MgCl2 is also observed on addition of certain polyvalent cations to the medium. This type of cation-induced fluorescence change appears to be largely irreversible and may occur through specific binding of the cation to the thylakoid as a result of the high electrostatic attraction exerted by the negatively charged membrane surface.", "contents": "Fluorescence changes in isolated broken chloroplasts and the involvement of the electrical double layer. We studied the effects of a variety of cations on chlorophyll fluorescence yield of broken chloroplasts prepared under carefully controlled ionic conditions. In the absence of light-induced electron transport and associated proton pumping, two types of cation-induced chlorophyll fluorescence changes could be distinguished in broken chloroplasts. These are termed \"reversible\" and \"irreversible\" fluorescence yield changes. Reversible fluorescence yield changes are characterized by antagonistic effects of monovalent and divalent cations and are prevented by the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ in the suspending media. Reversible-type fluorescence yield changes show little or no dependence on the structure, lipid solubility, or coordination number of the cation, but depend strictly on the net positive charge carried by the ion. It is proposed that these fluorescence changes are brought about through the interaction of monovalent or divalent cations with an electrical double layer at the interface of the outer surface of the thylakoid membrane and the surrounding aqueous solution. The results are interpreted in terms of the Gouy-Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer, indicating that the thylakoid outer surface bears an excess fixed negative charge density of about 2.5 muC/cm2, or approximately 1 negative charge per 640 A2 of membrane surface. Chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in isolated broken chloroplasts suspended in media containing 5 mM MgCl2 is also observed on addition of certain polyvalent cations to the medium. This type of cation-induced fluorescence change appears to be largely irreversible and may occur through specific binding of the cation to the thylakoid as a result of the high electrostatic attraction exerted by the negatively charged membrane surface.", "PMID": 630043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8323", "title": "On the relation between filament overlap and the number of calcium-binding sites on glycerinated muscle fibers.", "content": "The formation of rigor complexes between the thick and thin filaments of glycerinated rabbit psoas muscle fibers causes the fibers to bind more calcium at any given level of free calcium. I studied the maximum amount of calcium bound as a function of filament overlap under rigor conditions. Fibers stretched to zero filament overlap (sarcomere length greater than 3.8 micron) bound exactly 75% as much calcium as fibers with maximum overlap. Between these extremes a linear relationship was found between maximum bound calcium and the length of the overlap zone. The results support the hypothesis that in the intact filament lattice one of the four calcium-binding sites of troponin depends for its existence on attachment between myosin and actin. In addition, the linear relation between maximum bound calcium and filament overlap is consistent with the assumption that the cooperative effect of rigor complex formation on calcium binding is limited to the binding site in the immediate vicinity of the rigor complex.", "contents": "On the relation between filament overlap and the number of calcium-binding sites on glycerinated muscle fibers. The formation of rigor complexes between the thick and thin filaments of glycerinated rabbit psoas muscle fibers causes the fibers to bind more calcium at any given level of free calcium. I studied the maximum amount of calcium bound as a function of filament overlap under rigor conditions. Fibers stretched to zero filament overlap (sarcomere length greater than 3.8 micron) bound exactly 75% as much calcium as fibers with maximum overlap. Between these extremes a linear relationship was found between maximum bound calcium and the length of the overlap zone. The results support the hypothesis that in the intact filament lattice one of the four calcium-binding sites of troponin depends for its existence on attachment between myosin and actin. In addition, the linear relation between maximum bound calcium and filament overlap is consistent with the assumption that the cooperative effect of rigor complex formation on calcium binding is limited to the binding site in the immediate vicinity of the rigor complex.", "PMID": 630044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8324", "title": "Differentiation between equilibrium and nonequilibrium kinetic systems by noise analysis.", "content": "Methods for the differentiation between equilibrium and nonequilibrium steady-state kinetic mechanisms based on fluctuation and noise analysis are discussed. Specifically, the \"sharpening\" in the auto noise power spectrum is shown to be a useful indicator in identifying a nonequilibrium steady state.", "contents": "Differentiation between equilibrium and nonequilibrium kinetic systems by noise analysis. Methods for the differentiation between equilibrium and nonequilibrium steady-state kinetic mechanisms based on fluctuation and noise analysis are discussed. Specifically, the \"sharpening\" in the auto noise power spectrum is shown to be a useful indicator in identifying a nonequilibrium steady state.", "PMID": 630045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8325", "title": "The determination of amino acid pool sizes and turnover rates by gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of stable isotope enrichment.", "content": "Gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been used to determine the 15N enrichment of plasma glycine of rabbits at various times following the intravenous administration of 15N-glycine. These data were used to prepare isotope enrichment time decay curves for eleven individual animals. The slopes and intercepts of least squares lines that describe the decay curves were considerably more accurately than those reported in similar studies employing radioactive tracers. Individual glycine pool sizes (13.8-37.4 micronmoles per 100 g body wt), turnovers rates (2.66-3.36 pools h-1) and flux (50.4-99.7 micronmoles h-1 per 100 g body wt) were estimated from these parameters in a group of animals and compared with the literature values. These results demonstrate that low risk non-radioactive stable isotopes can be substituted for radioactive tracers in studies of human amino acid metabolism, with considerable saving in time and without loss in accuracy, when gas chromatography mass spectrometry is used to determine plasma amino acid and stable isotope enrichment.", "contents": "The determination of amino acid pool sizes and turnover rates by gas chromatographic mass spectrometric analysis of stable isotope enrichment. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been used to determine the 15N enrichment of plasma glycine of rabbits at various times following the intravenous administration of 15N-glycine. These data were used to prepare isotope enrichment time decay curves for eleven individual animals. The slopes and intercepts of least squares lines that describe the decay curves were considerably more accurately than those reported in similar studies employing radioactive tracers. Individual glycine pool sizes (13.8-37.4 micronmoles per 100 g body wt), turnovers rates (2.66-3.36 pools h-1) and flux (50.4-99.7 micronmoles h-1 per 100 g body wt) were estimated from these parameters in a group of animals and compared with the literature values. These results demonstrate that low risk non-radioactive stable isotopes can be substituted for radioactive tracers in studies of human amino acid metabolism, with considerable saving in time and without loss in accuracy, when gas chromatography mass spectrometry is used to determine plasma amino acid and stable isotope enrichment.", "PMID": 630048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8326", "title": "Mass spectrometry of N-methylsulfonylureas. A re-examination.", "content": "Some confusion has arisen in the literature regarding the electron impact mass spectrum of N-methyltolbutamide. The situation is complicated by the thermal lability of this compound which causes the formation of the corresponding N-methylsulfonamide. We present here spectral data at relatively low probe temperatures (and without an intervening gas chromatographic system) which we believe define the mass spectrum of N-methyltolbutamide more accurately than before. Similar data are presented for the analogous N-methylacetohexamide and show a rearrangement process for both substances not reported previously for this class of compounds.", "contents": "Mass spectrometry of N-methylsulfonylureas. A re-examination. Some confusion has arisen in the literature regarding the electron impact mass spectrum of N-methyltolbutamide. The situation is complicated by the thermal lability of this compound which causes the formation of the corresponding N-methylsulfonamide. We present here spectral data at relatively low probe temperatures (and without an intervening gas chromatographic system) which we believe define the mass spectrum of N-methyltolbutamide more accurately than before. Similar data are presented for the analogous N-methylacetohexamide and show a rearrangement process for both substances not reported previously for this class of compounds.", "PMID": 630049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8327", "title": "Mass and infrared spectra of diaryl and aryl alkyl sulfate diesters.", "content": "The synthesis and the infrared and mass spectra of diaryl and aryl alkyl sulfate diesters are described. The mass spectra of these two classes of compounds consistently showed an intense molecular ion and two or three additional intense, diagnostic ions. Their infrared spectra also gave information useful for characterizing and differentiating these two classes of compounds.", "contents": "Mass and infrared spectra of diaryl and aryl alkyl sulfate diesters. The synthesis and the infrared and mass spectra of diaryl and aryl alkyl sulfate diesters are described. The mass spectra of these two classes of compounds consistently showed an intense molecular ion and two or three additional intense, diagnostic ions. Their infrared spectra also gave information useful for characterizing and differentiating these two classes of compounds.", "PMID": 630050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8328", "title": "Determination of vincamine in plasma by selected ion monitoring.", "content": "A sensitive and specific method for the determination of vincamine in plasma is described. The molecular ion (m/e 426) and the parent peak (m/e 367) of the TMS derivative are assayed simultaneously by selected ion monitoring. Sensitivity is 30 pg ml plasma. The suitability of the method for pharmacokinetic studies is assessed by measuring plasma level profiles in six volunteers receiving 20 mg of vincamine orally.", "contents": "Determination of vincamine in plasma by selected ion monitoring. A sensitive and specific method for the determination of vincamine in plasma is described. The molecular ion (m/e 426) and the parent peak (m/e 367) of the TMS derivative are assayed simultaneously by selected ion monitoring. Sensitivity is 30 pg ml plasma. The suitability of the method for pharmacokinetic studies is assessed by measuring plasma level profiles in six volunteers receiving 20 mg of vincamine orally.", "PMID": 630051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8329", "title": "Mass spectrometry of uronic acid derivatives. XI--Structure elucidation by mass spectrometry of aldobiouronic and pseudoaldobiouronic acids and their beta-elimination products as per-o-methyl derivatives.", "content": "Electron impact mass spectra of a series of aldobiouronic and pseudoaldobiouronic acid per-O-methyl derivatives and of the corresponding 4,5-unsaturated analogues, found normally among the products of methylation of uronic acid containing disaccharides as a result of methylation accompanying beta-elimination, have been studied. Using labelling experiments, metastable transition measurements and high resolution mass spectrometry, the fragmentation mechanisms of substances of this class have been deduced. Application of the information to the structure elucidation of this type of compound is discussed. It is concluded that from the mass spectra alone it is possible to determine the molecular weight, the cycle masses as well as the mode of linkage between the monomeric units. The appearance potentials of ions formed by cleavage of the glycosidic linkages have also been determined and the energetic differences encountered in the fission of the glycosidic linkages of various types of uronic acid containing oligosaccharides are discussed.", "contents": "Mass spectrometry of uronic acid derivatives. XI--Structure elucidation by mass spectrometry of aldobiouronic and pseudoaldobiouronic acids and their beta-elimination products as per-o-methyl derivatives. Electron impact mass spectra of a series of aldobiouronic and pseudoaldobiouronic acid per-O-methyl derivatives and of the corresponding 4,5-unsaturated analogues, found normally among the products of methylation of uronic acid containing disaccharides as a result of methylation accompanying beta-elimination, have been studied. Using labelling experiments, metastable transition measurements and high resolution mass spectrometry, the fragmentation mechanisms of substances of this class have been deduced. Application of the information to the structure elucidation of this type of compound is discussed. It is concluded that from the mass spectra alone it is possible to determine the molecular weight, the cycle masses as well as the mode of linkage between the monomeric units. The appearance potentials of ions formed by cleavage of the glycosidic linkages have also been determined and the energetic differences encountered in the fission of the glycosidic linkages of various types of uronic acid containing oligosaccharides are discussed.", "PMID": 630052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8330", "title": "Structural biochemistry 15--mass spectrometry of permethylated nucleotides.", "content": "Techniques have been summarized for the permethylation and mass spectral characterization of selected nucleotide monophosphates. The electron impact induced mass spectra are reproduced, and the fragmentation pathways observed are discussed in detail.", "contents": "Structural biochemistry 15--mass spectrometry of permethylated nucleotides. Techniques have been summarized for the permethylation and mass spectral characterization of selected nucleotide monophosphates. The electron impact induced mass spectra are reproduced, and the fragmentation pathways observed are discussed in detail.", "PMID": 630053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8331", "title": "Identification of methotrexate and folic acid analogs by mass spectrometry.", "content": "Methotrexate and folic acid analogs are polar molecules and attempts to obtain electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of these compounds by several laboratories have failed. We have found that methylation of this important class of compounds with diazomethane produces derivatives which are sufficiently volatile to allow their mass spectra to be recorded. The mass spectra of the methyl derivatives of five compounds, 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, 4-amimo-4-deoxypteroylglutamic acid, pteroylglutamic acid, 4-amino-4-deoxypteroic acid and N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid are presented, and the fragmentation pathways of these compounds discussed.", "contents": "Identification of methotrexate and folic acid analogs by mass spectrometry. Methotrexate and folic acid analogs are polar molecules and attempts to obtain electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of these compounds by several laboratories have failed. We have found that methylation of this important class of compounds with diazomethane produces derivatives which are sufficiently volatile to allow their mass spectra to be recorded. The mass spectra of the methyl derivatives of five compounds, 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, 4-amimo-4-deoxypteroylglutamic acid, pteroylglutamic acid, 4-amino-4-deoxypteroic acid and N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid are presented, and the fragmentation pathways of these compounds discussed.", "PMID": 630054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8332", "title": "Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of the tumor promoter related 4aalpha-phorbol esters.", "content": "The isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of a series of 4aalpha-phorbol esters have been determined. Phorbol myristate acetate, a diester of phorbol, is the most potent known tumor promoter in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Several esters of the stereoisomer of phorbol have been synthesized to study the effect of structure and stereochemistry on tumor promotion. Conventional electron impact mass spectra of these esters gave little or no molecular weight information due to their low volatility, tendency to dehydrate and complex fragmentation to peaks in the low mass end of the spectrum. Isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry greatly enhanced the molecular ion region and through functional group selectivity established the identity of the various substituted esters.", "contents": "Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of the tumor promoter related 4aalpha-phorbol esters. The isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra of a series of 4aalpha-phorbol esters have been determined. Phorbol myristate acetate, a diester of phorbol, is the most potent known tumor promoter in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Several esters of the stereoisomer of phorbol have been synthesized to study the effect of structure and stereochemistry on tumor promotion. Conventional electron impact mass spectra of these esters gave little or no molecular weight information due to their low volatility, tendency to dehydrate and complex fragmentation to peaks in the low mass end of the spectrum. Isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry greatly enhanced the molecular ion region and through functional group selectivity established the identity of the various substituted esters.", "PMID": 630055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8333", "title": "A sensitive analytical method for pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The mass spectra of retronecine derivatives.", "content": "The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio jacobaea can be hydrolyzed to the common base, retronecine, and derivatized to form the bistrifluoroacetate, bisheptafluorobutyrate, diacetate and bistrimethylsilyl ether. The analysis of the fluorinated compounds by electron capture provides sensitivity for detection of these alkaloids. The bond weakening effect in the ion formed on electron impact, between the allylic carbon and alkyl ester oxygen due to the electron withdrawing fluorinated groups of the ester, changes the driving force for fragmentation from the nitrogen alpha-cleavage reaction to a charge site migration. This yields alkyl-oxygen bond cleavage and formation of a stabilized allylic cation which is the base peak.", "contents": "A sensitive analytical method for pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The mass spectra of retronecine derivatives. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio jacobaea can be hydrolyzed to the common base, retronecine, and derivatized to form the bistrifluoroacetate, bisheptafluorobutyrate, diacetate and bistrimethylsilyl ether. The analysis of the fluorinated compounds by electron capture provides sensitivity for detection of these alkaloids. The bond weakening effect in the ion formed on electron impact, between the allylic carbon and alkyl ester oxygen due to the electron withdrawing fluorinated groups of the ester, changes the driving force for fragmentation from the nitrogen alpha-cleavage reaction to a charge site migration. This yields alkyl-oxygen bond cleavage and formation of a stabilized allylic cation which is the base peak.", "PMID": 630056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8334", "title": "Use of a time averaging computer for high resolution field desorption mass spectrometry.", "content": "Field desorption mass spectra often contain few peaks, the largest of which are [M]+. and [M+H]+ ions. Because of this lack of fragmentation accurate mass measurement is of primary concern in field desorption mass spectrometry. Although total ion yield per quantity of sample may rival electron impact or chemical ionization methods, ion yield per unit time is low. For this reason and because of varying [M]+./[M+H]+ ratios, elemental compositions as determined from stable isotope peaks are difficult to obtain. Low ion yield per unit time demands an integrating method for best high resolution results. The use of photoplates to obtain high resolution field desorption data is the only method reported thus far which takes advantage of integrating capability. This paper describes the use of a time averaging computer as an integrator for peak matching high resolution field desorption mass spectrometry using electrical detection. Accuracies better than 20 ppm are consistently obtained. Due to the sensitivity of the technique a wider range of reference compounds can be employed. This method incorporates the advantages of integrating capability with electrical detection, overcoming detection sensitivity problems associated with photoplates.", "contents": "Use of a time averaging computer for high resolution field desorption mass spectrometry. Field desorption mass spectra often contain few peaks, the largest of which are [M]+. and [M+H]+ ions. Because of this lack of fragmentation accurate mass measurement is of primary concern in field desorption mass spectrometry. Although total ion yield per quantity of sample may rival electron impact or chemical ionization methods, ion yield per unit time is low. For this reason and because of varying [M]+./[M+H]+ ratios, elemental compositions as determined from stable isotope peaks are difficult to obtain. Low ion yield per unit time demands an integrating method for best high resolution results. The use of photoplates to obtain high resolution field desorption data is the only method reported thus far which takes advantage of integrating capability. This paper describes the use of a time averaging computer as an integrator for peak matching high resolution field desorption mass spectrometry using electrical detection. Accuracies better than 20 ppm are consistently obtained. Due to the sensitivity of the technique a wider range of reference compounds can be employed. This method incorporates the advantages of integrating capability with electrical detection, overcoming detection sensitivity problems associated with photoplates.", "PMID": 630057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8335", "title": "Urinary excretion of 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol in human gestation.", "content": "The steroids in urine from normal pregnant women have been studied. After extraction of conjugate steroids, solvolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis, the liberated steroids were separated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, and were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The following steroids were isolated and completely identified in the LH-20 fraction 7: 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha-diol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17,20alpha-triol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol and 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,16alpha,20alpha-triol. In addition, two metabolites tentatively identified as 5xi-pregnane-2xi,3xi,20xi-triol and 2xi,3xi,16xi-trihydroxy-5xi-pregnan-20-one, have not been reported as occcurring in urine from pregnant women. The 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol was detected only in the third trimester of pregnancy and the urinary excretion values are between 320 and 650 microgram per 24 h. With the present data, it is not possible to establish the precursor(s) of this steroid. However, these results tentatively suggest that 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol arises from foeto-placental unit.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol in human gestation. The steroids in urine from normal pregnant women have been studied. After extraction of conjugate steroids, solvolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis, the liberated steroids were separated by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, and were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The following steroids were isolated and completely identified in the LH-20 fraction 7: 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha-diol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,17,20alpha-triol, 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol and 5alpha-pregnane-3beta,16alpha,20alpha-triol. In addition, two metabolites tentatively identified as 5xi-pregnane-2xi,3xi,20xi-triol and 2xi,3xi,16xi-trihydroxy-5xi-pregnan-20-one, have not been reported as occcurring in urine from pregnant women. The 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol was detected only in the third trimester of pregnancy and the urinary excretion values are between 320 and 650 microgram per 24 h. With the present data, it is not possible to establish the precursor(s) of this steroid. However, these results tentatively suggest that 5beta-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha,21-triol arises from foeto-placental unit.", "PMID": 630058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8336", "title": "Quantitative determination of tiamenidine hydrochloride in human serum using gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "A method has been developed for the blood level determination of the antihypertensive agent tiamenidine hydrochloride. The serum samples are mixed with deuterium labelled tiamenidine hydrochloride as an internal standard and extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts are derivatized with heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride and analysed by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry using the selected ion monitoring technique to measure the molecular ion intensities of the bis-heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of tiamenidine hydrochloride and of the internal standard. Using 5 ml serum, the limit of detection is 0.2 ng ml-1 with an accuracy of +/- 0.17 ng (Syx of the calibration curve).", "contents": "Quantitative determination of tiamenidine hydrochloride in human serum using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A method has been developed for the blood level determination of the antihypertensive agent tiamenidine hydrochloride. The serum samples are mixed with deuterium labelled tiamenidine hydrochloride as an internal standard and extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts are derivatized with heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride and analysed by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry using the selected ion monitoring technique to measure the molecular ion intensities of the bis-heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of tiamenidine hydrochloride and of the internal standard. Using 5 ml serum, the limit of detection is 0.2 ng ml-1 with an accuracy of +/- 0.17 ng (Syx of the calibration curve).", "PMID": 630059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8337", "title": "Abnormal metabolites of isoleucine in a patient with propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency.", "content": "A number of previously unrecognized abnormal metabolites have been identified and quantitated in the urine of a patient with an inherited deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. These included the isoleucine metabolites 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and 2-methylacetoacetic acid. These isomers 3-hydroxyvaleric acid and 3-oxovaleric acid were found, which may be products of the condensation of propionyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA catalyzed by 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolases. Following a load of isoleucine, 2-methylbutyrylglycine was identified. This metabolite has not previously been observed in man.", "contents": "Abnormal metabolites of isoleucine in a patient with propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency. A number of previously unrecognized abnormal metabolites have been identified and quantitated in the urine of a patient with an inherited deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. These included the isoleucine metabolites 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyric acid and 2-methylacetoacetic acid. These isomers 3-hydroxyvaleric acid and 3-oxovaleric acid were found, which may be products of the condensation of propionyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA catalyzed by 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolases. Following a load of isoleucine, 2-methylbutyrylglycine was identified. This metabolite has not previously been observed in man.", "PMID": 630060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8338", "title": "Quantitative field desorption mass spectrometry. V. Discussion of methodology and examples of applications.", "content": "The possibilities for the application of field desorption mass spectrometry in quantitative analyses are described and evaluated. The advantages of and the sources of errors in the use of different standards as well as in the application of different methods such as photographic detection, single ion monitoring, repetitive scanning, selected ion monitoring, and double ion detection are illustrated by representative examples. Sensitivity and precision of the different techniques are evaluated. Most importantly, the use of stable isotope labelled compounds as internal standards has enabled quantitative determination with good precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the methods, examples of applications are presented and the scope of quantitative analysis with field desorption mass spectrometry is discussed.", "contents": "Quantitative field desorption mass spectrometry. V. Discussion of methodology and examples of applications. The possibilities for the application of field desorption mass spectrometry in quantitative analyses are described and evaluated. The advantages of and the sources of errors in the use of different standards as well as in the application of different methods such as photographic detection, single ion monitoring, repetitive scanning, selected ion monitoring, and double ion detection are illustrated by representative examples. Sensitivity and precision of the different techniques are evaluated. Most importantly, the use of stable isotope labelled compounds as internal standards has enabled quantitative determination with good precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the methods, examples of applications are presented and the scope of quantitative analysis with field desorption mass spectrometry is discussed.", "PMID": 630061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8339", "title": "A highly specific and sensitive determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "A procedure for the identification and quantification of picomole quantities of gamma-aminobutyric acid in tissue samples is given. This procedure combines the chemical specificity of dinitrophenylation with that of gas chromatography mass spectrometry to eliminate the interferences encountered with other direct derivatization procedures. Only a limited number of dinitrophenyl amino acid ethyl esters and some fatty ethyl esters are detected in the solution used for analysis. Identification is based on retention time and on the relative abundances of the three major ion fragments of the gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative. Quantitation is accomplished using isotope dilution techniques with [2H2]gamma-aminobutyric acid as an internal standard. The procedure has been successfully applied to samples of human cerebrospinal fluid and to extracts of ganglia from the mollusc, Aplysia californica.", "contents": "A highly specific and sensitive determination of gamma-aminobutyric acid by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A procedure for the identification and quantification of picomole quantities of gamma-aminobutyric acid in tissue samples is given. This procedure combines the chemical specificity of dinitrophenylation with that of gas chromatography mass spectrometry to eliminate the interferences encountered with other direct derivatization procedures. Only a limited number of dinitrophenyl amino acid ethyl esters and some fatty ethyl esters are detected in the solution used for analysis. Identification is based on retention time and on the relative abundances of the three major ion fragments of the gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative. Quantitation is accomplished using isotope dilution techniques with [2H2]gamma-aminobutyric acid as an internal standard. The procedure has been successfully applied to samples of human cerebrospinal fluid and to extracts of ganglia from the mollusc, Aplysia californica.", "PMID": 630062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8340", "title": "Quantitative determination of nifedipine in human plasma by selected ion monitoring.", "content": "A highly sensitive and specific method for the determination of nifedipine in plasma is described. Nifedipine was oxidized to its pyridine analogue with nitrous acid and determined by selected ion monitoring. Deuterium labeled nifedipine was used as an internal standard. Plasma levels as low as 5 ng ml-1 were measured. The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by obtaining plasma concentration curves for humans after an oral dose of 10 mg.", "contents": "Quantitative determination of nifedipine in human plasma by selected ion monitoring. A highly sensitive and specific method for the determination of nifedipine in plasma is described. Nifedipine was oxidized to its pyridine analogue with nitrous acid and determined by selected ion monitoring. Deuterium labeled nifedipine was used as an internal standard. Plasma levels as low as 5 ng ml-1 were measured. The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by obtaining plasma concentration curves for humans after an oral dose of 10 mg.", "PMID": 630063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8341", "title": "Identification of hydroxylated chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodibenzofurans, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes as their methyl ethers by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "The methyl ethers of a number of hydroxylated (poly)chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodibenzofurans, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes, representing all different hydroxy substitutions, were synthesized and their mass spectra investigated. With the exception of the methoxy derivatives of the chlorodibenzofurans, it appeared that the mass fragmentation patterns of the structural isomers of each class of compounds were very specific and allowed unambiguous assignment of the position of the methoxy group in the molecule. The different fragmentation patterns can be explained in terms of plausible mechanisms resulting in stable charge delocalized (oxonium) ions. Because of its diagnostic value, this method is useful in the structure elucidation of hydroxylated metabolites of pure isomers of chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes.", "contents": "Identification of hydroxylated chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodibenzofurans, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes as their methyl ethers by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The methyl ethers of a number of hydroxylated (poly)chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodibenzofurans, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes, representing all different hydroxy substitutions, were synthesized and their mass spectra investigated. With the exception of the methoxy derivatives of the chlorodibenzofurans, it appeared that the mass fragmentation patterns of the structural isomers of each class of compounds were very specific and allowed unambiguous assignment of the position of the methoxy group in the molecule. The different fragmentation patterns can be explained in terms of plausible mechanisms resulting in stable charge delocalized (oxonium) ions. Because of its diagnostic value, this method is useful in the structure elucidation of hydroxylated metabolites of pure isomers of chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, chlorodiphenyl ethers and chloronaphthalenes.", "PMID": 630064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8342", "title": "Identification of ejaculate derived propylamine found in collagen sponge contraceptives.", "content": "Propylamine is identified as one of the compounds present in odoriferous intravaginal contraceptive sponges from sexually active women. This compound also appears in samples of human ejaculate incubated at 37 degrees C for seven days. We have identified propylamine by gas liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and as N-propylbenzoylamide. Evidently the compound forms enzymatically from spermine and spermidine. We believe that this is the first time that propylamine has been identified as forming from human tissue.", "contents": "Identification of ejaculate derived propylamine found in collagen sponge contraceptives. Propylamine is identified as one of the compounds present in odoriferous intravaginal contraceptive sponges from sexually active women. This compound also appears in samples of human ejaculate incubated at 37 degrees C for seven days. We have identified propylamine by gas liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy and as N-propylbenzoylamide. Evidently the compound forms enzymatically from spermine and spermidine. We believe that this is the first time that propylamine has been identified as forming from human tissue.", "PMID": 630065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8343", "title": "Some considerations on quantitative methodology and detection limits in organic mass spectrometry.", "content": "Mass spectrometric sensitivity data for the compounds cholesterol, cholestane, DDT, decafluorotriphenylphosphine, morphine, LSD and methyl stearate have been developed over a period of time and under a variety of conditions. This information is presented on both a relative and an absolute basis. With the exception of morphine, relative sensitivies were reproducible to within a factor of three over a six month period. This reproducibility facilitates quantitation and a single standard can be used for calibration of organic compounds from various classes. Detection limits of 50 femtograms for LSD are realized for samples introduced via the direct inlet probe.", "contents": "Some considerations on quantitative methodology and detection limits in organic mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometric sensitivity data for the compounds cholesterol, cholestane, DDT, decafluorotriphenylphosphine, morphine, LSD and methyl stearate have been developed over a period of time and under a variety of conditions. This information is presented on both a relative and an absolute basis. With the exception of morphine, relative sensitivies were reproducible to within a factor of three over a six month period. This reproducibility facilitates quantitation and a single standard can be used for calibration of organic compounds from various classes. Detection limits of 50 femtograms for LSD are realized for samples introduced via the direct inlet probe.", "PMID": 630066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8344", "title": "Determination of imipramine in plasma by high pressure liquid chromatography and field ionization mass spectrometry: increased sensitivity in comparison with gas chromatography mass spectrometry.", "content": "A quantitative method is reported for the determination of imipramine in plasma samples in the low nanogram and subnanogram range. The sensitivity and precision of the technique, which involves high pressure liquid chromatography and direct probe field ionization mass spectrometry, are approximately an order of magnitude greater than are offered by gas chromatography mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring using deuterated or other types of internal standards. [2H6]Imipramine, labeled in the ethylene bridge and in the aromatic rings, serves as the isotopic diluent. The method has been used for the determination of the comparative bioavailabilities of two different commercial preparations of imipramine. In these tests, subjects ingested a 25 mg tablet of one or the other drug preparation together with a solution containing an equivalent amount of imipramine deuterated in the ethylene bridge ([2H2]imipramine). The latter served as an internal check for intrasubject variability in absorption of the imipramine tablets. Typical results from one of the subjects are presented.", "contents": "Determination of imipramine in plasma by high pressure liquid chromatography and field ionization mass spectrometry: increased sensitivity in comparison with gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A quantitative method is reported for the determination of imipramine in plasma samples in the low nanogram and subnanogram range. The sensitivity and precision of the technique, which involves high pressure liquid chromatography and direct probe field ionization mass spectrometry, are approximately an order of magnitude greater than are offered by gas chromatography mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring using deuterated or other types of internal standards. [2H6]Imipramine, labeled in the ethylene bridge and in the aromatic rings, serves as the isotopic diluent. The method has been used for the determination of the comparative bioavailabilities of two different commercial preparations of imipramine. In these tests, subjects ingested a 25 mg tablet of one or the other drug preparation together with a solution containing an equivalent amount of imipramine deuterated in the ethylene bridge ([2H2]imipramine). The latter served as an internal check for intrasubject variability in absorption of the imipramine tablets. Typical results from one of the subjects are presented.", "PMID": 630067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8345", "title": "Analysis of double-substrate limited growth.", "content": "Mathematical models which relate the growth rate of a microorganism to a single limiting substrate concentration have long been established. In recent years, it has become apparent that, under certain conditions, the growth rate of an organism may be simultaneously limited by two or more substrates. Mathematical models of double-substrate limitation fall into two categories: interactive and noninteractive models. A discussion of both types of models is presented in both conceptual and mathematical terms. An analogous case of an enzyme which requires two different substrates to produce a single product is presented. This enzyme analog indicates that both types of double-substrate limitation models appear to be feasible under certain conditions. Based upon stoichiometry and specific growth rate-substrate concentration contour plots, a method for determining the operational conditions which will lead to double-substrate limitation is presented.", "contents": "Analysis of double-substrate limited growth. Mathematical models which relate the growth rate of a microorganism to a single limiting substrate concentration have long been established. In recent years, it has become apparent that, under certain conditions, the growth rate of an organism may be simultaneously limited by two or more substrates. Mathematical models of double-substrate limitation fall into two categories: interactive and noninteractive models. A discussion of both types of models is presented in both conceptual and mathematical terms. An analogous case of an enzyme which requires two different substrates to produce a single product is presented. This enzyme analog indicates that both types of double-substrate limitation models appear to be feasible under certain conditions. Based upon stoichiometry and specific growth rate-substrate concentration contour plots, a method for determining the operational conditions which will lead to double-substrate limitation is presented.", "PMID": 630068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8346", "title": "Pectinolytic activity of Saccharomyces fragilis cultured in controlled environments.", "content": "Seven of 30 yeast stock cultures, covering nine genera, and 13 of 39 yeasts isolated from grapes gave positive reactions when screened for pectinolytic activity on pectin gel plates. The seven stock cultures covered six species and four genera. Only one of the yeasts, Saccharomyces fragilis Y49, excreted discernible pectinolytic activity into the fluid of shake flask cultures; the activity was partially constitutive and was repressed by high oxygen tensions.", "contents": "Pectinolytic activity of Saccharomyces fragilis cultured in controlled environments. Seven of 30 yeast stock cultures, covering nine genera, and 13 of 39 yeasts isolated from grapes gave positive reactions when screened for pectinolytic activity on pectin gel plates. The seven stock cultures covered six species and four genera. Only one of the yeasts, Saccharomyces fragilis Y49, excreted discernible pectinolytic activity into the fluid of shake flask cultures; the activity was partially constitutive and was repressed by high oxygen tensions.", "PMID": 630069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8347", "title": "[Structural-functional organization of hemostatic clots].", "content": "The studies were carried out to verify the hypothesis on the structural-functional organization of the hemostatic clot. For this purpose the influence of the platelets and their aggregate condition on the mechanical properties of the clot was investigated. Redistribution of platelets into aggregated, caused by addition of ADP and mixing, led to the inhibition of the clot retraction. This was reflected in the form of reduction of am on the thromboelastogram. Simultaneous recording of thrombloelastogram, coagulbbogram, and platelet degranulation demonstrated that processes of viscid metamorphosis of platelets and fibrin filaments sedimentation were followed by active clot contraction. The clot is a fibrin-platelet structure whose nodes contain blood platelets, and cells--the rest blood elements. The clot retraction takes place due to contractile properties of platelets.", "contents": "[Structural-functional organization of hemostatic clots]. The studies were carried out to verify the hypothesis on the structural-functional organization of the hemostatic clot. For this purpose the influence of the platelets and their aggregate condition on the mechanical properties of the clot was investigated. Redistribution of platelets into aggregated, caused by addition of ADP and mixing, led to the inhibition of the clot retraction. This was reflected in the form of reduction of am on the thromboelastogram. Simultaneous recording of thrombloelastogram, coagulbbogram, and platelet degranulation demonstrated that processes of viscid metamorphosis of platelets and fibrin filaments sedimentation were followed by active clot contraction. The clot is a fibrin-platelet structure whose nodes contain blood platelets, and cells--the rest blood elements. The clot retraction takes place due to contractile properties of platelets.", "PMID": 630079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8348", "title": "[Effect of oxytocin on the electrical potential and ion permeability of the apical membrane of frog gall bladder epithelial cells].", "content": "The influence of oxytocin on the intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations, the level of transmembrane potential differences, and on the relative ionic permeability (PNa/PK) of the apical zones of the superficial epithelium membrane was studied in experiments on the isolated frog gallbladder (GB). Oxytocine introduced into the outer incubation solution in a dose of 20 mulliunits/ml caused a reduction of transmembrane potential difference, and an increase of PNa/pk coefficient and an insignificant shift of the Na+ and K+ concentrations in the intracellular medium. Thirty minutes after the oxytocine action of the organ the membrane potential (MP) of the cells decreased from 52.7 mV to 38.7 mV (the cell is negatively charged inside), and PNa/PK increased from 0,083 (control) to 0,175 (test) with a simultaneous increase in the intracellular Na+ concentration by 18.3 milliequiv./kg of (H2O)i. Such a shift in the intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations may cause a decrease of the MP by only--0.7 mV, but actually the membrane potential decreased by--14.0 mV. Thus, the reduction of the transmembrane potential difference results from increase of PNa/PK under the influence of oxytocine. No electrogenic ionic transport through the apical membrane of frog gallbladder epithelial cells was revealed.", "contents": "[Effect of oxytocin on the electrical potential and ion permeability of the apical membrane of frog gall bladder epithelial cells]. The influence of oxytocin on the intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations, the level of transmembrane potential differences, and on the relative ionic permeability (PNa/PK) of the apical zones of the superficial epithelium membrane was studied in experiments on the isolated frog gallbladder (GB). Oxytocine introduced into the outer incubation solution in a dose of 20 mulliunits/ml caused a reduction of transmembrane potential difference, and an increase of PNa/pk coefficient and an insignificant shift of the Na+ and K+ concentrations in the intracellular medium. Thirty minutes after the oxytocine action of the organ the membrane potential (MP) of the cells decreased from 52.7 mV to 38.7 mV (the cell is negatively charged inside), and PNa/PK increased from 0,083 (control) to 0,175 (test) with a simultaneous increase in the intracellular Na+ concentration by 18.3 milliequiv./kg of (H2O)i. Such a shift in the intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations may cause a decrease of the MP by only--0.7 mV, but actually the membrane potential decreased by--14.0 mV. Thus, the reduction of the transmembrane potential difference results from increase of PNa/PK under the influence of oxytocine. No electrogenic ionic transport through the apical membrane of frog gallbladder epithelial cells was revealed.", "PMID": 630080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8349", "title": "[Role of the pituitary-adrenal system in mechanism regulating vascular permeability during stress].", "content": "Disturbances of the microvascular permeability were studied by the \"vascular labelling\" technique during the immobilization stress of hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized rats. Animals with sham operations served as controls. As revealed, hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy caused disturbances of vascular permeability in the mesentery. Vascular permeability disturbances in the hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized rats under conditions of immobilization were more expressed than in the sham-operated animals. Removal of the pituitary and adrenal glands produced mast cell degranulation at the earlier immobilization period.", "contents": "[Role of the pituitary-adrenal system in mechanism regulating vascular permeability during stress]. Disturbances of the microvascular permeability were studied by the \"vascular labelling\" technique during the immobilization stress of hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized rats. Animals with sham operations served as controls. As revealed, hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy caused disturbances of vascular permeability in the mesentery. Vascular permeability disturbances in the hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized rats under conditions of immobilization were more expressed than in the sham-operated animals. Removal of the pituitary and adrenal glands produced mast cell degranulation at the earlier immobilization period.", "PMID": 630081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8350", "title": "[Comparative assessment of contra- and ipsiversive reactions induced by electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus in cats].", "content": "High-frequency stimulation of the caudate nucleus provoked 2 types of rotatory movements of the head and body in the contra- and ipsilateral direction in unrestricted cats. The contralateral rotations (CR) were provoked from a more extensive area chiefly occupying the dorso-mediocentral portions of the head of the nucleus. In difference from them, the ipsilateral rotations (IR) originated from the ventro-lateral area, possessed tonic component more frequently, were more pronounced and less sensitive to L-DOPA and chlorpromazine. Unilateral damage of the area of CR led to the ipsilateral pose asymmetry. When this asymmetry disappeared administration of L-DOPA or apomorphine readily provoked rotation in the same direction. Destruction of the areas in which the ipsilateral reactions originated gave an opposite result.", "contents": "[Comparative assessment of contra- and ipsiversive reactions induced by electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus in cats]. High-frequency stimulation of the caudate nucleus provoked 2 types of rotatory movements of the head and body in the contra- and ipsilateral direction in unrestricted cats. The contralateral rotations (CR) were provoked from a more extensive area chiefly occupying the dorso-mediocentral portions of the head of the nucleus. In difference from them, the ipsilateral rotations (IR) originated from the ventro-lateral area, possessed tonic component more frequently, were more pronounced and less sensitive to L-DOPA and chlorpromazine. Unilateral damage of the area of CR led to the ipsilateral pose asymmetry. When this asymmetry disappeared administration of L-DOPA or apomorphine readily provoked rotation in the same direction. Destruction of the areas in which the ipsilateral reactions originated gave an opposite result.", "PMID": 630082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8351", "title": "[Analgesia induced by creation of a generator of excitation in the midbrain].", "content": "Experiments were conducted on albino rats. An excitation generator in the dorsal nucleus of the midbrain raphe was created by means of tetanus toxin. Formation of the excitation generator in this nucleus led to the development of general analgesia, expressed against physiological pain (nociceptive stimulation) and the central pathological pain (pain syndrome of spinal origin). A conclusion was drawn that prolonged analgesia occurring in activation of certain structures of the brain was caused by the origination in them of excitation generators causing prolonged activation of these structures.", "contents": "[Analgesia induced by creation of a generator of excitation in the midbrain]. Experiments were conducted on albino rats. An excitation generator in the dorsal nucleus of the midbrain raphe was created by means of tetanus toxin. Formation of the excitation generator in this nucleus led to the development of general analgesia, expressed against physiological pain (nociceptive stimulation) and the central pathological pain (pain syndrome of spinal origin). A conclusion was drawn that prolonged analgesia occurring in activation of certain structures of the brain was caused by the origination in them of excitation generators causing prolonged activation of these structures.", "PMID": 630083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8352", "title": "[Determination of local muscular blood flow in the hindlimbs of dogs following electrolysis of conducting vascular prostheses previously implanted in the abdominal portion of the aorta].", "content": "Peripheral blood flow in the posterior limbs in electrolysis of electroconductive vascular prosthesis preliminarily implanted into the abdominal aorta was experimentally determined on 25 mongrel dogs. Following reestablishment of the main blood flow a positive electrical potential (3--4 V) was fed on the prosthesis by means of a current conductor. Tissue blood flow was radiographically studied with xenon-133. Results of this investigation showed that during feeding the positive potential to the electroconductive prosthesis an increase of tissue blood flow occurred in the canine posterior limbs. After the cessation of the current feeding to the prosthesis the tissue blood flow occurred in the canine posterior limbs. After the cessation of the current feeding to the prosthesis the tissue blood flow decreased to the initial values. A conclusion was drawn that a positive potential from the source of direct current should be fed constantly to the electroconductive prosthesis or prolonged stable tissue blood flow increase.", "contents": "[Determination of local muscular blood flow in the hindlimbs of dogs following electrolysis of conducting vascular prostheses previously implanted in the abdominal portion of the aorta]. Peripheral blood flow in the posterior limbs in electrolysis of electroconductive vascular prosthesis preliminarily implanted into the abdominal aorta was experimentally determined on 25 mongrel dogs. Following reestablishment of the main blood flow a positive electrical potential (3--4 V) was fed on the prosthesis by means of a current conductor. Tissue blood flow was radiographically studied with xenon-133. Results of this investigation showed that during feeding the positive potential to the electroconductive prosthesis an increase of tissue blood flow occurred in the canine posterior limbs. After the cessation of the current feeding to the prosthesis the tissue blood flow occurred in the canine posterior limbs. After the cessation of the current feeding to the prosthesis the tissue blood flow decreased to the initial values. A conclusion was drawn that a positive potential from the source of direct current should be fed constantly to the electroconductive prosthesis or prolonged stable tissue blood flow increase.", "PMID": 630084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8353", "title": "[Blood cholesterol and hepatic bile secreting function in rats of different ages under normal conditions and after maintenance of an atherogenic diet].", "content": "The quantity of bile secreted during 24 hours and the concentration of total bile acids in adult 11--12-months-old and aged 27--29-month-old rats were determined by cannulation of common bile duct. As revealed, the difference in bile acid production and in the concentrations of cholesterol fractions in the liver and plasma between the adult and aged rats on a standard diet was insignificant. But the excretion of bile acids was markedly elevated both in adult and aged rats on atherogenous diet. The level of total and ester cholesterol in the plasma was higher in aged rats than in adult animals.", "contents": "[Blood cholesterol and hepatic bile secreting function in rats of different ages under normal conditions and after maintenance of an atherogenic diet]. The quantity of bile secreted during 24 hours and the concentration of total bile acids in adult 11--12-months-old and aged 27--29-month-old rats were determined by cannulation of common bile duct. As revealed, the difference in bile acid production and in the concentrations of cholesterol fractions in the liver and plasma between the adult and aged rats on a standard diet was insignificant. But the excretion of bile acids was markedly elevated both in adult and aged rats on atherogenous diet. The level of total and ester cholesterol in the plasma was higher in aged rats than in adult animals.", "PMID": 630085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8354", "title": "[Concentration of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the lymphoid elements of peripheral blood and the hematopoietic organs of intact rats and mice].", "content": "The content of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the intact mongrel rats in the lymphoid elements of the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymphoid organs (the thymus, spleen, lymph node) was studied. The mean values of the percentage of cells containing the enzymes were obtained; their organ and specific characteristics is presented.", "contents": "[Concentration of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the lymphoid elements of peripheral blood and the hematopoietic organs of intact rats and mice]. The content of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the intact mongrel rats in the lymphoid elements of the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymphoid organs (the thymus, spleen, lymph node) was studied. The mean values of the percentage of cells containing the enzymes were obtained; their organ and specific characteristics is presented.", "PMID": 630086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8355", "title": "[Effect of O,N'=dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane and pertan in vitro on glutathione reductase activity in the adrenals of dogs and guinea pigs].", "content": "Glutathione reductase is activated by o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichlorethane (o,p'-DDD) and pertan added in a concentration of 312 micrometer to the homogenate and cytoplasmic fraction of the dog adrenals. At a concentration of 156 micrometer o,p'-DDD and pertan failed to influence the glutathione reductase activity of the dog adrenal glands. Added in vitro, o,p'-DDD and pertan activate glutatione reductase of the quinea pig adrenal glands. O,p'-DDD does not affect the glutathione reductase activity of the liver and kidney cytoplasmic fraction in dogs. This observation confirms the high specificity of o,p'-DDD action on the adrenal glands.", "contents": "[Effect of O,N'=dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane and pertan in vitro on glutathione reductase activity in the adrenals of dogs and guinea pigs]. Glutathione reductase is activated by o,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichlorethane (o,p'-DDD) and pertan added in a concentration of 312 micrometer to the homogenate and cytoplasmic fraction of the dog adrenals. At a concentration of 156 micrometer o,p'-DDD and pertan failed to influence the glutathione reductase activity of the dog adrenal glands. Added in vitro, o,p'-DDD and pertan activate glutatione reductase of the quinea pig adrenal glands. O,p'-DDD does not affect the glutathione reductase activity of the liver and kidney cytoplasmic fraction in dogs. This observation confirms the high specificity of o,p'-DDD action on the adrenal glands.", "PMID": 630087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8356", "title": "[Resynthesis of rhodopsin in rats with hereditary retinal dystrophy].", "content": "Resynthesis of rhodopsin both in the retina and the eye cup was studied in albino rats (Campbell line) and in rats with pigmented eyes (Hunter line) with hereditary retinal dystrophy. Wistar rats and those of MSU line were used as controls, respectively. The rate of resynthesis of rhodopsin after its bleaching in the retina of dystrophic animals appeared to be much less than that in the normal ones, and decreased during the disease. When clear morphological changes were seen, only 50% of the previously bleached pigment was capable of regeneration during 2 hours of dark adaptation, the time being quite adequate for complete regeneration of rhodopsin in normal animals. It was found that in Campbell and Hunter rats breakdown and resynthesis of rhodopsin takes place not only in the retina but also in the layer of outer segment debris of photoreceptors located between the pigment epithelium cells and the retina.", "contents": "[Resynthesis of rhodopsin in rats with hereditary retinal dystrophy]. Resynthesis of rhodopsin both in the retina and the eye cup was studied in albino rats (Campbell line) and in rats with pigmented eyes (Hunter line) with hereditary retinal dystrophy. Wistar rats and those of MSU line were used as controls, respectively. The rate of resynthesis of rhodopsin after its bleaching in the retina of dystrophic animals appeared to be much less than that in the normal ones, and decreased during the disease. When clear morphological changes were seen, only 50% of the previously bleached pigment was capable of regeneration during 2 hours of dark adaptation, the time being quite adequate for complete regeneration of rhodopsin in normal animals. It was found that in Campbell and Hunter rats breakdown and resynthesis of rhodopsin takes place not only in the retina but also in the layer of outer segment debris of photoreceptors located between the pigment epithelium cells and the retina.", "PMID": 630088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8357", "title": "[Recovery responses in the bodies of rats following irradiation with microwaves (2400 MHz)].", "content": "During microwave irradiation (SHF-field, 2400 Mc/s) of rats in the range of capacity density of from 100 mW/cm2 to 800 mW/cm2 the function of regenerative effect and the time interval between the irradiation cycles (power densityconst) approximates the logistic one, whereas that of the power density and the time interval between the irradiation cycles (regeneration level = const) approximates the linear one.", "contents": "[Recovery responses in the bodies of rats following irradiation with microwaves (2400 MHz)]. During microwave irradiation (SHF-field, 2400 Mc/s) of rats in the range of capacity density of from 100 mW/cm2 to 800 mW/cm2 the function of regenerative effect and the time interval between the irradiation cycles (power densityconst) approximates the logistic one, whereas that of the power density and the time interval between the irradiation cycles (regeneration level = const) approximates the linear one.", "PMID": 630089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8358", "title": "[Tryptophan uptake by glia and synaptosomes of rabbit cerebral cortex].", "content": "The authors studied the engulfment of L-tryptophane-14C by gliacytes and synaptosomes of the rabbit cerebral cortex. The system of engulfment of the gliacytes was characterized by a high affinity to tryptophane (Km = 0.8 micrometer). Engulfment of tryptophane by synaptosomes had a lower affinity (Km = 50 micrometer). Psychotropic substances--chlorpromazine and imipramine produced an inhibitory influence on glial engulfment. The leading role of gliacytes in the trophic provision of the neurons and the normal course of neurodynamic processes is confirmed.", "contents": "[Tryptophan uptake by glia and synaptosomes of rabbit cerebral cortex]. The authors studied the engulfment of L-tryptophane-14C by gliacytes and synaptosomes of the rabbit cerebral cortex. The system of engulfment of the gliacytes was characterized by a high affinity to tryptophane (Km = 0.8 micrometer). Engulfment of tryptophane by synaptosomes had a lower affinity (Km = 50 micrometer). Psychotropic substances--chlorpromazine and imipramine produced an inhibitory influence on glial engulfment. The leading role of gliacytes in the trophic provision of the neurons and the normal course of neurodynamic processes is confirmed.", "PMID": 630090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8359", "title": "[Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives on sleep disorders in neuroses].", "content": "Electropolygraphic studies showed that under gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) derivatives various neurotic patients with sleep disorders had a tendency towards an increase in total sleep duration due to an accretion of basic sleep stages (the 2nd stage, delta-sleep, and rapid sleep), a statistically significant reduction in the number of spontaneous wake-ups, time of awakedness during night and the movements activation index. A detailed analysis of some electrographic data within the sleep stages revealed a tendency towards an increase in number of the 2nd stage sleep spindles, of delta-index in the 3rd and 4th sleep stages, as well as an increase in the average readings of rapid eye movements in the absence of any marked changes in their specific occurrence per time unit. GABA derivatives in the used dosage caused similar changes in the sleep patterns in case of its disturbances, with a relatively more pronounced action of sodium oxybutyrate.", "contents": "[Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives on sleep disorders in neuroses]. Electropolygraphic studies showed that under gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) derivatives various neurotic patients with sleep disorders had a tendency towards an increase in total sleep duration due to an accretion of basic sleep stages (the 2nd stage, delta-sleep, and rapid sleep), a statistically significant reduction in the number of spontaneous wake-ups, time of awakedness during night and the movements activation index. A detailed analysis of some electrographic data within the sleep stages revealed a tendency towards an increase in number of the 2nd stage sleep spindles, of delta-index in the 3rd and 4th sleep stages, as well as an increase in the average readings of rapid eye movements in the absence of any marked changes in their specific occurrence per time unit. GABA derivatives in the used dosage caused similar changes in the sleep patterns in case of its disturbances, with a relatively more pronounced action of sodium oxybutyrate.", "PMID": 630091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8360", "title": "[Effect of papaverine on the tonus and contraction of depolarized taenia coli musculature in guinea pigs].", "content": "Experiments were performed on the isolated strips of guinea pig taenia coli. The smooth muscle was depolarized in a solution with high potassium concentration (120 mM KCl). The effect of papaverine (in concentration of from 10(-5) to 3.10(-5) g/ml) on the tonus and the contractile off-response originating after the ending of longlasting strong polarizing current was investigated. It was found that: 1) papaverine abolished the concentrations induced by drugs (histamine, acetylcholine, bradykinin); 2) papaverine reduced the tonus of depolarized muscle and eliminated its increase under the effect of a rise of the external calcium concentration; 3) papaverine had no effect on the amplitude and the ascending phase of the contractile off-response; 4) papaverine accelerated the discending phase of the contractile off-response. The data obtained suggest: 1) there are chemoexcitable calcium channels in the cellular membrane which are blocked by papaverin; 2) there are calcium \"leakage\" channels in the cellular membrane responsible for the tone maintenance which are blocked by papaverine; 3) papaverine has a negligible effect on the electroexcitable calcium channels.", "contents": "[Effect of papaverine on the tonus and contraction of depolarized taenia coli musculature in guinea pigs]. Experiments were performed on the isolated strips of guinea pig taenia coli. The smooth muscle was depolarized in a solution with high potassium concentration (120 mM KCl). The effect of papaverine (in concentration of from 10(-5) to 3.10(-5) g/ml) on the tonus and the contractile off-response originating after the ending of longlasting strong polarizing current was investigated. It was found that: 1) papaverine abolished the concentrations induced by drugs (histamine, acetylcholine, bradykinin); 2) papaverine reduced the tonus of depolarized muscle and eliminated its increase under the effect of a rise of the external calcium concentration; 3) papaverine had no effect on the amplitude and the ascending phase of the contractile off-response; 4) papaverine accelerated the discending phase of the contractile off-response. The data obtained suggest: 1) there are chemoexcitable calcium channels in the cellular membrane which are blocked by papaverin; 2) there are calcium \"leakage\" channels in the cellular membrane responsible for the tone maintenance which are blocked by papaverine; 3) papaverine has a negligible effect on the electroexcitable calcium channels.", "PMID": 630092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8361", "title": "[Effect of dopamine on gastric smooth muscle in rats and characteristics of the alpha-adrenoreceptors of gastrointestinal tract muscle cells].", "content": "Dopamine and phenylephrine decreased the tone of the smooth muscles of the isolated rat stomach strips in concentractions of 10(-6) M and higher. The curves of the concentration-effect have the same slope. Dopamine effects are unchanged in the presence of propranolole (5.10(-6) g/ml). Phentholamine (as well as dihydroergotamine and tropaphen) shows an equal degree of antagonism towards both phenylephrine and dopamine. It is suggested that dopamine and phenylephrine relax the stomach muscles by influencing the alpha-adrenoreceptors. The latter differe from alpha-adrenoreceptors of the ejaculatory duct of rats by a high sensitivity to the blocking influence of some neuroleptics--haloperidol, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, pA2 for which (8.11--8.64) is of the same range as pA2 for alpha-adrenolytic drugs (7.76--8.46). The features of resemblance and difference between alpha-adrenoreceptors of the gastrointestinal tract muscles and the inhibitory dopamine receptors of the nerve cells are being discussed.", "contents": "[Effect of dopamine on gastric smooth muscle in rats and characteristics of the alpha-adrenoreceptors of gastrointestinal tract muscle cells]. Dopamine and phenylephrine decreased the tone of the smooth muscles of the isolated rat stomach strips in concentractions of 10(-6) M and higher. The curves of the concentration-effect have the same slope. Dopamine effects are unchanged in the presence of propranolole (5.10(-6) g/ml). Phentholamine (as well as dihydroergotamine and tropaphen) shows an equal degree of antagonism towards both phenylephrine and dopamine. It is suggested that dopamine and phenylephrine relax the stomach muscles by influencing the alpha-adrenoreceptors. The latter differe from alpha-adrenoreceptors of the ejaculatory duct of rats by a high sensitivity to the blocking influence of some neuroleptics--haloperidol, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, pA2 for which (8.11--8.64) is of the same range as pA2 for alpha-adrenolytic drugs (7.76--8.46). The features of resemblance and difference between alpha-adrenoreceptors of the gastrointestinal tract muscles and the inhibitory dopamine receptors of the nerve cells are being discussed.", "PMID": 630093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8362", "title": "[Antibody-forming cells in rat spleen following midbrain injury].", "content": "The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen of rats immunized with sheep red blood cells after the injury of the anterior or the posterior portions of the medial hypothalamus, and also of the thalamus displayed no significant difference from the number of PFC in the spleen of intact animals. The titres of hemolysing and hemagglutinating antibodies in the animals with injuries of the mid-brain were somewhat lower than in the intact animals. A reduction of the circularing antibodies level was not associated with localization of the foci of injury and apparently served as the sequence of the craniocerebral trauma.", "contents": "[Antibody-forming cells in rat spleen following midbrain injury]. The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen of rats immunized with sheep red blood cells after the injury of the anterior or the posterior portions of the medial hypothalamus, and also of the thalamus displayed no significant difference from the number of PFC in the spleen of intact animals. The titres of hemolysing and hemagglutinating antibodies in the animals with injuries of the mid-brain were somewhat lower than in the intact animals. A reduction of the circularing antibodies level was not associated with localization of the foci of injury and apparently served as the sequence of the craniocerebral trauma.", "PMID": 630094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8363", "title": "[Effect of enzymes involved in the contact phase of blood clotting on the functional activity of neutrophils related to phagocytosis].", "content": "The influence of the product of blood coagulation contact phase of factor XII and of its activated form on the reduction reaction of nitrobule terazolium by human neutrophils was investigated. In all the cases the product of blood coagulation contact phase induced substantial stimulation of neutrophils. The neutrophil reactions with factor XII were irregular. They were more regular and intensive after the activation of this factor. An assumption was made on the mediated influence of the product of blood coagulation contact phase on neutrophils through the activation of intercommunicated blood plasma enzyme systems.", "contents": "[Effect of enzymes involved in the contact phase of blood clotting on the functional activity of neutrophils related to phagocytosis]. The influence of the product of blood coagulation contact phase of factor XII and of its activated form on the reduction reaction of nitrobule terazolium by human neutrophils was investigated. In all the cases the product of blood coagulation contact phase induced substantial stimulation of neutrophils. The neutrophil reactions with factor XII were irregular. They were more regular and intensive after the activation of this factor. An assumption was made on the mediated influence of the product of blood coagulation contact phase on neutrophils through the activation of intercommunicated blood plasma enzyme systems.", "PMID": 630095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8364", "title": "[Relationship between the effectiveness of the antitumor action of sarcolysine and the latency period between transplantation and tumor appearance].", "content": "Sarcoma induced with 3-methylcholantrene in mice was transplanted to syngeneic recipients. The latent period of the tumour growth varied from 7 to 26 days. Sarcolysine was injected once when the tumour became palpable. When the tumours were revealed 7 to 8 and 10 to 15 days after the inoculation, the tumour growth inhibition was accompanied by increased survival of mice, particularly marked at the latter period. When the tumours were revealed 17 to 20 or 22 to 26 days after the transplantation, inhibition of the tumour growth was not accompanied by any increase of survival.", "contents": "[Relationship between the effectiveness of the antitumor action of sarcolysine and the latency period between transplantation and tumor appearance]. Sarcoma induced with 3-methylcholantrene in mice was transplanted to syngeneic recipients. The latent period of the tumour growth varied from 7 to 26 days. Sarcolysine was injected once when the tumour became palpable. When the tumours were revealed 7 to 8 and 10 to 15 days after the inoculation, the tumour growth inhibition was accompanied by increased survival of mice, particularly marked at the latter period. When the tumours were revealed 17 to 20 or 22 to 26 days after the transplantation, inhibition of the tumour growth was not accompanied by any increase of survival.", "PMID": 630096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8365", "title": "[Liver tumors induced in mice by prenatal and postnatal administration of ortho-aminoazotoluene].", "content": "The authors studied the prenatal and postnatal blastomogenic action of orthoaminoazotoluol (OAAT) on the liver of CBA mice. OAAT was administered to mice intragastrically in oil solution, thrice, 4 mg each time (a total of 12 mg). Twelve months after the OAAT administration tumours of the liver during the postnatal period were revealed in 89.3% of female mice (11.5% in control), and in 78.7% of male mice (68.5% in control). In the experimental progeny subjected to OAA action during last 4--5 days of the prenatal period the liver tumours appeared in females at the age of 12 months in 54.8% of cases (5.3% in control), and in males--in 81.1% (35.2% in control). In this progeny, particularly in the male animals malignant neoplasms occurred more frequently than in the intact animals and those subjected to the action of OAAT during the postnatal period.", "contents": "[Liver tumors induced in mice by prenatal and postnatal administration of ortho-aminoazotoluene]. The authors studied the prenatal and postnatal blastomogenic action of orthoaminoazotoluol (OAAT) on the liver of CBA mice. OAAT was administered to mice intragastrically in oil solution, thrice, 4 mg each time (a total of 12 mg). Twelve months after the OAAT administration tumours of the liver during the postnatal period were revealed in 89.3% of female mice (11.5% in control), and in 78.7% of male mice (68.5% in control). In the experimental progeny subjected to OAA action during last 4--5 days of the prenatal period the liver tumours appeared in females at the age of 12 months in 54.8% of cases (5.3% in control), and in males--in 81.1% (35.2% in control). In this progeny, particularly in the male animals malignant neoplasms occurred more frequently than in the intact animals and those subjected to the action of OAAT during the postnatal period.", "PMID": 630097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8366", "title": "[Relationship between androgenization and differentiation of hypothalamic centers].", "content": "Dependence of the sterilizing action of androgen on differentiation of the hypothalamic centers was studied during the postnatal development of female rats. Asynhronous differentiation in the development of the arcuate nucleus (tonic centre) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (cyclic centre) was observed. Neurocytes of the arcuate nucleus started to produce secretory granules in 20-day embryos, while in the suprachiasmatic nucleus the neurocytes with secretory granules appeared in 5--7-day rats. Injection of testosterone propionate induced an anovulatory cycle in females the first 7 days after birth; this is associated with the inhibition of development of the hypothalamic cyclic centre.", "contents": "[Relationship between androgenization and differentiation of hypothalamic centers]. Dependence of the sterilizing action of androgen on differentiation of the hypothalamic centers was studied during the postnatal development of female rats. Asynhronous differentiation in the development of the arcuate nucleus (tonic centre) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (cyclic centre) was observed. Neurocytes of the arcuate nucleus started to produce secretory granules in 20-day embryos, while in the suprachiasmatic nucleus the neurocytes with secretory granules appeared in 5--7-day rats. Injection of testosterone propionate induced an anovulatory cycle in females the first 7 days after birth; this is associated with the inhibition of development of the hypothalamic cyclic centre.", "PMID": 630098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8367", "title": "[Microphotometric study of the activity of oxidative enzymes in the endometrial epithelium of rats following ovariectomy and administration of testosterone propionate].", "content": "A method of comparative microphotometry was applied to the study of the oxidative enzymes in the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity and the glandular epithelium of the ovariectomized rats during the climacteric disturbances. There was an increase in the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphoric dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and a fall of the succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and NAD- and NADP-diaphorases activity in the cells of the epithelial lining the uterine cavity. The glandular epithelium displayed an elevation of the LDH activity and a sharp fall of the SDH, NAD- and NADP-disphorases activity. Administration of testosterone-propionate caused an marked elevation of the activity of the oxidative enzymes in the epithelium of the rat endometrium in comparison with level of their activity in control animals and rats given no hormone.", "contents": "[Microphotometric study of the activity of oxidative enzymes in the endometrial epithelium of rats following ovariectomy and administration of testosterone propionate]. A method of comparative microphotometry was applied to the study of the oxidative enzymes in the epithelial lining of the uterine cavity and the glandular epithelium of the ovariectomized rats during the climacteric disturbances. There was an increase in the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose-6-phosphoric dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and a fall of the succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and NAD- and NADP-diaphorases activity in the cells of the epithelial lining the uterine cavity. The glandular epithelium displayed an elevation of the LDH activity and a sharp fall of the SDH, NAD- and NADP-disphorases activity. Administration of testosterone-propionate caused an marked elevation of the activity of the oxidative enzymes in the epithelium of the rat endometrium in comparison with level of their activity in control animals and rats given no hormone.", "PMID": 630099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8368", "title": "[Kinetics of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow of hepatectomized mice].", "content": "Two-thirds of the liver was removed from (CBA X C57BL/6j) F1 female mice. A significant increase of the number of endogenous colonies count in the spleen of partially hepatectomized mice was observed on the 5-th day after the operation. This increase was not associated with the changes in the number of stem cells in the bone marrow as partial hepatectomy at different times after the operation exerted no effect on the number of colony-forming units (CF1) in the bone marrow.", "contents": "[Kinetics of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow of hepatectomized mice]. Two-thirds of the liver was removed from (CBA X C57BL/6j) F1 female mice. A significant increase of the number of endogenous colonies count in the spleen of partially hepatectomized mice was observed on the 5-th day after the operation. This increase was not associated with the changes in the number of stem cells in the bone marrow as partial hepatectomy at different times after the operation exerted no effect on the number of colony-forming units (CF1) in the bone marrow.", "PMID": 630100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8369", "title": "[Effect of regeneration of hematopoietic organs on the number and type of splenic colonies].", "content": "Two thirds of the spleen or the bone marrow of the tibia were removed in CBA mice. Hemopoietic splenic colonies were obtained and examined microscopically on the 8th day after the lethal irradiation of mice and injection of the spleen cell suspension. An increase of the number of colonies and a significant rise of the number of granulocytopoietic colonices in comparison with their number in control was seen in the experimental animals. The number of other hemopoietic colonies remained unchanged. The authors suggest that these changes could be caused by the local influence of the proliferating spleen stroma, or by a factor secreted from the regenerating stroma of the hemopoietic organs.", "contents": "[Effect of regeneration of hematopoietic organs on the number and type of splenic colonies]. Two thirds of the spleen or the bone marrow of the tibia were removed in CBA mice. Hemopoietic splenic colonies were obtained and examined microscopically on the 8th day after the lethal irradiation of mice and injection of the spleen cell suspension. An increase of the number of colonies and a significant rise of the number of granulocytopoietic colonices in comparison with their number in control was seen in the experimental animals. The number of other hemopoietic colonies remained unchanged. The authors suggest that these changes could be caused by the local influence of the proliferating spleen stroma, or by a factor secreted from the regenerating stroma of the hemopoietic organs.", "PMID": 630101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8370", "title": "[Development of the seminiferious tubules and rete testis during the prenatal period of human ontogenesis].", "content": "The sources of origin and the peculiarities of formation of the seminal ducts and rete testis during the prenatal period of ontogenesis in man were studied. It has been established that the seminal duct sand the ducts of the rete testis form from the cellular cords of the coelomic epithelium and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and central part of its parenchyma in the embryos, 13.0--17.0 mm long. By plastic and graphic reconstruction, as well as by methods of subtle preparation under binocular microscope MBC-I control it was revealed that the seminal ducts anastomosed between themselves both within the limits of one and the adjacent lobules. The ducts of the rete testis do not form anastomoses, but superimpose over one another, creating an impression of a rete. Approaching the tunica albuginea they merge, continuing into the cuctuli efferentes testis.", "contents": "[Development of the seminiferious tubules and rete testis during the prenatal period of human ontogenesis]. The sources of origin and the peculiarities of formation of the seminal ducts and rete testis during the prenatal period of ontogenesis in man were studied. It has been established that the seminal duct sand the ducts of the rete testis form from the cellular cords of the coelomic epithelium and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and the primordial germ cells which appear simultaneously in the septum of the testis and central part of its parenchyma in the embryos, 13.0--17.0 mm long. By plastic and graphic reconstruction, as well as by methods of subtle preparation under binocular microscope MBC-I control it was revealed that the seminal ducts anastomosed between themselves both within the limits of one and the adjacent lobules. The ducts of the rete testis do not form anastomoses, but superimpose over one another, creating an impression of a rete. Approaching the tunica albuginea they merge, continuing into the cuctuli efferentes testis.", "PMID": 630102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8371", "title": "[Renal pathomorphology of rats fed irradiated food products over a long period].", "content": "Morphological changes were studied in the kidneys of albino rats and their progeny fed only with irradiated food for 20 months. Morphological signs of the autoimmune process in the form of the membraneous-proliferative glomerulonephritis in combination with characteristic disturbances of the blood vessels and extensive lymphoid-histiocyticeosinophilis infiltration of the stroma were revealed.", "contents": "[Renal pathomorphology of rats fed irradiated food products over a long period]. Morphological changes were studied in the kidneys of albino rats and their progeny fed only with irradiated food for 20 months. Morphological signs of the autoimmune process in the form of the membraneous-proliferative glomerulonephritis in combination with characteristic disturbances of the blood vessels and extensive lymphoid-histiocyticeosinophilis infiltration of the stroma were revealed.", "PMID": 630103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8372", "title": "[Postnatal histogenesis and cell proliferation in the parietal region of mouse neocortex under normal conditions and following brain injury].", "content": "Postnatal histogenesis of the parietal area of the neocortex and proliferative capacity in it of the main cell types were studied in mice under normal conditions and in stab wound of the brain by analysing 3H-thymidine-labeled cells on semithin sections. As revealed, microneurons failed to form in the parietal cortex of mice during the postnatal period either by migration of undifferentiated cells or by proliferation. Injury of the right hemisphere did not cause any change in the way of histogenetic transformations of cells migrating into the cortex of the parietal area in the direction of their differentiation into microneurons.", "contents": "[Postnatal histogenesis and cell proliferation in the parietal region of mouse neocortex under normal conditions and following brain injury]. Postnatal histogenesis of the parietal area of the neocortex and proliferative capacity in it of the main cell types were studied in mice under normal conditions and in stab wound of the brain by analysing 3H-thymidine-labeled cells on semithin sections. As revealed, microneurons failed to form in the parietal cortex of mice during the postnatal period either by migration of undifferentiated cells or by proliferation. Injury of the right hemisphere did not cause any change in the way of histogenetic transformations of cells migrating into the cortex of the parietal area in the direction of their differentiation into microneurons.", "PMID": 630104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8373", "title": "[Ultrastructure of unstabilized fibrin].", "content": "The structure of non-stabilized fibrin was studied by electron microscopy. Non-stabilized fibrin was shown to consist of a network of fibers (fibrils, from 2 to 10 mu in length, and up to 200 A in width). Negative contrasting with uranyl-acetate demonstrated non-stabilized fibrils to be made up of 5 to 10 longitudinally striated protofibrils and to be characterized by transverse striations with the main period of about 200 A. Comparison of the ultrastructure of stabilized and non-stabilized with factor XIIIa fibrin fibers demonstrated their morphological affinity.", "contents": "[Ultrastructure of unstabilized fibrin]. The structure of non-stabilized fibrin was studied by electron microscopy. Non-stabilized fibrin was shown to consist of a network of fibers (fibrils, from 2 to 10 mu in length, and up to 200 A in width). Negative contrasting with uranyl-acetate demonstrated non-stabilized fibrils to be made up of 5 to 10 longitudinally striated protofibrils and to be characterized by transverse striations with the main period of about 200 A. Comparison of the ultrastructure of stabilized and non-stabilized with factor XIIIa fibrin fibers demonstrated their morphological affinity.", "PMID": 630105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8374", "title": "[Determination of sperm activity by the light scattering method].", "content": "A possibility of determination of sperm activity on light scattering spectra was studied. The laser homodyne light beating spectrometer was used for the measurements. Bovine sperm solutions were investigated. As shown, the sperm activity defined by spermatozoa motility could be determined through light scattering spectrum half-width. The advantages of the new method as compared with routine method of sperm activity determination are discussed.", "contents": "[Determination of sperm activity by the light scattering method]. A possibility of determination of sperm activity on light scattering spectra was studied. The laser homodyne light beating spectrometer was used for the measurements. Bovine sperm solutions were investigated. As shown, the sperm activity defined by spermatozoa motility could be determined through light scattering spectrum half-width. The advantages of the new method as compared with routine method of sperm activity determination are discussed.", "PMID": 630106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8375", "title": "[Method of light microscopy of pulmonary tissue in small laboratory animals].", "content": "The authors suggest a method of biomicroscopy of the lungs with the use of a modified experimental lung fixator offering a possibility of carrying out vital examination of microcirculation of the lung tissue not only in artificial, but also in spontaneous respiration of the animals.", "contents": "[Method of light microscopy of pulmonary tissue in small laboratory animals]. The authors suggest a method of biomicroscopy of the lungs with the use of a modified experimental lung fixator offering a possibility of carrying out vital examination of microcirculation of the lung tissue not only in artificial, but also in spontaneous respiration of the animals.", "PMID": 630107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8376", "title": "[Detachable plethysmoreceptor for determining the volumetric blood flow rate in the calf and forearm by venous occlusion plethysmography].", "content": "The dismountable air plethysmoreceptor suggested by the author, in difference from the fixed ones, permits to put it on and take it off the limb under study rapidly and frequently. Due to flexibility of the internal wall of this plethysmoreceptor, it is possible to record the circulation without any preliminary supply of air into the cavity of the plethysmoreceptor.", "contents": "[Detachable plethysmoreceptor for determining the volumetric blood flow rate in the calf and forearm by venous occlusion plethysmography]. The dismountable air plethysmoreceptor suggested by the author, in difference from the fixed ones, permits to put it on and take it off the limb under study rapidly and frequently. Due to flexibility of the internal wall of this plethysmoreceptor, it is possible to record the circulation without any preliminary supply of air into the cavity of the plethysmoreceptor.", "PMID": 630108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8377", "title": "[Fistulated diffusion chamber and its use in studying microbial associations in vivo].", "content": "The fistulated diffusion chamber intended for the cultivation of microbial associations in vivo was elaborated. The interralation between the yeast-like Candida albicans fungi, staphylococci, shigella Sonnei, the influence of each one upon the macroorganism, and its response to their combined action were studied.", "contents": "[Fistulated diffusion chamber and its use in studying microbial associations in vivo]. The fistulated diffusion chamber intended for the cultivation of microbial associations in vivo was elaborated. The interralation between the yeast-like Candida albicans fungi, staphylococci, shigella Sonnei, the influence of each one upon the macroorganism, and its response to their combined action were studied.", "PMID": 630109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8378", "title": "[Obtaining and rearing germ-free miniature piglets for biomedical research].", "content": "The method of obtaining and rearing germfree miniature piglets for medical-biological research is described. The gnotobiotes were reared in rigid organic glass isolation cells up to 3 months. Milk diets supplemented with minerals and vitamins were used for nutrition. The gnotobiotes gained weight well during the whole observation period.", "contents": "[Obtaining and rearing germ-free miniature piglets for biomedical research]. The method of obtaining and rearing germfree miniature piglets for medical-biological research is described. The gnotobiotes were reared in rigid organic glass isolation cells up to 3 months. Milk diets supplemented with minerals and vitamins were used for nutrition. The gnotobiotes gained weight well during the whole observation period.", "PMID": 630110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8379", "title": "Erythrokinetics and ferrokinetics of a viral-induced murine erythroblastosis.", "content": "A variant of Rauscher leukemia virus, designated RLV-A, induced a slow progressive impairment of erythropoiesis in BALB/c mice. Identified in this study were a shortened red cell 51-cr half-time, anemia with indices showing minimal but significant hypochromia, ineffective erythropoiesis, and infiltration of the liver, spleen, and peripheral blood with erythroid pecursors. Ferrokinetic studies indicated a normal plasma iron turnover in infected mice but a decreased red cell iron turnover. Large amounts of 59Fe were taken up by the enlarged liver and spleen. Peak splenic heme 59Fe synthesis was delayed 12 hr in the infected mice. The substantial increase in the splenic intraerythrocytic nonheme iron pool and the hypochromic indices indicate a process analogous to that seen in the sideroblastic anemias. The disease produced by this RLV-A variant may prove useful for studying various aspects of the preleukemic sideroblastic anemias and DiGuglielmo syndrome.", "contents": "Erythrokinetics and ferrokinetics of a viral-induced murine erythroblastosis. A variant of Rauscher leukemia virus, designated RLV-A, induced a slow progressive impairment of erythropoiesis in BALB/c mice. Identified in this study were a shortened red cell 51-cr half-time, anemia with indices showing minimal but significant hypochromia, ineffective erythropoiesis, and infiltration of the liver, spleen, and peripheral blood with erythroid pecursors. Ferrokinetic studies indicated a normal plasma iron turnover in infected mice but a decreased red cell iron turnover. Large amounts of 59Fe were taken up by the enlarged liver and spleen. Peak splenic heme 59Fe synthesis was delayed 12 hr in the infected mice. The substantial increase in the splenic intraerythrocytic nonheme iron pool and the hypochromic indices indicate a process analogous to that seen in the sideroblastic anemias. The disease produced by this RLV-A variant may prove useful for studying various aspects of the preleukemic sideroblastic anemias and DiGuglielmo syndrome.", "PMID": 630112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8380", "title": "Three-dimensional model of bone marrow.", "content": "Three-dimensional scale models of bone marrow from a hypertransfused and a normal rat were constructed. The model of marrow from the hypertransfused rat demonstrated the existence of distinct erythroblastic islands in situ in which the erythroblasts underwent sychronous maturation. Macrophages were found in close association with the developing erythroblasts. The immature erythroblasts were tightly grouped, but as they matured they began to move apart. Erythroblasts in individual clusters were found to be at the same stage of morphologic maturation. In contrast, the model of marrow from the normal rat showed a majority of clusters containing erythroblasts at various stages of maturation. Erythropoiesis was not spatially restricted to the area proximal to the sinuses but was found to occur over the entire marrow space. Thrombopoiesis, however, was found to take place exclusively in the immediate vicinity of the marrow sinuses.", "contents": "Three-dimensional model of bone marrow. Three-dimensional scale models of bone marrow from a hypertransfused and a normal rat were constructed. The model of marrow from the hypertransfused rat demonstrated the existence of distinct erythroblastic islands in situ in which the erythroblasts underwent sychronous maturation. Macrophages were found in close association with the developing erythroblasts. The immature erythroblasts were tightly grouped, but as they matured they began to move apart. Erythroblasts in individual clusters were found to be at the same stage of morphologic maturation. In contrast, the model of marrow from the normal rat showed a majority of clusters containing erythroblasts at various stages of maturation. Erythropoiesis was not spatially restricted to the area proximal to the sinuses but was found to occur over the entire marrow space. Thrombopoiesis, however, was found to take place exclusively in the immediate vicinity of the marrow sinuses.", "PMID": 630113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8381", "title": "Osmotic fragility of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic leukemia and malignant lymphoma.", "content": "The osmotic fragility (OF) of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma (ML) was investigated employing an automatic recording method and compared with that of lymphocytes from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from various non-neoplastic diseases. The curves from CLL and ML showed a pattern of increased lymphocyte OF compared with those of the two control groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( less than 0.001). In CLL the increase in OF was more pronounced than in ML, and the shape of the curve was different from that in the other groups. The employment of peripheral blood lymphocyte OF as an additional diagnostic parameter in the diagnosis of CLL and ML is suggested.", "contents": "Osmotic fragility of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic leukemia and malignant lymphoma. The osmotic fragility (OF) of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma (ML) was investigated employing an automatic recording method and compared with that of lymphocytes from healthy subjects and from patients suffering from various non-neoplastic diseases. The curves from CLL and ML showed a pattern of increased lymphocyte OF compared with those of the two control groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( less than 0.001). In CLL the increase in OF was more pronounced than in ML, and the shape of the curve was different from that in the other groups. The employment of peripheral blood lymphocyte OF as an additional diagnostic parameter in the diagnosis of CLL and ML is suggested.", "PMID": 630114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8382", "title": "Asynchronous globin chain synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lystates induced by hemin-controlled repressor.", "content": "To define further the role of hemin-controlled repressor (HCR) in globin synthesis, we studied its effect on the synthesis of individual globin chains in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system. In the presence of HCR there was a marked globin chain imbalance, resulting in a lowered alpha/beta ratio. These findings in vitro may have relevance to certain clinical heme deficiency states in which a similar globin chain imbalance has been observed.", "contents": "Asynchronous globin chain synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lystates induced by hemin-controlled repressor. To define further the role of hemin-controlled repressor (HCR) in globin synthesis, we studied its effect on the synthesis of individual globin chains in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate cell-free system. In the presence of HCR there was a marked globin chain imbalance, resulting in a lowered alpha/beta ratio. These findings in vitro may have relevance to certain clinical heme deficiency states in which a similar globin chain imbalance has been observed.", "PMID": 630115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8383", "title": "Consistent activation of fetal hemoglobin synthesis in cultured adult bone marrow cells.", "content": "The production of fetal hemoglobin was investigated in plasma clot cultures of adult bone marrow cells from normal donors and from individuals with homozygous HbS or HbC disease. Synthesis of gamma and beta chains was assessed either by 35S-methionine labeling of cultures and measurement of the radioactivity incorporated into the methionine-containing tryptic peptides of the gamma and beta subunits or by 3H-leucine labeling and measurement of the radioactivity incorporated into the globin chains of Hbs F0 and A0 isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. The cultures from all individuals responded with increased production of HbF. Cultured cells from subjects without a hemoglobinopathy produced an average of 8.2% gamma chains (range 3.1%-20.3%), while cultured cells from subjects homozygous for HbS or HbC produced an average of 16.6% gamma chains (range 12.2%-20.4%). These findings indicate that fetal Hb production was regularly enhanced in adult bone marrow cells triggered in vitro to clonal growth in the plasma clot culture system.", "contents": "Consistent activation of fetal hemoglobin synthesis in cultured adult bone marrow cells. The production of fetal hemoglobin was investigated in plasma clot cultures of adult bone marrow cells from normal donors and from individuals with homozygous HbS or HbC disease. Synthesis of gamma and beta chains was assessed either by 35S-methionine labeling of cultures and measurement of the radioactivity incorporated into the methionine-containing tryptic peptides of the gamma and beta subunits or by 3H-leucine labeling and measurement of the radioactivity incorporated into the globin chains of Hbs F0 and A0 isolated by ion-exchange chromatography. The cultures from all individuals responded with increased production of HbF. Cultured cells from subjects without a hemoglobinopathy produced an average of 8.2% gamma chains (range 3.1%-20.3%), while cultured cells from subjects homozygous for HbS or HbC produced an average of 16.6% gamma chains (range 12.2%-20.4%). These findings indicate that fetal Hb production was regularly enhanced in adult bone marrow cells triggered in vitro to clonal growth in the plasma clot culture system.", "PMID": 630116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8384", "title": "Water distribution in blood during sickling of erythrocytes.", "content": "Plasma urea and protein determinations proved suitable for measuring changes in total diffusible water and plasma volume in whole blood. Deoxygenation by saturation with carbon dioxide at 25 degrees C caused no change in plasma urea, but a significant increase in plasma protein concentration was induced with both normal and sickle-cell (HbSS) blood. Thus in HbSS blood there was no binding or trapping of water as a result of sickling and there was a normal influx of water into the cells (Bohr effect) despite the polymerization of the hemoglobin molecules with sickling. Consistent with this observation was the finding that the deoxygenation induced a similar increase in concentration of the plasma cations, sodium plus potassium. HbSS erythrocytes neither lost nor gained water under the more physiologic conditions of deoxygenation with a 95% nitrogen, 5% carbon dioxide gas mixture.", "contents": "Water distribution in blood during sickling of erythrocytes. Plasma urea and protein determinations proved suitable for measuring changes in total diffusible water and plasma volume in whole blood. Deoxygenation by saturation with carbon dioxide at 25 degrees C caused no change in plasma urea, but a significant increase in plasma protein concentration was induced with both normal and sickle-cell (HbSS) blood. Thus in HbSS blood there was no binding or trapping of water as a result of sickling and there was a normal influx of water into the cells (Bohr effect) despite the polymerization of the hemoglobin molecules with sickling. Consistent with this observation was the finding that the deoxygenation induced a similar increase in concentration of the plasma cations, sodium plus potassium. HbSS erythrocytes neither lost nor gained water under the more physiologic conditions of deoxygenation with a 95% nitrogen, 5% carbon dioxide gas mixture.", "PMID": 630117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8385", "title": "Aplastic anemia with fetallike erythropoiesis following androgen therapy.", "content": "A 43/4-yr-old black girl with acquired aplastic anemia had an increase in total hemoglobin (Hb) from 4.5 to 16.8 g/dl and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) from 0.8 g/dl (18.8%) to 9.6 g/dl (60.2%) following combined androgen-adrenal steroid therapy. Discontinuation of the drugs was followed by a decline in both HbF and total Hb. Reinstitution of the combined steroids prompted a second rise in total and fetal hemoglobin. During these responses the subject's erythrocytes exhibited an increased i antigen score and a low level of red cell carbonic anhydrase. The glycine:alanine ratio at position 136 of the gamma chains of HbF was of the fetal type (proportion of chains with glycine residues, 0.74). Hemoglobin A2 was low (0.4%). The synthesis of alpha and non-alpha chains was balanced. These results indicate that the stimulation of red cell proliferation in this subject, in response to androgen therapy, resulted in the production of cells with several characteristics of \"fetal\" erythrocytes.", "contents": "Aplastic anemia with fetallike erythropoiesis following androgen therapy. A 43/4-yr-old black girl with acquired aplastic anemia had an increase in total hemoglobin (Hb) from 4.5 to 16.8 g/dl and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) from 0.8 g/dl (18.8%) to 9.6 g/dl (60.2%) following combined androgen-adrenal steroid therapy. Discontinuation of the drugs was followed by a decline in both HbF and total Hb. Reinstitution of the combined steroids prompted a second rise in total and fetal hemoglobin. During these responses the subject's erythrocytes exhibited an increased i antigen score and a low level of red cell carbonic anhydrase. The glycine:alanine ratio at position 136 of the gamma chains of HbF was of the fetal type (proportion of chains with glycine residues, 0.74). Hemoglobin A2 was low (0.4%). The synthesis of alpha and non-alpha chains was balanced. These results indicate that the stimulation of red cell proliferation in this subject, in response to androgen therapy, resulted in the production of cells with several characteristics of \"fetal\" erythrocytes.", "PMID": 630118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8386", "title": "Partial purification of renal lysosomal substances producing angionecrosis and increased vascular permeability.", "content": "The lysosomal contents of hog kidney cortex, which induce angionecrosis and/or an increase of vascular permeability, were obtained by differential centrifugation and osmotic shock treatment, and were purified by various chromatographic techniques and electrophoresis. The material producing an increase in vascular permeability of the rabbit skin was purified 600-fold over the homogenate; however, it showed practically no angionecrotic activity. Another substance producing angionecrosis without pressor activity was partially purified.", "contents": "Partial purification of renal lysosomal substances producing angionecrosis and increased vascular permeability. The lysosomal contents of hog kidney cortex, which induce angionecrosis and/or an increase of vascular permeability, were obtained by differential centrifugation and osmotic shock treatment, and were purified by various chromatographic techniques and electrophoresis. The material producing an increase in vascular permeability of the rabbit skin was purified 600-fold over the homogenate; however, it showed practically no angionecrotic activity. Another substance producing angionecrosis without pressor activity was partially purified.", "PMID": 630127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8387", "title": "Pharmacological in vitro analysis of amine-mediated vasomotor functions in the intracranial and extracranial vascular beds.", "content": "The cerebrovascular system (the extra- as well as intracerebral vessels) receives a well-developed innervation by the adrenergic (originating in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia) and cholinergic nerves. In addition, recent immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of vasodilatory peptidergic nerve fibres. There may be an association of cerebral blood vessels also with various aminergic nerve systems of intracerebral origin. Besides the nerves, amine-containing mast cells are often located in close relation to the brain vessels. The specific receptors mediating the contractile and dilatory response of the various vasoactive amines--noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, acetylcholine--have been characterized in detail in pharmacological experiments. There is a number of major differences in the reactivity of cerebral vessels as compared to vasomotor functions in the peripheral circulation. The observations and results provide a basis for a better understanding of physiological neurogenic control mechanisms in the cerebral circulation, and they may also have implications for the interpretation of pathophysiological phenomena related to, for example, migraine and the vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.", "contents": "Pharmacological in vitro analysis of amine-mediated vasomotor functions in the intracranial and extracranial vascular beds. The cerebrovascular system (the extra- as well as intracerebral vessels) receives a well-developed innervation by the adrenergic (originating in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia) and cholinergic nerves. In addition, recent immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of vasodilatory peptidergic nerve fibres. There may be an association of cerebral blood vessels also with various aminergic nerve systems of intracerebral origin. Besides the nerves, amine-containing mast cells are often located in close relation to the brain vessels. The specific receptors mediating the contractile and dilatory response of the various vasoactive amines--noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, acetylcholine--have been characterized in detail in pharmacological experiments. There is a number of major differences in the reactivity of cerebral vessels as compared to vasomotor functions in the peripheral circulation. The observations and results provide a basis for a better understanding of physiological neurogenic control mechanisms in the cerebral circulation, and they may also have implications for the interpretation of pathophysiological phenomena related to, for example, migraine and the vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.", "PMID": 630128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8388", "title": "Smooth muscle cells in the development of plasmatic arterionecrosis, arteriosclerosis, and arterial contraction.", "content": "Plasmatic arterionecrosis, the causative lesion of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, follows upon medial muscle cell necrosis. The development of medial muscle cell necrosis, the earliest cerebral arterial change seen in hypertensive rats, was inhibited when these animals were fed a cholesterol and lard-supplemented diet. Insudation of fibrin was noted in the arterial intima of hypertensive rats with bilaterally constricted renal arteries. Removal of the constriction induced a fall in the elevated blood pressure and an increase of intimal muscle cells. These were responsible for the dissolution of the deposited fibrin, leading to arteriosclerosis. These myointimal cells may originate from the endothelium. Arterial contraction caused by methoxamine hydrochloride often induced the intrusion of one medial muscle cell into another and increased endothelial permeability. 12-24 h after contraction, the arterial segments showed medial muscle cell necrosis, endothelial desquamation with platelet adhesion, and blood plasma infiltration.", "contents": "Smooth muscle cells in the development of plasmatic arterionecrosis, arteriosclerosis, and arterial contraction. Plasmatic arterionecrosis, the causative lesion of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, follows upon medial muscle cell necrosis. The development of medial muscle cell necrosis, the earliest cerebral arterial change seen in hypertensive rats, was inhibited when these animals were fed a cholesterol and lard-supplemented diet. Insudation of fibrin was noted in the arterial intima of hypertensive rats with bilaterally constricted renal arteries. Removal of the constriction induced a fall in the elevated blood pressure and an increase of intimal muscle cells. These were responsible for the dissolution of the deposited fibrin, leading to arteriosclerosis. These myointimal cells may originate from the endothelium. Arterial contraction caused by methoxamine hydrochloride often induced the intrusion of one medial muscle cell into another and increased endothelial permeability. 12-24 h after contraction, the arterial segments showed medial muscle cell necrosis, endothelial desquamation with platelet adhesion, and blood plasma infiltration.", "PMID": 630129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8389", "title": "Differences in the response of three embryologically distinct segments of the isolated canine posterior vena cava to vasoactive substances.", "content": "The canine posterior vena cava was excised and divided into three embryologically distinct segments: segment A (supradiaphragm), segment B-C (intrahepatic and that between liver and renal veins), and segment D (infrarenal). Circular and longitudinal strips were cut from each segment, suspended in Krebs bicarbonate solution and isometric tensions were recorded. The responses to six vasoactive agents, as well as transmural neural stimulation were studied. Maximum tension and ED50 were obtained for norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine, bradykinin, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The responses were not only quantitatively, but qualitatively different among the three segments. Bradykinin constricted the strips in A and B-C but not in D. 5-HT (less than 10(-5) M) caused a dose-dependent contraction in A and D through its direct stimulating action, while in C, a contractile response appeared only after administration of a higher dose of 5-HT. This was due to an indirect sympathomimetic action of the agent. Segment B-C, which histologically contained massive longitudinal muscle bundles in the outer layer of the wall, exhibited spontaneous, rhythmic contractions. The existence of a cholinergic excitatory innervation, in addition to adrenergic, was demonstrated in C by transmural neural stimulation.", "contents": "Differences in the response of three embryologically distinct segments of the isolated canine posterior vena cava to vasoactive substances. The canine posterior vena cava was excised and divided into three embryologically distinct segments: segment A (supradiaphragm), segment B-C (intrahepatic and that between liver and renal veins), and segment D (infrarenal). Circular and longitudinal strips were cut from each segment, suspended in Krebs bicarbonate solution and isometric tensions were recorded. The responses to six vasoactive agents, as well as transmural neural stimulation were studied. Maximum tension and ED50 were obtained for norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine, bradykinin, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The responses were not only quantitatively, but qualitatively different among the three segments. Bradykinin constricted the strips in A and B-C but not in D. 5-HT (less than 10(-5) M) caused a dose-dependent contraction in A and D through its direct stimulating action, while in C, a contractile response appeared only after administration of a higher dose of 5-HT. This was due to an indirect sympathomimetic action of the agent. Segment B-C, which histologically contained massive longitudinal muscle bundles in the outer layer of the wall, exhibited spontaneous, rhythmic contractions. The existence of a cholinergic excitatory innervation, in addition to adrenergic, was demonstrated in C by transmural neural stimulation.", "PMID": 630130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8390", "title": "Atherogenic mechanisms: enhancement of regression of atheromatous lesions by phthalazinol.", "content": "Atherosclerosis was produced in rabbits by feeding 1% cholesterol pellets for 15 weeks to 35 male rabbits divided into two equal groups--the placebo control and phthalazinol group--with a comparable serum cholesterol level. The phthalazinol group was given 20 mg/kg of the compound daily. 13 rabbits of both groups were on 15 weeks of the treatment and the remaining 22 rabbits were treated for 30 weeks. The treated group exhibited a statistically significant increased removal of cholesterol from atherosclerotic aortas and improvement in pathological changes. This enhancing effect was more marked in the animals treated for 30 weeks. Such evidence indicates that there are substances capable of enhancing the removal of cholesterol from atheromatous lesions. In light of the pharmacological properties of phthalazinol, the possible role of thromboxane A2 released from platelets adhered and aggregated on atheromatous plaques, in the progression of atherosclerosis is worthy of continued investigation.", "contents": "Atherogenic mechanisms: enhancement of regression of atheromatous lesions by phthalazinol. Atherosclerosis was produced in rabbits by feeding 1% cholesterol pellets for 15 weeks to 35 male rabbits divided into two equal groups--the placebo control and phthalazinol group--with a comparable serum cholesterol level. The phthalazinol group was given 20 mg/kg of the compound daily. 13 rabbits of both groups were on 15 weeks of the treatment and the remaining 22 rabbits were treated for 30 weeks. The treated group exhibited a statistically significant increased removal of cholesterol from atherosclerotic aortas and improvement in pathological changes. This enhancing effect was more marked in the animals treated for 30 weeks. Such evidence indicates that there are substances capable of enhancing the removal of cholesterol from atheromatous lesions. In light of the pharmacological properties of phthalazinol, the possible role of thromboxane A2 released from platelets adhered and aggregated on atheromatous plaques, in the progression of atherosclerosis is worthy of continued investigation.", "PMID": 630131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8391", "title": "Increased vascular collagen biosynthesis by hypertension and reversal by antihypertensive drugs.", "content": "Collagen synthesis was increased in aortas, mesenteric arteries, cerebral microvessels, pial artery, basilar artery and decreased in the heart of rats made hypertensive with deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt or the spontaneously hypertensive animal. The markers of collagen biosynthesis that were elevated were prolyl hydroxylase, prolyl hydroxylase-related antigen, total collagen content and the incorporation of labelled proline into total protein and into collagen. The antihypertensive drugs reserpine and chlorthiazide could both prevent the increase or reduce the increase in collagen synthesis.", "contents": "Increased vascular collagen biosynthesis by hypertension and reversal by antihypertensive drugs. Collagen synthesis was increased in aortas, mesenteric arteries, cerebral microvessels, pial artery, basilar artery and decreased in the heart of rats made hypertensive with deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt or the spontaneously hypertensive animal. The markers of collagen biosynthesis that were elevated were prolyl hydroxylase, prolyl hydroxylase-related antigen, total collagen content and the incorporation of labelled proline into total protein and into collagen. The antihypertensive drugs reserpine and chlorthiazide could both prevent the increase or reduce the increase in collagen synthesis.", "PMID": 630132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8392", "title": "High-energy phosphate metabolism of isolated coronary arteries in the dog.", "content": "The correlation between phosphate metabolism and isometric contraction was investigated in helical strips from dog coronary artery. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) contents of resting strips did not significantly change during anoxia. ATP content remained unchanged during potassium-contracture under aerobic conditions but was significantly reduced by anoxia. Pretreatment with iodoacetate resulted in a striking reduction in ATP content with a less marked decrease in CP content. ATP-depleting effect of iodoacetate was reduced slightly by the addition of pyruvate, but contractile response was not restored. It is considered that high-energy phosphates provided by anaerobic glycolysis can meet the energy requirements of resting coronary vessels but are insufficient for maintaining active tension. In resting strips equilibrated for 2 h in oxygenated bath solution, the reactivity to KCl and anoxia appears to be dependent on the availability of ATP.", "contents": "High-energy phosphate metabolism of isolated coronary arteries in the dog. The correlation between phosphate metabolism and isometric contraction was investigated in helical strips from dog coronary artery. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate (CP) contents of resting strips did not significantly change during anoxia. ATP content remained unchanged during potassium-contracture under aerobic conditions but was significantly reduced by anoxia. Pretreatment with iodoacetate resulted in a striking reduction in ATP content with a less marked decrease in CP content. ATP-depleting effect of iodoacetate was reduced slightly by the addition of pyruvate, but contractile response was not restored. It is considered that high-energy phosphates provided by anaerobic glycolysis can meet the energy requirements of resting coronary vessels but are insufficient for maintaining active tension. In resting strips equilibrated for 2 h in oxygenated bath solution, the reactivity to KCl and anoxia appears to be dependent on the availability of ATP.", "PMID": 630133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8393", "title": "Estimate of cellular force generation in an arterial smooth muscle with a high actin: myosin ratio.", "content": "An in vitro preparation from the media of the pig carotid artery develops somewhat higher force/cell cross-sectional area with one-fifth the myosin content of skeletal muscle cells. The following results suggest that this performance reflects cellular properties rather than the arrangement of cells within the tissue: (1) force development at the peak of the length-force curve is independent of the length of the tissue segment in a strip of constant cross-section, and (2) average cell length is directly proportional to tissue length. We conclude that the contractile system of arterial smooth muscle cells is specialized for force generation and that the mechanical properties of the pig carotid media preparation provide valid estimates of cellular function.", "contents": "Estimate of cellular force generation in an arterial smooth muscle with a high actin: myosin ratio. An in vitro preparation from the media of the pig carotid artery develops somewhat higher force/cell cross-sectional area with one-fifth the myosin content of skeletal muscle cells. The following results suggest that this performance reflects cellular properties rather than the arrangement of cells within the tissue: (1) force development at the peak of the length-force curve is independent of the length of the tissue segment in a strip of constant cross-section, and (2) average cell length is directly proportional to tissue length. We conclude that the contractile system of arterial smooth muscle cells is specialized for force generation and that the mechanical properties of the pig carotid media preparation provide valid estimates of cellular function.", "PMID": 630134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8394", "title": "Responses of smooth muscle to quick load change studied at high time resolution.", "content": "Quick-release and quick-stretch experiments have been performed on preparations of smooth muscle from rat portal vein and rabbit urinary bladder. The low equivalent mass of the isotonic lever (8 mg) implied that inertial oscillations were limited to the first 5-10 msec after the load step. The high time resolution achieved in this way enabled us to separate three components in the length response to a step change in force: (1) an immediate passive elastic recoil, (2) an isotonic velocity transient lasting 50-75 msec and (3) shortening of the contractile element after its full adjustment to the new load. The maximal series elastic recoil was about 10% of the total muscle length in portal vein but only some 3% in urinary bladder. Stiffness of series elasticity increased in proportion to force and was about 3 times higher in bladder than in portal vein at any force level. Force-velocity relations for loads less than Po could be fitted to Hill's equation; Vmax in 4 AC-stimulated portal veins was 0.53 +/- 0.03 muscle lengths/sec and in 8 K+-activated bladder preparations 0.18 +/- 0.01 muscle lengths/sec. Application of loads greater than Po produced rates of lengthening greater than expected from an extrapolation of Hill's hyperbola. The nature of the transient component is discussed in the light of recent studies of force and velocity transients in skeletal muscle.", "contents": "Responses of smooth muscle to quick load change studied at high time resolution. Quick-release and quick-stretch experiments have been performed on preparations of smooth muscle from rat portal vein and rabbit urinary bladder. The low equivalent mass of the isotonic lever (8 mg) implied that inertial oscillations were limited to the first 5-10 msec after the load step. The high time resolution achieved in this way enabled us to separate three components in the length response to a step change in force: (1) an immediate passive elastic recoil, (2) an isotonic velocity transient lasting 50-75 msec and (3) shortening of the contractile element after its full adjustment to the new load. The maximal series elastic recoil was about 10% of the total muscle length in portal vein but only some 3% in urinary bladder. Stiffness of series elasticity increased in proportion to force and was about 3 times higher in bladder than in portal vein at any force level. Force-velocity relations for loads less than Po could be fitted to Hill's equation; Vmax in 4 AC-stimulated portal veins was 0.53 +/- 0.03 muscle lengths/sec and in 8 K+-activated bladder preparations 0.18 +/- 0.01 muscle lengths/sec. Application of loads greater than Po produced rates of lengthening greater than expected from an extrapolation of Hill's hyperbola. The nature of the transient component is discussed in the light of recent studies of force and velocity transients in skeletal muscle.", "PMID": 630137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8395", "title": "Ion transport in tonic and phasic vascular smooth muscle and changes during deoxycorticosterone hypertension.", "content": "The washout of radioisotopes was studied in aorta, femoral artery and portal mesenteric vein from controls and rats made hypertensive with injection of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) acetate. Experiments were also conducted on tonic (pulmonary artery) and phasic (portal mesenteric vein) smooth muscle from rabbits. The rate constants for the washout of 42K, 36Cl and 24Na from aorta were significantly elevated in the DOC hypertensives. Acute removal of extracellular K slowed the washout of 24Na by 50%, however, the rate constant for the DOC group remained higher than the controls. Increased turnover of 42K was also observed in the femoral artery and in a vessel (portal mesenteric vein) not exposed to the effects of high blood pressure in the rat. The rate constants for the washout of 42K, 36Cl and 24Na from phasic smooth muscle in rabbit were greater than the tonic type. Ouabain significantly slowed 24Na washout, however, the rate constant for the portal mesenteric vein remained higher than the pulmonary artery. DOC hypertension was associated with increased ion transport at several vascular sites. A similar change was observed for the phasic vascular smooth muscle from normal rabbits. A question is raised whether increased spontaneous activity of arteries reported to accompany DOC hypertension is the consequence of a membrane in transition from tonic to phasic behavior.", "contents": "Ion transport in tonic and phasic vascular smooth muscle and changes during deoxycorticosterone hypertension. The washout of radioisotopes was studied in aorta, femoral artery and portal mesenteric vein from controls and rats made hypertensive with injection of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) acetate. Experiments were also conducted on tonic (pulmonary artery) and phasic (portal mesenteric vein) smooth muscle from rabbits. The rate constants for the washout of 42K, 36Cl and 24Na from aorta were significantly elevated in the DOC hypertensives. Acute removal of extracellular K slowed the washout of 24Na by 50%, however, the rate constant for the DOC group remained higher than the controls. Increased turnover of 42K was also observed in the femoral artery and in a vessel (portal mesenteric vein) not exposed to the effects of high blood pressure in the rat. The rate constants for the washout of 42K, 36Cl and 24Na from phasic smooth muscle in rabbit were greater than the tonic type. Ouabain significantly slowed 24Na washout, however, the rate constant for the portal mesenteric vein remained higher than the pulmonary artery. DOC hypertension was associated with increased ion transport at several vascular sites. A similar change was observed for the phasic vascular smooth muscle from normal rabbits. A question is raised whether increased spontaneous activity of arteries reported to accompany DOC hypertension is the consequence of a membrane in transition from tonic to phasic behavior.", "PMID": 630138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8396", "title": "Mechanisms by which smooth muscle sensitivity may be altered by calcium.", "content": "6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) increased the sensitivity of rat, rabbit and guinea pig portal veins to norepinephrine (NE), methoxamine (ME), barium (Ba++) and calcium (Ca++) but not to potassium (K+). Reserpine potentiated the responses of NE, ME and Ca++ but not Ba++ or K+ in rabbit and guinea pig veins and did not alter the sensitivity of rat veins to all agonists tested. Cocaine only potentiated the NE responses of the veins and decreased the sensitivity of rabbit and guinea pig veins to K+. 6-OHDA increased 48Ca-influx in all veins whereas reserpine increased 45Ca-influx only in rabbit and guinea pig veins. Cocaine failed to increase 45Ca-influx in all veins tested. NE, ME and K+ increased 45Ca-influx in the veins from the different animals. The agonist-induced 45Ca-influx was greater in most of the supersensitive veins than in the control veins. In veins that failed to develop supersensitivity, agonist-induced 45Ca-influx did not differ from that of the control veins. It is concluded that the development of super- and subsensitivity exhibits species variation and that the alteration in Ca++ influx would be consistent with the changes in sensitivity of the venous smooth muscle.", "contents": "Mechanisms by which smooth muscle sensitivity may be altered by calcium. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) increased the sensitivity of rat, rabbit and guinea pig portal veins to norepinephrine (NE), methoxamine (ME), barium (Ba++) and calcium (Ca++) but not to potassium (K+). Reserpine potentiated the responses of NE, ME and Ca++ but not Ba++ or K+ in rabbit and guinea pig veins and did not alter the sensitivity of rat veins to all agonists tested. Cocaine only potentiated the NE responses of the veins and decreased the sensitivity of rabbit and guinea pig veins to K+. 6-OHDA increased 48Ca-influx in all veins whereas reserpine increased 45Ca-influx only in rabbit and guinea pig veins. Cocaine failed to increase 45Ca-influx in all veins tested. NE, ME and K+ increased 45Ca-influx in the veins from the different animals. The agonist-induced 45Ca-influx was greater in most of the supersensitive veins than in the control veins. In veins that failed to develop supersensitivity, agonist-induced 45Ca-influx did not differ from that of the control veins. It is concluded that the development of super- and subsensitivity exhibits species variation and that the alteration in Ca++ influx would be consistent with the changes in sensitivity of the venous smooth muscle.", "PMID": 630139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8397", "title": "The acute and chronic effects of cadmium on the estuarine mysid, Mysidopsis bahia.", "content": "Mysids, small shrimp-like crustacea, proved to be a practical bioassay animal for investigating the effects of cadmium in seawater and may serve this purpose for other pollutants. In the laboratory under flow-through test conditions, the mysid, Mysidopsis bahia, was more sensitive to cadmium than other crustaceans tested. LC50 values were 15.5 microgram/l within 96 hrs and 11.3 microgram/l during a 17-day life cycle, whereas LC50's for other selected crustaceans were between 120 and 720 microgram/l. Results of life-cycle bioassays can aid in the establishment of water quality criteria for marine and estuarine organisms.", "contents": "The acute and chronic effects of cadmium on the estuarine mysid, Mysidopsis bahia. Mysids, small shrimp-like crustacea, proved to be a practical bioassay animal for investigating the effects of cadmium in seawater and may serve this purpose for other pollutants. In the laboratory under flow-through test conditions, the mysid, Mysidopsis bahia, was more sensitive to cadmium than other crustaceans tested. LC50 values were 15.5 microgram/l within 96 hrs and 11.3 microgram/l during a 17-day life cycle, whereas LC50's for other selected crustaceans were between 120 and 720 microgram/l. Results of life-cycle bioassays can aid in the establishment of water quality criteria for marine and estuarine organisms.", "PMID": 630148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8398", "title": "Metal toxicity to embryos and larvae of seven freshwater fish species--I. Cadmium.", "content": "The embryos and larvae of seven freshwater fish were exposed to low concentrations of cadmium in soft water. All species were killed or their growth retarded by concentrations ranging from about 4 to 12 microgram Cd/liter. The larvae were consistently more sensitive than the embryos. The agreement between these results and those from life-cycle chronic toxicity studies indicates that embryo and larval exposures will give reliable estimates of the chronic toxicity of cadmium to additional fish species. A 60-day exposure period appears to be appropriate for determining larval sensitivity to cadmium.", "contents": "Metal toxicity to embryos and larvae of seven freshwater fish species--I. Cadmium. The embryos and larvae of seven freshwater fish were exposed to low concentrations of cadmium in soft water. All species were killed or their growth retarded by concentrations ranging from about 4 to 12 microgram Cd/liter. The larvae were consistently more sensitive than the embryos. The agreement between these results and those from life-cycle chronic toxicity studies indicates that embryo and larval exposures will give reliable estimates of the chronic toxicity of cadmium to additional fish species. A 60-day exposure period appears to be appropriate for determining larval sensitivity to cadmium.", "PMID": 630150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8399", "title": "A simple inexpensive method for estimating underwater weight.", "content": "A description is given of a simple, inexpensive and versatile method for estimating underwater weight. The use of a portable stock tank allows the determination of % Fat by underwater weighing without requiring a swimming pool, built-in tank, or special facility. Twenty-eight college students were weighed on two separate testing sessions 24-48 hours apart. Ten trials were performed at each session. The mean of the last five trials was used in determining underwater weight. The test-retest reliability coefficient was high, r = 0.98, and most of the successive trial correlations were above 0.99. The mean % Fat for the women (N = 9) was 22.2 +/- 5.9 and for the men (N = 19) was 13.7 +/- 5.1.", "contents": "A simple inexpensive method for estimating underwater weight. A description is given of a simple, inexpensive and versatile method for estimating underwater weight. The use of a portable stock tank allows the determination of % Fat by underwater weighing without requiring a swimming pool, built-in tank, or special facility. Twenty-eight college students were weighed on two separate testing sessions 24-48 hours apart. Ten trials were performed at each session. The mean of the last five trials was used in determining underwater weight. The test-retest reliability coefficient was high, r = 0.98, and most of the successive trial correlations were above 0.99. The mean % Fat for the women (N = 9) was 22.2 +/- 5.9 and for the men (N = 19) was 13.7 +/- 5.1.", "PMID": 630178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8400", "title": "Classification and radiographic features of uterine malformations: hysterosalpingographic study.", "content": "A series of 13470 hysterosalpingographic investigations demonstrated congenital uterine malformations in 1160 cases (8.6%). Uterus arcuatus and uterine hypoplasia, the latter ranking as a malformation on embryological grounds, together accounted for two-thirds of the cases, uterus unicornis unicollis and uterus bicornis unicollis together for over a quarter and the others, uterine didelphys, uterus bicornis bicollis and uterus septus/subseptus, for much smaller percentages. Each malformation is described and illustrated by typical hysterosalpingograms. In addition to its decisive importance in diagnosis, hysterosalpingography it also valuable in planning surgical correction in many cases.", "contents": "Classification and radiographic features of uterine malformations: hysterosalpingographic study. A series of 13470 hysterosalpingographic investigations demonstrated congenital uterine malformations in 1160 cases (8.6%). Uterus arcuatus and uterine hypoplasia, the latter ranking as a malformation on embryological grounds, together accounted for two-thirds of the cases, uterus unicornis unicollis and uterus bicornis unicollis together for over a quarter and the others, uterine didelphys, uterus bicornis bicollis and uterus septus/subseptus, for much smaller percentages. Each malformation is described and illustrated by typical hysterosalpingograms. In addition to its decisive importance in diagnosis, hysterosalpingography it also valuable in planning surgical correction in many cases.", "PMID": 630186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8401", "title": "Ioglycamide (Biligram) studies in man. Radiological opacification of the bile duct. A comparison of a number of different methods.", "content": "Intravenous cholangiography was carried out in 80 anicteric patients using ioglycamide (Biligram). Twenty patients were given a 30 ml ampoule of 35% ioglycamide as a slow hand injection over ten minutes; the remainder were given ioglycamide by one hour slow drip infusion at a rate of 2, 3, or 4 mg per kg body weight per minute. The radiological opacification of the bile duct was then assessed independently by two radiologists. There was a statistically significant difference between the bile duct opacification found in patients given either 3 or 4 mg/kg/min of ioglycamide for one hour compared with those given ioglycamide either by ten minute injection or by 2 mg/kg/min drip infusion.", "contents": "Ioglycamide (Biligram) studies in man. Radiological opacification of the bile duct. A comparison of a number of different methods. Intravenous cholangiography was carried out in 80 anicteric patients using ioglycamide (Biligram). Twenty patients were given a 30 ml ampoule of 35% ioglycamide as a slow hand injection over ten minutes; the remainder were given ioglycamide by one hour slow drip infusion at a rate of 2, 3, or 4 mg per kg body weight per minute. The radiological opacification of the bile duct was then assessed independently by two radiologists. There was a statistically significant difference between the bile duct opacification found in patients given either 3 or 4 mg/kg/min of ioglycamide for one hour compared with those given ioglycamide either by ten minute injection or by 2 mg/kg/min drip infusion.", "PMID": 630187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8402", "title": "Thecal deformity after lumbar myelography with iophendylate (Myodil) and meglumine iothalamate (Conray 280).", "content": "A study of repeat myelograms carried out in 93 patients revealed that the incidence of thecal scarring following Conray lumbar radiculography is high (61% of all cases), and only slightly lower than that found after Myodil myelography (74%). Possible factors affecting the incidence of arachnoiditis and the radiological and clinical significance of this condition are considered.", "contents": "Thecal deformity after lumbar myelography with iophendylate (Myodil) and meglumine iothalamate (Conray 280). A study of repeat myelograms carried out in 93 patients revealed that the incidence of thecal scarring following Conray lumbar radiculography is high (61% of all cases), and only slightly lower than that found after Myodil myelography (74%). Possible factors affecting the incidence of arachnoiditis and the radiological and clinical significance of this condition are considered.", "PMID": 630188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8403", "title": "Pneumatosis coli in non-Hodgkins lymphoma.", "content": "Two patients with poorly differentiated lymphoma who developed pneumatosis coli are described. In one case, the intramural gas was associated with diffuse nodular submucosal deposits of tumour. An annular stricture due to lymphoma was the underlying aetiology of the pneumatosis coli in the second case. The pathogenesis of pneumatosis coli in the context of malignant lymphoma is discussed.", "contents": "Pneumatosis coli in non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Two patients with poorly differentiated lymphoma who developed pneumatosis coli are described. In one case, the intramural gas was associated with diffuse nodular submucosal deposits of tumour. An annular stricture due to lymphoma was the underlying aetiology of the pneumatosis coli in the second case. The pathogenesis of pneumatosis coli in the context of malignant lymphoma is discussed.", "PMID": 630189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8404", "title": "Gonad dose in cineurethrocystography.", "content": "The technical factors used for cineurethrocystography for the true lateral projection in females are given. The midline radiation dose has been measured with LiF TLD inserted into the vagina in 19 examinations. The average dose recorded was 148 mrad, the range being 50 to 306 mrad; the average number of cine frames exposed was 96. Data obtained using a Rando phantom indicated that the average ovary dose would be 30% greater than the mid-line dose since the near ovary receives a higher dose than the more distant one. The technique used for men is also given, the average gonad dose in six men being 123 mrad, range 56 to 243 mrad when simple lead foil gonad protection was used; the average number of cine frames was 107. The dose in one man without gonad protection was 1575 mrad for 112 cine frames. The results for both sexes compare favourably with those of others reported in the literature and with gonad doses recorded in typical IVP examinations.", "contents": "Gonad dose in cineurethrocystography. The technical factors used for cineurethrocystography for the true lateral projection in females are given. The midline radiation dose has been measured with LiF TLD inserted into the vagina in 19 examinations. The average dose recorded was 148 mrad, the range being 50 to 306 mrad; the average number of cine frames exposed was 96. Data obtained using a Rando phantom indicated that the average ovary dose would be 30% greater than the mid-line dose since the near ovary receives a higher dose than the more distant one. The technique used for men is also given, the average gonad dose in six men being 123 mrad, range 56 to 243 mrad when simple lead foil gonad protection was used; the average number of cine frames was 107. The dose in one man without gonad protection was 1575 mrad for 112 cine frames. The results for both sexes compare favourably with those of others reported in the literature and with gonad doses recorded in typical IVP examinations.", "PMID": 630190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8405", "title": "An improved technique for interstitial radiotherapy of the tongue.", "content": "An improvement of the plastic tube afterloading technique for interstitial radiotherapy of the tongue is described. This modification allows most of the work to be done outside the patient's mouth. The anchorage for the intra-oral ends of the polythene tubes is produced by transfixing then with a silk thread. This obvioates the need to form loops and simplifies afterloading. It provides a method for crossing the entire lingual end of the implant. All areas and volumes of lower jaw structures are accessible to this form of treatment. Removal of the implant, irrespective of position, is simple and rapid.", "contents": "An improved technique for interstitial radiotherapy of the tongue. An improvement of the plastic tube afterloading technique for interstitial radiotherapy of the tongue is described. This modification allows most of the work to be done outside the patient's mouth. The anchorage for the intra-oral ends of the polythene tubes is produced by transfixing then with a silk thread. This obvioates the need to form loops and simplifies afterloading. It provides a method for crossing the entire lingual end of the implant. All areas and volumes of lower jaw structures are accessible to this form of treatment. Removal of the implant, irrespective of position, is simple and rapid.", "PMID": 630191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8406", "title": "Solitary neurofibroma of the trachea.", "content": "The patient was a 60-year-old white male who, for 18 months, had complained of a substernal wheeze on exertion, exertional dyspnoea and cough, and attacks of acute respiratory distress. There was no haemoptysis or dyshpagia and he was treated for bronchial asthma until bronchoscopy revealed the tumour which had not been recognized in plain chest films. He showed no evidence of a neurofibromatosis and apart from reduction in pulmonary function tests on a PO2 of 74, his laboratory tests were negative. There was no family history of neurofibromatosis. He underwent thoracotomy and a smooth rounded pedunculated tumour, 2.5 cm in diameter, arising from the posterior wall of the trachea, 3 cm above the carina was excised. He has had no tumour recurrence.", "contents": "Solitary neurofibroma of the trachea. The patient was a 60-year-old white male who, for 18 months, had complained of a substernal wheeze on exertion, exertional dyspnoea and cough, and attacks of acute respiratory distress. There was no haemoptysis or dyshpagia and he was treated for bronchial asthma until bronchoscopy revealed the tumour which had not been recognized in plain chest films. He showed no evidence of a neurofibromatosis and apart from reduction in pulmonary function tests on a PO2 of 74, his laboratory tests were negative. There was no family history of neurofibromatosis. He underwent thoracotomy and a smooth rounded pedunculated tumour, 2.5 cm in diameter, arising from the posterior wall of the trachea, 3 cm above the carina was excised. He has had no tumour recurrence.", "PMID": 630192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8407", "title": "Ultrastructure and pathogenesis of human urinary calculi.", "content": "The ultrastructure of human urinary calculi was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The hydroxyapatite constituent of the stones was often present in the form of sperical aggregates of the minute apatite crystallites (1 to 10 mu in diameter). In most cases, the sperical apatite deposits consisted of concentric lamellae of crystallites. The spherical apatite deposits, described in detail for the first time in urolithiasis, were similar to those found in a variety of calcified tissues including nephrocalcinosis and malakoplakia.", "contents": "Ultrastructure and pathogenesis of human urinary calculi. The ultrastructure of human urinary calculi was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The hydroxyapatite constituent of the stones was often present in the form of sperical aggregates of the minute apatite crystallites (1 to 10 mu in diameter). In most cases, the sperical apatite deposits consisted of concentric lamellae of crystallites. The spherical apatite deposits, described in detail for the first time in urolithiasis, were similar to those found in a variety of calcified tissues including nephrocalcinosis and malakoplakia.", "PMID": 630196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8408", "title": "Transient ureteric dilatation in neonates with imperforate anus: a report of 4 cases.", "content": "In a series of 64 patients with imperforate anus, 4 were identified with ureteric dilatation without vesico-ureteric reflux. The appearance resembled that of the primary obstructive megaureter. However, since the dilation resolved spontaneously in each case, it is concluded that the condition represents a separate entity, the cause of which has not yet been elucidated.", "contents": "Transient ureteric dilatation in neonates with imperforate anus: a report of 4 cases. In a series of 64 patients with imperforate anus, 4 were identified with ureteric dilatation without vesico-ureteric reflux. The appearance resembled that of the primary obstructive megaureter. However, since the dilation resolved spontaneously in each case, it is concluded that the condition represents a separate entity, the cause of which has not yet been elucidated.", "PMID": 630197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8409", "title": "Methyl cholanthrene and cadmium induced changes in rat prostate.", "content": "Cadmium workers have been thought to be more likely to develop prostatic cancer. The present study compares the effects of cadmium on rat prostate as compared with a known carcinogen, 20 methyl cholanthrene. The various histological effects produced are discussed. Possibly the most important aspect is the stratification and primitive clear cells found in rat prostatic acini in cadmium injected rats.", "contents": "Methyl cholanthrene and cadmium induced changes in rat prostate. Cadmium workers have been thought to be more likely to develop prostatic cancer. The present study compares the effects of cadmium on rat prostate as compared with a known carcinogen, 20 methyl cholanthrene. The various histological effects produced are discussed. Possibly the most important aspect is the stratification and primitive clear cells found in rat prostatic acini in cadmium injected rats.", "PMID": 630198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8410", "title": "Prednimustine therapy for advanced prostatic cancer.", "content": "23 patients with advanced, hormonal-resistant, prostatic cancer were treated with daily oral prednimustine--a combination of prednisolone and chlorambucil. 8 patients (35%) subjectively responded with disappearance of skeletal pain and improvement in appetite, weight and sense of well being. 3 patients had objective evidence of tumour regression. Clinical toxicity was moderate, and only occasional myelosuppression was encountered. The ease of administration and predictable toxicity of prenimustine make it a potentially useful agent, alone or in combination, for advanced prostatic cancer.", "contents": "Prednimustine therapy for advanced prostatic cancer. 23 patients with advanced, hormonal-resistant, prostatic cancer were treated with daily oral prednimustine--a combination of prednisolone and chlorambucil. 8 patients (35%) subjectively responded with disappearance of skeletal pain and improvement in appetite, weight and sense of well being. 3 patients had objective evidence of tumour regression. Clinical toxicity was moderate, and only occasional myelosuppression was encountered. The ease of administration and predictable toxicity of prenimustine make it a potentially useful agent, alone or in combination, for advanced prostatic cancer.", "PMID": 630199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8411", "title": "The testes after torsion.", "content": "In torsion of the testis a large proportion of testes saved by surgery develop secondary atrophy. External manual reduction may be used as a first treatment, but surgical fixation is mandatory before the patient leaves the hospital. Prophylactic fixation of the contralateral testis should always be performed as 30% of the patients will otherwise develop symptoms. The preventive operation causes no discomfort to the patient and no harm to the testis. The fertility of the torsion patients is reduced. Patients treated for unilateral testicular torsion seem to have bilateral testicular abnormality resulting in decreased spermatogenesis.", "contents": "The testes after torsion. In torsion of the testis a large proportion of testes saved by surgery develop secondary atrophy. External manual reduction may be used as a first treatment, but surgical fixation is mandatory before the patient leaves the hospital. Prophylactic fixation of the contralateral testis should always be performed as 30% of the patients will otherwise develop symptoms. The preventive operation causes no discomfort to the patient and no harm to the testis. The fertility of the torsion patients is reduced. Patients treated for unilateral testicular torsion seem to have bilateral testicular abnormality resulting in decreased spermatogenesis.", "PMID": 630201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8412", "title": "Control of bleeding after renal biopsy with epsilon-amino-caproic acid.", "content": "EACA proved useful in controlling severe bleeding after renal biopsy. In 6 patients who required transfusion for prolonged or severe bleeding, haemorrhage ceased and no further transfusions were necessary after EACA therapy. No serious side-effects were encountered.", "contents": "Control of bleeding after renal biopsy with epsilon-amino-caproic acid. EACA proved useful in controlling severe bleeding after renal biopsy. In 6 patients who required transfusion for prolonged or severe bleeding, haemorrhage ceased and no further transfusions were necessary after EACA therapy. No serious side-effects were encountered.", "PMID": 630206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8413", "title": "Comparison of combined and single-agent chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of favourable histological type.", "content": "Sixty-six untreated patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of favourable histological type were allocated alternately to initial treatment with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone or with chlorambucil. The complete remission rate was higher in the group receiving combination chemotherapy, but the overall response rate was the same for both groups. The mean duration of complete remission was the same as that of good partial remission, and was the same for both treatments. The duration of remission was influenced by histological type and extent of disease at presentation, but not age. Those who responded to the initial treatment (whether with complete or with good partial remission) survived significantly longer than did non-responders. It is concluded that neither treatment is satisfactory and that new treatment programmes are needed for patients with a favourable prognosis, especially young patients with extensive disease.", "contents": "Comparison of combined and single-agent chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of favourable histological type. Sixty-six untreated patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of favourable histological type were allocated alternately to initial treatment with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone or with chlorambucil. The complete remission rate was higher in the group receiving combination chemotherapy, but the overall response rate was the same for both groups. The mean duration of complete remission was the same as that of good partial remission, and was the same for both treatments. The duration of remission was influenced by histological type and extent of disease at presentation, but not age. Those who responded to the initial treatment (whether with complete or with good partial remission) survived significantly longer than did non-responders. It is concluded that neither treatment is satisfactory and that new treatment programmes are needed for patients with a favourable prognosis, especially young patients with extensive disease.", "PMID": 630211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8414", "title": "Coeliac disease and immunological disorders.", "content": "Out of 314 patients with coeliac disease, 63 had associated disorders of known or suspected immunological cause (excluding aphthous stomatitis and dermatitis herpetiformis). Autoimmune diseases appeared to occur more often in patients with coeliac disease than in the normal population, 52 such diseases being found in 45 patients. Of individual disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, and ulcerative colitis seemed to be more common than expected. Atopy (asthma and eczema) occurred in 7% of the patients. Most of these immunological disorders developed when the patients were on normal diet. A gluten-free diet and virtually normal jejunum did not prevent their development, and the diet had little ameliorating effect on their course apart from an occasional dramatic improvement in atopic patients.", "contents": "Coeliac disease and immunological disorders. Out of 314 patients with coeliac disease, 63 had associated disorders of known or suspected immunological cause (excluding aphthous stomatitis and dermatitis herpetiformis). Autoimmune diseases appeared to occur more often in patients with coeliac disease than in the normal population, 52 such diseases being found in 45 patients. Of individual disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases, and ulcerative colitis seemed to be more common than expected. Atopy (asthma and eczema) occurred in 7% of the patients. Most of these immunological disorders developed when the patients were on normal diet. A gluten-free diet and virtually normal jejunum did not prevent their development, and the diet had little ameliorating effect on their course apart from an occasional dramatic improvement in atopic patients.", "PMID": 630212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8415", "title": "Diet and retarded growth.", "content": "The diets of 36 children below the third centile for height but with no organic disease were compared with the diets of a control group. In most cases retarded growth was associated with a long-continued deficiency in calorie intake. When the diets were reassessed about a year later the shortfall in calorie intake was significantly reduced. This improvement, which tended to be followed by an increase in the rate of growth in height, might have been due to alteration in the child's circumstances or improvement in the family attitudes and feeding habits or both. Advice given at the clinic is thought to have played a part in bringing these changes about.", "contents": "Diet and retarded growth. The diets of 36 children below the third centile for height but with no organic disease were compared with the diets of a control group. In most cases retarded growth was associated with a long-continued deficiency in calorie intake. When the diets were reassessed about a year later the shortfall in calorie intake was significantly reduced. This improvement, which tended to be followed by an increase in the rate of growth in height, might have been due to alteration in the child's circumstances or improvement in the family attitudes and feeding habits or both. Advice given at the clinic is thought to have played a part in bringing these changes about.", "PMID": 630213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8416", "title": "Fluorouracil cardiotoxicity.", "content": "Our of 140 patients treated with intravenous 5-fluorouracil, four developed ischaemic chest pain within 18 hours of either the second or third dose. In three of these patients the pain recurred after subsequent doses. Predose electrocardiograms in two cases were normal. None of the four patients had a history of ischaemic heart disease, although all had received left ventricular irradiation. Although cardiotoxicity is a rare complication of fluorouracil treatment, it merits wider recognition.", "contents": "Fluorouracil cardiotoxicity. Our of 140 patients treated with intravenous 5-fluorouracil, four developed ischaemic chest pain within 18 hours of either the second or third dose. In three of these patients the pain recurred after subsequent doses. Predose electrocardiograms in two cases were normal. None of the four patients had a history of ischaemic heart disease, although all had received left ventricular irradiation. Although cardiotoxicity is a rare complication of fluorouracil treatment, it merits wider recognition.", "PMID": 630214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8417", "title": "Firm, patient, and process variables associated with length of stay in four diseases.", "content": "Factors associated with length of stay in three London teaching hospitals during 1972 and 1975 were examined in patients treated for myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, inguinal hernia without obstruction, and gall stones. Statistical analyses were carried out with multiple regressions on log lengths of stay.Increased length of stay was associated with infection in all four groups and with the seriousness of operative procedures in all but patients with cerebrovascular disease. Although age was a significant variable in patients with hernias and gall stones, it had relatively little practical effect on length of stay. Other significant variables in at least one disease were obesity, number of abnormalities in blood chemistry, administration of parenteral fluids or oxygen, or use of monitoring devices, and whether chest radiography was carried out, blood electrolytes and urea were measured, or anticoagulants were used. Patients with cerebrovascular disease who were not discharged to their own homes stayed on average more than two and a half times longer than other patients.Between a third and a half of the variance was explained by these variables and the variation among firms. The method described is reproducible in other hospital settings, and the study shows that much new information could be available routinely without mounting expensive field trials.", "contents": "Firm, patient, and process variables associated with length of stay in four diseases. Factors associated with length of stay in three London teaching hospitals during 1972 and 1975 were examined in patients treated for myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, inguinal hernia without obstruction, and gall stones. Statistical analyses were carried out with multiple regressions on log lengths of stay.Increased length of stay was associated with infection in all four groups and with the seriousness of operative procedures in all but patients with cerebrovascular disease. Although age was a significant variable in patients with hernias and gall stones, it had relatively little practical effect on length of stay. Other significant variables in at least one disease were obesity, number of abnormalities in blood chemistry, administration of parenteral fluids or oxygen, or use of monitoring devices, and whether chest radiography was carried out, blood electrolytes and urea were measured, or anticoagulants were used. Patients with cerebrovascular disease who were not discharged to their own homes stayed on average more than two and a half times longer than other patients.Between a third and a half of the variance was explained by these variables and the variation among firms. The method described is reproducible in other hospital settings, and the study shows that much new information could be available routinely without mounting expensive field trials.", "PMID": 630221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8418", "title": "Psychosis in young doctors.", "content": "Three young men who had serious psychotic illnesses as final-year medical students, with damaging recurrences later in two, have subsequently succeeded as clinical practitioners. One has so far completed five healthy years, the others two years each, since treatment with phenothiazines and support.", "contents": "Psychosis in young doctors. Three young men who had serious psychotic illnesses as final-year medical students, with damaging recurrences later in two, have subsequently succeeded as clinical practitioners. One has so far completed five healthy years, the others two years each, since treatment with phenothiazines and support.", "PMID": 630222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8419", "title": "Nature, nurture, and childhood overweight.", "content": "The relative importance of dietary and familial factors in determining weight in early infancy were studied in 203 5-year-old children. Their age at weaning, energy intake in infancy and at 5 years, and maternal percentage expected weight were studied in relation to their percentage expected weight. Neither the estimated energy intake in infancy nor the intake at 5 years correlated significantly with their percentage expected weight at 5 years. Overweight 5-year-olds had not been weaned earlier than normal-weight 5-year-olds. There was a significant correlation between the percentage expected weights of the mothers and those of their children at 5 years of age, although the children of overweight mothers did not have higher energy intakes than the children of underweight mothers. A familial, perhaps genetically determined, tendency to overweight seems to be more important in determining whether a child will be overweight at 5 years old than early weaning and overfeeding in infancy.", "contents": "Nature, nurture, and childhood overweight. The relative importance of dietary and familial factors in determining weight in early infancy were studied in 203 5-year-old children. Their age at weaning, energy intake in infancy and at 5 years, and maternal percentage expected weight were studied in relation to their percentage expected weight. Neither the estimated energy intake in infancy nor the intake at 5 years correlated significantly with their percentage expected weight at 5 years. Overweight 5-year-olds had not been weaned earlier than normal-weight 5-year-olds. There was a significant correlation between the percentage expected weights of the mothers and those of their children at 5 years of age, although the children of overweight mothers did not have higher energy intakes than the children of underweight mothers. A familial, perhaps genetically determined, tendency to overweight seems to be more important in determining whether a child will be overweight at 5 years old than early weaning and overfeeding in infancy.", "PMID": 630253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8420", "title": "Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and HLA-B27 in sexually acquired reactive arthritis.", "content": "Inflammatory arthritis, tendinitis, and fasciitis after non-specific urethritis (\"sexually acquired reactive arthritis\" (SARA)) was studied prospectively in 531 men with non-specific urethritis, with particular reference to the frequency of isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis and the presence of HLA-B27. Satisfactory cultures were obtained from the urethral swabs from 384 patients; and HLA typing was performed on 482, of whom 30 (6%) were HLA-B27-positive. Arthritis developed in 16 patients, and five of the 14 (36%) with satisfactory cultures were positive for C trachomatis; 135 of the patients without arthritis were also positive for C trachomatis, an identical proportion. Seven of the 15 patients (40%) with arthritis who were HLA-typed were HLA-B27-positive. Six of the 30 patients with HLA-B27 developed peripheral arthritis in contrast to only nine of the 452 patients lacking the antigen, suggesting a tenfold increase susceptibility. C trachomatis, however, was no more prevalent in cultures from HLA-B27-positive men than from the others. Thus carriage of C trachomatis is unlikely to be influenced by HLA-B27. C trachomatis may be an important pathogen in some cases of SARA but does not appear to be an exclusive trigger factor for this condition.", "contents": "Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and HLA-B27 in sexually acquired reactive arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis, tendinitis, and fasciitis after non-specific urethritis (\"sexually acquired reactive arthritis\" (SARA)) was studied prospectively in 531 men with non-specific urethritis, with particular reference to the frequency of isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis and the presence of HLA-B27. Satisfactory cultures were obtained from the urethral swabs from 384 patients; and HLA typing was performed on 482, of whom 30 (6%) were HLA-B27-positive. Arthritis developed in 16 patients, and five of the 14 (36%) with satisfactory cultures were positive for C trachomatis; 135 of the patients without arthritis were also positive for C trachomatis, an identical proportion. Seven of the 15 patients (40%) with arthritis who were HLA-typed were HLA-B27-positive. Six of the 30 patients with HLA-B27 developed peripheral arthritis in contrast to only nine of the 452 patients lacking the antigen, suggesting a tenfold increase susceptibility. C trachomatis, however, was no more prevalent in cultures from HLA-B27-positive men than from the others. Thus carriage of C trachomatis is unlikely to be influenced by HLA-B27. C trachomatis may be an important pathogen in some cases of SARA but does not appear to be an exclusive trigger factor for this condition.", "PMID": 630254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8421", "title": "High incidence of vincristine-induced neuropathy in lymphomas.", "content": "The incidence of vincristine-induced neuropathy was studied in 60 unselected patients, of whom 23 had lymphoma and 37 had other malignant disease. All were treated with vincristine combined with other cytotoxic agents. Fourteen of the patients with lymphoma (61%) developed neuropathy compared with five patients with leukaemia or non-lymphoid cancer (14%), even though all patients received comparable doses of vincristine. The difference between the two groups in the incidence of neuropathy was highly significant. Of the patients who developed neuropathy, 17 did so within the first three months of treatment and seven in the first month. Patients with lymphoma who are receiving vincristine should be observed carfully for symptoms and signs of neuropathy. Vincristine should be withdrawn if progressive neurotoxicity develops.", "contents": "High incidence of vincristine-induced neuropathy in lymphomas. The incidence of vincristine-induced neuropathy was studied in 60 unselected patients, of whom 23 had lymphoma and 37 had other malignant disease. All were treated with vincristine combined with other cytotoxic agents. Fourteen of the patients with lymphoma (61%) developed neuropathy compared with five patients with leukaemia or non-lymphoid cancer (14%), even though all patients received comparable doses of vincristine. The difference between the two groups in the incidence of neuropathy was highly significant. Of the patients who developed neuropathy, 17 did so within the first three months of treatment and seven in the first month. Patients with lymphoma who are receiving vincristine should be observed carfully for symptoms and signs of neuropathy. Vincristine should be withdrawn if progressive neurotoxicity develops.", "PMID": 630255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8422", "title": "Methylmercury poisoning in Iraqi children: clinical observations over two years.", "content": "The clinical features of 49 children who had eaten bread contaminated with methylmercury in rural Iraq were reviewed. Symptoms and signs relating to the nervous system--varying degrees of ataxia, weakness, and visual and sensory changes--dominated the clinical picture. The severity of poisoning was related to the blood mercury concentration, as was the degree of recovery. Follow-up over two years showed that children who had had mild or moderate poisoning slowly but steadily improved, some of them recovering normal function, though all had a residual generalized hyperreflexia. In some patients ataxia and motor weakness disappeared. Visual changes also improved, though less completely, and of 17 blind children, only five had recovered partial sight by the end of two years. Seven of the 18 children who suffered very severe poisoning were left physically and mentally incapacitated. The degree of clinical progress shown by these children was better than that shown by some other groups of patients, possibly because the poisoning was relatively acute and mercury consumption was stopped immediately after its effects had become obvious.", "contents": "Methylmercury poisoning in Iraqi children: clinical observations over two years. The clinical features of 49 children who had eaten bread contaminated with methylmercury in rural Iraq were reviewed. Symptoms and signs relating to the nervous system--varying degrees of ataxia, weakness, and visual and sensory changes--dominated the clinical picture. The severity of poisoning was related to the blood mercury concentration, as was the degree of recovery. Follow-up over two years showed that children who had had mild or moderate poisoning slowly but steadily improved, some of them recovering normal function, though all had a residual generalized hyperreflexia. In some patients ataxia and motor weakness disappeared. Visual changes also improved, though less completely, and of 17 blind children, only five had recovered partial sight by the end of two years. Seven of the 18 children who suffered very severe poisoning were left physically and mentally incapacitated. The degree of clinical progress shown by these children was better than that shown by some other groups of patients, possibly because the poisoning was relatively acute and mercury consumption was stopped immediately after its effects had become obvious.", "PMID": 630256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8423", "title": "How obstetricians manage hypertension in pregnancy.", "content": "One thousand and ninety-three obstetricians answered a questionnaire on the management of pregnant women with pre-existing hypertension and pre-eclampsia. They reported that they frequently used antihypertensive drugs (most often methyldopa and diuretics) in severe essential hypertension but tended to give sedatives in mild cases. Renal impairment was considered more important that raised blood pressure as an indication for terminating pregnancy; but even without a raised blood urea concentration over a quarter of respondents (especially the more senior obstetricians) would have considered it. The more junior obstetricians were more likely to admit the least severely affected patients to hospital. Pre-eclampsia was usually treated with bed rest and sedatives (most frequently diazepam); but the choice of drug varied with the seniority of the respondents, the more senior obstetricians tending to confine themselves to the more familial drugs. There was considerable unanimity in the replies, even though most of the treatments and practices have not been validated by controlled trials, and two-thirds of the obstetricians gave the same answers to most of the questions.", "contents": "How obstetricians manage hypertension in pregnancy. One thousand and ninety-three obstetricians answered a questionnaire on the management of pregnant women with pre-existing hypertension and pre-eclampsia. They reported that they frequently used antihypertensive drugs (most often methyldopa and diuretics) in severe essential hypertension but tended to give sedatives in mild cases. Renal impairment was considered more important that raised blood pressure as an indication for terminating pregnancy; but even without a raised blood urea concentration over a quarter of respondents (especially the more senior obstetricians) would have considered it. The more junior obstetricians were more likely to admit the least severely affected patients to hospital. Pre-eclampsia was usually treated with bed rest and sedatives (most frequently diazepam); but the choice of drug varied with the seniority of the respondents, the more senior obstetricians tending to confine themselves to the more familial drugs. There was considerable unanimity in the replies, even though most of the treatments and practices have not been validated by controlled trials, and two-thirds of the obstetricians gave the same answers to most of the questions.", "PMID": 630263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8424", "title": "Diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis.", "content": "Twenty-eight patients with histologically proved pseudomembranous colitis have been seen in one hospital since July 1975. All patients with the disease had received antibiotics, six for infections not requiring operations; the other 22 cases all occurred after major surgery. All the patients had diarrhoea; six patients also had fever with clinical signs of sepsis, and three had abdominal pain thought to be due to anastomotic dehiscence after colonic resection. Pseudomembranous colitis was associated with white blood counts over 15 000/mm3 in 17 patients and albumin concentrations of less than 30 g/1 in 18. Pseudomembranous colitis was an incidental finding at necropsy in two of six patients who had not had an operation. Of the 22 patients who had had major surgery, nine died from this complication; in all except two of these cases the diagnosis was made only at necropsy. If pseudomembranous colitis is suspected on clinical grounds or if there is an unexplained complication after colorectal surgery repeat sigmoidoscopy and testing for faecal toxins should be carried out to establish the diagnosis so that prompt supportive treatment can be given.", "contents": "Diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis. Twenty-eight patients with histologically proved pseudomembranous colitis have been seen in one hospital since July 1975. All patients with the disease had received antibiotics, six for infections not requiring operations; the other 22 cases all occurred after major surgery. All the patients had diarrhoea; six patients also had fever with clinical signs of sepsis, and three had abdominal pain thought to be due to anastomotic dehiscence after colonic resection. Pseudomembranous colitis was associated with white blood counts over 15 000/mm3 in 17 patients and albumin concentrations of less than 30 g/1 in 18. Pseudomembranous colitis was an incidental finding at necropsy in two of six patients who had not had an operation. Of the 22 patients who had had major surgery, nine died from this complication; in all except two of these cases the diagnosis was made only at necropsy. If pseudomembranous colitis is suspected on clinical grounds or if there is an unexplained complication after colorectal surgery repeat sigmoidoscopy and testing for faecal toxins should be carried out to establish the diagnosis so that prompt supportive treatment can be given.", "PMID": 630292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8425", "title": "MVPP chemotherapy regimen for advanced Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "During January 1968 to December 1972, 133 patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD) were admitted to hospital for combination chemotherapy with mustine, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisolone (MVPP regimen). Remission rates were 76% among 49 untreated patients and 90% among 42 patients who had relapsed after radiotherapy. The corresponding five-year survival rates were 65% and 86% respectively. Provided the observed yearly mortality (6%) remains unchanged 75% of patients who had previously received no treatment or irradiation and achieved remission are expected to continue in first remission after five years. Forty-two patients had received prior chemotherapy. They had lower remission and five-year survival rates (40% and 33% respectively), and fewer than half of those achieving remission were still in first remission after five years. There were several reasons for the poor prognosis in this group, including advanced-stage disease (stage IVB), age over 40, and achievement of remission.Chemotherapy was administered on an outpatient basis. Haematological toxicity and immediate drug-related side effects were similar to those of other regimens but there was no appreciable neurotoxicity. Most deaths were due to either HD itself or complications of advanced disease. Five malignancies other than HD occurred in patients who had received both single-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy before MVPP chemotherapy. Two patients developed osteonecrosis of the femoral heads.Combination chemotherapy has a profound effect on the prognosis of advanced HD. The MVPP regimen yields results comparable to those of other regimens but with perhaps less toxicity.", "contents": "MVPP chemotherapy regimen for advanced Hodgkin's disease. During January 1968 to December 1972, 133 patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD) were admitted to hospital for combination chemotherapy with mustine, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisolone (MVPP regimen). Remission rates were 76% among 49 untreated patients and 90% among 42 patients who had relapsed after radiotherapy. The corresponding five-year survival rates were 65% and 86% respectively. Provided the observed yearly mortality (6%) remains unchanged 75% of patients who had previously received no treatment or irradiation and achieved remission are expected to continue in first remission after five years. Forty-two patients had received prior chemotherapy. They had lower remission and five-year survival rates (40% and 33% respectively), and fewer than half of those achieving remission were still in first remission after five years. There were several reasons for the poor prognosis in this group, including advanced-stage disease (stage IVB), age over 40, and achievement of remission.Chemotherapy was administered on an outpatient basis. Haematological toxicity and immediate drug-related side effects were similar to those of other regimens but there was no appreciable neurotoxicity. Most deaths were due to either HD itself or complications of advanced disease. Five malignancies other than HD occurred in patients who had received both single-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy before MVPP chemotherapy. Two patients developed osteonecrosis of the femoral heads.Combination chemotherapy has a profound effect on the prognosis of advanced HD. The MVPP regimen yields results comparable to those of other regimens but with perhaps less toxicity.", "PMID": 630293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8426", "title": "Incidence of salivary gland tumours in Scotland: accuracy of national records.", "content": "Statistics on discharge diagnoses in Scotland during 1968-74 show the incidence of all tumours of major salivary glands to exceed 40/million population yearly. This is higher than in any other nationality except Canadian Eskimos. Studies in two hospitals showed that numerous errors occurred in reporting these tumours, but the figures were more likely to be too low than too high. Probably eastern Scotland at least has an unusually high incidence, although in other countries using different methods of analysis the reported figures are likely to be low. Statistics based on discharge diagnoses will continue to be neglected in research until the standard of completion of discharge diagnoses improves.", "contents": "Incidence of salivary gland tumours in Scotland: accuracy of national records. Statistics on discharge diagnoses in Scotland during 1968-74 show the incidence of all tumours of major salivary glands to exceed 40/million population yearly. This is higher than in any other nationality except Canadian Eskimos. Studies in two hospitals showed that numerous errors occurred in reporting these tumours, but the figures were more likely to be too low than too high. Probably eastern Scotland at least has an unusually high incidence, although in other countries using different methods of analysis the reported figures are likely to be low. Statistics based on discharge diagnoses will continue to be neglected in research until the standard of completion of discharge diagnoses improves.", "PMID": 630295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8427", "title": "Intramuscular injections of iron compounds and oncogenesis in man.", "content": "To evaluate the evidence for iron compounds as local carcinogens in man, histological material and clinical reports have been reviewed in seven of the eight published cases of tumours developing at the site of intramuscular injections. The microscopical appearances suggested benign lesions in two cases and a variety of tumours in the other five. In only two cases (a rhabdomyosarcoma and a fibrosarcoma) was the interval between injections and tumour development longer than six years. Of the remaining three tumours, one was considered to be a rather slowly growing haemangiopericytoma (with an interval of two years), one appeared to be a subcutaneous lymphoma with no evidence of having arisen in the gluteal muscles, and one was a pleomorphic sarcoma with a possible five-year interval. Sarcomas induced experimentally by iron compounds differ in being less variable in type and in containing abundant iron-containing macrophages, which were negligible in these human tumours.Although the total number of patients who have received intramuscular injections of iron compounds is not known, the present findings, in contrast to experimental work, do not support the view that such treatment carries a strong risk of tumour development.", "contents": "Intramuscular injections of iron compounds and oncogenesis in man. To evaluate the evidence for iron compounds as local carcinogens in man, histological material and clinical reports have been reviewed in seven of the eight published cases of tumours developing at the site of intramuscular injections. The microscopical appearances suggested benign lesions in two cases and a variety of tumours in the other five. In only two cases (a rhabdomyosarcoma and a fibrosarcoma) was the interval between injections and tumour development longer than six years. Of the remaining three tumours, one was considered to be a rather slowly growing haemangiopericytoma (with an interval of two years), one appeared to be a subcutaneous lymphoma with no evidence of having arisen in the gluteal muscles, and one was a pleomorphic sarcoma with a possible five-year interval. Sarcomas induced experimentally by iron compounds differ in being less variable in type and in containing abundant iron-containing macrophages, which were negligible in these human tumours.Although the total number of patients who have received intramuscular injections of iron compounds is not known, the present findings, in contrast to experimental work, do not support the view that such treatment carries a strong risk of tumour development.", "PMID": 630294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8428", "title": "Prevalence of hepatitis A and B infections in multiply transfused thalassaemic patients.", "content": "Evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections was south in 148 multiply transfused patients with thalassaemia and in healthy controls (2040 for HBV and 217 for HAV). The prevalence of the HBV surface antigen or antibody to it was significantly higher in patients than in controls and increased with the number of blood transfusions. In contrast, the prevalence of antibody to HAV was significantly lower in patients than in controls and decreased with the number of blood transfusions. These results support the view that blood transfusion does not play any appreciable part in transmitting HAV. Indeed, regular blood transfusion, where donors almost all have HAV antibody, seems to give protection against infection.", "contents": "Prevalence of hepatitis A and B infections in multiply transfused thalassaemic patients. Evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections was south in 148 multiply transfused patients with thalassaemia and in healthy controls (2040 for HBV and 217 for HAV). The prevalence of the HBV surface antigen or antibody to it was significantly higher in patients than in controls and increased with the number of blood transfusions. In contrast, the prevalence of antibody to HAV was significantly lower in patients than in controls and decreased with the number of blood transfusions. These results support the view that blood transfusion does not play any appreciable part in transmitting HAV. Indeed, regular blood transfusion, where donors almost all have HAV antibody, seems to give protection against infection.", "PMID": 630296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8429", "title": "Reduction of skin bacteria in theatre air with comfortable, non-woven disposable clothing for operating-theatre staff.", "content": "Conventional loose-weave cotton operating garments were compared with clothing of a non-woven fabric to test their efficacy in reducing the dispersal of skin bacteria into theatre air. When men wore operating suits made of the non-woven fabric dispersal of skin bacteria was reduced by 72%. When all the operating-theatre staff wore suits and dresses of this fabric air bacterial counts during operating sessions were reduced by 55%; no reduction occurred when the fabric was worn by only the scrubbed team. The lowest levels of microbial contamination of the air in the operating theatre occurred when both the unscrubbed and scrubbed theatre staff wore clothes of non-woven fabric.", "contents": "Reduction of skin bacteria in theatre air with comfortable, non-woven disposable clothing for operating-theatre staff. Conventional loose-weave cotton operating garments were compared with clothing of a non-woven fabric to test their efficacy in reducing the dispersal of skin bacteria into theatre air. When men wore operating suits made of the non-woven fabric dispersal of skin bacteria was reduced by 72%. When all the operating-theatre staff wore suits and dresses of this fabric air bacterial counts during operating sessions were reduced by 55%; no reduction occurred when the fabric was worn by only the scrubbed team. The lowest levels of microbial contamination of the air in the operating theatre occurred when both the unscrubbed and scrubbed theatre staff wore clothes of non-woven fabric.", "PMID": 630302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8430", "title": "The psychological and social effects of myocardial infarction on wives.", "content": "Eighty-two wives of men suffering a first myocardial infarction were interviewed while their husbands were in hospital, and again two months and a year after they went home. The wives had substantial and persistent psychological symptoms, and the husbands' illness had continuing effects on their work, leisure and social activities, and family life and marriage, their psychosocial disability being comparable to that of the patients. Measures of psychosocial adjustment before the illness and the quality of the marriage and of family life were good predictors of outcome for the wives. The women had a major role in the patients' readjustment during convalescence, and their attitudes and behaviour as well as the general quality of family life were important determinants of the rate and extent of the patients' recovery. The wives of patients with myocardial infarction should have more practical help and advice during the hospital period, and the whole family should be given advice and help throughout the convalescence.", "contents": "The psychological and social effects of myocardial infarction on wives. Eighty-two wives of men suffering a first myocardial infarction were interviewed while their husbands were in hospital, and again two months and a year after they went home. The wives had substantial and persistent psychological symptoms, and the husbands' illness had continuing effects on their work, leisure and social activities, and family life and marriage, their psychosocial disability being comparable to that of the patients. Measures of psychosocial adjustment before the illness and the quality of the marriage and of family life were good predictors of outcome for the wives. The women had a major role in the patients' readjustment during convalescence, and their attitudes and behaviour as well as the general quality of family life were important determinants of the rate and extent of the patients' recovery. The wives of patients with myocardial infarction should have more practical help and advice during the hospital period, and the whole family should be given advice and help throughout the convalescence.", "PMID": 630303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8431", "title": "Haemoglobin AIc concentrations after initial insulin treatment for newly discovered diabetes.", "content": "Glycosylated haemoglobins AIa+Ib and AIc were measured serially in 10 consecutive cases of newly discovered non-acidotic diabetes before and after diet and insulin treatment. The average concentration of Hb AIc was 11.4% in untreated diabetics as compared with 4.3% in healthy controls. With prolonged optimal regulation of blood glucose Hb AIc slowly decreased to a mean concentration of 5.5%. The concentration of Hb AIc was significantly correlated with the fasting blood sugar value. The findings suggest that determining Hb AIc may give valuable information on the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in the preceding one to two months and thus become an important aid to management.", "contents": "Haemoglobin AIc concentrations after initial insulin treatment for newly discovered diabetes. Glycosylated haemoglobins AIa+Ib and AIc were measured serially in 10 consecutive cases of newly discovered non-acidotic diabetes before and after diet and insulin treatment. The average concentration of Hb AIc was 11.4% in untreated diabetics as compared with 4.3% in healthy controls. With prolonged optimal regulation of blood glucose Hb AIc slowly decreased to a mean concentration of 5.5%. The concentration of Hb AIc was significantly correlated with the fasting blood sugar value. The findings suggest that determining Hb AIc may give valuable information on the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in the preceding one to two months and thus become an important aid to management.", "PMID": 630325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8432", "title": "Relapsing polychondritis with crescentic glomerulonephritis.", "content": "Relapsing polychondritis is rare and its cause is unknown. The tissues affected are those with a high glycosaminoglycan content, such as cartilage, the aorta, the sclera and cornea, and parts of the ear. Symptoms can usually be controlled with oral steroids, but when there is coexistent progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis quadruple chemotherapy may be used. Three cases of the clinical syndrome of relapsing polychondritis were studied in which rapidly progressive cresentic glomerulonephritis developed. In two the patients appeared to respond to aggressive treatment with immunosuppressive agents and anticoagulants. The multisystemic nature of the disease, the renal lesions, and the response to treatment all suggested that the condition might be related to periarteritis nodosa.", "contents": "Relapsing polychondritis with crescentic glomerulonephritis. Relapsing polychondritis is rare and its cause is unknown. The tissues affected are those with a high glycosaminoglycan content, such as cartilage, the aorta, the sclera and cornea, and parts of the ear. Symptoms can usually be controlled with oral steroids, but when there is coexistent progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis quadruple chemotherapy may be used. Three cases of the clinical syndrome of relapsing polychondritis were studied in which rapidly progressive cresentic glomerulonephritis developed. In two the patients appeared to respond to aggressive treatment with immunosuppressive agents and anticoagulants. The multisystemic nature of the disease, the renal lesions, and the response to treatment all suggested that the condition might be related to periarteritis nodosa.", "PMID": 630326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8433", "title": "Growth hormone, prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin hypoglycaemia in alcoholics.", "content": "Plasma growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in 24 men with progressive alcoholism who had been abstinent for two to seven days. Ten normal healthy subjects (five men, five women) served as controls for comparing GH and prolactin responses, while cortisol responses were studied in a further six male controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after an injection of soluble insulin (0.1 U/kg body weight). All patients developed adequate hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.2 mmol/l (<39.6 mg/100 ml)) and nine had impaired GH responses (peak concentration <10 mU/1). Prolactin concentrations fell or remained unchanged in nine patients, eight of whom also had impaired GH responses. In seven patients corticosteroid concentrations decreased from basal concentrations, and six of these patients had impaired GH responses. All three hormone responses were impaired in several patients, and significant correlations were found between the GH and prolactin responses at 45 and 60 minutes. GH response was not correlated with age, duration of drinking, duration of alcoholism, or admitted alcohol intake. GH responses were significantly lower in patients who had the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Our observations of impaired stress responses in some recently abstinent alcoholics may have important implications for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.", "contents": "Growth hormone, prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin hypoglycaemia in alcoholics. Plasma growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and corticosteroid responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were studied in 24 men with progressive alcoholism who had been abstinent for two to seven days. Ten normal healthy subjects (five men, five women) served as controls for comparing GH and prolactin responses, while cortisol responses were studied in a further six male controls. Blood samples were taken at intervals after an injection of soluble insulin (0.1 U/kg body weight). All patients developed adequate hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.2 mmol/l (<39.6 mg/100 ml)) and nine had impaired GH responses (peak concentration <10 mU/1). Prolactin concentrations fell or remained unchanged in nine patients, eight of whom also had impaired GH responses. In seven patients corticosteroid concentrations decreased from basal concentrations, and six of these patients had impaired GH responses. All three hormone responses were impaired in several patients, and significant correlations were found between the GH and prolactin responses at 45 and 60 minutes. GH response was not correlated with age, duration of drinking, duration of alcoholism, or admitted alcohol intake. GH responses were significantly lower in patients who had the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Our observations of impaired stress responses in some recently abstinent alcoholics may have important implications for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.", "PMID": 630327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8434", "title": "Epidemiology and clinical significance of cervical erosion in women attending a family planning clinic.", "content": "Women attending a family planning clinic were studied to determine the relation between cervical erosion and clinical and social characteristics. The appearance of the cervix was recorded without knowledge of the women's symptoms. The prevalence of erosion increased with parity but, when the effects of other factors were controlled, decreased in women aged 35 and over. Erosion was significantly more common in women taking the \"pill\" and less common in women using barrier methods of contraception than in others. There was considerable variation between doctors in the reporting of erosion. No association was found between erosion and postcoital bleeding, dyspareunia, backache, or dysuria. There was a significant but modest association between erosion and vaginal discharge and a suggestion that erosion may sometimes be associated with nocturia and frequency of micturition. Vaginal flora was similar in women with and without erosion. Cervical erosion should not be regarded as pathological in asymptomatic women, nor should it be assumed necessarily to be the cause of symptoms in women with genitourinary complaints.", "contents": "Epidemiology and clinical significance of cervical erosion in women attending a family planning clinic. Women attending a family planning clinic were studied to determine the relation between cervical erosion and clinical and social characteristics. The appearance of the cervix was recorded without knowledge of the women's symptoms. The prevalence of erosion increased with parity but, when the effects of other factors were controlled, decreased in women aged 35 and over. Erosion was significantly more common in women taking the \"pill\" and less common in women using barrier methods of contraception than in others. There was considerable variation between doctors in the reporting of erosion. No association was found between erosion and postcoital bleeding, dyspareunia, backache, or dysuria. There was a significant but modest association between erosion and vaginal discharge and a suggestion that erosion may sometimes be associated with nocturia and frequency of micturition. Vaginal flora was similar in women with and without erosion. Cervical erosion should not be regarded as pathological in asymptomatic women, nor should it be assumed necessarily to be the cause of symptoms in women with genitourinary complaints.", "PMID": 630328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8435", "title": "Scabies in Sheffield: a family infestation.", "content": "From June 1972 to May 1973 the medical officer of health and general practitioners in Sheffield referred all suspected cases of scabies to the Hallamshire Hospital skin department. Contact tracing, similar to that in VD departments, was carried out by a specially trained state registered nurse. In all, 1482 cases were found in 609 households. This was ten times the number referred to the skin department in 1971. Infestation was introduced to households mainly by schoolchildren and teenagers, especially by girls. The commonest sources were friends and relatives outside the home. Schools did not play an appreciable part in spread. The secondary attack rate in households was 38%. Notification of cases, adequate treatment within the home, and contact tracing are recommended to halt the present epidemic of scabies.", "contents": "Scabies in Sheffield: a family infestation. From June 1972 to May 1973 the medical officer of health and general practitioners in Sheffield referred all suspected cases of scabies to the Hallamshire Hospital skin department. Contact tracing, similar to that in VD departments, was carried out by a specially trained state registered nurse. In all, 1482 cases were found in 609 households. This was ten times the number referred to the skin department in 1971. Infestation was introduced to households mainly by schoolchildren and teenagers, especially by girls. The commonest sources were friends and relatives outside the home. Schools did not play an appreciable part in spread. The secondary attack rate in households was 38%. Notification of cases, adequate treatment within the home, and contact tracing are recommended to halt the present epidemic of scabies.", "PMID": 630337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8436", "title": "Intended place of delivery and perinatal outcome.", "content": "Data from the \"1958 Perinatal Mortality Survey\" have been analysed to assess differences in stillbirth and neonatal death rates according to the arrangements made for delivery. Only women aged 20-34 delivering at term, with no pregnancy abnormalities, were selected from three groups of women (normotensive primiparae, hypertensive primiparae, and normotensive women of parity 1, 2, or 3). Despite the fact that within each group the women booked for NHS consultant units were heavily weighted with adverse factors, the death rate of their infants was no more than 70% of that found among the women booked for either domiciliary, general practitioner unit, or private consultant delivery. Care and delivery in a NHS consultant unit carries least risk of death for the infant.", "contents": "Intended place of delivery and perinatal outcome. Data from the \"1958 Perinatal Mortality Survey\" have been analysed to assess differences in stillbirth and neonatal death rates according to the arrangements made for delivery. Only women aged 20-34 delivering at term, with no pregnancy abnormalities, were selected from three groups of women (normotensive primiparae, hypertensive primiparae, and normotensive women of parity 1, 2, or 3). Despite the fact that within each group the women booked for NHS consultant units were heavily weighted with adverse factors, the death rate of their infants was no more than 70% of that found among the women booked for either domiciliary, general practitioner unit, or private consultant delivery. Care and delivery in a NHS consultant unit carries least risk of death for the infant.", "PMID": 630338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8437", "title": "The regional drug information service: a factor in health care?", "content": "Most regional health authorities throughout the United Kingdom have established drug information units to provide health service staff with a wide range of information about drugs and drug use. The units, which are staffed by drug information pharmacists, provide their service mainly by answering inquiries, although some disseminate information more positively through lectures and bulletins.An analysis of inquiries received by regional information units during 1976 showed that most were submitted by hospital doctors or pharmacists; comparatively few were received from general practitioners. Topics of inquiry included adverse effects of drugs, source of supply and identification, current treatment, dosage, route, precautions, and pharmaceutical problems such as stability or formulation of drug preparations. A more detailed analysis of the inquiries received by the North-western Regional Drug Information Service at Manchester over three years showed that the number of inquiries gradually increased and that more were received from general practitioners after a programme of lectures had been introduced to tell them about the service. The North-western service also received more requests from hospital pharmacists than other units, though many originated from clinicians.The regional drug information units consulted widely with clinical and other specialists in answering questions, but about a quarter of all inquiries were pharmaceutical, relating to stability and incompatibility. A multidisciplinary approach therefore seems necessary to provide a comprehensive and advisory drug information service.", "contents": "The regional drug information service: a factor in health care? Most regional health authorities throughout the United Kingdom have established drug information units to provide health service staff with a wide range of information about drugs and drug use. The units, which are staffed by drug information pharmacists, provide their service mainly by answering inquiries, although some disseminate information more positively through lectures and bulletins.An analysis of inquiries received by regional information units during 1976 showed that most were submitted by hospital doctors or pharmacists; comparatively few were received from general practitioners. Topics of inquiry included adverse effects of drugs, source of supply and identification, current treatment, dosage, route, precautions, and pharmaceutical problems such as stability or formulation of drug preparations. A more detailed analysis of the inquiries received by the North-western Regional Drug Information Service at Manchester over three years showed that the number of inquiries gradually increased and that more were received from general practitioners after a programme of lectures had been introduced to tell them about the service. The North-western service also received more requests from hospital pharmacists than other units, though many originated from clinicians.The regional drug information units consulted widely with clinical and other specialists in answering questions, but about a quarter of all inquiries were pharmaceutical, relating to stability and incompatibility. A multidisciplinary approach therefore seems necessary to provide a comprehensive and advisory drug information service.", "PMID": 630339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8438", "title": "Encephalization in vertebrates. A new mode of calculation for allometry coefficients and isoponderal indices.", "content": "The conventional allometric power function, with its slope near 2/3, works well for interspecific scaling of brain vs. body weight in all groups of vertebrates. It fails, however, in extrapolation to vertebrates of the largest size within their groups: these have smaller brains than the equation would predict. We propose a correction, the hyperbolic tangent, to linearize the data over all sizes, and we discuss evolutionary reasons for the relatively small brain size of the largest vertebrates.", "contents": "Encephalization in vertebrates. A new mode of calculation for allometry coefficients and isoponderal indices. The conventional allometric power function, with its slope near 2/3, works well for interspecific scaling of brain vs. body weight in all groups of vertebrates. It fails, however, in extrapolation to vertebrates of the largest size within their groups: these have smaller brains than the equation would predict. We propose a correction, the hyperbolic tangent, to linearize the data over all sizes, and we discuss evolutionary reasons for the relatively small brain size of the largest vertebrates.", "PMID": 630380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8439", "title": "The vestibular nuclei in the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus). IV. The projection to the spinal cord.", "content": "Horseradish peroxidase was injected at various levels of the spinal cord of the hen and the cells in the brain stem, labeled due to retrograde transport of the tracer enzyme, were mapped with particular reference to the vestibular nuclear complex. The Deiters' nuclei project ipsilaterally to the spinal cord. The projection from the nucleus Deiters ventralis reaches down to the lumbosacral spinal cord. The spinal projection from the nucleus Deiters dorsalis is somatotopically organized. Cells localized rostrally within the nucleus project to upper parts of the spinal cord cells localized caudally project to the lumbosacral spinal cord. The medial and the descending nucleus contain labeled cells in two compartments of the nuclei. In each of them a rostral one projects to the upper cervical cord, a caudal one projects to the thoracical spinal cord. In addition, labeled cells are observed in the reticular formation, mainly in the pons and the medulla oblongata, in the red nucleus, in the raphe nuclei and in the periaqueductal grey. Very few labeled cells are observed in the locus ceruleus, the nucleus intercalatus and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. In some cases, the number of labeled cells in the various nuclei in the brain stem projecting to the spinal cord was counted to get an impression of the quantitative importance of the vestibulospinal projection relative to afferents to the spinal cord from the other nuclei. The findings are discussed in the light of what is known of the vestibulospinal projection in mammals.", "contents": "The vestibular nuclei in the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus). IV. The projection to the spinal cord. Horseradish peroxidase was injected at various levels of the spinal cord of the hen and the cells in the brain stem, labeled due to retrograde transport of the tracer enzyme, were mapped with particular reference to the vestibular nuclear complex. The Deiters' nuclei project ipsilaterally to the spinal cord. The projection from the nucleus Deiters ventralis reaches down to the lumbosacral spinal cord. The spinal projection from the nucleus Deiters dorsalis is somatotopically organized. Cells localized rostrally within the nucleus project to upper parts of the spinal cord cells localized caudally project to the lumbosacral spinal cord. The medial and the descending nucleus contain labeled cells in two compartments of the nuclei. In each of them a rostral one projects to the upper cervical cord, a caudal one projects to the thoracical spinal cord. In addition, labeled cells are observed in the reticular formation, mainly in the pons and the medulla oblongata, in the red nucleus, in the raphe nuclei and in the periaqueductal grey. Very few labeled cells are observed in the locus ceruleus, the nucleus intercalatus and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. In some cases, the number of labeled cells in the various nuclei in the brain stem projecting to the spinal cord was counted to get an impression of the quantitative importance of the vestibulospinal projection relative to afferents to the spinal cord from the other nuclei. The findings are discussed in the light of what is known of the vestibulospinal projection in mammals.", "PMID": 630381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8440", "title": "Topography of visual and somatosensory projections to the superior colliculus of the golden hamster.", "content": "The topography of visual and somatosensory projections to the superior colliculus in the Syrian hamster was studied using electrophysiological techniques. The visual projection to the superficial layers of the colliculus is similar in general topography to that described for other rodents. The magnification of the visual field on the colliculus surface was greatest for nasal visual field. The magnification factor paralleled retinal ganglion cell density for corresponding visual field sectors. In the deep layers of the colliculus, a somatosensory projection is found in register with the visual projection such that the anterior somatosensory field and nasalmost visual field are both represented in rostral colliculus; posterior somatosensory fields and temporal visual fields are found in caudal colliculus. Likewise, upper visual and somatosensory fields are found in medial colliculus, and lower visual and somatosensory fields are found in lateral colliculus. Large receptive fields make the somatosensory topography less precise than the visual topography, but this lack of precision could serve to keep the two maps generally in register during eye and body movements.", "contents": "Topography of visual and somatosensory projections to the superior colliculus of the golden hamster. The topography of visual and somatosensory projections to the superior colliculus in the Syrian hamster was studied using electrophysiological techniques. The visual projection to the superficial layers of the colliculus is similar in general topography to that described for other rodents. The magnification of the visual field on the colliculus surface was greatest for nasal visual field. The magnification factor paralleled retinal ganglion cell density for corresponding visual field sectors. In the deep layers of the colliculus, a somatosensory projection is found in register with the visual projection such that the anterior somatosensory field and nasalmost visual field are both represented in rostral colliculus; posterior somatosensory fields and temporal visual fields are found in caudal colliculus. Likewise, upper visual and somatosensory fields are found in medial colliculus, and lower visual and somatosensory fields are found in lateral colliculus. Large receptive fields make the somatosensory topography less precise than the visual topography, but this lack of precision could serve to keep the two maps generally in register during eye and body movements.", "PMID": 630383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8441", "title": "The location of spinal projection neurons in the cerebellar nuclei (cerebellospinal tract neurons) of the cat. A study with the horseradish peroxidase technique.", "content": "The distribution of spinal projection neurons was studied in the cerebellar nuclei of the cat following injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the cervical, thoracic and lumbar cord. HRP-positive (labeled) neurons were found in the medial (fastigial) and the posterior interpositus nuclei on the side contralateral to the cervical injection, being most numberous in cases with injections between the C2 and the C3 segments. In the medial nucleus (M) labeled neurons were distributed in the central to the caudal portions, and there was a conspicuous group of labeled small neurons extending from the ventrolateral part to the intermediate zone between the M and the anterior interpositus nucleus. With an increasing number of medium-sized neurons, this neuronal group persisted caudally in a similar position, ventromedial to the posterior interpositus nucleus (IP). Labeled large neurons were seen in the medial third of the IP. In the two cases labeled neurons of medium and small sizes were equal in number, and the neurons of the IP constituted about 10% of the total number of the spinal projection neurons. The present study suggests that the neurons of the M and the IP, including those of the intermediate group located between the two, project the bulk of the crossed descending fibers as far caudally as the C2 and the C3 segments.", "contents": "The location of spinal projection neurons in the cerebellar nuclei (cerebellospinal tract neurons) of the cat. A study with the horseradish peroxidase technique. The distribution of spinal projection neurons was studied in the cerebellar nuclei of the cat following injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the cervical, thoracic and lumbar cord. HRP-positive (labeled) neurons were found in the medial (fastigial) and the posterior interpositus nuclei on the side contralateral to the cervical injection, being most numberous in cases with injections between the C2 and the C3 segments. In the medial nucleus (M) labeled neurons were distributed in the central to the caudal portions, and there was a conspicuous group of labeled small neurons extending from the ventrolateral part to the intermediate zone between the M and the anterior interpositus nucleus. With an increasing number of medium-sized neurons, this neuronal group persisted caudally in a similar position, ventromedial to the posterior interpositus nucleus (IP). Labeled large neurons were seen in the medial third of the IP. In the two cases labeled neurons of medium and small sizes were equal in number, and the neurons of the IP constituted about 10% of the total number of the spinal projection neurons. The present study suggests that the neurons of the M and the IP, including those of the intermediate group located between the two, project the bulk of the crossed descending fibers as far caudally as the C2 and the C3 segments.", "PMID": 630384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8442", "title": "Postnatal development of rat cerebellum: massive and transient accumulation of concanavalin A binding glycoproteins in parallel fiber axolemma.", "content": "Modifications of protein-bound sugars during postnatal development of rat cerebellum were studied. Glycoprotein-bound mannose accumulates, in the particulate fractions, at an earlier age than the bulk of glycoprotein sugar. This corresponds to a transient and massive accumulation of glycoproteins which bind to Concanavalin A (Con A). These glycoproteins were localized by using fluorescent Con A and the horseradish peroxidase-Con A method. Cerebellar white matter and the molecular layer bind massive amounts of Con A. The binding in the molecular layer is transient. It follows the same time course as the Con A-binding glycoproteins of particulate fractions, and it is largely confined to the axolemma of parallel fibers. Only growing or newly formed parallel fibers bind Con A. The disappearance of the binding is simultaneous with the maturation of parallel fibers and their synapse formation. These phenomena can be related to fiber growth and maturation and, also, to synapse formation. The possibility of a specific role of Con A-binding glycoproteins is discussed.", "contents": "Postnatal development of rat cerebellum: massive and transient accumulation of concanavalin A binding glycoproteins in parallel fiber axolemma. Modifications of protein-bound sugars during postnatal development of rat cerebellum were studied. Glycoprotein-bound mannose accumulates, in the particulate fractions, at an earlier age than the bulk of glycoprotein sugar. This corresponds to a transient and massive accumulation of glycoproteins which bind to Concanavalin A (Con A). These glycoproteins were localized by using fluorescent Con A and the horseradish peroxidase-Con A method. Cerebellar white matter and the molecular layer bind massive amounts of Con A. The binding in the molecular layer is transient. It follows the same time course as the Con A-binding glycoproteins of particulate fractions, and it is largely confined to the axolemma of parallel fibers. Only growing or newly formed parallel fibers bind Con A. The disappearance of the binding is simultaneous with the maturation of parallel fibers and their synapse formation. These phenomena can be related to fiber growth and maturation and, also, to synapse formation. The possibility of a specific role of Con A-binding glycoproteins is discussed.", "PMID": 630386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8443", "title": "Chemical relationship of the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's dementia to normal human neurofilaments and neurotubules.", "content": "Intraneuronal fibrillary tangles are prominent features of several neurological diseases, including especially Alzheimer presenile and senile dementia, and to a much lesser degree in the normal aged human brain. These tangles are made up of abnormal fibrillar elements each about 22 nm at its widest, periodically reduced to 10 nm at about every 80 nm. Each abnormal fiber seems to be a pair of 10 nm filaments helically wound around each other. In this study the protein subunit of these paired helical filaments isolated from cases of Alzheimer's dementia was compared with the major protein subunits of normal neurofilaments and neurotubules by two-dimensional peptide maps of the tryptic or chymotryptic digests of these proteins labelled with 125I. The paired helical filament protein is very similar in its peptide maps to identically treated major neurofilament protein and to the beta monomer of neurotubule, while it is not so similar to the alpha tubulin. These data suggest that the paired helical filament protein subunit is closely related chemically to the normal neurofilament protein subunit, and the beta tubulin.", "contents": "Chemical relationship of the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's dementia to normal human neurofilaments and neurotubules. Intraneuronal fibrillary tangles are prominent features of several neurological diseases, including especially Alzheimer presenile and senile dementia, and to a much lesser degree in the normal aged human brain. These tangles are made up of abnormal fibrillar elements each about 22 nm at its widest, periodically reduced to 10 nm at about every 80 nm. Each abnormal fiber seems to be a pair of 10 nm filaments helically wound around each other. In this study the protein subunit of these paired helical filaments isolated from cases of Alzheimer's dementia was compared with the major protein subunits of normal neurofilaments and neurotubules by two-dimensional peptide maps of the tryptic or chymotryptic digests of these proteins labelled with 125I. The paired helical filament protein is very similar in its peptide maps to identically treated major neurofilament protein and to the beta monomer of neurotubule, while it is not so similar to the alpha tubulin. These data suggest that the paired helical filament protein subunit is closely related chemically to the normal neurofilament protein subunit, and the beta tubulin.", "PMID": 630387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8444", "title": "Junctional complexes and variations in gap junctions between spinal cord ependymal cells of a teleost. Sternarchus albifrons (Gymnotoidei).", "content": "Junctions between ependymal cells lining the central canal in the spinal cord of the weakly electric teleost, Sternarchus albifrons, were investigated by means of thin-section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Junctional complexes representing the 'terminal bar' consist of a zonula occludens, followed by intermediate junctions and desmosomes. This pattern is common in many types of epithelia but uncommon in ependyma. Three types of gap junctions were found below the level of the terminal bar and intermixed with desmosomes: (1) gap junctions at least partially enclosed by a single strand of apparent tight junction, (2) ordinary gap junctions, partially surrounded by a particle-free halo and (3) segmented gap junctions, in which linear arrays several particles wide are separated by fairly regular linear particle-free regions. Some of the observations may have implications for the mechanism of formation of gap junctions.", "contents": "Junctional complexes and variations in gap junctions between spinal cord ependymal cells of a teleost. Sternarchus albifrons (Gymnotoidei). Junctions between ependymal cells lining the central canal in the spinal cord of the weakly electric teleost, Sternarchus albifrons, were investigated by means of thin-section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Junctional complexes representing the 'terminal bar' consist of a zonula occludens, followed by intermediate junctions and desmosomes. This pattern is common in many types of epithelia but uncommon in ependyma. Three types of gap junctions were found below the level of the terminal bar and intermixed with desmosomes: (1) gap junctions at least partially enclosed by a single strand of apparent tight junction, (2) ordinary gap junctions, partially surrounded by a particle-free halo and (3) segmented gap junctions, in which linear arrays several particles wide are separated by fairly regular linear particle-free regions. Some of the observations may have implications for the mechanism of formation of gap junctions.", "PMID": 630402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8445", "title": "An electron microscopic study of rubrospinal projections to the lumbar spinal cord of the opossum.", "content": "The rubrospinal system is a major suprasegmental input to the important interneuronal pool at the base of the lumbar dorsal horn in the North American opossum. After appropriate lesions, rubral axons and their synaptic terminals were found in electron micrographs of lamina IV, V and VI as well as within the dorsal extreme of lamina VII. Degenerating terminals contact small diameter dendrites in the lateral terminal zone and large dendritic profiles in the medial terminal zone. Correlating these data with the dendritic arborizations of interneurons in Golgi preparations and with existing physiologic studies, it appears that interneurons in the intermediate and medial aspects of lamina V, VI and VII receive rubral input on both their proximal and distal dendrites.", "contents": "An electron microscopic study of rubrospinal projections to the lumbar spinal cord of the opossum. The rubrospinal system is a major suprasegmental input to the important interneuronal pool at the base of the lumbar dorsal horn in the North American opossum. After appropriate lesions, rubral axons and their synaptic terminals were found in electron micrographs of lamina IV, V and VI as well as within the dorsal extreme of lamina VII. Degenerating terminals contact small diameter dendrites in the lateral terminal zone and large dendritic profiles in the medial terminal zone. Correlating these data with the dendritic arborizations of interneurons in Golgi preparations and with existing physiologic studies, it appears that interneurons in the intermediate and medial aspects of lamina V, VI and VII receive rubral input on both their proximal and distal dendrites.", "PMID": 630404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8446", "title": "Conduction of nervous impulses in spinal roots and peripheral nerves of dystrophic mice.", "content": "Conduction was studied in the sacral ventral roots and ventral tail nerves of dystrophic mice (dy/dy) and phenotypically normal littermates. In myelinated ventral root fibers of normal mice, conduction velocity was uniform with internodal conduction time 45 +/- 5 musec (26 degrees C). In ventral root fibers of dystrophic mice, conduction velocity was decreased and strikingly non-uniform; both saltatory and continuous conduction were observed in different portions of the same nerve fiber. Continuous conduction with velocity less than 2 m/sec (26 degrees C) was characteristically observed in mid-root where the axons are bare; conduction was saltatory close to the exit from the spinal canal and near the spinal cord where the axons are myelinated. Maximum conduction velocity in ventral tail nerves was 21 +/- 3 m/sec for dystrophic mice and 31 +/- 4 m/sec for littermate controls (37 degrees C). Internodal lengths were somewhat decreased in the dystrophic peripheral nerves but there was no significant difference in maximum fiber diameters, myelin thickness or nodal morphology between dystrophic and normal nerves.", "contents": "Conduction of nervous impulses in spinal roots and peripheral nerves of dystrophic mice. Conduction was studied in the sacral ventral roots and ventral tail nerves of dystrophic mice (dy/dy) and phenotypically normal littermates. In myelinated ventral root fibers of normal mice, conduction velocity was uniform with internodal conduction time 45 +/- 5 musec (26 degrees C). In ventral root fibers of dystrophic mice, conduction velocity was decreased and strikingly non-uniform; both saltatory and continuous conduction were observed in different portions of the same nerve fiber. Continuous conduction with velocity less than 2 m/sec (26 degrees C) was characteristically observed in mid-root where the axons are bare; conduction was saltatory close to the exit from the spinal canal and near the spinal cord where the axons are myelinated. Maximum conduction velocity in ventral tail nerves was 21 +/- 3 m/sec for dystrophic mice and 31 +/- 4 m/sec for littermate controls (37 degrees C). Internodal lengths were somewhat decreased in the dystrophic peripheral nerves but there was no significant difference in maximum fiber diameters, myelin thickness or nodal morphology between dystrophic and normal nerves.", "PMID": 630405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8447", "title": "Histological studies of trophic dependencies in crayfish giant axons.", "content": "Medial giant (MGA) and lateral giant (LGA) axons of crayfish were doubly cut in order to selectively isolate axonal segments from perikaryal and transsynaptic sources of trophic input. Isolated MGA segments remained morphologically intact for over 43 days, whereas isolated LGA segments usually degenerated within one week. The glial sheaths around isolated MGA segments had significantly increased in thickness within one week, but severed LGA segments showed no increase in sheath thickness at any time after lesioning. These data suggest that cells of the surrounding glial sheath can provide trophic support to isolated MGA segments but not to isolated LGA segments. Extent of glial hypertrophy seems dependent upon specific spatiotemporal parameters. The diameters of isolated MGA segments decreased more rapidly than the diameters of singly cut MGA segments. These data suggest that the MGA also receives some trophic support from pre- or postsynaptic sources. Conversely, some singly cut LGA segments completely degenerated within one week, whereas other singly cut LGA segments remained intact for at least 43 days after lesioning. Such results suggest that the LGA receives a significant trophic input from pre- or postsynaptic structures.", "contents": "Histological studies of trophic dependencies in crayfish giant axons. Medial giant (MGA) and lateral giant (LGA) axons of crayfish were doubly cut in order to selectively isolate axonal segments from perikaryal and transsynaptic sources of trophic input. Isolated MGA segments remained morphologically intact for over 43 days, whereas isolated LGA segments usually degenerated within one week. The glial sheaths around isolated MGA segments had significantly increased in thickness within one week, but severed LGA segments showed no increase in sheath thickness at any time after lesioning. These data suggest that cells of the surrounding glial sheath can provide trophic support to isolated MGA segments but not to isolated LGA segments. Extent of glial hypertrophy seems dependent upon specific spatiotemporal parameters. The diameters of isolated MGA segments decreased more rapidly than the diameters of singly cut MGA segments. These data suggest that the MGA also receives some trophic support from pre- or postsynaptic sources. Conversely, some singly cut LGA segments completely degenerated within one week, whereas other singly cut LGA segments remained intact for at least 43 days after lesioning. Such results suggest that the LGA receives a significant trophic input from pre- or postsynaptic structures.", "PMID": 630407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8448", "title": "Properties of central vestibular neurons fired by stimulation of the saccular nerve.", "content": "In 4 cats all vestibular afferents in one labyrinth except those innervating the saccular macula were transected and allowed to degenerate. 23--53 days after the initial surgery the central connections of the remaining saccular nerve were studied under chloralose anesthesia. Stimulation of the saccular nerve evoked N1 field potentials in the ipsilateral lateral and descending vestibular nuclei; little or no field potential activity was seen in the superior nucleus. The distribution of field potentials overlapped with that of neurons of origin of the vestibulospinal tracts. Forty-two neurons in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei, many in the lateral nucleus, responded, often monosynaptically, to stimulation of the saccular nerve with single or double shocks; some of the neurons projected to the spinal cord. All saccular-fired neurons were tested for commissural actions by stimulation of the contralateral vestibular nerve. Many were facilitated, almost none were inhibited. In agreement with earlier work, we conclude that commissural inhibition may be a property of the canal system only.", "contents": "Properties of central vestibular neurons fired by stimulation of the saccular nerve. In 4 cats all vestibular afferents in one labyrinth except those innervating the saccular macula were transected and allowed to degenerate. 23--53 days after the initial surgery the central connections of the remaining saccular nerve were studied under chloralose anesthesia. Stimulation of the saccular nerve evoked N1 field potentials in the ipsilateral lateral and descending vestibular nuclei; little or no field potential activity was seen in the superior nucleus. The distribution of field potentials overlapped with that of neurons of origin of the vestibulospinal tracts. Forty-two neurons in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei, many in the lateral nucleus, responded, often monosynaptically, to stimulation of the saccular nerve with single or double shocks; some of the neurons projected to the spinal cord. All saccular-fired neurons were tested for commissural actions by stimulation of the contralateral vestibular nerve. Many were facilitated, almost none were inhibited. In agreement with earlier work, we conclude that commissural inhibition may be a property of the canal system only.", "PMID": 630408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8449", "title": "The taste reactivity test. I. Mimetic responses to gustatory stimuli in neurologically normal rats.", "content": "One or two bottle preference tests, i.e., relative fluid consumption, constitute the primary methodology for determining acceptance or rejection of tastes in animals other than humans. These tests require organisms to initiate and maintain drinking behavior, and, therefore, can not be applied to preparations which do not eat or drink spontaneously. The taste reactivity test, a new method for assessing responses to gustatory stimuli, circumvents this shortcoming. A 50 microliter taste stimulus is injected directly into the oral cavity of a freely moving rat and the immediate response videotaped for frame by frame analysis. Each of the sapid stimuli used (4 concentrations of sucrose, NaCl, HCl, and quinine HCl) generated a stereotyped response derived from a lexicon of 4 mimetic (movements of lingual, masticatory, and facial musculature) and 5 body response components. Responses to taste stimuli were highly consistent within and between rats. For example, sapid sucrose, NaCl and HCl stimuli elicited a response sequence beginning with low amplitude, rhythmic mouth movements, followed by rhythmic tongue protrusions, and then lateral tongue movements. No body movements accompanied these mimetic responses. In contrast, quinine in concentrations at and above 3 X 10(-5) M (1/2 log step above the absolute behavioral threshold for quinine) elicited a response pattern beginning with gaping and proceeding through as many as 5 body responses. These normative data for the intact rat can be directly compared to the taste reactivity of neurally ablated preparations which do not spontaneously feed or drink. Such comparisons can be utlized in determining the neural substrates necessary for the execution and regulation of ingestive behavior.", "contents": "The taste reactivity test. I. Mimetic responses to gustatory stimuli in neurologically normal rats. One or two bottle preference tests, i.e., relative fluid consumption, constitute the primary methodology for determining acceptance or rejection of tastes in animals other than humans. These tests require organisms to initiate and maintain drinking behavior, and, therefore, can not be applied to preparations which do not eat or drink spontaneously. The taste reactivity test, a new method for assessing responses to gustatory stimuli, circumvents this shortcoming. A 50 microliter taste stimulus is injected directly into the oral cavity of a freely moving rat and the immediate response videotaped for frame by frame analysis. Each of the sapid stimuli used (4 concentrations of sucrose, NaCl, HCl, and quinine HCl) generated a stereotyped response derived from a lexicon of 4 mimetic (movements of lingual, masticatory, and facial musculature) and 5 body response components. Responses to taste stimuli were highly consistent within and between rats. For example, sapid sucrose, NaCl and HCl stimuli elicited a response sequence beginning with low amplitude, rhythmic mouth movements, followed by rhythmic tongue protrusions, and then lateral tongue movements. No body movements accompanied these mimetic responses. In contrast, quinine in concentrations at and above 3 X 10(-5) M (1/2 log step above the absolute behavioral threshold for quinine) elicited a response pattern beginning with gaping and proceeding through as many as 5 body responses. These normative data for the intact rat can be directly compared to the taste reactivity of neurally ablated preparations which do not spontaneously feed or drink. Such comparisons can be utlized in determining the neural substrates necessary for the execution and regulation of ingestive behavior.", "PMID": 630409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8450", "title": "The taste reactivity test. II. Mimetic responses to gustatory stimuli in chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rats.", "content": "The taste reactivity test described in the preceding paper was used to begin determining the capacity of brain stem structures to execute and regulate ingestive behavior. Both chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rat preparations were examined repeatedly, and their gustatory mimetic responses compared through frame-by-frame videotape analysis with the responses of neurologically normal controls. In response to orally injected taste stimuli, chronic decerebrate rats executed the same mimetic response components, and very similar response sequences observed in intact rats. In contrast, all taste stimuli elicited a quinine-like rejection sequence from chronic thalamic rats. In thalamic rats mimetic responses associated with ingestion were completely absent. Based on the similarities in the ingestion and rejection responses of decerebrate and intact rats, it appears that discriminative responses to taste result from integrative mechanisms complete within, or caudal to, the midbrain. Since decerebrate rats have the capacity to execute both ingestion and rejection response sequences, neural mechanisms rostral to the midbrain in some way suppress ingestion and/or releaser ejection responses in the thalamic preparation.", "contents": "The taste reactivity test. II. Mimetic responses to gustatory stimuli in chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rats. The taste reactivity test described in the preceding paper was used to begin determining the capacity of brain stem structures to execute and regulate ingestive behavior. Both chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rat preparations were examined repeatedly, and their gustatory mimetic responses compared through frame-by-frame videotape analysis with the responses of neurologically normal controls. In response to orally injected taste stimuli, chronic decerebrate rats executed the same mimetic response components, and very similar response sequences observed in intact rats. In contrast, all taste stimuli elicited a quinine-like rejection sequence from chronic thalamic rats. In thalamic rats mimetic responses associated with ingestion were completely absent. Based on the similarities in the ingestion and rejection responses of decerebrate and intact rats, it appears that discriminative responses to taste result from integrative mechanisms complete within, or caudal to, the midbrain. Since decerebrate rats have the capacity to execute both ingestion and rejection response sequences, neural mechanisms rostral to the midbrain in some way suppress ingestion and/or releaser ejection responses in the thalamic preparation.", "PMID": 630410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8451", "title": "Neurological tests and behavioral deficits in chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rats.", "content": "The taste reactivity of chronic decerebrate rats is very similar to intact rats although chronic thalamic rats display only the quinine-like rejection sequence. The performance of intact (n = 12), decerebrate (n = 10) and thalamic (n = 10) preparations was further compared across a set of simple behavior tests to more broadly assess the behavioral capacities of the rodent brain stem. Decerebrate rats were immobile. They exhibited no spontaneous activity other than grooming, but often overreacted with well-coordinated movements (i.e., running, jumping and climbing) to seemingly inappropriate activating stimuli such as tail pinch, handling or water squirted on the fur. Decebrates had lower thresholds for elicited attack and grooming behaviors than thalamic or intact rats. The thalamic preparation exhibited a wider range of intact neurological responses than the decerebrate. Cage climbing, resistance to gravity, suspension and muscle tone reactions, rhythmic vibrissae movements and examination of objects with snout and mandible were difficult to distinguish from controls. Decerebrates either did not perform these responses or did so in a clearly different manner. In contrast, grooming behavior in thalamics was much less effective than in decerebrates. Thalamic rats spontaneously executed grooming sequences, but the responses were misdirected and ineffective. Desite their relative immobility, decerebrates coordinated grooming sequences and maintained their fur. No single mechanism appears to account for the constellation of deficits and capacities observed in either chronic thalamic or chronic decerebrate rats.", "contents": "Neurological tests and behavioral deficits in chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rats. The taste reactivity of chronic decerebrate rats is very similar to intact rats although chronic thalamic rats display only the quinine-like rejection sequence. The performance of intact (n = 12), decerebrate (n = 10) and thalamic (n = 10) preparations was further compared across a set of simple behavior tests to more broadly assess the behavioral capacities of the rodent brain stem. Decerebrate rats were immobile. They exhibited no spontaneous activity other than grooming, but often overreacted with well-coordinated movements (i.e., running, jumping and climbing) to seemingly inappropriate activating stimuli such as tail pinch, handling or water squirted on the fur. Decebrates had lower thresholds for elicited attack and grooming behaviors than thalamic or intact rats. The thalamic preparation exhibited a wider range of intact neurological responses than the decerebrate. Cage climbing, resistance to gravity, suspension and muscle tone reactions, rhythmic vibrissae movements and examination of objects with snout and mandible were difficult to distinguish from controls. Decerebrates either did not perform these responses or did so in a clearly different manner. In contrast, grooming behavior in thalamics was much less effective than in decerebrates. Thalamic rats spontaneously executed grooming sequences, but the responses were misdirected and ineffective. Desite their relative immobility, decerebrates coordinated grooming sequences and maintained their fur. No single mechanism appears to account for the constellation of deficits and capacities observed in either chronic thalamic or chronic decerebrate rats.", "PMID": 630411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8452", "title": "Differential effects of lateral and ventromedial hypothalamic lesions on gastrointestinal transit in the rat.", "content": "Lateral hypothalamic lesions that produce aphagia reduce gastric retention and increase intestinal transit of a 10 ml liquid load in anesthetized rats. Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions which produce hyperphagia and obesity have the opposite effects. These results are apparent within minutes after lesioning as well as after postoperative stabilization of body weight (26--41 days). These data suggest that changes in gastrointestinal motor function(s) may contribute to the changes in food intake which follow hypothalamic damage.", "contents": "Differential effects of lateral and ventromedial hypothalamic lesions on gastrointestinal transit in the rat. Lateral hypothalamic lesions that produce aphagia reduce gastric retention and increase intestinal transit of a 10 ml liquid load in anesthetized rats. Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions which produce hyperphagia and obesity have the opposite effects. These results are apparent within minutes after lesioning as well as after postoperative stabilization of body weight (26--41 days). These data suggest that changes in gastrointestinal motor function(s) may contribute to the changes in food intake which follow hypothalamic damage.", "PMID": 630417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8453", "title": "Responses of neurones of the pontine nuclei to stimulation of the sensorimotor, visual and auditory cortex of rats.", "content": "The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of convergence of corticofugal neurones from various cortical areas onto single neurones of the pontine nuclei (PN). Eighty-five% of the PN neurones responded to electrical stimulation of at least one of the following cortical areas: sensorimotor, visual, auditory. Slightly less than half of these neurones displayed a convergent input from two or three of functionally different cortical areas. The sensorimotor cortex, particularly the face areas, provided the most important input to the PN; stimulation of the visual cortex was less effective and stimulation of the auditory cortex rarely excited PN neurones. The electrophysiological results suggest that considerable cross-link exists between the anatomically defined cortico-pontine projection columns.", "contents": "Responses of neurones of the pontine nuclei to stimulation of the sensorimotor, visual and auditory cortex of rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of convergence of corticofugal neurones from various cortical areas onto single neurones of the pontine nuclei (PN). Eighty-five% of the PN neurones responded to electrical stimulation of at least one of the following cortical areas: sensorimotor, visual, auditory. Slightly less than half of these neurones displayed a convergent input from two or three of functionally different cortical areas. The sensorimotor cortex, particularly the face areas, provided the most important input to the PN; stimulation of the visual cortex was less effective and stimulation of the auditory cortex rarely excited PN neurones. The electrophysiological results suggest that considerable cross-link exists between the anatomically defined cortico-pontine projection columns.", "PMID": 630418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8454", "title": "Reset of hippocampal rhythmical activities by afferent stimulation.", "content": "Physostigmine induced theta rhythm and unit activity were recorded from the dorsal hippocampus in immobilized locally anesthetized rats. Correlations between theta and rhythmical unit activity and their modifications by hippocampal afferent stimulation were studied. The principal finding was that electrical stimulation of afferents reset theta and rhythmical unit activity in phase. Poststimulus theta displayed a variable frequency which depended upon the structure stimulated. Lower frequencies were evoked by septal, higher frequencies by entorhinal and reticular formation stimulations. When theta rhythms were absent either by spontaneous disappearance or as a consequence of lesions in the fornix superior of septum, the reset was not observed. The reset of the theta rhythms and unit activity by afferent stimulation, suggests that the hippocampus may participate in timing mechanisms.", "contents": "Reset of hippocampal rhythmical activities by afferent stimulation. Physostigmine induced theta rhythm and unit activity were recorded from the dorsal hippocampus in immobilized locally anesthetized rats. Correlations between theta and rhythmical unit activity and their modifications by hippocampal afferent stimulation were studied. The principal finding was that electrical stimulation of afferents reset theta and rhythmical unit activity in phase. Poststimulus theta displayed a variable frequency which depended upon the structure stimulated. Lower frequencies were evoked by septal, higher frequencies by entorhinal and reticular formation stimulations. When theta rhythms were absent either by spontaneous disappearance or as a consequence of lesions in the fornix superior of septum, the reset was not observed. The reset of the theta rhythms and unit activity by afferent stimulation, suggests that the hippocampus may participate in timing mechanisms.", "PMID": 630419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8455", "title": "Recovery of function after brain damage: the extrinsic stimulus specificity of spared neural traces.", "content": "Previous research has demonstrated that while primary visual cortex lesions in rats will disrupt performance of a learned brightness discrimination, the neural traces associated with this discrimination are spared. Moreover, the spared neural traces may, in certain instances, influence the postoperative reinstatement of a brightness discrimination. The present research was designed to determine the generality of this postoperative influence. The results indicate that while the normal rat and the visual decorticate rat may readily transfer learning between discriminations involving different discriminative cues, a visual lesion between two discriminations prevents this transfer. These data are interpreted as indicating that the postoperative influence of a spared neural trace is dependent upon the reoccurrence of specific extrinsic stimulus cues.", "contents": "Recovery of function after brain damage: the extrinsic stimulus specificity of spared neural traces. Previous research has demonstrated that while primary visual cortex lesions in rats will disrupt performance of a learned brightness discrimination, the neural traces associated with this discrimination are spared. Moreover, the spared neural traces may, in certain instances, influence the postoperative reinstatement of a brightness discrimination. The present research was designed to determine the generality of this postoperative influence. The results indicate that while the normal rat and the visual decorticate rat may readily transfer learning between discriminations involving different discriminative cues, a visual lesion between two discriminations prevents this transfer. These data are interpreted as indicating that the postoperative influence of a spared neural trace is dependent upon the reoccurrence of specific extrinsic stimulus cues.", "PMID": 630420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8456", "title": "Sodium pump activity, amino acid transport and long-term memory.", "content": "Long-term protein synthesis-dependent memory formation is shown to be inhibited by the non-metabolizable amino acid alpha-amino-isobutyrate (AIB) possibly through a process related to competition for uptake with amino acids necessary for protein synthesis specific to long-term memory. Unlike cycloheximide (CXM) which inhibits long-term memory by inhibiting ribosomal protein synthesis, AIB is non-effective when administered 10 min or more after learning, and its effect is overcome by the sodium pump stimulator diphenylhydantoin if the latter is administered 10 min or more after learning. Within the model of memory formation adopted in this paper it is postulated that the amino acids necessary for long-term memory protein synthesis are taken up by sodium pump activity in the first 10 min following learning, when formation of the preceding labile memory phase is occurring.", "contents": "Sodium pump activity, amino acid transport and long-term memory. Long-term protein synthesis-dependent memory formation is shown to be inhibited by the non-metabolizable amino acid alpha-amino-isobutyrate (AIB) possibly through a process related to competition for uptake with amino acids necessary for protein synthesis specific to long-term memory. Unlike cycloheximide (CXM) which inhibits long-term memory by inhibiting ribosomal protein synthesis, AIB is non-effective when administered 10 min or more after learning, and its effect is overcome by the sodium pump stimulator diphenylhydantoin if the latter is administered 10 min or more after learning. Within the model of memory formation adopted in this paper it is postulated that the amino acids necessary for long-term memory protein synthesis are taken up by sodium pump activity in the first 10 min following learning, when formation of the preceding labile memory phase is occurring.", "PMID": 630421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8457", "title": "Spatio-temporal pattern discrimination in cats with insular-temporal lesions.", "content": "Previous studies have demonstrated that cats with bilateral insular-temporal lesions are impaired in their ability to perform temporal pattern discriminations of the general form A--B--A vs B--A--B. This deficit has been seen to occur when A and B are made up of two different auditory, visual, or vibrotractile stimuli. These data suggest that insular-temporal cortex is a multimodal area concerned with the perception of temporal sequences of stimuli. The present study extends these earlier observations by testing insular-temporal lesioned cats on a spatio-temporal pattern discrimination. A spatio-temporal pattern is defined as one in which the same stimulus is presented to the animal sequentially from different spatial locations. The data indicate that insular-temporal lesions disrupt a spatio-temporal pattern discrimination just as they do auditory, visual, or vibrotactile temporal pattern discriminations. Insular-temporal cortex appears to be critical for certain higher order perceptual abilities in the cat.", "contents": "Spatio-temporal pattern discrimination in cats with insular-temporal lesions. Previous studies have demonstrated that cats with bilateral insular-temporal lesions are impaired in their ability to perform temporal pattern discriminations of the general form A--B--A vs B--A--B. This deficit has been seen to occur when A and B are made up of two different auditory, visual, or vibrotractile stimuli. These data suggest that insular-temporal cortex is a multimodal area concerned with the perception of temporal sequences of stimuli. The present study extends these earlier observations by testing insular-temporal lesioned cats on a spatio-temporal pattern discrimination. A spatio-temporal pattern is defined as one in which the same stimulus is presented to the animal sequentially from different spatial locations. The data indicate that insular-temporal lesions disrupt a spatio-temporal pattern discrimination just as they do auditory, visual, or vibrotactile temporal pattern discriminations. Insular-temporal cortex appears to be critical for certain higher order perceptual abilities in the cat.", "PMID": 630422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8458", "title": "Meal patterns in rats with nigrostriatal dopamine-depleting lesions, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, and their combination.", "content": "Rats which had sustained 97% bilateral striatal dopamine depletions after intranigral 6-hydroxydopamine recovered feeding and drinking to show normal meal patterns on both solid and liquid food. The motor acts of eating were somewhat slow but, in contrast to lateral hypothalamic lesioned animals, there were no interruptions for other activities. Vagotomy produced the expected decrease in liquid meal size, and an identical change was observed when the dopamine-depleted rats were similarly vagotomized. The fragmented meal patterns seen after far-lateral hypothalamic lesions do not arise from damage to either of the systems here investigated.", "contents": "Meal patterns in rats with nigrostriatal dopamine-depleting lesions, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, and their combination. Rats which had sustained 97% bilateral striatal dopamine depletions after intranigral 6-hydroxydopamine recovered feeding and drinking to show normal meal patterns on both solid and liquid food. The motor acts of eating were somewhat slow but, in contrast to lateral hypothalamic lesioned animals, there were no interruptions for other activities. Vagotomy produced the expected decrease in liquid meal size, and an identical change was observed when the dopamine-depleted rats were similarly vagotomized. The fragmented meal patterns seen after far-lateral hypothalamic lesions do not arise from damage to either of the systems here investigated.", "PMID": 630424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8459", "title": "Precursor role of 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol and 15alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione in the formation of estetrol.", "content": "Studies were designed to elucidate the origin of estetrol (15alpha-hydroxyestriol (estra-1,3,5(10)triene-3,15alpha,17beta-tetrol) or E4) during late human pregnancy. 3H-Labelled 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol (3,15alpha-dihydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one or 15E2) and 14C-labelled 17beta-estradiol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol or E2) were infused into the fetus during transfusion in utero for erythroblastosis fetalis, and in another study the same substrates were injected intravenously into the maternal circulation. In a third study, 3H-labelled 15alpha-hydroxyandrostenedion (15alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione or 15delta4) and 14C-labelled E2 were infused into the fetus. Maternal urine was collected for 5--6 days, and after Glusulase hydrolysis, the following metabolites were isolated: estriol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16alpha,17beta-triol or E3) containing 14C only and 15alpha-hydroxyestrone (3,15alpha-dihydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one or 15E1), 15E2, and E4, all containing both labels. From the isotope content of these metabolites, it was concluded that E4 was derived from both fetal E2 and 15delta4 and only partially via 15E2. When administered to the fetus E2 and 15delta4 contributed approximately equal amounts to urinary E4. The yield of 15alpha-hydroxylated estrogens from E2 injected into the mother was very low indicating the predominantly fetal origin of the 15alpha-hydroxylase. 15delta4 was a better precursor than E2 for urinary 15E2.", "contents": "Precursor role of 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol and 15alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione in the formation of estetrol. Studies were designed to elucidate the origin of estetrol (15alpha-hydroxyestriol (estra-1,3,5(10)triene-3,15alpha,17beta-tetrol) or E4) during late human pregnancy. 3H-Labelled 15alpha-hydroxyestradiol (3,15alpha-dihydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one or 15E2) and 14C-labelled 17beta-estradiol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol or E2) were infused into the fetus during transfusion in utero for erythroblastosis fetalis, and in another study the same substrates were injected intravenously into the maternal circulation. In a third study, 3H-labelled 15alpha-hydroxyandrostenedion (15alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione or 15delta4) and 14C-labelled E2 were infused into the fetus. Maternal urine was collected for 5--6 days, and after Glusulase hydrolysis, the following metabolites were isolated: estriol (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16alpha,17beta-triol or E3) containing 14C only and 15alpha-hydroxyestrone (3,15alpha-dihydroxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one or 15E1), 15E2, and E4, all containing both labels. From the isotope content of these metabolites, it was concluded that E4 was derived from both fetal E2 and 15delta4 and only partially via 15E2. When administered to the fetus E2 and 15delta4 contributed approximately equal amounts to urinary E4. The yield of 15alpha-hydroxylated estrogens from E2 injected into the mother was very low indicating the predominantly fetal origin of the 15alpha-hydroxylase. 15delta4 was a better precursor than E2 for urinary 15E2.", "PMID": 630454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8460", "title": "Uncoupling activity of endogenous free fatty acids in rat liver mitochondria.", "content": "Changes in the respiratory control index (RCI) and ADP:O ratio were found to be related to alterations in the free fatty acids levels of rat liver mitochondria aging in 0.25 M sucrose- Tris buffer at 0 degrees C. Free fatty acid levels increased with time after isolation of mitochondria while a concomitant decrease in the RCI and ADP:O ratio occurred. The changes in free fatty acid levels corresponded with the reported increasing levels of phospholipase A activity in aged mitochondrial preparations. Washing these mitochondria with sucrose buffer containing 1% defatted bovine serum albumin (BSA) counteracted the aging effect on the RCI (E.G., 2.5 to 3.5) and reduced the free fatty acid levels (e.g., 50 to 16 nmol/mg protein). This reversible phenomenon could be repeated several times during the in vitro aging at 0 degrees C. Use of 125I-iodinated BSA showed that approximately 5 microgram BSA/mg mitochondria was adsorbed by the mitochondrial membranes during washing. These results indicate a direct correlation between the level of endogenous fatty acids and the uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The mechanism of counteracting the aging effect by BSA involves the removal of some of the free fatty acids.", "contents": "Uncoupling activity of endogenous free fatty acids in rat liver mitochondria. Changes in the respiratory control index (RCI) and ADP:O ratio were found to be related to alterations in the free fatty acids levels of rat liver mitochondria aging in 0.25 M sucrose- Tris buffer at 0 degrees C. Free fatty acid levels increased with time after isolation of mitochondria while a concomitant decrease in the RCI and ADP:O ratio occurred. The changes in free fatty acid levels corresponded with the reported increasing levels of phospholipase A activity in aged mitochondrial preparations. Washing these mitochondria with sucrose buffer containing 1% defatted bovine serum albumin (BSA) counteracted the aging effect on the RCI (E.G., 2.5 to 3.5) and reduced the free fatty acid levels (e.g., 50 to 16 nmol/mg protein). This reversible phenomenon could be repeated several times during the in vitro aging at 0 degrees C. Use of 125I-iodinated BSA showed that approximately 5 microgram BSA/mg mitochondria was adsorbed by the mitochondrial membranes during washing. These results indicate a direct correlation between the level of endogenous fatty acids and the uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The mechanism of counteracting the aging effect by BSA involves the removal of some of the free fatty acids.", "PMID": 630455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8461", "title": "[Rapid technic for preparation of thyroid ribonucleic acids without phenol].", "content": "Thyroid tissue was homogenized in 2 M LiCl. The homogenate was alloued to stand 1 h 30 min at 2 degrees C and then centrifuged. The pellet was suspended in 5% triisopropylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (the sodium salt), 0.05 M Tris--HCl, and 0.1 M NaCl (pH 8). After stirring and centrifuging, the supernatant containing the crude RNA was purified by filtration on Ultrogel AcA 22 (LKB, Sweden). Before adding the sample of crude RNA to the column, pronase was placed on the column. When pronase had entered the gel, we added the sample. The first peak contained pure RNA plus some DNA. The former was precipitated with 2 M LiCl. The RNA species obtained by this technique were undegraded and the yield was 30% better than that of the phenol technique.", "contents": "[Rapid technic for preparation of thyroid ribonucleic acids without phenol]. Thyroid tissue was homogenized in 2 M LiCl. The homogenate was alloued to stand 1 h 30 min at 2 degrees C and then centrifuged. The pellet was suspended in 5% triisopropylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (the sodium salt), 0.05 M Tris--HCl, and 0.1 M NaCl (pH 8). After stirring and centrifuging, the supernatant containing the crude RNA was purified by filtration on Ultrogel AcA 22 (LKB, Sweden). Before adding the sample of crude RNA to the column, pronase was placed on the column. When pronase had entered the gel, we added the sample. The first peak contained pure RNA plus some DNA. The former was precipitated with 2 M LiCl. The RNA species obtained by this technique were undegraded and the yield was 30% better than that of the phenol technique.", "PMID": 630456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8462", "title": "Synthesis of peptides by the solid-phase method. III. Bradykinin: fragments and analogs.", "content": "The natural sequence of bradykinin (BK) and 55 fragments or analogs of this peptide were perpared via the solid-phase method. The peptides were purified using ion-exchange (O-carboxymethyl(CM) and partition (Sephadex G-25) chromatography. The purity of each peptide was established by paper and thin-layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, and biological assays. The compounds were tested in anesthetized rats (tested in vivo) and in two smooth-muscle preparations (rabbit aorta strip, cat ileum strip) in which BK produces contraction by stimulating specific receptors of different types. Some of the new peptides are interesting in that they either resist pulmonary inactivation, or are more potent than BK itself, or antagonize the myotropic effect of BK in rabbit aorta strips.", "contents": "Synthesis of peptides by the solid-phase method. III. Bradykinin: fragments and analogs. The natural sequence of bradykinin (BK) and 55 fragments or analogs of this peptide were perpared via the solid-phase method. The peptides were purified using ion-exchange (O-carboxymethyl(CM) and partition (Sephadex G-25) chromatography. The purity of each peptide was established by paper and thin-layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, amino acid analysis, and biological assays. The compounds were tested in anesthetized rats (tested in vivo) and in two smooth-muscle preparations (rabbit aorta strip, cat ileum strip) in which BK produces contraction by stimulating specific receptors of different types. Some of the new peptides are interesting in that they either resist pulmonary inactivation, or are more potent than BK itself, or antagonize the myotropic effect of BK in rabbit aorta strips.", "PMID": 630458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8463", "title": "Profundoplasty for limb salvage.", "content": "Profundoplasty was performed in 26 legs because of rest pain or gangrene; previous arterial reconstruction had been done in 12 of them. In 16 limbs the popliteotibial segment was patent; profundoplasty was successful in each case. In 10 limbs the popliteotibial segment was occluded, and profundoplasty failed in one instance. One patient died. The authors believe that re-establishing blood flow and pressure to the deep femoral artery, especially to the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery and the distal part of the deep femoral artery can effectively improve the condition of ischemic legs.", "contents": "Profundoplasty for limb salvage. Profundoplasty was performed in 26 legs because of rest pain or gangrene; previous arterial reconstruction had been done in 12 of them. In 16 limbs the popliteotibial segment was patent; profundoplasty was successful in each case. In 10 limbs the popliteotibial segment was occluded, and profundoplasty failed in one instance. One patient died. The authors believe that re-establishing blood flow and pressure to the deep femoral artery, especially to the descending branch of the lateral circumflex artery and the distal part of the deep femoral artery can effectively improve the condition of ischemic legs.", "PMID": 630460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8464", "title": "Myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement: normothermia versus hypothermia.", "content": "The operative results in 32 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with aortic occlusion and normothermic myocardium (group 1) were compared with 54 similar patients in whom the myocardium was protected by hypothermic coronary perfusion through the aortic root (group 2). The operative mortality and the incidence of heart failure, subendocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction were the same in the two groups. The maximal concentrations of cardiac enzymes after operation in group 2 patients were significantly lower than those in group 1. The postoperative cardiac performance was significantly different in that only 5.6% of group 2 patients required inotropic agents after operation compared with 25% of group 1 patients. The patients in group 2 were easier to defibrillate after cardiopulmonary bypass.", "contents": "Myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement: normothermia versus hypothermia. The operative results in 32 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with aortic occlusion and normothermic myocardium (group 1) were compared with 54 similar patients in whom the myocardium was protected by hypothermic coronary perfusion through the aortic root (group 2). The operative mortality and the incidence of heart failure, subendocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction were the same in the two groups. The maximal concentrations of cardiac enzymes after operation in group 2 patients were significantly lower than those in group 1. The postoperative cardiac performance was significantly different in that only 5.6% of group 2 patients required inotropic agents after operation compared with 25% of group 1 patients. The patients in group 2 were easier to defibrillate after cardiopulmonary bypass.", "PMID": 630459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8465", "title": "Femorofemoral bypass: a valuable procedure.", "content": "Twenty-seven femorofemoral bypasses were performed in 25 patients with severe arteriosclerosis obliterans affecting the iliofemoral arteries. The series comprised 16 men and 9 women, aged 51 to 80 years. Nineteen patients were poor-risk cases with severe cardiorespiratory disease. Twenty-one patients had undergone vascular procedures previously without success. The operation was carried out: (a) as the primary procedure for very poor-risk patients in an attempt to salvage a limb, (b) to deal with unilateral limb occlusion of an aortoiliac--femoral prosthesis, or (c) as management of infected prosthetic grafts. Fourteen Dacron grafts and 13 saphenous veins were used for the bypasses. There were no operative deaths. Twenty-two patients were clinically improved, two required amputation later and one patient was lost to follow-up. Four patients, including three with preexisting graft infection, had wound infections that cleared with drainage and antibiotics. No other major complications occurred in this group of poor-risk patients. Femorofemoral bypass is safe and provides the surgeon with a useful method of revascularizing the limbs of selected patients.", "contents": "Femorofemoral bypass: a valuable procedure. Twenty-seven femorofemoral bypasses were performed in 25 patients with severe arteriosclerosis obliterans affecting the iliofemoral arteries. The series comprised 16 men and 9 women, aged 51 to 80 years. Nineteen patients were poor-risk cases with severe cardiorespiratory disease. Twenty-one patients had undergone vascular procedures previously without success. The operation was carried out: (a) as the primary procedure for very poor-risk patients in an attempt to salvage a limb, (b) to deal with unilateral limb occlusion of an aortoiliac--femoral prosthesis, or (c) as management of infected prosthetic grafts. Fourteen Dacron grafts and 13 saphenous veins were used for the bypasses. There were no operative deaths. Twenty-two patients were clinically improved, two required amputation later and one patient was lost to follow-up. Four patients, including three with preexisting graft infection, had wound infections that cleared with drainage and antibiotics. No other major complications occurred in this group of poor-risk patients. Femorofemoral bypass is safe and provides the surgeon with a useful method of revascularizing the limbs of selected patients.", "PMID": 630461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8466", "title": "Acute cardiac failure: the relation between coronary flow and oxygen consumption.", "content": "In an initial study with dog hearts functioning in situ on total coronary bypass, we demonstrated that predetermined levels of reduced cardiac pump function could be achieved by reducing total coronary flow through changes in the perfusing pressure. In subsequent experiments, oxygen values were measured so that changes in myocardial aerobic consumption in response to brief (3 minute) alterations in coronary perfusing pressure could be determined as well. As a result significant linear correlations were found between coronary flow and myocardial oxygen availability (r = 0.98), oxygen extraction (r = 0.49) and oxygen consumption (r = 0.92). These changes in oxygen values paralleled those in cardiac function (stroke work, r = 0.84).", "contents": "Acute cardiac failure: the relation between coronary flow and oxygen consumption. In an initial study with dog hearts functioning in situ on total coronary bypass, we demonstrated that predetermined levels of reduced cardiac pump function could be achieved by reducing total coronary flow through changes in the perfusing pressure. In subsequent experiments, oxygen values were measured so that changes in myocardial aerobic consumption in response to brief (3 minute) alterations in coronary perfusing pressure could be determined as well. As a result significant linear correlations were found between coronary flow and myocardial oxygen availability (r = 0.98), oxygen extraction (r = 0.49) and oxygen consumption (r = 0.92). These changes in oxygen values paralleled those in cardiac function (stroke work, r = 0.84).", "PMID": 630462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8467", "title": "Clinical evaluation of porcine heterograft cardiac valves in 200 patients.", "content": "Of 200 patients who received porcine heterograft cardiac valves, the first 100 did not receive postoperative anticoagulant therapy. In the second 100 patients anticoagulant measures were used when thrombogenic factors not related to the prosthesis were evident. Anticoagulation should be employed following mitral valve replacement while factors contributing to thromboembolism prevail. The conditions that tend to induce vascular stasis in the left atrium followed by embolism are chronic atrial fibrillation, a large dilated left atrium and a calcified left atrial wall. The results of our study provide assurance of the continued use of the porcine bioprosthesis.", "contents": "Clinical evaluation of porcine heterograft cardiac valves in 200 patients. Of 200 patients who received porcine heterograft cardiac valves, the first 100 did not receive postoperative anticoagulant therapy. In the second 100 patients anticoagulant measures were used when thrombogenic factors not related to the prosthesis were evident. Anticoagulation should be employed following mitral valve replacement while factors contributing to thromboembolism prevail. The conditions that tend to induce vascular stasis in the left atrium followed by embolism are chronic atrial fibrillation, a large dilated left atrium and a calcified left atrial wall. The results of our study provide assurance of the continued use of the porcine bioprosthesis.", "PMID": 630463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8468", "title": "Permanent transvenous atrial pacing.", "content": "Atrial pacing has electrophysiologic and hemodynamic advantages for patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias and intact atrioventricular conduction or with certain refractory tachyarrhythmias. Permanent atrial pacing has been achieved in 29 patients followed up for periods of up to 7 years at two institutions. At Sunnybrook Medical Centre, Toronto, 16 patients have had coronary sinus electrodes introduced pervenously using standard bipolar or special unipolar catheters. Initial pacing thresholds were acceptably low (mean, 2.0 mA); chronic thresholds in three patients were similar. At the Toronto General Hospital, 13 patients had endocardial J-electrodes, bipolar or tined unipolar, inserted in the right atrial appendage. Initial thresholds were low (mean, 1.3 mA) and P-wave voltage was adequate (3.4 mV) for pacemakers with standard sensitivity. In both series, conventional R-inhibited, asynchronous or rate-programmable units have been employed. Radiofrequency self-conversion pacemakers were used in three patients. Preliminary His bundle studies were done in 10 patients; the others were tested by rapid atrial pacing during insertion of electrodes. Early and late electrode stability in both series was excellent; one electrode became dislodged from the coronary sinus position and one from the right atrial appendage.", "contents": "Permanent transvenous atrial pacing. Atrial pacing has electrophysiologic and hemodynamic advantages for patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias and intact atrioventricular conduction or with certain refractory tachyarrhythmias. Permanent atrial pacing has been achieved in 29 patients followed up for periods of up to 7 years at two institutions. At Sunnybrook Medical Centre, Toronto, 16 patients have had coronary sinus electrodes introduced pervenously using standard bipolar or special unipolar catheters. Initial pacing thresholds were acceptably low (mean, 2.0 mA); chronic thresholds in three patients were similar. At the Toronto General Hospital, 13 patients had endocardial J-electrodes, bipolar or tined unipolar, inserted in the right atrial appendage. Initial thresholds were low (mean, 1.3 mA) and P-wave voltage was adequate (3.4 mV) for pacemakers with standard sensitivity. In both series, conventional R-inhibited, asynchronous or rate-programmable units have been employed. Radiofrequency self-conversion pacemakers were used in three patients. Preliminary His bundle studies were done in 10 patients; the others were tested by rapid atrial pacing during insertion of electrodes. Early and late electrode stability in both series was excellent; one electrode became dislodged from the coronary sinus position and one from the right atrial appendage.", "PMID": 630464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8469", "title": "Clinical application of Doppler ultrasonography in the thoracic outlet syndrome.", "content": "Difficulties in diagnosing the thoracic outlet syndrome prompted a pilot study of noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography in 160 thoracic outlets of healthy volunteers. Encouraged by the results we applied the technique to the clinical evaluation of flow disturbances during various provocative maneuvers. Ninety-four thoracic outlets were examined; of these, 32 were operated upon. Severe flow occlusion which was detected by Doppler ultrasonography reproduced symptoms of which the patients had originally complained. All patients were relieved of their symptoms, and only five had minor flow disturbances after resection of the first rib and scalenotomy. Resection of cervical ribs was carried out in seven of nine patients with this anomaly. Doppler ultrasonography was found to be a most valuable diagnostic modality and its wider application in this field is recommended.", "contents": "Clinical application of Doppler ultrasonography in the thoracic outlet syndrome. Difficulties in diagnosing the thoracic outlet syndrome prompted a pilot study of noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography in 160 thoracic outlets of healthy volunteers. Encouraged by the results we applied the technique to the clinical evaluation of flow disturbances during various provocative maneuvers. Ninety-four thoracic outlets were examined; of these, 32 were operated upon. Severe flow occlusion which was detected by Doppler ultrasonography reproduced symptoms of which the patients had originally complained. All patients were relieved of their symptoms, and only five had minor flow disturbances after resection of the first rib and scalenotomy. Resection of cervical ribs was carried out in seven of nine patients with this anomaly. Doppler ultrasonography was found to be a most valuable diagnostic modality and its wider application in this field is recommended.", "PMID": 630465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8470", "title": "Alterations in red cell metabolism during and following cardiac bypass surgery.", "content": "Reduced concentrations of red cell organic phosphates and increased hemoglobin--oxygen affinity have been reported during and following cardiac bypass surgery. Some have related these changes to low concentrations of ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) in stored blood while others have related them to use of the pump oxygenator. There was a 10% decrease in DPG concentration in seven dogs on cardiac bypass although the animals received no transfusions. In 16 patients who received 0 to 7 units of blood during cardiac bypass there was a decrease of 10% in the red cell DPG concentration from the preoperative value, but it did not relate to the concentration of DPG in the transfused blood bags. The magnitude of the decrease was not sufficient to impair oxygen delivery severely. The results suggest that a re-evaluation of indications for the use of fresh red cells in cardiac surgery is necessary.", "contents": "Alterations in red cell metabolism during and following cardiac bypass surgery. Reduced concentrations of red cell organic phosphates and increased hemoglobin--oxygen affinity have been reported during and following cardiac bypass surgery. Some have related these changes to low concentrations of ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) in stored blood while others have related them to use of the pump oxygenator. There was a 10% decrease in DPG concentration in seven dogs on cardiac bypass although the animals received no transfusions. In 16 patients who received 0 to 7 units of blood during cardiac bypass there was a decrease of 10% in the red cell DPG concentration from the preoperative value, but it did not relate to the concentration of DPG in the transfused blood bags. The magnitude of the decrease was not sufficient to impair oxygen delivery severely. The results suggest that a re-evaluation of indications for the use of fresh red cells in cardiac surgery is necessary.", "PMID": 630466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8471", "title": "Medical litigation in Canada.", "content": "It is impossible to predict the future of medical malpractice litigation in Canada. However, the statistics indicate that medical malpractice claims are steadily increasing. Action whould be taken now to ensure that the problem does not reach crisis proportions. In so far as the medical profession itself is concerned, it should ensure that the competence of medical practitioners remains on the highest possible level.", "contents": "Medical litigation in Canada. It is impossible to predict the future of medical malpractice litigation in Canada. However, the statistics indicate that medical malpractice claims are steadily increasing. Action whould be taken now to ensure that the problem does not reach crisis proportions. In so far as the medical profession itself is concerned, it should ensure that the competence of medical practitioners remains on the highest possible level.", "PMID": 630467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8472", "title": "Review of function in bilateral lower limb amputees.", "content": "A review of the results of bilateral lower limb amputation in 53 individuals indicates that the physician can now be more optimistic when considering the use of prostheses and the value of rehabilitation in patients with bilateral amputation. Many patients continue to use a prosthesis after the second amputation, irrespective of the site of the first. Associated disease and lack of motivation delay successful rehabilitation. About half of the amputees used a wheelchair as a principal aid to mobility. A number of patients found that amputation of the second limb necessitated a change of accommodation, reduced their degree of independence and decreased their social activities. Individuals with bilateral lower limb amputation prefer to retain the knee joint, even if they already have unilateral above-knee amputation.", "contents": "Review of function in bilateral lower limb amputees. A review of the results of bilateral lower limb amputation in 53 individuals indicates that the physician can now be more optimistic when considering the use of prostheses and the value of rehabilitation in patients with bilateral amputation. Many patients continue to use a prosthesis after the second amputation, irrespective of the site of the first. Associated disease and lack of motivation delay successful rehabilitation. About half of the amputees used a wheelchair as a principal aid to mobility. A number of patients found that amputation of the second limb necessitated a change of accommodation, reduced their degree of independence and decreased their social activities. Individuals with bilateral lower limb amputation prefer to retain the knee joint, even if they already have unilateral above-knee amputation.", "PMID": 630468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8473", "title": "Aneurysmal bone cyst of the vertebra with paraplegia.", "content": "Aneurysmal bone cyst, a benign lesion, is difficult to diagnose radiologically, particularly in the spine, but has a characteristic microscopic appearance. Treatment of spinal lesions consists of curettage, with or without bone grafting, together with irradiation at low doses (1000 to 2000 rads). The author reports a case of aneurysmal bone cyst of the neural arch associated with neurologic complication, which illustrates some typical features of such cysts of the spine. The condition should always be considered in patients with lytic lesions of the spine, and prompt surgical intervention is recommended.", "contents": "Aneurysmal bone cyst of the vertebra with paraplegia. Aneurysmal bone cyst, a benign lesion, is difficult to diagnose radiologically, particularly in the spine, but has a characteristic microscopic appearance. Treatment of spinal lesions consists of curettage, with or without bone grafting, together with irradiation at low doses (1000 to 2000 rads). The author reports a case of aneurysmal bone cyst of the neural arch associated with neurologic complication, which illustrates some typical features of such cysts of the spine. The condition should always be considered in patients with lytic lesions of the spine, and prompt surgical intervention is recommended.", "PMID": 630469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8474", "title": "Recurrent psychiatric hospitalization.", "content": "Undue emphasis has been placed on rising rates of readmission to psychiatric facilities. After a decade of preoccupation with discharge rates, readmission statistics have been singled out in the last 15 years as the key factor for assessing hospital effectiveness. A study of a group of patients at high risk for recurrent hospitalization revealed that these patients were characterized more by features relating to environmental supports than by diagnosis. The operational definition for recurrent hospitalization (five or more admissions during the 2-year period preceding the latest admission) was effective in identifying this group; this is the first reported instance in which the definition has specified a certain number of admissions within a time-limited period. The findings of this study, as well as of an analysis of case histories and consumer opinion, led to the design of a pilot program for persons undergoing recurrent hospitalization. Readmission statistics are useless or misleading as measures of hospital effectiveness and efficiency; what matters is the way the former patients function in the community after discharge. Rather than simply trying to reduce the readmission rate psychiatric facilities should be examining the types of persons who are hospitalized recurrently to develop programs aimed at improving the functioning of these people in the community.", "contents": "Recurrent psychiatric hospitalization. Undue emphasis has been placed on rising rates of readmission to psychiatric facilities. After a decade of preoccupation with discharge rates, readmission statistics have been singled out in the last 15 years as the key factor for assessing hospital effectiveness. A study of a group of patients at high risk for recurrent hospitalization revealed that these patients were characterized more by features relating to environmental supports than by diagnosis. The operational definition for recurrent hospitalization (five or more admissions during the 2-year period preceding the latest admission) was effective in identifying this group; this is the first reported instance in which the definition has specified a certain number of admissions within a time-limited period. The findings of this study, as well as of an analysis of case histories and consumer opinion, led to the design of a pilot program for persons undergoing recurrent hospitalization. Readmission statistics are useless or misleading as measures of hospital effectiveness and efficiency; what matters is the way the former patients function in the community after discharge. Rather than simply trying to reduce the readmission rate psychiatric facilities should be examining the types of persons who are hospitalized recurrently to develop programs aimed at improving the functioning of these people in the community.", "PMID": 630483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8475", "title": "Hepatic function following portoenterostomy for extrahepatic biliary atresia.", "content": "Liver structure and function in 10 patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia were studied after portoenteric anastomosis (Kasai operation). Bile flow adequate to reduce the serum bilirubin concentration was established in five patients (improved group), three of whom became anicteric. The serum bilirubin concentration did not decrease in the remaining five patients (unimproved group). Hepatic effluent collected postoperatively from both groups contained small amounts of cholesterol and bilirubin; bile salts, however, were present in the hepatic effluent of only the improved patients. Liver biopsy specimens obtained postoperatively from the five improved patients showed partial (in two) or complete (in three) relief of cholestasis; hepatic fibrosis, however, was unchanged (in one) or worse (in four). The serum concentrations of bile salts were markedly elevated, despite normal excretion of sodium sulfobromophthalein and rose bengal, in two anicteric patients studied 14 and 24 months postoperatively. It is concluded that neither structure nor function of the liver is normalized by portoenterostomy even in clinically well, anicteric patients.", "contents": "Hepatic function following portoenterostomy for extrahepatic biliary atresia. Liver structure and function in 10 patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia were studied after portoenteric anastomosis (Kasai operation). Bile flow adequate to reduce the serum bilirubin concentration was established in five patients (improved group), three of whom became anicteric. The serum bilirubin concentration did not decrease in the remaining five patients (unimproved group). Hepatic effluent collected postoperatively from both groups contained small amounts of cholesterol and bilirubin; bile salts, however, were present in the hepatic effluent of only the improved patients. Liver biopsy specimens obtained postoperatively from the five improved patients showed partial (in two) or complete (in three) relief of cholestasis; hepatic fibrosis, however, was unchanged (in one) or worse (in four). The serum concentrations of bile salts were markedly elevated, despite normal excretion of sodium sulfobromophthalein and rose bengal, in two anicteric patients studied 14 and 24 months postoperatively. It is concluded that neither structure nor function of the liver is normalized by portoenterostomy even in clinically well, anicteric patients.", "PMID": 630484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8476", "title": "[Health monitoring in a nursery school].", "content": "In contrast to the traditional program of health assessment of schoolchildren based on periodic physical examination, the program described in this paper is based on the integration of information and data obtained by observation through the school year from parents, teachers and the school nurse, who coordinates the program. The numbers and the types of problems and the date on which they were identified are compared in an experimental group of 557 kindergarten children and a matched control group of 498 children in whom the traditional program was maintained. For problems of hearing, enuresis, learning and behaviour the number of cases detected was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Each element of the proposed program is analysed and the advantages of an integrated approach to health assessment of schoolchildren are underlined.", "contents": "[Health monitoring in a nursery school]. In contrast to the traditional program of health assessment of schoolchildren based on periodic physical examination, the program described in this paper is based on the integration of information and data obtained by observation through the school year from parents, teachers and the school nurse, who coordinates the program. The numbers and the types of problems and the date on which they were identified are compared in an experimental group of 557 kindergarten children and a matched control group of 498 children in whom the traditional program was maintained. For problems of hearing, enuresis, learning and behaviour the number of cases detected was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Each element of the proposed program is analysed and the advantages of an integrated approach to health assessment of schoolchildren are underlined.", "PMID": 630485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8477", "title": "The young physician: types of practice.", "content": "An inquiry was conducted into the type of practice (whether solo, group or salaried) entered by young physicians graduating from Canadian medical schools in 1970. Twenty-one percent entered solo practice, 57% joined a group practice or partnership, and 22% became salaried physicians in a number of different categories. Surgeons and psychiatrists, more than other types of specialist, were inclined to select solo practice. Group practice was more popular in the western provinces and in rural than in urban areas. More than half of the physicians recently established in urban solo practice complained of having too few patients. Lack of patients was a lesser problem in smaller towns and rural areas.", "contents": "The young physician: types of practice. An inquiry was conducted into the type of practice (whether solo, group or salaried) entered by young physicians graduating from Canadian medical schools in 1970. Twenty-one percent entered solo practice, 57% joined a group practice or partnership, and 22% became salaried physicians in a number of different categories. Surgeons and psychiatrists, more than other types of specialist, were inclined to select solo practice. Group practice was more popular in the western provinces and in rural than in urban areas. More than half of the physicians recently established in urban solo practice complained of having too few patients. Lack of patients was a lesser problem in smaller towns and rural areas.", "PMID": 630486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8478", "title": "Myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201: correlation with coronary arteriography and electrocardiography.", "content": "Myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201 and electrocardiography with the subject at rest and undergoing submaximal treadmill exercise were performed in 19 men and 3 women. Selective coronary arteriography and left ventriculography showed that 7 had normal coronary arteries and 15 had coronary artery disease.The 11 persons with electrocardiographic evidence of an old myocardial infarct (q waves) had a perfusion defect at rest in the area of the infarct and a segmental abnormality of wall motion apparent on the left ventriculogram corresponding to the perfusion defect.MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY WERE EQUALLY SENSITIVE IN DETECTING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN EXERCISING INDIVIDUALS: perfusion defects were noted in 7 of the 15 persons with coronary artery disease, and diagnostic ST-segment depression was present in 8 of the 15. Combination of the results of the two tests with exercise permitted the identification of 11 of the 15 persons and improved the sensitivity. Combination of the results of rest and exercise imaging and electrocardiography permitted the identification of 94% of the patients with coronary artery disease.Myocardial perfusion imaging with (201)TI in the subject at rest is a sensitive indicator of previous myocardial infarction. Imaging after the subject has exercised is a useful adjunct to conventional exercise electrocardiography, especially in those whose exercise electrocardiogram is non-interpretable.", "contents": "Myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201: correlation with coronary arteriography and electrocardiography. Myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201 and electrocardiography with the subject at rest and undergoing submaximal treadmill exercise were performed in 19 men and 3 women. Selective coronary arteriography and left ventriculography showed that 7 had normal coronary arteries and 15 had coronary artery disease.The 11 persons with electrocardiographic evidence of an old myocardial infarct (q waves) had a perfusion defect at rest in the area of the infarct and a segmental abnormality of wall motion apparent on the left ventriculogram corresponding to the perfusion defect.MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY WERE EQUALLY SENSITIVE IN DETECTING CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN EXERCISING INDIVIDUALS: perfusion defects were noted in 7 of the 15 persons with coronary artery disease, and diagnostic ST-segment depression was present in 8 of the 15. Combination of the results of the two tests with exercise permitted the identification of 11 of the 15 persons and improved the sensitivity. Combination of the results of rest and exercise imaging and electrocardiography permitted the identification of 94% of the patients with coronary artery disease.Myocardial perfusion imaging with (201)TI in the subject at rest is a sensitive indicator of previous myocardial infarction. Imaging after the subject has exercised is a useful adjunct to conventional exercise electrocardiography, especially in those whose exercise electrocardiogram is non-interpretable.", "PMID": 630487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8479", "title": "Labour: when to worry.", "content": "To ensure an optimum result in pregnancy it is essential that the physician be alert in the antenatal period to recognize those women and their babies who are at risk during labour. Premature labour, with its attendant risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn, continues to be an important factor in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of predisposing factors and the judicious use of myometrial inhibiting agents have helped to reduce the incidence of fetal prematurity in these cases. A long interval between rupture of the membranes and delivery continues to be a danger to both mother and fetus. Delivery is recommended when gestation is beyond 36 weeks or when there are signs of incipient infection, and once labour has begun antibiotics should be used prophylactically. Failure of labour to progress should be recognized and managed aggressively in its early stages. Amniotomy and oxytocin infusion have reduced considerably the incidence of prolonged labour and its risks to both mother and fetus. The role of intrapartum monitoring of the fetal heart rate, measurement of the pH in the fetus's scalp blood and assessment of amniotic fluid is discussed, as is the monitoring of maternal well-being.", "contents": "Labour: when to worry. To ensure an optimum result in pregnancy it is essential that the physician be alert in the antenatal period to recognize those women and their babies who are at risk during labour. Premature labour, with its attendant risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn, continues to be an important factor in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of predisposing factors and the judicious use of myometrial inhibiting agents have helped to reduce the incidence of fetal prematurity in these cases. A long interval between rupture of the membranes and delivery continues to be a danger to both mother and fetus. Delivery is recommended when gestation is beyond 36 weeks or when there are signs of incipient infection, and once labour has begun antibiotics should be used prophylactically. Failure of labour to progress should be recognized and managed aggressively in its early stages. Amniotomy and oxytocin infusion have reduced considerably the incidence of prolonged labour and its risks to both mother and fetus. The role of intrapartum monitoring of the fetal heart rate, measurement of the pH in the fetus's scalp blood and assessment of amniotic fluid is discussed, as is the monitoring of maternal well-being.", "PMID": 630488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8480", "title": "Eye injuries in squash: a preventable disease.", "content": "As more Canadians are taking up squash the incidence of eye injuries is increasing dramatically. Over 2-1/2 years, 23 cases from one urban practice were examined. Almost half of the group required inhospital treatment. Five patients sustained a permanent decrease in vision; these cases involved three corneal scars, one cataract and one macular cyst. Patients wearing glasses or hard contact lenses appear to be more susceptible to serious eye injury. Experience does not appear to reduce the likelihood of eye injuries; the patients in this study had played squash for 5.6 years on the average. Consequently the medical profession must take the lead by encouraging squash players to use protective equipment now available to reduce the incidence of these injuries that pose so much personal hazard.", "contents": "Eye injuries in squash: a preventable disease. As more Canadians are taking up squash the incidence of eye injuries is increasing dramatically. Over 2-1/2 years, 23 cases from one urban practice were examined. Almost half of the group required inhospital treatment. Five patients sustained a permanent decrease in vision; these cases involved three corneal scars, one cataract and one macular cyst. Patients wearing glasses or hard contact lenses appear to be more susceptible to serious eye injury. Experience does not appear to reduce the likelihood of eye injuries; the patients in this study had played squash for 5.6 years on the average. Consequently the medical profession must take the lead by encouraging squash players to use protective equipment now available to reduce the incidence of these injuries that pose so much personal hazard.", "PMID": 630489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8481", "title": "Noncompliance in an exercise rehabilitation program for men who have suffered a myocardial infarction.", "content": "A group of 163 men in the Hamilton, Ont. region who had suffered a myocardial infarction were enrolled in a rehabilitation program of physical activity. These men constituted one cohort of a multicentre collaborative study designed to determine the effects of regular exercise of differing intensity on morbidity and mortality over a 4-year period.The noncompliance rate was 43% for the men who could have participated for 1 year, 46% of whom were classified as noncompliers within 1 month of entry into the program. There was no difference in overall compliance between the men exercising at high intensity and those exercising at low intensity; lack of motivation or interest was the most common reason for their leaving the program. Those leaving the program early tended to have a type A behaviour pattern (they were aggressive, ambitious and competitive, with a chronic sense of time urgency), were inactive during their leisure time, had had at least two previous infarctions and smoked. These characteristics suggest that the men leaving the program early may have been those at greatest risk for a further myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Noncompliance in an exercise rehabilitation program for men who have suffered a myocardial infarction. A group of 163 men in the Hamilton, Ont. region who had suffered a myocardial infarction were enrolled in a rehabilitation program of physical activity. These men constituted one cohort of a multicentre collaborative study designed to determine the effects of regular exercise of differing intensity on morbidity and mortality over a 4-year period.The noncompliance rate was 43% for the men who could have participated for 1 year, 46% of whom were classified as noncompliers within 1 month of entry into the program. There was no difference in overall compliance between the men exercising at high intensity and those exercising at low intensity; lack of motivation or interest was the most common reason for their leaving the program. Those leaving the program early tended to have a type A behaviour pattern (they were aggressive, ambitious and competitive, with a chronic sense of time urgency), were inactive during their leisure time, had had at least two previous infarctions and smoked. These characteristics suggest that the men leaving the program early may have been those at greatest risk for a further myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 630495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8482", "title": "Contribution of twin pregnancy to perinatal mortality and fetal growth retardation; reversal of growth retardation after birth.", "content": "A survey of factors associated with perinatal mortality in 511 twins and fetal growth retardation and its reversal in 262 twins is presented. The incidence of stillbirth was almost 50% higher in twins than in singletons and the neonatal mortality was six times as high. Eighty percent of the neonatal deaths occurred in infants born prior to or at 30 weeks of gestation; 93% of the deaths were in infants weighing less than 1500 g and 75% occurred within 48 hours of birth. Fetal malnutrition was the main cause of stillbirth, and respiratory distress syndrome and asphyxia neonatorum were the main causes of neonatal death. One quarter of the twins had fetal growth retardation, a prevalence 10 times that in singletons. In almost all, the growth retardation was reversed by high-energy feedings. Although twins represented only 1% of all pregnancies and 2% of live births, they composed 12% of infants with early neonatal death and 17% of growth-retarded infants. A program is suggested for reduction of twin mortality and morbidity.", "contents": "Contribution of twin pregnancy to perinatal mortality and fetal growth retardation; reversal of growth retardation after birth. A survey of factors associated with perinatal mortality in 511 twins and fetal growth retardation and its reversal in 262 twins is presented. The incidence of stillbirth was almost 50% higher in twins than in singletons and the neonatal mortality was six times as high. Eighty percent of the neonatal deaths occurred in infants born prior to or at 30 weeks of gestation; 93% of the deaths were in infants weighing less than 1500 g and 75% occurred within 48 hours of birth. Fetal malnutrition was the main cause of stillbirth, and respiratory distress syndrome and asphyxia neonatorum were the main causes of neonatal death. One quarter of the twins had fetal growth retardation, a prevalence 10 times that in singletons. In almost all, the growth retardation was reversed by high-energy feedings. Although twins represented only 1% of all pregnancies and 2% of live births, they composed 12% of infants with early neonatal death and 17% of growth-retarded infants. A program is suggested for reduction of twin mortality and morbidity.", "PMID": 630496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8483", "title": "Nonvisualization of the gallbladder by 99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy as evidence of cholecystitis.", "content": "Cholescintigraphy with N-substituted iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) labelled with technetium-99m is a new noninvasive technique for evaluation of the hepatobiliary system. The significance of nonvisualization of the gallbladder by this method in comparison with standard radiologic examinations was studied. In 43 healthy subjects the gallbladder was visualized by the two methods. By contrast, all 27 patients in whom the gallbladder was not visualized by cholescintigraphy had cholecystitis. When visualization failed to occur, a repeat cholescintigraphic study after an injection of cholecystokinin demonstrated the status of the cystic duct. Visualization excludes cystic duct obstruction and acute cholecystitis, whereas persistent nonvisualization indicates cystic duct obstruction.", "contents": "Nonvisualization of the gallbladder by 99mTc-HIDA cholescintigraphy as evidence of cholecystitis. Cholescintigraphy with N-substituted iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) labelled with technetium-99m is a new noninvasive technique for evaluation of the hepatobiliary system. The significance of nonvisualization of the gallbladder by this method in comparison with standard radiologic examinations was studied. In 43 healthy subjects the gallbladder was visualized by the two methods. By contrast, all 27 patients in whom the gallbladder was not visualized by cholescintigraphy had cholecystitis. When visualization failed to occur, a repeat cholescintigraphic study after an injection of cholecystokinin demonstrated the status of the cystic duct. Visualization excludes cystic duct obstruction and acute cholecystitis, whereas persistent nonvisualization indicates cystic duct obstruction.", "PMID": 630497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8484", "title": "Globus and headache: common symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome.", "content": "Persons with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a significantly higher prevalence of globus and migraine-like headache than age-matched control subjects. On the other hand, persons with organic disease of the esophagus or colon may have a reduced prevalence of functional symptoms involving the opposite end of the gastrointestinal tract. The dispersed pattern of symptoms in IBS suggests that some agent, such as a hormone, may be acting systemically.", "contents": "Globus and headache: common symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome. Persons with the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a significantly higher prevalence of globus and migraine-like headache than age-matched control subjects. On the other hand, persons with organic disease of the esophagus or colon may have a reduced prevalence of functional symptoms involving the opposite end of the gastrointestinal tract. The dispersed pattern of symptoms in IBS suggests that some agent, such as a hormone, may be acting systemically.", "PMID": 630498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8485", "title": "Disseminated coccidioidomycosis: clinical, immunologic and therapeutic aspects.", "content": "A patient with disseminated coccidioidomycosis initially had pulmonary and skin manifestations and survived for 14 years before dying of meningitis due to Coccidioides immitis. In addition to several courses of amphotericin B therapy the patient received injections of transfer factor derived from appropriate donors and miconazole nitrate therapy. The immunologic defence mechanisms of the patient during the course of his disease were studied and the possibility of a cell-mediated immunologic defect, potentially reversible by transfer factor, was demonstrated.", "contents": "Disseminated coccidioidomycosis: clinical, immunologic and therapeutic aspects. A patient with disseminated coccidioidomycosis initially had pulmonary and skin manifestations and survived for 14 years before dying of meningitis due to Coccidioides immitis. In addition to several courses of amphotericin B therapy the patient received injections of transfer factor derived from appropriate donors and miconazole nitrate therapy. The immunologic defence mechanisms of the patient during the course of his disease were studied and the possibility of a cell-mediated immunologic defect, potentially reversible by transfer factor, was demonstrated.", "PMID": 630499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8486", "title": "The Canadian general internist: education and future role.", "content": "Available manpower data indicate that for the forseeable future there will be a continuing requirement in Canada for specialists in general internal medicine. While these specialists will be located predominantly in community hospitals, they will also be needed in university medical centres. The major roles of the general internist will be (a) to provide consultative service to primary care physicians and to other specialists, (b) to provide continuing care to patients with complex serious illness and (c) to participate in intensive care, particularly in community hospitals. Therefore training programs in this specialty must provide adequate experience in consultative medicine in both university and community hospitals, an opportunity to follow up patients with chronic serious illness over long periods, and experience in a variety of intensive care settings including surgical intensive care units. In some university departments the organization and supervision of training programs in this discipline have been carried out by a division of internal medicine that has equal status with other specialty divisions within the department. This seems to have been a salutory development.", "contents": "The Canadian general internist: education and future role. Available manpower data indicate that for the forseeable future there will be a continuing requirement in Canada for specialists in general internal medicine. While these specialists will be located predominantly in community hospitals, they will also be needed in university medical centres. The major roles of the general internist will be (a) to provide consultative service to primary care physicians and to other specialists, (b) to provide continuing care to patients with complex serious illness and (c) to participate in intensive care, particularly in community hospitals. Therefore training programs in this specialty must provide adequate experience in consultative medicine in both university and community hospitals, an opportunity to follow up patients with chronic serious illness over long periods, and experience in a variety of intensive care settings including surgical intensive care units. In some university departments the organization and supervision of training programs in this discipline have been carried out by a division of internal medicine that has equal status with other specialty divisions within the department. This seems to have been a salutory development.", "PMID": 630500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8487", "title": "Myotonia dystrophica: unusual features in a Labrador family.", "content": "A large family with myotonia dystrophica has been recognized in an isolated area of Labrador. The complete family tree showed 29 of 108 members to be affected, including an infant with the congenital form of the disease. The propositus presented with epiphora and reduced frequency of blinking, with incomplete closure--features that have not previously been stressed. Ten of the younger affected persons had no lens opacities, although most had systemic muscle signs. Slit-lamp examination was therefore not a valuable method of early detection of the disease in the family. Many of the women affected by myotonia dystrophica had obstetric complications, particularly hydramnios, premature onset of labour, necessity for cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal death. Hydramnios was associated in each instances with perinatal death. The fetus in each case of hydramnios may have had the gene for myotonia dystrophica. Immunoglobulin A concentrations were reduced significantly in 27 affected persons in comparison with 77 unaffected family members. There were no such differences for the other immunoglobulin classes.", "contents": "Myotonia dystrophica: unusual features in a Labrador family. A large family with myotonia dystrophica has been recognized in an isolated area of Labrador. The complete family tree showed 29 of 108 members to be affected, including an infant with the congenital form of the disease. The propositus presented with epiphora and reduced frequency of blinking, with incomplete closure--features that have not previously been stressed. Ten of the younger affected persons had no lens opacities, although most had systemic muscle signs. Slit-lamp examination was therefore not a valuable method of early detection of the disease in the family. Many of the women affected by myotonia dystrophica had obstetric complications, particularly hydramnios, premature onset of labour, necessity for cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal death. Hydramnios was associated in each instances with perinatal death. The fetus in each case of hydramnios may have had the gene for myotonia dystrophica. Immunoglobulin A concentrations were reduced significantly in 27 affected persons in comparison with 77 unaffected family members. There were no such differences for the other immunoglobulin classes.", "PMID": 630510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8488", "title": "An improved rebreathing method for measuring mixed venous carbon dioxide tension and its clinical application.", "content": "The mixed venous carbon dioxide tension (PVCO2) can be measured at the bedside by a rebreathing equilibrium technique that is quick, simple and noninvasive. Only one brief period of rebreathing is required. The technique is accurate even when the lungs are not normal, and gives a graphic record that allows verification of the accuracy of the estimate. The PVCO2 is affected mainly by changes in alveolar ventilation and cardiac output. It can be measured instead of the arterial carbon dioxide tension (PACO2) to follow changes in alveolar ventilation when the cardiac output is normal (PaCO2 = 0.8 PVCO2). When the cardiac output is abnormal, measurement of both PaCO2 and PvCO2 is useful in determining how much the cardiac output is reduced. Consideration of the relation between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production suggests that the equation PaCO2 = 0.8 PVCO2 - 12 indicates a reduction in cardiac output that may impair the oxygen supply to tissues. Simple corrections can be applied to allow for variations in arterial oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration that will affect this relationship.", "contents": "An improved rebreathing method for measuring mixed venous carbon dioxide tension and its clinical application. The mixed venous carbon dioxide tension (PVCO2) can be measured at the bedside by a rebreathing equilibrium technique that is quick, simple and noninvasive. Only one brief period of rebreathing is required. The technique is accurate even when the lungs are not normal, and gives a graphic record that allows verification of the accuracy of the estimate. The PVCO2 is affected mainly by changes in alveolar ventilation and cardiac output. It can be measured instead of the arterial carbon dioxide tension (PACO2) to follow changes in alveolar ventilation when the cardiac output is normal (PaCO2 = 0.8 PVCO2). When the cardiac output is abnormal, measurement of both PaCO2 and PvCO2 is useful in determining how much the cardiac output is reduced. Consideration of the relation between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production suggests that the equation PaCO2 = 0.8 PVCO2 - 12 indicates a reduction in cardiac output that may impair the oxygen supply to tissues. Simple corrections can be applied to allow for variations in arterial oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration that will affect this relationship.", "PMID": 630511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8489", "title": "Influence of age and previous use of diazepam dosage required for endoscopy.", "content": "In 19 patients (10 men and 9 women) a 22-fold variation was observed in the intravenous dose of diazepam necessary as preparation for endoscopy (median dose, 20 mg; range, 5 to 110 mg). Analysis of plasma samples for diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam revealed that the clinical response did not relate to the rate or character of initial drug distribution. There was a high correlation (r = 0.96) between the dose and the plasma concentration 10 minutes after administration. Users of diazepam displayed tolerance to its pharmacologic effects, requiring a significantly larger (P less than 0.05) dose than nonusers (median doses, 35.0 mg and 14.5 mg respectively). Older patients required less than younger patients (r = -0.54, P less than 0.05). The variation between individuals in the dose of diazepam required as preparation for endoscopy cannot be explained by variation in drug disposition but instead reflects previous diazepam use, age and probably differences in sensitivity at the site or sites of drug action.", "contents": "Influence of age and previous use of diazepam dosage required for endoscopy. In 19 patients (10 men and 9 women) a 22-fold variation was observed in the intravenous dose of diazepam necessary as preparation for endoscopy (median dose, 20 mg; range, 5 to 110 mg). Analysis of plasma samples for diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam revealed that the clinical response did not relate to the rate or character of initial drug distribution. There was a high correlation (r = 0.96) between the dose and the plasma concentration 10 minutes after administration. Users of diazepam displayed tolerance to its pharmacologic effects, requiring a significantly larger (P less than 0.05) dose than nonusers (median doses, 35.0 mg and 14.5 mg respectively). Older patients required less than younger patients (r = -0.54, P less than 0.05). The variation between individuals in the dose of diazepam required as preparation for endoscopy cannot be explained by variation in drug disposition but instead reflects previous diazepam use, age and probably differences in sensitivity at the site or sites of drug action.", "PMID": 630512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8490", "title": "Auger injuries in children.", "content": "A 6-year review of auger injuries in Manitoba children revealed that 23 children sustained major injuries resulting in amputation of 17 limbs. Auger injuries are the main cause of traumatic amputation in children in Manitoba. Improved safety education for the entire farm family as well as better design of safety shields would decrease this carnage.", "contents": "Auger injuries in children. A 6-year review of auger injuries in Manitoba children revealed that 23 children sustained major injuries resulting in amputation of 17 limbs. Auger injuries are the main cause of traumatic amputation in children in Manitoba. Improved safety education for the entire farm family as well as better design of safety shields would decrease this carnage.", "PMID": 630513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8491", "title": "Dermatologic problems in amputees.", "content": "Improvements in surgical techniques and prosthetic devices and the establishment of prosthetic clinics have altered the outlook for the amputee. A cooperative effect on the part of professionals looking after amputee patients, as carried out in these clinics, offers the best means of recognition and treatment of difficulties as they arise. Until the \"bionic man\" becomes a reality, amputees will continue to have skin problems. In describing a number of illustrative cases, we have attempted to: (a) renew interest in these problems; (b) demonstrate the value of the group approach; and (c) encourage the participation of interested dermatologists in the prosthetic clinic team to facilitate earlier recognition and treatment of troublesome skin disorders in the amputee.", "contents": "Dermatologic problems in amputees. Improvements in surgical techniques and prosthetic devices and the establishment of prosthetic clinics have altered the outlook for the amputee. A cooperative effect on the part of professionals looking after amputee patients, as carried out in these clinics, offers the best means of recognition and treatment of difficulties as they arise. Until the \"bionic man\" becomes a reality, amputees will continue to have skin problems. In describing a number of illustrative cases, we have attempted to: (a) renew interest in these problems; (b) demonstrate the value of the group approach; and (c) encourage the participation of interested dermatologists in the prosthetic clinic team to facilitate earlier recognition and treatment of troublesome skin disorders in the amputee.", "PMID": 630514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8492", "title": "Mitomycin-C and megestrol acetate in treatment of breast cancer refractory to hormonal and combination chemotherapy.", "content": "Fifty patients with breast cancer refractory to endocrine manipulation and/or combination chemotherapy were treated with mitomycin-C 20 mg/m2 I.V. every 4-6 weeks and megestrol acetate 160 mg daily. Of 48 evaluable patients, 4% achieved complete remission (CR), 23% had partial remission (PR). Median duration of response for CR and PR was 7 months. Non-responders had a median survival of 2 months. The difference in survival of responders (both CR and PR) and non-responders was statistically significant at p less than 0.01 level. Attenuated doses of mitomycin-C were administered at increasing intervals due to cumulative myelosuppressive toxicity.", "contents": "Mitomycin-C and megestrol acetate in treatment of breast cancer refractory to hormonal and combination chemotherapy. Fifty patients with breast cancer refractory to endocrine manipulation and/or combination chemotherapy were treated with mitomycin-C 20 mg/m2 I.V. every 4-6 weeks and megestrol acetate 160 mg daily. Of 48 evaluable patients, 4% achieved complete remission (CR), 23% had partial remission (PR). Median duration of response for CR and PR was 7 months. Non-responders had a median survival of 2 months. The difference in survival of responders (both CR and PR) and non-responders was statistically significant at p less than 0.01 level. Attenuated doses of mitomycin-C were administered at increasing intervals due to cumulative myelosuppressive toxicity.", "PMID": 630529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8493", "title": "Combination chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer with vincristine adriamycin and prednisolone.", "content": "Fifty patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with a combination of vincristine, Adriamycin and prednisolone (VAP) at four weekly intervals. Response rates of 78% for soft tissue disease, 66% for parenchymal lung disease, 67% for liver disease, and 64% for pleural effusions were seen. Only 26% of patients with bone metastases showed an objective response. These figures are as good as any previously reported for chemotherapy of breast cancer.", "contents": "Combination chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer with vincristine adriamycin and prednisolone. Fifty patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with a combination of vincristine, Adriamycin and prednisolone (VAP) at four weekly intervals. Response rates of 78% for soft tissue disease, 66% for parenchymal lung disease, 67% for liver disease, and 64% for pleural effusions were seen. Only 26% of patients with bone metastases showed an objective response. These figures are as good as any previously reported for chemotherapy of breast cancer.", "PMID": 630530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8494", "title": "Effect of 5-fluorouracil on liver regeneration and metabolism after partial hepatectomy in the rat.", "content": "The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on regenerating liver were studied after two thirds hepatectomy in rats. In Group I, 68% hepatectomy was performed. In Group II, 5-FU in a dose of 20 mg/kg was administered intravenously immediately after, 24 and 48 hours after the same hepatectomy. In Group III, the same amount of 5-FU was given after sham-operation. The mortality rates were 4.5% in Group I, 28.0% in Group II, and 0% in Group III. The treatment with 5-FU following hepatectomy caused not only suppression but delay of liver cell division. Histologic changes such as cellular degeneration, liver steatosis and dilatation of the sinusoidal space were marked and prolonged in the hepatectomy-5-FU group. The metabolic abnormalities in albumin, cholesterol, triglycedides, and phospholipids were further more profound in Group II compared to those in Group I. In Group III, moderate derangements in albumin, triglycerides and phospholipids were observed. The results may indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU or similar drugs immediately after partial hepatectomy in hepatoma patients should be performed with great care if necessary. Otherwise, it should not be carried out until hepatic regneration is almost completed.", "contents": "Effect of 5-fluorouracil on liver regeneration and metabolism after partial hepatectomy in the rat. The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on regenerating liver were studied after two thirds hepatectomy in rats. In Group I, 68% hepatectomy was performed. In Group II, 5-FU in a dose of 20 mg/kg was administered intravenously immediately after, 24 and 48 hours after the same hepatectomy. In Group III, the same amount of 5-FU was given after sham-operation. The mortality rates were 4.5% in Group I, 28.0% in Group II, and 0% in Group III. The treatment with 5-FU following hepatectomy caused not only suppression but delay of liver cell division. Histologic changes such as cellular degeneration, liver steatosis and dilatation of the sinusoidal space were marked and prolonged in the hepatectomy-5-FU group. The metabolic abnormalities in albumin, cholesterol, triglycedides, and phospholipids were further more profound in Group II compared to those in Group I. In Group III, moderate derangements in albumin, triglycerides and phospholipids were observed. The results may indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU or similar drugs immediately after partial hepatectomy in hepatoma patients should be performed with great care if necessary. Otherwise, it should not be carried out until hepatic regneration is almost completed.", "PMID": 630531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8495", "title": "Pulmonary disease with chlorambucil therapy.", "content": "A 73-year-old female developed pulmonary disease during treatment with chlorambucil for polycythemia vera. Cough and dyspnea were prominent symptoms. A chest roentgenogram revealed interstitial fibrosis. The diffusing capacity was markedly reduced. Pathologic findings included alveolar lining cell dysplasia, interstitial round cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis. Resolution of the pulmonary symptoms and partial clearing of the fibrosis on chest roentgenogram followed discontinuation of the chlorambucil and institution of steroid treatment. Chlorambucil may cause pulmonary fibrosis similar to busulfan and cyclophosphamide and this may be a potential complication of all alkylating agents.", "contents": "Pulmonary disease with chlorambucil therapy. A 73-year-old female developed pulmonary disease during treatment with chlorambucil for polycythemia vera. Cough and dyspnea were prominent symptoms. A chest roentgenogram revealed interstitial fibrosis. The diffusing capacity was markedly reduced. Pathologic findings included alveolar lining cell dysplasia, interstitial round cell infiltrates and interstitial fibrosis. Resolution of the pulmonary symptoms and partial clearing of the fibrosis on chest roentgenogram followed discontinuation of the chlorambucil and institution of steroid treatment. Chlorambucil may cause pulmonary fibrosis similar to busulfan and cyclophosphamide and this may be a potential complication of all alkylating agents.", "PMID": 630532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8496", "title": "Computed tomographic scanning in patients with lymphoma.", "content": "Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen was performed in 40 patients with lymphoma and the results compared to conventional diagnostic techniques. Overall 34 (85%) of 40 CT scans correctly reflected the presence or absence of lymphoma. Close agreement between the findings of lymphography and CT was noted in 26 of 27 cases. CT has particular utility for assessment of lymphomatous involvement of mesenteric lymph nodes, high retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and extranodal abdominal sites other than the spleen or liver (e.g., pancreas, kidney). Abdominal CT is a useful noninvasive diagnostic technique for the initial staging and subsequent evaluation of selected patients with lymphoma.", "contents": "Computed tomographic scanning in patients with lymphoma. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen was performed in 40 patients with lymphoma and the results compared to conventional diagnostic techniques. Overall 34 (85%) of 40 CT scans correctly reflected the presence or absence of lymphoma. Close agreement between the findings of lymphography and CT was noted in 26 of 27 cases. CT has particular utility for assessment of lymphomatous involvement of mesenteric lymph nodes, high retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and extranodal abdominal sites other than the spleen or liver (e.g., pancreas, kidney). Abdominal CT is a useful noninvasive diagnostic technique for the initial staging and subsequent evaluation of selected patients with lymphoma.", "PMID": 630533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8497", "title": "Primary leptomeningeal melanoma: an ultrastructural study.", "content": "A primary leptomeningeal melanoma in a 19-year-old white women has been shown by electron microscopy to contain light and dark cells. The light cells fill the subarachnoid space, contain mature melanosomes and exhibit intracytoplasmic fine fibrils. The dark cells are found within the collagen network of pia-arachnoid. They possess a small rim of ribosomal-rich cytoplasms, occasional premelanosomes and no intracytoplasmic fibrils. The tumor cells appear to arise from these dark activated melanoblasts in the pia-arachnoid and proliferate into more differentiated light cells. A similar pattern of two types of cells has not been described in primary CNS melanomas. The possibility of differentiation from cutaneous melanoma is discussed.", "contents": "Primary leptomeningeal melanoma: an ultrastructural study. A primary leptomeningeal melanoma in a 19-year-old white women has been shown by electron microscopy to contain light and dark cells. The light cells fill the subarachnoid space, contain mature melanosomes and exhibit intracytoplasmic fine fibrils. The dark cells are found within the collagen network of pia-arachnoid. They possess a small rim of ribosomal-rich cytoplasms, occasional premelanosomes and no intracytoplasmic fibrils. The tumor cells appear to arise from these dark activated melanoblasts in the pia-arachnoid and proliferate into more differentiated light cells. A similar pattern of two types of cells has not been described in primary CNS melanomas. The possibility of differentiation from cutaneous melanoma is discussed.", "PMID": 630534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8498", "title": "Triiodothyronine-secreting (toxic) adenoma of the thyroid gland: light and electron microscopic characteristics.", "content": "A patient with thyrotoxicosis due to a triiodothyronine (T3)-secreting autonomous adenoma is described. The histmorphology of the neoplasms was similar to other neoplasms previously reported. Ultrastructural features of the adenoma are compatible with a very actively secreting follicular cell and are best compared with the ultrastructure of a diffuse toxic goiter. Distinctive features that separate toxic adenomas from various thyroid carcinomas and normal thyroid parenchyma are discussed.", "contents": "Triiodothyronine-secreting (toxic) adenoma of the thyroid gland: light and electron microscopic characteristics. A patient with thyrotoxicosis due to a triiodothyronine (T3)-secreting autonomous adenoma is described. The histmorphology of the neoplasms was similar to other neoplasms previously reported. Ultrastructural features of the adenoma are compatible with a very actively secreting follicular cell and are best compared with the ultrastructure of a diffuse toxic goiter. Distinctive features that separate toxic adenomas from various thyroid carcinomas and normal thyroid parenchyma are discussed.", "PMID": 630535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8499", "title": "Anaplastic seminoma of the testis: ultrastructural analysis of three cases.", "content": "Three anaplastic seminomas of the testis were examined by transmission electron microscopy, and the ultrastructural features are described for comparison with those reported in other seminomas and related neoplasms. It is concluded that anaplastic seminomas are similar ultrastructurally to classic testicular seminomas, extragondal seminomas, and ovarian dysgerminomas, all of which are less differentiated than spermatocytic seminomas.", "contents": "Anaplastic seminoma of the testis: ultrastructural analysis of three cases. Three anaplastic seminomas of the testis were examined by transmission electron microscopy, and the ultrastructural features are described for comparison with those reported in other seminomas and related neoplasms. It is concluded that anaplastic seminomas are similar ultrastructurally to classic testicular seminomas, extragondal seminomas, and ovarian dysgerminomas, all of which are less differentiated than spermatocytic seminomas.", "PMID": 630536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8500", "title": "Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma: a light and electron microscopic study.", "content": "Tumors of ceruminous gland origin in the external auditory canal are rare in man. A case is described in which such a tumor presented as an invasive vascular temporal bone neoplasm, mimicking a glomus jugulare tumor. Light and electron microscopic study of this tumor confirmed a diagnosis of ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. Tumors of ceruminous gland origin appear to have a distinctive clinical behavior by virtue of their unique anatomical location in the external auditory canal. Our experience with this case establishes another clinical picture characterizing the histologic type of ceruminoma designated as a ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. We feel that the generic term \"ceruminoma,\" with its implied histologic subgroups, is useful to the clinician when he encounters a tumor arising from the modified sweat glands of the external auditory canal.", "contents": "Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma: a light and electron microscopic study. Tumors of ceruminous gland origin in the external auditory canal are rare in man. A case is described in which such a tumor presented as an invasive vascular temporal bone neoplasm, mimicking a glomus jugulare tumor. Light and electron microscopic study of this tumor confirmed a diagnosis of ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. Tumors of ceruminous gland origin appear to have a distinctive clinical behavior by virtue of their unique anatomical location in the external auditory canal. Our experience with this case establishes another clinical picture characterizing the histologic type of ceruminoma designated as a ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma. We feel that the generic term \"ceruminoma,\" with its implied histologic subgroups, is useful to the clinician when he encounters a tumor arising from the modified sweat glands of the external auditory canal.", "PMID": 630537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8501", "title": "Epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease: clinical correlations in 55 previously untreated patients.", "content": "Non-caseating sarcoid-like epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease have been found in 55 patients initially staged and treated at the Stanford University School of Medicine. These patients are compared to 553 concurrent patients not having granulomas associated with their Hodgkin's disease. Pre-treatment parameters of the two groups are presented and found not to be different. Patterns of relapse in granuloma patients are presented and no relationship between location of granulomas and subsequent relapse is found. Survival and relapse-free survival curves are significantly different in favor of the granuloma group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). Correlation with skin test data has been attempted using a matched control analysis and no difference is found in reaction to intradermal antigens between the two groups.", "contents": "Epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease: clinical correlations in 55 previously untreated patients. Non-caseating sarcoid-like epithelioid granulomas associated with Hodgkin's disease have been found in 55 patients initially staged and treated at the Stanford University School of Medicine. These patients are compared to 553 concurrent patients not having granulomas associated with their Hodgkin's disease. Pre-treatment parameters of the two groups are presented and found not to be different. Patterns of relapse in granuloma patients are presented and no relationship between location of granulomas and subsequent relapse is found. Survival and relapse-free survival curves are significantly different in favor of the granuloma group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.03, respectively). Correlation with skin test data has been attempted using a matched control analysis and no difference is found in reaction to intradermal antigens between the two groups.", "PMID": 630538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8502", "title": "Proximal tubulare dysfunction associated with Burkitt's lymphoma.", "content": "Generalized aminoaciduria, uricosuria, glycosuria and phosphaturia were discovered in a patient with advanced Burkitt's lymphoma with renal infiltration. The literature is reviewed and three pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. It is presumed that proximal tubular dysfunction in this case was related to the marked peritubular infiltrate causing cell mediated immunological injury or direct tubular destruction by tumor.", "contents": "Proximal tubulare dysfunction associated with Burkitt's lymphoma. Generalized aminoaciduria, uricosuria, glycosuria and phosphaturia were discovered in a patient with advanced Burkitt's lymphoma with renal infiltration. The literature is reviewed and three pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. It is presumed that proximal tubular dysfunction in this case was related to the marked peritubular infiltrate causing cell mediated immunological injury or direct tubular destruction by tumor.", "PMID": 630539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8503", "title": "Congenital solitary fibromatosis of the skeleton: case report of a variant of congenital generalized fibromatosis.", "content": "A study of a 3-month-old boy with a solitary form of congenital generalized fibromatosis of the skeleton is presented. Radiographic examination revealed a shortening of the right ulna and an osteolytic lesion in the distal metaphysis extending to the epiphysis. The histological appearance seems to be consistent with previously described cases of generalized congenital fibromatosis of soft tissues and skeleton. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells resembled primitive fibroblasts. The lesion was curetted 3 times and filled with bone transplants before it finally healed. At follow-up of the boy at age 13, there were no signs of the tumor.", "contents": "Congenital solitary fibromatosis of the skeleton: case report of a variant of congenital generalized fibromatosis. A study of a 3-month-old boy with a solitary form of congenital generalized fibromatosis of the skeleton is presented. Radiographic examination revealed a shortening of the right ulna and an osteolytic lesion in the distal metaphysis extending to the epiphysis. The histological appearance seems to be consistent with previously described cases of generalized congenital fibromatosis of soft tissues and skeleton. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells resembled primitive fibroblasts. The lesion was curetted 3 times and filled with bone transplants before it finally healed. At follow-up of the boy at age 13, there were no signs of the tumor.", "PMID": 630542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8504", "title": "Biochemical markers in advanced testicular tumors: serum lactate dehydrogenase, urinary chorionic gonadotropin and total urinary estrogens.", "content": "Twenty-seven patients with advanced testicular tumors were screened for serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, and 24-hour urinary excretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and total estrogens. The investigation indicates an overall correlation between serum LDH concentration and cancer burden and an overall correlation between the maximum serum LDH and prognosis. It indicates an overall ocrrelation between the hCG determined within 2.5 months after the orchiectomy and prognosis. The relation between total estrogens and cancer burden or prognosis does not support the hypothesis that total urinary estrogens are a biochemical marker in testicular tumors.", "contents": "Biochemical markers in advanced testicular tumors: serum lactate dehydrogenase, urinary chorionic gonadotropin and total urinary estrogens. Twenty-seven patients with advanced testicular tumors were screened for serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, and 24-hour urinary excretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and total estrogens. The investigation indicates an overall correlation between serum LDH concentration and cancer burden and an overall correlation between the maximum serum LDH and prognosis. It indicates an overall ocrrelation between the hCG determined within 2.5 months after the orchiectomy and prognosis. The relation between total estrogens and cancer burden or prognosis does not support the hypothesis that total urinary estrogens are a biochemical marker in testicular tumors.", "PMID": 630543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8505", "title": "The bone marrow examination in breast cancer: diagnostic considerations and clinical usefulness.", "content": "Bone marrow examinations were performed on 116 women with primary and metastatic breast cancer and were correlated with the clinical status of the patient and other specific diagnostic modalities. The relative diagnostic efficacy of the marrow biopsy, aspirate smear and clot section was examined, as was the value of serial marrow examinations. A marrow positive for tumor was found in 40% of those with metastatic disease, 55% with positive x-rays, 56% with positive bone scans, but only 4% (1/24) with both scan and x-ray normal. Routine hematologic parameters were of limited usefulness in predicting the finding of a positive marrow. The biopsy was superior to the smear and clot section but aspirated material also had to be analyzed to maximize diagnostic yield. When analyzed qualitatively, i.e., positive or negative for tumor, serial marrow examinations were not useful in assessing the efficacy of antitumor treatment. The potential usefulness of bone marrow examination in patients with breast cancer is discussed.", "contents": "The bone marrow examination in breast cancer: diagnostic considerations and clinical usefulness. Bone marrow examinations were performed on 116 women with primary and metastatic breast cancer and were correlated with the clinical status of the patient and other specific diagnostic modalities. The relative diagnostic efficacy of the marrow biopsy, aspirate smear and clot section was examined, as was the value of serial marrow examinations. A marrow positive for tumor was found in 40% of those with metastatic disease, 55% with positive x-rays, 56% with positive bone scans, but only 4% (1/24) with both scan and x-ray normal. Routine hematologic parameters were of limited usefulness in predicting the finding of a positive marrow. The biopsy was superior to the smear and clot section but aspirated material also had to be analyzed to maximize diagnostic yield. When analyzed qualitatively, i.e., positive or negative for tumor, serial marrow examinations were not useful in assessing the efficacy of antitumor treatment. The potential usefulness of bone marrow examination in patients with breast cancer is discussed.", "PMID": 630544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8506", "title": "Pulmonary resection for metastatic renal adenocarcinoma: pathologic findings and therapeutic value.", "content": "Forty-four cases of metastatic renal adenocarcinoma to the lung were studied to assess the efficacy of surgical management and to review the histological criteria for diagnosis. Our data support the role of surgical resection in patients with unilateral pulmonary metastasis. Adverse prognostic features include radiographically multiple lesions and involvement of tracheobronchial lymph nodes. A better survival was associated with extensive tumor necrosis. In patients presenting initially with pulmonary metastases, nephrectomy is indicated only when the metastases are unilateral. The various histological patterns of the neoplasm, and features helpful in differential diagnosis are discussed. An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is indicated for all patients presenting with clear cell tumors of the lung. In certain cases a renal arteriogram may be necessary to exclude the possibility of a renal primary.", "contents": "Pulmonary resection for metastatic renal adenocarcinoma: pathologic findings and therapeutic value. Forty-four cases of metastatic renal adenocarcinoma to the lung were studied to assess the efficacy of surgical management and to review the histological criteria for diagnosis. Our data support the role of surgical resection in patients with unilateral pulmonary metastasis. Adverse prognostic features include radiographically multiple lesions and involvement of tracheobronchial lymph nodes. A better survival was associated with extensive tumor necrosis. In patients presenting initially with pulmonary metastases, nephrectomy is indicated only when the metastases are unilateral. The various histological patterns of the neoplasm, and features helpful in differential diagnosis are discussed. An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is indicated for all patients presenting with clear cell tumors of the lung. In certain cases a renal arteriogram may be necessary to exclude the possibility of a renal primary.", "PMID": 630546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8507", "title": "Prospective evaluation of periodic breast examination programs: interval cases.", "content": "A mathematical model is developed and used to obtain estimates of the expected proportion of breast cancer cases which will be detected at scheduled examinations and between them in various periodic examination programs; the latter are called interval cases. Another model is used to get estimates of the proportion of women in such programs who get cancer and are expected to have axillary node metastases at the time of first treatment. Programs with or without patient self-examinations are also evaluated. The purpose of both models is to enable evaluations of different periodic schedules. Although interval cases have been reported to have poorer prognostic characteristics than those found at scheduled examinations, calculations indicate that large reductions in these cases do no imply an equivalent reduction in positive axillary node cases. Thus, interval case counts are a relatively weak measure of the success of a periodic program. However, they may still be valuable since programs which can be expected to have low porportions of interval cases are less dependent on efficient patient self-examinations. Cost-benefit calculations show how the relative costs of mammographic and physical examinations can be considered in the development of mass screening programs. For example, if a mammographic examinations cost three times as much as a physical, then a physical examination program may be preferred to one involving both modalities.", "contents": "Prospective evaluation of periodic breast examination programs: interval cases. A mathematical model is developed and used to obtain estimates of the expected proportion of breast cancer cases which will be detected at scheduled examinations and between them in various periodic examination programs; the latter are called interval cases. Another model is used to get estimates of the proportion of women in such programs who get cancer and are expected to have axillary node metastases at the time of first treatment. Programs with or without patient self-examinations are also evaluated. The purpose of both models is to enable evaluations of different periodic schedules. Although interval cases have been reported to have poorer prognostic characteristics than those found at scheduled examinations, calculations indicate that large reductions in these cases do no imply an equivalent reduction in positive axillary node cases. Thus, interval case counts are a relatively weak measure of the success of a periodic program. However, they may still be valuable since programs which can be expected to have low porportions of interval cases are less dependent on efficient patient self-examinations. Cost-benefit calculations show how the relative costs of mammographic and physical examinations can be considered in the development of mass screening programs. For example, if a mammographic examinations cost three times as much as a physical, then a physical examination program may be preferred to one involving both modalities.", "PMID": 630547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8508", "title": "Liver disease complicating the management of acute leukemia during remission.", "content": "Eight adults who developed persisting liver function abnormalities during remission from acute leukemia (6 acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia and 2 acute lymphoblastic leukemia) are reported. These patients constituted 20% of the adults with acute leukemia attaining remission over the time period studied. Although we were unable to be absolutely certain of the etiology of the liver dysfunction, the following findings characterize the problem: 1) onset following red blood cell and platelet transfusions in all cases; 2) minimal symptoms and signs except for transient episodes of jaundice; 3) fluctuating, but often marked, increases in liver transaminases; 4) no other consistent laboratory abnormalities; 5) liver biopsies showing varying degrees of inflammation; 6) a consistent decrease in transaminase levels following pulse chemotherapy; 7) absence of progression of abnormalities during the observation period. This group of patients did not have a worse prognosis than patients with normal liver function. We feel that it is important to recognize this entity and to not withhold antileukemic therapy.", "contents": "Liver disease complicating the management of acute leukemia during remission. Eight adults who developed persisting liver function abnormalities during remission from acute leukemia (6 acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia and 2 acute lymphoblastic leukemia) are reported. These patients constituted 20% of the adults with acute leukemia attaining remission over the time period studied. Although we were unable to be absolutely certain of the etiology of the liver dysfunction, the following findings characterize the problem: 1) onset following red blood cell and platelet transfusions in all cases; 2) minimal symptoms and signs except for transient episodes of jaundice; 3) fluctuating, but often marked, increases in liver transaminases; 4) no other consistent laboratory abnormalities; 5) liver biopsies showing varying degrees of inflammation; 6) a consistent decrease in transaminase levels following pulse chemotherapy; 7) absence of progression of abnormalities during the observation period. This group of patients did not have a worse prognosis than patients with normal liver function. We feel that it is important to recognize this entity and to not withhold antileukemic therapy.", "PMID": 630548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8509", "title": "Reproductive history and risk of breast cancer: a case-control study in an unselected Swedish population.", "content": "Variables in reproductive histories were studied in 179 consecutively detected, unselected breast cancer patients and age-matched controls selected from a computerized population register. The comparison between patients and controls showed no significant difference in age at meanarche, age at first birth, age at menopause or number of children. A subdivision into pre- and post-menopausal women yielded no further information. These results are at variance with most earlier reports, possible because the controls here were selected from the whole female population instead of hospitalized patients. Our data do not support the view that it is possible to define groups at high risk for breast cancer on the basis of productive histories.", "contents": "Reproductive history and risk of breast cancer: a case-control study in an unselected Swedish population. Variables in reproductive histories were studied in 179 consecutively detected, unselected breast cancer patients and age-matched controls selected from a computerized population register. The comparison between patients and controls showed no significant difference in age at meanarche, age at first birth, age at menopause or number of children. A subdivision into pre- and post-menopausal women yielded no further information. These results are at variance with most earlier reports, possible because the controls here were selected from the whole female population instead of hospitalized patients. Our data do not support the view that it is possible to define groups at high risk for breast cancer on the basis of productive histories.", "PMID": 630549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8510", "title": "Reserpine and breast cancer.", "content": "After a series of studies on the linkage of reserpine with breast cancer, both evidence and interpretation appeared to be in conflict. Our case-control survey of long-term, comprehensive records from the Kaiser Foundation Medical Care Program, on 108 hypertensive breast cancer cases and 324 hypertensive controls, matched by year of birth and by race, produces a significant positive association between reserpine use and breast cancer. However, the association vanishes upon further matching with respect to the year of the first hypertension diagnosis and the subsequent length of follow-up. We thus fail to support suspicions of causality.", "contents": "Reserpine and breast cancer. After a series of studies on the linkage of reserpine with breast cancer, both evidence and interpretation appeared to be in conflict. Our case-control survey of long-term, comprehensive records from the Kaiser Foundation Medical Care Program, on 108 hypertensive breast cancer cases and 324 hypertensive controls, matched by year of birth and by race, produces a significant positive association between reserpine use and breast cancer. However, the association vanishes upon further matching with respect to the year of the first hypertension diagnosis and the subsequent length of follow-up. We thus fail to support suspicions of causality.", "PMID": 630550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8511", "title": "Central nervous system involvement by ovarian carcinoma: a complication of prolonged survivial with metastatic disease.", "content": "Six patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had clinical diagnoses of central nervous system (CNS) metastases during a four-year period. A thorough review of the literature shows that involvement of the CNS by ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon. Four of the six patients developed parenchymal brain metastases whereas carcinomatous meningitis was detected in the other two. These patients were younger and survived longer from initial diagnosis than the majority of women with ovarian cancer. Five of the six patients had previously received chemotherapy and had developed metastatic spread to extraperitoneal sites. Following extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy may provide intraperitoneal and systemic control, thereby extending survival and permitting occult CNS metastases to become apparent.", "contents": "Central nervous system involvement by ovarian carcinoma: a complication of prolonged survivial with metastatic disease. Six patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had clinical diagnoses of central nervous system (CNS) metastases during a four-year period. A thorough review of the literature shows that involvement of the CNS by ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon. Four of the six patients developed parenchymal brain metastases whereas carcinomatous meningitis was detected in the other two. These patients were younger and survived longer from initial diagnosis than the majority of women with ovarian cancer. Five of the six patients had previously received chemotherapy and had developed metastatic spread to extraperitoneal sites. Following extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy may provide intraperitoneal and systemic control, thereby extending survival and permitting occult CNS metastases to become apparent.", "PMID": 630551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8512", "title": "Development of haematopoietic colonies on the macrophage layer formed in the peritoneal cavity of S1/S1d mice.", "content": "The colony-forming ability of haematopoietic cells was examined on the macrophage layer formed in the peritoneal cavity of S1/S1d mice. The bone marrow cells of the congenic +/+ mice formed many macroscopic colonies on the macrophage layer of the S1/S1d mice although they did not form macroscopic colonies in the spleens of the same S1/S1d recipients. The size and the differentiation pattern of colonies on the macrophage layer of the S1/S1d mice were comparable to those of the colonies on the macrophage layer of the +/+ mice. There are two possible explanations for these results: (a) The microenvironmental defect of the S1/S1d mice has a more prominent effect on the development of spleen colonies than that of macrophage-layer colonies because 'Steel' locus may not be expressed significantly in the peritoneal macrophages or (b) because the cells that make colonies on the macrophage layer may be more differentiated cells than the multipotential stem cells that make colonies in the spleen.", "contents": "Development of haematopoietic colonies on the macrophage layer formed in the peritoneal cavity of S1/S1d mice. The colony-forming ability of haematopoietic cells was examined on the macrophage layer formed in the peritoneal cavity of S1/S1d mice. The bone marrow cells of the congenic +/+ mice formed many macroscopic colonies on the macrophage layer of the S1/S1d mice although they did not form macroscopic colonies in the spleens of the same S1/S1d recipients. The size and the differentiation pattern of colonies on the macrophage layer of the S1/S1d mice were comparable to those of the colonies on the macrophage layer of the +/+ mice. There are two possible explanations for these results: (a) The microenvironmental defect of the S1/S1d mice has a more prominent effect on the development of spleen colonies than that of macrophage-layer colonies because 'Steel' locus may not be expressed significantly in the peritoneal macrophages or (b) because the cells that make colonies on the macrophage layer may be more differentiated cells than the multipotential stem cells that make colonies in the spleen.", "PMID": 630576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8513", "title": "Changes in stem cell compartments in mice after hydroxyurea.", "content": "Hydroxyurea injection kills only approximately 10% of CFUs which are in the S phase of the cell cycle. In mice given a single injection of hydroxyurea CFUs in the femur decreased only about 50% in 2--4 days after hydroxyurea, and then started to return to normal levels with an overshoot evident after the eighth day after hydroxyurea. CFUs in spleens of mice given a single injection of hydroxyurea show an evident overshoot as early as 3 days after the drug, reaching levels which are about 300% of normal. CFUs from blood disappear rapidly, but equally rapidly return to normal values followed by a significant overshoot. The radioresistance of mice increased up to 4 days after hydroxyurea.", "contents": "Changes in stem cell compartments in mice after hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea injection kills only approximately 10% of CFUs which are in the S phase of the cell cycle. In mice given a single injection of hydroxyurea CFUs in the femur decreased only about 50% in 2--4 days after hydroxyurea, and then started to return to normal levels with an overshoot evident after the eighth day after hydroxyurea. CFUs in spleens of mice given a single injection of hydroxyurea show an evident overshoot as early as 3 days after the drug, reaching levels which are about 300% of normal. CFUs from blood disappear rapidly, but equally rapidly return to normal values followed by a significant overshoot. The radioresistance of mice increased up to 4 days after hydroxyurea.", "PMID": 630577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8514", "title": "Differential radiation response amongst proliferating epithelial cells.", "content": "Tissue irradiation results in both reproductive and histologically evident cell death. The correlation between these is poor. Irrespective of dose and fraction sterilized, many cells behave as if unirradiated (cell cycle and maturation activity). The fraction of histologically observable dead cells is usually less than 0.1, with most in the intestine being positioned in the presumptive stem cell region. The data strongly suggest different epithelial sub-populations with differing radioresponses. These may be the stem and differentiated proliferative cells.", "contents": "Differential radiation response amongst proliferating epithelial cells. Tissue irradiation results in both reproductive and histologically evident cell death. The correlation between these is poor. Irrespective of dose and fraction sterilized, many cells behave as if unirradiated (cell cycle and maturation activity). The fraction of histologically observable dead cells is usually less than 0.1, with most in the intestine being positioned in the presumptive stem cell region. The data strongly suggest different epithelial sub-populations with differing radioresponses. These may be the stem and differentiated proliferative cells.", "PMID": 630578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8515", "title": "Characteristic species dependent growth patterns of mammalian neoplasms.", "content": "Evidence is presented, arising from an analysis of published data on tumour growth in three species of laboratory animals and in human multiple myeloma supporting a species specific relation between two supposedly independent parameters in the Gompertz equations frequently used to quantify tumour growth curves. This evidence supports the conjecture of Norton et al. (1976), based on their observations of the growth kinetics of a murine melanoma and a rat mammary carcinoma, that such a relation may be a general feature of tumour growth. Published data on the growth of xenografts of human colorectal tumours in immune-deprived mice suggests that the observed growth relation reflects the ability of a particular species to support a tumour of a certain maximum size. The existence of this relation greatly simplifies the task of predicting complete patterns of undisturbed neoplastic growth in these species.", "contents": "Characteristic species dependent growth patterns of mammalian neoplasms. Evidence is presented, arising from an analysis of published data on tumour growth in three species of laboratory animals and in human multiple myeloma supporting a species specific relation between two supposedly independent parameters in the Gompertz equations frequently used to quantify tumour growth curves. This evidence supports the conjecture of Norton et al. (1976), based on their observations of the growth kinetics of a murine melanoma and a rat mammary carcinoma, that such a relation may be a general feature of tumour growth. Published data on the growth of xenografts of human colorectal tumours in immune-deprived mice suggests that the observed growth relation reflects the ability of a particular species to support a tumour of a certain maximum size. The existence of this relation greatly simplifies the task of predicting complete patterns of undisturbed neoplastic growth in these species.", "PMID": 630579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8516", "title": "Analysis of the growth kinetics of a human lymphoma cell line.", "content": "The growth kinetics of an established human lymphoma cell line were analyzed by a variety of techniques utilizing various cell inocula (5 X 10(4)--5 X 10(5) cells) dispensed into 60 mm diameter dishes. Techniques included pulse-labeled mitosis (PLM), continuous labeling with 3H-TdR, time-lapse photography (TLP), cell counts by electronic particle counter, and DNA histography obtained by pulse cytophotometry (PCP). There were no significant differences among values determined for any kinetic parameters as a function of cell concentration. The average doubling time of exponentially growing cells, regardless of cell inoculum, was 44.1 hr. The generation time determined by PLM was 31.1 hr with a SD of 4.7 hrs. Transit times for each stage were: TG1 = 10.6 hr, TS = 9.9 hr, TG2 = 9.9 hr, and TM = 0.7 hr. Repeated experiments using continuous labeling with 3H-TdR demonstrated a TG2 of 6.3 hr. The longer value determined by PLM is possibly due to the technical manipulations of this procedure which may delay pulse-labeled cells from resuming cell cycle transit. Hence, values for cell cycle stages were recalculated to give TG1 = 14.1 hr, TS = 9.9 hr, TG2 = 6.3 hr, and TM = 0.7 hr. These results were used to compute the size of each cell cycle stage compartment pool and corresponded very closely to values defined directly by PCP. TLP analysis considered only cells that produced colonies of at least thirty-two cells. Generation times ranged from 8 to 89 hr and showed a positive skewness. The average value measured for 330 divisions was 34.5 hr with a SD of 13.2 hr. Thus, the variance predicted by curve fitting of the PLM data did not correlate with that defined by time-lapse photography nor did it encompass the range in generation times observed directly by TLP. There was a positive correlation between sister-sister cell generation times (+0.66) but no relation was noted for mother-daughter values.", "contents": "Analysis of the growth kinetics of a human lymphoma cell line. The growth kinetics of an established human lymphoma cell line were analyzed by a variety of techniques utilizing various cell inocula (5 X 10(4)--5 X 10(5) cells) dispensed into 60 mm diameter dishes. Techniques included pulse-labeled mitosis (PLM), continuous labeling with 3H-TdR, time-lapse photography (TLP), cell counts by electronic particle counter, and DNA histography obtained by pulse cytophotometry (PCP). There were no significant differences among values determined for any kinetic parameters as a function of cell concentration. The average doubling time of exponentially growing cells, regardless of cell inoculum, was 44.1 hr. The generation time determined by PLM was 31.1 hr with a SD of 4.7 hrs. Transit times for each stage were: TG1 = 10.6 hr, TS = 9.9 hr, TG2 = 9.9 hr, and TM = 0.7 hr. Repeated experiments using continuous labeling with 3H-TdR demonstrated a TG2 of 6.3 hr. The longer value determined by PLM is possibly due to the technical manipulations of this procedure which may delay pulse-labeled cells from resuming cell cycle transit. Hence, values for cell cycle stages were recalculated to give TG1 = 14.1 hr, TS = 9.9 hr, TG2 = 6.3 hr, and TM = 0.7 hr. These results were used to compute the size of each cell cycle stage compartment pool and corresponded very closely to values defined directly by PCP. TLP analysis considered only cells that produced colonies of at least thirty-two cells. Generation times ranged from 8 to 89 hr and showed a positive skewness. The average value measured for 330 divisions was 34.5 hr with a SD of 13.2 hr. Thus, the variance predicted by curve fitting of the PLM data did not correlate with that defined by time-lapse photography nor did it encompass the range in generation times observed directly by TLP. There was a positive correlation between sister-sister cell generation times (+0.66) but no relation was noted for mother-daughter values.", "PMID": 630580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8517", "title": "Analysis of growth of tetraploid nuclei in roots of Vicia faba.", "content": "Growth of nuclei of a marked population of cells was determined from G1 to prophase in roots of Vicia faba. The cells were marked by inducing them to become tetraploid by treatment with 0.002% colchicine for 1 hr. Variation in nuclear volume is large; it is established in early G1 and maintained through interphase and into prophase. One consequence of this variation is that there is considerable overlap between volumes of nuclei of different ages in the cell cycle; nuclear volume, we suggest, cannot be used as an accurate indicator of the age of the cell in its growth cycle. Nuclei exhibit considerable variation in their growth rate through the cell cycle. Of the marked population of cells, about 65% had completed a cell cycle 14--15 hr after they were formed. These tetraploid nuclei have a cell cycle duration similar to that of fast cycling diploid cells of the same roots. Since they do complete a cell cycle, at least 65% of the nuclei studied must come from rapidly proliferating cells, showing that variability in nuclear volumes must be present in growing cells and cannot be attributed solely to the presence, in our samples, of non-cycling cells.", "contents": "Analysis of growth of tetraploid nuclei in roots of Vicia faba. Growth of nuclei of a marked population of cells was determined from G1 to prophase in roots of Vicia faba. The cells were marked by inducing them to become tetraploid by treatment with 0.002% colchicine for 1 hr. Variation in nuclear volume is large; it is established in early G1 and maintained through interphase and into prophase. One consequence of this variation is that there is considerable overlap between volumes of nuclei of different ages in the cell cycle; nuclear volume, we suggest, cannot be used as an accurate indicator of the age of the cell in its growth cycle. Nuclei exhibit considerable variation in their growth rate through the cell cycle. Of the marked population of cells, about 65% had completed a cell cycle 14--15 hr after they were formed. These tetraploid nuclei have a cell cycle duration similar to that of fast cycling diploid cells of the same roots. Since they do complete a cell cycle, at least 65% of the nuclei studied must come from rapidly proliferating cells, showing that variability in nuclear volumes must be present in growing cells and cannot be attributed solely to the presence, in our samples, of non-cycling cells.", "PMID": 630581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8518", "title": "Development of the filiform hairs on the cerci of Gryllus bimaculatus deg. (saltatoria, gryllidae).", "content": "The filiform hairs, mechanoreceptors of Gryllus, pass through six developmental stages during the last larval stage. The cytoplasm of their sense cells suggests intensive synthesis of protein for cellular metabolism and intercytoplasmic exchange of material via glial evaginations. Ultrahistochemical tests demonstrated acid phosphatase in the lysosomes as well as in components of the Golgi apparatus. There was no significant change in the appearance of the sense cell cytoplasm, indicating a maintained functional state also during molting. The new cuticular apparatus is formed after apolysis by the three enveloping cells. Formation of the replacement hairs is initiated by a cytoplasmic outgrowth of the trichogen cell. During morphogenesis of the new hair, the microtubules serve as a cytoskeleton and probably control the flow of vesicles, which contain phenol oxidase, also demonstrated in the Golgi apparatus, and are incorporated into the new cuticle. Bundles of microfibrils are involved in the surface sculpturing of the replacement hair. The trichogen cell also forms a number of structural elements, e.g. the \"cup\" and \"strut\" marked geometric peculiarities of which indicate that they are important in the spatial orientation of the dendrite and thus also in transduction. Reduction of the apical cell membrane of the tormogen cell after apolysis permits unrestricted growth of the new hair into the exuvial space. The tormogen cell participates in the formation of the joint membrane, parts of the socket and the articulation of the hair.", "contents": "Development of the filiform hairs on the cerci of Gryllus bimaculatus deg. (saltatoria, gryllidae). The filiform hairs, mechanoreceptors of Gryllus, pass through six developmental stages during the last larval stage. The cytoplasm of their sense cells suggests intensive synthesis of protein for cellular metabolism and intercytoplasmic exchange of material via glial evaginations. Ultrahistochemical tests demonstrated acid phosphatase in the lysosomes as well as in components of the Golgi apparatus. There was no significant change in the appearance of the sense cell cytoplasm, indicating a maintained functional state also during molting. The new cuticular apparatus is formed after apolysis by the three enveloping cells. Formation of the replacement hairs is initiated by a cytoplasmic outgrowth of the trichogen cell. During morphogenesis of the new hair, the microtubules serve as a cytoskeleton and probably control the flow of vesicles, which contain phenol oxidase, also demonstrated in the Golgi apparatus, and are incorporated into the new cuticle. Bundles of microfibrils are involved in the surface sculpturing of the replacement hair. The trichogen cell also forms a number of structural elements, e.g. the \"cup\" and \"strut\" marked geometric peculiarities of which indicate that they are important in the spatial orientation of the dendrite and thus also in transduction. Reduction of the apical cell membrane of the tormogen cell after apolysis permits unrestricted growth of the new hair into the exuvial space. The tormogen cell participates in the formation of the joint membrane, parts of the socket and the articulation of the hair.", "PMID": 630583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8519", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of the renal corpuscle of the mesonephros in the lamprey, Entosphenus japonicus Martens.", "content": "The renal corpuscle of the lamprey mesonephros was studied under the scanning electron microscope. Bowman's capsules with individual spaces are chockshaped sacs closely packed together along a medial artery. The lateral walls of the capsules are apposed to those of neighbouring capsules. Glomerular capillaries from the medial artery extend radially between the apposed walls of neighbouring Bowman's capsules. Bulgings of capillaries into the capsular space are associated with mesangial folds of the capsular epithelium. The transitional zone of the visceral layer with podocytes and the parietal layer of squamous epithelium is bounded by linearly arranged rod-shaped epithelial cells. Apertures of the urinary tubule are lined by cells equipped with a fascicle of cilia.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of the renal corpuscle of the mesonephros in the lamprey, Entosphenus japonicus Martens. The renal corpuscle of the lamprey mesonephros was studied under the scanning electron microscope. Bowman's capsules with individual spaces are chockshaped sacs closely packed together along a medial artery. The lateral walls of the capsules are apposed to those of neighbouring capsules. Glomerular capillaries from the medial artery extend radially between the apposed walls of neighbouring Bowman's capsules. Bulgings of capillaries into the capsular space are associated with mesangial folds of the capsular epithelium. The transitional zone of the visceral layer with podocytes and the parietal layer of squamous epithelium is bounded by linearly arranged rod-shaped epithelial cells. Apertures of the urinary tubule are lined by cells equipped with a fascicle of cilia.", "PMID": 630584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8520", "title": "Unusual mitochondrial ultrastructure in the pig adrenal cortex.", "content": "Unusually large mitochondria with few cristae were observed in the cells of the boundary layer between the zonae fasciculata and reticularis of the pig adrenal. These mitochondria occasionally contained parallel arrays of beaded filaments which appeared to be composed of repetitive electron opaque particles, measuring 10 to 11 nm in diameter. The possibility that these filaments are arranged in closely packed arrays of tubular structures with a central filament is discussed.", "contents": "Unusual mitochondrial ultrastructure in the pig adrenal cortex. Unusually large mitochondria with few cristae were observed in the cells of the boundary layer between the zonae fasciculata and reticularis of the pig adrenal. These mitochondria occasionally contained parallel arrays of beaded filaments which appeared to be composed of repetitive electron opaque particles, measuring 10 to 11 nm in diameter. The possibility that these filaments are arranged in closely packed arrays of tubular structures with a central filament is discussed.", "PMID": 630585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8521", "title": "Osteodentine and vascular osteodentine of Anarhichas lupus (L.).", "content": "TEM, SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrate the heterogeneity of the dentinal tissue on Anarhichas lupus, a vascular osteodentine. The disordered aspect of collagen fibres, incompletely mineralized (the periodical striation being still visible), explains the scattered distribution of crystallites since they are responsible for their arrangement. The low degree of mineralization revealed by the visible collagen striation is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (the crystallinity of vascular osteodentine being much lower than that of the peripheral dental tissue) as well as by high resolution TEM, since no lattice planes could be observed. Osteodentine, supporting bone and proper bone have in common a mineral phase, more or less organized, different from the apatite system.", "contents": "Osteodentine and vascular osteodentine of Anarhichas lupus (L.). TEM, SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrate the heterogeneity of the dentinal tissue on Anarhichas lupus, a vascular osteodentine. The disordered aspect of collagen fibres, incompletely mineralized (the periodical striation being still visible), explains the scattered distribution of crystallites since they are responsible for their arrangement. The low degree of mineralization revealed by the visible collagen striation is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (the crystallinity of vascular osteodentine being much lower than that of the peripheral dental tissue) as well as by high resolution TEM, since no lattice planes could be observed. Osteodentine, supporting bone and proper bone have in common a mineral phase, more or less organized, different from the apatite system.", "PMID": 630586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8522", "title": "Neural regulation of compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland of the rat.", "content": "The role of the innervation in mediating compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland of the rat after partial desalivation was examined. The results of denervation experiments show that full compensatory growth requires both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. The presence of the parasympathetic innervation alone results in an increase in the number of cells, but not the size of the cells. The sympathetic innervation alone does not mediate either response. We, therefore, conclude that the two types of innervation have a synergistic action on the parotid to produce the maximal compensatory response, which includes an increase in both number and size of acinar cells.", "contents": "Neural regulation of compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland of the rat. The role of the innervation in mediating compensatory enlargement of the parotid gland of the rat after partial desalivation was examined. The results of denervation experiments show that full compensatory growth requires both parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation. The presence of the parasympathetic innervation alone results in an increase in the number of cells, but not the size of the cells. The sympathetic innervation alone does not mediate either response. We, therefore, conclude that the two types of innervation have a synergistic action on the parotid to produce the maximal compensatory response, which includes an increase in both number and size of acinar cells.", "PMID": 630587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8523", "title": "Endocrine cells in the gut of the ascidian Styela clava.", "content": "Ultrastructural studies have shown the presence of two types of granulated endocrine cell in the gut of Styela clava. Type I, which occurs in the stomach and intestine contains small irregular granules, each with a distinct halo. Type II, found only in the oesophagus contains larger rounded granules, often with little or no halo. The characteristics of these two cell types are compared with those of endocrine cells found in the digestive tracts of other protochordates and discussed with special reference to the evolution of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in vertebrates.", "contents": "Endocrine cells in the gut of the ascidian Styela clava. Ultrastructural studies have shown the presence of two types of granulated endocrine cell in the gut of Styela clava. Type I, which occurs in the stomach and intestine contains small irregular granules, each with a distinct halo. Type II, found only in the oesophagus contains larger rounded granules, often with little or no halo. The characteristics of these two cell types are compared with those of endocrine cells found in the digestive tracts of other protochordates and discussed with special reference to the evolution of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in vertebrates.", "PMID": 630588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8524", "title": "The differentiation of the decidua and the distribution of metrial gland cells in the pregnant mouse uterus.", "content": "A study was made with the light microscope of the cellular changes involved in the formation of the decidua in the pregnant mouse uterus up to day 11 of pregnancy. The differentiation sequence was similar to that found by previous workers but the morphology and development of the basal zone is described in more detail. In addition, the morphology of glycogen rich cells in an area termed the lateral decidual zone is described. The distribution of granulated metrial gland cells and their precursors is described. These cells are first found in the uterine stroma before the blastocyst has implanted. Later they occur in the decidua and in the circular smooth muscle zone beneath the mesometrial triangle prior to the formation of the metrial gland. Granulated metrial gland cells are also found in the maternal blood spaces of the implantation site.", "contents": "The differentiation of the decidua and the distribution of metrial gland cells in the pregnant mouse uterus. A study was made with the light microscope of the cellular changes involved in the formation of the decidua in the pregnant mouse uterus up to day 11 of pregnancy. The differentiation sequence was similar to that found by previous workers but the morphology and development of the basal zone is described in more detail. In addition, the morphology of glycogen rich cells in an area termed the lateral decidual zone is described. The distribution of granulated metrial gland cells and their precursors is described. These cells are first found in the uterine stroma before the blastocyst has implanted. Later they occur in the decidua and in the circular smooth muscle zone beneath the mesometrial triangle prior to the formation of the metrial gland. Granulated metrial gland cells are also found in the maternal blood spaces of the implantation site.", "PMID": 630589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8525", "title": "Early effects of prolactin on lactating rabbit mammary gland. Ultrastructural changes and stimulation of casein secretion.", "content": "Effects of prolactin on the secretion of milk proteins have been investigated by incubating mammary tissue fragments from lactating rabbits. Within 15 min of adding the hormone to the incubation medium, cell morphology is modified: the relative volume occupied by the Golgi region is greatly increased. When prolactin is added immediately after a pulse labelling of proteins (3 min with 3H-L-leucine), the amount of labelled caseins secreted during one hour is significantly increased. This increase proceeds neither from an acceleration of intracellular transit of caseins (as shown by electron microscopic autoradiography) nor by an enhancement of amino acid uptake (as measured by incorporation of non-metabolizable amino acids) nor by an increase of overall protein synthesis, during the first hour. The action of prolactin on the morphology of such subcellular organelles as the Golgi apparatus and its influence on casein secretion are discussed.", "contents": "Early effects of prolactin on lactating rabbit mammary gland. Ultrastructural changes and stimulation of casein secretion. Effects of prolactin on the secretion of milk proteins have been investigated by incubating mammary tissue fragments from lactating rabbits. Within 15 min of adding the hormone to the incubation medium, cell morphology is modified: the relative volume occupied by the Golgi region is greatly increased. When prolactin is added immediately after a pulse labelling of proteins (3 min with 3H-L-leucine), the amount of labelled caseins secreted during one hour is significantly increased. This increase proceeds neither from an acceleration of intracellular transit of caseins (as shown by electron microscopic autoradiography) nor by an enhancement of amino acid uptake (as measured by incorporation of non-metabolizable amino acids) nor by an increase of overall protein synthesis, during the first hour. The action of prolactin on the morphology of such subcellular organelles as the Golgi apparatus and its influence on casein secretion are discussed.", "PMID": 630590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8526", "title": "Further investigations on the structure and function of the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Ultrastructural cytochemistry of membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase.", "content": "Alkaline phosphatase activity in coronet cells of the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout was localized ultracytochemically. Deposits of reaction product were found in varying amounts on the membranes of primary vesicles in the globules. This observation is discussed in relation to other morphological data and the possible resorptive function of the coronet cells in the homeostasis of the CSF.", "contents": "Further investigations on the structure and function of the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Ultrastructural cytochemistry of membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase activity in coronet cells of the saccus vasculosus of the rainbow trout was localized ultracytochemically. Deposits of reaction product were found in varying amounts on the membranes of primary vesicles in the globules. This observation is discussed in relation to other morphological data and the possible resorptive function of the coronet cells in the homeostasis of the CSF.", "PMID": 630591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8527", "title": "The ultrastructure and renewal of the intestinal epithelium of the juvenile grasscarp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.).", "content": "The intestinal absorptive epithelium of starved and fed fish has been studied electron microscopically. After feeding, cells of the proximal segment of the intestine show morphological characteristics of lipid absorption. Absorptive cells in the middle segment contain many pinocytotic vesicles in both fasted and fed specimens. Absorption of protein macromolecules is supposed to be one of the main functions of this part of the gut. In the most caudal part of the intestine, absorptive cells carry relatively few and short microvilli. The proximal and distal segments show structural indications of a function in osmoregulation. The renewal of the epithelium has been studied with light microscopic autoradiography, using tritiated thymidine. The intestinal mucosal fold epithelium represents a cell renewal system. The cells proliferate at the base of the fold and migrate towards the apex in 10--15 days at 20 degrees C. The functional absorptive cells proved to be generally present in the intestinal epithelium, including the proliferative area. Undifferentiated cells have not been identified. The results will be compared with data on absorption of lipid and protein macromolecules in teleostean and mammalian intestines and with descriptions of the cell renewal system in the mammalian intestine.", "contents": "The ultrastructure and renewal of the intestinal epithelium of the juvenile grasscarp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.). The intestinal absorptive epithelium of starved and fed fish has been studied electron microscopically. After feeding, cells of the proximal segment of the intestine show morphological characteristics of lipid absorption. Absorptive cells in the middle segment contain many pinocytotic vesicles in both fasted and fed specimens. Absorption of protein macromolecules is supposed to be one of the main functions of this part of the gut. In the most caudal part of the intestine, absorptive cells carry relatively few and short microvilli. The proximal and distal segments show structural indications of a function in osmoregulation. The renewal of the epithelium has been studied with light microscopic autoradiography, using tritiated thymidine. The intestinal mucosal fold epithelium represents a cell renewal system. The cells proliferate at the base of the fold and migrate towards the apex in 10--15 days at 20 degrees C. The functional absorptive cells proved to be generally present in the intestinal epithelium, including the proliferative area. Undifferentiated cells have not been identified. The results will be compared with data on absorption of lipid and protein macromolecules in teleostean and mammalian intestines and with descriptions of the cell renewal system in the mammalian intestine.", "PMID": 630592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8528", "title": "Uptake of horseradish peroxidase from CSF into the choroid plexus of the rat, with special reference to transepithelial transport.", "content": "Protein uptake from cerebral ventricles into the epithelium of the choroid plexus, and transport across the epithelium were studied ultrastructurally in rats. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP, MW 40,000) was used as protein tracer. Steady-state ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with subatmospheric pressure (-10cm of water) in the ventricular system was applied. HRP dissolved in artificial CSF was perfused from the lateral ventricles to cisterna magna for various times, and ventriculo-cisternal perfusion, vascular perfusion or immersion fixation with a formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde solution was performed. Coated micropinocytic vesicles containing HRP were seen both connected with the apical, lateral and basal epithelial surface and within the cells. Heavily HRP-labeled vesicles were often fused with the lining membrane of slightly labeled or unlabeled intercellular spaces. Since the apical tight junctions of the epithelium never appeared open or never contained HRP in the spaces between the fusion points, and since the intercellular spaces between adjacent epithelial cells below the junctions only infrequently contained tracer after 5 min, by increasing amounts after 15-60 min of HRP perfusion, a vesicular transport of HRP from the apical epithelial surface to the intercellular spaces, bypassing the tight junctions, is suggested. In addition to the transepithelial transport, micropinocytic vesicles also transported HRP to the lysosomal apparatus of the epithelial cells. With increasing length of exposure to HRP, a sequence of HRP-labeled structures could be evaluated, from slightly labeled apical vacuoles and multivesicular bodies to very heavily labeled dense bodies.", "contents": "Uptake of horseradish peroxidase from CSF into the choroid plexus of the rat, with special reference to transepithelial transport. Protein uptake from cerebral ventricles into the epithelium of the choroid plexus, and transport across the epithelium were studied ultrastructurally in rats. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP, MW 40,000) was used as protein tracer. Steady-state ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with subatmospheric pressure (-10cm of water) in the ventricular system was applied. HRP dissolved in artificial CSF was perfused from the lateral ventricles to cisterna magna for various times, and ventriculo-cisternal perfusion, vascular perfusion or immersion fixation with a formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde solution was performed. Coated micropinocytic vesicles containing HRP were seen both connected with the apical, lateral and basal epithelial surface and within the cells. Heavily HRP-labeled vesicles were often fused with the lining membrane of slightly labeled or unlabeled intercellular spaces. Since the apical tight junctions of the epithelium never appeared open or never contained HRP in the spaces between the fusion points, and since the intercellular spaces between adjacent epithelial cells below the junctions only infrequently contained tracer after 5 min, by increasing amounts after 15-60 min of HRP perfusion, a vesicular transport of HRP from the apical epithelial surface to the intercellular spaces, bypassing the tight junctions, is suggested. In addition to the transepithelial transport, micropinocytic vesicles also transported HRP to the lysosomal apparatus of the epithelial cells. With increasing length of exposure to HRP, a sequence of HRP-labeled structures could be evaluated, from slightly labeled apical vacuoles and multivesicular bodies to very heavily labeled dense bodies.", "PMID": 630593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8529", "title": "Innervation of the pineal gland in the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). A fluorescence microscopical study.", "content": "The innervation of the pineal gland in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, was investigated light microscopically by the Falck-Hillarp fluorescence technique and by conventional light microscopy. The pineal gland displayed a superficial portion just beneath the confluens sinuum and a deep part (lamina intercalaris) connected by a slender pineal stalk, which contained pinealocytes. The superficial part of the pineal gland consisted of dark-stained pinealocytes arranged in lobules, and separated by interstitial cells and connective tissue spaces. Many larger chromophobe cells were scattered throughout this region. A heavy catecholaminergic innervation of the superficial portion of the pineal organ, probably via the conarian nerve, with green fluorescent nerve fibres showing excitation/emission maxima of 415/475 nm was observed. Green fluorescent nerve fibres were also observed in the pineal stalk, from where some fibres turned rostrally indicating a nervous connection between the brain and the pineal organ. The pinealocytes showed a yellow fluorescence displaying a broad excitation curve with a maximum of 380-430 nm and an emission maximum at 505 nm. This indicates the presence of both serotonin and a catecholamine in the pinealocytes. Yellow fluorescence of the cells in the lamina intercalaris was also observed.", "contents": "Innervation of the pineal gland in the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). A fluorescence microscopical study. The innervation of the pineal gland in the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus, was investigated light microscopically by the Falck-Hillarp fluorescence technique and by conventional light microscopy. The pineal gland displayed a superficial portion just beneath the confluens sinuum and a deep part (lamina intercalaris) connected by a slender pineal stalk, which contained pinealocytes. The superficial part of the pineal gland consisted of dark-stained pinealocytes arranged in lobules, and separated by interstitial cells and connective tissue spaces. Many larger chromophobe cells were scattered throughout this region. A heavy catecholaminergic innervation of the superficial portion of the pineal organ, probably via the conarian nerve, with green fluorescent nerve fibres showing excitation/emission maxima of 415/475 nm was observed. Green fluorescent nerve fibres were also observed in the pineal stalk, from where some fibres turned rostrally indicating a nervous connection between the brain and the pineal organ. The pinealocytes showed a yellow fluorescence displaying a broad excitation curve with a maximum of 380-430 nm and an emission maximum at 505 nm. This indicates the presence of both serotonin and a catecholamine in the pinealocytes. Yellow fluorescence of the cells in the lamina intercalaris was also observed.", "PMID": 630594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8530", "title": "B-cells of the synovial membrane. I. A comparative ultrastructural study in some mammals.", "content": "Comparative ultrastructural study of the B-cells in the intimal layer of the synovial membrane in mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea-pig and man clearly distinguishes these cells from both the histiocytic A-cells (macrophage-like cells) and the fibroblasts. In addition to the marked development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, typical dense secretory vesicles apparently of Golgi origin are always found in mouse B-cells and frequently in those of the rat. These secretory characteristics clearly relate these cells to glandular cells engaged in polypeptidic secretion. The variations in the other species studied concern only the figuration of secretory material. Thus, the B-cells appear to constitute a category of secretory cells specific to the synovial membrane, but the function of which has yet to be determined.", "contents": "B-cells of the synovial membrane. I. A comparative ultrastructural study in some mammals. Comparative ultrastructural study of the B-cells in the intimal layer of the synovial membrane in mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea-pig and man clearly distinguishes these cells from both the histiocytic A-cells (macrophage-like cells) and the fibroblasts. In addition to the marked development of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, typical dense secretory vesicles apparently of Golgi origin are always found in mouse B-cells and frequently in those of the rat. These secretory characteristics clearly relate these cells to glandular cells engaged in polypeptidic secretion. The variations in the other species studied concern only the figuration of secretory material. Thus, the B-cells appear to constitute a category of secretory cells specific to the synovial membrane, but the function of which has yet to be determined.", "PMID": 630595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8531", "title": "\"Naked\" spinal cord on a non-segmented baton-like bony structure in the tail of the electric fish Eigenmannia virescens (gymnotoidei).", "content": "The caudal spinal cord of Eigenmannia virescens is not enclosed in a neural canal of the vertebral column. In fact, a segmented vertebral column with neural and ventral arches is lacking and replaced by a non-segmented baton-like bony structure on which the free spinal cord is located. The baton cosists of calcified bone tissue with bone cells. Individual differences exist as far as the length of the rod is concerned. The \"electromotor neurons\" of this caudal part of the spinal cord are histochemically acetylcholinesterase-positive. The electrocytes which surround this part of the spinal cord show strong enzymatic activity on the posterior innervated face. However, there is also activity on the non-innervated lateral and anterior faces.", "contents": "\"Naked\" spinal cord on a non-segmented baton-like bony structure in the tail of the electric fish Eigenmannia virescens (gymnotoidei). The caudal spinal cord of Eigenmannia virescens is not enclosed in a neural canal of the vertebral column. In fact, a segmented vertebral column with neural and ventral arches is lacking and replaced by a non-segmented baton-like bony structure on which the free spinal cord is located. The baton cosists of calcified bone tissue with bone cells. Individual differences exist as far as the length of the rod is concerned. The \"electromotor neurons\" of this caudal part of the spinal cord are histochemically acetylcholinesterase-positive. The electrocytes which surround this part of the spinal cord show strong enzymatic activity on the posterior innervated face. However, there is also activity on the non-innervated lateral and anterior faces.", "PMID": 630596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8532", "title": "Discocilia--a new type of kinocilia in the larvae of Lanice conchilega (polychaeta, terebellomorpha).", "content": "A modified type of kinocilia has been found in the Aulophora-Iarva of the sedentarian polychaete Lanice conchilega. For this newly described cilium type the term \"discocilium\" is proposed. The only structural difference from usual locomotory cilia is the tip, which possesses a discoidal head. The head is formed from the terminal part of the cilium shaft, which is bent to give rise to a loop-like ring covered by the ciliary membrane. Three types of discocilia can be distinguished: a) discocilia having swollen, bulblike heads with a central straight axoneme; b) discocilia having heads with a curved lateral axoneme and c) discocilia in which the axoneme forms a loop. The internal structure shows the usual 9 + 2 arrangement of the filaments. The head shows no sign of secretion; it appears structureless in electron microscopical examination. There are two kinds of discocilia arrangements: 1) isolated bunches of cilia especially at the tentacles and in the frontal region, and 2) segmental dorsal rows of cilia. The possible formation of discocilia is described.", "contents": "Discocilia--a new type of kinocilia in the larvae of Lanice conchilega (polychaeta, terebellomorpha). A modified type of kinocilia has been found in the Aulophora-Iarva of the sedentarian polychaete Lanice conchilega. For this newly described cilium type the term \"discocilium\" is proposed. The only structural difference from usual locomotory cilia is the tip, which possesses a discoidal head. The head is formed from the terminal part of the cilium shaft, which is bent to give rise to a loop-like ring covered by the ciliary membrane. Three types of discocilia can be distinguished: a) discocilia having swollen, bulblike heads with a central straight axoneme; b) discocilia having heads with a curved lateral axoneme and c) discocilia in which the axoneme forms a loop. The internal structure shows the usual 9 + 2 arrangement of the filaments. The head shows no sign of secretion; it appears structureless in electron microscopical examination. There are two kinds of discocilia arrangements: 1) isolated bunches of cilia especially at the tentacles and in the frontal region, and 2) segmental dorsal rows of cilia. The possible formation of discocilia is described.", "PMID": 630597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8533", "title": "The distribution of capillaries in the somatic musculature of two vertebrate types with particular reference to teleost fish.", "content": "The distribution of capillaries in teleost and rat striated muscles was investigated using a number of different methods. A new method for directly viewing capillaries was developed. Teleost white muscle has a capillary: fibre (C:F) ratio of between 0.2 and 0.3; and 0.6 to 1.0 peripheral capillaries per muscle fibre. 26-49% of fibres had no peripheral capillaries. Values for the rat gastrocnemius were 1.2, 2.6 and 4.8% respectively which compares well with literature values. Flathead red muscle had a C:F ratio of between 1.9 and 2.5; and between 5.3 and 6.6 peripheral capillaries per muscle fibre depending on the method used. Values for rat soleus were 1.8 and 4.1 respectively. Teleost pink fibres had an intermediate number of capillaries. Rat striated muscle, particularly the gastrocnemius, was found to be heterogeneous with respect to the distribution of capillaries. Flathead red muscle was homogeneous whilst teleost white muscle was only slightly variable. Flathead red muscle fibres are well suppled with subsarcolemmal mitochondria. These show a clumped distribution corresponding to the position of capillaries. In contrast teleost white fibres are almost totally devoid of these and all other mitochondria. No differences were observed in the vascularisation of either muscle type along the length of the fish. The results are discussed in relation to the division of labour between fibre types during swimming.", "contents": "The distribution of capillaries in the somatic musculature of two vertebrate types with particular reference to teleost fish. The distribution of capillaries in teleost and rat striated muscles was investigated using a number of different methods. A new method for directly viewing capillaries was developed. Teleost white muscle has a capillary: fibre (C:F) ratio of between 0.2 and 0.3; and 0.6 to 1.0 peripheral capillaries per muscle fibre. 26-49% of fibres had no peripheral capillaries. Values for the rat gastrocnemius were 1.2, 2.6 and 4.8% respectively which compares well with literature values. Flathead red muscle had a C:F ratio of between 1.9 and 2.5; and between 5.3 and 6.6 peripheral capillaries per muscle fibre depending on the method used. Values for rat soleus were 1.8 and 4.1 respectively. Teleost pink fibres had an intermediate number of capillaries. Rat striated muscle, particularly the gastrocnemius, was found to be heterogeneous with respect to the distribution of capillaries. Flathead red muscle was homogeneous whilst teleost white muscle was only slightly variable. Flathead red muscle fibres are well suppled with subsarcolemmal mitochondria. These show a clumped distribution corresponding to the position of capillaries. In contrast teleost white fibres are almost totally devoid of these and all other mitochondria. No differences were observed in the vascularisation of either muscle type along the length of the fish. The results are discussed in relation to the division of labour between fibre types during swimming.", "PMID": 630598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8534", "title": "Morphological changes in the ultrastructure of the thyroid epithelium of Notophthalmus viridescens after hypophysectomy and TSH- and prolactin stimulation.", "content": "In the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, hypophysectomy results in progressive atrophy of the thyroid cells to the point of irreversible degeneration. After exclusive TSH-stimulation of hypophysectomized newts, increased endocytotic activity of the follicular epithelium is observed. Prolactin stimulation under the same conditions prevents atrophy but does not result in increased cell activity, as expressed by the reduced amount of microvilli and the lack of endocytotic activity. Combined TSH- and prolactin stimulation also results in cell activation, but the activation level of exclusively TSH-stimulated cells is not reached. Although prolactin prevents cellular atrophy and degeneration of the follicular epithelium, it reduces the TSH-induced activation of the thyroid epithelium.", "contents": "Morphological changes in the ultrastructure of the thyroid epithelium of Notophthalmus viridescens after hypophysectomy and TSH- and prolactin stimulation. In the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, hypophysectomy results in progressive atrophy of the thyroid cells to the point of irreversible degeneration. After exclusive TSH-stimulation of hypophysectomized newts, increased endocytotic activity of the follicular epithelium is observed. Prolactin stimulation under the same conditions prevents atrophy but does not result in increased cell activity, as expressed by the reduced amount of microvilli and the lack of endocytotic activity. Combined TSH- and prolactin stimulation also results in cell activation, but the activation level of exclusively TSH-stimulated cells is not reached. Although prolactin prevents cellular atrophy and degeneration of the follicular epithelium, it reduces the TSH-induced activation of the thyroid epithelium.", "PMID": 630599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8535", "title": "Ultrastructural changes in contents of membrane-coating granules after extrusion from epithelial cells of hamster cheek pouch.", "content": "Membrane-coating granules of the epithelium of the hamster cheek pouch displayed a lamellated internal structure consisting of alternating thick and thin electron dense bands separated by translucent bands of equal width. The repeat distance of the contents was 8.5 nm +/- sd. 0.7 nm and the thickness of the major electron dense band was 3 nm +/- sd 0.4 nm. After exocytosis from the cells the lamellated material became organised into extensive sheets and the dimensions changed so that the repeat distance was 10.9 nm +/- sd 0.6 nm but the major electron dense band was virtually unchanged at 3.33 nm +/- sd 1.1 nm. The narrower or intermediate dense band became progressively less easy to see and was virtually invisible at the surface of the epithelium. It is suggested that the changes observed may be due to an increase in hydration of a phospholipid/protein complex in the granules by permeaton of water along the intermediate dense band.", "contents": "Ultrastructural changes in contents of membrane-coating granules after extrusion from epithelial cells of hamster cheek pouch. Membrane-coating granules of the epithelium of the hamster cheek pouch displayed a lamellated internal structure consisting of alternating thick and thin electron dense bands separated by translucent bands of equal width. The repeat distance of the contents was 8.5 nm +/- sd. 0.7 nm and the thickness of the major electron dense band was 3 nm +/- sd 0.4 nm. After exocytosis from the cells the lamellated material became organised into extensive sheets and the dimensions changed so that the repeat distance was 10.9 nm +/- sd 0.6 nm but the major electron dense band was virtually unchanged at 3.33 nm +/- sd 1.1 nm. The narrower or intermediate dense band became progressively less easy to see and was virtually invisible at the surface of the epithelium. It is suggested that the changes observed may be due to an increase in hydration of a phospholipid/protein complex in the granules by permeaton of water along the intermediate dense band.", "PMID": 630600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8536", "title": "Studies on the midgut of Centropages typicus (copepod, calanoid). I. Structural and Ultrastructural Data.", "content": "From a structural study of the midgut of Centropages typicus, three main zones presenting different cellular associations may be defined. The ultrastructural study carried out allows us to distinguish several cell types. The four principal cell categories (E, R, F and B) show a more or less marked resemblance with those identified in the Malacostraceans, especially in the hepatopancreas of Decapods. The three types R, F and B, which are subdivided according to their localization (R and R') or their developing stages (F1, F2; B1 to B5), are recognized by the following characteristics: R-cells with smooth endoplasmic reticulum and high microvilli (zones I and III); F-cells with rough endoplasmic reticulum and short or spherical microvilli (zones I and II); B-cells with a large vacuolar apparatus made up of lysosome-like dense bodies associated with vacuoles originating from pinocytosis (zone II). From the comparisons of morphological, ultrastructural and histochemical results concerning Centropages typicus with author's data, we propose and discuss these functions for the three principal cell types: synthesis and secretion of pre-digestive enzymes (F1 and F2-cells); enzyme synthesis, intracellular digestion and extrusion (B1 to B5-cells); absorption (R and R'-cells).", "contents": "Studies on the midgut of Centropages typicus (copepod, calanoid). I. Structural and Ultrastructural Data. From a structural study of the midgut of Centropages typicus, three main zones presenting different cellular associations may be defined. The ultrastructural study carried out allows us to distinguish several cell types. The four principal cell categories (E, R, F and B) show a more or less marked resemblance with those identified in the Malacostraceans, especially in the hepatopancreas of Decapods. The three types R, F and B, which are subdivided according to their localization (R and R') or their developing stages (F1, F2; B1 to B5), are recognized by the following characteristics: R-cells with smooth endoplasmic reticulum and high microvilli (zones I and III); F-cells with rough endoplasmic reticulum and short or spherical microvilli (zones I and II); B-cells with a large vacuolar apparatus made up of lysosome-like dense bodies associated with vacuoles originating from pinocytosis (zone II). From the comparisons of morphological, ultrastructural and histochemical results concerning Centropages typicus with author's data, we propose and discuss these functions for the three principal cell types: synthesis and secretion of pre-digestive enzymes (F1 and F2-cells); enzyme synthesis, intracellular digestion and extrusion (B1 to B5-cells); absorption (R and R'-cells).", "PMID": 630601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8537", "title": "The ultrastructure of the non-neurosecretory components in the brain of the midge, Chironomus riparious Mg. (diptera: nematocera).", "content": "The ultrastruct of the neural sheath, glial cells and neurons in the brain of the neoimaginal male Chironomus riparius is described. The neural sheath comprises a neural lamella and underlying perineurium. The neural lamella consists of an amorphous matrix in which fine fibrils occur. The perineurium is composed of two cell types forming a continuous layer around the brain. The subjacent cortical layer, composed of the cell bodies of neurons and glial cells, varies considerably in thickness and surrounds the centrally located neuropiles. Three types of glial cells are distinguished on the basis of their positions and appearances. Five types of neurons are described which differ in size and relative frequency of organelles. Four types of axons, including those of neurosecretory cells, are distinguished by their size and content.", "contents": "The ultrastructure of the non-neurosecretory components in the brain of the midge, Chironomus riparious Mg. (diptera: nematocera). The ultrastruct of the neural sheath, glial cells and neurons in the brain of the neoimaginal male Chironomus riparius is described. The neural sheath comprises a neural lamella and underlying perineurium. The neural lamella consists of an amorphous matrix in which fine fibrils occur. The perineurium is composed of two cell types forming a continuous layer around the brain. The subjacent cortical layer, composed of the cell bodies of neurons and glial cells, varies considerably in thickness and surrounds the centrally located neuropiles. Three types of glial cells are distinguished on the basis of their positions and appearances. Five types of neurons are described which differ in size and relative frequency of organelles. Four types of axons, including those of neurosecretory cells, are distinguished by their size and content.", "PMID": 630602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8538", "title": "Presence of elongation factor 1 in nuclei and nucleoli of rat liver.", "content": "Purified rat liver nuclei contain 11% of the total cellular translation elongation factor 1 activity. Ninety percent of the nuclear EF-1 activity was in the nucleoplasm and 10% was nucleolar. The specific activities of the nuclear and nucleolar EF-1 were 2 to 3 times higher, respectively, than EF-1 activity of the liver homogenate. The presence of EF-1 in the purified nuclei did not result from cytoplasmic contamination since only 0.14% of the cellular lactate dehydrogenase was present in the nuclei. These results provide the first evidence for the presence in the cell nucleus of translational factors of protein synthesis.", "contents": "Presence of elongation factor 1 in nuclei and nucleoli of rat liver. Purified rat liver nuclei contain 11% of the total cellular translation elongation factor 1 activity. Ninety percent of the nuclear EF-1 activity was in the nucleoplasm and 10% was nucleolar. The specific activities of the nuclear and nucleolar EF-1 were 2 to 3 times higher, respectively, than EF-1 activity of the liver homogenate. The presence of EF-1 in the purified nuclei did not result from cytoplasmic contamination since only 0.14% of the cellular lactate dehydrogenase was present in the nuclei. These results provide the first evidence for the presence in the cell nucleus of translational factors of protein synthesis.", "PMID": 630613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8539", "title": "Alternating polarity in rRNA genes.", "content": "Spread nucleolar material from A. exigua exhibits an unusual arrangement of rDNA cistrons. The cistrons form head-to-head \"diamond-shaped\" doublets with a short spacer separating the members of the doublet. Single cistrons are usually terminal and arrange tail-to-tail with the adjacent doublet, suggesting the possibility of a repeating unit with a tail-to-tail, \"bow-tie\" doublet configuration in which the cistrons (average length: 1.44 micron) could be explained by an extraordinary shrinking of the DNA strand during transcription. This suggestion is supported by the estimation of the molecular mass of an early, or the primary, transcription product (2.2 X 10(6)).", "contents": "Alternating polarity in rRNA genes. Spread nucleolar material from A. exigua exhibits an unusual arrangement of rDNA cistrons. The cistrons form head-to-head \"diamond-shaped\" doublets with a short spacer separating the members of the doublet. Single cistrons are usually terminal and arrange tail-to-tail with the adjacent doublet, suggesting the possibility of a repeating unit with a tail-to-tail, \"bow-tie\" doublet configuration in which the cistrons (average length: 1.44 micron) could be explained by an extraordinary shrinking of the DNA strand during transcription. This suggestion is supported by the estimation of the molecular mass of an early, or the primary, transcription product (2.2 X 10(6)).", "PMID": 630614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8540", "title": "The inhibitory effect of heparin and warfarin treatments on the intravascular survival of B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic C57 mice.", "content": "Heparin and warfarin inhibit the intravascular survival of B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic C57B1/6J mice in a dose-related manner. The anticoagulant properties of these drugs appear to mediate their inhibitory effects on the survival of intravascular tumor cells. Despite the administration of large doses of heparin, a constant fraction of tumor cells survive to form lung tumors. These data indicate that coagulation dependent and coagulation independent populations of B16 cells normally survive following the intravenous injection of tumor cells.", "contents": "The inhibitory effect of heparin and warfarin treatments on the intravascular survival of B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic C57 mice. Heparin and warfarin inhibit the intravascular survival of B16 melanoma cells in syngeneic C57B1/6J mice in a dose-related manner. The anticoagulant properties of these drugs appear to mediate their inhibitory effects on the survival of intravascular tumor cells. Despite the administration of large doses of heparin, a constant fraction of tumor cells survive to form lung tumors. These data indicate that coagulation dependent and coagulation independent populations of B16 cells normally survive following the intravenous injection of tumor cells.", "PMID": 630615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8541", "title": "Inhibition of human prostatic tumour acid phosphatase by N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenol, N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenyl phosphate and other difunctional nitrogen mustards.", "content": "Potent inhibition of human prostatic carcinoma tissue acid phosphatase by N,N-d-di-2-chloroethylaminophenol (AMOH) and N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenyl phosphate (AMPh) is described. Certain other difunctional nitrogen mustards were also inhibitory but N,N-p-di-2hydroxyethylaminophenol, the non-alkylating fully hydrolysed product from AMOH, was not. Inactivation of the enzyme by AMPh was progressive with time, showed apparent first order reaction kinetics and was not reversed by extensive dialysis. The results suggest that the inability of the enzyme to catalyse the hydrolysis of AMPh was due to inhibition in the presence of AMPh, possibly involving an alkylating mechanism. The implications for possible chemotherapy with AMPh are discussed.", "contents": "Inhibition of human prostatic tumour acid phosphatase by N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenol, N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenyl phosphate and other difunctional nitrogen mustards. Potent inhibition of human prostatic carcinoma tissue acid phosphatase by N,N-d-di-2-chloroethylaminophenol (AMOH) and N,N-p-di-2-chloroethylaminophenyl phosphate (AMPh) is described. Certain other difunctional nitrogen mustards were also inhibitory but N,N-p-di-2hydroxyethylaminophenol, the non-alkylating fully hydrolysed product from AMOH, was not. Inactivation of the enzyme by AMPh was progressive with time, showed apparent first order reaction kinetics and was not reversed by extensive dialysis. The results suggest that the inability of the enzyme to catalyse the hydrolysis of AMPh was due to inhibition in the presence of AMPh, possibly involving an alkylating mechanism. The implications for possible chemotherapy with AMPh are discussed.", "PMID": 630640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8542", "title": "Some antitumor derivatives of ellipticine deprived of mutagenic properties.", "content": "Seven derivatives of the antitumor alkaloid ellipticine were assayed for activity against murine leukaemia L1210 and for mutagenicity in Ames' Salmonella-microsomes test. Not only did the results show a complete lack of correlation between these two properties, but it was possible to choose a highly efficient analog which was completely devoid of mutagenic and hence, probably, carcinogenic effect. The lack of interaction of this product (2-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium acetate) with Cytochrome P-450 of hepatic monooxygenases prevents the formation of reactive intermediates and their subsequent binding to DNA. These data are discussed in view of the currently admitted mode of action of ellipticines i.e., intercalation in DNA and their therapeutic use.", "contents": "Some antitumor derivatives of ellipticine deprived of mutagenic properties. Seven derivatives of the antitumor alkaloid ellipticine were assayed for activity against murine leukaemia L1210 and for mutagenicity in Ames' Salmonella-microsomes test. Not only did the results show a complete lack of correlation between these two properties, but it was possible to choose a highly efficient analog which was completely devoid of mutagenic and hence, probably, carcinogenic effect. The lack of interaction of this product (2-methyl-9-hydroxyellipticinium acetate) with Cytochrome P-450 of hepatic monooxygenases prevents the formation of reactive intermediates and their subsequent binding to DNA. These data are discussed in view of the currently admitted mode of action of ellipticines i.e., intercalation in DNA and their therapeutic use.", "PMID": 630641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8543", "title": "The reaction of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene with DNA involves attack at the N7-position of guanine moieties.", "content": "The reaction of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE) with DNA prelabelled with [14C] and [3H]-purine precursors has indicated that in addition to the N2-position of guanine previously reported [10--12] reaction also involves the N7-position of guanine. The hydrocarbon-N7-guanine product was not detected earlier because it is lost from the DNA very readily at pH 7. The same N7-product was obtained by reaction of anti-BPDE with guanine in dimethylformamide.", "contents": "The reaction of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene with DNA involves attack at the N7-position of guanine moieties. The reaction of trans-7,8-dihydroxy-anti-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene (anti-BPDE) with DNA prelabelled with [14C] and [3H]-purine precursors has indicated that in addition to the N2-position of guanine previously reported [10--12] reaction also involves the N7-position of guanine. The hydrocarbon-N7-guanine product was not detected earlier because it is lost from the DNA very readily at pH 7. The same N7-product was obtained by reaction of anti-BPDE with guanine in dimethylformamide.", "PMID": 630642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8544", "title": "The biological fate of vinylidene chloride in rats.", "content": "The main eliminative route for [14C] vinylidene chloride ([14C]DCE) after intragastric, i.v. or i.p. administration to rats is pulmonary; both unchanged DCE and DCE-related CO2 are excreted by that route and other DCE metabolites via the kidneys. Part of the urinary 14C is of biliary origin. After intragastric dosing, the plot of the pulmonary output of unchanged DCE against the logarithm of reciprocal doses in biphasic. Pulmonary elimination of DCE and CO2 and urinary excretion of DCE metabolites after an intragastric dose occupy 3 days. In comparison, 80% of a small i.v. dose is excreted unchanged within 1 h of injection; more than 60% within 5 min. Biotransformation of DCE affords thiodiglycollic acid, and an N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl-acetyl derivative as major urinary metabolites together with substantial amounts of chloroacetic acid, dithioglycollic acid and thioglycolic acid. It is probable that chloroacetic acid, which is a DCE metabolite per se, lies on a main metabolic pathway for DCE, since it affords several metabolites in common with DCE. Furthermore, electrolysis of one molecular proportion of the [14C]thiodiglycollate metabolite from [1(-14)C]DCE or [1(-14C]chloroacetic acid gives 1 equivalent of 14CO2, and this evidence is consistent with the transformation of DCE into chloroacetic acid by a mechanism involving the migration of one Cl atom and the loss of the other one. CO2 (and hence urea) may be produced through the action of epoxide hydratase on 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide or by a minor oxidative pathway for chloroacetic acid. The N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl-acetyl derivative is probably formed via the reaction of 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide and glutathione S-epoxide transferase.", "contents": "The biological fate of vinylidene chloride in rats. The main eliminative route for [14C] vinylidene chloride ([14C]DCE) after intragastric, i.v. or i.p. administration to rats is pulmonary; both unchanged DCE and DCE-related CO2 are excreted by that route and other DCE metabolites via the kidneys. Part of the urinary 14C is of biliary origin. After intragastric dosing, the plot of the pulmonary output of unchanged DCE against the logarithm of reciprocal doses in biphasic. Pulmonary elimination of DCE and CO2 and urinary excretion of DCE metabolites after an intragastric dose occupy 3 days. In comparison, 80% of a small i.v. dose is excreted unchanged within 1 h of injection; more than 60% within 5 min. Biotransformation of DCE affords thiodiglycollic acid, and an N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl-acetyl derivative as major urinary metabolites together with substantial amounts of chloroacetic acid, dithioglycollic acid and thioglycolic acid. It is probable that chloroacetic acid, which is a DCE metabolite per se, lies on a main metabolic pathway for DCE, since it affords several metabolites in common with DCE. Furthermore, electrolysis of one molecular proportion of the [14C]thiodiglycollate metabolite from [1(-14)C]DCE or [1(-14C]chloroacetic acid gives 1 equivalent of 14CO2, and this evidence is consistent with the transformation of DCE into chloroacetic acid by a mechanism involving the migration of one Cl atom and the loss of the other one. CO2 (and hence urea) may be produced through the action of epoxide hydratase on 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide or by a minor oxidative pathway for chloroacetic acid. The N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl-acetyl derivative is probably formed via the reaction of 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide and glutathione S-epoxide transferase.", "PMID": 630643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8545", "title": "Nitrosamine carcinogenicity: a quantitative Hansch-Taft structure-activity relationship.", "content": "Statistically significant correlations have been demonstrated between carcinogenic activity, water-hexane partition coefficients and electronic factors for an extensive series of N-nitroso compounds. Electronic factors were expressed by the Taft sigma* values of substituents on the carbon atoms alpha to the N-nitroso group. Such correlations indicate that transport of the carcinogen to its active site has an important effect on its potency. The correlations also implicate reactivity at the alpha-carbon in the determination of carcinogenic activity and point out various structural types which do not follow the general rule.", "contents": "Nitrosamine carcinogenicity: a quantitative Hansch-Taft structure-activity relationship. Statistically significant correlations have been demonstrated between carcinogenic activity, water-hexane partition coefficients and electronic factors for an extensive series of N-nitroso compounds. Electronic factors were expressed by the Taft sigma* values of substituents on the carbon atoms alpha to the N-nitroso group. Such correlations indicate that transport of the carcinogen to its active site has an important effect on its potency. The correlations also implicate reactivity at the alpha-carbon in the determination of carcinogenic activity and point out various structural types which do not follow the general rule.", "PMID": 630644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8546", "title": "Interactions between tetrahydrofolate and palladium(II) complexes.", "content": "Interactions between folate derivatives and palladium(II) complexes are monitored in 1 : 1 molar ratio mixtures by circular dichroic spectra. The results are consistent with the following conclusions, i.e., tetrahydrofolate forms a chelate complex with palladium(II) through nitrogens 5 and 10 which is characterized by a unique circular dichroic spectrum. Mixtures of pallodium (II) complexes and dihydrofolate on methylenetetrahydrofolate could not be expected to, nor do they, give rise to similar circualr dichroic spectra for the following reasons: (1) The N5, N10 chelation site of tetrahydrofolate is blocked in methylenetetrahydrofolate, so coordination of a palladium(II) species must occur at some secondary site. (2) The N5, N10 chelation site is available but carbon six of the pteridine ring system is no longer asymmetric in dihydrofolate. Mixtures of dihdrofolate and palladium(II) complexes have no measurable circular dichroic spectra under the experimental conditions used.", "contents": "Interactions between tetrahydrofolate and palladium(II) complexes. Interactions between folate derivatives and palladium(II) complexes are monitored in 1 : 1 molar ratio mixtures by circular dichroic spectra. The results are consistent with the following conclusions, i.e., tetrahydrofolate forms a chelate complex with palladium(II) through nitrogens 5 and 10 which is characterized by a unique circular dichroic spectrum. Mixtures of pallodium (II) complexes and dihydrofolate on methylenetetrahydrofolate could not be expected to, nor do they, give rise to similar circualr dichroic spectra for the following reasons: (1) The N5, N10 chelation site of tetrahydrofolate is blocked in methylenetetrahydrofolate, so coordination of a palladium(II) species must occur at some secondary site. (2) The N5, N10 chelation site is available but carbon six of the pteridine ring system is no longer asymmetric in dihydrofolate. Mixtures of dihdrofolate and palladium(II) complexes have no measurable circular dichroic spectra under the experimental conditions used.", "PMID": 630645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8547", "title": "Some properties of vicinal diol-epoxides derived from benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene.", "content": "The alkylating properties of pairs of syn- and anti-isomers of 2 diol-epoxides derived from benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and of 1 derived from benz(a)anthracene (BA) have been investigated. Of the anti-diol-epoxides, anti-BP 7,8-diol-9,10-oxide was the most reactive compound towards DNA, towards sodium p-nitrothiophenolate in a non-aqueous solvent system, and towards 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine in aqueous solution; anti-BP 9,10,-diol-7,8-oxide was of intermediate reactivity and anti-BA 8,9-diol-10,11-oxide was least reactive. The syn-diol-epoxides gave unsatisfactory results with DNA and 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine because of their rapid solvolysis in aqueous solution, but with sodium p-nitrothiophenolate showed the order of reactivity syn-BP 7,8-diol-9,10-oxide greater than syn-BA 8,9-diol-10,11-oxide greater than syn-BP 9,10-diol-7,8-oxide. The products of the reaction between diol-epoxides and nucleic acids were examined by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the diol-epoxides were shown to react principally with the guanosine and adenosine moieties of RNA.", "contents": "Some properties of vicinal diol-epoxides derived from benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene. The alkylating properties of pairs of syn- and anti-isomers of 2 diol-epoxides derived from benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and of 1 derived from benz(a)anthracene (BA) have been investigated. Of the anti-diol-epoxides, anti-BP 7,8-diol-9,10-oxide was the most reactive compound towards DNA, towards sodium p-nitrothiophenolate in a non-aqueous solvent system, and towards 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine in aqueous solution; anti-BP 9,10,-diol-7,8-oxide was of intermediate reactivity and anti-BA 8,9-diol-10,11-oxide was least reactive. The syn-diol-epoxides gave unsatisfactory results with DNA and 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine because of their rapid solvolysis in aqueous solution, but with sodium p-nitrothiophenolate showed the order of reactivity syn-BP 7,8-diol-9,10-oxide greater than syn-BA 8,9-diol-10,11-oxide greater than syn-BP 9,10-diol-7,8-oxide. The products of the reaction between diol-epoxides and nucleic acids were examined by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the diol-epoxides were shown to react principally with the guanosine and adenosine moieties of RNA.", "PMID": 630646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8548", "title": "Evidence of DNA repair in the guinea pig pancreas, in vivo and in vitro, following exposure to N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane.", "content": "The nature of DNA damage induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane (NMUT) in the guinea pig pancreas, both in vitro and in vivo, and subsequent repair was investigated by alkaline sucrose density gradient analysis, using a non-radioactive fluorimetric procedure for DNA determination in gradient fractions. In vitro exposure of pancreatic slices to 20 mM NMUT for 30 min damaged DNA to less than 2.24 . 10(6) dalton fragments. However, incubation of NMUT-treated slices for 3 h in a fresh medium resulted in the repair of most of DNA damage, as indicated by the conversion of low molecular weight DNA fragments into heavy DNA of molecular weight comparable to DNA from control slices. Additionally, a single administration of NMUT (30 mg/kg, i.p.) to guinea pigs induced extensive DNA damage, to less than 2.24 . 10(6) dalton fragments in the pancreas within 4 h; similar DNA damage was observed in the liver. However, in the pancreas and liver of guinea pigs sacrificed at increasing intervals after NMUT administration, there was a gradual conversion of shortened DNA fragments to heavy high molecular weight DNA, indicating repair of DNA damage. It appears that most of DNA damage in the pancreas and liver was repaired by 14 and 7 days, respectively, following NMUT administration.", "contents": "Evidence of DNA repair in the guinea pig pancreas, in vivo and in vitro, following exposure to N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane. The nature of DNA damage induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourethane (NMUT) in the guinea pig pancreas, both in vitro and in vivo, and subsequent repair was investigated by alkaline sucrose density gradient analysis, using a non-radioactive fluorimetric procedure for DNA determination in gradient fractions. In vitro exposure of pancreatic slices to 20 mM NMUT for 30 min damaged DNA to less than 2.24 . 10(6) dalton fragments. However, incubation of NMUT-treated slices for 3 h in a fresh medium resulted in the repair of most of DNA damage, as indicated by the conversion of low molecular weight DNA fragments into heavy DNA of molecular weight comparable to DNA from control slices. Additionally, a single administration of NMUT (30 mg/kg, i.p.) to guinea pigs induced extensive DNA damage, to less than 2.24 . 10(6) dalton fragments in the pancreas within 4 h; similar DNA damage was observed in the liver. However, in the pancreas and liver of guinea pigs sacrificed at increasing intervals after NMUT administration, there was a gradual conversion of shortened DNA fragments to heavy high molecular weight DNA, indicating repair of DNA damage. It appears that most of DNA damage in the pancreas and liver was repaired by 14 and 7 days, respectively, following NMUT administration.", "PMID": 630647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8549", "title": "Effect of hexachlorobenzene and acetone on algal growth: physiology and ultrastructure.", "content": "The effect of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and acetone on growth and ultrastructure of the freshwater alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied. The algal cells were grown for 76 h under continuous light in 10 ppm HCB with 0.33% acetone or in 0.33% acetone alone; the control cells were grown in nutrient solution only. As was deduced from determinations of dry matter, carbohydrates, chlorophyll content and total nitrogen, 0.33% acetone in nutrient solution slightly decreased the growth of the cells without having any influence on their ultrastructure while 3.33% acetone affected the ultrastructure of the cells severely. An incubation of Chlorella with 10 ppm HCB in nutrient sultion containing 0.33% acetone led to a drastic decrease of all growth parameters studied, total nitrogen and chlorophyll content being affected most strongly. These latter observations were in accord with the changes in ultrastructure showing damage to the cell membranes, disintegrated cytoplasm and sometimes even break down of cell organells leaving only starch grains, the pyrenoid and some endomembranes. In addition to these cells with severe lesions, quite normal cells were found.", "contents": "Effect of hexachlorobenzene and acetone on algal growth: physiology and ultrastructure. The effect of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and acetone on growth and ultrastructure of the freshwater alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied. The algal cells were grown for 76 h under continuous light in 10 ppm HCB with 0.33% acetone or in 0.33% acetone alone; the control cells were grown in nutrient solution only. As was deduced from determinations of dry matter, carbohydrates, chlorophyll content and total nitrogen, 0.33% acetone in nutrient solution slightly decreased the growth of the cells without having any influence on their ultrastructure while 3.33% acetone affected the ultrastructure of the cells severely. An incubation of Chlorella with 10 ppm HCB in nutrient sultion containing 0.33% acetone led to a drastic decrease of all growth parameters studied, total nitrogen and chlorophyll content being affected most strongly. These latter observations were in accord with the changes in ultrastructure showing damage to the cell membranes, disintegrated cytoplasm and sometimes even break down of cell organells leaving only starch grains, the pyrenoid and some endomembranes. In addition to these cells with severe lesions, quite normal cells were found.", "PMID": 630648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8550", "title": "Intercalation with DNA is a prerequisite for daunomycin, adriamycin and its congeners in inhibiting DNAase I.", "content": "DNAase I from bovine pancreas is inhibited by Daunomycin, Adriamycin, Adriamycin-14-acetate and Adriamycin-14-octanoate, whereas it is not inhibited by N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate or N-trifluoroacetyl-adriamycin. The present study suggests that these inhibitors act not directly on the enzyme, but on DNA, forming stable complexes and thus interfering with enzyme activity. The correlation between DNA binding and enzyme inhibition is demonstrated by the fact that the compounds forming complexes with DNA inhibit DNAase I activity, whereas those which do not form complexes with DNA cause no inhibition.", "contents": "Intercalation with DNA is a prerequisite for daunomycin, adriamycin and its congeners in inhibiting DNAase I. DNAase I from bovine pancreas is inhibited by Daunomycin, Adriamycin, Adriamycin-14-acetate and Adriamycin-14-octanoate, whereas it is not inhibited by N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate or N-trifluoroacetyl-adriamycin. The present study suggests that these inhibitors act not directly on the enzyme, but on DNA, forming stable complexes and thus interfering with enzyme activity. The correlation between DNA binding and enzyme inhibition is demonstrated by the fact that the compounds forming complexes with DNA inhibit DNAase I activity, whereas those which do not form complexes with DNA cause no inhibition.", "PMID": 630649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8551", "title": "An introduction to behavioural principles in teaching the profoundly handicapped.", "content": "The principles of behavior modification in severely handicapped subnormal children are outlined and discussed.", "contents": "An introduction to behavioural principles in teaching the profoundly handicapped. The principles of behavior modification in severely handicapped subnormal children are outlined and discussed.", "PMID": 630657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8552", "title": "Home intervention with parents of severely subnormal, pre-school children: an interim report.", "content": "A programme of home-based intervention with two groups of pre-school severely subnormal children and their parents has produced apparently contradictory results; frequently visited children after initial superiority over infrequently visited children, later showed a deceleration in intellectual growth. Less frequently visited children conversely showed a rise in performance after an initial decrement. The interpretation is advanced that parents in the latter group were less dependent on the visiting therapist, and more able to take positive action to assist their children, and improve their own situation.", "contents": "Home intervention with parents of severely subnormal, pre-school children: an interim report. A programme of home-based intervention with two groups of pre-school severely subnormal children and their parents has produced apparently contradictory results; frequently visited children after initial superiority over infrequently visited children, later showed a deceleration in intellectual growth. Less frequently visited children conversely showed a rise in performance after an initial decrement. The interpretation is advanced that parents in the latter group were less dependent on the visiting therapist, and more able to take positive action to assist their children, and improve their own situation.", "PMID": 630658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8553", "title": "Childhood housing experiences and school attainment.", "content": "The housing conditions of children in the National Child Development Study are related both to 16-year school attainment and also to progress through secondary school from 11 to 16. Children in homes which are crowded or lacking amenities, or in council homes at sixteen have relatively low scores on tests of reading and mathematics at the same age. The relationship between 16-year attainment and housing conditions is shown to be similar whether the child experienced the unsatisfactory housing at the age of 7, 11 or 16. Crowding and amenities are shown to be slightly associated with progress through the secondary school, although tenure is more strongly associated. The overall conclusions from this study are that children who have ever lived in unsatisfactory housing perform relatively poorly at school when they are 16, but no evidence emerged that there is any particular age at which housing circumstances are crucial for eventual school attainment. Consideration is also given to the importance of the wider environment in which the child lives.", "contents": "Childhood housing experiences and school attainment. The housing conditions of children in the National Child Development Study are related both to 16-year school attainment and also to progress through secondary school from 11 to 16. Children in homes which are crowded or lacking amenities, or in council homes at sixteen have relatively low scores on tests of reading and mathematics at the same age. The relationship between 16-year attainment and housing conditions is shown to be similar whether the child experienced the unsatisfactory housing at the age of 7, 11 or 16. Crowding and amenities are shown to be slightly associated with progress through the secondary school, although tenure is more strongly associated. The overall conclusions from this study are that children who have ever lived in unsatisfactory housing perform relatively poorly at school when they are 16, but no evidence emerged that there is any particular age at which housing circumstances are crucial for eventual school attainment. Consideration is also given to the importance of the wider environment in which the child lives.", "PMID": 630659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8554", "title": "Division, duplication and neglect: patterns of care for children with chronic disorders.", "content": "The care of forty-four children with chronic arthropathies (usually juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) was studied by parental interview. The goal was to determine parents' perceptions of how management responsibilities are shared between primary physicians and specialists. Responses to questions about each of nine specific areas of care, ranging from diagnosis and treatment of the chronic disorder to the care of minor, acute illnesses, enabled the investigators to determine which physician had assumed major responsibility for each area. The results suggest a pattern whereby basic care is either divided or duplicated, but with many of the supportive aspects of care neglected in a high proportion of families. A comparison of these results with those of a similar study of children with meningomyelocele provides support for the view that such patterns are typical of the care of most children with chronic disorders.", "contents": "Division, duplication and neglect: patterns of care for children with chronic disorders. The care of forty-four children with chronic arthropathies (usually juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) was studied by parental interview. The goal was to determine parents' perceptions of how management responsibilities are shared between primary physicians and specialists. Responses to questions about each of nine specific areas of care, ranging from diagnosis and treatment of the chronic disorder to the care of minor, acute illnesses, enabled the investigators to determine which physician had assumed major responsibility for each area. The results suggest a pattern whereby basic care is either divided or duplicated, but with many of the supportive aspects of care neglected in a high proportion of families. A comparison of these results with those of a similar study of children with meningomyelocele provides support for the view that such patterns are typical of the care of most children with chronic disorders.", "PMID": 630660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8555", "title": "The relationship between body fluid volume, sodium ion concentration, and sensitivity to pressor effect of angiotensin II in dogs.", "content": "Extracellular fluid volume, plasma electrolyes, and plasma angiotensin II (A II) were individually controlled to determine their influence on the acute pressor responsiveness to A II. Hemodialysis of nephrectomized dogs was used to simulate and control the changes of major variables which occur in the intact state during changes in sodium balance. A II dose-pressure response curves were determined in 11 dogs at three volume states with plasma [Na+] maintained constant and in five dogs at low, normal, and high plasma [Na+] with body fluid volume maintained constant. Parallel shifts of the log dose-response curves were obtained in the three volume states. The same rise in arterial pressure with identical doses of A II was obtained at normal, contracted, and expanded volume states, with the change of arterial pressure based on the uncompensated basal pressure level at each volume state. When the fall in pressure observed during volume depletion was returned to control levels with norepinephrine, there was no change in the A II dose-response relationship from the control state. No difference in the A II dose-pressure response relationship was obtained between states of 140, 146, and 156 mEq/liter plasma [Na+] with body fluid volume held constant. The studies indicate that short-term alterations in either sodium or water balance do not alter the \"real\" vascular sensitivity to A II. The \"apparent\" changes normally observed result from preexisting endogenous levels of circulating A II present at the time the dose-response curve is determined which probably alter the availability of receptor sites to A II.", "contents": "The relationship between body fluid volume, sodium ion concentration, and sensitivity to pressor effect of angiotensin II in dogs. Extracellular fluid volume, plasma electrolyes, and plasma angiotensin II (A II) were individually controlled to determine their influence on the acute pressor responsiveness to A II. Hemodialysis of nephrectomized dogs was used to simulate and control the changes of major variables which occur in the intact state during changes in sodium balance. A II dose-pressure response curves were determined in 11 dogs at three volume states with plasma [Na+] maintained constant and in five dogs at low, normal, and high plasma [Na+] with body fluid volume maintained constant. Parallel shifts of the log dose-response curves were obtained in the three volume states. The same rise in arterial pressure with identical doses of A II was obtained at normal, contracted, and expanded volume states, with the change of arterial pressure based on the uncompensated basal pressure level at each volume state. When the fall in pressure observed during volume depletion was returned to control levels with norepinephrine, there was no change in the A II dose-response relationship from the control state. No difference in the A II dose-pressure response relationship was obtained between states of 140, 146, and 156 mEq/liter plasma [Na+] with body fluid volume held constant. The studies indicate that short-term alterations in either sodium or water balance do not alter the \"real\" vascular sensitivity to A II. The \"apparent\" changes normally observed result from preexisting endogenous levels of circulating A II present at the time the dose-response curve is determined which probably alter the availability of receptor sites to A II.", "PMID": 630667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8556", "title": "Assessment of regional myocardial blood flow and regional fractional oxygen extraction in dogs, using 15O-water and 15O-hemoglobin.", "content": "A new approach to the assessment of regional myocardial blood flow and fractional oxygen extraction has been developed using 15O-water (H2-15O) and 15O-hemoglobin (15O-Hb). Bolus doses (1 mCi) of H2-15O and 15O-Hb were injected 10 minutes apart into the left main coronary artery of 12 normal dogs. Sequential images of regional myocardial tracer clearance were obtained over 5 minutes with a positron camera. Myocardial blood flow calculated from the monoexponential washout of H2-15O after background correction was 78 +/- 6 (SE) ml/100 g per min. Functional images of regional blood flow in which the image of peak activity was divided by the integrated image of H2-15O washout were derived by computer processing. These images demonstrated homogeneous blood flow in the normal myocardium. Fractional myocardial O2 extraction was determined from an image of initial distribution of O2 used (obtained by extrapolating back to time zero the series of images obtained after 15O-Hb administration), divided by initial distribution of O2 delivered (obtained by back extrapolating H2-15O washout). These functional images showed uniform distribution of fractional O2 extraction in the normal myocardium. Thus, these studies show that regional myocardial blood flow and regional oxygen extraction can be measured simultaneously by sequential imaging after serial intracoronary injections of H2-15O and 15O-Hb.", "contents": "Assessment of regional myocardial blood flow and regional fractional oxygen extraction in dogs, using 15O-water and 15O-hemoglobin. A new approach to the assessment of regional myocardial blood flow and fractional oxygen extraction has been developed using 15O-water (H2-15O) and 15O-hemoglobin (15O-Hb). Bolus doses (1 mCi) of H2-15O and 15O-Hb were injected 10 minutes apart into the left main coronary artery of 12 normal dogs. Sequential images of regional myocardial tracer clearance were obtained over 5 minutes with a positron camera. Myocardial blood flow calculated from the monoexponential washout of H2-15O after background correction was 78 +/- 6 (SE) ml/100 g per min. Functional images of regional blood flow in which the image of peak activity was divided by the integrated image of H2-15O washout were derived by computer processing. These images demonstrated homogeneous blood flow in the normal myocardium. Fractional myocardial O2 extraction was determined from an image of initial distribution of O2 used (obtained by extrapolating back to time zero the series of images obtained after 15O-Hb administration), divided by initial distribution of O2 delivered (obtained by back extrapolating H2-15O washout). These functional images showed uniform distribution of fractional O2 extraction in the normal myocardium. Thus, these studies show that regional myocardial blood flow and regional oxygen extraction can be measured simultaneously by sequential imaging after serial intracoronary injections of H2-15O and 15O-Hb.", "PMID": 630668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8557", "title": "Mechanically dependent changes in action potentials recorded from the intact frog ventricle.", "content": "The wall of the ventricle contracts inhomogeneously during an isovolumic beat of an isolated, intact frog ventricle. Some epicardial segments actually lengthen while the pressure is rising. Almost simultaneously, the early repolarization phase of the monophasic action potential recorded from such a segment is accelerated, compared to the same phase for an isotonic beat in which the segment shortens. Segment lengthening during the isovolumic beat also may be seen during the late repolarization phase when, in contract to the above, it produces an afterdepolarization. These electrical changes disappear when isotonic contraction is restored. Corroborative findings were obtained from microelectrode and insulated gap recordings from isolated frog ventricular strip. Both electrical changes can be seen clearly when the segment is lengthened by intraventricular injections of Ringer's solution. There also is a short transition period toward the end of the action potential plateau when lengthening produces neither depolarization nor repolarization. The accelerated repolarization is manifest as a shortening of the Q-T interval in the ventricular electrogram. In all experimental preparations, the afterdepolarizations reached threshold for a propagated action potential. This mechanism may explain the generation of extrasystoles in myocardial ischemia.", "contents": "Mechanically dependent changes in action potentials recorded from the intact frog ventricle. The wall of the ventricle contracts inhomogeneously during an isovolumic beat of an isolated, intact frog ventricle. Some epicardial segments actually lengthen while the pressure is rising. Almost simultaneously, the early repolarization phase of the monophasic action potential recorded from such a segment is accelerated, compared to the same phase for an isotonic beat in which the segment shortens. Segment lengthening during the isovolumic beat also may be seen during the late repolarization phase when, in contract to the above, it produces an afterdepolarization. These electrical changes disappear when isotonic contraction is restored. Corroborative findings were obtained from microelectrode and insulated gap recordings from isolated frog ventricular strip. Both electrical changes can be seen clearly when the segment is lengthened by intraventricular injections of Ringer's solution. There also is a short transition period toward the end of the action potential plateau when lengthening produces neither depolarization nor repolarization. The accelerated repolarization is manifest as a shortening of the Q-T interval in the ventricular electrogram. In all experimental preparations, the afterdepolarizations reached threshold for a propagated action potential. This mechanism may explain the generation of extrasystoles in myocardial ischemia.", "PMID": 630669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8558", "title": "Changes in central catecholaminergic neurons in the spontaneously (genetic) hypertensive rat.", "content": "Catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes have been examined in specific brain areas during the development of spontaneously (genetic) hypertensive (SH) rats. Changes in catecholamine metabolism were localized to regions of the brain implicated in the regulation of blood pressure. Norepinephrine levels and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activities were decreased in specific nuclei of the hypothalamus and in the nucleus interstitialis striae terminalis ventralis, in both young and adult rats. The decrease in the formation of norepinephrine can result in a reduced activation of central alpha-adrenergic receptors which may be related causally to the onset of hypertension. The activity of the epinephrine-forming enzyme, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), was increased in the A1 and A2 areas of the brainstem in young SH rats, but it was normal in adult hypertensive animals. These results implicate adrenergic neurons in the brainstem and noradrenergic neurons in the hypothalamus in the development of spontaneous (genetic) hypertension in rats.", "contents": "Changes in central catecholaminergic neurons in the spontaneously (genetic) hypertensive rat. Catecholamines and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes have been examined in specific brain areas during the development of spontaneously (genetic) hypertensive (SH) rats. Changes in catecholamine metabolism were localized to regions of the brain implicated in the regulation of blood pressure. Norepinephrine levels and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activities were decreased in specific nuclei of the hypothalamus and in the nucleus interstitialis striae terminalis ventralis, in both young and adult rats. The decrease in the formation of norepinephrine can result in a reduced activation of central alpha-adrenergic receptors which may be related causally to the onset of hypertension. The activity of the epinephrine-forming enzyme, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), was increased in the A1 and A2 areas of the brainstem in young SH rats, but it was normal in adult hypertensive animals. These results implicate adrenergic neurons in the brainstem and noradrenergic neurons in the hypothalamus in the development of spontaneous (genetic) hypertension in rats.", "PMID": 630670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8559", "title": "Continuous local electrical activity. A mechanism of recurrent ventricular tachycardia.", "content": "Although the mechanism of most episodes of recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is believed to be re-entry, definitive proof of this hypothesis has heretofore been unavailable in man. Using programmed stimulation and ventricular endocardial mapping we studied three patients in whom the initiation of VT was dependent upon developing a critical degree of fractionation and delay in local left ventricular electrograms. When electrical activity spanned diastole, VT ensued. Maintenance of VT was associated with continuous electrical activity resembling \"local fibrillation\" while termination of VT required cessation of this continuous activity. During sinus rhythm the electrogram recorded from the areas which subsequently developed continuous activity showed markedly fractionated and prolonged electrical activity exceeding 100 msec in duration. We feel these observations of the temporal relationship of continuous activity with the development of VT represent the first documentation of the re-entrant nature of this arrhythmia in man.", "contents": "Continuous local electrical activity. A mechanism of recurrent ventricular tachycardia. Although the mechanism of most episodes of recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) is believed to be re-entry, definitive proof of this hypothesis has heretofore been unavailable in man. Using programmed stimulation and ventricular endocardial mapping we studied three patients in whom the initiation of VT was dependent upon developing a critical degree of fractionation and delay in local left ventricular electrograms. When electrical activity spanned diastole, VT ensued. Maintenance of VT was associated with continuous electrical activity resembling \"local fibrillation\" while termination of VT required cessation of this continuous activity. During sinus rhythm the electrogram recorded from the areas which subsequently developed continuous activity showed markedly fractionated and prolonged electrical activity exceeding 100 msec in duration. We feel these observations of the temporal relationship of continuous activity with the development of VT represent the first documentation of the re-entrant nature of this arrhythmia in man.", "PMID": 630672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8560", "title": "The limitations of epicardial mapping as a guide to the surgical therapy of ventricular tachycardia.", "content": "The adequacy of intraoperative epicardial mapping as a guide to surgical procedures performed to terminate ventricular arrhythmias was investigated. Ligation of the anterior septal or left anterior descending coronary artery in 28 dogs produced ventricular arrhythmias that were studied 24-36 hours following occlusion. The sites of origin of 26 tachycardias were determined to be in the subendocardium by using extensive epicardial, endocardial and intramural mapping techniques and were verified by demonstrating unaltered activation sequences during pacing from these earliest sites. Epicardial breakthrough followed earliest directly recordable ventricular activity by as little as 7 msec. Without endocardial mapping many of these tachycardias would have been incorrectly identified as originating in the fascicles or epicardium. The sites of epicardial breakthrough were anatomically distant from the sites of origin by a markedly varying extent (5mm to 6cm). Two rhythms might be close in their sites of earliest epicardial appearance yet distant on the endocardium or vice versa. We conclude that epicardial mapping may not be sufficient to identify or predict the origins of many ventricular tachycardias and that the success of surgery to abolish these arrhythmias may be enhanced by preoperative and intraoperative endocardial mapping.", "contents": "The limitations of epicardial mapping as a guide to the surgical therapy of ventricular tachycardia. The adequacy of intraoperative epicardial mapping as a guide to surgical procedures performed to terminate ventricular arrhythmias was investigated. Ligation of the anterior septal or left anterior descending coronary artery in 28 dogs produced ventricular arrhythmias that were studied 24-36 hours following occlusion. The sites of origin of 26 tachycardias were determined to be in the subendocardium by using extensive epicardial, endocardial and intramural mapping techniques and were verified by demonstrating unaltered activation sequences during pacing from these earliest sites. Epicardial breakthrough followed earliest directly recordable ventricular activity by as little as 7 msec. Without endocardial mapping many of these tachycardias would have been incorrectly identified as originating in the fascicles or epicardium. The sites of epicardial breakthrough were anatomically distant from the sites of origin by a markedly varying extent (5mm to 6cm). Two rhythms might be close in their sites of earliest epicardial appearance yet distant on the endocardium or vice versa. We conclude that epicardial mapping may not be sufficient to identify or predict the origins of many ventricular tachycardias and that the success of surgery to abolish these arrhythmias may be enhanced by preoperative and intraoperative endocardial mapping.", "PMID": 630673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8561", "title": "Determinants of antegrade echo zone in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.", "content": "Forty-five patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and reciprocating tachycardia which utilized the atrioventricular (A-V) node for antegrade conduction and an accessory pathway for ventriculo-atrial (retrograde) conduction were studied. The extrastimulus technique in the right atrium and coronary sinus at multiple pacing cycle lengths was used. Three types of \"echo zones\" were defined by the relationship of the antegrade effective refractory period (ERP) of the accessory pathway, the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo, the ERP of the A-V node, and the functional refractory period of the atrium. Eighteen of 45 patients (40%) had more than one type of echo zone demonstrated by changing either pacing site or pacing cycle length or both. Pacing site and intraventricular conduction delay were found to have important effects on the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo in those echo zones in which the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo was less than the antegrade ERP of the accessory pathway. The echo zone is a useful concept to explain the physiology of the common reciprocating tachycardia in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. However, the echo zone is profoundly affected by pacing site and pacing cycle length. When these variables are changed, many patients can be shown to have more than one type of echo zone. Studies of the echo zone have limited value as therapeutic guides.", "contents": "Determinants of antegrade echo zone in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Forty-five patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and reciprocating tachycardia which utilized the atrioventricular (A-V) node for antegrade conduction and an accessory pathway for ventriculo-atrial (retrograde) conduction were studied. The extrastimulus technique in the right atrium and coronary sinus at multiple pacing cycle lengths was used. Three types of \"echo zones\" were defined by the relationship of the antegrade effective refractory period (ERP) of the accessory pathway, the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo, the ERP of the A-V node, and the functional refractory period of the atrium. Eighteen of 45 patients (40%) had more than one type of echo zone demonstrated by changing either pacing site or pacing cycle length or both. Pacing site and intraventricular conduction delay were found to have important effects on the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo in those echo zones in which the longest coupling interval accompanied by an atrial echo was less than the antegrade ERP of the accessory pathway. The echo zone is a useful concept to explain the physiology of the common reciprocating tachycardia in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. However, the echo zone is profoundly affected by pacing site and pacing cycle length. When these variables are changed, many patients can be shown to have more than one type of echo zone. Studies of the echo zone have limited value as therapeutic guides.", "PMID": 630674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8562", "title": "The risk of advanced heart block in surgical patients with right bundle branch block and left axis deviation.", "content": "The risk of advanced atrioventricular block during anesthesia was studied prosepctively in 44 patients with right bundle branch block and left axis deviation who underwent a total of 52 operations over a 14 month period. All patients had continuous electrocardiographic monitoring throughout anesthesia induction, operation, and surgical recovery. Of the 52 operative procedures, 24 were done under general anesthesia, 11 under spinal, and 17 under local. The preoperative cardiac rhythms were atrial fibrillation in two patients, atrial tachycardia with block in one patient, atrial flutter in one patient, and sinus rhythm in the remaining patients. Temporary pacemakers were inserted preoperatively in six patients, usually because of PR interval prolongation on the preoperative electrocardiogram. There was only one episode of transient complete heart block in 51 of the 52 operative procedures. In two of the six patients with temporary pacemakers, significant pacer-related ventricular irritability occurred. This study indicates that temporary pacemaker insertion is rarely required in patients with chronic right bundle branch block and left axis deviation who require noncardiac surgery.", "contents": "The risk of advanced heart block in surgical patients with right bundle branch block and left axis deviation. The risk of advanced atrioventricular block during anesthesia was studied prosepctively in 44 patients with right bundle branch block and left axis deviation who underwent a total of 52 operations over a 14 month period. All patients had continuous electrocardiographic monitoring throughout anesthesia induction, operation, and surgical recovery. Of the 52 operative procedures, 24 were done under general anesthesia, 11 under spinal, and 17 under local. The preoperative cardiac rhythms were atrial fibrillation in two patients, atrial tachycardia with block in one patient, atrial flutter in one patient, and sinus rhythm in the remaining patients. Temporary pacemakers were inserted preoperatively in six patients, usually because of PR interval prolongation on the preoperative electrocardiogram. There was only one episode of transient complete heart block in 51 of the 52 operative procedures. In two of the six patients with temporary pacemakers, significant pacer-related ventricular irritability occurred. This study indicates that temporary pacemaker insertion is rarely required in patients with chronic right bundle branch block and left axis deviation who require noncardiac surgery.", "PMID": 630675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8563", "title": "Antiarrhythmic effects of aspirin during nonthrombotic coronary occlusion.", "content": "To study the action of aspirin upon the myocardium per se, independent of thrombosis, coronary occlusion with a balloon catheter was induced in 53 anesthetized dogs divided into two groups. One group (N = 20) was treated daily with aspirin (600 mg/dog) for seven days and another (N = 33) was untreated. Left ventricular hemodynamics and precordial ECG mapping were used to assess the influence of myocardial ischemia over a four hour period. There were no significant differences in left ventricular function or extent of injury as judged by ECG mapping between the two groups. However, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of ventricular fibrillation in the treated dogs (5% vs 39%). Serial plasma samples for free fatty acid determination showed a significant rise in the untreated group. Aspirin blocked the FFA increment in the treated animals. Tissue samples from the ischemic area of left ventricle exhibited a significant reduction of the sodium and water increments, as well as a lesser potassium loss in the treated animals compared to the controls and may have been the basis for the lower incidence of arrhythmias. Since infusion of 51Cr labelled platelets showed no myocardial accumulation of platelets in either group, microthrombi did not appear to contribute to the observed differences.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic effects of aspirin during nonthrombotic coronary occlusion. To study the action of aspirin upon the myocardium per se, independent of thrombosis, coronary occlusion with a balloon catheter was induced in 53 anesthetized dogs divided into two groups. One group (N = 20) was treated daily with aspirin (600 mg/dog) for seven days and another (N = 33) was untreated. Left ventricular hemodynamics and precordial ECG mapping were used to assess the influence of myocardial ischemia over a four hour period. There were no significant differences in left ventricular function or extent of injury as judged by ECG mapping between the two groups. However, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of ventricular fibrillation in the treated dogs (5% vs 39%). Serial plasma samples for free fatty acid determination showed a significant rise in the untreated group. Aspirin blocked the FFA increment in the treated animals. Tissue samples from the ischemic area of left ventricle exhibited a significant reduction of the sodium and water increments, as well as a lesser potassium loss in the treated animals compared to the controls and may have been the basis for the lower incidence of arrhythmias. Since infusion of 51Cr labelled platelets showed no myocardial accumulation of platelets in either group, microthrombi did not appear to contribute to the observed differences.", "PMID": 630676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8564", "title": "Clinical electrophysiologic effects of tocainide.", "content": "The electrophysiologic properties of tocainide were evaluated by electrophysiologic studies in 11 patients before, during and after a constant intravenous infusion of the drug for 15 minutes. Peak plasma tocainide concentrations averaged 11.0 +/- 1.7 microgram/ml (SEM), range 3.7 to 22.7. AH, HV, QRS, QTc and RR intervals were measured every 5 minutes during sinus and atrial-paced rhythms and showed small changes which were not statistically significant for HV and QRS. Mild shortening of RR was significant (P less than 0.05) at 15 minutes only. AH tended to increase slightly for spontaneous (but not paced) rhythm, becoming significant at 15 minutes only (P less than 0.05). QTc decreased slightly, a change which was significant (P less than 0.05) for paced but not spontaneous rhythm. A progressive rise in mean arterial pressure occurred during infusion and persisted through 30 minutes (P less than 0.001). Comparison of electrophysiologic studies at 0 and 30 minutes showed decreased in mean effective refractory periods of atrium, A-V node, and right ventricle by 17, 22, and 23 msec, respectively (P less than 0.05, 0.01, 0.01). Functional refractory period of the A-V node showed an average decrease which was not significant. Sinus node recovery time and Wenckebach cycle length were unchanged. The drug was well tolerated in all 11 patients. Hypotension in a twelfth patient may or may not have been drug related. These results obtained at therapeutic plasma concentrations suggest qualitative similarities between the conduction system effects of tocainide and those published for lidocaine.", "contents": "Clinical electrophysiologic effects of tocainide. The electrophysiologic properties of tocainide were evaluated by electrophysiologic studies in 11 patients before, during and after a constant intravenous infusion of the drug for 15 minutes. Peak plasma tocainide concentrations averaged 11.0 +/- 1.7 microgram/ml (SEM), range 3.7 to 22.7. AH, HV, QRS, QTc and RR intervals were measured every 5 minutes during sinus and atrial-paced rhythms and showed small changes which were not statistically significant for HV and QRS. Mild shortening of RR was significant (P less than 0.05) at 15 minutes only. AH tended to increase slightly for spontaneous (but not paced) rhythm, becoming significant at 15 minutes only (P less than 0.05). QTc decreased slightly, a change which was significant (P less than 0.05) for paced but not spontaneous rhythm. A progressive rise in mean arterial pressure occurred during infusion and persisted through 30 minutes (P less than 0.001). Comparison of electrophysiologic studies at 0 and 30 minutes showed decreased in mean effective refractory periods of atrium, A-V node, and right ventricle by 17, 22, and 23 msec, respectively (P less than 0.05, 0.01, 0.01). Functional refractory period of the A-V node showed an average decrease which was not significant. Sinus node recovery time and Wenckebach cycle length were unchanged. The drug was well tolerated in all 11 patients. Hypotension in a twelfth patient may or may not have been drug related. These results obtained at therapeutic plasma concentrations suggest qualitative similarities between the conduction system effects of tocainide and those published for lidocaine.", "PMID": 630677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8565", "title": "Comparison between apexcardiographic and angiographic indexes of left ventricular performance in patients with aortic incompetence.", "content": "Left ventricular (LV) apexcardiogram (ACG) and its first derivative (dA/dt) was obtained in 104 normal subjects and 34 patients with chronic aortic incompetence (AI). In the patients with AI the ACG was recorded simultaneously with LV pressure (tipmanometer). The systolic upstroke time (SUT), the time to peak dA/dt (t-dA/dt) and the a wave percentage amplitude (a/H) of the ACG was measured. In normal subjects SUT averaged 99 +/- 17 (SD) msec. In 17 patients with AI and normal ejection fraction (EF) (group 1) SUT was within normal limits; in 17 patients with AI and decreased EF (group 2) it was prolonged (142 +/- 19 msec) (P less than 0.001). The SUT was closely correlated with EF (r = 0.85) and less with contractile indexes derived from pressure curves. The indexes t-dA/dt and a/H were not significantly different in groups 1 and 2; they were weakly correlated only with the time to peak rate of LV pressure rise (r = +0.56) and the LV end-diastolic pressure (r = +0.59), respectively. These results demonstrate the superiority of SUT over the other apexcardiographic parameters. The measure provides another means of noninvasive assessment of the LV performance in patients with AI.", "contents": "Comparison between apexcardiographic and angiographic indexes of left ventricular performance in patients with aortic incompetence. Left ventricular (LV) apexcardiogram (ACG) and its first derivative (dA/dt) was obtained in 104 normal subjects and 34 patients with chronic aortic incompetence (AI). In the patients with AI the ACG was recorded simultaneously with LV pressure (tipmanometer). The systolic upstroke time (SUT), the time to peak dA/dt (t-dA/dt) and the a wave percentage amplitude (a/H) of the ACG was measured. In normal subjects SUT averaged 99 +/- 17 (SD) msec. In 17 patients with AI and normal ejection fraction (EF) (group 1) SUT was within normal limits; in 17 patients with AI and decreased EF (group 2) it was prolonged (142 +/- 19 msec) (P less than 0.001). The SUT was closely correlated with EF (r = 0.85) and less with contractile indexes derived from pressure curves. The indexes t-dA/dt and a/H were not significantly different in groups 1 and 2; they were weakly correlated only with the time to peak rate of LV pressure rise (r = +0.56) and the LV end-diastolic pressure (r = +0.59), respectively. These results demonstrate the superiority of SUT over the other apexcardiographic parameters. The measure provides another means of noninvasive assessment of the LV performance in patients with AI.", "PMID": 630678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8566", "title": "Accuracy of echocardiography in assessing left ventricular dimensions and volume.", "content": "The accuracy of determining left ventricular function from echocardiography was assessed in 26 children (group I) with cineangiographically-determined normal left ventricular volume (LVV) and 28 children (group II) with large left ventricular volumes. Conventional LV echo dimensions were compared to the cineangiographic LV anterior-posterior minor axis (LVmA) and LVV. Very good correlations were found in group I between LV end-diastolic echo dimensions (LVEDD) and cine LVmA (r = 0.91) and between LVEDD and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) by cine in group I (r = 0.86). In group II correlations were less accurate between LVEDD and diastolic LVmA and between LVEDD and LVEDV. There was poor correlation between the cine and echo percent of shortening (r = 0.41) and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) (r = 0.51). This study demonstrates that M-mode echocardiography is a very useful method for determining LV dimensions in children with normal LV volume, but is less accurate in children with left ventricular volume overload or with abnormal septal orientation or postoperative status after ventriculotomy.", "contents": "Accuracy of echocardiography in assessing left ventricular dimensions and volume. The accuracy of determining left ventricular function from echocardiography was assessed in 26 children (group I) with cineangiographically-determined normal left ventricular volume (LVV) and 28 children (group II) with large left ventricular volumes. Conventional LV echo dimensions were compared to the cineangiographic LV anterior-posterior minor axis (LVmA) and LVV. Very good correlations were found in group I between LV end-diastolic echo dimensions (LVEDD) and cine LVmA (r = 0.91) and between LVEDD and LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) by cine in group I (r = 0.86). In group II correlations were less accurate between LVEDD and diastolic LVmA and between LVEDD and LVEDV. There was poor correlation between the cine and echo percent of shortening (r = 0.41) and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) (r = 0.51). This study demonstrates that M-mode echocardiography is a very useful method for determining LV dimensions in children with normal LV volume, but is less accurate in children with left ventricular volume overload or with abnormal septal orientation or postoperative status after ventriculotomy.", "PMID": 630679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8567", "title": "Noninvasive study of early diastole in mitral stenosis.", "content": "Cardiac events of early diastole were studied in 50 normal subjects and 46 patients with mitral stenosis (MS) by simultaneous recordings of the mitral valve echogram (MVE), phonocardiogram, and apexcardiogram (ACG). Left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), measured between A2 and onset of the MVE opening motion, had almost the same values in normals 54 +/- 7 msec, and MS 51 +/- 16 msec. The interval between A2 and the ACG \"O\" point was approximately double that of IRT: 99 +/- 11 msec in normal subjects, 109 +/- 20 msec in MS. The normal MVE opening motion had a velocity 293 +/- 76 mm/sec and duration 45 +/- 6 msec, values significantly different (P less than 0.001) from 536 +/- 271 mm/sec, 23 +/- 7.5 msec found in MS patients. In atrial fibrillation the length of the cardiac cycle did not affect A2-O interval or mitral valve opening movement duration; however cycle length was clearly related to isovolumic relaxation time. This resulted in a variation in the interval between completion of the mitral valve opening (opening snap) and O point. This interval was longer after a short diastole and vice versa.", "contents": "Noninvasive study of early diastole in mitral stenosis. Cardiac events of early diastole were studied in 50 normal subjects and 46 patients with mitral stenosis (MS) by simultaneous recordings of the mitral valve echogram (MVE), phonocardiogram, and apexcardiogram (ACG). Left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), measured between A2 and onset of the MVE opening motion, had almost the same values in normals 54 +/- 7 msec, and MS 51 +/- 16 msec. The interval between A2 and the ACG \"O\" point was approximately double that of IRT: 99 +/- 11 msec in normal subjects, 109 +/- 20 msec in MS. The normal MVE opening motion had a velocity 293 +/- 76 mm/sec and duration 45 +/- 6 msec, values significantly different (P less than 0.001) from 536 +/- 271 mm/sec, 23 +/- 7.5 msec found in MS patients. In atrial fibrillation the length of the cardiac cycle did not affect A2-O interval or mitral valve opening movement duration; however cycle length was clearly related to isovolumic relaxation time. This resulted in a variation in the interval between completion of the mitral valve opening (opening snap) and O point. This interval was longer after a short diastole and vice versa.", "PMID": 630680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8568", "title": "Thallium-201 scintigraphy in unstable angina pectoris.", "content": "Thallium-201 scintigraphy was performed during the pain free period in 98 patients with unstable angina. Scintiscans were positive in 39 patients, questionable in 27 patients and normal in 32 patients. Eighty-one patients responded favorably to treatment (group I). Seventeen patients had complicated courses (group II) and despite maximal treatment with propranolol either developed infarction (six patients) or continued to have angina necessitating coronary surgery (11 patients). In group I during the pain free period 26 of 81 patients had positive thallium-201 scans, whereas 20 patients had an abnormal ECG at that time; during angina 18 patients had transient ECG changes. In group II during the pain free period 13 of 17 patients had positive scans, whereas two patients had abnormal ECG at that time; during angina 12 patients showed transient ECG changes. The sensitivity to recognize group II was 76% for thallium-201 scintigraphy, 11% for ECG during the pain free period; 70% for ECG during angina; 94% for the combination of either positive scans or abnormal ECG. Thus, 1) positive thallium-201 scans occur in patients with unstable angina, 2) positive scans can be obtained during the pain free period, 3) thallium-201 scans are more frequently positive in patients with complicated course.", "contents": "Thallium-201 scintigraphy in unstable angina pectoris. Thallium-201 scintigraphy was performed during the pain free period in 98 patients with unstable angina. Scintiscans were positive in 39 patients, questionable in 27 patients and normal in 32 patients. Eighty-one patients responded favorably to treatment (group I). Seventeen patients had complicated courses (group II) and despite maximal treatment with propranolol either developed infarction (six patients) or continued to have angina necessitating coronary surgery (11 patients). In group I during the pain free period 26 of 81 patients had positive thallium-201 scans, whereas 20 patients had an abnormal ECG at that time; during angina 18 patients had transient ECG changes. In group II during the pain free period 13 of 17 patients had positive scans, whereas two patients had abnormal ECG at that time; during angina 12 patients showed transient ECG changes. The sensitivity to recognize group II was 76% for thallium-201 scintigraphy, 11% for ECG during the pain free period; 70% for ECG during angina; 94% for the combination of either positive scans or abnormal ECG. Thus, 1) positive thallium-201 scans occur in patients with unstable angina, 2) positive scans can be obtained during the pain free period, 3) thallium-201 scans are more frequently positive in patients with complicated course.", "PMID": 630682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8569", "title": "Verapamil in the management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias occurring after a recent myocardial infarction.", "content": "In 16 patients, a sustained supraventricular tachyarrhythmia occurring less than 72 hours after the first symptom of an acute myocardial infarction was treated with titrated doses of verapamil. The drug was given intravenously in 1 mg increments every minute under continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram and blood pressure. Endpoints for the administration of verapamil were the following: reversion to sinus rhythm; a ventricular rate slower than 100/min; hypotension; a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure rising above 15 mm Hg; signs of intolerance; a maximum dose of 20 mg. Reversion to sinus rhythm was observed in 7/8 patients in atrial flutter and in 1/8 patients in atrial fibrillation; in all the ventricular rate could be slowed below 100/min without untoward effects.", "contents": "Verapamil in the management of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias occurring after a recent myocardial infarction. In 16 patients, a sustained supraventricular tachyarrhythmia occurring less than 72 hours after the first symptom of an acute myocardial infarction was treated with titrated doses of verapamil. The drug was given intravenously in 1 mg increments every minute under continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram and blood pressure. Endpoints for the administration of verapamil were the following: reversion to sinus rhythm; a ventricular rate slower than 100/min; hypotension; a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure rising above 15 mm Hg; signs of intolerance; a maximum dose of 20 mg. Reversion to sinus rhythm was observed in 7/8 patients in atrial flutter and in 1/8 patients in atrial fibrillation; in all the ventricular rate could be slowed below 100/min without untoward effects.", "PMID": 630684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8570", "title": "The \"false negative\" treadmill exercise test and left ventricular dysfunction.", "content": "One hundred and fifteen consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing graded exercise testing, selective coronary angiography and left ventriculography were retrospectively evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative response rates of the exercise tests were 79%, 81%, and 21%, respectively. Although the magnitude of a positive ST-segment response was related to more extensive vascular disease, the frequency of false negative responses was nearly identical in patients with single, double, or triple vessel disease (22%, 21%, 19%). Analysis of the false negative group demonstrated significant ventriculographic and hemodynamic abnormalities when compared to the true positive responders. Five out of six patients with the most serious motion disorders in the study fell into the false negative group. There were no significant differences in the extent, distribution and severity of vascular involvement, or in the development of collateral circulation in the two groups. However, occluded vessels supplied abnormal ventricular segments more frequently in the false negative group (88% vs 38%); the absence of an \"ischemic response\" and the presence of segments of abnormal myocardium may be related. Left ventricular dysfunction appears to be an important reason for a false negative response to exercise.", "contents": "The \"false negative\" treadmill exercise test and left ventricular dysfunction. One hundred and fifteen consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing graded exercise testing, selective coronary angiography and left ventriculography were retrospectively evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative response rates of the exercise tests were 79%, 81%, and 21%, respectively. Although the magnitude of a positive ST-segment response was related to more extensive vascular disease, the frequency of false negative responses was nearly identical in patients with single, double, or triple vessel disease (22%, 21%, 19%). Analysis of the false negative group demonstrated significant ventriculographic and hemodynamic abnormalities when compared to the true positive responders. Five out of six patients with the most serious motion disorders in the study fell into the false negative group. There were no significant differences in the extent, distribution and severity of vascular involvement, or in the development of collateral circulation in the two groups. However, occluded vessels supplied abnormal ventricular segments more frequently in the false negative group (88% vs 38%); the absence of an \"ischemic response\" and the presence of segments of abnormal myocardium may be related. Left ventricular dysfunction appears to be an important reason for a false negative response to exercise.", "PMID": 630685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8571", "title": "Effect of acute volume alterations on norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in normotensive and hypertensive subjects.", "content": "Fifty-six patients with essential hypertension and 29 normotensive controls were hospitalized and volume expanded with saline or volume depleted with furosemide. We measured plasma norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) to evaluate their sympathetic nervous activity. NE and DBH levels and their response to volume changes were the same in normal and hypertensive subjects. Volume depletion increased plasma NE in recumbent subjects by 50% and in standing subjects by 75% but did not alter DBH. Volume expansion with 2 liters of normal saline did not generally alter plasma NE, but led to a small decrease in DBH. Hypertensives have normal plasma levels of NE and DBH and normal responses of NE and DBH to alterations in volume and posture. The human sympathetic nervous system increases NE output during volume depletion, but fails to decrease NE during volume expansion.", "contents": "Effect of acute volume alterations on norepinephrine and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Fifty-six patients with essential hypertension and 29 normotensive controls were hospitalized and volume expanded with saline or volume depleted with furosemide. We measured plasma norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) to evaluate their sympathetic nervous activity. NE and DBH levels and their response to volume changes were the same in normal and hypertensive subjects. Volume depletion increased plasma NE in recumbent subjects by 50% and in standing subjects by 75% but did not alter DBH. Volume expansion with 2 liters of normal saline did not generally alter plasma NE, but led to a small decrease in DBH. Hypertensives have normal plasma levels of NE and DBH and normal responses of NE and DBH to alterations in volume and posture. The human sympathetic nervous system increases NE output during volume depletion, but fails to decrease NE during volume expansion.", "PMID": 630687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8572", "title": "Coronary sinus reflux. A source of error in the measurement of thermodilution coronary sinus flow.", "content": "In seven patients thermodilution coronary sinus flow (TD-CSF) was higher (164 +/- 21 ml/min) during ventricular pacing than during atrial pacing (119 +/- 21 ml/min, P less than 0.005) at identical heart rate, without an increase in the determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption. To assess the possibility of right atrial admixture in coronary sinus blood during ventricular pacing we compared electromagnetic coronary arterial blood flow (CBF) with TD-CSF in nine dogs during interventions that increased right atrial pressure. During ventricular pacing, rapid atrial pacing, pulmonary artery constriction and increased intrathoracic pressure, right atrial pressure increased and electromagnetic CBF was significantly less (41-166%) than TD-CSF. Marked reflux from the right atrium to the coronary sinus was also demonstrated by bolus injection of cold saline into the right atrium and continuous infusion of contrast material into coronary sinus. Caution needs to be exercised in interpreting TD-CSF in the presence of changing right atrial pressure.", "contents": "Coronary sinus reflux. A source of error in the measurement of thermodilution coronary sinus flow. In seven patients thermodilution coronary sinus flow (TD-CSF) was higher (164 +/- 21 ml/min) during ventricular pacing than during atrial pacing (119 +/- 21 ml/min, P less than 0.005) at identical heart rate, without an increase in the determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption. To assess the possibility of right atrial admixture in coronary sinus blood during ventricular pacing we compared electromagnetic coronary arterial blood flow (CBF) with TD-CSF in nine dogs during interventions that increased right atrial pressure. During ventricular pacing, rapid atrial pacing, pulmonary artery constriction and increased intrathoracic pressure, right atrial pressure increased and electromagnetic CBF was significantly less (41-166%) than TD-CSF. Marked reflux from the right atrium to the coronary sinus was also demonstrated by bolus injection of cold saline into the right atrium and continuous infusion of contrast material into coronary sinus. Caution needs to be exercised in interpreting TD-CSF in the presence of changing right atrial pressure.", "PMID": 630688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8573", "title": "The hemodynamic effects of intravenous tocainide in patients with heart disease.", "content": "In order to evaluate its hemodynamic actions, tocainide, a new orally effective antiarrhythmic drug, was given intravenously over a 15 minute period to 12 patients with compensated left ventricular dysfunction. Doses were 0.5 (4 patients) or 0.75 (8 patients) mg/kg/min. Hemodynamics and drug plasma concentrations were measured at the end and 15 minutes after the end of the infusion. Tocainide infusion produced small but statistically significant increases in the pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance, aortic and pulmonary arterial pressure, and left and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. There was no significant change in left ventricular dp/dt, heart rate, or cardiac index. In patients with compensated left ventricular dysfunction, tocainide produces a small rise in vascular resistance and arterial pressure. Overall cardiac function is maintained with a small increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.", "contents": "The hemodynamic effects of intravenous tocainide in patients with heart disease. In order to evaluate its hemodynamic actions, tocainide, a new orally effective antiarrhythmic drug, was given intravenously over a 15 minute period to 12 patients with compensated left ventricular dysfunction. Doses were 0.5 (4 patients) or 0.75 (8 patients) mg/kg/min. Hemodynamics and drug plasma concentrations were measured at the end and 15 minutes after the end of the infusion. Tocainide infusion produced small but statistically significant increases in the pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance, aortic and pulmonary arterial pressure, and left and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. There was no significant change in left ventricular dp/dt, heart rate, or cardiac index. In patients with compensated left ventricular dysfunction, tocainide produces a small rise in vascular resistance and arterial pressure. Overall cardiac function is maintained with a small increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.", "PMID": 630689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8574", "title": "Left ventricular function following attempted surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.", "content": "Left ventricular function was assessed by angiographic methods in 40 patients (ages 3-27), 1-12 years following repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Twenty of the 40 patients (group A) had a satisfactory repair with a pulmonary-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) less then or equal to 1.5 and a right ventricular systolic pressure of less than or equal to 60% of the left ventricular value. The other 20 patients (group B) had a Qp/Qs greater than 1.5 and/or a right ventricular systolic pressure greater than 60% of the left ventricular value. Group A patients had a normal left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), ejection fraction (LVEF), and mass (LVM), while the group B patients had significantly elevated LVEDV, LVEDP, LVM, and a significantly depressed LVEF. These findings indicate that patients with a satisfactory hemodynamic repair of tetralogy of Fallot have normal left ventricular function while patients with postoperative unsatisfactory hemodynamics have significantly impaired left ventricular function.", "contents": "Left ventricular function following attempted surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Left ventricular function was assessed by angiographic methods in 40 patients (ages 3-27), 1-12 years following repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Twenty of the 40 patients (group A) had a satisfactory repair with a pulmonary-systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) less then or equal to 1.5 and a right ventricular systolic pressure of less than or equal to 60% of the left ventricular value. The other 20 patients (group B) had a Qp/Qs greater than 1.5 and/or a right ventricular systolic pressure greater than 60% of the left ventricular value. Group A patients had a normal left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), ejection fraction (LVEF), and mass (LVM), while the group B patients had significantly elevated LVEDV, LVEDP, LVM, and a significantly depressed LVEF. These findings indicate that patients with a satisfactory hemodynamic repair of tetralogy of Fallot have normal left ventricular function while patients with postoperative unsatisfactory hemodynamics have significantly impaired left ventricular function.", "PMID": 630690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8575", "title": "Aschoff bodies at necropsy in valvular heart disease. Evidence from an analysis of 543 patients over 14 years of age that rheumatic heart disease, at least anatomically, is a disease of the mitral valve.", "content": "Among 543 necropsy patients over age 14 years with severe chronic valvular heart disease, Aschoff bodies were found in 11 patients (2%). The ages of the 11 patients ranged from 18 to 68 years (avg. 38), and nine had had a history of acute rhematic fever earlier in life. Clinically, nine of the 11 patients had mitral stenosis with or without dysfunction of one or more other cardiac valves, one had isolated aortic regurgitation, and one had both mitral and aortic regurgitation. All 11 patients had diffuse fibrous thickening of the mitral valve leaflets, and all but one had diffuse anatomic lesions of at least one other cardiac valve. No patient with anatomic lesions limited to the aortic valve had Aschoff bodies. Thus, among patients with chronic valvular heart disease, Aschoff bodies, the only anatomic lesion pathognomonic of rheumatic heart disease, indicate diffuse anatomic lesions of the mitral leaflets and usually also anatomic lesions of one or more other cardiac valves. The functional mitral lesion is usually stenosis.", "contents": "Aschoff bodies at necropsy in valvular heart disease. Evidence from an analysis of 543 patients over 14 years of age that rheumatic heart disease, at least anatomically, is a disease of the mitral valve. Among 543 necropsy patients over age 14 years with severe chronic valvular heart disease, Aschoff bodies were found in 11 patients (2%). The ages of the 11 patients ranged from 18 to 68 years (avg. 38), and nine had had a history of acute rhematic fever earlier in life. Clinically, nine of the 11 patients had mitral stenosis with or without dysfunction of one or more other cardiac valves, one had isolated aortic regurgitation, and one had both mitral and aortic regurgitation. All 11 patients had diffuse fibrous thickening of the mitral valve leaflets, and all but one had diffuse anatomic lesions of at least one other cardiac valve. No patient with anatomic lesions limited to the aortic valve had Aschoff bodies. Thus, among patients with chronic valvular heart disease, Aschoff bodies, the only anatomic lesion pathognomonic of rheumatic heart disease, indicate diffuse anatomic lesions of the mitral leaflets and usually also anatomic lesions of one or more other cardiac valves. The functional mitral lesion is usually stenosis.", "PMID": 630691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8576", "title": "Calcific deposits in stenotic mitral valves. Extent and relation to age, sex, degree of stenosis, cardiac rhythm, previous commissurotomy and left atrial body thrombus from study of 164 operatively-excised valves.", "content": "The presence or absence and the extent of calcific deposits in excised stenotic mitral valves was determined by radiographs of the excised valve in 164 patients aged 26 to 72 years. The extent of the mitral calcific deposits was determined by the percent of the valvular circumference containing the deposits = grade 0 (14 patients); grade I = less than 25% (43 patients); grade II = 25-50% (34 patients); grade III = 51-75% (39 patients); and grade IV = greater than 75% (34 patients). The amount of calcific deposits in the stenotic mitral valves correlated with sex and with the mean diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve (P less than 0.05), but it did not correlate with the patient's age, cardiac rhythm, pulmonary arterial or pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, previous mitral commissurotomy, presence of thrombus in the body of left atrium or the presence of disease of one or more other cardiac valves.", "contents": "Calcific deposits in stenotic mitral valves. Extent and relation to age, sex, degree of stenosis, cardiac rhythm, previous commissurotomy and left atrial body thrombus from study of 164 operatively-excised valves. The presence or absence and the extent of calcific deposits in excised stenotic mitral valves was determined by radiographs of the excised valve in 164 patients aged 26 to 72 years. The extent of the mitral calcific deposits was determined by the percent of the valvular circumference containing the deposits = grade 0 (14 patients); grade I = less than 25% (43 patients); grade II = 25-50% (34 patients); grade III = 51-75% (39 patients); and grade IV = greater than 75% (34 patients). The amount of calcific deposits in the stenotic mitral valves correlated with sex and with the mean diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve (P less than 0.05), but it did not correlate with the patient's age, cardiac rhythm, pulmonary arterial or pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, previous mitral commissurotomy, presence of thrombus in the body of left atrium or the presence of disease of one or more other cardiac valves.", "PMID": 630692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8577", "title": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXIX. Randomly distributed focal myocardial lesions causing destruction in the His bundle or a narrow-origin left bundle branch.", "content": "Most focally destructive lesions of the heart (e.g., myocarditis) have an essentially random distribution. Any mechanical significance of such diseases depends primarily on there being a very large number of foci. However, single even very small lesions can have profound electrophysiological significance if appropriately located within the cardiac conduction system. Two cases of sudden unexpected death are here reported which had destructive lesions involving the His bundle and a narrow-origin left bundle branch. Not much is known of the electrical or mechanical effects of acute left branch block which is due to complete anatomical transection of that structure in the human heart, and some possible consequences (including sudden unexpected death) are considered. Myocarditis or any other focally destructive disease in the heart may be of little functional importance if it is not widespread, unless some of the lesions happen to damage any of several small but crucially important sites in the cardiac conduction system. Studies to determine the presence or absence of this precise type of damage should be done especially in cases of sudden unexpected death.", "contents": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXIX. Randomly distributed focal myocardial lesions causing destruction in the His bundle or a narrow-origin left bundle branch. Most focally destructive lesions of the heart (e.g., myocarditis) have an essentially random distribution. Any mechanical significance of such diseases depends primarily on there being a very large number of foci. However, single even very small lesions can have profound electrophysiological significance if appropriately located within the cardiac conduction system. Two cases of sudden unexpected death are here reported which had destructive lesions involving the His bundle and a narrow-origin left bundle branch. Not much is known of the electrical or mechanical effects of acute left branch block which is due to complete anatomical transection of that structure in the human heart, and some possible consequences (including sudden unexpected death) are considered. Myocarditis or any other focally destructive disease in the heart may be of little functional importance if it is not widespread, unless some of the lesions happen to damage any of several small but crucially important sites in the cardiac conduction system. Studies to determine the presence or absence of this precise type of damage should be done especially in cases of sudden unexpected death.", "PMID": 630693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8578", "title": "Energy requirement for defibrillation of a markedly overweight patient.", "content": "Recommendations have been made recently that the energy output of present-day defibrillators be increased above the 400 wsec limit. These recommendations are based largely on experimental studies in animals. We report a case of a man weighing 190.1 kg (418.2 lb), successfully resuscitated with a single 400 wsec shock after a prolonged episode of ventricular fibrillation. The observation in this patient as well as data derived from cardiovascular experience indicates that weight is not a significant factor in the successful outcome following defibrillation in adults. Many variables primarily related to the clinical condition of the heart influence the results of countershock. There are no valid studies at present to support the claim that high-energy defibrillators are necessary. In fact, implementation of such a recommendation is premature and possibly dangerous.", "contents": "Energy requirement for defibrillation of a markedly overweight patient. Recommendations have been made recently that the energy output of present-day defibrillators be increased above the 400 wsec limit. These recommendations are based largely on experimental studies in animals. We report a case of a man weighing 190.1 kg (418.2 lb), successfully resuscitated with a single 400 wsec shock after a prolonged episode of ventricular fibrillation. The observation in this patient as well as data derived from cardiovascular experience indicates that weight is not a significant factor in the successful outcome following defibrillation in adults. Many variables primarily related to the clinical condition of the heart influence the results of countershock. There are no valid studies at present to support the claim that high-energy defibrillators are necessary. In fact, implementation of such a recommendation is premature and possibly dangerous.", "PMID": 630694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8579", "title": "A comparison of serum electrolyte results by Technicon's Flame III and Flame IV AutoAnalyser system.", "content": "A comparison of Technicon's (Technicon, Tarrytown, N. Y., 10591) Flame III and Flame IV electrolyte Auto-Analyzer systems for the determination of Na+, K+, Cl- and CO2 in serum is described. Results from the Flame IV are determined over three periods of time and compared to those of the referee Flame III system. The Optional Digital Printer and Linearizer Modules are not used with the described system. The Flame IV AutoAnalyzer is calibrated with a multi-point calibration technique (aqueous reference standards) rather than the single-point calibration technique (albumin reference material) used by the AutoAnalyzer II. Results for the Flame IV are shown to be comparable with those for the Flame III.", "contents": "A comparison of serum electrolyte results by Technicon's Flame III and Flame IV AutoAnalyser system. A comparison of Technicon's (Technicon, Tarrytown, N. Y., 10591) Flame III and Flame IV electrolyte Auto-Analyzer systems for the determination of Na+, K+, Cl- and CO2 in serum is described. Results from the Flame IV are determined over three periods of time and compared to those of the referee Flame III system. The Optional Digital Printer and Linearizer Modules are not used with the described system. The Flame IV AutoAnalyzer is calibrated with a multi-point calibration technique (aqueous reference standards) rather than the single-point calibration technique (albumin reference material) used by the AutoAnalyzer II. Results for the Flame IV are shown to be comparable with those for the Flame III.", "PMID": 630697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8580", "title": "Application of curve regeneration to the determination of electrolytes by the Flame IV Auto-Analyser using a mini-computer.", "content": "Curve regeneration is applied to the continuous-flow determination of serum Na +, K +, Cl- and CO2 by the Flame photometer IV (Technicon Corp.). A Hewlett-Packard 2100 A mini-computer is used for data acquisition. The continuous-flow parameters of both rise and fall curves are estimated from computer sampled voltage outputs over the standard profile. An additional interaction correction variable designated as Beta (beta) is described and applied to the regenerated peaks of the cresol red CO2 procedure. The phenolphthlalein CO2 methodology, showing improved flow parameters over those for the cresol red procedure is adapted for the Flame IV system. The basic program design is briefly outlined. Typical computer determined calibration curves (linear regression) and sample peak tracings for both the basic and regenerated techniques are illustrated.", "contents": "Application of curve regeneration to the determination of electrolytes by the Flame IV Auto-Analyser using a mini-computer. Curve regeneration is applied to the continuous-flow determination of serum Na +, K +, Cl- and CO2 by the Flame photometer IV (Technicon Corp.). A Hewlett-Packard 2100 A mini-computer is used for data acquisition. The continuous-flow parameters of both rise and fall curves are estimated from computer sampled voltage outputs over the standard profile. An additional interaction correction variable designated as Beta (beta) is described and applied to the regenerated peaks of the cresol red CO2 procedure. The phenolphthlalein CO2 methodology, showing improved flow parameters over those for the cresol red procedure is adapted for the Flame IV system. The basic program design is briefly outlined. Typical computer determined calibration curves (linear regression) and sample peak tracings for both the basic and regenerated techniques are illustrated.", "PMID": 630698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8581", "title": "A comparison of serum electrolyte results by the Flame III Auto-Analyser and a Flame IV Auto-Analyser which utilises curve regeneration with a data acquisition system.", "content": "Results obtained with a Technicon Flame Photometer Model IV Auto-Analyzer, which utilizes curve regeneration in conjunction with a mini-computer for the continuous-flow determination of serum electrolytes, is presented. The system, featuring optimal flow conditions, subjects sample peaks to a mathematical treatment to effectively remove exponential deformation. The evaluation, undertaken after 2 months of operation in the routine clinical laboratory, utilizes the Flame Photometer Model III as the \"referee\" procedure. The comparison includes a statistical analysis of quality control reference material, simultaneously determined patient data and an evaluation of repeated patient data. The system gave comparable results to those obtained for the Flame Photometer Model III and provides the additional benefits of increased sample throughput, decreased reagent comsumption and sample interaction and gives reductions in the clerical tasks associated with the retrieval of data from Auto-Analyzer systems.", "contents": "A comparison of serum electrolyte results by the Flame III Auto-Analyser and a Flame IV Auto-Analyser which utilises curve regeneration with a data acquisition system. Results obtained with a Technicon Flame Photometer Model IV Auto-Analyzer, which utilizes curve regeneration in conjunction with a mini-computer for the continuous-flow determination of serum electrolytes, is presented. The system, featuring optimal flow conditions, subjects sample peaks to a mathematical treatment to effectively remove exponential deformation. The evaluation, undertaken after 2 months of operation in the routine clinical laboratory, utilizes the Flame Photometer Model III as the \"referee\" procedure. The comparison includes a statistical analysis of quality control reference material, simultaneously determined patient data and an evaluation of repeated patient data. The system gave comparable results to those obtained for the Flame Photometer Model III and provides the additional benefits of increased sample throughput, decreased reagent comsumption and sample interaction and gives reductions in the clerical tasks associated with the retrieval of data from Auto-Analyzer systems.", "PMID": 630699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8582", "title": "Performance evaluation of multi-channel analyzers by use of linearly-related survey specimens.", "content": "Sets of specimens having quantitative linear inter-relationships for 25 analytes were prepared and used in a small survey of results with multi-channel analyzers. Instrument calibration was evaluated by linear regression analysis of the analytical results, with calculation of the x- and y-intercepts and slopes. The average intercepts and slopes agreed quite well with those expected on the basis of specimen preparation, but the results from individual laboratories and from particular kinds of instruments demonstrated a variety of analytical biases. We conclude that performance of multi-channel analyzers can be evaluated effectively by such use of linearly related specimens in an inter-laboratory survey.", "contents": "Performance evaluation of multi-channel analyzers by use of linearly-related survey specimens. Sets of specimens having quantitative linear inter-relationships for 25 analytes were prepared and used in a small survey of results with multi-channel analyzers. Instrument calibration was evaluated by linear regression analysis of the analytical results, with calculation of the x- and y-intercepts and slopes. The average intercepts and slopes agreed quite well with those expected on the basis of specimen preparation, but the results from individual laboratories and from particular kinds of instruments demonstrated a variety of analytical biases. We conclude that performance of multi-channel analyzers can be evaluated effectively by such use of linearly related specimens in an inter-laboratory survey.", "PMID": 630701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8583", "title": "Radioimmunoassay for mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in unextracted plasma.", "content": "We report a radioimmunoassay for mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate that has been coupled to a protein carrier as a radioligand. Competitive interference tests with a variety of related compounds indicated the assay to be highly specific. Quantitative comparison of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate values in plasma and serum samples between the radioimmunoassay and gas chromatographic procedures indicated a high reliability. Because this potentially toxic compound can leach into plasma from polyvinyl plastics, this assay should be particularly useful for those involved in the manufacture or use of medical devices made of them.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay for mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in unextracted plasma. We report a radioimmunoassay for mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate that has been coupled to a protein carrier as a radioligand. Competitive interference tests with a variety of related compounds indicated the assay to be highly specific. Quantitative comparison of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate values in plasma and serum samples between the radioimmunoassay and gas chromatographic procedures indicated a high reliability. Because this potentially toxic compound can leach into plasma from polyvinyl plastics, this assay should be particularly useful for those involved in the manufacture or use of medical devices made of them.", "PMID": 630703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8584", "title": "An enzymatic assay for determining free and total cholesterol in tissue.", "content": "We describe a method for determining free and total cholesterol in extracts of rat-liver lipids by use of a cholesterol esterase/cholesterol oxidase enzymatic kit (Boehringer Mannheim Corp). The lipids are solubilized (as micelles) directly into the aqueous reagent mixture. Results of the enzymatic method correlate well with those obtained by an acid/ferric chloride assay of digitonin precipitates of the extracts. The enzymatic assay of free and total cholesterol in tissue offers advantages of simplicity over previously used methods.", "contents": "An enzymatic assay for determining free and total cholesterol in tissue. We describe a method for determining free and total cholesterol in extracts of rat-liver lipids by use of a cholesterol esterase/cholesterol oxidase enzymatic kit (Boehringer Mannheim Corp). The lipids are solubilized (as micelles) directly into the aqueous reagent mixture. Results of the enzymatic method correlate well with those obtained by an acid/ferric chloride assay of digitonin precipitates of the extracts. The enzymatic assay of free and total cholesterol in tissue offers advantages of simplicity over previously used methods.", "PMID": 630704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8585", "title": "Archival storage of clinical laboratory data.", "content": "This paper describes a data-base system for the maintenance of cumulative clinical data. A unique aspect of this data base is its ability dynamically to alter its two-level format to create an alternative three-level hierarchical structure in order to optimize retrieval efficiency. The relative advantages of these two types of data-base structures are discussed and examples of their use in clinical resrarch are presented.", "contents": "Archival storage of clinical laboratory data. This paper describes a data-base system for the maintenance of cumulative clinical data. A unique aspect of this data base is its ability dynamically to alter its two-level format to create an alternative three-level hierarchical structure in order to optimize retrieval efficiency. The relative advantages of these two types of data-base structures are discussed and examples of their use in clinical resrarch are presented.", "PMID": 630705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8586", "title": "Amperometric nonenzymatic determination of serum glucose by means of a nickel-catalyst electrode.", "content": "We describe a new, nonenzymatic method for determining serum glucose. This method is based upon the direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose by means of stable nickel-catalyst that is electrodeposited onto a lead dioxide electrode surface. Linear calibration plots are obtained for glucose in the 0.1 to 4500 mg/liter range. Values for 23 sera with glucose concentrations ranging from 300 to 4300 mg/liter showed a linear correlation coefficient of 0.996 when compared with values reported by a hospital laboratory using the hexokinase method. Typically a 25-microliter sample is used, but samples as small as 5 microliter have been successfully analyzed. The sample is added to 25.00 ml of pH 13 electrolyte containing 1 mmol of NiSO4 per liter; the amount of increase in anodic current comproses the analytical signal. For 20 repetitive analyses of a serum specimen, the CV was less than 4%. Ascorbic acid is rapidly decomposed in the electrolyte used and thus does not interfere. Uric acid is inactive at the concentrations present in serum samples. The sensitivity and simplicity of the new method suggest it as an alternative to currently available procedures.", "contents": "Amperometric nonenzymatic determination of serum glucose by means of a nickel-catalyst electrode. We describe a new, nonenzymatic method for determining serum glucose. This method is based upon the direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose by means of stable nickel-catalyst that is electrodeposited onto a lead dioxide electrode surface. Linear calibration plots are obtained for glucose in the 0.1 to 4500 mg/liter range. Values for 23 sera with glucose concentrations ranging from 300 to 4300 mg/liter showed a linear correlation coefficient of 0.996 when compared with values reported by a hospital laboratory using the hexokinase method. Typically a 25-microliter sample is used, but samples as small as 5 microliter have been successfully analyzed. The sample is added to 25.00 ml of pH 13 electrolyte containing 1 mmol of NiSO4 per liter; the amount of increase in anodic current comproses the analytical signal. For 20 repetitive analyses of a serum specimen, the CV was less than 4%. Ascorbic acid is rapidly decomposed in the electrolyte used and thus does not interfere. Uric acid is inactive at the concentrations present in serum samples. The sensitivity and simplicity of the new method suggest it as an alternative to currently available procedures.", "PMID": 630706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8587", "title": "A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for vitamin B12 in serum, with use of radioiodinated tyrosine methyl ester of vitamin B12.", "content": "Although radioassays for vitamin B12 with use of any of several binding proteins have been available for many years, a radioimmunoassay for B12 has not been reported. We describe here such a radioimmunoassay, incorporating, for the first time, a radioiodinated tyrosine methyl ester of B12 as the radioactive tracer. Polypropylene tubes are coated with antiserum raised in a rabbit against B12/bovine serum albumin to simplify the separation of bound and free radioactivity. Factors affecting the preparation of coated tubes are described. The assay is accurate, sensitive, precise, and specific for vitamin B12. Accuracy of the assay is unaffected by the presence of denatured protein. The advantages of this radioimmunoassay over conventional radioassays are discussed.", "contents": "A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for vitamin B12 in serum, with use of radioiodinated tyrosine methyl ester of vitamin B12. Although radioassays for vitamin B12 with use of any of several binding proteins have been available for many years, a radioimmunoassay for B12 has not been reported. We describe here such a radioimmunoassay, incorporating, for the first time, a radioiodinated tyrosine methyl ester of B12 as the radioactive tracer. Polypropylene tubes are coated with antiserum raised in a rabbit against B12/bovine serum albumin to simplify the separation of bound and free radioactivity. Factors affecting the preparation of coated tubes are described. The assay is accurate, sensitive, precise, and specific for vitamin B12. Accuracy of the assay is unaffected by the presence of denatured protein. The advantages of this radioimmunoassay over conventional radioassays are discussed.", "PMID": 630707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8588", "title": "Purification of human prostatic acid phosphatase by affinity chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Part I.", "content": "The main isoenzyme of human prostatic acid phosphatases was purified by affinity chromatography on L(+)-tartrate linked to agarose and by isoelectric focusing. The enzyme was a single protein when examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses, either as a native protein or in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The analytical recovery of enzyme activity was 19%. The specific activity was 40 18 mumol/(min X mg) for hydrolysis of 5.5 mmol/liter p-nitrophenyl phosphate at pH 4.8 and 37 degrees C. The purification factor was as great as 1900. The molecular weight of the enzyme as measured by gel filtration was 109 000 and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate 54 000, indicating that the enzyme had been isolated in the dimer form. By this method we have achieved the best purification of human prostatic acid phosphatase so far.", "contents": "Purification of human prostatic acid phosphatase by affinity chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Part I. The main isoenzyme of human prostatic acid phosphatases was purified by affinity chromatography on L(+)-tartrate linked to agarose and by isoelectric focusing. The enzyme was a single protein when examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses, either as a native protein or in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The analytical recovery of enzyme activity was 19%. The specific activity was 40 18 mumol/(min X mg) for hydrolysis of 5.5 mmol/liter p-nitrophenyl phosphate at pH 4.8 and 37 degrees C. The purification factor was as great as 1900. The molecular weight of the enzyme as measured by gel filtration was 109 000 and by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate 54 000, indicating that the enzyme had been isolated in the dimer form. By this method we have achieved the best purification of human prostatic acid phosphatase so far.", "PMID": 630708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8589", "title": "Flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of manganese in rat brain and other tissues.", "content": "I describe a method for determining manganese in biological tissues by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, It is simple to perform and does not require prior extraction with solvents. Small tissue samples are dried for 48 h at 110 degrees C and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid; the clear acid solution is introduced into the furnace and the sequential drying (120 degrees C, 20 s), charring (800 degrees C, 70 s), and atomization (2400 degrees C, 8 s) are automatically performed. The technique of standard additions was used ot overcome matrix effect. The detection limit is 0.86 X 10(-11) g of Mn. The CV is 4.7%. Only sodium and potassium interfere at 500-fold concentrations, and their interferences were overcome by using the Deuterium Arc Background Corrector.", "contents": "Flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of manganese in rat brain and other tissues. I describe a method for determining manganese in biological tissues by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, It is simple to perform and does not require prior extraction with solvents. Small tissue samples are dried for 48 h at 110 degrees C and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid; the clear acid solution is introduced into the furnace and the sequential drying (120 degrees C, 20 s), charring (800 degrees C, 70 s), and atomization (2400 degrees C, 8 s) are automatically performed. The technique of standard additions was used ot overcome matrix effect. The detection limit is 0.86 X 10(-11) g of Mn. The CV is 4.7%. Only sodium and potassium interfere at 500-fold concentrations, and their interferences were overcome by using the Deuterium Arc Background Corrector.", "PMID": 630709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8590", "title": "Improved column method for separating lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2.", "content": "Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes 1 and 2 in human serum were separated on a column of diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex. Samples layered on mini-columns were eluted with buffered sodium chloride (100, 150, and 200 mmol/liter). Lactate dehydrogenase activity in column effluents was measured by the Wacker method, and their isoenzyme content was evaluated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Results for column-fractionated LD-1 and LD-2 were expressed in two ways: LD-1/LD-2 ratios and total LD-1 + LD-2 activities. The former is a more specific indicator of myocardial infarction than the latter. Sera from 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction (increased creatine kinease isoenzyme MB activity) exhibited ratios in the range of 0.92 to 1.56, ratios for 10 patients without heart disease (normal creatine kinase MB) ranged from 0.33 to 0.69.", "contents": "Improved column method for separating lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes 1 and 2 in human serum were separated on a column of diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex. Samples layered on mini-columns were eluted with buffered sodium chloride (100, 150, and 200 mmol/liter). Lactate dehydrogenase activity in column effluents was measured by the Wacker method, and their isoenzyme content was evaluated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Results for column-fractionated LD-1 and LD-2 were expressed in two ways: LD-1/LD-2 ratios and total LD-1 + LD-2 activities. The former is a more specific indicator of myocardial infarction than the latter. Sera from 10 patients with acute myocardial infarction (increased creatine kinease isoenzyme MB activity) exhibited ratios in the range of 0.92 to 1.56, ratios for 10 patients without heart disease (normal creatine kinase MB) ranged from 0.33 to 0.69.", "PMID": 630710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8591", "title": "Quantitation of anticonvulsant drugs in serum by gas-chromatography on the stationary phase SP-2510.", "content": "A new column packing, SP-2510 DA (Supelco, Inc., Bellefonte, Pa. 16823), is an excellent stationary phase for the determination of a wide variety of anticonvulsant drugs by gas--liquid chromatography without derivatization. However, when uncomplicated extraction procedures are used, serum cholesterol interferes with the determination of primidone. By the simple expedient of adding a short \"pre-column\" containing another phase (SP-2250 DA) the problem is overcome.", "contents": "Quantitation of anticonvulsant drugs in serum by gas-chromatography on the stationary phase SP-2510. A new column packing, SP-2510 DA (Supelco, Inc., Bellefonte, Pa. 16823), is an excellent stationary phase for the determination of a wide variety of anticonvulsant drugs by gas--liquid chromatography without derivatization. However, when uncomplicated extraction procedures are used, serum cholesterol interferes with the determination of primidone. By the simple expedient of adding a short \"pre-column\" containing another phase (SP-2250 DA) the problem is overcome.", "PMID": 630711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8592", "title": "Preservation of acid phosphatase activity in medico-legal specimens.", "content": "Vaginal acid phosphatase has been preserved with a protective broth containing, per liter, 50 of bovine albumin, 0.2 g of sodium azide, 10 mmol of phosphate (pH 7.4), and 9.0 g of NaCl. Samples may be maintained at ambient temperature for one month without loss of activity. Several other commonly used preservative methods are compared and are shown to be inadequate. With a constant 2.5 ml volume of the support medium, and use of a sodium thymolphthalein monophosphate method (Worthington Diagnostics), vaginal acid phosphatase activity in non-coital women is less than 10 U/liter of broth, and in recently post-coital women is more than 50 U/liter (242 +/- 104 U/liter). In vivo degradation of vaginal activity follows a nearly logarithmic course until four days after intercourse, when it reaches nearly normal values.", "contents": "Preservation of acid phosphatase activity in medico-legal specimens. Vaginal acid phosphatase has been preserved with a protective broth containing, per liter, 50 of bovine albumin, 0.2 g of sodium azide, 10 mmol of phosphate (pH 7.4), and 9.0 g of NaCl. Samples may be maintained at ambient temperature for one month without loss of activity. Several other commonly used preservative methods are compared and are shown to be inadequate. With a constant 2.5 ml volume of the support medium, and use of a sodium thymolphthalein monophosphate method (Worthington Diagnostics), vaginal acid phosphatase activity in non-coital women is less than 10 U/liter of broth, and in recently post-coital women is more than 50 U/liter (242 +/- 104 U/liter). In vivo degradation of vaginal activity follows a nearly logarithmic course until four days after intercourse, when it reaches nearly normal values.", "PMID": 630712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8593", "title": "Evaluation of the Du Pont aca ammonia procedure.", "content": "We evaluated the determination of ammonia used in the Du Pont Automatic Clinical Analyzer (aca). Correlation studies were done with a manual method, based on the same enzymatic principles as the aca and with a method involving a cation-exchange resin, followed by the Berthelot color reaction. In either case, the results agreed well with the results found with the aca. For the aca the mean analytical recovery of ammonia in plasma samples was 104%. Within-run and day-to-day precision had coefficients of variation of 6% for normal values and 1 and 2% for above-normal values. The linearity, tested with primary standards and plasma samples, was good up to 1000 mumol of NH3 per liter.", "contents": "Evaluation of the Du Pont aca ammonia procedure. We evaluated the determination of ammonia used in the Du Pont Automatic Clinical Analyzer (aca). Correlation studies were done with a manual method, based on the same enzymatic principles as the aca and with a method involving a cation-exchange resin, followed by the Berthelot color reaction. In either case, the results agreed well with the results found with the aca. For the aca the mean analytical recovery of ammonia in plasma samples was 104%. Within-run and day-to-day precision had coefficients of variation of 6% for normal values and 1 and 2% for above-normal values. The linearity, tested with primary standards and plasma samples, was good up to 1000 mumol of NH3 per liter.", "PMID": 630713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8594", "title": "Natural fluorescence in serum of patients with chronic renal failure not to be confused with creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme.", "content": "We assessed the reported presence of creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure. Our study showed that the blood of these patients contains a fluorescent material with an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the BB isoenzyme on cellulose acetate strips. The fluorescing material is, however, completely distinct from BB isoenzyme and its nature is as yet undetermined.", "contents": "Natural fluorescence in serum of patients with chronic renal failure not to be confused with creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme. We assessed the reported presence of creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme in the serum of patients with chronic renal failure. Our study showed that the blood of these patients contains a fluorescent material with an electrophoretic mobility similar to that of the BB isoenzyme on cellulose acetate strips. The fluorescing material is, however, completely distinct from BB isoenzyme and its nature is as yet undetermined.", "PMID": 630714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8595", "title": "Spurious underestimation of results for digoxin radioimmunoassay with a commercial kit.", "content": "Estimates of digoxin in serum with a commercial redioimmunoassay kit (Schwarz/Mann) occasionally result in more counts in the patient's \"bound\" fraction than in the \"bound\" fraction for the zero standard. This phenomenon has been investigated in 26 serum samples obtained from patients who were ingesting known amounts of digoxin. The problem appears to relate to environmental differences in at least the zero standard and affects results when serum digoxin concentrations are less than 0.8 microgram/liter. Apparently dose estimates are more accurate with other methods or by calculating results after omitting the zero standard.", "contents": "Spurious underestimation of results for digoxin radioimmunoassay with a commercial kit. Estimates of digoxin in serum with a commercial redioimmunoassay kit (Schwarz/Mann) occasionally result in more counts in the patient's \"bound\" fraction than in the \"bound\" fraction for the zero standard. This phenomenon has been investigated in 26 serum samples obtained from patients who were ingesting known amounts of digoxin. The problem appears to relate to environmental differences in at least the zero standard and affects results when serum digoxin concentrations are less than 0.8 microgram/liter. Apparently dose estimates are more accurate with other methods or by calculating results after omitting the zero standard.", "PMID": 630715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8596", "title": "Some factors affecting the utility of bovine blood as a control material in lead-screening programs.", "content": "Bovine blood is used frequently as control material in interlaboratory comparisons for blood-lead analysis, but an erythrocyte protoporphyrin control material is needed. We present data on the rate of changes in blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin in steers fed lead acetate. We also show, by comparison of fluorescence spectra with those of known compounds, that most of the porphyrin in lead-burdened steers probably exists as free protoporphyrin IX along with some zinc-complexed protoporphyrin IX. Bovine blood is suitable as an erythrocyte protoporphyrin control material for laboratories using acid extraction procedures, but not for the proficiency testing of laboratories using hematofluorometers.", "contents": "Some factors affecting the utility of bovine blood as a control material in lead-screening programs. Bovine blood is used frequently as control material in interlaboratory comparisons for blood-lead analysis, but an erythrocyte protoporphyrin control material is needed. We present data on the rate of changes in blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin in steers fed lead acetate. We also show, by comparison of fluorescence spectra with those of known compounds, that most of the porphyrin in lead-burdened steers probably exists as free protoporphyrin IX along with some zinc-complexed protoporphyrin IX. Bovine blood is suitable as an erythrocyte protoporphyrin control material for laboratories using acid extraction procedures, but not for the proficiency testing of laboratories using hematofluorometers.", "PMID": 630716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8597", "title": "Toxicology test-ordering patterns in a large urban general hospital during five years: an update.", "content": "Analytical data from the clinical toxicology laboratory of a large urban hospital, the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center, are reported for the year 1976 and are compared to similar data previously documented for the year 1972. Drugs assayed, number of tests requested, and number of positive results are collated. Data on 58 assays show that the overwhelming majority of the requests continue to be for those tests that were originally classified as tests with 4-h turn-around time in the patient-focused concept for a clinical toxicology service in 1972. Total workload increased by 70%. The number of patients on whom some toxicologic assay was requested doubled in spite of a decrease in the number of patients admitted to the hospital during this five-year period. The data show that assays for some socially and clinically significant drugs--ethanol diazepam, tricyclics, and phencyclidine--increased disproportionally while others remained relatively constant, or even decreased.", "contents": "Toxicology test-ordering patterns in a large urban general hospital during five years: an update. Analytical data from the clinical toxicology laboratory of a large urban hospital, the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center, are reported for the year 1976 and are compared to similar data previously documented for the year 1972. Drugs assayed, number of tests requested, and number of positive results are collated. Data on 58 assays show that the overwhelming majority of the requests continue to be for those tests that were originally classified as tests with 4-h turn-around time in the patient-focused concept for a clinical toxicology service in 1972. Total workload increased by 70%. The number of patients on whom some toxicologic assay was requested doubled in spite of a decrease in the number of patients admitted to the hospital during this five-year period. The data show that assays for some socially and clinically significant drugs--ethanol diazepam, tricyclics, and phencyclidine--increased disproportionally while others remained relatively constant, or even decreased.", "PMID": 630717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8598", "title": "Return of ovarian function after abortion.", "content": "The first menstrual cycle after a therapeutic abortion was studied in eighteen women by measuring plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and the urinary excretion of LH until the first menstruation. The plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone declined rapidly, reaching low values as early as the second day after the abortion. An increase in plasma oestradiol levels was observed from the seventh post-abortal day onwards. P peak of short duration in the plasma progesterone concentrations occurred during the increased oestradiol synthesis. The concentration of progesterone during the luteal phase of the cycle was lower than in a normal cycle, indicating an inadequate luteal function. Return of ovulation was observed in 83% of patients during the first cycle; as judged by a biphasic oestradiol profile in plasma, a mid-cycle LH peak, and subsequent elevation of progesterone. The first LH peak was observed 16 days after the abortion. The rapid return of the ovulatory function makes immediate post-abortal contraception a necessity.", "contents": "Return of ovarian function after abortion. The first menstrual cycle after a therapeutic abortion was studied in eighteen women by measuring plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and the urinary excretion of LH until the first menstruation. The plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone declined rapidly, reaching low values as early as the second day after the abortion. An increase in plasma oestradiol levels was observed from the seventh post-abortal day onwards. P peak of short duration in the plasma progesterone concentrations occurred during the increased oestradiol synthesis. The concentration of progesterone during the luteal phase of the cycle was lower than in a normal cycle, indicating an inadequate luteal function. Return of ovulation was observed in 83% of patients during the first cycle; as judged by a biphasic oestradiol profile in plasma, a mid-cycle LH peak, and subsequent elevation of progesterone. The first LH peak was observed 16 days after the abortion. The rapid return of the ovulatory function makes immediate post-abortal contraception a necessity.", "PMID": 630723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8599", "title": "The effect of pain on plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations in man.", "content": "The effect of pain on plasma AVP concentration in man has previously been studied only during major surgery with general anaesthesia. Plasma AVP concentration (pAVP) and plasma osmolality (pOsm) were measured in thirty-six patients seen in a surgical emergency department complaining of pain and in fifty-one control subjects. No significant difference in pOsm was found, but pAVP was significantly higher in the emergency room patients in pain (M +/- SEM = 4.94 +/- 0.98 pmol/1 compared to 2.31 +/- 0.32 pmol/1 in control subjects, P less than 0.01). In the control subjects, age was found to have a low but significant inverse correlation with pAVP (r = 0.37, P less than 0.01). Chronic smoking was associated with significant elevation of pAVP (3.81 +/- 0.99 pmol/1 in smokers vs. 1.89 +/- 0.28 pmol/1 in non-smokers, P less than 0.02). Neither smoking nor age could account for the difference in pAVP between the pain and control groups. Thus, pain is a non-osmolar factor capable of elevating AVP in conscious man.", "contents": "The effect of pain on plasma arginine vasopressin concentrations in man. The effect of pain on plasma AVP concentration in man has previously been studied only during major surgery with general anaesthesia. Plasma AVP concentration (pAVP) and plasma osmolality (pOsm) were measured in thirty-six patients seen in a surgical emergency department complaining of pain and in fifty-one control subjects. No significant difference in pOsm was found, but pAVP was significantly higher in the emergency room patients in pain (M +/- SEM = 4.94 +/- 0.98 pmol/1 compared to 2.31 +/- 0.32 pmol/1 in control subjects, P less than 0.01). In the control subjects, age was found to have a low but significant inverse correlation with pAVP (r = 0.37, P less than 0.01). Chronic smoking was associated with significant elevation of pAVP (3.81 +/- 0.99 pmol/1 in smokers vs. 1.89 +/- 0.28 pmol/1 in non-smokers, P less than 0.02). Neither smoking nor age could account for the difference in pAVP between the pain and control groups. Thus, pain is a non-osmolar factor capable of elevating AVP in conscious man.", "PMID": 630725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8600", "title": "Oral essential amino acids in children on regular hemodialysis.", "content": "Plasma amino acids were measured by ion-exchange chromatography in 10 children on regular hemodialysis for renal failure before and after a 6 month period on an oral supplement of 8 essential amino acids. The supplement constituted 14.7 +/- 9.7 (1 SD) of the protein intake, the proportion varying inversely with protein intake, and mean energy and protein intakes which were normal for body size did not change significantly during the study. Before supplementation there were significant reductions compared to normal in the concentration of valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, histidine, tyrosine and serine, and elevations in glycine, proline and the methylhistidines. After supplementation methionine levels were abnormally high, isoleucine levels were in the lower range of normal and otherwise there were no significant changes. These modest changes suggest that supplemental essential amino acids in uremic children on adequate energy and protein intakes may not only be superfluour but may induce new imbalances which may themselves be harmful.", "contents": "Oral essential amino acids in children on regular hemodialysis. Plasma amino acids were measured by ion-exchange chromatography in 10 children on regular hemodialysis for renal failure before and after a 6 month period on an oral supplement of 8 essential amino acids. The supplement constituted 14.7 +/- 9.7 (1 SD) of the protein intake, the proportion varying inversely with protein intake, and mean energy and protein intakes which were normal for body size did not change significantly during the study. Before supplementation there were significant reductions compared to normal in the concentration of valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, histidine, tyrosine and serine, and elevations in glycine, proline and the methylhistidines. After supplementation methionine levels were abnormally high, isoleucine levels were in the lower range of normal and otherwise there were no significant changes. These modest changes suggest that supplemental essential amino acids in uremic children on adequate energy and protein intakes may not only be superfluour but may induce new imbalances which may themselves be harmful.", "PMID": 630739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8601", "title": "Activity of intraperitoneal heparin during peritoneal dialysis.", "content": "A pharmacokinetic study of intraperitoneal heparin was undertaken in eleven chronic renal failure patients as a guide for its therapeutic use in peritoneal dialysis. The intraperitoneal heparin was assayed as the activated-partial-thromboplastin time (A-PTT) of peritoneal aspirate or outflow dialyzate added to control plasma. This was noted to decay relatively slowly, the mean t 1/2 of heparin in the peritoneal cavity being 10.8 +/- 0.93 hr. The heparin cofactor antithrombin III determined by both immunological and functional methods was found to be present in low concentration in residual peritoneal fluid aspirated prior to commencing dialysis. Generally this was less than one-third of normal plasma values, and with the repeated dilution and outflow sequences of dialysis the cofactor concentrations rapidly fell to negligible levels that were incapable of activating any heparin present. Systemic blood coagulation was unaffected by single 10000 U doses of heparin administered intraperitoneally in that plasma A-PTT values were not lengthened when measured over the ensuing six hours.", "contents": "Activity of intraperitoneal heparin during peritoneal dialysis. A pharmacokinetic study of intraperitoneal heparin was undertaken in eleven chronic renal failure patients as a guide for its therapeutic use in peritoneal dialysis. The intraperitoneal heparin was assayed as the activated-partial-thromboplastin time (A-PTT) of peritoneal aspirate or outflow dialyzate added to control plasma. This was noted to decay relatively slowly, the mean t 1/2 of heparin in the peritoneal cavity being 10.8 +/- 0.93 hr. The heparin cofactor antithrombin III determined by both immunological and functional methods was found to be present in low concentration in residual peritoneal fluid aspirated prior to commencing dialysis. Generally this was less than one-third of normal plasma values, and with the repeated dilution and outflow sequences of dialysis the cofactor concentrations rapidly fell to negligible levels that were incapable of activating any heparin present. Systemic blood coagulation was unaffected by single 10000 U doses of heparin administered intraperitoneally in that plasma A-PTT values were not lengthened when measured over the ensuing six hours.", "PMID": 630740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8602", "title": "Clearance ratios of amylase and isoamylase to creatinine in renal disease.", "content": "Amylase to creatinine clearance ratios were measured in 66 patients with a variety of moderate and severe renal diseases including 10 patients with renal transplants, and in 13 healthy controls. Only in patients with severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine level above 660 micronmoles/1) were the amylase to creatinine ratios significantly raised. The ratios correlated neither with the type of renal disease, i.e. glomerular or tubulointerstitial, nor with the degree of proteinuria. Patients with renal transplants did not differ from other patients. Clearance ratios of pancreatic and salivary isoamylase to creatinine changed in parallel to that of total amylase. The results suggest that in severe renal failure the loss of nephrons results in decreased fractional reabsorption of amylase in the tubules.", "contents": "Clearance ratios of amylase and isoamylase to creatinine in renal disease. Amylase to creatinine clearance ratios were measured in 66 patients with a variety of moderate and severe renal diseases including 10 patients with renal transplants, and in 13 healthy controls. Only in patients with severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine level above 660 micronmoles/1) were the amylase to creatinine ratios significantly raised. The ratios correlated neither with the type of renal disease, i.e. glomerular or tubulointerstitial, nor with the degree of proteinuria. Patients with renal transplants did not differ from other patients. Clearance ratios of pancreatic and salivary isoamylase to creatinine changed in parallel to that of total amylase. The results suggest that in severe renal failure the loss of nephrons results in decreased fractional reabsorption of amylase in the tubules.", "PMID": 630741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8603", "title": "Malacoplakia of the kidney: apparent improvement following medical management.", "content": "Malacoplakia of the kidney is a rare histopathologic entity of unknown etiology. Patients may present with a renal mass or with urinary tract infection. The prognosis has been uniformly poor excepting in those patients with unilateral involvement treated by nephrectomy. A 31 year old woman presented with acute renal failure and pyelonephritis. Renal biopsy revealed an interstitial infiltrate of large histiocytic cells with intracytoplasmic PAS-positive granules and calcospherules, findings consistent with malacoplakia. Following antibiotic treatment and dialysis, the patient has had a gradual improvement in renal function.", "contents": "Malacoplakia of the kidney: apparent improvement following medical management. Malacoplakia of the kidney is a rare histopathologic entity of unknown etiology. Patients may present with a renal mass or with urinary tract infection. The prognosis has been uniformly poor excepting in those patients with unilateral involvement treated by nephrectomy. A 31 year old woman presented with acute renal failure and pyelonephritis. Renal biopsy revealed an interstitial infiltrate of large histiocytic cells with intracytoplasmic PAS-positive granules and calcospherules, findings consistent with malacoplakia. Following antibiotic treatment and dialysis, the patient has had a gradual improvement in renal function.", "PMID": 630742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8604", "title": "The effect of a low-protein diet on serum levels of ceruloplasmin and transferrin in patients with chronic renal failure.", "content": "In patients with chronic renal failure the administration of a diet providing 20 g protein per day for five weeks caused a significant rise in the serum ceruloplasmin level. A low dietary copper content (0.8 mg/day) may have been the limiting factor for any further rise of the ceruloplasmin level. The rise of ceruloplasmin was associated with a continuous decline of total iron binding capacity. The temporarily raised serum iron levels and the continuous decline of unsaturated iron binding capacity suggested enhanced iron mobilization caused by the raised ceruloplasmin level. The rise of ceruloplasmin correlated with the decline of UIBC.", "contents": "The effect of a low-protein diet on serum levels of ceruloplasmin and transferrin in patients with chronic renal failure. In patients with chronic renal failure the administration of a diet providing 20 g protein per day for five weeks caused a significant rise in the serum ceruloplasmin level. A low dietary copper content (0.8 mg/day) may have been the limiting factor for any further rise of the ceruloplasmin level. The rise of ceruloplasmin was associated with a continuous decline of total iron binding capacity. The temporarily raised serum iron levels and the continuous decline of unsaturated iron binding capacity suggested enhanced iron mobilization caused by the raised ceruloplasmin level. The rise of ceruloplasmin correlated with the decline of UIBC.", "PMID": 630743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8605", "title": "Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients.", "content": "Congestive heart failure following infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients has been uniformly fatal in patients treated with antibiotics alone. Thirteen patients on chronic hemodialysis have undergone replacement of the infected valve with an overall survival of 61%. The aortic valve was involved in 10 patients and Staphylococcus aureus the responsible organism in nine. Recurrent bacteremia occurred in two of the eight long-term survivors and was successfully treated with antibiotics in one patient and replacement of the prosthesis in the other. The surgical treatment of infective endocarditis in the hemodialysis patient is an acceptable mode of therapy and its application should not be hindered by reservations concerning operative feasibility or postoperative longevity. As in non-dialysis patients with infective endocarditis and congestive heart failure early operative intervention may substantially improve survival.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients. Congestive heart failure following infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients has been uniformly fatal in patients treated with antibiotics alone. Thirteen patients on chronic hemodialysis have undergone replacement of the infected valve with an overall survival of 61%. The aortic valve was involved in 10 patients and Staphylococcus aureus the responsible organism in nine. Recurrent bacteremia occurred in two of the eight long-term survivors and was successfully treated with antibiotics in one patient and replacement of the prosthesis in the other. The surgical treatment of infective endocarditis in the hemodialysis patient is an acceptable mode of therapy and its application should not be hindered by reservations concerning operative feasibility or postoperative longevity. As in non-dialysis patients with infective endocarditis and congestive heart failure early operative intervention may substantially improve survival.", "PMID": 630744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8606", "title": "Counseling in gynecologic practice: an overivew.", "content": "We live in a turbulant period with regard to interpersonal relationships. Individuals place great emphasis on their ability to form good relationships. It is a time of desiring and searching; desiring to be engaged in a rewarding relationship and searching for any principles which might promote such involvement. Obstetrician-gynecologists are involved because reproduction and sexuality are so basic to dyadic relationship. Few gynecologists have not pondered how they would accomodate new methods of contraception, sterilization, elective abortion, fathers involved in the birth process, and marital conseling. These areas of obstetrics and gynecology have been profoundly altered in what is occurring with respect to women and their dyadic relationships with men. Anyone practicing obstetrics and gynecology, whether specialist, primary care physician, or other professional, has a special role in a woman's life because he or she is there. We have an obligation to acknowledge and take advantage of this unique opportunity.", "contents": "Counseling in gynecologic practice: an overivew. We live in a turbulant period with regard to interpersonal relationships. Individuals place great emphasis on their ability to form good relationships. It is a time of desiring and searching; desiring to be engaged in a rewarding relationship and searching for any principles which might promote such involvement. Obstetrician-gynecologists are involved because reproduction and sexuality are so basic to dyadic relationship. Few gynecologists have not pondered how they would accomodate new methods of contraception, sterilization, elective abortion, fathers involved in the birth process, and marital conseling. These areas of obstetrics and gynecology have been profoundly altered in what is occurring with respect to women and their dyadic relationships with men. Anyone practicing obstetrics and gynecology, whether specialist, primary care physician, or other professional, has a special role in a woman's life because he or she is there. We have an obligation to acknowledge and take advantage of this unique opportunity.", "PMID": 630750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8607", "title": "History-taking in sex counseling.", "content": "A formula for obtaining a sexual history that has both diagnostic and therapeutic significance has been presented. By utilizing the relationship between effective stimulation of a sufficient quantity in a nuturing environment, the physician will be able to clarify what has either caused or is maintaining the sexual difficulty. It will be most beneficial if the physician explains the history-taking approach to the woman. In this way she can see how her answers relate to the problem and to the direction of treatment. A history-taking approach structured in this manner is most helpful to the physician and the woman.", "contents": "History-taking in sex counseling. A formula for obtaining a sexual history that has both diagnostic and therapeutic significance has been presented. By utilizing the relationship between effective stimulation of a sufficient quantity in a nuturing environment, the physician will be able to clarify what has either caused or is maintaining the sexual difficulty. It will be most beneficial if the physician explains the history-taking approach to the woman. In this way she can see how her answers relate to the problem and to the direction of treatment. A history-taking approach structured in this manner is most helpful to the physician and the woman.", "PMID": 630752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8608", "title": "Dyspareunia and vaginismus.", "content": "Dyspareunia and vaginismus are discussed to present information and a structural concept allowing the gynecologist to evaluate these conditions. The presence of subtle pelvic organic factors is frequently found in dyspareunic women referred for sex therapy by physicians. Thus a need for scrupulous evaluation, including laboratory work and other diagnostic tests, with close attention to the history of the patient is urged. In the remaining dyspareunic women and in those with vaginismus, a psychophysiologic conditioned response is present. Treatment approaches are discussed and the techniques of perineal muscle exercise and vaginal self-dilation are presented in detail. Used appropriately, these techniques produce a very high symptom elimination rate in these female sexual dysfunctions.", "contents": "Dyspareunia and vaginismus. Dyspareunia and vaginismus are discussed to present information and a structural concept allowing the gynecologist to evaluate these conditions. The presence of subtle pelvic organic factors is frequently found in dyspareunic women referred for sex therapy by physicians. Thus a need for scrupulous evaluation, including laboratory work and other diagnostic tests, with close attention to the history of the patient is urged. In the remaining dyspareunic women and in those with vaginismus, a psychophysiologic conditioned response is present. Treatment approaches are discussed and the techniques of perineal muscle exercise and vaginal self-dilation are presented in detail. Used appropriately, these techniques produce a very high symptom elimination rate in these female sexual dysfunctions.", "PMID": 630754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8609", "title": "Utility of combined 99mTc-phosphate and 67Ga imaging in diagnosis of septic arthritis.", "content": "A case of septic arthritis diagnosed by combined 99m Tc-phosphate and 67Ga imaging, which preceded positive cultures of the infecting organism, is presented. A previously healthy 10-year-old girl complained of pain in her left hip with persistent fever. Initial laboratory studies showed a normal white cell count and negative blood cultures. A septic process was not confirmed. Blood flow studies and bone images with 99mTc-phosphate showed markedly increased perfusion in the left hip joint without extension to bone. Subsequent 67Ga images revealed a marked increase in radioactivity in the same region, indicating the presence of a septic process. Serial blood cultures and arthrocentesis showed Staphylococcus aureus. The patient improved on antibiotics.", "contents": "Utility of combined 99mTc-phosphate and 67Ga imaging in diagnosis of septic arthritis. A case of septic arthritis diagnosed by combined 99m Tc-phosphate and 67Ga imaging, which preceded positive cultures of the infecting organism, is presented. A previously healthy 10-year-old girl complained of pain in her left hip with persistent fever. Initial laboratory studies showed a normal white cell count and negative blood cultures. A septic process was not confirmed. Blood flow studies and bone images with 99mTc-phosphate showed markedly increased perfusion in the left hip joint without extension to bone. Subsequent 67Ga images revealed a marked increase in radioactivity in the same region, indicating the presence of a septic process. Serial blood cultures and arthrocentesis showed Staphylococcus aureus. The patient improved on antibiotics.", "PMID": 630766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8610", "title": "Causes and temporal sequence of onset of functional asplenia in adults.", "content": "To determine the causes and time course of onset of functional asplenia in adults, a four-part investigation was conducted. This consisted of a review of the world's literature, a survey of colleagues, a detailed study of 4,476 consecutive liver-spleen scans in three hospitals, and continued monitoring of 3,500 scans in five hospitals. Based on the findings, a classification was proposed of the causes of functional asplenia. The two major etiologies were circulatory disturbances and effects directly on splenic reticuloendothelial cells. The time course varied from the essentially instantaneous onset of functional asplenia in patients with acute splenic artery obstruction, to a prolonged and gradual onset in those with chronic damage to splenic reticuloendothelial cells. Functional asplenia was found in 0.14% of the adults who had liver-spleen scans for other indications.", "contents": "Causes and temporal sequence of onset of functional asplenia in adults. To determine the causes and time course of onset of functional asplenia in adults, a four-part investigation was conducted. This consisted of a review of the world's literature, a survey of colleagues, a detailed study of 4,476 consecutive liver-spleen scans in three hospitals, and continued monitoring of 3,500 scans in five hospitals. Based on the findings, a classification was proposed of the causes of functional asplenia. The two major etiologies were circulatory disturbances and effects directly on splenic reticuloendothelial cells. The time course varied from the essentially instantaneous onset of functional asplenia in patients with acute splenic artery obstruction, to a prolonged and gradual onset in those with chronic damage to splenic reticuloendothelial cells. Functional asplenia was found in 0.14% of the adults who had liver-spleen scans for other indications.", "PMID": 630767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8611", "title": "Giant lymph node hyperplasia resembling abdominal abscess on gallium scan.", "content": "A case of giant lymph node hyperplasia with systemic symptoms resembling chronic infection is described which showed intense gallium uptake indistinguishable from uptake seen in an abscess. This rare syndrome may mimic an abdominal abscess and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients without prior history of abdominal surgery and in whom an abdominal abscess is suspected. The condition is relatively benign.", "contents": "Giant lymph node hyperplasia resembling abdominal abscess on gallium scan. A case of giant lymph node hyperplasia with systemic symptoms resembling chronic infection is described which showed intense gallium uptake indistinguishable from uptake seen in an abscess. This rare syndrome may mimic an abdominal abscess and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients without prior history of abdominal surgery and in whom an abdominal abscess is suspected. The condition is relatively benign.", "PMID": 630768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8612", "title": "Localization of metastatic adrenal carcinoma utilizing 67Ga-citrate.", "content": "Soft tissue metastases from left adrenal cortical carcinoma in a 30-year-old white man were localized on a gallium scintigram six weeks following left adrenalectomy.", "contents": "Localization of metastatic adrenal carcinoma utilizing 67Ga-citrate. Soft tissue metastases from left adrenal cortical carcinoma in a 30-year-old white man were localized on a gallium scintigram six weeks following left adrenalectomy.", "PMID": 630769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8613", "title": "Pseudo-Budd-Chiari syndrome.", "content": "A patient with clinical, laboratory, radiographic and scintigraphic findings resembling the Budd-Chiari syndrome is described. However, at autopsy there was no thrombotic occlusion of any of the intrahepatic veins. The right hepatic vein was completely constricted by the hypertrophied left lobe of the liver, and the left hepatic vein was narrowed. We have referred to this clinical entity as the pseudo-Budd-Chiari syndrome. It represents a potentially treatable form of the Budd-Chiari syndrome.", "contents": "Pseudo-Budd-Chiari syndrome. A patient with clinical, laboratory, radiographic and scintigraphic findings resembling the Budd-Chiari syndrome is described. However, at autopsy there was no thrombotic occlusion of any of the intrahepatic veins. The right hepatic vein was completely constricted by the hypertrophied left lobe of the liver, and the left hepatic vein was narrowed. We have referred to this clinical entity as the pseudo-Budd-Chiari syndrome. It represents a potentially treatable form of the Budd-Chiari syndrome.", "PMID": 630770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8614", "title": "A dural calcification presenting as a solitary lesion on radionuclide bone scan.", "content": "Y.S. is an 80-year-old white woman with metastatic adenocarcinoma. A bone scintisurvey demonstrated a solitary lesion in the right frontal calvarium. Skull x-rays revealed it to be a dural calcification.", "contents": "A dural calcification presenting as a solitary lesion on radionuclide bone scan. Y.S. is an 80-year-old white woman with metastatic adenocarcinoma. A bone scintisurvey demonstrated a solitary lesion in the right frontal calvarium. Skull x-rays revealed it to be a dural calcification.", "PMID": 630771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8615", "title": "Radionuclide imaging of Meckel's diverticulum in children.", "content": "Fifty-eight children were studied for the presence of Meckel's diverticulum by scintigraphy with 99mTc-pertechnetate. Meckel's diverticulum was found at surgery in 6 of 6 patients with positive radionuclide studies and in 2 of 48 patients with negative studies. Four studies could not be interpreted because of widespread intestinal activity. Using the criteria described in this paper, false-positive readings did not occur.", "contents": "Radionuclide imaging of Meckel's diverticulum in children. Fifty-eight children were studied for the presence of Meckel's diverticulum by scintigraphy with 99mTc-pertechnetate. Meckel's diverticulum was found at surgery in 6 of 6 patients with positive radionuclide studies and in 2 of 48 patients with negative studies. Four studies could not be interpreted because of widespread intestinal activity. Using the criteria described in this paper, false-positive readings did not occur.", "PMID": 630773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8616", "title": "A review of carotid cavernous fistula including diagnosis and evaluation by nuclear medicine angiography.", "content": "The various causes and differential diagnosis of carotid cavernous fistula are discussed as well as the description of the use of radionuclide angiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas. Radionuclide angiography has proven extremely useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas. The procedure is of maximum benefit in situations where repeat studies are required at frequent intervals. Five cases are described in which the nuclear medicine technique was instrumental in primary diagnosis and follow-up.", "contents": "A review of carotid cavernous fistula including diagnosis and evaluation by nuclear medicine angiography. The various causes and differential diagnosis of carotid cavernous fistula are discussed as well as the description of the use of radionuclide angiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas. Radionuclide angiography has proven extremely useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas. The procedure is of maximum benefit in situations where repeat studies are required at frequent intervals. Five cases are described in which the nuclear medicine technique was instrumental in primary diagnosis and follow-up.", "PMID": 630774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8617", "title": "Bacteremia in 28 ambulatory children: relationship to pneumonitis and meningitis.", "content": "Bacteremia with known pathogens was documented in 28 acutely ill, febrile outpatients during a 29-month period. All of the children were previously healthy and were initially managed as outpatients. Eight patients presented with no identifiable focus of infection. Twenty patients had either otitis media or pneumonitis. An association between otitis media and bacteremia with H. influenzae type b was noted in 5 patients. Bacterial meningitis occurred subsequently in 7 patients (25%); 1 death occurred in this group. The blood culture, as an outpatient procedure, was helpful in establishing a bacterial etiology in selected children with either high fever (with or without otitis media), febrile seizures, or pneumonia. In addition, the positive blood culture was a vital aid in identifying the young child at risk for meningitis.", "contents": "Bacteremia in 28 ambulatory children: relationship to pneumonitis and meningitis. Bacteremia with known pathogens was documented in 28 acutely ill, febrile outpatients during a 29-month period. All of the children were previously healthy and were initially managed as outpatients. Eight patients presented with no identifiable focus of infection. Twenty patients had either otitis media or pneumonitis. An association between otitis media and bacteremia with H. influenzae type b was noted in 5 patients. Bacterial meningitis occurred subsequently in 7 patients (25%); 1 death occurred in this group. The blood culture, as an outpatient procedure, was helpful in establishing a bacterial etiology in selected children with either high fever (with or without otitis media), febrile seizures, or pneumonia. In addition, the positive blood culture was a vital aid in identifying the young child at risk for meningitis.", "PMID": 630776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8618", "title": "Recurrent abdominal pain in children: a retrospective survey of 119 patients.", "content": "The clinical pattern of 119 children with recurrent abdominal pain, located most commonly in the periumbilical region, revealed no distinct features. The most common associated symptoms were pallor, tiredness and anorexia. The most important socioenvironmental and behavioral factors were marital turmoil in 44%, school activity in 32%, and perfectionism in 30%. Laboratory and radiologic and fiberoptic endoscopic studies were uniformly unremarkable. Counseling on a continuing basis helped 105 of these children.", "contents": "Recurrent abdominal pain in children: a retrospective survey of 119 patients. The clinical pattern of 119 children with recurrent abdominal pain, located most commonly in the periumbilical region, revealed no distinct features. The most common associated symptoms were pallor, tiredness and anorexia. The most important socioenvironmental and behavioral factors were marital turmoil in 44%, school activity in 32%, and perfectionism in 30%. Laboratory and radiologic and fiberoptic endoscopic studies were uniformly unremarkable. Counseling on a continuing basis helped 105 of these children.", "PMID": 630781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8619", "title": "Appraising children for mental retardation: the usefulness and limitations of IQ testing.", "content": "As a result of their unique relationship with families, pediatricians are often faced with the difficult task of counseling the parents of a mentally retarded child. For this reason it is important that he understand the nature of the tools used to evaluate the retarded. Since the IQ test is still the most commonly used tool to assess presence or absence of retardation, this paper has briefly reviewed the concepts of intelligence, the IQ, and their interrelationships and their usefulness when evaluating the mentally retarded child.", "contents": "Appraising children for mental retardation: the usefulness and limitations of IQ testing. As a result of their unique relationship with families, pediatricians are often faced with the difficult task of counseling the parents of a mentally retarded child. For this reason it is important that he understand the nature of the tools used to evaluate the retarded. Since the IQ test is still the most commonly used tool to assess presence or absence of retardation, this paper has briefly reviewed the concepts of intelligence, the IQ, and their interrelationships and their usefulness when evaluating the mentally retarded child.", "PMID": 630783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8620", "title": "Relationship between diazepam dose, plasma level, age, and central nervous system depression.", "content": "Patients undergoing elective cardioversion for treatment of arrhythmias were premedicated with diazepam. The dose was individualized to achieve a degree of central nervous system CNS) depression characterized by response to painful but not vocal stimulation. Promptly following each cardioversion, blood was drawn and the plasma diazepam concentration was measured by gas chromatography. The plasma levels varied as widely as the diazepam doses so that there was no fixed plasma level of diazepam associated with the degree of CNS depression produced in these patients. However, both the dose of diazepam and the resulting plasma level were inversely correlated to age, indicating that age is a critical factor in the use of diazepam for cardioversion premedication; elderly are more sensitive to the depressant effects of this drug than the young.", "contents": "Relationship between diazepam dose, plasma level, age, and central nervous system depression. Patients undergoing elective cardioversion for treatment of arrhythmias were premedicated with diazepam. The dose was individualized to achieve a degree of central nervous system CNS) depression characterized by response to painful but not vocal stimulation. Promptly following each cardioversion, blood was drawn and the plasma diazepam concentration was measured by gas chromatography. The plasma levels varied as widely as the diazepam doses so that there was no fixed plasma level of diazepam associated with the degree of CNS depression produced in these patients. However, both the dose of diazepam and the resulting plasma level were inversely correlated to age, indicating that age is a critical factor in the use of diazepam for cardioversion premedication; elderly are more sensitive to the depressant effects of this drug than the young.", "PMID": 630787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8621", "title": "Failure of hydrocortisone to alter acutely antipyrine disposition.", "content": "The disposition of intravenously administered antipyrine in single doses of 40 mg/kg was studied in 3 dogs at 7:00 A.M. and 3 wk later at 7:00 P.M. Our purpose was to determine whether hydrocortisone differentially affected antipyrine disposition according to a circadian pattern. After each intravenous dose of antipyrine, saline was infused for 3 hr followed by intravenous hydrocortisone (2 mg/15 kg loading dose; 2 mg/15 mg/hr infusion for 3 hr). This regimen of hydrocortisone failed at either 7:00 A.M. or 7:00 P.M. to alter acutely antipyrine decay curves. Furthermore, in 4 normal male volunteers, no inflection in the salivary antipyrine decay curve occurred when hydrocortisone was injected 8 hr after antipyrine. In the human volunteers an intravenous injection of 3 mg was followed immediately by an additional 6 hr of continuous hydrocortisone infusion at 3 mg/hr. These experiments show that hydrocortisone alters the pharmacokinetics of previously administered antipyrine in neither dogs nor man.", "contents": "Failure of hydrocortisone to alter acutely antipyrine disposition. The disposition of intravenously administered antipyrine in single doses of 40 mg/kg was studied in 3 dogs at 7:00 A.M. and 3 wk later at 7:00 P.M. Our purpose was to determine whether hydrocortisone differentially affected antipyrine disposition according to a circadian pattern. After each intravenous dose of antipyrine, saline was infused for 3 hr followed by intravenous hydrocortisone (2 mg/15 kg loading dose; 2 mg/15 mg/hr infusion for 3 hr). This regimen of hydrocortisone failed at either 7:00 A.M. or 7:00 P.M. to alter acutely antipyrine decay curves. Furthermore, in 4 normal male volunteers, no inflection in the salivary antipyrine decay curve occurred when hydrocortisone was injected 8 hr after antipyrine. In the human volunteers an intravenous injection of 3 mg was followed immediately by an additional 6 hr of continuous hydrocortisone infusion at 3 mg/hr. These experiments show that hydrocortisone alters the pharmacokinetics of previously administered antipyrine in neither dogs nor man.", "PMID": 630788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8622", "title": "Rise in serum and urine creatinine after phenacemide.", "content": "Three patients under treatment with phenacemide for uncontrollable psychomotor epilepsy were found to have greatly increased serum creatinine levels in the absence of elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values or any other evidence of renal disease. Serum creatinine returned promptly to normal after omission of the phenacemide and rose quickly again on resumption. Experiments in rabbits and rats fully reproduced these clinical observations. In vivo and in vitro studies with the drug and its metabolites excluded these as a cause for a spurious analytical finding. Rabbits given phenacemide have a fall in serum and urine creatine, while the corresponding creatine values rise. With the use of a creatininase degradation procedure, it could be proved that the markedly elevated serum level and the increased excretion consist of the creatinine and not of any other substance. An effect of phenacemide on the conversion rate of creatinine to creatinine in the body is a speculative possibility.", "contents": "Rise in serum and urine creatinine after phenacemide. Three patients under treatment with phenacemide for uncontrollable psychomotor epilepsy were found to have greatly increased serum creatinine levels in the absence of elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values or any other evidence of renal disease. Serum creatinine returned promptly to normal after omission of the phenacemide and rose quickly again on resumption. Experiments in rabbits and rats fully reproduced these clinical observations. In vivo and in vitro studies with the drug and its metabolites excluded these as a cause for a spurious analytical finding. Rabbits given phenacemide have a fall in serum and urine creatine, while the corresponding creatine values rise. With the use of a creatininase degradation procedure, it could be proved that the markedly elevated serum level and the increased excretion consist of the creatinine and not of any other substance. An effect of phenacemide on the conversion rate of creatinine to creatinine in the body is a speculative possibility.", "PMID": 630790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8623", "title": "Theophylline disposition in obesity.", "content": "Theophylline disposition was examined in 14 obese subjects and 57 normal subjects. A single oral dose of aminophylline solution was given and serum and saliva samples were collected over several hours and assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and body clearance (ClB) were analyzed for total body weight (TBW) and ideal body weight (IBW). The Vd averaged 0.482 (SD = 0.084) L/kg TBW in normals vs 0.382 (0.069) L/kg TBW and 0.77 (0.189) L/kg IBW in obese subjects. The ClB averaged 63.0 (28.5) ml/hr/kg IBW in normals compared to 32.8 (11.1) ml/hr/kg TBW and 64.1 (20.8) ml/hr/kg IBW in obese subjects. Similar Vd values between the two groups when TBW is used indicates that loading dose is best calculated based on TBW. Similar ClB based on IBW in normal and obese subjects indicates that IBW should be used to calculate maintenance doses for theophylline. Mean half-lives were longer in obese subjects than in normals, 8.6 (2.0) and 6.0 (2.1) hr, respectively, suggesting that obese patients may need less frequent dosing.", "contents": "Theophylline disposition in obesity. Theophylline disposition was examined in 14 obese subjects and 57 normal subjects. A single oral dose of aminophylline solution was given and serum and saliva samples were collected over several hours and assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and body clearance (ClB) were analyzed for total body weight (TBW) and ideal body weight (IBW). The Vd averaged 0.482 (SD = 0.084) L/kg TBW in normals vs 0.382 (0.069) L/kg TBW and 0.77 (0.189) L/kg IBW in obese subjects. The ClB averaged 63.0 (28.5) ml/hr/kg IBW in normals compared to 32.8 (11.1) ml/hr/kg TBW and 64.1 (20.8) ml/hr/kg IBW in obese subjects. Similar Vd values between the two groups when TBW is used indicates that loading dose is best calculated based on TBW. Similar ClB based on IBW in normal and obese subjects indicates that IBW should be used to calculate maintenance doses for theophylline. Mean half-lives were longer in obese subjects than in normals, 8.6 (2.0) and 6.0 (2.1) hr, respectively, suggesting that obese patients may need less frequent dosing.", "PMID": 630791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8624", "title": "Effect of charcoal-broiled beef on antipyrine and theophylline metabolism.", "content": "Eight healthy volunteers were sequentially fed a control diet, a charcoal-broiled beef--containing diet, and the control diet a second time. The mean plasma half-lives (t1/2) of antipyrine and theophylline were each decreased by 22% after the subjects were fed the charcoal-broiled beed--containing diet. The main plasma t1/2s for these drugs returned to control values when the subjects were fed the control diet for a second time. Considerable individuality occurred in the responsiveness of the subjects to the charcoal-broiled beef--containing diet. The decreases in antipyrine plasma t1/2s among the 8 subjects ranged from 5% to 39%, and the decreases in theophylling t1/2s ranged from 0% to 42%.", "contents": "Effect of charcoal-broiled beef on antipyrine and theophylline metabolism. Eight healthy volunteers were sequentially fed a control diet, a charcoal-broiled beef--containing diet, and the control diet a second time. The mean plasma half-lives (t1/2) of antipyrine and theophylline were each decreased by 22% after the subjects were fed the charcoal-broiled beed--containing diet. The main plasma t1/2s for these drugs returned to control values when the subjects were fed the control diet for a second time. Considerable individuality occurred in the responsiveness of the subjects to the charcoal-broiled beef--containing diet. The decreases in antipyrine plasma t1/2s among the 8 subjects ranged from 5% to 39%, and the decreases in theophylling t1/2s ranged from 0% to 42%.", "PMID": 630792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8625", "title": "Effect of lithium on plasma chlorpromazine levels.", "content": "The interaction of lithium and chlorpromazine (CPZ) was studied in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. Each subject ingested two doses of CPZ (100 mg) as the liquid concentrate: (1) without concurrent lithium therapy and (2) after a 7-day treatment with lithium carbonate (900 mg/day). When CPZ was administered with lithium, peak plasma CPZ levels were 40.3% (mean) lower than those without lithium (p = 0.006), and the area under the CPZ plasma concentration time curve was 26.6% smaller (p = 0.08). The time to reach peak plasma CPZ levels was similar in both groups. All subjects slept for 4 to 6 hr after oral CPZ and had a maximum fall in both systolic (8 to 32 mg Hg) and diastolic (5 to 23 mg Hg) blood pressure at the time of peak plasma CPZ concentration. This lithium-CPZ interaction may explain the low plasma CPZ levels reported previously in psychiatric patients taking both lithium and CPZ.", "contents": "Effect of lithium on plasma chlorpromazine levels. The interaction of lithium and chlorpromazine (CPZ) was studied in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. Each subject ingested two doses of CPZ (100 mg) as the liquid concentrate: (1) without concurrent lithium therapy and (2) after a 7-day treatment with lithium carbonate (900 mg/day). When CPZ was administered with lithium, peak plasma CPZ levels were 40.3% (mean) lower than those without lithium (p = 0.006), and the area under the CPZ plasma concentration time curve was 26.6% smaller (p = 0.08). The time to reach peak plasma CPZ levels was similar in both groups. All subjects slept for 4 to 6 hr after oral CPZ and had a maximum fall in both systolic (8 to 32 mg Hg) and diastolic (5 to 23 mg Hg) blood pressure at the time of peak plasma CPZ concentration. This lithium-CPZ interaction may explain the low plasma CPZ levels reported previously in psychiatric patients taking both lithium and CPZ.", "PMID": 630793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8626", "title": "Ticrynafen, a uricosuric antihypertensive diuretic.", "content": "Ticrynafen, a diuretic-uricosuric also effective as an antihypertensive, was compared in single doses with several other diuretics. Over an 8-hr period, a 250- mg dose exerted natriuretic activity comparable to that of 25 mg of chlorthalidone and 50 mg of ethacrynic acid; a 500-mg dose was comparable to 50 mg chlorthalidone and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide. Ticrynafen combined with furosemide had an additive effect, whereas a combination with hydrochlorothiazide was not additive. In both doses ticrynafen was a uricosuric and this effect was maintained when given with furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, both of which individually were slightly antiuricosuric. Ticrynafen may be useful in patients requiring a diuretic in whom it is desirable to avoid hyperuricemia.", "contents": "Ticrynafen, a uricosuric antihypertensive diuretic. Ticrynafen, a diuretic-uricosuric also effective as an antihypertensive, was compared in single doses with several other diuretics. Over an 8-hr period, a 250- mg dose exerted natriuretic activity comparable to that of 25 mg of chlorthalidone and 50 mg of ethacrynic acid; a 500-mg dose was comparable to 50 mg chlorthalidone and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide. Ticrynafen combined with furosemide had an additive effect, whereas a combination with hydrochlorothiazide was not additive. In both doses ticrynafen was a uricosuric and this effect was maintained when given with furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, both of which individually were slightly antiuricosuric. Ticrynafen may be useful in patients requiring a diuretic in whom it is desirable to avoid hyperuricemia.", "PMID": 630794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8627", "title": "Tetracycline absorption in elderly patients with achlorhydria.", "content": "Five elderly achlorhydric patients and five controls took 250 mg tetracycline as a capsule or as an oral solution. Venous blood samples drawn during the 12-hr period following administration and urine collected for 72 hr post-dosing were assayed fluorometrically for tetracycline. There were no differences between the two groups in either rate or extent of tetracycline absorption. The mean apparent first-order rate constant (ka) for absorption of drug from capsules was 0.58 +/- 0.17 hr-1 for patients and 0.65 +/- 0.21 hr-1 for controls. The mean extent of absorption for capsule dosage forms relative to an oral solution was 1.0 +/- 0.20 for patients and 1.0 +/- 0.24 for controls. Concurrent administration of 2 gm of sodium bicarbonate to 2 of the normal subjects resulted in no impairment of either the rate or extent of tetracycline absorption from capsules, suggesting that the effect of elevated gastric pH on tetracycline bioavailability may relate to formulation.", "contents": "Tetracycline absorption in elderly patients with achlorhydria. Five elderly achlorhydric patients and five controls took 250 mg tetracycline as a capsule or as an oral solution. Venous blood samples drawn during the 12-hr period following administration and urine collected for 72 hr post-dosing were assayed fluorometrically for tetracycline. There were no differences between the two groups in either rate or extent of tetracycline absorption. The mean apparent first-order rate constant (ka) for absorption of drug from capsules was 0.58 +/- 0.17 hr-1 for patients and 0.65 +/- 0.21 hr-1 for controls. The mean extent of absorption for capsule dosage forms relative to an oral solution was 1.0 +/- 0.20 for patients and 1.0 +/- 0.24 for controls. Concurrent administration of 2 gm of sodium bicarbonate to 2 of the normal subjects resulted in no impairment of either the rate or extent of tetracycline absorption from capsules, suggesting that the effect of elevated gastric pH on tetracycline bioavailability may relate to formulation.", "PMID": 630795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8628", "title": "Cefamandole kinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass.", "content": "The kinetics of cefamandole during cardiac surgery was studied in 16 adult patients given a single intravenous infusion of 20 mg/kg at the time of anesthesia induction. Five normal volunteers who received the same dose served as controls. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was found to signficantly increase the half-life (t 1/2) of cefamandole. The mean t 1/2 during CPB (113.2 min) was longer than the terminal t 1/2 in normal volunteers (52.0 min; p less than 0.005). Throughout CPB (maximum, 3,7 hr), cefamandole plasma levels were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for those organisms most likely to cause postoperative infections. We conclude that if 20 mg/kg of cefamandole is given within an hour of the beginning of cardiovascular surgery, a supplemental dose is not needed until the patient has been on CPB for at least four hours.", "contents": "Cefamandole kinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass. The kinetics of cefamandole during cardiac surgery was studied in 16 adult patients given a single intravenous infusion of 20 mg/kg at the time of anesthesia induction. Five normal volunteers who received the same dose served as controls. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was found to signficantly increase the half-life (t 1/2) of cefamandole. The mean t 1/2 during CPB (113.2 min) was longer than the terminal t 1/2 in normal volunteers (52.0 min; p less than 0.005). Throughout CPB (maximum, 3,7 hr), cefamandole plasma levels were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for those organisms most likely to cause postoperative infections. We conclude that if 20 mg/kg of cefamandole is given within an hour of the beginning of cardiovascular surgery, a supplemental dose is not needed until the patient has been on CPB for at least four hours.", "PMID": 630796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8629", "title": "The role of sodium depletion in hydrochlorothiazide-induced antidiuresis in Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus.", "content": "1. The mechanism of the antidiuretic effect of hydrochlorothiazide in diabetes insipidus was studied in anaesthetized Brattleboro rats with the hereditary hypothalamic form of the disease. 2. The antidiuresis caused by acute administration of hydrochlorothiazide followed an increase in sodium excretion and was associated with a significant fall in the plasma sodium concentration. There were concomitant falls in effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. 3. When sodium depletion was prevented by adjusting the infusion of sodium chloride, the falls in plasma sodium concentration, effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were abolished. Under these circumstances there was an increase in urine volume, which suggests that hydrochlorothiazide may inhibit fractional fluid reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule. 4. The results indicate that the antidiuresis caused by hydrochlorothiazide in diabetes insipidus results, at least in part, from falls in effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These in turn seem to be entirely secondary to the drug-induced sodium depletion.", "contents": "The role of sodium depletion in hydrochlorothiazide-induced antidiuresis in Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus. 1. The mechanism of the antidiuretic effect of hydrochlorothiazide in diabetes insipidus was studied in anaesthetized Brattleboro rats with the hereditary hypothalamic form of the disease. 2. The antidiuresis caused by acute administration of hydrochlorothiazide followed an increase in sodium excretion and was associated with a significant fall in the plasma sodium concentration. There were concomitant falls in effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. 3. When sodium depletion was prevented by adjusting the infusion of sodium chloride, the falls in plasma sodium concentration, effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were abolished. Under these circumstances there was an increase in urine volume, which suggests that hydrochlorothiazide may inhibit fractional fluid reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule. 4. The results indicate that the antidiuresis caused by hydrochlorothiazide in diabetes insipidus results, at least in part, from falls in effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These in turn seem to be entirely secondary to the drug-induced sodium depletion.", "PMID": 630797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8630", "title": "The degradation of human glomerular basement membrane with purified lysosomal proteinases: evidence for the pathogenic role of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte in glomerulonephritis.", "content": "1. Human polymorphonuclear leucocyte elastase and cathepsin G were incubated with preparations of isolated human glomerular basement membrane at neutral pH and 37 degrees C. 2. The ability of these enzymes to degrade glomerular basement membrane was followed by the release of hydroxyproline. Both proteinases released considerable amounts of hydroxyproline. 3. By using Sephadex G-100 it was shown that the solubilized basement membrane fragments appeared as a single peak and had a molecular weight of over 100 000. These proteins after reduction were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis to examine their subunit pattern and determine their molecular size. 4. The released basement membrane proteins gave at least four precipitin lines with a rabbit anti-(glomerular basement membrane) antiserum. 5. These results support the concept that polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral proteinases play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. 6. At acid pH values cathepsin B also released hydroxyproline from human glomerular basement membrane but the lysosomal carboxyl proteinase, cathepsin D, had no action.", "contents": "The degradation of human glomerular basement membrane with purified lysosomal proteinases: evidence for the pathogenic role of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte in glomerulonephritis. 1. Human polymorphonuclear leucocyte elastase and cathepsin G were incubated with preparations of isolated human glomerular basement membrane at neutral pH and 37 degrees C. 2. The ability of these enzymes to degrade glomerular basement membrane was followed by the release of hydroxyproline. Both proteinases released considerable amounts of hydroxyproline. 3. By using Sephadex G-100 it was shown that the solubilized basement membrane fragments appeared as a single peak and had a molecular weight of over 100 000. These proteins after reduction were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis to examine their subunit pattern and determine their molecular size. 4. The released basement membrane proteins gave at least four precipitin lines with a rabbit anti-(glomerular basement membrane) antiserum. 5. These results support the concept that polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral proteinases play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. 6. At acid pH values cathepsin B also released hydroxyproline from human glomerular basement membrane but the lysosomal carboxyl proteinase, cathepsin D, had no action.", "PMID": 630800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8631", "title": "Tidal pressure/volume and flow/volume respiratory loop patterns in human neonates.", "content": "1. Tidal pressure/volume and flow/volume respiratory loops were constructed from records obtained during 98 studies on 48 neonates of various ages and gestations. Records were obtained with a total body plethysmograph and an oesophageal balloon. Total pulmonary resistance was computed at five separate levels in the breathing cycle and results were expressed graphically as tidal resistance profiles by plotting total pulmonary resistance against percentage tidal volume above functional residual capacity. 2. Values obtained for standard pulmonary mechanical measurements and thoracic gas volume were similar to those of other workers. In addition six distinctive resistance profile patterns were found and related to different breathing patterns. 3. The technique appeared to be particularly useful in identifying air trapping and also demonstrated that total pulmonary resistance is open to misinterpretation when measured only at the mid-tidal-volume level, as is the present convention.", "contents": "Tidal pressure/volume and flow/volume respiratory loop patterns in human neonates. 1. Tidal pressure/volume and flow/volume respiratory loops were constructed from records obtained during 98 studies on 48 neonates of various ages and gestations. Records were obtained with a total body plethysmograph and an oesophageal balloon. Total pulmonary resistance was computed at five separate levels in the breathing cycle and results were expressed graphically as tidal resistance profiles by plotting total pulmonary resistance against percentage tidal volume above functional residual capacity. 2. Values obtained for standard pulmonary mechanical measurements and thoracic gas volume were similar to those of other workers. In addition six distinctive resistance profile patterns were found and related to different breathing patterns. 3. The technique appeared to be particularly useful in identifying air trapping and also demonstrated that total pulmonary resistance is open to misinterpretation when measured only at the mid-tidal-volume level, as is the present convention.", "PMID": 630802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8632", "title": "Evidence of increased oxalate absorption in patients with calcium-containing renal stones.", "content": "1. The possible roles of the diet and of intestinal absorption in the increased excretion of oxalate by patients with renal calcium stones have been studied. 2. Dietary surveys showed that the mean daily intake of oxalic acid by stone-formers was not significantly different from that of non-stone-formers. 3. The mean urinary excretion of oxalate, expressed as an oxalate/creatinine molar ratio, was significantly reduced by fasting, the change being more marked in the stone-formers than in the normal subjects. Moreover, fasting abolished the difference in mean oxalate/creatinine ratios between stone-formers and control subjects. 4. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the small increases in urinary oxalate excretion which occur in some idiopathic calcium oxalate stone-formers are due to increased absorption of oxalate from the intestine, which may be due to a reduction in intraluminal calcium concentration.", "contents": "Evidence of increased oxalate absorption in patients with calcium-containing renal stones. 1. The possible roles of the diet and of intestinal absorption in the increased excretion of oxalate by patients with renal calcium stones have been studied. 2. Dietary surveys showed that the mean daily intake of oxalic acid by stone-formers was not significantly different from that of non-stone-formers. 3. The mean urinary excretion of oxalate, expressed as an oxalate/creatinine molar ratio, was significantly reduced by fasting, the change being more marked in the stone-formers than in the normal subjects. Moreover, fasting abolished the difference in mean oxalate/creatinine ratios between stone-formers and control subjects. 4. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the small increases in urinary oxalate excretion which occur in some idiopathic calcium oxalate stone-formers are due to increased absorption of oxalate from the intestine, which may be due to a reduction in intraluminal calcium concentration.", "PMID": 630804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8633", "title": "Control of breathing in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.", "content": "1. Using the mouth occlusion pressure technique, we have studied the control of breathing in seven hypercapnic and eight non-hypercapnic patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. 2. When breathing room air, pulmonary ventilation, mean inspiratory flow and P0.1 (mouth occlusion pressure developed 0.1 s after the onset of occluded inspiration at functional residual capacity) were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. Tidal volume, however, was significantly lower in the hypercapnic than in the non-hypercapnic patients, as a result of a significantly lower duration of inspiration. 3. The lower tidal volume in the hypercapnic patients leads to decreased alveolar ventilation, and appears to be the main cause of retention of carbon dioxide.", "contents": "Control of breathing in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. 1. Using the mouth occlusion pressure technique, we have studied the control of breathing in seven hypercapnic and eight non-hypercapnic patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. 2. When breathing room air, pulmonary ventilation, mean inspiratory flow and P0.1 (mouth occlusion pressure developed 0.1 s after the onset of occluded inspiration at functional residual capacity) were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. Tidal volume, however, was significantly lower in the hypercapnic than in the non-hypercapnic patients, as a result of a significantly lower duration of inspiration. 3. The lower tidal volume in the hypercapnic patients leads to decreased alveolar ventilation, and appears to be the main cause of retention of carbon dioxide.", "PMID": 630805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8634", "title": "A radioimmunoassay for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.", "content": "1. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxy-25-hemisuccinate cholecalciferol has been synthesized and conjugated to bovine serum albumin. 2. This conjugate is immunogenic; when injected into rabbits antibodies of high affinity for 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were obtained. 3. Vitamin D metabolites lacking the 1alpha-hydroxy group were of lower cross-reactivity with the antibodies. 4. By using these antibodies and 1alpha,25-[23,24-3H]dihydroxycholecalciferol as tracer a sensitive radioimmunoassay has been developed capable of detecting 20 pg of 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.", "contents": "A radioimmunoassay for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 1. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxy-25-hemisuccinate cholecalciferol has been synthesized and conjugated to bovine serum albumin. 2. This conjugate is immunogenic; when injected into rabbits antibodies of high affinity for 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were obtained. 3. Vitamin D metabolites lacking the 1alpha-hydroxy group were of lower cross-reactivity with the antibodies. 4. By using these antibodies and 1alpha,25-[23,24-3H]dihydroxycholecalciferol as tracer a sensitive radioimmunoassay has been developed capable of detecting 20 pg of 1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.", "PMID": 630809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8635", "title": "The effect of acute extracellular volume expansion on sodium chloride reabsorption in the diluting segment in man.", "content": "1. The effect of extracellular volume expansion (ECVE) during water diuresis, and of water diuresis alone, on the formation of free water in man was compared. 2. ECVE reduced free water formation at any given rate of distal delivery compared with water diuresis. Thus, ECVE depresses distal sodium chloride reabsorption. 3. This attenuation of free water formation occurred both when urine flow (V/100 ml glomerular filtration rate) and distal chloride delivery [(Cwater + Ccl)/100 ml glomerular filtration rate] were used as the terms for distal delivery. 4. We suggest that the distal depression of sodium chloride reabsorption after ECVE is robably due to a direct inhibition of distal sodium chloride transport mechanisms, and not to the flooding of the diluting site by the poorly reabsorbable bicarbonate ion.", "contents": "The effect of acute extracellular volume expansion on sodium chloride reabsorption in the diluting segment in man. 1. The effect of extracellular volume expansion (ECVE) during water diuresis, and of water diuresis alone, on the formation of free water in man was compared. 2. ECVE reduced free water formation at any given rate of distal delivery compared with water diuresis. Thus, ECVE depresses distal sodium chloride reabsorption. 3. This attenuation of free water formation occurred both when urine flow (V/100 ml glomerular filtration rate) and distal chloride delivery [(Cwater + Ccl)/100 ml glomerular filtration rate] were used as the terms for distal delivery. 4. We suggest that the distal depression of sodium chloride reabsorption after ECVE is robably due to a direct inhibition of distal sodium chloride transport mechanisms, and not to the flooding of the diluting site by the poorly reabsorbable bicarbonate ion.", "PMID": 630810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8636", "title": "A pharmacokinetic study of pentachlorophenol poisoning and the effect of forced diuresis.", "content": "A pharmacokinetic study of an intentional pentachlorophenol ingestion by an elderly human has been undertaken. Information on the presence or absence of forced diuresis either continuously or for a short restricted period indicates that such treatment would materially reduce the body burden of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that forced diuresis is the treatment of preference for such intoxication at this time.", "contents": "A pharmacokinetic study of pentachlorophenol poisoning and the effect of forced diuresis. A pharmacokinetic study of an intentional pentachlorophenol ingestion by an elderly human has been undertaken. Information on the presence or absence of forced diuresis either continuously or for a short restricted period indicates that such treatment would materially reduce the body burden of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that forced diuresis is the treatment of preference for such intoxication at this time.", "PMID": 630820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8637", "title": "Teratogenic effects in cattle of Conium maculatum and conium alkaloids and analogs.", "content": "The plant Conium maculatum produced congenital defects in calves born to cows gavaged the fresh green plant during days 50-75 of gestation. Both arthrogryposis and spinal curvature were produced and were similar to the defects produced by the piperidine alkaloid coniine. The arthrogrypotic manifestations of the condition markedly increased in severity as the animals aged. Animals gavaged dry plant had either normal or equivocally deformed offspring. A number of chain length and ring saturation analogs of coniine were not teratogenic. No congenital defects arose in offspring from maternal inhalation of either the teratogenic alkaloid coniine, or from the teratogenic green plant.", "contents": "Teratogenic effects in cattle of Conium maculatum and conium alkaloids and analogs. The plant Conium maculatum produced congenital defects in calves born to cows gavaged the fresh green plant during days 50-75 of gestation. Both arthrogryposis and spinal curvature were produced and were similar to the defects produced by the piperidine alkaloid coniine. The arthrogrypotic manifestations of the condition markedly increased in severity as the animals aged. Animals gavaged dry plant had either normal or equivocally deformed offspring. A number of chain length and ring saturation analogs of coniine were not teratogenic. No congenital defects arose in offspring from maternal inhalation of either the teratogenic alkaloid coniine, or from the teratogenic green plant.", "PMID": 630821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8638", "title": "Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of fluorocarbons 11 and 12 in biologic specimens.", "content": "Fluorocarbons 11 and 12 were detected and identified in tracheal air, blood, liver, lung, and brain specimens by head-space analysis utilizing a GC-MS. The individual spectrum for each of the fluorocarbons was obtained. The method is easily adaptable to other volatiles.", "contents": "Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of fluorocarbons 11 and 12 in biologic specimens. Fluorocarbons 11 and 12 were detected and identified in tracheal air, blood, liver, lung, and brain specimens by head-space analysis utilizing a GC-MS. The individual spectrum for each of the fluorocarbons was obtained. The method is easily adaptable to other volatiles.", "PMID": 630823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8639", "title": "Transplacental carcinogens.", "content": "Cancer can metastasize to the placenta and to the fetus, and it may arise in man without familial predisposition in fetal or early postnatal life. Carcinogens administered to the mother can induce cancer in the human fetus and experimental animals. Many potential carcinogens tend to act as abortifacients and teratogens as well as carcinogens. Carcinogens administered to mothers can be dispersed by all their metabolic pathways and can be transferred transplacentally. In each exposed fetus, further metabolic pathways, or absence therof, as well as the individual gene makeup, influence the expression of an agent's potential. In the future, experimental evidence defining the pathways of carcinogenesis in adults will provide clearer insight into how cancers arise. This will be most helpful in unraveling the more complex issue of transplacental carcinogens.", "contents": "Transplacental carcinogens. Cancer can metastasize to the placenta and to the fetus, and it may arise in man without familial predisposition in fetal or early postnatal life. Carcinogens administered to the mother can induce cancer in the human fetus and experimental animals. Many potential carcinogens tend to act as abortifacients and teratogens as well as carcinogens. Carcinogens administered to mothers can be dispersed by all their metabolic pathways and can be transferred transplacentally. In each exposed fetus, further metabolic pathways, or absence therof, as well as the individual gene makeup, influence the expression of an agent's potential. In the future, experimental evidence defining the pathways of carcinogenesis in adults will provide clearer insight into how cancers arise. This will be most helpful in unraveling the more complex issue of transplacental carcinogens.", "PMID": 630826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8640", "title": "Training parents as mental health agents.", "content": "The utilization of parents as mental health agents for their children is a service delivery strategy likely to have major impact on enhancement of normal families. Using an educational enhancement model, a parenting relationship training program was designed and implemented. Initial evaluation of specific short-term effects and differences between mothers and fathers is discussed. Implications for further program development and evaluation are noted.", "contents": "Training parents as mental health agents. The utilization of parents as mental health agents for their children is a service delivery strategy likely to have major impact on enhancement of normal families. Using an educational enhancement model, a parenting relationship training program was designed and implemented. Initial evaluation of specific short-term effects and differences between mothers and fathers is discussed. Implications for further program development and evaluation are noted.", "PMID": 630839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8641", "title": "How therapists perceive and treat suicidal patients.", "content": "A review of literature on suicide shows a focus on early detection of those at risk of suicide and on the traits of those who actually commit suicide, but little attention to the therapeutic decisions of those who treat suicidal patients. Through in-depth interviews, 27 therapists from an interdisciplinary mental health center were asked about their theoretical formulations regarding suicide and their therapeutic preferences in working with suicidal clients: Significant differences were found between the nine respondents who had experienced the suicide of a patient in their caseload and the others who had not.", "contents": "How therapists perceive and treat suicidal patients. A review of literature on suicide shows a focus on early detection of those at risk of suicide and on the traits of those who actually commit suicide, but little attention to the therapeutic decisions of those who treat suicidal patients. Through in-depth interviews, 27 therapists from an interdisciplinary mental health center were asked about their theoretical formulations regarding suicide and their therapeutic preferences in working with suicidal clients: Significant differences were found between the nine respondents who had experienced the suicide of a patient in their caseload and the others who had not.", "PMID": 630840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8642", "title": "Mexican-American mental health service utilization: a critical examination of some proposed variables.", "content": "A number of reports indicate that Mexican-Americans have a lower prevalence of mental health service usage than other ethnic groups. Although a number of factors have been proposed to account for their underutilization, none of the factors have been adequately supported by existing research. Variables associated with the responsiveness and quality of mental health services, particularly the availability of bilingual-bicultural staff, are advocated as the most relevant areas for future research.", "contents": "Mexican-American mental health service utilization: a critical examination of some proposed variables. A number of reports indicate that Mexican-Americans have a lower prevalence of mental health service usage than other ethnic groups. Although a number of factors have been proposed to account for their underutilization, none of the factors have been adequately supported by existing research. Variables associated with the responsiveness and quality of mental health services, particularly the availability of bilingual-bicultural staff, are advocated as the most relevant areas for future research.", "PMID": 630841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8643", "title": "Community mental health services in rural areas: some practical issues.", "content": "Several critical issues involved in successfully initiating and maintaining a community mental health center program in a rural setting are discussed. These include the necessity of accurately assessing the existing social, cultural, and political system, and of fitting the mental health center program into these systems as smoothly as possible; the special problems faced in maintaining confidentiality; and the importance of recognizing and dealing with the front-line pressures on professional staff that are peculiar to the rural setting. Advantages as well as disadvantages of working in a rural program are considered.", "contents": "Community mental health services in rural areas: some practical issues. Several critical issues involved in successfully initiating and maintaining a community mental health center program in a rural setting are discussed. These include the necessity of accurately assessing the existing social, cultural, and political system, and of fitting the mental health center program into these systems as smoothly as possible; the special problems faced in maintaining confidentiality; and the importance of recognizing and dealing with the front-line pressures on professional staff that are peculiar to the rural setting. Advantages as well as disadvantages of working in a rural program are considered.", "PMID": 630842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8644", "title": "Community characteristics that affect hospitalization and rehospitalization rates in a municipal psychiatric hospital.", "content": "Age-specific rates of psychiatric admissions for Brooklyn are almost exclusively explained by socioeconomic measures. A measure of interpersonal contact explains an additional small increment of the variance. When the same age-specific rates are compared for whites and blacks, the relative importance of socioeconomic measures lessens and social and family structures emerge as significant predictors. The existence of unique ethnic-related factors as intervening variables in hospital admissions is strongly suggested by the data. A measure of interpersonal contact best predicts the percentage readmitted. In contrast the percentage admitted is strongly related to social and family structure measures.", "contents": "Community characteristics that affect hospitalization and rehospitalization rates in a municipal psychiatric hospital. Age-specific rates of psychiatric admissions for Brooklyn are almost exclusively explained by socioeconomic measures. A measure of interpersonal contact explains an additional small increment of the variance. When the same age-specific rates are compared for whites and blacks, the relative importance of socioeconomic measures lessens and social and family structures emerge as significant predictors. The existence of unique ethnic-related factors as intervening variables in hospital admissions is strongly suggested by the data. A measure of interpersonal contact best predicts the percentage readmitted. In contrast the percentage admitted is strongly related to social and family structure measures.", "PMID": 630843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8645", "title": "Presurgical care of the equine colic patient.", "content": "The pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and medical management of the horse with intestinal obstruction is outlined. Emphasis is on early and accurate determination of the need for surgery and on providing optimal preoperative medical support.", "contents": "Presurgical care of the equine colic patient. The pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and medical management of the horse with intestinal obstruction is outlined. Emphasis is on early and accurate determination of the need for surgery and on providing optimal preoperative medical support.", "PMID": 630889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8646", "title": "Anesthesia for small animal geriatric patient.", "content": "The decreased adaptability normally associated with aging animals is described. Anesthetic evaluation and management of these alterations can be successfully completed if wide variations in organ functions are not required of the patient by the surgeon or anesthetist.", "contents": "Anesthesia for small animal geriatric patient. The decreased adaptability normally associated with aging animals is described. Anesthetic evaluation and management of these alterations can be successfully completed if wide variations in organ functions are not required of the patient by the surgeon or anesthetist.", "PMID": 630890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8647", "title": "Bovine disease control problems in the northeast. IB. Brucellosis--current status.", "content": "Brucellosis continues to be a very important disease in the United States and throughout the world. In the past year, New York State has experienced a significant increase in the number of infected dairy herds. Increased movement of cattle, including importations, has contributed to its spread. Prevention, control and eradication have been impeded by present housing and management practices and the frequent apathy on the part of the herd owner in implementing prescribed recommendations for the elimination of brucellosis.", "contents": "Bovine disease control problems in the northeast. IB. Brucellosis--current status. Brucellosis continues to be a very important disease in the United States and throughout the world. In the past year, New York State has experienced a significant increase in the number of infected dairy herds. Increased movement of cattle, including importations, has contributed to its spread. Prevention, control and eradication have been impeded by present housing and management practices and the frequent apathy on the part of the herd owner in implementing prescribed recommendations for the elimination of brucellosis.", "PMID": 630893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8648", "title": "Johne's disease and the practitioner.", "content": "Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infections and the disease states resulting in cattle are defined as spectral in nature. There is a spectrum of immunological response which complicates tests based on this. It is recommended that initial diagnosis of suspicious clinical cases be confirmed by direct fecal smears and a serological test such as immunodiffusion. Herd evaluation requires the application of fecal cultures plus immunodiffusion. Control requires rigid management hygiene measures, surveillance of the herd status and post mortem confirmation of salvaged animals.", "contents": "Johne's disease and the practitioner. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infections and the disease states resulting in cattle are defined as spectral in nature. There is a spectrum of immunological response which complicates tests based on this. It is recommended that initial diagnosis of suspicious clinical cases be confirmed by direct fecal smears and a serological test such as immunodiffusion. Herd evaluation requires the application of fecal cultures plus immunodiffusion. Control requires rigid management hygiene measures, surveillance of the herd status and post mortem confirmation of salvaged animals.", "PMID": 630894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8649", "title": "An approach to defining the etiology of animal abortions.", "content": "Attempts to define the etiology of abortions on a regular continuing basis have been few, and largely unsuccessful. Problems of such a project include cost, difficulty of securing satisfactory samples, a laboratory organization of sufficient breadth, capacity and dedication to perform and interpret the necessary examinations, knowledgeable cooperation of the practitioner, and past reliance on isolated findings substituting for sound criteria for diagnosis. A program was created which was intended to overcome the difficulties. The plan was so constructed as to permit addition or removal of procedures as indicated.", "contents": "An approach to defining the etiology of animal abortions. Attempts to define the etiology of abortions on a regular continuing basis have been few, and largely unsuccessful. Problems of such a project include cost, difficulty of securing satisfactory samples, a laboratory organization of sufficient breadth, capacity and dedication to perform and interpret the necessary examinations, knowledgeable cooperation of the practitioner, and past reliance on isolated findings substituting for sound criteria for diagnosis. A program was created which was intended to overcome the difficulties. The plan was so constructed as to permit addition or removal of procedures as indicated.", "PMID": 630895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8650", "title": "Abortion storms--projection for the future.", "content": "Most abortions are of an endemic and sporadic nature but some problems reach epidemic (storm) proportions. In many laboratories, the etiological agent is determined in about 25% of the cases. In the future, practitioners and laboratories working together can: 1) respond to owner concern, 2) quickly determine if one of the better defined contagious diseases is present, and 3) cooperate in developing a responsive, field oriented diagnostic and investigative program designed to better define factors concerned in abortion problems. A program for meeting these needs is suggested.", "contents": "Abortion storms--projection for the future. Most abortions are of an endemic and sporadic nature but some problems reach epidemic (storm) proportions. In many laboratories, the etiological agent is determined in about 25% of the cases. In the future, practitioners and laboratories working together can: 1) respond to owner concern, 2) quickly determine if one of the better defined contagious diseases is present, and 3) cooperate in developing a responsive, field oriented diagnostic and investigative program designed to better define factors concerned in abortion problems. A program for meeting these needs is suggested.", "PMID": 630896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8651", "title": "A report on the student affairs and admissions programs of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine.", "content": "The student administration and admissions functions of the College respond to numerous and diverse students needs and interests. The complexity of these programs, and the concept of this report precludes offering exacting detail or even mention of all activities encompassed under the concept of academic support services. The increased public interest in veterinary medicine has prompted significant increases in the number who apply each year. This causes particular emphasis to be given to the College Admissions program. Rapidly escalating costs of education mean increased dependency of students on our financial aid program at a time of static and potentially decreasing financial aid resources. Placement of graduates in the best possible employment opportunities has been and will continue to be vital to our overall missions. Involvement by students in activities beyond those purely curricular in nature, will always be critical to the health and growth of the College and the public it serves.", "contents": "A report on the student affairs and admissions programs of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. The student administration and admissions functions of the College respond to numerous and diverse students needs and interests. The complexity of these programs, and the concept of this report precludes offering exacting detail or even mention of all activities encompassed under the concept of academic support services. The increased public interest in veterinary medicine has prompted significant increases in the number who apply each year. This causes particular emphasis to be given to the College Admissions program. Rapidly escalating costs of education mean increased dependency of students on our financial aid program at a time of static and potentially decreasing financial aid resources. Placement of graduates in the best possible employment opportunities has been and will continue to be vital to our overall missions. Involvement by students in activities beyond those purely curricular in nature, will always be critical to the health and growth of the College and the public it serves.", "PMID": 630897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8652", "title": "Differential diagnosis and treatment of bovine abdominal distention and the acute bovine abdomen.", "content": "Physical diagnostic techniques as well as ancillary aids used to differentiate the various causes of bovine abdominal distention will be discussed. Both chronic and acute disorders are included. Therapy will be suggested or outlined for each, but the emphasis here will be on diagnosis. Several acute abdominal disorders which may or may not cause abdominal distention will also be discussed.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis and treatment of bovine abdominal distention and the acute bovine abdomen. Physical diagnostic techniques as well as ancillary aids used to differentiate the various causes of bovine abdominal distention will be discussed. Both chronic and acute disorders are included. Therapy will be suggested or outlined for each, but the emphasis here will be on diagnosis. Several acute abdominal disorders which may or may not cause abdominal distention will also be discussed.", "PMID": 630899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8653", "title": "General anesthesia in pleasure horses.", "content": "Anesthetic management of the pleasure horse consists of the appropriate selection and administration of pre-anesthetic medications including anticholinergics, tranquilizers and narcotics followed by appropriate techniques of anesthetic induction. The anesthetic induction must vary somewhat for the pleasure horse practice since many of the procedures are completed on farms and ranches. As a result the inducing of anesthesia will frequently be with the same agent which will be used to maintain anesthesia. Noticeably will be the reduction and duration of anesthesia and surgical time. The induction of anesthesia will predominately be with ultra-short barbiturates alone or in combination with muscle relaxants or combinations of tranquilizers and dissociative anesthetics. Supplemental injections of intravenous agents or halothane, methoxyflurane or enflurane may be used to maintain anesthesia. Recoveries can be expected to vary according to the duration of anesthesia and the selection of agents that have been used. Anesthetic complications predominately consist of cardiopulmonary responses and those associated with recovery.", "contents": "General anesthesia in pleasure horses. Anesthetic management of the pleasure horse consists of the appropriate selection and administration of pre-anesthetic medications including anticholinergics, tranquilizers and narcotics followed by appropriate techniques of anesthetic induction. The anesthetic induction must vary somewhat for the pleasure horse practice since many of the procedures are completed on farms and ranches. As a result the inducing of anesthesia will frequently be with the same agent which will be used to maintain anesthesia. Noticeably will be the reduction and duration of anesthesia and surgical time. The induction of anesthesia will predominately be with ultra-short barbiturates alone or in combination with muscle relaxants or combinations of tranquilizers and dissociative anesthetics. Supplemental injections of intravenous agents or halothane, methoxyflurane or enflurane may be used to maintain anesthesia. Recoveries can be expected to vary according to the duration of anesthesia and the selection of agents that have been used. Anesthetic complications predominately consist of cardiopulmonary responses and those associated with recovery.", "PMID": 630900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8654", "title": "An improved procedure for genetic selection against hip dysplasia in dogs.", "content": "Rapid weight gain can educe hip dysplasia of dogs with normal hip joints. It is proposed that progeny whose parents have \"excellent genotypes\" would not be susceptible to this stress and would develop normal hip joints. The method for reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs would be to use stress to identify carriers (parents) and potential carriers (progeny), and select for breeding only dogs with proved genotypic value and those progeny with the best hip joint conformation.", "contents": "An improved procedure for genetic selection against hip dysplasia in dogs. Rapid weight gain can educe hip dysplasia of dogs with normal hip joints. It is proposed that progeny whose parents have \"excellent genotypes\" would not be susceptible to this stress and would develop normal hip joints. The method for reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs would be to use stress to identify carriers (parents) and potential carriers (progeny), and select for breeding only dogs with proved genotypic value and those progeny with the best hip joint conformation.", "PMID": 630902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8655", "title": "Anesthesia for small animal pediatric and geriatric patients. I. Anesthesia for small animal pediatric patients.", "content": "Anesthetic management of the pediatric patient is a challenge which can give rise to a most rewarding anesthetic management if one takes into consideration the normal physiological function of the pediatric patient. One should choose the appropriate medications which may safely be administered to an animal of this age. Control of anesthesia through the use of appropriate anesthetic equipment and the use of appropriate monitoring will aid safe management. The selection of adjunct medications can achieve control of complications and aid ultimate uncomplicated recovery.", "contents": "Anesthesia for small animal pediatric and geriatric patients. I. Anesthesia for small animal pediatric patients. Anesthetic management of the pediatric patient is a challenge which can give rise to a most rewarding anesthetic management if one takes into consideration the normal physiological function of the pediatric patient. One should choose the appropriate medications which may safely be administered to an animal of this age. Control of anesthesia through the use of appropriate anesthetic equipment and the use of appropriate monitoring will aid safe management. The selection of adjunct medications can achieve control of complications and aid ultimate uncomplicated recovery.", "PMID": 630904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8656", "title": "Treatment of vaginal candidiasis with miconazole.", "content": "An open trial was carried out in 50 women with clinical signs and mycological evidence of vaginal candidiasis to compare the effectiveness of treatment with 2% miconazole cream with that of nystatin pessaries. Both groups were given intravaginal treatment for 14 days and were followed up at monthly intervals for 3 months. Relief of symptoms and clinical signs was comparable in the two groups but the mycological cure rate at 1 month was higher with miconazole. At 2 and 3 months, however, there was no significant difference between the cure rate obtained with the two treatments in the patients still included in the study.", "contents": "Treatment of vaginal candidiasis with miconazole. An open trial was carried out in 50 women with clinical signs and mycological evidence of vaginal candidiasis to compare the effectiveness of treatment with 2% miconazole cream with that of nystatin pessaries. Both groups were given intravaginal treatment for 14 days and were followed up at monthly intervals for 3 months. Relief of symptoms and clinical signs was comparable in the two groups but the mycological cure rate at 1 month was higher with miconazole. At 2 and 3 months, however, there was no significant difference between the cure rate obtained with the two treatments in the patients still included in the study.", "PMID": 630905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8657", "title": "Multiple premalignant fibroepitheliomas of Pinkus: a case report and review of the literature.", "content": "An eighty-one year old man is presented who had multiple (four) premalignant fibroepitheliomas of Pinkus. A review of the literature and our case material revealed that multiple lesions account for 36 percent of the total cases reported. The clinical and pathologic features of these unusual variants of basal cell carcinoma are discussed.", "contents": "Multiple premalignant fibroepitheliomas of Pinkus: a case report and review of the literature. An eighty-one year old man is presented who had multiple (four) premalignant fibroepitheliomas of Pinkus. A review of the literature and our case material revealed that multiple lesions account for 36 percent of the total cases reported. The clinical and pathologic features of these unusual variants of basal cell carcinoma are discussed.", "PMID": 630913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8658", "title": "The effect of propranolol on the pressor response to exercise in coarctation of the aorta.", "content": "In a patient with coarctation of the aorta, blood pressure and heart rate were measured during graded exercise on a bicycle ergometer. After no treatment, and after oral hydrallazine, exercise produced large rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and in heart rate. During exercise after oral propranolol, systolic and diastolic pressures did not increase, and there was a less marked tachycardia. These results suggest that propranolol should be used to minimize the dangers of elevated blood pressure associated with exercise in patients with coarctation.", "contents": "The effect of propranolol on the pressor response to exercise in coarctation of the aorta. In a patient with coarctation of the aorta, blood pressure and heart rate were measured during graded exercise on a bicycle ergometer. After no treatment, and after oral hydrallazine, exercise produced large rises in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and in heart rate. During exercise after oral propranolol, systolic and diastolic pressures did not increase, and there was a less marked tachycardia. These results suggest that propranolol should be used to minimize the dangers of elevated blood pressure associated with exercise in patients with coarctation.", "PMID": 630906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8659", "title": "Effect of dietary bran on serum lipids in patients with previous myocardial infarction, with gallstones, and in normal subjects.", "content": "Sixteen subjects received between 50 g to 121 g of wheat bran in their diet for between 6 to 26 weeks. Five were normal subjects, 5 had gallstones, and 6 young men had suffered a previous myocardial infarction. The serum cholesterol did not show any consistent change in the normal subjects, but there was a fall in cholesterol at 20 weeks in patients with gallstones; patients with previous myocardial infarction had a rise in cholesterol which returned to normal at 20 weeks. There was no significant change in the serum triglyceride.", "contents": "Effect of dietary bran on serum lipids in patients with previous myocardial infarction, with gallstones, and in normal subjects. Sixteen subjects received between 50 g to 121 g of wheat bran in their diet for between 6 to 26 weeks. Five were normal subjects, 5 had gallstones, and 6 young men had suffered a previous myocardial infarction. The serum cholesterol did not show any consistent change in the normal subjects, but there was a fall in cholesterol at 20 weeks in patients with gallstones; patients with previous myocardial infarction had a rise in cholesterol which returned to normal at 20 weeks. There was no significant change in the serum triglyceride.", "PMID": 630907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8660", "title": "Office surgical management of recalcitrant axillary lesions.", "content": "Hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, and Fox-Fordyce disease represent some of the surgical conditions seen by the dermatologist in office practice. These chronic, distressing, socially inhibiting diseases are extremely difficult to treat conservatively and ultimately require surgical intervention. Using local anesthesia, we have successfully managed these disorders on an outpatient basis by surgical excision, achieving excellent cosmetic and functional results, minimal discomfort, and absence of recurrence.", "contents": "Office surgical management of recalcitrant axillary lesions. Hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, and Fox-Fordyce disease represent some of the surgical conditions seen by the dermatologist in office practice. These chronic, distressing, socially inhibiting diseases are extremely difficult to treat conservatively and ultimately require surgical intervention. Using local anesthesia, we have successfully managed these disorders on an outpatient basis by surgical excision, achieving excellent cosmetic and functional results, minimal discomfort, and absence of recurrence.", "PMID": 630914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8661", "title": "Experimental in vitro and in vivo comparison of modern antimycotics.", "content": "Studies were carried out with the current leading antimycotic agents, using identical test methods, to compare their activity in vitro and in animal in vivo experiments. In the broth dilution test, the minimum inhibitory concentrations against approximately 50 strains of the most important species of yeasts, dermatophytes and moulds were determined using different culture media. Efficacy against yeasts was examined in experimentally-induced candidosis in mice treated orally, and against dermatophytes in experimentally-induced trichophytia in guinea pigs receiving topical treatment. The results showed that the imidazole derivatives studied can be regarded as true broad-spectrum antimycotics, and clotrimazole, in particular, had a well-balanced overall effect. The significance of the experimental data with respect to therapeutic efficacy in man in various indications is discussed.", "contents": "Experimental in vitro and in vivo comparison of modern antimycotics. Studies were carried out with the current leading antimycotic agents, using identical test methods, to compare their activity in vitro and in animal in vivo experiments. In the broth dilution test, the minimum inhibitory concentrations against approximately 50 strains of the most important species of yeasts, dermatophytes and moulds were determined using different culture media. Efficacy against yeasts was examined in experimentally-induced candidosis in mice treated orally, and against dermatophytes in experimentally-induced trichophytia in guinea pigs receiving topical treatment. The results showed that the imidazole derivatives studied can be regarded as true broad-spectrum antimycotics, and clotrimazole, in particular, had a well-balanced overall effect. The significance of the experimental data with respect to therapeutic efficacy in man in various indications is discussed.", "PMID": 630908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8662", "title": "Metabolic effects and anti-obesity action of fenfluramine in prolonged-acting form.", "content": "In a single-blind trial, 15 obese patients, selected because of their poor response to a weight reducing diet, were treated for 1 month with placebo plus a 1600 calorie diet and then for a further 2 months with a single daily dose of 120 mg fenfluramine plus diet. After the placebo period, the mean weight loss was only 0.89 kg. After the 2-month period on fenfluramine, there was a highly significant (p less than 0.001) additional mean weight loss of 10.18 kg. Biological investigations of the metabolic effects of fenfluramine showed that compared with the placebo period there was an improved glucose tolerance and insulin response after active treatment as well as statistically significant decreases in serum cholesterol (p less than 0.001) and triglycerides (p less than 0.01). During active treatment none of the patients complained of feeling hungry and only a few transient side-effects were reported at the start.", "contents": "Metabolic effects and anti-obesity action of fenfluramine in prolonged-acting form. In a single-blind trial, 15 obese patients, selected because of their poor response to a weight reducing diet, were treated for 1 month with placebo plus a 1600 calorie diet and then for a further 2 months with a single daily dose of 120 mg fenfluramine plus diet. After the placebo period, the mean weight loss was only 0.89 kg. After the 2-month period on fenfluramine, there was a highly significant (p less than 0.001) additional mean weight loss of 10.18 kg. Biological investigations of the metabolic effects of fenfluramine showed that compared with the placebo period there was an improved glucose tolerance and insulin response after active treatment as well as statistically significant decreases in serum cholesterol (p less than 0.001) and triglycerides (p less than 0.01). During active treatment none of the patients complained of feeling hungry and only a few transient side-effects were reported at the start.", "PMID": 630909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8663", "title": "Suntan localization of varicella exanthem.", "content": "The case history of a Caucasian child in whom the exanthem of varicella appeared to be related only, and directly, to the darkness of skin suntan is presented and discussed.", "contents": "Suntan localization of varicella exanthem. The case history of a Caucasian child in whom the exanthem of varicella appeared to be related only, and directly, to the darkness of skin suntan is presented and discussed.", "PMID": 630915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8664", "title": "Acebutolol (400 mg) given as a single daily dose to hypertensive patients previously stabilized on 400 mg acebutolol daily in divided doses: an open multicentre study.", "content": "An open multicentre trial was carried out in 13 hypertensive patients, who had responded satisfactorily to and been stabilized on treatment with 400 mg acebutolol daily in divided doses, to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of the same daily dosage given as a single morning dose. On admission, patients were changed over immediately to the new dosage regimen and continued on it for 3 months. Blood pressure and pulse rate measurements were made on the day before change over and then at the end of each month. The results indicated that once-a-day 400 mg acebutolol gave satisfactory continued control of blood pressure. Side-effects reported spontaneously by the patient, observed by the physician, and elicited in response to a questionnaire, diminished in incidence and severity in most of the patients during the trial period.", "contents": "Acebutolol (400 mg) given as a single daily dose to hypertensive patients previously stabilized on 400 mg acebutolol daily in divided doses: an open multicentre study. An open multicentre trial was carried out in 13 hypertensive patients, who had responded satisfactorily to and been stabilized on treatment with 400 mg acebutolol daily in divided doses, to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of the same daily dosage given as a single morning dose. On admission, patients were changed over immediately to the new dosage regimen and continued on it for 3 months. Blood pressure and pulse rate measurements were made on the day before change over and then at the end of each month. The results indicated that once-a-day 400 mg acebutolol gave satisfactory continued control of blood pressure. Side-effects reported spontaneously by the patient, observed by the physician, and elicited in response to a questionnaire, diminished in incidence and severity in most of the patients during the trial period.", "PMID": 630910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8665", "title": "Recurrent cutaneous herpes simplex: comments on diagnosis in an unusual case.", "content": "A patient with undiagnosed recurrent cutaneous herpes of twenty-four years' duration is described. The probable reason for the failure to recognize this disease on numerous occasions was the rapid progression of the lesions to the pustular stage within one day.", "contents": "Recurrent cutaneous herpes simplex: comments on diagnosis in an unusual case. A patient with undiagnosed recurrent cutaneous herpes of twenty-four years' duration is described. The probable reason for the failure to recognize this disease on numerous occasions was the rapid progression of the lesions to the pustular stage within one day.", "PMID": 630916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8666", "title": "Invisible dermatoses.", "content": "An invisible dermatosis is defined as a skin disease manifesting no clinically apparent lesion but histologic changes of a characteristic nature. An example of an invisible form of transient acantholytic dermatosis is presented. Invisible forms of pseudoxanthoma elasticum, sarcoidosis, lepromatous leprosy, and lichen planus are reviewed. Dermal deposits may also be found on biopsy of clinically normal skin in amyloidosis, Hunter's and Hurler's syndromes, and thyroid disease.", "contents": "Invisible dermatoses. An invisible dermatosis is defined as a skin disease manifesting no clinically apparent lesion but histologic changes of a characteristic nature. An example of an invisible form of transient acantholytic dermatosis is presented. Invisible forms of pseudoxanthoma elasticum, sarcoidosis, lepromatous leprosy, and lichen planus are reviewed. Dermal deposits may also be found on biopsy of clinically normal skin in amyloidosis, Hunter's and Hurler's syndromes, and thyroid disease.", "PMID": 630917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8667", "title": "Long-term follow-up evaluation of patients with electrosurgically treated warts.", "content": "Questionnaires were sent to one hundred consecutive dermatologic patients with essentially digital warts, who had been treated an average of 12.7 years previously by electrocautery and curettage. It was determined from the twenty-three responses that the treated warts had been cured in twenty-two patients.", "contents": "Long-term follow-up evaluation of patients with electrosurgically treated warts. Questionnaires were sent to one hundred consecutive dermatologic patients with essentially digital warts, who had been treated an average of 12.7 years previously by electrocautery and curettage. It was determined from the twenty-three responses that the treated warts had been cured in twenty-two patients.", "PMID": 630918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8668", "title": "Use of a polyester fiber sponge as an adjunct in the treatment of psoriasis.", "content": "Twenty patients with symmetric lesions of psoriasis were asked to use a polyester fiber sponge in addition to their other anti-psoriatic medications. The sponge was used to remove scales from those lesions on the left side only. The hypothesis was that removal of scales would enhance penetration by topical corticosteroid and/or coal tar preparations. At the end of four weeks, as well as at each weekly evaluation, all patients showed a statistically significant difference between the treated and control sides. In 70 percent of the subjects, results were graded good to excellent when the treated side was compared with the control side after four weeks' evaluation.", "contents": "Use of a polyester fiber sponge as an adjunct in the treatment of psoriasis. Twenty patients with symmetric lesions of psoriasis were asked to use a polyester fiber sponge in addition to their other anti-psoriatic medications. The sponge was used to remove scales from those lesions on the left side only. The hypothesis was that removal of scales would enhance penetration by topical corticosteroid and/or coal tar preparations. At the end of four weeks, as well as at each weekly evaluation, all patients showed a statistically significant difference between the treated and control sides. In 70 percent of the subjects, results were graded good to excellent when the treated side was compared with the control side after four weeks' evaluation.", "PMID": 630919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8669", "title": "Correlation of exercise 201thallium myocardial scan with coronary arteriograms and the maximal exercise test.", "content": "Myocardial scans obtained by injecting radioactive 201thallium during exercise were correlated with electrocardiograms obtained at rest and during exercise, with coronary arteriographic abnormalities, and with left ventriculograms in 55 patients suspected of having coronary arterial disease. Thirty-nine patients had significant coronary arterial disease, 34 of whom had abnormal myocardial scans after exercise and 21 of whom had abnormal ECGs during exercise. The myocardial scan after exercise was most frequently abnormal in the presence of significant abnormalities in the Q wave or localized left ventricular asynergy and when ST-segment depression persisted for longer than ten minutes after exercise. All patients with single-vessel disease had abnormal myocardial scans after exercise, whereas five of 29 patients with two or more abnormal vessels had normal scans. Patients with coronary arterial disease were more likely to have a normal myocardial scan after exercise when the resting ECG and left ventriculogram were normal and when exercise-induced ST-segment depression persisted for less than ten minutes. The combination of the myocardial scan after exercise and the ECG during maximal exercise had a sensitivity of 98 percent. The myocardial scan after exercise alone had a specificity of 100 percent. These observations indicate that the myocardial scan obtained by injecting 201thallium during exercise is an important diagnostic adjunct in the identification of patients with coronary arterial disease.", "contents": "Correlation of exercise 201thallium myocardial scan with coronary arteriograms and the maximal exercise test. Myocardial scans obtained by injecting radioactive 201thallium during exercise were correlated with electrocardiograms obtained at rest and during exercise, with coronary arteriographic abnormalities, and with left ventriculograms in 55 patients suspected of having coronary arterial disease. Thirty-nine patients had significant coronary arterial disease, 34 of whom had abnormal myocardial scans after exercise and 21 of whom had abnormal ECGs during exercise. The myocardial scan after exercise was most frequently abnormal in the presence of significant abnormalities in the Q wave or localized left ventricular asynergy and when ST-segment depression persisted for longer than ten minutes after exercise. All patients with single-vessel disease had abnormal myocardial scans after exercise, whereas five of 29 patients with two or more abnormal vessels had normal scans. Patients with coronary arterial disease were more likely to have a normal myocardial scan after exercise when the resting ECG and left ventriculogram were normal and when exercise-induced ST-segment depression persisted for less than ten minutes. The combination of the myocardial scan after exercise and the ECG during maximal exercise had a sensitivity of 98 percent. The myocardial scan after exercise alone had a specificity of 100 percent. These observations indicate that the myocardial scan obtained by injecting 201thallium during exercise is an important diagnostic adjunct in the identification of patients with coronary arterial disease.", "PMID": 630929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8670", "title": "Crackles (rales) in the interstitial pulmonary diseases.", "content": "There is renewed interest in the classification and methods of recording adventitious pulmonary sounds. This is a study of the importance of fine crackles (rales) in the diagnosis and estimation of the severity of diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease. Among 272 cases documented by lung biopsy, bilateral fine crackles were heard in 60 percent of those with interstitial pneumonias and asbestosis but in only 20 percent of those with sarcoidosis and other granulomatoses. These incidences were identical in 335 patients diagnosed clinically. In 322 selected ambulatory patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fine crackles were recorded in only 10 to 12 percent, while coarse crackles were not uncommon in patients with chronic bronchitis. In workers exposed to asbestos, crackles correlated with exposure. In serial studies of such workers, the occurrence of crackles alone appeared to be a random event, while among those with crackles together with one other of five criteria, almost one-half developed asbestosis within four to six years. Fine crackles correlated with pathologic severity, with radiographic honeycombing, and with physiologic abnormalities.", "contents": "Crackles (rales) in the interstitial pulmonary diseases. There is renewed interest in the classification and methods of recording adventitious pulmonary sounds. This is a study of the importance of fine crackles (rales) in the diagnosis and estimation of the severity of diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease. Among 272 cases documented by lung biopsy, bilateral fine crackles were heard in 60 percent of those with interstitial pneumonias and asbestosis but in only 20 percent of those with sarcoidosis and other granulomatoses. These incidences were identical in 335 patients diagnosed clinically. In 322 selected ambulatory patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fine crackles were recorded in only 10 to 12 percent, while coarse crackles were not uncommon in patients with chronic bronchitis. In workers exposed to asbestos, crackles correlated with exposure. In serial studies of such workers, the occurrence of crackles alone appeared to be a random event, while among those with crackles together with one other of five criteria, almost one-half developed asbestosis within four to six years. Fine crackles correlated with pathologic severity, with radiographic honeycombing, and with physiologic abnormalities.", "PMID": 630930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8671", "title": "Clinicopathologic correlations demonstrating the failure of 67gallium scanning in determining response to radiotherapy.", "content": "Scanning of the chest using radioactive 67gallium citrate was performed in 12 patients with stage 3MO bronchogenic carcinoma prior to and following preoperative radiotherapy (3,000 rads). This was done to determine if scanning with 67gallium would be predictive in determining radiotherapeutic response. All 12 patients underwent resection of their primary bronchogenic carcinoma, and comparisons of chest x-ray films and 67gallium scans obtained before and after irradiation and of surgical specimens were made. The scan using 67gallium showed improvement in nine of the 12 patients; however, in five of these nine patients, the improvement on the scan using 67gallium was not paralleled by objective regression of the tumor on the chest x-ray film. Viable tumor was observed in the resected specimen in all 12 patients. We conclude that a scan with 67gallium should not be used to evaluate radiotherapeutic response.", "contents": "Clinicopathologic correlations demonstrating the failure of 67gallium scanning in determining response to radiotherapy. Scanning of the chest using radioactive 67gallium citrate was performed in 12 patients with stage 3MO bronchogenic carcinoma prior to and following preoperative radiotherapy (3,000 rads). This was done to determine if scanning with 67gallium would be predictive in determining radiotherapeutic response. All 12 patients underwent resection of their primary bronchogenic carcinoma, and comparisons of chest x-ray films and 67gallium scans obtained before and after irradiation and of surgical specimens were made. The scan using 67gallium showed improvement in nine of the 12 patients; however, in five of these nine patients, the improvement on the scan using 67gallium was not paralleled by objective regression of the tumor on the chest x-ray film. Viable tumor was observed in the resected specimen in all 12 patients. We conclude that a scan with 67gallium should not be used to evaluate radiotherapeutic response.", "PMID": 630931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8672", "title": "Impairment of pulmonary function in acute pancreatitis.", "content": "Arterial blood gas levels, lung volumes, and diffusing properties for carbon monoxide were measured in 22 patients with uncomplicated acute pancreatitis who had no clinical or radiographic evidence of pulmonary involvement. Mild arterial hypoxemia (less than 75 mm Hg) was present in four patients. The mean values of inspiratory lung volumes were clearly reduced, and the diffusing properties were sharply altered; the mean value for the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide per unit of lung volume (Krogh's constant [KCO]) was 78 percent of predicted. Four patients with a low KCO in the first four days after an acute episode had normal values when reevaluated one week later. These findings suggest the occurrence, even in mild acute pancreatitis, of transient pulmonary injury mainly localized at the level of the capillaries, leading to decreased gas transfer.", "contents": "Impairment of pulmonary function in acute pancreatitis. Arterial blood gas levels, lung volumes, and diffusing properties for carbon monoxide were measured in 22 patients with uncomplicated acute pancreatitis who had no clinical or radiographic evidence of pulmonary involvement. Mild arterial hypoxemia (less than 75 mm Hg) was present in four patients. The mean values of inspiratory lung volumes were clearly reduced, and the diffusing properties were sharply altered; the mean value for the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide per unit of lung volume (Krogh's constant [KCO]) was 78 percent of predicted. Four patients with a low KCO in the first four days after an acute episode had normal values when reevaluated one week later. These findings suggest the occurrence, even in mild acute pancreatitis, of transient pulmonary injury mainly localized at the level of the capillaries, leading to decreased gas transfer.", "PMID": 630932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8673", "title": "Human alveolar macrophage proteolytic enzyme activities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lack of correlation with functional abnormalities.", "content": "The occurrence of emphysema in people deficient in alpha1-antitrypsin and the production of emphysema in experimental animals with elastolytic enzymes suggest proteolysis as a mechanism for the development of emphysema. To investigate the possible role of pulmonary alveolar macrophages in the pathogenesis of emphysema, we measured elastase, acid protease, and elastase-like esterase activities in macrophages from patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and attempted to correlate the level of enzyme activity with the severity of pulmonary function abnormality measured in these patients. Compared to values for cigarette smokers with normal pulmonary function, these macrophage enzyme activities were not increased in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, and there was no correlation of high elastase activity with more severe degrees of pulmonary function abnormality. These findings lead us to believe that the absolute level of proteolytic enzymes in pulmonary alveolar macrophages is not in itself a determinant of emphysema.", "contents": "Human alveolar macrophage proteolytic enzyme activities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lack of correlation with functional abnormalities. The occurrence of emphysema in people deficient in alpha1-antitrypsin and the production of emphysema in experimental animals with elastolytic enzymes suggest proteolysis as a mechanism for the development of emphysema. To investigate the possible role of pulmonary alveolar macrophages in the pathogenesis of emphysema, we measured elastase, acid protease, and elastase-like esterase activities in macrophages from patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and attempted to correlate the level of enzyme activity with the severity of pulmonary function abnormality measured in these patients. Compared to values for cigarette smokers with normal pulmonary function, these macrophage enzyme activities were not increased in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, and there was no correlation of high elastase activity with more severe degrees of pulmonary function abnormality. These findings lead us to believe that the absolute level of proteolytic enzymes in pulmonary alveolar macrophages is not in itself a determinant of emphysema.", "PMID": 630933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8674", "title": "The efficacy of rifampin as adjunctive therapy in selected cases of staphylococcal endocarditis.", "content": "Three patients with bacterial endocarditis (one case due to Staphylococcus aureus and two to S epidermidis) failed to improve on standard therapeutic regimens which were judged adequate by in vitro testing for sensitivity. Rifampin was added to the regimen in each case and resulted in increased bactericidal activity in the serum, sterilization of the cardiac valves, and clinical cure. The apparent clinical success that was achieved suggests that further investigation of the effectiveness of therapy with rifampin in selected cases of staphylococcal endocarditis is warranted.", "contents": "The efficacy of rifampin as adjunctive therapy in selected cases of staphylococcal endocarditis. Three patients with bacterial endocarditis (one case due to Staphylococcus aureus and two to S epidermidis) failed to improve on standard therapeutic regimens which were judged adequate by in vitro testing for sensitivity. Rifampin was added to the regimen in each case and resulted in increased bactericidal activity in the serum, sterilization of the cardiac valves, and clinical cure. The apparent clinical success that was achieved suggests that further investigation of the effectiveness of therapy with rifampin in selected cases of staphylococcal endocarditis is warranted.", "PMID": 630934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8675", "title": "Delayed peak of the posterior wall. A new echocardiographic index of posterior wall aneurysm.", "content": "Delayed posterior wall (PW) peak in the detection of PW asynergy was studied by M-mode echocardiography in 53 patients with angiographically proven PW aneurysm, hypokinesis and normal PW. The timing of the PW peak was evaluated by the intervals between (1) the aortic valve closure (Ac) and the PW peak, and (2) the R wave of the electrocardiogram and the PW peak (R-peak). The PW excursion predicted only 39 percent with aneurysm and none with hypokinesis. In contrast, 13 of 18 patients with aneurysm and 4 of 13 patients with hypokinesis demonstrated significantly delayed PW peaks occurring between 0.05 and 0.1 sec following Ac (normal 0 to 0.05 sec). A new index, a ratio of R-peak to ejection time (R-peak/ET) of 1.35 or greater was found to be highly indicative of PW aneurysm in 16 of 18 patients.", "contents": "Delayed peak of the posterior wall. A new echocardiographic index of posterior wall aneurysm. Delayed posterior wall (PW) peak in the detection of PW asynergy was studied by M-mode echocardiography in 53 patients with angiographically proven PW aneurysm, hypokinesis and normal PW. The timing of the PW peak was evaluated by the intervals between (1) the aortic valve closure (Ac) and the PW peak, and (2) the R wave of the electrocardiogram and the PW peak (R-peak). The PW excursion predicted only 39 percent with aneurysm and none with hypokinesis. In contrast, 13 of 18 patients with aneurysm and 4 of 13 patients with hypokinesis demonstrated significantly delayed PW peaks occurring between 0.05 and 0.1 sec following Ac (normal 0 to 0.05 sec). A new index, a ratio of R-peak to ejection time (R-peak/ET) of 1.35 or greater was found to be highly indicative of PW aneurysm in 16 of 18 patients.", "PMID": 630935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8676", "title": "Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax after radiation therapy to the thorax.", "content": "Two patients who received radiation therapy to the thorax and who developed recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces are presented. Patients with recurrent pneumothoraces secondary to radiation have not been described previously. Pleural changes secondary to radiation may contribute significantly to the complicated clinical course of these patients.", "contents": "Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax after radiation therapy to the thorax. Two patients who received radiation therapy to the thorax and who developed recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces are presented. Patients with recurrent pneumothoraces secondary to radiation have not been described previously. Pleural changes secondary to radiation may contribute significantly to the complicated clinical course of these patients.", "PMID": 630936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8677", "title": "Ventricular ectopic rhythms due to rapid runaway pacemaker.", "content": "A patient initially had syncope due to a runaway pacemaker firing at an unusually rapid rate (30 impulses per second). The ventricular arrhythmia was characterized by numerous ectopic beats, with coupling intervals related to the length of the preceding cycle and runs of ventricular tachycardia with slight variations in the intervals between beats. This case demonstrates the clinical characteristics of a very rapidly firing, low-intensity, ventricular parasystolic focus.", "contents": "Ventricular ectopic rhythms due to rapid runaway pacemaker. A patient initially had syncope due to a runaway pacemaker firing at an unusually rapid rate (30 impulses per second). The ventricular arrhythmia was characterized by numerous ectopic beats, with coupling intervals related to the length of the preceding cycle and runs of ventricular tachycardia with slight variations in the intervals between beats. This case demonstrates the clinical characteristics of a very rapidly firing, low-intensity, ventricular parasystolic focus.", "PMID": 630941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8678", "title": "Sarcoidosis initially occurring as apical infiltrate and pleural reaction.", "content": "A 21-year-old black man had pleuritic pain as the initial symptom of his sarcoidosis. Chest roentgenographic examination showed an infiltrate in the left upper lobe and a left pleural thickening. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed by pulmonary biopsy. Thus, sarcoidosis may closely mimic tuberculosis by initially occurring as predominantly apical infiltrates and pleural reaction.", "contents": "Sarcoidosis initially occurring as apical infiltrate and pleural reaction. A 21-year-old black man had pleuritic pain as the initial symptom of his sarcoidosis. Chest roentgenographic examination showed an infiltrate in the left upper lobe and a left pleural thickening. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed by pulmonary biopsy. Thus, sarcoidosis may closely mimic tuberculosis by initially occurring as predominantly apical infiltrates and pleural reaction.", "PMID": 630942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8679", "title": "The mitral knock with atrial fibrillation. A possible source of auscultatory confusion.", "content": "A 29-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation initially had a very loud third heart sound with high-frequency components (mitral knock), as well as with a first heart sound of widely varying intensity. After long diastoles a faint first heart sound was heard, with distinct separation from the third heart sound of the preceding cycle; however, on short cycles the loud and high-pitched third heart sound combined with a loud first heart sound to simulate the combination of a first heart sound with an ejection click. Phonoechocardiographic studies clarified the identity of the transients.", "contents": "The mitral knock with atrial fibrillation. A possible source of auscultatory confusion. A 29-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation initially had a very loud third heart sound with high-frequency components (mitral knock), as well as with a first heart sound of widely varying intensity. After long diastoles a faint first heart sound was heard, with distinct separation from the third heart sound of the preceding cycle; however, on short cycles the loud and high-pitched third heart sound combined with a loud first heart sound to simulate the combination of a first heart sound with an ejection click. Phonoechocardiographic studies clarified the identity of the transients.", "PMID": 630943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8680", "title": "Existence of Sporothrix schenckii as a pulmonary saprophyte.", "content": "A 48-year-old male custodian and part-time gardener was hospitalized for treatment of renal tuberculosis. Sputum cultures failed to reveal mycobacteria, but Sporothrix schenckii was isolated over an eight-month period. In the absence of clinical or roentgenographic evidence of active lung disease, we postulate the saprophytic existence of S schenckii in this patient's tracheobronchial tree. Recognition of this state would obviate the need for the commonly accepted therapy for pulmonary sporotrichosis, amphotericin B.", "contents": "Existence of Sporothrix schenckii as a pulmonary saprophyte. A 48-year-old male custodian and part-time gardener was hospitalized for treatment of renal tuberculosis. Sputum cultures failed to reveal mycobacteria, but Sporothrix schenckii was isolated over an eight-month period. In the absence of clinical or roentgenographic evidence of active lung disease, we postulate the saprophytic existence of S schenckii in this patient's tracheobronchial tree. Recognition of this state would obviate the need for the commonly accepted therapy for pulmonary sporotrichosis, amphotericin B.", "PMID": 630944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8681", "title": "Malformation of bronchopulmonary foregut with systemic and pulmonary arterial blood supply.", "content": "A case of congenital malformation of the bronchopulmonary foregut with communication between the esophagus and sequestered lobe is reported in a six-month-old boy. Only 29 similar cases have been reported previously, and this case was especially unusual in that the communication was from the middle portion of the esophagus to a right apical sequestration. Another unusual feature was that the sequestered segment was supplied by four systemic arteries from the thoracic aorta, as well as by branches from the right pulmonary artery. Within the sequestration, there was shunting of blood from the systemic to pulmonary arterties with reversal of flow in the pulmonary arterial branches.", "contents": "Malformation of bronchopulmonary foregut with systemic and pulmonary arterial blood supply. A case of congenital malformation of the bronchopulmonary foregut with communication between the esophagus and sequestered lobe is reported in a six-month-old boy. Only 29 similar cases have been reported previously, and this case was especially unusual in that the communication was from the middle portion of the esophagus to a right apical sequestration. Another unusual feature was that the sequestered segment was supplied by four systemic arteries from the thoracic aorta, as well as by branches from the right pulmonary artery. Within the sequestration, there was shunting of blood from the systemic to pulmonary arterties with reversal of flow in the pulmonary arterial branches.", "PMID": 630945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8682", "title": "Asthma due to dust from redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).", "content": "An atopic patient with adult onset of asthma due to sawdust from redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is described. Specific late asthmatic reaction developed after challenge with inhalation of his own redwood sawdust. No subjective or objective immediate reactions were detected. Avoidance of exposure resulted in improvement. There were no pulmonary or systemic responses to challenge with inhalation of sawdust from pine wood.", "contents": "Asthma due to dust from redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). An atopic patient with adult onset of asthma due to sawdust from redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is described. Specific late asthmatic reaction developed after challenge with inhalation of his own redwood sawdust. No subjective or objective immediate reactions were detected. Avoidance of exposure resulted in improvement. There were no pulmonary or systemic responses to challenge with inhalation of sawdust from pine wood.", "PMID": 630946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8683", "title": "Cavitary pneumonia associated with tularemia.", "content": "A wide range of microorganisms has been associated with cavitary pneumonia and pulmonary abscess. We present a case of serologically documented tularemia in an animal-hide handler who demonstrated multiple pulmonary infiltrates with cavitation. Inclusion of tularemia in the differential diagnosis of cavitary pneumonia in patients with exposure to animals is emphasized.", "contents": "Cavitary pneumonia associated with tularemia. A wide range of microorganisms has been associated with cavitary pneumonia and pulmonary abscess. We present a case of serologically documented tularemia in an animal-hide handler who demonstrated multiple pulmonary infiltrates with cavitation. Inclusion of tularemia in the differential diagnosis of cavitary pneumonia in patients with exposure to animals is emphasized.", "PMID": 630947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8684", "title": "Mitral and aortic valve replacement in valvular rheumatoid heart disease.", "content": "Specific endocarditis involving the aortic and mitral valves in a patient with peripheral rheumatoid arthritis is reported. The patient underwent prosthetic replacement of both valves. Typical rheumatoid nodules were detected histologically in the valvular tissues.", "contents": "Mitral and aortic valve replacement in valvular rheumatoid heart disease. Specific endocarditis involving the aortic and mitral valves in a patient with peripheral rheumatoid arthritis is reported. The patient underwent prosthetic replacement of both valves. Typical rheumatoid nodules were detected histologically in the valvular tissues.", "PMID": 630948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8685", "title": "Dissimilar atrial rhythms diagnosed by echocardiography.", "content": "A 27-year-old woman with ectopic atrial rhythm and apparent atrioventricular dissociation was found to have A waves on the mitral echocardiogram that bore no relation to the P wave on the surface electrocardiogram. The ECG did not reflect the presence of dissimilar atrial rhythms, and their presence became apparent only during the echocardiographic studies. The mechanism of this phenomenon and its clinical implications are discussed.", "contents": "Dissimilar atrial rhythms diagnosed by echocardiography. A 27-year-old woman with ectopic atrial rhythm and apparent atrioventricular dissociation was found to have A waves on the mitral echocardiogram that bore no relation to the P wave on the surface electrocardiogram. The ECG did not reflect the presence of dissimilar atrial rhythms, and their presence became apparent only during the echocardiographic studies. The mechanism of this phenomenon and its clinical implications are discussed.", "PMID": 630949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8686", "title": "Angiographic evidence of myocardial squeezing accompanying tachyarrhythmia as a possible cause of myocardial infarction.", "content": "The coronary arteriogram of a 52-year-old man with Basedow's disease and who was suffering from myocardial infarction following rapid atrial fibrillation, showed severe myocardial squeezing without organic stenosis. Angiographically, the functional obstructive lesion was always observed both at systole and diastole during atrial pacing, 150 beats per minute, and suggests that myocardial squeezing may be the cause of myocardial infarction following tachyarrhythmia.", "contents": "Angiographic evidence of myocardial squeezing accompanying tachyarrhythmia as a possible cause of myocardial infarction. The coronary arteriogram of a 52-year-old man with Basedow's disease and who was suffering from myocardial infarction following rapid atrial fibrillation, showed severe myocardial squeezing without organic stenosis. Angiographically, the functional obstructive lesion was always observed both at systole and diastole during atrial pacing, 150 beats per minute, and suggests that myocardial squeezing may be the cause of myocardial infarction following tachyarrhythmia.", "PMID": 630950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8687", "title": "Echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular tumor in a neonate.", "content": "We present the case of a ten-hour-old infant with clinical findings suggestive of hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. A diagnosis of left ventricular tumor was made by echocardiographic examination. This diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy, when a large rhabdomyoma was found in the interventricular septum, obliterating the major portion of the left ventricular cavity. The echocardiographic findings are discussed.", "contents": "Echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular tumor in a neonate. We present the case of a ten-hour-old infant with clinical findings suggestive of hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. A diagnosis of left ventricular tumor was made by echocardiographic examination. This diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy, when a large rhabdomyoma was found in the interventricular septum, obliterating the major portion of the left ventricular cavity. The echocardiographic findings are discussed.", "PMID": 630951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8688", "title": "Right ventricular thrombosis.", "content": "We report a case of right ventricular obliteration and tricuspid obstruction by organized thrombi. Thrombectomy relieved the tricuspid obstruction, and the sign of right heart failure was alleviated; however, the movement of the right ventricular wall remained poor, and right atrial contraction played the main role in ejecting blood into the pulmonary artery.", "contents": "Right ventricular thrombosis. We report a case of right ventricular obliteration and tricuspid obstruction by organized thrombi. Thrombectomy relieved the tricuspid obstruction, and the sign of right heart failure was alleviated; however, the movement of the right ventricular wall remained poor, and right atrial contraction played the main role in ejecting blood into the pulmonary artery.", "PMID": 630952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8689", "title": "Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in hospitalized adults after surgery. Clinical correlates in patients over 40 years of age after major noncardiac surgery.", "content": "To assess the clinical correlates and therapeutic outcome of new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, 916 patients who were in sinus rhythm throughout the course of surgery were prospectively followed after major noncardiac surgery. The 35 patients (4 percent) who developed new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias frequently had concurrent medical problems, such as the following: other acute cardiac conditions, 16 patients (46 percent); major infections, 11 patients (31 percent); preexisting hypotension, ten patients (29 percent); anemia, nine patients (26 percent); metabolic derangements, eight patients (23 percent); parenteral therapy with new medications, eight patients (23 percent); and hypoxia, seven patients (20 percent). The arrhythmias of all treated patients reverted to sinus rhythm; 40 percent (14 patients) required no new therapy with cardiac medications, and only two patients required electrical cardioversion. No deaths were related to the supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, but 49 percent (17) of the patients died from their concurrent medical problems. The onset of a new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmia should prompt a search for remediable medical problems. Direct antiarrhythmic therapy is often unnecessary and is usually secondary in importance to correction of the causes of the arrhythmia.", "contents": "Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in hospitalized adults after surgery. Clinical correlates in patients over 40 years of age after major noncardiac surgery. To assess the clinical correlates and therapeutic outcome of new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, 916 patients who were in sinus rhythm throughout the course of surgery were prospectively followed after major noncardiac surgery. The 35 patients (4 percent) who developed new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias frequently had concurrent medical problems, such as the following: other acute cardiac conditions, 16 patients (46 percent); major infections, 11 patients (31 percent); preexisting hypotension, ten patients (29 percent); anemia, nine patients (26 percent); metabolic derangements, eight patients (23 percent); parenteral therapy with new medications, eight patients (23 percent); and hypoxia, seven patients (20 percent). The arrhythmias of all treated patients reverted to sinus rhythm; 40 percent (14 patients) required no new therapy with cardiac medications, and only two patients required electrical cardioversion. No deaths were related to the supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, but 49 percent (17) of the patients died from their concurrent medical problems. The onset of a new postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmia should prompt a search for remediable medical problems. Direct antiarrhythmic therapy is often unnecessary and is usually secondary in importance to correction of the causes of the arrhythmia.", "PMID": 630960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8690", "title": "Clinical toxocity of theophylline in relation to cigarette smoking. A report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program.", "content": "Adverse reactions to derivatives of theophylline were studied among 2,766 medical inpatients. The primary diagnosis at discharge was cardiac disease in 23 percent, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 22 percent, asthma in 13 percent, pulmonary infection in 10 percent, and other disorders in 3 percent of the patients. Eight hundred seven of the patients were current cigarette smokers, and 1,209 denied smoking. Adverse effects of administration of theophylline were reported in 298 patients (10.8 percent). Gastrointestinal disturbances, reported in 7.8 percent of the recipients, were the most common adverse effects. Others were cardiovascular disturbances (1.2 percent), effects on the central nervous system (0.9 percent), and miscellaneous adverse reactions (0.9 percent). A higher frequency of adverse reactions was associated with higher doses of theophylline; however, cigarette smoking was negatively correlated with the frequency of adverse reactions. Adverse effects were experienced by 13 percent of the nonsmokers, by 11 percent of those who smoked up to 20 cigarettes daily, and by 7 percent of those who smoked more heavily. This association was most apparent among young patients with normal renal function and was least evident among the elderly.", "contents": "Clinical toxocity of theophylline in relation to cigarette smoking. A report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program. Adverse reactions to derivatives of theophylline were studied among 2,766 medical inpatients. The primary diagnosis at discharge was cardiac disease in 23 percent, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 22 percent, asthma in 13 percent, pulmonary infection in 10 percent, and other disorders in 3 percent of the patients. Eight hundred seven of the patients were current cigarette smokers, and 1,209 denied smoking. Adverse effects of administration of theophylline were reported in 298 patients (10.8 percent). Gastrointestinal disturbances, reported in 7.8 percent of the recipients, were the most common adverse effects. Others were cardiovascular disturbances (1.2 percent), effects on the central nervous system (0.9 percent), and miscellaneous adverse reactions (0.9 percent). A higher frequency of adverse reactions was associated with higher doses of theophylline; however, cigarette smoking was negatively correlated with the frequency of adverse reactions. Adverse effects were experienced by 13 percent of the nonsmokers, by 11 percent of those who smoked up to 20 cigarettes daily, and by 7 percent of those who smoked more heavily. This association was most apparent among young patients with normal renal function and was least evident among the elderly.", "PMID": 630961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8691", "title": "Pulmonary embolism in respiratory failure.", "content": "The occurrence of pulmonary emboli in 617 patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit was studied. Pulmonary emboli were found in 18 (27 percent) of 66 autopsies. Half of these pulmonary emboli were not diagnosed before death, despite persistent aggressive attempts to document pulmonary emboli. In this subpopulation of patients with respiratory failure, the usual clinical manifestations of pulmonary emboli (symptoms, signs, chest x-ray film, electrocardiogram, and changes in arterial blood gas levels) frequently are already present, due to the severe underlying pulmonary disease, and any superimposed manifestations of pulmonary emboli are often inapparent. In this group under study, the ventilation/perfusion lung scan correlated poorly with pulmonary angiographic results and with examinations at autopsy; the scan generally was inadequate to rule in or rule out pulmonary emboli. Again, this was due to the distortion of both ventilation and perfusion by the severe underlying pulmonary disease. Currently, pulmonary angiographic studies remain the only reliable technique to confirm or exclude pulmonary emboli in patients with respiratory failure.", "contents": "Pulmonary embolism in respiratory failure. The occurrence of pulmonary emboli in 617 patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit was studied. Pulmonary emboli were found in 18 (27 percent) of 66 autopsies. Half of these pulmonary emboli were not diagnosed before death, despite persistent aggressive attempts to document pulmonary emboli. In this subpopulation of patients with respiratory failure, the usual clinical manifestations of pulmonary emboli (symptoms, signs, chest x-ray film, electrocardiogram, and changes in arterial blood gas levels) frequently are already present, due to the severe underlying pulmonary disease, and any superimposed manifestations of pulmonary emboli are often inapparent. In this group under study, the ventilation/perfusion lung scan correlated poorly with pulmonary angiographic results and with examinations at autopsy; the scan generally was inadequate to rule in or rule out pulmonary emboli. Again, this was due to the distortion of both ventilation and perfusion by the severe underlying pulmonary disease. Currently, pulmonary angiographic studies remain the only reliable technique to confirm or exclude pulmonary emboli in patients with respiratory failure.", "PMID": 630962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8692", "title": "Disproportionate ventricular thickening in patients with systemic hypertension.", "content": "To determine the prevalence and characteristics of disproportionate ventricular septal thickening (septal-free wall ratio of greater than or equal to 1.3) in a population of patients with severe chronic hypertension, which was unassociated with coronary arterial disease, 33 patients were studied at necropsy. The overall prevalence of disproportionate septal thickening was relatively low, ie, two (6 percent) of the 33 patients. The septal-free wall ratio in both of these patients was 1.3. Disproportionate septal thickening appeared to be secondary to the left ventricular pressure overload, rather than to coexistent genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This conclusion was based on the following facts: (1) numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells, characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, were not present in the ventricular septum of either patient with disproportionate septal thickening; and (2) echocardiographic studies performed in first-degree relatives of one of the two patients did not disclose disproportionate septal thickening. Hence, disproportionate septal thickening may occur as a secondary manifestation of left ventricular pressure overload that is present in patients with systemic hypertension, but this association appears to be relatively uncommon.", "contents": "Disproportionate ventricular thickening in patients with systemic hypertension. To determine the prevalence and characteristics of disproportionate ventricular septal thickening (septal-free wall ratio of greater than or equal to 1.3) in a population of patients with severe chronic hypertension, which was unassociated with coronary arterial disease, 33 patients were studied at necropsy. The overall prevalence of disproportionate septal thickening was relatively low, ie, two (6 percent) of the 33 patients. The septal-free wall ratio in both of these patients was 1.3. Disproportionate septal thickening appeared to be secondary to the left ventricular pressure overload, rather than to coexistent genetically transmitted hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This conclusion was based on the following facts: (1) numerous disorganized cardiac muscle cells, characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, were not present in the ventricular septum of either patient with disproportionate septal thickening; and (2) echocardiographic studies performed in first-degree relatives of one of the two patients did not disclose disproportionate septal thickening. Hence, disproportionate septal thickening may occur as a secondary manifestation of left ventricular pressure overload that is present in patients with systemic hypertension, but this association appears to be relatively uncommon.", "PMID": 630963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8693", "title": "Effect of therapy with methylprednisolone on the size of myocardial infarcts in man.", "content": "The use of steroids to decrease the size of the infarct and the mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction has long been the subject of controversy. In the present study, two large doses of methylprednisolone were administered intravenously to 14 patients with relatively uncomplicated myocardial infarction within 17 hours after the onset of symptoms, whereas a comparable group of 15 patients with myocardial infarction served as controls. The size of the infarct was assessed utilizing serial measurements of serum levels of creatine phosphokinase and its myocardial isoenzyme, the MB form of creatine phosphokinase. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients with regard to peak cumulative levels of total creatine phosphokinase and the MB form of creatine phosphokinase. Similarly, there was no difference between the two groups in mortality or in the incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, congestive heart failure, or extensions of the infarct. We conclude that high intravenous doses of steroids given early in the course of myocardial infarction have neither deleterious nor beneficial effects.", "contents": "Effect of therapy with methylprednisolone on the size of myocardial infarcts in man. The use of steroids to decrease the size of the infarct and the mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction has long been the subject of controversy. In the present study, two large doses of methylprednisolone were administered intravenously to 14 patients with relatively uncomplicated myocardial infarction within 17 hours after the onset of symptoms, whereas a comparable group of 15 patients with myocardial infarction served as controls. The size of the infarct was assessed utilizing serial measurements of serum levels of creatine phosphokinase and its myocardial isoenzyme, the MB form of creatine phosphokinase. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients with regard to peak cumulative levels of total creatine phosphokinase and the MB form of creatine phosphokinase. Similarly, there was no difference between the two groups in mortality or in the incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, congestive heart failure, or extensions of the infarct. We conclude that high intravenous doses of steroids given early in the course of myocardial infarction have neither deleterious nor beneficial effects.", "PMID": 630965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8694", "title": "Mediastinitis from odontogenic and deep cervical infection. Anatomic pathways of propagation.", "content": "Potentially lethal consequences can quickly occur once the mediastinum is subjected to the ravages of an anaerobic infection. Mediastinitis from odontogenic or deep cervical infections is extremely rare in the era of antibiotic drugs. We have recently encountered five such cases, with a rapid spread of the inflammatory process into the mediastinum resulting in a number of local and systemic complications. All were caused by anaerobic bacteria. Awareness of such complications and early roentgenographic diagnosis lead to prompt surgical drainage, proper antibiotic therapy, and survival after a stormy clinical course. The anatomic pathways between the various fascial planes of the neck and mediastinum will be described.", "contents": "Mediastinitis from odontogenic and deep cervical infection. Anatomic pathways of propagation. Potentially lethal consequences can quickly occur once the mediastinum is subjected to the ravages of an anaerobic infection. Mediastinitis from odontogenic or deep cervical infections is extremely rare in the era of antibiotic drugs. We have recently encountered five such cases, with a rapid spread of the inflammatory process into the mediastinum resulting in a number of local and systemic complications. All were caused by anaerobic bacteria. Awareness of such complications and early roentgenographic diagnosis lead to prompt surgical drainage, proper antibiotic therapy, and survival after a stormy clinical course. The anatomic pathways between the various fascial planes of the neck and mediastinum will be described.", "PMID": 630967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8695", "title": "Alveolar-capillary oxygen disequilibrium in hepatic cirrhosis.", "content": "Hypoxemia is a frequent occurrence in patients with severe hepatic disease. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in the production of such hypoxemia. The case of a 35-year-old man with cyanosis, clubbing, and cirrhosis is presented. Physiologic data from this patient revealed normal pulmonary function, except for a low diffusing capacity and a 28 percent shunt while the patient was breathing 100 percent oxygen. A perfusion scan with radioactive 99mtechnetium-labelled macroaggregated albumin revealed 67 percent of the labelled macroaggregated albumin in the systemic circulation. Post-mortem examination demonstrated normal pulmonary parenchyma, markedly dilated intraparenchymal capillaries and arterioles, subpleural angiomata, and cirrhosis. No anatomic arteriovenous connections were demonstrated before or after death. We conclude that the arterial hypoxemia of some patients with hepatic cirrhosis results from dilated gas-exchanging blood vessels. These widened vessels prevent end pulmonary capillary oxygen tension from reaching equilibrium with alveolar gas, perhaps because of the widened distance for diffusion.", "contents": "Alveolar-capillary oxygen disequilibrium in hepatic cirrhosis. Hypoxemia is a frequent occurrence in patients with severe hepatic disease. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in the production of such hypoxemia. The case of a 35-year-old man with cyanosis, clubbing, and cirrhosis is presented. Physiologic data from this patient revealed normal pulmonary function, except for a low diffusing capacity and a 28 percent shunt while the patient was breathing 100 percent oxygen. A perfusion scan with radioactive 99mtechnetium-labelled macroaggregated albumin revealed 67 percent of the labelled macroaggregated albumin in the systemic circulation. Post-mortem examination demonstrated normal pulmonary parenchyma, markedly dilated intraparenchymal capillaries and arterioles, subpleural angiomata, and cirrhosis. No anatomic arteriovenous connections were demonstrated before or after death. We conclude that the arterial hypoxemia of some patients with hepatic cirrhosis results from dilated gas-exchanging blood vessels. These widened vessels prevent end pulmonary capillary oxygen tension from reaching equilibrium with alveolar gas, perhaps because of the widened distance for diffusion.", "PMID": 630968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8696", "title": "Echinococcosis complicated by purulent pericarditis.", "content": "Three patients are described in whom purulent pericarditis arose as a complication of hydatid disease. In one patient a myocardial cyst ruptured into the pericardial cavity and subsequently became superinfected, probably from a coexisting bronchopneumonia. This patient also had widespread intravascular dissemination of germinal membrane. Two patients had echinococcal cysts of the liver, which became infected following surgery. This led to formation of a fistula between the hepatic hydatid and the pericardium, resulting in purulent pericarditis. The cases illustrate the protean nature of echinococcosis, especially the cardiac form, and emphasize the difficulty of recognizing purulent pericarditis as a complication of other conditions.", "contents": "Echinococcosis complicated by purulent pericarditis. Three patients are described in whom purulent pericarditis arose as a complication of hydatid disease. In one patient a myocardial cyst ruptured into the pericardial cavity and subsequently became superinfected, probably from a coexisting bronchopneumonia. This patient also had widespread intravascular dissemination of germinal membrane. Two patients had echinococcal cysts of the liver, which became infected following surgery. This led to formation of a fistula between the hepatic hydatid and the pericardium, resulting in purulent pericarditis. The cases illustrate the protean nature of echinococcosis, especially the cardiac form, and emphasize the difficulty of recognizing purulent pericarditis as a complication of other conditions.", "PMID": 630969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8697", "title": "Differential response in the male and female tracheal epithelium following exposure to tobacco smoke.", "content": "Histochemical quantification of goblet cells and measurements of the epithelial thickness were made in the trachea of male and female rats exposed to fresh whole tobacco smoke for 30 consecutive days. Exposure to tobacco smoke resulted in an increase in the total goblet cell count in both sexes, with the female rats differentially responding to a greater degree than the male rats. There was a shift from PAS-positive to alcian blue-positive goblet cells, an increase in the number of both \"large\" and \"small\" goblet cells, and an increase in the epithelial thickness. PAS-positive \"small\" cells, the major glycoprotein-reactive cell in the rat tracheal epithelium, increased in the female rats but showed no increase in the male rats. On the other hand, male rats contained a substantially higher proportion of alcian blue-positive cells than did female rats, both before and after exposure to the smoke. The significance of these observations in relation to the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in human smokers is discussed.", "contents": "Differential response in the male and female tracheal epithelium following exposure to tobacco smoke. Histochemical quantification of goblet cells and measurements of the epithelial thickness were made in the trachea of male and female rats exposed to fresh whole tobacco smoke for 30 consecutive days. Exposure to tobacco smoke resulted in an increase in the total goblet cell count in both sexes, with the female rats differentially responding to a greater degree than the male rats. There was a shift from PAS-positive to alcian blue-positive goblet cells, an increase in the number of both \"large\" and \"small\" goblet cells, and an increase in the epithelial thickness. PAS-positive \"small\" cells, the major glycoprotein-reactive cell in the rat tracheal epithelium, increased in the female rats but showed no increase in the male rats. On the other hand, male rats contained a substantially higher proportion of alcian blue-positive cells than did female rats, both before and after exposure to the smoke. The significance of these observations in relation to the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in human smokers is discussed.", "PMID": 630970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8698", "title": "Coexistent Wenckebach phenomenon in the distal branches of the specialized conduction system.", "content": "A patient in whom Wenckebach phenomenon was observed to coexist in the three distal branches of the specialized ventricular conduction system, with an intermittent trifascicular block producing a second degree A-V block, is described. Surface electrocardiogram demonstrated the presence of this phenomenon in the right bundle branch (RBB) and the anterior division of the left bundle branch (LBB). Evidence of the presence of Wenckebach phenomenon in the remaining fascicle was provided by His bundle recording.", "contents": "Coexistent Wenckebach phenomenon in the distal branches of the specialized conduction system. A patient in whom Wenckebach phenomenon was observed to coexist in the three distal branches of the specialized ventricular conduction system, with an intermittent trifascicular block producing a second degree A-V block, is described. Surface electrocardiogram demonstrated the presence of this phenomenon in the right bundle branch (RBB) and the anterior division of the left bundle branch (LBB). Evidence of the presence of Wenckebach phenomenon in the remaining fascicle was provided by His bundle recording.", "PMID": 630974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8699", "title": "Survival of a patient with pancytopenia and disseminated coagulation associated with miliary tuberculosis.", "content": "A 56-year-old man with histologically and bacteriologically proved disseminated tuberculosis in association with pancytopenia responded to antituberculosis chemotherapy with bacteriologic cure of his tuberculosis and concomitant resolution of the pancytopenia. This association has been generally believed to have a nearly 100 percent mortality. In addition, the patient developed laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The single and simultaneous occurrence of these two hematologic abnormalities is extremely rare. A number of factors possibly relating to the development of pancytopenia and DIC in conjunction with miliary tuberculosis are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Survival of a patient with pancytopenia and disseminated coagulation associated with miliary tuberculosis. A 56-year-old man with histologically and bacteriologically proved disseminated tuberculosis in association with pancytopenia responded to antituberculosis chemotherapy with bacteriologic cure of his tuberculosis and concomitant resolution of the pancytopenia. This association has been generally believed to have a nearly 100 percent mortality. In addition, the patient developed laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The single and simultaneous occurrence of these two hematologic abnormalities is extremely rare. A number of factors possibly relating to the development of pancytopenia and DIC in conjunction with miliary tuberculosis are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 630975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8700", "title": "Bronchogenic cyst mimicking a pulmonary varix.", "content": "A 14-year-old boy initially had severe hemoptysis and a coin lesion in the left lower lobe on the chest x-ray film. Pulmonary arteriographic studies suggested the presence of a pulmonary varix. Pathologic examination of the specimen obtained at surgery revealed a bronchogenic cyst. Pulmonary varices are extremely rare. Bronchogenic cysts must be included in the differential diagnosis of these lesions.", "contents": "Bronchogenic cyst mimicking a pulmonary varix. A 14-year-old boy initially had severe hemoptysis and a coin lesion in the left lower lobe on the chest x-ray film. Pulmonary arteriographic studies suggested the presence of a pulmonary varix. Pathologic examination of the specimen obtained at surgery revealed a bronchogenic cyst. Pulmonary varices are extremely rare. Bronchogenic cysts must be included in the differential diagnosis of these lesions.", "PMID": 630977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8701", "title": "Successful medical therapy for endocarditis due to Candida parapsilosis. A clinical and epidemiologic study.", "content": "A heroin addict with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and persistent fungemia with Candida parapsilosis was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine). The diagnosis of endocarditis was based on the subsequent development of a murmur of mitral regurgitation and echocardiographic evidence of prolapse of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Cure was effected with antifungal therapy alone. Thus, when the diagnosis of fungal endocarditis is made early in its course, open-heart surgery may not be needed. To investigate the relative frequency of isolation of C parapsilosis from particular sites, a mycologic survey was conducted in our hospital. Among the isolates of yeasts, C parapsilosis represented 8.0, 17.1, and 26.7 percent of those from all cultured sites, from contaminated intravenous catheters, and from cultures of blood, respectively. Since this trend to cluster in cases of fungemia was not seen with other yeasts, C parapsilosis appears to be more invasive than other species of Candida.", "contents": "Successful medical therapy for endocarditis due to Candida parapsilosis. A clinical and epidemiologic study. A heroin addict with asymmetric septal hypertrophy and persistent fungemia with Candida parapsilosis was treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine). The diagnosis of endocarditis was based on the subsequent development of a murmur of mitral regurgitation and echocardiographic evidence of prolapse of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Cure was effected with antifungal therapy alone. Thus, when the diagnosis of fungal endocarditis is made early in its course, open-heart surgery may not be needed. To investigate the relative frequency of isolation of C parapsilosis from particular sites, a mycologic survey was conducted in our hospital. Among the isolates of yeasts, C parapsilosis represented 8.0, 17.1, and 26.7 percent of those from all cultured sites, from contaminated intravenous catheters, and from cultures of blood, respectively. Since this trend to cluster in cases of fungemia was not seen with other yeasts, C parapsilosis appears to be more invasive than other species of Candida.", "PMID": 630978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8702", "title": "Violent families: coping responses of abused wives.", "content": "A theoretical schema analyzing and categorizing responses of abused wives is useful to the social worker in understanding the problems and helping to effect change in the situation.", "contents": "Violent families: coping responses of abused wives. A theoretical schema analyzing and categorizing responses of abused wives is useful to the social worker in understanding the problems and helping to effect change in the situation.", "PMID": 630986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8703", "title": "Foster home care for mentally retarded children: can it work?", "content": "The 2-year experience of a foster home program for retarded children illuminates the problems of administration, staff and foster parents in preparing retardates to return to community life. The report on the experiment is hopeful.", "contents": "Foster home care for mentally retarded children: can it work? The 2-year experience of a foster home program for retarded children illuminates the problems of administration, staff and foster parents in preparing retardates to return to community life. The report on the experiment is hopeful.", "PMID": 630987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8704", "title": "Techniques for recruiting foster homes for mentally retarded children.", "content": "A survey indicates that a mass media campaign increases awareness of a foster care program for mentally retarded children, but personal contact, especially with a current or former foster parent, is a decisive factor in the decision to apply.", "contents": "Techniques for recruiting foster homes for mentally retarded children. A survey indicates that a mass media campaign increases awareness of a foster care program for mentally retarded children, but personal contact, especially with a current or former foster parent, is a decisive factor in the decision to apply.", "PMID": 630988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8705", "title": "Children's services and Title XX from a national perspective.", "content": "The Social Security Act's Title XX, which became law in 1975, has brought many changes in social services. This article examines problems, confusions and opportunities that accompany the new regulations.", "contents": "Children's services and Title XX from a national perspective. The Social Security Act's Title XX, which became law in 1975, has brought many changes in social services. This article examines problems, confusions and opportunities that accompany the new regulations.", "PMID": 630989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8706", "title": "A model for training foster parents in behavior modificiation techniques.", "content": "A training program for foster parents applying the techniques of behavior modification produced measurable gains in parenting and in the management of the children.", "contents": "A model for training foster parents in behavior modificiation techniques. A training program for foster parents applying the techniques of behavior modification produced measurable gains in parenting and in the management of the children.", "PMID": 630990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8707", "title": "External drainage for ventricular infection following cerebrospinal fluid shunts.", "content": "57 children with shunt-related ventricular infection were treated with external ventricular drainage and a combination of systemic and intraventricular antibiotics. For persistent infection or inadequate drainage volume the external ventricular drain was promptly changed. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures of 54 (95%) of the children became sterile within an average of 5.1 days. As soon as three consecutive 48-hour cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid were negative, the external ventricular drainage was removed and a new ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. Provided that three consecutive 48-hour cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid were negative at the time of reinstitution of ventriculoperitoneal shunting, low cerebrospinal fluid glucose readings were not associated with any greater risk of recurrent infection than following primary ventriculoperitoneal shunting.", "contents": "External drainage for ventricular infection following cerebrospinal fluid shunts. 57 children with shunt-related ventricular infection were treated with external ventricular drainage and a combination of systemic and intraventricular antibiotics. For persistent infection or inadequate drainage volume the external ventricular drain was promptly changed. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures of 54 (95%) of the children became sterile within an average of 5.1 days. As soon as three consecutive 48-hour cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid were negative, the external ventricular drainage was removed and a new ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. Provided that three consecutive 48-hour cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid were negative at the time of reinstitution of ventriculoperitoneal shunting, low cerebrospinal fluid glucose readings were not associated with any greater risk of recurrent infection than following primary ventriculoperitoneal shunting.", "PMID": 630992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8708", "title": "Pyocephalus of the newborn child.", "content": "3 cases of pyocephalus (ventricular empyema) in newborn children are described and 16 cases from the literature are analyzed. Half of the previously published cases of pyocephalus are secondary to cerebral abscesses. Neuroradiological findings and especially the necroscopic study of a case demonstrated the existence of membranous blockages inside the ventricles which may make the circulation of CSF impossible. Our treatment of choice consists of repeated punctures and evacuations of purulent content and topic as well as parenteral administration of antibiotics. Further CSF derivative measures are almost always necessary. By these means, we believe the high mortality of these cases could be lowered.", "contents": "Pyocephalus of the newborn child. 3 cases of pyocephalus (ventricular empyema) in newborn children are described and 16 cases from the literature are analyzed. Half of the previously published cases of pyocephalus are secondary to cerebral abscesses. Neuroradiological findings and especially the necroscopic study of a case demonstrated the existence of membranous blockages inside the ventricles which may make the circulation of CSF impossible. Our treatment of choice consists of repeated punctures and evacuations of purulent content and topic as well as parenteral administration of antibiotics. Further CSF derivative measures are almost always necessary. By these means, we believe the high mortality of these cases could be lowered.", "PMID": 630993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8709", "title": "Computerized axial tomography in the preoperative evaluation of posterior fossa tumors in children.", "content": "22 cases of pediatric posterior fossa tumors that underwent preoperative evaluation by computerized tomography are presented. 8 of the cases, in the latter part of the series, were successfully operated upon on the basis of computerized tomography alone. In 14 other cases, additional angiographic investigation was carried out. In only 1 case of multiple hemangioblastoma did angiography provide further significant information. On the basis of this experience, it is suggested that computerized tomography is usually sufficient and further contrast studies are unnecessary in the preoperative evaluation of pediatric posterior fossa tumors.", "contents": "Computerized axial tomography in the preoperative evaluation of posterior fossa tumors in children. 22 cases of pediatric posterior fossa tumors that underwent preoperative evaluation by computerized tomography are presented. 8 of the cases, in the latter part of the series, were successfully operated upon on the basis of computerized tomography alone. In 14 other cases, additional angiographic investigation was carried out. In only 1 case of multiple hemangioblastoma did angiography provide further significant information. On the basis of this experience, it is suggested that computerized tomography is usually sufficient and further contrast studies are unnecessary in the preoperative evaluation of pediatric posterior fossa tumors.", "PMID": 630994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8710", "title": "Long-standing myelomeningocele associated with spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report.", "content": "The fate of a giant sacral myelomeningocele in a boy aged 7 years is reported. A striking feature of this case is its unusual conjunction to subarachnoid hemorrhage from vascular hamartoma of its wall. The pathophysiological and clinical implications of this observation are reviewed.", "contents": "Long-standing myelomeningocele associated with spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report. The fate of a giant sacral myelomeningocele in a boy aged 7 years is reported. A striking feature of this case is its unusual conjunction to subarachnoid hemorrhage from vascular hamartoma of its wall. The pathophysiological and clinical implications of this observation are reviewed.", "PMID": 630995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8711", "title": "In situ hybridization of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA to locus 2-48BC in Drosophila hydei.", "content": "The maximum grain density over the \"heat-shock\" locus 2-48BC of Drosophila hydei polytene chromosomes obtained after in situ hybridization of nuclear RNA extracted from tissue culture cells labelled during incubation at 37 degrees C is five times higher than that obtainable by using polysomal RNA isolated from the same cells. Furthermore, the addition of a large excess of unlabelled polysomal RNA reduced the amount of in situ hybridization of nuclear RNA by only 20% showing that nuclear 2-48BC RNA contains sequences not present in polysomal 2-48BC RNA.--The polysomal 2-48BC RNA is polyadenylated, as are the RNA sequences present in the polysomes complementary to the other two major \"heat shock\" loci 2-32A and 2-36A. Polyadenylated RNA, with an apparent size of 15S, complementary to locus 2-48BC is also found in the cytoplasm of D. hydei salivary glands.", "contents": "In situ hybridization of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA to locus 2-48BC in Drosophila hydei. The maximum grain density over the \"heat-shock\" locus 2-48BC of Drosophila hydei polytene chromosomes obtained after in situ hybridization of nuclear RNA extracted from tissue culture cells labelled during incubation at 37 degrees C is five times higher than that obtainable by using polysomal RNA isolated from the same cells. Furthermore, the addition of a large excess of unlabelled polysomal RNA reduced the amount of in situ hybridization of nuclear RNA by only 20% showing that nuclear 2-48BC RNA contains sequences not present in polysomal 2-48BC RNA.--The polysomal 2-48BC RNA is polyadenylated, as are the RNA sequences present in the polysomes complementary to the other two major \"heat shock\" loci 2-32A and 2-36A. Polyadenylated RNA, with an apparent size of 15S, complementary to locus 2-48BC is also found in the cytoplasm of D. hydei salivary glands.", "PMID": 630996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8712", "title": "Chromosome location of the ribosomal genes in Triturus vulgaris meridionalis (Amphibia Urodela). III. Inheritance of the chromosomal sites for 18S + 28S ribosomal RNA.", "content": "In Triturus vulgaris meridionalis, the 18S + 28S rDNA sequences have been shown to be located in a number of additional chromosomal sites besides the nucleolus organizing region. The additional ribosomal sites have been found to vary as to their number and chromosomal location in different individuals of the species.--The data presented in this study concern the chromosomal distribution of the ribosomal sequences as analyzed by in situ hybridization technique in two individuals as well as in their offspring. The evidence obtained by this analysis indicates quite clearly that all 18S + 28S rRNA sites present in each individual genome are inherited according to simple mendelian principles.", "contents": "Chromosome location of the ribosomal genes in Triturus vulgaris meridionalis (Amphibia Urodela). III. Inheritance of the chromosomal sites for 18S + 28S ribosomal RNA. In Triturus vulgaris meridionalis, the 18S + 28S rDNA sequences have been shown to be located in a number of additional chromosomal sites besides the nucleolus organizing region. The additional ribosomal sites have been found to vary as to their number and chromosomal location in different individuals of the species.--The data presented in this study concern the chromosomal distribution of the ribosomal sequences as analyzed by in situ hybridization technique in two individuals as well as in their offspring. The evidence obtained by this analysis indicates quite clearly that all 18S + 28S rRNA sites present in each individual genome are inherited according to simple mendelian principles.", "PMID": 630997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8713", "title": "Human spinal fluid methadone levels.", "content": "Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels of methadone were measured in nine methadone maintenance patients requiring lumbar punctures for medical or surgical treatment. Concurrent serum methadone levels were also determined. The CSF concentration of methadone in all cases was a fraction of the corresponding serum level--ranging from 2 to 73%. The CSF concentrations of methadone ranged from 0.010 to 0.097 ng%. Peak methadone levels in CSF appeared approximately 3 - 8 hours after methadone administration.", "contents": "Human spinal fluid methadone levels. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels of methadone were measured in nine methadone maintenance patients requiring lumbar punctures for medical or surgical treatment. Concurrent serum methadone levels were also determined. The CSF concentration of methadone in all cases was a fraction of the corresponding serum level--ranging from 2 to 73%. The CSF concentrations of methadone ranged from 0.010 to 0.097 ng%. Peak methadone levels in CSF appeared approximately 3 - 8 hours after methadone administration.", "PMID": 631010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8714", "title": "The iceberg of opium addiction. An epidemiological survey of opium addiction in a rural community.", "content": "As part of a medico-social survey in a rural population in the northern part of Iran, data concerning opium users was collected from randomly chosen households. The addiction rate was found to be 69/1000. The rate of registered addicts in the same population is 11/1000. The population in terms of registered addicts seems to be very small, but this is only the tip of the iceberg and does not reflect the true picture within the society. In view of the traditional use of opium in the country, the problem of addiction may become serious unless adequate and effective measures are taken.", "contents": "The iceberg of opium addiction. An epidemiological survey of opium addiction in a rural community. As part of a medico-social survey in a rural population in the northern part of Iran, data concerning opium users was collected from randomly chosen households. The addiction rate was found to be 69/1000. The rate of registered addicts in the same population is 11/1000. The population in terms of registered addicts seems to be very small, but this is only the tip of the iceberg and does not reflect the true picture within the society. In view of the traditional use of opium in the country, the problem of addiction may become serious unless adequate and effective measures are taken.", "PMID": 631011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8715", "title": "Acceptability of methadyl acetate (LAAM) as compared with methadone in a treatment program for heroin addicts.", "content": "Heroin addicts who had been maintained for at least three months on LAAM (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, methadyl acetate) and at least three months on methadone were asked to compare the two drugs on a number of criteria. The responses were highly selective, indicating that a desire to please the investigators was not an important factor. Overwhelmingly, the majority of patients reported that LAAM provided better heroin \"blockade\", that it was more effective in reducing craving, and that actual use of heroin was less on LAAM than on methadone. In other respects, such as sexual performance, sleep, and appetite, most patients perceived no difference between the drugs. In no respect was methadone preferred by a majority, although methadone was viewed more favorably on some criteria by some patients. These findings indicate that for most heroin addicts LAAM will be an acceptable maintenance drug.", "contents": "Acceptability of methadyl acetate (LAAM) as compared with methadone in a treatment program for heroin addicts. Heroin addicts who had been maintained for at least three months on LAAM (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, methadyl acetate) and at least three months on methadone were asked to compare the two drugs on a number of criteria. The responses were highly selective, indicating that a desire to please the investigators was not an important factor. Overwhelmingly, the majority of patients reported that LAAM provided better heroin \"blockade\", that it was more effective in reducing craving, and that actual use of heroin was less on LAAM than on methadone. In other respects, such as sexual performance, sleep, and appetite, most patients perceived no difference between the drugs. In no respect was methadone preferred by a majority, although methadone was viewed more favorably on some criteria by some patients. These findings indicate that for most heroin addicts LAAM will be an acceptable maintenance drug.", "PMID": 631012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8716", "title": "Pupillography response to methadone challenge: aid to diagnosis of opioid dependence.", "content": "Diagnostic pupillography, under blind conditions, produced constrictions greater than 0.75 mm in 25 opiod addicts and no change or dilation in 82 others. Placebo use produced no constrictions in 99 subjects. Methadone test dose pupillography provides significant information useful in diagnosing opioid dependence and is more acceptable to addicts than naloxone testing.", "contents": "Pupillography response to methadone challenge: aid to diagnosis of opioid dependence. Diagnostic pupillography, under blind conditions, produced constrictions greater than 0.75 mm in 25 opiod addicts and no change or dilation in 82 others. Placebo use produced no constrictions in 99 subjects. Methadone test dose pupillography provides significant information useful in diagnosing opioid dependence and is more acceptable to addicts than naloxone testing.", "PMID": 631013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8717", "title": "Ethnic variation in use and effects of alcohol.", "content": "Americans living in Hawaii were questioned about their use of alcoholic beverages. Although alcohol use was widespread in all ethnic groups included in the study, comparisons among groups showed that (a) a larger proportion of Orientals than Caucasians reported no use of alcohol, (b) Caucasians reported heavier use, and (c) a larger proportion of Oriental users reported facial flushing as a sequel to alcohol consumption. Persons with one Oriental and one Caucasian parent were intermediate with respect to (a) and (b), but were more similar to Orientals on (c). Other symptomology reported appeared to be associated with amount imbibed, not with ethnicity per se. Compared to current users, former users reported a larger number of problems and symptoms associated with alcohol use.", "contents": "Ethnic variation in use and effects of alcohol. Americans living in Hawaii were questioned about their use of alcoholic beverages. Although alcohol use was widespread in all ethnic groups included in the study, comparisons among groups showed that (a) a larger proportion of Orientals than Caucasians reported no use of alcohol, (b) Caucasians reported heavier use, and (c) a larger proportion of Oriental users reported facial flushing as a sequel to alcohol consumption. Persons with one Oriental and one Caucasian parent were intermediate with respect to (a) and (b), but were more similar to Orientals on (c). Other symptomology reported appeared to be associated with amount imbibed, not with ethnicity per se. Compared to current users, former users reported a larger number of problems and symptoms associated with alcohol use.", "PMID": 631014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8718", "title": "Veterans Administration hospital staff attitudes toward alcoholism.", "content": "Attitudes toward alcoholism among psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants (464 subjects) were surveyed. A nine-factor questionnaire was utilized (emotional difficulties, character defect, social status, illness conception, harmless indulgence and addiction liability). All groups were homogeneous in their perceptions about emotional difficulties contributing to alcoholism, alcoholics not coming from the lower socioeconomic strata of society, and the belief that alcoholics did recover and could be helped by treatment. Age, sex, and special training in the treatment of alcoholism did not have any significant influence on attitudes. All groups believed that periodic excessive drinkers could be alcoholics. None of the groups believed that the alcoholic had a character defect. Psychologists disbelieved the concepts of illness and addiction liability. All groups disagreed with harmless indulgence. Nursing assistants tended to see the alcoholic as a harmless heavy drinker. Working on a special alcoholism treatment unit did not alter the perceptions of psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing assistants. Social workers and registered nurses showed only a minor trend toward a positive attitude change, while the trend went in the opposite direction for licensed practical nurses.", "contents": "Veterans Administration hospital staff attitudes toward alcoholism. Attitudes toward alcoholism among psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants (464 subjects) were surveyed. A nine-factor questionnaire was utilized (emotional difficulties, character defect, social status, illness conception, harmless indulgence and addiction liability). All groups were homogeneous in their perceptions about emotional difficulties contributing to alcoholism, alcoholics not coming from the lower socioeconomic strata of society, and the belief that alcoholics did recover and could be helped by treatment. Age, sex, and special training in the treatment of alcoholism did not have any significant influence on attitudes. All groups believed that periodic excessive drinkers could be alcoholics. None of the groups believed that the alcoholic had a character defect. Psychologists disbelieved the concepts of illness and addiction liability. All groups disagreed with harmless indulgence. Nursing assistants tended to see the alcoholic as a harmless heavy drinker. Working on a special alcoholism treatment unit did not alter the perceptions of psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing assistants. Social workers and registered nurses showed only a minor trend toward a positive attitude change, while the trend went in the opposite direction for licensed practical nurses.", "PMID": 631015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8719", "title": "An addiction treatment program in Laos: the first year's experience.", "content": "In late 1972 a treatment program for narcotic addicts was begun in Vientiane, Laos. Medical and social treatment modalities were emphasized: withdrawal from narcotic drugs, care for chronic health problems, a highly structured milieu program with explicit rules, and careful discharge planning with family counseling. Patients were accepted on a voluntary basis only. The first year's patient population were mostly married, employed, addicted to opium, and from rural areas. They comprised a diversity of ethnic groups. A smaller group of young, single, male heroin addicts (a type of addict new to Laos) also appeared in this group of patients. This treatment program proved highly acceptable to a large number of addicted people from various age groups and ethnic backgrounds. It was successfully undertaken by medical personnel who had minimal or no experience in the addiction field prior to work at this facility. Among opium addicts, twice-a-day methadone dosage for withdrawal treatment was superior to once-a-day dosage. Opium addicts required a longer detoxification regimen than did heroin addicts.", "contents": "An addiction treatment program in Laos: the first year's experience. In late 1972 a treatment program for narcotic addicts was begun in Vientiane, Laos. Medical and social treatment modalities were emphasized: withdrawal from narcotic drugs, care for chronic health problems, a highly structured milieu program with explicit rules, and careful discharge planning with family counseling. Patients were accepted on a voluntary basis only. The first year's patient population were mostly married, employed, addicted to opium, and from rural areas. They comprised a diversity of ethnic groups. A smaller group of young, single, male heroin addicts (a type of addict new to Laos) also appeared in this group of patients. This treatment program proved highly acceptable to a large number of addicted people from various age groups and ethnic backgrounds. It was successfully undertaken by medical personnel who had minimal or no experience in the addiction field prior to work at this facility. Among opium addicts, twice-a-day methadone dosage for withdrawal treatment was superior to once-a-day dosage. Opium addicts required a longer detoxification regimen than did heroin addicts.", "PMID": 631016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8720", "title": "[Bone scan in the diagnosis of renal osteopathy (author's transl)].", "content": "Biochemical tests (serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase), as well as clinical, radiological, scanning and histological investigations were undertaken in 24 patients in chronic renal failure. The frequency with which the diagnosis of renal osteopathy could be made depended in the method of investigation, the biochemical findings proving to be completely unreliable. There were positive radiological signs in ten patients and clinical signs in 12, predominantly in the progressive stages of osteopathy. A positive scan was obtained in 23 patients, typical histological bone changes in an equal number. Since it correlates so well with the histological findings, bone scan is suitable particularly in the early diagnosis of osteopathy. Since this test is easily performed and hardly stresses the patient, it should routinely be the initial one for the diagnosis of renal osteopathy.", "contents": "[Bone scan in the diagnosis of renal osteopathy (author's transl)]. Biochemical tests (serum calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase), as well as clinical, radiological, scanning and histological investigations were undertaken in 24 patients in chronic renal failure. The frequency with which the diagnosis of renal osteopathy could be made depended in the method of investigation, the biochemical findings proving to be completely unreliable. There were positive radiological signs in ten patients and clinical signs in 12, predominantly in the progressive stages of osteopathy. A positive scan was obtained in 23 patients, typical histological bone changes in an equal number. Since it correlates so well with the histological findings, bone scan is suitable particularly in the early diagnosis of osteopathy. Since this test is easily performed and hardly stresses the patient, it should routinely be the initial one for the diagnosis of renal osteopathy.", "PMID": 631029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8721", "title": "[Long-term treatment of cerebrovascular changes in the elderly (author's transl)].", "content": "A prospective study over 15 months in 100 elderly patients with signs of cerebro-vascular impairment demonstrated by psychometric testing that Hydergine (an ergot alkaloid preparation: 4.5 mg daily) compensated the signs of dementia, present in the placebo group, and in some patients actually brought about a significant improvement in mental activity. Similar compensatory effect was also demonstrable in cerebral haemodynamics: in the placebo group there was a progressive increase in cerebral circulation time, an expression of decreased cerebral blood flow, while with Hydergine cerebral circulation time was shortened and stabilized. Serial EEGs, obtained in parallel with psychometric and circulation time tests, demonstrated a marked increase in the 8-10 Hz pattern which corresponds to the physiological alpha activity in this age group. Furthermore, there was a diminished variability in performance in the tested frequency bands with Hydergine, the opposite tendency being obtained in the placebo group.", "contents": "[Long-term treatment of cerebrovascular changes in the elderly (author's transl)]. A prospective study over 15 months in 100 elderly patients with signs of cerebro-vascular impairment demonstrated by psychometric testing that Hydergine (an ergot alkaloid preparation: 4.5 mg daily) compensated the signs of dementia, present in the placebo group, and in some patients actually brought about a significant improvement in mental activity. Similar compensatory effect was also demonstrable in cerebral haemodynamics: in the placebo group there was a progressive increase in cerebral circulation time, an expression of decreased cerebral blood flow, while with Hydergine cerebral circulation time was shortened and stabilized. Serial EEGs, obtained in parallel with psychometric and circulation time tests, demonstrated a marked increase in the 8-10 Hz pattern which corresponds to the physiological alpha activity in this age group. Furthermore, there was a diminished variability in performance in the tested frequency bands with Hydergine, the opposite tendency being obtained in the placebo group.", "PMID": 631030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8722", "title": "[The importance of ureaplasma urealyticum in non-specific prostato-urethritis (author's transl)].", "content": "312 patients with non-specific prostato-urethritis were investigated with a standardised procedure using the four glass test. In 42.3% of patients mycoplasma was isolated which in almost all cases was Ureaplasma urealyticum. Clinically patients were symptom-free after eradication of mycoplasma in cases where previously urea-plasma counts of more than 10,000 CFU/ml prostatic secretion and of more than 1000 CFU/ml urine had been demonstrated. In cases where there were smaller counts of Ureaplasma urealyticum and where Mycoplasma hominis had been demonstrated tetracycline therapy did not lead to cure in any case.", "contents": "[The importance of ureaplasma urealyticum in non-specific prostato-urethritis (author's transl)]. 312 patients with non-specific prostato-urethritis were investigated with a standardised procedure using the four glass test. In 42.3% of patients mycoplasma was isolated which in almost all cases was Ureaplasma urealyticum. Clinically patients were symptom-free after eradication of mycoplasma in cases where previously urea-plasma counts of more than 10,000 CFU/ml prostatic secretion and of more than 1000 CFU/ml urine had been demonstrated. In cases where there were smaller counts of Ureaplasma urealyticum and where Mycoplasma hominis had been demonstrated tetracycline therapy did not lead to cure in any case.", "PMID": 631031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8723", "title": "[Oral psoriasis treatment with a new aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359): a multi-centre controlled study of 291 patients (preliminary results) (author's transl)].", "content": "In a multi-centre study 291 patients with psoriasis were treated with (a) oral doses of the recently developed retinoid Ro 10-9359, (b) classical local dithranol application, and (c) both. In a preliminary evaluation of 203 patients treated orally excellent or good results were obtained in 120 (61%), no response in 31 (15.8%). The initial dose was 1.0 mg/kg body-weight daily, i.e. 50-75 mg, which was then reduced to 25-50 mg daily. A clinical response was noted after 2-3 weeks. Particularly, severe erythrodermic and pustular forms of the disease responded surprisingly well to the drug so that cytostatic agents were avoided. Under long-term administration, however, relapses were still seen. Most side-effects were reasonably well tolerated. But in 14% of patients the drug had to be discontinued because of hair loss, paronychia or slight elevation of transaminases (up to 40 U/I). This new drug is thus a potent antipsoriatic agent: it is effective, easily controlled and causes only moderate side-effects.", "contents": "[Oral psoriasis treatment with a new aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359): a multi-centre controlled study of 291 patients (preliminary results) (author's transl)]. In a multi-centre study 291 patients with psoriasis were treated with (a) oral doses of the recently developed retinoid Ro 10-9359, (b) classical local dithranol application, and (c) both. In a preliminary evaluation of 203 patients treated orally excellent or good results were obtained in 120 (61%), no response in 31 (15.8%). The initial dose was 1.0 mg/kg body-weight daily, i.e. 50-75 mg, which was then reduced to 25-50 mg daily. A clinical response was noted after 2-3 weeks. Particularly, severe erythrodermic and pustular forms of the disease responded surprisingly well to the drug so that cytostatic agents were avoided. Under long-term administration, however, relapses were still seen. Most side-effects were reasonably well tolerated. But in 14% of patients the drug had to be discontinued because of hair loss, paronychia or slight elevation of transaminases (up to 40 U/I). This new drug is thus a potent antipsoriatic agent: it is effective, easily controlled and causes only moderate side-effects.", "PMID": 631039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8724", "title": "[Are clotting disorders a pathogenetic factor in nephrosclerosis and hypertension? (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical course of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in four patients suggests that hypertension may result from it. The morphological changes in the kidney are those of primary malignant nephrosclerosis. Hypercoagulability is thought to be an important pathogenetic factor in the development of the disease. But irreversible renal failure is not, contrary to typical primary malignant nephrosclerosis, an inevitable sequel. Abortive forms with predominant involvement of glomerular vessels have a more favourable prognosis than those forms with additional preglomerular vascular changes, in which a more or less marked impairment of renal function and hypertension persists. These forms are of particular interest because they indicate a renal pathogenetic mechanism of chronic hypertension. The described observations--taken together with those on the pathogenesis of hypertension caused by oral contraceptives--provide a pointer to the importance of clotting disorders in the initiation and development of some forms of hypertension.", "contents": "[Are clotting disorders a pathogenetic factor in nephrosclerosis and hypertension? (author's transl)]. The clinical course of the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome in four patients suggests that hypertension may result from it. The morphological changes in the kidney are those of primary malignant nephrosclerosis. Hypercoagulability is thought to be an important pathogenetic factor in the development of the disease. But irreversible renal failure is not, contrary to typical primary malignant nephrosclerosis, an inevitable sequel. Abortive forms with predominant involvement of glomerular vessels have a more favourable prognosis than those forms with additional preglomerular vascular changes, in which a more or less marked impairment of renal function and hypertension persists. These forms are of particular interest because they indicate a renal pathogenetic mechanism of chronic hypertension. The described observations--taken together with those on the pathogenesis of hypertension caused by oral contraceptives--provide a pointer to the importance of clotting disorders in the initiation and development of some forms of hypertension.", "PMID": 631040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8725", "title": "[Endoscopic transpapillary splitting of a choledochocele (author's transl)].", "content": "A choledochocele with obstruction to outflow from the biliary and pancreatic duct systems was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in a 67-year-old man with radiating upper-abdominal pain and constantly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase. After distension of the choledochocele with contrast medium a papillotome was introduced across the papilla and the choledochocele was split open. There were no complications and flow from both systems became normal. The symptoms disappeared and the patient required neither anaesthesia nor an abdominal operation.", "contents": "[Endoscopic transpapillary splitting of a choledochocele (author's transl)]. A choledochocele with obstruction to outflow from the biliary and pancreatic duct systems was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in a 67-year-old man with radiating upper-abdominal pain and constantly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase. After distension of the choledochocele with contrast medium a papillotome was introduced across the papilla and the choledochocele was split open. There were no complications and flow from both systems became normal. The symptoms disappeared and the patient required neither anaesthesia nor an abdominal operation.", "PMID": 631041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8726", "title": "[Basilar or vertebral artery aneurysm as a cause of presumed cervical spine injury (author's transl)].", "content": "The characteristic clinical features and morphological findings of five cases of (clinically not diagnosed) fusiform aneurysm of the basilar or vertebral arteries were recurring attacks of positional occipital headache, pain and stiffness in the neck, cranial nerve disturbances, expecially oculomotor palsies and anisokoria, nystagmus, attacks of nausea, vomiting and sweating, tachycardia, pyramidal tract symptoms, and pareses. Severe hypertension had been present in four instances. The aneurysm, which is usually thrombosed, pressed against the pons and medulla oblongata as a space-occupying mass. In addition to hypertension and atheromatosis, congenital defect in the arterial wall are probably significant causative factor. To mistake an aneurysm for a cervical syndrome may be fatal to the patient.", "contents": "[Basilar or vertebral artery aneurysm as a cause of presumed cervical spine injury (author's transl)]. The characteristic clinical features and morphological findings of five cases of (clinically not diagnosed) fusiform aneurysm of the basilar or vertebral arteries were recurring attacks of positional occipital headache, pain and stiffness in the neck, cranial nerve disturbances, expecially oculomotor palsies and anisokoria, nystagmus, attacks of nausea, vomiting and sweating, tachycardia, pyramidal tract symptoms, and pareses. Severe hypertension had been present in four instances. The aneurysm, which is usually thrombosed, pressed against the pons and medulla oblongata as a space-occupying mass. In addition to hypertension and atheromatosis, congenital defect in the arterial wall are probably significant causative factor. To mistake an aneurysm for a cervical syndrome may be fatal to the patient.", "PMID": 631051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8727", "title": "[Early diagnosis of cancer of the prostate by rectal palpation (author's transl)].", "content": "Transrectal biopsy was performed on 173 unselected patients, aged 45-85 years, with disease of the prostate, who had previously had a screening examination. The findings on palpation by the referring doctor and the authors' own assessment were compared with the histological findings. Of 37 histologically confirmed cases of carcinoma of the prostate 16 (44%) had been correctly diagnosed by the referring doctor and 28 (76%) after examination at hospital. On the other hand, of 136 histologically negative cases the referring doctor's diagnosis had been correct in 112 (81%) instances and at hospital 94 (69%).", "contents": "[Early diagnosis of cancer of the prostate by rectal palpation (author's transl)]. Transrectal biopsy was performed on 173 unselected patients, aged 45-85 years, with disease of the prostate, who had previously had a screening examination. The findings on palpation by the referring doctor and the authors' own assessment were compared with the histological findings. Of 37 histologically confirmed cases of carcinoma of the prostate 16 (44%) had been correctly diagnosed by the referring doctor and 28 (76%) after examination at hospital. On the other hand, of 136 histologically negative cases the referring doctor's diagnosis had been correct in 112 (81%) instances and at hospital 94 (69%).", "PMID": 631052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8728", "title": "[Microrheological studies in healthy subjects. Effect of cigarette smoke and oral contraceptives on erythrocyte flexibility].", "content": "Erythrocyte flexibility was tested in 29 healthy subjects, using whole-blood filtration through membrane filters with 5 micron pores, special attention being given to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptives as risk factors. Red cell flexibility was significantly reduced in male smokers compared with non-smokers (P is less than 0.0001), and in all male and female smokers (P is less than 0.05) An influence of oral contraceptives to erythrocyte flexibility could not be found. Reduced erythrocyte flexibility in smokers as a factor contributing to an abnormal microcirculation and to the development of arterial occlusive disease is discussed.", "contents": "[Microrheological studies in healthy subjects. Effect of cigarette smoke and oral contraceptives on erythrocyte flexibility]. Erythrocyte flexibility was tested in 29 healthy subjects, using whole-blood filtration through membrane filters with 5 micron pores, special attention being given to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptives as risk factors. Red cell flexibility was significantly reduced in male smokers compared with non-smokers (P is less than 0.0001), and in all male and female smokers (P is less than 0.05) An influence of oral contraceptives to erythrocyte flexibility could not be found. Reduced erythrocyte flexibility in smokers as a factor contributing to an abnormal microcirculation and to the development of arterial occlusive disease is discussed.", "PMID": 631053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8729", "title": "[Early detection of abdominal tumours in preventive medicine in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "Out of 51 abdominal tumours diagnosed in the age group subject to preventive screening eight tumours were detected during preventive investigations. Children up to one year were mainly involved. The additional investigation at 6-7 months and careful palpation of the abdomen and further investigations following questionable results lead to the assumption that the rate of early diagnosis of abdominal tumours at preventive investigations in childhood may still be improved. The importance of early diagnosis suggests that the disease group should be included in the code catalogue of diseases which should be actively sought in preventive medicine.", "contents": "[Early detection of abdominal tumours in preventive medicine in childhood (author's transl)]. Out of 51 abdominal tumours diagnosed in the age group subject to preventive screening eight tumours were detected during preventive investigations. Children up to one year were mainly involved. The additional investigation at 6-7 months and careful palpation of the abdomen and further investigations following questionable results lead to the assumption that the rate of early diagnosis of abdominal tumours at preventive investigations in childhood may still be improved. The importance of early diagnosis suggests that the disease group should be included in the code catalogue of diseases which should be actively sought in preventive medicine.", "PMID": 631054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8730", "title": "[Hypertension and multiple renal arteries. Comparative studies on the frequency of multiple renal arteries in hypertensive patients and normotensives].", "content": "The frequency of multiple renal arteries in 394 aortographies was found to be 29.2%. The results were then grouped according to the indication for the investigation and according to the recorded blood pressure readings into a hypertensive and a normotensive group. Comparison of these two groups showed no significant difference in the frequency of multiple renal arteries. There were also no significant differences comparing double and multiple arterial supply of one kidney or one-sided or double occurrence of multiple renal arteries.", "contents": "[Hypertension and multiple renal arteries. Comparative studies on the frequency of multiple renal arteries in hypertensive patients and normotensives]. The frequency of multiple renal arteries in 394 aortographies was found to be 29.2%. The results were then grouped according to the indication for the investigation and according to the recorded blood pressure readings into a hypertensive and a normotensive group. Comparison of these two groups showed no significant difference in the frequency of multiple renal arteries. There were also no significant differences comparing double and multiple arterial supply of one kidney or one-sided or double occurrence of multiple renal arteries.", "PMID": 631055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8731", "title": "[Heart trauma caused by central venous catheter (author's transl)].", "content": "Four cases of extensive traumatic lesions of the right atrium induced by central venous catheter, are reported. In one case there was beginning in the other complete perforation of the right atrium. Such lesions can be caused by horizontal fixation of the intracardiac portion of a catheter due to wall-adherent thrombi; catheters held near the coronary sinus by a so-called Chiari net; or by coiling of the catheter within the atrium. Central venous catheters often cause endothelial lesions and thrombotic changes in the veins near the heart. Possible trauma to the right atrium, which could provoke fatal complications (e. g. haemopericardium or arrhythmias) must, therefore, be given special attention.", "contents": "[Heart trauma caused by central venous catheter (author's transl)]. Four cases of extensive traumatic lesions of the right atrium induced by central venous catheter, are reported. In one case there was beginning in the other complete perforation of the right atrium. Such lesions can be caused by horizontal fixation of the intracardiac portion of a catheter due to wall-adherent thrombi; catheters held near the coronary sinus by a so-called Chiari net; or by coiling of the catheter within the atrium. Central venous catheters often cause endothelial lesions and thrombotic changes in the veins near the heart. Possible trauma to the right atrium, which could provoke fatal complications (e. g. haemopericardium or arrhythmias) must, therefore, be given special attention.", "PMID": 631056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8732", "title": "[Dopamine action on the basal pancreatic secretion in man (author's transl)].", "content": "In contrast to observations in dogs dopamine infusions (4 microgram kg-1min-1) in 5 healthy volunteers did not influence the basal bicarbonate and enzyme secretion of the pancreas. Thus dopamine may be infused for circulatory shock in acute pancreatitis without reservations.", "contents": "[Dopamine action on the basal pancreatic secretion in man (author's transl)]. In contrast to observations in dogs dopamine infusions (4 microgram kg-1min-1) in 5 healthy volunteers did not influence the basal bicarbonate and enzyme secretion of the pancreas. Thus dopamine may be infused for circulatory shock in acute pancreatitis without reservations.", "PMID": 631066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8733", "title": "The effective placement of Miller-Abbott-tubes under endoscopic guidance. Technical improvements.", "content": "In an earlier publication, the intestinal placement of Miller-Abbott-tubes using routine gastroscopic equipment was proposed for the conservative treatment of intestinal obstruction. In addition to the technical advices presented at this early stage of personal experience, we now recommend to 1. insert the tube primarily through the nostrils, 2. extract the tip through the mouth, 3. grasp the leading ligature of the tube tip extracorporally by means of the biopsy instrument and 4. guide the tube tip to the target area by orogastric approach. This technical improvement excludes difficulties in respect to patient cooperation or other special disadvantages and made 26 intestinal intubations in an uninterrupted series an easy and worthwhile procedure.", "contents": "The effective placement of Miller-Abbott-tubes under endoscopic guidance. Technical improvements. In an earlier publication, the intestinal placement of Miller-Abbott-tubes using routine gastroscopic equipment was proposed for the conservative treatment of intestinal obstruction. In addition to the technical advices presented at this early stage of personal experience, we now recommend to 1. insert the tube primarily through the nostrils, 2. extract the tip through the mouth, 3. grasp the leading ligature of the tube tip extracorporally by means of the biopsy instrument and 4. guide the tube tip to the target area by orogastric approach. This technical improvement excludes difficulties in respect to patient cooperation or other special disadvantages and made 26 intestinal intubations in an uninterrupted series an easy and worthwhile procedure.", "PMID": 631090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8734", "title": "Santorini's Duct--an insignificant variant from normal or an important overflow valve?", "content": "In a retrospective examination 250 consecutive pancreatograms obtained by ERCP were controlled on the existence of a D. Snatorini. Starting from the genetic development of the pancreatic ducts the question is investigated whether a second open pancreatic duct is responsible for a better drainage of the pancreas. Thus this duct may prevent hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia following ERCP. From an etiological point of view the elevation of these pancreatic enzymes is insufficiently understandable. If a D. Santorini is detectable the results demonstrate a reduction of the increased pancreatic enzymes in a statistically significant manner. A valve mechanism of the D. pancreaticus minor with volume or pressure reduction is postulated.", "contents": "Santorini's Duct--an insignificant variant from normal or an important overflow valve? In a retrospective examination 250 consecutive pancreatograms obtained by ERCP were controlled on the existence of a D. Snatorini. Starting from the genetic development of the pancreatic ducts the question is investigated whether a second open pancreatic duct is responsible for a better drainage of the pancreas. Thus this duct may prevent hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia following ERCP. From an etiological point of view the elevation of these pancreatic enzymes is insufficiently understandable. If a D. Santorini is detectable the results demonstrate a reduction of the increased pancreatic enzymes in a statistically significant manner. A valve mechanism of the D. pancreaticus minor with volume or pressure reduction is postulated.", "PMID": 631091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8735", "title": "Renal excretion of contrast medium after endoscopic retrograde investigations.", "content": "Endoscopic retrograde investigations are often performed as diagnostic procedures. The investigation of urine after such procedures in 21 patients has shown that appreciable amounts of contrast medium can be excreted renally. No such excretion could be shown when the contrast medium was injected into the gut lumen. The fact that contrast medium can be absorbed into the liver the pancreas during endoscopic retrograde procedures should influence the decision to perform these studies in patients with known allergies.", "contents": "Renal excretion of contrast medium after endoscopic retrograde investigations. Endoscopic retrograde investigations are often performed as diagnostic procedures. The investigation of urine after such procedures in 21 patients has shown that appreciable amounts of contrast medium can be excreted renally. No such excretion could be shown when the contrast medium was injected into the gut lumen. The fact that contrast medium can be absorbed into the liver the pancreas during endoscopic retrograde procedures should influence the decision to perform these studies in patients with known allergies.", "PMID": 631092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8736", "title": "Follow-up endoscopic study of gastric mucosal changes secondary to gastric ulcer.", "content": "A long-term follow-up gastrocamera photographic study of 481 patients with gastric ulcer was conducted at intervals of 3 weeks to 6 months. It showed that gastric ulcers could remain healed for 2 months to 6 years of observation, yet, recurrence of ulceration occurred in 79% including 18% with multiple occurences. Gastric polyp developed in 8 patients whose initial gastrophotography showed no such lesion in the original study. Furthermore, 7 cancers of the stomach developed at sites away from the initial benign ulcer foci. Six of these cases proved to be mucosal cancer and one was an advanced cancer. In 5 of 7 cases of malignancy, the cancer occurred distal to the initial ulcer foci and anaplastic adenocarcinoma was seen in 3 of these. The others were well differentiated adenocarcinomas. No correlation was found among histopathological type of cancer, depth of malignant invasion, location of the new growth or gastric juice acidity in these 7 cases of malignancy. It is concluded that a thorough and routine gastroscopic examination is indicated for all sorts of gastric disorders whether they are initial or follow-up cases.", "contents": "Follow-up endoscopic study of gastric mucosal changes secondary to gastric ulcer. A long-term follow-up gastrocamera photographic study of 481 patients with gastric ulcer was conducted at intervals of 3 weeks to 6 months. It showed that gastric ulcers could remain healed for 2 months to 6 years of observation, yet, recurrence of ulceration occurred in 79% including 18% with multiple occurences. Gastric polyp developed in 8 patients whose initial gastrophotography showed no such lesion in the original study. Furthermore, 7 cancers of the stomach developed at sites away from the initial benign ulcer foci. Six of these cases proved to be mucosal cancer and one was an advanced cancer. In 5 of 7 cases of malignancy, the cancer occurred distal to the initial ulcer foci and anaplastic adenocarcinoma was seen in 3 of these. The others were well differentiated adenocarcinomas. No correlation was found among histopathological type of cancer, depth of malignant invasion, location of the new growth or gastric juice acidity in these 7 cases of malignancy. It is concluded that a thorough and routine gastroscopic examination is indicated for all sorts of gastric disorders whether they are initial or follow-up cases.", "PMID": 631093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8737", "title": "Functional lymphangiectasia of the duodenal mucosa.", "content": "Tiny millet-like prominent villi with dilated lymphatics may be part of a food-induced functional lymphangiectasia. Peroral olive oil load causes diffuse transient lymphangiectasia, the gross aspect, histological findings and electron-microscopy of which is described in detail.", "contents": "Functional lymphangiectasia of the duodenal mucosa. Tiny millet-like prominent villi with dilated lymphatics may be part of a food-induced functional lymphangiectasia. Peroral olive oil load causes diffuse transient lymphangiectasia, the gross aspect, histological findings and electron-microscopy of which is described in detail.", "PMID": 631094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8738", "title": "A preliminary report about transcervical embryoscopy.", "content": "Transabdominal amniocentesis and occasionally fetoscopy are used as a means of early diagnosis of fetal damage or abnormality after the 14th week of pregnancy. For medical reasons a still earlier method of diagnosis is desirable. We report about the transcervical approach- using CO2-gas-hysteroscopy to visualize the amnion sac and its contents.", "contents": "A preliminary report about transcervical embryoscopy. Transabdominal amniocentesis and occasionally fetoscopy are used as a means of early diagnosis of fetal damage or abnormality after the 14th week of pregnancy. For medical reasons a still earlier method of diagnosis is desirable. We report about the transcervical approach- using CO2-gas-hysteroscopy to visualize the amnion sac and its contents.", "PMID": 631095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8739", "title": "A case of amyloid tumor of the stomach.", "content": "A 68-year-old female was admitted to hospital with a 5 month history of epigastric distress. Radiological and gastrofiberscopic examinations revealed a tumor of the stomach which was strongly suggestive of gastric carcinoma. Microscopic examination of the removed stomach, however, revealed no tumors in the stomach, but instead, there a localized amyloidosis was found in the antrum, the patient died of hepatic failure 10 months after the operation. Autopsy demonstrated no evidence of systemic deposit of amyloid substance. The amyloid tumor of the stomach is rare, and the present case is believed to be the fifth of the reported cases of this lesion and, at the same time, the first case in which the solitary nature of amyloidosis was verified at autopsy.", "contents": "A case of amyloid tumor of the stomach. A 68-year-old female was admitted to hospital with a 5 month history of epigastric distress. Radiological and gastrofiberscopic examinations revealed a tumor of the stomach which was strongly suggestive of gastric carcinoma. Microscopic examination of the removed stomach, however, revealed no tumors in the stomach, but instead, there a localized amyloidosis was found in the antrum, the patient died of hepatic failure 10 months after the operation. Autopsy demonstrated no evidence of systemic deposit of amyloid substance. The amyloid tumor of the stomach is rare, and the present case is believed to be the fifth of the reported cases of this lesion and, at the same time, the first case in which the solitary nature of amyloidosis was verified at autopsy.", "PMID": 631096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8740", "title": "Endoscopic assessment in abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig-syndrome).", "content": "Duodenal mucosal changes in a 26-year-old patient with Bassen-Kornzweig-syndrome are presented.", "contents": "Endoscopic assessment in abetalipoproteinemia (Bassen-Kornzweig-syndrome). Duodenal mucosal changes in a 26-year-old patient with Bassen-Kornzweig-syndrome are presented.", "PMID": 631097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8741", "title": "Malignant transformation of hyperplasiogenic polyps of the stomach--case report.", "content": "Case report of a 71 years old female with multiple hyperplasiogenic gastric polyps with malignant transformation of two polyps. So far, the hyperplasiogenic polyp was considered to be only an \"indicator lesion\" because the incidence of gastric cancer (apart from the polyps themselves) was found to be increased in these patients. This opinion has to be revised in view of the present case. The consequences for diagnosis, treatment and nosologic classification of hyperplasiogenic gastric polyps are discussed.", "contents": "Malignant transformation of hyperplasiogenic polyps of the stomach--case report. Case report of a 71 years old female with multiple hyperplasiogenic gastric polyps with malignant transformation of two polyps. So far, the hyperplasiogenic polyp was considered to be only an \"indicator lesion\" because the incidence of gastric cancer (apart from the polyps themselves) was found to be increased in these patients. This opinion has to be revised in view of the present case. The consequences for diagnosis, treatment and nosologic classification of hyperplasiogenic gastric polyps are discussed.", "PMID": 631098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8742", "title": "Contagious equine metritis.", "content": "An outbreak of contagious equine metritis that occurred on stud farms in the Newmarket area during 1977 is described. A Gram-negative coccobacillus was isolated from field cases and the disease was reproduced experimentally by inoculating a pure culture of the organism through the cervix of clean pony mares. Natural spread of the disease occurred by venereal transmission and following the handling, examination or teasing of infected mares. Bacteriological screening of the genital tract of mares and stallions before covering plus stricter standards of hygiene on the stud farms have been recommended as the methods to control the disease. A great deal more information about the disease is required before it can be confidently stated that it can be adequately controlled.", "contents": "Contagious equine metritis. An outbreak of contagious equine metritis that occurred on stud farms in the Newmarket area during 1977 is described. A Gram-negative coccobacillus was isolated from field cases and the disease was reproduced experimentally by inoculating a pure culture of the organism through the cervix of clean pony mares. Natural spread of the disease occurred by venereal transmission and following the handling, examination or teasing of infected mares. Bacteriological screening of the genital tract of mares and stallions before covering plus stricter standards of hygiene on the stud farms have been recommended as the methods to control the disease. A great deal more information about the disease is required before it can be confidently stated that it can be adequately controlled.", "PMID": 631099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8743", "title": "The development of a radio-stethoscope for use in the horse at rest and during exercise.", "content": "The development of a radio-stethoscope for horses is described. The equipment consisted of a sound transducer applied to the skin adjacent to the trachea and a radio transmitter attached to the saddle. The signals emitted were detected by telemetry and recorded on a magnetic tape-recorder. The recorder incorporated a monitor earphone so that sounds could be reproduced at the time of recording. The frequency response obtainable ranged from a few Hz to 4 KHz. This technique provided an objective means of studying the respiratory sounds generated during exercise although absolute values could not be measured.", "contents": "The development of a radio-stethoscope for use in the horse at rest and during exercise. The development of a radio-stethoscope for horses is described. The equipment consisted of a sound transducer applied to the skin adjacent to the trachea and a radio transmitter attached to the saddle. The signals emitted were detected by telemetry and recorded on a magnetic tape-recorder. The recorder incorporated a monitor earphone so that sounds could be reproduced at the time of recording. The frequency response obtainable ranged from a few Hz to 4 KHz. This technique provided an objective means of studying the respiratory sounds generated during exercise although absolute values could not be measured.", "PMID": 631100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8744", "title": "Recovery from anaesthesia in ponies: a comparative study of the effects of isoflurane, enflurane, methoxyflurane and halothane.", "content": "The duration and quality of recovery after separate 2 hour anaesthetic periods with equipotent alveolar concentrations of isoflurane, enflurane, halothane and methoxyflurane were evaluated in experimental ponies. Recovery was shortest after isoflurane anaesthesia, followed by enflurane, halothane and finally methoxyflurane, although standing was achieved more rapidly after enflurane than after isoflurane. This sequence of recovery times was compatible with the respective solubilities of the 4 agents. The smoothest recovery was obtained after isoflurane anaesthesia, followed by methoxyflurane, halothane and then enflurane. The isoflurane recovery was characterized by very quiet and prolonged sternal recumbency with excellent coordination upon standing. The chief difficulties with halothane recovery were shivering and delayed coordination upon standing. Enflurane anaesthesia was followed by a very brief period of sternal recumbency but there was considerable shivering and incoordination upon standing. This may have been due to central nervous stimulation during anaesthesia producing a residual excitatory effect. On the basis of this investigation, isoflurane was considered to be the most satisfactory volatile anaesthetic for the horse.", "contents": "Recovery from anaesthesia in ponies: a comparative study of the effects of isoflurane, enflurane, methoxyflurane and halothane. The duration and quality of recovery after separate 2 hour anaesthetic periods with equipotent alveolar concentrations of isoflurane, enflurane, halothane and methoxyflurane were evaluated in experimental ponies. Recovery was shortest after isoflurane anaesthesia, followed by enflurane, halothane and finally methoxyflurane, although standing was achieved more rapidly after enflurane than after isoflurane. This sequence of recovery times was compatible with the respective solubilities of the 4 agents. The smoothest recovery was obtained after isoflurane anaesthesia, followed by methoxyflurane, halothane and then enflurane. The isoflurane recovery was characterized by very quiet and prolonged sternal recumbency with excellent coordination upon standing. The chief difficulties with halothane recovery were shivering and delayed coordination upon standing. Enflurane anaesthesia was followed by a very brief period of sternal recumbency but there was considerable shivering and incoordination upon standing. This may have been due to central nervous stimulation during anaesthesia producing a residual excitatory effect. On the basis of this investigation, isoflurane was considered to be the most satisfactory volatile anaesthetic for the horse.", "PMID": 631101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8745", "title": "Prevalence of latent cases of Babesia equi infection in some parts of North West India as measured by the capillary agglutination test.", "content": "The prevalence of Babesia equi infection in north west India was assessed by means of the capillary tube agglutination (CA) test. The particulate antigen used in the test was potent and no cross reaction with other related haemaprotozoa was observed. The serological survey showed that from 323 horses from 3 localities there was an overall incidence of 50.1 per cent. In Haryana the incidence was 38.3 per cent in the 196 horses tested, in Uttar Pradesh it was 47.2 per cent from 72 animals and in Rajasthan it was 96.4 per cent from 55 horses.", "contents": "Prevalence of latent cases of Babesia equi infection in some parts of North West India as measured by the capillary agglutination test. The prevalence of Babesia equi infection in north west India was assessed by means of the capillary tube agglutination (CA) test. The particulate antigen used in the test was potent and no cross reaction with other related haemaprotozoa was observed. The serological survey showed that from 323 horses from 3 localities there was an overall incidence of 50.1 per cent. In Haryana the incidence was 38.3 per cent in the 196 horses tested, in Uttar Pradesh it was 47.2 per cent from 72 animals and in Rajasthan it was 96.4 per cent from 55 horses.", "PMID": 631102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8746", "title": "On the watering of horses: a review.", "content": "The literature published over the last 150 years provides confusing and often conflicting advice on the ideal way to water horses. Many of the problems associated with watering appear to be caused by either mismanagement or ignorance. An obvious way to prevent trouble is to provide adequate water at all times when a horse is at rest and to allow sufficient opportunity to drink while working.", "contents": "On the watering of horses: a review. The literature published over the last 150 years provides confusing and often conflicting advice on the ideal way to water horses. Many of the problems associated with watering appear to be caused by either mismanagement or ignorance. An obvious way to prevent trouble is to provide adequate water at all times when a horse is at rest and to allow sufficient opportunity to drink while working.", "PMID": 631103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8747", "title": "Chlamydia psittaci infection of horses with respiratory disease.", "content": "Two strains of Chlamydia psittaci were isolated from the nasal tract of horses with acute respiratory disease. These 2 isolates (NS 121 and NS 172) were characterized as chlamydia on the basis of their morphology, tinctorial property, growth in chicken embryos, inability to grow on bacterial media and their possession of chlamydial common complement fixing group antigen. They were identified as C. psittaci on the basis of resistance to sodium sulphadiazine. The present strains were not pathogenic to mice and guinea pigs and non-toxigenic. They induced antibodies and caused latent infection in mice and guinea pigs. Acute and convalescent sera were avaliable from one of the horses and rising levels of specific antibody were demonstrated. No chlamydia were isolated from the materials of 14 aborted foals, 4 synovial fluids from horses with acute polyarthritis and nasal, tracheal and lung material from another 276 horses.", "contents": "Chlamydia psittaci infection of horses with respiratory disease. Two strains of Chlamydia psittaci were isolated from the nasal tract of horses with acute respiratory disease. These 2 isolates (NS 121 and NS 172) were characterized as chlamydia on the basis of their morphology, tinctorial property, growth in chicken embryos, inability to grow on bacterial media and their possession of chlamydial common complement fixing group antigen. They were identified as C. psittaci on the basis of resistance to sodium sulphadiazine. The present strains were not pathogenic to mice and guinea pigs and non-toxigenic. They induced antibodies and caused latent infection in mice and guinea pigs. Acute and convalescent sera were avaliable from one of the horses and rising levels of specific antibody were demonstrated. No chlamydia were isolated from the materials of 14 aborted foals, 4 synovial fluids from horses with acute polyarthritis and nasal, tracheal and lung material from another 276 horses.", "PMID": 631105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8748", "title": "Studies on the faecal egg output of horses after treatment with fenbendazole.", "content": "Examination of faecal egg counts in horses and ponies has shown that after treatment with fenbendazole at dose levels of 7.5, 45 and 60 mg/kg, faeces remained free from strongyle eggs for periods of 6 to 18 weeks. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to routine anthelmintic treatment of horses. In particular, the activity of fenbendazole against mucosal stages of strongyle parasites allows for treatment to be recommended at less frequent intervals than when using other anthelmintics.", "contents": "Studies on the faecal egg output of horses after treatment with fenbendazole. Examination of faecal egg counts in horses and ponies has shown that after treatment with fenbendazole at dose levels of 7.5, 45 and 60 mg/kg, faeces remained free from strongyle eggs for periods of 6 to 18 weeks. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to routine anthelmintic treatment of horses. In particular, the activity of fenbendazole against mucosal stages of strongyle parasites allows for treatment to be recommended at less frequent intervals than when using other anthelmintics.", "PMID": 631107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8749", "title": "The influence of neuroleptanalgesia on the serum activity of muscle enzymes in ponies.", "content": "The serum activities of creatine kinase (CPK), aldolase (ALD) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD) were determined in a group of Welsh Mountain ponies before and after a 30 minute period of neuroleptanalgesia induced by i.v. injection of Immobilon and terminated by i.v. injection of Revivon. There were slight but significant increases in the serum activities of CPK and HBD following neuroleptanalgesia, but no change in the serum activity of ALD. It is suggested that this form of neuroleptanalgesia may be associated, in ponies, with a degree of reversible myocardial hypoxic change, possibly as a result of coronary insufficiency.", "contents": "The influence of neuroleptanalgesia on the serum activity of muscle enzymes in ponies. The serum activities of creatine kinase (CPK), aldolase (ALD) and alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBD) were determined in a group of Welsh Mountain ponies before and after a 30 minute period of neuroleptanalgesia induced by i.v. injection of Immobilon and terminated by i.v. injection of Revivon. There were slight but significant increases in the serum activities of CPK and HBD following neuroleptanalgesia, but no change in the serum activity of ALD. It is suggested that this form of neuroleptanalgesia may be associated, in ponies, with a degree of reversible myocardial hypoxic change, possibly as a result of coronary insufficiency.", "PMID": 631108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8750", "title": "Response to dietary nitrogen in ponies.", "content": "Utilisation of nitrogen was studied in 4 crossbred ponies. A latin square design was used to study the effects of corn gluten meal, casein or urea when added to a low protein basal diet. Apparent nitrogen digestion, nitrogen retention, total plasma protein, plasma urea and plasma-free amino acids were measured. The addition of corn gluten meal, casein or urea to the basal ration increased apparent digestion of nitrogen. Casein produced a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) nitrogen retention than corn gluten meal or urea. Plasma urea nitrogen increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in ponies given the urea diet. Total plasma protein concentrations were essentially unchanged for all treatments. Elevated plasma levels of proline, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, lysine, and arginine were observed with ponies receiving the casein supplement. The data support the hypothesis that the horse is capable of responding to quality of dietary protein.", "contents": "Response to dietary nitrogen in ponies. Utilisation of nitrogen was studied in 4 crossbred ponies. A latin square design was used to study the effects of corn gluten meal, casein or urea when added to a low protein basal diet. Apparent nitrogen digestion, nitrogen retention, total plasma protein, plasma urea and plasma-free amino acids were measured. The addition of corn gluten meal, casein or urea to the basal ration increased apparent digestion of nitrogen. Casein produced a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) nitrogen retention than corn gluten meal or urea. Plasma urea nitrogen increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in ponies given the urea diet. Total plasma protein concentrations were essentially unchanged for all treatments. Elevated plasma levels of proline, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, lysine, and arginine were observed with ponies receiving the casein supplement. The data support the hypothesis that the horse is capable of responding to quality of dietary protein.", "PMID": 631109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8751", "title": "Recuperation after muscular fatigue by \"diverting activities\".", "content": "\"Diverting activity\" is defined as any physical or mental activity performed between or simultaneously with bouts of exhaustive, local muscular work. In the present experiments bouts of exhaustive work consisting of rhythmic lifting of weights were performed with the elbow flexors or with the flexors of the middle finger. Pauses of 2 min duration spent in complete rest or while performing diverting activities alternated between the bouts of work. As diverting activities were used: Physical activity, dynamic or static, performed with big or small muscle groups (other than the fatigued group), or mental activity (problem solving). It was found that the amount of work that could be performed after a pause with diverting activity was always larger than the amount of work performed after a passive pause. The beneficial effect was seen also when the blood flow to the exhausted muscles was interrupted by pneumatic cuffs. Determination of the blood flow in the exhausted muscles by means of Xe-133 clearance showed no systematic blood flow increases caused by the diverting activity. It is concluded that recuperation after local muscle fatigue is influenced by a central nervous factor (Setchenov phenomenon) that is largely independent of the local blood flow.", "contents": "Recuperation after muscular fatigue by \"diverting activities\". \"Diverting activity\" is defined as any physical or mental activity performed between or simultaneously with bouts of exhaustive, local muscular work. In the present experiments bouts of exhaustive work consisting of rhythmic lifting of weights were performed with the elbow flexors or with the flexors of the middle finger. Pauses of 2 min duration spent in complete rest or while performing diverting activities alternated between the bouts of work. As diverting activities were used: Physical activity, dynamic or static, performed with big or small muscle groups (other than the fatigued group), or mental activity (problem solving). It was found that the amount of work that could be performed after a pause with diverting activity was always larger than the amount of work performed after a passive pause. The beneficial effect was seen also when the blood flow to the exhausted muscles was interrupted by pneumatic cuffs. Determination of the blood flow in the exhausted muscles by means of Xe-133 clearance showed no systematic blood flow increases caused by the diverting activity. It is concluded that recuperation after local muscle fatigue is influenced by a central nervous factor (Setchenov phenomenon) that is largely independent of the local blood flow.", "PMID": 631115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8752", "title": "[Adaptive modifications of cold pain. II. Communication: long-term experiments with 24-h-intervals (author's transl)].", "content": "Ten healthy subjects were exposed to a single cold pain stimulus at one hand on each of 21 successive days. In order to follow up the subjective adaptation every other day an abbreviated version of the McGill-Pain-Questionnaire was issued. The initially wide spread protopathic irradiation of cold pain sensation was decreased by adaptation to a strictly localized perception related to the really exposed area. The number of the chosen affective-protopathic adjectives was significantly reduced, the number of sensory-epicrtic descriptions, however, remained constant. The overall evaluative estimation of pain intensity was also diminished. The course of objective adaptation parallels that of subjective adaptation. The relation between the evaluative intensity ratings and the affective-protopathic experience descriptions is discussed.", "contents": "[Adaptive modifications of cold pain. II. Communication: long-term experiments with 24-h-intervals (author's transl)]. Ten healthy subjects were exposed to a single cold pain stimulus at one hand on each of 21 successive days. In order to follow up the subjective adaptation every other day an abbreviated version of the McGill-Pain-Questionnaire was issued. The initially wide spread protopathic irradiation of cold pain sensation was decreased by adaptation to a strictly localized perception related to the really exposed area. The number of the chosen affective-protopathic adjectives was significantly reduced, the number of sensory-epicrtic descriptions, however, remained constant. The overall evaluative estimation of pain intensity was also diminished. The course of objective adaptation parallels that of subjective adaptation. The relation between the evaluative intensity ratings and the affective-protopathic experience descriptions is discussed.", "PMID": 631116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8753", "title": "[The effect of an on the job training program -- stairclimbing -- on the physical working capacity of employees (author's transl)].", "content": "Following medical screening and physical fitness testing (W170) 52 voltuntary employees in a 31-story administration building were formed into matched pairs and randomly allocated into intervention (stairclimbing) and control (lift) groups. The intervention group was asked to climb at least 25 floors/workday or 125 floors/week. the control group was asked to use only the lift. The intervention time was 10 weeks. The physiological measurements were made before and after the intervention. The number of stairs climbed was recorded daily in a diary. The heart rate was recorded continuously over one workday before and during the interventions. The average quantity of training in the final intervention group (n = 19) was 29.9 floors/workday or 36,790 kpm/week and in the control group 4.6 and 5980 correspondingly. The average training frequency was 4.3 in intervention and 1.4 climbs/workday in the control group. The average number of continuous floors used during climbing was 7.0 in intervention and 3.4 in control group. The average number of minutes on heart rate level of 130-159 beats/min during one workday was 7.8 in intervention and 1.6 in control group. The W170 (W/kg) increased 17.8% and the predicted VO2max (ml/min/kg) 15.1% in intervention group. The difference between the intervention group and the control group was significant (p less than 0.01). It was concluded, that stairclimbing is a suitable on the job physical activity program for middle-aged, untrained men.", "contents": "[The effect of an on the job training program -- stairclimbing -- on the physical working capacity of employees (author's transl)]. Following medical screening and physical fitness testing (W170) 52 voltuntary employees in a 31-story administration building were formed into matched pairs and randomly allocated into intervention (stairclimbing) and control (lift) groups. The intervention group was asked to climb at least 25 floors/workday or 125 floors/week. the control group was asked to use only the lift. The intervention time was 10 weeks. The physiological measurements were made before and after the intervention. The number of stairs climbed was recorded daily in a diary. The heart rate was recorded continuously over one workday before and during the interventions. The average quantity of training in the final intervention group (n = 19) was 29.9 floors/workday or 36,790 kpm/week and in the control group 4.6 and 5980 correspondingly. The average training frequency was 4.3 in intervention and 1.4 climbs/workday in the control group. The average number of continuous floors used during climbing was 7.0 in intervention and 3.4 in control group. The average number of minutes on heart rate level of 130-159 beats/min during one workday was 7.8 in intervention and 1.6 in control group. The W170 (W/kg) increased 17.8% and the predicted VO2max (ml/min/kg) 15.1% in intervention group. The difference between the intervention group and the control group was significant (p less than 0.01). It was concluded, that stairclimbing is a suitable on the job physical activity program for middle-aged, untrained men.", "PMID": 631117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8754", "title": "Mechanical energy states during running.", "content": "Changes in total mechanical work and its partitioning into different energy states (kinetic, potential and rotational) during a step cycle of running were investigated on six well trained athletes who ran at the test speeds of 40, 60, 80, and 100% (9.3 +/- 0.3 m/s) of maximum. Cinematographic techniques were utilized to calculate the mechanical energy states as described by Norman et al. (1976), using a 13 segment mechanical model of a runner as the basis for the computations. The data showed that both the kinetic and rotational energy increased parabolically but the potential energy decreased linearly with increases in running velocity. The calculated power of the positive work phase increased quadratically with running speed. During the phase when the runner was in contact with the ground, the applied calculations gave similar increases for the positive and negative works, and the power ratio (Wneg/Wpos) stayed the same at all measured speeds. Therefore, it is likely that the method used to calculate the various mechanical energy states did not reflect accurately enough the physiological energy costs at higher running speeds. It may, however, be quite acceptable for estimating the mechanical energy states during walking and slow running, in which case the role of negative work is less and consequently the storage and utilization of elastic energy is small.", "contents": "Mechanical energy states during running. Changes in total mechanical work and its partitioning into different energy states (kinetic, potential and rotational) during a step cycle of running were investigated on six well trained athletes who ran at the test speeds of 40, 60, 80, and 100% (9.3 +/- 0.3 m/s) of maximum. Cinematographic techniques were utilized to calculate the mechanical energy states as described by Norman et al. (1976), using a 13 segment mechanical model of a runner as the basis for the computations. The data showed that both the kinetic and rotational energy increased parabolically but the potential energy decreased linearly with increases in running velocity. The calculated power of the positive work phase increased quadratically with running speed. During the phase when the runner was in contact with the ground, the applied calculations gave similar increases for the positive and negative works, and the power ratio (Wneg/Wpos) stayed the same at all measured speeds. Therefore, it is likely that the method used to calculate the various mechanical energy states did not reflect accurately enough the physiological energy costs at higher running speeds. It may, however, be quite acceptable for estimating the mechanical energy states during walking and slow running, in which case the role of negative work is less and consequently the storage and utilization of elastic energy is small.", "PMID": 631118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8755", "title": "The lack of influence of reactive hyperemia on exhausting rhythmic or static exercise.", "content": "Muller (1958) and Nukada (1955) claimed that the performance of exhausting exercise can be greatly prolonged if the exercise is begun at the start of reactive hyperemia. They reported that arrest of the circulation for 10 min immediately before beginning rhythmic exercise had increased the endurance time nearly 7-fold. We have repeated Muller's and Nukada's experiments. In one series we used rhythmic exercises on a bicycle ergometer, and in another sustained contractions on a hand-grip dynamometer. Our results failed to support those of the above authors. The endurance times for rhythmic and static exercise were unaltered by previous arrest of the circulation.", "contents": "The lack of influence of reactive hyperemia on exhausting rhythmic or static exercise. Muller (1958) and Nukada (1955) claimed that the performance of exhausting exercise can be greatly prolonged if the exercise is begun at the start of reactive hyperemia. They reported that arrest of the circulation for 10 min immediately before beginning rhythmic exercise had increased the endurance time nearly 7-fold. We have repeated Muller's and Nukada's experiments. In one series we used rhythmic exercises on a bicycle ergometer, and in another sustained contractions on a hand-grip dynamometer. Our results failed to support those of the above authors. The endurance times for rhythmic and static exercise were unaltered by previous arrest of the circulation.", "PMID": 631119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8756", "title": "Effects of simulated altitude training on aerobic and anaerobic power.", "content": "Five trained males aged 20-23 years undertook successive phases (2-5 weeks duration) of daily training in normoxia or hypoxia. Weekly exhaustive tests alternately in normoxia or hypoxia, throughout, assessed the comparative efficacy of the training. The relative contribution to endurance, aerobic (peak VO2) and anaerobic (deltaLa) power made by exercise or hypoxia separately was studied. In a stepwise increasing work test to exhaustion relative bradycardia developed during the first minute of exhaustive work at 1800 kgm/min in all subjects and aerobic power increased both in normoxia and hypoxia significantly by the end of the first phase hypoxic training. Endurance for exhaustive work increased in both environments as did aerobic and anaerobic power.", "contents": "Effects of simulated altitude training on aerobic and anaerobic power. Five trained males aged 20-23 years undertook successive phases (2-5 weeks duration) of daily training in normoxia or hypoxia. Weekly exhaustive tests alternately in normoxia or hypoxia, throughout, assessed the comparative efficacy of the training. The relative contribution to endurance, aerobic (peak VO2) and anaerobic (deltaLa) power made by exercise or hypoxia separately was studied. In a stepwise increasing work test to exhaustion relative bradycardia developed during the first minute of exhaustive work at 1800 kgm/min in all subjects and aerobic power increased both in normoxia and hypoxia significantly by the end of the first phase hypoxic training. Endurance for exhaustive work increased in both environments as did aerobic and anaerobic power.", "PMID": 631120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8757", "title": "[Study of sleep of shift workers with alternating schedules: adaptation and recovery in case of rapid shift rotation (3-4 days) (author's transl)].", "content": "An electroencephalographic study of the sleep of shift workers (3 x 8) was performed in a French oil refinery. The recordings of diurnal sleep showed: a severe disorganization of the first day sleep (very short duration, decrease of PS and SWS in absolute amount); a trend towards better sleep characteristics (duration, PS and SWS amount) through the day-sleep period. Recovery night sleep appeared different when following curtailed night sleep (morning shift) and when following curtailed day sleep (night shift). Nocturnal sleep following immediately the diurnal sleep shows only partly the characteristics of a real recovery. Thus there seems to be a beginning adaptation to schedule reversal. This result supports a rapid shift alternation (3-4 days) which restrains both the cumulated sleep deficit and the adaptation to schedule reversal.", "contents": "[Study of sleep of shift workers with alternating schedules: adaptation and recovery in case of rapid shift rotation (3-4 days) (author's transl)]. An electroencephalographic study of the sleep of shift workers (3 x 8) was performed in a French oil refinery. The recordings of diurnal sleep showed: a severe disorganization of the first day sleep (very short duration, decrease of PS and SWS in absolute amount); a trend towards better sleep characteristics (duration, PS and SWS amount) through the day-sleep period. Recovery night sleep appeared different when following curtailed night sleep (morning shift) and when following curtailed day sleep (night shift). Nocturnal sleep following immediately the diurnal sleep shows only partly the characteristics of a real recovery. Thus there seems to be a beginning adaptation to schedule reversal. This result supports a rapid shift alternation (3-4 days) which restrains both the cumulated sleep deficit and the adaptation to schedule reversal.", "PMID": 631121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8758", "title": "A central nervous component in local muscular fatigue.", "content": "It has been shown previously (this journal) that any activity, physical or mental, performed as \"diverting activity\" in the pauses between bouts of exhaustive musclar work has a positive effect on the recuperation after fatigue. It was concluded that this effect was primarily of central nervous origin (Setchenov, 1903) and not a circulatory effect (Weber, 1914). In the present experiments it is shown that the amount of work that can be performed before exhaustion is larger when the subjects work with their eyes open than when they work with closed eyes. Further, when complete exhaustion has been reached with closed eyes, opening of the eyes results in an immediate return of a working capacity amounting to 15-30% of that already performed. It is demonstrated, that patellar reflexes are brisker when the eyes are open than when they are closed. The same is the case during the diverse forms of \"diverting activity\" used in this and the previous article. The brisker myotatic reflexes are taken to mean an enhanced central nervous arousal, and the recuperative effect of \"diverting activity\" is consequently explained as being due to an increased facilitation of the neuro-motor system, which in fatigue is inhibited centrally through afferents from receptors in the fatigued muscles.", "contents": "A central nervous component in local muscular fatigue. It has been shown previously (this journal) that any activity, physical or mental, performed as \"diverting activity\" in the pauses between bouts of exhaustive musclar work has a positive effect on the recuperation after fatigue. It was concluded that this effect was primarily of central nervous origin (Setchenov, 1903) and not a circulatory effect (Weber, 1914). In the present experiments it is shown that the amount of work that can be performed before exhaustion is larger when the subjects work with their eyes open than when they work with closed eyes. Further, when complete exhaustion has been reached with closed eyes, opening of the eyes results in an immediate return of a working capacity amounting to 15-30% of that already performed. It is demonstrated, that patellar reflexes are brisker when the eyes are open than when they are closed. The same is the case during the diverse forms of \"diverting activity\" used in this and the previous article. The brisker myotatic reflexes are taken to mean an enhanced central nervous arousal, and the recuperative effect of \"diverting activity\" is consequently explained as being due to an increased facilitation of the neuro-motor system, which in fatigue is inhibited centrally through afferents from receptors in the fatigued muscles.", "PMID": 631122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8759", "title": "The acetylcholine receptor as part of a protein complex in receptor-enriched membrane fragments from Torpedo californica electric tissue.", "content": "The acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica electric tissue consisting of polypeptide chains of molecular weight 42000 (+/- 2000) is part of a protein complex. Cross-linking experiments with bifunctional reagents have shown that this complex has possibly a pentameric structure with a molecular weight of 270000 (+/- 30000). Besides the receptor subunit (alpha-chain), at least three further classes of polypeptide chains are part of the complex: beta (Mr 48000), gamma (Mr 62000) and delta (Mr 68000). This can be shown by cross-linking the proteins extracted from receptor-enriched membrane fractions with a cleavable reagent: From the 270000 molecular weight particle the four predominant polypeptide chains of the membrane, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, can be obtained. The gamma-polypeptide chains appear to form a dimer connected by an inter-chain disulphide bridge.", "contents": "The acetylcholine receptor as part of a protein complex in receptor-enriched membrane fragments from Torpedo californica electric tissue. The acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica electric tissue consisting of polypeptide chains of molecular weight 42000 (+/- 2000) is part of a protein complex. Cross-linking experiments with bifunctional reagents have shown that this complex has possibly a pentameric structure with a molecular weight of 270000 (+/- 30000). Besides the receptor subunit (alpha-chain), at least three further classes of polypeptide chains are part of the complex: beta (Mr 48000), gamma (Mr 62000) and delta (Mr 68000). This can be shown by cross-linking the proteins extracted from receptor-enriched membrane fractions with a cleavable reagent: From the 270000 molecular weight particle the four predominant polypeptide chains of the membrane, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, can be obtained. The gamma-polypeptide chains appear to form a dimer connected by an inter-chain disulphide bridge.", "PMID": 631123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8760", "title": "Blood-group ABH-specific macroglycolipids of human erythrocytes: isolation in high yield from a crude membrane glycoprotein fraction.", "content": "Highly glycosylated, water-soluble ABH-specific sphingolipids, designated macroglycolipids, were isolated in high yield, up to 5 mg per unit of blood, from the crude human-erythrocyte-membrane glycoprotein fraction which is obtained by extraction of the membranes with chloroform/methanol/water. Both serological tests and radioactive labelling experiments indicated that these substances, rather than the glycoproteins, are the principal ABH-components in this fraction. The activities of A-specific, B-specific and H-specific macroglycolipids were very high, approximately 0.1 microgram inhibiting four hemagglutinating doses of the respective agglutinating reagents, and were thus comparable to those of secreted blood-group ABH-specific glycoproteins. The substances were stable to mild alkaline conditions. They contained fucose, galactose, glucosamine, glucose, sialic acid, sphingosine and fatty acids; blood-group-A-specific substances contained, in addition, galactosamine. No amino acids were detected. Assuming one glycosyl residue per molecule, the average number of sugars in A and B macroglycolipids was 31, and their molecular weights approximately 6100. The presence of beta-D-galactosidase-labile and sialic acid residues indicated that these substances contain nonreducing termini additional to the ABH immunodeterminants. In the B macroglycolipid, the ratio between nonreducing terminal alpha-D-galactopyranosyl and beta-D-galactopyranosyl residues was 1.7:1.0. The macroglycolipids formed clear aqueous solutions at concentrations as high as 30 mg/ml, were insoluble in 60--70% aqueous ethanol, and did not migrate on thin-layer chromatography unless they were acetylated. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate showed the macroglycolipids to be a heterogeneous mixture migrating throughout most of the region in which the periodic acid/Schiff-positive membrane glycoproteins are found. On the basis of the evidence presented, it is concluded that macroglycolipids are the predominant ABH-specific component in human erythrocyte membranes, and that they most likely account for previous observations of ABH activity in membrane glycoprotein fractions.", "contents": "Blood-group ABH-specific macroglycolipids of human erythrocytes: isolation in high yield from a crude membrane glycoprotein fraction. Highly glycosylated, water-soluble ABH-specific sphingolipids, designated macroglycolipids, were isolated in high yield, up to 5 mg per unit of blood, from the crude human-erythrocyte-membrane glycoprotein fraction which is obtained by extraction of the membranes with chloroform/methanol/water. Both serological tests and radioactive labelling experiments indicated that these substances, rather than the glycoproteins, are the principal ABH-components in this fraction. The activities of A-specific, B-specific and H-specific macroglycolipids were very high, approximately 0.1 microgram inhibiting four hemagglutinating doses of the respective agglutinating reagents, and were thus comparable to those of secreted blood-group ABH-specific glycoproteins. The substances were stable to mild alkaline conditions. They contained fucose, galactose, glucosamine, glucose, sialic acid, sphingosine and fatty acids; blood-group-A-specific substances contained, in addition, galactosamine. No amino acids were detected. Assuming one glycosyl residue per molecule, the average number of sugars in A and B macroglycolipids was 31, and their molecular weights approximately 6100. The presence of beta-D-galactosidase-labile and sialic acid residues indicated that these substances contain nonreducing termini additional to the ABH immunodeterminants. In the B macroglycolipid, the ratio between nonreducing terminal alpha-D-galactopyranosyl and beta-D-galactopyranosyl residues was 1.7:1.0. The macroglycolipids formed clear aqueous solutions at concentrations as high as 30 mg/ml, were insoluble in 60--70% aqueous ethanol, and did not migrate on thin-layer chromatography unless they were acetylated. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate showed the macroglycolipids to be a heterogeneous mixture migrating throughout most of the region in which the periodic acid/Schiff-positive membrane glycoproteins are found. On the basis of the evidence presented, it is concluded that macroglycolipids are the predominant ABH-specific component in human erythrocyte membranes, and that they most likely account for previous observations of ABH activity in membrane glycoprotein fractions.", "PMID": 631124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8761", "title": "A circular dichroism study of DNA.platinum complexes. Differentiation between monofunctional, cis-bidentate and trans-bidentate platinum fixation on a series of DNAs.", "content": "The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of a series of DNA . platinum complexes are presented. The following platinum compounds, [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, cis-Pt(en)Cl2, trans-Pt-(NH3)2Cl2, K[Pt(NH3)Cl3] and K2[PtCl4] were complexed with the DNA extracted from bacteria Micrococcus lysodeikticus (72% dG + dC), Escherichia coli (50% dG + dC), Clostridium perfringens (32% dG + dC) and salmon sperm (41% dG + dC). Strong differences were found between the different DNA . Pt complexes. Three types of spectra clearly demonstrate the different platinum binding modes on DNA. In the first type, the platinum compound, i.e. [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, is fixed to DNA with only one bond (monofunctional complex formation) and no significant change of the CD positive band of DNA is found. The main feature of the second type is a continuous intensity decrease of the positive band as observed for trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 (trans-bidentate complex formation). The third type concerns the cis-bidentate platinum fixation obtained with cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, cis-Pt(en)Cl2, K[Pt(NH3)Cl3] and K2[PtCl4]. The CD spectra are in this case characterized by an increase in the positive Cotton effect which is dG + dC-dependent up to an rb value around 0.10 (where rb = number of platinum atoms bound per nucleotide), followed by a decrease until DNA saturation with platinum is reached. A linear decrease in the amplitude of the negative band is detected in all the complexes except in the case of the monofunctional DNA . Pt complexes. For the cis-bidentate and trans-bidentate platinum fixation, a continuous bathochromic shift occurs.", "contents": "A circular dichroism study of DNA.platinum complexes. Differentiation between monofunctional, cis-bidentate and trans-bidentate platinum fixation on a series of DNAs. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of a series of DNA . platinum complexes are presented. The following platinum compounds, [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, cis-Pt(en)Cl2, trans-Pt-(NH3)2Cl2, K[Pt(NH3)Cl3] and K2[PtCl4] were complexed with the DNA extracted from bacteria Micrococcus lysodeikticus (72% dG + dC), Escherichia coli (50% dG + dC), Clostridium perfringens (32% dG + dC) and salmon sperm (41% dG + dC). Strong differences were found between the different DNA . Pt complexes. Three types of spectra clearly demonstrate the different platinum binding modes on DNA. In the first type, the platinum compound, i.e. [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, is fixed to DNA with only one bond (monofunctional complex formation) and no significant change of the CD positive band of DNA is found. The main feature of the second type is a continuous intensity decrease of the positive band as observed for trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 (trans-bidentate complex formation). The third type concerns the cis-bidentate platinum fixation obtained with cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, cis-Pt(en)Cl2, K[Pt(NH3)Cl3] and K2[PtCl4]. The CD spectra are in this case characterized by an increase in the positive Cotton effect which is dG + dC-dependent up to an rb value around 0.10 (where rb = number of platinum atoms bound per nucleotide), followed by a decrease until DNA saturation with platinum is reached. A linear decrease in the amplitude of the negative band is detected in all the complexes except in the case of the monofunctional DNA . Pt complexes. For the cis-bidentate and trans-bidentate platinum fixation, a continuous bathochromic shift occurs.", "PMID": 631125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8762", "title": "The structures of some peptides from bee venom.", "content": "The sequences are given of two peptides (secapin and melittin F) whose isolation from the venom of the common European honey bee (Apis mellifera) has previously been described [Gauldie et al. (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 61, 369--376]. Some structural studies on the known peptide 401 (MCD peptide) are described. The positions of the two disulphide bridges in peptide 401 have been determined by (an essentially) novel method.", "contents": "The structures of some peptides from bee venom. The sequences are given of two peptides (secapin and melittin F) whose isolation from the venom of the common European honey bee (Apis mellifera) has previously been described [Gauldie et al. (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 61, 369--376]. Some structural studies on the known peptide 401 (MCD peptide) are described. The positions of the two disulphide bridges in peptide 401 have been determined by (an essentially) novel method.", "PMID": 631126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8763", "title": "Decreased heparin sensitivity of cycholhexanedione-modified thrombin.", "content": "Modification of 5--6 arginine residues of thrombin with 1,2-cyclohexanedione has resulted in the selective abolition of the heparin sensitivity of the enzyme's reaction with antithrombin-III, whereas the antithrombin-III sensitivity of native and modified thrombin was indistinguishable. It is suggested that heparin accelerates the thrombin antithrombin-III reaction by interacting with thrombin.", "contents": "Decreased heparin sensitivity of cycholhexanedione-modified thrombin. Modification of 5--6 arginine residues of thrombin with 1,2-cyclohexanedione has resulted in the selective abolition of the heparin sensitivity of the enzyme's reaction with antithrombin-III, whereas the antithrombin-III sensitivity of native and modified thrombin was indistinguishable. It is suggested that heparin accelerates the thrombin antithrombin-III reaction by interacting with thrombin.", "PMID": 631129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8764", "title": "Formate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas oxalaticus.", "content": "Formate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.2) from Pseudomonas oxalaticus has been isolated and characterized. The enzyme (molecular weight 315000) is a complex flavoprotein containing 2 FMN, 18--25 non-heme iron atoms and 15--20 acid-labile sulphides. In the last step of the purification, a sucrose gradient centrifugation, a second catalytically active species has been found apparently originating from a dissociation of the enzyme into two equal subunits. The enzyme is specific toward its natural substrate formate. It transfers electrons to NAD+, oxygen, ferricyanide, and a lot of nonphysiological acceptors (dyes). In addition electrons are transferred from NADH to these acceptors. The (reversible) removal of FMN requires a reduction step. Reincorporation has been followed by the reappearance of the reactivity against formate and by fluorescence titration. The deflavo enzyme also binds FAD and riboflavin. The resulting enzyme species show characteristic catalytic abilities. Activity against formate is peculiar to the FMN species.", "contents": "Formate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas oxalaticus. Formate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.2) from Pseudomonas oxalaticus has been isolated and characterized. The enzyme (molecular weight 315000) is a complex flavoprotein containing 2 FMN, 18--25 non-heme iron atoms and 15--20 acid-labile sulphides. In the last step of the purification, a sucrose gradient centrifugation, a second catalytically active species has been found apparently originating from a dissociation of the enzyme into two equal subunits. The enzyme is specific toward its natural substrate formate. It transfers electrons to NAD+, oxygen, ferricyanide, and a lot of nonphysiological acceptors (dyes). In addition electrons are transferred from NADH to these acceptors. The (reversible) removal of FMN requires a reduction step. Reincorporation has been followed by the reappearance of the reactivity against formate and by fluorescence titration. The deflavo enzyme also binds FAD and riboflavin. The resulting enzyme species show characteristic catalytic abilities. Activity against formate is peculiar to the FMN species.", "PMID": 631130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8765", "title": "Fatty acid synthesis by isolated chromoplasts from the daffodil. [14C]Acetate incorporation and distribution of labelled acids.", "content": "Isolated daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) chromoplasts showed high rates of [14C]acetate incorporation into lipids. The fatty acids synthesized were predominantly palmitic acid (93%). The radioactivity incorporated was shared mainly between long-chain acyl-CoA (25%), free fatty acids (24%), phosphatidic acid (17%), diacylglycerol (15%), and phosphatidycholine (11%). Galactolipids were not labelled. ATP, NaHCO3, and also the structural integrity of the organelles were essential. Omission of exogenous CoA led to a decreased incorporation (49%); under these conditions the label was distributed mainly between free fatty acids (66%) and diacylglycerol (19%). Addition of lysophosphatidylcholine increased the labelling of phosphatidylcholine, whereas addition of glycerol 1-phosphate increased the labelling of phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol. Acyl-CoA synthetase and acyl thioesterase (acyl-Coa) activities could be demonstrated. The results are discussed in terms of chromoplasts as non-photosynthetic organelles exhibiting high lipid-synthesizing capabilities.", "contents": "Fatty acid synthesis by isolated chromoplasts from the daffodil. [14C]Acetate incorporation and distribution of labelled acids. Isolated daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) chromoplasts showed high rates of [14C]acetate incorporation into lipids. The fatty acids synthesized were predominantly palmitic acid (93%). The radioactivity incorporated was shared mainly between long-chain acyl-CoA (25%), free fatty acids (24%), phosphatidic acid (17%), diacylglycerol (15%), and phosphatidycholine (11%). Galactolipids were not labelled. ATP, NaHCO3, and also the structural integrity of the organelles were essential. Omission of exogenous CoA led to a decreased incorporation (49%); under these conditions the label was distributed mainly between free fatty acids (66%) and diacylglycerol (19%). Addition of lysophosphatidylcholine increased the labelling of phosphatidylcholine, whereas addition of glycerol 1-phosphate increased the labelling of phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol. Acyl-CoA synthetase and acyl thioesterase (acyl-Coa) activities could be demonstrated. The results are discussed in terms of chromoplasts as non-photosynthetic organelles exhibiting high lipid-synthesizing capabilities.", "PMID": 631131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8766", "title": "Urinary abnormalities in fucosidosis. Characterization of a disaccharide and two glycoasparagines.", "content": "The urinary excretion of fucose-containing material was found to be highly increased in a patient with fucosidosis type 2. Three structurally related compounds, a disaccharide and two glycoasparagines, were isolated from the urine. The isolation procedure included ultrafiltration, gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25, preparative zone electrophoresis and paper chromatography. From structural studies including optical rotation, sugar analysis, methylation analysis, ninhydrin degradation, reduction with lithium aluminium hydride and partial hydrolysis, the following structures were deduced: formula (see text), where Fucp is fucopyranose, Manp is mannopyranose, Galcp is galactopyranose, GlcNAcp is 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucopyranose and Asn is asparagine. The yields of these compounds were 1.7, 40, and 6 mg/l, respectively. The origin of the disaccharide and the two glycoasparagines is probably the core region of glycoprotein carbohydrate chains.", "contents": "Urinary abnormalities in fucosidosis. Characterization of a disaccharide and two glycoasparagines. The urinary excretion of fucose-containing material was found to be highly increased in a patient with fucosidosis type 2. Three structurally related compounds, a disaccharide and two glycoasparagines, were isolated from the urine. The isolation procedure included ultrafiltration, gel chromatography on Sephadex G-25, preparative zone electrophoresis and paper chromatography. From structural studies including optical rotation, sugar analysis, methylation analysis, ninhydrin degradation, reduction with lithium aluminium hydride and partial hydrolysis, the following structures were deduced: formula (see text), where Fucp is fucopyranose, Manp is mannopyranose, Galcp is galactopyranose, GlcNAcp is 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucopyranose and Asn is asparagine. The yields of these compounds were 1.7, 40, and 6 mg/l, respectively. The origin of the disaccharide and the two glycoasparagines is probably the core region of glycoprotein carbohydrate chains.", "PMID": 631132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8767", "title": "Location of tyrosine residues in the disk of tobacco-mosaic-virus protein and comparison of the subunit packing with that of the virus.", "content": "The products of iodination of the disk of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein have been investigated in order to locate the reactive amino acid residues in the three-dimensional structure. Reaction occurs mainly with tyrosine-139 and, to a lesser extent, tyrosine-2 and the positions of these modified residues have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Different extents of reaction are found in the two rings of the disk and also, on adding the high salt concentration needed for stabilisation of the crystal during reaction, some conformational changes in the polypeptide chain in the inner part of the disk. Comparison of the relative positions of residues 27 and 139 in the disk and virus shows that little distortion occurs in the outer part of the subunit during the transition between the disk and virus structures.", "contents": "Location of tyrosine residues in the disk of tobacco-mosaic-virus protein and comparison of the subunit packing with that of the virus. The products of iodination of the disk of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein have been investigated in order to locate the reactive amino acid residues in the three-dimensional structure. Reaction occurs mainly with tyrosine-139 and, to a lesser extent, tyrosine-2 and the positions of these modified residues have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Different extents of reaction are found in the two rings of the disk and also, on adding the high salt concentration needed for stabilisation of the crystal during reaction, some conformational changes in the polypeptide chain in the inner part of the disk. Comparison of the relative positions of residues 27 and 139 in the disk and virus shows that little distortion occurs in the outer part of the subunit during the transition between the disk and virus structures.", "PMID": 631133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8768", "title": "Interaction of contractile proteins with DNA.", "content": "The interaction of contractile proteins (myosin, actin, tropomyosin and troponin) with DNA was studied in vitro using a nitrocellulose filter binding technique. The data indicate a high affinity of myosin and troponin for DNA, a lesser interaction between DNA and tropomyosin and the absence of binding of actin to DNA. When binding to DNA was detected, the interaction was higher with single-stranded DNA than with RNA or double-stranded DNA, although in some conditions myosin binds equally as well to native as to denatured eukaryotic DNA. Myosin binds better to eukaryotic than to phage native DNA.", "contents": "Interaction of contractile proteins with DNA. The interaction of contractile proteins (myosin, actin, tropomyosin and troponin) with DNA was studied in vitro using a nitrocellulose filter binding technique. The data indicate a high affinity of myosin and troponin for DNA, a lesser interaction between DNA and tropomyosin and the absence of binding of actin to DNA. When binding to DNA was detected, the interaction was higher with single-stranded DNA than with RNA or double-stranded DNA, although in some conditions myosin binds equally as well to native as to denatured eukaryotic DNA. Myosin binds better to eukaryotic than to phage native DNA.", "PMID": 631134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8769", "title": "Transfer of bovine J-blood-group determinant onto erythrocytes: isolation and identification of a blocker.", "content": "The bovine J-blood-group determinant is transferred from a serum glycoprotein to an erythrocyte membrane lipid by incubation in vitro. This transfer is inhibited by a lipid (called 'blocker') occurring in bovine and human serum, in other bovine and human tissues, yeast and plant tissues. The blocker was isolated from bovine spleen and identified as phosphatidylserine. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol acts as a blocker, while a variety of other phospholipids, glycosphingolipids and neutral lipids have no function as blockers. Mild alkaline deacylation deletes the blocker activity of both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. Methyl esters of these phospholipids, or exchange of the amino group for a hydroxyl group in phosphatidylserine or N-benzoylation of phosphatidylserine, do not affect the blocker function. The blocker function of phosphatidylinositol is lost after periodate oxidation. The blocker reacts with the J-containing serum protein, not with the erythrocyte membrane. After preincubation of the J-positive serum protein with the blocker and reextraction of excess blocker, the serum protein remains J-positive, but is then unable to transfer the J determinant to the erythrocyte membrane.", "contents": "Transfer of bovine J-blood-group determinant onto erythrocytes: isolation and identification of a blocker. The bovine J-blood-group determinant is transferred from a serum glycoprotein to an erythrocyte membrane lipid by incubation in vitro. This transfer is inhibited by a lipid (called 'blocker') occurring in bovine and human serum, in other bovine and human tissues, yeast and plant tissues. The blocker was isolated from bovine spleen and identified as phosphatidylserine. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol acts as a blocker, while a variety of other phospholipids, glycosphingolipids and neutral lipids have no function as blockers. Mild alkaline deacylation deletes the blocker activity of both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. Methyl esters of these phospholipids, or exchange of the amino group for a hydroxyl group in phosphatidylserine or N-benzoylation of phosphatidylserine, do not affect the blocker function. The blocker function of phosphatidylinositol is lost after periodate oxidation. The blocker reacts with the J-containing serum protein, not with the erythrocyte membrane. After preincubation of the J-positive serum protein with the blocker and reextraction of excess blocker, the serum protein remains J-positive, but is then unable to transfer the J determinant to the erythrocyte membrane.", "PMID": 631135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8770", "title": "Factors affecting glucosyl and mannosyl transfer to dolichyl monophosphate by liver cell-free preparations.", "content": "GDP-mannose and UDP-mannose (each at less than 1 micrometer) markedly inhibit glucosyl transfer from UDP-glucose (1.6 micrometer( to dolichyl phosphate in liver microsomal preparations. The biphasic response suggests the presence of two glucosyl transferases only one of which is inhibited. The inhibition appears to be a property of the intact nucleotide phosphate sugars and not due to competition for a limited pool of dolichyl phosphate. UDP-galactose and UDP-xylose cause a less marked inhibition of the same enzyme. The failure of UDP-glucose to inhibit mannosyl transfer suggests that the pool of dolichol monophosphate used by mannosyl transferase is not available to the glucosyl transferase. The relationship between the degree to which an exogenous prenol phosphate acts as an acceptor of mannose and the degree to which it inhibits mannosylation of endogenous dolichyl monophosphate varies among different prenyl phosphates. Mannosyl transferase exhibits two pH optima.", "contents": "Factors affecting glucosyl and mannosyl transfer to dolichyl monophosphate by liver cell-free preparations. GDP-mannose and UDP-mannose (each at less than 1 micrometer) markedly inhibit glucosyl transfer from UDP-glucose (1.6 micrometer( to dolichyl phosphate in liver microsomal preparations. The biphasic response suggests the presence of two glucosyl transferases only one of which is inhibited. The inhibition appears to be a property of the intact nucleotide phosphate sugars and not due to competition for a limited pool of dolichyl phosphate. UDP-galactose and UDP-xylose cause a less marked inhibition of the same enzyme. The failure of UDP-glucose to inhibit mannosyl transfer suggests that the pool of dolichol monophosphate used by mannosyl transferase is not available to the glucosyl transferase. The relationship between the degree to which an exogenous prenol phosphate acts as an acceptor of mannose and the degree to which it inhibits mannosylation of endogenous dolichyl monophosphate varies among different prenyl phosphates. Mannosyl transferase exhibits two pH optima.", "PMID": 631137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8771", "title": "Closely spaced nucleosome cores in reconstituted histone.DNA complexes and histone-H1-depleted chromatin.", "content": "It has been demonstrated by digestion studies with micrococcal nuclease that reconstitution of complexes from DNA and a mixture of the four small calf thymus histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 leads to subunits closely spaced in a 137 +/- 7-nucleotide-pair register. Subunits isolated from the reconstituted complex contain nearly equimolar amounts of the four histones and sediment at 11.6S. On DNase I digestion both the reconstituted complex and the separated subunits gave rise to series of single-stranded DNA fragments with a 10-nucleotide periodicity. This indicates that the reconstitution leads to subunits very similar to nucleosome cores. Nucleosome cores closely spaced in a 140-nucleotide-pair register were also obtained upon removal of histone H1 from chromatin by dissociation with 0.63 M NaCl and subsequent ultracentrifugation. In reconstitution experiments with all five histones (including histone H1) our procedure did not lead to tandemly arranged nucleosomes containing about 200 nucleotide pairs of DNA. In the presence of EDTA, DNase II cleaved calf thymus nuclei and chromatin at about 200-nucleotide-pair intervals whereas in the presence of Mg2+ cleavage at intervals of approximately half this size was observed. The change in the nature of the cleavage pattern, however, was no longer found after removal of histone H1 from chromatin. This indicates that H1 influences the accessibility of DNase II cleavage sites in chromatin. This finding is discussed with respect to the influence of histone H1 on chromatin superstructure.", "contents": "Closely spaced nucleosome cores in reconstituted histone.DNA complexes and histone-H1-depleted chromatin. It has been demonstrated by digestion studies with micrococcal nuclease that reconstitution of complexes from DNA and a mixture of the four small calf thymus histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 leads to subunits closely spaced in a 137 +/- 7-nucleotide-pair register. Subunits isolated from the reconstituted complex contain nearly equimolar amounts of the four histones and sediment at 11.6S. On DNase I digestion both the reconstituted complex and the separated subunits gave rise to series of single-stranded DNA fragments with a 10-nucleotide periodicity. This indicates that the reconstitution leads to subunits very similar to nucleosome cores. Nucleosome cores closely spaced in a 140-nucleotide-pair register were also obtained upon removal of histone H1 from chromatin by dissociation with 0.63 M NaCl and subsequent ultracentrifugation. In reconstitution experiments with all five histones (including histone H1) our procedure did not lead to tandemly arranged nucleosomes containing about 200 nucleotide pairs of DNA. In the presence of EDTA, DNase II cleaved calf thymus nuclei and chromatin at about 200-nucleotide-pair intervals whereas in the presence of Mg2+ cleavage at intervals of approximately half this size was observed. The change in the nature of the cleavage pattern, however, was no longer found after removal of histone H1 from chromatin. This indicates that H1 influences the accessibility of DNase II cleavage sites in chromatin. This finding is discussed with respect to the influence of histone H1 on chromatin superstructure.", "PMID": 631138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8772", "title": "Accumulation of carnitine esters of beta-oxidation intermediates during palmitate oxidation by rat-liver mitochondria.", "content": "Rat-liver mitochondria were incubated with [14C]palmitate in the presence of L-malate, fluorocitrate, and L-carnitine. The specific activities of acetyl groups incorporated into citrate, ketone bodies and acetyl-L-carnitine were measured. During state-4 oxidation of [1--14C]palmitate the specific activity of the acetyl-CoA pool was 1.3-times higher than that of the average acetyl group of palmitate, indicating an incomplete breakdown of the palmitate molecule. Accumulation of carnitine esters was observed in this condition. The acyl moieties of carnitine esters formed during the state-4 oxidation of [U-14C]palmitate or [16(-14)C]palmitate were analysed by radioactive gas-chromatography. Substantial amounts of beta-oxidation intermediates were found. The accumulation of carnitine esters of C6-C14 intermediates can quantitatively explain the high specific activity of the acetyl-CoA pool during the state-4 oxidation of [1(-14)C] palmitate. The localization and control of beta-oxidation are discussed.", "contents": "Accumulation of carnitine esters of beta-oxidation intermediates during palmitate oxidation by rat-liver mitochondria. Rat-liver mitochondria were incubated with [14C]palmitate in the presence of L-malate, fluorocitrate, and L-carnitine. The specific activities of acetyl groups incorporated into citrate, ketone bodies and acetyl-L-carnitine were measured. During state-4 oxidation of [1--14C]palmitate the specific activity of the acetyl-CoA pool was 1.3-times higher than that of the average acetyl group of palmitate, indicating an incomplete breakdown of the palmitate molecule. Accumulation of carnitine esters was observed in this condition. The acyl moieties of carnitine esters formed during the state-4 oxidation of [U-14C]palmitate or [16(-14)C]palmitate were analysed by radioactive gas-chromatography. Substantial amounts of beta-oxidation intermediates were found. The accumulation of carnitine esters of C6-C14 intermediates can quantitatively explain the high specific activity of the acetyl-CoA pool during the state-4 oxidation of [1(-14)C] palmitate. The localization and control of beta-oxidation are discussed.", "PMID": 631139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8773", "title": "Evidence for a homogeneous pool of acetyl-CoA in rat-liver mitochondria.", "content": "Rat-liver mitochondria oxidized [1-14C]palmitate or [U-14C]palmitate and unlabelled pyruvate in a medium containing fluorocitrate and L-carnitine. The oxidation products (acetyl-L-carnitine, ketone bodies and citrate) were separated by anion-exchange chromatography and their specific activities were determined. The distribution of radioactivity over the two halves of the ketone bodies was essayed. Significant differences between the specific activities of citrate, acetyl-L-carnitine and the carboxylhalf of the ketone bodies were not observed; this was consistently the case, even when pyruvate contributed for more than 80% to the acetyl-CoA pool. Our results argue against compartition of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA. Instead, they strongly suggest that the acetyl-CoA originating from the simultaneous oxidation of pyruvate and palmitate equilibrates before being distributed over the various pathways of further metabolism.", "contents": "Evidence for a homogeneous pool of acetyl-CoA in rat-liver mitochondria. Rat-liver mitochondria oxidized [1-14C]palmitate or [U-14C]palmitate and unlabelled pyruvate in a medium containing fluorocitrate and L-carnitine. The oxidation products (acetyl-L-carnitine, ketone bodies and citrate) were separated by anion-exchange chromatography and their specific activities were determined. The distribution of radioactivity over the two halves of the ketone bodies was essayed. Significant differences between the specific activities of citrate, acetyl-L-carnitine and the carboxylhalf of the ketone bodies were not observed; this was consistently the case, even when pyruvate contributed for more than 80% to the acetyl-CoA pool. Our results argue against compartition of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA. Instead, they strongly suggest that the acetyl-CoA originating from the simultaneous oxidation of pyruvate and palmitate equilibrates before being distributed over the various pathways of further metabolism.", "PMID": 631140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8774", "title": "The effect of vincamine on the regional cerebral blood flow in man.", "content": "The cerebral hemodynamic action of Vincamine is measured in 17 patients with primary or secondary cerebral circulation disorders, by use of the multiregional 133Xe clearance technique. The statistical analysis of the results justifies the grouping of all the cases and the distinction between reference, ischemic and hyperemic zones by determining for each subject a range of + or - 15% of his own mean regional cerebral blood flow. The drug, in a single injection in the internal carotid artery, shows a significant beneficial hemodynamic effect on the ischemic regions of the brain. No steal phenomenon is recorded in the middle cerebral artery territory. The action of the drug leads to a decrease and an equalization of the hemodynamic resistances of the cerebral vascular bed.", "contents": "The effect of vincamine on the regional cerebral blood flow in man. The cerebral hemodynamic action of Vincamine is measured in 17 patients with primary or secondary cerebral circulation disorders, by use of the multiregional 133Xe clearance technique. The statistical analysis of the results justifies the grouping of all the cases and the distinction between reference, ischemic and hyperemic zones by determining for each subject a range of + or - 15% of his own mean regional cerebral blood flow. The drug, in a single injection in the internal carotid artery, shows a significant beneficial hemodynamic effect on the ischemic regions of the brain. No steal phenomenon is recorded in the middle cerebral artery territory. The action of the drug leads to a decrease and an equalization of the hemodynamic resistances of the cerebral vascular bed.", "PMID": 631141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8775", "title": "Relapsing polyradiculitis after portocaval anastomosis.", "content": "A case of relapsing polyneuritis in a cirrhotic woman with a surgical splenorenal shunt is reported. The ultrastructural study of the nerve biopsy shows widespread segmental demyelinization with total myelin breakdown in most fibers; some Schwann cells are invaded by mononuclear cell processes. Such histological changes are characteristic of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome. Alcohol and diabetes are unlikely to be the causative factors of the nerve damage. The possible role of unidentified toxic metabolites such as those which cause portosystemic encephalopathy, also present in our patient, is discussed.", "contents": "Relapsing polyradiculitis after portocaval anastomosis. A case of relapsing polyneuritis in a cirrhotic woman with a surgical splenorenal shunt is reported. The ultrastructural study of the nerve biopsy shows widespread segmental demyelinization with total myelin breakdown in most fibers; some Schwann cells are invaded by mononuclear cell processes. Such histological changes are characteristic of the Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome. Alcohol and diabetes are unlikely to be the causative factors of the nerve damage. The possible role of unidentified toxic metabolites such as those which cause portosystemic encephalopathy, also present in our patient, is discussed.", "PMID": 631142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8776", "title": "Effect of prolonged ingestion of gamma-linolenate by MS patients.", "content": "The absolute electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes from MS patients is reduced in the presence of 0.08 mg/ml of linoleic or arachidonic acid, whilst that of normal or other neurological disease patients is increased in the presence of these acids. When an MS patient ingests gamma-linolenate (in capsule form equivalent to 413.4 mg of gamma-linolenic acid and 2.664 g of linoleic acid per day) the reaction of MS erythrocytes begins to change. After 3 or 4 months the reaction becomes normal with arachidonic acid (i.e. mobility is speeded up) and 2 months or so later this occurs also with linoleic acid. Very prolonged administration of gamma-linolenate leads to a markedly increased sensitivity to the effect of prostaglandins (PGE2) on RBC mobility. The observations are interpreted to mean the induction of a biochemical-biophysical change in the membranes, and the significance of this in the aetiology and treatment of multiple sclerosis is discussed.", "contents": "Effect of prolonged ingestion of gamma-linolenate by MS patients. The absolute electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes from MS patients is reduced in the presence of 0.08 mg/ml of linoleic or arachidonic acid, whilst that of normal or other neurological disease patients is increased in the presence of these acids. When an MS patient ingests gamma-linolenate (in capsule form equivalent to 413.4 mg of gamma-linolenic acid and 2.664 g of linoleic acid per day) the reaction of MS erythrocytes begins to change. After 3 or 4 months the reaction becomes normal with arachidonic acid (i.e. mobility is speeded up) and 2 months or so later this occurs also with linoleic acid. Very prolonged administration of gamma-linolenate leads to a markedly increased sensitivity to the effect of prostaglandins (PGE2) on RBC mobility. The observations are interpreted to mean the induction of a biochemical-biophysical change in the membranes, and the significance of this in the aetiology and treatment of multiple sclerosis is discussed.", "PMID": 631143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8777", "title": "Continent ileostomy. A pilot study in dogs.", "content": "Nipple valve ileostomies with and without a performed pouch as well as conventional ileostomies were compared in dogs. In both groups with a nipple valve, a 150-200 ml reservoir developed. It was about 30 cm long when not preformed by an operation. Equal dilatation of the proximal bowel was observed in both groups with a nipple valve and both these groups had a substantial loss of weight which seemed to correspond with mucosal changes indicating malabsorption. For continent ileostomy function in dogs, the performed pouch thus seems unnecessary.", "contents": "Continent ileostomy. A pilot study in dogs. Nipple valve ileostomies with and without a performed pouch as well as conventional ileostomies were compared in dogs. In both groups with a nipple valve, a 150-200 ml reservoir developed. It was about 30 cm long when not preformed by an operation. Equal dilatation of the proximal bowel was observed in both groups with a nipple valve and both these groups had a substantial loss of weight which seemed to correspond with mucosal changes indicating malabsorption. For continent ileostomy function in dogs, the performed pouch thus seems unnecessary.", "PMID": 631144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8778", "title": "Pressure-induced ischemia. II. A metabolic study in hamster cheek pouch.", "content": "The effects of pressure-induced ischemia on energy metabolism, measured as ATP and glucose content, is studied in hamster cheek pouch. Metabolic deterioration during ischaemia is studied and after 2 h the glucose content was significantly reduced but not the ATP content, which was significantly reduced after 4 h of ischemia. Restoration of glucose levels in the cheek pouch tissue was achieved within 30 min of recirculation after release of pressure. The cellular energy metabolism is unable after 4 h of ischemia to restore ATP levels in the tissue during the 120-min of postischemic observation time. There is a difference in ability to resume normal energy metabolism after 2 and 4 h of pressure-induced ischemia.", "contents": "Pressure-induced ischemia. II. A metabolic study in hamster cheek pouch. The effects of pressure-induced ischemia on energy metabolism, measured as ATP and glucose content, is studied in hamster cheek pouch. Metabolic deterioration during ischaemia is studied and after 2 h the glucose content was significantly reduced but not the ATP content, which was significantly reduced after 4 h of ischemia. Restoration of glucose levels in the cheek pouch tissue was achieved within 30 min of recirculation after release of pressure. The cellular energy metabolism is unable after 4 h of ischemia to restore ATP levels in the tissue during the 120-min of postischemic observation time. There is a difference in ability to resume normal energy metabolism after 2 and 4 h of pressure-induced ischemia.", "PMID": 631145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8779", "title": "The local hemodynamic effects of operation in a bloodless field.", "content": "Skeletal muscle blood flow and transport function were investigated in 25 patients operated on for a knee injury in a bloodless field. With a double-isotope-clearance technique, measurements were carried out in the operated leg immediately after re-establishment of blood flow, and 1-2 days postoperatively in both the operated and the non-operated leg. A significant increase in blood flow and transport function was registered immediately after release of the tourniquet. The initial maximal hyperemic flow and transport responses were inversely related to the duration of the occlusion. The peak of the blood flow response was more marked and somewhat earlier in the patients with a short duration of occlusion (less than or equal to 60 min) than in those with longer occlusions. 9 of 16 operated legs showed a maximal transport function 1-2 days postoperatively. Peripheral vascular resistance decreased after re-establishment of blood flow. The blood flow in the non-operated leg showed no changes after release of the tourniquet in the operated leg.", "contents": "The local hemodynamic effects of operation in a bloodless field. Skeletal muscle blood flow and transport function were investigated in 25 patients operated on for a knee injury in a bloodless field. With a double-isotope-clearance technique, measurements were carried out in the operated leg immediately after re-establishment of blood flow, and 1-2 days postoperatively in both the operated and the non-operated leg. A significant increase in blood flow and transport function was registered immediately after release of the tourniquet. The initial maximal hyperemic flow and transport responses were inversely related to the duration of the occlusion. The peak of the blood flow response was more marked and somewhat earlier in the patients with a short duration of occlusion (less than or equal to 60 min) than in those with longer occlusions. 9 of 16 operated legs showed a maximal transport function 1-2 days postoperatively. Peripheral vascular resistance decreased after re-establishment of blood flow. The blood flow in the non-operated leg showed no changes after release of the tourniquet in the operated leg.", "PMID": 631146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8780", "title": "Inhibition of secretin-stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion by diazoxide in the rat.", "content": "Diazoxide, a known insulin inhibitor, inhibits the pancreatic exocrine response to secretin in unanesthetized rats and does not modify the CCK-PZ-stimulated secretion. These results suggest that insulin may have a role on the stimulation of exocrine pancreas through secretin.", "contents": "Inhibition of secretin-stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion by diazoxide in the rat. Diazoxide, a known insulin inhibitor, inhibits the pancreatic exocrine response to secretin in unanesthetized rats and does not modify the CCK-PZ-stimulated secretion. These results suggest that insulin may have a role on the stimulation of exocrine pancreas through secretin.", "PMID": 631147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8781", "title": "Role of platelets and lymphocytes for the hemodynamic effects of rapidly injected antilymphocyte globulin.", "content": "Xenogenic antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) given as a rapid intravenous injection into dogs caused a significant decrease in arterial blood pressure and oxygenation as well as an increase in portal pressure. At the same time, there was an almost complete elimination of lymphocytes and an extensive but almost completely reversible thrombocytopenia. Lymphocytopenia induced by a previous injection of ALG was found to eliminate completely the circulatory response to a second injection of ALG in spite of the fact that an extensive thrombocytopenia was induced. Extensive thrombocytopenia induced by injection of an antiplatelet globulin was also found to prevent completely the hemodynamic effects of ALG although as many lymphocytes were eliminated as in the intact dogs. Thus both platelets and lymphocytes are necessary to trigger the circulatory response induced by ALG.", "contents": "Role of platelets and lymphocytes for the hemodynamic effects of rapidly injected antilymphocyte globulin. Xenogenic antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) given as a rapid intravenous injection into dogs caused a significant decrease in arterial blood pressure and oxygenation as well as an increase in portal pressure. At the same time, there was an almost complete elimination of lymphocytes and an extensive but almost completely reversible thrombocytopenia. Lymphocytopenia induced by a previous injection of ALG was found to eliminate completely the circulatory response to a second injection of ALG in spite of the fact that an extensive thrombocytopenia was induced. Extensive thrombocytopenia induced by injection of an antiplatelet globulin was also found to prevent completely the hemodynamic effects of ALG although as many lymphocytes were eliminated as in the intact dogs. Thus both platelets and lymphocytes are necessary to trigger the circulatory response induced by ALG.", "PMID": 631148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8782", "title": "Adrenergic and nonadrenergic activation of isolated human renal veins of normotensive and hypertensive patients.", "content": "In human renal venous strips from normotensive and hypertensive patients, adrenergic- and nonadrenergic-induced contractions were elicited. The maximal amplitude of contractions remained unchanged whatever the mode of activation. However, in the hypertensive group the forces generated reached only about 20% of those in the normotensive group. Furthermore, preparations from hypertensive patients showed a reduced sensitivity for noradrenaline: the ED50 was shifted from 0.13 +/- 0.03 to 0.66 +/- 0.19 microgram/ml (p less than 0.01). This reduced sensitivity is discussed in connection with the pathogenesis of hypertension.", "contents": "Adrenergic and nonadrenergic activation of isolated human renal veins of normotensive and hypertensive patients. In human renal venous strips from normotensive and hypertensive patients, adrenergic- and nonadrenergic-induced contractions were elicited. The maximal amplitude of contractions remained unchanged whatever the mode of activation. However, in the hypertensive group the forces generated reached only about 20% of those in the normotensive group. Furthermore, preparations from hypertensive patients showed a reduced sensitivity for noradrenaline: the ED50 was shifted from 0.13 +/- 0.03 to 0.66 +/- 0.19 microgram/ml (p less than 0.01). This reduced sensitivity is discussed in connection with the pathogenesis of hypertension.", "PMID": 631149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8783", "title": "Transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of tumours of the urinary tract.", "content": "The technique of transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of malignant tumours of the urinary tract and in particular of the kidneys and bladder is described. The results in a series of 10 patients (9 with hypernephroma and 1 with a carcinoma of the bladder) are analyzed and the advantages as well as the dangers of this method in the management of operable and nonoperable tumours of the kidneys are discussed.", "contents": "Transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of tumours of the urinary tract. The technique of transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of malignant tumours of the urinary tract and in particular of the kidneys and bladder is described. The results in a series of 10 patients (9 with hypernephroma and 1 with a carcinoma of the bladder) are analyzed and the advantages as well as the dangers of this method in the management of operable and nonoperable tumours of the kidneys are discussed.", "PMID": 631150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8784", "title": "Juxtavesical hydatid cysts.", "content": "Out of 177 different hydatid localisations 9 were juxtavesical. In 3 patients the cysts were recurrent. The diagnosis, based on the clinical and radiological examinations and exploration was facilitated by the history or the co-existence of other parasitic lesions. Other pathological lesions in 2 patients brought about hesitation and delay in micturition. In one case, size, consistency and fixation of the cyst initially suggested a malignant pelvic tumour. One severe late renal complications was recorded. 7 patients underwent surgical treatment.", "contents": "Juxtavesical hydatid cysts. Out of 177 different hydatid localisations 9 were juxtavesical. In 3 patients the cysts were recurrent. The diagnosis, based on the clinical and radiological examinations and exploration was facilitated by the history or the co-existence of other parasitic lesions. Other pathological lesions in 2 patients brought about hesitation and delay in micturition. In one case, size, consistency and fixation of the cyst initially suggested a malignant pelvic tumour. One severe late renal complications was recorded. 7 patients underwent surgical treatment.", "PMID": 631151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8785", "title": "Essential renal haemorrhages.", "content": "On the basis of the conception of renal hypertension, worked out by the authors, the new interpretation of the cause of 'essential' renal haemorrhages is discussed. Special attention is drawn to secondary 'arterial' venous hypertension in the kidney, which happens in cases when there are no obvious reasons for the distortion of the outflow through the renal vein. In a case of renal haematuria, the origin of which is not connected with the distortion of the venous blood outflow from the kidney, it is necessary to bear in mind the relationship between the venous pressure in the kidney and the systemic arterial pressure. In arterial hypertension the contralateral kidney may become the source of haematuria. The rarity of isolating a calycovenous canal as a separate definite cause is discussed.", "contents": "Essential renal haemorrhages. On the basis of the conception of renal hypertension, worked out by the authors, the new interpretation of the cause of 'essential' renal haemorrhages is discussed. Special attention is drawn to secondary 'arterial' venous hypertension in the kidney, which happens in cases when there are no obvious reasons for the distortion of the outflow through the renal vein. In a case of renal haematuria, the origin of which is not connected with the distortion of the venous blood outflow from the kidney, it is necessary to bear in mind the relationship between the venous pressure in the kidney and the systemic arterial pressure. In arterial hypertension the contralateral kidney may become the source of haematuria. The rarity of isolating a calycovenous canal as a separate definite cause is discussed.", "PMID": 631152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8786", "title": "Ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of hydrocele.", "content": "In addition to the conventional examination methods, ultrasonography was applied in the diagnostics of testicular lesions in 18 cases. This harmless method differentiating hydrocele from testicular tumour and inguinal hernia is recommended.", "contents": "Ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of hydrocele. In addition to the conventional examination methods, ultrasonography was applied in the diagnostics of testicular lesions in 18 cases. This harmless method differentiating hydrocele from testicular tumour and inguinal hernia is recommended.", "PMID": 631153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8787", "title": "Bladder neck suspension for stress incontinence: long-term evaluation.", "content": "Remembering that the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence is essentially clinical, the authors describe the fundamental stages of their technique, i.e. the musculo-aponeurotic suspension of the bladder neck (Goebell-Stoeckel technique). This operation has enabled them to have good results in 88% of their cases. The long-term study of these results shows slight deterioration of the success rate which becomes stable after 2 years.", "contents": "Bladder neck suspension for stress incontinence: long-term evaluation. Remembering that the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence is essentially clinical, the authors describe the fundamental stages of their technique, i.e. the musculo-aponeurotic suspension of the bladder neck (Goebell-Stoeckel technique). This operation has enabled them to have good results in 88% of their cases. The long-term study of these results shows slight deterioration of the success rate which becomes stable after 2 years.", "PMID": 631154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8788", "title": "Retrocaval ureter in children. Report of two cases.", "content": "2 cases of retrocaval ureter in children diagnosed by the combination of pyelography and cavography are reported. Transection and repositioning of these ureters corrected their abnormality. Retrocaval ureter in children is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Retrocaval ureter in children. Report of two cases. 2 cases of retrocaval ureter in children diagnosed by the combination of pyelography and cavography are reported. Transection and repositioning of these ureters corrected their abnormality. Retrocaval ureter in children is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 631155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8789", "title": "Renal revascularization by splenic artery implantation in the dog.", "content": "36 mongrels were subjected to splenic artery implantation into the left kidney. A stenosis of the left renal artery was created in 33 of the dogs. The revascularization process from the implanted artery was studied by angiography in vivo and ex vivo, by histological examination and by blood flow measurements. After creation of the stenosis and eventual occlusion of the left renal artery, newly formed intrarenal vessels could be demonstrated next to the implanted artery. These vessels formed communications between the splenic and intrarenal arteries. The experimental animals survived contralateral nephrectomy and ligature of the ipsilateral renal artery with a slight or moderate elevation of the serum creatinine level, provided that a slowly progressing stenosis of the renal artery was created.", "contents": "Renal revascularization by splenic artery implantation in the dog. 36 mongrels were subjected to splenic artery implantation into the left kidney. A stenosis of the left renal artery was created in 33 of the dogs. The revascularization process from the implanted artery was studied by angiography in vivo and ex vivo, by histological examination and by blood flow measurements. After creation of the stenosis and eventual occlusion of the left renal artery, newly formed intrarenal vessels could be demonstrated next to the implanted artery. These vessels formed communications between the splenic and intrarenal arteries. The experimental animals survived contralateral nephrectomy and ligature of the ipsilateral renal artery with a slight or moderate elevation of the serum creatinine level, provided that a slowly progressing stenosis of the renal artery was created.", "PMID": 631156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8790", "title": "Left spermatic vein syndrome.", "content": "The left spermatic vein syndrome might be characterized as a compression of the left ureter in its proximal segment by the pathologically altered left spermatic vein with impairment of the urine flow which causes urine congestion and its consequences.", "contents": "Left spermatic vein syndrome. The left spermatic vein syndrome might be characterized as a compression of the left ureter in its proximal segment by the pathologically altered left spermatic vein with impairment of the urine flow which causes urine congestion and its consequences.", "PMID": 631157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8791", "title": "Epidermoid cyst of the testis.", "content": "Surgical exploration of a mass in the right testis revealed an epidermoid cyst. In the literature some controversy exists on surgical treatment of this lesion. Orchiectomy seems to be recommended although several patients treated by simple enucleation had an uneventful follow-up from 6 to 15 years.", "contents": "Epidermoid cyst of the testis. Surgical exploration of a mass in the right testis revealed an epidermoid cyst. In the literature some controversy exists on surgical treatment of this lesion. Orchiectomy seems to be recommended although several patients treated by simple enucleation had an uneventful follow-up from 6 to 15 years.", "PMID": 631158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8792", "title": "The renal blood flow/renal mass relation in renovascular hypertension.", "content": "A new concept is established in the etiopathogenic mechanism of renovascular hypertension. After performing two stenoses of the renal artery, according to Goldblatt's method, with an interval of 5 months between each, it is noted that the variations in the figures for arterial blood pressure depends directly on the reduction of renal mass. This is backed up by reninemia and pathological anatomy. With this, the concepts of static or dynamic stenosis of the renal artery are pinpointed.", "contents": "The renal blood flow/renal mass relation in renovascular hypertension. A new concept is established in the etiopathogenic mechanism of renovascular hypertension. After performing two stenoses of the renal artery, according to Goldblatt's method, with an interval of 5 months between each, it is noted that the variations in the figures for arterial blood pressure depends directly on the reduction of renal mass. This is backed up by reninemia and pathological anatomy. With this, the concepts of static or dynamic stenosis of the renal artery are pinpointed.", "PMID": 631159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8793", "title": "Chemical analysis of renal stones from 377 Belgian patients by using qualitative or quantitative methods.", "content": "The renal stones of 377 patients from the Brussels' area have been studied by chemical methods; 239 stones were submitted to qualitative analysis and the other 138 to a quantitative analysis. The results of the study demonstrate that, in Belgium as well as in other Western countries like the USA and Great Britain, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate are, in decreasing order of frequency, the major constitutents of renal calculi. The fact that calcium oxalate-containing stones are mainly found in men associated with sterile urine, and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones in women associated with urinary infection, is confirmed in the present series. The percentage of uric acid-containing stones is similar to that in the USA and Great Britain, but lower than that observed in several European countries including France, Spain, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. A small group of Mediterranean patients living in Belgium show no specific pattern, suggesting that the formation of calculi could be more dependent upon environmental than upon ethnic factors.", "contents": "Chemical analysis of renal stones from 377 Belgian patients by using qualitative or quantitative methods. The renal stones of 377 patients from the Brussels' area have been studied by chemical methods; 239 stones were submitted to qualitative analysis and the other 138 to a quantitative analysis. The results of the study demonstrate that, in Belgium as well as in other Western countries like the USA and Great Britain, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate are, in decreasing order of frequency, the major constitutents of renal calculi. The fact that calcium oxalate-containing stones are mainly found in men associated with sterile urine, and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones in women associated with urinary infection, is confirmed in the present series. The percentage of uric acid-containing stones is similar to that in the USA and Great Britain, but lower than that observed in several European countries including France, Spain, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. A small group of Mediterranean patients living in Belgium show no specific pattern, suggesting that the formation of calculi could be more dependent upon environmental than upon ethnic factors.", "PMID": 631160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8794", "title": "Treatment of renal tuberculosis. I. Clinical and bacteriological patterns and results.", "content": "The clinical and bacteriological results of 200 cases of renal tuberculosis treated with rifampicin (RFM), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) over a period of 4 months to 2 years are presented. This combination produced the highest theoretical score.", "contents": "Treatment of renal tuberculosis. I. Clinical and bacteriological patterns and results. The clinical and bacteriological results of 200 cases of renal tuberculosis treated with rifampicin (RFM), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) over a period of 4 months to 2 years are presented. This combination produced the highest theoretical score.", "PMID": 631161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8795", "title": "Cysts of the adrenal gland.", "content": "3 cases of adrenal cysts are reported. The incidence of cyst originating in the adrenal gland was found to be 0.02-0.06% in autopsies. Adrenal cysts are usually symptomless making the diagnosis difficult. The cases described here were diagnosed and removed at operation. One of them was associated with hypertension, and another with pregnancy, considered to be exceptional. Two of these cysts were calcified. All of them were benign. The definite preoperative diagnosis is difficult and the surgical procedure recommended is resection of the cyst with preservation of as much adrenal tissue as possible if malignancy is excluded by frozen section. Since the number of operated cases diagnosed preoperatively are too small, the possibility of treating adrenal cyst by percutaneous aspiration and injection of opaque material to eventually avoid surgery could not be established.", "contents": "Cysts of the adrenal gland. 3 cases of adrenal cysts are reported. The incidence of cyst originating in the adrenal gland was found to be 0.02-0.06% in autopsies. Adrenal cysts are usually symptomless making the diagnosis difficult. The cases described here were diagnosed and removed at operation. One of them was associated with hypertension, and another with pregnancy, considered to be exceptional. Two of these cysts were calcified. All of them were benign. The definite preoperative diagnosis is difficult and the surgical procedure recommended is resection of the cyst with preservation of as much adrenal tissue as possible if malignancy is excluded by frozen section. Since the number of operated cases diagnosed preoperatively are too small, the possibility of treating adrenal cyst by percutaneous aspiration and injection of opaque material to eventually avoid surgery could not be established.", "PMID": 631162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8796", "title": "Age-related differences in electric shock detection and escape thresholds in Sprague-Dawley albino rats.", "content": "For both male and female Sprague-Dawley albino rats, shock detection thresholds decreased as a function of age over a range of 90 to 660 days of age. Shock escape thresholds also were found to vary inversely with age. The findings are discussed in light of previous shock threshold experiments and in terms of implications for studies of age-related learning changes.", "contents": "Age-related differences in electric shock detection and escape thresholds in Sprague-Dawley albino rats. For both male and female Sprague-Dawley albino rats, shock detection thresholds decreased as a function of age over a range of 90 to 660 days of age. Shock escape thresholds also were found to vary inversely with age. The findings are discussed in light of previous shock threshold experiments and in terms of implications for studies of age-related learning changes.", "PMID": 631168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8797", "title": "Effects of mild cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders on serial reaction time performance.", "content": "Medical examinations were used to classify 271 adults aged 18-77 into 6 groups: normotensive, treated and untreated hypertensive, coronary heart disease (CHD), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and recovered stroke. They were also divided by age into 3 groups: 18-36, 37-55, and over 55 years. Each subject completed 12 reaction time (RT) tasks which involved making 16 consecutive responses without interruption. Serial RT increased with age throughout the lifespan. RT was also increased in treated hypertensive patients; this slowing was unrelated to type of drug treatment. Patients with cerebrovascular disorders showed greater slowing and also made more errors; TIA patients showed greatest impairment. No significant performance deficits were observed in untreated hypertensive or CHD groups. However, a trend toward slowing among untreated hypertensive patients with high plasma renin activity was observed. Behavioral deficits associated with both aging and diagnosed vascular disorders were interpreted as evidence of impaired brain function.", "contents": "Effects of mild cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders on serial reaction time performance. Medical examinations were used to classify 271 adults aged 18-77 into 6 groups: normotensive, treated and untreated hypertensive, coronary heart disease (CHD), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and recovered stroke. They were also divided by age into 3 groups: 18-36, 37-55, and over 55 years. Each subject completed 12 reaction time (RT) tasks which involved making 16 consecutive responses without interruption. Serial RT increased with age throughout the lifespan. RT was also increased in treated hypertensive patients; this slowing was unrelated to type of drug treatment. Patients with cerebrovascular disorders showed greater slowing and also made more errors; TIA patients showed greatest impairment. No significant performance deficits were observed in untreated hypertensive or CHD groups. However, a trend toward slowing among untreated hypertensive patients with high plasma renin activity was observed. Behavioral deficits associated with both aging and diagnosed vascular disorders were interpreted as evidence of impaired brain function.", "PMID": 631169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8798", "title": "The effects of age on perceptual problem-solving strategies.", "content": "Witkin's Embedded Figures Test (EFT) was used to measure the changes with age in field dependence and problem-solving ability Qualitative data concerning problem-solving strategies and quantitative data were collected. EFT was administered to 12 females in each of the following decades: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60, 70s. All subjects were moderately to well educated, healthy, and relatively active members of the community. All had at least 20/33 corrected or uncorrected vision. An interview was held with each participant after completion of the EFT. ANOVA of time scores indicated that significantly (p less than 0.01) more time is needed to solve the items with an increase in age; a Tukey (a) test revealed a significant (p less than 0.05) increase between the 40s and 60s age groups. With an increase in age a significant (p less than 0.01) decline in the number of items solved was found. Partial correlations revealed that age is the most important factor, vis-\u00e1-vis general intelligence, visual acuity, and the personality factors measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The relative stability of performance up through 49 and after 50 implies a decline in field independence rather than in higher-order cognitive processes.", "contents": "The effects of age on perceptual problem-solving strategies. Witkin's Embedded Figures Test (EFT) was used to measure the changes with age in field dependence and problem-solving ability Qualitative data concerning problem-solving strategies and quantitative data were collected. EFT was administered to 12 females in each of the following decades: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60, 70s. All subjects were moderately to well educated, healthy, and relatively active members of the community. All had at least 20/33 corrected or uncorrected vision. An interview was held with each participant after completion of the EFT. ANOVA of time scores indicated that significantly (p less than 0.01) more time is needed to solve the items with an increase in age; a Tukey (a) test revealed a significant (p less than 0.05) increase between the 40s and 60s age groups. With an increase in age a significant (p less than 0.01) decline in the number of items solved was found. Partial correlations revealed that age is the most important factor, vis-\u00e1-vis general intelligence, visual acuity, and the personality factors measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The relative stability of performance up through 49 and after 50 implies a decline in field independence rather than in higher-order cognitive processes.", "PMID": 631170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8799", "title": "Differences in the magnitude of the simultaneous and successive Mueller-Lyer illusions from age twenty to seventy-nine years.", "content": "The simultaneous Muller-Lyer illusion, a Type I phenomenon, and the successive Muller-Lyer illusion, a Type II phenomenon, were used to examine differences in perceptual functioning with subjects age 20 to 79 years. A significant main effect of age was found. These results were interpreted as tentative support for the stimulus persistence model.", "contents": "Differences in the magnitude of the simultaneous and successive Mueller-Lyer illusions from age twenty to seventy-nine years. The simultaneous Muller-Lyer illusion, a Type I phenomenon, and the successive Muller-Lyer illusion, a Type II phenomenon, were used to examine differences in perceptual functioning with subjects age 20 to 79 years. A significant main effect of age was found. These results were interpreted as tentative support for the stimulus persistence model.", "PMID": 631171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8800", "title": "Age and the perception of incomplete figures.", "content": "Three experiments are described. They investigated four possible explanations for the previously reported poorer performance of older adults relative to younger adults in accuracy of identifying incomplete figures: (1) a higher criterion on the part of older adults for producing a response; (2) a lesser familiarity on their part with the stimulus materials; (3) a less adequate knowledge of the information value of particular segments of the figure; (4) a less efficient utilization of partial information. The results of the experiments supported the fourth hypothesis and indicated that older adults are unable to utilize stimulus information as effectively as younger adults in making perceptual inferences.", "contents": "Age and the perception of incomplete figures. Three experiments are described. They investigated four possible explanations for the previously reported poorer performance of older adults relative to younger adults in accuracy of identifying incomplete figures: (1) a higher criterion on the part of older adults for producing a response; (2) a lesser familiarity on their part with the stimulus materials; (3) a less adequate knowledge of the information value of particular segments of the figure; (4) a less efficient utilization of partial information. The results of the experiments supported the fourth hypothesis and indicated that older adults are unable to utilize stimulus information as effectively as younger adults in making perceptual inferences.", "PMID": 631172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8801", "title": "Value of echocardiography in routine diagnostic use during the first year of life.", "content": "100 consecutive patients with symptoms indicating heart disease during the 1st yr of life were studied with M-mode echocardiography. The echocardiographic diagnosis was compared with the final diagnosis based on heart catheterization, angiocardiography, operation, autopsy or follow-up of the patient. An echocardiographic examination could be made in all infants. The most important intracardiac structures when present could be identified with the following frequencies: mitral valve 100%, tricuspid valve 97%, aortic valve 95%, pulmonic valve 79%, interventricular septum 94%. The echocardiographic investigation gave a correct diagnosis in 26% of the patients, made an important contribution to the diagnosis in 22%, made some contribution to the diagnosis in 34%, ruled out important diagnostic questions in 5% and did not contribute to the diagnosis in 13% of the patients. This investigation has shown that echocardiography, when used as a first diagnostic step in a routine manner, can give much valuable diagnostic information.", "contents": "Value of echocardiography in routine diagnostic use during the first year of life. 100 consecutive patients with symptoms indicating heart disease during the 1st yr of life were studied with M-mode echocardiography. The echocardiographic diagnosis was compared with the final diagnosis based on heart catheterization, angiocardiography, operation, autopsy or follow-up of the patient. An echocardiographic examination could be made in all infants. The most important intracardiac structures when present could be identified with the following frequencies: mitral valve 100%, tricuspid valve 97%, aortic valve 95%, pulmonic valve 79%, interventricular septum 94%. The echocardiographic investigation gave a correct diagnosis in 26% of the patients, made an important contribution to the diagnosis in 22%, made some contribution to the diagnosis in 34%, ruled out important diagnostic questions in 5% and did not contribute to the diagnosis in 13% of the patients. This investigation has shown that echocardiography, when used as a first diagnostic step in a routine manner, can give much valuable diagnostic information.", "PMID": 631178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8802", "title": "Reentry within the atrioventricular node in man: a reassessment.", "content": "6 patients with reentrant supraventricular tachycardia were studied using the atrial extra-stimulus (S1-S2) technique. 3 patients had smooth curves of H1-H2 intervals plotted against A1-A2 intervals, and echoes occurred only in the relative refractory period of the AV node. These patients met traditional criteria for reentry within the AV node, but all 3 were found to have accessory pathways which functioned only in the retrograde direction. 3 other patients had discontinuous curves of H1-H2 intervals plotted against A1-A2 intervals, and the echo zone was confined to coupling intervals producing the longer of the two observed AV node responses. Accessory pathways could not be demonstrated in these latter 3 patients. In patients with accessory pathways the effect of changing atrial pacing site on the echo zone was studied. Pacing at a site remote from the accessory pathway shifted the echo zone to shorter coupling intervals. Some patients previously thought to have reentry within the AV node may have had accessory pathways which conducted only in the retrograde direction. The prevalence of this syndrome is unknown but is important because ablation of the accessory pathway is curative.", "contents": "Reentry within the atrioventricular node in man: a reassessment. 6 patients with reentrant supraventricular tachycardia were studied using the atrial extra-stimulus (S1-S2) technique. 3 patients had smooth curves of H1-H2 intervals plotted against A1-A2 intervals, and echoes occurred only in the relative refractory period of the AV node. These patients met traditional criteria for reentry within the AV node, but all 3 were found to have accessory pathways which functioned only in the retrograde direction. 3 other patients had discontinuous curves of H1-H2 intervals plotted against A1-A2 intervals, and the echo zone was confined to coupling intervals producing the longer of the two observed AV node responses. Accessory pathways could not be demonstrated in these latter 3 patients. In patients with accessory pathways the effect of changing atrial pacing site on the echo zone was studied. Pacing at a site remote from the accessory pathway shifted the echo zone to shorter coupling intervals. Some patients previously thought to have reentry within the AV node may have had accessory pathways which conducted only in the retrograde direction. The prevalence of this syndrome is unknown but is important because ablation of the accessory pathway is curative.", "PMID": 631179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8803", "title": "Cardiac arrhythmias after intravenous administration of glucagon.", "content": "The effect of glucagon on the circulatory system was studied in 22 healthy men. The drug was administered in doses of 50 microgram/kg of body weight for 30 sec. In the case of 5 subjects, arrhythmias occurred that manifested themselves as ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles. In the case of 1 subject, who had sporadic ventricular fusion beats in the preexamination period, the arrhythmia increased following glucagon injection.", "contents": "Cardiac arrhythmias after intravenous administration of glucagon. The effect of glucagon on the circulatory system was studied in 22 healthy men. The drug was administered in doses of 50 microgram/kg of body weight for 30 sec. In the case of 5 subjects, arrhythmias occurred that manifested themselves as ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles. In the case of 1 subject, who had sporadic ventricular fusion beats in the preexamination period, the arrhythmia increased following glucagon injection.", "PMID": 631180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8804", "title": "Jaccoud's arthropathy in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease.", "content": "In a prospective study over a period of 3 yr, involving all patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease seen at our hospital, we found the diagnostic signs of Jaccoud's arthropathy in 17 of 400 cases (4.2%). All 17 patients had a past history of acute arthritis involving the joints and showed deformities at the time of diagnosis. The valvular lesions were mitral and aortic in 11 cases, mitral in 5 cases and aortic in 1 case. The most frequent joint deformities were: ulnar deviation at the metacarpo-phalangeal joints (12 cases), lateral deviation at the metatarso-phalangeal joints (12 cases), and hammer toe deformity (6 cases). The deformities were reducible in all of them. None of the patients had pain or signs of acute inflammation and functional capacity was normal. Other causes of joint deformity were ruled out by means of radiographic and serologic studies. Jaccoud's arthropathy is not a rare entity and its recognition is important for a differential diagnosis with chronic arthritis of other etiologies, also associated with valvular heart lesions.", "contents": "Jaccoud's arthropathy in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease. In a prospective study over a period of 3 yr, involving all patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease seen at our hospital, we found the diagnostic signs of Jaccoud's arthropathy in 17 of 400 cases (4.2%). All 17 patients had a past history of acute arthritis involving the joints and showed deformities at the time of diagnosis. The valvular lesions were mitral and aortic in 11 cases, mitral in 5 cases and aortic in 1 case. The most frequent joint deformities were: ulnar deviation at the metacarpo-phalangeal joints (12 cases), lateral deviation at the metatarso-phalangeal joints (12 cases), and hammer toe deformity (6 cases). The deformities were reducible in all of them. None of the patients had pain or signs of acute inflammation and functional capacity was normal. Other causes of joint deformity were ruled out by means of radiographic and serologic studies. Jaccoud's arthropathy is not a rare entity and its recognition is important for a differential diagnosis with chronic arthritis of other etiologies, also associated with valvular heart lesions.", "PMID": 631181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8805", "title": "3H-Haloperidol binding to dopamine receptors in rat corpus striatum: influence of chlorpromazine metabolites and derivatives.", "content": "A series of chlorpromazine metabolites and derivatives have been assayed for their ability to compete with 3H-haloperidol binding to dopamine receptors in membranes of rat corpus striatum. 3-Hydroxylation of chlorpromazine doubles affinity for receptor sites, while 7-hydroxychlorpromazine has a potency similar to that of chlorpromazine itself. Other patterns of hydroxylation reduce affinity. Side chain demethylation lowers affinity for binding sites. Several metabolites which lack neuroleptic activity in vivo, such as chlorpromazine-5-oxide, also are inactive in competing for 3H-haloperidol binding. Since blood levels of 7-hydroxychlorpromazine tend to be similar to those of chlorpromazine itself in patients, these observations indicate that 7-hydroxychlorpromazine may account for a major portion of the antischizophrenic efficacy of chlorpromazine. The structure--activity relationships observed in the present study support a model in which chlorpromazine interacts with dopamine receptors by assuming a conformation with its side chain tilted toward ring A.", "contents": "3H-Haloperidol binding to dopamine receptors in rat corpus striatum: influence of chlorpromazine metabolites and derivatives. A series of chlorpromazine metabolites and derivatives have been assayed for their ability to compete with 3H-haloperidol binding to dopamine receptors in membranes of rat corpus striatum. 3-Hydroxylation of chlorpromazine doubles affinity for receptor sites, while 7-hydroxychlorpromazine has a potency similar to that of chlorpromazine itself. Other patterns of hydroxylation reduce affinity. Side chain demethylation lowers affinity for binding sites. Several metabolites which lack neuroleptic activity in vivo, such as chlorpromazine-5-oxide, also are inactive in competing for 3H-haloperidol binding. Since blood levels of 7-hydroxychlorpromazine tend to be similar to those of chlorpromazine itself in patients, these observations indicate that 7-hydroxychlorpromazine may account for a major portion of the antischizophrenic efficacy of chlorpromazine. The structure--activity relationships observed in the present study support a model in which chlorpromazine interacts with dopamine receptors by assuming a conformation with its side chain tilted toward ring A.", "PMID": 631182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8806", "title": "Cannabinoid effects on plasma corticosterone and uptake of 3H-corticosterone by mouse brain.", "content": "The effects of three cannabinoids, 11-hydroxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-HO-delta9-THC), delta9-THC and cannabinol (CBN), ranging in behavioral activity from high to low, were studied on two aspects of pituitary--adrenal function. Plasma corticosterone levels were used as an index of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release. All three cannabinoids elicited an increase in plasma corticosterone elvels in a manner similar to their behavioral potency. These cannabinoids also elicited an increase in the concentration of 3H-corticosterone taken up by the brains of adrenalectomized mice in a manner similar to their potency in elevating plasma corticosterone levels. The significance and possible underlying mechanism of the apparent correlation resulting between these effects and the behavioral effects of cannabinoids are discussed.", "contents": "Cannabinoid effects on plasma corticosterone and uptake of 3H-corticosterone by mouse brain. The effects of three cannabinoids, 11-hydroxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-HO-delta9-THC), delta9-THC and cannabinol (CBN), ranging in behavioral activity from high to low, were studied on two aspects of pituitary--adrenal function. Plasma corticosterone levels were used as an index of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release. All three cannabinoids elicited an increase in plasma corticosterone elvels in a manner similar to their behavioral potency. These cannabinoids also elicited an increase in the concentration of 3H-corticosterone taken up by the brains of adrenalectomized mice in a manner similar to their potency in elevating plasma corticosterone levels. The significance and possible underlying mechanism of the apparent correlation resulting between these effects and the behavioral effects of cannabinoids are discussed.", "PMID": 631183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8807", "title": "Analysis of the vasodilator action of alprenolol.", "content": "The effect of alprenolol and other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, including d-isomers, on blood flow in femoral, coronary and mesenteric vascular beds was measured in anesthetized dogs. Under conditions of constant perfusion pressure, intra-arterial injection of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists produced vasodilation. Propranolol and alprenolol were approximately equipotent in coronary and mesenteric beds but alprenolol was significantly more potent in the femoral bed. Practolol was virtually inactive in all beds. The vasodilating potency of d-alprenolol and d-propranolol was not significantly different from that of the respective racemic mixtures. The vasodilator response to alprenolol was not affected by pretreatment with atropine, diphenhydramine or propranolol. In conscious normotensive dogs i.v. injections of d,l- and d-alprenolol produced dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and increases in heart rate. Under similar conditions, i.v. d,l-propranolol was without effect on either measurement. The results suggest that the hypotensive action of alprenolol in dogs may derive from its vasodilator activity.", "contents": "Analysis of the vasodilator action of alprenolol. The effect of alprenolol and other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, including d-isomers, on blood flow in femoral, coronary and mesenteric vascular beds was measured in anesthetized dogs. Under conditions of constant perfusion pressure, intra-arterial injection of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists produced vasodilation. Propranolol and alprenolol were approximately equipotent in coronary and mesenteric beds but alprenolol was significantly more potent in the femoral bed. Practolol was virtually inactive in all beds. The vasodilating potency of d-alprenolol and d-propranolol was not significantly different from that of the respective racemic mixtures. The vasodilator response to alprenolol was not affected by pretreatment with atropine, diphenhydramine or propranolol. In conscious normotensive dogs i.v. injections of d,l- and d-alprenolol produced dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure and increases in heart rate. Under similar conditions, i.v. d,l-propranolol was without effect on either measurement. The results suggest that the hypotensive action of alprenolol in dogs may derive from its vasodilator activity.", "PMID": 631185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8808", "title": "Comparison of in vivo and in vitro responses to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide.", "content": "Responses of, guinea pig gall bladder to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide were compared in vitro and in vivo. Tested in vivo, sulfated ceruletide was 75 times more potent than non-sulfated. In vitro, sulfated was 150 times more potent. Thus, differences in potency are substantially less when tested in vivo, and reported differences in relative potency reflect not only chemical structure but also the method used for testing.", "contents": "Comparison of in vivo and in vitro responses to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide. Responses of, guinea pig gall bladder to sulfated and non-sulfated ceruletide were compared in vitro and in vivo. Tested in vivo, sulfated ceruletide was 75 times more potent than non-sulfated. In vitro, sulfated was 150 times more potent. Thus, differences in potency are substantially less when tested in vivo, and reported differences in relative potency reflect not only chemical structure but also the method used for testing.", "PMID": 631186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8809", "title": "Electroencephalographic study of the short-acting hypnotics etomidate and methohexital in dogs.", "content": "Beagles, implanted with cortical and subcortical electrodes, were given etomidate i.v. (1 mg/kg) over a period of 10 sec. The effects on the EEG were compared with those obtained with 7 mg/kg of methohexital. Both compounds induced hypnosis for a duration of approximately 8 min. The EEGs showed a remarkable similarity. Visual inspection of the records as well as power spectrum analysis revealed a sustained theta-activity with underlying fast activity. The configuration of the waves was rather sharp. The power obtained after etomidate was, however, 2 to 3 times that obtained after methohexital. When the animals awoke from etomidate-induced hypnosis slow waves appeared and were followed by alpha-activity, whereas after methohexital-hypnosis beta-activity predominated. Etomidate slightly increased heart rate, but respiratory depression was not observed. Methohexital caused pronounced tachycardia and apnoea. In 3 out of 6 dogs methohexital caused myoclonus of the hind legs upon awakening from anaesthesia. Etomidate induced myoclonus in one dog during hypnosis.", "contents": "Electroencephalographic study of the short-acting hypnotics etomidate and methohexital in dogs. Beagles, implanted with cortical and subcortical electrodes, were given etomidate i.v. (1 mg/kg) over a period of 10 sec. The effects on the EEG were compared with those obtained with 7 mg/kg of methohexital. Both compounds induced hypnosis for a duration of approximately 8 min. The EEGs showed a remarkable similarity. Visual inspection of the records as well as power spectrum analysis revealed a sustained theta-activity with underlying fast activity. The configuration of the waves was rather sharp. The power obtained after etomidate was, however, 2 to 3 times that obtained after methohexital. When the animals awoke from etomidate-induced hypnosis slow waves appeared and were followed by alpha-activity, whereas after methohexital-hypnosis beta-activity predominated. Etomidate slightly increased heart rate, but respiratory depression was not observed. Methohexital caused pronounced tachycardia and apnoea. In 3 out of 6 dogs methohexital caused myoclonus of the hind legs upon awakening from anaesthesia. Etomidate induced myoclonus in one dog during hypnosis.", "PMID": 631187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8810", "title": "Chronic atenolol treatment and hypertension development in spontaneously hypertensive rats.", "content": "Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), heart rate and plasma renin concentration (PRC) have been compared in three different groups of rats between the ages of 5 and 20 weeks. The groups were: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), atenolol-treated SHRs (200 mg/kg/day orally throughout the 15 weeks) and normotensive rats of the same strain (WKYs). Treatment with atenolol markedly inhibited the onset of genetic hypertension, reduced HR and PRC from the outset and diminished the heart weight/body weight ratio. Comparison of changes in these parameters in atenolol-treated SHRs, control SHRs and WKYs strongly suggests that the mechanism of atenolol's preventive action against hypertension development in SHRs primarily involves its effects on heart and on the renin--angiotensin system.", "contents": "Chronic atenolol treatment and hypertension development in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), heart rate and plasma renin concentration (PRC) have been compared in three different groups of rats between the ages of 5 and 20 weeks. The groups were: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), atenolol-treated SHRs (200 mg/kg/day orally throughout the 15 weeks) and normotensive rats of the same strain (WKYs). Treatment with atenolol markedly inhibited the onset of genetic hypertension, reduced HR and PRC from the outset and diminished the heart weight/body weight ratio. Comparison of changes in these parameters in atenolol-treated SHRs, control SHRs and WKYs strongly suggests that the mechanism of atenolol's preventive action against hypertension development in SHRs primarily involves its effects on heart and on the renin--angiotensin system.", "PMID": 631188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8811", "title": "Effects of morphine on electrical activity of single myenteric neurons in cat small bowel.", "content": "Quantitative parameters of the discharge patterns of burst-type units and single-spike units were increased, decreased or unchanged after application of morphine. The results were the same when morphine was added in the presence of naloxone. The results suggest that morphine had no consistent effect on the spike discharge of continuously active neurons in Auerbach's plexus of cat small intestine.", "contents": "Effects of morphine on electrical activity of single myenteric neurons in cat small bowel. Quantitative parameters of the discharge patterns of burst-type units and single-spike units were increased, decreased or unchanged after application of morphine. The results were the same when morphine was added in the presence of naloxone. The results suggest that morphine had no consistent effect on the spike discharge of continuously active neurons in Auerbach's plexus of cat small intestine.", "PMID": 631189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8812", "title": "Neuronal norepinephrine as mediator for ouabain-induced smooth muscle contraction.", "content": "With some latency, ouabain (10(-6)--10(-5) M) induced a long-lasting contractile response of the isolated vas deferens of the guinea-pig. The ouabain-induced contraction was potentiated by pretreatment with tropolone, whereas it was prevented by pretreatment with cocaine, bretylium, reserpine or phentolamine. The response was unaffected byatropine, methysergide and tetrodotoxin. Ouabain, perfused into the isolated tissue, enhanced dose-dependently the release of norepinephrine into the medium. However, this enhancement of norepinephrine release was prevented by reserpine or by removal of Ca from the medium. These findings support the hypothesis that the ouabain-induced contraction of vas deferens might be due to norepinephrine released from the adrenergic nerve ending granules through a Ca2+-dependent process.", "contents": "Neuronal norepinephrine as mediator for ouabain-induced smooth muscle contraction. With some latency, ouabain (10(-6)--10(-5) M) induced a long-lasting contractile response of the isolated vas deferens of the guinea-pig. The ouabain-induced contraction was potentiated by pretreatment with tropolone, whereas it was prevented by pretreatment with cocaine, bretylium, reserpine or phentolamine. The response was unaffected byatropine, methysergide and tetrodotoxin. Ouabain, perfused into the isolated tissue, enhanced dose-dependently the release of norepinephrine into the medium. However, this enhancement of norepinephrine release was prevented by reserpine or by removal of Ca from the medium. These findings support the hypothesis that the ouabain-induced contraction of vas deferens might be due to norepinephrine released from the adrenergic nerve ending granules through a Ca2+-dependent process.", "PMID": 631190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8813", "title": "Quinidine-like activity of atropine in rabbit atria.", "content": "Direct effects of atropine and quinidine on contractile force, overdrive suppression, and effective refractory period was studied in rabbit atria. Left atrial contractile force at normal CaCl2 concentration (2.2 mM) and the contractile force response to elevated CaCl2 (5 mM) were unchanged over 30 min. Atropine exposure (1.7 X 10(-5) M) for 30 min significantly reduced contractile force at both normal and elevated CaCl2 levels. Quinidine exposure (6.2 X 10(-6) M) for 30 min produced similar but statistically insignificant changes. At 4 h, control contractile force at 2.2 mM CaCl2 decreased to the post-atropine level, but the response to 5 mM CaCl2 was unchanged. The asystolic interval of right atria following overdrive (for 2 min at 3 rates) was increased after 30 min by 4% for controls, 14% after atropine (1.7 X 10(-5) M) and 45% after quinidine. The effective refractory period of left atria (evaluated by paired pulse stimulation) was unchanged after 30 min for controls, but increased by 20% after atropine and 45% after quinidine.", "contents": "Quinidine-like activity of atropine in rabbit atria. Direct effects of atropine and quinidine on contractile force, overdrive suppression, and effective refractory period was studied in rabbit atria. Left atrial contractile force at normal CaCl2 concentration (2.2 mM) and the contractile force response to elevated CaCl2 (5 mM) were unchanged over 30 min. Atropine exposure (1.7 X 10(-5) M) for 30 min significantly reduced contractile force at both normal and elevated CaCl2 levels. Quinidine exposure (6.2 X 10(-6) M) for 30 min produced similar but statistically insignificant changes. At 4 h, control contractile force at 2.2 mM CaCl2 decreased to the post-atropine level, but the response to 5 mM CaCl2 was unchanged. The asystolic interval of right atria following overdrive (for 2 min at 3 rates) was increased after 30 min by 4% for controls, 14% after atropine (1.7 X 10(-5) M) and 45% after quinidine. The effective refractory period of left atria (evaluated by paired pulse stimulation) was unchanged after 30 min for controls, but increased by 20% after atropine and 45% after quinidine.", "PMID": 631191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8814", "title": "Stimulus properties of d-amphetamine as compared to l-amphetamine.", "content": "Rats were trained to discriminate between d-amphetamine and saline. The discriminable ED50 values for amphetamine isomers were calculated from dose--response curves and the potency ration was 4.9 Co-administration of the ED50s was shown to produce synergistic effects suggesting that the amphetamine isomers may share a common site of action.", "contents": "Stimulus properties of d-amphetamine as compared to l-amphetamine. Rats were trained to discriminate between d-amphetamine and saline. The discriminable ED50 values for amphetamine isomers were calculated from dose--response curves and the potency ration was 4.9 Co-administration of the ED50s was shown to produce synergistic effects suggesting that the amphetamine isomers may share a common site of action.", "PMID": 631192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8815", "title": "Differential effect of pentazocine on primary cortical evoked potentials elicited by stimulation of the trigeminal tract and spinal cord pathways.", "content": "The influence of pentazocine on primary cortical evoked potentials was studied in guinea pigs under pentobarbital anesthesia. Pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) increased the latency time of evoked responses to posterior limb stimulation, more than that of response to lip stimulation. This result suggests that pentazocine decreases the velocity of nervous conduction.", "contents": "Differential effect of pentazocine on primary cortical evoked potentials elicited by stimulation of the trigeminal tract and spinal cord pathways. The influence of pentazocine on primary cortical evoked potentials was studied in guinea pigs under pentobarbital anesthesia. Pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) increased the latency time of evoked responses to posterior limb stimulation, more than that of response to lip stimulation. This result suggests that pentazocine decreases the velocity of nervous conduction.", "PMID": 631193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8816", "title": "[Phylogenetic studies on some Japanese amphibia by means of immunoelectrophoresis. II. Relationships of some amphibians to Japanese pond frogs (author's transl)].", "content": "Since the Japanese pond frogs (Rana nigromaculata and R. brevipoda) are known to be very closely allied with each other in morphological, ecological, physiological or immunological characters, the phylogenetical relationships between the Japanese pond frogs and other 10 species of Japanese amphibians were investigated by means of immunoelectrophoretic analysis of liver extract. The results obtained are as follows: (1) There are conservative antigens which are commonly found in all species of Anura. (2) The Japanese pond frogs have specific antigens. (3) R. nigromaculata and R. brevidpoda are very closely allied with each other. (4) Four species of the genus Rana (R. rugosa, R. catesbeiana, R. ornativentris and R. japonica) are closely related to the Japanese pond frogs. (5) Two species of the genus Rhacophorus (Rh. arboreus and Rh. burergeri) are related to the Japanese pond frogs. (6) R. limnocharis is related to the Japanese pond frogs at the same extent as the genus Rhcophorus is. (7) Tow species of the suborder Procoela (Hyla arbored and Bufo bufo) are only partially related to the Japanese pond frogs. (8) Cynops pyrrhogaster pyrrhogaster of Urodera had only a few common antigens with the Japanese pond frogs.", "contents": "[Phylogenetic studies on some Japanese amphibia by means of immunoelectrophoresis. II. Relationships of some amphibians to Japanese pond frogs (author's transl)]. Since the Japanese pond frogs (Rana nigromaculata and R. brevipoda) are known to be very closely allied with each other in morphological, ecological, physiological or immunological characters, the phylogenetical relationships between the Japanese pond frogs and other 10 species of Japanese amphibians were investigated by means of immunoelectrophoretic analysis of liver extract. The results obtained are as follows: (1) There are conservative antigens which are commonly found in all species of Anura. (2) The Japanese pond frogs have specific antigens. (3) R. nigromaculata and R. brevidpoda are very closely allied with each other. (4) Four species of the genus Rana (R. rugosa, R. catesbeiana, R. ornativentris and R. japonica) are closely related to the Japanese pond frogs. (5) Two species of the genus Rhacophorus (Rh. arboreus and Rh. burergeri) are related to the Japanese pond frogs. (6) R. limnocharis is related to the Japanese pond frogs at the same extent as the genus Rhcophorus is. (7) Tow species of the suborder Procoela (Hyla arbored and Bufo bufo) are only partially related to the Japanese pond frogs. (8) Cynops pyrrhogaster pyrrhogaster of Urodera had only a few common antigens with the Japanese pond frogs.", "PMID": 631194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8817", "title": "[Serological examinations on natural infections with mouse pathogens in inbred mouse strains: difference in antibody detection among the strains (author's transl)].", "content": "Serological surveys on several infections were performed on the inbred mouse strains maintained at the Central Institute for Experimental Animals. In the first survey, 11 strains of mouse, which were 8 weeks of age or older and were kept in separate cages in the same animal room, were tested for antibodies to Salmonella enteritidis, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Tyzzer's organisms, Mycoplasma pulmonis, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Sendai virus (HVJ), pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) and minute virus of mice (MVM). Positive results were obtained in MHV, HVJ, PVM and MVM. Positive rates for these viruses except for MVM were different among mouse strains. In the second survey, 5 strains of mouse kept together in the same cage for 4 weeks after weaning were examined for MHV and HVJ antibodies. Positive rates to MHV were different among mouse strains as observed in the first survey. For HVJ antibody, no difference was demonstrated in positive rates unlike in the first survey, but the titers varied between the strains. These results suggest the difference in antibody response to natural infections dependent on mouse strains.", "contents": "[Serological examinations on natural infections with mouse pathogens in inbred mouse strains: difference in antibody detection among the strains (author's transl)]. Serological surveys on several infections were performed on the inbred mouse strains maintained at the Central Institute for Experimental Animals. In the first survey, 11 strains of mouse, which were 8 weeks of age or older and were kept in separate cages in the same animal room, were tested for antibodies to Salmonella enteritidis, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Tyzzer's organisms, Mycoplasma pulmonis, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Sendai virus (HVJ), pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) and minute virus of mice (MVM). Positive results were obtained in MHV, HVJ, PVM and MVM. Positive rates for these viruses except for MVM were different among mouse strains. In the second survey, 5 strains of mouse kept together in the same cage for 4 weeks after weaning were examined for MHV and HVJ antibodies. Positive rates to MHV were different among mouse strains as observed in the first survey. For HVJ antibody, no difference was demonstrated in positive rates unlike in the first survey, but the titers varied between the strains. These results suggest the difference in antibody response to natural infections dependent on mouse strains.", "PMID": 631200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8818", "title": "[Learning behavior of rats on the water maze (author's transl)].", "content": "The Learning behavior on a water maze was observed in Wistar-JCL rats which were 10 weeks of age at the beginning of tests. Each rat was given five swimming trials in a straightway on the first day, as well as daily five trials to escape from a water maze on the 2nd to 4th day of the tests. In the first trial of the straightway, the harmonic means of the swimming time were 12.0 and 17.4 seconds in the male and females, respectively. In each trial of the water maze, there were no significant differences between the female on the spent time and the number of errors. During the test days, the median of total of errors were 25.2 and 24.3 times in the male and female, respectively. Error response entered into a blind alley occurred beside the starting point more frequently than the goal.", "contents": "[Learning behavior of rats on the water maze (author's transl)]. The Learning behavior on a water maze was observed in Wistar-JCL rats which were 10 weeks of age at the beginning of tests. Each rat was given five swimming trials in a straightway on the first day, as well as daily five trials to escape from a water maze on the 2nd to 4th day of the tests. In the first trial of the straightway, the harmonic means of the swimming time were 12.0 and 17.4 seconds in the male and females, respectively. In each trial of the water maze, there were no significant differences between the female on the spent time and the number of errors. During the test days, the median of total of errors were 25.2 and 24.3 times in the male and female, respectively. Error response entered into a blind alley occurred beside the starting point more frequently than the goal.", "PMID": 631205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8819", "title": "Independent biaxial reorganization of the retinotectal projection: a reassessment.", "content": "It has been previously suggested that the retinotectal projection can reorganize independently along two orthogonal tectal axes. This possibility was reexamined by removing roughly a quarter of the retina and slightly less than a quarter of the tectum. In the tectal case, the unseated fibers arborized rostral to the ablation, but not lateral to it, and the projection shifted irrespective of tectal axes to maintain topographic order and a roughly uniform representation of retinal areas. In the retinal case, expansion into the denervated quadrant was only from the rostral, never from the medial or lateral directions. Analysis of the movements of fiber arbors shows that they respond to local competition for tectal space rather than following tectal axes.", "contents": "Independent biaxial reorganization of the retinotectal projection: a reassessment. It has been previously suggested that the retinotectal projection can reorganize independently along two orthogonal tectal axes. This possibility was reexamined by removing roughly a quarter of the retina and slightly less than a quarter of the tectum. In the tectal case, the unseated fibers arborized rostral to the ablation, but not lateral to it, and the projection shifted irrespective of tectal axes to maintain topographic order and a roughly uniform representation of retinal areas. In the retinal case, expansion into the denervated quadrant was only from the rostral, never from the medial or lateral directions. Analysis of the movements of fiber arbors shows that they respond to local competition for tectal space rather than following tectal axes.", "PMID": 631237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8820", "title": "Some further observations on the effects of unilateral cortical ablation on sound localization in the cat.", "content": "It has previously been shown that unilateral ablation of the whole auditory cortex in the cat disrupts the precedence effect, and also interferes with the ability of the normal animal to discriminate in the Y-maze between a single sound on one side and a double sound consisting of a signal on both left and right sides. The present work has confirmed these effects and has shown that both can be obtained with lesions confined to AI and AII. The \"one-versus-two\" deficit has invariably been seen in all the animals studied, but a proportion of animals do not show the precedence effect deficit. It has been confirmed that the apparent sucess of some animals can be due to the training effect of the one-versus-two paradigm, as was proposed in the earlier paper; however it has also been shown that this cannot be explanation in all cases. It has been demonstrated that cats are able to localize sound behind them with some success; turning around in the start box to reverse right and left space is therefore a possible strategy for overcoming a unilateral deficit. However, even with the head \"fixed\" in the forward-facing position, one animal was still able to run well above chance. The size of the lesion does not appear to be a correlate of the performance level.", "contents": "Some further observations on the effects of unilateral cortical ablation on sound localization in the cat. It has previously been shown that unilateral ablation of the whole auditory cortex in the cat disrupts the precedence effect, and also interferes with the ability of the normal animal to discriminate in the Y-maze between a single sound on one side and a double sound consisting of a signal on both left and right sides. The present work has confirmed these effects and has shown that both can be obtained with lesions confined to AI and AII. The \"one-versus-two\" deficit has invariably been seen in all the animals studied, but a proportion of animals do not show the precedence effect deficit. It has been confirmed that the apparent sucess of some animals can be due to the training effect of the one-versus-two paradigm, as was proposed in the earlier paper; however it has also been shown that this cannot be explanation in all cases. It has been demonstrated that cats are able to localize sound behind them with some success; turning around in the start box to reverse right and left space is therefore a possible strategy for overcoming a unilateral deficit. However, even with the head \"fixed\" in the forward-facing position, one animal was still able to run well above chance. The size of the lesion does not appear to be a correlate of the performance level.", "PMID": 631240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8821", "title": "Interaction of receptive field responses and shift-effect in cat retinal and geniculate neurons.", "content": "Spike activity of single optic tract fibres and lateral geniculate cells of the lightly anaesthetized immobilized cat were recorded in response to short, small (local) test flashes into the receptive field center before, during and after rapid displacements of a remote, large (global) pattern. 2. The majority of retinal and geniculate neurons failed to produce algebraic summation of the excitatory shift-effect and an excitatory test response. 3. For many cells outside lamina A and A1 of the dorsal lateral geniculate body the test response was smaller than the control even though two excitatory responses were combined. 4. The resonses to displacements of a steady, local spot are weakly affected by simultaneous displacements of a global pattern if the local responses are strong; but if the latter are weak the global shift-effect dominates the response to a displacement of the total pattern. 5. Saccadic suppression may be explained by retinal and geniculate neurons functioning in two modes of local or global responses, both of which cannot be transmitted properly at the same time.", "contents": "Interaction of receptive field responses and shift-effect in cat retinal and geniculate neurons. Spike activity of single optic tract fibres and lateral geniculate cells of the lightly anaesthetized immobilized cat were recorded in response to short, small (local) test flashes into the receptive field center before, during and after rapid displacements of a remote, large (global) pattern. 2. The majority of retinal and geniculate neurons failed to produce algebraic summation of the excitatory shift-effect and an excitatory test response. 3. For many cells outside lamina A and A1 of the dorsal lateral geniculate body the test response was smaller than the control even though two excitatory responses were combined. 4. The resonses to displacements of a steady, local spot are weakly affected by simultaneous displacements of a global pattern if the local responses are strong; but if the latter are weak the global shift-effect dominates the response to a displacement of the total pattern. 5. Saccadic suppression may be explained by retinal and geniculate neurons functioning in two modes of local or global responses, both of which cannot be transmitted properly at the same time.", "PMID": 631241} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8822", "title": "Effects of lesions of areas 17, 18 and 19 on interocular transfer of pattern discriminations in split-chiasm cats.", "content": "Split-chiasm cats with unilateral or bilateral lesions largely removing the commissurally connected portions of visual cortical areas 17, 18 and 19 showed good interocular transfer of monocularly learned pattern discriminations. The capacity for interocular transfer in these cats was in fact little or not different from that of split-chiasm cats with an intact cortex. Split-chiasm cats with an additional section of the forebrain commissures, as well as two split-chiasm cats with 17-18 lesions also submitted to forebrain commissurotomy after having shown good interocular transfer, were generally incapable of transferring pattern discriminations between the eyes. It is concluded that interocular transfer of pattern discriminations, in split-chiasm cats does not require areas 17, 18 and 19 and must therefore depend on other cortical areas.", "contents": "Effects of lesions of areas 17, 18 and 19 on interocular transfer of pattern discriminations in split-chiasm cats. Split-chiasm cats with unilateral or bilateral lesions largely removing the commissurally connected portions of visual cortical areas 17, 18 and 19 showed good interocular transfer of monocularly learned pattern discriminations. The capacity for interocular transfer in these cats was in fact little or not different from that of split-chiasm cats with an intact cortex. Split-chiasm cats with an additional section of the forebrain commissures, as well as two split-chiasm cats with 17-18 lesions also submitted to forebrain commissurotomy after having shown good interocular transfer, were generally incapable of transferring pattern discriminations between the eyes. It is concluded that interocular transfer of pattern discriminations, in split-chiasm cats does not require areas 17, 18 and 19 and must therefore depend on other cortical areas.", "PMID": 631243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8823", "title": "Inhibition of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves by pentobarbital.", "content": "Pentobarbital concentrations of 10--100 micrometer selectively inhibited the noradrenaline release evoked by activation of the nicotinic receptors on the terminals sympathetic nerves of the rabbit heart. Higher concentrations also decreased the noradrenaline release induced by KCl or by electrical stimulation of the nerve axons.", "contents": "Inhibition of noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves by pentobarbital. Pentobarbital concentrations of 10--100 micrometer selectively inhibited the noradrenaline release evoked by activation of the nicotinic receptors on the terminals sympathetic nerves of the rabbit heart. Higher concentrations also decreased the noradrenaline release induced by KCl or by electrical stimulation of the nerve axons.", "PMID": 631246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8824", "title": "Effect of Tween 80 on lipids of Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354.", "content": "Addition of Tween 80 to the growth medium brings about qualitative and quantitative changes in the lipids of Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354. The results suggest that Tween 80 itself may be a variant in the system.", "contents": "Effect of Tween 80 on lipids of Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354. Addition of Tween 80 to the growth medium brings about qualitative and quantitative changes in the lipids of Mycobacterium phlei ATCC 354. The results suggest that Tween 80 itself may be a variant in the system.", "PMID": 631247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8825", "title": "Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia in mice.", "content": "Feeding to mice of both basal as well as high sucrose diet led to increased levels of plasma triglycerides, which was associated with increased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Although males had significantly higher LCAT activity than females in all the dietary groups, sex difference in the plasma triglycerides was observed in high sucrose group only. Increase in plasma triglycerides in experimental groups was associated with an increase in LCAT activity.", "contents": "Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity in carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia in mice. Feeding to mice of both basal as well as high sucrose diet led to increased levels of plasma triglycerides, which was associated with increased lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Although males had significantly higher LCAT activity than females in all the dietary groups, sex difference in the plasma triglycerides was observed in high sucrose group only. Increase in plasma triglycerides in experimental groups was associated with an increase in LCAT activity.", "PMID": 631248} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8826", "title": "Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.", "content": "Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was higher in the serum, the mesenteric artery and the cerebral cortex of 4-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), and lower in the nucleus tractus solitarii than it was in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).", "contents": "Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was higher in the serum, the mesenteric artery and the cerebral cortex of 4-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), and lower in the nucleus tractus solitarii than it was in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).", "PMID": 631249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8827", "title": "The lack of insulin-binding to simple glycosidic receptors.", "content": "The results of affinity electrophoresis at pH 8.9 show that insulin does not interact with any of a number of glycosidic ligands which bind various lectins. The results are discussed with respect to some similarities between insulin and concanavalin A.", "contents": "The lack of insulin-binding to simple glycosidic receptors. The results of affinity electrophoresis at pH 8.9 show that insulin does not interact with any of a number of glycosidic ligands which bind various lectins. The results are discussed with respect to some similarities between insulin and concanavalin A.", "PMID": 631250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8828", "title": "Fractionation of mouse DNA by precipitation with F1 histone intro fragments differing in their base composition.", "content": "Several fractions of mouse DNA were obtained by gradual precipitation with histone F1. The analysis of their base compositon revealed that histone interacted selectively with sequence of DNA rich in adenine plus thymine, regardless of the type of DNA molecules present in the DNA solution to be fractionated.", "contents": "Fractionation of mouse DNA by precipitation with F1 histone intro fragments differing in their base composition. Several fractions of mouse DNA were obtained by gradual precipitation with histone F1. The analysis of their base compositon revealed that histone interacted selectively with sequence of DNA rich in adenine plus thymine, regardless of the type of DNA molecules present in the DNA solution to be fractionated.", "PMID": 631251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8829", "title": "Erythrocyte catechol-0-methyltransferase and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in human umbilical cord blood.", "content": "Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase enzymatic activity and immunoreactive protein levels in human umbilical cord blood are only about 2% as great as values in the blood of older subjects. Erythrocyte catechol-0-methyltransferase activity levels in umbilical cord blood are very similar to those in the blood of adult subjects.", "contents": "Erythrocyte catechol-0-methyltransferase and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in human umbilical cord blood. Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase enzymatic activity and immunoreactive protein levels in human umbilical cord blood are only about 2% as great as values in the blood of older subjects. Erythrocyte catechol-0-methyltransferase activity levels in umbilical cord blood are very similar to those in the blood of adult subjects.", "PMID": 631252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8830", "title": "Protein water binding ability correlates with cellular osmolarity.", "content": "Water adsorption isotherms were determined for soluble proteins of organisms differing widely in intracellular osmolarity. A positive correlation was observed between protein-water affinity and total cellular osmotic concentration.", "contents": "Protein water binding ability correlates with cellular osmolarity. Water adsorption isotherms were determined for soluble proteins of organisms differing widely in intracellular osmolarity. A positive correlation was observed between protein-water affinity and total cellular osmotic concentration.", "PMID": 631253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8831", "title": "Effect of vasectomy on hepatic drug metabolism.", "content": "2 months after bilateral vasectomy the metabolism of aniline but not aminopyrine was increased in rat liver homogenates, whereas vasectomy did not affect the metabolism of either compound in guinea-pig liver homogenates.", "contents": "Effect of vasectomy on hepatic drug metabolism. 2 months after bilateral vasectomy the metabolism of aniline but not aminopyrine was increased in rat liver homogenates, whereas vasectomy did not affect the metabolism of either compound in guinea-pig liver homogenates.", "PMID": 631254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8832", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of polyacrylamide.", "content": "Antiserum to polyacrylamide has been produced in rabbits. It can be used in a sensitive radioimmunoassay for quantitation of polyacrylamide at very low concentrations. This novel approach to the analysis of a synthetic, biologically inactive, hydrocarbon polymer has potentially widespread implications, for example, in the downstream measurement of flocculating agents used in water purification treatments.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of polyacrylamide. Antiserum to polyacrylamide has been produced in rabbits. It can be used in a sensitive radioimmunoassay for quantitation of polyacrylamide at very low concentrations. This novel approach to the analysis of a synthetic, biologically inactive, hydrocarbon polymer has potentially widespread implications, for example, in the downstream measurement of flocculating agents used in water purification treatments.", "PMID": 631255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8833", "title": "Studies on substrate specificity of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase during new chromogenic substrates, X-Y-p-nitroanilides.", "content": "Substrate specificity of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV) was examined by using newly synthesized 8 chromogenic substrates, X-Y-p-nitroanilides. Homogeneous enzyme from human submaxillary gland hydrolyzed glycylproline p-nitroanilide almost specifically, except alanylalanine p-nitroanilide which had 11% activity.", "contents": "Studies on substrate specificity of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase during new chromogenic substrates, X-Y-p-nitroanilides. Substrate specificity of X-prolyl dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV) was examined by using newly synthesized 8 chromogenic substrates, X-Y-p-nitroanilides. Homogeneous enzyme from human submaxillary gland hydrolyzed glycylproline p-nitroanilide almost specifically, except alanylalanine p-nitroanilide which had 11% activity.", "PMID": 631256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8834", "title": "Mutagenicity testing of 3 hallucinogens: LSD, psilocybin and delta 9-THC, using the micronucleus test.", "content": "Using the micronucleus test as a screening method for mutagenic activity, no significant increase in the number of micronuclei was found when LSD, psilocybin or delta 9-THC were administered in 3 logarithmically increasing doses to mice, Azathioiprine (Imuran), given as a positive control, caused a statistically significantt increase in the micronucleated cells.", "contents": "Mutagenicity testing of 3 hallucinogens: LSD, psilocybin and delta 9-THC, using the micronucleus test. Using the micronucleus test as a screening method for mutagenic activity, no significant increase in the number of micronuclei was found when LSD, psilocybin or delta 9-THC were administered in 3 logarithmically increasing doses to mice, Azathioiprine (Imuran), given as a positive control, caused a statistically significantt increase in the micronucleated cells.", "PMID": 631257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8835", "title": "Chromosomal polymorphism caused by supernumerary chromosomes in Rattus rattus ssp. frugivurus (Rafinesque, 1814) (Rodentia, Muridae).", "content": "A chromosomal numeric polymorphism 2n = 38, 39, 40 and 41 in the species Rattus rattus ssp. frugivurus (Rafinesque, 1814) is reported for the first time for this subspecies. The numbers 2n = 39, 40 and 41 are new for the species. The polymorphism is due to the presence of 1, 2 or 3 B-chromosomes, which are all small metacentrics of the size and shaped vary close to the other autosomes of the normal complement, and whose character of being supernumeraries is shown in Meiosis.", "contents": "Chromosomal polymorphism caused by supernumerary chromosomes in Rattus rattus ssp. frugivurus (Rafinesque, 1814) (Rodentia, Muridae). A chromosomal numeric polymorphism 2n = 38, 39, 40 and 41 in the species Rattus rattus ssp. frugivurus (Rafinesque, 1814) is reported for the first time for this subspecies. The numbers 2n = 39, 40 and 41 are new for the species. The polymorphism is due to the presence of 1, 2 or 3 B-chromosomes, which are all small metacentrics of the size and shaped vary close to the other autosomes of the normal complement, and whose character of being supernumeraries is shown in Meiosis.", "PMID": 631258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8836", "title": "Aneuploidy as a consequence of senescence and ovariectomy in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).", "content": "The hypothesis of the preferred X-chromosome loss in elder human females was reevaluated in the golden hamster: early castration of females proved that the increase of aneuploid cells is correlated with the loss of the ovaries. But here, and in old females, aneuploidy consisted of random loss of excess of chromosomes, in no case an X-chromosome.", "contents": "Aneuploidy as a consequence of senescence and ovariectomy in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). The hypothesis of the preferred X-chromosome loss in elder human females was reevaluated in the golden hamster: early castration of females proved that the increase of aneuploid cells is correlated with the loss of the ovaries. But here, and in old females, aneuploidy consisted of random loss of excess of chromosomes, in no case an X-chromosome.", "PMID": 631259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8837", "title": "Fusion of microsomal vesicles.", "content": "Studies which indicate the fusion of rat liver microsomal vesicles show that the rate of fusion of microsomal vesicles, as revealed by electron microscopic examinations, is dependent on the fusion temperature and the amount of detergent present in the microsomal suspension.", "contents": "Fusion of microsomal vesicles. Studies which indicate the fusion of rat liver microsomal vesicles show that the rate of fusion of microsomal vesicles, as revealed by electron microscopic examinations, is dependent on the fusion temperature and the amount of detergent present in the microsomal suspension.", "PMID": 631260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8838", "title": "Uterine fluid from progesterone treated rabbits contains subcellular membranes.", "content": "Uterine fluid from progesterone treated rabbits was shown to be rich in subcellular membrane components consisting of vesicles and cilia-like fragments. In contrast, uterine fluid from untreated does lacked subcellular membranes. Thus, they arise when uterine sperm capacitation ability is suppressed.", "contents": "Uterine fluid from progesterone treated rabbits contains subcellular membranes. Uterine fluid from progesterone treated rabbits was shown to be rich in subcellular membrane components consisting of vesicles and cilia-like fragments. In contrast, uterine fluid from untreated does lacked subcellular membranes. Thus, they arise when uterine sperm capacitation ability is suppressed.", "PMID": 631261} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8839", "title": "Isolation of filaments of the chick lens.", "content": "A preparation of intermediate filaments isolated from the chicken lens is enriched with a 50,000 dalton polypeptide.", "contents": "Isolation of filaments of the chick lens. A preparation of intermediate filaments isolated from the chicken lens is enriched with a 50,000 dalton polypeptide.", "PMID": 631262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8840", "title": "Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on intramuscular triglyceride mobilization during exercise.", "content": "It was shown in the rat that mobilization of intramuscular triglyceride during exercise is controlled by the adrenergic system.", "contents": "Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on intramuscular triglyceride mobilization during exercise. It was shown in the rat that mobilization of intramuscular triglyceride during exercise is controlled by the adrenergic system.", "PMID": 631263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8841", "title": "A lack of correlation between rat kidney mitochondrial swelling and glutaminase activation in metabolic acidosis.", "content": "We found no overall correlation between mitochondrial swelling and PDG activity under many different conditions. We conclude that augmented PDG activity in acidosis is not related, at least to any great extent, to increased anion permeability produced by mitochondrial swelling.", "contents": "A lack of correlation between rat kidney mitochondrial swelling and glutaminase activation in metabolic acidosis. We found no overall correlation between mitochondrial swelling and PDG activity under many different conditions. We conclude that augmented PDG activity in acidosis is not related, at least to any great extent, to increased anion permeability produced by mitochondrial swelling.", "PMID": 631264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8842", "title": "Colchicine inhibition of ADH effect on frog skin permeability.", "content": "ADH and AMPc enhance both thiourea unidirectional fluxes in frog skin. This effect is completely abolished by colchicine pretreatment. The ADH increase of thiourea discharge with or without colchicine led us to suppose that colchicine does not directly affect ADH action on outer membrane permeability, but exerts its effects on a site which is limiting for the ADH action on transepithelial permeability.", "contents": "Colchicine inhibition of ADH effect on frog skin permeability. ADH and AMPc enhance both thiourea unidirectional fluxes in frog skin. This effect is completely abolished by colchicine pretreatment. The ADH increase of thiourea discharge with or without colchicine led us to suppose that colchicine does not directly affect ADH action on outer membrane permeability, but exerts its effects on a site which is limiting for the ADH action on transepithelial permeability.", "PMID": 631265} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8843", "title": "Difference in the sensitivity to Ca ion among glycerinated skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles.", "content": "Glycerinated smooth muscle was contracted almost maximally with 15 mM Mg and 5 mM ATP, while extracted skeletal and cardiac muscles needed Ca ion with 15 mM Mg and 5 mM ATP for producing contraction.", "contents": "Difference in the sensitivity to Ca ion among glycerinated skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles. Glycerinated smooth muscle was contracted almost maximally with 15 mM Mg and 5 mM ATP, while extracted skeletal and cardiac muscles needed Ca ion with 15 mM Mg and 5 mM ATP for producing contraction.", "PMID": 631266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8844", "title": "Endolymphatic leakage in case of acute loss of cochlear microphonics.", "content": "Rapid loss of cochlear microphonics in guinea-pigs previously exposed to high-energy impulse noise was shown to be related to the breakdown of the endolymphatic boundary. The cochlear duct was rendered leaky by deterioration of the reticular membrane, and damage of sensory and supporting cells.", "contents": "Endolymphatic leakage in case of acute loss of cochlear microphonics. Rapid loss of cochlear microphonics in guinea-pigs previously exposed to high-energy impulse noise was shown to be related to the breakdown of the endolymphatic boundary. The cochlear duct was rendered leaky by deterioration of the reticular membrane, and damage of sensory and supporting cells.", "PMID": 631267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8845", "title": "Lysozyme levels in tissues of iron-deficient rats.", "content": "Fats were fed either diets sufficient (300 ppm) or insufficient (5 ppm) in iron for 10 weeks. The iron-deficient animals had lowered hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and higher levels of kidney lysozyme activity than did control animals. There were no significant changes in serum and spleen lysozyme activity levels.", "contents": "Lysozyme levels in tissues of iron-deficient rats. Fats were fed either diets sufficient (300 ppm) or insufficient (5 ppm) in iron for 10 weeks. The iron-deficient animals had lowered hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and higher levels of kidney lysozyme activity than did control animals. There were no significant changes in serum and spleen lysozyme activity levels.", "PMID": 631268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8846", "title": "Large regional and strain differences in rat brain sialic acid and 2-deoxyribose.", "content": "Sialic acid, a very polar component of glycolipids and glycoproteins that is exposed on membrane surfaces, was observed in rat brain to vary in the descending order: forebrain, midbrain, cerebellum and medulla. Levels of 2-deoxyribose were also differentially distributed, with about 3.5 times as much in the cerebellum and nearly equal amounts elsewhere. Similar results were obtained with another genetic strain, but clear quantitative differences were evident for both chemicals.", "contents": "Large regional and strain differences in rat brain sialic acid and 2-deoxyribose. Sialic acid, a very polar component of glycolipids and glycoproteins that is exposed on membrane surfaces, was observed in rat brain to vary in the descending order: forebrain, midbrain, cerebellum and medulla. Levels of 2-deoxyribose were also differentially distributed, with about 3.5 times as much in the cerebellum and nearly equal amounts elsewhere. Similar results were obtained with another genetic strain, but clear quantitative differences were evident for both chemicals.", "PMID": 631269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8847", "title": "Thermoregulatory effects on the sheep of intracerebroventricular injections of L-glutamic acid.", "content": "L-glutamic acid injected in doses of 200--1000 n moles . kg-1 into the cerebral ventricles of sheep had dose-dependent thermoregulatory effects: an increase in heat production and/or a decrease in respiratory frequency, and a rise in rectal temperature. A dose of 800 nmoles . kg-1 had effects comparable with those of a similar injection of 3 nmoles . kg-1 carbamylcholine.", "contents": "Thermoregulatory effects on the sheep of intracerebroventricular injections of L-glutamic acid. L-glutamic acid injected in doses of 200--1000 n moles . kg-1 into the cerebral ventricles of sheep had dose-dependent thermoregulatory effects: an increase in heat production and/or a decrease in respiratory frequency, and a rise in rectal temperature. A dose of 800 nmoles . kg-1 had effects comparable with those of a similar injection of 3 nmoles . kg-1 carbamylcholine.", "PMID": 631270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8848", "title": "[Time and theophylline influence on the quantitative variations of the glomerular basement membrane ferritin pathway (author's transl)].", "content": "A fine quantitative evaluation of ferritin aggregates in rat GBM permits to counts 5.08 +/- 1.51 and 18.30 +/- 3.21 g/cm2, respectively 30 and 60 min after ferritin injection; likewise, 30 min after ferritin administration, 5.08 +/- 1.51 and 17.11 +/- 3.9 g/cm2, respectively in normal and theophylline-treated animals.", "contents": "[Time and theophylline influence on the quantitative variations of the glomerular basement membrane ferritin pathway (author's transl)]. A fine quantitative evaluation of ferritin aggregates in rat GBM permits to counts 5.08 +/- 1.51 and 18.30 +/- 3.21 g/cm2, respectively 30 and 60 min after ferritin injection; likewise, 30 min after ferritin administration, 5.08 +/- 1.51 and 17.11 +/- 3.9 g/cm2, respectively in normal and theophylline-treated animals.", "PMID": 631271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8849", "title": "Visual pigment regeneration: occurrence in frog retina upside down upon the pigment epithelium.", "content": "Visual pigment regeneration in the frog requires apposition between the retina and retinal pigment epithelium. However, regeneration occurs nearly as well with the retina upside down (i.e. with the inner limiting membrane facing the pigment epithelium) as right side up.", "contents": "Visual pigment regeneration: occurrence in frog retina upside down upon the pigment epithelium. Visual pigment regeneration in the frog requires apposition between the retina and retinal pigment epithelium. However, regeneration occurs nearly as well with the retina upside down (i.e. with the inner limiting membrane facing the pigment epithelium) as right side up.", "PMID": 631272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8850", "title": "Uptake of glusose-C14 and fructose-C14 by buffalo spermatozoa in extenders during cold storage.", "content": "Buffalo spermatozoa exhibit insignificant uptake of glucose-C14 and fructose-C14 when semen samples were preserved in cold for 96 h in 2 extenders. Incorporation of C14 in spermatozoa, TCA precipitable proteins and soluble sugar phosphates was either equal or less in semen samples preserved in cold. CAW appeared to be a better extender than SKMEY as revealed by sugar uptake in cold.", "contents": "Uptake of glusose-C14 and fructose-C14 by buffalo spermatozoa in extenders during cold storage. Buffalo spermatozoa exhibit insignificant uptake of glucose-C14 and fructose-C14 when semen samples were preserved in cold for 96 h in 2 extenders. Incorporation of C14 in spermatozoa, TCA precipitable proteins and soluble sugar phosphates was either equal or less in semen samples preserved in cold. CAW appeared to be a better extender than SKMEY as revealed by sugar uptake in cold.", "PMID": 631273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8851", "title": "Increased ALA dehydratase activity and spleen weight in lead-intoxicated rats. A consequence of increased blood cell destruction.", "content": "Lead was given in the diet (1%) to rats from birth and at different times the animals were studies for delta amino levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, spleen weight, 59Fe incorporation in erythrocytes and 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes survival. The increased ALAD and spleen weight found after lead treatment is explained as a consequence of a shortened survival, which results in a younger age of circulating erythrocytes with higher ALAD activity.", "contents": "Increased ALA dehydratase activity and spleen weight in lead-intoxicated rats. A consequence of increased blood cell destruction. Lead was given in the diet (1%) to rats from birth and at different times the animals were studies for delta amino levulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, spleen weight, 59Fe incorporation in erythrocytes and 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes survival. The increased ALAD and spleen weight found after lead treatment is explained as a consequence of a shortened survival, which results in a younger age of circulating erythrocytes with higher ALAD activity.", "PMID": 631274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8852", "title": "Is the effect of diphenolic laxatives mediated via release of prostaglandin E?", "content": "The diphenolic laxatives, bisacodyl and phenolphthalein, and the osmotic laxative mannitol increase intestinal fluid volume in the rat colon in situ. The diphenolic laxatives stimulate the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E (PGE) whereas mannitol does not. Inhibition of PG-biosynthesis by pretreatment with indomethacin only reduces the effect of the diphenolic laxatives. It is suggested that diphenolic laxatives increase intestinal fluid volume via stimulation of PGE biosynthesis in the colon.", "contents": "Is the effect of diphenolic laxatives mediated via release of prostaglandin E? The diphenolic laxatives, bisacodyl and phenolphthalein, and the osmotic laxative mannitol increase intestinal fluid volume in the rat colon in situ. The diphenolic laxatives stimulate the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E (PGE) whereas mannitol does not. Inhibition of PG-biosynthesis by pretreatment with indomethacin only reduces the effect of the diphenolic laxatives. It is suggested that diphenolic laxatives increase intestinal fluid volume via stimulation of PGE biosynthesis in the colon.", "PMID": 631275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8853", "title": "The effects of hydrocortisone and glycyrrhizine on the enzyme releases of arylsulfatase and hyaluronidase from lysosomes of liver.", "content": "Hydrocortisone and glycyrrhizine act as both stabilizers and labilizers of the lysosomes of liver. The effect of both agents on the lysosomes is changeable according to the duration of their administration.", "contents": "The effects of hydrocortisone and glycyrrhizine on the enzyme releases of arylsulfatase and hyaluronidase from lysosomes of liver. Hydrocortisone and glycyrrhizine act as both stabilizers and labilizers of the lysosomes of liver. The effect of both agents on the lysosomes is changeable according to the duration of their administration.", "PMID": 631276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8854", "title": "High-voltage electron microscopy of adrenal medulla: direct connections between mitochondria and catecholamine-storage vesicles.", "content": "A high-voltage electron microscopic study of adrenal medullary cells from hypoglycemia-stressed rats revealed the existence of tubular channels which create a luminal continuity between the mitochondrial compartment and the catecholamine-storage vesicles. It is suggested that these channels allow for the transfer of materials such as high-energy nucleotides between the mitochondria and the catecholamine-storage vesicles without an intervening membrane.", "contents": "High-voltage electron microscopy of adrenal medulla: direct connections between mitochondria and catecholamine-storage vesicles. A high-voltage electron microscopic study of adrenal medullary cells from hypoglycemia-stressed rats revealed the existence of tubular channels which create a luminal continuity between the mitochondrial compartment and the catecholamine-storage vesicles. It is suggested that these channels allow for the transfer of materials such as high-energy nucleotides between the mitochondria and the catecholamine-storage vesicles without an intervening membrane.", "PMID": 631277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8855", "title": "Effect of dimethyl sulfate on the secondary structure of DNA.", "content": "Hydroxyapatite chromatography has been used to demonstrate that alkylation of DNA at neutral pH may lead to denaturation under conditions where no significant depurination occurs. Presence of salt has a preventive effect on such denaturation.", "contents": "Effect of dimethyl sulfate on the secondary structure of DNA. Hydroxyapatite chromatography has been used to demonstrate that alkylation of DNA at neutral pH may lead to denaturation under conditions where no significant depurination occurs. Presence of salt has a preventive effect on such denaturation.", "PMID": 631278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8856", "title": "[Neuroactive compounds and vertebral teratogenesis in the bird embryo (author's transl)].", "content": "Anticholinesterasic and depolarizing (analogues of acetylcholine) agents administered to quail embryos after 3 days of incubation give rise to vertebral fusions in addition to neck deformities. Antagonists of acetylcholine (gallamine and hexamethonium) produce only vertebral joint fusions. The incidence of all these compounds in the vertebral defects by the way of there neuroactive properties is proposed.", "contents": "[Neuroactive compounds and vertebral teratogenesis in the bird embryo (author's transl)]. Anticholinesterasic and depolarizing (analogues of acetylcholine) agents administered to quail embryos after 3 days of incubation give rise to vertebral fusions in addition to neck deformities. Antagonists of acetylcholine (gallamine and hexamethonium) produce only vertebral joint fusions. The incidence of all these compounds in the vertebral defects by the way of there neuroactive properties is proposed.", "PMID": 631279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8857", "title": "Comparative incorporation of uridine-3H into nucleolar RNA of mouse subcutaneous and skin tissues at early times after 20-methylcholanthrene administration.", "content": "A single s.c. injection of 20-methylcholanthrene (1 mg in 0.2 ml olive oil) is found to stimulate the relative uptake of uridine-3H by the skin and the s.c. tissue 17- and 3fold respectively, 24 h post-administration.", "contents": "Comparative incorporation of uridine-3H into nucleolar RNA of mouse subcutaneous and skin tissues at early times after 20-methylcholanthrene administration. A single s.c. injection of 20-methylcholanthrene (1 mg in 0.2 ml olive oil) is found to stimulate the relative uptake of uridine-3H by the skin and the s.c. tissue 17- and 3fold respectively, 24 h post-administration.", "PMID": 631280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8858", "title": "A preliminary report on gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes.", "content": "In spectral studies of gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes, influences of concentrations of the components and changes in dye character are mainly noted.", "contents": "A preliminary report on gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes. In spectral studies of gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes, influences of concentrations of the components and changes in dye character are mainly noted.", "PMID": 631281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8859", "title": "The level of noradrenaline in terminals and varicosities after the ligation performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus.", "content": "It is well-known that the ligation of nerve trunk induces an intensive accumulation of noradrenaline proximally to the ligation. A similar ligation, performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus, induces no changes in the segments of terminal fibres situated proximally.", "contents": "The level of noradrenaline in terminals and varicosities after the ligation performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus. It is well-known that the ligation of nerve trunk induces an intensive accumulation of noradrenaline proximally to the ligation. A similar ligation, performed in the sympathetic ground-plexus, induces no changes in the segments of terminal fibres situated proximally.", "PMID": 631282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8860", "title": "Vascular permeability in malignant disease.", "content": "Experimental demonstration that vessels draining large tumours are impermeable to cellular elements. Thus the pulmonary vessels of animals bearing large, primary (other than gastro-intestinal) cancers can become impermeable to tumour emboli. This imperviousness prevents the establishment of secondaries in the lung and promotes the transpulmonary passage of tumor cells. This phenomenon may account for the development of paradoxical metastases.", "contents": "Vascular permeability in malignant disease. Experimental demonstration that vessels draining large tumours are impermeable to cellular elements. Thus the pulmonary vessels of animals bearing large, primary (other than gastro-intestinal) cancers can become impermeable to tumour emboli. This imperviousness prevents the establishment of secondaries in the lung and promotes the transpulmonary passage of tumor cells. This phenomenon may account for the development of paradoxical metastases.", "PMID": 631283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8861", "title": "Virus-like particles in the opossum submandibular gland.", "content": "Numerous inclusion bodies (virus-like particles) were observed in the lumina of the intercellular canaliculi, mucous tubules and intralobular ducts of the opossum submandibular gland. The particles are spherical in outline, show an electron dense core, and are surrounded by a peripheral membrane.", "contents": "Virus-like particles in the opossum submandibular gland. Numerous inclusion bodies (virus-like particles) were observed in the lumina of the intercellular canaliculi, mucous tubules and intralobular ducts of the opossum submandibular gland. The particles are spherical in outline, show an electron dense core, and are surrounded by a peripheral membrane.", "PMID": 631284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8862", "title": "Close association of erythrocytes with surface of late mouse blastocysts: SEM analysis.", "content": "SEM analysis of preimplantation mouse blastocysts reveals closely associated red blood cells on involuted surfaces of trophoblasts, and indication of the capability for initial phases of phagocytosis at an early developmental stage.", "contents": "Close association of erythrocytes with surface of late mouse blastocysts: SEM analysis. SEM analysis of preimplantation mouse blastocysts reveals closely associated red blood cells on involuted surfaces of trophoblasts, and indication of the capability for initial phases of phagocytosis at an early developmental stage.", "PMID": 631285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8863", "title": "Reciprocal changes in serum free thyroxine fraction and thyrotropin level after administration of thiocyanate to rats.", "content": "The administration of thiocyanate to rats caused a significant increase of serum free thyroxine fraction, which coincided with the significant decrease of TSH level. The other components (AFT4, T4, T3) in serum at this time were decreased or unchanged. The finding suggests the role of free thyroxine fraction in feed-back regulation of TSH secretion.", "contents": "Reciprocal changes in serum free thyroxine fraction and thyrotropin level after administration of thiocyanate to rats. The administration of thiocyanate to rats caused a significant increase of serum free thyroxine fraction, which coincided with the significant decrease of TSH level. The other components (AFT4, T4, T3) in serum at this time were decreased or unchanged. The finding suggests the role of free thyroxine fraction in feed-back regulation of TSH secretion.", "PMID": 631286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8864", "title": "Blood volume and extracellular space (ECS) of the whole body and some organs of the rat.", "content": "Methods are described for estimation of blood volume and extracellular space (ECS) in the whole body and in some organs with 51Cr, 14C-thiocyanate and 3H-inulin. A mean blood volume of 47 ml/kg, a thiocyanate space of 350 ml/kg and a inulin space of 288 ml/kg were determined in the rat. The corresponding values of organs are shown in figures 1--3.", "contents": "Blood volume and extracellular space (ECS) of the whole body and some organs of the rat. Methods are described for estimation of blood volume and extracellular space (ECS) in the whole body and in some organs with 51Cr, 14C-thiocyanate and 3H-inulin. A mean blood volume of 47 ml/kg, a thiocyanate space of 350 ml/kg and a inulin space of 288 ml/kg were determined in the rat. The corresponding values of organs are shown in figures 1--3.", "PMID": 631287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8865", "title": "Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using affinity chromatography.", "content": "Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen, applicable to the preparation of potential vaccines for prevention of hepatitis B, is described. The method involves the following steps: precipitation of serum with polyethylene glycol 6000, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and on omega-aminononyl-Sepharose, and isopycnic centrifugation.", "contents": "Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using affinity chromatography. Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen, applicable to the preparation of potential vaccines for prevention of hepatitis B, is described. The method involves the following steps: precipitation of serum with polyethylene glycol 6000, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and on omega-aminononyl-Sepharose, and isopycnic centrifugation.", "PMID": 631288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8866", "title": "[1H-pyrazolo/1,2-b/phthalazines with anti-inflammatory activity].", "content": "The synthesis of forty-one 2,2,6,7-substituted 2,3,5,10-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-1,3-diones A) by reaction of 4,4-di-substituted pyrazolidine-3,5-diones with substituted or unsubstituted alpha,alpha'-dibromoxylene and B) by tetrahydrophthalazine and 2-substituted malonic acid chlorides is described. The antinflammatory activity was tested on carrageenan oedema in comparison with phenylbutazone.", "contents": "[1H-pyrazolo/1,2-b/phthalazines with anti-inflammatory activity]. The synthesis of forty-one 2,2,6,7-substituted 2,3,5,10-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-1,3-diones A) by reaction of 4,4-di-substituted pyrazolidine-3,5-diones with substituted or unsubstituted alpha,alpha'-dibromoxylene and B) by tetrahydrophthalazine and 2-substituted malonic acid chlorides is described. The antinflammatory activity was tested on carrageenan oedema in comparison with phenylbutazone.", "PMID": 631316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8867", "title": "Studies related to the metabolism of ergoline drugs. Structure determination and spectroscopic properties of 1,6-dimethyl-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline derivatives.", "content": "The structure of some 1,6-dimethyl-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline derivatives, related to an active metabolite of metergoline, is established by using physical methods (mass spectrometry, electronic and fluorescence spectroscopy, and 1H N.M.R. spectroscopy). The 13C N.M.R. spectrum of compound (II), 1,6-dimethyl-8beta-(acetylaminomethyl)-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline, is analyzed.", "contents": "Studies related to the metabolism of ergoline drugs. Structure determination and spectroscopic properties of 1,6-dimethyl-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline derivatives. The structure of some 1,6-dimethyl-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline derivatives, related to an active metabolite of metergoline, is established by using physical methods (mass spectrometry, electronic and fluorescence spectroscopy, and 1H N.M.R. spectroscopy). The 13C N.M.R. spectrum of compound (II), 1,6-dimethyl-8beta-(acetylaminomethyl)-12-hydroxy-10alpha-ergoline, is analyzed.", "PMID": 631317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8868", "title": "Cyclic GABA-GABOB analogues. II - Synthesis of new 2-oxo and 2,5-dioxo-delta3-pyrroline derivatives.", "content": "Within the framework of a research program on new compounds potentially active on learning and memory processes, some esters and amides of 2-oxo- and 2,5-dioxo-delta3-pyrroline-1-acetic acids were synthesized. Such compounds can be regarded either as dehydration products of the corresponding 4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinones or as cyclic derivatives of 4-aminoisocrotonic acid. Two approaches were used in an attempt to synthesize pyrrolinone derivatives. One method involved the direct alkylation with ethyl bromoacetate of 1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one (III b), obtained for the first time in pure form by cyclization of 4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB). Another approach involved the preparation of the ethyl 3-bromo-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetate (VI), by cyclization of N-(2,4-dibromobutyryl)glycine ethyl ester (V), and its 4-bromo isomer (X b) by bromination of ethyl 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetate (X a). While the dehydrobromination of (VI) was unsuccessful, heating of (X b) with TEA afforded ethyl 2,5-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-pyrrole-1-acetate (IV a). Alternatively, (X a) was treated with methanesulfonyl chloride, then with TEA to give (IV a). Final ammonolysis of (IV a) provided the corresponding amide (IV b). For the synthesis of the maleimide analogue (XIII b), the N-(carboxymethyl)maleamic acid (XII a) was treated with PCl5 and then with anhydrous ammonia.", "contents": "Cyclic GABA-GABOB analogues. II - Synthesis of new 2-oxo and 2,5-dioxo-delta3-pyrroline derivatives. Within the framework of a research program on new compounds potentially active on learning and memory processes, some esters and amides of 2-oxo- and 2,5-dioxo-delta3-pyrroline-1-acetic acids were synthesized. Such compounds can be regarded either as dehydration products of the corresponding 4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinones or as cyclic derivatives of 4-aminoisocrotonic acid. Two approaches were used in an attempt to synthesize pyrrolinone derivatives. One method involved the direct alkylation with ethyl bromoacetate of 1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one (III b), obtained for the first time in pure form by cyclization of 4-amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB). Another approach involved the preparation of the ethyl 3-bromo-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetate (VI), by cyclization of N-(2,4-dibromobutyryl)glycine ethyl ester (V), and its 4-bromo isomer (X b) by bromination of ethyl 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetate (X a). While the dehydrobromination of (VI) was unsuccessful, heating of (X b) with TEA afforded ethyl 2,5-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-pyrrole-1-acetate (IV a). Alternatively, (X a) was treated with methanesulfonyl chloride, then with TEA to give (IV a). Final ammonolysis of (IV a) provided the corresponding amide (IV b). For the synthesis of the maleimide analogue (XIII b), the N-(carboxymethyl)maleamic acid (XII a) was treated with PCl5 and then with anhydrous ammonia.", "PMID": 631318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8869", "title": "Antibacterial activity and chemical reactivity of sulphanylamides. Rate constants of alkaline hydrolysis of N4-acetylsulphanylamides.", "content": "The alkaline deacylation rate constants of a collection of N4-acetylderivatives of acidic and non-acidic sulphonamides (SA) clearly show a definite trend due to the intramolecular effects induced by the different substitutions on the N1 nitrogen. The rate constant is interpreted as a reactivity index of the corresponding non-acetylated compound, and is found to be strictly correlated with the electron-availability of the p-amino group; thus providing an interesting correlation with the antibacterial activity of these drugs. Moreover, the reported experiments corroborate early predictions that the greatest reactivity of the p-amino group pertains to p-aminobenzoate (PAB) in the series of chemically related compounds, and that SA anions show the highest chemical and electronic resemblance to the essential metabolite (PAB); thus the high antibacterial activity of SA anions correctly corresponds to its close resemblance to the metabolite.", "contents": "Antibacterial activity and chemical reactivity of sulphanylamides. Rate constants of alkaline hydrolysis of N4-acetylsulphanylamides. The alkaline deacylation rate constants of a collection of N4-acetylderivatives of acidic and non-acidic sulphonamides (SA) clearly show a definite trend due to the intramolecular effects induced by the different substitutions on the N1 nitrogen. The rate constant is interpreted as a reactivity index of the corresponding non-acetylated compound, and is found to be strictly correlated with the electron-availability of the p-amino group; thus providing an interesting correlation with the antibacterial activity of these drugs. Moreover, the reported experiments corroborate early predictions that the greatest reactivity of the p-amino group pertains to p-aminobenzoate (PAB) in the series of chemically related compounds, and that SA anions show the highest chemical and electronic resemblance to the essential metabolite (PAB); thus the high antibacterial activity of SA anions correctly corresponds to its close resemblance to the metabolite.", "PMID": 631319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8870", "title": "[Cyclic hydrazides. IV. Synthesis of 2-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one].", "content": "The synthesis of a number of derivatives of the 2-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one, substituted in position 3, 6 and 7 is described. No improvement of the antiinflammatory activity in comparison with the parent compound was observed.", "contents": "[Cyclic hydrazides. IV. Synthesis of 2-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one]. The synthesis of a number of derivatives of the 2-amino-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one, substituted in position 3, 6 and 7 is described. No improvement of the antiinflammatory activity in comparison with the parent compound was observed.", "PMID": 631320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8871", "title": "[Cardiovascular action of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. VI].", "content": "A series of 3,4-dihydro derivatives of 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 6,7-dichloro-, 5,7-dibromo-, 5-nitro-7-chloro-, 7-nitro-, 7-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, various substituted on the heterocyclic carbon, was prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. It was found that in this series of compounds cardiac activity predominates and is exclusively of the depressant type. Bradycardial activity seems to be affected both by the nature of the substituent on the heterocyclic carbon atom and by the substituents on the benzene ring. An alkyl chain of three carbon atoms, normal or alpha-ethylsubstituted, on C3 and the presence of a chlorine atom in positions 6 or 7 seem to be the most significant structural features for this activity. Some of the substances tested showed a pressor effect (hypotension and/or increase in differential pressure).", "contents": "[Cardiovascular action of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide derivatives. VI]. A series of 3,4-dihydro derivatives of 6-chloro-, 7-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 6,7-dichloro-, 5,7-dibromo-, 5-nitro-7-chloro-, 7-nitro-, 7-amino-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide, various substituted on the heterocyclic carbon, was prepared and tested for cardiovascular activity. It was found that in this series of compounds cardiac activity predominates and is exclusively of the depressant type. Bradycardial activity seems to be affected both by the nature of the substituent on the heterocyclic carbon atom and by the substituents on the benzene ring. An alkyl chain of three carbon atoms, normal or alpha-ethylsubstituted, on C3 and the presence of a chlorine atom in positions 6 or 7 seem to be the most significant structural features for this activity. Some of the substances tested showed a pressor effect (hypotension and/or increase in differential pressure).", "PMID": 631322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8872", "title": "[Derivatives of 3-hydrazinopyridazine. II. Synthesis and antihypertensive activity of new 3-hydrazino-6-monoalkylaminopyridazines].", "content": "The synthesis of some 3-hydrazino-6-monoalkylaminopyridazines (VIII) by reaction of 3,6-dichloropyridazine with various N-monoalkylbenzylamines, followed by reaction with hydrazine and final debenzylation in an acidic medium, is described. The new compounds were evaluated as antihypertensive agents and exhibited the same or higher activity than hydralazine, but lower activity than propildazine (ISF 2123).", "contents": "[Derivatives of 3-hydrazinopyridazine. II. Synthesis and antihypertensive activity of new 3-hydrazino-6-monoalkylaminopyridazines]. The synthesis of some 3-hydrazino-6-monoalkylaminopyridazines (VIII) by reaction of 3,6-dichloropyridazine with various N-monoalkylbenzylamines, followed by reaction with hydrazine and final debenzylation in an acidic medium, is described. The new compounds were evaluated as antihypertensive agents and exhibited the same or higher activity than hydralazine, but lower activity than propildazine (ISF 2123).", "PMID": 631323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8873", "title": "\"Nucleolar test\" as a system for screening and analysis of immunosuppressive activity of chemical and biological agents.", "content": "The numbers and nucleolar activity of lymphocytes were followed in the control and SRBC-stimulated popliteal lymph nodes following administration of known immunosuppressive agents of different classes which were given in doses effective in the Jerne test and graft-versus-host reaction. Immunosuppressive agents had a non-selective effect on different lymphocyte populations (characterized by the activity of nucleolar RNA synthesis) in the control, antigen-untreated lymph nodes, but had a marked inhibitory effect on lymphocytes with compact nucleoli in the antigen-stimulated lymph nodes. This decrease is in good correlation with suppression of the Jerne haemolytic plaques and GVHR. The nucleolar test as a simple technique appears to be adequate for a rapid screening of immunosuppressive activity of the chemical and biological agents.", "contents": "\"Nucleolar test\" as a system for screening and analysis of immunosuppressive activity of chemical and biological agents. The numbers and nucleolar activity of lymphocytes were followed in the control and SRBC-stimulated popliteal lymph nodes following administration of known immunosuppressive agents of different classes which were given in doses effective in the Jerne test and graft-versus-host reaction. Immunosuppressive agents had a non-selective effect on different lymphocyte populations (characterized by the activity of nucleolar RNA synthesis) in the control, antigen-untreated lymph nodes, but had a marked inhibitory effect on lymphocytes with compact nucleoli in the antigen-stimulated lymph nodes. This decrease is in good correlation with suppression of the Jerne haemolytic plaques and GVHR. The nucleolar test as a simple technique appears to be adequate for a rapid screening of immunosuppressive activity of the chemical and biological agents.", "PMID": 631377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8874", "title": "Plasma and adrenal corticosterone levels in male rats following x-irradiation at different times of day.", "content": "Adrenal and plasma corticosterone levels were investigated in male rats irradiated at 3-h intervals during the 24-h period (light : dark - 12 h : 12h). Adrenal and plasma corticosterone levels were markedly increased in animals exposed to a single whole-body X-irradiation with a lethal dose of 387 X 10(-3) C/kg (1 500R) and a 24-h fasting, compared to the sham-irradiated fasting controls, even during the lowest values of the intact group (08.00 h); the difference between the mean values of the irradiated and control group was not significant. The basal diurnal rhythm of corticosterone was retained even after irradiation. In comparison with the control, sham-irradiated group, the animals exposed to irradiation with a non-lethal dose of 64.5 X 10(-3) C/kg (250R) and a 48-h fasting showed adrenal corticosterone levels insignificantly higher in the light phase and lower in the dark phase. In comparison with the intact controls, both irradiated and sham-irradiated groups showed considerably shifted fluctuations during the 24-h period: the lowest levels in the middle of the dark phase and the highest in the middle of the light phase. Plasma levels of corticosterone were lower in irradiated animals than in the controls throughout the 24-h period. There were more irregular fluctuations and the diurnal rhythm was disturbed.", "contents": "Plasma and adrenal corticosterone levels in male rats following x-irradiation at different times of day. Adrenal and plasma corticosterone levels were investigated in male rats irradiated at 3-h intervals during the 24-h period (light : dark - 12 h : 12h). Adrenal and plasma corticosterone levels were markedly increased in animals exposed to a single whole-body X-irradiation with a lethal dose of 387 X 10(-3) C/kg (1 500R) and a 24-h fasting, compared to the sham-irradiated fasting controls, even during the lowest values of the intact group (08.00 h); the difference between the mean values of the irradiated and control group was not significant. The basal diurnal rhythm of corticosterone was retained even after irradiation. In comparison with the control, sham-irradiated group, the animals exposed to irradiation with a non-lethal dose of 64.5 X 10(-3) C/kg (250R) and a 48-h fasting showed adrenal corticosterone levels insignificantly higher in the light phase and lower in the dark phase. In comparison with the intact controls, both irradiated and sham-irradiated groups showed considerably shifted fluctuations during the 24-h period: the lowest levels in the middle of the dark phase and the highest in the middle of the light phase. Plasma levels of corticosterone were lower in irradiated animals than in the controls throughout the 24-h period. There were more irregular fluctuations and the diurnal rhythm was disturbed.", "PMID": 631378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8875", "title": "[Glucagon-releasing activity of xenopsin, neurotensin and substance P in the perfused rat pancreas (author's transl)].", "content": "It has been reported that Xenopsin, Neurotensin and Substance P change plasma glucagon and insulin levels when they are administered in vivo. In order to clarify whether these agents have a direct effect on glucagon and insulin secretion from the pancreas, the action of each substance was examined by using the rat pancreas perfusion technique. The results were as follows: The perfusion with 1 and 5 nmole/min of Xenopsin for ten minutes resulted in a significant but transient release within two minutes. Neurotensin did not show any stimulatory effect on glucagon release in the concentration of 1 or 5 nmole/min for ten minutes. However, Substance P lowered significantly the glucagon concentration in the perfusate in a similar concentration. None of these substances influenced significantly insulin release from the perfused pancreas. These findings suggest that the hyperglucagonemia caused by these three agents in vivo may not be attributed to the direct effect on the pancreatic A-cell.", "contents": "[Glucagon-releasing activity of xenopsin, neurotensin and substance P in the perfused rat pancreas (author's transl)]. It has been reported that Xenopsin, Neurotensin and Substance P change plasma glucagon and insulin levels when they are administered in vivo. In order to clarify whether these agents have a direct effect on glucagon and insulin secretion from the pancreas, the action of each substance was examined by using the rat pancreas perfusion technique. The results were as follows: The perfusion with 1 and 5 nmole/min of Xenopsin for ten minutes resulted in a significant but transient release within two minutes. Neurotensin did not show any stimulatory effect on glucagon release in the concentration of 1 or 5 nmole/min for ten minutes. However, Substance P lowered significantly the glucagon concentration in the perfusate in a similar concentration. None of these substances influenced significantly insulin release from the perfused pancreas. These findings suggest that the hyperglucagonemia caused by these three agents in vivo may not be attributed to the direct effect on the pancreatic A-cell.", "PMID": 631379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8876", "title": "[A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of thyroglobulin in human serum and its application to clinical study (author's transl)].", "content": "A sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay for the measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) has been developed. The minimum detectable concentration of Tg was 5.0 ng/ml. Coefficients of within and between assay variation were 2.4% and 12.0%, respectively. The mean recovery of Tg added to normal serum was 102.9%; and T4, T3, DIT and MIT did not crossreact in this assay system. Dilution curves of normal thyroid extract, tumor extract and patient's serum were shown to be parallel with the standard Tg preparation. The mean serum Tg level in normal males and females was 42.8 +- 5.3 ng/ml (mean +- SE) (N=29) and 117.1 +- 20.9 ng/ml (N=20), respectively. There was a significant difference between male and female groups (p less than 0.001). The mean serum Tg level was 365.0 +- 69 ng/ml in 19 hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease and 248.1 +- 35.8 ng/ml in 21 patients who were in a euthyroid state from the treatment with antithyroid drugs, showing statistically no significant difference. However, 8 patients in permanent remission showed definitely low Tg values, 83.6 +- 16.2 ng/ml. The mean serum Tg level was 2101.1 +- 57.6 ng/ml in 6 patients with chronic thyroiditis without auto-anti Tg and 525.1 +- 207.5 ng/ml in 5 patients with thyroid adenoma. The effect of total thyroidectomy on the serum TSH and Tg was studied in a patient (M.T.) with pulmonary metastases from thyroid follicular adenocarcinoma. The serum TSH level rose progressively to hypothyroid levels during nine days after thyroidectomy; the value was 45.7 muU/ml on the 9th day after the thyroidectomy. The serum Tg level in this case was 4 925 ng/ml before surgery. After a transient fluctuation caused by the operation, the serum Tg level in the patient increased progressively during 39 days after surgery with a concomitant increase in serum TSH; the levels at the 3rd, 6th and 9th day after surgery were 5,825 ng/ml, 7,910 ng/ml and 11,190 ng/ml, respectively. The suppression of endogenous TSH secretion with treatment of T3 60 MICROGRAMS/DAY WAS FOLLOWED BY A GRADUAL FALL In serum Tg levels, decreasing to 630 ng/ml at the 114th day. Bovine TSH was administered to this patient at the 114th day, so as to study the effect of exogeneous TSH on serum Tg. Serum Tg reached a maximal peak at the 24 hr. after bovine TSH injection. The maximal increase of serum Tg above baseline was 221%. Despite complete removal of the thyroid gland, the increase in serum Tg after thyroidal stimulation with endogenous and exogenous TSH was observed in the patient. In addition, the increase in serum Tg after bovine TSH injection was also observed in two patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent a total thyroidectomy and had only metastatic tissue. These results indicate that the elevated serum Tg was released from metastatic tissue by TSH. The present study demonstrates direct evidence that metastatic tissue from thyroid carcinoma is responsive to TSH...", "contents": "[A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of thyroglobulin in human serum and its application to clinical study (author's transl)]. A sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay for the measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) has been developed. The minimum detectable concentration of Tg was 5.0 ng/ml. Coefficients of within and between assay variation were 2.4% and 12.0%, respectively. The mean recovery of Tg added to normal serum was 102.9%; and T4, T3, DIT and MIT did not crossreact in this assay system. Dilution curves of normal thyroid extract, tumor extract and patient's serum were shown to be parallel with the standard Tg preparation. The mean serum Tg level in normal males and females was 42.8 +- 5.3 ng/ml (mean +- SE) (N=29) and 117.1 +- 20.9 ng/ml (N=20), respectively. There was a significant difference between male and female groups (p less than 0.001). The mean serum Tg level was 365.0 +- 69 ng/ml in 19 hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease and 248.1 +- 35.8 ng/ml in 21 patients who were in a euthyroid state from the treatment with antithyroid drugs, showing statistically no significant difference. However, 8 patients in permanent remission showed definitely low Tg values, 83.6 +- 16.2 ng/ml. The mean serum Tg level was 2101.1 +- 57.6 ng/ml in 6 patients with chronic thyroiditis without auto-anti Tg and 525.1 +- 207.5 ng/ml in 5 patients with thyroid adenoma. The effect of total thyroidectomy on the serum TSH and Tg was studied in a patient (M.T.) with pulmonary metastases from thyroid follicular adenocarcinoma. The serum TSH level rose progressively to hypothyroid levels during nine days after thyroidectomy; the value was 45.7 muU/ml on the 9th day after the thyroidectomy. The serum Tg level in this case was 4 925 ng/ml before surgery. After a transient fluctuation caused by the operation, the serum Tg level in the patient increased progressively during 39 days after surgery with a concomitant increase in serum TSH; the levels at the 3rd, 6th and 9th day after surgery were 5,825 ng/ml, 7,910 ng/ml and 11,190 ng/ml, respectively. The suppression of endogenous TSH secretion with treatment of T3 60 MICROGRAMS/DAY WAS FOLLOWED BY A GRADUAL FALL In serum Tg levels, decreasing to 630 ng/ml at the 114th day. Bovine TSH was administered to this patient at the 114th day, so as to study the effect of exogeneous TSH on serum Tg. Serum Tg reached a maximal peak at the 24 hr. after bovine TSH injection. The maximal increase of serum Tg above baseline was 221%. Despite complete removal of the thyroid gland, the increase in serum Tg after thyroidal stimulation with endogenous and exogenous TSH was observed in the patient. In addition, the increase in serum Tg after bovine TSH injection was also observed in two patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent a total thyroidectomy and had only metastatic tissue. These results indicate that the elevated serum Tg was released from metastatic tissue by TSH. The present study demonstrates direct evidence that metastatic tissue from thyroid carcinoma is responsive to TSH...", "PMID": 631380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8877", "title": "[Study on suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function by the therapeutic use of corticosteroids and its spontaneous recovery (author's transl)].", "content": "The present study was undertaken to investigate suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function by long-term corticosteroid therapy and spontaneous recovery from such a suppressant drug effect. Sixty patients who were on corticosteroids (hereinafter their dosage is expressed as the equivalent of prednisolone) given at 10 to 40 mg initially and then on a gradually decreasing basis down to below 10 mg currently or who had already been withdrawn from such a drug regimen were involved in the study and analysed for baseline values for plasma cortisol. These patients were evaluated for the functional status of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in relation to varying combinations of such factors as the total dose of corticosteroids, the duration in days of medication, the duration in days of mecication at reduced dosage levels, and time in days elapsed from cessation of medication. The results led to the following conclusions: (1) In patients receiving corticosteroids at such daily dosage levels as are reduced gradually to 7.5 mg or below within the duration in days as defined by the inequality Y greater than or equal to 8.4X + 222 (where Y stands for total dose given and X stands for the duration in days of administration), the pituitary-adrenocortical function is assumed to be in a state of being suppressed. When corticosteroids have been given at daily dosages reduced gradually to 7.5 mg or below within the duration in days as determined by the inequality Y less than or equal to 6.8X + 140 (where Y and X, respectively, stand as mentioned above), the pituitary-adrenocortical function of the recipient patient is considered to be in a state either of being not suppressed or of being recovered from suppressant drug effect. (2) In cases where corticosteroid therapy is started with a moderate dosage, then reduced to a low dosage level or stopped within relatively short period of time, the recipient patient can be safely withdrawn from the drug therapy without suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function if the dosage schedule is in line with the inequality Y less than or equal to 5.9X + 331 (where X denotes the duration in days of medication and Y, total dose). These results led the author to formulate a model of a corticosteroid dosage schedule which is reasonable free from the risk of causing pituitary-adrenocortical insufficiency. More particularly, the dosage of corticosteroids is reduced by a 5 mg decrement at regular intervals of 5, 8, 13, 27 and 103 days, respectively, when the initial daily dose is 30, 25, 20, 15 and 10 mg. By following this dosage regimen one might expect safe withdrawal from corticosteroid therapy without risking suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function. (3) Corticosteroid therapy, when given at a dosage of 7.5 mg or less daily, is considered to have little suppressant effect on the pituitary-adrenocortical function...", "contents": "[Study on suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function by the therapeutic use of corticosteroids and its spontaneous recovery (author's transl)]. The present study was undertaken to investigate suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function by long-term corticosteroid therapy and spontaneous recovery from such a suppressant drug effect. Sixty patients who were on corticosteroids (hereinafter their dosage is expressed as the equivalent of prednisolone) given at 10 to 40 mg initially and then on a gradually decreasing basis down to below 10 mg currently or who had already been withdrawn from such a drug regimen were involved in the study and analysed for baseline values for plasma cortisol. These patients were evaluated for the functional status of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in relation to varying combinations of such factors as the total dose of corticosteroids, the duration in days of medication, the duration in days of mecication at reduced dosage levels, and time in days elapsed from cessation of medication. The results led to the following conclusions: (1) In patients receiving corticosteroids at such daily dosage levels as are reduced gradually to 7.5 mg or below within the duration in days as defined by the inequality Y greater than or equal to 8.4X + 222 (where Y stands for total dose given and X stands for the duration in days of administration), the pituitary-adrenocortical function is assumed to be in a state of being suppressed. When corticosteroids have been given at daily dosages reduced gradually to 7.5 mg or below within the duration in days as determined by the inequality Y less than or equal to 6.8X + 140 (where Y and X, respectively, stand as mentioned above), the pituitary-adrenocortical function of the recipient patient is considered to be in a state either of being not suppressed or of being recovered from suppressant drug effect. (2) In cases where corticosteroid therapy is started with a moderate dosage, then reduced to a low dosage level or stopped within relatively short period of time, the recipient patient can be safely withdrawn from the drug therapy without suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function if the dosage schedule is in line with the inequality Y less than or equal to 5.9X + 331 (where X denotes the duration in days of medication and Y, total dose). These results led the author to formulate a model of a corticosteroid dosage schedule which is reasonable free from the risk of causing pituitary-adrenocortical insufficiency. More particularly, the dosage of corticosteroids is reduced by a 5 mg decrement at regular intervals of 5, 8, 13, 27 and 103 days, respectively, when the initial daily dose is 30, 25, 20, 15 and 10 mg. By following this dosage regimen one might expect safe withdrawal from corticosteroid therapy without risking suppression of the pituitary-adrenocortical function. (3) Corticosteroid therapy, when given at a dosage of 7.5 mg or less daily, is considered to have little suppressant effect on the pituitary-adrenocortical function...", "PMID": 631381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8878", "title": "Annexation as a factor in the growth of U.S. cities, 1950--1960 and 1960--1970.", "content": "The incidence of annexation, the growth in the original area and in the area annexed, and the proportion of growth due to annexation between 1950 and 1970 are analyzed for U.S. cities grouped by size, metropolitan status, and region of the country. Over this period, annexation was a principal means of population growth for incorporated places outside the Northeast. Though often associated with metropolitan growth, annexation was even more important in the growth of nonmetropolitan cities. Overall growth differences by size of place, metropolitan status, and decade (1950--1960 or 1960--1970) could not be explained by the incidence and nature of annexation.", "contents": "Annexation as a factor in the growth of U.S. cities, 1950--1960 and 1960--1970. The incidence of annexation, the growth in the original area and in the area annexed, and the proportion of growth due to annexation between 1950 and 1970 are analyzed for U.S. cities grouped by size, metropolitan status, and region of the country. Over this period, annexation was a principal means of population growth for incorporated places outside the Northeast. Though often associated with metropolitan growth, annexation was even more important in the growth of nonmetropolitan cities. Overall growth differences by size of place, metropolitan status, and decade (1950--1960 or 1960--1970) could not be explained by the incidence and nature of annexation.", "PMID": 631394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8879", "title": "Is nonmetropolitan America being repopulated? The evidence from Pennsylvania's minor civil divisions.", "content": "We analyze population change and net migration, by age and sex, from 1940 to 1970, for 1,834 Nonmetropolitan Pennsylvania Minor Civil Divisions (MCD's) classified by residence, population potential, socioeconomic status, and distance from metropolitan centers. Our analysis indicates, as expected, reconcentration of residents from both urban and remoter nonmetropolitan localities into exurban peripheries 25 to 35 miles for metropolitan centers. Since 1960, however, a \"turnaround\" appears in many truly rural tracts, which have been experiencing an influx or retention of persons 35 years of age and older. Statistical explanations are strongest for males in poor, isolated places, weakest for more accessible, socioeconomically advanced places and their female inhabitants. Throughout the study period and area, nonurban MCD's register more positively than the rural.", "contents": "Is nonmetropolitan America being repopulated? The evidence from Pennsylvania's minor civil divisions. We analyze population change and net migration, by age and sex, from 1940 to 1970, for 1,834 Nonmetropolitan Pennsylvania Minor Civil Divisions (MCD's) classified by residence, population potential, socioeconomic status, and distance from metropolitan centers. Our analysis indicates, as expected, reconcentration of residents from both urban and remoter nonmetropolitan localities into exurban peripheries 25 to 35 miles for metropolitan centers. Since 1960, however, a \"turnaround\" appears in many truly rural tracts, which have been experiencing an influx or retention of persons 35 years of age and older. Statistical explanations are strongest for males in poor, isolated places, weakest for more accessible, socioeconomically advanced places and their female inhabitants. Throughout the study period and area, nonurban MCD's register more positively than the rural.", "PMID": 631395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8880", "title": "The momentum of population growth with time dependent net maternity function.", "content": "The momentum of population growth problem of Keyfitz is generalized to contain a gradual change of the age-specific birth rate ro the level of bare replacement. Assuming a time dependence for the net maternity function of the form (formula: see text) R being the net reproductive rate, we show that for the Malthusian model the asymptotic birth rate is increased by exp (r/lambda), where r is the rate of increase of the population before t = 0. A numerical method for obtaining the asymptotic birth rate for a general net maternity function with the same time dependence is outlined.", "contents": "The momentum of population growth with time dependent net maternity function. The momentum of population growth problem of Keyfitz is generalized to contain a gradual change of the age-specific birth rate ro the level of bare replacement. Assuming a time dependence for the net maternity function of the form (formula: see text) R being the net reproductive rate, we show that for the Malthusian model the asymptotic birth rate is increased by exp (r/lambda), where r is the rate of increase of the population before t = 0. A numerical method for obtaining the asymptotic birth rate for a general net maternity function with the same time dependence is outlined.", "PMID": 631396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8881", "title": "The stable births resulting from a time dependent change between two net maternity functions.", "content": "The asymptotic birth rate for a one-sex population in which the net maternity function changes to one of bare replacement was first discussed by Keyfitz and has since been studied by several authors. The present generalization allows for a time dependent transition from any net maternity function to another and, thus, includes all previous models.", "contents": "The stable births resulting from a time dependent change between two net maternity functions. The asymptotic birth rate for a one-sex population in which the net maternity function changes to one of bare replacement was first discussed by Keyfitz and has since been studied by several authors. The present generalization allows for a time dependent transition from any net maternity function to another and, thus, includes all previous models.", "PMID": 631397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8882", "title": "Effects of migration on the educational levels of the black resident population at the origin and destination, 1955--1960 and 1965--1970.", "content": "Using the 1960 and 1970 census data, this paper analyzes the net effects of the interregional migration of black males on the educational levels of the resident black male population at the regions of origin and destination. Significant variations are observed in the educational selectivity of out-migrants from each region, by region of destination. Comparing the educational levels of the return migrants to the South with those of the resident population in the nonsouthern regions provides no evidence that the return migrants are \"failed\" migrants. The net effect of interregional migration on the educational levels of the black male resident population at the regions of origin and destination is insignificant in most age groups, for both the 1955--1960 and 1965--1970 periods. In particular, in-migration from the South to nonsouthern regions has little effect on the educational levels of the resident population in most age groups. In fact, for nonsouthern regions, out-migration is more detrimental to the educational level of the resident black male population than is in-migration from the South. Furthermore, the net effect of interregional migration has declined from the 1955--1960 period to the 1965--1970 period.", "contents": "Effects of migration on the educational levels of the black resident population at the origin and destination, 1955--1960 and 1965--1970. Using the 1960 and 1970 census data, this paper analyzes the net effects of the interregional migration of black males on the educational levels of the resident black male population at the regions of origin and destination. Significant variations are observed in the educational selectivity of out-migrants from each region, by region of destination. Comparing the educational levels of the return migrants to the South with those of the resident population in the nonsouthern regions provides no evidence that the return migrants are \"failed\" migrants. The net effect of interregional migration on the educational levels of the black male resident population at the regions of origin and destination is insignificant in most age groups, for both the 1955--1960 and 1965--1970 periods. In particular, in-migration from the South to nonsouthern regions has little effect on the educational levels of the resident population in most age groups. In fact, for nonsouthern regions, out-migration is more detrimental to the educational level of the resident black male population than is in-migration from the South. Furthermore, the net effect of interregional migration has declined from the 1955--1960 period to the 1965--1970 period.", "PMID": 631398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8883", "title": "Husband-wife agreement about reproductive goals.", "content": "Data from Malaysia on the reproductive goals of husbands and wives are analyzed to determine level of agreement, using new scale measures on preferences for number and sex of children as well as the conventional measure of desired number of children. The level of agreement between husband and wife varies considerably depending on the focus of analysis and the measure of agreement used. Overall aggregate agreement of men and women is high but lower for subgroups of the population, particularly among various ethnic groups. For marital partners, the agreement is much lower, especially on sex preferences. The level observed depends on whether the measure is identity of responses or an index of homogeneity which allows for couple concordance based on chance or common socialization factors. The views about the reproductive goals of one marital partner cannot with confidence be assumed to represent the views of the other.", "contents": "Husband-wife agreement about reproductive goals. Data from Malaysia on the reproductive goals of husbands and wives are analyzed to determine level of agreement, using new scale measures on preferences for number and sex of children as well as the conventional measure of desired number of children. The level of agreement between husband and wife varies considerably depending on the focus of analysis and the measure of agreement used. Overall aggregate agreement of men and women is high but lower for subgroups of the population, particularly among various ethnic groups. For marital partners, the agreement is much lower, especially on sex preferences. The level observed depends on whether the measure is identity of responses or an index of homogeneity which allows for couple concordance based on chance or common socialization factors. The views about the reproductive goals of one marital partner cannot with confidence be assumed to represent the views of the other.", "PMID": 631399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8884", "title": "Age and marital status at first birth and the pace of subsequent fertility.", "content": "Taking care to minimize the truncation bias inherent in cross-sectional data and controlling for other variables, this paper demonstrates the strong effects of both age and marital status at first birth on the pace of subsequent fertility. These effects are particularly strong in the interval immediately following the first birth but persist even into the fourth interval. Important differences are found with respect to the experience of rapid fertility, rather than in the mean lengths of intervals. These results add to the growing attention to the social dimensions of age as a variable in fertility processes.", "contents": "Age and marital status at first birth and the pace of subsequent fertility. Taking care to minimize the truncation bias inherent in cross-sectional data and controlling for other variables, this paper demonstrates the strong effects of both age and marital status at first birth on the pace of subsequent fertility. These effects are particularly strong in the interval immediately following the first birth but persist even into the fourth interval. Important differences are found with respect to the experience of rapid fertility, rather than in the mean lengths of intervals. These results add to the growing attention to the social dimensions of age as a variable in fertility processes.", "PMID": 631400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8885", "title": "Effects of various factors on selection for family planning status and natural fecundability: a simulation study.", "content": "The effect of various factors on selection for family planning status and for natural fecundability is studied in a simulation that incorporates a beta distribution of fecundability among women. The mean fecundabilities of current spacers, current limiters, current nonusers, and pregnant women are compared. These ratios are influenced by duration of marriage and by desired number of children. Effects of different levels of contraception are measured. Another strategy, spacing the last two wanted births, is also studied. It is found that breast-feeding status has little effect on fecundability selection. The women usually found to have greatest fecundability are not those recently pregnant at durations of marriage five and ten years, unless they wanted fewer than two children, but rather those who are using contraception to limit the number of children.", "contents": "Effects of various factors on selection for family planning status and natural fecundability: a simulation study. The effect of various factors on selection for family planning status and for natural fecundability is studied in a simulation that incorporates a beta distribution of fecundability among women. The mean fecundabilities of current spacers, current limiters, current nonusers, and pregnant women are compared. These ratios are influenced by duration of marriage and by desired number of children. Effects of different levels of contraception are measured. Another strategy, spacing the last two wanted births, is also studied. It is found that breast-feeding status has little effect on fecundability selection. The women usually found to have greatest fecundability are not those recently pregnant at durations of marriage five and ten years, unless they wanted fewer than two children, but rather those who are using contraception to limit the number of children.", "PMID": 631401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8886", "title": "A general method of decomposing a difference between two rates into several components.", "content": "In her work on the components of a difference between two rates, Kitagawa (1955) was successful in dividing the difference into the rate effect and the effect of the factor, for data classified by one factor. Her formulation for data classified by two factors, however, involves an interaction term which is difficult to interpret. Retherford and Cho (1973) devised a method that does not include any interaction terms. However, their method has other limitations, such as the dependence of the results on the order in which the effects of the factors are computed. In this paper, we provide a general method capable of handling any number of factors, which is developed along the lines suggested by Kitagawa and by Retherford and Cho but without the limitations of their methods.", "contents": "A general method of decomposing a difference between two rates into several components. In her work on the components of a difference between two rates, Kitagawa (1955) was successful in dividing the difference into the rate effect and the effect of the factor, for data classified by one factor. Her formulation for data classified by two factors, however, involves an interaction term which is difficult to interpret. Retherford and Cho (1973) devised a method that does not include any interaction terms. However, their method has other limitations, such as the dependence of the results on the order in which the effects of the factors are computed. In this paper, we provide a general method capable of handling any number of factors, which is developed along the lines suggested by Kitagawa and by Retherford and Cho but without the limitations of their methods.", "PMID": 631402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8887", "title": "Temazepam (Euhypnos) and chlormethiazole: a comparative study in geriatric patients.", "content": "The sleep-inducing properties and tolerance of temazepam formulated in solution in soft gelatine capsules were compared with chlormethiazole syrup in two groups of geriatric in-patients. Both compounds appeared to be safe, effective and well-tolerated, but significant differences in favour of temazepam were observed in quality and duration of sleep, ease of awakening and carry-over effects. This formulation of temazepam (Euhypnos) would appear to be an ideal sleep-inducer for geriatric patients.", "contents": "Temazepam (Euhypnos) and chlormethiazole: a comparative study in geriatric patients. The sleep-inducing properties and tolerance of temazepam formulated in solution in soft gelatine capsules were compared with chlormethiazole syrup in two groups of geriatric in-patients. Both compounds appeared to be safe, effective and well-tolerated, but significant differences in favour of temazepam were observed in quality and duration of sleep, ease of awakening and carry-over effects. This formulation of temazepam (Euhypnos) would appear to be an ideal sleep-inducer for geriatric patients.", "PMID": 631413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8888", "title": "Influence of sulphinpyranzone (Anturan) on thrombo-elastography.", "content": "Sulphinpyrazone (Anturan, 200 mg four times daily) was administered orally to 10 patients for two weeks. Thrombo-elastographic determinations revealed no disturbance of coagulation and it may therefore be concluded that Anturan can also be safely administered pre-operatively.", "contents": "Influence of sulphinpyranzone (Anturan) on thrombo-elastography. Sulphinpyrazone (Anturan, 200 mg four times daily) was administered orally to 10 patients for two weeks. Thrombo-elastographic determinations revealed no disturbance of coagulation and it may therefore be concluded that Anturan can also be safely administered pre-operatively.", "PMID": 631414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8889", "title": "A multicentre evaluation of sustained release oxprenolol in the management of hypertension in hospital out-patient practice.", "content": "One hundred and two patients with essential hypertension, managed in hospital out-patient clinics in the United Kingdom on a drug regime of beta-receptor antagonist alone, or in combination with a diuretic were successfully transferred to once daily sustained release oxprenolol. Where a diuretic was prescribed the dose remained unchanged. Improved control of blood pressure was recorded in the majority of patients with one or two morning tablets of sustained release oxprenolol. Preference for once daily therapy, enthusiasm for the calendar pack, and a net increase in the mean daily dosage of a beta-receptor antagonist were the probable factors contributing to the improvement recorded. Once daily sustained release oxprenolol would appear, in most hypertensive patients, to be an effective substitute for multi-dose treatment with beta-receptor antagonists in conventional formulation.", "contents": "A multicentre evaluation of sustained release oxprenolol in the management of hypertension in hospital out-patient practice. One hundred and two patients with essential hypertension, managed in hospital out-patient clinics in the United Kingdom on a drug regime of beta-receptor antagonist alone, or in combination with a diuretic were successfully transferred to once daily sustained release oxprenolol. Where a diuretic was prescribed the dose remained unchanged. Improved control of blood pressure was recorded in the majority of patients with one or two morning tablets of sustained release oxprenolol. Preference for once daily therapy, enthusiasm for the calendar pack, and a net increase in the mean daily dosage of a beta-receptor antagonist were the probable factors contributing to the improvement recorded. Once daily sustained release oxprenolol would appear, in most hypertensive patients, to be an effective substitute for multi-dose treatment with beta-receptor antagonists in conventional formulation.", "PMID": 631415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8890", "title": "Tanderil/chloramphenicol eye ointment in the treatment of the \"Red Eye\" seen in general practice.", "content": "An open study is reported in which 35 general practitioners treated 128 patients suffering from 'Red Eye' with a new eye ointment containing 10% Tanderil(oxyphenbutazone) and 1% chloramphenicol. One hundred and seventeen patients completed the seven day treatment period, in which time 99 had completed resolution of the symptoms and were discharged, the remaining 18 patients needed a longer period of treatment. Eleven patients failed to complete the study period, of whom 5 patients were subsequently referred to a specialist and 6 had their treatment changed by the general practitioner. Six patients showed signs of allergy to the ointment, all of whom were being treated for allergic conjunctivitis. Seventeen per cent of patients had some difficulty in applying the eye ointment or complained of subsequent blurring of vision.", "contents": "Tanderil/chloramphenicol eye ointment in the treatment of the \"Red Eye\" seen in general practice. An open study is reported in which 35 general practitioners treated 128 patients suffering from 'Red Eye' with a new eye ointment containing 10% Tanderil(oxyphenbutazone) and 1% chloramphenicol. One hundred and seventeen patients completed the seven day treatment period, in which time 99 had completed resolution of the symptoms and were discharged, the remaining 18 patients needed a longer period of treatment. Eleven patients failed to complete the study period, of whom 5 patients were subsequently referred to a specialist and 6 had their treatment changed by the general practitioner. Six patients showed signs of allergy to the ointment, all of whom were being treated for allergic conjunctivitis. Seventeen per cent of patients had some difficulty in applying the eye ointment or complained of subsequent blurring of vision.", "PMID": 631416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8891", "title": "A comparison of the efficacy and safety of extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 and intravenous prostaglandin E2 for the induction of labour in patients with unripe cervices.", "content": "In a study comparing intravenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with extra-amniotic PGE2 for the induction of labour, in patients with unfavourable induction features, we found no difference between the two methods in either safety or efficacy. However, we would not recommend the use of the extra-amninotic route as a routine method because of some technical difficulties.", "contents": "A comparison of the efficacy and safety of extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 and intravenous prostaglandin E2 for the induction of labour in patients with unripe cervices. In a study comparing intravenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with extra-amniotic PGE2 for the induction of labour, in patients with unfavourable induction features, we found no difference between the two methods in either safety or efficacy. However, we would not recommend the use of the extra-amninotic route as a routine method because of some technical difficulties.", "PMID": 631417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8892", "title": "Species-specific auditory discrimination in bobtail quail neonates.", "content": "Incubator-hatched bobwhite quail neonates were tested individually in a variety of single call and simultaneous auditory choice tests involving 6 adult quail vocalizations and a chicken exodus call. The quail showed a high degree of responsiveness (100%) to 3 adult quail vocalizations and significantly less responsiveness (40-50%) to 3 other quail calls and to the chicken exodus call in single call tests. In simultaneous choice tests, the quail were selectively responsive to a call of their own species over the chicken call, and they also showed certain intraspecific preferences. Because of their high degree of responsiveness, coupled with selectivity of their approach responses, bobwhite quail neonates are ideal for the laboratory investigation of the development of auditory perception.", "contents": "Species-specific auditory discrimination in bobtail quail neonates. Incubator-hatched bobwhite quail neonates were tested individually in a variety of single call and simultaneous auditory choice tests involving 6 adult quail vocalizations and a chicken exodus call. The quail showed a high degree of responsiveness (100%) to 3 adult quail vocalizations and significantly less responsiveness (40-50%) to 3 other quail calls and to the chicken exodus call in single call tests. In simultaneous choice tests, the quail were selectively responsive to a call of their own species over the chicken call, and they also showed certain intraspecific preferences. Because of their high degree of responsiveness, coupled with selectivity of their approach responses, bobwhite quail neonates are ideal for the laboratory investigation of the development of auditory perception.", "PMID": 631431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8893", "title": "The effect of visual deprivation in the rat on transfer effects after form discrimination training.", "content": "In 3 experiments the performances of light-reared (LR) and dark-reared (DR) 90-day-old rats were compared on a variety of transfer tests following acquisition of 3 discriminations involving patterns of small squares (dots). Though no significant difference due to rearing condition was found in acquisition of those discriminations consisting of single lines of dots in various orientations, transfer tests did reveal subtle differences in the way LR and DR rats analyze contour information. Significant differences due to rearing were also observed on the acquisition of a complex dot pattern (gradient vs X) and, in spite of overtraining, on subsequent stimulus equivalence tests. Anomalous transfer effects were not observed in any of these test situations.", "contents": "The effect of visual deprivation in the rat on transfer effects after form discrimination training. In 3 experiments the performances of light-reared (LR) and dark-reared (DR) 90-day-old rats were compared on a variety of transfer tests following acquisition of 3 discriminations involving patterns of small squares (dots). Though no significant difference due to rearing condition was found in acquisition of those discriminations consisting of single lines of dots in various orientations, transfer tests did reveal subtle differences in the way LR and DR rats analyze contour information. Significant differences due to rearing were also observed on the acquisition of a complex dot pattern (gradient vs X) and, in spite of overtraining, on subsequent stimulus equivalence tests. Anomalous transfer effects were not observed in any of these test situations.", "PMID": 631432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8894", "title": "Postweaning environmental stimulation and somesthetic performance in rats sustaining cortical lesions at maturity.", "content": "Rats were enucleated at 28 days of age and were assigned to complex or relatively barren tactile environments for the duration of the experiment. Approximately half of the animals in each group received large, bilateral lesions of the somatosensory cortex when they were 60 days of age, and the remainder underwent sham operations. Twenty days later all groups were tested for the ability to master a series of tactile discriminations. Statistical tests revealed a highly significant lesion effect, but no environment or lesion x environment interaction effects. These sensory discriminative findings stand in contrast to some earlier reports which have shown that environmental complexity provided prior to or following other forebrain lesions can minimize error scores on simple learning tasks.", "contents": "Postweaning environmental stimulation and somesthetic performance in rats sustaining cortical lesions at maturity. Rats were enucleated at 28 days of age and were assigned to complex or relatively barren tactile environments for the duration of the experiment. Approximately half of the animals in each group received large, bilateral lesions of the somatosensory cortex when they were 60 days of age, and the remainder underwent sham operations. Twenty days later all groups were tested for the ability to master a series of tactile discriminations. Statistical tests revealed a highly significant lesion effect, but no environment or lesion x environment interaction effects. These sensory discriminative findings stand in contrast to some earlier reports which have shown that environmental complexity provided prior to or following other forebrain lesions can minimize error scores on simple learning tasks.", "PMID": 631433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8895", "title": "The development of sexual behavior in the rat: role of preadult nutrition and environmental conditions.", "content": "Rats were subjected to pre- and postnatal undernutrition by restricting the food intake of their mothers (U); another group of rats was normally fed (N). Each nutrition group was divided into 3 subgroups by varying the degree of environmental stimulation: animals in the Max group were stimulated by handling and enriched rearing conditions; the Min group rats were subjected to social isolation; rats in the control condition (C) were raised under ordinary laboratory conditions. The onset of sexual activity was not affected in the U-C male rats, but was delayed in both U-Min and N-Min rats. Although no difference existed in the age of puberty between the N-Max and N-C animals, the U-Max rats displayed an advancement of puberty by 7 days in comparison to the U-C rats. Undernutrition did not affect female sexual maturation; however the Max condition delayed this process in both nutrition groups.", "contents": "The development of sexual behavior in the rat: role of preadult nutrition and environmental conditions. Rats were subjected to pre- and postnatal undernutrition by restricting the food intake of their mothers (U); another group of rats was normally fed (N). Each nutrition group was divided into 3 subgroups by varying the degree of environmental stimulation: animals in the Max group were stimulated by handling and enriched rearing conditions; the Min group rats were subjected to social isolation; rats in the control condition (C) were raised under ordinary laboratory conditions. The onset of sexual activity was not affected in the U-C male rats, but was delayed in both U-Min and N-Min rats. Although no difference existed in the age of puberty between the N-Max and N-C animals, the U-Max rats displayed an advancement of puberty by 7 days in comparison to the U-C rats. Undernutrition did not affect female sexual maturation; however the Max condition delayed this process in both nutrition groups.", "PMID": 631434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8896", "title": "Exploration, distraction, and habituation in rats reared in isolation.", "content": "Rats reared in isolation have been reported to show increased motor activity; the purpose of the present experiment was to establish whether they also show enhanced exploratory and orienting responses. Rats were reared in isolation or in social groups from Day 20 to Day 45. Subgroups of each rearing condition were either left undisturbed, received daily handling, or received daily handling and were given objects in their cages. From Day 45 all the rats were rehoused in groups of 6, and testing began at Day 73. In a 1st test exploration was measured by the number of contacts with objects placed in the home cage; and a 2nd test exploration was measured by responses to a holeboard; and in a 3rd test orienting was measured by the distraction produced by the presentation of a tone. When tested in novel situations, in contrast to their enhanced motor activity, isolates showed reduced exploration and orienting. This may have been due to a discrepancy between their adaptation level (established during rearing) and their current level of sensory input. In all the tests the isolates showed normal habituation, both within sessions and between sessions. An inability to habituate is not, as has been claimed, a general characteristic of isolates.", "contents": "Exploration, distraction, and habituation in rats reared in isolation. Rats reared in isolation have been reported to show increased motor activity; the purpose of the present experiment was to establish whether they also show enhanced exploratory and orienting responses. Rats were reared in isolation or in social groups from Day 20 to Day 45. Subgroups of each rearing condition were either left undisturbed, received daily handling, or received daily handling and were given objects in their cages. From Day 45 all the rats were rehoused in groups of 6, and testing began at Day 73. In a 1st test exploration was measured by the number of contacts with objects placed in the home cage; and a 2nd test exploration was measured by responses to a holeboard; and in a 3rd test orienting was measured by the distraction produced by the presentation of a tone. When tested in novel situations, in contrast to their enhanced motor activity, isolates showed reduced exploration and orienting. This may have been due to a discrepancy between their adaptation level (established during rearing) and their current level of sensory input. In all the tests the isolates showed normal habituation, both within sessions and between sessions. An inability to habituate is not, as has been claimed, a general characteristic of isolates.", "PMID": 631435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8897", "title": "Syntheses of C-peptides and human proinsulin.", "content": "Syntheses of human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues and preliminary results on the total synthesis of human proinsulin are described. In the syntheses of the C-peptides, chain elongation was performed exclusively by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution. The synthetic human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues were proved to be homogeneous by several analytic means. With these synthetic peptides, radioimmunoassay systems for dog, rat, and duck C-peptides were developed. For the total synthesis of human proinsulin, 10 protected peptide hydrazides were prepared, and the linearly protected hexaoctacontapeptide having the proposed sequence of human proinsulin was constructed by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution starting from the C-terminal undecapeptide (HP 75-86). After deblocking of the alpha-amino protection, the partially protected hexaoctacontapeptide was treated with sodium in liquid ammonia. The ensuing sulfhydryl form was converted to the S-sulfonate form, which was reduced and then air-oxidized. The oxidized material was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 (fine) followed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The cross-reactivity in the insulin radioimmunoassay of the ensuing product was 62.5 per cent of porcine proinsulin on a weight basis at B/Bo = 60 per cent. Acid hydrolysis and amino acid analysis of this product gave the theoretically expected ratios. In addition, this peptide, as well as the S-sulfonate form of the hexaoctacontapeptide, showed displacement curves superimposable on that of synthetic human C-peptide on an equimolar basis in the human C-peptide radioimmunoassay (antiserum 527). These results confirm the synthesis of human proinsulin.", "contents": "Syntheses of C-peptides and human proinsulin. Syntheses of human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues and preliminary results on the total synthesis of human proinsulin are described. In the syntheses of the C-peptides, chain elongation was performed exclusively by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution. The synthetic human, dog, rat, and duck C-peptides and their analogues were proved to be homogeneous by several analytic means. With these synthetic peptides, radioimmunoassay systems for dog, rat, and duck C-peptides were developed. For the total synthesis of human proinsulin, 10 protected peptide hydrazides were prepared, and the linearly protected hexaoctacontapeptide having the proposed sequence of human proinsulin was constructed by the azide-fragment condensation method in solution starting from the C-terminal undecapeptide (HP 75-86). After deblocking of the alpha-amino protection, the partially protected hexaoctacontapeptide was treated with sodium in liquid ammonia. The ensuing sulfhydryl form was converted to the S-sulfonate form, which was reduced and then air-oxidized. The oxidized material was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 (fine) followed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The cross-reactivity in the insulin radioimmunoassay of the ensuing product was 62.5 per cent of porcine proinsulin on a weight basis at B/Bo = 60 per cent. Acid hydrolysis and amino acid analysis of this product gave the theoretically expected ratios. In addition, this peptide, as well as the S-sulfonate form of the hexaoctacontapeptide, showed displacement curves superimposable on that of synthetic human C-peptide on an equimolar basis in the human C-peptide radioimmunoassay (antiserum 527). These results confirm the synthesis of human proinsulin.", "PMID": 631437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8898", "title": "On the preparation and characterization of standard materials for natural human proinsulin and C-peptide.", "content": "The preparation and characterization of intact native human proinsulin and C-peptide to serve as reference standards in immunologic and biologic assays is described. The major difficulty encountered in the preparation of human proinsulin from crystalline human insulin is the rather low yield (0.08 per cent), which may be due to postmortem autolysis in the pancreatic specimens. Under such circumstances, minor degrees of contamination of batches by fresh pancreases from other species, such as cows or pigs, may be magnified considerably. Such contamination can be readily detected with various currently available proinsulin- or C-peptide-specific antisera. Autolysis before or during preparation may also affect the yields and quality of human C-peptide preparations. Some of these C-peptide by-products are described, along with methods for their purification and characterization.", "contents": "On the preparation and characterization of standard materials for natural human proinsulin and C-peptide. The preparation and characterization of intact native human proinsulin and C-peptide to serve as reference standards in immunologic and biologic assays is described. The major difficulty encountered in the preparation of human proinsulin from crystalline human insulin is the rather low yield (0.08 per cent), which may be due to postmortem autolysis in the pancreatic specimens. Under such circumstances, minor degrees of contamination of batches by fresh pancreases from other species, such as cows or pigs, may be magnified considerably. Such contamination can be readily detected with various currently available proinsulin- or C-peptide-specific antisera. Autolysis before or during preparation may also affect the yields and quality of human C-peptide preparations. Some of these C-peptide by-products are described, along with methods for their purification and characterization.", "PMID": 631438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8899", "title": "Kinetics of human C-peptide in man.", "content": "A review of studies concerned with the metabolism of human C-peptide showed that the kidney is the major organ in C-peptide removal. The turnover rate of C-peptide was similar to that of proinsulin but considerably slower than that of insulin. An analysis of corresponding C-peptide and insulin concentrations in normal subjects after the administration of oral glucose or intravenous glucagon was used to define the relationships between the two peptides. These results show that different peripheral vein concentrations of insulin may correspond to identical C-peptide concentrations, depending on sampling conditions.", "contents": "Kinetics of human C-peptide in man. A review of studies concerned with the metabolism of human C-peptide showed that the kidney is the major organ in C-peptide removal. The turnover rate of C-peptide was similar to that of proinsulin but considerably slower than that of insulin. An analysis of corresponding C-peptide and insulin concentrations in normal subjects after the administration of oral glucose or intravenous glucagon was used to define the relationships between the two peptides. These results show that different peripheral vein concentrations of insulin may correspond to identical C-peptide concentrations, depending on sampling conditions.", "PMID": 631443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8900", "title": "C-peptide in conditions other than diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Measurement of serum and urinary C-peptide has been shown to be of value in several conditions other than diabetes mellitus. It is particularly useful because it can distinguish endogenous beta cell secretion from exogenously administered insulin and because circulating insulin-binding antibodies do not interfere with its measurement. Because the liver removes little, if any, C-peptide, peripheral blood values may more accurately reflect beta cell secretion than do peripheral insulin levels. Clinically, serum C-peptide has been most useful in diagnosing hypoglycemic disorders. Diagnosis of insulinomas is facilitated in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, and surreptitious insulin injection is readily detected. In studies of insulin regulation, circulating C-peptide has been used to demonstrate suppression of endogenous insulin secretion by exogenous insulin. Peripheral insulin and C-peptide levels have been compared in studies of the role of the liver in states of altered insulin homeostasis. Because of its higher urinary clearance, determination of urinary C-peptide is preferable to urinary insulin measurement in situations where frequent blood sampling is impossible or difficult to accomplish.", "contents": "C-peptide in conditions other than diabetes mellitus. Measurement of serum and urinary C-peptide has been shown to be of value in several conditions other than diabetes mellitus. It is particularly useful because it can distinguish endogenous beta cell secretion from exogenously administered insulin and because circulating insulin-binding antibodies do not interfere with its measurement. Because the liver removes little, if any, C-peptide, peripheral blood values may more accurately reflect beta cell secretion than do peripheral insulin levels. Clinically, serum C-peptide has been most useful in diagnosing hypoglycemic disorders. Diagnosis of insulinomas is facilitated in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, and surreptitious insulin injection is readily detected. In studies of insulin regulation, circulating C-peptide has been used to demonstrate suppression of endogenous insulin secretion by exogenous insulin. Peripheral insulin and C-peptide levels have been compared in studies of the role of the liver in states of altered insulin homeostasis. Because of its higher urinary clearance, determination of urinary C-peptide is preferable to urinary insulin measurement in situations where frequent blood sampling is impossible or difficult to accomplish.", "PMID": 631444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8901", "title": "Early arterial lesions in maturity onset diabetes mellitus detected by an ultrasonic technique.", "content": "Using an ultrasonic technique preclinical atheroma was studied in maturity onset diabetics. The elasticity of the leg arteries was measured as the elastic modulus in 32 patients and a normal range was established in 13 controls. The elastic modulus was higher (i.e. the arteries were stiffer) in diabetics than controls and this was associated with a higher mean blood pressure in the diabetics. Nine phenformin and 10 chlorpropamide treated diabetics had evidence of more severe arterial disease than 13 diet treated patients. This could not be accounted for by other factors known to influence arterial disease.", "contents": "Early arterial lesions in maturity onset diabetes mellitus detected by an ultrasonic technique. Using an ultrasonic technique preclinical atheroma was studied in maturity onset diabetics. The elasticity of the leg arteries was measured as the elastic modulus in 32 patients and a normal range was established in 13 controls. The elastic modulus was higher (i.e. the arteries were stiffer) in diabetics than controls and this was associated with a higher mean blood pressure in the diabetics. Nine phenformin and 10 chlorpropamide treated diabetics had evidence of more severe arterial disease than 13 diet treated patients. This could not be accounted for by other factors known to influence arterial disease.", "PMID": 631455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8902", "title": "Age dependent effects of oxytetracycline in ob/ob mice.", "content": "The effects of daily oxytetracycline injections on the metabolism and growth of prepubertal, 10 and 24-week old ob/ob and lean mice were examined. Drug treatment (100 mg/kg) between 17 and 28 days of age similarly reduced body weight gain and skeletal growth of both ob/ob and lean mice, but had little effect on obesity, serum glucose, or IRI levels. In older obese mice, 6 days of oxytetracycline led to substantial reductions of serum glucose, serum IRI, and obesity when compared with either ad libitum fed obese mice or food-restricted ob/ob mice serving as weight loss controls. In lean mice oxytetracycline also significantly reduced body weight and serum glucose, while no effects on obesity or IRI levels were noted. The present data show that oxytetracycline reduces the severity of many of the diabetic symptoms of ob/ob mice, but that only the ameliorative effects on obesity and hyperinsulinaemia appear to be specific to the ob/ob genotype.", "contents": "Age dependent effects of oxytetracycline in ob/ob mice. The effects of daily oxytetracycline injections on the metabolism and growth of prepubertal, 10 and 24-week old ob/ob and lean mice were examined. Drug treatment (100 mg/kg) between 17 and 28 days of age similarly reduced body weight gain and skeletal growth of both ob/ob and lean mice, but had little effect on obesity, serum glucose, or IRI levels. In older obese mice, 6 days of oxytetracycline led to substantial reductions of serum glucose, serum IRI, and obesity when compared with either ad libitum fed obese mice or food-restricted ob/ob mice serving as weight loss controls. In lean mice oxytetracycline also significantly reduced body weight and serum glucose, while no effects on obesity or IRI levels were noted. The present data show that oxytetracycline reduces the severity of many of the diabetic symptoms of ob/ob mice, but that only the ameliorative effects on obesity and hyperinsulinaemia appear to be specific to the ob/ob genotype.", "PMID": 631457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8903", "title": "The effect of insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase interconversion in heart muscle of alloxan-diabetic rats.", "content": "Evidence is presented for regulation by insulin of pyruvate dehydrogenase (pdh) interconversion in rat heart muscle in vivo and in vitro. In the alloxan diabetic rat the active (dephospho) enzyme amounted only to 12% of total PDH and was restored to 42% by insulin. Antilipolytic treatment of the dibetic animals was ineffective, indicating that the action of insulin was independent of a lowering of plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration. On perfusion of isolated hearts from diabetic rats in the presence of glucose the proportion of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the active form remained low but was fully restored upon addition of insulin (2mU/ml) to the medium. No effect of insulin was obtained in the absence of glucose. The correlation between the rate of pyruvate decarboxylation in the perfused heart and of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, in vitro, suggests that in the diabetic heart the entry of pyruvate into the citric acid cycle is largely controlled by covalent modification of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex rather than by feedback inhibition. The possible role of insulin therein is discussed.", "contents": "The effect of insulin on pyruvate dehydrogenase interconversion in heart muscle of alloxan-diabetic rats. Evidence is presented for regulation by insulin of pyruvate dehydrogenase (pdh) interconversion in rat heart muscle in vivo and in vitro. In the alloxan diabetic rat the active (dephospho) enzyme amounted only to 12% of total PDH and was restored to 42% by insulin. Antilipolytic treatment of the dibetic animals was ineffective, indicating that the action of insulin was independent of a lowering of plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration. On perfusion of isolated hearts from diabetic rats in the presence of glucose the proportion of pyruvate dehydrogenase in the active form remained low but was fully restored upon addition of insulin (2mU/ml) to the medium. No effect of insulin was obtained in the absence of glucose. The correlation between the rate of pyruvate decarboxylation in the perfused heart and of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, in vitro, suggests that in the diabetic heart the entry of pyruvate into the citric acid cycle is largely controlled by covalent modification of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex rather than by feedback inhibition. The possible role of insulin therein is discussed.", "PMID": 631458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8904", "title": "Blood lactate and pyruvate levels in diabetic patients treated with biguanides with and without sulphonylureas.", "content": "Blood lactate and pyruvate were measured two to three hours after breakfast in 153 patients with maturity-onset (type 2) diabetes. Blood lactate was raised in 56% of all patients taking phenformin and in 35% of all patients taking metformin, while 75% and 35% respectively had raised pyruvate. Mean blood lactate level was raised at 2.2 mmol/1 (range 0.2-4.4 mmol/1) in the patients on phenformin and 1.7 mmol/1 (range 0.2-4.3 mmol/1) in those on metformin, with mean blood pyruvate levels of 0.122 mmol/1 (range 0.050-0.215 mmol/1) and 0.111 mmol/1 (range 0.038-0.259 mmol/1) respectively. In patients treated with a sulphonylurea drug alone mean blood lactate and pyruvate levels were not increased and were no different in those receiving sulphonylurea therapy in addition to a biguanide from those receiving a biguanide alone. Blood lactate did not correlate with any clinical or biochemical measurement in any of the treatment groups except for a correlation with serum creatinine in those patients taking metformin alone. The finding of raised blood lactate levels in diabetic patients treated with metformin suggests that this drug should be prescribed with caution.", "contents": "Blood lactate and pyruvate levels in diabetic patients treated with biguanides with and without sulphonylureas. Blood lactate and pyruvate were measured two to three hours after breakfast in 153 patients with maturity-onset (type 2) diabetes. Blood lactate was raised in 56% of all patients taking phenformin and in 35% of all patients taking metformin, while 75% and 35% respectively had raised pyruvate. Mean blood lactate level was raised at 2.2 mmol/1 (range 0.2-4.4 mmol/1) in the patients on phenformin and 1.7 mmol/1 (range 0.2-4.3 mmol/1) in those on metformin, with mean blood pyruvate levels of 0.122 mmol/1 (range 0.050-0.215 mmol/1) and 0.111 mmol/1 (range 0.038-0.259 mmol/1) respectively. In patients treated with a sulphonylurea drug alone mean blood lactate and pyruvate levels were not increased and were no different in those receiving sulphonylurea therapy in addition to a biguanide from those receiving a biguanide alone. Blood lactate did not correlate with any clinical or biochemical measurement in any of the treatment groups except for a correlation with serum creatinine in those patients taking metformin alone. The finding of raised blood lactate levels in diabetic patients treated with metformin suggests that this drug should be prescribed with caution.", "PMID": 631461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8905", "title": "Change of insulin dosage, circulating free and bound insulin and insulin antibodies on transferring diabetics from conventional to highly purified porcine insulin.", "content": "Fifty-eight patients on long term conventional mainly bovine insulins have been transferred to highly purified porcine insulin preparations. There was an overall reduction of 22% in daily insulin dosage and improved diabetic control as shown by decreased blood glucose concentration. Increased concentrations of serum free insulin and falls in serum bound insulin levels were also found. There were reductions in the serum binding capacities and affinity constants on changeover from conventional to highly purified insulin due to a combination of the effects of differential conventional/purified porcine binding and the substitution of a low antigenicity insulin. However, 12 of the patients receiving higher doses of insulin experienced marked hypoglycaemic reactions immediately on insulin changeover despite initial dosage reductions of 30% and prior to any changes in antibody characteristics.", "contents": "Change of insulin dosage, circulating free and bound insulin and insulin antibodies on transferring diabetics from conventional to highly purified porcine insulin. Fifty-eight patients on long term conventional mainly bovine insulins have been transferred to highly purified porcine insulin preparations. There was an overall reduction of 22% in daily insulin dosage and improved diabetic control as shown by decreased blood glucose concentration. Increased concentrations of serum free insulin and falls in serum bound insulin levels were also found. There were reductions in the serum binding capacities and affinity constants on changeover from conventional to highly purified insulin due to a combination of the effects of differential conventional/purified porcine binding and the substitution of a low antigenicity insulin. However, 12 of the patients receiving higher doses of insulin experienced marked hypoglycaemic reactions immediately on insulin changeover despite initial dosage reductions of 30% and prior to any changes in antibody characteristics.", "PMID": 631462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8906", "title": "[Long-term cardiac pacing: survival above 10 years (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors reports data of pacemaker patients surviving above 10 years. They have considered 241 patients undergone pace-maker first insertion from January 1961 to June 1967 (168 treated with epicardial and 73 with transvenous electrodes). At the last control on July 1977, 52 (27 males and 25 females) were surviving, equivalent to 21% of all patients treated in that period. The age of these patients ranged from 5 to 83 (mean 60 years) at first implantation. At present 51 patients are treated with transvenous systems, only 1 patient is stimulated with epicardial pace-maker. 382 pace-makers were used in these 52 patients: the average life of every pacer was 20 months. Complications relative to epicardial and endocardial pacing are reported: with the transvenous system the percent of complications was lower (15,6% to 50,4%). Finally present clinical states of the 52 patients are reported, basing on the reccomendations of Criteria Committee of the New Heart Association.", "contents": "[Long-term cardiac pacing: survival above 10 years (author's transl)]. The authors reports data of pacemaker patients surviving above 10 years. They have considered 241 patients undergone pace-maker first insertion from January 1961 to June 1967 (168 treated with epicardial and 73 with transvenous electrodes). At the last control on July 1977, 52 (27 males and 25 females) were surviving, equivalent to 21% of all patients treated in that period. The age of these patients ranged from 5 to 83 (mean 60 years) at first implantation. At present 51 patients are treated with transvenous systems, only 1 patient is stimulated with epicardial pace-maker. 382 pace-makers were used in these 52 patients: the average life of every pacer was 20 months. Complications relative to epicardial and endocardial pacing are reported: with the transvenous system the percent of complications was lower (15,6% to 50,4%). Finally present clinical states of the 52 patients are reported, basing on the reccomendations of Criteria Committee of the New Heart Association.", "PMID": 631475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8907", "title": "[Apparently unusual causes of inhibition of demand unipolar pacemakers (author's transl)].", "content": "An unusual behaviour observed in five demand endoventricular unipolar pacemakers is reported: the pacing were inhibited by coughing, deep inspirations and Valsalva manoeuvre. The findings allowed to point following remarks: a) the inhibition is related to myopotentials caused by respiratory movements which involve a large number of thoracic skeletal muscles; b) the myopotential characteristics may be differents in different patients; c) even electronic sensing characteristics may be slightly different in the same kinds and models of the same manufacturer.", "contents": "[Apparently unusual causes of inhibition of demand unipolar pacemakers (author's transl)]. An unusual behaviour observed in five demand endoventricular unipolar pacemakers is reported: the pacing were inhibited by coughing, deep inspirations and Valsalva manoeuvre. The findings allowed to point following remarks: a) the inhibition is related to myopotentials caused by respiratory movements which involve a large number of thoracic skeletal muscles; b) the myopotential characteristics may be differents in different patients; c) even electronic sensing characteristics may be slightly different in the same kinds and models of the same manufacturer.", "PMID": 631476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8908", "title": "[Electrophysiological demonstration of more structures in the atrioventricular node (author's transl)].", "content": "Three types of atrioventricular nodal conduction curves, relating A1A2 to H1H2, generated with atrial extrastimulus technique, are known. The first type is smooth, suggesting the homogeneous structure of A-V node. The second type, with abrupt increase in H1H2 response over a critical range of A1A2 coupling intervals, suggests the presence of fast and slow A-V nodal pathways. We have found in five patients the third tipe of A-V conduction curve, giving evidence of an intranodal final common pathway, distal to the fast and slow A-V nodal pathways. The thyrd type of curve enables us to know also some alectrophysiological properties of final common pathway. Indeed we have defined effective and functional refractory periods of fast, slow and final common pathways as far as we can in this type of curve. Paced heart rate variations and atropine medications have led the third type of A-V conduction curve to change into the second type in three cases, into first type in one case. These changes of A-V nodal conduction curves are related to different influence of cardiac cycle lenghts and autonomic nervous system on refractory periods and conduction velocity of the outlined intranodal structures.", "contents": "[Electrophysiological demonstration of more structures in the atrioventricular node (author's transl)]. Three types of atrioventricular nodal conduction curves, relating A1A2 to H1H2, generated with atrial extrastimulus technique, are known. The first type is smooth, suggesting the homogeneous structure of A-V node. The second type, with abrupt increase in H1H2 response over a critical range of A1A2 coupling intervals, suggests the presence of fast and slow A-V nodal pathways. We have found in five patients the third tipe of A-V conduction curve, giving evidence of an intranodal final common pathway, distal to the fast and slow A-V nodal pathways. The thyrd type of curve enables us to know also some alectrophysiological properties of final common pathway. Indeed we have defined effective and functional refractory periods of fast, slow and final common pathways as far as we can in this type of curve. Paced heart rate variations and atropine medications have led the third type of A-V conduction curve to change into the second type in three cases, into first type in one case. These changes of A-V nodal conduction curves are related to different influence of cardiac cycle lenghts and autonomic nervous system on refractory periods and conduction velocity of the outlined intranodal structures.", "PMID": 631477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8909", "title": "[Idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy. Absence of histopatological for adrenergic hyperactivity (author's transl)].", "content": "Extensive histopathological investigation of hearts from patients with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy failed to reveal \"myofibrillar degeneration\", a lesion ascribed specifically to cathecolamine cardiac overstimulation. Morphological support of the theory of adrenergic hyperactivity in the development and progression of this disease is not provided by the present study.", "contents": "[Idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy. Absence of histopatological for adrenergic hyperactivity (author's transl)]. Extensive histopathological investigation of hearts from patients with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy failed to reveal \"myofibrillar degeneration\", a lesion ascribed specifically to cathecolamine cardiac overstimulation. Morphological support of the theory of adrenergic hyperactivity in the development and progression of this disease is not provided by the present study.", "PMID": 631478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8910", "title": "[Sick sinus syndrome treated by ventricular inhibited pacemaker and radiofrequency programmed ventricular stimulation (author's transl)].", "content": "It is described a patient with sick sinus syndrome (atrial bradycardia and reciprocating junctional tachycardia) treated by a permanent ventricular inhibited pacemaker. The catheter is been also connected with a radiofrequency device implanted in order to interrupt the reciprocating tachyarrhythmia with programmed ventricular stimulation.", "contents": "[Sick sinus syndrome treated by ventricular inhibited pacemaker and radiofrequency programmed ventricular stimulation (author's transl)]. It is described a patient with sick sinus syndrome (atrial bradycardia and reciprocating junctional tachycardia) treated by a permanent ventricular inhibited pacemaker. The catheter is been also connected with a radiofrequency device implanted in order to interrupt the reciprocating tachyarrhythmia with programmed ventricular stimulation.", "PMID": 631479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8911", "title": "Macrophage turnover in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.", "content": "Monocytopoietic proliferation activity was determined in 8 patients during severe attacks of Crohn's disease and in 6 patients with ulcerative colitis. Similar results were obtained in both groups of patients. A moderate but significant hyperproliferation of monocytopoiesis was found to be present in about half of the patients, and with some of the remainder of cases, part of the criteria for hyperproliferation were also fulfilled. This indicates that Crohn's disease as well as ulcerative colitis are frequently associated with moderate overproduction of monocytes which may be assumed to be induced by macrophage demand of the affected tissues. In comparison with other diseases involving inflammations, the monocytopoietic hyperproliferation was moderate. Therefore, the inflammation in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis seems to be characterized by a relatively low macrophage turnover induced by pathogenetic mechanisms of moderate macrophage toxicity.", "contents": "Macrophage turnover in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Monocytopoietic proliferation activity was determined in 8 patients during severe attacks of Crohn's disease and in 6 patients with ulcerative colitis. Similar results were obtained in both groups of patients. A moderate but significant hyperproliferation of monocytopoiesis was found to be present in about half of the patients, and with some of the remainder of cases, part of the criteria for hyperproliferation were also fulfilled. This indicates that Crohn's disease as well as ulcerative colitis are frequently associated with moderate overproduction of monocytes which may be assumed to be induced by macrophage demand of the affected tissues. In comparison with other diseases involving inflammations, the monocytopoietic hyperproliferation was moderate. Therefore, the inflammation in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis seems to be characterized by a relatively low macrophage turnover induced by pathogenetic mechanisms of moderate macrophage toxicity.", "PMID": 631480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8912", "title": "Macromolecular secretion by isolated gastric mucosa: fundamental differences in pepsinogen and intrinsic factor secretion.", "content": "The secretion of pepsinogen and intrinsic factor (IF) in response to various known stimulators and inhibitors of gastric acid secretion was examined in isolated rabbit gastric mucosa maintained in organ culture. Acetylcholine (10(-8) M) stimulated stimulated both pepsinogen (P less than 0.01) and IF (P less than 0.01) secretion and this stimulation was blocked by atropine. Parasympatholytic agents did not alter unstimulated (basal) secretion of pepsinogen even at high concentrations (atropine, 10(-2) M or propanthelene bromide, 5 X 10(-3) M), however, at these concentrations basal IF secretion was abolished. Histamine (10(-4) and 10(-2) M) had no effect on pepsinogen secretion but stimulated IF secretion (P less than 0.001). Antagonism of H2 receptors by cimetidine reduced both basal and histamine-stimulated IF secretion, but pepsinogen secretion remained unaltered. Under the conditions of the above experiments the gastric mucosal surface was not exposed to HCl but was constantly buffered by culture medium at pH 7.4. When we applied 50 mN HCl to the mucosal surface of the biopsies, pepsinogen secretion doubled (P less than 0.001) but IF secretion was abolished. These studies have clearly documented that: (1) fundamental differences exist in the responses of pepsin and IF secreting cells; (2) H+ ions bathing the mucosal surface of the stomach may influence the results of experiments designed to examine the mechanisms of gastric mucosal macromolecular secretion.", "contents": "Macromolecular secretion by isolated gastric mucosa: fundamental differences in pepsinogen and intrinsic factor secretion. The secretion of pepsinogen and intrinsic factor (IF) in response to various known stimulators and inhibitors of gastric acid secretion was examined in isolated rabbit gastric mucosa maintained in organ culture. Acetylcholine (10(-8) M) stimulated stimulated both pepsinogen (P less than 0.01) and IF (P less than 0.01) secretion and this stimulation was blocked by atropine. Parasympatholytic agents did not alter unstimulated (basal) secretion of pepsinogen even at high concentrations (atropine, 10(-2) M or propanthelene bromide, 5 X 10(-3) M), however, at these concentrations basal IF secretion was abolished. Histamine (10(-4) and 10(-2) M) had no effect on pepsinogen secretion but stimulated IF secretion (P less than 0.001). Antagonism of H2 receptors by cimetidine reduced both basal and histamine-stimulated IF secretion, but pepsinogen secretion remained unaltered. Under the conditions of the above experiments the gastric mucosal surface was not exposed to HCl but was constantly buffered by culture medium at pH 7.4. When we applied 50 mN HCl to the mucosal surface of the biopsies, pepsinogen secretion doubled (P less than 0.001) but IF secretion was abolished. These studies have clearly documented that: (1) fundamental differences exist in the responses of pepsin and IF secreting cells; (2) H+ ions bathing the mucosal surface of the stomach may influence the results of experiments designed to examine the mechanisms of gastric mucosal macromolecular secretion.", "PMID": 631483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8913", "title": "Histamine augments gastric ulceration produced by intravenous aspirin in cats.", "content": "In unanesthetized cats, continuous intravenous infusion of aspirin for 36 hr did not produce gastric ulcers when given alone but did when combined with 160 microgram kg-1 hr-1 of histamine-2HCl intravenously. The ulcers were mainly antral in location. The incidence and severity of ulcers increased with duration of the infusion up to 36 hr and with dose of aspirin up to 4 mg kg-1 hr-1. With the highest doses and longest durations some of the antral ulcers perforated. Antral ulcers occurred in more than half of the cats getting 0.25 mg kg-1 hr-1 or more of aspirin for 36 hr or getting 4 mg kg-1 hr-1 of aspirin for 6 or more hr. Intravenous aspirin plus intragastric infusion of 40 ml hr-1 of 150 mM HCl for 16 hr also produced gastric ulcers. Plasma salicylate concentrations were less than 350 microgram ml-1 with all doses and durations of aspirin used (400 microgram ml-1 is regarded as the upper limit of the therapeutic range in man). These studies show that when the stomach is acidified by giving histamine intravenously or HCl intragastrically, intravenous aspirin produces large deep gastric ulcers. The mechanism of the ulcerogenic action of intravenous aspirin is not known.", "contents": "Histamine augments gastric ulceration produced by intravenous aspirin in cats. In unanesthetized cats, continuous intravenous infusion of aspirin for 36 hr did not produce gastric ulcers when given alone but did when combined with 160 microgram kg-1 hr-1 of histamine-2HCl intravenously. The ulcers were mainly antral in location. The incidence and severity of ulcers increased with duration of the infusion up to 36 hr and with dose of aspirin up to 4 mg kg-1 hr-1. With the highest doses and longest durations some of the antral ulcers perforated. Antral ulcers occurred in more than half of the cats getting 0.25 mg kg-1 hr-1 or more of aspirin for 36 hr or getting 4 mg kg-1 hr-1 of aspirin for 6 or more hr. Intravenous aspirin plus intragastric infusion of 40 ml hr-1 of 150 mM HCl for 16 hr also produced gastric ulcers. Plasma salicylate concentrations were less than 350 microgram ml-1 with all doses and durations of aspirin used (400 microgram ml-1 is regarded as the upper limit of the therapeutic range in man). These studies show that when the stomach is acidified by giving histamine intravenously or HCl intragastrically, intravenous aspirin produces large deep gastric ulcers. The mechanism of the ulcerogenic action of intravenous aspirin is not known.", "PMID": 631484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8914", "title": "Hepatic inactivation of gastrins of various chain lengths in dogs.", "content": "In dogs with gastric fistulae and with transposition of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava, we studied secretion of acid in response to portal or systemic venous infusion of a series of progressively longer fragments of the carboxyl terminal portion of human gastrin. Pentagastrin, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G13, G17, and G34 were studied. Potency by portal venous infusion relative to systemic venous infusion was used as an index of hepatic inactivation. Fragments with eight or fewer amino acid residues were more than 90% inactivated by hepatic transit. Fragments with nine or more amino acid residues were more resistant to hepatic inactivation than shorter fragments. For fragments with 7 to 17 amino acid residues, increasing the chain length was accompanied by progressive increase both in hepatic resistance to inactivation and in potency for stimulation of acid secretion, suggesting that resistance to hepatic inactivation may be a major determinant of potency.", "contents": "Hepatic inactivation of gastrins of various chain lengths in dogs. In dogs with gastric fistulae and with transposition of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava, we studied secretion of acid in response to portal or systemic venous infusion of a series of progressively longer fragments of the carboxyl terminal portion of human gastrin. Pentagastrin, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G13, G17, and G34 were studied. Potency by portal venous infusion relative to systemic venous infusion was used as an index of hepatic inactivation. Fragments with eight or fewer amino acid residues were more than 90% inactivated by hepatic transit. Fragments with nine or more amino acid residues were more resistant to hepatic inactivation than shorter fragments. For fragments with 7 to 17 amino acid residues, increasing the chain length was accompanied by progressive increase both in hepatic resistance to inactivation and in potency for stimulation of acid secretion, suggesting that resistance to hepatic inactivation may be a major determinant of potency.", "PMID": 631485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8915", "title": "Factors affecting delivery of bile to the duodenum in man.", "content": "Studies utilizing balloon-occludable T or duodenal tubes in subjects with and without gallbladders were undertaken to identify the contribution of the gallbladder, the sphincter of Oddi, and bile salts to the delivery of bile to the duodenum. Patients with and without a functional sphincter of Oddi and with and without a gallbladder were compared. The presence of a functional sphincter of Oddi in duodenal tube patients reduced bile salt output by more than 67% from that observed in T-tube patients. When cholecystectomized and normal patients were compared using the duodenal tube, peak bile salt output was significantly increased in normal subjects, reflecting gallbladder contraction, but total bile salt output was not significantly increased suggesting that the gallbladder has a minor role in bile delivery. Exogenous infusion of cholecystokinin produced much more stable bile secretion than did endogenous release of cholecystokinin by intraduodenal infusion of essential amino acids. This rhythmic release of bile after endogenous cholecystokinin release was related to the concentration of bile salts in the intestinal lumen. Thus, delivery of bile to the duodenum is wave-like and is predominantly controlled by the sphincter of Oddi.", "contents": "Factors affecting delivery of bile to the duodenum in man. Studies utilizing balloon-occludable T or duodenal tubes in subjects with and without gallbladders were undertaken to identify the contribution of the gallbladder, the sphincter of Oddi, and bile salts to the delivery of bile to the duodenum. Patients with and without a functional sphincter of Oddi and with and without a gallbladder were compared. The presence of a functional sphincter of Oddi in duodenal tube patients reduced bile salt output by more than 67% from that observed in T-tube patients. When cholecystectomized and normal patients were compared using the duodenal tube, peak bile salt output was significantly increased in normal subjects, reflecting gallbladder contraction, but total bile salt output was not significantly increased suggesting that the gallbladder has a minor role in bile delivery. Exogenous infusion of cholecystokinin produced much more stable bile secretion than did endogenous release of cholecystokinin by intraduodenal infusion of essential amino acids. This rhythmic release of bile after endogenous cholecystokinin release was related to the concentration of bile salts in the intestinal lumen. Thus, delivery of bile to the duodenum is wave-like and is predominantly controlled by the sphincter of Oddi.", "PMID": 631486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8916", "title": "Pool size, synthesis, and turnover of sulfated and nonsulfated cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.", "content": "In 5 patients with cirrhosis of the liver sulfated and nonsulfated [14C]cholic acid and [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid were administered intravenously and the specific activity curves were determined. Specific activities declined exponentially and pool sizes, synthesis rates, and turnover rates of bile acids were calculated on the basis of a one-pool system. The biological half-life of cholic acid was 4.3 +/- 1.6 days (mean +/- SEM) and of chenodeoxycholic acid was 2.8 +/- 1.2 days. The half-life of cholic acid sulfate was 0.7 +/- 0.5 day and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate was 0.8 +/- 0.5 day. The pool size of cholic acid was 513 +/- 103 mg, of chenodeoxycholic acid, 477 +/- 77 mg, of cholic acid sulfate, 4.7 +/- 1.0 mg, and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate, 38.7 +/- 4.0 mg. The daily synthesis of cholic acid was 90 +/- 14 mg, of chenodeoxycholic acid, 118 +/- 6 mg, of cholic acid sulfate, 7.2 +/- 2.1 mg, and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate was 32.6 +/- 3.2 mg. The data indicate that sulfate esters of bile acids are significantly more rapidly excreted than are unsulfated bile acids. More than one-fourth of the chenodeoxycholic acid but less than one-tenth of the cholic acid formed was sulfated. The preferential sulfation of chenodeoxycholic acid is responsible for the more rapid turnover of chenodeoxycholic acid in comparison to cholic acid. Sulfation enhances the excretion and thereby prevents the accumulation of hepatotoxic concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.", "contents": "Pool size, synthesis, and turnover of sulfated and nonsulfated cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. In 5 patients with cirrhosis of the liver sulfated and nonsulfated [14C]cholic acid and [14C]chenodeoxycholic acid were administered intravenously and the specific activity curves were determined. Specific activities declined exponentially and pool sizes, synthesis rates, and turnover rates of bile acids were calculated on the basis of a one-pool system. The biological half-life of cholic acid was 4.3 +/- 1.6 days (mean +/- SEM) and of chenodeoxycholic acid was 2.8 +/- 1.2 days. The half-life of cholic acid sulfate was 0.7 +/- 0.5 day and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate was 0.8 +/- 0.5 day. The pool size of cholic acid was 513 +/- 103 mg, of chenodeoxycholic acid, 477 +/- 77 mg, of cholic acid sulfate, 4.7 +/- 1.0 mg, and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate, 38.7 +/- 4.0 mg. The daily synthesis of cholic acid was 90 +/- 14 mg, of chenodeoxycholic acid, 118 +/- 6 mg, of cholic acid sulfate, 7.2 +/- 2.1 mg, and of chenodeoxycholic acid sulfate was 32.6 +/- 3.2 mg. The data indicate that sulfate esters of bile acids are significantly more rapidly excreted than are unsulfated bile acids. More than one-fourth of the chenodeoxycholic acid but less than one-tenth of the cholic acid formed was sulfated. The preferential sulfation of chenodeoxycholic acid is responsible for the more rapid turnover of chenodeoxycholic acid in comparison to cholic acid. Sulfation enhances the excretion and thereby prevents the accumulation of hepatotoxic concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.", "PMID": 631488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8917", "title": "Left-sided heart failure presenting as hepatitis.", "content": "Overt liver disease caused by left-sided heart failure is seldom recognized unless there is obvious hypotension. We now report 4 patients whose initial diagnosis was hepatitis but who were later shown to have central hepatic necrosis associated with left ventricular failure. Signs of right-sided heart failure were absent. Hepatitis was initially suspected in 3 patients because of striking transaminase elevations and in 1 patient because of jaundice and symptoms compatible with hepatitis. Liver biopsies performed on all patients revealed central hepatic necrosis without evidence of acute or chronic hepatitis. Left ventricular failure was documented in all 4 patients. One patient had coronary artery disease, and the other three patients had valvular heart disease. Liver function tests became normal or improved in all cases as the underlying heart disease was treated. We believe that liver dysfunction secondary to left ventricular failure is not uncommon and can be seen in the absence of right-sided heart failure or hypotension.", "contents": "Left-sided heart failure presenting as hepatitis. Overt liver disease caused by left-sided heart failure is seldom recognized unless there is obvious hypotension. We now report 4 patients whose initial diagnosis was hepatitis but who were later shown to have central hepatic necrosis associated with left ventricular failure. Signs of right-sided heart failure were absent. Hepatitis was initially suspected in 3 patients because of striking transaminase elevations and in 1 patient because of jaundice and symptoms compatible with hepatitis. Liver biopsies performed on all patients revealed central hepatic necrosis without evidence of acute or chronic hepatitis. Left ventricular failure was documented in all 4 patients. One patient had coronary artery disease, and the other three patients had valvular heart disease. Liver function tests became normal or improved in all cases as the underlying heart disease was treated. We believe that liver dysfunction secondary to left ventricular failure is not uncommon and can be seen in the absence of right-sided heart failure or hypotension.", "PMID": 631489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8918", "title": "Hepatic failure and death from erythropoietic protoporphyria.", "content": "A 60-year-old white male presenting with a clinical picture of obstructive jaundice was subsequently found to have erythropoietic protoporphyria. The diagnosis was suspected because of a history of life-long photosensitivity and was confirmed by finding high levels of erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Liver biopsy revealed birefringent deposits of protoporphyrin by polarization microscopy accompanied by severe hepatic injury and fibrosis. The patient died rapidly from liver failure, and at autopsy the biliary tree was patent. Despite the autosomal dominant transmission of erythropoietic protoporphyria, we failed to detect any family members with the disease. This report is concluded with a brief discussion of the liver involvement in erythropoietic protoporphyria.", "contents": "Hepatic failure and death from erythropoietic protoporphyria. A 60-year-old white male presenting with a clinical picture of obstructive jaundice was subsequently found to have erythropoietic protoporphyria. The diagnosis was suspected because of a history of life-long photosensitivity and was confirmed by finding high levels of erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Liver biopsy revealed birefringent deposits of protoporphyrin by polarization microscopy accompanied by severe hepatic injury and fibrosis. The patient died rapidly from liver failure, and at autopsy the biliary tree was patent. Despite the autosomal dominant transmission of erythropoietic protoporphyria, we failed to detect any family members with the disease. This report is concluded with a brief discussion of the liver involvement in erythropoietic protoporphyria.", "PMID": 631490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8919", "title": "Longitudinal esophageal bands associated with esophageal aperistalsis: speculations on pathogenesis.", "content": "A 6-year-old girl with ataxia telangiectasia syndrome was found to have multiple bands longitudinally traversing her esophagus, and esophageal aperistalsis. In the past, the patient was also known to have had esophageal candidiasis. The bands may have been congenital or may have been produced when linear ulcers caused by fungal esophagitis undermined mucosal strips and then healed, leaving tissue bands attached only at their extremities to the esophageal wall. The esophageal motor dysfunction may have been attributable to esophageal candidiasis, or may have been a hitherto unrecognized component of the ataxia telangiectasia syndrome.", "contents": "Longitudinal esophageal bands associated with esophageal aperistalsis: speculations on pathogenesis. A 6-year-old girl with ataxia telangiectasia syndrome was found to have multiple bands longitudinally traversing her esophagus, and esophageal aperistalsis. In the past, the patient was also known to have had esophageal candidiasis. The bands may have been congenital or may have been produced when linear ulcers caused by fungal esophagitis undermined mucosal strips and then healed, leaving tissue bands attached only at their extremities to the esophageal wall. The esophageal motor dysfunction may have been attributable to esophageal candidiasis, or may have been a hitherto unrecognized component of the ataxia telangiectasia syndrome.", "PMID": 631491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8920", "title": "Portal hypertension in systemic mastocytosis.", "content": "We report the case of a 66-year-old male patient with portal hypertension related to systemic mastocytosis. The liver was enlarged; microscopic examination showed portal mast cell infiltration and fibrosis. Portal hypertension was evidenced by splenomegaly, esophageal varices, and increased wedged-free hepatic venous pressure gradient. Arteriography showed that portal vein was patent. Portal hypertension could be the consequence of intrahepatic block due to mast cell infiltration and/or fibrosis of the liver.", "contents": "Portal hypertension in systemic mastocytosis. We report the case of a 66-year-old male patient with portal hypertension related to systemic mastocytosis. The liver was enlarged; microscopic examination showed portal mast cell infiltration and fibrosis. Portal hypertension was evidenced by splenomegaly, esophageal varices, and increased wedged-free hepatic venous pressure gradient. Arteriography showed that portal vein was patent. Portal hypertension could be the consequence of intrahepatic block due to mast cell infiltration and/or fibrosis of the liver.", "PMID": 631492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8921", "title": "Liver support systems: the low clearance of model hepatic excretory anions by charcoal hemoperfusion.", "content": "The removal of cholephilic anions (unconjugated bilirubin, bromosulfophthalein, and indocyanine green) by charcoal hemoperfusion was assessed in normal dogs. None of these model excretory compounds was effectively removed by the charcoal columns. In vitro studies suggested that poor removal of the anions was related to albumin binding in that, when the anions were in molecular solution, their extraction by the charcoal column was high; however, when albumin was added, their extraction was negligible. Therefore, if the removal from plasma of strongly bound toxins is important in the treatment of acute hepatitic failure, additional support devices may have to be encompassed into the ultimately hepatic support system.", "contents": "Liver support systems: the low clearance of model hepatic excretory anions by charcoal hemoperfusion. The removal of cholephilic anions (unconjugated bilirubin, bromosulfophthalein, and indocyanine green) by charcoal hemoperfusion was assessed in normal dogs. None of these model excretory compounds was effectively removed by the charcoal columns. In vitro studies suggested that poor removal of the anions was related to albumin binding in that, when the anions were in molecular solution, their extraction by the charcoal column was high; however, when albumin was added, their extraction was negligible. Therefore, if the removal from plasma of strongly bound toxins is important in the treatment of acute hepatitic failure, additional support devices may have to be encompassed into the ultimately hepatic support system.", "PMID": 631502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8922", "title": "A model of fulminant hepatic failure in the rabbit.", "content": "A highly reproducible model of fulminant hepatic failure was developed by administering intravenously the selective hepatotoxin galactosamine hydrochloride (4.25 mmoles per kg) to genetically uniform rabbits. The great majority of rabbits died between 21 and 44 hr after injection following a period of coma which lasted 2.6 hr on average. Serum biochemical tests and liver histology reflected massive hepatic injury. Changes in plasma ammonia and amino acid concentrations, in coagulation parameters, and in the electroencephalogram were similar to those found in human fulminant hepatic failure. This model appears promising for future studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of fulminant hepatic failure.", "contents": "A model of fulminant hepatic failure in the rabbit. A highly reproducible model of fulminant hepatic failure was developed by administering intravenously the selective hepatotoxin galactosamine hydrochloride (4.25 mmoles per kg) to genetically uniform rabbits. The great majority of rabbits died between 21 and 44 hr after injection following a period of coma which lasted 2.6 hr on average. Serum biochemical tests and liver histology reflected massive hepatic injury. Changes in plasma ammonia and amino acid concentrations, in coagulation parameters, and in the electroencephalogram were similar to those found in human fulminant hepatic failure. This model appears promising for future studies of the pathogenesis and treatment of fulminant hepatic failure.", "PMID": 631503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8923", "title": "Alcohol, amino acids, and albumin synthesis. III. Effects of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and 4-methylpyrazole.", "content": "The effects of ethanol, 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), and acetaldehyde on albumin and urea synthesis, and on polysome aggregation were studied in isolated perfused rabbit livers. Fed or fasted males served as donors and the perfusate contained ethanol, 200 mg per 100 ml, with and without 1.5 mM 4-MP; or acetaldehyde, 2 mg per 100 ml, with and without 1.5 mM 4-MP. The results indicate that in livers from fed donors ethanol depressed albumin and urea synthesis and bound polysomes were disaggregated. Perfusion with acetaldehyde caused a similar decrease in albumin and urea synthesis, but did not cause polysome disaggregation. The addition of 4-MP to the ethanol perfusates did not enhance albumin or urea synthesis but did prevent polysome disaggregation. When the donor was fasted, the addition of 4-MP to the ethanol perfusates restored urea synthesis and polysome aggregation to fasted control levels. In the livers from fasted donors, acetaldehyde did not lower albumin or urea synthesis and had no effect on polysome aggregation. The results indicate that the hepatic responses to ethanol and acetaldehyde are different if the livers are derived from fed or fasted donors, and it is not possible to ascribe the toxic effects of acetaldehyde or ethanol on albumin and urea synthesis to either agent, per se.", "contents": "Alcohol, amino acids, and albumin synthesis. III. Effects of ethanol, acetaldehyde, and 4-methylpyrazole. The effects of ethanol, 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), and acetaldehyde on albumin and urea synthesis, and on polysome aggregation were studied in isolated perfused rabbit livers. Fed or fasted males served as donors and the perfusate contained ethanol, 200 mg per 100 ml, with and without 1.5 mM 4-MP; or acetaldehyde, 2 mg per 100 ml, with and without 1.5 mM 4-MP. The results indicate that in livers from fed donors ethanol depressed albumin and urea synthesis and bound polysomes were disaggregated. Perfusion with acetaldehyde caused a similar decrease in albumin and urea synthesis, but did not cause polysome disaggregation. The addition of 4-MP to the ethanol perfusates did not enhance albumin or urea synthesis but did prevent polysome disaggregation. When the donor was fasted, the addition of 4-MP to the ethanol perfusates restored urea synthesis and polysome aggregation to fasted control levels. In the livers from fasted donors, acetaldehyde did not lower albumin or urea synthesis and had no effect on polysome aggregation. The results indicate that the hepatic responses to ethanol and acetaldehyde are different if the livers are derived from fed or fasted donors, and it is not possible to ascribe the toxic effects of acetaldehyde or ethanol on albumin and urea synthesis to either agent, per se.", "PMID": 631504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8924", "title": "Evidence for the existence of a countercurrent exchanger in the small intestine in man.", "content": "The vasculature in the human villus forms vascular loops by the supplying arterial vessel and the draining capillaries and/or veins. This study reports two experimental observations that strongly suggest that these vascular loops function as countercurrent exchangers. (1) The elimination of intraarterially injected 85Kr from the human small bowel exhibits an initial very rapid component of the type earlier reported in the feline gut. This component in all probability reflects the extravascular \"shunting\" in the exchanger of the injected radioactive tracer. (2) When exposing the intestinal mucosa to an isotonic electrolyte solution containing glucose, an osmolality gradient from the tip to the base of the human villi was demonstrated, the tips having an osmolality of around 700 milliosmoles per kg H2O. This hyperosmolality is created by the exchanger acting as a countercurrent multiplier.", "contents": "Evidence for the existence of a countercurrent exchanger in the small intestine in man. The vasculature in the human villus forms vascular loops by the supplying arterial vessel and the draining capillaries and/or veins. This study reports two experimental observations that strongly suggest that these vascular loops function as countercurrent exchangers. (1) The elimination of intraarterially injected 85Kr from the human small bowel exhibits an initial very rapid component of the type earlier reported in the feline gut. This component in all probability reflects the extravascular \"shunting\" in the exchanger of the injected radioactive tracer. (2) When exposing the intestinal mucosa to an isotonic electrolyte solution containing glucose, an osmolality gradient from the tip to the base of the human villi was demonstrated, the tips having an osmolality of around 700 milliosmoles per kg H2O. This hyperosmolality is created by the exchanger acting as a countercurrent multiplier.", "PMID": 631505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8925", "title": "Inhibitory role of the distal small intestine on the gastric secretory response to meals in man.", "content": "The role of the distal small intestine on postprandial gastric function was determined in 6 healthy volunteers by diverting chyme from the intestine at a site 100 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz and comparing the results with those observed in the same subjects when chyme was exposed to the entire gut. Diversion of chyme increased the gastric secretory response, which suggests that the distal small intestine has an inhibitory role in postprandial gastric secretion.", "contents": "Inhibitory role of the distal small intestine on the gastric secretory response to meals in man. The role of the distal small intestine on postprandial gastric function was determined in 6 healthy volunteers by diverting chyme from the intestine at a site 100 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz and comparing the results with those observed in the same subjects when chyme was exposed to the entire gut. Diversion of chyme increased the gastric secretory response, which suggests that the distal small intestine has an inhibitory role in postprandial gastric secretion.", "PMID": 631508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8926", "title": "Vasoactive intestinal peptide: quantification by radioimmunoassay in isolated cells, mucosa, and muscle of the hamster intestine.", "content": "Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay in three strata of hamster bowel wall, namely, epithelial cells isolated by a vibration technique, scrapings of the vibrated intestine, and in the remaining muscle. Expressed on a wet weight basis, highest levels of the peptide (as a percentage of total bowel wall content) were found in the muscle (72%) followed by high levels in scrapings of denuded villi (27%). Villus and crypt epithelial cells, isolated as one fraction, contained very low levels (less than 1%) of total VIP. To correct for differences in water content of the various strata, data were also calculated on the basis of tissue protein. When expressed in this manner, scrapings of denuded villi and the remaining muscle, both areas of dense autonomic innervation, were virtually equal in their VIP content (mean +/- SE, 9.5 +/- 4 and 11 +/- 2 ng per mg of protein, respectively). However, the VIP concentration of the cells was over two orders of magnitude less than the muscle or scrapings of denuded villi (0.02 +/- 0.007 ng per mg of protein). These results suggest that VIP is concentrated with or near the neural elements of the gut.", "contents": "Vasoactive intestinal peptide: quantification by radioimmunoassay in isolated cells, mucosa, and muscle of the hamster intestine. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay in three strata of hamster bowel wall, namely, epithelial cells isolated by a vibration technique, scrapings of the vibrated intestine, and in the remaining muscle. Expressed on a wet weight basis, highest levels of the peptide (as a percentage of total bowel wall content) were found in the muscle (72%) followed by high levels in scrapings of denuded villi (27%). Villus and crypt epithelial cells, isolated as one fraction, contained very low levels (less than 1%) of total VIP. To correct for differences in water content of the various strata, data were also calculated on the basis of tissue protein. When expressed in this manner, scrapings of denuded villi and the remaining muscle, both areas of dense autonomic innervation, were virtually equal in their VIP content (mean +/- SE, 9.5 +/- 4 and 11 +/- 2 ng per mg of protein, respectively). However, the VIP concentration of the cells was over two orders of magnitude less than the muscle or scrapings of denuded villi (0.02 +/- 0.007 ng per mg of protein). These results suggest that VIP is concentrated with or near the neural elements of the gut.", "PMID": 631509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8927", "title": "Factors affecting the absorption and excretion of lead in the rat.", "content": "A reliable method for studying lead absorption and excretion in rats is described. Lead absorption occurs primarily in theduodenum where lead enters the epithelial mucosal cells. There is a relative mucosal block for lead with increasing intraluminal doses. Certain substances which bind lead and increase its solubility enhance its absorption. Iron, zinc, and calcium decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. The total body burden of lead does not affect lead absorption. Thus, lead does not have a feedback mechanism which limits absorption. Lead absorption is increased during rapid periods of growth and in iron-deficient animals. It is diminished with starvation and in iron-overloaded animals. The excretion and kinetics of tracer doses of radiolead were quantified. Erythrocytes seem to serve an important role in transport. Excretion occurs in urine and stool. Bile is an important route of excretion in the gut. Although most of a tracer dose is rapidly excreted, the excretory process is limited permitting lead accumulation primarily in bone.", "contents": "Factors affecting the absorption and excretion of lead in the rat. A reliable method for studying lead absorption and excretion in rats is described. Lead absorption occurs primarily in theduodenum where lead enters the epithelial mucosal cells. There is a relative mucosal block for lead with increasing intraluminal doses. Certain substances which bind lead and increase its solubility enhance its absorption. Iron, zinc, and calcium decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. The total body burden of lead does not affect lead absorption. Thus, lead does not have a feedback mechanism which limits absorption. Lead absorption is increased during rapid periods of growth and in iron-deficient animals. It is diminished with starvation and in iron-overloaded animals. The excretion and kinetics of tracer doses of radiolead were quantified. Erythrocytes seem to serve an important role in transport. Excretion occurs in urine and stool. Bile is an important route of excretion in the gut. Although most of a tracer dose is rapidly excreted, the excretory process is limited permitting lead accumulation primarily in bone.", "PMID": 631510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8928", "title": "Herpes simplex esophagitis after trigeminal nerve surgery.", "content": "While being followed for reactivation of latent herpes virus infection after surgery for tic douloureux, a patient developed herpetic esophagitis. The patient was not an immunocompromised host in the usual sense of the term. Two possible interrelated, predisposing conditions were identified: (1) oropharyngeal shedding of herpes simplex virus, which frequently follows surgery on the trigeminal nerve, in association with (2) esophageal intubation and presumed mucosal trauma. Symptoms began within 24 hr after virus excretion in the mouth was documented. Esophageal lesions were present and herpes simplex virus was recovered from the biopsy 6 days after symptoms developed. Herpetic esophagitis should be considered when patients developed odynophagia after esophageal instrumentation in association with possible reactivation of latent herpes infection.", "contents": "Herpes simplex esophagitis after trigeminal nerve surgery. While being followed for reactivation of latent herpes virus infection after surgery for tic douloureux, a patient developed herpetic esophagitis. The patient was not an immunocompromised host in the usual sense of the term. Two possible interrelated, predisposing conditions were identified: (1) oropharyngeal shedding of herpes simplex virus, which frequently follows surgery on the trigeminal nerve, in association with (2) esophageal intubation and presumed mucosal trauma. Symptoms began within 24 hr after virus excretion in the mouth was documented. Esophageal lesions were present and herpes simplex virus was recovered from the biopsy 6 days after symptoms developed. Herpetic esophagitis should be considered when patients developed odynophagia after esophageal instrumentation in association with possible reactivation of latent herpes infection.", "PMID": 631511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8929", "title": "Hepatic hemangiomas: pitfalls in scintigraphic detection.", "content": "The evaluation of solitary hepatic lesions detected on scintiscans is a common clinical problem. It is usually assumed that radionuclide rapid sequence flow studies and blood pool images are reliable and accurate methods of demonstrating the vascularity of hepatic lesions. Our recent experience with 3 patients with angiographically proven hepatic hemangiomas indicates that radionuclide techniques may fail to detect the vascularity of hemangiomas. We speculate that blood flow within a hepatic hemangioma may be sluggish and its vascularity may be appreciated only by arteriography. Therefore, we alert the clinician to assess the vascularity of solitary hepatic tumors by angiography before percutaneous liver biopsy and thereby avert the possibility of life-threatening exsanguination, as occurred in one of our patients.", "contents": "Hepatic hemangiomas: pitfalls in scintigraphic detection. The evaluation of solitary hepatic lesions detected on scintiscans is a common clinical problem. It is usually assumed that radionuclide rapid sequence flow studies and blood pool images are reliable and accurate methods of demonstrating the vascularity of hepatic lesions. Our recent experience with 3 patients with angiographically proven hepatic hemangiomas indicates that radionuclide techniques may fail to detect the vascularity of hemangiomas. We speculate that blood flow within a hepatic hemangioma may be sluggish and its vascularity may be appreciated only by arteriography. Therefore, we alert the clinician to assess the vascularity of solitary hepatic tumors by angiography before percutaneous liver biopsy and thereby avert the possibility of life-threatening exsanguination, as occurred in one of our patients.", "PMID": 631512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8930", "title": "[Outpatient termination of pregnancy in the first trimester during paracervical blockade with Carticain (author's transl)].", "content": "Sparing termination of pregnancy with a low incidence of complications, using the drainage method in local anaesthesia, can be effected on an outpatient basis. Carticain, which is a rapidacting anaesthetic with good analgesic effect, enables practically painless dilatation of the cervical channel with subsequent evacuation, when combined with good psychological guidance of the patient. When questioned postoperatively, practically all patients were in favor of local anaesthesia. Another positive aspect, in their opinion, was the fact that they could be discharged after brief hospitalization. Furthermore, treatment on an outpatient basis is cost-saving.", "contents": "[Outpatient termination of pregnancy in the first trimester during paracervical blockade with Carticain (author's transl)]. Sparing termination of pregnancy with a low incidence of complications, using the drainage method in local anaesthesia, can be effected on an outpatient basis. Carticain, which is a rapidacting anaesthetic with good analgesic effect, enables practically painless dilatation of the cervical channel with subsequent evacuation, when combined with good psychological guidance of the patient. When questioned postoperatively, practically all patients were in favor of local anaesthesia. Another positive aspect, in their opinion, was the fact that they could be discharged after brief hospitalization. Furthermore, treatment on an outpatient basis is cost-saving.", "PMID": 631526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8931", "title": "[Differential diagnosis of tumors in the pelvis of gynecologic patients by angiography (author's transl)].", "content": "The value of angiography in differential diagnosis of tumours of the pelvis is discussed based on 15 cases and the relevant literature. Inflammatory infiltrates and neoplasms arising from the sigmoid colon can be separated from gynaecologic tumours by angiography. In 4 cases with pelvic masses in which differentiation between a myomatous uterus and an ovarian tumour was not possible clinically, unequivocal evidence was cleaned from a selective injection into the internal iliac artery. Angiography is particularly well suited for the delineation of parietal pelvic tumours--especially of vascular malformation.", "contents": "[Differential diagnosis of tumors in the pelvis of gynecologic patients by angiography (author's transl)]. The value of angiography in differential diagnosis of tumours of the pelvis is discussed based on 15 cases and the relevant literature. Inflammatory infiltrates and neoplasms arising from the sigmoid colon can be separated from gynaecologic tumours by angiography. In 4 cases with pelvic masses in which differentiation between a myomatous uterus and an ovarian tumour was not possible clinically, unequivocal evidence was cleaned from a selective injection into the internal iliac artery. Angiography is particularly well suited for the delineation of parietal pelvic tumours--especially of vascular malformation.", "PMID": 631528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8932", "title": "[Fetal damage due to mushroom poisoning with amanita phalloides during the first trimester of pregnancy (author's transl)].", "content": "A 25-year old para II suffered of mushroom poisoning by amanita phalloides at 9 weeks gestation. When the life threatening maternal illness was overcome a therapeutic abortion was carried out at 12 weeks gestation. Prostaglandin F2 alpha was injected retro-amniotically. The damage to the fetus by the toxins of amanita phalloides is described and discussed.", "contents": "[Fetal damage due to mushroom poisoning with amanita phalloides during the first trimester of pregnancy (author's transl)]. A 25-year old para II suffered of mushroom poisoning by amanita phalloides at 9 weeks gestation. When the life threatening maternal illness was overcome a therapeutic abortion was carried out at 12 weeks gestation. Prostaglandin F2 alpha was injected retro-amniotically. The damage to the fetus by the toxins of amanita phalloides is described and discussed.", "PMID": 631529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8933", "title": "[Seasonal variations in the incidence of the conception of multiple pregnancies in two centuries (author's transl)].", "content": "Seasonal variations in the incidence of the conception of multiple pregnancies are compared in the same population area in two centuries. 12,617 singleton and 101 twin pregnancies from 1803 to 1852 are compared to 63,967 singleton, 473 twin and 5 triplet pregnancies from 1965 to 1970. In both groups the percentage decrease of multiple conceptions during the first three months of the year was higher than the percentage decrease of singleton conceptions. In both groups the percentage increase of multiple conceptions during the summer months was higher than the percentage increase of singleton conceptions. The question of the influence of light on the hypothalamic-pituitary centres as a cause of the variations in multiple conceptions is discussed. The incidence of multiple conceptions has decreased since the beginning of the 19th century independant of the progress in obstetrics and perinatology. The decreased rate of multiparas and especially older multiparas is suggested as the likely cause for this decrease.", "contents": "[Seasonal variations in the incidence of the conception of multiple pregnancies in two centuries (author's transl)]. Seasonal variations in the incidence of the conception of multiple pregnancies are compared in the same population area in two centuries. 12,617 singleton and 101 twin pregnancies from 1803 to 1852 are compared to 63,967 singleton, 473 twin and 5 triplet pregnancies from 1965 to 1970. In both groups the percentage decrease of multiple conceptions during the first three months of the year was higher than the percentage decrease of singleton conceptions. In both groups the percentage increase of multiple conceptions during the summer months was higher than the percentage increase of singleton conceptions. The question of the influence of light on the hypothalamic-pituitary centres as a cause of the variations in multiple conceptions is discussed. The incidence of multiple conceptions has decreased since the beginning of the 19th century independant of the progress in obstetrics and perinatology. The decreased rate of multiparas and especially older multiparas is suggested as the likely cause for this decrease.", "PMID": 631530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8934", "title": "[The therapy of the hypertensive form of late gestosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Based on five cases of intrauterine death associated with preeclamptic toxemia, a possible relationship between the antihypertensive treatment with Catapres and the fatal outcome of the fetus is discussed. Catapres is known to decrease cardiac output and, in addition, diminishes the utero-placental circulation. For effective prevention of hemodynamic failure in such cases, it is advisable to use Catapres only in combination with adequate intravenous infusion therapy. Further investigations concerning this possible relationship should be done to determine sufficiently whether or not Catapres can be used without risk as a hypertensive drug in late gestosis.", "contents": "[The therapy of the hypertensive form of late gestosis (author's transl)]. Based on five cases of intrauterine death associated with preeclamptic toxemia, a possible relationship between the antihypertensive treatment with Catapres and the fatal outcome of the fetus is discussed. Catapres is known to decrease cardiac output and, in addition, diminishes the utero-placental circulation. For effective prevention of hemodynamic failure in such cases, it is advisable to use Catapres only in combination with adequate intravenous infusion therapy. Further investigations concerning this possible relationship should be done to determine sufficiently whether or not Catapres can be used without risk as a hypertensive drug in late gestosis.", "PMID": 631532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8935", "title": "[Examination of two sampling methods (pistolet and jet washing) for endometrial tissue (author's transl)].", "content": "The Pistolet-Aspiration and Gravlee Jet-Wash Techniques were used to examine 112 patients at random and the efficacy of each technique compared. The Pistolet-Aspiration technique is more often applicable and significantly provides sufficient material for cytologic and histologic evaluation. The histologic diagnosis was compared with the histologic diagnosis of the uteri after hysterectomy in all cases. In consideration of our results, the easier practicability and because of its economy we prefer the Pistolet-Aspiration technique versus Gravlee Jet-Washing. A catalogue of indications for Pistolet-Aspiration is also given in the discussion.", "contents": "[Examination of two sampling methods (pistolet and jet washing) for endometrial tissue (author's transl)]. The Pistolet-Aspiration and Gravlee Jet-Wash Techniques were used to examine 112 patients at random and the efficacy of each technique compared. The Pistolet-Aspiration technique is more often applicable and significantly provides sufficient material for cytologic and histologic evaluation. The histologic diagnosis was compared with the histologic diagnosis of the uteri after hysterectomy in all cases. In consideration of our results, the easier practicability and because of its economy we prefer the Pistolet-Aspiration technique versus Gravlee Jet-Washing. A catalogue of indications for Pistolet-Aspiration is also given in the discussion.", "PMID": 631534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8936", "title": "[Inguinal lymph node metastasis as primary symptom of endometrial carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of postmenopausal women with inguinal lymph node metastases of papillary adeno-carcinoma are reported. Enlarged inguinal glands appeared for six months and two years, respectively. The search for the primary tumour site over several months was negative. The existence of an endometrial carcinoma had not been considered, because the symptom of vaginal bleeding was absent.", "contents": "[Inguinal lymph node metastasis as primary symptom of endometrial carcinoma (author's transl)]. Two cases of postmenopausal women with inguinal lymph node metastases of papillary adeno-carcinoma are reported. Enlarged inguinal glands appeared for six months and two years, respectively. The search for the primary tumour site over several months was negative. The existence of an endometrial carcinoma had not been considered, because the symptom of vaginal bleeding was absent.", "PMID": 631535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8937", "title": "[Optimation of postoperative prophylaxis of thrombosis in gynaecology (author's transl)].", "content": "The prophylactic effect of heparin dihydroergotamine, the combination of these two (Heparin-Dihydergot) and acetylsalicylic-acid in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis was investigated in a prospective randomized clinical trial involving 454 patients. Evidence of thrombosis was detected by the 125I-fibrinogen-uptake-test in 22 out of 75 patients (29.3%) in the control group. The application of 2 x 0.5 mgDHE or 2 x 5000 IU of heparin reduced the incidence of deep vein thrombosis to 7%, which is statistically significant. After simultaneous prophylaxis with both drugs the incidence dropped to 2%. The combined use of DHE and heparin may be considered the best prophylactic regimen available for lowering postoperative DVT. After application of 3 x 0.5 g of ASS frequency of DVT decreased only to 15.3% and shows poor prophylactic efficacy.", "contents": "[Optimation of postoperative prophylaxis of thrombosis in gynaecology (author's transl)]. The prophylactic effect of heparin dihydroergotamine, the combination of these two (Heparin-Dihydergot) and acetylsalicylic-acid in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis was investigated in a prospective randomized clinical trial involving 454 patients. Evidence of thrombosis was detected by the 125I-fibrinogen-uptake-test in 22 out of 75 patients (29.3%) in the control group. The application of 2 x 0.5 mgDHE or 2 x 5000 IU of heparin reduced the incidence of deep vein thrombosis to 7%, which is statistically significant. After simultaneous prophylaxis with both drugs the incidence dropped to 2%. The combined use of DHE and heparin may be considered the best prophylactic regimen available for lowering postoperative DVT. After application of 3 x 0.5 g of ASS frequency of DVT decreased only to 15.3% and shows poor prophylactic efficacy.", "PMID": 631536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8938", "title": "Heritability of quasi-continuous skeletal traits in a randombred population of house mice.", "content": "Heritabilities of 11 quasi-continuous skeletal traits were estimated in randombred house mice of three separate ages (1, 3, and 5 months). Three separate methods--regression, maximum likelihood correlation, and Falconer's Method--were used to obtain heritabilities for each of the separate age groups. Significant differences in the incidences of seven of the skeletal traits were found among ages, but they did not affect the heritability estimates, these estimates being pooled over ages. Heritabilities calcuated from female parents were consistently higher (by about 13%) than those from male parents, indicating the presence of maternal effects. Mid-parent estimates made by all three methods gave very similar mean levels (0.17--0.20). Although low, this level compared favorably with that expected on the basis of previously estimated rates of accumulation of genetic variance. Maternal effects estimated from full sib correlations averaged 0.08.", "contents": "Heritability of quasi-continuous skeletal traits in a randombred population of house mice. Heritabilities of 11 quasi-continuous skeletal traits were estimated in randombred house mice of three separate ages (1, 3, and 5 months). Three separate methods--regression, maximum likelihood correlation, and Falconer's Method--were used to obtain heritabilities for each of the separate age groups. Significant differences in the incidences of seven of the skeletal traits were found among ages, but they did not affect the heritability estimates, these estimates being pooled over ages. Heritabilities calcuated from female parents were consistently higher (by about 13%) than those from male parents, indicating the presence of maternal effects. Mid-parent estimates made by all three methods gave very similar mean levels (0.17--0.20). Although low, this level compared favorably with that expected on the basis of previously estimated rates of accumulation of genetic variance. Maternal effects estimated from full sib correlations averaged 0.08.", "PMID": 631557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8939", "title": "Crossover suppressors and balanced recessive lethals in Caenorhabditis elegans.", "content": "Two dominant suppressors of crossing over have been identified following X-ray treatment of the small nematode C. elegans. They suppress crossing over in linkage group II (LGII) about 100-fold and 50-fold and are both tightly linked to LGII markers. One, called C1, segregates independently of all other linkage groups and is homozygous fertile. The other is a translocation involving LGII and X. The translocation also suppresses crossing over along the right half of X and is homozygous lethal. C1 has been used as a balancer of LGII recessive lethal and sterile mutations induced by EMS. The frequencies of occurrence of lethals and steriles were approximately equal. Fourteen mutations were assigned to complementation groups and mapped. They tended to map in the same region where LGII visibles are clustered.", "contents": "Crossover suppressors and balanced recessive lethals in Caenorhabditis elegans. Two dominant suppressors of crossing over have been identified following X-ray treatment of the small nematode C. elegans. They suppress crossing over in linkage group II (LGII) about 100-fold and 50-fold and are both tightly linked to LGII markers. One, called C1, segregates independently of all other linkage groups and is homozygous fertile. The other is a translocation involving LGII and X. The translocation also suppresses crossing over along the right half of X and is homozygous lethal. C1 has been used as a balancer of LGII recessive lethal and sterile mutations induced by EMS. The frequencies of occurrence of lethals and steriles were approximately equal. Fourteen mutations were assigned to complementation groups and mapped. They tended to map in the same region where LGII visibles are clustered.", "PMID": 631558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8940", "title": "Recognition sequence of a restriction endonuclease from Haemophilus gallinarum.", "content": "From comparison of the sequences in and around the cleavage sites of restriction endonuclease HgaI isolated from Haemophilus gallinarum, the recognition sequence and cleavage site of this enzyme was deduced as below: (formula: see text) This enzyme recognizes a specific but asymmetric penta-nucleotide sequence, GCGTC, and introduces staggered cleavages at appointed positions away from the recognition sequence, generating protruding 5'-ends of five nucleotides. The sequences surrounding the cleavage sites bear no obvious relation to one another.", "contents": "Recognition sequence of a restriction endonuclease from Haemophilus gallinarum. From comparison of the sequences in and around the cleavage sites of restriction endonuclease HgaI isolated from Haemophilus gallinarum, the recognition sequence and cleavage site of this enzyme was deduced as below: (formula: see text) This enzyme recognizes a specific but asymmetric penta-nucleotide sequence, GCGTC, and introduces staggered cleavages at appointed positions away from the recognition sequence, generating protruding 5'-ends of five nucleotides. The sequences surrounding the cleavage sites bear no obvious relation to one another.", "PMID": 631561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8941", "title": "Differential diagnosis of urinary incontinence.", "content": "Some degree of bladder instability is common in elderly people because aging changes in the portion of the frontal cortex concerned with micturition allow uninhibited bladder contractions. Although this in itself is not a cause of urinary incontinence, it may be an important predisposing factor and must be differentiated from all other causes. Stress incontinence occurs when the bladder outlet becomes incompetent because of weakness of the supporting pelvic muscles. Incontinence also can be a symptom of atrophic urethritis, acute cystitis, chronic bacteriuria, or bladder carcinoma. Overflow incontinence results from retention of urine, which can be caused by impacted feces, prostatic enlargement, autonomic neuropathy, or anticholinergic drugs. A complete history and thorough physical examination, with special attention to neurologic signs, vulval appearance, and rectal examination often will reveal the cause of urinary incontinence. If the cause is not readily apparent, cystometrography is indicated, and if the bladder is normal, cystoscopy should be done immediately. A more limited examination is acceptable only in demented patients who may not be able to cooperate in the examination and subsequent treatment.", "contents": "Differential diagnosis of urinary incontinence. Some degree of bladder instability is common in elderly people because aging changes in the portion of the frontal cortex concerned with micturition allow uninhibited bladder contractions. Although this in itself is not a cause of urinary incontinence, it may be an important predisposing factor and must be differentiated from all other causes. Stress incontinence occurs when the bladder outlet becomes incompetent because of weakness of the supporting pelvic muscles. Incontinence also can be a symptom of atrophic urethritis, acute cystitis, chronic bacteriuria, or bladder carcinoma. Overflow incontinence results from retention of urine, which can be caused by impacted feces, prostatic enlargement, autonomic neuropathy, or anticholinergic drugs. A complete history and thorough physical examination, with special attention to neurologic signs, vulval appearance, and rectal examination often will reveal the cause of urinary incontinence. If the cause is not readily apparent, cystometrography is indicated, and if the bladder is normal, cystoscopy should be done immediately. A more limited examination is acceptable only in demented patients who may not be able to cooperate in the examination and subsequent treatment.", "PMID": 631564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8942", "title": "Nutrition counseling needs in a geriatric population.", "content": "The diet of many elderly people is low in essential nutrients, apparently because of the physiologic and psychosocial changes that accompany aging and a lack of nutrition counseling. Many older Americans are also overweight. Others require special diets that modify long-established eating patterns and nutrient intake. A study of nutrition in 680 elderly people showed that demographic variables significantly related to weight were marital status, education, income, and living arrangements. Inadequacy of calcium or vitamin A or C was not affected by marital status. However, living arrangements influenced dietary adequacy of calcium, and income and education affected intake of vitamins A and C. Data obtained in this study showed that subjects both were interested in and needed nutrition counseling; 36% wanted more information on a balanced diet. Nutrition counseling should play a major role in geriatric treatment programs.", "contents": "Nutrition counseling needs in a geriatric population. The diet of many elderly people is low in essential nutrients, apparently because of the physiologic and psychosocial changes that accompany aging and a lack of nutrition counseling. Many older Americans are also overweight. Others require special diets that modify long-established eating patterns and nutrient intake. A study of nutrition in 680 elderly people showed that demographic variables significantly related to weight were marital status, education, income, and living arrangements. Inadequacy of calcium or vitamin A or C was not affected by marital status. However, living arrangements influenced dietary adequacy of calcium, and income and education affected intake of vitamins A and C. Data obtained in this study showed that subjects both were interested in and needed nutrition counseling; 36% wanted more information on a balanced diet. Nutrition counseling should play a major role in geriatric treatment programs.", "PMID": 631565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8943", "title": "When autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicates chronic lymphocytic leukemia.", "content": "Autoimmune hemolytic anemia often develops in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, particularly elderly women. It is heralded by a drop in the hematocrit, elevation of reticulocytes, development of jaundice, or a rise in the indirect fraction of serum bilirubin. Evidence of hemolysis supports the diagnosis, and a positive result of the Coombs test confirms it. Survival time is considerably shorter in patients who have both diseases than in those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia alone. Presenting symptoms in patients with the two diseases may include weakness, dizziness, fever, or hemorrhagic phenomena. If the anemia is severe, palpitations, otic pulsations, and cardiac decompensation are common. Physical examination may show enlargement of reticuloendothelial structures. On the other hand, some patients may be essentially asymptomatic. The hemolytic process must be treated as a separate entity, as even vigorous treatment of the leukemia often does not control it. Corticosteroid therapy is preferred, with splenectomy as a second line of defense. If the patient is not a good surgical risk, chemotherapy should be considered. Transfusions are usually incompatible but should be risked if progressive congestive failure, neurologic disturbance, angina, or signs of an impending infarct are present.", "contents": "When autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicates chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia often develops in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, particularly elderly women. It is heralded by a drop in the hematocrit, elevation of reticulocytes, development of jaundice, or a rise in the indirect fraction of serum bilirubin. Evidence of hemolysis supports the diagnosis, and a positive result of the Coombs test confirms it. Survival time is considerably shorter in patients who have both diseases than in those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia alone. Presenting symptoms in patients with the two diseases may include weakness, dizziness, fever, or hemorrhagic phenomena. If the anemia is severe, palpitations, otic pulsations, and cardiac decompensation are common. Physical examination may show enlargement of reticuloendothelial structures. On the other hand, some patients may be essentially asymptomatic. The hemolytic process must be treated as a separate entity, as even vigorous treatment of the leukemia often does not control it. Corticosteroid therapy is preferred, with splenectomy as a second line of defense. If the patient is not a good surgical risk, chemotherapy should be considered. Transfusions are usually incompatible but should be risked if progressive congestive failure, neurologic disturbance, angina, or signs of an impending infarct are present.", "PMID": 631566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8944", "title": "Evaluating dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.", "content": "Simple bedside measurements of blood pressure and systolic pressure response to the Valsalva maneuver will confirm a clinical impression of orthostatic hypotension. Careful questioning of the patient usually elicits other symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as impotence, urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation or diarrhea, blurred vision, or sweating changes. Drugs are the most common cause of autonomic dysfunction, and their benefits should be weighed against the severity of the dysfunction. In addition, diabetes mellitus, uremia, amyloidosis, acute intermittent porphyria, myeloma, tabes dorsalis, and alcohol-nutritional problems may produce symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. Thus, patients who present with autonomic features but no history of dysfunction-producing drugs should undergo complete laboratory evaluation. A regimen of tyramine or L-dopa or a diet rich in cheese, processed meats, and wine (a monoamine), coupled with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor have beneficial effects in patients with orthostatic hypotension due to preganglionic autonomic dysfunction. Patients who do not respond to catecholamine precursors have stable, isolated orthostatic hypotension or a polyneuropathy such as that caused by diabetes.", "contents": "Evaluating dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Simple bedside measurements of blood pressure and systolic pressure response to the Valsalva maneuver will confirm a clinical impression of orthostatic hypotension. Careful questioning of the patient usually elicits other symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as impotence, urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation or diarrhea, blurred vision, or sweating changes. Drugs are the most common cause of autonomic dysfunction, and their benefits should be weighed against the severity of the dysfunction. In addition, diabetes mellitus, uremia, amyloidosis, acute intermittent porphyria, myeloma, tabes dorsalis, and alcohol-nutritional problems may produce symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. Thus, patients who present with autonomic features but no history of dysfunction-producing drugs should undergo complete laboratory evaluation. A regimen of tyramine or L-dopa or a diet rich in cheese, processed meats, and wine (a monoamine), coupled with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor have beneficial effects in patients with orthostatic hypotension due to preganglionic autonomic dysfunction. Patients who do not respond to catecholamine precursors have stable, isolated orthostatic hypotension or a polyneuropathy such as that caused by diabetes.", "PMID": 631567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8945", "title": "Direct effect of bile salts and phospholipids on the physical properties of mucus.", "content": "Reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach has been implicated in the disruption of mucosal defence and the subsequent occurrence of gastric ulcer. The change produced in the rheological properties following the addition of bile salts and phospholipids to mucus samples was used to assess resultant structural changes. Sodium deoxycholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, sodium glycocholate, and lysophosphatidylcholine decreased both viscosity and elasticity, indicating that structural breakdown had occurred, whereas phosphatidylcholine could not be shown to have any effect. It is therefore suggested that some of the ulcerogenic activity of naturally occurring surfactants may be associated with their ability directly to reduce mucus consistency.", "contents": "Direct effect of bile salts and phospholipids on the physical properties of mucus. Reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach has been implicated in the disruption of mucosal defence and the subsequent occurrence of gastric ulcer. The change produced in the rheological properties following the addition of bile salts and phospholipids to mucus samples was used to assess resultant structural changes. Sodium deoxycholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, sodium glycocholate, and lysophosphatidylcholine decreased both viscosity and elasticity, indicating that structural breakdown had occurred, whereas phosphatidylcholine could not be shown to have any effect. It is therefore suggested that some of the ulcerogenic activity of naturally occurring surfactants may be associated with their ability directly to reduce mucus consistency.", "PMID": 631625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8946", "title": "Autoradiographic study of the permeability characteristics of the small intestine.", "content": "This autoradiographic study demonstrates the distribution of a range of small solutes and macromolecules in the mucosa of the guinea-pig small intestine after intracardiac injection. The substances investigated were: 14C-urea, 3H-mannose, 3H-inulin, and 125I polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Small bowel biopsies were taken at intervals from one to 60 minutes after injection and the tissues processed for autoradiography. Light microscopic examination of the autoradiographs showed that the compartmental distribution depended on the molecular size of the substances being studied. Urea and mannose, as small solutes, were uniformly distributed throughout the intravascular, extravascular, and epithelial compartments. Inulin was evenly distributed in the vessel lumen and extravascular space but there was a considerable drop in concentration in the epithelium. PVP exhibited the most marked gradients, the concentration being greatest in the vascular lumina, lower in the extravascular space, least in the epithelium. Thus there appear to be two barriers to macromolecular passage which are freely permeable to small solutes: the capillary wall and the epithelium. At a light microscopical level it is not possible to observe whether the limiting membrane of each of these barriers is the cell plasmalemmal membrane or the basement membrane. The selectivity of the epithelial barrier is greater than that of the capillary barrier.", "contents": "Autoradiographic study of the permeability characteristics of the small intestine. This autoradiographic study demonstrates the distribution of a range of small solutes and macromolecules in the mucosa of the guinea-pig small intestine after intracardiac injection. The substances investigated were: 14C-urea, 3H-mannose, 3H-inulin, and 125I polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Small bowel biopsies were taken at intervals from one to 60 minutes after injection and the tissues processed for autoradiography. Light microscopic examination of the autoradiographs showed that the compartmental distribution depended on the molecular size of the substances being studied. Urea and mannose, as small solutes, were uniformly distributed throughout the intravascular, extravascular, and epithelial compartments. Inulin was evenly distributed in the vessel lumen and extravascular space but there was a considerable drop in concentration in the epithelium. PVP exhibited the most marked gradients, the concentration being greatest in the vascular lumina, lower in the extravascular space, least in the epithelium. Thus there appear to be two barriers to macromolecular passage which are freely permeable to small solutes: the capillary wall and the epithelium. At a light microscopical level it is not possible to observe whether the limiting membrane of each of these barriers is the cell plasmalemmal membrane or the basement membrane. The selectivity of the epithelial barrier is greater than that of the capillary barrier.", "PMID": 631626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8947", "title": "Coeliac disease in Sudanese children.", "content": "Coeliac disease has not hitherto been documented in Sudanese children. This report describes seven Sudanese children with coeliac disease of whom two are siblings. They all had evidence of impaired intestinal absorption, severe histological changes of their jejunal mucosa with clinical and histological improvement on gluten free/sorgham free diet. Subsequently one patient had a clinical relapse when gluten was reintroduced; four had positive gluten challenge using serial one hour blood xylose estimation. They all belonged to the upper socioeconomic group of the society in the north of the Sudan.", "contents": "Coeliac disease in Sudanese children. Coeliac disease has not hitherto been documented in Sudanese children. This report describes seven Sudanese children with coeliac disease of whom two are siblings. They all had evidence of impaired intestinal absorption, severe histological changes of their jejunal mucosa with clinical and histological improvement on gluten free/sorgham free diet. Subsequently one patient had a clinical relapse when gluten was reintroduced; four had positive gluten challenge using serial one hour blood xylose estimation. They all belonged to the upper socioeconomic group of the society in the north of the Sudan.", "PMID": 631627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8948", "title": "Cell-mediated immunity to gluten fraction III in adult coeliac disease.", "content": "A migration inhibition test was used to assess sensitisation of blood leucocytes, and thus cell-mediated immunity, to gluten fraction III in controls and patients with coeliac disease. Migration indices were significantly less (indicating sensitisation) in untreated and in treated patients than in controls, and significantly less in treated patients than in untreated patients. At a concentration of 1 mg/ml gluten fraction III, 13% of untreated patients and 54% of treated patients had migration indices in the sensitised range. At 2 mg/ml gluten fraction III, sensitisation was demonstrated in 8% of untreated patients and 48% of treated patients. After starting a gluten free diet, migration indices fell into the sensitised range in all patients followed. After at least nine months on a gluten free diet, migration indices were significantly higher in those patients with a normal interepithelial lymphocyte count than in those patients with a raised interepithelial lymphocyte count. Cell-mediated immunity to gluten fraction III can be detected in the peripheral blood of certain patients with coeliac disease. Detectable sensitivity is related to the time on a gluten free diet, and the interepithelial lymphocyte count.", "contents": "Cell-mediated immunity to gluten fraction III in adult coeliac disease. A migration inhibition test was used to assess sensitisation of blood leucocytes, and thus cell-mediated immunity, to gluten fraction III in controls and patients with coeliac disease. Migration indices were significantly less (indicating sensitisation) in untreated and in treated patients than in controls, and significantly less in treated patients than in untreated patients. At a concentration of 1 mg/ml gluten fraction III, 13% of untreated patients and 54% of treated patients had migration indices in the sensitised range. At 2 mg/ml gluten fraction III, sensitisation was demonstrated in 8% of untreated patients and 48% of treated patients. After starting a gluten free diet, migration indices fell into the sensitised range in all patients followed. After at least nine months on a gluten free diet, migration indices were significantly higher in those patients with a normal interepithelial lymphocyte count than in those patients with a raised interepithelial lymphocyte count. Cell-mediated immunity to gluten fraction III can be detected in the peripheral blood of certain patients with coeliac disease. Detectable sensitivity is related to the time on a gluten free diet, and the interepithelial lymphocyte count.", "PMID": 631628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8949", "title": "Selective angiography in acute mid-gut ischaemia.", "content": "Acute mesenteric ischaemia has a high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment appropriate to the type and extent of vascular insufficiency are essential. Selective angiography can establish the diagnosis and distinguish patients with acute vascular occlusion who require urgent surgery from those with non-occlusive ischaemia for which early surgery is contraindicated.", "contents": "Selective angiography in acute mid-gut ischaemia. Acute mesenteric ischaemia has a high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment appropriate to the type and extent of vascular insufficiency are essential. Selective angiography can establish the diagnosis and distinguish patients with acute vascular occlusion who require urgent surgery from those with non-occlusive ischaemia for which early surgery is contraindicated.", "PMID": 631629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8950", "title": "Variability of colonic function in healthy subjects.", "content": "Twenty healthy subjects eating normal diets made repeated five-day stool collections, the 10 females making their collections in four to six successive weeks. In most subjects there were striking variations in transit time, measured by Hinton's method. The variability of average faecal wet and dry weight, faecal volume, and the frequency of defaecation was equally great, suggesting that the transit time variations were genuine. The size of individual stools varied even more, often tenfold or more. Faecal water content was relatively constant. There were no significant differences between males and females, and in the females there were no obvious changes related to the phases of the menstrual cycle. The normal variability of colonic function should be taken into account in planning experiments and in interpreting existing data.", "contents": "Variability of colonic function in healthy subjects. Twenty healthy subjects eating normal diets made repeated five-day stool collections, the 10 females making their collections in four to six successive weeks. In most subjects there were striking variations in transit time, measured by Hinton's method. The variability of average faecal wet and dry weight, faecal volume, and the frequency of defaecation was equally great, suggesting that the transit time variations were genuine. The size of individual stools varied even more, often tenfold or more. Faecal water content was relatively constant. There were no significant differences between males and females, and in the females there were no obvious changes related to the phases of the menstrual cycle. The normal variability of colonic function should be taken into account in planning experiments and in interpreting existing data.", "PMID": 631630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8951", "title": "Comparison of 14C-labelled polyethylene glycol (PEG) with carrier PEG and 14C-PEG alone as a volume indicator in the human jejunum.", "content": "14C-labelled polyethylene glycol (PEG) (5 muCi/l) was used as a non-absorbable marker in human jejunum both with and without carrier PEG (5 g/l). Calculation of net water flux was virtually identical whether or not the carrier PEG was included in the perfusion solution. 14C-PEG alone is a satisfactory non-absorbable marker for perfusion studies in the human jejunum.", "contents": "Comparison of 14C-labelled polyethylene glycol (PEG) with carrier PEG and 14C-PEG alone as a volume indicator in the human jejunum. 14C-labelled polyethylene glycol (PEG) (5 muCi/l) was used as a non-absorbable marker in human jejunum both with and without carrier PEG (5 g/l). Calculation of net water flux was virtually identical whether or not the carrier PEG was included in the perfusion solution. 14C-PEG alone is a satisfactory non-absorbable marker for perfusion studies in the human jejunum.", "PMID": 631631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8952", "title": "Treatment of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis with human fibroblast interferon.", "content": "Two patients with HBsAg positive chronic active hepatitis have been treated with human fibroblast interferon 10(7) units daily for two weeks. Before treatment, both patients had high levels of hepatitis B surface antigen, core antibody, and DNA-binding antibody in the blood and one patient had a fourfold rise in serum AST. During treatment there was a striking fall in the core antibody titre and also in the DNA-binding antibody, which has been maintained for several months subsequently; in one patient the initially high AST level fell to normal. No significant adverse effects occurred, and these observations should encourage further trials of fibroblasts interferon in hepatitis B.", "contents": "Treatment of HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis with human fibroblast interferon. Two patients with HBsAg positive chronic active hepatitis have been treated with human fibroblast interferon 10(7) units daily for two weeks. Before treatment, both patients had high levels of hepatitis B surface antigen, core antibody, and DNA-binding antibody in the blood and one patient had a fourfold rise in serum AST. During treatment there was a striking fall in the core antibody titre and also in the DNA-binding antibody, which has been maintained for several months subsequently; in one patient the initially high AST level fell to normal. No significant adverse effects occurred, and these observations should encourage further trials of fibroblasts interferon in hepatitis B.", "PMID": 631632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8953", "title": "Duodenal bile acid conjugation patterns and dietary sulphur amino acids in the newborn.", "content": "Patterns of glycine and taurine conjugation of bile acids in duodenal juice have been studied in 20 low birth weight babies at 12 and 22 days of age. They were fed from birth on one of three feeds containing different amounts of taurine and its precursors, cysteine and methionone. Taurine conjugation predominated in those fed on human milk throughout the first three weeks of life. In those fed on SMA or S26 infant feeding formulae, both of which contain very little taurine, concentrations of glycine conjugates were found to exceed those of taurine conjugates by the 12th day. The low glycine-taurine conjugate ratios previously described in newborn babies are, therefore, probably related to the taurine content of the milk which they received. Glycine-taurine conjugate ratios less than 1.0 occur in breast fed infants during the first three weeks of life.", "contents": "Duodenal bile acid conjugation patterns and dietary sulphur amino acids in the newborn. Patterns of glycine and taurine conjugation of bile acids in duodenal juice have been studied in 20 low birth weight babies at 12 and 22 days of age. They were fed from birth on one of three feeds containing different amounts of taurine and its precursors, cysteine and methionone. Taurine conjugation predominated in those fed on human milk throughout the first three weeks of life. In those fed on SMA or S26 infant feeding formulae, both of which contain very little taurine, concentrations of glycine conjugates were found to exceed those of taurine conjugates by the 12th day. The low glycine-taurine conjugate ratios previously described in newborn babies are, therefore, probably related to the taurine content of the milk which they received. Glycine-taurine conjugate ratios less than 1.0 occur in breast fed infants during the first three weeks of life.", "PMID": 631633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8954", "title": "Lower oesophageal sphincter response to gastrin--pharmacological or physiological?", "content": "The response of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) to intragastric instillation of protein was assessed in 10 healthy volunteers. Sphincter pressures were measured by a rapid pull-through technique and serum gastrin concentrations during each test were determined by radioimmunoassay. Despite stimulation of gastrin release by protein instillation, no significant change in LOS pressure was observed. However, intravenous pentagastrin (0.25 and 0.5 microgram/kg) produced an immediate increase in sphincter pressure, which then returned to the basal level within four minutes. Thus, although pentagastrin is an effective pharmacological stimulant of the sphincter, endogenous gastrin appears not to be a physiological determinant of LOS pressure in man.", "contents": "Lower oesophageal sphincter response to gastrin--pharmacological or physiological? The response of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) to intragastric instillation of protein was assessed in 10 healthy volunteers. Sphincter pressures were measured by a rapid pull-through technique and serum gastrin concentrations during each test were determined by radioimmunoassay. Despite stimulation of gastrin release by protein instillation, no significant change in LOS pressure was observed. However, intravenous pentagastrin (0.25 and 0.5 microgram/kg) produced an immediate increase in sphincter pressure, which then returned to the basal level within four minutes. Thus, although pentagastrin is an effective pharmacological stimulant of the sphincter, endogenous gastrin appears not to be a physiological determinant of LOS pressure in man.", "PMID": 631634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8955", "title": "Selection of patients for bile diversion surgery: use of bile acid measurement in fasting gastric aspirates.", "content": "Eighteen patients with dyspepsia and vomiting which followed surgery for peptic ulcer have completed a study to examine the role of diverting bile from the stomach by a Roux-en-Y procedure. Bile regurgitation and mild epigastric pain relieved by vomiting were abolished. Measurements of bile acids in the fasting gastric aspirate were useful in predicting the outcome of surgery; good results were obtained when initially there was reflex into the stomach of more than 120 mumol/hour of bile acids. A wider group of patients than those selected in previous series may benefit from this operation, as good results can be obtained in patients with dyspepsia relieved by alkali and without achlorhydria or gastritis. Endoscopy was repeated one year after Roux-en-Y operation. Erythema of the mucosa was improved, but gastritis did not improve.", "contents": "Selection of patients for bile diversion surgery: use of bile acid measurement in fasting gastric aspirates. Eighteen patients with dyspepsia and vomiting which followed surgery for peptic ulcer have completed a study to examine the role of diverting bile from the stomach by a Roux-en-Y procedure. Bile regurgitation and mild epigastric pain relieved by vomiting were abolished. Measurements of bile acids in the fasting gastric aspirate were useful in predicting the outcome of surgery; good results were obtained when initially there was reflex into the stomach of more than 120 mumol/hour of bile acids. A wider group of patients than those selected in previous series may benefit from this operation, as good results can be obtained in patients with dyspepsia relieved by alkali and without achlorhydria or gastritis. Endoscopy was repeated one year after Roux-en-Y operation. Erythema of the mucosa was improved, but gastritis did not improve.", "PMID": 631635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8956", "title": "Measurement of bile acids in fasting gastric aspirates: an objective test for bile reflux after gastric surgery.", "content": "We measured the concentration of bile acids in gastric aspirates from patients who had had operations for peptic ulcer. Some patients were asymptomatic and some had postoperative symptoms of the type that have been attributed to duodenogastric reflux. Samples were obtained via a nasogastric tube when the patients were fasting, after food, after pentagastrin, and overnight. We related the concentration and amount of bile acid and the volume aspirated to the presence or absence of symptoms and compared the results with radiological and endoscopic assessments of duodenogastric reflux. The most useful index to discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was the amount of bile reflux in half an hour's aspiration from the fasting stomach; this we have termed 'fasting bile reflux' (FBR) and expressed as mumol bile acids refluxing/hour. A figure greater than 120 mumol/h was present in 17 of 22 symptomatic patients and in all who complained of bile regurgitation or bile vomiting. The FBR was less than 120 mumol/h in all of 20 asymptomatic patients, although some of them had reflux detected radiologically and endoscopically.", "contents": "Measurement of bile acids in fasting gastric aspirates: an objective test for bile reflux after gastric surgery. We measured the concentration of bile acids in gastric aspirates from patients who had had operations for peptic ulcer. Some patients were asymptomatic and some had postoperative symptoms of the type that have been attributed to duodenogastric reflux. Samples were obtained via a nasogastric tube when the patients were fasting, after food, after pentagastrin, and overnight. We related the concentration and amount of bile acid and the volume aspirated to the presence or absence of symptoms and compared the results with radiological and endoscopic assessments of duodenogastric reflux. The most useful index to discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was the amount of bile reflux in half an hour's aspiration from the fasting stomach; this we have termed 'fasting bile reflux' (FBR) and expressed as mumol bile acids refluxing/hour. A figure greater than 120 mumol/h was present in 17 of 22 symptomatic patients and in all who complained of bile regurgitation or bile vomiting. The FBR was less than 120 mumol/h in all of 20 asymptomatic patients, although some of them had reflux detected radiologically and endoscopically.", "PMID": 631636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8957", "title": "Serum prolactin in liver disease and its relationship to gynaecomastia.", "content": "Serum immunoreactive prolactin was measured in 150 patients with liver disease of varying aetiology and severity and in 45 control subjects. The upper limit of the reference range for serum prolactin was 331 mU/l. Eighteen patients with liver disease (12%) had unexplained hyperprolactinaemia. No relationship existed between the prolactin value and the sex of the patient, the aetiology of the liver disease, the severity of the liver disease, or the presence of gynaecomastia. The cause of the hyperprolactinaemia in patients with liver disease and its clinical implications need further investigation.", "contents": "Serum prolactin in liver disease and its relationship to gynaecomastia. Serum immunoreactive prolactin was measured in 150 patients with liver disease of varying aetiology and severity and in 45 control subjects. The upper limit of the reference range for serum prolactin was 331 mU/l. Eighteen patients with liver disease (12%) had unexplained hyperprolactinaemia. No relationship existed between the prolactin value and the sex of the patient, the aetiology of the liver disease, the severity of the liver disease, or the presence of gynaecomastia. The cause of the hyperprolactinaemia in patients with liver disease and its clinical implications need further investigation.", "PMID": 631637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8958", "title": "Exocrine pancreatic secretion and immunoreactive secretin (IRS) release after intraduodenal instillation of bile in man.", "content": "Six subjects with a normal endoscopic pancreatogram were investigated after an overnight fast by means of a side-viewing duodenoscope. After cannulation of the main pancreatic duct, juice was collected in five-minute samples for 20 minutes. An iso-osmolar solution of 6 g cattle bile was then infused into the duodenum through a separate catheter attached to the outside of the duodenoscope, and pancreatic juice collected in five-minute samples for another 20 minutes. Blood was frequently drawn from an arm vein through an indwelling catheter for estimation of immunoreactive secretin (IRS) by radioimmunassay. The flow rate of pancreatic juice and outputs of bicarbonate, amylase, and protein increased significantly after intraduodenal infusion of bile. A significant rise in plasma IRS was also found after instillation of bile in the duodenum.", "contents": "Exocrine pancreatic secretion and immunoreactive secretin (IRS) release after intraduodenal instillation of bile in man. Six subjects with a normal endoscopic pancreatogram were investigated after an overnight fast by means of a side-viewing duodenoscope. After cannulation of the main pancreatic duct, juice was collected in five-minute samples for 20 minutes. An iso-osmolar solution of 6 g cattle bile was then infused into the duodenum through a separate catheter attached to the outside of the duodenoscope, and pancreatic juice collected in five-minute samples for another 20 minutes. Blood was frequently drawn from an arm vein through an indwelling catheter for estimation of immunoreactive secretin (IRS) by radioimmunassay. The flow rate of pancreatic juice and outputs of bicarbonate, amylase, and protein increased significantly after intraduodenal infusion of bile. A significant rise in plasma IRS was also found after instillation of bile in the duodenum.", "PMID": 631638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8959", "title": "Lymphocytotoxicity test against rabbit hepatocytes in chronic liver diseases.", "content": "We have studied the cytotoxicity against rabbit liver cells of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of 71 patients with various liver diseases. The group with chronic active hepatitis and three patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis showed significantly higher mean values of lymphocytotoxicity (P less than 0.001) compared with the other patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, post-necrotic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Wilson's disease, and prolonged viral hepatitis. The mean cytotoxicity of these last groups did not differ significantly from controls. In four out of six patients with chronic active hepatitis a significant decrease of lymphocytotoxicity was found after immunosuppressive therapy with oral prednisolone. A good correlation between the lymphocytotoxicity test and histological signs of activity suggests that a cell-mediated immune aggression is present in this disease.", "contents": "Lymphocytotoxicity test against rabbit hepatocytes in chronic liver diseases. We have studied the cytotoxicity against rabbit liver cells of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of 71 patients with various liver diseases. The group with chronic active hepatitis and three patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis showed significantly higher mean values of lymphocytotoxicity (P less than 0.001) compared with the other patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, post-necrotic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Wilson's disease, and prolonged viral hepatitis. The mean cytotoxicity of these last groups did not differ significantly from controls. In four out of six patients with chronic active hepatitis a significant decrease of lymphocytotoxicity was found after immunosuppressive therapy with oral prednisolone. A good correlation between the lymphocytotoxicity test and histological signs of activity suggests that a cell-mediated immune aggression is present in this disease.", "PMID": 631639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8960", "title": "Effect of continuous jejunal perfusion of elemental and complex nutritional solutions on pancreatic enzyme secretion in human subjects.", "content": "Pancreatic secretion of lipase and chymotrypsin in response to elemental diets and a crushed food homogenate was studied in normal subjects. The solutions were infused at constant flow rates at the ligament of Treitz with polyethylene glycol as a nonabsorbable marker. A triple lumen tube was used, enabling collection of secretions at 35 and 70 cm from the infusion point. The results show that a crushed food homogenate has a greater stimulative effect on pancreatic enzyme secretion than the elemental solutions and that this can be directly related to its greater nitrogen content. The osmolality of the infused solutions does not appear to be important. The relative merits of the solutions tested and total parental nutrition in reducing pancreatic enzyme secretion are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of continuous jejunal perfusion of elemental and complex nutritional solutions on pancreatic enzyme secretion in human subjects. Pancreatic secretion of lipase and chymotrypsin in response to elemental diets and a crushed food homogenate was studied in normal subjects. The solutions were infused at constant flow rates at the ligament of Treitz with polyethylene glycol as a nonabsorbable marker. A triple lumen tube was used, enabling collection of secretions at 35 and 70 cm from the infusion point. The results show that a crushed food homogenate has a greater stimulative effect on pancreatic enzyme secretion than the elemental solutions and that this can be directly related to its greater nitrogen content. The osmolality of the infused solutions does not appear to be important. The relative merits of the solutions tested and total parental nutrition in reducing pancreatic enzyme secretion are discussed.", "PMID": 631640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8961", "title": "Nitrite studies in oesophageal cancer.", "content": "As nitrate consumption may have considerable importance for the in vivo formation of nitrites and potentially carcinogenic N-Nitroso compounds, we have studied salivary nitrite levels in patients with oesophageal cancer and adult volunteers before and after administering 100 ml beet juice containing 160 mg nitrate. Initial salivary nitrite levels were slightly lower in the cancer patients, perhaps because of previous malnutrition. In both groups there was a marked increase in salivary nitrite levels 90 minutes after ingesting beet juice and the attained levels in the two groups were similar. The results imply that formation of salivary nitrite is highly dependent on exogenous dietary nitrate and that there is no difference in the capacity to form nitrites between oesophageal cancer patients and healthy adult subjects.", "contents": "Nitrite studies in oesophageal cancer. As nitrate consumption may have considerable importance for the in vivo formation of nitrites and potentially carcinogenic N-Nitroso compounds, we have studied salivary nitrite levels in patients with oesophageal cancer and adult volunteers before and after administering 100 ml beet juice containing 160 mg nitrate. Initial salivary nitrite levels were slightly lower in the cancer patients, perhaps because of previous malnutrition. In both groups there was a marked increase in salivary nitrite levels 90 minutes after ingesting beet juice and the attained levels in the two groups were similar. The results imply that formation of salivary nitrite is highly dependent on exogenous dietary nitrate and that there is no difference in the capacity to form nitrites between oesophageal cancer patients and healthy adult subjects.", "PMID": 631641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8962", "title": "Increased sensitivity of gastrin release to adrenaline in duodenal ulcer.", "content": "Serum gastrin concentrations were measured in patients with duodenal ulcer and controls before, during, and after one-hour intravenous infusion of various doses of adrenaline (0.12 microgram to 6 microgram/min). Gastrin concentrations in the basal state were significantly increased in duodenal ulcer patients compared to controls. The maximal rise in serum gastrin concentrations was obtained at a dose of 4 microgram/min adrenaline in both groups of subjects, and the increase was significantly higher in duodenal ulcer patients than in controls. Adrenaline increased predominantly the gastrin III component (gastrin-17 like) in both duodenal ulcer patients and controls. The threshold level of adrenaline-induced gastrin release was significantly lower in duodenal ulcer patients: intravenous infusion of adrenaline in a dose of 0.12 microgram and 0.25 microgram/min increased serum gastrin concentrations 23 and 43%, respectively, but had no effect in controls. Rises in plasma adrenaline concentrations were similar in both groups of subjects in response to the various doses of adrenaline employed. Only the smallest dose of adrenaline (0.12 microgram/min) resulted in clearly physiological variations in plasma adrenaline concentrations. The results indicate that endogenous adrenaline may stimulate the secretion of gastrin during physiological conditions in patients with duodenal ulcer.", "contents": "Increased sensitivity of gastrin release to adrenaline in duodenal ulcer. Serum gastrin concentrations were measured in patients with duodenal ulcer and controls before, during, and after one-hour intravenous infusion of various doses of adrenaline (0.12 microgram to 6 microgram/min). Gastrin concentrations in the basal state were significantly increased in duodenal ulcer patients compared to controls. The maximal rise in serum gastrin concentrations was obtained at a dose of 4 microgram/min adrenaline in both groups of subjects, and the increase was significantly higher in duodenal ulcer patients than in controls. Adrenaline increased predominantly the gastrin III component (gastrin-17 like) in both duodenal ulcer patients and controls. The threshold level of adrenaline-induced gastrin release was significantly lower in duodenal ulcer patients: intravenous infusion of adrenaline in a dose of 0.12 microgram and 0.25 microgram/min increased serum gastrin concentrations 23 and 43%, respectively, but had no effect in controls. Rises in plasma adrenaline concentrations were similar in both groups of subjects in response to the various doses of adrenaline employed. Only the smallest dose of adrenaline (0.12 microgram/min) resulted in clearly physiological variations in plasma adrenaline concentrations. The results indicate that endogenous adrenaline may stimulate the secretion of gastrin during physiological conditions in patients with duodenal ulcer.", "PMID": 631642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8963", "title": "Calcium carbonate in human gallstones and total CO2 in bile.", "content": "Measurement of total CO2 concentrations in bile from patients undergoing cholecystectomy because of gallstones has shown that the presence of calcium carbonate in the stones can be associated with a raised total CO2 concentration in the common duct bile. In bile from functioning and poorly-functioning gallbladders, total CO2 was nearly always related to pH irrespective of stone composition.", "contents": "Calcium carbonate in human gallstones and total CO2 in bile. Measurement of total CO2 concentrations in bile from patients undergoing cholecystectomy because of gallstones has shown that the presence of calcium carbonate in the stones can be associated with a raised total CO2 concentration in the common duct bile. In bile from functioning and poorly-functioning gallbladders, total CO2 was nearly always related to pH irrespective of stone composition.", "PMID": 631643} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8964", "title": "Serum and faecal lysozyme in inflammatory bowel disease.", "content": "Lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) concentrations were measured in the serum and stools of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and compared with the concentrations in similar material from normal controls, patints with non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, and patients without gastrointestinal disease. By the turbidometric method, values of lysozyme (microgram/ml +/- SD) are considerably greater in the serum of patients with active Crohn's disease (9.2 +/- 2.7) than in the serum of healthy controls (4.4 +/- 2.0). They do not, however, distinguish individual patients with Crohn's disease from those with ulcerative colitis nor from those with a variety of other gastrointestinal conditions. The lysoplate method gives much higher values for serum lysozyme than the turbidometric method but there is a considerable overlap between the results for patients with Crohn's disease (60.1 +/- 30.7) and normal controls (27.4 +/- 17.5). There is only a moderate correlation between the results given by the two methods (r = 0.56) and it is suggested that factors other than enzyme activity and methodological variation are responsible for the observed differences. This is supported by the finding that, with Crohn's disease in remission, serum lysozyme values (lysoplate) return to normal values but with the turbidometric method remain raised. Mean faecal lysozyme levels, expressed either as a concentration or as total daily excretion, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are very significantly greater than values in healthy controls and in diseased subjects without diarrhoea but are not significantly different from those subjects with other causes of diarrhoea.", "contents": "Serum and faecal lysozyme in inflammatory bowel disease. Lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) concentrations were measured in the serum and stools of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and compared with the concentrations in similar material from normal controls, patints with non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disease, and patients without gastrointestinal disease. By the turbidometric method, values of lysozyme (microgram/ml +/- SD) are considerably greater in the serum of patients with active Crohn's disease (9.2 +/- 2.7) than in the serum of healthy controls (4.4 +/- 2.0). They do not, however, distinguish individual patients with Crohn's disease from those with ulcerative colitis nor from those with a variety of other gastrointestinal conditions. The lysoplate method gives much higher values for serum lysozyme than the turbidometric method but there is a considerable overlap between the results for patients with Crohn's disease (60.1 +/- 30.7) and normal controls (27.4 +/- 17.5). There is only a moderate correlation between the results given by the two methods (r = 0.56) and it is suggested that factors other than enzyme activity and methodological variation are responsible for the observed differences. This is supported by the finding that, with Crohn's disease in remission, serum lysozyme values (lysoplate) return to normal values but with the turbidometric method remain raised. Mean faecal lysozyme levels, expressed either as a concentration or as total daily excretion, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are very significantly greater than values in healthy controls and in diseased subjects without diarrhoea but are not significantly different from those subjects with other causes of diarrhoea.", "PMID": 631644} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8965", "title": "Digestion of native collagen in the gut.", "content": "The digestion and absorption of collagen, native and artificially cross-linked, has been examined in the rat and the Gaboon viper, by feeding known quantities and measuring the hydroxy-proline content of the faeces and of the contents of the gut at different levels, and comparing with an unabsorbable marker (polyethylene glycol). Incubation of collagen in vitro with pepsin at 37 degrees C at pH 1.5 followed by trypsin or chymotrypsin converted about 40% into dialysable material.", "contents": "Digestion of native collagen in the gut. The digestion and absorption of collagen, native and artificially cross-linked, has been examined in the rat and the Gaboon viper, by feeding known quantities and measuring the hydroxy-proline content of the faeces and of the contents of the gut at different levels, and comparing with an unabsorbable marker (polyethylene glycol). Incubation of collagen in vitro with pepsin at 37 degrees C at pH 1.5 followed by trypsin or chymotrypsin converted about 40% into dialysable material.", "PMID": 631645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8966", "title": "Use of ERCP in the diagnosis of internal pancreatic fistula.", "content": "Two cases of internal pancreatic fistula, causing pancreatic ascites, were demonstrated by the use of ERCP. This new technique is a useful way of establishing the diagnosis, and treatment may in the future be determined by the ERCP findings.", "contents": "Use of ERCP in the diagnosis of internal pancreatic fistula. Two cases of internal pancreatic fistula, causing pancreatic ascites, were demonstrated by the use of ERCP. This new technique is a useful way of establishing the diagnosis, and treatment may in the future be determined by the ERCP findings.", "PMID": 631646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8967", "title": "[The atrial sound over the carotid artery].", "content": "The appearance of carotid atrial sounds has been observed in 6 out of 19 patients with stroke. It is assumed that these patients have obstructions in the carotid-subclavian area. Further studies to prove this working hypothesis are in progress.", "contents": "[The atrial sound over the carotid artery]. The appearance of carotid atrial sounds has been observed in 6 out of 19 patients with stroke. It is assumed that these patients have obstructions in the carotid-subclavian area. Further studies to prove this working hypothesis are in progress.", "PMID": 631683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8968", "title": "[\"Grading\" and \"staging\". Significance for clinical oncology].", "content": "\"Grading\" and \"staging\" means histological classification of tumors, determination of the histological grade of malignancy, clinical and, if possible, surgical-evaluative or postoperative pathological TNM classification and stage classification of tumor patients. Grading and staging are necessary for prognosis, for evaluation of diagnostic standard, for statistical analysis of end results and for therapeutic decisions. The prerequisites for a modern cancer therapy are meticulous histological examination, exact morphological classification of tumor extension, and histological grading of tumors. Therefore, today's pathologist not only diagnosis cancer but also he has an important responsibility in determining the methods of cancer therapy in each individual patient.", "contents": "[\"Grading\" and \"staging\". Significance for clinical oncology]. \"Grading\" and \"staging\" means histological classification of tumors, determination of the histological grade of malignancy, clinical and, if possible, surgical-evaluative or postoperative pathological TNM classification and stage classification of tumor patients. Grading and staging are necessary for prognosis, for evaluation of diagnostic standard, for statistical analysis of end results and for therapeutic decisions. The prerequisites for a modern cancer therapy are meticulous histological examination, exact morphological classification of tumor extension, and histological grading of tumors. Therefore, today's pathologist not only diagnosis cancer but also he has an important responsibility in determining the methods of cancer therapy in each individual patient.", "PMID": 631684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8969", "title": "The identification of sympathomimetic amines by Raman spectroscopy.", "content": "This study was undertaken to explore the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying drugs in the forensic laboratory. Raman spectra of a group of sympathomimetic amines, in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations, were obtained and compared; group similarities and individual differences were found, and satisfactory identifications could be made. Water solutions as well as solids were examined. The procedure is rapid, sensitive, simple, and non-destructive.", "contents": "The identification of sympathomimetic amines by Raman spectroscopy. This study was undertaken to explore the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying drugs in the forensic laboratory. Raman spectra of a group of sympathomimetic amines, in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations, were obtained and compared; group similarities and individual differences were found, and satisfactory identifications could be made. Water solutions as well as solids were examined. The procedure is rapid, sensitive, simple, and non-destructive.", "PMID": 631680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8970", "title": "[Insane offenders. Forensic psychiatry and criminal jurisprudence].", "content": "Care and treatment of mentally abnormal offenders constitute a special problem for the traditional penal system as well as for conventional psychiatric services. Persons who are not responsible for their criminal acts need more rather than less security. In this paper 348 criminal offenders were analyzed according to type of offence and diagnosis. This population constitutes 3.11% of all psychiatric in-patients in Austrian psychiatric hospitals. In order to improve possibilities of research and at the same time make custody and release better manageable it is suggested to establish special institutions for mentally abnormal offenders. Special attention is also paid to the problem of suicide and self-injuring of prisoners and especially to personality changes (\"functional psychosyndrome\") due to chronic imprisonment in cases of long-term criminal inmates.", "contents": "[Insane offenders. Forensic psychiatry and criminal jurisprudence]. Care and treatment of mentally abnormal offenders constitute a special problem for the traditional penal system as well as for conventional psychiatric services. Persons who are not responsible for their criminal acts need more rather than less security. In this paper 348 criminal offenders were analyzed according to type of offence and diagnosis. This population constitutes 3.11% of all psychiatric in-patients in Austrian psychiatric hospitals. In order to improve possibilities of research and at the same time make custody and release better manageable it is suggested to establish special institutions for mentally abnormal offenders. Special attention is also paid to the problem of suicide and self-injuring of prisoners and especially to personality changes (\"functional psychosyndrome\") due to chronic imprisonment in cases of long-term criminal inmates.", "PMID": 631687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8971", "title": "[Objective criteria for the evaluation of the vocal function].", "content": "In search of an objective method for the evaluation of vocal function it was investigated, whether there exists a relationship between the capability of kinesthetic phonatory control, i.e. the operational efficiency of the neuromuscular phonatory control system, and the quality of vocal function. In three groups of subjects with different quality of vocal function (singers, normal subjects and dysphonic patients) pitch and intensity changes of the speaking and singing voice during interruption of auditory feedback (by means of binaural maskings) were measured by means of fundamental frequency analysis. Results showed a much better kinesthetic control ability in singers than in normals and especially in dysphonic patients thus revealing, that the measurement of this ability can be used for evaluating individual vocal function objectively. The main evaluation criteria are: the degree of vocal pitch elevation while speaking under masking conditions, the accuracy of the singing voice without auditory control and the width of pitch perturbations of a sustained voice.", "contents": "[Objective criteria for the evaluation of the vocal function]. In search of an objective method for the evaluation of vocal function it was investigated, whether there exists a relationship between the capability of kinesthetic phonatory control, i.e. the operational efficiency of the neuromuscular phonatory control system, and the quality of vocal function. In three groups of subjects with different quality of vocal function (singers, normal subjects and dysphonic patients) pitch and intensity changes of the speaking and singing voice during interruption of auditory feedback (by means of binaural maskings) were measured by means of fundamental frequency analysis. Results showed a much better kinesthetic control ability in singers than in normals and especially in dysphonic patients thus revealing, that the measurement of this ability can be used for evaluating individual vocal function objectively. The main evaluation criteria are: the degree of vocal pitch elevation while speaking under masking conditions, the accuracy of the singing voice without auditory control and the width of pitch perturbations of a sustained voice.", "PMID": 631688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8972", "title": "[Polyneuropathy, adrenal insufficiency and diarrhea of unknown origin].", "content": "Clinico-pathological conference concerning a syndrome, characterized by considerable diagnostic problems. Polyneuropathy, adrenocortical insufficiency and diarrhea without typical changes in laboratory or functional data should always lead to the suspicion of primary amyloidosis. This diagnosis could be confirmed in the discussed case report. Its clinical relevance in regard to the type of spreading--perireticular or pericollagenous--is discussed, methods for identification are mentioned.", "contents": "[Polyneuropathy, adrenal insufficiency and diarrhea of unknown origin]. Clinico-pathological conference concerning a syndrome, characterized by considerable diagnostic problems. Polyneuropathy, adrenocortical insufficiency and diarrhea without typical changes in laboratory or functional data should always lead to the suspicion of primary amyloidosis. This diagnosis could be confirmed in the discussed case report. Its clinical relevance in regard to the type of spreading--perireticular or pericollagenous--is discussed, methods for identification are mentioned.", "PMID": 631689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8973", "title": "[The oral application of berotec in the therapy of obstructive airway diseases].", "content": "The intensity and duration of action of Berotec (fenoterol) syrup in doses of 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg were investigated in an acute cross-over study in comparison with placebo, using the double blind technique. By measurement of the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and the forced expiratory flow rate (FEF200-1200) significant improvement in pulmonary function could be detected from 1 to 4 hours after administration of 2.5 mg and from 1 to 8 hours after administration fo 5.0 mg Berotec syrup. The intensity of action exhibited a statistically significant dose dependence and was greater after the 5.0 mg dose (p=0.05) than after 2 puffs from Berotec metered aerosol taken by the patients in a pre-test. Minor side effects were observed in 2 cases: in one patient on the 5.0 mg dose they were clearly sympathomimetic and accompanied by a stronger bronchodilating effect.", "contents": "[The oral application of berotec in the therapy of obstructive airway diseases]. The intensity and duration of action of Berotec (fenoterol) syrup in doses of 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg were investigated in an acute cross-over study in comparison with placebo, using the double blind technique. By measurement of the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and the forced expiratory flow rate (FEF200-1200) significant improvement in pulmonary function could be detected from 1 to 4 hours after administration of 2.5 mg and from 1 to 8 hours after administration fo 5.0 mg Berotec syrup. The intensity of action exhibited a statistically significant dose dependence and was greater after the 5.0 mg dose (p=0.05) than after 2 puffs from Berotec metered aerosol taken by the patients in a pre-test. Minor side effects were observed in 2 cases: in one patient on the 5.0 mg dose they were clearly sympathomimetic and accompanied by a stronger bronchodilating effect.", "PMID": 631690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8974", "title": "[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency of the mediterranean type B minus. 2. Etiological basis for severe hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn].", "content": "After having described in detail the pathophysiology, symptomatology, X-chromosomal inheritance and some laboratory methods in detecting G-6-PD-deficiency by demonstrating a case of favism (Schulz et al. 1977), the authors now discuss the particularities of the enzyme deficiency in the newborn. These are complicated by additional physiological and transient deficiency of the enzymes catalase, NAD-diaphorase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucuronyl transferase. Several chemical substances, acidosis, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and immaturity may cause a severe hyperbilirubinemia in G-6-PD-deficient newborns. The development of a kern-icterus in these cases may be prevented by early exchange transfusion. From clinical findings and some observations in different regions of Greece an additional factor influencing the liver function has been postulated which favors the development of hyperbilirubinemias in G-6-PD-deficient newborns. The nature of this possible factor is discussed. The authors emphasize the necessity of screening for G-6-PD-deficiency during pregnancy in families of mediterranian descent.", "contents": "[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency of the mediterranean type B minus. 2. Etiological basis for severe hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn]. After having described in detail the pathophysiology, symptomatology, X-chromosomal inheritance and some laboratory methods in detecting G-6-PD-deficiency by demonstrating a case of favism (Schulz et al. 1977), the authors now discuss the particularities of the enzyme deficiency in the newborn. These are complicated by additional physiological and transient deficiency of the enzymes catalase, NAD-diaphorase, glutathione peroxidase, and glucuronyl transferase. Several chemical substances, acidosis, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and immaturity may cause a severe hyperbilirubinemia in G-6-PD-deficient newborns. The development of a kern-icterus in these cases may be prevented by early exchange transfusion. From clinical findings and some observations in different regions of Greece an additional factor influencing the liver function has been postulated which favors the development of hyperbilirubinemias in G-6-PD-deficient newborns. The nature of this possible factor is discussed. The authors emphasize the necessity of screening for G-6-PD-deficiency during pregnancy in families of mediterranian descent.", "PMID": 631693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8975", "title": "[Increased insulin secretion in dystrophia myotonica].", "content": "Serum insulin levels were determined in patients with myotonic dystrophy after intravenous administration of glucose and were found to be higher than in control persons in about 60%. Although several interpretations of this observation are possible we favor the assumption, that an increased sensitivity of the insulin producing system of the pancreas is the reason. With regard to the most accepted hypothesis that myotonic dystrophy is a disorder due to impaired membrane function, it is tempting to explain our findings by an altered membranal function of the insulin producing cells, too.", "contents": "[Increased insulin secretion in dystrophia myotonica]. Serum insulin levels were determined in patients with myotonic dystrophy after intravenous administration of glucose and were found to be higher than in control persons in about 60%. Although several interpretations of this observation are possible we favor the assumption, that an increased sensitivity of the insulin producing system of the pancreas is the reason. With regard to the most accepted hypothesis that myotonic dystrophy is a disorder due to impaired membrane function, it is tempting to explain our findings by an altered membranal function of the insulin producing cells, too.", "PMID": 631695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8976", "title": "[Cerebro-organic syndrome during gold therapy. Possible correlation between gold therapy in chronic seronegative polyarthritis and the appearance of a cerebro-organic syndrome. A case contribution].", "content": "In this article the possible relationship between gold therapy of a chronic seronegative polyarthritis and the appearance of a cerebro-organic syndrome in a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman will be discussed. We take into consideration the basic illness, the biography, the hormonal situation, the simultaneous chloroquin therapy and the overdosage of the gold drug. After a careful consideration of the different diagnostical possibilities following the above mentioned factors, not only a temporal but also a causative relationship of gold therapy and cerebro-organic syndrome seems to be possible.", "contents": "[Cerebro-organic syndrome during gold therapy. Possible correlation between gold therapy in chronic seronegative polyarthritis and the appearance of a cerebro-organic syndrome. A case contribution]. In this article the possible relationship between gold therapy of a chronic seronegative polyarthritis and the appearance of a cerebro-organic syndrome in a 56-year-old postmenopausal woman will be discussed. We take into consideration the basic illness, the biography, the hormonal situation, the simultaneous chloroquin therapy and the overdosage of the gold drug. After a careful consideration of the different diagnostical possibilities following the above mentioned factors, not only a temporal but also a causative relationship of gold therapy and cerebro-organic syndrome seems to be possible.", "PMID": 631696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8977", "title": "[Evaluation of the central venous pressure as a measure for fluid and volume therapy].", "content": "Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure more accurately reflects left ventricular function than does central venous pressure. However, left ventricular function is the best measure for peripheral perfusion and, therefore, for adequate fluid volume therapy. In only 13 out of 32 patients monitorized by Swan-Ganz catheter we found a correlation among central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Studying the histories of the group without correlation we found significant cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Therefore, if central venous pressure is used for monitoring of fluid volume administration the history and physical findings of the pulmonary cardiac system have to be strictly considered. Sharp rises of the central venous pressure after small amounts of fluid intake carry the risk of pulmonary edema.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the central venous pressure as a measure for fluid and volume therapy]. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure more accurately reflects left ventricular function than does central venous pressure. However, left ventricular function is the best measure for peripheral perfusion and, therefore, for adequate fluid volume therapy. In only 13 out of 32 patients monitorized by Swan-Ganz catheter we found a correlation among central venous pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Studying the histories of the group without correlation we found significant cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Therefore, if central venous pressure is used for monitoring of fluid volume administration the history and physical findings of the pulmonary cardiac system have to be strictly considered. Sharp rises of the central venous pressure after small amounts of fluid intake carry the risk of pulmonary edema.", "PMID": 631697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8978", "title": "[Stimulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis from amino acids in acute uremia].", "content": "Investigations on the role of alterations in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in so-called pseudodiabetes of uremic subjects are reported. All experiments were carried out in acutely uremic rats produced by bilateral nephrectomy. The results are summarized in Fig. 5. From this follows that by some still unknown mechanism an altered hormonal equilibrium seems to develop. From a stimulation of endogenous hepatic proteolysis, acceleration of amino acid transport into the liver cell, and activation of L-serine-dehydratase and other key enzymes of amino acid metabolism, an increased supply of substrate for gluconeogenesis can be expected, thus leading to enhanced formation of glucose by the liver in acute uremia.", "contents": "[Stimulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis from amino acids in acute uremia]. Investigations on the role of alterations in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in so-called pseudodiabetes of uremic subjects are reported. All experiments were carried out in acutely uremic rats produced by bilateral nephrectomy. The results are summarized in Fig. 5. From this follows that by some still unknown mechanism an altered hormonal equilibrium seems to develop. From a stimulation of endogenous hepatic proteolysis, acceleration of amino acid transport into the liver cell, and activation of L-serine-dehydratase and other key enzymes of amino acid metabolism, an increased supply of substrate for gluconeogenesis can be expected, thus leading to enhanced formation of glucose by the liver in acute uremia.", "PMID": 631698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8979", "title": "[The diagnostic efficiency of tonography].", "content": "There are three methods for increasing the diagnostic efficiency of tonography: The improvement of tonographical technique, the combination of tonography with provocative tests and methods of mathematical differentiation. Our own bulbar-compression isotonographical method is described. This method allows a choice of different pressure gradients. Our method was applied to 28 normal and 40 glaucomatous eyes. This method was carried out twice on all patients using two pressure gradients: Pt = Po + 30 and Pt = Po + 10. Also, the outflow facility (L) was determined by Grant's tonography. Thus, 3 L-values were obtained with 3 varying pressure differences (Pt -- Po = deltaP). With this differential tonography the mathematical determination and the graphic representation of a real L-value (Ldiff) by deltaP = 0 are possible. With normal eyes the average L-values were indirectly proportional to the pressure differences. This relationship was found to be directly proportional to glaucomatous eyes. The tonographical coefficients Po/L, P3/L3-7,Po -- 10/L and Po/Lintegral were calculated on 104 normal and 312 glaucomatous eyes. The diagnostic efficiency of tonography is increased by the determination of Ldiff (percentage of positive values = 70%) and the calculation of Po/Ldiff value (95%).", "contents": "[The diagnostic efficiency of tonography]. There are three methods for increasing the diagnostic efficiency of tonography: The improvement of tonographical technique, the combination of tonography with provocative tests and methods of mathematical differentiation. Our own bulbar-compression isotonographical method is described. This method allows a choice of different pressure gradients. Our method was applied to 28 normal and 40 glaucomatous eyes. This method was carried out twice on all patients using two pressure gradients: Pt = Po + 30 and Pt = Po + 10. Also, the outflow facility (L) was determined by Grant's tonography. Thus, 3 L-values were obtained with 3 varying pressure differences (Pt -- Po = deltaP). With this differential tonography the mathematical determination and the graphic representation of a real L-value (Ldiff) by deltaP = 0 are possible. With normal eyes the average L-values were indirectly proportional to the pressure differences. This relationship was found to be directly proportional to glaucomatous eyes. The tonographical coefficients Po/L, P3/L3-7,Po -- 10/L and Po/Lintegral were calculated on 104 normal and 312 glaucomatous eyes. The diagnostic efficiency of tonography is increased by the determination of Ldiff (percentage of positive values = 70%) and the calculation of Po/Ldiff value (95%).", "PMID": 631699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8980", "title": "[The value of the radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST) in the diagnosis of pollinosis].", "content": "Conclusions for pollinosis: 1. RAST is not necessary for the diagnosis when history and skin tests are characteristic. 2. If RAST is indicated (e.g. small children, urticaria factitia, eczema) tests with two or three grasses or a grass-mixture are sufficient. 3. RAST classes 1 and 2 have no diagnostic value. 4. If skin tests give no clearcut results provocation tests are preferable to RAST.", "contents": "[The value of the radio-allergo-sorbent test (RAST) in the diagnosis of pollinosis]. Conclusions for pollinosis: 1. RAST is not necessary for the diagnosis when history and skin tests are characteristic. 2. If RAST is indicated (e.g. small children, urticaria factitia, eczema) tests with two or three grasses or a grass-mixture are sufficient. 3. RAST classes 1 and 2 have no diagnostic value. 4. If skin tests give no clearcut results provocation tests are preferable to RAST.", "PMID": 631700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8981", "title": "[Corpus carcinoma and myomatous uterus. Incidence and course during the last 25 years].", "content": "The incidence of carcinoma corporis uteri and myoma uteri in the last 25 years was studied. The number of carcinoma of the uterine body is increasing in relation to other gynaecological cancers. Most cases occurred in the 6th and 7th decade of life. Small uterine cavities (up to 7.5 cm) and uterine weight of less than 100 grams show increasing frequency. The incidence of cavities larger than 10 cm and uteri weighing more than 200 grams is decreasing. The uterine cavity was in 47% larger than 9 cm. Uterine weight was more than 100 grams in 46% of the cases.", "contents": "[Corpus carcinoma and myomatous uterus. Incidence and course during the last 25 years]. The incidence of carcinoma corporis uteri and myoma uteri in the last 25 years was studied. The number of carcinoma of the uterine body is increasing in relation to other gynaecological cancers. Most cases occurred in the 6th and 7th decade of life. Small uterine cavities (up to 7.5 cm) and uterine weight of less than 100 grams show increasing frequency. The incidence of cavities larger than 10 cm and uteri weighing more than 200 grams is decreasing. The uterine cavity was in 47% larger than 9 cm. Uterine weight was more than 100 grams in 46% of the cases.", "PMID": 631701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8982", "title": "[Nuclearmedical tumor diagnosis].", "content": "Nuclear medicine diagnosis is an important discipline in cancer searching. By using reliable radiopharmaceuticals practically all organs can be investigated, especially bone cancer.", "contents": "[Nuclearmedical tumor diagnosis]. Nuclear medicine diagnosis is an important discipline in cancer searching. By using reliable radiopharmaceuticals practically all organs can be investigated, especially bone cancer.", "PMID": 631702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8983", "title": "[Treatment of severe lung embolism under conditions of reanimation].", "content": "Despite intensive conservative treatment a 35-year-old woman with massive pulmonary embolism and cardiogenic shock developed cardiac arrest. After 45 minutes resuscitation, mechanical heart action reappeared with a systolic blood pressure at 60 mmHg. Though cardiogenic shock persisted, the patient survived operative embolectomy without any damage. Presenting this case as well as newest clinical reports, the chances of treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism, conservative or operative, are discussed.", "contents": "[Treatment of severe lung embolism under conditions of reanimation]. Despite intensive conservative treatment a 35-year-old woman with massive pulmonary embolism and cardiogenic shock developed cardiac arrest. After 45 minutes resuscitation, mechanical heart action reappeared with a systolic blood pressure at 60 mmHg. Though cardiogenic shock persisted, the patient survived operative embolectomy without any damage. Presenting this case as well as newest clinical reports, the chances of treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism, conservative or operative, are discussed.", "PMID": 631703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8984", "title": "[Drug therapy of shock].", "content": "Shock is to define by clinical symptoms, measurable haemodynamic and metabolic changes, clotting failure and disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance. It is essential to remove hypovolemia, acidosis, cardiovascular failure, pulmonary and renal insufficiency. Quite a lot of proved and controversial pharmacological substances are placed at physician's disposal. However, the mortality of cardiogenic shock and gram-negative septic shock is more than 80% respectively 30%, often caused by shock lung or irreversible injury to the kidneys. Shock due to depletion of extracellular fluid, poisoning and acute pancreatitis require specific treatment.", "contents": "[Drug therapy of shock]. Shock is to define by clinical symptoms, measurable haemodynamic and metabolic changes, clotting failure and disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance. It is essential to remove hypovolemia, acidosis, cardiovascular failure, pulmonary and renal insufficiency. Quite a lot of proved and controversial pharmacological substances are placed at physician's disposal. However, the mortality of cardiogenic shock and gram-negative septic shock is more than 80% respectively 30%, often caused by shock lung or irreversible injury to the kidneys. Shock due to depletion of extracellular fluid, poisoning and acute pancreatitis require specific treatment.", "PMID": 631705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8985", "title": "[Biochemical and pharmacological properties of new 2-substituted aziridines. Contribution to experimental tumor research].", "content": "A new class of compounds, the 2-cyanaziridines, has immune-modulating properties. This immune-modulation was proved by the influence on the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, the increase of the lymphocyte transformation by T-cell-specific mitogens ConA and PHA, the increase of phagocytosis of macrophages, the increase of resistance against bacterial, fungal and virus infections and by the influence on various transplantation tumors in mice and rats.", "contents": "[Biochemical and pharmacological properties of new 2-substituted aziridines. Contribution to experimental tumor research]. A new class of compounds, the 2-cyanaziridines, has immune-modulating properties. This immune-modulation was proved by the influence on the delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, the increase of the lymphocyte transformation by T-cell-specific mitogens ConA and PHA, the increase of phagocytosis of macrophages, the increase of resistance against bacterial, fungal and virus infections and by the influence on various transplantation tumors in mice and rats.", "PMID": 631706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8986", "title": "[Immune status after tetanus vaccination. Possibilities and indications for a quantitative rapid determination of tetanus antibodies in human serum].", "content": "Active and passive immunization against tetanus is one of the most used vaccination procedures in our population. Detection of size and duration of protection till now failed due to expensive methods. Counter-Immuno-Electrophoresis (CIE) is presented as a simple and non-expensive method with adequate sensitivity, and allows to obtain data concerning immunity of tetanus-immunized persons in almost any case. Rarely positive results as to antitoxin level are obtainable only by more sensitive methods. Further detection methods, and examinations of tetanus-immunity of \"problem patients\" showing immunofailure and of collectives immunized on various schedules will be reported later.", "contents": "[Immune status after tetanus vaccination. Possibilities and indications for a quantitative rapid determination of tetanus antibodies in human serum]. Active and passive immunization against tetanus is one of the most used vaccination procedures in our population. Detection of size and duration of protection till now failed due to expensive methods. Counter-Immuno-Electrophoresis (CIE) is presented as a simple and non-expensive method with adequate sensitivity, and allows to obtain data concerning immunity of tetanus-immunized persons in almost any case. Rarely positive results as to antitoxin level are obtainable only by more sensitive methods. Further detection methods, and examinations of tetanus-immunity of \"problem patients\" showing immunofailure and of collectives immunized on various schedules will be reported later.", "PMID": 631708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8987", "title": "[Will Salk's polio vaccination be used again?].", "content": "The value and special problems of application of killed and life polio vaccines are compared and discussed. The vaccination with life polio vaccine will be continued generally. Killed polio vaccine may be useful in children with immunodeficiency only.", "contents": "[Will Salk's polio vaccination be used again?]. The value and special problems of application of killed and life polio vaccines are compared and discussed. The vaccination with life polio vaccine will be continued generally. Killed polio vaccine may be useful in children with immunodeficiency only.", "PMID": 631710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8988", "title": "[Therapy for cholelithiasis].", "content": "It is recommended that elective cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis be performed right away after the first colic. This decreases the operative mortality to 0.3-1.0%. 2. The occurrence of local complications leads to a ten-fold increase in mortality. 3. Patients with gallstones but without symptoms should be operated during their 5th decade of life because half of these patients will later on develop serious symptoms and 25% even critical local complications requiring surgery. Operative mortality in the old age group, however, is considerably higher at 7-20%. 4. The acute cholecystitis should nowadays be treated by surgeons because early operation usually results in an operative mortality of as low as 1-1.5%. 5. The postoperative treatment of choice for residual common duct stones is either chemical dissolution via the T-tube extraction via the T-tube canal or endoscopic retrograde extraction of the stone after papillotomy. A reoperation is indicated only in the rare event that these methods should fail.", "contents": "[Therapy for cholelithiasis]. It is recommended that elective cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis be performed right away after the first colic. This decreases the operative mortality to 0.3-1.0%. 2. The occurrence of local complications leads to a ten-fold increase in mortality. 3. Patients with gallstones but without symptoms should be operated during their 5th decade of life because half of these patients will later on develop serious symptoms and 25% even critical local complications requiring surgery. Operative mortality in the old age group, however, is considerably higher at 7-20%. 4. The acute cholecystitis should nowadays be treated by surgeons because early operation usually results in an operative mortality of as low as 1-1.5%. 5. The postoperative treatment of choice for residual common duct stones is either chemical dissolution via the T-tube extraction via the T-tube canal or endoscopic retrograde extraction of the stone after papillotomy. A reoperation is indicated only in the rare event that these methods should fail.", "PMID": 631712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8989", "title": "[Clinical aspects of a new, very low dose combination contraceptive].", "content": "In a multicentre trial in Yugoslavia 150 fertile women were treated during 2541 menstrual cycles with Ovoresta M, a new low-dosed combined oral contraceptive pill. Each tablet contains 0.75 mg lynestrenol and 0.0375 mg ethinyloestradiol. Evaluation of the results shows that there were no pregnancies. Irregular bleedings occurred in 8.1% of all cycles. The side effects recorded were mainly due to the fact that for 140 of the 150 participants this was the first oral contraceptive they ever used. 2 women dropped out for relevant reasons (irregular bleedings). Because of the low dosage of active ingredients the authors consider Ovoresta M a welcome supplement to the existing oral contraceptives.", "contents": "[Clinical aspects of a new, very low dose combination contraceptive]. In a multicentre trial in Yugoslavia 150 fertile women were treated during 2541 menstrual cycles with Ovoresta M, a new low-dosed combined oral contraceptive pill. Each tablet contains 0.75 mg lynestrenol and 0.0375 mg ethinyloestradiol. Evaluation of the results shows that there were no pregnancies. Irregular bleedings occurred in 8.1% of all cycles. The side effects recorded were mainly due to the fact that for 140 of the 150 participants this was the first oral contraceptive they ever used. 2 women dropped out for relevant reasons (irregular bleedings). Because of the low dosage of active ingredients the authors consider Ovoresta M a welcome supplement to the existing oral contraceptives.", "PMID": 631715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8990", "title": "[Prostatectomy incontinence].", "content": "Urinary continence is guaranteed by the system of smooth urethral musculature, the so-called sphincter internus. The striated sphincter externus has primarily no responsibility for continence. One of its most important functions is the initiation of a voluntary micturition. Further functions are: the voluntary interruption of the urinary stream, the reflectory occlusion by elevated intraabdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing, heavy physical work), expression of the rest of urine in the urethra after micturition, stabilization of the proximal urethra in the urogenital diaphragm. To get an optimal function after prostatectomy an intact sphincter externus becomes important for the smooth urethral muscular system which is further responsible for the continence. About 90% of all patients with a postprostatectomy incontinence have an intact sphincter externus. In these cases we have a high incidence of incontinence cure. Only in 10% of incontinence after prostatectomy the sphincter externus is damaged. In those cases the incontinence operation is inadequate.", "contents": "[Prostatectomy incontinence]. Urinary continence is guaranteed by the system of smooth urethral musculature, the so-called sphincter internus. The striated sphincter externus has primarily no responsibility for continence. One of its most important functions is the initiation of a voluntary micturition. Further functions are: the voluntary interruption of the urinary stream, the reflectory occlusion by elevated intraabdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing, heavy physical work), expression of the rest of urine in the urethra after micturition, stabilization of the proximal urethra in the urogenital diaphragm. To get an optimal function after prostatectomy an intact sphincter externus becomes important for the smooth urethral muscular system which is further responsible for the continence. About 90% of all patients with a postprostatectomy incontinence have an intact sphincter externus. In these cases we have a high incidence of incontinence cure. Only in 10% of incontinence after prostatectomy the sphincter externus is damaged. In those cases the incontinence operation is inadequate.", "PMID": 631721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8991", "title": "[Studies on the estimation of the postmortem interval. 2. The postmortem lividity (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors have investigated the relationship between the postmortem interval and the postmortem lividity of 430 persons who had died at known times and had been subjected to medico-legal autopsies. 1) For determining the postmortem interval from the postmortem lividity, the examination of the fading of the lividity upon pressure is most reliable. Among various methods of pressing, the pressing by means of a narrow side-edge of a hard instrument such as a pincette offers more accurate results than those by means of the fingerpressure which is commonly adopted in the present medico-legal practice. 2) The rate of nonfading is higher in summer among the cadavers within 6-12 hours after death, while over 12 hours it does not show any seasonal variation. Considering the influence of the cause of death, death by asphyxia and death by intracranial injuries show lower nonfading rate than death by exsanguination and natural death. These differences are observed merely within 24 hours after death. 3) Nonfading occupies one-third of cases during 6-12 hours after death and exceeds a half during 12-24 hours and exceeds two-thirds during 1-3 days and occupies almost all cases over 3 days. Namely, complete fading is observed within 3 days after death.", "contents": "[Studies on the estimation of the postmortem interval. 2. The postmortem lividity (author's transl)]. The authors have investigated the relationship between the postmortem interval and the postmortem lividity of 430 persons who had died at known times and had been subjected to medico-legal autopsies. 1) For determining the postmortem interval from the postmortem lividity, the examination of the fading of the lividity upon pressure is most reliable. Among various methods of pressing, the pressing by means of a narrow side-edge of a hard instrument such as a pincette offers more accurate results than those by means of the fingerpressure which is commonly adopted in the present medico-legal practice. 2) The rate of nonfading is higher in summer among the cadavers within 6-12 hours after death, while over 12 hours it does not show any seasonal variation. Considering the influence of the cause of death, death by asphyxia and death by intracranial injuries show lower nonfading rate than death by exsanguination and natural death. These differences are observed merely within 24 hours after death. 3) Nonfading occupies one-third of cases during 6-12 hours after death and exceeds a half during 12-24 hours and exceeds two-thirds during 1-3 days and occupies almost all cases over 3 days. Namely, complete fading is observed within 3 days after death.", "PMID": 631728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8992", "title": "Studies on the estimation of the postmortem interval. 3. Rigor mortis (author's transl).", "content": "The authors have devised a method for classifying rigor mortis into 10 types based on its appearance and strength in various parts of a cadaver. By applying the method to the findings of 436 cadavers which were subjected to medico-legal autopsies in our laboratory during the last 10 years, it has been demonstrated that the classifying method is effective for analyzing the phenomenon of onset, persistence and disappearance of rigor mortis statistically. The investigation of the relationship between each type of rigor mortis and the postmortem interval has demonstrated that rigor mortis may be utilized as a basis for estimating the postmortem interval but the values have greater deviation than those described in current textbooks.", "contents": "Studies on the estimation of the postmortem interval. 3. Rigor mortis (author's transl). The authors have devised a method for classifying rigor mortis into 10 types based on its appearance and strength in various parts of a cadaver. By applying the method to the findings of 436 cadavers which were subjected to medico-legal autopsies in our laboratory during the last 10 years, it has been demonstrated that the classifying method is effective for analyzing the phenomenon of onset, persistence and disappearance of rigor mortis statistically. The investigation of the relationship between each type of rigor mortis and the postmortem interval has demonstrated that rigor mortis may be utilized as a basis for estimating the postmortem interval but the values have greater deviation than those described in current textbooks.", "PMID": 631729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8993", "title": "Macroscopical observations on a human anencephalous fetus with multiple malformations (author's transl).", "content": "The present report treats a female stillborn human anencephalous fetus with the craniorrhachischisis, cleft palate, left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoplasia of lungs, imperforate vagina and anus, absent left kidney and sternal muscle on the left side. In view of the rarity of the records of autopsied cases of anencephaly, authors made efforts to obtain informations on how all the organs in this fetus and their topographical relation in each other are affected by the anencephaly. The findings are summarized as follows. 1) This case falls under Anencephalus craniorrhachischisis in NANAGAS (1925)'S classification. 2) The greater part of thoracic and lumbar vertebral column except T10, 11, 12 and L1 segments shows several segmental malformations. The lumbar vertebral column is twisted towards right and the left posterior abdominal wall is nearly absent. Due to these changes, only two ribs are present on the left side. 3) In this case, there is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia through persistent left sided pleuroperitoneal canal. The abdominal viscera protruded into the pleural cavity are the caecum, vermiform appendix, colon, spleen and pancreas. 4) On both sides, the ventral rami of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral nerves are normal in number. Their spinal ganglia situated on these nerve roots are, however, fused to form eight ganglionic masses. 5) The five short left thoracic ventral rami arise from a ganglion lying on the posterior thoracic wall. This ganglion gives off the two branches communicating with the right 7th, 8th and 11th thoracic nerves. On the other hand, the right lumbar plexus receives the left 1st, 2nd and 3rd lumbar nerves. In the left pelvic part, there is another ganglion which gives off the two large branches to the right 1st and 2nd sacral nerves. 6) From the findings mentioned above, it is advisable to examine not only the ectodermal structures but also mesodermal ones to promote the studies on a factor in the genesis of anencephaly.", "contents": "Macroscopical observations on a human anencephalous fetus with multiple malformations (author's transl). The present report treats a female stillborn human anencephalous fetus with the craniorrhachischisis, cleft palate, left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoplasia of lungs, imperforate vagina and anus, absent left kidney and sternal muscle on the left side. In view of the rarity of the records of autopsied cases of anencephaly, authors made efforts to obtain informations on how all the organs in this fetus and their topographical relation in each other are affected by the anencephaly. The findings are summarized as follows. 1) This case falls under Anencephalus craniorrhachischisis in NANAGAS (1925)'S classification. 2) The greater part of thoracic and lumbar vertebral column except T10, 11, 12 and L1 segments shows several segmental malformations. The lumbar vertebral column is twisted towards right and the left posterior abdominal wall is nearly absent. Due to these changes, only two ribs are present on the left side. 3) In this case, there is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia through persistent left sided pleuroperitoneal canal. The abdominal viscera protruded into the pleural cavity are the caecum, vermiform appendix, colon, spleen and pancreas. 4) On both sides, the ventral rami of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral nerves are normal in number. Their spinal ganglia situated on these nerve roots are, however, fused to form eight ganglionic masses. 5) The five short left thoracic ventral rami arise from a ganglion lying on the posterior thoracic wall. This ganglion gives off the two branches communicating with the right 7th, 8th and 11th thoracic nerves. On the other hand, the right lumbar plexus receives the left 1st, 2nd and 3rd lumbar nerves. In the left pelvic part, there is another ganglion which gives off the two large branches to the right 1st and 2nd sacral nerves. 6) From the findings mentioned above, it is advisable to examine not only the ectodermal structures but also mesodermal ones to promote the studies on a factor in the genesis of anencephaly.", "PMID": 631730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8994", "title": "On the mechanism of action of biguanides. evidence against an inhibition of gluconeogenesis from protein in normal fasting subjects.", "content": "The effect of phenformin on fuel homeostasis and on gluconeogenesis from protein was studied in 8 normal subjects who underwent two 4-day fasts 8-12 weeks apart. Each person received placebo or phenformin 50 mg every 12 hours for 3 days before and during the fasts. Circulating glucose, lactate, pyruvate, free fatty acid and ketone levels as well as urinary nitrogen excretion observed during placebo and phenformin treatment were not significantly different from each other. The lack of an effect of phenformin on urinary nitrogen excretion and plasma glucose level strongly suggests that gluconeogenesis from amino acids was unaltered by phenformin in these fasting subjects. The present findings are at variance with those by other authors which may be related to differences in methodology.", "contents": "On the mechanism of action of biguanides. evidence against an inhibition of gluconeogenesis from protein in normal fasting subjects. The effect of phenformin on fuel homeostasis and on gluconeogenesis from protein was studied in 8 normal subjects who underwent two 4-day fasts 8-12 weeks apart. Each person received placebo or phenformin 50 mg every 12 hours for 3 days before and during the fasts. Circulating glucose, lactate, pyruvate, free fatty acid and ketone levels as well as urinary nitrogen excretion observed during placebo and phenformin treatment were not significantly different from each other. The lack of an effect of phenformin on urinary nitrogen excretion and plasma glucose level strongly suggests that gluconeogenesis from amino acids was unaltered by phenformin in these fasting subjects. The present findings are at variance with those by other authors which may be related to differences in methodology.", "PMID": 631733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8995", "title": "Pancreatic hormones and plasma glucose: regulation mechanisms in the goose under physiological conditions. I. Pancreatectomy and replacement therapy.", "content": "Measurements of plasma GLI and IRI in normal fasting geese, before and during constant I.V. infusion of saline, gave GLI/I ratios of 1.32 +/- .07 and 1.34 +/- .03 (w/w). As total pancreatectomy markedly reduces the pancreatic hormone level, leading to a mortal hypoglycaemia, we attempted to maintain plasma glucose within the normal range by constant I.V. infusion of glucagon and insulin into operated animals. The results as follows: 1. Blood glucose levels can be maintained within the normal range during experiments lasting 6 or more hours with a constant G/I ratio. 2. The G/I ratio obtained in operated animals (.96 +/- .12) is near to, but significantly lower (p less than .005) than, the GLI/I ratio measured in normal animals. This difference may be explained by the presence of a small amount of circulating gut GLI in the 2nd group.", "contents": "Pancreatic hormones and plasma glucose: regulation mechanisms in the goose under physiological conditions. I. Pancreatectomy and replacement therapy. Measurements of plasma GLI and IRI in normal fasting geese, before and during constant I.V. infusion of saline, gave GLI/I ratios of 1.32 +/- .07 and 1.34 +/- .03 (w/w). As total pancreatectomy markedly reduces the pancreatic hormone level, leading to a mortal hypoglycaemia, we attempted to maintain plasma glucose within the normal range by constant I.V. infusion of glucagon and insulin into operated animals. The results as follows: 1. Blood glucose levels can be maintained within the normal range during experiments lasting 6 or more hours with a constant G/I ratio. 2. The G/I ratio obtained in operated animals (.96 +/- .12) is near to, but significantly lower (p less than .005) than, the GLI/I ratio measured in normal animals. This difference may be explained by the presence of a small amount of circulating gut GLI in the 2nd group.", "PMID": 631734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8996", "title": "Effects of hexapeptide, a compound analogous to insulin B chain fragment B-21-26(DP-432) on the glucose uptake into the perfused hind limb of rats.", "content": "DP-432 is a synthetic new peptide analogous to insulin B-chain fragment B21-26. It has been reported that this hexapeptide shows insulin potentiating action besides insulin-like activities in adipose tissue and diaphragm of rats. The perfusion of the hind limb of rats was performed according to the procedure of Ruderman with some modifications. The medium was Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 0.5% bovine albumin and 8.3 mM glucose. The erythrocytes were omitted from the medium. In this experimental procedure it was shown that the glucose uptake into the hind limb of rats increased by infusion of DP-432 (100 microgram/ml). The amount of glucose uptake into the hind limb responded to insulin doses (50, 100, 1000 muU/ml). DP-432 had insulin-like activity of 100 muU/ml. However, DP-432 itself did not have any potentiation of insulin activity on the muscle.", "contents": "Effects of hexapeptide, a compound analogous to insulin B chain fragment B-21-26(DP-432) on the glucose uptake into the perfused hind limb of rats. DP-432 is a synthetic new peptide analogous to insulin B-chain fragment B21-26. It has been reported that this hexapeptide shows insulin potentiating action besides insulin-like activities in adipose tissue and diaphragm of rats. The perfusion of the hind limb of rats was performed according to the procedure of Ruderman with some modifications. The medium was Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 0.5% bovine albumin and 8.3 mM glucose. The erythrocytes were omitted from the medium. In this experimental procedure it was shown that the glucose uptake into the hind limb of rats increased by infusion of DP-432 (100 microgram/ml). The amount of glucose uptake into the hind limb responded to insulin doses (50, 100, 1000 muU/ml). DP-432 had insulin-like activity of 100 muU/ml. However, DP-432 itself did not have any potentiation of insulin activity on the muscle.", "PMID": 631735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8997", "title": "Increased glucose disappearance rate after short-term clofibrate administration in normal subjects and in patients with chemical diabetes.", "content": "Following seven days clofibrate administration, the glucose disappearance rate during an intravenous glucose tolerance test was significantly increased in 6 normal subjects and in 11 patients with chemical diabetes. Both the acute and the total insulin secretory response were unchanged. Though fasting serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were significantly lowered by treatment, no correlation was found between the decrease in serum lipids and the increase in glucose disappearance rate. It is suggested and clofibrate improves glucose utilization by reducing insulin resistance irrespective of its effects on serum lipids concentration.", "contents": "Increased glucose disappearance rate after short-term clofibrate administration in normal subjects and in patients with chemical diabetes. Following seven days clofibrate administration, the glucose disappearance rate during an intravenous glucose tolerance test was significantly increased in 6 normal subjects and in 11 patients with chemical diabetes. Both the acute and the total insulin secretory response were unchanged. Though fasting serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol were significantly lowered by treatment, no correlation was found between the decrease in serum lipids and the increase in glucose disappearance rate. It is suggested and clofibrate improves glucose utilization by reducing insulin resistance irrespective of its effects on serum lipids concentration.", "PMID": 631736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8998", "title": "Epinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts. Modulation of enzyme activity by GTP.", "content": "Some of the effects of GTP on human fat cell adenylate cyclase activity were studied. This nucleotide caused a dose-dependent inhibition of basal activity without affecting the hormone-activated rate of cAMP formation. Maximal effects were observed at GTP-concentrations of about 1 x 10(-4) M. The relative extent of hormonal stimulation was about 1.5-fold increased in the presence of 0.1 mM GTP.", "contents": "Epinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of human fat cell ghosts. Modulation of enzyme activity by GTP. Some of the effects of GTP on human fat cell adenylate cyclase activity were studied. This nucleotide caused a dose-dependent inhibition of basal activity without affecting the hormone-activated rate of cAMP formation. Maximal effects were observed at GTP-concentrations of about 1 x 10(-4) M. The relative extent of hormonal stimulation was about 1.5-fold increased in the presence of 0.1 mM GTP.", "PMID": 631737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_8999", "title": "Effects of fasting and refeeding on the in vitro insulin sensitivity of rat aorta.", "content": "Rat aorta responds to refeeding after a fast in a manner similar to adopose tissue and liver by developing an enhanced capacity for lipogenesis and glycogen synthesis from glucose. The in vitro incorporation of D-U-14C-glucose into aortic triglycerides and glycogen was two- to four-fold higher in rats refed for three to five days after a three day fast than in ad libitum fed controls. Insulin significantly stimulated this incorporation only during refeeding for three days after a three-day fast. The glycogen synthesizing system appeared to be stimulated and to become sensitive to insulin earlier in the refeeding process than did the lipogenic system. The in vitro incorporation of 14C-glucose into aortic phospholipids was less affected by the nutritional state of the animal, and was not stimulated by insulin at any stage of the experiment. Possible mechanisms for the development of insulin supersensitivity and the implications for lipid accumulation in the artery wall are discussed.", "contents": "Effects of fasting and refeeding on the in vitro insulin sensitivity of rat aorta. Rat aorta responds to refeeding after a fast in a manner similar to adopose tissue and liver by developing an enhanced capacity for lipogenesis and glycogen synthesis from glucose. The in vitro incorporation of D-U-14C-glucose into aortic triglycerides and glycogen was two- to four-fold higher in rats refed for three to five days after a three day fast than in ad libitum fed controls. Insulin significantly stimulated this incorporation only during refeeding for three days after a three-day fast. The glycogen synthesizing system appeared to be stimulated and to become sensitive to insulin earlier in the refeeding process than did the lipogenic system. The in vitro incorporation of 14C-glucose into aortic phospholipids was less affected by the nutritional state of the animal, and was not stimulated by insulin at any stage of the experiment. Possible mechanisms for the development of insulin supersensitivity and the implications for lipid accumulation in the artery wall are discussed.", "PMID": 631738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9000", "title": "Effect of alcohol on microsomal cortisol 4en-5 alpha-reductase in the liver of rats fed on a standard or low protein diet.", "content": "Alcohol feeding (40% of total calories over a period of 9 days) increases microsomal cortisol-5 alpha-reductase activity in rat liver distinctly. It is assumed that this is an adaptive response to an increased release of cortisol caused by alcohol administration. Cortisol-5 alpha-reductase activity is decreased to one third of control values in rats fed an isocaloric, low protein diet. The response to alcohol feeding is susta ined in these animals. Phenobarbital treatment (80 mg/kg x day) stimulates 5 alpha-reduction of cortisol per g of microsomes almost twofold. The activity calculated per total liver increases 4-fold. Alcohol administration has no additional effect on cortisol-5alpha-reductase in phenobarbital-treated rats.", "contents": "Effect of alcohol on microsomal cortisol 4en-5 alpha-reductase in the liver of rats fed on a standard or low protein diet. Alcohol feeding (40% of total calories over a period of 9 days) increases microsomal cortisol-5 alpha-reductase activity in rat liver distinctly. It is assumed that this is an adaptive response to an increased release of cortisol caused by alcohol administration. Cortisol-5 alpha-reductase activity is decreased to one third of control values in rats fed an isocaloric, low protein diet. The response to alcohol feeding is susta ined in these animals. Phenobarbital treatment (80 mg/kg x day) stimulates 5 alpha-reduction of cortisol per g of microsomes almost twofold. The activity calculated per total liver increases 4-fold. Alcohol administration has no additional effect on cortisol-5alpha-reductase in phenobarbital-treated rats.", "PMID": 631739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9001", "title": "Characteristics of staff burnout in mental health settings.", "content": "To determine the characteristics of staff burnout and ways of coping with it, the authors gathered data on institution-relation and personal variables for 76 staff members in various mental health facilities in the San Francisco area. A correlational analysis revealed a large number of statistically significant findings. For instance, the longer staff had worked in the mental health field, the less they liked working with patients, the less successful they felt with them, and the less humanistic were their attitudes toward mental illness. The authors present recommendations for reducing staff stress and subsequent burnout, including allowing more chances for temporary withdrawal from direct patient care and changing the function of staff meetings.", "contents": "Characteristics of staff burnout in mental health settings. To determine the characteristics of staff burnout and ways of coping with it, the authors gathered data on institution-relation and personal variables for 76 staff members in various mental health facilities in the San Francisco area. A correlational analysis revealed a large number of statistically significant findings. For instance, the longer staff had worked in the mental health field, the less they liked working with patients, the less successful they felt with them, and the less humanistic were their attitudes toward mental illness. The authors present recommendations for reducing staff stress and subsequent burnout, including allowing more chances for temporary withdrawal from direct patient care and changing the function of staff meetings.", "PMID": 631745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9002", "title": "Using the Ward Atmosphere Scale to help change the treatment environment.", "content": "The Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale was administered on a 45-bed psychiatric unit in a Veterans Administration Hospital to assess how staff, patients, and observers viewed the ward and to clarify what goals staff had and what changes they wished to make. Comparisons of staff's ratings of the existing milieu and of what an ideal milieu should be showed they wiched to improve the ward in the areas of patient involvement, support, spontaneity, order and organization, program clarity, and staff control; methods for making such changes became apparent. When the scale was administered again seven months later, respondents' ratings indicated that in general there had been substantial positive changes in all six areas. The authors believe the Moos scale is an invaluable aid in making and measuring change in a ward environment.", "contents": "Using the Ward Atmosphere Scale to help change the treatment environment. The Moos Ward Atmosphere Scale was administered on a 45-bed psychiatric unit in a Veterans Administration Hospital to assess how staff, patients, and observers viewed the ward and to clarify what goals staff had and what changes they wished to make. Comparisons of staff's ratings of the existing milieu and of what an ideal milieu should be showed they wiched to improve the ward in the areas of patient involvement, support, spontaneity, order and organization, program clarity, and staff control; methods for making such changes became apparent. When the scale was administered again seven months later, respondents' ratings indicated that in general there had been substantial positive changes in all six areas. The authors believe the Moos scale is an invaluable aid in making and measuring change in a ward environment.", "PMID": 631746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9003", "title": "Attitudes of mental health center staff: changes over a five-year period.", "content": "The author compares a study of attitudes of staff toward priorities and problems in eight community mental health centers with a study five years later, using the same questionnaire, of attitudes of staff in one of the centers. Between 1968 and 1973 the number of psychiatrists decreased and the number of psychologists and social workers increased. The most significant change in priorities in 1973 was the higher ranking of consultation and education services. While staff saw their problems in 1968 as a diffusion and inadequate program planning, by 1973 they were concerned with administrative problems and with shortcomings in the quality of clinical care, due to a lack of resources.", "contents": "Attitudes of mental health center staff: changes over a five-year period. The author compares a study of attitudes of staff toward priorities and problems in eight community mental health centers with a study five years later, using the same questionnaire, of attitudes of staff in one of the centers. Between 1968 and 1973 the number of psychiatrists decreased and the number of psychologists and social workers increased. The most significant change in priorities in 1973 was the higher ranking of consultation and education services. While staff saw their problems in 1968 as a diffusion and inadequate program planning, by 1973 they were concerned with administrative problems and with shortcomings in the quality of clinical care, due to a lack of resources.", "PMID": 631747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9004", "title": "Staffing patterns and team composition.", "content": "The authors describe the work of a Veterans Administration task force in developing guidelines for staffing patterns and team composition on a hospital inpatient ward. The task force first defined the objectives of treatment, and then proceeded to define the needs of patients and their families, the types of professionals constituting the mental health team, and the functions they performed. It also identified the specific activities required in providing patient care, the staff involved in them, and those who could be involved, in some cases with more training.", "contents": "Staffing patterns and team composition. The authors describe the work of a Veterans Administration task force in developing guidelines for staffing patterns and team composition on a hospital inpatient ward. The task force first defined the objectives of treatment, and then proceeded to define the needs of patients and their families, the types of professionals constituting the mental health team, and the functions they performed. It also identified the specific activities required in providing patient care, the staff involved in them, and those who could be involved, in some cases with more training.", "PMID": 631748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9005", "title": "Involving community representatives in CMHC evaluation and research.", "content": "The participation of community representatives and consumers of services in agency planning has been mandated by legislation and the subsequent regulations. However, the representatives' lack of technical knowledge and sophistication frequently makes them unequal participants in the decision-making process. To help increase such sophistication, the program analysis and evaluation section of a large community mental health center has involved or assisted patient and community volunteers in various evaluation and research projects; they include a survey of area housing conditions, a survey of the needs of former inpatients, an evaluation of programs operated by a coalition of community groups, and a community resource listing.", "contents": "Involving community representatives in CMHC evaluation and research. The participation of community representatives and consumers of services in agency planning has been mandated by legislation and the subsequent regulations. However, the representatives' lack of technical knowledge and sophistication frequently makes them unequal participants in the decision-making process. To help increase such sophistication, the program analysis and evaluation section of a large community mental health center has involved or assisted patient and community volunteers in various evaluation and research projects; they include a survey of area housing conditions, a survey of the needs of former inpatients, an evaluation of programs operated by a coalition of community groups, and a community resource listing.", "PMID": 631749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9006", "title": "Assessing community attitudes toward mental illness.", "content": "Staff of a Veterans Administration hospital combined recruitment of family-care sponsors with an assessment of community attitudes toward mental illness. They mailed questionnaires to 989 persons in a small community 35 miles from the hospital. Most of the 235 respondents believed that mental illness is caused by a lack either of physical health or of proper nurturing, rather than seeing it as punishment for sins. Respondents were generally optimistic about the chances of recovery. Respondents with no children at home were more receptive to the ideal of accepting a family-care patient, while those with children at home were highly ambivalent. From the responses, the staff were able to locate several family-care sponsors.", "contents": "Assessing community attitudes toward mental illness. Staff of a Veterans Administration hospital combined recruitment of family-care sponsors with an assessment of community attitudes toward mental illness. They mailed questionnaires to 989 persons in a small community 35 miles from the hospital. Most of the 235 respondents believed that mental illness is caused by a lack either of physical health or of proper nurturing, rather than seeing it as punishment for sins. Respondents were generally optimistic about the chances of recovery. Respondents with no children at home were more receptive to the ideal of accepting a family-care patient, while those with children at home were highly ambivalent. From the responses, the staff were able to locate several family-care sponsors.", "PMID": 631750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9007", "title": "Early planning helps hospitals run efficiently during strike.", "content": "Careful planning can lessen the harmful effects of a strike on any hospital's day-to-day operations. A Baltimore hospital found that the use of contingency plan during an actual strike made the transition to a modified operational mode relatively smooth and that communication was enhanced. Because lines of responsibility and communication were clearly established, management was able to devote more time to negotiation and to making the contingency plan work rather than spending time on rush planning and policy interpretation.", "contents": "Early planning helps hospitals run efficiently during strike. Careful planning can lessen the harmful effects of a strike on any hospital's day-to-day operations. A Baltimore hospital found that the use of contingency plan during an actual strike made the transition to a modified operational mode relatively smooth and that communication was enhanced. Because lines of responsibility and communication were clearly established, management was able to devote more time to negotiation and to making the contingency plan work rather than spending time on rush planning and policy interpretation.", "PMID": 631752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9008", "title": "Teaching hospital nurtures growth of community oncology clinics.", "content": "In the belief that primary cancer care, such as drug and radiation therapy, can be delivered by community hospitals close to patients' homes and families, University Hospital and the Boston University School of Medicine are helping to establish local oncology clinics. Educational services for community physicians, nurses, and social workers are also offered.", "contents": "Teaching hospital nurtures growth of community oncology clinics. In the belief that primary cancer care, such as drug and radiation therapy, can be delivered by community hospitals close to patients' homes and families, University Hospital and the Boston University School of Medicine are helping to establish local oncology clinics. Educational services for community physicians, nurses, and social workers are also offered.", "PMID": 631754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9009", "title": "Small firms look to hospitals for occupational health services.", "content": "Some hospitals are offering preemployment physicals, routine examinations, prompt work injury care, physician and nurse consultations and visits, and other services to small companies that cannot justify establishing in-house occupational helath units.", "contents": "Small firms look to hospitals for occupational health services. Some hospitals are offering preemployment physicals, routine examinations, prompt work injury care, physician and nurse consultations and visits, and other services to small companies that cannot justify establishing in-house occupational helath units.", "PMID": 631755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9010", "title": "Cost containment in laundry and linen service.", "content": "One major problem looms among all others in the area of laundry and linen service, whether a hospital has an in-house operation, is part of a shared or central laundry, or uses a commercial service. That is the costly problem of controling linen consumption and replacement. A recent seminar offers some insight into reasons for the problem and some possible solutions.", "contents": "Cost containment in laundry and linen service. One major problem looms among all others in the area of laundry and linen service, whether a hospital has an in-house operation, is part of a shared or central laundry, or uses a commercial service. That is the costly problem of controling linen consumption and replacement. A recent seminar offers some insight into reasons for the problem and some possible solutions.", "PMID": 631756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9011", "title": "Limited, periodic surveillance proves practical and effective.", "content": "Little data exist as to which type of surveillance--continuous or periodic--is most effective against nosocomial infection. Study proved periodic data collection a simple, practical, and effective method for identifying and monitoring trends. More importantly, the system provided more time for the infection control nurse to spend on corrective measures.", "contents": "Limited, periodic surveillance proves practical and effective. Little data exist as to which type of surveillance--continuous or periodic--is most effective against nosocomial infection. Study proved periodic data collection a simple, practical, and effective method for identifying and monitoring trends. More importantly, the system provided more time for the infection control nurse to spend on corrective measures.", "PMID": 631757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9012", "title": "Standards of performance developed for clinical dietitians.", "content": "Although standards of performance are common to industry, they are relatively new to health care professions. The development of standards of performance for registered dietitians in a clinical capacity are described. Changes made after a one year review of the program are listed. The benefits and costs of the program also are explained in the article.", "contents": "Standards of performance developed for clinical dietitians. Although standards of performance are common to industry, they are relatively new to health care professions. The development of standards of performance for registered dietitians in a clinical capacity are described. Changes made after a one year review of the program are listed. The benefits and costs of the program also are explained in the article.", "PMID": 631758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9013", "title": "Emergency services: basic assessment model proves effective, adaptable, economical.", "content": "A simple five-step quality assessment model has been easily and economically implemented in emergency departments of varying size and activity. The model has encouraged quick action in correcting deficiencies, systematic problem solving, and the development of ED standards and criteria.", "contents": "Emergency services: basic assessment model proves effective, adaptable, economical. A simple five-step quality assessment model has been easily and economically implemented in emergency departments of varying size and activity. The model has encouraged quick action in correcting deficiencies, systematic problem solving, and the development of ED standards and criteria.", "PMID": 631759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9014", "title": "Health care delivery: strength in numbers.", "content": "The number and types of multi-institutional arrangements among health care facilities are on the increase, and the days of the completely autonomous, independent hospital are coming to a close. Although by themselves hospital systems are no panacea in dealing with the challenges facing hospitals today, many such arrangements offer more opportunities than problems in coping with the rapid changes currently facing the health care industry. The pros and cons of seven arrangements are discussed in detail.", "contents": "Health care delivery: strength in numbers. The number and types of multi-institutional arrangements among health care facilities are on the increase, and the days of the completely autonomous, independent hospital are coming to a close. Although by themselves hospital systems are no panacea in dealing with the challenges facing hospitals today, many such arrangements offer more opportunities than problems in coping with the rapid changes currently facing the health care industry. The pros and cons of seven arrangements are discussed in detail.", "PMID": 631764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9015", "title": "System predicts patient census, forecasts staffing needs, costs.", "content": "Given the present climate concerning hospital costs, it has become imperative for hospitals to take steps to ensure that they provide care in the most efficient possible manner. Donald N. Sharp Memorial Community Hospital has developed a system that allows it to respond with unusual precision to changing patient workloads. Both staffing and other operations can be altered to meet a changing patient census.", "contents": "System predicts patient census, forecasts staffing needs, costs. Given the present climate concerning hospital costs, it has become imperative for hospitals to take steps to ensure that they provide care in the most efficient possible manner. Donald N. Sharp Memorial Community Hospital has developed a system that allows it to respond with unusual precision to changing patient workloads. Both staffing and other operations can be altered to meet a changing patient census.", "PMID": 631765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9016", "title": "It takes a sense of survival.", "content": "There is a legitimate role for the small urban hospital. In order to perform that role optimally, however, the small hospital must select the services that it provides carefully, avoiding those that are better suited to larger institutions, and must investigate the appropriateness of sharing services with other small hospitals.", "contents": "It takes a sense of survival. There is a legitimate role for the small urban hospital. In order to perform that role optimally, however, the small hospital must select the services that it provides carefully, avoiding those that are better suited to larger institutions, and must investigate the appropriateness of sharing services with other small hospitals.", "PMID": 631787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9017", "title": "Decentralized pharmacist concept solves unit dose problems.", "content": "In order to solve problems associated with the unit dose drug distribution system at LDS Hospital, the decentralized pharmacist concept was tried. The pharmacist uses a master medication cart to fill new drug orders at the nursing station and a computer video terminal at the nursing station to check patient profiles. The reactions of nurses and members of the medical staff to the decentralized pharmacist are described.", "contents": "Decentralized pharmacist concept solves unit dose problems. In order to solve problems associated with the unit dose drug distribution system at LDS Hospital, the decentralized pharmacist concept was tried. The pharmacist uses a master medication cart to fill new drug orders at the nursing station and a computer video terminal at the nursing station to check patient profiles. The reactions of nurses and members of the medical staff to the decentralized pharmacist are described.", "PMID": 631788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9018", "title": "Energy conservation is everybody's business.", "content": "The energy crisis is affecting all aspects of society, including hospitals and health care institutions. In keeping with the need to conserve energy, the food service administrator should consider implementing an energy management program. Various resources that can help the food service administrator to conserve energy are described herein.", "contents": "Energy conservation is everybody's business. The energy crisis is affecting all aspects of society, including hospitals and health care institutions. In keeping with the need to conserve energy, the food service administrator should consider implementing an energy management program. Various resources that can help the food service administrator to conserve energy are described herein.", "PMID": 631789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9019", "title": "In-house staff designs energy-saving system.", "content": "With a relatively small amount of money and a lot of ingenuity, an innovative engineering team developed a successful pilot program that resulted in substantial energy and dollar savings. Using commercially available component parts, the team designed a preventive maintenance and energy-saving microprocessor system that is especially geared toward the hospital setting.", "contents": "In-house staff designs energy-saving system. With a relatively small amount of money and a lot of ingenuity, an innovative engineering team developed a successful pilot program that resulted in substantial energy and dollar savings. Using commercially available component parts, the team designed a preventive maintenance and energy-saving microprocessor system that is especially geared toward the hospital setting.", "PMID": 631790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9020", "title": "We have seen rate review, and it works.", "content": "In Maryland, state rate review is successful because of cooperation at all levels. Although there was friction in the beginning between the state commission and health care providers, the latter, with strong encouragement from their associations, played an important role in adopting a constructive program.", "contents": "We have seen rate review, and it works. In Maryland, state rate review is successful because of cooperation at all levels. Although there was friction in the beginning between the state commission and health care providers, the latter, with strong encouragement from their associations, played an important role in adopting a constructive program.", "PMID": 631797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9021", "title": "Hospital philanthropy faces uncertain future.", "content": "Two pieces of legislation proposed by the Carter Administration may result in dire consequences for hospital philanthropy, experts fear. In an effort to alert health care executives as to how these laws and the possible demise of charitable giving could harm their institutions--and the future of this country's health care in general--the National Association for Hospital Development recently held a governmental affairs conference in Washington, DC. The highlights of that meeting are presented herein.", "contents": "Hospital philanthropy faces uncertain future. Two pieces of legislation proposed by the Carter Administration may result in dire consequences for hospital philanthropy, experts fear. In an effort to alert health care executives as to how these laws and the possible demise of charitable giving could harm their institutions--and the future of this country's health care in general--the National Association for Hospital Development recently held a governmental affairs conference in Washington, DC. The highlights of that meeting are presented herein.", "PMID": 631798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9022", "title": "Human values vs. political and economic realities.", "content": "There is no question, as in other industries, that there is room for improvement in hospitals' performance. However, the managers of these institutions can be justifiably proud of their past performance. There is little evidence that further intrusion in health care matters by the federal government will lead to significant reductions in the cost of health care services. The evidence seems to suggest that health care providers, working together, can have such an effect.", "contents": "Human values vs. political and economic realities. There is no question, as in other industries, that there is room for improvement in hospitals' performance. However, the managers of these institutions can be justifiably proud of their past performance. There is little evidence that further intrusion in health care matters by the federal government will lead to significant reductions in the cost of health care services. The evidence seems to suggest that health care providers, working together, can have such an effect.", "PMID": 631800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9023", "title": "Five groups start community cardiac rehabilitation program.", "content": "Five local organizations jointly developed a cardiac rehabilitation program for the community of Cedar Rapids, IA. The program, which is designed as a vehicle to improve the quality of life for persons with heart disease and to retard the further development of coronary artery disease, includes a preliminary patient examination, a planned exercise regimen, and an educational component, covering various aspects of heart care.", "contents": "Five groups start community cardiac rehabilitation program. Five local organizations jointly developed a cardiac rehabilitation program for the community of Cedar Rapids, IA. The program, which is designed as a vehicle to improve the quality of life for persons with heart disease and to retard the further development of coronary artery disease, includes a preliminary patient examination, a planned exercise regimen, and an educational component, covering various aspects of heart care.", "PMID": 631807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9024", "title": "Conflict of interest and the banker-trustee.", "content": "While hospitals benefit from banker board members' advice, they need to avoid the potential conflict-of-interest situations arising from financial decision making that may involve such members' institutions. Two effective ways of doing this are developing directives to be carried out by the hospital's financial manager and stimulating competition among financial institutions for the hospital's business.", "contents": "Conflict of interest and the banker-trustee. While hospitals benefit from banker board members' advice, they need to avoid the potential conflict-of-interest situations arising from financial decision making that may involve such members' institutions. Two effective ways of doing this are developing directives to be carried out by the hospital's financial manager and stimulating competition among financial institutions for the hospital's business.", "PMID": 631808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9025", "title": "The AHA cost and intensity indexes: a rejoinder.", "content": "Conventional studies point to the spiraling cost of hospital services as the principal, if not the only, cause of escalating hospital expenditures; but using the AHA's Hospital Intensity Index to obtain a measure of the \"real\" volume of services provided by the industry opens up a whole new perspective--a perspective that gives attention to the role played by increased demand for services, as opposed to mere cost control.", "contents": "The AHA cost and intensity indexes: a rejoinder. Conventional studies point to the spiraling cost of hospital services as the principal, if not the only, cause of escalating hospital expenditures; but using the AHA's Hospital Intensity Index to obtain a measure of the \"real\" volume of services provided by the industry opens up a whole new perspective--a perspective that gives attention to the role played by increased demand for services, as opposed to mere cost control.", "PMID": 631809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9026", "title": "Marketing ambulatory care.", "content": "A number of environmental factors are bringing about the \"day of the vertical patient\"--making the providing of comprehensive ambulatory care important for a hospital's survival. Careful design and implementation of ambulatory care programs must be accompanied by equally well-considered marketing strategies.", "contents": "Marketing ambulatory care. A number of environmental factors are bringing about the \"day of the vertical patient\"--making the providing of comprehensive ambulatory care important for a hospital's survival. Careful design and implementation of ambulatory care programs must be accompanied by equally well-considered marketing strategies.", "PMID": 631810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9027", "title": "Hospital care for the terminally ill: a model program.", "content": "While community hospitals increasingly are becoming community health care centers, evidence suggests a great need for most of these institutions to improve their care of the terminally ill. Based on a study of existing care programs and of thanatology literature, the authors have developed a model hospital program for dying patients and their families that uses a team approach to integrate resources for their care.", "contents": "Hospital care for the terminally ill: a model program. While community hospitals increasingly are becoming community health care centers, evidence suggests a great need for most of these institutions to improve their care of the terminally ill. Based on a study of existing care programs and of thanatology literature, the authors have developed a model hospital program for dying patients and their families that uses a team approach to integrate resources for their care.", "PMID": 631812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9028", "title": "Praying with the terminally ill.", "content": "Terminally ill persons and their families will communicate their own prayer needs to healing persons who are attending carefully. A number of guidelines may also be helpful to healers in developing the personal characteristics needed to minister effectively and in determining when and how to pray with patients.", "contents": "Praying with the terminally ill. Terminally ill persons and their families will communicate their own prayer needs to healing persons who are attending carefully. A number of guidelines may also be helpful to healers in developing the personal characteristics needed to minister effectively and in determining when and how to pray with patients.", "PMID": 631813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9029", "title": "Peer review of hospital social work.", "content": "To comply with PSRO legislation, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York (NYC) in 1977 established a social service peer review program. Detailed criteria are used in evaluating completed cases from 10 social service staff members each month, with the whole social work staff participating as evaluators on a rotation basis. The hospital expects the ongoing review program to benefit its social service practice in many ways and ultimately to upgrade patient care.", "contents": "Peer review of hospital social work. To comply with PSRO legislation, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York (NYC) in 1977 established a social service peer review program. Detailed criteria are used in evaluating completed cases from 10 social service staff members each month, with the whole social work staff participating as evaluators on a rotation basis. The hospital expects the ongoing review program to benefit its social service practice in many ways and ultimately to upgrade patient care.", "PMID": 631819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9030", "title": "Selecting a CPA firm.", "content": "Careful selection of a public accounting firm involves the hospital's administrators in a sensitive process. Attention to identifying prospective firms, applying selection criteria, requesting proposals, and preparing for the firms' presentations enables the administration to choose wisely.", "contents": "Selecting a CPA firm. Careful selection of a public accounting firm involves the hospital's administrators in a sensitive process. Attention to identifying prospective firms, applying selection criteria, requesting proposals, and preparing for the firms' presentations enables the administration to choose wisely.", "PMID": 631822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9031", "title": "Assessing trends in perinatology.", "content": "Hospital administrators must respond as the medical profession renews its efforts to reduce newborn mortality rates. Technological changes in the case of obstetric and newborn patients, pressures for the regionalization of service, and consumer demands for a more humane birth environment are factors the administrator must consider.", "contents": "Assessing trends in perinatology. Hospital administrators must respond as the medical profession renews its efforts to reduce newborn mortality rates. Technological changes in the case of obstetric and newborn patients, pressures for the regionalization of service, and consumer demands for a more humane birth environment are factors the administrator must consider.", "PMID": 631823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9032", "title": "A Catholic hospital and natural family planning.", "content": "Instituting a natural family planning program in a hospital setting is a challenge that the Catholic medical community is bound to accept. Natural planning methods, taught by appropriate and well-trained instructors, can help clients become more conscious of their fertility and more able to accept responsibility for their life decisions.", "contents": "A Catholic hospital and natural family planning. Instituting a natural family planning program in a hospital setting is a challenge that the Catholic medical community is bound to accept. Natural planning methods, taught by appropriate and well-trained instructors, can help clients become more conscious of their fertility and more able to accept responsibility for their life decisions.", "PMID": 631824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9033", "title": "Early nutrition: its long-term role.", "content": "The widespread belief that problems such as lifelong obesity originate in infancy sometimes leads to overzealous attempts to regulate energy intake too soon and may compromise linear growth. Treatment of obesity should wait unitl after age one.", "contents": "Early nutrition: its long-term role. The widespread belief that problems such as lifelong obesity originate in infancy sometimes leads to overzealous attempts to regulate energy intake too soon and may compromise linear growth. Treatment of obesity should wait unitl after age one.", "PMID": 631829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9034", "title": "Immunopathology of rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The central place of immunologic aberrations in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis is now well established. It is the nature and interactions of these aberrations that still remain to be elucidated. Among the many puzzles being studied are the uniquely self-perpetuating nature of rheumatoid arthritis immune complexes and the role of complement and the prostaglandins in joint damage and pain.", "contents": "Immunopathology of rheumatoid arthritis. The central place of immunologic aberrations in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis is now well established. It is the nature and interactions of these aberrations that still remain to be elucidated. Among the many puzzles being studied are the uniquely self-perpetuating nature of rheumatoid arthritis immune complexes and the role of complement and the prostaglandins in joint damage and pain.", "PMID": 631837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9035", "title": "Managing the solitary thyroid nodule: echography's role.", "content": "Improved preoperative thyroid diagnosis and reduction of needless thyroid surgery are achieved by employing gray scale echography in patients whose solitary thyroid nodule is cold on scintillation scanning. It is highly useful in distinguishing solid tissue from a cyst, identifying degenerative changes, guiding needle biopsy, and monitoring changes in a nodule during suppressive therapy.", "contents": "Managing the solitary thyroid nodule: echography's role. Improved preoperative thyroid diagnosis and reduction of needless thyroid surgery are achieved by employing gray scale echography in patients whose solitary thyroid nodule is cold on scintillation scanning. It is highly useful in distinguishing solid tissue from a cyst, identifying degenerative changes, guiding needle biopsy, and monitoring changes in a nodule during suppressive therapy.", "PMID": 631838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9036", "title": "Clinical pharmacology and toxicology of antidepressants.", "content": "Described as the drugs of choice in treating acute depression, the tricyclics are unusual in that too high a dosage may be as ineffective as one that is too low, and plasma levels may vary as much as 30-fold among patients given the same dosage. After the recommended approach to determining appropriate dosage has been tried, the 15% or so of patients who do not respond are not likely to benefit from a switch of drugs.", "contents": "Clinical pharmacology and toxicology of antidepressants. Described as the drugs of choice in treating acute depression, the tricyclics are unusual in that too high a dosage may be as ineffective as one that is too low, and plasma levels may vary as much as 30-fold among patients given the same dosage. After the recommended approach to determining appropriate dosage has been tried, the 15% or so of patients who do not respond are not likely to benefit from a switch of drugs.", "PMID": 631839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9037", "title": "Mucocele-like changes in Bartholin's glands.", "content": "Two cases are described in which changes identical to those of oral mucocele occurred in Bartholin's glands. The histopathology, histochemistry, and pathogenesis are discussed.", "contents": "Mucocele-like changes in Bartholin's glands. Two cases are described in which changes identical to those of oral mucocele occurred in Bartholin's glands. The histopathology, histochemistry, and pathogenesis are discussed.", "PMID": 631841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9038", "title": "The circulating \"atypical\" lymphocyte.", "content": "Atypical lymphocytes have been observed in the peripheral blood of patients in a large number of clinical situations, including immune reactions to transplantation and immunization, collagen diseases and other autoimmune disorders, malignant disease, drug reactions, and infectious mononucleosis, as well as other bacterial and viral infections. These cells are readily identified by their increased size and the presence of active DNA synthesis. In morphology, they closely resemble lymphocytes transformed into blasts by exposure to mitogens or antigens in vitro. They vary in morphologic detail as well as surface marker characteristics, indicating that they comprise a heterogeneous mixture of cell types. These data suggest that atypical lymphocytes may represent a polyclonal immune response to antigenic stimulation.", "contents": "The circulating \"atypical\" lymphocyte. Atypical lymphocytes have been observed in the peripheral blood of patients in a large number of clinical situations, including immune reactions to transplantation and immunization, collagen diseases and other autoimmune disorders, malignant disease, drug reactions, and infectious mononucleosis, as well as other bacterial and viral infections. These cells are readily identified by their increased size and the presence of active DNA synthesis. In morphology, they closely resemble lymphocytes transformed into blasts by exposure to mitogens or antigens in vitro. They vary in morphologic detail as well as surface marker characteristics, indicating that they comprise a heterogeneous mixture of cell types. These data suggest that atypical lymphocytes may represent a polyclonal immune response to antigenic stimulation.", "PMID": 631844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9039", "title": "A fetus with recombinant of chromosome 8 inherited from her carrier father.", "content": "A pericentric inversion of chromosome 8, inv(8)(p23q22), in a male carrier resulted in an unbalanced recombinant, rec(8)dup q, inv(8)(p23q22), which was diagnosed prenatally. The features seen in the aborted fetus resembled the features seen in a previously affected child who received the identical recombinant from her carrier mother. In this particular inversion involving chromosome 8, both male and female carriers risk producing an unbalanced progeny. Different familial pericentric inversions are reviewed for the presence or absence of unbalanced recombinants.", "contents": "A fetus with recombinant of chromosome 8 inherited from her carrier father. A pericentric inversion of chromosome 8, inv(8)(p23q22), in a male carrier resulted in an unbalanced recombinant, rec(8)dup q, inv(8)(p23q22), which was diagnosed prenatally. The features seen in the aborted fetus resembled the features seen in a previously affected child who received the identical recombinant from her carrier mother. In this particular inversion involving chromosome 8, both male and female carriers risk producing an unbalanced progeny. Different familial pericentric inversions are reviewed for the presence or absence of unbalanced recombinants.", "PMID": 631845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9040", "title": "X-X translocation in a patient with gonadal dysgenesis and the problems of phenotype-karyotype correlations.", "content": "A sex-chromatin-positive woman without stunted growth, but with primary amenorrhea, and some stigmas of pure gonadal dysgenesis had the chromosome constitution 45,X/46,Xt(X;X)(q27;q27). The abnormal chromosome formed a large Barr body and was late-labeling. The chromosome consisted of two X chromosomes attached by their long arms (end-to-end), both apparently having the partial distal deletion. Both centromeric regions showed C-staining but only one constriction. The chromosome is interpreted as an isodicentric with only one centromere functioning. Some problems of phenotype-karyotype correlations are discussed.", "contents": "X-X translocation in a patient with gonadal dysgenesis and the problems of phenotype-karyotype correlations. A sex-chromatin-positive woman without stunted growth, but with primary amenorrhea, and some stigmas of pure gonadal dysgenesis had the chromosome constitution 45,X/46,Xt(X;X)(q27;q27). The abnormal chromosome formed a large Barr body and was late-labeling. The chromosome consisted of two X chromosomes attached by their long arms (end-to-end), both apparently having the partial distal deletion. Both centromeric regions showed C-staining but only one constriction. The chromosome is interpreted as an isodicentric with only one centromere functioning. Some problems of phenotype-karyotype correlations are discussed.", "PMID": 631846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9041", "title": "Lysosomal enzyme activities in different types of amniotic fluid cells measured by microchemical methods, combined with interference microscopy.", "content": "In primary amniotic fluid cultures, four distinct types of cells were characterized as epithelioid (E I and E II), fibroblast-like (F), And large cells, Small numbers (1-200) of freeze-dried cells were isolated from colonies of each cell type and analyzed for the activity of three lysosomal enzymes: beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, and alpha-glucosidase. When expressed per cell, the activities for each of the enzymes were not significantly different among the small types of cells (EI, EII, and F). However, 5 to 10-fold higher enzyme activities were found in the large cells. The dry mass of individual large cells, as measured by microinterferometry, was also 5 to 10 times higher than that of the smaller cell types. When expressed per unit of dry mass, the enzyme activities tested, appeared to be independent of the type of amniotic fluid cell. The significance of this observation for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of metabolic diseases is discussed.", "contents": "Lysosomal enzyme activities in different types of amniotic fluid cells measured by microchemical methods, combined with interference microscopy. In primary amniotic fluid cultures, four distinct types of cells were characterized as epithelioid (E I and E II), fibroblast-like (F), And large cells, Small numbers (1-200) of freeze-dried cells were isolated from colonies of each cell type and analyzed for the activity of three lysosomal enzymes: beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, and alpha-glucosidase. When expressed per cell, the activities for each of the enzymes were not significantly different among the small types of cells (EI, EII, and F). However, 5 to 10-fold higher enzyme activities were found in the large cells. The dry mass of individual large cells, as measured by microinterferometry, was also 5 to 10 times higher than that of the smaller cell types. When expressed per unit of dry mass, the enzyme activities tested, appeared to be independent of the type of amniotic fluid cell. The significance of this observation for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of metabolic diseases is discussed.", "PMID": 631847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9042", "title": "Molecular and functional anomalies in two new mutant glucose-phosphate-insomerase variants with enzyme deficiency and chronic hemolysis.", "content": "Two new deficient glucose-phosphate-isomerase (GPI) variants have been described in patients suffering from severe chronic hemolytic anemias. The patients' parents were consanguineous, such that the patients were true homozygotes for the mutated GPI genes. In both cases the main cause of the defect in enzyme activity was molecular instability of the mutated GPI molecules, their catalytic activity being nearly normal. GPI 'Paris' was characterized by a slow electrophoretic migration and, above all, a drastically altered affinity for the substrates glucose-6-phosphate (decreased) and fructose-6-phosphate (increased). GPI 'Enfants malades' exhibited a slightly reduced electrophoretic mobility, an abnormal curve of the activity in function of pH, and an abnormal ratio of maximal velocity in the backward direction (fructose-6-phosphate leads to glucose-6-phosphate) to that in the forward direction (glucose-6-phosphate leads to fructose-6-phosphate). No clear relation could be proved between the kinetic abnormalities of the mutant GPI variants on the one hand and the metabolic changes of the GPI-deficient red cells and the severity of hemolysis on the other. Finally we emphasized the possible role of the impairment of hexosemonophosphate pathway in the reduction of viability of the GPI-deficient red cells.", "contents": "Molecular and functional anomalies in two new mutant glucose-phosphate-insomerase variants with enzyme deficiency and chronic hemolysis. Two new deficient glucose-phosphate-isomerase (GPI) variants have been described in patients suffering from severe chronic hemolytic anemias. The patients' parents were consanguineous, such that the patients were true homozygotes for the mutated GPI genes. In both cases the main cause of the defect in enzyme activity was molecular instability of the mutated GPI molecules, their catalytic activity being nearly normal. GPI 'Paris' was characterized by a slow electrophoretic migration and, above all, a drastically altered affinity for the substrates glucose-6-phosphate (decreased) and fructose-6-phosphate (increased). GPI 'Enfants malades' exhibited a slightly reduced electrophoretic mobility, an abnormal curve of the activity in function of pH, and an abnormal ratio of maximal velocity in the backward direction (fructose-6-phosphate leads to glucose-6-phosphate) to that in the forward direction (glucose-6-phosphate leads to fructose-6-phosphate). No clear relation could be proved between the kinetic abnormalities of the mutant GPI variants on the one hand and the metabolic changes of the GPI-deficient red cells and the severity of hemolysis on the other. Finally we emphasized the possible role of the impairment of hexosemonophosphate pathway in the reduction of viability of the GPI-deficient red cells.", "PMID": 631848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9043", "title": "A new variant of human erythrocyte G6PD occurring at a high frequency amongst the population of two villages in The Gambia, West Africa.", "content": "During the course of a large survey of red cell G6PD genotypes in The Gambia, a slow electrophoretic variant with reduced enzyme activity was found to occur at a high frequency. This variant, G6PD Gambia, was found in the following genotypic combinations: males; G6PDGam, females; G6PDA+/Gam, G6PDB+/Gam, and G6PDA-/Gam. From the electrophoretic mobility and kinetic characteristics it was concluded that G6PD Gambia was a hitherto unreported variant of G6PD. The frequency of the G6PDGam gene amongst the 1109 individuals examined was 0.024.", "contents": "A new variant of human erythrocyte G6PD occurring at a high frequency amongst the population of two villages in The Gambia, West Africa. During the course of a large survey of red cell G6PD genotypes in The Gambia, a slow electrophoretic variant with reduced enzyme activity was found to occur at a high frequency. This variant, G6PD Gambia, was found in the following genotypic combinations: males; G6PDGam, females; G6PDA+/Gam, G6PDB+/Gam, and G6PDA-/Gam. From the electrophoretic mobility and kinetic characteristics it was concluded that G6PD Gambia was a hitherto unreported variant of G6PD. The frequency of the G6PDGam gene amongst the 1109 individuals examined was 0.024.", "PMID": 631849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9044", "title": "Geroderma osteodysplastica. A report of two affected families.", "content": "This paper describes two families in which four boys and two girls were affected with geroderma osteodysplastica. The major features of this syndrome include a droopy, jowly, prematurely aged appearance that has been likened by previous authors to the dwarfs in Walt Disney's 'Snow White.' Also, their skin lacks normal elastic recoil. The bones are osteoporotic and susceptible to fractures, particularly the vertebrae, which show compression with anterior wedging and biconcavity. The findings in the present families are compared with those in the originally reported family. There was a high degree of consanguinity between the parents in both of the present families and the previous hypothesis of X-linked inheritance is questioned.", "contents": "Geroderma osteodysplastica. A report of two affected families. This paper describes two families in which four boys and two girls were affected with geroderma osteodysplastica. The major features of this syndrome include a droopy, jowly, prematurely aged appearance that has been likened by previous authors to the dwarfs in Walt Disney's 'Snow White.' Also, their skin lacks normal elastic recoil. The bones are osteoporotic and susceptible to fractures, particularly the vertebrae, which show compression with anterior wedging and biconcavity. The findings in the present families are compared with those in the originally reported family. There was a high degree of consanguinity between the parents in both of the present families and the previous hypothesis of X-linked inheritance is questioned.", "PMID": 631850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9045", "title": "t(9/22) with centric fission and NOR translocation leading to a case of pure 9p trisomy in the offspring.", "content": "A case of trisomy 9p originating from t(9/22) mat is reported. The rearrangement is characterized by centric fission of chromosome 9 and by translocation of NOR from chromosome 22 to 9q. The hypothesis of centric fission is discussed on the basis of various banding patterns. The case also reveals unusual knee dislocation.", "contents": "t(9/22) with centric fission and NOR translocation leading to a case of pure 9p trisomy in the offspring. A case of trisomy 9p originating from t(9/22) mat is reported. The rearrangement is characterized by centric fission of chromosome 9 and by translocation of NOR from chromosome 22 to 9q. The hypothesis of centric fission is discussed on the basis of various banding patterns. The case also reveals unusual knee dislocation.", "PMID": 631851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9046", "title": "Partial trisomy for the long arm of chromosome 3 [3(q21 to qter)+] in a newborn with minor physical stigmata.", "content": "In this report a description is given of a female newborn with minor physical stigmata presenting a partial trisomy for the second region of chromosome 3 (3q32 leads to 3qter). The additional 3q2 material is located at the distal end of the long arms of chromosome 2 as the result of a de novo 3/2 germinal translocation.", "contents": "Partial trisomy for the long arm of chromosome 3 [3(q21 to qter)+] in a newborn with minor physical stigmata. In this report a description is given of a female newborn with minor physical stigmata presenting a partial trisomy for the second region of chromosome 3 (3q32 leads to 3qter). The additional 3q2 material is located at the distal end of the long arms of chromosome 2 as the result of a de novo 3/2 germinal translocation.", "PMID": 631852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9047", "title": "The Roberts' syndrome.", "content": "A report is given on a small-for-date male infant showing the following symptoms: bilateral aplasia of humerus, radius, and ulna, shortened femora, bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate, stigmata of dysmorphism, and notably; simple helix formation of the ear, simian crease, clinodactylia, bilateral clubfoot deformity, hypospadia, thrombocytopenia, micrognathia, and contractures in the knee joints. Postmortem autopsy revealed horsehoe kidney, ureterstenosis with hydronephrosis, persistent branchial arches, and absence of the knee joints. Chromosome analysis results performed by G-band technique turned out normal. This, obviously, was a case of the so-called Roberts' syndrome. Our results were compared with the relevant literature and some particularities were emphasized. The question was discussed as to whether the SC-phocomelia (pseudothalidomid syndrome), the TAR syndrome, and reported single cases might be an identical syndrome.", "contents": "The Roberts' syndrome. A report is given on a small-for-date male infant showing the following symptoms: bilateral aplasia of humerus, radius, and ulna, shortened femora, bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate, stigmata of dysmorphism, and notably; simple helix formation of the ear, simian crease, clinodactylia, bilateral clubfoot deformity, hypospadia, thrombocytopenia, micrognathia, and contractures in the knee joints. Postmortem autopsy revealed horsehoe kidney, ureterstenosis with hydronephrosis, persistent branchial arches, and absence of the knee joints. Chromosome analysis results performed by G-band technique turned out normal. This, obviously, was a case of the so-called Roberts' syndrome. Our results were compared with the relevant literature and some particularities were emphasized. The question was discussed as to whether the SC-phocomelia (pseudothalidomid syndrome), the TAR syndrome, and reported single cases might be an identical syndrome.", "PMID": 631853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9048", "title": "Balanced t(8;9)(q12;q33)pat carrier with phenotypic abnormalities attributable to a de novo terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7.", "content": "A girl observed from birth to age 16 months had multiple congenital anomalies including growth and developemental retardation, microcephaly (-4SD), bulbous nose, prominent lips and philtrum, esotropia, latent hypermetropia, and spasticity. Chromosome analysis showed her to be a balanced carrier of a t(8;9)(q12;q33)pat translocation. In addition, she had a de novo deletion of a distal segment of the long arm of chromosome 7. Seven previously reported cases with deletions involving 7q were reviewed and had a number of nonspecific features in common, with microcephaly of a comparable degree in one of these. Studies of the Kidd (Jk) blood groups and Hageman factor were done because of the tentative assignment of their respective loci to distal 7q. Location of the Kidd (Jk) locus on the deleted segment can be excluded on the basis of heterozygosity of the proposita for the a and b alleles. Hageman factor was not decreased, which suggests that this locus is also not on the deleted segment.", "contents": "Balanced t(8;9)(q12;q33)pat carrier with phenotypic abnormalities attributable to a de novo terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 7. A girl observed from birth to age 16 months had multiple congenital anomalies including growth and developemental retardation, microcephaly (-4SD), bulbous nose, prominent lips and philtrum, esotropia, latent hypermetropia, and spasticity. Chromosome analysis showed her to be a balanced carrier of a t(8;9)(q12;q33)pat translocation. In addition, she had a de novo deletion of a distal segment of the long arm of chromosome 7. Seven previously reported cases with deletions involving 7q were reviewed and had a number of nonspecific features in common, with microcephaly of a comparable degree in one of these. Studies of the Kidd (Jk) blood groups and Hageman factor were done because of the tentative assignment of their respective loci to distal 7q. Location of the Kidd (Jk) locus on the deleted segment can be excluded on the basis of heterozygosity of the proposita for the a and b alleles. Hageman factor was not decreased, which suggests that this locus is also not on the deleted segment.", "PMID": 631854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9049", "title": "Variant chromosome 3 (inv3) in normal newborns and their parents, and in children with mental retardation.", "content": "The chromosomes of 102 normal newborn babies (51 boys and 51 girls) born at term, their parents, and 45 nonrelated children with mental retardation at the level of imbecility were investigated by fluorescence microscopy using propyl quinacrine mustard. In each of the 11 families, one of the parents had a variant chromosome 3 that was interpreted as resulting from a pericentric inversion of the brilliant band (or C band) only (inv3). In four cases inv3 was transmitted to the child. The frequency of inv3 in newborn boys and girls was 2 and 6% respectively, and in adult men and women 5 and 6% respectively. In children with mental retardation of unknown etiology the inv3 was detected in five cases (11.1%). This difference from normal persons was not significant.", "contents": "Variant chromosome 3 (inv3) in normal newborns and their parents, and in children with mental retardation. The chromosomes of 102 normal newborn babies (51 boys and 51 girls) born at term, their parents, and 45 nonrelated children with mental retardation at the level of imbecility were investigated by fluorescence microscopy using propyl quinacrine mustard. In each of the 11 families, one of the parents had a variant chromosome 3 that was interpreted as resulting from a pericentric inversion of the brilliant band (or C band) only (inv3). In four cases inv3 was transmitted to the child. The frequency of inv3 in newborn boys and girls was 2 and 6% respectively, and in adult men and women 5 and 6% respectively. In children with mental retardation of unknown etiology the inv3 was detected in five cases (11.1%). This difference from normal persons was not significant.", "PMID": 631855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9050", "title": "Trisomy 10p due to t(5;10)(p15;p11) segregating in a large sibship.", "content": "A family is reported with a segregating t(5;10)(p15;p11) translocation resulting in a child carrying trisomy 10p. The clinical findings of the patient are compared with trisomy 10p and the Cri-du-Chat syndrome.", "contents": "Trisomy 10p due to t(5;10)(p15;p11) segregating in a large sibship. A family is reported with a segregating t(5;10)(p15;p11) translocation resulting in a child carrying trisomy 10p. The clinical findings of the patient are compared with trisomy 10p and the Cri-du-Chat syndrome.", "PMID": 631856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9051", "title": "Terminal deletion of (1)(q42) and its phenotypical manifestations.", "content": "A 5-year-old male with multiple malformations (dwarfism, microcephalia with brachycephalic shape of skull, mongoloid lid axis, epicanthus, convergent strabismus, flat root of the nose, micrognathia, missing uvula, deformed low-set ears, hypoplastic genitals, and general hypotonia), severe mental retardation, and cerebral paroxysms caused by a partial monosomy (1)(q42 leads to qter) is described. This case is compared with other cases with a partial monosomy or ring-1 chromosomes.", "contents": "Terminal deletion of (1)(q42) and its phenotypical manifestations. A 5-year-old male with multiple malformations (dwarfism, microcephalia with brachycephalic shape of skull, mongoloid lid axis, epicanthus, convergent strabismus, flat root of the nose, micrognathia, missing uvula, deformed low-set ears, hypoplastic genitals, and general hypotonia), severe mental retardation, and cerebral paroxysms caused by a partial monosomy (1)(q42 leads to qter) is described. This case is compared with other cases with a partial monosomy or ring-1 chromosomes.", "PMID": 631857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9052", "title": "Patterns of association in the human metaphase complement: ring analysis and estimation of associativity of specific chromosome regions.", "content": "The pattern of metaphase chromosome association in the human complement was studied by two methods of statistical analysis of interchromosomal distances. Those methods included ring analysis in which a characteristic position of the centromere of each chromosome relative to the center of a two dimensional representation of a metaphase complement was defined, and estimation of the capacity for associativity of each of three regions of each chromosome: the centromere (c) and the ends of each arm (p, q). The following information was obtained: 1. In general, the distance from the center is directly related to chromosome size. 2. The most notable deviation from that size-related progression is displayed by the X chromosomes. The markedly peripheral position of the X is characteristic of both X's of the female and the single X of the male. 3. The relative associativity of each chromosome of the complement is, in general, inversely related to size with an additional preferential capacity of associativity displayed by the acrocentric chromosomes. Analyses of the different inter-regional classes established that the supplementary associativity factor of the acrocentric chromosomes was inherent in their pericentromeric and p-arm regions and excluded the ends of the q arms from participation in that factor. 4. Those analyses demonstrated that the specific morphology or 'geometry' of the acrocentric chromosomes contributes little to their high relative associativity. In addition to the tendency for the c/p regions of the acrocentric chromosomes to associate with each other, presumably because of their common function in nucleolar organization, those regions also displayed a propensity to associate with the distal regions of the arms of other chromosomes. A molecular basis for that propensity other than that of ribosomal DNA is postulated to be that of other fractions of highly reiterated DNA sequences. 5. Analysis of the relative associativities of each of the three regions of the Y chromosome revealed that the Yq displays a much stronger capacity to associate with the c's of other chromosomes than does the Yc or Yp.", "contents": "Patterns of association in the human metaphase complement: ring analysis and estimation of associativity of specific chromosome regions. The pattern of metaphase chromosome association in the human complement was studied by two methods of statistical analysis of interchromosomal distances. Those methods included ring analysis in which a characteristic position of the centromere of each chromosome relative to the center of a two dimensional representation of a metaphase complement was defined, and estimation of the capacity for associativity of each of three regions of each chromosome: the centromere (c) and the ends of each arm (p, q). The following information was obtained: 1. In general, the distance from the center is directly related to chromosome size. 2. The most notable deviation from that size-related progression is displayed by the X chromosomes. The markedly peripheral position of the X is characteristic of both X's of the female and the single X of the male. 3. The relative associativity of each chromosome of the complement is, in general, inversely related to size with an additional preferential capacity of associativity displayed by the acrocentric chromosomes. Analyses of the different inter-regional classes established that the supplementary associativity factor of the acrocentric chromosomes was inherent in their pericentromeric and p-arm regions and excluded the ends of the q arms from participation in that factor. 4. Those analyses demonstrated that the specific morphology or 'geometry' of the acrocentric chromosomes contributes little to their high relative associativity. In addition to the tendency for the c/p regions of the acrocentric chromosomes to associate with each other, presumably because of their common function in nucleolar organization, those regions also displayed a propensity to associate with the distal regions of the arms of other chromosomes. A molecular basis for that propensity other than that of ribosomal DNA is postulated to be that of other fractions of highly reiterated DNA sequences. 5. Analysis of the relative associativities of each of the three regions of the Y chromosome revealed that the Yq displays a much stronger capacity to associate with the c's of other chromosomes than does the Yc or Yp.", "PMID": 631858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9053", "title": "Identification of the origin of triploidy by HLA markers.", "content": "HLA-A and HLA-B markers have been determined in fibroblasts grown from tissues of triploid conceptuses and have been tested in the parents. Informative data on the origin of triploidy were obtained in eight cases: diandry I or dispermy in 4 cases, diandry II or dispermy in 2, digyny I or II in 2. This confirms that triploidy involved more frequently two sets of paternal chromosomes.", "contents": "Identification of the origin of triploidy by HLA markers. HLA-A and HLA-B markers have been determined in fibroblasts grown from tissues of triploid conceptuses and have been tested in the parents. Informative data on the origin of triploidy were obtained in eight cases: diandry I or dispermy in 4 cases, diandry II or dispermy in 2, digyny I or II in 2. This confirms that triploidy involved more frequently two sets of paternal chromosomes.", "PMID": 631859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9054", "title": "Reduced frequencies of mitomycin-C induced sister chromatid exchanges in AKR mice.", "content": "The frequencies of base-line and Mitomycin-C (MMC) induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were surveyed in four inbred strains of mice. In contrast to the C57Bl/6J, CBA/J, and A/J strains where frequencies of SCE increased linearly with increasing dose of MMC, levels of SCE were significantly lower in AKR/J mice at high MMC concentrations. At a dose of 5 mg/kg MMC, chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in bone marrow cells of AKR/J mice than in C57Bl/6J mice. These observations suggest an altered response to DNA damage in the AKR mouse strain.", "contents": "Reduced frequencies of mitomycin-C induced sister chromatid exchanges in AKR mice. The frequencies of base-line and Mitomycin-C (MMC) induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were surveyed in four inbred strains of mice. In contrast to the C57Bl/6J, CBA/J, and A/J strains where frequencies of SCE increased linearly with increasing dose of MMC, levels of SCE were significantly lower in AKR/J mice at high MMC concentrations. At a dose of 5 mg/kg MMC, chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in bone marrow cells of AKR/J mice than in C57Bl/6J mice. These observations suggest an altered response to DNA damage in the AKR mouse strain.", "PMID": 631860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9055", "title": "Human erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency: the use of a kinetic study of mutant enzymes for the detection of heterozygotes.", "content": "Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency was detected in a boy of dutch origin. Immunologic, electrophoretic, and kinetic studies of the enzymes of propositus and the members of his family demonstrated that the boy was heterozygote for two different mutant PK alleles. The mutant enzyme, for which his mother was heterozygote, was characterized by a lower immunologic specific activity, a decreased affinity for the substrate phospho-enol-pyruvate, and a loss of homotropic interactions toward this substrate, an increased affinity toward the allosteric inhibitor MgATP2-, a decreased affinity for the activator fructose-1,6-diphosphate, and a lowered pH optimum. Electrophoresis, Km app. for MgADP, and the reactivity toward the purine nucleotide substrate analogues were normal. The mutant enzyme for which his father was heterozygote was characterized by a decreased affinity for the substrate phospho-enol-pyruvate and a loss of homotropic interactions toward this substrate. All other parameters mentioned above were normal. The use of a kinetic study of mutant enzymes for the detection of heterozygotes is discussed.", "contents": "Human erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency: the use of a kinetic study of mutant enzymes for the detection of heterozygotes. Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency was detected in a boy of dutch origin. Immunologic, electrophoretic, and kinetic studies of the enzymes of propositus and the members of his family demonstrated that the boy was heterozygote for two different mutant PK alleles. The mutant enzyme, for which his mother was heterozygote, was characterized by a lower immunologic specific activity, a decreased affinity for the substrate phospho-enol-pyruvate, and a loss of homotropic interactions toward this substrate, an increased affinity toward the allosteric inhibitor MgATP2-, a decreased affinity for the activator fructose-1,6-diphosphate, and a lowered pH optimum. Electrophoresis, Km app. for MgADP, and the reactivity toward the purine nucleotide substrate analogues were normal. The mutant enzyme for which his father was heterozygote was characterized by a decreased affinity for the substrate phospho-enol-pyruvate and a loss of homotropic interactions toward this substrate. All other parameters mentioned above were normal. The use of a kinetic study of mutant enzymes for the detection of heterozygotes is discussed.", "PMID": 631861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9056", "title": "HLA antigen, gene, and haplotype frequencies in Thailand.", "content": "Antigen, gene, and haplotype frequencies as well as phenotype distribution of the HLA system were studied in a series of 213 individuals in northern Thailand. The series consisted of 160 northern Thais, 23 Thai individuals from various other regions of Thailand, and 25 persons of Chinese origin. Most frequently found were the alleles HLA-A11 and HLA-Bw40 and the haplotype HLA-A2,B-. Phenotype distribution followed a Hardy-Weinberg expectation. Significant differences were found especially between our results for the alleles of locus B and the results of a series from Bangkok reported by Chiewsilp and Chanarat (1976).", "contents": "HLA antigen, gene, and haplotype frequencies in Thailand. Antigen, gene, and haplotype frequencies as well as phenotype distribution of the HLA system were studied in a series of 213 individuals in northern Thailand. The series consisted of 160 northern Thais, 23 Thai individuals from various other regions of Thailand, and 25 persons of Chinese origin. Most frequently found were the alleles HLA-A11 and HLA-Bw40 and the haplotype HLA-A2,B-. Phenotype distribution followed a Hardy-Weinberg expectation. Significant differences were found especially between our results for the alleles of locus B and the results of a series from Bangkok reported by Chiewsilp and Chanarat (1976).", "PMID": 631862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9057", "title": "An increased frequency of chromosomal changes and SCE's in cultured blood lymphocytes of 12 subjects vaccinated against smallpox.", "content": "An increased frequency of chromosomal changes and sister chromatid exchanges was detected in 10 women 7 days after smallpox vaccination.", "contents": "An increased frequency of chromosomal changes and SCE's in cultured blood lymphocytes of 12 subjects vaccinated against smallpox. An increased frequency of chromosomal changes and sister chromatid exchanges was detected in 10 women 7 days after smallpox vaccination.", "PMID": 631863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9058", "title": "Occurrence of 1st division metaphases in human lymphocyte cultures.", "content": "Human lymphocytes were cultured for 40, 42 and 44 h and analysed for the number of 1st and 2nd division metaphases using the Brd U-Giemsa technique. The most suitable time to obtain the majority of cells in their 1st division concommittant with an adequate mitotic index was 42 h. It is recommended that laboratories use sister chromatid differential staining to determine the most suitable culture time for the analysis of 1st division metaphases. This will permit accurate comparisons between individuals and laboratories to be made.", "contents": "Occurrence of 1st division metaphases in human lymphocyte cultures. Human lymphocytes were cultured for 40, 42 and 44 h and analysed for the number of 1st and 2nd division metaphases using the Brd U-Giemsa technique. The most suitable time to obtain the majority of cells in their 1st division concommittant with an adequate mitotic index was 42 h. It is recommended that laboratories use sister chromatid differential staining to determine the most suitable culture time for the analysis of 1st division metaphases. This will permit accurate comparisons between individuals and laboratories to be made.", "PMID": 631864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9059", "title": "Expression of IgGFc receptors on human plasma cells.", "content": "Plasma cells that were obtained in bone marrow aspirates from patients with plasma cell dyscrasias were assessed for the expression of IgGFc receptors. A sensitive EA rosette assay and direct immunofluorescence were combined to quantitate plasma cells that expressed IgGFc receptors. Two patients with nonsecretory disorders had large numbers of receptor positive cells (98 and 78%). The remaining patients, all of which had been treated with cytotoxic drugs prior to testing, had significant numbers of IgGFc receptor positive cells (36-86%) and the number of FC receptor positive cells was increased by storing the cells at 4 degrees C for 18 hours prior to performing the rosette assay.", "contents": "Expression of IgGFc receptors on human plasma cells. Plasma cells that were obtained in bone marrow aspirates from patients with plasma cell dyscrasias were assessed for the expression of IgGFc receptors. A sensitive EA rosette assay and direct immunofluorescence were combined to quantitate plasma cells that expressed IgGFc receptors. Two patients with nonsecretory disorders had large numbers of receptor positive cells (98 and 78%). The remaining patients, all of which had been treated with cytotoxic drugs prior to testing, had significant numbers of IgGFc receptor positive cells (36-86%) and the number of FC receptor positive cells was increased by storing the cells at 4 degrees C for 18 hours prior to performing the rosette assay.", "PMID": 631870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9060", "title": "Preparative immunoabsorption electrophoresis.", "content": "A method for separating a component from a mixture of antigens is described. The component which may be a virus or subfraction of a virus, is isolated by driving the mixture by electrophoresis through a gel containing precipitating antibodies directed against the unwanted components. The method is illustrated by the isolation of hepatitis B antigen from whole serum and by the separation of wild cucumber mosaic virus from a strain of tobacco mosaic virus.", "contents": "Preparative immunoabsorption electrophoresis. A method for separating a component from a mixture of antigens is described. The component which may be a virus or subfraction of a virus, is isolated by driving the mixture by electrophoresis through a gel containing precipitating antibodies directed against the unwanted components. The method is illustrated by the isolation of hepatitis B antigen from whole serum and by the separation of wild cucumber mosaic virus from a strain of tobacco mosaic virus.", "PMID": 631871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9061", "title": "The persistent PHA-responsive population in the mouse thymus. I. Characterization of the population.", "content": "Using an in vitro culture technique, mouse thymus graft cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The persistent PHA-responsive thymus graft population (Elliott, 1973) was shown to be able to respond to other T-cell mitogens (Con A, pokeweed mitogen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B), but not to E. coli lipopolysaccharide a known B-cell mitogen. The percentage of persistent PHA-responsive cells did not alter during 5 days in culture and was relatively unaffected by either hydrocortisone or anti-lymphocyte serum treatment in vivo. In allogeneic thymus grafts (AKR leads to CBA), persistent PHA-responsive cells could be demonstrated, which were destroyed when incubated with CBA anti thetaAKR serum and complement. When thymus graft cells were allowed to sediment on a 0.2--2 per cent BSA gradient, it was seen that the PHA-responsive population sedimented faster than the bulk of thymus graft cells. Some separation could be obtained on this gradient between the persistent and non-persistent PHA-responsive cell populations.", "contents": "The persistent PHA-responsive population in the mouse thymus. I. Characterization of the population. Using an in vitro culture technique, mouse thymus graft cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The persistent PHA-responsive thymus graft population (Elliott, 1973) was shown to be able to respond to other T-cell mitogens (Con A, pokeweed mitogen, staphylococcal enterotoxin B), but not to E. coli lipopolysaccharide a known B-cell mitogen. The percentage of persistent PHA-responsive cells did not alter during 5 days in culture and was relatively unaffected by either hydrocortisone or anti-lymphocyte serum treatment in vivo. In allogeneic thymus grafts (AKR leads to CBA), persistent PHA-responsive cells could be demonstrated, which were destroyed when incubated with CBA anti thetaAKR serum and complement. When thymus graft cells were allowed to sediment on a 0.2--2 per cent BSA gradient, it was seen that the PHA-responsive population sedimented faster than the bulk of thymus graft cells. Some separation could be obtained on this gradient between the persistent and non-persistent PHA-responsive cell populations.", "PMID": 631872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9062", "title": "Acquired resistance to ticks. III. Cobra venom factor and the resistance response.", "content": "Guinea-pigs developed resistance to larvae of the ixodid tick, Dermacentor andersoni, after one infestation. Resistant hosts were characterized by allowing significantly fewer larvae to engorge than non-resistant hosts. Larvae engorging on non-resistant hosts had a mean weight six times that of larvae obtained from resistant hosts at the end of a 5-day infestation. This immunologically based resistance was previously shown to have a cell-mediated and a humoral component. In an attempt to ascertain the role of complement in the resistance response, cobra venom factor (CoF) was administered to guinea-pigs producing prolonged (85--95 per cent) depletion of complement titres. CoF was administered during an initial infestation with tick larvae to determine if complement depletion altered the acquisition of tick resistance. CoF was also administered to tick-resistant hosts in an attempt to determine if the expression of tick resistance and the development of the basophil-packed lesion, characteristic of the tick-attachment site in resistant hosts, could be altered by complement depletion. CoF did not alter the acquisition of resistance when complement levels were reduced during a primary infestation. However, complement depletion of an animal which had acquired tick resistance blocked the expression of that resistance during a challenge infestation. In addition to increased numbers and weights of larvae engorging on tick-resistant animals depleted of complement, the basophil packed lesion at the tick attachment site was greatly reduced. Complement plays an important role in the expression of tick resistance in guinea-pigs.", "contents": "Acquired resistance to ticks. III. Cobra venom factor and the resistance response. Guinea-pigs developed resistance to larvae of the ixodid tick, Dermacentor andersoni, after one infestation. Resistant hosts were characterized by allowing significantly fewer larvae to engorge than non-resistant hosts. Larvae engorging on non-resistant hosts had a mean weight six times that of larvae obtained from resistant hosts at the end of a 5-day infestation. This immunologically based resistance was previously shown to have a cell-mediated and a humoral component. In an attempt to ascertain the role of complement in the resistance response, cobra venom factor (CoF) was administered to guinea-pigs producing prolonged (85--95 per cent) depletion of complement titres. CoF was administered during an initial infestation with tick larvae to determine if complement depletion altered the acquisition of tick resistance. CoF was also administered to tick-resistant hosts in an attempt to determine if the expression of tick resistance and the development of the basophil-packed lesion, characteristic of the tick-attachment site in resistant hosts, could be altered by complement depletion. CoF did not alter the acquisition of resistance when complement levels were reduced during a primary infestation. However, complement depletion of an animal which had acquired tick resistance blocked the expression of that resistance during a challenge infestation. In addition to increased numbers and weights of larvae engorging on tick-resistant animals depleted of complement, the basophil packed lesion at the tick attachment site was greatly reduced. Complement plays an important role in the expression of tick resistance in guinea-pigs.", "PMID": 631873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9063", "title": "Homocytotropic response to guinea-pigs to antigen extracts from formalized and unformalized Parascaris equorum.", "content": "A homocytotropic anaphylactic response is described in guinea-pigs sensitized with antigen from Parascaris equorum. This antigen was not sensitive to prolonged storage in formalin. Some adult ascarid extracts prepared from worms that had been stored for 14 days in 10 per cent formalin before use, retained their ability to produce an allergenic response. The antisera withstood heat inactivation at 56 degrees for up to 7 h or treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol and were still capable of eliciting a skin response. The skin response persisted for 96 h after sensitization. The serum of animals sensitized with a single dose of P. equorum antigen remained capable of producing a positive passive cutaneous anaphylactic response up to 245 days after the sensitizing dose. It appears, from the results obtained, that this antibody resembles IgG1, rather than IgE.", "contents": "Homocytotropic response to guinea-pigs to antigen extracts from formalized and unformalized Parascaris equorum. A homocytotropic anaphylactic response is described in guinea-pigs sensitized with antigen from Parascaris equorum. This antigen was not sensitive to prolonged storage in formalin. Some adult ascarid extracts prepared from worms that had been stored for 14 days in 10 per cent formalin before use, retained their ability to produce an allergenic response. The antisera withstood heat inactivation at 56 degrees for up to 7 h or treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol and were still capable of eliciting a skin response. The skin response persisted for 96 h after sensitization. The serum of animals sensitized with a single dose of P. equorum antigen remained capable of producing a positive passive cutaneous anaphylactic response up to 245 days after the sensitizing dose. It appears, from the results obtained, that this antibody resembles IgG1, rather than IgE.", "PMID": 631874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9064", "title": "Lipid A-induced tolerance and hyperreactivity to hypothermia in mice.", "content": "Mice responded to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with a dose-dependent, monophasic hypothermia reaching a maximum at 2 h postinjection. Degraded polysaccharide was not active; free lipid A, however, induced a similar pattern of hypothermia, indicating that the hypothermic principle of LPS was embedded within the lipid A component. The hypothermic response of mice to LPS was modified by prior exposure of the host to LPS. This altered reactivity was manifested by refractory periods (early and late tolerance), in which animals no longer responded with hypothermia, or a hyperreactive phase (hypersensitivity), in which hypothermic responses were greatly augmented upon LPS challenge. Thus, tolerance observed 24 h after a single injection of LPS (early tolerance) was followed, on further LPS challenge, by an enhanced hypothermic responses reaching a maximum on day 4. Further daily exposure of the animals to LPS eliminated hyperreactivity and led to the establishment of a late tolerance maximally expressed on day 8. Hyperreactivity could also be evoked on day 4 after a single injection of LPS. Mice pretreated with Salmonella S- and R-form LPS or free lipid A (Salmonella) demonstrated tolerance and hyperreactivity to both homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, complete cross-tolerance was observed with S-form LPS derived from Shigella. It was concluded that the differential effects of LPS on host responses (tolerance and hyperreactivity) were due to lipid A.", "contents": "Lipid A-induced tolerance and hyperreactivity to hypothermia in mice. Mice responded to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with a dose-dependent, monophasic hypothermia reaching a maximum at 2 h postinjection. Degraded polysaccharide was not active; free lipid A, however, induced a similar pattern of hypothermia, indicating that the hypothermic principle of LPS was embedded within the lipid A component. The hypothermic response of mice to LPS was modified by prior exposure of the host to LPS. This altered reactivity was manifested by refractory periods (early and late tolerance), in which animals no longer responded with hypothermia, or a hyperreactive phase (hypersensitivity), in which hypothermic responses were greatly augmented upon LPS challenge. Thus, tolerance observed 24 h after a single injection of LPS (early tolerance) was followed, on further LPS challenge, by an enhanced hypothermic responses reaching a maximum on day 4. Further daily exposure of the animals to LPS eliminated hyperreactivity and led to the establishment of a late tolerance maximally expressed on day 8. Hyperreactivity could also be evoked on day 4 after a single injection of LPS. Mice pretreated with Salmonella S- and R-form LPS or free lipid A (Salmonella) demonstrated tolerance and hyperreactivity to both homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, complete cross-tolerance was observed with S-form LPS derived from Shigella. It was concluded that the differential effects of LPS on host responses (tolerance and hyperreactivity) were due to lipid A.", "PMID": 631875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9065", "title": "Antibody responses in patients with rubella infection determined by passive hemagglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation, and solid-phase radioimmunoassay tests.", "content": "Antibody responses in serial serum specimens collected from 31 patients with an acute rubella infection were determined by passive hemagglutination (PHA), hemagglutination inhibition (HI), complement fixation (CF), radioimmunoassay (RIA) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and RIA immunoglobulin M (IgM) tests to evaluate the effectiveness of these tests in diagnosing a recent infection. The HI, RIA IgG, and RIA IgM antibodies appeared almost simultaneously and reached the maximum level about 1 week after the onset of rash. Compared to these, the CF antibodies developed only slightly later, whereas the development of the PHA antibodies was much more delayed. The RIA IgM response was shown to be transient, lasting approximately 1.5 to 2.5 months postinfection. The results of this study indicate that demonstration of specific IgM antibodies is the best method for diagnosing a recent infection, one within 2 months after the onset of the illness. If an IgM test is not available, a combination of the HI and PHA tests is recommended.", "contents": "Antibody responses in patients with rubella infection determined by passive hemagglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation, and solid-phase radioimmunoassay tests. Antibody responses in serial serum specimens collected from 31 patients with an acute rubella infection were determined by passive hemagglutination (PHA), hemagglutination inhibition (HI), complement fixation (CF), radioimmunoassay (RIA) immunoglobulin G (IgG), and RIA immunoglobulin M (IgM) tests to evaluate the effectiveness of these tests in diagnosing a recent infection. The HI, RIA IgG, and RIA IgM antibodies appeared almost simultaneously and reached the maximum level about 1 week after the onset of rash. Compared to these, the CF antibodies developed only slightly later, whereas the development of the PHA antibodies was much more delayed. The RIA IgM response was shown to be transient, lasting approximately 1.5 to 2.5 months postinfection. The results of this study indicate that demonstration of specific IgM antibodies is the best method for diagnosing a recent infection, one within 2 months after the onset of the illness. If an IgM test is not available, a combination of the HI and PHA tests is recommended.", "PMID": 631876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9066", "title": "Microflora analysis of a child with severe combined immune deficiency.", "content": "An infant with severe combined immune deficiency was delivered by Caesarean section and continuously maintained in an isolator in an effort to restrict microbial contact. However, during the past 5 years the child came in contact with at least 54 different microbial contaminants. His skin autoflora was similar to the reference group of healthy male adults in numbers of different species and the number of viable cells present per square centimeter of surface area. The subject's autoflora differed from the reference group in that significantly fewer anaerobic species were recovered from the patient's mouth and feces. The populations on the skin and in the upper respiratory tract were almost exclusively composed of staphylococci and micrococci, although several species that commonly inhabit these areas were infrequently isolated and failed to colonize. The fecal autoflora was dominated by staphylococci, and bacilli clostridia recovered in typical numbers. Enterobacter agglomerans, not commonly recovered from the reference group, was a frequent inhabitant of the mouth and feces of the child. The fact that this severe combined immune-deficient patient has remained disease free in the presence of this microbial population illustrates the noninvasive nature of the bacteria present, as well as the importance of unaffected components of the child's immune defense mechanism.", "contents": "Microflora analysis of a child with severe combined immune deficiency. An infant with severe combined immune deficiency was delivered by Caesarean section and continuously maintained in an isolator in an effort to restrict microbial contact. However, during the past 5 years the child came in contact with at least 54 different microbial contaminants. His skin autoflora was similar to the reference group of healthy male adults in numbers of different species and the number of viable cells present per square centimeter of surface area. The subject's autoflora differed from the reference group in that significantly fewer anaerobic species were recovered from the patient's mouth and feces. The populations on the skin and in the upper respiratory tract were almost exclusively composed of staphylococci and micrococci, although several species that commonly inhabit these areas were infrequently isolated and failed to colonize. The fecal autoflora was dominated by staphylococci, and bacilli clostridia recovered in typical numbers. Enterobacter agglomerans, not commonly recovered from the reference group, was a frequent inhabitant of the mouth and feces of the child. The fact that this severe combined immune-deficient patient has remained disease free in the presence of this microbial population illustrates the noninvasive nature of the bacteria present, as well as the importance of unaffected components of the child's immune defense mechanism.", "PMID": 631877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9067", "title": "Use of Semliki forest virus to identify lipid-mediated antiviral activity and anti-alphavirus immunoglobulin A in human milk.", "content": "In a simple and reliable assay system, Semliki forest virus (SFV) was used to detect the activity of antiviral factors in human milk. Fractionation of the milk showed that a heat-stable, lipid-associated activity and an immunoglobulin-associated activity were present, either singly or together, in 85% of the human milk samples tested. Cow and synthetic milk showed neither activity. Extraction of the neutral milk lipids allowed the antiviral to be located with the monoglyceride and free fatty acid fractions. The milk low in antiviral lipids and high in triglycerides also lacked a strong lipase activity. The immunoglobulin anti-SFV activity was shown to be due to immunoglobulin A, the major milk immunoglobulin, and appears to be directed against an alphavirus closely related to SFV, possibly Ross River virus.", "contents": "Use of Semliki forest virus to identify lipid-mediated antiviral activity and anti-alphavirus immunoglobulin A in human milk. In a simple and reliable assay system, Semliki forest virus (SFV) was used to detect the activity of antiviral factors in human milk. Fractionation of the milk showed that a heat-stable, lipid-associated activity and an immunoglobulin-associated activity were present, either singly or together, in 85% of the human milk samples tested. Cow and synthetic milk showed neither activity. Extraction of the neutral milk lipids allowed the antiviral to be located with the monoglyceride and free fatty acid fractions. The milk low in antiviral lipids and high in triglycerides also lacked a strong lipase activity. The immunoglobulin anti-SFV activity was shown to be due to immunoglobulin A, the major milk immunoglobulin, and appears to be directed against an alphavirus closely related to SFV, possibly Ross River virus.", "PMID": 631878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9068", "title": "Cellular adherence, glucosyltransferase adsorption, and glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans AHT mutants.", "content": "Streptococcus mutans AHT mutants M1, M2, and M13 failed to adhere to a glass surface, whereas mutants M9 and M35 exhibited decreased and increased adherence, respectively, as compared with the parent strain, when grown in sucrose broth. Extracellular glucosyltransferase prepared from glucose-grown cultures of the adherent strains (wild type, M9, and M35) induced adherence of heat-killed cells of the homologous and heterologous streptococcal strains as well as of Escherichia coli K-12 and uncoated resin particles. The glucosyltransferase was adsorbed on all the streptococcal cells and glucan-coated resins, but not on E. coli cells and the uncoated resins. Glucosyltransferase from the nonadhering mutants (M1, M2, M13) neither was significantly adsorbed on nor induced adherence of any of the cells and resins. Cell-free enzymes from the glucose-grown adherent strains produced water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans, whereas those from the nonadhering mutants produced only water-soluble glucans. Small amounts of alkali-soluble, cell-associated glucan were recovered from the sucrose-grown nonadhering mutants. Thus, the relative proportions of glucosyltransferase isozymes elaborated by the S. mutans mutants, insofar as they affect the physico-chemical properties of the glucans produced, seem to determine the adherence abilities of the cells. The adsorption of glucosyltransferase on glucan molecules on the cell surface is not required for the adherence of S. mutans, but de novo glucan synthesis is important in the adherence process.", "contents": "Cellular adherence, glucosyltransferase adsorption, and glucan synthesis of Streptococcus mutans AHT mutants. Streptococcus mutans AHT mutants M1, M2, and M13 failed to adhere to a glass surface, whereas mutants M9 and M35 exhibited decreased and increased adherence, respectively, as compared with the parent strain, when grown in sucrose broth. Extracellular glucosyltransferase prepared from glucose-grown cultures of the adherent strains (wild type, M9, and M35) induced adherence of heat-killed cells of the homologous and heterologous streptococcal strains as well as of Escherichia coli K-12 and uncoated resin particles. The glucosyltransferase was adsorbed on all the streptococcal cells and glucan-coated resins, but not on E. coli cells and the uncoated resins. Glucosyltransferase from the nonadhering mutants (M1, M2, M13) neither was significantly adsorbed on nor induced adherence of any of the cells and resins. Cell-free enzymes from the glucose-grown adherent strains produced water-soluble and water-insoluble glucans, whereas those from the nonadhering mutants produced only water-soluble glucans. Small amounts of alkali-soluble, cell-associated glucan were recovered from the sucrose-grown nonadhering mutants. Thus, the relative proportions of glucosyltransferase isozymes elaborated by the S. mutans mutants, insofar as they affect the physico-chemical properties of the glucans produced, seem to determine the adherence abilities of the cells. The adsorption of glucosyltransferase on glucan molecules on the cell surface is not required for the adherence of S. mutans, but de novo glucan synthesis is important in the adherence process.", "PMID": 631879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9069", "title": "Use of an alkali-soluble water-soluble extract of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast-phase cell walls and isoelectrically focused components in peripheral lymphocyte transformations.", "content": "An alkali-soluble water-soluble extract of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast-phase cell walls was tested for its ability to elicit a response in lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of Blastomyces-infected guinea pigs. Sequential preparations of the antigen were reproducible and specific in the in vitro lymphocyte transformation assay. Cross-reactivity of the antigen was not evident in lymphocyte transformation assays on lymphocytes obtained from Histoplasma-infected guinea pigs or from animals sensitized with complete Freund adjuvant. Fractionation of the antigen was accomplished on an isoelectric-focusing column, using a sucrose density gradient support. Components were assayed for activity in skin testing and lymphocyte transformation. Comparison of column fractions to the whole antigen showed greater response to the whole antigen in in vivo and in vitro assays.", "contents": "Use of an alkali-soluble water-soluble extract of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast-phase cell walls and isoelectrically focused components in peripheral lymphocyte transformations. An alkali-soluble water-soluble extract of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast-phase cell walls was tested for its ability to elicit a response in lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of Blastomyces-infected guinea pigs. Sequential preparations of the antigen were reproducible and specific in the in vitro lymphocyte transformation assay. Cross-reactivity of the antigen was not evident in lymphocyte transformation assays on lymphocytes obtained from Histoplasma-infected guinea pigs or from animals sensitized with complete Freund adjuvant. Fractionation of the antigen was accomplished on an isoelectric-focusing column, using a sucrose density gradient support. Components were assayed for activity in skin testing and lymphocyte transformation. Comparison of column fractions to the whole antigen showed greater response to the whole antigen in in vivo and in vitro assays.", "PMID": 631880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9070", "title": "Genetic control of murine resistance to Toxoplasma gondii.", "content": "The genetics of murine susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii was investigated in inbred mice and their F1 and F2 offspring. Among four strains of congenic mice of the B10 background, those with H-2a/a and H-2b/b genotypes were more susceptible than were those with H-2d/d and H-2k/k genotypes. Breeding studies utilizing three of these strains demonstrated linkage between the H-2a allele and greater susceptibility. These data suggest the existence of an H-2-linked gene affecting susceptibility to T. gondii. In challenge of recombinant inbred mice derived from C57Bl/6J (high susceptibility) and BALB/c (low susceptibility) strains, lines BE, BJ, and BK were more susceptible than lines BD, BG, BH, and BI. These data are consistent with the existence of a second disease susceptibility gene linked to the H-13 locus. F1 offspring of the C57B1/6J X B10.D2 mice were significantly less susceptible than either parent. This phenotypic complementary suggests the presence of more than one genetic mechanism of resistance to T. gondii. From these combined data, we conclude that (i) susceptibility to T. gondii in mice is affected by at least two genes, (ii) one of the genes is linked to the H-2 and one to the H-13 locus, and (iii) more than a single mechanism of resistance must be considered to explain the observed genetic controls of susceptibility.", "contents": "Genetic control of murine resistance to Toxoplasma gondii. The genetics of murine susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii was investigated in inbred mice and their F1 and F2 offspring. Among four strains of congenic mice of the B10 background, those with H-2a/a and H-2b/b genotypes were more susceptible than were those with H-2d/d and H-2k/k genotypes. Breeding studies utilizing three of these strains demonstrated linkage between the H-2a allele and greater susceptibility. These data suggest the existence of an H-2-linked gene affecting susceptibility to T. gondii. In challenge of recombinant inbred mice derived from C57Bl/6J (high susceptibility) and BALB/c (low susceptibility) strains, lines BE, BJ, and BK were more susceptible than lines BD, BG, BH, and BI. These data are consistent with the existence of a second disease susceptibility gene linked to the H-13 locus. F1 offspring of the C57B1/6J X B10.D2 mice were significantly less susceptible than either parent. This phenotypic complementary suggests the presence of more than one genetic mechanism of resistance to T. gondii. From these combined data, we conclude that (i) susceptibility to T. gondii in mice is affected by at least two genes, (ii) one of the genes is linked to the H-2 and one to the H-13 locus, and (iii) more than a single mechanism of resistance must be considered to explain the observed genetic controls of susceptibility.", "PMID": 631881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9071", "title": "Effect of indomethacin in vivo on humoral and cellular immunity in humans.", "content": "We studied the effect of indomethacin on intradermal skin testing and antibody responses in humans. Since we and others have shown that prostaglandins are suppressor cell mediators, it was probable that in vivo inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis might enhance the humoral and/or cellular immune response. Administration of indomethacin (Indocin) in a dosage of 100 mg/day to 15 normal men and women resulted in a significantly increased antibody titer to A-Victoria (P less than 0.025) as compared with age- and sex-matched controls. There was no difference in titer to A-New Jersey. Since 90% of the subjects had antibody titers to A-Victoria before inoculation, whereas none had detectable titers to A-New Jersey, we interpret this data as suggesting that indomethacin enhances the secondary but not the primary humoral immune response. Indomethacin administration did not alter the intradermal skin test responses.", "contents": "Effect of indomethacin in vivo on humoral and cellular immunity in humans. We studied the effect of indomethacin on intradermal skin testing and antibody responses in humans. Since we and others have shown that prostaglandins are suppressor cell mediators, it was probable that in vivo inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis might enhance the humoral and/or cellular immune response. Administration of indomethacin (Indocin) in a dosage of 100 mg/day to 15 normal men and women resulted in a significantly increased antibody titer to A-Victoria (P less than 0.025) as compared with age- and sex-matched controls. There was no difference in titer to A-New Jersey. Since 90% of the subjects had antibody titers to A-Victoria before inoculation, whereas none had detectable titers to A-New Jersey, we interpret this data as suggesting that indomethacin enhances the secondary but not the primary humoral immune response. Indomethacin administration did not alter the intradermal skin test responses.", "PMID": 631882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9072", "title": "Enhancement of experimental anaerobic infections by blood, hemoglobin, and hemostatic agents.", "content": "Certain foreign materials have been demonstrated to enhance the infectivity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Whole blood and other protein compounds encountered in surgical settings or trauma were tested for their effect on infectivity of nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. Infectious synergistic mixtures of Bacteroides fragilis plus Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Bacteroides melaninogenicus plus Fusobacterium necrophorum were each diluted to a barely noninfectious or minimally infectious concentration (subinfective inoculum) that was injected intraperitoneally into mice alone and in combination with test proteins. Infectivity was measured by deaths from sepsis or abscess(es) within the abdominal cavity at autopsy at 1 week. Two hemostatic agents, Gelfoam powder and Avitene (final concentrations, 10 mg/ml), and crystalline hemoglobin (4 g/100 ml) each produced a marked increase (P < 0.001) in the rate of infection when mixed with a normally subinfective inoculum of either bacterial mixture. Fresh homologous mouse blood (0.25 ml) injected intraperitoneally without anticoagulant also significantly enhanced infectivity (P < 0.01) of a subinfective inoculum of B. fragilis plus P. anaerobius. These studies demonstrated the capacity of whole blood, hemoglobin, and hemostatic agents to enhance the infectivity of certain nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. The high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria in the gastrointestinal, female genital, and respiratory tracts produce an increased risk of human infection after surgery or trauma in these sites; the protein agents studied here may further enhance infection.", "contents": "Enhancement of experimental anaerobic infections by blood, hemoglobin, and hemostatic agents. Certain foreign materials have been demonstrated to enhance the infectivity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Whole blood and other protein compounds encountered in surgical settings or trauma were tested for their effect on infectivity of nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. Infectious synergistic mixtures of Bacteroides fragilis plus Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Bacteroides melaninogenicus plus Fusobacterium necrophorum were each diluted to a barely noninfectious or minimally infectious concentration (subinfective inoculum) that was injected intraperitoneally into mice alone and in combination with test proteins. Infectivity was measured by deaths from sepsis or abscess(es) within the abdominal cavity at autopsy at 1 week. Two hemostatic agents, Gelfoam powder and Avitene (final concentrations, 10 mg/ml), and crystalline hemoglobin (4 g/100 ml) each produced a marked increase (P < 0.001) in the rate of infection when mixed with a normally subinfective inoculum of either bacterial mixture. Fresh homologous mouse blood (0.25 ml) injected intraperitoneally without anticoagulant also significantly enhanced infectivity (P < 0.01) of a subinfective inoculum of B. fragilis plus P. anaerobius. These studies demonstrated the capacity of whole blood, hemoglobin, and hemostatic agents to enhance the infectivity of certain nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria. The high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria in the gastrointestinal, female genital, and respiratory tracts produce an increased risk of human infection after surgery or trauma in these sites; the protein agents studied here may further enhance infection.", "PMID": 631883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9073", "title": "Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase: stimulation of glucan formation by phosphoglycerides.", "content": "Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and other phosphoglycerides stimulated water-insoluble and water-soluble glucan production by the Streptococcus mutans 6715 dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5). LPC stimulated crude extracellular dextransucrase 1.7-fold, the water-insoluble glucan-producing alpha form of the enzyme 6.5-fold, the water-soluble glucan-producing beta form of the enzyme 2.1-fold, and the cell-associated dextransucrase 2.0-fold. Kinetic studies demonstrated that LPC did not change the K(m) for sucrose of alpha or beta but increased the maximum velocity of the enzymes. The K(m) for LPC of the alpha enzyme was 10(-5) M. LPC from various sources and synthetic preparations of lauroyl-LPC, myristoyl-LPC, and palmitoyl-LPC all stimulated glucan formation. Portions of phosphoglyceride molecules including fatty acids, phosphatidic acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycerophos-phorylcholine, and choline, when tested individually or in combinations, did not enhance dextransucrase activity. The increased rates of glucan production caused by LPC and primer dextran were additive. Enzyme incubated with LPC before addition of sucrose was stimulated by dextran primer, and, conversely, enzyme treated with dextran was stimulated by addition of LPC with the sucrose substrate. Thus, dextransucrase can be activated by binding of intact phosphoglyceride molecules to a site on the enzyme that is distinct from either the glucosyl donor or glucosyl acceptor (primer) binding sites. Interactions between the S. mutans dextransucrase and amphipathic phosphoglycerides may explain properties of this enzyme which contribute to the cariogenicity of S. mutans.", "contents": "Streptococcus mutans dextransucrase: stimulation of glucan formation by phosphoglycerides. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and other phosphoglycerides stimulated water-insoluble and water-soluble glucan production by the Streptococcus mutans 6715 dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5). LPC stimulated crude extracellular dextransucrase 1.7-fold, the water-insoluble glucan-producing alpha form of the enzyme 6.5-fold, the water-soluble glucan-producing beta form of the enzyme 2.1-fold, and the cell-associated dextransucrase 2.0-fold. Kinetic studies demonstrated that LPC did not change the K(m) for sucrose of alpha or beta but increased the maximum velocity of the enzymes. The K(m) for LPC of the alpha enzyme was 10(-5) M. LPC from various sources and synthetic preparations of lauroyl-LPC, myristoyl-LPC, and palmitoyl-LPC all stimulated glucan formation. Portions of phosphoglyceride molecules including fatty acids, phosphatidic acid, glycerophosphoric acid, glycerophos-phorylcholine, and choline, when tested individually or in combinations, did not enhance dextransucrase activity. The increased rates of glucan production caused by LPC and primer dextran were additive. Enzyme incubated with LPC before addition of sucrose was stimulated by dextran primer, and, conversely, enzyme treated with dextran was stimulated by addition of LPC with the sucrose substrate. Thus, dextransucrase can be activated by binding of intact phosphoglyceride molecules to a site on the enzyme that is distinct from either the glucosyl donor or glucosyl acceptor (primer) binding sites. Interactions between the S. mutans dextransucrase and amphipathic phosphoglycerides may explain properties of this enzyme which contribute to the cariogenicity of S. mutans.", "PMID": 631884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9074", "title": "Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: comparison of the effects of a coupling sugar and sucrose on certain metabolic activities and cariogenicity.", "content": "A coupling sugar preparation (sucrose-free [CSSF]), which contains a mixture of sugars, oligosaccharides, and oligosaccharides terminated at the reducing end by sucrose, served as a substrate for growth and acid production by Streptococcus mutans 6715. However, CSSF was a poor substrate for cellular aggregation, glucosyltransferase activity, plaque formation, and adherence of cells to glass surfaces. In the presence of sucrose, CSSF inhibited glucosyltransfer activity and adherence of cells. The substitution of CSSF for sucrose in a rat diet significantly reduced caries score. Furthermore, rats fed diets containing sucrose and CSSF had significantly fewer carious lesions than did rats fed a sucrose diet.", "contents": "Virulence of Streptococcus mutans: comparison of the effects of a coupling sugar and sucrose on certain metabolic activities and cariogenicity. A coupling sugar preparation (sucrose-free [CSSF]), which contains a mixture of sugars, oligosaccharides, and oligosaccharides terminated at the reducing end by sucrose, served as a substrate for growth and acid production by Streptococcus mutans 6715. However, CSSF was a poor substrate for cellular aggregation, glucosyltransferase activity, plaque formation, and adherence of cells to glass surfaces. In the presence of sucrose, CSSF inhibited glucosyltransfer activity and adherence of cells. The substitution of CSSF for sucrose in a rat diet significantly reduced caries score. Furthermore, rats fed diets containing sucrose and CSSF had significantly fewer carious lesions than did rats fed a sucrose diet.", "PMID": 631885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9075", "title": "Staphylococcal enterotoxin and thermonuclease production during induced bovine mastitis and the clinical reaction of enterotoxin in udders.", "content": "Enterotoxin A- and C-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and partially and extensively purified enterotoxin A were inoculated into the udder quarters of cows. In the course of experimentally induced mastitis caused by the inoculated S. aureus strain, enterotoxin C but not A was detected in the infected udder. Enterotoxin C was observed in mastitic milk samples at very low S. aureus population levels (10(2) to 10(3) colony-forming units per ml). The results suggest that either the synthesis of enterotoxin C is stimulated in vitro or that growth of S. aureus cells in udders was, in fact, higher than the colony-forming unit values indicated. Thermonuclease was shown to be excreted into mastitic milk at a slower rate than was enterotoxin. An inoculation of 1 microgram of enterotoxin A in autogenic milk returned to the udder caused clinical reactions (swelling, palpation sensitivity, and increase in the level of somatic cells) within 6 h.", "contents": "Staphylococcal enterotoxin and thermonuclease production during induced bovine mastitis and the clinical reaction of enterotoxin in udders. Enterotoxin A- and C-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and partially and extensively purified enterotoxin A were inoculated into the udder quarters of cows. In the course of experimentally induced mastitis caused by the inoculated S. aureus strain, enterotoxin C but not A was detected in the infected udder. Enterotoxin C was observed in mastitic milk samples at very low S. aureus population levels (10(2) to 10(3) colony-forming units per ml). The results suggest that either the synthesis of enterotoxin C is stimulated in vitro or that growth of S. aureus cells in udders was, in fact, higher than the colony-forming unit values indicated. Thermonuclease was shown to be excreted into mastitic milk at a slower rate than was enterotoxin. An inoculation of 1 microgram of enterotoxin A in autogenic milk returned to the udder caused clinical reactions (swelling, palpation sensitivity, and increase in the level of somatic cells) within 6 h.", "PMID": 631886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9076", "title": "Mechanisms of hemopoietic and immunological dysfunction induced by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.", "content": "Sublethal irradiation (500 R) of C3H mice is followed by a gradual replacement of radiosensitive cells in their spleens by surviving stem cells originating in bone marrow. This compensatory hemopoiesis was quantitated by counting the numbers of stem cell-derived colonies appearing on spleen surfaces, as well as those which grew in vitro after marrow cells, suspended in soft agar, were overlaid onto syngenic mouse embryo fibroblast feeder layers. Compensatory colony formation, both in vivo and in vitro, was severely depressed when mice were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) 1 day before irradiation, although the induction of virus-specific cytotoxic T cells in their spleens was unimpaired. Without irradiation, mice, acutely infected with LCMV, showed a dramatic reduction in the numbers of specific antibody-forming cells generated in their spleens after priming with sheep erythrocytes during week 1 post-infection, yet the ability of their marrow cells to form colonies in vitro remained normal. Therefore, the basis of immunodepression is distinct from that of defective hemopoiesis since the latter is apparent only when LCMV infection is accompanied by irradiation. However, as discussed, both phenomena may be related to alterations induced within the splenic environment by LCMV.", "contents": "Mechanisms of hemopoietic and immunological dysfunction induced by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Sublethal irradiation (500 R) of C3H mice is followed by a gradual replacement of radiosensitive cells in their spleens by surviving stem cells originating in bone marrow. This compensatory hemopoiesis was quantitated by counting the numbers of stem cell-derived colonies appearing on spleen surfaces, as well as those which grew in vitro after marrow cells, suspended in soft agar, were overlaid onto syngenic mouse embryo fibroblast feeder layers. Compensatory colony formation, both in vivo and in vitro, was severely depressed when mice were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) 1 day before irradiation, although the induction of virus-specific cytotoxic T cells in their spleens was unimpaired. Without irradiation, mice, acutely infected with LCMV, showed a dramatic reduction in the numbers of specific antibody-forming cells generated in their spleens after priming with sheep erythrocytes during week 1 post-infection, yet the ability of their marrow cells to form colonies in vitro remained normal. Therefore, the basis of immunodepression is distinct from that of defective hemopoiesis since the latter is apparent only when LCMV infection is accompanied by irradiation. However, as discussed, both phenomena may be related to alterations induced within the splenic environment by LCMV.", "PMID": 631887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9077", "title": "Influenza in ferrets and guinea pigs: effect on cell-mediated immunity.", "content": "Two different animal models were studied to determine whether localized upper respiratory tract viral infection was associated with suppression of systemic cell-mediated immunity. During influenza infection in ferrets, there was no significant decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Guinea pigs given influenza showed no significant change in their response to PHA or to picryl human serum albumin (picHSA), to which they had been immunized previously. Delayed hypersensitivity skin test responses to picHSA in guinea pigs remained intact during infection. No change in the percentage of circulating T lymphocytes was detected during influenza infection. Transfer of immunity to nonsensitized recipient guinea pigs from picHSA-sensitized guinea pigs was accomplished during influenza infection. Lack of a suppressive effect on systemic cell-mediated immunity after influenza challenge in these two animal models of mild influenza confirmed previous findings in humans with mild influenza infection.", "contents": "Influenza in ferrets and guinea pigs: effect on cell-mediated immunity. Two different animal models were studied to determine whether localized upper respiratory tract viral infection was associated with suppression of systemic cell-mediated immunity. During influenza infection in ferrets, there was no significant decrease in lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Guinea pigs given influenza showed no significant change in their response to PHA or to picryl human serum albumin (picHSA), to which they had been immunized previously. Delayed hypersensitivity skin test responses to picHSA in guinea pigs remained intact during infection. No change in the percentage of circulating T lymphocytes was detected during influenza infection. Transfer of immunity to nonsensitized recipient guinea pigs from picHSA-sensitized guinea pigs was accomplished during influenza infection. Lack of a suppressive effect on systemic cell-mediated immunity after influenza challenge in these two animal models of mild influenza confirmed previous findings in humans with mild influenza infection.", "PMID": 631888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9078", "title": "Protein-free and low-protein media for the cultivation of Leptospira.", "content": "A protein-free medium composed of charcoal-detoxified Tweens (polysorbates), vitamins B12 and B1, inorganic salts, and organic buffer is described that supports the growth and subculture of pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira. Growth was initiated from small inocula, and cell densities of 10(9) organisms per ml were attained. Antigenicity and immunogenicity of Leptospira cultivated in this medium were similar to those of cells cultivated in serum-containing media. The protein-free medium was converted to a low-protein medium by the addition of 0.1% bovine serum albumin.", "contents": "Protein-free and low-protein media for the cultivation of Leptospira. A protein-free medium composed of charcoal-detoxified Tweens (polysorbates), vitamins B12 and B1, inorganic salts, and organic buffer is described that supports the growth and subculture of pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira. Growth was initiated from small inocula, and cell densities of 10(9) organisms per ml were attained. Antigenicity and immunogenicity of Leptospira cultivated in this medium were similar to those of cells cultivated in serum-containing media. The protein-free medium was converted to a low-protein medium by the addition of 0.1% bovine serum albumin.", "PMID": 631889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9079", "title": "Production of antibodies to human interferons in mice.", "content": "Neutralizing antibodies were raised in mice that had been inoculated repeatedly with moderate quantities of human leukocyte interferon highly purified by affinity chromatography on immobilized anti-interferon globulins. Interferon preparations of lesser purity sensitized the mice to subsequent inoculations of interferon and almost invariably caused death before anti-interferon titers developed. Antibody-purified interferon stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate was a superior antigen to interferon that had received mouse serum albumin as an additive. The amount of antibody could be augmented by experimental induction of ascites. The antibodies specifically neutralized leukocyte and lymphoblastoid interferons but not those interferons obtained cultures of human foreskin fibroblasts, embryonic kidney cells, and amnion cells.", "contents": "Production of antibodies to human interferons in mice. Neutralizing antibodies were raised in mice that had been inoculated repeatedly with moderate quantities of human leukocyte interferon highly purified by affinity chromatography on immobilized anti-interferon globulins. Interferon preparations of lesser purity sensitized the mice to subsequent inoculations of interferon and almost invariably caused death before anti-interferon titers developed. Antibody-purified interferon stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate was a superior antigen to interferon that had received mouse serum albumin as an additive. The amount of antibody could be augmented by experimental induction of ascites. The antibodies specifically neutralized leukocyte and lymphoblastoid interferons but not those interferons obtained cultures of human foreskin fibroblasts, embryonic kidney cells, and amnion cells.", "PMID": 631890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9080", "title": "Local (immunoglobulin A) immune response by the intestine to cholera toxin and its partial suppression with combined systemic and intra-intestinal immunization.", "content": "Chronically isolated Thiry-Vella (T-V) ileal loops in rabbits were used to study the local and systemic immune response to purified cholera toxin (CT). Immunization consisted of intraloop (i.l.), subcutaneous (s.c.), or combined i.l. and s.c. inoculation of CT. Fluid from the loops and sera were tested for neutralization of CT by the blueing test and for relative content of isotype-specific (immunoglobulins A [IgA] and G [IgG]) anti-CT. To demonstrate protection against CT, fluid production by the chronic T-V loops was measured after challenge with CT; an \"acute\" loop prepared from adjacent intestine at the time of challenge was also tested in some animals. The highest neutralizing titers in loop fluids were found in animals receiving i.l. or i.l. and s.c. inoculations, whereas titers in sera were highest in rabbits receiving s.c. or i.l. and s.c. inoculations. IgA anti-CT in fluids became greatest after i.l. inoculation alone and was lowest in s.c. animals. Combined s.c. and i.l. immunization was accompanied by reduced content of IgA anti-CT in fluids as compared with that obtained with i.l. inoculation alone. This finding strongly suggested a suppressive effect on local immunization by s.c. inoculation. While this suppression may have been due to a direct (toxigenic) effect of CT on lymphocytes, an immunogenic mechanism, probably mediated through suppressor T cells, is favored. Little IgG anti-CT was detected in any loop fluids, but high levels were found in sera after two s.c. inoculations or four i.l. inoculations. Neutralization titers for the fluid specimens showed much better correlation with IgA anti-CT values than with IgG anti-CT values. The chronic and acute T-V loops showed protection against fluid production after exposure to CT in systemically and locally immunized animals. However, IgG anti-CT usually appeared in both loops; leakage of serum antibodies because of surgical manipulation was felt, therefore, to invalidate these protection results as a demonstration of local immunity. In challenge studies in undisturbed chronic loops, only local immunization alone was found to result in definite protection.", "contents": "Local (immunoglobulin A) immune response by the intestine to cholera toxin and its partial suppression with combined systemic and intra-intestinal immunization. Chronically isolated Thiry-Vella (T-V) ileal loops in rabbits were used to study the local and systemic immune response to purified cholera toxin (CT). Immunization consisted of intraloop (i.l.), subcutaneous (s.c.), or combined i.l. and s.c. inoculation of CT. Fluid from the loops and sera were tested for neutralization of CT by the blueing test and for relative content of isotype-specific (immunoglobulins A [IgA] and G [IgG]) anti-CT. To demonstrate protection against CT, fluid production by the chronic T-V loops was measured after challenge with CT; an \"acute\" loop prepared from adjacent intestine at the time of challenge was also tested in some animals. The highest neutralizing titers in loop fluids were found in animals receiving i.l. or i.l. and s.c. inoculations, whereas titers in sera were highest in rabbits receiving s.c. or i.l. and s.c. inoculations. IgA anti-CT in fluids became greatest after i.l. inoculation alone and was lowest in s.c. animals. Combined s.c. and i.l. immunization was accompanied by reduced content of IgA anti-CT in fluids as compared with that obtained with i.l. inoculation alone. This finding strongly suggested a suppressive effect on local immunization by s.c. inoculation. While this suppression may have been due to a direct (toxigenic) effect of CT on lymphocytes, an immunogenic mechanism, probably mediated through suppressor T cells, is favored. Little IgG anti-CT was detected in any loop fluids, but high levels were found in sera after two s.c. inoculations or four i.l. inoculations. Neutralization titers for the fluid specimens showed much better correlation with IgA anti-CT values than with IgG anti-CT values. The chronic and acute T-V loops showed protection against fluid production after exposure to CT in systemically and locally immunized animals. However, IgG anti-CT usually appeared in both loops; leakage of serum antibodies because of surgical manipulation was felt, therefore, to invalidate these protection results as a demonstration of local immunity. In challenge studies in undisturbed chronic loops, only local immunization alone was found to result in definite protection.", "PMID": 631891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9081", "title": "Kinetics of phagocytosis of Chlamydia psittaci by mouse fibroblasts (L cells): separation of the attachment and ingestion stages.", "content": "The kinetics of phagocytosis of Chlamydia psittaci (6BC) by monolayers of mouse fibroblasts (L cells) was studied with an assay that distinguished between the attachment and ingestion phases of phagocytosis. At multiplicities of 10 and 100 50% infectious doses (ID50) per L cell, virtually all of the inoculated C. psittaci had been attached and ingested after 60 min at 37 degrees C. At multiplicities of 500 to 5,000 ID50 per L cell, the initial rates of attachment and ingestion of C. psittaci to L cells increased with the multiplicity of infection, but phagocytosis stopped even though many chlamydial cells remained free in suspension and readily available for attachment to the host-cell monolayers. Phagocytosis probably ceased because the L cells were injured when they took up large numbers of chlamydial cells. This injury prevented direct determination of the number of potential binding sites for C. psittaci on each L cell. However, this number is large enough to make the rates of chlamydial attachment and ingestion predominantly dependent on the multiplicity of infection.", "contents": "Kinetics of phagocytosis of Chlamydia psittaci by mouse fibroblasts (L cells): separation of the attachment and ingestion stages. The kinetics of phagocytosis of Chlamydia psittaci (6BC) by monolayers of mouse fibroblasts (L cells) was studied with an assay that distinguished between the attachment and ingestion phases of phagocytosis. At multiplicities of 10 and 100 50% infectious doses (ID50) per L cell, virtually all of the inoculated C. psittaci had been attached and ingested after 60 min at 37 degrees C. At multiplicities of 500 to 5,000 ID50 per L cell, the initial rates of attachment and ingestion of C. psittaci to L cells increased with the multiplicity of infection, but phagocytosis stopped even though many chlamydial cells remained free in suspension and readily available for attachment to the host-cell monolayers. Phagocytosis probably ceased because the L cells were injured when they took up large numbers of chlamydial cells. This injury prevented direct determination of the number of potential binding sites for C. psittaci on each L cell. However, this number is large enough to make the rates of chlamydial attachment and ingestion predominantly dependent on the multiplicity of infection.", "PMID": 631892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9082", "title": "Electron microscopic study on phagocytosis of staphylococci by mouse peritoneal macrophages.", "content": "Macrophages from the mouse peritoneal cavity were examined by electron microscopy at various time intervals up to 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of each of three strains of staphylococci different in virulence for mice: high-virulent, low-virulent, and avirulent strains. After engulfment, avirulent bacteria were highly liable to intracellular digestion, resulting in almost complete degradation within 24 h after injection, whereas high-virulent bacteria were more resistant to digestion, some showing figures suggestive of a dividing process; the gross configuration of most of the ingested bacteria was relatively well preserved over the 24-h period. Time-dependent morphological changes of low-virulent bacteria were intermediate. Among the most distinct cytoplasmic responses to the ingested bacteria was the formation of phagocytic vacuoles around them, the type of which was dependent on the staphylococcal strain infected; ingestion of avirulent bacteria led to formation of vacuoles in which the bacteria were surrounded by a halo of amorphous material of moderate density, which may be the lysosomal content. In contrast, larger vacuoles developed after ingestion of high-virulent bacteria and contained only a small quantity of such amorphous materials. Both types of phagocytic vacuoles were seen around the low-virulent bacteria ingested. Some degenerative changes were found in the macrophages ingesting high- or low-virulent bacteria, but were not in those ingesting avirulent bacteria. Thus, resistance to intracellular degradation, as well as cytotoxicity toward phagocytes of staphylococcal strains, can be correlated with their virulence.", "contents": "Electron microscopic study on phagocytosis of staphylococci by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Macrophages from the mouse peritoneal cavity were examined by electron microscopy at various time intervals up to 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of each of three strains of staphylococci different in virulence for mice: high-virulent, low-virulent, and avirulent strains. After engulfment, avirulent bacteria were highly liable to intracellular digestion, resulting in almost complete degradation within 24 h after injection, whereas high-virulent bacteria were more resistant to digestion, some showing figures suggestive of a dividing process; the gross configuration of most of the ingested bacteria was relatively well preserved over the 24-h period. Time-dependent morphological changes of low-virulent bacteria were intermediate. Among the most distinct cytoplasmic responses to the ingested bacteria was the formation of phagocytic vacuoles around them, the type of which was dependent on the staphylococcal strain infected; ingestion of avirulent bacteria led to formation of vacuoles in which the bacteria were surrounded by a halo of amorphous material of moderate density, which may be the lysosomal content. In contrast, larger vacuoles developed after ingestion of high-virulent bacteria and contained only a small quantity of such amorphous materials. Both types of phagocytic vacuoles were seen around the low-virulent bacteria ingested. Some degenerative changes were found in the macrophages ingesting high- or low-virulent bacteria, but were not in those ingesting avirulent bacteria. Thus, resistance to intracellular degradation, as well as cytotoxicity toward phagocytes of staphylococcal strains, can be correlated with their virulence.", "PMID": 631893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9083", "title": "Mode of action of immunological adjuvants: some physicochemical factors influencing the effectivity of polyacrylic adjuvants.", "content": "The adjuvant effects of different polyacrylic products and monomers were tested. Influenza vaccine was used as a model antigen. Addition of monomers resulted in a decrease in the antibody response, though adjuvant activity of the monomers should be expected according to some theories on adjuvant action. The particle size of the polymer adjuvants proved to be a very important parameter for adjuvant activity. Particles of 0.1 to 0.2 micron yielded a good adjuvant effect, whereas conglomerates or particles bigger than 0.5 micron yielded only poor or no adjuvant effects. The adjuvant effect of 0.1- to 0.2-micron particles was much more reproducible than rat of Al(OH)3. Attention is drawn to the importance of using physiochemically reproducible materials, such as polymer particles, for experimental work.", "contents": "Mode of action of immunological adjuvants: some physicochemical factors influencing the effectivity of polyacrylic adjuvants. The adjuvant effects of different polyacrylic products and monomers were tested. Influenza vaccine was used as a model antigen. Addition of monomers resulted in a decrease in the antibody response, though adjuvant activity of the monomers should be expected according to some theories on adjuvant action. The particle size of the polymer adjuvants proved to be a very important parameter for adjuvant activity. Particles of 0.1 to 0.2 micron yielded a good adjuvant effect, whereas conglomerates or particles bigger than 0.5 micron yielded only poor or no adjuvant effects. The adjuvant effect of 0.1- to 0.2-micron particles was much more reproducible than rat of Al(OH)3. Attention is drawn to the importance of using physiochemically reproducible materials, such as polymer particles, for experimental work.", "PMID": 631894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9084", "title": "Immunoglobulins and secretory component in the external secretions of foals with combined immunodeficiency.", "content": "Nasal washings and tears were collected from seven Arabian foals with combined immunodeficiency and nine normal foals. The major immunoglobulin in the external secretions of normal foals over 2 months of age was secretory immunoglobulin A, whereas foals with combined immunodeficiency lacked this immunoglobulin. The external secretions of both normal and immunodeficient foals contained free secretory component at birth.", "contents": "Immunoglobulins and secretory component in the external secretions of foals with combined immunodeficiency. Nasal washings and tears were collected from seven Arabian foals with combined immunodeficiency and nine normal foals. The major immunoglobulin in the external secretions of normal foals over 2 months of age was secretory immunoglobulin A, whereas foals with combined immunodeficiency lacked this immunoglobulin. The external secretions of both normal and immunodeficient foals contained free secretory component at birth.", "PMID": 631895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9085", "title": "Aging in vitro and large-scale interferon production by 15 new strains of human diploid fibroblasts.", "content": "To develop resources for large-scale production of human fibroblast interferon, we isolated, cryopreserved, and characterized 15 new strains of human diploid foreskin fibroblasts. Their life spans in vitro ranged from 52 to 72 population doublings. We based the selection of cell strains for mass interferon production on the number of population doublings during which consistently high yields of interferon were obtained after \"superinduction\" in roller bottles; our data show that aging in vitro leads to significant decline in amounts of interferon produced. In contrast, susceptibility to interferon remains largely unaffected by in vitro senescence. Karyotypic analysis indicated that the best interferon-producing strain, MLD (over 60,000 reference units/ml), has a translocation between chromosomes 5 and 15.", "contents": "Aging in vitro and large-scale interferon production by 15 new strains of human diploid fibroblasts. To develop resources for large-scale production of human fibroblast interferon, we isolated, cryopreserved, and characterized 15 new strains of human diploid foreskin fibroblasts. Their life spans in vitro ranged from 52 to 72 population doublings. We based the selection of cell strains for mass interferon production on the number of population doublings during which consistently high yields of interferon were obtained after \"superinduction\" in roller bottles; our data show that aging in vitro leads to significant decline in amounts of interferon produced. In contrast, susceptibility to interferon remains largely unaffected by in vitro senescence. Karyotypic analysis indicated that the best interferon-producing strain, MLD (over 60,000 reference units/ml), has a translocation between chromosomes 5 and 15.", "PMID": 631896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9086", "title": "Detection of cholera enterotoxin activity in suckling hamsters.", "content": "For detection of cholera enterotoxin activity, suckling hamster, mouse, and rat models were compared. It was found that not only suckling mice but also suckling rats and hamsters were sensitive to cholera enterotoxin. Among these models, suckling hamsters were the most sensitive and gave positive results with about 1/100 the cholera toxin seen in suckling mice and rats.", "contents": "Detection of cholera enterotoxin activity in suckling hamsters. For detection of cholera enterotoxin activity, suckling hamster, mouse, and rat models were compared. It was found that not only suckling mice but also suckling rats and hamsters were sensitive to cholera enterotoxin. Among these models, suckling hamsters were the most sensitive and gave positive results with about 1/100 the cholera toxin seen in suckling mice and rats.", "PMID": 631897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9087", "title": "Amphotericin B concentrations in saliva after application of 2% amphotericin B in orabase.", "content": "2% amphotericin B in orabase was applied to the buccal mucous membranes of healthy volunteers. Amounts of 1 g and 0.5 g were used. The experiments were performed during the day time as well as during the sleeping hours at night. At several intervals after application saliva samples were collected and the amphotericin B concentrations were determined. Application of 1 g of orabase with 2% amphotericin B appears to maintain a sufficiently high concentration for four hours, 0.5 g for three hours. Application of these amounts before going to sleep guarantees a sufficient concentration until awakening the next morning.", "contents": "Amphotericin B concentrations in saliva after application of 2% amphotericin B in orabase. 2% amphotericin B in orabase was applied to the buccal mucous membranes of healthy volunteers. Amounts of 1 g and 0.5 g were used. The experiments were performed during the day time as well as during the sleeping hours at night. At several intervals after application saliva samples were collected and the amphotericin B concentrations were determined. Application of 1 g of orabase with 2% amphotericin B appears to maintain a sufficiently high concentration for four hours, 0.5 g for three hours. Application of these amounts before going to sleep guarantees a sufficient concentration until awakening the next morning.", "PMID": 631898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9088", "title": "The prevalence of ay and ad subtypes of the hepatitis B surface antigen in Belgium.", "content": "Subtyping in various groups of persons positive for hepatitis B surface antigen gave the following results: Among asymptomatic blood donors (healthy carriers) subtype ad was found in 20, subtype ay in 24. Among symptomatic patients with acute hepatitis B ad was found in 25, ay in 29. Among patients of an institution for the mentally retarded ad was found in 9, ay in 23. Among patients of a Among patients of a geriatric institution ay was found in 9; among medical personnel of the same geriatric institution ay was found in 3 persons. Among symphilis patients ad was found in 6, ay in 29; and in patients of a dialysis centre ay was found in 6. These data show that neither subtype is really dominant in Belgium.", "contents": "The prevalence of ay and ad subtypes of the hepatitis B surface antigen in Belgium. Subtyping in various groups of persons positive for hepatitis B surface antigen gave the following results: Among asymptomatic blood donors (healthy carriers) subtype ad was found in 20, subtype ay in 24. Among symptomatic patients with acute hepatitis B ad was found in 25, ay in 29. Among patients of an institution for the mentally retarded ad was found in 9, ay in 23. Among patients of a Among patients of a geriatric institution ay was found in 9; among medical personnel of the same geriatric institution ay was found in 3 persons. Among symphilis patients ad was found in 6, ay in 29; and in patients of a dialysis centre ay was found in 6. These data show that neither subtype is really dominant in Belgium.", "PMID": 631899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9089", "title": "Assays of cephalosporin antibiotics administered prophylactically in open heart surgery. Determination of serum and tissue levels before, during and after cardiopulmonary bypass.", "content": "Twenty-eight patients who underwent open-heart surgery were divided into three groups, each of which received a different antibiotic from the cephalosporin series (cephalotin, cefazolin or cefamandole) in order to prevent infection. All antibiotics were given via intravenous infusion in a dosage of 2 g prior to surgery. To clarify the question of antibacterial activity under operative conditions with the cardiopulmonary bypass, the serum and tissue levels were determined before, during and after the surgical procedure. The effectiveness of the cephalosporins against bacteria most frequently encountered in open-heart surgery was demonstrated and substantiated by the serum and tissue concentrations. It became apparent that, in view of the favorable serum and tissue levels during and after the cardiopulmonary bypass, cefamandole should be considered the antibiotic of choice in preventing infections during open-heart surgery.", "contents": "Assays of cephalosporin antibiotics administered prophylactically in open heart surgery. Determination of serum and tissue levels before, during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Twenty-eight patients who underwent open-heart surgery were divided into three groups, each of which received a different antibiotic from the cephalosporin series (cephalotin, cefazolin or cefamandole) in order to prevent infection. All antibiotics were given via intravenous infusion in a dosage of 2 g prior to surgery. To clarify the question of antibacterial activity under operative conditions with the cardiopulmonary bypass, the serum and tissue levels were determined before, during and after the surgical procedure. The effectiveness of the cephalosporins against bacteria most frequently encountered in open-heart surgery was demonstrated and substantiated by the serum and tissue concentrations. It became apparent that, in view of the favorable serum and tissue levels during and after the cardiopulmonary bypass, cefamandole should be considered the antibiotic of choice in preventing infections during open-heart surgery.", "PMID": 631900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9090", "title": "Polymyositis accompanying coxsackie virus B2 infection.", "content": "A case of polymyositis in a 15 year old girl demonstrating the clinical course of an infectious disease is presented. The Coxsackie virus B2 was isolated from the stools, and serum antibodies were detected. Histologic examination of muscle showed signs of myositis. The patient was treated with cortisone and recovered completely. Possible viral etiology of the polymyositis is suggested.", "contents": "Polymyositis accompanying coxsackie virus B2 infection. A case of polymyositis in a 15 year old girl demonstrating the clinical course of an infectious disease is presented. The Coxsackie virus B2 was isolated from the stools, and serum antibodies were detected. Histologic examination of muscle showed signs of myositis. The patient was treated with cortisone and recovered completely. Possible viral etiology of the polymyositis is suggested.", "PMID": 631901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9091", "title": "Leucocyte migration inhibition with Armadillo lepromin in human lymphocytes of healthy donors.", "content": "Armadillo lepromin activates human lymphocytes from normal donors to release leucocyte inhibiting factor. The above activity was expressed optimally when leucocytes were incubated with lepromin at 37 degrees C, and only partially when incubation was carried out at 30 degrees C or at 35 degrees C. The possible mechanism of the in vitro production of lymphokine from lymphocytes stimulated by armadillo lepromin is discussed.", "contents": "Leucocyte migration inhibition with Armadillo lepromin in human lymphocytes of healthy donors. Armadillo lepromin activates human lymphocytes from normal donors to release leucocyte inhibiting factor. The above activity was expressed optimally when leucocytes were incubated with lepromin at 37 degrees C, and only partially when incubation was carried out at 30 degrees C or at 35 degrees C. The possible mechanism of the in vitro production of lymphokine from lymphocytes stimulated by armadillo lepromin is discussed.", "PMID": 631902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9092", "title": "Ventriculitis, aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus in neonatal meningitis: diagnose and treatment.", "content": "Five newborns are presented who had meningitis and developed aqueductal stenosis. The diagnosis of obstruction was made by ventriculography during the course of meningitis. A variety of therapeutic measures (use of intraventricular antibiotics, use of reliably diffusible antibiotics, drainage of ventricles) led to varying results. Protocols should be established to assess each modality or combination thereof to help reduce the extremely high morbidity and mortality of this disease.", "contents": "Ventriculitis, aqueductal stenosis and hydrocephalus in neonatal meningitis: diagnose and treatment. Five newborns are presented who had meningitis and developed aqueductal stenosis. The diagnosis of obstruction was made by ventriculography during the course of meningitis. A variety of therapeutic measures (use of intraventricular antibiotics, use of reliably diffusible antibiotics, drainage of ventricles) led to varying results. Protocols should be established to assess each modality or combination thereof to help reduce the extremely high morbidity and mortality of this disease.", "PMID": 631903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9093", "title": "Characterization of surface receptors on bovine leukocytes.", "content": "Three bovine leukocyte populations--peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), mammary gland polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages (Mo)--were characterized with respect to five surface markers: surface immunoglobulin (SIg), sheep erythrocyte receptor, complement (C) receptor and Fc receptors for both IgG and IgM. The majority of PMN and Mo possessed C and Fc receptors for IgG, but lacked SIg and the erythrocyte receptor. The PMN, but not Mo, also expressed a Fc receptor for IgM. The PBL were heterogeneous with respect to their surface characteristics and evidence was presented for the following subtypes: (a) cells with the E receptor alone; (b) cells with E receptor plus the Fc(IgG) receptor; (c) cells with SIg plus the C receptor but minus the Fc(IgG) receptor; (d) lymphocytes with SIg plus the C receptor and the Fc(IgG) receptor, and (e) cells lacking E receptors and SIg but bearing Fc(IgG). It was assumed, but not proven, that some of these latter cells must also bear the C receptor. The significance of the various cell types in antiviral defense is briefly discussed.", "contents": "Characterization of surface receptors on bovine leukocytes. Three bovine leukocyte populations--peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), mammary gland polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages (Mo)--were characterized with respect to five surface markers: surface immunoglobulin (SIg), sheep erythrocyte receptor, complement (C) receptor and Fc receptors for both IgG and IgM. The majority of PMN and Mo possessed C and Fc receptors for IgG, but lacked SIg and the erythrocyte receptor. The PMN, but not Mo, also expressed a Fc receptor for IgM. The PBL were heterogeneous with respect to their surface characteristics and evidence was presented for the following subtypes: (a) cells with the E receptor alone; (b) cells with E receptor plus the Fc(IgG) receptor; (c) cells with SIg plus the C receptor but minus the Fc(IgG) receptor; (d) lymphocytes with SIg plus the C receptor and the Fc(IgG) receptor, and (e) cells lacking E receptors and SIg but bearing Fc(IgG). It was assumed, but not proven, that some of these latter cells must also bear the C receptor. The significance of the various cell types in antiviral defense is briefly discussed.", "PMID": 631912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9094", "title": "Glucans and dextrans in rats and man.", "content": "Intracutaneous injections of three glucan contaminants of invert sugar solutions and crude cane sugar into human skin produced localised wheals and erythema reactions. These glucans of molecular weight between 12,000 and 1,400,000 were also active on intradermal injection into both dextran-sensitive and dextran-resistant rats, and, like dextrans, were active on subcutaneous injection into dextran-sensitive animals.", "contents": "Glucans and dextrans in rats and man. Intracutaneous injections of three glucan contaminants of invert sugar solutions and crude cane sugar into human skin produced localised wheals and erythema reactions. These glucans of molecular weight between 12,000 and 1,400,000 were also active on intradermal injection into both dextran-sensitive and dextran-resistant rats, and, like dextrans, were active on subcutaneous injection into dextran-sensitive animals.", "PMID": 631913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9095", "title": "Studies of the paw test and tumor-associated immunosuppression in mice.", "content": "Specific paw test reactivity to tumor cells was transferred to normal mice using lymphoid cells or serum from mice with a growing or surgically excised methylcholanthrene-induced transplantable sarcoma. When the donors had been sensitized to PPD and to tumor, normal recipients of lymphoid cells became reactive by specific paw test to tumor cells and PPD. Normal recipients of serum from the same donors also became reactive to tumor cells. Normal recipients of serum from tumor-bearing mice developed depressed PHA paw tests. Adoptive transfer with cells or serum of paw test reactivity to tumor and PPD was unsuccessful when recipients had large tumors. This was the case when the recipients had either tumor of the same line or that of a separate line that did not cross-react antigenically.", "contents": "Studies of the paw test and tumor-associated immunosuppression in mice. Specific paw test reactivity to tumor cells was transferred to normal mice using lymphoid cells or serum from mice with a growing or surgically excised methylcholanthrene-induced transplantable sarcoma. When the donors had been sensitized to PPD and to tumor, normal recipients of lymphoid cells became reactive by specific paw test to tumor cells and PPD. Normal recipients of serum from the same donors also became reactive to tumor cells. Normal recipients of serum from tumor-bearing mice developed depressed PHA paw tests. Adoptive transfer with cells or serum of paw test reactivity to tumor and PPD was unsuccessful when recipients had large tumors. This was the case when the recipients had either tumor of the same line or that of a separate line that did not cross-react antigenically.", "PMID": 631914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9096", "title": "Properties of receptors for IgG on human placental cell membranes.", "content": "The amount of 125I-IgG which bound to membranes isolated from the human placenta was competitively inhibited by the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled IgG but not by unlabeled albumin. The relationship between membrane-bound and free IgG indicated the presence of membrane receptors with an appreciable affinity for IgG. Incubation of membranes with collagenase or neuraminidase did not results in appreciable reduction of IgG-membrane binding, indicating that neither intact collagen nor sialic acid play an important role in the binding. Placental surface membranes isolated by salt extraction bound 3.79+/- 1.78 (SD) pmol IgG/microgram membrane protein, whereas membranes isolated by differential centrifugation bound only 1.61 +/- 0.24 pmol/microgram (p less than 0.02). The fraction of a preparation of solubilized membranes which bound to an IgG affinity column yielded on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis three prominent protein bands which had molecular weights of 3.7 X 10(4), 4.5 X 10(4) and 6.0 X 10(4) daltons. These findings are consistent with the existence of a limited number of receptors for IgG on placental membranes, including IgG receptors on the microvillus membrane of the syncytial trophoblast. The latter, in accordance with Brambell's hypothesis, could be of importance in the transplacental transport of maternal IgG.", "contents": "Properties of receptors for IgG on human placental cell membranes. The amount of 125I-IgG which bound to membranes isolated from the human placenta was competitively inhibited by the presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled IgG but not by unlabeled albumin. The relationship between membrane-bound and free IgG indicated the presence of membrane receptors with an appreciable affinity for IgG. Incubation of membranes with collagenase or neuraminidase did not results in appreciable reduction of IgG-membrane binding, indicating that neither intact collagen nor sialic acid play an important role in the binding. Placental surface membranes isolated by salt extraction bound 3.79+/- 1.78 (SD) pmol IgG/microgram membrane protein, whereas membranes isolated by differential centrifugation bound only 1.61 +/- 0.24 pmol/microgram (p less than 0.02). The fraction of a preparation of solubilized membranes which bound to an IgG affinity column yielded on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis three prominent protein bands which had molecular weights of 3.7 X 10(4), 4.5 X 10(4) and 6.0 X 10(4) daltons. These findings are consistent with the existence of a limited number of receptors for IgG on placental membranes, including IgG receptors on the microvillus membrane of the syncytial trophoblast. The latter, in accordance with Brambell's hypothesis, could be of importance in the transplacental transport of maternal IgG.", "PMID": 631915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9097", "title": "Studies on the role of histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in immunity against the nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. IV. Inhibition of the expulsion of worms transplanted into the duodenum of immune guinea pigs.", "content": "Significant numbers of fourth larval stage Trichostrongylus colubriformis from sheep donors are expelled from the small intestine of T. colubriformis-immune guinea pigs within 8 h of transplantation into this organ. This model system for the immune expulsion of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was used in the current experiments to examine the effect of drugs recently shown to modify the release of histamine. The experiments showed that worm expulsion was inhibited by the beta-adrenergic agonists salbutamol and isoprenaline, the phosphodiesterase inhibitors aminophylline and ICI 63,197, the antiallergic drug ICI 74,917 and the antihistamine mepyramine. The beta-blocker propranolol prevented inhibition of worm expulsion following salbutamol treatment and there was some evidence of synergistic action between salbutamol and ICI 63,197. The results support previous findings suggesting an important role for histamine release in the effector mechanism of the immune response of guinea pigs against the parasitic nematode T.colubriformis.", "contents": "Studies on the role of histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in immunity against the nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. IV. Inhibition of the expulsion of worms transplanted into the duodenum of immune guinea pigs. Significant numbers of fourth larval stage Trichostrongylus colubriformis from sheep donors are expelled from the small intestine of T. colubriformis-immune guinea pigs within 8 h of transplantation into this organ. This model system for the immune expulsion of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was used in the current experiments to examine the effect of drugs recently shown to modify the release of histamine. The experiments showed that worm expulsion was inhibited by the beta-adrenergic agonists salbutamol and isoprenaline, the phosphodiesterase inhibitors aminophylline and ICI 63,197, the antiallergic drug ICI 74,917 and the antihistamine mepyramine. The beta-blocker propranolol prevented inhibition of worm expulsion following salbutamol treatment and there was some evidence of synergistic action between salbutamol and ICI 63,197. The results support previous findings suggesting an important role for histamine release in the effector mechanism of the immune response of guinea pigs against the parasitic nematode T.colubriformis.", "PMID": 631916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9098", "title": "Quantitation of IgE on the basophil surface in atopic patient.", "content": "A radioimmunoassay was employed in order to quantitate IgE on the basophil surface in 6 normal and 10 pollen sensitive subjects. A basophil-rich fraction obtained from whole blood in a Ficoll gradient was incubated with specific anti-IgE; the inhibition produced by surface IgE was standard inhibition curve. Atopic patients had on the average about 10-30 times as many IgE molecules per basophil as control subjects. Total and specific IgE as well as degranulation by Lollium perenne crude extract were also studied in both populations and their results compared with those of basophil IgE quantitation.", "contents": "Quantitation of IgE on the basophil surface in atopic patient. A radioimmunoassay was employed in order to quantitate IgE on the basophil surface in 6 normal and 10 pollen sensitive subjects. A basophil-rich fraction obtained from whole blood in a Ficoll gradient was incubated with specific anti-IgE; the inhibition produced by surface IgE was standard inhibition curve. Atopic patients had on the average about 10-30 times as many IgE molecules per basophil as control subjects. Total and specific IgE as well as degranulation by Lollium perenne crude extract were also studied in both populations and their results compared with those of basophil IgE quantitation.", "PMID": 631917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9099", "title": "Human colostral macrophages as indicator cells in migration inhibition test.", "content": "The macrophage inhibition test was carried out using colostral macrophages obtained from PPD sensitive and measles and mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen insensitive woman. The macrophage migration was inhibited by PPD but neither by measles nor by mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen. Human colostral macrophages can be used as indicator cells in migration inhibition tests.", "contents": "Human colostral macrophages as indicator cells in migration inhibition test. The macrophage inhibition test was carried out using colostral macrophages obtained from PPD sensitive and measles and mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen insensitive woman. The macrophage migration was inhibited by PPD but neither by measles nor by mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen. Human colostral macrophages can be used as indicator cells in migration inhibition tests.", "PMID": 631918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9100", "title": "Immunoglobulin class distribution of measles virus antibodies in serum and spinal fluids of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.", "content": "Sera and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of measles virus specific antibodies of the various heavy chain classes. IgG and IgA antibodies were detected in the CSF while IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE measles virus antibodies were found in a significant number of the patient sera. Sera from SSPE patients had slightly elevated levels of IgG, IgM, IgD and IgE while IgA was decreased. The heterogeneous heavy chain class distribution of measles antibodies suggests the possibility that non-complement fixing antibodies serve as blocking antibodies which aid in the persistence of intracellular measles virus infection in patients with SSPE.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin class distribution of measles virus antibodies in serum and spinal fluids of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Sera and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of measles virus specific antibodies of the various heavy chain classes. IgG and IgA antibodies were detected in the CSF while IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE measles virus antibodies were found in a significant number of the patient sera. Sera from SSPE patients had slightly elevated levels of IgG, IgM, IgD and IgE while IgA was decreased. The heterogeneous heavy chain class distribution of measles antibodies suggests the possibility that non-complement fixing antibodies serve as blocking antibodies which aid in the persistence of intracellular measles virus infection in patients with SSPE.", "PMID": 631919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9101", "title": "Prostaglandins and inflammatory cell movement in vitro.", "content": "The prostaglandins PGE1, E2, F2alpha, and A1, had no significant cell migration inhibitory or chemotactic activity for guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells when tested in vitro using respectively the capillary tube cell migration test and the Boyden chamber test for chemotaxis. PGE1 and PGE2 also did not affect the positive chemotactic action of lymphokine. The proposed role of prostaglandins as chemotactic agents in inflammatory responses therefore should be treated with some caution.", "contents": "Prostaglandins and inflammatory cell movement in vitro. The prostaglandins PGE1, E2, F2alpha, and A1, had no significant cell migration inhibitory or chemotactic activity for guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells when tested in vitro using respectively the capillary tube cell migration test and the Boyden chamber test for chemotaxis. PGE1 and PGE2 also did not affect the positive chemotactic action of lymphokine. The proposed role of prostaglandins as chemotactic agents in inflammatory responses therefore should be treated with some caution.", "PMID": 631920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9102", "title": "Studies of contact hypersensitivity and tolerance in vivo and in vitro. I. Basic characteristics of the reactions and confirmation of an immune response in tolerant mice.", "content": "Contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), picryl chloride (PCl) or oxazolone was induced in mice by skin painting with these agents, and was measured by skin testing in vivo using the ear swelling method. Prior administration of dinitrobenzene sulfonate (DNBS) or picryl sulfonic acid prevented sensitization to DNCB and PCl, respectively. Both this tolerization and the original sensitization were specific for the hapten used. Cyclophosphamide given before sensitization enhanced skin reactions, but when given before tolerization it interfered with establishment of tolerance. Cells from both sensitized and tolerized mice were shown to be reactive with the corresponding haptens in vitro in the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) reaction. LAI specificity was similar to that found for cutaneous reactivity. The reaction of DNCB-sensitized cells with DNBS led to the production of a soluble mediator which induced LAI in normal cells. The demonstration of potentially reactive cells in mice judged to be tolerant by skin testing indicates the concomitant existence of suppressor factors.", "contents": "Studies of contact hypersensitivity and tolerance in vivo and in vitro. I. Basic characteristics of the reactions and confirmation of an immune response in tolerant mice. Contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), picryl chloride (PCl) or oxazolone was induced in mice by skin painting with these agents, and was measured by skin testing in vivo using the ear swelling method. Prior administration of dinitrobenzene sulfonate (DNBS) or picryl sulfonic acid prevented sensitization to DNCB and PCl, respectively. Both this tolerization and the original sensitization were specific for the hapten used. Cyclophosphamide given before sensitization enhanced skin reactions, but when given before tolerization it interfered with establishment of tolerance. Cells from both sensitized and tolerized mice were shown to be reactive with the corresponding haptens in vitro in the leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) reaction. LAI specificity was similar to that found for cutaneous reactivity. The reaction of DNCB-sensitized cells with DNBS led to the production of a soluble mediator which induced LAI in normal cells. The demonstration of potentially reactive cells in mice judged to be tolerant by skin testing indicates the concomitant existence of suppressor factors.", "PMID": 631921} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9103", "title": "Modulation of eosinophil chemotaxis and eosinophil chemotactic factor release by concanavalin A.", "content": "Concanavalin A (Con A) is not a chemotactic factor for guinea pig eosinophil leukocytes. It does, however, modulate the response of cells to neutrophil-derived eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) or to C5a. This effect occurs by a direct interaction of Con A with the target cell and is reversible by appropriate doses of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside (alpha-MM). The inhibition of chemotaxis at high doses of Con A is due to agglutination of the cells on top of the filter. The mechanism of enhancement at low doses is not understood, but several possible explanations are explored. Careful definition of the effect of Con A on eosinophil chemotaxis makes it possible to exclude an effect of Con A on ECF secretion by neutrophils.", "contents": "Modulation of eosinophil chemotaxis and eosinophil chemotactic factor release by concanavalin A. Concanavalin A (Con A) is not a chemotactic factor for guinea pig eosinophil leukocytes. It does, however, modulate the response of cells to neutrophil-derived eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) or to C5a. This effect occurs by a direct interaction of Con A with the target cell and is reversible by appropriate doses of alpha-methyl-D-mannoside (alpha-MM). The inhibition of chemotaxis at high doses of Con A is due to agglutination of the cells on top of the filter. The mechanism of enhancement at low doses is not understood, but several possible explanations are explored. Careful definition of the effect of Con A on eosinophil chemotaxis makes it possible to exclude an effect of Con A on ECF secretion by neutrophils.", "PMID": 631923} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9104", "title": "Levels of homocytotropic antibody in hereditarily asplenic, splenectomized and normal mice.", "content": "No significant differences were detected in circulating levels of IgE or IgG1 in hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+) or splenectomized mice compared to normal controls (+/+). These findings suggest that the spleen plays a minor role in the regulation of IgG1 and IgE production in this mouse line.", "contents": "Levels of homocytotropic antibody in hereditarily asplenic, splenectomized and normal mice. No significant differences were detected in circulating levels of IgE or IgG1 in hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+) or splenectomized mice compared to normal controls (+/+). These findings suggest that the spleen plays a minor role in the regulation of IgG1 and IgE production in this mouse line.", "PMID": 631924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9105", "title": "Detection of trophoblastic tumour activity by pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein.", "content": "Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSBG) and human chorionic gonagotrophin (hCG) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in 73 serum samples from eight patients treated for gestational choriocarcinoma. Both markers were initially present in all cases, but at the time of writing both had levelled off in six cases and decreased markedly in two. Usually hCG was detectable for longer than PSBG during the course of chemotherapy. Both PSBG and hCG reappeared on clinical recurrence. However, at times during the follow-up period one trophoblastic marker only was expressed. This was hCG in most cases, but in one case PSBG alone was encountered. These results suggest that PSBG may serve as an additional marker for the detection of residual tumour growth in patients with trophoblastic tumours.", "contents": "Detection of trophoblastic tumour activity by pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSBG) and human chorionic gonagotrophin (hCG) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in 73 serum samples from eight patients treated for gestational choriocarcinoma. Both markers were initially present in all cases, but at the time of writing both had levelled off in six cases and decreased markedly in two. Usually hCG was detectable for longer than PSBG during the course of chemotherapy. Both PSBG and hCG reappeared on clinical recurrence. However, at times during the follow-up period one trophoblastic marker only was expressed. This was hCG in most cases, but in one case PSBG alone was encountered. These results suggest that PSBG may serve as an additional marker for the detection of residual tumour growth in patients with trophoblastic tumours.", "PMID": 631928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9106", "title": "Movement of human mammary tumour cells in culture: exclusion of fibroblasts by epithelial territories.", "content": "Time-lapse cinematography was used to investigate the movement of confronting populations of human mammary epithelium and stromal cells (fibroblasts). Epithelial cell islands from fibroadenomas and from normal lacteal secretions completely excluded the fibroblasts, and individual cell territories were maintained even in dense cultures. Electron microscopy of the boundary between epithelium and fibroblasts showed that the two cell types made contact. In contrast, epithelial islands from two carcinomas did not retain territorial integrity and allowed penetration of mammary fibroblasts. Confronting homologous eptihelial islands from benign tumours merged, but this was shown to be due to interdigitation rather than free mixing of cell. Epithelial cells moved actively but unlike fibroblasts they retained their neighbour relationships.", "contents": "Movement of human mammary tumour cells in culture: exclusion of fibroblasts by epithelial territories. Time-lapse cinematography was used to investigate the movement of confronting populations of human mammary epithelium and stromal cells (fibroblasts). Epithelial cell islands from fibroadenomas and from normal lacteal secretions completely excluded the fibroblasts, and individual cell territories were maintained even in dense cultures. Electron microscopy of the boundary between epithelium and fibroblasts showed that the two cell types made contact. In contrast, epithelial islands from two carcinomas did not retain territorial integrity and allowed penetration of mammary fibroblasts. Confronting homologous eptihelial islands from benign tumours merged, but this was shown to be due to interdigitation rather than free mixing of cell. Epithelial cells moved actively but unlike fibroblasts they retained their neighbour relationships.", "PMID": 631929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9107", "title": "Isolation of a human prostate carcinoma cell line (DU 145).", "content": "A long-term tissue culture cell line has been derived from a human prostate adenocarcinoma metastatic to the brain. The cell line, DU 145, has been passaged 90 times in vitro over a period of 2 years. The cells are epithelial, grow in isolated islands on plastic Petri dishes, and form colonies in soft agar suspension culture. Karyotypic analysis demonstrates an aneuploid human karyotype with a modal chromosome number of 64. Distinctive marker chromosomes (a translocation Y chromosome, metacentric minute chromosomes and three large acrocentic chromosomes) have been identified. Electron microscopy of the original tumor tissue and of the tissue culture cell line show a remarkable similarity in cell organelle structure.", "contents": "Isolation of a human prostate carcinoma cell line (DU 145). A long-term tissue culture cell line has been derived from a human prostate adenocarcinoma metastatic to the brain. The cell line, DU 145, has been passaged 90 times in vitro over a period of 2 years. The cells are epithelial, grow in isolated islands on plastic Petri dishes, and form colonies in soft agar suspension culture. Karyotypic analysis demonstrates an aneuploid human karyotype with a modal chromosome number of 64. Distinctive marker chromosomes (a translocation Y chromosome, metacentric minute chromosomes and three large acrocentic chromosomes) have been identified. Electron microscopy of the original tumor tissue and of the tissue culture cell line show a remarkable similarity in cell organelle structure.", "PMID": 631930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9108", "title": "Mobility of cells from solid tumors.", "content": "The mobility of cells from two established cell lines of hamster origin, NIL B and its SV40 virus-transformant SV-NIL, was studied in cellular aggregates maintained in agitated liquid medium. Subcutaneous injection of 5 x 10(6) NIL B or SV-NIL cells into Syrian hamsters resulted in a high frequency of tumor formation - 1.00 for SV-NIL cells and 0.93 for NIL B cells. Cells from five different tumors of NIL B origin were grown in tissue culture and their mobility in cellular aggregates was also studied. The mobilities of the tumor-derived cells were similar to each other and to that of the SV-NIL cells, but slightly higher than that of the NIL B cells. In addition, the plating efficiency, saturation density and doubling time of NIL B, SV-NIL and the tumor-derived cells were determined in conventional flat culture. No consistent pattern of saturation density or doubling time was observed in the tumor-derived cells with respect to each other or to the established lines; however, the plating efficiencies of the tumor-derived cells were all considerably lower than those of NIL B and SV-NIL cells. It was concluded that selection for the ability to divide and survive in vivo (i.e. to form tumors) was accompanied by a modest increase in cell mobility in vitro.", "contents": "Mobility of cells from solid tumors. The mobility of cells from two established cell lines of hamster origin, NIL B and its SV40 virus-transformant SV-NIL, was studied in cellular aggregates maintained in agitated liquid medium. Subcutaneous injection of 5 x 10(6) NIL B or SV-NIL cells into Syrian hamsters resulted in a high frequency of tumor formation - 1.00 for SV-NIL cells and 0.93 for NIL B cells. Cells from five different tumors of NIL B origin were grown in tissue culture and their mobility in cellular aggregates was also studied. The mobilities of the tumor-derived cells were similar to each other and to that of the SV-NIL cells, but slightly higher than that of the NIL B cells. In addition, the plating efficiency, saturation density and doubling time of NIL B, SV-NIL and the tumor-derived cells were determined in conventional flat culture. No consistent pattern of saturation density or doubling time was observed in the tumor-derived cells with respect to each other or to the established lines; however, the plating efficiencies of the tumor-derived cells were all considerably lower than those of NIL B and SV-NIL cells. It was concluded that selection for the ability to divide and survive in vivo (i.e. to form tumors) was accompanied by a modest increase in cell mobility in vitro.", "PMID": 631932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9109", "title": "Separation of lymphoid cells with a suppressor effect on the activity of cytotoxic cells in vitro during the growth of a syngeneic mouse tumour.", "content": "One or 4 weeks after grafting of a syngeneic sarcoma (T2) to C57BL/6 mice, lymph-node cells (LNC) are cytotoxic in vitro for the cells of this tumour. But after 2 weeks LNC are not cytotoxic or show a non-significant activity. These second-week LNC, added to cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL) from the first or fourth week, reduce considerably the cytotoxicity of the latter cells. When velocity sedimentation at unit gravity is used to fractionate 11th-14th day LNC, some fractions, enriched in small lympoid cells, kill the cancer cells. Other fractions, containing large blast cells, lack this property but can suppress the activity of the small cells or of fourth week CL. These suppressor cells can also be separated from active CL by passage on a glass bead column. They are \"adherent\" while CL are non-adherent at this stage. This suppressor effect is abolished when the lymphoid cell suspension is treated by anti-theta serum, but macrophage depletion does not modify the inhibition. The cell responsible for the suppressor effect is thus a large T lymphoid cell, adherent and non-phagocytic. It seems to act essentially on an effector phase of the cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "contents": "Separation of lymphoid cells with a suppressor effect on the activity of cytotoxic cells in vitro during the growth of a syngeneic mouse tumour. One or 4 weeks after grafting of a syngeneic sarcoma (T2) to C57BL/6 mice, lymph-node cells (LNC) are cytotoxic in vitro for the cells of this tumour. But after 2 weeks LNC are not cytotoxic or show a non-significant activity. These second-week LNC, added to cytotoxic lymphocytes (CL) from the first or fourth week, reduce considerably the cytotoxicity of the latter cells. When velocity sedimentation at unit gravity is used to fractionate 11th-14th day LNC, some fractions, enriched in small lympoid cells, kill the cancer cells. Other fractions, containing large blast cells, lack this property but can suppress the activity of the small cells or of fourth week CL. These suppressor cells can also be separated from active CL by passage on a glass bead column. They are \"adherent\" while CL are non-adherent at this stage. This suppressor effect is abolished when the lymphoid cell suspension is treated by anti-theta serum, but macrophage depletion does not modify the inhibition. The cell responsible for the suppressor effect is thus a large T lymphoid cell, adherent and non-phagocytic. It seems to act essentially on an effector phase of the cell-mediated cytotoxicity.", "PMID": 631933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9110", "title": "Growth characteristics in vitro of hybrids between normal and transformed cell lines.", "content": "Sensitivity to the inhibition of division during cell crowding in vitro was determined for hybrids between normal and tumor cell populations of human and mouse origin. Interspecies hybrids were more sensitive to cell crowding than intraspecies hybrids. The results suggest that the inhibition of cell division due to crowding was more dependent upon the species of origin rather than on the normal or transformed character of the parental cell lines of the hybrid cell populations.", "contents": "Growth characteristics in vitro of hybrids between normal and transformed cell lines. Sensitivity to the inhibition of division during cell crowding in vitro was determined for hybrids between normal and tumor cell populations of human and mouse origin. Interspecies hybrids were more sensitive to cell crowding than intraspecies hybrids. The results suggest that the inhibition of cell division due to crowding was more dependent upon the species of origin rather than on the normal or transformed character of the parental cell lines of the hybrid cell populations.", "PMID": 631934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9111", "title": "Cell surface receptors for ecotropic MuLV: detection and tissue distributions of free receptors in vivo.", "content": "The expression of available cell surface receptors for binding of the major envelope glycoprotein of Rauscher MuLV, gp71, was studied in freshly prepared tissues of the low-leukemic mouse strain CBA. The presence of such receptors is a requirement for infection and therefore also for transformation of cells in vitro by ecotropic MuLV. This paper describes the conditions of the binding assay for radiolabelled RLV gp71 and freshly prepared lymphoid cells under which binding occurs as a function of time and cell number. With this assay, available receptors for RLV gp71 were detected in all lymphoid as well as some non-lymphoid tissues, most notably brain. The lack of binding in other non-lymphoid tissues was not due to the presence of gp71 specified by endogenous ecotropic MuLV, as was determined by a sensitive group specific RIA. These results demonstrate that the distribution of receptor sites necessary for infection by ecotropic MuLV does not directly correlate with the tissue distribution of malignant transformation that is most commonly induced by these endogenous viruses. Therefore, susceptibility to infection by ecotropic MuLV, as determined by the expression of viral receptors, is not sufficient to determine the target organ for MuLV-induced oncogenesis.", "contents": "Cell surface receptors for ecotropic MuLV: detection and tissue distributions of free receptors in vivo. The expression of available cell surface receptors for binding of the major envelope glycoprotein of Rauscher MuLV, gp71, was studied in freshly prepared tissues of the low-leukemic mouse strain CBA. The presence of such receptors is a requirement for infection and therefore also for transformation of cells in vitro by ecotropic MuLV. This paper describes the conditions of the binding assay for radiolabelled RLV gp71 and freshly prepared lymphoid cells under which binding occurs as a function of time and cell number. With this assay, available receptors for RLV gp71 were detected in all lymphoid as well as some non-lymphoid tissues, most notably brain. The lack of binding in other non-lymphoid tissues was not due to the presence of gp71 specified by endogenous ecotropic MuLV, as was determined by a sensitive group specific RIA. These results demonstrate that the distribution of receptor sites necessary for infection by ecotropic MuLV does not directly correlate with the tissue distribution of malignant transformation that is most commonly induced by these endogenous viruses. Therefore, susceptibility to infection by ecotropic MuLV, as determined by the expression of viral receptors, is not sufficient to determine the target organ for MuLV-induced oncogenesis.", "PMID": 631935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9112", "title": "Polyadenylated RNA molecules and polyribosomes in tumours of chemical and viral origin.", "content": "The distribution of poly(A)-enriched mRNA in nuclei, mitochondira, free and membrane-bound polyribosomes from normal C3HA mouse and Syrian hamster livers and normal chicken fibroblasts has been compared with that in corresponding subcellular fractions in a transplantable, chemically induced MD hepatoma, non-virus-producer hamster and virus-producer chicken Rous sarcomas. It has been shown that the content of poly(A)-RNA is increased in all tumour fractions except in free polyribosomes. The distribution of different classes of polysomes i.e. free, membrane-bound and mitochondrial outer-membrane-associated polysomes in tumour cells was changed in comparison to that in normal cells. It is concluded that in tumours of chemical and viral origin, the observed changes in the two components of the protein-synthesizing apparatus occur simultaneously.", "contents": "Polyadenylated RNA molecules and polyribosomes in tumours of chemical and viral origin. The distribution of poly(A)-enriched mRNA in nuclei, mitochondira, free and membrane-bound polyribosomes from normal C3HA mouse and Syrian hamster livers and normal chicken fibroblasts has been compared with that in corresponding subcellular fractions in a transplantable, chemically induced MD hepatoma, non-virus-producer hamster and virus-producer chicken Rous sarcomas. It has been shown that the content of poly(A)-RNA is increased in all tumour fractions except in free polyribosomes. The distribution of different classes of polysomes i.e. free, membrane-bound and mitochondrial outer-membrane-associated polysomes in tumour cells was changed in comparison to that in normal cells. It is concluded that in tumours of chemical and viral origin, the observed changes in the two components of the protein-synthesizing apparatus occur simultaneously.", "PMID": 631936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9113", "title": "In vitro and in vivo indications of the carcinogenicity and toxicity of food dyes.", "content": "Eight food dyes or commercial color mixtures certified for use in the United States were tested for their ability to transform in vitro a serial line of Fischer rat embryo cells previously reported to be a sensitive indicator of chemicals having carcinogenic potential. Malignant cell transformation was induced by a commercial mixture (G2024) of two of these dyes (Blue 1 and Yellow 5) and by Blue 2, Green 3 (one of two experiments) and Red 4. Food dyes Blue 1, Red 3, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 did not induce cell transformation. One to 1.5 mg of each dye was injected into suckling LVG or Graffi hamsters which were monitored for tumor induction and/or death over a 330-day period. None of the non-transforming dyes (Blue 1, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) or Green 3 induced a significant increase in tumor (mostly lymphoma) incidence or animal mortality. Three of the transforming dyes (Blue 2, Green 2024, Red 4) did increase tumor incidence and/or mortality in at least one strain of hamster. We conclude the the in vitro assay suggested that certain food dyes were carcinogens and that in vivo studies in hamsters supported this interpretation.", "contents": "In vitro and in vivo indications of the carcinogenicity and toxicity of food dyes. Eight food dyes or commercial color mixtures certified for use in the United States were tested for their ability to transform in vitro a serial line of Fischer rat embryo cells previously reported to be a sensitive indicator of chemicals having carcinogenic potential. Malignant cell transformation was induced by a commercial mixture (G2024) of two of these dyes (Blue 1 and Yellow 5) and by Blue 2, Green 3 (one of two experiments) and Red 4. Food dyes Blue 1, Red 3, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 did not induce cell transformation. One to 1.5 mg of each dye was injected into suckling LVG or Graffi hamsters which were monitored for tumor induction and/or death over a 330-day period. None of the non-transforming dyes (Blue 1, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) or Green 3 induced a significant increase in tumor (mostly lymphoma) incidence or animal mortality. Three of the transforming dyes (Blue 2, Green 2024, Red 4) did increase tumor incidence and/or mortality in at least one strain of hamster. We conclude the the in vitro assay suggested that certain food dyes were carcinogens and that in vivo studies in hamsters supported this interpretation.", "PMID": 631937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9114", "title": "Isoniazid tumorigenicity in mice under different experimental conditions.", "content": "Tumorigenicity of isoniazid in Swiss and A strain mice was studied with three different doses (0.55, 1.1 and 2.2 mg/mouse/day). Mice were fed isoniazid by gastric intubation and killed when they appeared weak. Incidence of tumour ranged from 32 to 100%. Subsequently sex-specificity in isoniazid tumorigenicity was also studied as well as the effect of vitamin B complex or protein deficiency, and of transplacental exposure of Swiss strain embryos to isoniazid. It was observed that protein deficiency and transplacental exposure stimulated tumour incidence in mice treated with 0.55 mg of isoniazid. No sex specificity was observed in isoniazid tumorigenesis.", "contents": "Isoniazid tumorigenicity in mice under different experimental conditions. Tumorigenicity of isoniazid in Swiss and A strain mice was studied with three different doses (0.55, 1.1 and 2.2 mg/mouse/day). Mice were fed isoniazid by gastric intubation and killed when they appeared weak. Incidence of tumour ranged from 32 to 100%. Subsequently sex-specificity in isoniazid tumorigenicity was also studied as well as the effect of vitamin B complex or protein deficiency, and of transplacental exposure of Swiss strain embryos to isoniazid. It was observed that protein deficiency and transplacental exposure stimulated tumour incidence in mice treated with 0.55 mg of isoniazid. No sex specificity was observed in isoniazid tumorigenesis.", "PMID": 631938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9115", "title": "English schoolchildren and illegal drugs. II. Changes over one year.", "content": "Part I of this paper described levels of familiarity with drugs of fifth form pupils in 29 schools in England. In Part II, changes in reported levels of drug use over 1 year are described in two sets of pupils. First, changes in drug use reported between a 1973 forth form group and a matched fifth form group from the same schools 1 year later (follow-up study); and second, differences in reported levels of use between the 1973 fourth form and a matched group of 1974 fourth forms from the same schools (trend study). It is concluded that there was no evidence of any substantial general increase or decrease in familiarity with drugs in the schools studied during the 1-year period of study.", "contents": "English schoolchildren and illegal drugs. II. Changes over one year. Part I of this paper described levels of familiarity with drugs of fifth form pupils in 29 schools in England. In Part II, changes in reported levels of drug use over 1 year are described in two sets of pupils. First, changes in drug use reported between a 1973 forth form group and a matched fifth form group from the same schools 1 year later (follow-up study); and second, differences in reported levels of use between the 1973 fourth form and a matched group of 1974 fourth forms from the same schools (trend study). It is concluded that there was no evidence of any substantial general increase or decrease in familiarity with drugs in the schools studied during the 1-year period of study.", "PMID": 631944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9116", "title": "Sib group therapy: a prevention program for siblings from drug-addicted families.", "content": "To prevent drug abuse among younger siblings of addicted adolescents, weekly group therapy sessions were implemented at a suburban therapeutic drug community. The concept evolved as an outgrowth of family therapy which revealed that intergenerational addictive patterns might impose a high future risk of similar behavior among latency age children. Results after 18 months indicate that although severe group acting-out behavior has diminished, underlying psychodynamics appear somewhat unchanged. Some evidence of experimentation with alcohol has emerged. Conclusions are that superego development is still impoverished but the tenacity of the group's existence provides positive speculations of ultimate success.", "contents": "Sib group therapy: a prevention program for siblings from drug-addicted families. To prevent drug abuse among younger siblings of addicted adolescents, weekly group therapy sessions were implemented at a suburban therapeutic drug community. The concept evolved as an outgrowth of family therapy which revealed that intergenerational addictive patterns might impose a high future risk of similar behavior among latency age children. Results after 18 months indicate that although severe group acting-out behavior has diminished, underlying psychodynamics appear somewhat unchanged. Some evidence of experimentation with alcohol has emerged. Conclusions are that superego development is still impoverished but the tenacity of the group's existence provides positive speculations of ultimate success.", "PMID": 631945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9117", "title": "Environmental and behavioral aspects of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents.", "content": "The following study used an eight question survey to explore some ecological and behavioral dimensions of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents. The results indicated that peer-based pressure was a dominant motivational aspect for engaging initially in glue-sniffing behavior. In addition, a significant number of adolescents in this survey revealed a trend toward experiencing unpleasantness with continual use.", "contents": "Environmental and behavioral aspects of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents. The following study used an eight question survey to explore some ecological and behavioral dimensions of glue sniffing in a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents. The results indicated that peer-based pressure was a dominant motivational aspect for engaging initially in glue-sniffing behavior. In addition, a significant number of adolescents in this survey revealed a trend toward experiencing unpleasantness with continual use.", "PMID": 631946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9118", "title": "A comparative study of oral and intravenous drug-dependent patients on three dimensions of personality.", "content": "In an investigation of personality differences between oral and intravenous drug addicts, 59 subjects attending a London clinic were given the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Both groups scored highly on the neuroticism and psychoticism dimensions, though oral users were found to have significantly higher scores on both of these scales. High P scorers have been found to be cold, unfriendly, hostile, etc., and it is suggested that the lower P scores of the intravenous users may be partly due to possible hostility-reducing effects of the narcotics used by this group. Other implications of these findings are also discussed.", "contents": "A comparative study of oral and intravenous drug-dependent patients on three dimensions of personality. In an investigation of personality differences between oral and intravenous drug addicts, 59 subjects attending a London clinic were given the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Both groups scored highly on the neuroticism and psychoticism dimensions, though oral users were found to have significantly higher scores on both of these scales. High P scorers have been found to be cold, unfriendly, hostile, etc., and it is suggested that the lower P scores of the intravenous users may be partly due to possible hostility-reducing effects of the narcotics used by this group. Other implications of these findings are also discussed.", "PMID": 631947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9119", "title": "Relationship between locus of control and drug effects in users of narcotics, stimulants, hypnotic-sedatives, and hallucinogens.", "content": "A test is made of the hypothesis that the subjective effects of narcotics lead to an internal locus of control orientation. No support is evident. Similar findings are given for users of stimulants. As an aside to the major focus of the study, a test of locus of control differences between users of narcotics, stimulants, hypnotic-sedatives, and hallucinogens is given, with no differences being found.", "contents": "Relationship between locus of control and drug effects in users of narcotics, stimulants, hypnotic-sedatives, and hallucinogens. A test is made of the hypothesis that the subjective effects of narcotics lead to an internal locus of control orientation. No support is evident. Similar findings are given for users of stimulants. As an aside to the major focus of the study, a test of locus of control differences between users of narcotics, stimulants, hypnotic-sedatives, and hallucinogens is given, with no differences being found.", "PMID": 631948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9120", "title": "Correlates and predictors of recidivism among drinking drivers.", "content": "Follow-up interviews on 47 formal DUI clients of an alcohol treatment program were conducted in an effort to find predictors of success. Predictors included historical factors occurring at the time of arrest, stressful events since treatment, length of treatment, time since treatment, and demographic data. Recidivism was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct through self-report measures and arrest records. Findings indicated that punitive actions fail to account for recidivism. Involvement in an accident, however, is significantly and positively related to future success in treatment. The implications of this observation are discussed.", "contents": "Correlates and predictors of recidivism among drinking drivers. Follow-up interviews on 47 formal DUI clients of an alcohol treatment program were conducted in an effort to find predictors of success. Predictors included historical factors occurring at the time of arrest, stressful events since treatment, length of treatment, time since treatment, and demographic data. Recidivism was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct through self-report measures and arrest records. Findings indicated that punitive actions fail to account for recidivism. Involvement in an accident, however, is significantly and positively related to future success in treatment. The implications of this observation are discussed.", "PMID": 631949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9121", "title": "Interpersonal behavior in group discussion during marijuana intoxication.", "content": "Four-person groups of moderate and heavy marijuana users were studied in a group discussion situation during marijuana intoxication. Amount of participation and role behavior were compared to nonintoxicated baseline performance and to that of a no-drug control group. During intoxication, moderate users were less task-oriented and participated less in group discussion. These findings were interpreted in terms of cognitive, motivational, and physiological reactions to marijuana. The lack of any social effect on heavy users suggested the existence of behavioral tolerance.", "contents": "Interpersonal behavior in group discussion during marijuana intoxication. Four-person groups of moderate and heavy marijuana users were studied in a group discussion situation during marijuana intoxication. Amount of participation and role behavior were compared to nonintoxicated baseline performance and to that of a no-drug control group. During intoxication, moderate users were less task-oriented and participated less in group discussion. These findings were interpreted in terms of cognitive, motivational, and physiological reactions to marijuana. The lack of any social effect on heavy users suggested the existence of behavioral tolerance.", "PMID": 631950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9122", "title": "Nutrition, development, and foreign aid: a case study of U.S.-directed health care in Colombian plantation zone.", "content": "Based on a case study of some aspects of Rockefeller and USAID intervention in the Cauca Valley, Colombia, this article is aimed at drawing attention to the political characteristics and inadequacies of U.S.-sponsored health care planning and research in the Third World, particularly as regards nutrition in rural regions of intensive economic development. By contrasting an historical analysis of the politicoeconomic development of agriculture and nutrition in the southern Cauca Valley with the assumptions guiding U.S. intervention in the health field there, a more complete picture of the causes of malnutrition is obtained, among which should be counted the intervention of the U.S. itself. Inter alia, other approaches to the malnutrition problem are suggested.", "contents": "Nutrition, development, and foreign aid: a case study of U.S.-directed health care in Colombian plantation zone. Based on a case study of some aspects of Rockefeller and USAID intervention in the Cauca Valley, Colombia, this article is aimed at drawing attention to the political characteristics and inadequacies of U.S.-sponsored health care planning and research in the Third World, particularly as regards nutrition in rural regions of intensive economic development. By contrasting an historical analysis of the politicoeconomic development of agriculture and nutrition in the southern Cauca Valley with the assumptions guiding U.S. intervention in the health field there, a more complete picture of the causes of malnutrition is obtained, among which should be counted the intervention of the U.S. itself. Inter alia, other approaches to the malnutrition problem are suggested.", "PMID": 631959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9123", "title": "Social justice and the demographic transition: lessons from India's Kerala State.", "content": "Kerala is a small, densely crowded state in South India. It is a poor state, even by Indian standards. Its per capita income of US$80 lies well below the all-India average of US$120, and it suffers from the lowest per capita caloric intake in India. Nevertheless, Kerala has managed to achieve the demographic transition from high (premodern) to low (modern) birth and death rates-something no other Indian state has been able to attain. Indeed, the magnitude of Kerala's fertility decline-the birth rate fell from 39 in 1961 to 26.5 in 1974-has never before been observed in a nation with comparable levels of income and undernutrition. Other indices of Kerala's soical development are equally surprising: levels of literacy, life expectancy, female education, and age at marriage are the highest in India, while mortality rates, including infant and child mortality, are the lowest among Indian states. But Kerala's anomalous and unexpected demographic trends and levels are not the result of the direct interventions designed to influence health and fertility levels elsewhere in India-conventional strategies of population control and health services delivery that thus far are notable for their failure to generate such positive results. Instead, Kerala's demographic levels evidently reflect a broad social response to structural reforms in its political economy.", "contents": "Social justice and the demographic transition: lessons from India's Kerala State. Kerala is a small, densely crowded state in South India. It is a poor state, even by Indian standards. Its per capita income of US$80 lies well below the all-India average of US$120, and it suffers from the lowest per capita caloric intake in India. Nevertheless, Kerala has managed to achieve the demographic transition from high (premodern) to low (modern) birth and death rates-something no other Indian state has been able to attain. Indeed, the magnitude of Kerala's fertility decline-the birth rate fell from 39 in 1961 to 26.5 in 1974-has never before been observed in a nation with comparable levels of income and undernutrition. Other indices of Kerala's soical development are equally surprising: levels of literacy, life expectancy, female education, and age at marriage are the highest in India, while mortality rates, including infant and child mortality, are the lowest among Indian states. But Kerala's anomalous and unexpected demographic trends and levels are not the result of the direct interventions designed to influence health and fertility levels elsewhere in India-conventional strategies of population control and health services delivery that thus far are notable for their failure to generate such positive results. Instead, Kerala's demographic levels evidently reflect a broad social response to structural reforms in its political economy.", "PMID": 631960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9124", "title": "The economic and political determinants of human (including health) rights.", "content": "This paper presents an analysis and critique of the U.S. government's current emphasis on human rights; and (a) its limited focus on only some civil and political components of the original U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, and (b) its disregard for economic and social rights such as the rights to work, fair wages, health, education, and social security. The paper discusses the reasons for that limited focus and argues that, contrary to what is widely presented in the media and academe: (1) civil and political rights are highly restricted in the U.S.; (2) those rights are further restricted in the U.S. when analyzed in their social and economic dimensions; (3) civil and political rights are not independent of but rather intrinsically related to and dependent on the existence of socioeconomic rights; (4) the definition of the nature and extension of human rights in their civil, political, social, and economic dimensions is not universal, but rather depends on the pattern of economic and political power relations particular to each society; and (5) the pattern of power relations in the U.S. society and the western system of power, based on the right to individual property and its concomitant class structure and relations, is incompatible with the full realization of human rights in their economic, social, political, and civil dimensions. This paper further indicates that U.S. financial and corporate capital, through its overwhelming influence over the organs of political power in the U.S. and over international bodies and agencies, is primarily responsible for the denial of the human rights of the U.S. population and many populations throughout the world as well.", "contents": "The economic and political determinants of human (including health) rights. This paper presents an analysis and critique of the U.S. government's current emphasis on human rights; and (a) its limited focus on only some civil and political components of the original U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, and (b) its disregard for economic and social rights such as the rights to work, fair wages, health, education, and social security. The paper discusses the reasons for that limited focus and argues that, contrary to what is widely presented in the media and academe: (1) civil and political rights are highly restricted in the U.S.; (2) those rights are further restricted in the U.S. when analyzed in their social and economic dimensions; (3) civil and political rights are not independent of but rather intrinsically related to and dependent on the existence of socioeconomic rights; (4) the definition of the nature and extension of human rights in their civil, political, social, and economic dimensions is not universal, but rather depends on the pattern of economic and political power relations particular to each society; and (5) the pattern of power relations in the U.S. society and the western system of power, based on the right to individual property and its concomitant class structure and relations, is incompatible with the full realization of human rights in their economic, social, political, and civil dimensions. This paper further indicates that U.S. financial and corporate capital, through its overwhelming influence over the organs of political power in the U.S. and over international bodies and agencies, is primarily responsible for the denial of the human rights of the U.S. population and many populations throughout the world as well.", "PMID": 631961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9125", "title": "Theories of the welfare state: a critique.", "content": "The article considers three major non-Marxist explanations of the modern welfare state: functionalist sociological theories, economic theories of government policy, and pluralist theories of democracy. Each is subjected to a critique and all are found wanting, in that none can satisfactorily explain the observable similarities and differences in state welfare intervention within advanced capitalist countries. Functionalist theories can explain the dominant trends at work within all countries, but not the immense diversity in state policies which still persists. Economic and pluralist theories can explain the diversity but not the determinant trends. This failing is related to the separation objective and subjective aspects in historical explanation: the first school objectifies history, the second subjectifies it. The article concludes by asserting, but not arguing, that a Marxist approach offers a more fruitful way of understanding the welfare state, insofar as it rejects this separation.", "contents": "Theories of the welfare state: a critique. The article considers three major non-Marxist explanations of the modern welfare state: functionalist sociological theories, economic theories of government policy, and pluralist theories of democracy. Each is subjected to a critique and all are found wanting, in that none can satisfactorily explain the observable similarities and differences in state welfare intervention within advanced capitalist countries. Functionalist theories can explain the dominant trends at work within all countries, but not the immense diversity in state policies which still persists. Economic and pluralist theories can explain the diversity but not the determinant trends. This failing is related to the separation objective and subjective aspects in historical explanation: the first school objectifies history, the second subjectifies it. The article concludes by asserting, but not arguing, that a Marxist approach offers a more fruitful way of understanding the welfare state, insofar as it rejects this separation.", "PMID": 631962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9126", "title": "Health education: can the reformers be reformed?", "content": "Health educators have created a new professional role that emphasizes the changing of individuals rather than their social conditions. The article shows how historical roots, ideological perspectives, and structural constraints have combined to create an ambiguous, generally conservative role for the health education profession. Epidemiological evidence is presented that contradicts many implicit notions of disease etiology that underlie health education approaches. Finally, the authors suggest an \"ecological\" model of health education that takes account of the multiple causes of disease and is committed to progressive social change.", "contents": "Health education: can the reformers be reformed? Health educators have created a new professional role that emphasizes the changing of individuals rather than their social conditions. The article shows how historical roots, ideological perspectives, and structural constraints have combined to create an ambiguous, generally conservative role for the health education profession. Epidemiological evidence is presented that contradicts many implicit notions of disease etiology that underlie health education approaches. Finally, the authors suggest an \"ecological\" model of health education that takes account of the multiple causes of disease and is committed to progressive social change.", "PMID": 631963} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9127", "title": "Comparative study of the antidiuretic effects of Adiuretin-SD (DDAVP) and Pitressin Tannate in diabetes insipidus.", "content": "An account is given of experience acquired with the prolonged administration of a new vasopressin analogue, 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), to patients with diabetes insipidus. The antidiuretic effect of this compound was compared with that of the long-acting Pitressin Tannate, containing a pituitary extract. It was found that DDAVP induces a far more significant antidiuretic effect than does Pitressin Tannate. Its application is not accompanied by any side effects, nor is its effectiveness decreassed after repeated administration. Similar conclusions were reached with the outpatient treatment of diabetes insipidus patients. The results indicate that nasally-administered Adiuretein-SD can be well utilized in the prolonged treatment of diabetes insipidus.", "contents": "Comparative study of the antidiuretic effects of Adiuretin-SD (DDAVP) and Pitressin Tannate in diabetes insipidus. An account is given of experience acquired with the prolonged administration of a new vasopressin analogue, 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), to patients with diabetes insipidus. The antidiuretic effect of this compound was compared with that of the long-acting Pitressin Tannate, containing a pituitary extract. It was found that DDAVP induces a far more significant antidiuretic effect than does Pitressin Tannate. Its application is not accompanied by any side effects, nor is its effectiveness decreassed after repeated administration. Similar conclusions were reached with the outpatient treatment of diabetes insipidus patients. The results indicate that nasally-administered Adiuretein-SD can be well utilized in the prolonged treatment of diabetes insipidus.", "PMID": 631964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9128", "title": "Pharmacologic studies in Bartter's syndrome: opposite effects of treatment with antikaliuretic and antiprostaglandin drugs. Part I.", "content": "The effect of antikaliuretic agents (spironolactone, amiloride) and antiprostaglandin agents (indomethacin, ibuprofen) on plasma renin activity and potassium metabolism was studied in a patient with familial Bartter's syndrome. The decrease in renal potassium clearance in response to antikaliuretic treatment was only of a temporary nature, in contrast to the marked potassium retention seen after indomethacin therapy. Plasma renin activity showed a consistent increase after kaliuretics and a marked decrease in response to antiprostaglandin agents. The opposite effect of the drugs on plasma renin activity, due to their different sites of action on the pathophysiologic chain of events in Bartter's syndrome, given an explanation for the contrasting therapeutic results.", "contents": "Pharmacologic studies in Bartter's syndrome: opposite effects of treatment with antikaliuretic and antiprostaglandin drugs. Part I. The effect of antikaliuretic agents (spironolactone, amiloride) and antiprostaglandin agents (indomethacin, ibuprofen) on plasma renin activity and potassium metabolism was studied in a patient with familial Bartter's syndrome. The decrease in renal potassium clearance in response to antikaliuretic treatment was only of a temporary nature, in contrast to the marked potassium retention seen after indomethacin therapy. Plasma renin activity showed a consistent increase after kaliuretics and a marked decrease in response to antiprostaglandin agents. The opposite effect of the drugs on plasma renin activity, due to their different sites of action on the pathophysiologic chain of events in Bartter's syndrome, given an explanation for the contrasting therapeutic results.", "PMID": 631965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9129", "title": "Comparative effects of placebo and plain and slow-release tablets of xanthinol nicotinate on exercise tolerance in normal human subjects.", "content": "The effects of placebo and plain and slow-release xanthinol nicotinate on exercise tolerance were studied in 6 normal human subjects. Placebo administration had no significant effect on exercise tolerance. Administration of plain and slow-release xanthinol nicotinate significantly increased exercise tolerance at 1 hour and 1--9 hours respectively from ingestion of the drug. The intensity and duration of action correlated well with the blood levels of nicotinic acid reported earlier. Four subjects experienced moderate to severe side-effects with plain xanthinol nicotinate. Only 1 subject experienced mild side-effects with slow-release xanthinol nicotinate. Slow-release tablets of xanthinol nicotinate may prove useful in the treatment of angina pectoris.", "contents": "Comparative effects of placebo and plain and slow-release tablets of xanthinol nicotinate on exercise tolerance in normal human subjects. The effects of placebo and plain and slow-release xanthinol nicotinate on exercise tolerance were studied in 6 normal human subjects. Placebo administration had no significant effect on exercise tolerance. Administration of plain and slow-release xanthinol nicotinate significantly increased exercise tolerance at 1 hour and 1--9 hours respectively from ingestion of the drug. The intensity and duration of action correlated well with the blood levels of nicotinic acid reported earlier. Four subjects experienced moderate to severe side-effects with plain xanthinol nicotinate. Only 1 subject experienced mild side-effects with slow-release xanthinol nicotinate. Slow-release tablets of xanthinol nicotinate may prove useful in the treatment of angina pectoris.", "PMID": 631966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9130", "title": "Pharmacologic studies in Bartter's syndrome: effect of DDAVP and indomethacin on renal concentrating operation. Part II.", "content": "We have investigated the effect of indomethacin and DDAVP on water excretion in a patient with familial Bartter's syndrome in whom urinary concentration was impaired during ad libitum fluid intake without any decrease in maximal concentrating ability. In response to indomethacin urine osmolality and free water reabsorption increased, simultaneously with the decrease in the excretion of prostaglandin E2. The indomethacin induced improvement was however less than that obtained after DDAVP with or without indomethacin. The results can be interpreted on the basis of either a direct \"vasopressin-like\" action of indomethacin or abolishment of the peripheral vasopressin--prostaglandin interaction. The clinical implication is that the theoretical possibility of indomethacin-induced inappropriate ADH syndrome should be borne in mind when a patient is treated with this drug on a long term basis.", "contents": "Pharmacologic studies in Bartter's syndrome: effect of DDAVP and indomethacin on renal concentrating operation. Part II. We have investigated the effect of indomethacin and DDAVP on water excretion in a patient with familial Bartter's syndrome in whom urinary concentration was impaired during ad libitum fluid intake without any decrease in maximal concentrating ability. In response to indomethacin urine osmolality and free water reabsorption increased, simultaneously with the decrease in the excretion of prostaglandin E2. The indomethacin induced improvement was however less than that obtained after DDAVP with or without indomethacin. The results can be interpreted on the basis of either a direct \"vasopressin-like\" action of indomethacin or abolishment of the peripheral vasopressin--prostaglandin interaction. The clinical implication is that the theoretical possibility of indomethacin-induced inappropriate ADH syndrome should be borne in mind when a patient is treated with this drug on a long term basis.", "PMID": 631967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9131", "title": "The pharmacokinetic aspects of therapy with psychotropic agents.", "content": "This contribution is concerned with a critical appraisal of the concept that plasma levels of psychotropic agents govern their pharmacodynamic action. In this regard, there are at least three problems: 1. identification of the chemical course of reaction between the introduced pharmacon and its resultant metabolites in reference to the totality of the organism and its biochemical reaction pattern; 2. the course of this reaction relative to intra- and interindividual differences; and 3. the influence of the kinetics as a result of concentration diversities, conditioned by different distributing patterns within the organism. Decisive factors here are: mode of application, blood distribution volume, reaction and/or elimination rate, and, finally, interaction of combined drugs.", "contents": "The pharmacokinetic aspects of therapy with psychotropic agents. This contribution is concerned with a critical appraisal of the concept that plasma levels of psychotropic agents govern their pharmacodynamic action. In this regard, there are at least three problems: 1. identification of the chemical course of reaction between the introduced pharmacon and its resultant metabolites in reference to the totality of the organism and its biochemical reaction pattern; 2. the course of this reaction relative to intra- and interindividual differences; and 3. the influence of the kinetics as a result of concentration diversities, conditioned by different distributing patterns within the organism. Decisive factors here are: mode of application, blood distribution volume, reaction and/or elimination rate, and, finally, interaction of combined drugs.", "PMID": 631968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9132", "title": "Comparison of soft gelatin capsule vs. sustained release formulation of papaverine HCl: vasodilation and plasma levels.", "content": "The vasodilatory action, plasma papaverine levels achieved, and the incidence of side effects after oral administration of papaverine hydrochloride as a soft gelatin capsule, were compared to those of a sustained release formulation. The incidence of side effects observed after 150 mg, two or three times per day, of the soft gelatin capsule was similar to that observed after 150 mg, twice per day, of the sustained release form in 15 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. A relatively higher plasma papaverine concentration was achieved, 120 minutes after 150 mg administration of the soft gelatin form, compared to an equivalent dose of the sustained release form. The degree of vasodilation obtained after four doses (150 mg X 4) of soft gelatin within 24 hrs., was significantly superior than that induced after four doses (150 mg X 4) of the sustained release form in 6 patients with a severe degree of arteriosclerosis obliterans.", "contents": "Comparison of soft gelatin capsule vs. sustained release formulation of papaverine HCl: vasodilation and plasma levels. The vasodilatory action, plasma papaverine levels achieved, and the incidence of side effects after oral administration of papaverine hydrochloride as a soft gelatin capsule, were compared to those of a sustained release formulation. The incidence of side effects observed after 150 mg, two or three times per day, of the soft gelatin capsule was similar to that observed after 150 mg, twice per day, of the sustained release form in 15 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. A relatively higher plasma papaverine concentration was achieved, 120 minutes after 150 mg administration of the soft gelatin form, compared to an equivalent dose of the sustained release form. The degree of vasodilation obtained after four doses (150 mg X 4) of soft gelatin within 24 hrs., was significantly superior than that induced after four doses (150 mg X 4) of the sustained release form in 6 patients with a severe degree of arteriosclerosis obliterans.", "PMID": 631969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9133", "title": "Comparative bioavailability: influence of various diets on the bioavailability of indomethacin.", "content": "After oral application of 100 mg indomethacin to eight healthy male volunteers, the concentrations in plasma and their time course were determined when the drug was given to fasting individuals or after a high-protein, a high-lipid or a high-carbohydrate meal. The study was designed as a fourfold-crossover experiement with intermissions of at least one week between applications. Indomethacin in plasma was determined by fluorimetry after a double extraction procedure. Indomethacin plasma concentrations and the truncated areas under the curves (AUC) were evaluated. Administration to fasting subjects provides higher plasma levels and a smaller tmax value than after either one of the three diets. Also the absorption rate was higher in fasting individuals. However, the absorbed amount of indomethacin after 24 hr was practically equal in all four groups. Attempts to distinguish between the effects of the various diets revealed significant differences in the time period necessary to reach the peak values. After high-protein and high-lipid diets they were reached in the 90 min sample while after high-carbohydrate 120 min were required. These values are significantly different from fasting controls (45 min) and from each other. There is no great influence of food on the other aspect of bioavailability, amount of unchanged drug reaching the systemic circulation.", "contents": "Comparative bioavailability: influence of various diets on the bioavailability of indomethacin. After oral application of 100 mg indomethacin to eight healthy male volunteers, the concentrations in plasma and their time course were determined when the drug was given to fasting individuals or after a high-protein, a high-lipid or a high-carbohydrate meal. The study was designed as a fourfold-crossover experiement with intermissions of at least one week between applications. Indomethacin in plasma was determined by fluorimetry after a double extraction procedure. Indomethacin plasma concentrations and the truncated areas under the curves (AUC) were evaluated. Administration to fasting subjects provides higher plasma levels and a smaller tmax value than after either one of the three diets. Also the absorption rate was higher in fasting individuals. However, the absorbed amount of indomethacin after 24 hr was practically equal in all four groups. Attempts to distinguish between the effects of the various diets revealed significant differences in the time period necessary to reach the peak values. After high-protein and high-lipid diets they were reached in the 90 min sample while after high-carbohydrate 120 min were required. These values are significantly different from fasting controls (45 min) and from each other. There is no great influence of food on the other aspect of bioavailability, amount of unchanged drug reaching the systemic circulation.", "PMID": 631970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9134", "title": "Pharmacokinetics and clinical studies of ioglicinate, a new contrast medium for intravenous urography.", "content": "The new amino acid-bound contrast medium ioglicinate was first of all studied in respect of its pharmacokinetics in comparison to iothalamate and amidotrizoate in groups of 4 patients. The distribution volume was very similar for all 3 substances. Ioglicinate was found to have the shortest half-life. The elimination of the contrast media studied was mainly via the kidneys. The plasma protein binding of ioglicinate was again lower than that of amidotrizoate and iothalamate. These good experimental results were confirmed for ioglicinate in respect of the tolerance and opacification in a subsequently conducted clinical double-blind study in groups of 50 patients in comparison with iothalamate.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics and clinical studies of ioglicinate, a new contrast medium for intravenous urography. The new amino acid-bound contrast medium ioglicinate was first of all studied in respect of its pharmacokinetics in comparison to iothalamate and amidotrizoate in groups of 4 patients. The distribution volume was very similar for all 3 substances. Ioglicinate was found to have the shortest half-life. The elimination of the contrast media studied was mainly via the kidneys. The plasma protein binding of ioglicinate was again lower than that of amidotrizoate and iothalamate. These good experimental results were confirmed for ioglicinate in respect of the tolerance and opacification in a subsequently conducted clinical double-blind study in groups of 50 patients in comparison with iothalamate.", "PMID": 631971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9135", "title": "Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies with carfecillin.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of carfecillin (Carbenicillin-phenyl-ester) were studied in 10 healthy subjects, in 5 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and in 5 cases of renal insufficiency. In healthy subjects maximal carbenicillin serum levels attained by therapeutic doses were about 20 microgram/ml; concentrations in the urine surpassed 1000 mu/ml. The phenol moiety was detectable as free phenol in sera (less than 1 microgram/ml) and urine (less than 3 microgram/ml), but its major part was transformed to glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. Pharmacokinetics were not altered significantly by hepatic lesion. In renal insufficiency, serum levels of both carbenicillin and conjugated phenol were higher and their decrease delayed, while urine concentration was low. Carfecillin treatment was successful in 20 out of 30 patients with UTI.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies with carfecillin. The pharmacokinetics of carfecillin (Carbenicillin-phenyl-ester) were studied in 10 healthy subjects, in 5 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and in 5 cases of renal insufficiency. In healthy subjects maximal carbenicillin serum levels attained by therapeutic doses were about 20 microgram/ml; concentrations in the urine surpassed 1000 mu/ml. The phenol moiety was detectable as free phenol in sera (less than 1 microgram/ml) and urine (less than 3 microgram/ml), but its major part was transformed to glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. Pharmacokinetics were not altered significantly by hepatic lesion. In renal insufficiency, serum levels of both carbenicillin and conjugated phenol were higher and their decrease delayed, while urine concentration was low. Carfecillin treatment was successful in 20 out of 30 patients with UTI.", "PMID": 631972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9136", "title": "Criteria for the evaluation of cytostatic chemotherapy.", "content": "The evaluation of cytostatic chemotherapy is difficult because the criteria are multivarious and the system for testing is complex. The clinical trial only is a reliable method. But the clnical trial require a cooperative study and a cooperative study is very expansive. It is necessary to search for methods less expensive but statistical sufficient.", "contents": "Criteria for the evaluation of cytostatic chemotherapy. The evaluation of cytostatic chemotherapy is difficult because the criteria are multivarious and the system for testing is complex. The clinical trial only is a reliable method. But the clnical trial require a cooperative study and a cooperative study is very expansive. It is necessary to search for methods less expensive but statistical sufficient.", "PMID": 631973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9137", "title": "Effects of flufenamic acid, dexamethasone, and SP 54 (a pentosanpolysulphate) on the histological appearance of murine embryonic tibia explants cultured in vitro.", "content": "The histological investigation of cultured, embryonic tibia explants of NMRI-mice showed, after a six day period, that incubation concentrations of Flufenamic acid, SP54 (a Pentosanopolysulphate), and Dexamethasone (9alpha-Fluor-16-beta-Methyl-Prednisolone) predominantly induced resorptive and degenerative processes, in different degrees, affecting cartilage and bone matrix. In the experiments with Flufenamic acid and Dexamethasone, the degenerative processes were found to be accompanied by the inhibition of the synthesis of cartilage matrix. The investigations with SP54, on the other hand, showed a medium increase of cartilage matrix.", "contents": "Effects of flufenamic acid, dexamethasone, and SP 54 (a pentosanpolysulphate) on the histological appearance of murine embryonic tibia explants cultured in vitro. The histological investigation of cultured, embryonic tibia explants of NMRI-mice showed, after a six day period, that incubation concentrations of Flufenamic acid, SP54 (a Pentosanopolysulphate), and Dexamethasone (9alpha-Fluor-16-beta-Methyl-Prednisolone) predominantly induced resorptive and degenerative processes, in different degrees, affecting cartilage and bone matrix. In the experiments with Flufenamic acid and Dexamethasone, the degenerative processes were found to be accompanied by the inhibition of the synthesis of cartilage matrix. The investigations with SP54, on the other hand, showed a medium increase of cartilage matrix.", "PMID": 631974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9138", "title": "Studies on absorption and elimination of drugs. Part VII. Fitting of a three exponential equation to the observed drug concentration data after single extravascular administration.", "content": "A simple program in fortran language was written for the polish digital computer ODRA 1304. It permits the fitting of the three exponential equation C1 = A-e-alphat + A2-e-betat + A3-e-kat to the plasma or serum concentration data observed after single extravascular administration of a drug.", "contents": "Studies on absorption and elimination of drugs. Part VII. Fitting of a three exponential equation to the observed drug concentration data after single extravascular administration. A simple program in fortran language was written for the polish digital computer ODRA 1304. It permits the fitting of the three exponential equation C1 = A-e-alphat + A2-e-betat + A3-e-kat to the plasma or serum concentration data observed after single extravascular administration of a drug.", "PMID": 631975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9139", "title": "Thiolysis of Nim-2,4-dinitrophenyl-histidine peptides with 2-mercaptoethanol. An explannation for the pH optimum.", "content": "The thiolysis of Nim-2,4-dinitrophenyl-histidine peptides with 2-mercaptoethanol demonstrates an optimal rate between pH 8.5 and 9.0. Base lability of both reactants and product was investigated as a possible cause for the pH optimum. N-2,4-Dinitrophenylimidazole, a model for Nim-2,4-dinitrophenylhistidine peptides, 2-mercaptoethanol and the product of thiolysis, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-mercaptoethan-2-ol, were subjected to aqueous basic conditions (pH 8.5 to 12.0). The reactions were followed spectrophotometrically, and products were identified by comparison of their ultra-violet spectra with commercially available or synthetic compounds. Mechanisms and rate constants for base hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-thio ethers are presented. Although N-2,4-dinitrophenylimidazole and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-mercaptoethan-2-oldohydrolyze, it is the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol to 2-mercaptoethanol disulfide which results in the decreasing rate of thiolysis above pH 9.0.", "contents": "Thiolysis of Nim-2,4-dinitrophenyl-histidine peptides with 2-mercaptoethanol. An explannation for the pH optimum. The thiolysis of Nim-2,4-dinitrophenyl-histidine peptides with 2-mercaptoethanol demonstrates an optimal rate between pH 8.5 and 9.0. Base lability of both reactants and product was investigated as a possible cause for the pH optimum. N-2,4-Dinitrophenylimidazole, a model for Nim-2,4-dinitrophenylhistidine peptides, 2-mercaptoethanol and the product of thiolysis, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-mercaptoethan-2-ol, were subjected to aqueous basic conditions (pH 8.5 to 12.0). The reactions were followed spectrophotometrically, and products were identified by comparison of their ultra-violet spectra with commercially available or synthetic compounds. Mechanisms and rate constants for base hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-thio ethers are presented. Although N-2,4-dinitrophenylimidazole and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-mercaptoethan-2-oldohydrolyze, it is the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol to 2-mercaptoethanol disulfide which results in the decreasing rate of thiolysis above pH 9.0.", "PMID": 631983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9140", "title": "Primary specificity of alakaline mesentericopeptidase. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of alpha-N-acetyl-L-amino acid methyl esters.", "content": "The steady-state kinetics of the alkaline mesentericopeptidase-catalysed hydrolysis of esters of the general formula Ac-X-OMe(OEt) has been studied, \"X\" being an amino acid residue (Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys). The values of the specificity ratio kcat/Km indicate that the bonds involving the carboxyl group of amino acids with aromatic and bulky aliphatic side chain are hydrolysed most effectively. On account of this, alkaline mesentericopeptidase is classified as a chymotrypisn-like alkaline protease. The primary specificity of mesentericopeptidase reveals the similarity of this enzyme to the group of subtilisins, as well as the distinctive characteristic feature of the enzyme to hydrolyse Ac-Leu-OMe with an efficiency practically equal to that of aromatic amino acid derivatives. Suggestions are made about the nature of the substrate-binding centre, taking into consideration Schechter's and Berger's concept of the secondary specificity.", "contents": "Primary specificity of alakaline mesentericopeptidase. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of alpha-N-acetyl-L-amino acid methyl esters. The steady-state kinetics of the alkaline mesentericopeptidase-catalysed hydrolysis of esters of the general formula Ac-X-OMe(OEt) has been studied, \"X\" being an amino acid residue (Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Lys). The values of the specificity ratio kcat/Km indicate that the bonds involving the carboxyl group of amino acids with aromatic and bulky aliphatic side chain are hydrolysed most effectively. On account of this, alkaline mesentericopeptidase is classified as a chymotrypisn-like alkaline protease. The primary specificity of mesentericopeptidase reveals the similarity of this enzyme to the group of subtilisins, as well as the distinctive characteristic feature of the enzyme to hydrolyse Ac-Leu-OMe with an efficiency practically equal to that of aromatic amino acid derivatives. Suggestions are made about the nature of the substrate-binding centre, taking into consideration Schechter's and Berger's concept of the secondary specificity.", "PMID": 631984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9141", "title": "Sequence comparison of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein and the immunoglobulins.", "content": "The amino acid sequence of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein, upon comparison with the sequences of other blood proteins, was shown to possess significant similarity with the immunoglobulins. Employing direct and corrected sequence identity, the average mutation value and two different computer comparisons for the evaluation of sequence similarity, the following two regions of this alpha-globulin, which account for approximately half of the total amino acid sequence of the protein, were found to possess sequence similarity with the immunoglobulins. a) The region from residues 77 through 125 proved to be related to the variable region of several human H and L chains, and b) the region from residues 136 through 166 was found to be related not only to the constant region of a human and a mouse L chain but also to the third and fourth constant region of a rabbit and a human H chain, respectively. These results suggest that alpha1-acid glycoprotein is probably related to the immunoglobulins and further suggest that it possibly diverged from the immunoglobulin evolutionary tree prior to the formation of the primitive L chain.", "contents": "Sequence comparison of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein and the immunoglobulins. The amino acid sequence of human plasma alpha1-acid glycoprotein, upon comparison with the sequences of other blood proteins, was shown to possess significant similarity with the immunoglobulins. Employing direct and corrected sequence identity, the average mutation value and two different computer comparisons for the evaluation of sequence similarity, the following two regions of this alpha-globulin, which account for approximately half of the total amino acid sequence of the protein, were found to possess sequence similarity with the immunoglobulins. a) The region from residues 77 through 125 proved to be related to the variable region of several human H and L chains, and b) the region from residues 136 through 166 was found to be related not only to the constant region of a human and a mouse L chain but also to the third and fourth constant region of a rabbit and a human H chain, respectively. These results suggest that alpha1-acid glycoprotein is probably related to the immunoglobulins and further suggest that it possibly diverged from the immunoglobulin evolutionary tree prior to the formation of the primitive L chain.", "PMID": 631985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9142", "title": "The active site of an inducible arylacylamidase from Pseudomonas acidovorans.", "content": "Though very effectively ibhibited by both SH-group directed reagents and inhibitors typical for serine hydrolases, the inducible arylacylamidase from Pseudomonas acidovarans is a serine enzyme rather than a sulfhydryl enzyme. The amino acid sequence around the reactive serine residue is Gly-Ser-Ile. The sequence of a larger peptide from the active site is described.", "contents": "The active site of an inducible arylacylamidase from Pseudomonas acidovorans. Though very effectively ibhibited by both SH-group directed reagents and inhibitors typical for serine hydrolases, the inducible arylacylamidase from Pseudomonas acidovarans is a serine enzyme rather than a sulfhydryl enzyme. The amino acid sequence around the reactive serine residue is Gly-Ser-Ile. The sequence of a larger peptide from the active site is described.", "PMID": 631987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9143", "title": "Structural studies on the succinylated bovine serum albumin.", "content": "An analysis of succinylated bovine serum albumin showed that all of the 62 epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues, 13 hydroxyamino acid residues and 12 tyrosin residues were succinylated, but the succinylated tyrosines were later deacylated. Structural properties of the modified protein have been studied with circular dichroism and sedimentation velocity. At neutral pH (pH 7.60) and in a salt-free aqueous solution the modified protein is in an expanded form and its helical content is only 30% of that of unmodified protein. The increase of ionic strength restores the original conformation of the protein, whereas the increase of pH further disorganizes the structure of the protein. The results suggest that the electrostatic force alone is responsible for the compact structure of the protein molecule. The same mechanism is believed to underlie the effect of H3O+ and the effect of succinylation of the side chain groups on the conformation of bovine serum albumin.", "contents": "Structural studies on the succinylated bovine serum albumin. An analysis of succinylated bovine serum albumin showed that all of the 62 epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues, 13 hydroxyamino acid residues and 12 tyrosin residues were succinylated, but the succinylated tyrosines were later deacylated. Structural properties of the modified protein have been studied with circular dichroism and sedimentation velocity. At neutral pH (pH 7.60) and in a salt-free aqueous solution the modified protein is in an expanded form and its helical content is only 30% of that of unmodified protein. The increase of ionic strength restores the original conformation of the protein, whereas the increase of pH further disorganizes the structure of the protein. The results suggest that the electrostatic force alone is responsible for the compact structure of the protein molecule. The same mechanism is believed to underlie the effect of H3O+ and the effect of succinylation of the side chain groups on the conformation of bovine serum albumin.", "PMID": 631988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9144", "title": "A theoretical study of the structures of (Gly-Pro-Leu)n and (Gly-Leu-Pro)n.", "content": "Theoretical conformation studies have been carried out for the polytripeptides (Gly-Pro-Leu)n and (Gly-Leu-Pro)n and the Fourier transforms of the structures have been calculated. X-ray powder patterns of these polymers had indicated that both these polymers take up coiled-coil triple-helical structures, but in the case of (Gly-Pro-Leu)n it was not clear whether the triple helix is formed by three parallel polypeptide chains or by a single chain folding back on itself (Scatturin et al 1975). Our studies show that both the polytripeptides can take up stereochemically satisfactory triple-helical structures with three parallel chains. There is also very good agreement between the calculated intensity distribution and that of the observed X-ray pattern, in each case.", "contents": "A theoretical study of the structures of (Gly-Pro-Leu)n and (Gly-Leu-Pro)n. Theoretical conformation studies have been carried out for the polytripeptides (Gly-Pro-Leu)n and (Gly-Leu-Pro)n and the Fourier transforms of the structures have been calculated. X-ray powder patterns of these polymers had indicated that both these polymers take up coiled-coil triple-helical structures, but in the case of (Gly-Pro-Leu)n it was not clear whether the triple helix is formed by three parallel polypeptide chains or by a single chain folding back on itself (Scatturin et al 1975). Our studies show that both the polytripeptides can take up stereochemically satisfactory triple-helical structures with three parallel chains. There is also very good agreement between the calculated intensity distribution and that of the observed X-ray pattern, in each case.", "PMID": 631989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9145", "title": "Specific configurations of hydrogen bonding. I. Hydrogen bonding and conformational preferences of N-acylamino-acids, peptides and derivatives.", "content": "From a reexamination of the X-ray studies of the crystal structures of 27 N-acylamino acids, peptides and their derivatives and 30 linear peptides, it is concluded that specific formation of short intermolecular hydrogen bonds (2,5 to 2.6 A) from the carboxyl OH to the N-acyl oxygen is an important feature for N-acylamino acids. For N-acyl-N-amides, the formation of hydrogen bonds 2.7 to 2.9A long between N(acyl-H...O(amide) is strongly preferred. The dihedral angle delta between the N-acyl and carboxyl groups or adjacent amide groups shows a preference for values near 20 degrees or 90 degrees for N-acylamino acids and 90 degrees for N-acyl-N-amides.", "contents": "Specific configurations of hydrogen bonding. I. Hydrogen bonding and conformational preferences of N-acylamino-acids, peptides and derivatives. From a reexamination of the X-ray studies of the crystal structures of 27 N-acylamino acids, peptides and their derivatives and 30 linear peptides, it is concluded that specific formation of short intermolecular hydrogen bonds (2,5 to 2.6 A) from the carboxyl OH to the N-acyl oxygen is an important feature for N-acylamino acids. For N-acyl-N-amides, the formation of hydrogen bonds 2.7 to 2.9A long between N(acyl-H...O(amide) is strongly preferred. The dihedral angle delta between the N-acyl and carboxyl groups or adjacent amide groups shows a preference for values near 20 degrees or 90 degrees for N-acylamino acids and 90 degrees for N-acyl-N-amides.", "PMID": 631990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9146", "title": "Small group dynamics and survival on chronic hemodialysis.", "content": "Two groups of patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic renal failure were prospectively studied for twenty-four months. Group A patients (n=12) were dialyzed on Mondays and Thursdays; Group B patients (n=9) on Tuesdays and Fridays. Although patients were supposedly assigned to dialysis groups on a random basis, over a twenty-four month period Group A had significantly more deaths (7 patients) than did Group B (none). This phenomenon is interpreted in the framework of an ongoing intergroup interaction among patients and between patients and staff, as conceptualized in the Tavistock Model propounded by Bion. It is hypothesized that in the dialysis unit, unconscious splitting by the staff led to a bias in patient-group assignment, such that those patients with more severe personality disruption, and \"bad\" in that sense, were assigned to Group A. Since patients in Groups A and B did not differ significantly in biological or demographic parameters at time of entry into the study, it is suggested that the increasing density of psychopathology in Group A was related to poorer care, more physical morbidity and a decreasing survival rate. Although no intermediary psychobiological mechanisms were defined, these findings suggest a significant interaction between the social, psychological and biological factors determining survival on chronic renal hemodialysis, beginning with the treatment decision and continuing throughout the course of treatment. These phenomena should be studied further and may have important implications for planning patient care and patient-staff interactions.", "contents": "Small group dynamics and survival on chronic hemodialysis. Two groups of patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic renal failure were prospectively studied for twenty-four months. Group A patients (n=12) were dialyzed on Mondays and Thursdays; Group B patients (n=9) on Tuesdays and Fridays. Although patients were supposedly assigned to dialysis groups on a random basis, over a twenty-four month period Group A had significantly more deaths (7 patients) than did Group B (none). This phenomenon is interpreted in the framework of an ongoing intergroup interaction among patients and between patients and staff, as conceptualized in the Tavistock Model propounded by Bion. It is hypothesized that in the dialysis unit, unconscious splitting by the staff led to a bias in patient-group assignment, such that those patients with more severe personality disruption, and \"bad\" in that sense, were assigned to Group A. Since patients in Groups A and B did not differ significantly in biological or demographic parameters at time of entry into the study, it is suggested that the increasing density of psychopathology in Group A was related to poorer care, more physical morbidity and a decreasing survival rate. Although no intermediary psychobiological mechanisms were defined, these findings suggest a significant interaction between the social, psychological and biological factors determining survival on chronic renal hemodialysis, beginning with the treatment decision and continuing throughout the course of treatment. These phenomena should be studied further and may have important implications for planning patient care and patient-staff interactions.", "PMID": 631993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9147", "title": "Denial and rehabilitation of the post-infarction patient.", "content": "The use of denial has been widely accepted as an adaptive and protective coping mechanism in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Although instrumental in lowering anxiety and mortality in the acute phase of coronary care, the use of denial creates hazards for the patient in convalescence. These hazards, not well known to intensive care personnel but all too apparent to the liaison psychiatrist working in cardiovascular rehabilitation, include a high vulnerability to disruptive anxiety and even psychosis at times of transition from greater to lesser intensity nursing care and a maladaptive resistance to rehabilitation efforts in convalescence. Failure of denial under the stress of transition may produce a transient paranoid psychosis with a clear sensorium, a variant of Abram's \"cardiac psychosis.\" Maintenance of the defense in convalescence leads to noncompliance with medical advice and rejection of rehabilitation efforts, increasing the risk of reinfarction. A case report is presented illustrating both hazards. Recommendations for management include early recognition, supportive psychotherapy, education and mobilization in the acute phase of coronary care. Cardiovascular conditioning and reshaping of risk factors follow in convalescence. The physical and psychological benefits of this approach are reviewed. The adaptive value of denial in coronary patients is challenged from the long-term perspective of rehabilitation.", "contents": "Denial and rehabilitation of the post-infarction patient. The use of denial has been widely accepted as an adaptive and protective coping mechanism in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. Although instrumental in lowering anxiety and mortality in the acute phase of coronary care, the use of denial creates hazards for the patient in convalescence. These hazards, not well known to intensive care personnel but all too apparent to the liaison psychiatrist working in cardiovascular rehabilitation, include a high vulnerability to disruptive anxiety and even psychosis at times of transition from greater to lesser intensity nursing care and a maladaptive resistance to rehabilitation efforts in convalescence. Failure of denial under the stress of transition may produce a transient paranoid psychosis with a clear sensorium, a variant of Abram's \"cardiac psychosis.\" Maintenance of the defense in convalescence leads to noncompliance with medical advice and rejection of rehabilitation efforts, increasing the risk of reinfarction. A case report is presented illustrating both hazards. Recommendations for management include early recognition, supportive psychotherapy, education and mobilization in the acute phase of coronary care. Cardiovascular conditioning and reshaping of risk factors follow in convalescence. The physical and psychological benefits of this approach are reviewed. The adaptive value of denial in coronary patients is challenged from the long-term perspective of rehabilitation.", "PMID": 631994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9148", "title": "Traction intolerance syndrome: a psychiatric complication of femoral fractures.", "content": "Traction Intolerance Syndrome is defined as a behavioral and/or emotional reaction related to skeletal traction severe enough to require psychiatric consultation and/or the use of major psychiatric medication for prolonged periods in the absence of pre-existing major psychiatric illness. Patients often attribute these reactions to the predicament of traction. This syndrome was present in five of nine patients between the ages of sixteen and forty-five who underwent traction for more than three weeks admitted to the UCLA Orthopedic Service during calendar year 1975. Moreover, all the patients were between sixteen and twenty-six years of age, and all the patients in that age range developed the syndrome. The multiple contributions to the pathogenesis of these reactions are described, and the interventions of the liaison psychiatrist in intervention at the biological, psychological, family and hospital staff levels are discussed.", "contents": "Traction intolerance syndrome: a psychiatric complication of femoral fractures. Traction Intolerance Syndrome is defined as a behavioral and/or emotional reaction related to skeletal traction severe enough to require psychiatric consultation and/or the use of major psychiatric medication for prolonged periods in the absence of pre-existing major psychiatric illness. Patients often attribute these reactions to the predicament of traction. This syndrome was present in five of nine patients between the ages of sixteen and forty-five who underwent traction for more than three weeks admitted to the UCLA Orthopedic Service during calendar year 1975. Moreover, all the patients were between sixteen and twenty-six years of age, and all the patients in that age range developed the syndrome. The multiple contributions to the pathogenesis of these reactions are described, and the interventions of the liaison psychiatrist in intervention at the biological, psychological, family and hospital staff levels are discussed.", "PMID": 631995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9149", "title": "Coping behavior and intelligence in the prediction of vocational rehabilitation of dialysis patients.", "content": "As part of an intensive psychiatric and psychological examination before starting hemodialysis, forty-seven patients with terminal renal failure, thirty-one men and sixteen women with an age range from the late teens to the mid fifties, had been administered with WBII and the Shanan Sentence Completion technique. The hypothesis was that coping style would predict adaptation to hemodialysis as assessed by vocational rehabilitation. Intelligence, level of education, and the tendency to perceive sources of conflict in the outer world rather than within oneself, were found predictive of subseuqent adaptations for the whole group. On all these variables, men and women showed different patterns of significant correlations between the different aspects of coping and vocational rehabilitation. Subsequent multiple step-wise regression showed women (percentage of explained variance: 75) to be more predictable than men (40%) with different variables contributing differentially to predictability. These findings, interpreted to support the general working hypothesis, are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment.", "contents": "Coping behavior and intelligence in the prediction of vocational rehabilitation of dialysis patients. As part of an intensive psychiatric and psychological examination before starting hemodialysis, forty-seven patients with terminal renal failure, thirty-one men and sixteen women with an age range from the late teens to the mid fifties, had been administered with WBII and the Shanan Sentence Completion technique. The hypothesis was that coping style would predict adaptation to hemodialysis as assessed by vocational rehabilitation. Intelligence, level of education, and the tendency to perceive sources of conflict in the outer world rather than within oneself, were found predictive of subseuqent adaptations for the whole group. On all these variables, men and women showed different patterns of significant correlations between the different aspects of coping and vocational rehabilitation. Subsequent multiple step-wise regression showed women (percentage of explained variance: 75) to be more predictable than men (40%) with different variables contributing differentially to predictability. These findings, interpreted to support the general working hypothesis, are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment.", "PMID": 631996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9150", "title": "Can the primary care physician be better trained in the psychosocial dimensions of patient care?", "content": "Our modern health care system has tended to emphasize technological competence and subspecialization. The primary care internist/family physician has recieved limited training in the behavioral aspects of medicine and, resultingly, is less able to obtain and apply the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively help the patient handle those mutually interacting somatic, phychological and sociological dimensions of his illness. Through the use of selected case histories the author has attempted to illustrate how utilization of these skills, obtained during a supervised fellowship program, leads to psychological growth and better understanding of his role as physician. Ultimately this effects clinical improvement in his medical patients with longstanding difficulties.", "contents": "Can the primary care physician be better trained in the psychosocial dimensions of patient care? Our modern health care system has tended to emphasize technological competence and subspecialization. The primary care internist/family physician has recieved limited training in the behavioral aspects of medicine and, resultingly, is less able to obtain and apply the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively help the patient handle those mutually interacting somatic, phychological and sociological dimensions of his illness. Through the use of selected case histories the author has attempted to illustrate how utilization of these skills, obtained during a supervised fellowship program, leads to psychological growth and better understanding of his role as physician. Ultimately this effects clinical improvement in his medical patients with longstanding difficulties.", "PMID": 631998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9151", "title": "Psychiatrict themes in the rehabilitation of mastectomy patients.", "content": "The author discussed the psychological variables involved in the rehabilitation of patients who have undergone a mastectomy. The scope of the problem, the psychological meaning and fears suffered by mastectomy patients, and importance of body image is discussed along with the psychological treatment.", "contents": "Psychiatrict themes in the rehabilitation of mastectomy patients. The author discussed the psychological variables involved in the rehabilitation of patients who have undergone a mastectomy. The scope of the problem, the psychological meaning and fears suffered by mastectomy patients, and importance of body image is discussed along with the psychological treatment.", "PMID": 631997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9152", "title": "Infantile factors in two cases of ulcer colitis.", "content": "In a third investigation of psychological factors in the etiology of ulcerative colitis the author again utilizes selected cases in which the variables preceding illness are limited. A first and second investigation had utilized patients who were afflicted with partial deafness and organic brain damage respectively in addition to ulcerative colitis. All patients displayed a marked trend to ojbectlessness in the prodromal period. The patients with organic brain damage displayed an intense rage reaction as well. The present investigation focuses upon two patients with ulcerative colitis who had been traumatically separated from their mother at age six months. The prodromal period of illness in both cases was initiated by an event which possessed a strong associative link with the primal loss. During the prodromal period both patients displayed an intense rage reaction and a trend to objectlessness which were similar to the reactions of the patients with organic brain damage. This particular emotional configuration appears to represent the revival of the emotional configuration which had prevailed following the loss in infancy. Some tentative ideas regarding the role played by the revival of the archaic emotional configuration in the production of physical changes are discussed.", "contents": "Infantile factors in two cases of ulcer colitis. In a third investigation of psychological factors in the etiology of ulcerative colitis the author again utilizes selected cases in which the variables preceding illness are limited. A first and second investigation had utilized patients who were afflicted with partial deafness and organic brain damage respectively in addition to ulcerative colitis. All patients displayed a marked trend to ojbectlessness in the prodromal period. The patients with organic brain damage displayed an intense rage reaction as well. The present investigation focuses upon two patients with ulcerative colitis who had been traumatically separated from their mother at age six months. The prodromal period of illness in both cases was initiated by an event which possessed a strong associative link with the primal loss. During the prodromal period both patients displayed an intense rage reaction and a trend to objectlessness which were similar to the reactions of the patients with organic brain damage. This particular emotional configuration appears to represent the revival of the emotional configuration which had prevailed following the loss in infancy. Some tentative ideas regarding the role played by the revival of the archaic emotional configuration in the production of physical changes are discussed.", "PMID": 631999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9153", "title": "Evaluation of the vitamin status in pregnancy. Circulating blood levels and enzyme activation in a group of Dutch parturient women and their full term newborns.", "content": "Blood levels of vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12 and folic acid were measured in a group of 37 Dutch parturient women and their full term newborns. For the evaluation of the vitamin B1, B2 and B6 status also transketolase-, glutathion reductase- and transaminase activities with their respective activation ratios were measured. In the circulation of the newborn blood levels and enzyme activities were found 1.5-2.0 times higher compared with those of the mother. Interpretation of the data obtained from the mothers using criteria coming from a group of healthy adult blood donors, revealed a relatively high incidence of marginal vitamin status, especially for vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. By means of the enzyme activation tests even higher percentages of cases were found within the marginal or deficient range. The actual extent of vitamin deficiency in pregnancy could not be estimated, however, secondary effects seem to be involved affecting both vitamin blood levels and enzyme activities.", "contents": "Evaluation of the vitamin status in pregnancy. Circulating blood levels and enzyme activation in a group of Dutch parturient women and their full term newborns. Blood levels of vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12 and folic acid were measured in a group of 37 Dutch parturient women and their full term newborns. For the evaluation of the vitamin B1, B2 and B6 status also transketolase-, glutathion reductase- and transaminase activities with their respective activation ratios were measured. In the circulation of the newborn blood levels and enzyme activities were found 1.5-2.0 times higher compared with those of the mother. Interpretation of the data obtained from the mothers using criteria coming from a group of healthy adult blood donors, revealed a relatively high incidence of marginal vitamin status, especially for vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. By means of the enzyme activation tests even higher percentages of cases were found within the marginal or deficient range. The actual extent of vitamin deficiency in pregnancy could not be estimated, however, secondary effects seem to be involved affecting both vitamin blood levels and enzyme activities.", "PMID": 632006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9154", "title": "Intestinal absorpiton of ascorbic acid and its passage through the lipoid membrane of guinea pigs.", "content": "Diffusion of ascorbic acid takes place through intestinal lipoid membrane of guinea-pigs. In consequence, plasma and leucocyte concentrations of ascorbic acid increase. Intestinal absorpiton of ascorbic acid in scorbutic guinea-pigs is impaired in contrast to that in normal and saturated guinea-pigs as shown by the accumulation of ascorbic acid in the intestinal mucosal cells of guinea-pigs.", "contents": "Intestinal absorpiton of ascorbic acid and its passage through the lipoid membrane of guinea pigs. Diffusion of ascorbic acid takes place through intestinal lipoid membrane of guinea-pigs. In consequence, plasma and leucocyte concentrations of ascorbic acid increase. Intestinal absorpiton of ascorbic acid in scorbutic guinea-pigs is impaired in contrast to that in normal and saturated guinea-pigs as shown by the accumulation of ascorbic acid in the intestinal mucosal cells of guinea-pigs.", "PMID": 632007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9155", "title": "Effect of administration of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol on tissue distribution and red cell hemolysis in rats.", "content": "Four groups of rats fed a tocopherol-free diet from weaning were administered, orally, 1.5 mg/day of either alpha- or gamma-tocopherol for 12 weeks or 5 mg/day of these compounds for 6 weeks. The fifth group was continued on the tocopherol-free diet. At the end of the experimental period the concentration of the two tocopherols was measured in plasma, RBC, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, muscle, testes and lungs. At the lower dose levels alpha-tocopherol, but not gamma-tocopherol, protected the RBC from hemolysis. At the higher levels both compounds were effective in this respect. While liver and spleen appeared to be the preferred storage tissues for both alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, a considerable amount of these compounds were found in RBC, muscle, heart and lung. The content of alpha-tocopherol in the liver was significantly greater than that of gamma-tocopherol. Whether this difference is the reflection of preferential utilization of gamma-tocopherol remains to be determined. The other tissues showed a more or less equal accumulation of the two compounds. At the higher levels of supplementation with the tocopherols the accumulation of gamma-tocopherol in most tissues was significantly greater than that of alpha-tocopherol.", "contents": "Effect of administration of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol on tissue distribution and red cell hemolysis in rats. Four groups of rats fed a tocopherol-free diet from weaning were administered, orally, 1.5 mg/day of either alpha- or gamma-tocopherol for 12 weeks or 5 mg/day of these compounds for 6 weeks. The fifth group was continued on the tocopherol-free diet. At the end of the experimental period the concentration of the two tocopherols was measured in plasma, RBC, liver, kidney, heart, spleen, muscle, testes and lungs. At the lower dose levels alpha-tocopherol, but not gamma-tocopherol, protected the RBC from hemolysis. At the higher levels both compounds were effective in this respect. While liver and spleen appeared to be the preferred storage tissues for both alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, a considerable amount of these compounds were found in RBC, muscle, heart and lung. The content of alpha-tocopherol in the liver was significantly greater than that of gamma-tocopherol. Whether this difference is the reflection of preferential utilization of gamma-tocopherol remains to be determined. The other tissues showed a more or less equal accumulation of the two compounds. At the higher levels of supplementation with the tocopherols the accumulation of gamma-tocopherol in most tissues was significantly greater than that of alpha-tocopherol.", "PMID": 632008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9156", "title": "Effect of vitamins, antioxidants and sulfhydryl compounds on in vitro rat brain lipid peroxidation.", "content": "The effect of retinol, retinylacetate, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherylacetate, synthetic antioxidants (DPPD, BHT, DAH, and Ethoxyquine) sulfhydryl compounds (reduced glutathione and cysteine) on rat brain lipid peroxidation has been studied using the TBA method. Retinol and retinyl acetate inhibit brain lipid peroxidation, alpha-tocopherol is less effective than vitamin A, while alpha-tocopherol acetate has no antioxidant property. Ascorbic acid stimulates the peroxidation, at pH 5.0. The synthetic antioxidants are all potent inhibitors of brain lipid peroxidation, DPPD being the most effective, while the sulfhydryl compounds at a concentration of 1 x 10(-3)M has a slight potentiating effect.", "contents": "Effect of vitamins, antioxidants and sulfhydryl compounds on in vitro rat brain lipid peroxidation. The effect of retinol, retinylacetate, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocopherylacetate, synthetic antioxidants (DPPD, BHT, DAH, and Ethoxyquine) sulfhydryl compounds (reduced glutathione and cysteine) on rat brain lipid peroxidation has been studied using the TBA method. Retinol and retinyl acetate inhibit brain lipid peroxidation, alpha-tocopherol is less effective than vitamin A, while alpha-tocopherol acetate has no antioxidant property. Ascorbic acid stimulates the peroxidation, at pH 5.0. The synthetic antioxidants are all potent inhibitors of brain lipid peroxidation, DPPD being the most effective, while the sulfhydryl compounds at a concentration of 1 x 10(-3)M has a slight potentiating effect.", "PMID": 632009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9157", "title": "Effect of major nutrient substitutions on body weight gain, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and the rate of drug metabolism in the liver.", "content": "Rats were fed diets resembling a normal human diet, except that, in a complete factorial fashion, safflower oil and/or mineral oil were substituted for part of the fat, while fructose, lactose and/or cellulose were substituted for carbohydrate, and zein was substituted for milk protein. Food intake and weight gain were not influenced by cellulose and mineral oil, but zein decreased both substantially. Plasma cholesterol was unchanged by safflower oil or mineral oil but was decreased by fructose. Plasma glucose was reduced as the starch-to-sugar ratio increased. The rate of aniline metabolism was increased by lactose and/or zein, but the rate of ethylmorphine metabolism was decreased by safflower oil or mineral oil.", "contents": "Effect of major nutrient substitutions on body weight gain, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and the rate of drug metabolism in the liver. Rats were fed diets resembling a normal human diet, except that, in a complete factorial fashion, safflower oil and/or mineral oil were substituted for part of the fat, while fructose, lactose and/or cellulose were substituted for carbohydrate, and zein was substituted for milk protein. Food intake and weight gain were not influenced by cellulose and mineral oil, but zein decreased both substantially. Plasma cholesterol was unchanged by safflower oil or mineral oil but was decreased by fructose. Plasma glucose was reduced as the starch-to-sugar ratio increased. The rate of aniline metabolism was increased by lactose and/or zein, but the rate of ethylmorphine metabolism was decreased by safflower oil or mineral oil.", "PMID": 632010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9158", "title": "Family members' perceptions of communications in late stage cancer.", "content": "A study of patterns of communications in families with a terminal cancer patient being treated at three urban institutions revealed that may first-order relatives (spouses, children, siblings) of patients did not have a communication link to the physician, especially if direct communication was not established at the time of diagnosis. Family members were frequently critical of the way information was communicated, yet relied upon the physician's interpretation of the patient's status to form their own opinion of the patient's future. Intra-familial communications regarding illness and dying were frequently discordance and guarded, leading to preceptions that the patient was withdrawing, and fostering a reliance upon the hospital for terminal care. More than half of the family members were uncomfortable visiting the patient in the hospital, experiencing feelings of helplessness, or sensing helplessness in the patients. Bearing the patient's pain was seen as particularly difficult.", "contents": "Family members' perceptions of communications in late stage cancer. A study of patterns of communications in families with a terminal cancer patient being treated at three urban institutions revealed that may first-order relatives (spouses, children, siblings) of patients did not have a communication link to the physician, especially if direct communication was not established at the time of diagnosis. Family members were frequently critical of the way information was communicated, yet relied upon the physician's interpretation of the patient's status to form their own opinion of the patient's future. Intra-familial communications regarding illness and dying were frequently discordance and guarded, leading to preceptions that the patient was withdrawing, and fostering a reliance upon the hospital for terminal care. More than half of the family members were uncomfortable visiting the patient in the hospital, experiencing feelings of helplessness, or sensing helplessness in the patients. Bearing the patient's pain was seen as particularly difficult.", "PMID": 632000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9159", "title": "[Arginase activity in the liver of growing rats with manganese deficiency].", "content": "Rats weaned early at 13 days of age exhibited at 10% lower growth within 6 weeks when Mn supply was deficient compared to control animals (P is less than 0.005). While the reduction of the dietary Mn content from 50 to 6 ppm did not yet affect growth, the animals already showed a 60% lower arginase activity at this median level of Mn supply. The values of the depleted animals (0.7 ppm Mn) had fallen by 71% compared to the control group. Therefore, the arginase values may be applied to differentiate between suboptimum and optimum Mn supply.", "contents": "[Arginase activity in the liver of growing rats with manganese deficiency]. Rats weaned early at 13 days of age exhibited at 10% lower growth within 6 weeks when Mn supply was deficient compared to control animals (P is less than 0.005). While the reduction of the dietary Mn content from 50 to 6 ppm did not yet affect growth, the animals already showed a 60% lower arginase activity at this median level of Mn supply. The values of the depleted animals (0.7 ppm Mn) had fallen by 71% compared to the control group. Therefore, the arginase values may be applied to differentiate between suboptimum and optimum Mn supply.", "PMID": 632012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9160", "title": "[Effects of sodium nitrite on various vitamin concentrations in rat tissues].", "content": "For 6 months 2 groups of 10 male Wistar rats were fed on a chow ration, and to drink they were given either de-ionized water or a solution of sodium nitrite, 0.3 g per litre. At the end of the experiment thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin, biotin and pantothenic acid were estimated in various tissues (liver, heart, muscle, encephalon, kidneys, spleen, lungs and duodenum); nitrogen, phosphorus, retinol and ascorbic acid were estimated in the liver only. There was no difference between the groups in changes in bodyweight or fluid intake, nor in weight of different organs. But in the animals given sodium nitrite there was an increase in riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid spleen concentrations, and a decrease in liver niacin and encephalon biotin contents.", "contents": "[Effects of sodium nitrite on various vitamin concentrations in rat tissues]. For 6 months 2 groups of 10 male Wistar rats were fed on a chow ration, and to drink they were given either de-ionized water or a solution of sodium nitrite, 0.3 g per litre. At the end of the experiment thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin, biotin and pantothenic acid were estimated in various tissues (liver, heart, muscle, encephalon, kidneys, spleen, lungs and duodenum); nitrogen, phosphorus, retinol and ascorbic acid were estimated in the liver only. There was no difference between the groups in changes in bodyweight or fluid intake, nor in weight of different organs. But in the animals given sodium nitrite there was an increase in riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid spleen concentrations, and a decrease in liver niacin and encephalon biotin contents.", "PMID": 632013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9161", "title": "Influence of supplemental dietary fat on the relative proportions of three classes of lipid in the epiphyseal cartilage of dwarf and non-dwarf chicks.", "content": "One hundred and forty-four day-old chicks were allotted to six groups in a 2 x 3 factorial design involving two strains (dwarf, dw and non-dwarf, Dw+) and three levels of supplemental dietary fat (none, moderate and high). The birds were killed at four weeks of age. The overall weight gain and the total lipid content, amount of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids in the epiphyseal cartilage of the tibia were examined. Supplemental dietary fat resulted in improved weight gain, with the non-dwarfs showing a greater increase. There was no change in total lipid in epiphyseal cartilage with different levels of dietary fat. Increase in dietary fat elicited, in both strains of birds, an increase in the proportion of glycolipids and a concomitant decrease in the proportion of neutral lipids and no change in that of phospholipids. That the stimulatory effect of dietary fat on growth was exerted through an increase in glycolipids at the site of calcification is suggested.", "contents": "Influence of supplemental dietary fat on the relative proportions of three classes of lipid in the epiphyseal cartilage of dwarf and non-dwarf chicks. One hundred and forty-four day-old chicks were allotted to six groups in a 2 x 3 factorial design involving two strains (dwarf, dw and non-dwarf, Dw+) and three levels of supplemental dietary fat (none, moderate and high). The birds were killed at four weeks of age. The overall weight gain and the total lipid content, amount of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids in the epiphyseal cartilage of the tibia were examined. Supplemental dietary fat resulted in improved weight gain, with the non-dwarfs showing a greater increase. There was no change in total lipid in epiphyseal cartilage with different levels of dietary fat. Increase in dietary fat elicited, in both strains of birds, an increase in the proportion of glycolipids and a concomitant decrease in the proportion of neutral lipids and no change in that of phospholipids. That the stimulatory effect of dietary fat on growth was exerted through an increase in glycolipids at the site of calcification is suggested.", "PMID": 632014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9162", "title": "Experience with diagnosis and management of pre and early cancers of the cervix.", "content": "The aim of our clinic is to diagnose and keep under observation all cases of moderate dysplasia. We consider cone biopsy to be purely diagnostic in all cases of severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we recommend hysterectomy for all except an occasional young patient who has not completed her family. In view of the high incidence of invasive cervical cancer, poor follow-up rate and lack of sophisticated radiation techniques in our country, we do not believe in keeping such patients under observation. These views are further substantiated by a low morbidity rate for surgery at this stage of the disease.", "contents": "Experience with diagnosis and management of pre and early cancers of the cervix. The aim of our clinic is to diagnose and keep under observation all cases of moderate dysplasia. We consider cone biopsy to be purely diagnostic in all cases of severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we recommend hysterectomy for all except an occasional young patient who has not completed her family. In view of the high incidence of invasive cervical cancer, poor follow-up rate and lack of sophisticated radiation techniques in our country, we do not believe in keeping such patients under observation. These views are further substantiated by a low morbidity rate for surgery at this stage of the disease.", "PMID": 632017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9163", "title": "Operative injuries to the bile ducts. Report on 12 cases.", "content": "We have reported on a series of 12 operative injuries to the bile ducts. We estimate the frequency of these accidents at 0.2% during cholecystectomy and 0.4% after gastroduodenectomy. We stress the importance of systematic cholangiography during the operation to prevent unrecognized lesions. Immediate repair of these lesions by an end-to-end anastomosis appears to be the best technical method. When faced with a high mortality rate, often due to non-recognition of a lesion, we stress the importance of prevention to limit the risk of such accidents occurring and non-recognition of those that do occur.", "contents": "Operative injuries to the bile ducts. Report on 12 cases. We have reported on a series of 12 operative injuries to the bile ducts. We estimate the frequency of these accidents at 0.2% during cholecystectomy and 0.4% after gastroduodenectomy. We stress the importance of systematic cholangiography during the operation to prevent unrecognized lesions. Immediate repair of these lesions by an end-to-end anastomosis appears to be the best technical method. When faced with a high mortality rate, often due to non-recognition of a lesion, we stress the importance of prevention to limit the risk of such accidents occurring and non-recognition of those that do occur.", "PMID": 632018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9164", "title": "Gynecologic surgery using the CO2 laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation).", "content": "The laser is a new tool which can be a precise and accurate instrument for tissue removal under colposcopic direction in the areas of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Healing is rapid since the laser inflicts minimal tissue destruction. Postoperative pain is minimal and healing is without scar formation. The expense of the equipment and training of the operating surgeon are its only drawbacks.", "contents": "Gynecologic surgery using the CO2 laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). The laser is a new tool which can be a precise and accurate instrument for tissue removal under colposcopic direction in the areas of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Healing is rapid since the laser inflicts minimal tissue destruction. Postoperative pain is minimal and healing is without scar formation. The expense of the equipment and training of the operating surgeon are its only drawbacks.", "PMID": 632021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9165", "title": "Chemotherapy of ovarian cancer.", "content": "Chemotherapy using a modified Cooper's regimen was applied during the past few years on 41 cases of advanced cancer of the ovary. We believe this scheme has not been attempted elsewhere. Twenty-five cases (60%) responded positively to this regimen. Two patients with generalized ovarian cancer may be cured. The combination of palliative surgery and polychemotherapy in cancer of the ovary may prove to be one of the most effective multidisciplinary approaches to generalized cancer.", "contents": "Chemotherapy of ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy using a modified Cooper's regimen was applied during the past few years on 41 cases of advanced cancer of the ovary. We believe this scheme has not been attempted elsewhere. Twenty-five cases (60%) responded positively to this regimen. Two patients with generalized ovarian cancer may be cured. The combination of palliative surgery and polychemotherapy in cancer of the ovary may prove to be one of the most effective multidisciplinary approaches to generalized cancer.", "PMID": 632023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9166", "title": "Poststerilization tubal torsion.", "content": "Four cases of torsion of the fallopian tube following sterilization are reported. This is a rare complication that may occur two to eight years after tubal ligation. It is more likely to occur after Pomeroy's, Irving's or the Viennese school technique of sterilization, in which the free distal segment of the fallopian tube is suspended by a narrow mesentery. Hydrosalpinx, which is common after sterilization, seems to predispose to torsion.", "contents": "Poststerilization tubal torsion. Four cases of torsion of the fallopian tube following sterilization are reported. This is a rare complication that may occur two to eight years after tubal ligation. It is more likely to occur after Pomeroy's, Irving's or the Viennese school technique of sterilization, in which the free distal segment of the fallopian tube is suspended by a narrow mesentery. Hydrosalpinx, which is common after sterilization, seems to predispose to torsion.", "PMID": 632024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9167", "title": "Solitary lung involvement from clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium.", "content": "Clear cell (M\u00fcllerian) carcinoma of the endometrium is relatively seldom reported. It is a disease with an unfavorable prognosis. A patient in whom a lung metastasis was diagnosed accidentally and excised is herein presented. The patient is alive five years after hysterectomy. The histopathologic pattern of the tumor is briefly described, and some of the clinical aspects of endometrial carcinoma are discussed.", "contents": "Solitary lung involvement from clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium. Clear cell (M\u00fcllerian) carcinoma of the endometrium is relatively seldom reported. It is a disease with an unfavorable prognosis. A patient in whom a lung metastasis was diagnosed accidentally and excised is herein presented. The patient is alive five years after hysterectomy. The histopathologic pattern of the tumor is briefly described, and some of the clinical aspects of endometrial carcinoma are discussed.", "PMID": 632025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9168", "title": "Hematocolpos with imperforate hymen.", "content": "A case of hematocolpos with imperforate hymen in a 16-year-old, well-developed African girl is reported. Diagnosis was established by the presence of an abdominopelvic doughy mass, a boggy mass filling the vagina and an imperforate, bulging hymen, and cryptomenorrhea despite the presence of characteristics of pubescence.", "contents": "Hematocolpos with imperforate hymen. A case of hematocolpos with imperforate hymen in a 16-year-old, well-developed African girl is reported. Diagnosis was established by the presence of an abdominopelvic doughy mass, a boggy mass filling the vagina and an imperforate, bulging hymen, and cryptomenorrhea despite the presence of characteristics of pubescence.", "PMID": 632029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9169", "title": "Cimetidine in the treatment of severe metabolic alkalosis secondary to short bowel syndrome.", "content": "Successful treatment with cimetidine of a case of severe metabolic alkalosis secondary to gastric hypersecretion in the short bowel syndrome has been presented.", "contents": "Cimetidine in the treatment of severe metabolic alkalosis secondary to short bowel syndrome. Successful treatment with cimetidine of a case of severe metabolic alkalosis secondary to gastric hypersecretion in the short bowel syndrome has been presented.", "PMID": 632032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9170", "title": "The effect of cimetidine on stress ulcers.", "content": "We used 135 male Wistar rats. Stress ulcers were formed with standard methods of restraints and cold. The severity of the ulcer was graded from 0--3 and determined for each group. Ulcers occurred in the glandular portion of the stomach. Pre- and post-treatment with cimetidine was compared with controls and pre-treatment with saline or antacid. Cimetidine was significantly more effective in preventing stress-induced ulcers in rats when instilled in the stomach before the stress than either antacid or saline.", "contents": "The effect of cimetidine on stress ulcers. We used 135 male Wistar rats. Stress ulcers were formed with standard methods of restraints and cold. The severity of the ulcer was graded from 0--3 and determined for each group. Ulcers occurred in the glandular portion of the stomach. Pre- and post-treatment with cimetidine was compared with controls and pre-treatment with saline or antacid. Cimetidine was significantly more effective in preventing stress-induced ulcers in rats when instilled in the stomach before the stress than either antacid or saline.", "PMID": 632033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9171", "title": "Rapid access airway: surgical device and technique.", "content": "A simple, inexpensive, readily assembled device that provides immediate temporary access to the subglottic airway for oxygenation or anesthesia induction has been presented. The device can be used in emergency clinical situations, in difficult anesthesia inductions and in children where it is difficult to introduce an endotracheal tube because of supraglottic disorders. The child can be anesthetized via this device prior to securing the airway by tracheostomy. There has been no morbidity or mortality associated with use of this device.", "contents": "Rapid access airway: surgical device and technique. A simple, inexpensive, readily assembled device that provides immediate temporary access to the subglottic airway for oxygenation or anesthesia induction has been presented. The device can be used in emergency clinical situations, in difficult anesthesia inductions and in children where it is difficult to introduce an endotracheal tube because of supraglottic disorders. The child can be anesthetized via this device prior to securing the airway by tracheostomy. There has been no morbidity or mortality associated with use of this device.", "PMID": 632034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9172", "title": "Common duct stones in infancy.", "content": "The term \"bile ascites\" is used when the bilirubin content of the ascitic fluid is higher than it is in the serum. Two cases of newborn infants with bile ascites associated with common duct stones are reported. Review of the literature reveals 11 additional cases of common duct stones that presented as bile ascites. The surgical treatment of bile ascites and common duct stones is described. In spite of the severity of the problem, the outcome is successful in most cases (83.3% survival in this review).", "contents": "Common duct stones in infancy. The term \"bile ascites\" is used when the bilirubin content of the ascitic fluid is higher than it is in the serum. Two cases of newborn infants with bile ascites associated with common duct stones are reported. Review of the literature reveals 11 additional cases of common duct stones that presented as bile ascites. The surgical treatment of bile ascites and common duct stones is described. In spite of the severity of the problem, the outcome is successful in most cases (83.3% survival in this review).", "PMID": 632035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9173", "title": "Hepatic resection for isolated tumor-like nodules in the liver.", "content": "We have reported two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in adults. One case is the first in which the regenerative process that occurred nine months after localized hepatic necrosis was implicated in the development of focal nodular hyperplasia. The other case concerned an idiopathic isolated liver nodule that occurred in a woman who never had taken oral contraceptives. These tumor-like lesions were removed by a right and a partial hepatectomy respectively. The two patients remained asymptomatic during the first 13 postoperative months with no additional therapy.", "contents": "Hepatic resection for isolated tumor-like nodules in the liver. We have reported two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in adults. One case is the first in which the regenerative process that occurred nine months after localized hepatic necrosis was implicated in the development of focal nodular hyperplasia. The other case concerned an idiopathic isolated liver nodule that occurred in a woman who never had taken oral contraceptives. These tumor-like lesions were removed by a right and a partial hepatectomy respectively. The two patients remained asymptomatic during the first 13 postoperative months with no additional therapy.", "PMID": 632036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9174", "title": "Localized fibrous mesothelioma of the pleura.", "content": "A benign fibrous pleural mesothelioma was found in a dissecting room cadaver. The gross anatomical relationships to other thoracic structures are fully described. Vascular connections with the thoracic wall, azygos vein and lung were found. The tumor conformed to earlier histologic descriptions of this type of tumor. The potential for vascular shunts within this tumor and the diagnostic problems presented by a tumor of this type are discussed.", "contents": "Localized fibrous mesothelioma of the pleura. A benign fibrous pleural mesothelioma was found in a dissecting room cadaver. The gross anatomical relationships to other thoracic structures are fully described. Vascular connections with the thoracic wall, azygos vein and lung were found. The tumor conformed to earlier histologic descriptions of this type of tumor. The potential for vascular shunts within this tumor and the diagnostic problems presented by a tumor of this type are discussed.", "PMID": 632037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9175", "title": "Duodenal tuberculosis.", "content": "Two patients with duodenal tuberculosis have been presented. Signs and symptoms of the disease are non-specific but may mimic duodenal ulceration. The relevant aspects of the disease process have been reviewed.", "contents": "Duodenal tuberculosis. Two patients with duodenal tuberculosis have been presented. Signs and symptoms of the disease are non-specific but may mimic duodenal ulceration. The relevant aspects of the disease process have been reviewed.", "PMID": 632038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9176", "title": "Fibromuscular annular pancreas. A variant of pancreatic malformation?", "content": "All reported cases of annular pancreas consist of histologically normal pancreatic tissue. The most widely accepted theory of the pathogenesis of the pancreatic annulus agrees with, and is partially based on this fact. The pancreatic annulus encircling the stenotic second part of the duodenum in our patient was composed of fibromuscular tissue with lymph glands and a few pancreatic acini scattered among the smooth muscle fibers. This unique histologic variant of annular pancreas possible arose from a double fault in the ventrial anlage of the embryonal pancreas: faulty rotation (giving rise to the annular malformation) and abnormal histologic structure.", "contents": "Fibromuscular annular pancreas. A variant of pancreatic malformation? All reported cases of annular pancreas consist of histologically normal pancreatic tissue. The most widely accepted theory of the pathogenesis of the pancreatic annulus agrees with, and is partially based on this fact. The pancreatic annulus encircling the stenotic second part of the duodenum in our patient was composed of fibromuscular tissue with lymph glands and a few pancreatic acini scattered among the smooth muscle fibers. This unique histologic variant of annular pancreas possible arose from a double fault in the ventrial anlage of the embryonal pancreas: faulty rotation (giving rise to the annular malformation) and abnormal histologic structure.", "PMID": 632039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9177", "title": "Hysterectomy for pregnancy termination and sterilization.", "content": "I have presented opposing views from the literature and my results in both the first and second trimester of pregnancy. I feel that those who already favor vaginal hysterectomy for sterilization alone would have their opinions reinforced by the additional benefit of pregnancy termination. I hope that those who oppose using vaginal hysterectomy for sterilization alone might be convinced that the added benefit of elective termination of pregnancy makes it acceptable, since a double benefit will be offered. Many gynecologists already teach this method as regards early pregnancy. Perhaps some will be convinced to terminate more advanced pregnancies in this manner.", "contents": "Hysterectomy for pregnancy termination and sterilization. I have presented opposing views from the literature and my results in both the first and second trimester of pregnancy. I feel that those who already favor vaginal hysterectomy for sterilization alone would have their opinions reinforced by the additional benefit of pregnancy termination. I hope that those who oppose using vaginal hysterectomy for sterilization alone might be convinced that the added benefit of elective termination of pregnancy makes it acceptable, since a double benefit will be offered. Many gynecologists already teach this method as regards early pregnancy. Perhaps some will be convinced to terminate more advanced pregnancies in this manner.", "PMID": 632041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9178", "title": "Atrial myxoma. Clinical manifestations and surgical treatment.", "content": "Four patients with atrial myxoma underwent successful surgical excision with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass at the Medical University of South Carolina. This report describes their clinical manifestations and treatment with special emphasis on advances in surgical technique. This report also emphasizes the malignant potential of this tumor and reviews the recent literature.", "contents": "Atrial myxoma. Clinical manifestations and surgical treatment. Four patients with atrial myxoma underwent successful surgical excision with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass at the Medical University of South Carolina. This report describes their clinical manifestations and treatment with special emphasis on advances in surgical technique. This report also emphasizes the malignant potential of this tumor and reviews the recent literature.", "PMID": 632042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9179", "title": "Perception of simulated lung lesions.", "content": "Two series of test radiographs were produced, each containing a single nodular lesion. Each series was identical except that the lesions were spatially shifted with respect to adjacent structures, resulting in matched pairs of chest radiographs simulating a stereoscopic examination. Observation of each set singly and in pairs (non-stereoscopically) demonstrated a marked improvement in observer performance when the shifted pairs were viewed side-by-side.", "contents": "Perception of simulated lung lesions. Two series of test radiographs were produced, each containing a single nodular lesion. Each series was identical except that the lesions were spatially shifted with respect to adjacent structures, resulting in matched pairs of chest radiographs simulating a stereoscopic examination. Observation of each set singly and in pairs (non-stereoscopically) demonstrated a marked improvement in observer performance when the shifted pairs were viewed side-by-side.", "PMID": 632043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9180", "title": "Thermographic assessment of intestinal viability following ischemic damage.", "content": "Reactive hyperemia has been shown to be a characteristic of viable ischemic tissue that has been revascularized. A segment of small bowel was made ischemic by arterial occlusion and the ischemia maintained for 2 1/2 hrs (ischemic, viable bowel) or 8 hrs (ischemic, nonviable bowel) before circulation was restored. Thermograms and surface temperature measurements of exposed ischemic and non-ischemic bowel segments were obtained before and every five minutes after revascularization. Thermograms of segments revascularized after 2 1/2 hrs of ischemia demonstrated reactive hyperemia and a one to four degree increase in surface temperature compared to normal surrounding bowel. No hyperemic response was seen in bowel segments that were ischemic for 8 hrs. Our results indicate that thermograms can document reactive hyperemia of an exposed ischemic bowel that has been successfully revascularized and may be an important aid in assessing bowel viability during surgery.", "contents": "Thermographic assessment of intestinal viability following ischemic damage. Reactive hyperemia has been shown to be a characteristic of viable ischemic tissue that has been revascularized. A segment of small bowel was made ischemic by arterial occlusion and the ischemia maintained for 2 1/2 hrs (ischemic, viable bowel) or 8 hrs (ischemic, nonviable bowel) before circulation was restored. Thermograms and surface temperature measurements of exposed ischemic and non-ischemic bowel segments were obtained before and every five minutes after revascularization. Thermograms of segments revascularized after 2 1/2 hrs of ischemia demonstrated reactive hyperemia and a one to four degree increase in surface temperature compared to normal surrounding bowel. No hyperemic response was seen in bowel segments that were ischemic for 8 hrs. Our results indicate that thermograms can document reactive hyperemia of an exposed ischemic bowel that has been successfully revascularized and may be an important aid in assessing bowel viability during surgery.", "PMID": 632044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9181", "title": "Percutaneous transhepatic portography in the dog.", "content": "A simple and safe technique for repeated percutaneous catheterization of the portal vein or one of its tributaries in chronic dogs is described.", "contents": "Percutaneous transhepatic portography in the dog. A simple and safe technique for repeated percutaneous catheterization of the portal vein or one of its tributaries in chronic dogs is described.", "PMID": 632045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9182", "title": "Radiological evaluation of rat colonic tumors.", "content": "Colon carcinomata were induced in rats with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A magnified double contrast barium enema technique was developed for an in vivo study of tumor growth patterns. Invariably, all small tumors were smoothly outlined and were spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. Irregularity developed only when the tumors grew larger, at which time there was considerable variation in the tumor growth patterns. The onset, shape, progression, spread and number of tumors present can be studied without sacrificing the animal.", "contents": "Radiological evaluation of rat colonic tumors. Colon carcinomata were induced in rats with N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A magnified double contrast barium enema technique was developed for an in vivo study of tumor growth patterns. Invariably, all small tumors were smoothly outlined and were spherical or ellipsoidal in shape. Irregularity developed only when the tumors grew larger, at which time there was considerable variation in the tumor growth patterns. The onset, shape, progression, spread and number of tumors present can be studied without sacrificing the animal.", "PMID": 632046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9183", "title": "Velocity distribution and blood flow measurements using videodensitometric methods.", "content": "Digital cine-videodensitometry was employed for measuring blood velocity and blood flow in the descending aorta of human subjects. A very small, compact bolus of opaque dye was injected during different phases of the cardiac cycle, and flow through a portion of the aorta was analyzed. From the density vs time curves for different radial locations, the velocity distribution over the vessel cross-section was calculated. The velocity distribution obtained was nearly parabolic. Velocity and flow calculations were also made at different phases of the cardiac cycle.", "contents": "Velocity distribution and blood flow measurements using videodensitometric methods. Digital cine-videodensitometry was employed for measuring blood velocity and blood flow in the descending aorta of human subjects. A very small, compact bolus of opaque dye was injected during different phases of the cardiac cycle, and flow through a portion of the aorta was analyzed. From the density vs time curves for different radial locations, the velocity distribution over the vessel cross-section was calculated. The velocity distribution obtained was nearly parabolic. Velocity and flow calculations were also made at different phases of the cardiac cycle.", "PMID": 632047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9184", "title": "Computer-assisted tomography of the knee.", "content": "The potential contributions and limitations of computer-assisted tomography of the knee have been analyzed. The knee was examined in the transaxial, sagittal, semi-sagittal and coronal planes. The positioning for obtaining intra-articular detail is outlined, and the indications are discussed. Delineation of the cruciate ligaments is remarkably clear and clinically applicable. The menisci can be demonstrated, but improvement in spacial resolution and changes in the physical construction of the scanner will be required to permit an adequate clinical evaluation.", "contents": "Computer-assisted tomography of the knee. The potential contributions and limitations of computer-assisted tomography of the knee have been analyzed. The knee was examined in the transaxial, sagittal, semi-sagittal and coronal planes. The positioning for obtaining intra-articular detail is outlined, and the indications are discussed. Delineation of the cruciate ligaments is remarkably clear and clinically applicable. The menisci can be demonstrated, but improvement in spacial resolution and changes in the physical construction of the scanner will be required to permit an adequate clinical evaluation.", "PMID": 632048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9185", "title": "Tomographic imaging with nuclear magnetic resonance.", "content": "A technique is described for obtaining tomographic images of hydrogen distribution in animals using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Resonant frequency is proportional to magnetic field strength, so that spatial resolution is achieved by frequency selection and magnetic field shaping. The results of scanning a phantom and two rats are presented.", "contents": "Tomographic imaging with nuclear magnetic resonance. A technique is described for obtaining tomographic images of hydrogen distribution in animals using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Resonant frequency is proportional to magnetic field strength, so that spatial resolution is achieved by frequency selection and magnetic field shaping. The results of scanning a phantom and two rats are presented.", "PMID": 632049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9186", "title": "Non-A, non-B hepatitis transmission in chimpanzees: a project of the transfusion-transmitted viruses study group.", "content": "Experimental transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis was apparently accomplished in 5 chimpanzees following inoculation with presumably infectious human sera. Administration of sera from implicated donors with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, as well as from those with abnormal ALT levels, resulted in the development of ALT abnormalities in the inoculated chimpanzees. Transmission from donors with normal ALT values implies that healthy carriers of non-A, non-B virus exist. Evidence is presented which indicates that a period of viremia precedes the clinical illness by at least 12 days.", "contents": "Non-A, non-B hepatitis transmission in chimpanzees: a project of the transfusion-transmitted viruses study group. Experimental transmission of non-A, non-B hepatitis was apparently accomplished in 5 chimpanzees following inoculation with presumably infectious human sera. Administration of sera from implicated donors with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, as well as from those with abnormal ALT levels, resulted in the development of ALT abnormalities in the inoculated chimpanzees. Transmission from donors with normal ALT values implies that healthy carriers of non-A, non-B virus exist. Evidence is presented which indicates that a period of viremia precedes the clinical illness by at least 12 days.", "PMID": 632054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9187", "title": "Control of experimental traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization.", "content": "The feasibility of control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by angiographic transcatheter embolization was investigated. Bleeding sites were created in the livers of each of twelve dogs, and the hepatic artery was occluded with Gelfoam. Successful control of bleeding was demonstrated by postembolization angiography in all twelve animals. Initial elevations in alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values returned to their baseline in four weeks. Recanalization of the hepatic artery in the five surviving animals was shown by follow-up angiograms. Transcatheter embolic control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage may be a useful adjunct to surgical therapy.", "contents": "Control of experimental traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization. The feasibility of control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage by angiographic transcatheter embolization was investigated. Bleeding sites were created in the livers of each of twelve dogs, and the hepatic artery was occluded with Gelfoam. Successful control of bleeding was demonstrated by postembolization angiography in all twelve animals. Initial elevations in alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase values returned to their baseline in four weeks. Recanalization of the hepatic artery in the five surviving animals was shown by follow-up angiograms. Transcatheter embolic control of traumatic hepatic hemorrhage may be a useful adjunct to surgical therapy.", "PMID": 632050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9188", "title": "Aedes albopictus cells release a goose red blood cell agglutinin.", "content": "The presence of a goose red blood cell (RBC) agglutinin (HA) in the culture medium of apparently uninfected Aedes albopictus cells raised the possibility of contamination by an arbovirus. The HA sedimented in sucrose gradients between 18S and 28S and had a buoyant density in sucrose of 1,23 g/cm3. The HA adsorbed to concanavalin A-Sepharose and could be eluted with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. The apparent molecular weights of the eluted glycoproteins were estimated by PAGE to range from 17,000 to 45,000. Treatment of culture medium from A.albopictus cells with excess goose RBC removed both HA activity and a proportion of the proteins of molecular weight 25,000--35,000. The HA also bound to human group 'O' RBC, It was not possible to inhibit hemagglutination with a variety of anti-arbovirus antisera. These data do not support the hypothesis that the HA is associated with an inapparent arbovirus infection of A.albopictus cells.", "contents": "Aedes albopictus cells release a goose red blood cell agglutinin. The presence of a goose red blood cell (RBC) agglutinin (HA) in the culture medium of apparently uninfected Aedes albopictus cells raised the possibility of contamination by an arbovirus. The HA sedimented in sucrose gradients between 18S and 28S and had a buoyant density in sucrose of 1,23 g/cm3. The HA adsorbed to concanavalin A-Sepharose and could be eluted with alpha-methyl-D-mannoside. The apparent molecular weights of the eluted glycoproteins were estimated by PAGE to range from 17,000 to 45,000. Treatment of culture medium from A.albopictus cells with excess goose RBC removed both HA activity and a proportion of the proteins of molecular weight 25,000--35,000. The HA also bound to human group 'O' RBC, It was not possible to inhibit hemagglutination with a variety of anti-arbovirus antisera. These data do not support the hypothesis that the HA is associated with an inapparent arbovirus infection of A.albopictus cells.", "PMID": 632055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9189", "title": "A comparison of the hemodynamic responses to metrizamide and meglumine/sodium diatrizoate in canine renal angiography.", "content": "Selective renal angiography causes a biphasic change in renal blood flow and vascular resistance. In this study, 5 ml of meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (288 mg I/ml, 1455 mosm/kg), metrizamide (290 mg I/ml, 593 mosm/kg), isontonic saline (287 mosm/kg) and hypertonic saline (1500 mosm/kg) were injected into the renal arteries of seven adult mongrel dogs to determine whether the minimum flow (or maximum resistance) was related to the osmolality of the injected agent. The maximum resistance response was significantly smaller for metrizamide (20 +/- 4%) and isotonic saline (19 +/- 2%) than for diatrizoate (36 +/- 6%) or hypertonic saline (50 +/- 7%). Hypertonic saline produced two distinct types of responses: the typical biphasic response or a severe immediate drop in flow. Thus the maximum resistance response was related to agent osmolality. The \"injection artifact,\" or flow changes occurring during the injection, were different for the four agents, and these differences appeared correlated to agent viscosity. Although both contrast media caused relatively small changes in renal hemodynamics, metrizamide caused significantly smaller changes than meglumine/sodium diatrizoate.", "contents": "A comparison of the hemodynamic responses to metrizamide and meglumine/sodium diatrizoate in canine renal angiography. Selective renal angiography causes a biphasic change in renal blood flow and vascular resistance. In this study, 5 ml of meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (288 mg I/ml, 1455 mosm/kg), metrizamide (290 mg I/ml, 593 mosm/kg), isontonic saline (287 mosm/kg) and hypertonic saline (1500 mosm/kg) were injected into the renal arteries of seven adult mongrel dogs to determine whether the minimum flow (or maximum resistance) was related to the osmolality of the injected agent. The maximum resistance response was significantly smaller for metrizamide (20 +/- 4%) and isotonic saline (19 +/- 2%) than for diatrizoate (36 +/- 6%) or hypertonic saline (50 +/- 7%). Hypertonic saline produced two distinct types of responses: the typical biphasic response or a severe immediate drop in flow. Thus the maximum resistance response was related to agent osmolality. The \"injection artifact,\" or flow changes occurring during the injection, were different for the four agents, and these differences appeared correlated to agent viscosity. Although both contrast media caused relatively small changes in renal hemodynamics, metrizamide caused significantly smaller changes than meglumine/sodium diatrizoate.", "PMID": 632051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9190", "title": "Effect of iopanoate on the biliary and urinary excretion of iodipamide.", "content": "The effect of sodium iopanoate and iopanoic acid on the biliary excretion of iodipamide in dogs was studied. Enteric administration of sodium iopanoate within one hour of iodipamide infusion reduced biliary iodipamide excretion and increased urinary iodipamide output. The biliary and urinary excretion of iodipamide was not influenced by iopanoic acid administered 40 and then again 16 hrs before iodipamide. These results suggest that iodipamide cholangiography can be employed 16-18 hrs after a standard two-day iopanoic acid oral cholecystogram without decreasing the ability to visualize the biliary ductal system or increasing the urinary iodipamide excretion.", "contents": "Effect of iopanoate on the biliary and urinary excretion of iodipamide. The effect of sodium iopanoate and iopanoic acid on the biliary excretion of iodipamide in dogs was studied. Enteric administration of sodium iopanoate within one hour of iodipamide infusion reduced biliary iodipamide excretion and increased urinary iodipamide output. The biliary and urinary excretion of iodipamide was not influenced by iopanoic acid administered 40 and then again 16 hrs before iodipamide. These results suggest that iodipamide cholangiography can be employed 16-18 hrs after a standard two-day iopanoic acid oral cholecystogram without decreasing the ability to visualize the biliary ductal system or increasing the urinary iodipamide excretion.", "PMID": 632052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9191", "title": "Osmotic effect and solubility of amipaque (metrizamide) in the gastrointestinal tract.", "content": "Loops of small intestine in seven rabbits were resected with intact pedicle and ligated at both ends after instillation of 0.5 ml of Gastrografin, Urografin 76%, Amipaque 370 mg I/ml, Amipaque 170 mg I/ml or physiologic saline. After half an hour, the amount of fluid in the loops containing Gastrografin and Urografin 76% increases about twice as much as in the loops containing Amipague with the same iodine concentration because of their greater osmolality. The differences between the loops with isotonic Amipaque (170 mg I/ml) and physiologic saline are not significant. Precipitation occurs when sodium and meglumine salts of diatrizoate, metrizoate, iothalamate, iocarmate and ioglycamate are mixed with 0.05 N HCl. No precipitation occurs with Amipaque, not even when the HCl concentration is as high as 1.2 N. Precipitation occurs when Gastrografin is added to gastric juices with low pH, but is not seen with Amipaque should be a suitable contrast medium for gastrointestinal examinations because of its low osmolality and toxicity and good solubility in gastric juice.", "contents": "Osmotic effect and solubility of amipaque (metrizamide) in the gastrointestinal tract. Loops of small intestine in seven rabbits were resected with intact pedicle and ligated at both ends after instillation of 0.5 ml of Gastrografin, Urografin 76%, Amipaque 370 mg I/ml, Amipaque 170 mg I/ml or physiologic saline. After half an hour, the amount of fluid in the loops containing Gastrografin and Urografin 76% increases about twice as much as in the loops containing Amipague with the same iodine concentration because of their greater osmolality. The differences between the loops with isotonic Amipaque (170 mg I/ml) and physiologic saline are not significant. Precipitation occurs when sodium and meglumine salts of diatrizoate, metrizoate, iothalamate, iocarmate and ioglycamate are mixed with 0.05 N HCl. No precipitation occurs with Amipaque, not even when the HCl concentration is as high as 1.2 N. Precipitation occurs when Gastrografin is added to gastric juices with low pH, but is not seen with Amipaque should be a suitable contrast medium for gastrointestinal examinations because of its low osmolality and toxicity and good solubility in gastric juice.", "PMID": 632053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9192", "title": "In vivo and in vitro studies on nonspecific blocking factors of host origin in cancer patients. Role of plasma exchange as an immunotherapeutic modality.", "content": "Experimental and clinical data are reviewed on elevated glycoprotein levels in tumor-bearing animals and patients at various stages of disease advancement. The authors report their findings in 232 patients with various solid tumors; these confirm and extend the reports in the literature. It is shown that some of these glycoproteins, rich in sialic acid, exhibit immunosuppressive properties in vitro, and it is suggested that tumors may protect themselves by triggering hepatic synthesis of sialoglycoproteins which \"coat\" the binding sites of both immunocompetent cells and tumor cells and thereby abrogate recognition and killing of the latter by the immune system. This concept of nonspecific blocking factors of host origin has already been substantiated to some extent by observations on the consequences of plasma exchange in 24 patients with metastatic tumors; eight of these patients exhibited an objective tumor regression. It is suggested that such studies should be extended to postoperative patients and that circulating sialoglycoprotein assays could be one of the ways of monitoring tumor growth, including growth during the nonvisible phase.", "contents": "In vivo and in vitro studies on nonspecific blocking factors of host origin in cancer patients. Role of plasma exchange as an immunotherapeutic modality. Experimental and clinical data are reviewed on elevated glycoprotein levels in tumor-bearing animals and patients at various stages of disease advancement. The authors report their findings in 232 patients with various solid tumors; these confirm and extend the reports in the literature. It is shown that some of these glycoproteins, rich in sialic acid, exhibit immunosuppressive properties in vitro, and it is suggested that tumors may protect themselves by triggering hepatic synthesis of sialoglycoproteins which \"coat\" the binding sites of both immunocompetent cells and tumor cells and thereby abrogate recognition and killing of the latter by the immune system. This concept of nonspecific blocking factors of host origin has already been substantiated to some extent by observations on the consequences of plasma exchange in 24 patients with metastatic tumors; eight of these patients exhibited an objective tumor regression. It is suggested that such studies should be extended to postoperative patients and that circulating sialoglycoprotein assays could be one of the ways of monitoring tumor growth, including growth during the nonvisible phase.", "PMID": 632078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9193", "title": "L2C guinea pig leukemia. A potential model for structuring multimodality therapy.", "content": "L2C guinea pig leukemia is a lymphoblastic neoplasm that arose spontaneously in a nonirradiated female strain 2 guinea pig over 20 years ago. Mutation of the original tumor probably accounts for the discordant results which have been reported. The LE-L2C subline was used to develop a multimodality therapy model of acute leukemia. Syngeneic strain 2 animals challenged with 3 x 10(5) LE-L2C cells developed overt leukemia in 14 +/- 3 (SD) days. When treated with cytoreductive chemotherapy, they relapsed with either systemic or central nervous system (CNS) disease. However, CNS relapse was prevented by craniospinal irradiation, yielding a uniform pattern of relapse. Preliminary studies suggest that active immunotherapy with nonspecific agents, such as BCG, or immunoreconstitution with thymosin may prolong the duration of remission and increase the percentage of long-term survivors. L2C leukemia may represent a useful animal model for structuring the principles that govern the interrelationship between chemotherapy and immunomudulation.", "contents": "L2C guinea pig leukemia. A potential model for structuring multimodality therapy. L2C guinea pig leukemia is a lymphoblastic neoplasm that arose spontaneously in a nonirradiated female strain 2 guinea pig over 20 years ago. Mutation of the original tumor probably accounts for the discordant results which have been reported. The LE-L2C subline was used to develop a multimodality therapy model of acute leukemia. Syngeneic strain 2 animals challenged with 3 x 10(5) LE-L2C cells developed overt leukemia in 14 +/- 3 (SD) days. When treated with cytoreductive chemotherapy, they relapsed with either systemic or central nervous system (CNS) disease. However, CNS relapse was prevented by craniospinal irradiation, yielding a uniform pattern of relapse. Preliminary studies suggest that active immunotherapy with nonspecific agents, such as BCG, or immunoreconstitution with thymosin may prolong the duration of remission and increase the percentage of long-term survivors. L2C leukemia may represent a useful animal model for structuring the principles that govern the interrelationship between chemotherapy and immunomudulation.", "PMID": 632081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9194", "title": "Tumor cell and host properties affecting the implantation and survival of blood-borne metastatic variants of B16 melanoma.", "content": "The organ distribution, arrest and survival of [125I]5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled B16 melanoma cells with low (B16-F1) or high (B16-F10) metastatic potential were studied in a variety of normal and immunosuppressed syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, allogeneic A mice, and athymic nude NIH Swiss mice and their immunocompetent littermates. In addition, the in vitro aggregation properties of these tumor cells with various host organ cells in suspension were examined. Tumor cell arrest and survival following i.v. injection occurred at significantly higher rates in normal mice than in immune-depressed animals irrespective of strain, and, two weeks later, significantly more tumor colonies were found in the normal animals. In syngeneic or allogeneic animals, B16-F10 cells were arrested, survived and formed significantly more gross pulmonary tumors than B16-F1 cells. B16-F10 cells also aggregated in vitro with purified organ cells in suspension obtained from either syngeneic or allogeneic mice at a greater rate than B16-F1 cells. These results indicate that although host properties can affect the arrest and survival of circulating tumor emboli, they do not diminish or abolish the biological differences between the high and low metastatic variant B16 lines.", "contents": "Tumor cell and host properties affecting the implantation and survival of blood-borne metastatic variants of B16 melanoma. The organ distribution, arrest and survival of [125I]5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled B16 melanoma cells with low (B16-F1) or high (B16-F10) metastatic potential were studied in a variety of normal and immunosuppressed syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, allogeneic A mice, and athymic nude NIH Swiss mice and their immunocompetent littermates. In addition, the in vitro aggregation properties of these tumor cells with various host organ cells in suspension were examined. Tumor cell arrest and survival following i.v. injection occurred at significantly higher rates in normal mice than in immune-depressed animals irrespective of strain, and, two weeks later, significantly more tumor colonies were found in the normal animals. In syngeneic or allogeneic animals, B16-F10 cells were arrested, survived and formed significantly more gross pulmonary tumors than B16-F1 cells. B16-F10 cells also aggregated in vitro with purified organ cells in suspension obtained from either syngeneic or allogeneic mice at a greater rate than B16-F1 cells. These results indicate that although host properties can affect the arrest and survival of circulating tumor emboli, they do not diminish or abolish the biological differences between the high and low metastatic variant B16 lines.", "PMID": 632082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9195", "title": "[Which galenic bases are in use nowadays for skin treatment?].", "content": "Different base types are necessary for dermatological preparations. The dominating part is played today and probably will also be played in the future by the hydrocarbon gels and the derivated cream systems. Possible interferences of the ingredients with the base components have to be watched by the dispensing of medical preparations for dermatological therapy. In regard to an optimal distribution of the ingredients solubility of the ingredients in the bases are important. Specific preservatives can be omitted if ethanol is added in concentrations of at least 15 per cent. There is a tendency to use mainly indifferent components.", "contents": "[Which galenic bases are in use nowadays for skin treatment?]. Different base types are necessary for dermatological preparations. The dominating part is played today and probably will also be played in the future by the hydrocarbon gels and the derivated cream systems. Possible interferences of the ingredients with the base components have to be watched by the dispensing of medical preparations for dermatological therapy. In regard to an optimal distribution of the ingredients solubility of the ingredients in the bases are important. Specific preservatives can be omitted if ethanol is added in concentrations of at least 15 per cent. There is a tendency to use mainly indifferent components.", "PMID": 632086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9196", "title": "[Endothelioma of the skin].", "content": "We are reporting on a 71 years old woman suffering from a plaque-like raised nodular neoplasia that existed for two years. The histological changes, though local variable, are characterized by similar structures. The tumor cells are grouped in variably shaped, loose syncytial cords, just by loosing their cytoplasma in vascular-like cavities. Because of their morphological relations to mesenchym Bolck called these tissue-formations \"spongiosynchymal\" structures. They are considered by this author to characterize the common tissue-attribute of all endotheliomas and similar neoplasias. Additionally the histological pattern of these tumors can show, as in the present case, solid and epitheloid cell formations.", "contents": "[Endothelioma of the skin]. We are reporting on a 71 years old woman suffering from a plaque-like raised nodular neoplasia that existed for two years. The histological changes, though local variable, are characterized by similar structures. The tumor cells are grouped in variably shaped, loose syncytial cords, just by loosing their cytoplasma in vascular-like cavities. Because of their morphological relations to mesenchym Bolck called these tissue-formations \"spongiosynchymal\" structures. They are considered by this author to characterize the common tissue-attribute of all endotheliomas and similar neoplasias. Additionally the histological pattern of these tumors can show, as in the present case, solid and epitheloid cell formations.", "PMID": 632087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9197", "title": "[Morphological variants of folliculitis barbae candidomycetica].", "content": "Report on two cases of folliculitis barbae candidomycetica (f.b.c) which mimicked impetigo contagiosa in one case and tinea barbae in the other. Both patients suffered from typical predisposing factors such as leukemia, cytostatic and corticosteroid therapy, and diabetes mellitue. Taking into consideration the morphology of cases described earlier in this journal, three types of f.b.c. can be recognized: folliculitis simplex-like type, tinea barbae-like type and impetigo-like type.", "contents": "[Morphological variants of folliculitis barbae candidomycetica]. Report on two cases of folliculitis barbae candidomycetica (f.b.c) which mimicked impetigo contagiosa in one case and tinea barbae in the other. Both patients suffered from typical predisposing factors such as leukemia, cytostatic and corticosteroid therapy, and diabetes mellitue. Taking into consideration the morphology of cases described earlier in this journal, three types of f.b.c. can be recognized: folliculitis simplex-like type, tinea barbae-like type and impetigo-like type.", "PMID": 632088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9198", "title": "[Prolaction level in the serum of patients with disorders of spermatogenesis].", "content": "In 183 out patients of our department FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone were measured in one single serum sample. In 43 of these, measurements were done prior and 30 min after injection of LH-RH and TRH. An analysis of the ejaculate was performed in each case. If prolactin levels are grouped according to sperm count or testosterone levels, means of prolactin do not differ significantly between these groups. Some individual levels exceed the normal range. The TRN stimulated prolactin levels are lowered when related to high testosterone levels. Significantly statistical correlations do not exist. Mean FSH levels show a clear depression related to high sperm counts and high testosterone levels. A significantly statistical correlation is found between FSH, LH and prolactin levels each. Determination of prolactin in patients with fertility disturbances may be helpful to detect a hyperprolactinemia, which possibly causes inhibition of the spermatognesis.", "contents": "[Prolaction level in the serum of patients with disorders of spermatogenesis]. In 183 out patients of our department FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone were measured in one single serum sample. In 43 of these, measurements were done prior and 30 min after injection of LH-RH and TRH. An analysis of the ejaculate was performed in each case. If prolactin levels are grouped according to sperm count or testosterone levels, means of prolactin do not differ significantly between these groups. Some individual levels exceed the normal range. The TRN stimulated prolactin levels are lowered when related to high testosterone levels. Significantly statistical correlations do not exist. Mean FSH levels show a clear depression related to high sperm counts and high testosterone levels. A significantly statistical correlation is found between FSH, LH and prolactin levels each. Determination of prolactin in patients with fertility disturbances may be helpful to detect a hyperprolactinemia, which possibly causes inhibition of the spermatognesis.", "PMID": 632089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9199", "title": "[Surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis axillaris].", "content": "Radical sweat gland excision is the treatment of choice in axillary hyperhidrosis. After a review of the common surgical techniques the own technique is discribed. It consists of a vertical excision of the hyperhidrotic skin area and primary wound closure. No recurrences of hyperhidrosis were seen in the follow up period.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis axillaris]. Radical sweat gland excision is the treatment of choice in axillary hyperhidrosis. After a review of the common surgical techniques the own technique is discribed. It consists of a vertical excision of the hyperhidrotic skin area and primary wound closure. No recurrences of hyperhidrosis were seen in the follow up period.", "PMID": 632090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9200", "title": "Profitability analysis in the hospital industry.", "content": "Measures of marginal profit are derived for the two payment classes--cost payers and charge payers--that the hospital industry must consider in profitability analysis, i.e., prediction of the excess of revenue over expenses. Two indexes of profitability, use when payment mix is constant and when it is nonconstant, respectively, are derived from the two marginal profit measures, and one of them is shown to be a modification of the contribution margin, the conventional measure of profitability used in general industry. All three measures--the contribution margin and the two new indexes of profitability--are used to estimate changes in net income resulting from changes in patient volume with and without accompanying changes in payment mix. The conventional measure yields large overestimates of expected excess revenue.", "contents": "Profitability analysis in the hospital industry. Measures of marginal profit are derived for the two payment classes--cost payers and charge payers--that the hospital industry must consider in profitability analysis, i.e., prediction of the excess of revenue over expenses. Two indexes of profitability, use when payment mix is constant and when it is nonconstant, respectively, are derived from the two marginal profit measures, and one of them is shown to be a modification of the contribution margin, the conventional measure of profitability used in general industry. All three measures--the contribution margin and the two new indexes of profitability--are used to estimate changes in net income resulting from changes in patient volume with and without accompanying changes in payment mix. The conventional measure yields large overestimates of expected excess revenue.", "PMID": 632101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9201", "title": "The estimated survival probability index of trauma severity.", "content": "An index of survival rates associated with ICDA injury codes was constructed with data from the 1973 Hospital Discharge Survey (HDS). Discharge records from three regions covered by the HDS allowed estimation of survival rates among patients suffering single injuries coded under 92 ICDA integers. These estimated rates were then applied to records from the fourth HDS region, including those for patients suffering multiple injuries: estimated survival probability index values were generated as the product of the single-condition survival rates for each patient's various injuries. Mortality rates predicted from the index values correlated well with mortality rates estimated for the universe of patients discharged in 1973 from the fourth region. The index is intended for retrospective analysis of discharge records as a possible approach to care evaluation.", "contents": "The estimated survival probability index of trauma severity. An index of survival rates associated with ICDA injury codes was constructed with data from the 1973 Hospital Discharge Survey (HDS). Discharge records from three regions covered by the HDS allowed estimation of survival rates among patients suffering single injuries coded under 92 ICDA integers. These estimated rates were then applied to records from the fourth HDS region, including those for patients suffering multiple injuries: estimated survival probability index values were generated as the product of the single-condition survival rates for each patient's various injuries. Mortality rates predicted from the index values correlated well with mortality rates estimated for the universe of patients discharged in 1973 from the fourth region. The index is intended for retrospective analysis of discharge records as a possible approach to care evaluation.", "PMID": 632102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9202", "title": "Infant mortality in SMSAs before Medicaid: test of a causal model.", "content": "Path analysis is applied to data on infant mortality, supplies of physicians and hospital beds, and population percentages of blacks and low-income families in 201 standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) to test the hypothesis that medical resources mediate the effects of racial composition and low income on infant mortality rates. The hypothesis is not supported for the SMSA data: direct effects of racial composition and low income on infant mortality are stronger than indirect effects. The use of SMSA data for analysis is contrasted with the use of county data in a discussion of study by Anderson, from which the hypothesis was drawn.", "contents": "Infant mortality in SMSAs before Medicaid: test of a causal model. Path analysis is applied to data on infant mortality, supplies of physicians and hospital beds, and population percentages of blacks and low-income families in 201 standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) to test the hypothesis that medical resources mediate the effects of racial composition and low income on infant mortality rates. The hypothesis is not supported for the SMSA data: direct effects of racial composition and low income on infant mortality are stronger than indirect effects. The use of SMSA data for analysis is contrasted with the use of county data in a discussion of study by Anderson, from which the hypothesis was drawn.", "PMID": 632103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9203", "title": "The Johns Hopkins ambulatory-care coding scheme.", "content": "A classification and coding system for ambulatory-care problems has been developed at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and three affiliated institutions. The provider's statement of the patient's problem, as recorded on an encounter from, is kept in a computer file. Codes from the classification scheme, based on those used in four existing schemes, are automatically assigned to diagnoses, symptoms, well-care services, and treatment procedures categorized by physiological system and subsystem. About 85 percent of recorded problems are machine-codable; the remainder are alphabetized for efficient manual coding. The coding system is integrated with an overall information system that allows linkage of coded problem data to diverse data on patient and provider characteristics. Examples are given of the uses and limitations of the linked data for care evaluation, management, and clinical research.", "contents": "The Johns Hopkins ambulatory-care coding scheme. A classification and coding system for ambulatory-care problems has been developed at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and three affiliated institutions. The provider's statement of the patient's problem, as recorded on an encounter from, is kept in a computer file. Codes from the classification scheme, based on those used in four existing schemes, are automatically assigned to diagnoses, symptoms, well-care services, and treatment procedures categorized by physiological system and subsystem. About 85 percent of recorded problems are machine-codable; the remainder are alphabetized for efficient manual coding. The coding system is integrated with an overall information system that allows linkage of coded problem data to diverse data on patient and provider characteristics. Examples are given of the uses and limitations of the linked data for care evaluation, management, and clinical research.", "PMID": 632104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9204", "title": "Multiple transfusions of HLA compatible blood in thalassaemia major.", "content": "The effect of polytransfusion regimen is studied in two patients with thalassaemia major over a period of 74 and 56 months respectively. In both cases we have observed an improvement of the general condition in the growth as well as a reduction of hepatosplenomegaly and cardiomegaly. Furthermore a decrease of reticulocytes, erythroblasts and fetal hemoglobin values was obtained. The consequences of these frequent transfusions on iron storage metabolism are discussed. The advantage of giving HLA compatible blood is demonstrated by only a weal alloimmunization in one patient having received 77 HLA compatible transfusions and the lack of immunization in the second patient after 52 transfusions. In 6 other patients affected with thalassaemia major and 3 more with bone marrow aplasia, transfusion with incompatible HLA blood was followed by immunization of variable importance.", "contents": "Multiple transfusions of HLA compatible blood in thalassaemia major. The effect of polytransfusion regimen is studied in two patients with thalassaemia major over a period of 74 and 56 months respectively. In both cases we have observed an improvement of the general condition in the growth as well as a reduction of hepatosplenomegaly and cardiomegaly. Furthermore a decrease of reticulocytes, erythroblasts and fetal hemoglobin values was obtained. The consequences of these frequent transfusions on iron storage metabolism are discussed. The advantage of giving HLA compatible blood is demonstrated by only a weal alloimmunization in one patient having received 77 HLA compatible transfusions and the lack of immunization in the second patient after 52 transfusions. In 6 other patients affected with thalassaemia major and 3 more with bone marrow aplasia, transfusion with incompatible HLA blood was followed by immunization of variable importance.", "PMID": 632109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9205", "title": "In vivo studies of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase system in hyperphenylalaninemics and phenylketonurics.", "content": "An in vivo determination of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (E. C. 1.14.16.1) activity is described. Subjects were loaded wit deuterated L-phenylalanine-d5 (200 mg/kg), and the deuterated tyrosine and deuterated phenylalanine in plasma was analyzed using mass fragmentography. Six phenylketonurics (PKU), four hyperphenylalaninemics and two healthy controls were investigated. This method allowed a specific differentiation between PKU's, hyperphenylalaninemics and health controls. The remaining enzyme activity in hyperphenylalaninemics and in PKU patients can be estimated with relatively high accuracy. The hyperphenylalaninemic patients showed 7--17% of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase activity found in the two control persons. The PKU patients under diet showed approximately 2--3% of the activity found in the control group. In the PKU patients, loaded while showing high phenylalanine blood concentrations, no remaining activity could be measured. The logarithm of phenylalanine-d5 over tyrosine-d4 in plasma 1 h after loading gives the best differentiation. One single plasma sample of approximately 0.5 ml is sufficient.", "contents": "In vivo studies of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase system in hyperphenylalaninemics and phenylketonurics. An in vivo determination of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (E. C. 1.14.16.1) activity is described. Subjects were loaded wit deuterated L-phenylalanine-d5 (200 mg/kg), and the deuterated tyrosine and deuterated phenylalanine in plasma was analyzed using mass fragmentography. Six phenylketonurics (PKU), four hyperphenylalaninemics and two healthy controls were investigated. This method allowed a specific differentiation between PKU's, hyperphenylalaninemics and health controls. The remaining enzyme activity in hyperphenylalaninemics and in PKU patients can be estimated with relatively high accuracy. The hyperphenylalaninemic patients showed 7--17% of the phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase activity found in the two control persons. The PKU patients under diet showed approximately 2--3% of the activity found in the control group. In the PKU patients, loaded while showing high phenylalanine blood concentrations, no remaining activity could be measured. The logarithm of phenylalanine-d5 over tyrosine-d4 in plasma 1 h after loading gives the best differentiation. One single plasma sample of approximately 0.5 ml is sufficient.", "PMID": 632110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9206", "title": "Oculocutaneous albinism associated with motor neuron disease.", "content": "The patient described is a 14-year-old girl who suffered from an oculocutaneous albinism. The developmental milestones were reached with some delay. Gradually she experienced fatiques, and wasting of the pelvic girdle muscles and weakness appeared. In suralis nerve biopsy sections no abnormalities were found. In muscle biopsy sections the characteristic findings of a primary central neuronal muscular atrophy were seen. Based on clinical and histopathological findings it may be stated that the patient is suffering from a motor neuron disease. The chance of the combined occurrence of oculocutaneous albinism and motor neuron disease can be estimated to be one out of 750 X 10(6), unless an incestuous relation is supposed.", "contents": "Oculocutaneous albinism associated with motor neuron disease. The patient described is a 14-year-old girl who suffered from an oculocutaneous albinism. The developmental milestones were reached with some delay. Gradually she experienced fatiques, and wasting of the pelvic girdle muscles and weakness appeared. In suralis nerve biopsy sections no abnormalities were found. In muscle biopsy sections the characteristic findings of a primary central neuronal muscular atrophy were seen. Based on clinical and histopathological findings it may be stated that the patient is suffering from a motor neuron disease. The chance of the combined occurrence of oculocutaneous albinism and motor neuron disease can be estimated to be one out of 750 X 10(6), unless an incestuous relation is supposed.", "PMID": 632111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9207", "title": "[Repetitive supraventricular tachycardia. Case report and electrophysiologic bases].", "content": "A typical case of repetitive supraventricular tachycardia is reported. Periods of normal heart rate are interrupted by short bursts of supraventricular tachycardia. In the case described this phenomenon can be explained by coexistence of reentry and an automatic rhythm from a subsidiary pacemaker. This pacemaker was found to be in the bundle of His; its automaticity showed a rate somewhat faster than that of the sinus node. Careful analysis of the surface electrocardiograms allowed a definition of the electrophysiologic events starting a run of tachycardia. The circus movement entertaining the tachycardia itself was found to result from AV nodal reentry.", "contents": "[Repetitive supraventricular tachycardia. Case report and electrophysiologic bases]. A typical case of repetitive supraventricular tachycardia is reported. Periods of normal heart rate are interrupted by short bursts of supraventricular tachycardia. In the case described this phenomenon can be explained by coexistence of reentry and an automatic rhythm from a subsidiary pacemaker. This pacemaker was found to be in the bundle of His; its automaticity showed a rate somewhat faster than that of the sinus node. Careful analysis of the surface electrocardiograms allowed a definition of the electrophysiologic events starting a run of tachycardia. The circus movement entertaining the tachycardia itself was found to result from AV nodal reentry.", "PMID": 632112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9208", "title": "Acetylesterase isoenzymes in rat uterus and placenta.", "content": "The occurrence of acetylesterase activity in the uterus and placenta of the rat has been investigated using a general histochemical simultaneous coupling technique after separation on polyacrylamide gradient gels. apart from a complex band associated with serum esterases which was demonstrated in all the tissues studied, several other isoenzyme bands were demonstrable in differing degrees in the yolk sac and the virgin uterus. Two of these bands were evident in metrial gland up to day 16 of pregnancy, and a third became present by day 17. Unlike the other two bands, this new band did not seem to be associated with the large granules of the granulated metrial gland cells. None of these bands were detected in trophoblast. The metrial gland isoenzymes reacted as well at acid pH as at neutral pH. The yolk sac isoenzymes reacted either as well or slightly better at acid pH, and one extra band was demonstrable under acid conditions.", "contents": "Acetylesterase isoenzymes in rat uterus and placenta. The occurrence of acetylesterase activity in the uterus and placenta of the rat has been investigated using a general histochemical simultaneous coupling technique after separation on polyacrylamide gradient gels. apart from a complex band associated with serum esterases which was demonstrated in all the tissues studied, several other isoenzyme bands were demonstrable in differing degrees in the yolk sac and the virgin uterus. Two of these bands were evident in metrial gland up to day 16 of pregnancy, and a third became present by day 17. Unlike the other two bands, this new band did not seem to be associated with the large granules of the granulated metrial gland cells. None of these bands were detected in trophoblast. The metrial gland isoenzymes reacted as well at acid pH as at neutral pH. The yolk sac isoenzymes reacted either as well or slightly better at acid pH, and one extra band was demonstrable under acid conditions.", "PMID": 632121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9209", "title": "The light and electron microscopic distribution of acid phosphatase activity in human normal oesophageal epithelium.", "content": "Acid phosphatase activity in human normal oesophageal epithelium was studied with light and electron microscopic techniques. The maximum activity was found to be in the prickle and lower functional layers. Electron microscopic examination revealed activity to be localized in GERL, lysosomes and membrane coating granules. These last structures probably secreted their content into the intercellular space in the central part of the functional layer. Thick sections (0.5 micron) with tilting showed GERL to consist of anastomosing tubules.", "contents": "The light and electron microscopic distribution of acid phosphatase activity in human normal oesophageal epithelium. Acid phosphatase activity in human normal oesophageal epithelium was studied with light and electron microscopic techniques. The maximum activity was found to be in the prickle and lower functional layers. Electron microscopic examination revealed activity to be localized in GERL, lysosomes and membrane coating granules. These last structures probably secreted their content into the intercellular space in the central part of the functional layer. Thick sections (0.5 micron) with tilting showed GERL to consist of anastomosing tubules.", "PMID": 632122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9210", "title": "A comparison of the PAS-reaction in the dermis of diabetic and non-diabetic humans.", "content": "Dermopathy is a part of the diabetic syndrome that decreases the solubility of dermal collagen. In the present study, the PAS-reactive component of collagen has been analysed in diabetic and non-diabetic human dermis by photographic densitometry. The PAS-reaction was significantly lower in diabetics than non-diabetics, and age seemed to be of no consequence. The results are interpreted to indicate a decrease in collagen-associated sugar residues in diabetics.", "contents": "A comparison of the PAS-reaction in the dermis of diabetic and non-diabetic humans. Dermopathy is a part of the diabetic syndrome that decreases the solubility of dermal collagen. In the present study, the PAS-reactive component of collagen has been analysed in diabetic and non-diabetic human dermis by photographic densitometry. The PAS-reaction was significantly lower in diabetics than non-diabetics, and age seemed to be of no consequence. The results are interpreted to indicate a decrease in collagen-associated sugar residues in diabetics.", "PMID": 632123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9211", "title": "Methods of denaturation and renaturation of DNA in interphasic chromatin: cytochemical quantitative analysis by Methyl Green staining.", "content": "Almost diploid nuclei (as judged from the microdensitometric evaluation of the Feulgen positive material) of granular and Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellar cortex, were submitted to in situ DNA denaturation and renaturation experiments. We assessed the double-strandedness of DNA, by Methyl Green staining according to Scott (1967). Under these conditions a stoichiometric ratio between bound dye and DNA exists, suitable for quantitative microdensitometric measurements. Our data show that DNA in the interphasic chromatin is never completely denatured after the treatments we used. Furthermore, the renaturation takes place in a different way in the two cell types. Owing to the unlike chromatin packing of granular and Purkinje nuclei, we suggest that nuclear proteins must interfere differently on the in situ denaturation and renaturation processes.", "contents": "Methods of denaturation and renaturation of DNA in interphasic chromatin: cytochemical quantitative analysis by Methyl Green staining. Almost diploid nuclei (as judged from the microdensitometric evaluation of the Feulgen positive material) of granular and Purkinje cells of the rat cerebellar cortex, were submitted to in situ DNA denaturation and renaturation experiments. We assessed the double-strandedness of DNA, by Methyl Green staining according to Scott (1967). Under these conditions a stoichiometric ratio between bound dye and DNA exists, suitable for quantitative microdensitometric measurements. Our data show that DNA in the interphasic chromatin is never completely denatured after the treatments we used. Furthermore, the renaturation takes place in a different way in the two cell types. Owing to the unlike chromatin packing of granular and Purkinje nuclei, we suggest that nuclear proteins must interfere differently on the in situ denaturation and renaturation processes.", "PMID": 632124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9212", "title": "Capping of saccharides on the plasma membrane of lymphocytes as studied by fluorescein-labelled lectins.", "content": "The capping of saccharides on the plasma membrane of rat splenic lymphocytes was studied by means of fluorescein-labelled lectins. Treatment of unfixed splenic lymphocytes with any one of the three lectins, concanavalin A (Con A), Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) led to the formation of caps of each saccharide receptor on the plasma membrane. Treatment of unfixed lymphocytes with Con A was found to result in the formation of caps of saccharide receptors for RCA, whereas cap formations were never noted in such double treatment of the cells with all other combined uses of two lectins. These results are taken to indicate that the saccharide receptors for Con A are associated with those for RCA in the plasma membrane of rat splenic lymphocytes.", "contents": "Capping of saccharides on the plasma membrane of lymphocytes as studied by fluorescein-labelled lectins. The capping of saccharides on the plasma membrane of rat splenic lymphocytes was studied by means of fluorescein-labelled lectins. Treatment of unfixed splenic lymphocytes with any one of the three lectins, concanavalin A (Con A), Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) led to the formation of caps of each saccharide receptor on the plasma membrane. Treatment of unfixed lymphocytes with Con A was found to result in the formation of caps of saccharide receptors for RCA, whereas cap formations were never noted in such double treatment of the cells with all other combined uses of two lectins. These results are taken to indicate that the saccharide receptors for Con A are associated with those for RCA in the plasma membrane of rat splenic lymphocytes.", "PMID": 632125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9213", "title": "Microdensitometric quantification of the lead capture method for the histochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase in cultured cells.", "content": "A fibroblast-like BHK-21 (C-13) line, grown as monolayer on glass cover-slips, was incubated for the demonstration of acid phosphatase by the lead capture method. The density of final reaction product was measured with a scanning microdensitometer. A peak absorption was found at 510 nm. The extinction of discrete areas of stain was within the range of linear response of the instrument. The frequency distribution of the density of reaction product in 100 cells was normal (Gaussian), and the density increased linearly with incubation time. It is concluded that this method is valid for the measurement of the density of lead sulphide reaction product in cultured cells.", "contents": "Microdensitometric quantification of the lead capture method for the histochemical demonstration of acid phosphatase in cultured cells. A fibroblast-like BHK-21 (C-13) line, grown as monolayer on glass cover-slips, was incubated for the demonstration of acid phosphatase by the lead capture method. The density of final reaction product was measured with a scanning microdensitometer. A peak absorption was found at 510 nm. The extinction of discrete areas of stain was within the range of linear response of the instrument. The frequency distribution of the density of reaction product in 100 cells was normal (Gaussian), and the density increased linearly with incubation time. It is concluded that this method is valid for the measurement of the density of lead sulphide reaction product in cultured cells.", "PMID": 632126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9214", "title": "Peptidergic (VIP) nerves in the pancreas.", "content": "Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was found to occur in nerves in the pancreas of all species examined, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactive nerve terminals were seen to run in the stroma, around acini, and in the wall of blood vessels. Clusters of immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were encountered in the parenchyma; in addition other ganglia were densely innervated by VIP nerves. A particularly dense network of VIP nerves accurred in the wall of the main pancreatic duct. The present observations provide the morphological basis for accepting the action of VIP on pancreatic secretion as physiological.", "contents": "Peptidergic (VIP) nerves in the pancreas. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was found to occur in nerves in the pancreas of all species examined, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactive nerve terminals were seen to run in the stroma, around acini, and in the wall of blood vessels. Clusters of immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were encountered in the parenchyma; in addition other ganglia were densely innervated by VIP nerves. A particularly dense network of VIP nerves accurred in the wall of the main pancreatic duct. The present observations provide the morphological basis for accepting the action of VIP on pancreatic secretion as physiological.", "PMID": 632129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9215", "title": "Localization of inorganic ions by precipitative freeze dissolution.", "content": "A new method for localization of inorganic diffusible ions in tissue is introduced. It has been applied to localization of Tl+ and Rb+ in barley roots and is probably also suited for Cs+, Ca2+, Cl-, Br-, PO 3/4- and perhaps K+. Its principle consists of dissolution of the ice from frozen tissue in a concentrated aqueous solution of a precipitating agent that is kept at a temperature just above its melting point.", "contents": "Localization of inorganic ions by precipitative freeze dissolution. A new method for localization of inorganic diffusible ions in tissue is introduced. It has been applied to localization of Tl+ and Rb+ in barley roots and is probably also suited for Cs+, Ca2+, Cl-, Br-, PO 3/4- and perhaps K+. Its principle consists of dissolution of the ice from frozen tissue in a concentrated aqueous solution of a precipitating agent that is kept at a temperature just above its melting point.", "PMID": 632130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9216", "title": "[Risk of inner ear damage from ototoxic eardrops (author's transl)].", "content": "Antibiotic eardrops with ototoxic properties are widely used in the treatment of discharging ears and have also been used in cases with perforated tympanic membranes. There has thus far been no information available on the incidence of ototoxic inner ear damage caused by such treatments. An inquiry among the members of the Swiss Otolaryngological Society uncovered 15 such cases with inner ear damages: 8 patients with total loss of hearing and 7 patients with profound deafness. The risk of such ototoxic injury is approximately 1 case in 1--3000 treatments. The present study indicates that topical treatment in cases with perforated tympanic membranes should not be given longer than 10 days, or it should be interrupted as soon as mucosal swelling subsides.", "contents": "[Risk of inner ear damage from ototoxic eardrops (author's transl)]. Antibiotic eardrops with ototoxic properties are widely used in the treatment of discharging ears and have also been used in cases with perforated tympanic membranes. There has thus far been no information available on the incidence of ototoxic inner ear damage caused by such treatments. An inquiry among the members of the Swiss Otolaryngological Society uncovered 15 such cases with inner ear damages: 8 patients with total loss of hearing and 7 patients with profound deafness. The risk of such ototoxic injury is approximately 1 case in 1--3000 treatments. The present study indicates that topical treatment in cases with perforated tympanic membranes should not be given longer than 10 days, or it should be interrupted as soon as mucosal swelling subsides.", "PMID": 632131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9217", "title": "[Reconstruction of the ossicular chain (author's transl)].", "content": "197 consecutive tympanoplasties involving reconstruction of the ossicular chain were analyzed. After a one-year followup, the interposition of a homologous ossicle between the mobile stapes and the long process of the malleus with intact anterior half of the drum has given a satisfactory result in 93% of the patients. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in 50% of those patients presenting with only the stapes or its footplate intact. Reasons for the failures were: graft lateralisation, fixation, atrophy or displacement of the homologous ossicle used. The twostage tympanoplasty with utilisation of John Shea's TORP prosthesis has considerably improved the hearing result achieved in the second category of patients. One has to await, however, long-term results in order to assess whether or not the TORP Plastipore prosthesis should be recommended in middle ear surgery.", "contents": "[Reconstruction of the ossicular chain (author's transl)]. 197 consecutive tympanoplasties involving reconstruction of the ossicular chain were analyzed. After a one-year followup, the interposition of a homologous ossicle between the mobile stapes and the long process of the malleus with intact anterior half of the drum has given a satisfactory result in 93% of the patients. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in 50% of those patients presenting with only the stapes or its footplate intact. Reasons for the failures were: graft lateralisation, fixation, atrophy or displacement of the homologous ossicle used. The twostage tympanoplasty with utilisation of John Shea's TORP prosthesis has considerably improved the hearing result achieved in the second category of patients. One has to await, however, long-term results in order to assess whether or not the TORP Plastipore prosthesis should be recommended in middle ear surgery.", "PMID": 632132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9218", "title": "[First results using the SHEA-Torp in middle ear surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Initial results with the Plastipore TORP (Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis) show good results in large groups of ear in which all or most of the ossicles have been missing or not suitable for reimplanting. The reconstruction of the sound conducting mechanism of the middle ear is not difficult using the TORP prosthesis. Tissue readily grows into the large pores of the Plastipore, significant hearing gain can be achieved, and no rejection of the prosthesis has occurred thus far.", "contents": "[First results using the SHEA-Torp in middle ear surgery (author's transl)]. Initial results with the Plastipore TORP (Total Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis) show good results in large groups of ear in which all or most of the ossicles have been missing or not suitable for reimplanting. The reconstruction of the sound conducting mechanism of the middle ear is not difficult using the TORP prosthesis. Tissue readily grows into the large pores of the Plastipore, significant hearing gain can be achieved, and no rejection of the prosthesis has occurred thus far.", "PMID": 632133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9219", "title": "[Laryngotracheal stenosis: results of surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "Between 1973 and 1977 seven adults and five children with severe larynx stenosis were operated upon successfully with a modification of Rh\u00e9ti's technique. The main features of this new technique are: 1. The cricoid and the upper tracheal rings are split longitudinally in their anterior and posterior portion. 2. The stabilisation of the enlarged laryngeal lumen by the interposition of a piece of notched costal cartilage in the posterior wall of the split cricoid.", "contents": "[Laryngotracheal stenosis: results of surgery (author's transl)]. Between 1973 and 1977 seven adults and five children with severe larynx stenosis were operated upon successfully with a modification of Rh\u00e9ti's technique. The main features of this new technique are: 1. The cricoid and the upper tracheal rings are split longitudinally in their anterior and posterior portion. 2. The stabilisation of the enlarged laryngeal lumen by the interposition of a piece of notched costal cartilage in the posterior wall of the split cricoid.", "PMID": 632134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9220", "title": "[Phoniatric and laryngological aspects of systemic scleroderma (author's transl)].", "content": "Organs which contain collagen can have connective tissue new growth in systemic scleroderma. The occurrence of scleroderma of the larynx and organs of speech is rare. The disease develops in the mucous membrane in three stages: oedema; infiltration and induration; and atrophy. The oedema stage is generally the shortest. Three patients with systemic scleroderma with involvement of larynx and organs of speech have been seen. In one is described (graphically, sonographically and with stroboscopy) the progress of the disease from an initial severe hoarseness to later resolution of the oedema. In another patient involvement of the soft palate produced rhinolalia. In spite of the limitation of tongue movement in 2 patients there was no disorder of articulation.", "contents": "[Phoniatric and laryngological aspects of systemic scleroderma (author's transl)]. Organs which contain collagen can have connective tissue new growth in systemic scleroderma. The occurrence of scleroderma of the larynx and organs of speech is rare. The disease develops in the mucous membrane in three stages: oedema; infiltration and induration; and atrophy. The oedema stage is generally the shortest. Three patients with systemic scleroderma with involvement of larynx and organs of speech have been seen. In one is described (graphically, sonographically and with stroboscopy) the progress of the disease from an initial severe hoarseness to later resolution of the oedema. In another patient involvement of the soft palate produced rhinolalia. In spite of the limitation of tongue movement in 2 patients there was no disorder of articulation.", "PMID": 632135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9221", "title": "[Clinical and roentgenological manifestations of unilateral subluxation of the cricothyroid joint (author's transl)].", "content": "The case of a 44-year-old professional singer is described, who was admitted to the hospital with a severe laryngeal contusion following a sport's accident. After recovering from acute symptoms, he complained of a complete loss of his falsetto voice. At lower pitches, his voice function had returned to normal. Xero-radiography revealed a left unilateral subluxation of the cricothyroid joint. However, intensive voice therapy over 12 months failed to restore the former quality of the falsetto voice. In this patient, the impairment of vocal range could be explained by a disturbance of the tilting mechanism between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.", "contents": "[Clinical and roentgenological manifestations of unilateral subluxation of the cricothyroid joint (author's transl)]. The case of a 44-year-old professional singer is described, who was admitted to the hospital with a severe laryngeal contusion following a sport's accident. After recovering from acute symptoms, he complained of a complete loss of his falsetto voice. At lower pitches, his voice function had returned to normal. Xero-radiography revealed a left unilateral subluxation of the cricothyroid joint. However, intensive voice therapy over 12 months failed to restore the former quality of the falsetto voice. In this patient, the impairment of vocal range could be explained by a disturbance of the tilting mechanism between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.", "PMID": 632136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9222", "title": "[Nose and speech discrimination with specific hearing aid systems (author's transl)].", "content": "This study compares speech discrimination and the use of hearing aids of the PC (peac-clipping) system and the AGC (compression) system. After random selection 34 subjects were used and grouped according to the unit system they had been supplied with. Both groups were tested under the same conditions. During noise exposure the group supplied with the AGC aids achieved better results significantly at a 5% level. The results indicate that the assumption that PC hearing aids operate better in noise than AGC aids cannot be substantiated.", "contents": "[Nose and speech discrimination with specific hearing aid systems (author's transl)]. This study compares speech discrimination and the use of hearing aids of the PC (peac-clipping) system and the AGC (compression) system. After random selection 34 subjects were used and grouped according to the unit system they had been supplied with. Both groups were tested under the same conditions. During noise exposure the group supplied with the AGC aids achieved better results significantly at a 5% level. The results indicate that the assumption that PC hearing aids operate better in noise than AGC aids cannot be substantiated.", "PMID": 632137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9223", "title": "Dynamic viscoelastic properties of the canine trachea.", "content": "The dynamic elastance (E) and viscous resistance (R) of the canine intrathoracic trachea were determined by submitting excised tracheal segments to periodic variations of pressure at frequencies between 0.5 and 9 Hz, and by relating simultaneous transmural pressure and volume variations. Mean values of E and R are, respectively, 17.3 cmH2O.cm-1 and 0.16 cmH2O.cm-1.s, or, expressed in volume changes per cm length of the trachea, 53.5 cmH2O.ml-1 and 0.49 cmH2O.ml-1.s. E and R increase at higher longitudinal tension of the trachea and under the influence of acetylcholine.", "contents": "Dynamic viscoelastic properties of the canine trachea. The dynamic elastance (E) and viscous resistance (R) of the canine intrathoracic trachea were determined by submitting excised tracheal segments to periodic variations of pressure at frequencies between 0.5 and 9 Hz, and by relating simultaneous transmural pressure and volume variations. Mean values of E and R are, respectively, 17.3 cmH2O.cm-1 and 0.16 cmH2O.cm-1.s, or, expressed in volume changes per cm length of the trachea, 53.5 cmH2O.ml-1 and 0.49 cmH2O.ml-1.s. E and R increase at higher longitudinal tension of the trachea and under the influence of acetylcholine.", "PMID": 632151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9224", "title": "Interaction between serotonin and efferent vagus nerves in dog lungs.", "content": "We anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated 32 dogs. In 16 dogs we measured total pulmonary resistance (RL) during inhalation of acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), and histamine (Hist) aerosols. Cooling both cervical vagi reduced the bronchoconstriction caused by 5-HT 64% (P = 0.001), reduced Hist-induced bronchoconstriction 17% (P = 0.003), and did not significantly reduce bronchoconstriction due to ACh. In seven dogs, we ventilated both lungs separately through a double-lumen catheter. Application of 5-HT to one lung increased the transpulmonary pressure amplitude in the homolateral but not in the contralateral lung. Cooling the homolateral vagus reduced this response 32% (P = 0.02). In nine dogs, we stimulated the peripheral ends of both cut cervical vagi before and during aerosol application of ACh, 5-HT, and Hist. ACh and Hist increased baseline RL 97 and 134%, respectively, without increasing the effect of vagal stimulation. 5-HT increased baseline RL only 27% but greatly augmented the effect of vagal stimulation (mean increase, 271%, P = 0.001). We conclude that 5-HT acts to potentiate vagal effects on airway smooth muscle via the efferent vagal pathway.", "contents": "Interaction between serotonin and efferent vagus nerves in dog lungs. We anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated 32 dogs. In 16 dogs we measured total pulmonary resistance (RL) during inhalation of acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT), and histamine (Hist) aerosols. Cooling both cervical vagi reduced the bronchoconstriction caused by 5-HT 64% (P = 0.001), reduced Hist-induced bronchoconstriction 17% (P = 0.003), and did not significantly reduce bronchoconstriction due to ACh. In seven dogs, we ventilated both lungs separately through a double-lumen catheter. Application of 5-HT to one lung increased the transpulmonary pressure amplitude in the homolateral but not in the contralateral lung. Cooling the homolateral vagus reduced this response 32% (P = 0.02). In nine dogs, we stimulated the peripheral ends of both cut cervical vagi before and during aerosol application of ACh, 5-HT, and Hist. ACh and Hist increased baseline RL 97 and 134%, respectively, without increasing the effect of vagal stimulation. 5-HT increased baseline RL only 27% but greatly augmented the effect of vagal stimulation (mean increase, 271%, P = 0.001). We conclude that 5-HT acts to potentiate vagal effects on airway smooth muscle via the efferent vagal pathway.", "PMID": 632152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9225", "title": "Effects of prostaglandin F2alpha on lung mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic subjects.", "content": "Prostaglandins have been implicated as secondary pharmacologic mediators in allergic bronchial asthma. We have studied the effects of the intravenous infusion of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) on pulmonary mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic volunteers. Before and during the infusion, measurements were made of total lung capacity and its subdivisions, static deflational transpulmonary pressure-volume relationships (PV), and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves with air and after a washing of an 80% helium-20% oxygen mixture. In both groups, PGF2alpha caused significant decreases in vital capacity and maximal flow and increases in residual volume. There were not significant differences between groups in either the absolute magnitude or the percent change in the variables, a result which may have been due to the similarity of the pulmonary mechanics in both groups prior to infusion. Changes in density dependence were bidirectional in both groups, indicating that relative contributions of large and small airways to flow limitation changed differently among individuals. The single between-group difference in responses noted was a leftward shift of the PV curve in the asthmatics, suggesting recoil of the lung which occurs in asthma.", "contents": "Effects of prostaglandin F2alpha on lung mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic subjects. Prostaglandins have been implicated as secondary pharmacologic mediators in allergic bronchial asthma. We have studied the effects of the intravenous infusion of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) on pulmonary mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic volunteers. Before and during the infusion, measurements were made of total lung capacity and its subdivisions, static deflational transpulmonary pressure-volume relationships (PV), and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves with air and after a washing of an 80% helium-20% oxygen mixture. In both groups, PGF2alpha caused significant decreases in vital capacity and maximal flow and increases in residual volume. There were not significant differences between groups in either the absolute magnitude or the percent change in the variables, a result which may have been due to the similarity of the pulmonary mechanics in both groups prior to infusion. Changes in density dependence were bidirectional in both groups, indicating that relative contributions of large and small airways to flow limitation changed differently among individuals. The single between-group difference in responses noted was a leftward shift of the PV curve in the asthmatics, suggesting recoil of the lung which occurs in asthma.", "PMID": 632153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9226", "title": "Analysis of the configuration of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves.", "content": "The ratios of the instantaneous tangent slopes to corresponding chord slopes are sensitive to curvatures of flow-volume curves; and these dimensionless slope ratios, SR, plotted against fractional volumes remaining to be expired, VCf, are sensitive to the shape of flow-volume curves but insenitive to flow or volume magnitudes. SR-VCf curves predicted for lungs which empty homogeneously differ substantially from those predicted for lungs which empty nonhomogeneously, the latter showing systematic increases in SR with VCf which may extend beyond the homogeneous range. SR-VCf curves for some 80 healthy subjects show systematic changes with age (range 6-64 yr), but all are consistent with advanced obstructive lung disease (chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma) are consistent with nonhomogeneous emptying, but it does not seem likely that SR-VCf curves will prove useful for detecting early stages of disease.", "contents": "Analysis of the configuration of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves. The ratios of the instantaneous tangent slopes to corresponding chord slopes are sensitive to curvatures of flow-volume curves; and these dimensionless slope ratios, SR, plotted against fractional volumes remaining to be expired, VCf, are sensitive to the shape of flow-volume curves but insenitive to flow or volume magnitudes. SR-VCf curves predicted for lungs which empty homogeneously differ substantially from those predicted for lungs which empty nonhomogeneously, the latter showing systematic increases in SR with VCf which may extend beyond the homogeneous range. SR-VCf curves for some 80 healthy subjects show systematic changes with age (range 6-64 yr), but all are consistent with advanced obstructive lung disease (chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma) are consistent with nonhomogeneous emptying, but it does not seem likely that SR-VCf curves will prove useful for detecting early stages of disease.", "PMID": 632154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9227", "title": "Early response of plasma contents on exposure of working men to heat.", "content": "Twelve men block-stepped (35 W) 4 h/day for 12 days and were divided into two similar groups on the basis of Vo2max. All were exposed to 33.8 degrees C dry bulb, 32.7 degrees C wet bulb for 2 h (E1) while working (30% Vo2max). Venous blood was obtained at 10-min intervals during hour 1 and at 20-min intervals during hour 2. Group 1 was acclimatized to heat. Group II continued to train. The test exposure was repeated (E2). During E1 a trend toward hemodilution was evident but not significant for either group. Protein moved into the vascular volume and a decrease in plasma osmolarity was significant only after 30 min. For both groups during E2 significant hemodilution occurred during the first 10 min. Only group I remained significantly hemodiluted for 2 h. Protein movement and osmodilution again occurred in both groups. These results support earlier suggestions as to the mechanisms of hemodilution based on 1-h blood samples. Conflicting evidence as to the pressure or absence of hemodilution upon heat exposure is noted, and a hypothesis is proposed which appears to reconcile divergent results.", "contents": "Early response of plasma contents on exposure of working men to heat. Twelve men block-stepped (35 W) 4 h/day for 12 days and were divided into two similar groups on the basis of Vo2max. All were exposed to 33.8 degrees C dry bulb, 32.7 degrees C wet bulb for 2 h (E1) while working (30% Vo2max). Venous blood was obtained at 10-min intervals during hour 1 and at 20-min intervals during hour 2. Group 1 was acclimatized to heat. Group II continued to train. The test exposure was repeated (E2). During E1 a trend toward hemodilution was evident but not significant for either group. Protein moved into the vascular volume and a decrease in plasma osmolarity was significant only after 30 min. For both groups during E2 significant hemodilution occurred during the first 10 min. Only group I remained significantly hemodiluted for 2 h. Protein movement and osmodilution again occurred in both groups. These results support earlier suggestions as to the mechanisms of hemodilution based on 1-h blood samples. Conflicting evidence as to the pressure or absence of hemodilution upon heat exposure is noted, and a hypothesis is proposed which appears to reconcile divergent results.", "PMID": 632155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9228", "title": "Microvascular responses to norepinephrine in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats.", "content": "The microcirculation of the spinotrapezius muscle in normal and cold-acclimated (4 degrees C) rats was observed by an in vivo microscopic technique. The responses of the arterioles and venules in the skeletal muscle microcirculation to topical application of norepinephrine (NE) were recorded by a photomicrographic method. Results show that the skeletal muscle microcirculation possesses both alpha- and beta-adrenergic vascular receptors. Stimulation of the alpha-receptor results in vasoconstriction, and of the beta-receptor, vasodilatation. These microvascular responses are antagonized by specific alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers. Cold-acclimation (4 degrees C) for 3 wk decreases the responses of the skeletal muscle microvessels to NE stimulation. This diminished sensitivity is due to an attenuation of the alpha-adrenergic receptor mechanism.", "contents": "Microvascular responses to norepinephrine in skeletal muscle of cold-acclimated rats. The microcirculation of the spinotrapezius muscle in normal and cold-acclimated (4 degrees C) rats was observed by an in vivo microscopic technique. The responses of the arterioles and venules in the skeletal muscle microcirculation to topical application of norepinephrine (NE) were recorded by a photomicrographic method. Results show that the skeletal muscle microcirculation possesses both alpha- and beta-adrenergic vascular receptors. Stimulation of the alpha-receptor results in vasoconstriction, and of the beta-receptor, vasodilatation. These microvascular responses are antagonized by specific alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers. Cold-acclimation (4 degrees C) for 3 wk decreases the responses of the skeletal muscle microvessels to NE stimulation. This diminished sensitivity is due to an attenuation of the alpha-adrenergic receptor mechanism.", "PMID": 632157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9229", "title": "Effects of age on regional residual volume.", "content": "Forty-one normal non-smokers between the ages of 20 and 80 were studied to determine if the increased residual volume, known to occur with aging, results from increased residual volume throughout, or only in specific regions of the lung. The subjects were dividied into groups consisting of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-69, and 70+ yr. Measurements of regional residual volume to regional total lung capacity ratio (RVr/TLCr) were made using zenon-133 and a multidetector analysis system in which five zones (from top to bottom) were analyzed in each lung. Closing volume was also measured. The subjects were in the sitting position for all studies. The results showed regardless of age, the RVr/TLCr was higher at the top than at the bottom of the lung. In addition, the ratio of upper to lower RVr/TLCr was not significantly different between any of the age groups. The results can be explained if airways throughout the lung close at higher volumes as age increases, or if altered emptying sequences within regions occur due to retarded emptying of highly compliant lung regions.", "contents": "Effects of age on regional residual volume. Forty-one normal non-smokers between the ages of 20 and 80 were studied to determine if the increased residual volume, known to occur with aging, results from increased residual volume throughout, or only in specific regions of the lung. The subjects were dividied into groups consisting of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-69, and 70+ yr. Measurements of regional residual volume to regional total lung capacity ratio (RVr/TLCr) were made using zenon-133 and a multidetector analysis system in which five zones (from top to bottom) were analyzed in each lung. Closing volume was also measured. The subjects were in the sitting position for all studies. The results showed regardless of age, the RVr/TLCr was higher at the top than at the bottom of the lung. In addition, the ratio of upper to lower RVr/TLCr was not significantly different between any of the age groups. The results can be explained if airways throughout the lung close at higher volumes as age increases, or if altered emptying sequences within regions occur due to retarded emptying of highly compliant lung regions.", "PMID": 632158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9230", "title": "Partitioning of inspiratory pressure swings between diaphragm and intercostal/accessory muscles.", "content": "We tested the hypothesis that the inspiratory pressure swings across the rib-cage pathway are the sum of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and the pressures developed by the intercostal/accessory muscles (Pic). If correct, Pic can only contribute to lowering pleural pressure (Ppl), to the extent that it lowers abdominal pressure (Pab). To test this we measured Pab and Ppl during during Mueller maneuvers in which deltaPab = 0. Because there was no outward displacement of the rib cage, Pic must have contributed to deltaPpl, as did Pdi. Under these conditions the total pressure developed by the inspiratory muscles across the rib-cage pathway was less than Pdi + Pic. Therefore, we rejected the hypothesis. A plot of Pab vs. Ppl during relaxation allows partitioning of the diaphragmatic and intercostal/accessory muscle contributions to inspiratory pressure swings. The analysis indicates that the diaphragm can act both as a fixator, preventing transmission of Ppl to the abdomen and as an agonist. When abdominal muscles remain relaxed it only assumes the latter role to the extent that Pab increases.", "contents": "Partitioning of inspiratory pressure swings between diaphragm and intercostal/accessory muscles. We tested the hypothesis that the inspiratory pressure swings across the rib-cage pathway are the sum of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and the pressures developed by the intercostal/accessory muscles (Pic). If correct, Pic can only contribute to lowering pleural pressure (Ppl), to the extent that it lowers abdominal pressure (Pab). To test this we measured Pab and Ppl during during Mueller maneuvers in which deltaPab = 0. Because there was no outward displacement of the rib cage, Pic must have contributed to deltaPpl, as did Pdi. Under these conditions the total pressure developed by the inspiratory muscles across the rib-cage pathway was less than Pdi + Pic. Therefore, we rejected the hypothesis. A plot of Pab vs. Ppl during relaxation allows partitioning of the diaphragmatic and intercostal/accessory muscle contributions to inspiratory pressure swings. The analysis indicates that the diaphragm can act both as a fixator, preventing transmission of Ppl to the abdomen and as an agonist. When abdominal muscles remain relaxed it only assumes the latter role to the extent that Pab increases.", "PMID": 632159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9231", "title": "Aerobic work capacity in chronically undernourished adult males.", "content": "Maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and maximal endurance time at 80% Vo2max (T80) were determined in 49 subjects with varying degrees of nutritional compromise. Vo2max was lover by 21% and 52% in subjects with moderate and severe undernutrition, respectively, when compared to men with mild nutritional compromise. Most (80%) of the change in Vo2max could be related to the estimated differences in muscle cell mass (MCM). A significant reduction (-18%) in the Vo2max per unit of MCM was found in the severely undernourished subjects, indicating basic physiological changes. Total body hemoglobin showed the highest correlation with Vo2max (r = 0.709) and at constant MCM (partial r = 0.796). A multiple regression equation was derived to estimate the Vo2max of populations on the basis of simple anthropometry and blood hemoglobin levels. T80 (93-103 min) and estimated maximum sustained 8-h percent effort (32%) in mild, intermediate, or severe undernutrition were not significantly different; by contrast, endurance at a given absolute work load was markedly lower in severe undernutrition (8 vs. 1.5 h) due presumably to the difference in Vo2max.", "contents": "Aerobic work capacity in chronically undernourished adult males. Maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and maximal endurance time at 80% Vo2max (T80) were determined in 49 subjects with varying degrees of nutritional compromise. Vo2max was lover by 21% and 52% in subjects with moderate and severe undernutrition, respectively, when compared to men with mild nutritional compromise. Most (80%) of the change in Vo2max could be related to the estimated differences in muscle cell mass (MCM). A significant reduction (-18%) in the Vo2max per unit of MCM was found in the severely undernourished subjects, indicating basic physiological changes. Total body hemoglobin showed the highest correlation with Vo2max (r = 0.709) and at constant MCM (partial r = 0.796). A multiple regression equation was derived to estimate the Vo2max of populations on the basis of simple anthropometry and blood hemoglobin levels. T80 (93-103 min) and estimated maximum sustained 8-h percent effort (32%) in mild, intermediate, or severe undernutrition were not significantly different; by contrast, endurance at a given absolute work load was markedly lower in severe undernutrition (8 vs. 1.5 h) due presumably to the difference in Vo2max.", "PMID": 632160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9232", "title": "Effect of force environment on regional pulmonary displacements and volumes in dogs.", "content": "Regional displacements of lung parenchyma due to respiratory movements at 1 G and 7 Gy were studied in anesthetized dogs in the left decubitus position in a water-filled respirator that provided control of respiratory volumes and rate and minimized inertial shifts in position and shape of the thorax and abdominal contents and related effects on the lungs. Inspiratory movements at 1 G were relatively uniform, although regional volume increased more in the nondependent (right) lung than in the dependent (left) lung. Regional functional residual capacity (FRC) increased in the nondependent lung and decreased in the dependent lung during exposures to 7 Gy. The greatest inspiratory increase in volume occurred near the midlung, where regional FRC changed the least during acceleration. The decrease in dependent and increase in nondependent lung volumes during acceleration are attributed to the increased weight and consequent downward displacement of the higher specific gravity mediastinal contents concomitantly with upward displacement of pulmonary gas, producing an exaggeration of the dependent-to-nondependent gradient in alveolar size.", "contents": "Effect of force environment on regional pulmonary displacements and volumes in dogs. Regional displacements of lung parenchyma due to respiratory movements at 1 G and 7 Gy were studied in anesthetized dogs in the left decubitus position in a water-filled respirator that provided control of respiratory volumes and rate and minimized inertial shifts in position and shape of the thorax and abdominal contents and related effects on the lungs. Inspiratory movements at 1 G were relatively uniform, although regional volume increased more in the nondependent (right) lung than in the dependent (left) lung. Regional functional residual capacity (FRC) increased in the nondependent lung and decreased in the dependent lung during exposures to 7 Gy. The greatest inspiratory increase in volume occurred near the midlung, where regional FRC changed the least during acceleration. The decrease in dependent and increase in nondependent lung volumes during acceleration are attributed to the increased weight and consequent downward displacement of the higher specific gravity mediastinal contents concomitantly with upward displacement of pulmonary gas, producing an exaggeration of the dependent-to-nondependent gradient in alveolar size.", "PMID": 632161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9233", "title": "Regrowth of atrophied skeletal muscle in adult rats after ending immobilization.", "content": "The recovery time course of muscle atrophied by immobilization was followed after removal of hindlimb casts from adult female rats. Increases of only 9% in body weight, 4% in gastrocnemius weight, and 10% in soleus weight occurred in controls during the 78-day duration of the experiment. There were no increases in the amounts of total protein or of citrate synthase activities in gastrocnemius or soleus during the first 3 days after removal of hindlimb casts; thereafter, there were increases in these paramters. Citrate synthase activities per mg of gastrocnemius protein were significantly higher at the 16th and 50th day of recovery. No significant differences for citrate synthase activity per mg of soleus occurred during recovery. Until the 50th day of recovery, no significant differences for total protein in soleus and for total protein and wet weight of gastrocnemius were observed between control and recovery values. However, the wet weight of the soleus returned rapidly during recovery and was not significantly different from control during recovery.", "contents": "Regrowth of atrophied skeletal muscle in adult rats after ending immobilization. The recovery time course of muscle atrophied by immobilization was followed after removal of hindlimb casts from adult female rats. Increases of only 9% in body weight, 4% in gastrocnemius weight, and 10% in soleus weight occurred in controls during the 78-day duration of the experiment. There were no increases in the amounts of total protein or of citrate synthase activities in gastrocnemius or soleus during the first 3 days after removal of hindlimb casts; thereafter, there were increases in these paramters. Citrate synthase activities per mg of gastrocnemius protein were significantly higher at the 16th and 50th day of recovery. No significant differences for citrate synthase activity per mg of soleus occurred during recovery. Until the 50th day of recovery, no significant differences for total protein in soleus and for total protein and wet weight of gastrocnemius were observed between control and recovery values. However, the wet weight of the soleus returned rapidly during recovery and was not significantly different from control during recovery.", "PMID": 632162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9234", "title": "Exercise ventilatory mechanics at increased ambient pressure.", "content": "Transpulmonary pressure, lung volume, and flow rate were recorded in two healthy subjects performing graded exercise between 1 and 10 ATA. At simulated depths greater than 4 ATA, exercise was terminated by severe choking dyspnea at levels of work, oxygen consumption, heart rate, and ventilation significantly lower than during maximum exercise at 1 ATA. Comparison of exercise ventilatory mechanics with corresponding maximum expiratory flow-volume and expiratory isovolume pressure-flow (IVPV) curves demonstrated that the reduced aerobic capacity was associated with expiratory flow limitation. We conclude that dynamic airways compression limited aerobic capacity at these depths by causing a persistent cough making it seem difficult to continue exercise. Analysis of the IVPV curves suggested that maximum expiratory flow was reduced at depth below the rate allowing adequate exercise ventilation because increased gas density raised the resistance downstream from equal pressure points. At each level of sumbaximal exercise, end-expiratory position and alveolar CO2 tension increased with ambient pressure due primarily to the density dependence of airways resistance. In these respects, healthy subjects breathing dense gas resemble patients with obstructive lung disease.", "contents": "Exercise ventilatory mechanics at increased ambient pressure. Transpulmonary pressure, lung volume, and flow rate were recorded in two healthy subjects performing graded exercise between 1 and 10 ATA. At simulated depths greater than 4 ATA, exercise was terminated by severe choking dyspnea at levels of work, oxygen consumption, heart rate, and ventilation significantly lower than during maximum exercise at 1 ATA. Comparison of exercise ventilatory mechanics with corresponding maximum expiratory flow-volume and expiratory isovolume pressure-flow (IVPV) curves demonstrated that the reduced aerobic capacity was associated with expiratory flow limitation. We conclude that dynamic airways compression limited aerobic capacity at these depths by causing a persistent cough making it seem difficult to continue exercise. Analysis of the IVPV curves suggested that maximum expiratory flow was reduced at depth below the rate allowing adequate exercise ventilation because increased gas density raised the resistance downstream from equal pressure points. At each level of sumbaximal exercise, end-expiratory position and alveolar CO2 tension increased with ambient pressure due primarily to the density dependence of airways resistance. In these respects, healthy subjects breathing dense gas resemble patients with obstructive lung disease.", "PMID": 632163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9235", "title": "Closing capacity in awake and anesthetized-paralyzed man.", "content": "Functional residual capacity (FRC), closing capacity (CC), and (FRC--CC) were determined in 61 supine patients using the 133Xe bolus test. In 28 of the 61 patients measurements were made both while the patients were awake and during anesthesia-paralysis. Both FRC and CC decreased significantly after induction of anesthesia-paralysis. The magnitude of the reduction in CC, but not of FRC, was dependent on the relationship between FRC and CC in the awake state. Patients whose FRC was larger than their CC while awake (group I) showed less decrease in CC than FRC, i.e., (FRC--CC) decreased. By contrast, those patients whose CC was larger than their FRC while awake (group II) showed a greater decrease in CC than in FRC, i.e., (FRC--CC) became less negative. The reduction in CC after induction of anesthesia-paralysis may result from an increased elastic recoil of the lung. The larger reduction in CC in group II patients may have been due to a larger increase in elastic recoil, possibly due to the development of atelactasis.", "contents": "Closing capacity in awake and anesthetized-paralyzed man. Functional residual capacity (FRC), closing capacity (CC), and (FRC--CC) were determined in 61 supine patients using the 133Xe bolus test. In 28 of the 61 patients measurements were made both while the patients were awake and during anesthesia-paralysis. Both FRC and CC decreased significantly after induction of anesthesia-paralysis. The magnitude of the reduction in CC, but not of FRC, was dependent on the relationship between FRC and CC in the awake state. Patients whose FRC was larger than their CC while awake (group I) showed less decrease in CC than FRC, i.e., (FRC--CC) decreased. By contrast, those patients whose CC was larger than their FRC while awake (group II) showed a greater decrease in CC than in FRC, i.e., (FRC--CC) became less negative. The reduction in CC after induction of anesthesia-paralysis may result from an increased elastic recoil of the lung. The larger reduction in CC in group II patients may have been due to a larger increase in elastic recoil, possibly due to the development of atelactasis.", "PMID": 632164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9236", "title": "Colloid osmotic pressure changes of dog's blood exposed to different mixtures of CO2 and air.", "content": "Hansen's membrane manometer method for measuring plasma colloid osmotic pressure was used to obtain the osmolality changes of dogs breathing different levels of CO2. Osmotic pressure was converted to osmolality by calibration of the manometer with saline and plasma, using freezing point depression osmometry. The addition of 10 vol% of CO2 to tonometered blood caused about a 2.0 mosmol/kg H2O increase of osmolality, or 1.2% increase of red blood cell volume. The swelling of the red blood cells was probably due to osmosis caused by Cl- exchanged for the HCO3- which was produced rapidly by carbonic anhydrase present in the red blood cells. The change in colloid osmotic pressure accompanying a change in co2 tension was measured on blood obtained from dogs breathing different CO2 mixtures. It was approximately 0.14 mosmol/kg H2O per Torr Pco2. The corresponding change in red cell volume could not be calculated from this because water can exchange between the plasma and tissues.", "contents": "Colloid osmotic pressure changes of dog's blood exposed to different mixtures of CO2 and air. Hansen's membrane manometer method for measuring plasma colloid osmotic pressure was used to obtain the osmolality changes of dogs breathing different levels of CO2. Osmotic pressure was converted to osmolality by calibration of the manometer with saline and plasma, using freezing point depression osmometry. The addition of 10 vol% of CO2 to tonometered blood caused about a 2.0 mosmol/kg H2O increase of osmolality, or 1.2% increase of red blood cell volume. The swelling of the red blood cells was probably due to osmosis caused by Cl- exchanged for the HCO3- which was produced rapidly by carbonic anhydrase present in the red blood cells. The change in colloid osmotic pressure accompanying a change in co2 tension was measured on blood obtained from dogs breathing different CO2 mixtures. It was approximately 0.14 mosmol/kg H2O per Torr Pco2. The corresponding change in red cell volume could not be calculated from this because water can exchange between the plasma and tissues.", "PMID": 632165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9237", "title": "Sweating response in man during transient rises of air temperature.", "content": "Nude men were exposed to neutral environments (Ta = 28 degrees C, Pw = 20 mbar) changing to warm environments (Ta = 50 degrees C, Pw = 20 mbar). The transient period from neutral to warm environment lasted 4 min (dTA/DT = 5.50 degrees C/min) or 20 min (DTa/dt = 1.10 degrees C/min) or 40 min (dTa/dt = 0.55 degrees C/min) or 60 min (dTa/dt = 0.37 degrees C/min). Continuous measurements were made of rectal and mean skin temperatures and of body weigth loss. Sweating started before appreciable variation in rectal temperature. Onset of sweating could be explained by a peripheral proportional and rate control. Unsteady-state sweating can be predicted by summated stimulation of skin and rectal temperatures. This stimulation could be increased for some subjects by a multiplicative effect due to differences in local skin temperatures. This multiplicative effect occurred during the first transient period.", "contents": "Sweating response in man during transient rises of air temperature. Nude men were exposed to neutral environments (Ta = 28 degrees C, Pw = 20 mbar) changing to warm environments (Ta = 50 degrees C, Pw = 20 mbar). The transient period from neutral to warm environment lasted 4 min (dTA/DT = 5.50 degrees C/min) or 20 min (DTa/dt = 1.10 degrees C/min) or 40 min (dTa/dt = 0.55 degrees C/min) or 60 min (dTa/dt = 0.37 degrees C/min). Continuous measurements were made of rectal and mean skin temperatures and of body weigth loss. Sweating started before appreciable variation in rectal temperature. Onset of sweating could be explained by a peripheral proportional and rate control. Unsteady-state sweating can be predicted by summated stimulation of skin and rectal temperatures. This stimulation could be increased for some subjects by a multiplicative effect due to differences in local skin temperatures. This multiplicative effect occurred during the first transient period.", "PMID": 632167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9238", "title": "Functional residual capacity and body position in the dog.", "content": "Resting lung volumes in the supine position (FRCs) were determined by N2 washout method in 67 dogs under pentobarbital anesthesia and computed in ml/kg body weight (BW). In 21 other dogs, FRCs and the change in FRC from the supine to upright positions (deltaFRC) were determined; these lung volumes were expressed in ml/kg BW and in percentage of TLC40 (lung volume at 40 cmH2O positive-pressure inflation). It was found that a) FRCs averaged 38.6 plus or minus 8.2 and 42 plus or minus 5.9 ml/kg BW in the two groups of dogs; b) deltaFRC averaged 23 plus or minus 4 ml/kg BW resulted in large data dispersion, a large coefficient of variation (CV) and a poor correlation (r) of lung volume to BW; D) on the contrary, marked uniformity of FRCs and FRCu (upright FRC) was obtained by expressing the resting lung volumes in %TLC40, allowing an accurate prediction of FRC from the inspiratory capacity (IC). Relationship of FRCu to TLC was comparable to human data reported in the literature. FRCs (%TLC40) was smaller than values previously reported for awake human subjects, probably due to the FRCs reduction in our dogs by anesthesia.", "contents": "Functional residual capacity and body position in the dog. Resting lung volumes in the supine position (FRCs) were determined by N2 washout method in 67 dogs under pentobarbital anesthesia and computed in ml/kg body weight (BW). In 21 other dogs, FRCs and the change in FRC from the supine to upright positions (deltaFRC) were determined; these lung volumes were expressed in ml/kg BW and in percentage of TLC40 (lung volume at 40 cmH2O positive-pressure inflation). It was found that a) FRCs averaged 38.6 plus or minus 8.2 and 42 plus or minus 5.9 ml/kg BW in the two groups of dogs; b) deltaFRC averaged 23 plus or minus 4 ml/kg BW resulted in large data dispersion, a large coefficient of variation (CV) and a poor correlation (r) of lung volume to BW; D) on the contrary, marked uniformity of FRCs and FRCu (upright FRC) was obtained by expressing the resting lung volumes in %TLC40, allowing an accurate prediction of FRC from the inspiratory capacity (IC). Relationship of FRCu to TLC was comparable to human data reported in the literature. FRCs (%TLC40) was smaller than values previously reported for awake human subjects, probably due to the FRCs reduction in our dogs by anesthesia.", "PMID": 632168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9239", "title": "Maturation of respiratory control in unanesthetized newborn rabbits.", "content": "The maturation of control of breathing was studied in unanesthetized rabbit pups breathing room air in a body plethysmograph during the first 8 postnatal days. Measurements include pulmonary ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory (TI) and total breathing cycle (Ttot) durations, TI/Ttot, mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), and tracheal pressure developed by the inspiratory muscles 0.1 and 0.2 s after the onset of inspirations with airways occluded at functional residual capacity (P0.1 and P0.2). All of the above variables increased progressively from the 1st to the 8th day, except for P0.1, P0.2, and TI/Ttot which remained constant. The constancy of TI/Ttot implies that the increase in VE with age was due entirely to increased VT/TI. The constancy of P0.1 and P0.2 implies that the increase in VT/TI with age was due to decreased \"effective\" impedance of the respiratory system. The latter probably mainly reflects increased compliance and decreased flow resistance with growth. The results also show that during the first 8 days of life there is a progressive shift to the right in the VT vs. TI relationship.", "contents": "Maturation of respiratory control in unanesthetized newborn rabbits. The maturation of control of breathing was studied in unanesthetized rabbit pups breathing room air in a body plethysmograph during the first 8 postnatal days. Measurements include pulmonary ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), inspiratory (TI) and total breathing cycle (Ttot) durations, TI/Ttot, mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI), and tracheal pressure developed by the inspiratory muscles 0.1 and 0.2 s after the onset of inspirations with airways occluded at functional residual capacity (P0.1 and P0.2). All of the above variables increased progressively from the 1st to the 8th day, except for P0.1, P0.2, and TI/Ttot which remained constant. The constancy of TI/Ttot implies that the increase in VE with age was due entirely to increased VT/TI. The constancy of P0.1 and P0.2 implies that the increase in VT/TI with age was due to decreased \"effective\" impedance of the respiratory system. The latter probably mainly reflects increased compliance and decreased flow resistance with growth. The results also show that during the first 8 days of life there is a progressive shift to the right in the VT vs. TI relationship.", "PMID": 632169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9240", "title": "Control of ventilation during intravenous CO2 loading in the awake dog.", "content": "The ventilatory response to venous CO2 loading and its effect on arterial CO2 tension was determined in five awake dogs. Blood, 200-500 ml/min, was diverted from a catheter in the right common carotid artery through a membrane gas exchanger and returned to the right jugular vein. CO2 loading was accomplished by changing the gas ventilating the gas exchanger from a mixture of 5% CO2 in air to 100% CO2. The ventilatory responses to this procedure were compared with those resulting from increased inspired CO2 concentrations (during which ventilation of the gas exchanger with the air and 5% CO2 mixture continued). The ventilatory response to each form of CO2 loading was computed as deltaVE/deltaPaco9. The mean ventilatory response to airway CO2 loading was 1.61 1/min per Torr PaCO2. The mean response for the venous CO2 loading was significantly higher and not significantly different from \"infinite\" CO2 sensitivity (i.e., isocapnic response). The results provide further evidence for a CO2-linked hyperpnea, not mediated by significant changes in mean arterial PCO2.", "contents": "Control of ventilation during intravenous CO2 loading in the awake dog. The ventilatory response to venous CO2 loading and its effect on arterial CO2 tension was determined in five awake dogs. Blood, 200-500 ml/min, was diverted from a catheter in the right common carotid artery through a membrane gas exchanger and returned to the right jugular vein. CO2 loading was accomplished by changing the gas ventilating the gas exchanger from a mixture of 5% CO2 in air to 100% CO2. The ventilatory responses to this procedure were compared with those resulting from increased inspired CO2 concentrations (during which ventilation of the gas exchanger with the air and 5% CO2 mixture continued). The ventilatory response to each form of CO2 loading was computed as deltaVE/deltaPaco9. The mean ventilatory response to airway CO2 loading was 1.61 1/min per Torr PaCO2. The mean response for the venous CO2 loading was significantly higher and not significantly different from \"infinite\" CO2 sensitivity (i.e., isocapnic response). The results provide further evidence for a CO2-linked hyperpnea, not mediated by significant changes in mean arterial PCO2.", "PMID": 632170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9241", "title": "Determining P50 in the presence of carboxyhemoglobin.", "content": "A method is proposed, using mathematical solutions to the Roughton-Darling analysis, that theoretically can correct the measurements used for P50 determinations, whenever HbCO is present in blood, either initially or after equilibration. The resulting P50 is calculated in a \"CO-free\" state, independent of the actual presence of HbCO. This can be converted to a term designated T50, which indicates the in vivo shift caused by the concentration of HbCO measured. The concept was tested by comparing the P50 measurements in subjects with normal hemoglobins who differed by smoking habits (smokers vs. nonsmokers). The results showed similar mean values for this definition of P50, despite an average 10-fold difference in initial concentrations of HbCO. The method is applicable both to the single point principle, wherein P50 is estimated directly from venous blood measurements, and to standard tonometry-mixing techniques, as long as instrumentation includes the measurement of CO saturation.", "contents": "Determining P50 in the presence of carboxyhemoglobin. A method is proposed, using mathematical solutions to the Roughton-Darling analysis, that theoretically can correct the measurements used for P50 determinations, whenever HbCO is present in blood, either initially or after equilibration. The resulting P50 is calculated in a \"CO-free\" state, independent of the actual presence of HbCO. This can be converted to a term designated T50, which indicates the in vivo shift caused by the concentration of HbCO measured. The concept was tested by comparing the P50 measurements in subjects with normal hemoglobins who differed by smoking habits (smokers vs. nonsmokers). The results showed similar mean values for this definition of P50, despite an average 10-fold difference in initial concentrations of HbCO. The method is applicable both to the single point principle, wherein P50 is estimated directly from venous blood measurements, and to standard tonometry-mixing techniques, as long as instrumentation includes the measurement of CO saturation.", "PMID": 632171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9242", "title": "Selected brain amino acids and ammonium during chronic hypercapnia in conscious rats.", "content": "Glutamic, aspartic, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine, and ammonium were measured in the brains of unanesthetized normocapnic and hypercapnic (10% CO2; 5 min to 3 wk) rats. Hypercapnia increased glutamine and GABA and decreased glutamic and aspartic acids. Changes occurred within 1 h and were maintained during the observation period of 3 wk. On return to normocapnia amino acid concentrations were almost normal after 1 h. Based on the time course it is concluded that intracerebral hypercapnia is more likely the stimulus for change than acidosis. Ammonium content was unchanged for at least 1 h after the onset of hypercapnia but increased thereafter. Experiments in which glutamine synthesis by brain was impeded by inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthetase favor the hypothesis that the rise of ammonium content in hypercapnia is initially not seen because of increased glutamine synthesis. The changes observed may have a role in metabolic pH homeostasis of brain tissue and may also be relevant to the modified brain excitability in hypercapnia.", "contents": "Selected brain amino acids and ammonium during chronic hypercapnia in conscious rats. Glutamic, aspartic, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine, and ammonium were measured in the brains of unanesthetized normocapnic and hypercapnic (10% CO2; 5 min to 3 wk) rats. Hypercapnia increased glutamine and GABA and decreased glutamic and aspartic acids. Changes occurred within 1 h and were maintained during the observation period of 3 wk. On return to normocapnia amino acid concentrations were almost normal after 1 h. Based on the time course it is concluded that intracerebral hypercapnia is more likely the stimulus for change than acidosis. Ammonium content was unchanged for at least 1 h after the onset of hypercapnia but increased thereafter. Experiments in which glutamine synthesis by brain was impeded by inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthetase favor the hypothesis that the rise of ammonium content in hypercapnia is initially not seen because of increased glutamine synthesis. The changes observed may have a role in metabolic pH homeostasis of brain tissue and may also be relevant to the modified brain excitability in hypercapnia.", "PMID": 632172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9243", "title": "Adrenergic influences on histamine-mediated bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig.", "content": "Intravenous infusion of histamine results in a fall in dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) in the unanesthetized guinea pig. During a prolonged infusion of histamine (30-200 s) a minimum value of Cdyn is reached and sustained after 30 s. Propranolol (10 mg/kg) enhanced this steady-state response in both normal and adrenally ablated guinea pigs to the same degree. After the infusion was terminated, normal guinea pigs recovered briskly, whereas guinea pigs whose adrenals had been ablated recovered slowly. Propranolol prolonged the recovery from the histamine-mediated fall in Cdyn in normal guinea pigs, but had no significant effect on the pattern of recovery in adrenally ablated animals. These experiments suggest that during a histamine infusion nonadrenal adrenergic factors modify the histamine response, but the brisk recovery from histamine is under the influence of adrenal factors.", "contents": "Adrenergic influences on histamine-mediated bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig. Intravenous infusion of histamine results in a fall in dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) in the unanesthetized guinea pig. During a prolonged infusion of histamine (30-200 s) a minimum value of Cdyn is reached and sustained after 30 s. Propranolol (10 mg/kg) enhanced this steady-state response in both normal and adrenally ablated guinea pigs to the same degree. After the infusion was terminated, normal guinea pigs recovered briskly, whereas guinea pigs whose adrenals had been ablated recovered slowly. Propranolol prolonged the recovery from the histamine-mediated fall in Cdyn in normal guinea pigs, but had no significant effect on the pattern of recovery in adrenally ablated animals. These experiments suggest that during a histamine infusion nonadrenal adrenergic factors modify the histamine response, but the brisk recovery from histamine is under the influence of adrenal factors.", "PMID": 632173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9244", "title": "Influence of limb length on a stepping exercise.", "content": "The effect of limb length on responses to the step-test exercise was studied in 10 subjects of various heights; oxygen consumption values served as an indicator. Mean oxygen consumption was found to be significantly related to limb length in the step-test exercise. This was demonstrated when subjects with different limb lengths were tested as a standard work load (i.e., 10 m/min x body wt) but at seven different bench heights and correspondingly adjusted stepping rates. The minimum values for oxygen consumption were obtained when the bench height was near 50% (45-55%) of subject's limb length.", "contents": "Influence of limb length on a stepping exercise. The effect of limb length on responses to the step-test exercise was studied in 10 subjects of various heights; oxygen consumption values served as an indicator. Mean oxygen consumption was found to be significantly related to limb length in the step-test exercise. This was demonstrated when subjects with different limb lengths were tested as a standard work load (i.e., 10 m/min x body wt) but at seven different bench heights and correspondingly adjusted stepping rates. The minimum values for oxygen consumption were obtained when the bench height was near 50% (45-55%) of subject's limb length.", "PMID": 632174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9245", "title": "Lactate release in relation to tissue lactate in human skeletal muscle during exercise.", "content": "In four healthy volunteers, muscle lactate concentration and the release of lactate from the leg were determined at rest and at 4 and 12 min of sitting bicycle exercise at four intensities (30, 50, 70, and 90% of maximal oxygen uptake). The muscle biopsies were obtained by needle biopsy technique from m. vastus lateralis. The rate of lactate release was calculated from the femoral venous-arterial differences of lactate and the leg blood flow was determined by constant rate dye infusion. Both leg blood flow and leg oxygen consumption increased linearly with work intensity. The release of lactate rose approximately linearly with the muscle lactate concentration up to about 4-5 mmol/min but then the relationship revealed a clear leveling off. These results indicate a maximal level for the lactate release from the exercising muscles with a translocation hindrance for lactate within the muscles.", "contents": "Lactate release in relation to tissue lactate in human skeletal muscle during exercise. In four healthy volunteers, muscle lactate concentration and the release of lactate from the leg were determined at rest and at 4 and 12 min of sitting bicycle exercise at four intensities (30, 50, 70, and 90% of maximal oxygen uptake). The muscle biopsies were obtained by needle biopsy technique from m. vastus lateralis. The rate of lactate release was calculated from the femoral venous-arterial differences of lactate and the leg blood flow was determined by constant rate dye infusion. Both leg blood flow and leg oxygen consumption increased linearly with work intensity. The release of lactate rose approximately linearly with the muscle lactate concentration up to about 4-5 mmol/min but then the relationship revealed a clear leveling off. These results indicate a maximal level for the lactate release from the exercising muscles with a translocation hindrance for lactate within the muscles.", "PMID": 632175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9246", "title": "Solute permeability of the alveolar epithelium in alloxan edema in dogs.", "content": "The permeability of the alveolar epithelium following alloxan challenge was studied in dogs by determining transfer of radiolabeled solutes between alveolus and blood. Two days after injection of 131-Ialbumin into the blood, anesthetized dogs had the air space of part of one lung isolated by a balloon catheter lodged in a bronchus. We infused the atelectatis-isolated area with normal saline containing trace amounts of Blue Dextran, 125Ialbumin, and 57Co-cyanocobalamin; challenged six animals with intravenous alloxan, and six animals with alloxan added to the alveolar saline. During the pulmonary edema, 57Co-cyanocabalamin and 125I-albumin appeared in the blood and 131I-albumin entered the alveolar saline. The animals challenged by alveolar instillation showed a greater permeability change (P less than 0.05). The bidirectional transfer of macromolecules indicates that alloxan produces a change in the permeability of the alveolar epithelium, allowing diffusional exchange of macromolecules. Since alveolar flooding in hemodynamic edema does not show a similar change in the permeability of the epithelial lining, alveolar flooding in alloxan edema is not due solely to an effect on the endothelial membrane, but also to a direct effect on the epithelial membrane.", "contents": "Solute permeability of the alveolar epithelium in alloxan edema in dogs. The permeability of the alveolar epithelium following alloxan challenge was studied in dogs by determining transfer of radiolabeled solutes between alveolus and blood. Two days after injection of 131-Ialbumin into the blood, anesthetized dogs had the air space of part of one lung isolated by a balloon catheter lodged in a bronchus. We infused the atelectatis-isolated area with normal saline containing trace amounts of Blue Dextran, 125Ialbumin, and 57Co-cyanocobalamin; challenged six animals with intravenous alloxan, and six animals with alloxan added to the alveolar saline. During the pulmonary edema, 57Co-cyanocabalamin and 125I-albumin appeared in the blood and 131I-albumin entered the alveolar saline. The animals challenged by alveolar instillation showed a greater permeability change (P less than 0.05). The bidirectional transfer of macromolecules indicates that alloxan produces a change in the permeability of the alveolar epithelium, allowing diffusional exchange of macromolecules. Since alveolar flooding in hemodynamic edema does not show a similar change in the permeability of the epithelial lining, alveolar flooding in alloxan edema is not due solely to an effect on the endothelial membrane, but also to a direct effect on the epithelial membrane.", "PMID": 632176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9247", "title": "2-Deoxy-D-glucose uptake by lung slices from fed and fasted rats.", "content": "We studied the uptake and phosphorylation of 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose (2-[14C]DG) by lung slices from fed and fasted rats to obtain information on the effect of starvation on surgar transport by the lung. We found that 2-[14C]DG is taken up and phosphorylated by the lung, but that, as in other tissues it is not metabolized beyond the phosphorylation step. The accumulation of 2-[14C]DG as free 2-DG does not require energy, fails to show saturation in the range studied (5-100 mM), and is not inhibited by exogenous glucose. The phosphorylation of 2-DG by the lung is energy dependent, saturable, and competitively inhibited by exogenous glucose. Fasting does not interfere with the intracellular accumulation of unphosphorylated 2-DG but causes about a 40% decrease in the accumulation of phosphorylated 2-DG. We conclude that membrane transport does not limit uptake of 2-DG; fasting decreases the phosphorylation of 2-DG.", "contents": "2-Deoxy-D-glucose uptake by lung slices from fed and fasted rats. We studied the uptake and phosphorylation of 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose (2-[14C]DG) by lung slices from fed and fasted rats to obtain information on the effect of starvation on surgar transport by the lung. We found that 2-[14C]DG is taken up and phosphorylated by the lung, but that, as in other tissues it is not metabolized beyond the phosphorylation step. The accumulation of 2-[14C]DG as free 2-DG does not require energy, fails to show saturation in the range studied (5-100 mM), and is not inhibited by exogenous glucose. The phosphorylation of 2-DG by the lung is energy dependent, saturable, and competitively inhibited by exogenous glucose. Fasting does not interfere with the intracellular accumulation of unphosphorylated 2-DG but causes about a 40% decrease in the accumulation of phosphorylated 2-DG. We conclude that membrane transport does not limit uptake of 2-DG; fasting decreases the phosphorylation of 2-DG.", "PMID": 632179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9248", "title": "Effects of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins on lung function in the intact dog.", "content": "The effects of the prostaglandin (PG) precursor, arachidonic acid (AA), and the primary PG's, PGF2alpha, and PGD2, on lung function were compared in 39 intact-chest, paralyzed, artificially ventilated dogs. Intravenous AA decreased dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and functional residual capacity and increased airway resistance (Rl) and transpulmonary pressure at end-passive expiration. The decrease in Cdyn correlated closely with a rise in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa). Indomethacin abolished airway and vascular responses to AA, but did not attenuate responses to the PG's. The effects of AA, PGD2, and PGF2alpha on lung function and Ppa were similar, whereas PGE2 had little effect. Vagotomy attentuated the RL increase in response to AA, PGE2alpha, and PGD2 and the Cdyn decrease in response to the PG's. The effects of the PG's on compliance were greater than those produced by mechanically increasing pulmonary venous pressure. The present studies suggest that the PG precursor is rapidly converted to agents that have marked effect on both pulmonary vessels and airways, particularly peripheral airways, in the dog.", "contents": "Effects of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins on lung function in the intact dog. The effects of the prostaglandin (PG) precursor, arachidonic acid (AA), and the primary PG's, PGF2alpha, and PGD2, on lung function were compared in 39 intact-chest, paralyzed, artificially ventilated dogs. Intravenous AA decreased dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and functional residual capacity and increased airway resistance (Rl) and transpulmonary pressure at end-passive expiration. The decrease in Cdyn correlated closely with a rise in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa). Indomethacin abolished airway and vascular responses to AA, but did not attenuate responses to the PG's. The effects of AA, PGD2, and PGF2alpha on lung function and Ppa were similar, whereas PGE2 had little effect. Vagotomy attentuated the RL increase in response to AA, PGE2alpha, and PGD2 and the Cdyn decrease in response to the PG's. The effects of the PG's on compliance were greater than those produced by mechanically increasing pulmonary venous pressure. The present studies suggest that the PG precursor is rapidly converted to agents that have marked effect on both pulmonary vessels and airways, particularly peripheral airways, in the dog.", "PMID": 632180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9249", "title": "Continuous distributions of specific ventilation recovered from inert gas washout.", "content": "We describe a new technique for recovering continuous distributions of ventilation (V) as a function of tidal ventilation/volume ratio (V/V0) from the nitrogen washout. The analysis yields a continuous distribution of V as a function of V/V0 represented as fractional ventilations of 50 compartments plus dead space. The procedure was verified by recovering known distributions from data to which noise had been added. Using an apparatus to control the subject's tidal volume and FRC, mixed expired N2 data gave the following results: a) the distributions of young, normal subjects were narrow and unimodal with a mean ln standard deviation of 0.56 plus or minus 0.13; b) those of subjects over age 40 were broader (ln SD 0.86 plus or minus 0.19) with more poorly ventilated units; c) patients with pulmonary disease of all descriptions showed enlarged dead space; d) patients with cystic fibrosis showed multimodal distributions with the bulk of the ventilation going to overventilated units; and e) patients with obstructive lung diseases fell into several classes, three of which are illustrated. These results suggest that our approach is well suited for clinical investigation.", "contents": "Continuous distributions of specific ventilation recovered from inert gas washout. We describe a new technique for recovering continuous distributions of ventilation (V) as a function of tidal ventilation/volume ratio (V/V0) from the nitrogen washout. The analysis yields a continuous distribution of V as a function of V/V0 represented as fractional ventilations of 50 compartments plus dead space. The procedure was verified by recovering known distributions from data to which noise had been added. Using an apparatus to control the subject's tidal volume and FRC, mixed expired N2 data gave the following results: a) the distributions of young, normal subjects were narrow and unimodal with a mean ln standard deviation of 0.56 plus or minus 0.13; b) those of subjects over age 40 were broader (ln SD 0.86 plus or minus 0.19) with more poorly ventilated units; c) patients with pulmonary disease of all descriptions showed enlarged dead space; d) patients with cystic fibrosis showed multimodal distributions with the bulk of the ventilation going to overventilated units; and e) patients with obstructive lung diseases fell into several classes, three of which are illustrated. These results suggest that our approach is well suited for clinical investigation.", "PMID": 632182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9250", "title": "Emptying patterns of the lung studied by multiple-breath N2 washout.", "content": "Changes in the nitrogen concentration seen during the single-breath nitrogen washout reflect changes in relative flow (V) from units with differing ventilation/volume ratios (V/V0). The multiple-breath washout provides sufficient data for the V for units with varying V/V0 to be plotted as a function of the volume expired. Flow from the dead space may also be determined. In young normals the emptying patterns are narrow and unimodal throughout the alveolar plateau with little or no flow from the dead space at the end of the breath. Older normals show more flow from the dead space, particularly toward the end of the breath, and some show a high V/V0 mode early in the breath. Patients with obstructive lung disease have a high flow from the dead space which is present throughout the breath. A well ventilated mode at the end of the breath is seen in some obstructed subjects. Patients with cystic fibrosis showed a poorly ventilated mode appearing at the end of the breath as well as a very high dead space.", "contents": "Emptying patterns of the lung studied by multiple-breath N2 washout. Changes in the nitrogen concentration seen during the single-breath nitrogen washout reflect changes in relative flow (V) from units with differing ventilation/volume ratios (V/V0). The multiple-breath washout provides sufficient data for the V for units with varying V/V0 to be plotted as a function of the volume expired. Flow from the dead space may also be determined. In young normals the emptying patterns are narrow and unimodal throughout the alveolar plateau with little or no flow from the dead space at the end of the breath. Older normals show more flow from the dead space, particularly toward the end of the breath, and some show a high V/V0 mode early in the breath. Patients with obstructive lung disease have a high flow from the dead space which is present throughout the breath. A well ventilated mode at the end of the breath is seen in some obstructed subjects. Patients with cystic fibrosis showed a poorly ventilated mode appearing at the end of the breath as well as a very high dead space.", "PMID": 632183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9251", "title": "Temperature and corticosterone relationships in microwave-exposed rats.", "content": "Plasma corticosterone and colonic temperature were measured in unanesthetized male rats exposed to 2,450-MHz continuous wave (cw) radiation to characterize the response of the pituitary-adrenal axis to microwave exposure. The rats were exposed in the far field of a horn antenna for 30 or 60 min at power densities of 0, 13, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 mW/cm2, or for 120 min at 0, 13, 20, 30, or 40 mW/cm2. The average energy absorption rate of the rats was 0.16 W/kg absorbed per mW/cm2 incident. Plasma from individual rats decapitated immediately after exposure was collected for analysis. Colonic temperature was significantly elevataed after exposures to power densities of 13 mW/cm2 or greater, with progressively larger increases after high intensity exposures. Plasma corticosterone was significantly elevated above control levels only after exposures at 50 or 60 mW/cm2 for 30- or 60-min exposures, and at 20, 30, and 40 mW/cm2 for 120-min exposures. The relationship between the increased levels of circulating corticosterone and colonic temperature suggested that the increases in corticosterone levels may reflect a level of physiological response to the body temperature elevations caused by microwave exposure.", "contents": "Temperature and corticosterone relationships in microwave-exposed rats. Plasma corticosterone and colonic temperature were measured in unanesthetized male rats exposed to 2,450-MHz continuous wave (cw) radiation to characterize the response of the pituitary-adrenal axis to microwave exposure. The rats were exposed in the far field of a horn antenna for 30 or 60 min at power densities of 0, 13, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 mW/cm2, or for 120 min at 0, 13, 20, 30, or 40 mW/cm2. The average energy absorption rate of the rats was 0.16 W/kg absorbed per mW/cm2 incident. Plasma from individual rats decapitated immediately after exposure was collected for analysis. Colonic temperature was significantly elevataed after exposures to power densities of 13 mW/cm2 or greater, with progressively larger increases after high intensity exposures. Plasma corticosterone was significantly elevated above control levels only after exposures at 50 or 60 mW/cm2 for 30- or 60-min exposures, and at 20, 30, and 40 mW/cm2 for 120-min exposures. The relationship between the increased levels of circulating corticosterone and colonic temperature suggested that the increases in corticosterone levels may reflect a level of physiological response to the body temperature elevations caused by microwave exposure.", "PMID": 632184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9252", "title": "Quantitative lung morphology in Japanese waltzing mice.", "content": "We have reinvestigated the question of whether exercise stimulates lung growth by determining body weight (BW), lung volume (LV), alveolar surface area (SA), and alveolar number (N) in Japanese waltzing mice, in their phenotypically normal littermates, and in normal albino mice. BW, LV, SA, and N were all less in waltzing mice than in their littermates; LV/BW, SA/BW, and N/BW were indistinguishable in the two groups. Age-matched albino mice had larger BW and smaller N/BW than the waltzers or their littermates. The results indicate that both waltzing mice and their nonwaltzing littermates have more highly compartmentalized lungs than albino mice of the same age. However, the data provide no support for the hypothesis that sustained exercise enhances lung growth.", "contents": "Quantitative lung morphology in Japanese waltzing mice. We have reinvestigated the question of whether exercise stimulates lung growth by determining body weight (BW), lung volume (LV), alveolar surface area (SA), and alveolar number (N) in Japanese waltzing mice, in their phenotypically normal littermates, and in normal albino mice. BW, LV, SA, and N were all less in waltzing mice than in their littermates; LV/BW, SA/BW, and N/BW were indistinguishable in the two groups. Age-matched albino mice had larger BW and smaller N/BW than the waltzers or their littermates. The results indicate that both waltzing mice and their nonwaltzing littermates have more highly compartmentalized lungs than albino mice of the same age. However, the data provide no support for the hypothesis that sustained exercise enhances lung growth.", "PMID": 632185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9253", "title": "Pulse rate-rectal temperature relationships during prolonged work.", "content": "Forty-six industrial workers performed a total of 653 1-h work bouts over a wide range of work rates )142-273 W/m2) and environmental temperatures (11-35 degrees C corrected effective temperature) in the summer and winter seasons. Simultaneous measurements of heart rates and rectal temperatures were made at the end of each work period, and the relationship between heart rate and rectal temperature was computed with standard multiple linear regression techniques. The overall regression equation is: heart rate (beats/min) = 29.3 (beats/min. degrees C) x rectal temperature (degrees C) - 988.6 (beats/min). The relationship is significantly altered by work rate and job- and season-acquired acclimatization of the subjects. These data suggest that the average heart rates of industrial workers during prolonged work can be predicted from rectal temperatures with a reasonable degree of confidence if the degree of acclimatization and work rates are known. For a rectal temperature of 38.0 degrees C the expected heart rate during prolonged work ranges from 109 beats/min in acclimatized men working at low rates to 143 for unacclimatized men working at heavy rates.", "contents": "Pulse rate-rectal temperature relationships during prolonged work. Forty-six industrial workers performed a total of 653 1-h work bouts over a wide range of work rates )142-273 W/m2) and environmental temperatures (11-35 degrees C corrected effective temperature) in the summer and winter seasons. Simultaneous measurements of heart rates and rectal temperatures were made at the end of each work period, and the relationship between heart rate and rectal temperature was computed with standard multiple linear regression techniques. The overall regression equation is: heart rate (beats/min) = 29.3 (beats/min. degrees C) x rectal temperature (degrees C) - 988.6 (beats/min). The relationship is significantly altered by work rate and job- and season-acquired acclimatization of the subjects. These data suggest that the average heart rates of industrial workers during prolonged work can be predicted from rectal temperatures with a reasonable degree of confidence if the degree of acclimatization and work rates are known. For a rectal temperature of 38.0 degrees C the expected heart rate during prolonged work ranges from 109 beats/min in acclimatized men working at low rates to 143 for unacclimatized men working at heavy rates.", "PMID": 632186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9254", "title": "Familial aspects of decreased hypoxic drive in endurance athletes.", "content": "One difference between endurance athletes and nonathletes is decreased ventilatory responsiveness to hypoxia and hypercapnia. It has never been clear whether these decreased responses are a consequence of conditioning or precede participation in endurance athletics. Recent studies demonstrating clusters of decreased ventilatory responses to hypoxia in families of patients with unexplained respiratory failure suggest that decreased responses in endurance athletes might be familial. To investigate this possibility, ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia were measured in 16 nonathletic, healthy parents and siblings of five successful long-distance runners. Response were compared to 34 nonathletic controls. As measured by the shape parameter A, hypoxic response was decreased to a similar extent in runners 74 +/- 6.4 (mean +/- SE) (P less than 0.05) and their relatives 69 +/- 15.2 (P less than 0.01) compared to control 128 +/- 11.3. Hypercapnic responses were slightly, but not significantly, decreased in runners and their families. We conclude familial influences made a major contribution to the decreased hypoxic ventilatory response seen in long-distance runners.", "contents": "Familial aspects of decreased hypoxic drive in endurance athletes. One difference between endurance athletes and nonathletes is decreased ventilatory responsiveness to hypoxia and hypercapnia. It has never been clear whether these decreased responses are a consequence of conditioning or precede participation in endurance athletics. Recent studies demonstrating clusters of decreased ventilatory responses to hypoxia in families of patients with unexplained respiratory failure suggest that decreased responses in endurance athletes might be familial. To investigate this possibility, ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia were measured in 16 nonathletic, healthy parents and siblings of five successful long-distance runners. Response were compared to 34 nonathletic controls. As measured by the shape parameter A, hypoxic response was decreased to a similar extent in runners 74 +/- 6.4 (mean +/- SE) (P less than 0.05) and their relatives 69 +/- 15.2 (P less than 0.01) compared to control 128 +/- 11.3. Hypercapnic responses were slightly, but not significantly, decreased in runners and their families. We conclude familial influences made a major contribution to the decreased hypoxic ventilatory response seen in long-distance runners.", "PMID": 632187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9255", "title": "Influence of abdominal gas on the Boyle's law determination of thoracic gas volume.", "content": "In a body plethysmograph we have demonstrated differences in total lung capacity (TLC) derived from panting maneuvers performed at different levels in the vital capacity. In almost all cases, the discrepancies were due to the magnitude of the abdominal gas volume (AGV) and the relative magnitude of abdominal and thoracic pressure swings during the panting mandeuver. When panting was performed at functional residual capacity (FRC), the effect of AGV compression on the determination of thoracid gas volume (TGV) was small. Of 11 individuals studied 2 were known to have mild asthma. Compression and decompression of AGV appeared to be an insufficient explanation for discrepancies in derived TLC's in these two, suggesting that other as yet unidentified factors may influence the plethysmographic determination of TGV.", "contents": "Influence of abdominal gas on the Boyle's law determination of thoracic gas volume. In a body plethysmograph we have demonstrated differences in total lung capacity (TLC) derived from panting maneuvers performed at different levels in the vital capacity. In almost all cases, the discrepancies were due to the magnitude of the abdominal gas volume (AGV) and the relative magnitude of abdominal and thoracic pressure swings during the panting mandeuver. When panting was performed at functional residual capacity (FRC), the effect of AGV compression on the determination of thoracid gas volume (TGV) was small. Of 11 individuals studied 2 were known to have mild asthma. Compression and decompression of AGV appeared to be an insufficient explanation for discrepancies in derived TLC's in these two, suggesting that other as yet unidentified factors may influence the plethysmographic determination of TGV.", "PMID": 632188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9256", "title": "Respiratory mechanics in conscious sheep: response to methacholine.", "content": "Most currently used animal models of allergic airway diseases differ from human asthma in that induced bronchospasm in the former is not accompanied by pulmonary hyperinflation. In the present investigation, we chose unsedated, restrained sheep to determine the effect of cholinergic bronchial provocation on respiratory mechanics, functional residual capacity (FRC), and arterial blood gases. Seven animals had been actively sensitized by intramuscular injections of Ascaris suum extract, and four untreated animals served as controls. After inhalation of nebulized 1% methacholine solution, mean pulmonary resistance increased significantly in the sensitized sheep from a base line of 2.4 +/- 0.7 (SD) cmH2O/(l/s) to a peak value after 5 min of 7.9 +/- 4.0 cmH2O/(l/s). This was accompanied by a significant increase of mean FRC from 0.99 +/- 0.14 liters to 1.31 +/- 0.24 liters. The observed changes were transient, and after 60 min, pulmonary resistance and FRC had returned to base-line values. No significant changes occurred in static lung compliance, PaO2, PaCO2, and pH. In the control animals, methacholine provocation did not produce changes in pulmonary function. These results indicate that, in sensitized conscious sheep, induced bronchospasm is associated with pulmonary hyperinflation.", "contents": "Respiratory mechanics in conscious sheep: response to methacholine. Most currently used animal models of allergic airway diseases differ from human asthma in that induced bronchospasm in the former is not accompanied by pulmonary hyperinflation. In the present investigation, we chose unsedated, restrained sheep to determine the effect of cholinergic bronchial provocation on respiratory mechanics, functional residual capacity (FRC), and arterial blood gases. Seven animals had been actively sensitized by intramuscular injections of Ascaris suum extract, and four untreated animals served as controls. After inhalation of nebulized 1% methacholine solution, mean pulmonary resistance increased significantly in the sensitized sheep from a base line of 2.4 +/- 0.7 (SD) cmH2O/(l/s) to a peak value after 5 min of 7.9 +/- 4.0 cmH2O/(l/s). This was accompanied by a significant increase of mean FRC from 0.99 +/- 0.14 liters to 1.31 +/- 0.24 liters. The observed changes were transient, and after 60 min, pulmonary resistance and FRC had returned to base-line values. No significant changes occurred in static lung compliance, PaO2, PaCO2, and pH. In the control animals, methacholine provocation did not produce changes in pulmonary function. These results indicate that, in sensitized conscious sheep, induced bronchospasm is associated with pulmonary hyperinflation.", "PMID": 632189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9257", "title": "Calibration of a new ear oximeter in humans during exposure to centrifugation.", "content": "An optoelectronic ear oximeter (Hewlett-Packard, model 47201A) was evaluated as a noninvasive method for determining arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in human subjects during exposure to various levels of accelerative forces. This physiological calibration involved exposing five subjects, while breathing air and wearing the ear oximeter for 60 s to each of three levels of accelerative forces (3, 5, and 7 G); arterial blood samples were withdrawn concurrently. SaO2 was calculated indirectly from the oxygen tensions (PaO2) measured from the sampled arterial blood with a blood gas analyzer and corrected for pH and base excess. These data were compared, as were similar data taken from the same subjects breathing three different hypoxic gas mixtures while resitng at earth's gravity (1 G). Regression analyses of these data for both experimental groups (a, G exposure, or b, hypoxic exposure), comparing the ear-oximeter SaO2 with the calculated SaO2, showed the ear oximeter to be accurate with correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively.", "contents": "Calibration of a new ear oximeter in humans during exposure to centrifugation. An optoelectronic ear oximeter (Hewlett-Packard, model 47201A) was evaluated as a noninvasive method for determining arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in human subjects during exposure to various levels of accelerative forces. This physiological calibration involved exposing five subjects, while breathing air and wearing the ear oximeter for 60 s to each of three levels of accelerative forces (3, 5, and 7 G); arterial blood samples were withdrawn concurrently. SaO2 was calculated indirectly from the oxygen tensions (PaO2) measured from the sampled arterial blood with a blood gas analyzer and corrected for pH and base excess. These data were compared, as were similar data taken from the same subjects breathing three different hypoxic gas mixtures while resitng at earth's gravity (1 G). Regression analyses of these data for both experimental groups (a, G exposure, or b, hypoxic exposure), comparing the ear-oximeter SaO2 with the calculated SaO2, showed the ear oximeter to be accurate with correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively.", "PMID": 632190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9258", "title": "Epidemiologic findings on canine and feline intestinal nematode infections from records of the Iowa state University Veterinary Clinic.", "content": "A wealth of data was available on intestinal nematode infections of dogs and cats in the Ames, Iowa, practice area served by the Iowa State University Veterinary Clinic. From July 1966 through June 1974, 8.5% of 33,594 dogs and 4.5% of 11,995 cats hospitalized for 1 or more days were recorded as infected with at least 1 type of intestinal nematode. For both dogs and cats, infection rates were generally higher in males than in females and in those that were sexually intact, compared with those that were neutered. The highest prevalence of hookworm infections in both dogs and cats was recorded in June and July, and the highest prevalence of ascarid infections in cats, but not in dogs, was in December. Seasonal patterns were not demonstrated for other nematode infections. Ascarid infections in dogs and cats and hookworms infections in dogs were most prevalent in 2-week-old to 2-month-old animals. Whipworm infections in dogs and hookworm infections in cats generally appeared at greater ages, reaching their highest prevalence in hosts 1 to 2 years old.", "contents": "Epidemiologic findings on canine and feline intestinal nematode infections from records of the Iowa state University Veterinary Clinic. A wealth of data was available on intestinal nematode infections of dogs and cats in the Ames, Iowa, practice area served by the Iowa State University Veterinary Clinic. From July 1966 through June 1974, 8.5% of 33,594 dogs and 4.5% of 11,995 cats hospitalized for 1 or more days were recorded as infected with at least 1 type of intestinal nematode. For both dogs and cats, infection rates were generally higher in males than in females and in those that were sexually intact, compared with those that were neutered. The highest prevalence of hookworm infections in both dogs and cats was recorded in June and July, and the highest prevalence of ascarid infections in cats, but not in dogs, was in December. Seasonal patterns were not demonstrated for other nematode infections. Ascarid infections in dogs and cats and hookworms infections in dogs were most prevalent in 2-week-old to 2-month-old animals. Whipworm infections in dogs and hookworm infections in cats generally appeared at greater ages, reaching their highest prevalence in hosts 1 to 2 years old.", "PMID": 632193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9259", "title": "Heritability of multifocal retinal dysplasia in American Cocker Spaniels.", "content": "Multifocal retinal dysplasia was detected in 96 American Cocker Spaniels. Affected dogs were part of approximately 500 American Cocker Spaniels examined from 1972 to 1976 in statewide survey clinics for inherited cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. The dysplastic retina was observable ophthalmoscopically in dogs as young as 3 to 4 weeks and as old as 7 years. Ophthalmoscopic features varied, depending on whether the dysplastic foci were in the tapetal or non-tapetal portion of the fundus. Over the tapetum, dysplastic foci appeared as multiple small irregularities of diminished and altered tapetal reflectivity. In the non-tapetal fundus, dysplasia appeared as areas of decreased pigmentation. Blindness or other apparent visual deficits were not observed in affected dogs. Histologic examination of affected eyes revealed focal dysplasia limited to the retina and optic nerve. Abnormalities included localized areas of retinal folding, rosettes, and retinal pigment epithelium hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Pedigree analysis demonstrated that 71 of the 96 affected dogs were related and could be identified in an extended pedigree. A recessive mode of inheritance was suggested, because in 5 litters (born to 10 affected parents), all 23 progeny that lived were affected. A dominant or polygenic mode of inheritance could not be ruled out.", "contents": "Heritability of multifocal retinal dysplasia in American Cocker Spaniels. Multifocal retinal dysplasia was detected in 96 American Cocker Spaniels. Affected dogs were part of approximately 500 American Cocker Spaniels examined from 1972 to 1976 in statewide survey clinics for inherited cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. The dysplastic retina was observable ophthalmoscopically in dogs as young as 3 to 4 weeks and as old as 7 years. Ophthalmoscopic features varied, depending on whether the dysplastic foci were in the tapetal or non-tapetal portion of the fundus. Over the tapetum, dysplastic foci appeared as multiple small irregularities of diminished and altered tapetal reflectivity. In the non-tapetal fundus, dysplasia appeared as areas of decreased pigmentation. Blindness or other apparent visual deficits were not observed in affected dogs. Histologic examination of affected eyes revealed focal dysplasia limited to the retina and optic nerve. Abnormalities included localized areas of retinal folding, rosettes, and retinal pigment epithelium hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Pedigree analysis demonstrated that 71 of the 96 affected dogs were related and could be identified in an extended pedigree. A recessive mode of inheritance was suggested, because in 5 litters (born to 10 affected parents), all 23 progeny that lived were affected. A dominant or polygenic mode of inheritance could not be ruled out.", "PMID": 632194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9260", "title": "Hair chewing associated with suspected hyperadrenocorticism in a dog.", "content": "Hair chewing in a 14-year-old female Toy Poodle was associated with signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Complete remission of both the psychosis and signs of hyperadrenocorticism followed mitotane therapy.", "contents": "Hair chewing associated with suspected hyperadrenocorticism in a dog. Hair chewing in a 14-year-old female Toy Poodle was associated with signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Complete remission of both the psychosis and signs of hyperadrenocorticism followed mitotane therapy.", "PMID": 632195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9261", "title": "Scrotal and testical changes in canine brucellosis: a case report.", "content": "An Irish Setter with scrotal enlargement had an agglutination titer to Brucella canis of greater than or equal to 1:200, but B canis was not cultured from the blood. Unusual findings included draining ulcers in the scrotum from which B canis was cultured, a necrotic testicle, and inflammation of the entire scotum. Other clinical and postmortem findings were as previously described in other cases of naturally occurring and experimentally induced canine brucellosis.", "contents": "Scrotal and testical changes in canine brucellosis: a case report. An Irish Setter with scrotal enlargement had an agglutination titer to Brucella canis of greater than or equal to 1:200, but B canis was not cultured from the blood. Unusual findings included draining ulcers in the scrotum from which B canis was cultured, a necrotic testicle, and inflammation of the entire scotum. Other clinical and postmortem findings were as previously described in other cases of naturally occurring and experimentally induced canine brucellosis.", "PMID": 632202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9262", "title": "Bilateral torsion of uterine horns in a nongravid bitch.", "content": "Hematometra was diagnosed in a 13-year-old, nulliparous Toy Poodle by fine needle aspiration and radiographic studies, including pneumoperitoneography. Attempted uterine evacuation with simultaneous use of diethylstilbestrol and ergonovine was unsuccessful. Exploratory celiotomy revealed 1,080-degree torsion of the right uterine horn around the left horn, which was itself twisted 270 degrees. Ovariohysterectomy was performed without complications.", "contents": "Bilateral torsion of uterine horns in a nongravid bitch. Hematometra was diagnosed in a 13-year-old, nulliparous Toy Poodle by fine needle aspiration and radiographic studies, including pneumoperitoneography. Attempted uterine evacuation with simultaneous use of diethylstilbestrol and ergonovine was unsuccessful. Exploratory celiotomy revealed 1,080-degree torsion of the right uterine horn around the left horn, which was itself twisted 270 degrees. Ovariohysterectomy was performed without complications.", "PMID": 632203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9263", "title": "Brain macrophages in rats following intravenous labelling of mononuclear leucocytes with colloidal carbon.", "content": "Intravenous injections of colloidal carbon were used to label circulating mononuclear leucocytes. In the neonatal rats (3-5 days old), either 24 or 48 hours later, carbon-labelled macrophages were seen in the brain tissue. In the areas examined, notably the corpus callosum and the cerebral cortex, labelled macrophages were distributed randomly. They were either perivascular, perineuronal or lay between the nerve fibres. The labelled cells were mostly spindle-shaped with an eccentric nucleus and the cytoplasm at one pole of the cell was engorged with dark carbon particles. Abundant labelled cells were also seen over the brain surface in the layers of meninges. There was no evidence of leucocytic infiltration into the brain tissue of mature animals. It is concluded from the present work that a proportion (but not all) of the macrophages in the neonatal rat brain are derived from the blood stream.", "contents": "Brain macrophages in rats following intravenous labelling of mononuclear leucocytes with colloidal carbon. Intravenous injections of colloidal carbon were used to label circulating mononuclear leucocytes. In the neonatal rats (3-5 days old), either 24 or 48 hours later, carbon-labelled macrophages were seen in the brain tissue. In the areas examined, notably the corpus callosum and the cerebral cortex, labelled macrophages were distributed randomly. They were either perivascular, perineuronal or lay between the nerve fibres. The labelled cells were mostly spindle-shaped with an eccentric nucleus and the cytoplasm at one pole of the cell was engorged with dark carbon particles. Abundant labelled cells were also seen over the brain surface in the layers of meninges. There was no evidence of leucocytic infiltration into the brain tissue of mature animals. It is concluded from the present work that a proportion (but not all) of the macrophages in the neonatal rat brain are derived from the blood stream.", "PMID": 632205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9264", "title": "Ultrastructure of fibrils in developing human and guinea-pig tympanic membrane.", "content": "The development of connective tissue of the tympanic membrane has been examined in guinea-pig embryos and fetuses from 22 days of gestation (10 mm CR length) to birth (at about 67 days, 100 mm), in neonatal animals for the first 3 weeks of life, and in human embryos and fetuses aged 6, 11, 15 and 22 weeks. In the guinea-pig up to 34 days of gestation there was little evidence of fibril formation, but from 37 days onwards fibrils were an obvious feature of the tympanic membrane area. When first observed they resembled small collagen fibrils but there was no cross-banding, and within a week to 10 days they showed the foursubunit configuration typical of adult tympanic membrane fibrils in this species. There was no increase in fibril diameter and elastic fibres were not seen. In the human fetuses small groups of collagen fibrils (already of larger diameter than guinea-pig fibrils) were apparent at 11 weeks, together with small groups of elastic microfibrils. Later specimens showed increasing numbers of cross-banded collagen fibrils and the development of the amorphous elastin component in association with the microfibrils.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of fibrils in developing human and guinea-pig tympanic membrane. The development of connective tissue of the tympanic membrane has been examined in guinea-pig embryos and fetuses from 22 days of gestation (10 mm CR length) to birth (at about 67 days, 100 mm), in neonatal animals for the first 3 weeks of life, and in human embryos and fetuses aged 6, 11, 15 and 22 weeks. In the guinea-pig up to 34 days of gestation there was little evidence of fibril formation, but from 37 days onwards fibrils were an obvious feature of the tympanic membrane area. When first observed they resembled small collagen fibrils but there was no cross-banding, and within a week to 10 days they showed the foursubunit configuration typical of adult tympanic membrane fibrils in this species. There was no increase in fibril diameter and elastic fibres were not seen. In the human fetuses small groups of collagen fibrils (already of larger diameter than guinea-pig fibrils) were apparent at 11 weeks, together with small groups of elastic microfibrils. Later specimens showed increasing numbers of cross-banded collagen fibrils and the development of the amorphous elastin component in association with the microfibrils.", "PMID": 632206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9265", "title": "Electron microscopic and cytochemical observations on the membrane systems of the chicken thrombocyte.", "content": "A combined electron microscopic and cytochemical study of the thrombocytes of the mature chicken has demonstrated the existence of two membrane systems, the surface connected system (SCS) and the dense tubular system (DTS). The SCS consists of light tubules and vacuoles which are in continuity with the plasmalemma. A ruthenium red-positive reaction product was observed on the inner surface of this membrane system. Ferritin particles were present in the tubules and the vacuoles of the SCS after the thrombocytes had been incubated in vitro with ferritin. The DTS consisted of the nuclear envelope, the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, dense tubules and concentric double membrane structures, all of which give a peroxidase-positive reaction. Although actual continuity between the DTS and the SCS of thrombocytes was not observed in this study, close approximation between the two systems was observed at many points. These results are discussed in relation to those from comparable studies of human platelets.", "contents": "Electron microscopic and cytochemical observations on the membrane systems of the chicken thrombocyte. A combined electron microscopic and cytochemical study of the thrombocytes of the mature chicken has demonstrated the existence of two membrane systems, the surface connected system (SCS) and the dense tubular system (DTS). The SCS consists of light tubules and vacuoles which are in continuity with the plasmalemma. A ruthenium red-positive reaction product was observed on the inner surface of this membrane system. Ferritin particles were present in the tubules and the vacuoles of the SCS after the thrombocytes had been incubated in vitro with ferritin. The DTS consisted of the nuclear envelope, the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, dense tubules and concentric double membrane structures, all of which give a peroxidase-positive reaction. Although actual continuity between the DTS and the SCS of thrombocytes was not observed in this study, close approximation between the two systems was observed at many points. These results are discussed in relation to those from comparable studies of human platelets.", "PMID": 632207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9266", "title": "Succinic dehydrogenase activity during palate formation in the Mongolian gerbil.", "content": "The palatal shelf epithelium of the Mongolian gerbil was examined for succinic dehydrogenase activity prior to, during and the after palatal fusion (days 18-20 post coitus). Enzyme activity was present during all stages examined, and was noted even in the epithelial pearls of fused palates. The presence of SDH activity in these epithelial pearls lends support to the theory 'epithelial stretching', and questions the theory of 'programmed cell death' in relation to the loss of the epithelium along the plane of fusion.", "contents": "Succinic dehydrogenase activity during palate formation in the Mongolian gerbil. The palatal shelf epithelium of the Mongolian gerbil was examined for succinic dehydrogenase activity prior to, during and the after palatal fusion (days 18-20 post coitus). Enzyme activity was present during all stages examined, and was noted even in the epithelial pearls of fused palates. The presence of SDH activity in these epithelial pearls lends support to the theory 'epithelial stretching', and questions the theory of 'programmed cell death' in relation to the loss of the epithelium along the plane of fusion.", "PMID": 632209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9267", "title": "Cell specialization in the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis: structural aspects.", "content": "The structure, cellular composition and organization of the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis are described. The mucosa is thrown into a system of longitudinal folds and is composed mainly of columnar cells and goblet cells. Leucocytes comprise about 28% of the mucosal cells. The degree of structural specialization of columnar cells varies according to their position in the folds. Cells at the crest of the folds display the greastest degree of specialization, evidenced by the degree of development of their inter- and intracellular membrane systems. Cells in the trough regions between the folds are much less specialized. These cell types are structurally analogous to mammalian villous and crypt cells respectively, although they are not segregated to the same degree.", "contents": "Cell specialization in the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis: structural aspects. The structure, cellular composition and organization of the small intestinal epithelium of adult Xenopus laevis are described. The mucosa is thrown into a system of longitudinal folds and is composed mainly of columnar cells and goblet cells. Leucocytes comprise about 28% of the mucosal cells. The degree of structural specialization of columnar cells varies according to their position in the folds. Cells at the crest of the folds display the greastest degree of specialization, evidenced by the degree of development of their inter- and intracellular membrane systems. Cells in the trough regions between the folds are much less specialized. These cell types are structurally analogous to mammalian villous and crypt cells respectively, although they are not segregated to the same degree.", "PMID": 632211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9268", "title": "The development of the epithelium and its innervation in the avian extra-pulmonary respiratory tract.", "content": "The development of the epithelium and its innervation was investigated with the electron microscope in the larynx and trachea of embryo domestic fowls between the 10th and 21st days of incubation. From days 10 to 16 the airways were lined by undifferentiated cells which on day 15 or 16 became arranged in two distinct layers. Differentiation of the epithelial cells commenced on day 17, so that at hatching on day 21 fully differentiated ciliated cells, goblet cells, non-ciliated columnar cells, granular cells and basal cells were arranged into a simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Comparisons are made with the differentiation of the respiratory epithelium in other vertebrates. Intra-epithelial axons were first seen on day 15 and increased rapidly in number. The varicose axon profiles contained both granular and agranular vesicles. The axons lay close to most types of epithelial cell, and some approached near to the surface of the epithelium. A synaptic complex, possibly efferent, involving a granular epithelial cell is described.", "contents": "The development of the epithelium and its innervation in the avian extra-pulmonary respiratory tract. The development of the epithelium and its innervation was investigated with the electron microscope in the larynx and trachea of embryo domestic fowls between the 10th and 21st days of incubation. From days 10 to 16 the airways were lined by undifferentiated cells which on day 15 or 16 became arranged in two distinct layers. Differentiation of the epithelial cells commenced on day 17, so that at hatching on day 21 fully differentiated ciliated cells, goblet cells, non-ciliated columnar cells, granular cells and basal cells were arranged into a simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Comparisons are made with the differentiation of the respiratory epithelium in other vertebrates. Intra-epithelial axons were first seen on day 15 and increased rapidly in number. The varicose axon profiles contained both granular and agranular vesicles. The axons lay close to most types of epithelial cell, and some approached near to the surface of the epithelium. A synaptic complex, possibly efferent, involving a granular epithelial cell is described.", "PMID": 632212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9269", "title": "A fine structural study of coronal and root dentinogensis in the mouse: observations on the so-called 'von Korff fibres' and their contribution to mantle dentine.", "content": "The fine structure of mantle dentine formation has been studied in the mouse molar. No evidence was found for the presence of collagenous von Korff fibres arising from the dental papilla, passing between odontoblasts and fanning out to form the collagenous matrix of mantle detine. Instead, large collagen fibrils were first demonstrable in the matrix peripheral to the dential aspect of an extensive junctional complex system occurring at the necks of the odontoblasts. The orientation of the fibres was at right angles to the future amelo-dentinal junction in coronal dentinogenesis, but parallel to the root surface in radicular dentinogenesis. These large collagen fibrils formed the mantle dentine. It is concluded that von Korff fibres, as strictly defined, are artefacts. Photographs in the literature purporting to show von Korff fibres are attributable to obliquity of section. Also, is suggested that the difference in fibril orientation in coronal and root mantle dentine is the reason for the conflicting opinions on the pattern of fibril orientation in this tissue.", "contents": "A fine structural study of coronal and root dentinogensis in the mouse: observations on the so-called 'von Korff fibres' and their contribution to mantle dentine. The fine structure of mantle dentine formation has been studied in the mouse molar. No evidence was found for the presence of collagenous von Korff fibres arising from the dental papilla, passing between odontoblasts and fanning out to form the collagenous matrix of mantle detine. Instead, large collagen fibrils were first demonstrable in the matrix peripheral to the dential aspect of an extensive junctional complex system occurring at the necks of the odontoblasts. The orientation of the fibres was at right angles to the future amelo-dentinal junction in coronal dentinogenesis, but parallel to the root surface in radicular dentinogenesis. These large collagen fibrils formed the mantle dentine. It is concluded that von Korff fibres, as strictly defined, are artefacts. Photographs in the literature purporting to show von Korff fibres are attributable to obliquity of section. Also, is suggested that the difference in fibril orientation in coronal and root mantle dentine is the reason for the conflicting opinions on the pattern of fibril orientation in this tissue.", "PMID": 632213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9270", "title": "Non-metric variation of the infracranial skeleton.", "content": "196 skeletons of known age, sex and rac from the Terry Collection were studied in order to document 30 non-metric infracranial traits. Each trait had the ability to be expressed bilaterally, although significant side dimorphism was not observed. Sex differences were statistically significant for some of the traits within a racial group, but these differences were not as pronounced as the differences generated by non-metric cranial traits in the same populations, and were not effective in all racial groups. In general, these infracranial traits show some age dependency when correlation statistics are used, but this dependency is lost when the more robust chi 2 statistic is used. These data suggest that infracranial non-metric traits may be superior to cranial non-metric traits for population comparisons. Infracranial traits may be more durable than cranial traits having regard to the nature of most archaeological material.", "contents": "Non-metric variation of the infracranial skeleton. 196 skeletons of known age, sex and rac from the Terry Collection were studied in order to document 30 non-metric infracranial traits. Each trait had the ability to be expressed bilaterally, although significant side dimorphism was not observed. Sex differences were statistically significant for some of the traits within a racial group, but these differences were not as pronounced as the differences generated by non-metric cranial traits in the same populations, and were not effective in all racial groups. In general, these infracranial traits show some age dependency when correlation statistics are used, but this dependency is lost when the more robust chi 2 statistic is used. These data suggest that infracranial non-metric traits may be superior to cranial non-metric traits for population comparisons. Infracranial traits may be more durable than cranial traits having regard to the nature of most archaeological material.", "PMID": 632214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9271", "title": "A study of the artrial arteries in man.", "content": "The arterial blood supply to the atria of 40 human hearts has been studied using a clearing technique which leaves the anatomy of the heart intact. The general arrangement of the atrial arteries is described. The arterial supplies to the S.A. and A.V. nodes are considered in more detail as these ar probably the most important and most consistent vessels found. In over 50% of the hearts both the S.A. and A.V. nodes were supplied from branches of the right coronary artery. In only 7% were both nodes supplied by branches of the left coronary artery. In the remainder the S.A. node was supplied by one coronary artery and the A.V. node by the other, in either combination. The actual site of origin of the S.A. nodal artery varied considerably, but the single most common site (47%) was from the first part of the right coronary artery. The second most common site was from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (27%). The site of origin of the A.V. nodal artery was predominatly from the terminal part of the right coronary artery (80%), the remainder being supplied from the left. Some of the relatively large atrial vessels not primarily concerned with the supply of nodal tissue are described. A nomenclature has been suggested both for these and for the nodal arteries. There were many small and variable vessels that defied classification.", "contents": "A study of the artrial arteries in man. The arterial blood supply to the atria of 40 human hearts has been studied using a clearing technique which leaves the anatomy of the heart intact. The general arrangement of the atrial arteries is described. The arterial supplies to the S.A. and A.V. nodes are considered in more detail as these ar probably the most important and most consistent vessels found. In over 50% of the hearts both the S.A. and A.V. nodes were supplied from branches of the right coronary artery. In only 7% were both nodes supplied by branches of the left coronary artery. In the remainder the S.A. node was supplied by one coronary artery and the A.V. node by the other, in either combination. The actual site of origin of the S.A. nodal artery varied considerably, but the single most common site (47%) was from the first part of the right coronary artery. The second most common site was from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (27%). The site of origin of the A.V. nodal artery was predominatly from the terminal part of the right coronary artery (80%), the remainder being supplied from the left. Some of the relatively large atrial vessels not primarily concerned with the supply of nodal tissue are described. A nomenclature has been suggested both for these and for the nodal arteries. There were many small and variable vessels that defied classification.", "PMID": 632215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9272", "title": "An electron microscopic study of the premineralizing zone of the condylar cartilage of the mouse mandible.", "content": "The mandibular condylar cartilage of young ICR mice was used for ultrastructural studies with special emphasis on the cells and matrix in the premineralizing zone. It became evident that cytodifferentiation of chondroblasts was accompanied by deposition of intracellular lakes of glycogen, followed within the premineralizing hypertrophic chondrocytes by a gradual reduction in the glycogen content of the lakes and its replacement by lipid-like droplets. The premineralizing condylar cartilage, like that of other cartilage involved in mineralization, showed numerous matrix vesicles (Types I and II) unassociated with appreciable amounts of collagen.", "contents": "An electron microscopic study of the premineralizing zone of the condylar cartilage of the mouse mandible. The mandibular condylar cartilage of young ICR mice was used for ultrastructural studies with special emphasis on the cells and matrix in the premineralizing zone. It became evident that cytodifferentiation of chondroblasts was accompanied by deposition of intracellular lakes of glycogen, followed within the premineralizing hypertrophic chondrocytes by a gradual reduction in the glycogen content of the lakes and its replacement by lipid-like droplets. The premineralizing condylar cartilage, like that of other cartilage involved in mineralization, showed numerous matrix vesicles (Types I and II) unassociated with appreciable amounts of collagen.", "PMID": 632216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9273", "title": "Normal structure and dimensions of the pulmonary arteries in the rat.", "content": "The normal structure and pattern of branching of the pulmonary arteries of the rat have been described and quantified, using precise morphometric techniques, after injection of the pulmonary arteries with a radio-opaque medium. Rats of the same strain from three different sources have been compared, and similarities between rat and man have been assessed. In rat, as in man, the pulmonary artery accompanies the airway and branches with it and, in addition, there are extra arterial branches. Most arteries within the rat lung are muscular and have no more than two central elastic laminae. The percentage wall thickness of the muscular arteries is between 1 and 3%, similar to that found in adult human lungs. At the periphery of the arterial tree there is a mixed population of muscular, partially muscular and non-muscular arteries. The distribution by size is similar in man and rat, but there are few wholly muscular arteries within the acinar region in the rat. The similarity of the features of the pulmonary arteries of rat and man makes the rat a suitable experimental animal for study of changes in pulmonary hypertension. However, any change must be interpreted in relation to arterial structure in normal rat lungs from the same source, since some significant differences have been found between rats from different sources in respect of wall thickness and number of vessels.", "contents": "Normal structure and dimensions of the pulmonary arteries in the rat. The normal structure and pattern of branching of the pulmonary arteries of the rat have been described and quantified, using precise morphometric techniques, after injection of the pulmonary arteries with a radio-opaque medium. Rats of the same strain from three different sources have been compared, and similarities between rat and man have been assessed. In rat, as in man, the pulmonary artery accompanies the airway and branches with it and, in addition, there are extra arterial branches. Most arteries within the rat lung are muscular and have no more than two central elastic laminae. The percentage wall thickness of the muscular arteries is between 1 and 3%, similar to that found in adult human lungs. At the periphery of the arterial tree there is a mixed population of muscular, partially muscular and non-muscular arteries. The distribution by size is similar in man and rat, but there are few wholly muscular arteries within the acinar region in the rat. The similarity of the features of the pulmonary arteries of rat and man makes the rat a suitable experimental animal for study of changes in pulmonary hypertension. However, any change must be interpreted in relation to arterial structure in normal rat lungs from the same source, since some significant differences have been found between rats from different sources in respect of wall thickness and number of vessels.", "PMID": 632217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9274", "title": "Postnatal development of the epidermis in a marsupial, Didelphis virginiana.", "content": "At birth the epidermis of the opossum is 43 micron thick and consists of a basal layer of columnar cells, an intermediate layer of fusiform cells, a layer of incompletely cornified cells and a single surface layer of cells (the periderm). The latter shows central nuclei and distinct cell boundaries. Adjacent surface cells. are contiguous and show extensive interdigitations of the lateral cell membranes. The periderm is lost during the first week of postnatal development. The epidermis attains its greatest thickness (58 micron) at the 4.0 cm stage (18 days postnatum), and this is due primarily to an increase in thickness of the spinous layer. After this the epidermis thins to 14 micron in the adult. The epidermis of the adult consists of a thin Malphighian layer and a desquamating cornified layer. Hair follicles begin to differentiate at the 2.5 cm stage (7 days postnatum). They continue to differentiate and develop while the epidermis is increasing, and then decreasing, in thickness. The young are fully furred prior to the time they first venture from the protection of the pouch.", "contents": "Postnatal development of the epidermis in a marsupial, Didelphis virginiana. At birth the epidermis of the opossum is 43 micron thick and consists of a basal layer of columnar cells, an intermediate layer of fusiform cells, a layer of incompletely cornified cells and a single surface layer of cells (the periderm). The latter shows central nuclei and distinct cell boundaries. Adjacent surface cells. are contiguous and show extensive interdigitations of the lateral cell membranes. The periderm is lost during the first week of postnatal development. The epidermis attains its greatest thickness (58 micron) at the 4.0 cm stage (18 days postnatum), and this is due primarily to an increase in thickness of the spinous layer. After this the epidermis thins to 14 micron in the adult. The epidermis of the adult consists of a thin Malphighian layer and a desquamating cornified layer. Hair follicles begin to differentiate at the 2.5 cm stage (7 days postnatum). They continue to differentiate and develop while the epidermis is increasing, and then decreasing, in thickness. The young are fully furred prior to the time they first venture from the protection of the pouch.", "PMID": 632218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9275", "title": "Ileumycin, a new antibiotic against Glomerella Cingulata.", "content": "A new antifungal antibiotic, named ileumycin, was isolated from culture broth of streptomyces H 698-SY2, which was identified as S. lavendulae. The antibiotic was recovered from the culture filtrate by adsorption on Amberlite XAD-II and elution with aqueous methanol and was further purified by ion-exchange column chromatography on SE-cellulose and followed by partition chromatography on silica gel. The antibiotic was named ileumycin, because isoleucine was detected in the acid hydrolyzate of the antibiotic. Ileumycin exhibited antimicrobial activity against only a few species of fungi.", "contents": "Ileumycin, a new antibiotic against Glomerella Cingulata. A new antifungal antibiotic, named ileumycin, was isolated from culture broth of streptomyces H 698-SY2, which was identified as S. lavendulae. The antibiotic was recovered from the culture filtrate by adsorption on Amberlite XAD-II and elution with aqueous methanol and was further purified by ion-exchange column chromatography on SE-cellulose and followed by partition chromatography on silica gel. The antibiotic was named ileumycin, because isoleucine was detected in the acid hydrolyzate of the antibiotic. Ileumycin exhibited antimicrobial activity against only a few species of fungi.", "PMID": 632221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9276", "title": "The structure of mycoheptin, a polyene macrolide antifungal antibiotic.", "content": "The complete structure of mycoheptin, a heptaene macrolide antifungal antibiotic, has been established as I by chemical degradation methods and MS and 1H NMR analysis of the products.", "contents": "The structure of mycoheptin, a polyene macrolide antifungal antibiotic. The complete structure of mycoheptin, a heptaene macrolide antifungal antibiotic, has been established as I by chemical degradation methods and MS and 1H NMR analysis of the products.", "PMID": 632222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9277", "title": "Netilmicin synergy with carbenicillin or cefamandole against Serratia.", "content": "Twenty clinical isolates of Serratia sp. were tested against netilmicin, gentamicin, carbenicillin and cefamandole alone (broth and agar dilution) and in combination (agar dilution). Broth and agar dilution minimal inhibitory concentrations agreed to within a two-fold dilution in 96% of the tests. Overall, 95% of the isolates were susceptible to netilmicin regardless of susceptibility to gentamicin or carbenicillin. Netilmicin-carbenicillin synergy was seen in 55% of the strains and netilmicin-cefamandole in 70%. These results indicate that combinations of netilmicin with carbenicillin or cefamandole may be clinically useful.", "contents": "Netilmicin synergy with carbenicillin or cefamandole against Serratia. Twenty clinical isolates of Serratia sp. were tested against netilmicin, gentamicin, carbenicillin and cefamandole alone (broth and agar dilution) and in combination (agar dilution). Broth and agar dilution minimal inhibitory concentrations agreed to within a two-fold dilution in 96% of the tests. Overall, 95% of the isolates were susceptible to netilmicin regardless of susceptibility to gentamicin or carbenicillin. Netilmicin-carbenicillin synergy was seen in 55% of the strains and netilmicin-cefamandole in 70%. These results indicate that combinations of netilmicin with carbenicillin or cefamandole may be clinically useful.", "PMID": 632223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9278", "title": "Some observations on the nature of reactive groups involved in reversal of mycobacillin inhibition by sterols and lipids.", "content": "Antifungal action of di- and triacetyl derivatives of mycobacillin is not antagonised by cholesterol or lecithin which antagonise the action of its heptamethyl derivative. Considering the reactive groups of mycobacillin, the antagonism may involve the tyrosine hydroxyl groups of the antibiotic and the 3-hydroxyl group of cholesterol of the oleic acid component of lecithin having unsaturation at the 9:10 position with cis-configuration.", "contents": "Some observations on the nature of reactive groups involved in reversal of mycobacillin inhibition by sterols and lipids. Antifungal action of di- and triacetyl derivatives of mycobacillin is not antagonised by cholesterol or lecithin which antagonise the action of its heptamethyl derivative. Considering the reactive groups of mycobacillin, the antagonism may involve the tyrosine hydroxyl groups of the antibiotic and the 3-hydroxyl group of cholesterol of the oleic acid component of lecithin having unsaturation at the 9:10 position with cis-configuration.", "PMID": 632224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9279", "title": "Butyrate-binding protein from rat and mouse liver.", "content": "A novel component which specifically binds butyrate was found in rat and mouse liver. This component, termed butyrate binding protein (BBP), is localized in the cytosolic fraction and exhibits protein characteristics, such as heat- and protease-sensitivity. The size of BBP was found to be 7.6S, while it was converted to subunits of 45,000--48,000 dalton by treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The dissociation constant of the binding of BBP with butyrate was 2.22 X 10(-6) M in the standard assay. 30-Fold purification of BBP was achieved by batch-wise adsorption and elution from CM-cellulose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. BBP is clearly distinguishable from the fatty acid-binding protein found previously on the basis of its size and binding specificity.", "contents": "Butyrate-binding protein from rat and mouse liver. A novel component which specifically binds butyrate was found in rat and mouse liver. This component, termed butyrate binding protein (BBP), is localized in the cytosolic fraction and exhibits protein characteristics, such as heat- and protease-sensitivity. The size of BBP was found to be 7.6S, while it was converted to subunits of 45,000--48,000 dalton by treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The dissociation constant of the binding of BBP with butyrate was 2.22 X 10(-6) M in the standard assay. 30-Fold purification of BBP was achieved by batch-wise adsorption and elution from CM-cellulose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. BBP is clearly distinguishable from the fatty acid-binding protein found previously on the basis of its size and binding specificity.", "PMID": 632226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9280", "title": "Ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B as a tool for the purification of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase.", "content": "Ferredoxin immobilized on Sepharose 4B was prepared by reaction of CNBr-Sepharose 4B with spinach ferredoxin. The ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B conjugated ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (NADPH: ferredoxin oxidoreductase, [EC 1.6.7.1]) in dilute buffer solution and released it in high salt concentrations. A novel method of preparation for the reductase was established by a combination of affinity adsorption on the ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B column with usual purification procedures. It was found using the new method, that there are two forms of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, FNR I and FNR II, in spinach. Comparative studies of the two components suggest that FNR I may be a dimer of FNR II.", "contents": "Ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B as a tool for the purification of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase. Ferredoxin immobilized on Sepharose 4B was prepared by reaction of CNBr-Sepharose 4B with spinach ferredoxin. The ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B conjugated ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (NADPH: ferredoxin oxidoreductase, [EC 1.6.7.1]) in dilute buffer solution and released it in high salt concentrations. A novel method of preparation for the reductase was established by a combination of affinity adsorption on the ferredoxin-Sepharose 4B column with usual purification procedures. It was found using the new method, that there are two forms of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase, FNR I and FNR II, in spinach. Comparative studies of the two components suggest that FNR I may be a dimer of FNR II.", "PMID": 632227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9281", "title": "Synthesis and metabolism of 5beta-[11,12-3H]cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha-diol.", "content": "5beta-[11,12-3H]Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was synthesized as follows. 5beta-Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12atriol 3,7-diacetate was treated with phosphorus oxychloride in pyridine solution and then the product, 5beta-cholest-11-ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol diacetate, was hydrogenated in acetic acid solution using platinum oxide as a catalyst under an atmosphere of tritium gas. 5beta-[11,12-3H]Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol thus obtained was readily hydroxylated at C-26 by mitochondria in the presence of isocitric acid, magnesium chloride and potassium cyanide.", "contents": "Synthesis and metabolism of 5beta-[11,12-3H]cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha-diol. 5beta-[11,12-3H]Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was synthesized as follows. 5beta-Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12atriol 3,7-diacetate was treated with phosphorus oxychloride in pyridine solution and then the product, 5beta-cholest-11-ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol diacetate, was hydrogenated in acetic acid solution using platinum oxide as a catalyst under an atmosphere of tritium gas. 5beta-[11,12-3H]Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol thus obtained was readily hydroxylated at C-26 by mitochondria in the presence of isocitric acid, magnesium chloride and potassium cyanide.", "PMID": 632228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9282", "title": "Interaction of subunits of polypeptide chain elongation factor I from pig liver. Formation of EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma and EF-1beta complexes.", "content": "In the preceding papers, we showed that one of the two complementar factors of polypeptide chain elongation factor 1 (EF-1) from pig liver, EF-1alpha, functionally corresponds to bacterial EF-Tu (Nagata, S., Iwasaki, K., and Kaziro, Y. (1976) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 172, 168), while the other, EF-1betagamma, as well as one of its subunits, EF-1beta, corresponds to bacterial EF-Ts (Motoyoshi, K. and Iwasaki, K. (1977) J. Biochem. 82, 703). Therefore, the interaction between EF-1alpha and EF-1 betagamma or EF-1beta was was examined and the following results were obtained. i) EF-1betagamma catalytically promoted the exchange of [14C]GDP bound to EF-1alpha with exogenous [3H]GDP. ii). In the absence of the exogenous guanine nucleotide, EF-1betagamma as well as EF-1beta could displace GDP bound to EF-1alpha to form an EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma as well as an EF-1alpha.EF-1beta complex. iii) The occurrence of EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma and EF-1alpha.EF-1beta complexes was demonstrated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. These results strongly indicate that the mechanism of the action of EF-1betagamma or EF-1beta in converting EF-1alpha.GDP into EF-1alpha.GTP is analogous to bacterial EF-Ts, and the reaction is accomplished by the following reactions; EF-1alpha.GDP + EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta) in equilibrium EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta) + GDP; EF-1alpha.EF-1beta (or EF-1beta) + GTP IN EQUILIBRIUM EF-1alpha.GTP + EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta).", "contents": "Interaction of subunits of polypeptide chain elongation factor I from pig liver. Formation of EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma and EF-1beta complexes. In the preceding papers, we showed that one of the two complementar factors of polypeptide chain elongation factor 1 (EF-1) from pig liver, EF-1alpha, functionally corresponds to bacterial EF-Tu (Nagata, S., Iwasaki, K., and Kaziro, Y. (1976) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 172, 168), while the other, EF-1betagamma, as well as one of its subunits, EF-1beta, corresponds to bacterial EF-Ts (Motoyoshi, K. and Iwasaki, K. (1977) J. Biochem. 82, 703). Therefore, the interaction between EF-1alpha and EF-1 betagamma or EF-1beta was was examined and the following results were obtained. i) EF-1betagamma catalytically promoted the exchange of [14C]GDP bound to EF-1alpha with exogenous [3H]GDP. ii). In the absence of the exogenous guanine nucleotide, EF-1betagamma as well as EF-1beta could displace GDP bound to EF-1alpha to form an EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma as well as an EF-1alpha.EF-1beta complex. iii) The occurrence of EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma and EF-1alpha.EF-1beta complexes was demonstrated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. These results strongly indicate that the mechanism of the action of EF-1betagamma or EF-1beta in converting EF-1alpha.GDP into EF-1alpha.GTP is analogous to bacterial EF-Ts, and the reaction is accomplished by the following reactions; EF-1alpha.GDP + EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta) in equilibrium EF-1alpha.EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta) + GDP; EF-1alpha.EF-1beta (or EF-1beta) + GTP IN EQUILIBRIUM EF-1alpha.GTP + EF-1betagamma (or EF-1beta).", "PMID": 632230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9283", "title": "Rat liver cysteine dioxygenase (cysteine oxidase). Further purification, characterization, and analysis of the activation and inactivation.", "content": "Rat liver cysteine dioxygenase has been purified to homogeneity. It is a single subunit protein having a molecular weight of 22,500 +/- 1,000, with a pI of 5.5. The enzyme purified was catalytically inactive and activated by anaerobic incubation with either L-cysteine or its analogues such as carboxymethyl-L-cysteine, carboxyethyl-L-cysteine, S-methyl-L-cysteine, D-cysteine, cysteamine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and DL-homocysteine. The enzyme thus activated with L-cysteine was rapidly inactivated under aerobic condition. This rapid inactivation was observed at 0 degrees C where no formation of either the reaction product cysteine sulfinate or the autoxidation product of cysteine, cystine, was detected. Further analysis shows that the inactivation of the activated enzyme was due to oxygen but unrelated to either the presence of substrate, enzyme turnover or accumulation of inhibitor produced during assay. A distinct rat liver cytoplasmic protein, called protein-A, could completely prevented the enzyme from the aerobic inactivation. The loss of activity during assay in the absence of protein-A was shown to be a first order decay process. From the plots of log(deltaproduct/min) versus time, the initial velocity (VO) and the velocity at 7 min (V7) were obtained. The apparent Km value for L-cysteine in the absence of protein-A was calculated from the initial velocity as 4.5 X 10(-4)M. Protein-A did not alter the apparent Km value for L-cysteine. The chelating agents such as o-phenanthroline, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, bathophenanthroline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, EGTA, and EDTA strongly inhibited the enzyme activity when these chelating agents were added before preactivation. The purified cystein dioxygenase contains 1 atom of iron per mol of enzyme protein. By the activation procedure, the enzyme became less susceptible to the heat denaturation, the inhibitory effects of chelating agents and the tryptic digestion.", "contents": "Rat liver cysteine dioxygenase (cysteine oxidase). Further purification, characterization, and analysis of the activation and inactivation. Rat liver cysteine dioxygenase has been purified to homogeneity. It is a single subunit protein having a molecular weight of 22,500 +/- 1,000, with a pI of 5.5. The enzyme purified was catalytically inactive and activated by anaerobic incubation with either L-cysteine or its analogues such as carboxymethyl-L-cysteine, carboxyethyl-L-cysteine, S-methyl-L-cysteine, D-cysteine, cysteamine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and DL-homocysteine. The enzyme thus activated with L-cysteine was rapidly inactivated under aerobic condition. This rapid inactivation was observed at 0 degrees C where no formation of either the reaction product cysteine sulfinate or the autoxidation product of cysteine, cystine, was detected. Further analysis shows that the inactivation of the activated enzyme was due to oxygen but unrelated to either the presence of substrate, enzyme turnover or accumulation of inhibitor produced during assay. A distinct rat liver cytoplasmic protein, called protein-A, could completely prevented the enzyme from the aerobic inactivation. The loss of activity during assay in the absence of protein-A was shown to be a first order decay process. From the plots of log(deltaproduct/min) versus time, the initial velocity (VO) and the velocity at 7 min (V7) were obtained. The apparent Km value for L-cysteine in the absence of protein-A was calculated from the initial velocity as 4.5 X 10(-4)M. Protein-A did not alter the apparent Km value for L-cysteine. The chelating agents such as o-phenanthroline, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, bathophenanthroline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, EGTA, and EDTA strongly inhibited the enzyme activity when these chelating agents were added before preactivation. The purified cystein dioxygenase contains 1 atom of iron per mol of enzyme protein. By the activation procedure, the enzyme became less susceptible to the heat denaturation, the inhibitory effects of chelating agents and the tryptic digestion.", "PMID": 632231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9284", "title": "Inhibition of protein synthesis in mouse L cells by poly-L-ornithine.", "content": "A snythetic polypeptide, poly-L-ornithine (pLo; average molecular weight, 13,000), inhibited protein synthesis in mouse L cells in suspension culture. The inhibition was dependent upon both the concentration of pLo and the cell density, and the dose for half-inhibition was correlated with the cell density. Cell viability remained high in the concentration range of PLo causing inhibition of protein synthesis. This inhibition was prevented by addiction of calf serum with pLo, but not by washing the treated cells with serum or a high concentration of salt. PLo had no effect on protein synthesis in a cell-free system prepared from L cells or rabbit reticulocytes. The polysome profiles of cells treated with pLo were similar to those of control cells. Experiments on the effect of interchange of the ribosomes and supernatants of control and pLo-treated cells showed that the ribosomes from pLo-treated cells were inactive. The inactivation of these ribosomes was partially prevented by the presence of 120 mM K+ in the medium during pLo treatment. The inhibition of protein synthesis by pLo, therefore, may result from the binding of pLo to the cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular K+ and thus inactivating ribosomes.", "contents": "Inhibition of protein synthesis in mouse L cells by poly-L-ornithine. A snythetic polypeptide, poly-L-ornithine (pLo; average molecular weight, 13,000), inhibited protein synthesis in mouse L cells in suspension culture. The inhibition was dependent upon both the concentration of pLo and the cell density, and the dose for half-inhibition was correlated with the cell density. Cell viability remained high in the concentration range of PLo causing inhibition of protein synthesis. This inhibition was prevented by addiction of calf serum with pLo, but not by washing the treated cells with serum or a high concentration of salt. PLo had no effect on protein synthesis in a cell-free system prepared from L cells or rabbit reticulocytes. The polysome profiles of cells treated with pLo were similar to those of control cells. Experiments on the effect of interchange of the ribosomes and supernatants of control and pLo-treated cells showed that the ribosomes from pLo-treated cells were inactive. The inactivation of these ribosomes was partially prevented by the presence of 120 mM K+ in the medium during pLo treatment. The inhibition of protein synthesis by pLo, therefore, may result from the binding of pLo to the cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular K+ and thus inactivating ribosomes.", "PMID": 632233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9285", "title": "Hormonal effects on the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein in a microsomal fraction of the endometrium of rabbit uterus.", "content": "A crude microsomal fraction (M-Fr) was separated from the endometrial scrapings of uteri of ovariectomized rabbits with or without hormonal treatment. The effects of estrogen and progesterone on the incorporation into M-Fr of L-[U-14C]-fucose and N-acetyl-D-[6-3H]-glucosamine from their nucleotides were investigated. Estrogen increased the incorporation of these sugars, whereas progesterone suppressed this effect. The results of fractionation on a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 (Cl- form) column of the isotope-labelled complex saccharide mixtures, obtained by pronase digestion of the incubation mixtures, indicated that biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein was most sensitive to the hormones among the complex saccharides in M-Fr. Thus, a hormonal effects on the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein in the endometrium of ovariectomized rabbit has been unambiguously confirmed at the microsomal level.", "contents": "Hormonal effects on the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein in a microsomal fraction of the endometrium of rabbit uterus. A crude microsomal fraction (M-Fr) was separated from the endometrial scrapings of uteri of ovariectomized rabbits with or without hormonal treatment. The effects of estrogen and progesterone on the incorporation into M-Fr of L-[U-14C]-fucose and N-acetyl-D-[6-3H]-glucosamine from their nucleotides were investigated. Estrogen increased the incorporation of these sugars, whereas progesterone suppressed this effect. The results of fractionation on a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 (Cl- form) column of the isotope-labelled complex saccharide mixtures, obtained by pronase digestion of the incubation mixtures, indicated that biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein was most sensitive to the hormones among the complex saccharides in M-Fr. Thus, a hormonal effects on the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoprotein in the endometrium of ovariectomized rabbit has been unambiguously confirmed at the microsomal level.", "PMID": 632235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9286", "title": "Urinary metabolites of polyamines in rats.", "content": "Urinary metabolites of polyamines in rats were studied systematically by the intraperitoneal injection of radioactive polyamines. Urinary metabolites were fractionated into 4 fractions containing non-polar and acidic compounds, acidic and neutral ampholytes, basic ampholytes and polyamines. A large amount of radioactivity was detected in the fractions containing non-polar and acidic compounds and polyamines of urine of rats injected with radioactive putrescine, while in the case of the injection of radioactive spermidine or spermine a relatively large amount of radioactivity was found in the basic ampholyte fraction as well as in the polyamine fraction. Analysis of these fractions indicated that gamma-aminobutyric acid, N-monoacetylputrescine, 2(3)-hydroxyputrescine, putreanine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-4-aminobutyric acid (isoputreanine), spermic acid, N-(3-aminopropyl), N'-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N-monoacetylspermidine A and B were excreted as urinary metabolites of the polyamines in addition to putrescine, spermidine and spermine.", "contents": "Urinary metabolites of polyamines in rats. Urinary metabolites of polyamines in rats were studied systematically by the intraperitoneal injection of radioactive polyamines. Urinary metabolites were fractionated into 4 fractions containing non-polar and acidic compounds, acidic and neutral ampholytes, basic ampholytes and polyamines. A large amount of radioactivity was detected in the fractions containing non-polar and acidic compounds and polyamines of urine of rats injected with radioactive putrescine, while in the case of the injection of radioactive spermidine or spermine a relatively large amount of radioactivity was found in the basic ampholyte fraction as well as in the polyamine fraction. Analysis of these fractions indicated that gamma-aminobutyric acid, N-monoacetylputrescine, 2(3)-hydroxyputrescine, putreanine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-4-aminobutyric acid (isoputreanine), spermic acid, N-(3-aminopropyl), N'-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N-monoacetylspermidine A and B were excreted as urinary metabolites of the polyamines in addition to putrescine, spermidine and spermine.", "PMID": 632236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9287", "title": "Abnormal expression of a serine protease in human dystrophic muscle.", "content": "The activities of serine protease in muscles from normal persons and from patients with progressive muscular and neuromuscular diseases have been determined. A significant increase in the level of serine protease was found in muscle of patients with Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy and with Becker-type muscular dystrophy, but the activity was not increased in muscle of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.", "contents": "Abnormal expression of a serine protease in human dystrophic muscle. The activities of serine protease in muscles from normal persons and from patients with progressive muscular and neuromuscular diseases have been determined. A significant increase in the level of serine protease was found in muscle of patients with Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy and with Becker-type muscular dystrophy, but the activity was not increased in muscle of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.", "PMID": 632237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9288", "title": "Photoaffinity labeling of insulin receptor of rat adiopocyte plasma membrane.", "content": "A photosensitive insulin derivative was synthesized by reacting radioactive iodinated bovine insulin with N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of 4-azidobenzolic acid. The photo-sensitivity and specificity of this insulin derivative were established by its covalent nonspecific cross-link to albumin and its covalent specific cross-link to the heavy and light chains of anti-insulin immunoglobulin. Plasma membrane preparations of rate adipocytes were incubated with the photosensitive insulin derivative and irradiated with light. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of these plasma membrane preparations after solubilization with sodium dodecyl sulfate and reduction with beta-mercaptoethanol showed that a protein having a molecular weight of 130,000 was specifically labeled by the radioactive photosensitive insulin, suggesting that this protein may be the insulin receptor.", "contents": "Photoaffinity labeling of insulin receptor of rat adiopocyte plasma membrane. A photosensitive insulin derivative was synthesized by reacting radioactive iodinated bovine insulin with N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of 4-azidobenzolic acid. The photo-sensitivity and specificity of this insulin derivative were established by its covalent nonspecific cross-link to albumin and its covalent specific cross-link to the heavy and light chains of anti-insulin immunoglobulin. Plasma membrane preparations of rate adipocytes were incubated with the photosensitive insulin derivative and irradiated with light. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of these plasma membrane preparations after solubilization with sodium dodecyl sulfate and reduction with beta-mercaptoethanol showed that a protein having a molecular weight of 130,000 was specifically labeled by the radioactive photosensitive insulin, suggesting that this protein may be the insulin receptor.", "PMID": 632238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9289", "title": "Site-specific phosphorylation of beta-casein by proetin kinases from rabbit reticulocytes.", "content": "The B variant of beta-casein was phosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP using four different protein kinases isolated from rabbit reticulocytes. Casein was maximally phosphorylated by the individual protein kinase activities and subjected to chymotrptic digestion. The peptides were separated by a two-dimensional peptide fingerprinting technique, and the phosphorylated peptides were identified by autoradiography, The two phosphorylated peptides obtained from the action of casein kinase I were shown to have different migration patterns from those obtained with casein kinase II. The cAMP-regulated protein kinases had the same substrate specificity with beta-casein B, and the two phosphorylated peptides obtained using these enzymes were distinct from those phosphorylated by the cAMP-independent enzymes. Thus, the different protein kinases can be identified by substrate specificity using beta-casein.", "contents": "Site-specific phosphorylation of beta-casein by proetin kinases from rabbit reticulocytes. The B variant of beta-casein was phosphorylated with [gamma-32P]ATP using four different protein kinases isolated from rabbit reticulocytes. Casein was maximally phosphorylated by the individual protein kinase activities and subjected to chymotrptic digestion. The peptides were separated by a two-dimensional peptide fingerprinting technique, and the phosphorylated peptides were identified by autoradiography, The two phosphorylated peptides obtained from the action of casein kinase I were shown to have different migration patterns from those obtained with casein kinase II. The cAMP-regulated protein kinases had the same substrate specificity with beta-casein B, and the two phosphorylated peptides obtained using these enzymes were distinct from those phosphorylated by the cAMP-independent enzymes. Thus, the different protein kinases can be identified by substrate specificity using beta-casein.", "PMID": 632239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9290", "title": "Complex formation between the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and valinomycin in the presence of potassium.", "content": "Spectroscopic evidence is presented which indicates that the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and the peptide antibiotic valinomycin form a complex in the presence of potassium. Complex formation has been observed both in aqueous and nonaqueous media. Several techniques have been used to indicate the existence of a complex in aqueous solution. In the presence of valinomycin and K+, the absorption spectrum of FCCP is significantly perturbed, and there is also a large induced circular dichroism signal. In addition, the previously characterized complex which forms between valinomycin, K+, and the fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) in aqueous solution is apparently disrupted by the addition of FCCP. The result is an effective quenching of the fluorescence due to the bound probe as it is displaced from the valinomycin.K+ by the uncoupler. In a nonpolar solvent, the absorption spectrum of FCCP is also perturbed by valinomycin in the presence of K+, again indicating the formation of a complex. These data point to the importance of considering the role of valinomycin.K+.uncoupler complex in interpreting physiological or ion transport data in which these substances have been used together.", "contents": "Complex formation between the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and valinomycin in the presence of potassium. Spectroscopic evidence is presented which indicates that the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and the peptide antibiotic valinomycin form a complex in the presence of potassium. Complex formation has been observed both in aqueous and nonaqueous media. Several techniques have been used to indicate the existence of a complex in aqueous solution. In the presence of valinomycin and K+, the absorption spectrum of FCCP is significantly perturbed, and there is also a large induced circular dichroism signal. In addition, the previously characterized complex which forms between valinomycin, K+, and the fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) in aqueous solution is apparently disrupted by the addition of FCCP. The result is an effective quenching of the fluorescence due to the bound probe as it is displaced from the valinomycin.K+ by the uncoupler. In a nonpolar solvent, the absorption spectrum of FCCP is also perturbed by valinomycin in the presence of K+, again indicating the formation of a complex. These data point to the importance of considering the role of valinomycin.K+.uncoupler complex in interpreting physiological or ion transport data in which these substances have been used together.", "PMID": 632240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9291", "title": "Characterization of azidobenzamidines as photoaffinity labels for trypsin.", "content": "Meta- and para-azidobenzamidine have been prepared and evaluated as photoaffinity labels. The compounds inhibit trypsin reversible in the dark and are competitive with substrate binding. Upon photolysis, irreversible noncompetitive inhibition is observed and is dependent upon concentration, photolysis time, and pH. Specificity of the probes is indicated by experiments in which p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester, a trypsin substrate, is used to protect against photoinactivation. Maximum inactivation of trypsin is achieved at pH 6.2 using either azidobenzamidine derivative. Evaluation of the pH dependence of photoaffinity labeling may provide a sensitive tool for probing conformational changes in inhibitor binding sites. These studies provide a basis for the use of azidobenzamidines as photoaffinity analogs of lysine and arginine side chains.", "contents": "Characterization of azidobenzamidines as photoaffinity labels for trypsin. Meta- and para-azidobenzamidine have been prepared and evaluated as photoaffinity labels. The compounds inhibit trypsin reversible in the dark and are competitive with substrate binding. Upon photolysis, irreversible noncompetitive inhibition is observed and is dependent upon concentration, photolysis time, and pH. Specificity of the probes is indicated by experiments in which p-tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester, a trypsin substrate, is used to protect against photoinactivation. Maximum inactivation of trypsin is achieved at pH 6.2 using either azidobenzamidine derivative. Evaluation of the pH dependence of photoaffinity labeling may provide a sensitive tool for probing conformational changes in inhibitor binding sites. These studies provide a basis for the use of azidobenzamidines as photoaffinity analogs of lysine and arginine side chains.", "PMID": 632242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9292", "title": "Evidence that thyroglobulin contains nonidentical half molecule subunits.", "content": "Bovine thyroglobulin was extracted from unfrozen glands, purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and fractionated into a narrow range in iodine content by RbCl isopycnic centrifugation. The subunit composition of these preparations was studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The extent of dissociation of 19 S into 12 S half-molecules followed the known relationship with iodine, i.e. decreased dissociability of 19 S with increased iodine content. The undissociated 19 S band always consisted of three closely spaced, equidistant bands. Reduction of the disulfide bonds of thyroglobulin by mercaptoethanol in SDS solution resulted in the formation of two major and one minor components (S, F, and A). The concentration of A was always less than 10% of the total. The ratio of S to F was, however, about equal in thyroglobulin preparations which ranged in iodine content from 0.2 to 1%. The final ratios were obtained before all the disulfides were reduced. The relative mobilitis of S, F, and A, decreased with increasing extent of reduction. Fully reduced S and F, but not A, migrated slower than unreduced 12 S. The three reduced alkylated polypeptides were purified by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their molecular weights were determined by sedimentation equilibrium in 8 M urea. Their Mw and Mz values agreed closely with that of the unreduced 12 S half-molecule subunit, thus indicating that reduction of the disulfide bonds changes the shape but not the molecular weights of the subunits.", "contents": "Evidence that thyroglobulin contains nonidentical half molecule subunits. Bovine thyroglobulin was extracted from unfrozen glands, purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and fractionated into a narrow range in iodine content by RbCl isopycnic centrifugation. The subunit composition of these preparations was studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The extent of dissociation of 19 S into 12 S half-molecules followed the known relationship with iodine, i.e. decreased dissociability of 19 S with increased iodine content. The undissociated 19 S band always consisted of three closely spaced, equidistant bands. Reduction of the disulfide bonds of thyroglobulin by mercaptoethanol in SDS solution resulted in the formation of two major and one minor components (S, F, and A). The concentration of A was always less than 10% of the total. The ratio of S to F was, however, about equal in thyroglobulin preparations which ranged in iodine content from 0.2 to 1%. The final ratios were obtained before all the disulfides were reduced. The relative mobilitis of S, F, and A, decreased with increasing extent of reduction. Fully reduced S and F, but not A, migrated slower than unreduced 12 S. The three reduced alkylated polypeptides were purified by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their molecular weights were determined by sedimentation equilibrium in 8 M urea. Their Mw and Mz values agreed closely with that of the unreduced 12 S half-molecule subunit, thus indicating that reduction of the disulfide bonds changes the shape but not the molecular weights of the subunits.", "PMID": 632243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9293", "title": "Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. Inhibition by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and evidence for separate identity from the pyruvate transporting system of mitochondria.", "content": "Some of the known inhibitors of pyruvate transport inhibited the activity of carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. Their order of effectiveness with millimolar concentration required for 50% inhibition given in parentheses, was: Compound UK-5099 (alpha-cyano-beta-(1-phenylindol-3-yl)acrylate) (0.1); alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (0.17); alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate (1); alpha-cyanocinnamate (1); alpha-fluorocinnamate (7); transcinnamate (10); p-hydroxycinnamate (10); phenylpyruvate (22); p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (25). Kinetically, the alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibition was mixed and the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to external (-)-carnitine. The alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibition was reversible and resulted from its ability to act as a thiol reagent. In general, alpha-cyanocinnamate and its derivatives inhibit carnitine transport at concentrations 100 to 5000 times as high as those known to pyruvate transport. At millimolar concentrations, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibited the mitochondrial transport of molecules other than carnitine as well as the activity of carnitine acyltransferases. Pyruvate and carnitine did not complete for transport into and out of mitochondria. These results establish that transmitochondrial transport mechanisms for carnitine and pyruvate involve different carriers.", "contents": "Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. Inhibition by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and evidence for separate identity from the pyruvate transporting system of mitochondria. Some of the known inhibitors of pyruvate transport inhibited the activity of carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. Their order of effectiveness with millimolar concentration required for 50% inhibition given in parentheses, was: Compound UK-5099 (alpha-cyano-beta-(1-phenylindol-3-yl)acrylate) (0.1); alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (0.17); alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate (1); alpha-cyanocinnamate (1); alpha-fluorocinnamate (7); transcinnamate (10); p-hydroxycinnamate (10); phenylpyruvate (22); p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (25). Kinetically, the alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibition was mixed and the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to external (-)-carnitine. The alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibition was reversible and resulted from its ability to act as a thiol reagent. In general, alpha-cyanocinnamate and its derivatives inhibit carnitine transport at concentrations 100 to 5000 times as high as those known to pyruvate transport. At millimolar concentrations, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate inhibited the mitochondrial transport of molecules other than carnitine as well as the activity of carnitine acyltransferases. Pyruvate and carnitine did not complete for transport into and out of mitochondria. These results establish that transmitochondrial transport mechanisms for carnitine and pyruvate involve different carriers.", "PMID": 632246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9294", "title": "Pressure effects on folded proteins in solution. Hydrogen exchange at elevated pressures.", "content": "The observed rate constants for base-catalyzed hydrogen exchange reactions between solvent water and peptide nitrogen in lysozyme, ribonculease A, oxidized ribonuclease A, and poly(DL-lysine) are all enhanced by an increase in pressure. Activation volumes have been calculated from the pressure effect on these rate constants. For the folded proteins lysozyme and ribonuclease A, deltaV for base-catalyzed exchange changes from about +9 ml/mol at atmospheric pressure -3 ml/mol at 2500 kg/cm2. The same quantity, determined for the random coil polypeptides oxidized ribonuclease A and poly(DL-lysine), does not show this dependence upon pressure. These effects can be understood either in terms of solvent penetration on the folded proteins or the onset of a small degree of pressure induced unfolding. Possible mechanisms by which such penetration could occur are discussed.", "contents": "Pressure effects on folded proteins in solution. Hydrogen exchange at elevated pressures. The observed rate constants for base-catalyzed hydrogen exchange reactions between solvent water and peptide nitrogen in lysozyme, ribonculease A, oxidized ribonuclease A, and poly(DL-lysine) are all enhanced by an increase in pressure. Activation volumes have been calculated from the pressure effect on these rate constants. For the folded proteins lysozyme and ribonuclease A, deltaV for base-catalyzed exchange changes from about +9 ml/mol at atmospheric pressure -3 ml/mol at 2500 kg/cm2. The same quantity, determined for the random coil polypeptides oxidized ribonuclease A and poly(DL-lysine), does not show this dependence upon pressure. These effects can be understood either in terms of solvent penetration on the folded proteins or the onset of a small degree of pressure induced unfolding. Possible mechanisms by which such penetration could occur are discussed.", "PMID": 632247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9295", "title": "Reactions of tubulin-associated guanine nucleotides.", "content": "Only exchangeably bound nucleotide (E-site) is involved in the reaction of the transplhosphorylase activity in microtubular protein. Contrary to earlier reports, we find that the nonexchangeable nucleotide (N-site) is not a substrate. This conclusion is based upon comparison of: (a) rates of hydrolysis of endogenous tubulin-associated GTP and added [32p]GTP: (b) hydrolysis rates for added [32p]GTP and [3h]GTP; (c) the 32P/3H ratio in bound and free GTP after reaction with [3h, 32p]gTP. During the course of the above studies we have made the unusual observation of a time dependent augmentation in the expected amount of GTP relative to GDP at the E-site; there is either a net conversion of E-site GDP to E-site GTP, or a means for providing additional E-site GTP from another source.", "contents": "Reactions of tubulin-associated guanine nucleotides. Only exchangeably bound nucleotide (E-site) is involved in the reaction of the transplhosphorylase activity in microtubular protein. Contrary to earlier reports, we find that the nonexchangeable nucleotide (N-site) is not a substrate. This conclusion is based upon comparison of: (a) rates of hydrolysis of endogenous tubulin-associated GTP and added [32p]GTP: (b) hydrolysis rates for added [32p]GTP and [3h]GTP; (c) the 32P/3H ratio in bound and free GTP after reaction with [3h, 32p]gTP. During the course of the above studies we have made the unusual observation of a time dependent augmentation in the expected amount of GTP relative to GDP at the E-site; there is either a net conversion of E-site GDP to E-site GTP, or a means for providing additional E-site GTP from another source.", "PMID": 632249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9296", "title": "Interaction of bilirubin with lipids studied by fluorescence quenching method.", "content": "The interaction of bilirubin and various lipids was studied by a static fluorescence quenching method. A quenching equation was developed to determine the binding constant. This method was tested first by a 5-dimethylaminoaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (dansyl).bovine albumin system and then applied to a fluorescent probe containing lipid. Both systems can yield binding parameters. For certain lipid systems, some dynamic quenching was observed at the part of the curve where bilirubin concentrations were at the extreme. Of the lipids tested, sphingomyelin showed the highest association constant; this may be related to the central nervous system toxicity of this bile pigment. The association constants determined with pure lipids were 2.4 x 10(5) M-1 for phosphatidylserine; 3.7 x 10(6) M-1 for sphingomyelin; 2.4 x 10(6) M-1 for diphosphatidylcholine with 5% cholesterol; 9.8 x 10(5) M-1 for diphosphatidycholine alone; 2.2 x 10(5) M-1 for phosphatidylethanolamine; and 1.6 x 10(5) M-1 for diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin); and those with mixed lipids were 4.2 to 5 x 10(5) M-1 for total brain lipid if cow and 3 to 3.6 x 10(5) M-1 for total skin lipid of pig.", "contents": "Interaction of bilirubin with lipids studied by fluorescence quenching method. The interaction of bilirubin and various lipids was studied by a static fluorescence quenching method. A quenching equation was developed to determine the binding constant. This method was tested first by a 5-dimethylaminoaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (dansyl).bovine albumin system and then applied to a fluorescent probe containing lipid. Both systems can yield binding parameters. For certain lipid systems, some dynamic quenching was observed at the part of the curve where bilirubin concentrations were at the extreme. Of the lipids tested, sphingomyelin showed the highest association constant; this may be related to the central nervous system toxicity of this bile pigment. The association constants determined with pure lipids were 2.4 x 10(5) M-1 for phosphatidylserine; 3.7 x 10(6) M-1 for sphingomyelin; 2.4 x 10(6) M-1 for diphosphatidylcholine with 5% cholesterol; 9.8 x 10(5) M-1 for diphosphatidycholine alone; 2.2 x 10(5) M-1 for phosphatidylethanolamine; and 1.6 x 10(5) M-1 for diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin); and those with mixed lipids were 4.2 to 5 x 10(5) M-1 for total brain lipid if cow and 3 to 3.6 x 10(5) M-1 for total skin lipid of pig.", "PMID": 632251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9297", "title": "The mode of conversion of proparathormone to parathormone by a particulate converting enzymic activity of the parathyroid gland.", "content": "The cleavage products from the conversion of proparathormone to parathormone by a bovine and porcine parathyroid microsomal converting activity have been analyzed. In the conversion reaction, the first 6 amino acid residues of the prohormone (Lys-Ser-Val-Lys-Lys-Arg-) are released as an intact hexapeptide. This is rapidly converted to a pentapeptide by removal of the NH2-terminal lysine and then to a tetrapeptide by removal of the COOH-terminal arginine. In order to test for the presence of a postulated COOH-terminal extension of the parathormone sequence in proparathormone, mixtures of 14C-proparathormone and 3H-parathormone were subjected to digestion by trypsin or Staphylococcus aureus protease. The resulting radioactive peptides from the hormone and its precursor were compared. There was no evidence that any fragments different from those from the hormone were released from the prohormone except those accounted for by the NH2-terminal hexapeptide adduct on proparathormone. Thus, the conversion of the prohormone to the hormone catalyzed by the microsomal membrane activity requires only the cleavage of this hexapeptide.", "contents": "The mode of conversion of proparathormone to parathormone by a particulate converting enzymic activity of the parathyroid gland. The cleavage products from the conversion of proparathormone to parathormone by a bovine and porcine parathyroid microsomal converting activity have been analyzed. In the conversion reaction, the first 6 amino acid residues of the prohormone (Lys-Ser-Val-Lys-Lys-Arg-) are released as an intact hexapeptide. This is rapidly converted to a pentapeptide by removal of the NH2-terminal lysine and then to a tetrapeptide by removal of the COOH-terminal arginine. In order to test for the presence of a postulated COOH-terminal extension of the parathormone sequence in proparathormone, mixtures of 14C-proparathormone and 3H-parathormone were subjected to digestion by trypsin or Staphylococcus aureus protease. The resulting radioactive peptides from the hormone and its precursor were compared. There was no evidence that any fragments different from those from the hormone were released from the prohormone except those accounted for by the NH2-terminal hexapeptide adduct on proparathormone. Thus, the conversion of the prohormone to the hormone catalyzed by the microsomal membrane activity requires only the cleavage of this hexapeptide.", "PMID": 632252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9298", "title": "Electrophoretic studies on liver endoplasmic reticulum membrane polypeptides and on their phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine the polypeptide patterns of rat liver rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane fractions stripped of ribosomes. Approximately 67 polypeptides were resolved from the rough ER membrane fraction. The polypeptide pattern of the smooth ER membrane fraction was similar to that of the rough ER membrane fraction, but exhibited substantially lower amounts of some seven polypeptides. Three of these polypeptides, of apparent molecular weights 63,000, 65,000, and 87,000, were of particular interest, as they could not be ascribed to contamination of stripped rough ER membrane fractions by residual ribosomal polypeptides. Conditions of treatment with low concentrations of trypsin were established that markedly diminished the capacity of the stripped rough ER membrane fraction to bind ribosomes in vitro and that also effected a partial detachment of ribosomes from nonstripped rough ER membranes; the results of electrophoretic analyses of rough ER membrane fractions treated in these manners are described. Comparison of the polypeptide patterns of guinea pig, mouse, and rabbit liver ER membrane fractions with rat liver ER membrane fractions revealed considerable variations in the distribution of the polypeptides of 63,000, 65,000, and 87,000 molecular weight among the ER membrane fractions of these species. The combined results of these studies indicate that the polypeptide of 87,000 molecular weight, although particularly sensitive to attack by trypsin, is not involved in the binding of ribosomes to the rough ER membrane fraction. Studies by others (cf. Kreibich, G., Grebenau, R., Mok, W., Pereyra, B., Rodriguez-Boulan, E., and Sabatini, D. D. (1977) Fed. Proc. 36, 656) have implicated the polypeptides of 63,000 and 65,000 molecular weight in this process. The patterns of phosphorylated polypeptides of rough and smooth ER membrane fractions of rat and mouse liver were also examined, using labeling in vivo with sodium [32p]phosphate or in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP. Approximately 25 phosphorylated components were resolved by electrophoresis in the ER membrane fractions of both species. Evidence is presented that suggests that the great majority of these components are phosphopolypeptides. Differences were noted in the patterns of phosphorylation produced by in vivo and in vitro labeling; minor differences were also observed between the patterns of phosphorylation of the rough and smooth ER membrane fractions in either situation. The overall results afford an indirect approach toward evaluating the possible involvement of specific rough ER membrane polypeptides in ribosome-binding and reveal that liver ER membranes contain a substantially greater number of phosphorylated polypeptides thatn previously reported.", "contents": "Electrophoretic studies on liver endoplasmic reticulum membrane polypeptides and on their phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine the polypeptide patterns of rat liver rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane fractions stripped of ribosomes. Approximately 67 polypeptides were resolved from the rough ER membrane fraction. The polypeptide pattern of the smooth ER membrane fraction was similar to that of the rough ER membrane fraction, but exhibited substantially lower amounts of some seven polypeptides. Three of these polypeptides, of apparent molecular weights 63,000, 65,000, and 87,000, were of particular interest, as they could not be ascribed to contamination of stripped rough ER membrane fractions by residual ribosomal polypeptides. Conditions of treatment with low concentrations of trypsin were established that markedly diminished the capacity of the stripped rough ER membrane fraction to bind ribosomes in vitro and that also effected a partial detachment of ribosomes from nonstripped rough ER membranes; the results of electrophoretic analyses of rough ER membrane fractions treated in these manners are described. Comparison of the polypeptide patterns of guinea pig, mouse, and rabbit liver ER membrane fractions with rat liver ER membrane fractions revealed considerable variations in the distribution of the polypeptides of 63,000, 65,000, and 87,000 molecular weight among the ER membrane fractions of these species. The combined results of these studies indicate that the polypeptide of 87,000 molecular weight, although particularly sensitive to attack by trypsin, is not involved in the binding of ribosomes to the rough ER membrane fraction. Studies by others (cf. Kreibich, G., Grebenau, R., Mok, W., Pereyra, B., Rodriguez-Boulan, E., and Sabatini, D. D. (1977) Fed. Proc. 36, 656) have implicated the polypeptides of 63,000 and 65,000 molecular weight in this process. The patterns of phosphorylated polypeptides of rough and smooth ER membrane fractions of rat and mouse liver were also examined, using labeling in vivo with sodium [32p]phosphate or in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP. Approximately 25 phosphorylated components were resolved by electrophoresis in the ER membrane fractions of both species. Evidence is presented that suggests that the great majority of these components are phosphopolypeptides. Differences were noted in the patterns of phosphorylation produced by in vivo and in vitro labeling; minor differences were also observed between the patterns of phosphorylation of the rough and smooth ER membrane fractions in either situation. The overall results afford an indirect approach toward evaluating the possible involvement of specific rough ER membrane polypeptides in ribosome-binding and reveal that liver ER membranes contain a substantially greater number of phosphorylated polypeptides thatn previously reported.", "PMID": 632254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9299", "title": "Physical map of the Bombyx mori DNA containing the gene for silk fibroin.", "content": "A physical map of the DNA containing the gene for silk fibroin was developed from direct hybridization analysis of restriction endonuclease digests of total Bombyx mori DNA using fibroin 125I-mRNA. The orientation of mRNA transcription relative to this map was deduced from the sensitivity of the mRNA coding strand within certain DNA restriction segments to lambda-exonuclease and exonuclease III. The map includes the entire gene coding region (Mr approximately 11 x 10(6)) and large DNA elements which flank the gene at its 5' end (Mr approximately 3 x 10(6)) and 3' end (Mr approximately 6.5 x 10(6)). The coding region is remarkably uniform in its sensitivity to restriction endonucleases. It is completely devoid of sites for most of the enzymes tested, including Hae III, the recognition sequence (d-pG-G C-C) of which might be expected to occur frequently in this large DNA block of 60% G + C content. The fibroin coding region does contain an enormous number of sites for enzymes predicted to have activity from known fibroin mRNA sequences. These results suggeste that the fibroin gene core is a large homogeneously repetitive block of DNA with little evidence for sequence divergence, or the presence of qualitatively different sequences, which might creat other restriction sensitivities. The map also allowed a comparison to be made of the fibroin gene \"context\" in DNA from tissues either active or inactive in fibroin synthesis.", "contents": "Physical map of the Bombyx mori DNA containing the gene for silk fibroin. A physical map of the DNA containing the gene for silk fibroin was developed from direct hybridization analysis of restriction endonuclease digests of total Bombyx mori DNA using fibroin 125I-mRNA. The orientation of mRNA transcription relative to this map was deduced from the sensitivity of the mRNA coding strand within certain DNA restriction segments to lambda-exonuclease and exonuclease III. The map includes the entire gene coding region (Mr approximately 11 x 10(6)) and large DNA elements which flank the gene at its 5' end (Mr approximately 3 x 10(6)) and 3' end (Mr approximately 6.5 x 10(6)). The coding region is remarkably uniform in its sensitivity to restriction endonucleases. It is completely devoid of sites for most of the enzymes tested, including Hae III, the recognition sequence (d-pG-G C-C) of which might be expected to occur frequently in this large DNA block of 60% G + C content. The fibroin coding region does contain an enormous number of sites for enzymes predicted to have activity from known fibroin mRNA sequences. These results suggeste that the fibroin gene core is a large homogeneously repetitive block of DNA with little evidence for sequence divergence, or the presence of qualitatively different sequences, which might creat other restriction sensitivities. The map also allowed a comparison to be made of the fibroin gene \"context\" in DNA from tissues either active or inactive in fibroin synthesis.", "PMID": 632255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9300", "title": "Crystalline ricin D, a toxic anti-tumor lectin from seeds of Ricinus communis.", "content": "A toxic lectin, ricin D, present in the seeds of Ricinus communis has been purified and crystallized in a form suitable for high resolution crystallographic structure studies. This protein is different from a previously found form of ricin (also present in the same seeds), the only ricin for which a preliminary x-ray investigation has been reported so far. Ricin D crystallizes from an aqueous solution in an orthorhombic unit cell of symmetry P2(1)2(1)2(1) and a = 79.0, b = 114.7, and c = 72.8 A. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule with an average molecular weight of 62,400. The crystal is fairly stable to x-radiation and has a water content of approximately 54% by volume. It appears to comprise two closely related species of proteins, the major species corresponding to recin D and the other presumably corresponding to a deamidation product of ricin D. The two species have nearly identical molecular size and amino acid compositions, but different charges.", "contents": "Crystalline ricin D, a toxic anti-tumor lectin from seeds of Ricinus communis. A toxic lectin, ricin D, present in the seeds of Ricinus communis has been purified and crystallized in a form suitable for high resolution crystallographic structure studies. This protein is different from a previously found form of ricin (also present in the same seeds), the only ricin for which a preliminary x-ray investigation has been reported so far. Ricin D crystallizes from an aqueous solution in an orthorhombic unit cell of symmetry P2(1)2(1)2(1) and a = 79.0, b = 114.7, and c = 72.8 A. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule with an average molecular weight of 62,400. The crystal is fairly stable to x-radiation and has a water content of approximately 54% by volume. It appears to comprise two closely related species of proteins, the major species corresponding to recin D and the other presumably corresponding to a deamidation product of ricin D. The two species have nearly identical molecular size and amino acid compositions, but different charges.", "PMID": 632256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9301", "title": "Effect of reductive lactosamination on the hepatic uptake of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A dimer.", "content": "Lactose has been coupled to the lysine residues of the cross-linked dimer of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A by reductive amination with cyanoborohydride. Derivatives of ribonuclease dimer that contained up to 10 Nepsilon-1-(1-deoxylactitolyl)-lysine residues per molecule had greater than 75% of the enzymic activity of the unmodified enzyme toward yeast RNA. Upon intravenous injection of the 14C-labeled (enzymically inactivated by 14C-carboxymethylation) derivatives into rats, their uptake by the liver was a function of the number of lactose residues coupled. At 10 min, 69% of the injected derivative of ribonuclease dimer containing eight 1-deoxylactitolyl-lysine residues/molecule was found in the liver; with the non-glycosylated enzyme, the liver uptake at 10 min was only 4%, and 75% of the radioactivity was found in the kidneys.", "contents": "Effect of reductive lactosamination on the hepatic uptake of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A dimer. Lactose has been coupled to the lysine residues of the cross-linked dimer of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A by reductive amination with cyanoborohydride. Derivatives of ribonuclease dimer that contained up to 10 Nepsilon-1-(1-deoxylactitolyl)-lysine residues per molecule had greater than 75% of the enzymic activity of the unmodified enzyme toward yeast RNA. Upon intravenous injection of the 14C-labeled (enzymically inactivated by 14C-carboxymethylation) derivatives into rats, their uptake by the liver was a function of the number of lactose residues coupled. At 10 min, 69% of the injected derivative of ribonuclease dimer containing eight 1-deoxylactitolyl-lysine residues/molecule was found in the liver; with the non-glycosylated enzyme, the liver uptake at 10 min was only 4%, and 75% of the radioactivity was found in the kidneys.", "PMID": 632257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9302", "title": "Localization of the alpha-chain cross-link acceptor sites of human fibrin.", "content": "The potential cross-link acceptor sites of fibrin were specifically labeled with the fluorescent, substitute cross-link donor monodansyl cadaverine (MDC). Several fluorescent alpha-chain peptides generated from enzymatic and cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage of the labeled fibrin were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis; they were isolated and then characterized by amino acid analysis, NH2-terminal sequence analysis, and chromatographic and electrophoretic analyses of their digestion products. Ancrod cleavage of MDC-labeled fibrin produced a series of six alpha-chain peptides of molecular weights 34,000 to 12,000, each of which contained an MDC-labeled acceptor site, and an NH2-terminal alpha-chain derivative of molecular weight 37,500. The latter remains disulfide bound in the residual fibrin and has two MDC-labeled sit-s which are separable by CNBr cleavage. Mild plasmin digestion of MDC-labeled fibrin generated fluorescent alpha-chain peptides of molecular weights 45,000, 42,000, 35,000, 23,000, 21,000, and 2,500 in the supernatant and a nonfluorescent NH2-terminal alpha-chain derivative of molecular weight 25,000 which remained in the insoluble residual fibrin. The alignment of these plasmic supernatant peptides was determined from NH2-terminal sequence analyses which indicated that an MDC acceptor site was located at approximately residue 255 of the Aalpha-chain. Cleavage of the MDC-labeled alpha-chain by CNBr, however, localized most of its fluorescence (approximately 80%) to a fragment of molecular weight 29,000 which had the same NH2-terminal sequence as the labeled plasmic peptide of molecular weight 21,000. Both peptides were cleaved by ancrod into two acceptor site-containing peptides of approximately equal fluorescence. The preliminary NH2-terminal sequence analyses of these peptides, when combined with the above findings, indicated that these two other cross-link acceptor sites are in a peptide segment which comprises the middle 17% of the Aalpha-chain.", "contents": "Localization of the alpha-chain cross-link acceptor sites of human fibrin. The potential cross-link acceptor sites of fibrin were specifically labeled with the fluorescent, substitute cross-link donor monodansyl cadaverine (MDC). Several fluorescent alpha-chain peptides generated from enzymatic and cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage of the labeled fibrin were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis; they were isolated and then characterized by amino acid analysis, NH2-terminal sequence analysis, and chromatographic and electrophoretic analyses of their digestion products. Ancrod cleavage of MDC-labeled fibrin produced a series of six alpha-chain peptides of molecular weights 34,000 to 12,000, each of which contained an MDC-labeled acceptor site, and an NH2-terminal alpha-chain derivative of molecular weight 37,500. The latter remains disulfide bound in the residual fibrin and has two MDC-labeled sit-s which are separable by CNBr cleavage. Mild plasmin digestion of MDC-labeled fibrin generated fluorescent alpha-chain peptides of molecular weights 45,000, 42,000, 35,000, 23,000, 21,000, and 2,500 in the supernatant and a nonfluorescent NH2-terminal alpha-chain derivative of molecular weight 25,000 which remained in the insoluble residual fibrin. The alignment of these plasmic supernatant peptides was determined from NH2-terminal sequence analyses which indicated that an MDC acceptor site was located at approximately residue 255 of the Aalpha-chain. Cleavage of the MDC-labeled alpha-chain by CNBr, however, localized most of its fluorescence (approximately 80%) to a fragment of molecular weight 29,000 which had the same NH2-terminal sequence as the labeled plasmic peptide of molecular weight 21,000. Both peptides were cleaved by ancrod into two acceptor site-containing peptides of approximately equal fluorescence. The preliminary NH2-terminal sequence analyses of these peptides, when combined with the above findings, indicated that these two other cross-link acceptor sites are in a peptide segment which comprises the middle 17% of the Aalpha-chain.", "PMID": 632262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9303", "title": "Polyadenylic acid synthesis activity of purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Caulobacter.", "content": "Characterization of purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) of Caulobacter crescentus, strain CB15 has led to the conclusion that this enzyme catalyzes poly(A) synthesis in the absence of template. Poly(A) synthetase activity co-purifies with both holoenzyme and core polymerase on DNA-cellulose columns, and core polymerase purified to 98% homogeneity by glycerol gradient centrifugation is still capable of catalyzing poly(A) polymerization. Both RNA synthesis and poly(A) polymerization activities are sensitive to rifampicin. In addition, RNA polymerase purified from partially rifampicin-sensitive mutants exhibits the same partial sensitivity in vitro to the drug in the synthesis of RNA and poly(A). The enzyme used in these studies was prepared by a simple method which allows a high yield of pure RNA polymerase from large batches of exponential cells. The procedure includes high speed centrifugation of cell extracts, DEAE-cellulose column, DNA-affinity chromatography, and low salt glycerol gradient centrifugation. Holoenzyme can be resolved into core and sigma subunit by either DNA-cellulose chromatography or glycerol gradient centrifugation, and the latter step allows recovery of pure sigma factor.", "contents": "Polyadenylic acid synthesis activity of purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Caulobacter. Characterization of purified DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) of Caulobacter crescentus, strain CB15 has led to the conclusion that this enzyme catalyzes poly(A) synthesis in the absence of template. Poly(A) synthetase activity co-purifies with both holoenzyme and core polymerase on DNA-cellulose columns, and core polymerase purified to 98% homogeneity by glycerol gradient centrifugation is still capable of catalyzing poly(A) polymerization. Both RNA synthesis and poly(A) polymerization activities are sensitive to rifampicin. In addition, RNA polymerase purified from partially rifampicin-sensitive mutants exhibits the same partial sensitivity in vitro to the drug in the synthesis of RNA and poly(A). The enzyme used in these studies was prepared by a simple method which allows a high yield of pure RNA polymerase from large batches of exponential cells. The procedure includes high speed centrifugation of cell extracts, DEAE-cellulose column, DNA-affinity chromatography, and low salt glycerol gradient centrifugation. Holoenzyme can be resolved into core and sigma subunit by either DNA-cellulose chromatography or glycerol gradient centrifugation, and the latter step allows recovery of pure sigma factor.", "PMID": 632267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9304", "title": "Translation and characterization of the fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA.", "content": "Fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA was obtained from rat liver polysomal RNA and then injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The radioactive fatty acid synthetase protein synthesized in the oocytes was identified by immunoprecipitation with anti-fatty acid synthetase antibody and the immunoprecipitate was then characterized by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. Co-migration of authentic fatty acid synthetase and the labeled product synthesized in oocytes was observed. Based on sucrose density gradient analysis, the rat liver fatty acid synthetase mRNA has a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 33 S, which agrees with the predicted minimum size necessary to code for the fatty acid synthetase protein. In addition, this mRNA was partially purified with oligo(dT)-cellulose, which indicates that it has a polyadenylate region. The relative in vivo rate of synthesis of fatty acid synthetase and the level of fatty acid synthetase mRNA in liver were also determined during the course of dietary induction of this enzyme. The results indicate that the dietary-induced increase in the level of fatty acid synthetase is probably due to an increased level of the fatty acid synthetase mRNA.", "contents": "Translation and characterization of the fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA. Fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA was obtained from rat liver polysomal RNA and then injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The radioactive fatty acid synthetase protein synthesized in the oocytes was identified by immunoprecipitation with anti-fatty acid synthetase antibody and the immunoprecipitate was then characterized by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. Co-migration of authentic fatty acid synthetase and the labeled product synthesized in oocytes was observed. Based on sucrose density gradient analysis, the rat liver fatty acid synthetase mRNA has a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 33 S, which agrees with the predicted minimum size necessary to code for the fatty acid synthetase protein. In addition, this mRNA was partially purified with oligo(dT)-cellulose, which indicates that it has a polyadenylate region. The relative in vivo rate of synthesis of fatty acid synthetase and the level of fatty acid synthetase mRNA in liver were also determined during the course of dietary induction of this enzyme. The results indicate that the dietary-induced increase in the level of fatty acid synthetase is probably due to an increased level of the fatty acid synthetase mRNA.", "PMID": 632268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9305", "title": "Effect of the beta6 Glu replaced by Val mutation on the optical activity of hemoglobin S and of its beta subunits.", "content": "The carbomonoxy derivatives of hemoglobin A and S showed a different optical activity in the Soret region of the spectrum as measured by circular dichroism. Different optical activity was also measured in the carbomonoxy derivatives of the beta subunits of hemoglobin A and S, the respective deoxy derivatives showed different circular dichroism spectra only in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate. Sedimentation velocity experiments showed that the differences in optical activity are not due to a different state of aggregation of the subunits. Modification of the tertiary structure of the beta subunits seems to be responsible for the phenomenon. Speculation based on the work of Hsu and Woody (Hsu, M.C., and Woody, R.W. (1971) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 93, 3515-3525) suggests the involvement of the beta15 tryptophan in the conformational changes produced by the beta6 Glu-Val mutation in hemoglobin S.", "contents": "Effect of the beta6 Glu replaced by Val mutation on the optical activity of hemoglobin S and of its beta subunits. The carbomonoxy derivatives of hemoglobin A and S showed a different optical activity in the Soret region of the spectrum as measured by circular dichroism. Different optical activity was also measured in the carbomonoxy derivatives of the beta subunits of hemoglobin A and S, the respective deoxy derivatives showed different circular dichroism spectra only in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate. Sedimentation velocity experiments showed that the differences in optical activity are not due to a different state of aggregation of the subunits. Modification of the tertiary structure of the beta subunits seems to be responsible for the phenomenon. Speculation based on the work of Hsu and Woody (Hsu, M.C., and Woody, R.W. (1971) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 93, 3515-3525) suggests the involvement of the beta15 tryptophan in the conformational changes produced by the beta6 Glu-Val mutation in hemoglobin S.", "PMID": 632269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9306", "title": "Glycosylated minor components of human adult hemoglobin. Purification, identification, and partial structural analysis.", "content": "Human hemolysate contains several minor components designated Hb A1a, Hb A1b, Hb A1c, which are post-translational modifications of the major hemoglobin component A0. Individuals with diabetes mellitus have elevated levels of Hb A1c, a hemoglobin modified with a glucose moiety at the NH2 terminus of each beta chain. A new chromatographic technique using Bio-Rex 70 is described which not only allows complete separation of Hb A1a from Hb A1b but also resolution of Hb A1a into two components, designated Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2. Carbohydrate determinations with the thiobarbituric acid procedure revealed that Hb A1a1, Hb A1a2, and Hb A1b as well as Hb A1c were glycosylated. Total phosphate analysis revealed 2.06 and 1.01 mol of phosphorus/alphabeta dimer for Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2 respectively; Hb A1b and Hb A1c contained no detectable phosphate. Hemoglobin incubated with D-[14C]glucose-6-P co-chromatographs precisely with Hb A1a2, strongly suggesting that Hb A1a2 is glucose-6-P hemoglobin. Levels of Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2 are normal in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, diabetic red cells contain normal levels of glucose-6-P. Therefore, glucose-6-P hemoglobin does not serve as a significant precursor to Hb A1c. Instead Hb A1c is formed by the direct reaction of hemoglobin with glucose. This suggests that hemoglobin can serve as a model system for nonenzymatic glycosylation of protein.", "contents": "Glycosylated minor components of human adult hemoglobin. Purification, identification, and partial structural analysis. Human hemolysate contains several minor components designated Hb A1a, Hb A1b, Hb A1c, which are post-translational modifications of the major hemoglobin component A0. Individuals with diabetes mellitus have elevated levels of Hb A1c, a hemoglobin modified with a glucose moiety at the NH2 terminus of each beta chain. A new chromatographic technique using Bio-Rex 70 is described which not only allows complete separation of Hb A1a from Hb A1b but also resolution of Hb A1a into two components, designated Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2. Carbohydrate determinations with the thiobarbituric acid procedure revealed that Hb A1a1, Hb A1a2, and Hb A1b as well as Hb A1c were glycosylated. Total phosphate analysis revealed 2.06 and 1.01 mol of phosphorus/alphabeta dimer for Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2 respectively; Hb A1b and Hb A1c contained no detectable phosphate. Hemoglobin incubated with D-[14C]glucose-6-P co-chromatographs precisely with Hb A1a2, strongly suggesting that Hb A1a2 is glucose-6-P hemoglobin. Levels of Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2 are normal in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, diabetic red cells contain normal levels of glucose-6-P. Therefore, glucose-6-P hemoglobin does not serve as a significant precursor to Hb A1c. Instead Hb A1c is formed by the direct reaction of hemoglobin with glucose. This suggests that hemoglobin can serve as a model system for nonenzymatic glycosylation of protein.", "PMID": 632272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9307", "title": "Prolactin induction of casein mRNA in organ culture. A model system for studying peptide hormone regulation of gene expression.", "content": "The peptide hormone, prolactin, when added to organ explants of rat mammary gland, rapidly (within 1 h) induced the accumulation of casein mRNA. Casein mRNA sequences, as determined by hybridization with a specific cDNA probe, were shown to increase for up to 48 h after prolactin addition. The magnitude of this response was dependent upon the day of pregnancy at which the tissue was placed in culture. Maximal levels of induction (as great as 45-fold) were obtained using tissue from 15-day pregnant rats. Further data indicate that two steroid hormones, hydrocortisone and progesterone, were able to modulate the prolactin-induced accumulation of casein mRNA. The continuous presence of hydrocortisone was not necessary for prolactin induction of casein mRNA. However, the presence of hydrocortisone was required for maximal accumulation of casein mRNA. The induction of casein mRNA by prolactin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the simultaneous addition of progesterone to the organ culture. Thus, hydrocortisone appears to potentiate the prolactin induction of casein mRNA, whereas progesterone is able to prevent casein mRNA accumulation. Since mammary gland organ culture is performed in a serum-free, chemically defined medium, this system allows a detailed examination of the mechanims by which a peptide hormone regulates the rapid accumulation of a specific mRNA.", "contents": "Prolactin induction of casein mRNA in organ culture. A model system for studying peptide hormone regulation of gene expression. The peptide hormone, prolactin, when added to organ explants of rat mammary gland, rapidly (within 1 h) induced the accumulation of casein mRNA. Casein mRNA sequences, as determined by hybridization with a specific cDNA probe, were shown to increase for up to 48 h after prolactin addition. The magnitude of this response was dependent upon the day of pregnancy at which the tissue was placed in culture. Maximal levels of induction (as great as 45-fold) were obtained using tissue from 15-day pregnant rats. Further data indicate that two steroid hormones, hydrocortisone and progesterone, were able to modulate the prolactin-induced accumulation of casein mRNA. The continuous presence of hydrocortisone was not necessary for prolactin induction of casein mRNA. However, the presence of hydrocortisone was required for maximal accumulation of casein mRNA. The induction of casein mRNA by prolactin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the simultaneous addition of progesterone to the organ culture. Thus, hydrocortisone appears to potentiate the prolactin induction of casein mRNA, whereas progesterone is able to prevent casein mRNA accumulation. Since mammary gland organ culture is performed in a serum-free, chemically defined medium, this system allows a detailed examination of the mechanims by which a peptide hormone regulates the rapid accumulation of a specific mRNA.", "PMID": 632273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9308", "title": "Isolation of vitamin K2(35) from Nocardia restrictus and Corynebacterium simplex. A natural electron acceptor in microbial steroid ring A dehydrogenations.", "content": "Isooctane extraction of cells from Nocardia restrictus and Corynebacterium simplex followed by chromatographic separation gave yellow crystals which were identified as vitamin K2(35) by its ultraviolet absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, and mass spectrometry. The purified vitamin K2(35) was found to stimulate steroid 1,2-dehydrogenase obtained from cell free extracts of N. restrictus, C. simplex, Cylindrocarpon radicicola, and Septomyxa affinis as well as 4,5alpha-dehydrogenase and 4,5beta-dehydrogenase obtained from N. restrictus. Evidence is presented to show that vitamin K2(35) can act as an efficient electron acceptor in steroid ring A dehydrogenations which may be coupled to other systems during microbial transformations of steroids.", "contents": "Isolation of vitamin K2(35) from Nocardia restrictus and Corynebacterium simplex. A natural electron acceptor in microbial steroid ring A dehydrogenations. Isooctane extraction of cells from Nocardia restrictus and Corynebacterium simplex followed by chromatographic separation gave yellow crystals which were identified as vitamin K2(35) by its ultraviolet absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, and mass spectrometry. The purified vitamin K2(35) was found to stimulate steroid 1,2-dehydrogenase obtained from cell free extracts of N. restrictus, C. simplex, Cylindrocarpon radicicola, and Septomyxa affinis as well as 4,5alpha-dehydrogenase and 4,5beta-dehydrogenase obtained from N. restrictus. Evidence is presented to show that vitamin K2(35) can act as an efficient electron acceptor in steroid ring A dehydrogenations which may be coupled to other systems during microbial transformations of steroids.", "PMID": 632275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9309", "title": "Synthesis and characterization of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid, a new fluorescent analogue of diphosphoglyceric acid.", "content": "The synthesis of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid (DIPANS) is described. It entails the synthesis of 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde from the action of POCl3 on 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. This is followed by coupling of the 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde to 1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid. Subsequent reduction with NaBH4 yields the desired product. The DIPANS exhibits an excitation maximum at 337 nm and a fluorescence emission maximum at 504 nm. This dye is quantitatively displaced by inositol hexaphosphate and is an effective analogus of diphosphoglyceric acid (DPG), possessing a KD at pH 7.0 in 0.05 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bis-Tris) plus 0.1 M chloride of 6.88 microgram, with 1.0 molecule bound/hemoglobin tetramer. Like DPG its binding to deoxyhemoglobin decreases with increasing pH; in the presence of 0.1 M chloride it binds 0.031 times as tightly to CO hemoglobin and it yields a value for free energy coupling of 2.0 kcal/mol. The presence of 1 mM DIPANS decreases the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen in the absence of salt from p1/2 of 0.8 mm Hg to 12.4 mm Hg. Using DPG as a competitor of DIPANS binding, a dissociation constant of 11.4 micrometer was calculated for DPG binding to deoxy-Hb at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.05 M bis-Tris and 0.1 M chloride.", "contents": "Synthesis and characterization of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid, a new fluorescent analogue of diphosphoglyceric acid. The synthesis of N-(2,4-diphosphobenzyl)-1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid (DIPANS) is described. It entails the synthesis of 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde from the action of POCl3 on 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. This is followed by coupling of the 2,4-diphosphobenzaldehyde to 1-amino-5-naphthalenesulfonic acid. Subsequent reduction with NaBH4 yields the desired product. The DIPANS exhibits an excitation maximum at 337 nm and a fluorescence emission maximum at 504 nm. This dye is quantitatively displaced by inositol hexaphosphate and is an effective analogus of diphosphoglyceric acid (DPG), possessing a KD at pH 7.0 in 0.05 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bis-Tris) plus 0.1 M chloride of 6.88 microgram, with 1.0 molecule bound/hemoglobin tetramer. Like DPG its binding to deoxyhemoglobin decreases with increasing pH; in the presence of 0.1 M chloride it binds 0.031 times as tightly to CO hemoglobin and it yields a value for free energy coupling of 2.0 kcal/mol. The presence of 1 mM DIPANS decreases the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen in the absence of salt from p1/2 of 0.8 mm Hg to 12.4 mm Hg. Using DPG as a competitor of DIPANS binding, a dissociation constant of 11.4 micrometer was calculated for DPG binding to deoxy-Hb at pH 7.0 in the presence of 0.05 M bis-Tris and 0.1 M chloride.", "PMID": 632276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9310", "title": "Structural changes in the T4 gene 32 protein induced by DNA polynucleotides.", "content": "Alterations in the structure of the DNA-binding protein specified by gene 32 of bacteriophage T4 have been detected using partial trypsin digestion as a conformational probe. Limited tryptic hydrolysis of the gene 32 protein removes a fragment (\"B\" region), of 21 amino acids from the NH2 terminus and a 6,200-dalton fragment (\"A\" region) from the COOH terminus. Poly(dT), poly(dC), and single-stranded DNA increase the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of the \"A\" region but decrease the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of the \"B\" region. Oligonucleotides, which are too short to permit cooperative binding of the gene 32 protein, do not alter the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of either the \"A\" or \"B\" regions. A model which accounts for these findings requires that the \"B\" region be involved in gene 32 protein:gene 32 protein interactions when the gene 32 protein: DNA complex is formed. As a consequence of the gene 32 protein:DNA interaction, the \"A\" region should be able to participate more effectively in vivo and in vitro with other proteins involved in T4 DNA metabolism.", "contents": "Structural changes in the T4 gene 32 protein induced by DNA polynucleotides. Alterations in the structure of the DNA-binding protein specified by gene 32 of bacteriophage T4 have been detected using partial trypsin digestion as a conformational probe. Limited tryptic hydrolysis of the gene 32 protein removes a fragment (\"B\" region), of 21 amino acids from the NH2 terminus and a 6,200-dalton fragment (\"A\" region) from the COOH terminus. Poly(dT), poly(dC), and single-stranded DNA increase the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of the \"A\" region but decrease the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of the \"B\" region. Oligonucleotides, which are too short to permit cooperative binding of the gene 32 protein, do not alter the rate of tryptic hydrolysis of either the \"A\" or \"B\" regions. A model which accounts for these findings requires that the \"B\" region be involved in gene 32 protein:gene 32 protein interactions when the gene 32 protein: DNA complex is formed. As a consequence of the gene 32 protein:DNA interaction, the \"A\" region should be able to participate more effectively in vivo and in vitro with other proteins involved in T4 DNA metabolism.", "PMID": 632279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9311", "title": "Synthesis of full length cDNAs from four partially purified oviduct mRNAs.", "content": "Total poly(A)-containing RNA prepared from hen oviduct and centrifuged on an isokinetic sucrose gradient displays four peaks of optical absorbance. These have been identified by translation in vitro as lysozyme, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, and conalbumin mRNAs. Isolation and recentrifugation of the peaks results in partial purification of each mRNA. Molecular weights have been determined for the mRNAs on agarose gels containing 20 mM methylmercury hydroxide. Each mRNA possesses a number of apparently untranslated nucleotides ranging from approximately 900 bases for ovalbumin and conalbumin mRNAs to 200 bases for ovomucoid and lysozyme mRNAs. The mRNAs have been copied with avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. Each mRNA with the exception of conalbumin gives rise to a high proportion of full length cDNA. Several parameters previously reported to influence the size distribution of cDNA had no effect on the length of cDNA made from any mRNA fraction. The proportion of full length copy does depend on the reverse transcriptase lot.", "contents": "Synthesis of full length cDNAs from four partially purified oviduct mRNAs. Total poly(A)-containing RNA prepared from hen oviduct and centrifuged on an isokinetic sucrose gradient displays four peaks of optical absorbance. These have been identified by translation in vitro as lysozyme, ovomucoid, ovalbumin, and conalbumin mRNAs. Isolation and recentrifugation of the peaks results in partial purification of each mRNA. Molecular weights have been determined for the mRNAs on agarose gels containing 20 mM methylmercury hydroxide. Each mRNA possesses a number of apparently untranslated nucleotides ranging from approximately 900 bases for ovalbumin and conalbumin mRNAs to 200 bases for ovomucoid and lysozyme mRNAs. The mRNAs have been copied with avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. Each mRNA with the exception of conalbumin gives rise to a high proportion of full length cDNA. Several parameters previously reported to influence the size distribution of cDNA had no effect on the length of cDNA made from any mRNA fraction. The proportion of full length copy does depend on the reverse transcriptase lot.", "PMID": 632280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9312", "title": "Changes in gene expression accompanying neoplastic transformation of Syrian hamster cells.", "content": "Proteins solubilized from the chemically transformed, highly tumorigenic Syrian hamster cell line, BP6T, and the untransformed parental embryo cells, have been analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differences in seven major polypeptides have been identified in cytoplasmic and nuclear cell fractions from these two related cell types. The tumorigenic cells have lost the ability to synthesize detectable amounts of five major polypeptides which are found in untransformed cells; in addition, the tumorigenic cells synthesize two new major polypeptide species not found in the untransformed cells. Butyric acid, an agent which suppresses in vitro cellular properties frequently associated with neoplasia, induces in a reversible fashion synthesis of two of these missing polypeptide species in the tumorigenic cells. The results indicate that a change in the synthesis of less than 1% of the major polypeptide species is associated with a chemical mediated induction of the high tumorigenic state of Syrian hamster cells.", "contents": "Changes in gene expression accompanying neoplastic transformation of Syrian hamster cells. Proteins solubilized from the chemically transformed, highly tumorigenic Syrian hamster cell line, BP6T, and the untransformed parental embryo cells, have been analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Differences in seven major polypeptides have been identified in cytoplasmic and nuclear cell fractions from these two related cell types. The tumorigenic cells have lost the ability to synthesize detectable amounts of five major polypeptides which are found in untransformed cells; in addition, the tumorigenic cells synthesize two new major polypeptide species not found in the untransformed cells. Butyric acid, an agent which suppresses in vitro cellular properties frequently associated with neoplasia, induces in a reversible fashion synthesis of two of these missing polypeptide species in the tumorigenic cells. The results indicate that a change in the synthesis of less than 1% of the major polypeptide species is associated with a chemical mediated induction of the high tumorigenic state of Syrian hamster cells.", "PMID": 632281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9313", "title": "Light-driven ATP formation from 32Pi by chloroplast thylakoids without detectable labeling of ADP, as measured by rapid mixing and acid quench techniques.", "content": "The labeling of ATP and ADP in the first few milliseconds of exposure of chloroplast thylakoids to light, 32Pi, and ADP has been measured. At least 4 mol of ATP/mol of coupling factor 1 (CF1)-ATPase can be formed without detectable labeling of membrane-bound or free ADP. Such results are consistent with ADP and not AMP as the primary acceptor of Pi in photophosphorylation. Evidence is presented demonstrating that quenching with perchloric acid, as used in these and earlier experiments, is satisfactory for the measurement of the amount and nature of membrane-bound nucleotides.", "contents": "Light-driven ATP formation from 32Pi by chloroplast thylakoids without detectable labeling of ADP, as measured by rapid mixing and acid quench techniques. The labeling of ATP and ADP in the first few milliseconds of exposure of chloroplast thylakoids to light, 32Pi, and ADP has been measured. At least 4 mol of ATP/mol of coupling factor 1 (CF1)-ATPase can be formed without detectable labeling of membrane-bound or free ADP. Such results are consistent with ADP and not AMP as the primary acceptor of Pi in photophosphorylation. Evidence is presented demonstrating that quenching with perchloric acid, as used in these and earlier experiments, is satisfactory for the measurement of the amount and nature of membrane-bound nucleotides.", "PMID": 632282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9314", "title": "Identification of circulating apolipoproteins synthesized by rat small intestine in vivo.", "content": "Apolipoproteins synthesized by intestine were identified in mesenteric lymph and plasma collected from an animal preparation in which exposure to [3H]leucine was restricted to the mucosal epithelial cells of a fat-transporting small intestinal segment in situ. The intestine released labeled chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins only into lymph but labeled high density lipoproteins into both plasma and lymph. Of the 3H incorporated into individual apolipoproteins, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 25% was recovered in apolipoprotein B (apoB), 50% in apoA-I, 21% in apoA-IV, and 4% in C apolipoproteins, nearly all in apoC-II and apoC-III-0. Only traces of radioactivity were associated with the arginine-rich protein and none was detected in apoA-II. Labeled apoB was found in chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins and labeled apoA-I and apoA-IV in all lipoproteins. Evidence suggested that substantial amounts of labeled apoA-IV were also present in the lipoprotein-free lymph fraction (d greater than 1.21 g/ml), further indicating that apoA-IV is a major apolipoprotein product in intestine. Thus, the pattern of apolipoprotein synthesis by intestine is notably different from that reported for liver.", "contents": "Identification of circulating apolipoproteins synthesized by rat small intestine in vivo. Apolipoproteins synthesized by intestine were identified in mesenteric lymph and plasma collected from an animal preparation in which exposure to [3H]leucine was restricted to the mucosal epithelial cells of a fat-transporting small intestinal segment in situ. The intestine released labeled chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins only into lymph but labeled high density lipoproteins into both plasma and lymph. Of the 3H incorporated into individual apolipoproteins, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 25% was recovered in apolipoprotein B (apoB), 50% in apoA-I, 21% in apoA-IV, and 4% in C apolipoproteins, nearly all in apoC-II and apoC-III-0. Only traces of radioactivity were associated with the arginine-rich protein and none was detected in apoA-II. Labeled apoB was found in chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins and labeled apoA-I and apoA-IV in all lipoproteins. Evidence suggested that substantial amounts of labeled apoA-IV were also present in the lipoprotein-free lymph fraction (d greater than 1.21 g/ml), further indicating that apoA-IV is a major apolipoprotein product in intestine. Thus, the pattern of apolipoprotein synthesis by intestine is notably different from that reported for liver.", "PMID": 632283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9315", "title": "Ketogenesis and malonyl coenzyme A content of isolated rat hepatocytes.", "content": "We have measured rates of ketogenesis and malonyl-CoA contents of hepatocytes isolated from meal-fed rats under a variety of incubation conditions in order to determine the relationship between the intracellular malonyl-CoA level and the rate of ketogenesis. Evidence obtained from rat liver homogenates suggested that malonyl-CoA, which is a major determinant of fatty acid synthesis in vivo, also inhibits carnitine acyltransferase I (EC 2.3.1.21) and thereby decreases the rate of ketogenesis (McGarry, J.D., Mannaerts, G.P., and Foster, D.W. (1977) J. Clin. Invest. 60, 265-270). In hepatocytes from meal-fed rats, malonyl-CoA could be increased by glucose or lactate plus pyruvate and decreased by glucagon, oleic acid and the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid. Malonyl-CoA varied from 14.8 +/- 1.2 to 1.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/g wet weight of cells. Rates of ketone body production varied from 0.10 +/- 0.01 to 0.96 +/- 0.06 mumol/min/g wet weight of cells and varied inversely with the malonyl-CoA content. Dixon plots and Cornish-Bowden plots of data suggest that malonyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of ketogenesis with a Ki of 2 nmol/g wet weight of cells. We conclude that in hepatocytes from meal-fed rats the cellular content of malonyl-CoA and the concentration of long chain fatty acid available to the cells are major determinants of the rate of ketogenesis.", "contents": "Ketogenesis and malonyl coenzyme A content of isolated rat hepatocytes. We have measured rates of ketogenesis and malonyl-CoA contents of hepatocytes isolated from meal-fed rats under a variety of incubation conditions in order to determine the relationship between the intracellular malonyl-CoA level and the rate of ketogenesis. Evidence obtained from rat liver homogenates suggested that malonyl-CoA, which is a major determinant of fatty acid synthesis in vivo, also inhibits carnitine acyltransferase I (EC 2.3.1.21) and thereby decreases the rate of ketogenesis (McGarry, J.D., Mannaerts, G.P., and Foster, D.W. (1977) J. Clin. Invest. 60, 265-270). In hepatocytes from meal-fed rats, malonyl-CoA could be increased by glucose or lactate plus pyruvate and decreased by glucagon, oleic acid and the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid. Malonyl-CoA varied from 14.8 +/- 1.2 to 1.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/g wet weight of cells. Rates of ketone body production varied from 0.10 +/- 0.01 to 0.96 +/- 0.06 mumol/min/g wet weight of cells and varied inversely with the malonyl-CoA content. Dixon plots and Cornish-Bowden plots of data suggest that malonyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of ketogenesis with a Ki of 2 nmol/g wet weight of cells. We conclude that in hepatocytes from meal-fed rats the cellular content of malonyl-CoA and the concentration of long chain fatty acid available to the cells are major determinants of the rate of ketogenesis.", "PMID": 632284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9316", "title": "Enzymatic synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides of defined sequence.", "content": "Procedures for the controlled addition of one or more deoxyribonucleotide residues to the 3' end of an oligodeoxyribonucleotide primer are described. Polynucleotide phosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.8), purified from Escherichia coli B, catalyzes the reaction using a deoxyribonucleoside 5'-diphosphate as substrate, with Mn2+ as cofactor. Reaction occurs rapidly in aqueous solution, and no protecting groups are required, simplifying recovery and purification of the products. The concentrations of sodium chloride and manganous chloride in the incubation mixture are critical to obtaining good yield of the required product. Primers of chain length from 3 to 12 have been extended by up to 9 deoxyribonucleotide residues to obtain oligodeoxyribonucleotides of chain length up to 13. Yields of single addition products varied from 8 to 59%. Factors which influence these yields are discussed. The effects of added polyamines and some organic solvents on the reaction are described. Spermidine or dimethylsulfoxide in the incubation medium tend to favor the addition of several residues of deoxyribonucleotide to the primer.", "contents": "Enzymatic synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides of defined sequence. Procedures for the controlled addition of one or more deoxyribonucleotide residues to the 3' end of an oligodeoxyribonucleotide primer are described. Polynucleotide phosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.8), purified from Escherichia coli B, catalyzes the reaction using a deoxyribonucleoside 5'-diphosphate as substrate, with Mn2+ as cofactor. Reaction occurs rapidly in aqueous solution, and no protecting groups are required, simplifying recovery and purification of the products. The concentrations of sodium chloride and manganous chloride in the incubation mixture are critical to obtaining good yield of the required product. Primers of chain length from 3 to 12 have been extended by up to 9 deoxyribonucleotide residues to obtain oligodeoxyribonucleotides of chain length up to 13. Yields of single addition products varied from 8 to 59%. Factors which influence these yields are discussed. The effects of added polyamines and some organic solvents on the reaction are described. Spermidine or dimethylsulfoxide in the incubation medium tend to favor the addition of several residues of deoxyribonucleotide to the primer.", "PMID": 632285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9317", "title": "The effect of \"cap\" analogs on reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Evidence for enhancement of ribosomal binding via a preferred cap conformation.", "content": "A variety of compounds related to the 5'-terminal \"cap\" (m7GpppN) of eukaryotic mRNA's were chemically synthesized and tested as inhibitors of reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Under our conditions of mRNA binding to ribosomes, 7-methyl-, 7-ethyl-, and 7-benzyl-GDP, but not GDP, decreased stable initiation complex formation by 70 to 80% at a concentration of 0.1 mM indicating that 7-substitution, but not a specific substituent, was required for the effect. Elimination of the positive charge on the imidazole of the 7-substituted compounds by treatment with alkali destroyed their inhibitory activity. Similarly, reduction to 8-hydro-m7GDP reversibly decreased the activity of m7GDP. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the positive charge resulting from 7-alkylation provides an active cap conformer for binding via interaction of phosphate oxygens with the positively charged imidazole moiety. In accord with this suggestion, 7-carboxymethyl GDP and 7,8-dimethyl GDP were found to be less inhibitory than m7GDP. A 2-amino group was also important since m7IDP was less effective than m7GDP and 0.1 mM m7XDP did not inhibit ribosome binding. Other poor inhibitors were 6-Cl-m7GDP and 1,7-dimethyl GDP but N2,7-dimethyl GDP, 2'-deoxy-m7GDP, and m7GppI had essentially the same activity as m7GDP.", "contents": "The effect of \"cap\" analogs on reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Evidence for enhancement of ribosomal binding via a preferred cap conformation. A variety of compounds related to the 5'-terminal \"cap\" (m7GpppN) of eukaryotic mRNA's were chemically synthesized and tested as inhibitors of reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Under our conditions of mRNA binding to ribosomes, 7-methyl-, 7-ethyl-, and 7-benzyl-GDP, but not GDP, decreased stable initiation complex formation by 70 to 80% at a concentration of 0.1 mM indicating that 7-substitution, but not a specific substituent, was required for the effect. Elimination of the positive charge on the imidazole of the 7-substituted compounds by treatment with alkali destroyed their inhibitory activity. Similarly, reduction to 8-hydro-m7GDP reversibly decreased the activity of m7GDP. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the positive charge resulting from 7-alkylation provides an active cap conformer for binding via interaction of phosphate oxygens with the positively charged imidazole moiety. In accord with this suggestion, 7-carboxymethyl GDP and 7,8-dimethyl GDP were found to be less inhibitory than m7GDP. A 2-amino group was also important since m7IDP was less effective than m7GDP and 0.1 mM m7XDP did not inhibit ribosome binding. Other poor inhibitors were 6-Cl-m7GDP and 1,7-dimethyl GDP but N2,7-dimethyl GDP, 2'-deoxy-m7GDP, and m7GppI had essentially the same activity as m7GDP.", "PMID": 632288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9318", "title": "Evidence for a dual mechanism of lipolysis activation by epinephrine in rat adipose tissue.", "content": "Whole homogenates prepared from tissue previously exposed to epinephrine displayed a 3-fold increased rate of lipolysis of endogenous substrate. When the aqueous infranatant phase of such homogenates was collected by centrifugation and assayed against exogenous triolein emulsions, no hormone effect could be demonstrated. Treatment of such infranatants with cAMP-dependent protein kinase prepared from muscle increased their lipase activity against exogenous triolein by 80%. Employing [3H]triolein emulsions as exogenous substrate, rates of lipolysis of both endogenous and exogenous glycerides were measured simultaneously in whole tissue homogenates. Prior treatment of the tissue with epinephrine increased the rate of lipolysis of endogenous glycerides an average of 3-fold but had no effect on the hydrolysis of exogenous triolein. By contrast, treatment of whole homogenates with protein kinase accelerated lipolysis of exogenous triolein without altering the rate of hydrolysis of endogenous glycerides. The data suggest that a second pathway of lipolysis activation occurs in response to epinephrine in addition to that involving a cAMP-mediated increase in the state of phosphorylation of the hormone-sensitive lipase.", "contents": "Evidence for a dual mechanism of lipolysis activation by epinephrine in rat adipose tissue. Whole homogenates prepared from tissue previously exposed to epinephrine displayed a 3-fold increased rate of lipolysis of endogenous substrate. When the aqueous infranatant phase of such homogenates was collected by centrifugation and assayed against exogenous triolein emulsions, no hormone effect could be demonstrated. Treatment of such infranatants with cAMP-dependent protein kinase prepared from muscle increased their lipase activity against exogenous triolein by 80%. Employing [3H]triolein emulsions as exogenous substrate, rates of lipolysis of both endogenous and exogenous glycerides were measured simultaneously in whole tissue homogenates. Prior treatment of the tissue with epinephrine increased the rate of lipolysis of endogenous glycerides an average of 3-fold but had no effect on the hydrolysis of exogenous triolein. By contrast, treatment of whole homogenates with protein kinase accelerated lipolysis of exogenous triolein without altering the rate of hydrolysis of endogenous glycerides. The data suggest that a second pathway of lipolysis activation occurs in response to epinephrine in addition to that involving a cAMP-mediated increase in the state of phosphorylation of the hormone-sensitive lipase.", "PMID": 632289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9319", "title": "Subunit structure of Mycobacterium smegmatis fatty acid synthetase. Evidence for identical multifunctional polypeptide chains.", "content": "Fatty acid synthetase from Mycobacterium smegmatis has been purified to near homogeneity as judged by a variety of electrophoretic criteria under both native and dissociating conditions. A single protein band was obtained on gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate or 8 M urea at various pH values and on isoelectric focusing in 8 M urea. A subunit molecular weight of about 290,000 was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate or by sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation in 6 M guanidine HCl. Quantitative Quantitative determination of pantetheine, of flavin, and of the number of fatty acids synthesized during a single enzyme turnover all yield values corresponding to a stoichiometry of about 1 mol per mol of subunit, providing strong evidence that M. smegmatis fatty acid synthetase is an oligomer of identical, multifunctional polypeptide chains.", "contents": "Subunit structure of Mycobacterium smegmatis fatty acid synthetase. Evidence for identical multifunctional polypeptide chains. Fatty acid synthetase from Mycobacterium smegmatis has been purified to near homogeneity as judged by a variety of electrophoretic criteria under both native and dissociating conditions. A single protein band was obtained on gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate or 8 M urea at various pH values and on isoelectric focusing in 8 M urea. A subunit molecular weight of about 290,000 was found by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate or by sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation in 6 M guanidine HCl. Quantitative Quantitative determination of pantetheine, of flavin, and of the number of fatty acids synthesized during a single enzyme turnover all yield values corresponding to a stoichiometry of about 1 mol per mol of subunit, providing strong evidence that M. smegmatis fatty acid synthetase is an oligomer of identical, multifunctional polypeptide chains.", "PMID": 632292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9320", "title": "Purified liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Spectral characterization of oxidation-reduction states.", "content": "NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was isolated from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-induced rats. The enzyme exhibits an apparent minimal molecular weight of 76,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and contains 1 molecule each of FMN and FAD. Trypsin treatment of the reductase yields an enzyme with an apparent minimal molecular weight of 69,000 which retains the ability to reduce cytochrome c but has no activity toward cytochrome P-450. Various spectrophotometric titrations were performed to examine the electron-accepting properties of the purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and, in particular, to determine the oxidation state of the stable semiquinone form produced by air oxidation of NADPH-reduced enzyme. Titration of the air-stable semiquinone form of the reductase with ferricyanide indicated that 1 mol/2 mol of flavin was required for complete oxidation. Furthermore, a spectrum corresponding to that of the air-stable semiquinone form was produced by the addition of approximately 0.5 mol of reductant/2 mol of flavin when the oxidized enzyme was titrate with NADPH or dithionite under anaerobic conditions. The spectral changes which accompanied the overall reduction of oxidized enzyme to the reduced form with dithionite produced four sets of isosbestic points, and the spectrophotometric titration curve consisted of four approximately equal phases. In the titration with NADPH, no significant further reduction was observed after the addition of approximately 1.5 mol/2 mol of flavin. However, the enzyme was fully reduced by NADPH when an NAPH-generating system was used to prevent the accumulation of NADP. Our results establish that the air-stable semiquinone form is a 1-electron-reduced form, rather than a half-reduced (2-electron-reduced) form as maintained by others and are in agreement with earlier studies (Iyanagi, T., Makino, N., and Mason, H.S. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 1701-1710) with the purified trypsin-solubilized reductase. Accordingly, the air-stable species represents a form of the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in which one of the two flavins exists in the semiquinone state and the other in the oxidized state.", "contents": "Purified liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Spectral characterization of oxidation-reduction states. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was isolated from liver microsomes of phenobarbital-induced rats. The enzyme exhibits an apparent minimal molecular weight of 76,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and contains 1 molecule each of FMN and FAD. Trypsin treatment of the reductase yields an enzyme with an apparent minimal molecular weight of 69,000 which retains the ability to reduce cytochrome c but has no activity toward cytochrome P-450. Various spectrophotometric titrations were performed to examine the electron-accepting properties of the purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and, in particular, to determine the oxidation state of the stable semiquinone form produced by air oxidation of NADPH-reduced enzyme. Titration of the air-stable semiquinone form of the reductase with ferricyanide indicated that 1 mol/2 mol of flavin was required for complete oxidation. Furthermore, a spectrum corresponding to that of the air-stable semiquinone form was produced by the addition of approximately 0.5 mol of reductant/2 mol of flavin when the oxidized enzyme was titrate with NADPH or dithionite under anaerobic conditions. The spectral changes which accompanied the overall reduction of oxidized enzyme to the reduced form with dithionite produced four sets of isosbestic points, and the spectrophotometric titration curve consisted of four approximately equal phases. In the titration with NADPH, no significant further reduction was observed after the addition of approximately 1.5 mol/2 mol of flavin. However, the enzyme was fully reduced by NADPH when an NAPH-generating system was used to prevent the accumulation of NADP. Our results establish that the air-stable semiquinone form is a 1-electron-reduced form, rather than a half-reduced (2-electron-reduced) form as maintained by others and are in agreement with earlier studies (Iyanagi, T., Makino, N., and Mason, H.S. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 1701-1710) with the purified trypsin-solubilized reductase. Accordingly, the air-stable species represents a form of the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in which one of the two flavins exists in the semiquinone state and the other in the oxidized state.", "PMID": 632295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9321", "title": "Human cationic trypsinogen. Purification, characterization, and characteristics of autoactivation.", "content": "Human pancreatic cationic trypsinogen has been purified to homogenity from an acetone powder of pancreatic tissue. After an initial ion exchange chromatography step on sulfopropyl (SP)-Sephadex at pH 2.6, cationic trypsinogen was separated from the majority of trypsin activity by passage through an affinity column of lima bean trypsin inhibitor-agarose at high ionic strength. The zymogen was then further purified by affinity chromatography on the same material at low ionic strength. Highly purified trypsinogen was resolved from containing chymotrypsinogen by ion exchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex at pH 6.0. The purified zymogen was shown to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 2.1 and at pH 4.3 as well as by discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The autoactivation of human trypsinogen was investigated at pH 5.6 and at pH 8.0. The rate of autoactivation of the human zymogen is rapid at pH 5.6 and is maximal in approximately 1 mM Ca2+. These results are in marked contrast to those previously reported for autoactivation of bovine trypsinogen, which is extremely slow at pH 5.6 and which shows a dependence on at least 50 mM Ca2+ for maximum rate of activation (MacDonald, M. R., AND Kunitz, M. (1941) J. Gen. Physiol. 25, 53-73).", "contents": "Human cationic trypsinogen. Purification, characterization, and characteristics of autoactivation. Human pancreatic cationic trypsinogen has been purified to homogenity from an acetone powder of pancreatic tissue. After an initial ion exchange chromatography step on sulfopropyl (SP)-Sephadex at pH 2.6, cationic trypsinogen was separated from the majority of trypsin activity by passage through an affinity column of lima bean trypsin inhibitor-agarose at high ionic strength. The zymogen was then further purified by affinity chromatography on the same material at low ionic strength. Highly purified trypsinogen was resolved from containing chymotrypsinogen by ion exchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex at pH 6.0. The purified zymogen was shown to be homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 2.1 and at pH 4.3 as well as by discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The autoactivation of human trypsinogen was investigated at pH 5.6 and at pH 8.0. The rate of autoactivation of the human zymogen is rapid at pH 5.6 and is maximal in approximately 1 mM Ca2+. These results are in marked contrast to those previously reported for autoactivation of bovine trypsinogen, which is extremely slow at pH 5.6 and which shows a dependence on at least 50 mM Ca2+ for maximum rate of activation (MacDonald, M. R., AND Kunitz, M. (1941) J. Gen. Physiol. 25, 53-73).", "PMID": 632297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9322", "title": "Studies on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mammalian brain. Interaction of solubilized protein with cholinergic ligands.", "content": "Binding of alpha-bungarotoxin, labeled with 125I, has been studied in detergent extracts and affinity purified acetylcholine receptor from rat cerebral cortex. Binding to detergent extracts is saturable and appears to be due to one class of binding sites present at a level of 0.27 pmol/mg of protein. The association constant is 2 X 10(7) liters mol-1 . Competition with cholinergic ligands indicates that toxin binding to both detergent solubilized and affinity purified receptor retains its nicotinic nature. Values for the ligand concentrations required to produce 50% inhibition of extent and rate of toxin binding are presented.", "contents": "Studies on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mammalian brain. Interaction of solubilized protein with cholinergic ligands. Binding of alpha-bungarotoxin, labeled with 125I, has been studied in detergent extracts and affinity purified acetylcholine receptor from rat cerebral cortex. Binding to detergent extracts is saturable and appears to be due to one class of binding sites present at a level of 0.27 pmol/mg of protein. The association constant is 2 X 10(7) liters mol-1 . Competition with cholinergic ligands indicates that toxin binding to both detergent solubilized and affinity purified receptor retains its nicotinic nature. Values for the ligand concentrations required to produce 50% inhibition of extent and rate of toxin binding are presented.", "PMID": 632298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9323", "title": "Induction of urea cycle enzymes of rat liver by glucagon.", "content": "All five urea cycle enzymes of rat liver increased in activity 48 h after subcutaneous administration of crystalline zinc glucagon to male rats and remained elevated after 7 days of continuous glucagon infusion. The maximum ratios of enzyme activities over those of controls were 2.0 for carbamyl phosphate synthetase, 1.3 for ornithine transcarbamylase, 2.7 for argininosuccinate synthetase, 3.2 for argininosuccinase, and 2.2 for arginase. Actinomycin D or puromycin prevented these responses to glucagon. The increase in arginase activity after zinc glucagon treatment was matched by an increase in immunoprecipitable enzyme. All five enzymes were induced by physiological plasma levels of glucagon. Tube feeding of casein hydrolysate for 2 days increased all five enzyme activities 1.5- to 2.2-fold and resulted in plasma glucagon levels similar to those required for induction by exogenous glucagon. Thus, glucagon is an inducer of the entire urea cycle in rat liver and plays a role in the induction of the cycle by protein feeding.", "contents": "Induction of urea cycle enzymes of rat liver by glucagon. All five urea cycle enzymes of rat liver increased in activity 48 h after subcutaneous administration of crystalline zinc glucagon to male rats and remained elevated after 7 days of continuous glucagon infusion. The maximum ratios of enzyme activities over those of controls were 2.0 for carbamyl phosphate synthetase, 1.3 for ornithine transcarbamylase, 2.7 for argininosuccinate synthetase, 3.2 for argininosuccinase, and 2.2 for arginase. Actinomycin D or puromycin prevented these responses to glucagon. The increase in arginase activity after zinc glucagon treatment was matched by an increase in immunoprecipitable enzyme. All five enzymes were induced by physiological plasma levels of glucagon. Tube feeding of casein hydrolysate for 2 days increased all five enzyme activities 1.5- to 2.2-fold and resulted in plasma glucagon levels similar to those required for induction by exogenous glucagon. Thus, glucagon is an inducer of the entire urea cycle in rat liver and plays a role in the induction of the cycle by protein feeding.", "PMID": 632299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9324", "title": "The amino acid sequence of human insulin-like growth factor I and its structural homology with proinsulin.", "content": "The complete amino acid sequence of human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), a polypeptide isolated from serum, has been determined. IGF-I is a single chain polypeptide of 70 amino acid residues cross-linked by three disulfide bridges. The calculated molecular weight is 7649. IGF-I displays obvious homology to proinsulin: positions 1 to 29 are homologous to insulin B chain and positions 42 to 62 to insulin A chain. A shortened \"connecting\" peptide with 12 residues (positions 30 to 41) compared to 30 to 35 in proinsulins shows no homology to proinsulin C peptide. An octapeptide sequence at the COOH-terminal end is also a feature not found in proinsulins. The number of differences in amino acid positions between IGF-I and insulins suggests that duplication of the gene of the common ancestor of proinsulin and IGF occurred before the time of appearance of the vertebrates. Of the 19 residues known to be invariant in all insulins so far sequenced, only glutamine A5 and asparagine A21 are replaced in IGF-I by glutamic acid and alanine, respectively. The fact that all half-cystine and glycine residues and most nonpolar core residues of the insulin monomer are conserved is compatible with a three-dimensional structure of IGF-I similar to that of insulin.", "contents": "The amino acid sequence of human insulin-like growth factor I and its structural homology with proinsulin. The complete amino acid sequence of human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), a polypeptide isolated from serum, has been determined. IGF-I is a single chain polypeptide of 70 amino acid residues cross-linked by three disulfide bridges. The calculated molecular weight is 7649. IGF-I displays obvious homology to proinsulin: positions 1 to 29 are homologous to insulin B chain and positions 42 to 62 to insulin A chain. A shortened \"connecting\" peptide with 12 residues (positions 30 to 41) compared to 30 to 35 in proinsulins shows no homology to proinsulin C peptide. An octapeptide sequence at the COOH-terminal end is also a feature not found in proinsulins. The number of differences in amino acid positions between IGF-I and insulins suggests that duplication of the gene of the common ancestor of proinsulin and IGF occurred before the time of appearance of the vertebrates. Of the 19 residues known to be invariant in all insulins so far sequenced, only glutamine A5 and asparagine A21 are replaced in IGF-I by glutamic acid and alanine, respectively. The fact that all half-cystine and glycine residues and most nonpolar core residues of the insulin monomer are conserved is compatible with a three-dimensional structure of IGF-I similar to that of insulin.", "PMID": 632300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9325", "title": "Regulation of cholesterol synthesis in cultured canine intestinal mucosa.", "content": "The regulation of intestinal cholesterol synthesis was studied utilizing canine ileal mucosa maintained in organ culture for 6 h. Viability was monitored by light and electron microscopy, measurement of cellular enzymes, and the ability to actively transport a glucose analogue. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.4.3.4), the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, increased 4-fold during a 6-h culture. A parallel increase occurred in the rate of acetate incorporation into digitonin-precipitable sterols during this period. This increase could be prevented by the addition of cycloheximide to the culture. Pure cholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol, when present during the last 4 h of culture, also caused significant suppression of the rise in HMG-CoA reductase activity (final HMG-CoA reductase with the three sterols was 77 +/- 4%, 68 +/- 5%, and 58 +/- 3% of control postculture value). Bile salts at low, nontoxic concentrations also inhibited the increase of enzyme activity (2 mM taurocholate = 63 +/- 3% of control, 0.5 mM taurochenodeoxycholate = 76 +/- 6% of control). In contrast, dog lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation failed to significantly affect intestinal cholesterol synthesis in these short term organ cultures.", "contents": "Regulation of cholesterol synthesis in cultured canine intestinal mucosa. The regulation of intestinal cholesterol synthesis was studied utilizing canine ileal mucosa maintained in organ culture for 6 h. Viability was monitored by light and electron microscopy, measurement of cellular enzymes, and the ability to actively transport a glucose analogue. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.4.3.4), the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, increased 4-fold during a 6-h culture. A parallel increase occurred in the rate of acetate incorporation into digitonin-precipitable sterols during this period. This increase could be prevented by the addition of cycloheximide to the culture. Pure cholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, and 25-hydroxycholesterol, when present during the last 4 h of culture, also caused significant suppression of the rise in HMG-CoA reductase activity (final HMG-CoA reductase with the three sterols was 77 +/- 4%, 68 +/- 5%, and 58 +/- 3% of control postculture value). Bile salts at low, nontoxic concentrations also inhibited the increase of enzyme activity (2 mM taurocholate = 63 +/- 3% of control, 0.5 mM taurochenodeoxycholate = 76 +/- 6% of control). In contrast, dog lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation failed to significantly affect intestinal cholesterol synthesis in these short term organ cultures.", "PMID": 632302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9326", "title": "A novel type of covalently bound coenzyme in trimethylamine dehydrogenase.", "content": "Bacterial trimethylamine dehydrogenase contains a covalently bound yellow coenzyme, the properties of which distinguish it from all known riboflavin, pyridoxine, and pteridine derivatives. A pure dodecapeptide containing the covalently linked coenzyme has been isolated from tryptic-chymotryptic digests. Treatment with aminopeptidase M converts it to a ninhydrin-positive aminoacyl coenzyme, which has also been isolated in chromatographically pure form. The coenzyme as isolated is virtually nonfluorescent but, being extremely photolabile, it is rapidly converted on illumination to products, the predominant one being highly fluorescent. Analysis for phosphate and the influence of phosphatase treatment on electrophoretic mobility show that the coenzyme is isolated as a monophosphate, while periodate titrations prove the presence of a pentityl side chain, to which the phosphate is attached. Oxidation of the aminoacyl coenzyme with performic acid, followed by acid hydrolysis, yields 2',5'-anhydroriboflavin and some free riboflavin, products also obtained on similar treatment of FMN. These observations and the very tight binding to apoflavodoxin show that the coenzyme is a flavin derivative. The absorption and NMR spectra, however, clearly set it apart from 8alpha-substituted flavins and suggest that the coenzyme is the first representative of a new class of covalently bound flavins.", "contents": "A novel type of covalently bound coenzyme in trimethylamine dehydrogenase. Bacterial trimethylamine dehydrogenase contains a covalently bound yellow coenzyme, the properties of which distinguish it from all known riboflavin, pyridoxine, and pteridine derivatives. A pure dodecapeptide containing the covalently linked coenzyme has been isolated from tryptic-chymotryptic digests. Treatment with aminopeptidase M converts it to a ninhydrin-positive aminoacyl coenzyme, which has also been isolated in chromatographically pure form. The coenzyme as isolated is virtually nonfluorescent but, being extremely photolabile, it is rapidly converted on illumination to products, the predominant one being highly fluorescent. Analysis for phosphate and the influence of phosphatase treatment on electrophoretic mobility show that the coenzyme is isolated as a monophosphate, while periodate titrations prove the presence of a pentityl side chain, to which the phosphate is attached. Oxidation of the aminoacyl coenzyme with performic acid, followed by acid hydrolysis, yields 2',5'-anhydroriboflavin and some free riboflavin, products also obtained on similar treatment of FMN. These observations and the very tight binding to apoflavodoxin show that the coenzyme is a flavin derivative. The absorption and NMR spectra, however, clearly set it apart from 8alpha-substituted flavins and suggest that the coenzyme is the first representative of a new class of covalently bound flavins.", "PMID": 632304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9327", "title": "A study of the corrosion of dental amalgam using the ring-disk electrode.", "content": "The rotating ring-disk electrode technique has been applied to the study of anodic dissolution of dental amalgam in a simulated saline solution. The electroactive domains of the silver, tin, and mercury couples (the main constituents of the amalgam) were determined from current-potential curves obtained at a rotating gold-disk electrode in solutions containing salts of the respective metals. Subsequently, anodic currents were applied to a rotating amalgam-disk electrode and the soluble products produced were identified using a concentric gold ring electrode, i.e., using the rotating gold-ring, amalgam-disk electrode. Species generated at the amalgam disk are transferred to the gold ring by convective diffusion. Tin ions were found to be the only soluble species generated at the amalgam disk. No evidence for dissolution of other components was found. The selective dissolution of tin from the amalgam is also consistant with potential shifts observed in reptititve current-potential curves of an amalgam disk. This study provides a direct proof for the selective dissolution of tin during corrosion of dental amalgam in an in vitro environment.", "contents": "A study of the corrosion of dental amalgam using the ring-disk electrode. The rotating ring-disk electrode technique has been applied to the study of anodic dissolution of dental amalgam in a simulated saline solution. The electroactive domains of the silver, tin, and mercury couples (the main constituents of the amalgam) were determined from current-potential curves obtained at a rotating gold-disk electrode in solutions containing salts of the respective metals. Subsequently, anodic currents were applied to a rotating amalgam-disk electrode and the soluble products produced were identified using a concentric gold ring electrode, i.e., using the rotating gold-ring, amalgam-disk electrode. Species generated at the amalgam disk are transferred to the gold ring by convective diffusion. Tin ions were found to be the only soluble species generated at the amalgam disk. No evidence for dissolution of other components was found. The selective dissolution of tin from the amalgam is also consistant with potential shifts observed in reptititve current-potential curves of an amalgam disk. This study provides a direct proof for the selective dissolution of tin during corrosion of dental amalgam in an in vitro environment.", "PMID": 632313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9328", "title": "Stress relaxation of dental amalgam alloys.", "content": "Short-term stress relaxation of four dental amalgam alloys was studied. Test materials included two conventional lathe-cut restoratives, a spherical alloy, and a dispersed phase product. Specimens were 24-hr-old 4 X 8-mm cylinders. The specimens were compressed and held at constant strain on development of a stress (So) of 28 MN/m2. Subsequent stress relaxation (Dt) was recorded for 60 sec. Data were obtained at eight nominal temperatures between 0 and 55 degrees C. Over the experimental temperature range, fractional stress losses at 60 sec (Dt/So/60) for specimens made from lathe-cut alloys increased from 10% to 58%. The spherical material and the dispersed phase alloy showed fractional stress losses (Dt/So/60) ranging from 9% to 47% and 9% to 31%, respectively. It would appear that particle morphology and alloy composition affect stress-relaxation behavior of dental amalgam. Stress decay patterns enhance significantly the mechanical characterization of amalgam alloys.", "contents": "Stress relaxation of dental amalgam alloys. Short-term stress relaxation of four dental amalgam alloys was studied. Test materials included two conventional lathe-cut restoratives, a spherical alloy, and a dispersed phase product. Specimens were 24-hr-old 4 X 8-mm cylinders. The specimens were compressed and held at constant strain on development of a stress (So) of 28 MN/m2. Subsequent stress relaxation (Dt) was recorded for 60 sec. Data were obtained at eight nominal temperatures between 0 and 55 degrees C. Over the experimental temperature range, fractional stress losses at 60 sec (Dt/So/60) for specimens made from lathe-cut alloys increased from 10% to 58%. The spherical material and the dispersed phase alloy showed fractional stress losses (Dt/So/60) ranging from 9% to 47% and 9% to 31%, respectively. It would appear that particle morphology and alloy composition affect stress-relaxation behavior of dental amalgam. Stress decay patterns enhance significantly the mechanical characterization of amalgam alloys.", "PMID": 632314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9329", "title": "Carbon fiber-reinforced carbon as a potential implant material.", "content": "A carbon fiber-reinforced carbon is being evaluated as a promising implant material. In a unidirectional composite, high strengths (1200 MN/m2 longitudinal flexural strength) and high modulus (140 GN/m2 flexural modulus) may be obtained with an interlaminar shear strength of 18 MN/m2. Alternatively, layers of fibers may be laid in two directions to give more isotopic properties. The compatibility of the material with bone has been studied by implanting specimens in holes drilled in rat femora. For a period of up to 8 weeks, a thin layer of fibrous tissue bridged the gap between bone and implant; but this tissue mineralizes and by 10 weeks, bone can be observed adjacent to the implant, giving firm fixation. Potential applications include endosseous dental implants where a greater strength in the neck than that provided by unreinforced carbon would be advantageous.", "contents": "Carbon fiber-reinforced carbon as a potential implant material. A carbon fiber-reinforced carbon is being evaluated as a promising implant material. In a unidirectional composite, high strengths (1200 MN/m2 longitudinal flexural strength) and high modulus (140 GN/m2 flexural modulus) may be obtained with an interlaminar shear strength of 18 MN/m2. Alternatively, layers of fibers may be laid in two directions to give more isotopic properties. The compatibility of the material with bone has been studied by implanting specimens in holes drilled in rat femora. For a period of up to 8 weeks, a thin layer of fibrous tissue bridged the gap between bone and implant; but this tissue mineralizes and by 10 weeks, bone can be observed adjacent to the implant, giving firm fixation. Potential applications include endosseous dental implants where a greater strength in the neck than that provided by unreinforced carbon would be advantageous.", "PMID": 632315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9330", "title": "Biocompatibility testing of polymers: in vitro studies with in vivo correlation.", "content": "An in vitro method has been developed for screening of candidate biomaterials in an early phase of their development. The test is based on L-929 mouse fibroblast cultures and their response to powdered polymer samples. It applies microscopic observation for the detection of morphological changes, uses dye exclusion testing for cell viability determination, and utilizes estimation of population doublings as an end point. The test is shown to be reliable and reproducible and is compared to in vivo implantation studies in rats, previously reported.", "contents": "Biocompatibility testing of polymers: in vitro studies with in vivo correlation. An in vitro method has been developed for screening of candidate biomaterials in an early phase of their development. The test is based on L-929 mouse fibroblast cultures and their response to powdered polymer samples. It applies microscopic observation for the detection of morphological changes, uses dye exclusion testing for cell viability determination, and utilizes estimation of population doublings as an end point. The test is shown to be reliable and reproducible and is compared to in vivo implantation studies in rats, previously reported.", "PMID": 632316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9331", "title": "Protein sorption on polymer surfaces measured by fluorescence labels.", "content": "Fluorescence labeling can be used in studying protein sorption on various surfaces with a sensitivity of about 10(-8) g/cm2, commensurate with radioactive labeling. Fluorescamine proved to be the most suitable compound for studying protein sorption on hydrophilic gels, because, unlike fluoresceine isothiocyanate and dansylchloride, free fluorochrome does not interfere with measurements. Sorption properties of labeled serum albumin were tested on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), on the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate, and on polyethylene. Labeling does not cause aggregation of the protein, but, as expected, it shifts and somewhat broadens its electrophoretic band while at the same time slightly raising its affinity toward hydrophobic surfaces.", "contents": "Protein sorption on polymer surfaces measured by fluorescence labels. Fluorescence labeling can be used in studying protein sorption on various surfaces with a sensitivity of about 10(-8) g/cm2, commensurate with radioactive labeling. Fluorescamine proved to be the most suitable compound for studying protein sorption on hydrophilic gels, because, unlike fluoresceine isothiocyanate and dansylchloride, free fluorochrome does not interfere with measurements. Sorption properties of labeled serum albumin were tested on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), on the copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate, and on polyethylene. Labeling does not cause aggregation of the protein, but, as expected, it shifts and somewhat broadens its electrophoretic band while at the same time slightly raising its affinity toward hydrophobic surfaces.", "PMID": 632317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9332", "title": "The biocompatibility of materials for internal fixation of fractures.", "content": "Surgically produced fractures of rabbit tibiae were internally stabilized with intramedullary rods of stainless steel (316LVM), titanium (6A1,4V), polyacetal (Delrin), and polyamide (Nylon 101). Periodic radiographs were taken until sacrifice at 16 weeks after fracture. Structural properties of the tibiae were determined in torsion with the rods in situ, and then the tissue was prepared for histology or microradiography. The results demonstrated that fracture remodeling was adversely affected by the metal rods. New bone was seen to have formed over the ends of the metal rods, and cortical bone resorption was observed in the fracture region, suggestive of transfer of mechanical stress to the rods, resulting in stress shielding of the diaphysis. Negligible osseous response to the polymeric rods was observed; fracture callus remodeling was extensive. The torsional test results demonstrated that fractures with polymeric rods were significantly stronger and tougher than those with metallic rods. With the exception of titanium, the strength of healed fractures was inversely related to the elastic moduli of the implant materials.", "contents": "The biocompatibility of materials for internal fixation of fractures. Surgically produced fractures of rabbit tibiae were internally stabilized with intramedullary rods of stainless steel (316LVM), titanium (6A1,4V), polyacetal (Delrin), and polyamide (Nylon 101). Periodic radiographs were taken until sacrifice at 16 weeks after fracture. Structural properties of the tibiae were determined in torsion with the rods in situ, and then the tissue was prepared for histology or microradiography. The results demonstrated that fracture remodeling was adversely affected by the metal rods. New bone was seen to have formed over the ends of the metal rods, and cortical bone resorption was observed in the fracture region, suggestive of transfer of mechanical stress to the rods, resulting in stress shielding of the diaphysis. Negligible osseous response to the polymeric rods was observed; fracture callus remodeling was extensive. The torsional test results demonstrated that fractures with polymeric rods were significantly stronger and tougher than those with metallic rods. With the exception of titanium, the strength of healed fractures was inversely related to the elastic moduli of the implant materials.", "PMID": 632318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9333", "title": "\"Floating-socket\" total shoulder replacement: anatomical, biomechanical, and surgical rationale.", "content": "A prosthesis based on a new concept of gleno-humeral motion has been developed and clinically tested for the past 2 years. The \"floating-socket\" total shoulder replacement contains a nondislocatable, dual spherical bearing system consisting of a small sphere within a larger sphere with their centers offset to provide the physiologic \"floating fulcrum\" for mechanically advantageous motion. This geometric configuration allows a prosthetic range of motion in excess of anatomical limits to allow soft tissue structures to limit motion rather than mechanical impingement. The device is constructed from Co--Cr--Mo alloy and RCH-1000 polyethylene such that no metal--metal contact can occur. Experimental results in a 112-lb adult male chimpanzee and six clinical cases have revealed superior fixation strength of both glenoid and humeral components, as well as functional adaptation of the prosthesis without fracture of fixturing bone or prosthetic dislocation.", "contents": "\"Floating-socket\" total shoulder replacement: anatomical, biomechanical, and surgical rationale. A prosthesis based on a new concept of gleno-humeral motion has been developed and clinically tested for the past 2 years. The \"floating-socket\" total shoulder replacement contains a nondislocatable, dual spherical bearing system consisting of a small sphere within a larger sphere with their centers offset to provide the physiologic \"floating fulcrum\" for mechanically advantageous motion. This geometric configuration allows a prosthetic range of motion in excess of anatomical limits to allow soft tissue structures to limit motion rather than mechanical impingement. The device is constructed from Co--Cr--Mo alloy and RCH-1000 polyethylene such that no metal--metal contact can occur. Experimental results in a 112-lb adult male chimpanzee and six clinical cases have revealed superior fixation strength of both glenoid and humeral components, as well as functional adaptation of the prosthesis without fracture of fixturing bone or prosthetic dislocation.", "PMID": 632319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9334", "title": "Rhythmic daily shedding of outer-segment membranes by visual cells in the goldfish.", "content": "Goldfish were placed on a daily light cycle of 12 h light and 12 h darkness for 18 days or longer. The visual cells and pigment epithelium of the retina were then examined by microscopy at many intervals throughout the cycle. Goldfish rods and cones follow a rhythmic pattern in eliminating packets of photosensitive membranes from their outer segments. Rods shed membranes early in the light period. The detached membranes are ingested by pigment epithelial cells or by ameboid phagocytes, which degrade them during the remainder of the light period. Cones discard membranes from the ends of their outer segments early in the dark period. During the next several hours, this debris is digested by the pigment epithelium or by ameboid phagocytes. Thus, the disposal phase of the outer-segment renewal process is similar in rods and cones, but is displaced in time by about 12 h. There is evidence that this daily rhythm of membrane disposal in rods and cones is a general property of vertebrate visual cells.", "contents": "Rhythmic daily shedding of outer-segment membranes by visual cells in the goldfish. Goldfish were placed on a daily light cycle of 12 h light and 12 h darkness for 18 days or longer. The visual cells and pigment epithelium of the retina were then examined by microscopy at many intervals throughout the cycle. Goldfish rods and cones follow a rhythmic pattern in eliminating packets of photosensitive membranes from their outer segments. Rods shed membranes early in the light period. The detached membranes are ingested by pigment epithelial cells or by ameboid phagocytes, which degrade them during the remainder of the light period. Cones discard membranes from the ends of their outer segments early in the dark period. During the next several hours, this debris is digested by the pigment epithelium or by ameboid phagocytes. Thus, the disposal phase of the outer-segment renewal process is similar in rods and cones, but is displaced in time by about 12 h. There is evidence that this daily rhythm of membrane disposal in rods and cones is a general property of vertebrate visual cells.", "PMID": 632320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9335", "title": "Microtubular apparates of melanophores. Three-dimensional organization.", "content": "Microtubular organization in the melanophores of the angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, has been studied by serial thin sectioning. The course of microtubules has been followed in sets of transverse serial sections taken from the centrosphere and a segment of a cell process, respectively. Microtubules arise from a prominent zone in the cell center, the central apparatus, which is composed of numerous, small, electron-dense aggregates. the number of these loosely distributed densities is highest in the center of the centrosphere, but they may also be found at its periphery. Microtubules insert into, or becomes part of, the dense material, or at least start in its vicinity. Dense aggregates may be separated from centrioles by several micrometers rather than only being closely associated with these organelles. At some distance from the organizing zone, most of the microtubules gradually assume a cortical arrangement, i.e., take a course within about 100 nm of the limiting membrane. Serial sections were used to trace all microtubules within a 6mum-long segment of a cell process. 94 percent of the microtubules observed in this segment run its entire length; it is conceivable, therefore that a considerable number of microtubules extend between the initiating site in the centrosphere and the outermost cell region. A three-dimensional model of the 6mum-long segment reveals that, despite changes in the cell process outline, microtubules maintain a strictly cortical arrangement which gives the impression of a microtubule \"palisade\" lining the cortex of the cell process. The features of the microtubular apparatus of angelfish melanophores are discussed in relation to factors controlling microtubule initiation and distribution.", "contents": "Microtubular apparates of melanophores. Three-dimensional organization. Microtubular organization in the melanophores of the angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, has been studied by serial thin sectioning. The course of microtubules has been followed in sets of transverse serial sections taken from the centrosphere and a segment of a cell process, respectively. Microtubules arise from a prominent zone in the cell center, the central apparatus, which is composed of numerous, small, electron-dense aggregates. the number of these loosely distributed densities is highest in the center of the centrosphere, but they may also be found at its periphery. Microtubules insert into, or becomes part of, the dense material, or at least start in its vicinity. Dense aggregates may be separated from centrioles by several micrometers rather than only being closely associated with these organelles. At some distance from the organizing zone, most of the microtubules gradually assume a cortical arrangement, i.e., take a course within about 100 nm of the limiting membrane. Serial sections were used to trace all microtubules within a 6mum-long segment of a cell process. 94 percent of the microtubules observed in this segment run its entire length; it is conceivable, therefore that a considerable number of microtubules extend between the initiating site in the centrosphere and the outermost cell region. A three-dimensional model of the 6mum-long segment reveals that, despite changes in the cell process outline, microtubules maintain a strictly cortical arrangement which gives the impression of a microtubule \"palisade\" lining the cortex of the cell process. The features of the microtubular apparatus of angelfish melanophores are discussed in relation to factors controlling microtubule initiation and distribution.", "PMID": 632321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9336", "title": "Rapid activation of the medullary bone osteoclast cell surface by parathyroid hormone.", "content": "Quantitative transmission electron microscope methods were used to determine the response of functionally inactive avian medullary bone osteoclasts to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Egg-lying Japanese quail were used during a period of the egg cycle when medullary bone was not being resorbed for egg shell calcification and when medullary bone osteoclasts were functionally inactive. Ruffled borders adjacent to bone surfaces were rarely, if ever, found on these cells. 20 min after the administration of PTH, over 70% of the osteoclast profiles had ruffled borders adjacent to bone surfaces. These ruffled borders were bounded by filamentous-rich \"clear zones\" and resembled ruffled borders found on functionally active cells. There was also a marked increase in plasma calcium levels after PTH administration. This study demonstrates that PTH stimulates the de novo generation of ruffled borders on osteoclasts in vivo and suggests that osteoclasts may be involved in the acute regulation of calcium metabolism by exogenous PTH.", "contents": "Rapid activation of the medullary bone osteoclast cell surface by parathyroid hormone. Quantitative transmission electron microscope methods were used to determine the response of functionally inactive avian medullary bone osteoclasts to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Egg-lying Japanese quail were used during a period of the egg cycle when medullary bone was not being resorbed for egg shell calcification and when medullary bone osteoclasts were functionally inactive. Ruffled borders adjacent to bone surfaces were rarely, if ever, found on these cells. 20 min after the administration of PTH, over 70% of the osteoclast profiles had ruffled borders adjacent to bone surfaces. These ruffled borders were bounded by filamentous-rich \"clear zones\" and resembled ruffled borders found on functionally active cells. There was also a marked increase in plasma calcium levels after PTH administration. This study demonstrates that PTH stimulates the de novo generation of ruffled borders on osteoclasts in vivo and suggests that osteoclasts may be involved in the acute regulation of calcium metabolism by exogenous PTH.", "PMID": 632322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9337", "title": "Lectin binding to neural crest cells. Changes of the cell surface during differentiation in vitro.", "content": "To examine possible changes in cell surface carbohydrates, fluorescent lectins were applied at various times during differentiation of neural crest cells in vitro. The pattern and intensity of binding of several lectins changed as the crest cells developed into melanocytes and adrenergic cells. Considerable amounts of concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) bound to all unpigmented cells throughout the culture period. Melanocytes, however, bound much less of these lectins. Soy bean agglutinin (SBA), unlike Con A and WGA, only bound later in development to unpigmented cells at about the time when catecholamines were detected histochemically. Binding of SBA could be induced in younger cultures by pretreating the cells with neuraminidase. Melanocytes, however, did not bind detectable amounts of SBA even if treated with neuraminidase. The SBA-binding sites were often concentrated on cytoplasmic extensions and on contact points between neighboring cells, even when receptor mobility was restricted by prefixation of the cells or adsorption of lectin at 0 degrees C. All three lectins bound to cell processes resembling nerve fibers in particularly high amounts.", "contents": "Lectin binding to neural crest cells. Changes of the cell surface during differentiation in vitro. To examine possible changes in cell surface carbohydrates, fluorescent lectins were applied at various times during differentiation of neural crest cells in vitro. The pattern and intensity of binding of several lectins changed as the crest cells developed into melanocytes and adrenergic cells. Considerable amounts of concanavalin A (Con A) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) bound to all unpigmented cells throughout the culture period. Melanocytes, however, bound much less of these lectins. Soy bean agglutinin (SBA), unlike Con A and WGA, only bound later in development to unpigmented cells at about the time when catecholamines were detected histochemically. Binding of SBA could be induced in younger cultures by pretreating the cells with neuraminidase. Melanocytes, however, did not bind detectable amounts of SBA even if treated with neuraminidase. The SBA-binding sites were often concentrated on cytoplasmic extensions and on contact points between neighboring cells, even when receptor mobility was restricted by prefixation of the cells or adsorption of lectin at 0 degrees C. All three lectins bound to cell processes resembling nerve fibers in particularly high amounts.", "PMID": 632323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9338", "title": "Cell adhesion and cell surface topography in aggregates of 3T3 and SV40-virus-transformed 3T3 cells. Visualization of interior cells by scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "A technique for exposing the interior of aggregates of cultured cells has been developed and is described in this report. Using this technique, we have examined for the first time, by scanning electron microscopy, cell morphology and cell contact ultrastructure in the interior of aggregates of BALB/c 3T3 and SV40-transformed 3T3 cells. The 3T3 cells make initial intercellular contact by means of microvillar processes. Over a period of 3-8 h, some of these microvillar contacts are replaced by broader projections. In contrast, the SV40-transformed cells make initial intercellular contact by means of blebs or blunt projections which are also broadened and extended over a period of 3-8 h. For both 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cells, the surfaces of the cells which form the outer layer of the aggregate resemble the surfaces of single cells fixed in suspension, regardless of how long the aggregates have been cultured. Thse cells are covered with many cellular processes and are roughly hemispherical in profile. The surfaces of the internal cells of the aggregates, however, lose many of their cellular processes, develop smooth patches, and many become irregular in shape. This smooth morphology was also observed on the interior surfaces of the peripheral cell layer. From these observations we conclude that: (a) the stabilization of adhesive contacts is a slow process which takes at least 3-8 h; (b) the outer surfaces of peripheral cells differ significantly from the surfaces of interior cells; and (c) clear differences in surface topography exist between nonmalignant 3T3 cells and their malignant SV40 transformants.", "contents": "Cell adhesion and cell surface topography in aggregates of 3T3 and SV40-virus-transformed 3T3 cells. Visualization of interior cells by scanning electron microscopy. A technique for exposing the interior of aggregates of cultured cells has been developed and is described in this report. Using this technique, we have examined for the first time, by scanning electron microscopy, cell morphology and cell contact ultrastructure in the interior of aggregates of BALB/c 3T3 and SV40-transformed 3T3 cells. The 3T3 cells make initial intercellular contact by means of microvillar processes. Over a period of 3-8 h, some of these microvillar contacts are replaced by broader projections. In contrast, the SV40-transformed cells make initial intercellular contact by means of blebs or blunt projections which are also broadened and extended over a period of 3-8 h. For both 3T3 and SV40-3T3 cells, the surfaces of the cells which form the outer layer of the aggregate resemble the surfaces of single cells fixed in suspension, regardless of how long the aggregates have been cultured. Thse cells are covered with many cellular processes and are roughly hemispherical in profile. The surfaces of the internal cells of the aggregates, however, lose many of their cellular processes, develop smooth patches, and many become irregular in shape. This smooth morphology was also observed on the interior surfaces of the peripheral cell layer. From these observations we conclude that: (a) the stabilization of adhesive contacts is a slow process which takes at least 3-8 h; (b) the outer surfaces of peripheral cells differ significantly from the surfaces of interior cells; and (c) clear differences in surface topography exist between nonmalignant 3T3 cells and their malignant SV40 transformants.", "PMID": 632324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9339", "title": "Chlamydomonas flagellar mutants lacking radial spokes and central tubules. Structure, composition, and function of specific axonemal components.", "content": "The fine structure, protein composition, and roles in flagellar movement of specific axonemal components were studied in wild-type Chlamydomonas and paralyzed mutants pf-14, pf-15A, and pf-19. Electron microscope examination of the isolated axoneme of pf-14 showed that it lacks the radial spokes but is otherwise structurally normal. Comparison of isolated axonemes of wild type and pf-14 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the mutant is missing a protein of 118,000 mol wt; this protein is apparently a major component of the spokes. Pf-15A and pf-19 lack the central tubules and sheath; axonemes of these mutants are missing three high molecular weight proteins which are probably components of the central tubule-central sheath complex. Under conditions where wild-type axonemes reactivated, axonemes of the three mutants remained intact but did not form bends. However, mutant and wild-type axonemes underwent identical adenosine triphosphate-induced disintegration after treatment with trypsin; the dynein arms of the mutants are therefore capable of generating interdoublet shearing forces. These findings indicated that both the radial spokes and the central tubule-central sheath complex are essential for conversion of interdoublet sliding into axonemal bending. Moreover, because axonemes of pf-14 remained intact under reactivating conditions, the nexin links alone are sufficient to limit the amount of interdoublet sliding that occurs. The axial periodicities of the central sheath, dynein arms, radial spokes, and nexin links of Chlamydomonas were determined by electron microscopy using the lattice-spacing of crystalline catalase as an internal standard. Some new ultrastructural details of the components are described.", "contents": "Chlamydomonas flagellar mutants lacking radial spokes and central tubules. Structure, composition, and function of specific axonemal components. The fine structure, protein composition, and roles in flagellar movement of specific axonemal components were studied in wild-type Chlamydomonas and paralyzed mutants pf-14, pf-15A, and pf-19. Electron microscope examination of the isolated axoneme of pf-14 showed that it lacks the radial spokes but is otherwise structurally normal. Comparison of isolated axonemes of wild type and pf-14 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the mutant is missing a protein of 118,000 mol wt; this protein is apparently a major component of the spokes. Pf-15A and pf-19 lack the central tubules and sheath; axonemes of these mutants are missing three high molecular weight proteins which are probably components of the central tubule-central sheath complex. Under conditions where wild-type axonemes reactivated, axonemes of the three mutants remained intact but did not form bends. However, mutant and wild-type axonemes underwent identical adenosine triphosphate-induced disintegration after treatment with trypsin; the dynein arms of the mutants are therefore capable of generating interdoublet shearing forces. These findings indicated that both the radial spokes and the central tubule-central sheath complex are essential for conversion of interdoublet sliding into axonemal bending. Moreover, because axonemes of pf-14 remained intact under reactivating conditions, the nexin links alone are sufficient to limit the amount of interdoublet sliding that occurs. The axial periodicities of the central sheath, dynein arms, radial spokes, and nexin links of Chlamydomonas were determined by electron microscopy using the lattice-spacing of crystalline catalase as an internal standard. Some new ultrastructural details of the components are described.", "PMID": 632325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9340", "title": "Freeze-fracture observations of the lactating rat mammary gland. Membrane events during milk fat secretion.", "content": "Membrane events during milk fat secretion were analyzed by freeze-fracture of the rat mammary gland. Two modes of milk fat secretion were observed: extrusion of fat droplets surrounded by a portion of the apical plasma membrane of the alveolar epithelial cells and, less frequently, release into the alveolar lumen of fat droplets contained in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. The extrusion process consists of two asynchronous events: clearing of membrane particles (probably including integral membrane proteins) and bulging of the apical plasma membrane. Most fat droplets are extruded with a bilayer membrane envelope (milk fat globule membrane) partially devoid of particles. The segregation of membrane particles may represent the onset of a process of structural degradation of the milk fat globule membrane.", "contents": "Freeze-fracture observations of the lactating rat mammary gland. Membrane events during milk fat secretion. Membrane events during milk fat secretion were analyzed by freeze-fracture of the rat mammary gland. Two modes of milk fat secretion were observed: extrusion of fat droplets surrounded by a portion of the apical plasma membrane of the alveolar epithelial cells and, less frequently, release into the alveolar lumen of fat droplets contained in intracytoplasmic vacuoles. The extrusion process consists of two asynchronous events: clearing of membrane particles (probably including integral membrane proteins) and bulging of the apical plasma membrane. Most fat droplets are extruded with a bilayer membrane envelope (milk fat globule membrane) partially devoid of particles. The segregation of membrane particles may represent the onset of a process of structural degradation of the milk fat globule membrane.", "PMID": 632326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9341", "title": "[The place of intrahepatic peripheral anastomoses in neoplastic obstruction of the upper bile duct junction. Report of 20 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "In 32 patients with carcinoma involving the bifurcation of the hepatic ducts 17 intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomies and 3 intrahepatic gastrotomies were performed. The post-operative mortality rate is high (35%), the median survival time is 9 months. These results suggest that resection should by attempted when possible or dilatation used rather than by-pass of the tumor.", "contents": "[The place of intrahepatic peripheral anastomoses in neoplastic obstruction of the upper bile duct junction. Report of 20 cases (author's transl)]. In 32 patients with carcinoma involving the bifurcation of the hepatic ducts 17 intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomies and 3 intrahepatic gastrotomies were performed. The post-operative mortality rate is high (35%), the median survival time is 9 months. These results suggest that resection should by attempted when possible or dilatation used rather than by-pass of the tumor.", "PMID": 632328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9342", "title": "[Torsion of Riedel's lobe. Two cases (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors report two cases of torsion of Riedel's lobe. The first case resembled acute cholecystitis. Resection was followed by a cure. The second case presented in the form of a complicated abdomino-pelvic tumor. Its removal did not prevent a fatal issue due to fibrinolysis probably related to advanced ischemic infarction of Riedel's lobe of the liver. It seems that these complications are exceptional.", "contents": "[Torsion of Riedel's lobe. Two cases (author's transl)]. The authors report two cases of torsion of Riedel's lobe. The first case resembled acute cholecystitis. Resection was followed by a cure. The second case presented in the form of a complicated abdomino-pelvic tumor. Its removal did not prevent a fatal issue due to fibrinolysis probably related to advanced ischemic infarction of Riedel's lobe of the liver. It seems that these complications are exceptional.", "PMID": 632329} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9343", "title": "[Surgery of obturator hernia by closure of the obturator canal with the round ligament].", "content": "Almost 2/3rds of obturator hernias occur after 70 years. Favoured by changes in pelvic and spinal position, this hernia is uncommon in women and exceptional in men. Revealed by strangulation, it is in one third to one quarter of cases, unrecognised before operation, often due to failure to recognise the cause of crural neuralgia in a patient with acute intestinal obstruction. Even when the diagnosis is made, laparotomy is the best approach. It makes intestinal resection easier, this is necessary in 50% of cases, and above all, it is easier to cure the hernia for which the authors propose the use of the round ligament folded on itself and fixed to the borders of the hernial orifice. Delay in treatment explains the high mortality in this rare hernia.", "contents": "[Surgery of obturator hernia by closure of the obturator canal with the round ligament]. Almost 2/3rds of obturator hernias occur after 70 years. Favoured by changes in pelvic and spinal position, this hernia is uncommon in women and exceptional in men. Revealed by strangulation, it is in one third to one quarter of cases, unrecognised before operation, often due to failure to recognise the cause of crural neuralgia in a patient with acute intestinal obstruction. Even when the diagnosis is made, laparotomy is the best approach. It makes intestinal resection easier, this is necessary in 50% of cases, and above all, it is easier to cure the hernia for which the authors propose the use of the round ligament folded on itself and fixed to the borders of the hernial orifice. Delay in treatment explains the high mortality in this rare hernia.", "PMID": 632331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9344", "title": "[The gastro-intestinal effects of portal hypertension. Role of highly selective vagotomy. Experimental study in the rat (author's transl)].", "content": "Portal hypertension was obtained by portal ligature in the rat by an original procedure. Hemodynamic and pathological studies were performed at the end of the 4th postoperative month. Portal hypertension causes macroscopic and histological lesions in particular in the stomach and small intestine. The lesions observed were superficial desquamation, interstitial oedema, submucosal fibrosis, ulcers, and superficial or total necrosis of the intestine. Splenic fibrosis with congestion of the medullary sinuses is usual. A collateral circulation towards the liver and caval system develops rapidly. We never observed oesophageal varices. The main cause of splanchnic modifications was vascular stasis to which should perhaps be added humoral changes. Highly selective vagotomy does not protect the splanchnic area against lesions induced by portal ligature.", "contents": "[The gastro-intestinal effects of portal hypertension. Role of highly selective vagotomy. Experimental study in the rat (author's transl)]. Portal hypertension was obtained by portal ligature in the rat by an original procedure. Hemodynamic and pathological studies were performed at the end of the 4th postoperative month. Portal hypertension causes macroscopic and histological lesions in particular in the stomach and small intestine. The lesions observed were superficial desquamation, interstitial oedema, submucosal fibrosis, ulcers, and superficial or total necrosis of the intestine. Splenic fibrosis with congestion of the medullary sinuses is usual. A collateral circulation towards the liver and caval system develops rapidly. We never observed oesophageal varices. The main cause of splanchnic modifications was vascular stasis to which should perhaps be added humoral changes. Highly selective vagotomy does not protect the splanchnic area against lesions induced by portal ligature.", "PMID": 632332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9345", "title": "[103 revascularisations of the internal carotid artery by a venous graft (author's transl)].", "content": "103 venous shunts were performed between the common carotid and the internal carotid arteries. Apart from the usual indications analogous to those of arterial disease in other sites (aneurysms, dissecting aneurysms, trauma), insufficient blood supply to the brain justified 92 grafts out of 496 reconstructive operations carried out between 1960 to 1976: atheromatous stenosis with subjacent loop, diffuse stenosing lesions of the common carotid or rising high up on the internal carotid, acute thrombosis and reoperations are the main indications. There was only one complication of the method, a venous graft of small calibre required replacement by a dacron prosthesis.", "contents": "[103 revascularisations of the internal carotid artery by a venous graft (author's transl)]. 103 venous shunts were performed between the common carotid and the internal carotid arteries. Apart from the usual indications analogous to those of arterial disease in other sites (aneurysms, dissecting aneurysms, trauma), insufficient blood supply to the brain justified 92 grafts out of 496 reconstructive operations carried out between 1960 to 1976: atheromatous stenosis with subjacent loop, diffuse stenosing lesions of the common carotid or rising high up on the internal carotid, acute thrombosis and reoperations are the main indications. There was only one complication of the method, a venous graft of small calibre required replacement by a dacron prosthesis.", "PMID": 632333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9346", "title": "Sensitive gas chromatographic methods for the determination of vinyl epoxide synthetase activity using trichloroethylene as a model substrate.", "content": "Two specific and very sensitive methods for the determination of vinyl epoxide synthetase activity in liver microsomes are described. Trichloroethylene, which is used as a substrate, is converted into trichloroethylene oxide by a hepatic epoxide synthetase. Chloral hydrate, the final rearrangement product of trichloroethylene oxide, is determined by electron-capture gas chromatography, either after derivatization with pentafluorophenylhydrazine or after its conversion into chloroform under alkaline conditions. The kinetic parameters of the epoxidation reaction were determined on rat hepatic microsomal suspensions.", "contents": "Sensitive gas chromatographic methods for the determination of vinyl epoxide synthetase activity using trichloroethylene as a model substrate. Two specific and very sensitive methods for the determination of vinyl epoxide synthetase activity in liver microsomes are described. Trichloroethylene, which is used as a substrate, is converted into trichloroethylene oxide by a hepatic epoxide synthetase. Chloral hydrate, the final rearrangement product of trichloroethylene oxide, is determined by electron-capture gas chromatography, either after derivatization with pentafluorophenylhydrazine or after its conversion into chloroform under alkaline conditions. The kinetic parameters of the epoxidation reaction were determined on rat hepatic microsomal suspensions.", "PMID": 632335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9347", "title": "Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography of nucleosides in biological materials.", "content": "A rigorous, comprehensive, and reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the analysis of ribonucleosides in urine (psi, m1A, m1I, m2G, A, m2(2)G). An initial isolation of ribonucleosides with an affinity gel containing an immobilized phenylboronic acid was used to improve selectivity and sensitivity. Response for all nucleosides was linear from 0.1 to 50 nmoles injected and good quantitation was obtained for 25 microliter or less of sample placed on the HPLC column. Excellent precision of analysis for urinary nucleosides was achieved on matrix dependent and independent samples, and the high resolution of the reversed-phase column allowed the complete separation of 9 nucleosides from other unidentified UV absorbing components at the 1-ng level. Supporting experimental data are presented on precision, recovery, chromatographic methods, minimum detection limit, retention time, relative molar response, sample clean-up, stability of nucleosides, boronate gel capacity, and application to analysis of urine from patients with leukemia and breast cancer. This method is now being used routinely for the determination of the concentration and ratios of nucleosides in urine from patients with different types of cancer and in chemotherapy response studies.", "contents": "Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography of nucleosides in biological materials. A rigorous, comprehensive, and reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the analysis of ribonucleosides in urine (psi, m1A, m1I, m2G, A, m2(2)G). An initial isolation of ribonucleosides with an affinity gel containing an immobilized phenylboronic acid was used to improve selectivity and sensitivity. Response for all nucleosides was linear from 0.1 to 50 nmoles injected and good quantitation was obtained for 25 microliter or less of sample placed on the HPLC column. Excellent precision of analysis for urinary nucleosides was achieved on matrix dependent and independent samples, and the high resolution of the reversed-phase column allowed the complete separation of 9 nucleosides from other unidentified UV absorbing components at the 1-ng level. Supporting experimental data are presented on precision, recovery, chromatographic methods, minimum detection limit, retention time, relative molar response, sample clean-up, stability of nucleosides, boronate gel capacity, and application to analysis of urine from patients with leukemia and breast cancer. This method is now being used routinely for the determination of the concentration and ratios of nucleosides in urine from patients with different types of cancer and in chemotherapy response studies.", "PMID": 632336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9348", "title": "Laboratory and clinical investigation of recovery of Salmonella typhi from blood.", "content": "An experimental study was undertaken of isolation of Salmonella typhi from artificially infected whole blood and blood clot prepared either with small numbers of freshly isolated strains or with the S. typhi Ty2 strain. Results showed that 8 ml of whole blood required a minimum of 50 ml of bile salt broth to dilute the bactericidal effect of the serum. However, the isolation rate for recovery in 210 cases of enteric fever was only 64% when 50 ml of medium was used, as compared to 92% recovery from blood clot from the same group incubated in streptokinase bile salt broth. This probably reflects a very low grade bacteremia in many of the patients. Further investigation showed that, ideally, between 150 and 200 ml of medium is required for satisfactory whole-blood culture. Both the experimental study of artificially infected clots and recovery rates from patients indicate that rapid clot dissolution with streptokinase is preferable to whole-blood culture; this experience has been amply confirmed by almost 5,000 cases over a 20-year period. A 15-ml volume of bile salt broth with 100 U of streptokinase is adequate for the clot from 8 ml of blood, and savings on media and incubator space have considerable cost benefits in developing countries.", "contents": "Laboratory and clinical investigation of recovery of Salmonella typhi from blood. An experimental study was undertaken of isolation of Salmonella typhi from artificially infected whole blood and blood clot prepared either with small numbers of freshly isolated strains or with the S. typhi Ty2 strain. Results showed that 8 ml of whole blood required a minimum of 50 ml of bile salt broth to dilute the bactericidal effect of the serum. However, the isolation rate for recovery in 210 cases of enteric fever was only 64% when 50 ml of medium was used, as compared to 92% recovery from blood clot from the same group incubated in streptokinase bile salt broth. This probably reflects a very low grade bacteremia in many of the patients. Further investigation showed that, ideally, between 150 and 200 ml of medium is required for satisfactory whole-blood culture. Both the experimental study of artificially infected clots and recovery rates from patients indicate that rapid clot dissolution with streptokinase is preferable to whole-blood culture; this experience has been amply confirmed by almost 5,000 cases over a 20-year period. A 15-ml volume of bile salt broth with 100 U of streptokinase is adequate for the clot from 8 ml of blood, and savings on media and incubator space have considerable cost benefits in developing countries.", "PMID": 632343} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9349", "title": "Bromothymol blue broth: improved medium for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-strain mycoplasma).", "content": "Bromothymol blue (B) broth for the cultivation, detection, and identification of Ureaplasma urealyticum is described. In this medium, strains Cook and 960 had shorter generation times (60 min or less) and reached higher populations (over 10(8)) than have yet been reported for this species. Furthermore, the indicator changes color before the end of logarithmic growth, and the cultures retain viability for at least 1 day thereafter, greatly simplifying the handling of the organism. When the populations in cultures of these two strains and seven new isolates were determined, growth was detected earlier and proceeded to higher final titers in B broth than in urease test color medium (U-9 broth). The inclusion of antibiotics in B broth for use in clinical laboratories (B/NL broth) made the medium selective, specific, and more sensitive for the isolation of U. urealyticum. Comparison of B/NL broth with genital mycoplasma (GM) agar and U-9 broth for the primary isolation of U. urealyticum was made with 183 urethral swabs. All 70 isolates were detected on B/NL broth, but only 66 and 63 isolates were detected on GM agar and in U-9 broth, respectively. Moreover, the cultures in B/NL broth were pure and at titers that generally showed good correlation with colony counts on GM agar.", "contents": "Bromothymol blue broth: improved medium for detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum (T-strain mycoplasma). Bromothymol blue (B) broth for the cultivation, detection, and identification of Ureaplasma urealyticum is described. In this medium, strains Cook and 960 had shorter generation times (60 min or less) and reached higher populations (over 10(8)) than have yet been reported for this species. Furthermore, the indicator changes color before the end of logarithmic growth, and the cultures retain viability for at least 1 day thereafter, greatly simplifying the handling of the organism. When the populations in cultures of these two strains and seven new isolates were determined, growth was detected earlier and proceeded to higher final titers in B broth than in urease test color medium (U-9 broth). The inclusion of antibiotics in B broth for use in clinical laboratories (B/NL broth) made the medium selective, specific, and more sensitive for the isolation of U. urealyticum. Comparison of B/NL broth with genital mycoplasma (GM) agar and U-9 broth for the primary isolation of U. urealyticum was made with 183 urethral swabs. All 70 isolates were detected on B/NL broth, but only 66 and 63 isolates were detected on GM agar and in U-9 broth, respectively. Moreover, the cultures in B/NL broth were pure and at titers that generally showed good correlation with colony counts on GM agar.", "PMID": 632344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9350", "title": "Rapid plate agglutination procedure for serotyping Pasteurella haemolytica.", "content": "A specific, rapid plate agglutination procedure for serotyping Pasteurella haemolytica was performed. The procedure did not require special antigen preparation and yielded essentially the same results as the indirect hemagglutination procedure.", "contents": "Rapid plate agglutination procedure for serotyping Pasteurella haemolytica. A specific, rapid plate agglutination procedure for serotyping Pasteurella haemolytica was performed. The procedure did not require special antigen preparation and yielded essentially the same results as the indirect hemagglutination procedure.", "PMID": 632345} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9351", "title": "Clinical and immunological study of percutaneous revaccination in children who originally received smallpox vaccine subcutaneously.", "content": "In a large multicenter smallpox vaccination study carried out from 1970 to 1973, it was found that 39% of children who were initially immunized by the subcutaneous route and then challenged percutaneously with a standard vaccination did not have measurable neutralizing antibody upon follow-up. Because of this finding, a percutaneous revaccination study was conducted at the St. Louis study center in 1975 and 1976. There were four study groups, which were composed on the basis of route of primary immunization (subcutaneous or percutaneous) and whether neutralizing antibody was detectable following the original percutaneous challenge immunization. Of 52 children revaccinated, all but four had accelerated reactions. There was no difference in size of lesions or day of maximum erythema among the four study groups. Only 66% of children originally vaccinated subcutaneously who did not have postchallenge neutralizing antibody had measurable neutralizing antibody following revaccination. Transformation studies with vaccinia viral antigen before and after revaccination were performed on lymphocytes from 50 children. There was no appreciable differences in responses either before or after revaccination when the four groups were compared. However, the mean stimulation ratio for the total group increased from 2.4 before revaccination to 4.6 3 weeks later. In primary subcutaneous vaccine recipients without pre-revaccination neutralizing antibody, lymphocyte transformation correlated directly with the neutralizing antibody response.", "contents": "Clinical and immunological study of percutaneous revaccination in children who originally received smallpox vaccine subcutaneously. In a large multicenter smallpox vaccination study carried out from 1970 to 1973, it was found that 39% of children who were initially immunized by the subcutaneous route and then challenged percutaneously with a standard vaccination did not have measurable neutralizing antibody upon follow-up. Because of this finding, a percutaneous revaccination study was conducted at the St. Louis study center in 1975 and 1976. There were four study groups, which were composed on the basis of route of primary immunization (subcutaneous or percutaneous) and whether neutralizing antibody was detectable following the original percutaneous challenge immunization. Of 52 children revaccinated, all but four had accelerated reactions. There was no difference in size of lesions or day of maximum erythema among the four study groups. Only 66% of children originally vaccinated subcutaneously who did not have postchallenge neutralizing antibody had measurable neutralizing antibody following revaccination. Transformation studies with vaccinia viral antigen before and after revaccination were performed on lymphocytes from 50 children. There was no appreciable differences in responses either before or after revaccination when the four groups were compared. However, the mean stimulation ratio for the total group increased from 2.4 before revaccination to 4.6 3 weeks later. In primary subcutaneous vaccine recipients without pre-revaccination neutralizing antibody, lymphocyte transformation correlated directly with the neutralizing antibody response.", "PMID": 632346} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9352", "title": "In vitro stimulation of bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes: comparison of round- and flat-bottom microtiter plates for detection of tuberculin hypersensitivity.", "content": "Lymphocytes from Mycobacterium bovis-sensitized and normal cattle were cultured in round- and/or flat-bottom microtiter plates and stimulated with M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin. Blastogenic responses of lymphocytes from M. bovis-sensitized cattle to PPD cultured in round-bottom plates were significantly greater than those of lymphocytes cultured in flat-bottom microtiter plates. Normal lymphocytes of nonsensitized cattle were not stimulated by PPD in either round- or flat-bottom microtiter plates. Kinetics of lymphocyte responses in round-bottom plates are presented.", "contents": "In vitro stimulation of bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes: comparison of round- and flat-bottom microtiter plates for detection of tuberculin hypersensitivity. Lymphocytes from Mycobacterium bovis-sensitized and normal cattle were cultured in round- and/or flat-bottom microtiter plates and stimulated with M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin. Blastogenic responses of lymphocytes from M. bovis-sensitized cattle to PPD cultured in round-bottom plates were significantly greater than those of lymphocytes cultured in flat-bottom microtiter plates. Normal lymphocytes of nonsensitized cattle were not stimulated by PPD in either round- or flat-bottom microtiter plates. Kinetics of lymphocyte responses in round-bottom plates are presented.", "PMID": 632347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9353", "title": "Highly sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay suitable for determination of low amounts of cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibodies.", "content": "A direct solid-phase radioimmunoassay procedure was developed for the determination of cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibody. The reported method employed anti-choleragenoid antibody attached to polystyrene tubes as a solidified binder for cholera toxin. The binding of radioidinated cholera toxin on its solidified antibody was inhibitable by unlabeled cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibody. With the help of this method, the heat stability of cholera toxin was also studied. Radioiodinated cholera toxin was shown to be labeled in both of its subunits. The stability of the iodinated cholera toxin at the reported specific radioactivity is remarkable. It was found that the labeled cholera toxin can be used in the solid-phase radioimmunoassay even 4 months after iodination.", "contents": "Highly sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay suitable for determination of low amounts of cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibodies. A direct solid-phase radioimmunoassay procedure was developed for the determination of cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibody. The reported method employed anti-choleragenoid antibody attached to polystyrene tubes as a solidified binder for cholera toxin. The binding of radioidinated cholera toxin on its solidified antibody was inhibitable by unlabeled cholera toxin and cholera toxin antibody. With the help of this method, the heat stability of cholera toxin was also studied. Radioiodinated cholera toxin was shown to be labeled in both of its subunits. The stability of the iodinated cholera toxin at the reported specific radioactivity is remarkable. It was found that the labeled cholera toxin can be used in the solid-phase radioimmunoassay even 4 months after iodination.", "PMID": 632348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9354", "title": "Aerobic bacterial flora of oral and nasal fluids of canines with reference to bacteria associated with bites.", "content": "Oral and nasal fluids of 50 dogs were examined to determine the prevalence of aerobic bacteria frequently associated with animal bite wounds. The most frequently isolated microorganisms included: IIj, EF-4, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, group D streptococci, Corynebacterium sp., Enterobacteria, Neisseria sp., Moraxella sp., and Bacillus sp. Other species and genera were infrequently recovered and may represent transient flora. The high incidence of IIj, EF-4, P. multocida, and S. aureus, all known human pathogens, suggests that they should be considered as probably contaminants in bite wounds.", "contents": "Aerobic bacterial flora of oral and nasal fluids of canines with reference to bacteria associated with bites. Oral and nasal fluids of 50 dogs were examined to determine the prevalence of aerobic bacteria frequently associated with animal bite wounds. The most frequently isolated microorganisms included: IIj, EF-4, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, group D streptococci, Corynebacterium sp., Enterobacteria, Neisseria sp., Moraxella sp., and Bacillus sp. Other species and genera were infrequently recovered and may represent transient flora. The high incidence of IIj, EF-4, P. multocida, and S. aureus, all known human pathogens, suggests that they should be considered as probably contaminants in bite wounds.", "PMID": 632349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9355", "title": "Rose Bengal plate agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis tests on spinal fluid in the diagnosis of Brucella meningitis.", "content": "Rose Bengal and counterimmunoelectrophoresis, two tests that detect antibodies against different structural antigens, when carried out on spinal fluid permitted rapid diagnosis of human Brucella meningitis. The Rose Bengal test was positive in five out of five patients studied, and counterimmunoelectrophoresis was positive in all but one. The Brucella meningitis was characterized by an increase of immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid.", "contents": "Rose Bengal plate agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis tests on spinal fluid in the diagnosis of Brucella meningitis. Rose Bengal and counterimmunoelectrophoresis, two tests that detect antibodies against different structural antigens, when carried out on spinal fluid permitted rapid diagnosis of human Brucella meningitis. The Rose Bengal test was positive in five out of five patients studied, and counterimmunoelectrophoresis was positive in all but one. The Brucella meningitis was characterized by an increase of immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid.", "PMID": 632350} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9356", "title": "Achromobacter xylosoxidans isolates in Hawaii.", "content": "Clinical and bacteriological features of nine cases in which Achromobacter xylosoxidans were isolated in Hawaii are described. Five cases were ear infections mixed with other gram-negative bacteria. Colonial morphology, xylose oxidation, peritrichous flagella staining, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern assisted in separating this bacterium from other nonfermentative, oxidase-positive, gram-negative rods.", "contents": "Achromobacter xylosoxidans isolates in Hawaii. Clinical and bacteriological features of nine cases in which Achromobacter xylosoxidans were isolated in Hawaii are described. Five cases were ear infections mixed with other gram-negative bacteria. Colonial morphology, xylose oxidation, peritrichous flagella staining, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern assisted in separating this bacterium from other nonfermentative, oxidase-positive, gram-negative rods.", "PMID": 632351} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9357", "title": "Spectrum of renal tubular damage in renal failure secondary to cirrhosis and fulminant hepatic failure.", "content": "Measurements of urinary lysozyme were used to evaluate renal tubular integrity in 34 patients with cirrhosis or fulminant hepatic failure who had developed renal impairment. In 18 of the patients the lysozyme values were normal but in the remaining 16 were increased, supporting previous concepts that renal failure complicating hepatocellular disease may occur both without and with tubular necrosis. The lysozyme values were inversely related to the creatinine clearance, suggesting that the development of tubular necrosis may be determined by the level of renal perfusion. The validity of simpler laboratory tests often used to assess renal tubular integrity--namely, the urine sodium concentration, the urine:plasma osmolality ratio, and casts in the urine sediment--was evaluated by comparison with the lysozyme measurements. The urine sodium concentration was of most value and the findings in the sediment were of no value at all.", "contents": "Spectrum of renal tubular damage in renal failure secondary to cirrhosis and fulminant hepatic failure. Measurements of urinary lysozyme were used to evaluate renal tubular integrity in 34 patients with cirrhosis or fulminant hepatic failure who had developed renal impairment. In 18 of the patients the lysozyme values were normal but in the remaining 16 were increased, supporting previous concepts that renal failure complicating hepatocellular disease may occur both without and with tubular necrosis. The lysozyme values were inversely related to the creatinine clearance, suggesting that the development of tubular necrosis may be determined by the level of renal perfusion. The validity of simpler laboratory tests often used to assess renal tubular integrity--namely, the urine sodium concentration, the urine:plasma osmolality ratio, and casts in the urine sediment--was evaluated by comparison with the lysozyme measurements. The urine sodium concentration was of most value and the findings in the sediment were of no value at all.", "PMID": 632352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9358", "title": "Benign oesophageal papillomatosis. A case report with a review of the literature.", "content": "An 18-year-old boy presented with a four-year history of dysphagia which had been treated repeatedly by endoscopic removal of papillomata of the oesophagus. Eventually, due to increasing dysphagia and repeated recurrences of the papillomata, resection of the affected lower third of the oesophagus was deemed necessary. The resected segment of the oesophagus was carpeted with numerous benign squamous papillomata. The clinical features, radiographic appearances, and pathology of this extremely rare tumour are presented. Only two acceptable cases of oesophageal papillomata can be found in the literature, making this the third case, and apparently the only one with multiple lesions.", "contents": "Benign oesophageal papillomatosis. A case report with a review of the literature. An 18-year-old boy presented with a four-year history of dysphagia which had been treated repeatedly by endoscopic removal of papillomata of the oesophagus. Eventually, due to increasing dysphagia and repeated recurrences of the papillomata, resection of the affected lower third of the oesophagus was deemed necessary. The resected segment of the oesophagus was carpeted with numerous benign squamous papillomata. The clinical features, radiographic appearances, and pathology of this extremely rare tumour are presented. Only two acceptable cases of oesophageal papillomata can be found in the literature, making this the third case, and apparently the only one with multiple lesions.", "PMID": 632353} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9359", "title": "Squamous carcinoma of the breast.", "content": "Two cases of primary squamous carcinoma of the breast are described. One of the tumours appeared to have an origin in an epidermoid cyst and had a pseudosarcomatous stroma. The other tumour arose from metaplastic ductal epithelium. A review of the literature is given.", "contents": "Squamous carcinoma of the breast. Two cases of primary squamous carcinoma of the breast are described. One of the tumours appeared to have an origin in an epidermoid cyst and had a pseudosarcomatous stroma. The other tumour arose from metaplastic ductal epithelium. A review of the literature is given.", "PMID": 632354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9360", "title": "Lymphocyte transformation in cancer patients: variation in results according to technique.", "content": "Lymphocyte transformation to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was measured simultaneously by two methods (heparin and methyl cellulose) in 16 patients with non-lymphoid cancer and 21 normal subjects. Twelve cancer patients showed transformation levels below the normal heparin range, but only two patients showed levels below the normal methyl cellulose range. These findings suggest that in interpreting lymphocyte transformation studies close attention should be given to the methods employed.", "contents": "Lymphocyte transformation in cancer patients: variation in results according to technique. Lymphocyte transformation to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) was measured simultaneously by two methods (heparin and methyl cellulose) in 16 patients with non-lymphoid cancer and 21 normal subjects. Twelve cancer patients showed transformation levels below the normal heparin range, but only two patients showed levels below the normal methyl cellulose range. These findings suggest that in interpreting lymphocyte transformation studies close attention should be given to the methods employed.", "PMID": 632355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9361", "title": "Crossreaction of antilymphocyte globulin with human granulocyte colony-forming cells.", "content": "Clinical preparations of horse antilymphocyteglobulin (ALG) were found to inhibit human bone marrow granulocyte colony growth. This effect was enhanced by complement and was dose dependent, being almost complete at ALG concentrations of 100 microgram/ml. Inhibition was a property of ALG but not of normal horse globulin. However, short incubation of ALG with bone marrow cells occasionally stimulated colony growth and normal horse globulin regularly stimulated it. Three hours' incubation of bone marrow cells with ALG was needed to produce consistent colony inhibition, which was measurable as a reduction in the expected number of colonies and as a fall in the colony: cluster ratio of surviving cell aggregates. Absorption of ALG on acute myeloid leukaemia blast cells removed the inhibiting property of the ALG while preserving its lymphocytotoxic action. Serum from two patients receiving ALG treatment inhibited colony growth for up to 48 hours after ALG administration. The results suggest the presence in ALG of antibodies specifically cytotoxic to myeloid stem cells which may relate to its myleosuppressive properties in vivo, and also indicate that it should be possible to remove antimyeloid antibodies from ALG by absorption. The use of such purified ALG would have advantages in clinical bone marrow transplantation.", "contents": "Crossreaction of antilymphocyte globulin with human granulocyte colony-forming cells. Clinical preparations of horse antilymphocyteglobulin (ALG) were found to inhibit human bone marrow granulocyte colony growth. This effect was enhanced by complement and was dose dependent, being almost complete at ALG concentrations of 100 microgram/ml. Inhibition was a property of ALG but not of normal horse globulin. However, short incubation of ALG with bone marrow cells occasionally stimulated colony growth and normal horse globulin regularly stimulated it. Three hours' incubation of bone marrow cells with ALG was needed to produce consistent colony inhibition, which was measurable as a reduction in the expected number of colonies and as a fall in the colony: cluster ratio of surviving cell aggregates. Absorption of ALG on acute myeloid leukaemia blast cells removed the inhibiting property of the ALG while preserving its lymphocytotoxic action. Serum from two patients receiving ALG treatment inhibited colony growth for up to 48 hours after ALG administration. The results suggest the presence in ALG of antibodies specifically cytotoxic to myeloid stem cells which may relate to its myleosuppressive properties in vivo, and also indicate that it should be possible to remove antimyeloid antibodies from ALG by absorption. The use of such purified ALG would have advantages in clinical bone marrow transplantation.", "PMID": 632356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9362", "title": "The case for laboratory aides in district clinical chemistry departments.", "content": "A case of need is made out for the general introduction into district clinical chemistry departments of the existing experimental grade of laboratory aide or assistant. Subject to direct supervision by qualified personnel the aide has a useful role to fulfil. Important advantages to staff and patients accrue from the employment of this semiskilled laboratory worker.", "contents": "The case for laboratory aides in district clinical chemistry departments. A case of need is made out for the general introduction into district clinical chemistry departments of the existing experimental grade of laboratory aide or assistant. Subject to direct supervision by qualified personnel the aide has a useful role to fulfil. Important advantages to staff and patients accrue from the employment of this semiskilled laboratory worker.", "PMID": 632357} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9363", "title": "Effect of bacterial flora on staphylococcal colonisation of the newborn.", "content": "The umbilical and nasopharyngeal flora of newborn infants was examined on days 3, 14, and 42 of life. An analysis of the bacteriological findings suggests that colonisation by either Staphylococcus aureus or Staph. epidermidis prevents colonisation by the other staphylococcus. Similarly, colonisation by Gram-negative bacteria prevents colonisation by staphylococci. Further, this bacterial interference lasts for as long as 42 days, which suggests the possibility of artificially colonising newborns with nonpathogens to prevent subsequent colonisation and disease by virulent microorganisms.", "contents": "Effect of bacterial flora on staphylococcal colonisation of the newborn. The umbilical and nasopharyngeal flora of newborn infants was examined on days 3, 14, and 42 of life. An analysis of the bacteriological findings suggests that colonisation by either Staphylococcus aureus or Staph. epidermidis prevents colonisation by the other staphylococcus. Similarly, colonisation by Gram-negative bacteria prevents colonisation by staphylococci. Further, this bacterial interference lasts for as long as 42 days, which suggests the possibility of artificially colonising newborns with nonpathogens to prevent subsequent colonisation and disease by virulent microorganisms.", "PMID": 632359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9364", "title": "Cerebral ventriculitis associated with Achromobacter xylosoxidans.", "content": "Six patients in the neurosurgical ward of Fukushima Medical College Hospital suffering from ventriculitis due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans infection had undergone craniotomy or cranial trepanation before the infection. The strains of A. xylosoxidans isolated from the patients were resistant to streptomycin, ampicillin, cephaloridine, gentamicin, and colistin. They were also resistant to chlorhexidine digluconate (Hibitane) in a concentration of 2%. When a study of the chlorhexidine used in the hospital was carried out four strains of A. xylosoxidans were isolated from 20 containers of chlorhexidine solution in the surgical ward but not from those in the operating theatre.", "contents": "Cerebral ventriculitis associated with Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Six patients in the neurosurgical ward of Fukushima Medical College Hospital suffering from ventriculitis due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans infection had undergone craniotomy or cranial trepanation before the infection. The strains of A. xylosoxidans isolated from the patients were resistant to streptomycin, ampicillin, cephaloridine, gentamicin, and colistin. They were also resistant to chlorhexidine digluconate (Hibitane) in a concentration of 2%. When a study of the chlorhexidine used in the hospital was carried out four strains of A. xylosoxidans were isolated from 20 containers of chlorhexidine solution in the surgical ward but not from those in the operating theatre.", "PMID": 632360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9365", "title": "A comparison of four potential agents for reducing necrosis after prolonged coronary occlusion.", "content": "In anesthetized closed-chest dogs, four vasodilators were compared after prolonged coronary occlusion induced by catheter wedging in a coronary branch. With treatment given between 1 hour and 2 hours of occlusion, five groups were studied: no treatment, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroprusside, dipyridamole, and methylprednisolone. Measured were heart rate, cardiac pressures and blood flow (with 85Kr); and cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction with vascular resistance, left ventricular minute work index, and an oxygen consumption index were calculated. At sacrifice, ischemic inner/outer wall isotope distribution and myocardial K+, Na+, and H2O were determined. With no treatment, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and vascular resistances rose while cardiac index, ejection fraction, minute work index, and index of myocardial oxygen consumption fell, with no further change between 1 and 2 hours. Vasodilators did not affect coronary hemodynamics or isotope distribution. Hemodynamic effects of isosorbide dinitrate and nitroprusside differed qualitatively from dipyridamole and methylprednisolone. The latter drugs caused increases in ejection fraction, and dipyridamole also significantly increased cardiac index and minute work index. Only nitroprusside decreased minute work index and O2 consumption index. Only nitroprusside and dipyridamole, despite differing hemodynamics, tended to reduce K+ loss and Na+ and H2O gain in ischemic tissue. Further extended studies with these agents are warranted.", "contents": "A comparison of four potential agents for reducing necrosis after prolonged coronary occlusion. In anesthetized closed-chest dogs, four vasodilators were compared after prolonged coronary occlusion induced by catheter wedging in a coronary branch. With treatment given between 1 hour and 2 hours of occlusion, five groups were studied: no treatment, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroprusside, dipyridamole, and methylprednisolone. Measured were heart rate, cardiac pressures and blood flow (with 85Kr); and cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction with vascular resistance, left ventricular minute work index, and an oxygen consumption index were calculated. At sacrifice, ischemic inner/outer wall isotope distribution and myocardial K+, Na+, and H2O were determined. With no treatment, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and vascular resistances rose while cardiac index, ejection fraction, minute work index, and index of myocardial oxygen consumption fell, with no further change between 1 and 2 hours. Vasodilators did not affect coronary hemodynamics or isotope distribution. Hemodynamic effects of isosorbide dinitrate and nitroprusside differed qualitatively from dipyridamole and methylprednisolone. The latter drugs caused increases in ejection fraction, and dipyridamole also significantly increased cardiac index and minute work index. Only nitroprusside decreased minute work index and O2 consumption index. Only nitroprusside and dipyridamole, despite differing hemodynamics, tended to reduce K+ loss and Na+ and H2O gain in ischemic tissue. Further extended studies with these agents are warranted.", "PMID": 632362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9366", "title": "Pharmacologic studies with cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin.", "content": "Cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin, was administered to 18 normal human volunteers in either single or multiple doses of 250 and 500 mg. Mean serum concentrations of 6.09 and 12.8 microgram/ml were achieved 1 hour after single oral doses of 250 and 500 mg, respectively. The serum concentrations declined rapidly and no drug was detected at 4 hours. Very high concentrations of cefaclor were found in urine during the first 8 hours after ingestion of the drug. Forty-three per cent of the total dose was excreted in urine during the first 8 hours. There was no accumulation of drug in serum during the multiple-dose studies.", "contents": "Pharmacologic studies with cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin. Cefaclor, a new oral cephalosporin, was administered to 18 normal human volunteers in either single or multiple doses of 250 and 500 mg. Mean serum concentrations of 6.09 and 12.8 microgram/ml were achieved 1 hour after single oral doses of 250 and 500 mg, respectively. The serum concentrations declined rapidly and no drug was detected at 4 hours. Very high concentrations of cefaclor were found in urine during the first 8 hours after ingestion of the drug. Forty-three per cent of the total dose was excreted in urine during the first 8 hours. There was no accumulation of drug in serum during the multiple-dose studies.", "PMID": 632363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9367", "title": "Clinical effects of meperidine in hospitalized medical patients.", "content": "Of 26,294 hospitalized medical patients monitored in a drug surveillance program, 366 (1.4%) received meperidine orally and 3268 (12.4%) received meperidine parenterally during one or more admissions. Neoplastic disease was the most common category of primary diagnosis (43%) among oral recipients; among parenteral recipients cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases (23% each) were most common. Oral meperidine was prescribed almost exclusively (93%) for pain relief, whereas the parenteral drug also had substantial use (41%) as a diagnostic and preoperative adjunct. Oral meperidine was judged by attending physicians to have provided unsatisfactory pain relief in 22% of recipients, while parenteral meperidine was rated unsatisfactory in 11%. The drug was less effective in patients with a primary diagnosis of neoplastic disease than in patients with other primary diagnoses. Minor gastrointestinal disturbances were the most commonly reported adverse reactions among oral meperidine recipients (2.7%); among parenteral recipients central nervous system effects were most common (1.2%). Seven recipients had life-threatening adverse reactions. However, only two of these were judged definitely related to meperidine, and in both instances other drugs were also definitely implicated. Adverse reactions were dose related.", "contents": "Clinical effects of meperidine in hospitalized medical patients. Of 26,294 hospitalized medical patients monitored in a drug surveillance program, 366 (1.4%) received meperidine orally and 3268 (12.4%) received meperidine parenterally during one or more admissions. Neoplastic disease was the most common category of primary diagnosis (43%) among oral recipients; among parenteral recipients cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases (23% each) were most common. Oral meperidine was prescribed almost exclusively (93%) for pain relief, whereas the parenteral drug also had substantial use (41%) as a diagnostic and preoperative adjunct. Oral meperidine was judged by attending physicians to have provided unsatisfactory pain relief in 22% of recipients, while parenteral meperidine was rated unsatisfactory in 11%. The drug was less effective in patients with a primary diagnosis of neoplastic disease than in patients with other primary diagnoses. Minor gastrointestinal disturbances were the most commonly reported adverse reactions among oral meperidine recipients (2.7%); among parenteral recipients central nervous system effects were most common (1.2%). Seven recipients had life-threatening adverse reactions. However, only two of these were judged definitely related to meperidine, and in both instances other drugs were also definitely implicated. Adverse reactions were dose related.", "PMID": 632364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9368", "title": "Absorption kinetics of hydroflumethiazide.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of hydroflumethiazide after oral administration of a 100-mg dose to 12 volunteers were evaluated to determine whether absorption of the drug is best described by zero-order or first-order absorption. Comparison of the two absorption models was based on three criteria: (1) correlation coefficients; (2) standard deviations of the parameter estimates; and (3) visual fits. Evaluation of the individual results in light of each criterion showed that the zero-order absorption model is the more appropriate one for describing the hydroflumethiazide data.", "contents": "Absorption kinetics of hydroflumethiazide. The pharmacokinetics of hydroflumethiazide after oral administration of a 100-mg dose to 12 volunteers were evaluated to determine whether absorption of the drug is best described by zero-order or first-order absorption. Comparison of the two absorption models was based on three criteria: (1) correlation coefficients; (2) standard deviations of the parameter estimates; and (3) visual fits. Evaluation of the individual results in light of each criterion showed that the zero-order absorption model is the more appropriate one for describing the hydroflumethiazide data.", "PMID": 632365} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9369", "title": "Bioavailability of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in pediatric patients.", "content": "A parallel treatment group bioavailability study was undertaken in children 6 to 65 months of age, comparing fasting and nonfasting erythromycin serum levels after a single oral dose of erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules. Results demonstrated significantly higher levels in the nonfasting than in the fasting state, while fasting state levels were comparable to those found in studies of adult subjects receiving recommended doses of the same compound.", "contents": "Bioavailability of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in pediatric patients. A parallel treatment group bioavailability study was undertaken in children 6 to 65 months of age, comparing fasting and nonfasting erythromycin serum levels after a single oral dose of erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules. Results demonstrated significantly higher levels in the nonfasting than in the fasting state, while fasting state levels were comparable to those found in studies of adult subjects receiving recommended doses of the same compound.", "PMID": 632366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9370", "title": "Evaluation of intravenous clonidine in hypertensive emergencies.", "content": "Nineteen patients with severe essential hypertension or hypertension due to renal parenchymal disease were treated with intravenous clonidine. In 14 patients the elevated blood pressure was complicated by one or more crises: left ventricular failure in seven patients, encephalopathy in six, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage, dissecting aortic aneurysm, acute renal failure, and severe epistaxis, one episode each. Clonidine 0.15 or 0.30 mg, was given intravenously every 40 minutes until the diastolic blood pressure was decreased to 120 mm Hg or below. Blood pressure was taken every 10 minutes. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced significantly after intravenous clonidine, the former by 96 mm Hg (P less than 0.001), the latter by 52 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) within a period of 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. The clonidine dose varied from 0.15 to 0.90 mg, mean 0.52 mg. Heart rate was decreased significantly by 20 beats/minute (P less than 0.001) by the drug. Serious side effects were not observed except for an episode of transient sinoatrial block. Renal function was not affected. Patients who were on chronic diuretic therapy prior to treatment with intravenous clonidine showed a significantly greater decrease in both systolic (P less than 0.01) and diastolic (P less than 0.001) blood pressure after the first clonidine dose. In one patient intravenous clonidine was not effective (i.e., blood pressure remained 200/150 mm Hg) in spite of a total clonidine dose of 0.9 mg. Two patients died, one from severe cerebral hemorrhage, the other from an extensive dissecting aortic aneurysm, but the fatal outcome was not related to clonidine.", "contents": "Evaluation of intravenous clonidine in hypertensive emergencies. Nineteen patients with severe essential hypertension or hypertension due to renal parenchymal disease were treated with intravenous clonidine. In 14 patients the elevated blood pressure was complicated by one or more crises: left ventricular failure in seven patients, encephalopathy in six, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage, dissecting aortic aneurysm, acute renal failure, and severe epistaxis, one episode each. Clonidine 0.15 or 0.30 mg, was given intravenously every 40 minutes until the diastolic blood pressure was decreased to 120 mm Hg or below. Blood pressure was taken every 10 minutes. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced significantly after intravenous clonidine, the former by 96 mm Hg (P less than 0.001), the latter by 52 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) within a period of 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. The clonidine dose varied from 0.15 to 0.90 mg, mean 0.52 mg. Heart rate was decreased significantly by 20 beats/minute (P less than 0.001) by the drug. Serious side effects were not observed except for an episode of transient sinoatrial block. Renal function was not affected. Patients who were on chronic diuretic therapy prior to treatment with intravenous clonidine showed a significantly greater decrease in both systolic (P less than 0.01) and diastolic (P less than 0.001) blood pressure after the first clonidine dose. In one patient intravenous clonidine was not effective (i.e., blood pressure remained 200/150 mm Hg) in spite of a total clonidine dose of 0.9 mg. Two patients died, one from severe cerebral hemorrhage, the other from an extensive dissecting aortic aneurysm, but the fatal outcome was not related to clonidine.", "PMID": 632367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9371", "title": "Afferent projections to the rat locus coeruleus as determined by a retrograde tracing technique.", "content": "Afferent connections to the rat locus coeruleus (LC), which contains exclusively noradrenergic neurons, have been traced using the technique of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In order to ensure accurate placement of adequate amounts of HRP in the LC, a microiontophoretic delivery technique coupled with single cell recording was employed. The use of electro physiological \"landmarks\" as aids in placing the injections is described. Following HRP injections into the LC, forebrain structures containing labelled neurons included the insular cortex, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the medial, lateral and magnocellular preoptic areas, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the dorsomedial, paraventricular and lateral hypothalamic areas. In the brainstem reactive neurons were observed in the central grey substance, the reticular formation, the raphe, vestibular, solitary tract and lateral reticular nuclei. In particular, the areas of catecholamine cell groups A1, A2 and A5 appeared to contain many reactive cells. Labelled neurons were also observed in the fastigial nuclei and in the marginal zones of the dorsal horns of the spinal cord. This pattern of afferent innervation supports suggestions for a role for the LC in behavioral arousal mechanisms and autonomic regulation.", "contents": "Afferent projections to the rat locus coeruleus as determined by a retrograde tracing technique. Afferent connections to the rat locus coeruleus (LC), which contains exclusively noradrenergic neurons, have been traced using the technique of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In order to ensure accurate placement of adequate amounts of HRP in the LC, a microiontophoretic delivery technique coupled with single cell recording was employed. The use of electro physiological \"landmarks\" as aids in placing the injections is described. Following HRP injections into the LC, forebrain structures containing labelled neurons included the insular cortex, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the medial, lateral and magnocellular preoptic areas, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the dorsomedial, paraventricular and lateral hypothalamic areas. In the brainstem reactive neurons were observed in the central grey substance, the reticular formation, the raphe, vestibular, solitary tract and lateral reticular nuclei. In particular, the areas of catecholamine cell groups A1, A2 and A5 appeared to contain many reactive cells. Labelled neurons were also observed in the fastigial nuclei and in the marginal zones of the dorsal horns of the spinal cord. This pattern of afferent innervation supports suggestions for a role for the LC in behavioral arousal mechanisms and autonomic regulation.", "PMID": 632368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9372", "title": "The effects of denervation and stimulation upon synaptic ultrastructure.", "content": "Quantitative studies of synaptic ultrastructure were made in the upper layers of cat cerebral cortex. Tissues were from intact cortex and from long-term (chronic) undercut cortex with or without electrical stimulation. The synaptic effects of chronic electrical stimulation of denervated cortex are most readily understood as growth and remodeling of synaptic elements. Associated with chronic stimulation were increases in: symmetric membrane contacts; areas of round and flat vesicle containing terminals; dendritic shaft contacts; and synaptic contact lengths. Even without stimulation there were indications of synaptic plasticity in denervated cortex; compared with intact cortex, synapses having symmetric membrane contacts showed an increase in bouton area and an increase in synaptic contacts on dendritic shafts. These data are consistent with the observations of others in which axonal terminal growth occurred after differentation. But it appears that chronic electrical stimulation in the adult nervous system promotes significantly more plasticity than occurs without stimulation. In a functional sense stimulation in the present experiments produced effective inhibition which did not occur with denervation alone. Thus the plasticity observed with stimulation had both structural and functional components.", "contents": "The effects of denervation and stimulation upon synaptic ultrastructure. Quantitative studies of synaptic ultrastructure were made in the upper layers of cat cerebral cortex. Tissues were from intact cortex and from long-term (chronic) undercut cortex with or without electrical stimulation. The synaptic effects of chronic electrical stimulation of denervated cortex are most readily understood as growth and remodeling of synaptic elements. Associated with chronic stimulation were increases in: symmetric membrane contacts; areas of round and flat vesicle containing terminals; dendritic shaft contacts; and synaptic contact lengths. Even without stimulation there were indications of synaptic plasticity in denervated cortex; compared with intact cortex, synapses having symmetric membrane contacts showed an increase in bouton area and an increase in synaptic contacts on dendritic shafts. These data are consistent with the observations of others in which axonal terminal growth occurred after differentation. But it appears that chronic electrical stimulation in the adult nervous system promotes significantly more plasticity than occurs without stimulation. In a functional sense stimulation in the present experiments produced effective inhibition which did not occur with denervation alone. Thus the plasticity observed with stimulation had both structural and functional components.", "PMID": 632369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9373", "title": "Projections of the superior cerebellar peduncle in rats and the development of new connections in response to neonatal hemicerebellectomy.", "content": "The normal distribution pattern of cerebellar efferents was determined using the Fink-Heimer technique in adult rats that sustained stereotaxic transection of the superior cerebellar peduncle. This pattern was found to be essentially similar to earlier studies and corroborated more recent reports of projections to the pontine gray and inferior olivary nuclei. Comparisons were made to a second group of animals that underwent neonatal hemicerebellectomy in addition to adult transection of the contralateral superior cerebellar peduncle. Abnormal projections to the ipsilateral red nucleus and ventral thalamus were observed in addition to evidence suggestive of axonal sprouting within the oculomotor complex. These animals also demonstrated an absence of cells in the pontine gray and inferior olive on the side contralateral to the hemicerebellectomy and in the lateral reticular and lateral cuneate nuclei on the ipsilateral side.", "contents": "Projections of the superior cerebellar peduncle in rats and the development of new connections in response to neonatal hemicerebellectomy. The normal distribution pattern of cerebellar efferents was determined using the Fink-Heimer technique in adult rats that sustained stereotaxic transection of the superior cerebellar peduncle. This pattern was found to be essentially similar to earlier studies and corroborated more recent reports of projections to the pontine gray and inferior olivary nuclei. Comparisons were made to a second group of animals that underwent neonatal hemicerebellectomy in addition to adult transection of the contralateral superior cerebellar peduncle. Abnormal projections to the ipsilateral red nucleus and ventral thalamus were observed in addition to evidence suggestive of axonal sprouting within the oculomotor complex. These animals also demonstrated an absence of cells in the pontine gray and inferior olive on the side contralateral to the hemicerebellectomy and in the lateral reticular and lateral cuneate nuclei on the ipsilateral side.", "PMID": 632372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9374", "title": "Acute whisker removal reduces neuronal activity in barrels of mouse SmL cortex.", "content": "The autoradiographic 2-deoxy-D glucose (2-DG) method has been used to map relative changes in metabolic activity in the CNS during various functional states (Plum et al., '76). Here we describe the application of the 2-DG method to assay regional activity in the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) region of the mouse SmI cortex after acute removal of mystacial vibrissae. One day prior to isotope injection, various combinations of vibrissae (e.g., all vibrissae, row-C only, rows-B and -D only) were plucked from adult male Swiss Webster mice under anesthetic. The next day, 5 muCi of 14C-2-DG were injected into a tail vein, and the mice were allowed to actively explore an empty cage for 45 minutes. The animals were then sacrificed, the brains quickly removed, frozen, and sectioned either parallel or perpendicular to the pia at 80 mum in a cryostat. The sections were mounted, dried on coverslips, and were used to expose X-ray film, after which the sections were stained with thionin and the X-ray film developed. The tissue sections and matching autoradiograms were compared directly from photomicrographs of each. The autoradiograms showed areas of higher activity in barrels for which corresponding vibrissae were present and lower activity in barrels for which appropriate vibrissae were missing. In tangential sections from animals with all vibrissae intact, the PMBSF was uniformly and consistently higher in activity than in cases with all vibrissae missing. The removal of row-C or rows-B and -D resulted in strips of decreased activity in the corresponding PMBSF rows. The same patterns of increased or decreased activity were also seen in sections normal to the pia, but the changes in activity, while greatest in layer IV, extended through all layers of the cortex. Finally, in a number of the autoradiograms, density patterns could be recognized which later were shown to relate directly to sides of individual barrels. The results indicate: (1) Acute removal of the peripheral vibrissal hairs is sufficient to deprive the related contralateral cortical barrel neurons of normal activity. Thus in the mouse somatosensory system it may be possible to determine the relative importance of sensory deprivation and neonatal peripheral lesions in normal cortical development. (2) The barrels are part of a functional cortical columnar organization similar to that in other sensory systems. And, (3) the 14C-2-DG-X-ray technique is sufficiently sensitive to reveal parts of individual barrels in autoradiograms and thus, with some modification, may be suitable for the study of small populations of neurons.", "contents": "Acute whisker removal reduces neuronal activity in barrels of mouse SmL cortex. The autoradiographic 2-deoxy-D glucose (2-DG) method has been used to map relative changes in metabolic activity in the CNS during various functional states (Plum et al., '76). Here we describe the application of the 2-DG method to assay regional activity in the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) region of the mouse SmI cortex after acute removal of mystacial vibrissae. One day prior to isotope injection, various combinations of vibrissae (e.g., all vibrissae, row-C only, rows-B and -D only) were plucked from adult male Swiss Webster mice under anesthetic. The next day, 5 muCi of 14C-2-DG were injected into a tail vein, and the mice were allowed to actively explore an empty cage for 45 minutes. The animals were then sacrificed, the brains quickly removed, frozen, and sectioned either parallel or perpendicular to the pia at 80 mum in a cryostat. The sections were mounted, dried on coverslips, and were used to expose X-ray film, after which the sections were stained with thionin and the X-ray film developed. The tissue sections and matching autoradiograms were compared directly from photomicrographs of each. The autoradiograms showed areas of higher activity in barrels for which corresponding vibrissae were present and lower activity in barrels for which appropriate vibrissae were missing. In tangential sections from animals with all vibrissae intact, the PMBSF was uniformly and consistently higher in activity than in cases with all vibrissae missing. The removal of row-C or rows-B and -D resulted in strips of decreased activity in the corresponding PMBSF rows. The same patterns of increased or decreased activity were also seen in sections normal to the pia, but the changes in activity, while greatest in layer IV, extended through all layers of the cortex. Finally, in a number of the autoradiograms, density patterns could be recognized which later were shown to relate directly to sides of individual barrels. The results indicate: (1) Acute removal of the peripheral vibrissal hairs is sufficient to deprive the related contralateral cortical barrel neurons of normal activity. Thus in the mouse somatosensory system it may be possible to determine the relative importance of sensory deprivation and neonatal peripheral lesions in normal cortical development. (2) The barrels are part of a functional cortical columnar organization similar to that in other sensory systems. And, (3) the 14C-2-DG-X-ray technique is sufficiently sensitive to reveal parts of individual barrels in autoradiograms and thus, with some modification, may be suitable for the study of small populations of neurons.", "PMID": 632373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9375", "title": "Autoradiographic evidence for pathways from the medial preoptic area to the midbrain involved in the drinking response to angiotensin II.", "content": "The 3H-amino acid autoradiographic method was used to localize intracerebral sites from which angiotensin II (AII) elicits drinking and to identify their efferent neural pathways. Small injections (0.02-0.1 mul) of AII and 3H-amino acid mixtures were injected together or separately into widespread regions of the forebrain of adult rats in normal food and water balance. From an analysis of 39 positive and negative injection sites it was concluded that the caudal half of the medial preoptic area and the adjacent rostral part of the anterior hypothalamic area are sensitive to AII. Two anatomically defined pathways arising from neurons within this region were identified. One descends through the medial forebrain bundle and appears to terminate in the lateral hypothalamic area, the ventromedial nucleus, the mammillary body, and the ventral tegmental area. The other descends through the periventricular region and posterior hypothalamic area to end in the midbrain central gray. Additional widespread connections with the amygdala, septum, habenula, and pons appear to arise in the lateral preoptic area (Swanson, '76). Combined AII-3H-amino acid injections centered in the subfornical organ only elicited drinking in those cases in which injected label diffuse through the third ventricle to the medial preoptic area. No efferent pathways were identified in experiments in which a small injection (0.02 mul) heavily labeled cells strictly confined to the subfornical organ and there was no ventricular spread of label.", "contents": "Autoradiographic evidence for pathways from the medial preoptic area to the midbrain involved in the drinking response to angiotensin II. The 3H-amino acid autoradiographic method was used to localize intracerebral sites from which angiotensin II (AII) elicits drinking and to identify their efferent neural pathways. Small injections (0.02-0.1 mul) of AII and 3H-amino acid mixtures were injected together or separately into widespread regions of the forebrain of adult rats in normal food and water balance. From an analysis of 39 positive and negative injection sites it was concluded that the caudal half of the medial preoptic area and the adjacent rostral part of the anterior hypothalamic area are sensitive to AII. Two anatomically defined pathways arising from neurons within this region were identified. One descends through the medial forebrain bundle and appears to terminate in the lateral hypothalamic area, the ventromedial nucleus, the mammillary body, and the ventral tegmental area. The other descends through the periventricular region and posterior hypothalamic area to end in the midbrain central gray. Additional widespread connections with the amygdala, septum, habenula, and pons appear to arise in the lateral preoptic area (Swanson, '76). Combined AII-3H-amino acid injections centered in the subfornical organ only elicited drinking in those cases in which injected label diffuse through the third ventricle to the medial preoptic area. No efferent pathways were identified in experiments in which a small injection (0.02 mul) heavily labeled cells strictly confined to the subfornical organ and there was no ventricular spread of label.", "PMID": 632374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9376", "title": "The cochlear nerve in the cat: topography, cochleotopy, and fiber spectrum.", "content": "The topographical and cytological features of the cochlear nerve in normal adult cats were studied by microdissection, light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The 2-mm long cochlear nerve trunk is situated within the internal acoustic meatus. The nerve is wrapped like a roll with the more basal fibers situated peripheral to the more apical ones. The fibers are fasciculated according to their target in the cochlea and follow a helical course with the sharpest spiralling in the distal portion of the fiber. Apical and basal coil fibers are of approximately the same length measured from the spiral lamina to the rostral border of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus. The nerve contains about 90% thick, myelinated fibers, about 10% unmyelinated axons, and a few thin, but heavily myelinated axons. The first group shows a unimodal distribution of axonal diameters, with a gradual increase in average diameter from basal to apical coil fibers. The number of axonal microtubules and neurofilaments have a high linear correlation to axonal circumference without principal cochleotopic differences. The myelin sheaths are thicker and the internodal segments shorter than expected from similarly sized peripheral fibers in rodents. The possible nature and origin of the three fiber categories are discussed.", "contents": "The cochlear nerve in the cat: topography, cochleotopy, and fiber spectrum. The topographical and cytological features of the cochlear nerve in normal adult cats were studied by microdissection, light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The 2-mm long cochlear nerve trunk is situated within the internal acoustic meatus. The nerve is wrapped like a roll with the more basal fibers situated peripheral to the more apical ones. The fibers are fasciculated according to their target in the cochlea and follow a helical course with the sharpest spiralling in the distal portion of the fiber. Apical and basal coil fibers are of approximately the same length measured from the spiral lamina to the rostral border of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus. The nerve contains about 90% thick, myelinated fibers, about 10% unmyelinated axons, and a few thin, but heavily myelinated axons. The first group shows a unimodal distribution of axonal diameters, with a gradual increase in average diameter from basal to apical coil fibers. The number of axonal microtubules and neurofilaments have a high linear correlation to axonal circumference without principal cochleotopic differences. The myelin sheaths are thicker and the internodal segments shorter than expected from similarly sized peripheral fibers in rodents. The possible nature and origin of the three fiber categories are discussed.", "PMID": 632375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9377", "title": "Temporal and spatial sequence of anterograde degeneration in the cochlear nerve fibers of the cat. A light microscopic study.", "content": "This study deals with anterograde degeneration in the cochlear nerve fibers following cochlear lesions. The observations are based on 2-mum thick sections of material embedded in resin according to procedures used in electron microscopy and stained with toluidine blue. Among the various operative approaches used in this study, sparing of the modiolus afforded the least local reaction and furnished the material best suited for anterograde degneration studies in this nerve only 2 mm long. The anterograde degeneration of the cochlear nerve is characterized by segmental swelling of myelinated nerve fibers followed by shrinkage of the axoplasm and collapse of the distended myelin sheaths. The swelling, which begins at the nodal-paranodal region of the axon, is preceded by accumulation in the cytoplasm of granular organelles, presumably mitochondria and lysosomes. The portions of the cochlear fibers situated in the nerve root, i.e., within the cochlear nuclei and including the axon terminals, follow essentially the same pattern of degeneration as those in the peripheral portion of the nerve. Both peripherally and centrally degenerative changes occur first in the basal, high frequency fibers and centrally degenerative changes occur first in the basal, high frequency fibers and progress to the apical, low frequency fibers. The difference between the two extremes in the onset of degeneration is, approximately, 24 hours. Once initiated, however, the pace of degeneration is the same along the whole fiber spectrum.", "contents": "Temporal and spatial sequence of anterograde degeneration in the cochlear nerve fibers of the cat. A light microscopic study. This study deals with anterograde degeneration in the cochlear nerve fibers following cochlear lesions. The observations are based on 2-mum thick sections of material embedded in resin according to procedures used in electron microscopy and stained with toluidine blue. Among the various operative approaches used in this study, sparing of the modiolus afforded the least local reaction and furnished the material best suited for anterograde degneration studies in this nerve only 2 mm long. The anterograde degeneration of the cochlear nerve is characterized by segmental swelling of myelinated nerve fibers followed by shrinkage of the axoplasm and collapse of the distended myelin sheaths. The swelling, which begins at the nodal-paranodal region of the axon, is preceded by accumulation in the cytoplasm of granular organelles, presumably mitochondria and lysosomes. The portions of the cochlear fibers situated in the nerve root, i.e., within the cochlear nuclei and including the axon terminals, follow essentially the same pattern of degeneration as those in the peripheral portion of the nerve. Both peripherally and centrally degenerative changes occur first in the basal, high frequency fibers and centrally degenerative changes occur first in the basal, high frequency fibers and progress to the apical, low frequency fibers. The difference between the two extremes in the onset of degeneration is, approximately, 24 hours. Once initiated, however, the pace of degeneration is the same along the whole fiber spectrum.", "PMID": 632376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9378", "title": "Histochemical evidence for a post-lesion reorganization of cholinergic afferents in the hippocampal formation of the mature cat.", "content": "We have utilized acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry to analyze possible post-lesion changes in the distribution of AChE containing afferents to the hippocampal formation of the cat following unilateral destruction of the entorhinal cortex. In the cat, the entorhinal area gives rise to a massive projection to the ipsilateral fascia dentata, and to regio inferior and regio superior of the hippocampus proper. Sixty days following unilateral entorhinal lesions, histochemical preparations for AChE indicate a dramatic increase in the density of the reaction product in the zones normally occupied by entorhinal afferents in the fascia dentata and regio inferior of the hippocampus proper, whereas little if any increase in the density of the reaction product was observed in the entorhinal terminal zone in regio superior. In addition to these increases in the density of the AChE reaction product, there was also evidence for a widening of an AChE free zone in the inner stratum moleculare of the fascia dentata denervated by the lesion. The time course of these changes in the pattern of AChE staining was analyzed by sacrificing animals 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17,, 19, and 20 days following entorhinal cortical lesions. The increase in the density of the AChE reaction product in the denervated zones was not apparent at seven days post-lesion, while at ten days post-lesion, a slight increase in the density of the AChE reaction product could be observed. By 13 days post-lesion, the differences between the denervated and normally innervated (contralateral) hippocampal formation were prominent, and by 16 days post-lesion, the pattern of staining appeared comparable to that which was observed at longer post-lesion intervals. The present experiments indicate that following entorhinal cortical lesions in mature cats the final post-lesion pattern of altered AChE staining is quite comparable to that which is observed following similar lesions in rats. In the rat, such changes in AChE staining have been interpreted as a reflection of a proliferation of cholinergic septal afferents within the denervated zones. If this interpretation is correct, the present results suggest a similar proliferation of cholinergic afferents following entorhinal lesions in cats. The time course of this apparent proliferation is considerably slower in the cat then in the rat, however, since the earliest changes are observed at approximately five days post-lesion in the rat, and ten days post-lesion in the cat.", "contents": "Histochemical evidence for a post-lesion reorganization of cholinergic afferents in the hippocampal formation of the mature cat. We have utilized acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry to analyze possible post-lesion changes in the distribution of AChE containing afferents to the hippocampal formation of the cat following unilateral destruction of the entorhinal cortex. In the cat, the entorhinal area gives rise to a massive projection to the ipsilateral fascia dentata, and to regio inferior and regio superior of the hippocampus proper. Sixty days following unilateral entorhinal lesions, histochemical preparations for AChE indicate a dramatic increase in the density of the reaction product in the zones normally occupied by entorhinal afferents in the fascia dentata and regio inferior of the hippocampus proper, whereas little if any increase in the density of the reaction product was observed in the entorhinal terminal zone in regio superior. In addition to these increases in the density of the AChE reaction product, there was also evidence for a widening of an AChE free zone in the inner stratum moleculare of the fascia dentata denervated by the lesion. The time course of these changes in the pattern of AChE staining was analyzed by sacrificing animals 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17,, 19, and 20 days following entorhinal cortical lesions. The increase in the density of the AChE reaction product in the denervated zones was not apparent at seven days post-lesion, while at ten days post-lesion, a slight increase in the density of the AChE reaction product could be observed. By 13 days post-lesion, the differences between the denervated and normally innervated (contralateral) hippocampal formation were prominent, and by 16 days post-lesion, the pattern of staining appeared comparable to that which was observed at longer post-lesion intervals. The present experiments indicate that following entorhinal cortical lesions in mature cats the final post-lesion pattern of altered AChE staining is quite comparable to that which is observed following similar lesions in rats. In the rat, such changes in AChE staining have been interpreted as a reflection of a proliferation of cholinergic septal afferents within the denervated zones. If this interpretation is correct, the present results suggest a similar proliferation of cholinergic afferents following entorhinal lesions in cats. The time course of this apparent proliferation is considerably slower in the cat then in the rat, however, since the earliest changes are observed at approximately five days post-lesion in the rat, and ten days post-lesion in the cat.", "PMID": 632377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9379", "title": "Association and commissural fiber systems of the olfactory cortex of the rat.", "content": "The association and commissural fiber systems arising in the olfactory cortical areas caudal to the olfactory peduncle (the piriform cortex, nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala, periamygdaloid cortex and entorhinal cortex) have been studied utilizing horseradish peroxidase as both an anterograde and a retrograde axonal tracer. In the piriform cortex two sublaminae within layer II (IIa and IIb) layer III have been found to give rise to distinctly different projections. Retrograde cell labeling experiments indicate that the association fiber projection from layer IIb is predominatnly caudally directed, while the projection from layer III is predominantly rostrally directed. Cells in layer IIa project heavily to areas both caudal and rostral to the piriform cortex. The commissural fibers from the piriform cortex are largely restricted in their origin to layer IIb of the anterior part of the piriform cortex and in their termination on the contralteral side to the posterior part of the piriform cortex and adjacent olfactory cortical areas. A projection to the olfactory bulb has also been found to arise from cells in layers IIb and III of the ipsilateral piriform cortex, but not in layer IIa. In addition to those from the piriform cortex, association projections have also been found from other olfactory cortical areas. The nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract has a heavy bilateral projection to the medial part of the anterior piriform cortex and the lateral part of the olfactory tubercle (as well as a lighter projection to the olfactory bulb); both the anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala and the periamygdaloid cortex project ipsilaterally to several olfactory cortical areas. The entorhinal cortex has been found to project to the medial parts of the olfactory tubercle and the olfactory peduncle. The olfactory tubercle is the only olfactory cortical area from which no association fiber systems (instrinsic or extrinsic) have been found to originate. A broad topographic organization exists in the distribution of the fibers from several of the olfactory areas. This is most obvious in the anterior part of the olfactory cortex, in which fibers from the more rostral areas (the anterior olfactory nucleus and the anterior piriform cortex) terminate in regions near the lateral olfactory tract, while those from more caudal areas (the posterior piriform cortex and the entorhinal cortex) terminate in areas further removed, both laterally and medially, from the tract. Projection to olfactory areas from the hypothalamus, thalamus, diagonal band, and biogenic amine cell groups have been briefly described.", "contents": "Association and commissural fiber systems of the olfactory cortex of the rat. The association and commissural fiber systems arising in the olfactory cortical areas caudal to the olfactory peduncle (the piriform cortex, nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala, periamygdaloid cortex and entorhinal cortex) have been studied utilizing horseradish peroxidase as both an anterograde and a retrograde axonal tracer. In the piriform cortex two sublaminae within layer II (IIa and IIb) layer III have been found to give rise to distinctly different projections. Retrograde cell labeling experiments indicate that the association fiber projection from layer IIb is predominatnly caudally directed, while the projection from layer III is predominantly rostrally directed. Cells in layer IIa project heavily to areas both caudal and rostral to the piriform cortex. The commissural fibers from the piriform cortex are largely restricted in their origin to layer IIb of the anterior part of the piriform cortex and in their termination on the contralteral side to the posterior part of the piriform cortex and adjacent olfactory cortical areas. A projection to the olfactory bulb has also been found to arise from cells in layers IIb and III of the ipsilateral piriform cortex, but not in layer IIa. In addition to those from the piriform cortex, association projections have also been found from other olfactory cortical areas. The nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract has a heavy bilateral projection to the medial part of the anterior piriform cortex and the lateral part of the olfactory tubercle (as well as a lighter projection to the olfactory bulb); both the anterior cortical nucleus of the amygdala and the periamygdaloid cortex project ipsilaterally to several olfactory cortical areas. The entorhinal cortex has been found to project to the medial parts of the olfactory tubercle and the olfactory peduncle. The olfactory tubercle is the only olfactory cortical area from which no association fiber systems (instrinsic or extrinsic) have been found to originate. A broad topographic organization exists in the distribution of the fibers from several of the olfactory areas. This is most obvious in the anterior part of the olfactory cortex, in which fibers from the more rostral areas (the anterior olfactory nucleus and the anterior piriform cortex) terminate in regions near the lateral olfactory tract, while those from more caudal areas (the posterior piriform cortex and the entorhinal cortex) terminate in areas further removed, both laterally and medially, from the tract. Projection to olfactory areas from the hypothalamus, thalamus, diagonal band, and biogenic amine cell groups have been briefly described.", "PMID": 632378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9380", "title": "Comparison of Mauthner cell size in teleosts.", "content": "The Mauthner cells (M-cells) are a pair of neurons found in the medulla oblongata of most fish and amphibians. This neuron is not the same size in all teleosts. Based on the hypothesis that differences in M-cell size might be related to fish family and possibly fish habitat, M-cell and nuclear size were compared between fish families. In order to minimize effects of fish length on cell or nuclear size, statistical treatment of the data was made for four separate length classes. The results indicate at least three groupings by cell or nuclear size. The cell is large in fish from the Salmonidae, Catostomidae and Cyprinidae, small in the Stichaeidae, Cottidae and Pleuronectidae and absent in Batrachoididae, Lophiidae, Ogcocephalidae and Cylopteridae. In general a correlation exists between fish that lack or have small M-cells and a demersal habitat. Since these fish may rely on camouflage for protection against predation, the M-cells may have altered excitability or function as compared to more active fish in which the M-cell is known to function in initiating the startle response (larval zebrafish and goldfish). Differences in input to M-cells of different sizes in conjunction with known electrophysiological properties of the goldfish M-cell are discussed in relation to the function of this neuron.", "contents": "Comparison of Mauthner cell size in teleosts. The Mauthner cells (M-cells) are a pair of neurons found in the medulla oblongata of most fish and amphibians. This neuron is not the same size in all teleosts. Based on the hypothesis that differences in M-cell size might be related to fish family and possibly fish habitat, M-cell and nuclear size were compared between fish families. In order to minimize effects of fish length on cell or nuclear size, statistical treatment of the data was made for four separate length classes. The results indicate at least three groupings by cell or nuclear size. The cell is large in fish from the Salmonidae, Catostomidae and Cyprinidae, small in the Stichaeidae, Cottidae and Pleuronectidae and absent in Batrachoididae, Lophiidae, Ogcocephalidae and Cylopteridae. In general a correlation exists between fish that lack or have small M-cells and a demersal habitat. Since these fish may rely on camouflage for protection against predation, the M-cells may have altered excitability or function as compared to more active fish in which the M-cell is known to function in initiating the startle response (larval zebrafish and goldfish). Differences in input to M-cells of different sizes in conjunction with known electrophysiological properties of the goldfish M-cell are discussed in relation to the function of this neuron.", "PMID": 632379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9381", "title": "The effect of refeeding after neonatal starvation on Purkinje cell dendritic growth in the rat.", "content": "Male rats, undernourished from birth until 30 days by restricting access to the lactating dam, were given ad libitum food supplies unitl 80 days. Body weight, whole brain weight and cerebellar remained significantly lower in these animals than in normally fed controls. Significant deficits in the area of the molecular and granular layers persisted at 80 days, although there was some recovery during the refeeding period. At the same time granule and Purkinje cell density declined, suggesting that the areal recovery was due to the expansion of the interneuronal matrix. Granule cell numbers remained unchanged between 30 and 80 days. Network analysis of Golgi-Cox preparations indicated a 28% decrease in overall size of the Purkinje cell dendritic networks, due primarily to a deficit in segment frequency which remained unchanged throughout the rehabilitation period. Segment length did, however, show some recovery; distal segments from 80-day experimental networks were significantly longer than those of 30-day undernourished animals. The results of the topological analysis suggested that dendritic remodelling had taken place during the rehabilitation period. The failure to observe a complete recovery in the size and morphology of the dendritic network may be explained in terms of recent suggestions that dendritic development is influenced both by the metabolism of the neurons themselves, and by the number and density of adjacent afferent axons. It is suggested that refeeding from 30 days leads to the recovery of Purkinje cell metabolism, but is unable to restore the parallel fiber deficit.", "contents": "The effect of refeeding after neonatal starvation on Purkinje cell dendritic growth in the rat. Male rats, undernourished from birth until 30 days by restricting access to the lactating dam, were given ad libitum food supplies unitl 80 days. Body weight, whole brain weight and cerebellar remained significantly lower in these animals than in normally fed controls. Significant deficits in the area of the molecular and granular layers persisted at 80 days, although there was some recovery during the refeeding period. At the same time granule and Purkinje cell density declined, suggesting that the areal recovery was due to the expansion of the interneuronal matrix. Granule cell numbers remained unchanged between 30 and 80 days. Network analysis of Golgi-Cox preparations indicated a 28% decrease in overall size of the Purkinje cell dendritic networks, due primarily to a deficit in segment frequency which remained unchanged throughout the rehabilitation period. Segment length did, however, show some recovery; distal segments from 80-day experimental networks were significantly longer than those of 30-day undernourished animals. The results of the topological analysis suggested that dendritic remodelling had taken place during the rehabilitation period. The failure to observe a complete recovery in the size and morphology of the dendritic network may be explained in terms of recent suggestions that dendritic development is influenced both by the metabolism of the neurons themselves, and by the number and density of adjacent afferent axons. It is suggested that refeeding from 30 days leads to the recovery of Purkinje cell metabolism, but is unable to restore the parallel fiber deficit.", "PMID": 632380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9382", "title": "Quantitative analysis of the opossum's optic nerve: an electron microscope study.", "content": "An electron microscope examination of the optic nerve of the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis aurita, indicates a total count of 74,7000 fibers of which approximately 20% are unmyelinated. The diameters of myelinated fibers ranged from 0.5-7 mum (mode at 1.25 mum) and those of the unmyelinated fibers ranged from 0.25-2.25 mum (mode at 0.75 mum). Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the nerve. Myelin sheath structure is similar to that described in other species and are formed by 2 to 17 myelin rings (mode at 6). There is a good correlation (r = 0.92) between axon and myelin areas. The relation between myelin thickness and axons diameter shows a wide distribution with a peak at 0.77.", "contents": "Quantitative analysis of the opossum's optic nerve: an electron microscope study. An electron microscope examination of the optic nerve of the opossum, Didelphis marsupialis aurita, indicates a total count of 74,7000 fibers of which approximately 20% are unmyelinated. The diameters of myelinated fibers ranged from 0.5-7 mum (mode at 1.25 mum) and those of the unmyelinated fibers ranged from 0.25-2.25 mum (mode at 0.75 mum). Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the nerve. Myelin sheath structure is similar to that described in other species and are formed by 2 to 17 myelin rings (mode at 6). There is a good correlation (r = 0.92) between axon and myelin areas. The relation between myelin thickness and axons diameter shows a wide distribution with a peak at 0.77.", "PMID": 632381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9383", "title": "The organization of central auditory pathways in a reptile, Iguana iguana.", "content": "The present experiments were designed to trace the central auditory pathways in an extant reptile, the New Worlkd lizard--Iguana iguana, utilizing anterograde axonal degeneration stained by the Fink-Heimer ('67) method and the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (LaVail and LaVail, '74). Beginning with the projections of the auditory portion of the VIIIth nerve, the ascending pathways were traced through successive relay nuclei to the telencephalon. The auditory portion of the VIIIth nerve projects to two nuclei in the dorsomedial medulla-nucleus angularis and nucleus magnocellularis medialis. These two nuclei together with a third cll group, nucleus magnocellularis lateralis (intercalated between nucleus angularis and nucleus magnocellularis medialis), have been referred to as the auditory tubercle in previous studies (cf. Miller, '75). The axonal degeneration following large lesions of the auditory tubercle and small lesions of nucleus angularis demonstrated the second order auditory pathways. Fibers leave nucleus angularis ventrally and travel to the ventral surface of the medulla where they cross the midline and ascend to the midbrain in pathways resembling the trapezoid body and the lateral lemniscus of mammals. Along these pathways, terminal arborizations of some fibers were seen in three lower brainstem nuclei while other fibers ascent to the midbrain and terminate in the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis. Experiments in which horseradish peroxidase injections were made in the torus semicircularis demonstrated that nucleus angularis is a primary source of second order auditory fibers to the midbrain and, in addition, that two of the lower brainstem targets of the auditory tubercle project to the torus semicircularis. These lower brainstem pathways were shown to be associated with the auditory system by electrophysiologically recording sound-evoked responses from clusters of cells in the torus semicircularis. Ascending fibers arising from the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis were followed rostrally where they entered the dorsal thalamus and terminated throughout nucleus medialis. Finally, a thalamotelencephalic auditory pathway was traced from nucleus medialis into the lateral forebrain bundle. Terminations of this pathway from nucleus medialis were seen in the medial dorsal ventricular ridge and in the striatum. It was concluded that the ascending auditory pathways of the iguana bear a remarkable resemblance to both the mammalian and avian auditory pathways from the level of the first order neurons in the VIIIth nerve to the level of the telencephalon. At the same time, there are important specializations of the auditory system in birds and mammals such as the development of particular lower brainstem nuclei. Nevertheless, a basic plan for the organization of the auditory system in terrestrial vertebrates can be recognized which invites comparisons with the vertebrate classes that remained in aquatic habitats...", "contents": "The organization of central auditory pathways in a reptile, Iguana iguana. The present experiments were designed to trace the central auditory pathways in an extant reptile, the New Worlkd lizard--Iguana iguana, utilizing anterograde axonal degeneration stained by the Fink-Heimer ('67) method and the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (LaVail and LaVail, '74). Beginning with the projections of the auditory portion of the VIIIth nerve, the ascending pathways were traced through successive relay nuclei to the telencephalon. The auditory portion of the VIIIth nerve projects to two nuclei in the dorsomedial medulla-nucleus angularis and nucleus magnocellularis medialis. These two nuclei together with a third cll group, nucleus magnocellularis lateralis (intercalated between nucleus angularis and nucleus magnocellularis medialis), have been referred to as the auditory tubercle in previous studies (cf. Miller, '75). The axonal degeneration following large lesions of the auditory tubercle and small lesions of nucleus angularis demonstrated the second order auditory pathways. Fibers leave nucleus angularis ventrally and travel to the ventral surface of the medulla where they cross the midline and ascend to the midbrain in pathways resembling the trapezoid body and the lateral lemniscus of mammals. Along these pathways, terminal arborizations of some fibers were seen in three lower brainstem nuclei while other fibers ascent to the midbrain and terminate in the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis. Experiments in which horseradish peroxidase injections were made in the torus semicircularis demonstrated that nucleus angularis is a primary source of second order auditory fibers to the midbrain and, in addition, that two of the lower brainstem targets of the auditory tubercle project to the torus semicircularis. These lower brainstem pathways were shown to be associated with the auditory system by electrophysiologically recording sound-evoked responses from clusters of cells in the torus semicircularis. Ascending fibers arising from the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis were followed rostrally where they entered the dorsal thalamus and terminated throughout nucleus medialis. Finally, a thalamotelencephalic auditory pathway was traced from nucleus medialis into the lateral forebrain bundle. Terminations of this pathway from nucleus medialis were seen in the medial dorsal ventricular ridge and in the striatum. It was concluded that the ascending auditory pathways of the iguana bear a remarkable resemblance to both the mammalian and avian auditory pathways from the level of the first order neurons in the VIIIth nerve to the level of the telencephalon. At the same time, there are important specializations of the auditory system in birds and mammals such as the development of particular lower brainstem nuclei. Nevertheless, a basic plan for the organization of the auditory system in terrestrial vertebrates can be recognized which invites comparisons with the vertebrate classes that remained in aquatic habitats...", "PMID": 632382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9384", "title": "So-called cellulite: an invented disease.", "content": "The anatomic basis of so-called cellulite, the hormonal basis for the clinical condition, the prevalence of it, the essential normality and inevitability of it in women, the supervention of it in hormonally feminized men, and the near futility of treating the non-disease are explored in this paper.", "contents": "So-called cellulite: an invented disease. The anatomic basis of so-called cellulite, the hormonal basis for the clinical condition, the prevalence of it, the essential normality and inevitability of it in women, the supervention of it in hormonally feminized men, and the near futility of treating the non-disease are explored in this paper.", "PMID": 632386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9385", "title": "Electrosurgery by bipolar modalities.", "content": "Bipolar electrosurgery is efficient for destruction or gross removal of many benign and malignant lesions. Its technique is simple and practicable in a dermatologic office. It requires local anesthesia generally, but is nearly bloodless. Instrumentation and fine points of use are described. Contraindication of use on patients bearing cardiac pacemakers is stressed.", "contents": "Electrosurgery by bipolar modalities. Bipolar electrosurgery is efficient for destruction or gross removal of many benign and malignant lesions. Its technique is simple and practicable in a dermatologic office. It requires local anesthesia generally, but is nearly bloodless. Instrumentation and fine points of use are described. Contraindication of use on patients bearing cardiac pacemakers is stressed.", "PMID": 632388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9386", "title": "Pigmentations of the nails (chromonychia).", "content": "Nails, particularly fingernails, may show signs that are important not only for detection of diseases of the nails themselves, but of diseases of other organs or the system as a whole. Changes of color in nail plates or nail beds sometimes seem to suggest the parts are windows to what is happening in the body. Above all, changes of color in nails that compel investigation for malignant melanoma, the most dread of diseases, are most important.", "contents": "Pigmentations of the nails (chromonychia). Nails, particularly fingernails, may show signs that are important not only for detection of diseases of the nails themselves, but of diseases of other organs or the system as a whole. Changes of color in nail plates or nail beds sometimes seem to suggest the parts are windows to what is happening in the body. Above all, changes of color in nails that compel investigation for malignant melanoma, the most dread of diseases, are most important.", "PMID": 632390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9387", "title": "Lower limb to limb flaps for repair of traumatic ulcers.", "content": "Techniques of advancing flaps to cover traumatic ulcers on legs are described briefly and illustrated in detail. In particular, the advantages of the direct, uncrossed variety are explained and shown.", "contents": "Lower limb to limb flaps for repair of traumatic ulcers. Techniques of advancing flaps to cover traumatic ulcers on legs are described briefly and illustrated in detail. In particular, the advantages of the direct, uncrossed variety are explained and shown.", "PMID": 632395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9388", "title": "Basal-cell carcinomas in the center of the face: special diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic considerations.", "content": "In a review of 848 successive cases of basal-cell carcinomas treated during 1976 in the Chemosurgery Unit of the New York University Medical Center by far most were found on the face and scalp (751/848 = 88.6%), and those in the triangle of the face formed by lines drawn from the outer canthi to the philtrum of the upper lip that includes the nose and its alae accounted for more than one-third of the entire number (316/848 = 37.2%) or two-fifths (316/764 = 41.4%) of those on the head and neck. Further analysis of our data showed the basal-cell carcinomas in the center of the face tended to be more invasive, more destructive, more recurrent, and more difficult to treat than were those in other sites. The reasons for seriousness and difficulty in management of basal-cell carcinomas and special diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic considerations pertaining to them are illustrated by representative case reports.", "contents": "Basal-cell carcinomas in the center of the face: special diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic considerations. In a review of 848 successive cases of basal-cell carcinomas treated during 1976 in the Chemosurgery Unit of the New York University Medical Center by far most were found on the face and scalp (751/848 = 88.6%), and those in the triangle of the face formed by lines drawn from the outer canthi to the philtrum of the upper lip that includes the nose and its alae accounted for more than one-third of the entire number (316/848 = 37.2%) or two-fifths (316/764 = 41.4%) of those on the head and neck. Further analysis of our data showed the basal-cell carcinomas in the center of the face tended to be more invasive, more destructive, more recurrent, and more difficult to treat than were those in other sites. The reasons for seriousness and difficulty in management of basal-cell carcinomas and special diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic considerations pertaining to them are illustrated by representative case reports.", "PMID": 632396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9389", "title": "Treatment of extensive avulsions of skin and subcutaneous tissues.", "content": "This article deals with the treatment of extensive avulsion injuries. Five out of twenty-eight cases of extensive avulsion injuries are presented and illustrated. All of these injuries were caused by machinery or automobile accidents and were encountered in the three-year period from 1972 to 1975. Etiology, pathology, and treatment with mechanical and chemical debridement, porcine skin grafts, fasciotomy, delayed primary closure, stamp or mesh skin grafts, and skin flaps are detailed and discussed.", "contents": "Treatment of extensive avulsions of skin and subcutaneous tissues. This article deals with the treatment of extensive avulsion injuries. Five out of twenty-eight cases of extensive avulsion injuries are presented and illustrated. All of these injuries were caused by machinery or automobile accidents and were encountered in the three-year period from 1972 to 1975. Etiology, pathology, and treatment with mechanical and chemical debridement, porcine skin grafts, fasciotomy, delayed primary closure, stamp or mesh skin grafts, and skin flaps are detailed and discussed.", "PMID": 632397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9390", "title": "The causes and prevention of poor cosmetic results from injection of fluid silicone.", "content": "A 15-year experience with fluid silicone in augmentation of facial tissue while proving that highly desirable cosmetic improvement may be had, has also produced information relative to the cause and prevention of adverse results. The principles of correct technique and the causes of poor cosmetic results are presented. Appropriate graphic illustrations are presented.", "contents": "The causes and prevention of poor cosmetic results from injection of fluid silicone. A 15-year experience with fluid silicone in augmentation of facial tissue while proving that highly desirable cosmetic improvement may be had, has also produced information relative to the cause and prevention of adverse results. The principles of correct technique and the causes of poor cosmetic results are presented. Appropriate graphic illustrations are presented.", "PMID": 632398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9391", "title": "The suppurative keloid.", "content": "There is a type of keloid that tends to suppuration. The causes and mechanisms, symptomatology, and management of suppurative keloids are discussed briefly.", "contents": "The suppurative keloid. There is a type of keloid that tends to suppuration. The causes and mechanisms, symptomatology, and management of suppurative keloids are discussed briefly.", "PMID": 632399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9392", "title": "Coding of information in single auditory-nerve fibers of the goldfish.", "content": "Patterns of activity in single fibers of the saccular branch of the auditory nerve of goldfish were analyzed in response to acoustic stimulation. Neurons were categorized on the basis of differences in spontaneous activity patterns, rates of adaptation, and frequency response areas. The sensitivity and responsiveness of neurons are presented both in terms of impulse rate and synchronization (phase locking). Nonspontaneous neurons fall into two clear frequency response area categories based upon impulse rate criteria. Spontaneously active neurons have continuously distributed frequency response characteristics based upon synchronization criteria. Functions relating impulse rate responsiveness to frequency indicate that frequency is coded only crudely as an across-fiber pattern of impulse rates. Synchronization responsiveness functions show that frequency is coded temporally with the same precision in the goldfish auditory nerve that it is in mammals, at 1000 Hz and below.", "contents": "Coding of information in single auditory-nerve fibers of the goldfish. Patterns of activity in single fibers of the saccular branch of the auditory nerve of goldfish were analyzed in response to acoustic stimulation. Neurons were categorized on the basis of differences in spontaneous activity patterns, rates of adaptation, and frequency response areas. The sensitivity and responsiveness of neurons are presented both in terms of impulse rate and synchronization (phase locking). Nonspontaneous neurons fall into two clear frequency response area categories based upon impulse rate criteria. Spontaneously active neurons have continuously distributed frequency response characteristics based upon synchronization criteria. Functions relating impulse rate responsiveness to frequency indicate that frequency is coded only crudely as an across-fiber pattern of impulse rates. Synchronization responsiveness functions show that frequency is coded temporally with the same precision in the goldfish auditory nerve that it is in mammals, at 1000 Hz and below.", "PMID": 632405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9393", "title": "Threshold and growth of the acoustic reflex.", "content": "Measurements of the threshold and growth function of the acoustic reflex in man were made utilizing a signal-averaging technique. Pure tones (250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) and broadband noise served as the contralateral stimuli delivered at intensity levels from the reflex threshold to 116 dB SPL. The acoustic conductance and susceptance components of admittance, at 220 and 660 Hz, were used to measure the reflex activity. The results are reported as changes in conductance, susceptance, and admittance in cgs mmho. The acoustic reflex thresholds were similar to those reported in other studies, with the 220-Hz probe yielding thresholds that averaged 3.5 dB higher than those obtained with the 660-Hz probe. Broadband noise and 1000-Hz stimuli produced the largest reflex magnitudes, while the smallest were observed with 250- and 4000-Hz signals. The dynamic ranges of the restricted growth functions were frequency dependent for pure tones and ranged from greater than 16 dB with 250 Hz to greater than 28 dB with 1000 Hz, while that for noise was greater than 50 dB. The first derivative of the best-fit third-degree polynomial was used to describe the slope characteristics of the growth functions, in which frequency and intensity effects were found. Relationships between the acoustic reflex and tympanometry were observed and are also discussed.", "contents": "Threshold and growth of the acoustic reflex. Measurements of the threshold and growth function of the acoustic reflex in man were made utilizing a signal-averaging technique. Pure tones (250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) and broadband noise served as the contralateral stimuli delivered at intensity levels from the reflex threshold to 116 dB SPL. The acoustic conductance and susceptance components of admittance, at 220 and 660 Hz, were used to measure the reflex activity. The results are reported as changes in conductance, susceptance, and admittance in cgs mmho. The acoustic reflex thresholds were similar to those reported in other studies, with the 220-Hz probe yielding thresholds that averaged 3.5 dB higher than those obtained with the 660-Hz probe. Broadband noise and 1000-Hz stimuli produced the largest reflex magnitudes, while the smallest were observed with 250- and 4000-Hz signals. The dynamic ranges of the restricted growth functions were frequency dependent for pure tones and ranged from greater than 16 dB with 250 Hz to greater than 28 dB with 1000 Hz, while that for noise was greater than 50 dB. The first derivative of the best-fit third-degree polynomial was used to describe the slope characteristics of the growth functions, in which frequency and intensity effects were found. Relationships between the acoustic reflex and tympanometry were observed and are also discussed.", "PMID": 632406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9394", "title": "Lateralization by frequency for repeating sequences of dichotic 400- and 800-Hz tones.", "content": "Subjects made lateralization judgments involving dichotic sequences of 250-ms tones, which alternated in frequency between 400 and 800 Hz, such that when one ear received 400 Hz the other ear received 800 Hz, and vice versa. With sequences consisting of 20 dichotic tone pairs there was a strong tendency to lateralize each fused tonal percept toward the ear receiving the 800-Hz signal. In certain subjects the effect also occurred even when the 800-Hz tone was substantially lower in amplitude than the 400-Hz tone, and when it was clearly lesser in loudness. However, with sequences consisting of only two dichotic tone pairs, this lateralization-by-frequency effect was substantially weaker.", "contents": "Lateralization by frequency for repeating sequences of dichotic 400- and 800-Hz tones. Subjects made lateralization judgments involving dichotic sequences of 250-ms tones, which alternated in frequency between 400 and 800 Hz, such that when one ear received 400 Hz the other ear received 800 Hz, and vice versa. With sequences consisting of 20 dichotic tone pairs there was a strong tendency to lateralize each fused tonal percept toward the ear receiving the 800-Hz signal. In certain subjects the effect also occurred even when the 800-Hz tone was substantially lower in amplitude than the 400-Hz tone, and when it was clearly lesser in loudness. However, with sequences consisting of only two dichotic tone pairs, this lateralization-by-frequency effect was substantially weaker.", "PMID": 632409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9395", "title": "Influence of the precedence effect on word identification by normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects.", "content": "The influence of the precedence effect on word identification was investigated binaurally and monaurally with normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects. The Modified Rhyme Test was processed through a PDP-12 computer to produce delay times of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 160 ms. The sounds were reproduced in a room by two loudspeakers positioned at +/-30 degrees azimuths in front of a subject at 50 dB SPL for normals and at the most comfortable level for impaireds. A babble of eight voices was added to reduce scores about 15% from the best values measured in quiet. Binaural and monaural word identification remained constant over a range of delays from 0 to 20 ms and declined for longer delays for both groups of subjects. The shapes of the word-identification curves were explained by self-masking (an overlap of consonants with their own repetitions) and masking (an overlap of consonants with preceding vowels or preceding and following words in sentence). Binaural responses for ten selected initial and final consonants showed various patterns of perception with delay. Some hearing impaireds showed more deterioration in word identification than others which might indicate that they experience more perceptual difficulties than normal listeners in places with reverberation or sound amplification.", "contents": "Influence of the precedence effect on word identification by normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects. The influence of the precedence effect on word identification was investigated binaurally and monaurally with normally hearing and hearing-impaired subjects. The Modified Rhyme Test was processed through a PDP-12 computer to produce delay times of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 160 ms. The sounds were reproduced in a room by two loudspeakers positioned at +/-30 degrees azimuths in front of a subject at 50 dB SPL for normals and at the most comfortable level for impaireds. A babble of eight voices was added to reduce scores about 15% from the best values measured in quiet. Binaural and monaural word identification remained constant over a range of delays from 0 to 20 ms and declined for longer delays for both groups of subjects. The shapes of the word-identification curves were explained by self-masking (an overlap of consonants with their own repetitions) and masking (an overlap of consonants with preceding vowels or preceding and following words in sentence). Binaural responses for ten selected initial and final consonants showed various patterns of perception with delay. Some hearing impaireds showed more deterioration in word identification than others which might indicate that they experience more perceptual difficulties than normal listeners in places with reverberation or sound amplification.", "PMID": 632410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9396", "title": "Decoupling of auditory pitch and stimulus frequency: the Shepard demonstration revisited.", "content": "With ten successive octave tones, Shepard demonstrated that upward shifts in frequency might be heard as downward shifts in pitch. This decoupling of auditory pitch and frequency has important consequences for any representational theory of pitch. Experiments are reported that attempt to identify the crucial features of Shepard's demonstration.", "contents": "Decoupling of auditory pitch and stimulus frequency: the Shepard demonstration revisited. With ten successive octave tones, Shepard demonstrated that upward shifts in frequency might be heard as downward shifts in pitch. This decoupling of auditory pitch and frequency has important consequences for any representational theory of pitch. Experiments are reported that attempt to identify the crucial features of Shepard's demonstration.", "PMID": 632412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9397", "title": "The typical noise: first step in the development of a short procedure for estimating performance of hearing protectors.", "content": "An exact measurement of the effectiveness of a hearing protector requires the determination of how well it works in the specific noise in which it is to be worn. As a practical matter, though, people do not generally remain in a single noise spectrum throughout a working career or even throughout a working day, so it does not matter so much that most measurers are not likely to be equipped to perform spectrum analyses. Other techniques for judging earplugs and earmuffs are obviously necessary. Previous research has tried to find the average attenuation given by a particular device in several (or many) noises, or it has tried to deal with the attenuation given in noises given with particular C-minus-A values. In this paper, a procedure is developed for compressing these multiple-spectra calculations into a single-spectrum computation that proves to be at least as accurate as the more complex methods.", "contents": "The typical noise: first step in the development of a short procedure for estimating performance of hearing protectors. An exact measurement of the effectiveness of a hearing protector requires the determination of how well it works in the specific noise in which it is to be worn. As a practical matter, though, people do not generally remain in a single noise spectrum throughout a working career or even throughout a working day, so it does not matter so much that most measurers are not likely to be equipped to perform spectrum analyses. Other techniques for judging earplugs and earmuffs are obviously necessary. Previous research has tried to find the average attenuation given by a particular device in several (or many) noises, or it has tried to deal with the attenuation given in noises given with particular C-minus-A values. In this paper, a procedure is developed for compressing these multiple-spectra calculations into a single-spectrum computation that proves to be at least as accurate as the more complex methods.", "PMID": 632413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9398", "title": "Correlation analysis of the physiological factors controlling fundamental voice frequency.", "content": "A technique has been developed to obtain a quantitative measure of correlation between electromyographic (EMG) activity of various laryngeal muscles, subglottal air pressure, and the fundamental frequency of vibration of the vocal folds (Fo). Data were collected and analyzed on one subject, a native speaker of American English. The results show that an analysis of this type can provide a useful measure of correlation between the physiological and acoustical events in speech and, furthermore, can yield detailed insights into the organization and nature of the speech production process. In particular, based on these results, a model is suggested of Fo control involving laryngeal state functions that seems to agree with present knowledge of laryngeal control and experimental evidence.", "contents": "Correlation analysis of the physiological factors controlling fundamental voice frequency. A technique has been developed to obtain a quantitative measure of correlation between electromyographic (EMG) activity of various laryngeal muscles, subglottal air pressure, and the fundamental frequency of vibration of the vocal folds (Fo). Data were collected and analyzed on one subject, a native speaker of American English. The results show that an analysis of this type can provide a useful measure of correlation between the physiological and acoustical events in speech and, furthermore, can yield detailed insights into the organization and nature of the speech production process. In particular, based on these results, a model is suggested of Fo control involving laryngeal state functions that seems to agree with present knowledge of laryngeal control and experimental evidence.", "PMID": 632414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9399", "title": "Effect of speaking rate on vowel formant movements.", "content": "The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of changes in speaking rate on both the attainment of acoustic vowel targets and the relative time and speed of movements toward these presumed targets. Four speakers produced a number of different CVC and CVCVC utterances at slow and fast speaking rates. Spectrographic measurements showed that the midpoint format frequencies of the different vowels did not vary as a function of rate. However, for fast speech the onset frequencies of second formant transitions were closer to their target frequencies while CV transition rates remained essentially unchanged, indicating that movement toward the vowel simply began earlier for fast speech. Changes in both speaking rate and lexical stress had different effects. For stressed vowels, an increase in speaking rate was accompanied primarily by a decrease in duration. However, destressed vowels, even if they were of the same duration as quickly produced stressed vowels, were reduced in overall amplitude, fundamental frequency, and to some extent, vowel color. These results suggest that speaking rate and lexical stress are controlled by two different mechanisms.", "contents": "Effect of speaking rate on vowel formant movements. The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of changes in speaking rate on both the attainment of acoustic vowel targets and the relative time and speed of movements toward these presumed targets. Four speakers produced a number of different CVC and CVCVC utterances at slow and fast speaking rates. Spectrographic measurements showed that the midpoint format frequencies of the different vowels did not vary as a function of rate. However, for fast speech the onset frequencies of second formant transitions were closer to their target frequencies while CV transition rates remained essentially unchanged, indicating that movement toward the vowel simply began earlier for fast speech. Changes in both speaking rate and lexical stress had different effects. For stressed vowels, an increase in speaking rate was accompanied primarily by a decrease in duration. However, destressed vowels, even if they were of the same duration as quickly produced stressed vowels, were reduced in overall amplitude, fundamental frequency, and to some extent, vowel color. These results suggest that speaking rate and lexical stress are controlled by two different mechanisms.", "PMID": 632415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9400", "title": "Investigating the MESA (multipoint electrotactile speech aid): the transmission of segmental features of speech.", "content": "Four normal-hearing young adults have been extensively trained in the use of a tactile speech-transmission system. Subjects were tested in the recognition of various phonetic elements including vowels, and stop, nasal, and fricative consonants under three receiving conditions; visual reception alone (lipreading), tactile reception alone, and tactile plus visual reception. Subjects were artificially deafened using earplugs and white noise and all speech tokens were presented live voice. Analysis of the data demonstrates that the tactile transform enables receivers to achieve excellent recognition of vowels in CVC context and the consonantal features of voicing and nasality. This, in combination with high recognition of vowels and the consonantal feature place of articulation through visual receptors, leads to recognition performance in the combined condition (visual plus tactual) which far exceeds either reception condition in isolation.", "contents": "Investigating the MESA (multipoint electrotactile speech aid): the transmission of segmental features of speech. Four normal-hearing young adults have been extensively trained in the use of a tactile speech-transmission system. Subjects were tested in the recognition of various phonetic elements including vowels, and stop, nasal, and fricative consonants under three receiving conditions; visual reception alone (lipreading), tactile reception alone, and tactile plus visual reception. Subjects were artificially deafened using earplugs and white noise and all speech tokens were presented live voice. Analysis of the data demonstrates that the tactile transform enables receivers to achieve excellent recognition of vowels in CVC context and the consonantal features of voicing and nasality. This, in combination with high recognition of vowels and the consonantal feature place of articulation through visual receptors, leads to recognition performance in the combined condition (visual plus tactual) which far exceeds either reception condition in isolation.", "PMID": 632417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9401", "title": "Mathematical predictions of electroacoustic frequency response of in situ hearing aids.", "content": "The amplitude spectrum of an acoustic signal presented to the microphone of a hearing aid is altered drastically before it finally reaches the user's eardrum. A major part of this alteration is due to the interaction of various mechanical and acoustic resonances which are characteristic of the hearing-aid receiver and the sound transmission system linking the receiver with the eardrum. Because of the complexity of this phenomenon, there is yet no means for predicting, a priori, the true shape of the sound spectrum that will occur at the user's eardrum. This paper reports on the development and testing of just such a scheme. The accuracy of this scheme--a computer-aided mathematical technique--is measured in the laboratory on real and artificial ears. The results of those measurements show good agreement between experimental and computer-generated data below 5000 Hz.", "contents": "Mathematical predictions of electroacoustic frequency response of in situ hearing aids. The amplitude spectrum of an acoustic signal presented to the microphone of a hearing aid is altered drastically before it finally reaches the user's eardrum. A major part of this alteration is due to the interaction of various mechanical and acoustic resonances which are characteristic of the hearing-aid receiver and the sound transmission system linking the receiver with the eardrum. Because of the complexity of this phenomenon, there is yet no means for predicting, a priori, the true shape of the sound spectrum that will occur at the user's eardrum. This paper reports on the development and testing of just such a scheme. The accuracy of this scheme--a computer-aided mathematical technique--is measured in the laboratory on real and artificial ears. The results of those measurements show good agreement between experimental and computer-generated data below 5000 Hz.", "PMID": 632418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9402", "title": "Noncombination of pitch and loudness in multidimensional scaling.", "content": "Carvellas and Schneider [J. Acoust. Soc. Am 51, 1839--1848 (1972)], using magnitude estimates of the dissimilarity of sinusoidal tones in a multidimensional scaling program, found that their data fit a city-block and a Euclidean metric equally well, but other research has indicated that subjects do not combine dimensions of sinusoidal tones to arrive at an overall estimate of stimulus similarity. Yet multidimensional scaling seems to require subjects to combine dimensions of similarity. In this leter a model is put forward to demonstrate that subjects need not combine dimensions directly in order to generate dissimilarity judgments that are very close to either the city-block or Euclidean metrics. Thus it is possible that while subjects do not combine the dimensions perceptually they can adopt a cognitive strategy that leads one to believe they do.", "contents": "Noncombination of pitch and loudness in multidimensional scaling. Carvellas and Schneider [J. Acoust. Soc. Am 51, 1839--1848 (1972)], using magnitude estimates of the dissimilarity of sinusoidal tones in a multidimensional scaling program, found that their data fit a city-block and a Euclidean metric equally well, but other research has indicated that subjects do not combine dimensions of sinusoidal tones to arrive at an overall estimate of stimulus similarity. Yet multidimensional scaling seems to require subjects to combine dimensions of similarity. In this leter a model is put forward to demonstrate that subjects need not combine dimensions directly in order to generate dissimilarity judgments that are very close to either the city-block or Euclidean metrics. Thus it is possible that while subjects do not combine the dimensions perceptually they can adopt a cognitive strategy that leads one to believe they do.", "PMID": 632419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9403", "title": "Frequency discrimination for pulsed versus modulated tones.", "content": "Estimates of frequency discrimination for pulsed modulated tones were obtained by 11 observers at 350, 500, 1000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. At low frequencies, frequency DL's are larger for modulated than for pulsed tones; at 8000 Hz the contrary was found. Frequency DL's (difference limens) determined by different methods and procedures differed by a factor up to four; extreme individual frequency DL's, however, by a factor up to 27.", "contents": "Frequency discrimination for pulsed versus modulated tones. Estimates of frequency discrimination for pulsed modulated tones were obtained by 11 observers at 350, 500, 1000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. At low frequencies, frequency DL's are larger for modulated than for pulsed tones; at 8000 Hz the contrary was found. Frequency DL's (difference limens) determined by different methods and procedures differed by a factor up to four; extreme individual frequency DL's, however, by a factor up to 27.", "PMID": 632420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9404", "title": "An application of a multitrait-multimethod test to validity data of a social learning treatment for aggressive children.", "content": "Campbell and Fiske's (1959) multitrait-multimethod matrix was applied to data from two independent social learning measures designed to evaluate procedures used to aid aggressive children. Six parallel or like-named variables--noncomplying, crying, whining, negativism, destructiveness, and yelling--from both a home observation assessment system and a parent telephone data system were used. The data from 47 cases indicated that the categories of whining, crying, and destructiveness demonstrated significant convergent validity, but only whining demonstrated discriminant validity. The situation-specific versus cross-situational consistency aspects of the behaviors studied, and the implications for future research, were discussed.", "contents": "An application of a multitrait-multimethod test to validity data of a social learning treatment for aggressive children. Campbell and Fiske's (1959) multitrait-multimethod matrix was applied to data from two independent social learning measures designed to evaluate procedures used to aid aggressive children. Six parallel or like-named variables--noncomplying, crying, whining, negativism, destructiveness, and yelling--from both a home observation assessment system and a parent telephone data system were used. The data from 47 cases indicated that the categories of whining, crying, and destructiveness demonstrated significant convergent validity, but only whining demonstrated discriminant validity. The situation-specific versus cross-situational consistency aspects of the behaviors studied, and the implications for future research, were discussed.", "PMID": 632449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9405", "title": "CPQ validity: the relationship between children's personality questionnaire scores and teacher ratings.", "content": "Scores on the Children's Personality Questionnaire (CPQ) were correlated with scores from rating scale items selected by a panel of raters measuring the same behavior as a CPQ scale. Data were obtained on a normal sample of school children in grades three to six and on two referred groups, underachievers and children with behavior or social problems. The teachers of the children were asked to complete two rating scales on each child. Correlations between rating scale scores and CPQ scores suggest that, in general, the CPQ does not measure the traits it purports to measure.", "contents": "CPQ validity: the relationship between children's personality questionnaire scores and teacher ratings. Scores on the Children's Personality Questionnaire (CPQ) were correlated with scores from rating scale items selected by a panel of raters measuring the same behavior as a CPQ scale. Data were obtained on a normal sample of school children in grades three to six and on two referred groups, underachievers and children with behavior or social problems. The teachers of the children were asked to complete two rating scales on each child. Correlations between rating scale scores and CPQ scores suggest that, in general, the CPQ does not measure the traits it purports to measure.", "PMID": 632450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9406", "title": "School adjustment of children with observable disabilities.", "content": "This study investigated school behavior and achievement of children with mild degrees of observable physical disability. Children from two different disability types (cleft palate and cerebral palsy) were compared with each other and to a control group in order to determine potential similarities across disability types. Children (N = 78) from each of the two disability groups were individually matched to each other and to a normal control group (N = 39) by sex, IQ, socioeconomic status, age, and grade. They were compared on the basis of teachers' behavioral ratings and achievement test scores. All children attended regular public school classrooms. The two disability groups displayed significantly greater inhibition of impulse and lower educational achievement than did the controls. The implication of similar school adjustment across mild but observable subtypes is discussed.", "contents": "School adjustment of children with observable disabilities. This study investigated school behavior and achievement of children with mild degrees of observable physical disability. Children from two different disability types (cleft palate and cerebral palsy) were compared with each other and to a control group in order to determine potential similarities across disability types. Children (N = 78) from each of the two disability groups were individually matched to each other and to a normal control group (N = 39) by sex, IQ, socioeconomic status, age, and grade. They were compared on the basis of teachers' behavioral ratings and achievement test scores. All children attended regular public school classrooms. The two disability groups displayed significantly greater inhibition of impulse and lower educational achievement than did the controls. The implication of similar school adjustment across mild but observable subtypes is discussed.", "PMID": 632451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9407", "title": "Psychometric characteristics and norms for disadvantaged third and fourth grade children on the state-trait anxiety inventory for children.", "content": "The STAIC was administered to 1,522 third and fourth grade Black disadvantaged children from a large metropolitan school district. Although A-State scores were equivalent to the original normative sample. A-Trait levels for boys and girls were found to be higher. Similar alpha coefficients were observed for the A-State scale; the A-Trait scale yielded slightly lower alpha coefficients than the original sample. Norms for the STAIC scales were extended to the third grade level. The small differences between the present study and the original normative study were attributed to differences in population. The STAIC provides a valid and reliable means to measure trait and state anxiety in children of elementary school age.", "contents": "Psychometric characteristics and norms for disadvantaged third and fourth grade children on the state-trait anxiety inventory for children. The STAIC was administered to 1,522 third and fourth grade Black disadvantaged children from a large metropolitan school district. Although A-State scores were equivalent to the original normative sample. A-Trait levels for boys and girls were found to be higher. Similar alpha coefficients were observed for the A-State scale; the A-Trait scale yielded slightly lower alpha coefficients than the original sample. Norms for the STAIC scales were extended to the third grade level. The small differences between the present study and the original normative study were attributed to differences in population. The STAIC provides a valid and reliable means to measure trait and state anxiety in children of elementary school age.", "PMID": 632452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9408", "title": "Neuropsychological significance of variations in patterns of academic performance: verbal and visual-spatial abilities.", "content": "Forty-five 9- to 14-year-old children with learning disabilties whose WISC Full Scale IQs fell within the range of 86-114 were divided into three groups on the basis of their patterns of reading, spelling, and arithmetic achievement. Group 1 was composed of children who were uniformly deficient in reading, spelling, and arithmetic; children in Group 2 were relatively adept at arithmetic as compared to their performance in reading and spelling; Group 3 was composed of children whose reading and spelling performances were average or above, but whose arithmetic performance was relatively deficient. The performances of these children on 16 dependent measures were compared. The performances of Groups 1 and 2 were superior to that of Group 3 on measures of visual-perceptual and visual-spatial abilities; Group 3 performed at a superior level to that of Groups 1 and 2 on measures of verbal and auditory-perceptual abilities. The results are discussed in terms of the relationships between varying patterns of academic abilities and patterns of brain-related behaviors, and the nature of the neuropsychological abilities that may limit performance on arithmetic calculation tasks.", "contents": "Neuropsychological significance of variations in patterns of academic performance: verbal and visual-spatial abilities. Forty-five 9- to 14-year-old children with learning disabilties whose WISC Full Scale IQs fell within the range of 86-114 were divided into three groups on the basis of their patterns of reading, spelling, and arithmetic achievement. Group 1 was composed of children who were uniformly deficient in reading, spelling, and arithmetic; children in Group 2 were relatively adept at arithmetic as compared to their performance in reading and spelling; Group 3 was composed of children whose reading and spelling performances were average or above, but whose arithmetic performance was relatively deficient. The performances of these children on 16 dependent measures were compared. The performances of Groups 1 and 2 were superior to that of Group 3 on measures of visual-perceptual and visual-spatial abilities; Group 3 performed at a superior level to that of Groups 1 and 2 on measures of verbal and auditory-perceptual abilities. The results are discussed in terms of the relationships between varying patterns of academic abilities and patterns of brain-related behaviors, and the nature of the neuropsychological abilities that may limit performance on arithmetic calculation tasks.", "PMID": 632453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9409", "title": "Pupillary and heart rate reactivity in children with minimal brain dysfunction.", "content": "This study attempted to replicate and extend previous findings on autonomic arousal and responsivity in children with diagnoses of minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). Pupil size, heart rate, skin conductance, and skin temperature were recorded from 32 MBD and 45 control children during a session that included presentation of visual stimuli, simple reaction time (RT), a cold pressor procedure, and rest periods. The MBD children were tested both off and on clinical dosages of stimulant drugs in a crossover design. Evidence of higher than normal arousal levels in the unmedicated MBD Ss was obtained from resting skin conductance and, more tenuously, from pupil size. Lower phasic responsivity in the MBD children was evidenced by slower RT, less cardiac deceleration to both light and RT stimuli, and smaller pupil dilation to the RT stimuli. Spontaneous pupillary constrictions during \"rest\" periods, presumably indicating drowsiness, were observed about equally in MBD and control children. Stimulant drugs raised arousal levels but did not reverse the responsivity deficits. The lower phasic reactivity in the MBD group and the effects of stimulant drugs on arousal indices confirm earlier reports. The finding of higher arousal in drug-free MBD children is incompatible with the low arousal hypothesis of MBD but is consistent with a previous report of the effects of a stimulating environment on these children.", "contents": "Pupillary and heart rate reactivity in children with minimal brain dysfunction. This study attempted to replicate and extend previous findings on autonomic arousal and responsivity in children with diagnoses of minimal brain dysfunction (MBD). Pupil size, heart rate, skin conductance, and skin temperature were recorded from 32 MBD and 45 control children during a session that included presentation of visual stimuli, simple reaction time (RT), a cold pressor procedure, and rest periods. The MBD children were tested both off and on clinical dosages of stimulant drugs in a crossover design. Evidence of higher than normal arousal levels in the unmedicated MBD Ss was obtained from resting skin conductance and, more tenuously, from pupil size. Lower phasic responsivity in the MBD children was evidenced by slower RT, less cardiac deceleration to both light and RT stimuli, and smaller pupil dilation to the RT stimuli. Spontaneous pupillary constrictions during \"rest\" periods, presumably indicating drowsiness, were observed about equally in MBD and control children. Stimulant drugs raised arousal levels but did not reverse the responsivity deficits. The lower phasic reactivity in the MBD group and the effects of stimulant drugs on arousal indices confirm earlier reports. The finding of higher arousal in drug-free MBD children is incompatible with the low arousal hypothesis of MBD but is consistent with a previous report of the effects of a stimulating environment on these children.", "PMID": 632454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9410", "title": "Effects of methylphenidate alone and in combination with behavior modification procedures on the behavior and academic performance of hyperactive children.", "content": "Twenty hyperactive 6- to 9-year-old children of normal intelligence were studied in a half-day laboratory classroom in a 2-week period baseline-treatment-reversal design for behavior modification. Under double-blind conditions half the children were placed on .3 mg/kg of Ritalin and half on placebo for the entire program. The classroom program consisted of a group period with immediate reinforcement possible, and an individual time period without immediate reinforcement possible. Behavior modification caused a significant decrease in nonattending, out-of-seat, inappropriate vocalizing and inappropriate peer interaction behavior in the group period. Fidgeting, a nontargeted behavior, was not significantly decreased during this period but did significantly decrease as a result of medication. No other drug effects occurred during this period. During the individual period, the results were essentially reversed. There were no significant behavior modification effects observed. Significant reductions resulted from medication in all behaviors except out-of-seat and fidgeting. Behavior modification alone significantly affected the two academic measures. No signigicant effects were seen on the Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale. No significant interactions were noted between medication and behavior modification.", "contents": "Effects of methylphenidate alone and in combination with behavior modification procedures on the behavior and academic performance of hyperactive children. Twenty hyperactive 6- to 9-year-old children of normal intelligence were studied in a half-day laboratory classroom in a 2-week period baseline-treatment-reversal design for behavior modification. Under double-blind conditions half the children were placed on .3 mg/kg of Ritalin and half on placebo for the entire program. The classroom program consisted of a group period with immediate reinforcement possible, and an individual time period without immediate reinforcement possible. Behavior modification caused a significant decrease in nonattending, out-of-seat, inappropriate vocalizing and inappropriate peer interaction behavior in the group period. Fidgeting, a nontargeted behavior, was not significantly decreased during this period but did significantly decrease as a result of medication. No other drug effects occurred during this period. During the individual period, the results were essentially reversed. There were no significant behavior modification effects observed. Significant reductions resulted from medication in all behaviors except out-of-seat and fidgeting. Behavior modification alone significantly affected the two academic measures. No signigicant effects were seen on the Conners Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale. No significant interactions were noted between medication and behavior modification.", "PMID": 632455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9411", "title": "Span of apprehension in hyperactive boys.", "content": "The spans of apprehension of hyperactive and normal boys were compared with a forced-choice letter-recognition task developed by Estes (1965). This task provides an estimate of the span which is relatively insensitive to either memory or motivational influences. The span size was the same for both groups when visual \"noise\" was absent. In the presence of noise, span size for the hyperactive boys decrease. Moreover, as the number of noise letters increased, the reduction in span size observed for the hyperactive boys increased. It is argued that this increasing reduction in span size represents a true deficit in attention.", "contents": "Span of apprehension in hyperactive boys. The spans of apprehension of hyperactive and normal boys were compared with a forced-choice letter-recognition task developed by Estes (1965). This task provides an estimate of the span which is relatively insensitive to either memory or motivational influences. The span size was the same for both groups when visual \"noise\" was absent. In the presence of noise, span size for the hyperactive boys decrease. Moreover, as the number of noise letters increased, the reduction in span size observed for the hyperactive boys increased. It is argued that this increasing reduction in span size represents a true deficit in attention.", "PMID": 632456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9412", "title": "Dextroamphetamine and placebo practice effects on selective attention in hyperactive children.", "content": "Three groups of boys referred to a hospital study unit for evaluation of hyperactive behavior were tested on a classification task involving selective attention while on either dextroamphetamine (D) or placebo (P). In two sessions, groups had D first, P second (DP), or PD, or PP. Amphetamine reduces a response times in general and reduces interference due to orthogonally varying irrelevant information. Practice while on placebo improves performance in a subsequent placebo session. Practice while on amphetamine does not, however, improve performance in the subsequent session on placebo. Assessment of the extent of the drug-state-related practice effect is necessary for evaluation of long-term benefits of dextroamphetamine therapy in these children.", "contents": "Dextroamphetamine and placebo practice effects on selective attention in hyperactive children. Three groups of boys referred to a hospital study unit for evaluation of hyperactive behavior were tested on a classification task involving selective attention while on either dextroamphetamine (D) or placebo (P). In two sessions, groups had D first, P second (DP), or PD, or PP. Amphetamine reduces a response times in general and reduces interference due to orthogonally varying irrelevant information. Practice while on placebo improves performance in a subsequent placebo session. Practice while on amphetamine does not, however, improve performance in the subsequent session on placebo. Assessment of the extent of the drug-state-related practice effect is necessary for evaluation of long-term benefits of dextroamphetamine therapy in these children.", "PMID": 632457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9413", "title": "Continuities in maternal reports and child behaviors over time in hyperactive and comparison groups.", "content": "Maternal reports, observations of nursery and elementary school behavior, and teacher ratings of problems were available for hyperactive and control children who had participated in a longitudinal study. This paper examines consistencies in maternal reports and child behaviors over time, and their relationship to teacher ratings in elementary school. Maternal reports of infant sleep difficulties were related to maternal ratings of hyperactivity at 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 years. Maternal ratings of activity at 4 1/2 were predictive of 6 1/2-year ratings of hyperactivity and conduct problems. In addition, behavior in a research nursery at 4 1/2 predicted teacher ratings of problems and classroom behavior in grade two. Hyperactive preschoolers who left the table most during structured activities were more often out-of-seat and off-task in school. Controls who were more aggressive in the nursery were more disruptive in the classroom. These data indicate continuities in both maternal reports and child behaviors.", "contents": "Continuities in maternal reports and child behaviors over time in hyperactive and comparison groups. Maternal reports, observations of nursery and elementary school behavior, and teacher ratings of problems were available for hyperactive and control children who had participated in a longitudinal study. This paper examines consistencies in maternal reports and child behaviors over time, and their relationship to teacher ratings in elementary school. Maternal reports of infant sleep difficulties were related to maternal ratings of hyperactivity at 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 years. Maternal ratings of activity at 4 1/2 were predictive of 6 1/2-year ratings of hyperactivity and conduct problems. In addition, behavior in a research nursery at 4 1/2 predicted teacher ratings of problems and classroom behavior in grade two. Hyperactive preschoolers who left the table most during structured activities were more often out-of-seat and off-task in school. Controls who were more aggressive in the nursery were more disruptive in the classroom. These data indicate continuities in both maternal reports and child behaviors.", "PMID": 632458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9414", "title": "Formal and informal classroom settings: effects on hyperactivity.", "content": "The behavior of hyperactive children was compared to controls in two different classroom settings. One setting (Informal) involved choice and variety of tasks; the other setting (Formal) involved teacher specification of a small number of tasks. As assessed by a composite observational measure of hyperactivity, there were significant differences between the hyperactive and control groups in the Formal but not in the Informal setting. Analyses of five individual categories of hyperactive behavior showed that, with one exception, the hyperactive group tended to display higher frequencies of behavior than did controls in both settings. For two of the categories, the difference between the groups was significantly larger in the Formal than in the Informal setting. Finally, a modified observational code was suggested that differentiated hyperactives from controls equally in the two settings.", "contents": "Formal and informal classroom settings: effects on hyperactivity. The behavior of hyperactive children was compared to controls in two different classroom settings. One setting (Informal) involved choice and variety of tasks; the other setting (Formal) involved teacher specification of a small number of tasks. As assessed by a composite observational measure of hyperactivity, there were significant differences between the hyperactive and control groups in the Formal but not in the Informal setting. Analyses of five individual categories of hyperactive behavior showed that, with one exception, the hyperactive group tended to display higher frequencies of behavior than did controls in both settings. For two of the categories, the difference between the groups was significantly larger in the Formal than in the Informal setting. Finally, a modified observational code was suggested that differentiated hyperactives from controls equally in the two settings.", "PMID": 632459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9415", "title": "The reaction of adolescent offenders and nonoffenders to nonverbal emotion displays.", "content": "Adolescent male offenders and nonoffenders were compared on two tasks designed to assess reactions to the nonverbal emotion expressions of others. It was found that the offender group was less accurate in labeling another's emotion states but that this difference was apparently a function of verbal intelligence. Further, the results of the second task, a task not related to verbal intelligence, indicated that the punitive decisions of both the offender and nonoffender groups were similarly affected by the actors' nonverbal emotions. These results wree discussed as indicating that much of the social insensitivity often ascribed to delinquents may simply be a result of impoverished verbal skills among this group. A deficit in verbal skills may preclude delinquents from adequately describing their perceptions of the emotional reactions of others and it may also necessitate a nonverbal, rather than verbal, reaction to others' emotions.", "contents": "The reaction of adolescent offenders and nonoffenders to nonverbal emotion displays. Adolescent male offenders and nonoffenders were compared on two tasks designed to assess reactions to the nonverbal emotion expressions of others. It was found that the offender group was less accurate in labeling another's emotion states but that this difference was apparently a function of verbal intelligence. Further, the results of the second task, a task not related to verbal intelligence, indicated that the punitive decisions of both the offender and nonoffender groups were similarly affected by the actors' nonverbal emotions. These results wree discussed as indicating that much of the social insensitivity often ascribed to delinquents may simply be a result of impoverished verbal skills among this group. A deficit in verbal skills may preclude delinquents from adequately describing their perceptions of the emotional reactions of others and it may also necessitate a nonverbal, rather than verbal, reaction to others' emotions.", "PMID": 632460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9416", "title": "The children of Mexican-American migrant workers: a population at risk?", "content": "The present study assessed intellectual, academic, and emotional strengths and weaknesses for a group of Mexican-American children of migrant farm workers. In order to test the vulnerability hypothesis, the test profiles of these children were contrasted with those of two groups of black children with similar demographic makeup. The children of one group (Clinical Black) had been referred previously for a psychological consultation while the children of the other (Nonreferred Black) had not. Across dependent measures, between-groups contrasts tended to describe the scores of the Migrant children as similar to those of the Clinical Black children and significantly below those of the Nonreferred Black children. The findings suggested specific intellectual, academic, and emotional vulnerabilities of the Migrant children and demonstrated the need to develop ameliorative programs for these children.", "contents": "The children of Mexican-American migrant workers: a population at risk? The present study assessed intellectual, academic, and emotional strengths and weaknesses for a group of Mexican-American children of migrant farm workers. In order to test the vulnerability hypothesis, the test profiles of these children were contrasted with those of two groups of black children with similar demographic makeup. The children of one group (Clinical Black) had been referred previously for a psychological consultation while the children of the other (Nonreferred Black) had not. Across dependent measures, between-groups contrasts tended to describe the scores of the Migrant children as similar to those of the Clinical Black children and significantly below those of the Nonreferred Black children. The findings suggested specific intellectual, academic, and emotional vulnerabilities of the Migrant children and demonstrated the need to develop ameliorative programs for these children.", "PMID": 632461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9417", "title": "Monocyte cellular function in asthmatic patients on alternate-day steroid therapy.", "content": "Monocyte cellular function in 15 asthmatics on alternate-day steroid therapy (mean dose of prednisone, 45.4 +/- 17.45 mg qod) was studied at 8 A.M. and noon after receiving an 8 A.M. steroid dose and at 8 A.M. the following day, and was contrasted to function in 16 healthy controls. Monocyte chemotaxis, bacterial killing and phagocytosis, and oil phagocytosis were not significantly altered by the steroid dose. On the other hand, all the patients experienced monocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia 4 hr following the administration of steroid. The lack of functional impairment on this clinically relevant steroid regimen is consistent with the lack of serious infections seen in patients on such regimens. This study re-enforces the need to differentiate the effect of even small doses of steroid on circulating cell populations from direct effects on cell function which occur only with very high or frequent steroid dose regimens.", "contents": "Monocyte cellular function in asthmatic patients on alternate-day steroid therapy. Monocyte cellular function in 15 asthmatics on alternate-day steroid therapy (mean dose of prednisone, 45.4 +/- 17.45 mg qod) was studied at 8 A.M. and noon after receiving an 8 A.M. steroid dose and at 8 A.M. the following day, and was contrasted to function in 16 healthy controls. Monocyte chemotaxis, bacterial killing and phagocytosis, and oil phagocytosis were not significantly altered by the steroid dose. On the other hand, all the patients experienced monocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia 4 hr following the administration of steroid. The lack of functional impairment on this clinically relevant steroid regimen is consistent with the lack of serious infections seen in patients on such regimens. This study re-enforces the need to differentiate the effect of even small doses of steroid on circulating cell populations from direct effects on cell function which occur only with very high or frequent steroid dose regimens.", "PMID": 632474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9418", "title": "The safety of immunotherapy during pregnancy.", "content": "A group of 121 pregnancies from 90 atopic mothers who had received immunotherapy during pregnancy were studied retrospectively with the use of physician or maternal questionnaires and obstetric records. The incidence of prematurity, toxemia, abortion, neonatal death, and congenital malformation was no greater than that for the general population. The offspring of the treated mothers developed allergic disease as frequently as children born into allergic families. A group of 147 untreated pregnancies of atopic mothers were similarly studied, and the incidence of those parameters were similar except for a greater incidence of abortion. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "contents": "The safety of immunotherapy during pregnancy. A group of 121 pregnancies from 90 atopic mothers who had received immunotherapy during pregnancy were studied retrospectively with the use of physician or maternal questionnaires and obstetric records. The incidence of prematurity, toxemia, abortion, neonatal death, and congenital malformation was no greater than that for the general population. The offspring of the treated mothers developed allergic disease as frequently as children born into allergic families. A group of 147 untreated pregnancies of atopic mothers were similarly studied, and the incidence of those parameters were similar except for a greater incidence of abortion. The implications of these findings are discussed.", "PMID": 632475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9419", "title": "Localized heat urticaria.", "content": "The pathophysiology of localized heat urticaria was studied by performing a heat challenge on a patient with this disease. Serum levels of total hemolytic complement, C3, and factor B decreased following heat challenge, whereas levels of C4 and C5 did not. Plasma histamine levels remained unchanged. Electron microscopic studies of affected tissue revealed endothelial cell damage and neutrophilic degranulation in the affected area. Mast cells remained intact. These data imply that activation of the alternative complement pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of localized heat urticaria and that mast cell histamine release does not play a significant role in this disease.", "contents": "Localized heat urticaria. The pathophysiology of localized heat urticaria was studied by performing a heat challenge on a patient with this disease. Serum levels of total hemolytic complement, C3, and factor B decreased following heat challenge, whereas levels of C4 and C5 did not. Plasma histamine levels remained unchanged. Electron microscopic studies of affected tissue revealed endothelial cell damage and neutrophilic degranulation in the affected area. Mast cells remained intact. These data imply that activation of the alternative complement pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of localized heat urticaria and that mast cell histamine release does not play a significant role in this disease.", "PMID": 632476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9420", "title": "Preschoolers on alternate life-style diets. Associations between size and dietary indexes with diets limited in types of animal foods.", "content": "One hundred nineteen vegetarian preschool children whose parents volunteered were studied in their homes. Length, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and head circumference were measured. Information on extensiveness of avoidances of animal food groups, parental dietary group, birth weight, parental heights, and the child's status with respect to breast feeding at the time of measurement was obtained by parental report. All infants under six months old were breast fed. More of the children's measurements were below the Harvard 50th percentiles for length and weight than would have been expected after six months of age, but not until then. Vegetarian children were also leaner (triceps and subscapular skinfolds) after six months of age than would be expected from Tanner-Whitehouse standards. Head circumferences were similar to standards and within normal limits at all ages. An association between smallness, lightness, and leanness was found among the vegetarians, with these characteristics being more pronounced among the older, non-breast fed, macrobiotic children on diets with limited variety in terms of animal food. While smallness and low weight-for-length were associated with leanness, largeness and high weight-for-length did not imply obesity in these subjects.", "contents": "Preschoolers on alternate life-style diets. Associations between size and dietary indexes with diets limited in types of animal foods. One hundred nineteen vegetarian preschool children whose parents volunteered were studied in their homes. Length, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and head circumference were measured. Information on extensiveness of avoidances of animal food groups, parental dietary group, birth weight, parental heights, and the child's status with respect to breast feeding at the time of measurement was obtained by parental report. All infants under six months old were breast fed. More of the children's measurements were below the Harvard 50th percentiles for length and weight than would have been expected after six months of age, but not until then. Vegetarian children were also leaner (triceps and subscapular skinfolds) after six months of age than would be expected from Tanner-Whitehouse standards. Head circumferences were similar to standards and within normal limits at all ages. An association between smallness, lightness, and leanness was found among the vegetarians, with these characteristics being more pronounced among the older, non-breast fed, macrobiotic children on diets with limited variety in terms of animal food. While smallness and low weight-for-length were associated with leanness, largeness and high weight-for-length did not imply obesity in these subjects.", "PMID": 632491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9421", "title": "Effects of high- and low-fiber diets on human feces.", "content": "Increased- and low-fiber diets composed of common hospital foods were tested for their ability to alter stool weight, frequency of defecation, transit time, and absorption efficiency. The diets were calculated to be isocaloric and similar in protein, fat, and carbohydrate. They were dissimilar in ash and fiber. No stimulants, secretagogues, food concentrates, or extracts were used on either diet. Six normal, healthy, male subjects consumed each constant diet for five to eight days. Diets and stool composites were analyzed for protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and ash. Carbohydrate and calories were calculated. Stool weight during ingestion of the low-fiber diet averaged 51 gm. per day; subjects had an average of one bowel movement every 33 hr.; and the mean transit rate was 48 hr. When subjects consumed the increased-fiber diet, values were 157 gm., 19h., and 12 hr., respectively. Measurements of fecal protein, fat, carbohydrate, and calories from the low-fiber diet were less than half those observed when the increased-fiber diet was consumed. By altering specific components of a normal diet, e.g., fiber, significant differences can be made in bowel habit and absorption efficiency.", "contents": "Effects of high- and low-fiber diets on human feces. Increased- and low-fiber diets composed of common hospital foods were tested for their ability to alter stool weight, frequency of defecation, transit time, and absorption efficiency. The diets were calculated to be isocaloric and similar in protein, fat, and carbohydrate. They were dissimilar in ash and fiber. No stimulants, secretagogues, food concentrates, or extracts were used on either diet. Six normal, healthy, male subjects consumed each constant diet for five to eight days. Diets and stool composites were analyzed for protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and ash. Carbohydrate and calories were calculated. Stool weight during ingestion of the low-fiber diet averaged 51 gm. per day; subjects had an average of one bowel movement every 33 hr.; and the mean transit rate was 48 hr. When subjects consumed the increased-fiber diet, values were 157 gm., 19h., and 12 hr., respectively. Measurements of fecal protein, fat, carbohydrate, and calories from the low-fiber diet were less than half those observed when the increased-fiber diet was consumed. By altering specific components of a normal diet, e.g., fiber, significant differences can be made in bowel habit and absorption efficiency.", "PMID": 632492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9422", "title": "Improving dietary education for patients with hyperlipidemia.", "content": "In this study, an attempt was made to analyze the effectiveness of a health communication campaign in bringing about dietary changes in persons with hyperlipoproteinemia. The author developed an instructional booklet for each of three types of hyperlipidemia. Sixty-eight patients identified by cooperating physicians were provided copies of the booklet (a mass media message) or a booklet combined with a telephone consultation (interpersonal communication). Fifty-six persons returned a mail questionnaire and indicated that the instructional technique was successful in changing both attitude and behavior. The positive correlation between changes in attitude and behavior suggests that a change in attitude about food would be likely to bring about alterations in eating habits. Questionnaire replies also demonstrated that the participants responded favorably to presentation techniques emphasizing the characteristics of simplicity, compatibility, trialability, and relative advantage. The combination of a telephone consultation plus a mass media message was significantly related to a greater change in attitude. These results have implications for the future development of instructional materials, as well as for the provision of dietary consultation by persons with a limited opportunity for personal contact with patients.", "contents": "Improving dietary education for patients with hyperlipidemia. In this study, an attempt was made to analyze the effectiveness of a health communication campaign in bringing about dietary changes in persons with hyperlipoproteinemia. The author developed an instructional booklet for each of three types of hyperlipidemia. Sixty-eight patients identified by cooperating physicians were provided copies of the booklet (a mass media message) or a booklet combined with a telephone consultation (interpersonal communication). Fifty-six persons returned a mail questionnaire and indicated that the instructional technique was successful in changing both attitude and behavior. The positive correlation between changes in attitude and behavior suggests that a change in attitude about food would be likely to bring about alterations in eating habits. Questionnaire replies also demonstrated that the participants responded favorably to presentation techniques emphasizing the characteristics of simplicity, compatibility, trialability, and relative advantage. The combination of a telephone consultation plus a mass media message was significantly related to a greater change in attitude. These results have implications for the future development of instructional materials, as well as for the provision of dietary consultation by persons with a limited opportunity for personal contact with patients.", "PMID": 632493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9423", "title": "Nutritional status of main food preparers and of nutrition education assistants.", "content": "The dietary habits and nutritional status of nutrition education assistants (NEAS) in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in Missouri were compared with a representative population of Missouri main food preparers (MFPs) from the same regions of the state. Dietary histories indicated that the NEAs tended to have better habits than the MFPs. Using biochemical parameters for determining status for iron, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin, the differences between the two groups were not as great as for the dietary intakes. However, almost half of the MFPs were taking at least one vitamin or mineral supplement compared with 17 per cent of the NEAs. A low dietary intake, coupled with some anemia, probably relating to a low iron intake, was a major nutritional problem for both groups of subjects. Low plasma vitamin A values were also observed among a large proportion of both groups, and obesity was a widespread problem for both groups.", "contents": "Nutritional status of main food preparers and of nutrition education assistants. The dietary habits and nutritional status of nutrition education assistants (NEAS) in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in Missouri were compared with a representative population of Missouri main food preparers (MFPs) from the same regions of the state. Dietary histories indicated that the NEAs tended to have better habits than the MFPs. Using biochemical parameters for determining status for iron, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin, the differences between the two groups were not as great as for the dietary intakes. However, almost half of the MFPs were taking at least one vitamin or mineral supplement compared with 17 per cent of the NEAs. A low dietary intake, coupled with some anemia, probably relating to a low iron intake, was a major nutritional problem for both groups of subjects. Low plasma vitamin A values were also observed among a large proportion of both groups, and obesity was a widespread problem for both groups.", "PMID": 632494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9424", "title": "Hormones: beneficial or dangerous to the aged?", "content": "Postmenopausal women lose 75-85 percent of estrogen and progesterone production compared with that in their reproductive years. The marked decrease in estrogen results in changes in the uterus, cervix, vaginal lining, glandular breast tissue, and the rate at which bone loses thickness. Some of these changes result in symptoms which range from unpleasant to disabling. Many of the symptoms can be alleviated by treatment with estrogens. However, recent reports have been linking estrogen usage with carcinoma of the uterus. Postmenopausal women should be treated with estrogens when the situation demands, but the dosage should be kept as low as possible and progestational agents should also be administered.", "contents": "Hormones: beneficial or dangerous to the aged? Postmenopausal women lose 75-85 percent of estrogen and progesterone production compared with that in their reproductive years. The marked decrease in estrogen results in changes in the uterus, cervix, vaginal lining, glandular breast tissue, and the rate at which bone loses thickness. Some of these changes result in symptoms which range from unpleasant to disabling. Many of the symptoms can be alleviated by treatment with estrogens. However, recent reports have been linking estrogen usage with carcinoma of the uterus. Postmenopausal women should be treated with estrogens when the situation demands, but the dosage should be kept as low as possible and progestational agents should also be administered.", "PMID": 632497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9425", "title": "Interest in geriatrics at a university Department of Medicine.", "content": "To estimate available resources for teaching geriatrics to medical students, a survey of the members of a university Department of Medicine was undertaken. Information was elicited in six areas: 1) personal data, 2) characteristics of each physician's clinical practice, 3) potential interest in a Division of Geriatrics, 4) the comparative levels of aggressiveness indicated in the management of an old patient versus a young one, 5) the attitude of physicians toward the elderly, and 6) a rough measure of knowledge of the demographic characteristics of the elderly. The results suggest that a significant number of faculty members of a university medical school would indeed be interested in teaching and research in the field of geriatrics.", "contents": "Interest in geriatrics at a university Department of Medicine. To estimate available resources for teaching geriatrics to medical students, a survey of the members of a university Department of Medicine was undertaken. Information was elicited in six areas: 1) personal data, 2) characteristics of each physician's clinical practice, 3) potential interest in a Division of Geriatrics, 4) the comparative levels of aggressiveness indicated in the management of an old patient versus a young one, 5) the attitude of physicians toward the elderly, and 6) a rough measure of knowledge of the demographic characteristics of the elderly. The results suggest that a significant number of faculty members of a university medical school would indeed be interested in teaching and research in the field of geriatrics.", "PMID": 632498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9426", "title": "Training objectives of a well developed geriatrics program.", "content": "The Department of Family Practice and Community Health of the University of Minnesota Medical School is composed of six affiliated units. Each unit is allied with a hospital complex and operates an independent family practice clinic. Since each unit has unique demographic characteristics, general objectives for training residents in geriatric medicine have been developed. Cognitive, attitudinal and skill objectives also have been identified. The unit director implements the general objectives by using the special strengths of that particular unit.", "contents": "Training objectives of a well developed geriatrics program. The Department of Family Practice and Community Health of the University of Minnesota Medical School is composed of six affiliated units. Each unit is allied with a hospital complex and operates an independent family practice clinic. Since each unit has unique demographic characteristics, general objectives for training residents in geriatric medicine have been developed. Cognitive, attitudinal and skill objectives also have been identified. The unit director implements the general objectives by using the special strengths of that particular unit.", "PMID": 632499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9427", "title": "A concept of loneliness in the elderly.", "content": "The author's concept of loneliness is described, especially as it concerns the elderly. An attempt is made to develop an understanding of the word, with its implications for guidance in the nursing profession. The nurse's defenses against her own feelings of loneliness and depression can inhibit therapeutic interactions with lonely or depressed patients. Appropriate nursing action depends upon the knowledge, correlation and use of many other concepts such as those related to dynamics of behavior, personality structure and development, or problem solving. Practical recommendations for nursing intervention are outlined. Emphasized is the necessity for the nurse to understand the concept of loneliness so that she may render effective service.", "contents": "A concept of loneliness in the elderly. The author's concept of loneliness is described, especially as it concerns the elderly. An attempt is made to develop an understanding of the word, with its implications for guidance in the nursing profession. The nurse's defenses against her own feelings of loneliness and depression can inhibit therapeutic interactions with lonely or depressed patients. Appropriate nursing action depends upon the knowledge, correlation and use of many other concepts such as those related to dynamics of behavior, personality structure and development, or problem solving. Practical recommendations for nursing intervention are outlined. Emphasized is the necessity for the nurse to understand the concept of loneliness so that she may render effective service.", "PMID": 632500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9428", "title": "Nurses' notes on nursing home patients: are they effective?", "content": "The notes written by nurses in a level-III nursing home were reviewed in detail. They were found to be neither pertinent nor meaningful in most cases. The daily writing of these notes required a large percentage of the nurses' time but they were seldom, if ever, read by physicians. An alternate system of writing notes on a weekly basis is suggested.", "contents": "Nurses' notes on nursing home patients: are they effective? The notes written by nurses in a level-III nursing home were reviewed in detail. They were found to be neither pertinent nor meaningful in most cases. The daily writing of these notes required a large percentage of the nurses' time but they were seldom, if ever, read by physicians. An alternate system of writing notes on a weekly basis is suggested.", "PMID": 632501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9429", "title": "Fate of parathion in artificially fortified grape juice processed into wine.", "content": "\"Semellon\" grape juice fortified with a high level of 25 ppm parathion was fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus. After 12 days inte parathion levels in the wine and lees were 10.3 and 156 ppm, respectively; the paraoxon, aminoparathion, and p-nitrophenol levels in the wine were 0.16, 0.20, and 4.5 ppm, respectively, and in the lees were 0.04, 3.1 and 10 ppm, respectively. Thus, hydrolysis of parathion to p-nitrophenol and parathion sorption to sedimented particulate matter were important pathways for parathion residue reduction in the wine. The 56-day-old finished wine just prior to bottling contained 8.8 ppm parathion, 0.04 ppm paraoxon, 0.21 ppm aminoparathion, and 3.0 ppm p-nitrophenol. Two months storage at 24 degrees, 12 degrees, 4 degrees, and -20 degrees C had no effect on paraoxon and aminoparathion residue levels in the wine; parathion residues in wine decreased at all storage temperatures.", "contents": "Fate of parathion in artificially fortified grape juice processed into wine. \"Semellon\" grape juice fortified with a high level of 25 ppm parathion was fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus. After 12 days inte parathion levels in the wine and lees were 10.3 and 156 ppm, respectively; the paraoxon, aminoparathion, and p-nitrophenol levels in the wine were 0.16, 0.20, and 4.5 ppm, respectively, and in the lees were 0.04, 3.1 and 10 ppm, respectively. Thus, hydrolysis of parathion to p-nitrophenol and parathion sorption to sedimented particulate matter were important pathways for parathion residue reduction in the wine. The 56-day-old finished wine just prior to bottling contained 8.8 ppm parathion, 0.04 ppm paraoxon, 0.21 ppm aminoparathion, and 3.0 ppm p-nitrophenol. Two months storage at 24 degrees, 12 degrees, 4 degrees, and -20 degrees C had no effect on paraoxon and aminoparathion residue levels in the wine; parathion residues in wine decreased at all storage temperatures.", "PMID": 632538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9430", "title": "Persistence of residues in water and sediment of a fresh-water lake after surface application of technical chlordane.", "content": "A fresh-water lake, free from detectable pesticide residues before this study, was treated with a commercial formulation of technical chlordane. Water and sediment samples were analysed for chlordane residues 7, 24, 52, 279. and 421 days after treatment. Residues moved rapidly from the water to the lake bottom, supporting earlier results of a laboratory study with other organochlorines. In water, alpha- and gamma-chlordane concentrations remained proportional to total chlordane concentrations, as determined by total-peak area measurements of gas-liquid chromatogrammes. But in bottom sediments, alpha- and gamma-chlordane were more persistent than other constituents of technical chlordane, supporting recent evidence that quantification of technical chlordane residues on the basis of gamma-chlordane quantification only (or that of alpha- and gamma-chlordane only), can lead to incorrect results and that this method, although simple and fast, should no longer be recommended.", "contents": "Persistence of residues in water and sediment of a fresh-water lake after surface application of technical chlordane. A fresh-water lake, free from detectable pesticide residues before this study, was treated with a commercial formulation of technical chlordane. Water and sediment samples were analysed for chlordane residues 7, 24, 52, 279. and 421 days after treatment. Residues moved rapidly from the water to the lake bottom, supporting earlier results of a laboratory study with other organochlorines. In water, alpha- and gamma-chlordane concentrations remained proportional to total chlordane concentrations, as determined by total-peak area measurements of gas-liquid chromatogrammes. But in bottom sediments, alpha- and gamma-chlordane were more persistent than other constituents of technical chlordane, supporting recent evidence that quantification of technical chlordane residues on the basis of gamma-chlordane quantification only (or that of alpha- and gamma-chlordane only), can lead to incorrect results and that this method, although simple and fast, should no longer be recommended.", "PMID": 632539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9431", "title": "Polydactyly of the thumb: abnormal anatomy and treatment.", "content": "In nine years 26 duplicated thumbs were seen in the hand clinic of a hospital for crippled children. Using a classification based on the level and degree of duplication and a knowledge of the abnormal anatomy, reconstruction was done. This surgery was done with proper skin incisions, reconstructions of the collateral ligaments, centralization of the flexor and extensor tendons, and alignment of the bones and joints by corrective osteotomies. Simple ablation or incomplete correction produced complications such as skin contractures, increased angular deformities, unstable joints, and intrinsic weakness. In all of the patients, the appearance was improved, opposition was maintained, and postoperative function was not impaired.", "contents": "Polydactyly of the thumb: abnormal anatomy and treatment. In nine years 26 duplicated thumbs were seen in the hand clinic of a hospital for crippled children. Using a classification based on the level and degree of duplication and a knowledge of the abnormal anatomy, reconstruction was done. This surgery was done with proper skin incisions, reconstructions of the collateral ligaments, centralization of the flexor and extensor tendons, and alignment of the bones and joints by corrective osteotomies. Simple ablation or incomplete correction produced complications such as skin contractures, increased angular deformities, unstable joints, and intrinsic weakness. In all of the patients, the appearance was improved, opposition was maintained, and postoperative function was not impaired.", "PMID": 632540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9432", "title": "Osteochondritis dissecans and brachymesophalangia: a hereditary syndrome.", "content": "A kindred with an unusual congenital hand and foot anomaly is presented. It is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder characterized by brachymesophalangia, slight clinodactyly, deformed metacarpal heads, osteochondritis dissecans in metacarpophalangeal joints, absence or hypoplasia of the ulnar styloid processes, and brachyhypophalangia in the feet.", "contents": "Osteochondritis dissecans and brachymesophalangia: a hereditary syndrome. A kindred with an unusual congenital hand and foot anomaly is presented. It is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder characterized by brachymesophalangia, slight clinodactyly, deformed metacarpal heads, osteochondritis dissecans in metacarpophalangeal joints, absence or hypoplasia of the ulnar styloid processes, and brachyhypophalangia in the feet.", "PMID": 632541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9433", "title": "Common variations of the radial writs extensors.", "content": "An anatomical study of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and brevis (ECRB) in 173 upper limbs demonstrated abnormalities in 50%. Interconnecting tendons between the longus and brevis were found in 35% of limbs, the most common variation (26%) being a tendon arising proximally from the ECRL and inserting distally with the ECRB. In 42 limbs (24%) an extra muscle (the extensor carpi radialis intermedius) was present; many were large enough to activate a tendon transfer. Two case reports illustrate the use of extra muscles in the surgical rehabilitation of patients with paralytic disorders.", "contents": "Common variations of the radial writs extensors. An anatomical study of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and brevis (ECRB) in 173 upper limbs demonstrated abnormalities in 50%. Interconnecting tendons between the longus and brevis were found in 35% of limbs, the most common variation (26%) being a tendon arising proximally from the ECRL and inserting distally with the ECRB. In 42 limbs (24%) an extra muscle (the extensor carpi radialis intermedius) was present; many were large enough to activate a tendon transfer. Two case reports illustrate the use of extra muscles in the surgical rehabilitation of patients with paralytic disorders.", "PMID": 632542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9434", "title": "Bilateral extraosseous chondromas of the hand in a patient with chronic renal failure.", "content": "Extraosseous cartilage tumors of the hand are rare. Histologically they can be distinguished from chondrosarcomas. We report a patient with bilateral extraosseous chondromas of the hand with rapid appearance and growth of this unusual tumor during chronic renal failure. The clinical and histological characteristics of these benign tumors are reviewed, and the possible role of the patient's depressed cellular immunity in the appearance of these chondromas is discussed.", "contents": "Bilateral extraosseous chondromas of the hand in a patient with chronic renal failure. Extraosseous cartilage tumors of the hand are rare. Histologically they can be distinguished from chondrosarcomas. We report a patient with bilateral extraosseous chondromas of the hand with rapid appearance and growth of this unusual tumor during chronic renal failure. The clinical and histological characteristics of these benign tumors are reviewed, and the possible role of the patient's depressed cellular immunity in the appearance of these chondromas is discussed.", "PMID": 632543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9435", "title": "Chronic fracture-subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint.", "content": "Reported methods of treatment of chronic fracture-subluxations of the proximal interphalangeal joint require wide dissection and prolonged immobilization and often result in limited motion. Open reduction with minimal dissection, immobilization for 11 days to allow soft-tissue healing, and the early institution of active flexion exercises protected by an extension block splint was done in four patients. The long-term results demonstrate restoration of a stable joint with satisfactory motion and minimal subjective complaints.", "contents": "Chronic fracture-subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Reported methods of treatment of chronic fracture-subluxations of the proximal interphalangeal joint require wide dissection and prolonged immobilization and often result in limited motion. Open reduction with minimal dissection, immobilization for 11 days to allow soft-tissue healing, and the early institution of active flexion exercises protected by an extension block splint was done in four patients. The long-term results demonstrate restoration of a stable joint with satisfactory motion and minimal subjective complaints.", "PMID": 632544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9436", "title": "Results following removal of silicone trapezium metacarpal implants.", "content": "In 100 consecutive patients treated by arthroplasty using Swanson's trapeziometacarpal implant, 32 showed subluxation or dislocation of the implant. Although function was excellent in those with a correctly placed implant, 18 of the 32 had disturbances of function and complaints which necessitated removal of the implant. An operative technique is described for removal of the implant and interposition of the imbricated abductor tendon. The result after removal of the Swanson implant was better than that following primary excision of the trapezium, especially with regard to stability and strength. Thus satisfactory function may be retrieved in patients in whom the implant has dislocated.", "contents": "Results following removal of silicone trapezium metacarpal implants. In 100 consecutive patients treated by arthroplasty using Swanson's trapeziometacarpal implant, 32 showed subluxation or dislocation of the implant. Although function was excellent in those with a correctly placed implant, 18 of the 32 had disturbances of function and complaints which necessitated removal of the implant. An operative technique is described for removal of the implant and interposition of the imbricated abductor tendon. The result after removal of the Swanson implant was better than that following primary excision of the trapezium, especially with regard to stability and strength. Thus satisfactory function may be retrieved in patients in whom the implant has dislocated.", "PMID": 632545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9437", "title": "Percutaneous recordings from peripheral nerves (preliminary communication).", "content": "The recently developed technique provides a precise assessment of neutral activity via intrafascicular axonal recordings from human peripheral nerves. With this technique it is possible to record from cutaneous afferent fibers. Receptive fields belonging to cutaneous afferents are readily perceived by patients due to orthodromic conduction of activity induced by mechanical activation of appropriate fibers. Temporal synchrony between peripherally applied stimuli and the proximally placed recording electrode assure continuity of the nerve. By sampling axonal activity from cutaneous fasciles at regular intervals following trauma of undefined etiology, a definite appraisal can be made concerning the integrity of a nerve and, hence, the need for surgical intervention. This is a preliminary report of the first such applications of this technique.", "contents": "Percutaneous recordings from peripheral nerves (preliminary communication). The recently developed technique provides a precise assessment of neutral activity via intrafascicular axonal recordings from human peripheral nerves. With this technique it is possible to record from cutaneous afferent fibers. Receptive fields belonging to cutaneous afferents are readily perceived by patients due to orthodromic conduction of activity induced by mechanical activation of appropriate fibers. Temporal synchrony between peripherally applied stimuli and the proximally placed recording electrode assure continuity of the nerve. By sampling axonal activity from cutaneous fasciles at regular intervals following trauma of undefined etiology, a definite appraisal can be made concerning the integrity of a nerve and, hence, the need for surgical intervention. This is a preliminary report of the first such applications of this technique.", "PMID": 632547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9438", "title": "Closed system venography in the evaluation of upper extremity hemangiomas.", "content": "Closed system venography is a technically simple radiographic technique of minimal patient morbidity and inconvenience that has proven to be useful in evaluating the extent of upper extremity hemangiomata and in planning its treatment. The only apparent contraindication to the technique is allergy to the radiopaque dye. In a recent series of cases, this technique of venography has yielded more information than has arteriography.", "contents": "Closed system venography in the evaluation of upper extremity hemangiomas. Closed system venography is a technically simple radiographic technique of minimal patient morbidity and inconvenience that has proven to be useful in evaluating the extent of upper extremity hemangiomata and in planning its treatment. The only apparent contraindication to the technique is allergy to the radiopaque dye. In a recent series of cases, this technique of venography has yielded more information than has arteriography.", "PMID": 632548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9439", "title": "The lupus hand: a new surgical approach.", "content": "Three patients with lupus erythematosus developed severe hand deformities which, over the course of a year, went on to fixed volar subluxation of the proximal phalanges with some ulnar drift. The flexion deformity at the metacarpophalangeal joints of nearly 90 degrees was not correctable passively, and the palmar skin became macerated. The articular cartilage of the metacarpal heads and proximal phalanges was well preserved and replacement arthroplasty was not justified. Contracture not only in the intrinsics but also in the long flexors was not relieved by operation on the soft tissues. A step-cut metacarpal shortening did correct the remaining intrinsic and long flexor contracture, corrected the volar dislocation, restored full metacarpophalangeal extension, and maintained a full range of flexion. Position of the bones was maintained by intramedullary Steinmann pins and crossed Kirschner wires and, in one patient, by a small screw. No recurrences developed in the follow up period of 18 to 96 months.", "contents": "The lupus hand: a new surgical approach. Three patients with lupus erythematosus developed severe hand deformities which, over the course of a year, went on to fixed volar subluxation of the proximal phalanges with some ulnar drift. The flexion deformity at the metacarpophalangeal joints of nearly 90 degrees was not correctable passively, and the palmar skin became macerated. The articular cartilage of the metacarpal heads and proximal phalanges was well preserved and replacement arthroplasty was not justified. Contracture not only in the intrinsics but also in the long flexors was not relieved by operation on the soft tissues. A step-cut metacarpal shortening did correct the remaining intrinsic and long flexor contracture, corrected the volar dislocation, restored full metacarpophalangeal extension, and maintained a full range of flexion. Position of the bones was maintained by intramedullary Steinmann pins and crossed Kirschner wires and, in one patient, by a small screw. No recurrences developed in the follow up period of 18 to 96 months.", "PMID": 632549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9440", "title": "Bowen's disease of the nail bed: a case presentation and review of the literature.", "content": "Since 1919, when Bowen first described intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed, only 11 cases of this rare disease have been reported in the literature. The 12th case of Bowen's disease, presented here, offers an alternative method of treatment using 5-fluorouracil combined with a keratolytic ointment.", "contents": "Bowen's disease of the nail bed: a case presentation and review of the literature. Since 1919, when Bowen first described intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed, only 11 cases of this rare disease have been reported in the literature. The 12th case of Bowen's disease, presented here, offers an alternative method of treatment using 5-fluorouracil combined with a keratolytic ointment.", "PMID": 632550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9441", "title": "An apparatus to assess function of the hand.", "content": "An apparatus was developed to study the movement, strength, and manipulative ability of the hand. To obtain normal values, measurements were made on 80 women and 65 men between the ages of 17 and 70 years. As a comparison, 30 female patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis were studied. There was little difference in the motion between men and women and among the different age groups. In pinch strength men were 40 percent stronger than women, but in grip strength men were twice as strong. In manipulative ability, there was a decline with age. The arthritic patients were compromised severly in both active motion and strength. In the latter they were between one third and one tenth of normal. Manipulative ability was one half of normal. A measurement system, such as described, could be used for the evaluation of results of various operative procedures.", "contents": "An apparatus to assess function of the hand. An apparatus was developed to study the movement, strength, and manipulative ability of the hand. To obtain normal values, measurements were made on 80 women and 65 men between the ages of 17 and 70 years. As a comparison, 30 female patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis were studied. There was little difference in the motion between men and women and among the different age groups. In pinch strength men were 40 percent stronger than women, but in grip strength men were twice as strong. In manipulative ability, there was a decline with age. The arthritic patients were compromised severly in both active motion and strength. In the latter they were between one third and one tenth of normal. Manipulative ability was one half of normal. A measurement system, such as described, could be used for the evaluation of results of various operative procedures.", "PMID": 632551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9442", "title": "Improved intravenous regional anesthesia for surgery of the hand, wrist, and forearm. The second wrap technique.", "content": "In 330 consecutive anesthetics administered over a period of 24 months, an improved method of upper extremity intravenous regional anesthesia, entitled \"the second wrap technique,\" included wrapping the extremity a second time with a Martin rubber bandage after the extremity was prepared and draped. In addition, a Penrose drain tourniquet often was applied during injection of the 0.5% lidocaine. No complications occurred. The technique provides a nearly bloodless operative field, improves the anesthesia, diminishes tourniquet pain, lessens the contraindications, and requires no premedication. The only contraindications are allergy to lidocaine, infection, operating time over 2 hours, and severe hypertension.", "contents": "Improved intravenous regional anesthesia for surgery of the hand, wrist, and forearm. The second wrap technique. In 330 consecutive anesthetics administered over a period of 24 months, an improved method of upper extremity intravenous regional anesthesia, entitled \"the second wrap technique,\" included wrapping the extremity a second time with a Martin rubber bandage after the extremity was prepared and draped. In addition, a Penrose drain tourniquet often was applied during injection of the 0.5% lidocaine. No complications occurred. The technique provides a nearly bloodless operative field, improves the anesthesia, diminishes tourniquet pain, lessens the contraindications, and requires no premedication. The only contraindications are allergy to lidocaine, infection, operating time over 2 hours, and severe hypertension.", "PMID": 632552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9443", "title": "Case report: false aneurysm of the hand secondary to digital amputation.", "content": "A false aneurysm in an amputation stump of the second metacarpal produced a pulsatile mass and throbbing pain. Operative findings disclosed a false aneurysm arising from the digital artery on the radial side of the middle finger, with entrapment of the nerve to the ulnar side of the index digit within the aneurysmal sac. Excision of the aneurysm, relocation of the traumatic neuromas, and amputation of the index ray relieved the symptoms.", "contents": "Case report: false aneurysm of the hand secondary to digital amputation. A false aneurysm in an amputation stump of the second metacarpal produced a pulsatile mass and throbbing pain. Operative findings disclosed a false aneurysm arising from the digital artery on the radial side of the middle finger, with entrapment of the nerve to the ulnar side of the index digit within the aneurysmal sac. Excision of the aneurysm, relocation of the traumatic neuromas, and amputation of the index ray relieved the symptoms.", "PMID": 632553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9444", "title": "Coloidal gold, ferritin and peroxidase as markers for electron microscopic double labeling lectin techniques.", "content": "Three markers, colloidal gold, ferritin and peroxidase, were checked for usefulness in double labeling of lectin-binding sites. The amount of various lectins for the stabilization of good sols of a different particle size was evaluated. Several lectin-gold complexes were prepared for electron microscopic labeling purposes, and the optimal amount of various lectins needed for stabilization of gold solutions of a different particle size was determined. The following combinations were investigated for their usefulness in labeling two different lectin-binding sites: lectin-gold and lectin-gold (different particle size), lectin-gold and lectin-ferritin, as well as lectin-ferritin and lectin-peroxidase. Of these combinations the latter did not give satisfactory results for double labeling. In all single and double labeling techniques with the above mentioned markers the quantitative evaluation of the number of lectin-binding sites is not feasible, but these techniques will be of considerable value for the investigation of the dynamics of different lectin-binding sites on the cell surface.", "contents": "Coloidal gold, ferritin and peroxidase as markers for electron microscopic double labeling lectin techniques. Three markers, colloidal gold, ferritin and peroxidase, were checked for usefulness in double labeling of lectin-binding sites. The amount of various lectins for the stabilization of good sols of a different particle size was evaluated. Several lectin-gold complexes were prepared for electron microscopic labeling purposes, and the optimal amount of various lectins needed for stabilization of gold solutions of a different particle size was determined. The following combinations were investigated for their usefulness in labeling two different lectin-binding sites: lectin-gold and lectin-gold (different particle size), lectin-gold and lectin-ferritin, as well as lectin-ferritin and lectin-peroxidase. Of these combinations the latter did not give satisfactory results for double labeling. In all single and double labeling techniques with the above mentioned markers the quantitative evaluation of the number of lectin-binding sites is not feasible, but these techniques will be of considerable value for the investigation of the dynamics of different lectin-binding sites on the cell surface.", "PMID": 632554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9445", "title": "A histochemical method for the identification of 9-O-acyl sialic acid. An investigation of bovine submaxillary gland and intestinal mucins.", "content": "Prolongation of the initial periodate oxidation step of the periodate-borohydride technique/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff and periodic acid-Thionin Schiff/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff sequences produced little or no change in the diagnostic staining for the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect, exhibited by the colonic epithelial mucins of man and rat and the Brunner's gland mucin of rabbits. In contrast, there was a gradual, but clear decrease in the intensity of such staining of bovine submaxillary gland mucins. It was concluded that, in the intestinal mucins studied the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect was due to sialic acids bearing O-acyl substitutents at positions C7 and/or C8 whereas in bovine submaxillary gland mucin the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect is probably due, at least in part, to the presence of 9-O-acyl sialic acids. This investigation has led to the development of a technique which can be used to identify 9-O-acyl sialic acids.", "contents": "A histochemical method for the identification of 9-O-acyl sialic acid. An investigation of bovine submaxillary gland and intestinal mucins. Prolongation of the initial periodate oxidation step of the periodate-borohydride technique/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff and periodic acid-Thionin Schiff/potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff sequences produced little or no change in the diagnostic staining for the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect, exhibited by the colonic epithelial mucins of man and rat and the Brunner's gland mucin of rabbits. In contrast, there was a gradual, but clear decrease in the intensity of such staining of bovine submaxillary gland mucins. It was concluded that, in the intestinal mucins studied the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect was due to sialic acids bearing O-acyl substitutents at positions C7 and/or C8 whereas in bovine submaxillary gland mucin the potassium hydroxide/periodic acid-Schiff effect is probably due, at least in part, to the presence of 9-O-acyl sialic acids. This investigation has led to the development of a technique which can be used to identify 9-O-acyl sialic acids.", "PMID": 632555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9446", "title": "Acid D-ephedrine-O-phosphatase activity in rate ventral prostate lysosomes.", "content": "Hydrolysis of D-ephedrine-O-phosphate (DEP) by rat ventral prostrate was investigated by electron microscopic hystochemistry. In contrast to previous reports that DEP is exclusitely hydrolyzed by a secreted nonlysosomal acid phosphatase, enzyme reaction product was present in supranuclear and basal lysosomes.", "contents": "Acid D-ephedrine-O-phosphatase activity in rate ventral prostate lysosomes. Hydrolysis of D-ephedrine-O-phosphate (DEP) by rat ventral prostrate was investigated by electron microscopic hystochemistry. In contrast to previous reports that DEP is exclusitely hydrolyzed by a secreted nonlysosomal acid phosphatase, enzyme reaction product was present in supranuclear and basal lysosomes.", "PMID": 632556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9447", "title": "The use of the fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene sulfate (ANS) for collagen and elastin histochemistry.", "content": "The reactivity of skin elastin and collagen to ANS (8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulphonate) dissolved in nonpolar (e.g. butanol) and polar (distilled water, phosphate buffer at pH 2.8 and 8.2) solvents was compared in histological sections. The elastin fibers were demonstrated to differ from collagen at the fluorescence microscopy level under certain ANS staining conditions. When treated with butanol-ANS solutions, both fiber types exhibit a blue fluroescence with spectral emission profiles alike. However, the elastin emission values in fluorescence-relative units are larger than those exhibited by collagen. On the other hand, for fibers treated with ANS dissolved in polar solvents, elastin and collagen differ in terms of wavelengths of their emission maxima. The ANS attachment to substrate is ascribed to be predominantly nonpolar for dye butanol solutions. When the dye is dissolved in polar solvents, however, polar bindings between ANS and the stained substrate may be established that contribute to emission maximum shift to longer wavelengths.", "contents": "The use of the fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene sulfate (ANS) for collagen and elastin histochemistry. The reactivity of skin elastin and collagen to ANS (8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulphonate) dissolved in nonpolar (e.g. butanol) and polar (distilled water, phosphate buffer at pH 2.8 and 8.2) solvents was compared in histological sections. The elastin fibers were demonstrated to differ from collagen at the fluorescence microscopy level under certain ANS staining conditions. When treated with butanol-ANS solutions, both fiber types exhibit a blue fluroescence with spectral emission profiles alike. However, the elastin emission values in fluorescence-relative units are larger than those exhibited by collagen. On the other hand, for fibers treated with ANS dissolved in polar solvents, elastin and collagen differ in terms of wavelengths of their emission maxima. The ANS attachment to substrate is ascribed to be predominantly nonpolar for dye butanol solutions. When the dye is dissolved in polar solvents, however, polar bindings between ANS and the stained substrate may be established that contribute to emission maximum shift to longer wavelengths.", "PMID": 632557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9448", "title": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite. 3. Importance of floor contamination as a source of airborne bacteria.", "content": "The redispersal factor for bacteria-carrying particles from a contaminated floor was determined after mopping, blowing and walking activity. Walking gave the highest redispersal factor, 3.5 X 10(-3) m-1, which was three times higher than for blowing and 17 times higher than for mopping. The mean die-away rate for the bacteria-carrying particles used was 1.9/h without ventilation and 14.3/h with ventilation. It was calculated that in the operating rooms less than 15% of the bacteria found in the air were redispersed floor bacteria.", "contents": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite. 3. Importance of floor contamination as a source of airborne bacteria. The redispersal factor for bacteria-carrying particles from a contaminated floor was determined after mopping, blowing and walking activity. Walking gave the highest redispersal factor, 3.5 X 10(-3) m-1, which was three times higher than for blowing and 17 times higher than for mopping. The mean die-away rate for the bacteria-carrying particles used was 1.9/h without ventilation and 14.3/h with ventilation. It was calculated that in the operating rooms less than 15% of the bacteria found in the air were redispersed floor bacteria.", "PMID": 632559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9449", "title": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite. 4. Bacterial contamination of clothes worn in the suite.", "content": "Clean clothes in the staff dressing rooms were heavily contaminated with bacteria, mainly Bacillus sp., but Staphylococcus aureus were found on 14% and Clostridium sp. on 10% of the garments examined. A comparison of the occurrence of Staph. aureus on shirts worn by staff in wards and operating departments showed ward shirts to be contaminated more heavily and with more strains. Examination of sterile gowns worn by surgeons showed that 70% were contaminated with Staph. aureus after operation. Of the strains isolated 31% were identical with those carried by the surgeon or by the patient operated on, but for the remainder no source could be found.", "contents": "Bacterial contamination in a modern operating suite. 4. Bacterial contamination of clothes worn in the suite. Clean clothes in the staff dressing rooms were heavily contaminated with bacteria, mainly Bacillus sp., but Staphylococcus aureus were found on 14% and Clostridium sp. on 10% of the garments examined. A comparison of the occurrence of Staph. aureus on shirts worn by staff in wards and operating departments showed ward shirts to be contaminated more heavily and with more strains. Examination of sterile gowns worn by surgeons showed that 70% were contaminated with Staph. aureus after operation. Of the strains isolated 31% were identical with those carried by the surgeon or by the patient operated on, but for the remainder no source could be found.", "PMID": 632560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9450", "title": "Studies on Rift Valley fever in some African murids (Rodentia: Muridae).", "content": "Brains, spleens and livers of 2214 murids, 27 shrews and 7 dormice, trapped at 7 sites in Rhodesia, were tested in 277 pools for the presence of Rift Valley Fever virus. There were no isolations of Rift Valley Fever, but 69 isolations of an unidentified virus were obtained. Sixteen out of 867 sera had low-titre haemagglutination-inhibition activity against Rift Valley Fever antigen, but only one out of 1260 sera had neutralizing antibody. The evidence suggests that murids fail to encounter infection in nature and are unlikely to play a role in circulation and dissemination of Rift Valley Fever virus. Four out of seven widely distributed species of muried, Rhabdomys pumilio, Saccostomys campestris, Aethomys chrysophilus and Lemniscomys griselda, were shown to be capable of circulating amounts of virus likely to be infective for mosquitoes.", "contents": "Studies on Rift Valley fever in some African murids (Rodentia: Muridae). Brains, spleens and livers of 2214 murids, 27 shrews and 7 dormice, trapped at 7 sites in Rhodesia, were tested in 277 pools for the presence of Rift Valley Fever virus. There were no isolations of Rift Valley Fever, but 69 isolations of an unidentified virus were obtained. Sixteen out of 867 sera had low-titre haemagglutination-inhibition activity against Rift Valley Fever antigen, but only one out of 1260 sera had neutralizing antibody. The evidence suggests that murids fail to encounter infection in nature and are unlikely to play a role in circulation and dissemination of Rift Valley Fever virus. Four out of seven widely distributed species of muried, Rhabdomys pumilio, Saccostomys campestris, Aethomys chrysophilus and Lemniscomys griselda, were shown to be capable of circulating amounts of virus likely to be infective for mosquitoes.", "PMID": 632561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9451", "title": "Genetic factors in leprosy: a study of children in Uganda.", "content": "A group of 20 990 children in Uganda was examined for leprosy over a period of 8 years. There was no evidence that the incidence of leprosy varied according to a child's genetic relationship to a leprosy patients, once allowance had been made for the grade of physical contact.", "contents": "Genetic factors in leprosy: a study of children in Uganda. A group of 20 990 children in Uganda was examined for leprosy over a period of 8 years. There was no evidence that the incidence of leprosy varied according to a child's genetic relationship to a leprosy patients, once allowance had been made for the grade of physical contact.", "PMID": 632562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9452", "title": "The behaviour of f2 coliphage in activated sludge treatment.", "content": "A model activated sludge treatment plant was used which was functionally very similar to a full-scale plant. It was inoculated with f2 coliphage and the titres of virus in the influent, the mixed liquor and the effluent were monitored regularly. The distribution of the virus in the solids and liquid fractions of the mixed liquor was in the ratio of 18:82 and 20.4% of the influent virus was recovered in the effluent. After inoculation was stopped the titre of virus in the solids fraction of the mixed liquor remained high and unaltered for up to 70 h, whereas the value for effluent reverted to the low background titre originally present. These results are discussed in relation to those reported for poliovirus and it is concluded that f2 coliphage is not a suitable model for studies of the behaviour of human enteroviruses.", "contents": "The behaviour of f2 coliphage in activated sludge treatment. A model activated sludge treatment plant was used which was functionally very similar to a full-scale plant. It was inoculated with f2 coliphage and the titres of virus in the influent, the mixed liquor and the effluent were monitored regularly. The distribution of the virus in the solids and liquid fractions of the mixed liquor was in the ratio of 18:82 and 20.4% of the influent virus was recovered in the effluent. After inoculation was stopped the titre of virus in the solids fraction of the mixed liquor remained high and unaltered for up to 70 h, whereas the value for effluent reverted to the low background titre originally present. These results are discussed in relation to those reported for poliovirus and it is concluded that f2 coliphage is not a suitable model for studies of the behaviour of human enteroviruses.", "PMID": 632563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9453", "title": "Immunity to challenge in volunteers vaccinated with an inactivated current or earlier strain of influenza A(H3N2).", "content": "Volunteers were inoculated with vaccine made from the 30c mutant, A/Port Chalmers/73 or B/Hong Kong/8/73. Preliminary experiments showed that the 30 c strain was antigenically quite close to A/HK/8/68. Volunteers given 30c developed haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against the 'current' 1973 serotypes (as well as to the vaccine virus) but the titres were less than those after the A/PC/73 vaccine. Volunteers were then challenged with a live attenuated virus, WRL 105, with A/Finland/4/74 antigens, by intranasal inoculation. The rates of infection were 43% after B/Hong Kong/8/73, 20% after 30c and 5% after A/PC/73. This indicated that the 30c gave some protection but that the vaccine prepared from the current strain gave more.", "contents": "Immunity to challenge in volunteers vaccinated with an inactivated current or earlier strain of influenza A(H3N2). Volunteers were inoculated with vaccine made from the 30c mutant, A/Port Chalmers/73 or B/Hong Kong/8/73. Preliminary experiments showed that the 30 c strain was antigenically quite close to A/HK/8/68. Volunteers given 30c developed haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies against the 'current' 1973 serotypes (as well as to the vaccine virus) but the titres were less than those after the A/PC/73 vaccine. Volunteers were then challenged with a live attenuated virus, WRL 105, with A/Finland/4/74 antigens, by intranasal inoculation. The rates of infection were 43% after B/Hong Kong/8/73, 20% after 30c and 5% after A/PC/73. This indicated that the 30c gave some protection but that the vaccine prepared from the current strain gave more.", "PMID": 632564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9454", "title": "Excess mortality from influenza in a large urban population, Rome, Italy, 1956--76.", "content": "Influenza activity was studied in the Rome population from 1956 to 1976 by analysis of mortality from respiratory causes and from all causes. During cold weather months, type A influenza virus was associated, as a rule, with epidemic excess deaths at two year intervals while type B virus was prevalent twice during isolation data were also compared with epidemic excess mortality during four consecutive years. The evidence obtained indicated that influenza virus isolation alone does not represent a reliable index of epidemic influenza activity in this population. The proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory causes consistently increased in every epidemic, the most pronounced increases occurring during large epidemics. The break-down by age of deaths from respiratory causes in the course of two epidemic periods showed that the percentage distribution of deaths was essentially the same as in non-epidemic periods. This evidence indicates that the same factors influencing the age-related distribution of mortality from respiratory causes during non-epidemic periods, probably affect the fatal outcome of influenza during epidemics.", "contents": "Excess mortality from influenza in a large urban population, Rome, Italy, 1956--76. Influenza activity was studied in the Rome population from 1956 to 1976 by analysis of mortality from respiratory causes and from all causes. During cold weather months, type A influenza virus was associated, as a rule, with epidemic excess deaths at two year intervals while type B virus was prevalent twice during isolation data were also compared with epidemic excess mortality during four consecutive years. The evidence obtained indicated that influenza virus isolation alone does not represent a reliable index of epidemic influenza activity in this population. The proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory causes consistently increased in every epidemic, the most pronounced increases occurring during large epidemics. The break-down by age of deaths from respiratory causes in the course of two epidemic periods showed that the percentage distribution of deaths was essentially the same as in non-epidemic periods. This evidence indicates that the same factors influencing the age-related distribution of mortality from respiratory causes during non-epidemic periods, probably affect the fatal outcome of influenza during epidemics.", "PMID": 632565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9455", "title": "Relationship between lymphocyte response to tetanus toxoid and age of lymphocyte donor.", "content": "An investigation of the in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to tetanus toxoid was undertaken to determine the extent to which such reactivity might reflect in vivo reactions to tetanus toxoid immunization. It was found that lymphocyte transformation in the presence of tetanus toxoid, as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine, did not differ significantly for the group giving local or systemic reactions to tetanus toxoid and an immune control group. However, a striking inverse relation between lymphocyte reactivity to tetanus toxoid and age of the cell donors of both groups became clear. Such an age-related decline in the in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to a specific antigen has apparently had not been reported previously in man.", "contents": "Relationship between lymphocyte response to tetanus toxoid and age of lymphocyte donor. An investigation of the in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to tetanus toxoid was undertaken to determine the extent to which such reactivity might reflect in vivo reactions to tetanus toxoid immunization. It was found that lymphocyte transformation in the presence of tetanus toxoid, as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine, did not differ significantly for the group giving local or systemic reactions to tetanus toxoid and an immune control group. However, a striking inverse relation between lymphocyte reactivity to tetanus toxoid and age of the cell donors of both groups became clear. Such an age-related decline in the in vitro responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes to a specific antigen has apparently had not been reported previously in man.", "PMID": 632566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9456", "title": "Two epidemics of diarrhoeal disease possibly caused by Plesiomonas shigelloides.", "content": "Two epidemics of water-borne diarrhoeal disease involving a total of 1000 persons are reported. In both epidemics, none of the usual bacterial entero-pathogens were recognized and Plesiomonas shigelloides was the only suspect aetiological agent isolated. The ecology of P. shigelloides was investigated in these outbreaks. It was recognized as an inhabitant of fresh surface water and its presence was closely related to warm weather.", "contents": "Two epidemics of diarrhoeal disease possibly caused by Plesiomonas shigelloides. Two epidemics of water-borne diarrhoeal disease involving a total of 1000 persons are reported. In both epidemics, none of the usual bacterial entero-pathogens were recognized and Plesiomonas shigelloides was the only suspect aetiological agent isolated. The ecology of P. shigelloides was investigated in these outbreaks. It was recognized as an inhabitant of fresh surface water and its presence was closely related to warm weather.", "PMID": 632567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9457", "title": "The distribution of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in British coastal waters: report of a collaborative study 1975--6.", "content": "A collaborative survey has shown that V. parahaemolyticus is widely distributed in British coastal waters, sediments and shellfish, especially in southern and western areas. The relatively small numbers in the environment do not present significant health hazards from marine products, provided that processing, storage and distribution are adequate. The presence of this organism in small numbers in British coastal waters or in shellfish should not in itself be regarded as cause for concern.", "contents": "The distribution of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in British coastal waters: report of a collaborative study 1975--6. A collaborative survey has shown that V. parahaemolyticus is widely distributed in British coastal waters, sediments and shellfish, especially in southern and western areas. The relatively small numbers in the environment do not present significant health hazards from marine products, provided that processing, storage and distribution are adequate. The presence of this organism in small numbers in British coastal waters or in shellfish should not in itself be regarded as cause for concern.", "PMID": 632568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9458", "title": "Epidemiological patterns of Klebsiella colonization and infection in an intensive care ward.", "content": "Twenty-four per cent of 2315 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of St Thomas's Hospital in the 4 year period from November 1969 became colonized or infected with Klebsiella species. Capsular typing of 986 klebsiella isolates from 551 patients showed that there were 695 patient-isolates, mostly derived from the respiratory tract. Capsular types 47 and 21 were the commonest types and together accounted for 19.9% of the patient-isolates. The 14 commonest types accounted for 47.3% of all patient-isolates and all these strains showed clustering, strongly suggesting a changing common source, cross infection, or both.", "contents": "Epidemiological patterns of Klebsiella colonization and infection in an intensive care ward. Twenty-four per cent of 2315 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of St Thomas's Hospital in the 4 year period from November 1969 became colonized or infected with Klebsiella species. Capsular typing of 986 klebsiella isolates from 551 patients showed that there were 695 patient-isolates, mostly derived from the respiratory tract. Capsular types 47 and 21 were the commonest types and together accounted for 19.9% of the patient-isolates. The 14 commonest types accounted for 47.3% of all patient-isolates and all these strains showed clustering, strongly suggesting a changing common source, cross infection, or both.", "PMID": 632569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9459", "title": "Trials of the rodenticide pyriminil against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.).", "content": "Pen field trials were conducted to assess the performance of the acute rodenticide pyriminil against the house mouse (Mus musculus L.). Four types of poison treatment were carried out using penned family groups of warfarin-resistant mice supplied with alternative plain foods. In each treatment pyriminil was included at 2% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait. Mortality was highest (46/54; 85.2%) when poison bait was offered for 4 days following 3 days of pre-baiting. The same pre-baiting and poisoning technique was adopted in five field trials carried out against mice infesting farm buildings. The efficacy of each poison treatment was estimated from the results of pre- and post-treatment census baitings; treatment success ranged between 53.7% and 96.7%, mean 80.5%. It is concluded that pyriminil treatments are best carried out after a period of pre-baiting and that when pyriminil is used in this manner it is about as effective as zinc phosphide for the control of mice.", "contents": "Trials of the rodenticide pyriminil against wild house mice (Mus musculus L.). Pen field trials were conducted to assess the performance of the acute rodenticide pyriminil against the house mouse (Mus musculus L.). Four types of poison treatment were carried out using penned family groups of warfarin-resistant mice supplied with alternative plain foods. In each treatment pyriminil was included at 2% in a wholemeal flour/pinhead oatmeal/corn oil bait. Mortality was highest (46/54; 85.2%) when poison bait was offered for 4 days following 3 days of pre-baiting. The same pre-baiting and poisoning technique was adopted in five field trials carried out against mice infesting farm buildings. The efficacy of each poison treatment was estimated from the results of pre- and post-treatment census baitings; treatment success ranged between 53.7% and 96.7%, mean 80.5%. It is concluded that pyriminil treatments are best carried out after a period of pre-baiting and that when pyriminil is used in this manner it is about as effective as zinc phosphide for the control of mice.", "PMID": 632570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9460", "title": "Really great returns to medical education?", "content": "This article reports the value of a medical education as opposed to education for alternative professional careers, using 1970 Census data. When standard net present value computations are performed, it is found that the returns to investment in medical education exceed those to education for alternative professions. When the computations are adjusted for hours worked, physicians' earnings become roughly equal to those of dentists and lawyers but remain clearly superior to those of the other professions considered. Additional information on the earnings of physician cohorts vs. dentist cohorts for the post-Flexner era is also reported.", "contents": "Really great returns to medical education? This article reports the value of a medical education as opposed to education for alternative professional careers, using 1970 Census data. When standard net present value computations are performed, it is found that the returns to investment in medical education exceed those to education for alternative professions. When the computations are adjusted for hours worked, physicians' earnings become roughly equal to those of dentists and lawyers but remain clearly superior to those of the other professions considered. Additional information on the earnings of physician cohorts vs. dentist cohorts for the post-Flexner era is also reported.", "PMID": 632574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9461", "title": "The impact of occupational licensure of clinical laboratory personnel.", "content": "This paper develops a model of the economic impact of occupational licensure. The model is then used to estimate the effects of occupational licensure on wages and the division of labor in clinical laboratories and to generate a low-bound estimate of the welfare impact of licensure. Estimates are based on cross-section and time-series data on areas with and without licensure of laboratory personnel. Recent licensure laws have no effect on wages or employment, but older, more stringent laws sharply increase the wages and employment of skilled personnel in laboratories.", "contents": "The impact of occupational licensure of clinical laboratory personnel. This paper develops a model of the economic impact of occupational licensure. The model is then used to estimate the effects of occupational licensure on wages and the division of labor in clinical laboratories and to generate a low-bound estimate of the welfare impact of licensure. Estimates are based on cross-section and time-series data on areas with and without licensure of laboratory personnel. Recent licensure laws have no effect on wages or employment, but older, more stringent laws sharply increase the wages and employment of skilled personnel in laboratories.", "PMID": 632575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9462", "title": "The effect of D-penicillamine on mitogen-induced human lymphocyte proliferation: synergistic inhibition by D-penicillamine and copper salts.", "content": "The effect of D-penicillamine on in vitro mitogen-triggered human peripheral blood lymphocyte DNA synthesis was examined. D-penicillamine caused a modest degree of inhibition of responsiveness. Since D-penicillamine avidly chelates copper, a possible additive effect of D-penicillamine and copper salts on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was investigated. The addition of various copper salts to D-penicillamine-containing cultures resulted in a marked augmentation in the degree of inhibition observed. Specificity for the synergy between D-penicillamine and copper was suggested by the failure of iron, zinc, or gold salts to augment the inhibition produced by D-penicillamine alone. However, a number of other thiols, but not disulfides, could substitute for D-penicillamine in inhibiting mitogen responsiveness in the presence of copper salts. Preincubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with D-penicillamine and CuSO4 resulted in diminished mitogen responsiveness on subsequent culture in the absence of the inhibitors. Data are presented to indicate that preincubation with D-penicillamine and CuSO4 directly affected the ability of the T lymphocytes to respond to mitogens but did not alter the capacity of the monocytes to act as accessory cells in this response.", "contents": "The effect of D-penicillamine on mitogen-induced human lymphocyte proliferation: synergistic inhibition by D-penicillamine and copper salts. The effect of D-penicillamine on in vitro mitogen-triggered human peripheral blood lymphocyte DNA synthesis was examined. D-penicillamine caused a modest degree of inhibition of responsiveness. Since D-penicillamine avidly chelates copper, a possible additive effect of D-penicillamine and copper salts on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was investigated. The addition of various copper salts to D-penicillamine-containing cultures resulted in a marked augmentation in the degree of inhibition observed. Specificity for the synergy between D-penicillamine and copper was suggested by the failure of iron, zinc, or gold salts to augment the inhibition produced by D-penicillamine alone. However, a number of other thiols, but not disulfides, could substitute for D-penicillamine in inhibiting mitogen responsiveness in the presence of copper salts. Preincubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with D-penicillamine and CuSO4 resulted in diminished mitogen responsiveness on subsequent culture in the absence of the inhibitors. Data are presented to indicate that preincubation with D-penicillamine and CuSO4 directly affected the ability of the T lymphocytes to respond to mitogens but did not alter the capacity of the monocytes to act as accessory cells in this response.", "PMID": 632576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9463", "title": "Interaction between Taenia taeniaeformis and the complement system.", "content": "Factors present in the cystic bladder fluid of metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis and released by these parasites maintained in vitro were shown to interact with the C system in vitro and in vivo. This interaction resulted in the depletion of hemolytic C in normal sera of several species, the generation of anaphylatoxin-like activity in vitro, the conversion of C3, and the production of vascular permeability changes in vivo. The substances appeared to initiate C fixation nonimmunologically via both the alternative and classical pathways. Intravenous administration of parasite factors in rats led to profound depression of circulating C levels and the rats did not become refractory to this effect after repeated dosing over a 3-week period. Circulating levels of hemolytic C were not altered in infected rats over the first 8 weeks of infection. C-dependent inflammatory responses in the skin of rats were inhibited in animals given i.v. doses of parasite factors. The possibility is raised that local consumption of C around the metacestode in vivo could contribute to its successful evasion of inflammation and immune rejection during infection.", "contents": "Interaction between Taenia taeniaeformis and the complement system. Factors present in the cystic bladder fluid of metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis and released by these parasites maintained in vitro were shown to interact with the C system in vitro and in vivo. This interaction resulted in the depletion of hemolytic C in normal sera of several species, the generation of anaphylatoxin-like activity in vitro, the conversion of C3, and the production of vascular permeability changes in vivo. The substances appeared to initiate C fixation nonimmunologically via both the alternative and classical pathways. Intravenous administration of parasite factors in rats led to profound depression of circulating C levels and the rats did not become refractory to this effect after repeated dosing over a 3-week period. Circulating levels of hemolytic C were not altered in infected rats over the first 8 weeks of infection. C-dependent inflammatory responses in the skin of rats were inhibited in animals given i.v. doses of parasite factors. The possibility is raised that local consumption of C around the metacestode in vivo could contribute to its successful evasion of inflammation and immune rejection during infection.", "PMID": 632577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9464", "title": "Bronchopulmonary macrophage activation in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.", "content": "Repeated intratracheal (IT) inoculation of rabbits with a homogenized, saline suspension of Micropolspora faeni produced bronchopulmonary (BP) histologic lesions resembling those of human hypersensitivity pneumonitis. With an in vitro phagocytic and bactericidal assay, an analysis of BP macrophages from M. faeni-injected rabbits demonstrated activation at both 2 and 4 weeks after the initiation of immunization. No BP macrophage activation was observed in immunized rabbits 6 weeks post-inoculation. BP macrophage activation was capable of recall after 6 weeks in M. faeni-sensitized animals that received a booster IT injection (2 mg) that did not activate \"normal\" alveolar wash cells. This recall of BP macrophage activation was accompanied by both a marked migration of mononuclear cells into the lung and positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions after intradermal injection of M. faeni antigen. Pulmonary histologic examination of sensitized, boosted rabbits suggested an enhanced cellular parenchymal infiltrate when compared with appropriate controls. The above observations confirm the occurrence of immunologically activated BP macrophages in rabbits inoculated witn M. faeni via the respiratory tract route and suggest a correlation between macrophage activation and histopathology.", "contents": "Bronchopulmonary macrophage activation in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Repeated intratracheal (IT) inoculation of rabbits with a homogenized, saline suspension of Micropolspora faeni produced bronchopulmonary (BP) histologic lesions resembling those of human hypersensitivity pneumonitis. With an in vitro phagocytic and bactericidal assay, an analysis of BP macrophages from M. faeni-injected rabbits demonstrated activation at both 2 and 4 weeks after the initiation of immunization. No BP macrophage activation was observed in immunized rabbits 6 weeks post-inoculation. BP macrophage activation was capable of recall after 6 weeks in M. faeni-sensitized animals that received a booster IT injection (2 mg) that did not activate \"normal\" alveolar wash cells. This recall of BP macrophage activation was accompanied by both a marked migration of mononuclear cells into the lung and positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions after intradermal injection of M. faeni antigen. Pulmonary histologic examination of sensitized, boosted rabbits suggested an enhanced cellular parenchymal infiltrate when compared with appropriate controls. The above observations confirm the occurrence of immunologically activated BP macrophages in rabbits inoculated witn M. faeni via the respiratory tract route and suggest a correlation between macrophage activation and histopathology.", "PMID": 632580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9465", "title": "Immune response to immunization via the anterior chamber of the eye. II. An analysis of F1 lymphocyte-induced immune deviation.", "content": "Exposure to alloantigen via the anterior chamber of the eye elicits a transient suppression of cellular immunity, whereas humoral immunity is preserved--i.e. F1 LI-ID. The majority of lymphoid cells inoculated into the anterior chamber are retained within the posterior segment of the eye. The latter serves as a depot of alloantigen, allowing the chronic egress of small numbers of cells into the vascular tree. The persistence of this antigen depot is essential to the development of F1 LI-ID. Since there is a preferential distribution of cells that migrate from the eye to the spleen, the functional integrity of the latter is also necessary to elicit F1 LI-ID. It is concluded that an anatomically intact spleen, i.v. presentation of antigen, and persistence of antigen within the eye are all important to the elicitation of this phenomenon.", "contents": "Immune response to immunization via the anterior chamber of the eye. II. An analysis of F1 lymphocyte-induced immune deviation. Exposure to alloantigen via the anterior chamber of the eye elicits a transient suppression of cellular immunity, whereas humoral immunity is preserved--i.e. F1 LI-ID. The majority of lymphoid cells inoculated into the anterior chamber are retained within the posterior segment of the eye. The latter serves as a depot of alloantigen, allowing the chronic egress of small numbers of cells into the vascular tree. The persistence of this antigen depot is essential to the development of F1 LI-ID. Since there is a preferential distribution of cells that migrate from the eye to the spleen, the functional integrity of the latter is also necessary to elicit F1 LI-ID. It is concluded that an anatomically intact spleen, i.v. presentation of antigen, and persistence of antigen within the eye are all important to the elicitation of this phenomenon.", "PMID": 632581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9466", "title": "Isolation of an Fcgamma-binding protein from the cell membrane of a macrophage-like cell line (P388D1) after detergent solubilization.", "content": "Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, NP-40 lysis, and subsequent affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose were used in an attempt to define some of the molecular properties of the Fc receptor of P388D1, a macrophage-like mouse tumor line. Radioiodinated material retained on columns of Sepharose coupled either to monomeric mouse IgG2a or monomeric human IgG1 appeared on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to contain principally three labeled components, a major band of about 57,000 m.w. and two minor bands of 28,000 and 24,000 m.w. The mobilities of these components changed little on reduction, which suggested that they represented single polypeptide chains, An identical pattern was obtained with Sepharose-linked Fc fragments of human IgG1, but neither Fab fragments of IgG1 nor IgM appeared to bind these components. Since the specificity of binding to the immobilized proteins is the same as that observed in vivo, it is postulated that these proteins represent either all or some portion of the P388D1 Fc receptor.", "contents": "Isolation of an Fcgamma-binding protein from the cell membrane of a macrophage-like cell line (P388D1) after detergent solubilization. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, NP-40 lysis, and subsequent affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose were used in an attempt to define some of the molecular properties of the Fc receptor of P388D1, a macrophage-like mouse tumor line. Radioiodinated material retained on columns of Sepharose coupled either to monomeric mouse IgG2a or monomeric human IgG1 appeared on SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to contain principally three labeled components, a major band of about 57,000 m.w. and two minor bands of 28,000 and 24,000 m.w. The mobilities of these components changed little on reduction, which suggested that they represented single polypeptide chains, An identical pattern was obtained with Sepharose-linked Fc fragments of human IgG1, but neither Fab fragments of IgG1 nor IgM appeared to bind these components. Since the specificity of binding to the immobilized proteins is the same as that observed in vivo, it is postulated that these proteins represent either all or some portion of the P388D1 Fc receptor.", "PMID": 632582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9467", "title": "Enumeration and ultrastructure of C4-producing free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung.", "content": "Free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung producing the fourth emoponent of C (C4) were identified, enumerated, and characterized by using anti-C4 Fab-peroxidase conjugates in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy. The C4-producing cell population consisted of: 1) alveolar macrophages (AM); 2) less well differentiated phagocytes similar in morphology to exudate macrophages; and 3) weakly phagocytic secretory cells with numerous profiles of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Internal immunolabeling allowed the visualization of C4 in the ER, perinuclear space, and Golgi complex of producer cells and its release at cell surfaces; synthesis of C4 in vitro was sensitive to inhibitors both of protein synthesis and messenger RNA function. The percentage of free alveolar cells from normal animals competent for C4 production as indicated by cell surface immunolabeling was approximately 1% of the total cells obtained by lavage. Transnasal infection with Listeria monocytogenes, generation of a pulmonary granulomatous reaction by i.v. injection of heat-killed BCG, and aerosol infection of nonvaccinated animals with Myco-bacterium tuberculsois each resulted in an increase in numbers of AM and exudate macrophage-like free alveolar cells competent for C4-production.", "contents": "Enumeration and ultrastructure of C4-producing free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung. Free alveolar cells from guinea pig lung producing the fourth emoponent of C (C4) were identified, enumerated, and characterized by using anti-C4 Fab-peroxidase conjugates in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy. The C4-producing cell population consisted of: 1) alveolar macrophages (AM); 2) less well differentiated phagocytes similar in morphology to exudate macrophages; and 3) weakly phagocytic secretory cells with numerous profiles of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Internal immunolabeling allowed the visualization of C4 in the ER, perinuclear space, and Golgi complex of producer cells and its release at cell surfaces; synthesis of C4 in vitro was sensitive to inhibitors both of protein synthesis and messenger RNA function. The percentage of free alveolar cells from normal animals competent for C4 production as indicated by cell surface immunolabeling was approximately 1% of the total cells obtained by lavage. Transnasal infection with Listeria monocytogenes, generation of a pulmonary granulomatous reaction by i.v. injection of heat-killed BCG, and aerosol infection of nonvaccinated animals with Myco-bacterium tuberculsois each resulted in an increase in numbers of AM and exudate macrophage-like free alveolar cells competent for C4-production.", "PMID": 632583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9468", "title": "Immune response in guinea pigs to two different lipid conjugates of bovine serum albumin.", "content": "A lipid conjugate of BSA was made by coupling dodecylamine to the COOH groups of BSA (DA-BSA). Studies on the immunogenicity of this material and one made by coupling dodecanoic anhydride to NH2 groups (D-BSA) demonstrated that cell-mediated immunity could preferentially be generated by lipid conjugation to an antigen as measured by delayed skin reaction, invitro blast transformation, and antibody formation. DA-BSA was found superior by both in vivo and in vitro tests. Both the conjugates retained the ability to suppress delayed type hypersensitivity, but only DA-BSA retained the ability to elicit optimum skin reaction in a sensitized animal and to precipitate anti-BSA antibody.", "contents": "Immune response in guinea pigs to two different lipid conjugates of bovine serum albumin. A lipid conjugate of BSA was made by coupling dodecylamine to the COOH groups of BSA (DA-BSA). Studies on the immunogenicity of this material and one made by coupling dodecanoic anhydride to NH2 groups (D-BSA) demonstrated that cell-mediated immunity could preferentially be generated by lipid conjugation to an antigen as measured by delayed skin reaction, invitro blast transformation, and antibody formation. DA-BSA was found superior by both in vivo and in vitro tests. Both the conjugates retained the ability to suppress delayed type hypersensitivity, but only DA-BSA retained the ability to elicit optimum skin reaction in a sensitized animal and to precipitate anti-BSA antibody.", "PMID": 632585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9469", "title": "Anisakis and eosinophil. I. Detection of a soluble factor selectively chemotactic for eosinophils in the extract from Anisakis larvae.", "content": "Studies were undertaken in order to determine if Anisakis larva itself has the ability to attract eosinophils. Extracts from Anisakis larvae were examined for both neutrophil and eosinophil chemotactic activities with both in vivo and in vitro assay systems. When the soluble extract was injected intradermally into normal guinea pigs, a profound accumulation of eosinophils was observed at the injection site. The cells started to accumulate at the site within 1 hr and the number of eosinophils at the site reached its peak at 8 hr after the injection of the extract. Such eosinophilic accumulation was enhanced in a dose-response fashion over the range of 0.5 to 50 micrograms protein. The strong chemotatic activity of the Anisakis extract for eosinophils was confirmed when in vitro chemotaxis assays were performed with Boyden chemotatic chambers. Interestingly, no chemotactic activity for neutrophils was found at those concentrations of the extract with which the eosinophil effect was observed. These results indicate that the factor described here, in addition to the various known immunologic factors, may play an important role in the development of eosinophilia in anisakiasis.", "contents": "Anisakis and eosinophil. I. Detection of a soluble factor selectively chemotactic for eosinophils in the extract from Anisakis larvae. Studies were undertaken in order to determine if Anisakis larva itself has the ability to attract eosinophils. Extracts from Anisakis larvae were examined for both neutrophil and eosinophil chemotactic activities with both in vivo and in vitro assay systems. When the soluble extract was injected intradermally into normal guinea pigs, a profound accumulation of eosinophils was observed at the injection site. The cells started to accumulate at the site within 1 hr and the number of eosinophils at the site reached its peak at 8 hr after the injection of the extract. Such eosinophilic accumulation was enhanced in a dose-response fashion over the range of 0.5 to 50 micrograms protein. The strong chemotatic activity of the Anisakis extract for eosinophils was confirmed when in vitro chemotaxis assays were performed with Boyden chemotatic chambers. Interestingly, no chemotactic activity for neutrophils was found at those concentrations of the extract with which the eosinophil effect was observed. These results indicate that the factor described here, in addition to the various known immunologic factors, may play an important role in the development of eosinophilia in anisakiasis.", "PMID": 632586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9470", "title": "Plasminogen activator of guinea pig basophilic leukocytes: probable localization to the plasma membrane.", "content": "The plasminogen activator (PA) activity of guinea pig basophil-enriched leukocyte preparations was localized to basophils, and not to contaminating lymphocytes and eosinophils, by correlating PA activity with basophil frequency and, more directly, by means of an improved cytochemical method here described. PA activity was fully expressed in living cells in the absence of immunologic stimuli and was suppressed/lost to a variable extent by different techniques of cell disruption. Conversely, killed, but not living, basophils expressed significant plasminogen-independent fibrinolytic activity, presumably reflecting access of cytoplasmic proteases of broken basophils to fibrin substrate. The PA activity of intact cells was destroyed by gentle trypsinization under conditions that did not impair cell viability. When disrupted cells were ultracentrifuged on a sucrose density gradient, PA activity was absent from purified granules and was confined to fractions containing cell membranes. The simplest explanation of these data is that guinea pig basophils have PA activity associated with their plasma membranes. This conclusion has several important implications for basophil functions in cell-mediated and other immunologic reactions in vivo.", "contents": "Plasminogen activator of guinea pig basophilic leukocytes: probable localization to the plasma membrane. The plasminogen activator (PA) activity of guinea pig basophil-enriched leukocyte preparations was localized to basophils, and not to contaminating lymphocytes and eosinophils, by correlating PA activity with basophil frequency and, more directly, by means of an improved cytochemical method here described. PA activity was fully expressed in living cells in the absence of immunologic stimuli and was suppressed/lost to a variable extent by different techniques of cell disruption. Conversely, killed, but not living, basophils expressed significant plasminogen-independent fibrinolytic activity, presumably reflecting access of cytoplasmic proteases of broken basophils to fibrin substrate. The PA activity of intact cells was destroyed by gentle trypsinization under conditions that did not impair cell viability. When disrupted cells were ultracentrifuged on a sucrose density gradient, PA activity was absent from purified granules and was confined to fractions containing cell membranes. The simplest explanation of these data is that guinea pig basophils have PA activity associated with their plasma membranes. This conclusion has several important implications for basophil functions in cell-mediated and other immunologic reactions in vivo.", "PMID": 632587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9471", "title": "Natural killing in immunodeficient patients.", "content": "Natural killing (NK) capacity was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 14 patients with well defined primary immunodeficiency disorders and compared with the activity of those cells in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays against antibody-coated erythrocyte (killed primarily by monocytes) and lymphoid or tumor targets (killed exclusively by lymphoid cells). A selective inability to lyse antibody-coated lymphocyte targets was observed with cells from patients with x-linked agammaglobulinemia, suggesting the involvement of either a different lymphocyte subpopulation or membrane receptor for NK and ADCC, or that a different functional susceptibility exists for the two types of killing. The only immunodeficiency state in which lymphocyte NK activity was found to be lacking was severe combined immunodediciency disease.", "contents": "Natural killing in immunodeficient patients. Natural killing (NK) capacity was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 14 patients with well defined primary immunodeficiency disorders and compared with the activity of those cells in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays against antibody-coated erythrocyte (killed primarily by monocytes) and lymphoid or tumor targets (killed exclusively by lymphoid cells). A selective inability to lyse antibody-coated lymphocyte targets was observed with cells from patients with x-linked agammaglobulinemia, suggesting the involvement of either a different lymphocyte subpopulation or membrane receptor for NK and ADCC, or that a different functional susceptibility exists for the two types of killing. The only immunodeficiency state in which lymphocyte NK activity was found to be lacking was severe combined immunodediciency disease.", "PMID": 632589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9472", "title": "Membrane receptors of mouse leukocytes. I. Two types of complement receptors for different regions of C3.", "content": "Mouse leukocytes were studied for membrane receptors for the third C component by rosette formation with C coated erythrocytes (EAC). Methods were devised for the preparation of EAC complexes containing either mouse C3b or mouse C3d. EAC 1-3dmo were prepared from EA treated with whole mouse serum while EAC 1-3bmo were produced from EAC 142hu treated with whole mouse serum containing sodium suramin. The specificity of the EAC complexes for mouse leukocytes was confirmed by inhibition experiments using fluid phase human C3d. Low concentrations of fluid phase human C3d inhibited EAC1-3dmo rosettes but failed to inhibit EAC 1-3bmo rosettes. Eight-fold higher concentrations of fluid phase C3d caused partial inhibition of EAC1-3bmo rosette formation with lymphocytes, but not with other types of murine leukocytes. Thus mouse leukocytes apparently contain the same two types of C receptors as do human and guinea pig leukocytes. Mouse CR1 is specific for a non-C3d region of C3b, (possibly analogous to human C3c) whereas mouse CR2 is specific for both C3d and the C3d region of C3b.", "contents": "Membrane receptors of mouse leukocytes. I. Two types of complement receptors for different regions of C3. Mouse leukocytes were studied for membrane receptors for the third C component by rosette formation with C coated erythrocytes (EAC). Methods were devised for the preparation of EAC complexes containing either mouse C3b or mouse C3d. EAC 1-3dmo were prepared from EA treated with whole mouse serum while EAC 1-3bmo were produced from EAC 142hu treated with whole mouse serum containing sodium suramin. The specificity of the EAC complexes for mouse leukocytes was confirmed by inhibition experiments using fluid phase human C3d. Low concentrations of fluid phase human C3d inhibited EAC1-3dmo rosettes but failed to inhibit EAC 1-3bmo rosettes. Eight-fold higher concentrations of fluid phase C3d caused partial inhibition of EAC1-3bmo rosette formation with lymphocytes, but not with other types of murine leukocytes. Thus mouse leukocytes apparently contain the same two types of C receptors as do human and guinea pig leukocytes. Mouse CR1 is specific for a non-C3d region of C3b, (possibly analogous to human C3c) whereas mouse CR2 is specific for both C3d and the C3d region of C3b.", "PMID": 632590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9473", "title": "Stimulation of the synthesis and release of lipids in tumor cells under attack by antibody and C.", "content": "Antibody-sensitized line-1 or line-10 tumor cells treated with GPC (TAC) incorporated fatty acids into complex cellular lipids and released increased amounts of fatty acids within 5 to 10 min after the addition of GPC as compared to control cells. This effect was dependent on the concentration of GPC used; however, under conditions where the cells were not killed, the enhanced synthesis and release of lipids were not dependent on the antibody concentration used to sensitize the cells. Treatment of the cells with antibody alone, GPC alone, or antibody plus heat-inactivated GPC did not result in enhanced synthesis or release of lipids. No enhancement in DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis in TAC was noted. Line-1 cells, which can be killed by GPC when sensitized with excess anti-Forssman IgM antibody, demonstrated enhanced lipid synthesis within 1 to 3 min after the addition of GPC to the antibody-sensitized cells, before measurable killing of the cells had occurred. This effect persisted in the surviving cells when tested 5 and 10 min after the formation of TAC. Addition of GPC deficient in C4 to antibody-sensitized cells did not result in enhanced lipid synthesis or release. These data suggest that the synthesis of macromolecules of which lipids are a major component is of central importance for the ability of the cells to resist antibody-GPC mediated attack.", "contents": "Stimulation of the synthesis and release of lipids in tumor cells under attack by antibody and C. Antibody-sensitized line-1 or line-10 tumor cells treated with GPC (TAC) incorporated fatty acids into complex cellular lipids and released increased amounts of fatty acids within 5 to 10 min after the addition of GPC as compared to control cells. This effect was dependent on the concentration of GPC used; however, under conditions where the cells were not killed, the enhanced synthesis and release of lipids were not dependent on the antibody concentration used to sensitize the cells. Treatment of the cells with antibody alone, GPC alone, or antibody plus heat-inactivated GPC did not result in enhanced synthesis or release of lipids. No enhancement in DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis in TAC was noted. Line-1 cells, which can be killed by GPC when sensitized with excess anti-Forssman IgM antibody, demonstrated enhanced lipid synthesis within 1 to 3 min after the addition of GPC to the antibody-sensitized cells, before measurable killing of the cells had occurred. This effect persisted in the surviving cells when tested 5 and 10 min after the formation of TAC. Addition of GPC deficient in C4 to antibody-sensitized cells did not result in enhanced lipid synthesis or release. These data suggest that the synthesis of macromolecules of which lipids are a major component is of central importance for the ability of the cells to resist antibody-GPC mediated attack.", "PMID": 632591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9474", "title": "Aging and the immune response. I. Antibody formation and chronic infection in Toxoplasma gondii-infected mice.", "content": "Studies were performed to determine the effect of aging on the antibody response and cyst formations after infection with a relatively avirulent strain of the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. When compared with young mice (4 months), aged mice showed a significant decrease in the magnitude of humoral immune response to infection. This decrease was observed at the peak of the acute infection and also during chronic infection. Evaluation of the presence of Toxoplasma cysts, a measure of the latent infection, revealed that the numbers of tissue cysts present 11 weeks after infection increased with the age of the mice at time of infection. The larger numbers of cysts in older mice which had received the same inoculum size of T. gondii as young mice, together with our previous observations of increased susceptibility of these older mice to T. gondii, suggest that an age-related decrease in the early immune response to this infection allows an increased multiplication of the organism in vivo, leading to increased cyst numbers or death.", "contents": "Aging and the immune response. I. Antibody formation and chronic infection in Toxoplasma gondii-infected mice. Studies were performed to determine the effect of aging on the antibody response and cyst formations after infection with a relatively avirulent strain of the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. When compared with young mice (4 months), aged mice showed a significant decrease in the magnitude of humoral immune response to infection. This decrease was observed at the peak of the acute infection and also during chronic infection. Evaluation of the presence of Toxoplasma cysts, a measure of the latent infection, revealed that the numbers of tissue cysts present 11 weeks after infection increased with the age of the mice at time of infection. The larger numbers of cysts in older mice which had received the same inoculum size of T. gondii as young mice, together with our previous observations of increased susceptibility of these older mice to T. gondii, suggest that an age-related decrease in the early immune response to this infection allows an increased multiplication of the organism in vivo, leading to increased cyst numbers or death.", "PMID": 632593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9475", "title": "DNA synthesis and proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. I. Cell kinetics of response to phytohemagglutinin.", "content": "The response of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was assessed in detailed kinetic studies, in order to define conditions permitting and regulating proliferation. By utilizing live and dead cell counts, cell cycle characterizations, and calculations of rates of entry into S phase and mitosis, it was demonstrated that dilute culture conditions (2 X 10(5) cells/ml) enable lymphocytes to proliferate for a period of 5 or 6 days. Although cell division occurs in concentrated cultures (2 X 10(6) cells/ml), net proliferation is not demonstrable due to extensive cell death and earlier decay in the proliferative response. It is projected that without cell death the cell count would rise more than 6-fold in a dilute culture and 2-fold in a concentrated culture under these growth conditions. The kinetic analyses did not demonstrate separate PHA dose thresholds for blastogenesis and entry into S phase. High doses of PHA stimulated a suboptimal response by causing excessive cell death without reducing initial entry into the cell cycle. These results provide a kinetic explanation for the frequent observation of little net proliferation despite substantial 3H-thymidine incorporation in PHA-stimulated lymphocyte cultures. Cell death is identified as a parameter that must be considered in the interpretation of in vitro lymphocyte stimulation studies, and methods for quantifying the role of cell death are demonstrated.", "contents": "DNA synthesis and proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. I. Cell kinetics of response to phytohemagglutinin. The response of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation was assessed in detailed kinetic studies, in order to define conditions permitting and regulating proliferation. By utilizing live and dead cell counts, cell cycle characterizations, and calculations of rates of entry into S phase and mitosis, it was demonstrated that dilute culture conditions (2 X 10(5) cells/ml) enable lymphocytes to proliferate for a period of 5 or 6 days. Although cell division occurs in concentrated cultures (2 X 10(6) cells/ml), net proliferation is not demonstrable due to extensive cell death and earlier decay in the proliferative response. It is projected that without cell death the cell count would rise more than 6-fold in a dilute culture and 2-fold in a concentrated culture under these growth conditions. The kinetic analyses did not demonstrate separate PHA dose thresholds for blastogenesis and entry into S phase. High doses of PHA stimulated a suboptimal response by causing excessive cell death without reducing initial entry into the cell cycle. These results provide a kinetic explanation for the frequent observation of little net proliferation despite substantial 3H-thymidine incorporation in PHA-stimulated lymphocyte cultures. Cell death is identified as a parameter that must be considered in the interpretation of in vitro lymphocyte stimulation studies, and methods for quantifying the role of cell death are demonstrated.", "PMID": 632595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9476", "title": "DNA synthesis and proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. II. Characterization of the DNA newly synthesized after phytohemagglutinin stimulation.", "content": "DNA newly synthesized by phytohemagglutinin-(PHA) stimulated human lymphocytes has been analyzed for the possibility that all DNA synthesis may not represent premitotic genome duplication. Equilibrium density gradient characterization of bromodeoxyuridine-(BUdR) substituted DNA demonstrates semi-conservative DNA replication, without evidence for repair synthesis. Experiments to detect selective replication (amplification) of a portion of the DNA involved measurement of reassociation kinetics as well as measurement of the kinetics of BUdR appearance in prelabeled DNA. The presence of large quantities of amplified DNA has been excluded, although amplification cannot be ruled out completely by these techniques. Finally, the kinetics of DNA release from dead lymphocytes is characterized, and factors tending to reduce the complexity of released, labeled DNA are identified.", "contents": "DNA synthesis and proliferation of human lymphocytes in vitro. II. Characterization of the DNA newly synthesized after phytohemagglutinin stimulation. DNA newly synthesized by phytohemagglutinin-(PHA) stimulated human lymphocytes has been analyzed for the possibility that all DNA synthesis may not represent premitotic genome duplication. Equilibrium density gradient characterization of bromodeoxyuridine-(BUdR) substituted DNA demonstrates semi-conservative DNA replication, without evidence for repair synthesis. Experiments to detect selective replication (amplification) of a portion of the DNA involved measurement of reassociation kinetics as well as measurement of the kinetics of BUdR appearance in prelabeled DNA. The presence of large quantities of amplified DNA has been excluded, although amplification cannot be ruled out completely by these techniques. Finally, the kinetics of DNA release from dead lymphocytes is characterized, and factors tending to reduce the complexity of released, labeled DNA are identified.", "PMID": 632596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9477", "title": "Opsonic activity of guinea pig serum is reduced by in vivo administration of carcinogenic nitrosamines.", "content": "The administration of each of four carcinogenic nitrosamines to normal guinea pigs resulted in decreased opsonic activity of their sera but did not affect the capacity of their peritoneal macrophages to phagocytize particles opsonized with normal serum. Diphenylnitrosamine, a noncarcinogenic analogue, had no significant effect on opsonic or phagocytic activity.", "contents": "Opsonic activity of guinea pig serum is reduced by in vivo administration of carcinogenic nitrosamines. The administration of each of four carcinogenic nitrosamines to normal guinea pigs resulted in decreased opsonic activity of their sera but did not affect the capacity of their peritoneal macrophages to phagocytize particles opsonized with normal serum. Diphenylnitrosamine, a noncarcinogenic analogue, had no significant effect on opsonic or phagocytic activity.", "PMID": 632598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9478", "title": "A simplified procedure for cyclic nucleotide radioimmunoassay and its application to human blood leukocytes.", "content": "Rapid treatment of leukocyte suspensions was found to be an effective alternative to acid treatment in the preparation of these cells for radioimmunoassay of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP. A 2-sec heating to boiling temperature, followed by sonication and micropore filtration, was employed. This procedure adequately inactivated or removed enzymes and binding proteins that can alter cyclic nucleotide concentrations or otherwise interfere with the radioimmunoassay. Moreover, heating in this manner did not appear to affect the stability of cyclic nucleotides or cause significant formation of cyclic GMP from endogenous GTP. Recovery of cyclic nucleotides after heating and filtration was high (89-96%), making possible the measurement of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in small cellular samples. Variation in cyclic nucleotide recovery was small (+/- 2-4% SD), therefore individual recovery determinations were unnecessary.", "contents": "A simplified procedure for cyclic nucleotide radioimmunoassay and its application to human blood leukocytes. Rapid treatment of leukocyte suspensions was found to be an effective alternative to acid treatment in the preparation of these cells for radioimmunoassay of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP. A 2-sec heating to boiling temperature, followed by sonication and micropore filtration, was employed. This procedure adequately inactivated or removed enzymes and binding proteins that can alter cyclic nucleotide concentrations or otherwise interfere with the radioimmunoassay. Moreover, heating in this manner did not appear to affect the stability of cyclic nucleotides or cause significant formation of cyclic GMP from endogenous GTP. Recovery of cyclic nucleotides after heating and filtration was high (89-96%), making possible the measurement of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in small cellular samples. Variation in cyclic nucleotide recovery was small (+/- 2-4% SD), therefore individual recovery determinations were unnecessary.", "PMID": 632599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9479", "title": "Systemic protection by antioxidants against UVL-induced erythema.", "content": "An antioxidant supplemented diet provided marked systemic protection against ultraviolet light mediated erythema in hairless mice. Among the individual constituents of the diet, butylated hydroxytoluene was most effective whereas glutathione and vitamins C and E afforded negligible protection. The mixture of antioxidants, and butylated hydroxytoluene individually, demonstrated diminished, but significant, protection when applied topically. The safety of this systemic photoprotectant and its clinical relevance at present is unknown.", "contents": "Systemic protection by antioxidants against UVL-induced erythema. An antioxidant supplemented diet provided marked systemic protection against ultraviolet light mediated erythema in hairless mice. Among the individual constituents of the diet, butylated hydroxytoluene was most effective whereas glutathione and vitamins C and E afforded negligible protection. The mixture of antioxidants, and butylated hydroxytoluene individually, demonstrated diminished, but significant, protection when applied topically. The safety of this systemic photoprotectant and its clinical relevance at present is unknown.", "PMID": 632615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9480", "title": "The effect of aluminium chlorhydrate on sweat gland activity in cattle.", "content": "Topical application of aluminium chlorhydrate had no appreciable antiperspirant action on the epitrichial glands of cattle. There was no evidence of penetration of the salt into the dermis or of any change in the morphology of the glands. It is probable that the antiperspirant activity of aluminium chlorhydrate in the human axilla, is only on the atrichial glands.", "contents": "The effect of aluminium chlorhydrate on sweat gland activity in cattle. Topical application of aluminium chlorhydrate had no appreciable antiperspirant action on the epitrichial glands of cattle. There was no evidence of penetration of the salt into the dermis or of any change in the morphology of the glands. It is probable that the antiperspirant activity of aluminium chlorhydrate in the human axilla, is only on the atrichial glands.", "PMID": 632617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9481", "title": "Route of contact sensitization and in vitro lymphocyte transformation.", "content": "A guinea pig skin extract conjugate with dinitrofluorobenzene elicited significant in vitro transformation of cultured lymphnode lymphocytes from 19 of 27 guinea pigs sensitized by footpad injection of dinitrochlorobenzene in Freund's complete adjuvant, as compared to only 1 of 26 guinea pigs topically sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene. Topically sensitized guinea pigs appear to be more appropriate models for contact allergy in man than guinea pigs sensitized by other methods. Other sensitization procedures are likely to produce more heterogeneous forms of sensitization, with features of contact allergy, tuberculin-type allergy, antibody-mediated hypersensitivity and cutaneous basophile hypersensitivity.", "contents": "Route of contact sensitization and in vitro lymphocyte transformation. A guinea pig skin extract conjugate with dinitrofluorobenzene elicited significant in vitro transformation of cultured lymphnode lymphocytes from 19 of 27 guinea pigs sensitized by footpad injection of dinitrochlorobenzene in Freund's complete adjuvant, as compared to only 1 of 26 guinea pigs topically sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene. Topically sensitized guinea pigs appear to be more appropriate models for contact allergy in man than guinea pigs sensitized by other methods. Other sensitization procedures are likely to produce more heterogeneous forms of sensitization, with features of contact allergy, tuberculin-type allergy, antibody-mediated hypersensitivity and cutaneous basophile hypersensitivity.", "PMID": 632618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9482", "title": "Mitotic activity of epidermal melanocytes in UV-irradiated mouse skin.", "content": "The role of mitosis in the increase in the epidermal melanocyte population following repeated ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been studied in C57B1 mice. Cumulative labeling with 3H-methyl-thymidine (3HTdr) was used in combination with autoradiography. A 4-6 fold increase in the melanocyte population was associated with an isotope labeling of 65-80% of the melanocytes. This indicates that cell division during the irradiation period can account for the total increase in the number of melanocytes. Labeled melanocytes were also found in the epidermis from unirradiated skin. Thus, the epidermal melanocytes seem to constitute a dynamic cell population under continuous renewal.", "contents": "Mitotic activity of epidermal melanocytes in UV-irradiated mouse skin. The role of mitosis in the increase in the epidermal melanocyte population following repeated ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been studied in C57B1 mice. Cumulative labeling with 3H-methyl-thymidine (3HTdr) was used in combination with autoradiography. A 4-6 fold increase in the melanocyte population was associated with an isotope labeling of 65-80% of the melanocytes. This indicates that cell division during the irradiation period can account for the total increase in the number of melanocytes. Labeled melanocytes were also found in the epidermis from unirradiated skin. Thus, the epidermal melanocytes seem to constitute a dynamic cell population under continuous renewal.", "PMID": 632619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9483", "title": "Identification of topical photosensitizing agents in humans.", "content": "A method is described for the detection of topical photosensitizers in humans. Test agents were applied to the untanned midback under an occlusive dressing for 6 hr and then exposed to broad-spectrum radiation containing UV-A and visible wavelengths from a Xenon arc source. Well-known topical photosensitizers were readily identified. It was found that with certain poorly-penetrating substances, such as water-soluble dyes, applications to scarified skin were necessary to reveal phototoxic activity. In addition, these dyes were activated by wavelengths in the visible region of the spectrum.", "contents": "Identification of topical photosensitizing agents in humans. A method is described for the detection of topical photosensitizers in humans. Test agents were applied to the untanned midback under an occlusive dressing for 6 hr and then exposed to broad-spectrum radiation containing UV-A and visible wavelengths from a Xenon arc source. Well-known topical photosensitizers were readily identified. It was found that with certain poorly-penetrating substances, such as water-soluble dyes, applications to scarified skin were necessary to reveal phototoxic activity. In addition, these dyes were activated by wavelengths in the visible region of the spectrum.", "PMID": 632620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9484", "title": "A method to evaluate skin moisturizers in vivo.", "content": "Blank demonstrated that water is the only plasticizer of human stratum corneum. Moisturizers attempt to add and hold water within the horny layer, and have previously been evaluated subjectively or in vitro. By passing a stream of dry nitrogen over skin, then through an electrolytic moisture analyzer, moisture present at the skin surface will be detected. This technique has been utilized to measure transepidermal water loss and the inhibition of water loss from skin by various investigators. However, when this same procedure is done on normal human skin, higher values indicate the presence of more moisture. The more moisture detectable at the surface, the more moisture available for keratin to absorb. By applying the moisturizers to plastic film and the skin, it can be demonstrated that water is not detectable after a few minutes on the plastic, but is detectable on skin at higher than control (transepidermal water loss) values for several hours. The technique can demonstrate enhanced moisturization from plastic occlusion and wet dressings as well as the drying effect of benzoyl peroxide gels. It allows objective rank ordering of moisturizers by monitoring moisture enhancement rather than occlusivity of applied substances.", "contents": "A method to evaluate skin moisturizers in vivo. Blank demonstrated that water is the only plasticizer of human stratum corneum. Moisturizers attempt to add and hold water within the horny layer, and have previously been evaluated subjectively or in vitro. By passing a stream of dry nitrogen over skin, then through an electrolytic moisture analyzer, moisture present at the skin surface will be detected. This technique has been utilized to measure transepidermal water loss and the inhibition of water loss from skin by various investigators. However, when this same procedure is done on normal human skin, higher values indicate the presence of more moisture. The more moisture detectable at the surface, the more moisture available for keratin to absorb. By applying the moisturizers to plastic film and the skin, it can be demonstrated that water is not detectable after a few minutes on the plastic, but is detectable on skin at higher than control (transepidermal water loss) values for several hours. The technique can demonstrate enhanced moisturization from plastic occlusion and wet dressings as well as the drying effect of benzoyl peroxide gels. It allows objective rank ordering of moisturizers by monitoring moisture enhancement rather than occlusivity of applied substances.", "PMID": 632621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9485", "title": "Distensibility of the vascular bed in subcutaneous tissue in generalized scleroderma.", "content": "Passive distensibility of resistance vessels in subcutaneous tissue of hand and leg was examined in 6 normals and 8 patients suffering from generalized scleroderma of the acrosclerosis type. Local paralysis of smooth muscle was obtained by injection of papaverine and increase in transmural pressure by lowering the limb. Blood flow was estimated by the local 133Xenon wash-out method. Distensibility of blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue in generalized scleroderma was not decreased to a significant degree, whereas, both in patients and normals, the blood vessels of the leg exhibited diminished distensibility compared to blood vessels of the hand. The findings suggest that the morphologic changes of vascular and extravascular tissue observed in sclerodermic skin do not affect distensibility of the vascular bed in subcutaneous tissue.", "contents": "Distensibility of the vascular bed in subcutaneous tissue in generalized scleroderma. Passive distensibility of resistance vessels in subcutaneous tissue of hand and leg was examined in 6 normals and 8 patients suffering from generalized scleroderma of the acrosclerosis type. Local paralysis of smooth muscle was obtained by injection of papaverine and increase in transmural pressure by lowering the limb. Blood flow was estimated by the local 133Xenon wash-out method. Distensibility of blood vessels in subcutaneous tissue in generalized scleroderma was not decreased to a significant degree, whereas, both in patients and normals, the blood vessels of the leg exhibited diminished distensibility compared to blood vessels of the hand. The findings suggest that the morphologic changes of vascular and extravascular tissue observed in sclerodermic skin do not affect distensibility of the vascular bed in subcutaneous tissue.", "PMID": 632622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9486", "title": "In vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci.", "content": "The in vitro activity of five cephalosporins, gentamicin, and vancomycin was determined against 41 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci. Results obtained with disk diffusion and agar dilution methods failed to show complete cross-resistance between methicillin and four of the five cephalosporins despite the use of a high-salt medium and a large inoculum. Thirty-six (88%) of the 41 isolates were sensitive to cephalothin by a standardized disk diffusion method, whereas 23 isolates (56%) were sensitive to cephalothin with use of an agar dilution method and a large inoculum. Of these 23 isolates, only 11 (47%) were both inhibited and killed by less than or equal to 6.25 microgram of cephalothin/ml. The inhibitory and bactericidal activity of gentamicin was greater than that of vancomycin and cephalothin. These results suggest that the disk diffusion technique has limitations in determining the in vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci and that cephalothin exhibits poor bactericidal activity against these same isolates.", "contents": "In vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci. The in vitro activity of five cephalosporins, gentamicin, and vancomycin was determined against 41 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci. Results obtained with disk diffusion and agar dilution methods failed to show complete cross-resistance between methicillin and four of the five cephalosporins despite the use of a high-salt medium and a large inoculum. Thirty-six (88%) of the 41 isolates were sensitive to cephalothin by a standardized disk diffusion method, whereas 23 isolates (56%) were sensitive to cephalothin with use of an agar dilution method and a large inoculum. Of these 23 isolates, only 11 (47%) were both inhibited and killed by less than or equal to 6.25 microgram of cephalothin/ml. The inhibitory and bactericidal activity of gentamicin was greater than that of vancomycin and cephalothin. These results suggest that the disk diffusion technique has limitations in determining the in vitro activity of cephalosporins against methicillin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci and that cephalothin exhibits poor bactericidal activity against these same isolates.", "PMID": 632623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9487", "title": "Epidemiology of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg in hospital personnel.", "content": "The epidemiology of hepatitis B in hospital personnel was studied by testing of sera from 3,770 employees of the Medical School of Hannover (Hannover, West Germany) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its corresponding antibody (anti-HBs) by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. An average prevalence of 2.2% for HBsAg and 11.7% for anti-HBs was found. Physicians (18.2%), nurses (20.1%), and members of the cleaning service (26.3%) showed the highest frequencies of HBsAg or anti-HBs carriage. In a study of age- and sex-matched personnel, nurses showed a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher rate of infection than a control group with less exposure to infectious materials. The frequency of HBsAg or anti-HBs was highest in persons associated with dialysis (31.3%), anesthesiology (31.0%), ophthalmology (29.4%, neurosurgery (28.0%), and surgery (24.4%). The rate of infection was significantly higher in surgical departments (24.4%) than in nonsurgical ones (13.3%). Persons who had been nursing patients with hepatitis were significantly (P less than 0.05) more frequently carriers of HBsAg or anti-HBs than a comparable control group.", "contents": "Epidemiology of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg in hospital personnel. The epidemiology of hepatitis B in hospital personnel was studied by testing of sera from 3,770 employees of the Medical School of Hannover (Hannover, West Germany) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its corresponding antibody (anti-HBs) by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. An average prevalence of 2.2% for HBsAg and 11.7% for anti-HBs was found. Physicians (18.2%), nurses (20.1%), and members of the cleaning service (26.3%) showed the highest frequencies of HBsAg or anti-HBs carriage. In a study of age- and sex-matched personnel, nurses showed a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher rate of infection than a control group with less exposure to infectious materials. The frequency of HBsAg or anti-HBs was highest in persons associated with dialysis (31.3%), anesthesiology (31.0%), ophthalmology (29.4%, neurosurgery (28.0%), and surgery (24.4%). The rate of infection was significantly higher in surgical departments (24.4%) than in nonsurgical ones (13.3%). Persons who had been nursing patients with hepatitis were significantly (P less than 0.05) more frequently carriers of HBsAg or anti-HBs than a comparable control group.", "PMID": 632624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9488", "title": "Serologic studies of human genital mycoplasmas: distribution of titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody to Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in pregnant women.", "content": "Titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody to the human genital mycoplasmas Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis were determined using genital isolates from pregnant patients as antigens and comparing these isolates with the 11 prototypic reference strains for U. urealyticum and the seven reference strains for M. hominis. Virtually all titers that were detected with use of the patient's own isolates were detected by the 11 reference strains of U. urealyticum and by the seven reference strains of M. hominis. Serologic surveys of pregnant women who harbored either or both mycoplasmas in vaginal cultures indicated that antibody to M. hominis was found more commonly than antibody to U. urealyticum. It was demonstrated that significant postpartum rises in titers of antibody to M. hominis were correlated with the presence of these mycoplasmas in genital cultures. Postpartum rises in titer of antibody were particularly likely to occur in women with low titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody in serum at the time of delivery. Approximately 88% of the women who were colonized with M. hominis showed significant changes in titer of antibody to M. hominis throughout an apparently normal pregnancy; only 40% of the women who were colonized with U. urealyticum showed such changes in titers to U. urealyticum. Statistical analysis showed that mean log titers of antibody to both mycoplasmas at the first prenatal visit were significantly associated with the number of pregnancies experienced by these women.", "contents": "Serologic studies of human genital mycoplasmas: distribution of titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody to Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in pregnant women. Titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody to the human genital mycoplasmas Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis were determined using genital isolates from pregnant patients as antigens and comparing these isolates with the 11 prototypic reference strains for U. urealyticum and the seven reference strains for M. hominis. Virtually all titers that were detected with use of the patient's own isolates were detected by the 11 reference strains of U. urealyticum and by the seven reference strains of M. hominis. Serologic surveys of pregnant women who harbored either or both mycoplasmas in vaginal cultures indicated that antibody to M. hominis was found more commonly than antibody to U. urealyticum. It was demonstrated that significant postpartum rises in titers of antibody to M. hominis were correlated with the presence of these mycoplasmas in genital cultures. Postpartum rises in titer of antibody were particularly likely to occur in women with low titers of mycoplasmacidal antibody in serum at the time of delivery. Approximately 88% of the women who were colonized with M. hominis showed significant changes in titer of antibody to M. hominis throughout an apparently normal pregnancy; only 40% of the women who were colonized with U. urealyticum showed such changes in titers to U. urealyticum. Statistical analysis showed that mean log titers of antibody to both mycoplasmas at the first prenatal visit were significantly associated with the number of pregnancies experienced by these women.", "PMID": 632625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9489", "title": "In vitro susceptiiblity of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei to amikacin.", "content": "Infections due to Runyon group IV atypical mycobacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei, in humans have been difficult to treat in the past because of the organisms' resistance to all of the conventional antimycobacterial drugs. Determinations of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by the agar dilution method suggest that amikacin may be useful in the treatment of infections due to M. fortuitum and M. chelonei. Further support for the efficacy of antimicrobial agents with good in vitro activity in the treatment of infections with M. fortuitum and M. chelonei will depend on correlation of future clinical experience with standardized data on the MICs for these organisms.", "contents": "In vitro susceptiiblity of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei to amikacin. Infections due to Runyon group IV atypical mycobacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei, in humans have been difficult to treat in the past because of the organisms' resistance to all of the conventional antimycobacterial drugs. Determinations of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by the agar dilution method suggest that amikacin may be useful in the treatment of infections due to M. fortuitum and M. chelonei. Further support for the efficacy of antimicrobial agents with good in vitro activity in the treatment of infections with M. fortuitum and M. chelonei will depend on correlation of future clinical experience with standardized data on the MICs for these organisms.", "PMID": 632627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9490", "title": "Durability of antibody titers induced by RA27/3 rubella virus vaccine.", "content": "The RA27/3 rubella virus vaccine induced titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody that were slightly lower than those induced naturally, but after an initial decline the titers remained stable even in the absence of reexposure to rubella virus.", "contents": "Durability of antibody titers induced by RA27/3 rubella virus vaccine. The RA27/3 rubella virus vaccine induced titers of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody that were slightly lower than those induced naturally, but after an initial decline the titers remained stable even in the absence of reexposure to rubella virus.", "PMID": 632628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9491", "title": "Surgical microscopy of the nose. New frontiers in nasal diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "The need for microscopic rhinoscopy is obvious to otolaryngologists who have used the operating microscope in otology and laryngology. It provides excellent exposure, brilliant illumination, magnification and the opportunity for bimanual instrumentation, teaching and documentation. The development of the procedure is discussed and the technique of using the method in endonasal diagnosis and surgery is illustrated.", "contents": "Surgical microscopy of the nose. New frontiers in nasal diagnosis and treatment. The need for microscopic rhinoscopy is obvious to otolaryngologists who have used the operating microscope in otology and laryngology. It provides excellent exposure, brilliant illumination, magnification and the opportunity for bimanual instrumentation, teaching and documentation. The development of the procedure is discussed and the technique of using the method in endonasal diagnosis and surgery is illustrated.", "PMID": 632658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9492", "title": "Carcinomas of the nasal septum.", "content": "Fourteen new cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum are presented. Their inclusion brings the total reported in the literature to 97. Early, confined neoplasms are amenable to cure by surgical excision, external irradiation or radium implants. Prognosis does not correlate with histological grade of the neoplasm but is inversely related to the size of the carcinoma at the time of diagnosis and the presence of metastases.", "contents": "Carcinomas of the nasal septum. Fourteen new cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal septum are presented. Their inclusion brings the total reported in the literature to 97. Early, confined neoplasms are amenable to cure by surgical excision, external irradiation or radium implants. Prognosis does not correlate with histological grade of the neoplasm but is inversely related to the size of the carcinoma at the time of diagnosis and the presence of metastases.", "PMID": 632659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9493", "title": "Spontaneous haematoma in the head and neck.", "content": "Three cases of spontaneous haematoma in the head and neck are presented. Whereas one case was associated with lingual haemangiomatosis, no source of bleeding could be demonstrated in either a chronic, spontaneous orbital blood-cyst or an acute retropharyngeal haematoma.", "contents": "Spontaneous haematoma in the head and neck. Three cases of spontaneous haematoma in the head and neck are presented. Whereas one case was associated with lingual haemangiomatosis, no source of bleeding could be demonstrated in either a chronic, spontaneous orbital blood-cyst or an acute retropharyngeal haematoma.", "PMID": 632660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9494", "title": "Plasmacytoma of the larynx.", "content": "Plasmacytoma of the larynx is rare; thirty-one cases are reported in the literature and in this paper a further case is presented. The difficulty in diagnosing plasmacytoma is mentioned. Investigations to exclude multiple myeloma are mandatory to be sure that the disease is a localized lesion. Treatment of a localized lesion is essentially by radiotherapy but in the case of widespread or systemic disease, chemotherapy is recommended. A scoring system utilizing different parameters is suggested to decide whether the case has passed the borderline between local and systemic disease, a line which is invariably difficult to define.", "contents": "Plasmacytoma of the larynx. Plasmacytoma of the larynx is rare; thirty-one cases are reported in the literature and in this paper a further case is presented. The difficulty in diagnosing plasmacytoma is mentioned. Investigations to exclude multiple myeloma are mandatory to be sure that the disease is a localized lesion. Treatment of a localized lesion is essentially by radiotherapy but in the case of widespread or systemic disease, chemotherapy is recommended. A scoring system utilizing different parameters is suggested to decide whether the case has passed the borderline between local and systemic disease, a line which is invariably difficult to define.", "PMID": 632661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9495", "title": "Hearing loss in carcinomatous meningitis.", "content": "Although the syndrome of carcinomatous meningitis presenting as multiple cranial neuropathies is well known, hearing loss as a presenting complaint has not been previously stressed. Five cases of carcinomatous meningitis beginning as hearing loss are presented and the clinical and laboratory features discussed. A thorough review of the literature summarizes the pathology, pathogenesis and recommended modes of therapy of this disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment is stressed.", "contents": "Hearing loss in carcinomatous meningitis. Although the syndrome of carcinomatous meningitis presenting as multiple cranial neuropathies is well known, hearing loss as a presenting complaint has not been previously stressed. Five cases of carcinomatous meningitis beginning as hearing loss are presented and the clinical and laboratory features discussed. A thorough review of the literature summarizes the pathology, pathogenesis and recommended modes of therapy of this disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment is stressed.", "PMID": 632662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9496", "title": "Dominant hereditary nerve deafness.", "content": "A family of seventy-six members showing a dominant progressive nerve deafness is reported and compared with previously reported cases. It is suggested that the basic site of the lesion may be in the vascular system.", "contents": "Dominant hereditary nerve deafness. A family of seventy-six members showing a dominant progressive nerve deafness is reported and compared with previously reported cases. It is suggested that the basic site of the lesion may be in the vascular system.", "PMID": 632663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9497", "title": "Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear.", "content": "A case is described in which a middle-ear salivary gland choristoma was found in association with dehiscence of the horizontal part of the facial nerve and abnormality of the stapes and incus. It is suggested that these features may constitute an abnormal development syndrome.", "contents": "Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear. A case is described in which a middle-ear salivary gland choristoma was found in association with dehiscence of the horizontal part of the facial nerve and abnormality of the stapes and incus. It is suggested that these features may constitute an abnormal development syndrome.", "PMID": 632664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9498", "title": "Embryonal rhabdosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid.", "content": "Two cases of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, arising from the middle ear, are described. It is a rare mesenchymal tumour of childhood, with a very poor prognosis. The literature is briefly reviewed and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis are outlined.", "contents": "Embryonal rhabdosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid. Two cases of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, arising from the middle ear, are described. It is a rare mesenchymal tumour of childhood, with a very poor prognosis. The literature is briefly reviewed and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis are outlined.", "PMID": 632665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9499", "title": "A quantitative analysis of fine structure and drug metabolism in livers of clofibrate-treated young adult and retired breeder rats.", "content": "The effects of clofibrate on the fine structure and drug-metabolizing capacity of livers of normolipidemic young adult virgin (YA) and hypercholesterolemic retired breeder (RB) male rats were measured by morphometric and biochemical procedures. The oral administration of clofibrate for 7 days significantly increased liver weight and reduced the cholesterol concentrations in the serum and liver tissue in both groups of animals. The hepatic triglyceride (TG) concentration and the volume of cytoplasmic lipid droplets, presumably TG, as well as the serum TG concentration, increased only in the drug-treated RB rats. Clofibrate treatment resulted in significant increases in the volumes of the hepatocytes and their constituent mitochondria and microbodies and caused a proliferation of the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Although the magnitude of the hypocholesterolemic response was considerably greater in the RB animals, the morphological changes were much more marked in the YA group. However, the surface area of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was reduced in the livers of the drug-treated RB rats. NADPH cytochrome c reductase specific activity was significantly increased in both the RB and YA animals, but the concentration of cytochrome P-450 (per mg microsomal protein) increased only in the YA rats. Neither the cytochrome b5 concentration nor the rate of ethylmorphine N-demethylation was significantly affected by clofibrate administration. The results suggest that there is no positive correlation between the hypocholesterolemic response to clofibrate and the degree of subcellular changes in the hepatocytes and that this hypolipidemic drug elicits a minimal effect on the concentrations of the components of the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing system.", "contents": "A quantitative analysis of fine structure and drug metabolism in livers of clofibrate-treated young adult and retired breeder rats. The effects of clofibrate on the fine structure and drug-metabolizing capacity of livers of normolipidemic young adult virgin (YA) and hypercholesterolemic retired breeder (RB) male rats were measured by morphometric and biochemical procedures. The oral administration of clofibrate for 7 days significantly increased liver weight and reduced the cholesterol concentrations in the serum and liver tissue in both groups of animals. The hepatic triglyceride (TG) concentration and the volume of cytoplasmic lipid droplets, presumably TG, as well as the serum TG concentration, increased only in the drug-treated RB rats. Clofibrate treatment resulted in significant increases in the volumes of the hepatocytes and their constituent mitochondria and microbodies and caused a proliferation of the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Although the magnitude of the hypocholesterolemic response was considerably greater in the RB animals, the morphological changes were much more marked in the YA group. However, the surface area of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum was reduced in the livers of the drug-treated RB rats. NADPH cytochrome c reductase specific activity was significantly increased in both the RB and YA animals, but the concentration of cytochrome P-450 (per mg microsomal protein) increased only in the YA rats. Neither the cytochrome b5 concentration nor the rate of ethylmorphine N-demethylation was significantly affected by clofibrate administration. The results suggest that there is no positive correlation between the hypocholesterolemic response to clofibrate and the degree of subcellular changes in the hepatocytes and that this hypolipidemic drug elicits a minimal effect on the concentrations of the components of the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing system.", "PMID": 632678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9500", "title": "Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by a gas--liquid chromatography--chemical ionization mass spectrometry computer system.", "content": "The technique of gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry can easily identify trace peaks and unresolved peaks on gas-liquid chromatography, utilizing MH(+) ions of chemical ionization mass spectra. In polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters such as C22:5 and C22:6, the determination of molecular weights that are difficult to determine by electron impact mass spectrometry could be easily identified by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The identification could be performed even more easily from a mass chromatogram obtained by means of a gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry-computer system. This technique was applied to analysis of fatty acid methyl esters of triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, nonesterified fatty acids, and phospholipids obtained from normal human serum. It was observed that odd-carbon-number fatty acids contained more isomers of different types than even-carbon-number fatty acids, whether the fatty acids were saturated or unsaturated. As for the types of isomers, we presume the existence of iso, anteiso, branched, cyclic fatty acids, and, in the case of unsaturated fatty acids, positional isomers. The qualitative determination of the group of fatty acid isomers containing 20 carbon atoms was also investigated as well as the application of procedures for quantitative determination. Sensitivities for saturated fatty acids differ from those for unsaturated fatty acids of the same carbon number, and sensitivities for unsaturated fatty acids of the same carbon number differ with the number of double bonds because the amounts of MH(+) - 32 and MH(+) - 32 - 18 fragment ions formed are different.", "contents": "Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by a gas--liquid chromatography--chemical ionization mass spectrometry computer system. The technique of gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry can easily identify trace peaks and unresolved peaks on gas-liquid chromatography, utilizing MH(+) ions of chemical ionization mass spectra. In polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters such as C22:5 and C22:6, the determination of molecular weights that are difficult to determine by electron impact mass spectrometry could be easily identified by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The identification could be performed even more easily from a mass chromatogram obtained by means of a gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry-computer system. This technique was applied to analysis of fatty acid methyl esters of triglycerides, cholesteryl esters, nonesterified fatty acids, and phospholipids obtained from normal human serum. It was observed that odd-carbon-number fatty acids contained more isomers of different types than even-carbon-number fatty acids, whether the fatty acids were saturated or unsaturated. As for the types of isomers, we presume the existence of iso, anteiso, branched, cyclic fatty acids, and, in the case of unsaturated fatty acids, positional isomers. The qualitative determination of the group of fatty acid isomers containing 20 carbon atoms was also investigated as well as the application of procedures for quantitative determination. Sensitivities for saturated fatty acids differ from those for unsaturated fatty acids of the same carbon number, and sensitivities for unsaturated fatty acids of the same carbon number differ with the number of double bonds because the amounts of MH(+) - 32 and MH(+) - 32 - 18 fragment ions formed are different.", "PMID": 632679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9501", "title": "Determination of double bond positions of unsaturated fatty acids by a chemical ionization mass spectrometry computer system.", "content": "After stereospecific oxidation, trimethylsilylated methyl esters of mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids were analyzed by combined gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The positions of original double bonds were deduced from the fragment ions produced by the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between two trimethylsilyl ethers. These fragment ions were recorded at m/e 187 and 259 in the case of 16:1(n-7), at m/e 187 and 287 in the case of 18:1(n-7), at m/e 215 and 259 in the case of 18:1(n-9), and at m/e 172 and 259 in the case of 18:2(n-6), respectively. The diastereoisomers of monounsaturated fatty acids can be discriminated by comparing the intensities of the fragment ions at m/e 253 and 285 in the case of 16:1 and at m/e 281 and 313 in the case of 18:1. The diastereosiomers of diunsaturated fatty acids may also be distinguished from each other by comparing the intensities of the fragment ions formed by the loss of trimethylsilyl function from the characteristic ions. Mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids in liver may be dominantly in cis- 18:1(n-1) and cis-cis-18:2(n-6) as determined by a mass chromatographic technique.", "contents": "Determination of double bond positions of unsaturated fatty acids by a chemical ionization mass spectrometry computer system. After stereospecific oxidation, trimethylsilylated methyl esters of mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids were analyzed by combined gas-liquid chromatography-chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The positions of original double bonds were deduced from the fragment ions produced by the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between two trimethylsilyl ethers. These fragment ions were recorded at m/e 187 and 259 in the case of 16:1(n-7), at m/e 187 and 287 in the case of 18:1(n-7), at m/e 215 and 259 in the case of 18:1(n-9), and at m/e 172 and 259 in the case of 18:2(n-6), respectively. The diastereoisomers of monounsaturated fatty acids can be discriminated by comparing the intensities of the fragment ions at m/e 253 and 285 in the case of 16:1 and at m/e 281 and 313 in the case of 18:1. The diastereosiomers of diunsaturated fatty acids may also be distinguished from each other by comparing the intensities of the fragment ions formed by the loss of trimethylsilyl function from the characteristic ions. Mono- and diunsaturated fatty acids in liver may be dominantly in cis- 18:1(n-1) and cis-cis-18:2(n-6) as determined by a mass chromatographic technique.", "PMID": 632680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9502", "title": "Occurrence of sulfated 5alpha-cholanoates in rat bile.", "content": "Bile acids in bile from male and female rats with cannulated bile ducts have been analyzed by repetitive scanning gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after initial fractionation of conjugate classes on diethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20. Sex differences were observed in the amounts and types of bile acids in the sulfate fraction. The proportion of total bile acids excreted as sulfates was higher in female (0.9-1.3%) than in male (0.1-0.2%) rats. Most of the sulfated bile acids had a 5alpha configuration, allochenodeoxycholic acid being the major compound in bile from female rats. This bile acid was also present in the nonsulfate fraction but could not be found in bile from male rats. The results indicate that gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has to be used to provide sufficient specificity in the bile acid analyses. Thus, compounds from the sulfate fraction having the retention times of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid derivatives were found to be due to derivatives of the 3beta,5alpha-isomers of these bile acids.", "contents": "Occurrence of sulfated 5alpha-cholanoates in rat bile. Bile acids in bile from male and female rats with cannulated bile ducts have been analyzed by repetitive scanning gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after initial fractionation of conjugate classes on diethylaminohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20. Sex differences were observed in the amounts and types of bile acids in the sulfate fraction. The proportion of total bile acids excreted as sulfates was higher in female (0.9-1.3%) than in male (0.1-0.2%) rats. Most of the sulfated bile acids had a 5alpha configuration, allochenodeoxycholic acid being the major compound in bile from female rats. This bile acid was also present in the nonsulfate fraction but could not be found in bile from male rats. The results indicate that gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has to be used to provide sufficient specificity in the bile acid analyses. Thus, compounds from the sulfate fraction having the retention times of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid derivatives were found to be due to derivatives of the 3beta,5alpha-isomers of these bile acids.", "PMID": 632681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9503", "title": "Absolute configuration of pentahydroxy bile alcohols excreted by patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a circular dichroism study.", "content": "The absolute configurations of the C27 pentahydroxy bile alcohols present in bile and feces of two patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) were determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD spectra of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24alpha,25-pentol in the presence of Eu(fod)3 [tris(1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyloctane-4,6-dionato) europium (III)] exhibited a negative Cotton effect and was assigned to 24R absolute configuration. Conversely, 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24beta,25-pentol showed a strong positive Cotton effect and was assigned the 24S configuration. These assignments were based upon comparison with a model compound, 5-cholestene-3beta,24(R),25-triol, whose single-crystal X-ray structure has been determined. The importance of these data is to establish a structural mechanism for the conversion of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24S,25-pentol rather than 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24R,25-pentol into cholic acid in man as well as in animals.", "contents": "Absolute configuration of pentahydroxy bile alcohols excreted by patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a circular dichroism study. The absolute configurations of the C27 pentahydroxy bile alcohols present in bile and feces of two patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) were determined by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD spectra of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24alpha,25-pentol in the presence of Eu(fod)3 [tris(1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyloctane-4,6-dionato) europium (III)] exhibited a negative Cotton effect and was assigned to 24R absolute configuration. Conversely, 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24beta,25-pentol showed a strong positive Cotton effect and was assigned the 24S configuration. These assignments were based upon comparison with a model compound, 5-cholestene-3beta,24(R),25-triol, whose single-crystal X-ray structure has been determined. The importance of these data is to establish a structural mechanism for the conversion of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24S,25-pentol rather than 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,24R,25-pentol into cholic acid in man as well as in animals.", "PMID": 632682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9504", "title": "Preparation of 24(R)- and 24(S)-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triols and 25(R)- and 25(S)-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triols by a hydroboration procedure.", "content": "This report describes a new and convenient method for the preparation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triol (24R and 24S) and 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triol (25R and 25S) starting from 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,25-triol. Dehydration of the latter with acetic anhydride and glacial acetic acid yielded a mixture of 5beta-cholest-24ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol and the corresponding delta25 compound. Hydroboration and oxidation of the delta24 unsaturated bile alcohol resulted in the formation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triol. 5beta-Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triol and 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol were obtained from the delta25 bile alcohol. In each case the bile alcohols epimeric at C-24 and C-25 were resolved by analytical and preparative thin-layer chromatography and characterized by gas-liquid chromatography, infrared-, proton magnetic resonance-, and mass spectrometry. Tentative assignment of the 24R, 24S and 25R, 25S configurations was made on the basis of molecular rotation differences. These epimeric bile alcohols will be useful for biological studies of chenodeoxycholic acid biosynthesis.", "contents": "Preparation of 24(R)- and 24(S)-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triols and 25(R)- and 25(S)-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triols by a hydroboration procedure. This report describes a new and convenient method for the preparation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triol (24R and 24S) and 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triol (25R and 25S) starting from 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,25-triol. Dehydration of the latter with acetic anhydride and glacial acetic acid yielded a mixture of 5beta-cholest-24ene-3alpha,7alpha-diol and the corresponding delta25 compound. Hydroboration and oxidation of the delta24 unsaturated bile alcohol resulted in the formation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,24-triol. 5beta-Cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,26-triol and 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol were obtained from the delta25 bile alcohol. In each case the bile alcohols epimeric at C-24 and C-25 were resolved by analytical and preparative thin-layer chromatography and characterized by gas-liquid chromatography, infrared-, proton magnetic resonance-, and mass spectrometry. Tentative assignment of the 24R, 24S and 25R, 25S configurations was made on the basis of molecular rotation differences. These epimeric bile alcohols will be useful for biological studies of chenodeoxycholic acid biosynthesis.", "PMID": 632683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9505", "title": "Determinants of fatty acid and alcohol monomer activities in mixed micellar solutions.", "content": "The determinants of monomer activities of lipids dissolved in micellar bile salt solutions have been studied using polyethylene discs as the organic phase of a partitioning system. The studies show that fatty acids and alcohols interact with micelles as a partitioning system so that the monomer activity is determined by micelle volume and the lipid's partition coefficient as well as mass of lipid in the solution. Influence of the partition coefficient is seen in the dependence of monomer activity on chain length, unsaturation and carboxyl or alcohol polar groups. Dependence on chain length is equivalent to an incremental free energy of approximately -700 cal. mol(-1) per methylene group. Substitution of an alcohol group for the carboxyl group at pH 7.4 decreases monomer activity by a factor of 900. Expansion of taurodeoxycholate micelles with 5mM monooleoylglycerol slightly decreases monomer activity whereas solutions of lipids in taurocholate have relatively greater monomer activities, demonstrating the influence of volume of the micelle organic phase. With constant micelle structure, monomer activity was linearly dependent on lipid mass in the system as predicted by partitioning theory. Addition of low concentration of lecithin, lysolecithin, or monoacylglycerol to the solutions had only small effects on the monomer activities consistent with the small change in total micelle organic phase. Data provided allow calculation of monomer activities of fatty acids and alcohols in many complex micellar solutions. Such data are important for evaluating such processes as intestinal absorption and gallstone formation and dissolution.", "contents": "Determinants of fatty acid and alcohol monomer activities in mixed micellar solutions. The determinants of monomer activities of lipids dissolved in micellar bile salt solutions have been studied using polyethylene discs as the organic phase of a partitioning system. The studies show that fatty acids and alcohols interact with micelles as a partitioning system so that the monomer activity is determined by micelle volume and the lipid's partition coefficient as well as mass of lipid in the solution. Influence of the partition coefficient is seen in the dependence of monomer activity on chain length, unsaturation and carboxyl or alcohol polar groups. Dependence on chain length is equivalent to an incremental free energy of approximately -700 cal. mol(-1) per methylene group. Substitution of an alcohol group for the carboxyl group at pH 7.4 decreases monomer activity by a factor of 900. Expansion of taurodeoxycholate micelles with 5mM monooleoylglycerol slightly decreases monomer activity whereas solutions of lipids in taurocholate have relatively greater monomer activities, demonstrating the influence of volume of the micelle organic phase. With constant micelle structure, monomer activity was linearly dependent on lipid mass in the system as predicted by partitioning theory. Addition of low concentration of lecithin, lysolecithin, or monoacylglycerol to the solutions had only small effects on the monomer activities consistent with the small change in total micelle organic phase. Data provided allow calculation of monomer activities of fatty acids and alcohols in many complex micellar solutions. Such data are important for evaluating such processes as intestinal absorption and gallstone formation and dissolution.", "PMID": 632684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9506", "title": "Effect of biliary obstruction on 26-hydroxylation of C27-steroids in bile acid synthesis.", "content": "The effect of biliary obstruction on side chain hydroxylations in the biosynthesis and metabolism of bile acids was studied in the rat. For comparison, several other hydroxylation reactions in bile acid biosynthesis and metabolism were assayed. Biliary obstruction inhibited microsomal 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol and microsomal 25- and 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-12alpha-triol. Microsomal 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol and 6beta-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid acid increased significantly, whereas the increase in microsomal 12alpha-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was less. Mitochondrial 26-hydroxylation of cholesterol, 5-cholestene-3beta,7alpha-diol, and 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one was stimulated, whereas 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was not affected and that of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-triol was markedly inhibited. The results indicate that mitochondrial 26-hydroxylation, particularly of substrates that primarily are precursors of chenodeoxycholic acid, plays a more important role in bile acid biosynthesis under conditions of biliary obstruction than under normal conditions.", "contents": "Effect of biliary obstruction on 26-hydroxylation of C27-steroids in bile acid synthesis. The effect of biliary obstruction on side chain hydroxylations in the biosynthesis and metabolism of bile acids was studied in the rat. For comparison, several other hydroxylation reactions in bile acid biosynthesis and metabolism were assayed. Biliary obstruction inhibited microsomal 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol and microsomal 25- and 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-12alpha-triol. Microsomal 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol and 6beta-hydroxylation of lithocholic acid acid increased significantly, whereas the increase in microsomal 12alpha-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was less. Mitochondrial 26-hydroxylation of cholesterol, 5-cholestene-3beta,7alpha-diol, and 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one was stimulated, whereas 26-hydroxylation of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha-diol was not affected and that of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-triol was markedly inhibited. The results indicate that mitochondrial 26-hydroxylation, particularly of substrates that primarily are precursors of chenodeoxycholic acid, plays a more important role in bile acid biosynthesis under conditions of biliary obstruction than under normal conditions.", "PMID": 632686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9507", "title": "Ruminal hydrogenation of cholesterol.", "content": "Cholesterol was hydrogenated by anaerobic incubation with sheep rumen fluid for periods up to 20 hr. The principal product of cholesterol hydrogenation was identified as coprostanol. Cholesterol could be protected against in vitro ruminal hydrogenation by encapsulation in a matrix of formaldehyde-treated casein. Formaldehyde-treated casein-cholesterol preparations were also shown to be protected against hydrogenation in vivo and, when supplements containing 1 g per day of protected or unprotected cholesterol were fed to sheep over a period of 8-9 weeks, there were marked differences in the plasma cholesterol response. The plasma cholesterol of the sheep fed protected cholesterol increased by at least 60%. The plasma cholesterol of the sheep fed unprotected cholesterol also tended to increase during the first 5 weeks of supplementation but thereafter declined to almost control levels at 8 weeks.", "contents": "Ruminal hydrogenation of cholesterol. Cholesterol was hydrogenated by anaerobic incubation with sheep rumen fluid for periods up to 20 hr. The principal product of cholesterol hydrogenation was identified as coprostanol. Cholesterol could be protected against in vitro ruminal hydrogenation by encapsulation in a matrix of formaldehyde-treated casein. Formaldehyde-treated casein-cholesterol preparations were also shown to be protected against hydrogenation in vivo and, when supplements containing 1 g per day of protected or unprotected cholesterol were fed to sheep over a period of 8-9 weeks, there were marked differences in the plasma cholesterol response. The plasma cholesterol of the sheep fed protected cholesterol increased by at least 60%. The plasma cholesterol of the sheep fed unprotected cholesterol also tended to increase during the first 5 weeks of supplementation but thereafter declined to almost control levels at 8 weeks.", "PMID": 632687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9508", "title": "Total synthesis of stereospecific sphingosine and ceramide.", "content": "A small-scale synthesis of the four sphingosine stereoisomers (d-erythro, l-erythro, d-threo, and l-threo) and lignoceroyl d- and l-erythro-sphingosines, which is suitable for synthesis of tritium-labeled compounds, is described. Ethyl dl-erythro-2-acetamino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate was esterified with l(+)-acetylmandeloyl chloride and the two diastereomers obtained were separated from each other by thin-layer or column chromatography. Each diastereomer was subjected to ethanolysis to obtain ethyl d- or l-erythro-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate which was then reduced with LiAlH(4) or NaBH(4) to yield d- or l-erythro-sphingosine. d-erythro-[1-(3)H]Sphingosine with high specific activity was prepared by using LiAl(3)H(4) in the last step. d- and l-threo-sphingosines were synthesized from ethyl dl-threo-2-acetamino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate by using a similar procedure. Ceramide (lignoceroyl sphingosine) was prepared either by acylating sphingosine or by the following new method. Ethyl dl-erythro-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate was converted to the N-lignoceroyl derivative and esterified with l(+)-acetylmandeloyl chloride. The two diastereomers obtained were separated and each isomer was treated with a catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide. One of the products, ethyl d-erythro-2-lignoceroylamino-3-hydroxy-4t- octadecenoate, was reduced with NaBH(4) to yield ceramide. N-palmitoyl dl-erythro-sphingosine was also prepared using an identical procedure. N-lignoceroyl d-erythro-[1-(3)H]sphingosine was prepared by NaB(3)H(4) reduction of the corresponding amide ester. A doubly labeled ceramide, [1-(14)C]lignoceroyl [1-(3)H]sphingosine, containing high specific activity, was prepared by mixing the above N-lignoceroyl d-erythro-[1-(3)H]sphingosine and N-[1-(14)C]lignoceroyl d-erythro-sphingosine. The conversion of the doubly labeled ceramide to 3-keto derivative is also described.", "contents": "Total synthesis of stereospecific sphingosine and ceramide. A small-scale synthesis of the four sphingosine stereoisomers (d-erythro, l-erythro, d-threo, and l-threo) and lignoceroyl d- and l-erythro-sphingosines, which is suitable for synthesis of tritium-labeled compounds, is described. Ethyl dl-erythro-2-acetamino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate was esterified with l(+)-acetylmandeloyl chloride and the two diastereomers obtained were separated from each other by thin-layer or column chromatography. Each diastereomer was subjected to ethanolysis to obtain ethyl d- or l-erythro-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate which was then reduced with LiAlH(4) or NaBH(4) to yield d- or l-erythro-sphingosine. d-erythro-[1-(3)H]Sphingosine with high specific activity was prepared by using LiAl(3)H(4) in the last step. d- and l-threo-sphingosines were synthesized from ethyl dl-threo-2-acetamino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate by using a similar procedure. Ceramide (lignoceroyl sphingosine) was prepared either by acylating sphingosine or by the following new method. Ethyl dl-erythro-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4t-octadecenoate was converted to the N-lignoceroyl derivative and esterified with l(+)-acetylmandeloyl chloride. The two diastereomers obtained were separated and each isomer was treated with a catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide. One of the products, ethyl d-erythro-2-lignoceroylamino-3-hydroxy-4t- octadecenoate, was reduced with NaBH(4) to yield ceramide. N-palmitoyl dl-erythro-sphingosine was also prepared using an identical procedure. N-lignoceroyl d-erythro-[1-(3)H]sphingosine was prepared by NaB(3)H(4) reduction of the corresponding amide ester. A doubly labeled ceramide, [1-(14)C]lignoceroyl [1-(3)H]sphingosine, containing high specific activity, was prepared by mixing the above N-lignoceroyl d-erythro-[1-(3)H]sphingosine and N-[1-(14)C]lignoceroyl d-erythro-sphingosine. The conversion of the doubly labeled ceramide to 3-keto derivative is also described.", "PMID": 632688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9509", "title": "Determinations of adipose cell size and number in suspensions of isolated rat and human adipose cells.", "content": "The osmic acid fixation-Coulter electronic counter method described for determining adipose cell size and number in intact adipose tissue fragments has been modified for use with suspensions of isolated rat and human adipose cells. Mean cell sizes in tissue fragments and isolated cell suspensions prepared from the same tissue are virtually identical in rats of various weights. No statistically significant difference in mean adipose cell size between tissue and isolated cell suspension was observed in human adipose tissue although the variability was much greater than in rat tissue. The distribution of cell sizes among replicate samples is more uniform in the isolated cell preparations, possibly reflecting the considerably larger quantities of tissue used in preparing isolated cells than in determining cell size and number directly from tissue fragments. An example of the utility of the modified method during routine metabolic studies with isolated rat epididymal adipose cells is described; isolated cells of increasing size can be obtained from rats of increasing body weight, or from the separated distal and proximal portions of the fat pads of rats of the same weight.", "contents": "Determinations of adipose cell size and number in suspensions of isolated rat and human adipose cells. The osmic acid fixation-Coulter electronic counter method described for determining adipose cell size and number in intact adipose tissue fragments has been modified for use with suspensions of isolated rat and human adipose cells. Mean cell sizes in tissue fragments and isolated cell suspensions prepared from the same tissue are virtually identical in rats of various weights. No statistically significant difference in mean adipose cell size between tissue and isolated cell suspension was observed in human adipose tissue although the variability was much greater than in rat tissue. The distribution of cell sizes among replicate samples is more uniform in the isolated cell preparations, possibly reflecting the considerably larger quantities of tissue used in preparing isolated cells than in determining cell size and number directly from tissue fragments. An example of the utility of the modified method during routine metabolic studies with isolated rat epididymal adipose cells is described; isolated cells of increasing size can be obtained from rats of increasing body weight, or from the separated distal and proximal portions of the fat pads of rats of the same weight.", "PMID": 632689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9510", "title": "A novel semiautomated method for the estimation of free fatty acid in serum or plasma.", "content": "A modification of the semiautomated assay method of Antonis (1965. J. Lipid Res. 6:307-312) for free fatty acid is presented. Free fatty acids are extracted from serum or plasma into di-n-butyl ether-2-methoxyethanol; the extract is almost free from phospholipids. The acids are analyzed in a portion of extract by a copper soap method using diphenylcarbazide. The extractant, being less dense than water, is easily separated from an aqueous phase both in the extraction of samples and in the assay of copper soaps. The assay is comparable in accuracy with well-tried titrimetric methods and is quicker and easier to operate.", "contents": "A novel semiautomated method for the estimation of free fatty acid in serum or plasma. A modification of the semiautomated assay method of Antonis (1965. J. Lipid Res. 6:307-312) for free fatty acid is presented. Free fatty acids are extracted from serum or plasma into di-n-butyl ether-2-methoxyethanol; the extract is almost free from phospholipids. The acids are analyzed in a portion of extract by a copper soap method using diphenylcarbazide. The extractant, being less dense than water, is easily separated from an aqueous phase both in the extraction of samples and in the assay of copper soaps. The assay is comparable in accuracy with well-tried titrimetric methods and is quicker and easier to operate.", "PMID": 632690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9511", "title": "Evaluation of Poly S-179 as a stationary phase for the gas-liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry of bile acid methyl ester acetates.", "content": "The stationary phase Poly S-179 has been found to offer distinct advantages over the previously reported SP-525 for the gas-liquid chromatographic separation of bile acid methyl ester acetates. Relative retention times of these bile acid derivatives are compared on the two phases.", "contents": "Evaluation of Poly S-179 as a stationary phase for the gas-liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry of bile acid methyl ester acetates. The stationary phase Poly S-179 has been found to offer distinct advantages over the previously reported SP-525 for the gas-liquid chromatographic separation of bile acid methyl ester acetates. Relative retention times of these bile acid derivatives are compared on the two phases.", "PMID": 632691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9512", "title": "Effects of adrenalectomy and prednisolone on the absorption and phosphorylation of thiamine in rats.", "content": "After adrenalectomy, the absorption of [35S]thiamine in the small intestine of rats was significantly reduced. Injection of delta1,4-pregnadiene-11beta,17alpha,21-triol-3,20-dione (prednisolone) restored this absorption to some extent, but not to the value found in control (unoperated) rats. Treatment with 1% saline had no effect. Adrenalectomy also reduced the amount of [35S]thiamine that accumulated in the intestinal mucosa and liver compared with that found in controls, but treatment with prednisolone increased the retention of thiamine in these tissues. One per cent NaCl raised the retention of thiamine in the liver but not in the mucosa of the jejunum. The loss in body weight that occurred after adrenalectomy was not, however, corrected after treatment with either saline or steroid. In adrenalectomized rats, the concentrations of thiamine mono- and diphosphates in the intestinal mucosa and the liver were lower than in the control animals. The concentration of thiamine triphosphate was, however, higher in the intestinal mucosa after adrenalectomy, but remained unchanged in the liver. Treatment with prednisolone increased the concentrations of thiamine mono-, di- and triphosphates in both of these tissues in adrenalectomized rats, compared with unoperated control animals.", "contents": "Effects of adrenalectomy and prednisolone on the absorption and phosphorylation of thiamine in rats. After adrenalectomy, the absorption of [35S]thiamine in the small intestine of rats was significantly reduced. Injection of delta1,4-pregnadiene-11beta,17alpha,21-triol-3,20-dione (prednisolone) restored this absorption to some extent, but not to the value found in control (unoperated) rats. Treatment with 1% saline had no effect. Adrenalectomy also reduced the amount of [35S]thiamine that accumulated in the intestinal mucosa and liver compared with that found in controls, but treatment with prednisolone increased the retention of thiamine in these tissues. One per cent NaCl raised the retention of thiamine in the liver but not in the mucosa of the jejunum. The loss in body weight that occurred after adrenalectomy was not, however, corrected after treatment with either saline or steroid. In adrenalectomized rats, the concentrations of thiamine mono- and diphosphates in the intestinal mucosa and the liver were lower than in the control animals. The concentration of thiamine triphosphate was, however, higher in the intestinal mucosa after adrenalectomy, but remained unchanged in the liver. Treatment with prednisolone increased the concentrations of thiamine mono-, di- and triphosphates in both of these tissues in adrenalectomized rats, compared with unoperated control animals.", "PMID": 632717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9513", "title": "Urinary excretion of neurophysins in patients with kidney disease.", "content": "The mean rate of excretion of neurophysins in the urine of 16 patients with kidney disease but without tubular dysfunction was 0.48 +/- 0.14 (S.E.M.) ng/min, whereas the rate in 16 patients with tubular dysfunction was 3.64 +/- 1.56 ng/min (significantly different; 2P less than 0.01). In the whole group of 32 patients there was a relationship (r = 0.57) between the rate of excretion of neurophysins in the urine and the clearance of lysozyme. The increased rate of urinary excretion of neurophysins observed in some patients with kidney disease therefore appears to be related to a disorder of renal tubular function. It is shown that the raised levels of neurophysins observed in the serum of some patients with kidney disease are not attributable to a decrease in the urinary clearance of neurophysins.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of neurophysins in patients with kidney disease. The mean rate of excretion of neurophysins in the urine of 16 patients with kidney disease but without tubular dysfunction was 0.48 +/- 0.14 (S.E.M.) ng/min, whereas the rate in 16 patients with tubular dysfunction was 3.64 +/- 1.56 ng/min (significantly different; 2P less than 0.01). In the whole group of 32 patients there was a relationship (r = 0.57) between the rate of excretion of neurophysins in the urine and the clearance of lysozyme. The increased rate of urinary excretion of neurophysins observed in some patients with kidney disease therefore appears to be related to a disorder of renal tubular function. It is shown that the raised levels of neurophysins observed in the serum of some patients with kidney disease are not attributable to a decrease in the urinary clearance of neurophysins.", "PMID": 632718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9514", "title": "Preparation of antisera to three individual rat neurophysins and their use for radioimmunoassays.", "content": "A number of antisera have been raised against individual rat neurophysins. One of these proved suitable for the specific radioimmunoassay of rat vasopressin-neurophysin and data validating such a use are presented. Use of this antiserum showed that vasopressin-neurophysin is present in rat neurohypophyses in equimolar amounts to vasopressin, while in the hypothalamus the assay detected twice as much neurophysin-like material as hormone. A number of partially specific antisera for rat oxytocin-neurophysin have been obtained and the best of these was raised against the minor neurophysin.", "contents": "Preparation of antisera to three individual rat neurophysins and their use for radioimmunoassays. A number of antisera have been raised against individual rat neurophysins. One of these proved suitable for the specific radioimmunoassay of rat vasopressin-neurophysin and data validating such a use are presented. Use of this antiserum showed that vasopressin-neurophysin is present in rat neurohypophyses in equimolar amounts to vasopressin, while in the hypothalamus the assay detected twice as much neurophysin-like material as hormone. A number of partially specific antisera for rat oxytocin-neurophysin have been obtained and the best of these was raised against the minor neurophysin.", "PMID": 632719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9515", "title": "Response of chondrocytes isolated from human foetal cartilage to plasma somatomedin activity.", "content": "Plasma somatomedin activity enhanced the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into chondrocytes isolated from human foetal cartilage during weeks 13-21 of gestation. Human growth hormone (0.1-20 muu./ml), human placental lactogen (0.1-5 microgram/ml) and insulin (0.25-10 muu./ml) had no direct effects on the synthesis of DNA in these chondrocytes, although insulin at concentrations of 2.5-100 mu./ml increased [3H]thymidine incorporation by up to 400%.", "contents": "Response of chondrocytes isolated from human foetal cartilage to plasma somatomedin activity. Plasma somatomedin activity enhanced the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into chondrocytes isolated from human foetal cartilage during weeks 13-21 of gestation. Human growth hormone (0.1-20 muu./ml), human placental lactogen (0.1-5 microgram/ml) and insulin (0.25-10 muu./ml) had no direct effects on the synthesis of DNA in these chondrocytes, although insulin at concentrations of 2.5-100 mu./ml increased [3H]thymidine incorporation by up to 400%.", "PMID": 632720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9516", "title": "Relationship between the suckling-induced release of oxytocin and prolactin in the urethane-anaesthetized lactating rat.", "content": "The effects of changes in the intensity of the suckling stimulus on the reflex release of oxytocin and prolactin were compared in urethane-anaesthetized lactating rats. Mothers which had previously suckled 12 pups (Group 1) showed a graded increase in the amount of oxytocin released during a 3 h suckling test when the number of pups applied to the nipples was increased from six to eight or ten. Mothers which had suckled six pups during their lactation (Group 2) appeared to show a maximum frequency of milk ejection whether six, eight or ten pups were applied to the nipples. The release of prolactin was not elicited from either Group 1 or Group 2 mothers when six pups were applied to their nipples. With eight pups suckling, the Group 1 mothers again showed no evidence of prolactin release. In contrast, the Group 2 mothers showed a significant increase in the level of prolactin in the plasma during the 3 h suckling test. With ten pups suckling the release of prolactin was evident in both groups of mothers, although the response was earlier and more pronounced in Group 2 than Group 1. These results suggest that in the urethane-anaesthetized rat, the threshold for the suckling-induced reflex release of oxytocin is distinct from the threshold for the release of prolactin and that these thresholds are, at least in part, set by the preceding suckling experience of the mothers. In those animals which showed both reflex milk ejection and prolactin release there was a linear relationship between the magnitude of the two endocrine responses.", "contents": "Relationship between the suckling-induced release of oxytocin and prolactin in the urethane-anaesthetized lactating rat. The effects of changes in the intensity of the suckling stimulus on the reflex release of oxytocin and prolactin were compared in urethane-anaesthetized lactating rats. Mothers which had previously suckled 12 pups (Group 1) showed a graded increase in the amount of oxytocin released during a 3 h suckling test when the number of pups applied to the nipples was increased from six to eight or ten. Mothers which had suckled six pups during their lactation (Group 2) appeared to show a maximum frequency of milk ejection whether six, eight or ten pups were applied to the nipples. The release of prolactin was not elicited from either Group 1 or Group 2 mothers when six pups were applied to their nipples. With eight pups suckling, the Group 1 mothers again showed no evidence of prolactin release. In contrast, the Group 2 mothers showed a significant increase in the level of prolactin in the plasma during the 3 h suckling test. With ten pups suckling the release of prolactin was evident in both groups of mothers, although the response was earlier and more pronounced in Group 2 than Group 1. These results suggest that in the urethane-anaesthetized rat, the threshold for the suckling-induced reflex release of oxytocin is distinct from the threshold for the release of prolactin and that these thresholds are, at least in part, set by the preceding suckling experience of the mothers. In those animals which showed both reflex milk ejection and prolactin release there was a linear relationship between the magnitude of the two endocrine responses.", "PMID": 632721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9517", "title": "Influence of fasting, glucose and insulin on the levels of growth hormone and prolactin in the plasma of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).", "content": "The concentrations of both GH and prolactin in the circulation of the domestic fowl have been determined after various treatments known to affect carbohydrate metabolism. Fasting decreased the level of glucose, stimulated the secretion of GH and inhibited the secretion of prolactin. Administration of insulin significantly depressed the level of GH in the plasma of normal or fasted birds and also in chickens which had received simultaneous injections of glucose or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. No consistent effect of insulin on the secretion of prolactin was observed. Hyperglycaemia subsequent to administration of glucose had no effect on the levels of either GH or prolactin. Glucagon-induced hyperglycaemia suppressed the level of GH in the plasma and stimulated that of prolactin.", "contents": "Influence of fasting, glucose and insulin on the levels of growth hormone and prolactin in the plasma of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). The concentrations of both GH and prolactin in the circulation of the domestic fowl have been determined after various treatments known to affect carbohydrate metabolism. Fasting decreased the level of glucose, stimulated the secretion of GH and inhibited the secretion of prolactin. Administration of insulin significantly depressed the level of GH in the plasma of normal or fasted birds and also in chickens which had received simultaneous injections of glucose or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. No consistent effect of insulin on the secretion of prolactin was observed. Hyperglycaemia subsequent to administration of glucose had no effect on the levels of either GH or prolactin. Glucagon-induced hyperglycaemia suppressed the level of GH in the plasma and stimulated that of prolactin.", "PMID": 632722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9518", "title": "Separation of relaxin activities in extracts of ovaries of pregnant sows by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.", "content": "Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been employed to separate three fractions that have relaxin activity from crude extracts of ovaries of pregnant sows. Bioassays indicated that all fractions had the ability to inhibit spontaneous uterine contractions in vitro and to induce formation of interpubic ligaments in oestrogen-primed mice. The presence of the various fractions in crude extracts of sow ovaries was monitored with the polyacrylamide gel system on days 40, 70 and 100 of pregnancy. Both the total amount and the relative proportions of the fractions were found to change as pregnancy progressed.", "contents": "Separation of relaxin activities in extracts of ovaries of pregnant sows by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been employed to separate three fractions that have relaxin activity from crude extracts of ovaries of pregnant sows. Bioassays indicated that all fractions had the ability to inhibit spontaneous uterine contractions in vitro and to induce formation of interpubic ligaments in oestrogen-primed mice. The presence of the various fractions in crude extracts of sow ovaries was monitored with the polyacrylamide gel system on days 40, 70 and 100 of pregnancy. Both the total amount and the relative proportions of the fractions were found to change as pregnancy progressed.", "PMID": 632723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9519", "title": "Relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione and oestradiol in human follicular fluid.", "content": "The concentrations of FSH, oestradiol and androstenedione in the follicular fluid of normal and cystic human follicles were measured at different stages of the menstrual cycle. In addition, the number of granulosa cells in the follicles was determined. In follicles in which FSH was detectable, the concentration of oestradiol was greater than that of androstenedione, irrespective of the stage of the cycle. In contrast, in those follicles in which FSH was undetectable and in all cystic follicles irrespective of the level of FSH, the concentration of androstenedione was greater than that of oestradiol. In follicles containing FSH there was a highly significant linear correlation between the number of granulosa cells and the concentration of follicular oestradiol (P less than 0.001). It is suggested that in human ovaries up to 90% of the oestradiol in follicular fluid may originate from the granulosa cells.", "contents": "Relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone, androstenedione and oestradiol in human follicular fluid. The concentrations of FSH, oestradiol and androstenedione in the follicular fluid of normal and cystic human follicles were measured at different stages of the menstrual cycle. In addition, the number of granulosa cells in the follicles was determined. In follicles in which FSH was detectable, the concentration of oestradiol was greater than that of androstenedione, irrespective of the stage of the cycle. In contrast, in those follicles in which FSH was undetectable and in all cystic follicles irrespective of the level of FSH, the concentration of androstenedione was greater than that of oestradiol. In follicles containing FSH there was a highly significant linear correlation between the number of granulosa cells and the concentration of follicular oestradiol (P less than 0.001). It is suggested that in human ovaries up to 90% of the oestradiol in follicular fluid may originate from the granulosa cells.", "PMID": 632724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9520", "title": "[The effect of hybridization on the embryonic germ cell population and the young females produced by the crossing of a male Peking duck with a female Barbary duck (Anas platyrhynchos x Cairina moschata)].", "content": "Ovarian development has been studied in a hybrid duck (Anas platyrhynchos male x Cairina moschata female) and in females of the parental Peking and Barbary species. In the hybrid, the gonadal ridge when it first forms is smaller than in either parental species, and after 16 days of incubation there is less cortical growth and less oogonial proliferation. At hatching, the left ovary of the hybrid contains fewer follicles, perhaps because the reduced size of the hybrid gonadal ridge limits germ cell colonization. However, the hybrid follicles develop very rapidly after hatching, and laying begins earlier in the hybrid than in Peking and Barbary ducks.", "contents": "[The effect of hybridization on the embryonic germ cell population and the young females produced by the crossing of a male Peking duck with a female Barbary duck (Anas platyrhynchos x Cairina moschata)]. Ovarian development has been studied in a hybrid duck (Anas platyrhynchos male x Cairina moschata female) and in females of the parental Peking and Barbary species. In the hybrid, the gonadal ridge when it first forms is smaller than in either parental species, and after 16 days of incubation there is less cortical growth and less oogonial proliferation. At hatching, the left ovary of the hybrid contains fewer follicles, perhaps because the reduced size of the hybrid gonadal ridge limits germ cell colonization. However, the hybrid follicles develop very rapidly after hatching, and laying begins earlier in the hybrid than in Peking and Barbary ducks.", "PMID": 632731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9521", "title": "Changes of organelles associated with the differentiation of epidermal melanocytes in the mouse.", "content": "Electron microscopic observations on normally differentiating and alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)-treated epidermal melanocytes of newborn mouse skin were carried out. The process of melanocyte differentiation from premelanosome-containing melanoblasts was investigated in detail with respect to melanosomes as markers. Melanoblasts containing unmelanized premelanosomes gradually decreased in number after birth, while the number of melanocytes rapidly increased. The epidermis of alpha-MSH-treated 3-day-old mice and normal 6-day-old mice contained melanocytes with numerous fully melanized melanosomes, and with no or only a few melanoblasts. Changes in other organelles in differentiating melanocytes were also noticeable. Golgi apparatus and RER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) decreased in number during the normal or alpha-MSH-induced differentiation of the epidermal melanocytes, though the number of mitochondria showed no notable change. The number of SER (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) per cell did not change in the cells of newborn mice, while in alpha-MSH-treated cells the number increased significantly. These results led us to an assumption that Golgi apparatus or RER transforms into other forms of organelles including melanosomes and SER during the differentiation of melanocytes.", "contents": "Changes of organelles associated with the differentiation of epidermal melanocytes in the mouse. Electron microscopic observations on normally differentiating and alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)-treated epidermal melanocytes of newborn mouse skin were carried out. The process of melanocyte differentiation from premelanosome-containing melanoblasts was investigated in detail with respect to melanosomes as markers. Melanoblasts containing unmelanized premelanosomes gradually decreased in number after birth, while the number of melanocytes rapidly increased. The epidermis of alpha-MSH-treated 3-day-old mice and normal 6-day-old mice contained melanocytes with numerous fully melanized melanosomes, and with no or only a few melanoblasts. Changes in other organelles in differentiating melanocytes were also noticeable. Golgi apparatus and RER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) decreased in number during the normal or alpha-MSH-induced differentiation of the epidermal melanocytes, though the number of mitochondria showed no notable change. The number of SER (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) per cell did not change in the cells of newborn mice, while in alpha-MSH-treated cells the number increased significantly. These results led us to an assumption that Golgi apparatus or RER transforms into other forms of organelles including melanosomes and SER during the differentiation of melanocytes.", "PMID": 632732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9522", "title": "Cell death in the posterior necrotic zone (PNZ) of the chick wing-bud: a stereoscan and ultrastructural survey of autolysis and cell fragmentation.", "content": "The participation of lysosomes and cell profile changes were studied during mesenchymal cell death in the PNZ of forelimbs of the 4 1/2-day chick embryo. Lysosome participation was studied cytochemically using as substrate either beta-glycerophosphate or p-nitrophenylphosphate. Acid phosphatase (AP) is localized within the Golgi cisternae of the prospective dying cells, and small AP-positive autophagic vacuoles appear when degeneration commences. As degeneration by enzymic digestion proceeds, these vacuoles increase in size and appear to become autolytic since part of the AP activity seems to 'leak' out of the autophagic vacuoles. Next, the cells fragment and the fragments are then enclosed in heterophagic vacuoles of macrophages where digestion is completed. The SEM showed that these intracellular changes in degenerating cells are accompanied by changes in the cell surface structure. First, the degenerating cells lose the stellate appearance of healthy mesenchymal cells and become rounded and pitted, then constrictions appear and finally the cytoplasm breaks up into many small pieces. This final fragmentation may be an active process rather than a mere consequence of vacuolation.", "contents": "Cell death in the posterior necrotic zone (PNZ) of the chick wing-bud: a stereoscan and ultrastructural survey of autolysis and cell fragmentation. The participation of lysosomes and cell profile changes were studied during mesenchymal cell death in the PNZ of forelimbs of the 4 1/2-day chick embryo. Lysosome participation was studied cytochemically using as substrate either beta-glycerophosphate or p-nitrophenylphosphate. Acid phosphatase (AP) is localized within the Golgi cisternae of the prospective dying cells, and small AP-positive autophagic vacuoles appear when degeneration commences. As degeneration by enzymic digestion proceeds, these vacuoles increase in size and appear to become autolytic since part of the AP activity seems to 'leak' out of the autophagic vacuoles. Next, the cells fragment and the fragments are then enclosed in heterophagic vacuoles of macrophages where digestion is completed. The SEM showed that these intracellular changes in degenerating cells are accompanied by changes in the cell surface structure. First, the degenerating cells lose the stellate appearance of healthy mesenchymal cells and become rounded and pitted, then constrictions appear and finally the cytoplasm breaks up into many small pieces. This final fragmentation may be an active process rather than a mere consequence of vacuolation.", "PMID": 632733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9523", "title": "Experimental studies of the shape and structure of isolated cardiac jelly.", "content": "The properties of the early chick embryonic heart cardiac jelly were studied. The cells of the heart were removed by sequential treatments with calcium magnesium-free medium; the same medium containing 5 mM EDTA; and aqueous 0.1% deoxycholate. The transparent, naked cardiac jelly retained the original shape and size of the untreated original heart when immersed in physiological ionic strength medium. Its size and shape responded to changes in the ionic strength of the surrounding media. Alcian blue, cetylpyridinium chloride and testicular hyaluronidase abolished the ability of the jelly to respond to ionic strength changes. Electron microscope examination of the negatively stained spread cardiac jelly revealed an extensive network of collagenous fibrils and fine filaments with some amorphous adhering material. Treatment with testicular hyaluronidase removed much of the amorphous material and improved the details of the filaments. These results suggest that glycosaminoglycans play an important part in the hydration of the cardiac jelly and that the stability of the cardiac jelly shape is mainly due to the filamentous network and their possible interactions with macromolecules of the cardiac jelly matrix. It is suggested that the factors that control the depositon of the connective tissue macromolecules and the assembly of the filamentous network are significant factors which influence the morphogenesis of the early embryonic heart.", "contents": "Experimental studies of the shape and structure of isolated cardiac jelly. The properties of the early chick embryonic heart cardiac jelly were studied. The cells of the heart were removed by sequential treatments with calcium magnesium-free medium; the same medium containing 5 mM EDTA; and aqueous 0.1% deoxycholate. The transparent, naked cardiac jelly retained the original shape and size of the untreated original heart when immersed in physiological ionic strength medium. Its size and shape responded to changes in the ionic strength of the surrounding media. Alcian blue, cetylpyridinium chloride and testicular hyaluronidase abolished the ability of the jelly to respond to ionic strength changes. Electron microscope examination of the negatively stained spread cardiac jelly revealed an extensive network of collagenous fibrils and fine filaments with some amorphous adhering material. Treatment with testicular hyaluronidase removed much of the amorphous material and improved the details of the filaments. These results suggest that glycosaminoglycans play an important part in the hydration of the cardiac jelly and that the stability of the cardiac jelly shape is mainly due to the filamentous network and their possible interactions with macromolecules of the cardiac jelly matrix. It is suggested that the factors that control the depositon of the connective tissue macromolecules and the assembly of the filamentous network are significant factors which influence the morphogenesis of the early embryonic heart.", "PMID": 632734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9524", "title": "Re-evaluation of the presence of multiple haemoglobins during the ontogeny of the mouse.", "content": "In mice, three alleles, Hbbs, Hbbd and Hbbp, have been found at the beta-chain locus of haemoglobin. Analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of almost the same four haemoglobin bands (E-I, E-II, E-III and X) in all of the lysates of peripheral blood cells from 12-day-old foetuses of C57BL/6J (Hbbs), A/He (Hbbd) and PON (Hbbp). All were embryonic-type haemoglobins; the most anodal band (X) seemed to be a product of polymerization of E-I. Electrophoretic patterns of the haemolysates from 12-day-old foetuses were not affected by alkylation with iodoacetamide or maleic anhydride. Almost the same electrophoretic patterns in subunit analysis, using acid starch and acid-urea polyacrylamide gels, were obtained in 12-day-old foetuses of C57BL/6J, A/He and PON. E-I comprised alphia and x-chains, E-II, alpha- and y-chains, and E-III, alpha- and z-chains. In adults, two haemoglobin bands, s and Y, were present in the haemolysate of C57BL/6J, while three, dmaj, dmin and Y, existed in A/He, and three, pmaj, pmin and Y, in PON. All were adult-type haemoglobins. Haemoglobin Y, which was not demonstrable after alkylation of the haemolysates, seemed to be a product of polymerization of major haemoglobins (s, dmaj and pmaj). Each haemoglobin possessed common alpha-chains, while the beta-chains of major haemoglobins were different from those of minor haemoglobins. Developmental changes of the haemolysates from foetuses of C57BL/6J, A/He and PON were similar to each other. Haemolysates of the liver cells of developing foetuses contained only adult-type haemoglobins. Our techniques used here were not able to demonstrate the presence of foetal-type haemoglobins.", "contents": "Re-evaluation of the presence of multiple haemoglobins during the ontogeny of the mouse. In mice, three alleles, Hbbs, Hbbd and Hbbp, have been found at the beta-chain locus of haemoglobin. Analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of almost the same four haemoglobin bands (E-I, E-II, E-III and X) in all of the lysates of peripheral blood cells from 12-day-old foetuses of C57BL/6J (Hbbs), A/He (Hbbd) and PON (Hbbp). All were embryonic-type haemoglobins; the most anodal band (X) seemed to be a product of polymerization of E-I. Electrophoretic patterns of the haemolysates from 12-day-old foetuses were not affected by alkylation with iodoacetamide or maleic anhydride. Almost the same electrophoretic patterns in subunit analysis, using acid starch and acid-urea polyacrylamide gels, were obtained in 12-day-old foetuses of C57BL/6J, A/He and PON. E-I comprised alphia and x-chains, E-II, alpha- and y-chains, and E-III, alpha- and z-chains. In adults, two haemoglobin bands, s and Y, were present in the haemolysate of C57BL/6J, while three, dmaj, dmin and Y, existed in A/He, and three, pmaj, pmin and Y, in PON. All were adult-type haemoglobins. Haemoglobin Y, which was not demonstrable after alkylation of the haemolysates, seemed to be a product of polymerization of major haemoglobins (s, dmaj and pmaj). Each haemoglobin possessed common alpha-chains, while the beta-chains of major haemoglobins were different from those of minor haemoglobins. Developmental changes of the haemolysates from foetuses of C57BL/6J, A/He and PON were similar to each other. Haemolysates of the liver cells of developing foetuses contained only adult-type haemoglobins. Our techniques used here were not able to demonstrate the presence of foetal-type haemoglobins.", "PMID": 632735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9525", "title": "The ultrastructure of the mesenchymal element of the palatal shelves of the fetal mouse.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the mesenchymal element of the palatal shelves of C3H mouse embryos aged 13 days 18 h and 14 days 18 h in utero was studied. At 13 days 18 h the mesenchyme showed a high density of cells. The cells contained a well developed system of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex; many were ciliated and multi-vescular structures were common. By 14 days 18 h, many of the mesenchymal cells contained large numbers of glycogen particles. These cells also possessed long cytoplasmic processes which sometimes were seen to contain many filaments 5--7 nm in diameter. Some of the cells also contained a fine filamentous network just below the plasma membrane. Developing mononuclear and binucleate skeletal muscle cells containing myofibrils were present in the posterior region of the palate, with groups of cells which consisted of typical peripheral neurons and their surrounding satellite cells. Both the muscle and nerve cells were only observed in the 14 day 18 h material. It is suggested that both the myofibrils in the skeletal muscle cells and the filamentous network in the mesenchymal cells may play a role in shelf reorientation.", "contents": "The ultrastructure of the mesenchymal element of the palatal shelves of the fetal mouse. The ultrastructure of the mesenchymal element of the palatal shelves of C3H mouse embryos aged 13 days 18 h and 14 days 18 h in utero was studied. At 13 days 18 h the mesenchyme showed a high density of cells. The cells contained a well developed system of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex; many were ciliated and multi-vescular structures were common. By 14 days 18 h, many of the mesenchymal cells contained large numbers of glycogen particles. These cells also possessed long cytoplasmic processes which sometimes were seen to contain many filaments 5--7 nm in diameter. Some of the cells also contained a fine filamentous network just below the plasma membrane. Developing mononuclear and binucleate skeletal muscle cells containing myofibrils were present in the posterior region of the palate, with groups of cells which consisted of typical peripheral neurons and their surrounding satellite cells. Both the muscle and nerve cells were only observed in the 14 day 18 h material. It is suggested that both the myofibrils in the skeletal muscle cells and the filamentous network in the mesenchymal cells may play a role in shelf reorientation.", "PMID": 632736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9526", "title": "Variability of chimaeras and mosaics.", "content": "Aggregation chimaeras and X-inactivation mosaics in mice are alike in general appearance, but chimaeras are very much more variable in the proportions of the cell types (p) seen for example in coat pigmentation. The distribution of p in chimaeras is not binomial, but is uniform, or flat, between the two extremes. The greater variability of chimaeras arises from two sampling events that occur when cellular heterogeneity is already present in chimaeras but before it arises in mosaics. These are the differentiation of the inner cell mass from the trophectoderm and of the primary ectoderm from the primary endoderm. The second of these generates the flat distribution of chimaeras as a consequence of the two cell types being unmixed at that time. The two sampling events generate single-colour individuals in roughly the proportions observed. Consideration of the second sampling event provides evidence that the primordial germ cells must originate in the primary ectoderm and not in the yolk-sac. Estimation of numbers of progenitor cells on the supposition of binomial sampling is not valid unless the clone-size is known or the cells in the sample are not contiguous. Data on coat pigmentation are consistent with the assumptions that X-inactivation is random in about 21 cells, that the sampling of melanoblasts is binomial (because they are not contiguous), and that the melanocytes of the head and body are descended from about 34 progenitor cells.", "contents": "Variability of chimaeras and mosaics. Aggregation chimaeras and X-inactivation mosaics in mice are alike in general appearance, but chimaeras are very much more variable in the proportions of the cell types (p) seen for example in coat pigmentation. The distribution of p in chimaeras is not binomial, but is uniform, or flat, between the two extremes. The greater variability of chimaeras arises from two sampling events that occur when cellular heterogeneity is already present in chimaeras but before it arises in mosaics. These are the differentiation of the inner cell mass from the trophectoderm and of the primary ectoderm from the primary endoderm. The second of these generates the flat distribution of chimaeras as a consequence of the two cell types being unmixed at that time. The two sampling events generate single-colour individuals in roughly the proportions observed. Consideration of the second sampling event provides evidence that the primordial germ cells must originate in the primary ectoderm and not in the yolk-sac. Estimation of numbers of progenitor cells on the supposition of binomial sampling is not valid unless the clone-size is known or the cells in the sample are not contiguous. Data on coat pigmentation are consistent with the assumptions that X-inactivation is random in about 21 cells, that the sampling of melanoblasts is binomial (because they are not contiguous), and that the melanocytes of the head and body are descended from about 34 progenitor cells.", "PMID": 632737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9527", "title": "Feedback inhibition of erythropoiesis induced in anaemic Xenopus.", "content": "Serum from normal Xenopus, when injected into anaemic Xenopus, causes reduction in both DNA and protein synthesis in erythroid cells as indicated by in vitro culture of the blood cells. Experiments with erythrocyte-conditioned medium, reveal that this inhibitory substance can be recovered from mature erythrocytes. Sephadex G-25 fractionation of normal serum and haemolysate demonstrates that the inhibitory factor consists of molecules of low molecular weight, and experiments with with cells of Xenopus kidney reveal that the feedback inhibition may be tissue specific to erythroid cells.", "contents": "Feedback inhibition of erythropoiesis induced in anaemic Xenopus. Serum from normal Xenopus, when injected into anaemic Xenopus, causes reduction in both DNA and protein synthesis in erythroid cells as indicated by in vitro culture of the blood cells. Experiments with erythrocyte-conditioned medium, reveal that this inhibitory substance can be recovered from mature erythrocytes. Sephadex G-25 fractionation of normal serum and haemolysate demonstrates that the inhibitory factor consists of molecules of low molecular weight, and experiments with with cells of Xenopus kidney reveal that the feedback inhibition may be tissue specific to erythroid cells.", "PMID": 632738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9528", "title": "Compartmentalization and growth of the Drosophila abdomen.", "content": "An analysis of the cell lineage of the adult Drosophila abdomen is reported. Genetically marked clones are produced in the tergites in the embryo and in the sternites and pleura during larval life. The spatial disposition of the segment primordia is also studied in a series of 250 gynandromorphs. We conclude that in the embryo the segments are all separate polyclones soon after blastoderm and these are probably adjacent to each other. Gynandromorph analysis suggests that segments 2--6 develop from similarly sized cell groups but that the first tergite develops from a primordium which is equal to that of two other segments. We suggest that presumptive adult and larval cells are not separated at blastoderm. Our estimate from clonal analysis of the number of larval cells (12) which construct the sternites and pleura is equal to the number observed directly in the ventral nest of histoblasts.", "contents": "Compartmentalization and growth of the Drosophila abdomen. An analysis of the cell lineage of the adult Drosophila abdomen is reported. Genetically marked clones are produced in the tergites in the embryo and in the sternites and pleura during larval life. The spatial disposition of the segment primordia is also studied in a series of 250 gynandromorphs. We conclude that in the embryo the segments are all separate polyclones soon after blastoderm and these are probably adjacent to each other. Gynandromorph analysis suggests that segments 2--6 develop from similarly sized cell groups but that the first tergite develops from a primordium which is equal to that of two other segments. We suggest that presumptive adult and larval cells are not separated at blastoderm. Our estimate from clonal analysis of the number of larval cells (12) which construct the sternites and pleura is equal to the number observed directly in the ventral nest of histoblasts.", "PMID": 632739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9529", "title": "[Morphogenesis of the imaginal abdominal epidermis in Calliphora erythrocephala (Insecta,Diptera)].", "content": "The morphogenesis of the abdominal epidermis in Calliphora erythrocephala begins by a cellular proliferation which proceeds slowly in larvae and rapidly in pupae. This allows histoblasts to glide and invade the whole abdominal surface. As soon as the new epidermal sheet has become continuous, differentiation begins. Generalized epidermal cells show an intense activity which leads to the deposition of imaginal cuticle from the 6th day after pupation onwards. After cuticle deposition they darken and become inactive although they remain alive, even after emergence. Trichogen and tormogen cells are even more active than generalized epidermal cells, especially the trichogen cell in which polyribosomes and microtubules are abundant. The former are possibly involved in microtubule synthesis. After cuticle deposition the trichogen and tormogen cells undergo degeneration. Their nuclei contract, rough endoplasmic reticulum breaks down and cytoplasm breaks up into fragments through infoldings which proliferate from the plasma membrane. Finally only generalized epidermal cells and sensory cells remain alive in the adult.", "contents": "[Morphogenesis of the imaginal abdominal epidermis in Calliphora erythrocephala (Insecta,Diptera)]. The morphogenesis of the abdominal epidermis in Calliphora erythrocephala begins by a cellular proliferation which proceeds slowly in larvae and rapidly in pupae. This allows histoblasts to glide and invade the whole abdominal surface. As soon as the new epidermal sheet has become continuous, differentiation begins. Generalized epidermal cells show an intense activity which leads to the deposition of imaginal cuticle from the 6th day after pupation onwards. After cuticle deposition they darken and become inactive although they remain alive, even after emergence. Trichogen and tormogen cells are even more active than generalized epidermal cells, especially the trichogen cell in which polyribosomes and microtubules are abundant. The former are possibly involved in microtubule synthesis. After cuticle deposition the trichogen and tormogen cells undergo degeneration. Their nuclei contract, rough endoplasmic reticulum breaks down and cytoplasm breaks up into fragments through infoldings which proliferate from the plasma membrane. Finally only generalized epidermal cells and sensory cells remain alive in the adult.", "PMID": 632740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9530", "title": "Limb-somite relationship: effect of removal of somitic mesoderm on the wing musculature.", "content": "The aim of this study is to test the ability of the intrinsic wing musculature to develop in the absence of somitic mesoderm. The experiments were performed on 2- to 2.5-day chick embryos either by replacing the somitic mesoderm adjacent to the wing field with a piece of 9-day chick embryonic midgut or by destroying, through local X-irradiation, not only the somitic mesoderm of the wing level, but also at least three somites (or presumptive somites) anterior and/or three presumptive somites posterior to the wing level. The replacemnt of somitic tissue scarcely affected the organogenesis of the forearm musculature, at least when both bones were present. In the other experiments, radio-destruction severely impaired the development of the forearm muscles, which were seldom all present and in most cases were entirely missing. The absence of a given muscle involves the simultaneous absence of the corresponding tendons. The possible origins of the muscles that formed despite the removal of the somitic mesoderm are discussed.", "contents": "Limb-somite relationship: effect of removal of somitic mesoderm on the wing musculature. The aim of this study is to test the ability of the intrinsic wing musculature to develop in the absence of somitic mesoderm. The experiments were performed on 2- to 2.5-day chick embryos either by replacing the somitic mesoderm adjacent to the wing field with a piece of 9-day chick embryonic midgut or by destroying, through local X-irradiation, not only the somitic mesoderm of the wing level, but also at least three somites (or presumptive somites) anterior and/or three presumptive somites posterior to the wing level. The replacemnt of somitic tissue scarcely affected the organogenesis of the forearm musculature, at least when both bones were present. In the other experiments, radio-destruction severely impaired the development of the forearm muscles, which were seldom all present and in most cases were entirely missing. The absence of a given muscle involves the simultaneous absence of the corresponding tendons. The possible origins of the muscles that formed despite the removal of the somitic mesoderm are discussed.", "PMID": 632741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9531", "title": "Feather-forming capacities of the avian extra-embryonic somatopleure.", "content": "Blocks of 12.5- or 13.5-day embryonic mouse upper-lip dermis were introduced under the ectoderm of the extra-embryonic area of 2- to 3-day chick or duck embryos. Two kinds of ectopic cutaneous appendages were produced: either arrested feathers alone, or arrested feathers and full-grown feathers. The former developed in the ectoderm overlying the implanted mouse dermal cells, the latter formed in their close vicinity, but contained host dermal cells exclusively. Thus, avian extra-embryonic somatopleure, both ectoderm and mesoderm, possesses the information for feather development: the extra-embryonic ectoderm, if it is brought in contace with an appendage-forming dermis, is able to respond to the dermal induction by initiating feather morphogenesis; the extra-embryonic mesoderm, if it is experimentally transformed into a dense dermis, can express its feather-forming capacity by specifying feather tract morphology and barb-ridge number, thus leading to the acievement of feather morphogenesis.", "contents": "Feather-forming capacities of the avian extra-embryonic somatopleure. Blocks of 12.5- or 13.5-day embryonic mouse upper-lip dermis were introduced under the ectoderm of the extra-embryonic area of 2- to 3-day chick or duck embryos. Two kinds of ectopic cutaneous appendages were produced: either arrested feathers alone, or arrested feathers and full-grown feathers. The former developed in the ectoderm overlying the implanted mouse dermal cells, the latter formed in their close vicinity, but contained host dermal cells exclusively. Thus, avian extra-embryonic somatopleure, both ectoderm and mesoderm, possesses the information for feather development: the extra-embryonic ectoderm, if it is brought in contace with an appendage-forming dermis, is able to respond to the dermal induction by initiating feather morphogenesis; the extra-embryonic mesoderm, if it is experimentally transformed into a dense dermis, can express its feather-forming capacity by specifying feather tract morphology and barb-ridge number, thus leading to the acievement of feather morphogenesis.", "PMID": 632742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9532", "title": "Teratological evaluation of 5-fluorouracil and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine on hamster fetuses.", "content": "A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BUDR) between days 9 and 11 and a single intramuscular injection of 5-fluorouracil (FU) between days 8 and 11 of gestation were teratogenic in hamster. The malformation frequencies were related to the dose and time of BUDR and FU treatment but the pattern and types of malformations and their frequencies were different. BUDR showed lower embryotoxic effect than FU. Both drugs impaired general fetal growth. It is suggested that the differences between FU and BUDR may be related to the chemical nature and metabolism of the drug and their eventual effect on the species-specific target tissue.", "contents": "Teratological evaluation of 5-fluorouracil and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine on hamster fetuses. A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BUDR) between days 9 and 11 and a single intramuscular injection of 5-fluorouracil (FU) between days 8 and 11 of gestation were teratogenic in hamster. The malformation frequencies were related to the dose and time of BUDR and FU treatment but the pattern and types of malformations and their frequencies were different. BUDR showed lower embryotoxic effect than FU. Both drugs impaired general fetal growth. It is suggested that the differences between FU and BUDR may be related to the chemical nature and metabolism of the drug and their eventual effect on the species-specific target tissue.", "PMID": 632743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9533", "title": "Cartilage matrix deficiency (cmd): a new autosomal recessive lethal mutation in the mouse.", "content": "A new autosomal recessive lethal mutation in the mouse designated cartilage matrix deficiency (cmd) is described. Homozygotes are dwarfed, and have abnormally short trunk, limbs, tail and snout, as well as a protruding tongue and cleft palate. The abdomen is distended because the foreshortened rib cage and spinal column forces the liver ventrad from its normal location. Histological and electron microscopic study reveals a deficiency of cartilage matrix in tracheal cartilage and in all cartilagenous bones examined. The syndrome closely resembles the rare lethal condition achondrogenesis, found in human infants, which is also believed to be due to an autosomal recessive gene.", "contents": "Cartilage matrix deficiency (cmd): a new autosomal recessive lethal mutation in the mouse. A new autosomal recessive lethal mutation in the mouse designated cartilage matrix deficiency (cmd) is described. Homozygotes are dwarfed, and have abnormally short trunk, limbs, tail and snout, as well as a protruding tongue and cleft palate. The abdomen is distended because the foreshortened rib cage and spinal column forces the liver ventrad from its normal location. Histological and electron microscopic study reveals a deficiency of cartilage matrix in tracheal cartilage and in all cartilagenous bones examined. The syndrome closely resembles the rare lethal condition achondrogenesis, found in human infants, which is also believed to be due to an autosomal recessive gene.", "PMID": 632744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9534", "title": "Determination of the embryonic origin of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in birds.", "content": "The precise site of origin and the cells of origin of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in birds have been studied by the method of growing embryonic fore-, mid- and hind brain grafts inside a millipore filter chamber filled with amniotic fluid, upon a host chorioallantoic membrane, and by the method of transplantation of cranial neural crest of the mesencephalon between embryo-donors and duck embryo-hosts. The growth and differentiation of grafts grown in the chambers resemble very closely those of normal embryos at corresponding stages of development. Data obtained from a total of 42 grafts representative of the three species of birds used in this study, show that the cells of the mesencephalic nucleus are present only in grafts of embryonic midbrain and totally absent in forebrain and hindbrain grafts. The presence of cells of the mesencephalic nucleus in midbrain grafts suggests that these neurons arise chiefly from the developing mesencephalon. Histological examination of such grafts has shown that these neurons are observed in the leptomeningeal tissue overlying the midbrain region and extend into the various laminae of the optic tecta. A progressive increase in the size of the cells from an immature state confined to the mesodermal tissue to fully mature neurons in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum is observed. This is also indicative of a downward migration of these cells. In a few embryonic midbrain grafts mature cells clearly identifiable as belonging to the mesencephalic nucleus are observed in the leptomeningeal tissue and outside the external limiting membrane of the neural tube. These appear to be neurons which had failed to migrate. The resemblance of these latter neurons to those in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum lend further support to the hypothesis that the neurons of the mesencephalic nucleus are derived from neural crest of the developing mesencephalon in birds. In interspecific transplantation experiments of cranial neural crest of the mesencephalon, the quail cells occur in the form of clusters and appear to migrate towards the ventricular surface independent of the migration of the cells of the tectum which takes place simultaneously. Three stages in the development of the grafted neural crest material of the quail are observed based on the perikaryal diameter of the cells, and the accumulation of Nissl material in the cytoplasm. The smallest cells are located more superficially near the pial surface, and the larger mature neurons are observed in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum. All the layers of the optic tectum including the neuroepithelium on the experimental side are comprised entirely of duck cells...", "contents": "Determination of the embryonic origin of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in birds. The precise site of origin and the cells of origin of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in birds have been studied by the method of growing embryonic fore-, mid- and hind brain grafts inside a millipore filter chamber filled with amniotic fluid, upon a host chorioallantoic membrane, and by the method of transplantation of cranial neural crest of the mesencephalon between embryo-donors and duck embryo-hosts. The growth and differentiation of grafts grown in the chambers resemble very closely those of normal embryos at corresponding stages of development. Data obtained from a total of 42 grafts representative of the three species of birds used in this study, show that the cells of the mesencephalic nucleus are present only in grafts of embryonic midbrain and totally absent in forebrain and hindbrain grafts. The presence of cells of the mesencephalic nucleus in midbrain grafts suggests that these neurons arise chiefly from the developing mesencephalon. Histological examination of such grafts has shown that these neurons are observed in the leptomeningeal tissue overlying the midbrain region and extend into the various laminae of the optic tecta. A progressive increase in the size of the cells from an immature state confined to the mesodermal tissue to fully mature neurons in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum is observed. This is also indicative of a downward migration of these cells. In a few embryonic midbrain grafts mature cells clearly identifiable as belonging to the mesencephalic nucleus are observed in the leptomeningeal tissue and outside the external limiting membrane of the neural tube. These appear to be neurons which had failed to migrate. The resemblance of these latter neurons to those in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum lend further support to the hypothesis that the neurons of the mesencephalic nucleus are derived from neural crest of the developing mesencephalon in birds. In interspecific transplantation experiments of cranial neural crest of the mesencephalon, the quail cells occur in the form of clusters and appear to migrate towards the ventricular surface independent of the migration of the cells of the tectum which takes place simultaneously. Three stages in the development of the grafted neural crest material of the quail are observed based on the perikaryal diameter of the cells, and the accumulation of Nissl material in the cytoplasm. The smallest cells are located more superficially near the pial surface, and the larger mature neurons are observed in the stratum griseum periventriculare of the optic tectum. All the layers of the optic tectum including the neuroepithelium on the experimental side are comprised entirely of duck cells...", "PMID": 632745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9535", "title": "Kinetics and mechanisms for removal of circulating single-stranded DNA in mice.", "content": "Clearance of exogenous ssDNA from circulation was rapid and occurred primarily through the liver. With higher doses of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), both liver uptake and whole blood clearance approached a maximum, enabling larger amounts of ssDNA to persist in the circulation. The large molecular weight material (precipitable ssDNA) which remained in circulation was rapidly cleaved to 20,000-30,000 mol wt fragments by endonucleases, at least some of which could be demonstrated in plasma in vitro. Mononucleotide breakdown products appeared rapidly in circulation with no lag phase, suggesting that exonuclease activity was not dependent upon prior phagocytosis. Since no exonuclease activity could be demonstrated in plasma in vitro, it was postulated that breakdown of ssDNA by exonucleases occurs on the surface of hepatocytes of Kupffer cells.", "contents": "Kinetics and mechanisms for removal of circulating single-stranded DNA in mice. Clearance of exogenous ssDNA from circulation was rapid and occurred primarily through the liver. With higher doses of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), both liver uptake and whole blood clearance approached a maximum, enabling larger amounts of ssDNA to persist in the circulation. The large molecular weight material (precipitable ssDNA) which remained in circulation was rapidly cleaved to 20,000-30,000 mol wt fragments by endonucleases, at least some of which could be demonstrated in plasma in vitro. Mononucleotide breakdown products appeared rapidly in circulation with no lag phase, suggesting that exonuclease activity was not dependent upon prior phagocytosis. Since no exonuclease activity could be demonstrated in plasma in vitro, it was postulated that breakdown of ssDNA by exonucleases occurs on the surface of hepatocytes of Kupffer cells.", "PMID": 632746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9536", "title": "Induction in vivo and in vitro of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase by thymosin in bone marrow cells from athymic mice.", "content": "Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression in bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells was examined in NIH Swiss nu/nu and thymectomized C57BL/6 mice. In nude mice, TdT levels were approximately 10% of those of thymus-bearing littermates. In C57BL/6 mice, thymectomy caused a time-dependent loss of TdT activity in bone marrow cells. To determine whether or not not the apparent thymic requirement for TdT expression in bone marrow was mediated by thymic hormones, we examined the effects of thymosin fraction 5. Treatment of either NIH Swiss nu/nu or thymectomized C57BL/6 mice with thymosin fraction 5 restored the levels of TdT activity in BSA gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells to normal. Moreover, treatment of BSA gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells from NIH Swiss nu/nu or thymectomized C57BL/6 mice in tissue culture with thymosin fraction 5 induced TdT expression. In tissue culture, TdT induction was optimal with 25 ng/ml of thymosin fraction 5, it occurred within 6 h, and it was completely inhibited by actinomycin D. The effect was specific in that neither control nor spleen fraction 5-treated cells were induced to express TdT. These data demonstrate that TdT expression in bone marrow cells is under the direct control of thymic polypeptide hormones.", "contents": "Induction in vivo and in vitro of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase by thymosin in bone marrow cells from athymic mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) expression in bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells was examined in NIH Swiss nu/nu and thymectomized C57BL/6 mice. In nude mice, TdT levels were approximately 10% of those of thymus-bearing littermates. In C57BL/6 mice, thymectomy caused a time-dependent loss of TdT activity in bone marrow cells. To determine whether or not not the apparent thymic requirement for TdT expression in bone marrow was mediated by thymic hormones, we examined the effects of thymosin fraction 5. Treatment of either NIH Swiss nu/nu or thymectomized C57BL/6 mice with thymosin fraction 5 restored the levels of TdT activity in BSA gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells to normal. Moreover, treatment of BSA gradient-fractionated bone marrow cells from NIH Swiss nu/nu or thymectomized C57BL/6 mice in tissue culture with thymosin fraction 5 induced TdT expression. In tissue culture, TdT induction was optimal with 25 ng/ml of thymosin fraction 5, it occurred within 6 h, and it was completely inhibited by actinomycin D. The effect was specific in that neither control nor spleen fraction 5-treated cells were induced to express TdT. These data demonstrate that TdT expression in bone marrow cells is under the direct control of thymic polypeptide hormones.", "PMID": 632747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9537", "title": "Surface and fluid phase activities of two forms of activated Hageman factor produced during contact activation of plasma.", "content": "The ability of the two forms of activated Hageman factor (HFa) produced during contact activation of plasma to activate prekallikrein and factor XI was studied. alpha-HFa, defined as an 80,000 mol wt two-chain enzyme which remains bound to the surface was capable of cleaving surface-bound prekallikrein and factor XI. beta-HFa, a 28,000 mol wt single chain molecule, released from the surface during contact activation was able to cleave prekallikrein but showed no activity on factor XI. Cleavage of prekallikrein by beta-HFa occurred irrespective of whether the substrate was surface-bound or in solution. Cleavage of factor XI occurred only when it was surface bound and only the alpha-form of HFa was capable of this proteolytic action. Factor XI was found to remain bound to the surface while prekallikrein and kallikrein rapidly dissociated from the surface into the supernate. These findings suggest that the initiation of intrinsic coagulation through the activation factor XI is a localized event occurring at the site of contact activation and is the result of the action of alpha-HFa. By contrast, kinin generation and fibrinolysis resulting from the formation of kallikrein can be initiated either at the site of contact activation, by alpha-HFa action, or throughout the plasma, by beta-HFa; further dissemination of these activities is assured by the rapid dissociation of kallikrein itself from the surface.", "contents": "Surface and fluid phase activities of two forms of activated Hageman factor produced during contact activation of plasma. The ability of the two forms of activated Hageman factor (HFa) produced during contact activation of plasma to activate prekallikrein and factor XI was studied. alpha-HFa, defined as an 80,000 mol wt two-chain enzyme which remains bound to the surface was capable of cleaving surface-bound prekallikrein and factor XI. beta-HFa, a 28,000 mol wt single chain molecule, released from the surface during contact activation was able to cleave prekallikrein but showed no activity on factor XI. Cleavage of prekallikrein by beta-HFa occurred irrespective of whether the substrate was surface-bound or in solution. Cleavage of factor XI occurred only when it was surface bound and only the alpha-form of HFa was capable of this proteolytic action. Factor XI was found to remain bound to the surface while prekallikrein and kallikrein rapidly dissociated from the surface into the supernate. These findings suggest that the initiation of intrinsic coagulation through the activation factor XI is a localized event occurring at the site of contact activation and is the result of the action of alpha-HFa. By contrast, kinin generation and fibrinolysis resulting from the formation of kallikrein can be initiated either at the site of contact activation, by alpha-HFa action, or throughout the plasma, by beta-HFa; further dissemination of these activities is assured by the rapid dissociation of kallikrein itself from the surface.", "PMID": 632748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9538", "title": "Serine enzymes released by cultured neoplastic cells.", "content": "Serine proteases or esterases released from cell cultures into the growth medium were converted to radioactive derivatives by active site labeling with tritiated DFP, both in the presence and absence of other competing active site reagents. The individual labeled enzymes were then identified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scintillation autoradiography. Conditioned medium from embryonal mouse fibroblasts transformed by mouse sarcoma virus contained five serine enzymes that were not present in medium from normal cells; two serine enzymes were released by both cell types, and one serine enzyme was found only in medium from normal cells. Two of the enzymes released by transformed cells were identified as plasminogen activators; these accounted for most of the serine enzyme labeling in transformed culture media and for most of the serine enzyme difference between normal and transformed cultures. The culture fluids from two cell strains of human neoplastic origin were examined by the same method. A rhabdomyosarcoma strain released eight serine enzymes (mol wt ranging from 22,500 to 102,000), four of which were plasminogen activators; seven serine enzymes (mol wt 26,000-102,000), including two plasminogen activators, were detected in medium from human melanoma cultures. In terms of electrophoretic mobility two of the plasminogen activators from rhabdomyosarcoma were identical with those from melanoma cultures, while the remaining two rhabdomyosarcoma activators coincided with activators found in commerical urokinase.", "contents": "Serine enzymes released by cultured neoplastic cells. Serine proteases or esterases released from cell cultures into the growth medium were converted to radioactive derivatives by active site labeling with tritiated DFP, both in the presence and absence of other competing active site reagents. The individual labeled enzymes were then identified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scintillation autoradiography. Conditioned medium from embryonal mouse fibroblasts transformed by mouse sarcoma virus contained five serine enzymes that were not present in medium from normal cells; two serine enzymes were released by both cell types, and one serine enzyme was found only in medium from normal cells. Two of the enzymes released by transformed cells were identified as plasminogen activators; these accounted for most of the serine enzyme labeling in transformed culture media and for most of the serine enzyme difference between normal and transformed cultures. The culture fluids from two cell strains of human neoplastic origin were examined by the same method. A rhabdomyosarcoma strain released eight serine enzymes (mol wt ranging from 22,500 to 102,000), four of which were plasminogen activators; seven serine enzymes (mol wt 26,000-102,000), including two plasminogen activators, were detected in medium from human melanoma cultures. In terms of electrophoretic mobility two of the plasminogen activators from rhabdomyosarcoma were identical with those from melanoma cultures, while the remaining two rhabdomyosarcoma activators coincided with activators found in commerical urokinase.", "PMID": 632749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9539", "title": "Lysis of oncornaviruses by human serum. Isolation of the viral complement (C1) receptor and identification as p15E.", "content": "Moloney leukemia virus activated both the classical and alternative pathways of human complement. About 500,000 virions were required to detect activation of the classical pathway whereas 5,000 times as many virions were necessary to initiate the alternative pathway, indicating that in this system only the former is of biological significance. Disruption of the virus with Triton X-100 destroyed its ability to initiate the alternative pathway without affecting its ability to activate the classical pathway. After ultracentrifugation of disrupted virus the active component could be recovered in the supernate and was isolated by isoelectric focusing in granulated gels. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic and analysis and cyanogen bromide digestion studies revealed that the activity resided in a methionine-containing protein having a pI of 7.5 and a molecular weight of approximately equal to 15,000 daltons. The purified protein interacts strongly with Clq and efficiently activates Cl. RNase and lipolytic enzymes had no effect on the isolated protein but incubation with trypsin resulted in loss of activity. Enzymatic digestion studies of surface-labeled virus indicate that the active protein is a viral membrane protein. On the basis of these results it is concluded that the complement receptor of Moloney leukemia virus is the surface protein p15E.", "contents": "Lysis of oncornaviruses by human serum. Isolation of the viral complement (C1) receptor and identification as p15E. Moloney leukemia virus activated both the classical and alternative pathways of human complement. About 500,000 virions were required to detect activation of the classical pathway whereas 5,000 times as many virions were necessary to initiate the alternative pathway, indicating that in this system only the former is of biological significance. Disruption of the virus with Triton X-100 destroyed its ability to initiate the alternative pathway without affecting its ability to activate the classical pathway. After ultracentrifugation of disrupted virus the active component could be recovered in the supernate and was isolated by isoelectric focusing in granulated gels. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic and analysis and cyanogen bromide digestion studies revealed that the activity resided in a methionine-containing protein having a pI of 7.5 and a molecular weight of approximately equal to 15,000 daltons. The purified protein interacts strongly with Clq and efficiently activates Cl. RNase and lipolytic enzymes had no effect on the isolated protein but incubation with trypsin resulted in loss of activity. Enzymatic digestion studies of surface-labeled virus indicate that the active protein is a viral membrane protein. On the basis of these results it is concluded that the complement receptor of Moloney leukemia virus is the surface protein p15E.", "PMID": 632750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9540", "title": "High levels of secretory IgA and free secretory component in the serum of rats with bile duct obstruction.", "content": "In the rat , ligation of the bile duct induces a rapid and progressive elevation of the IgA levels in serum. The increase is about 4-fold at 1 h, 15-fold at 1 day, and 30-fold at 1 wk after ligation. The additional IgA is of the secretory type. Free secretory component also appears in serum after bile duct obstruction; it does not continue to increase and occasionally disappears from serum after prolonged ligation. The increase in serum IgA levels is selective. These changes are totally reversible if the bile duct is reopened at 1 day after ligature. These findings confirm the role of the rat liver in the transfer of circulating IgA into the bile.", "contents": "High levels of secretory IgA and free secretory component in the serum of rats with bile duct obstruction. In the rat , ligation of the bile duct induces a rapid and progressive elevation of the IgA levels in serum. The increase is about 4-fold at 1 h, 15-fold at 1 day, and 30-fold at 1 wk after ligation. The additional IgA is of the secretory type. Free secretory component also appears in serum after bile duct obstruction; it does not continue to increase and occasionally disappears from serum after prolonged ligation. The increase in serum IgA levels is selective. These changes are totally reversible if the bile duct is reopened at 1 day after ligature. These findings confirm the role of the rat liver in the transfer of circulating IgA into the bile.", "PMID": 632751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9541", "title": "Prostaglandin E production by human blood monocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages.", "content": "Purified populations of both human peripheral blood monocytes and murine peritoneal macrophages synthesize and release Prostaglandin E in vitro. In contrast, prostaglandin E was detected in neither the supernate fluids from cultures of highly enriched human lymphocytes and granulocytes, nor in nonadherent murine peritoneal cells. Macrophage prostaglandin E production was markedly enhanced by endotoxin, and completely suppressed by indomethacin. All neoplastic monocyte-macrophage cell lines examined elaborated prostaglandin E in vitro, either constitutively or after induction with endotoxin. In contrast, prostaglandin E production could not be detected from either a T- or B-cell lymphoma, whether or not they were treated with endotoxin. These findings thus indicate that the blood monocyte and tissue macrophage represent an important source of prostaglandin E, a function shared by both normal and neoplastic mononuclear phagocytes.", "contents": "Prostaglandin E production by human blood monocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages. Purified populations of both human peripheral blood monocytes and murine peritoneal macrophages synthesize and release Prostaglandin E in vitro. In contrast, prostaglandin E was detected in neither the supernate fluids from cultures of highly enriched human lymphocytes and granulocytes, nor in nonadherent murine peritoneal cells. Macrophage prostaglandin E production was markedly enhanced by endotoxin, and completely suppressed by indomethacin. All neoplastic monocyte-macrophage cell lines examined elaborated prostaglandin E in vitro, either constitutively or after induction with endotoxin. In contrast, prostaglandin E production could not be detected from either a T- or B-cell lymphoma, whether or not they were treated with endotoxin. These findings thus indicate that the blood monocyte and tissue macrophage represent an important source of prostaglandin E, a function shared by both normal and neoplastic mononuclear phagocytes.", "PMID": 632752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9542", "title": "Isotachophoretic analysis of serum for aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid and glutamine.", "content": "Free amino acids and other low molecular weight components were separated from samples of human blood serum by membrane ultrafiltration. The filtrates were analyzed for aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid and glutamine by isotachophoresis, without further treatment. For comparison, analyses were also performed by ion-exchange chromatography. The results of the analyses from both methods are of similar magnitude. General trends were noted in the samples analyzed. The values for aspartic acid and asparagine were lower, by both methods, than normal values. Also, the values, that were determined by isotachophoresis, were generally higher than those obtained from ion-exchange chromatography. The results are sufficient to demonstrate the applicability of the method to the analysis of the two amino acids and their amides in serum.", "contents": "Isotachophoretic analysis of serum for aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid and glutamine. Free amino acids and other low molecular weight components were separated from samples of human blood serum by membrane ultrafiltration. The filtrates were analyzed for aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid and glutamine by isotachophoresis, without further treatment. For comparison, analyses were also performed by ion-exchange chromatography. The results of the analyses from both methods are of similar magnitude. General trends were noted in the samples analyzed. The values for aspartic acid and asparagine were lower, by both methods, than normal values. Also, the values, that were determined by isotachophoresis, were generally higher than those obtained from ion-exchange chromatography. The results are sufficient to demonstrate the applicability of the method to the analysis of the two amino acids and their amides in serum.", "PMID": 632753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9543", "title": "Chelation of ambilhar with calcium and magnesium.", "content": "The effects of Ambilhar (niridazole or nitrothiazole) on the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of various tissues of rabbits were studied. It results in a decrease in the calcium content of bones, liver and muscles. A similar depletion of the magnesium content of brain, blood, liver and muscles was observed. On the other hand, the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium was increased. These facts indicate that the drug possibly chelates with these divalent cations. This is supported by the ultra violet spectra of the complexes prepared in vitro. The effect of Ambilhar on tissue phosphorus seems to be indirect. The phorphorus contents of both blood and urine are decreased. This could be due to an increased calcium concentration. These findings may explain the toxic effects of Ambilhar on the nervous system.", "contents": "Chelation of ambilhar with calcium and magnesium. The effects of Ambilhar (niridazole or nitrothiazole) on the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of various tissues of rabbits were studied. It results in a decrease in the calcium content of bones, liver and muscles. A similar depletion of the magnesium content of brain, blood, liver and muscles was observed. On the other hand, the urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium was increased. These facts indicate that the drug possibly chelates with these divalent cations. This is supported by the ultra violet spectra of the complexes prepared in vitro. The effect of Ambilhar on tissue phosphorus seems to be indirect. The phorphorus contents of both blood and urine are decreased. This could be due to an increased calcium concentration. These findings may explain the toxic effects of Ambilhar on the nervous system.", "PMID": 632754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9544", "title": "Isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase from human liver and serum: separation by electrofocusing in thin layers of polyacrylamide gel.", "content": "Isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase can be separated by electrofocusing in thin layers of polyacrylamide gel. Patterns of isoenzymes from human liver tissue and serum show changes in liver diseases. Preliminary results indicate, that N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase isoenzyme A is increased in liver tissue from patients with chronic liver diseases in relation to the activity of mesenchyme reaction. The described method will be discussed in comparison with known separation techniques.", "contents": "Isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase from human liver and serum: separation by electrofocusing in thin layers of polyacrylamide gel. Isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase can be separated by electrofocusing in thin layers of polyacrylamide gel. Patterns of isoenzymes from human liver tissue and serum show changes in liver diseases. Preliminary results indicate, that N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase isoenzyme A is increased in liver tissue from patients with chronic liver diseases in relation to the activity of mesenchyme reaction. The described method will be discussed in comparison with known separation techniques.", "PMID": 632755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9545", "title": "Interference with short-term visual memory produced by concurrent central processing.", "content": "Double-letter memory and test stimuli were used in two experiments on a speek comparison task. Faster decision times were found when memory and test stimuli were physically identical than when they were the same in name only. This finding was true even with retention intervals as long as 12 sec and even when difficult tasks filled the retention intervals. However, the decision-time advantage of physically identical comparisons was greatest when the interval was not filled with a task likely to interfere with rehearsals. High verbal subjects had a smaller advantage for the physically identical comparisons than did low verbal subjects but were affected in the same way as low verbal subjects in terms of which conditions raised the overall correct comparison times, raised the error rates, and reduced the advantage of physically identical comparisons.", "contents": "Interference with short-term visual memory produced by concurrent central processing. Double-letter memory and test stimuli were used in two experiments on a speek comparison task. Faster decision times were found when memory and test stimuli were physically identical than when they were the same in name only. This finding was true even with retention intervals as long as 12 sec and even when difficult tasks filled the retention intervals. However, the decision-time advantage of physically identical comparisons was greatest when the interval was not filled with a task likely to interfere with rehearsals. High verbal subjects had a smaller advantage for the physically identical comparisons than did low verbal subjects but were affected in the same way as low verbal subjects in terms of which conditions raised the overall correct comparison times, raised the error rates, and reduced the advantage of physically identical comparisons.", "PMID": 632756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9546", "title": "Picture-word differences in the acquisition and retention of paired associates.", "content": "In a study of paired-associate learning and retention, the mode of presentation (pictures versus words) of the stimuli and the responses was varied factorially. The numbers of acquisition trials were adjusted to control degree of learning, and recall was tested 1 week after the end of acquisition. Learning was substantially retarded when pictures rather than words were used as responses. Rate of improvement over trials was faster with pictorial than with verbal stimuli, but these effects were less pronounced than those on the response side. The differences in long-term retention were relatively small. The stimulus mode had no effect; the picture-response ggroups showed some advantage over the word-response groups. Some of the results pose difficulties for current interpretations of picture--word differences.", "contents": "Picture-word differences in the acquisition and retention of paired associates. In a study of paired-associate learning and retention, the mode of presentation (pictures versus words) of the stimuli and the responses was varied factorially. The numbers of acquisition trials were adjusted to control degree of learning, and recall was tested 1 week after the end of acquisition. Learning was substantially retarded when pictures rather than words were used as responses. Rate of improvement over trials was faster with pictorial than with verbal stimuli, but these effects were less pronounced than those on the response side. The differences in long-term retention were relatively small. The stimulus mode had no effect; the picture-response ggroups showed some advantage over the word-response groups. Some of the results pose difficulties for current interpretations of picture--word differences.", "PMID": 632757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9547", "title": "Visual recognition memory for binary pictures: another look.", "content": "Recognition memory for matrices of 0s and 1s was examined as a function of the number of elements (complexity) and density of those elements within the matrix. It was found that with greater density and lesser complexity, recognition performance improved. This result contradicts an earlier finding of Green and Purohit, who concluded that the more complicated matrices led to better performance. The present study suggests that their conclusion was erroneous and stemmed from failure to control the physical parameters of density and number of elements in the matrix. Implications for the general problem of recognition memory and eye movements are discussed.", "contents": "Visual recognition memory for binary pictures: another look. Recognition memory for matrices of 0s and 1s was examined as a function of the number of elements (complexity) and density of those elements within the matrix. It was found that with greater density and lesser complexity, recognition performance improved. This result contradicts an earlier finding of Green and Purohit, who concluded that the more complicated matrices led to better performance. The present study suggests that their conclusion was erroneous and stemmed from failure to control the physical parameters of density and number of elements in the matrix. Implications for the general problem of recognition memory and eye movements are discussed.", "PMID": 632758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9548", "title": "Depth of processing and retention of words by alcoholic Korsakoff patients.", "content": "The relationship between the depth to which a word is initially processed and its eventual probability of being recognized was investigated with amnesic (alcoholic Korsakoff) patients. Several variations of Craik and Tulving's paradigm designed to asses this relationship were used. basically, this procedure insures analysis of particular features of a word by the nature of the question the subject must answer about the word during its initial presentation. Decision-time measures demonstrated that Korsakoff patients could answer the query nearly as rapidly as normals, but the patients failed to demonstrate a normal increase in recognition as a function of the depth of analysis demanded by the query (Experiments 1--2). However, when the test procedure was extremely simplified (Experiment 3) by presenting only a small number of to-be-recognized words, the Korsakoff patients did demonstrate the normal \"pattern\" of recognition. It was concluded that under the appropriate circumstances, Korsakoff patients' recognition memory can be improved by instructions to analyze the more sophisticated (semantic) features of verbal information.", "contents": "Depth of processing and retention of words by alcoholic Korsakoff patients. The relationship between the depth to which a word is initially processed and its eventual probability of being recognized was investigated with amnesic (alcoholic Korsakoff) patients. Several variations of Craik and Tulving's paradigm designed to asses this relationship were used. basically, this procedure insures analysis of particular features of a word by the nature of the question the subject must answer about the word during its initial presentation. Decision-time measures demonstrated that Korsakoff patients could answer the query nearly as rapidly as normals, but the patients failed to demonstrate a normal increase in recognition as a function of the depth of analysis demanded by the query (Experiments 1--2). However, when the test procedure was extremely simplified (Experiment 3) by presenting only a small number of to-be-recognized words, the Korsakoff patients did demonstrate the normal \"pattern\" of recognition. It was concluded that under the appropriate circumstances, Korsakoff patients' recognition memory can be improved by instructions to analyze the more sophisticated (semantic) features of verbal information.", "PMID": 632759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9549", "title": "Biasing the development of response topography with nonspecific positive and negative evocative verbal stimuli.", "content": "Conditioned response (CR) rate and development of CR latency, rise time, and airpuff attenuation were examined for V- and C-form responders using two nonspecific command words, do and don't, as conditioned stimuli (CSs) in single-cue, double-cue, and differential eyelid conditioning. In both single-cue and differential conditioning, regardless of the command word used to signal the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), the Vs produced a higher response rate and learned a better UCS-attenuating response topography than the Cs. However, in a double-cue conditioning paradigm in which both command words were presented alone on different trials and reinforced, response latency was longer and puff attenuation poorer among Vs than when the UCS was signaled by a unique cue. In contrast, adding a second reinforced cue actually enhanced the development of puff-avoidant CR topographies among Cs compared to single-cue conditioning. These results and others indicate that response topography development is to some extent a labile process that can be biased toward either good or poor puff-avoidant properties and that the factors responsible for influencing CR topography differ for Vs and Cs.", "contents": "Biasing the development of response topography with nonspecific positive and negative evocative verbal stimuli. Conditioned response (CR) rate and development of CR latency, rise time, and airpuff attenuation were examined for V- and C-form responders using two nonspecific command words, do and don't, as conditioned stimuli (CSs) in single-cue, double-cue, and differential eyelid conditioning. In both single-cue and differential conditioning, regardless of the command word used to signal the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), the Vs produced a higher response rate and learned a better UCS-attenuating response topography than the Cs. However, in a double-cue conditioning paradigm in which both command words were presented alone on different trials and reinforced, response latency was longer and puff attenuation poorer among Vs than when the UCS was signaled by a unique cue. In contrast, adding a second reinforced cue actually enhanced the development of puff-avoidant CR topographies among Cs compared to single-cue conditioning. These results and others indicate that response topography development is to some extent a labile process that can be biased toward either good or poor puff-avoidant properties and that the factors responsible for influencing CR topography differ for Vs and Cs.", "PMID": 632760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9550", "title": "Cholesterol in preteen children of parents with premature coronary disease.", "content": "A pediatric population at high risk for the development of coronary artery disease has been identified. Using a simple and inexpensive protocol, serum cholesterol determinations were performed on 50 children 12 years old and younger. These children were taken from 28 families in which one parent had suffered a myocardial infarction before the age of 50. Eight of the 50 children were found to have significant elevation of serum cholesterol. This was an incidence of 16%--twice that of the general pediatric population. Subjects with both adverse genetic and metabolic backgrounds need to be identified in this simple way. Preventive and therapeutic measures in such children may alter in the future the serious morbidity and mortality of coronary artery disease.", "contents": "Cholesterol in preteen children of parents with premature coronary disease. A pediatric population at high risk for the development of coronary artery disease has been identified. Using a simple and inexpensive protocol, serum cholesterol determinations were performed on 50 children 12 years old and younger. These children were taken from 28 families in which one parent had suffered a myocardial infarction before the age of 50. Eight of the 50 children were found to have significant elevation of serum cholesterol. This was an incidence of 16%--twice that of the general pediatric population. Subjects with both adverse genetic and metabolic backgrounds need to be identified in this simple way. Preventive and therapeutic measures in such children may alter in the future the serious morbidity and mortality of coronary artery disease.", "PMID": 632762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9551", "title": "Screening in family medicine: the current situation.", "content": "Unrealistic patient expectations, financial constraints, and lack of medical scientific evidence as to the benefits of screening make it difficult for the family physician to establish appropriate screening procedures in his/her practice. The current status of screening is reviewed and some suggestions are made as to how family physicians might better use what is known about screening.", "contents": "Screening in family medicine: the current situation. Unrealistic patient expectations, financial constraints, and lack of medical scientific evidence as to the benefits of screening make it difficult for the family physician to establish appropriate screening procedures in his/her practice. The current status of screening is reviewed and some suggestions are made as to how family physicians might better use what is known about screening.", "PMID": 632763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9552", "title": "Mitral valve prolapse in a family practice setting.", "content": "Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome is a relatively new clinical entity and fairly commonly encountered in clinical practice. The symptoms are often so vague that it is frequently not diagnosed or misdiagnosed for completely unrelated conditions. The recognition of MVP is important since the symptoms as well as the arrhythmias produced may be responsive to propranolol and the incidence of bacterial endocarditis is known to be increased. This paper reports on 25 patients with MVP in a family practice setting and compares this experience to recent literature on this problem.", "contents": "Mitral valve prolapse in a family practice setting. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome is a relatively new clinical entity and fairly commonly encountered in clinical practice. The symptoms are often so vague that it is frequently not diagnosed or misdiagnosed for completely unrelated conditions. The recognition of MVP is important since the symptoms as well as the arrhythmias produced may be responsive to propranolol and the incidence of bacterial endocarditis is known to be increased. This paper reports on 25 patients with MVP in a family practice setting and compares this experience to recent literature on this problem.", "PMID": 632764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9553", "title": "Patterns of rape and approaches to care.", "content": "The family physician is likely to be involved in the care of the rape victim. This paper focuses on the social and legal definitions of rape as well as the incidence of rape. The Rape Trauma Syndrome is explained and normative responses of victims are discussed. Eight common myths about rape are identified which the victim and the physician may share. In discussing the myths, guidelines for counseling the rape victim are delineated: encourage the victim to talk about her feelings; as the physician, remain nonjudgmental; provide information or resources to the victim; view the aftermath of rape as a response to a life-threatening event; and enlist the support of the victim's significant others. Finally, the importance of understanding the available community resources is stressed.", "contents": "Patterns of rape and approaches to care. The family physician is likely to be involved in the care of the rape victim. This paper focuses on the social and legal definitions of rape as well as the incidence of rape. The Rape Trauma Syndrome is explained and normative responses of victims are discussed. Eight common myths about rape are identified which the victim and the physician may share. In discussing the myths, guidelines for counseling the rape victim are delineated: encourage the victim to talk about her feelings; as the physician, remain nonjudgmental; provide information or resources to the victim; view the aftermath of rape as a response to a life-threatening event; and enlist the support of the victim's significant others. Finally, the importance of understanding the available community resources is stressed.", "PMID": 632765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9554", "title": "Identification and management of the anxious patient within a model family practice unit.", "content": "Because anxiety is the third most common problem encountered in this Model Family Practice unit, the presentation and management of 36 randomly selected cases were reviewed. The incidence was not greater in one race, but was increased in all married females (age 25 to 35) who, despite wife or husband working, had a very low income. The foremost complaints were insomnia, headaches, and chest pain with 80% of the patients maintaing the same symptoms. The resident identified a conflict (the most frequent being marital problems) in 47% of the cases. Drug therapy was used in 86.1% with ten percent selected for symptom relief. Because there are times when an alternate to drug therapy is needed, an overview teaching series on brief psychotherapy is suggested as an appropriate part of the behavioral science curriculum in a residency program.", "contents": "Identification and management of the anxious patient within a model family practice unit. Because anxiety is the third most common problem encountered in this Model Family Practice unit, the presentation and management of 36 randomly selected cases were reviewed. The incidence was not greater in one race, but was increased in all married females (age 25 to 35) who, despite wife or husband working, had a very low income. The foremost complaints were insomnia, headaches, and chest pain with 80% of the patients maintaing the same symptoms. The resident identified a conflict (the most frequent being marital problems) in 47% of the cases. Drug therapy was used in 86.1% with ten percent selected for symptom relief. Because there are times when an alternate to drug therapy is needed, an overview teaching series on brief psychotherapy is suggested as an appropriate part of the behavioral science curriculum in a residency program.", "PMID": 632766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9555", "title": "Behavioral medicine in family practice: a unifying approach for the assessment and treatment of psychosocial problems.", "content": "Assessment and treatment of the varied psychosocial problems which affect patient health often present primary care physicians with their most difficult and frustating problems. This paper outlines criteria which can be used to select a model of psychosocial treatment compatible with an active family practice clinic. It also describes one treatment model which fits the criteria and can be used to assess and treat a wide range of psychosocial problems common to family practice.", "contents": "Behavioral medicine in family practice: a unifying approach for the assessment and treatment of psychosocial problems. Assessment and treatment of the varied psychosocial problems which affect patient health often present primary care physicians with their most difficult and frustating problems. This paper outlines criteria which can be used to select a model of psychosocial treatment compatible with an active family practice clinic. It also describes one treatment model which fits the criteria and can be used to assess and treat a wide range of psychosocial problems common to family practice.", "PMID": 632767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9556", "title": "Physical diagnosis courses--a question of emphasis.", "content": "The ability of 12 students to examine hospitalized patients at the end of a course in physical diagnosis was measured through the use of video tapes of patient examinations and audit of written summaries. The results indicate the course in physical diagnosis underemphasized the most important aspect of the patient examination, the patient interview. The errors most often committed by students performing physical examinations and taking histories from patients suggest that increased observation of students by preceptors would be profitable in improving the course. Course evaluation through video taping of actual student examinations proved highly instructive and useful in developing a more effective program.", "contents": "Physical diagnosis courses--a question of emphasis. The ability of 12 students to examine hospitalized patients at the end of a course in physical diagnosis was measured through the use of video tapes of patient examinations and audit of written summaries. The results indicate the course in physical diagnosis underemphasized the most important aspect of the patient examination, the patient interview. The errors most often committed by students performing physical examinations and taking histories from patients suggest that increased observation of students by preceptors would be profitable in improving the course. Course evaluation through video taping of actual student examinations proved highly instructive and useful in developing a more effective program.", "PMID": 632768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9557", "title": "Teaching geriatric care: report on an experimental second-year elective.", "content": "To help fill the growing need for medical school instruction in geriatric care, the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Medicine at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School, in cooperation with Roosevelt Hospital, a nearby county-supported chronic disease facility, joined to develop an experimental second-year elective, given for the first time in the fall of 1976. The curriculum involved 11 three-hour sessions covering a variety of medical and socioeconomic topics. Enrollment was limited to 12 students. Reaction was positive on the part of students, patients, and faculty, especially with respect to student attitudes toward the elderly. Improvements are suggested in six major areas.", "contents": "Teaching geriatric care: report on an experimental second-year elective. To help fill the growing need for medical school instruction in geriatric care, the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Medicine at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School, in cooperation with Roosevelt Hospital, a nearby county-supported chronic disease facility, joined to develop an experimental second-year elective, given for the first time in the fall of 1976. The curriculum involved 11 three-hour sessions covering a variety of medical and socioeconomic topics. Enrollment was limited to 12 students. Reaction was positive on the part of students, patients, and faculty, especially with respect to student attitudes toward the elderly. Improvements are suggested in six major areas.", "PMID": 632769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9558", "title": "Psychosocial factors seen as problems by family practice residents and their spouses.", "content": "Residents and spouses in the University of Minnesota Family Practice Program were surveyed using an inventory relating to psychosocial stresses in their lives. Faculty realized that the residency period of education was a process of critical role transition. Adequate adaptation made to stresses is related to the learning environment. The survey revealed that central concerns are leisure/time scarcity problems, domestic/spouse complaints, conflicting demands on study needs, lack of self confidence, reservations about medicine as a career choice, decrease in sexual expression, parenting worries, and communication deficiencies. Empirical data on stresses give rise to some program modifications and to further research.", "contents": "Psychosocial factors seen as problems by family practice residents and their spouses. Residents and spouses in the University of Minnesota Family Practice Program were surveyed using an inventory relating to psychosocial stresses in their lives. Faculty realized that the residency period of education was a process of critical role transition. Adequate adaptation made to stresses is related to the learning environment. The survey revealed that central concerns are leisure/time scarcity problems, domestic/spouse complaints, conflicting demands on study needs, lack of self confidence, reservations about medicine as a career choice, decrease in sexual expression, parenting worries, and communication deficiencies. Empirical data on stresses give rise to some program modifications and to further research.", "PMID": 632770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9559", "title": "Maximizing patient compliance by shaping attitudes of self-directed health care.", "content": "Research studies consistently find that a large proportion of patients do not comply with physicians' recommendations. Consequences of such high noncompliance on the efficiency and effectiveness of health-care delivery systems are dramatic and obvious. Recognition of this problem was the impetus for beginning this patient compliance study. Key factors involved in maximizing patient compliance were identified and incorporated into a procedure which patients in the experimental group experienced. Patients in the control group experienced. Patients in the control group experienced no special treatment. Compliance rates were higher for the experimental group; however, compliance rates in both control and experimental groups tended to be higher than cited in the literature. It was founded that patients in the experimental group seemed to react more favorably to the personal interaction they received as part of the procedure than to other facets of the procedure. Findings of the study imply that increased compliance may be the end result if greater emphasis is placed on building a partnership with the patient rather than making compliance itself a major goal.", "contents": "Maximizing patient compliance by shaping attitudes of self-directed health care. Research studies consistently find that a large proportion of patients do not comply with physicians' recommendations. Consequences of such high noncompliance on the efficiency and effectiveness of health-care delivery systems are dramatic and obvious. Recognition of this problem was the impetus for beginning this patient compliance study. Key factors involved in maximizing patient compliance were identified and incorporated into a procedure which patients in the experimental group experienced. Patients in the control group experienced. Patients in the control group experienced no special treatment. Compliance rates were higher for the experimental group; however, compliance rates in both control and experimental groups tended to be higher than cited in the literature. It was founded that patients in the experimental group seemed to react more favorably to the personal interaction they received as part of the procedure than to other facets of the procedure. Findings of the study imply that increased compliance may be the end result if greater emphasis is placed on building a partnership with the patient rather than making compliance itself a major goal.", "PMID": 632771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9560", "title": "Patient education and multiphasic screening: it can change behavior.", "content": "Two hundred ninety-two residents of Sonoma County, California, underwent multiphasic screeening and two sessions of group patient education aimed at reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and automobile accidents. Approximately one year later all the participants were retested. A significant reduction was noted in systolic blood pressure in men and women, ages 50 to 70, cholesterol in men over age 40, and reported alcohol consumption in men. A significant increase was noted in the reported frequency of monthly breast self-examination in women, and in the amount of exercise and percentage of time seat belts were used in both sexes. No change was noted in reported amount of cigarette smoking, weight, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides. The combined use of health hazard appraisal, multiphasic screening, and patient education can lead to a reduction in cardiac and other risk factors in well-motivated groups.", "contents": "Patient education and multiphasic screening: it can change behavior. Two hundred ninety-two residents of Sonoma County, California, underwent multiphasic screeening and two sessions of group patient education aimed at reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and automobile accidents. Approximately one year later all the participants were retested. A significant reduction was noted in systolic blood pressure in men and women, ages 50 to 70, cholesterol in men over age 40, and reported alcohol consumption in men. A significant increase was noted in the reported frequency of monthly breast self-examination in women, and in the amount of exercise and percentage of time seat belts were used in both sexes. No change was noted in reported amount of cigarette smoking, weight, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides. The combined use of health hazard appraisal, multiphasic screening, and patient education can lead to a reduction in cardiac and other risk factors in well-motivated groups.", "PMID": 632772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9561", "title": "Labstand: a computerized system for reporting clinical laboratory data in standard units.", "content": "A computerized system, Labstand, is described which was developed to simplify the presentation of laboratory data for the clinician. It converts data into standard units (su) on a scale of 0 to 100, identical for all tests. Conversions are based on both normal and abnormal ranges, determined from clinical experience, to allow both immediate recognition of abnormality and estimation of the degree of abnormality. This paper reports the findings of a study using this system which involved 1,412 abnormal laboratory results. Overall, both recognition and follow-up rates were higher when Labstand was used, but not to a statistically significant level. However, significantly higher follow-up rates were found when Labstand was used by residents with lower than average Internal Medicine National Board scores. In contrast, follow-up was higher when normal range laboratory reports were used by residents with higher than average scores. These findings seem consistent with the fact that use of Labstand requires minimal knowledge of ranges and biological measurement units and may indicate that the lower scoring residents have a greater need for such a new system than do the higher scoring residents.", "contents": "Labstand: a computerized system for reporting clinical laboratory data in standard units. A computerized system, Labstand, is described which was developed to simplify the presentation of laboratory data for the clinician. It converts data into standard units (su) on a scale of 0 to 100, identical for all tests. Conversions are based on both normal and abnormal ranges, determined from clinical experience, to allow both immediate recognition of abnormality and estimation of the degree of abnormality. This paper reports the findings of a study using this system which involved 1,412 abnormal laboratory results. Overall, both recognition and follow-up rates were higher when Labstand was used, but not to a statistically significant level. However, significantly higher follow-up rates were found when Labstand was used by residents with lower than average Internal Medicine National Board scores. In contrast, follow-up was higher when normal range laboratory reports were used by residents with higher than average scores. These findings seem consistent with the fact that use of Labstand requires minimal knowledge of ranges and biological measurement units and may indicate that the lower scoring residents have a greater need for such a new system than do the higher scoring residents.", "PMID": 632773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9562", "title": "Tube thoracostomy.", "content": "Every primary care physician should be familiar with three methods of draining fluid or air from the pleural cavity. These methods are: (1) the insertion of a needle or Intracath catheter into the pleural space; (2) a tube thoracostomy using a Trocar catheter; and (3) a tube thoracostomy using a large intercostal tube. Complete anesthesia can be obtained with lidocaine, remembering that the intercostal nerve runs on the undersurface of the rib above. The Intracath catheter for removal of air is inserted in the second interspace anteriorally. The tube thoracostomy, using the Trocar catheter, is best done through the fourth interspace in the anterior axillary line but can be done wherever the exploratory needle shows the major fluid and air collection to be. The tube thoracostomy, using a large intercostal tube, is best done through the fourth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. The intercostal catheter or tube should be fixed to the chest wall with sutures and then led to an underwater seal for collection of the contents of the pleural cavity.", "contents": "Tube thoracostomy. Every primary care physician should be familiar with three methods of draining fluid or air from the pleural cavity. These methods are: (1) the insertion of a needle or Intracath catheter into the pleural space; (2) a tube thoracostomy using a Trocar catheter; and (3) a tube thoracostomy using a large intercostal tube. Complete anesthesia can be obtained with lidocaine, remembering that the intercostal nerve runs on the undersurface of the rib above. The Intracath catheter for removal of air is inserted in the second interspace anteriorally. The tube thoracostomy, using the Trocar catheter, is best done through the fourth interspace in the anterior axillary line but can be done wherever the exploratory needle shows the major fluid and air collection to be. The tube thoracostomy, using a large intercostal tube, is best done through the fourth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. The intercostal catheter or tube should be fixed to the chest wall with sutures and then led to an underwater seal for collection of the contents of the pleural cavity.", "PMID": 632774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9563", "title": "Management of natal teeth.", "content": "1. Obtain dental radiographs whenever possible before removing natal teeth in order to better advise the parents of complications. 2. Leave natal teeth in the mouth as long as possible in order to decrease the likelihood of removing permanent tooth buds with the natal tooth. 3. Obtain the parents' consent and rule out neonatal hypoprothrombinemia before removing natal teeth. 4. Recommend postoperative evaluation by a pedodontist in order to obtain diagnostic radiographs and necessary treatment.", "contents": "Management of natal teeth. 1. Obtain dental radiographs whenever possible before removing natal teeth in order to better advise the parents of complications. 2. Leave natal teeth in the mouth as long as possible in order to decrease the likelihood of removing permanent tooth buds with the natal tooth. 3. Obtain the parents' consent and rule out neonatal hypoprothrombinemia before removing natal teeth. 4. Recommend postoperative evaluation by a pedodontist in order to obtain diagnostic radiographs and necessary treatment.", "PMID": 632777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9564", "title": "Chromosome mapping in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.", "content": "RP4-mediated conjugation was used to map the loci of 23 different mutations on a circular linkage group in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus EBF65/65. The resulting genetic map indicated that the chromosomal organization of A. calcoaceticus differed from that of members of the enteric group of bacteria and was similar to Pseudomonas in showing an absence of clustering of functionally related genes.", "contents": "Chromosome mapping in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. RP4-mediated conjugation was used to map the loci of 23 different mutations on a circular linkage group in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus EBF65/65. The resulting genetic map indicated that the chromosomal organization of A. calcoaceticus differed from that of members of the enteric group of bacteria and was similar to Pseudomonas in showing an absence of clustering of functionally related genes.", "PMID": 632801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9565", "title": "Isolation of extrachromosomal deoxyribonucleic acids from extremely thermophilic bacteria.", "content": "Eight strains of thermophilic bacteria were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid molecules by caesium chloride-ethidium bromide density gradient centrifugation. Four of the eight strains tested, Thermus flavus BS1, AT61, AT62 and Thermus thermophilus HB8 carried covalently closed circular DNA molecules. Thermus flavus BS1 haboured two species of plasmids with molecular weights of 6.1 X 10(6) and 17.0 X 10(6) as determined by electron microscopy. Thermus thermophilus HB8, T. flavus AT61 and T. flavus AT62 carried plasmids with molecular weights of 6.2 X 10(6), 6.6 X 10(6) and 6.6 X 10(6), respectively. Plasmids from T. flavus AT61 and AT62 were indistinguishable in their electrophoretic patterns in agarose or acrylamide gel after digestion with various restriction endonucleases. This is the first evidence for the presence of plasmids in extremely thermophilic bacteria, though their functions are unknown.", "contents": "Isolation of extrachromosomal deoxyribonucleic acids from extremely thermophilic bacteria. Eight strains of thermophilic bacteria were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid molecules by caesium chloride-ethidium bromide density gradient centrifugation. Four of the eight strains tested, Thermus flavus BS1, AT61, AT62 and Thermus thermophilus HB8 carried covalently closed circular DNA molecules. Thermus flavus BS1 haboured two species of plasmids with molecular weights of 6.1 X 10(6) and 17.0 X 10(6) as determined by electron microscopy. Thermus thermophilus HB8, T. flavus AT61 and T. flavus AT62 carried plasmids with molecular weights of 6.2 X 10(6), 6.6 X 10(6) and 6.6 X 10(6), respectively. Plasmids from T. flavus AT61 and AT62 were indistinguishable in their electrophoretic patterns in agarose or acrylamide gel after digestion with various restriction endonucleases. This is the first evidence for the presence of plasmids in extremely thermophilic bacteria, though their functions are unknown.", "PMID": 632802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9566", "title": "Suppression of pathogenicity by P and V plasmids in Vibrio cholerae.", "content": "In experimental models of cholera, some strains of Vibrio cholerae harbouring P or V or both plasmids were markedly less pathogenic than isogenic strains devoid of these plasmids. This effect was due to decreased production of toxin by P+, V+ or P+V+ bacteria compared with their parents.", "contents": "Suppression of pathogenicity by P and V plasmids in Vibrio cholerae. In experimental models of cholera, some strains of Vibrio cholerae harbouring P or V or both plasmids were markedly less pathogenic than isogenic strains devoid of these plasmids. This effect was due to decreased production of toxin by P+, V+ or P+V+ bacteria compared with their parents.", "PMID": 632803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9567", "title": "Taxonomy and epidemiology of gram-negative bacterial plasmids studied by DNA-DNA filter hybridization in formamide.", "content": "Phylogenetic and epidemiological relatedness among transferable plasmids belonging to the IncC, IncM and IncH incompatibility groups has been studied by DNA-DNA filter hydridization. Hybridization was carried out on nitrocellulose microfilters, at low temperature, in formamide and under paraffin oil. The degree of hybridization among plasmids belonging to the IncC and IncM groups supported the conclusions drawn from genetic classification. Studies on relatedness among plasmids belonging to the IncH group allowed their classification into three phylogenetic sub-groups. Comparison of DNA sequences of three plasmids sharing the same genetic properties and isolated from different bacterial species suggested an epidemiological spread of the same plasmid.", "contents": "Taxonomy and epidemiology of gram-negative bacterial plasmids studied by DNA-DNA filter hybridization in formamide. Phylogenetic and epidemiological relatedness among transferable plasmids belonging to the IncC, IncM and IncH incompatibility groups has been studied by DNA-DNA filter hydridization. Hybridization was carried out on nitrocellulose microfilters, at low temperature, in formamide and under paraffin oil. The degree of hybridization among plasmids belonging to the IncC and IncM groups supported the conclusions drawn from genetic classification. Studies on relatedness among plasmids belonging to the IncH group allowed their classification into three phylogenetic sub-groups. Comparison of DNA sequences of three plasmids sharing the same genetic properties and isolated from different bacterial species suggested an epidemiological spread of the same plasmid.", "PMID": 632804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9568", "title": "4,9-Dihydroxyphenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid dimethylester and the 'missing link' in phenazine biosynthesis.", "content": "4,9-Dihydroxyphenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid dimethylester, the ester form of a proposed 'missing link' in the biosynthesis of phenazines, has been isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas cepacia.", "contents": "4,9-Dihydroxyphenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid dimethylester and the 'missing link' in phenazine biosynthesis. 4,9-Dihydroxyphenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid dimethylester, the ester form of a proposed 'missing link' in the biosynthesis of phenazines, has been isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas cepacia.", "PMID": 632805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9569", "title": "Antibiotic production by dermatophyte fungi.", "content": "Thirty-two clinical isolates of anthropophlic dermatophytes were examined for their capacity to produce antibiotics in liquid culture and on human stratum corneum in vitro. Antibiotics were detected and classified using agar diffusion bioassays and chromatographic analysis. Twenty-four isolates produced antibiotic substances in liquid culture filtrates; some strains produced more than one antibiotic. Only four isolates produced detectable levels of antibiotics when grown on stratum corneum unless an artificial sweat mixture was used as a nutrient supplement, when the number rose 11. Respresentatives of all species studied produced benzyl penicillin-like substances. Some Trichophyton isolates also produced streptomycin-like antibiotics, a characteristic previously unrecorded for eukaryotic organisms. Other antibiotics, which apart from azalomycin F could not be properly classified, were produced by Epidermophyton floccosum. Antibiotic production occurred over the normal skin temperature range but sometimes the type of antibiotic produced and the frequency of detection appeared to be influenced by the incubation temperature.", "contents": "Antibiotic production by dermatophyte fungi. Thirty-two clinical isolates of anthropophlic dermatophytes were examined for their capacity to produce antibiotics in liquid culture and on human stratum corneum in vitro. Antibiotics were detected and classified using agar diffusion bioassays and chromatographic analysis. Twenty-four isolates produced antibiotic substances in liquid culture filtrates; some strains produced more than one antibiotic. Only four isolates produced detectable levels of antibiotics when grown on stratum corneum unless an artificial sweat mixture was used as a nutrient supplement, when the number rose 11. Respresentatives of all species studied produced benzyl penicillin-like substances. Some Trichophyton isolates also produced streptomycin-like antibiotics, a characteristic previously unrecorded for eukaryotic organisms. Other antibiotics, which apart from azalomycin F could not be properly classified, were produced by Epidermophyton floccosum. Antibiotic production occurred over the normal skin temperature range but sometimes the type of antibiotic produced and the frequency of detection appeared to be influenced by the incubation temperature.", "PMID": 632806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9570", "title": "Resistance of selected saprobic and zoopathogenic fungi to cycloheximide.", "content": "Spore germination was used as an assay to measure the sensitivities of selected fungi (Achlya bisexualis, Cladosporium sp., Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum) to cyclohexamide and to determine their abilities to adapt to the drug. Two patterns of response were noted. The saprobes, A. bisexualis and Cladosporium sp., demonstrated acquired resistance. Spores from hyphae previously exposed to cycloheximide either germinated in the presence of concentrations of the drug that completely inhibited spores from unexposed hyphae (Achlya), or germinates with a shorter lag and to a greater extent in the presence of the antibiotic than did spores from unexposed hyphae (Cladosporium). Hyphae of Achlya adapted at concentrations of cycloheximide in which spores did not germinate and hyphae of Cladosporium adapted more rapidly than spores. Achlya adapted to only 12 muM-cycloheximide whereas Cladosporium acquired resistance to 18 mM-cycloheximide. These fungi lost this acquired resistance after a single transfer to media lacking cycloheximide. The zoopathogens, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum, had a contrasting response, indicating constitutive resistance. Conidia from unexposed hyphae showed 90 to 100% germination on media containing up to 18 mM-cycloheximide; prior exposure to the drug did not affect their response.", "contents": "Resistance of selected saprobic and zoopathogenic fungi to cycloheximide. Spore germination was used as an assay to measure the sensitivities of selected fungi (Achlya bisexualis, Cladosporium sp., Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum) to cyclohexamide and to determine their abilities to adapt to the drug. Two patterns of response were noted. The saprobes, A. bisexualis and Cladosporium sp., demonstrated acquired resistance. Spores from hyphae previously exposed to cycloheximide either germinated in the presence of concentrations of the drug that completely inhibited spores from unexposed hyphae (Achlya), or germinates with a shorter lag and to a greater extent in the presence of the antibiotic than did spores from unexposed hyphae (Cladosporium). Hyphae of Achlya adapted at concentrations of cycloheximide in which spores did not germinate and hyphae of Cladosporium adapted more rapidly than spores. Achlya adapted to only 12 muM-cycloheximide whereas Cladosporium acquired resistance to 18 mM-cycloheximide. These fungi lost this acquired resistance after a single transfer to media lacking cycloheximide. The zoopathogens, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum, had a contrasting response, indicating constitutive resistance. Conidia from unexposed hyphae showed 90 to 100% germination on media containing up to 18 mM-cycloheximide; prior exposure to the drug did not affect their response.", "PMID": 632807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9571", "title": "Purification of the extracellular opacity factor of a strain of group A Streptococcus M type 2.", "content": "The extracellular Opacity Factor elaborated by a strain of group A streptococcus M type 2 was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Gel filtration experiments indicated that the Opacity Factor is consituted of high molecular weight proteins or protein aggregates which appear to dissociate into subunits of 66000 minimum molecular weight as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified preparations had no group A carbohydrate of T protein antigens. Passive haemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence tests indicated that Opacity Factor is distinct from the M type 2 protein antigen.", "contents": "Purification of the extracellular opacity factor of a strain of group A Streptococcus M type 2. The extracellular Opacity Factor elaborated by a strain of group A streptococcus M type 2 was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Gel filtration experiments indicated that the Opacity Factor is consituted of high molecular weight proteins or protein aggregates which appear to dissociate into subunits of 66000 minimum molecular weight as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified preparations had no group A carbohydrate of T protein antigens. Passive haemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence tests indicated that Opacity Factor is distinct from the M type 2 protein antigen.", "PMID": 632809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9572", "title": "Failure of antibody to e antigen to precipitate Dane particles containing DNA polymerase activity and hepatitis B core antigen.", "content": "Serum samples of 67 asymptomatic carriers were tested for Dane particles by electron microscopy, and for e antigen by immunodiffusion, as well as for hepatitis B antigen-associated DNA polymerase activity, and four samples enriched with respect to Dane particles were selected. Hepatitis B antigen particles in them were separated from e antigen and concentrated by centrifugation, and the Dane-rich preparations were incubated with buffer, antibody to e antigen (anti-HBe) or antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. After centrifugation, the supernatant was tested for DNA polymerase activity, and both supernatant and precipitate were tested for hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) by the immune adherence haemagglutination method after the coat of the Dane particles had been disrupted with NP-40 and 2-mercaptoethanol. It was found that anti-HBe did not precipitate Dane particles as measured by DNA polymerase activity and HBcAg. On the basis of the results obtained, it has been concluded that e antigen does not exist on the surface of hepatitis B virions.", "contents": "Failure of antibody to e antigen to precipitate Dane particles containing DNA polymerase activity and hepatitis B core antigen. Serum samples of 67 asymptomatic carriers were tested for Dane particles by electron microscopy, and for e antigen by immunodiffusion, as well as for hepatitis B antigen-associated DNA polymerase activity, and four samples enriched with respect to Dane particles were selected. Hepatitis B antigen particles in them were separated from e antigen and concentrated by centrifugation, and the Dane-rich preparations were incubated with buffer, antibody to e antigen (anti-HBe) or antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen. After centrifugation, the supernatant was tested for DNA polymerase activity, and both supernatant and precipitate were tested for hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) by the immune adherence haemagglutination method after the coat of the Dane particles had been disrupted with NP-40 and 2-mercaptoethanol. It was found that anti-HBe did not precipitate Dane particles as measured by DNA polymerase activity and HBcAg. On the basis of the results obtained, it has been concluded that e antigen does not exist on the surface of hepatitis B virions.", "PMID": 632810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9573", "title": "Regulation of the synthesis of Sindbis virus-specified RNA: role of the virion core protein.", "content": "Cells infected with seven different RNA+ mutants of Sindbis virus were found to accumulate a virus-specified polypeptide of mol. wt. 144000 (p144) during incubation at the non-permissive temperature, while at the same time synthesis of the virus structural proteins was drastically reduced. Mapping of the tryptic peptides of p144 showed that it contained the amino acid sequences of all the virus structural proteins. At the non-permissive temperature cells infected with the same seven mutants (out of 28 examined) also showed increased synthesis of 26S RNA, the mRNA for the virus structural proteins, relative to 42S RNA, and the virus genome, compared with infections by wild-type virus. We propose that both these phenotypic effects are the results of a single mutational step and that the primary defect in the processing of the virus structural protein precursor induces the relatively increased rate of synthesis of structural protein mRNA. Temperature-shift experiments with mutant-infected cells showed that p144 itself is not the agent of this effect. The failure of exposure to zinc ions to alter the RNA ratio in wild-type virus-infected cells suggested that the virus envelope proteins are not involved either, since their synthesis is preferentially inhibited under these circumstances. It is possible that it is the failure to synthesize the proper quantity of core protein in the mutant-infected cells which causes the shift of RNA synthesis in favour of structural protein mRNA.", "contents": "Regulation of the synthesis of Sindbis virus-specified RNA: role of the virion core protein. Cells infected with seven different RNA+ mutants of Sindbis virus were found to accumulate a virus-specified polypeptide of mol. wt. 144000 (p144) during incubation at the non-permissive temperature, while at the same time synthesis of the virus structural proteins was drastically reduced. Mapping of the tryptic peptides of p144 showed that it contained the amino acid sequences of all the virus structural proteins. At the non-permissive temperature cells infected with the same seven mutants (out of 28 examined) also showed increased synthesis of 26S RNA, the mRNA for the virus structural proteins, relative to 42S RNA, and the virus genome, compared with infections by wild-type virus. We propose that both these phenotypic effects are the results of a single mutational step and that the primary defect in the processing of the virus structural protein precursor induces the relatively increased rate of synthesis of structural protein mRNA. Temperature-shift experiments with mutant-infected cells showed that p144 itself is not the agent of this effect. The failure of exposure to zinc ions to alter the RNA ratio in wild-type virus-infected cells suggested that the virus envelope proteins are not involved either, since their synthesis is preferentially inhibited under these circumstances. It is possible that it is the failure to synthesize the proper quantity of core protein in the mutant-infected cells which causes the shift of RNA synthesis in favour of structural protein mRNA.", "PMID": 632811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9574", "title": "Radioimmunoassay and some properties of human antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen.", "content": "A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is described. Polystyrene beads coated with anti-HBc, hepatitis B core antigen prepared from pooled sera of humans infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 125I-labelled anti-HBc were used for the test. Distinct patterns of development and changes of anti-HBc and their immunologic properties are all related to variations of other markers specific for HBV infections. Knowledge concerning the detailed features of the immune response to hepatitis B core antigen may provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of HBV infections.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay and some properties of human antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is described. Polystyrene beads coated with anti-HBc, hepatitis B core antigen prepared from pooled sera of humans infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 125I-labelled anti-HBc were used for the test. Distinct patterns of development and changes of anti-HBc and their immunologic properties are all related to variations of other markers specific for HBV infections. Knowledge concerning the detailed features of the immune response to hepatitis B core antigen may provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of HBV infections.", "PMID": 632812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9575", "title": "Fast-axon synapses of a crab leg muscle.", "content": "Neuromuscular synapses of the \"fast\" excitatory axon supplying the main extensor muscle in the leg of the shore crab Pachygrapsus crassipes were studied with electrophysiological and electron-microscopic techniques. Electrical recording showed that many muscle fibers of the central region of the extensor muscle responded only to stimulation of the fast axon, and electron microscopy revealed many unitary subterminal axon branches. Maintained stimulation, even at a low frequency, resulted in depression of the excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) set up by the fast axon but EJPs of different muscle fibers depressed at different rates, indicating some physiological heterogeneity among the fast-axon synapses. Focal recording at individual synaptic sites on the surfaces of the muscle fibers showed quantal contents ranging from 1.4 to 5.5 at different synapses; these values are relatively high in comparison with similar determinations made in the crayfish opener muscle. Synapse-bearing nerve terminals were generally relatively small in diameter and filiform, with many individual synaptic contact areas of uniform size averaging 0.6 micron2. All of the individual synapses had a presynaptic \"dense body\" at which synaptic vesicles clustered. If these structures represent release points for transmitter quanta, the initial high quantal content would have an ultrastructural basis. The mitochondial content of the nerve terminals, the synaptic vesicle population, and the specialized subsynaptic sarcoplasm were all much reduced in comparison with tonic axon synaptic regions in this and other crustaceans. The latter features may be correlated with the relatively infrequent use of this axon by the animal, and with rapid fatigue.", "contents": "Fast-axon synapses of a crab leg muscle. Neuromuscular synapses of the \"fast\" excitatory axon supplying the main extensor muscle in the leg of the shore crab Pachygrapsus crassipes were studied with electrophysiological and electron-microscopic techniques. Electrical recording showed that many muscle fibers of the central region of the extensor muscle responded only to stimulation of the fast axon, and electron microscopy revealed many unitary subterminal axon branches. Maintained stimulation, even at a low frequency, resulted in depression of the excitatory junctional potentials (EJPs) set up by the fast axon but EJPs of different muscle fibers depressed at different rates, indicating some physiological heterogeneity among the fast-axon synapses. Focal recording at individual synaptic sites on the surfaces of the muscle fibers showed quantal contents ranging from 1.4 to 5.5 at different synapses; these values are relatively high in comparison with similar determinations made in the crayfish opener muscle. Synapse-bearing nerve terminals were generally relatively small in diameter and filiform, with many individual synaptic contact areas of uniform size averaging 0.6 micron2. All of the individual synapses had a presynaptic \"dense body\" at which synaptic vesicles clustered. If these structures represent release points for transmitter quanta, the initial high quantal content would have an ultrastructural basis. The mitochondial content of the nerve terminals, the synaptic vesicle population, and the specialized subsynaptic sarcoplasm were all much reduced in comparison with tonic axon synaptic regions in this and other crustaceans. The latter features may be correlated with the relatively infrequent use of this axon by the animal, and with rapid fatigue.", "PMID": 632813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9576", "title": "Nonhomogeneous excitatory synapses of a crab stomach muscle.", "content": "Neuromuscular synapses of pyloric muscle P1 in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus were examined using electrophysiological and electron microscopic methods. The muscle is innervated by a single excitatory axon of the stomatogastric ganglion. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials show striking facilitation at very low frequencies of stimulation, indicating very slow decay of the facilitation process after a single nerve impulse. Quantal content of transmitter release at a low frequency of stimulation averaged 1.5. Evidence was obtained that not all synapses on a muscle fiber are equivalent. This was particularly evident at the morphological level in serially sectioned nerve terminals. On each nerve terminal examined, a wide range of synapse sizes was found. Synaptic contact areas ranged from less than 0.5 micron2 to almost 10 micron2; the latter value is large compared with those obtained for other crustacean neuromuscular synapses. Most of the smaller synapses lacked the presynaptic dense bodies which are putative release sites for the transmitter substance. The larger synapses all had presynaptic dense bodies, and some showed evidence of splitting apart into smaller subunits. It is postulated that about half the morphologically identified synapses are relatively inactive.", "contents": "Nonhomogeneous excitatory synapses of a crab stomach muscle. Neuromuscular synapses of pyloric muscle P1 in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus were examined using electrophysiological and electron microscopic methods. The muscle is innervated by a single excitatory axon of the stomatogastric ganglion. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials show striking facilitation at very low frequencies of stimulation, indicating very slow decay of the facilitation process after a single nerve impulse. Quantal content of transmitter release at a low frequency of stimulation averaged 1.5. Evidence was obtained that not all synapses on a muscle fiber are equivalent. This was particularly evident at the morphological level in serially sectioned nerve terminals. On each nerve terminal examined, a wide range of synapse sizes was found. Synaptic contact areas ranged from less than 0.5 micron2 to almost 10 micron2; the latter value is large compared with those obtained for other crustacean neuromuscular synapses. Most of the smaller synapses lacked the presynaptic dense bodies which are putative release sites for the transmitter substance. The larger synapses all had presynaptic dense bodies, and some showed evidence of splitting apart into smaller subunits. It is postulated that about half the morphologically identified synapses are relatively inactive.", "PMID": 632814} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9577", "title": "The effect of amino acids on protein metabolism as measured in long-term experiments in immature brain explants.", "content": "In a study of a system suitable for investigating long-term effects on brain protein metabolism, we measured amino-acid incorpration into isolated immature brain explants incubated under sterile conditions up to ten days. Measurements of changes in total proteins, total DNA, cell number during the experiments, and 14C-thymidine incorporation measurements indicated no significant net growth; new cell formation was below 5% in a 5-day period; therefore, amino-acid incorporation was mainly due to protein turnover. The rate of incorporation in our immature brain preparation was similar to that of the adult brain in vivo: by ten days about one-half of the tissue protein turned over. The label incorporated was released in subsequent incubations with cold amino acids. Such release occurred in all subcellular fractions examined. Incorporation was fairly stable; at temperatures below 30 degrees C it rapidly declined, but it was not affected when phenylalanine or the branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) were elevated in the incubation medium. Brief exposure to low amino-acid media had no effect; longer exposure resulted in tissue damage. Our model system indicates that overall brain protein turnover is not sensitive to such variations in the level of most amino acids, which may occur under various conditions. Protein metabolism of the nervous system occurs at a high rate. A recent long-term labeling method (Lajtha, Latzkovits, and Toth, 1976) gave a best fit to incorporation curves by assuming two compartments for adult brain proteins, one of which (about 6%) has a half-life of 15 hr and the other (94%) has a half-life of ten days. The disappearance of protein-bound label with time under conditions in which all proteins were previously labeled indicated that most, possibly all, proteins in brain are in a dynamic state (Lajtha and Toth, 1966). Incorporation of amino acids was found in all proteins and structures that have been studied to date; myelin proteins previously thought less active are also metabolized at a significant rate (Sabri, Bone, and Davison, 1974; Lajtha, Toth, Fujimoto, and Agrawal, 1977). We have fairly extensive information available in addition to turnover studies about the mechanisms of protein synthesis in brain (Roberts, 1971); protein breakdown was also studied in some detail (Marks and Lajtha, 1971). In contrast to our knowledge about protein metabolism under physiological equilibrium conditions, our information about alterations during functional demands or pathological conditions is scanty. Although a significant amount of work has been reported, largely because of technical difficulties the results are difficult to interpret unequivocally. The present report represents our effort to address some of the obstacles: to develop a system in which influences on long-term incorporation can be studied...", "contents": "The effect of amino acids on protein metabolism as measured in long-term experiments in immature brain explants. In a study of a system suitable for investigating long-term effects on brain protein metabolism, we measured amino-acid incorpration into isolated immature brain explants incubated under sterile conditions up to ten days. Measurements of changes in total proteins, total DNA, cell number during the experiments, and 14C-thymidine incorporation measurements indicated no significant net growth; new cell formation was below 5% in a 5-day period; therefore, amino-acid incorporation was mainly due to protein turnover. The rate of incorporation in our immature brain preparation was similar to that of the adult brain in vivo: by ten days about one-half of the tissue protein turned over. The label incorporated was released in subsequent incubations with cold amino acids. Such release occurred in all subcellular fractions examined. Incorporation was fairly stable; at temperatures below 30 degrees C it rapidly declined, but it was not affected when phenylalanine or the branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine) were elevated in the incubation medium. Brief exposure to low amino-acid media had no effect; longer exposure resulted in tissue damage. Our model system indicates that overall brain protein turnover is not sensitive to such variations in the level of most amino acids, which may occur under various conditions. Protein metabolism of the nervous system occurs at a high rate. A recent long-term labeling method (Lajtha, Latzkovits, and Toth, 1976) gave a best fit to incorporation curves by assuming two compartments for adult brain proteins, one of which (about 6%) has a half-life of 15 hr and the other (94%) has a half-life of ten days. The disappearance of protein-bound label with time under conditions in which all proteins were previously labeled indicated that most, possibly all, proteins in brain are in a dynamic state (Lajtha and Toth, 1966). Incorporation of amino acids was found in all proteins and structures that have been studied to date; myelin proteins previously thought less active are also metabolized at a significant rate (Sabri, Bone, and Davison, 1974; Lajtha, Toth, Fujimoto, and Agrawal, 1977). We have fairly extensive information available in addition to turnover studies about the mechanisms of protein synthesis in brain (Roberts, 1971); protein breakdown was also studied in some detail (Marks and Lajtha, 1971). In contrast to our knowledge about protein metabolism under physiological equilibrium conditions, our information about alterations during functional demands or pathological conditions is scanty. Although a significant amount of work has been reported, largely because of technical difficulties the results are difficult to interpret unequivocally. The present report represents our effort to address some of the obstacles: to develop a system in which influences on long-term incorporation can be studied...", "PMID": 632815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9578", "title": "The dorsal, unpaired, median neurons of the locust metathoracic ganglion.", "content": "Neurons having large cell bodies in the anterior dorsal median cluster in the metathoracic ganglion of the locust Schistocerca gregaria and the grasshopper Romalea microptera were studied by direct dye injection and reverse filling combined with elyctrical stimulation and recording. Eight, possibly nine, are of the unpaired type, with a T branch leading into left and right axons that leave the ganglion to terminate in muscles. Another six are probably paired, and may be interneurons. Five of the 8 or 9 unpaired neurons have one axonal branch in both N4 and N5, on both sides: the others have but a single branch. One of the nine, DUMETi, has left and right axons exclusively innervating the jumping muscles, and another, DUMDL, has left and right axons exclusively innervating the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles. Neither the locations, sizes or numbers of somata, nor their locations were as constant as is the case for ordinary ventral motoneurons.", "contents": "The dorsal, unpaired, median neurons of the locust metathoracic ganglion. Neurons having large cell bodies in the anterior dorsal median cluster in the metathoracic ganglion of the locust Schistocerca gregaria and the grasshopper Romalea microptera were studied by direct dye injection and reverse filling combined with elyctrical stimulation and recording. Eight, possibly nine, are of the unpaired type, with a T branch leading into left and right axons that leave the ganglion to terminate in muscles. Another six are probably paired, and may be interneurons. Five of the 8 or 9 unpaired neurons have one axonal branch in both N4 and N5, on both sides: the others have but a single branch. One of the nine, DUMETi, has left and right axons exclusively innervating the jumping muscles, and another, DUMDL, has left and right axons exclusively innervating the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles. Neither the locations, sizes or numbers of somata, nor their locations were as constant as is the case for ordinary ventral motoneurons.", "PMID": 632816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9579", "title": "Clinical significance of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage.", "content": "Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were measured in 21 patients after subarachnoid haemorrhage and in 13 control patients. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were significantly raised in patients recovering from subarachnoid haemorrhage, confirming clinical evidence of overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations in patients with a poor result were significantly higher at the time of admission than in patients with a good result, and the differences became more significant two to three days later. Therefore, the measurement of plasma noradrenaline concentrations may be a valuable test to assist clinical assessment in distinguishing between the two groups preoperatively.", "contents": "Clinical significance of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations were measured in 21 patients after subarachnoid haemorrhage and in 13 control patients. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations were significantly raised in patients recovering from subarachnoid haemorrhage, confirming clinical evidence of overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations in patients with a poor result were significantly higher at the time of admission than in patients with a good result, and the differences became more significant two to three days later. Therefore, the measurement of plasma noradrenaline concentrations may be a valuable test to assist clinical assessment in distinguishing between the two groups preoperatively.", "PMID": 632817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9580", "title": "Platelet adhesiveness, plasma fibrinogen, and fibrinolytic activity in young patients with ischaemic stroke.", "content": "Cerebral thromboembolic stroke in the young is uncommon. Disturbances in the n ormally existing dynamic equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis may play a major role in the pathogenesis of such episodes. In a search for a possible hypercoagulable state platelet adhesiveness by the method of Eastham, plasma fibrinogen and euglobulin clot lysis times were estimated in 46 patients. A group of 15 normal subjects matched for age and sex were also studied for comparison. Significant increase in platelet adhesiveness (P less than 0.001) and plasma fibrinogen (P less than 0.001) was noted in the patients when compared with the normal subjects. Absence of corresponding increases in fibrinolytic activity in the patients suggests disturbed equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis. The possibility of a hypercoagulable state in these cases is discussed.", "contents": "Platelet adhesiveness, plasma fibrinogen, and fibrinolytic activity in young patients with ischaemic stroke. Cerebral thromboembolic stroke in the young is uncommon. Disturbances in the n ormally existing dynamic equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis may play a major role in the pathogenesis of such episodes. In a search for a possible hypercoagulable state platelet adhesiveness by the method of Eastham, plasma fibrinogen and euglobulin clot lysis times were estimated in 46 patients. A group of 15 normal subjects matched for age and sex were also studied for comparison. Significant increase in platelet adhesiveness (P less than 0.001) and plasma fibrinogen (P less than 0.001) was noted in the patients when compared with the normal subjects. Absence of corresponding increases in fibrinolytic activity in the patients suggests disturbed equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis. The possibility of a hypercoagulable state in these cases is discussed.", "PMID": 632818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9581", "title": "Correlation between angiographic findings and the ischaemia of head injury.", "content": "The carotid angiograms of 96 patients who had died from non-missile head injury were reviewed and assessed for evidence of arterial spasm, slowing of the cerebral circulation, and the presence of intracranial haemotoma. As bilateral angiography had been done in 44 cases the results are based on a correlation between the angiographic appearances and the presence or absence of ischaemic brain damage in the cortex of 140 cerebral hemispheres. There was a significant relationship between spasm alone, the presence of intracranial haematoma alone, or their combination, and ischaemic damage in the ipsilateral cortex. Apart from an association between the more severe grades of spasm and slowing of circulation in the group with ischaemia within arterial territories, there was none between slowing of the circulation or the combination of slowing with either spasm or haematoma and ischaemic brain damage.", "contents": "Correlation between angiographic findings and the ischaemia of head injury. The carotid angiograms of 96 patients who had died from non-missile head injury were reviewed and assessed for evidence of arterial spasm, slowing of the cerebral circulation, and the presence of intracranial haemotoma. As bilateral angiography had been done in 44 cases the results are based on a correlation between the angiographic appearances and the presence or absence of ischaemic brain damage in the cortex of 140 cerebral hemispheres. There was a significant relationship between spasm alone, the presence of intracranial haematoma alone, or their combination, and ischaemic damage in the ipsilateral cortex. Apart from an association between the more severe grades of spasm and slowing of circulation in the group with ischaemia within arterial territories, there was none between slowing of the circulation or the combination of slowing with either spasm or haematoma and ischaemic brain damage.", "PMID": 632819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9582", "title": "A quantitative electrophysiological study of uraemic neuropathy. Diabetic and renal neuropathies compared.", "content": "The numbers of functioning motor units and the parameters of the electrically evoked motor unit potentials in the extensor digitorum brevis muscles of 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis for renal failure were obtained using recently introduced quantitative electrophysiological techniques. Measurements of the distal motor latencies and motor nerve conduction velocities in the lateral popliteal nerves of the same patients are also presented. The results support the presence of a \"dying back\" type of neuropathy in uraemia, with a preferential involvement of the fastest conducting motor axons. Collateral reinnervation and compensatory increase in size of surviving motor units is relatively impaired in uraemic neuropathy in comparison with a similar study on diabetic neuropathy. The significance of paranodal and segmental demyelination in producing abnormalities of conduction velocity in these neuropathies is discussed.", "contents": "A quantitative electrophysiological study of uraemic neuropathy. Diabetic and renal neuropathies compared. The numbers of functioning motor units and the parameters of the electrically evoked motor unit potentials in the extensor digitorum brevis muscles of 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis for renal failure were obtained using recently introduced quantitative electrophysiological techniques. Measurements of the distal motor latencies and motor nerve conduction velocities in the lateral popliteal nerves of the same patients are also presented. The results support the presence of a \"dying back\" type of neuropathy in uraemia, with a preferential involvement of the fastest conducting motor axons. Collateral reinnervation and compensatory increase in size of surviving motor units is relatively impaired in uraemic neuropathy in comparison with a similar study on diabetic neuropathy. The significance of paranodal and segmental demyelination in producing abnormalities of conduction velocity in these neuropathies is discussed.", "PMID": 632820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9583", "title": "Progressive myoclonus and epilepsy with dentatorubral degeneration: a clinicopathological study of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome.", "content": "Ramsay Hunt's progressive myoclonus and epilepsy associated with dentatorubral degeneration is a rare disorder. We report a 19 year old woman with this clinical syndrome who also has a more mildly affected brother. Neuropathological in addition to dentatorubal involvement. The evidence suggests that this is a distinctive hereditary disorder producing neuromal degeneration at several levels in the central nervous system.", "contents": "Progressive myoclonus and epilepsy with dentatorubral degeneration: a clinicopathological study of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt's progressive myoclonus and epilepsy associated with dentatorubral degeneration is a rare disorder. We report a 19 year old woman with this clinical syndrome who also has a more mildly affected brother. Neuropathological in addition to dentatorubal involvement. The evidence suggests that this is a distinctive hereditary disorder producing neuromal degeneration at several levels in the central nervous system.", "PMID": 632821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9584", "title": "Schwartz-Jampel syndrome in two daughters of first cousins.", "content": "The clinical and pathological features of two sisters born from consanguineous parents and affected by the rare Schwartz-Jampel syndrome are reported. The parental consanguinity of these two patients and the findings of electromyographic changes in the mother strongly support an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. No response of growth hormone secretion to arginine and insulin stimulation tests was found.", "contents": "Schwartz-Jampel syndrome in two daughters of first cousins. The clinical and pathological features of two sisters born from consanguineous parents and affected by the rare Schwartz-Jampel syndrome are reported. The parental consanguinity of these two patients and the findings of electromyographic changes in the mother strongly support an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. No response of growth hormone secretion to arginine and insulin stimulation tests was found.", "PMID": 632822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9585", "title": "Anatomical observations of the foramina transversaria.", "content": "Four hundred and eighty foramina transversaria in dry cervical vertebrae of 36 spines and in a number of dissections were studied and classified according to size, shape, and direction of their main diameter. A coefficient of roundness was then elaborated. The variations of foramina appear to follow a pattern at various vertebral levels. The possible factors (in addition to the embryological ones) involved in causing these variations-for example, mechanical stress, size, course, and number of vertebral vessels-were analysed. The importance of the correct interpretation of the variations in the foramina transversaria in radiographic or computerised axial tomography is discussed. The contribution of the present study to the understanding and diagnosis of pathological conditions related to the vertebral artery and its sympathetic plexus is stressed.", "contents": "Anatomical observations of the foramina transversaria. Four hundred and eighty foramina transversaria in dry cervical vertebrae of 36 spines and in a number of dissections were studied and classified according to size, shape, and direction of their main diameter. A coefficient of roundness was then elaborated. The variations of foramina appear to follow a pattern at various vertebral levels. The possible factors (in addition to the embryological ones) involved in causing these variations-for example, mechanical stress, size, course, and number of vertebral vessels-were analysed. The importance of the correct interpretation of the variations in the foramina transversaria in radiographic or computerised axial tomography is discussed. The contribution of the present study to the understanding and diagnosis of pathological conditions related to the vertebral artery and its sympathetic plexus is stressed.", "PMID": 632823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9586", "title": "The changing pattern of spinal arachnoiditis.", "content": "Spinal arachnoiditis is a rare condition. Eighty cases, diagnosed during a period when 7600 spinal contrast investigations were undertaken, have been reviewed. The majority had suffered a previous spinal condition, the most common being lumbar disc disease. There has been a change in the distribution of arahnoiditis with the lumbar region now most frequently involved. This accounts for the persistence of radicular symptoms and the relatively low incidence of paraplegia when compared with earlier series. Surgery does not appear to have any role in the treatment.", "contents": "The changing pattern of spinal arachnoiditis. Spinal arachnoiditis is a rare condition. Eighty cases, diagnosed during a period when 7600 spinal contrast investigations were undertaken, have been reviewed. The majority had suffered a previous spinal condition, the most common being lumbar disc disease. There has been a change in the distribution of arahnoiditis with the lumbar region now most frequently involved. This accounts for the persistence of radicular symptoms and the relatively low incidence of paraplegia when compared with earlier series. Surgery does not appear to have any role in the treatment.", "PMID": 632824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9587", "title": "Electroencephalography and phenytoin toxicity in mentally retarded epileptic patients.", "content": "There were significantly more diffuse and focal electroencephalographic abnormalities in 127 mentally retarded epileptic patients treated with phenytoin than in 68 epileptics without phenytoin. Phenytoin intoxication made the difference still more pronounced. Monitoring drug levels and electroencephalograms appears to be the method of choice for ensuring safe and effective medication in intractable epilepsy.", "contents": "Electroencephalography and phenytoin toxicity in mentally retarded epileptic patients. There were significantly more diffuse and focal electroencephalographic abnormalities in 127 mentally retarded epileptic patients treated with phenytoin than in 68 epileptics without phenytoin. Phenytoin intoxication made the difference still more pronounced. Monitoring drug levels and electroencephalograms appears to be the method of choice for ensuring safe and effective medication in intractable epilepsy.", "PMID": 632825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9588", "title": "Patterns of performance in amnesic subjects.", "content": "Patients with Korsakoff's syndrome, dementia, alcoholism, right and left temporal lobectomy, and normal subjects were compared on verbal learning and picture recognition memory tasks. Alcoholics and right lobectomy patients were similar on all measures, but the other groups had a characteristic pattern, particularly on hit and false positive rates in picture recognition.", "contents": "Patterns of performance in amnesic subjects. Patients with Korsakoff's syndrome, dementia, alcoholism, right and left temporal lobectomy, and normal subjects were compared on verbal learning and picture recognition memory tasks. Alcoholics and right lobectomy patients were similar on all measures, but the other groups had a characteristic pattern, particularly on hit and false positive rates in picture recognition.", "PMID": 632826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9589", "title": "Conservative removal of small pituitary tumours: is it justified by the pathological findings?", "content": "Operation by the trans-sphenoidal route allows removal of small pituitary adenomata with conservation of normal gland. Histological examination of tissue obtained at operation and necropsy in 73 cases showed that surgical methods at present in use are likely to leave tumour behind in the pituitary gland and in the dura mater of the pituitary fossa. The clinical significance of these findings will only become evident after following patients for an extended period, but there appears to be a strong indication for routine postoperative radiotherapy.", "contents": "Conservative removal of small pituitary tumours: is it justified by the pathological findings? Operation by the trans-sphenoidal route allows removal of small pituitary adenomata with conservation of normal gland. Histological examination of tissue obtained at operation and necropsy in 73 cases showed that surgical methods at present in use are likely to leave tumour behind in the pituitary gland and in the dura mater of the pituitary fossa. The clinical significance of these findings will only become evident after following patients for an extended period, but there appears to be a strong indication for routine postoperative radiotherapy.", "PMID": 632827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9590", "title": "Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. Clinical, electrophysiological and histopathological study of a severe variant.", "content": "This report describes a child, offspring of a first cousin marriage, with a severe and progressive disorder of bone and cartilage growth associated with a myotonia-like syndrome. Clinical manifestations of this disease began at birth with marked generalized muscle hypertrophy, stiffness, myotonia and multiple skeletal deformities. Successively severe dwarfism and mental retardation were observed. Neurophysiological studies showed continuous high frequently low voltage activity at rest and myotonic discharges which did not wax and wane. These abnormalities persisted after complete curarization. Muscle biopsy showed mild dystrophic changes. Polymeric glycosaminoglycans and degradation product excretion was normal. These findings are similar to those described in Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, but since the clinical picture was fully expressed at birth and was unusually severe, it is suggested that the patient's condition may have represented a severe variant of this syndrome.", "contents": "Schwartz-Jampel syndrome. Clinical, electrophysiological and histopathological study of a severe variant. This report describes a child, offspring of a first cousin marriage, with a severe and progressive disorder of bone and cartilage growth associated with a myotonia-like syndrome. Clinical manifestations of this disease began at birth with marked generalized muscle hypertrophy, stiffness, myotonia and multiple skeletal deformities. Successively severe dwarfism and mental retardation were observed. Neurophysiological studies showed continuous high frequently low voltage activity at rest and myotonic discharges which did not wax and wane. These abnormalities persisted after complete curarization. Muscle biopsy showed mild dystrophic changes. Polymeric glycosaminoglycans and degradation product excretion was normal. These findings are similar to those described in Schwartz-Jampel syndrome, but since the clinical picture was fully expressed at birth and was unusually severe, it is suggested that the patient's condition may have represented a severe variant of this syndrome.", "PMID": 632828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9591", "title": "Disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle. A morphometric study using image analysis.", "content": "A morphometric study of disuse atrophy was done on the rat anterior tibilalis muscle over a 13-day period after immobilization of the hind leg by pinning the knee and ankle joints. Cross-sectional areas of individual muscle fibers were measured using image analysis, a new and precise technique. Three types of muscle fibers, light, medium and dark, were defined using a modified myosin-ATPase reaction on cryostat-cut sections. Each of the 3 fiber types was found to show a degree and time course of atrophy unique to itself. At the 0.01 confidence level, the dark fibers (with strongest ATPase reaction) did not shrink significantly. Both the light (ATPase negative) and medium fiber did show significant atrophy at that level; the light shrinking more than the medium. Simple visualization of the light microscopic images was often found to be misleading. Thus, the need was documented for a precise technique for analysis of fiber size distribution.", "contents": "Disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle. A morphometric study using image analysis. A morphometric study of disuse atrophy was done on the rat anterior tibilalis muscle over a 13-day period after immobilization of the hind leg by pinning the knee and ankle joints. Cross-sectional areas of individual muscle fibers were measured using image analysis, a new and precise technique. Three types of muscle fibers, light, medium and dark, were defined using a modified myosin-ATPase reaction on cryostat-cut sections. Each of the 3 fiber types was found to show a degree and time course of atrophy unique to itself. At the 0.01 confidence level, the dark fibers (with strongest ATPase reaction) did not shrink significantly. Both the light (ATPase negative) and medium fiber did show significant atrophy at that level; the light shrinking more than the medium. Simple visualization of the light microscopic images was often found to be misleading. Thus, the need was documented for a precise technique for analysis of fiber size distribution.", "PMID": 632829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9592", "title": "Further studies of mitochondrial and lipid storage myopathies.", "content": "Further observations on a family with facioscapulohumeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy due to mitochondrial myopathy, and on a case with lipid storage myopathy are reported. One member of the family with FSH muscular dystrophy died due to a viral pneumonia, during which she developed gross hyperlacticacidaemia and acidosis. Autopsy examination showed that the mitochondrial morphological abnormality was restricted to the skeletal muscle. Two other members of the family, who also had mitochondrial myopathy, have developed a cerebellar syndrome. The skeletal muscle carnitine level in the propositus of this family was normal. A woman with lipid storage myopathy has been shown to have skeletal muscle carnitine deficiency, the plasma carnitine level being only slightly lower than normal.", "contents": "Further studies of mitochondrial and lipid storage myopathies. Further observations on a family with facioscapulohumeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy due to mitochondrial myopathy, and on a case with lipid storage myopathy are reported. One member of the family with FSH muscular dystrophy died due to a viral pneumonia, during which she developed gross hyperlacticacidaemia and acidosis. Autopsy examination showed that the mitochondrial morphological abnormality was restricted to the skeletal muscle. Two other members of the family, who also had mitochondrial myopathy, have developed a cerebellar syndrome. The skeletal muscle carnitine level in the propositus of this family was normal. A woman with lipid storage myopathy has been shown to have skeletal muscle carnitine deficiency, the plasma carnitine level being only slightly lower than normal.", "PMID": 632830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9593", "title": "The cervical somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Abnormalities of the potential evoked by stimulation of the median nerve and recorded over the cervical spine were found in 59% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) this proportion increasing to 69% of those in the definite diagnosis category and to 100% in the severely disabled. Abnormalities were often found in the absence of relevant clinical signs and the method appears to be capable of revealing clinically silent plaques. In patients with a single episode of neurological disease, including retrobulbar neuritis, and at least compatible with the onset of MS, the proportion of abnormalities did not rise above 18%. Only prolonged follow-up will permit assessment of the value of this and other evoked potential techniques in the detection of the early case of the disease.", "contents": "The cervical somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Abnormalities of the potential evoked by stimulation of the median nerve and recorded over the cervical spine were found in 59% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) this proportion increasing to 69% of those in the definite diagnosis category and to 100% in the severely disabled. Abnormalities were often found in the absence of relevant clinical signs and the method appears to be capable of revealing clinically silent plaques. In patients with a single episode of neurological disease, including retrobulbar neuritis, and at least compatible with the onset of MS, the proportion of abnormalities did not rise above 18%. Only prolonged follow-up will permit assessment of the value of this and other evoked potential techniques in the detection of the early case of the disease.", "PMID": 632831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9594", "title": "Demyelination of Sternarchus electrocyte fibers by injection of diphtheria toxin.", "content": "Diphtheria toxin was injected into the electric organ of the gymnotid fish, Sternarchus albifrons. After 10 days, there was extensive demeylination of electrocyte fibers in the area of injection. Electron microscopy showed that paranodal loops of myelin do not separately cleanly from the axon, and remnants of the myelin loops may persist after demyelination of the internodes is nearly complete. The dense cytoplasmic undercoating of the nodal axolemma may disappear before the paranodal junctions are completely gone. Observations of demyelination of internodes between the elaborate, inexcitable nodes suggest that the presence of myelin may not be necessary for the maintenance of structural differentiation of this region of the axolemma. Use of diphtheria toxin to demyelinate Sternarchus electrocytes may provide a useful system for experimental neuropathological studies.", "contents": "Demyelination of Sternarchus electrocyte fibers by injection of diphtheria toxin. Diphtheria toxin was injected into the electric organ of the gymnotid fish, Sternarchus albifrons. After 10 days, there was extensive demeylination of electrocyte fibers in the area of injection. Electron microscopy showed that paranodal loops of myelin do not separately cleanly from the axon, and remnants of the myelin loops may persist after demyelination of the internodes is nearly complete. The dense cytoplasmic undercoating of the nodal axolemma may disappear before the paranodal junctions are completely gone. Observations of demyelination of internodes between the elaborate, inexcitable nodes suggest that the presence of myelin may not be necessary for the maintenance of structural differentiation of this region of the axolemma. Use of diphtheria toxin to demyelinate Sternarchus electrocytes may provide a useful system for experimental neuropathological studies.", "PMID": 632832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9595", "title": "Porphyric polyneuropathy and its pathogenesis in the light of electrophysiological investigations.", "content": "Twenty-four patients with acute intermittent porphyria were examined by means of routine electromyographic (EMG) tests, measurements of motor and sensory conduction in peripheral nerves and stimulation fatigue tests. The EMG results gave evidence of an initial, reversible disorder of function of the peripheral neuron, only sometimes followed by evidence of axonal degeneration of the \"dying back\" type. In stimulation fatigue tests there was some evidence of potentiation but none of fatigue. Attention is drawn to some analogies between the electrophysiological changes in porphyric polyneuropathy and in botulism. It seems that the pathogenesis of porphyric polyneuropathy may be dependent upon a block of cholinergic endings.", "contents": "Porphyric polyneuropathy and its pathogenesis in the light of electrophysiological investigations. Twenty-four patients with acute intermittent porphyria were examined by means of routine electromyographic (EMG) tests, measurements of motor and sensory conduction in peripheral nerves and stimulation fatigue tests. The EMG results gave evidence of an initial, reversible disorder of function of the peripheral neuron, only sometimes followed by evidence of axonal degeneration of the \"dying back\" type. In stimulation fatigue tests there was some evidence of potentiation but none of fatigue. Attention is drawn to some analogies between the electrophysiological changes in porphyric polyneuropathy and in botulism. It seems that the pathogenesis of porphyric polyneuropathy may be dependent upon a block of cholinergic endings.", "PMID": 632833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9596", "title": "Freeze-fracturing studies of mitochondrial myopathy. A correlated clinical, biochemical and morphological investigation.", "content": "Freeze-fracture studies of pathologically changed mitochondria in situ from muscle biopsies of a 9.5-year-old girl with a mitochondrial myopathy were correlated with clinical, biochemical and histochemical investigations. In the ultrathin sections giant mitochondria with densely packed cristae membranes - often reoriented to concentric circles - and, in addition, paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions were found. The freeze fracture faces of such transformed mitochondria and preparations of their inner and outer membranes provided a morphological insight in the macromolecular structure of the mitochondrial membrane under such pathological conditions. The results lead to the hypothesis that part of the transformed mitochondria stay active functionally for an extended period by maintaining the delimitation from the cytoplasm and by preserving the macromolecular membrane architecture. This hypothesis could explain the slow progression of the myogenic symptoms.", "contents": "Freeze-fracturing studies of mitochondrial myopathy. A correlated clinical, biochemical and morphological investigation. Freeze-fracture studies of pathologically changed mitochondria in situ from muscle biopsies of a 9.5-year-old girl with a mitochondrial myopathy were correlated with clinical, biochemical and histochemical investigations. In the ultrathin sections giant mitochondria with densely packed cristae membranes - often reoriented to concentric circles - and, in addition, paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions were found. The freeze fracture faces of such transformed mitochondria and preparations of their inner and outer membranes provided a morphological insight in the macromolecular structure of the mitochondrial membrane under such pathological conditions. The results lead to the hypothesis that part of the transformed mitochondria stay active functionally for an extended period by maintaining the delimitation from the cytoplasm and by preserving the macromolecular membrane architecture. This hypothesis could explain the slow progression of the myogenic symptoms.", "PMID": 632835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9597", "title": "Reduction by linoleic acid of the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the guinea pig.", "content": "This paper reports the effects of supplementation of the diet with linoleic acid on the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in guinea pigs. Clinical signs of disease (e.g. paresis, paraplegia, urinary incontinence), weight loss, frequency of perivascular lesions in the central nervous system and ability of isolated lymph node cells to respond to myelin basic protein in vitro were all reduced by linoleic acid supplementation. Linoleic acid was effective when fed at a dose of 0.5 ml/day from 7 to 21 days after sensitization of the animals with basic protein, i.e., before and during the time in which clinical signs normally appeared. The same daily dose fed from 7 days before to 7 days after sensitization, i.e., ceasing about 7 days before the normal time of appearance of clinical signs, produced no significant effect. Feeding linoleic acid to normal guinea pigs significantly altered the fatty acid composition of their serum and lymph nodes, but not of their brain. Of several possible explantations for the protective effect of lineolic acid in EAE, we considered action by this essential fatty acid on the immune system most likely.", "contents": "Reduction by linoleic acid of the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the guinea pig. This paper reports the effects of supplementation of the diet with linoleic acid on the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in guinea pigs. Clinical signs of disease (e.g. paresis, paraplegia, urinary incontinence), weight loss, frequency of perivascular lesions in the central nervous system and ability of isolated lymph node cells to respond to myelin basic protein in vitro were all reduced by linoleic acid supplementation. Linoleic acid was effective when fed at a dose of 0.5 ml/day from 7 to 21 days after sensitization of the animals with basic protein, i.e., before and during the time in which clinical signs normally appeared. The same daily dose fed from 7 days before to 7 days after sensitization, i.e., ceasing about 7 days before the normal time of appearance of clinical signs, produced no significant effect. Feeding linoleic acid to normal guinea pigs significantly altered the fatty acid composition of their serum and lymph nodes, but not of their brain. Of several possible explantations for the protective effect of lineolic acid in EAE, we considered action by this essential fatty acid on the immune system most likely.", "PMID": 632836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9598", "title": "[Quantitative study of isolated nerve fibers in alcoholic neuropathy (author's transl)].", "content": "This is a report of qualitative and quantitative study of nerve fibres in alcoholic neuropathy. In order to determine the frequency of segmental demyelination in alcoholic neuropathy, 10 nerve biopsies from 9 patients were studied by teasing; 100 consecutive fibres were isolated from each nerve and classified according to their morphology. This study confirms that segmental demyelination is a rare finding in this condition. Segmental demyelination of peripheral nerve fibres occurred in three cases and affected 6 to 8 per cent of the fibres. Wallerian degeneration of nerve fibres was found in all ten nerve biopsy specimens and affected 31 to 98 percent of the isolated fibres.", "contents": "[Quantitative study of isolated nerve fibers in alcoholic neuropathy (author's transl)]. This is a report of qualitative and quantitative study of nerve fibres in alcoholic neuropathy. In order to determine the frequency of segmental demyelination in alcoholic neuropathy, 10 nerve biopsies from 9 patients were studied by teasing; 100 consecutive fibres were isolated from each nerve and classified according to their morphology. This study confirms that segmental demyelination is a rare finding in this condition. Segmental demyelination of peripheral nerve fibres occurred in three cases and affected 6 to 8 per cent of the fibres. Wallerian degeneration of nerve fibres was found in all ten nerve biopsy specimens and affected 31 to 98 percent of the isolated fibres.", "PMID": 632837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9599", "title": "Neural spread of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in mice after corneal or subcutaneous (footpad) inoculation.", "content": "Twelve herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains, 6 of each type, were inoculated subcutaneously into the left hind foot and into the cornea of the right eye of 12-day-old Swiss albino mice. The neural spread of virus to trigeminal and spinal ganglia and to brain and spinal cord was studied by demonstration of infective virus, histology and electron microscopy. Type 1 and type 2 infections seemed to spread equally well by intra-axonal transport. Using a protein tracer (horseradish peroxidase) injected into the same site as the virus, transport of the tracer to neurons corresponding to those infected with virus was observed. The extensive destruction of CNS tissue in the transitional region of the trigeminal root where CNS and the peripheral nervous system meet is discussed with reference to the pathogenesis of HSV encephalitis.", "contents": "Neural spread of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in mice after corneal or subcutaneous (footpad) inoculation. Twelve herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains, 6 of each type, were inoculated subcutaneously into the left hind foot and into the cornea of the right eye of 12-day-old Swiss albino mice. The neural spread of virus to trigeminal and spinal ganglia and to brain and spinal cord was studied by demonstration of infective virus, histology and electron microscopy. Type 1 and type 2 infections seemed to spread equally well by intra-axonal transport. Using a protein tracer (horseradish peroxidase) injected into the same site as the virus, transport of the tracer to neurons corresponding to those infected with virus was observed. The extensive destruction of CNS tissue in the transitional region of the trigeminal root where CNS and the peripheral nervous system meet is discussed with reference to the pathogenesis of HSV encephalitis.", "PMID": 632838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9600", "title": "Cerebral cysticercosis.", "content": "Twenty cases of cysticerosis involving the central nervous system were seen during a 6-year period. Twelve patients presented with symptom and signs of raised intracranial pressure, 6 with seizures and 1 each with subacute meningitis and psychosis. The diagnosis of cerebral cysticercosis was established by brain biopsy in 8 patients, at autopsy in 3, and by biopsy of a subcutaneous nodule in 7. It was presumed on the basis of typical intracranial calcification in 1 case and soft tissue calcification in another. The protean clinical manifestations of this condition and the diagnostic difficulties it raises are discussed.", "contents": "Cerebral cysticercosis. Twenty cases of cysticerosis involving the central nervous system were seen during a 6-year period. Twelve patients presented with symptom and signs of raised intracranial pressure, 6 with seizures and 1 each with subacute meningitis and psychosis. The diagnosis of cerebral cysticercosis was established by brain biopsy in 8 patients, at autopsy in 3, and by biopsy of a subcutaneous nodule in 7. It was presumed on the basis of typical intracranial calcification in 1 case and soft tissue calcification in another. The protean clinical manifestations of this condition and the diagnostic difficulties it raises are discussed.", "PMID": 632839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9601", "title": "Herpes simplex virus antibodies in patients with Parkinson's disease.", "content": "Sera from 40 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and their age- and sex-matched controls were assayed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-induced cell surface antigens with the indirect immunofluorescent test. An increased level of HSV antibodies was found among the patients with Parkinson's disease when the distribution of titres (P less than 0.001), the mean titres (P less than 0.001), or the mean paired titre difference (P less than 0.001) was compared with the controls. This may suggest a part of HSV in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Alternatively, the increased HSV antibody response might be an epiphenomenon indirectly associated with Parkinson's disease.", "contents": "Herpes simplex virus antibodies in patients with Parkinson's disease. Sera from 40 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and their age- and sex-matched controls were assayed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1-induced cell surface antigens with the indirect immunofluorescent test. An increased level of HSV antibodies was found among the patients with Parkinson's disease when the distribution of titres (P less than 0.001), the mean titres (P less than 0.001), or the mean paired titre difference (P less than 0.001) was compared with the controls. This may suggest a part of HSV in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Alternatively, the increased HSV antibody response might be an epiphenomenon indirectly associated with Parkinson's disease.", "PMID": 632840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9602", "title": "14-3-2 protein in rat brain.", "content": "The distribution of the 14-3-2 protein in rat brain was investigated by immuno-electron microscopy using antiserum to the protein conjugated with peroxidase. 14-3-2 was demonstrated in the nuclear membrane, the endoplasmic reticular membranes and in the plasma membrane of nerve cells. The protein was also localized to the presynaptic densities and to the pre- and postsynaptic membranes. It could not be demonstrated in the membranes of the Golgi complex, inner membrane of mitochondria or in the nucleoplasm of neurons. No 14-3-2 protein was found in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or in non-neuroectodermal tissue elements.", "contents": "14-3-2 protein in rat brain. The distribution of the 14-3-2 protein in rat brain was investigated by immuno-electron microscopy using antiserum to the protein conjugated with peroxidase. 14-3-2 was demonstrated in the nuclear membrane, the endoplasmic reticular membranes and in the plasma membrane of nerve cells. The protein was also localized to the presynaptic densities and to the pre- and postsynaptic membranes. It could not be demonstrated in the membranes of the Golgi complex, inner membrane of mitochondria or in the nucleoplasm of neurons. No 14-3-2 protein was found in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or in non-neuroectodermal tissue elements.", "PMID": 632841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9603", "title": "Atypical progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and primary cerebral malignant lymphoma.", "content": "Atypical progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred in an 82-year-old man with long-standing chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The multifocal white matter lesions revealed demyelination and gliosis, relative preservation of axons and a prominent plasma cell infiltrate. Bizarre astrocytes were uncommon. There were no changes in the oligodendroglial nuclei and no inclusion bodies. Electron and immunohistofluorescence microscopy for papova virus were negative. In addition to this leukoencephalopathy a small primary cerebral lymphoma was present in the right occipital lobe. The tumor cells were plasmacytoid in appearance and their cytoplasm stained well with pyronin. They contained IgG by immunohistofluorescence microscopy. The neoplasm was considered an immunoblastic sarcoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) and thought to arise directly within foci of demyelination. Both disease processes, leukoencephalopathy and lymphoma, may have occurred on a background of immunosuppression.", "contents": "Atypical progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and primary cerebral malignant lymphoma. Atypical progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred in an 82-year-old man with long-standing chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The multifocal white matter lesions revealed demyelination and gliosis, relative preservation of axons and a prominent plasma cell infiltrate. Bizarre astrocytes were uncommon. There were no changes in the oligodendroglial nuclei and no inclusion bodies. Electron and immunohistofluorescence microscopy for papova virus were negative. In addition to this leukoencephalopathy a small primary cerebral lymphoma was present in the right occipital lobe. The tumor cells were plasmacytoid in appearance and their cytoplasm stained well with pyronin. They contained IgG by immunohistofluorescence microscopy. The neoplasm was considered an immunoblastic sarcoma (reticulum cell sarcoma) and thought to arise directly within foci of demyelination. Both disease processes, leukoencephalopathy and lymphoma, may have occurred on a background of immunosuppression.", "PMID": 632842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9604", "title": "The cytogenetic basis for classifying ependymomas.", "content": "The phylogeny of ependymal cells and astrocytes can be traced to a single primitive progenitor the ependymoglia or the tanycyte, respectively. Ependymoglia cells have ependymal perikarya having astrocyte-like processes that terminate subpially in primitive glial footplates. Such cells prevail in primitive nervous systems, but they also persist regionally in the mature mammalian brain. Their fine structure has been studied in many species. An electronmicroscopic study of 8 ependymomas reveals that the neoplastic cells possess features characteristic of primitive ependymoglia; in particular they possess cell processes filled with glial filaments, terminating submesenchymally in a primitive, piston-shaped footplate. The perivascular pseudorosettes of ependymomas are the equivalents of these cell poles. The dominant phenomenon of ependymoma structure appears to be a reversion of cellular organization to the stage of primitive ependymoglia cells. On reviewing 43 ependymomas and 71 astrocytomas 11 neoplasms were found having a tissue structure reminiscent of the evolution of piloid astrocytes from ependymoglia or tanycytes, respectively. These features correspond to transitional stages seen in normal primitive brains. Tumors of this type may be characterized as a tanycytic variant of ependymomas. They appear to be relatively common in the spinal cord and present a source of confusion with piloid astrocytomas.", "contents": "The cytogenetic basis for classifying ependymomas. The phylogeny of ependymal cells and astrocytes can be traced to a single primitive progenitor the ependymoglia or the tanycyte, respectively. Ependymoglia cells have ependymal perikarya having astrocyte-like processes that terminate subpially in primitive glial footplates. Such cells prevail in primitive nervous systems, but they also persist regionally in the mature mammalian brain. Their fine structure has been studied in many species. An electronmicroscopic study of 8 ependymomas reveals that the neoplastic cells possess features characteristic of primitive ependymoglia; in particular they possess cell processes filled with glial filaments, terminating submesenchymally in a primitive, piston-shaped footplate. The perivascular pseudorosettes of ependymomas are the equivalents of these cell poles. The dominant phenomenon of ependymoma structure appears to be a reversion of cellular organization to the stage of primitive ependymoglia cells. On reviewing 43 ependymomas and 71 astrocytomas 11 neoplasms were found having a tissue structure reminiscent of the evolution of piloid astrocytes from ependymoglia or tanycytes, respectively. These features correspond to transitional stages seen in normal primitive brains. Tumors of this type may be characterized as a tanycytic variant of ependymomas. They appear to be relatively common in the spinal cord and present a source of confusion with piloid astrocytomas.", "PMID": 632843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9605", "title": "Substance P-like immunoreactivity in cultured spinal ganglia from chick embryos.", "content": "The localization of substance P (SP) or a SP-like peptide in cultured ganglia from chick embryos was studied by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Ganglia from 8-16 days old chick embryos and from newly hatched chickens were cultured in a control medium or in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). Addition of colchicine and exposure to different explanted peripheral tissues were also tried. Ganglia from the younger embryos (8-12 days) cultured for 24 h with added NGF showed a weak SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in some cell bodies and strong specific immunofluorescence in nerve fibres growing out from the ganglia. In spinal ganglia of the older embryos (14 and 16 days) and newly hatched chickens cultured with and without NGF the concentration of SPLI in the cell bodies was considerably higher. Addition of colchicine to spinal ganglia cultured 12 h in NGF-medium, resulted in retraction of nerve fibres and strongly fluorescent, expanded nerve fibres were observed in peripheral parts of the ganglia. Explants of skin placed near the spinal ganglia stimulated the outgrowth of fibres, some of them containing SPLI. A few fluorescent fibres were also seen within the skin explants. Also heart tissue explants stimulated outgrowth of nerve fibres, but innervation of these explants with SPLI-containing nerves could not be observed. Nerve fibre-extension from the spinal ganglia was not stimulated by spinal cord explants. The present results support the existence of SP-containing primary sensory neurons in chickens.", "contents": "Substance P-like immunoreactivity in cultured spinal ganglia from chick embryos. The localization of substance P (SP) or a SP-like peptide in cultured ganglia from chick embryos was studied by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Ganglia from 8-16 days old chick embryos and from newly hatched chickens were cultured in a control medium or in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). Addition of colchicine and exposure to different explanted peripheral tissues were also tried. Ganglia from the younger embryos (8-12 days) cultured for 24 h with added NGF showed a weak SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in some cell bodies and strong specific immunofluorescence in nerve fibres growing out from the ganglia. In spinal ganglia of the older embryos (14 and 16 days) and newly hatched chickens cultured with and without NGF the concentration of SPLI in the cell bodies was considerably higher. Addition of colchicine to spinal ganglia cultured 12 h in NGF-medium, resulted in retraction of nerve fibres and strongly fluorescent, expanded nerve fibres were observed in peripheral parts of the ganglia. Explants of skin placed near the spinal ganglia stimulated the outgrowth of fibres, some of them containing SPLI. A few fluorescent fibres were also seen within the skin explants. Also heart tissue explants stimulated outgrowth of nerve fibres, but innervation of these explants with SPLI-containing nerves could not be observed. Nerve fibre-extension from the spinal ganglia was not stimulated by spinal cord explants. The present results support the existence of SP-containing primary sensory neurons in chickens.", "PMID": 632849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9606", "title": "Biochemical studies in a patient with a Tangier syndrome.", "content": "The chemical composition of the major classes of lipids were evaluated in the plasma and in various other tissues of a 68-year-old woman with a syringomyelia-like syndrome affecting cranial, cervical and brachial regions. No tonsillar abnormalities were apparent on visual examination of the oropharynx but the absence of alpha-lipoproteins on serum lipoprotein electrophoresis prompted the tentative diagnosis of Tangier disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein analyses of the plasma. The plasma cholesterol was low (93-113 mg/dl) and the triglyceride concentration normal (133-160 mg/dl). The very low density lipoproteins had normal chemical composition and morphology, but migrated with beta rather than pre-beta mobility on paper electrophoresis. Low density lipoproteins were deficient in cholesteryl esters and enriched in triglycerides; their electrophoretic mobility and morphology were normal. A small amount of high density lipoprotein (approximately 1.4 mg/dl) was recovered from the plasma. This contained few particles of the size of normal high density lipoprotein and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the lipid-free protein demonstrated a disproportionate increase in the A-II apolipoprotein. All of these abnormalities are consistent with Tangier disease. The serum concentration of glycosphingolipids was approximately 40% lower than normal, with the most marked reductions in the glucosylceramide (GL-1a) and trihexosylceramide (GL-3a) fractions. The relative quantity of long chain fatty acids (23 or more carbons) in serum sphingomyelin was reduced about 38% of that in control sera. Serum lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.43; LCAT) activity was 25% of normal and the reduced activity was shown not to be related to a change of enzyme specificity or to a lack of appropriate substrate. These findings are likely related to the HDL deficiency which characterizes Tangier disease. A biopsy sample of apparently normal tonsil contained three to four times the normal amount of cholesterol, and the increase was due entirely to abnormal quantities of cholesteryl esters. Of great interest was the chemical documentation of increased cholesteryl esters in a nerve biopsy specimen. These findings indicate that the neurologic as well as the reticuloendothelial manifestations of Tangier disease may be related to cholesteryl ester accumulation. Lipoprotein profiles, their triglyceride and cholesterol concentration, and LCAT activity were obtained on the plasma of 7 closely related members of the kinship. None of these relatives were found to have the biochemical derangement of Tangier disease.", "contents": "Biochemical studies in a patient with a Tangier syndrome. The chemical composition of the major classes of lipids were evaluated in the plasma and in various other tissues of a 68-year-old woman with a syringomyelia-like syndrome affecting cranial, cervical and brachial regions. No tonsillar abnormalities were apparent on visual examination of the oropharynx but the absence of alpha-lipoproteins on serum lipoprotein electrophoresis prompted the tentative diagnosis of Tangier disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein analyses of the plasma. The plasma cholesterol was low (93-113 mg/dl) and the triglyceride concentration normal (133-160 mg/dl). The very low density lipoproteins had normal chemical composition and morphology, but migrated with beta rather than pre-beta mobility on paper electrophoresis. Low density lipoproteins were deficient in cholesteryl esters and enriched in triglycerides; their electrophoretic mobility and morphology were normal. A small amount of high density lipoprotein (approximately 1.4 mg/dl) was recovered from the plasma. This contained few particles of the size of normal high density lipoprotein and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the lipid-free protein demonstrated a disproportionate increase in the A-II apolipoprotein. All of these abnormalities are consistent with Tangier disease. The serum concentration of glycosphingolipids was approximately 40% lower than normal, with the most marked reductions in the glucosylceramide (GL-1a) and trihexosylceramide (GL-3a) fractions. The relative quantity of long chain fatty acids (23 or more carbons) in serum sphingomyelin was reduced about 38% of that in control sera. Serum lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.43; LCAT) activity was 25% of normal and the reduced activity was shown not to be related to a change of enzyme specificity or to a lack of appropriate substrate. These findings are likely related to the HDL deficiency which characterizes Tangier disease. A biopsy sample of apparently normal tonsil contained three to four times the normal amount of cholesterol, and the increase was due entirely to abnormal quantities of cholesteryl esters. Of great interest was the chemical documentation of increased cholesteryl esters in a nerve biopsy specimen. These findings indicate that the neurologic as well as the reticuloendothelial manifestations of Tangier disease may be related to cholesteryl ester accumulation. Lipoprotein profiles, their triglyceride and cholesterol concentration, and LCAT activity were obtained on the plasma of 7 closely related members of the kinship. None of these relatives were found to have the biochemical derangement of Tangier disease.", "PMID": 632844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9607", "title": "Effects of ageing on the histochemically demonstrable catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase of human sympathetic ganglia.", "content": "The sympathetic ganglia of adult and aged humans were obtained during vascular, gynaecological and urological surgery, and studied using the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF) method for histochemical demonstration of catecholamines. Microspectrofluorimetry was applied to characterize the emission spectra of the flurophores. The sympathetic ganglia contained two types of cells exhibiting FIF: the adrenergic neurons and the small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells. The adrenergic neurons contained pigment granules exhibiting autofluorescence with emission maximum at 530---540 nm. The number of these granules increased with age while the FIF of the neurons decreased. In the oldest patients, most of the neurons in the sympathetic ganglia showed only pigment fluorescence but not FIF. The decrease of the perikaryonal catecholamine stores is interpreted as a degenerative change leading to impaired function of the neurons. The patterns of AChE did not change with age. The SIF cells were sparse and were mostly observed near the ganglia, forming paraganglia of varying size. Because of the rarity of the SIF cells, the effect of ageing could not be judged reliably.", "contents": "Effects of ageing on the histochemically demonstrable catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase of human sympathetic ganglia. The sympathetic ganglia of adult and aged humans were obtained during vascular, gynaecological and urological surgery, and studied using the formaldehyde-induced fluorescence (FIF) method for histochemical demonstration of catecholamines. Microspectrofluorimetry was applied to characterize the emission spectra of the flurophores. The sympathetic ganglia contained two types of cells exhibiting FIF: the adrenergic neurons and the small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells. The adrenergic neurons contained pigment granules exhibiting autofluorescence with emission maximum at 530---540 nm. The number of these granules increased with age while the FIF of the neurons decreased. In the oldest patients, most of the neurons in the sympathetic ganglia showed only pigment fluorescence but not FIF. The decrease of the perikaryonal catecholamine stores is interpreted as a degenerative change leading to impaired function of the neurons. The patterns of AChE did not change with age. The SIF cells were sparse and were mostly observed near the ganglia, forming paraganglia of varying size. Because of the rarity of the SIF cells, the effect of ageing could not be judged reliably.", "PMID": 632850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9608", "title": "The effect of levamisole on the canine central nervous system.", "content": "Levamisole was given orally to 3 groups of dogs, totaling 56 animals. Drug administration period varied from 1 to 120 days. All animals were killed and the central nervous system was examined histologically. Lesions were found in 44 of 56 dogs. These consisted of disseminated perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells throughout the brain and meninges. The severity of the perivascular cuffing varied considerably and could not be correlated to the length of the drug administration period nor to any other variables. There was no damage to the neural tissues associated with the perivascular cuffing. There was evidence of regression of the lesions whether levamisole treatment was continued or not. The changes observed in this study were considered to be related to the known immunomodulating properties of levamisole. The pathogenesis of this change in uncertain.", "contents": "The effect of levamisole on the canine central nervous system. Levamisole was given orally to 3 groups of dogs, totaling 56 animals. Drug administration period varied from 1 to 120 days. All animals were killed and the central nervous system was examined histologically. Lesions were found in 44 of 56 dogs. These consisted of disseminated perivascular cuffing with mononuclear cells throughout the brain and meninges. The severity of the perivascular cuffing varied considerably and could not be correlated to the length of the drug administration period nor to any other variables. There was no damage to the neural tissues associated with the perivascular cuffing. There was evidence of regression of the lesions whether levamisole treatment was continued or not. The changes observed in this study were considered to be related to the known immunomodulating properties of levamisole. The pathogenesis of this change in uncertain.", "PMID": 632846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9609", "title": "Postsynaptic specializations at excitatory and inhibitory cholinergic synapses.", "content": "In serial sections of neurons in the paravertebral ganglia of the frog (Limmodynastes dumerili), the postsynaptic structures termed 'postsynaptic bar' (PSB) and 'junctional subsurface organ' (JSO) were never observed in the same ganglion cell. Further, PSBs were found mostly in small ganglion cells (less than 22 micrometer), while JSOs were found mostly in large ganglion cells (up to 45 micrometer). Between 10 and 22 PSBs were located at both 'spine' and 'non-spinous' somatic synapses of the smaller ganglion cells; while 8 to 16 JSOs were located largely in the axon hillock region of the larger ganglion cells. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the two ganglion cell populations represent the B and C cell types defined according to electrophysiological data. Further, since the nerve terminals adjacent to both these postsynaptic structures appear to be cholinergic according to their vesicular content, this provides some basis for suggesting that JSOs are associated with slow excitatory synapses, while PSBs are present at slow inhibitory synapses.", "contents": "Postsynaptic specializations at excitatory and inhibitory cholinergic synapses. In serial sections of neurons in the paravertebral ganglia of the frog (Limmodynastes dumerili), the postsynaptic structures termed 'postsynaptic bar' (PSB) and 'junctional subsurface organ' (JSO) were never observed in the same ganglion cell. Further, PSBs were found mostly in small ganglion cells (less than 22 micrometer), while JSOs were found mostly in large ganglion cells (up to 45 micrometer). Between 10 and 22 PSBs were located at both 'spine' and 'non-spinous' somatic synapses of the smaller ganglion cells; while 8 to 16 JSOs were located largely in the axon hillock region of the larger ganglion cells. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the two ganglion cell populations represent the B and C cell types defined according to electrophysiological data. Further, since the nerve terminals adjacent to both these postsynaptic structures appear to be cholinergic according to their vesicular content, this provides some basis for suggesting that JSOs are associated with slow excitatory synapses, while PSBs are present at slow inhibitory synapses.", "PMID": 632851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9610", "title": "Muscle weakness caused by an iodine-deficient diet: investigation of a nutritional myopathy.", "content": "Newborn rats raised on a commercially available iodine-deficient diet developed severe muscle weakness, affecting predominantly their proximal hind limbs, that electrophysiologically and morphologically was determined to be myopathic in type. Follow-up dietary studies, utilizing different combinations of vitamins, minerals, casein and elemental iodine, demonstrated that the myopathy was the result of a deficiency of multiple dietary constituents, particularly casein, and was not due to a deficiency of iodine alone. These findings were compared with those observed in earlier investigations of a variety of nutritional myopathies. In the laboratory study of animals raised on experimental diets, it becomes important to consider the possible contributions of multiple dietary deficiencies in the evaluation of any abnormalities found.", "contents": "Muscle weakness caused by an iodine-deficient diet: investigation of a nutritional myopathy. Newborn rats raised on a commercially available iodine-deficient diet developed severe muscle weakness, affecting predominantly their proximal hind limbs, that electrophysiologically and morphologically was determined to be myopathic in type. Follow-up dietary studies, utilizing different combinations of vitamins, minerals, casein and elemental iodine, demonstrated that the myopathy was the result of a deficiency of multiple dietary constituents, particularly casein, and was not due to a deficiency of iodine alone. These findings were compared with those observed in earlier investigations of a variety of nutritional myopathies. In the laboratory study of animals raised on experimental diets, it becomes important to consider the possible contributions of multiple dietary deficiencies in the evaluation of any abnormalities found.", "PMID": 632848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9611", "title": "Effects of chronic deafferentation on adrenergic ganglion cells and small intensely fluorescent cells.", "content": "To determine the reaction of adrenergic ganglion cells and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells to chronic deafferentation, catecholamine fluorescence of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) of the rat has been studied following section of the hypogastric nerve, pelvic nerve and sympathetic trunk. Only minor changes occurred following section of the hypogastric nerve; the fluorescence surrounding a few adrenergic ganglion cells became brighter. In contrast, pelvic neurectomy resulted in the appearance of numerous varicose fibres and an increase in the fluorescent intensity of fibres enclosing many ganglion cells. Varicose fibres seem to originate from adrenergic ganglion cells and SIF cells. In many instances, nests of SIF cells gave rise to radially oriented fibres. Removal of the sympathetic trunk appeared to have no effect on the MPG. It is suggested that the appearance of varicose fibres from SIF cells following deafferentation may be due to collateral sprouting of these cells or to the increased fluorescence of pre-existing processes.", "contents": "Effects of chronic deafferentation on adrenergic ganglion cells and small intensely fluorescent cells. To determine the reaction of adrenergic ganglion cells and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells to chronic deafferentation, catecholamine fluorescence of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) of the rat has been studied following section of the hypogastric nerve, pelvic nerve and sympathetic trunk. Only minor changes occurred following section of the hypogastric nerve; the fluorescence surrounding a few adrenergic ganglion cells became brighter. In contrast, pelvic neurectomy resulted in the appearance of numerous varicose fibres and an increase in the fluorescent intensity of fibres enclosing many ganglion cells. Varicose fibres seem to originate from adrenergic ganglion cells and SIF cells. In many instances, nests of SIF cells gave rise to radially oriented fibres. Removal of the sympathetic trunk appeared to have no effect on the MPG. It is suggested that the appearance of varicose fibres from SIF cells following deafferentation may be due to collateral sprouting of these cells or to the increased fluorescence of pre-existing processes.", "PMID": 632852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9612", "title": "Lack of labelling of microglial cells following microinjection of [3H] beta-alanine: an electron microscopic autoradiographic study.", "content": "Following axotomy of the facial nerve, the uptake of [3H] beta-alanine into different types of glial cells in the facial nucleus was studied by autoradiography. A marked proliferation of microglial cells, predominantly in a satellite position to neurons, was accompanied by a localization of [3H] beta--alanine over astrocytes and oligodendrocytes but not over microglial cells. Microglial cells therefore appear to be a functionally distinct cell type and should not be classified with the macroglia.", "contents": "Lack of labelling of microglial cells following microinjection of [3H] beta-alanine: an electron microscopic autoradiographic study. Following axotomy of the facial nerve, the uptake of [3H] beta-alanine into different types of glial cells in the facial nucleus was studied by autoradiography. A marked proliferation of microglial cells, predominantly in a satellite position to neurons, was accompanied by a localization of [3H] beta--alanine over astrocytes and oligodendrocytes but not over microglial cells. Microglial cells therefore appear to be a functionally distinct cell type and should not be classified with the macroglia.", "PMID": 632853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9613", "title": "Intracranial pressure changes induced by sodium nitroprusside in patients with intracranial mass lesions.", "content": "Because of the ability of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to dilate cerebral blood vessels, intracranial pressure (ICP) should increase with its use. In patients with vascular intracranial tumors following SNP (0.01%) infusion, ICP increased from 14.58 +/- 1.85 to 27.61 +/- 3.33 torr (p greater than 0.0005) and cerebral perfusion pressure decreased from 89.32 +/- 3.5 to 43.23 +/- 4.60 torr (p less than 0.0005) when the mean arterial pressure had reduced by 33%. These results suggest that SNP not be used in patients with raised ICP unless previous measures have been taken to improve intracranial compliance.", "contents": "Intracranial pressure changes induced by sodium nitroprusside in patients with intracranial mass lesions. Because of the ability of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to dilate cerebral blood vessels, intracranial pressure (ICP) should increase with its use. In patients with vascular intracranial tumors following SNP (0.01%) infusion, ICP increased from 14.58 +/- 1.85 to 27.61 +/- 3.33 torr (p greater than 0.0005) and cerebral perfusion pressure decreased from 89.32 +/- 3.5 to 43.23 +/- 4.60 torr (p less than 0.0005) when the mean arterial pressure had reduced by 33%. These results suggest that SNP not be used in patients with raised ICP unless previous measures have been taken to improve intracranial compliance.", "PMID": 632856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9614", "title": "A nonlinear analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid system and intracranial pressure dynamics.", "content": "A mathematical model of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system was developed to help clarify the kinetics of the intracranial pressure (ICP). A general equation predicting the time course of pressure was derived in terms of four parameters: the intracranial compliance, dural sinus pressure, resistance to absorption, and CSF formation. These parameters were measured in the adult cat, and the equation was tested by comparing experimental and calculated values of the time course of pressure in response to volume changes. The theoretical and experimental results were in close agreement, and the role of each parameter in governing the dynamic equilibrium of the ICP was determined. From this analysis, dynamic tests were developed for rapid measurement of CSF formation, absorption resistance, and the bulk intracranial compliance. These techniques are applicable to clinical settings, providing data that are useful in characterizing the physiological mechanisms responsible for raised ICP and assessing changes induced by therapy.", "contents": "A nonlinear analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid system and intracranial pressure dynamics. A mathematical model of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system was developed to help clarify the kinetics of the intracranial pressure (ICP). A general equation predicting the time course of pressure was derived in terms of four parameters: the intracranial compliance, dural sinus pressure, resistance to absorption, and CSF formation. These parameters were measured in the adult cat, and the equation was tested by comparing experimental and calculated values of the time course of pressure in response to volume changes. The theoretical and experimental results were in close agreement, and the role of each parameter in governing the dynamic equilibrium of the ICP was determined. From this analysis, dynamic tests were developed for rapid measurement of CSF formation, absorption resistance, and the bulk intracranial compliance. These techniques are applicable to clinical settings, providing data that are useful in characterizing the physiological mechanisms responsible for raised ICP and assessing changes induced by therapy.", "PMID": 632857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9615", "title": "Long-term follow-up review of patients with acute and subacute subdural hematomas.", "content": "The authors present 149 patients suffering from acute (112) and subacute (37) subdural hematomas admitted during the 10-year period 1965 to 1974, with a follow-up period of 2 to 12 years. During the time of observation, 104 patients died and 45 survived; 73% of the patients with acute and 27% with subacute subdural hematomas died. Of the patients with an acute subdural hematoma, 11% went back to work, as against 32% of those with subacute subdural hematomas. The 5-year survival rate was 28% in patients with acute and 76% in patients with subacute subdural hematomas.", "contents": "Long-term follow-up review of patients with acute and subacute subdural hematomas. The authors present 149 patients suffering from acute (112) and subacute (37) subdural hematomas admitted during the 10-year period 1965 to 1974, with a follow-up period of 2 to 12 years. During the time of observation, 104 patients died and 45 survived; 73% of the patients with acute and 27% with subacute subdural hematomas died. Of the patients with an acute subdural hematoma, 11% went back to work, as against 32% of those with subacute subdural hematomas. The 5-year survival rate was 28% in patients with acute and 76% in patients with subacute subdural hematomas.", "PMID": 632858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9616", "title": "Surgical treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma with a brain metastasis.", "content": "Twenty-three patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and a brain metastasis had their primary and secondary tumors treated surgically. The 10 men and 13 women had an average age of 52 years. Fifteen patients presented with a lesion of the lung and eight patients presented initially with neurological findings of an intracranial mass lesion. The most common histological type of tumor was adenocarcinoma (48%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma, undifferentiated small cell carcinoma, and bronchoalveolar carcinoma. Twelve patients (52%) had a poor result and died during the first six months. Surgery appeared to improve short-term survival in six patients (26%). Five patients (22%) had a good result and lived longer than 2 years without significant neurological deficit. Three patients (13%) are alive 10 or more years following surgery.", "contents": "Surgical treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma with a brain metastasis. Twenty-three patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and a brain metastasis had their primary and secondary tumors treated surgically. The 10 men and 13 women had an average age of 52 years. Fifteen patients presented with a lesion of the lung and eight patients presented initially with neurological findings of an intracranial mass lesion. The most common histological type of tumor was adenocarcinoma (48%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma, undifferentiated small cell carcinoma, and bronchoalveolar carcinoma. Twelve patients (52%) had a poor result and died during the first six months. Surgery appeared to improve short-term survival in six patients (26%). Five patients (22%) had a good result and lived longer than 2 years without significant neurological deficit. Three patients (13%) are alive 10 or more years following surgery.", "PMID": 632859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9617", "title": "Intracranial air on computerized tomography.", "content": "Intracranial gas may be epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, parenchymal, or intraventricular. Intracranial air can be easily diagnosed and its location correctly assessed by computerized tomography. Potentially serious complications of intracranial air, such as tension pneumocephalus, can be rapidly and accurately identified, facilitating appropriate clinical therapy.", "contents": "Intracranial air on computerized tomography. Intracranial gas may be epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, parenchymal, or intraventricular. Intracranial air can be easily diagnosed and its location correctly assessed by computerized tomography. Potentially serious complications of intracranial air, such as tension pneumocephalus, can be rapidly and accurately identified, facilitating appropriate clinical therapy.", "PMID": 632860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9618", "title": "A comparison of radiographic methods of diagnosing constrictive lesions of the spinal canal. Toshiba unit vs. CT scanner.", "content": "With the advent of computerized tomography (CT), a new method of visualizing the spinal canal in cross-section has been created. Before the introduction of CT scanning, evaluation of the cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal canal was accomplished chiefly by the Toshiba unit. This study compares these two forms of tomography and discusses their relative effectiveness in diagnosing constrictive lesions of the spinal canal.", "contents": "A comparison of radiographic methods of diagnosing constrictive lesions of the spinal canal. Toshiba unit vs. CT scanner. With the advent of computerized tomography (CT), a new method of visualizing the spinal canal in cross-section has been created. Before the introduction of CT scanning, evaluation of the cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal canal was accomplished chiefly by the Toshiba unit. This study compares these two forms of tomography and discusses their relative effectiveness in diagnosing constrictive lesions of the spinal canal.", "PMID": 632861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9619", "title": "Experimental neurogenic pulmonary edema in cats.", "content": "Hemorrhagic pulmonary edema was produced consistently in 19 of 20 anesthetized, paralyzed, ventilated cats when intracranial pressure (ICP) was raised for 30 minutes by intraventricular infusion of mock CSF to 150 mm Hg in 14, or 200 mm Hg in six. However, under identical conditions, except that ICP was raised to only 100 mm Hg, three of seven animals did not develop hemorrhagic edema of the lungs and the remaining four had spotty hemorrhage. Thirteen control animals with normal ICP had normal lungs. Gravimetric lung water analysis by Pearce's method confirmed gross and microscopic appearance of hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. Extravascular lung water (p less than 0.05) and lung blood (p less than 0.05) were significantly greater than control values when ICP was raised to or exceeded 150 mm Hg. Despite hemorrhagic edema, pulmonary gas exchange (O2, CO2) remained unaffected. This animal model allows quantitative measurement of neurogenically-mediated hemorrhagic edema of the lungs before gas exchange is impaired. The model may facilitate clarification of the pathogenesis of neurogenic pulmonary edema and, consequently, refine evaluation of therapy.", "contents": "Experimental neurogenic pulmonary edema in cats. Hemorrhagic pulmonary edema was produced consistently in 19 of 20 anesthetized, paralyzed, ventilated cats when intracranial pressure (ICP) was raised for 30 minutes by intraventricular infusion of mock CSF to 150 mm Hg in 14, or 200 mm Hg in six. However, under identical conditions, except that ICP was raised to only 100 mm Hg, three of seven animals did not develop hemorrhagic edema of the lungs and the remaining four had spotty hemorrhage. Thirteen control animals with normal ICP had normal lungs. Gravimetric lung water analysis by Pearce's method confirmed gross and microscopic appearance of hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. Extravascular lung water (p less than 0.05) and lung blood (p less than 0.05) were significantly greater than control values when ICP was raised to or exceeded 150 mm Hg. Despite hemorrhagic edema, pulmonary gas exchange (O2, CO2) remained unaffected. This animal model allows quantitative measurement of neurogenically-mediated hemorrhagic edema of the lungs before gas exchange is impaired. The model may facilitate clarification of the pathogenesis of neurogenic pulmonary edema and, consequently, refine evaluation of therapy.", "PMID": 632862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9620", "title": "Microanatomy of the optic canal.", "content": "The human optic canal, an intricate anatomical structure with several normal variations, was studied in 83 individual cadaver specimens. The landmarks and dimensions of the adjacent structures were noted and correlated with surgical exposure of the area. The transorbital-ethmoidal route for extracranial decompression of the optic canal was also studied.", "contents": "Microanatomy of the optic canal. The human optic canal, an intricate anatomical structure with several normal variations, was studied in 83 individual cadaver specimens. The landmarks and dimensions of the adjacent structures were noted and correlated with surgical exposure of the area. The transorbital-ethmoidal route for extracranial decompression of the optic canal was also studied.", "PMID": 632864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9621", "title": "Fascicular nerve allograft evaluation. Part 1: comparison with autografts by light microscopy.", "content": "In a comparative experiment, transplantation of orthotopic nerve fascicle was performed on 100 sciatic nerves between inbred, antigenically identified rats. The authors studied cellular response, macrophage reaction, connective-tissue reaction, myelination, and distal/proximal axonal ratios, but no difference could be established between allografted and autografted fascicles after 2 months. Moreover, there was no evidence of any graded rejection phenomenon dependent on differences of tissue typing. Theories for the decreased antigenic reaction of nerve fascicles are proposed.", "contents": "Fascicular nerve allograft evaluation. Part 1: comparison with autografts by light microscopy. In a comparative experiment, transplantation of orthotopic nerve fascicle was performed on 100 sciatic nerves between inbred, antigenically identified rats. The authors studied cellular response, macrophage reaction, connective-tissue reaction, myelination, and distal/proximal axonal ratios, but no difference could be established between allografted and autografted fascicles after 2 months. Moreover, there was no evidence of any graded rejection phenomenon dependent on differences of tissue typing. Theories for the decreased antigenic reaction of nerve fascicles are proposed.", "PMID": 632865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9622", "title": "Fascicular nerve allograft evaluation. Part 2: comparison with whole-nerve allograft by light microscopy.", "content": "Orthotopic whole-nerve and fascicular nerve grafts were transplanted between inbred rats with known histocompatibility antigen structure. In general, the whole sciatic nerves demonstrated a graded rejection response dependent upon the degree of tissue histocompatibility differences. The fascicular grafts, however, had evidence of greatly decreased rejection and no stigma of a graded response dependent on degree of variability of tissue typing. Limitations of the experiment are outlined, and the possible avenues of further research are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Fascicular nerve allograft evaluation. Part 2: comparison with whole-nerve allograft by light microscopy. Orthotopic whole-nerve and fascicular nerve grafts were transplanted between inbred rats with known histocompatibility antigen structure. In general, the whole sciatic nerves demonstrated a graded rejection response dependent upon the degree of tissue histocompatibility differences. The fascicular grafts, however, had evidence of greatly decreased rejection and no stigma of a graded response dependent on degree of variability of tissue typing. Limitations of the experiment are outlined, and the possible avenues of further research are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 632866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9623", "title": "Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy with thalamic tumor of childhood. Case report.", "content": "A case of cerebral tumor with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy is presented and five previously reported cases are reviewed. The etiology of this entity is discussed on the basis of the symptomatological and clinicopathological findings noted in these six cases. It is suggested that ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy is due to thinning of the cerebral cortex with degeneration and disappearance of ganglion cells, demyelination in the subcortex, and destruction of axons. The mechanism proposed for ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy due to thalamic tumor is that thalamic tumor causes degeneration and disappearance of thalamic ganglion cells and nerve fibers, with consequent secondary Wallerian degeneration of afferent and projecting fibers from the thalamus as well as retrograde degeneration of efferent fibers, thus resulting in extensive atrophy of the cerebral cortex and subcortical tissue.", "contents": "Ipsilateral cerebral atrophy with thalamic tumor of childhood. Case report. A case of cerebral tumor with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy is presented and five previously reported cases are reviewed. The etiology of this entity is discussed on the basis of the symptomatological and clinicopathological findings noted in these six cases. It is suggested that ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy is due to thinning of the cerebral cortex with degeneration and disappearance of ganglion cells, demyelination in the subcortex, and destruction of axons. The mechanism proposed for ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy due to thalamic tumor is that thalamic tumor causes degeneration and disappearance of thalamic ganglion cells and nerve fibers, with consequent secondary Wallerian degeneration of afferent and projecting fibers from the thalamus as well as retrograde degeneration of efferent fibers, thus resulting in extensive atrophy of the cerebral cortex and subcortical tissue.", "PMID": 632867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9624", "title": "Spontaneous healing of intracranial aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report.", "content": "A case of spontaneous intra-aneurysmal thrombosis, verified angiographically, is reported in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage and without surgical intervention. The frequency of such an occurence and the factors involved are reviewed and discussed.", "contents": "Spontaneous healing of intracranial aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report. A case of spontaneous intra-aneurysmal thrombosis, verified angiographically, is reported in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage and without surgical intervention. The frequency of such an occurence and the factors involved are reviewed and discussed.", "PMID": 632868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9625", "title": "Anaerobic spinal epidural abscess. Case report.", "content": "An acute spinal epidural abscess is reported from which a pure growth of the anaerobe Fusobacterium necrophorum was isolated. The mode of infection and pathogen makes it unique. The literature concerning the bacteriology of epidural abscess and the implications of anaerobic epidural infection are discussed.", "contents": "Anaerobic spinal epidural abscess. Case report. An acute spinal epidural abscess is reported from which a pure growth of the anaerobe Fusobacterium necrophorum was isolated. The mode of infection and pathogen makes it unique. The literature concerning the bacteriology of epidural abscess and the implications of anaerobic epidural infection are discussed.", "PMID": 632869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9626", "title": "Intracranial extracerebral brain heterotopia. Case report.", "content": "The authors describe a case of intracranial heterotopic brain located on the medial one-third of the left sphenoid ridge, and enveloped in a huge cystic cavity. The heterotopic brain was resected successfully with satisfactory clinical results. The resected brain was 8 X 4 X 3 cm in diameter, of 7 or 8 months gestational age, and consisted of cerebrum, brain stem, and cerebellum. Anatomical and cytoarchitectural findings of the heterotopic brain are presented.", "contents": "Intracranial extracerebral brain heterotopia. Case report. The authors describe a case of intracranial heterotopic brain located on the medial one-third of the left sphenoid ridge, and enveloped in a huge cystic cavity. The heterotopic brain was resected successfully with satisfactory clinical results. The resected brain was 8 X 4 X 3 cm in diameter, of 7 or 8 months gestational age, and consisted of cerebrum, brain stem, and cerebellum. Anatomical and cytoarchitectural findings of the heterotopic brain are presented.", "PMID": 632870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9627", "title": "Intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the occipital bone with torcular obstruction. Case report.", "content": "The authors describe a patient with a giant occipital intradiploic epidermoid cyst with compression of the torcular and other posterior fossa structures.", "contents": "Intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the occipital bone with torcular obstruction. Case report. The authors describe a patient with a giant occipital intradiploic epidermoid cyst with compression of the torcular and other posterior fossa structures.", "PMID": 632871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9628", "title": "Sequential angiographic studies demonstrating delayed development of an acute epidural hematoma. Case report.", "content": "A case is presented in which the delayed development of an acute epidural hematoma within 12 hours of a head injury was documented by serial cerebral angiography. A possible mechanism for the delayed evolution of the epidural hematoma is discussed.", "contents": "Sequential angiographic studies demonstrating delayed development of an acute epidural hematoma. Case report. A case is presented in which the delayed development of an acute epidural hematoma within 12 hours of a head injury was documented by serial cerebral angiography. A possible mechanism for the delayed evolution of the epidural hematoma is discussed.", "PMID": 632872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9629", "title": "Cerebral artery spasm. A histological study at necropsy of the blood vessels in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage.", "content": "From a larger series of autopsies with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 20 cases were selected for the known complication of cerebral vasospasm. Evidence for vasospasm was radiological and pathological in 17 cases and pathological alone in three. A systematic histological examination of the large arteries in places known formerly to have been in spasm showed that, in the 12 early cases (death before 3 weeks), there were relevant changes in all the layers of the arterial wall, the most significant being evidence of necrosis in the tunica media. In the eight late cases (death after 3 weeks), in addition to the sequelae of the earlier acute changes, there was marked concentric intimal thickening by subendothelial fibrosis, again located in the segments of arteries formerly in spasm. Changes were also found in the small arteries, capillaries, and veins, both in the early and late cases but these changes, although striking, were thought to be caused by the ischemia due to the vasospasm; similar changes were also seen in the control cases with ischemia from arterial occlusion.", "contents": "Cerebral artery spasm. A histological study at necropsy of the blood vessels in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage. From a larger series of autopsies with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 20 cases were selected for the known complication of cerebral vasospasm. Evidence for vasospasm was radiological and pathological in 17 cases and pathological alone in three. A systematic histological examination of the large arteries in places known formerly to have been in spasm showed that, in the 12 early cases (death before 3 weeks), there were relevant changes in all the layers of the arterial wall, the most significant being evidence of necrosis in the tunica media. In the eight late cases (death after 3 weeks), in addition to the sequelae of the earlier acute changes, there was marked concentric intimal thickening by subendothelial fibrosis, again located in the segments of arteries formerly in spasm. Changes were also found in the small arteries, capillaries, and veins, both in the early and late cases but these changes, although striking, were thought to be caused by the ischemia due to the vasospasm; similar changes were also seen in the control cases with ischemia from arterial occlusion.", "PMID": 632876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9630", "title": "Carotid paraclinoid aneurysms with intradural origin and intracavernous location.", "content": "Five cases of a congenital berry aneurysm of the internal carotid artery with origin partially intradural and fundus mainly intracavernous are presented. Angiography does not allow a precise definition of the amount of aneurysm that is intradural, a fact of importance when planning treatment of these cases. However, the angiographic features are characteristics of the type and suggest that these aneurysms be grouped together as a separate entity.", "contents": "Carotid paraclinoid aneurysms with intradural origin and intracavernous location. Five cases of a congenital berry aneurysm of the internal carotid artery with origin partially intradural and fundus mainly intracavernous are presented. Angiography does not allow a precise definition of the amount of aneurysm that is intradural, a fact of importance when planning treatment of these cases. However, the angiographic features are characteristics of the type and suggest that these aneurysms be grouped together as a separate entity.", "PMID": 632877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9631", "title": "Vertebrobasilar spasm: a significant cause of neurological deficit in head injury.", "content": "Cerebral vasospasm in the anterior circulation has been recognized as a significant factor in the sequelae of head injury; however, vertebrobasilar spasm resulting from trauma has received much less attention. In the past year we have observed six patients where spasm in the major vessels of the posterior circulation was primarily or in part responsible for the neurological deficit. In such cases, the neurological examination may suggest a supratentorial mass with herniation and, in three of our cases, burr holes or carotid angiography were performed first. However, in every instance neurological signs present on admission indicated primary brain-stem dysfunction. In each of the six cases vertebral angiography demonstrated significant spasm in either the vertebral or basilar arteries. Intracranial pressure was monitored in each of the six patients and did not exceed 25 mm Hg in any. In cases of head injury where the neurological examination indicates brain-stem dysfunction inconsistent with or after a supratentorial mass has been excluded, vertebral angiography may aid in the diagnosis and subsequent management of such patients.", "contents": "Vertebrobasilar spasm: a significant cause of neurological deficit in head injury. Cerebral vasospasm in the anterior circulation has been recognized as a significant factor in the sequelae of head injury; however, vertebrobasilar spasm resulting from trauma has received much less attention. In the past year we have observed six patients where spasm in the major vessels of the posterior circulation was primarily or in part responsible for the neurological deficit. In such cases, the neurological examination may suggest a supratentorial mass with herniation and, in three of our cases, burr holes or carotid angiography were performed first. However, in every instance neurological signs present on admission indicated primary brain-stem dysfunction. In each of the six cases vertebral angiography demonstrated significant spasm in either the vertebral or basilar arteries. Intracranial pressure was monitored in each of the six patients and did not exceed 25 mm Hg in any. In cases of head injury where the neurological examination indicates brain-stem dysfunction inconsistent with or after a supratentorial mass has been excluded, vertebral angiography may aid in the diagnosis and subsequent management of such patients.", "PMID": 632879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9632", "title": "Moyamoya disease associated with aneurysm.", "content": "Five cases of moyamoya disease associated with aneurysm are reported. In three cases, the aneurysms were located at the peripheral portion of the posterior choroidal artery, and in two at the basilar artery. Based on these cases, the symptoms and mechanisms of formation of aneurysms in moyamoya disease are discussed.", "contents": "Moyamoya disease associated with aneurysm. Five cases of moyamoya disease associated with aneurysm are reported. In three cases, the aneurysms were located at the peripheral portion of the posterior choroidal artery, and in two at the basilar artery. Based on these cases, the symptoms and mechanisms of formation of aneurysms in moyamoya disease are discussed.", "PMID": 632880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9633", "title": "Aphasia and left thalamic hemorrhage.", "content": "Left thalamic hemorrhage as a cause of aphasia has not been widely recognized. Large thalamic hemorrhages cause coma, making speech examination impossible; smaller thalamic hemorrhages were difficult to document until recent diagnostic advances. Nine cases of thalamic hemorrhage with aphasia have been described in the literature. This report presents four additional cases. These patients had acute onset of aphasia, supranuclear paralysis of upward gaze, right hemisensory deficits, and mild right hemiparesis. Three of the four patients responded to ventriculostomy drainage with rapid clearing of the supranuclear paralysis of upward gaze, and two later required placement of permanent ventricular shunts. After 1 year, two patients exhibited no clinically detectable speech malfunction and the other two were severely aphasic. The hemiparesis, hemisensory deficits, and ocular pareses all cleared. These cases are discussed with respect to present models of the role of the thalamus in speech.", "contents": "Aphasia and left thalamic hemorrhage. Left thalamic hemorrhage as a cause of aphasia has not been widely recognized. Large thalamic hemorrhages cause coma, making speech examination impossible; smaller thalamic hemorrhages were difficult to document until recent diagnostic advances. Nine cases of thalamic hemorrhage with aphasia have been described in the literature. This report presents four additional cases. These patients had acute onset of aphasia, supranuclear paralysis of upward gaze, right hemisensory deficits, and mild right hemiparesis. Three of the four patients responded to ventriculostomy drainage with rapid clearing of the supranuclear paralysis of upward gaze, and two later required placement of permanent ventricular shunts. After 1 year, two patients exhibited no clinically detectable speech malfunction and the other two were severely aphasic. The hemiparesis, hemisensory deficits, and ocular pareses all cleared. These cases are discussed with respect to present models of the role of the thalamus in speech.", "PMID": 632881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9634", "title": "Cerebellar hemorrhage in adults. Diagnosis by computerized tomography.", "content": "A series of 10 adult patients with cerebellar hemorrhage diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT) is described. Hypertension was the most common etiological factor, accounting for 70% of the cases. The clinical presentation appeared to fall into two basic groups. The first group (60% of the cases) ran a progressive course with early brain-stem compression. The second group had a benign course with findings of focal cerebellar dysfunction. The CT findings reflected the two clinical categories. The scans of Group 1 patients revealed a lorge hematoma (greater to or equal to 3cm) and substantial ventricular dilatation. In contrast, scans of Group 2 patients demonstrated a small hematoma (less than 3 cm) without ventricular dilatation. Use of CT scanning allowed the accurate diffferentiation of cerebellar hemorrhage from primary brain-stem and intraventricular hemorrhage. The findings of the CT investigations proved very helpful in defining appropriate therapy.", "contents": "Cerebellar hemorrhage in adults. Diagnosis by computerized tomography. A series of 10 adult patients with cerebellar hemorrhage diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT) is described. Hypertension was the most common etiological factor, accounting for 70% of the cases. The clinical presentation appeared to fall into two basic groups. The first group (60% of the cases) ran a progressive course with early brain-stem compression. The second group had a benign course with findings of focal cerebellar dysfunction. The CT findings reflected the two clinical categories. The scans of Group 1 patients revealed a lorge hematoma (greater to or equal to 3cm) and substantial ventricular dilatation. In contrast, scans of Group 2 patients demonstrated a small hematoma (less than 3 cm) without ventricular dilatation. Use of CT scanning allowed the accurate diffferentiation of cerebellar hemorrhage from primary brain-stem and intraventricular hemorrhage. The findings of the CT investigations proved very helpful in defining appropriate therapy.", "PMID": 632882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9635", "title": "Variations in response of human brain tumors to BCNU in vitro.", "content": "A microtiter assay was used to study the sensitivity of 24 cultured human astrocytomas to the chemotherapeutic agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosourea (BCNU). The tumor cell lines testes originated from patients who were being treated with post-operative chemotherapy within the past 24 months. At a dose level comparable to the maximum in vivo therapeutic dose level, 18 of the 24 cell lines tested showed a significant response to the drug. If in vitro response can eventually be correlated with clinical response, this microtiter assay could help to form a basis for planning more specific chemotherapeutic treatment.", "contents": "Variations in response of human brain tumors to BCNU in vitro. A microtiter assay was used to study the sensitivity of 24 cultured human astrocytomas to the chemotherapeutic agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosourea (BCNU). The tumor cell lines testes originated from patients who were being treated with post-operative chemotherapy within the past 24 months. At a dose level comparable to the maximum in vivo therapeutic dose level, 18 of the 24 cell lines tested showed a significant response to the drug. If in vitro response can eventually be correlated with clinical response, this microtiter assay could help to form a basis for planning more specific chemotherapeutic treatment.", "PMID": 632883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9636", "title": "The effect of dexamethasone on electroencephalograms in patients with brain tumors with specific reference to topographic computer display of delta activity.", "content": "Nine patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors were examined with topographic computer display of delta activity before and after administration of dexamethasone. In six cases with primary malignant or metastatic brain tumors a diminution of delta distribution was observed following intravenous administration of dexamethasone, and no significant changes of the topographic map of the delta wave were obtained in two cases of benign brain tumor without clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure. Some of the changes of delta activities are believed to be correlated with the amount of peritumor edema. It is noteworthy that the change of focal delta activities by steroid was detected 20 minutes after administration.", "contents": "The effect of dexamethasone on electroencephalograms in patients with brain tumors with specific reference to topographic computer display of delta activity. Nine patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors were examined with topographic computer display of delta activity before and after administration of dexamethasone. In six cases with primary malignant or metastatic brain tumors a diminution of delta distribution was observed following intravenous administration of dexamethasone, and no significant changes of the topographic map of the delta wave were obtained in two cases of benign brain tumor without clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure. Some of the changes of delta activities are believed to be correlated with the amount of peritumor edema. It is noteworthy that the change of focal delta activities by steroid was detected 20 minutes after administration.", "PMID": 632884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9637", "title": "Surface ultrastructure of tissues occluding ventricular catheters.", "content": "Specimens of material occluding ventricular catheters removed at shunt revision operations were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Immediate fixation allowed examination of human choroid plexus and ependyma which resembled living tissue.", "contents": "Surface ultrastructure of tissues occluding ventricular catheters. Specimens of material occluding ventricular catheters removed at shunt revision operations were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Immediate fixation allowed examination of human choroid plexus and ependyma which resembled living tissue.", "PMID": 632885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9638", "title": "Malignant astrocytoma following radiotherapy of a craniopharyngoima. Case report.", "content": "A 9-year-old schoolgirl received 6007 rads to the suprasellar region for craniopharyngioma. Five years later, a malignant astrocytoma developed in the right temporal lobe. We cite clinical and experimental evidence to support our suspicion that the glioma may have been induced by radiation.", "contents": "Malignant astrocytoma following radiotherapy of a craniopharyngoima. Case report. A 9-year-old schoolgirl received 6007 rads to the suprasellar region for craniopharyngioma. Five years later, a malignant astrocytoma developed in the right temporal lobe. We cite clinical and experimental evidence to support our suspicion that the glioma may have been induced by radiation.", "PMID": 632887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9639", "title": "Infantile retrocerebellar cyst with immature neural tissue. Case report.", "content": "A retrocerebellar cyst was excised from a 17-day-old infant with hydrocephalus. The cyst wall contained not only ependyma-like epithelium, choroid plexus tufts, and glial rests, but also prominent areas of immature neural tissue.", "contents": "Infantile retrocerebellar cyst with immature neural tissue. Case report. A retrocerebellar cyst was excised from a 17-day-old infant with hydrocephalus. The cyst wall contained not only ependyma-like epithelium, choroid plexus tufts, and glial rests, but also prominent areas of immature neural tissue.", "PMID": 632888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9640", "title": "Spinal intramedullary metastatic medulloblastoma. Case report.", "content": "Metastatic spread of medulloblastoma along the neuraxis by leptomeningeal seeding through the cerebrospinal fluid pathways is well known. The occurrence of extracranial metastases outside the neuraxis has been well established, but the occurrence of intramedullary spinal cord metastases not related to surface seeding is rare. A histologically documented case of the latter type is described.", "contents": "Spinal intramedullary metastatic medulloblastoma. Case report. Metastatic spread of medulloblastoma along the neuraxis by leptomeningeal seeding through the cerebrospinal fluid pathways is well known. The occurrence of extracranial metastases outside the neuraxis has been well established, but the occurrence of intramedullary spinal cord metastases not related to surface seeding is rare. A histologically documented case of the latter type is described.", "PMID": 632889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9641", "title": "Atlantooccipital instability. Case report.", "content": "A patient is presented who had neck pain and transient episodes of visual-field defect followed by unconsciousness when he hyperextended his neck. Radiographic examination revealed atlantooccipital instability on flexion and extension views. Treatment by fusion of the occiput to C-2 resulted in relief of symptoms.", "contents": "Atlantooccipital instability. Case report. A patient is presented who had neck pain and transient episodes of visual-field defect followed by unconsciousness when he hyperextended his neck. Radiographic examination revealed atlantooccipital instability on flexion and extension views. Treatment by fusion of the occiput to C-2 resulted in relief of symptoms.", "PMID": 632890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9642", "title": "Foramen magnum syndrome caused by a giant aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebral artery. Case report.", "content": "The authors present a case of giant aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. It was successfully excised with reversal of neurological deficits.", "contents": "Foramen magnum syndrome caused by a giant aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebral artery. Case report. The authors present a case of giant aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. It was successfully excised with reversal of neurological deficits.", "PMID": 632891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9643", "title": "Basal rupture of saccular aneurysm. A pathological case report.", "content": "In a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the arteries of the circle of Willis were left undisturbed and undissected at postmortem examination. A block of frontal lobe tissue with the attached vessels was serially sectioned disclosing in its entirety a saccular aneurysm that had ruptured at the base rather than the dome. The histology of the hemostatic process was clearly depicted.", "contents": "Basal rupture of saccular aneurysm. A pathological case report. In a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the arteries of the circle of Willis were left undisturbed and undissected at postmortem examination. A block of frontal lobe tissue with the attached vessels was serially sectioned disclosing in its entirety a saccular aneurysm that had ruptured at the base rather than the dome. The histology of the hemostatic process was clearly depicted.", "PMID": 632892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9644", "title": "Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage during myelography. Case report.", "content": "Neoplasms of the conus medullaris and cauda equina have been shown to cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In such instances, the hemorrhage has been the presenting symptom. A patient with a neurofibrom at T12-L1 experienced spinal SAH during myelography for suspected lumbar disc disease. The roentgenograms showing the lesion itself first and the subarachnoid clot subsequently may be unique. The cause of hemorrhage in this patient may have been the shearing of bridging capsular veins because of diminished cerebrospinal fluid pressure below the almost obstructing lesion.", "contents": "Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage during myelography. Case report. Neoplasms of the conus medullaris and cauda equina have been shown to cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In such instances, the hemorrhage has been the presenting symptom. A patient with a neurofibrom at T12-L1 experienced spinal SAH during myelography for suspected lumbar disc disease. The roentgenograms showing the lesion itself first and the subarachnoid clot subsequently may be unique. The cause of hemorrhage in this patient may have been the shearing of bridging capsular veins because of diminished cerebrospinal fluid pressure below the almost obstructing lesion.", "PMID": 632893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9645", "title": "Xanthogranulomas of the choroid plexus in a neuro-epileptic child. Case report.", "content": "Bilateral xanthogranulomas arising from both choroid plexues were found in a 6-year-old child with epileptic seizures and psychomotor retardation. Both masses were surgically removed without adding any neurological deficits. The xanthogranulomas were fairly large, and the posterior part of both lateral ventricles were slightly dilated, but clinical symptoms and the location of the xanthogranulomas could not be clearly correlated in this case.", "contents": "Xanthogranulomas of the choroid plexus in a neuro-epileptic child. Case report. Bilateral xanthogranulomas arising from both choroid plexues were found in a 6-year-old child with epileptic seizures and psychomotor retardation. Both masses were surgically removed without adding any neurological deficits. The xanthogranulomas were fairly large, and the posterior part of both lateral ventricles were slightly dilated, but clinical symptoms and the location of the xanthogranulomas could not be clearly correlated in this case.", "PMID": 632894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9646", "title": "A newly designed multipurpose microneurosurgical head frame. Technical note.", "content": "A new multipurpose head frame has been designed for microneurosurgery. It consists of a head holder with a frame to hold self-retaining brain retractors, hand rests, instrument holders, a plate for cotton patties, and skin-flap retractors. It has been satisfactorily used in 100 operations for 1 year.", "contents": "A newly designed multipurpose microneurosurgical head frame. Technical note. A new multipurpose head frame has been designed for microneurosurgery. It consists of a head holder with a frame to hold self-retaining brain retractors, hand rests, instrument holders, a plate for cotton patties, and skin-flap retractors. It has been satisfactorily used in 100 operations for 1 year.", "PMID": 632895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9647", "title": "Scintigraphic detection of congenital intracranial vascular malformations.", "content": "Nine children with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and a tenth with a cerebral aneurysm, had computer-processed dynamic scintigraphy with static scintigrams, transmission computed tomography (CT) both with and without contrast injection, and radiopaque cerebral angiography. All ten lesions were detected by dynamic scintigraphy and angiography, whereas two AVMs were missed on CT scans and the aneurysm and two AVMs (one missed by CT) were not identified on static scintigrams. Time-activity curves generated from regions of interest placed over the cerebral hemispheres, AVMs and/or various venous structures permitted, respectively, estimation of interhemispheric partition of perfusion, estimation of the fraction of total cerebral hemispheric perfusion preferentially directed into a malformation, and indication of the route of venous drainage from the lesions. While dynamic scintigraphy and CT scanning both identified the aneurysm, scintigraphy was the most effective screening test for detecting AVMs owing to its accuracy, lower cost, and lack of required anesthesia, heavy sedation or iodinated contrast agents.", "contents": "Scintigraphic detection of congenital intracranial vascular malformations. Nine children with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and a tenth with a cerebral aneurysm, had computer-processed dynamic scintigraphy with static scintigrams, transmission computed tomography (CT) both with and without contrast injection, and radiopaque cerebral angiography. All ten lesions were detected by dynamic scintigraphy and angiography, whereas two AVMs were missed on CT scans and the aneurysm and two AVMs (one missed by CT) were not identified on static scintigrams. Time-activity curves generated from regions of interest placed over the cerebral hemispheres, AVMs and/or various venous structures permitted, respectively, estimation of interhemispheric partition of perfusion, estimation of the fraction of total cerebral hemispheric perfusion preferentially directed into a malformation, and indication of the route of venous drainage from the lesions. While dynamic scintigraphy and CT scanning both identified the aneurysm, scintigraphy was the most effective screening test for detecting AVMs owing to its accuracy, lower cost, and lack of required anesthesia, heavy sedation or iodinated contrast agents.", "PMID": 632899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9648", "title": "The role of bone scanning in osteomalacia.", "content": "The presence of eight \"metabolic features\" was assessed on the bone scintigrams of ten patients with osteomalacia. In all of these bone images, sufficient features were present to strongly suggest a metabolic disorder. There scintiphotos were included in a controlled blind study using 30 normal bone scans and 20 scans of metastatic disease. Nine of the ten metabolic bone images were correctly identified by two independent observers. Skeletal uptake of radiotracer, expressed as bone-to-soft tissue ratio, was significantly higher in the osteomalacic patients than in a group of 80 controls.", "contents": "The role of bone scanning in osteomalacia. The presence of eight \"metabolic features\" was assessed on the bone scintigrams of ten patients with osteomalacia. In all of these bone images, sufficient features were present to strongly suggest a metabolic disorder. There scintiphotos were included in a controlled blind study using 30 normal bone scans and 20 scans of metastatic disease. Nine of the ten metabolic bone images were correctly identified by two independent observers. Skeletal uptake of radiotracer, expressed as bone-to-soft tissue ratio, was significantly higher in the osteomalacic patients than in a group of 80 controls.", "PMID": 632900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9649", "title": "The predictive value of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after stress in patients without previous myocardial infarction.", "content": "Seventy-five patients who had chest pain but no history or ECG evidence of myocardial infarction (MI) underwent myocardial-stress perfusion scintigraphy (MSPS) with thallium-201, treadmill-stress testing (TST), and coronary cineangiography (CA). The sensitivities of MSPS and TST for coronary stenosis greater than or equal to 75% were 68% and 71%, respectively; their specificities were 97% and 79%, respectively (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). When the character of a patient's chest pain is considered, Bayesian analysis leads to the following conclusions: (a) MSPS can be useful in pre-CA screening of patients with chest pain but no MI if their pain is thought to be of uncertain or nonischemic origin: (b) the sensitivity of Tl-201 MSPS is not sufficient for pre-CA screening of patients without MI who have typical or atypical angina pectoris; (c) the sensitivity of MSPS would have to be approximately 95% in order for the test to be useful in pre-CA screening of patients who have atypical angina pectoris; (d) MSPS may be superior to TST in these applications; and (e) it is not clear that there is any advantage in combining MSPS and TST into a single screening test rather than using MSPS alone.", "contents": "The predictive value of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after stress in patients without previous myocardial infarction. Seventy-five patients who had chest pain but no history or ECG evidence of myocardial infarction (MI) underwent myocardial-stress perfusion scintigraphy (MSPS) with thallium-201, treadmill-stress testing (TST), and coronary cineangiography (CA). The sensitivities of MSPS and TST for coronary stenosis greater than or equal to 75% were 68% and 71%, respectively; their specificities were 97% and 79%, respectively (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). When the character of a patient's chest pain is considered, Bayesian analysis leads to the following conclusions: (a) MSPS can be useful in pre-CA screening of patients with chest pain but no MI if their pain is thought to be of uncertain or nonischemic origin: (b) the sensitivity of Tl-201 MSPS is not sufficient for pre-CA screening of patients without MI who have typical or atypical angina pectoris; (c) the sensitivity of MSPS would have to be approximately 95% in order for the test to be useful in pre-CA screening of patients who have atypical angina pectoris; (d) MSPS may be superior to TST in these applications; and (e) it is not clear that there is any advantage in combining MSPS and TST into a single screening test rather than using MSPS alone.", "PMID": 632901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9650", "title": "Techniques and errors in scintigraphic measurements of gastric emptying.", "content": "For the monitoring of gastric emptying, a gamma camera or scanner operating from one side of the patient is subject to variations of counting efficiency due to the changing depth of radioactivity. A double-headed scanner was used to investigate the effects of such changes. Tc-99m and In-113m were used as labels for the solid and liquid components of a meal. It was found that the depth of Tc-99m within the stomach decreased by a mean of 13 mm during the first half hour of emptying. Anterior detection alone underestimated emptying rates by an average of 26%. Death changes also introduced errors into \"early emptying\" measurements made unilaterally. Such artifacts of measurement may compromise mathematical analyses of emptying patterns.", "contents": "Techniques and errors in scintigraphic measurements of gastric emptying. For the monitoring of gastric emptying, a gamma camera or scanner operating from one side of the patient is subject to variations of counting efficiency due to the changing depth of radioactivity. A double-headed scanner was used to investigate the effects of such changes. Tc-99m and In-113m were used as labels for the solid and liquid components of a meal. It was found that the depth of Tc-99m within the stomach decreased by a mean of 13 mm during the first half hour of emptying. Anterior detection alone underestimated emptying rates by an average of 26%. Death changes also introduced errors into \"early emptying\" measurements made unilaterally. Such artifacts of measurement may compromise mathematical analyses of emptying patterns.", "PMID": 632902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9651", "title": "The complementary role of gallium citrate imaging and computed tomography in the evaluation of suspected abdominal infection.", "content": "Fifteen patients with a suspected abdominal abscess were examined by both gallium-67 and computed tomographic scanning. The Ga-67 scan was a useful screening examination, correctly identifying all eight cases of infection, whereas the CT scan missed one case of a pericecal phlegmon. Misdiagnosis of infection by Ga-67 scan occurred in 2/8 cases without infection but the CT scan correctly identified all noninfected patients. While this series is too small to decide whether there is significant difference in the ability of the two procedures to suggest the correct diagnosis, it is felt that Ga-67 and subsequent CT scans may be complementary in that a Ga-67 scan can initially locate the abnormality and thus direct the CT scan, which can confirm the diagnosis or avoid a misinterpretation of the Ga-67 scan. Computed tomography also provides more anatomical detail, better location of the lesion, and demonsrates lesions noninfectious in nature.", "contents": "The complementary role of gallium citrate imaging and computed tomography in the evaluation of suspected abdominal infection. Fifteen patients with a suspected abdominal abscess were examined by both gallium-67 and computed tomographic scanning. The Ga-67 scan was a useful screening examination, correctly identifying all eight cases of infection, whereas the CT scan missed one case of a pericecal phlegmon. Misdiagnosis of infection by Ga-67 scan occurred in 2/8 cases without infection but the CT scan correctly identified all noninfected patients. While this series is too small to decide whether there is significant difference in the ability of the two procedures to suggest the correct diagnosis, it is felt that Ga-67 and subsequent CT scans may be complementary in that a Ga-67 scan can initially locate the abnormality and thus direct the CT scan, which can confirm the diagnosis or avoid a misinterpretation of the Ga-67 scan. Computed tomography also provides more anatomical detail, better location of the lesion, and demonsrates lesions noninfectious in nature.", "PMID": 632903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9652", "title": "Human reaction to bovine TSH: concise communication.", "content": "The incidence of allergic reactions to bovine TSH and its relation to dose have been studied in 42 patients with thyroid cancer who had total ablation of functioning thyroidal tissue and have been followed prospectively for up to 25 yr. Of these patients, 43% showed an allergic reaction to bovine TSH. The remaining 57% have shown no reaction, even though they have received cumulative TSH doses larger than those who did show a reaction. The reaction rate is linear up to a cumulative dose of 150 units and is not dose-related therafter.", "contents": "Human reaction to bovine TSH: concise communication. The incidence of allergic reactions to bovine TSH and its relation to dose have been studied in 42 patients with thyroid cancer who had total ablation of functioning thyroidal tissue and have been followed prospectively for up to 25 yr. Of these patients, 43% showed an allergic reaction to bovine TSH. The remaining 57% have shown no reaction, even though they have received cumulative TSH doses larger than those who did show a reaction. The reaction rate is linear up to a cumulative dose of 150 units and is not dose-related therafter.", "PMID": 632904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9653", "title": "Radionuclide study in pulmonary sequestration.", "content": "A radionuclide hemodynamic study was helpful in demonstrating blood supply from the aberrant artery in pulmonary sequestration. Two regions of interest were set up in corresponding lower lung fields of a patient suspected of sequestration in the left lower lobe. Following i.v. injection of Tc-99m albumin, radioactively appeared in the the left target area 8-10 sec behind that on the right. This delay is due to the systemic arterial supply to the sequestration, rather than through the pulmonary artery.", "contents": "Radionuclide study in pulmonary sequestration. A radionuclide hemodynamic study was helpful in demonstrating blood supply from the aberrant artery in pulmonary sequestration. Two regions of interest were set up in corresponding lower lung fields of a patient suspected of sequestration in the left lower lobe. Following i.v. injection of Tc-99m albumin, radioactively appeared in the the left target area 8-10 sec behind that on the right. This delay is due to the systemic arterial supply to the sequestration, rather than through the pulmonary artery.", "PMID": 632905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9654", "title": "Focally accentuated uptake in an area of increased activity in tc-99m HEDP brain scans.", "content": "Brain scans performed with Tc-99m HEDP in two patients with suspected intracranial lesions showed abnormal uptake characterized by a focal area of accentuated concentration in a region of increased radioactivity. Surgery revelaed that the focal uptake represented the attachment of meningioma and the general region of increased activity corresponded to the meningioma itself.", "contents": "Focally accentuated uptake in an area of increased activity in tc-99m HEDP brain scans. Brain scans performed with Tc-99m HEDP in two patients with suspected intracranial lesions showed abnormal uptake characterized by a focal area of accentuated concentration in a region of increased radioactivity. Surgery revelaed that the focal uptake represented the attachment of meningioma and the general region of increased activity corresponded to the meningioma itself.", "PMID": 632906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9655", "title": "Localization of Ga-67 in inflammations in the absence of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes.", "content": "Two cases are reported in whom there were no circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, on peripheral blood smears, at the time when Ga-67 citrate studies were carried out. In both of these women, Ga-67 accumulated at sites of inflammation. This shows that nonpolymorphonuclear pathways are sufficient to deliver Ga-67 and to allow its accumulation. The possible roles of lymphocytes or of noncellular pathways (such as transferrin to tissue lactoferrin) are mentioned.", "contents": "Localization of Ga-67 in inflammations in the absence of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Two cases are reported in whom there were no circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, on peripheral blood smears, at the time when Ga-67 citrate studies were carried out. In both of these women, Ga-67 accumulated at sites of inflammation. This shows that nonpolymorphonuclear pathways are sufficient to deliver Ga-67 and to allow its accumulation. The possible roles of lymphocytes or of noncellular pathways (such as transferrin to tissue lactoferrin) are mentioned.", "PMID": 632907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9656", "title": "Comparative evaluation of fatty acids labeled with C-11, Cl-34m, Br-77, and I-123 for metabolic studies of the myocardium: concise communication.", "content": "Various long-chain fatty acids have been labeled with C-11, Cl-34m, Br-77, and I-123 and evaluated for their potential application in measuring myocardial metabolism in vivo. Comparative studies of the kinetics of accumulation and clearance from the heart muscle of mice indicate that the extraction of omega-halofatty acids is more efficient than that of alpha-halofatty acids. Among the omega-halofatty acids, the highest uptake is observed for the 17-iodoheptadecanoic acid, which shows an extraction behavior almost identical to that of [1-11C] palmitic acid, although with a higher radioactivity level in blood due to the release of free iodide.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of fatty acids labeled with C-11, Cl-34m, Br-77, and I-123 for metabolic studies of the myocardium: concise communication. Various long-chain fatty acids have been labeled with C-11, Cl-34m, Br-77, and I-123 and evaluated for their potential application in measuring myocardial metabolism in vivo. Comparative studies of the kinetics of accumulation and clearance from the heart muscle of mice indicate that the extraction of omega-halofatty acids is more efficient than that of alpha-halofatty acids. Among the omega-halofatty acids, the highest uptake is observed for the 17-iodoheptadecanoic acid, which shows an extraction behavior almost identical to that of [1-11C] palmitic acid, although with a higher radioactivity level in blood due to the release of free iodide.", "PMID": 632908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9657", "title": "Quantitative potentials of dynamic emission computed tomography.", "content": "Statistical uncertainties in emission computed tomography were simulated in 60 computer studies involving various numbers of events and distributions of activity. Previous studies have shown that for a uniform disc of activity of rms percentage of uncertainty per resolution cell is: 120 X (number of resolution cells)1/4 X (number of events per resolution cell)- 1/2. In this work we examined the more general situation where one or two regions of uniform activity are surrounded by a uniform background, and found that for an equal number of recorded events the uncertainties were reduced when the activity was concentrated in a portion of the field. The empirical relation rms % uncertainty in nt = 120(N)1/4(nt)-3/4, where nt is the number of events in an average target (organ) resolution cell and N is the total number of events recorded, satisfactorily described the relationships between uncertainties, contrast, total number of detected events, and number of resolution cells for all 60 computer studies. By means of this relation, we show the theoretical possibility of gated cardiac imaging with 20% uncertainty in 1 cm X 1 cm regions, and of 1-sec cerebral blood-flow images with 20% uncertainty in 2 cm X 2 cm regions.", "contents": "Quantitative potentials of dynamic emission computed tomography. Statistical uncertainties in emission computed tomography were simulated in 60 computer studies involving various numbers of events and distributions of activity. Previous studies have shown that for a uniform disc of activity of rms percentage of uncertainty per resolution cell is: 120 X (number of resolution cells)1/4 X (number of events per resolution cell)- 1/2. In this work we examined the more general situation where one or two regions of uniform activity are surrounded by a uniform background, and found that for an equal number of recorded events the uncertainties were reduced when the activity was concentrated in a portion of the field. The empirical relation rms % uncertainty in nt = 120(N)1/4(nt)-3/4, where nt is the number of events in an average target (organ) resolution cell and N is the total number of events recorded, satisfactorily described the relationships between uncertainties, contrast, total number of detected events, and number of resolution cells for all 60 computer studies. By means of this relation, we show the theoretical possibility of gated cardiac imaging with 20% uncertainty in 1 cm X 1 cm regions, and of 1-sec cerebral blood-flow images with 20% uncertainty in 2 cm X 2 cm regions.", "PMID": 632910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9658", "title": "Implementation of a digital image superposition algorithm for radionuclide images: an assessment of its accuracy and reproducibility.", "content": "An operator-interactive algorithm to achieve superposition of organ images has been used with a dedicated nuclear medicine computer system. Its purpose is to achieve organ registration in 128 X 128 digitized images before a direct numerical comparison of the regional distribution of a deposited radiotracer is performed. The accuracy and reproducibility of the algorithm for myocardial images has been tested by four operators, using a set of 28 image pairs in which the relative position of the heart differed by more than 10 mm for each pair. Comparing their results with the known displacements on two occasions provided an assessment of these two important parameters. The accuracy and reproducibility for superposing myocardial images by this digital technique are found to be well within the spatial resolution (FWHM) of the imaging system of the Tl-201 tracer studied.", "contents": "Implementation of a digital image superposition algorithm for radionuclide images: an assessment of its accuracy and reproducibility. An operator-interactive algorithm to achieve superposition of organ images has been used with a dedicated nuclear medicine computer system. Its purpose is to achieve organ registration in 128 X 128 digitized images before a direct numerical comparison of the regional distribution of a deposited radiotracer is performed. The accuracy and reproducibility of the algorithm for myocardial images has been tested by four operators, using a set of 28 image pairs in which the relative position of the heart differed by more than 10 mm for each pair. Comparing their results with the known displacements on two occasions provided an assessment of these two important parameters. The accuracy and reproducibility for superposing myocardial images by this digital technique are found to be well within the spatial resolution (FWHM) of the imaging system of the Tl-201 tracer studied.", "PMID": 632911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9659", "title": "Inexpensive EKG gate for computer-processed cardiac motion study.", "content": "A simple EKG gating device was constructed from two commerically available integrated circuits. It can be directly interfaced to a computer for motion studies of the heart.", "contents": "Inexpensive EKG gate for computer-processed cardiac motion study. A simple EKG gating device was constructed from two commerically available integrated circuits. It can be directly interfaced to a computer for motion studies of the heart.", "PMID": 632912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9660", "title": "An optimized collimator for single-photon computed tomography with a scintillation camera.", "content": "The problem of nonuniform response, which is inherent in scintillationcamera emission computed tomography, can be minimized by proper collimator design. A specially fabricated collimator, optimized for emission computed tomography, was designed. This collimator has a calculated full width at half maximum of 1 cm at 15 cm in front of the collimator. When this collimator is used in conjunction with averaged opposed views, excellent uniformity across the reconstruction plane is achievable.", "contents": "An optimized collimator for single-photon computed tomography with a scintillation camera. The problem of nonuniform response, which is inherent in scintillationcamera emission computed tomography, can be minimized by proper collimator design. A specially fabricated collimator, optimized for emission computed tomography, was designed. This collimator has a calculated full width at half maximum of 1 cm at 15 cm in front of the collimator. When this collimator is used in conjunction with averaged opposed views, excellent uniformity across the reconstruction plane is achievable.", "PMID": 632913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9661", "title": "[131I] Hippuran renography in the detection of orthostatic hypertension.", "content": "Scintigrams in prone and standing positions were done in 11 hypertensive women. All had nephroptosis with ventral rotation. On the basis of the renograms, seven patients were identified as suffering from orthostatic hypertension. Nephropexy resulted in normalization of blood pressure in six of the seven patients and normalization of the renograms of all seven. We believe that sequence scintigrams in prone and standing positions offer a simple method of identifying patients with orthostatic hypertension.", "contents": "[131I] Hippuran renography in the detection of orthostatic hypertension. Scintigrams in prone and standing positions were done in 11 hypertensive women. All had nephroptosis with ventral rotation. On the basis of the renograms, seven patients were identified as suffering from orthostatic hypertension. Nephropexy resulted in normalization of blood pressure in six of the seven patients and normalization of the renograms of all seven. We believe that sequence scintigrams in prone and standing positions offer a simple method of identifying patients with orthostatic hypertension.", "PMID": 632919} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9662", "title": "Retained gastric antrum syndrome diagnosed by [99mTc] pertechnetate scintiphotography in man: hormonal and radioisotopic study of two cases.", "content": "Retained-antrum syndrome is a rare condition, occurring in Billroth II gastrectomised patients, in which an ulcer recurs associated with high levels of circulating gastrin. Some gastrin tests are useful to differentiate a retained antrum from a gastrinoma, but a firm diagnosis is sometimes very difficult. We have studied two cases of retained-antrum syndrome both by gastrin tests and by [99mTc] pertechnetate scintiphotography. By this method a prominent area of activity was observed on the anatomic site of the duodenal stump bottom. It appeared after 20 or 30 min and lasted for the 2 hr of observation. After surgical resection, no area of activity was observed at the scintiphotographic followup. No false positive was observed out of the more than 30 subjects studied. Scintiphotography by pertechnetate seems able to demonstrate the presence and the size of retained gastric antrum in B II gastrectomised patients with recurrent ulcer.", "contents": "Retained gastric antrum syndrome diagnosed by [99mTc] pertechnetate scintiphotography in man: hormonal and radioisotopic study of two cases. Retained-antrum syndrome is a rare condition, occurring in Billroth II gastrectomised patients, in which an ulcer recurs associated with high levels of circulating gastrin. Some gastrin tests are useful to differentiate a retained antrum from a gastrinoma, but a firm diagnosis is sometimes very difficult. We have studied two cases of retained-antrum syndrome both by gastrin tests and by [99mTc] pertechnetate scintiphotography. By this method a prominent area of activity was observed on the anatomic site of the duodenal stump bottom. It appeared after 20 or 30 min and lasted for the 2 hr of observation. After surgical resection, no area of activity was observed at the scintiphotographic followup. No false positive was observed out of the more than 30 subjects studied. Scintiphotography by pertechnetate seems able to demonstrate the presence and the size of retained gastric antrum in B II gastrectomised patients with recurrent ulcer.", "PMID": 632924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9663", "title": "Altered body distribution of [99mTc] pertechnetate in iatrogenic hyperaluminemia.", "content": "Failure of intravenously administered [99mTc] pertechnetate to leave the vascular space was observed in a patient with hyperaluminemia due to treatment with an antacid drug containing aluminum hydroxide. A repeat study 3 mo after discontinuing medication, when the plasma aluminum level had fallen, revealed normal in vivo distribution of pertechnetate. It was found that instant thin-layer chromatography, using pertechnetate and an 85% methanol system, can detect plasma aluminum levels as low as 50 microgram/l.", "contents": "Altered body distribution of [99mTc] pertechnetate in iatrogenic hyperaluminemia. Failure of intravenously administered [99mTc] pertechnetate to leave the vascular space was observed in a patient with hyperaluminemia due to treatment with an antacid drug containing aluminum hydroxide. A repeat study 3 mo after discontinuing medication, when the plasma aluminum level had fallen, revealed normal in vivo distribution of pertechnetate. It was found that instant thin-layer chromatography, using pertechnetate and an 85% methanol system, can detect plasma aluminum levels as low as 50 microgram/l.", "PMID": 632925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9664", "title": "Early diagnosis of disc-space infection using Gallium-67.", "content": "A 4-year-old boy had had progressive central lumbar pain and hamstring spasm. He had a normal lumbar-spine x-ray except for minimal L-5, S1 spondylolysis, but gave an abnormal gallium-67 scan in the region of the low lumbar spine. Eight weeks following intensive antibiotic therapy, confirmation of the diagnosis of disc-space infection was established by roentgenographic studies that demonstrated narrowing of the L 4-5 intervertebral disc space. A technetium-99m diphosphonate bone scan, performed concurrently with the gallium-67 study, was normal.", "contents": "Early diagnosis of disc-space infection using Gallium-67. A 4-year-old boy had had progressive central lumbar pain and hamstring spasm. He had a normal lumbar-spine x-ray except for minimal L-5, S1 spondylolysis, but gave an abnormal gallium-67 scan in the region of the low lumbar spine. Eight weeks following intensive antibiotic therapy, confirmation of the diagnosis of disc-space infection was established by roentgenographic studies that demonstrated narrowing of the L 4-5 intervertebral disc space. A technetium-99m diphosphonate bone scan, performed concurrently with the gallium-67 study, was normal.", "PMID": 632926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9665", "title": "Characterization of tin-technetium colloid in technetium-labeled albumin preparations.", "content": "The Tc-99m human serum albumin (HSA) system has been reinvestigated with gel filtration as the assay method. Other than Tc-99m HSA, two radioactive components have been isolated by this technique. Both components are tin-technetium colloids of differing particle sizes, and the relative quantity of each one is pH-dependent. The colloid has been further characterized by protein-induced x-ray emission analysis (PIXE) and by tissue distribution in rats. By this gel-filtration method, commercial Tc-99m HSA kits have been evaluated and have revealed varying amounts of colloids present.", "contents": "Characterization of tin-technetium colloid in technetium-labeled albumin preparations. The Tc-99m human serum albumin (HSA) system has been reinvestigated with gel filtration as the assay method. Other than Tc-99m HSA, two radioactive components have been isolated by this technique. Both components are tin-technetium colloids of differing particle sizes, and the relative quantity of each one is pH-dependent. The colloid has been further characterized by protein-induced x-ray emission analysis (PIXE) and by tissue distribution in rats. By this gel-filtration method, commercial Tc-99m HSA kits have been evaluated and have revealed varying amounts of colloids present.", "PMID": 632927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9666", "title": "Image artifacts at high photon fluence rates in single-crystal NaI(T1) scintillation cameras.", "content": "A method that simulates a clinically relevant situation is used to measure the amount of pulse pileup in the gamma image by distinguishing between correctly and incorrectly positioned events. Comparison was then made between responses from different cameras. These investigations show the influence of pileup rejection on counting rate. Pileup effects can be determined for some cameras at such low count rates as about 10,000/sec with a 30% energy window. Parameters affecting the total count rate of the scintillation camera--such as scattering media, source geometry, collimator, and energy window--have been investigated. It is shown that the energy distribution of the photon fluence striking the crystal determines the counting losses and image distortion, rather than the counting rate in the energy window. The approach described here might fulfill the requirements for a new method to compare scintillation cameras. It is important to note that measurements without scattering medium yield results irrelevant for clinical situations.", "contents": "Image artifacts at high photon fluence rates in single-crystal NaI(T1) scintillation cameras. A method that simulates a clinically relevant situation is used to measure the amount of pulse pileup in the gamma image by distinguishing between correctly and incorrectly positioned events. Comparison was then made between responses from different cameras. These investigations show the influence of pileup rejection on counting rate. Pileup effects can be determined for some cameras at such low count rates as about 10,000/sec with a 30% energy window. Parameters affecting the total count rate of the scintillation camera--such as scattering media, source geometry, collimator, and energy window--have been investigated. It is shown that the energy distribution of the photon fluence striking the crystal determines the counting losses and image distortion, rather than the counting rate in the energy window. The approach described here might fulfill the requirements for a new method to compare scintillation cameras. It is important to note that measurements without scattering medium yield results irrelevant for clinical situations.", "PMID": 632930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9667", "title": "A simple device for efficient transfer and unit dose packaging of Xe-127: concise communication.", "content": "An inexpensive system has been devised for the efficient transfer of Xe-127 gas from the manufacturer's ampule into individual dose vials for patient use. By displacing the gas with an aqueous solution, the initial transfer is made from an ampule of known activity into an evacuated serum vial of predetermined volume with transfer efficiency greater than 99%. A similar principle is used to transfer Xe-127 from the stock serum vial into individual dose vials, with total xenon recovery exceeding 98%. Ability to deliver the desired activity to each vial is within 90-110% of that predicted by calculation. Reproducibility in delivering a given activity was excellent, with all vials falling between 95 and 105% of the mean activity. Stability studies showed that 94% of the Xe-127 activity can be removed from the vials with only 6% absorbed in the rubber stopper after 5 wk of storage. The device costs less than $25.00 and can be constructed easily from common laboratory materials.", "contents": "A simple device for efficient transfer and unit dose packaging of Xe-127: concise communication. An inexpensive system has been devised for the efficient transfer of Xe-127 gas from the manufacturer's ampule into individual dose vials for patient use. By displacing the gas with an aqueous solution, the initial transfer is made from an ampule of known activity into an evacuated serum vial of predetermined volume with transfer efficiency greater than 99%. A similar principle is used to transfer Xe-127 from the stock serum vial into individual dose vials, with total xenon recovery exceeding 98%. Ability to deliver the desired activity to each vial is within 90-110% of that predicted by calculation. Reproducibility in delivering a given activity was excellent, with all vials falling between 95 and 105% of the mean activity. Stability studies showed that 94% of the Xe-127 activity can be removed from the vials with only 6% absorbed in the rubber stopper after 5 wk of storage. The device costs less than $25.00 and can be constructed easily from common laboratory materials.", "PMID": 632931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9668", "title": "A technique for the handling and dispensing of Xe-127: concise communication.", "content": "Xenon-127, which provides photon energies better suited to the Anger camera and reduces radiation dosage to the patient compared with Xe-133, has become commercially available from Brookhaven Laboratories. Its higher cost and longer shelf-life require improved handling and dispensing of shipment ampoules containing gas of high specific activity. The technique described permits individual doses to be prepared for gaseous administration, or dissolved in saline for i.v. injection.", "contents": "A technique for the handling and dispensing of Xe-127: concise communication. Xenon-127, which provides photon energies better suited to the Anger camera and reduces radiation dosage to the patient compared with Xe-133, has become commercially available from Brookhaven Laboratories. Its higher cost and longer shelf-life require improved handling and dispensing of shipment ampoules containing gas of high specific activity. The technique described permits individual doses to be prepared for gaseous administration, or dissolved in saline for i.v. injection.", "PMID": 632932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9669", "title": "Technetium-99m stannous phytate as an imaging agent for lymph nodes.", "content": "This report describes preliminary results using technetium-99m stannous phytate as a lymph-node imaging agent in animals. After the subcutaneous administration there is good visualization of the draining nodes, best obtained 2-4 hr from the time of injection. There is also visualization of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and bladder. This agent appears suitable for lymph-node imaging in areas where the extranodal concentration does not interfere.", "contents": "Technetium-99m stannous phytate as an imaging agent for lymph nodes. This report describes preliminary results using technetium-99m stannous phytate as a lymph-node imaging agent in animals. After the subcutaneous administration there is good visualization of the draining nodes, best obtained 2-4 hr from the time of injection. There is also visualization of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and bladder. This agent appears suitable for lymph-node imaging in areas where the extranodal concentration does not interfere.", "PMID": 632933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9670", "title": "Radionuclide imaging of primary renal-cell carcinoma by I-131-labeled antitumor antibody.", "content": "A goat antibody against human renal-cell carcinoma reacted on immunofluorescence with renal-cell carcinomas from 20 patients, but not with normal adult human tissues, including kidney. After i.v. administration the I-131-linked antibody showed preferential tumor localization in six of seven patients with primary renal carcinoma. Labeled antitumor antibodies may have the specificity for tumor imaging that current radiopharmaceuticals lack.", "contents": "Radionuclide imaging of primary renal-cell carcinoma by I-131-labeled antitumor antibody. A goat antibody against human renal-cell carcinoma reacted on immunofluorescence with renal-cell carcinomas from 20 patients, but not with normal adult human tissues, including kidney. After i.v. administration the I-131-linked antibody showed preferential tumor localization in six of seven patients with primary renal carcinoma. Labeled antitumor antibodies may have the specificity for tumor imaging that current radiopharmaceuticals lack.", "PMID": 632934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9671", "title": "Monitoring of I-125 contamination using a portable scintillation camera.", "content": "A technique has been developed using a portable scintillation camera to monitor I-125 contamination of personnel. The procedure takes less than a minute to complete and can detect 3 nanocuries; its use minimizes dissemination of I-125 throughout the hospital, emphasizes safe iodination practices and proper handling of radioactive materials, and reduces radiation exposure by undetected contamination.", "contents": "Monitoring of I-125 contamination using a portable scintillation camera. A technique has been developed using a portable scintillation camera to monitor I-125 contamination of personnel. The procedure takes less than a minute to complete and can detect 3 nanocuries; its use minimizes dissemination of I-125 throughout the hospital, emphasizes safe iodination practices and proper handling of radioactive materials, and reduces radiation exposure by undetected contamination.", "PMID": 632935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9672", "title": "Microsphere angiography of the liver.", "content": "Radionuclide microsphere angiography of the liver, utilizing capillary blockade of the hepatic arterial system, is presented as a means of evaluating hepatic mass lesions. Masses with an arterial circulation of greater density than normal liver will be identified as focal areas of increased activity. The technique can also document perfused volume and catheter location during organ perfusion chemotherapy.", "contents": "Microsphere angiography of the liver. Radionuclide microsphere angiography of the liver, utilizing capillary blockade of the hepatic arterial system, is presented as a means of evaluating hepatic mass lesions. Masses with an arterial circulation of greater density than normal liver will be identified as focal areas of increased activity. The technique can also document perfused volume and catheter location during organ perfusion chemotherapy.", "PMID": 632936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9673", "title": "Validation of the diagnostic value of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate measurements in vitamin B6 nutrition of the rat.", "content": "The relationship of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) to PLP content of tissues and activities of PLP-dependent enzymes was examined to establish its value in assessing vitamin B6 nutrition. Weanling rats were fed ad libitum for 9 weeks purified diets which supplied 0, 4, 12, 24, and 100 micrograms of pyridoxine daily. Growth increased with increasing pyridoxine intake, reaching a maximum at 24 micrograms/day. Liver and brain PLP also increased, attaining maximal values at 12 micrograms. By contrast, muscle and plasma PLP did not saturate when vitamin B6 intake was increased to 100 micrograms. Erythrocytic holoenzyme activity of aspartate (Asp) aminotransferase became maximal with 24 micrograms but that of alanine (Ala) aminotransferase did not. Hepatic holoenzyme activities of Ala, Asp and tyrosine aminotransferases reached maximal values with only 4 micrograms vitamin B6 but that of serine dehydratase became maximal with 12 micrograms. Measurement of coenzyme saturability suggested that apoenzyme degradation, coenzyme affinity and PLP transfer determine the activities of these enzymes. It is concluded that plasma and muscle PLP behave as mobilizable storage pools and that plasma PLP is a sensitive and reliable indicator of vitamin B6 nutrition.", "contents": "Validation of the diagnostic value of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate measurements in vitamin B6 nutrition of the rat. The relationship of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) to PLP content of tissues and activities of PLP-dependent enzymes was examined to establish its value in assessing vitamin B6 nutrition. Weanling rats were fed ad libitum for 9 weeks purified diets which supplied 0, 4, 12, 24, and 100 micrograms of pyridoxine daily. Growth increased with increasing pyridoxine intake, reaching a maximum at 24 micrograms/day. Liver and brain PLP also increased, attaining maximal values at 12 micrograms. By contrast, muscle and plasma PLP did not saturate when vitamin B6 intake was increased to 100 micrograms. Erythrocytic holoenzyme activity of aspartate (Asp) aminotransferase became maximal with 24 micrograms but that of alanine (Ala) aminotransferase did not. Hepatic holoenzyme activities of Ala, Asp and tyrosine aminotransferases reached maximal values with only 4 micrograms vitamin B6 but that of serine dehydratase became maximal with 12 micrograms. Measurement of coenzyme saturability suggested that apoenzyme degradation, coenzyme affinity and PLP transfer determine the activities of these enzymes. It is concluded that plasma and muscle PLP behave as mobilizable storage pools and that plasma PLP is a sensitive and reliable indicator of vitamin B6 nutrition.", "PMID": 632943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9674", "title": "Protein utilization and lysine metabolism in obese and non-obese growing rats.", "content": "Efficiency of protein utilization and lysine metabolism were studied in growing rats of the Zucker 13M strain, both obese and lean, and in the Charles River CD strain. When graded levels of wheat gluten or wheat gluten supplemented with lysine were fed to these three types of rats, no significant differences in the efficiency of protein utilization were found. However, under these dietary conditions, the Zucker obese rats appeared to be about 167% more efficient in energy utilization than the Zucker lean rats or the Charles River strain. The response of liver lysine-ketoglutarate reductase to the dietary treatment was similar in these three types of growing rats. The enzyme activity was induced by dietary lysine. Rats fed a lysine-deficient purified diet had a significantly lower enzyme activity than those fed a protein-free diet indicating that the same adaptive mechanism for lysine conservation as previously observed in adult rats also occurred in the growing animal. Interaction between dietary and genetic factors on fatty liver was found in this study. The most severe fatty liver was observed in the Zucker obese rats fed the most lysine-deficient diet containing 8% wheat gluten protein.", "contents": "Protein utilization and lysine metabolism in obese and non-obese growing rats. Efficiency of protein utilization and lysine metabolism were studied in growing rats of the Zucker 13M strain, both obese and lean, and in the Charles River CD strain. When graded levels of wheat gluten or wheat gluten supplemented with lysine were fed to these three types of rats, no significant differences in the efficiency of protein utilization were found. However, under these dietary conditions, the Zucker obese rats appeared to be about 167% more efficient in energy utilization than the Zucker lean rats or the Charles River strain. The response of liver lysine-ketoglutarate reductase to the dietary treatment was similar in these three types of growing rats. The enzyme activity was induced by dietary lysine. Rats fed a lysine-deficient purified diet had a significantly lower enzyme activity than those fed a protein-free diet indicating that the same adaptive mechanism for lysine conservation as previously observed in adult rats also occurred in the growing animal. Interaction between dietary and genetic factors on fatty liver was found in this study. The most severe fatty liver was observed in the Zucker obese rats fed the most lysine-deficient diet containing 8% wheat gluten protein.", "PMID": 632944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9675", "title": "Amino acid induced orotic aciduria.", "content": "Twenty amino acids were examined for their effects on urinary orotic acid excretion. Except for arginine and ornithine, all of the remaining amino acids tested induced a mild orotic aciduria in rats 2 hours post feeding. Two ammonium salts, and urease also acted, as inducers of orotic aciduria. The ammoneogenic properties of the amino acids tested could not solely explain the induced excretion of orotic acid. Only serine, glutamine, NH4Cl, (NH4)2CO3, and urease increased orotic acid excretion in the 24 hour fasted rat. Administration of 0.5 mmoles of arginine or ornithine ameliorated the mild orotic aciduria induced by either glycine or lysine. Arginine was shown to be more efficacious in preventing glycine induced orotic aciduria than was ornithine. Amino acid induced orotic aciduria is dependent upon the physiological state of the animal, varying with the state of digestion and the supply of arginine.", "contents": "Amino acid induced orotic aciduria. Twenty amino acids were examined for their effects on urinary orotic acid excretion. Except for arginine and ornithine, all of the remaining amino acids tested induced a mild orotic aciduria in rats 2 hours post feeding. Two ammonium salts, and urease also acted, as inducers of orotic aciduria. The ammoneogenic properties of the amino acids tested could not solely explain the induced excretion of orotic acid. Only serine, glutamine, NH4Cl, (NH4)2CO3, and urease increased orotic acid excretion in the 24 hour fasted rat. Administration of 0.5 mmoles of arginine or ornithine ameliorated the mild orotic aciduria induced by either glycine or lysine. Arginine was shown to be more efficacious in preventing glycine induced orotic aciduria than was ornithine. Amino acid induced orotic aciduria is dependent upon the physiological state of the animal, varying with the state of digestion and the supply of arginine.", "PMID": 632945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9676", "title": "Effect of energy concentration of milk on voluntary intake of lean and obese piglets.", "content": "Voluntary intake responses of neonatal lean and obese pigs, fed high and low energy diets, were measured. Piglets were maintained in individual cages from 4 to 22 days of age. The 18-day trial was divided into six 3-day ad libitum feeding periods. All piglets received a purified high energy diet (1.12 kcal/ml) in periods 1, 3, 5, and low energy diet (0.57 kcal/ml) in periods 2, 4, and 6. Average daily volume intakes for periods 1 to 6 were 36.8, 55.2, 41.4, 56.2, 38.4, and 47.8 ml/100 g body weight (BW), respectively. Average daily energy intakes were 40.5, 28.7, 45.5, 29.2, 42.2, and 24.9 kcal/100 g BW. Even though piglets consumed greater volumes of low energy diet, energy intake was not maintained during periods 2, 4, and 6. It is possible that gastrointestinal capacity limited intake before energy demand was met. Compared to lean piglets, obese piglets were hyperphagic and consumed more volume (52.0 versus 39.8 ml/100 g BW/day) and more energy (40.0 versus 30.4 kcal/100 g BW/day). It is conclused that neonatal lean and obese piglets possess a sensitive mechanism (s) to control food intake in response to changes in energy content of the diet. The control mechanism in the obese piglets appears to function at a higher level of energy demand than in the lean piglets.", "contents": "Effect of energy concentration of milk on voluntary intake of lean and obese piglets. Voluntary intake responses of neonatal lean and obese pigs, fed high and low energy diets, were measured. Piglets were maintained in individual cages from 4 to 22 days of age. The 18-day trial was divided into six 3-day ad libitum feeding periods. All piglets received a purified high energy diet (1.12 kcal/ml) in periods 1, 3, 5, and low energy diet (0.57 kcal/ml) in periods 2, 4, and 6. Average daily volume intakes for periods 1 to 6 were 36.8, 55.2, 41.4, 56.2, 38.4, and 47.8 ml/100 g body weight (BW), respectively. Average daily energy intakes were 40.5, 28.7, 45.5, 29.2, 42.2, and 24.9 kcal/100 g BW. Even though piglets consumed greater volumes of low energy diet, energy intake was not maintained during periods 2, 4, and 6. It is possible that gastrointestinal capacity limited intake before energy demand was met. Compared to lean piglets, obese piglets were hyperphagic and consumed more volume (52.0 versus 39.8 ml/100 g BW/day) and more energy (40.0 versus 30.4 kcal/100 g BW/day). It is conclused that neonatal lean and obese piglets possess a sensitive mechanism (s) to control food intake in response to changes in energy content of the diet. The control mechanism in the obese piglets appears to function at a higher level of energy demand than in the lean piglets.", "PMID": 632947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9677", "title": "Regulation by dietary fats of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase in rat liver.", "content": "The effects of various dietary fats on the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in rat liver microsomes, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterogenesis, were examined. A series of experiments demonstrated the dependency of the HMG-CoA reductase activity on the nature of dietary fats. When saturated fats with chain length of 12 to 18 were the dietary sources and were fed at the 10% level for 19 days, feeding fats with shorter chain fatty acids caused a lower enzyme activity compared to those with longer chain fatty acids. The activity was also regulated by the degree of unsaturation of dietary fats; when safflower oil, camellia oil or tristearin were fed at the 10% level for 18 days, the higher the unsaturation, the lower the activity. When trimyristin or tripalmitin were fed at the 10% level for 14 days, addition of essential fatty acid, at the level of minimum daily requirement (1% was replaced by safflower oil), did not affect the enzyme activity. Through the rate of incorporation of mevalonate into cholesterol in the 12,500 x g supernatant fraction of the liver was also found to be influenced by the types of dietary fats, the extent of the response appeared much smaller than that of HMG-CoA reductase. No consistent correlation between the HMG-CoA reductase activity and the content of microsomal cholesterol or cholesteryl ester and the fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids was observed.", "contents": "Regulation by dietary fats of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase in rat liver. The effects of various dietary fats on the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in rat liver microsomes, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterogenesis, were examined. A series of experiments demonstrated the dependency of the HMG-CoA reductase activity on the nature of dietary fats. When saturated fats with chain length of 12 to 18 were the dietary sources and were fed at the 10% level for 19 days, feeding fats with shorter chain fatty acids caused a lower enzyme activity compared to those with longer chain fatty acids. The activity was also regulated by the degree of unsaturation of dietary fats; when safflower oil, camellia oil or tristearin were fed at the 10% level for 18 days, the higher the unsaturation, the lower the activity. When trimyristin or tripalmitin were fed at the 10% level for 14 days, addition of essential fatty acid, at the level of minimum daily requirement (1% was replaced by safflower oil), did not affect the enzyme activity. Through the rate of incorporation of mevalonate into cholesterol in the 12,500 x g supernatant fraction of the liver was also found to be influenced by the types of dietary fats, the extent of the response appeared much smaller than that of HMG-CoA reductase. No consistent correlation between the HMG-CoA reductase activity and the content of microsomal cholesterol or cholesteryl ester and the fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids was observed.", "PMID": 632948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9678", "title": "Effect of pectin, gum arabic and agar on cholesterol absorption, synthesis, and turnover in rats.", "content": "A series of five experiments was conducted to determine the effect of pectin, gum arabic and agar (5%) on cholesterol absorption, biosynthesis and turnover in rats. In the study of cholesterol absorption, a tracer dose of labeled cholesterol was included in the last meal. The rats were killed 12 hours later. The proportion of the labeled cholesterol recovered in the whole body was used as an estimation of the efficiency of absorption of dietary cholesterol. Cholesterol biosynthesis was estimated by determining the activity of labeled digitonin-precipitable sterols biosynthesized from labeled glucose which was included in a test meal. In turnover studies, rats were injected intravenously with labeled cholesterol using serum as a vehicle, and the activity of labeled cholesterol in tissues was determined after various time intervals. All three complex carbohydrates decreased cholesterol absorption and pectin had the greatest effect. Pectin and gum arabic increased cholesterol biosynthesis in rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet, but had no effect in a cholesterol-free diet. Pectin slightly increased the turnover of cholesterol, but gum arabic and agar had no effect. This work supports the hypothesis that pectin lowers cholesterol levels by interfering with cholesterol absorption and by increasing cholesterol turnover. The study also suggests that complex carbohydrates differ in their effects on cholesterol metabolism. The reason for these differences remains to be determined.", "contents": "Effect of pectin, gum arabic and agar on cholesterol absorption, synthesis, and turnover in rats. A series of five experiments was conducted to determine the effect of pectin, gum arabic and agar (5%) on cholesterol absorption, biosynthesis and turnover in rats. In the study of cholesterol absorption, a tracer dose of labeled cholesterol was included in the last meal. The rats were killed 12 hours later. The proportion of the labeled cholesterol recovered in the whole body was used as an estimation of the efficiency of absorption of dietary cholesterol. Cholesterol biosynthesis was estimated by determining the activity of labeled digitonin-precipitable sterols biosynthesized from labeled glucose which was included in a test meal. In turnover studies, rats were injected intravenously with labeled cholesterol using serum as a vehicle, and the activity of labeled cholesterol in tissues was determined after various time intervals. All three complex carbohydrates decreased cholesterol absorption and pectin had the greatest effect. Pectin and gum arabic increased cholesterol biosynthesis in rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet, but had no effect in a cholesterol-free diet. Pectin slightly increased the turnover of cholesterol, but gum arabic and agar had no effect. This work supports the hypothesis that pectin lowers cholesterol levels by interfering with cholesterol absorption and by increasing cholesterol turnover. The study also suggests that complex carbohydrates differ in their effects on cholesterol metabolism. The reason for these differences remains to be determined.", "PMID": 632950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9679", "title": "The effects of fasting on body composition, glucose turnover, enzymes and metabolites in the chicken.", "content": "Chickens (1,200 g) were fasted 1, 4, or 8 days. Significant decreases occurred in total body protein and fat with fasting, with the greatest energy loss from fat. Glucose production determined with either [2-3H] or [6-3H] glucose injected simultaneously with [U-14C] glucose remained constant with fasting at 10 to 13 mg/minute/kg body weight which is much higher than reported for mammals. Blood lactate and glycerol were unchanged with fasting, while pyruvate increased and plateaued. Plasma alanine, serine and glycine levels were extremely high compared to values in fasted mammals. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate increased dramatically with fasting (350 to 3,500 nm/ml), while acetoacetate remained constant. The hepatic lactate: pyruvate ratio was unchanged with fasting, while the beta-hydroxybutyrate:acetoacetate ratio increased. These ratios have been reported to influence phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and glucose production in mammals. Hepatic and renal phospyoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) levels remained constant, while hepatic lactate dehydrogenase increased with fasting. Beta-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase levels were very low at all times. The results indicate little glucose sparing adaptation per kg in the fasting chicken.", "contents": "The effects of fasting on body composition, glucose turnover, enzymes and metabolites in the chicken. Chickens (1,200 g) were fasted 1, 4, or 8 days. Significant decreases occurred in total body protein and fat with fasting, with the greatest energy loss from fat. Glucose production determined with either [2-3H] or [6-3H] glucose injected simultaneously with [U-14C] glucose remained constant with fasting at 10 to 13 mg/minute/kg body weight which is much higher than reported for mammals. Blood lactate and glycerol were unchanged with fasting, while pyruvate increased and plateaued. Plasma alanine, serine and glycine levels were extremely high compared to values in fasted mammals. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate increased dramatically with fasting (350 to 3,500 nm/ml), while acetoacetate remained constant. The hepatic lactate: pyruvate ratio was unchanged with fasting, while the beta-hydroxybutyrate:acetoacetate ratio increased. These ratios have been reported to influence phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and glucose production in mammals. Hepatic and renal phospyoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) levels remained constant, while hepatic lactate dehydrogenase increased with fasting. Beta-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase levels were very low at all times. The results indicate little glucose sparing adaptation per kg in the fasting chicken.", "PMID": 632952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9680", "title": "Requirement and utilization of egg protein by Japanese young men with marginal intakes of energy.", "content": "The effect of marginal intakes of energy on the requirement and utilization of egg protein was evaluated in 46 Japanese young men. The subjects were given a standard diet for 1 week and then low protein diets for 2 weeks. These diets contained about 32, 64, and 80 mgN/kg with whole eggs as the protein source. In the first experiment with excess energy, the energy intakes of 31 subjects were kept constant during the 3 week experiment, the mean intakes being 48.2 +/- 1.5 kcal/kg. The body weight was affected by changing protein intakes while maintaining energy intakes at 48 kcal/kg. From regression analysis, the N requirement for apparent N equilibrium was estimated to be 82.0 +/- 8.0 mgN/kg, where NPU was calculated as 56. In the second experiment with submaintenance energy, 15 subjects received 40 kcal/kg. The N requirement was 124 +/- 21 mgN/kg, where NPU was calculated as 37. From these results and those of previous studies, it was concluded as follows: 1) N balance and NPU were remarkably affected by energy intake changed around maintenance level; and 2) the NPU for egg protein in young men for maintenance intakes of energy and N is about 50 to 55. For estimation of the protein requirement for Japanese adults, a correction factor of 100/55 (about 1.8) was used instead of 1.3 adopted by the 1973 FAO/WHO.", "contents": "Requirement and utilization of egg protein by Japanese young men with marginal intakes of energy. The effect of marginal intakes of energy on the requirement and utilization of egg protein was evaluated in 46 Japanese young men. The subjects were given a standard diet for 1 week and then low protein diets for 2 weeks. These diets contained about 32, 64, and 80 mgN/kg with whole eggs as the protein source. In the first experiment with excess energy, the energy intakes of 31 subjects were kept constant during the 3 week experiment, the mean intakes being 48.2 +/- 1.5 kcal/kg. The body weight was affected by changing protein intakes while maintaining energy intakes at 48 kcal/kg. From regression analysis, the N requirement for apparent N equilibrium was estimated to be 82.0 +/- 8.0 mgN/kg, where NPU was calculated as 56. In the second experiment with submaintenance energy, 15 subjects received 40 kcal/kg. The N requirement was 124 +/- 21 mgN/kg, where NPU was calculated as 37. From these results and those of previous studies, it was concluded as follows: 1) N balance and NPU were remarkably affected by energy intake changed around maintenance level; and 2) the NPU for egg protein in young men for maintenance intakes of energy and N is about 50 to 55. For estimation of the protein requirement for Japanese adults, a correction factor of 100/55 (about 1.8) was used instead of 1.3 adopted by the 1973 FAO/WHO.", "PMID": 632953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9681", "title": "The behavior of muscle phosphorylase as a reservoir for vitamin B6 in the rat.", "content": "Current belief that vitamin B6 deficiency causes depletion of muscle phosphorylase in animals appears to be erroneous. We present evidence that vitamin B6 deficiency is ineffective in reducing total phosphorylase in gasttocnemius muscle of young rats over a period of at least 8 weeks. Rats that had accumulated high levels of muscle phosphorylase while ingesting diets containing normal or excess amounts of the vitamin retained their phosphorylase after transfer to a vitamin B6 deficient diet. Prolonged deficiency did ultimately lead to enzyme depletion but this was after anorexia had developed and weight loss had occurred. When rats were partially starved for 1 to 4 days (fed 10% of normal energy intake) they lost muscle phosphorylase while retaining alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. When totally starved, the rats lost more phosphorylase than during partial starvation, but completely retained alanine aminotransferase, and lost some aspartate aminotrasferase. We conclude that the behavior of muscle phosphorylase is consistent with the Krebs-Fischer proposal that it acts as a reservoir for vitamin B6 and that starvation, but not vitamin B6 deficiency per se, causes depletion of muscle phosphorylase. It appears that phosphorylase may function as an adjunct ot adipose tissue necessary for the animal to efficiently meet the exigencies of starvation.", "contents": "The behavior of muscle phosphorylase as a reservoir for vitamin B6 in the rat. Current belief that vitamin B6 deficiency causes depletion of muscle phosphorylase in animals appears to be erroneous. We present evidence that vitamin B6 deficiency is ineffective in reducing total phosphorylase in gasttocnemius muscle of young rats over a period of at least 8 weeks. Rats that had accumulated high levels of muscle phosphorylase while ingesting diets containing normal or excess amounts of the vitamin retained their phosphorylase after transfer to a vitamin B6 deficient diet. Prolonged deficiency did ultimately lead to enzyme depletion but this was after anorexia had developed and weight loss had occurred. When rats were partially starved for 1 to 4 days (fed 10% of normal energy intake) they lost muscle phosphorylase while retaining alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. When totally starved, the rats lost more phosphorylase than during partial starvation, but completely retained alanine aminotransferase, and lost some aspartate aminotrasferase. We conclude that the behavior of muscle phosphorylase is consistent with the Krebs-Fischer proposal that it acts as a reservoir for vitamin B6 and that starvation, but not vitamin B6 deficiency per se, causes depletion of muscle phosphorylase. It appears that phosphorylase may function as an adjunct ot adipose tissue necessary for the animal to efficiently meet the exigencies of starvation.", "PMID": 632954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9682", "title": "The antihypercholesterolemic activity of candicdin as a function of dietary cholesterol in cockerels.", "content": "In the first of two experiments using White Leghorn cockerels, a multifactorial analysis of variance was employed to characterize the antihypercholesterolemic responses (AHC) to candicidin (a heptaene macrolide antifungal antibiotic)-containing diets and the manner in which hypercholesterolemic challenges of different magnitudes modify these responses. In hypercholesterolemic diets, oral candicidin reduced plasma cholesterol concentration in a dose-dependent manner. The relative AHC effects of the diet were dependent on and varied directly with the presence and magnitude of the hypercholesterolemic challenge. The AHC effects of oral candicidin appeared to be additive to the homeostatic mechanisms limiting the rise in plasma cholesterol concentration induced by hypercholesterolemic diets. In the second experiment the absorption of oral 14C-candicidin was studied. Radioactivity above background levels was not found in any of the sampled tissues 4 days after administration of the 14C-candicidin pulse. The total cumulative recovery of radioactivity in the excreta was approximately 95% of the administered dose after 4 days. Within the limits of detection, oral candicidin did not appear to be absorbed from the intestine and appeared to be rapidly and quantitatively eliminated from the body in the feces. Chronic provision of candicidin appeared to increase transit time through the gastrointestinal tract.", "contents": "The antihypercholesterolemic activity of candicdin as a function of dietary cholesterol in cockerels. In the first of two experiments using White Leghorn cockerels, a multifactorial analysis of variance was employed to characterize the antihypercholesterolemic responses (AHC) to candicidin (a heptaene macrolide antifungal antibiotic)-containing diets and the manner in which hypercholesterolemic challenges of different magnitudes modify these responses. In hypercholesterolemic diets, oral candicidin reduced plasma cholesterol concentration in a dose-dependent manner. The relative AHC effects of the diet were dependent on and varied directly with the presence and magnitude of the hypercholesterolemic challenge. The AHC effects of oral candicidin appeared to be additive to the homeostatic mechanisms limiting the rise in plasma cholesterol concentration induced by hypercholesterolemic diets. In the second experiment the absorption of oral 14C-candicidin was studied. Radioactivity above background levels was not found in any of the sampled tissues 4 days after administration of the 14C-candicidin pulse. The total cumulative recovery of radioactivity in the excreta was approximately 95% of the administered dose after 4 days. Within the limits of detection, oral candicidin did not appear to be absorbed from the intestine and appeared to be rapidly and quantitatively eliminated from the body in the feces. Chronic provision of candicidin appeared to increase transit time through the gastrointestinal tract.", "PMID": 632955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9683", "title": "Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy: review of the literature, clinical and immunologic features of 11 new cases, and long-term follow-up.", "content": "The clinical and immunologic features of 11 patients with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy are reported and compared with those of the 16 patients previously reported. Seven were re-evaluated three to ten years after infancy. Two groups were identified: six who were found by screening relatives of patients with other types of immunodeficiency and five whose sera were sent because the patients were having frequent or unusual infections. Those in the first group had no significant health problems during early infancy or childhood. In the second group recurrent infection was a problem during early infancy but not in later years; the latter patients also frequently had other health problems. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were entirely normal at the last evaluation in five of the six THI patients with immunodeficient relatives. In the second group, the concentrations of one or more immunoglobulin classes, although greatly increased, were still below the normal range. All 11 patients were found to be capable of synthesizing antibodies to human type A and B erythrocytes and to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, usually by 6 to 11 months of age, and well before immunoglobulin concentrations became normal. Lymphocyte studies in vitro showed no abnormalities in the percentages of cells in the different subpopulations or in their responses to the mitogens. None of the patients was given immune serum globulin replacement therapy and none experienced serious infections during their period of follow-up. The finding of only 11 cases of THI among over 10,000 patients whose sera were sent for immunoglobulin studies over a 12-year period suggests that this is not a common entity.", "contents": "Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy: review of the literature, clinical and immunologic features of 11 new cases, and long-term follow-up. The clinical and immunologic features of 11 patients with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy are reported and compared with those of the 16 patients previously reported. Seven were re-evaluated three to ten years after infancy. Two groups were identified: six who were found by screening relatives of patients with other types of immunodeficiency and five whose sera were sent because the patients were having frequent or unusual infections. Those in the first group had no significant health problems during early infancy or childhood. In the second group recurrent infection was a problem during early infancy but not in later years; the latter patients also frequently had other health problems. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were entirely normal at the last evaluation in five of the six THI patients with immunodeficient relatives. In the second group, the concentrations of one or more immunoglobulin classes, although greatly increased, were still below the normal range. All 11 patients were found to be capable of synthesizing antibodies to human type A and B erythrocytes and to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, usually by 6 to 11 months of age, and well before immunoglobulin concentrations became normal. Lymphocyte studies in vitro showed no abnormalities in the percentages of cells in the different subpopulations or in their responses to the mitogens. None of the patients was given immune serum globulin replacement therapy and none experienced serious infections during their period of follow-up. The finding of only 11 cases of THI among over 10,000 patients whose sera were sent for immunoglobulin studies over a 12-year period suggests that this is not a common entity.", "PMID": 632973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9684", "title": "Intelligence, behavior, and dysmorphogenesis in the fetal alcohol syndrome: a report on 20 patients.", "content": "In a sample of 20 patients with the fetal alcohol syndrome, ages 9 months to 21 years, the average IQ was 65, with a range of 16 to 105; 60% of the patients had IQ's more than two standard deviations below the mean. The sample included patients who ranged in severity of dysmorphogenesis from mild to severe. The severity of the dysmorphic features was related to degree of mental deficiency; children with the most severe manifestations of FAS had an average IQ of 55, whereas children with lesser manifestations had an average IQ of 82. All children were growth deficient for height and/or head circumference, but in this study only height was significantly correlated with IQ. Environmental and behavioral characteristics of the sample are discussed, and two adults with the fetal alcohol syndrome are presented.", "contents": "Intelligence, behavior, and dysmorphogenesis in the fetal alcohol syndrome: a report on 20 patients. In a sample of 20 patients with the fetal alcohol syndrome, ages 9 months to 21 years, the average IQ was 65, with a range of 16 to 105; 60% of the patients had IQ's more than two standard deviations below the mean. The sample included patients who ranged in severity of dysmorphogenesis from mild to severe. The severity of the dysmorphic features was related to degree of mental deficiency; children with the most severe manifestations of FAS had an average IQ of 55, whereas children with lesser manifestations had an average IQ of 82. All children were growth deficient for height and/or head circumference, but in this study only height was significantly correlated with IQ. Environmental and behavioral characteristics of the sample are discussed, and two adults with the fetal alcohol syndrome are presented.", "PMID": 632974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9685", "title": "Respiratory obstruction and apnea in infants with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis, meningomyelocele, hydrocephalus, and Arnold-Chiari malformation.", "content": "This report describes 21 infants and children with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis and associated meningomyelocele, Arnold-Chiari malformation, and hydrocephalus. Two life-threatening forms of respiratory distress are distinguished: (1) upper airway obstruction due to bilateral abductor cord paralysis and (2) apnea. Clinically significant episodes of apnea were documented in 13 infants. Ten infants had evidence of aspiration and dysphagia. Vocal cord paralysis, apnea, aspiration, and dysphagia were frequently temporally related to increased intracranial pressure.", "contents": "Respiratory obstruction and apnea in infants with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis, meningomyelocele, hydrocephalus, and Arnold-Chiari malformation. This report describes 21 infants and children with bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis and associated meningomyelocele, Arnold-Chiari malformation, and hydrocephalus. Two life-threatening forms of respiratory distress are distinguished: (1) upper airway obstruction due to bilateral abductor cord paralysis and (2) apnea. Clinically significant episodes of apnea were documented in 13 infants. Ten infants had evidence of aspiration and dysphagia. Vocal cord paralysis, apnea, aspiration, and dysphagia were frequently temporally related to increased intracranial pressure.", "PMID": 632975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9686", "title": "A distinct human variant of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase.", "content": "A variant form of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase has been found in a neurologically normal pediatric patient who presented with hematuria an episodes of oliguria and azotemia. The level of erythrocyte enzyme activity was 3% of normal. Electrophoretic mobility was more rapid than normal. The Km for hypoxanthine was approximately ten times normal. Immunochemical analysis indicated that the variant enzyme cross reacted with antibody to normal HPRT. A system is described for the systematic characterization of a variant HPRT.", "contents": "A distinct human variant of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase. A variant form of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase has been found in a neurologically normal pediatric patient who presented with hematuria an episodes of oliguria and azotemia. The level of erythrocyte enzyme activity was 3% of normal. Electrophoretic mobility was more rapid than normal. The Km for hypoxanthine was approximately ten times normal. Immunochemical analysis indicated that the variant enzyme cross reacted with antibody to normal HPRT. A system is described for the systematic characterization of a variant HPRT.", "PMID": 632976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9687", "title": "Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase deficiency due to Duarte/galactosemia combined variation: clinical and biochemical studies.", "content": "The most common abnormality detected by the screening of newborn infants for galactosemia is a deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase due to the presence in one individual of allelic genes for the Duarte variant and for galactosemia. Clinical studies of ten untreated individuals with this genetic compound, including three adults, failed to reveal evidence of cataracts, liver disease, or mental subnormality, the major clinical complications associated with galactosemia. Galactose-1-phosphate was not detectable in umbilical cord blood from one infant. Galactose was not detectable in random blood specimens from any of the individuals and was present in only small amounts following ingestion of milk in one infant and a child. It would appear that this common gentic variation is usually, if not always, benign.", "contents": "Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase deficiency due to Duarte/galactosemia combined variation: clinical and biochemical studies. The most common abnormality detected by the screening of newborn infants for galactosemia is a deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase due to the presence in one individual of allelic genes for the Duarte variant and for galactosemia. Clinical studies of ten untreated individuals with this genetic compound, including three adults, failed to reveal evidence of cataracts, liver disease, or mental subnormality, the major clinical complications associated with galactosemia. Galactose-1-phosphate was not detectable in umbilical cord blood from one infant. Galactose was not detectable in random blood specimens from any of the individuals and was present in only small amounts following ingestion of milk in one infant and a child. It would appear that this common gentic variation is usually, if not always, benign.", "PMID": 632977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9688", "title": "Urinary citrate excretion in the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis.", "content": "Since hypocitraturia in distal renal tubular acidosis, we screened the asymptomatic children in three families with familial dRTA, by comparing their 24-hour urine citrate excretion to values obtained in 45 normal children. Subsequent acid loading uncovered four new cases of dRTA suspected because of the finding of hypocitraturia. Because hypocitraturia probably contributes to nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis and subsequent renal damage in dRTA, affected family members were treated with alkali (4 mEq/kg/day), which normalized urine citrate in three children; in a fourth child citrate excretion rose but was not normal. Measurement of urine citrate excretion was superior to other currently proposed screening tests for dRTA (first morning urine pH and sediment, urine concentration).", "contents": "Urinary citrate excretion in the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis. Since hypocitraturia in distal renal tubular acidosis, we screened the asymptomatic children in three families with familial dRTA, by comparing their 24-hour urine citrate excretion to values obtained in 45 normal children. Subsequent acid loading uncovered four new cases of dRTA suspected because of the finding of hypocitraturia. Because hypocitraturia probably contributes to nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis and subsequent renal damage in dRTA, affected family members were treated with alkali (4 mEq/kg/day), which normalized urine citrate in three children; in a fourth child citrate excretion rose but was not normal. Measurement of urine citrate excretion was superior to other currently proposed screening tests for dRTA (first morning urine pH and sediment, urine concentration).", "PMID": 632978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9689", "title": "A father and son with cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis: a distinct form of intrahepatic cholestasis.", "content": "We report a father and son with the syndrome of cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis. These cases demonstrate the clinical and biochemical features noted in previous reports of this entity and allows us to differentiate clearly this syndrome, with its benign course, from other more progressive forms of intrahepatic cholestasis. The vertical transmission supports a genetic etiology for this disease. Although serum bile acid levels are elevated in these patients, the individual bile acids do not display a distinctive pattern and no abnormal bile acids are identified.", "contents": "A father and son with cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis: a distinct form of intrahepatic cholestasis. We report a father and son with the syndrome of cholestasis and peripheral pulmonic stenosis. These cases demonstrate the clinical and biochemical features noted in previous reports of this entity and allows us to differentiate clearly this syndrome, with its benign course, from other more progressive forms of intrahepatic cholestasis. The vertical transmission supports a genetic etiology for this disease. Although serum bile acid levels are elevated in these patients, the individual bile acids do not display a distinctive pattern and no abnormal bile acids are identified.", "PMID": 632979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9690", "title": "Developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices of infants after exclusion of iron deficiency by laboratory criteria and continuous iron supplementation.", "content": "The developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices were determined in infants after mild iron deficiency was excluded. The normal values were obtained from a selected group of healthy, term infants who were receiving continuous iron supplementation during a period of one year while normal values for transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were being maintained. The data indicated marked developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices during the first year of life that are independent of iron intake. Serial analysis of individual infant's values indicated that the red cell measurement at 4 months of age are, to some extent, predictive of the level of subsequent values within the normal range.", "contents": "Developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices of infants after exclusion of iron deficiency by laboratory criteria and continuous iron supplementation. The developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices were determined in infants after mild iron deficiency was excluded. The normal values were obtained from a selected group of healthy, term infants who were receiving continuous iron supplementation during a period of one year while normal values for transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were being maintained. The data indicated marked developmental changes in red blood cell counts and indices during the first year of life that are independent of iron intake. Serial analysis of individual infant's values indicated that the red cell measurement at 4 months of age are, to some extent, predictive of the level of subsequent values within the normal range.", "PMID": 632980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9691", "title": "The effects of moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy on fetal growth and morphogenesis.", "content": "Information on fetal hazards arising from moderate or low levels of maternal alcohol consumption is unavailable in man. In order to study this question an unselected group of pregnant women was interviewed during pregnancy regarding their alcohol intake. At the time of delivery pairs of high-risk and control infants were examined without knowledge of maternal drinking history. Of 163 infants examined, 11 were judged clinically to show signs compatible with a prenatal effect of alcohol on growth and morphogenesis. Nine of these 11 came from the high-risk drinking group. Only two of these infants were classified as having the fetal alcohol syndrome, and each of the mothers was a very heavy drinker. The other seven infants, who showed lesser alterations of growth and morphogenesis suggestive of fetal alcohol syndrome, were born to women who reported drinking an average of one ounce or more of absolute alcohol per day in the month prior to recognition of pregnancy. These results indicate that both moderate and high levels of alcohol intake during early pregnancy may result in alterations of growth and morphogenesis in the fetus.", "contents": "The effects of moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy on fetal growth and morphogenesis. Information on fetal hazards arising from moderate or low levels of maternal alcohol consumption is unavailable in man. In order to study this question an unselected group of pregnant women was interviewed during pregnancy regarding their alcohol intake. At the time of delivery pairs of high-risk and control infants were examined without knowledge of maternal drinking history. Of 163 infants examined, 11 were judged clinically to show signs compatible with a prenatal effect of alcohol on growth and morphogenesis. Nine of these 11 came from the high-risk drinking group. Only two of these infants were classified as having the fetal alcohol syndrome, and each of the mothers was a very heavy drinker. The other seven infants, who showed lesser alterations of growth and morphogenesis suggestive of fetal alcohol syndrome, were born to women who reported drinking an average of one ounce or more of absolute alcohol per day in the month prior to recognition of pregnancy. These results indicate that both moderate and high levels of alcohol intake during early pregnancy may result in alterations of growth and morphogenesis in the fetus.", "PMID": 632992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9692", "title": "Cord blood fatty acid composition in infants and in their mothers during the third trimester.", "content": "Since essential fatty acids are required for normal brain development, we studied plasma lipids and EFA levels in 16 postpartum mothers (28 to 44 weeks) and in the umbilical vein and artery of 32 newborn infants. Groups of eight 24 to 33-, 34 to 37-, 38 to 42-, and 43 to 44-week-old infants were studied. Plasma fatty acid composition was studied in PL, CE, TG, and FFA by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. Increased values for PL, CE, and TG (P less than 0.001) were noted in maternal plasma compared to cord plasma; linoleic acid was lower (P less than 0.001) in cord plasma PL, CE, and FA. EFA derivatives dihomo-gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids were higher in cord plasma (P less than 0.001). Total polyenoic EFA increased with advanced gestation, and at term, was close to maternal levels. delta-5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (elevated in EFA deficiency) was elevated in cord plasma as compared with maternal values (P less than 0.001); other criteria of EFA deficiency were absent. These data indicate that fetal EFAs are elongated and desaturated during the third trimester. These higher polyenoic acids may incorporate into lipids in the developing CNS. The lower linoleic acid levels in the fetus may be important to the transplacental transport of EFA.", "contents": "Cord blood fatty acid composition in infants and in their mothers during the third trimester. Since essential fatty acids are required for normal brain development, we studied plasma lipids and EFA levels in 16 postpartum mothers (28 to 44 weeks) and in the umbilical vein and artery of 32 newborn infants. Groups of eight 24 to 33-, 34 to 37-, 38 to 42-, and 43 to 44-week-old infants were studied. Plasma fatty acid composition was studied in PL, CE, TG, and FFA by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography. Increased values for PL, CE, and TG (P less than 0.001) were noted in maternal plasma compared to cord plasma; linoleic acid was lower (P less than 0.001) in cord plasma PL, CE, and FA. EFA derivatives dihomo-gamma-linolenic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids were higher in cord plasma (P less than 0.001). Total polyenoic EFA increased with advanced gestation, and at term, was close to maternal levels. delta-5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (elevated in EFA deficiency) was elevated in cord plasma as compared with maternal values (P less than 0.001); other criteria of EFA deficiency were absent. These data indicate that fetal EFAs are elongated and desaturated during the third trimester. These higher polyenoic acids may incorporate into lipids in the developing CNS. The lower linoleic acid levels in the fetus may be important to the transplacental transport of EFA.", "PMID": 632993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9693", "title": "Medical management of small preterm infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus.", "content": "During 1975, 38 of 44 infants with a birth weight of less than or equal to 1,500 gm who developed pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure due to a patent ductus arteriosus were managed medically until the ductus closed spontaneously days or weeks later. Overall survival was 71%, and there were no deaths among 11 infants weighing more than 1,250 gm. Pulmonary complications were prevalent and were attributed to the extensive use of mechanical ventilation required to control pulmonary edema. The results of this study document the results to be expected when small preterm infants with a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus are managed without surgical or pharmacologic intervention and provide a basis for the rational design of clinical trials evaluating other management approaches.", "contents": "Medical management of small preterm infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. During 1975, 38 of 44 infants with a birth weight of less than or equal to 1,500 gm who developed pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure due to a patent ductus arteriosus were managed medically until the ductus closed spontaneously days or weeks later. Overall survival was 71%, and there were no deaths among 11 infants weighing more than 1,250 gm. Pulmonary complications were prevalent and were attributed to the extensive use of mechanical ventilation required to control pulmonary edema. The results of this study document the results to be expected when small preterm infants with a symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus are managed without surgical or pharmacologic intervention and provide a basis for the rational design of clinical trials evaluating other management approaches.", "PMID": 632994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9694", "title": "Echocardiographic diagnosis: pitfalls in the premature infant with a large patent ductus arteriosus.", "content": "Thirty-one infants with clinical and radiographic evidence of a large left-to-right shunt across a patent ductus arteriosus underwent echocardiographic study to determine the magnitude of shunting. Seven patients were found to have a normal-left atrial dimensions and a normal left atrial/aortic root dimension at the time when physical and roentgenographic findings of a large PDA were most pronounced. In contrast, left ventricular end diastolic dimensions were excessive in these infants. After ductal closure (four, surgery; two, indomethacin, one, spontaneous) the left ventricular end diastolic dimension fell to the normal range. Optimal echocardiographic accuracy in infants with PDA should combine analysis of both atrial and ventricular dimensions; the former, used alone, may be misleading.", "contents": "Echocardiographic diagnosis: pitfalls in the premature infant with a large patent ductus arteriosus. Thirty-one infants with clinical and radiographic evidence of a large left-to-right shunt across a patent ductus arteriosus underwent echocardiographic study to determine the magnitude of shunting. Seven patients were found to have a normal-left atrial dimensions and a normal left atrial/aortic root dimension at the time when physical and roentgenographic findings of a large PDA were most pronounced. In contrast, left ventricular end diastolic dimensions were excessive in these infants. After ductal closure (four, surgery; two, indomethacin, one, spontaneous) the left ventricular end diastolic dimension fell to the normal range. Optimal echocardiographic accuracy in infants with PDA should combine analysis of both atrial and ventricular dimensions; the former, used alone, may be misleading.", "PMID": 632995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9695", "title": "Oral antibiotic therapy for skeletal infections of children. II. Therapy of osteomyelitis and suppurative arthritis.", "content": "Antimicrobial regimens consisting of a brief initial period of parenteral therapy followed by oral therapy were investigated in infants and children with suppurative bone and joint disease. There were 30 patients with acute hematogenous disease (19 osteomyelitis; three osteoarthritis; eight arthritis) and five with subacute or chronic osteomyelitis. Disease was due to Staphylococcus aureus in 26, Hemophilus influenzae in five, streptococci in three, and S. aureus plus Streptococcus pyogenes in one patient. Pus was removed by surgical drainage or needle aspiration. Oral therapy was monitored by assay of antibiotic concentration and bactericidal activity in serum. Adjustments in dosage were made when necessary to assure a peak serum bactericidal titer of at least 1:8. One patient progressed to chronic osteomyelitis but all other patients with acute disease responded well. Oral therapy provides increased patient comfort and decreases the risk of nosocomial infection associated with prolonged intravenous therapy. It should be carried out only under carefully monitored conditions in hospital to assure compliance and adequacy of serum bactericidal activity.", "contents": "Oral antibiotic therapy for skeletal infections of children. II. Therapy of osteomyelitis and suppurative arthritis. Antimicrobial regimens consisting of a brief initial period of parenteral therapy followed by oral therapy were investigated in infants and children with suppurative bone and joint disease. There were 30 patients with acute hematogenous disease (19 osteomyelitis; three osteoarthritis; eight arthritis) and five with subacute or chronic osteomyelitis. Disease was due to Staphylococcus aureus in 26, Hemophilus influenzae in five, streptococci in three, and S. aureus plus Streptococcus pyogenes in one patient. Pus was removed by surgical drainage or needle aspiration. Oral therapy was monitored by assay of antibiotic concentration and bactericidal activity in serum. Adjustments in dosage were made when necessary to assure a peak serum bactericidal titer of at least 1:8. One patient progressed to chronic osteomyelitis but all other patients with acute disease responded well. Oral therapy provides increased patient comfort and decreases the risk of nosocomial infection associated with prolonged intravenous therapy. It should be carried out only under carefully monitored conditions in hospital to assure compliance and adequacy of serum bactericidal activity.", "PMID": 632997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9696", "title": "The effect of cyproheptadine and human growth hormone on adrenocortical function in children with hypopituitarism.", "content": "The cortisol response to insulin hypoglycemia was determined in ten hypopituitary children treated for four months with both growth hormone and cyproheptadine, and in six other children with hypopituitarism treated for four months with hGH alone. All patients had previously normal responses to orally administered metyrapone. There was no demonstrable difference in the F responses to insulin hypoglycemia before and four months following its discontinuation in the patients receiving hGH alone. In the ten patients on combined therapy the F response to insulin hypoglycemia was normal in five and subnormal in five patients. These ten patients were retested at least two months after cessation of CPH therapy. The F response reverted to normal in four of the five patients in whom it had been subnormal. There was no significant change in the five patients with initial normal response. No patients had signs or symptoms of glucocorticoid insufficiency. In some cases, long-term administration of CPH to children with hypopituitarism is associated with decreased F response to insulin hypoglycemia; this may represent decreased adrenocortical reserve in these patients. The previously reported enhancement of growth of hypopituitary children treated with hGH and CPH may in part be a result of decreased F production.", "contents": "The effect of cyproheptadine and human growth hormone on adrenocortical function in children with hypopituitarism. The cortisol response to insulin hypoglycemia was determined in ten hypopituitary children treated for four months with both growth hormone and cyproheptadine, and in six other children with hypopituitarism treated for four months with hGH alone. All patients had previously normal responses to orally administered metyrapone. There was no demonstrable difference in the F responses to insulin hypoglycemia before and four months following its discontinuation in the patients receiving hGH alone. In the ten patients on combined therapy the F response to insulin hypoglycemia was normal in five and subnormal in five patients. These ten patients were retested at least two months after cessation of CPH therapy. The F response reverted to normal in four of the five patients in whom it had been subnormal. There was no significant change in the five patients with initial normal response. No patients had signs or symptoms of glucocorticoid insufficiency. In some cases, long-term administration of CPH to children with hypopituitarism is associated with decreased F response to insulin hypoglycemia; this may represent decreased adrenocortical reserve in these patients. The previously reported enhancement of growth of hypopituitary children treated with hGH and CPH may in part be a result of decreased F production.", "PMID": 632998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9697", "title": "Pediatric home care: an ambulatory \"special care unit\".", "content": "A pediatric home care program is described which has operated as an ambulatory special care unit in an urban hospital center since 1970. The program provides care for seriously or chronically ill children, who would not be adequately served through traditional ambulatory services because of either the severity and complexity of their medical problems or the inability of their families to use such services. An interdisciplinary PHC team provides comprehensive pediatric care and integrates medical and psychosocial services for the child and family. This form of special ambulatory care appears to offer advantages to patients who are at risk in existing ambulatory schemes and is an alternative to inpatient care.", "contents": "Pediatric home care: an ambulatory \"special care unit\". A pediatric home care program is described which has operated as an ambulatory special care unit in an urban hospital center since 1970. The program provides care for seriously or chronically ill children, who would not be adequately served through traditional ambulatory services because of either the severity and complexity of their medical problems or the inability of their families to use such services. An interdisciplinary PHC team provides comprehensive pediatric care and integrates medical and psychosocial services for the child and family. This form of special ambulatory care appears to offer advantages to patients who are at risk in existing ambulatory schemes and is an alternative to inpatient care.", "PMID": 632999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9698", "title": "Sickle cell syndromes. II. The sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome.", "content": "Five American black patients, ages 1 to 16 years, with the sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome are described. Each patient had persistent microcytosis not explained by iron deficiency, and in each family the presence of alpha-thalassemia in combination with sickle cell trait was demonstrated in one of the parents. In one patient, in whom the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was established at birth, an elevated level of Barts (gamma4) hemoglobin was also found. In these patients levels of alkali-resistant hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts were similar to those of sickle cell anemia patients of comparable age; however, stained smears of their peripheral blood rarely showed the presence of irreversibly sickled cells. No major ameliorative effect of the alpha-thalassemia on the clinical expression of the sickle cell disease of these patients was evident.", "contents": "Sickle cell syndromes. II. The sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome. Five American black patients, ages 1 to 16 years, with the sickle cell anemia-alpha-thalassemia syndrome are described. Each patient had persistent microcytosis not explained by iron deficiency, and in each family the presence of alpha-thalassemia in combination with sickle cell trait was demonstrated in one of the parents. In one patient, in whom the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was established at birth, an elevated level of Barts (gamma4) hemoglobin was also found. In these patients levels of alkali-resistant hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts were similar to those of sickle cell anemia patients of comparable age; however, stained smears of their peripheral blood rarely showed the presence of irreversibly sickled cells. No major ameliorative effect of the alpha-thalassemia on the clinical expression of the sickle cell disease of these patients was evident.", "PMID": 633012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9699", "title": "Excretion of iron in response to deferoxamine in sickle cell anemia.", "content": "Iron chelation with deferoxamine was studied in ten patients with sickle cell anemia who had received 2 to 37 liters of red blood cells. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 1.5 gm of deferoxamine administered intravenously ranged from 5.9 to 28.7 mg/24 hours and was closely related to the amount of iron acquired from transfusions. Administration of ascorbic acid did not improve deferoxamine-induced excretion of iron. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 0.75 gm of DFO intramuscularly was 4.7 to 6.9 mg/24 hours in three patients who had received 15 to 37 liters of red cells. The data indicate that measurement of DFO-induced excretion of iron is of value in detecting increased iron stores in children with sickle cell anemia who have received repeated transfusions and that chelation therapy will retard the accumulation of iron.", "contents": "Excretion of iron in response to deferoxamine in sickle cell anemia. Iron chelation with deferoxamine was studied in ten patients with sickle cell anemia who had received 2 to 37 liters of red blood cells. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 1.5 gm of deferoxamine administered intravenously ranged from 5.9 to 28.7 mg/24 hours and was closely related to the amount of iron acquired from transfusions. Administration of ascorbic acid did not improve deferoxamine-induced excretion of iron. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 0.75 gm of DFO intramuscularly was 4.7 to 6.9 mg/24 hours in three patients who had received 15 to 37 liters of red cells. The data indicate that measurement of DFO-induced excretion of iron is of value in detecting increased iron stores in children with sickle cell anemia who have received repeated transfusions and that chelation therapy will retard the accumulation of iron.", "PMID": 633013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9700", "title": "Intestinal surface area in infants with acquired monosaccharide intolerance.", "content": "Acquired monosaccharide intolerance is characterized by the malabsorption of all carbohydrates, resulting in profuse acidic diarrhea. Five infants with this syndrome, ranging from two to six months of age, were studied by measuring their ability to absorb glucose given by intestinal perfusion. Jejunal biopsies obtained at the time of perfusion were studied by light and electron microscopy, and surface area measurements were obtained. Glucose absorption and surface area were significantly decreased (P less than 0.005) during the acute phase of the disease and improved during convalescence. A linear correlation (r = 0.8757) was observed between the ability to absorb glucose and intestinal surface area. It is concluded that the loss of absorptive surface is a major cause of the reduced carbohydrate absorption and consequent diarrhea.", "contents": "Intestinal surface area in infants with acquired monosaccharide intolerance. Acquired monosaccharide intolerance is characterized by the malabsorption of all carbohydrates, resulting in profuse acidic diarrhea. Five infants with this syndrome, ranging from two to six months of age, were studied by measuring their ability to absorb glucose given by intestinal perfusion. Jejunal biopsies obtained at the time of perfusion were studied by light and electron microscopy, and surface area measurements were obtained. Glucose absorption and surface area were significantly decreased (P less than 0.005) during the acute phase of the disease and improved during convalescence. A linear correlation (r = 0.8757) was observed between the ability to absorb glucose and intestinal surface area. It is concluded that the loss of absorptive surface is a major cause of the reduced carbohydrate absorption and consequent diarrhea.", "PMID": 633014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9701", "title": "Intestinal function in infants with severe congenital heart disease.", "content": "We evaluated digestive tract function in 21 young infants with severe congenital heart disease. One group had congestive heart failure and ventricular septal defect or single ventricle; the other had cyanosis and transposition of the great arteries. Enteric protein loss was excessive in eight patients, and steatorrhea was found in five. These abnormalities were mild and not related to the type or severity of the cardiac lesion. Available evidence points to a need of these babies for calories in excess of normal requirements for weight. The present study suggests that in designing dietary regimens for these very sick patients, their potential for defective gastrointestinal function must be considered. Because no consistent pattern of abnormalities in apparent, each patient who fails to thrive may deserve gastroenterologic evaluation.", "contents": "Intestinal function in infants with severe congenital heart disease. We evaluated digestive tract function in 21 young infants with severe congenital heart disease. One group had congestive heart failure and ventricular septal defect or single ventricle; the other had cyanosis and transposition of the great arteries. Enteric protein loss was excessive in eight patients, and steatorrhea was found in five. These abnormalities were mild and not related to the type or severity of the cardiac lesion. Available evidence points to a need of these babies for calories in excess of normal requirements for weight. The present study suggests that in designing dietary regimens for these very sick patients, their potential for defective gastrointestinal function must be considered. Because no consistent pattern of abnormalities in apparent, each patient who fails to thrive may deserve gastroenterologic evaluation.", "PMID": 633015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9702", "title": "Iron burden in sickle cell anemia.", "content": "Total body iron burden was estimated by two indirect methods in 23 patients with sickle cell anemia. Concentrations of serum ferritin correlated directly and significantly with age of the patients. Eleven of 15 patients under 20 years of age had normal levels of serum ferritin. Deferoxamine-induced urinary excretion of iron was considerably less than that reported in patients with thalassemia major who were receiving regular blood transfusions. These data imply that patients with sickle cell anemia generally do not acquire excessive iron burdens during the first two decades of life. The risks of transfusional hemosiderosis in patients with sickle cell anemia who are included in hypertransfusion programs are discussed.", "contents": "Iron burden in sickle cell anemia. Total body iron burden was estimated by two indirect methods in 23 patients with sickle cell anemia. Concentrations of serum ferritin correlated directly and significantly with age of the patients. Eleven of 15 patients under 20 years of age had normal levels of serum ferritin. Deferoxamine-induced urinary excretion of iron was considerably less than that reported in patients with thalassemia major who were receiving regular blood transfusions. These data imply that patients with sickle cell anemia generally do not acquire excessive iron burdens during the first two decades of life. The risks of transfusional hemosiderosis in patients with sickle cell anemia who are included in hypertransfusion programs are discussed.", "PMID": 633016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9703", "title": "Plasma amino acid concentrations in newborn infants breast-fed ad libitum.", "content": "Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in peripheral venous blood of 40 newborn infants breast-fed ad libitum. When these data are compared with amino acid concentrations of umbilical cord artery plasma, only lysine and threonine show a striking decrease after birth: the concentrations of hydroxyproline, asparagine, glutamine, proline, cystine, leucine, tyrosine, and ornithine significantly increase during the first days of life. The high-protein concentration of colostrum and transitional milk may explain this observation.", "contents": "Plasma amino acid concentrations in newborn infants breast-fed ad libitum. Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in peripheral venous blood of 40 newborn infants breast-fed ad libitum. When these data are compared with amino acid concentrations of umbilical cord artery plasma, only lysine and threonine show a striking decrease after birth: the concentrations of hydroxyproline, asparagine, glutamine, proline, cystine, leucine, tyrosine, and ornithine significantly increase during the first days of life. The high-protein concentration of colostrum and transitional milk may explain this observation.", "PMID": 633024} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9704", "title": "Olfactory reflexes in the newborn infant.", "content": "Clinical responses to peppermint odor were observed in 100 healthy term and preterm infants during active sleep on two successive days. Thirty-six asphyxiated term infants and three infants with holoprosencephaly also were tested. Olfactory reflexes were regularly elicited in normal infants after 32 weeks' gestation, but some premature infants as young as 28 weeks also responded. Responses included initiation of sucking and arousal-withdrawal. Habituation occurred after two or three trials. A Moro response was seen only in a few asphyxiated infants; loss of olfactory reflexes appeared to parallel suppression of brainstem reflexes. Olfactory reflexes are useful in excluding cerebral malformations associated with agenesis of the olfactory bulbs.", "contents": "Olfactory reflexes in the newborn infant. Clinical responses to peppermint odor were observed in 100 healthy term and preterm infants during active sleep on two successive days. Thirty-six asphyxiated term infants and three infants with holoprosencephaly also were tested. Olfactory reflexes were regularly elicited in normal infants after 32 weeks' gestation, but some premature infants as young as 28 weeks also responded. Responses included initiation of sucking and arousal-withdrawal. Habituation occurred after two or three trials. A Moro response was seen only in a few asphyxiated infants; loss of olfactory reflexes appeared to parallel suppression of brainstem reflexes. Olfactory reflexes are useful in excluding cerebral malformations associated with agenesis of the olfactory bulbs.", "PMID": 633025} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9705", "title": "Intermediate phototherapy in the treatment of jaundice in the premature infant.", "content": "A controlled trial of the use of intermittent phototherapy for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants is reported. Periods of illumination of (1) 15 minutes light on, 15 minutes light off, (2) 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, and (3) 15 minutes on, 60 minutes off are as effective as is continuous illumunation. A comparison with previous trials of intermittent phototherapy is made and differences in results are explained using as a model the action of light on bilirubin.", "contents": "Intermediate phototherapy in the treatment of jaundice in the premature infant. A controlled trial of the use of intermittent phototherapy for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in newborn infants is reported. Periods of illumination of (1) 15 minutes light on, 15 minutes light off, (2) 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, and (3) 15 minutes on, 60 minutes off are as effective as is continuous illumunation. A comparison with previous trials of intermittent phototherapy is made and differences in results are explained using as a model the action of light on bilirubin.", "PMID": 633026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9706", "title": "Iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in Cooley anemia.", "content": "The iron-chelating agent, deferoxamine, was studied in 16 patients with thalassemia major. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 0.75 gm of deferoxamine, intramuscularly, ranged from 2.2 to 44.8 mg Fe/24 hours. In response to a subcutaneous infusion of 1.5 gm deferoxamine for 18 hours, iron excretion increased by an average of 240%. The intravenous infusion of large doses of deferoxamine for 18 hours resulted in the highest rate of iron excretion, as much as 447.5 mg Fe/24 hours in response to 16 gm of deferoxamine. Administration of vitamin C increased chelation-induced excretion of iron in most patients more than five years of age. Preliminary evidence suggests that further iron accumulation can be prevented and excessive iron stores can be depleted by the intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous administration of deferoxamine.", "contents": "Iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine in Cooley anemia. The iron-chelating agent, deferoxamine, was studied in 16 patients with thalassemia major. Urinary excretion of iron in response to 0.75 gm of deferoxamine, intramuscularly, ranged from 2.2 to 44.8 mg Fe/24 hours. In response to a subcutaneous infusion of 1.5 gm deferoxamine for 18 hours, iron excretion increased by an average of 240%. The intravenous infusion of large doses of deferoxamine for 18 hours resulted in the highest rate of iron excretion, as much as 447.5 mg Fe/24 hours in response to 16 gm of deferoxamine. Administration of vitamin C increased chelation-induced excretion of iron in most patients more than five years of age. Preliminary evidence suggests that further iron accumulation can be prevented and excessive iron stores can be depleted by the intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous administration of deferoxamine.", "PMID": 633031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9707", "title": "Determination of newborn special care bed requirements by application of queuing theory to 1975-1976 morbidity experience.", "content": "The movement of newborn infants from the delivery room of a level III perinatal center to nursing units that provided different levels of care was prospectively documented for 1975 and 1976. These data were employed in a computer modeling experiment based on sequential queuing theory to determine the relationships between numbers of available intermediate and maximum care nursery beds, the probability that a given newborn arrival could not be accommodated, and the occupancy rates for each level of care. The nursery bed requirements for the level III center were used to estimate the number of special care beds needed by the regional Health Service Area.", "contents": "Determination of newborn special care bed requirements by application of queuing theory to 1975-1976 morbidity experience. The movement of newborn infants from the delivery room of a level III perinatal center to nursing units that provided different levels of care was prospectively documented for 1975 and 1976. These data were employed in a computer modeling experiment based on sequential queuing theory to determine the relationships between numbers of available intermediate and maximum care nursery beds, the probability that a given newborn arrival could not be accommodated, and the occupancy rates for each level of care. The nursery bed requirements for the level III center were used to estimate the number of special care beds needed by the regional Health Service Area.", "PMID": 633034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9708", "title": "Fasting and postprandial serum gastrin in normal human neonates.", "content": "Serum gastrin determinations were performed in 32 normal-term infants to determine the level of this hormone in normal infants at birth and its response to normal feeding. Significant differences were noted between newborn cord blood and maternal blood at birth. Further significant elevations in fasting serum gastrins were noted in these infants over the first 72 hr of life. Pre- and postprandial determinations with normal feeding failed to demonstrate a significant elevation in serum gastrin levels following ingestion of protein-containing formulas. These data suggest a relative insensitivity of the release of gastrin from the gastric antrum in response to protein, a powerful mediator of gastrin release in the adult.", "contents": "Fasting and postprandial serum gastrin in normal human neonates. Serum gastrin determinations were performed in 32 normal-term infants to determine the level of this hormone in normal infants at birth and its response to normal feeding. Significant differences were noted between newborn cord blood and maternal blood at birth. Further significant elevations in fasting serum gastrins were noted in these infants over the first 72 hr of life. Pre- and postprandial determinations with normal feeding failed to demonstrate a significant elevation in serum gastrin levels following ingestion of protein-containing formulas. These data suggest a relative insensitivity of the release of gastrin from the gastric antrum in response to protein, a powerful mediator of gastrin release in the adult.", "PMID": 633050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9709", "title": "Electron microscopic observations in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS).", "content": "Electron microscopic observations of the pyloric parasympathetic ganglia in IHPS have demonstrated, contrary to previous reports, that no abnormalities exist in the neurons and interstitial cells of the plexuses or the cells of the pyloric smooth muscles. The significance of finding a small number of altered large axons is unclear. In view of finding essentially normal morphology, a \"functional\" etiology of this disease is suggested.", "contents": "Electron microscopic observations in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). Electron microscopic observations of the pyloric parasympathetic ganglia in IHPS have demonstrated, contrary to previous reports, that no abnormalities exist in the neurons and interstitial cells of the plexuses or the cells of the pyloric smooth muscles. The significance of finding a small number of altered large axons is unclear. In view of finding essentially normal morphology, a \"functional\" etiology of this disease is suggested.", "PMID": 633051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9710", "title": "Massive adrenal hemorrhage in neonatal neuroblastoma.", "content": "In a neonate with exsanguinating intraperitoneal bleeding admitted with a provisional diagnosis of ruptured liver due to birth trauma, laparotomy revealed the source of hemorrhage to be an adrenal neuroblastoma. This case prompted a review of cases of abdominal neuroblastoma admitted to the Neonatal Surgical Unit in Alder Hey Children's Hospital from 1953 to 1976. The features of 10 cases are presented: in three of them there was hemorrhage into the tumor. Of the 10 cases, six survived tumor free from 2 to 12 yr and there is one short-term survivor. The purpose of this presentation is to emphasize the possibility of an underlying neuroblastoma in cases of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage and also the relatively good prognosis in neuroblastoma presenting in the neonatal period.", "contents": "Massive adrenal hemorrhage in neonatal neuroblastoma. In a neonate with exsanguinating intraperitoneal bleeding admitted with a provisional diagnosis of ruptured liver due to birth trauma, laparotomy revealed the source of hemorrhage to be an adrenal neuroblastoma. This case prompted a review of cases of abdominal neuroblastoma admitted to the Neonatal Surgical Unit in Alder Hey Children's Hospital from 1953 to 1976. The features of 10 cases are presented: in three of them there was hemorrhage into the tumor. Of the 10 cases, six survived tumor free from 2 to 12 yr and there is one short-term survivor. The purpose of this presentation is to emphasize the possibility of an underlying neuroblastoma in cases of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage and also the relatively good prognosis in neuroblastoma presenting in the neonatal period.", "PMID": 633052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9711", "title": "Functional and metabolic evaluation of colon replacement of the esophagus in children.", "content": "Thirteen children with esophageal replacement with colon interposition have been followed at the University of Florida Medical Center between 1962 and 1976. Eight of these patients were evaluated with a detailed functional and metabolic protocol, four requiring colon interposition for esophageal atresia and four for esophageal strictures. Growth was noted to be somewhat delayed in the patients with esophageal atresia, especially those with associated congenital anomalies. Otherwise, excellent functional results were obtained. Significant anemia with depressed serum iron concentrations was noted in four patients, and three patients had abnormal vitamin B12 absorption. This abnormality correlated with length of terminal ileum employed with the interposed segment. Serum parameters of intestinal absorption were normal in each patient. Manometric evaluation revealed absence of peristalsis within the colonic segment, but progressive peristalsis within interposed ileal segments. Radiologic evaluation demonstrated delay in passage of thick material from mouth to stomach and wide variability in overall intestinal transit time.", "contents": "Functional and metabolic evaluation of colon replacement of the esophagus in children. Thirteen children with esophageal replacement with colon interposition have been followed at the University of Florida Medical Center between 1962 and 1976. Eight of these patients were evaluated with a detailed functional and metabolic protocol, four requiring colon interposition for esophageal atresia and four for esophageal strictures. Growth was noted to be somewhat delayed in the patients with esophageal atresia, especially those with associated congenital anomalies. Otherwise, excellent functional results were obtained. Significant anemia with depressed serum iron concentrations was noted in four patients, and three patients had abnormal vitamin B12 absorption. This abnormality correlated with length of terminal ileum employed with the interposed segment. Serum parameters of intestinal absorption were normal in each patient. Manometric evaluation revealed absence of peristalsis within the colonic segment, but progressive peristalsis within interposed ileal segments. Radiologic evaluation demonstrated delay in passage of thick material from mouth to stomach and wide variability in overall intestinal transit time.", "PMID": 633053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9712", "title": "Congenital vas deferens--ureteral connection.", "content": "Congenital drainage of the vas deferens into a ureter permits retrograde passage of urine through the vas to the epididymis. If this anomaly is accompanied by urinary tract pathology with vesicoureteral reflux, hydroureter, stasis, and infection, the passage of urine into the vas can very well lead to epididymitis of a chronic or recurring nature and secondary scrotal abscesses. Two cases of this rare anomalous connection are presented in which such scrotal infections occurred. The diagnosis should be suspected on clinical grounds and can be confirmed by cystograms in which the dye refluxes up the ureter and passes into the vas. The association of rectal anomalies is of embryologic significance and may be additionally important clinically by further suggesting the possibility of the ureteral-vas anomaly.", "contents": "Congenital vas deferens--ureteral connection. Congenital drainage of the vas deferens into a ureter permits retrograde passage of urine through the vas to the epididymis. If this anomaly is accompanied by urinary tract pathology with vesicoureteral reflux, hydroureter, stasis, and infection, the passage of urine into the vas can very well lead to epididymitis of a chronic or recurring nature and secondary scrotal abscesses. Two cases of this rare anomalous connection are presented in which such scrotal infections occurred. The diagnosis should be suspected on clinical grounds and can be confirmed by cystograms in which the dye refluxes up the ureter and passes into the vas. The association of rectal anomalies is of embryologic significance and may be additionally important clinically by further suggesting the possibility of the ureteral-vas anomaly.", "PMID": 633054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9713", "title": "Experimental investigations into the etiology of cholangitis following operation for biliary atresia.", "content": "Experimental operations carried out on young minipigs appear to show that cholangitis does not occur after simple ligation of the bile duct, but develops nearly invariably is the lymphatic drainage from the liver is also interrupted. The so-called \"ascending\" cholangitis observed after hepato-porto-entero anastomosis is probably not ascending at all, but blood-borne. When a hepatic portoenterostomy is carried out for biliary atresia, trauma to the lymphatics in the porta hepatis should be avoided and an additional omento-hepato-portopexy should be done. Recent clinical experience appears to confirm this hypothesis.", "contents": "Experimental investigations into the etiology of cholangitis following operation for biliary atresia. Experimental operations carried out on young minipigs appear to show that cholangitis does not occur after simple ligation of the bile duct, but develops nearly invariably is the lymphatic drainage from the liver is also interrupted. The so-called \"ascending\" cholangitis observed after hepato-porto-entero anastomosis is probably not ascending at all, but blood-borne. When a hepatic portoenterostomy is carried out for biliary atresia, trauma to the lymphatics in the porta hepatis should be avoided and an additional omento-hepato-portopexy should be done. Recent clinical experience appears to confirm this hypothesis.", "PMID": 633055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9714", "title": "Histologic studies of rectocolic aganglionosis and allied diseases.", "content": "It is well-known that some patients exhibiting the symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease are shown to have intramural ganglia in the distal myenteric plexus. Some of them have been described as \"pseudo-Hirschsprung's disease\". It is likely that a variety of conditions have been included in this group. Using a silver impregnation technique we have made a detailed histologic study of the rectum and large bowel in a number of cases with provisional clinical diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease but in which rectal biopsy showed small ganglia in Meissner's plexus demonstrated by acetylcholinesterase (Ach-E) staining. Three histologic variations were shown that may be called hypoganglionosis, immaturity of ganglia, and hypogenesis. An attempt is made to relate their clinical picture to the histologic findings.", "contents": "Histologic studies of rectocolic aganglionosis and allied diseases. It is well-known that some patients exhibiting the symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease are shown to have intramural ganglia in the distal myenteric plexus. Some of them have been described as \"pseudo-Hirschsprung's disease\". It is likely that a variety of conditions have been included in this group. Using a silver impregnation technique we have made a detailed histologic study of the rectum and large bowel in a number of cases with provisional clinical diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease but in which rectal biopsy showed small ganglia in Meissner's plexus demonstrated by acetylcholinesterase (Ach-E) staining. Three histologic variations were shown that may be called hypoganglionosis, immaturity of ganglia, and hypogenesis. An attempt is made to relate their clinical picture to the histologic findings.", "PMID": 633057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9715", "title": "A new treatment of anal incontinence in children: free autogenous muscle transplantation.", "content": "A new method is presented for the treatment of anal incontinence in children, including free autogenous muscle transplantation. The primary step is denervation of a skeletal muscle, which 2 wk later is transplanted and placed as a U-sling around the rectum, imitating the position and function of the puborectalis muscle. The transplant is placed in close contact with innervated muscles, which act as reinnervation sources. The results in five consecutive patients are highly promising. An early sign of improvement is the occurrence of a sensation of rectal fullness. All the patients reached an acceptable degree of continence, including abandonment of the use of napkins, 4-12 mo after surgery.", "contents": "A new treatment of anal incontinence in children: free autogenous muscle transplantation. A new method is presented for the treatment of anal incontinence in children, including free autogenous muscle transplantation. The primary step is denervation of a skeletal muscle, which 2 wk later is transplanted and placed as a U-sling around the rectum, imitating the position and function of the puborectalis muscle. The transplant is placed in close contact with innervated muscles, which act as reinnervation sources. The results in five consecutive patients are highly promising. An early sign of improvement is the occurrence of a sensation of rectal fullness. All the patients reached an acceptable degree of continence, including abandonment of the use of napkins, 4-12 mo after surgery.", "PMID": 633058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9716", "title": "Rorschach protocols for three diagnostic categories of adult offenders: normative data.", "content": "Rorschach norms were developed for an adult offender population. The 172 subjects were divided into four diagnostic categories: nonpsychotic/nonorganic, organic/nonpsychotic, psychotic/nonorganic, and psychotic/organic. Rorschach norms were developed for three of these categories. Major differences among these diagnostic categories and between Beck's adult normative population and the nonpsychotic/nonorganic category are discussed.", "contents": "Rorschach protocols for three diagnostic categories of adult offenders: normative data. Rorschach norms were developed for an adult offender population. The 172 subjects were divided into four diagnostic categories: nonpsychotic/nonorganic, organic/nonpsychotic, psychotic/nonorganic, and psychotic/organic. Rorschach norms were developed for three of these categories. Major differences among these diagnostic categories and between Beck's adult normative population and the nonpsychotic/nonorganic category are discussed.", "PMID": 633063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9717", "title": "Family relations as perceived by emotionally disturbed and normal boys.", "content": "The perception of feelings within the family of 9-13-year-old boys were studied. The purpose was to determine the sensitivity of the Family Relations Test (FRT) in discriminating between inpatients, outpatients, and normal controls. Both patient groups more frequently identified family members as sources of negative feelings than normal controls. Inpatients expressed more self-flattery and self-criticism and an absence of a reciprocal, positive relationship with their fathers. The FRT is only able to make a few quantitative differentiations between a clinical and a normal sample of boys but certain qualitative aspects of the responses were particularly noteworthy.", "contents": "Family relations as perceived by emotionally disturbed and normal boys. The perception of feelings within the family of 9-13-year-old boys were studied. The purpose was to determine the sensitivity of the Family Relations Test (FRT) in discriminating between inpatients, outpatients, and normal controls. Both patient groups more frequently identified family members as sources of negative feelings than normal controls. Inpatients expressed more self-flattery and self-criticism and an absence of a reciprocal, positive relationship with their fathers. The FRT is only able to make a few quantitative differentiations between a clinical and a normal sample of boys but certain qualitative aspects of the responses were particularly noteworthy.", "PMID": 633064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9718", "title": "Personality differences between intrinsically religious and nonreligious students: a factor analytic study.", "content": "By means of Allport's Religious Orientation Inventory (ROI) 145 students were classified as intrinsically religious and 133 as nonreligious. Personality differences between the two groups were explored on the basis of their scores on EPPS, the CPI, and 16 PF Questionnaire. Factor analysis of the combined 49 subscales of these three instruments produced eight factors: Achievement Potential, Self-Control, Social Ascendency, Affiliation, Personal and Social Adequacy, Egocentric Sexuality, Restlessness, and Stereotyped Femininity. Analyses of variance of the factor scores of the two groups of subjects showed significant differences on five of the eight factors, accounting for a total of 25% of the total variance. The intrinsically religious scored significantly higher on Self-Control, Personal and Social Adequacy, and Stereotyped Femininity; the nonreligious scored higher on Egocentric Sexuality and Restlessness. These results were discussed in relation to some of Allport's ideas on religion as a dimension of personality.", "contents": "Personality differences between intrinsically religious and nonreligious students: a factor analytic study. By means of Allport's Religious Orientation Inventory (ROI) 145 students were classified as intrinsically religious and 133 as nonreligious. Personality differences between the two groups were explored on the basis of their scores on EPPS, the CPI, and 16 PF Questionnaire. Factor analysis of the combined 49 subscales of these three instruments produced eight factors: Achievement Potential, Self-Control, Social Ascendency, Affiliation, Personal and Social Adequacy, Egocentric Sexuality, Restlessness, and Stereotyped Femininity. Analyses of variance of the factor scores of the two groups of subjects showed significant differences on five of the eight factors, accounting for a total of 25% of the total variance. The intrinsically religious scored significantly higher on Self-Control, Personal and Social Adequacy, and Stereotyped Femininity; the nonreligious scored higher on Egocentric Sexuality and Restlessness. These results were discussed in relation to some of Allport's ideas on religion as a dimension of personality.", "PMID": 633065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9719", "title": "Intravenous self-administration of drugs in rats.", "content": "A standardized self-administration procedure in rats was used to determine the intravenous self-administration liability of graded doses of various drugs. Self-administration was reliably established with the tested addictive drugs (morphine, heroin, fentanyl and d-amphetamine), but not with the nonaddictive drugs (chlorpromazine and nalorphine). However, 1 out of 14 animals on nalorphine clearly demonstrated self-administering behavior. Self-administration was observed with delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol, but the percentage of animals (40% on the highest dose) that initiated this behavior and the amount of drug intake were low in comparison with amphetamine and narcotics. Concerning the narcotic drugs, approximate ED50 values for self-administration under the described conditions were calculated (morphine: 0.65; heroin: 0.05; fentanyl: 0.0025 mg/kg/injection). Total daily drug intake was related to the unit dose delivered per injection in that a higher drug dosage led to more drug intake. In experiments with heroin, this relationship was not caused by prior forced injections. The approximate ED50 value for amphetamine appeared to be 0.145 mg/kg/injection. Narcotic drug administration resulted in a disturbance of the patterns of food and water intake. Shortly after drug administration food intake was stimulated, followed by an increased consumption of water. The patterns of food and water intake remained disturbed in animals showing self-injecting behavior. With amphetamine both the quantity of food and the frequency of eating were reduced. These effects were observed only temporarily in animals tested without prior forced injections. The present results indicate that measuring the reinforcing efficacy of drugs under strictly defined experimental conditions provides quantitative criteria for intravenous self-administration of drugs in rats.", "contents": "Intravenous self-administration of drugs in rats. A standardized self-administration procedure in rats was used to determine the intravenous self-administration liability of graded doses of various drugs. Self-administration was reliably established with the tested addictive drugs (morphine, heroin, fentanyl and d-amphetamine), but not with the nonaddictive drugs (chlorpromazine and nalorphine). However, 1 out of 14 animals on nalorphine clearly demonstrated self-administering behavior. Self-administration was observed with delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol, but the percentage of animals (40% on the highest dose) that initiated this behavior and the amount of drug intake were low in comparison with amphetamine and narcotics. Concerning the narcotic drugs, approximate ED50 values for self-administration under the described conditions were calculated (morphine: 0.65; heroin: 0.05; fentanyl: 0.0025 mg/kg/injection). Total daily drug intake was related to the unit dose delivered per injection in that a higher drug dosage led to more drug intake. In experiments with heroin, this relationship was not caused by prior forced injections. The approximate ED50 value for amphetamine appeared to be 0.145 mg/kg/injection. Narcotic drug administration resulted in a disturbance of the patterns of food and water intake. Shortly after drug administration food intake was stimulated, followed by an increased consumption of water. The patterns of food and water intake remained disturbed in animals showing self-injecting behavior. With amphetamine both the quantity of food and the frequency of eating were reduced. These effects were observed only temporarily in animals tested without prior forced injections. The present results indicate that measuring the reinforcing efficacy of drugs under strictly defined experimental conditions provides quantitative criteria for intravenous self-administration of drugs in rats.", "PMID": 633066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9720", "title": "Antiarrhythmic, metabolic and hemodynamic effects of Org 6001 (3alpha-amino-5alpha-androstan-2beta-ol-17-one-hydrochloride) after coronary flow reduction in pigs.", "content": "The antiarrhythmic activity of the aminosteroid Org 6001 was investigated in young pigs (20-28 kg). Ventricular arrhythmias were induced by restriction of the flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to 25% of its control value during a period of 30 minutes. Nine out of 30 control animals died in this period due to ventricular fibrillation. None of the 19 animals treated with Org 6001 (5-10 mg/kg) or the 12 animals treated with lidocaine (2.75-3.50 mg/kg) fibrillated. Moreover, the number of premature ventricular beats was greatly reduced in pretreated groups compared with the untreated group (P less than .001). The first derivative of left ventricular pressure decreased with 25% (P less than 0.001) after administration of Org 6001. However, during 30 minutes of LAD flow reduction to 25% of control, the adverse effects of Org 6001 were less than those of lidocaine. Myocardial lactate production indicated some delay in onset of ischemia. However, there was no indication that this beneficial effect was long-lasting. When after 30 minutes of LAD flow reduction to 25% of control, the LAD was completely occluded between its second and third branch, all untreated animals fibrillated within 120 minutes, whereas 4 of the 19 animals treated with Org 6001 and 3 of the 12 treated with lidocaine survived. It is concluded that Org 6001 has antiarrhythmic properties in the ischemic pig heart which compare favorably with those of lidocaine.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic, metabolic and hemodynamic effects of Org 6001 (3alpha-amino-5alpha-androstan-2beta-ol-17-one-hydrochloride) after coronary flow reduction in pigs. The antiarrhythmic activity of the aminosteroid Org 6001 was investigated in young pigs (20-28 kg). Ventricular arrhythmias were induced by restriction of the flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) to 25% of its control value during a period of 30 minutes. Nine out of 30 control animals died in this period due to ventricular fibrillation. None of the 19 animals treated with Org 6001 (5-10 mg/kg) or the 12 animals treated with lidocaine (2.75-3.50 mg/kg) fibrillated. Moreover, the number of premature ventricular beats was greatly reduced in pretreated groups compared with the untreated group (P less than .001). The first derivative of left ventricular pressure decreased with 25% (P less than 0.001) after administration of Org 6001. However, during 30 minutes of LAD flow reduction to 25% of control, the adverse effects of Org 6001 were less than those of lidocaine. Myocardial lactate production indicated some delay in onset of ischemia. However, there was no indication that this beneficial effect was long-lasting. When after 30 minutes of LAD flow reduction to 25% of control, the LAD was completely occluded between its second and third branch, all untreated animals fibrillated within 120 minutes, whereas 4 of the 19 animals treated with Org 6001 and 3 of the 12 treated with lidocaine survived. It is concluded that Org 6001 has antiarrhythmic properties in the ischemic pig heart which compare favorably with those of lidocaine.", "PMID": 633069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9721", "title": "Effects of some coronary vasodilator drugs on collateral hemodynamics after chronic myocardial ischemia in the anesthetized dog: appropriate or inappropriate redistribution?", "content": "These effects of dipyridamole, carbochromen, pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), papaverine and ethaverine on collateral hemodynamics were investigated in anesthetized dogs 5 weeks after experimental coronary occlusion. The retrograde pressure, flow and resistance (RP, RF and RR) and the pressure, flow and resistance of the nonoccluded artery (CP, CF and CR) were measured; the pressure, flow and resistance ratios, i.e., the circulatory relationships which appeared between areas localized on both sides of the well-developed collateral channels, were calculated. Dipyridamole and carbochromen provoked an inappropriate and long-lasting redistribution to the detriment of ischemic areas: RF and RP decreased, whereas CF increased; RP/CP and RF/CF decreased; RR/CR increased. PETN provoked a redistribution in favor of ischemic areas: RF increased and RR decreased; RP/CP and RF/CF increased; RR/CR decreased. These main effects of PETN appeared after a first short period during which the changes in normal and ischemic areas were almost identical. Like PETN, papaverine and ethaverine provoked an appropriate redistribution during a second period. These results are discussed in terms of the selectivity of coronary dilator action on large or small vessels. The methodology used appears to be adequate to evaluate the activities of various drugs on a well-developed collateral coronary circulation.", "contents": "Effects of some coronary vasodilator drugs on collateral hemodynamics after chronic myocardial ischemia in the anesthetized dog: appropriate or inappropriate redistribution? These effects of dipyridamole, carbochromen, pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), papaverine and ethaverine on collateral hemodynamics were investigated in anesthetized dogs 5 weeks after experimental coronary occlusion. The retrograde pressure, flow and resistance (RP, RF and RR) and the pressure, flow and resistance of the nonoccluded artery (CP, CF and CR) were measured; the pressure, flow and resistance ratios, i.e., the circulatory relationships which appeared between areas localized on both sides of the well-developed collateral channels, were calculated. Dipyridamole and carbochromen provoked an inappropriate and long-lasting redistribution to the detriment of ischemic areas: RF and RP decreased, whereas CF increased; RP/CP and RF/CF decreased; RR/CR increased. PETN provoked a redistribution in favor of ischemic areas: RF increased and RR decreased; RP/CP and RF/CF increased; RR/CR decreased. These main effects of PETN appeared after a first short period during which the changes in normal and ischemic areas were almost identical. Like PETN, papaverine and ethaverine provoked an appropriate redistribution during a second period. These results are discussed in terms of the selectivity of coronary dilator action on large or small vessels. The methodology used appears to be adequate to evaluate the activities of various drugs on a well-developed collateral coronary circulation.", "PMID": 633070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9722", "title": "Renal gluconeogenesis in clofibrate-treated rats.", "content": "Clofibrate was administered in the diet (0.3% w/w) for varying periods of time to normal rats. Rats were killed by decapitation and several biochemical measurements were made. Clofibrate lowered serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride and produced a kidney hypertrophy; these effects were maximal after 3 days of feeding and persisted for 21 days. Serum clofibric acid levels were highest on the 3rd day and decreased to maintenance levels by the 7th day. Clofibrate markedly increased the activities of glucose 6-phosphatase, pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in kidney cortex and the synthesis of glucose from glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and malate by kidney cortex slices. Clofibrate treatment did not affect blood pH or bicarbonate levels. It is concluded that clofibrate enhances renal gluconeogenesis in the rat and that the effect is not caused by altering acid-base balance.", "contents": "Renal gluconeogenesis in clofibrate-treated rats. Clofibrate was administered in the diet (0.3% w/w) for varying periods of time to normal rats. Rats were killed by decapitation and several biochemical measurements were made. Clofibrate lowered serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride and produced a kidney hypertrophy; these effects were maximal after 3 days of feeding and persisted for 21 days. Serum clofibric acid levels were highest on the 3rd day and decreased to maintenance levels by the 7th day. Clofibrate markedly increased the activities of glucose 6-phosphatase, pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in kidney cortex and the synthesis of glucose from glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and malate by kidney cortex slices. Clofibrate treatment did not affect blood pH or bicarbonate levels. It is concluded that clofibrate enhances renal gluconeogenesis in the rat and that the effect is not caused by altering acid-base balance.", "PMID": 633072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9723", "title": "Ascorbic acid and cytochrome P-450.", "content": "Liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 is significantly reduced in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs and studies are presented on the biochemical basis for this effect. The activities of the key enzymes involved in heme synthesis, delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetase. ALA dehydratase and ferrochelatase, were not significantly reduced in livers from ascorbic acid-deficient animals. In addition, there was no significant difference in the amount of \"mitochondrial heme\" in normal and ascorbic acid-deficient livers. However, ascorbic acid deficiency did affect induction with diethyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate; a 6-fold increase in ALA synthetase activity occurred in liver homogenates prepared from normal animals in contrast to no significant increase in homogenates prepared from ascorbic acid-deficient animals. Multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 exist in guinea-pig microsomes as has been demonstrated in microsomes from other species. Separation of 44,000 to 60,000 dalton polypeptides (molecular weight region for the various forms of cytochrome P-450) by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed quantitative differences in the polypeptides from normal and ascorbic acid-deficient microsomes. Ascorbic acid-deficient microsomes consistently demonstrated reductions in three polypeptide bands (molecular weight 44,000, 52,000 and 57,000) and increases in two polypeptide bands (54,000 and 55,000) compared with normal microsomes. Evidence that these polypeptides are cytochrome P-450 was obtained from heme staining with tetramethylbenzidine and from induction studies with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene. The results indicate that ascorbic acid deficiency does not affect the availability of heme for cytochrome P-450 synthesis and the effect of ascorbic acid may be on the apoprotein moiety of cytochrome P-450.", "contents": "Ascorbic acid and cytochrome P-450. Liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 is significantly reduced in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs and studies are presented on the biochemical basis for this effect. The activities of the key enzymes involved in heme synthesis, delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetase. ALA dehydratase and ferrochelatase, were not significantly reduced in livers from ascorbic acid-deficient animals. In addition, there was no significant difference in the amount of \"mitochondrial heme\" in normal and ascorbic acid-deficient livers. However, ascorbic acid deficiency did affect induction with diethyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate; a 6-fold increase in ALA synthetase activity occurred in liver homogenates prepared from normal animals in contrast to no significant increase in homogenates prepared from ascorbic acid-deficient animals. Multiple forms of cytochrome P-450 exist in guinea-pig microsomes as has been demonstrated in microsomes from other species. Separation of 44,000 to 60,000 dalton polypeptides (molecular weight region for the various forms of cytochrome P-450) by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed quantitative differences in the polypeptides from normal and ascorbic acid-deficient microsomes. Ascorbic acid-deficient microsomes consistently demonstrated reductions in three polypeptide bands (molecular weight 44,000, 52,000 and 57,000) and increases in two polypeptide bands (54,000 and 55,000) compared with normal microsomes. Evidence that these polypeptides are cytochrome P-450 was obtained from heme staining with tetramethylbenzidine and from induction studies with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene. The results indicate that ascorbic acid deficiency does not affect the availability of heme for cytochrome P-450 synthesis and the effect of ascorbic acid may be on the apoprotein moiety of cytochrome P-450.", "PMID": 633074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9724", "title": "Metabolic activation of trichloroethylene into a chemically reactive metabolite toxic to the liver.", "content": "The mechanism for trichloroethylene hepatotoxicity was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased and CoCl2 pretreatment decreased trichloroethylene hepatotoxicity. After administration of 1(14)C]trichloroethylene, a radioactive material became irreversibly bound to hepatic proteins, while negligible amounts were bound to muscle proteins. When 1(14)C]trichloroethylene was incubated under air with hepatic microsomes and a NADPH-generating system, a radioactive material became irreversibly bound to microsomal proteins; binding was negligible when the NADPH-generating system was omitted; binding was inhibited by carbon monoxide and by piperonyl butoxide; the amount of bound material was greater with microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated rats and lower with microsomes from CoCl2-pretreated rats than with microsomes from nonpretreated rats. Trichloroethylene administration decreased hepatic glutathione in normal rats but not in piperonyl butoxide-pretreated rats; in vitro, glutathione decreased the amount of trichloroethylene material that bound to microsomal proteins. The reported results are consistent with the view that 1) trichloroethylene is metabolized by cytochrome P-450 into a chemically reactive metabolite which reacts with, and binds to, either proteins or glutathione, 2) binding to proteins produces liver lesions and 3) binding to glutathione decreases the amount of reactive metabolite available for binding to proteins.", "contents": "Metabolic activation of trichloroethylene into a chemically reactive metabolite toxic to the liver. The mechanism for trichloroethylene hepatotoxicity was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased and CoCl2 pretreatment decreased trichloroethylene hepatotoxicity. After administration of 1(14)C]trichloroethylene, a radioactive material became irreversibly bound to hepatic proteins, while negligible amounts were bound to muscle proteins. When 1(14)C]trichloroethylene was incubated under air with hepatic microsomes and a NADPH-generating system, a radioactive material became irreversibly bound to microsomal proteins; binding was negligible when the NADPH-generating system was omitted; binding was inhibited by carbon monoxide and by piperonyl butoxide; the amount of bound material was greater with microsomes from phenobarbital-pretreated rats and lower with microsomes from CoCl2-pretreated rats than with microsomes from nonpretreated rats. Trichloroethylene administration decreased hepatic glutathione in normal rats but not in piperonyl butoxide-pretreated rats; in vitro, glutathione decreased the amount of trichloroethylene material that bound to microsomal proteins. The reported results are consistent with the view that 1) trichloroethylene is metabolized by cytochrome P-450 into a chemically reactive metabolite which reacts with, and binds to, either proteins or glutathione, 2) binding to proteins produces liver lesions and 3) binding to glutathione decreases the amount of reactive metabolite available for binding to proteins.", "PMID": 633075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9725", "title": "A kinetic and pharmacologic analysis of 5-hydroxytryptamine transport by human platelets and platelet storage granules: comparison with central serotonergic neurons.", "content": "The mechanisms whereby human platelets transport serotonin (5-HT) were explored by determining the initial velocity of 5-HT uptake over a wide range of 5-HT concentrations. Total 5-HT transport could be resolved into a saturable high affinity-low capacity active transport system plus nonsaturable passive diffusion. Previous kinetic analyses of 5-HT transport into platelets and brain slices have been found to be in error and the correct kinetic constants have been recalculated here. The saturable active uptake of 5-HT into human platelets is directly susceptible to inhibition by several pharmacologic agents (ouabain, metabolic inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants) which do not inhibit the nonsaturable passive diffusion nor the nonsaturable granular transport of 5-HT. On the other hand, granular binding of 5-HT is directly susceptible to inhibition by pharmacologic agents (reserpine, tetrabenazine and N-ethylmaleimide) which do not directly inhibit saturable active uptake nor nonsaturable passive diffusion of 5-HT. Quantitative studies of platelet 5-HT transport have shown that at low concentrations of 5-HT, the pharmacologic and biochemical properties of total 5-HT transport are determined mostly by the saturable high affinity active membrane transport system for 5-HT; at high concentrations of 5-HT, the properties of 5-HT accumulation by platelets are determined mostly by the granular storage mechanism. Detailed comparisons of the kinetic, biochemical and pharmacologic characteristics of 5-HT transport in platelets and brain support the notion that the platelet can serve as a model for 5-HT transport by central nervous system neurons.", "contents": "A kinetic and pharmacologic analysis of 5-hydroxytryptamine transport by human platelets and platelet storage granules: comparison with central serotonergic neurons. The mechanisms whereby human platelets transport serotonin (5-HT) were explored by determining the initial velocity of 5-HT uptake over a wide range of 5-HT concentrations. Total 5-HT transport could be resolved into a saturable high affinity-low capacity active transport system plus nonsaturable passive diffusion. Previous kinetic analyses of 5-HT transport into platelets and brain slices have been found to be in error and the correct kinetic constants have been recalculated here. The saturable active uptake of 5-HT into human platelets is directly susceptible to inhibition by several pharmacologic agents (ouabain, metabolic inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants) which do not inhibit the nonsaturable passive diffusion nor the nonsaturable granular transport of 5-HT. On the other hand, granular binding of 5-HT is directly susceptible to inhibition by pharmacologic agents (reserpine, tetrabenazine and N-ethylmaleimide) which do not directly inhibit saturable active uptake nor nonsaturable passive diffusion of 5-HT. Quantitative studies of platelet 5-HT transport have shown that at low concentrations of 5-HT, the pharmacologic and biochemical properties of total 5-HT transport are determined mostly by the saturable high affinity active membrane transport system for 5-HT; at high concentrations of 5-HT, the properties of 5-HT accumulation by platelets are determined mostly by the granular storage mechanism. Detailed comparisons of the kinetic, biochemical and pharmacologic characteristics of 5-HT transport in platelets and brain support the notion that the platelet can serve as a model for 5-HT transport by central nervous system neurons.", "PMID": 633077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9726", "title": "Dopamine turnover in the intact rabbit brain: effect of pentobarbital or haloperidol.", "content": "Turnover of dopamine in the intact brain of the unanesthetized rabbit was estimated from the rate of appearance of endogenous homovanillic acid (HVA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment. The rate of appearance of the dopamine metabolite was determined by isotope dilution during ventriculocisternal perfusion with artificial CSF containing [3H]HVA. Removal of HVA from the perfusate was concomitantly determined and analyzed in terms of bulk absorption, diffusion and active transport. Studies of the effects of pentobarbital and haloperidol showed that application of either drug resulted in increased HVA levels in the cerebrovascular perfusates. Haloperidol caused a 4-fold increase in the rate of appearance of HVA without affecting the processes for metabolite removal, whereas pentobarbital did not alter the rate of appearance of HVA but induced blockage of its active transport from the perfused CSF compartment. The perfusion method permits simultaneous estimations of the rates of appearance and disappearance of monoamine metabolites in the CSF and is therefore suitable for determining whether a change in the metabolite concentration is causally related to a change in its production or removal or both.", "contents": "Dopamine turnover in the intact rabbit brain: effect of pentobarbital or haloperidol. Turnover of dopamine in the intact brain of the unanesthetized rabbit was estimated from the rate of appearance of endogenous homovanillic acid (HVA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment. The rate of appearance of the dopamine metabolite was determined by isotope dilution during ventriculocisternal perfusion with artificial CSF containing [3H]HVA. Removal of HVA from the perfusate was concomitantly determined and analyzed in terms of bulk absorption, diffusion and active transport. Studies of the effects of pentobarbital and haloperidol showed that application of either drug resulted in increased HVA levels in the cerebrovascular perfusates. Haloperidol caused a 4-fold increase in the rate of appearance of HVA without affecting the processes for metabolite removal, whereas pentobarbital did not alter the rate of appearance of HVA but induced blockage of its active transport from the perfused CSF compartment. The perfusion method permits simultaneous estimations of the rates of appearance and disappearance of monoamine metabolites in the CSF and is therefore suitable for determining whether a change in the metabolite concentration is causally related to a change in its production or removal or both.", "PMID": 633078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9727", "title": "Centrally mediated release by cocaine of endogenous epinephrine and norepinephrine from the sympathoadrenal medullary system of unanesthetized rats.", "content": "A radioenzymatic-paper chromatographic method for a simultaneous assay of catecholamines was used to study the effect of cocaine on the release of endogenous catecholamines from the sympathoadrenal medullary system into the blood of unanesthetized rats. Twenty-four hours after arterial cannulation, the \"basal\" levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in blood obtained through the catheter from conscious, undisturbed rats were 0.48 +/- 0.06 and 0.36 +/- 0.06 ng/ml, respectively. Administration, via the arterial catheter, of cocaine (0.4-10 mg/kg) produced dose-related increases in NE (0.59 +/- 0.03 to 1.58 +/- 0.34 ng/ml) and EPI (1.15 +/- 0.16 to 6.67 +/- 0.46 ng/ml). Inhibition of catechol O-methyltransferase by tropolone (40 mg/kg) enhanced by 5- to 10-fold the maximal response to cocaine without altering significantly the basal plasma levels of EPI or NE. Bilateral splanchnic denervation reduced the cocaine-tropolone-induced release of EPI and NE by 75 and 50%, respectively. Desipramine (10 mg/kg) failed to alter significantly plasma levels of NE or EPI, even after tropolone. Thus, the increment in plasma levels of NE and EPI in conscious rats given cocaine is mainly the result of a centrally mediated adrenal medullary discharge of catecholamines, rather than inhibition of catecholamine uptake.", "contents": "Centrally mediated release by cocaine of endogenous epinephrine and norepinephrine from the sympathoadrenal medullary system of unanesthetized rats. A radioenzymatic-paper chromatographic method for a simultaneous assay of catecholamines was used to study the effect of cocaine on the release of endogenous catecholamines from the sympathoadrenal medullary system into the blood of unanesthetized rats. Twenty-four hours after arterial cannulation, the \"basal\" levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in blood obtained through the catheter from conscious, undisturbed rats were 0.48 +/- 0.06 and 0.36 +/- 0.06 ng/ml, respectively. Administration, via the arterial catheter, of cocaine (0.4-10 mg/kg) produced dose-related increases in NE (0.59 +/- 0.03 to 1.58 +/- 0.34 ng/ml) and EPI (1.15 +/- 0.16 to 6.67 +/- 0.46 ng/ml). Inhibition of catechol O-methyltransferase by tropolone (40 mg/kg) enhanced by 5- to 10-fold the maximal response to cocaine without altering significantly the basal plasma levels of EPI or NE. Bilateral splanchnic denervation reduced the cocaine-tropolone-induced release of EPI and NE by 75 and 50%, respectively. Desipramine (10 mg/kg) failed to alter significantly plasma levels of NE or EPI, even after tropolone. Thus, the increment in plasma levels of NE and EPI in conscious rats given cocaine is mainly the result of a centrally mediated adrenal medullary discharge of catecholamines, rather than inhibition of catecholamine uptake.", "PMID": 633079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9728", "title": "Responses of heart ornithine decarboxylase and adrenal catecholamines to methadone and sympathetic stimulants in developing and adults rats.", "content": "Sympathetic stimulation elevates heart ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in adult rats, an effect which is followed by cardiac hypertrophy. In developing animals, adrenergic agonists play a role in cardiac growth and differentiation. Methadone administration to adult rats stimulated heart ODC, and this stimulation could be blocked by the sympatholytic agents chlorisondamine, reserpine or propranolol, suggesting that the effect is mediated via central stimulation of sympathetic nerves. With repeated methadone administration, tolerance developed to the heart ODC stimulation by methadone, eventually resulting in decreased heart ODC accompanied by deficits in heart weight. The sensitivity of the mature heart and adrenal medulla to the sympathetic stimulants insulin, nicotine or isoproterenol was virtually unchanged during long-term methadone administration, indicating that tolerance of the heart ODC response to methadone did not result from subsensitivity of the efferent sympathetic pathway or the heart ODC response system. In normally developing rats, responses to insulin-induced reflex stimulation of sympathetic nerve supplies to the heart and adrenal medulla did not occur until 8 days of postnatal age; however, daily treatment of pups with methadone begun the day after birth accelerated the development of functiona heart and adrenal medullary responses to insulin such that responses were obtained by 4 days of age. The cardiac responses to nicotine developed somewhat differently, with significant ODC stimulation first appearing at 12 days in controls and at 8 days in methadone-treated pups. In the adrenal gland, a tissue in which responses to nicotine do not depend on an intact nerve supply a catecholamine secretory response to nicotine was observed at 4 days of age in controls. These data suggest that methadone treatment accelerates the development of functional sympathetic innervation of heart and adrenal medulla, with resultant abnormalities in cardiac muscle growth and differentiation.", "contents": "Responses of heart ornithine decarboxylase and adrenal catecholamines to methadone and sympathetic stimulants in developing and adults rats. Sympathetic stimulation elevates heart ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in adult rats, an effect which is followed by cardiac hypertrophy. In developing animals, adrenergic agonists play a role in cardiac growth and differentiation. Methadone administration to adult rats stimulated heart ODC, and this stimulation could be blocked by the sympatholytic agents chlorisondamine, reserpine or propranolol, suggesting that the effect is mediated via central stimulation of sympathetic nerves. With repeated methadone administration, tolerance developed to the heart ODC stimulation by methadone, eventually resulting in decreased heart ODC accompanied by deficits in heart weight. The sensitivity of the mature heart and adrenal medulla to the sympathetic stimulants insulin, nicotine or isoproterenol was virtually unchanged during long-term methadone administration, indicating that tolerance of the heart ODC response to methadone did not result from subsensitivity of the efferent sympathetic pathway or the heart ODC response system. In normally developing rats, responses to insulin-induced reflex stimulation of sympathetic nerve supplies to the heart and adrenal medulla did not occur until 8 days of postnatal age; however, daily treatment of pups with methadone begun the day after birth accelerated the development of functiona heart and adrenal medullary responses to insulin such that responses were obtained by 4 days of age. The cardiac responses to nicotine developed somewhat differently, with significant ODC stimulation first appearing at 12 days in controls and at 8 days in methadone-treated pups. In the adrenal gland, a tissue in which responses to nicotine do not depend on an intact nerve supply a catecholamine secretory response to nicotine was observed at 4 days of age in controls. These data suggest that methadone treatment accelerates the development of functional sympathetic innervation of heart and adrenal medulla, with resultant abnormalities in cardiac muscle growth and differentiation.", "PMID": 633081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9729", "title": "Reserpine-induced supersensitivity to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of calcium in rabbit atria.", "content": "Supersensitivity to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of calcium was demonstrated in spontaneously beating paired atria from reserpine-pretreated (0.1 mg/kg/day, 7 days) rabbits. Supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of calcium in electrically driven left atria was also demonstrated. Atria were driven at 80, 100 and 120 beats/min. At each frequency the reserpine-pretreated atria were more sensitive than controls. Atria were tested under diastolic tensions of 1,2 and 4 g. As the tension was increased the sensitivity to calcium increased. The sensitivity of reserpine-pretreated atria was greater at each tension than that of control atria. Atria tested at 37 degrees C were less sensitive than those tested at 30 degrees C; however, the reserpine-pretreated atria were more sensitive than control atria at both temperatures. This study demonstrates that reserpine-induced supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of calcium can be obtained and that the ability to demonstrate this phenomenon does not appear to be altered by the frequency, diastolic tension or temperature at which each experiment is performed.", "contents": "Reserpine-induced supersensitivity to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of calcium in rabbit atria. Supersensitivity to the chronotropic and inotropic effects of calcium was demonstrated in spontaneously beating paired atria from reserpine-pretreated (0.1 mg/kg/day, 7 days) rabbits. Supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of calcium in electrically driven left atria was also demonstrated. Atria were driven at 80, 100 and 120 beats/min. At each frequency the reserpine-pretreated atria were more sensitive than controls. Atria were tested under diastolic tensions of 1,2 and 4 g. As the tension was increased the sensitivity to calcium increased. The sensitivity of reserpine-pretreated atria was greater at each tension than that of control atria. Atria tested at 37 degrees C were less sensitive than those tested at 30 degrees C; however, the reserpine-pretreated atria were more sensitive than control atria at both temperatures. This study demonstrates that reserpine-induced supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of calcium can be obtained and that the ability to demonstrate this phenomenon does not appear to be altered by the frequency, diastolic tension or temperature at which each experiment is performed.", "PMID": 633082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9730", "title": "Studies with a new antifolate 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine (DAMP): tissue distribution and disposition of 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine and its metabolite.", "content": "The pharmacokinetics of a potentially useful antitumor agent, 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine (DAMP) has been studied in rat using 14C-labeled drug. It is reported that DAMP is metabolized rapidly by liver microsomes to an unidentified compound. The metabolite seems to be excreted by liver more rapidly than the unchanged drug, and within 24 hours all radioactivity is eliminated, 80% through kidney and 20% through the bile. Both DAMP, and its metabolite accumulate readily in pancreas and kidney. In contrast, in the brain mostly unchanged DAMP could be detected. The accumulation of the drug in tissues other than liver is much greater after i.v. than after i.p. administration.", "contents": "Studies with a new antifolate 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine (DAMP): tissue distribution and disposition of 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine and its metabolite. The pharmacokinetics of a potentially useful antitumor agent, 2,4-diamino-5-adamantyl-6-methylpyrimidine (DAMP) has been studied in rat using 14C-labeled drug. It is reported that DAMP is metabolized rapidly by liver microsomes to an unidentified compound. The metabolite seems to be excreted by liver more rapidly than the unchanged drug, and within 24 hours all radioactivity is eliminated, 80% through kidney and 20% through the bile. Both DAMP, and its metabolite accumulate readily in pancreas and kidney. In contrast, in the brain mostly unchanged DAMP could be detected. The accumulation of the drug in tissues other than liver is much greater after i.v. than after i.p. administration.", "PMID": 633083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9731", "title": "Effects of droperidol on depolarization-induced automaticity, maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) and the kinetics of recovery of Vmax in guinea-pig ventricular myocardium.", "content": "The neuroleptic drug droperidol has been shown to have clinically useful antiarrhythmic activity. Prior reports have resulted in conflicting conclusions regarding actions on ventricular myocardial fibers. The present study was carried out to determine whether droperidol did in fact affect the electrophysiological properties of guinea-pig papillary muscle fibers. By means of microelectrode recordings from preparations mounted in a single sucrose gap, the effects of concentrations from 10(-6) to 4 X 10(-5) M were studied on depolarization-induced automaticity, and on Vmax and its recovery time under several conditions of membrane potential, stimulation rate and external ion concentration. The results showed that at clinically relevant concentrations, droperidol significantly slows ventricular pacemaker activity, a depression reversible by epinephrine. Furthermore, Vmax was decreased and the time constant for Vmax recovery was significantly prolonged under several conditions which pertain to clinical arrhythmias, i.e., reduced membrane potential, elevated extracellular potassium concentrations and increased stimulation rate.", "contents": "Effects of droperidol on depolarization-induced automaticity, maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) and the kinetics of recovery of Vmax in guinea-pig ventricular myocardium. The neuroleptic drug droperidol has been shown to have clinically useful antiarrhythmic activity. Prior reports have resulted in conflicting conclusions regarding actions on ventricular myocardial fibers. The present study was carried out to determine whether droperidol did in fact affect the electrophysiological properties of guinea-pig papillary muscle fibers. By means of microelectrode recordings from preparations mounted in a single sucrose gap, the effects of concentrations from 10(-6) to 4 X 10(-5) M were studied on depolarization-induced automaticity, and on Vmax and its recovery time under several conditions of membrane potential, stimulation rate and external ion concentration. The results showed that at clinically relevant concentrations, droperidol significantly slows ventricular pacemaker activity, a depression reversible by epinephrine. Furthermore, Vmax was decreased and the time constant for Vmax recovery was significantly prolonged under several conditions which pertain to clinical arrhythmias, i.e., reduced membrane potential, elevated extracellular potassium concentrations and increased stimulation rate.", "PMID": 633084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9732", "title": "Lidocaine effects on action potentials of Purkinje fibers from neonatal and adult dogs.", "content": "We studied the effects of lidocaine (L), 2 to 40 mg/l, on the cellular electrophysiologic properties of Purkinje fibers (PF) from neonatal (0-10 days) and adult dogs. Microelectrode impalements of neonatal and adult PF were selected so that there were no differences between the two groups in control maximum diastolic potential, action potential amplitude and maximum upstroke velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax). However, control action potential duration was significantly shorter in neonates than in adults (P less than .05). At a superfusate [K+] = 4 mmol/1, the threshold concentration for L effects on action potential amplitude in neonates was 40 mg/1 and in adults, 20 mg/1; on Vmax in neonates threshold was 5 mg/1 and in adults was 2 mg/1; on action potential duration in neonates and adults threshold was 2 mg/1. For all variables studied the effect of L on adult PF action potentials was greater than on neonatal PF. The effects of L on action potential duration also suggest that potassium conductance may be greater in neonatal fibers. When superfusate [K+] was increased to 6 mM the effects of L on adult PF were potentiated more than on neonates. These results provide further experimental evidence of the age-related changes in sensitivity of the specialized conducting system to cardioactive drugs.", "contents": "Lidocaine effects on action potentials of Purkinje fibers from neonatal and adult dogs. We studied the effects of lidocaine (L), 2 to 40 mg/l, on the cellular electrophysiologic properties of Purkinje fibers (PF) from neonatal (0-10 days) and adult dogs. Microelectrode impalements of neonatal and adult PF were selected so that there were no differences between the two groups in control maximum diastolic potential, action potential amplitude and maximum upstroke velocity of phase 0 depolarization (Vmax). However, control action potential duration was significantly shorter in neonates than in adults (P less than .05). At a superfusate [K+] = 4 mmol/1, the threshold concentration for L effects on action potential amplitude in neonates was 40 mg/1 and in adults, 20 mg/1; on Vmax in neonates threshold was 5 mg/1 and in adults was 2 mg/1; on action potential duration in neonates and adults threshold was 2 mg/1. For all variables studied the effect of L on adult PF action potentials was greater than on neonatal PF. The effects of L on action potential duration also suggest that potassium conductance may be greater in neonatal fibers. When superfusate [K+] was increased to 6 mM the effects of L on adult PF were potentiated more than on neonates. These results provide further experimental evidence of the age-related changes in sensitivity of the specialized conducting system to cardioactive drugs.", "PMID": 633085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9733", "title": "Effects of locally and systemically infused bradykinin on transvascular fluid and protein transfer in the canine forelimb.", "content": "Local intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin into canine forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow markedly increase skin lymph protein concentration promoting edema formation. However, prolonged systemic infusions of this agent either intravenously or into the left ventricular chamber, in blood concentrations calculated to exceed those that produce massive protein and fluid efflux on local administration, causes only minimal increases in lymph protein concentration, and in naturally perfused forelimbs promotes extravascular fluid reabsorption rather than net fluid filtration. Local infusions of bradykinin fail to alter aortic pressure whereas systemic infusions produce a profound but transient decrease in this variable. Moreover, the local intra-arterial infusion of bradykinin into forelimbs perfused at constant inflow fails to increase skin lymph protein concentration after 60 minutes of systemic hypotension. In contrast to bradykinin alone, the simultaneous infusion of bradykinin and norepinephrine or bradykinin and isoproterenol fails to increase skin lymph protein concentration. The antagonism of the bradykinin protein efflux by both norepinephrine and isoproterenol can be prevented by prior treatment with propranolol. These data suggest that the liberation of catecholamines may account, in part, for the minimal increases in forelimb protein efflux during systemic infusions of bradykinin relative to that produced by local intra-arterial infusions of this agent.", "contents": "Effects of locally and systemically infused bradykinin on transvascular fluid and protein transfer in the canine forelimb. Local intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin into canine forelimbs perfused either naturally or at constant inflow markedly increase skin lymph protein concentration promoting edema formation. However, prolonged systemic infusions of this agent either intravenously or into the left ventricular chamber, in blood concentrations calculated to exceed those that produce massive protein and fluid efflux on local administration, causes only minimal increases in lymph protein concentration, and in naturally perfused forelimbs promotes extravascular fluid reabsorption rather than net fluid filtration. Local infusions of bradykinin fail to alter aortic pressure whereas systemic infusions produce a profound but transient decrease in this variable. Moreover, the local intra-arterial infusion of bradykinin into forelimbs perfused at constant inflow fails to increase skin lymph protein concentration after 60 minutes of systemic hypotension. In contrast to bradykinin alone, the simultaneous infusion of bradykinin and norepinephrine or bradykinin and isoproterenol fails to increase skin lymph protein concentration. The antagonism of the bradykinin protein efflux by both norepinephrine and isoproterenol can be prevented by prior treatment with propranolol. These data suggest that the liberation of catecholamines may account, in part, for the minimal increases in forelimb protein efflux during systemic infusions of bradykinin relative to that produced by local intra-arterial infusions of this agent.", "PMID": 633087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9734", "title": "Effects of 1,10-phenanthroline and a zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline on nucleic acid synthesis in mouse liver and spleen.", "content": "The effects of 1,10-phenanthroline and a zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline on nucleic acid synthesis were examined by noting the capcity of these agents to incorporate [methyl-3H]thymidine, or [5-3H]uridine into hepatic and splenic DNA and RNA. Within 32 hours after the intraperitoneal injection of 1,10-phenanthroline in mice, a decrease of [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA was observed. The administration of the zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline decreased the incorporation of [5-3H] uridine into hepatic RNA within 24 hours and decreased the formation of [3H]DNA from [methyl-3H]thymidine in the liver within 24 and 32 hours. An increase of the isotopic incorporation into hepatic RNA and of the pool size of ATP within 2 hours after the administration of the complex was also noted. In the splenic studies, the zinc complex significantly inhibited the formation of labeled DNA and RNA at 2, 8, 24, and 32 and 2, 8 and 24 hours postinjection, respectively. A relationship exists between the results obtained from sequential treatment (zinc chloride after 1,10-phenanthroline) and those derived from the zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline pertaining to an inhibition of isotopic incorporation into hepatic and splenic nucleic acid.", "contents": "Effects of 1,10-phenanthroline and a zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline on nucleic acid synthesis in mouse liver and spleen. The effects of 1,10-phenanthroline and a zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline on nucleic acid synthesis were examined by noting the capcity of these agents to incorporate [methyl-3H]thymidine, or [5-3H]uridine into hepatic and splenic DNA and RNA. Within 32 hours after the intraperitoneal injection of 1,10-phenanthroline in mice, a decrease of [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA was observed. The administration of the zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline decreased the incorporation of [5-3H] uridine into hepatic RNA within 24 hours and decreased the formation of [3H]DNA from [methyl-3H]thymidine in the liver within 24 and 32 hours. An increase of the isotopic incorporation into hepatic RNA and of the pool size of ATP within 2 hours after the administration of the complex was also noted. In the splenic studies, the zinc complex significantly inhibited the formation of labeled DNA and RNA at 2, 8, 24, and 32 and 2, 8 and 24 hours postinjection, respectively. A relationship exists between the results obtained from sequential treatment (zinc chloride after 1,10-phenanthroline) and those derived from the zinc complex of 1,10-phenanthroline pertaining to an inhibition of isotopic incorporation into hepatic and splenic nucleic acid.", "PMID": 633088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9735", "title": "Kinetic analysis of the renal handling of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) acetic acid by the rat.", "content": "The kinetics of uptake and efflux of organic acids in rat renal cortical slices were used to examine the affinity of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) for the organic acid transport system and to assess intracellular binding of this polar 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) metabolite. As judged by its ability to inhibit p-aminohippuric acid transport, DDA was a potent competitive inhibitor, almost as strong as probenecid, the classical inhibitor of this system. Efflux of DDA from slices demonstrated that the bulk (85%) of the DDA within the slice was reversibly bound to proteins or other macromolecules. Cortical slices incubated 60 minutes with 10 micron DDA contained a total concentration of 160 micron DDA within the tubular cells, but the actual free concentration in the cells was only 20 to 30 micron. Thus, although DDA was accumulated against a concentration gradient by the kidney, the gradient was much smaller than the measured tissue/medium ratio. Potential consequences of DDA exposure through its interaction with the organic acid system and roles of DDA binding sites in the toxicity and transport of DDA are discussed.", "contents": "Kinetic analysis of the renal handling of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) acetic acid by the rat. The kinetics of uptake and efflux of organic acids in rat renal cortical slices were used to examine the affinity of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) for the organic acid transport system and to assess intracellular binding of this polar 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) metabolite. As judged by its ability to inhibit p-aminohippuric acid transport, DDA was a potent competitive inhibitor, almost as strong as probenecid, the classical inhibitor of this system. Efflux of DDA from slices demonstrated that the bulk (85%) of the DDA within the slice was reversibly bound to proteins or other macromolecules. Cortical slices incubated 60 minutes with 10 micron DDA contained a total concentration of 160 micron DDA within the tubular cells, but the actual free concentration in the cells was only 20 to 30 micron. Thus, although DDA was accumulated against a concentration gradient by the kidney, the gradient was much smaller than the measured tissue/medium ratio. Potential consequences of DDA exposure through its interaction with the organic acid system and roles of DDA binding sites in the toxicity and transport of DDA are discussed.", "PMID": 633091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9736", "title": "Changes in the composition of the mammary secretion of women after abrupt termination of breast feeding.", "content": "1. The composition of mammary secretion has been followed in seven women before and after abrupt termination of breast feeding. The period of full lactation was 39 days for 1 woman and a mean of 332 days (range 251--443 days) for the six others. Small samples of mammary secretion (0.5--5.00 ml.) were collected by manual expression from three women at monthly intervals throughout 12 months of lactation and from seven women at frequent intervals for 42 days of involution. 2. During full lactation (12 months, three women) the mean values (+/- S.E. of mean) for lactose, total protein, alpha-lactalbumin, Na, K and Cl were 7.03 +/- 0.13 g/100 ml., 1.68 +/- 0.08 g/100 ml., 163 +/- 6.39 mg/100 ml., 8.5 +/- 0.90 mM, 13.4 +/- 0.34 mM and 11.93 +/- 0.53 mM, respectively. 3. After termination of breast feeding, the concentrations of lactose and K decreased while Na, Cl, fat and total protein increased progressively over 42 days. The increase in the protein content was contributed to by increases in the concentration of lactoferrin, IgA, IgG, IgM, albumin, alpha-lactalbumin and casein. There was no significant difference in the concentration of the milk constituents between the right and left breast throughout full lactation and after its termination. 4. These observations indicated that the secretory capability of the mammary gland of women changed dramatically after complete cessation of breast feeding but that the involuting gland remained partially functional for a long period.", "contents": "Changes in the composition of the mammary secretion of women after abrupt termination of breast feeding. 1. The composition of mammary secretion has been followed in seven women before and after abrupt termination of breast feeding. The period of full lactation was 39 days for 1 woman and a mean of 332 days (range 251--443 days) for the six others. Small samples of mammary secretion (0.5--5.00 ml.) were collected by manual expression from three women at monthly intervals throughout 12 months of lactation and from seven women at frequent intervals for 42 days of involution. 2. During full lactation (12 months, three women) the mean values (+/- S.E. of mean) for lactose, total protein, alpha-lactalbumin, Na, K and Cl were 7.03 +/- 0.13 g/100 ml., 1.68 +/- 0.08 g/100 ml., 163 +/- 6.39 mg/100 ml., 8.5 +/- 0.90 mM, 13.4 +/- 0.34 mM and 11.93 +/- 0.53 mM, respectively. 3. After termination of breast feeding, the concentrations of lactose and K decreased while Na, Cl, fat and total protein increased progressively over 42 days. The increase in the protein content was contributed to by increases in the concentration of lactoferrin, IgA, IgG, IgM, albumin, alpha-lactalbumin and casein. There was no significant difference in the concentration of the milk constituents between the right and left breast throughout full lactation and after its termination. 4. These observations indicated that the secretory capability of the mammary gland of women changed dramatically after complete cessation of breast feeding but that the involuting gland remained partially functional for a long period.", "PMID": 633092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9737", "title": "The synaptic connexions to intercostal motoneurones as revealed by the average common excitation potential.", "content": "1. The hypothesis is advanced that the joint occurrence of unitary e.p.s.p.s evoked in motoneurones by branches of common stem presynaptic fibres causes, on average, transient depolarization in one motoneurone at the time of discharge in another motoneurone of the same pool. 2. The hypothesis was tested in anaesthetized, paralysed cats by averaging the naturally occurring synpatic noise of thoracic inspiratory motoneurones with an averager triggered by spikes from other inspiratory motoneurones. These spikes were obtained as efferent discharges in nerve filaments supplying the proximal regions of the external intercostal muscles. 3. A transient depolarization centred around the time of the trigger spikes was consistently observed and was designated the average common excitation (a.c.e.) potential. 4. The peak depolarization lay between -1.0 and +4.6 msec (mean +0.7 msec) with respect to the trigger spikes and the rise times of its most prominent component ranged from 4 to 16 msec (mean 8.4 msec). 5. The amplitudes of the a.c.e. potentials ranged from 6 to 104 muV (mean 32 muV) when the trigger spikes were derived from a filament in the same segment as the relevant motoneurones, and from 3 to 42 muV (mean 19 muV) when the filament was two segments rostral to the motoneurone. 6. Cells innervating the proximal region of the intercostal space gave larger a.c.e. potentials than those innervating more distal regions and also showed larger central respiratory drive potentials. 7. A.c.e. potentials were observed for either alpha or gamma spikes as triggers. The potentials were usually smaller for the gamma than for the alpha spikes, the mean ration being about 0.6. The presence of the a.c.e. potentials from the gamma spikes was taken as evidence for alpha-gamma coactivation by common presynaptic axons. 8. A theory is developed which quantitatively accounts for the main features of both the a.c.e. potential and the short term synchrony observed by Sears & Stagg (1976). 9. The theory includes the proposition that the raised probability of firing of a motoneurone due to a unitary e.p.s.p. has a time course which may be described by the sum of the e.p.s.p. time course and its time differential. Thus, via the measurements, the theory predicts at least to a first approximation the expected probability of firing due to e.p.s.p.s of various shapes and sizes.", "contents": "The synaptic connexions to intercostal motoneurones as revealed by the average common excitation potential. 1. The hypothesis is advanced that the joint occurrence of unitary e.p.s.p.s evoked in motoneurones by branches of common stem presynaptic fibres causes, on average, transient depolarization in one motoneurone at the time of discharge in another motoneurone of the same pool. 2. The hypothesis was tested in anaesthetized, paralysed cats by averaging the naturally occurring synpatic noise of thoracic inspiratory motoneurones with an averager triggered by spikes from other inspiratory motoneurones. These spikes were obtained as efferent discharges in nerve filaments supplying the proximal regions of the external intercostal muscles. 3. A transient depolarization centred around the time of the trigger spikes was consistently observed and was designated the average common excitation (a.c.e.) potential. 4. The peak depolarization lay between -1.0 and +4.6 msec (mean +0.7 msec) with respect to the trigger spikes and the rise times of its most prominent component ranged from 4 to 16 msec (mean 8.4 msec). 5. The amplitudes of the a.c.e. potentials ranged from 6 to 104 muV (mean 32 muV) when the trigger spikes were derived from a filament in the same segment as the relevant motoneurones, and from 3 to 42 muV (mean 19 muV) when the filament was two segments rostral to the motoneurone. 6. Cells innervating the proximal region of the intercostal space gave larger a.c.e. potentials than those innervating more distal regions and also showed larger central respiratory drive potentials. 7. A.c.e. potentials were observed for either alpha or gamma spikes as triggers. The potentials were usually smaller for the gamma than for the alpha spikes, the mean ration being about 0.6. The presence of the a.c.e. potentials from the gamma spikes was taken as evidence for alpha-gamma coactivation by common presynaptic axons. 8. A theory is developed which quantitatively accounts for the main features of both the a.c.e. potential and the short term synchrony observed by Sears & Stagg (1976). 9. The theory includes the proposition that the raised probability of firing of a motoneurone due to a unitary e.p.s.p. has a time course which may be described by the sum of the e.p.s.p. time course and its time differential. Thus, via the measurements, the theory predicts at least to a first approximation the expected probability of firing due to e.p.s.p.s of various shapes and sizes.", "PMID": 633094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9738", "title": "Absorptive and secretory functions of the perfused rat cauda epididymidis.", "content": "1. A microperfusion technique has been developed to study transport processes in the rat cauda epididymidis in vivo. 2. Na+ and water were found to be reabsorbed by the perfused rat cauda epididymidis at the rates of 3.000 +/- 0.25 n-equiv cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14) and 20.7 +/- 1.7 nl. cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14) respectively. Reabsorption of Na+ was isotonic. 3. K+ was found to be secreted into the ductal lumen at the rate of 0.124 +/- 0.016 n-equiv cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14). 4. Na+ reabsorption and water reabsorption were abolished by removing Na+ ions from the perfusion medium. The dependence of rate of net Na+ reabsorption on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration showed saturation kinetics, with the apparent Km values of about 20 mM Na+. The dependence of water reabsorption on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration also followed closely that of Na+. 5. Application of amiloride 10(-4) M) to the perfusion fluid abolished both Na+ and water reabsorption by the rat cauda epididymidis. 6. Removal of chloride from the perfusion fluid had no effect on Na+ and water reabsorption but increased the K+ secretion rate by threefold. 7. Proteins were also found to be secreted by the rat cauda epididymidis at a rate of 11.7 +/- 1.8 ng cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 11). The secretory rate was not dependent on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration. 8. Castration in rats abolished the reabsorption of Na+ and water and secretion of K+ and proteins by the rate cauda epididymidis. These effects could be reversed by injecting testosterone propionate into castrated rats. 9. The possible role of these transport processes in sperm maturation is discussed.", "contents": "Absorptive and secretory functions of the perfused rat cauda epididymidis. 1. A microperfusion technique has been developed to study transport processes in the rat cauda epididymidis in vivo. 2. Na+ and water were found to be reabsorbed by the perfused rat cauda epididymidis at the rates of 3.000 +/- 0.25 n-equiv cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14) and 20.7 +/- 1.7 nl. cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14) respectively. Reabsorption of Na+ was isotonic. 3. K+ was found to be secreted into the ductal lumen at the rate of 0.124 +/- 0.016 n-equiv cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 14). 4. Na+ reabsorption and water reabsorption were abolished by removing Na+ ions from the perfusion medium. The dependence of rate of net Na+ reabsorption on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration showed saturation kinetics, with the apparent Km values of about 20 mM Na+. The dependence of water reabsorption on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration also followed closely that of Na+. 5. Application of amiloride 10(-4) M) to the perfusion fluid abolished both Na+ and water reabsorption by the rat cauda epididymidis. 6. Removal of chloride from the perfusion fluid had no effect on Na+ and water reabsorption but increased the K+ secretion rate by threefold. 7. Proteins were also found to be secreted by the rat cauda epididymidis at a rate of 11.7 +/- 1.8 ng cm-1 min-1 (mean +/- S.E., n = 11). The secretory rate was not dependent on the intraluminal Na+ ion concentration. 8. Castration in rats abolished the reabsorption of Na+ and water and secretion of K+ and proteins by the rate cauda epididymidis. These effects could be reversed by injecting testosterone propionate into castrated rats. 9. The possible role of these transport processes in sperm maturation is discussed.", "PMID": 633097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9739", "title": "Field potentials, inhibition and the effect of pentobarbitone in the rat olfactory cortex slice.", "content": "1. Field potentials were evoked in slices of rat olfactory cortex by stimulating the lateral olfactory tract. In addition to previously described components of the wave-form, a further distinct surface-negative potential of low amplitude and long duration (I-wave) has been described. 2. Pentobarbitone, at concentrations of 10(-5) M and above, markedly enhanced enhanced the amplitude and duration of the I-wave with only minimal effect on other components of the field potential. 3. The I-wave was reversibly reduced by the GABA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin and was also attenuated at rapid rates of stimulation. Low chloride medium usually caused a transient increase in amplitude of the I-wave followed by a gradual reduction, suggesting that a chloride-mediated depolarization was involved. 4. Evoked inhibition, which was most probably post-synaptic, occurred in parallel with the I-wave. This was monitored as a suppression of, or increase in latency of the population spike evoked by a second stimulus at appropriate intervals after the first. Pentobarbitone substantially increased the duration of the post-synpatic inhibition, without obvious changes in the presynaptic inhibitory phenomenon associated with antidromic firing in the lateral olfactory tract. 5. It is proposed that the I-wave is the field potential representation of a population depolarizing i.p.s.p. and that the main action of pentobarbitone is to enhance this inhibition.", "contents": "Field potentials, inhibition and the effect of pentobarbitone in the rat olfactory cortex slice. 1. Field potentials were evoked in slices of rat olfactory cortex by stimulating the lateral olfactory tract. In addition to previously described components of the wave-form, a further distinct surface-negative potential of low amplitude and long duration (I-wave) has been described. 2. Pentobarbitone, at concentrations of 10(-5) M and above, markedly enhanced enhanced the amplitude and duration of the I-wave with only minimal effect on other components of the field potential. 3. The I-wave was reversibly reduced by the GABA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin and was also attenuated at rapid rates of stimulation. Low chloride medium usually caused a transient increase in amplitude of the I-wave followed by a gradual reduction, suggesting that a chloride-mediated depolarization was involved. 4. Evoked inhibition, which was most probably post-synaptic, occurred in parallel with the I-wave. This was monitored as a suppression of, or increase in latency of the population spike evoked by a second stimulus at appropriate intervals after the first. Pentobarbitone substantially increased the duration of the post-synpatic inhibition, without obvious changes in the presynaptic inhibitory phenomenon associated with antidromic firing in the lateral olfactory tract. 5. It is proposed that the I-wave is the field potential representation of a population depolarizing i.p.s.p. and that the main action of pentobarbitone is to enhance this inhibition.", "PMID": 633099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9740", "title": "Uptake of [14C]urea by the in vivo choroid plexus--cerebrospinal fluid--brain system: identification of sites of molecular sieving.", "content": "1. The time course of the uptake of [(14)C]urea by the lateral ventricular choroid plexus of the adult rat in vivo was analysed to delineate further the permeability characteristics of the epithelial membrane of this secretory tissue.2. Eight hours after I.P. injection, [(14)C]urea attained a steady-state distribution in 78% of the tissue water of lateral ventricular choroid plexus; similarly, approximately 8 hr was required for radiourea to reach a steady-state concentration in both the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.).3. Results obtained for compartment analysis were used to calculate the concentration of [(14)C]urea in the epithelium of the lateral ventricular plexus during the approach to and at steady-state distribution. Even after 1 hr of distribution, the [(14)C]urea concentration in choroid cell water was less than 15% of that in plasma water.4. Although the concentration of radiourea in choroid cell water continually increased after 3 hr, it remained in equilibrium with the concentration of [(14)C]urea in c.s.f. water. At the steady state (i.e., 8 hr), the distribution of [(14)C]urea between the water of plasma and that of the choroidal epithelium was considerably away from equilibrium (i.e., by 25-30%).5. An analysis of the concentration gradients for [(14)C]urea across both the apical (c.s.f.-facing) and basolateral (plasma-facing) membranes of the epithelium of the lateral ventricular plexus suggests that the movement of urea is hindered to a greater extent by the basolateral membrane than by the apical membrane.6. Only a single half-time component (1.3 hr) can be resolved from analysis of the curve describing the time course of uptake of radiourea by the choroid epithelial cell compartment.7. The concentration gradient data suggest that urea penetrates from blood to c.s.f. via the choroid plexus by a transcellular pathway; however, it is not possible to rule out a paracellular pathway for urea movement.8. At the steady state, radiourea distributes into 88% of the water of cerebral cortex. This observation, together with the finding of a steady-state concentration gradient for [(14)C]urea from cortical tissue to c.s.f., constitutes evidence that urea movement is hindered at the blood-brain barrier as well as at the blood-c.s.f. barrier.", "contents": "Uptake of [14C]urea by the in vivo choroid plexus--cerebrospinal fluid--brain system: identification of sites of molecular sieving. 1. The time course of the uptake of [(14)C]urea by the lateral ventricular choroid plexus of the adult rat in vivo was analysed to delineate further the permeability characteristics of the epithelial membrane of this secretory tissue.2. Eight hours after I.P. injection, [(14)C]urea attained a steady-state distribution in 78% of the tissue water of lateral ventricular choroid plexus; similarly, approximately 8 hr was required for radiourea to reach a steady-state concentration in both the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.).3. Results obtained for compartment analysis were used to calculate the concentration of [(14)C]urea in the epithelium of the lateral ventricular plexus during the approach to and at steady-state distribution. Even after 1 hr of distribution, the [(14)C]urea concentration in choroid cell water was less than 15% of that in plasma water.4. Although the concentration of radiourea in choroid cell water continually increased after 3 hr, it remained in equilibrium with the concentration of [(14)C]urea in c.s.f. water. At the steady state (i.e., 8 hr), the distribution of [(14)C]urea between the water of plasma and that of the choroidal epithelium was considerably away from equilibrium (i.e., by 25-30%).5. An analysis of the concentration gradients for [(14)C]urea across both the apical (c.s.f.-facing) and basolateral (plasma-facing) membranes of the epithelium of the lateral ventricular plexus suggests that the movement of urea is hindered to a greater extent by the basolateral membrane than by the apical membrane.6. Only a single half-time component (1.3 hr) can be resolved from analysis of the curve describing the time course of uptake of radiourea by the choroid epithelial cell compartment.7. The concentration gradient data suggest that urea penetrates from blood to c.s.f. via the choroid plexus by a transcellular pathway; however, it is not possible to rule out a paracellular pathway for urea movement.8. At the steady state, radiourea distributes into 88% of the water of cerebral cortex. This observation, together with the finding of a steady-state concentration gradient for [(14)C]urea from cortical tissue to c.s.f., constitutes evidence that urea movement is hindered at the blood-brain barrier as well as at the blood-c.s.f. barrier.", "PMID": 633102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9741", "title": "Exchange of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid between the spinal cord and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid.", "content": "1. After inhibition of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) transport by repeated administration of probenecid in cats, this acid accumulates linearly in the lumbosacral cord, lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) and cisternal fluid during 5 hr of experiment. 2. A simple mathematical analysis of these results shows that (a) the rates of 5-HIAA accumulation in the lumbar c.s.f. and cisternal c.s.f. are faster than in the cord, (b) about 22% of 5-HIAA formed in the cord diffuses into lumbar c.s.f. and (c) by measuring 5-HIAA in the lumbar c.s.f. the concentration and turnover of 5-HIAA and turnover of serotonin in the lumbosacral cord can be calculated as well as the changes of 5-HIAA in the cisternal c.s.f. predicted. 3. These results suggest that it is possible to calculate the level and turnover of endogenous substances in the central nervous system on the basis of their measurement in the c.s.f.", "contents": "Exchange of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid between the spinal cord and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. 1. After inhibition of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) transport by repeated administration of probenecid in cats, this acid accumulates linearly in the lumbosacral cord, lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) and cisternal fluid during 5 hr of experiment. 2. A simple mathematical analysis of these results shows that (a) the rates of 5-HIAA accumulation in the lumbar c.s.f. and cisternal c.s.f. are faster than in the cord, (b) about 22% of 5-HIAA formed in the cord diffuses into lumbar c.s.f. and (c) by measuring 5-HIAA in the lumbar c.s.f. the concentration and turnover of 5-HIAA and turnover of serotonin in the lumbosacral cord can be calculated as well as the changes of 5-HIAA in the cisternal c.s.f. predicted. 3. These results suggest that it is possible to calculate the level and turnover of endogenous substances in the central nervous system on the basis of their measurement in the c.s.f.", "PMID": 633105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9742", "title": "Characterization and ionic basis of GABA-induced depolarizations recorded in vitro from cat primary afferent neurones.", "content": "1. Responses of single cells in the isolated cat spinal ganglion to GABA applied by superfusion or by iontophoresis were recorded using intracellular micro-electrodes. 2. Of the twelve structurally related compounds investigated, GABA was the most effective in its ability to produce a depolarization of the cell membrane. 3. Studies determining concentration-response relationships indicate that two to three molecules of GABA are required to combine with the GABA receptor for activation. 4. Bicuculline and picrotoxin, each act in a non-competitive manner to antagonize the GABA-induced membrane current. 5. The equilibrium potential for iontophoretically induced GABA depolarizations (EGABA) was found to be -23.5 plus or minys 6.1 mV. EGABA was independent upon [cl-]o, but independent of [Na+]o, [K+], or [Ca2+]o. 6. Intracellular injection of twenty antions (Br-, I-, NO2-, NO3-, ClO4-, SCN-, Bf4-, HS-, OCN-, ClO3-, BrO3-, F-, HCO2-, HSO3-, HCO3-, CH3CO2-, SO42-, C6H5O73-) indicated that the activated GABA receptor membrane was permeable to those anions whose hydrated diameter is no larger than that of ClO-3. 7. Restoration of the GABA depolarization to its control level after augmentation by Cl- injection had a mean time constant of 27.8 plus or minus 2.6 min. Picrotoxin did not alter this value. 8. When foreign anions were exchanged for Cl- in the perfusion solution, the ten anaions smaller or equal to ClO3-, decreased the GABA depolarization by 50-90% and increased its time course 1.5-2.0 x control. The only exception having a small radius was Br- which augmented the amplitude 10-30%. 9. The ten anions larger than ClO3- produced a biphasic effect, i.e. an initial augmentation followed by a marked (up to 100%) depression of the response. Experiments with CH3COO-, CH3SO4-, or HOCH2CH2SO3-, indicated that this depression was non-competitive.", "contents": "Characterization and ionic basis of GABA-induced depolarizations recorded in vitro from cat primary afferent neurones. 1. Responses of single cells in the isolated cat spinal ganglion to GABA applied by superfusion or by iontophoresis were recorded using intracellular micro-electrodes. 2. Of the twelve structurally related compounds investigated, GABA was the most effective in its ability to produce a depolarization of the cell membrane. 3. Studies determining concentration-response relationships indicate that two to three molecules of GABA are required to combine with the GABA receptor for activation. 4. Bicuculline and picrotoxin, each act in a non-competitive manner to antagonize the GABA-induced membrane current. 5. The equilibrium potential for iontophoretically induced GABA depolarizations (EGABA) was found to be -23.5 plus or minys 6.1 mV. EGABA was independent upon [cl-]o, but independent of [Na+]o, [K+], or [Ca2+]o. 6. Intracellular injection of twenty antions (Br-, I-, NO2-, NO3-, ClO4-, SCN-, Bf4-, HS-, OCN-, ClO3-, BrO3-, F-, HCO2-, HSO3-, HCO3-, CH3CO2-, SO42-, C6H5O73-) indicated that the activated GABA receptor membrane was permeable to those anions whose hydrated diameter is no larger than that of ClO-3. 7. Restoration of the GABA depolarization to its control level after augmentation by Cl- injection had a mean time constant of 27.8 plus or minus 2.6 min. Picrotoxin did not alter this value. 8. When foreign anions were exchanged for Cl- in the perfusion solution, the ten anaions smaller or equal to ClO3-, decreased the GABA depolarization by 50-90% and increased its time course 1.5-2.0 x control. The only exception having a small radius was Br- which augmented the amplitude 10-30%. 9. The ten anions larger than ClO3- produced a biphasic effect, i.e. an initial augmentation followed by a marked (up to 100%) depression of the response. Experiments with CH3COO-, CH3SO4-, or HOCH2CH2SO3-, indicated that this depression was non-competitive.", "PMID": 633114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9743", "title": "Action of fatty acids on the exocrine pancreatic secretion of the conscious rat: further evidence for a protein pancreatic inhibitory factor.", "content": "The existence of a delayed inhibition of the secretion of protein by the rat pancreas after intraduodenal injection of oleic acid has been confirmed. 1. This phenomenon is not dependent on the presence or absence of bile or pancreatic juice in the intestine. 2. The action of oleic acid is not a pathological phenomenon due to lesions of the gut mucosa because isotonic solutions of Na oleate dispersed into polysorbate 80 or olive oil (rich in oleic acid) plus pancreatic juice have the same effect. 3. Fatty acids must be free or saponified but not esterified in the form of triglycerides. Triglycerides are only effective if pancreatic juice is simultaneously reintroduced into the duodenum. 4. Oleic acid (C18 mono\u00e9ne) is more efficient than caprylic acid (C8) and butyric acid (C4) is ineffective. The effect of chain length in releasing the inhibitory factor is therefore approximately the same as in CCK-PZ release. 5. Intraduodenal infusion of hypertonic glucose solution does not inhibit pancreatic protein secretion indicating that release of enteroglucagon is probably not responsible for the inhibition. The inhibitory action of hypertonic NaCl solution is not explained.", "contents": "Action of fatty acids on the exocrine pancreatic secretion of the conscious rat: further evidence for a protein pancreatic inhibitory factor. The existence of a delayed inhibition of the secretion of protein by the rat pancreas after intraduodenal injection of oleic acid has been confirmed. 1. This phenomenon is not dependent on the presence or absence of bile or pancreatic juice in the intestine. 2. The action of oleic acid is not a pathological phenomenon due to lesions of the gut mucosa because isotonic solutions of Na oleate dispersed into polysorbate 80 or olive oil (rich in oleic acid) plus pancreatic juice have the same effect. 3. Fatty acids must be free or saponified but not esterified in the form of triglycerides. Triglycerides are only effective if pancreatic juice is simultaneously reintroduced into the duodenum. 4. Oleic acid (C18 mono\u00e9ne) is more efficient than caprylic acid (C8) and butyric acid (C4) is ineffective. The effect of chain length in releasing the inhibitory factor is therefore approximately the same as in CCK-PZ release. 5. Intraduodenal infusion of hypertonic glucose solution does not inhibit pancreatic protein secretion indicating that release of enteroglucagon is probably not responsible for the inhibition. The inhibitory action of hypertonic NaCl solution is not explained.", "PMID": 633115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9744", "title": "Afterhyperpolarization mechanism in the dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat.", "content": "1. The longlasting afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) following single or short trains of spikes in dorsal spinocerebellar tract (DSCT) neurons of the cat has been studied with intracellular recording techniques. 2. The a.h.p. amplitude was found to be potential dependent, increasing with depolarization and decreasing with hyperpolarization of the membrane. With large membrane hyperpolarization, the a.h.p. could be reversed in direction, the estimated reversal level being around 30 mV more negative than the threshold potential for spike initiation. The a.h.p. amplitude was also little affected by Cl- ions injected into the cell. 3. The a.h.p. was associated with an increase in the membrane conductance, as measured with short current pulses. The major part of the conductance change was related to the a.h.p. itself and not secondary to the hyperpolarization, i.e. to an anomalous rectification. A conductance change was also found when the membrane potential was polarized close to the a.h.p. reversal level. There was a clear correlation between the a.h.p. amplitude and the measured conductance changes. 4. It is concluded that the a.h.p. in DSCT neurones, as in spinal motoneurones, is caused primarily by an increase in membrane conductance to potassium ions. 5. The time course of the conductance change underlying the a.h.p. was calculated from the a.h.p. voltage and a mathematical expression describing this time course is given. The properties of the a.h.p. in DSCT cells are compared with those in spinal motoneurones and the functional significance of the differences is discussed briefly.", "contents": "Afterhyperpolarization mechanism in the dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat. 1. The longlasting afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) following single or short trains of spikes in dorsal spinocerebellar tract (DSCT) neurons of the cat has been studied with intracellular recording techniques. 2. The a.h.p. amplitude was found to be potential dependent, increasing with depolarization and decreasing with hyperpolarization of the membrane. With large membrane hyperpolarization, the a.h.p. could be reversed in direction, the estimated reversal level being around 30 mV more negative than the threshold potential for spike initiation. The a.h.p. amplitude was also little affected by Cl- ions injected into the cell. 3. The a.h.p. was associated with an increase in the membrane conductance, as measured with short current pulses. The major part of the conductance change was related to the a.h.p. itself and not secondary to the hyperpolarization, i.e. to an anomalous rectification. A conductance change was also found when the membrane potential was polarized close to the a.h.p. reversal level. There was a clear correlation between the a.h.p. amplitude and the measured conductance changes. 4. It is concluded that the a.h.p. in DSCT neurones, as in spinal motoneurones, is caused primarily by an increase in membrane conductance to potassium ions. 5. The time course of the conductance change underlying the a.h.p. was calculated from the a.h.p. voltage and a mathematical expression describing this time course is given. The properties of the a.h.p. in DSCT cells are compared with those in spinal motoneurones and the functional significance of the differences is discussed briefly.", "PMID": 633117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9745", "title": "Effect of repetitive activation on the afterhyperpolarization in dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones.", "content": "1. The changes in the afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) with repetitive activation have been studied in dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat using intracellular recording techniques. 2. The a.h.p. following a single spike was conditioned at different interspike intervals by a single preceding spike. In the majority of neurones the a.h.p. following a spike added approximately linearly with that generated by a preceding spike. 3. In other cells the a.h.p. following a spike was instead depressed by a preceding spike. THis depression was approximately constant at interspike intervals less than the a.h.p. duration (50-100 msec). Thereafter the a.h.p. slowly recovered during the next 100-300 msec. There was no associated decrease in the initial brief hyperpolarizing undershoot. 4. With shortlasting repetitive activation at high frequency (greater than 100 impulses/sec) the a.h.p, peak amplitude increased progressively with successive spikes (5-15 spikes). No change in the time constant of decay was observed. A good correspondence was found between the observed increase in peak amplitude of the a.h.p.s and that given by a theoretical linear superposition of the successive a.h.p.s. 5. Changes in the brief hyperpolarizing undershoot with repetitive activation is also described.", "contents": "Effect of repetitive activation on the afterhyperpolarization in dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones. 1. The changes in the afterhyperpolarization (a.h.p.) with repetitive activation have been studied in dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat using intracellular recording techniques. 2. The a.h.p. following a single spike was conditioned at different interspike intervals by a single preceding spike. In the majority of neurones the a.h.p. following a spike added approximately linearly with that generated by a preceding spike. 3. In other cells the a.h.p. following a spike was instead depressed by a preceding spike. THis depression was approximately constant at interspike intervals less than the a.h.p. duration (50-100 msec). Thereafter the a.h.p. slowly recovered during the next 100-300 msec. There was no associated decrease in the initial brief hyperpolarizing undershoot. 4. With shortlasting repetitive activation at high frequency (greater than 100 impulses/sec) the a.h.p, peak amplitude increased progressively with successive spikes (5-15 spikes). No change in the time constant of decay was observed. A good correspondence was found between the observed increase in peak amplitude of the a.h.p.s and that given by a theoretical linear superposition of the successive a.h.p.s. 5. Changes in the brief hyperpolarizing undershoot with repetitive activation is also described.", "PMID": 633119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9746", "title": "Firing behaviour of dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones.", "content": "1. The repetitive discharge evoked by constant current injection from an intracellular micropipette has been studied in dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat. 2. The discharge frequency decreased with time, the decrease being more pronounced at high current intensities. Most of the frequency change occurred during the first ten intervals but the decrease continued slowly for several seconds. In some cells the frequency rose initially, the first interspike interval being larger than immediately succeeding ones. 3. The frequency-current (f/I) curves for the first interspike intervals were S-shaped, as found in spinal motoneurones. With successive intervals the lower leg of the f/I curve extended to higher frequencies, giving a progressive linearization of the f/I curves. In almost all cells this linearization was completed at 200 msec after current onset. 4. The experimental f/I curves were compared with the f/I curves obtained with a simple neurone model based on the properties of the postspike afterhyperpolarization. For the first interspike interval there was a good agreement between the experimental and calculated f/I curves of individual neurones up to frequencies of several hundred impulses per second. In the high frequency range, it was necessary to compensate for changes in initial postspike voltage trajectories caused by the injected current. Other aspects of the firing of real neurones, such as the progressive linearization of the f/I curves, the negative adaptation and the changes in the interspike voltage trajectories with increasing current were also reproduced by the neurone model. 5. It is concluded that the conductance process underlying the postspike afterhyperpolarization is a major factor in the regulation of repetitive firing in dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones.", "contents": "Firing behaviour of dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones. 1. The repetitive discharge evoked by constant current injection from an intracellular micropipette has been studied in dorsal spinocerebellar tract cells of the cat. 2. The discharge frequency decreased with time, the decrease being more pronounced at high current intensities. Most of the frequency change occurred during the first ten intervals but the decrease continued slowly for several seconds. In some cells the frequency rose initially, the first interspike interval being larger than immediately succeeding ones. 3. The frequency-current (f/I) curves for the first interspike intervals were S-shaped, as found in spinal motoneurones. With successive intervals the lower leg of the f/I curve extended to higher frequencies, giving a progressive linearization of the f/I curves. In almost all cells this linearization was completed at 200 msec after current onset. 4. The experimental f/I curves were compared with the f/I curves obtained with a simple neurone model based on the properties of the postspike afterhyperpolarization. For the first interspike interval there was a good agreement between the experimental and calculated f/I curves of individual neurones up to frequencies of several hundred impulses per second. In the high frequency range, it was necessary to compensate for changes in initial postspike voltage trajectories caused by the injected current. Other aspects of the firing of real neurones, such as the progressive linearization of the f/I curves, the negative adaptation and the changes in the interspike voltage trajectories with increasing current were also reproduced by the neurone model. 5. It is concluded that the conductance process underlying the postspike afterhyperpolarization is a major factor in the regulation of repetitive firing in dorsal spinocerebellar tract neurones.", "PMID": 633122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9747", "title": "Ionic effects on the membrane potential of hyperpolarizing photoreceptors in scallop retina.", "content": "1. The effects of different external ionic conditions and of metabolic inhibitors on the membrane potential of hyperpolarizing photoreceptors in the retina of the scallop Pecten irradians were examined in the presence and absence of light.2. Changes in extracellular K(+) have a greater effect on membrane potential in the light than in darkness. The receptor potential is increased in amplitude when [K](o) is reduced and decreased when [K](o) is elevated. It is hyperpolarizing when [K](o) is less than the estimated value for [K](i) and depolarizing when this condition is reversed.3. The complete replacement of [Na](o) causes a significant hyperpolarization of membrane potential in darkness, whereas it has a much smaller hyperpolarizing effect on the peak of the receptor potential.4. The ratio of Na(+) to K(+) permeabilities (P(Na)/P(K)) decreases during bright illumination. Our results suggest that P(K) is seven times that for P(Na) in the dark but is 57 times greater than P(Na) in light.5. The metabolic inhibitors DNP and NaCN cause membrane potential in the dark to hyperpolarize. This hyperpolarization is associated with a decrease in the P(Na)/P(K) ratio similar to that found during illumination.6. High [Ca(+)](o) also causes membrane potential in the dark to hyperpolarize. This hyperpolarization is associated with an increase in membrane conductance.7. The results indicate that the hyperpolarizing receptor potential of the distal photoreceptor is produced by a light-evoked increase in K(+) permeability.", "contents": "Ionic effects on the membrane potential of hyperpolarizing photoreceptors in scallop retina. 1. The effects of different external ionic conditions and of metabolic inhibitors on the membrane potential of hyperpolarizing photoreceptors in the retina of the scallop Pecten irradians were examined in the presence and absence of light.2. Changes in extracellular K(+) have a greater effect on membrane potential in the light than in darkness. The receptor potential is increased in amplitude when [K](o) is reduced and decreased when [K](o) is elevated. It is hyperpolarizing when [K](o) is less than the estimated value for [K](i) and depolarizing when this condition is reversed.3. The complete replacement of [Na](o) causes a significant hyperpolarization of membrane potential in darkness, whereas it has a much smaller hyperpolarizing effect on the peak of the receptor potential.4. The ratio of Na(+) to K(+) permeabilities (P(Na)/P(K)) decreases during bright illumination. Our results suggest that P(K) is seven times that for P(Na) in the dark but is 57 times greater than P(Na) in light.5. The metabolic inhibitors DNP and NaCN cause membrane potential in the dark to hyperpolarize. This hyperpolarization is associated with a decrease in the P(Na)/P(K) ratio similar to that found during illumination.6. High [Ca(+)](o) also causes membrane potential in the dark to hyperpolarize. This hyperpolarization is associated with an increase in membrane conductance.7. The results indicate that the hyperpolarizing receptor potential of the distal photoreceptor is produced by a light-evoked increase in K(+) permeability.", "PMID": 633125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9748", "title": "Changes in the intracellular concentration of free calcium ions in a pace-maker neurone, measured with the metallochromic indicator dye arsenazo III.", "content": "1. The bursting pace-maker R-15 cell of Aplysia was injected with the Ca2+ sensitive dye arsenazo III. Changes in absorbance were measured with a differential spectrophotometer to monitor changes in free intracellular Ca2+, [Ca-a], during activity. 2. Dye absorbance increased during each pace-maker-induced burst of action potentials and decreased during the hyperpolarizing phase of the pace-maker cycle. 3. The increase in dye absorbance was, at least in part, dependent upon action potential discharge and was greater when action potential duration was prolonged by treatment with tetraethylammonium chloride. 4. Changes in dye absorbance occurred under voltage clamp conditions when the membrance was depolarized 5-15 mV from a holding potential near the resting potential and were larger with greater step depolarizations. 5. These changes were completely blocked by the addition of 3mM-La3+ to normal ASW. 6. The ratio of the absorbance change between two pairs of wave-lengths during the pace-maker cycle was compared with the ratio observed following injection of Ca2+, Mg2+ and H+ ions. The ratio for the pace-maker cycle was well matched by that for Ca2+ injection, but not by that for injection of Mg2+ or H+. 7. Intracellular Ca2+ injections which increased [Ca]1 to the same amount as occurred during the pace-maker cycle also produced an outward current of sufficient magnitude to account for the post-burst hyperpolarization. 8. Depolarization of the cell membrane by extrinsic current during the burst increased and prolonged the change in dye absorbance as well as the post-burst hyperpolarization. 9 It is suggested that Ca2+ enters during the pace-maker cycle, thereby increasing [Ca]i, and that this increase is sufficient to activate an outward current carried by K+ ions which causes or contributes to the post-burst hyperpolarization.", "contents": "Changes in the intracellular concentration of free calcium ions in a pace-maker neurone, measured with the metallochromic indicator dye arsenazo III. 1. The bursting pace-maker R-15 cell of Aplysia was injected with the Ca2+ sensitive dye arsenazo III. Changes in absorbance were measured with a differential spectrophotometer to monitor changes in free intracellular Ca2+, [Ca-a], during activity. 2. Dye absorbance increased during each pace-maker-induced burst of action potentials and decreased during the hyperpolarizing phase of the pace-maker cycle. 3. The increase in dye absorbance was, at least in part, dependent upon action potential discharge and was greater when action potential duration was prolonged by treatment with tetraethylammonium chloride. 4. Changes in dye absorbance occurred under voltage clamp conditions when the membrance was depolarized 5-15 mV from a holding potential near the resting potential and were larger with greater step depolarizations. 5. These changes were completely blocked by the addition of 3mM-La3+ to normal ASW. 6. The ratio of the absorbance change between two pairs of wave-lengths during the pace-maker cycle was compared with the ratio observed following injection of Ca2+, Mg2+ and H+ ions. The ratio for the pace-maker cycle was well matched by that for Ca2+ injection, but not by that for injection of Mg2+ or H+. 7. Intracellular Ca2+ injections which increased [Ca]1 to the same amount as occurred during the pace-maker cycle also produced an outward current of sufficient magnitude to account for the post-burst hyperpolarization. 8. Depolarization of the cell membrane by extrinsic current during the burst increased and prolonged the change in dye absorbance as well as the post-burst hyperpolarization. 9 It is suggested that Ca2+ enters during the pace-maker cycle, thereby increasing [Ca]i, and that this increase is sufficient to activate an outward current carried by K+ ions which causes or contributes to the post-burst hyperpolarization.", "PMID": 633127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9749", "title": "Biphasic effects of insulin and ouabain on fluid transport across rabbit corneal endothelium.", "content": "1. Low levels of insuling stimulate transendothelial fluid transport from preswollen stroma to aqueous in rabbit corneal preparations. The rate of stromal thinning at the end of the first hour averages 30% faster with insulin, 3.5 x 10(-22) M (4.8 micromicron/ml.), than that of the paired control. This concentration is about the physiological level in rabbit aqueous. 2. The stimulation with insulin is transient. Rates of thinning average higher but not significantly different from control rates by the second hour. 3. High levels of insulin between 3.5 x 10(-9) M (480 micromicron/ml.) and 2.0 x 10(-6) M (2.75 X 10(5) micromicron/ml.) inhibit fluid transport. The inhibition at the low end of this range of concentrations becomes more pronounced with longer perfusion times but appears not to exceed ca. 50% of the control rate. 4. Ouabain also induces a biphasic effect on fluid transport which is characteristically different from that with insulin. The maximal stimulation observed at all times occurred with a fixed concentration of 10(-10) M. The stimulation is not transient but increases throughout the duration of the perfusion; the average rate is elevated 50% above the control rate by the third hour. 5. The transition from a stimulatory to an inhibitory effect occurs consistently at ca. 10(-8) M with ouabain, while a similar transition with insulin occurs at ca. 10(-9) M and appears to shift towards slightly higher concentrations during a 3 hr perfusion period. 6. Inhibition of fluid transport with ouabain, 3 x 10(-7) M, is increased from ca. 50% after 1 hr to more than 70% at the end of the third hour of perfusion. 7. The combined presence of stimulatory concentrations of ouabain and insulin affects tromal thinning in a manner resembling the effect of ouabain alone more than that of insulin; additive effects could not be discriminated. Progressively raising the concentration of insulin to a level (10(-8) M) that alone inhibits stromal thinning, ultimately abolishes the stimulatory effect of ouabain. Based on other evidence and current models of drug/hormone-membrane interaction, these results can be interpreted to indicate a concentration-dependent interaction between receptor complexes of ouabain and insulin with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.", "contents": "Biphasic effects of insulin and ouabain on fluid transport across rabbit corneal endothelium. 1. Low levels of insuling stimulate transendothelial fluid transport from preswollen stroma to aqueous in rabbit corneal preparations. The rate of stromal thinning at the end of the first hour averages 30% faster with insulin, 3.5 x 10(-22) M (4.8 micromicron/ml.), than that of the paired control. This concentration is about the physiological level in rabbit aqueous. 2. The stimulation with insulin is transient. Rates of thinning average higher but not significantly different from control rates by the second hour. 3. High levels of insulin between 3.5 x 10(-9) M (480 micromicron/ml.) and 2.0 x 10(-6) M (2.75 X 10(5) micromicron/ml.) inhibit fluid transport. The inhibition at the low end of this range of concentrations becomes more pronounced with longer perfusion times but appears not to exceed ca. 50% of the control rate. 4. Ouabain also induces a biphasic effect on fluid transport which is characteristically different from that with insulin. The maximal stimulation observed at all times occurred with a fixed concentration of 10(-10) M. The stimulation is not transient but increases throughout the duration of the perfusion; the average rate is elevated 50% above the control rate by the third hour. 5. The transition from a stimulatory to an inhibitory effect occurs consistently at ca. 10(-8) M with ouabain, while a similar transition with insulin occurs at ca. 10(-9) M and appears to shift towards slightly higher concentrations during a 3 hr perfusion period. 6. Inhibition of fluid transport with ouabain, 3 x 10(-7) M, is increased from ca. 50% after 1 hr to more than 70% at the end of the third hour of perfusion. 7. The combined presence of stimulatory concentrations of ouabain and insulin affects tromal thinning in a manner resembling the effect of ouabain alone more than that of insulin; additive effects could not be discriminated. Progressively raising the concentration of insulin to a level (10(-8) M) that alone inhibits stromal thinning, ultimately abolishes the stimulatory effect of ouabain. Based on other evidence and current models of drug/hormone-membrane interaction, these results can be interpreted to indicate a concentration-dependent interaction between receptor complexes of ouabain and insulin with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.", "PMID": 633130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9750", "title": "Sodium and water metabolism under the influence of prolactin, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone.", "content": "1. Rabbits were placed in metabolism cages in order to measure their intakes of food, water, and sodium chloride (as 1% saline solution), and to measure urinary and faecal excretion of sodium, potassium, and water. 2. Antidiuretic hormone (0.2 i.u./day) caused a reduction in urine volume and no change in sodium excretion. There was full compensatory reduction in water intake so that no accumulation of water occurred. 3. Aldosterone (4 mg/da) caused a reduction in renal sodium excretion for 1--2 days. The saline intake was reduced, though this was insufficient to prevent some sodium accumulation. 4. Renal mineralocorticoid 'escape' resulted in a large increase in sodium excretion at the end of the aldosterone treatment period. This was fully compensated through increased saline intake, and balance was maintained. 5. Prolactin (200 i.u./day) caused a reduction in urine volume and in renal sodium excretion and since there were no compensatory changes in water and sodium intake, this led to substantial accumulation of both water and sodium. 6. The effects of smaller doses of both aldosterone and prolactin were investigated and found to be similar but smaller. 7. It is suggested that whereas prolactin may have little or no role to play in the sodium homoeostasis of the normal animal, the hormone may well be responsible for the substantial increase in body fluids in pregnancy.", "contents": "Sodium and water metabolism under the influence of prolactin, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone. 1. Rabbits were placed in metabolism cages in order to measure their intakes of food, water, and sodium chloride (as 1% saline solution), and to measure urinary and faecal excretion of sodium, potassium, and water. 2. Antidiuretic hormone (0.2 i.u./day) caused a reduction in urine volume and no change in sodium excretion. There was full compensatory reduction in water intake so that no accumulation of water occurred. 3. Aldosterone (4 mg/da) caused a reduction in renal sodium excretion for 1--2 days. The saline intake was reduced, though this was insufficient to prevent some sodium accumulation. 4. Renal mineralocorticoid 'escape' resulted in a large increase in sodium excretion at the end of the aldosterone treatment period. This was fully compensated through increased saline intake, and balance was maintained. 5. Prolactin (200 i.u./day) caused a reduction in urine volume and in renal sodium excretion and since there were no compensatory changes in water and sodium intake, this led to substantial accumulation of both water and sodium. 6. The effects of smaller doses of both aldosterone and prolactin were investigated and found to be similar but smaller. 7. It is suggested that whereas prolactin may have little or no role to play in the sodium homoeostasis of the normal animal, the hormone may well be responsible for the substantial increase in body fluids in pregnancy.", "PMID": 633132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9751", "title": "Autonomic thermoregulation after intermittent cooling of the spinal cord and cold exposure in the rat.", "content": "1. O2 consumption, rectal and several skin temperatures were studied, at various ambient temperatures, in unanaesthetized rats that had been thermally stressed for an average of 290 h either by prolonged and intermittent cooling of the spinal cord or by prolonged and intermittent exposure to an ambient temperature which induced the same increase in O2 consumption as did the thermal stimulation of the spinal cord. 2. At all the test ambient temperatures, both groups of thermally stressed animals maintained a metabolic level higher than that of the controls. In the animals previously exposed to cold the extent by which the metabolic rate was greater than that of the control animals was independent of ambient temperature; in those previously subjected to cooling of the spinal cord, however, it increased as the ambient temperature was lowered. Rectal and average skin temperatures were essentially unaffected by the treatments. 3. It is concluded that prolonged and intermittent cooling of the spinal cord increases the gain of the temperature control system, whereas prolonged and intermittent cold exposure has no effect on it, and that these forms of thermal stimulation are therefore not equivalent.", "contents": "Autonomic thermoregulation after intermittent cooling of the spinal cord and cold exposure in the rat. 1. O2 consumption, rectal and several skin temperatures were studied, at various ambient temperatures, in unanaesthetized rats that had been thermally stressed for an average of 290 h either by prolonged and intermittent cooling of the spinal cord or by prolonged and intermittent exposure to an ambient temperature which induced the same increase in O2 consumption as did the thermal stimulation of the spinal cord. 2. At all the test ambient temperatures, both groups of thermally stressed animals maintained a metabolic level higher than that of the controls. In the animals previously exposed to cold the extent by which the metabolic rate was greater than that of the control animals was independent of ambient temperature; in those previously subjected to cooling of the spinal cord, however, it increased as the ambient temperature was lowered. Rectal and average skin temperatures were essentially unaffected by the treatments. 3. It is concluded that prolonged and intermittent cooling of the spinal cord increases the gain of the temperature control system, whereas prolonged and intermittent cold exposure has no effect on it, and that these forms of thermal stimulation are therefore not equivalent.", "PMID": 633137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9752", "title": "A comparison of the action of glutamate, ibotenate and other related amino acids on feline spinal interneurones.", "content": "1. The effects of microiontophoretically applied glutamate, ibotenate and other related amino acids on the spike activity of feline spinal interneurones were investigated. 2. Unlike the other amino acids, which evoked excitatory responses only, ibotenate evoked slow biphasic responses (excitation-depression) from the majority of these neurones. The depressant action was associated with an increase in spike height and was reversible. 3. The ibotenate depression could be observed as a temporary reduction in background firing rate, a loss of sensitivity to other amino acids, a progressive decrease in the excitatory responses to repetitive ibotenate applications or a fading of excitation following a prolonged administration of ibotenate. 4. The onset of the excitatory effects of glutamate, quisqualate and ibotenate was relatively well fitted by diffusion equations for a continuous point source. However, radial distances for diffusion in the case of ibotenate responses were comparatively greater than those for glutamate and quisqualate. 5. The depressant action of ibotenate was not antagonized by strychnine, picrotoxin or bicuculline. 6. Some methods of quantifying the responses to excitatory amino acids are described. The excitatory potency of quisqualate and N-methyl-D-aspartate was several times greater than that of glutamate. Aspartate and ibotenate were equipotent, while alpha-aminopimelate and alpha-methyl-DL-aspartate were much weaker. 7. It is suggested that the biphasic action of ibotenate on spinal interneurones might be the result of activation of excitatory and inhibitory sites fairly remote from the cell somata where extracellular recordings were probably made.", "contents": "A comparison of the action of glutamate, ibotenate and other related amino acids on feline spinal interneurones. 1. The effects of microiontophoretically applied glutamate, ibotenate and other related amino acids on the spike activity of feline spinal interneurones were investigated. 2. Unlike the other amino acids, which evoked excitatory responses only, ibotenate evoked slow biphasic responses (excitation-depression) from the majority of these neurones. The depressant action was associated with an increase in spike height and was reversible. 3. The ibotenate depression could be observed as a temporary reduction in background firing rate, a loss of sensitivity to other amino acids, a progressive decrease in the excitatory responses to repetitive ibotenate applications or a fading of excitation following a prolonged administration of ibotenate. 4. The onset of the excitatory effects of glutamate, quisqualate and ibotenate was relatively well fitted by diffusion equations for a continuous point source. However, radial distances for diffusion in the case of ibotenate responses were comparatively greater than those for glutamate and quisqualate. 5. The depressant action of ibotenate was not antagonized by strychnine, picrotoxin or bicuculline. 6. Some methods of quantifying the responses to excitatory amino acids are described. The excitatory potency of quisqualate and N-methyl-D-aspartate was several times greater than that of glutamate. Aspartate and ibotenate were equipotent, while alpha-aminopimelate and alpha-methyl-DL-aspartate were much weaker. 7. It is suggested that the biphasic action of ibotenate on spinal interneurones might be the result of activation of excitatory and inhibitory sites fairly remote from the cell somata where extracellular recordings were probably made.", "PMID": 633139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9753", "title": "Effects of phlorizin on glucose, water and sodium handling by the rat kidney.", "content": "1. The effect of phlorizin on glucose, water and sodium handling by the kidney in anaesthetized rats was investigated, using clearance techniques, during infusion of saline (200 microliter min-1) or saline to which either low (0.1 mumole kg body weight-1 ml.-1) doses of phlorizin had been added. 2. Phlorizin increased the absolute and fractional excretion of glucose, urine osmolality and negative free water clearance; and reduced urine flow rate, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), absolute and fractional excretion of sodium, absolute excretion of sodium, absolute excretion of potassium and absolute and fractional rates of glucose reabsorption. 3. The data indicate that phlorizin has sites of action and effects additional to those on glucose transport in the proximal tubule. 4. Within each series there was a positive correlation between sodium and glucose reabsorption; but the rate of glucose reabsorption was different between each series even though the sodium reabsorption was not. 5. It is suggested that since both sodium and glucose reabsorption correlate with GFR, they may be related via GFR. 6. The data indicate that for the whole kidney any effect of glucose on sodium transport is small relative to total renal handling of sodium.", "contents": "Effects of phlorizin on glucose, water and sodium handling by the rat kidney. 1. The effect of phlorizin on glucose, water and sodium handling by the kidney in anaesthetized rats was investigated, using clearance techniques, during infusion of saline (200 microliter min-1) or saline to which either low (0.1 mumole kg body weight-1 ml.-1) doses of phlorizin had been added. 2. Phlorizin increased the absolute and fractional excretion of glucose, urine osmolality and negative free water clearance; and reduced urine flow rate, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), absolute and fractional excretion of sodium, absolute excretion of sodium, absolute excretion of potassium and absolute and fractional rates of glucose reabsorption. 3. The data indicate that phlorizin has sites of action and effects additional to those on glucose transport in the proximal tubule. 4. Within each series there was a positive correlation between sodium and glucose reabsorption; but the rate of glucose reabsorption was different between each series even though the sodium reabsorption was not. 5. It is suggested that since both sodium and glucose reabsorption correlate with GFR, they may be related via GFR. 6. The data indicate that for the whole kidney any effect of glucose on sodium transport is small relative to total renal handling of sodium.", "PMID": 633141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9754", "title": "Effects of glucose on water and sodium reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule of rat kidney.", "content": "1. The effects of glucose on sodium and water reabsorption by rat renal proximal tubules was investigated by in situ microperfusion of segments of proximal tubules with solutions containing glucose or no glucose, with and without phlorizin. 2. Absence of glucose did not significantly alter net water flux. Sodium flux was reduced by about 10% but this was not statistically significant. 3. In the absence of glucose in the perfusion fluid net secretion of glucose occurred. 4. Phlorizin reduced either net reabsorption or net secretion of glucose; and net water flux. 5. The data suggest that in later parts of the proximal convoluted tubule some sodium may be co-transported with glucose, but that this represents only a small fraction of the total sodium reabsorption. 6. It is suggested that the glucose carrier is reversible and in appropriate circumstances could cause glucose secretion. 7. Although phlorizin alters net water flux the underlying mechanisms are not clear. 8. The calculated osmolality of the reabsorbate was significantly greater than the perfusate osmolality and greater than plasma osmolality although this was not quite significant statistically.", "contents": "Effects of glucose on water and sodium reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule of rat kidney. 1. The effects of glucose on sodium and water reabsorption by rat renal proximal tubules was investigated by in situ microperfusion of segments of proximal tubules with solutions containing glucose or no glucose, with and without phlorizin. 2. Absence of glucose did not significantly alter net water flux. Sodium flux was reduced by about 10% but this was not statistically significant. 3. In the absence of glucose in the perfusion fluid net secretion of glucose occurred. 4. Phlorizin reduced either net reabsorption or net secretion of glucose; and net water flux. 5. The data suggest that in later parts of the proximal convoluted tubule some sodium may be co-transported with glucose, but that this represents only a small fraction of the total sodium reabsorption. 6. It is suggested that the glucose carrier is reversible and in appropriate circumstances could cause glucose secretion. 7. Although phlorizin alters net water flux the underlying mechanisms are not clear. 8. The calculated osmolality of the reabsorbate was significantly greater than the perfusate osmolality and greater than plasma osmolality although this was not quite significant statistically.", "PMID": 633143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9755", "title": "Electrical coupling and dye transfer between acinar cells in rat salivary glands.", "content": "1. Adjacent acinar cells in isolated rat parotid and submaxillary glands were found to be electrically coupled in greater than 90% of the pairs tested. 2. Cells injected with fluorescein or procion yellow showed transfer of the dyes to their coupled neighbours. While not all coupled cells exchanged dye, exchange occurred only between coupled cells. 3. In experiments using three micro-electrodes, coupled acinar cells from parotid gland were found to have a mean coupling coefficient of 0.69 +/- 0.04. This value is higher than those reported for most other vertebrate epithelial systems. 4. Membrane damage sufficient to reduce the occurrence of coupling between cells by 97% lowered the transmembrane potential by only 13%. This would indicate that in this system membrane potential may not be the most sensitive indicator of cell damage. 5. The significance of the presence of electrical coupling and cell-to-cell transfer of small tracer molecules is discussed in relation to salivary gland structure and possible functional consequences.", "contents": "Electrical coupling and dye transfer between acinar cells in rat salivary glands. 1. Adjacent acinar cells in isolated rat parotid and submaxillary glands were found to be electrically coupled in greater than 90% of the pairs tested. 2. Cells injected with fluorescein or procion yellow showed transfer of the dyes to their coupled neighbours. While not all coupled cells exchanged dye, exchange occurred only between coupled cells. 3. In experiments using three micro-electrodes, coupled acinar cells from parotid gland were found to have a mean coupling coefficient of 0.69 +/- 0.04. This value is higher than those reported for most other vertebrate epithelial systems. 4. Membrane damage sufficient to reduce the occurrence of coupling between cells by 97% lowered the transmembrane potential by only 13%. This would indicate that in this system membrane potential may not be the most sensitive indicator of cell damage. 5. The significance of the presence of electrical coupling and cell-to-cell transfer of small tracer molecules is discussed in relation to salivary gland structure and possible functional consequences.", "PMID": 633145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9756", "title": "Membrane potential, resistance, and intercellular communication in the lacrimal gland: effects of acetylcholine and adrenaline.", "content": "1. Intracellular micro-electrode recordings were made from surface acini of mouse exorbital lacrimal glands placed in a Perspex bath through which oxygenated physiological saline solutions were circulated. Two micro-electrodes were inserted into neighbouring communicating cells. Through one of the electrodes, current pulses could be injected. The cells impaled were stimulated by iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh), adrenaline or isoprenaline from an extracellular micropipette. 2. During exposure to standard Krebs solution the resting membrane potential was -42.5 mV +/- 1.2 and the resting input resistance 3.3 Momega +/- 0.3. When the tips of the two intracellular micro-electrodes were more than 100 micrometer apart no electrical coupling between two impaled cells could be detected. At intertip distances below about 80 micrometer coupling was frequently observed. In all such cases the coupling ratio was 1. The resting current-voltage relation was almost linear within the membrane potential range of -30 to -80 mV. 3. During exposure to standard Krebs solution the resting membrane potential was -42.5 mV +/- 1.2 and the resting input resistance 3.3 Momega +/- 0.3. When the tips of the two intracellular micro-electrodes were more than 100 micrometer apart no electrical coupling between two impaled cells could be detected. At intertip distances below about 80 micrometer coupling was frequently observed. In all such cases the coupling ratio was 1. The resting current-voltage relation was almost linear within the membrane potential range of -30 to -80mV. 3. During exposure to standard Krebs solution short iontophoretic pulses of ACh or adrenaline caused fully reversible hyperpolarizations accompanied by marked reduction of surface cell membrane resistance and membrane time constant. The effects of ACh were blocked by atropine (1.4 x 10(-6)M). Iontophoresis of isoprenaline never had any detectable effect on membrane potential or resistance. 4. Applying de- or hyperpolarizing direct currents through one of the two intracellular micro-electrodes the effect of ACh or adrenaline could be observed at different lvels of resting potential. Depolarizing the acinar cell membrane resulted in an enhanced stimulant-evoked hyperpolarization whereas hyperpolarizing the acinar cell membrane resulted in a reduction, and at potentials more negative than -60 mV in a reversal of the stimulant-evoked potential change. The ACh equilibrium potential (EACh) under control conditions was -56.6 mV +/- 1.1 and EAdrenaline was -61.4 mV +/- 1.0. 5. Replacing the control superfusion solution by a Clfree sulphate solution resulted in an immediate shift of EACh towards more negative values. At steady state in the Cl-free solution the resting input resistance was 6.8 Momega +/- 1.3 EACh was -95.9 mV +/- 3.4. 6. Reducing [K]o from the usual 4.7 to 1.0 mM resulted in an immediate marked increase in the amplitude of ACh-evoked hyperpolarization whereas increasing [K]o to 10 mM almost abolished the ACh-evoked potential, but not resistance change. 7...", "contents": "Membrane potential, resistance, and intercellular communication in the lacrimal gland: effects of acetylcholine and adrenaline. 1. Intracellular micro-electrode recordings were made from surface acini of mouse exorbital lacrimal glands placed in a Perspex bath through which oxygenated physiological saline solutions were circulated. Two micro-electrodes were inserted into neighbouring communicating cells. Through one of the electrodes, current pulses could be injected. The cells impaled were stimulated by iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh), adrenaline or isoprenaline from an extracellular micropipette. 2. During exposure to standard Krebs solution the resting membrane potential was -42.5 mV +/- 1.2 and the resting input resistance 3.3 Momega +/- 0.3. When the tips of the two intracellular micro-electrodes were more than 100 micrometer apart no electrical coupling between two impaled cells could be detected. At intertip distances below about 80 micrometer coupling was frequently observed. In all such cases the coupling ratio was 1. The resting current-voltage relation was almost linear within the membrane potential range of -30 to -80 mV. 3. During exposure to standard Krebs solution the resting membrane potential was -42.5 mV +/- 1.2 and the resting input resistance 3.3 Momega +/- 0.3. When the tips of the two intracellular micro-electrodes were more than 100 micrometer apart no electrical coupling between two impaled cells could be detected. At intertip distances below about 80 micrometer coupling was frequently observed. In all such cases the coupling ratio was 1. The resting current-voltage relation was almost linear within the membrane potential range of -30 to -80mV. 3. During exposure to standard Krebs solution short iontophoretic pulses of ACh or adrenaline caused fully reversible hyperpolarizations accompanied by marked reduction of surface cell membrane resistance and membrane time constant. The effects of ACh were blocked by atropine (1.4 x 10(-6)M). Iontophoresis of isoprenaline never had any detectable effect on membrane potential or resistance. 4. Applying de- or hyperpolarizing direct currents through one of the two intracellular micro-electrodes the effect of ACh or adrenaline could be observed at different lvels of resting potential. Depolarizing the acinar cell membrane resulted in an enhanced stimulant-evoked hyperpolarization whereas hyperpolarizing the acinar cell membrane resulted in a reduction, and at potentials more negative than -60 mV in a reversal of the stimulant-evoked potential change. The ACh equilibrium potential (EACh) under control conditions was -56.6 mV +/- 1.1 and EAdrenaline was -61.4 mV +/- 1.0. 5. Replacing the control superfusion solution by a Clfree sulphate solution resulted in an immediate shift of EACh towards more negative values. At steady state in the Cl-free solution the resting input resistance was 6.8 Momega +/- 1.3 EACh was -95.9 mV +/- 3.4. 6. Reducing [K]o from the usual 4.7 to 1.0 mM resulted in an immediate marked increase in the amplitude of ACh-evoked hyperpolarization whereas increasing [K]o to 10 mM almost abolished the ACh-evoked potential, but not resistance change. 7...", "PMID": 633148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9757", "title": "Chloride/bicarbonate exchange in human erythrocytes.", "content": "1. The exchange of chloride and bicarbonate across the human erythrocyte membrane has been followed by measuring the changes in extracellular pH which occur when chloride-rich erythrocytes are added to chloride-free media containing varying concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonic anhydrase. 2. The dependence of the rate of chloride/bicarbonate exchange on the extracellular concentration of bicarbonate was consistent with the existence of a saturable membrane anion transporter exhibiting Michaelis--Menten kinetics. In a medium containing sodium gluconate buffered to pH 7.0 with imidazole--malate the Km for bicarbonate activation of transport was 0.39 (+/- 0.03) mM and the Vmax was 2033 (+/- 80 m-mole anions exchanged/3 X 10(13) cells. min, at 10 degrees C. 3. Chloride/bicarbonate exchange was temperature-dependent with an Arrhenius activation energy of 19.4 kcal/mole in the temperature range 2--10 degrees C. 4. Exchange of intracellular chloride for extracellular bicarbonate was inhibited by the presence of extracellular halides. Inhibition by chloride, bromide and fluoride was competitive and the affinity of the transport system decreased in the order HCO-3 greater than Cl- greater than Br- greater than F-. The kinetics of inhibition by iodide were complex, but inhibitory effects of low concentrations of iodide were less than those of chloride and bromide.", "contents": "Chloride/bicarbonate exchange in human erythrocytes. 1. The exchange of chloride and bicarbonate across the human erythrocyte membrane has been followed by measuring the changes in extracellular pH which occur when chloride-rich erythrocytes are added to chloride-free media containing varying concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonic anhydrase. 2. The dependence of the rate of chloride/bicarbonate exchange on the extracellular concentration of bicarbonate was consistent with the existence of a saturable membrane anion transporter exhibiting Michaelis--Menten kinetics. In a medium containing sodium gluconate buffered to pH 7.0 with imidazole--malate the Km for bicarbonate activation of transport was 0.39 (+/- 0.03) mM and the Vmax was 2033 (+/- 80 m-mole anions exchanged/3 X 10(13) cells. min, at 10 degrees C. 3. Chloride/bicarbonate exchange was temperature-dependent with an Arrhenius activation energy of 19.4 kcal/mole in the temperature range 2--10 degrees C. 4. Exchange of intracellular chloride for extracellular bicarbonate was inhibited by the presence of extracellular halides. Inhibition by chloride, bromide and fluoride was competitive and the affinity of the transport system decreased in the order HCO-3 greater than Cl- greater than Br- greater than F-. The kinetics of inhibition by iodide were complex, but inhibitory effects of low concentrations of iodide were less than those of chloride and bromide.", "PMID": 633149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9758", "title": "Effect of amiloride on the renal response to saline expansion in new-born dogs.", "content": "1. The renal effects of amiloride were studied in twenty-six new-born and nine adult dogs, with and without saline expansion. 2. Without saline expansion, amiloride inhibited more sodium reabsorption (normalized to GFR) in puppies than in adults (5.95 vs. 2.18 muequiv/ml. GFR, P less than 0.01). Amiloride inhibited sodium reabsorption more in saline expanded than in nonexpanded puppies (9.39 vs. 5.95 muequiv/ml. GFR, P less than 0.01) but there was no difference between expanded and non-expanded adults. 3. Saline expansion by itself increased fractional sodium excretion (CNa/GFR) more in the adult than in the puppy (0.071 vs. 0.019, P less than 0.01). During amiloride inhibition, saline expansion increased CNa/GFR to 0.045 in the puppy (compared to 0.019 in the nonamiloride inhibited puppy) but saline expansion increased CNa/GFR to the same degree in the amiloride as in the non-amiloride inhibited adult. 4. In all puppies amiloride inhibited more sodium reabsorption than potassium secretion and there was poor correlation between the degree of inhibition of sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion for both the puppy (r = 0.14) and the adult (r = 0.05). 5. Assuming that amiloride acts by inhibiting sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the late distal and cortical collecting tubules, these results support the conclusion that in these regions of the nephron of the new-born dog (a) a greater fraction of the filtered sodium is reabsorbed than in the adult and (b) increased fractional sodium reabsorption is responsible, in part, for the attenuated natriuretic response to saline expansion.", "contents": "Effect of amiloride on the renal response to saline expansion in new-born dogs. 1. The renal effects of amiloride were studied in twenty-six new-born and nine adult dogs, with and without saline expansion. 2. Without saline expansion, amiloride inhibited more sodium reabsorption (normalized to GFR) in puppies than in adults (5.95 vs. 2.18 muequiv/ml. GFR, P less than 0.01). Amiloride inhibited sodium reabsorption more in saline expanded than in nonexpanded puppies (9.39 vs. 5.95 muequiv/ml. GFR, P less than 0.01) but there was no difference between expanded and non-expanded adults. 3. Saline expansion by itself increased fractional sodium excretion (CNa/GFR) more in the adult than in the puppy (0.071 vs. 0.019, P less than 0.01). During amiloride inhibition, saline expansion increased CNa/GFR to 0.045 in the puppy (compared to 0.019 in the nonamiloride inhibited puppy) but saline expansion increased CNa/GFR to the same degree in the amiloride as in the non-amiloride inhibited adult. 4. In all puppies amiloride inhibited more sodium reabsorption than potassium secretion and there was poor correlation between the degree of inhibition of sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion for both the puppy (r = 0.14) and the adult (r = 0.05). 5. Assuming that amiloride acts by inhibiting sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the late distal and cortical collecting tubules, these results support the conclusion that in these regions of the nephron of the new-born dog (a) a greater fraction of the filtered sodium is reabsorbed than in the adult and (b) increased fractional sodium reabsorption is responsible, in part, for the attenuated natriuretic response to saline expansion.", "PMID": 633151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9759", "title": "Electrical properties of neurones in the olfactory cortex slice in vitro.", "content": "1. Slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex were maintained in vitro. Electrical properties of neurones in the prepyriform region were studied using single high resistance glass micro-electrodes filled with potassium acetate, connected to a resistance-compensating circuit to allow passage of current through the electrode. 2. Neurones showed a high, stable resting membrane potential (75.4 +/- 2.7 mV, mean +/- S.D.; n = 47). Input resistance measured with small depolarizing currents varied over a range of 9-280 Momega. The time constant for decay of depolarizing potentials was 19.4 +/- 7.5 msec (mean +/- S.D.).. 4. Depolarization produced repetitive action potentials (maximum frequency of 85 Hz) having peak amplitudes of +16 to +47 mV. The action potential was followed by a depolarizing after potential of about 20 mV positive to the membrane potential. 5. In these and other respects, the prepyriform neurones appear to behave like most other neurones in the mammalian brain, after allowing for the more stable recording conditions in this preparation.", "contents": "Electrical properties of neurones in the olfactory cortex slice in vitro. 1. Slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex were maintained in vitro. Electrical properties of neurones in the prepyriform region were studied using single high resistance glass micro-electrodes filled with potassium acetate, connected to a resistance-compensating circuit to allow passage of current through the electrode. 2. Neurones showed a high, stable resting membrane potential (75.4 +/- 2.7 mV, mean +/- S.D.; n = 47). Input resistance measured with small depolarizing currents varied over a range of 9-280 Momega. The time constant for decay of depolarizing potentials was 19.4 +/- 7.5 msec (mean +/- S.D.).. 4. Depolarization produced repetitive action potentials (maximum frequency of 85 Hz) having peak amplitudes of +16 to +47 mV. The action potential was followed by a depolarizing after potential of about 20 mV positive to the membrane potential. 5. In these and other respects, the prepyriform neurones appear to behave like most other neurones in the mammalian brain, after allowing for the more stable recording conditions in this preparation.", "PMID": 633153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9760", "title": "A depolarizing inhibitory potential in neurones of the olfactory cortex in vitro.", "content": "1. Stable intracellular recordings were obtained from neurones in slices of the guinea-pig olfactory cortex maintained in vitro. 2. Single stimuli applied to the lateral olfactory tract (l.o.t.) produced an excitatory post-synaptic potential (e.p.s.p.) usually generating a single spike. 3. The e.p.s.p. was followed by a long (200-500 msec) after-depolarization (l.a.d.) of peak amplitude 5-16 mV. This was accompanied by a very large conductance increase and was associated with an inhibition of the intracellularly recorded e.p.s.p. and of spike generation. 4. The l.a.d. was more susceptible than the e.p.s.p. to depression by (i) repetitive l.o.t. stimulation and (ii) raising external [Mg2+]. The l.a.d. could be generated without a preceding spike. 5. At an average resting membrane potential of -74 mV the average reversal potential for the l.a.d. (El.a.d.) was -63 mV.El.a.d. became more positive on reducing [Cl-]out or on using KCl-filled electrodes. 6. It is concluded that the l.a.d. represents a Cl- -mediated inhibitory post-synaptic potential, generated through deep-lying recurrent inhibitory loops.", "contents": "A depolarizing inhibitory potential in neurones of the olfactory cortex in vitro. 1. Stable intracellular recordings were obtained from neurones in slices of the guinea-pig olfactory cortex maintained in vitro. 2. Single stimuli applied to the lateral olfactory tract (l.o.t.) produced an excitatory post-synaptic potential (e.p.s.p.) usually generating a single spike. 3. The e.p.s.p. was followed by a long (200-500 msec) after-depolarization (l.a.d.) of peak amplitude 5-16 mV. This was accompanied by a very large conductance increase and was associated with an inhibition of the intracellularly recorded e.p.s.p. and of spike generation. 4. The l.a.d. was more susceptible than the e.p.s.p. to depression by (i) repetitive l.o.t. stimulation and (ii) raising external [Mg2+]. The l.a.d. could be generated without a preceding spike. 5. At an average resting membrane potential of -74 mV the average reversal potential for the l.a.d. (El.a.d.) was -63 mV.El.a.d. became more positive on reducing [Cl-]out or on using KCl-filled electrodes. 6. It is concluded that the l.a.d. represents a Cl- -mediated inhibitory post-synaptic potential, generated through deep-lying recurrent inhibitory loops.", "PMID": 633155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9761", "title": "A barbiturate induced intensification of the inhibitory potential in slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex.", "content": "1. A study has been made of the effect of barbiturates on membrane constants and synaptic potentials of neurones in the isolated guinea-pig olfactory cortex slice. 2. Normally, a long depolarizing i.p.s.p. follows the e.p.s.p. Pentobarbitone (0.1 mM) produced a tenfold increase in the duration of the high conductance phase of this i.p.s.p. 3. The i.p.s.p. was potentiated increasingly with higher barbiturate concentrations from 0.02 to 1.0 mM-pentobarbitone and 0.2 to 5 mM-phenobarbitone. 4. The resting membrane conductance, the initial phase of the e.p.s.p. and the threshold for the action potential were unaffected at lower concentrations. 5. The highest barbiturate doses increased the resting membrane conductance. This was associated with a depolarization of about 14 mV maximally and resulted in smaller synaptic potentials. The effect was probably generated by the same mechanism as the i.p.s.p. 6. This fortifies the idea that barbiturates have a primary action on prolonging inhibition rather than a depression in the excitatory potential.", "contents": "A barbiturate induced intensification of the inhibitory potential in slices of guinea-pig olfactory cortex. 1. A study has been made of the effect of barbiturates on membrane constants and synaptic potentials of neurones in the isolated guinea-pig olfactory cortex slice. 2. Normally, a long depolarizing i.p.s.p. follows the e.p.s.p. Pentobarbitone (0.1 mM) produced a tenfold increase in the duration of the high conductance phase of this i.p.s.p. 3. The i.p.s.p. was potentiated increasingly with higher barbiturate concentrations from 0.02 to 1.0 mM-pentobarbitone and 0.2 to 5 mM-phenobarbitone. 4. The resting membrane conductance, the initial phase of the e.p.s.p. and the threshold for the action potential were unaffected at lower concentrations. 5. The highest barbiturate doses increased the resting membrane conductance. This was associated with a depolarization of about 14 mV maximally and resulted in smaller synaptic potentials. The effect was probably generated by the same mechanism as the i.p.s.p. 6. This fortifies the idea that barbiturates have a primary action on prolonging inhibition rather than a depression in the excitatory potential.", "PMID": 633156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9762", "title": "Calcium-induced increase in membrane permeability in the guinea-pig taenia coli: evidence for involvement of a sodium-calcium exchange mechanism.", "content": "1. High-Na tissues exposed to a Na-free solution with dimethyldiethanol ammonium chloride (DDA) or sucrose replacing Na, develop an increase in membrane permeability to small ions and molecules such as Na, K, sucrose and CoEDTA. 2. The increase in permeability only occurs when the Na gradient across the cell membrane is reversed, and is not due to damaging effects of the Na-free solution. It does not occur in normal or high-K tissues, and 15 mM-[Na]0 is enough to prevent the permeability change in high-Na tissues. 3. Tissues with increased permeability maintain high levels of Ca and the increased permeability does not occur in Ca-free solutions, or in solutions containing 5 mM-La3+. The rate of development of membrane leakiness depends on the level of extracellular Ca. 4. Tissues exposed to iodoacetic acid (IAA) and dinitrophenol (DNP) also develop a membrane leakiness, dependent on extracellular Ca and blocked by La3+. 5. The time taken for development of the increase in membrane permeability in metabolically inhibited tissues can be affected by the Na gradient. With no gradient, or a slightly reversed gradient the membrane break-down occurs more rapidly. 6. It is concluded that the increase in permeability is caused by an increase in internal Ca ions, and that the Na gradient as well as the levels of ATP are important in controlling Ca movements. 7. Tension recordings also support the some form of Na--Ca exchange mechanism operating in the taenia, and this mechanism is not completely blocked by La3+ ions, although they suppress the break-down in membrane permeability.", "contents": "Calcium-induced increase in membrane permeability in the guinea-pig taenia coli: evidence for involvement of a sodium-calcium exchange mechanism. 1. High-Na tissues exposed to a Na-free solution with dimethyldiethanol ammonium chloride (DDA) or sucrose replacing Na, develop an increase in membrane permeability to small ions and molecules such as Na, K, sucrose and CoEDTA. 2. The increase in permeability only occurs when the Na gradient across the cell membrane is reversed, and is not due to damaging effects of the Na-free solution. It does not occur in normal or high-K tissues, and 15 mM-[Na]0 is enough to prevent the permeability change in high-Na tissues. 3. Tissues with increased permeability maintain high levels of Ca and the increased permeability does not occur in Ca-free solutions, or in solutions containing 5 mM-La3+. The rate of development of membrane leakiness depends on the level of extracellular Ca. 4. Tissues exposed to iodoacetic acid (IAA) and dinitrophenol (DNP) also develop a membrane leakiness, dependent on extracellular Ca and blocked by La3+. 5. The time taken for development of the increase in membrane permeability in metabolically inhibited tissues can be affected by the Na gradient. With no gradient, or a slightly reversed gradient the membrane break-down occurs more rapidly. 6. It is concluded that the increase in permeability is caused by an increase in internal Ca ions, and that the Na gradient as well as the levels of ATP are important in controlling Ca movements. 7. Tension recordings also support the some form of Na--Ca exchange mechanism operating in the taenia, and this mechanism is not completely blocked by La3+ ions, although they suppress the break-down in membrane permeability.", "PMID": 633162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9763", "title": "Mechanical properties of smooth muscle cells in the walls of arterial resistance vessels.", "content": "1. Methods have been developed for measuring the dynamic mechanical response of arterial resistance vessels (i.d. 83--235 micrometer) with a time resolution of about 4 msec. 2. Observations of the microscope image of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of these vessels indicate that there is little intercellular compliance in this preparation, and that the mechanical properties of the activated preparation are a reflexion of the mechanical properties of the individual smooth muscle cells. 3. Under isometric conditions the force developed per unit cell area was about 350 mN/mm2. Under isotonic conditions the cells had a maximum velocity for shortening at 37 degrees C of about 0.17 lengths/sec. 4. Quick releases of activated vessels indicate that the instantaneous elastic characteristic of smooth muscle cells is approximately exponential. 5. The wall tension response to small (0.3%) square wave changes in circumference was proportional to the logarithm of the time following the start of each circumference change. 6. Active wall tension, deltaT, was varied by varying the Ca2+ concentration of the activating solution. Under these conditions the active dynamic stiffness, k, was proportional to deltaT, and was not temperature dependent. The active half response time, tau (the time, taken to recover half the tension change caused by a small change in circumference) was also proportional to deltaT, but here the constant of proportionality had a Q10 of about 1.8. 7. It is concluded that the quick release response and the square wave response are in part a function of the mechanical properties of the crossbridges between the contractile filaments. Calculations show that both these responses can be explained if it is assumed that there is a relatively compliant passive component in series with the crossbridges.", "contents": "Mechanical properties of smooth muscle cells in the walls of arterial resistance vessels. 1. Methods have been developed for measuring the dynamic mechanical response of arterial resistance vessels (i.d. 83--235 micrometer) with a time resolution of about 4 msec. 2. Observations of the microscope image of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of these vessels indicate that there is little intercellular compliance in this preparation, and that the mechanical properties of the activated preparation are a reflexion of the mechanical properties of the individual smooth muscle cells. 3. Under isometric conditions the force developed per unit cell area was about 350 mN/mm2. Under isotonic conditions the cells had a maximum velocity for shortening at 37 degrees C of about 0.17 lengths/sec. 4. Quick releases of activated vessels indicate that the instantaneous elastic characteristic of smooth muscle cells is approximately exponential. 5. The wall tension response to small (0.3%) square wave changes in circumference was proportional to the logarithm of the time following the start of each circumference change. 6. Active wall tension, deltaT, was varied by varying the Ca2+ concentration of the activating solution. Under these conditions the active dynamic stiffness, k, was proportional to deltaT, and was not temperature dependent. The active half response time, tau (the time, taken to recover half the tension change caused by a small change in circumference) was also proportional to deltaT, but here the constant of proportionality had a Q10 of about 1.8. 7. It is concluded that the quick release response and the square wave response are in part a function of the mechanical properties of the crossbridges between the contractile filaments. Calculations show that both these responses can be explained if it is assumed that there is a relatively compliant passive component in series with the crossbridges.", "PMID": 633184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9764", "title": "Uptake and fate of ferritin in the uterine epithelium of the rat during early pregnancy.", "content": "The ingestion of ferritin injected into the uterine lumen for 20 min was followed by light and electron microscopy. Uptake occurred on Days 4 to 6, with a distinct peak of activity on Day 5 when blastocysts are present in the uterine lumen. At this time, the antimesometrial cells took up more tracer than those on the mesometrial side. The ferritin was located in various types of organelles which contained acid phosphatase, indicating that the tracer entered the lysosomal system. Ferritin-containing lysosomes were essentially all located in the apical half of the cells at 1 h after the injection, but thereafter were distributed throughout the cell. There appeared to be some digestion of ferritin by 48 h, but no evidence for exocytosis of the tracer at the base of the cells was found with light or electron microscopy.", "contents": "Uptake and fate of ferritin in the uterine epithelium of the rat during early pregnancy. The ingestion of ferritin injected into the uterine lumen for 20 min was followed by light and electron microscopy. Uptake occurred on Days 4 to 6, with a distinct peak of activity on Day 5 when blastocysts are present in the uterine lumen. At this time, the antimesometrial cells took up more tracer than those on the mesometrial side. The ferritin was located in various types of organelles which contained acid phosphatase, indicating that the tracer entered the lysosomal system. Ferritin-containing lysosomes were essentially all located in the apical half of the cells at 1 h after the injection, but thereafter were distributed throughout the cell. There appeared to be some digestion of ferritin by 48 h, but no evidence for exocytosis of the tracer at the base of the cells was found with light or electron microscopy.", "PMID": 633201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9765", "title": "The organization of testicular interstitial tissue and changes in the fine structure of the Leydig cells of European moles (Talpa europaea) throughout the year.", "content": "Seasonal changes of the testicular interstitial tissue were studied by electron microscopy. During the breeding season in spring, clusters of Leydig cells are surrounded by wide lymphatic sinusoids. In sexually quiescent moles, these sinusoids collapse, and the abundant Leydig cells become closely packed and occupy most of the testis. During sexual activity, the Leydig cells contain abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), mitochondria with tubular cristae, and lipid droplets. Some areas of the cytoplasm are occupied exclusively by tubular SER, arranged in parallel. During regression the SER appears tortuous, and large lipid droplets are found in the cytoplasm, although these gradually become smaller. During the long period of sexual quiescence, the size and abundance of Leydig cells and the appearance of SER, lipid droplets and mitochondria were similar to those observed during sexual activity.", "contents": "The organization of testicular interstitial tissue and changes in the fine structure of the Leydig cells of European moles (Talpa europaea) throughout the year. Seasonal changes of the testicular interstitial tissue were studied by electron microscopy. During the breeding season in spring, clusters of Leydig cells are surrounded by wide lymphatic sinusoids. In sexually quiescent moles, these sinusoids collapse, and the abundant Leydig cells become closely packed and occupy most of the testis. During sexual activity, the Leydig cells contain abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), mitochondria with tubular cristae, and lipid droplets. Some areas of the cytoplasm are occupied exclusively by tubular SER, arranged in parallel. During regression the SER appears tortuous, and large lipid droplets are found in the cytoplasm, although these gradually become smaller. During the long period of sexual quiescence, the size and abundance of Leydig cells and the appearance of SER, lipid droplets and mitochondria were similar to those observed during sexual activity.", "PMID": 633202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9766", "title": "Seasonal changes in testosterone levels and androgen-dependent organs in male moles (Talpa europaea).", "content": "Seasonal changes in testicular and plasma testosterone levels and in androgen-dependent organs were determined in moles breeding at 53 degrees N. Although the testes contain up to 30 times more testosterone during spermatogenesis than during sexual quiescence, appreciable quantities of this hormone are present during late summer and early autumn. Annual spermatogenesis lasts for only 2 months, but in some moles spermatozoa remain in the epididymis for up to 3 months after the testes have begun to involute, and may therefore be available to inseminate females coming into a second oestrus.", "contents": "Seasonal changes in testosterone levels and androgen-dependent organs in male moles (Talpa europaea). Seasonal changes in testicular and plasma testosterone levels and in androgen-dependent organs were determined in moles breeding at 53 degrees N. Although the testes contain up to 30 times more testosterone during spermatogenesis than during sexual quiescence, appreciable quantities of this hormone are present during late summer and early autumn. Annual spermatogenesis lasts for only 2 months, but in some moles spermatozoa remain in the epididymis for up to 3 months after the testes have begun to involute, and may therefore be available to inseminate females coming into a second oestrus.", "PMID": 633203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9767", "title": "Progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum of the early pregnant pig during superfusion in vitro with PGF-2alpha, LH and oestradiol.", "content": "Corpora lutea obtained from pregnant sows (Days 18-22) were superfused in vitro for 2-4 h with PGF-2alpha and for 3 h with LH or oestradiol or combinations of PGF-2alpha with LH or oestradiol. LH but not oestradiol stimulated progesterone secretion while superfusion for a minimum of 3 h with PGF-2alpha caused an irreversible decrease in progesterone secretion. LH and PGF-2alpha were mutually antagonistic while oestradiol did not inhibit the luteolytic action of PGF-2alpha.", "contents": "Progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum of the early pregnant pig during superfusion in vitro with PGF-2alpha, LH and oestradiol. Corpora lutea obtained from pregnant sows (Days 18-22) were superfused in vitro for 2-4 h with PGF-2alpha and for 3 h with LH or oestradiol or combinations of PGF-2alpha with LH or oestradiol. LH but not oestradiol stimulated progesterone secretion while superfusion for a minimum of 3 h with PGF-2alpha caused an irreversible decrease in progesterone secretion. LH and PGF-2alpha were mutually antagonistic while oestradiol did not inhibit the luteolytic action of PGF-2alpha.", "PMID": 633204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9768", "title": "Adrenergic innervation and contractile activity of the mesotubarium superius of the rabbit oviduct.", "content": "Various patterns of spontaneous contractile activity were observed in the mesotubarium in vitro, but generally the frequency was lower and the amplitude was higher in the contractions than in those of the spontaneously motile oviduct. Contractile responses to norepinephrine occurred at concentrations higher than 10(-8) M. Twitch-like contractile responses were produced by field stimulation of 1 msec, 1-30 HZ and 100 V for 10sec. Responses to norepinephrine and electrical stimulation were inhibited by phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine, but were not affected by propranolol. Spontaneous contractile activity of the mesotubarium was diminished but the tonus was not affected by isoproterenol. These results suggest that the responses of the mesotubarium to norepinephrine and electrical stimulation are mainly related to the alpha-receptor rather than to the beta-receptor component.", "contents": "Adrenergic innervation and contractile activity of the mesotubarium superius of the rabbit oviduct. Various patterns of spontaneous contractile activity were observed in the mesotubarium in vitro, but generally the frequency was lower and the amplitude was higher in the contractions than in those of the spontaneously motile oviduct. Contractile responses to norepinephrine occurred at concentrations higher than 10(-8) M. Twitch-like contractile responses were produced by field stimulation of 1 msec, 1-30 HZ and 100 V for 10sec. Responses to norepinephrine and electrical stimulation were inhibited by phentolamine or phenoxybenzamine, but were not affected by propranolol. Spontaneous contractile activity of the mesotubarium was diminished but the tonus was not affected by isoproterenol. These results suggest that the responses of the mesotubarium to norepinephrine and electrical stimulation are mainly related to the alpha-receptor rather than to the beta-receptor component.", "PMID": 633205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9769", "title": "Role of the granulosa cells of the postovulatory follicle of the domestic fowl in oviposition.", "content": "Surgical removal of the granulosa cells, leaving the remainder of the postovulatory follicle (POF) intact (including the thecal interstitial cells), resulted in delays of oviposition of about 19 h; similar delays were obtained when the granulosa was left in situ but was damaged by the insertion of a silicone disc into the POF. The insertion of wax balls resulted in delays of 3-4 h but the granulosa appeared to be normal. It is concluded that the integrity of the granulosa is important for normal oviposition.", "contents": "Role of the granulosa cells of the postovulatory follicle of the domestic fowl in oviposition. Surgical removal of the granulosa cells, leaving the remainder of the postovulatory follicle (POF) intact (including the thecal interstitial cells), resulted in delays of oviposition of about 19 h; similar delays were obtained when the granulosa was left in situ but was damaged by the insertion of a silicone disc into the POF. The insertion of wax balls resulted in delays of 3-4 h but the granulosa appeared to be normal. It is concluded that the integrity of the granulosa is important for normal oviposition.", "PMID": 633206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9770", "title": "The source of progesterone in rabbit blastocysts.", "content": "High levels of progesterone were found in the blastocysts, uterine fluid and sera of normal pregnant rabbits on Days 6 and 7 of pregnancy. Very little progesterone (less than 2% of control) was present in bilaterally ovariectomized rabbits in which pregnancy was maintained by the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate. The results demonstrate that the rabbit blastocyst is provided with large amounts of progesterone derived from the maternal ovaries.", "contents": "The source of progesterone in rabbit blastocysts. High levels of progesterone were found in the blastocysts, uterine fluid and sera of normal pregnant rabbits on Days 6 and 7 of pregnancy. Very little progesterone (less than 2% of control) was present in bilaterally ovariectomized rabbits in which pregnancy was maintained by the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate. The results demonstrate that the rabbit blastocyst is provided with large amounts of progesterone derived from the maternal ovaries.", "PMID": 633207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9771", "title": "Changes in concanavalin A agglutinability during development of the inner cell mass and trophoblast of mouse blastocysts in vitro.", "content": "Mouse blastocyst cultures were analysed for Concanavalin A (Con A) agglutinability by microhaemadsorption methods and for Con A binding capacity with Rhodamine-Con A stain. The inner cell mass, which was not agglutinable in the early culture stages, became agglutinable when it started to develop. The trophoblast, which was initially agglutinable, lost this property as the cells matured. There was no apparent correlation between changes in agglutinability and capacity to bind Rhodamine-Con A. The pattern of change in Con A agglutinability which characterized development of the inner cell mass and trophoblast is consistent with an interpretation that agglutinability was related to the migratory activities of these cells. The loss of agglutinability associated with trophoblast maturation may have been due to alterations in Con A receptor accessibility.", "contents": "Changes in concanavalin A agglutinability during development of the inner cell mass and trophoblast of mouse blastocysts in vitro. Mouse blastocyst cultures were analysed for Concanavalin A (Con A) agglutinability by microhaemadsorption methods and for Con A binding capacity with Rhodamine-Con A stain. The inner cell mass, which was not agglutinable in the early culture stages, became agglutinable when it started to develop. The trophoblast, which was initially agglutinable, lost this property as the cells matured. There was no apparent correlation between changes in agglutinability and capacity to bind Rhodamine-Con A. The pattern of change in Con A agglutinability which characterized development of the inner cell mass and trophoblast is consistent with an interpretation that agglutinability was related to the migratory activities of these cells. The loss of agglutinability associated with trophoblast maturation may have been due to alterations in Con A receptor accessibility.", "PMID": 633208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9772", "title": "Effect of fetal hypophysectomy on the initiation of parturition in the goat.", "content": "Fetal hypophysectomy performed between 97 and 130 days of gestation caused a significant (P is less than 0.005) prolongation of pregnancy in 5 goats in which every fetus was treated. Three of these goats gave birth spontaneously. Sham surgery or hypophysectomy of one fetus of twins had no effect on gestation length. Hypophysectomized kids, delivered after prolonged pregnancy, were significantly heavier than normal term kids (P is less than 0.005) and had lighter adrenals (P is less than 0.025). Measurements of maternal peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and total unconjugated oestrogens showed that the changes in goats carrying hypophysectomized fetuses were similar to those of normal pregnancy except that the prepartum oestrogen peak was absent, whether or not parturition occurred spontaneously.", "contents": "Effect of fetal hypophysectomy on the initiation of parturition in the goat. Fetal hypophysectomy performed between 97 and 130 days of gestation caused a significant (P is less than 0.005) prolongation of pregnancy in 5 goats in which every fetus was treated. Three of these goats gave birth spontaneously. Sham surgery or hypophysectomy of one fetus of twins had no effect on gestation length. Hypophysectomized kids, delivered after prolonged pregnancy, were significantly heavier than normal term kids (P is less than 0.005) and had lighter adrenals (P is less than 0.025). Measurements of maternal peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and total unconjugated oestrogens showed that the changes in goats carrying hypophysectomized fetuses were similar to those of normal pregnancy except that the prepartum oestrogen peak was absent, whether or not parturition occurred spontaneously.", "PMID": 633209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9773", "title": "The maintenance of pregnancy in hypophysectomized goats.", "content": "Pregnancy in goats is maintained after hypophysectomy at about Day 90 of gestation by injection of 20 mg progesterone or 1 mg LH/day, but not by 5 mg prolactin/day.", "contents": "The maintenance of pregnancy in hypophysectomized goats. Pregnancy in goats is maintained after hypophysectomy at about Day 90 of gestation by injection of 20 mg progesterone or 1 mg LH/day, but not by 5 mg prolactin/day.", "PMID": 633210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9774", "title": "Effects of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on fertility in the rabbit.", "content": "Administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid, a fibrinolytic inhibitor, either orally or from an impregnated IUD, had no effect on numbers of implanted embryos, their viability, or their diameters at Day 10 of pregnancy.", "contents": "Effects of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on fertility in the rabbit. Administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid, a fibrinolytic inhibitor, either orally or from an impregnated IUD, had no effect on numbers of implanted embryos, their viability, or their diameters at Day 10 of pregnancy.", "PMID": 633211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9775", "title": "Testicular blood flow and testosterone concentration in spermatic venous blood of anaesthetized rats.", "content": "Testicular blood flow was measured by a radioactive microsphere technique. A significant correlation, rs equal to 0.82, was found between testicular blood flow and testosterone outflow in the spermatic venous blood, indicating that factors which affect the testicular circulation may influence testicular endocrine function.", "contents": "Testicular blood flow and testosterone concentration in spermatic venous blood of anaesthetized rats. Testicular blood flow was measured by a radioactive microsphere technique. A significant correlation, rs equal to 0.82, was found between testicular blood flow and testosterone outflow in the spermatic venous blood, indicating that factors which affect the testicular circulation may influence testicular endocrine function.", "PMID": 633212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9776", "title": "Treatment of pregnant gilts with a prostaglandin analogue, Cloprostenol, to control oestrus and fertility.", "content": "Oestrus was induced 4-7 days after treatment with Cloprostenol (ICI 80,996) in gilts between 12 and 40 days pregnant. Fertility at this synchronized oestrus was good (85%).", "contents": "Treatment of pregnant gilts with a prostaglandin analogue, Cloprostenol, to control oestrus and fertility. Oestrus was induced 4-7 days after treatment with Cloprostenol (ICI 80,996) in gilts between 12 and 40 days pregnant. Fertility at this synchronized oestrus was good (85%).", "PMID": 633213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9777", "title": "Pregnancy in the domestic cat after artificial insemination with previously frozen spermatozoa.", "content": "Methods for collection, freeze preservation and artificial insemination of domestic cat semen were developed. Total sperm count and pre-freeze and post-thaw percent motility were significantly greater (P is less than 0.05) for samples collected by an artificial vagina method than for those collected by electroejaculation. Although conception rate was low (10.6%), 6 pregnancies were achieved, 2 after hormonal induction of oestrus.", "contents": "Pregnancy in the domestic cat after artificial insemination with previously frozen spermatozoa. Methods for collection, freeze preservation and artificial insemination of domestic cat semen were developed. Total sperm count and pre-freeze and post-thaw percent motility were significantly greater (P is less than 0.05) for samples collected by an artificial vagina method than for those collected by electroejaculation. Although conception rate was low (10.6%), 6 pregnancies were achieved, 2 after hormonal induction of oestrus.", "PMID": 633214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9778", "title": "Cyclic variation in concentrations of protein and hexose in human uterine flushings collected by an improved technique.", "content": "Uterine flushings were obtained from fertile women at various stages of the menstrual cycle. A technique was used which excluded contamination with cervical mucus and significantly lowered contamination with blood in comparison with an established technique. Contamination of the uterine flushings with seminal plasma and tubal fluid was also prevented. The concentrations of protein and hexose in the uterine flushings, corrected for contamination with plasma, were significantly lower in the secretory stages than in the proliferative stages of the cycle. It is concluded that proteins and carbohydrates are present within the uterine lumen not only after ovulation but also during the preovulatory period.", "contents": "Cyclic variation in concentrations of protein and hexose in human uterine flushings collected by an improved technique. Uterine flushings were obtained from fertile women at various stages of the menstrual cycle. A technique was used which excluded contamination with cervical mucus and significantly lowered contamination with blood in comparison with an established technique. Contamination of the uterine flushings with seminal plasma and tubal fluid was also prevented. The concentrations of protein and hexose in the uterine flushings, corrected for contamination with plasma, were significantly lower in the secretory stages than in the proliferative stages of the cycle. It is concluded that proteins and carbohydrates are present within the uterine lumen not only after ovulation but also during the preovulatory period.", "PMID": 633215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9779", "title": "The effects of a sudden decrease or increase in daylength on prolactin secretion in the ram.", "content": "Six adult Soay rams were preconditioned to an artificial lighting regimen of alternating 4-month periods of long (16L:8D) and short days (8L:16D) for at least 10 months before blood samples were collected at hourly intervals for 24 h at various times. The abrupt change from long to short days resulted in a progressive decrease in plasma levels of prolactin, while that from short to long days had the reverse effect; the first response to the light changes was rapid, beginning within 6 days. During the periods of high secretion there was a 24-h cycle in plasma prolactin concentrations, with a peak in both the early dark and early light phases of each day. Changes in the relative magnitude of these peaks were observed in relation to the long-term alteration in prolactin secretion. Plasma levels of FSH were also measured and a close inverse relationship between gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion was observed.", "contents": "The effects of a sudden decrease or increase in daylength on prolactin secretion in the ram. Six adult Soay rams were preconditioned to an artificial lighting regimen of alternating 4-month periods of long (16L:8D) and short days (8L:16D) for at least 10 months before blood samples were collected at hourly intervals for 24 h at various times. The abrupt change from long to short days resulted in a progressive decrease in plasma levels of prolactin, while that from short to long days had the reverse effect; the first response to the light changes was rapid, beginning within 6 days. During the periods of high secretion there was a 24-h cycle in plasma prolactin concentrations, with a peak in both the early dark and early light phases of each day. Changes in the relative magnitude of these peaks were observed in relation to the long-term alteration in prolactin secretion. Plasma levels of FSH were also measured and a close inverse relationship between gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion was observed.", "PMID": 633216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9780", "title": "Factors in mouse uterine fluid that inhibit the incorporation of [3H]uridine by blastocysts in vitro.", "content": "Fluid flushed from the uteri of \"delayed implanting\" and \"implanting\" mice was fractionated by gel-filtration. The fractions were freeze-dried, individually resuspended in culture medium containing [3H]uridine, and used for incubating \"implanting\" blastocysts. Several factors were found that reduced incorporation of [3H]uridine by the blastocysts. The amount of inhibitory activity in corresponding factors was generally similar in flushings from both types of uteri, but there was significantly more inhibitory activity in the void volume fractions of flushings from \"delayed implanting\" animals and it is suggested that this factor may be responsible for the metabolic dormancy of embryos during the diapause associated with delayed implantation.", "contents": "Factors in mouse uterine fluid that inhibit the incorporation of [3H]uridine by blastocysts in vitro. Fluid flushed from the uteri of \"delayed implanting\" and \"implanting\" mice was fractionated by gel-filtration. The fractions were freeze-dried, individually resuspended in culture medium containing [3H]uridine, and used for incubating \"implanting\" blastocysts. Several factors were found that reduced incorporation of [3H]uridine by the blastocysts. The amount of inhibitory activity in corresponding factors was generally similar in flushings from both types of uteri, but there was significantly more inhibitory activity in the void volume fractions of flushings from \"delayed implanting\" animals and it is suggested that this factor may be responsible for the metabolic dormancy of embryos during the diapause associated with delayed implantation.", "PMID": 633217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9781", "title": "The appearance of oestrone sulphate in the peripheral plasma of the pig early in pregnancy.", "content": "Detectable concentrations of oestrone sulphate were present in 50% of the plasma samples collected from pregnant animals by Day 17. No oestrone sulphate was detected in plasma from cyclic nonpregnant pigs.", "contents": "The appearance of oestrone sulphate in the peripheral plasma of the pig early in pregnancy. Detectable concentrations of oestrone sulphate were present in 50% of the plasma samples collected from pregnant animals by Day 17. No oestrone sulphate was detected in plasma from cyclic nonpregnant pigs.", "PMID": 633218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9782", "title": "Scanning electron microscopy of the vitelline membrane of the hen ovum.", "content": "Manual removal of the perivitelline layer overlying the animal pole (AP) reveals three morphologically distinct regions of the vitelline membrane (VM). (1) The central germinal region is 600-800 micron in diameter and is densely populated with pleomorphic microvillous projections. (2) The periblastic region, which also exhibits microvillous projections, is 250-550 micron wide and consists of numerous (80-120) lacunae that are 10-60 micron in diameter and up to 20 micron in depth. (3) At the outer periblastic region, the microvillous projections are less numerous. In the vegetal hemisphere, the VM has few projections and occasionally is discontinuous.", "contents": "Scanning electron microscopy of the vitelline membrane of the hen ovum. Manual removal of the perivitelline layer overlying the animal pole (AP) reveals three morphologically distinct regions of the vitelline membrane (VM). (1) The central germinal region is 600-800 micron in diameter and is densely populated with pleomorphic microvillous projections. (2) The periblastic region, which also exhibits microvillous projections, is 250-550 micron wide and consists of numerous (80-120) lacunae that are 10-60 micron in diameter and up to 20 micron in depth. (3) At the outer periblastic region, the microvillous projections are less numerous. In the vegetal hemisphere, the VM has few projections and occasionally is discontinuous.", "PMID": 633219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9783", "title": "Androgenic effects of the antiprogestagen RMI 12,936.", "content": "RMI 12,936 (7alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-androst-5-en-one) was tested for androgenic activity in mouse kidney and for antiprogestational activity in guinea-pig uterus. RMI 12,936 stimulated an increase in kidney weight and in the activity of the androgen-responsive renal enzymes, beta-glucuronidase, alcohol dehydrogenase and arginase. RMI 12,936 was bound by the renal androgen receptor with a relative affinity approximately one-third that of testosterone. Although RMI 12,936 did not stimulate glycogen accumulation in guinea-pig endometrium in vivo, it was active in endometrial organ culture. When RMI 12,936 was combined with progesterone, glycogen accumulation in vitro was partly inhibited. RMI 12,936 was bound by the guinea-pig uterine progesterone receptor with a relative affinity of less than 1%. It is concluded that RMI 12,936 is an androgenic steroid with antifertility actions and in-vitro antiglycogenic activity.", "contents": "Androgenic effects of the antiprogestagen RMI 12,936. RMI 12,936 (7alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-androst-5-en-one) was tested for androgenic activity in mouse kidney and for antiprogestational activity in guinea-pig uterus. RMI 12,936 stimulated an increase in kidney weight and in the activity of the androgen-responsive renal enzymes, beta-glucuronidase, alcohol dehydrogenase and arginase. RMI 12,936 was bound by the renal androgen receptor with a relative affinity approximately one-third that of testosterone. Although RMI 12,936 did not stimulate glycogen accumulation in guinea-pig endometrium in vivo, it was active in endometrial organ culture. When RMI 12,936 was combined with progesterone, glycogen accumulation in vitro was partly inhibited. RMI 12,936 was bound by the guinea-pig uterine progesterone receptor with a relative affinity of less than 1%. It is concluded that RMI 12,936 is an androgenic steroid with antifertility actions and in-vitro antiglycogenic activity.", "PMID": 633220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9784", "title": "Further investigation of the antifertility effects in the rat of the antiprogestational steroid, RMI 12,936, and related compounds.", "content": "The antifertility activities of RMI 12,936 and 7alpha-methyltestosterone may be reversed by progesterone implants in ovariectomized, but not in intact, rats on Day 8 of pregnancy. The presence of the ovary for 48 h after administration of RMI 12,936 is necessary for irreversible antifertility activity to be developed, and it is concluded that this activity is due to a metabolite other than 7alpha-methyltestosterone. 7alpha-Methylandrostenedione was significantly less potent than RMI 12,936 in antifertility tests, while the uterotrophic activity of RMI 12,936 was not inhibited by aromatization inhibitors, suggesting that the active metabolite is not produced by dehydrogenation or aromatization of 7alpha-methyltestosterone.", "contents": "Further investigation of the antifertility effects in the rat of the antiprogestational steroid, RMI 12,936, and related compounds. The antifertility activities of RMI 12,936 and 7alpha-methyltestosterone may be reversed by progesterone implants in ovariectomized, but not in intact, rats on Day 8 of pregnancy. The presence of the ovary for 48 h after administration of RMI 12,936 is necessary for irreversible antifertility activity to be developed, and it is concluded that this activity is due to a metabolite other than 7alpha-methyltestosterone. 7alpha-Methylandrostenedione was significantly less potent than RMI 12,936 in antifertility tests, while the uterotrophic activity of RMI 12,936 was not inhibited by aromatization inhibitors, suggesting that the active metabolite is not produced by dehydrogenation or aromatization of 7alpha-methyltestosterone.", "PMID": 633221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9785", "title": "Age-related changes in responsiveness of rat Leydig cells to hCG.", "content": "The responsiveness of decapsulated testes and isolated Leydig cell preparations from rats (30-80 days of age) to a constant dose of 3 ng hCG/2 ml was assessed by comparison of the production of testosterone and \"total 17beta-hydroxy androgen\" (17beta-HA). When testosterone secretion was used as the index of response, there was a marked increase in the production with age by decapsulated testes and also by equal numbers of Leydig cells. When 17beta-HA was taken as the response parameter this increase was only marginal for the decapsulated testes and there was an age-dependent decrease when expressed per 10(6) cells. These differences probably reflect changes in the metabolism of testosterone to 5alpha-reduced products with increasing age because 80% of androgen secreted at 30 days is 3alpha-androstanediol and 86% is secreted as testosterone at 80 days. We conclude that for studies on hCG responsiveness and the steroidogenic capacity of immature rat Leydig cells (a) testosterone is an inappropriate response parameter and (b) this response undergoes a decrease rather than an increase during prepubertal development.", "contents": "Age-related changes in responsiveness of rat Leydig cells to hCG. The responsiveness of decapsulated testes and isolated Leydig cell preparations from rats (30-80 days of age) to a constant dose of 3 ng hCG/2 ml was assessed by comparison of the production of testosterone and \"total 17beta-hydroxy androgen\" (17beta-HA). When testosterone secretion was used as the index of response, there was a marked increase in the production with age by decapsulated testes and also by equal numbers of Leydig cells. When 17beta-HA was taken as the response parameter this increase was only marginal for the decapsulated testes and there was an age-dependent decrease when expressed per 10(6) cells. These differences probably reflect changes in the metabolism of testosterone to 5alpha-reduced products with increasing age because 80% of androgen secreted at 30 days is 3alpha-androstanediol and 86% is secreted as testosterone at 80 days. We conclude that for studies on hCG responsiveness and the steroidogenic capacity of immature rat Leydig cells (a) testosterone is an inappropriate response parameter and (b) this response undergoes a decrease rather than an increase during prepubertal development.", "PMID": 633222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9786", "title": "Assessment by microflow fluorometry of the purity of interstitial cell suspensions from the rat testis.", "content": "The technique of microflow fluorometry (MFF) was used to identify the proportion of haploid cells (from the tubules) in interstitial cell suspensions. The MFF estimates of the degree of contamination by tubular elements correlated well with the numbers of cells with Leydig cell morphology and those staining positively for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.", "contents": "Assessment by microflow fluorometry of the purity of interstitial cell suspensions from the rat testis. The technique of microflow fluorometry (MFF) was used to identify the proportion of haploid cells (from the tubules) in interstitial cell suspensions. The MFF estimates of the degree of contamination by tubular elements correlated well with the numbers of cells with Leydig cell morphology and those staining positively for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 633223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9787", "title": "The viability of deep-frozen cow embryos.", "content": "Day 7 cow embryos were frozen in 1.5 M-DMSO in PBS at 0.3 degrees C/min to -36 degrees C and at 0.1 degrees C/min between -36 and -60 degrees C before being plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. They were subsequently thawed (rapidly to -50 degrees C, at 4 degrees C/min from -50 to -10 degrees C, and rapidly again) to room temperature. Embryonic viability was tested by four different transfer techniques. Maximum pregnancy rate (8/12) was obtained with surgical transfer immediately after thawing and dilution of DMSO.", "contents": "The viability of deep-frozen cow embryos. Day 7 cow embryos were frozen in 1.5 M-DMSO in PBS at 0.3 degrees C/min to -36 degrees C and at 0.1 degrees C/min between -36 and -60 degrees C before being plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. They were subsequently thawed (rapidly to -50 degrees C, at 4 degrees C/min from -50 to -10 degrees C, and rapidly again) to room temperature. Embryonic viability was tested by four different transfer techniques. Maximum pregnancy rate (8/12) was obtained with surgical transfer immediately after thawing and dilution of DMSO.", "PMID": 633224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9788", "title": "Comparison of the fetal survival rate in heifers after the transfer of a embryo surgically to one uterine horn and non-surgically to the other.", "content": "When transfer of Day 7 embryos was surgically to the horn ipsilateral to the CL and non-surgically to the contralateral horn, fetal survival rate was 85 and 35% respectively. After non-surgical transfer to the ipsilateral and surgical transfer to the contralateral horn, fetal survival rate was 20 and 30% respectively.", "contents": "Comparison of the fetal survival rate in heifers after the transfer of a embryo surgically to one uterine horn and non-surgically to the other. When transfer of Day 7 embryos was surgically to the horn ipsilateral to the CL and non-surgically to the contralateral horn, fetal survival rate was 85 and 35% respectively. After non-surgical transfer to the ipsilateral and surgical transfer to the contralateral horn, fetal survival rate was 20 and 30% respectively.", "PMID": 633225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9789", "title": "Reproduction in young sheep: some genetic and environmental sources of variation.", "content": "\"The extent of genetic and environmental variation\" in the development of reproduction in sheep is illustrated by examples with particular reference to variation among breeds and to the effects of photoperiod. The interactions between genetic and environmental effects are introduced; these may be so great that genetic groups may reverse their ranking for rate of development in different environments. The \"physiology of puberty\" is then discussed. The difficulty of separating puberty from seasonal variation is stressed, and a possible contrast is drawn between the physiological characteristics of genetic variation and those of environmental variation in reproductive development. Finally the physiological factors associated with sterility in young females are discussed; most studies, however, have been conducted during the time of year when adult females would also be expected to be sterile, so that conclusions are difficult and a \"missing link\" cannot be identified.", "contents": "Reproduction in young sheep: some genetic and environmental sources of variation. \"The extent of genetic and environmental variation\" in the development of reproduction in sheep is illustrated by examples with particular reference to variation among breeds and to the effects of photoperiod. The interactions between genetic and environmental effects are introduced; these may be so great that genetic groups may reverse their ranking for rate of development in different environments. The \"physiology of puberty\" is then discussed. The difficulty of separating puberty from seasonal variation is stressed, and a possible contrast is drawn between the physiological characteristics of genetic variation and those of environmental variation in reproductive development. Finally the physiological factors associated with sterility in young females are discussed; most studies, however, have been conducted during the time of year when adult females would also be expected to be sterile, so that conclusions are difficult and a \"missing link\" cannot be identified.", "PMID": 633226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9790", "title": "The HLA system and immunological defence against cancer: a review.", "content": "In nonmalignant disease, there have been two mechanisms implicated in the association of HLA antigens with disease. In ankylosing spondylitis, evidence is accumulating for cross tolerance between a bacterial antigen and the HLA-B27 antigen; while in the autoimmune diseases, the involvement of an abnormal immune response gene, associated with A1/B8 haplotype, is strongly suspected. The same haplotype has also been associated with recovery from hepatitis B infection and survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease and acute myeloid leukaemia. At present, there are no techniques to study directly immune response genes in man and so these observations are still strictly academic. However, with increasing interest in the use of immunotherapy in cancer and the demonstration in mice that the major histocompatibility system may be the site of action of soluble mediators of immune memory, understanding the mechanisms of action of the HLA associated resistance factors may enable a more rational approach to immunotherapy in man.", "contents": "The HLA system and immunological defence against cancer: a review. In nonmalignant disease, there have been two mechanisms implicated in the association of HLA antigens with disease. In ankylosing spondylitis, evidence is accumulating for cross tolerance between a bacterial antigen and the HLA-B27 antigen; while in the autoimmune diseases, the involvement of an abnormal immune response gene, associated with A1/B8 haplotype, is strongly suspected. The same haplotype has also been associated with recovery from hepatitis B infection and survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease and acute myeloid leukaemia. At present, there are no techniques to study directly immune response genes in man and so these observations are still strictly academic. However, with increasing interest in the use of immunotherapy in cancer and the demonstration in mice that the major histocompatibility system may be the site of action of soluble mediators of immune memory, understanding the mechanisms of action of the HLA associated resistance factors may enable a more rational approach to immunotherapy in man.", "PMID": 633242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9791", "title": "The treatment of perianal and anal condylomata acuminata: a new operative technique.", "content": "Seventy-five patients have been treated for condylomata acuminata by means of a new operative approach which results in the preservation of the maximum amount of normal tissue. The technique has proved to be simple to perform, it has minimal complications and causes the patient little in the way of discomfort. Three out of 4 patients treated have no significant recurrent wart formation.", "contents": "The treatment of perianal and anal condylomata acuminata: a new operative technique. Seventy-five patients have been treated for condylomata acuminata by means of a new operative approach which results in the preservation of the maximum amount of normal tissue. The technique has proved to be simple to perform, it has minimal complications and causes the patient little in the way of discomfort. Three out of 4 patients treated have no significant recurrent wart formation.", "PMID": 633271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9792", "title": "Cure or care in everyday practice.", "content": "Two cases of carcinoma of the stomach presenting during the same month and dying within four weeks of one another less than one year later are presented. One was treated symptomatically and the other received radical surgery. The care they received depended on decisions about diagnosis and treatment; the outcomes of these and the difficulties involved in evaluating monetary costs and quality of care are discussed in the light of recent interest in medical audit.", "contents": "Cure or care in everyday practice. Two cases of carcinoma of the stomach presenting during the same month and dying within four weeks of one another less than one year later are presented. One was treated symptomatically and the other received radical surgery. The care they received depended on decisions about diagnosis and treatment; the outcomes of these and the difficulties involved in evaluating monetary costs and quality of care are discussed in the light of recent interest in medical audit.", "PMID": 633305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9793", "title": "Sterilisation: the Aberdeen experience, and some broader implications.", "content": "In her paper, Sue Teper outlines the various methods of contraception or fertility control and their relationship to sterilisation. She also considers a particular group of women in Aberdeen as a mini case-study. From these two aspects of sterilization develops a third--that of broader medical and economic issues. Sterilisation usually concerns patients who are free from illness, therefore the attitudes of medical personnel are much more relevant to whether or not the operation is performed on request purely as a means of fertility control, rather than for medical reasons where the patient may be at risk were a pregnancy to occur. Ms Teper calls for medical staff in this instance to clarify their own attitudes in decisions which involve surgical skills and healthy patients.", "contents": "Sterilisation: the Aberdeen experience, and some broader implications. In her paper, Sue Teper outlines the various methods of contraception or fertility control and their relationship to sterilisation. She also considers a particular group of women in Aberdeen as a mini case-study. From these two aspects of sterilization develops a third--that of broader medical and economic issues. Sterilisation usually concerns patients who are free from illness, therefore the attitudes of medical personnel are much more relevant to whether or not the operation is performed on request purely as a means of fertility control, rather than for medical reasons where the patient may be at risk were a pregnancy to occur. Ms Teper calls for medical staff in this instance to clarify their own attitudes in decisions which involve surgical skills and healthy patients.", "PMID": 633306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9794", "title": "Recent and possible future trends in abortion.", "content": "The regularly published abortion statistics are insufficiently detailed to make it easy to assess the significance of increases or decreases in the annual number of abortions. Numbers of abortions are related only to a few broad age groups of the women at risk, the size of those age groups is not normally stated, and the age and marital status groupings employed differ from those used for comparable data about trends in child bearing. By matching demographic data on trends in pregnancies which are deliberately terminated (abortion) and those which are not (fertility), this note attempts a) to assess the true impact of abortion among women living in England and Wales during 1973-76, and b) to consider whether the annual volume of abortions may increase over the next decade and what such an increase might signify.", "contents": "Recent and possible future trends in abortion. The regularly published abortion statistics are insufficiently detailed to make it easy to assess the significance of increases or decreases in the annual number of abortions. Numbers of abortions are related only to a few broad age groups of the women at risk, the size of those age groups is not normally stated, and the age and marital status groupings employed differ from those used for comparable data about trends in child bearing. By matching demographic data on trends in pregnancies which are deliberately terminated (abortion) and those which are not (fertility), this note attempts a) to assess the true impact of abortion among women living in England and Wales during 1973-76, and b) to consider whether the annual volume of abortions may increase over the next decade and what such an increase might signify.", "PMID": 633307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9795", "title": "Fetal survival--who decides?", "content": "In this paper Iain McFadyen highlights a modern ethical dilemma. In each case the fetus was recognised to be in danger, but in both cases the advice given in the fetal interest was refused by the mothers. Both the mother and the physician were concerned for the fetus, but their differing actions and reasons pose the dilemma--who decides?", "contents": "Fetal survival--who decides? In this paper Iain McFadyen highlights a modern ethical dilemma. In each case the fetus was recognised to be in danger, but in both cases the advice given in the fetal interest was refused by the mothers. Both the mother and the physician were concerned for the fetus, but their differing actions and reasons pose the dilemma--who decides?", "PMID": 633309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9796", "title": "The teaching of medical ethics: University College, Cork, Ireland.", "content": "Dolores Dooley Clarke describes how the course in medical ethics at University College, Cork is structured, how it has changed and how it is likely to change as time goes on. Originally, the students seemed to view it as an intrusion 'to be tolerated' in their programme of 'strictly medical' studies. However, having moved on from that and away from the lecturer always being a Roman Catholic priest as well as a member of the Philosophy Department, the students now appear to view it as producing a stimulus for a new interest in the area of ethics for physicians. This seems to have come about through the more extensive participation of students in researching and presenting issues of medical ethics.", "contents": "The teaching of medical ethics: University College, Cork, Ireland. Dolores Dooley Clarke describes how the course in medical ethics at University College, Cork is structured, how it has changed and how it is likely to change as time goes on. Originally, the students seemed to view it as an intrusion 'to be tolerated' in their programme of 'strictly medical' studies. However, having moved on from that and away from the lecturer always being a Roman Catholic priest as well as a member of the Philosophy Department, the students now appear to view it as producing a stimulus for a new interest in the area of ethics for physicians. This seems to have come about through the more extensive participation of students in researching and presenting issues of medical ethics.", "PMID": 633310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9797", "title": "Risk of coeliac disease in children of patients and effect of HLA genotype.", "content": "Among 73 offspring of parents with coeliac disease, 4 were affected, including 1 in whom the diagnosis was made as a result of the study. The coeliac parents of all 4 were HLA-B8 positive, but 1 affected child had failed to inherit his affected parent's B antigen. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that an allele affecting liability to coeliac disease is in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B8.", "contents": "Risk of coeliac disease in children of patients and effect of HLA genotype. Among 73 offspring of parents with coeliac disease, 4 were affected, including 1 in whom the diagnosis was made as a result of the study. The coeliac parents of all 4 were HLA-B8 positive, but 1 affected child had failed to inherit his affected parent's B antigen. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that an allele affecting liability to coeliac disease is in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B8.", "PMID": 633317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9798", "title": "Popliteal pterygium syndrome: a phenotypic and genetic analysis.", "content": "Two additional families with popliteal pterygium syndrome are presented. Using previously published pedigrees, as well as the ones reported here, evidence is presented that supports an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance for this syndrome. Analysis of previous familial cases showed a large degree of between and within-family variation. The segregation analysis supports the dominant hypothesis (P=0.5).", "contents": "Popliteal pterygium syndrome: a phenotypic and genetic analysis. Two additional families with popliteal pterygium syndrome are presented. Using previously published pedigrees, as well as the ones reported here, evidence is presented that supports an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance for this syndrome. Analysis of previous familial cases showed a large degree of between and within-family variation. The segregation analysis supports the dominant hypothesis (P=0.5).", "PMID": 633318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9799", "title": "Trisomy 8 syndrome.", "content": "Clinical and dermatoglyphic data on a male patient with complete trisomy 8 are reported and compared with those of other known cases of trisomy 8. The more discriminating findings for this condition are skeletal anomalies, restricted articular function, and speech problems.", "contents": "Trisomy 8 syndrome. Clinical and dermatoglyphic data on a male patient with complete trisomy 8 are reported and compared with those of other known cases of trisomy 8. The more discriminating findings for this condition are skeletal anomalies, restricted articular function, and speech problems.", "PMID": 633319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9800", "title": "Trisomy 18 syndrome with an unusual karyotype: possible double isochromosome.", "content": "Chromosome analysis of an infant with characteristic features of trisomy 18 is presented. The chromosome complement contained a modal count of 47 but there was only one No. 18. In addition, there were two metacentric chromosomes of different sizes. The two metacentric chromosomes were identified by G- and C-banding to be possible isochromosomes of the long and short arms of a No. 18 chromosome.", "contents": "Trisomy 18 syndrome with an unusual karyotype: possible double isochromosome. Chromosome analysis of an infant with characteristic features of trisomy 18 is presented. The chromosome complement contained a modal count of 47 but there was only one No. 18. In addition, there were two metacentric chromosomes of different sizes. The two metacentric chromosomes were identified by G- and C-banding to be possible isochromosomes of the long and short arms of a No. 18 chromosome.", "PMID": 633320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9801", "title": "Partial 18 trisomy (with 47 chromosomes) resulting from a familial maternal translocation.", "content": "A newborn female infant presented with the classical picture of 18 trisomy syndrome. Her karyotyping was 47,XX,+der(18)t(12;18)(q24;q21)mat. The mother was a balanced reciprocal translocation carrier and so too was one of the two maternal uncles of the proposita, indicating that the translocation was already present in one of the grandparents who were not available for examination. This family suggests that triplication of the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 18 is not necessary to produce Edwards' syndrome.", "contents": "Partial 18 trisomy (with 47 chromosomes) resulting from a familial maternal translocation. A newborn female infant presented with the classical picture of 18 trisomy syndrome. Her karyotyping was 47,XX,+der(18)t(12;18)(q24;q21)mat. The mother was a balanced reciprocal translocation carrier and so too was one of the two maternal uncles of the proposita, indicating that the translocation was already present in one of the grandparents who were not available for examination. This family suggests that triplication of the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 18 is not necessary to produce Edwards' syndrome.", "PMID": 633321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9802", "title": "Participation of house staff in group practice: experience at a tertiary care center.", "content": "In order to improve patient care, provide better teaching in an ambulatory setting, and establish research opportunities for faculty staff, the medical clinic of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been developed into a group practice. The entire house staff is involved in this project, and it appears that the endeavor has resulted in improved patient care and house officers who are better prepared for outpatient problems. Some of the difficulties are discussed.", "contents": "Participation of house staff in group practice: experience at a tertiary care center. In order to improve patient care, provide better teaching in an ambulatory setting, and establish research opportunities for faculty staff, the medical clinic of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been developed into a group practice. The entire house staff is involved in this project, and it appears that the endeavor has resulted in improved patient care and house officers who are better prepared for outpatient problems. Some of the difficulties are discussed.", "PMID": 633322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9803", "title": "The nurse practitioner as a teacher of physical examination skills.", "content": "The service role of nurse practitioners has been widely recognized (1). However, their potential as clinical instructors of physical examination skills has not been appreciated. This article details a new first-year medical school course in physical examination in which nurse practitioners are key members of the instructional team.", "contents": "The nurse practitioner as a teacher of physical examination skills. The service role of nurse practitioners has been widely recognized (1). However, their potential as clinical instructors of physical examination skills has not been appreciated. This article details a new first-year medical school course in physical examination in which nurse practitioners are key members of the instructional team.", "PMID": 633323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9804", "title": "Physician's orders, use of nursing resources, and subsequent clinical events.", "content": "Orders written by medical residents to be carried out on newly hospitalized patients were reviewed to determine the frequency of vital signs orders. Subsequent clinical events requiring the nurse to contact the house officer were then determined by daily follow-up. No relationship was found between the frequency of initial vital signs and the probability of a subsequent vital-sign event. However, the probability of a subsequent non-vital-sign event was 3.8 times greater among patients with frequent initial vital signs than among all others. Since orders requesting the frequent determination of vital signs appear to predict clinical events other than vital-signs events, such orders may be wasteful of nursing resources. In addition, other skilled observations may be neglected. These data suggest that physicians should request nurses to use more efficient and appropriate methods of clinical observation.", "contents": "Physician's orders, use of nursing resources, and subsequent clinical events. Orders written by medical residents to be carried out on newly hospitalized patients were reviewed to determine the frequency of vital signs orders. Subsequent clinical events requiring the nurse to contact the house officer were then determined by daily follow-up. No relationship was found between the frequency of initial vital signs and the probability of a subsequent vital-sign event. However, the probability of a subsequent non-vital-sign event was 3.8 times greater among patients with frequent initial vital signs than among all others. Since orders requesting the frequent determination of vital signs appear to predict clinical events other than vital-signs events, such orders may be wasteful of nursing resources. In addition, other skilled observations may be neglected. These data suggest that physicians should request nurses to use more efficient and appropriate methods of clinical observation.", "PMID": 633324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9805", "title": "The effects of monitoring the use of gentamicin in a community hospital.", "content": "This report describes the effect of a combined education and monitoring program on the use of gentamicin in a community hospital. The use of gentamicin was evaluated in 82 patients prior to an education program and in 80 patients after the education program. The results indicate that the attention focused on gentamicin by the study significantly improved the valid indications for treatment from 75% to 87% (p less than .05), increased the pretreatment use of bacteriologic cultures from 85% to 97% (p less than .05), increased the use of alternative less toxic antibiotics from 36% to 75% (p less than .05), and increased the frequency with which serum gentamicin concentrations were requested during therapy from 28% to 56% (p less than .001). Thus, the data support the tenet that the ways antibiotics are employed in community hospitals can be altered.", "contents": "The effects of monitoring the use of gentamicin in a community hospital. This report describes the effect of a combined education and monitoring program on the use of gentamicin in a community hospital. The use of gentamicin was evaluated in 82 patients prior to an education program and in 80 patients after the education program. The results indicate that the attention focused on gentamicin by the study significantly improved the valid indications for treatment from 75% to 87% (p less than .05), increased the pretreatment use of bacteriologic cultures from 85% to 97% (p less than .05), increased the use of alternative less toxic antibiotics from 36% to 75% (p less than .05), and increased the frequency with which serum gentamicin concentrations were requested during therapy from 28% to 56% (p less than .001). Thus, the data support the tenet that the ways antibiotics are employed in community hospitals can be altered.", "PMID": 633325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9806", "title": "External examinations for internal evaluation: the National Board Part I Test as a case.", "content": "The appropriateness of the Part I examination of the National Board of Medical Examiners to evaluate second-year curricular performance of students at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine was examined. Review of the June 1974 examination by 37 faculty members revealed that 85% of the items reflected the content of the second-year curriculum and that 60% could be answered from information provided in the second-year teaching. Two-thirds of the items were related to the content of the first-year curriculum, and half could be answered on the basis of first-year material. The school's faculty used the study data in making policy-changing decisions.", "contents": "External examinations for internal evaluation: the National Board Part I Test as a case. The appropriateness of the Part I examination of the National Board of Medical Examiners to evaluate second-year curricular performance of students at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine was examined. Review of the June 1974 examination by 37 faculty members revealed that 85% of the items reflected the content of the second-year curriculum and that 60% could be answered from information provided in the second-year teaching. Two-thirds of the items were related to the content of the first-year curriculum, and half could be answered on the basis of first-year material. The school's faculty used the study data in making policy-changing decisions.", "PMID": 633335} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9807", "title": "Results of the NIRMP for 1977.", "content": "The results of the National Intern and Resident Matching Program for the past four years show a steadily increasing number of positions offered and filled in the primary care specialties. The number of percentage of unmatched U.S. students decreased. The number of foreign medical graduates matched remained constant. Marked differences in the numbers of positions offered and filled were found among the various regions of the country.", "contents": "Results of the NIRMP for 1977. The results of the National Intern and Resident Matching Program for the past four years show a steadily increasing number of positions offered and filled in the primary care specialties. The number of percentage of unmatched U.S. students decreased. The number of foreign medical graduates matched remained constant. Marked differences in the numbers of positions offered and filled were found among the various regions of the country.", "PMID": 633336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9808", "title": "Measuring the medical school learning environment.", "content": "Medical educators' growing concern over the high level of student stress has been accompanied by a shift in their conceptualization of the problem. Student stress is increasingly seen as a problem resulting from the individual's interaction with the learning environment and not as an indication of personal deficiency. This shift has made evident the need for an instrument capable of assessing the significant dimensions of the medical school learning environment. This report describes how the Medical School Learning Environment Survey (MSLES) was developed to measure aspects of the learning environment relevant to student stress. Results of the first administration and plans for future projects using the survey are discussed.", "contents": "Measuring the medical school learning environment. Medical educators' growing concern over the high level of student stress has been accompanied by a shift in their conceptualization of the problem. Student stress is increasingly seen as a problem resulting from the individual's interaction with the learning environment and not as an indication of personal deficiency. This shift has made evident the need for an instrument capable of assessing the significant dimensions of the medical school learning environment. This report describes how the Medical School Learning Environment Survey (MSLES) was developed to measure aspects of the learning environment relevant to student stress. Results of the first administration and plans for future projects using the survey are discussed.", "PMID": 633337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9809", "title": "One strategy for controlling costs in university teaching hospitals.", "content": "Major teaching hospitals, because they treat a more complex mix of patients than do nonteaching hospitals, usually show higher costs per patient day or per case. As a result, teaching hospitals are particularly vulnerable to the decisions of those cost control and planning agencies that are unable or unwilling to treat the problem of case mix. Research at Yale University reported here demonstrates the effect of case mix on costs. A methodology is outlined that can be used by teaching hospitals in determining their costs of treating patients with a complex mix of diagnoses. It is not held that case mix alone explains all of the cost differences between teaching and nonteaching hospitals; but until that factor is isolated and identified, the other contributors to cost variation cannot be examined.", "contents": "One strategy for controlling costs in university teaching hospitals. Major teaching hospitals, because they treat a more complex mix of patients than do nonteaching hospitals, usually show higher costs per patient day or per case. As a result, teaching hospitals are particularly vulnerable to the decisions of those cost control and planning agencies that are unable or unwilling to treat the problem of case mix. Research at Yale University reported here demonstrates the effect of case mix on costs. A methodology is outlined that can be used by teaching hospitals in determining their costs of treating patients with a complex mix of diagnoses. It is not held that case mix alone explains all of the cost differences between teaching and nonteaching hospitals; but until that factor is isolated and identified, the other contributors to cost variation cannot be examined.", "PMID": 633338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9810", "title": "Primary and specialized care: implications for learning situations.", "content": "Existing data suggest that there are differences between primary and specialized (consultant) care in clinical practice and in clinical decision-making. In addition, there are distinctions attributable to the nature of the two functions, the clinical settings, and the use of knowledge and technique. The most important difference, however, centers around the varying prevalence of disease between primary and specialized care and the practitioner's relative use of disease frequency in decision-making. Because of these differences, medical schools should develop primary care situations which are equally as valued as specialty care situations. Although the impact of substantial and attractive primary care curricula is unknown, their potential value in guiding appropriate students to enter primary or specialized care careers could be considerable.", "contents": "Primary and specialized care: implications for learning situations. Existing data suggest that there are differences between primary and specialized (consultant) care in clinical practice and in clinical decision-making. In addition, there are distinctions attributable to the nature of the two functions, the clinical settings, and the use of knowledge and technique. The most important difference, however, centers around the varying prevalence of disease between primary and specialized care and the practitioner's relative use of disease frequency in decision-making. Because of these differences, medical schools should develop primary care situations which are equally as valued as specialty care situations. Although the impact of substantial and attractive primary care curricula is unknown, their potential value in guiding appropriate students to enter primary or specialized care careers could be considerable.", "PMID": 633339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9811", "title": "Terminating the doctor-patient relationship.", "content": "This paper addresses a neglected area of medical student education--terminating the doctor-patient relationship. Rich clinical teaching opportunities are lost when educators fail to illustrate the significant emotional aspects of ending this highly personal affect-laden experience. The author explores these teaching opportunities through examination of elements of doctor-patient relationships, professional development, unresolved doctor-patient conflicts, role underevaluation, patient gifts, and referral procedures.", "contents": "Terminating the doctor-patient relationship. This paper addresses a neglected area of medical student education--terminating the doctor-patient relationship. Rich clinical teaching opportunities are lost when educators fail to illustrate the significant emotional aspects of ending this highly personal affect-laden experience. The author explores these teaching opportunities through examination of elements of doctor-patient relationships, professional development, unresolved doctor-patient conflicts, role underevaluation, patient gifts, and referral procedures.", "PMID": 633340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9812", "title": "Behavioral scientists as clinical educators of primary care practitioners.", "content": "Behavioral scientists on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins University Health Associate Program work in teams with medical preceptors in the clinical education and supervision of students during their first year of training. The rationale, objectives, and methods of implementation for this aspect of the program are discussed. This approach answers current concerns that relevant behavioral science content must be integrated into clinical training, and it appears to be useful at all levels of medical education.", "contents": "Behavioral scientists as clinical educators of primary care practitioners. Behavioral scientists on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins University Health Associate Program work in teams with medical preceptors in the clinical education and supervision of students during their first year of training. The rationale, objectives, and methods of implementation for this aspect of the program are discussed. This approach answers current concerns that relevant behavioral science content must be integrated into clinical training, and it appears to be useful at all levels of medical education.", "PMID": 633341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9813", "title": "Studies on isolated subcellular components of cat pancreas. III. Alanine-sodium cotransport in isolated plasma membrane vesicles.", "content": "Transport of alanine was studied in isolated plasma membrane vesicles from cat pancreas using a rapid filtration technique. The uptake is osmotically sensitive and the kinetics of L-alanine transport are biphasic showing a saturable and a nonsaturable component. The saturable component is seen only when a sodium gradient directed from the medium to the vesicular space is present. Under this condition an overshooting uptake of L-but not of D-alanine occurs. The Na+ gradient stimulated uptake of L-alanine is inhibited by L-serine and L-leucine and stimulated when the membrane vesicles had been preloaded with L-alanine, L-serine or L-leucine. The ionophore monensin inhibits stimulation of uptake caused by a sodium gradient. In the presence of valinomycin or carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (CFCCP), the sodium-dependent transport is augmented in vesicles preloaded with K2SO4 or H+ ions (intravesicular pH 5.5), respectively. In the presence of different anions, the Na+-dependent transport is stimulated according to increasing anionic penetration through membrane (lipid solubility). We conclude that a sodium dedpendent electrogenic amino acid transport system is present in pancreatic plasma membranes.", "contents": "Studies on isolated subcellular components of cat pancreas. III. Alanine-sodium cotransport in isolated plasma membrane vesicles. Transport of alanine was studied in isolated plasma membrane vesicles from cat pancreas using a rapid filtration technique. The uptake is osmotically sensitive and the kinetics of L-alanine transport are biphasic showing a saturable and a nonsaturable component. The saturable component is seen only when a sodium gradient directed from the medium to the vesicular space is present. Under this condition an overshooting uptake of L-but not of D-alanine occurs. The Na+ gradient stimulated uptake of L-alanine is inhibited by L-serine and L-leucine and stimulated when the membrane vesicles had been preloaded with L-alanine, L-serine or L-leucine. The ionophore monensin inhibits stimulation of uptake caused by a sodium gradient. In the presence of valinomycin or carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (CFCCP), the sodium-dependent transport is augmented in vesicles preloaded with K2SO4 or H+ ions (intravesicular pH 5.5), respectively. In the presence of different anions, the Na+-dependent transport is stimulated according to increasing anionic penetration through membrane (lipid solubility). We conclude that a sodium dedpendent electrogenic amino acid transport system is present in pancreatic plasma membranes.", "PMID": 633354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9814", "title": "Oscillation of membrane potential in L cells: III K + current-voltage curves.", "content": "Cultured L cells were found previously to have an oscillating membrane potential. Current-voltage (I--V) curves were measured during these oscillations. Two I--V curves were recorded, one at the maximum and one at the minimum of oscillations. Each curve is nonlinear, and when they are subtracted from one another, the result gives the I--V curve for the K+ current producing oscillations. This Ik--V curve is zero for -85 to -90 mV and saturates for positive and high negative membrane potentials. When the external K+ is increased the I--V curve is shifted and its zero current potential is reduced. The K+ zero current potential follows a Nernst relation when plotted against the external K+ concentration. The Ik--V curves all have a similar shape at different K+ concentrations, showing a saturation on each side of the zero current potential. The results can be explained satisfactorily in term of a carrier model for K+ ions.", "contents": "Oscillation of membrane potential in L cells: III K + current-voltage curves. Cultured L cells were found previously to have an oscillating membrane potential. Current-voltage (I--V) curves were measured during these oscillations. Two I--V curves were recorded, one at the maximum and one at the minimum of oscillations. Each curve is nonlinear, and when they are subtracted from one another, the result gives the I--V curve for the K+ current producing oscillations. This Ik--V curve is zero for -85 to -90 mV and saturates for positive and high negative membrane potentials. When the external K+ is increased the I--V curve is shifted and its zero current potential is reduced. The K+ zero current potential follows a Nernst relation when plotted against the external K+ concentration. The Ik--V curves all have a similar shape at different K+ concentrations, showing a saturation on each side of the zero current potential. The results can be explained satisfactorily in term of a carrier model for K+ ions.", "PMID": 633355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9815", "title": "Effect of aldosterone on ion transport by rabbit colon in vitro.", "content": "Segments of descending colon obtained from rabbits, that had been maintained on drinking water containing 25 mM NaCl and an artificial diet which contains 1% Na and is nominally K-free, respond to aldosterone in vitro (after a 30 to 60-min lag period) with a marked increase in the short-circuit current (Isc), an equivalent increase in the rate of active Na absorption (JNa net) and a decline in tissue resistance (Rt). Aldosterone also brings about a marked increase in the unidirection influx of Na into the cells across the mucosal membrane (\"zero-time\" rate of uptake) which does not differ significantly from the inrease m Isc. Treatment of control tissues with amphotericin B brings about sustained increases in Isc and JNa net to levels observed in aldosterone-treated tissues. However, addition of amphotericin B to the mucosal solution of aldosterone-treated tissues does not result in a sustained increase in Isc or JNa net and these values do not differ markedly from those observed in control tissues treated with amphotericin B. These findings, together with other evidence that Na entry in the presence of amphotericin B is sufficiently rapid to saturate the active Na extrusion mechanism at the baso-lateral membrane, are consistent with the notion that the aldosterone-induced protein increases the permeability of the mucosal membrane to Na but does not increase the \"saturation level\" of the active Na \"pump\" within the time-frame of these studies (3 hr). Finally, aldosterone has no effect on the bidirectional or net transepithelial movements of K under short-circuit conditions, suggesting that the enhanced secretion of K observed in vivo is the result of increased diffusion of K from plasma to lumen via paracellular pathways in response to an increased transepithelial electrical potential difference (lumen negative).", "contents": "Effect of aldosterone on ion transport by rabbit colon in vitro. Segments of descending colon obtained from rabbits, that had been maintained on drinking water containing 25 mM NaCl and an artificial diet which contains 1% Na and is nominally K-free, respond to aldosterone in vitro (after a 30 to 60-min lag period) with a marked increase in the short-circuit current (Isc), an equivalent increase in the rate of active Na absorption (JNa net) and a decline in tissue resistance (Rt). Aldosterone also brings about a marked increase in the unidirection influx of Na into the cells across the mucosal membrane (\"zero-time\" rate of uptake) which does not differ significantly from the inrease m Isc. Treatment of control tissues with amphotericin B brings about sustained increases in Isc and JNa net to levels observed in aldosterone-treated tissues. However, addition of amphotericin B to the mucosal solution of aldosterone-treated tissues does not result in a sustained increase in Isc or JNa net and these values do not differ markedly from those observed in control tissues treated with amphotericin B. These findings, together with other evidence that Na entry in the presence of amphotericin B is sufficiently rapid to saturate the active Na extrusion mechanism at the baso-lateral membrane, are consistent with the notion that the aldosterone-induced protein increases the permeability of the mucosal membrane to Na but does not increase the \"saturation level\" of the active Na \"pump\" within the time-frame of these studies (3 hr). Finally, aldosterone has no effect on the bidirectional or net transepithelial movements of K under short-circuit conditions, suggesting that the enhanced secretion of K observed in vivo is the result of increased diffusion of K from plasma to lumen via paracellular pathways in response to an increased transepithelial electrical potential difference (lumen negative).", "PMID": 633356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9816", "title": "A comprehensive examination of protein sequences for evidence of internal gene duplication.", "content": "We have implemented a routine procedure for screening protein sequences for evidence of intragenic duplications. We tested 163 protein sequences representing 116 superfamilies of unrelated proteins. Twenty superfamilies contain proteins with internal gene duplications. The intragenic duplications detected can be divided into two major types. (1) One or more duplications of all or part of a gene produce a protein with two or several detectable regions of sequence homology. Sequences from 18 superfamilies contained this type of duplication. (2) Repeated reduplication of a small DNA segment can produce a protein that is repetitive over most of its length. Three superfamilies contain such repetitive sequences. We also investigated the limits of detection of ancient duplications using sequences derived by random mutation of a model sequence consisting of ten 10-residue repeats. The original repetitive nature of the sequence was usually detected after 250 point mutations even though the ancestral segment could not be accurately reconstructed.", "contents": "A comprehensive examination of protein sequences for evidence of internal gene duplication. We have implemented a routine procedure for screening protein sequences for evidence of intragenic duplications. We tested 163 protein sequences representing 116 superfamilies of unrelated proteins. Twenty superfamilies contain proteins with internal gene duplications. The intragenic duplications detected can be divided into two major types. (1) One or more duplications of all or part of a gene produce a protein with two or several detectable regions of sequence homology. Sequences from 18 superfamilies contained this type of duplication. (2) Repeated reduplication of a small DNA segment can produce a protein that is repetitive over most of its length. Three superfamilies contain such repetitive sequences. We also investigated the limits of detection of ancient duplications using sequences derived by random mutation of a model sequence consisting of ten 10-residue repeats. The original repetitive nature of the sequence was usually detected after 250 point mutations even though the ancestral segment could not be accurately reconstructed.", "PMID": 633380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9817", "title": "The evolution of histones.", "content": "The amino acid sequences of bovine histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 and the first 107 residues of rabbit thymus histone H1 were examined using newly developed procedures designed to detect and evaluate weak similarities (de Ha\u00ebn et al., 1976). Using the McLachlan scoring system, regions of statistically significant similarity were found between several pairs of the four smallest histones. The probability that this set of similarities could result simply from chance was estimated to be less than 10(-5). No similarity was found between the H1 sequence and the other histones. The results are interpreted to indicate that at least the C-terminal portions of the core histones evolved from a common ancestral protein.", "contents": "The evolution of histones. The amino acid sequences of bovine histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 and the first 107 residues of rabbit thymus histone H1 were examined using newly developed procedures designed to detect and evaluate weak similarities (de Ha\u00ebn et al., 1976). Using the McLachlan scoring system, regions of statistically significant similarity were found between several pairs of the four smallest histones. The probability that this set of similarities could result simply from chance was estimated to be less than 10(-5). No similarity was found between the H1 sequence and the other histones. The results are interpreted to indicate that at least the C-terminal portions of the core histones evolved from a common ancestral protein.", "PMID": 633381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9818", "title": "Rate of polymer formation and entropy production during competitive replication.", "content": "The rate of increase in the mean polymer formation rate constant during competitive replication by Qbeta RNA variants (Kramer et al., 1974) has been shown to agree statistically with the variance in their formation rate constants. This result demonstrates that Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection (Fisher, 1930) can define time variations in the mean rate of synthesis for a heterogeneous population of replicating polymers. It was also revealed that RNA replication, far from equilibrium, accompanied a progressive decrease in the order of the entropy production derivative, with respect to time, that reached a maximum (with the next higher order being zero). Maximization of entropy at equilibrium, in compliance with the second law of thermodynamics, therefore appears as a natural extension of the earlier non-equilibrium pattern of entropy production within the system. The order of the zero-valued entropy production derivative was shown to be determined by the chemical affinity, and its rate of decrease was specified by the mean polymer formation rate constant.", "contents": "Rate of polymer formation and entropy production during competitive replication. The rate of increase in the mean polymer formation rate constant during competitive replication by Qbeta RNA variants (Kramer et al., 1974) has been shown to agree statistically with the variance in their formation rate constants. This result demonstrates that Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection (Fisher, 1930) can define time variations in the mean rate of synthesis for a heterogeneous population of replicating polymers. It was also revealed that RNA replication, far from equilibrium, accompanied a progressive decrease in the order of the entropy production derivative, with respect to time, that reached a maximum (with the next higher order being zero). Maximization of entropy at equilibrium, in compliance with the second law of thermodynamics, therefore appears as a natural extension of the earlier non-equilibrium pattern of entropy production within the system. The order of the zero-valued entropy production derivative was shown to be determined by the chemical affinity, and its rate of decrease was specified by the mean polymer formation rate constant.", "PMID": 633382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9819", "title": "Generalization and simplification of the Moore-Goodman test for significant of alignment homologies.", "content": "A test given by Moore and Goodman (1977) that checks the significance of a homology between protein sequences is generalized to any type of distance measure and to any classification of codon pairs or amino acids according to this measure. A normal distribution is shown to approximate satisfactorily the probability distribution underlying this test for the examples chosen, and supposedly for any distance measure. The test accordingly reduces to a simple standard procedure.", "contents": "Generalization and simplification of the Moore-Goodman test for significant of alignment homologies. A test given by Moore and Goodman (1977) that checks the significance of a homology between protein sequences is generalized to any type of distance measure and to any classification of codon pairs or amino acids according to this measure. A normal distribution is shown to approximate satisfactorily the probability distribution underlying this test for the examples chosen, and supposedly for any distance measure. The test accordingly reduces to a simple standard procedure.", "PMID": 633383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9820", "title": "Surface charge characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic leukemia and malignant lymphoma.", "content": "Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and malignant lymphoma (ML) were tested for their surface negative charge characteristics and compared with lymphocytes from normal subjects by use of measurements of lymphocyte agglutination with a positively charged poly-L-lysine (PLL) molecule and by use of electron microscopic observation of lymphocytes labeled with cationized ferritin (CF). Unfixed lymphocytes from CLL and ML patients exhibited clustering and patching of CF particles, whereas normal lymphocytes had a uniform, continuous CF-labeling pattern. Lymphocytes from CLL patients had significantly higher agglutination with PLL than did normal lymphocytes.", "contents": "Surface charge characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic leukemia and malignant lymphoma. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and malignant lymphoma (ML) were tested for their surface negative charge characteristics and compared with lymphocytes from normal subjects by use of measurements of lymphocyte agglutination with a positively charged poly-L-lysine (PLL) molecule and by use of electron microscopic observation of lymphocytes labeled with cationized ferritin (CF). Unfixed lymphocytes from CLL and ML patients exhibited clustering and patching of CF particles, whereas normal lymphocytes had a uniform, continuous CF-labeling pattern. Lymphocytes from CLL patients had significantly higher agglutination with PLL than did normal lymphocytes.", "PMID": 633385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9821", "title": "Ultrastructural study of the normal mucosa-adenoma-cancer sequence in the development of familial polyposis coli.", "content": "Ultrastructural changes that occurred in the colon epithelia of patients with familial polyposis coli were investigated. Criteria of gradation of the crescendo changes from the mucosa in the controls, through the \"normal\" mucosa between polyps and adenomas in various stages of dedifferentiation, to invasive carcinoma were established. Our criteria were based on the following requirements: a) vesiculation and increasing numbers of small electron-dense bodies (secretory granules) and lysosomes in the mature and immature absorptive cells, b) presence of immature and undifferiated cells, c) variation in the globlet cells and appearance of atypical secretory cells, and d) nuclear changes. The results illustrated the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and added strong evidence to support its occurrence. Furthermore, this ultrastructural study revealed cellular changes that preceded adenomatous growth and may be of value as markers of early stages of cancer. However, this study also revealed a close link between the function and morphology of the mucosal epithelium.", "contents": "Ultrastructural study of the normal mucosa-adenoma-cancer sequence in the development of familial polyposis coli. Ultrastructural changes that occurred in the colon epithelia of patients with familial polyposis coli were investigated. Criteria of gradation of the crescendo changes from the mucosa in the controls, through the \"normal\" mucosa between polyps and adenomas in various stages of dedifferentiation, to invasive carcinoma were established. Our criteria were based on the following requirements: a) vesiculation and increasing numbers of small electron-dense bodies (secretory granules) and lysosomes in the mature and immature absorptive cells, b) presence of immature and undifferiated cells, c) variation in the globlet cells and appearance of atypical secretory cells, and d) nuclear changes. The results illustrated the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and added strong evidence to support its occurrence. Furthermore, this ultrastructural study revealed cellular changes that preceded adenomatous growth and may be of value as markers of early stages of cancer. However, this study also revealed a close link between the function and morphology of the mucosal epithelium.", "PMID": 633386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9822", "title": "Replicative epithelial cell cultures from normal human prostate gland.", "content": "Epithelial cell cultures of the normal human prostate gland were established. The subculturing of these cultures was accomplished with a novel nonenzymatic technique. These cultures were defined as normal epithelial cells on the basis of ultrastructure, karyotype, and inability to grow in soft agar.", "contents": "Replicative epithelial cell cultures from normal human prostate gland. Epithelial cell cultures of the normal human prostate gland were established. The subculturing of these cultures was accomplished with a novel nonenzymatic technique. These cultures were defined as normal epithelial cells on the basis of ultrastructure, karyotype, and inability to grow in soft agar.", "PMID": 633388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9823", "title": "Friend virus-induced inhibition of eosinophil granulocyte exudation in mice.", "content": "Exudation of eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes (E-PMN) in response to tetanus toxoid (TT) was studied in DBA/2HaD mice with erythroleukemia induced by Friend virus (FV). The inhibition of exudation that developed was independent of increased levels of serum corticosteroids and occurred in surgically adrenalectomized mice. Thus it was independent of steroid-induced effects on E-PMN. The accumulation of neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes (N-PMN) in TT-induced exudates was unaltered. Furthermore, N-PMN exudation in response to other inflammatory stimuli was similarly unimpaired in virus-infected mice, which confirmed the specificity of the inhibition for E-PMN. The virus entity in the FV complex responsible for the effect was not identified. Friend murine leukemia virus, the indigenous helper virus for the defective spleen focus-forming virus, alone, was incapable of inducing the inhibition. It is possible that the lack of participation of E-PMN in TT-induced immune inflammatory exudates in FV-infected mice reflects an unresponsiveness that contributes to the development and progression of leukemia in FV-infected mice.", "contents": "Friend virus-induced inhibition of eosinophil granulocyte exudation in mice. Exudation of eosinophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes (E-PMN) in response to tetanus toxoid (TT) was studied in DBA/2HaD mice with erythroleukemia induced by Friend virus (FV). The inhibition of exudation that developed was independent of increased levels of serum corticosteroids and occurred in surgically adrenalectomized mice. Thus it was independent of steroid-induced effects on E-PMN. The accumulation of neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes (N-PMN) in TT-induced exudates was unaltered. Furthermore, N-PMN exudation in response to other inflammatory stimuli was similarly unimpaired in virus-infected mice, which confirmed the specificity of the inhibition for E-PMN. The virus entity in the FV complex responsible for the effect was not identified. Friend murine leukemia virus, the indigenous helper virus for the defective spleen focus-forming virus, alone, was incapable of inducing the inhibition. It is possible that the lack of participation of E-PMN in TT-induced immune inflammatory exudates in FV-infected mice reflects an unresponsiveness that contributes to the development and progression of leukemia in FV-infected mice.", "PMID": 633389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9824", "title": "Further studies on the relationship between large glycoprotein molecules and allotransplantability in the TA3 tumor of the mouse: studies on segregating TA3-HA hybrids.", "content": "In a series of six TA3-HA/A.CA hybrid cell lines formed by the fusion of the TA3-HA mammary carcinoma of a strain A mouse with a normal embryonic fibroblast of an A.CA mouse and then converted to the ascites form in parental strain A, the capacity to grow in foreign strains was inversely related to the ability to absorb anti-H-2a antibody. The absorptive capacities of the hybrid cell lines were intermediate between the low absorptive capacity of the non-strain-specific parent TA3-HA ascites cell line and the much higher absorptive capacity of the strain-specific ascites line TA3-St of the same tumor. Each hybrid cell line possessed an abundance of large endogenous cell-surface glycoprotein molecules similar to epiglycanin, a glycoprotein detected at the surface of the parent TA3-HA cell. The results suggested that the amount of epiglycanin-like material at the hybrid cell surfaces, determined by chemical and immunochemical methods, may have been directly related to the capacities of the cells to grow in foreign mouse strains and inversely related to their capacities to absorb anti-H-2a antibody.", "contents": "Further studies on the relationship between large glycoprotein molecules and allotransplantability in the TA3 tumor of the mouse: studies on segregating TA3-HA hybrids. In a series of six TA3-HA/A.CA hybrid cell lines formed by the fusion of the TA3-HA mammary carcinoma of a strain A mouse with a normal embryonic fibroblast of an A.CA mouse and then converted to the ascites form in parental strain A, the capacity to grow in foreign strains was inversely related to the ability to absorb anti-H-2a antibody. The absorptive capacities of the hybrid cell lines were intermediate between the low absorptive capacity of the non-strain-specific parent TA3-HA ascites cell line and the much higher absorptive capacity of the strain-specific ascites line TA3-St of the same tumor. Each hybrid cell line possessed an abundance of large endogenous cell-surface glycoprotein molecules similar to epiglycanin, a glycoprotein detected at the surface of the parent TA3-HA cell. The results suggested that the amount of epiglycanin-like material at the hybrid cell surfaces, determined by chemical and immunochemical methods, may have been directly related to the capacities of the cells to grow in foreign mouse strains and inversely related to their capacities to absorb anti-H-2a antibody.", "PMID": 633390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9825", "title": "Tobacco-specific nitrosamines: formation from nicotine in vitro and during tobacco curing and carcinogenicity in strain A mice.", "content": "The formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines from the major tobacco alkaloid nicotine was examined. Detached leaf tobacco was fed either [2'-14C]nicotine or [2'-14C]nornicotine and air cured. The cured leaf was then analyzed for [2'-14C]N'-nitrosonornicotine ([2'-14C]NNN). The yield of [2'-14C]NNN was 0.007% from nornicotine and 0.009% from nicotine. Because the ratio of nicotine to nornicotine in conventional nicotine-type tobacco is 20-100:1, nicotine is considered to be the major precursor for the carcinogen NNN in tobacco. The formation of other nitrosamines from nicotine in vitro was then studied. Reaction of nicotine with NaNO2 gave rise to NNN, as well as to two other nitrosamines, 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)butanal (NNA). Analysis of market products revealed the presence of NNK (0.6-24 microgram/g) in chewing tobacco and snuff. The tumorigenic activity of NNN, NNK, and NNA in strain A mice was studied. NNK induced more lung adenomas per mouse than did NNN, whereas NNA was less active than NNN. In addition, two cases of undifferentiated carcinoma of the salivary glands occurred in the NNN experimental groups.", "contents": "Tobacco-specific nitrosamines: formation from nicotine in vitro and during tobacco curing and carcinogenicity in strain A mice. The formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines from the major tobacco alkaloid nicotine was examined. Detached leaf tobacco was fed either [2'-14C]nicotine or [2'-14C]nornicotine and air cured. The cured leaf was then analyzed for [2'-14C]N'-nitrosonornicotine ([2'-14C]NNN). The yield of [2'-14C]NNN was 0.007% from nornicotine and 0.009% from nicotine. Because the ratio of nicotine to nornicotine in conventional nicotine-type tobacco is 20-100:1, nicotine is considered to be the major precursor for the carcinogen NNN in tobacco. The formation of other nitrosamines from nicotine in vitro was then studied. Reaction of nicotine with NaNO2 gave rise to NNN, as well as to two other nitrosamines, 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)butanal (NNA). Analysis of market products revealed the presence of NNK (0.6-24 microgram/g) in chewing tobacco and snuff. The tumorigenic activity of NNN, NNK, and NNA in strain A mice was studied. NNK induced more lung adenomas per mouse than did NNN, whereas NNA was less active than NNN. In addition, two cases of undifferentiated carcinoma of the salivary glands occurred in the NNN experimental groups.", "PMID": 633391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9826", "title": "Tissue enzyme changes in parabiotic rats with subcutaneous lymphoma or fibrosarcoma.", "content": "A solid lymphoma implanted into normal inbred Kx rats and one partner of parabiotic pairs caused appreciable decreases in hepatic ornithine aminotransferase and arginase about a week earlier (4-6 days after implantation) in single hosts than in parabiotic hosts. By 18-21 days significant decreases in both enzymes were apparent in the host partner also. The hepatic thymidine kinase showed a fivefold elevation in single hosts 4 days after implantation; by 14 days in its levels were about 200 times above normal and had also risen in the parabiotic hosts (20-fold) and host partners (fourfold). Implantation of fibrosarcoma caused qualititatively similar but generally less pronounced changes in these three enzymes in livers of single hosts, parabiotic hosts, and host partners. The splenic thymidine kinase 14 days after implantation was increased from control levels of about 3 U/g to 50.6, 44.8, and 13.5 U/g in single hosts, parabiotic hosts, and host partners, respectively. At later stages, 17-20 days after implantation of the lymphoma, appreciable amounts of thymidine kinase appeared in the plasma: The units of activity per milliliter were 6.2 in single hosts, 0.79 in parabiotic hosts, and 0.55 in host partners (control less than 0.05). Our observations on the changes in hepatic and splenic enzymes in parabiotic rats suggest that effects of neoplasms on distant host tissues are mediated by humoral factors. The less pronounced responses in parabiotic than in single hosts indicate that the tumor-free partner affords some \"protection\" against these systemic effects.", "contents": "Tissue enzyme changes in parabiotic rats with subcutaneous lymphoma or fibrosarcoma. A solid lymphoma implanted into normal inbred Kx rats and one partner of parabiotic pairs caused appreciable decreases in hepatic ornithine aminotransferase and arginase about a week earlier (4-6 days after implantation) in single hosts than in parabiotic hosts. By 18-21 days significant decreases in both enzymes were apparent in the host partner also. The hepatic thymidine kinase showed a fivefold elevation in single hosts 4 days after implantation; by 14 days in its levels were about 200 times above normal and had also risen in the parabiotic hosts (20-fold) and host partners (fourfold). Implantation of fibrosarcoma caused qualititatively similar but generally less pronounced changes in these three enzymes in livers of single hosts, parabiotic hosts, and host partners. The splenic thymidine kinase 14 days after implantation was increased from control levels of about 3 U/g to 50.6, 44.8, and 13.5 U/g in single hosts, parabiotic hosts, and host partners, respectively. At later stages, 17-20 days after implantation of the lymphoma, appreciable amounts of thymidine kinase appeared in the plasma: The units of activity per milliliter were 6.2 in single hosts, 0.79 in parabiotic hosts, and 0.55 in host partners (control less than 0.05). Our observations on the changes in hepatic and splenic enzymes in parabiotic rats suggest that effects of neoplasms on distant host tissues are mediated by humoral factors. The less pronounced responses in parabiotic than in single hosts indicate that the tumor-free partner affords some \"protection\" against these systemic effects.", "PMID": 633392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9827", "title": "Measurement of mammary tumor blood flow in unanesthetized rats.", "content": "Blood flow to mammary tumor MT-W9B in minimally disturbed, unanesthetized inbred WF rats was measured with radioactively labeled 25-mu (diameter) microspheres. The distribution of the blood flow estimates was not described by a normal probability density function but could be normalized with a natural log transformation of the data. The relative blood flow to the tumor tissue was always greater than that to the surrounding normal tissue and was dependent on the tumor size, transplantation site (axillary vs. inguinal), and physiologic state of the animal. The growth of this tumor did not alter the blood flow to the adjacent normal tissues. However, the cardiac output and coronary blood flow increased with increasing tumor size. Two blood flow estimates could be performed on the same animal within a time-span of 15 minutes.", "contents": "Measurement of mammary tumor blood flow in unanesthetized rats. Blood flow to mammary tumor MT-W9B in minimally disturbed, unanesthetized inbred WF rats was measured with radioactively labeled 25-mu (diameter) microspheres. The distribution of the blood flow estimates was not described by a normal probability density function but could be normalized with a natural log transformation of the data. The relative blood flow to the tumor tissue was always greater than that to the surrounding normal tissue and was dependent on the tumor size, transplantation site (axillary vs. inguinal), and physiologic state of the animal. The growth of this tumor did not alter the blood flow to the adjacent normal tissues. However, the cardiac output and coronary blood flow increased with increasing tumor size. Two blood flow estimates could be performed on the same animal within a time-span of 15 minutes.", "PMID": 633395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9828", "title": "Modification of radiation responses of murine tumors by misonidazole (Ro 07-0582), host immune capability, and Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "The hypoxic cell sensitizer misonidazole (Ro 07-0582),1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol, significantly enhanced the local control of the weakly immunogenic C3H mouse mammary carcinoma MDAH-MCa-4 (8-mm diameter) by single doses of radiation. The dose modification factor (DMF) was 2.33 when the drug was given ip to inbred C3Hf/Bu mice in a dose of 1 mg/g body weight 30 minutes before irradiation of the tumor. The DMF in a highly immunogenic 3-methylcholanthrene-induced C3H fibrosarcoma (FSa) was 1.65 in normal mice and 1.86 in mice immunosuppressed by 600 rads whole-body irradiation 1 day before tumor transplantation. In mice treated iv with 0.25 mg Corynebacterium parvum when tumors were 6 mm in diameter and irradiated at 8 mm, local control of FSa was enhanced at low doses of radiation but was similar to that in normal mice at higher doses. In mice treated with both misonidazole and C. parvum, local control at lower doses of radiation was similar to that in mice treated with C. parvum alone but was enhanced at higher doses in mice that failed to respond to C. parvum. Cytotoxicity of misonidazole, as reflected in tumor growth, was not detected.", "contents": "Modification of radiation responses of murine tumors by misonidazole (Ro 07-0582), host immune capability, and Corynebacterium parvum. The hypoxic cell sensitizer misonidazole (Ro 07-0582),1-(2-nitro-1-imidazolyl)-3-methoxy-2-propanol, significantly enhanced the local control of the weakly immunogenic C3H mouse mammary carcinoma MDAH-MCa-4 (8-mm diameter) by single doses of radiation. The dose modification factor (DMF) was 2.33 when the drug was given ip to inbred C3Hf/Bu mice in a dose of 1 mg/g body weight 30 minutes before irradiation of the tumor. The DMF in a highly immunogenic 3-methylcholanthrene-induced C3H fibrosarcoma (FSa) was 1.65 in normal mice and 1.86 in mice immunosuppressed by 600 rads whole-body irradiation 1 day before tumor transplantation. In mice treated iv with 0.25 mg Corynebacterium parvum when tumors were 6 mm in diameter and irradiated at 8 mm, local control of FSa was enhanced at low doses of radiation but was similar to that in normal mice at higher doses. In mice treated with both misonidazole and C. parvum, local control at lower doses of radiation was similar to that in mice treated with C. parvum alone but was enhanced at higher doses in mice that failed to respond to C. parvum. Cytotoxicity of misonidazole, as reflected in tumor growth, was not detected.", "PMID": 633396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9829", "title": "Metabolism of the pancreatic carcinogen N-nitroso-bis(2-oxopropyl)amine after oral and intraperitoneal administration to Syrian golden hamsters.", "content": "The levels of N-nitroso-bis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) and its metabolites in the urine, blood, bile, and pancreatic juice were compared after ip and oral administration of BOP to Syrian golden hamsters to explain the differing organotropic tumor spectra resulting from treatment by these two routes. The levels of BOP and its metabolites N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP) and N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in the urine, blood, bile, and pancreatic juice were generally less after oral administration than after ip administration. The results suggested that HPOP may be a proximate pancreatic carcinogen in hamsters administered BOP, inasmuch as it was the major metabolite in the blood and pancreatic juice after ip administration. However, the results did not indicate a mechanism for the increased incidence of bile duct tumors that after oral administration of BOP.", "contents": "Metabolism of the pancreatic carcinogen N-nitroso-bis(2-oxopropyl)amine after oral and intraperitoneal administration to Syrian golden hamsters. The levels of N-nitroso-bis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) and its metabolites in the urine, blood, bile, and pancreatic juice were compared after ip and oral administration of BOP to Syrian golden hamsters to explain the differing organotropic tumor spectra resulting from treatment by these two routes. The levels of BOP and its metabolites N-nitroso(2-hydroxypropyl)(2-oxopropyl)amine (HPOP) and N-nitroso-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in the urine, blood, bile, and pancreatic juice were generally less after oral administration than after ip administration. The results suggested that HPOP may be a proximate pancreatic carcinogen in hamsters administered BOP, inasmuch as it was the major metabolite in the blood and pancreatic juice after ip administration. However, the results did not indicate a mechanism for the increased incidence of bile duct tumors that after oral administration of BOP.", "PMID": 633398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9830", "title": "DNA synthesis and thymidine kinase activity of rat colon epithelial cells fractionated by discontinuous Ficoll gradient.", "content": "Epithelial cells from colons of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were fractionated on a discontinuous Ficoll gradient at low centrifugal forces (170 x g) for approximately 60 minutes. Epithelial cells were separated into three distinct zones, whereas cell debris, yeast, and bacteria remained at the top of the gradient. The percentage of cells in each zone was inversely related to the density of the gradient. More than 95% of the cells were morphologically intact and viable (excluded trypan blue). Cells sedimenting at higher densities of Ficoll exhibited higher thymidine kinase activity and DNA synthesis, suggestive of active cell division. The cells sedimenting at lower densities of Ficoll showed the least thymidine kinase activity and DNA synthesis, properties that are compatible with those of mature absorptive cells. Tall columnar cells with vesicular nuclei were predominant in the fraction sedimenting at the lowest density (top fraction). At higher densities (middle and lower fractions), most of the cells were short and columnar with basally located condensed dark-staining nuclei.", "contents": "DNA synthesis and thymidine kinase activity of rat colon epithelial cells fractionated by discontinuous Ficoll gradient. Epithelial cells from colons of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were fractionated on a discontinuous Ficoll gradient at low centrifugal forces (170 x g) for approximately 60 minutes. Epithelial cells were separated into three distinct zones, whereas cell debris, yeast, and bacteria remained at the top of the gradient. The percentage of cells in each zone was inversely related to the density of the gradient. More than 95% of the cells were morphologically intact and viable (excluded trypan blue). Cells sedimenting at higher densities of Ficoll exhibited higher thymidine kinase activity and DNA synthesis, suggestive of active cell division. The cells sedimenting at lower densities of Ficoll showed the least thymidine kinase activity and DNA synthesis, properties that are compatible with those of mature absorptive cells. Tall columnar cells with vesicular nuclei were predominant in the fraction sedimenting at the lowest density (top fraction). At higher densities (middle and lower fractions), most of the cells were short and columnar with basally located condensed dark-staining nuclei.", "PMID": 633399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9831", "title": "Conversion of a poorly differentiated human adenocarcinoma to ascites form with invasion and metastasis in nude mice.", "content": "Cells (1 X 10(7)/0.5 ml) from a Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the human stomach were injected ip into nude mice. The injection resulted in ascites carcinoma with invasion (carcinomatous peritonitis) and liver metastasis. The inoculum was obtained from subcutaneous tumors at passage 9 in nude mice that had received serial transplants from the patient with Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Serial transfers of 1.5 X 10(6) dispersed cancer cells/0.5 ml into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice converted this adenocarcinoma to an ascites form. Hemorrhagic ascites accumulated within 3 weeks at the first passage and 4-6 weeks in serial passages. Carcinomas peritonitis occurred consistently and was observed in the diaphragm, mesenteries, omentum, and pancreas; metastases were seen in the liver and spleen. Subsequently, iv injection of ascites at passage 3 (6 X 10(5) cells/0.2 ml) into nude mice produced metastatic lesions in the lung and the heart. The histology of the invasive and metastatic lesions in the nude mice was similar to that of the original tumor in the patient with stomach carcinoma.", "contents": "Conversion of a poorly differentiated human adenocarcinoma to ascites form with invasion and metastasis in nude mice. Cells (1 X 10(7)/0.5 ml) from a Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the human stomach were injected ip into nude mice. The injection resulted in ascites carcinoma with invasion (carcinomatous peritonitis) and liver metastasis. The inoculum was obtained from subcutaneous tumors at passage 9 in nude mice that had received serial transplants from the patient with Borrmann type III poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Serial transfers of 1.5 X 10(6) dispersed cancer cells/0.5 ml into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice converted this adenocarcinoma to an ascites form. Hemorrhagic ascites accumulated within 3 weeks at the first passage and 4-6 weeks in serial passages. Carcinomas peritonitis occurred consistently and was observed in the diaphragm, mesenteries, omentum, and pancreas; metastases were seen in the liver and spleen. Subsequently, iv injection of ascites at passage 3 (6 X 10(5) cells/0.2 ml) into nude mice produced metastatic lesions in the lung and the heart. The histology of the invasive and metastatic lesions in the nude mice was similar to that of the original tumor in the patient with stomach carcinoma.", "PMID": 633400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9832", "title": "Proof of in vivo fusion of murine tumor cells with host cells by universal fusers.", "content": "Two mouse cell lines (A9HT CI.3C and 501-1), each carrying both a recessive and a dominant mutation (and therefore designated \"universal fusers\"), were utilized for selection of in vivo hybrids from tumors produced intraperitoneally and subcutaneously in appropriated hosts. The double selective medium eliminated both parental (tumor and host) cells but allowed the survival and proliferation of the fused product. This proved that hybridization between tumor and host cells occurred in vivo.", "contents": "Proof of in vivo fusion of murine tumor cells with host cells by universal fusers. Two mouse cell lines (A9HT CI.3C and 501-1), each carrying both a recessive and a dominant mutation (and therefore designated \"universal fusers\"), were utilized for selection of in vivo hybrids from tumors produced intraperitoneally and subcutaneously in appropriated hosts. The double selective medium eliminated both parental (tumor and host) cells but allowed the survival and proliferation of the fused product. This proved that hybridization between tumor and host cells occurred in vivo.", "PMID": 633401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9833", "title": "Mechanism of Fusarium mycotoxin action in mammary gland.", "content": "The interaction of the Fusarium mycotoxins zearalenone and dihydrozearalanol with specific estrogen binding sites was studied by using cytosol preparations of mammary glands from lactating rats. Both substance inhibited [3H] estradiol-17beta association with its binding site in a competitive fashion. This inhibition was a result principally of an effect on estrogen binding by the 8S species of receptors separated by density gradient centrifugation. These data suggest that the biological action of Fusarium mycotoxins with estrogenic activity is mediated by intracellular estrogen receptors.", "contents": "Mechanism of Fusarium mycotoxin action in mammary gland. The interaction of the Fusarium mycotoxins zearalenone and dihydrozearalanol with specific estrogen binding sites was studied by using cytosol preparations of mammary glands from lactating rats. Both substance inhibited [3H] estradiol-17beta association with its binding site in a competitive fashion. This inhibition was a result principally of an effect on estrogen binding by the 8S species of receptors separated by density gradient centrifugation. These data suggest that the biological action of Fusarium mycotoxins with estrogenic activity is mediated by intracellular estrogen receptors.", "PMID": 633402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9834", "title": "Influence of laying on lead accumulation in bone of mallard ducks.", "content": "Paired mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were given No. 4 lead shot, and bone lead concentrations were compared in drakes and in laying and nonlaying hens. Lead accumulation was significantly greater in bones with a high medullary content (femur and sternum) compared with bones with a lower medullary content (ulna-radius or wingbones). In dosed groups, hens always contained higher bone lead residues than drakes. After dosage with one shot (approximately 200 mg lead), lead in femurs of laying hens averaged 488.4 ppm compared with 113.6 ppm in nonlaying hens. Femurs of drakes averaged 9.4 ppm lead. Dosage with the second lead shot did not result in further accumulation of bone lead in hens, but increased bone lead concentrations threefold in drakes, suggesting that saturation levels for bone lead had already been reached in the hens after ingestion of one shot. There was no demonstrable relationship between egg production and bone lead residues. The high lead residues, found in medullary bones of laying hens indicate that sex and physiological condition are major factors influencing lead absorption by bone.", "contents": "Influence of laying on lead accumulation in bone of mallard ducks. Paired mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were given No. 4 lead shot, and bone lead concentrations were compared in drakes and in laying and nonlaying hens. Lead accumulation was significantly greater in bones with a high medullary content (femur and sternum) compared with bones with a lower medullary content (ulna-radius or wingbones). In dosed groups, hens always contained higher bone lead residues than drakes. After dosage with one shot (approximately 200 mg lead), lead in femurs of laying hens averaged 488.4 ppm compared with 113.6 ppm in nonlaying hens. Femurs of drakes averaged 9.4 ppm lead. Dosage with the second lead shot did not result in further accumulation of bone lead in hens, but increased bone lead concentrations threefold in drakes, suggesting that saturation levels for bone lead had already been reached in the hens after ingestion of one shot. There was no demonstrable relationship between egg production and bone lead residues. The high lead residues, found in medullary bones of laying hens indicate that sex and physiological condition are major factors influencing lead absorption by bone.", "PMID": 633403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9835", "title": "Conditioned avoidance responses of young mice and offspring of mice treated with neuroleptic or mutagenic agents.", "content": "Conditioned avoidance response (CAR) tests were used to determine the effects of perinatal exposure to three neuroleptic drugs and an antineoplastic agent in mice. In one experiment, mice were given sc injections of haloperidol at 1.25 mg/kg.d or trifluoperazine at 12.5 mg/kg.d for 2 wk, starting when they were 4 d old. In additional groups, nursing dams were given haloperidol at 5 mg/kg.d or trifluoperazine at 25 mg/kg.d for 2 wk during lactation. CAR tests were begun when offspring were 40 d of age. No statistically significant evidence of impairment in the learning ability of any group was found. In a second experiment, hybrid male mice were treated with a single ip injection of triflupromazine at 50 mg/kg or triethylenemelamine at 0.2 mg/kg and were mated 2, 4, and 6 wk after dosing. The male offspring were tested for learning ability at 40 d of age. No statistically significant differences in CAR values were observed in offspring of triflupromazine-treated males. CAR values of offspring of triethylenemelamine-treated males mated 4 wk after dosing were significantly higher than those of controls.", "contents": "Conditioned avoidance responses of young mice and offspring of mice treated with neuroleptic or mutagenic agents. Conditioned avoidance response (CAR) tests were used to determine the effects of perinatal exposure to three neuroleptic drugs and an antineoplastic agent in mice. In one experiment, mice were given sc injections of haloperidol at 1.25 mg/kg.d or trifluoperazine at 12.5 mg/kg.d for 2 wk, starting when they were 4 d old. In additional groups, nursing dams were given haloperidol at 5 mg/kg.d or trifluoperazine at 25 mg/kg.d for 2 wk during lactation. CAR tests were begun when offspring were 40 d of age. No statistically significant evidence of impairment in the learning ability of any group was found. In a second experiment, hybrid male mice were treated with a single ip injection of triflupromazine at 50 mg/kg or triethylenemelamine at 0.2 mg/kg and were mated 2, 4, and 6 wk after dosing. The male offspring were tested for learning ability at 40 d of age. No statistically significant differences in CAR values were observed in offspring of triflupromazine-treated males. CAR values of offspring of triethylenemelamine-treated males mated 4 wk after dosing were significantly higher than those of controls.", "PMID": 633404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9836", "title": "Carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride.", "content": "Exposure of mice to 50, 250, or 1000 ppmm of vinyl chloride (VC) in the air for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, caused a high incidence of bronchioloalveolar adenoma, mammary gland tumors, and hemangiosarcoma. Mammary gland tumors occurred in the females and included ductular adenocarcinoma and squamous and anaplastic cell carcinomas with metastasis to the lung. Hemangiosarcoma occurred in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in various other organs. The incidence and severity of these tumors increased with the concentration of VC and the length of exposure. Malignant lymphoma involving various organs was observed in several mice. Rats were more resistant to the carcinogenic effects of VC. Exposure of rats to 250 or 1000 ppm of VC caused hemangiosarcoma in the liver. Many rats with hepatic hemangiosarcoma also developed hemangiosarcoma in the lung. Extrahepatic hemangiosarcoma also occasionally occurred in other organs. Exposure to 55 ppm of vinylidene chloride (VDC) caused hepatic hemangiosarcoma and probably bronchioloalveolar adenoma in mice. Hemangiosarcoma also occurred in the mesenteric lymph node or subcutaneous tissue in two rats exposed to 55 ppm of VDC.", "contents": "Carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride. Exposure of mice to 50, 250, or 1000 ppmm of vinyl chloride (VC) in the air for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, caused a high incidence of bronchioloalveolar adenoma, mammary gland tumors, and hemangiosarcoma. Mammary gland tumors occurred in the females and included ductular adenocarcinoma and squamous and anaplastic cell carcinomas with metastasis to the lung. Hemangiosarcoma occurred in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in various other organs. The incidence and severity of these tumors increased with the concentration of VC and the length of exposure. Malignant lymphoma involving various organs was observed in several mice. Rats were more resistant to the carcinogenic effects of VC. Exposure of rats to 250 or 1000 ppm of VC caused hemangiosarcoma in the liver. Many rats with hepatic hemangiosarcoma also developed hemangiosarcoma in the lung. Extrahepatic hemangiosarcoma also occasionally occurred in other organs. Exposure to 55 ppm of vinylidene chloride (VDC) caused hepatic hemangiosarcoma and probably bronchioloalveolar adenoma in mice. Hemangiosarcoma also occurred in the mesenteric lymph node or subcutaneous tissue in two rats exposed to 55 ppm of VDC.", "PMID": 633405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9837", "title": "Oxidative metabolism of dimethylnitrosamine: correlation with toxicity.", "content": "The relationship between oxidative metabolism and acute toxicity of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was examined in neonatal and adult rats to take advantage of developmental changes in activity of the metabolizing enzymes. The objective was to determine the extent to which CO2 production from DMN is correlated with toxicity. Neonatal rat liver and kidney demonstrated the ability to metabolize DMN. This ability progressed to a maximum activity in liver between the 5th and 21st d of age and in kidney between the 15th and 21st d of age. After weaning, the activity of DMN oxidation decreased with age in both tissues. Evidence is also presented to suggest that more than one enzyme may be responsible for the oxidation of DMN to CO2 and that the predominance of individual enzymes varies as the neonate develops. Estimates of LD50 values, used to quantitate the acute toxicity of DMN at various ages, suggest that the rat is most sensitive to DMN toxicity at 5 d of age; however, conversion of DMN to CO2, both in vitro and in vivo, was not well correlated with acute toxicity.", "contents": "Oxidative metabolism of dimethylnitrosamine: correlation with toxicity. The relationship between oxidative metabolism and acute toxicity of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was examined in neonatal and adult rats to take advantage of developmental changes in activity of the metabolizing enzymes. The objective was to determine the extent to which CO2 production from DMN is correlated with toxicity. Neonatal rat liver and kidney demonstrated the ability to metabolize DMN. This ability progressed to a maximum activity in liver between the 5th and 21st d of age and in kidney between the 15th and 21st d of age. After weaning, the activity of DMN oxidation decreased with age in both tissues. Evidence is also presented to suggest that more than one enzyme may be responsible for the oxidation of DMN to CO2 and that the predominance of individual enzymes varies as the neonate develops. Estimates of LD50 values, used to quantitate the acute toxicity of DMN at various ages, suggest that the rat is most sensitive to DMN toxicity at 5 d of age; however, conversion of DMN to CO2, both in vitro and in vivo, was not well correlated with acute toxicity.", "PMID": 633406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9838", "title": "Isolation of mutagens from bacterial nutrients containing beef extract.", "content": "The enhanced rate of mutation of Salmonella strain TA1538 (Ames) by microsomes results from the presence of about 2--5 ppm of microsome-activatable mutagens in bacterial nutrient broths that contain beef extract. Since mutagens toward Salmonella are likely to be carcinogenic, the data have significant implications for the problem of carcinogenesis.", "contents": "Isolation of mutagens from bacterial nutrients containing beef extract. The enhanced rate of mutation of Salmonella strain TA1538 (Ames) by microsomes results from the presence of about 2--5 ppm of microsome-activatable mutagens in bacterial nutrient broths that contain beef extract. Since mutagens toward Salmonella are likely to be carcinogenic, the data have significant implications for the problem of carcinogenesis.", "PMID": 633407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9839", "title": "Effect of alkane tumor-promoting agents on chemically induced mutagenesis in cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells.", "content": "Linear alkanes of specific chain length between 6 and 16 carbon atoms, an aryl derivative of dodecane, and a phorbol diester were tested in a cell culture system for relative ability to enhance mutagenesis induced by a chemical carcinogen, methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM). Mutation frequencies at the ouabain-resistance locus were measured. Results indicated an excellent correlation between the relative activities of the above compounds in enhancing mutagenesis in the in vitro culture system and their tumor-promoting activities in mouse skin. None of the compounds tested showed mutagenic activity per se, further lending support to the theory that promoters act via derepression of latent carcinogen-induced damage to the genome.", "contents": "Effect of alkane tumor-promoting agents on chemically induced mutagenesis in cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells. Linear alkanes of specific chain length between 6 and 16 carbon atoms, an aryl derivative of dodecane, and a phorbol diester were tested in a cell culture system for relative ability to enhance mutagenesis induced by a chemical carcinogen, methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM). Mutation frequencies at the ouabain-resistance locus were measured. Results indicated an excellent correlation between the relative activities of the above compounds in enhancing mutagenesis in the in vitro culture system and their tumor-promoting activities in mouse skin. None of the compounds tested showed mutagenic activity per se, further lending support to the theory that promoters act via derepression of latent carcinogen-induced damage to the genome.", "PMID": 633409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9840", "title": "Effects of dietary vanadium in mallard ducks.", "content": "Acult mallard ducks fed 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm vanadyl sulfate in the diet were sacrificed after 12 wk on treatment; tissues were analyzed for vanadium. No birds died during the study and body weights did not change. Vanadium accumulated to higher concentrations in the bone and liver than in other tissues. Concentrations in bones of hens were five times those in bones of drakes, suggesting an interaction between vanadium and calcium mobilization in laying hens. Vanadium concentrations in most tissues were significantly correlated and increased with treatment level. Lipid metabolism was altered in laying hens fed 100 ppm vanadium. Very little vanadium accumulated in the eggs of laying hens.", "contents": "Effects of dietary vanadium in mallard ducks. Acult mallard ducks fed 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm vanadyl sulfate in the diet were sacrificed after 12 wk on treatment; tissues were analyzed for vanadium. No birds died during the study and body weights did not change. Vanadium accumulated to higher concentrations in the bone and liver than in other tissues. Concentrations in bones of hens were five times those in bones of drakes, suggesting an interaction between vanadium and calcium mobilization in laying hens. Vanadium concentrations in most tissues were significantly correlated and increased with treatment level. Lipid metabolism was altered in laying hens fed 100 ppm vanadium. Very little vanadium accumulated in the eggs of laying hens.", "PMID": 633410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9841", "title": "Interrelationships of glutathione reductase, 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and free sulfhydryl groups in the erythrocytes of normal and lead-exposed persons.", "content": "Blood lead, erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D), and free sulfhydryl (SH) groups were measured in normal subjects and in those with occupational exposure to lead. With increasing blood lead concentration the activity of GSSG-R rises and that of ALA-D decreases. There is also a fall in the level of free SH with rising blood lead concentrations. There is a high degree of correlation between these parameters, and it is suggested that the changes represent part of a biological control mechanism to compensate for the reduction of available sulfhydryl groups by lead ions.", "contents": "Interrelationships of glutathione reductase, 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, and free sulfhydryl groups in the erythrocytes of normal and lead-exposed persons. Blood lead, erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D), and free sulfhydryl (SH) groups were measured in normal subjects and in those with occupational exposure to lead. With increasing blood lead concentration the activity of GSSG-R rises and that of ALA-D decreases. There is also a fall in the level of free SH with rising blood lead concentrations. There is a high degree of correlation between these parameters, and it is suggested that the changes represent part of a biological control mechanism to compensate for the reduction of available sulfhydryl groups by lead ions.", "PMID": 633411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9842", "title": "Environmental mutagens in urban air particulates.", "content": "A bioassay capable of detecting carcinogenic substances that are associated with the elevated incidence of cancer in the urban environment would be important for epidemiologic and environmental analyses. The feasibility of using the Salmonella mutagenesis system developed by Ames for this purpose has been tested by analyzing Chicago air particulate samples. Active material, as evidenced by enhanced rates of mutation, both in the presence of microsomes and in their absence, is readily extractable from samples of air particulates. Dose-response curves have been obtained from such extracts of 15 successive samples, taken at intervals during 1975 from a sampling site in South Chicago. A method for analyzing such data in order to evaluate the relative mutagenic activity of different samples is described. The presence of a number of mutagenic constituents has been demonstrated by means of thin-layer chromatography of particularly active samples, in which the active material is located by mutagenic analysis of successive chromatographic zones. Mass spectrometer analysis of material isolated from an original sample in this way indicates that benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene, which are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic, are present. It is concluded that within certain constraints, which are described, the methodology can serve the purpose of an environmental bioassay for organic carcinogens.", "contents": "Environmental mutagens in urban air particulates. A bioassay capable of detecting carcinogenic substances that are associated with the elevated incidence of cancer in the urban environment would be important for epidemiologic and environmental analyses. The feasibility of using the Salmonella mutagenesis system developed by Ames for this purpose has been tested by analyzing Chicago air particulate samples. Active material, as evidenced by enhanced rates of mutation, both in the presence of microsomes and in their absence, is readily extractable from samples of air particulates. Dose-response curves have been obtained from such extracts of 15 successive samples, taken at intervals during 1975 from a sampling site in South Chicago. A method for analyzing such data in order to evaluate the relative mutagenic activity of different samples is described. The presence of a number of mutagenic constituents has been demonstrated by means of thin-layer chromatography of particularly active samples, in which the active material is located by mutagenic analysis of successive chromatographic zones. Mass spectrometer analysis of material isolated from an original sample in this way indicates that benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[e]pyrene, which are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic, are present. It is concluded that within certain constraints, which are described, the methodology can serve the purpose of an environmental bioassay for organic carcinogens.", "PMID": 633412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9843", "title": "Simultaneous determination of cellular mutagenesis and transformation by chemical carcinogens in Fischer rat embryo cells.", "content": "Thirteen chemicals, eight carcinogenic and five closely related noncarcinogenic analogues, were tested to establish the validity of a simultaneous procedure for the in vitro assay of potential carcinogens and mutagens. The assay utilizes Fischer rat embryo (FRE) cells infected with Rauscher leukemia virus and simultaneously measures the induction of cellular transformation (growth in soft agar) and mutagenesis (ouabain resistance) by chemicals. An activation procedure for the metabolic conversion of the procarcinogens and promutagens to biologically active forms is described. All chemicals that produced transformation in the FRE system also induced a significant increase in ouabain resistance. The significance and the potential uses of this assay are discussed.", "contents": "Simultaneous determination of cellular mutagenesis and transformation by chemical carcinogens in Fischer rat embryo cells. Thirteen chemicals, eight carcinogenic and five closely related noncarcinogenic analogues, were tested to establish the validity of a simultaneous procedure for the in vitro assay of potential carcinogens and mutagens. The assay utilizes Fischer rat embryo (FRE) cells infected with Rauscher leukemia virus and simultaneously measures the induction of cellular transformation (growth in soft agar) and mutagenesis (ouabain resistance) by chemicals. An activation procedure for the metabolic conversion of the procarcinogens and promutagens to biologically active forms is described. All chemicals that produced transformation in the FRE system also induced a significant increase in ouabain resistance. The significance and the potential uses of this assay are discussed.", "PMID": 633413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9844", "title": "Biliary excretion of [14C]penicillic acid by rats.", "content": "Adult male rats were given [14C]penicillic acid by oral intubation, and the biliary excretion of the compound was monitored. The significance of bile as an excretory route was confirmed and compared by using open and recycle cannulation of the bile duct. The biological half-retention life of [14C]penicillic acid in the bile was 3.63 h.", "contents": "Biliary excretion of [14C]penicillic acid by rats. Adult male rats were given [14C]penicillic acid by oral intubation, and the biliary excretion of the compound was monitored. The significance of bile as an excretory route was confirmed and compared by using open and recycle cannulation of the bile duct. The biological half-retention life of [14C]penicillic acid in the bile was 3.63 h.", "PMID": 633414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9845", "title": "Oral toxicity of ferric dimethyl-dithiocarbamate (ferbam) and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (thiram) in rodents.", "content": "Single oral doses of ferbam, thiram, zineb, or maneb produced central nervous system stimulation followed by depression and alopecia. Ferbam and thiram were more toxic on the basis of weight than zineb; maneb was relatively nontoxic. There was no species difference in acute toxicity between rats and mice. In 13- and 80-wk feeding studies, the toxic effects of ferbam and thiram in rats were similar; however, thiram was more toxic on the basis of weight than ferbam. During the 80-wk feeding study, weight gain was reduced in ferbam-treated rats starting at daily doses of 8 mg/kg in males and 37 mg/kg in females and in thiram-treated rats staring at daily doses of 5 mg/kg in males and 26 mg/kg in females. Food consumption was reduced in proportion to the reduced weight gain. Death occurred in males fed 109 or 331 mg/kg.d ferbam and in males fed 58 or 132 mg/kg.d thiram. Female rats fed 96 mg/kg.d ferbam or 67 mg/kg.d thiram developed alopecia and ataxia, which led to paralysis of the hind limbs. Male rats fed ferbam or thiram had a more severe incidence of squamous metaplasia in the thyroid and fatty infiltration in the pancreas than control males. Ferbam or thiram reduced the incidence of spontaneous nephritis in both males and females. The male rats that were fed 109 or 331 mg/kg.d ferbam and died betweeen 1 and 5 wk had golden pigment in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen and in the enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, associated with hemosiderosis. Moderate tubular degeneration of the testes with atypical spermatids in the epididymis occured in some rats fed 132 mg/kg.d thiram for 13 wk but not in rats fed up to 52 mg/kg.d for 80 wk. Periodic hematologic examination and terminal clinical blood tests did not reveal any severe changes. Ferbam and thiram did not alter the occurrence or latent period of the spontaneous tumors seen in control rats.", "contents": "Oral toxicity of ferric dimethyl-dithiocarbamate (ferbam) and tetramethylthiuram disulfide (thiram) in rodents. Single oral doses of ferbam, thiram, zineb, or maneb produced central nervous system stimulation followed by depression and alopecia. Ferbam and thiram were more toxic on the basis of weight than zineb; maneb was relatively nontoxic. There was no species difference in acute toxicity between rats and mice. In 13- and 80-wk feeding studies, the toxic effects of ferbam and thiram in rats were similar; however, thiram was more toxic on the basis of weight than ferbam. During the 80-wk feeding study, weight gain was reduced in ferbam-treated rats starting at daily doses of 8 mg/kg in males and 37 mg/kg in females and in thiram-treated rats staring at daily doses of 5 mg/kg in males and 26 mg/kg in females. Food consumption was reduced in proportion to the reduced weight gain. Death occurred in males fed 109 or 331 mg/kg.d ferbam and in males fed 58 or 132 mg/kg.d thiram. Female rats fed 96 mg/kg.d ferbam or 67 mg/kg.d thiram developed alopecia and ataxia, which led to paralysis of the hind limbs. Male rats fed ferbam or thiram had a more severe incidence of squamous metaplasia in the thyroid and fatty infiltration in the pancreas than control males. Ferbam or thiram reduced the incidence of spontaneous nephritis in both males and females. The male rats that were fed 109 or 331 mg/kg.d ferbam and died betweeen 1 and 5 wk had golden pigment in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen and in the enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, associated with hemosiderosis. Moderate tubular degeneration of the testes with atypical spermatids in the epididymis occured in some rats fed 132 mg/kg.d thiram for 13 wk but not in rats fed up to 52 mg/kg.d for 80 wk. Periodic hematologic examination and terminal clinical blood tests did not reveal any severe changes. Ferbam and thiram did not alter the occurrence or latent period of the spontaneous tumors seen in control rats.", "PMID": 633415} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9846", "title": "Abnormal heme-protein patterns in hemorrhagic shock.", "content": "Allegedly toxic heme pigments have been described in the serum of animals bled to hemorrhagic shock (5,7). In addition, Sears et al. (9), and Braun et al. (1) have shown that the products derived from the degradation of hemoglobin following intravascular hemolysis were toxic (heme carried by hemopexin and albumin). The accumulation of metabolites, caused by the impeded circulation, degrades free hemoglobin into heme pigments and their concentration then reaches a level which exceeds the normal heme-carrying capacity of serum proteins. We have already demonstrated the presence of abnormal heme pigments in clinical cases of shock using scanning spectrophotometry (3). We have endeavored to identify these pigments by serum electrophoresis, and to relate the appearance of some of these compounds to mortality rates. There were no deaths associated with the presence of haptoglobin-hemoglobin alone in serum. As shock deepened and mortality rose, hemopexin-heme and methemalbumin appeared. The highest mortality rate (4 out of 5 cases) was found when both hemopexin-heme and methemalbumin were present. It appears, therefore, that the administration of serum proteins in shock may reduce the toxicity of the products of degradation formed in low-flow states.", "contents": "Abnormal heme-protein patterns in hemorrhagic shock. Allegedly toxic heme pigments have been described in the serum of animals bled to hemorrhagic shock (5,7). In addition, Sears et al. (9), and Braun et al. (1) have shown that the products derived from the degradation of hemoglobin following intravascular hemolysis were toxic (heme carried by hemopexin and albumin). The accumulation of metabolites, caused by the impeded circulation, degrades free hemoglobin into heme pigments and their concentration then reaches a level which exceeds the normal heme-carrying capacity of serum proteins. We have already demonstrated the presence of abnormal heme pigments in clinical cases of shock using scanning spectrophotometry (3). We have endeavored to identify these pigments by serum electrophoresis, and to relate the appearance of some of these compounds to mortality rates. There were no deaths associated with the presence of haptoglobin-hemoglobin alone in serum. As shock deepened and mortality rose, hemopexin-heme and methemalbumin appeared. The highest mortality rate (4 out of 5 cases) was found when both hemopexin-heme and methemalbumin were present. It appears, therefore, that the administration of serum proteins in shock may reduce the toxicity of the products of degradation formed in low-flow states.", "PMID": 633416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9847", "title": "Plasma lipids, coagulation factors, and fibrin formation after severe multiple trauma, and in adult respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "Following severe multiple trauma, decreases were observed in a) Free cholesterol, b) Cholesteryl esters, c) Total phospholipids, and d) Lysolecithin. Comparatively slight changes in coagulation parameters did not differ regardless of whether pulmonary complications developed. In contrast, increased fibrin lipid complexing was more closely correlated with clinical data, because: a) Plasmatic lipids, particularly triglycerides complexed with fibrins, were elevated severalfold in patients with adult respiratory distress and fat embolism syndromes when compared with multiple trauma patients without pulmonary complications. This was independent of plasma lipid levels. b) Plasmatic triglycerides complexed with fibrins were significantly higher in patients who died than in those who survived. The considerable changes in the plasma lipid pattern following severe trauma suggest the presence of an abnormal lipoprotein with increased affinity to fibrin, thereby inhibiting fibrinolysis. This might well be one pathogenic mechanism in the development of post-traumatic respiratory distress syndrome.", "contents": "Plasma lipids, coagulation factors, and fibrin formation after severe multiple trauma, and in adult respiratory distress syndrome. Following severe multiple trauma, decreases were observed in a) Free cholesterol, b) Cholesteryl esters, c) Total phospholipids, and d) Lysolecithin. Comparatively slight changes in coagulation parameters did not differ regardless of whether pulmonary complications developed. In contrast, increased fibrin lipid complexing was more closely correlated with clinical data, because: a) Plasmatic lipids, particularly triglycerides complexed with fibrins, were elevated severalfold in patients with adult respiratory distress and fat embolism syndromes when compared with multiple trauma patients without pulmonary complications. This was independent of plasma lipid levels. b) Plasmatic triglycerides complexed with fibrins were significantly higher in patients who died than in those who survived. The considerable changes in the plasma lipid pattern following severe trauma suggest the presence of an abnormal lipoprotein with increased affinity to fibrin, thereby inhibiting fibrinolysis. This might well be one pathogenic mechanism in the development of post-traumatic respiratory distress syndrome.", "PMID": 633418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9848", "title": "Early diagnosis of the fat embolism syndrome.", "content": "One hundred consecutive cases of trauma with associated fractures of the lower limb long bones were studied for the subsequent development of the fat embolism syndrome (FES). This is to be differentiated from the intravascular fat embolism which often occurs without clinical FES becoming manifest. Seventeen of the patients developed the clinical picture, with a further 16 patients being considered to have had the syndrome subclinically. Clinical and biochemical features were studied to determine pointers to the early diagnosis and patient \"at risk\" of developing FES. Young males under the age of 30 with significant hypoxemia occurring early in the course of the disease were considered the most likely candidates \"at risk\" for developing FES. These results favor the concept that FES is essentially a form of respiratory insufficiency syndrome similar to that which occurs following trauma in other situations, e.g., shock lung.", "contents": "Early diagnosis of the fat embolism syndrome. One hundred consecutive cases of trauma with associated fractures of the lower limb long bones were studied for the subsequent development of the fat embolism syndrome (FES). This is to be differentiated from the intravascular fat embolism which often occurs without clinical FES becoming manifest. Seventeen of the patients developed the clinical picture, with a further 16 patients being considered to have had the syndrome subclinically. Clinical and biochemical features were studied to determine pointers to the early diagnosis and patient \"at risk\" of developing FES. Young males under the age of 30 with significant hypoxemia occurring early in the course of the disease were considered the most likely candidates \"at risk\" for developing FES. These results favor the concept that FES is essentially a form of respiratory insufficiency syndrome similar to that which occurs following trauma in other situations, e.g., shock lung.", "PMID": 633419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9849", "title": "The study of burn wound edema using dichromatic absorptiometry.", "content": "Burn wound edema is a source of major morbidity and mortality. To quantitatively study this edema, we have devised a noninvasive method called Dichromatic Absorptiometry (DA) which is precise (2-3%) and accurate (r equal to 0.99) in measuring changes in tissue fluid. A scanning technique using a dual photon source, 125I and 241Am, is used. The variable attenuation of the two photon energies allows for selective mass measurements of fluid, protein, lipid, and bone. In limbs with thermal injury the correlation of DA changes in fluid mass with circumference was (r equal to 0.97), but DA was more sensitive. In deep second- and third-degree burns, edema formation was maximum between 12 and 18 hours postburn with 80% of maximum already present at 4 hours. Resorption was complete by 1 week in second-degree burns, but significantly delayed in third-degree burns. Superimposed infection produced persistent edema.", "contents": "The study of burn wound edema using dichromatic absorptiometry. Burn wound edema is a source of major morbidity and mortality. To quantitatively study this edema, we have devised a noninvasive method called Dichromatic Absorptiometry (DA) which is precise (2-3%) and accurate (r equal to 0.99) in measuring changes in tissue fluid. A scanning technique using a dual photon source, 125I and 241Am, is used. The variable attenuation of the two photon energies allows for selective mass measurements of fluid, protein, lipid, and bone. In limbs with thermal injury the correlation of DA changes in fluid mass with circumference was (r equal to 0.97), but DA was more sensitive. In deep second- and third-degree burns, edema formation was maximum between 12 and 18 hours postburn with 80% of maximum already present at 4 hours. Resorption was complete by 1 week in second-degree burns, but significantly delayed in third-degree burns. Superimposed infection produced persistent edema.", "PMID": 633420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9850", "title": "Alterations of complement system following thermal injury: use in estimation of vital prognosis.", "content": "Complement system has been investigated in the first 15 days postburn. Complement titer (measured by a kinetic method of immune hemolysis) decreases immediately after thermal injury. This depression is mainly explained by mechanical leakage and is related to burn surface. No anticomplementary effect has ever been found in this period. After 48 hours complement titer rises. Magnitude and rate of rise are inversely related to the severity of burn trauma (depth and surface). Infection occurrence is statistically related to but somewhat independent of complement levels and interferes with the rate of increase of complement levels. The basis of the rise to normal or elevated complement levels remains unexplained.", "contents": "Alterations of complement system following thermal injury: use in estimation of vital prognosis. Complement system has been investigated in the first 15 days postburn. Complement titer (measured by a kinetic method of immune hemolysis) decreases immediately after thermal injury. This depression is mainly explained by mechanical leakage and is related to burn surface. No anticomplementary effect has ever been found in this period. After 48 hours complement titer rises. Magnitude and rate of rise are inversely related to the severity of burn trauma (depth and surface). Infection occurrence is statistically related to but somewhat independent of complement levels and interferes with the rate of increase of complement levels. The basis of the rise to normal or elevated complement levels remains unexplained.", "PMID": 633421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9851", "title": "Rupture of the bronchus: Case report of successful resection and anastomosis in a 13-month-old infant.", "content": "An unusual case of rupture of the bronchus in a 13-month-old child is reported. It is believed that this is the youngest reported case of successful repair and it is documented by an 11-year follow-up.", "contents": "Rupture of the bronchus: Case report of successful resection and anastomosis in a 13-month-old infant. An unusual case of rupture of the bronchus in a 13-month-old child is reported. It is believed that this is the youngest reported case of successful repair and it is documented by an 11-year follow-up.", "PMID": 633422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9852", "title": "Immediate revascularization of the popliteal artery and vein: report of a case.", "content": "A case demonstrating the successful use of Silastic shunts for immediate limb revascularization is presented. Temporary limb revascularization may reduce the rate of amputation in combined popliteal vessel injuries. A major cause of limb loss is delay between injury and revascularization, including transport time and time spent dealing with other injuries. Repair of the popliteal vein increases the chance of successful limb salvage. Temporary Silastic shunts can alleviate time loss while others problems are dealt with and allow rapid venous, as well as arterial, revascularization. The technical ease and rapidity of shunt placement converts a catastrophic vascular emergency into a manageable problem.", "contents": "Immediate revascularization of the popliteal artery and vein: report of a case. A case demonstrating the successful use of Silastic shunts for immediate limb revascularization is presented. Temporary limb revascularization may reduce the rate of amputation in combined popliteal vessel injuries. A major cause of limb loss is delay between injury and revascularization, including transport time and time spent dealing with other injuries. Repair of the popliteal vein increases the chance of successful limb salvage. Temporary Silastic shunts can alleviate time loss while others problems are dealt with and allow rapid venous, as well as arterial, revascularization. The technical ease and rapidity of shunt placement converts a catastrophic vascular emergency into a manageable problem.", "PMID": 633423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9853", "title": "Acute leukopenia associated with silver sulfadiazine therapy.", "content": "A patient with a 30% scald burn was treated with topical silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene). On two occasions, within 48 hours of treatment, the patient developed acute leukopenia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed cell maturation arrest. The possible mechanisms of this leukopenia are discussed. It is recommended that daily leukocyte counts be done in burn patients being treated with silver sulfadiazine.", "contents": "Acute leukopenia associated with silver sulfadiazine therapy. A patient with a 30% scald burn was treated with topical silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene). On two occasions, within 48 hours of treatment, the patient developed acute leukopenia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed cell maturation arrest. The possible mechanisms of this leukopenia are discussed. It is recommended that daily leukocyte counts be done in burn patients being treated with silver sulfadiazine.", "PMID": 633424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9854", "title": "Fluid overload and post-traumatic respiratory distress syndrome.", "content": "A series of dogs was given massive fluid infusions at two dose levels, 60 cc/kg and 100 cc/kg. The dogs were prepared in three ways: shock induced by bleeding; intravenous injection of oleic acid; and combined oleic acid injection and shock. The studies showed that type of injury was a more important determinant of lung dysfunction than the fluid dose. Shock animals were not hurt by fluid infusion; in oleic acid-injected dogs, the fluid infusion magnified the effect of oleic acid. When shock, oleic acid, and high fluid dose were combined, all animals died. The animals that died had high pulmonary artery diastolic pressures.", "contents": "Fluid overload and post-traumatic respiratory distress syndrome. A series of dogs was given massive fluid infusions at two dose levels, 60 cc/kg and 100 cc/kg. The dogs were prepared in three ways: shock induced by bleeding; intravenous injection of oleic acid; and combined oleic acid injection and shock. The studies showed that type of injury was a more important determinant of lung dysfunction than the fluid dose. Shock animals were not hurt by fluid infusion; in oleic acid-injected dogs, the fluid infusion magnified the effect of oleic acid. When shock, oleic acid, and high fluid dose were combined, all animals died. The animals that died had high pulmonary artery diastolic pressures.", "PMID": 633425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9855", "title": "Myocardial depression in acute thermal injury.", "content": "Previous studies have shown myocardial depression to occur secondary to toxic extracts of burned mouse and human skin and secondary to toxins present in acute human burn serum. The present report describes myocardial depression in an arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septum as a result of toxins present in acute burn plasma. New Zealand white rabbits subjected to a 25% BSA full-thickness burn were heparinized and exsanguinated 2 hours postinjury. Cellular elements and plasma were separated and the plasma frozen. Rabbit myocardial septa were then perfused with normal or burn plasma. Rabbit red cells were added to restore hematocrit to 20 degrees, and the plasma-red cell mixtures were equilibrated with 98% O2 plus 2% CO2. Temperature (28 degrees C), pH (7.40), and flow rate (1 ml/min) were constant for all trials. All normal plasma preparations showed an improvement in developed tension (DT) during the 30-60 minute perfusion period with mean % change equal to + 10.5. A corresponding increase in dP/dt was also noted for all normals (mean % change equal to + 14.3); all septa perfused with acute burn plasma showed a decline in myocardial performance during a similar perfusion period. Mean % change in DT for burn plasma preparations was - 57.5, and in dP/dt for these septa was - 59.5. Significant myocardial depression occurs in arterially perfused rabbit septa when acute burn shock plasma is used as the perfusate.", "contents": "Myocardial depression in acute thermal injury. Previous studies have shown myocardial depression to occur secondary to toxic extracts of burned mouse and human skin and secondary to toxins present in acute human burn serum. The present report describes myocardial depression in an arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septum as a result of toxins present in acute burn plasma. New Zealand white rabbits subjected to a 25% BSA full-thickness burn were heparinized and exsanguinated 2 hours postinjury. Cellular elements and plasma were separated and the plasma frozen. Rabbit myocardial septa were then perfused with normal or burn plasma. Rabbit red cells were added to restore hematocrit to 20 degrees, and the plasma-red cell mixtures were equilibrated with 98% O2 plus 2% CO2. Temperature (28 degrees C), pH (7.40), and flow rate (1 ml/min) were constant for all trials. All normal plasma preparations showed an improvement in developed tension (DT) during the 30-60 minute perfusion period with mean % change equal to + 10.5. A corresponding increase in dP/dt was also noted for all normals (mean % change equal to + 14.3); all septa perfused with acute burn plasma showed a decline in myocardial performance during a similar perfusion period. Mean % change in DT for burn plasma preparations was - 57.5, and in dP/dt for these septa was - 59.5. Significant myocardial depression occurs in arterially perfused rabbit septa when acute burn shock plasma is used as the perfusate.", "PMID": 633426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9856", "title": "Categorization of hospital emergency capabilities: some empirical methods to evaluate appropriateness of emergency department utilization.", "content": "Despite the emphasis on appropriateness of emergency department utilization, there is currently no methodology for assessing appropriateness nor measures for a community to evaluate and improve effectiveness of its E.M.S. system in treating emergencies at the appropriate emergency room and nonemergencies at appropriate alternative settings. The writer feels that the one current strategy which is widely accepted, the A.M.A.'s concept of categorization, has substantial methodologic limitations. The present paper suggests a methodology and a set of measures to assess appropriateness of utilization and illustrates them with data from Buffalo, New York, on a chart review of 24,594 emergency department patient medical records and interviews with 888 patients and their attending physicians. The measures include: 1) distribution of ambulance and critically ill patients by A.M.A. category of hospital, 2) utilization, characterized as system under- or over-response or as appropriate utilization, and 3) physician judgments as to indicated alternative treatment sites, which are suggested as evaluative tools to hospital and communities for E.M.S. assessment, and to federal and state agencies as performance standards, for project selection for funding and monitoring for outcome evaluation.", "contents": "Categorization of hospital emergency capabilities: some empirical methods to evaluate appropriateness of emergency department utilization. Despite the emphasis on appropriateness of emergency department utilization, there is currently no methodology for assessing appropriateness nor measures for a community to evaluate and improve effectiveness of its E.M.S. system in treating emergencies at the appropriate emergency room and nonemergencies at appropriate alternative settings. The writer feels that the one current strategy which is widely accepted, the A.M.A.'s concept of categorization, has substantial methodologic limitations. The present paper suggests a methodology and a set of measures to assess appropriateness of utilization and illustrates them with data from Buffalo, New York, on a chart review of 24,594 emergency department patient medical records and interviews with 888 patients and their attending physicians. The measures include: 1) distribution of ambulance and critically ill patients by A.M.A. category of hospital, 2) utilization, characterized as system under- or over-response or as appropriate utilization, and 3) physician judgments as to indicated alternative treatment sites, which are suggested as evaluative tools to hospital and communities for E.M.S. assessment, and to federal and state agencies as performance standards, for project selection for funding and monitoring for outcome evaluation.", "PMID": 633427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9857", "title": "Amoebic liver abscess and clinical experiences with tinidazole in Bangladesh.", "content": "35 cases of amoebic liver abscess have been studied and their clinical diagnostic features analyzed. The diagnosis was based on WHO criteria of enlarged tender liver, leucocytosis and aspiration of typical anchovy sauce pus from the abscess. The authors have however, suggested major and minor diagnostic criteria for the condition. These cases were all treated with new nitroimidazole derivative Tinidazole in a single dose of 2 gm daily for consecutive 2 or 3 days. All the cases were followed up for at least 2 months. 100 per cent cure rate was observed. However, in 7 cases the dosage had to be repeated. Minor side effects were noted. The liver function tests and blood chemistry done pretreatment and post-treatment did not show any drug related toxicity.", "contents": "Amoebic liver abscess and clinical experiences with tinidazole in Bangladesh. 35 cases of amoebic liver abscess have been studied and their clinical diagnostic features analyzed. The diagnosis was based on WHO criteria of enlarged tender liver, leucocytosis and aspiration of typical anchovy sauce pus from the abscess. The authors have however, suggested major and minor diagnostic criteria for the condition. These cases were all treated with new nitroimidazole derivative Tinidazole in a single dose of 2 gm daily for consecutive 2 or 3 days. All the cases were followed up for at least 2 months. 100 per cent cure rate was observed. However, in 7 cases the dosage had to be repeated. Minor side effects were noted. The liver function tests and blood chemistry done pretreatment and post-treatment did not show any drug related toxicity.", "PMID": 633428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9858", "title": "Growth, school attendance, and serum albumin levels in South African black children of 10-12 years.", "content": "Studies on representative series of South African Black schoolchildren aged 10-12 years revealed the following. (1) In the age sex groups, mean proportions lying below the Boston 3rd percentile of weight for age were high (a very common phenomenon), ranging from 20-84 per cent. (2) Of total moieties above and below the 3rd percentile, 96 per cent and 95 per cent had normal weight for height (more than 80 per cent of the 50th percentile of reference standards). (3) Both moieties had equally excellent records of school attendance, 94 per cent and 93 per cent. (4) Mean serum albumin levels, also the proportions having relatively low levels, did not differ significantly, either in the respective subgroups above and below the 3rd percentile, or in groups of pupils accustomed and not accustomed to supplementary school-feeding. Accordingly, it is considered that classification, without qualification, of schoolchildren as malnourished simply because of slower growth compared with western norms is unwarranted.", "contents": "Growth, school attendance, and serum albumin levels in South African black children of 10-12 years. Studies on representative series of South African Black schoolchildren aged 10-12 years revealed the following. (1) In the age sex groups, mean proportions lying below the Boston 3rd percentile of weight for age were high (a very common phenomenon), ranging from 20-84 per cent. (2) Of total moieties above and below the 3rd percentile, 96 per cent and 95 per cent had normal weight for height (more than 80 per cent of the 50th percentile of reference standards). (3) Both moieties had equally excellent records of school attendance, 94 per cent and 93 per cent. (4) Mean serum albumin levels, also the proportions having relatively low levels, did not differ significantly, either in the respective subgroups above and below the 3rd percentile, or in groups of pupils accustomed and not accustomed to supplementary school-feeding. Accordingly, it is considered that classification, without qualification, of schoolchildren as malnourished simply because of slower growth compared with western norms is unwarranted.", "PMID": 633429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9859", "title": "[Two cases of benign polypes of the ureter (author's transl)].", "content": "The polyp of the ureter is a tumour which originates in the connective tissue and is covered by normal urothelium. Radical surgery is justified in some of these urothelial tumours but one should also consider a more conservative attitude when one deals with a benign fibro-epithelial polyp of the ureter especially when they are located in the lower or upper third of the ureter. We present two cases, one which represents the eleventh case of benign fibro-epithelial polyp described in children in the literature.", "contents": "[Two cases of benign polypes of the ureter (author's transl)]. The polyp of the ureter is a tumour which originates in the connective tissue and is covered by normal urothelium. Radical surgery is justified in some of these urothelial tumours but one should also consider a more conservative attitude when one deals with a benign fibro-epithelial polyp of the ureter especially when they are located in the lower or upper third of the ureter. We present two cases, one which represents the eleventh case of benign fibro-epithelial polyp described in children in the literature.", "PMID": 633448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9860", "title": "[Indication, technic and results of the rectal bladder].", "content": "For the incontinence of urine, when the bladder and the urethra could not be reconstituted: hypospade, \u00e9pispade, vesico-vaginal fistula with distruction of urethra, neck and trigone. From 1959 we have performed 42 rectal bladder. The total cystectomy for cancer and reconstruction of rectal bladder have bad prognostic. Our technic of reimplantation of ureters into rectum is inspired from Coffey and Nesbit, is also anti-reflux. The mortality after the operations is about 5%. The distant mortality is 0. The continence of urine is good the day, less good by night, some patients urine once or twice by night. The contiguous and distant pyelography are classed as: very good, good and not bad. The results are good, we have never be obliged to practice a nephrectomy for 84 ureters reimplanted. The rectal bladder is continent and respect the upper urinary tract and gives thhe patients good life in the society.", "contents": "[Indication, technic and results of the rectal bladder]. For the incontinence of urine, when the bladder and the urethra could not be reconstituted: hypospade, \u00e9pispade, vesico-vaginal fistula with distruction of urethra, neck and trigone. From 1959 we have performed 42 rectal bladder. The total cystectomy for cancer and reconstruction of rectal bladder have bad prognostic. Our technic of reimplantation of ureters into rectum is inspired from Coffey and Nesbit, is also anti-reflux. The mortality after the operations is about 5%. The distant mortality is 0. The continence of urine is good the day, less good by night, some patients urine once or twice by night. The contiguous and distant pyelography are classed as: very good, good and not bad. The results are good, we have never be obliged to practice a nephrectomy for 84 ureters reimplanted. The rectal bladder is continent and respect the upper urinary tract and gives thhe patients good life in the society.", "PMID": 633450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9861", "title": "[The vaginal risk in hypogastric surgery of the pelvic ureter and the trigone of the bladder (author's transl)].", "content": "Excision of the vagina during an operation involving the pelvic ureter or the lower part of the bladder may result in the development of a urinary fistula into the vagina. This risk would seem to be little known, though perfectly explicable on the basis of the close proximity of the structures involved. Certain procedures on the lower urinary tract, including both the pelvic ureter as well as the trigone of the bladder, which may be combined with unfavourable gynaecological circumstances, natural or acquired, may explain such damage to the bladder, with fistula formation. The treatment of these fistulae will be curative, 0ut attention must also be paid to prevention, i.e., cautions and accurate surgical technique adapted to the difficulties encounterd in this region.", "contents": "[The vaginal risk in hypogastric surgery of the pelvic ureter and the trigone of the bladder (author's transl)]. Excision of the vagina during an operation involving the pelvic ureter or the lower part of the bladder may result in the development of a urinary fistula into the vagina. This risk would seem to be little known, though perfectly explicable on the basis of the close proximity of the structures involved. Certain procedures on the lower urinary tract, including both the pelvic ureter as well as the trigone of the bladder, which may be combined with unfavourable gynaecological circumstances, natural or acquired, may explain such damage to the bladder, with fistula formation. The treatment of these fistulae will be curative, 0ut attention must also be paid to prevention, i.e., cautions and accurate surgical technique adapted to the difficulties encounterd in this region.", "PMID": 633449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9862", "title": "[Traumatic lesions of the ureter in pelvic surgery. 9 cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Five cases were related to gynaecological surgery and 4 to operations involving the colon and rectum. In digestive surgery, the ureteric lesion was noted and repaired in 3 cases out of 4. By contrast, in gynaecology, it went unnoticed in all cases and was diagnosed and repaired after an interval varying from 6 weeks to 4 years after the trauma. 4 anti-reflux uretero-vesical reimplantations and one uretero-ureteric anastomosis were carried out, with complete success in all 5 cases. It is particularly striking to note that in gynaecological surgery 4 of the 5 ureteric lesions followed surgery for a non-malignant condition and that the ureteric trauma should have been easy to avoid, in particular by the preoperative insertion of ureteric catheters. By contrast, all the cases in digestive surgery were associated with operations for a carcinoma. In 3 cases out of 4, excision of the tumour necessitated the sacrifice of a segment of the ureter in the pelvis. One end-to-end ureteric suture failed, whilst 2 uretero-ureteric anastomoses were both successful.", "contents": "[Traumatic lesions of the ureter in pelvic surgery. 9 cases (author's transl)]. Five cases were related to gynaecological surgery and 4 to operations involving the colon and rectum. In digestive surgery, the ureteric lesion was noted and repaired in 3 cases out of 4. By contrast, in gynaecology, it went unnoticed in all cases and was diagnosed and repaired after an interval varying from 6 weeks to 4 years after the trauma. 4 anti-reflux uretero-vesical reimplantations and one uretero-ureteric anastomosis were carried out, with complete success in all 5 cases. It is particularly striking to note that in gynaecological surgery 4 of the 5 ureteric lesions followed surgery for a non-malignant condition and that the ureteric trauma should have been easy to avoid, in particular by the preoperative insertion of ureteric catheters. By contrast, all the cases in digestive surgery were associated with operations for a carcinoma. In 3 cases out of 4, excision of the tumour necessitated the sacrifice of a segment of the ureter in the pelvis. One end-to-end ureteric suture failed, whilst 2 uretero-ureteric anastomoses were both successful.", "PMID": 633458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9863", "title": "Operative nephroscopy with fiberoptic scope: preliminary report.", "content": "New fiberoptic scopes, originally designed for biliary tract operations, were used in 23 cases for removal of residual calculi at pyelolithotomy and for examination of the renal pelvis and ureter. The external diameters of the scopes are 6.6 mm. (CHF-X1) and 4.5 mm. (CHF-X2). Water irrigation and forceps manipulation can be performed simultaneously with the CHF-X1 scope but only irrigation can be done with the CHF-X2 scope. The scopes were reliable and allowed easy endoscopic forceps manipulation. Improvements for an ideal fibroptic nephroscope are discussed.", "contents": "Operative nephroscopy with fiberoptic scope: preliminary report. New fiberoptic scopes, originally designed for biliary tract operations, were used in 23 cases for removal of residual calculi at pyelolithotomy and for examination of the renal pelvis and ureter. The external diameters of the scopes are 6.6 mm. (CHF-X1) and 4.5 mm. (CHF-X2). Water irrigation and forceps manipulation can be performed simultaneously with the CHF-X1 scope but only irrigation can be done with the CHF-X2 scope. The scopes were reliable and allowed easy endoscopic forceps manipulation. Improvements for an ideal fibroptic nephroscope are discussed.", "PMID": 633467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9864", "title": "Evidence for a new mammalian organ. II. Calcium kinetics.", "content": "The calcium content and calcium kinetics of the fatty tissue complex comprising the renal sinus organ of the rat kidney are reported. A comparison is made to control brown and white fat in the same animal. The calcium content of the renal sinus tissue is significantly greater than controls. Calcium localization in the mitochondria of the sinus tissue complex is demonstrated. Radioactive isotope studies (45Ca, 85Sr and 99mTc) indicate a dynamic exchange of calcium between the systemic pool and the sinus organ. Active accumulation appears to be operative. Supporting evidence for the existence of a portal vascular system joining the renal sinus complex and the renal parenchyma is presented. The significance of a calcium sink in the renal sinus tissue of the rat kidney is discussed.", "contents": "Evidence for a new mammalian organ. II. Calcium kinetics. The calcium content and calcium kinetics of the fatty tissue complex comprising the renal sinus organ of the rat kidney are reported. A comparison is made to control brown and white fat in the same animal. The calcium content of the renal sinus tissue is significantly greater than controls. Calcium localization in the mitochondria of the sinus tissue complex is demonstrated. Radioactive isotope studies (45Ca, 85Sr and 99mTc) indicate a dynamic exchange of calcium between the systemic pool and the sinus organ. Active accumulation appears to be operative. Supporting evidence for the existence of a portal vascular system joining the renal sinus complex and the renal parenchyma is presented. The significance of a calcium sink in the renal sinus tissue of the rat kidney is discussed.", "PMID": 633469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9865", "title": "Experience with the radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone in the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.", "content": "Our results with radioimmunoassay studies for parathyroid hormone performed during the last 6 years are compared retrospectively to results of the laboratory tests customarily secured when hyperparathyroidism is suspected. The results obtained in patients with known primary hyperparathyroidism and in patients with unconfirmed but presumptive hyperparathyroidism are compared to the results obtained from a group of normal controls. Despite the fact that certain discrepant results were noted in the earlier assay techniques the over-all results and, in particular, those of more recent years have been highly sensitive and reproducible corroboratives of the existence of primary hyperparathyroidism. About two-thirds of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism will present to the urologist. All patients with calcium-containing stones should have at least 3 determinations of the serum calcium in screening for primary hyperparathyroidism. The radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone provides the most reliable confirmation. The patient with calculous disease, elevation of the immunoreactive parathyroid hormone level and hypercalcemia is virtually certain to have primary hyperparathyroidism.", "contents": "Experience with the radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone in the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Our results with radioimmunoassay studies for parathyroid hormone performed during the last 6 years are compared retrospectively to results of the laboratory tests customarily secured when hyperparathyroidism is suspected. The results obtained in patients with known primary hyperparathyroidism and in patients with unconfirmed but presumptive hyperparathyroidism are compared to the results obtained from a group of normal controls. Despite the fact that certain discrepant results were noted in the earlier assay techniques the over-all results and, in particular, those of more recent years have been highly sensitive and reproducible corroboratives of the existence of primary hyperparathyroidism. About two-thirds of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism will present to the urologist. All patients with calcium-containing stones should have at least 3 determinations of the serum calcium in screening for primary hyperparathyroidism. The radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone provides the most reliable confirmation. The patient with calculous disease, elevation of the immunoreactive parathyroid hormone level and hypercalcemia is virtually certain to have primary hyperparathyroidism.", "PMID": 633470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9866", "title": "Intrarenal urinary extravasation with formation of venous polyps containing Tamm-Horsfall protein.", "content": "Collections of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material are found in the intrarenal veins and in the renal interstitium in certain cases of hydronephrosis and unexplained unilateral hematuria. Using a fluorescent antibody to Tamm-Horsfall protein, a protein secreted by the ascending limbs and distal convoluted tubules, we have demonstrated that the venous and interstitial masses represent urinary filtrate, which probably enters the kidney parenchyma through forniceal or tubular ruptures.", "contents": "Intrarenal urinary extravasation with formation of venous polyps containing Tamm-Horsfall protein. Collections of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material are found in the intrarenal veins and in the renal interstitium in certain cases of hydronephrosis and unexplained unilateral hematuria. Using a fluorescent antibody to Tamm-Horsfall protein, a protein secreted by the ascending limbs and distal convoluted tubules, we have demonstrated that the venous and interstitial masses represent urinary filtrate, which probably enters the kidney parenchyma through forniceal or tubular ruptures.", "PMID": 633471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9867", "title": "Crossed renal ectopia.", "content": "Crossed renal ectopia is an unusual congenital anomaly, probably produced by abnormal development of the ureteral bud. The deformity itself produces no symptoms and the clinical presentation generally is for obstruction and infection. In our series the adult patients presented most commonly with urinary tract infections, while the pediatric patients presented most often with multiple congenital anomalies, especially of the skeletal system.", "contents": "Crossed renal ectopia. Crossed renal ectopia is an unusual congenital anomaly, probably produced by abnormal development of the ureteral bud. The deformity itself produces no symptoms and the clinical presentation generally is for obstruction and infection. In our series the adult patients presented most commonly with urinary tract infections, while the pediatric patients presented most often with multiple congenital anomalies, especially of the skeletal system.", "PMID": 633473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9868", "title": "Advances in the diagnosis of renal candidiasis.", "content": "Candiduria may signify benign saprophytic colonization or true infection of the urinary tract. Histological studies of 64 suspect cases of renal candidiasis, 20 of them positive, suggest that a Candida colony count of 10,000 to 15,000 per ml. or more in a catheterized specimen is a useful cut-off point between infection and colonization. One to 3 Candida per high power field in an uncentrifuged urine specimen equated with a colony count of 10,000 to 15,000 Candida per ml. Colony counts were diagnostically invalid in the presence of an indwelling Foley catheter. Other diagnostic aids included positive serum precipitin tests (83%) and positive blood cultures (47%).", "contents": "Advances in the diagnosis of renal candidiasis. Candiduria may signify benign saprophytic colonization or true infection of the urinary tract. Histological studies of 64 suspect cases of renal candidiasis, 20 of them positive, suggest that a Candida colony count of 10,000 to 15,000 per ml. or more in a catheterized specimen is a useful cut-off point between infection and colonization. One to 3 Candida per high power field in an uncentrifuged urine specimen equated with a colony count of 10,000 to 15,000 Candida per ml. Colony counts were diagnostically invalid in the presence of an indwelling Foley catheter. Other diagnostic aids included positive serum precipitin tests (83%) and positive blood cultures (47%).", "PMID": 633472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9869", "title": "The management of delayed recognized ureteral injuries.", "content": "Of the 90 cases of ureteral injuries reviewed 51 injuries were recognized immediately, while 39 were recognized in the delayed period. Although the over-all difference in results between those treated immediately and those receiving delayed treatment was relatively small, when the cases were further subdivided by etiology and time of recognition into immediate and delayed iatrogenic injuries and traumatic injuries the difference in results was striking. This fact had been suspected clinically but not well documented previously in the urologic literature.", "contents": "The management of delayed recognized ureteral injuries. Of the 90 cases of ureteral injuries reviewed 51 injuries were recognized immediately, while 39 were recognized in the delayed period. Although the over-all difference in results between those treated immediately and those receiving delayed treatment was relatively small, when the cases were further subdivided by etiology and time of recognition into immediate and delayed iatrogenic injuries and traumatic injuries the difference in results was striking. This fact had been suspected clinically but not well documented previously in the urologic literature.", "PMID": 633474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9870", "title": "Followup study after conservative and surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.", "content": "Our series of 94 cases (145 ureters) of vesicoureteral reflux is reviewed. The occasional disappearance of reflux during conservative treatment should not be mistaken for cure because of its variable nature. To avoid such a mistake voiding cystography under fluoroscopic monitoring is repeated indefinitely. Those patients who were treated surgically were followed for at least 2 to 3 years before cure was established. Transient ureteral dilatation after reimplantation was eradicated within 3 months. Postoperative urinary infection was observed at various intervals, ranging from 1 week to 5 months, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was likely to be influenced by infection. Postoperative chemotherapy was continued until the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal and there was no infection and/or dilatation of the upper tract.", "contents": "Followup study after conservative and surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Our series of 94 cases (145 ureters) of vesicoureteral reflux is reviewed. The occasional disappearance of reflux during conservative treatment should not be mistaken for cure because of its variable nature. To avoid such a mistake voiding cystography under fluoroscopic monitoring is repeated indefinitely. Those patients who were treated surgically were followed for at least 2 to 3 years before cure was established. Transient ureteral dilatation after reimplantation was eradicated within 3 months. Postoperative urinary infection was observed at various intervals, ranging from 1 week to 5 months, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was likely to be influenced by infection. Postoperative chemotherapy was continued until the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal and there was no infection and/or dilatation of the upper tract.", "PMID": 633475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9871", "title": "Partial cystectomy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.", "content": "Between 1950 and 1974, 35 men and 10 women underwent partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Indications, contraindications and the principles of technique for partial cystectomy as therapy for transitional cell tumors of the bladder are discussed. All patients were evaluated postoperatively, with cystoscopic examination every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 3 years and then at yearly intervals if no tumors had been detected. None of the patients received preoperative irradiation. Eight ureters were re-implanted and 6 prostate glands were enucleated at the time of partial cystectomy. There was 1 death in the immediate postoperative period. Complications developed in 13 patients, 3 of which were considered major. When recurrences were noted appropriate therapy was performed as indicated. Irradiation was the most commonly used method to treat distant metastases. The over-all 5-year survival rate is 57.7% (26 patients). Thirty-four patients were followed for 10 years. The survival rate for this group of patients was 32.4% (11 patients). The results of this study correlate well with other published reports.", "contents": "Partial cystectomy in the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Between 1950 and 1974, 35 men and 10 women underwent partial cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Indications, contraindications and the principles of technique for partial cystectomy as therapy for transitional cell tumors of the bladder are discussed. All patients were evaluated postoperatively, with cystoscopic examination every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 3 years and then at yearly intervals if no tumors had been detected. None of the patients received preoperative irradiation. Eight ureters were re-implanted and 6 prostate glands were enucleated at the time of partial cystectomy. There was 1 death in the immediate postoperative period. Complications developed in 13 patients, 3 of which were considered major. When recurrences were noted appropriate therapy was performed as indicated. Irradiation was the most commonly used method to treat distant metastases. The over-all 5-year survival rate is 57.7% (26 patients). Thirty-four patients were followed for 10 years. The survival rate for this group of patients was 32.4% (11 patients). The results of this study correlate well with other published reports.", "PMID": 633477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9872", "title": "Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.", "content": "We reviewed 52 consecutive patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer prior to 1962 and have been followed for 15 to 23 years. The over-all survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 38, 27 and 17%. Pathologic staging was the most important prognostic factor in the series.", "contents": "Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. We reviewed 52 consecutive patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer prior to 1962 and have been followed for 15 to 23 years. The over-all survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years were 38, 27 and 17%. Pathologic staging was the most important prognostic factor in the series.", "PMID": 633478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9873", "title": "Followup of abdominal neourethra.", "content": "Abdominal neuroethrostomy is a highly satisfactory form of urinary diversion for patients with irreparable urethral stricture or destruction. Normal renal function, structure and urinary continence have been observed in 7 patients for as long as 17 years.", "contents": "Followup of abdominal neourethra. Abdominal neuroethrostomy is a highly satisfactory form of urinary diversion for patients with irreparable urethral stricture or destruction. Normal renal function, structure and urinary continence have been observed in 7 patients for as long as 17 years.", "PMID": 633479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9874", "title": "Evaluation and treatment of patients with failed hypospadias repair.", "content": "Hypospadias repair is often accompanied by complications, some of which may be major. We herein analyze 70 patients whom we have seen and enumerate the defects, list the operative procedures that have been necessary to correct the lesions and illustrate the use of some of these techniques. Surgeons treating patients with hypospadias should have command of many techniques and use them aggressively with imagination and great care.", "contents": "Evaluation and treatment of patients with failed hypospadias repair. Hypospadias repair is often accompanied by complications, some of which may be major. We herein analyze 70 patients whom we have seen and enumerate the defects, list the operative procedures that have been necessary to correct the lesions and illustrate the use of some of these techniques. Surgeons treating patients with hypospadias should have command of many techniques and use them aggressively with imagination and great care.", "PMID": 633480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9875", "title": "Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence.", "content": "Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.", "contents": "Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence. Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.", "PMID": 633482} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9876", "title": "Significant immunologic factors in male infertility.", "content": "A number of patients who suffer from involuntary infertility showed a sperm antibody in the blood serum as detected by 2 different methods of sperm agglutination. These techniques are the Kibrick method (gelatin agglutination test) and the F-D method (tube-slide agglutination test). With the former technique 9% of men and 18% of women from infertile couples had a positive result, while the latter technique revealed 5% of men and 15% of women with positive results. Such cases are termed immunological infertility. Several cases of necrospermia also showed sperm antibody activity. In vasectomized men it has been shown that 50 to 60% have sperm antibody during the first year postoperatively. To develop new methods for treatment of infertility immunosuppression by means of corticosteroid medication was applied. A 7-day regimen of 96 mg. per day methylprednisolone was studied. A drastic decrease of antibody level could be seen in some cases and the wives became pregnant. There has been approximately a 30% success rate in a group of 15 such couples.", "contents": "Significant immunologic factors in male infertility. A number of patients who suffer from involuntary infertility showed a sperm antibody in the blood serum as detected by 2 different methods of sperm agglutination. These techniques are the Kibrick method (gelatin agglutination test) and the F-D method (tube-slide agglutination test). With the former technique 9% of men and 18% of women from infertile couples had a positive result, while the latter technique revealed 5% of men and 15% of women with positive results. Such cases are termed immunological infertility. Several cases of necrospermia also showed sperm antibody activity. In vasectomized men it has been shown that 50 to 60% have sperm antibody during the first year postoperatively. To develop new methods for treatment of infertility immunosuppression by means of corticosteroid medication was applied. A 7-day regimen of 96 mg. per day methylprednisolone was studied. A drastic decrease of antibody level could be seen in some cases and the wives became pregnant. There has been approximately a 30% success rate in a group of 15 such couples.", "PMID": 633483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9877", "title": "Estramustine phosphate: metabolic aspects related to its action in prostatic cancer.", "content": "Estramustine phosphate, a drug effective in a substantial number of patients with cancer of the prostate who had failed on other forms of therapy, has been shown to be split into its constituents, that is estradiol-17beta and the carbamate nitrogen mustard by non-cancerous and cancerous human prostatic tissues. This fact may explain, in part, the mechanism of action and efficacy of the drug in patients with cancer of the prostate. In addition to presenting results on the hydrolysis and its products accomplished by human prostatic tissues we discuss the limitations of extrapolating animal results with estramustine phosphate to the human condition and possible parameters that bear upon the insignificant toxic and estrogenic effects observed in patients given estramustine phosphate.", "contents": "Estramustine phosphate: metabolic aspects related to its action in prostatic cancer. Estramustine phosphate, a drug effective in a substantial number of patients with cancer of the prostate who had failed on other forms of therapy, has been shown to be split into its constituents, that is estradiol-17beta and the carbamate nitrogen mustard by non-cancerous and cancerous human prostatic tissues. This fact may explain, in part, the mechanism of action and efficacy of the drug in patients with cancer of the prostate. In addition to presenting results on the hydrolysis and its products accomplished by human prostatic tissues we discuss the limitations of extrapolating animal results with estramustine phosphate to the human condition and possible parameters that bear upon the insignificant toxic and estrogenic effects observed in patients given estramustine phosphate.", "PMID": 633484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9878", "title": "Bromocriptine and prostatic carcinoma: plasma kinetics, production and tissue uptake of 3H-testosterone in vivo.", "content": "The influence of the anti-prolactin bromocriptine on plasma kinetics, production rate and tissue uptake of testosterone was investigated in 15 patients with newly diagnosed stages C and D prostatic carcinoma. Bromocriptine was given for 5 days in a daily dose of 15 mg. orally. The studies were performed with the single injection technique using the 2-compartment model. Plasma testosterone, serum prolactin, and luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones were determined initially. Blood samples were drawn up to 5 hours after the injection of 3H-testosterone. For tissue studies a transrectal needle biopsy was done 3 hours post-injection. Bromocriptine suppressed prolactin and the endogenous testosterone level. Furthermore, it favored the elimination of 3H-testosterone, lowered the production rate of testosterone and hampered the in vivo uptake of the 3H-label into prostatic carcinoma tissue. Finally, the grading of the tumor lesions affected only the pre-bromocriptine uptake of radioactive androgens and not the uptake in response to bromocriptine. The potential clinical impliications of these observations are discussed.", "contents": "Bromocriptine and prostatic carcinoma: plasma kinetics, production and tissue uptake of 3H-testosterone in vivo. The influence of the anti-prolactin bromocriptine on plasma kinetics, production rate and tissue uptake of testosterone was investigated in 15 patients with newly diagnosed stages C and D prostatic carcinoma. Bromocriptine was given for 5 days in a daily dose of 15 mg. orally. The studies were performed with the single injection technique using the 2-compartment model. Plasma testosterone, serum prolactin, and luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones were determined initially. Blood samples were drawn up to 5 hours after the injection of 3H-testosterone. For tissue studies a transrectal needle biopsy was done 3 hours post-injection. Bromocriptine suppressed prolactin and the endogenous testosterone level. Furthermore, it favored the elimination of 3H-testosterone, lowered the production rate of testosterone and hampered the in vivo uptake of the 3H-label into prostatic carcinoma tissue. Finally, the grading of the tumor lesions affected only the pre-bromocriptine uptake of radioactive androgens and not the uptake in response to bromocriptine. The potential clinical impliications of these observations are discussed.", "PMID": 633485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9879", "title": "Clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme levels in advanced prostatic carcinoma.", "content": "The alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in 105 patients with stage D carcinoma of the prostate who entered the National Prostatic Cancer Study were analyzed and these values were correlated to clinical response. Only patients with at least 3 measurements of alkaline phosphatase were evaluated. In 91% of patients with metastatic bone disease, bone alkaline phosphatase was elevated. Those patients with higher pre-treatment levels of alkaline phosphatase generally showed a poorer response to therapy. The results of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme estimation indicate that these biological markers may be used in the evaluation of patients with metastatic prostatic cancer to predict and monitor their response to chemotherapy. The evaluation of bone and liver alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in earlier stages also may be valuable.", "contents": "Clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme levels in advanced prostatic carcinoma. The alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in 105 patients with stage D carcinoma of the prostate who entered the National Prostatic Cancer Study were analyzed and these values were correlated to clinical response. Only patients with at least 3 measurements of alkaline phosphatase were evaluated. In 91% of patients with metastatic bone disease, bone alkaline phosphatase was elevated. Those patients with higher pre-treatment levels of alkaline phosphatase generally showed a poorer response to therapy. The results of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme estimation indicate that these biological markers may be used in the evaluation of patients with metastatic prostatic cancer to predict and monitor their response to chemotherapy. The evaluation of bone and liver alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in earlier stages also may be valuable.", "PMID": 633486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9880", "title": "Urodynamic patterns in children with dysfunctional voiding problems.", "content": "Simultaneous measurements of the intravesical pressure, electromyographic activity of the anal sphincter and the urinary flow rate in 17 children with dysfunctional voiding problems have shown a variety of unusual patterns, each distinct for the particular child but all with the common denominator of failure to coordinate detrusor and sphincter activity. We postulate that these patterns represent persistence of the transitional phase in the development of micturitional control whereby the child learns to prevent involuntary wetting by forceful contraction of the external urethral sphincter.", "contents": "Urodynamic patterns in children with dysfunctional voiding problems. Simultaneous measurements of the intravesical pressure, electromyographic activity of the anal sphincter and the urinary flow rate in 17 children with dysfunctional voiding problems have shown a variety of unusual patterns, each distinct for the particular child but all with the common denominator of failure to coordinate detrusor and sphincter activity. We postulate that these patterns represent persistence of the transitional phase in the development of micturitional control whereby the child learns to prevent involuntary wetting by forceful contraction of the external urethral sphincter.", "PMID": 633487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9881", "title": "Renal abscess in children.", "content": "Ten children with renal abscesses treated during the last 25 years are reviewed following our recent experience with 3 children, each of whom presented with an abscess. The diagnosis was not readily apparent before hospitalization, despite characteristic features of the disease. Excretory urography with nephrotomography proved to be the most valuable diagnostic study. Angiography was useful in differentiating the abscess from other intrarenal processes. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infecting organism. Upper urinary tract anomalies were noted most frequently with gram-negative infections. Treatment consisted of drainage of the abscess in 8 children. Nephrectomy was required in 2 girls, each of whom had multiple extensive gram-negative carbuncles. The pathogenesis and therapy of a renal abscess are discussed.", "contents": "Renal abscess in children. Ten children with renal abscesses treated during the last 25 years are reviewed following our recent experience with 3 children, each of whom presented with an abscess. The diagnosis was not readily apparent before hospitalization, despite characteristic features of the disease. Excretory urography with nephrotomography proved to be the most valuable diagnostic study. Angiography was useful in differentiating the abscess from other intrarenal processes. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common infecting organism. Upper urinary tract anomalies were noted most frequently with gram-negative infections. Treatment consisted of drainage of the abscess in 8 children. Nephrectomy was required in 2 girls, each of whom had multiple extensive gram-negative carbuncles. The pathogenesis and therapy of a renal abscess are discussed.", "PMID": 633488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9882", "title": "Penetrating renal trauma in the neonate.", "content": "For years the management of blunt and penetrating renal trauma has been the source of controversy in the literature. The indications for a specific therapeutic program vary with each individual case and with the complicating factors involved. An unusual form of penetrating renal trauma in the neonate is presented and the rationale for therapy is discussed.", "contents": "Penetrating renal trauma in the neonate. For years the management of blunt and penetrating renal trauma has been the source of controversy in the literature. The indications for a specific therapeutic program vary with each individual case and with the complicating factors involved. An unusual form of penetrating renal trauma in the neonate is presented and the rationale for therapy is discussed.", "PMID": 633489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9883", "title": "Dissecting aneurysm of renal artery owing to subadventitial angioma.", "content": "A case of renovascular hypertension caused by a dissecting aneurysm of the main right renal artery owing to a subadventitial angioma is described. The right kidney was not functioning but, nevertheless, an aortorenal bypass was done and function of the kidney was recovered. Although the hypertension was controlled for 6 months it recurred. A nephrectomy was performed and the hypertension was cured.", "contents": "Dissecting aneurysm of renal artery owing to subadventitial angioma. A case of renovascular hypertension caused by a dissecting aneurysm of the main right renal artery owing to a subadventitial angioma is described. The right kidney was not functioning but, nevertheless, an aortorenal bypass was done and function of the kidney was recovered. Although the hypertension was controlled for 6 months it recurred. A nephrectomy was performed and the hypertension was cured.", "PMID": 633492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9884", "title": "Parasitic arterial supply to renal angiomyolipoma.", "content": "A case of a large renal angiomyolipoma in a relatively asymptomatic female subject without tuberous sclerosis is presented. The case demonstrates a parasitized blood supply from a lumbar artery and the superior mesenteric artery, in addition to the characteristic angiographic features that have been reported previously. A parasitized blood supply to renal masses has been considered previously to be associated with malignant processes. It is emphasized that parasitization of a blood supply by a renal mass lesion is not definite evidence of malignancy.", "contents": "Parasitic arterial supply to renal angiomyolipoma. A case of a large renal angiomyolipoma in a relatively asymptomatic female subject without tuberous sclerosis is presented. The case demonstrates a parasitized blood supply from a lumbar artery and the superior mesenteric artery, in addition to the characteristic angiographic features that have been reported previously. A parasitized blood supply to renal masses has been considered previously to be associated with malignant processes. It is emphasized that parasitization of a blood supply by a renal mass lesion is not definite evidence of malignancy.", "PMID": 633493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9885", "title": "Disseminated mucormycosis with renal involvement.", "content": "A case of fatal disseminated mucormycosis causing bilateral renal artery thrombosis, parenchymal and collecting system invasion and destruction, and extrinsic perirenal and proximal ureteral compression is presented. In addition to acute renal failure meningoencephalitis, cerebral hemorrhagic infarction and septic enterocolitis were contributing causes of death.", "contents": "Disseminated mucormycosis with renal involvement. A case of fatal disseminated mucormycosis causing bilateral renal artery thrombosis, parenchymal and collecting system invasion and destruction, and extrinsic perirenal and proximal ureteral compression is presented. In addition to acute renal failure meningoencephalitis, cerebral hemorrhagic infarction and septic enterocolitis were contributing causes of death.", "PMID": 633494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9886", "title": "Segmental nephrogram.", "content": "An obstructive nephrogram involving the entire kidney owing to an acute ureteral obstruction is a well known phenomenon. A nephrogram occurring in half of the kidney (segmental nephrogram) has not been described previously. A patient who presented with acute left renal colic is described. An excretory urogram revealed a segmental nephrogram, which was subsequently found to be caused by acute calculous obstruction of 1 of the 2 limbs of a bifid pelvis. The stone was removed through a left pelviotomy.", "contents": "Segmental nephrogram. An obstructive nephrogram involving the entire kidney owing to an acute ureteral obstruction is a well known phenomenon. A nephrogram occurring in half of the kidney (segmental nephrogram) has not been described previously. A patient who presented with acute left renal colic is described. An excretory urogram revealed a segmental nephrogram, which was subsequently found to be caused by acute calculous obstruction of 1 of the 2 limbs of a bifid pelvis. The stone was removed through a left pelviotomy.", "PMID": 633495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9887", "title": "Rapid increase in calculous size: a possible hazard of phenazopyridine hydrochloride therapy in the presence of already formed stones.", "content": "Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is an effective oral urinary analgesic commonly used for the treatment of irritative lower urinary tract conditions. We believe that stones already present may serve as a nidus for significant deposition of phenazopyridine hydrochloride.", "contents": "Rapid increase in calculous size: a possible hazard of phenazopyridine hydrochloride therapy in the presence of already formed stones. Phenazopyridine hydrochloride is an effective oral urinary analgesic commonly used for the treatment of irritative lower urinary tract conditions. We believe that stones already present may serve as a nidus for significant deposition of phenazopyridine hydrochloride.", "PMID": 633496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9888", "title": "Volvulus of an ileal conduit with retroperitoneal urinoma in a child: first reported case.", "content": "Ileal loop urinary diversion requires long-term followup. A case of an ileal conduit volvulus with a retroperitoneal urinoma 14 years after the initial procedure is reported. A brief discussion of long and short-term complications of ileal loops is presented.", "contents": "Volvulus of an ileal conduit with retroperitoneal urinoma in a child: first reported case. Ileal loop urinary diversion requires long-term followup. A case of an ileal conduit volvulus with a retroperitoneal urinoma 14 years after the initial procedure is reported. A brief discussion of long and short-term complications of ileal loops is presented.", "PMID": 633497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9889", "title": "Supravesical hematoma following suprapubic urine aspiration.", "content": "A newborn undergoing evaluation and treatment for neonatal sepsis was found to have a pelvic mass. Exploration revealed a large supravesical hematoma thought to be secondary to prior suprapubic bladder aspiration.", "contents": "Supravesical hematoma following suprapubic urine aspiration. A newborn undergoing evaluation and treatment for neonatal sepsis was found to have a pelvic mass. Exploration revealed a large supravesical hematoma thought to be secondary to prior suprapubic bladder aspiration.", "PMID": 633499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9890", "title": "Polyorchidism.", "content": "The thirty-seventh case of polyorchidism is reported. A complete compilation of all cases of this rare congenital anomaly, including a brief historical review of the more important ones, is presented for future reference.", "contents": "Polyorchidism. The thirty-seventh case of polyorchidism is reported. A complete compilation of all cases of this rare congenital anomaly, including a brief historical review of the more important ones, is presented for future reference.", "PMID": 633501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9891", "title": "Extraosseous multiple myeloma simulating primary prostatic neoplasm.", "content": "The first case of multiple meyloma presenting clinically with extraskeletal prostatic involvement simulating a primary prostatic neoplasm is reported. The clinical course, pathology, and serum and urine protein findings are discussed.", "contents": "Extraosseous multiple myeloma simulating primary prostatic neoplasm. The first case of multiple meyloma presenting clinically with extraskeletal prostatic involvement simulating a primary prostatic neoplasm is reported. The clinical course, pathology, and serum and urine protein findings are discussed.", "PMID": 633502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9892", "title": "Abdominal and genitourinary complications following ventriculoperitoneal shunts.", "content": "Three patients with complications secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunts for the management of hydrocephalus are described. Abdominal and genitourinary complications that may occur after the shunting procedure usually are owing to abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid or perforation by the shunting catheter tip.", "contents": "Abdominal and genitourinary complications following ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Three patients with complications secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunts for the management of hydrocephalus are described. Abdominal and genitourinary complications that may occur after the shunting procedure usually are owing to abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid or perforation by the shunting catheter tip.", "PMID": 633503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9893", "title": "The acid-base status of lions, Panthera leo, immobilized with four drug combinations.", "content": "Fifty-eight immobilizations were conducted using 21 lions (Panthera leo) and 4 drug combinations. The combinations used were ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, and tiletamine-zolazepam.", "contents": "The acid-base status of lions, Panthera leo, immobilized with four drug combinations. Fifty-eight immobilizations were conducted using 21 lions (Panthera leo) and 4 drug combinations. The combinations used were ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, and tiletamine-zolazepam.", "PMID": 633506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9894", "title": "The multiplication stages of Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) xeri in the liver of the Sudanese ground squirrel Xerus (Euxerus) erythropus.", "content": "Blood and organ smears from 24 of 98 ground squirrels (Xerus erythropus) from the Sudan were infected with a trypanosome resembling Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) xeri. The developmental stages are described from the liver of one heavily infected ground squirrel. Multiplication was by binary fission and numerous triangular amastigotes, sphaeromastogotes and trypomastigotes were observed. A tentative development cycle in the final host is presented.", "contents": "The multiplication stages of Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) xeri in the liver of the Sudanese ground squirrel Xerus (Euxerus) erythropus. Blood and organ smears from 24 of 98 ground squirrels (Xerus erythropus) from the Sudan were infected with a trypanosome resembling Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) xeri. The developmental stages are described from the liver of one heavily infected ground squirrel. Multiplication was by binary fission and numerous triangular amastigotes, sphaeromastogotes and trypomastigotes were observed. A tentative development cycle in the final host is presented.", "PMID": 633507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9895", "title": "Some clinico-pathologic findings in elephants (Elephas maximus) infected with Fasciola jacksoni.", "content": "Severe submandibular and ventral abdominal oedema was observed in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in which liver flukes (Fasciola jacksoni) were recovered from the bile ducts at post-mortem examination. Clinico-pathologic examination of blood samples and serum from this elephant and another 8 elephants showed that most had anemia and hypoproteinemia. Fecal samples from 6 of the elephants contained from 6 to 83 eggs per gram. Treatment of elephants with nitroxynil (10 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection produced severe local reactions at the injection site. Feces collected 2 and 4 months after treatment were free of trematode eggs. Hematologic values measured 4 months after treatment showed that the hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count and plasma protein concentration had increased to within the normal range.", "contents": "Some clinico-pathologic findings in elephants (Elephas maximus) infected with Fasciola jacksoni. Severe submandibular and ventral abdominal oedema was observed in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in which liver flukes (Fasciola jacksoni) were recovered from the bile ducts at post-mortem examination. Clinico-pathologic examination of blood samples and serum from this elephant and another 8 elephants showed that most had anemia and hypoproteinemia. Fecal samples from 6 of the elephants contained from 6 to 83 eggs per gram. Treatment of elephants with nitroxynil (10 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection produced severe local reactions at the injection site. Feces collected 2 and 4 months after treatment were free of trematode eggs. Hematologic values measured 4 months after treatment showed that the hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte count and plasma protein concentration had increased to within the normal range.", "PMID": 633508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9896", "title": "Clinical blood values of the northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus. II. Comparison of fresh versus stored frozen serum.", "content": "Analysis of 14 blood components in fresh and stored (107-166 days) frozen serum of the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) revealed significant changes in the values of all but total protein, globulins, phosphorus and creatinine. While most values decreased during storage, cholesterol and bilirubin showed small but significant increases.", "contents": "Clinical blood values of the northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus. II. Comparison of fresh versus stored frozen serum. Analysis of 14 blood components in fresh and stored (107-166 days) frozen serum of the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) revealed significant changes in the values of all but total protein, globulins, phosphorus and creatinine. While most values decreased during storage, cholesterol and bilirubin showed small but significant increases.", "PMID": 633509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9897", "title": "Case report of kidney disease in a wild chinock salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, in the sea.", "content": "An immature chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) that had spent two winters at sea was found in a Puget Sound beach zone. Necropsy indicated the fish was infected with bacterial kidney disease (KD). This is the first report of KD from a wild fish in the marine environment.", "contents": "Case report of kidney disease in a wild chinock salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, in the sea. An immature chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) that had spent two winters at sea was found in a Puget Sound beach zone. Necropsy indicated the fish was infected with bacterial kidney disease (KD). This is the first report of KD from a wild fish in the marine environment.", "PMID": 633510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9898", "title": "Vascular damage caused by Cruorifilaria tuberocauda in the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris).", "content": "Infection with Cruorifilaria tuberocauda caused vascular damage in the kidneys, lungs and heart of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). The most significant lesions observed were in the renal and pulmonary arteries. They consisted of villous endarteritis, intimal and medial hypertrophy of the vessel walls, and large rugose protuberances that encroached upon the lumen leading to pyramidal infarcts in the kidneys. Coronary vascular lesions were related to dead and calcified parasites.", "contents": "Vascular damage caused by Cruorifilaria tuberocauda in the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Infection with Cruorifilaria tuberocauda caused vascular damage in the kidneys, lungs and heart of the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). The most significant lesions observed were in the renal and pulmonary arteries. They consisted of villous endarteritis, intimal and medial hypertrophy of the vessel walls, and large rugose protuberances that encroached upon the lumen leading to pyramidal infarcts in the kidneys. Coronary vascular lesions were related to dead and calcified parasites.", "PMID": 633511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9899", "title": "Bacteria induced shell disease of lobsters (Homarus americanus).", "content": "Chitin degrading species of bacteria in the genera Pseudomonas, Vibrio, and Beneckea were cultured from the lesions of lobsters (Homarus americanus) with a shell disease. A species of bacterium of the genus Vibrio (Beneckea) produced necrosis characteristics of shell disease in experimental lobsters when the integument had been damaged prior to inoculation.", "contents": "Bacteria induced shell disease of lobsters (Homarus americanus). Chitin degrading species of bacteria in the genera Pseudomonas, Vibrio, and Beneckea were cultured from the lesions of lobsters (Homarus americanus) with a shell disease. A species of bacterium of the genus Vibrio (Beneckea) produced necrosis characteristics of shell disease in experimental lobsters when the integument had been damaged prior to inoculation.", "PMID": 633512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9900", "title": "Laboratory observations on the insusceptibility of raccoons to Dirofilaria immitis.", "content": "Two raccoons, Procyon lotor, were exposed to Dirofilaria immitis by subcutaneous injection of infective third stage larvae obtained from experimentally-infected Aedes trivittatus. Nematodes were not recovered from either raccoon when examined at necropsy 223 and 254 days postexposure. Large numbers of adult D. immitis were found in six dogs used as controls. These data indicate that raccoons cannot support the development of D. immitis.", "contents": "Laboratory observations on the insusceptibility of raccoons to Dirofilaria immitis. Two raccoons, Procyon lotor, were exposed to Dirofilaria immitis by subcutaneous injection of infective third stage larvae obtained from experimentally-infected Aedes trivittatus. Nematodes were not recovered from either raccoon when examined at necropsy 223 and 254 days postexposure. Large numbers of adult D. immitis were found in six dogs used as controls. These data indicate that raccoons cannot support the development of D. immitis.", "PMID": 633513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9901", "title": "Coccidia of whooping cranes.", "content": "Coccidial oocysts were observed in 6 of 19 fecal samples from free-ranging whooping cranes (Grus americana) and 4 of 16 samples from captive whooping cranes. Eimeria gruis occurred in four free-ranging whooping cranes and E. reichenowi in two free-ranging and two captive whooping cranes. Fecal samples from two captive cranes contained oocysts of Isospora lacazei which was considered a spurious parasite. Oocysts of both species of Eimeria were prevalent in fecal samples collected from three free-ranging Canadian sandhill cranes (G. canadensis rowani) from whooping crane wintering grounds in Texas. These coccidia were prevalent also in fecal samples from 14 sandhill cranes (of 4 subspecies) maintained in captivity at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland.", "contents": "Coccidia of whooping cranes. Coccidial oocysts were observed in 6 of 19 fecal samples from free-ranging whooping cranes (Grus americana) and 4 of 16 samples from captive whooping cranes. Eimeria gruis occurred in four free-ranging whooping cranes and E. reichenowi in two free-ranging and two captive whooping cranes. Fecal samples from two captive cranes contained oocysts of Isospora lacazei which was considered a spurious parasite. Oocysts of both species of Eimeria were prevalent in fecal samples collected from three free-ranging Canadian sandhill cranes (G. canadensis rowani) from whooping crane wintering grounds in Texas. These coccidia were prevalent also in fecal samples from 14 sandhill cranes (of 4 subspecies) maintained in captivity at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland.", "PMID": 633514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9902", "title": "Vulnerability of bot fly (Cuterebra) infected Peromyscus maniculatus to shorttail weasel predation in the laboratory.", "content": "In the laboratory, Peromyscus bearing a single Cuterebra larva are no more vulnerable to weasel predation than are uninfected control mice, and may be taken less often under certain conditions. Mice bearing two or more larvae appear to be more vulnerable than either controls or singly infected mice. Their increased vulnerability probably results from their failure to use arboreal pathways. Decreased activity may be responsible for the relative advantage of singly infected mice. Previous reports of higher survivorship among mice with a single bot parasite than among uninfected mice, and of lower survivorship among multiply infected mice, may result in part from differential predation rates.", "contents": "Vulnerability of bot fly (Cuterebra) infected Peromyscus maniculatus to shorttail weasel predation in the laboratory. In the laboratory, Peromyscus bearing a single Cuterebra larva are no more vulnerable to weasel predation than are uninfected control mice, and may be taken less often under certain conditions. Mice bearing two or more larvae appear to be more vulnerable than either controls or singly infected mice. Their increased vulnerability probably results from their failure to use arboreal pathways. Decreased activity may be responsible for the relative advantage of singly infected mice. Previous reports of higher survivorship among mice with a single bot parasite than among uninfected mice, and of lower survivorship among multiply infected mice, may result in part from differential predation rates.", "PMID": 633515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9903", "title": "Degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive kangaroo (Macropus giganteus).", "content": "Myocardial degeneration and necrosis in an adult female Australian kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) are described. The animal was housed in a zoo at Kano, Nigeria for approximately five years before death. This is believed to be the first reported case of degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive marsupial in Nigeria.", "contents": "Degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). Myocardial degeneration and necrosis in an adult female Australian kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) are described. The animal was housed in a zoo at Kano, Nigeria for approximately five years before death. This is believed to be the first reported case of degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive marsupial in Nigeria.", "PMID": 633516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9904", "title": "Bot fly myiasis of the cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus in Virginia with some biology of the parasite, Cuterebra buccata.", "content": "Twenty four percent of 2,643 cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) collected in Virginia from 1949-1975 showed evidence of Cuterebra parasitism. Occurrence was seasonal with greatest prevalence from July to November. Some Oryctolagus cuniculus, S. palustris and one S. transitionalis also showed Cuterebra myiasis. Juvenile rabbits had higher infection rates (28%) than did adult rabbits 14.5%, P less than .001). Juveniles had greater numbers of larvae per host than adults, with means of 2.14 and 1.62, respectively. Larval development sites were in the genital region of most hosts. Twenty flies reared from wild cottontails were identified as C. buccata. Duration of induced infections in Oryctalagus was 30-33 days. Minimal generation time for C. buccata is concluded to be 11 weeks, allowing up to four generations of flies to occur annually in the southern and one generation to occur in the northern distributional limits of this bot fly. Peromyscus hosts were refractory to C. buccata infections. C. buccata fecundity averaged 1316 eggs. Field observations of adult flies are described.", "contents": "Bot fly myiasis of the cottontail rabbit, Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus in Virginia with some biology of the parasite, Cuterebra buccata. Twenty four percent of 2,643 cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) collected in Virginia from 1949-1975 showed evidence of Cuterebra parasitism. Occurrence was seasonal with greatest prevalence from July to November. Some Oryctolagus cuniculus, S. palustris and one S. transitionalis also showed Cuterebra myiasis. Juvenile rabbits had higher infection rates (28%) than did adult rabbits 14.5%, P less than .001). Juveniles had greater numbers of larvae per host than adults, with means of 2.14 and 1.62, respectively. Larval development sites were in the genital region of most hosts. Twenty flies reared from wild cottontails were identified as C. buccata. Duration of induced infections in Oryctalagus was 30-33 days. Minimal generation time for C. buccata is concluded to be 11 weeks, allowing up to four generations of flies to occur annually in the southern and one generation to occur in the northern distributional limits of this bot fly. Peromyscus hosts were refractory to C. buccata infections. C. buccata fecundity averaged 1316 eggs. Field observations of adult flies are described.", "PMID": 633518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9905", "title": "Blood parasites of some birds from Senegal.", "content": "A total of 809 birds from Senegal, including 43 species and 21 families, were examined for hematozoans; 93 birds (11.5%) harbored blood parasites, with only 7 (7.5%) harboring mixed infections. Species of Haemoproteus occurred in 81.7% of the infected birds while species of Plasmodium. Trypanosoma, microfilaria and Leucocytozoon were encountered less frequently. The majority of the sample was composed of species of ploceids and estrildidis and blood parasites were most prevalent in the colonial-nesting ploceids. Prevalence of blood parasites in Senegal was low in comparison to that seen in birds from other parts of Africa.", "contents": "Blood parasites of some birds from Senegal. A total of 809 birds from Senegal, including 43 species and 21 families, were examined for hematozoans; 93 birds (11.5%) harbored blood parasites, with only 7 (7.5%) harboring mixed infections. Species of Haemoproteus occurred in 81.7% of the infected birds while species of Plasmodium. Trypanosoma, microfilaria and Leucocytozoon were encountered less frequently. The majority of the sample was composed of species of ploceids and estrildidis and blood parasites were most prevalent in the colonial-nesting ploceids. Prevalence of blood parasites in Senegal was low in comparison to that seen in birds from other parts of Africa.", "PMID": 633519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9906", "title": "Hematologic comparisons of shot and live trapped cottontail rabbits.", "content": "Comparisons were made between hematologic measurements of shot and box-trapped cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Trapped rabbits had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher serum corticoid levels and segmented neutrophil percentages and significantly (P less than 0.001) lower lymphocyte percentages than did shot rabbits. Trapped rabbits also had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher packed cell volumes and blood urea nitrogen values than did shot rabbits.", "contents": "Hematologic comparisons of shot and live trapped cottontail rabbits. Comparisons were made between hematologic measurements of shot and box-trapped cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Trapped rabbits had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher serum corticoid levels and segmented neutrophil percentages and significantly (P less than 0.001) lower lymphocyte percentages than did shot rabbits. Trapped rabbits also had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher packed cell volumes and blood urea nitrogen values than did shot rabbits.", "PMID": 633520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9907", "title": "Prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in white-tailed deer from New Hampshire.", "content": "Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was found in 79 (62.2%) of 127 white-tailed deer heads (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in New Hampshire. Prevalence of infection was higher in fawns and male deer, but older female deer (5.0 + years) had a higher intensity of infection (3.1) than any other age or sex class. Male deer in forest cover type 2 (northern hardwoods-hemlock-white pine) had a significantly greater prevalence of infection than the females in the same habitat (P less than .05). Adult females had a higher prevalence of infection (67.0%) than female fawns (20%) in forest cover type 1 (spruce-fir-northern hardwoods). In the craniums examined, P. tenuis was found most frequently in the tentorium cerebelli (23.6%) while the falx cerebri, the most prevalent site of infection in fawns, was a significantly less frequent site of infection in older deer (P less than .02). Male deer of age class 3.5 years had a significantly higher rate of infection in the dura mater-olfactory lobe than any other age or sex group (P less than .02). The cavernous sinus was the most frequent site of parasitism in male fawns (25.0%) and was the second most common location in all deer (13.4%).", "contents": "Prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in white-tailed deer from New Hampshire. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis was found in 79 (62.2%) of 127 white-tailed deer heads (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in New Hampshire. Prevalence of infection was higher in fawns and male deer, but older female deer (5.0 + years) had a higher intensity of infection (3.1) than any other age or sex class. Male deer in forest cover type 2 (northern hardwoods-hemlock-white pine) had a significantly greater prevalence of infection than the females in the same habitat (P less than .05). Adult females had a higher prevalence of infection (67.0%) than female fawns (20%) in forest cover type 1 (spruce-fir-northern hardwoods). In the craniums examined, P. tenuis was found most frequently in the tentorium cerebelli (23.6%) while the falx cerebri, the most prevalent site of infection in fawns, was a significantly less frequent site of infection in older deer (P less than .02). Male deer of age class 3.5 years had a significantly higher rate of infection in the dura mater-olfactory lobe than any other age or sex group (P less than .02). The cavernous sinus was the most frequent site of parasitism in male fawns (25.0%) and was the second most common location in all deer (13.4%).", "PMID": 633521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9908", "title": "Ecto- and endoparasites of the black bear in northern Wisconsin.", "content": "Parasites collected from free-ranging black bears, Ursus americanus, in northern Wisconsin included Dermacentor variabilis, D. albipictus, Ixodes scapularis, Demodex sp., Trichodectes pinguis euarctidos, Baylisascaris transfuga and Dirofilaria ursi. Mange, possibly caused by the Demodex sp., also was observed. Dental caries were common and periodontal disease was observed in one animal.", "contents": "Ecto- and endoparasites of the black bear in northern Wisconsin. Parasites collected from free-ranging black bears, Ursus americanus, in northern Wisconsin included Dermacentor variabilis, D. albipictus, Ixodes scapularis, Demodex sp., Trichodectes pinguis euarctidos, Baylisascaris transfuga and Dirofilaria ursi. Mange, possibly caused by the Demodex sp., also was observed. Dental caries were common and periodontal disease was observed in one animal.", "PMID": 633522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9909", "title": "Detoxification of 1,024 alcoholic patients without psychoactive drugs.", "content": "Most community-referred, ambulatory chronic alcoholics can be detoxified quickly and safety without the use of psychoactive drugs, according to our data. We believe such detoxification can be done most efficiently in a social setting, with the aid of a staff who will provide reassurance and reality orientation and who will monitor the patients' vital signs, general condition, and any specific problems.", "contents": "Detoxification of 1,024 alcoholic patients without psychoactive drugs. Most community-referred, ambulatory chronic alcoholics can be detoxified quickly and safety without the use of psychoactive drugs, according to our data. We believe such detoxification can be done most efficiently in a social setting, with the aid of a staff who will provide reassurance and reality orientation and who will monitor the patients' vital signs, general condition, and any specific problems.", "PMID": 633543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9910", "title": "Patient-physician negotiation.", "content": "The low level of patient compliance with physician management regimens is widely recognized. Although numerous studies either have measured levels of noncompliance or have attempted to fathom the essential elements of patient-physician interaction, they do not indicate how complicance may be increased. Negotiation is a process by which two active and equal participants negotiate to obtain their respective goals (which are often at odds). Without appropriate negotiation, which requires the patient's active participation, the physician cannot hope to motivate the patient. Patients will continue to be noncompliant as long as they are treated as inferiors in the process.", "contents": "Patient-physician negotiation. The low level of patient compliance with physician management regimens is widely recognized. Although numerous studies either have measured levels of noncompliance or have attempted to fathom the essential elements of patient-physician interaction, they do not indicate how complicance may be increased. Negotiation is a process by which two active and equal participants negotiate to obtain their respective goals (which are often at odds). Without appropriate negotiation, which requires the patient's active participation, the physician cannot hope to motivate the patient. Patients will continue to be noncompliant as long as they are treated as inferiors in the process.", "PMID": 633544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9911", "title": "Psoriatic spondylitis. Association with advanced nongranulomatous upper lobe pulmonary fibrosis.", "content": "We describe the case of a patient with psoriasis, peripheral and axial arthropathy, and upper lobe fibrosis. This association of findings has not, to the best of our knowledge, been described in the past. Pulmonary fibrosis is not found to be more common in people with psoriasis than would be expected in a control Veterans Administration population and, while this association may be coincidental, pulmonary fibrosis in psoriatic spondylitis should be searched for in other patients.", "contents": "Psoriatic spondylitis. Association with advanced nongranulomatous upper lobe pulmonary fibrosis. We describe the case of a patient with psoriasis, peripheral and axial arthropathy, and upper lobe fibrosis. This association of findings has not, to the best of our knowledge, been described in the past. Pulmonary fibrosis is not found to be more common in people with psoriasis than would be expected in a control Veterans Administration population and, while this association may be coincidental, pulmonary fibrosis in psoriatic spondylitis should be searched for in other patients.", "PMID": 633545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9912", "title": "Patient participation in a hypertension control program. Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program Cooperative Group.", "content": "In the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program, the largest standardized hypertension detection, follow-up, and treatment program to date in the United States, participation rates have been high at all stages. More than 75% of those with suspected hypertension at screening attended follow-up rescreening, and more than 80% of the 5,314 hypertensive patients assigned to program treatment remained active at the end of one year. Differences in participation rates were generally small. To accomplish this, intensive efforts were required to maximize attendance, and the program was shaped to reduce known barriers to initial attendance and long-term adherence. Against the background of a high overall program response rate for all sex-race groups, factors that might be associated with variations in response were examined: age, socioeconomic characteristics, health status, and appointment schedule.", "contents": "Patient participation in a hypertension control program. Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program Cooperative Group. In the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program, the largest standardized hypertension detection, follow-up, and treatment program to date in the United States, participation rates have been high at all stages. More than 75% of those with suspected hypertension at screening attended follow-up rescreening, and more than 80% of the 5,314 hypertensive patients assigned to program treatment remained active at the end of one year. Differences in participation rates were generally small. To accomplish this, intensive efforts were required to maximize attendance, and the program was shaped to reduce known barriers to initial attendance and long-term adherence. Against the background of a high overall program response rate for all sex-race groups, factors that might be associated with variations in response were examined: age, socioeconomic characteristics, health status, and appointment schedule.", "PMID": 633560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9913", "title": "Retinal hemorrhages in subacute carbon monoxide poisoning. Exposures in homes with blocked furnace flues.", "content": "Three incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning occurred owing to defective heating systems. Twelve persons were affected; of these, three lost their lives. Because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning closely resemble flu and other common illnesses, correct diagnosis was not made as promptly as it might have been. Hemorrhages were found in the nerve fiber layer of the retina in all five of the patients who had been exposed for more than 12 hours. It is our contention, therefore, that complete examination of the patient should always include ohthalmoscopy, and that the finding of retinal hemorrhages, in addition to nausea, headache, and dizziness, should aler the physician to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.", "contents": "Retinal hemorrhages in subacute carbon monoxide poisoning. Exposures in homes with blocked furnace flues. Three incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning occurred owing to defective heating systems. Twelve persons were affected; of these, three lost their lives. Because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning closely resemble flu and other common illnesses, correct diagnosis was not made as promptly as it might have been. Hemorrhages were found in the nerve fiber layer of the retina in all five of the patients who had been exposed for more than 12 hours. It is our contention, therefore, that complete examination of the patient should always include ohthalmoscopy, and that the finding of retinal hemorrhages, in addition to nausea, headache, and dizziness, should aler the physician to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.", "PMID": 633561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9914", "title": "International comparison of prevalence of resistance to antibiotics.", "content": "Prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics was found to be substantially different in two separate regions of the world. The average percent resistant to individual antibiotics was nearly three times greater, and the percent of isolates resistant to six or more antibiotics 14 times greater among isolates at the H\u00f4pital St Joseph in Paris than among those at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston or at any of six US hospitals. Differences were not due to culture sampling or susceptibility testing methods used in the hospitals. Differences were nearly as great between isolates from patients recently admitted to the two hospitals, suggesting differences in the bacterial flora of their communities. Similar systematic comparisons of resistance prevalence in different parts of the world might help to define optimal antibiotic usage practices.", "contents": "International comparison of prevalence of resistance to antibiotics. Prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics was found to be substantially different in two separate regions of the world. The average percent resistant to individual antibiotics was nearly three times greater, and the percent of isolates resistant to six or more antibiotics 14 times greater among isolates at the H\u00f4pital St Joseph in Paris than among those at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston or at any of six US hospitals. Differences were not due to culture sampling or susceptibility testing methods used in the hospitals. Differences were nearly as great between isolates from patients recently admitted to the two hospitals, suggesting differences in the bacterial flora of their communities. Similar systematic comparisons of resistance prevalence in different parts of the world might help to define optimal antibiotic usage practices.", "PMID": 633562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9915", "title": "Mycobacterium gordonae infection of a prosthetic aortic valve.", "content": "A patient prviously suspected of having a mycobacterial infection was found to have a Mycobacterium gordonae infection of his prosthetic aortic valve. Following replacement of his infected prosthesis and systemic therapy for two years, the patient has apparently been cured.", "contents": "Mycobacterium gordonae infection of a prosthetic aortic valve. A patient prviously suspected of having a mycobacterial infection was found to have a Mycobacterium gordonae infection of his prosthetic aortic valve. Following replacement of his infected prosthesis and systemic therapy for two years, the patient has apparently been cured.", "PMID": 633563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9916", "title": "Retroperitoneal bleeding hemodialysis patients. A cause for morbidity and mortality.", "content": "Retroperitoneal bleeding in hemodialysis patients has been rearely reported. The diagnosis of this entity in the nondialysis patient is difficult, and factors such as chronic anemia and hypotensive episodes during hemodialysis are adding difficulty to the early diagnosis and therapeutic approach. A patient receiving long-term hemodialysis anticoagulation therapy had retroperitoneal bleeding and died without having his condition diagnosed: the retroperitoneal bleeding was masked by other events occurring during hemodialysis.", "contents": "Retroperitoneal bleeding hemodialysis patients. A cause for morbidity and mortality. Retroperitoneal bleeding in hemodialysis patients has been rearely reported. The diagnosis of this entity in the nondialysis patient is difficult, and factors such as chronic anemia and hypotensive episodes during hemodialysis are adding difficulty to the early diagnosis and therapeutic approach. A patient receiving long-term hemodialysis anticoagulation therapy had retroperitoneal bleeding and died without having his condition diagnosed: the retroperitoneal bleeding was masked by other events occurring during hemodialysis.", "PMID": 633564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9917", "title": "Contemporary use of the disease concept.", "content": "Six measures were used to assay the degree to which physicians endorsed the disease concept in their practice of ambulatory medicine. For each measure, two series of data were generated: one for patients receiving antihypertensive medication and one for patients receiving psychotropic medication. The disease concept was endorsed by only four of six measures for the patients receiving antihypertensive medication, and it was not endorsed by any of the six measures when patients receiving psychotropic medications were studied. Within the limits of this study, it is concluded that the disease concept is not generally endorsed by physicians.", "contents": "Contemporary use of the disease concept. Six measures were used to assay the degree to which physicians endorsed the disease concept in their practice of ambulatory medicine. For each measure, two series of data were generated: one for patients receiving antihypertensive medication and one for patients receiving psychotropic medication. The disease concept was endorsed by only four of six measures for the patients receiving antihypertensive medication, and it was not endorsed by any of the six measures when patients receiving psychotropic medications were studied. Within the limits of this study, it is concluded that the disease concept is not generally endorsed by physicians.", "PMID": 633575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9918", "title": "Estriol in the management of the menopause.", "content": "Estriol was administered for a six-month period as estrogen replacement therapy to 52 symptomatic postmenopausal women. Assays of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrone, and estradiol were performed before and during therapy. During this period of administration, vaginal cytology, cervical mucus, and endometrial studies were performed. Clinical effectiveness was directly related to dosage (2 to 8 mg/day). Estriol (8 mg/day) failed to induce endometrial proliferation and proved a poor suppressor of FSH and LH. This agent's capacity to relieve vasomotor instability and improve vaginal maturation without notable side effects is sufficient reason to include this drug in the management of the postmenopausal syndrome.", "contents": "Estriol in the management of the menopause. Estriol was administered for a six-month period as estrogen replacement therapy to 52 symptomatic postmenopausal women. Assays of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrone, and estradiol were performed before and during therapy. During this period of administration, vaginal cytology, cervical mucus, and endometrial studies were performed. Clinical effectiveness was directly related to dosage (2 to 8 mg/day). Estriol (8 mg/day) failed to induce endometrial proliferation and proved a poor suppressor of FSH and LH. This agent's capacity to relieve vasomotor instability and improve vaginal maturation without notable side effects is sufficient reason to include this drug in the management of the postmenopausal syndrome.", "PMID": 633576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9919", "title": "M-mode ultrasonic localization of pleural effusion. Use in patients with nondiagnostic physical and roentgenographic examinations.", "content": "Fifty patients had nondiagnostic physical and roentgenographic examinations and were believed at high risk for exploratory thoracentesis. Negative echograms for pleural fluid were recorded for 13 patients. For 34 patients, the characteristic M-mode display of a central echo-free space, indicative of pleural fluid, was recorded. Aspiration yielded fluid that was localized by echography in 30 (88%). Of the 30 patients, 13 (43%) had normal lateral decubitus views, and 10 (33%) had experienced unsuccessful aspiration before ultrasound localized the fluid loculation. The remaining seven patients, including three receiving mechanical ventilation who were believed to have increased risk for thoracentesis had successful initial tap based on echographic localization of fluid. Ultrasound allows detection and localization of pleural fluid when roentgenographic and physical diagnostic means are not helpful.", "contents": "M-mode ultrasonic localization of pleural effusion. Use in patients with nondiagnostic physical and roentgenographic examinations. Fifty patients had nondiagnostic physical and roentgenographic examinations and were believed at high risk for exploratory thoracentesis. Negative echograms for pleural fluid were recorded for 13 patients. For 34 patients, the characteristic M-mode display of a central echo-free space, indicative of pleural fluid, was recorded. Aspiration yielded fluid that was localized by echography in 30 (88%). Of the 30 patients, 13 (43%) had normal lateral decubitus views, and 10 (33%) had experienced unsuccessful aspiration before ultrasound localized the fluid loculation. The remaining seven patients, including three receiving mechanical ventilation who were believed to have increased risk for thoracentesis had successful initial tap based on echographic localization of fluid. Ultrasound allows detection and localization of pleural fluid when roentgenographic and physical diagnostic means are not helpful.", "PMID": 633585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9920", "title": "Childhood trachoma in a nonendemic area. Danish trachoma patients and their close contacts, 1963 to 1973.", "content": "During ten years of study of Chlamydia trachomatis eye infections, trachoma was diagnosed in 14 Danish patients with onset during childhood. Clinical findings in the eye were characteristic of classical trachoma. The infecting C trachomatis immunotype was identified in all but one case. At the time of diagnosis, seven patients were still children (6 to 10 years of age), three were teenagers, and four were adults. In five young girls the disease was extremely severe. Delay in proper diagnosis and adequate therapy contributed to the prolongation and severity of the disease. Failure to diagnose is attributed to widespread opinion and teaching of physicians in Western countries that trachoma eye disease has disappeared. Studies of family members and other contacts of the patients contributed to an understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. The source of initial eye infection with C trachomatis organisms in these cases was thought to be the birth canal. It was further postulated that reinfection of the eyes of these children occurred either from a reservoir in their own or their mother's genital tract.", "contents": "Childhood trachoma in a nonendemic area. Danish trachoma patients and their close contacts, 1963 to 1973. During ten years of study of Chlamydia trachomatis eye infections, trachoma was diagnosed in 14 Danish patients with onset during childhood. Clinical findings in the eye were characteristic of classical trachoma. The infecting C trachomatis immunotype was identified in all but one case. At the time of diagnosis, seven patients were still children (6 to 10 years of age), three were teenagers, and four were adults. In five young girls the disease was extremely severe. Delay in proper diagnosis and adequate therapy contributed to the prolongation and severity of the disease. Failure to diagnose is attributed to widespread opinion and teaching of physicians in Western countries that trachoma eye disease has disappeared. Studies of family members and other contacts of the patients contributed to an understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. The source of initial eye infection with C trachomatis organisms in these cases was thought to be the birth canal. It was further postulated that reinfection of the eyes of these children occurred either from a reservoir in their own or their mother's genital tract.", "PMID": 633586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9921", "title": "Conversion of external arteriovenous hemodialysis shunt to internal fistula.", "content": "The preservation of arteriovenous (AV) access site is important to long-term survival of patient's requiring maintenance hemodialysis life-support therapy. Patients with chronic renal failure and uremia who are not suited for immediate application of a subcutaneous AV fistula or arteriovenous graft and who require an initial Teflon-Silastic AV shunt to initiate urgent hemodialysis need not lose these vessels when the AV shunt is removed. After venous maturation, these patients should have a subcutaneous AV fistula created from the uninfected, unclotted shunt before infection or clotting would cause loss of these vessels.", "contents": "Conversion of external arteriovenous hemodialysis shunt to internal fistula. The preservation of arteriovenous (AV) access site is important to long-term survival of patient's requiring maintenance hemodialysis life-support therapy. Patients with chronic renal failure and uremia who are not suited for immediate application of a subcutaneous AV fistula or arteriovenous graft and who require an initial Teflon-Silastic AV shunt to initiate urgent hemodialysis need not lose these vessels when the AV shunt is removed. After venous maturation, these patients should have a subcutaneous AV fistula created from the uninfected, unclotted shunt before infection or clotting would cause loss of these vessels.", "PMID": 633587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9922", "title": "Pathogenesis and treatment of angina pectoris at rest as seen from its response to various drugs.", "content": "To twenty six patients with angina at rest (including 13 patients with Prinzmetal's variant angina), propranolol 40--50 mg, dilitiazem 60--90 mg, dipyridamole 50 mg, atropine sulfate 0.6 mg and phenoxybenzamine 10--20 mg were given at 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. (except phenoxybenzamine which was given only at 9:00 p.m.) to examine the effect of these drugs on the attack. Propranolol was not only ineffective in suppressing the attack but rather tended to aggravate it in all the cases of Prinzmetal's variant angina. It was effective to some degree in 5 of 13 cases of angina at rest other than Prinzmetal's variant angina. Diltiazem suppressed the attack completely and dramatically in all the cases of angina at rest (including Prinzmetal's variant angina). Dipyridamole was ineffective in all the cases except one in suppressing the attack. Atropine sulfate and phenoxybenzamine suppressed the attack in 13 of 21 cases and in 6 of 12 cases respectively. Coronary arteriography was done before and after the intravenous administration of 10 mg of diltiazem in 8 patients and it was demonstrated that diltiazem dilates large coronary arteries in all these patients. It is concluded that diltiazem, a calcium antagonistic drug, is specifically effective in suppressing the attack of angina at rest by dilating large coronary arteries and that the autonomic nervous system plays a role in the genesis of the attack probably by constricting large coronary arteries by way of alpha adrenergic receptors.", "contents": "Pathogenesis and treatment of angina pectoris at rest as seen from its response to various drugs. To twenty six patients with angina at rest (including 13 patients with Prinzmetal's variant angina), propranolol 40--50 mg, dilitiazem 60--90 mg, dipyridamole 50 mg, atropine sulfate 0.6 mg and phenoxybenzamine 10--20 mg were given at 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. (except phenoxybenzamine which was given only at 9:00 p.m.) to examine the effect of these drugs on the attack. Propranolol was not only ineffective in suppressing the attack but rather tended to aggravate it in all the cases of Prinzmetal's variant angina. It was effective to some degree in 5 of 13 cases of angina at rest other than Prinzmetal's variant angina. Diltiazem suppressed the attack completely and dramatically in all the cases of angina at rest (including Prinzmetal's variant angina). Dipyridamole was ineffective in all the cases except one in suppressing the attack. Atropine sulfate and phenoxybenzamine suppressed the attack in 13 of 21 cases and in 6 of 12 cases respectively. Coronary arteriography was done before and after the intravenous administration of 10 mg of diltiazem in 8 patients and it was demonstrated that diltiazem dilates large coronary arteries in all these patients. It is concluded that diltiazem, a calcium antagonistic drug, is specifically effective in suppressing the attack of angina at rest by dilating large coronary arteries and that the autonomic nervous system plays a role in the genesis of the attack probably by constricting large coronary arteries by way of alpha adrenergic receptors.", "PMID": 633593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9923", "title": "Left ventricular performance in various heart diseases with or without heart failure:--an appraisal by quantitative one-plane cineangiocardiography.", "content": "Quantitative one-plane cineangiocardiography in right anterior oblique position for evaluation of LV performance was carried out in 62 patients with various heart diseases and in 13 subjects with normal LV. Parameters for evaluating both pump and muscle performances were derived from volume and pressure measurements. Of 31 patients with either systolic hypertension or LV myocardial diseases (coronary artery disease or idiopathic cardiomyopathy), 14 had clinical evidence of LV failure before the study. It was found that mean VCF and EF were most sensitive indicators of impaired LV performance among the various parameters. There was a close correlation between mean VCF and EF, yet discordant changes of both parameters were noted in some patients. Furthermore, wall motion abnormalities were not infrequently observed in patients with coronary artery disease or primary cardiomyopathy. Therefore, assessment of at least three ejection properties (EF, mean VCF and wall motion abnormalities) are considered to be essential for full understanding of derangement of LV function in heart disease. This is especially true of patients with coronary artery disease. LV behavior in relation to different pathological stresses or lesions, such as chronic pressure or volume load, myocardial disease and mitral stenosis, was also studied and possible cause of impaired LV myocardial function in mitral stenosis was discussed.", "contents": "Left ventricular performance in various heart diseases with or without heart failure:--an appraisal by quantitative one-plane cineangiocardiography. Quantitative one-plane cineangiocardiography in right anterior oblique position for evaluation of LV performance was carried out in 62 patients with various heart diseases and in 13 subjects with normal LV. Parameters for evaluating both pump and muscle performances were derived from volume and pressure measurements. Of 31 patients with either systolic hypertension or LV myocardial diseases (coronary artery disease or idiopathic cardiomyopathy), 14 had clinical evidence of LV failure before the study. It was found that mean VCF and EF were most sensitive indicators of impaired LV performance among the various parameters. There was a close correlation between mean VCF and EF, yet discordant changes of both parameters were noted in some patients. Furthermore, wall motion abnormalities were not infrequently observed in patients with coronary artery disease or primary cardiomyopathy. Therefore, assessment of at least three ejection properties (EF, mean VCF and wall motion abnormalities) are considered to be essential for full understanding of derangement of LV function in heart disease. This is especially true of patients with coronary artery disease. LV behavior in relation to different pathological stresses or lesions, such as chronic pressure or volume load, myocardial disease and mitral stenosis, was also studied and possible cause of impaired LV myocardial function in mitral stenosis was discussed.", "PMID": 633594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9924", "title": "Significance of measurement of antihyaluronidase activity in rheumatic fever.", "content": "In recent years, rheumatic fever seems to have decreased but rheumatic heart disease with latent onset appears to persist in similar frequency. Measurement of AH along with ASO is required in rheumatic heart disease with latent onset, for more definite diagnosis, therapy and suggestion for the mode of living. For the diagnosis of rheumatic fever in acute stage, serological reactions for hemolytic streptococcus other than ASO should be done along with ASO. In our cases, ASO titer was high in 84.5% of cases, but either ASO or AH titer was elevated indicating positive reaction for hemolytic streptococcus in 100% of cases.", "contents": "Significance of measurement of antihyaluronidase activity in rheumatic fever. In recent years, rheumatic fever seems to have decreased but rheumatic heart disease with latent onset appears to persist in similar frequency. Measurement of AH along with ASO is required in rheumatic heart disease with latent onset, for more definite diagnosis, therapy and suggestion for the mode of living. For the diagnosis of rheumatic fever in acute stage, serological reactions for hemolytic streptococcus other than ASO should be done along with ASO. In our cases, ASO titer was high in 84.5% of cases, but either ASO or AH titer was elevated indicating positive reaction for hemolytic streptococcus in 100% of cases.", "PMID": 633595} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9925", "title": "Cellular immunity in rheumatic heart disease.", "content": "Cellular immunity to non-specific antigens (PPD, Candida albicans, and streptococcal antigens) and mitogen (PHA) was investigated in patients with valvular heart disease of rheumatic origin. The result disclosed that lowered response in cellular immunity exists in these patients. The possible significance of this finding in occurrence of rheumatic activity was discussed.", "contents": "Cellular immunity in rheumatic heart disease. Cellular immunity to non-specific antigens (PPD, Candida albicans, and streptococcal antigens) and mitogen (PHA) was investigated in patients with valvular heart disease of rheumatic origin. The result disclosed that lowered response in cellular immunity exists in these patients. The possible significance of this finding in occurrence of rheumatic activity was discussed.", "PMID": 633596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9926", "title": "Experimental Coxsackie virus B-3 and B-4 myocarditis in mice.", "content": "Mice were inoculated with recently isolated Coxsackie virus B-3 and B-4 intraperitoneally. Severest lesions in the hearts were observed in mice between the age of 7 and 14 days. Grossly yellow-white patches were seen on the hearts of mice from the 7th day to the 6th month after virus inoculation. Microscopically, the heart showed extensive myocardial necrosis, inflammation with small mononuclear cells and calcification on the day of 7. There were myocardial fibrosis and calcification at the 6th month after inoculation with Coxsackie virus B-3, and at the 3rd month after inoculation with Coxsackie virus B-4, but generally pathologic changes were less severe in the latter. Myocardial fibrosis in the present experiment was most prominent among the experiments we have studied. It was confirmed that chronic myocardial fibrosis follows acute Coxsackie virus myocarditis in mice. Possible role of Coxsackie virus myocarditis in the development of cardiomyopathy was briefly discussed.", "contents": "Experimental Coxsackie virus B-3 and B-4 myocarditis in mice. Mice were inoculated with recently isolated Coxsackie virus B-3 and B-4 intraperitoneally. Severest lesions in the hearts were observed in mice between the age of 7 and 14 days. Grossly yellow-white patches were seen on the hearts of mice from the 7th day to the 6th month after virus inoculation. Microscopically, the heart showed extensive myocardial necrosis, inflammation with small mononuclear cells and calcification on the day of 7. There were myocardial fibrosis and calcification at the 6th month after inoculation with Coxsackie virus B-3, and at the 3rd month after inoculation with Coxsackie virus B-4, but generally pathologic changes were less severe in the latter. Myocardial fibrosis in the present experiment was most prominent among the experiments we have studied. It was confirmed that chronic myocardial fibrosis follows acute Coxsackie virus myocarditis in mice. Possible role of Coxsackie virus myocarditis in the development of cardiomyopathy was briefly discussed.", "PMID": 633597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9927", "title": "Trial of a new cardiac mass screening system in school children: use of portable computer system for heart sound and electrocardiogram--a preliminary report.", "content": "A portable system for heart screening in school children is deviced and the results of a trial of this machine were reported. This computerized system analyses electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram of school children within two minutes, print out the abnormal codes and simultaneously record the electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram by the visicoder. This system was tried for the primary heart screening in 1,618 pupils and for the secondary heart screening in 372 students. The results were considered to be satisfactory as a primary as well as a secondary heart screening system from the view points of the reliability, the economical condition and the time-saving of the pediatric cardiologist.", "contents": "Trial of a new cardiac mass screening system in school children: use of portable computer system for heart sound and electrocardiogram--a preliminary report. A portable system for heart screening in school children is deviced and the results of a trial of this machine were reported. This computerized system analyses electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram of school children within two minutes, print out the abnormal codes and simultaneously record the electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram by the visicoder. This system was tried for the primary heart screening in 1,618 pupils and for the secondary heart screening in 372 students. The results were considered to be satisfactory as a primary as well as a secondary heart screening system from the view points of the reliability, the economical condition and the time-saving of the pediatric cardiologist.", "PMID": 633598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9928", "title": "[Experimental and clinical study of WPW syndrome--detection of preexcitation site through the use of body surface maps (author's transl)].", "content": "The purpose of this experimental and clinical study was to evaluate the utility of body surface maps in detecting the preexcitation site of WPW syndrome. By using the electrical bypass tract, the electrocardiographic patterns of WPW syndrome were simulated by the fusion beat between pre- and normal excitation of the in situ canine ventricle. A comparison was made between the body surface and the epicardial maps of the same fusion beat. Throughout the ventricular activation serial body surface maps represented well the activation sequence on the epicardium. The following three points seem to be important for the detection of the preexcitation site of WPW syndrome through the use of body surface maps; 1) the location of the initial minimum, 2) the time of appearance of the voltage concavity (or the saddle) in the right anterior chest wall (in posterior preexcitation), 3) and in addition, the sequential changes in the pattern of positive and negative areas throughout the ventricular activation. In clinical use, body surface maps also localized well the preexcitation sites of the patients with WPW syndrome who underwent the operation.", "contents": "[Experimental and clinical study of WPW syndrome--detection of preexcitation site through the use of body surface maps (author's transl)]. The purpose of this experimental and clinical study was to evaluate the utility of body surface maps in detecting the preexcitation site of WPW syndrome. By using the electrical bypass tract, the electrocardiographic patterns of WPW syndrome were simulated by the fusion beat between pre- and normal excitation of the in situ canine ventricle. A comparison was made between the body surface and the epicardial maps of the same fusion beat. Throughout the ventricular activation serial body surface maps represented well the activation sequence on the epicardium. The following three points seem to be important for the detection of the preexcitation site of WPW syndrome through the use of body surface maps; 1) the location of the initial minimum, 2) the time of appearance of the voltage concavity (or the saddle) in the right anterior chest wall (in posterior preexcitation), 3) and in addition, the sequential changes in the pattern of positive and negative areas throughout the ventricular activation. In clinical use, body surface maps also localized well the preexcitation sites of the patients with WPW syndrome who underwent the operation.", "PMID": 633605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9929", "title": "Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.", "content": "Three cases of rhabdomyolysis, two with acute renal failure, seen in a short period of time in an emergency department illustrate this increasingly recognized entity. Myoglobinuria may result from muscle trauma, ischemia, metabolic causes, drug-induced injury or intrinsic muscle disorders. The diagnosis is easily made by the presence of an elevated creatine phosphokinase, positive orthotoluidine in the urine and pigmented urine casts. Failure to diagnose rhabdomyolysis early will result in increased morbility and mortality from subsequent hyperkalemia, acute renal failure and hypocalcemia. These three cases illustrate the difficulty in predicting the eventual degree of renal failure from the initial assessment.", "contents": "Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Three cases of rhabdomyolysis, two with acute renal failure, seen in a short period of time in an emergency department illustrate this increasingly recognized entity. Myoglobinuria may result from muscle trauma, ischemia, metabolic causes, drug-induced injury or intrinsic muscle disorders. The diagnosis is easily made by the presence of an elevated creatine phosphokinase, positive orthotoluidine in the urine and pigmented urine casts. Failure to diagnose rhabdomyolysis early will result in increased morbility and mortality from subsequent hyperkalemia, acute renal failure and hypocalcemia. These three cases illustrate the difficulty in predicting the eventual degree of renal failure from the initial assessment.", "PMID": 633672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9930", "title": "The MAST suit in the treatment of cardiogenic shock.", "content": "Based on initial success using the medical antishock trouser (MAST) suit in treating 150 patients in traumatic, hypovolemic shock in the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington, at St. Luke's Hospital, the indications for its use have been expanded to include certain types of cardiogenic shock. The rationale was based on the frequent inability to differentiate hypo-, hyper-, and normovolemia in patients in cardiogenic shock and the need for a safe, reversible fluid challenge to differentiate these conditions. Changes in the condition of 14 patients in cardiogenic shock after application of the MAST suit were evaluated. Six patients responded with improved cardiac output and blood pressure. Four had no significant change in their condition and four became worse. In all patients whose condition was unchanged or worsened, the fluid challenge was reversed by deflating the suit. Based on these preliminary findings, it would seem that extended indications exist for using the MAST suit.", "contents": "The MAST suit in the treatment of cardiogenic shock. Based on initial success using the medical antishock trouser (MAST) suit in treating 150 patients in traumatic, hypovolemic shock in the city of Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington, at St. Luke's Hospital, the indications for its use have been expanded to include certain types of cardiogenic shock. The rationale was based on the frequent inability to differentiate hypo-, hyper-, and normovolemia in patients in cardiogenic shock and the need for a safe, reversible fluid challenge to differentiate these conditions. Changes in the condition of 14 patients in cardiogenic shock after application of the MAST suit were evaluated. Six patients responded with improved cardiac output and blood pressure. Four had no significant change in their condition and four became worse. In all patients whose condition was unchanged or worsened, the fluid challenge was reversed by deflating the suit. Based on these preliminary findings, it would seem that extended indications exist for using the MAST suit.", "PMID": 633673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9931", "title": "Medical control--what is it?", "content": "Medical control is essentially divided into three phases: prospective, immediate and retrospective. Adequate medical supervision of any paramedic system is necessary to guarantee quality of medical care. Anything short of physician control of prehospital medical care would be to abdicate our responsibilities to our patients.", "contents": "Medical control--what is it? Medical control is essentially divided into three phases: prospective, immediate and retrospective. Adequate medical supervision of any paramedic system is necessary to guarantee quality of medical care. Anything short of physician control of prehospital medical care would be to abdicate our responsibilities to our patients.", "PMID": 633675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9932", "title": "Treatment of common dog bites: infection risk factors.", "content": "In a retrospective study of 106 patients with complete follow-up of dog bites treated in the emergency department the following factors greatly increased the risk of infection: age greater than 50 years, delay in seeking treatment, location on an upper extremity, and puncture wounds. Debridement and irrigation decreased the incidence of infection, and sutured wounds were not more likely to become infected than those left open. Prophylactic antibiotics provided no benefit in this series. In the literature, overall infection rates varied widely according to the various patient populations. Up to 50% of infections from dog bites are caused by pasturella multocida, and the remainder by a wide range of organisms, including streptococcus. Ninety-five percent of these organisms will be sensitive to penicillin.", "contents": "Treatment of common dog bites: infection risk factors. In a retrospective study of 106 patients with complete follow-up of dog bites treated in the emergency department the following factors greatly increased the risk of infection: age greater than 50 years, delay in seeking treatment, location on an upper extremity, and puncture wounds. Debridement and irrigation decreased the incidence of infection, and sutured wounds were not more likely to become infected than those left open. Prophylactic antibiotics provided no benefit in this series. In the literature, overall infection rates varied widely according to the various patient populations. Up to 50% of infections from dog bites are caused by pasturella multocida, and the remainder by a wide range of organisms, including streptococcus. Ninety-five percent of these organisms will be sensitive to penicillin.", "PMID": 633680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9933", "title": "Parenteral cephalothin therapy for pelvic gonococcal infections.", "content": "The efficacy of intravenous cephalothin was studied prospectively in 20 patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease, all of whom presented with lower abdominal pain, cervical and adnexal tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis. Blood, cervical, and cul-de-sac cultures were obtained on admission. The latter was transported anaerobically and inoculated in routine and prereduced medium. Transgrow medium with trimethoprim was used for endocervical cultures. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from the endocervix in 15 patients and from the cul-de-sac in four patients. All received intravenous cephalothin, 2 gm every four hours for seven days. Clinical improvement was observed in 48 to 78 hours. The cervical cultures were negative for N. gonorrhoeae after 48 hours, at the completion of treatment, and two weeks post-treatment. The drug was well tolerated. It was concluded that cephalothin intravenously is an acceptable alternative antibiotic for the treatment of gonococcal pelvic infection.", "contents": "Parenteral cephalothin therapy for pelvic gonococcal infections. The efficacy of intravenous cephalothin was studied prospectively in 20 patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease, all of whom presented with lower abdominal pain, cervical and adnexal tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis. Blood, cervical, and cul-de-sac cultures were obtained on admission. The latter was transported anaerobically and inoculated in routine and prereduced medium. Transgrow medium with trimethoprim was used for endocervical cultures. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from the endocervix in 15 patients and from the cul-de-sac in four patients. All received intravenous cephalothin, 2 gm every four hours for seven days. Clinical improvement was observed in 48 to 78 hours. The cervical cultures were negative for N. gonorrhoeae after 48 hours, at the completion of treatment, and two weeks post-treatment. The drug was well tolerated. It was concluded that cephalothin intravenously is an acceptable alternative antibiotic for the treatment of gonococcal pelvic infection.", "PMID": 633681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9934", "title": "Syphilis and pelvic inflammatory disease.", "content": "Since screening every patient in the emergency department for venereal disease is impractical, we hypothesized that patients with the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) might be at higher risk and a group that should be screened. Seventy women with a clinical diagnosis of PID treated in our adult emergency department from July to November 1976 were screened for syphilis using three separate serologic tests: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption, and treponema pallidum hemagglutination. The incidence of positive serologies in our study group was significantly higher (11.4%) than that of 100 controls (4%). All patients with a clinical diagnosis of PID should be screened for syphilis using both FTA-Abs and TPHA tests, as well as a VDRL.", "contents": "Syphilis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Since screening every patient in the emergency department for venereal disease is impractical, we hypothesized that patients with the clinical diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) might be at higher risk and a group that should be screened. Seventy women with a clinical diagnosis of PID treated in our adult emergency department from July to November 1976 were screened for syphilis using three separate serologic tests: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption, and treponema pallidum hemagglutination. The incidence of positive serologies in our study group was significantly higher (11.4%) than that of 100 controls (4%). All patients with a clinical diagnosis of PID should be screened for syphilis using both FTA-Abs and TPHA tests, as well as a VDRL.", "PMID": 633682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9935", "title": "Emergencies in dialysis patients.", "content": "Specific emergencies occur in patients maintained on hemodialysis that often require evaluation and treatment in the emergency department, including infection of the access, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure abnormalities, pericarditis, cardiac arrhythmias and headache. Specific recommendations for treatment are presented.", "contents": "Emergencies in dialysis patients. Specific emergencies occur in patients maintained on hemodialysis that often require evaluation and treatment in the emergency department, including infection of the access, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure abnormalities, pericarditis, cardiac arrhythmias and headache. Specific recommendations for treatment are presented.", "PMID": 633683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9936", "title": "Paramedic services: nationwide distribution and management structure.", "content": "A paramedic clearinghouse to provide information on the status of advanced life support systems in the United States is being established at the Center for the Study of Emergency Health Services, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. As the first phase of this project a list of paramedic services categorized by location, population of area served, and management structure was compiled. A total of 310 paramedic services was identified, the majority fairly evenly distributed through midpopulation ranges, the largest number in the 50,000 to 100,000 range. Paramedic services operated by fire departments were most common. As the second phase, a survey of the operation, paramedic certification and education, and the organization of financing of these services is planned. Six services, each representing a different management or educational approach, were selected to test the survey instrument.", "contents": "Paramedic services: nationwide distribution and management structure. A paramedic clearinghouse to provide information on the status of advanced life support systems in the United States is being established at the Center for the Study of Emergency Health Services, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. As the first phase of this project a list of paramedic services categorized by location, population of area served, and management structure was compiled. A total of 310 paramedic services was identified, the majority fairly evenly distributed through midpopulation ranges, the largest number in the 50,000 to 100,000 range. Paramedic services operated by fire departments were most common. As the second phase, a survey of the operation, paramedic certification and education, and the organization of financing of these services is planned. Six services, each representing a different management or educational approach, were selected to test the survey instrument.", "PMID": 633684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9937", "title": "Paramedic use of intracardiac medications in prehospital sudden cardiac death.", "content": "The intracardiac administration of medications in cardiac arrest is advocated when an intravenous route cannot be established. Although warnings of complications of this mode of therapy are reiterated throughout the literature, their careful documentation is lacking. Paramedics were trained to administer intracardiac medications, under strict criteria, in patients with prehospital sudden cardiac death. Long-term survivors who received intracardiac medications from paramedics were compared to a control group resuscitated by paramedics with intravenous medications alone. By far, the patients who received intracardiac medications were more nearly refractory to resuscitation because of the criteria for intracardiac medication use. Potential complications of the intracardiac route were identified and sought. However, complications were no more common in this group of patients than in the control group. Paramedics can successfully administer intracardiac medications when indicated.", "contents": "Paramedic use of intracardiac medications in prehospital sudden cardiac death. The intracardiac administration of medications in cardiac arrest is advocated when an intravenous route cannot be established. Although warnings of complications of this mode of therapy are reiterated throughout the literature, their careful documentation is lacking. Paramedics were trained to administer intracardiac medications, under strict criteria, in patients with prehospital sudden cardiac death. Long-term survivors who received intracardiac medications from paramedics were compared to a control group resuscitated by paramedics with intravenous medications alone. By far, the patients who received intracardiac medications were more nearly refractory to resuscitation because of the criteria for intracardiac medication use. Potential complications of the intracardiac route were identified and sought. However, complications were no more common in this group of patients than in the control group. Paramedics can successfully administer intracardiac medications when indicated.", "PMID": 633685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9938", "title": "Phencyclidine deaths.", "content": "The potential for a pharmacologic \"overdose\" and the cause of death associated with phencyclidine abuse is discussed. Nineteen deaths associated exclusively with phencyclidine intoxication have been documented. In 13 cases the immediate cause of death was asphyxia by drowning or trauma with lower levels of phencyclidine present suggesting behavioral toxicity. In two cases, the presence of phencyclidine in high concentrations constituted the only finding, and the probable cause of death was primary respiratory depression accompanied by seizure activity. A secondary drug effect or concurrent disease process may have contributed to the death of the remaining four individuals.", "contents": "Phencyclidine deaths. The potential for a pharmacologic \"overdose\" and the cause of death associated with phencyclidine abuse is discussed. Nineteen deaths associated exclusively with phencyclidine intoxication have been documented. In 13 cases the immediate cause of death was asphyxia by drowning or trauma with lower levels of phencyclidine present suggesting behavioral toxicity. In two cases, the presence of phencyclidine in high concentrations constituted the only finding, and the probable cause of death was primary respiratory depression accompanied by seizure activity. A secondary drug effect or concurrent disease process may have contributed to the death of the remaining four individuals.", "PMID": 633686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9939", "title": "Autotransfusion of blood contaminated by intestinal contents.", "content": "In a series of 183 emergency operations in which intraoperative autotransfusion was used, 14 patients received blood contaminated by intestinal contents. Six of the 14 patients died early in the postoperative period, four of whom had received more than 16 liters of blood. Only two of the eight survivors had received comparable amounts of blood (13 and 17.5 liters). All eight received antibiotics upon admission; four had positive blood cultures within 24 hours of operation. Complications included acute tubular necrosis in three patients and bowel obstruction with intra-abdominal abscess in another. One of the patients with acute tubular necrosis died six weeks later; all others recovered. We believe this procedure may be life-saving in some cases.", "contents": "Autotransfusion of blood contaminated by intestinal contents. In a series of 183 emergency operations in which intraoperative autotransfusion was used, 14 patients received blood contaminated by intestinal contents. Six of the 14 patients died early in the postoperative period, four of whom had received more than 16 liters of blood. Only two of the eight survivors had received comparable amounts of blood (13 and 17.5 liters). All eight received antibiotics upon admission; four had positive blood cultures within 24 hours of operation. Complications included acute tubular necrosis in three patients and bowel obstruction with intra-abdominal abscess in another. One of the patients with acute tubular necrosis died six weeks later; all others recovered. We believe this procedure may be life-saving in some cases.", "PMID": 633687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9940", "title": "Evaluation of an Emergency Department Patient Advocacy Program.", "content": "In the Patient Advocacy Program at the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, first year medical and health associate students provide patient teaching, crisis intervention, emotional support, assistance in patient-provider-family communication, resource referrals, information and assistance in maintaining patients' rights. The advocacy program was evaluated through a three-month trial of a Control Group, Patient Advocacy Group, Halo Group and Placebo Group, including 412 study subjects in all. It was hypothesized that patients' satisfaction, behavior and knowledge would improve significantly as a result of the advocate's intervention in this order: Patient Advocacy, Halo, Placebo and Control. Patient interviews and medical reports were used to assess the impact of patient advocacy. Results did not support the hypotheses of either improvement or the ranked order. Competition with traditional roles, identification of advocates with providers rather than patients, and placing the needs of the institution over patients were suggested as explanations for the advocacy program's failure.", "contents": "Evaluation of an Emergency Department Patient Advocacy Program. In the Patient Advocacy Program at the Adult Emergency Department of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, first year medical and health associate students provide patient teaching, crisis intervention, emotional support, assistance in patient-provider-family communication, resource referrals, information and assistance in maintaining patients' rights. The advocacy program was evaluated through a three-month trial of a Control Group, Patient Advocacy Group, Halo Group and Placebo Group, including 412 study subjects in all. It was hypothesized that patients' satisfaction, behavior and knowledge would improve significantly as a result of the advocate's intervention in this order: Patient Advocacy, Halo, Placebo and Control. Patient interviews and medical reports were used to assess the impact of patient advocacy. Results did not support the hypotheses of either improvement or the ranked order. Competition with traditional roles, identification of advocates with providers rather than patients, and placing the needs of the institution over patients were suggested as explanations for the advocacy program's failure.", "PMID": 633688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9941", "title": "Basic decisions in Emergency Department cases: a logical approach.", "content": "In the emergency department teaching program at Brooke Army Medical Center, housestaff rotating through the emergency department are given an algorithm for use in making basic diagnostic decisions. Housestaff frequently believe that the result of their contact with a patient should be establishment of the correct pathophysiological etiology of the patient's chief complaint followed by definitive therapy and feel anything less is unacceptable. The algorithm, which had been in use for nine months at the time of this report, was formulated in an attempt to deal with the problems such views may create, such as inappropriate management of patients who obviously require admission, second-best care, and delays for patients requiring emergency department evaluation. The algorithm has been successful in changing housestaff attitudes and actions and will continue to be used.", "contents": "Basic decisions in Emergency Department cases: a logical approach. In the emergency department teaching program at Brooke Army Medical Center, housestaff rotating through the emergency department are given an algorithm for use in making basic diagnostic decisions. Housestaff frequently believe that the result of their contact with a patient should be establishment of the correct pathophysiological etiology of the patient's chief complaint followed by definitive therapy and feel anything less is unacceptable. The algorithm, which had been in use for nine months at the time of this report, was formulated in an attempt to deal with the problems such views may create, such as inappropriate management of patients who obviously require admission, second-best care, and delays for patients requiring emergency department evaluation. The algorithm has been successful in changing housestaff attitudes and actions and will continue to be used.", "PMID": 633689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9942", "title": "Emergency Department treatment, triage and transfer protocols for the burn patient.", "content": "Emergency department treatment, triage and transfer protocols for patients with major thermal injury have been devised by the three burn centers in Virginia. A burn nurse educator has presented these guidelines to the emergency departments of Virginia. The development of these protocols has considerably improved the immediate care of the victims of thermal injury who are transferred to the burn centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.", "contents": "Emergency Department treatment, triage and transfer protocols for the burn patient. Emergency department treatment, triage and transfer protocols for patients with major thermal injury have been devised by the three burn centers in Virginia. A burn nurse educator has presented these guidelines to the emergency departments of Virginia. The development of these protocols has considerably improved the immediate care of the victims of thermal injury who are transferred to the burn centers in the Commonwealth of Virginia.", "PMID": 633690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9943", "title": "Femoral shaft fracture with ipsilateral hip dislocation in a child.", "content": "A child victim of low speed violence was found to have a fractured femur and dislocation of the ipsilateral hip. This combination of injuries in a child is very rare. The dislocation was not initially recognized because of absence of suggestive history, symptoms, and signs. After recognition, open reduction of the hip dislocation was achieved through a posterior approach. One month later an osteotomy at the femur fracture allowed the leg to fall to neutral while maintaining the femoral head in the most desirable position.", "contents": "Femoral shaft fracture with ipsilateral hip dislocation in a child. A child victim of low speed violence was found to have a fractured femur and dislocation of the ipsilateral hip. This combination of injuries in a child is very rare. The dislocation was not initially recognized because of absence of suggestive history, symptoms, and signs. After recognition, open reduction of the hip dislocation was achieved through a posterior approach. One month later an osteotomy at the femur fracture allowed the leg to fall to neutral while maintaining the femoral head in the most desirable position.", "PMID": 633691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9944", "title": "[Hemodynamic effects of obzidan in vasorenal hypertension in dogs in ontogeny].", "content": "Vasorenal hypertension was reproduced in experiments on 18--22 day-old and 2--3-month-old puppies and on sexually-mature dogs by bilateral stenosis of the renal arteries. Two weeks later all the animals were given intravenous infusion of obzidan in a dose of 2 mg/kg. The arterial pressure, the minute and systolic volumes (MV, SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and the work, strength, and phase structure of the left ventricle were recorded. In animals aged 18--22 days with elevated pressure, obzidan infusion promoted its normalization, led to a decrease in the increased MO to subnormal values, a decrease in TPR and the heart beat rate, and normalization of the increased SV. In puppies aged 2--3 months, obzidan normalized the pressure by causing a fall in the minute output which was already reduced in hypertension, and a certain decrease in TPR with hardly any changes occurring in SV. In adult dogs, despite a sharp decrease in MV, arterial pressure did not significantly change due to the increase in TPR. Energy expenditure per each liter of MV was normalized by obzidan only in puppies.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic effects of obzidan in vasorenal hypertension in dogs in ontogeny]. Vasorenal hypertension was reproduced in experiments on 18--22 day-old and 2--3-month-old puppies and on sexually-mature dogs by bilateral stenosis of the renal arteries. Two weeks later all the animals were given intravenous infusion of obzidan in a dose of 2 mg/kg. The arterial pressure, the minute and systolic volumes (MV, SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and the work, strength, and phase structure of the left ventricle were recorded. In animals aged 18--22 days with elevated pressure, obzidan infusion promoted its normalization, led to a decrease in the increased MO to subnormal values, a decrease in TPR and the heart beat rate, and normalization of the increased SV. In puppies aged 2--3 months, obzidan normalized the pressure by causing a fall in the minute output which was already reduced in hypertension, and a certain decrease in TPR with hardly any changes occurring in SV. In adult dogs, despite a sharp decrease in MV, arterial pressure did not significantly change due to the increase in TPR. Energy expenditure per each liter of MV was normalized by obzidan only in puppies.", "PMID": 633709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9945", "title": "[Functional and structural myocardial changes in experimental glomerulonephritis].", "content": "Functional structural changes in the myocardium in different developmental phases of nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis were studied in rats. Electrocardiography, electron microscopy, and biochemical study of respiration, linked with oxidative phosphorylation, by polarography in the fraction of mitochondria isolated by differential centrifugation were employed. In experimental glomerulonephritis the ECG shifts were attended with diminished oxidative phosphorylation in the myocardial mitochondria, destructive changes in the cardiomyocytes (disorganization of mitochondria, myofibrils, endoplasmic reticulum), loosening and swelling of the basilar membranes, and changes and swelling in the capillaries and interstitium. The functional structural changes in the heart are reversible in character but persist for a longer period of time than the clinical manifestations of glomerulonephritis.", "contents": "[Functional and structural myocardial changes in experimental glomerulonephritis]. Functional structural changes in the myocardium in different developmental phases of nephrotoxic glomerulonephritis were studied in rats. Electrocardiography, electron microscopy, and biochemical study of respiration, linked with oxidative phosphorylation, by polarography in the fraction of mitochondria isolated by differential centrifugation were employed. In experimental glomerulonephritis the ECG shifts were attended with diminished oxidative phosphorylation in the myocardial mitochondria, destructive changes in the cardiomyocytes (disorganization of mitochondria, myofibrils, endoplasmic reticulum), loosening and swelling of the basilar membranes, and changes and swelling in the capillaries and interstitium. The functional structural changes in the heart are reversible in character but persist for a longer period of time than the clinical manifestations of glomerulonephritis.", "PMID": 633710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9946", "title": "[Role of prostagladin synthesis inhibitors in the development of arterial hypertension. II].", "content": "Arterial hypertension was induced in experiments on rats by chronic injection of indometacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, combined with a salt load or unilateral nephrectomy. A twofold rise in arterial pressure, on average, was noted at the end of the 6th week of the inhibitor injection. The development of arterial hypertension following indometacin injection and a salt load led to reduced excretion of sodium and water, increased intravascular volume, and increased sodium content in the aortic wall. In the group of nephrectomized and indometacin treated animals, on the contrary, sodium and water excretion increased, intravascular volume diminished, and the content of sodium in the aortic wall decreased. Chronic injection of indometacin alone into intact animals did not lead to a rise of arterial pressure within the same periods of time and did not induce changes in the renal excretory function. It is presumed that disorder of water-salt homeostasis is one of the mechanisms of the increase in arterial pressure.", "contents": "[Role of prostagladin synthesis inhibitors in the development of arterial hypertension. II]. Arterial hypertension was induced in experiments on rats by chronic injection of indometacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, combined with a salt load or unilateral nephrectomy. A twofold rise in arterial pressure, on average, was noted at the end of the 6th week of the inhibitor injection. The development of arterial hypertension following indometacin injection and a salt load led to reduced excretion of sodium and water, increased intravascular volume, and increased sodium content in the aortic wall. In the group of nephrectomized and indometacin treated animals, on the contrary, sodium and water excretion increased, intravascular volume diminished, and the content of sodium in the aortic wall decreased. Chronic injection of indometacin alone into intact animals did not lead to a rise of arterial pressure within the same periods of time and did not induce changes in the renal excretory function. It is presumed that disorder of water-salt homeostasis is one of the mechanisms of the increase in arterial pressure.", "PMID": 633711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9947", "title": "[Importance of the thrombocytes and hemolytic syndrome in the pathogenesis of transient cerebral circulatory disorders in hypertension patients].", "content": "Study of the blood platelet functional activity and intensity of hemolysis in 41 patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation and comparison of the results with the corresponding indices in healthy individuals, in 40 patients with hypertensive disease free of crisis, and in 25 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis led to the conclusion that the character of cerebral stroke is already determined in the pre-stroke period. It depends on the functional state of the blood platelets in many respects. In patients with hypertensive disease in a period clear of crisis, for instance, there is a tendency towards hypoaggregation possible associated with the presence of latent hemolysis. Platelet hypofunction progresses in the period of hypertensive encephalopathy and still more during its transformation into hemorrhagic stroke. On the contrary, in patients with atherosclerosis but no symptoms of cerebral ischemia the adhesion-aggregation activity of the platelets does not differ essentially from that in healthy individuals. With the development of signs of ischemia of the brain, the platelet activity grows considerably, particularly when transient cerebral circulatory disorders transform into ischemic stroke.", "contents": "[Importance of the thrombocytes and hemolytic syndrome in the pathogenesis of transient cerebral circulatory disorders in hypertension patients]. Study of the blood platelet functional activity and intensity of hemolysis in 41 patients with transient disorders of cerebral circulation and comparison of the results with the corresponding indices in healthy individuals, in 40 patients with hypertensive disease free of crisis, and in 25 patients with cerebral atherosclerosis led to the conclusion that the character of cerebral stroke is already determined in the pre-stroke period. It depends on the functional state of the blood platelets in many respects. In patients with hypertensive disease in a period clear of crisis, for instance, there is a tendency towards hypoaggregation possible associated with the presence of latent hemolysis. Platelet hypofunction progresses in the period of hypertensive encephalopathy and still more during its transformation into hemorrhagic stroke. On the contrary, in patients with atherosclerosis but no symptoms of cerebral ischemia the adhesion-aggregation activity of the platelets does not differ essentially from that in healthy individuals. With the development of signs of ischemia of the brain, the platelet activity grows considerably, particularly when transient cerebral circulatory disorders transform into ischemic stroke.", "PMID": 633713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9948", "title": "[State of the hemodynamics in pregnant women suffering from mitral stenosis].", "content": "Hemodynamics was studied in different trimesters of pregnancy in 94 women with mitral stenosis and in 32 healthy women with pregnancy following a normal course. Each trimester in women with mitral stenosis was marked by different changes in hemodynamics. Study of the state of hemodynamics allows preclinical signs of cardiac insufficiency to be already detected in the early periods. This makes it possible to assess the risk of pregnancy and delivery in women with mitral stenosis at the right time and more correctly. The disclosure of unfavourable signs of changes in hemodynamics in conjunction with the clinical signs of cardiac insufficiency aids in the choice of the therapeutic and obstetrical tactics.", "contents": "[State of the hemodynamics in pregnant women suffering from mitral stenosis]. Hemodynamics was studied in different trimesters of pregnancy in 94 women with mitral stenosis and in 32 healthy women with pregnancy following a normal course. Each trimester in women with mitral stenosis was marked by different changes in hemodynamics. Study of the state of hemodynamics allows preclinical signs of cardiac insufficiency to be already detected in the early periods. This makes it possible to assess the risk of pregnancy and delivery in women with mitral stenosis at the right time and more correctly. The disclosure of unfavourable signs of changes in hemodynamics in conjunction with the clinical signs of cardiac insufficiency aids in the choice of the therapeutic and obstetrical tactics.", "PMID": 633714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9949", "title": "[Differential diagnosis of cardialgia].", "content": "Three hundred and sixty-six patients (281 males and 85 females) were examined, 316 of them complained of pain the heart and retrosternal pain. Bicycle ergometry was conducted in all cases and the soft tissues of the neck, chest, and shoulder girdle were palpated carefully. In patients with angina pectoris tolerance to physical exertion was clearly diminished while palpation did not reveal, as a rule, disorders of sensibility in the soft tissues of the chest and shoulder girdle. Patients with pain in the heart of a neurotic character tolerated physical exertion fairly well and often had increased sensibility of the soft tissues in the left side of the chest and shoulder girdle. The intensity of cardialgia may be judged objectively by the degree of soft tissue tenderness and its spread.", "contents": "[Differential diagnosis of cardialgia]. Three hundred and sixty-six patients (281 males and 85 females) were examined, 316 of them complained of pain the heart and retrosternal pain. Bicycle ergometry was conducted in all cases and the soft tissues of the neck, chest, and shoulder girdle were palpated carefully. In patients with angina pectoris tolerance to physical exertion was clearly diminished while palpation did not reveal, as a rule, disorders of sensibility in the soft tissues of the chest and shoulder girdle. Patients with pain in the heart of a neurotic character tolerated physical exertion fairly well and often had increased sensibility of the soft tissues in the left side of the chest and shoulder girdle. The intensity of cardialgia may be judged objectively by the degree of soft tissue tenderness and its spread.", "PMID": 633715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9950", "title": "[Rhythm of the daily fluctuations in lipid metabolic and fibrinolysis system indices in ischemic heart disease].", "content": "The study was conducted on 22 patients with ischemic heart disease (I stage atherosclerosis according to the classification suggested by A. L. Myasnikov). Phase 24-hour fluctuations of the indices of lipid metabolism, blood coagulation, and fibrinolysis were revealed clearly. It was established that in the initial stage of the disease the diurnal rhythm of lipid metabolism does not differ from that in healthy persons. The rhythm of diurnal fluctuations in the function of the hemostasis system was marked by an increase in blood coagulation and decrease in the activity of fibrinolysis early in the morning, which created the conditions for intravascular thrombus formation.", "contents": "[Rhythm of the daily fluctuations in lipid metabolic and fibrinolysis system indices in ischemic heart disease]. The study was conducted on 22 patients with ischemic heart disease (I stage atherosclerosis according to the classification suggested by A. L. Myasnikov). Phase 24-hour fluctuations of the indices of lipid metabolism, blood coagulation, and fibrinolysis were revealed clearly. It was established that in the initial stage of the disease the diurnal rhythm of lipid metabolism does not differ from that in healthy persons. The rhythm of diurnal fluctuations in the function of the hemostasis system was marked by an increase in blood coagulation and decrease in the activity of fibrinolysis early in the morning, which created the conditions for intravascular thrombus formation.", "PMID": 633716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9951", "title": "[Disorder in the circladian rhythms of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus excretion in hypertension (use of the \"cosinor\" method)].", "content": "The daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion were studied in 10 healthy individuals and in 43 patients with hypertensive disease. All the subjects under study followed the standard regimen of wakefulness, sleep, and meals. The transverse \"cosinor\" method of rhythm study was used. Statistically significant daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion were revealed in healthy individuals, in which case the phenomena of internal synchronization were encountered. Daily rhythms of phosphorus and calcium excretion were revealed in patients with stage IB hypertensive disease, while the rhythm of magnesium excretion was statistically insignificant. In stage IIA the rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion are demonstrated, but desyncronization as compared to the findings in healthy individuals is observed. There are no statistically significant daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion in patients with stages IIB and III hypertensive disease. The change in the rhythm of magnesium excretion in patients suffering from IB stage hypertensive disease points to the early inclusion of the disturbance of its homeostasis in the development of this disease. The control mechanisms of the daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion are not clear to date. The study of the daily rhythms of these elements is nevertheless of definite importance in revealing disturbances in their homeostasis.", "contents": "[Disorder in the circladian rhythms of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus excretion in hypertension (use of the \"cosinor\" method)]. The daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion were studied in 10 healthy individuals and in 43 patients with hypertensive disease. All the subjects under study followed the standard regimen of wakefulness, sleep, and meals. The transverse \"cosinor\" method of rhythm study was used. Statistically significant daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion were revealed in healthy individuals, in which case the phenomena of internal synchronization were encountered. Daily rhythms of phosphorus and calcium excretion were revealed in patients with stage IB hypertensive disease, while the rhythm of magnesium excretion was statistically insignificant. In stage IIA the rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion are demonstrated, but desyncronization as compared to the findings in healthy individuals is observed. There are no statistically significant daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion in patients with stages IIB and III hypertensive disease. The change in the rhythm of magnesium excretion in patients suffering from IB stage hypertensive disease points to the early inclusion of the disturbance of its homeostasis in the development of this disease. The control mechanisms of the daily rhythms of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus excretion are not clear to date. The study of the daily rhythms of these elements is nevertheless of definite importance in revealing disturbances in their homeostasis.", "PMID": 633717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9952", "title": "[Ways to increase the information content in the automatic processing of instrumental data in cardiology].", "content": "New algorithms for the analysis of sinus rhythm and doppler-cardiogram of the posterior wall of the left ventricle are suggested. Clinically invormative signs have been revealed: number of classes of R--R intervals, distance between the centers of the classes, regular distribution of R--R intervals according to classes, and the value of the doppler-cardiogram spectrum harmonics I/II ratio. The possibility of using these signs in the systems of automatic analysis of data in examination of patients with ischemic heart disease is shown.", "contents": "[Ways to increase the information content in the automatic processing of instrumental data in cardiology]. New algorithms for the analysis of sinus rhythm and doppler-cardiogram of the posterior wall of the left ventricle are suggested. Clinically invormative signs have been revealed: number of classes of R--R intervals, distance between the centers of the classes, regular distribution of R--R intervals according to classes, and the value of the doppler-cardiogram spectrum harmonics I/II ratio. The possibility of using these signs in the systems of automatic analysis of data in examination of patients with ischemic heart disease is shown.", "PMID": 633719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9953", "title": "[P-controlled electrical heart stimulation in complete transverse block in acute myocardial infarct].", "content": "The article discusses the results of the comparative study of certain hemodynamic indices in patients with myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block, during routine electric stimulation of the ventricles and during P-controlled electric stimulation of the ventricles. Changes in hemodynamics were more marked in the last case, but only the values of the minute cardiac volume and of central venous pressure were found to differ substantially in these two groups. The authors presume that such a hemodynamic situation may occur in myocardial infarction in which P-controlled electric stimulation will produce more essential changes in hemodynamics that those induced by routine electric stimulation. Synchronized electric stimulation may be more preferable in such cases.", "contents": "[P-controlled electrical heart stimulation in complete transverse block in acute myocardial infarct]. The article discusses the results of the comparative study of certain hemodynamic indices in patients with myocardial infarction complicated by complete atrioventricular block, during routine electric stimulation of the ventricles and during P-controlled electric stimulation of the ventricles. Changes in hemodynamics were more marked in the last case, but only the values of the minute cardiac volume and of central venous pressure were found to differ substantially in these two groups. The authors presume that such a hemodynamic situation may occur in myocardial infarction in which P-controlled electric stimulation will produce more essential changes in hemodynamics that those induced by routine electric stimulation. Synchronized electric stimulation may be more preferable in such cases.", "PMID": 633722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9954", "title": "[Parameters of the bioelectrical activity of the heart conduction system in virtually healthy persons].", "content": "Intracardiac conduction was studied on the basis of the conception of the atrial spike potentials. Intracavitary electrograms were recorded from the right atrium, zone of the bundle of His, and the esophagus in 110 persons in 35 of whom no abnormalities were found in the heart and the results of the examination were accepted as control indices. On the grounds of the investigations conducted by them, the authors determined the shape, amplitude, and time of appearance of the spike potentials of the sinus rhythm, atria, and the bundle of His and also the duration of the intervals of intracardiac conduction. Study of the phenomena of bioelectric activization of the atria and the system of the bundle of His in a complex significantly widens the possibilities of selective assessment of disorders of intracardiac conduction at various levels of propagation of the stimulation.", "contents": "[Parameters of the bioelectrical activity of the heart conduction system in virtually healthy persons]. Intracardiac conduction was studied on the basis of the conception of the atrial spike potentials. Intracavitary electrograms were recorded from the right atrium, zone of the bundle of His, and the esophagus in 110 persons in 35 of whom no abnormalities were found in the heart and the results of the examination were accepted as control indices. On the grounds of the investigations conducted by them, the authors determined the shape, amplitude, and time of appearance of the spike potentials of the sinus rhythm, atria, and the bundle of His and also the duration of the intervals of intracardiac conduction. Study of the phenomena of bioelectric activization of the atria and the system of the bundle of His in a complex significantly widens the possibilities of selective assessment of disorders of intracardiac conduction at various levels of propagation of the stimulation.", "PMID": 633723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9955", "title": "[Bicycle spiroergometric studies in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease].", "content": "The indices of pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange, oxygen consumption per 1 kgm of work, the restoration coefficient, the effectiveness of work, etc. were studied at rest, during dosaged physical exertion on a bicycle ergoraph, and in the restoration period in 50 healthy individuals and in 175 patients with ischemic heart disease. Selective coronary angiography was conducted in all of the patients. Spiro-bicycle-ergometry is an informative method in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, enabling the physician to presume the presence of coronary sclerosis and judge the degree and extent of involvement of the coronary arteries before performing coronarography. With the gradual increase in the number of involved arteries, there were noted a gradual decrease of the restoration coefficient, diminution of the effectiveness of work, and an increase in oxygen consumption per 1 kgm of load. Changes in spiro-bicycle-ergometric indices in patients with ischemic heart disease and normal coronary arteries had the same trend as those in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.", "contents": "[Bicycle spiroergometric studies in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease]. The indices of pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange, oxygen consumption per 1 kgm of work, the restoration coefficient, the effectiveness of work, etc. were studied at rest, during dosaged physical exertion on a bicycle ergoraph, and in the restoration period in 50 healthy individuals and in 175 patients with ischemic heart disease. Selective coronary angiography was conducted in all of the patients. Spiro-bicycle-ergometry is an informative method in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, enabling the physician to presume the presence of coronary sclerosis and judge the degree and extent of involvement of the coronary arteries before performing coronarography. With the gradual increase in the number of involved arteries, there were noted a gradual decrease of the restoration coefficient, diminution of the effectiveness of work, and an increase in oxygen consumption per 1 kgm of load. Changes in spiro-bicycle-ergometric indices in patients with ischemic heart disease and normal coronary arteries had the same trend as those in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.", "PMID": 633724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9956", "title": "[Possibilities of utilizing integral topography, vectorometry and spectral analysis of the complexograms for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease].", "content": "Three approaches to the study of electric and mechanical heart activity were used, which were significant in the diagnosis of various variants of ischemic heart disease. The method of integral topography proved most applicable in the diagnosis of microfocal myocardial infarction. Infarctions which were marked by a typical clinical picture and the corresponding laboratory data (changes in enzymes, leukocytosis, etc)., but could not be sufficiently revealed in the commonly applied 12 leads of the ECG, were successfully identified due to changes in the ST--T zones of the topogram. In the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease attended with disorders of hemodynamics it is advisable to apply the histogram method of identification on the basis of spectral analysis of the complexograms, ballistocardiograms, arteriovenous pulsograms, and phonooscillograms. This method may also be used to assess the stage of circulatory insufficiency. In preventive examination for detecting ischemic heart disease, its painless variants in particular, it is advantageous to use the method of vectorometry of the ECG in in orthogonal leads with the subsequent solution of the diagnostic discrimination polynomials on a computer.", "contents": "[Possibilities of utilizing integral topography, vectorometry and spectral analysis of the complexograms for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease]. Three approaches to the study of electric and mechanical heart activity were used, which were significant in the diagnosis of various variants of ischemic heart disease. The method of integral topography proved most applicable in the diagnosis of microfocal myocardial infarction. Infarctions which were marked by a typical clinical picture and the corresponding laboratory data (changes in enzymes, leukocytosis, etc)., but could not be sufficiently revealed in the commonly applied 12 leads of the ECG, were successfully identified due to changes in the ST--T zones of the topogram. In the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease attended with disorders of hemodynamics it is advisable to apply the histogram method of identification on the basis of spectral analysis of the complexograms, ballistocardiograms, arteriovenous pulsograms, and phonooscillograms. This method may also be used to assess the stage of circulatory insufficiency. In preventive examination for detecting ischemic heart disease, its painless variants in particular, it is advantageous to use the method of vectorometry of the ECG in in orthogonal leads with the subsequent solution of the diagnostic discrimination polynomials on a computer.", "PMID": 633725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9957", "title": "[Diagnosis of left ventricular congestive heart failure at the onset of acute myocardial infarct].", "content": "According to the results of X-ray examination conducted in the first 2 days of the disease, 143 patients with myocardial infarction were separated into 2 groups: those with a normal pulmonary pattern and those with congestion or edema of the lungs. In pulmonary congestion the clinical data were at disparity with the X-ray findings in more than half of the patients. At the same time, comparison of the values of volumetric pulmonary rheography and accelerative kinetocardiography, treated by the method of linear discriminant functions, with the findings of pulmonary roentgenography showed only a small percentage (lesser than that in the clinic) of non-coincidence in the diagnosis of congestive left-ventricular failure.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of left ventricular congestive heart failure at the onset of acute myocardial infarct]. According to the results of X-ray examination conducted in the first 2 days of the disease, 143 patients with myocardial infarction were separated into 2 groups: those with a normal pulmonary pattern and those with congestion or edema of the lungs. In pulmonary congestion the clinical data were at disparity with the X-ray findings in more than half of the patients. At the same time, comparison of the values of volumetric pulmonary rheography and accelerative kinetocardiography, treated by the method of linear discriminant functions, with the findings of pulmonary roentgenography showed only a small percentage (lesser than that in the clinic) of non-coincidence in the diagnosis of congestive left-ventricular failure.", "PMID": 633726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9958", "title": "[Echography of the right sections of the heart (methodological aspects of ultrasonic location)].", "content": "In location of the cardioelements from the intercostal spaces at the left sternal border, the anteroposterior directions of the ultrasonic beam are called standard positions of the sensor, while the right directions of the beam--the right positions of the sensor. In definite cases the use of the right positions of the sensor makes it possible to record the right cavities of the heart. Depending on the foreshortening of the locating impulse, considerable variability of the shape of triacuspid valve movement is noted. The pulmonary valve is usually represented on the echogram at a depth of 3--5 cm by a thin linear structure which moves away from the thoracic wall rapidly during the ejection period. It is presumed that the recording of the right parts of the heart will yield valuable diagnostic information in echocardiographic examination.", "contents": "[Echography of the right sections of the heart (methodological aspects of ultrasonic location)]. In location of the cardioelements from the intercostal spaces at the left sternal border, the anteroposterior directions of the ultrasonic beam are called standard positions of the sensor, while the right directions of the beam--the right positions of the sensor. In definite cases the use of the right positions of the sensor makes it possible to record the right cavities of the heart. Depending on the foreshortening of the locating impulse, considerable variability of the shape of triacuspid valve movement is noted. The pulmonary valve is usually represented on the echogram at a depth of 3--5 cm by a thin linear structure which moves away from the thoracic wall rapidly during the ejection period. It is presumed that the recording of the right parts of the heart will yield valuable diagnostic information in echocardiographic examination.", "PMID": 633727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9959", "title": "[Echocardiographic diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency].", "content": "Seventy-two persons with various forms of mitral insufficiency of rheumatic and non-rheumatic etiology and 17 healthy individuals (control group) were examined. The results of echocardiography in 35 patients were compared with operative (mitral commissurotomy, valve plastics) findings. Several typical variants of a mitral echogram in patients with \"pure\", predominant and concomitant mitral insufficiency were distinguished. The predominantly \"valvular\" mechanism of mitral insufficiency in patients with rheumatic disease and the predominant role of \"subvalvular\" pathology in nonrheumatic insufficiency were revealed. The diagnostic value of determining the indices of cardiac activity and the size of the left parts of the heart by means of echocardiography is confirmed.", "contents": "[Echocardiographic diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency]. Seventy-two persons with various forms of mitral insufficiency of rheumatic and non-rheumatic etiology and 17 healthy individuals (control group) were examined. The results of echocardiography in 35 patients were compared with operative (mitral commissurotomy, valve plastics) findings. Several typical variants of a mitral echogram in patients with \"pure\", predominant and concomitant mitral insufficiency were distinguished. The predominantly \"valvular\" mechanism of mitral insufficiency in patients with rheumatic disease and the predominant role of \"subvalvular\" pathology in nonrheumatic insufficiency were revealed. The diagnostic value of determining the indices of cardiac activity and the size of the left parts of the heart by means of echocardiography is confirmed.", "PMID": 633728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9960", "title": "[Comparative diagnostic importance of 2 triaxial electrocardiographic systems (the Neba and McPhee-Parungao systems) in focal-cicatricial myocardial lesion of varying localization].", "content": "Comparison of two triaxial systems of an ECG record--the Neba system and the corrected McFee--Parungao system--showed that the second system possesses a greater number of informative signs than the first for differentiating the localization of a focal-cicatricial affection of the myocardium and comes close to the 12-axial system in informativeness: in focal-cicatricial lesion of the myocardium of a low localization they are recorded from lead Y, in anterior septal localization from lead Z, in anterolateral localization from lead X, in extensive affection (anterior septal, apico-lateral regions) from leads Y and Z. The Neba system proved unsuitable in the diagnosis of focal-cicatricial affection of low (postero-diaphragmatic) localization.", "contents": "[Comparative diagnostic importance of 2 triaxial electrocardiographic systems (the Neba and McPhee-Parungao systems) in focal-cicatricial myocardial lesion of varying localization]. Comparison of two triaxial systems of an ECG record--the Neba system and the corrected McFee--Parungao system--showed that the second system possesses a greater number of informative signs than the first for differentiating the localization of a focal-cicatricial affection of the myocardium and comes close to the 12-axial system in informativeness: in focal-cicatricial lesion of the myocardium of a low localization they are recorded from lead Y, in anterior septal localization from lead Z, in anterolateral localization from lead X, in extensive affection (anterior septal, apico-lateral regions) from leads Y and Z. The Neba system proved unsuitable in the diagnosis of focal-cicatricial affection of low (postero-diaphragmatic) localization.", "PMID": 633729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9961", "title": "[Postoperative astigmatism and visual acuity after cataract extraction with various operative methods (author's transl)].", "content": "The postoperative findings after cataract extraction with corneoscleral incision were compared with those after corneal incision in two groups consisting of 70 patients each. The criteria used were the degree and axis of postoperative astigmatism evaluated ophthalmometrically and the postoperative visual acuity. The preoperative values were taken into account. The mean values of astigmatism shortly after corneal incision were very much higher than those after corneoscleral incision, and they approached each other 6 months after cataract extraction. Patients who had an operation done with corneoscleral incision had a better visual acuity than those with corneal incision.", "contents": "[Postoperative astigmatism and visual acuity after cataract extraction with various operative methods (author's transl)]. The postoperative findings after cataract extraction with corneoscleral incision were compared with those after corneal incision in two groups consisting of 70 patients each. The criteria used were the degree and axis of postoperative astigmatism evaluated ophthalmometrically and the postoperative visual acuity. The preoperative values were taken into account. The mean values of astigmatism shortly after corneal incision were very much higher than those after corneoscleral incision, and they approached each other 6 months after cataract extraction. Patients who had an operation done with corneoscleral incision had a better visual acuity than those with corneal incision.", "PMID": 633765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9962", "title": "[The natural course of temporal branch vein occlusion (author's transl)].", "content": "The knowledge of the individual collateral circulation is mandatory to judge the natural course and the prognosis of temporal branch vein occlusion. When collateral circulations are present a favourable final result can be anticipated even in cases with pronounced decreased visual acuity. To determine the time for coagulation treatment the differentiation between reversible and irreversible retinal lesions following branch vein occlusion is helpful. Particularly attention has to be paid to save those vessels, serving as a drainage function of the macula. On the other hand those neovascularisations have to be eliminated, leading ultimately to vitreous hemorrhage.", "contents": "[The natural course of temporal branch vein occlusion (author's transl)]. The knowledge of the individual collateral circulation is mandatory to judge the natural course and the prognosis of temporal branch vein occlusion. When collateral circulations are present a favourable final result can be anticipated even in cases with pronounced decreased visual acuity. To determine the time for coagulation treatment the differentiation between reversible and irreversible retinal lesions following branch vein occlusion is helpful. Particularly attention has to be paid to save those vessels, serving as a drainage function of the macula. On the other hand those neovascularisations have to be eliminated, leading ultimately to vitreous hemorrhage.", "PMID": 633766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9963", "title": "[Applanation tonometry within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs (author's transl)].", "content": "Within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry from 8899 patients (5924 men, 66.6%; 2975 women, 33.4%) were statistically evaluated. The frequency of each i.o. pressure show no Gaussian distribution but is skewed to the right with marked excess to higher values of i.o. pressure. Correlation of mean i.o. pressure with age shows (starting in the group of the 20-24 years old to the 75-79 years old persons) a rather linear progression of i.o. pressure. The mean value of i.o. pressure (n = 17,798 eyes) was x = 16.25 mm Hg, the standard deviation +/- 3.45, the standard deviation of the mean +/- 0.03 mm Hg. In men in 2.18% in women in 1.81% higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg was found. I.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg have 0.66% of the men and 0.58% of the women. Patients forty years old and elder showing in 4.92% of the men and 4.88% of the women higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg. In patients fifty-five years old and elder in 5.75% of the men and respectively in 6.69% of the women i.o. pressure higher than 21 mm Hg was found. Incidences of elevated i.o. pressure from patients over forty years old in ten years steps are presented. In 103 patients with unilaterally i.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg 12% presents manifest diabetes mellitus. The usefullness of applanation tonometry as a practicable screening method for early glaucoma detection within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs is outlined. Advantages of data-aquisition and -processing systems to continue those studies are emphasized.", "contents": "[Applanation tonometry within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs (author's transl)]. Within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs intraocular pressure measurements by applanation tonometry from 8899 patients (5924 men, 66.6%; 2975 women, 33.4%) were statistically evaluated. The frequency of each i.o. pressure show no Gaussian distribution but is skewed to the right with marked excess to higher values of i.o. pressure. Correlation of mean i.o. pressure with age shows (starting in the group of the 20-24 years old to the 75-79 years old persons) a rather linear progression of i.o. pressure. The mean value of i.o. pressure (n = 17,798 eyes) was x = 16.25 mm Hg, the standard deviation +/- 3.45, the standard deviation of the mean +/- 0.03 mm Hg. In men in 2.18% in women in 1.81% higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg was found. I.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg have 0.66% of the men and 0.58% of the women. Patients forty years old and elder showing in 4.92% of the men and 4.88% of the women higher i.o. pressure than 21 mm Hg. In patients fifty-five years old and elder in 5.75% of the men and respectively in 6.69% of the women i.o. pressure higher than 21 mm Hg was found. Incidences of elevated i.o. pressure from patients over forty years old in ten years steps are presented. In 103 patients with unilaterally i.o. pressure higher than 24 mm Hg 12% presents manifest diabetes mellitus. The usefullness of applanation tonometry as a practicable screening method for early glaucoma detection within medical diagnostic \"check-up\" programs is outlined. Advantages of data-aquisition and -processing systems to continue those studies are emphasized.", "PMID": 633767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9964", "title": "[Growth hormone and diabetic retinopathy (author's transl)].", "content": "Changes in the serum level of growth hormone have been studied in 28 diabetics (6 exhibiting no diabetic retinopathy (d. r.), 10 displaying a non proliferative d. r., 6 having proliferative d. r., and 6 Brittle-diabetes) together with a control group consisting of 11 subjects (5 being totally healthy, and 6 having acromegaly without d. r.). Blood samples were obtained before and after arginine and glucagon administration and also following controlled exercise on the ergometer with 50% of the actual working capacity during 20 minutes. The presence of d. r. and its stage has been determined by fluorescein angiography. Our results demonstrate that an increased secretion of growth hormone in diabetics actually constitutes a manifestation of metabolic instability. Apparantly no correlation exists between the appearance of d. r. or its stage and the degree of growth hormone release.", "contents": "[Growth hormone and diabetic retinopathy (author's transl)]. Changes in the serum level of growth hormone have been studied in 28 diabetics (6 exhibiting no diabetic retinopathy (d. r.), 10 displaying a non proliferative d. r., 6 having proliferative d. r., and 6 Brittle-diabetes) together with a control group consisting of 11 subjects (5 being totally healthy, and 6 having acromegaly without d. r.). Blood samples were obtained before and after arginine and glucagon administration and also following controlled exercise on the ergometer with 50% of the actual working capacity during 20 minutes. The presence of d. r. and its stage has been determined by fluorescein angiography. Our results demonstrate that an increased secretion of growth hormone in diabetics actually constitutes a manifestation of metabolic instability. Apparantly no correlation exists between the appearance of d. r. or its stage and the degree of growth hormone release.", "PMID": 633768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9965", "title": "[On the prophylactic treatment in retinal detachment (author's transl)].", "content": "Within a period of three years, 152 eyes in 149 patients underwent prophylactic treatment for retinal lesions. The elements are considered that would move the surgeon to propose to the patient a prophylactic treatment. No complications were found in any of the eyes that were treated, however a retinal detachment occurred in two eyes, 6 to 8 months after treatment. Retinal lesions treated by prophylactic means are compared with those found in 500 eyes operated for retinal detachment during the same period. The results of this study leads to the conclusion that a real risk of retinal detachment is more dangerous than the possible consequences of prophylactic treatment.", "contents": "[On the prophylactic treatment in retinal detachment (author's transl)]. Within a period of three years, 152 eyes in 149 patients underwent prophylactic treatment for retinal lesions. The elements are considered that would move the surgeon to propose to the patient a prophylactic treatment. No complications were found in any of the eyes that were treated, however a retinal detachment occurred in two eyes, 6 to 8 months after treatment. Retinal lesions treated by prophylactic means are compared with those found in 500 eyes operated for retinal detachment during the same period. The results of this study leads to the conclusion that a real risk of retinal detachment is more dangerous than the possible consequences of prophylactic treatment.", "PMID": 633769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9966", "title": "[Ocular blood flow of cats after local administration of pilocarpine, phenylephrine, and of a mixture of both drugs (author's transl)].", "content": "Radioactively labelled microspheres (size 15 micron) were used to determine the regional blood flow in cats before and 15, 30 and 45 minutes after unilateral drug administration. In four experimental groups, each consisting of five animals, two drops of the drug were administered into the conjunctival sac. The blood flow increased in both eyes after administration of 2% pilocarpine and of Glauko Biciron, a mixture of 2% pilocarpine and 0.06% phenylephrine. No significant differences in the regional blood flows between the treated and untreated eye were found. After administration of 2% phenylephrine a decrease in blood flow was observed in both eyes, however earlier and more pronounced in the left eye. Thus, phenylephrine evoked the expected vasoconstrictive effect on the treated side. In the control group, which received physiological salt solution, the blood flow on the treated side decreased in most tissues, while an increase was observed on the untreated side.", "contents": "[Ocular blood flow of cats after local administration of pilocarpine, phenylephrine, and of a mixture of both drugs (author's transl)]. Radioactively labelled microspheres (size 15 micron) were used to determine the regional blood flow in cats before and 15, 30 and 45 minutes after unilateral drug administration. In four experimental groups, each consisting of five animals, two drops of the drug were administered into the conjunctival sac. The blood flow increased in both eyes after administration of 2% pilocarpine and of Glauko Biciron, a mixture of 2% pilocarpine and 0.06% phenylephrine. No significant differences in the regional blood flows between the treated and untreated eye were found. After administration of 2% phenylephrine a decrease in blood flow was observed in both eyes, however earlier and more pronounced in the left eye. Thus, phenylephrine evoked the expected vasoconstrictive effect on the treated side. In the control group, which received physiological salt solution, the blood flow on the treated side decreased in most tissues, while an increase was observed on the untreated side.", "PMID": 633770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9967", "title": "[Investigation in patients with central serous retinopathy with the MMPI Saarbr\u00fccken (author's transl)].", "content": "Patients with angiographically proven C.S.R. were investigated with the MMPI. They showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondria and hysteria-scale. The idea, that C.S.R. is an ocular psychosomatic disease is supported by the profile pattern, which shows an elevation of the \"Neurotic Triad\" with the characteristically depressed \"Psychosomatic Valley\".", "contents": "[Investigation in patients with central serous retinopathy with the MMPI Saarbr\u00fccken (author's transl)]. Patients with angiographically proven C.S.R. were investigated with the MMPI. They showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondria and hysteria-scale. The idea, that C.S.R. is an ocular psychosomatic disease is supported by the profile pattern, which shows an elevation of the \"Neurotic Triad\" with the characteristically depressed \"Psychosomatic Valley\".", "PMID": 633771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9968", "title": "[Pneumatotomography of the orbit (author's transl)].", "content": "After a description of the technique of -examination appropriate to pneumatotomography of the orbit the efficiency of this diagnostic method is discussed with regard to 8 personnally performed examinations. 5 cases are discussed in detail with illustrations. The indication for pneumatotomography should only be given when an orbitotomy is necessary. Serious complications are not known. Temporary increase of exophthalmos with emphysema of the eyelids, however, definitely uncomfortable for the patient.", "contents": "[Pneumatotomography of the orbit (author's transl)]. After a description of the technique of -examination appropriate to pneumatotomography of the orbit the efficiency of this diagnostic method is discussed with regard to 8 personnally performed examinations. 5 cases are discussed in detail with illustrations. The indication for pneumatotomography should only be given when an orbitotomy is necessary. Serious complications are not known. Temporary increase of exophthalmos with emphysema of the eyelids, however, definitely uncomfortable for the patient.", "PMID": 633772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9969", "title": "[A-scan echography of a hemangiopericytoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The echographic characteristics of hemangiopericytomas were previously described as being similar to those of the sarcomas, with relatively low spikes. A case with high spikes is presented, which could not be differentiated echographically from a cavernous hemangioma.", "contents": "[A-scan echography of a hemangiopericytoma (author's transl)]. The echographic characteristics of hemangiopericytomas were previously described as being similar to those of the sarcomas, with relatively low spikes. A case with high spikes is presented, which could not be differentiated echographically from a cavernous hemangioma.", "PMID": 633773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9970", "title": "[30 SL/M-conception of a general utility instrument for ophthalmology (author's transl)].", "content": "In respect to the instrument practice the slit lamp holds an eminent place in ophthalmology. The 6th generation of slit lamps after Gullstrand is now presented as a new development. The slit lamp 30 SL/M has been designed as a basic instrument which can be used with accessories to measure characteristics of the eye and to document actual shapes. With that the increasing demand for quantity and objectivity has been answered.", "contents": "[30 SL/M-conception of a general utility instrument for ophthalmology (author's transl)]. In respect to the instrument practice the slit lamp holds an eminent place in ophthalmology. The 6th generation of slit lamps after Gullstrand is now presented as a new development. The slit lamp 30 SL/M has been designed as a basic instrument which can be used with accessories to measure characteristics of the eye and to document actual shapes. With that the increasing demand for quantity and objectivity has been answered.", "PMID": 633774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9971", "title": "[The myogenic basis of smooth muscle motility (author's transl)].", "content": "Many mammalian smooth muscle tissues are able to produce spontaneous, myogenic activity. Five types of phasic-rhythmic activity can be distinguished: 1) Spikes: brief depolarizations of the membrane which trigger calcium release and contraction; 2) oscillations of the membrane potential of the second-rhythm type (SR) generating the spikes; 3) various organ-specific rhythms such as gastric and ureteral peristalsis which can be grouped together as basic organ-specific rhythms (BOR); 4) slower fluctuations of the minute-rhythm type (MR); 5) an hour-rhythm (HR) as the slowest type. In addition, some tissues generate tonic activity by special processes which can operate without spike discharges of the cell membrane. A selective blockade of phasic and tonic components is possible with some members of the group of so-called calcium antagonists. This indicates that two different calcium activation systems exist in the membrane of smooth muscle cells (P- and T-systems). Selective P- and T-blockade offers new possibilities for pharmacological influences on the smooth muscle system.", "contents": "[The myogenic basis of smooth muscle motility (author's transl)]. Many mammalian smooth muscle tissues are able to produce spontaneous, myogenic activity. Five types of phasic-rhythmic activity can be distinguished: 1) Spikes: brief depolarizations of the membrane which trigger calcium release and contraction; 2) oscillations of the membrane potential of the second-rhythm type (SR) generating the spikes; 3) various organ-specific rhythms such as gastric and ureteral peristalsis which can be grouped together as basic organ-specific rhythms (BOR); 4) slower fluctuations of the minute-rhythm type (MR); 5) an hour-rhythm (HR) as the slowest type. In addition, some tissues generate tonic activity by special processes which can operate without spike discharges of the cell membrane. A selective blockade of phasic and tonic components is possible with some members of the group of so-called calcium antagonists. This indicates that two different calcium activation systems exist in the membrane of smooth muscle cells (P- and T-systems). Selective P- and T-blockade offers new possibilities for pharmacological influences on the smooth muscle system.", "PMID": 633775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9972", "title": "PAS-positive lymphatic cells in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "content": "Cytological preparations have been investigated with the PAS-reaction in 8 cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 7 of which were angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 7 of which were malignant, including 2 cases of \"plasmoblastic\" sarcoma. The two sarcoma cases showed intensely PAS-positive tumor cells similar to those known from acute leukemias and malignant lymphomas. Two cases of malignant angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy disclosed very many, two more such cases only occasionally positive cells. One malignant case only was completely negative. Some positive cells were found in the case that appeared benign. The PAS reaction is recommended as a diagnostic aid in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "contents": "PAS-positive lymphatic cells in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Cytological preparations have been investigated with the PAS-reaction in 8 cases of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 7 of which were angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 7 of which were malignant, including 2 cases of \"plasmoblastic\" sarcoma. The two sarcoma cases showed intensely PAS-positive tumor cells similar to those known from acute leukemias and malignant lymphomas. Two cases of malignant angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy disclosed very many, two more such cases only occasionally positive cells. One malignant case only was completely negative. Some positive cells were found in the case that appeared benign. The PAS reaction is recommended as a diagnostic aid in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy.", "PMID": 633776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9973", "title": "[Biosynthesis of C19- and C21-steroids in tissue slices of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The biogenesis of C19- and C21-steroids has been studied in tissue slices of a paraganglioma, of a pheochromocytoma and of human adrenal cortex using radioactive steroids. Slices of paraganglioma as well as of pheochromocytoma metabolise 17-hydroxyprogesterone to cortisone, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and testosterone. The rate of formation of these steroids, however, by the two tumours is 8--15 times less than that in normal adrenal cortex tissue. After incubation of dehydroepiandrosterone with tissue slices of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma, 7alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, 11beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 4-androstene-3,17-dione were found as metabolites; testosterone was converted by both tissues to 4-androstene-3,17-dione. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone was converted to a small extent (1.7%) to dehydroepiandrosterone by slices of paranganglioma. These results show that enzymes of steroid biosynthesis (hydroxylases, oxidoreductases, delta4(-5)-isomerases, C17(-20)-desmolases) are present in both paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma.", "contents": "[Biosynthesis of C19- and C21-steroids in tissue slices of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma (author's transl)]. The biogenesis of C19- and C21-steroids has been studied in tissue slices of a paraganglioma, of a pheochromocytoma and of human adrenal cortex using radioactive steroids. Slices of paraganglioma as well as of pheochromocytoma metabolise 17-hydroxyprogesterone to cortisone, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and testosterone. The rate of formation of these steroids, however, by the two tumours is 8--15 times less than that in normal adrenal cortex tissue. After incubation of dehydroepiandrosterone with tissue slices of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma, 7alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, 11beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione and 4-androstene-3,17-dione were found as metabolites; testosterone was converted by both tissues to 4-androstene-3,17-dione. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone was converted to a small extent (1.7%) to dehydroepiandrosterone by slices of paranganglioma. These results show that enzymes of steroid biosynthesis (hydroxylases, oxidoreductases, delta4(-5)-isomerases, C17(-20)-desmolases) are present in both paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma.", "PMID": 633777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9974", "title": "[Studies on the pre- and posthepatic plasma histamine concentrations and their possible pathophysiological effects in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Fluorometric estimations of plasma histamine in the peripheral venous blood were performed in a control group of 16 subjects with normal liver values and normal liver biopsy specimen. Two further groups with liver changes were studied: Ten patients with fatty liver (stage I-II) and 22 cases suffering from liver cirrhosis, including 7 patients with portocaval shunt. Additionally, plasma histamine concentrations were determined in the blood of the portal vein, hepatic vein, cubital vein and in the femoral artery of another 11 normal subjects and 8 cirrhotic patients, some of them with portocaval shunt. The elimination of histamine by the liver was calculated. In healthy humans about two thirds (67.8 plus or minus 11.4 per cent; n=11) of the histamine content in the portal vein is eliminated by liver passage. This is due mainly to liver uptake and catabolism of histamine. It could be shown, that the elimination rate (41.0 plus or minus 15.1 per cent, n=8) is diminished in cirrhotic livers. Therefore, the plasma histamine content measured in the peripheral venous blood is significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in cirrhotic patients (1.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml; n=22) than in healthy subjects (0.7 +/0 0.2 ng/ml; n=16). The expected pathophysiological effects of the elevated plasma histamine levels in liver cirrhosis are discussed with respect to circulatory changes (\"hyperdynamic circulation\") and their possible role in the development of \"hepatogenic\" ulcers of the stomach.", "contents": "[Studies on the pre- and posthepatic plasma histamine concentrations and their possible pathophysiological effects in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)]. Fluorometric estimations of plasma histamine in the peripheral venous blood were performed in a control group of 16 subjects with normal liver values and normal liver biopsy specimen. Two further groups with liver changes were studied: Ten patients with fatty liver (stage I-II) and 22 cases suffering from liver cirrhosis, including 7 patients with portocaval shunt. Additionally, plasma histamine concentrations were determined in the blood of the portal vein, hepatic vein, cubital vein and in the femoral artery of another 11 normal subjects and 8 cirrhotic patients, some of them with portocaval shunt. The elimination of histamine by the liver was calculated. In healthy humans about two thirds (67.8 plus or minus 11.4 per cent; n=11) of the histamine content in the portal vein is eliminated by liver passage. This is due mainly to liver uptake and catabolism of histamine. It could be shown, that the elimination rate (41.0 plus or minus 15.1 per cent, n=8) is diminished in cirrhotic livers. Therefore, the plasma histamine content measured in the peripheral venous blood is significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in cirrhotic patients (1.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml; n=22) than in healthy subjects (0.7 +/0 0.2 ng/ml; n=16). The expected pathophysiological effects of the elevated plasma histamine levels in liver cirrhosis are discussed with respect to circulatory changes (\"hyperdynamic circulation\") and their possible role in the development of \"hepatogenic\" ulcers of the stomach.", "PMID": 633778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9975", "title": "[Interference of the tissue concentration of antibiotics with a salidiuretic. Behaviour of cephradine and cephalothin in brain tissue after additional administration of furosemide (author's transl)].", "content": "Serum and brain tissue concentrations were determined after i.v. administration of 4 g cephradine to 11 patients of whom 6 were additionally receiving 40 mg furosemide t.i.d. peroral. Five further patients were given 4 g cephalothin i.v. All patients were undergoing a brain operation at the time of antibiotic administration. Between 60 and 100 min after dosage, cephradine decreased in the serum from 104.9 mcg/ml to 56.7 mcg/ml and in the brain tissue from 13.02 mcg/g to 8.37 mcg/g in the mean. Cephradine concentrations in serum were higher and in brain tissue lower when furosemide was given as well. These differences are statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Serum concentrations of cephalothin over the same period and in the absence of furosemide were very low with 32.2 mcg/ml at 60 to 70 min, and extremely low in the brain tissue (0.55 mcg/g in the mean) so that a trial with furosemide was not performed. Neither antibiotic was detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid. The differences in serum and brain tissue concentrations of cephradine in the presence and absence of furosemide demonstrate that special care must be taken when administering more than one drug.", "contents": "[Interference of the tissue concentration of antibiotics with a salidiuretic. Behaviour of cephradine and cephalothin in brain tissue after additional administration of furosemide (author's transl)]. Serum and brain tissue concentrations were determined after i.v. administration of 4 g cephradine to 11 patients of whom 6 were additionally receiving 40 mg furosemide t.i.d. peroral. Five further patients were given 4 g cephalothin i.v. All patients were undergoing a brain operation at the time of antibiotic administration. Between 60 and 100 min after dosage, cephradine decreased in the serum from 104.9 mcg/ml to 56.7 mcg/ml and in the brain tissue from 13.02 mcg/g to 8.37 mcg/g in the mean. Cephradine concentrations in serum were higher and in brain tissue lower when furosemide was given as well. These differences are statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Serum concentrations of cephalothin over the same period and in the absence of furosemide were very low with 32.2 mcg/ml at 60 to 70 min, and extremely low in the brain tissue (0.55 mcg/g in the mean) so that a trial with furosemide was not performed. Neither antibiotic was detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid. The differences in serum and brain tissue concentrations of cephradine in the presence and absence of furosemide demonstrate that special care must be taken when administering more than one drug.", "PMID": 633779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9976", "title": "Renal hypotension in sodium and fluid deprivation: experimental findings in renin-depleted rats.", "content": "Arterial hypotension of renal origin occurred as consequence of low plasma renin activity in the presence of sodium and extracellular fluid volume depletion. Secretory insufficiency of the renin-producing juxtaglomerular cells and sodium and volume deprivation, simultaneously, were achieved by removing the \"clamped\" kidneys in renal hypertensive, sodium- and volume-depleted rats leaving in situ the contralateral kidneys deprived of renin during the preceding period of hypertension. It is suggested that renal hypotension after acute losses of sodium and extracellular fluid may also develop in patients with chronically depressed renin-angiotensin system.", "contents": "Renal hypotension in sodium and fluid deprivation: experimental findings in renin-depleted rats. Arterial hypotension of renal origin occurred as consequence of low plasma renin activity in the presence of sodium and extracellular fluid volume depletion. Secretory insufficiency of the renin-producing juxtaglomerular cells and sodium and volume deprivation, simultaneously, were achieved by removing the \"clamped\" kidneys in renal hypertensive, sodium- and volume-depleted rats leaving in situ the contralateral kidneys deprived of renin during the preceding period of hypertension. It is suggested that renal hypotension after acute losses of sodium and extracellular fluid may also develop in patients with chronically depressed renin-angiotensin system.", "PMID": 633780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9977", "title": "Elevated serum calcium concentrations in mammary tumor bearing C3H/Fg mice without bony metastases.", "content": "Sera from eight adult C3H/Fg mice bearing spontaneous mammary gland tumors were analyzed for calcium content in two successive weekly samples. The sera from six mice were fount to have significantly elevated serum calcium concentrations while sera from two were normocalcemic. Intramuscular implantation of mammary gland tumors into 12, 3-month-old female C3H/Fg mice resulted in significant and progressive increases in serum calcium concentrations over a 4-week period. Subcutaneous implants had a similar effect, but gave less consistent results. These data supported the hypothesis that mammary gland tumors are capable of inducing elevated serum calcium concentrations in C3H/Fg mice. It was concluded that low grade elevation of serum calcium occasionally seen in adult female C3H/Fg mice may be caused by incipient mammary gland tumors.", "contents": "Elevated serum calcium concentrations in mammary tumor bearing C3H/Fg mice without bony metastases. Sera from eight adult C3H/Fg mice bearing spontaneous mammary gland tumors were analyzed for calcium content in two successive weekly samples. The sera from six mice were fount to have significantly elevated serum calcium concentrations while sera from two were normocalcemic. Intramuscular implantation of mammary gland tumors into 12, 3-month-old female C3H/Fg mice resulted in significant and progressive increases in serum calcium concentrations over a 4-week period. Subcutaneous implants had a similar effect, but gave less consistent results. These data supported the hypothesis that mammary gland tumors are capable of inducing elevated serum calcium concentrations in C3H/Fg mice. It was concluded that low grade elevation of serum calcium occasionally seen in adult female C3H/Fg mice may be caused by incipient mammary gland tumors.", "PMID": 633837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9978", "title": "Germfree mice reared on an \"antigen-free\" diet.", "content": "Germfree mice were fed through three generations a water soluble, chemically defined, \"antigen-free\" diet with a supplement of oil and oil-soluble vitamins. Second generation animals were compared to germfree and specific-pathogen-free mice fed a natural-type commercial diet. The ceca of the germfree mice fed the antigen-free diet were smaller than those of germfree mice fed the natural-type diet but larger than those of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their mean spleen size was between that of germfree and specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet, but the differences were of borderline significance. Germfree mice fed the antigen-free diet had fewer leukocytes than the other groups. Their serum immunoglobulin G level was one-tenth that of germfree mice fed the natural-type diet and one-hundredth that of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their serum immunoglobulin M was only slightly below germfree, natural-type diet levels. Immunoglobulin A could be detected in the intestinal wall and contents of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet but not in either of the germfree groups.", "contents": "Germfree mice reared on an \"antigen-free\" diet. Germfree mice were fed through three generations a water soluble, chemically defined, \"antigen-free\" diet with a supplement of oil and oil-soluble vitamins. Second generation animals were compared to germfree and specific-pathogen-free mice fed a natural-type commercial diet. The ceca of the germfree mice fed the antigen-free diet were smaller than those of germfree mice fed the natural-type diet but larger than those of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their mean spleen size was between that of germfree and specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet, but the differences were of borderline significance. Germfree mice fed the antigen-free diet had fewer leukocytes than the other groups. Their serum immunoglobulin G level was one-tenth that of germfree mice fed the natural-type diet and one-hundredth that of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their serum immunoglobulin M was only slightly below germfree, natural-type diet levels. Immunoglobulin A could be detected in the intestinal wall and contents of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet but not in either of the germfree groups.", "PMID": 633838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9979", "title": "Hexamitiasis in a laboratory mouse colony.", "content": "An acute fatal disease occurred in a mouse colony at the authors' institution. The disease caused 50% mortality among weanling mice, and was characterized clinically by depression, rough hair coat, and distention of the abdomen. The most prominent gross lesions were watery fluid and gas in the small intestine. Numerous organisms identified as Hexamita muris were seen in direct smears of the intestinal fluid. Microscopic and electron microscopic examination revealed the same organisms in the intestinal crypts, within the mucosal epithelium, and in the lamina propria. Treatment with dimetridazole controlled the clinical disease but did not eliminate the infection.", "contents": "Hexamitiasis in a laboratory mouse colony. An acute fatal disease occurred in a mouse colony at the authors' institution. The disease caused 50% mortality among weanling mice, and was characterized clinically by depression, rough hair coat, and distention of the abdomen. The most prominent gross lesions were watery fluid and gas in the small intestine. Numerous organisms identified as Hexamita muris were seen in direct smears of the intestinal fluid. Microscopic and electron microscopic examination revealed the same organisms in the intestinal crypts, within the mucosal epithelium, and in the lamina propria. Treatment with dimetridazole controlled the clinical disease but did not eliminate the infection.", "PMID": 633839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9980", "title": "Anesthesia in the mouse using a combination of ketamine and promazine.", "content": "An anesthetic combination of ketamine and promazine was tested in 25 male and 25 female mice of each of two strains. The mean induction time was 5 minutes for the C57BL/6We mouse and 8 minutes for the DBA/2We mouse. No sex differences were observed. The mean duration time was 45 minutes for the C57BL/6We male, 53 minutes for the C57BL/TWe female, 29 minutes for the DBA/2We male, and 35 minutes for the DBA/2We female. The mean recovery time was 39 minutes for the C57BL/6We male, 38 minutes for the C57BL/6We female, 21 minutes for the DBA/2We male, and 24 minutes for the DBA/2We female. The drug combination provided effective anesthesia for these strains of the laboratory mouse for a period of 30--50 minutes after a single intramuscular injection.", "contents": "Anesthesia in the mouse using a combination of ketamine and promazine. An anesthetic combination of ketamine and promazine was tested in 25 male and 25 female mice of each of two strains. The mean induction time was 5 minutes for the C57BL/6We mouse and 8 minutes for the DBA/2We mouse. No sex differences were observed. The mean duration time was 45 minutes for the C57BL/6We male, 53 minutes for the C57BL/TWe female, 29 minutes for the DBA/2We male, and 35 minutes for the DBA/2We female. The mean recovery time was 39 minutes for the C57BL/6We male, 38 minutes for the C57BL/6We female, 21 minutes for the DBA/2We male, and 24 minutes for the DBA/2We female. The drug combination provided effective anesthesia for these strains of the laboratory mouse for a period of 30--50 minutes after a single intramuscular injection.", "PMID": 633840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9981", "title": "Growth and development of the European ferret (Mustela putorius).", "content": "Body weight, body length, and other developmental parameters were studied in the European ferret, Mustela putorius, from birth to 26 weeks of age. Males and females did not differ in weight until the seventh week of live, and they did not differ in length until the ninth week of life, when the males began to grow faster. Adult males (1400--1500 g) were heavier than adult females (800--900 g), but females reached adult size faster than males.", "contents": "Growth and development of the European ferret (Mustela putorius). Body weight, body length, and other developmental parameters were studied in the European ferret, Mustela putorius, from birth to 26 weeks of age. Males and females did not differ in weight until the seventh week of live, and they did not differ in length until the ninth week of life, when the males began to grow faster. Adult males (1400--1500 g) were heavier than adult females (800--900 g), but females reached adult size faster than males.", "PMID": 633841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9982", "title": "A tool and an instrument modification to facilitate aortic flow probe placement.", "content": "A tool was designed and fabricated to simplify the procedure of placing a flow probe around the aortic root in acute animal experiments. The tool was made from a section of silicone rubber tubing which was flattened and tapered at one end. The flow probe was inserted into the open end of the tool, and the tapered end was drawn under the aorta, thus pulling the probe into position. Grooves were also ground into the probe body to ease the installation of the slot cover. During the 2 years that the tool and modified probes were used, they saved time and eliminated rupture of vessels as complications of aortic root flow probe placement.", "contents": "A tool and an instrument modification to facilitate aortic flow probe placement. A tool was designed and fabricated to simplify the procedure of placing a flow probe around the aortic root in acute animal experiments. The tool was made from a section of silicone rubber tubing which was flattened and tapered at one end. The flow probe was inserted into the open end of the tool, and the tapered end was drawn under the aorta, thus pulling the probe into position. Grooves were also ground into the probe body to ease the installation of the slot cover. During the 2 years that the tool and modified probes were used, they saved time and eliminated rupture of vessels as complications of aortic root flow probe placement.", "PMID": 633842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9983", "title": "Radiation injury in the neonatal canine kidney. II. Quantitative morphology.", "content": "Quantitative morphology was used to investigate injury induced in the developing canine kidney by ionizing radiation. Irradiation at 2 days of age destroyed nephrogenic tissue in the outer renal cortex and significantly reduced kidney weight and volume through 70 days of age. However, as early as 14 days of age and continuing through 200 days of age, hypertrophy was demonstrated in the surviving middle and inner cortical nephrons of these kidneys. Both corpuscular and tubular components of the nephrons grew at an accelerated rate as compared to controls. The corpuscular volume per nephron increased 559 per cent in irradiated dogs and only 249 per cent in controls from 14 to 200 days of age. The tubular volume per nephron increased 519 per cent in irradiated dogs and 303 per cent in controls during the same period. As a result of the compensatory growth in individual nephrons, the kidneys of irradiated dogs at 200 days of age were as large as the controls when compared on the basis of body weight. The extensive hypertrophy is associated with accelerated development of intercapillary glomerulosclerosis in dogs irradiated around the time of birth.", "contents": "Radiation injury in the neonatal canine kidney. II. Quantitative morphology. Quantitative morphology was used to investigate injury induced in the developing canine kidney by ionizing radiation. Irradiation at 2 days of age destroyed nephrogenic tissue in the outer renal cortex and significantly reduced kidney weight and volume through 70 days of age. However, as early as 14 days of age and continuing through 200 days of age, hypertrophy was demonstrated in the surviving middle and inner cortical nephrons of these kidneys. Both corpuscular and tubular components of the nephrons grew at an accelerated rate as compared to controls. The corpuscular volume per nephron increased 559 per cent in irradiated dogs and only 249 per cent in controls from 14 to 200 days of age. The tubular volume per nephron increased 519 per cent in irradiated dogs and 303 per cent in controls during the same period. As a result of the compensatory growth in individual nephrons, the kidneys of irradiated dogs at 200 days of age were as large as the controls when compared on the basis of body weight. The extensive hypertrophy is associated with accelerated development of intercapillary glomerulosclerosis in dogs irradiated around the time of birth.", "PMID": 633847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9984", "title": "Unilateral obstructive nephropathy in the rabbit. II. Late morphologic changes.", "content": "The late histologic and ultrastructural effects of complete unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rabbit kidney were studied from 7 to 32 days postobstruction. Papillary necrosis occurred in all animals by the 7th day. There was progressive widening of the cortical interstitial space with proliferation of fibroblasts. Increased interstitial collagen fibers first became apparent on the 7th day and showed a progressive increase with time. The fibroblasts underwent myofibroblast transformation beginning on the 7th day. All segments of the nephron showed ultrastructural evidence of sublethal cell injury with loss of cell specialization. The dedifferentiation of the tubular cells was associated with a repetitive formation of new lamellae of basement membrane on the luminal side of the original basement membranes beginning on the 16th day of obstruction. These morphologic changes are discussed in terms of the physiologic changes previously reported in this model and the known clinical abnormalities found in obstructive uropathy.", "contents": "Unilateral obstructive nephropathy in the rabbit. II. Late morphologic changes. The late histologic and ultrastructural effects of complete unilateral ureteral obstruction in the rabbit kidney were studied from 7 to 32 days postobstruction. Papillary necrosis occurred in all animals by the 7th day. There was progressive widening of the cortical interstitial space with proliferation of fibroblasts. Increased interstitial collagen fibers first became apparent on the 7th day and showed a progressive increase with time. The fibroblasts underwent myofibroblast transformation beginning on the 7th day. All segments of the nephron showed ultrastructural evidence of sublethal cell injury with loss of cell specialization. The dedifferentiation of the tubular cells was associated with a repetitive formation of new lamellae of basement membrane on the luminal side of the original basement membranes beginning on the 16th day of obstruction. These morphologic changes are discussed in terms of the physiologic changes previously reported in this model and the known clinical abnormalities found in obstructive uropathy.", "PMID": 633852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9985", "title": "Coronary risk factors and autopsy findings in Japanese-American men.", "content": "During the years 1965 to 1974, 481 men who had participated in a standardized examination at the Honolulu Heart Study died. Autopsies were conducted in 226 of the men, and in 137 the extent of coronary and/or aortic atherosclerosis was estimated by the American Heart Association panel method. This method was found to be simple and highly reproducible. In multivariate analysis, statistically independent associations were found between aortic atherosclerosis and age at death, cigarettes per day, serum cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure; between coronary atherosclerosis and relative weight, cigarettes per day, and serum cholesterol; and between heart weight and height, relative weight, and systolic blood pressure. Alcohol consumption was lower and hematocrit was higher in men with infarcts than in other decedents, but no statistically significant relation between these variables and coronary or aortic atherosclerosis could be demonstrated.", "contents": "Coronary risk factors and autopsy findings in Japanese-American men. During the years 1965 to 1974, 481 men who had participated in a standardized examination at the Honolulu Heart Study died. Autopsies were conducted in 226 of the men, and in 137 the extent of coronary and/or aortic atherosclerosis was estimated by the American Heart Association panel method. This method was found to be simple and highly reproducible. In multivariate analysis, statistically independent associations were found between aortic atherosclerosis and age at death, cigarettes per day, serum cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure; between coronary atherosclerosis and relative weight, cigarettes per day, and serum cholesterol; and between heart weight and height, relative weight, and systolic blood pressure. Alcohol consumption was lower and hematocrit was higher in men with infarcts than in other decedents, but no statistically significant relation between these variables and coronary or aortic atherosclerosis could be demonstrated.", "PMID": 633854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9986", "title": "A study of clients' perceptions of therapeutic effectiveness.", "content": "A factor-analytic investigation was conducted to determine how adult communication-disordered clients perceive variables that speech-language pathologists feel are important to effective management. One hundred sixty-two subjects representing a relatively balanced distribution of sex, age, and disorder group responded to the study from private, hospital, and university speech clinics. The results indicated that clinician demographic characteristics contribute least to clients' perceptions of therapeutic effectiveness while technical and interpersonal skills are the more essential ingredients of clinical management. Similarities between clients', clinicians', and supervisors' perceptions are considered and implications are discussed.", "contents": "A study of clients' perceptions of therapeutic effectiveness. A factor-analytic investigation was conducted to determine how adult communication-disordered clients perceive variables that speech-language pathologists feel are important to effective management. One hundred sixty-two subjects representing a relatively balanced distribution of sex, age, and disorder group responded to the study from private, hospital, and university speech clinics. The results indicated that clinician demographic characteristics contribute least to clients' perceptions of therapeutic effectiveness while technical and interpersonal skills are the more essential ingredients of clinical management. Similarities between clients', clinicians', and supervisors' perceptions are considered and implications are discussed.", "PMID": 633869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9987", "title": "Self-perception of speaking pitch levels.", "content": "The literature has noted that speakers often perceive their own speaking pitch levels differently than listeners perceive them. However, little information is available regarding the specific characteristics of such perceptual differences. Speaking pitch level self-perception was explored in a group of 11 young adult males who served both as talkers and listeners. As a talker, each subject judged his own speaking pitch level in the process of speaking (live judgments) and during taped replay (taped judgments). The subjects' self-rankings in these two tasks and the rank order of taped voices as judged by listeners were compared to fundamental frequency rankings for the voices. The results indicated that the subjects judged their own taped voices in the same way that the listeners judged them, and the judgments corresponded to fundamental frequency rankings. During the live judgments, the subjects avoided extreme self-rankings, preferring to rank themselves closer to an average pitch level. The findings may have clinical significance in the remediation of certain voice disorders.", "contents": "Self-perception of speaking pitch levels. The literature has noted that speakers often perceive their own speaking pitch levels differently than listeners perceive them. However, little information is available regarding the specific characteristics of such perceptual differences. Speaking pitch level self-perception was explored in a group of 11 young adult males who served both as talkers and listeners. As a talker, each subject judged his own speaking pitch level in the process of speaking (live judgments) and during taped replay (taped judgments). The subjects' self-rankings in these two tasks and the rank order of taped voices as judged by listeners were compared to fundamental frequency rankings for the voices. The results indicated that the subjects judged their own taped voices in the same way that the listeners judged them, and the judgments corresponded to fundamental frequency rankings. During the live judgments, the subjects avoided extreme self-rankings, preferring to rank themselves closer to an average pitch level. The findings may have clinical significance in the remediation of certain voice disorders.", "PMID": 633870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9988", "title": "The aural-overload test: twenty years later.", "content": "This paper reviews the underlying theory, the psychophysical test procedure, and the clinical applications of the aural-overload test. Clinical applications include (1) the delineation of persons susceptible to acoustic trauma, (2) the evaluation of post-exposure damage to the auditory system, (3) assistance in site-of-lesion testing, and (4) the assessment of loudness recruitment. The relationship between aural-overload thresholds and speech-discrimination scores for normal and pathological ears is also discussed.", "contents": "The aural-overload test: twenty years later. This paper reviews the underlying theory, the psychophysical test procedure, and the clinical applications of the aural-overload test. Clinical applications include (1) the delineation of persons susceptible to acoustic trauma, (2) the evaluation of post-exposure damage to the auditory system, (3) assistance in site-of-lesion testing, and (4) the assessment of loudness recruitment. The relationship between aural-overload thresholds and speech-discrimination scores for normal and pathological ears is also discussed.", "PMID": 633871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9989", "title": "Frequency and cooccurrence of vocal tract dysfunctions in the speech of a large sample of Parkinson patients.", "content": "In this study, the frequency of occurrence of speech and voice symptoms in 200 Parkinson patients was defined by two expert listeners from high-fidelity tape recordings of conversational speech samples and readings of the sentence version of the Fisher-Logemann Test of Articulation Competence. Specific phonemes that were misarticulated were catalogued. Other vocal-tract dysfunctions, including laryngeal disorders, rate disorders, and hypernasality, were also recorded. Cooccurrence of symptoms in each patient was tabulated. Examination of the patterns of cooccurring dysfunctions permitted classifying the 200 patients into five groups: Group 1 (45% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction as their only vocal-tract symptom; Group 2 (13.5% of the patients) with laryngeal and back-tongue involvement; Group 3 (17% of the patients) with laryngeal, back-tongue, and tongue-blade dysfunction; Group 4 (5.5% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction, back-tongue involvement, tongue-blade dysfunction, and labial misarticulations; and Group 5 (9% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction and misarticulations of the back tongue, tongue blade, lips, and tongue tip. Disfluencies and hypernasality did not follow a systematic pattern of cooccurrence with other vocal-tract dysfunctions.", "contents": "Frequency and cooccurrence of vocal tract dysfunctions in the speech of a large sample of Parkinson patients. In this study, the frequency of occurrence of speech and voice symptoms in 200 Parkinson patients was defined by two expert listeners from high-fidelity tape recordings of conversational speech samples and readings of the sentence version of the Fisher-Logemann Test of Articulation Competence. Specific phonemes that were misarticulated were catalogued. Other vocal-tract dysfunctions, including laryngeal disorders, rate disorders, and hypernasality, were also recorded. Cooccurrence of symptoms in each patient was tabulated. Examination of the patterns of cooccurring dysfunctions permitted classifying the 200 patients into five groups: Group 1 (45% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction as their only vocal-tract symptom; Group 2 (13.5% of the patients) with laryngeal and back-tongue involvement; Group 3 (17% of the patients) with laryngeal, back-tongue, and tongue-blade dysfunction; Group 4 (5.5% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction, back-tongue involvement, tongue-blade dysfunction, and labial misarticulations; and Group 5 (9% of the patients) with laryngeal dysfunction and misarticulations of the back tongue, tongue blade, lips, and tongue tip. Disfluencies and hypernasality did not follow a systematic pattern of cooccurrence with other vocal-tract dysfunctions.", "PMID": 633872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9990", "title": "Elicitor effects on the language obtained from young language-impaired children.", "content": "Language samples are typically obtained during speech and language evaluations by the speech-language pathologist to assess the level of expressive language development of young children. These samples are assumed to be accurate representations of the children's language skills. This study examines the effects of the elicitor on the language obtained from three- to six-year-old language-impaired children in a clinical setting. A corpus of nonimitated utterances was collected in 25 min from each of the nine subjects under two conditions: mother as elicitor and clinician as elicitor. The corpus of language collected under each condition was examined using the following measures: (1) numeric-number of utterances; (2) lexical-vocabulary type-token ratio: (3) grammatic-mean length of utterance, (4) percentage of one-morpheme utterances, (5) percentage of two-morpheme utterances, (6) percentage of three- or more morpheme utterances, (7) proportion of grammatical morphemes per utterance (8) semantic-percentage occurrence of semantic categories, and (9) type-token ratio for each of the 13 semantic categories. The data analysis revealed that the elicitor affected the number of utterances collected in a specific time period, but neither the lexical, grammatic, nor semantic aspects of the utterances were affected. The results state practical implications for evaluation procedures used in a clinical setting.", "contents": "Elicitor effects on the language obtained from young language-impaired children. Language samples are typically obtained during speech and language evaluations by the speech-language pathologist to assess the level of expressive language development of young children. These samples are assumed to be accurate representations of the children's language skills. This study examines the effects of the elicitor on the language obtained from three- to six-year-old language-impaired children in a clinical setting. A corpus of nonimitated utterances was collected in 25 min from each of the nine subjects under two conditions: mother as elicitor and clinician as elicitor. The corpus of language collected under each condition was examined using the following measures: (1) numeric-number of utterances; (2) lexical-vocabulary type-token ratio: (3) grammatic-mean length of utterance, (4) percentage of one-morpheme utterances, (5) percentage of two-morpheme utterances, (6) percentage of three- or more morpheme utterances, (7) proportion of grammatical morphemes per utterance (8) semantic-percentage occurrence of semantic categories, and (9) type-token ratio for each of the 13 semantic categories. The data analysis revealed that the elicitor affected the number of utterances collected in a specific time period, but neither the lexical, grammatic, nor semantic aspects of the utterances were affected. The results state practical implications for evaluation procedures used in a clinical setting.", "PMID": 633873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9991", "title": "Modification of the eight-step continuum for treatment of apraxia of speech in adults.", "content": "A previously reported treatment program for patients with severe apraxia of speech suggested that (1) some communicative ability could be restored, (2) it might be feasible to develop home programs from the original program, (3) the complete eight-step continuum may not be necessary, and (4) some patients had difficulty at step 4 in the program. Protocols from four severely apractic patients supported the contention that some communicative ability could be restored using this program. Effective home programs, based on the original program, were successfully developed. The complete program was not needed for two of the four patients. Finally, a methodology for reducing the difficulty at step 4 in the program was discussed.", "contents": "Modification of the eight-step continuum for treatment of apraxia of speech in adults. A previously reported treatment program for patients with severe apraxia of speech suggested that (1) some communicative ability could be restored, (2) it might be feasible to develop home programs from the original program, (3) the complete eight-step continuum may not be necessary, and (4) some patients had difficulty at step 4 in the program. Protocols from four severely apractic patients supported the contention that some communicative ability could be restored using this program. Effective home programs, based on the original program, were successfully developed. The complete program was not needed for two of the four patients. Finally, a methodology for reducing the difficulty at step 4 in the program was discussed.", "PMID": 633874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9992", "title": "EMG feedback and recovery of facial and speech gestures following neural anastomosis.", "content": "A case report is presented of an attempt to increase muscle activity during nonspeech and speech activities through surface electromyographic feedback. The subject, a 25-year-old male, had a surgical anastomosis of the seventh cranial to the twelfth cranial nerve five years prior to the initiation of this therapy. The right side of the face was immobile. Frequency analogs of muscle action potentials from the right lower lip during pressing, retraction, eversion, and speech were presented to the subject. His task was to increase the frequency of the tone thereby increasing muscle activity. The subject made substantial improvement in the gestures listed above. Electrodes also were placed in various infraorbital positions for an upper lip lifting task. This gesture was unimproved. Pre- and posttherapy independence of facial gestures from conscious tongue contraction was found. Possible explanations were proposed for (1) increases of muscle activity in the lower lip, (2) lack of change of MAPs in the upper lip, (3) independence of the facial muscle activity from conscious tongue contraction, and (4) effectiveness of this feedback training.", "contents": "EMG feedback and recovery of facial and speech gestures following neural anastomosis. A case report is presented of an attempt to increase muscle activity during nonspeech and speech activities through surface electromyographic feedback. The subject, a 25-year-old male, had a surgical anastomosis of the seventh cranial to the twelfth cranial nerve five years prior to the initiation of this therapy. The right side of the face was immobile. Frequency analogs of muscle action potentials from the right lower lip during pressing, retraction, eversion, and speech were presented to the subject. His task was to increase the frequency of the tone thereby increasing muscle activity. The subject made substantial improvement in the gestures listed above. Electrodes also were placed in various infraorbital positions for an upper lip lifting task. This gesture was unimproved. Pre- and posttherapy independence of facial gestures from conscious tongue contraction was found. Possible explanations were proposed for (1) increases of muscle activity in the lower lip, (2) lack of change of MAPs in the upper lip, (3) independence of the facial muscle activity from conscious tongue contraction, and (4) effectiveness of this feedback training.", "PMID": 633875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9993", "title": "Analysis of abnormal articulatory dynamics in two dysarthric patients.", "content": "By means of pellet tracking techniques using an X-ray microbeam system, observations of the articulatory movements of various types of dysarthric subjects were conducted. In selected cases, electromyography (EMG) was also performed. The data were specifically examined for range, velocity, and consistency (reproducibility) of the movements of the articulators, as well as the pattern of coordination of the different articulators involved. It was found in the case of ataxic dysarthria of cerebellar origin, for example, that the dynamic patterns were best represented as a difficulty in the initiation of purposeful movements and an inconsistency of articulatory movements, particularly in the repetitive production of a monosyllable. On EMG, breakdown of the rhythmical patterns in the articulatory muscles was quite obvious in the repetition of a monosyllable. In the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), decrease in the range and velocity of movements was noted. This resulted from reduced neuromuscular units (NMU) activities manifested in clinical EMG. Analysis of the dynamic aspects of the dysarthrias is a promising approach for elucidating the nature of central problems of speech production and for a differential diagnosis of various types of dysarthrias.", "contents": "Analysis of abnormal articulatory dynamics in two dysarthric patients. By means of pellet tracking techniques using an X-ray microbeam system, observations of the articulatory movements of various types of dysarthric subjects were conducted. In selected cases, electromyography (EMG) was also performed. The data were specifically examined for range, velocity, and consistency (reproducibility) of the movements of the articulators, as well as the pattern of coordination of the different articulators involved. It was found in the case of ataxic dysarthria of cerebellar origin, for example, that the dynamic patterns were best represented as a difficulty in the initiation of purposeful movements and an inconsistency of articulatory movements, particularly in the repetitive production of a monosyllable. On EMG, breakdown of the rhythmical patterns in the articulatory muscles was quite obvious in the repetition of a monosyllable. In the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), decrease in the range and velocity of movements was noted. This resulted from reduced neuromuscular units (NMU) activities manifested in clinical EMG. Analysis of the dynamic aspects of the dysarthrias is a promising approach for elucidating the nature of central problems of speech production and for a differential diagnosis of various types of dysarthrias.", "PMID": 633876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9994", "title": "Biochemical correlates of ethanol-induced flushing in Orientals.", "content": "Following the ingestion of alcohol, Orientals experienced smaller decreases in serum hydrocortisone levels than did Occidentals.", "contents": "Biochemical correlates of ethanol-induced flushing in Orientals. Following the ingestion of alcohol, Orientals experienced smaller decreases in serum hydrocortisone levels than did Occidentals.", "PMID": 633893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9995", "title": "Alcoholics Anonymous in a Western U.S. city.", "content": "Description of two groups of Alcoholics Anonymous includes data on the relationship between attendance during a 4-month period and abstinence at 6-month and 30-month follow-up studies.", "contents": "Alcoholics Anonymous in a Western U.S. city. Description of two groups of Alcoholics Anonymous includes data on the relationship between attendance during a 4-month period and abstinence at 6-month and 30-month follow-up studies.", "PMID": 633894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9996", "title": "Individual differences in response to alcohol. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation.", "content": "Subjects who envidenced vasoconstriction after consuming alcohol did better than vasodilators on a simple motor task, but worse on more demanding tasks.", "contents": "Individual differences in response to alcohol. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Subjects who envidenced vasoconstriction after consuming alcohol did better than vasodilators on a simple motor task, but worse on more demanding tasks.", "PMID": 633895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9997", "title": "Children of alcoholics. Report of a preliminary study and comments on the literature.", "content": "Familial relationships in 11 families in which 1 parent is an alcoholic are discussed in the context of literature on the children of alcoholics.", "contents": "Children of alcoholics. Report of a preliminary study and comments on the literature. Familial relationships in 11 families in which 1 parent is an alcoholic are discussed in the context of literature on the children of alcoholics.", "PMID": 633896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9998", "title": "Usefulness of population controls in retrospective studies of alcohol consumption. Experience from a case--control study of esophageal cancer in Ille-et-Vilaine, France.", "content": "Men from the general population of an area, interviewed in their homes, and men from the same area who were hospitalized (without alochol-related diseases) and interviewed in the hospital had similar distributions according to alcohol use.", "contents": "Usefulness of population controls in retrospective studies of alcohol consumption. Experience from a case--control study of esophageal cancer in Ille-et-Vilaine, France. Men from the general population of an area, interviewed in their homes, and men from the same area who were hospitalized (without alochol-related diseases) and interviewed in the hospital had similar distributions according to alcohol use.", "PMID": 633897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_9999", "title": "On the probability of implanted disulfiram's causing a reaction to ethanol.", "content": "Calculations indicate that patients with implanted disulfiram are unlikely to experience a pharmacologically induced disulfiram--ethanol reaction.", "contents": "On the probability of implanted disulfiram's causing a reaction to ethanol. Calculations indicate that patients with implanted disulfiram are unlikely to experience a pharmacologically induced disulfiram--ethanol reaction.", "PMID": 633898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10000", "title": "A comparison of two aversion treatment methods for alcoholism.", "content": "In a follow-up study, patients who had received either chemical or electrical aversion treatment reported similar rates of abstinence.", "contents": "A comparison of two aversion treatment methods for alcoholism. In a follow-up study, patients who had received either chemical or electrical aversion treatment reported similar rates of abstinence.", "PMID": 633899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10001", "title": "Ethanol selection by inbred mice. Mode of inheritance and the effect of age on the genetic system.", "content": "Ethanol intake by inbred and hybrid mice generally decreased after maturity, than increased in old age and senescence. Genetic differences in ethanol selection decreased with increasing age.", "contents": "Ethanol selection by inbred mice. Mode of inheritance and the effect of age on the genetic system. Ethanol intake by inbred and hybrid mice generally decreased after maturity, than increased in old age and senescence. Genetic differences in ethanol selection decreased with increasing age.", "PMID": 633900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10002", "title": "Prediction of posttreatment effectiveness in Navy alcoholics.", "content": "Major predictors of the posttreatment effectiveness of 2195 alcoholics enlisted in the U.S. Navy were, for men 26 and over, abstinence during treatment, years of service and level of pay, and, for younger men, level of pay, not being demoted and not missing promotion to petty officer status.", "contents": "Prediction of posttreatment effectiveness in Navy alcoholics. Major predictors of the posttreatment effectiveness of 2195 alcoholics enlisted in the U.S. Navy were, for men 26 and over, abstinence during treatment, years of service and level of pay, and, for younger men, level of pay, not being demoted and not missing promotion to petty officer status.", "PMID": 633901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10003", "title": "Predicting length of stay by patients hospitalized for alcoholism of drug dependence.", "content": "Involuntary admission, admission while intoxicated, hostility and denial of problems were associated with early dropout from an alcoholism treatment program, as were unemployment, younger age and having a spouse or someone else to live with.", "contents": "Predicting length of stay by patients hospitalized for alcoholism of drug dependence. Involuntary admission, admission while intoxicated, hostility and denial of problems were associated with early dropout from an alcoholism treatment program, as were unemployment, younger age and having a spouse or someone else to live with.", "PMID": 633902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10004", "title": "Feasibility of determining blood alcohol concentrations in social drinking settings.", "content": "Fifty-one per cent of persons leaving a variety of public and private drinking settings agreed to provide breath samples for blood alcohol determination.", "contents": "Feasibility of determining blood alcohol concentrations in social drinking settings. Fifty-one per cent of persons leaving a variety of public and private drinking settings agreed to provide breath samples for blood alcohol determination.", "PMID": 633903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10005", "title": "Age-related trends in alcohol consumption.", "content": "Data from a national survey of junior and senior high-school students and a survey of adults in Boston indicate that the frequency of drinking increases with age and the average quantity consumed on each occasion decreases with age.", "contents": "Age-related trends in alcohol consumption. Data from a national survey of junior and senior high-school students and a survey of adults in Boston indicate that the frequency of drinking increases with age and the average quantity consumed on each occasion decreases with age.", "PMID": 633904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10006", "title": "Effect of ethanol preexposure on ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion.", "content": "In a taste-aversion test pairing saccharin and ethanol, rats that had recently ingest ethanol showed attenuated aversion to saccharin.", "contents": "Effect of ethanol preexposure on ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. In a taste-aversion test pairing saccharin and ethanol, rats that had recently ingest ethanol showed attenuated aversion to saccharin.", "PMID": 633907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10007", "title": "Factor structure of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test.", "content": "A factor analysis of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test completed by motorists arrested for driving while intoxicated demonstrated four independent dimensions of alcoholic symptomatology--Help-Seeking, Discord, Alienation and Denial.", "contents": "Factor structure of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. A factor analysis of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test completed by motorists arrested for driving while intoxicated demonstrated four independent dimensions of alcoholic symptomatology--Help-Seeking, Discord, Alienation and Denial.", "PMID": 633908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10008", "title": "Relationships among control orientation, the FIRO-B, and the Ward Atmosphere Scale in hospitalized men alcoholics.", "content": "Internally oriented patients' scores on Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale remained the same over treatment but those of externally oriented patients shifted toward greater internal control.", "contents": "Relationships among control orientation, the FIRO-B, and the Ward Atmosphere Scale in hospitalized men alcoholics. Internally oriented patients' scores on Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale remained the same over treatment but those of externally oriented patients shifted toward greater internal control.", "PMID": 633909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10009", "title": "Effectiveness of assertiveness training with alcoholics.", "content": "Alcoholics who recieved 10 hours of assertiveness training scored significantly higher than control and minimal training groups on three measures of assertiveness.", "contents": "Effectiveness of assertiveness training with alcoholics. Alcoholics who recieved 10 hours of assertiveness training scored significantly higher than control and minimal training groups on three measures of assertiveness.", "PMID": 633910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10010", "title": "Attitudes toward problem drinkers. A critical factor in treatment recommendations.", "content": "Problem drinkers who labeled themselves alcoholics tended to be assigned to a special Alcohol Team, whereas those who did not were referred for regular psychiatric treatment.", "contents": "Attitudes toward problem drinkers. A critical factor in treatment recommendations. Problem drinkers who labeled themselves alcoholics tended to be assigned to a special Alcohol Team, whereas those who did not were referred for regular psychiatric treatment.", "PMID": 633911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10011", "title": "Acute thrombotic obstruction with Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves: diagnostic and surgical considerations.", "content": "Eight patients have had thrombotic obstruction of a prosthetic valve since 1971, six mitral valves and two aortic. All eight patients had a Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valve. During the same period 159 Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves were placed, 85 in the mitral and 74 in the aortic area. This represents a valve thrombotic occlusive incidence of 4.4 percent in our series, 5.9 percent of mitral and 2.7 percent of aortic prostheses. Among the six patients with mitral prostheses only one survived. The two patients with occluded aortic valves survived. The onset of symptoms was very abrupt in most patients and progressed very rapidly. Acute pulmonary edema was observed in five patients. Anticoagulation was considered inadequate in all patients. Aspirin or dipyridamole was being used in seven patients at the time of thrombosis. The data indicate a high frequency of thrombotic occlusion of Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves in the absence of full anticoagulation with warfarin derivatives and emphasizes the urgent need for surgery once valve thrombosis is suspected.", "contents": "Acute thrombotic obstruction with Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves: diagnostic and surgical considerations. Eight patients have had thrombotic obstruction of a prosthetic valve since 1971, six mitral valves and two aortic. All eight patients had a Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valve. During the same period 159 Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves were placed, 85 in the mitral and 74 in the aortic area. This represents a valve thrombotic occlusive incidence of 4.4 percent in our series, 5.9 percent of mitral and 2.7 percent of aortic prostheses. Among the six patients with mitral prostheses only one survived. The two patients with occluded aortic valves survived. The onset of symptoms was very abrupt in most patients and progressed very rapidly. Acute pulmonary edema was observed in five patients. Anticoagulation was considered inadequate in all patients. Aspirin or dipyridamole was being used in seven patients at the time of thrombosis. The data indicate a high frequency of thrombotic occlusion of Bj\u00f6rk-Shiley valves in the absence of full anticoagulation with warfarin derivatives and emphasizes the urgent need for surgery once valve thrombosis is suspected.", "PMID": 633931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10012", "title": "Surgical management of ventricular septal defects in infants.", "content": "Infants with ventricular septal defect (VSD) who are symptomatic despite intensive medical therapy require surgical intervention. Choice of treatment depends upon the cumulative mortality and morbidity rates of the two-stage approach of initial pulmonary artery banding followed by debanding and VSD closure as compared to the risk of primary intracardiac repair in infancy. Sixteen infants underwent pulmonary artery banding at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center between 1967 and 1976, with one operative death but with a significant incidence of morbidity and late death. Forty patients underwent pulmonary artery debanding and closure of VSD with three operative deaths. This second-stage procedure was frequently complicated by repair of acquired lesions. During the same 10 year period 37 infants underwent primary closure of VSD with eight operative deaths. The morbidity related to this procedure is low. With the use of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, results have significantly improved and the risk of early correction now compares favorably with the cumulative mortality rate of the two-stage approach. Primary intracardiac repair is the procedure of choice.", "contents": "Surgical management of ventricular septal defects in infants. Infants with ventricular septal defect (VSD) who are symptomatic despite intensive medical therapy require surgical intervention. Choice of treatment depends upon the cumulative mortality and morbidity rates of the two-stage approach of initial pulmonary artery banding followed by debanding and VSD closure as compared to the risk of primary intracardiac repair in infancy. Sixteen infants underwent pulmonary artery banding at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center between 1967 and 1976, with one operative death but with a significant incidence of morbidity and late death. Forty patients underwent pulmonary artery debanding and closure of VSD with three operative deaths. This second-stage procedure was frequently complicated by repair of acquired lesions. During the same 10 year period 37 infants underwent primary closure of VSD with eight operative deaths. The morbidity related to this procedure is low. With the use of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, results have significantly improved and the risk of early correction now compares favorably with the cumulative mortality rate of the two-stage approach. Primary intracardiac repair is the procedure of choice.", "PMID": 633932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10013", "title": "Localized mesothelioma of the pleura: benign and malignant variants.", "content": "Mesothelioma, even of the pleura alone, is a ubiquitous pathological designation. The diffuse variety is associated with an ominous prognosis. The localized mesothelioma generally has been assumed to be benign. A review of tumors from 60 patients with localized pleural mesothelioma seems to justify separation into benign (52 patients) and malignant (eight patients) variants. Histologic criteria are used primarily to make this division. No single clinical feature allowed preoperative predictability concerning benignity or malignancy, although extrathoracic osteoarthropathy was seen only with benign lesions (20 percent), usually those greater than 7 cm. Follow-up periods of as long as 24 years revealed recurrent tumor in only two of the 58 patients with benign lesions and revealed a survival curve identical to that of the general population. All of the patients with the malignant variety had recurrence or metastasis, and all but one were dead within 2 years of the initial operation. One patient died of tumor complications after 9 years. More aggressive local resection is indicated for the malignant variant.", "contents": "Localized mesothelioma of the pleura: benign and malignant variants. Mesothelioma, even of the pleura alone, is a ubiquitous pathological designation. The diffuse variety is associated with an ominous prognosis. The localized mesothelioma generally has been assumed to be benign. A review of tumors from 60 patients with localized pleural mesothelioma seems to justify separation into benign (52 patients) and malignant (eight patients) variants. Histologic criteria are used primarily to make this division. No single clinical feature allowed preoperative predictability concerning benignity or malignancy, although extrathoracic osteoarthropathy was seen only with benign lesions (20 percent), usually those greater than 7 cm. Follow-up periods of as long as 24 years revealed recurrent tumor in only two of the 58 patients with benign lesions and revealed a survival curve identical to that of the general population. All of the patients with the malignant variety had recurrence or metastasis, and all but one were dead within 2 years of the initial operation. One patient died of tumor complications after 9 years. More aggressive local resection is indicated for the malignant variant.", "PMID": 633933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10014", "title": "Giant tracheoesophageal fistula: management by esophageal diversion.", "content": "Giant tracheoesophageal fistulas complicating the management of respiratory insufficiency are often difficult to close successfully because of suture line tension and narrowing of the trachea or esophagus or both. Recovery of lung function often depends on successful diversion of gastrointestinal contents from the tracheobrachial tree. We have managed six patients with giant tracheoesophageal fistula. In three cases the lesions were related to overinflation of low-pressure balloon cuffs. The only survivors were two of three patients managed by esophageal diversion and reconstruction through extrathoracic incisions. The techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of esophageal diversion for giant tracheoesophageal fistula are presented.", "contents": "Giant tracheoesophageal fistula: management by esophageal diversion. Giant tracheoesophageal fistulas complicating the management of respiratory insufficiency are often difficult to close successfully because of suture line tension and narrowing of the trachea or esophagus or both. Recovery of lung function often depends on successful diversion of gastrointestinal contents from the tracheobrachial tree. We have managed six patients with giant tracheoesophageal fistula. In three cases the lesions were related to overinflation of low-pressure balloon cuffs. The only survivors were two of three patients managed by esophageal diversion and reconstruction through extrathoracic incisions. The techniques, advantages, and disadvantages of esophageal diversion for giant tracheoesophageal fistula are presented.", "PMID": 633934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10015", "title": "Considerations in the management of open-heart surgery in uremic patients.", "content": "Life-threatening complications involving the central circulation commonly occur in uremic patients. The growing number of individuals maintained on long-term hemodialysis along with repeated demonstrations of their ability to tolerate major operative procedures are responsible for increasing surgical experience in this group. Despite a high incidence of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis, exposure of such patients to open-heart operations has been limited. Our management of two patients who recently underwent valvular replacement is outlined and a review of the literature revealed that, during the past decade, 20 uremic patients have undergone a variety of cardiac procedures. The catastrophic results of medical therapy in such individuals with SBE are emphasized and early surgical intervention is recommended.", "contents": "Considerations in the management of open-heart surgery in uremic patients. Life-threatening complications involving the central circulation commonly occur in uremic patients. The growing number of individuals maintained on long-term hemodialysis along with repeated demonstrations of their ability to tolerate major operative procedures are responsible for increasing surgical experience in this group. Despite a high incidence of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis, exposure of such patients to open-heart operations has been limited. Our management of two patients who recently underwent valvular replacement is outlined and a review of the literature revealed that, during the past decade, 20 uremic patients have undergone a variety of cardiac procedures. The catastrophic results of medical therapy in such individuals with SBE are emphasized and early surgical intervention is recommended.", "PMID": 633935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10016", "title": "Functional evaluation of normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion.", "content": "The myocardial contractility of papillary muscle from rabbit hearts was used to evaluate various techniques of normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion. A progressive decline of the myocardial contractility was noted as aortic cross-clamping and coronary reperfusion were repeated. After a net anoxic period of 90 minutes, the contractility fell to 58.67, 60.2, and 40 percent of the base line when single aortic cross-clamping time was 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively, interrupted by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Repeated application of single cross-clamping of 20 minutes or longer was not tolerated by the rabbit hearts. When the heart was reperfused for 10 minutes, between 15 minute periods of anoxia, the final recovery of contractility was 62 percent. Normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion has a significant adverse effect on the myocardial contractility. If this technique is to be used, single anoxic times should not be longer than 15 minutes and the heart must be reperfused for at least 10 minutes.", "contents": "Functional evaluation of normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion. The myocardial contractility of papillary muscle from rabbit hearts was used to evaluate various techniques of normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion. A progressive decline of the myocardial contractility was noted as aortic cross-clamping and coronary reperfusion were repeated. After a net anoxic period of 90 minutes, the contractility fell to 58.67, 60.2, and 40 percent of the base line when single aortic cross-clamping time was 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively, interrupted by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Repeated application of single cross-clamping of 20 minutes or longer was not tolerated by the rabbit hearts. When the heart was reperfused for 10 minutes, between 15 minute periods of anoxia, the final recovery of contractility was 62 percent. Normothermic intermittent coronary perfusion has a significant adverse effect on the myocardial contractility. If this technique is to be used, single anoxic times should not be longer than 15 minutes and the heart must be reperfused for at least 10 minutes.", "PMID": 633937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10017", "title": "75Se-selenomethionine scintigraphy in mediastinal diseases.", "content": "Chest scanning with 75Se-selenomethionine was performed in 59 cases of mediastinal diseases. All cases of vascular diseases, cystic tumors, and benign neurogenic tumor were negatively scanned. Parenchymatous teratoma, thymoma, malignant lymphoma, Castleman's tumor, epithelial tumors, tuberculous lymphadenitis, and sarcoidosis showed high positive rates. In myasthenic thymus without thymoma two out of 15 cases were positive. The scan images of the resected specimens and preoperative chest scannings coincided.", "contents": "75Se-selenomethionine scintigraphy in mediastinal diseases. Chest scanning with 75Se-selenomethionine was performed in 59 cases of mediastinal diseases. All cases of vascular diseases, cystic tumors, and benign neurogenic tumor were negatively scanned. Parenchymatous teratoma, thymoma, malignant lymphoma, Castleman's tumor, epithelial tumors, tuberculous lymphadenitis, and sarcoidosis showed high positive rates. In myasthenic thymus without thymoma two out of 15 cases were positive. The scan images of the resected specimens and preoperative chest scannings coincided.", "PMID": 633938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10018", "title": "Lung biopsy with local anesthesia: report on 100 cases with the use of a recently introduced technique.", "content": "A new technique for taking lung, pleural, and pericardial samples, under local anesthesia if required, is described. In the series presented in this article there have been no deaths, and complications which have been discussed are minimal. The experience gained in the use of this technique confirms that it is safe and provides a very high percentage of success in obtaining the required samples.", "contents": "Lung biopsy with local anesthesia: report on 100 cases with the use of a recently introduced technique. A new technique for taking lung, pleural, and pericardial samples, under local anesthesia if required, is described. In the series presented in this article there have been no deaths, and complications which have been discussed are minimal. The experience gained in the use of this technique confirms that it is safe and provides a very high percentage of success in obtaining the required samples.", "PMID": 633939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10019", "title": "A method for experimental induction of bronchogenic carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autograft in dogs.", "content": "A method for induction of carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autografts in dogs is described. Four to 6 weeks after successful bronchial autografting, 30 to 90 mg. amounts of 3-MC or B(a)P suspended in sterile saline solution containing 1 percent CMC was injected into the lumen of the graft. The mucosal changes were followed histologically by excision of biopsy specimens and cytologically by needle aspiration biopsies. Three dogs developed squamous cell carcinomas invading deep into the submucosal area as early as 13 to 30 weeks after the first carcinogen treatment. The remaining eight experimental dogs showed various grades of squamous cell metaplasia with atypia within 30 weeks. Subsequently examined specimens revealed atypical metaplastic and proliferative changes further advanced than those seen in the initial biopsy specimens. The advantages of this method for a better understanding of the development of bronchogenic carcinomas are discussed.", "contents": "A method for experimental induction of bronchogenic carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autograft in dogs. A method for induction of carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autografts in dogs is described. Four to 6 weeks after successful bronchial autografting, 30 to 90 mg. amounts of 3-MC or B(a)P suspended in sterile saline solution containing 1 percent CMC was injected into the lumen of the graft. The mucosal changes were followed histologically by excision of biopsy specimens and cytologically by needle aspiration biopsies. Three dogs developed squamous cell carcinomas invading deep into the submucosal area as early as 13 to 30 weeks after the first carcinogen treatment. The remaining eight experimental dogs showed various grades of squamous cell metaplasia with atypia within 30 weeks. Subsequently examined specimens revealed atypical metaplastic and proliferative changes further advanced than those seen in the initial biopsy specimens. The advantages of this method for a better understanding of the development of bronchogenic carcinomas are discussed.", "PMID": 633940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10020", "title": "An improved design of temporary myocardial electrode.", "content": "A new temporary myocardial electrode has a short piece of needle at one end of an electrode wire. Thus the electrode leaves no exposed areas when implanted. Only the tip is stiched into the myocardium. The device, tested in 20 patients who underwent cardiac operation, has significantly reduced the increase in myocardial threshold to pacing that occurs with the commonly used electrode. This new electrode can be much more easily fixed on both atrial and ventricular myocardium. On postoperative day 7 the threshold measured by Medtronic Model 5880 A was 1.6 mA. on the ventricle and 1.3 mA. on the atrium. The stimulation threshold of the right atrium is almost equal to that of the right ventricle.", "contents": "An improved design of temporary myocardial electrode. A new temporary myocardial electrode has a short piece of needle at one end of an electrode wire. Thus the electrode leaves no exposed areas when implanted. Only the tip is stiched into the myocardium. The device, tested in 20 patients who underwent cardiac operation, has significantly reduced the increase in myocardial threshold to pacing that occurs with the commonly used electrode. This new electrode can be much more easily fixed on both atrial and ventricular myocardium. On postoperative day 7 the threshold measured by Medtronic Model 5880 A was 1.6 mA. on the ventricle and 1.3 mA. on the atrium. The stimulation threshold of the right atrium is almost equal to that of the right ventricle.", "PMID": 633941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10021", "title": "Comparison of exercise and catheterization results following total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot.", "content": "Although surgery may correct the hemodynamic abnormalities of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the long-term effects on exercise tolerance are uncertain. Twenty-eight patients, aged 7 to 30 years, had cardiac catheterization and maximal graded exercise testing to evaluate the adequacy of the ehmodynamic repair and its relation to exercise performance. Patients were tested 2 to 9 years after operation, and 13 previously had had palliative shunt procedures. At catheterization, 23 of the 28 patients had good surgical results. Despite the satisfactory hemodynamics, maximal working capcity (MWC), maximum heart rate, and exercise blood pressure were diminished when compared to normal values. In 10 patients who had exercise studies at catheterization, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and residual gradients were magnified by exercise. Abnormalities were independent of age at time of correction, time elapsed since surgery, use of patch in the outflow tract, or any antecedent procedures.", "contents": "Comparison of exercise and catheterization results following total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot. Although surgery may correct the hemodynamic abnormalities of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the long-term effects on exercise tolerance are uncertain. Twenty-eight patients, aged 7 to 30 years, had cardiac catheterization and maximal graded exercise testing to evaluate the adequacy of the ehmodynamic repair and its relation to exercise performance. Patients were tested 2 to 9 years after operation, and 13 previously had had palliative shunt procedures. At catheterization, 23 of the 28 patients had good surgical results. Despite the satisfactory hemodynamics, maximal working capcity (MWC), maximum heart rate, and exercise blood pressure were diminished when compared to normal values. In 10 patients who had exercise studies at catheterization, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and residual gradients were magnified by exercise. Abnormalities were independent of age at time of correction, time elapsed since surgery, use of patch in the outflow tract, or any antecedent procedures.", "PMID": 633942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10022", "title": "Contractile damage from reperfusion after transient ischemia in the dog.", "content": "The patterns of regional contractile function were examined with ultrasonic crystals in \"open-chest\" anesthetized dogs. In normal myocardium, the base-line end-diastolic segment length (EDL) was 1.63 +/- 0.12 cm. and the mean systolic length (MSL) was 1.47 +/- 0.17 cm. Mean velocity of shortening over the first one third of systole (V1/3) was 15.9 +/- 2.3 mm. per second. Coronary occlusion induced regional ischemia with segmental dyskinesia (MSL = 1.84 +/- 0.12 cm). Reperfusion after 5 or 10 minutes of occlusion induced rapid recovery of contractile function that was independent of catecholamine release, as demonstrated in animals pretreated with 6-OH dopamine. After initial recovery, however, contractile function deteriorated. There were an increase in EDL (from 1.73 +/- 0.11 to 1.78 +/- 0.11; p less than 0.001) and the appearance of early systolic dyskinesia. V1/3 diminished from 5.6 +/- 4.6 to -6.6 +/- 2.5 mm. per second (p less than 0.005). Thus reperfusion damage, defined as late deterioration after recovery from brief periods of ischemia, may be partly distinct from ischemic damage per se. It is possible that the deterioration of myocardial function which accompanies reperfusion of previously ischemic myocardium may be a contributing factor in the transient myocardial dysfunction that is occasionally seen following cardiopulmonary bypass.", "contents": "Contractile damage from reperfusion after transient ischemia in the dog. The patterns of regional contractile function were examined with ultrasonic crystals in \"open-chest\" anesthetized dogs. In normal myocardium, the base-line end-diastolic segment length (EDL) was 1.63 +/- 0.12 cm. and the mean systolic length (MSL) was 1.47 +/- 0.17 cm. Mean velocity of shortening over the first one third of systole (V1/3) was 15.9 +/- 2.3 mm. per second. Coronary occlusion induced regional ischemia with segmental dyskinesia (MSL = 1.84 +/- 0.12 cm). Reperfusion after 5 or 10 minutes of occlusion induced rapid recovery of contractile function that was independent of catecholamine release, as demonstrated in animals pretreated with 6-OH dopamine. After initial recovery, however, contractile function deteriorated. There were an increase in EDL (from 1.73 +/- 0.11 to 1.78 +/- 0.11; p less than 0.001) and the appearance of early systolic dyskinesia. V1/3 diminished from 5.6 +/- 4.6 to -6.6 +/- 2.5 mm. per second (p less than 0.005). Thus reperfusion damage, defined as late deterioration after recovery from brief periods of ischemia, may be partly distinct from ischemic damage per se. It is possible that the deterioration of myocardial function which accompanies reperfusion of previously ischemic myocardium may be a contributing factor in the transient myocardial dysfunction that is occasionally seen following cardiopulmonary bypass.", "PMID": 633943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10023", "title": "Value of preoperative radionuclide bone scan in suspected primary breast carcinoma.", "content": "The value of radionuclide bone scanning performed before \"curative\" surgery in 100 female patients with suspected (91 patients) or known (9 patients) carcinoma of the breast was assessed. Limitations of the bone scan in this patient population were (1) a weak relationship between scan abnormalities and pathologic stage of the primary breast cancer, (2) a high incidence of equivocal scans, and (3) a low incidence of definite scan abnormalities which could not be accounted for by benign osseous disorders. The limited value of preoperative bone scanning in this study may be a result of the high proportion of patients with favorable breast lesions, who would be expected to have a low incidence of bone metastases at the time of primary surgical therapy. Guidelines for the use of bone scanning in the management of primary carcinoma of the breast are discussed.", "contents": "Value of preoperative radionuclide bone scan in suspected primary breast carcinoma. The value of radionuclide bone scanning performed before \"curative\" surgery in 100 female patients with suspected (91 patients) or known (9 patients) carcinoma of the breast was assessed. Limitations of the bone scan in this patient population were (1) a weak relationship between scan abnormalities and pathologic stage of the primary breast cancer, (2) a high incidence of equivocal scans, and (3) a low incidence of definite scan abnormalities which could not be accounted for by benign osseous disorders. The limited value of preoperative bone scanning in this study may be a result of the high proportion of patients with favorable breast lesions, who would be expected to have a low incidence of bone metastases at the time of primary surgical therapy. Guidelines for the use of bone scanning in the management of primary carcinoma of the breast are discussed.", "PMID": 633949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10024", "title": "Clinical value of the bile acid breath test. Evaluation of the Mayo Clinic experience.", "content": "The Mayo Clinic experience with more than 200 bile acid breath tests was analyzed retrospectively to assess its clinical value. In patients with suspected bacterial overgrowth, the result of the bile acid breath test was compared with that of culture of aspirates of small bowel, and the test was found to have a sensitivity of 0.70 and a specificity of 0.90 (1.0 highest possible value). Although in one-third of the patients with a positive small-bowel culture the bile acid breath test failed to demonstrate the presence of bacterial overgrowth, analysis of the data according to the Bayes theorem showed that, compared with a routine evaluation without a small-bowel culture, the availability of breath test results will double the probability with which the clinician can be certain about the presence or absence of bacterial overgrowth. The test result appeared to influence the diagnosis in 83% and the management in 74% of the 163 patients in whom it was performed because of suspected bacterial overgrowth. In patients with suspected malabsorption of bile acids, on the other hand, the test that was performed without determination of fecal bile acid excretion appeared to be rather insensitive, and only rarely was information gained that was not already known from a routine workup of the patient.", "contents": "Clinical value of the bile acid breath test. Evaluation of the Mayo Clinic experience. The Mayo Clinic experience with more than 200 bile acid breath tests was analyzed retrospectively to assess its clinical value. In patients with suspected bacterial overgrowth, the result of the bile acid breath test was compared with that of culture of aspirates of small bowel, and the test was found to have a sensitivity of 0.70 and a specificity of 0.90 (1.0 highest possible value). Although in one-third of the patients with a positive small-bowel culture the bile acid breath test failed to demonstrate the presence of bacterial overgrowth, analysis of the data according to the Bayes theorem showed that, compared with a routine evaluation without a small-bowel culture, the availability of breath test results will double the probability with which the clinician can be certain about the presence or absence of bacterial overgrowth. The test result appeared to influence the diagnosis in 83% and the management in 74% of the 163 patients in whom it was performed because of suspected bacterial overgrowth. In patients with suspected malabsorption of bile acids, on the other hand, the test that was performed without determination of fecal bile acid excretion appeared to be rather insensitive, and only rarely was information gained that was not already known from a routine workup of the patient.", "PMID": 633950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10025", "title": "Prinzmetal's variant angina--response to verapamil.", "content": "A patient with frequent attacks of Prinzmetal's variant angina complicated by ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation is described in whom these episodes persisted daily during 4 weeks of hospital observation in spite of treatment with nitrates, alpha-adrenergic-blocking drugs, and anticholinergic agents. The oral administration of verapamil, an investigational vasodilator drug, led to prompt and complete resolution of the attacks.", "contents": "Prinzmetal's variant angina--response to verapamil. A patient with frequent attacks of Prinzmetal's variant angina complicated by ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation is described in whom these episodes persisted daily during 4 weeks of hospital observation in spite of treatment with nitrates, alpha-adrenergic-blocking drugs, and anticholinergic agents. The oral administration of verapamil, an investigational vasodilator drug, led to prompt and complete resolution of the attacks.", "PMID": 633951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10026", "title": "Effect of phase of growth and hyperlipidemic serum on the synthesis of collagen in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in culture.", "content": "The aim of this study was to elucidate wheter long-term cultivation in the presence of hyperlipidemic serum is able to induce changes in the rate of synthesis of collagen and other proteins by arterial smooth muscle cells. Rabbit aortic medial cells were grown in 10% sera and their collagen and total protein synthesis were studied by incubation of the cells with radioactive proline. When the cells were grown in fetal calf serum, their collagen synthesis was low after trypsinization but reached a constant level in one week, whereafter it remained within 4--5% of total protein synthesis for up to 30 days. Cultivation in hyperlipidemic rabbit serum for up to 14 days caused an accumulation of lipid droplets in the cells, but there were no detectable changes in the rate of collagen of total protein synthesis when compared with cells grown in normal rabbit serum.", "contents": "Effect of phase of growth and hyperlipidemic serum on the synthesis of collagen in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. The aim of this study was to elucidate wheter long-term cultivation in the presence of hyperlipidemic serum is able to induce changes in the rate of synthesis of collagen and other proteins by arterial smooth muscle cells. Rabbit aortic medial cells were grown in 10% sera and their collagen and total protein synthesis were studied by incubation of the cells with radioactive proline. When the cells were grown in fetal calf serum, their collagen synthesis was low after trypsinization but reached a constant level in one week, whereafter it remained within 4--5% of total protein synthesis for up to 30 days. Cultivation in hyperlipidemic rabbit serum for up to 14 days caused an accumulation of lipid droplets in the cells, but there were no detectable changes in the rate of collagen of total protein synthesis when compared with cells grown in normal rabbit serum.", "PMID": 633965} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10027", "title": "Locus coeruleus fibre growth in oculo induced by trigeminotomy.", "content": "Locus coeruleus from fetal donors was homologously grafted to the anterior eye chambers of adult rats whose eyes were sympathetically denervated. After intraocular maturation, outgrowth of noradrenaline-containing fibres from the locus coeruleus neurons on the host iris was studied by Falck--Hillarp fluorescence histochemistry. In control animals locus coeruleus grafts produce a halo of noradrenaline-containing nerve fibres around the graft, covering approximately one third of the surface of the host iris. Sensory denervation of host eyes carrying maturated locus coeruleus grafts was produced by intracranial lesions of the trigeminal nerve. Such lesions induced a rapid growth response in the grafted locus coeruleus neurons, leading within three weeks to complete innervation of the host iris. It was concluded that removal of non-sympathetic, non-parasympathetic nerve fibres on the host iris elicits a strong fibre-growth response in the grafted locus coeruleus.", "contents": "Locus coeruleus fibre growth in oculo induced by trigeminotomy. Locus coeruleus from fetal donors was homologously grafted to the anterior eye chambers of adult rats whose eyes were sympathetically denervated. After intraocular maturation, outgrowth of noradrenaline-containing fibres from the locus coeruleus neurons on the host iris was studied by Falck--Hillarp fluorescence histochemistry. In control animals locus coeruleus grafts produce a halo of noradrenaline-containing nerve fibres around the graft, covering approximately one third of the surface of the host iris. Sensory denervation of host eyes carrying maturated locus coeruleus grafts was produced by intracranial lesions of the trigeminal nerve. Such lesions induced a rapid growth response in the grafted locus coeruleus neurons, leading within three weeks to complete innervation of the host iris. It was concluded that removal of non-sympathetic, non-parasympathetic nerve fibres on the host iris elicits a strong fibre-growth response in the grafted locus coeruleus.", "PMID": 633966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10028", "title": "Effect of lithium on voluntary alcohol consumption by low and high preference mouse strains.", "content": "Lithium chloride was administered to high (C57/B1) and low (BALB/c) alcohol mouse strains. Experience with alcohol, lithium dosage, frequency of drug administration, concentration of alcohol solution, and sex were varied in four consecutive experiments. In contrast to previous findings no significant effects of lithium administration on alcohol consumption were observed.", "contents": "Effect of lithium on voluntary alcohol consumption by low and high preference mouse strains. Lithium chloride was administered to high (C57/B1) and low (BALB/c) alcohol mouse strains. Experience with alcohol, lithium dosage, frequency of drug administration, concentration of alcohol solution, and sex were varied in four consecutive experiments. In contrast to previous findings no significant effects of lithium administration on alcohol consumption were observed.", "PMID": 633967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10029", "title": "A model of chronic alcohol intake under free-choice conditions.", "content": "The preference of 42 Wistar male rats for alcoholic or non-alcoholic solutions of glucose was studied. Preference for the left or right position of drinking tubes did not appreciably influence the choice between the unequal solutions. Within the same strain of rats the majority of the animals had a high and a minority a low level of consumption of the glucose-alcohol solution. These groups were found only under conditions of systematic experimentation and the properties of each group became more marked in the course of these experiments.", "contents": "A model of chronic alcohol intake under free-choice conditions. The preference of 42 Wistar male rats for alcoholic or non-alcoholic solutions of glucose was studied. Preference for the left or right position of drinking tubes did not appreciably influence the choice between the unequal solutions. Within the same strain of rats the majority of the animals had a high and a minority a low level of consumption of the glucose-alcohol solution. These groups were found only under conditions of systematic experimentation and the properties of each group became more marked in the course of these experiments.", "PMID": 633968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10030", "title": "Evaluating inpatient costs: the staging mechanism.", "content": "Inpatient records at a short-term hospital over two years were analyzed according to the stage or degree of severity of their discharge diagnosis to examine their utilization of services. Patients with a more severe disease stage for surgical and medical conditions generated substantially higher total charges, ancillary charges, and had longer lengths of stay. At the 75th percentile (representing that value at which three-quarters of the cases fall below it in magnitude), increases in total charges from Stage I to II for ulcer of stomach, appendicitis, and diverticulitis were 103, 168, and 110 per cent, respectively. Ancillary charges for these diseases showed even greater increases, 167, 200, and 160 per cent, respectively. Components of ancillary charges revealed similar trends. The results suggest that a twofold review mechanism incorporating length of stay and charges, using the staging technique, would make the review procedure more discriminating in identifying cases appropriate for review.", "contents": "Evaluating inpatient costs: the staging mechanism. Inpatient records at a short-term hospital over two years were analyzed according to the stage or degree of severity of their discharge diagnosis to examine their utilization of services. Patients with a more severe disease stage for surgical and medical conditions generated substantially higher total charges, ancillary charges, and had longer lengths of stay. At the 75th percentile (representing that value at which three-quarters of the cases fall below it in magnitude), increases in total charges from Stage I to II for ulcer of stomach, appendicitis, and diverticulitis were 103, 168, and 110 per cent, respectively. Ancillary charges for these diseases showed even greater increases, 167, 200, and 160 per cent, respectively. Components of ancillary charges revealed similar trends. The results suggest that a twofold review mechanism incorporating length of stay and charges, using the staging technique, would make the review procedure more discriminating in identifying cases appropriate for review.", "PMID": 633969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10031", "title": "The two dimensions in satisfaction with dental care.", "content": "Satisfaction with health services is an aspect of quality of care that is of special importance for captive clients like low-income clinic users. Several methodologies have been reported, but validation has been difficult. This study compares two older scaling techniques with a new, nonmetric method to detect underlying dimensions. Unlike previous research, the typical satisfaction scale was found to be two-dimensional, with one dimension measuring latent hostility or resentment, and the other measuring general glorification of the health professional. The two components do not form polar opoosites of one attitude dimension. Latent hostility seems to be more related to personal experiences with providers than is general glorification.", "contents": "The two dimensions in satisfaction with dental care. Satisfaction with health services is an aspect of quality of care that is of special importance for captive clients like low-income clinic users. Several methodologies have been reported, but validation has been difficult. This study compares two older scaling techniques with a new, nonmetric method to detect underlying dimensions. Unlike previous research, the typical satisfaction scale was found to be two-dimensional, with one dimension measuring latent hostility or resentment, and the other measuring general glorification of the health professional. The two components do not form polar opoosites of one attitude dimension. Latent hostility seems to be more related to personal experiences with providers than is general glorification.", "PMID": 633970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10032", "title": "Issues in family practice: medical student and practicing physician perspectives.", "content": "The elevation of Family Medicine to the status of a recognized specialty is designed, at least in part, to enhance the attractiveness of family practice as a career alternative for physicians. This paper examines the attitudinal orientations of group of medical students and physicians toward family practice in an attempt to highlight some of the issues that might be anticipated as this new specialty develops. Based on the results, it is concluded that fundamental change in the nature of the medical education experience will be needed if greater numbers of physicians are to be involved in primary care.", "contents": "Issues in family practice: medical student and practicing physician perspectives. The elevation of Family Medicine to the status of a recognized specialty is designed, at least in part, to enhance the attractiveness of family practice as a career alternative for physicians. This paper examines the attitudinal orientations of group of medical students and physicians toward family practice in an attempt to highlight some of the issues that might be anticipated as this new specialty develops. Based on the results, it is concluded that fundamental change in the nature of the medical education experience will be needed if greater numbers of physicians are to be involved in primary care.", "PMID": 633971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10033", "title": "Development of an index of health utilizing factor analysis.", "content": "A multivariate technique, factor analysis, was used to calculate an index number for each county in Mississippi and an overall state index number for the year 1970. Data on 55 indicators of health were factor analyzed (Principal components, Varimax rotation) and eight factors were extracted. These eight factors were identified as Resource population, Economics, Geriatrics, Social problems, Preventive medicine, Nutrition, Mortality, and Disability. Sixty-two per cent of the total variance was explained by these factors. The index numbers were standardized as percentages for ease of comparison across all 82 counties. Therefore, a multivariate technique has been used to quantify the elusive multidimensional term \"health\" and that is something which has not previously been adequately accomplished.", "contents": "Development of an index of health utilizing factor analysis. A multivariate technique, factor analysis, was used to calculate an index number for each county in Mississippi and an overall state index number for the year 1970. Data on 55 indicators of health were factor analyzed (Principal components, Varimax rotation) and eight factors were extracted. These eight factors were identified as Resource population, Economics, Geriatrics, Social problems, Preventive medicine, Nutrition, Mortality, and Disability. Sixty-two per cent of the total variance was explained by these factors. The index numbers were standardized as percentages for ease of comparison across all 82 counties. Therefore, a multivariate technique has been used to quantify the elusive multidimensional term \"health\" and that is something which has not previously been adequately accomplished.", "PMID": 633972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10034", "title": "Contacts with pharmacists before and after \"free\" medical care--the Quebec experience.", "content": "This study reports the effects which the introduction of a national health insurance plan had upon established patterns of seeking health advice from pharmacists. Data were obtained from a household survey conducted in Montreal, Canada before and after the introduction of the government sponsored compulsory health insurance program. The report documents the extent to which the citizens of Montreal sought advice about health matters from pharmacists and describes the dramatic alteration in the pattern of advice seeking which occurred when the economic barriers to medical care were removed.", "contents": "Contacts with pharmacists before and after \"free\" medical care--the Quebec experience. This study reports the effects which the introduction of a national health insurance plan had upon established patterns of seeking health advice from pharmacists. Data were obtained from a household survey conducted in Montreal, Canada before and after the introduction of the government sponsored compulsory health insurance program. The report documents the extent to which the citizens of Montreal sought advice about health matters from pharmacists and describes the dramatic alteration in the pattern of advice seeking which occurred when the economic barriers to medical care were removed.", "PMID": 633973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10035", "title": "[Retroperitoneal fibrosis and pancreatitis (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of retroperitoneal fibrosis causing pancreatitis is reported; another case is reported as well, where chronic pancreatitis caused secondary symptomatic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Differential diagnosis of the 2 diseases is discussed. Surgical therapy has to eliminate complications and reduce retroperitoneal fibrous tissue structures; this has to be followed by continuous drug therapy aimed at slowing proliferation of fibrous tissue.", "contents": "[Retroperitoneal fibrosis and pancreatitis (author's transl)]. A case of retroperitoneal fibrosis causing pancreatitis is reported; another case is reported as well, where chronic pancreatitis caused secondary symptomatic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Differential diagnosis of the 2 diseases is discussed. Surgical therapy has to eliminate complications and reduce retroperitoneal fibrous tissue structures; this has to be followed by continuous drug therapy aimed at slowing proliferation of fibrous tissue.", "PMID": 634006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10036", "title": "[Impairment of adrenergic innervation in achalasia (author's transl)].", "content": "Length tension diagrams and diagrams of isometrically developed active tension were set up for normal and aganglionic cardia-circular muscles. The effects of acetylcholin, adrenergic stimulating and inhibiting drugs were examined. The physiological parameters in healthy cardia and the cardia muscle system in achalasia did not vary significantly from one another. The acetylcholin threshold was higher in aganglionic cardia, while the maximum effective dose in healthy and aganglionic cardia remained the same. In achalasia no sensitisation to acetylcholine was detectable. There was a marked impairment in the balance between adrenergic alpha- and beta-receptors, with the contraction-inducing alpha-receptors obviously predominating.", "contents": "[Impairment of adrenergic innervation in achalasia (author's transl)]. Length tension diagrams and diagrams of isometrically developed active tension were set up for normal and aganglionic cardia-circular muscles. The effects of acetylcholin, adrenergic stimulating and inhibiting drugs were examined. The physiological parameters in healthy cardia and the cardia muscle system in achalasia did not vary significantly from one another. The acetylcholin threshold was higher in aganglionic cardia, while the maximum effective dose in healthy and aganglionic cardia remained the same. In achalasia no sensitisation to acetylcholine was detectable. There was a marked impairment in the balance between adrenergic alpha- and beta-receptors, with the contraction-inducing alpha-receptors obviously predominating.", "PMID": 634007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10037", "title": "[Unusual esophageal motility disorder (author's transl)].", "content": "A 31 year-old female initially presented with clinical features consistent with achalasia, which were relieved by the Heller procedure. Several years later manometric tracings excluded the diagnosis of achalasia, and suggested a motility disorder of the esophageal body. A long esophageal myotomy was performed and was followed by a marked improvement in symptoms and a normalization of the manometric tracing. Multiple histologic sections from the surgical specimen revealed the absence of ganglion cells, a feature not previously described in motor disorders other than achalasia. These findings suggest that classification of esophageal motility disorders on the basis of manometric and histologic findings might not be possible and that surgical treatment should be directed towards the predominant symptoms.", "contents": "[Unusual esophageal motility disorder (author's transl)]. A 31 year-old female initially presented with clinical features consistent with achalasia, which were relieved by the Heller procedure. Several years later manometric tracings excluded the diagnosis of achalasia, and suggested a motility disorder of the esophageal body. A long esophageal myotomy was performed and was followed by a marked improvement in symptoms and a normalization of the manometric tracing. Multiple histologic sections from the surgical specimen revealed the absence of ganglion cells, a feature not previously described in motor disorders other than achalasia. These findings suggest that classification of esophageal motility disorders on the basis of manometric and histologic findings might not be possible and that surgical treatment should be directed towards the predominant symptoms.", "PMID": 634008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10038", "title": "[Hyperplasia of duodenal lymph follicles accompanied by a defect of immune globulins (author's transl)].", "content": "A case report is given of a 60 year old man who complained about burning pain in the right upper abdomen and obstipation. Hyperplasia of the lymph follicles was diagnosed by duodenoscopy. An isolated defect of IgM-globulins was found. Lamblias were demonstrated in the duodenal juice as well. The hyperplasia of the lymph follicles is thought to be a manifestation of the IgM defect.", "contents": "[Hyperplasia of duodenal lymph follicles accompanied by a defect of immune globulins (author's transl)]. A case report is given of a 60 year old man who complained about burning pain in the right upper abdomen and obstipation. Hyperplasia of the lymph follicles was diagnosed by duodenoscopy. An isolated defect of IgM-globulins was found. Lamblias were demonstrated in the duodenal juice as well. The hyperplasia of the lymph follicles is thought to be a manifestation of the IgM defect.", "PMID": 634009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10039", "title": "[Diagnostic relevance of computer tomography (CT) in pancreatic disease (author's transl)].", "content": "CT-x-ray examination of 98 patients yielded pathologic results in 42 patients; in 33 patients results of CT could be controlled by surgery or at autopsy. In 14 cases necrotizing pancreatitis or pancreatic pseudocysts were suspected and these cases were operated upon; only 1 case turned out to be a falsely positive diagnosis. In 15 cases pancreatic carcinoma were found at surgery; 13 of these cases had been diagnosed preoperatively by CT; the diameters of the 2 tumors not diagnosed were below 3-4 cm. Differentiation between cysts, pancreatitis and tumors was possible in 2/3 of all cases; in 1/3 of the cases differentiation was neither possible by applying morphological criteria nor by evaluating absorption spectra. It turned out to be advantageous to examine the parenchymatous organs surrounding the pancreas by CT as well; in about 12% of cases with pathological findings the processes were found to be localized extrapancreatically.", "contents": "[Diagnostic relevance of computer tomography (CT) in pancreatic disease (author's transl)]. CT-x-ray examination of 98 patients yielded pathologic results in 42 patients; in 33 patients results of CT could be controlled by surgery or at autopsy. In 14 cases necrotizing pancreatitis or pancreatic pseudocysts were suspected and these cases were operated upon; only 1 case turned out to be a falsely positive diagnosis. In 15 cases pancreatic carcinoma were found at surgery; 13 of these cases had been diagnosed preoperatively by CT; the diameters of the 2 tumors not diagnosed were below 3-4 cm. Differentiation between cysts, pancreatitis and tumors was possible in 2/3 of all cases; in 1/3 of the cases differentiation was neither possible by applying morphological criteria nor by evaluating absorption spectra. It turned out to be advantageous to examine the parenchymatous organs surrounding the pancreas by CT as well; in about 12% of cases with pathological findings the processes were found to be localized extrapancreatically.", "PMID": 634010} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10040", "title": "[Clinic and therapy of extragenital endometriosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Patients with endometriosis are rare in surgical departments, they are however routine in gynecology. Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this disease are outlined. Treatment with estrogens, androgens or gestagens does not have the desired effect in many cases; in recent time however good results have been reported when Danazol, a new synthetic steroid was used. Surgery is indicated when the intestines are obstructed or when drug therapy has no effects. The extent of surgery depends upon the localization of endometriosis and upon the age of the patient. During the fertile period the uterus and ovaries should be left intact, whereas both should be removed after the age of forty. If parts of the intestine are removed, end-to-end anastomosis is the method of choice. Castration is to be preferred to a remaining anus praeter naturalis.", "contents": "[Clinic and therapy of extragenital endometriosis (author's transl)]. Patients with endometriosis are rare in surgical departments, they are however routine in gynecology. Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this disease are outlined. Treatment with estrogens, androgens or gestagens does not have the desired effect in many cases; in recent time however good results have been reported when Danazol, a new synthetic steroid was used. Surgery is indicated when the intestines are obstructed or when drug therapy has no effects. The extent of surgery depends upon the localization of endometriosis and upon the age of the patient. During the fertile period the uterus and ovaries should be left intact, whereas both should be removed after the age of forty. If parts of the intestine are removed, end-to-end anastomosis is the method of choice. Castration is to be preferred to a remaining anus praeter naturalis.", "PMID": 634011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10041", "title": "[Surgery of chronic intestinal ischemia (author's transl)].", "content": "Chronic intestinal ischemia has to be diagnosed by an interdisciplinary approach. Clinical symptoms are unrevealing; usually the internist and the radiologist make the diagnosis after numerous special examinations and arteriography of the abdominal aorta in two planes. Indications for conservative treatment vs. surgery have to be discussed between the specialists involved, that is the internist, the radiologist, the anesthesist and the surgeon. Surgical problems in cases with chronic vascular occlusions are problems of vascular surgery and surgery may be well planned and performed electively. Acute occlusions of intestinal vessels however require mostly immediate surgery of the intestine itself which has to be performed as an emergency procedure because of the impending organ necrosis and complications; this is demonstrated in the case of ischemic colitis.", "contents": "[Surgery of chronic intestinal ischemia (author's transl)]. Chronic intestinal ischemia has to be diagnosed by an interdisciplinary approach. Clinical symptoms are unrevealing; usually the internist and the radiologist make the diagnosis after numerous special examinations and arteriography of the abdominal aorta in two planes. Indications for conservative treatment vs. surgery have to be discussed between the specialists involved, that is the internist, the radiologist, the anesthesist and the surgeon. Surgical problems in cases with chronic vascular occlusions are problems of vascular surgery and surgery may be well planned and performed electively. Acute occlusions of intestinal vessels however require mostly immediate surgery of the intestine itself which has to be performed as an emergency procedure because of the impending organ necrosis and complications; this is demonstrated in the case of ischemic colitis.", "PMID": 634012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10042", "title": "[Invagination of the blind loop--a complication after jejuno-ileal shunting (author's transl)].", "content": "Shunting of the jejunum and ileum has been used as a form of therapy in extreme obesity; this may be followed not only by metabolic, but also by surgical complications. A case report is given of a patient, who had an invagination of the excluded segment of the small intestine. Diagnostic difficulties and dangers arising from this complication are discussed as well as surgical techniques allowing to avoid it.", "contents": "[Invagination of the blind loop--a complication after jejuno-ileal shunting (author's transl)]. Shunting of the jejunum and ileum has been used as a form of therapy in extreme obesity; this may be followed not only by metabolic, but also by surgical complications. A case report is given of a patient, who had an invagination of the excluded segment of the small intestine. Diagnostic difficulties and dangers arising from this complication are discussed as well as surgical techniques allowing to avoid it.", "PMID": 634013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10043", "title": "[Late results of surgery in 107 patients with anorectal fistulas (author's transl)].", "content": "Results are reported of 107 patients, which had been operated upon from 1969-1975 at the Innsbruck University Department of Surgery, because of anorectal fistulas. The standard procedure was splitting of the fistula and ample excision of the walls of the fistula down to the skin. This procedure yielded satisfactory results in 74% of all cases. Fistulas penetrating the musculus levator ani were excised below this muscle respectively extracted, whereas the part of the fistula duct reaching above this muscle was left and scratched out cautiously.", "contents": "[Late results of surgery in 107 patients with anorectal fistulas (author's transl)]. Results are reported of 107 patients, which had been operated upon from 1969-1975 at the Innsbruck University Department of Surgery, because of anorectal fistulas. The standard procedure was splitting of the fistula and ample excision of the walls of the fistula down to the skin. This procedure yielded satisfactory results in 74% of all cases. Fistulas penetrating the musculus levator ani were excised below this muscle respectively extracted, whereas the part of the fistula duct reaching above this muscle was left and scratched out cautiously.", "PMID": 634014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10044", "title": "[Pseudomyxoma of the peritoneum (author's transl)].", "content": "A case report is given of a peritoneal pseudomyxoma originating from pseudomucineous cystadenomata of both ovaries. The diagnosis was established by peritoneoscopy and histological examination. Both ovaries were removed surgically and cytostatic treatment initiated thereafter; hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion was done as well. The patient lives after surgery now for more than a year without recurrence of the disease.", "contents": "[Pseudomyxoma of the peritoneum (author's transl)]. A case report is given of a peritoneal pseudomyxoma originating from pseudomucineous cystadenomata of both ovaries. The diagnosis was established by peritoneoscopy and histological examination. Both ovaries were removed surgically and cytostatic treatment initiated thereafter; hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion was done as well. The patient lives after surgery now for more than a year without recurrence of the disease.", "PMID": 634015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10045", "title": "[Histometrical studies of liver parenchym in two cirrhotic livers (author's transl)].", "content": "Livers of two patients suffering from cirrhosis were weighed at post mortem, and found to have weights of 510 resp. 640 g. The quantity of hepatocytes was measured histometrically and estimated to be approx. 210 g in both patients; this means, that total liver mass in these patients was reduced to approximately 30% of normal, and that hepatic insufficiency had been incumbent in both of these patients. Difficulties in the methods of measuring the quantity of normal liver parenchyma in cirrhotic livers are discussed. Initiation of hepatic coma in liver cirrhosis is dependent in the first place, but not exclusively, upon the degree of reduction of liver parenchyma.", "contents": "[Histometrical studies of liver parenchym in two cirrhotic livers (author's transl)]. Livers of two patients suffering from cirrhosis were weighed at post mortem, and found to have weights of 510 resp. 640 g. The quantity of hepatocytes was measured histometrically and estimated to be approx. 210 g in both patients; this means, that total liver mass in these patients was reduced to approximately 30% of normal, and that hepatic insufficiency had been incumbent in both of these patients. Difficulties in the methods of measuring the quantity of normal liver parenchyma in cirrhotic livers are discussed. Initiation of hepatic coma in liver cirrhosis is dependent in the first place, but not exclusively, upon the degree of reduction of liver parenchyma.", "PMID": 634016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10046", "title": "[Prognosis of acute viral hepatitis B (author's transl)].", "content": "Case reports of patients with acute viral hepatitis of the Medical Department of the Innsbruck University Medical School were evaluated in regard to prognosis. The following results were obtained: 1. Hepatitis B in the acute phase runs a severe course in more cases than non B hepatitis. 2. Disappearance of the HBs-antigen from the serum seems to be a reliable indicator for complete recovery; persistence of the antigen on the other hand indicates a chronic clinical course of the disease. 3. A difference in prognosis as to a chronic course of acute hepatitis B and non B hepatitis could not be found. Transition to a chronic stage seems to occur in about 3-15% of both forms of the disease together.", "contents": "[Prognosis of acute viral hepatitis B (author's transl)]. Case reports of patients with acute viral hepatitis of the Medical Department of the Innsbruck University Medical School were evaluated in regard to prognosis. The following results were obtained: 1. Hepatitis B in the acute phase runs a severe course in more cases than non B hepatitis. 2. Disappearance of the HBs-antigen from the serum seems to be a reliable indicator for complete recovery; persistence of the antigen on the other hand indicates a chronic clinical course of the disease. 3. A difference in prognosis as to a chronic course of acute hepatitis B and non B hepatitis could not be found. Transition to a chronic stage seems to occur in about 3-15% of both forms of the disease together.", "PMID": 634017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10047", "title": "[Metabolism of endogeneous gastrin (author's transl)].", "content": "The localization of production of gastrin is rather well known, the localization of metabolic breakdown however is still being discussed. Liver, kidneys, musculature and small intestine are being taken into consideration. Experiments were performed demonstrating a definite increase of serum gastrin after removal of the small intestine; the duodenum was not removed in these experiments, since enterogastrone is formed mainly in this organ. These results would suggest, that gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine. In order to further prove this point, truncal vagotomy was performed in rabbits, producing elevated serum gastrin levels. In other series subtotal removal of the small intestine was combined with truncal vagotomy. Serum gastrin levels were definitely higher after this latter procedure than after truncal vagotomy alone. These findings seem to support the hypothesis, that endogeneous gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine.", "contents": "[Metabolism of endogeneous gastrin (author's transl)]. The localization of production of gastrin is rather well known, the localization of metabolic breakdown however is still being discussed. Liver, kidneys, musculature and small intestine are being taken into consideration. Experiments were performed demonstrating a definite increase of serum gastrin after removal of the small intestine; the duodenum was not removed in these experiments, since enterogastrone is formed mainly in this organ. These results would suggest, that gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine. In order to further prove this point, truncal vagotomy was performed in rabbits, producing elevated serum gastrin levels. In other series subtotal removal of the small intestine was combined with truncal vagotomy. Serum gastrin levels were definitely higher after this latter procedure than after truncal vagotomy alone. These findings seem to support the hypothesis, that endogeneous gastrin is metabolized in the small intestine.", "PMID": 634018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10048", "title": "[Plasma histamine concentration and hemodynamic changes in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)].", "content": "Different causal factors have been speculated about in regard to hemodynamic changes (hyperdynamic circulation) in liver cirrhosis. Effects of various vasoactive substances upon the increased arterio-venous intrapulmonary shunting in cirrhosis have been demonstrated, including reduced ferritin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, VIP and parenterally applied histamine. In cirrhotic patients pre- and posthepatic plasma concentrations of histamine are definitely elevated, and elimination of histamine by the liver is reduced. It is speculated, that elevated plasma concentrations of endogenous histamine may contribute to hemodynamic changes in liver cirrhosis.", "contents": "[Plasma histamine concentration and hemodynamic changes in liver cirrhosis (author's transl)]. Different causal factors have been speculated about in regard to hemodynamic changes (hyperdynamic circulation) in liver cirrhosis. Effects of various vasoactive substances upon the increased arterio-venous intrapulmonary shunting in cirrhosis have been demonstrated, including reduced ferritin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, VIP and parenterally applied histamine. In cirrhotic patients pre- and posthepatic plasma concentrations of histamine are definitely elevated, and elimination of histamine by the liver is reduced. It is speculated, that elevated plasma concentrations of endogenous histamine may contribute to hemodynamic changes in liver cirrhosis.", "PMID": 634019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10049", "title": "[Benign tumors of the liver-diagnosis and therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1971 to 1976 surgery was done on 11 patients with benign tumors of the liver in the Surgical Department of the University of Mainz. Histological examinations revealed focal nodular hyperplasia in 5 cases, liver cell adenoma in 2 cases, caverneous hemangioma in 2 cases, cystic liver disease in 1 case, and an idiopatic peritoneal liver cyst in 1 case. Benign tumors of the liver are rare. Clinical symptoms in these cases are inconspicuous. In 5 patients the diagnosis was made coincidentally. Preoperative diagnosis depends mainly on angiography. Since an exact histological diagnosis cannot be made otherwise, surgery is imperative. Big tumors leading to displacement of intestinal or biliary organs ought to be removed in toto; this allows complete histological work up and exclusion of malignancy, and it does prevent recurrence of the tumor as well. In 8 of 11 patients tumors localized peripherally in the liver could be removed surgically without complications.", "contents": "[Benign tumors of the liver-diagnosis and therapy (author's transl)]. From 1971 to 1976 surgery was done on 11 patients with benign tumors of the liver in the Surgical Department of the University of Mainz. Histological examinations revealed focal nodular hyperplasia in 5 cases, liver cell adenoma in 2 cases, caverneous hemangioma in 2 cases, cystic liver disease in 1 case, and an idiopatic peritoneal liver cyst in 1 case. Benign tumors of the liver are rare. Clinical symptoms in these cases are inconspicuous. In 5 patients the diagnosis was made coincidentally. Preoperative diagnosis depends mainly on angiography. Since an exact histological diagnosis cannot be made otherwise, surgery is imperative. Big tumors leading to displacement of intestinal or biliary organs ought to be removed in toto; this allows complete histological work up and exclusion of malignancy, and it does prevent recurrence of the tumor as well. In 8 of 11 patients tumors localized peripherally in the liver could be removed surgically without complications.", "PMID": 634020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10050", "title": "Metabolism of linoleate versus linoelaidate in the laying hen.", "content": "The metabolic fate in the laying hen of linolaidic acid, the trans,trans-geometric isomer of linoleic acid, was compared to that of the naturally occurring cis,cis linoleate. In two experiments, mixtures of radioisotope-labeled linoleate and linoelaidate were orally administered to a set of three laying hens. A third mixture consisting of linoleate-3H and linoleate-14C was fed to three hens to measure biological isotope effects. Isotopic ratios (3H/14C) of the neutral lipid and phospholipid fractions isolated from egg yolks and of the octadecadienoic acids from these fractions were compared to those of the administered mixtures. The 3H/14C ratios indicate that linoelaidic acid and linoleic acid are equally incorporated into egg yolk neutral lipids and phospholipids. Arachidonic acid was found exclusively in the phospholipid fraction and was radiolabeled with the isotope from the cis,cis octadecadienoate isomer only. Further detailed analysis of individual neutral lipid components indicated: (a) discrimination against the trans,trans isomer in cholesteryl esters and (b) no discrimination against either isomer in triacylglycerols.", "contents": "Metabolism of linoleate versus linoelaidate in the laying hen. The metabolic fate in the laying hen of linolaidic acid, the trans,trans-geometric isomer of linoleic acid, was compared to that of the naturally occurring cis,cis linoleate. In two experiments, mixtures of radioisotope-labeled linoleate and linoelaidate were orally administered to a set of three laying hens. A third mixture consisting of linoleate-3H and linoleate-14C was fed to three hens to measure biological isotope effects. Isotopic ratios (3H/14C) of the neutral lipid and phospholipid fractions isolated from egg yolks and of the octadecadienoic acids from these fractions were compared to those of the administered mixtures. The 3H/14C ratios indicate that linoelaidic acid and linoleic acid are equally incorporated into egg yolk neutral lipids and phospholipids. Arachidonic acid was found exclusively in the phospholipid fraction and was radiolabeled with the isotope from the cis,cis octadecadienoate isomer only. Further detailed analysis of individual neutral lipid components indicated: (a) discrimination against the trans,trans isomer in cholesteryl esters and (b) no discrimination against either isomer in triacylglycerols.", "PMID": 634041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10051", "title": "Metabolism of a n-paraffin, heptadecane, in rats.", "content": "14C-heptadecane incorporated in rat diet was largely absorbed, and a balance study showed extensive 14CO2 excretion (65%). There was no elimination of the hydrocarbon in the urine, and only minute quantities of labeled metabolites. Radioactivity in the feces was entirely in heptadecane. About 7% of the heptadecane absorbed was stored in the carcass, whereas the rest was omega-oxidized to heptadecanoic acid. This fatty acid was incorporated into neutral lipids and phospholipids, underwent the normal fatty acid degradation pathway, and contributed to the synthesis of lipids, including fatty acids, squalene and cholesterol, and nonlipids (7-10%). Heptadecanoic acid was desaturated to heptadecenoic acid. The even distribution of radioactivity in the fatty acids of the various phospholipid classes indicated that heptadecane did not interfere with the biochemical mechanisms of these functional lipids.", "contents": "Metabolism of a n-paraffin, heptadecane, in rats. 14C-heptadecane incorporated in rat diet was largely absorbed, and a balance study showed extensive 14CO2 excretion (65%). There was no elimination of the hydrocarbon in the urine, and only minute quantities of labeled metabolites. Radioactivity in the feces was entirely in heptadecane. About 7% of the heptadecane absorbed was stored in the carcass, whereas the rest was omega-oxidized to heptadecanoic acid. This fatty acid was incorporated into neutral lipids and phospholipids, underwent the normal fatty acid degradation pathway, and contributed to the synthesis of lipids, including fatty acids, squalene and cholesterol, and nonlipids (7-10%). Heptadecanoic acid was desaturated to heptadecenoic acid. The even distribution of radioactivity in the fatty acids of the various phospholipid classes indicated that heptadecane did not interfere with the biochemical mechanisms of these functional lipids.", "PMID": 634042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10052", "title": "Effect of dietary vitamin C on adrenal cholesteryl ester content in the guinea pig.", "content": "Male guinea pigs fed a vitamin C-deficient diet for 3 weeks had lower concentrations of cholesteryl esters in their adrenals than did control animals fed the recommended intake of the vitamin. Not all esters were affected to the same degree, and the fatty acid profiles of the esters from control and deficient guinea pigs differed; there was proportionately more palmitic and linoleic acids and less docosatetraenoic acid [22:4 (n-6)] in the deficient guinea pig adrenal esters. [Fatty acids are designated as X:Y (n-Z), where X and Y are the numbers of carbon atoms and olefinic bonds in the acid and Z is the number of carbon atoms after the terminal olefinic bond.] A 100-fold excess of vitamin C in the diet also resulted in lower concentrations of adrenal cholesteryl esters than did the control diet, but they were not as low as in the deficient animals. Fatty acid profiles were similar for esters from control and excessively supplemented guinea pigs. Vitamin C deficiency apparently imposes a long term stress which results in a depletion of adrenal cholesteryl esters, possibly specific esters, to meet the requirements for glucocorticoid synthesis.", "contents": "Effect of dietary vitamin C on adrenal cholesteryl ester content in the guinea pig. Male guinea pigs fed a vitamin C-deficient diet for 3 weeks had lower concentrations of cholesteryl esters in their adrenals than did control animals fed the recommended intake of the vitamin. Not all esters were affected to the same degree, and the fatty acid profiles of the esters from control and deficient guinea pigs differed; there was proportionately more palmitic and linoleic acids and less docosatetraenoic acid [22:4 (n-6)] in the deficient guinea pig adrenal esters. [Fatty acids are designated as X:Y (n-Z), where X and Y are the numbers of carbon atoms and olefinic bonds in the acid and Z is the number of carbon atoms after the terminal olefinic bond.] A 100-fold excess of vitamin C in the diet also resulted in lower concentrations of adrenal cholesteryl esters than did the control diet, but they were not as low as in the deficient animals. Fatty acid profiles were similar for esters from control and excessively supplemented guinea pigs. Vitamin C deficiency apparently imposes a long term stress which results in a depletion of adrenal cholesteryl esters, possibly specific esters, to meet the requirements for glucocorticoid synthesis.", "PMID": 634043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10053", "title": "Eicosenoic and docosenoic acid incorporation in serum lipoproteins in rats fed rapeseed oil.", "content": "Rats were fed rapeseed oil rich in eicosenoic (20:1) and docosenoic (22:1) acids for 7 days, and the fatty acid composition of the lipid classes of serum and serum lipoproteins was determined. Concentrations of 20:1 and 22:1 acids in the lipid classes were variable, especially among lipoproteins, and were a direct function of the alimentary state of the animal. The results suggest differences in the incorporation of the above acids among the major lipoprotein types and various lipid classes within a given lipoprotein type. The quick partial disappearance of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and of low density lipoproteins (LDL) containing 20:1 and 22:1 acids upon starvation and the preferential incorporation of these acids in the triacylglycerols of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are discussed.", "contents": "Eicosenoic and docosenoic acid incorporation in serum lipoproteins in rats fed rapeseed oil. Rats were fed rapeseed oil rich in eicosenoic (20:1) and docosenoic (22:1) acids for 7 days, and the fatty acid composition of the lipid classes of serum and serum lipoproteins was determined. Concentrations of 20:1 and 22:1 acids in the lipid classes were variable, especially among lipoproteins, and were a direct function of the alimentary state of the animal. The results suggest differences in the incorporation of the above acids among the major lipoprotein types and various lipid classes within a given lipoprotein type. The quick partial disappearance of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and of low density lipoproteins (LDL) containing 20:1 and 22:1 acids upon starvation and the preferential incorporation of these acids in the triacylglycerols of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are discussed.", "PMID": 634044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10054", "title": "Autoxidation and effects of pro- and antioxidants in lyophilized red blood cell membranes.", "content": "Oxygen uptake and effects of pro- and antioxidants have been compared at 80 C in lyophilized red blood cell (RBC) bilayer membranes (ghosts). In this dry and relatively immobile system, catalytic metals have pronounced effects. When ghosts are prepared in the usual manner, in phosphate buffer, hypotonic saline, or deionized water (DI), oxygen uptake is extremely slow and limited unless: (a) catalytic metal, e.g. cobaltous ion, is supplied in the absence of metal-complexing buffers and (b) residual phosphate buffer is removed by repeated deionized water or hypotonic saline washes. Ghosts adsorb d-alpha-tocopherol strongly from 1% alcohol emulsion in buffer in amounts far above normal RBC concentrations, whereas synthetic antioxidant uptake seldom exceeds the normal tocopherol level. Uptake and effectiveness of antioxidants introduced by either perfusion or in the vapor phase, and resistance of ghosts to autoxidation introduced by either perfusion or in the vapor phase, and resistance of ghosts to autoxidation are discussed as they relate to protection of lyophilized membranes and freeze-dried foods.", "contents": "Autoxidation and effects of pro- and antioxidants in lyophilized red blood cell membranes. Oxygen uptake and effects of pro- and antioxidants have been compared at 80 C in lyophilized red blood cell (RBC) bilayer membranes (ghosts). In this dry and relatively immobile system, catalytic metals have pronounced effects. When ghosts are prepared in the usual manner, in phosphate buffer, hypotonic saline, or deionized water (DI), oxygen uptake is extremely slow and limited unless: (a) catalytic metal, e.g. cobaltous ion, is supplied in the absence of metal-complexing buffers and (b) residual phosphate buffer is removed by repeated deionized water or hypotonic saline washes. Ghosts adsorb d-alpha-tocopherol strongly from 1% alcohol emulsion in buffer in amounts far above normal RBC concentrations, whereas synthetic antioxidant uptake seldom exceeds the normal tocopherol level. Uptake and effectiveness of antioxidants introduced by either perfusion or in the vapor phase, and resistance of ghosts to autoxidation introduced by either perfusion or in the vapor phase, and resistance of ghosts to autoxidation are discussed as they relate to protection of lyophilized membranes and freeze-dried foods.", "PMID": 634045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10055", "title": "The metabolism of lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate by human intestinal microflora.", "content": "Lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate is metabolized by human intestinal microflora to nonpolar metabolites which have been partially purified by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. These metabolites were characterized by thin layer and gas liquid chromatography as well as combined gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chromatographic properties of one of the metabolites are consistent with those described for a delta2- or delta3-cholenate. The formation of cholenates by the microflora may represent a retoxification of the sulfate ester of lithocholic acid.", "contents": "The metabolism of lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate by human intestinal microflora. Lithocholic acid-3alpha-sulfate is metabolized by human intestinal microflora to nonpolar metabolites which have been partially purified by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. These metabolites were characterized by thin layer and gas liquid chromatography as well as combined gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The chromatographic properties of one of the metabolites are consistent with those described for a delta2- or delta3-cholenate. The formation of cholenates by the microflora may represent a retoxification of the sulfate ester of lithocholic acid.", "PMID": 634046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10056", "title": "Hydrolysis of biliary phospholipids in the upper small intestine of the chick.", "content": "Chick endogenous phospholipids were doubly labeled by an intravenous injection of [32P] phosphate and [1-14C] oleic acid, and the free fatty acid and phospholipid fraction of gall bladder bile and in contents of upper small intestine were analyzed 4 days later. There was evidence of hydrolysis of biliary phosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidylcholine in the duodenum and jejunum, but this did not account for the pronounced increase in the 14C radioactivity of the free fatty acids relative to the 32P phospholipid radioactivity between bile and upper intestinal segments. It is suggested that phosphatidylcholine is largely absorbed in the duodenum of the chick while the remainder is progressively hydrolyzed and absorbed.", "contents": "Hydrolysis of biliary phospholipids in the upper small intestine of the chick. Chick endogenous phospholipids were doubly labeled by an intravenous injection of [32P] phosphate and [1-14C] oleic acid, and the free fatty acid and phospholipid fraction of gall bladder bile and in contents of upper small intestine were analyzed 4 days later. There was evidence of hydrolysis of biliary phosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidylcholine in the duodenum and jejunum, but this did not account for the pronounced increase in the 14C radioactivity of the free fatty acids relative to the 32P phospholipid radioactivity between bile and upper intestinal segments. It is suggested that phosphatidylcholine is largely absorbed in the duodenum of the chick while the remainder is progressively hydrolyzed and absorbed.", "PMID": 634047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10057", "title": "Progressive gross changes in renal medullary composition in pregnant rats.", "content": "The biochemical composition of the renal medulla and the blood pressures of pregnant rats and nonpregnant controls were compared on days 15, 18, 20, and 22 of pregnancy. Deoxyribonucleic acid and protein content of the renal medulla changed together with the tissue weight (wet weight) during gestation except on day 20 when a slight increase in protein was observed. However, the glycerophospholipids (phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, and phosphatidyl serine) and sphingomyelin showed significant increases throughout the latter stages of pregnancy with the maxima in most cases occurring on day 20 of the gestation period. Medullary hypertrophy and increased lipid content per cell coexist with the decrease in blood pressure and may indicate peak activity in production of antihypertensive renal lipids.", "contents": "Progressive gross changes in renal medullary composition in pregnant rats. The biochemical composition of the renal medulla and the blood pressures of pregnant rats and nonpregnant controls were compared on days 15, 18, 20, and 22 of pregnancy. Deoxyribonucleic acid and protein content of the renal medulla changed together with the tissue weight (wet weight) during gestation except on day 20 when a slight increase in protein was observed. However, the glycerophospholipids (phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, and phosphatidyl serine) and sphingomyelin showed significant increases throughout the latter stages of pregnancy with the maxima in most cases occurring on day 20 of the gestation period. Medullary hypertrophy and increased lipid content per cell coexist with the decrease in blood pressure and may indicate peak activity in production of antihypertensive renal lipids.", "PMID": 634049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10058", "title": "Atherogenesis in swine fed several types of lipid-cholesterol diets.", "content": "Eighteen-month-old Nebraska strain minipigs were fed diets containing 2% cholesterol and 20% corn oil, lard, or coconut oil for 12 to 18 months. Concentrations of serum total lipid, total cholesterol, and total phospholipid increased 200 to 300% with each diet. Changes in serum concentrations of Sf 20+ and Sf 0-20 lipoproteins varied with diets fed. Serum concentration of high density lipoprotein was increased in all cases. Intima concentration of Sf 0-20 lipoprotein fraction was elevated by feeding the corn oil diet. There was no development of atherosclerosis as a result of feeding the corn oil-cholesterol diet, but there was an increase in atherosclerosis as a result of feeding the lard or coconut oil diet. There were no correlations between fatty acid patterns of several lipid fractions from serum and corresponding lipid fractions from aortic intima of corn oil fed animals.", "contents": "Atherogenesis in swine fed several types of lipid-cholesterol diets. Eighteen-month-old Nebraska strain minipigs were fed diets containing 2% cholesterol and 20% corn oil, lard, or coconut oil for 12 to 18 months. Concentrations of serum total lipid, total cholesterol, and total phospholipid increased 200 to 300% with each diet. Changes in serum concentrations of Sf 20+ and Sf 0-20 lipoproteins varied with diets fed. Serum concentration of high density lipoprotein was increased in all cases. Intima concentration of Sf 0-20 lipoprotein fraction was elevated by feeding the corn oil diet. There was no development of atherosclerosis as a result of feeding the corn oil-cholesterol diet, but there was an increase in atherosclerosis as a result of feeding the lard or coconut oil diet. There were no correlations between fatty acid patterns of several lipid fractions from serum and corresponding lipid fractions from aortic intima of corn oil fed animals.", "PMID": 634050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10059", "title": "Mass spectrometric identification of C20 fatty acids in bovine lens using the pyrrolidide derivative.", "content": "Unsaturated C20 fatty acids from bovine lens have been examined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of their pyrrolidide derivatives. The presence of arachidonic acid and 5,8,11-20:3 in bovine lens has been confirmed by this study. In addition, the 10-, 11-, 12-, and 13-isomers of 20:1 and the 7,13-, 18,14-, and 12,15-isomers of 20:2 were identified.", "contents": "Mass spectrometric identification of C20 fatty acids in bovine lens using the pyrrolidide derivative. Unsaturated C20 fatty acids from bovine lens have been examined via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of their pyrrolidide derivatives. The presence of arachidonic acid and 5,8,11-20:3 in bovine lens has been confirmed by this study. In addition, the 10-, 11-, 12-, and 13-isomers of 20:1 and the 7,13-, 18,14-, and 12,15-isomers of 20:2 were identified.", "PMID": 634051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10060", "title": "Effect of catecholamines on gastrin release.", "content": "In vivo and in vitro techniques have been used to study the effect of catecholamines on gastrin release. The i.v. infusion of epinephrine in dogs produced a significant rise in plasma gastrin concentration. This response was prevented by the administration of propranolol to block beta-adrenergic receptors. The infusion of isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, produced a significant rise in gastrin levels, while phenylephrine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, had no effect. In in vitro studies using isolated pieces of rat antrum, isoproterenol stimulated acute phase release of gastrin, whereas phenylephrine was again without effect. The studies indicate that catecholamines directly influence G cell function.", "contents": "Effect of catecholamines on gastrin release. In vivo and in vitro techniques have been used to study the effect of catecholamines on gastrin release. The i.v. infusion of epinephrine in dogs produced a significant rise in plasma gastrin concentration. This response was prevented by the administration of propranolol to block beta-adrenergic receptors. The infusion of isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, produced a significant rise in gastrin levels, while phenylephrine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, had no effect. In in vitro studies using isolated pieces of rat antrum, isoproterenol stimulated acute phase release of gastrin, whereas phenylephrine was again without effect. The studies indicate that catecholamines directly influence G cell function.", "PMID": 634141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10061", "title": "Serum thyroid hormone concentrations during prolonged reduction of dietary intake.", "content": "In nine obese but otherwise healthy subjects the effect of caloric restriction on the serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3), urea, uric acid, creatinine, and bilirubin was studied. Blood was obtained before and 2, 4, and 6 wk after the subjects had changed to a chemically defined diet (31 g amino acids, 44 g carbohydrate, and 1.5 g fat; 300 kcal/day). A decline of body weight to 88% and of serum T3 to 70% of the pretreatment values was observed. Creatinine and bilirubin increased to 115% and 163%, respectively. Uric acid and rT3 showed a transient rise to 148% and 180%, respectively. Serum urea was lowest (72%) from the second until the fourth week. There was a highly significant correlation between serum rT3 and uric acid (r = 0.77, p less than 0.001). The time course of the changes seems to indicate that conversion of T4 into T3 and rT3 is mediated by separate processes.", "contents": "Serum thyroid hormone concentrations during prolonged reduction of dietary intake. In nine obese but otherwise healthy subjects the effect of caloric restriction on the serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3), urea, uric acid, creatinine, and bilirubin was studied. Blood was obtained before and 2, 4, and 6 wk after the subjects had changed to a chemically defined diet (31 g amino acids, 44 g carbohydrate, and 1.5 g fat; 300 kcal/day). A decline of body weight to 88% and of serum T3 to 70% of the pretreatment values was observed. Creatinine and bilirubin increased to 115% and 163%, respectively. Uric acid and rT3 showed a transient rise to 148% and 180%, respectively. Serum urea was lowest (72%) from the second until the fourth week. There was a highly significant correlation between serum rT3 and uric acid (r = 0.77, p less than 0.001). The time course of the changes seems to indicate that conversion of T4 into T3 and rT3 is mediated by separate processes.", "PMID": 634142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10062", "title": "Physiologic regulation of body energy storage.", "content": "Both new and published data (rats, mice, and human beings) on three parameters--fat mass, fat-free body mass (FFBM), and total body mass in some cases--are evaluated. Steady state values of the parameters are analyzed for changes in response to specific perturbing agents and for their frequency distributions. Temporal sequences of values on individuals are examined for evidence of regulatory responses. The results lead to the hypothesis that the FFBM is regulated, but probably not as a unit, and that mass of fat is regulated with a high priority near the range extremes but with a much lower priority in the mid-range. Properties and advantages of such a mechanism are discussed.", "contents": "Physiologic regulation of body energy storage. Both new and published data (rats, mice, and human beings) on three parameters--fat mass, fat-free body mass (FFBM), and total body mass in some cases--are evaluated. Steady state values of the parameters are analyzed for changes in response to specific perturbing agents and for their frequency distributions. Temporal sequences of values on individuals are examined for evidence of regulatory responses. The results lead to the hypothesis that the FFBM is regulated, but probably not as a unit, and that mass of fat is regulated with a high priority near the range extremes but with a much lower priority in the mid-range. Properties and advantages of such a mechanism are discussed.", "PMID": 634143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10063", "title": "The application of the interference microscopy for the refractive index determination of the cell wall and cytoplasm in plant cells.", "content": "Interference microscopy method has been used for measuring the refractive indices of cell wall and cytoplasm of two plant species: Funaria hygrometrica and Lemna trisulca. The refractive index of the cytoplasm was determined by measuring the centrifuged cells. The mean values obtained for different wavelengths lie in the range 1.41-1.42.", "contents": "The application of the interference microscopy for the refractive index determination of the cell wall and cytoplasm in plant cells. Interference microscopy method has been used for measuring the refractive indices of cell wall and cytoplasm of two plant species: Funaria hygrometrica and Lemna trisulca. The refractive index of the cytoplasm was determined by measuring the centrifuged cells. The mean values obtained for different wavelengths lie in the range 1.41-1.42.", "PMID": 634148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10064", "title": "Initiation and direction of polymorphonuclear leucocyte locomotion. The particle collision hypothesis.", "content": "A simple model of the initiation of locomotion, the random movement and the directional locomotion during chemotaxis is derived from observations on moving human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). This model provides a unifying concept of initiation of PMN locomotion, PMN random movement and PMN chemotaxis. The lamellipodium is thought to be the direction-determining cell organelle.", "contents": "Initiation and direction of polymorphonuclear leucocyte locomotion. The particle collision hypothesis. A simple model of the initiation of locomotion, the random movement and the directional locomotion during chemotaxis is derived from observations on moving human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs). This model provides a unifying concept of initiation of PMN locomotion, PMN random movement and PMN chemotaxis. The lamellipodium is thought to be the direction-determining cell organelle.", "PMID": 634176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10065", "title": "Mechanisms of decubitus ulcer formation--an hypothesis.", "content": "Understanding of the etiology of decubitus ulcer formation is fragmentary and the existing literature contains much experimental data that are inconsistent with the idea that pressure sore formation is due extensively to depriving a tissue region of blood. In fact, there is substantial data that illustrate that tissue can remain viable for very extended lengths of time, up to 13 hours, when subjected to externally applied pressures that collapse the blood microvasculature in a region. Based on these observations and on studies done in this laboratory on lymph propulsion and pressure sore prevention, an hypothesis has been formulated that is consistent with the published data and with clinical observations. The hypothesis states that a major contributing factor to pressure sores is the tissue necrosis that is caused by the accumulation of anaerobic metabolic waste products due to occlusion of the lymph vessels.", "contents": "Mechanisms of decubitus ulcer formation--an hypothesis. Understanding of the etiology of decubitus ulcer formation is fragmentary and the existing literature contains much experimental data that are inconsistent with the idea that pressure sore formation is due extensively to depriving a tissue region of blood. In fact, there is substantial data that illustrate that tissue can remain viable for very extended lengths of time, up to 13 hours, when subjected to externally applied pressures that collapse the blood microvasculature in a region. Based on these observations and on studies done in this laboratory on lymph propulsion and pressure sore prevention, an hypothesis has been formulated that is consistent with the published data and with clinical observations. The hypothesis states that a major contributing factor to pressure sores is the tissue necrosis that is caused by the accumulation of anaerobic metabolic waste products due to occlusion of the lymph vessels.", "PMID": 634177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10066", "title": "Sialoresponsin and an antiviral action of ascorbic acid.", "content": "Several pathogens, both viral and bacterial, employ the enzyme neuraminidase (N-acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1.8). The neuraminidase renders ineffective the hemagglutinin inhibitory mucins that confine the pathogens in a coating of host mucins. Sialoresponsin is a receptor \"decoy\" that inhibits neuraminidase. Several known antiviral agents, including ascorbic acid, inhibit neuraminidase. It is proposed that ascorbic acid may mediate an antiviral effect through the incorporation of ascorbic acid or some derivative of ascorbic acid as a part of the sialoresponsin molecule. Whether ascorbic acid works alone as a pharmacological inhibitor, or is incorporated in sialoresponsin as a physiological inhibitor; it may be useful against pathogens that employ neuraminidase.", "contents": "Sialoresponsin and an antiviral action of ascorbic acid. Several pathogens, both viral and bacterial, employ the enzyme neuraminidase (N-acetylneuraminate glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.1.8). The neuraminidase renders ineffective the hemagglutinin inhibitory mucins that confine the pathogens in a coating of host mucins. Sialoresponsin is a receptor \"decoy\" that inhibits neuraminidase. Several known antiviral agents, including ascorbic acid, inhibit neuraminidase. It is proposed that ascorbic acid may mediate an antiviral effect through the incorporation of ascorbic acid or some derivative of ascorbic acid as a part of the sialoresponsin molecule. Whether ascorbic acid works alone as a pharmacological inhibitor, or is incorporated in sialoresponsin as a physiological inhibitor; it may be useful against pathogens that employ neuraminidase.", "PMID": 634178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10067", "title": "The recession of gastric cancer and its possible causes.", "content": "The paper re-examines the hypothesis that excessively hot drinks constitute an important risk factor in the causation of gastric cancer. The recession of gastric cancer mortality rates in the United States in recent decades is attributed to dietary changes tending to supplant the traditional hot beverages. One such change was the appearance of domestic refrigerators, promoting iced drinks, another the popularisation of soft drinks. The example of Okinawa is quoted where in 1972, after 27 years of American administration, gastric cancer mortality rate was 11.3 per 100,000, in contrast to Japan's 46.7, presumably due to the introduction of American dietary habits. While in most Western European countries gastric cancer risk decreased in the last decades, there was little change in Eastern Europe, and rates were rising in some countries, like Portugal, Mexico and Hong-Kong. This is attributed to the increasing pollution of water, promoting its boiling and flovouring. In some countries water is disinfected by chlorination in which case boiling and flavouring may be used to mask the unpleasant smell and taste of disinfectant.", "contents": "The recession of gastric cancer and its possible causes. The paper re-examines the hypothesis that excessively hot drinks constitute an important risk factor in the causation of gastric cancer. The recession of gastric cancer mortality rates in the United States in recent decades is attributed to dietary changes tending to supplant the traditional hot beverages. One such change was the appearance of domestic refrigerators, promoting iced drinks, another the popularisation of soft drinks. The example of Okinawa is quoted where in 1972, after 27 years of American administration, gastric cancer mortality rate was 11.3 per 100,000, in contrast to Japan's 46.7, presumably due to the introduction of American dietary habits. While in most Western European countries gastric cancer risk decreased in the last decades, there was little change in Eastern Europe, and rates were rising in some countries, like Portugal, Mexico and Hong-Kong. This is attributed to the increasing pollution of water, promoting its boiling and flovouring. In some countries water is disinfected by chlorination in which case boiling and flavouring may be used to mask the unpleasant smell and taste of disinfectant.", "PMID": 634179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10068", "title": "Comparison of transthoracic square-wave defibrillation experience in the dog and calf.", "content": "Data from 5,280 fibrillation-defibrillation episodes in medium-size dogs, size scaled to a hypothetical 100-kg dog, and from 3,240 episodes in 100-kg calves, are used to derive families of curves showing percentage of success of unidirectional square-wave pulses in achieving defibrillation versus current amplitudes for energy levels in the range of 200 through 2,000 J. From the 3,240 episodes in the calves and 3,240 additional episodes in dogs, the incidence of post-defibrillation complete A-V block was found. In calves, the optimal 800-J curve peaks sharply at about the 93 percent success level for a current amplitude of 70 A. For the hypothetical dog, the 800-J curve has a broad peak at substantially the 100 percent success level for currents of 40 through 120 A. In general, the incidence of complete A-V block is very low in the dog and very high in the calf.", "contents": "Comparison of transthoracic square-wave defibrillation experience in the dog and calf. Data from 5,280 fibrillation-defibrillation episodes in medium-size dogs, size scaled to a hypothetical 100-kg dog, and from 3,240 episodes in 100-kg calves, are used to derive families of curves showing percentage of success of unidirectional square-wave pulses in achieving defibrillation versus current amplitudes for energy levels in the range of 200 through 2,000 J. From the 3,240 episodes in the calves and 3,240 additional episodes in dogs, the incidence of post-defibrillation complete A-V block was found. In calves, the optimal 800-J curve peaks sharply at about the 93 percent success level for a current amplitude of 70 A. For the hypothetical dog, the 800-J curve has a broad peak at substantially the 100 percent success level for currents of 40 through 120 A. In general, the incidence of complete A-V block is very low in the dog and very high in the calf.", "PMID": 634184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10069", "title": "Transthoracic ventricular defibrillation in the adult.", "content": "Since the lower the energy used, the less the possible myocardial damage, two studies of 214 patients in ventricular fibrillation (VF) were conducted, using two types of defibrillators each charged to 200 Wsec and 100Wsec. In the first study, each defibrillator was charged to 200 Wsec (150-165 Wsec delivered). Up to three 200-Wsec shocks successfully converted 222 of 233 VF episodes. In 199 episodes, a single shock successfully removed the fibrillation. In 48 episodes in patients weighing more than 80 kg, VF was removed in 43 (90 percent). In the second study, from a stored energy of 100 Wsec, 74 to 82 Wsec of energy were delivered in the initial shock to treat 161 VF episodes in 94 patients. The first shock was successful in 101 (63 percent) of the 161 episodes. Up to three 100-Wsec shocks achieved 81 percent conversion in 52 episodes. A third 100-Wsec shock seldom succeeded. Using a sequence of 100 - 200 - 400 Wsec shocks, 93 (91 percent) of 102 episodes were successfully converted. There was not a single instance of failure to remove VF among the 214 patients with a maximal delivered energy of 330 Wsec. Thus, the direction towards the production of larger instruments storing more than 400 Wsec energy seems unwarranted.", "contents": "Transthoracic ventricular defibrillation in the adult. Since the lower the energy used, the less the possible myocardial damage, two studies of 214 patients in ventricular fibrillation (VF) were conducted, using two types of defibrillators each charged to 200 Wsec and 100Wsec. In the first study, each defibrillator was charged to 200 Wsec (150-165 Wsec delivered). Up to three 200-Wsec shocks successfully converted 222 of 233 VF episodes. In 199 episodes, a single shock successfully removed the fibrillation. In 48 episodes in patients weighing more than 80 kg, VF was removed in 43 (90 percent). In the second study, from a stored energy of 100 Wsec, 74 to 82 Wsec of energy were delivered in the initial shock to treat 161 VF episodes in 94 patients. The first shock was successful in 101 (63 percent) of the 161 episodes. Up to three 100-Wsec shocks achieved 81 percent conversion in 52 episodes. A third 100-Wsec shock seldom succeeded. Using a sequence of 100 - 200 - 400 Wsec shocks, 93 (91 percent) of 102 episodes were successfully converted. There was not a single instance of failure to remove VF among the 214 patients with a maximal delivered energy of 330 Wsec. Thus, the direction towards the production of larger instruments storing more than 400 Wsec energy seems unwarranted.", "PMID": 634183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10070", "title": "Evaluation of the operating internal resistance, inductance, and capacitance of intact damped sine wave defibrillators.", "content": "A method is developed for determing actual values of circuit elements in a damped sine wave (Lown waveform) defibrillator solely from measurements of the output, using two or more power resistors and a storage oscilloscope. If a defibrillator containing capacitance C, inductance L, and internal resistance RI, is discharged into increasing 5- to 100-ohm resistive loads R, it is shown for underdamped output waveforms that \u00e2 = RI/2L + R/2L and \u0109 = CRI + CR, where \u00e2 = pi[t2tan(pit1/t2)], \u0109 = 2\u00e2/[\u00e22 + (pi/t2)2], t1 = time from onset to peak, and t2 = time from onset to first zero crossing of the output waveform on the oscilloscope trace. Linear plots of \u00e2 vs R are constructed for seven defibrillators, and values of RI and L computed as intercept/slope and 1/(2 slope) respectively. C is given by the slope of a linear plot of \u0109 vs R. Delivered energy is accurately predicted as stored energy X R/(RI + R).", "contents": "Evaluation of the operating internal resistance, inductance, and capacitance of intact damped sine wave defibrillators. A method is developed for determing actual values of circuit elements in a damped sine wave (Lown waveform) defibrillator solely from measurements of the output, using two or more power resistors and a storage oscilloscope. If a defibrillator containing capacitance C, inductance L, and internal resistance RI, is discharged into increasing 5- to 100-ohm resistive loads R, it is shown for underdamped output waveforms that \u00e2 = RI/2L + R/2L and \u0109 = CRI + CR, where \u00e2 = pi[t2tan(pit1/t2)], \u0109 = 2\u00e2/[\u00e22 + (pi/t2)2], t1 = time from onset to peak, and t2 = time from onset to first zero crossing of the output waveform on the oscilloscope trace. Linear plots of \u00e2 vs R are constructed for seven defibrillators, and values of RI and L computed as intercept/slope and 1/(2 slope) respectively. C is given by the slope of a linear plot of \u0109 vs R. Delivered energy is accurately predicted as stored energy X R/(RI + R).", "PMID": 634188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10071", "title": "Cardiac damage produced by transchest damped sine wave shocks.", "content": "High-energy transchest damped wave sine defibrillation shocks have been shown to produce cardiac damage when applied in rapid sequence. However, there are no reports as to whether single, threshold-intensity shocks produce damage. In this study, nonfibrillating dogs were subjected either to a single, threshold-intensity (1 A/kg) shock, or to a series of 6 shocks with high intensity (3 to 4.8 A/kg). Electrodes of 8 cm diameter were used to apply the shock through the chest wall. Dogs receiving shocks of adequate (but not excessive) strength to defibrillate showed no cardiac damage, although they exhibited transient ventricular arrhythmias after the shock was applied. All dogs receiving the higher intensity, multiple shocks showed gross and microscopic evidence of cardiac damage. Ventricular lesions were observed in both right and left ventricular free walls and were sometimes transmural in extent. ECG analysis of the records from the dogs receiving multiple, high-intensity shocks showed second and third degree A-V block, ventricular ectopic beats, ventricular tachycardia, S-T segment changes, and T-wave inversion. Although multiple, high-energy, high-current defibrillation shocks produce permanent cardiac damage in dogs, threshold shocks do not produce morphologic changes.", "contents": "Cardiac damage produced by transchest damped sine wave shocks. High-energy transchest damped wave sine defibrillation shocks have been shown to produce cardiac damage when applied in rapid sequence. However, there are no reports as to whether single, threshold-intensity shocks produce damage. In this study, nonfibrillating dogs were subjected either to a single, threshold-intensity (1 A/kg) shock, or to a series of 6 shocks with high intensity (3 to 4.8 A/kg). Electrodes of 8 cm diameter were used to apply the shock through the chest wall. Dogs receiving shocks of adequate (but not excessive) strength to defibrillate showed no cardiac damage, although they exhibited transient ventricular arrhythmias after the shock was applied. All dogs receiving the higher intensity, multiple shocks showed gross and microscopic evidence of cardiac damage. Ventricular lesions were observed in both right and left ventricular free walls and were sometimes transmural in extent. ECG analysis of the records from the dogs receiving multiple, high-intensity shocks showed second and third degree A-V block, ventricular ectopic beats, ventricular tachycardia, S-T segment changes, and T-wave inversion. Although multiple, high-energy, high-current defibrillation shocks produce permanent cardiac damage in dogs, threshold shocks do not produce morphologic changes.", "PMID": 634186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10072", "title": "[Asbestos fibre dust, an actual hazard (author's transl)].", "content": "Late results concerning the effects of fibre dust in the human lungs have enormously raised the actuality of fibronous and cancerous reactions of airborne asbestos fibres. The hithero experiences with diseases, resultant from airborne asbestos fibres (asbestoses, cancer, and mesothelioma) are looked on and discussed with respect to 2 asbestos diseases out of the office of the author. Special attention is given to the asbestos-caused mesothelioma which has also been affiliated in the 7th decree of diseases resulting from the work (Berufskrankheitenverordnung) on the 1.1. 1977. Own experiences resulting as well from preventive control examinations as from special collectives of patients (workers in asbestos contaminated surroudnings and smokers) are discussed with respect to restrictive or obstructive ventilation problems. Finally some examples of asbestos free materials wich could be used substiutionarily are quoted.", "contents": "[Asbestos fibre dust, an actual hazard (author's transl)]. Late results concerning the effects of fibre dust in the human lungs have enormously raised the actuality of fibronous and cancerous reactions of airborne asbestos fibres. The hithero experiences with diseases, resultant from airborne asbestos fibres (asbestoses, cancer, and mesothelioma) are looked on and discussed with respect to 2 asbestos diseases out of the office of the author. Special attention is given to the asbestos-caused mesothelioma which has also been affiliated in the 7th decree of diseases resulting from the work (Berufskrankheitenverordnung) on the 1.1. 1977. Own experiences resulting as well from preventive control examinations as from special collectives of patients (workers in asbestos contaminated surroudnings and smokers) are discussed with respect to restrictive or obstructive ventilation problems. Finally some examples of asbestos free materials wich could be used substiutionarily are quoted.", "PMID": 634196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10073", "title": "The effect of shock separation time on multiple-shock defibrillation.", "content": "Reports in the literature of studies of the efficacy of multiple, staggered shocks used for cardiac defibrillation have shown widely varying results. Twin half sinusoids, separated by an integral number of 60-Hz half-cycles, were used for transthoracic defibrillation of dogs. The separation of the pulses was varied from 0 to 13 half-cycles (0 to 108 msec). An online computer was used to determine the energy content of each shock and to obtain curves of the percentage of success vs energy, current, and voltage. The results show that 2 pulses, separated by 9 half-cycles (75 msec), require 57 percent of the peak current and 87 percent of the peak voltage required by a single pulse. The energy requirement, however, was 9.9 percent higher with the staggered shock. Other pulse separations required higher voltages and currents. Possible mechanisms for the effect are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of shock separation time on multiple-shock defibrillation. Reports in the literature of studies of the efficacy of multiple, staggered shocks used for cardiac defibrillation have shown widely varying results. Twin half sinusoids, separated by an integral number of 60-Hz half-cycles, were used for transthoracic defibrillation of dogs. The separation of the pulses was varied from 0 to 13 half-cycles (0 to 108 msec). An online computer was used to determine the energy content of each shock and to obtain curves of the percentage of success vs energy, current, and voltage. The results show that 2 pulses, separated by 9 half-cycles (75 msec), require 57 percent of the peak current and 87 percent of the peak voltage required by a single pulse. The energy requirement, however, was 9.9 percent higher with the staggered shock. Other pulse separations required higher voltages and currents. Possible mechanisms for the effect are discussed.", "PMID": 634187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10074", "title": "Impedance to transthoracic direct current discharge: a model for testing interface material.", "content": "An in vitro method for screening the relative impedance of gels has been developed. A nonconductive chamber was built with 1-cm-diameter electrodes placed 1 cm apart. This chamber is filled with electrode gel to be tested. The defibrillator used delivers a half-sinusoidal waveform. When the same stored energy is discharged by this defibrillator into increasing impedance, the resultant delivered current wave decreases while the voltage wave increases. Thus, with increasing impedance, the delivered volt-time interval increases. Twelve electrode gels were studied; 10 measurements were made on each gel. There is a marked variation in the impedance to direct current discharge of commercially available electrode gels. A large number of commercially available electrode gels are not suitable for use as the interface between the paddle electrodes and the chest wall during elective cardioversion and emergency defibrillation.", "contents": "Impedance to transthoracic direct current discharge: a model for testing interface material. An in vitro method for screening the relative impedance of gels has been developed. A nonconductive chamber was built with 1-cm-diameter electrodes placed 1 cm apart. This chamber is filled with electrode gel to be tested. The defibrillator used delivers a half-sinusoidal waveform. When the same stored energy is discharged by this defibrillator into increasing impedance, the resultant delivered current wave decreases while the voltage wave increases. Thus, with increasing impedance, the delivered volt-time interval increases. Twelve electrode gels were studied; 10 measurements were made on each gel. There is a marked variation in the impedance to direct current discharge of commercially available electrode gels. A large number of commercially available electrode gels are not suitable for use as the interface between the paddle electrodes and the chest wall during elective cardioversion and emergency defibrillation.", "PMID": 634191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10075", "title": "[Death from or in asthma ? (author's transl)].", "content": "23 deaths of patients with severe asthmatic dyspnea were analyzed. There was no correlation between clinical presentation and cause of death certified by post-mortem examination. The cause of death was found outside the airways in 14 patients. Of diagnostic-therapeutic implications are the relative frequency of spontaneous pneumothorax (5) and pulmonary embolism (3). Six times another cause of death was discovered (like tumor invasion, arterial thrombosis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, myocardial infarction). Acute asthmatic death was prone to happen in the middle-aged asthmatic with less than two years of bronchial asthma. Here like in 5 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease lack of awareness of the seriousness of the patients' state, sometimes cessation of cortisone long-term therapy, seldom abuse of bronchodilator-aerosols seems to be important for the lethal outcome.", "contents": "[Death from or in asthma ? (author's transl)]. 23 deaths of patients with severe asthmatic dyspnea were analyzed. There was no correlation between clinical presentation and cause of death certified by post-mortem examination. The cause of death was found outside the airways in 14 patients. Of diagnostic-therapeutic implications are the relative frequency of spontaneous pneumothorax (5) and pulmonary embolism (3). Six times another cause of death was discovered (like tumor invasion, arterial thrombosis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, myocardial infarction). Acute asthmatic death was prone to happen in the middle-aged asthmatic with less than two years of bronchial asthma. Here like in 5 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease lack of awareness of the seriousness of the patients' state, sometimes cessation of cortisone long-term therapy, seldom abuse of bronchodilator-aerosols seems to be important for the lethal outcome.", "PMID": 634197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10076", "title": "A simple approach to standardized spinal radiographs.", "content": "Present methods of obtaining spine radiographs for the clinical assessment of scoliosis are inadequate. Routine quantitative measurements made on anterior-posterior (A-P) and lateral radiographs describing the spinal deformities are grossly inaccurate since they are two-dimensional measurements of three-dimensional deformities. The approach described in this paper uses a simple device, the \"Throne,\" which ensures reproducible positioning of patients for sitting spine radiographs as well as exact orthogonality of A-P and lateral film exposures. These two views of the spine form the data in digitized form for input into a computer program which generates the 3-D geometry of the line passing through the centers of each vertebral body from L5 to T1. Parameters describing the 3-D deformities of the spine are calculated automatically and converted to printed form for detailed examination and to plotted form for clinical use. Approximately 80 postambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are being followed using this method. Of these, 20 have been followed for periods of 2 to 3 years. Costs of the method are minimal. The \"Throne\" can be built for approximately $50 of materials and 30 hours of labor. Each set of A-P and lateral radiographs can be processed in less than 5 minutes, including digitizing time at a computer cost of about 50 cents. The computer program may be handled by a minicomputer.", "contents": "A simple approach to standardized spinal radiographs. Present methods of obtaining spine radiographs for the clinical assessment of scoliosis are inadequate. Routine quantitative measurements made on anterior-posterior (A-P) and lateral radiographs describing the spinal deformities are grossly inaccurate since they are two-dimensional measurements of three-dimensional deformities. The approach described in this paper uses a simple device, the \"Throne,\" which ensures reproducible positioning of patients for sitting spine radiographs as well as exact orthogonality of A-P and lateral film exposures. These two views of the spine form the data in digitized form for input into a computer program which generates the 3-D geometry of the line passing through the centers of each vertebral body from L5 to T1. Parameters describing the 3-D deformities of the spine are calculated automatically and converted to printed form for detailed examination and to plotted form for clinical use. Approximately 80 postambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are being followed using this method. Of these, 20 have been followed for periods of 2 to 3 years. Costs of the method are minimal. The \"Throne\" can be built for approximately $50 of materials and 30 hours of labor. Each set of A-P and lateral radiographs can be processed in less than 5 minutes, including digitizing time at a computer cost of about 50 cents. The computer program may be handled by a minicomputer.", "PMID": 634192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10077", "title": "Umbrella catheter for nonoperative closure of atrial septal defects.", "content": "Since a 1974 report of nonoperative closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) using an umbrella catheter device, an additional 25 dogs have undergone creation of atrial septal defects, 12 of which have subsequently had successful transvenous closure. An improved model of the closure device has been developed, still using a pair of interlocking umbrella-like components made of stainless steel and Dacron. The umbrellas are smaller, lighter, and have an automatic opening ring. They are loaded simultaneously into a single capsule on the distal end of the outer catheter and are passed into the heart on a single passage, thus eliminating several steps of the original technique. Closure time has diminished from an average of 30 minutes to 5-10 minutes. The completeness of closure was documented in 12 animals by repeat cardiac catheterization which included hydrogen electrode studies. Autopsies on 10 sacrificed dogs revealed no adverse effects or migration of the device; two dogs are living and healthy. In the one clinical application, the patient has done well, remaining afebrile with an increased activity tolerance and resumption of normal activities. The umbrella has remained in position and appears to be functioning well.", "contents": "Umbrella catheter for nonoperative closure of atrial septal defects. Since a 1974 report of nonoperative closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) using an umbrella catheter device, an additional 25 dogs have undergone creation of atrial septal defects, 12 of which have subsequently had successful transvenous closure. An improved model of the closure device has been developed, still using a pair of interlocking umbrella-like components made of stainless steel and Dacron. The umbrellas are smaller, lighter, and have an automatic opening ring. They are loaded simultaneously into a single capsule on the distal end of the outer catheter and are passed into the heart on a single passage, thus eliminating several steps of the original technique. Closure time has diminished from an average of 30 minutes to 5-10 minutes. The completeness of closure was documented in 12 animals by repeat cardiac catheterization which included hydrogen electrode studies. Autopsies on 10 sacrificed dogs revealed no adverse effects or migration of the device; two dogs are living and healthy. In the one clinical application, the patient has done well, remaining afebrile with an increased activity tolerance and resumption of normal activities. The umbrella has remained in position and appears to be functioning well.", "PMID": 634194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10078", "title": "[Anticoagulation and immunosuppression in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis of poststreptococcal type (author's transl)].", "content": "In the majority of cases acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is characterized by a good prognosis. Only relatively rare courses of this disease with clinical symptoms of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis and morphological signs of extracapillary glomerulonephritis together with crescent formation are sometimes prone to an infavorable outcome. A widely accepted medication does not exist up to now. Our own observations including clinical and morphological follow up studies are suggesting a combination of anticoagulants and immunosuppressive drugs. Indication and usefullness of that regimen are discussed.", "contents": "[Anticoagulation and immunosuppression in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis of poststreptococcal type (author's transl)]. In the majority of cases acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is characterized by a good prognosis. Only relatively rare courses of this disease with clinical symptoms of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis and morphological signs of extracapillary glomerulonephritis together with crescent formation are sometimes prone to an infavorable outcome. A widely accepted medication does not exist up to now. Our own observations including clinical and morphological follow up studies are suggesting a combination of anticoagulants and immunosuppressive drugs. Indication and usefullness of that regimen are discussed.", "PMID": 634203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10079", "title": "[Diagnosis, therapy and longterm results of atrial myxoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Refering to a case report of five patients with atrial myxoma the symptoms, diagnosis, and therapy of this disease were described. In one case a biatrial tumor was found. In four cases atrial myxoma imitated a mitral-valve disease. An elevated BSR was found in all patients. The non invasive diagnostic procedure of ultrasound-echocardiography led in the last two cases to the correct diagnosis before heart-catheterization. The diagnosis was ascertained in all cases by angiocardiography. If left atrial tumor is suspected transpulmonary laevocardiography can be considered as a save diagnostic procedure better than the direct injection into the left atrium after transseptal puncture. Even the left ventricular angiogram in right anterior oblique position led in four of the five cases to the diagnosis of left atrial tumor. Coronary-angiography was performed in three patients and revealed pathologic atrial vessels in all three cases. Immediate operation is the indicated therapy. Two of the five patients were reviewed over a eight year period after operation without any signs of recurrence of the tumor.", "contents": "[Diagnosis, therapy and longterm results of atrial myxoma (author's transl)]. Refering to a case report of five patients with atrial myxoma the symptoms, diagnosis, and therapy of this disease were described. In one case a biatrial tumor was found. In four cases atrial myxoma imitated a mitral-valve disease. An elevated BSR was found in all patients. The non invasive diagnostic procedure of ultrasound-echocardiography led in the last two cases to the correct diagnosis before heart-catheterization. The diagnosis was ascertained in all cases by angiocardiography. If left atrial tumor is suspected transpulmonary laevocardiography can be considered as a save diagnostic procedure better than the direct injection into the left atrium after transseptal puncture. Even the left ventricular angiogram in right anterior oblique position led in four of the five cases to the diagnosis of left atrial tumor. Coronary-angiography was performed in three patients and revealed pathologic atrial vessels in all three cases. Immediate operation is the indicated therapy. Two of the five patients were reviewed over a eight year period after operation without any signs of recurrence of the tumor.", "PMID": 634204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10080", "title": "[The effect of nifedipine on the pulmonary artery pressure in patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)].", "content": "Nifedipine was administered in a dose of 30 mg orally to 14 patients with coronary heart disease and clinical evidence of left heart failure. Measurements of pulmonary artery and pulmonary wedge pressure were performed before and 1, 2 and 4 hours after administration of Nifedipine at rest and under loading conditions. The effects were characterized by a significant decrease in systolic, mean and enddiastolic pulmonary artery pressures by 18--21%. The pulmonary wedge pressure decreased significantly from 2,3 to 1,6kPa (17 to 12 mm Hg). These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure by an average of 10.5%. No signifcant change of heart rate was seen. The increase in pulmonary artery pressure during exercise is suppressed effectively by Nifedipine. The duration of activity lasted for four hours and was maximal in the second hour after administration of the drug. The suppression of exercise induced rise of pulmonary wedge pressure was paralleled by a substantial decrease in dyspnoea and anginal pain.", "contents": "[The effect of nifedipine on the pulmonary artery pressure in patients with coronary heart disease (author's transl)]. Nifedipine was administered in a dose of 30 mg orally to 14 patients with coronary heart disease and clinical evidence of left heart failure. Measurements of pulmonary artery and pulmonary wedge pressure were performed before and 1, 2 and 4 hours after administration of Nifedipine at rest and under loading conditions. The effects were characterized by a significant decrease in systolic, mean and enddiastolic pulmonary artery pressures by 18--21%. The pulmonary wedge pressure decreased significantly from 2,3 to 1,6kPa (17 to 12 mm Hg). These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure by an average of 10.5%. No signifcant change of heart rate was seen. The increase in pulmonary artery pressure during exercise is suppressed effectively by Nifedipine. The duration of activity lasted for four hours and was maximal in the second hour after administration of the drug. The suppression of exercise induced rise of pulmonary wedge pressure was paralleled by a substantial decrease in dyspnoea and anginal pain.", "PMID": 634205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10081", "title": "[Pharmacokinetics of digoxin and methyldigoxin in patients with acute hepatitis (author's transl)].", "content": "After i.v. application of 3h-digoxin or 3H-methyldigoxin to 5 healthy volunteers and 5 patients with acute hepatitis, respectively (0.75 mg daily for 3 days and 0.375 for the following 2 days) total radioactivity in urine and plasma were determined. Chloroform-soluble and -insoluble glycosides were separated and the chloroform-soluble fraction was determined by TLC. 3 days after methyldigoxin application plasma levels reached toxic values in the patient group (2.73 +/- 0.48 ng/ml), whereas in patients receiving digoxin a mean plasma level of 0.91 +/- 0.21 ng/ml was obtained. During the first 24 hours following administration of digoxin 44 +/- 12% of the dose were recovered in urine of control subjects and 48 +/- 13% in patients with acute hepatitis, after methyldigoxin 34 +/- 5% and 34 +/- 8%, respectively. Metabolism of digoxin in patients with acute hepatitis was unaltered, whereas a diminished demethylation rate of methyldigoxin could be observed. 16 patients with acute hepatitis and 7 healthy volunteers received unlabelled digoxin p.o. as maintenance dose. Plasma glycoside concentrations were studied by radioimmunoassay. The average glycoside plasma concentrations were 0.59 +/- 0.21 ng/ml and 0.63 +/- 0.24 ng/ml, respectively.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetics of digoxin and methyldigoxin in patients with acute hepatitis (author's transl)]. After i.v. application of 3h-digoxin or 3H-methyldigoxin to 5 healthy volunteers and 5 patients with acute hepatitis, respectively (0.75 mg daily for 3 days and 0.375 for the following 2 days) total radioactivity in urine and plasma were determined. Chloroform-soluble and -insoluble glycosides were separated and the chloroform-soluble fraction was determined by TLC. 3 days after methyldigoxin application plasma levels reached toxic values in the patient group (2.73 +/- 0.48 ng/ml), whereas in patients receiving digoxin a mean plasma level of 0.91 +/- 0.21 ng/ml was obtained. During the first 24 hours following administration of digoxin 44 +/- 12% of the dose were recovered in urine of control subjects and 48 +/- 13% in patients with acute hepatitis, after methyldigoxin 34 +/- 5% and 34 +/- 8%, respectively. Metabolism of digoxin in patients with acute hepatitis was unaltered, whereas a diminished demethylation rate of methyldigoxin could be observed. 16 patients with acute hepatitis and 7 healthy volunteers received unlabelled digoxin p.o. as maintenance dose. Plasma glycoside concentrations were studied by radioimmunoassay. The average glycoside plasma concentrations were 0.59 +/- 0.21 ng/ml and 0.63 +/- 0.24 ng/ml, respectively.", "PMID": 634206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10082", "title": "[EEG changes following spirolactone treatment (author's transl)].", "content": "EEG studies were done on patients with CNS disease who were treated with d-aldosterone and spirolactone. The baseline EEGs of these patients were found to be slightly abnormal. During infusion of the spirolactone derivative potassium canrenoate a transient deterioration of preexisting EEG disturbances was observed; in addition, bursts of increased muscle activity and transient relative bradycardia were seen. These findings indicate that potassium canrenoate or its lipophilic metabolite canrenone may affect the nervous system directly, possibly via a disturbance in the electrolyte balance. These results are compatible with recent findings in animal studies.", "contents": "[EEG changes following spirolactone treatment (author's transl)]. EEG studies were done on patients with CNS disease who were treated with d-aldosterone and spirolactone. The baseline EEGs of these patients were found to be slightly abnormal. During infusion of the spirolactone derivative potassium canrenoate a transient deterioration of preexisting EEG disturbances was observed; in addition, bursts of increased muscle activity and transient relative bradycardia were seen. These findings indicate that potassium canrenoate or its lipophilic metabolite canrenone may affect the nervous system directly, possibly via a disturbance in the electrolyte balance. These results are compatible with recent findings in animal studies.", "PMID": 634207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10083", "title": "[Studies on a new hepatotropic contrast medium].", "content": "The contrast-material Biliscopin was clinically studied in 101 patients. No side-effects were observed when the injection time was stretched over a 5 min period. The visible heterotopic excretion which correlates with the iodine concentration was low in the case of Biliscopin. Optimal visualisation of the biliary tract was obtained 60--90 min after injection. The remarkably long visualisation of the biliary tract allows tomography beyond 90 min after injection; this is seen as an advantage for X-ray departments with limited tomographic facilities.", "contents": "[Studies on a new hepatotropic contrast medium]. The contrast-material Biliscopin was clinically studied in 101 patients. No side-effects were observed when the injection time was stretched over a 5 min period. The visible heterotopic excretion which correlates with the iodine concentration was low in the case of Biliscopin. Optimal visualisation of the biliary tract was obtained 60--90 min after injection. The remarkably long visualisation of the biliary tract allows tomography beyond 90 min after injection; this is seen as an advantage for X-ray departments with limited tomographic facilities.", "PMID": 634212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10084", "title": "[Colonic melanosis].", "content": "Among 1072 rectoscopies we found 100 patients (9,3%) with melanosis coli. All patients suffered from a long-standing constipation together with laxative abuse. Anthrachinonic laxatives which are jointly responsible for the cause of melanosis coli are contained in 70% of all laxatives but also in many cholagogues and weight-reducing preparations. Severe inflammation of the colonic mucosa was seldom found. Colitis simplex, often found histologically and cytologically, could be due to increased turn-over of the mucosa cells. The endoscopic finding of melanosis coli is not regarded as an independent clinical picture but as an expression of chronic constipation unsuccessfully treated with laxatives.", "contents": "[Colonic melanosis]. Among 1072 rectoscopies we found 100 patients (9,3%) with melanosis coli. All patients suffered from a long-standing constipation together with laxative abuse. Anthrachinonic laxatives which are jointly responsible for the cause of melanosis coli are contained in 70% of all laxatives but also in many cholagogues and weight-reducing preparations. Severe inflammation of the colonic mucosa was seldom found. Colitis simplex, often found histologically and cytologically, could be due to increased turn-over of the mucosa cells. The endoscopic finding of melanosis coli is not regarded as an independent clinical picture but as an expression of chronic constipation unsuccessfully treated with laxatives.", "PMID": 634213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10085", "title": "[Diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome: sinus node recovery time as a bedside-investigation (author's transl)].", "content": "Prolonged sinus node recovery time is the most important diagnostic parameter of the sick sinus syndrome. In consideration of the therapeutic proceeding (antiarrhythmic drugs, pacemaker implantation or combination of these two therapeutic measures) an exact diagnostic proceeding is desirable. In 103 atrial stimulations we found in 42 cases a prolonged sinus node recovery time. There are shown details, which make the atrial stimulation practicable as a bedside-investigation.", "contents": "[Diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome: sinus node recovery time as a bedside-investigation (author's transl)]. Prolonged sinus node recovery time is the most important diagnostic parameter of the sick sinus syndrome. In consideration of the therapeutic proceeding (antiarrhythmic drugs, pacemaker implantation or combination of these two therapeutic measures) an exact diagnostic proceeding is desirable. In 103 atrial stimulations we found in 42 cases a prolonged sinus node recovery time. There are shown details, which make the atrial stimulation practicable as a bedside-investigation.", "PMID": 634216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10086", "title": "[Heart tumour in the right atrium: clinical recognition and therapeutical management (author's transl)].", "content": "A 62 year old lady came to the hospital in cause of right heart failure. Right and left heart catheterization and cineangiocardiography revealed a tumour in the right atrium. Further angiographic investigations demonstrated a hypernephroma in the left kidney. The operation of both tumours was successful. Pathohistological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hypernephroma in the left kidney with metastasis into the right atrium.", "contents": "[Heart tumour in the right atrium: clinical recognition and therapeutical management (author's transl)]. A 62 year old lady came to the hospital in cause of right heart failure. Right and left heart catheterization and cineangiocardiography revealed a tumour in the right atrium. Further angiographic investigations demonstrated a hypernephroma in the left kidney. The operation of both tumours was successful. Pathohistological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hypernephroma in the left kidney with metastasis into the right atrium.", "PMID": 634217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10087", "title": "[Ventricular fibrillation under quinidine medication--quinidine syncope (author's transl)].", "content": "Ventricular fibrillation which may occur unexpected under quinidine medication--called quinidine syncope--is one of the most dangerous complications of quinidine application. These life threatening accidents occur in 0,5-4,4% treated cases. The quinidine syncope occurs mostly at the attempt to eliminate atrial fibrillation or flutter. This dangerous side effect is dose independent. The ECG shows an increased QT duration and large U-waves. It seems to be a reentry-tachycardia caused by unequal recovery times in different parts of the ventricular myocardium.", "contents": "[Ventricular fibrillation under quinidine medication--quinidine syncope (author's transl)]. Ventricular fibrillation which may occur unexpected under quinidine medication--called quinidine syncope--is one of the most dangerous complications of quinidine application. These life threatening accidents occur in 0,5-4,4% treated cases. The quinidine syncope occurs mostly at the attempt to eliminate atrial fibrillation or flutter. This dangerous side effect is dose independent. The ECG shows an increased QT duration and large U-waves. It seems to be a reentry-tachycardia caused by unequal recovery times in different parts of the ventricular myocardium.", "PMID": 634218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10088", "title": "Linearizing mechanisms in conventional tomographic imaging.", "content": "Implicit in the concept of conventional tomography and in any attempt to characterize the tomographic process by a modulation transfer function is the assumption that the tomographic process is linear. A Fourier decomposition approach and an analysis of nonlinear contributions to the integrated tomographic image intensity are used in this paper to establish the validity of this assumption and to determine the mechanisms by which the tomographic process is effectively linearized.", "contents": "Linearizing mechanisms in conventional tomographic imaging. Implicit in the concept of conventional tomography and in any attempt to characterize the tomographic process by a modulation transfer function is the assumption that the tomographic process is linear. A Fourier decomposition approach and an analysis of nonlinear contributions to the integrated tomographic image intensity are used in this paper to establish the validity of this assumption and to determine the mechanisms by which the tomographic process is effectively linearized.", "PMID": 634228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10089", "title": "Solid-state electrophotography with Al2O3.", "content": "Solid-state thermocurrent and radioconductivity (electrical conductivity during irradiation) experiments are described with attention to the feasibility of using ionic solids for radiographic imaging. The radioconductivity varies with temperature giving rise to temperature windows of potential usefulness. The electrophotographic image is formed at atmospheric pressure using Al2O3, collecting the charge on mylar film. Development is by the power cloud technique. A transparency, which can be viewed as a conventional radiographic image, is easily produced. A successful transfer image, free of electric discharge artifact, was produced.", "contents": "Solid-state electrophotography with Al2O3. Solid-state thermocurrent and radioconductivity (electrical conductivity during irradiation) experiments are described with attention to the feasibility of using ionic solids for radiographic imaging. The radioconductivity varies with temperature giving rise to temperature windows of potential usefulness. The electrophotographic image is formed at atmospheric pressure using Al2O3, collecting the charge on mylar film. Development is by the power cloud technique. A transparency, which can be viewed as a conventional radiographic image, is easily produced. A successful transfer image, free of electric discharge artifact, was produced.", "PMID": 634229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10090", "title": "Image resolution of a microchannel plate x-ray image intensifier.", "content": "The resolution has been evaluated for an experimental x-ray image intensifier employing three microchannel plates (MCPs) as the photon absorber and electron multipliers. The line spread function (LSF) was measured and used for determination of the modulation transfer function (MTF). The MTF was found to be independent of the incident photon energy from 20 to 150 keV. An additional measurement using a lead-bar test pattern showed that the resolution exceeded 7 line pairs (lp)/mm. The factors influencing the resolution capabilities of the intensifier are discussed. The resolution is limited primarily by the 53-micron center-to-center separation of the channels of the MCPs.", "contents": "Image resolution of a microchannel plate x-ray image intensifier. The resolution has been evaluated for an experimental x-ray image intensifier employing three microchannel plates (MCPs) as the photon absorber and electron multipliers. The line spread function (LSF) was measured and used for determination of the modulation transfer function (MTF). The MTF was found to be independent of the incident photon energy from 20 to 150 keV. An additional measurement using a lead-bar test pattern showed that the resolution exceeded 7 line pairs (lp)/mm. The factors influencing the resolution capabilities of the intensifier are discussed. The resolution is limited primarily by the 53-micron center-to-center separation of the channels of the MCPs.", "PMID": 634230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10091", "title": "Single-step calculation of the MTF from the ERF.", "content": "A method is presented whereby the modulation transfer function can be calculated directly from the edge response function without having to find the line spread function as an intermediate step.", "contents": "Single-step calculation of the MTF from the ERF. A method is presented whereby the modulation transfer function can be calculated directly from the edge response function without having to find the line spread function as an intermediate step.", "PMID": 634231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10092", "title": "A least-squares technique for extracting neutron spectra from Bonner sphere data.", "content": "The accurate assessment of neutron flux and dose-rate levels in a medical environment is a topic of much current interest. In this paper, a least-squares data-analysis technique has been used for extracting neutron spectra and related information from Bonner sphere data. This technique, incorporated in the FORTRAN IV code NFLS is worthy of consideration as an alternative to the count-rate ratios and iterative-unfolding techniques used in the past. The analysis provides calculated total neutron flux density, dose-equivalent rate, and average and median-neutron-energy information as well as a plot of integral neutron-flux-density spectra. The method allows the calculation of the statistical uncertainty of each of the above quantities, which has not always been possible with other analytical methods. Results of calibration and experimental data analysis are presented and compared to results of the iterative-unfolding technique.", "contents": "A least-squares technique for extracting neutron spectra from Bonner sphere data. The accurate assessment of neutron flux and dose-rate levels in a medical environment is a topic of much current interest. In this paper, a least-squares data-analysis technique has been used for extracting neutron spectra and related information from Bonner sphere data. This technique, incorporated in the FORTRAN IV code NFLS is worthy of consideration as an alternative to the count-rate ratios and iterative-unfolding techniques used in the past. The analysis provides calculated total neutron flux density, dose-equivalent rate, and average and median-neutron-energy information as well as a plot of integral neutron-flux-density spectra. The method allows the calculation of the statistical uncertainty of each of the above quantities, which has not always been possible with other analytical methods. Results of calibration and experimental data analysis are presented and compared to results of the iterative-unfolding technique.", "PMID": 634233} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10093", "title": "Temporal response of microdensitometers.", "content": "Microdensitometers have both spatial and temporal finite responses which may lead to degradation in images being analyzed. These responses may be quantitated in terms of spatial and temporal modulation transfer functions (MTFs). The temporal response of microdensitometers is studied here. Specifically, the technique of differentiating temporal step-function responses to determine the temporal MTF is presented. Experimental results illustrating the theory are described using a Baird Atomic microdensitometer.", "contents": "Temporal response of microdensitometers. Microdensitometers have both spatial and temporal finite responses which may lead to degradation in images being analyzed. These responses may be quantitated in terms of spatial and temporal modulation transfer functions (MTFs). The temporal response of microdensitometers is studied here. Specifically, the technique of differentiating temporal step-function responses to determine the temporal MTF is presented. Experimental results illustrating the theory are described using a Baird Atomic microdensitometer.", "PMID": 634232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10094", "title": "Treatment planning in Cobalt-60 radiotherapy using computerized tomography techniques.", "content": "Cobalt-60 transmission measurements were made through an Alderson phantom utilizing a transverse axial tomographic device and a NaI (Tl) detector. Measurements were made on different sections of the phantom for as many as 162 angles and 120 linear increments. The attenuation coefficients were reconstructed using both convolution and algebraic reconstruction techniques. Three-dimensional isodose distributions were obtained using the reconstructed attenuation coefficients. Comparison with standard treatment plans and measured isodose distribution using TLD techniques suggest that a more accurate isodose distribution may be obtained using the reconstructed attenuation coefficients, particularly in regions involving tissue heterogeneities.", "contents": "Treatment planning in Cobalt-60 radiotherapy using computerized tomography techniques. Cobalt-60 transmission measurements were made through an Alderson phantom utilizing a transverse axial tomographic device and a NaI (Tl) detector. Measurements were made on different sections of the phantom for as many as 162 angles and 120 linear increments. The attenuation coefficients were reconstructed using both convolution and algebraic reconstruction techniques. Three-dimensional isodose distributions were obtained using the reconstructed attenuation coefficients. Comparison with standard treatment plans and measured isodose distribution using TLD techniques suggest that a more accurate isodose distribution may be obtained using the reconstructed attenuation coefficients, particularly in regions involving tissue heterogeneities.", "PMID": 634234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10095", "title": "Behavior of p-n junction silicon radiation detectors in a temperature-compensated direct-current circuit.", "content": "The behavior of silicon p-n junction radiation detectors used in the direct-current short-circuit mode without bias was examined under such load resistance which ensures operation in a temperature-compensated state. The objective was twofold; to check whether the compensation is achieved and to investigate the extent of compensation shown at temperatures other than that initially selected as the operation point. It was found that the detector performance in various thermal conditions can be predicted from a knowledge of the behavior of the individual detector and circuit parameters and that it is possible to stabilize the detector response within +/- 2% over a relatively wide temperature range: 18 degrees-40 degrees C. However, in the case of devices which show thermal currents of large temperature sensitivity, compensation at small and at large dose rates needs to be considered separately.", "contents": "Behavior of p-n junction silicon radiation detectors in a temperature-compensated direct-current circuit. The behavior of silicon p-n junction radiation detectors used in the direct-current short-circuit mode without bias was examined under such load resistance which ensures operation in a temperature-compensated state. The objective was twofold; to check whether the compensation is achieved and to investigate the extent of compensation shown at temperatures other than that initially selected as the operation point. It was found that the detector performance in various thermal conditions can be predicted from a knowledge of the behavior of the individual detector and circuit parameters and that it is possible to stabilize the detector response within +/- 2% over a relatively wide temperature range: 18 degrees-40 degrees C. However, in the case of devices which show thermal currents of large temperature sensitivity, compensation at small and at large dose rates needs to be considered separately.", "PMID": 634235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10096", "title": "Laser \"cross-hair\" sidelight.", "content": "A technique is described for forming an optical laser cross-hair image for use as a radiotherapy sidelight. The technique is developed from a concept introduced earlier by which a line image is formed from a laser beam using a cylindrical lens. By using two cylindrical lenses and appropriate reflectors, two line images can be made to form a cross.", "contents": "Laser \"cross-hair\" sidelight. A technique is described for forming an optical laser cross-hair image for use as a radiotherapy sidelight. The technique is developed from a concept introduced earlier by which a line image is formed from a laser beam using a cylindrical lens. By using two cylindrical lenses and appropriate reflectors, two line images can be made to form a cross.", "PMID": 634236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10097", "title": "Empirical formula for 30Co axial depth doses.", "content": "An empirical formula has been developed to approximate the published axial depth doses of 60Co radiation with greater accuracy than available hitherto. With sets of nine constants, varying slightly with SSD, a total of 2100 percentage depth doses are reproduced with root-mean-square deviations ranging from 0.13 to 0.16 for four values of SSD from 50 to 100 cm.", "contents": "Empirical formula for 30Co axial depth doses. An empirical formula has been developed to approximate the published axial depth doses of 60Co radiation with greater accuracy than available hitherto. With sets of nine constants, varying slightly with SSD, a total of 2100 percentage depth doses are reproduced with root-mean-square deviations ranging from 0.13 to 0.16 for four values of SSD from 50 to 100 cm.", "PMID": 634237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10098", "title": "Image information content and patient exposure.", "content": "Presently, patient exposure and x-ray tube kilovoltage are determined by image visibility requirements on x-ray film. With the employment of image-processing techniques, image visibility may be manipulated and the exposure may be determined only by the desired information content, i.e., by the required degree of tissue-density descrimination and spatial resolution. This work gives quantitative relationships between the image information content and the patient exposure, give estimates of the minimum exposures required for the detection of image signals associated with particular radiological exams. Also, for subject thickness larger than approximately 5 cm, the results show that the maximum information content may be obtained at a single kilovoltage and filtration with the simultaneous employment of image-enhancement and antiscatter techniques. This optimization may be used either to reduce the patient exposure or to increase the retrieved information.", "contents": "Image information content and patient exposure. Presently, patient exposure and x-ray tube kilovoltage are determined by image visibility requirements on x-ray film. With the employment of image-processing techniques, image visibility may be manipulated and the exposure may be determined only by the desired information content, i.e., by the required degree of tissue-density descrimination and spatial resolution. This work gives quantitative relationships between the image information content and the patient exposure, give estimates of the minimum exposures required for the detection of image signals associated with particular radiological exams. Also, for subject thickness larger than approximately 5 cm, the results show that the maximum information content may be obtained at a single kilovoltage and filtration with the simultaneous employment of image-enhancement and antiscatter techniques. This optimization may be used either to reduce the patient exposure or to increase the retrieved information.", "PMID": 634242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10099", "title": "PL-promoted transcription of the promoter-proximal N-trp region is insensitive to chloramphenicol in the absence of N function.", "content": "When the trp operon is translocated into the early region of lambda phage, transcription originated at the PL promotor is known to be modified by function of the N gene product so that transcription of the operon continues when translation is blocked by nonsense mutations or by ribosomal antibiotics. When N function is deficient in a phage that joins the trp operon to a point distal to the N gene, deleting the tL site, nonsense mutations (Franklin, 1974) or chloramphenicol (Nakamura et al., accompanying paper) again block transcription of the bacterial operon. However, here we report that transcription over about the first 800 nucleotide pairs starting from the PL promotor of the N-trp operon is still insensitive to chloramphenicol even in the absence of N function. The region covers the full N gene and the initial bit of the trp operon.", "contents": "PL-promoted transcription of the promoter-proximal N-trp region is insensitive to chloramphenicol in the absence of N function. When the trp operon is translocated into the early region of lambda phage, transcription originated at the PL promotor is known to be modified by function of the N gene product so that transcription of the operon continues when translation is blocked by nonsense mutations or by ribosomal antibiotics. When N function is deficient in a phage that joins the trp operon to a point distal to the N gene, deleting the tL site, nonsense mutations (Franklin, 1974) or chloramphenicol (Nakamura et al., accompanying paper) again block transcription of the bacterial operon. However, here we report that transcription over about the first 800 nucleotide pairs starting from the PL promotor of the N-trp operon is still insensitive to chloramphenicol even in the absence of N function. The region covers the full N gene and the initial bit of the trp operon.", "PMID": 634276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10100", "title": "Morphogenesis in Mucor mucedo: mutations affecting gamone response and organ differentiation.", "content": "Mutants of Mucor mucedo minus strain that are affected in their trisporic acid (TA) mediated zygophore formation have been isolated. We have found mutants with cold sensitive (cs), with temperature sensitive (ts) and without zygophore formation as well as mutants with unstable zygophores (Zst-). From the appearence of certain pleiotropic phenotypes we deduce a one-dimensional sequence of states of competence of the mycelium to form different organs. TA appears to be a growth substance for zygophores acting on one transient state of competence. The fact that all isolates with lowered response to TA also have a lowered response to the mating type specific TA-precursor P strongly suggests that P has to be converted into TA before inducing zygophore growth. Furthermore, one mutant with lowered sensitivity to TA exhibits an excess zygophore formation in the presence of high TA-concentrations, while high concentrations of P cause a depressed zygophore formation (Fig. 6). Our interpretation of this behaviour is that P acts as an antagonist to TA in the regulation of zygophore growth.", "contents": "Morphogenesis in Mucor mucedo: mutations affecting gamone response and organ differentiation. Mutants of Mucor mucedo minus strain that are affected in their trisporic acid (TA) mediated zygophore formation have been isolated. We have found mutants with cold sensitive (cs), with temperature sensitive (ts) and without zygophore formation as well as mutants with unstable zygophores (Zst-). From the appearence of certain pleiotropic phenotypes we deduce a one-dimensional sequence of states of competence of the mycelium to form different organs. TA appears to be a growth substance for zygophores acting on one transient state of competence. The fact that all isolates with lowered response to TA also have a lowered response to the mating type specific TA-precursor P strongly suggests that P has to be converted into TA before inducing zygophore growth. Furthermore, one mutant with lowered sensitivity to TA exhibits an excess zygophore formation in the presence of high TA-concentrations, while high concentrations of P cause a depressed zygophore formation (Fig. 6). Our interpretation of this behaviour is that P acts as an antagonist to TA in the regulation of zygophore growth.", "PMID": 634277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10101", "title": "Sequence homology in DNA molecules of temperate phages phi81, phi80 and lambda.", "content": "Homology maps between bacteriophages phi81, phi80 and lambda were constructed on the basis of electron microscopy observation of DNA heteroduplexes. In phi81/phi80 heteroduplex, the left half and the right terminal region of 13% the total molecular length were highly homologous, while the remaining region covering the early gene cluster was entirely nonhomologous. In phi81/lambda heteroduplex, high-degree homologies were detected at the left 14% terminal region covering the head gene cluster, the central 3.8% region covering the att-int-xis region and the 1.3% Q homology region. Low-degree homologies of shorter length were scattered at the tail gene cluster, b2 region, cIII region, PQ region and SR region. Comparing our results with the homology maps of other lambdoid phages reported by Simon et al. (1971) and Fiandt et al. (1971), a phylogenic relation of phi81 to other lambdoid phages and the role of recombination in the course of divergence of lambdoid phages are discussed.", "contents": "Sequence homology in DNA molecules of temperate phages phi81, phi80 and lambda. Homology maps between bacteriophages phi81, phi80 and lambda were constructed on the basis of electron microscopy observation of DNA heteroduplexes. In phi81/phi80 heteroduplex, the left half and the right terminal region of 13% the total molecular length were highly homologous, while the remaining region covering the early gene cluster was entirely nonhomologous. In phi81/lambda heteroduplex, high-degree homologies were detected at the left 14% terminal region covering the head gene cluster, the central 3.8% region covering the att-int-xis region and the 1.3% Q homology region. Low-degree homologies of shorter length were scattered at the tail gene cluster, b2 region, cIII region, PQ region and SR region. Comparing our results with the homology maps of other lambdoid phages reported by Simon et al. (1971) and Fiandt et al. (1971), a phylogenic relation of phi81 to other lambdoid phages and the role of recombination in the course of divergence of lambdoid phages are discussed.", "PMID": 634278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10102", "title": "[Role of serine-rich histone (H5) in bird erythrocyte genome inactivation].", "content": "The ability of H5 and H1 histones, purified from immature or mature pigeon erythroid cells, to suppress RNA synthesis in vitro was compared. It was found that H1 histones from both sources as well as histone H5 from bone marrow suppress RNA synthesis to a comparable degree while H5 from the mature erythrocytes exhibits significantly higher suppression efficiency. H5 histone subfractions, differing in phosphate content, also had different ability to restrict the template activity of chromatin: the higher is the phosphorylation level of H5 histone, the weaker is its effect on the transcription.", "contents": "[Role of serine-rich histone (H5) in bird erythrocyte genome inactivation]. The ability of H5 and H1 histones, purified from immature or mature pigeon erythroid cells, to suppress RNA synthesis in vitro was compared. It was found that H1 histones from both sources as well as histone H5 from bone marrow suppress RNA synthesis to a comparable degree while H5 from the mature erythrocytes exhibits significantly higher suppression efficiency. H5 histone subfractions, differing in phosphate content, also had different ability to restrict the template activity of chromatin: the higher is the phosphorylation level of H5 histone, the weaker is its effect on the transcription.", "PMID": 634279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10103", "title": "[Optical rotatory dispersion by 5 viruses of the tobacco mosaic virus group and their components].", "content": "Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra in 250 to 350 nm region were measured for preparations of five TMV-like viruses (TMV vulgare, HR and U2 strains of TMV dolihosenation mosaic virus and cucumber virus 4) and also for RNA and protein preparations of these viruses. The data obtained testify against the possibility that the double peak with maxima at 286 and 293 nm observed in ORD of all the five viruses is due to interaction of tryptophan residues in virus coat protein with the RNA of the virul particle. The spectra of intravirus RNA of the five viruses, calculated as the difference between ORD of the intact virus and of its coat protein, were found to differ significantly from each other and from ORD of free RNA. ORD spectra of hybrid viruses, reconstituted from RNA of one virus and coat protein of another, proved to be identical to the ORD of the virus, whose protein was used in reconstitution. We suppose that the difference in ORD of the intravirus RNA of the five viruses reflect differences of RNA-protein interactions in them.", "contents": "[Optical rotatory dispersion by 5 viruses of the tobacco mosaic virus group and their components]. Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra in 250 to 350 nm region were measured for preparations of five TMV-like viruses (TMV vulgare, HR and U2 strains of TMV dolihosenation mosaic virus and cucumber virus 4) and also for RNA and protein preparations of these viruses. The data obtained testify against the possibility that the double peak with maxima at 286 and 293 nm observed in ORD of all the five viruses is due to interaction of tryptophan residues in virus coat protein with the RNA of the virul particle. The spectra of intravirus RNA of the five viruses, calculated as the difference between ORD of the intact virus and of its coat protein, were found to differ significantly from each other and from ORD of free RNA. ORD spectra of hybrid viruses, reconstituted from RNA of one virus and coat protein of another, proved to be identical to the ORD of the virus, whose protein was used in reconstitution. We suppose that the difference in ORD of the intravirus RNA of the five viruses reflect differences of RNA-protein interactions in them.", "PMID": 634280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10104", "title": "[Stereochemical theory of the 3-dimensional structure of globular proteins. I. Highly helical intermediate structures].", "content": "The authors analyze the physical prerequisites on which the proposed stereochemical theory of the three-dimensional structure of globular proteins is based. The theory represents a stereochemical modelling of the mechanism of protein self-organization suggested earlier by one of the authors. According to this mechanism, a highly helical intermediate structure(s) is formed at first and then it passes into the native one. In the highly-helical intermediate structure the arrangement of the polypeptide chain in space is the same as in the native structure. These two structures differ mainly by the secondary structure of the chain. The transition into the native structure proceeds under the effect of long-range interactions which transform the excess alpha-helices into beta-structural and irregular conformations. The so-called s-helices are considered (the alpha-helix, whose hydrophobic groups form a separate cluster on its surface). s-Helices can be obtained on the greater part of the polypeptide chain of any globular protein. In the unfolded protein chain they are the most stable and rapidly formed structures. It has been shown that namely s-helices are the initial blocks for the formation of the highly-helical intermediate structure. Stereochemical principles of the s-helix packing that permit to predict the three-dimensional structure of highly helical proteins have been found. According to these principles the highly helical structure represents the packing of hydrophobic surfaces and s-helices. In their turn, hydrophobic surfaces are formed as a result of complementary interaction of borders of hydrophobic clusters of two s-helices according to the \"knob-hole\" principle.", "contents": "[Stereochemical theory of the 3-dimensional structure of globular proteins. I. Highly helical intermediate structures]. The authors analyze the physical prerequisites on which the proposed stereochemical theory of the three-dimensional structure of globular proteins is based. The theory represents a stereochemical modelling of the mechanism of protein self-organization suggested earlier by one of the authors. According to this mechanism, a highly helical intermediate structure(s) is formed at first and then it passes into the native one. In the highly-helical intermediate structure the arrangement of the polypeptide chain in space is the same as in the native structure. These two structures differ mainly by the secondary structure of the chain. The transition into the native structure proceeds under the effect of long-range interactions which transform the excess alpha-helices into beta-structural and irregular conformations. The so-called s-helices are considered (the alpha-helix, whose hydrophobic groups form a separate cluster on its surface). s-Helices can be obtained on the greater part of the polypeptide chain of any globular protein. In the unfolded protein chain they are the most stable and rapidly formed structures. It has been shown that namely s-helices are the initial blocks for the formation of the highly-helical intermediate structure. Stereochemical principles of the s-helix packing that permit to predict the three-dimensional structure of highly helical proteins have been found. According to these principles the highly helical structure represents the packing of hydrophobic surfaces and s-helices. In their turn, hydrophobic surfaces are formed as a result of complementary interaction of borders of hydrophobic clusters of two s-helices according to the \"knob-hole\" principle.", "PMID": 634282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10105", "title": "[Efficiency of photophosphorylation in chloroplasts with steady and pulsed illumination].", "content": "The quantum yield of noncyclic photophosphorylation in chloroplasts excited by a series of 8 mus flashes of the saturating intensity displays a two-fold decrease when the flash-frequency is reduced from about 1.1 to about 0.8 s-1, whereas further decrease of flash frequency does not affect the average ATP yield per flash. Under excitation by two-flashes series the ATP yield is also about half-maximal. These observations are inconsistent with the concept postulating accumulation of energy contributions from several parallel or consecutive one-electron transfers as a prerequisite for ATP formation. The two-state model of a thylakoid membrane and of a coupling site is put forward according to which only one of these states ensures ATP formation in response to one electron transfer through one coupling site, whereas the other state is nonphosphorylating.", "contents": "[Efficiency of photophosphorylation in chloroplasts with steady and pulsed illumination]. The quantum yield of noncyclic photophosphorylation in chloroplasts excited by a series of 8 mus flashes of the saturating intensity displays a two-fold decrease when the flash-frequency is reduced from about 1.1 to about 0.8 s-1, whereas further decrease of flash frequency does not affect the average ATP yield per flash. Under excitation by two-flashes series the ATP yield is also about half-maximal. These observations are inconsistent with the concept postulating accumulation of energy contributions from several parallel or consecutive one-electron transfers as a prerequisite for ATP formation. The two-state model of a thylakoid membrane and of a coupling site is put forward according to which only one of these states ensures ATP formation in response to one electron transfer through one coupling site, whereas the other state is nonphosphorylating.", "PMID": 634281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10106", "title": "[Nitrate content of carrots in baby formulas (author's transl)].", "content": "The nitrate content of carrots and of commercial processed carrot formulas for infants was examined. Fresh and canned carrots were found to contain between 40 and 850 mg NO3/kg carrot. Processed infant foods made of carrots contained between 55 and 215 mg NO3/kg of the ready-to-serve food. It is suggested not to recommend household preparation of carrots for healthy and diseases infants during their first months of life. It is questioned whether the legal limit of 250 mg NO3/kg is really safe for carrot preparations used in feeding infants during their first months of life.", "contents": "[Nitrate content of carrots in baby formulas (author's transl)]. The nitrate content of carrots and of commercial processed carrot formulas for infants was examined. Fresh and canned carrots were found to contain between 40 and 850 mg NO3/kg carrot. Processed infant foods made of carrots contained between 55 and 215 mg NO3/kg of the ready-to-serve food. It is suggested not to recommend household preparation of carrots for healthy and diseases infants during their first months of life. It is questioned whether the legal limit of 250 mg NO3/kg is really safe for carrot preparations used in feeding infants during their first months of life.", "PMID": 634288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10107", "title": "[Haematuria in children. I. Differential diagnosis of haematuria in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "Haematuria in children is either of glomerular or nonglomerular origin. In the latter case intravenous urography should always be performed. A renal biopsy is indicated if unexplained haematuria persists for at least one year or if an unfavorable prognosis is indicated by the appearance of hypertension, significant proteinuria or persistently low levels of serum complement (C3). The importance of screening the families of haematuric patients is emphasized. More than half of our cases with persistent or intermittent haematuria undergoing renal biopsy showed no or only minimal glomerular changes. In other children with a similar clinical picture more severe histological lesions were detected. In any case the kidney tissue obtained by biopsy should be examined by immunofluorescence and by electron microscopy. One of the most frequent causes for persistent or intermittent haematuria during childhood is Berger's disease (IgA/IgG nephropathy).", "contents": "[Haematuria in children. I. Differential diagnosis of haematuria in childhood (author's transl)]. Haematuria in children is either of glomerular or nonglomerular origin. In the latter case intravenous urography should always be performed. A renal biopsy is indicated if unexplained haematuria persists for at least one year or if an unfavorable prognosis is indicated by the appearance of hypertension, significant proteinuria or persistently low levels of serum complement (C3). The importance of screening the families of haematuric patients is emphasized. More than half of our cases with persistent or intermittent haematuria undergoing renal biopsy showed no or only minimal glomerular changes. In other children with a similar clinical picture more severe histological lesions were detected. In any case the kidney tissue obtained by biopsy should be examined by immunofluorescence and by electron microscopy. One of the most frequent causes for persistent or intermittent haematuria during childhood is Berger's disease (IgA/IgG nephropathy).", "PMID": 634289} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10108", "title": "[Role of lipids in the organization of the vicinity of photosystem 1 centers].", "content": "The effect of galactolipase and phospholipase A on the spectral properties of light chloroplast fragments enriched by photosystem I has been studied. Treatment by various lipases or by two enzymes in differing sequences affected absorption and fluorescence spectra of light fragments. The concentration of phospholipids and their composition were determined before and after treatment with various enzymes. Data obtained allowed to make suggestions concerning the location and functions of various lipids.", "contents": "[Role of lipids in the organization of the vicinity of photosystem 1 centers]. The effect of galactolipase and phospholipase A on the spectral properties of light chloroplast fragments enriched by photosystem I has been studied. Treatment by various lipases or by two enzymes in differing sequences affected absorption and fluorescence spectra of light fragments. The concentration of phospholipids and their composition were determined before and after treatment with various enzymes. Data obtained allowed to make suggestions concerning the location and functions of various lipids.", "PMID": 634285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10109", "title": "[Evaluation of evidential data of diabetic children (author's transl)].", "content": "On the basis of the evidential data of 365 children with diabetes mellitus the interrelation between certain data and the manifestation of the diabetes mellitus has been examined. There is a positive correlation between the birth weight and the body length observed at the manifestation. The number of extremely tall children is higher than expected with regard to the population. Equally, the age of parents at the time of birth of their diabetic children is relatively higher when compared to the average of the population. In addition, there are seasonal changes; the most frequent manifestation of diabetes is seen in the months January and October, and--surprisingly--is lowest in May.", "contents": "[Evaluation of evidential data of diabetic children (author's transl)]. On the basis of the evidential data of 365 children with diabetes mellitus the interrelation between certain data and the manifestation of the diabetes mellitus has been examined. There is a positive correlation between the birth weight and the body length observed at the manifestation. The number of extremely tall children is higher than expected with regard to the population. Equally, the age of parents at the time of birth of their diabetic children is relatively higher when compared to the average of the population. In addition, there are seasonal changes; the most frequent manifestation of diabetes is seen in the months January and October, and--surprisingly--is lowest in May.", "PMID": 634290} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10110", "title": "[Significance of serum-gentamycin measurements in childhood (author's transl)].", "content": "Gentamicin serum levels were determined in 113 children of different ages (premature infants, full-term neonates, infants, older children) using a rapid microbiological method. It turned out to be favourable to take blood samples at two different times (30 and 120 min after administration of drug). In this way we found out the maximum concentration in serum and moreover by determining the serum half-life the velocity of elimination of the drug. In the group of premature infants mean serum half-life was 3.88 h and significantly longer than serum halflife in the group of older children (1.76 h) or full-term neonates (2.64 h). Children suffering from urological diseases showed a slower excretion of gentamicin, even when creatinine and urea concentrations in serum were not elevated. The rapid microbiological method used turned out to be reliable, simple and time-saving.", "contents": "[Significance of serum-gentamycin measurements in childhood (author's transl)]. Gentamicin serum levels were determined in 113 children of different ages (premature infants, full-term neonates, infants, older children) using a rapid microbiological method. It turned out to be favourable to take blood samples at two different times (30 and 120 min after administration of drug). In this way we found out the maximum concentration in serum and moreover by determining the serum half-life the velocity of elimination of the drug. In the group of premature infants mean serum half-life was 3.88 h and significantly longer than serum halflife in the group of older children (1.76 h) or full-term neonates (2.64 h). Children suffering from urological diseases showed a slower excretion of gentamicin, even when creatinine and urea concentrations in serum were not elevated. The rapid microbiological method used turned out to be reliable, simple and time-saving.", "PMID": 634291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10111", "title": "[Oligonucleotides and their analogs. II. Spectra of the circular dichroism of dinucleoside phosphate analogs containing 4-thiouracil].", "content": "The dinucleoside phosphates analogues APpSU, SUPpA and UPpSU have been synthesised by direct thionation of DNP analogues, containing cytosine. The structure of compounds prepared was proved by UV- and PMR-spectra. The CD spectra of the DNP analogues were examined. It has been demonstrated that the \"induced\" dichroism contribution in the Cotton-effect of DNP was substantial in the case of stacking conformations and negligible for unstacking conformations.", "contents": "[Oligonucleotides and their analogs. II. Spectra of the circular dichroism of dinucleoside phosphate analogs containing 4-thiouracil]. The dinucleoside phosphates analogues APpSU, SUPpA and UPpSU have been synthesised by direct thionation of DNP analogues, containing cytosine. The structure of compounds prepared was proved by UV- and PMR-spectra. The CD spectra of the DNP analogues were examined. It has been demonstrated that the \"induced\" dichroism contribution in the Cotton-effect of DNP was substantial in the case of stacking conformations and negligible for unstacking conformations.", "PMID": 634284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10112", "title": "[Study of the state of intracellular iron in photosynthesizing purple sulfur bacteria using the Mossbauer effect].", "content": "The work presents the results of the first stage of the study on the valent and structural state and function of the iron atoms in the donor-acceptor environment of the photosynthetic reaction centres of purple bacteria. 57Fe was introduced by cultivating the microorganisms in a medium enriched in this isotope. At 77 K the maxima observed in the M\u00f6ssbauer spectra in intact freeze-dried cells at a speed of +2 mm/s and --1 mm/s are attributed to doublets 1.11 with the isomer ahifts of 1.3 and 0.5 mm/s respectively and the constants of the quadrupole splitting (Q.S.) of 2 mm/s and 2.2 mm/s. These are presumed to arise from cytochromes type c. The M\u00f6ssbauer parameters of the intense assymetric quadrupole-split doublet of a more complex nature in the mid of the spectrum with line widths of 0.5 to 7.0 mm/s and 0.5 to 1.5 mm/s fit to these of bacterial ferredoxin. From the analysis of the control and dithionite-treated samples of the temperature dependency of the observable parameters over a temperature range of 77 to 300 K it can be concluded that in cells the iron atoms are present in various valency and spin states and the relation between the redox states of the iron atoms is dependent, in particular, on the age of the culture. The M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the cell fragments indicate that most of the intracellular iron, first of all the heme iron, is bound to the fraction of photosynthetic membranes.", "contents": "[Study of the state of intracellular iron in photosynthesizing purple sulfur bacteria using the Mossbauer effect]. The work presents the results of the first stage of the study on the valent and structural state and function of the iron atoms in the donor-acceptor environment of the photosynthetic reaction centres of purple bacteria. 57Fe was introduced by cultivating the microorganisms in a medium enriched in this isotope. At 77 K the maxima observed in the M\u00f6ssbauer spectra in intact freeze-dried cells at a speed of +2 mm/s and --1 mm/s are attributed to doublets 1.11 with the isomer ahifts of 1.3 and 0.5 mm/s respectively and the constants of the quadrupole splitting (Q.S.) of 2 mm/s and 2.2 mm/s. These are presumed to arise from cytochromes type c. The M\u00f6ssbauer parameters of the intense assymetric quadrupole-split doublet of a more complex nature in the mid of the spectrum with line widths of 0.5 to 7.0 mm/s and 0.5 to 1.5 mm/s fit to these of bacterial ferredoxin. From the analysis of the control and dithionite-treated samples of the temperature dependency of the observable parameters over a temperature range of 77 to 300 K it can be concluded that in cells the iron atoms are present in various valency and spin states and the relation between the redox states of the iron atoms is dependent, in particular, on the age of the culture. The M\u00f6ssbauer spectra of the cell fragments indicate that most of the intracellular iron, first of all the heme iron, is bound to the fraction of photosynthetic membranes.", "PMID": 634286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10113", "title": "[Study of temperature-dependent conformational changes in serum albumin using an adsorbed dye].", "content": "4-N (p-sulfoaniline),5-methoxy,1,2-benzoquinon (1) is bound by hydrophobic regions of the native molecule of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the temperature interval 0--65 degrees C the interaction characteristics such as energy, entropy and the average number of the binding sites on a BSA molecule were determined. Under experimental conditions BSA is found in at least in two equilibrium conformational states distinguished by quantity of hydrophobic regions capable of binding with 1. Below 17 degrees C no conformational changes of BSA was observed. With the increase of temperature from 17 to 47 degrees C the equilibrium is driven in the direction of protein form with the hydrophobic binding sites which are more available for the solvent. Heating above 47 degrees C produces \"predenaturation\" structural changes in the BSA molecule. Hydrophobic regions of the BSA have different thermal stability.", "contents": "[Study of temperature-dependent conformational changes in serum albumin using an adsorbed dye]. 4-N (p-sulfoaniline),5-methoxy,1,2-benzoquinon (1) is bound by hydrophobic regions of the native molecule of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the temperature interval 0--65 degrees C the interaction characteristics such as energy, entropy and the average number of the binding sites on a BSA molecule were determined. Under experimental conditions BSA is found in at least in two equilibrium conformational states distinguished by quantity of hydrophobic regions capable of binding with 1. Below 17 degrees C no conformational changes of BSA was observed. With the increase of temperature from 17 to 47 degrees C the equilibrium is driven in the direction of protein form with the hydrophobic binding sites which are more available for the solvent. Heating above 47 degrees C produces \"predenaturation\" structural changes in the BSA molecule. Hydrophobic regions of the BSA have different thermal stability.", "PMID": 634287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10114", "title": "[Adrenal function after long term treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate in childhood asthma (author's transl)].", "content": "Evaluating plasma levels of cortisol and corticosterone after ACTH-stimulation, and the urinary metabolites tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol in asthmatic children it could be demonstrated, that in most cases there was no suppression of adrenal function following treatment over 6 to 18 months with a daily dose of 200 to 300 microgram beclomethasone dipropionate. Since in a few patients suppression was found, an ACTH stimulation after a six months treatment is recommended.", "contents": "[Adrenal function after long term treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate in childhood asthma (author's transl)]. Evaluating plasma levels of cortisol and corticosterone after ACTH-stimulation, and the urinary metabolites tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol in asthmatic children it could be demonstrated, that in most cases there was no suppression of adrenal function following treatment over 6 to 18 months with a daily dose of 200 to 300 microgram beclomethasone dipropionate. Since in a few patients suppression was found, an ACTH stimulation after a six months treatment is recommended.", "PMID": 634292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10115", "title": "[Psychological development of children with hypothyroidism. I. Psychometric results in relation to clinical features (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty-two children suffering from congenital or late acquired hypothyroidism were studied with respect to intelligence, motor development, visuo-motor coordination, and social maturity. Psychological test results are represented for the group as a whole as well as in their relation to age at onset of symptoms and therapy, ataxia, and speech disorders.", "contents": "[Psychological development of children with hypothyroidism. I. Psychometric results in relation to clinical features (author's transl)]. Thirty-two children suffering from congenital or late acquired hypothyroidism were studied with respect to intelligence, motor development, visuo-motor coordination, and social maturity. Psychological test results are represented for the group as a whole as well as in their relation to age at onset of symptoms and therapy, ataxia, and speech disorders.", "PMID": 634293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10116", "title": "[Psychological development of children with hypothyroidism. II. Motor development and psychopathology (author's transl)].", "content": "In addition to a preceeding report the relation of motor development to ataxia and age at onset of symptoms and therapy as well as psychopathological symptoms in relation to intelligence and sex in 32 children with hypothyroidism are reported.", "contents": "[Psychological development of children with hypothyroidism. II. Motor development and psychopathology (author's transl)]. In addition to a preceeding report the relation of motor development to ataxia and age at onset of symptoms and therapy as well as psychopathological symptoms in relation to intelligence and sex in 32 children with hypothyroidism are reported.", "PMID": 634294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10117", "title": "[Electron microscopic study of the myocardium in cyanide poisoning].", "content": "Effect of the KCN poisoning on the cardiac muscle was studied by the aid of electron microscopic cytochemical methods. The early lesions revealed were: alterations in the region of the Z-lines, \"septum formation\" in the mitochondria, crystolysis, enlargment of the sarcotubules. Later destruction of the thick and thin filaments alteration of the intercalar discs were observed. Activity of the succinate-dehydrogenase and cytochromoxydase decreased. Authors emphasize the non-specific character of the alterations described.", "contents": "[Electron microscopic study of the myocardium in cyanide poisoning]. Effect of the KCN poisoning on the cardiac muscle was studied by the aid of electron microscopic cytochemical methods. The early lesions revealed were: alterations in the region of the Z-lines, \"septum formation\" in the mitochondria, crystolysis, enlargment of the sarcotubules. Later destruction of the thick and thin filaments alteration of the intercalar discs were observed. Activity of the succinate-dehydrogenase and cytochromoxydase decreased. Authors emphasize the non-specific character of the alterations described.", "PMID": 634295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10118", "title": "[Pathogenesis of lung changes caused by inhalation of organic solvents].", "content": "Pulmonary lesions were studied in autopsy material and in model experiments by light- and electron microscopy. Histologically in lung severe haemorrhage was found. Electronmicroscopically damage to the permeability could be revealed. Authors assume, that these investigations evidence the hypothesis, according to which inhalation of organic solvents causes morphologically detectable alterations in the lung tissue.", "contents": "[Pathogenesis of lung changes caused by inhalation of organic solvents]. Pulmonary lesions were studied in autopsy material and in model experiments by light- and electron microscopy. Histologically in lung severe haemorrhage was found. Electronmicroscopically damage to the permeability could be revealed. Authors assume, that these investigations evidence the hypothesis, according to which inhalation of organic solvents causes morphologically detectable alterations in the lung tissue.", "PMID": 634296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10119", "title": "[Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula].", "content": "A case of arteriovenous fistula of the lung is reported. The patient's--a 44 years old male--dyspnoe and cyanosis during several years were thought to be of cardial origin. After the onset of the symptoms of severe portal hypertension progression of the disease and death followed. At the autopsy in the lower lobe of the right lung a circumscribed arteriovenous fistula was found. Origin, types, pathomechanismus--especially pathomorphological aspects--of the arteriovenous fistula are discussed.", "contents": "[Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula]. A case of arteriovenous fistula of the lung is reported. The patient's--a 44 years old male--dyspnoe and cyanosis during several years were thought to be of cardial origin. After the onset of the symptoms of severe portal hypertension progression of the disease and death followed. At the autopsy in the lower lobe of the right lung a circumscribed arteriovenous fistula was found. Origin, types, pathomechanismus--especially pathomorphological aspects--of the arteriovenous fistula are discussed.", "PMID": 634298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10120", "title": "[Ependyma cyst of the 3d ventricle, causing sudden death].", "content": "A case of ependymal cyst of the third ventricle in a 18 years old female causing sudden death is reported. The patient had no typical clinical symptoms. Literary data dealing with the origin and clinical symptoms of the ependymal cysts are reviewed. It is assumed, that ependymal cyst is a congenital fissular tumour.", "contents": "[Ependyma cyst of the 3d ventricle, causing sudden death]. A case of ependymal cyst of the third ventricle in a 18 years old female causing sudden death is reported. The patient had no typical clinical symptoms. Literary data dealing with the origin and clinical symptoms of the ependymal cysts are reviewed. It is assumed, that ependymal cyst is a congenital fissular tumour.", "PMID": 634299} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10121", "title": "[Eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach].", "content": "Two cases of the eosinophil granuloma of the stomach are reported. The male patients (52 and 48 years old) had had gastric disorders. By the X-ray examination the suspition of a tumour had been raised. At both patients resection of the stomach by Billroth II was performed. The tumours histologically were eosinophil granulomas.", "contents": "[Eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach]. Two cases of the eosinophil granuloma of the stomach are reported. The male patients (52 and 48 years old) had had gastric disorders. By the X-ray examination the suspition of a tumour had been raised. At both patients resection of the stomach by Billroth II was performed. The tumours histologically were eosinophil granulomas.", "PMID": 634300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10122", "title": "[Renocerebral oxalosis following glycerin infusion].", "content": "At the autopsy of a 55 years old male patient renocerebral oxalosis was found, the most frequent cause of which--the ethylenglycol poisoning could be excluded by toxicological examination of the organs. Authors suppose that intravenous administration of 500 ml of 10 per cent solution of glycerol several hours before the death for the treatment of cerebral oedema might have caused the renocerebral oxalosis. The fact that in the catabolism of glycerol, ethylenglycol and xylit causing most frequently renocerebral oxalosis glycoxylic acid, precursor of the oxalic acid in the organism is formed, seems to evidence this supposition.", "contents": "[Renocerebral oxalosis following glycerin infusion]. At the autopsy of a 55 years old male patient renocerebral oxalosis was found, the most frequent cause of which--the ethylenglycol poisoning could be excluded by toxicological examination of the organs. Authors suppose that intravenous administration of 500 ml of 10 per cent solution of glycerol several hours before the death for the treatment of cerebral oedema might have caused the renocerebral oxalosis. The fact that in the catabolism of glycerol, ethylenglycol and xylit causing most frequently renocerebral oxalosis glycoxylic acid, precursor of the oxalic acid in the organism is formed, seems to evidence this supposition.", "PMID": 634301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10123", "title": "[The use of the adenosine desaminase (ADA) system in paternity cases].", "content": "Authors described genetically determined hereditary polymorphisms and pattern of inheritance of the adnosindesaminase (ADA) system. After a methodical review, results of their own investigations are reported, which were the first in the Hungarian population. The incidence of the ADA phenotypes among 1234 adult persons investigated was found: ADA-1=88%, ADA 2-1=11,58%, ADA 2=0,42%. Rare phenotypes were not detected. Values of gene frequency found: ADA1=0,93,79; ADA2= 0,0621; Results of the investigation of 561 mother-child pairs are also reported. The pattern of inheritance in every case examined was found to be regular. According to the author's data the maximal (theoretical) chance of the exclusion of paternity was 5,48%. In 561 cases of discussed paternity beside the examination of the systems of A1A2BO, MN, Ss, Hp, Rh, Gm(a,x,b), INV (1), Gc, Kk, Fy(a,b), SEP, PGM, GPT, and AK the ADA system was also examined. On the base of the last examinations the paternity could be excluded in 11 (1,97%) cases. In two cases (0,36%) exclusion of the paternity was based on the results of the examination of the ADA-system only. In the biostatistical evaluation of the results of examinations of blood-groups the role of the ADA system seems to be important. Examination of ADA system in cases of disputed paternity is recommended.", "contents": "[The use of the adenosine desaminase (ADA) system in paternity cases]. Authors described genetically determined hereditary polymorphisms and pattern of inheritance of the adnosindesaminase (ADA) system. After a methodical review, results of their own investigations are reported, which were the first in the Hungarian population. The incidence of the ADA phenotypes among 1234 adult persons investigated was found: ADA-1=88%, ADA 2-1=11,58%, ADA 2=0,42%. Rare phenotypes were not detected. Values of gene frequency found: ADA1=0,93,79; ADA2= 0,0621; Results of the investigation of 561 mother-child pairs are also reported. The pattern of inheritance in every case examined was found to be regular. According to the author's data the maximal (theoretical) chance of the exclusion of paternity was 5,48%. In 561 cases of discussed paternity beside the examination of the systems of A1A2BO, MN, Ss, Hp, Rh, Gm(a,x,b), INV (1), Gc, Kk, Fy(a,b), SEP, PGM, GPT, and AK the ADA system was also examined. On the base of the last examinations the paternity could be excluded in 11 (1,97%) cases. In two cases (0,36%) exclusion of the paternity was based on the results of the examination of the ADA-system only. In the biostatistical evaluation of the results of examinations of blood-groups the role of the ADA system seems to be important. Examination of ADA system in cases of disputed paternity is recommended.", "PMID": 634302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10124", "title": "[Infantile coronary fibroelastosis].", "content": "Two cases of fibroelastosis of the coronary arteries in infants are reported. The fibroelastosis was complicated with coronary thrombosis. Histologically isolated proliferation of the intima, fibrosis of the media and disintegration of the lamina elastica interna was found.", "contents": "[Infantile coronary fibroelastosis]. Two cases of fibroelastosis of the coronary arteries in infants are reported. The fibroelastosis was complicated with coronary thrombosis. Histologically isolated proliferation of the intima, fibrosis of the media and disintegration of the lamina elastica interna was found.", "PMID": 634303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10125", "title": "The mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of selenite, \"activated\" selenite and selenate for normal and DNA repair-deficient human fibroblasts.", "content": "At doses varying from 8 x 10(-5) to 3 x 10(-3) M sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) induced DNA fragmentation, DNA-repair synthesis, chromosome aberrations and a mitotic inhibition in cultured human fibroblasts. The response of DNA repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) fibroblasts to selenite is comparable to that of control cells. Incubation with mouse liver S-9 microsomal fraction increased the capacity of selenite to induce chromosome aberrations, DNA-repair synthesis and a lethal effect. XP cells behaved as control cells when treated with activated selenite. Sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) at doses ranging from 8 x 10(-5) to 3 x 10(-3) M could not be activated by incubating with a S-9 preparation. Selenate had the capacity to induce a small but significant DNA-repair synthesis.", "contents": "The mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of selenite, \"activated\" selenite and selenate for normal and DNA repair-deficient human fibroblasts. At doses varying from 8 x 10(-5) to 3 x 10(-3) M sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) induced DNA fragmentation, DNA-repair synthesis, chromosome aberrations and a mitotic inhibition in cultured human fibroblasts. The response of DNA repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) fibroblasts to selenite is comparable to that of control cells. Incubation with mouse liver S-9 microsomal fraction increased the capacity of selenite to induce chromosome aberrations, DNA-repair synthesis and a lethal effect. XP cells behaved as control cells when treated with activated selenite. Sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) at doses ranging from 8 x 10(-5) to 3 x 10(-3) M could not be activated by incubating with a S-9 preparation. Selenate had the capacity to induce a small but significant DNA-repair synthesis.", "PMID": 634305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10126", "title": "Natural history and treated course of usual and desquamative interstitial pneumonia.", "content": "Patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia were initially classified histologically into \"desquamative\" (n = 40) and \"usual\" (n = 53) types, and followed for one to 22 years. Both the diagnosis and the extent of fibrosis affected the course and response to therapy. Mortality in desquamative interstitial pneumonia was 27.5 per cent, and mean survival 12.2 years, as compared with 66.0 per cent and 5.6 years in usual interstitial pneumonia (P less than 0.01). Without treatment, 21.9 per cent with the desquamative but none with the usual type improved. With corticosteroid therapy, 61.5 per cent with desquamative and only 11.5 per cent with usual interstitial pneumonia improved, whereas 27.0 per cent and 69.2 per cent worsened. We conclude that the histologic classification of chronic interstitial pneumonia used here permits forecasts of prognosis and response to treatment that cannot be deduced from other data.", "contents": "Natural history and treated course of usual and desquamative interstitial pneumonia. Patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia were initially classified histologically into \"desquamative\" (n = 40) and \"usual\" (n = 53) types, and followed for one to 22 years. Both the diagnosis and the extent of fibrosis affected the course and response to therapy. Mortality in desquamative interstitial pneumonia was 27.5 per cent, and mean survival 12.2 years, as compared with 66.0 per cent and 5.6 years in usual interstitial pneumonia (P less than 0.01). Without treatment, 21.9 per cent with the desquamative but none with the usual type improved. With corticosteroid therapy, 61.5 per cent with desquamative and only 11.5 per cent with usual interstitial pneumonia improved, whereas 27.0 per cent and 69.2 per cent worsened. We conclude that the histologic classification of chronic interstitial pneumonia used here permits forecasts of prognosis and response to treatment that cannot be deduced from other data.", "PMID": 634315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10127", "title": "Prevention of nitroprusside-induced cyanide toxicity with hydroxocobalamin.", "content": "To investigate hydroxocobalamin's role in preventing cyanide intoxication from sodium nitroprusside, we studied two groups of patients. One group received nitroprusside alone, and the other received nitroprusside and hydroxocobalamin. Red-cell and plasma cyanide levels were 83.44 +/- 23.12 and 3.51 +/- 1.01 microgram per 100 ml after nitroprusside alone and were 33.18 +/- 17.29 and 2.18 +/- 0.65 microgram per 100 ml after nitroprusside plus hydroxocobalamin. Acidosis developed in patients with red-cell cyanide levels higher than 75 microgram per 100 ml. When hydroxocobalamin infusion was stopped before sodium nitroprusside infusion was discontinued, blood cyanide levels and base deficit increased in a manner similar to that in the untreated group. The dose of nitroprusside used in each group did not differ statistically. These data show that hydroxocobalamin prevents cyanide transfer from red cells and plasma to tissue after nitroprusside metabolism, and thereby prevents cyanide toxicity from large intravenous doses of the drug.", "contents": "Prevention of nitroprusside-induced cyanide toxicity with hydroxocobalamin. To investigate hydroxocobalamin's role in preventing cyanide intoxication from sodium nitroprusside, we studied two groups of patients. One group received nitroprusside alone, and the other received nitroprusside and hydroxocobalamin. Red-cell and plasma cyanide levels were 83.44 +/- 23.12 and 3.51 +/- 1.01 microgram per 100 ml after nitroprusside alone and were 33.18 +/- 17.29 and 2.18 +/- 0.65 microgram per 100 ml after nitroprusside plus hydroxocobalamin. Acidosis developed in patients with red-cell cyanide levels higher than 75 microgram per 100 ml. When hydroxocobalamin infusion was stopped before sodium nitroprusside infusion was discontinued, blood cyanide levels and base deficit increased in a manner similar to that in the untreated group. The dose of nitroprusside used in each group did not differ statistically. These data show that hydroxocobalamin prevents cyanide transfer from red cells and plasma to tissue after nitroprusside metabolism, and thereby prevents cyanide toxicity from large intravenous doses of the drug.", "PMID": 634316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10128", "title": "Taking care of the hateful patient.", "content": "\"Hateful patients\" are not those with whom the physician has an occasional personality clash. As defined here they are those whom most physicians dread. The insatiable dependence of \"hateful patients\" leads to behaviors that group them into four stereotypes: dependent clingers, entitled demanders, manipulative help-rejecters and self-destructive deniers. The physician' negative reactions constitute important clinical data that should facilitate better understanding and more appropriate psychological management for each. Clingers evoke aversion; their care requires limits on expectations for an intense doctor-patient relationship. Demanders evoke a wish to counterattack; such patients need to have their feelings of total entitlement rechanneled into a partnership that acknowledges their entitlement--not to unrealistic demands but to good medical care. Help-rejecters evoke depression; \"sharing\" their pessimism diminishes their notion that losing the symptom implies losing the doctor. Self-destructive deniers evoke feeling of malice; their management requires the physician to lower Faustian expectations of delivering perfect care.", "contents": "Taking care of the hateful patient. \"Hateful patients\" are not those with whom the physician has an occasional personality clash. As defined here they are those whom most physicians dread. The insatiable dependence of \"hateful patients\" leads to behaviors that group them into four stereotypes: dependent clingers, entitled demanders, manipulative help-rejecters and self-destructive deniers. The physician' negative reactions constitute important clinical data that should facilitate better understanding and more appropriate psychological management for each. Clingers evoke aversion; their care requires limits on expectations for an intense doctor-patient relationship. Demanders evoke a wish to counterattack; such patients need to have their feelings of total entitlement rechanneled into a partnership that acknowledges their entitlement--not to unrealistic demands but to good medical care. Help-rejecters evoke depression; \"sharing\" their pessimism diminishes their notion that losing the symptom implies losing the doctor. Self-destructive deniers evoke feeling of malice; their management requires the physician to lower Faustian expectations of delivering perfect care.", "PMID": 634331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10129", "title": "Brain histamine receptors as targets for antidepressant drugs.", "content": "A large number of structurally diverse drugs with clinical antidepressant properties share the ability to act as potent inhibitors of histamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in cell-free preparations from mammalian brain. This common biochemical action may represent part of the molecular basis for the antidepressant properties of these compounds.", "contents": "Brain histamine receptors as targets for antidepressant drugs. A large number of structurally diverse drugs with clinical antidepressant properties share the ability to act as potent inhibitors of histamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in cell-free preparations from mammalian brain. This common biochemical action may represent part of the molecular basis for the antidepressant properties of these compounds.", "PMID": 634355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10130", "title": "Evolution of homeothermy in mammals.", "content": "We propose that mammalian homeothermy was was acquired in two steps. The first step enabled mammals to invade a nocturnal niche without an increase in resting metabolic rate. The second step enabled them to invade a diurnal niche and involved the acquisition of higher body temperatures and metabolic rates.", "contents": "Evolution of homeothermy in mammals. We propose that mammalian homeothermy was was acquired in two steps. The first step enabled mammals to invade a nocturnal niche without an increase in resting metabolic rate. The second step enabled them to invade a diurnal niche and involved the acquisition of higher body temperatures and metabolic rates.", "PMID": 634356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10131", "title": "The relationship between function and DNA sequence in an intercistronic regulatory region in phage lambda.", "content": "rho factor-mediated transcription termination at the tr1 terminator site of bacteriophage lambda is examined. Mutations affecting the termination event are characterised. These mutations define features of the site which seem to be important to terminator function. In addition, other related transcriptional and translational regulatory elements are defined within the region surrounding the termination site. The potential molecular interactions and structural overlaps of these control signals apparently couple the regulation of the decision between lytic and lysogenic growth patterns by phage lambda.", "contents": "The relationship between function and DNA sequence in an intercistronic regulatory region in phage lambda. rho factor-mediated transcription termination at the tr1 terminator site of bacteriophage lambda is examined. Mutations affecting the termination event are characterised. These mutations define features of the site which seem to be important to terminator function. In addition, other related transcriptional and translational regulatory elements are defined within the region surrounding the termination site. The potential molecular interactions and structural overlaps of these control signals apparently couple the regulation of the decision between lytic and lysogenic growth patterns by phage lambda.", "PMID": 634366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10132", "title": "Evidence for a direct action of amphetamine on dopamine metabolism in the rat substantia nigra in vivo.", "content": "The intraperitoneal administration of D-amphetamine (0.2--2.5 mg/kg) decreases dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content not only in the caudate nucleus but also in the substantia nigra. This effect persists both in the substantia nigra and in the caudate nucleus after loss of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and presumably of dopamine receptors, induced by intrastriatal injection of kainic acid. These results indicate that the effect of amphetamine on DOPAC levels in the nigra is not mediated through a strionigral feedback loop.", "contents": "Evidence for a direct action of amphetamine on dopamine metabolism in the rat substantia nigra in vivo. The intraperitoneal administration of D-amphetamine (0.2--2.5 mg/kg) decreases dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content not only in the caudate nucleus but also in the substantia nigra. This effect persists both in the substantia nigra and in the caudate nucleus after loss of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and presumably of dopamine receptors, induced by intrastriatal injection of kainic acid. These results indicate that the effect of amphetamine on DOPAC levels in the nigra is not mediated through a strionigral feedback loop.", "PMID": 634376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10133", "title": "Inhibition by opiate narcotics of rat flexor alpha-motoneurones.", "content": "Specific effects of opiate narcotics on rat flexor alpha-motoneurones were studied in ventral roots of laminectomized rats under halothane anaesthesia. The alpha-motoneurones were activated by tetanic stimulation of the cut ipsilateral common peroneal nerve, exciting up to group II- but not group III- and C-afferents. Morphine (0.5--3.0 mg/kg i.v.) reduced or completely suppressed the discharge rate of flexor alpha-motoneurones in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) and mimicked by levorphanol (1.0 mg/kg i.v.), but not by an equal dose of its stereoisomer dextrorphan, suggesting that the effect described is a specific one. After spinalization, the inhibitory effect of morphine was abolished. Previous studies had shown that opiates (e.g. morphine, given in a dose of 2 or 4 mg/kg i.v.) excite rat extensor alpha-motoneurones, an effect opposite to the opiate narcotic action on flexor alpha-motoneurones. The action of opiates leading to an inhibition of flexor alpha-motoneurones may contribute to akinesia and catalepsy, and opioid-induced muscular rigidity. From the results presented it appears that morphine produces a reciprocal change in the activity evoked in extensor and flexor reflex pathways.", "contents": "Inhibition by opiate narcotics of rat flexor alpha-motoneurones. Specific effects of opiate narcotics on rat flexor alpha-motoneurones were studied in ventral roots of laminectomized rats under halothane anaesthesia. The alpha-motoneurones were activated by tetanic stimulation of the cut ipsilateral common peroneal nerve, exciting up to group II- but not group III- and C-afferents. Morphine (0.5--3.0 mg/kg i.v.) reduced or completely suppressed the discharge rate of flexor alpha-motoneurones in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) and mimicked by levorphanol (1.0 mg/kg i.v.), but not by an equal dose of its stereoisomer dextrorphan, suggesting that the effect described is a specific one. After spinalization, the inhibitory effect of morphine was abolished. Previous studies had shown that opiates (e.g. morphine, given in a dose of 2 or 4 mg/kg i.v.) excite rat extensor alpha-motoneurones, an effect opposite to the opiate narcotic action on flexor alpha-motoneurones. The action of opiates leading to an inhibition of flexor alpha-motoneurones may contribute to akinesia and catalepsy, and opioid-induced muscular rigidity. From the results presented it appears that morphine produces a reciprocal change in the activity evoked in extensor and flexor reflex pathways.", "PMID": 634377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10134", "title": "Lack of evidence for a temperature-mediated change of adrenoceptor type in the rat heart.", "content": "1. Responses to phenylephrine of left and right atria of the rat heart have been measured at 37 degrees C and 21 degrees C. 2. Differences in basal force of contraction at the two temperatures were attributable solely to differences in frequencies of contraction. 3. Reduction in temperature produced no change in EC50 for phenylephrine nor any greater susceptibility of the responses to blockade by phentolamine rather than propranolol. 4. It is concluded that beta-adrenoceptors of the rat heart are not converted to alpha-adrenoceptors by a reduction in temperature.", "contents": "Lack of evidence for a temperature-mediated change of adrenoceptor type in the rat heart. 1. Responses to phenylephrine of left and right atria of the rat heart have been measured at 37 degrees C and 21 degrees C. 2. Differences in basal force of contraction at the two temperatures were attributable solely to differences in frequencies of contraction. 3. Reduction in temperature produced no change in EC50 for phenylephrine nor any greater susceptibility of the responses to blockade by phentolamine rather than propranolol. 4. It is concluded that beta-adrenoceptors of the rat heart are not converted to alpha-adrenoceptors by a reduction in temperature.", "PMID": 634379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10135", "title": "Muscle relaxant properties of the identified metabolites of dantrolene.", "content": "Identified metabolites of dantrolene, a skeletal muscle relaxant, were studied for inhibition of skeletal muscle contractions. Inhibition of muscle contractions were studied in vivo in the rat gastrocnemius muscle preparation, and in vitro using isolated rat diaphragm strips. Dantrolene (D) and 5-hydroxydantrolene (5-HD) inhibited muscle contraction responses in a dose dependent manner, both in vivo and in vitro. 5-HD was less potent than D.", "contents": "Muscle relaxant properties of the identified metabolites of dantrolene. Identified metabolites of dantrolene, a skeletal muscle relaxant, were studied for inhibition of skeletal muscle contractions. Inhibition of muscle contractions were studied in vivo in the rat gastrocnemius muscle preparation, and in vitro using isolated rat diaphragm strips. Dantrolene (D) and 5-hydroxydantrolene (5-HD) inhibited muscle contraction responses in a dose dependent manner, both in vivo and in vitro. 5-HD was less potent than D.", "PMID": 634381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10136", "title": "Reversible decrease of collagen crosslinking by protein low diet and aminoacetonitrile--effect of D-penicillamine and prednisolone on the rise of crosslinks.", "content": "After ending a 4-week period of low-protein diet with or without aminoacetonitrile (AAN), the tail tendons of rats showed an increase of hydroxylysinonorleucine (HLNL) together with other unidentified reducible crosslinks. The binding of dihydroxylysinonorleucine type (DHLNL) was an exception: its content remained unchanged. It may be, assumed, therefore, that the procedures mentioned above act indiscriminately against all reducible crosslinks with the exception of DHLNL. The rise in crosslinks after the 4-week pretreatment was disturbed, when d-penicillamine was given, because it specifically inhibited the formation of HLNL. The content of other crosslink components was slightly increased above that of controls so that the absolute content of total isolated crosslinks increased in the presence of d-penicillamine. No statistically significant differences could be obtained under prednisolone.", "contents": "Reversible decrease of collagen crosslinking by protein low diet and aminoacetonitrile--effect of D-penicillamine and prednisolone on the rise of crosslinks. After ending a 4-week period of low-protein diet with or without aminoacetonitrile (AAN), the tail tendons of rats showed an increase of hydroxylysinonorleucine (HLNL) together with other unidentified reducible crosslinks. The binding of dihydroxylysinonorleucine type (DHLNL) was an exception: its content remained unchanged. It may be, assumed, therefore, that the procedures mentioned above act indiscriminately against all reducible crosslinks with the exception of DHLNL. The rise in crosslinks after the 4-week pretreatment was disturbed, when d-penicillamine was given, because it specifically inhibited the formation of HLNL. The content of other crosslink components was slightly increased above that of controls so that the absolute content of total isolated crosslinks increased in the presence of d-penicillamine. No statistically significant differences could be obtained under prednisolone.", "PMID": 634382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10137", "title": "Transient desensibilization of isolated hepatocytes against phalloidin by treatment with phospholipase A.", "content": "The development of typical protrusions in isolated hepatocytes after incubation with phalloidin was prevented by phospholipase A (from bee venom). When cells were preincubated with low concentrations of phospholipase A and the enzyme was removed by washing, the number of cells affected by 10 microgram phalloidin/ml was markedly reduced. If the pretreated cells were allowed to recover after removal of phospholipase, the sensitivity to phalloidin returned to nearly normal values. Transient treatment of hepatocytes with sublytic concentrations of phospholipase A did not destroy cell membranes, whereas 5-fold higher concentrations of the enzyme produced large protrusions quite different from those appearing during phalloidin poisoning. These findings suggest that phosphatides are needed for the recognition of phalloidin by liver cells. A series of marker enzymes were analysed in isolated plasma membranes from rat liver after treatment with phospholipase A. Changes in the activities of K+ Na+-ATPase and of p-nitrophenylphosphatase were observed. Other membranal enzymes were not markedly influenced. The inhibitory effect of phospholipase A on the phalloidin response is discussed in context of earlier findings suggesting an evident role of a membranal protein for the recognition of phalloidin.", "contents": "Transient desensibilization of isolated hepatocytes against phalloidin by treatment with phospholipase A. The development of typical protrusions in isolated hepatocytes after incubation with phalloidin was prevented by phospholipase A (from bee venom). When cells were preincubated with low concentrations of phospholipase A and the enzyme was removed by washing, the number of cells affected by 10 microgram phalloidin/ml was markedly reduced. If the pretreated cells were allowed to recover after removal of phospholipase, the sensitivity to phalloidin returned to nearly normal values. Transient treatment of hepatocytes with sublytic concentrations of phospholipase A did not destroy cell membranes, whereas 5-fold higher concentrations of the enzyme produced large protrusions quite different from those appearing during phalloidin poisoning. These findings suggest that phosphatides are needed for the recognition of phalloidin by liver cells. A series of marker enzymes were analysed in isolated plasma membranes from rat liver after treatment with phospholipase A. Changes in the activities of K+ Na+-ATPase and of p-nitrophenylphosphatase were observed. Other membranal enzymes were not markedly influenced. The inhibitory effect of phospholipase A on the phalloidin response is discussed in context of earlier findings suggesting an evident role of a membranal protein for the recognition of phalloidin.", "PMID": 634383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10138", "title": "Subclasses IgG1--IgG4 in 84 sera with IgG paraprotein.", "content": "The distribution of subclasses IgG1-4 was determined in 84 sera with IgG paraprotein. The results were as follows: IgG1--58.3%, IgG2--25%, IgG3--11.9%, IgG4--4.8%. After division into the group of IgG myelomas (n = 47) and the group of non-myeloma IgG paraproteinemias (n = 37), the following distribution was found: IgG1--55.3%, IgG2--25.5%, IgG3--12.7%, IgG4--6.5% and IgG1--62.1%, IgG2--24.3%, IgG3--10.8%, IgG4--2.7%, respectively. The distribution of light chains in the individual subclasses of IgG paraproteins was also studied. In three double IgG and IgA myeloma paraproteinemias, subclass 1 IgG paraprotein was always demonstrated.", "contents": "Subclasses IgG1--IgG4 in 84 sera with IgG paraprotein. The distribution of subclasses IgG1-4 was determined in 84 sera with IgG paraprotein. The results were as follows: IgG1--58.3%, IgG2--25%, IgG3--11.9%, IgG4--4.8%. After division into the group of IgG myelomas (n = 47) and the group of non-myeloma IgG paraproteinemias (n = 37), the following distribution was found: IgG1--55.3%, IgG2--25.5%, IgG3--12.7%, IgG4--6.5% and IgG1--62.1%, IgG2--24.3%, IgG3--10.8%, IgG4--2.7%, respectively. The distribution of light chains in the individual subclasses of IgG paraproteins was also studied. In three double IgG and IgA myeloma paraproteinemias, subclass 1 IgG paraprotein was always demonstrated.", "PMID": 634402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10139", "title": "Infrared thermovision in tumors of the orofacial region.", "content": "The authors present briefly the physical principles of infrared thermovision and an overview of its utilization in stromatology. Among the 21 patients, suffering for the most part from a tumorous affection of the orofacial region, they describe in more detail the case of a carcinoma of the lower lip. A correlation of their clinical, histological and X-ray findings with those of infrared thermovision revealed agreement in every case insofar as the localization of the pathological process was concerned. They stress that infrared thermovision is not meant to replace histo-pathological investigation whose significance in the diagnosis of malignant tumors continues to be decisive.", "contents": "Infrared thermovision in tumors of the orofacial region. The authors present briefly the physical principles of infrared thermovision and an overview of its utilization in stromatology. Among the 21 patients, suffering for the most part from a tumorous affection of the orofacial region, they describe in more detail the case of a carcinoma of the lower lip. A correlation of their clinical, histological and X-ray findings with those of infrared thermovision revealed agreement in every case insofar as the localization of the pathological process was concerned. They stress that infrared thermovision is not meant to replace histo-pathological investigation whose significance in the diagnosis of malignant tumors continues to be decisive.", "PMID": 634403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10140", "title": "Effectiveness of radiation therapy and combined radiation and surgical treatment in advanced breast cancer.", "content": "The effectiveness of two modes of combined radiation-surgery treatment and the correlation between the therapeutic results and the clinical type of primary breast cancer were followed in a group of 221 patients with Ca mammae in the III clinical stage. As criteria of evaluating, use was made of analysis of the temporal sequence of relapses and metastases formation following primary treatment. The higher effectiveness of the mode--surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation as against that of surgery with only post-operative radiotherapy became manifest in the frequency of relapses but not in that of distant metastase formation. Simultaneously, a relationship has been established between the course of the disease after treatment and the various categories of T, or its dependence on the relation between the primary tumor and the skin and this within the IIIrd clinical stage of breast cancer.", "contents": "Effectiveness of radiation therapy and combined radiation and surgical treatment in advanced breast cancer. The effectiveness of two modes of combined radiation-surgery treatment and the correlation between the therapeutic results and the clinical type of primary breast cancer were followed in a group of 221 patients with Ca mammae in the III clinical stage. As criteria of evaluating, use was made of analysis of the temporal sequence of relapses and metastases formation following primary treatment. The higher effectiveness of the mode--surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation as against that of surgery with only post-operative radiotherapy became manifest in the frequency of relapses but not in that of distant metastase formation. Simultaneously, a relationship has been established between the course of the disease after treatment and the various categories of T, or its dependence on the relation between the primary tumor and the skin and this within the IIIrd clinical stage of breast cancer.", "PMID": 634404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10141", "title": "Study on incorporation of 3H-DNA in the L-cells by means of electron microscopic autoradiography.", "content": "Uptake of isologous DNA (labeled with 3H-thymidine) by L-cells was investigated by means of electron microscopic autoradiography. It was found that exogenous 3H-DNA occurred not only in the cytoplasm, but, already from the 1st hr of incubation, permeated as far as in the host cell nuclei. During continuous cultivation, radioactivity established in the nuclei and cytoplasm increases with maximum value after 12 hr incubation. Beginning at the 3rd hr of incubation, in cytoplasma, grain clusters over loci of higher radioactivity were found. After 24 hr incubation, similar grain clusters in L-cell nuclei were observed. In the cytoplasma of the cells, the grains were often determined over or in the vicinity of lysosomes; in the nuclei they were localized predominantly over heterochromatine. The manner of 3H-DNA and 3H-TdR labeling was also compared.", "contents": "Study on incorporation of 3H-DNA in the L-cells by means of electron microscopic autoradiography. Uptake of isologous DNA (labeled with 3H-thymidine) by L-cells was investigated by means of electron microscopic autoradiography. It was found that exogenous 3H-DNA occurred not only in the cytoplasm, but, already from the 1st hr of incubation, permeated as far as in the host cell nuclei. During continuous cultivation, radioactivity established in the nuclei and cytoplasm increases with maximum value after 12 hr incubation. Beginning at the 3rd hr of incubation, in cytoplasma, grain clusters over loci of higher radioactivity were found. After 24 hr incubation, similar grain clusters in L-cell nuclei were observed. In the cytoplasma of the cells, the grains were often determined over or in the vicinity of lysosomes; in the nuclei they were localized predominantly over heterochromatine. The manner of 3H-DNA and 3H-TdR labeling was also compared.", "PMID": 634405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10142", "title": "Neutral lipids in nuclei and chromatin fraction of young and old Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.", "content": "Determination of lipid content of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell nuclei devoid of the nuclear envelope and chromatin isolated from them revealed considerable amounts of neutral lipids present in both preparations. The neutral lipid content always exceeded that of the phospholipid. An age dependent accumulation of neutral lipids could also be observed. The chromatin fraction always contained relatively higher amounts of neutral lipids than the respective nuclei with a predominance of cholesterol esters.", "contents": "Neutral lipids in nuclei and chromatin fraction of young and old Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Determination of lipid content of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell nuclei devoid of the nuclear envelope and chromatin isolated from them revealed considerable amounts of neutral lipids present in both preparations. The neutral lipid content always exceeded that of the phospholipid. An age dependent accumulation of neutral lipids could also be observed. The chromatin fraction always contained relatively higher amounts of neutral lipids than the respective nuclei with a predominance of cholesterol esters.", "PMID": 634406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10143", "title": "Cytofluorimetric measurement of DNA content in the cells of the transplantable melanotic and amelanotic Bomirski melanoma in golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse).", "content": "Cytofluorimetric measurements of the DNA content in transplantable melanotic and amelanotic tumor cells were carried out. The mean content DNA is higher in the amelanotic cells. The DNA distribution patterns are different in both tumors: there is a distinct stem line of the cells in the melanotic tumors whereas in the amelanotic cells there is a great variability in the DNA content and the stem line of the cells is absent. The correlation between these findings and some biological properties of the melanotic and amelanotic tumors are discussed.", "contents": "Cytofluorimetric measurement of DNA content in the cells of the transplantable melanotic and amelanotic Bomirski melanoma in golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse). Cytofluorimetric measurements of the DNA content in transplantable melanotic and amelanotic tumor cells were carried out. The mean content DNA is higher in the amelanotic cells. The DNA distribution patterns are different in both tumors: there is a distinct stem line of the cells in the melanotic tumors whereas in the amelanotic cells there is a great variability in the DNA content and the stem line of the cells is absent. The correlation between these findings and some biological properties of the melanotic and amelanotic tumors are discussed.", "PMID": 634407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10144", "title": "Electrochemical properties of polycyclic compounds studied by the polarographic method in anhydrous systems. V. Oxidation potentials of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in acetonitrile.", "content": "The half-wave oxidation potentials of polycyclic carcinogenic hydrocarbons have been studied at the rotating platinum electrode in anhydrous acetonitrile with sodium perchlorate as the supporting electrolyte. The good agreement was obtained by the comparison of the carcinogenic activity of studied compounds with the values of the oxidation potentials. The values of the oxidation half-wave potentials were correlated also with the reduction potentials measured in acetonitrile and with the root xn of the H\u00fcckel secular equation for the highest bonding orbital.", "contents": "Electrochemical properties of polycyclic compounds studied by the polarographic method in anhydrous systems. V. Oxidation potentials of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in acetonitrile. The half-wave oxidation potentials of polycyclic carcinogenic hydrocarbons have been studied at the rotating platinum electrode in anhydrous acetonitrile with sodium perchlorate as the supporting electrolyte. The good agreement was obtained by the comparison of the carcinogenic activity of studied compounds with the values of the oxidation potentials. The values of the oxidation half-wave potentials were correlated also with the reduction potentials measured in acetonitrile and with the root xn of the H\u00fcckel secular equation for the highest bonding orbital.", "PMID": 634408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10145", "title": "In vitro cell proliferation studies in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "A cytologic and proliferation analysis was performed in the lymph node samples of 30 nontreated Hodgkin patients using tritiated thymidine, the autoradiographic technique, and two different in vitro incubation schemes. A group of 9 inflammatory reactive patients was used as control. The results confirmed previous labeling data but showed that DNA synthesis can also be detected among the reticulum cells. The role attributed by some authors to the large rounded basophilic cells of lymphoid appearance found in Hodgkin's tissue is discussed in the light of the results in Hodgkin's and non Hodgkin's samples. Finally, some aspects dealing with the relationship and possible role of the Hodgkin and Sternberg-Reed cells are commented.", "contents": "In vitro cell proliferation studies in Hodgkin's disease. A cytologic and proliferation analysis was performed in the lymph node samples of 30 nontreated Hodgkin patients using tritiated thymidine, the autoradiographic technique, and two different in vitro incubation schemes. A group of 9 inflammatory reactive patients was used as control. The results confirmed previous labeling data but showed that DNA synthesis can also be detected among the reticulum cells. The role attributed by some authors to the large rounded basophilic cells of lymphoid appearance found in Hodgkin's tissue is discussed in the light of the results in Hodgkin's and non Hodgkin's samples. Finally, some aspects dealing with the relationship and possible role of the Hodgkin and Sternberg-Reed cells are commented.", "PMID": 634409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10146", "title": "Effect of chemotherapy on the lymph node and bone marrow cell chromosomes in patients with Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and lymph node cells have been investigated in 47 patients with lymphogranulomatosis 24--72 hr after administration of a single therapeutic dose of cyclophosphan and natulan. It is shown that the injurious action of cyclophosphan and natulan lasts more than 72 hr. An analysis of the dynamics of various types of chromosomal aberrations testifies that cyclophosphan and natulan affect cellular constituents found in the synthetic or post-synthetic phases of the cell cycle.", "contents": "Effect of chemotherapy on the lymph node and bone marrow cell chromosomes in patients with Hodgkin's disease. Chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and lymph node cells have been investigated in 47 patients with lymphogranulomatosis 24--72 hr after administration of a single therapeutic dose of cyclophosphan and natulan. It is shown that the injurious action of cyclophosphan and natulan lasts more than 72 hr. An analysis of the dynamics of various types of chromosomal aberrations testifies that cyclophosphan and natulan affect cellular constituents found in the synthetic or post-synthetic phases of the cell cycle.", "PMID": 634410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10147", "title": "Parathyroid hormone and calcium blood levels in acute renal failure. With special reference to one patient developing transient hypercalcemia.", "content": "Parathyroid hormone (PTH), creatinine, calcium and phosphate blood levels were repeatedly measured in 5 patients with acute renal failure. 1 patient developed hypercalcemia during the recovery phase of the illness. PTH was elevated in all cases before starting hemodialysis treatment and returned to normal when renal function recovered. Calcium and PTH were inversely correlated in 3 patients including the patient with transient hypercalcemia. These data show that parathyroid function in acute renal failure is closely related to changes in renal function and the hypercalcemia, when occurring, is not necessarily due to parathyroid hyperactivity.", "contents": "Parathyroid hormone and calcium blood levels in acute renal failure. With special reference to one patient developing transient hypercalcemia. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), creatinine, calcium and phosphate blood levels were repeatedly measured in 5 patients with acute renal failure. 1 patient developed hypercalcemia during the recovery phase of the illness. PTH was elevated in all cases before starting hemodialysis treatment and returned to normal when renal function recovered. Calcium and PTH were inversely correlated in 3 patients including the patient with transient hypercalcemia. These data show that parathyroid function in acute renal failure is closely related to changes in renal function and the hypercalcemia, when occurring, is not necessarily due to parathyroid hyperactivity.", "PMID": 634417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10148", "title": "Hereditary lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency. Report of a new family with two afflicted sisters.", "content": "One case of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency is discovered by renal biopsy. Through the study of a French family, native to Brittany, one sister is found to be carrier of the trait. This finding suggests that the gene defect hitherto reported from Scandinavia is not restricted to this region. The patient shows typical signs of the disease, corneal opacities, anemia with a hemolytic component and lack of plasma LCAT activity. She has proteinuria, HTA, hematuria, no renal insufficiency. Signs previously unreported were noted: sensorineural hearing loss and platelet environment disorder. Histological abnormalities of two types are found: foam cells and subendothelial deposits, of which the tinctorial characteristics indicate a lipid composition. The lack of glomerular fluorescent staining observed is not in favor of an immune complex nephropathy. The study of this case suggests the determining role of lipid abnormalities in the genesis of anemia and of the vascular depositions in the induction of renal failure encountered in several cases of LCAT deficiency.", "contents": "Hereditary lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency. Report of a new family with two afflicted sisters. One case of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency is discovered by renal biopsy. Through the study of a French family, native to Brittany, one sister is found to be carrier of the trait. This finding suggests that the gene defect hitherto reported from Scandinavia is not restricted to this region. The patient shows typical signs of the disease, corneal opacities, anemia with a hemolytic component and lack of plasma LCAT activity. She has proteinuria, HTA, hematuria, no renal insufficiency. Signs previously unreported were noted: sensorineural hearing loss and platelet environment disorder. Histological abnormalities of two types are found: foam cells and subendothelial deposits, of which the tinctorial characteristics indicate a lipid composition. The lack of glomerular fluorescent staining observed is not in favor of an immune complex nephropathy. The study of this case suggests the determining role of lipid abnormalities in the genesis of anemia and of the vascular depositions in the induction of renal failure encountered in several cases of LCAT deficiency.", "PMID": 634418} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10149", "title": "Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in kidneys of lead-poisoned rats and adrenalectomized rats.", "content": "Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity, assayed biochemically, was significantly increased in kidney homogenates of lead-poisoned rats when compared with controls. Histochemically, G6PDH activity was greatly increased both in the distal tubules and the macula densa, but showed no significant changes in the proximal tubules. Biochemical assay of G6PDH in kidney homogenates of adrenalectomized rats was three times that in control animals. In this condition also, histochemical staining showed G6PDH activity to be increased in both macula densa and distal tubules. This demonstrates an increase in G6PHD in two completely different experimental conditions and suggests that the distal renal tubule in the rat might operate in functional unity with the macula densa.", "contents": "Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in kidneys of lead-poisoned rats and adrenalectomized rats. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity, assayed biochemically, was significantly increased in kidney homogenates of lead-poisoned rats when compared with controls. Histochemically, G6PDH activity was greatly increased both in the distal tubules and the macula densa, but showed no significant changes in the proximal tubules. Biochemical assay of G6PDH in kidney homogenates of adrenalectomized rats was three times that in control animals. In this condition also, histochemical staining showed G6PDH activity to be increased in both macula densa and distal tubules. This demonstrates an increase in G6PHD in two completely different experimental conditions and suggests that the distal renal tubule in the rat might operate in functional unity with the macula densa.", "PMID": 634419} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10150", "title": "Renal tubular sodium and water excretion in antibiotic-induced nephrotoxicity. Renal function in antibiotic nephrotoxicity.", "content": "Clearance techniques were used to evaluate renal tubular sodium and water excretion in 4 patients with antibiotic-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Creatinine clearances and maximal urine flow rates of patients with ARF (22.6 and 5.23 ml/min, respectively) were significantly lower than control values during hypotonic volume expansion (125.5 and 13.71 ml/min, respectively, both p less than 0.01). During the period of maximal hydration, fractional sodium excretion (CNa/Ccr) and maximal urine osmolality (11.4% and 171 mosm/kg H2O, respectively) were increased compared to controls (1.04% and 53 mosm/kg H2O, respectively, both p less than 0.05). The increased CNa/Ccr observed in patients with ARF was consistent with reduced proximal sodium reabsorption as reflected by increased (CH2O + CNa)/Ccr and reduced fractional distal sodium reabsorption as indicated by decreased CH2O/(CH2O + CNa). The reduction in proximal and distal sodium reabsorption cannot be explained on the basis of an osmotic effect of urea as fractional clearances of BUN (CBUN/Ccr) were similar in patients with ARF and controls.", "contents": "Renal tubular sodium and water excretion in antibiotic-induced nephrotoxicity. Renal function in antibiotic nephrotoxicity. Clearance techniques were used to evaluate renal tubular sodium and water excretion in 4 patients with antibiotic-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Creatinine clearances and maximal urine flow rates of patients with ARF (22.6 and 5.23 ml/min, respectively) were significantly lower than control values during hypotonic volume expansion (125.5 and 13.71 ml/min, respectively, both p less than 0.01). During the period of maximal hydration, fractional sodium excretion (CNa/Ccr) and maximal urine osmolality (11.4% and 171 mosm/kg H2O, respectively) were increased compared to controls (1.04% and 53 mosm/kg H2O, respectively, both p less than 0.05). The increased CNa/Ccr observed in patients with ARF was consistent with reduced proximal sodium reabsorption as reflected by increased (CH2O + CNa)/Ccr and reduced fractional distal sodium reabsorption as indicated by decreased CH2O/(CH2O + CNa). The reduction in proximal and distal sodium reabsorption cannot be explained on the basis of an osmotic effect of urea as fractional clearances of BUN (CBUN/Ccr) were similar in patients with ARF and controls.", "PMID": 634420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10151", "title": "[1st hospital admissions and deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in the Warsaw population].", "content": "On the basis of an analysis of documentation from hospital the annual rate of first admissions for cerebrovascular disturbances was assessed in the population of the city district of Warsaw. The total rate was 123/100 000, including 22 for subarachnoid and cerebral haemorrhage. The rate was highest in the age group over 70 years (1162/100 000). The annual average death rate caused by these disease was 94/100 000. In the first month after admission 41% of patients died (including 77% with the diagnosis of cerebral haemorrhage) and during 6 months 52% died. The diagnosis of cerebrovascular disturbances was mentioned in only about 75% of death certificates of patients dying within one month from admission. In the Wrasaw population the annual rate of first admission and average annual death rate were on the average 1.5 times higher than the mean values for the whole country. Difficulties with the use of medical documentation for epidemiological studies are discussed.", "contents": "[1st hospital admissions and deaths from cerebrovascular diseases in the Warsaw population]. On the basis of an analysis of documentation from hospital the annual rate of first admissions for cerebrovascular disturbances was assessed in the population of the city district of Warsaw. The total rate was 123/100 000, including 22 for subarachnoid and cerebral haemorrhage. The rate was highest in the age group over 70 years (1162/100 000). The annual average death rate caused by these disease was 94/100 000. In the first month after admission 41% of patients died (including 77% with the diagnosis of cerebral haemorrhage) and during 6 months 52% died. The diagnosis of cerebrovascular disturbances was mentioned in only about 75% of death certificates of patients dying within one month from admission. In the Wrasaw population the annual rate of first admission and average annual death rate were on the average 1.5 times higher than the mean values for the whole country. Difficulties with the use of medical documentation for epidemiological studies are discussed.", "PMID": 634422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10152", "title": "[Arachnoid cyst of the cauda equina: a contribution to the etiology of coccygodynia].", "content": "The authors report a case of arachnoid cyst of cauda equina with severe chronic coccygodynia. The value of radioculography in the diagnosis of this condition is pointed out. Resection of the cyst abolished coccygodynia completely and permanently. No case of arachnoid cyst causing coccygodynia has been found in the available literature.", "contents": "[Arachnoid cyst of the cauda equina: a contribution to the etiology of coccygodynia]. The authors report a case of arachnoid cyst of cauda equina with severe chronic coccygodynia. The value of radioculography in the diagnosis of this condition is pointed out. Resection of the cyst abolished coccygodynia completely and permanently. No case of arachnoid cyst causing coccygodynia has been found in the available literature.", "PMID": 634424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10153", "title": "[Electromyographic studies in a rare case of periodic muscular rigidity with spontaneous rest activity].", "content": "The results of EMG investigations with pharmacological and functional tests are reported in a rare case of periodic muscular rigidity with spontaneous activity at rest mainly in shouldergirdle muscle. The aetiology of the syndrome is unknown.", "contents": "[Electromyographic studies in a rare case of periodic muscular rigidity with spontaneous rest activity]. The results of EMG investigations with pharmacological and functional tests are reported in a rare case of periodic muscular rigidity with spontaneous activity at rest mainly in shouldergirdle muscle. The aetiology of the syndrome is unknown.", "PMID": 634423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10154", "title": "[Somatic types of patients with multiple sclerosis].", "content": "In 129 patients with multiple sclerosis (61 men and 68 women) anthropometric measurements were taken and 5 somatic indices calculated. The types of somatic constitution and the so-called somatic composition were determined using the method of reference points of Wanke. The results were compared with those in a control group representing the Polish population and with a group of patients with psoriasis. The usual male patient with multiple sclerosis was of athletic-pyknic constitution with very strongly expressed (in relation to the control group) features of dysplastic type (A). The typical male individual from the control group had pyknic-athletic constitution. The typical female patient with multiple sclerosis had leptosomic-dysplastic constitution, while the typical control female was leptosomic-pyknic. Male and female patients with multiple sclerosis had the hyperbrachycephalic skull configuration while the control group was branchycephalic. There was no difference between controls and patients with multiple sclerosis with regard to blood groups A1, A2, B, O and Rh.", "contents": "[Somatic types of patients with multiple sclerosis]. In 129 patients with multiple sclerosis (61 men and 68 women) anthropometric measurements were taken and 5 somatic indices calculated. The types of somatic constitution and the so-called somatic composition were determined using the method of reference points of Wanke. The results were compared with those in a control group representing the Polish population and with a group of patients with psoriasis. The usual male patient with multiple sclerosis was of athletic-pyknic constitution with very strongly expressed (in relation to the control group) features of dysplastic type (A). The typical male individual from the control group had pyknic-athletic constitution. The typical female patient with multiple sclerosis had leptosomic-dysplastic constitution, while the typical control female was leptosomic-pyknic. Male and female patients with multiple sclerosis had the hyperbrachycephalic skull configuration while the control group was branchycephalic. There was no difference between controls and patients with multiple sclerosis with regard to blood groups A1, A2, B, O and Rh.", "PMID": 634428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10155", "title": "[Activity of various lysosomal hydrolases in peripheral blood granulocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis].", "content": "The activity of acid phosphatase, acid and neutral proteases in the serum, white blood cells and lysosomal granules and in the supernatant of the lysosomal fraction of peripheral blood granulocytes was determined in 33 patients with multiple sclerosis. The control group included 20 clinically unaffected subjects. A rise in the activity of neutral proteases in white blood cells was demonstrated at the time of multiple sclerosis exacerbations and a fall in the activity of these enzymes in lysosomal granules with its simultaneous rise in the supernatant of the lysosomal fraction of granulocytes was observed.", "contents": "[Activity of various lysosomal hydrolases in peripheral blood granulocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis]. The activity of acid phosphatase, acid and neutral proteases in the serum, white blood cells and lysosomal granules and in the supernatant of the lysosomal fraction of peripheral blood granulocytes was determined in 33 patients with multiple sclerosis. The control group included 20 clinically unaffected subjects. A rise in the activity of neutral proteases in white blood cells was demonstrated at the time of multiple sclerosis exacerbations and a fall in the activity of these enzymes in lysosomal granules with its simultaneous rise in the supernatant of the lysosomal fraction of granulocytes was observed.", "PMID": 634429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10156", "title": "[Preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of L-dopa with prolonged action (Medidopa retard) as compared to conventional L-dopa preparation].", "content": "The therapeutic effectiveness of a L-DOPA preparation of sustained action was established in 9 patients with parkinsonism on the basis of a neurological parkinsonism scale and Northwestern University Disability Scale. The investigations were carried out by the method of cross test with conventional L-DOPA preparation (Larodopa). In these investigations no higher effectiveness of the retard form was shown. Side effects during administration of the retard form were more frequent and more intense than during administration of the conventional drug.", "contents": "[Preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of L-dopa with prolonged action (Medidopa retard) as compared to conventional L-dopa preparation]. The therapeutic effectiveness of a L-DOPA preparation of sustained action was established in 9 patients with parkinsonism on the basis of a neurological parkinsonism scale and Northwestern University Disability Scale. The investigations were carried out by the method of cross test with conventional L-DOPA preparation (Larodopa). In these investigations no higher effectiveness of the retard form was shown. Side effects during administration of the retard form were more frequent and more intense than during administration of the conventional drug.", "PMID": 634431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10157", "title": "[Levels of ammonia in patients with stroke].", "content": "The authors determined peripheral-blood ammonia level in patients with cerebral strokes. The determinations were done by the method of Konitzer et al. on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days of the disease. The results of determinations were subjected to statistical analysis with the t test of Student. It was found that the mean serum ammonia level in patients with cerebral stroke on the 1st day of the disease was higher than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant. The level of ammonia in the blood of patients with cerebral haemorrhage was significantly higher on the 1st day of the disease than in patients with encephalomalacia. The difference was statistically significant with error probability of 0.05.", "contents": "[Levels of ammonia in patients with stroke]. The authors determined peripheral-blood ammonia level in patients with cerebral strokes. The determinations were done by the method of Konitzer et al. on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days of the disease. The results of determinations were subjected to statistical analysis with the t test of Student. It was found that the mean serum ammonia level in patients with cerebral stroke on the 1st day of the disease was higher than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant. The level of ammonia in the blood of patients with cerebral haemorrhage was significantly higher on the 1st day of the disease than in patients with encephalomalacia. The difference was statistically significant with error probability of 0.05.", "PMID": 634430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10158", "title": "[Varicosity of the lower part of the vertebral canal].", "content": "In a group of 300 patients with the diagnosis of lumbar nucleus pulposus prolapse treated surgically the authors found in 4 cases not the expected prolapse but varicose blood vessels surrounding the nerve roots and immobilizing them in adhesions. In another 5 patients vertebral canal varicosities were associated with nucleus pulposus prolapse. None of these cases of vertebral canal varicosities had been diagnosed before operation since the clinical state of these patients was not significantly different from the state of patients with nucleus prolapse and radiculography failed to supply sufficient diagnostic data or suggested presence of small prolapse. An auxiliary diagnostic finding in cases of vertebral canal varices may be frequent association of spinal anomalies (in 3/4 of the observed cases) and obesity (in 2/3 of cases). Surgical decompression of vertebral canal and liberation of roots from adhesions without excision or ligation of varicose veins gave good therapeutic results.", "contents": "[Varicosity of the lower part of the vertebral canal]. In a group of 300 patients with the diagnosis of lumbar nucleus pulposus prolapse treated surgically the authors found in 4 cases not the expected prolapse but varicose blood vessels surrounding the nerve roots and immobilizing them in adhesions. In another 5 patients vertebral canal varicosities were associated with nucleus pulposus prolapse. None of these cases of vertebral canal varicosities had been diagnosed before operation since the clinical state of these patients was not significantly different from the state of patients with nucleus prolapse and radiculography failed to supply sufficient diagnostic data or suggested presence of small prolapse. An auxiliary diagnostic finding in cases of vertebral canal varices may be frequent association of spinal anomalies (in 3/4 of the observed cases) and obesity (in 2/3 of cases). Surgical decompression of vertebral canal and liberation of roots from adhesions without excision or ligation of varicose veins gave good therapeutic results.", "PMID": 634433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10159", "title": "[Lumbosacral tumors of the vertebral canal simulating prolapse of the nucleus pulposus].", "content": "The authors analyzed the signs and clinical data from the preoperative period in 39 patients with tumours of the conus terminalis and cauda equina. Most patients had been treated for a long time for lumbar discopathy with sciatic pains. Most symptoms and neurological signs were in many cases suggestive rather of lumbar disc prolapse than spinal tumour. Radiological examinations of the spine failed in a overwhelming majority of cases to provide clues for correct diagnosis, only the type of tendon jerks loss, results of Queckenstedt's test and protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested spinal tumor as a cause of the disease. Contract radiological examination of the vertebral canal gave definite answer in all cases.", "contents": "[Lumbosacral tumors of the vertebral canal simulating prolapse of the nucleus pulposus]. The authors analyzed the signs and clinical data from the preoperative period in 39 patients with tumours of the conus terminalis and cauda equina. Most patients had been treated for a long time for lumbar discopathy with sciatic pains. Most symptoms and neurological signs were in many cases suggestive rather of lumbar disc prolapse than spinal tumour. Radiological examinations of the spine failed in a overwhelming majority of cases to provide clues for correct diagnosis, only the type of tendon jerks loss, results of Queckenstedt's test and protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested spinal tumor as a cause of the disease. Contract radiological examination of the vertebral canal gave definite answer in all cases.", "PMID": 634435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10160", "title": "[Combined treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin and antibiotics for severe postoperative meningitis (author's transl)].", "content": "Incidence of postoperative meningitis by gram-negative bacilli infection, so called \"opportunistic infections\", has recently increased in the neurosurgical field. The opportunistic infection is caused by suppression of the host's immunity and consequently limitation of the host defense mechanisms. Based on the results obtained from 4 cases of postoperative severe meningitis presented here, the authors concluded as follows: 1) Special care must be taken for intrathecal injection of antibiotics because of causing paralytic ileus, convulsion and paraparesis of the lower limbs. 2) The combined use of intravenous immunoglobulin (Gamma-Venin) and antibiotics produced potentiated effects. Accordingly, the amplification of the host's immunity is of major importance for the treatment of severe meningitis. 3) Using immunoadherence hemagglutination test of patient's CSF and the serum, it is considerably easier to determine whether or not to withdraw antibiotics.", "contents": "[Combined treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin and antibiotics for severe postoperative meningitis (author's transl)]. Incidence of postoperative meningitis by gram-negative bacilli infection, so called \"opportunistic infections\", has recently increased in the neurosurgical field. The opportunistic infection is caused by suppression of the host's immunity and consequently limitation of the host defense mechanisms. Based on the results obtained from 4 cases of postoperative severe meningitis presented here, the authors concluded as follows: 1) Special care must be taken for intrathecal injection of antibiotics because of causing paralytic ileus, convulsion and paraparesis of the lower limbs. 2) The combined use of intravenous immunoglobulin (Gamma-Venin) and antibiotics produced potentiated effects. Accordingly, the amplification of the host's immunity is of major importance for the treatment of severe meningitis. 3) Using immunoadherence hemagglutination test of patient's CSF and the serum, it is considerably easier to determine whether or not to withdraw antibiotics.", "PMID": 634442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10161", "title": "[Familial gliomas].", "content": "As a contribution to the present discussion on genetic determination of gliomas two cases of gliomas in father and son are reported. Familial occurrence of gliomas suggests a possible role of genetic factors in the development of intracranial gliomas.", "contents": "[Familial gliomas]. As a contribution to the present discussion on genetic determination of gliomas two cases of gliomas in father and son are reported. Familial occurrence of gliomas suggests a possible role of genetic factors in the development of intracranial gliomas.", "PMID": 634436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10162", "title": "[Blood-brain barrier disorders and changes in intracranial pressure in cats with surgical brain wound following sudded brain decompression].", "content": "The condition of the blood-brain barrier and changes in intracranial pressure were studied in cats with surgical brain wounds and after sudded decompression. It was found that evident disturbances of the barrier function appeared only 48 hours after removal of brain tissue and were affecting mainly the white matter. Sudden decompression led to disturbances of blood-brain function when it was proceded by at least 2 hours of epidural compression. Changes developed in the cortex and basal ganglia. After 48 hours from tissue removal a significant rise of pressure was observed in the cisterna magna to a mean value of 11.5 mm Hg. Decompression caused a fall of cerebrospinal pressure, often below zero, and this was followed by a rise to values significantly exceeding the level before decompression.", "contents": "[Blood-brain barrier disorders and changes in intracranial pressure in cats with surgical brain wound following sudded brain decompression]. The condition of the blood-brain barrier and changes in intracranial pressure were studied in cats with surgical brain wounds and after sudded decompression. It was found that evident disturbances of the barrier function appeared only 48 hours after removal of brain tissue and were affecting mainly the white matter. Sudden decompression led to disturbances of blood-brain function when it was proceded by at least 2 hours of epidural compression. Changes developed in the cortex and basal ganglia. After 48 hours from tissue removal a significant rise of pressure was observed in the cisterna magna to a mean value of 11.5 mm Hg. Decompression caused a fall of cerebrospinal pressure, often below zero, and this was followed by a rise to values significantly exceeding the level before decompression.", "PMID": 634432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10163", "title": "[Supraventricular subarachnoid cysts].", "content": "Five patients with supraventricular subarachnoid cysts are described. In most patients epilepsy was the presenting sign. Cerebral angiography showed in all cases only an avascular lesion and and the correct diagnosis was established only during the operation. In only one case recurrent filling of the cyst was observed.", "contents": "[Supraventricular subarachnoid cysts]. Five patients with supraventricular subarachnoid cysts are described. In most patients epilepsy was the presenting sign. Cerebral angiography showed in all cases only an avascular lesion and and the correct diagnosis was established only during the operation. In only one case recurrent filling of the cyst was observed.", "PMID": 634434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10164", "title": "[Case of chronic cerebrospinal memningitis with lymphocytic-monocytic reaction].", "content": "A case of cerebrospinal meningitis was observed with persistence of cerebrospinal fluid changes during 24 months of follow up. The changes had a lymphocytic-monocytic character with pleocytosis ranging from 49 to 1500/mm3. The course of the disease was mild with meningeal signs occurring only periodically. Despite very long duration of the inflammatory process no signs of nervous system damage were observed and the general condition of the patient was good. The investigations performed failed to explain the aetiology of the disease.", "contents": "[Case of chronic cerebrospinal memningitis with lymphocytic-monocytic reaction]. A case of cerebrospinal meningitis was observed with persistence of cerebrospinal fluid changes during 24 months of follow up. The changes had a lymphocytic-monocytic character with pleocytosis ranging from 49 to 1500/mm3. The course of the disease was mild with meningeal signs occurring only periodically. Despite very long duration of the inflammatory process no signs of nervous system damage were observed and the general condition of the patient was good. The investigations performed failed to explain the aetiology of the disease.", "PMID": 634437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10165", "title": "[Intracranial surgery under hemodialysis (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of pituitary adenoma operated on under hemodialysis was reported. The patient was a 43-year-old male who had been obliged to hemodialysis since April 1975 because of chronic renal failure. He was admitted in February 21, 1976 because of progressive visual symptoms. Neurological examination revealed decreased visual acuity and bitemporal hemianopsia. Radiology showed enlarged sella turcica and calcified mass in the suprasellar region. Laboratory examination disclosed severe anemia and the operation was postponed until the hematocrit improved up to 39% by blood transfusion. The operation was performed in March 17, 1976 under conventional GOF anesthesia. The tumor was covered by a calcified capsule and after nibbling off the calcified covering, the tumor was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Peritoneal dialysis was continued for three days immediately after operation. Urinary volume of the patient increased up to 600 ml per day after operation, probably due to the postoperative diabetes insipidus. The diabetes insipidus was rather favorable sequela in this case because the patient was released from the severe restriction of water intake.", "contents": "[Intracranial surgery under hemodialysis (author's transl)]. A case of pituitary adenoma operated on under hemodialysis was reported. The patient was a 43-year-old male who had been obliged to hemodialysis since April 1975 because of chronic renal failure. He was admitted in February 21, 1976 because of progressive visual symptoms. Neurological examination revealed decreased visual acuity and bitemporal hemianopsia. Radiology showed enlarged sella turcica and calcified mass in the suprasellar region. Laboratory examination disclosed severe anemia and the operation was postponed until the hematocrit improved up to 39% by blood transfusion. The operation was performed in March 17, 1976 under conventional GOF anesthesia. The tumor was covered by a calcified capsule and after nibbling off the calcified covering, the tumor was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Peritoneal dialysis was continued for three days immediately after operation. Urinary volume of the patient increased up to 600 ml per day after operation, probably due to the postoperative diabetes insipidus. The diabetes insipidus was rather favorable sequela in this case because the patient was released from the severe restriction of water intake.", "PMID": 634444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10166", "title": "[Case of epidural tuberculosis of the vertebral canal].", "content": "A patient aged 16 years was admitted to a neurological departement for flaccid paresis of lower extremities. Contrast radiological examination demonstrated obliteration of the vertebral canal between Th12 and L3, without coexistent changes in the bone parts of the vertebral column on plain films. During the operation a tumour situated epidurally and compressing the dural sac posteriorly and laterally from both sides at the level Th12--L3 was removed. Histological examination of the excised tumour showed presence of a chronic inflammatory process with presence of granulation tissue of probably tuberculous character. The tuberculous aetiology of the disease was confirmed by development of cold abscess in the postoperative scar 2 months after the operation. Neurological, neurosurgical and antituberculous treatment led to complete cure with return of normal neurosurgical status. The patient has been followed up for 5 years.", "contents": "[Case of epidural tuberculosis of the vertebral canal]. A patient aged 16 years was admitted to a neurological departement for flaccid paresis of lower extremities. Contrast radiological examination demonstrated obliteration of the vertebral canal between Th12 and L3, without coexistent changes in the bone parts of the vertebral column on plain films. During the operation a tumour situated epidurally and compressing the dural sac posteriorly and laterally from both sides at the level Th12--L3 was removed. Histological examination of the excised tumour showed presence of a chronic inflammatory process with presence of granulation tissue of probably tuberculous character. The tuberculous aetiology of the disease was confirmed by development of cold abscess in the postoperative scar 2 months after the operation. Neurological, neurosurgical and antituberculous treatment led to complete cure with return of normal neurosurgical status. The patient has been followed up for 5 years.", "PMID": 634438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10167", "title": "[Unilateral exophthalmos caused by organized hematoma of the orbit--report of a case (author's transl)].", "content": "The authors reported a case with unilateral proptosis of over ten years' duration due to organized hematoma of the orbit. It has generally been accepted that any given hemorrhage within the orbit can be resolved in a relatively short period of time. Persistent intraorbital hematoma, therefore, in the form of organized hematoma is very unusual in incidence and has been reported very few in the literature. Our patient presented himself with a ten-and-several-year history of unilateral exophthalmos, limited ocular movement and decreased visual acuity on the involved side. There was no specific symptom when compared with the other intraorbital tumors. Total resection of the tumor was performed through transcranial frontozygomatic approach. Histopathologic examination revealed evidence of organized hematoma without definite sources of bleeding such as microangioma, microaneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Retrospective review of history failed to uncover episodes of hemorrhagic tendency or direct trauma to the head or the orbit. Subsequently a diagnosis of spontaneous organized hematoma was made. Great emphasis was laid on the fact that CT-scan was one of the most useful diagnostic tools. Our surgical approach was introduced and discussed.", "contents": "[Unilateral exophthalmos caused by organized hematoma of the orbit--report of a case (author's transl)]. The authors reported a case with unilateral proptosis of over ten years' duration due to organized hematoma of the orbit. It has generally been accepted that any given hemorrhage within the orbit can be resolved in a relatively short period of time. Persistent intraorbital hematoma, therefore, in the form of organized hematoma is very unusual in incidence and has been reported very few in the literature. Our patient presented himself with a ten-and-several-year history of unilateral exophthalmos, limited ocular movement and decreased visual acuity on the involved side. There was no specific symptom when compared with the other intraorbital tumors. Total resection of the tumor was performed through transcranial frontozygomatic approach. Histopathologic examination revealed evidence of organized hematoma without definite sources of bleeding such as microangioma, microaneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Retrospective review of history failed to uncover episodes of hemorrhagic tendency or direct trauma to the head or the orbit. Subsequently a diagnosis of spontaneous organized hematoma was made. Great emphasis was laid on the fact that CT-scan was one of the most useful diagnostic tools. Our surgical approach was introduced and discussed.", "PMID": 634446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10168", "title": "[Atypical case of the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome].", "content": "The authors report a case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome during cervical zoster in the C2--C4 area. The case reserves attention in view of the fact that facial nerve paralysis and paralysis of both parts of the right acoustic nerve occurred as a second exacerbation of the disease 16 days after the onset. Permanent hearing impairment in the right ear after regression of facial nerve paralysis and paralysis of the vestibular part of the acoustic nerve were also exceptionally rare signs.", "contents": "[Atypical case of the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome]. The authors report a case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome during cervical zoster in the C2--C4 area. The case reserves attention in view of the fact that facial nerve paralysis and paralysis of both parts of the right acoustic nerve occurred as a second exacerbation of the disease 16 days after the onset. Permanent hearing impairment in the right ear after regression of facial nerve paralysis and paralysis of the vestibular part of the acoustic nerve were also exceptionally rare signs.", "PMID": 634439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10169", "title": "Amipaque myelography without late adhesive arachnoid changes.", "content": "Sixty-three myelographies were performed with Amipaque. Remyelography after an interval of longer than 2 months showed that in one case there was progression of an arachnoiditis which had already been present during the first Amipaque study. In one other case there were minimal, unilateral nerve root changes caused by an intervening operation. Altogether 269 remyelographies without secondary late reactions are registered. Two cases of increased arachnoid changes from a previous myelography with another contrast medium hardly can be due to Amipaque.", "contents": "Amipaque myelography without late adhesive arachnoid changes. Sixty-three myelographies were performed with Amipaque. Remyelography after an interval of longer than 2 months showed that in one case there was progression of an arachnoiditis which had already been present during the first Amipaque study. In one other case there were minimal, unilateral nerve root changes caused by an intervening operation. Altogether 269 remyelographies without secondary late reactions are registered. Two cases of increased arachnoid changes from a previous myelography with another contrast medium hardly can be due to Amipaque.", "PMID": 634468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10170", "title": "Occlusion of the intradural vertebrobasilar artery.", "content": "The diagnosis of occlusion of the intradural vertebrobasilar artery (OIDVBA) was made by means of cerebral angiography in 22 patients. The clinical presentation, course and followup were studied in conjunction with the angiographic findings in each case and the following conclusions made. OIDVBA is not rare. It occurs one-fourth as often as occlusion of the carotid artery. The correct diagnosis is not made clinically before angiography in the majority of patients. Complete visualization of the neck and intracranial vasculature is necessary to document the occlusion. Atherosclerotic thrombosis is the most common type of occlusive lesion. The most common predisposing factors are atherosclerosis, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and developmental vertebrobasilar hypoplasia. Most patients with occlusion are in the 7th and 8th decades of life and transient attacks of vertebrobasilar ischemia precede the occlusion in one-half of the cases. Emboli usually lodge in the terminal portion of the basilar artery whereas thrombotic occlusions tend not to be located in a characteristic segment. A majority of patients diagnosed angiographically survive their OIDVBA, but most distal occlusions result in death, often following several weeks of coma. In the surviving majority, disturbance of gait, impairment of vision, and symptoms of transient vertebrobasilar ischemia are the most common sequelae.", "contents": "Occlusion of the intradural vertebrobasilar artery. The diagnosis of occlusion of the intradural vertebrobasilar artery (OIDVBA) was made by means of cerebral angiography in 22 patients. The clinical presentation, course and followup were studied in conjunction with the angiographic findings in each case and the following conclusions made. OIDVBA is not rare. It occurs one-fourth as often as occlusion of the carotid artery. The correct diagnosis is not made clinically before angiography in the majority of patients. Complete visualization of the neck and intracranial vasculature is necessary to document the occlusion. Atherosclerotic thrombosis is the most common type of occlusive lesion. The most common predisposing factors are atherosclerosis, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and developmental vertebrobasilar hypoplasia. Most patients with occlusion are in the 7th and 8th decades of life and transient attacks of vertebrobasilar ischemia precede the occlusion in one-half of the cases. Emboli usually lodge in the terminal portion of the basilar artery whereas thrombotic occlusions tend not to be located in a characteristic segment. A majority of patients diagnosed angiographically survive their OIDVBA, but most distal occlusions result in death, often following several weeks of coma. In the surviving majority, disturbance of gait, impairment of vision, and symptoms of transient vertebrobasilar ischemia are the most common sequelae.", "PMID": 634467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10171", "title": "Myelography in Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome (acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy).", "content": "The Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome has been studied by lumbar myelography with watersoluble contrast media in seven cases. Abnormalities, which consisted of widening of the nerve roots and obliteration of the root sleeves, were found in three of them. It is possible that myelography accentuated the symptoms in one case while the rest tolerated the examination well.", "contents": "Myelography in Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome (acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy). The Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome has been studied by lumbar myelography with watersoluble contrast media in seven cases. Abnormalities, which consisted of widening of the nerve roots and obliteration of the root sleeves, were found in three of them. It is possible that myelography accentuated the symptoms in one case while the rest tolerated the examination well.", "PMID": 634469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10172", "title": "CT scanning for the diagnosis of the cerebrellar and spinal lesions of von Hippel-Lindau's disease.", "content": "The CT features of cerebellar lesions with von Hippel-Lindau's disease are analyzed. The use of CT scanning for associated spinal hemangioblastomas is discussed in the light of a case with a low cervical lesion. The role of computed tomography in the neuroradiological investigations is discussed.", "contents": "CT scanning for the diagnosis of the cerebrellar and spinal lesions of von Hippel-Lindau's disease. The CT features of cerebellar lesions with von Hippel-Lindau's disease are analyzed. The use of CT scanning for associated spinal hemangioblastomas is discussed in the light of a case with a low cervical lesion. The role of computed tomography in the neuroradiological investigations is discussed.", "PMID": 634470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10173", "title": "The diagnostic value of CT for radiotherapy of cerebral tumors.", "content": "The paper deals with CT followup studies on 73 patients with cerebral tumors who received radiotherapy. The value of CT for the indication of radiotherapy, for followup therapy and for the demonstration of therapeutic success are discussed. Since the cerebral tumors become visualized by means of CT in their entire extent and can be differentiated from perifocal edema, the question arises whether radiotherapy should consist of higher doses in the future. It is also suggested that the \"clinical malignancy\" may be used to compare the behavior of cerebral tumors when there is no exact histological classification. The possible histopathological effects of radiotherapy (edema, necrosis) and their demonstration by CT are discussed.", "contents": "The diagnostic value of CT for radiotherapy of cerebral tumors. The paper deals with CT followup studies on 73 patients with cerebral tumors who received radiotherapy. The value of CT for the indication of radiotherapy, for followup therapy and for the demonstration of therapeutic success are discussed. Since the cerebral tumors become visualized by means of CT in their entire extent and can be differentiated from perifocal edema, the question arises whether radiotherapy should consist of higher doses in the future. It is also suggested that the \"clinical malignancy\" may be used to compare the behavior of cerebral tumors when there is no exact histological classification. The possible histopathological effects of radiotherapy (edema, necrosis) and their demonstration by CT are discussed.", "PMID": 634471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10174", "title": "The effect of position of patient on the passage of metrizamide (Amipaque), meglumine locarmate (Dimer X) and ioserinate (Myelografin) into the blood after lumbar myelography.", "content": "Lumbar myelography was carried out with the contrast media Amipaque, Dimer X and Myelografin in 10 patients each. Five of the patients treated with each contrast medium were kept in a sitting position after the examination, the others lay flat. Blood levels and excretion were measured up to 24 h. The results are interpreted as follows: 1. After lumbar injection of the contrast media there is a short phase of distribution in the subarachnoid space (lag time) and they then are transferred into the blood with a half-life of 3.9 +/- 2.4 h. The transport from the CSF is almost completed approximately after 24 h. The velocity of transport varies greatly between the individual patients. Watersoluble contrast media presumably flow passively with the CSF through the arachnoid villi into the venous blood. 2. The horizontal position of the patient reduces the lag time until the beginning of the actual transfer of the contrast medium. 3. The transfer of Dimer X begins somewhat later compared with Amipaque and Myelografin.", "contents": "The effect of position of patient on the passage of metrizamide (Amipaque), meglumine locarmate (Dimer X) and ioserinate (Myelografin) into the blood after lumbar myelography. Lumbar myelography was carried out with the contrast media Amipaque, Dimer X and Myelografin in 10 patients each. Five of the patients treated with each contrast medium were kept in a sitting position after the examination, the others lay flat. Blood levels and excretion were measured up to 24 h. The results are interpreted as follows: 1. After lumbar injection of the contrast media there is a short phase of distribution in the subarachnoid space (lag time) and they then are transferred into the blood with a half-life of 3.9 +/- 2.4 h. The transport from the CSF is almost completed approximately after 24 h. The velocity of transport varies greatly between the individual patients. Watersoluble contrast media presumably flow passively with the CSF through the arachnoid villi into the venous blood. 2. The horizontal position of the patient reduces the lag time until the beginning of the actual transfer of the contrast medium. 3. The transfer of Dimer X begins somewhat later compared with Amipaque and Myelografin.", "PMID": 634472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10175", "title": "Role of computed tomography in the postoperative evaluation of infantile hydrocephalus.", "content": "The value of CT for the diagnosis and followup of infantile hydrocephalus is discussed. The ventricular volume, subependymal periventricular hypodensity, sbudural hygroma or hematoma, position of catheter in the ventricles, ependymal inflammation and other occasional findings are considered.", "contents": "Role of computed tomography in the postoperative evaluation of infantile hydrocephalus. The value of CT for the diagnosis and followup of infantile hydrocephalus is discussed. The ventricular volume, subependymal periventricular hypodensity, sbudural hygroma or hematoma, position of catheter in the ventricles, ependymal inflammation and other occasional findings are considered.", "PMID": 634473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10176", "title": "Hypoglossal paralysis due to compression by a tortuous internal carotid artery in the neck.", "content": "Severe hemiatrophy of the right half of the tongue in a 22 year old patient was demonstrated to be due to compression of the hypoglossal nerve by a tortuous internal carotid artery in the neck. The nerve was trapped between an abnormal loop of the internal carotid artery and the sternocleidomastoid branch of the occipital artery. Although impairment of cranial nerve function with cases of tortuous and dilated vessels has been reported frequently, twelfth nerve palsy has never been demonstrated before.", "contents": "Hypoglossal paralysis due to compression by a tortuous internal carotid artery in the neck. Severe hemiatrophy of the right half of the tongue in a 22 year old patient was demonstrated to be due to compression of the hypoglossal nerve by a tortuous internal carotid artery in the neck. The nerve was trapped between an abnormal loop of the internal carotid artery and the sternocleidomastoid branch of the occipital artery. Although impairment of cranial nerve function with cases of tortuous and dilated vessels has been reported frequently, twelfth nerve palsy has never been demonstrated before.", "PMID": 634474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10177", "title": "Tentorial arteries arising from the external carotid artery.", "content": "Two cases illustrating an unusual connexion between the middle meningeal artery and tentorial branches, normally arising from the siphon, are reported. The significance of this anastomosis is discussed.", "contents": "Tentorial arteries arising from the external carotid artery. Two cases illustrating an unusual connexion between the middle meningeal artery and tentorial branches, normally arising from the siphon, are reported. The significance of this anastomosis is discussed.", "PMID": 634475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10178", "title": "Bilateral aneurysms of the cervical internal carotid arteries.", "content": "An unusual case of bilateral aneurysms of the internal cervical carotid arteries in a 38 year old man with right hemiplegia and aphasia is described.", "contents": "Bilateral aneurysms of the cervical internal carotid arteries. An unusual case of bilateral aneurysms of the internal cervical carotid arteries in a 38 year old man with right hemiplegia and aphasia is described.", "PMID": 634476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10179", "title": "[Current value of diagnostic laparatomy with splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease (critical evaluation of 188 cases)].", "content": "Diagnostic laparotomy with splenectomy was performed in 188 patients with Hodgkin's disease. Preoperative assessment by means of conventional methods of examination was confirmed in 118 cases (62.9%) and had to be modified in the remainder. Post-operative complications were observed in 12 cases (6.5%). One subject died of myocardial infarct. It is felt that the procedure is useful in establishing the stage of the disease and in planning treatment. It must not be applied indiscriminately, however, and is primarily useful insofar as it results in a modification of the therapeutic programme.", "contents": "[Current value of diagnostic laparatomy with splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease (critical evaluation of 188 cases)]. Diagnostic laparotomy with splenectomy was performed in 188 patients with Hodgkin's disease. Preoperative assessment by means of conventional methods of examination was confirmed in 118 cases (62.9%) and had to be modified in the remainder. Post-operative complications were observed in 12 cases (6.5%). One subject died of myocardial infarct. It is felt that the procedure is useful in establishing the stage of the disease and in planning treatment. It must not be applied indiscriminately, however, and is primarily useful insofar as it results in a modification of the therapeutic programme.", "PMID": 634486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10180", "title": "[4,000 surgical operations for calculosis of the biliary tract. II. Bilio-digestive shunts: indications and results].", "content": "Personal experience with biliodigestive derivations in calculosis of the principal bile way is reported. The operating technique is presented and indications and results discussed. It is concluded that biliodigestive anastomosis must be carried out with an appropriate technique and in the presence of particular bile duct lesions, primarily choledochic ectasia.", "contents": "[4,000 surgical operations for calculosis of the biliary tract. II. Bilio-digestive shunts: indications and results]. Personal experience with biliodigestive derivations in calculosis of the principal bile way is reported. The operating technique is presented and indications and results discussed. It is concluded that biliodigestive anastomosis must be carried out with an appropriate technique and in the presence of particular bile duct lesions, primarily choledochic ectasia.", "PMID": 634488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10181", "title": "[Use of physical therapy in the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcer].", "content": "The causes of bedsores and their complications are described, along with the preventive and surgical, medical and physiotherapeutic measures used in their treatment. Personal experience with an association of drugs and physiotherapy in 21 cases is reported and the modalities employed are described in detail. The advantages offered by the association in the way of simplicity and satisfacory results are explained.", "contents": "[Use of physical therapy in the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcer]. The causes of bedsores and their complications are described, along with the preventive and surgical, medical and physiotherapeutic measures used in their treatment. Personal experience with an association of drugs and physiotherapy in 21 cases is reported and the modalities employed are described in detail. The advantages offered by the association in the way of simplicity and satisfacory results are explained.", "PMID": 634494} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10182", "title": "[Long-term treatment of arterial hypertension with propranolol. Combination with diuretics and dihydrazinophthalazine].", "content": "The effect of long-term treatment of hypertension with propranolol, alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide and/or dihydralazine, was investigated in 93 patients with various types of hypertension. Normalisation of the B. P. was obtained within two-four weeks of treatment with propranolol alone in all cases with mild hypertension, and in 77% and 44% of moderate and severe forms respectively. These percentages were even higher when propranolol was employed with hydrochlorothiazide and/or dihydralazine. The rationale of this combination and the mechanism of the hypotensive effect of propranolol are discussed. The drug was well tolerated; major side effects did not occur.", "contents": "[Long-term treatment of arterial hypertension with propranolol. Combination with diuretics and dihydrazinophthalazine]. The effect of long-term treatment of hypertension with propranolol, alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide and/or dihydralazine, was investigated in 93 patients with various types of hypertension. Normalisation of the B. P. was obtained within two-four weeks of treatment with propranolol alone in all cases with mild hypertension, and in 77% and 44% of moderate and severe forms respectively. These percentages were even higher when propranolol was employed with hydrochlorothiazide and/or dihydralazine. The rationale of this combination and the mechanism of the hypotensive effect of propranolol are discussed. The drug was well tolerated; major side effects did not occur.", "PMID": 634495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10183", "title": "[Nodule of ectopic hepatic parenchyma in the wall of the gallbladder].", "content": "A case of ectopic hepatic parenchyma in the wall of the gall bladder, independent of the remaining hepatic parenchyma, is reported. The node presented fairly advanced differentiation features in grossly lobular structures and biliary architecture.", "contents": "[Nodule of ectopic hepatic parenchyma in the wall of the gallbladder]. A case of ectopic hepatic parenchyma in the wall of the gall bladder, independent of the remaining hepatic parenchyma, is reported. The node presented fairly advanced differentiation features in grossly lobular structures and biliary architecture.", "PMID": 634489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10184", "title": "[Scroto-perineal gas gangrene. Etiopathogenetic aspects and therapeutic prospects].", "content": "A case of scrotoperineal gas gangrene is presented. This condition is discussed as an expression of anaerobic infection and both old and new views as to its aetiopathogenesis are described. Treatment has been potentiated by the introduction of clindamycin and other particularly active drugs. It is felt that cultures should be directed to the detection of both anaerobic and aerobic germs, since the former have shown a recent tendency to reappear as causes of infection.", "contents": "[Scroto-perineal gas gangrene. Etiopathogenetic aspects and therapeutic prospects]. A case of scrotoperineal gas gangrene is presented. This condition is discussed as an expression of anaerobic infection and both old and new views as to its aetiopathogenesis are described. Treatment has been potentiated by the introduction of clindamycin and other particularly active drugs. It is felt that cultures should be directed to the detection of both anaerobic and aerobic germs, since the former have shown a recent tendency to reappear as causes of infection.", "PMID": 634496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10185", "title": "[Treatment of hepatic artery aneurysms].", "content": "A case of aneurysm of the hepatic artery associated with aneurysm of the abdominal artery in fissuration is discussed. The indications, possibilities and limits of exclusion or removal of the aneurysm without reconstructing the main artery axis in the treatment of cases involving the hepatic artery are examined in the hight of the reported case and modern views concerning the physiopathology of the hepatic circulation.", "contents": "[Treatment of hepatic artery aneurysms]. A case of aneurysm of the hepatic artery associated with aneurysm of the abdominal artery in fissuration is discussed. The indications, possibilities and limits of exclusion or removal of the aneurysm without reconstructing the main artery axis in the treatment of cases involving the hepatic artery are examined in the hight of the reported case and modern views concerning the physiopathology of the hepatic circulation.", "PMID": 634490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10186", "title": "[Neurinosarcoma of Vater's papilla. Apropos of a case].", "content": "Neurinosarcoma of Vater's ampulla is rarely observed. A case is presented in which the tumour did not occlude the ampulla and was thus detected intraoperatively. The head of the duodenum and the pancreas were ablated. Histological examination showed a fasciculated neoformation, in which the individual fasciculi ran parallel to or crossed each other. The nuclei displayed distinct atypical pictures. The little cytoplasm there was could only be clearly made out in areas involved in oedematous dissociation.", "contents": "[Neurinosarcoma of Vater's papilla. Apropos of a case]. Neurinosarcoma of Vater's ampulla is rarely observed. A case is presented in which the tumour did not occlude the ampulla and was thus detected intraoperatively. The head of the duodenum and the pancreas were ablated. Histological examination showed a fasciculated neoformation, in which the individual fasciculi ran parallel to or crossed each other. The nuclei displayed distinct atypical pictures. The little cytoplasm there was could only be clearly made out in areas involved in oedematous dissociation.", "PMID": 634491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10187", "title": "[Morgagni-Larrey hernia (2 personal cases)].", "content": "Morgagni-Larrey hernia is a rare diaphragmatic form whose time of onset is almost impossible to determine. Its symptoms, if any, are not easy to interpret. A standing X-ray of the chest is the only way in which its presence may be suspected and diagnosis must be confirmed by the use of contrast media. Abdominal or thoracic surgery is mandatory, even in symptom-free cases. The choice of route will be determined by the facts of the case and the patient's age. The clinical picture observed in two personal cases and their treatment are described.", "contents": "[Morgagni-Larrey hernia (2 personal cases)]. Morgagni-Larrey hernia is a rare diaphragmatic form whose time of onset is almost impossible to determine. Its symptoms, if any, are not easy to interpret. A standing X-ray of the chest is the only way in which its presence may be suspected and diagnosis must be confirmed by the use of contrast media. Abdominal or thoracic surgery is mandatory, even in symptom-free cases. The choice of route will be determined by the facts of the case and the patient's age. The clinical picture observed in two personal cases and their treatment are described.", "PMID": 634492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10188", "title": "[Use of lactulose in the treatment of chronic renal failure].", "content": "The effectiveness and tolerance of lactulose were studied in 15 patients suffereing from terminal chronic renal insufficiency under conservative treatment with hypoproteic diet. The drug was administered in doses such that 2-4 soft faeces discharges were obtained daily and in most cases led to an increase in the feeling of wellbeing, a reduction in arterial pressure, a reduction in potassiaemia and frequently in azotaemia, with no change in residual renal function.", "contents": "[Use of lactulose in the treatment of chronic renal failure]. The effectiveness and tolerance of lactulose were studied in 15 patients suffereing from terminal chronic renal insufficiency under conservative treatment with hypoproteic diet. The drug was administered in doses such that 2-4 soft faeces discharges were obtained daily and in most cases led to an increase in the feeling of wellbeing, a reduction in arterial pressure, a reduction in potassiaemia and frequently in azotaemia, with no change in residual renal function.", "PMID": 634497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10189", "title": "[The Roux-en-Y jejunal loop in extrahepatic bilio-digestive anastomoses. Technic, indications and early complications in 101 cases].", "content": "Personal experience with Roux's Y loop in 101 cases in which bilio-jejunal anastomosis was performed for mechanical icterus of malignant (66 cases) and benign (35 cases) origin is described. It is felt that this operation does not present particular technical difficulties. End-to-end anastomosis is preferable. While bilio-duodenal and bilio-jejunal anastomoses are both sound practice, Roux's Y loop offers greater possibilities of application.", "contents": "[The Roux-en-Y jejunal loop in extrahepatic bilio-digestive anastomoses. Technic, indications and early complications in 101 cases]. Personal experience with Roux's Y loop in 101 cases in which bilio-jejunal anastomosis was performed for mechanical icterus of malignant (66 cases) and benign (35 cases) origin is described. It is felt that this operation does not present particular technical difficulties. End-to-end anastomosis is preferable. While bilio-duodenal and bilio-jejunal anastomoses are both sound practice, Roux's Y loop offers greater possibilities of application.", "PMID": 634493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10190", "title": "[Echographic possibilities in surgical lesions of infancy].", "content": "The possibilities of applying ultrasound diagnosis techniques to the morphological and structural study of the soft tissues in infant surgical pathology have been examined. The technique's objective features mean that it is reliable in between 98 and 100% of cases of solid and cystic lesion identification and differentiation. In the further differentiation of solid lesions, such diagnostic accuracy may be limited by the operator's subjective experience and, objectively, by the dimensions of the lesions. Possibilities for application include thyroid, thoracic and abdominal pathology in preoperative diagnosis, postoperative control and in the monitoring of antineoplastic chemo- and radiotherapy. The peculiar features of the technique, i.e. its harmlessness and thus easy repeatibility, atraumaticity, and time and cost economy, are considered and it is concluded that it can be usefully employed on an extensive basis in the various field of infant surgical pathology, in view of the fact that other investigations always present some degree of risk and danger.", "contents": "[Echographic possibilities in surgical lesions of infancy]. The possibilities of applying ultrasound diagnosis techniques to the morphological and structural study of the soft tissues in infant surgical pathology have been examined. The technique's objective features mean that it is reliable in between 98 and 100% of cases of solid and cystic lesion identification and differentiation. In the further differentiation of solid lesions, such diagnostic accuracy may be limited by the operator's subjective experience and, objectively, by the dimensions of the lesions. Possibilities for application include thyroid, thoracic and abdominal pathology in preoperative diagnosis, postoperative control and in the monitoring of antineoplastic chemo- and radiotherapy. The peculiar features of the technique, i.e. its harmlessness and thus easy repeatibility, atraumaticity, and time and cost economy, are considered and it is concluded that it can be usefully employed on an extensive basis in the various field of infant surgical pathology, in view of the fact that other investigations always present some degree of risk and danger.", "PMID": 634501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10191", "title": "[Pulmonary bone-marrow embolism. Analysis of 53 cases].", "content": "The medical record and the lung sections were reviewed in 53 autoptic cases with pulmonary bone marrow embolism. In 31 cases the emboli could be ascribed to external cardiac massage, in one case to accident; in the other cases a definite aetiologic factor was lacking. The number of the emboli was largely variable from one section to another and sometimes very high (up to 16). The pulmonary bone marrow embolism has probably a clinical significance particularly when the underlying condition is severe.", "contents": "[Pulmonary bone-marrow embolism. Analysis of 53 cases]. The medical record and the lung sections were reviewed in 53 autoptic cases with pulmonary bone marrow embolism. In 31 cases the emboli could be ascribed to external cardiac massage, in one case to accident; in the other cases a definite aetiologic factor was lacking. The number of the emboli was largely variable from one section to another and sometimes very high (up to 16). The pulmonary bone marrow embolism has probably a clinical significance particularly when the underlying condition is severe.", "PMID": 634502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10192", "title": "[Epidemiological study on the dissemination of healthy carriers of Staphylococcus aureus in the hospital environment].", "content": "A study was made of the kitchen staff of the M. Malpighi Hospital of Bologna to identify healthy carriers of staphylococcus aureus. It was isolated in 19 out of 104 people, a frequency of 18.2%. Sensitivity tests to the commonest antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs carried out on the isolated strains of staphylococcus aureus showed average percentages fluctuating between 31.5% for penicillin to 88.5% for cephalosporin.", "contents": "[Epidemiological study on the dissemination of healthy carriers of Staphylococcus aureus in the hospital environment]. A study was made of the kitchen staff of the M. Malpighi Hospital of Bologna to identify healthy carriers of staphylococcus aureus. It was isolated in 19 out of 104 people, a frequency of 18.2%. Sensitivity tests to the commonest antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs carried out on the isolated strains of staphylococcus aureus showed average percentages fluctuating between 31.5% for penicillin to 88.5% for cephalosporin.", "PMID": 634503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10193", "title": "[Echography in the diagnosis of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta].", "content": "The principles of echography and its technique are briefly explanded, and 8 personal cases examined for suspected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta are presented. Correct and accurate diagnosis was obtained in cases. In 1 case, aortography was also performed, though its findings were less clear. It is felt that the applications of echography can usefully be extended to the screening, diagnosis and control of this form.", "contents": "[Echography in the diagnosis of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]. The principles of echography and its technique are briefly explanded, and 8 personal cases examined for suspected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta are presented. Correct and accurate diagnosis was obtained in cases. In 1 case, aortography was also performed, though its findings were less clear. It is felt that the applications of echography can usefully be extended to the screening, diagnosis and control of this form.", "PMID": 634504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10194", "title": "[Direct radioimmunological determination of plasma CEA in 1704 patients].", "content": "An original technique for the direct radioimmunological measurement of plasma CEA has been prepared. Compared to the other in use, this has the advantage of a very low incidence of false positivity. 1704 patients make up the series: the percentage of positivity in 247 suffering from gastroenteric adenocarcinoma was 66.8%, in 60 with lung cancer 30%, in 243 with malignant tumours in various sites 7.4%, in 199 with chronic liver diseases 29.6% while in 598 cases of other non-neoplastic diseases it was only 2.5%. 212 patients who underwent radical surgery for gastroenteric adenocarcinoma were also followed up and the test provided early diagnosis of the clinical re-onset of the neoplastic lesion. It is considered that plasma CEA measurement represents a useful aid to the clinician althouth it cannot be employed at present to screen gastroenteric adenocarcinomas.", "contents": "[Direct radioimmunological determination of plasma CEA in 1704 patients]. An original technique for the direct radioimmunological measurement of plasma CEA has been prepared. Compared to the other in use, this has the advantage of a very low incidence of false positivity. 1704 patients make up the series: the percentage of positivity in 247 suffering from gastroenteric adenocarcinoma was 66.8%, in 60 with lung cancer 30%, in 243 with malignant tumours in various sites 7.4%, in 199 with chronic liver diseases 29.6% while in 598 cases of other non-neoplastic diseases it was only 2.5%. 212 patients who underwent radical surgery for gastroenteric adenocarcinoma were also followed up and the test provided early diagnosis of the clinical re-onset of the neoplastic lesion. It is considered that plasma CEA measurement represents a useful aid to the clinician althouth it cannot be employed at present to screen gastroenteric adenocarcinomas.", "PMID": 634505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10195", "title": "[Pheochromocytoma with hypotension. Study of an unusual clinical case].", "content": "A case of pheochromocytoma marked by clinostatic hypotensive crises and otherwise normal or low blood pressure is described. The aetiopathogenetic explanations put forward by other workers are cited and a deductive reconstruction is made of the clinical course.", "contents": "[Pheochromocytoma with hypotension. Study of an unusual clinical case]. A case of pheochromocytoma marked by clinostatic hypotensive crises and otherwise normal or low blood pressure is described. The aetiopathogenetic explanations put forward by other workers are cited and a deductive reconstruction is made of the clinical course.", "PMID": 634506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10196", "title": "[Prepyloric annular diaphragm in the adult].", "content": "A case of prepyloric myo-mucosal annular diaphragm in a 47-yr-old woman with a 4-month history of subocclusion is presented. A \"distal hourglass\" gastric deformity was present, along with gastritis and marked spasm. The case is included in a survey of the recent literature and classed as a transitional form lying between ring diaphragm and annular hypoplasic stenosis of the antrum.", "contents": "[Prepyloric annular diaphragm in the adult]. A case of prepyloric myo-mucosal annular diaphragm in a 47-yr-old woman with a 4-month history of subocclusion is presented. A \"distal hourglass\" gastric deformity was present, along with gastritis and marked spasm. The case is included in a survey of the recent literature and classed as a transitional form lying between ring diaphragm and annular hypoplasic stenosis of the antrum.", "PMID": 634507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10197", "title": "The workinghman's diet. II. Effect of weight reduction in obese patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia and hyperlipidemia.", "content": "Weight reduction is almost always successful in cases of essential hypertension if and when the weight loss is accompanied by a drastic sodium reduction. (2) Weight normalization is of remarkable help in complete reversal of abnormal glucose tolerance, decrease in insulin requirement in manifest diabetes mellitus, and - in many patients with mild diabetes - discontinuation of oral hypoglycemic agents. (3) Weight loss will occasionally relieve gout patients of their symptoms. The majority of hyperuricemic patients will benefit with a lowering of serum uric acid levels. (4) An unresolved issue is the influence of weight reduction on the cholesterol metabolism - short- and long-term results are by no means predictable. Whereas the triglycerides in obese patients almost always return to lower serum concentrations, and with them the hyperlipoproteinemias of type IIB, III and IV, the type IIA is only rarely seen in association with obesity. Therefore, information on this lipid abnormality is very limited regarding the effect of weight loss.", "contents": "The workinghman's diet. II. Effect of weight reduction in obese patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia and hyperlipidemia. Weight reduction is almost always successful in cases of essential hypertension if and when the weight loss is accompanied by a drastic sodium reduction. (2) Weight normalization is of remarkable help in complete reversal of abnormal glucose tolerance, decrease in insulin requirement in manifest diabetes mellitus, and - in many patients with mild diabetes - discontinuation of oral hypoglycemic agents. (3) Weight loss will occasionally relieve gout patients of their symptoms. The majority of hyperuricemic patients will benefit with a lowering of serum uric acid levels. (4) An unresolved issue is the influence of weight reduction on the cholesterol metabolism - short- and long-term results are by no means predictable. Whereas the triglycerides in obese patients almost always return to lower serum concentrations, and with them the hyperlipoproteinemias of type IIB, III and IV, the type IIA is only rarely seen in association with obesity. Therefore, information on this lipid abnormality is very limited regarding the effect of weight loss.", "PMID": 634508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10198", "title": "Plasma placental lactogen in pregnancy.", "content": "Plasma placental lactogen (HPL) and urinary oestrogen levels were investigated in pregnant women belonging to low and high socio-economic groups. Plasma HPL levels increased progressively with increasing gestation in women of both the socio-economic groups. The mean values in the two groups were not statistically different at any period of gestation. No correlation was observed between the birth weight of the infant and the maternal plasma placental lactogen levels at term. A positive correlation was observed between urinary oestrogen excretion and plasma HPL concentration.", "contents": "Plasma placental lactogen in pregnancy. Plasma placental lactogen (HPL) and urinary oestrogen levels were investigated in pregnant women belonging to low and high socio-economic groups. Plasma HPL levels increased progressively with increasing gestation in women of both the socio-economic groups. The mean values in the two groups were not statistically different at any period of gestation. No correlation was observed between the birth weight of the infant and the maternal plasma placental lactogen levels at term. A positive correlation was observed between urinary oestrogen excretion and plasma HPL concentration.", "PMID": 634509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10199", "title": "Effect of dietary wheat gluten in lipid metabolism in growing rats.", "content": "The effect of dietary wheat gluten on liver and spleen lipogenesis in rats was studied in vitro and in vivo. Weanling rats were fed for 2 or 3 weeks an experimental diet containing wheat gluten as the only protein source and compared to other rats fed a casein control diet. Rats fed gluten showed enhanced in vitro lipogenesis as measured by conversion of (1(-14) C)-acetate into liver and spleen lipids. These results indicated that the gluten-fed rats had a significantly higher hepatic capacity than the control rats to synthesize all lipid classes. On the other hand, the in vivo study of hepatic lipogenesis showed smaller differences between the group fed gluten and that fed casein. This suggests that the accumulation of lipids in fatty livers of gluten-fed rats is mostly due to increased rate of biosynthesis and not a result of impairment in the lipids' transport system. In the spleens of the gluten-fed groups, the enhanced in vitro lipogenesis was also found in vivo, indicating that accumulation of lipids in fatty spleens may be a result of biosynthesis only, with no other effects that can take place in vivo.", "contents": "Effect of dietary wheat gluten in lipid metabolism in growing rats. The effect of dietary wheat gluten on liver and spleen lipogenesis in rats was studied in vitro and in vivo. Weanling rats were fed for 2 or 3 weeks an experimental diet containing wheat gluten as the only protein source and compared to other rats fed a casein control diet. Rats fed gluten showed enhanced in vitro lipogenesis as measured by conversion of (1(-14) C)-acetate into liver and spleen lipids. These results indicated that the gluten-fed rats had a significantly higher hepatic capacity than the control rats to synthesize all lipid classes. On the other hand, the in vivo study of hepatic lipogenesis showed smaller differences between the group fed gluten and that fed casein. This suggests that the accumulation of lipids in fatty livers of gluten-fed rats is mostly due to increased rate of biosynthesis and not a result of impairment in the lipids' transport system. In the spleens of the gluten-fed groups, the enhanced in vitro lipogenesis was also found in vivo, indicating that accumulation of lipids in fatty spleens may be a result of biosynthesis only, with no other effects that can take place in vivo.", "PMID": 634511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10200", "title": "Substrate specificity of enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of ionic alkoxylipids from alcohols.", "content": "An equimolar mixture of homologous saturated alcohols (13:0, 15:0, 17:0, 19:0) and an equimolar mixture of vinylogous alcohols (19:0, 19:1, 19:2) were fed to two groups of rats. All of the odd-numbered alcohols were incorporated into the ionic alkoxylipids of the rats' small intestine. Pronounced quantitative differences in the distribution of the various odd-numbered alkyl and alk-1-enyl moieties of choline phosphoglycerides and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides gave evidence to differences in the specificity of the enzyme system catalyzing the biosynthesis of alkoxylipids from long-chain alcohols.", "contents": "Substrate specificity of enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of ionic alkoxylipids from alcohols. An equimolar mixture of homologous saturated alcohols (13:0, 15:0, 17:0, 19:0) and an equimolar mixture of vinylogous alcohols (19:0, 19:1, 19:2) were fed to two groups of rats. All of the odd-numbered alcohols were incorporated into the ionic alkoxylipids of the rats' small intestine. Pronounced quantitative differences in the distribution of the various odd-numbered alkyl and alk-1-enyl moieties of choline phosphoglycerides and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides gave evidence to differences in the specificity of the enzyme system catalyzing the biosynthesis of alkoxylipids from long-chain alcohols.", "PMID": 634512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10201", "title": "Effect of a dietary rapeseed protein concentrate on the contents of alpha-tocopherol and zinc in serum, liver and tibia of rats.", "content": "In order to study the effects of a dietary rapeseed protein concentrate (RPC) on tocopherol and zinc levels in serum, liver and tibia, female rats were fed a tocopherol-reduced diet for a 3-week period and were then transferred to either of a RPC diet or a control diet containing casein at 20% levels of protein. No unfavourable effects on food intakes or weight gains were recorded. The serum zinc content of the RPC group was slightly reduced and the serum tocopherol values significantly lowered in comparison to the control group. Zinc and tocopherol contents of the livers were not changed. Precipitation of sera by dextran sulphate in the presence of calcium ions indicated a reduced level of low density lipoproteins in rats fed RPC diet. In a second experiment, male and female rats were fed diets containing 10% of protein derived either from RPC or casein. Low zinc contents of tibiae indicated a low biological availability of the zinc present in the RPC diet. Rats on RPC diet also showed reduced levels of tocopherol in serum. Despite a lowered zinc status in rats fed RPC diet there was no reduction in food intake, weight gain or growth of tibia in these groups.", "contents": "Effect of a dietary rapeseed protein concentrate on the contents of alpha-tocopherol and zinc in serum, liver and tibia of rats. In order to study the effects of a dietary rapeseed protein concentrate (RPC) on tocopherol and zinc levels in serum, liver and tibia, female rats were fed a tocopherol-reduced diet for a 3-week period and were then transferred to either of a RPC diet or a control diet containing casein at 20% levels of protein. No unfavourable effects on food intakes or weight gains were recorded. The serum zinc content of the RPC group was slightly reduced and the serum tocopherol values significantly lowered in comparison to the control group. Zinc and tocopherol contents of the livers were not changed. Precipitation of sera by dextran sulphate in the presence of calcium ions indicated a reduced level of low density lipoproteins in rats fed RPC diet. In a second experiment, male and female rats were fed diets containing 10% of protein derived either from RPC or casein. Low zinc contents of tibiae indicated a low biological availability of the zinc present in the RPC diet. Rats on RPC diet also showed reduced levels of tocopherol in serum. Despite a lowered zinc status in rats fed RPC diet there was no reduction in food intake, weight gain or growth of tibia in these groups.", "PMID": 634513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10202", "title": "Development of digestive enzymes in the piglet from birth to 8 weeks. I. Pancreas and pancreatic enzymes.", "content": "The development of pancreatic tissue (fresh weight, total proteins, RNA and DNA) and of the level of pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase) of the piglet has been followed from birth to the age of 8 weeks in 10 animals at each of 7 stages. There was an increase with age and body weight of the total fresh weight of the exocrine pancreas. From birth until 4 weeks the development of the pancreatic gland was due to hyperplasia; from the 4th week till the 8th week of age, it was due both to hyperplasia and hypertrophy. There was a specific period, at the age of 3--4 weeks, from which total enzymatic activities markedly increased. Furthermore, from the 4th week of age there was a rise in the intake of total dietary proteins, fat and carbohydrates, due to the intake of solid food.", "contents": "Development of digestive enzymes in the piglet from birth to 8 weeks. I. Pancreas and pancreatic enzymes. The development of pancreatic tissue (fresh weight, total proteins, RNA and DNA) and of the level of pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase) of the piglet has been followed from birth to the age of 8 weeks in 10 animals at each of 7 stages. There was an increase with age and body weight of the total fresh weight of the exocrine pancreas. From birth until 4 weeks the development of the pancreatic gland was due to hyperplasia; from the 4th week till the 8th week of age, it was due both to hyperplasia and hypertrophy. There was a specific period, at the age of 3--4 weeks, from which total enzymatic activities markedly increased. Furthermore, from the 4th week of age there was a rise in the intake of total dietary proteins, fat and carbohydrates, due to the intake of solid food.", "PMID": 634514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10203", "title": "Polyglycolic acid sutures in cataract and extraocular muscle surgery.", "content": "Dexon was used as suture material in 26 cases of cataract surgery and in 46 cases of extraocular muscle surgery. It is better than chromic catgut in muscle surgery, since it produces less conjunctival irritation and no granulomas. In cataract surgery, on the contrary, it causes a pronounced irritation of the anterior segment and rather ofter a severe uveitis, probably because the sutures are external.", "contents": "Polyglycolic acid sutures in cataract and extraocular muscle surgery. Dexon was used as suture material in 26 cases of cataract surgery and in 46 cases of extraocular muscle surgery. It is better than chromic catgut in muscle surgery, since it produces less conjunctival irritation and no granulomas. In cataract surgery, on the contrary, it causes a pronounced irritation of the anterior segment and rather ofter a severe uveitis, probably because the sutures are external.", "PMID": 634555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10204", "title": "Cytology of the superficial keratinised cells in experimental keratitis sicca.", "content": "Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was produced in 2 rabbits by the surgical extirpation of the tear-secreting glands and the nictitating membrane in one eye. Flat mounts of the superficial corneal epithelium were prepared by the in vivo replica technique. Histomorphological and cytological studies of the keratinised cells showed the irregularly arranged, crumpled and piled-up cells. The cells contained coarse granular and fibrillar material in the cytoplasm and large granules in the nuclei. The reaction for -S-S- bridges was positive in these cells. They showed birefringence under polarisation microscopy but possessed some ribonucleoproteins.", "contents": "Cytology of the superficial keratinised cells in experimental keratitis sicca. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was produced in 2 rabbits by the surgical extirpation of the tear-secreting glands and the nictitating membrane in one eye. Flat mounts of the superficial corneal epithelium were prepared by the in vivo replica technique. Histomorphological and cytological studies of the keratinised cells showed the irregularly arranged, crumpled and piled-up cells. The cells contained coarse granular and fibrillar material in the cytoplasm and large granules in the nuclei. The reaction for -S-S- bridges was positive in these cells. They showed birefringence under polarisation microscopy but possessed some ribonucleoproteins.", "PMID": 634556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10205", "title": "[Acute ischemia of the optic nerve (with a color plate)].", "content": "Casuistic report of a severe bilateral ischaemia of the optic nerve (vascular optic atrophy, right eye; ischaemic oedema of the disc, left eye) of a 63-year-old woman, suffering from ulcera cruris. Tumor cerebri (for example, a classical Foster Kennedy syndrome) had to be excluded because the result of a computer tomography of the brain was 'Questionable pathologic process in the frontal lobe'. The following neurologic and neuroradiologic investigations were negative. Patient's age, extreme rise of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, dysproteinaemia, raised serum alkaline phosphatase level and aspect of the disease justified the diagnosis 'giant-cell arteritis', notwithstanding the negative histopathologic result of a biopsy of the temporal artery and regular ophthalmodynamography. Therapy was internal application of prednisolone, Cosaldon retard (later Card-Cosaldon). There was a rise of vision of the left eye to 0.4.", "contents": "[Acute ischemia of the optic nerve (with a color plate)]. Casuistic report of a severe bilateral ischaemia of the optic nerve (vascular optic atrophy, right eye; ischaemic oedema of the disc, left eye) of a 63-year-old woman, suffering from ulcera cruris. Tumor cerebri (for example, a classical Foster Kennedy syndrome) had to be excluded because the result of a computer tomography of the brain was 'Questionable pathologic process in the frontal lobe'. The following neurologic and neuroradiologic investigations were negative. Patient's age, extreme rise of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, dysproteinaemia, raised serum alkaline phosphatase level and aspect of the disease justified the diagnosis 'giant-cell arteritis', notwithstanding the negative histopathologic result of a biopsy of the temporal artery and regular ophthalmodynamography. Therapy was internal application of prednisolone, Cosaldon retard (later Card-Cosaldon). There was a rise of vision of the left eye to 0.4.", "PMID": 634557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10206", "title": "Diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly.", "content": "A study was made of diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly. 10 of 15 patients with acromegaly had diabetes mellitus, and 3 of the 10 showed diabetic retinopathy. 2 of them had a diabetic family history. 1 patient with a diabetic family history had retinopathy of state IIIa in Scott's classification, and the other 2 showed a few microaneurysms and/or punctate hemorrhages in the macula. Diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly showed no correlation with the duration of acromegaly and diabetes mellitus, age, or growth hormone level. No diabetic cataract was found in the present series. It was concluded that diabetic retinopathy due to secondary diabetes mellitus is usually slight or moderate. Diabetes mellitus with severe retinopathy is probably primary diabetes due to a genetic defect, and secondary diabetes may be different in nature from the primary disease.", "contents": "Diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly. A study was made of diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly. 10 of 15 patients with acromegaly had diabetes mellitus, and 3 of the 10 showed diabetic retinopathy. 2 of them had a diabetic family history. 1 patient with a diabetic family history had retinopathy of state IIIa in Scott's classification, and the other 2 showed a few microaneurysms and/or punctate hemorrhages in the macula. Diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in acromegaly showed no correlation with the duration of acromegaly and diabetes mellitus, age, or growth hormone level. No diabetic cataract was found in the present series. It was concluded that diabetic retinopathy due to secondary diabetes mellitus is usually slight or moderate. Diabetes mellitus with severe retinopathy is probably primary diabetes due to a genetic defect, and secondary diabetes may be different in nature from the primary disease.", "PMID": 634558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10207", "title": "Monolateral vitelline dystrophy with unusual EOG findings.", "content": "An unusual case of monolateral vitelline dystrophy is reported. The EOG, which at first was normal in both eyes, successively became abnormal in the affected eye and subnormal in the apparently healthy eye. The value and the actual limits of the EOG are discussed to allow a better understanding of the origin and pathogenesis of the disease.", "contents": "Monolateral vitelline dystrophy with unusual EOG findings. An unusual case of monolateral vitelline dystrophy is reported. The EOG, which at first was normal in both eyes, successively became abnormal in the affected eye and subnormal in the apparently healthy eye. The value and the actual limits of the EOG are discussed to allow a better understanding of the origin and pathogenesis of the disease.", "PMID": 634559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10208", "title": "Congenital malformations of the retinal vessels with primary optic nerve involvement.", "content": "3 cases with various degrees of racemose hemangiomata of the retinal vessels are described, in whom the optic nerve showed primary involvement. The vascular malformation ranged from multiple arteriovenous shunts (2 cases) to marked vascular tortuosity, and the optic nerve showed involvement that varied from severe hypoplasia with blindness, to normal appearance with campimetric enlargement of the blind spot. The combined malformation must be placed at the 110-mm embryonic stage, and the tissue primarily involved is the vascular tree branching from the developing central retinal artery at the end of the 4th month. The vascular anomaly, in turn, causes underdevelopment of optic nerve tissue and involvement of the bony orbit.", "contents": "Congenital malformations of the retinal vessels with primary optic nerve involvement. 3 cases with various degrees of racemose hemangiomata of the retinal vessels are described, in whom the optic nerve showed primary involvement. The vascular malformation ranged from multiple arteriovenous shunts (2 cases) to marked vascular tortuosity, and the optic nerve showed involvement that varied from severe hypoplasia with blindness, to normal appearance with campimetric enlargement of the blind spot. The combined malformation must be placed at the 110-mm embryonic stage, and the tissue primarily involved is the vascular tree branching from the developing central retinal artery at the end of the 4th month. The vascular anomaly, in turn, causes underdevelopment of optic nerve tissue and involvement of the bony orbit.", "PMID": 634560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10209", "title": "[Irisangiography of rubeosis iridis].", "content": "In 66 patients with a rubeosis iridis due to diabetes mellitus (25), old central retinal vein occlusion (22), long-standing secondary angle-closure glaucoma (6), total old retinal detachment (3) and chronic uveitis (10), iris angiography was performed. Typical angiographical findings were found in some of the cases. One can differentiate the different modes of formation of the new vessels; angiographically, rubeosis iridis is never a congestion of preexisting vessels but rather an active vascular proliferation which is always permeable to fluorescein.", "contents": "[Irisangiography of rubeosis iridis]. In 66 patients with a rubeosis iridis due to diabetes mellitus (25), old central retinal vein occlusion (22), long-standing secondary angle-closure glaucoma (6), total old retinal detachment (3) and chronic uveitis (10), iris angiography was performed. Typical angiographical findings were found in some of the cases. One can differentiate the different modes of formation of the new vessels; angiographically, rubeosis iridis is never a congestion of preexisting vessels but rather an active vascular proliferation which is always permeable to fluorescein.", "PMID": 634561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10210", "title": "The extracapsular cataract extraction without phacoemulsification.", "content": "The advantage of a planned extracapsular cataract extraction is that the intact posterior capsule holds the vitreous face in a more physiologic position. The extracapsular method has been improved by newer techniques and a good result has been made more certain by the following: a large microscopically controlled capsulectomy with the irrigating cystotome, aspiration of the cortex while the wound is secured with sutures, and the use of the irrigating sand-blasted cannula when indicated. The indications for the extracapsular extraction have increased because there is a greater certainty of obtaining a clear pupil with less change of secondary inflamation. These indications and the newer technique are discussed in the body of the paper.", "contents": "The extracapsular cataract extraction without phacoemulsification. The advantage of a planned extracapsular cataract extraction is that the intact posterior capsule holds the vitreous face in a more physiologic position. The extracapsular method has been improved by newer techniques and a good result has been made more certain by the following: a large microscopically controlled capsulectomy with the irrigating cystotome, aspiration of the cortex while the wound is secured with sutures, and the use of the irrigating sand-blasted cannula when indicated. The indications for the extracapsular extraction have increased because there is a greater certainty of obtaining a clear pupil with less change of secondary inflamation. These indications and the newer technique are discussed in the body of the paper.", "PMID": 634563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10211", "title": "Intraocular lenses--current status.", "content": "An attempt is made to depolarize current positions regarding intraocular implant lens surgery by presenting a reasonable list of advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. A current position on this controversial subject is presented and is based on currently available knowledge. Although this is a personal view, it is hoped that a middle ground can be created which would be acceptable to advocates and opponents of lens implant surgery.", "contents": "Intraocular lenses--current status. An attempt is made to depolarize current positions regarding intraocular implant lens surgery by presenting a reasonable list of advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. A current position on this controversial subject is presented and is based on currently available knowledge. Although this is a personal view, it is hoped that a middle ground can be created which would be acceptable to advocates and opponents of lens implant surgery.", "PMID": 634564} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10212", "title": "Prolonged-wear contact lenses in aphakia.", "content": "While prolonged wear of contact lenses is possible for the aphakic patient, careful consideration must be given to patient selection and to the potential complications of such use. Currently available lenses are far from ideal and, if used at all, must be carefully monitored. The newer lenses, specifically designed for extended wear, more closely fit our needs. Several manufacturers are testing their devices under strict FDA supervision. FDA guidelines dictate a minimum of two years follow-up before a determination will be made as to which lenses are safe and effective enough for prolonged wear in aphakic eyes.", "contents": "Prolonged-wear contact lenses in aphakia. While prolonged wear of contact lenses is possible for the aphakic patient, careful consideration must be given to patient selection and to the potential complications of such use. Currently available lenses are far from ideal and, if used at all, must be carefully monitored. The newer lenses, specifically designed for extended wear, more closely fit our needs. Several manufacturers are testing their devices under strict FDA supervision. FDA guidelines dictate a minimum of two years follow-up before a determination will be made as to which lenses are safe and effective enough for prolonged wear in aphakic eyes.", "PMID": 634565} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10213", "title": "Effects of pain-attenuating brain stimulation and morphine on electrical activity in the raphe nuclei of the awake rat.", "content": "Evoked potential and multiple unit responses to noxious shock and pinch as well as to innocuous air puffs were recorded in the dorsal raphe, median raphe and raphe magnus nuclei of awake rats. Concurrent measurements of various behavioral responses to noxious stimuli were also made. Electrical stimulation of midbrain central gray and of medial thalamus, as well as systemic administration of morphine, greatly diminished all behavioral and electrophysiological responses to noxious stimuli without reliably affecting responses to air puffs. At the same time that brain stimulation and morphine attenuated nociceptive responses, a significant elevation was seen in the spontaneous multiple unit activity of these brain areas, particularly nucleus raphe magnus. In another group of animals, a comparison was made of the analgesic effectiveness of stimulation sites in the bulbar raphe (including raphe magnus) and sites dorsal or lateral to this region. More consistently potent effects were obtained from the raphe placements. These findings point to the importance of the bulbar raphe in mechanisms of analgesia. It is suggested that brain stem stimulation and morphine administration activate descending controls of raphe origin which selectively inhibit nociceptive elements in the spinal cord.", "contents": "Effects of pain-attenuating brain stimulation and morphine on electrical activity in the raphe nuclei of the awake rat. Evoked potential and multiple unit responses to noxious shock and pinch as well as to innocuous air puffs were recorded in the dorsal raphe, median raphe and raphe magnus nuclei of awake rats. Concurrent measurements of various behavioral responses to noxious stimuli were also made. Electrical stimulation of midbrain central gray and of medial thalamus, as well as systemic administration of morphine, greatly diminished all behavioral and electrophysiological responses to noxious stimuli without reliably affecting responses to air puffs. At the same time that brain stimulation and morphine attenuated nociceptive responses, a significant elevation was seen in the spontaneous multiple unit activity of these brain areas, particularly nucleus raphe magnus. In another group of animals, a comparison was made of the analgesic effectiveness of stimulation sites in the bulbar raphe (including raphe magnus) and sites dorsal or lateral to this region. More consistently potent effects were obtained from the raphe placements. These findings point to the importance of the bulbar raphe in mechanisms of analgesia. It is suggested that brain stem stimulation and morphine administration activate descending controls of raphe origin which selectively inhibit nociceptive elements in the spinal cord.", "PMID": 634622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10214", "title": "Noxious thermal input from the rat tail: modulation by descending inhibitory influences.", "content": "In anaesthetized rats, single fibres have been dissected from the tail nerves. Fibres were found which became excited when the temperature of water surrounding the tail was raised above 40 degrees C. Firing rate increased with stepwise increases in temperature, showing first a transient outburst followed by adaptation to a static level. Corresponding neurones were also found in the dorsal horn at the entry zone of the roots coming from the tail. The cord neurones had a higher threshold temperature of 42.5--45 degrees C. When the spinal cord was reversibly blocked by cooling in the thoracic region, then the threshold of the dorsal horn neurones was reduced to that of the afferent fibres. In addition, at suprathreshold temperatures dorsal horn activity was greater during cord blockade. We conclude that dorsal horn neurones responding to noxious heating are subject to a tonic descending inhibitory control.", "contents": "Noxious thermal input from the rat tail: modulation by descending inhibitory influences. In anaesthetized rats, single fibres have been dissected from the tail nerves. Fibres were found which became excited when the temperature of water surrounding the tail was raised above 40 degrees C. Firing rate increased with stepwise increases in temperature, showing first a transient outburst followed by adaptation to a static level. Corresponding neurones were also found in the dorsal horn at the entry zone of the roots coming from the tail. The cord neurones had a higher threshold temperature of 42.5--45 degrees C. When the spinal cord was reversibly blocked by cooling in the thoracic region, then the threshold of the dorsal horn neurones was reduced to that of the afferent fibres. In addition, at suprathreshold temperatures dorsal horn activity was greater during cord blockade. We conclude that dorsal horn neurones responding to noxious heating are subject to a tonic descending inhibitory control.", "PMID": 634623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10215", "title": "Antinociception following lesion-induced hyperemotionality and conditioned fear.", "content": "Hyperemotionality and antinociception (during hyperemotional states) followed lesioning of the septal area in rats. Both of these behaviors showed parallel decreases with daily handling as well as significant positive correlations between them. Tail-flick latencies were also elevated when fear was conditioned to the environmental cues associated with the tail-flick procedure. Fear-induced antinociception trials. These results are interpreted as demonstrations of the behavioral activation of endogenous antinociceptive mechanisms and are in agreement with the postulates of centrifugal control of nociception of the gate control theory of pain.", "contents": "Antinociception following lesion-induced hyperemotionality and conditioned fear. Hyperemotionality and antinociception (during hyperemotional states) followed lesioning of the septal area in rats. Both of these behaviors showed parallel decreases with daily handling as well as significant positive correlations between them. Tail-flick latencies were also elevated when fear was conditioned to the environmental cues associated with the tail-flick procedure. Fear-induced antinociception trials. These results are interpreted as demonstrations of the behavioral activation of endogenous antinociceptive mechanisms and are in agreement with the postulates of centrifugal control of nociception of the gate control theory of pain.", "PMID": 634624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10216", "title": "Has acupuncture an analgesic effect in the rabbit?", "content": "We studied the effect of acupuncture stimulation on pain tolerance in rabbits. Painful stimulation was provided by a tungsten lamp focused on the snout. Four acupuncture points were selected: preocular, retroauricular, in the forepaw between the median and ulnar nerves and in the ears. A control series without acupuncture stimulation was also studied. Electrical stimulation was applied bilaterally through the acupuncture needles. A statistical analysis of the reaction time to the noxious stimulus demonstrated that the responses of the acupunctured animals were not significantly different from those of the controls. On the basis of operational behavioral measurements we conclude that the acupuncture procedure--as we did it--did not produce significant changes of pain tolerance in rabbits.", "contents": "Has acupuncture an analgesic effect in the rabbit? We studied the effect of acupuncture stimulation on pain tolerance in rabbits. Painful stimulation was provided by a tungsten lamp focused on the snout. Four acupuncture points were selected: preocular, retroauricular, in the forepaw between the median and ulnar nerves and in the ears. A control series without acupuncture stimulation was also studied. Electrical stimulation was applied bilaterally through the acupuncture needles. A statistical analysis of the reaction time to the noxious stimulus demonstrated that the responses of the acupunctured animals were not significantly different from those of the controls. On the basis of operational behavioral measurements we conclude that the acupuncture procedure--as we did it--did not produce significant changes of pain tolerance in rabbits.", "PMID": 634625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10217", "title": "Amniotic fluid infections with intact membranes leading to perinatal death: a prospective study.", "content": "The pathogenesis of fatal amniotic fluid infections was analyzed in a large prospective study that included more than 1,000 medical, demographic, hereditary, and postmortem variables. The disorder was the most frequent cause of death in the study, with an overall perinatal mortality of 6.17 per 1,000 births. The mortality progressively declined after mid-gestation when antimicrobial activity normally appears in the amniotic fluid. A second peak of the fatal infections, after 37 weeks' gestation, was found mainly in the poor and undernourished. Maternal gestational weight gains were suboptimal and the involved neonates had a pattern of growth retardation characteristic of undernutrition. Maternal pregnancy weight gains were positively correlated with the number of prenatal clinic visits. Mother's race, socioeconomic status, age, short stature, and number of prior unsuccessful pregnancies lost their positive association with the fatal infections when mothers made more than nine clinic visits.", "contents": "Amniotic fluid infections with intact membranes leading to perinatal death: a prospective study. The pathogenesis of fatal amniotic fluid infections was analyzed in a large prospective study that included more than 1,000 medical, demographic, hereditary, and postmortem variables. The disorder was the most frequent cause of death in the study, with an overall perinatal mortality of 6.17 per 1,000 births. The mortality progressively declined after mid-gestation when antimicrobial activity normally appears in the amniotic fluid. A second peak of the fatal infections, after 37 weeks' gestation, was found mainly in the poor and undernourished. Maternal gestational weight gains were suboptimal and the involved neonates had a pattern of growth retardation characteristic of undernutrition. Maternal pregnancy weight gains were positively correlated with the number of prenatal clinic visits. Mother's race, socioeconomic status, age, short stature, and number of prior unsuccessful pregnancies lost their positive association with the fatal infections when mothers made more than nine clinic visits.", "PMID": 634667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10218", "title": "Steady state serum digoxin concentration in relation to digitalis toxicity in neonates and infants.", "content": "Steady state serum digoxin concentrations were determined in 34 neonates and infants receiving standard maintenance doses of the drug. Digitalis intoxication, diagnosed by ECG criteria, occurred in four of 13 patients with a serum concentration above 2 ng/ml and not in any of 21 subjects with a serum digoxin concentration below this level. This association was found to be significant. It seems that the concept of increased tolerance to digoxin hitherto ascribed to infants is not tenable and that the monitoring of serum digoxin concentration is essential to treatment in this age group.", "contents": "Steady state serum digoxin concentration in relation to digitalis toxicity in neonates and infants. Steady state serum digoxin concentrations were determined in 34 neonates and infants receiving standard maintenance doses of the drug. Digitalis intoxication, diagnosed by ECG criteria, occurred in four of 13 patients with a serum concentration above 2 ng/ml and not in any of 21 subjects with a serum digoxin concentration below this level. This association was found to be significant. It seems that the concept of increased tolerance to digoxin hitherto ascribed to infants is not tenable and that the monitoring of serum digoxin concentration is essential to treatment in this age group.", "PMID": 634668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10219", "title": "Electroretinography in neonates treated with phototherapy.", "content": "Electroretinographic (ERG) studies were performed in 22 normal control newborns and 28 neonates who had had phototherapy during the first few days of life. Mean age at ERG testing was 16.8 +/- 2.9 days in the phototherapy group and 16.4 +/- 3.7 days in the control group. Results of routine funduscopy were normal in both groups. Amplitudes of a and b waves under dark- and light-adapted states were similar in both groups. Phototherapy did not appear to have deleterious effects on photopic and scotopic retinal function in infants whose eyes were adequately shielded.", "contents": "Electroretinography in neonates treated with phototherapy. Electroretinographic (ERG) studies were performed in 22 normal control newborns and 28 neonates who had had phototherapy during the first few days of life. Mean age at ERG testing was 16.8 +/- 2.9 days in the phototherapy group and 16.4 +/- 3.7 days in the control group. Results of routine funduscopy were normal in both groups. Amplitudes of a and b waves under dark- and light-adapted states were similar in both groups. Phototherapy did not appear to have deleterious effects on photopic and scotopic retinal function in infants whose eyes were adequately shielded.", "PMID": 634669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10220", "title": "Effect of phototherapy on nitrogen and electrolyte levels and water balance in jaundiced preterm infants.", "content": "Twenty-four-hour metabolic balance studies were performed in ten jaundiced preterm infants, five light-treated (phototherapy) and five controls. Each of the light-treated infants was studied twice, once during phototherapy (period I) and once 48 hours after phototherapy (period II). Control infants were similarly studied during the corresponding days. Compared to period II and control infants, during period I the light-treated infants had less weight gain. Intestinal transit time was decreased by 50%. Fecal excretion of nitrogen, sodium, and potassium was increased. Stool water loss was increased twofold to threefold with a decrease in water balance. Unmeasured water loss was increased. These studies underscore the need for careful attention to fluid and caloric supplementation during phototherapy.", "contents": "Effect of phototherapy on nitrogen and electrolyte levels and water balance in jaundiced preterm infants. Twenty-four-hour metabolic balance studies were performed in ten jaundiced preterm infants, five light-treated (phototherapy) and five controls. Each of the light-treated infants was studied twice, once during phototherapy (period I) and once 48 hours after phototherapy (period II). Control infants were similarly studied during the corresponding days. Compared to period II and control infants, during period I the light-treated infants had less weight gain. Intestinal transit time was decreased by 50%. Fecal excretion of nitrogen, sodium, and potassium was increased. Stool water loss was increased twofold to threefold with a decrease in water balance. Unmeasured water loss was increased. These studies underscore the need for careful attention to fluid and caloric supplementation during phototherapy.", "PMID": 634670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10221", "title": "Obstetric, neonatal, and psychosocial outcome of pregnant adolescents.", "content": "Obstetric, neonatal, and psychosocial outcomes were compared for 82 matched adolescents who had been pregnant, been delivered of an infant, and received health care in three sites in Rochester, New York. There were no major differences in obstetric and neonatal outcome of adolescents and their babies according to health site. Differences in outcome were expected in the psychosocial area where a specialized maternity project (Rochester Adolescent Maternity Project [RAMP]) offered more services. On follow-up two years later, school attendance and reliance on full or partial assistance were similar. Repeated pregnancy and postpartum use of contraception favored RAMP.", "contents": "Obstetric, neonatal, and psychosocial outcome of pregnant adolescents. Obstetric, neonatal, and psychosocial outcomes were compared for 82 matched adolescents who had been pregnant, been delivered of an infant, and received health care in three sites in Rochester, New York. There were no major differences in obstetric and neonatal outcome of adolescents and their babies according to health site. Differences in outcome were expected in the psychosocial area where a specialized maternity project (Rochester Adolescent Maternity Project [RAMP]) offered more services. On follow-up two years later, school attendance and reliance on full or partial assistance were similar. Repeated pregnancy and postpartum use of contraception favored RAMP.", "PMID": 634671} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10222", "title": "Sudden death in adolescence.", "content": "The majority of adolescent deaths are sudden and unexpected; of these, the great majority result from violence. These violent deaths largely accounted for the 25% increase in total adolescent mortality during the 1960s. Yet, sudden death in adolescence is not a distinct entity and receives little study from either pediatricians or pathologists. Some cases of sudden death in adolescence are puzzling and difficult to classify. The pathologist must in each case obtain a detailed history, usually perform a complete autopsy, and obtain consultation when necessary. Only then will each case be adequately studied, and related medical questions and other problems be properly resolved.", "contents": "Sudden death in adolescence. The majority of adolescent deaths are sudden and unexpected; of these, the great majority result from violence. These violent deaths largely accounted for the 25% increase in total adolescent mortality during the 1960s. Yet, sudden death in adolescence is not a distinct entity and receives little study from either pediatricians or pathologists. Some cases of sudden death in adolescence are puzzling and difficult to classify. The pathologist must in each case obtain a detailed history, usually perform a complete autopsy, and obtain consultation when necessary. Only then will each case be adequately studied, and related medical questions and other problems be properly resolved.", "PMID": 634672} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10223", "title": "Staphylococcus aureus sepsis in children with cancer.", "content": "Seventy episodes of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis occurring over a nine-year period in pediatric cancer patients are reviewed. Prominent findings at the time of diagnosis included fever, granulocytopenia, and active malignancy. Probable or suspected sites of primary infection were present in 40 episodes (57%). Serious direct complications of staphylococcal sepsis included only three cases of pneumonia and one of myositis. However, second infections by other organisms developed in 16 episodes (24%), resulting in nine nonstaphylococcal infectious deaths during therapy. Endocarditis and osteomyelitis never occurred in this group of patients. The median duration of antistaphylococcal therapy was 15 days.", "contents": "Staphylococcus aureus sepsis in children with cancer. Seventy episodes of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis occurring over a nine-year period in pediatric cancer patients are reviewed. Prominent findings at the time of diagnosis included fever, granulocytopenia, and active malignancy. Probable or suspected sites of primary infection were present in 40 episodes (57%). Serious direct complications of staphylococcal sepsis included only three cases of pneumonia and one of myositis. However, second infections by other organisms developed in 16 episodes (24%), resulting in nine nonstaphylococcal infectious deaths during therapy. Endocarditis and osteomyelitis never occurred in this group of patients. The median duration of antistaphylococcal therapy was 15 days.", "PMID": 634675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10224", "title": "Group C streptococcal surgical wound infections transmitted by an anorectal and nasal carrier.", "content": "Streptococcus equisimilis (Lancefield group C), an unusual cause of nosocomial surgical infection, was isolated from two orthopedic postoperative wound infections. Both operations had been performed by the same surgeon within a three-day period. Examination of the surgeon revealed perianal dermatitis from which S. equisimilis was isolated. The organism was also recovered from the surgeon's nose and rectum. The wound infections responded to treatment with penicillin derivatives. The surgeon was successfully treated with topical bacitracin and oral penicillin and vancomycin. This report documents the pathogenicity of the C Streptococcus in postoperative infection and suggests a possible nosocomial source of the organism.", "contents": "Group C streptococcal surgical wound infections transmitted by an anorectal and nasal carrier. Streptococcus equisimilis (Lancefield group C), an unusual cause of nosocomial surgical infection, was isolated from two orthopedic postoperative wound infections. Both operations had been performed by the same surgeon within a three-day period. Examination of the surgeon revealed perianal dermatitis from which S. equisimilis was isolated. The organism was also recovered from the surgeon's nose and rectum. The wound infections responded to treatment with penicillin derivatives. The surgeon was successfully treated with topical bacitracin and oral penicillin and vancomycin. This report documents the pathogenicity of the C Streptococcus in postoperative infection and suggests a possible nosocomial source of the organism.", "PMID": 634676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10225", "title": "Ataxia and hearing loss secondary to perilymphatic fistula.", "content": "Ataxia is rarely attributed to lesions of the peripheral vestibular system. In 1973, the first case of ataxia and hearing loss secondary to a labyrinthine fistula was reported. Until now, this syndrome has not been reported in patients under the age of 10 years. A case is presented of a 5-year-old boy with symptoms of ataxia and hearing loss as well as vertigo and tinnitus after head trauma. Three physical findings appear to be most characteristic of patients with perilymphatic fistulas: a positive fistula response, positive positional testing with the involved ear down, and evidence of vestibular ataxia when testing station and gait. The absolute diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula can only be established by exploration of the middle ear space. If a fistula is found, it may be sealed with soft tissue and, if this fails, actual stapedectomy may be required.", "contents": "Ataxia and hearing loss secondary to perilymphatic fistula. Ataxia is rarely attributed to lesions of the peripheral vestibular system. In 1973, the first case of ataxia and hearing loss secondary to a labyrinthine fistula was reported. Until now, this syndrome has not been reported in patients under the age of 10 years. A case is presented of a 5-year-old boy with symptoms of ataxia and hearing loss as well as vertigo and tinnitus after head trauma. Three physical findings appear to be most characteristic of patients with perilymphatic fistulas: a positive fistula response, positive positional testing with the involved ear down, and evidence of vestibular ataxia when testing station and gait. The absolute diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula can only be established by exploration of the middle ear space. If a fistula is found, it may be sealed with soft tissue and, if this fails, actual stapedectomy may be required.", "PMID": 634677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10226", "title": "Reevaluation of levodopa-propranolol as a test of growth hormone reserve in children.", "content": "The growth hormone (GH) reserve of 15 short children was evaluated with the levodopa-propranolol test (DPT) and the sequential arginine-insulin test (AIT). Four patients failed to respond to both tests and were classified as hyposomatotropic. In the other 11 children, the mean GH peak response to the DPT was significantly higher than that to the AIT, mainly because five subjects who had a normal response to the DPT failed to respond to the AIT. These children had a generally poor yearly growth increment prior to testing associated in three with an obvious emotional problem, and were found at follow-up to have resumed a normal growth pattern. These data confirm the effectiveness of the DPT as a test of GH reserve. Although hypoglycemia can occur occasionally during test, this procedure is safer and easier to perform than the widely used AIT. Finally, the DPT seems to detect a category of children who have a temporary growth failure and nonresponse to the usual GH tests but who are not hyposomatotropic and consequently do not require human GH.", "contents": "Reevaluation of levodopa-propranolol as a test of growth hormone reserve in children. The growth hormone (GH) reserve of 15 short children was evaluated with the levodopa-propranolol test (DPT) and the sequential arginine-insulin test (AIT). Four patients failed to respond to both tests and were classified as hyposomatotropic. In the other 11 children, the mean GH peak response to the DPT was significantly higher than that to the AIT, mainly because five subjects who had a normal response to the DPT failed to respond to the AIT. These children had a generally poor yearly growth increment prior to testing associated in three with an obvious emotional problem, and were found at follow-up to have resumed a normal growth pattern. These data confirm the effectiveness of the DPT as a test of GH reserve. Although hypoglycemia can occur occasionally during test, this procedure is safer and easier to perform than the widely used AIT. Finally, the DPT seems to detect a category of children who have a temporary growth failure and nonresponse to the usual GH tests but who are not hyposomatotropic and consequently do not require human GH.", "PMID": 634678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10227", "title": "Normal blood pressure and the evaluation of sustained blood pressure elevation in childhood: the Muscatine study.", "content": "This study describes the seated blood pressure distributions of 6,622 predominantly white schoolchildren in Muscatine, Iowa. Subjects with seated pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex or 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic were examined on repeated occasions. Approximately 13% of subjects were found to have blood pressures at these levels when first examined, but less than 1% were found to have persistent blood pressure elevations. Of 41 subjects found to have persistent blood pressure elevations, 23 were obese with relative weights in excess of 120%. Of the 18 lean subjects, 5 had secondary hypertension and 13 were considered to have essential hypertension. Mass screening of school-age children identifies many children with transient elevation of blood pressure and few with fixed high blood pressures. Children's blood pressures should be assessed during their continuing care where pressures can be measured over a period of time to identify those with fixed blood pressure elevations.", "contents": "Normal blood pressure and the evaluation of sustained blood pressure elevation in childhood: the Muscatine study. This study describes the seated blood pressure distributions of 6,622 predominantly white schoolchildren in Muscatine, Iowa. Subjects with seated pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex or 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic were examined on repeated occasions. Approximately 13% of subjects were found to have blood pressures at these levels when first examined, but less than 1% were found to have persistent blood pressure elevations. Of 41 subjects found to have persistent blood pressure elevations, 23 were obese with relative weights in excess of 120%. Of the 18 lean subjects, 5 had secondary hypertension and 13 were considered to have essential hypertension. Mass screening of school-age children identifies many children with transient elevation of blood pressure and few with fixed high blood pressures. Children's blood pressures should be assessed during their continuing care where pressures can be measured over a period of time to identify those with fixed blood pressure elevations.", "PMID": 634679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10228", "title": "HLA antigens in Kawasaki disease.", "content": "Two hundred five patients with Kawasaki disease and 500 normal controls were HLA-typed, using a standard microcytotoxicity test of tissue typing. HLA-BW22 was more common in patients with Kawasaki disease than in normal controls (25.4% instead of 11.8%, corrected P less than .0005). Among subtypes of HLA-BW22 antigen, Kawasaki disease was associated with HLA-BW22J2, which was found specifically in Japanese and not in Caucasians. These facts may suggest that there is a gene controlling the susceptibility to Kawasaki disease and linked with a Japanese-specific HLA antigen.", "contents": "HLA antigens in Kawasaki disease. Two hundred five patients with Kawasaki disease and 500 normal controls were HLA-typed, using a standard microcytotoxicity test of tissue typing. HLA-BW22 was more common in patients with Kawasaki disease than in normal controls (25.4% instead of 11.8%, corrected P less than .0005). Among subtypes of HLA-BW22 antigen, Kawasaki disease was associated with HLA-BW22J2, which was found specifically in Japanese and not in Caucasians. These facts may suggest that there is a gene controlling the susceptibility to Kawasaki disease and linked with a Japanese-specific HLA antigen.", "PMID": 634680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10229", "title": "The effect of open- vs. closed-book testing on performance on a multiple-choice examination in pediatrics.", "content": "A study was undertaken to test the effect of open- vs. closed-book testing conditions on performance on a graduate-level, multiple-choice examination in pediatrics. A group of practicing pediatricians and a group of medical students took the examination. For the practice group, no significant difference between mean scores was observed, and the correlation between scores under the two testing conditions was high. In the student group, however, the mean score was significantly higher under open-book conditions and the correlation between scores under the two testing conditions was positive but low. The mean score obtained by practitioners was significantly higher than the mean score obtained by students under both testing conditions. The effects of time limit and level of motivation were not explored in the present study.", "contents": "The effect of open- vs. closed-book testing on performance on a multiple-choice examination in pediatrics. A study was undertaken to test the effect of open- vs. closed-book testing conditions on performance on a graduate-level, multiple-choice examination in pediatrics. A group of practicing pediatricians and a group of medical students took the examination. For the practice group, no significant difference between mean scores was observed, and the correlation between scores under the two testing conditions was high. In the student group, however, the mean score was significantly higher under open-book conditions and the correlation between scores under the two testing conditions was positive but low. The mean score obtained by practitioners was significantly higher than the mean score obtained by students under both testing conditions. The effects of time limit and level of motivation were not explored in the present study.", "PMID": 634681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10230", "title": "Conservative surgery for splenic injuries.", "content": "Splenectomy for traumatic injury of the spleen has recently been questioned, due to the occurrence of postsplenectomy sepsis. During the past year we have operated on six children with splenic injuries and, by utilizing different surgical manuevers, have successfully reserved all or part of the spleen. The following report describes the management of these children and the operative techniques that allow the injured spleen to be salvaged.", "contents": "Conservative surgery for splenic injuries. Splenectomy for traumatic injury of the spleen has recently been questioned, due to the occurrence of postsplenectomy sepsis. During the past year we have operated on six children with splenic injuries and, by utilizing different surgical manuevers, have successfully reserved all or part of the spleen. The following report describes the management of these children and the operative techniques that allow the injured spleen to be salvaged.", "PMID": 634682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10231", "title": "Periorbital and orbital cellulitis in children.", "content": "The clinical and laboratory data on 87 cases of orbital and periorbital cellulitis were reviewed. Two distinct clinical presentations were encountered. One group of 45 patients had no history of trauma or apparent focus of infection. Blood cultures on these patients were positive in 34%. Haemophilus influenzae accounted for 82% of the positive blood cultures. This group of patients shares common features with children who have facial cellulitis due to H. influenzae type b. The second group consisted of 42 patients with adjacent soft tissue focus of infection. There was only one positive blood culture in this group. Staphylococcus aureus and/or group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus were isolated from conjunctival or wound exudate in the majority of these patients. Thirteen patients with orbital cellulitis were encountered among the 87 cases. These patients were older and had a higher incidence of demonstrable sinus disease when compared with the overall group. The pathophysiology of orbital and periorbital cellulitis is reviewed and an approach to the management of these disorders is formulated.", "contents": "Periorbital and orbital cellulitis in children. The clinical and laboratory data on 87 cases of orbital and periorbital cellulitis were reviewed. Two distinct clinical presentations were encountered. One group of 45 patients had no history of trauma or apparent focus of infection. Blood cultures on these patients were positive in 34%. Haemophilus influenzae accounted for 82% of the positive blood cultures. This group of patients shares common features with children who have facial cellulitis due to H. influenzae type b. The second group consisted of 42 patients with adjacent soft tissue focus of infection. There was only one positive blood culture in this group. Staphylococcus aureus and/or group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus were isolated from conjunctival or wound exudate in the majority of these patients. Thirteen patients with orbital cellulitis were encountered among the 87 cases. These patients were older and had a higher incidence of demonstrable sinus disease when compared with the overall group. The pathophysiology of orbital and periorbital cellulitis is reviewed and an approach to the management of these disorders is formulated.", "PMID": 634683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10232", "title": "Complex acid-base disorders in subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's syndrome).", "content": "This report describes a case of subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's syndrome) in a 7-month-old boy. The clinical data suggest an association with a disorder of renal tubular acidification, characterized by both (proximal) type II and (distal) type I renal tubular acidosis (hybrid type). Concomitantly, the initial uncompensated metabolic acidosis evolved into a mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis-features of this syndrome not previously reported.", "contents": "Complex acid-base disorders in subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's syndrome). This report describes a case of subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh's syndrome) in a 7-month-old boy. The clinical data suggest an association with a disorder of renal tubular acidification, characterized by both (proximal) type II and (distal) type I renal tubular acidosis (hybrid type). Concomitantly, the initial uncompensated metabolic acidosis evolved into a mixed metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis-features of this syndrome not previously reported.", "PMID": 634684} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10233", "title": "Chest physiotherapy in the neonate: a controlled study.", "content": "The effect of postural drainage alone was compared to postural drainage with chest percussions on the arterial blood gases of 20 neonates with respiratory distress. There was no significant alteration in the arterial PO2 following postural drainage alone, with a significant increase (14.5 mm Hg) following postural drainage with chest percussions. The PO2 midway through postural drainage with percussions showed a small (5 mm Hg) but nonsignificant rise in the PO2, suggesting a gradual improvement throughout the use of this form of therapy. There was no significant change in the pH or PCO2 with either procedure. Appropriately performed chest percussions will result in an improvement in oxygenation in neonates with respiratory distress.", "contents": "Chest physiotherapy in the neonate: a controlled study. The effect of postural drainage alone was compared to postural drainage with chest percussions on the arterial blood gases of 20 neonates with respiratory distress. There was no significant alteration in the arterial PO2 following postural drainage alone, with a significant increase (14.5 mm Hg) following postural drainage with chest percussions. The PO2 midway through postural drainage with percussions showed a small (5 mm Hg) but nonsignificant rise in the PO2, suggesting a gradual improvement throughout the use of this form of therapy. There was no significant change in the pH or PCO2 with either procedure. Appropriately performed chest percussions will result in an improvement in oxygenation in neonates with respiratory distress.", "PMID": 634685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10234", "title": "A case of generalized Wegener's granulomatosis in childhood: successful therapy with cyclophosphamide.", "content": "An 11-year-old white boy had Wegener's granulomatosis, a rare condition in the pediatric age group. The clinical course, pathological findings, and mode of treatment are outlined. The disease is in remission on a regimen of cyclophosphamide therapy as judged by both clinical and pathological criteria. This syndrome with protein manifestations should be considered in children with symptoms of repeated upper respiratory tract infections along with pulmonary and renal involvement. Early renal biopsy helps to establish the diagnosis of generalized involvement and to guide the course of treatment. Follow-up renal biopsies may serve as an indication for the continuation of treatment. Cytotoxic agents, especially cyclophosphamide, dramatically alter the course of the disease.", "contents": "A case of generalized Wegener's granulomatosis in childhood: successful therapy with cyclophosphamide. An 11-year-old white boy had Wegener's granulomatosis, a rare condition in the pediatric age group. The clinical course, pathological findings, and mode of treatment are outlined. The disease is in remission on a regimen of cyclophosphamide therapy as judged by both clinical and pathological criteria. This syndrome with protein manifestations should be considered in children with symptoms of repeated upper respiratory tract infections along with pulmonary and renal involvement. Early renal biopsy helps to establish the diagnosis of generalized involvement and to guide the course of treatment. Follow-up renal biopsies may serve as an indication for the continuation of treatment. Cytotoxic agents, especially cyclophosphamide, dramatically alter the course of the disease.", "PMID": 634686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10235", "title": "Gonadotropin excretion and body composition.", "content": "Urinary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) excretion was correlated with calculated total body water (TBW) and body fat (BF) in 140 normal girls and 142 normal boys, ages 3 to 16 years. In girls, there was a significant increase in gonadotropin excretion at the time of a significant increase in BF as a percent of body weight and decrease in TBW as a percent of body weight. Pubertal changes in body composition were seen in girls at the same chronological age and stage of puberty as increased gonadotropin excretion. Similar findings were observed in boys. Pubertal changes in body composition (an increase in TBW as a percent of body weight and decrease of BF as a percent of body weight) accompanied significantly increased gonadotropin excretion. Both developmental changes were seen at the same chronological age and stage of puberty. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that characteristic changes in body composition as well as the other hallmarks of puberty, including menarche in girls, result from increased gonadotropin and gonadal steroid secretion. They do not support the hypothesis that changes of body composition trigger increased hypothalamic function and hormone secretion leading to the subsequent events of puberty.", "contents": "Gonadotropin excretion and body composition. Urinary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) excretion was correlated with calculated total body water (TBW) and body fat (BF) in 140 normal girls and 142 normal boys, ages 3 to 16 years. In girls, there was a significant increase in gonadotropin excretion at the time of a significant increase in BF as a percent of body weight and decrease in TBW as a percent of body weight. Pubertal changes in body composition were seen in girls at the same chronological age and stage of puberty as increased gonadotropin excretion. Similar findings were observed in boys. Pubertal changes in body composition (an increase in TBW as a percent of body weight and decrease of BF as a percent of body weight) accompanied significantly increased gonadotropin excretion. Both developmental changes were seen at the same chronological age and stage of puberty. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that characteristic changes in body composition as well as the other hallmarks of puberty, including menarche in girls, result from increased gonadotropin and gonadal steroid secretion. They do not support the hypothesis that changes of body composition trigger increased hypothalamic function and hormone secretion leading to the subsequent events of puberty.", "PMID": 634687} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10236", "title": "On the reliability of the magnesium serum value as an indicator of body magnesium status.", "content": "The interrelationships between serum Mg and HCR, and between serum Mg and K were investigated in pigs fed on a low Mg diet. A positive dependence was found between serum Mg and HCR, and between serum Mg and K. It was concluded, that in Mg-deficient pigs, Mg ions originating from soft tissues or erythrocytes can cause an increase of serum Mg level. The serum Mg value, consequently, can not be considered as a reliable parameter indicating the body Mg status. Some difficulties in diagnosing the body Mg status and the effects of the spontaneous increase of serum Mg level on Mg deficiency symptoms were discussed.", "contents": "On the reliability of the magnesium serum value as an indicator of body magnesium status. The interrelationships between serum Mg and HCR, and between serum Mg and K were investigated in pigs fed on a low Mg diet. A positive dependence was found between serum Mg and HCR, and between serum Mg and K. It was concluded, that in Mg-deficient pigs, Mg ions originating from soft tissues or erythrocytes can cause an increase of serum Mg level. The serum Mg value, consequently, can not be considered as a reliable parameter indicating the body Mg status. Some difficulties in diagnosing the body Mg status and the effects of the spontaneous increase of serum Mg level on Mg deficiency symptoms were discussed.", "PMID": 634758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10237", "title": "On the effect of food magnesium level on the activity of BASP, ALAT, ASAT and LD in pig serum.", "content": "Studies were made to investigate the effect of food Mg level on ALAT, ASAT, LD and BASP values in pigs. The following conclusions were drawn:--a high food Mg level (0.31% in ordinary pig food) can cause an increase in serum BASP values.--leg weakness, at the primary stage, is hardly caused by disturbances in bone.--an ordinary diet low in Mg may cause an abnormal rise in ALAT values in pigs.--when feeding pigs on an ordinary diet, pigs may suffer from Mg deficiency despite the fact that the food Mg content is distinctly higher than that recommended by international norms for feeding.--a prompt lowering of food Mg level can cause a manifest increase in ASAT, LD and BASP values within 2 to 3 days in pigs. Heart and liver injuries caused by low Mg diets and the individual ability of pits to utilize magnesium were discussed.", "contents": "On the effect of food magnesium level on the activity of BASP, ALAT, ASAT and LD in pig serum. Studies were made to investigate the effect of food Mg level on ALAT, ASAT, LD and BASP values in pigs. The following conclusions were drawn:--a high food Mg level (0.31% in ordinary pig food) can cause an increase in serum BASP values.--leg weakness, at the primary stage, is hardly caused by disturbances in bone.--an ordinary diet low in Mg may cause an abnormal rise in ALAT values in pigs.--when feeding pigs on an ordinary diet, pigs may suffer from Mg deficiency despite the fact that the food Mg content is distinctly higher than that recommended by international norms for feeding.--a prompt lowering of food Mg level can cause a manifest increase in ASAT, LD and BASP values within 2 to 3 days in pigs. Heart and liver injuries caused by low Mg diets and the individual ability of pits to utilize magnesium were discussed.", "PMID": 634759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10238", "title": "[Glucose tolerance test in children of diabetic mothers. Evaluation from birth to twelve years of age (author's transl)].", "content": "Twenty-five children born of 23 diabetic mothers, 17 of whom were treated with insulin, underwent glucose tolerance tests with estimation of blood insulin levels. These tests were performed on a regular basis before the age of five years, then every two years. Blood glucose and insulin disturbances were slight but appeared frequently since they were present in 56% of our cases. Our data show that blood glucose disturbances in children of diabetic mothers are more common if the diabetes of the mother suggests a maturity onset type on the basis of accompanying symptoms and treatment, and hence not insulin dependent. In this case, the chances that the child will become diabetic are much greater and this may be detected very early by a minor disturbance in the oral glucose tolerance test.", "contents": "[Glucose tolerance test in children of diabetic mothers. Evaluation from birth to twelve years of age (author's transl)]. Twenty-five children born of 23 diabetic mothers, 17 of whom were treated with insulin, underwent glucose tolerance tests with estimation of blood insulin levels. These tests were performed on a regular basis before the age of five years, then every two years. Blood glucose and insulin disturbances were slight but appeared frequently since they were present in 56% of our cases. Our data show that blood glucose disturbances in children of diabetic mothers are more common if the diabetes of the mother suggests a maturity onset type on the basis of accompanying symptoms and treatment, and hence not insulin dependent. In this case, the chances that the child will become diabetic are much greater and this may be detected very early by a minor disturbance in the oral glucose tolerance test.", "PMID": 634760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10239", "title": "[Intra-abdominal haemorrhage: control by perfusion-dialysis (author's transl)].", "content": "Puncture-dialysis has taken its place amongst emergency surgical procedures in the diagnosis of intra-abdominal haemorrhage. On the basis of experimental, theoretical and clinical considerations, it is suggested that the lavage fluid not only be left in the abdomen after diagnostic puncture-lavage, but that lavage should be continued in the form of a perfusion system, in addition to intravenous fluids in order to re-establish or maintain normal pressure levels.", "contents": "[Intra-abdominal haemorrhage: control by perfusion-dialysis (author's transl)]. Puncture-dialysis has taken its place amongst emergency surgical procedures in the diagnosis of intra-abdominal haemorrhage. On the basis of experimental, theoretical and clinical considerations, it is suggested that the lavage fluid not only be left in the abdomen after diagnostic puncture-lavage, but that lavage should be continued in the form of a perfusion system, in addition to intravenous fluids in order to re-establish or maintain normal pressure levels.", "PMID": 634761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10240", "title": "[The contribution of whole body scanning in the exploration of haematological diseases. Preliminary study of 100 patients (author's transl)].", "content": "One hundred patients suffering from haematological diseases were explored by whole body scanning. The diagnosis was a lymphoma in the majority of cases (77). Analytical study of the images obtained was made on the basis of the various sections made systematically in the protocol of the study. Scanning proved to be of particular value in the thorax in the study of pleural and juxta-pleural lesions. In the abdomen, study of the liver, spleen and retro-peritoneal space benefited from the use of this means of investigation. Supra-mesocolic sections were felt to be of the greatest value, making it possible to demonstrate lymphadenopathies not revealed by lymphography. Scanning, perfectly harmless, provides a valuable contribution in determining the extent of lymphoma spread and facilitates the therapeutic surveillance of haematological disorders.", "contents": "[The contribution of whole body scanning in the exploration of haematological diseases. Preliminary study of 100 patients (author's transl)]. One hundred patients suffering from haematological diseases were explored by whole body scanning. The diagnosis was a lymphoma in the majority of cases (77). Analytical study of the images obtained was made on the basis of the various sections made systematically in the protocol of the study. Scanning proved to be of particular value in the thorax in the study of pleural and juxta-pleural lesions. In the abdomen, study of the liver, spleen and retro-peritoneal space benefited from the use of this means of investigation. Supra-mesocolic sections were felt to be of the greatest value, making it possible to demonstrate lymphadenopathies not revealed by lymphography. Scanning, perfectly harmless, provides a valuable contribution in determining the extent of lymphoma spread and facilitates the therapeutic surveillance of haematological disorders.", "PMID": 634771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10241", "title": "[Familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes. Study of glucagon and growth hormone secretions (author's transl)].", "content": "In the course of familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes, after stimulation with arginine, the alpha cell responds perfectly to stimulation, in contrast to the case of chronic pancreatic diseases. After an oral glucose load, there is no reduction in plasma glucagon concentrations, and a paradoxal increase is sometimes seen. These results are quite similar to those reported in common diabetes. Secretion of growth hormone after an infusion of arginine and insulin hypoglycaemia seem to be significantly reduced in comparison with normal subjects and those suffering from common diabetes, paired and explored using the same protocol. This may perhaps explain the low degree of severity and slow course of associated vascular disease.", "contents": "[Familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes. Study of glucagon and growth hormone secretions (author's transl)]. In the course of familial idiopathic haemochromatosis with diabetes, after stimulation with arginine, the alpha cell responds perfectly to stimulation, in contrast to the case of chronic pancreatic diseases. After an oral glucose load, there is no reduction in plasma glucagon concentrations, and a paradoxal increase is sometimes seen. These results are quite similar to those reported in common diabetes. Secretion of growth hormone after an infusion of arginine and insulin hypoglycaemia seem to be significantly reduced in comparison with normal subjects and those suffering from common diabetes, paired and explored using the same protocol. This may perhaps explain the low degree of severity and slow course of associated vascular disease.", "PMID": 634772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10242", "title": "[Renal toxicity of the association: gentamicin/furosemide. One case (author's transl)].", "content": "The association in therapeutic doses of gentamicin and furosemide resulted, in a young patient suffering from post-B virus hepatitis cirrhosis, in renal insufficiency which was spontaneously regressive when the drugs were stopped. Gentamicin, used without furosemide, was not associated with any impairment of renal function. A review of the literature indicates a number of pathogenic hypotheses to explain the increased nephrotoxicity of this drug combination.", "contents": "[Renal toxicity of the association: gentamicin/furosemide. One case (author's transl)]. The association in therapeutic doses of gentamicin and furosemide resulted, in a young patient suffering from post-B virus hepatitis cirrhosis, in renal insufficiency which was spontaneously regressive when the drugs were stopped. Gentamicin, used without furosemide, was not associated with any impairment of renal function. A review of the literature indicates a number of pathogenic hypotheses to explain the increased nephrotoxicity of this drug combination.", "PMID": 634773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10243", "title": "[Surgery for carcinoma of the cervix: frozen section examination of the external iliac nodes (author's transl)].", "content": "Since 1970, the authros have carried out colpohysterectomy with external iliac node dissection for carcinoma of the cervix at stages 1 and 2. The nodes were subjected to frozen section histological examination. In the presence of signs of invasion, primary iliac block dissection is carried out. Two hundrend and seventy cases have been treated in this way, with only 7 cases of error in the frozen section diagnosis (2,5%). There was 1 false positive, 4 false negatives and 2 doubtful cases with a suspicion of invasion. It is therefore suggested that frozen section histological examination of the external iliac nodes is possible and reliable.", "contents": "[Surgery for carcinoma of the cervix: frozen section examination of the external iliac nodes (author's transl)]. Since 1970, the authros have carried out colpohysterectomy with external iliac node dissection for carcinoma of the cervix at stages 1 and 2. The nodes were subjected to frozen section histological examination. In the presence of signs of invasion, primary iliac block dissection is carried out. Two hundrend and seventy cases have been treated in this way, with only 7 cases of error in the frozen section diagnosis (2,5%). There was 1 false positive, 4 false negatives and 2 doubtful cases with a suspicion of invasion. It is therefore suggested that frozen section histological examination of the external iliac nodes is possible and reliable.", "PMID": 634780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10244", "title": "[The action of antilymphocyte serum in severe aplastic anemia (author's transl)].", "content": "The etiology of aplastic anemia is unknown. A stem cell lesion caused by a toxic or a virus or a microenvironment defect are the main hypothesis. An auto-immune origin has been recently suspected but never proved. To demonstrate the auto-immune origin of the disease. We have treated 17 patients with severe aplastic anemia with antilymphocyte serum (ALS). Nine patients showed no improvement and seven patients died within two months of infectious or hemorrhagic complications. In contrast, eight patients had a prompt rise of granulocytes and reticulocytes counts. Although the hematological reconstitution is not complete. This eight patients are still alive between 4 months and 15 months after treatment. This study shows that A.L.G. may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia.", "contents": "[The action of antilymphocyte serum in severe aplastic anemia (author's transl)]. The etiology of aplastic anemia is unknown. A stem cell lesion caused by a toxic or a virus or a microenvironment defect are the main hypothesis. An auto-immune origin has been recently suspected but never proved. To demonstrate the auto-immune origin of the disease. We have treated 17 patients with severe aplastic anemia with antilymphocyte serum (ALS). Nine patients showed no improvement and seven patients died within two months of infectious or hemorrhagic complications. In contrast, eight patients had a prompt rise of granulocytes and reticulocytes counts. Although the hematological reconstitution is not complete. This eight patients are still alive between 4 months and 15 months after treatment. This study shows that A.L.G. may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of patients with severe aplastic anemia.", "PMID": 634781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10245", "title": "[Cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome. Three new cases (author's transl)].", "content": "The cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome combines bucco-mandibular abnormalities similar to those of the Pierre Robin syndrome, delayed psychomotor development and characteristic costal malformations. On each side, several ribs are interrupted in their dorsal portion. In the three children studied here, there were only eleven pairs of ribs. This brings the number of cases in the literature to twelve. The prognosis of the cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome is severe, since eight of the children described died during the first months of life.", "contents": "[Cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome. Three new cases (author's transl)]. The cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome combines bucco-mandibular abnormalities similar to those of the Pierre Robin syndrome, delayed psychomotor development and characteristic costal malformations. On each side, several ribs are interrupted in their dorsal portion. In the three children studied here, there were only eleven pairs of ribs. This brings the number of cases in the literature to twelve. The prognosis of the cerebro-costo-mandibular syndrome is severe, since eight of the children described died during the first months of life.", "PMID": 634782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10246", "title": "[Immobilisation hypercalcaemia. 1 case (author's transl)].", "content": "A 21-year-old man suffered severe (up to 15.5 mg%) and prolonged (7 months) hypercalcaemia as a result of immobilisation following severe trauma. During the period of hypercalcaemia, plasma parathormone and calcitonin levels were undetectable. A study using radioactive calcium revealed a very marked increase in bone resorption, a moderate increase in accretion and virtually no intestinal absorption. Iliac biopsy revealed dense calcification front and there was no osteoid substance. This hypercalcaemia appeared to be due to increased bone resorption, while the synthesis of osteoid substance seemed to be insufficient to permit an equivalent increase in calcium accretion.", "contents": "[Immobilisation hypercalcaemia. 1 case (author's transl)]. A 21-year-old man suffered severe (up to 15.5 mg%) and prolonged (7 months) hypercalcaemia as a result of immobilisation following severe trauma. During the period of hypercalcaemia, plasma parathormone and calcitonin levels were undetectable. A study using radioactive calcium revealed a very marked increase in bone resorption, a moderate increase in accretion and virtually no intestinal absorption. Iliac biopsy revealed dense calcification front and there was no osteoid substance. This hypercalcaemia appeared to be due to increased bone resorption, while the synthesis of osteoid substance seemed to be insufficient to permit an equivalent increase in calcium accretion.", "PMID": 634783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10247", "title": "[An external fixation frame in auto-polymerising acrylic resin (author's transl)].", "content": "An external fixation frame for the leg is made up of Bonnel pins, strengthened by bands of autopolymerising resin. The experiment shows this apparatus to be solid, reliable and easy to use. The technique of application is extremely simple and the cost low. The indications are the same as those of proven classical fixation devices, which must be preferred for the moment, when possible. Its use is therefore limited, but justified under special circumstances (poorly equipped units far from major centres, war surgery).", "contents": "[An external fixation frame in auto-polymerising acrylic resin (author's transl)]. An external fixation frame for the leg is made up of Bonnel pins, strengthened by bands of autopolymerising resin. The experiment shows this apparatus to be solid, reliable and easy to use. The technique of application is extremely simple and the cost low. The indications are the same as those of proven classical fixation devices, which must be preferred for the moment, when possible. Its use is therefore limited, but justified under special circumstances (poorly equipped units far from major centres, war surgery).", "PMID": 634784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10248", "title": "360 MHz PMR studies on the involvement of the Y-nucleoside in the conformation of 2'-OMeGpApApYpAppsi from torula yeast tRNAphe.", "content": "360 MHz measurements of chemical shifts, 3J1'-2', and T1 as a function of temperature for various protons of the hexanucleotide 2'-OMeGpApApYpAppsi from torula yeast tRNAphe have revealed a unique involvement of the Yt base in the structure and conformation of this oligonucleotide. Whereas the adenosine residues in the anticodon triplet are relatively stable to temperature increase, the Yt readily undergoes destacking and a change in ribose conformation. The destacking most likely involves a torsional displacement of the Yt base occasioned by a rotation of the phosphate-ribose backbone. The possible relevance of this unusual behavior to the influence of the Yt residue in tRNA function in protein biosynthesis is discussed.", "contents": "360 MHz PMR studies on the involvement of the Y-nucleoside in the conformation of 2'-OMeGpApApYpAppsi from torula yeast tRNAphe. 360 MHz measurements of chemical shifts, 3J1'-2', and T1 as a function of temperature for various protons of the hexanucleotide 2'-OMeGpApApYpAppsi from torula yeast tRNAphe have revealed a unique involvement of the Yt base in the structure and conformation of this oligonucleotide. Whereas the adenosine residues in the anticodon triplet are relatively stable to temperature increase, the Yt readily undergoes destacking and a change in ribose conformation. The destacking most likely involves a torsional displacement of the Yt base occasioned by a rotation of the phosphate-ribose backbone. The possible relevance of this unusual behavior to the influence of the Yt residue in tRNA function in protein biosynthesis is discussed.", "PMID": 634791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10249", "title": "Chromatin assembly in isolated mammalian nuclei.", "content": "Cellular DNA replication was stimulated in confluent monolayers of CV-1 monkey kidney cells following infection with SV40. Nuclei were isolated from CV-1 cells labeled with [3H]thymidine and then incubated in the presence of [alpha-32P]deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates under conditions that support DNA replication. To determine whether or not the cellular DNA synthesized in vitro was assembled into nucleosomes the DNA was digested in situ with either micrococcal nuclease or pancreatic DNase I, and the products were examined by electrophoretic and sedimentation analysis. The distribution of DNA fragment lengths on agarose gels following micrococcal nuclease digestion was more heterogeneous for newly replicated than for the bulk of the DNA. Nonetheless, the state of cellular DNA synthesized in vitro (32P-labeled) was found to be identical with that of the DNA in the bulk of the chromatin (3H-labeled) by the following criteria: (i) The extent of protection against digestion by micrococcal nuclease of DNase I. (ii) The size of the nucleosomes (180 base pairs) and core particles (145 base pairs). (iii) The number and sizes of DNA fragments produced by micrococcal nuclease in a limit digest. (iv) The sedimentation behavior on neutral sucrose gradients of nucleoprotein particles released by micrococcal nuclease. (v) The number and sizes of DNA fragments produced by DNase I digestion. These results demonstrate that cellular DNA replicated in isolated nuclei is organized into typical nucleosomes. Consequently, subcellular systems can be used to study the relationship between DNA replication and the assembly of chromatin under physiological conditions.", "contents": "Chromatin assembly in isolated mammalian nuclei. Cellular DNA replication was stimulated in confluent monolayers of CV-1 monkey kidney cells following infection with SV40. Nuclei were isolated from CV-1 cells labeled with [3H]thymidine and then incubated in the presence of [alpha-32P]deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates under conditions that support DNA replication. To determine whether or not the cellular DNA synthesized in vitro was assembled into nucleosomes the DNA was digested in situ with either micrococcal nuclease or pancreatic DNase I, and the products were examined by electrophoretic and sedimentation analysis. The distribution of DNA fragment lengths on agarose gels following micrococcal nuclease digestion was more heterogeneous for newly replicated than for the bulk of the DNA. Nonetheless, the state of cellular DNA synthesized in vitro (32P-labeled) was found to be identical with that of the DNA in the bulk of the chromatin (3H-labeled) by the following criteria: (i) The extent of protection against digestion by micrococcal nuclease of DNase I. (ii) The size of the nucleosomes (180 base pairs) and core particles (145 base pairs). (iii) The number and sizes of DNA fragments produced by micrococcal nuclease in a limit digest. (iv) The sedimentation behavior on neutral sucrose gradients of nucleoprotein particles released by micrococcal nuclease. (v) The number and sizes of DNA fragments produced by DNase I digestion. These results demonstrate that cellular DNA replicated in isolated nuclei is organized into typical nucleosomes. Consequently, subcellular systems can be used to study the relationship between DNA replication and the assembly of chromatin under physiological conditions.", "PMID": 634792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10250", "title": "Isolation from rat liver and sequence of a RNA fragment containing 32 nucleotides from position 5 to 36 from the 3' end of ribosomal 18S RNA.", "content": "Crude tRNA isolated from rat liver by the method of Rogg et al. (Biochem. Biophys. Acta 195, 13-15 1969) contains N6-dimethyladenosine (m6-2A) and was therefore fractionated in order to identify the m6-2A-containing RNAs. A unique species of RNA was purified which contained all the m62A present in the crude tRNA. Sequence analysis by postlabeling with gamma-32p-ATP and polynucleotide kinase revealed that this RNA represents the 32 nucleotides AAGGUUUC(C)U GUAGGUGm62Am62ACCUGCGGAAGGAUC from position 5 to 36 of the 3' terminus of ribosomal 18S RNA. The 36 nucleotide long sequence from the 3' end of rat liver 18S rRNA exhibits extensive homology with the corresponding sequence of E. coli 16S rRNA and with the 21 nucleotide long 3' terminal sequence so far known from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S rRNA. A heterogeneity in this sequence provides the first evidence on the molecular level for the existence of (at least) two sets of redundant ribosomal 18S RNA genes in the rat.", "contents": "Isolation from rat liver and sequence of a RNA fragment containing 32 nucleotides from position 5 to 36 from the 3' end of ribosomal 18S RNA. Crude tRNA isolated from rat liver by the method of Rogg et al. (Biochem. Biophys. Acta 195, 13-15 1969) contains N6-dimethyladenosine (m6-2A) and was therefore fractionated in order to identify the m6-2A-containing RNAs. A unique species of RNA was purified which contained all the m62A present in the crude tRNA. Sequence analysis by postlabeling with gamma-32p-ATP and polynucleotide kinase revealed that this RNA represents the 32 nucleotides AAGGUUUC(C)U GUAGGUGm62Am62ACCUGCGGAAGGAUC from position 5 to 36 of the 3' terminus of ribosomal 18S RNA. The 36 nucleotide long sequence from the 3' end of rat liver 18S rRNA exhibits extensive homology with the corresponding sequence of E. coli 16S rRNA and with the 21 nucleotide long 3' terminal sequence so far known from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 17S rRNA. A heterogeneity in this sequence provides the first evidence on the molecular level for the existence of (at least) two sets of redundant ribosomal 18S RNA genes in the rat.", "PMID": 634793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10251", "title": "Apurinic DNA endonuclease activities in repair-deficient human cell lines.", "content": "Several autosomal recessive diseases are associated with apparent DNA repair defects in cell culture. It seemed likely that a defect in excision repair reported for ataxia telangiectasia cells might reflect a lack of apurinic endonuclease activity. We report here normal levels of apurinic endonuclease activity in extracts of cell lines derived from patients with ataxia telangiectasia, xeroderma pigmentosum (complementation group D), Cockayne dwarfism, Fanconi anemia and Bloom syndrome.", "contents": "Apurinic DNA endonuclease activities in repair-deficient human cell lines. Several autosomal recessive diseases are associated with apparent DNA repair defects in cell culture. It seemed likely that a defect in excision repair reported for ataxia telangiectasia cells might reflect a lack of apurinic endonuclease activity. We report here normal levels of apurinic endonuclease activity in extracts of cell lines derived from patients with ataxia telangiectasia, xeroderma pigmentosum (complementation group D), Cockayne dwarfism, Fanconi anemia and Bloom syndrome.", "PMID": 634794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10252", "title": "Sequence arrangement of the 16S and 26S rRNA genes in the pathogenic haemoflagellate Leishmania donovani.", "content": "Kinetic and chemical analysis show that the haploid genome of Leishmania donovani has between 4.6 and 6.5 X 10(7) Kb pairs of DNA. Cot analysis shows that the genome contains 12% rapidly reassociating DNA, U3% middle repetitive DNA with an average reiteration frequency of 77 and 62% single copy DNA. Saturation hybridization experiments show that 0.82% of the nuclear DNA is occupied by rRNA coding sequences. The average repetition frequency of these sequences is determined to be 166. Sedimentation velocity studies indicate the two major rRNA species have sedimentation values of 26S and 16S, respectively. The arrangement of the rRNA genes and their spacer sequences on long strands of purified rDNA has been determined by the examination of the structure of rRNA:DNA hybrids prepared for electron microscopy by the gene 32-ethidium bromide technique. Long DNA strands are observed to contain several gene sets (16S + 26S). One repeat unit contains the following sequences in the order given: (a) A 16S gene of length 2.12 Kb, (b) An internal transcribed spacer (Spl) of length 1.23 Kb, which contains a short sequence that may code for a 5.8S rRNA, (C) 26S gene with a length of 4.31 Kb which contains an internal gap region of length 0.581 Ib, (d) An external spacer of average length 5.85 Kb.", "contents": "Sequence arrangement of the 16S and 26S rRNA genes in the pathogenic haemoflagellate Leishmania donovani. Kinetic and chemical analysis show that the haploid genome of Leishmania donovani has between 4.6 and 6.5 X 10(7) Kb pairs of DNA. Cot analysis shows that the genome contains 12% rapidly reassociating DNA, U3% middle repetitive DNA with an average reiteration frequency of 77 and 62% single copy DNA. Saturation hybridization experiments show that 0.82% of the nuclear DNA is occupied by rRNA coding sequences. The average repetition frequency of these sequences is determined to be 166. Sedimentation velocity studies indicate the two major rRNA species have sedimentation values of 26S and 16S, respectively. The arrangement of the rRNA genes and their spacer sequences on long strands of purified rDNA has been determined by the examination of the structure of rRNA:DNA hybrids prepared for electron microscopy by the gene 32-ethidium bromide technique. Long DNA strands are observed to contain several gene sets (16S + 26S). One repeat unit contains the following sequences in the order given: (a) A 16S gene of length 2.12 Kb, (b) An internal transcribed spacer (Spl) of length 1.23 Kb, which contains a short sequence that may code for a 5.8S rRNA, (C) 26S gene with a length of 4.31 Kb which contains an internal gap region of length 0.581 Ib, (d) An external spacer of average length 5.85 Kb.", "PMID": 634795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10253", "title": "Reconstitution of chromatin: assembly of the nucleosome.", "content": "The order of reassociation of the four histones H2a, H2b, H3 and H4 to the DNA during the reconstitution of chromatin was determined. At each step of the reconstitution the DNA and associated histones were separated from the free histones by centrifugation in a glycerol gradient. The unbound and reassociated histones were analysed by gel electrophoresis and the histone-DNA complexes characterized by circular dichroism and electron microscopy. We show that H3 and H4 bind first to the DNA between 1.2 M NaCl and 0.85 M NaCl and impose a nucleosome like structure; in a second step histones H2a and H2b are placed around this kernel to complete the nucleosome.", "contents": "Reconstitution of chromatin: assembly of the nucleosome. The order of reassociation of the four histones H2a, H2b, H3 and H4 to the DNA during the reconstitution of chromatin was determined. At each step of the reconstitution the DNA and associated histones were separated from the free histones by centrifugation in a glycerol gradient. The unbound and reassociated histones were analysed by gel electrophoresis and the histone-DNA complexes characterized by circular dichroism and electron microscopy. We show that H3 and H4 bind first to the DNA between 1.2 M NaCl and 0.85 M NaCl and impose a nucleosome like structure; in a second step histones H2a and H2b are placed around this kernel to complete the nucleosome.", "PMID": 634796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10254", "title": "Superstructure and CD spectrum as probes of chromatin integrity.", "content": "Two types of chromatin were extracted from the same stock of rat liver nuclei by a short exposure to micrococcal nuclease and by shearing respectively. These two materials which are identical in their protein/DNA content and by the presence of the five histones, were compared by means of circular dichroism and electron microscopy. Under the electron microscope and in absence of any divalent cation a superstructure of the unfixed chromatin fiber can be viewed only with native material but is no more present in sheared one. The increase of CD signal at 280 nm (from 2000 to about 4000 cm2 deg.dmole-1) in the case of sheared chromatin is not related to the loss of superstructure but to the structural changes of DNA inside the nucleosomal core which are always produced by shearing. These two correlated observations offer new sensitive probes of the integrity of any native or reconstituted chromatin.", "contents": "Superstructure and CD spectrum as probes of chromatin integrity. Two types of chromatin were extracted from the same stock of rat liver nuclei by a short exposure to micrococcal nuclease and by shearing respectively. These two materials which are identical in their protein/DNA content and by the presence of the five histones, were compared by means of circular dichroism and electron microscopy. Under the electron microscope and in absence of any divalent cation a superstructure of the unfixed chromatin fiber can be viewed only with native material but is no more present in sheared one. The increase of CD signal at 280 nm (from 2000 to about 4000 cm2 deg.dmole-1) in the case of sheared chromatin is not related to the loss of superstructure but to the structural changes of DNA inside the nucleosomal core which are always produced by shearing. These two correlated observations offer new sensitive probes of the integrity of any native or reconstituted chromatin.", "PMID": 634797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10255", "title": "Chemical and conformational changes in chromosome regions being actively transcribed.", "content": "U.V. microspectrophotometry has been used to calculate quantities of nucleic acids and proteins of complete polytene chromosomal sets and specific regions of these chromosomes. It has been found that in chromosomes the ratio of DNA to proteins is approximately 1:4. This ratio however changes when specific regions are compared. The average ratio of DNA to proteins in a puffed region (2-48B4C5) increases to 1:16 in contrast to 1:6 from the same region but in non puffed state. At the same time the RNA quantity increases by a factor of 2. thermal denaturation profiles of formaldehyde fixed chromosomes show that the Tm of this region in puffed and non puffed state differ by 10 degrees C. Moreover these profiles suggest that a large fraction of histone-bound DNA is destabilized during puffing.", "contents": "Chemical and conformational changes in chromosome regions being actively transcribed. U.V. microspectrophotometry has been used to calculate quantities of nucleic acids and proteins of complete polytene chromosomal sets and specific regions of these chromosomes. It has been found that in chromosomes the ratio of DNA to proteins is approximately 1:4. This ratio however changes when specific regions are compared. The average ratio of DNA to proteins in a puffed region (2-48B4C5) increases to 1:16 in contrast to 1:6 from the same region but in non puffed state. At the same time the RNA quantity increases by a factor of 2. thermal denaturation profiles of formaldehyde fixed chromosomes show that the Tm of this region in puffed and non puffed state differ by 10 degrees C. Moreover these profiles suggest that a large fraction of histone-bound DNA is destabilized during puffing.", "PMID": 634798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10256", "title": "Proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage.", "content": "Proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage is widely accepted in Great Britain and Europe but in the United States has been done mainly in university centers. The operation denervates the acid-secreting parietal cell mass of the stomach, preserving vagal innervation to the gastric antrum and extragastric abdominal viscera. The procedure is safe and is associated with few underisrable side effects. Long-term studies are needed to determine the rate of recurrence of duodenal ulcer in patients treated surgically in this way.", "contents": "Proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage. Proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage is widely accepted in Great Britain and Europe but in the United States has been done mainly in university centers. The operation denervates the acid-secreting parietal cell mass of the stomach, preserving vagal innervation to the gastric antrum and extragastric abdominal viscera. The procedure is safe and is associated with few underisrable side effects. Long-term studies are needed to determine the rate of recurrence of duodenal ulcer in patients treated surgically in this way.", "PMID": 634860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10257", "title": "Headaches in children: meeting the challenge of management.", "content": "Headaches that interfere with optimal functioning appear as often in children as in adults. Most common are tension (usually psychogenic) headaches. Brain tumors occasionally present as headaches; diagnosis rests on associated signs and symptoms. Migraine may cause frightening headaches, but prognosis is good for relief and long-term remission.", "contents": "Headaches in children: meeting the challenge of management. Headaches that interfere with optimal functioning appear as often in children as in adults. Most common are tension (usually psychogenic) headaches. Brain tumors occasionally present as headaches; diagnosis rests on associated signs and symptoms. Migraine may cause frightening headaches, but prognosis is good for relief and long-term remission.", "PMID": 634864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10258", "title": "Laboratory tests: basic concepts and realistic expectations.", "content": "Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests take familiarity with the concepts of normal limits, specificity, sensitivity, and prevalence. The relative importance of these test properties for clinical decisions is presented.", "contents": "Laboratory tests: basic concepts and realistic expectations. Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests take familiarity with the concepts of normal limits, specificity, sensitivity, and prevalence. The relative importance of these test properties for clinical decisions is presented.", "PMID": 634868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10259", "title": "Phenobarbital dyskinesia.", "content": "A patient was admitted to hospital following an overdose of phenobarbital. During her recovery she developed both chorea and torsion dystonia which could only be related to her high plasma phenobarbital levels.", "contents": "Phenobarbital dyskinesia. A patient was admitted to hospital following an overdose of phenobarbital. During her recovery she developed both chorea and torsion dystonia which could only be related to her high plasma phenobarbital levels.", "PMID": 634871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10260", "title": "Cerebral haemorrhage in haemophilia.", "content": "A young male haemophiliac child is here described in whom intracerebral haemorrhage required craniotomy and the subsequent insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. These procedures can now be attempted in severe haemophilia A because of the ease in clotting factor replacement therapy.", "contents": "Cerebral haemorrhage in haemophilia. A young male haemophiliac child is here described in whom intracerebral haemorrhage required craniotomy and the subsequent insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. These procedures can now be attempted in severe haemophilia A because of the ease in clotting factor replacement therapy.", "PMID": 634872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10261", "title": "The use of dilute hydrochloric acid and cimetidine to reverse severe metabolic alkalosis.", "content": "Two cases of severe metabolic alkalosis associated with gastric hypersecretion were successfully treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and a histamine H2-receptor antagonist given by intravenous infusion. This combined therapy with electrolyte replacement and suppression of gastric secretion is valuable in the control of this serious metabolic abnormality when conventional treatment is unsuccessful or contraindicated.", "contents": "The use of dilute hydrochloric acid and cimetidine to reverse severe metabolic alkalosis. Two cases of severe metabolic alkalosis associated with gastric hypersecretion were successfully treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and a histamine H2-receptor antagonist given by intravenous infusion. This combined therapy with electrolyte replacement and suppression of gastric secretion is valuable in the control of this serious metabolic abnormality when conventional treatment is unsuccessful or contraindicated.", "PMID": 634873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10262", "title": "Acute renal failure from the use of acetazolamide (Diamox).", "content": "The clinical histories of two patients are presented, who both developed haemorrhagic anuria after a short course of therapy with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide (Diamox). The clinical findings, in particular the radiological changes, are illustrated in this potentially fatal condition. The therapeutic success of immediate relief of the ureteric obstruction is emphasized and it is hoped that this report will act as a reminder of the importance of this agent as a cause of anuria.", "contents": "Acute renal failure from the use of acetazolamide (Diamox). The clinical histories of two patients are presented, who both developed haemorrhagic anuria after a short course of therapy with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide (Diamox). The clinical findings, in particular the radiological changes, are illustrated in this potentially fatal condition. The therapeutic success of immediate relief of the ureteric obstruction is emphasized and it is hoped that this report will act as a reminder of the importance of this agent as a cause of anuria.", "PMID": 634875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10263", "title": "Cardiac rupture in post-myocardial infarction syndrome.", "content": "A fatal case of post-myocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS) followed by a rupture of an inferior left ventricular aneurysm is described. Attention is drawn to the growing number of reports of aneurysm in PMIS, and the clinico-pathological significance of this association is discussed.", "contents": "Cardiac rupture in post-myocardial infarction syndrome. A fatal case of post-myocardial infarction syndrome (PMIS) followed by a rupture of an inferior left ventricular aneurysm is described. Attention is drawn to the growing number of reports of aneurysm in PMIS, and the clinico-pathological significance of this association is discussed.", "PMID": 634876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10264", "title": "Penetration into bone and tissues of clindamycin phosphate.", "content": "Clindamycin phosphate is an antibiotic which is effective against both Staphylococcus aureus and the anaerobic organisms. In thirteen patients, its concentration following joint replacement was measured by the agar diffusion method. In bone, the concentration was (mean +/- s.e. mean) 5.01 microgram/ml +/- 1.16, N=10; in capsule, 3.29 microgram/ml +/- 0.71, N=12; measured between 1.75 and 3.75 hr after intramuscular and intravenous injections, and in drainage fluid it amounted to 4.61 microgram/ml +/- 0.38, N=11 in 48 hr. Two patients developed diarrhoea which settled within a short period.", "contents": "Penetration into bone and tissues of clindamycin phosphate. Clindamycin phosphate is an antibiotic which is effective against both Staphylococcus aureus and the anaerobic organisms. In thirteen patients, its concentration following joint replacement was measured by the agar diffusion method. In bone, the concentration was (mean +/- s.e. mean) 5.01 microgram/ml +/- 1.16, N=10; in capsule, 3.29 microgram/ml +/- 0.71, N=12; measured between 1.75 and 3.75 hr after intramuscular and intravenous injections, and in drainage fluid it amounted to 4.61 microgram/ml +/- 0.38, N=11 in 48 hr. Two patients developed diarrhoea which settled within a short period.", "PMID": 634877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10265", "title": "Gout without crystals on initial synovial fluid analysis.", "content": "In five patients with acute arthritis in whom gout was eventually documented, an initial synovial fluid analysis failed to reveal urate crystals. Four of the patients were seen in one hospital during a period of 30 months in which 103 cases of gout were documented on initial aspiration. While this is an uncommon event, the importance of being able to make a definitive diagnosis of gout is such that re-aspiration of the same or other joints may be justified under certain circumstances.", "contents": "Gout without crystals on initial synovial fluid analysis. In five patients with acute arthritis in whom gout was eventually documented, an initial synovial fluid analysis failed to reveal urate crystals. Four of the patients were seen in one hospital during a period of 30 months in which 103 cases of gout were documented on initial aspiration. While this is an uncommon event, the importance of being able to make a definitive diagnosis of gout is such that re-aspiration of the same or other joints may be justified under certain circumstances.", "PMID": 634878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10266", "title": "The outcome of pregnancy in women suffering from migraine.", "content": "The reproductive histories of 777 women suffering from migraine were compared with 182 non-migrainous women. The incidence of miscarriage, stillbirth and toxaemia of pregnancy was very similar in both groups and there was no increase in the number of congenital malformations in the children born to women who suffered from migraine compared with the control group or with the national average. It was concluded that women suffering from migraine did not have an increased risk of giving birth to children with deformity and it was unlikely that drugs most commonly used in the treatment of migraine were teratogenic.", "contents": "The outcome of pregnancy in women suffering from migraine. The reproductive histories of 777 women suffering from migraine were compared with 182 non-migrainous women. The incidence of miscarriage, stillbirth and toxaemia of pregnancy was very similar in both groups and there was no increase in the number of congenital malformations in the children born to women who suffered from migraine compared with the control group or with the national average. It was concluded that women suffering from migraine did not have an increased risk of giving birth to children with deformity and it was unlikely that drugs most commonly used in the treatment of migraine were teratogenic.", "PMID": 634879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10267", "title": "[Diaplacentar transfer of local anaesthetics (author's transl)].", "content": "A very rapid resorption of the amide-type local anaesthetic agents most commonly used in obstetrics results in detectable plasma levels in mother and fetus within 5 to 10 minutes, respectively, after peridural anaesthesia. The various local anaesthetics differ from each other as far as their protein-binding capacity and the resulting ratios of umbilical vein to maternal blood levels are concerned. The feto-maternal ratio is inversely correlated to the degree of protein-binding. Both, the protein-binding capacity and the feto-maternal ratio do not indicate the total amount of the anaesthetic transferred across the placenta. In contrast to measurements of the plasma concentrations only the measurement of the anaesthetic in the fetal tissue would give an exact information about the fetal uptake of local anaesthetics. Several observations hint at the possibility that there are interactions between local anaesthetics and other drugs: A competitive displacement of local anaesthetics from their protein binding sites resulting in an increase in the unbound fraction is suggested. Since the feto-maternal equilibration exists only for the unbound fraction interactions of local anaesthetics with simultaneously administered drugs should be taken into consideration.", "contents": "[Diaplacentar transfer of local anaesthetics (author's transl)]. A very rapid resorption of the amide-type local anaesthetic agents most commonly used in obstetrics results in detectable plasma levels in mother and fetus within 5 to 10 minutes, respectively, after peridural anaesthesia. The various local anaesthetics differ from each other as far as their protein-binding capacity and the resulting ratios of umbilical vein to maternal blood levels are concerned. The feto-maternal ratio is inversely correlated to the degree of protein-binding. Both, the protein-binding capacity and the feto-maternal ratio do not indicate the total amount of the anaesthetic transferred across the placenta. In contrast to measurements of the plasma concentrations only the measurement of the anaesthetic in the fetal tissue would give an exact information about the fetal uptake of local anaesthetics. Several observations hint at the possibility that there are interactions between local anaesthetics and other drugs: A competitive displacement of local anaesthetics from their protein binding sites resulting in an increase in the unbound fraction is suggested. Since the feto-maternal equilibration exists only for the unbound fraction interactions of local anaesthetics with simultaneously administered drugs should be taken into consideration.", "PMID": 634894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10268", "title": "[Pain relief in childbirth; an analysis of the analgesic effects of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS), pethidine and placebos (author's transl)].", "content": "The analgesic affects of TNS, pethidine and placebos on labour pain were studied in 30 parturient women during the first stage of labour. 10 had TNS paravertebrally in the region of the afferent nerves at Th 10-Th 12; one group of 5 had unspecific (wrong) TNS; in another group of five no current was applied (placebo); five women were given 50 mg of pethidine intravenously; five patients acted as a control group. To assess the analgesic effects the women were asked to estimate the intensity of pain (grades 1-6) over a period of 70 minutes. There was no significant difference between the placebo, unspecific TNS and control groups as regarded the increase in pain during the test period. Patients who had received pethidine and those who had been given TNS at the site of the afferent nerves transmitting impulses from the uterus experienced considerable relief of pain. The differences were highly significant. The observations prove the genuine analgesic action of TNS. The use of this technique in obstetrics is discussed.", "contents": "[Pain relief in childbirth; an analysis of the analgesic effects of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS), pethidine and placebos (author's transl)]. The analgesic affects of TNS, pethidine and placebos on labour pain were studied in 30 parturient women during the first stage of labour. 10 had TNS paravertebrally in the region of the afferent nerves at Th 10-Th 12; one group of 5 had unspecific (wrong) TNS; in another group of five no current was applied (placebo); five women were given 50 mg of pethidine intravenously; five patients acted as a control group. To assess the analgesic effects the women were asked to estimate the intensity of pain (grades 1-6) over a period of 70 minutes. There was no significant difference between the placebo, unspecific TNS and control groups as regarded the increase in pain during the test period. Patients who had received pethidine and those who had been given TNS at the site of the afferent nerves transmitting impulses from the uterus experienced considerable relief of pain. The differences were highly significant. The observations prove the genuine analgesic action of TNS. The use of this technique in obstetrics is discussed.", "PMID": 634895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10269", "title": "[Pain relief during delivery by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (author's transl)].", "content": "The analgesic effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS) during delivery has been evaluated. The usual technique of TNS was modified to suit the specific needs of pain control during the whole course of delivery. Two pairs of electrodes were taped to the patient's back, one pair level with the spinal processes Th 10-L1 and the other with S2-S4, corresponding to the influx of pain during the first and second stages respectively. Stimulation was delivered as biphasic pulses at 60-80 Hz. A low-intensity stimulation was given continuously, and a high-intensity stimulation was initiated by the patient herself whenever pain increased. As a rule, stimulation via the thoracic electrodes was given throughout delivery and sacral stimulation added from the later part of the first stage. No complications with respect to mother or child have occured. Three hundred and forty-seven women have been treated, 47% of them considered the analgesia with TNS to be good or very good, 42% experienced a certain effect whil 11% considered that TNS made no difference. In view of the relatively good results and the absence of complications, the authors recommend the method as a primary pain relieving measure to which conventional methods can be added if necessary.", "contents": "[Pain relief during delivery by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (author's transl)]. The analgesic effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS) during delivery has been evaluated. The usual technique of TNS was modified to suit the specific needs of pain control during the whole course of delivery. Two pairs of electrodes were taped to the patient's back, one pair level with the spinal processes Th 10-L1 and the other with S2-S4, corresponding to the influx of pain during the first and second stages respectively. Stimulation was delivered as biphasic pulses at 60-80 Hz. A low-intensity stimulation was given continuously, and a high-intensity stimulation was initiated by the patient herself whenever pain increased. As a rule, stimulation via the thoracic electrodes was given throughout delivery and sacral stimulation added from the later part of the first stage. No complications with respect to mother or child have occured. Three hundred and forty-seven women have been treated, 47% of them considered the analgesia with TNS to be good or very good, 42% experienced a certain effect whil 11% considered that TNS made no difference. In view of the relatively good results and the absence of complications, the authors recommend the method as a primary pain relieving measure to which conventional methods can be added if necessary.", "PMID": 634896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10270", "title": "[Epidural analgesia as a routine method is obstetrics (author's transl)].", "content": "Epidural analgesia does not only produce relief of pain in childbirth; in many cases it also has therapeutic effects and prevents foetal injury. The adoption of epidural analgesia as a safe routine method for the relief of labour pain is subject to certain conditions: the indications and contra-indications must be carefully assessed; equipment and obstetric anaesthetic service must be adequate; potential complications following epidural analgesia must be considered; the patient should he told that epidural analgesia is going to be used and her consent should be obtained. Shared responsibility and close co-operation between obstetrician and anaesthetist provide the best conditions for the success of epidural analgesia.", "contents": "[Epidural analgesia as a routine method is obstetrics (author's transl)]. Epidural analgesia does not only produce relief of pain in childbirth; in many cases it also has therapeutic effects and prevents foetal injury. The adoption of epidural analgesia as a safe routine method for the relief of labour pain is subject to certain conditions: the indications and contra-indications must be carefully assessed; equipment and obstetric anaesthetic service must be adequate; potential complications following epidural analgesia must be considered; the patient should he told that epidural analgesia is going to be used and her consent should be obtained. Shared responsibility and close co-operation between obstetrician and anaesthetist provide the best conditions for the success of epidural analgesia.", "PMID": 634897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10271", "title": "[Deep spinal anaesthesia and saddle-block technique in surgery during pregnancy (author's transl)].", "content": "The efficacy of peridural, spinal, and saddle-block technique in the operative treatment of the gravid patient is briefly described. Factors influencing height and spread of analgesia are indicated. In our series of 288 patients, where intrathecal techniques have been used, we compare the spread of analgesia in those positioned in the horizontal (following injection), and those propped to an angle of 45 degrees. We discuss the operative possibilities with such techniques. In conclusion we describe the side effects encountered and their treatment.", "contents": "[Deep spinal anaesthesia and saddle-block technique in surgery during pregnancy (author's transl)]. The efficacy of peridural, spinal, and saddle-block technique in the operative treatment of the gravid patient is briefly described. Factors influencing height and spread of analgesia are indicated. In our series of 288 patients, where intrathecal techniques have been used, we compare the spread of analgesia in those positioned in the horizontal (following injection), and those propped to an angle of 45 degrees. We discuss the operative possibilities with such techniques. In conclusion we describe the side effects encountered and their treatment.", "PMID": 634901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10272", "title": "[A case of malignant hyperthermia unrelated to anaesthesia (author's transl)].", "content": "Narcots and muscle relaxants are proven causes of malignant hyperthermia. Alcohol and a large number of drugs are capable of inducing myopathic changes which resemble malignant hyperthermia. The case of a 47-year-old man is reported who presented with the clinical symptoms of maligant hyperthermia. The similarity in the course of the disturbance, the clinical and chemical findings and the changes in the morphological features of the muscle suggested that the abnormally high body temperature had been induced by psychotropic durgs in a pre-disposed patient with an history of chronic alcoholism.", "contents": "[A case of malignant hyperthermia unrelated to anaesthesia (author's transl)]. Narcots and muscle relaxants are proven causes of malignant hyperthermia. Alcohol and a large number of drugs are capable of inducing myopathic changes which resemble malignant hyperthermia. The case of a 47-year-old man is reported who presented with the clinical symptoms of maligant hyperthermia. The similarity in the course of the disturbance, the clinical and chemical findings and the changes in the morphological features of the muscle suggested that the abnormally high body temperature had been induced by psychotropic durgs in a pre-disposed patient with an history of chronic alcoholism.", "PMID": 634902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10273", "title": "[A new tongue guard for comatose patients with masticatory spasms (author's transl)].", "content": "A device for the prevention of intraoral soft tissue injuries in comatose patients with uncoordinated chewing movements is presented. Shape and material of the device, which is easily fashioned and handled, are designed to protect oral and buaccal soft tissue structures against self inflicted injuries.", "contents": "[A new tongue guard for comatose patients with masticatory spasms (author's transl)]. A device for the prevention of intraoral soft tissue injuries in comatose patients with uncoordinated chewing movements is presented. Shape and material of the device, which is easily fashioned and handled, are designed to protect oral and buaccal soft tissue structures against self inflicted injuries.", "PMID": 634903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10274", "title": "[The effects of halothane and enflurane on uterine activity during childbirth (author's transl)].", "content": "The effects of equipotent low concentrations of halothane and enflurane on uterine contractions during labour were studied by means of transcervical toko-ergometry. Administration of halothane was followed by a highly significant reduction of uterine activity to 48% +/- 14 of its original value. Ethrane in equipotent concentration of 1.0% reduced uterine activity in 5 women to only 83.7% +/- 29 (not significant). Five other women were also tested with ethrane in 1.5% concentrations: uterine activity was reduced to 79% +/- 24 of its original value (not significant). The findings indicate that low concentrations of ethrane relax uterine contractions less than do equipotent concentrations of halothane. The clinical applications of the observations are discussed.", "contents": "[The effects of halothane and enflurane on uterine activity during childbirth (author's transl)]. The effects of equipotent low concentrations of halothane and enflurane on uterine contractions during labour were studied by means of transcervical toko-ergometry. Administration of halothane was followed by a highly significant reduction of uterine activity to 48% +/- 14 of its original value. Ethrane in equipotent concentration of 1.0% reduced uterine activity in 5 women to only 83.7% +/- 29 (not significant). Five other women were also tested with ethrane in 1.5% concentrations: uterine activity was reduced to 79% +/- 24 of its original value (not significant). The findings indicate that low concentrations of ethrane relax uterine contractions less than do equipotent concentrations of halothane. The clinical applications of the observations are discussed.", "PMID": 634904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10275", "title": "[Volatile phenolic compounds in white wines].", "content": "By gas-liquid chromatography the following volatile phenols were identified in extracts and distillates of white table wines prepared with the aid of husks and pulp used in fermentation: phenol, m-cresol, guaicol, ethyl-4-phenol, vinyl-4-phenol, eugenol, tyrosol; phenol, m-cresol, guaicol, ethyl-4-phenol, vinyl-4-phenol. The amount of volatile oils grew significantly with an increase in the number of husks in the fermenting liquid and fermentation temperature.", "contents": "[Volatile phenolic compounds in white wines]. By gas-liquid chromatography the following volatile phenols were identified in extracts and distillates of white table wines prepared with the aid of husks and pulp used in fermentation: phenol, m-cresol, guaicol, ethyl-4-phenol, vinyl-4-phenol, eugenol, tyrosol; phenol, m-cresol, guaicol, ethyl-4-phenol, vinyl-4-phenol. The amount of volatile oils grew significantly with an increase in the number of husks in the fermenting liquid and fermentation temperature.", "PMID": 634932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10276", "title": "[Purification of the extracellular trypsin inhibitor from Actinomyces janthinus 118].", "content": "From the culture liquid filtrate of Actinomyces janthinus 118 a trypsin inhibitor (TI-AjI) was isolated by sulphate ammonium precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, QAE-Sephadex chromatography and two-fold crystallization. The resultant preparation was homogeneous during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. As measured by gel filtration, the TI-AjI molecular weight was estimated to be 13,000+/-1,000. The culture liquid of Act. janthinus 118 was found to contain another substance with anti-trypsin activity that differed from TI-AjI in its molecular weight.", "contents": "[Purification of the extracellular trypsin inhibitor from Actinomyces janthinus 118]. From the culture liquid filtrate of Actinomyces janthinus 118 a trypsin inhibitor (TI-AjI) was isolated by sulphate ammonium precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, QAE-Sephadex chromatography and two-fold crystallization. The resultant preparation was homogeneous during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. As measured by gel filtration, the TI-AjI molecular weight was estimated to be 13,000+/-1,000. The culture liquid of Act. janthinus 118 was found to contain another substance with anti-trypsin activity that differed from TI-AjI in its molecular weight.", "PMID": 634933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10277", "title": "[Realization of the maximum specific growth rate of yeasts on optically heterogeneous media].", "content": "The method of controlling the rate of the nutrient medium flow was developed with respect to the level of heat release during yeast cultivation on the optically heterogeneous nutrient medium. This method of cultivation allowed attainment of the maximum specific rate of growth of Candida tropicalis which was estimated to be 0.45 hr-1 in the experiments.", "contents": "[Realization of the maximum specific growth rate of yeasts on optically heterogeneous media]. The method of controlling the rate of the nutrient medium flow was developed with respect to the level of heat release during yeast cultivation on the optically heterogeneous nutrient medium. This method of cultivation allowed attainment of the maximum specific rate of growth of Candida tropicalis which was estimated to be 0.45 hr-1 in the experiments.", "PMID": 634934} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10278", "title": "[Amino acid makeup of feed yeasts grown on a wood hydrolysate with a varying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content].", "content": "The content of \"raw protein\" (N2X6.25), amino acids and fat in the biomass of yeast Candida scottii Tul-6 grown on wood hydrolysate with varying content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was measured. Changes in the content of protein, total amino acids and fat in the biomass of yeast grown on the hydrolysate with a deficiency or an excess of the above macroelements were revealed.", "contents": "[Amino acid makeup of feed yeasts grown on a wood hydrolysate with a varying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content]. The content of \"raw protein\" (N2X6.25), amino acids and fat in the biomass of yeast Candida scottii Tul-6 grown on wood hydrolysate with varying content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was measured. Changes in the content of protein, total amino acids and fat in the biomass of yeast grown on the hydrolysate with a deficiency or an excess of the above macroelements were revealed.", "PMID": 634935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10279", "title": "[Amino acid makeup of preparations from baker's yeast autolysates].", "content": "Yeast autolysis and hydrolysate composition were studied with respect to the autolysis of baker's pressed yeast. A method of isolating a mixture of amino acids and lower peptides from autolysates was developed, using ion-exchange resins. The above compounds reached maximum accumulation by the 15-20th hour of autolysis. A mixture of amino acids applicable to nutrition, including dietotherapy, was prepared.", "contents": "[Amino acid makeup of preparations from baker's yeast autolysates]. Yeast autolysis and hydrolysate composition were studied with respect to the autolysis of baker's pressed yeast. A method of isolating a mixture of amino acids and lower peptides from autolysates was developed, using ion-exchange resins. The above compounds reached maximum accumulation by the 15-20th hour of autolysis. A mixture of amino acids applicable to nutrition, including dietotherapy, was prepared.", "PMID": 634936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10280", "title": "[Role of sterol photoconversion products in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in rat skin].", "content": "In order to clarify the effect of products of photochemical conversion of sterols on cholesterol biosynthesis, rat skin samples were incubated with 2-(14)C-acetate in the presence of the antirachitic agent Dk and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol. The synthesis of sterols from acetate was activated in the presence of Dk. A correlation between the activation of sterol synthesis and the concentration of the antirachitic agent was found. An addition of 7beta-hydroxycholesterol to the incubation medium inhibited acetate incorporation into the sterols. The level of synthesis inhibition increased with an elevation of the 7beta-hydroxysterol concentration in the incubation medium. This indicates that both products of sterol photoconversion can be involved in the control of cholesterol biosynthesis.", "contents": "[Role of sterol photoconversion products in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in rat skin]. In order to clarify the effect of products of photochemical conversion of sterols on cholesterol biosynthesis, rat skin samples were incubated with 2-(14)C-acetate in the presence of the antirachitic agent Dk and 7beta-hydroxycholesterol. The synthesis of sterols from acetate was activated in the presence of Dk. A correlation between the activation of sterol synthesis and the concentration of the antirachitic agent was found. An addition of 7beta-hydroxycholesterol to the incubation medium inhibited acetate incorporation into the sterols. The level of synthesis inhibition increased with an elevation of the 7beta-hydroxysterol concentration in the incubation medium. This indicates that both products of sterol photoconversion can be involved in the control of cholesterol biosynthesis.", "PMID": 634937} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10281", "title": "[Comparative characteristics of acetylcholinesterase preparations from human erythrocytes with varying degrees of purity].", "content": "Preparations of human erythrocyte acetyl cholinesterase (HEACE) that differed in their specific activities (0.7 to 4.1 U/mg) and the final purification method were examined for protein and isoenzymic spectrum (by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis), catalytic properties in the reaction of acetytriocholine hydrolysis, sensitivity to the specific organophosphorus inhibitor Gd-42, concentrations of active centres of HEACE, and activity of one catalytic centre. The preparations showed a stable spectrum of 11-12 proteins: HEACE had molecular heterogeneity and was electrophoretically separated into 3 fractions that differed in their aggregation level. Preparations with varying specific activity contained different HEACE quantities. Regardless of the purification degree, HEACE displayed similar activity of the catalytic centre and enzymic properties in reactions with the substrate and inhibitor.", "contents": "[Comparative characteristics of acetylcholinesterase preparations from human erythrocytes with varying degrees of purity]. Preparations of human erythrocyte acetyl cholinesterase (HEACE) that differed in their specific activities (0.7 to 4.1 U/mg) and the final purification method were examined for protein and isoenzymic spectrum (by polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis), catalytic properties in the reaction of acetytriocholine hydrolysis, sensitivity to the specific organophosphorus inhibitor Gd-42, concentrations of active centres of HEACE, and activity of one catalytic centre. The preparations showed a stable spectrum of 11-12 proteins: HEACE had molecular heterogeneity and was electrophoretically separated into 3 fractions that differed in their aggregation level. Preparations with varying specific activity contained different HEACE quantities. Regardless of the purification degree, HEACE displayed similar activity of the catalytic centre and enzymic properties in reactions with the substrate and inhibitor.", "PMID": 634938} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10282", "title": "[Improvement of the method of collection of blood flowing from the adrenal glands in the experiment on dogs].", "content": "Blood from the adrenal gland can flow in two directions--into the caudal vena cava and by anastomoses into the portal vein. A method of multiple blood procuring from these vessels in dogs for the purpose of studying the adrenal gland function is suggested. Polyethylene catheters, 0.9 mm in diameter and 35--40 mm in length glued to capron plates, mandrins, Gordeev's needles and blood-drawing needles are necessary. Transperitoneal surgical approach to the caudal and mesenteric veins is to be provided. Purse-string suture is applied on the wall of the mesenteric vein. The catheter is washed with heparin, the mandrin is introduced into it and it is inserted into the Gordeev's needle. A puncture is made in the centre of the purse-string suture with this needle, which is introduced into the vein together with the catheter. Gordeev's needle is withdrawn and the catheter is pushed through to the portal vein. The purse-string suture is tightened, and the capron plate is fixed in the wall of the vein. The mandrin is recovered from the catheter, heparin is administered into its canal, polyethylene plug is inserted and withdrawn through the abdominal wall outside with the aid of the blood-drawing needle. The catheter is introduced into the caudal vena cava in the same way. Blood samples can be obtained on the 14th postoperative day.", "contents": "[Improvement of the method of collection of blood flowing from the adrenal glands in the experiment on dogs]. Blood from the adrenal gland can flow in two directions--into the caudal vena cava and by anastomoses into the portal vein. A method of multiple blood procuring from these vessels in dogs for the purpose of studying the adrenal gland function is suggested. Polyethylene catheters, 0.9 mm in diameter and 35--40 mm in length glued to capron plates, mandrins, Gordeev's needles and blood-drawing needles are necessary. Transperitoneal surgical approach to the caudal and mesenteric veins is to be provided. Purse-string suture is applied on the wall of the mesenteric vein. The catheter is washed with heparin, the mandrin is introduced into it and it is inserted into the Gordeev's needle. A puncture is made in the centre of the purse-string suture with this needle, which is introduced into the vein together with the catheter. Gordeev's needle is withdrawn and the catheter is pushed through to the portal vein. The purse-string suture is tightened, and the capron plate is fixed in the wall of the vein. The mandrin is recovered from the catheter, heparin is administered into its canal, polyethylene plug is inserted and withdrawn through the abdominal wall outside with the aid of the blood-drawing needle. The catheter is introduced into the caudal vena cava in the same way. Blood samples can be obtained on the 14th postoperative day.", "PMID": 634939} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10283", "title": "[Nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis in the accessory sex organs of rats during blockade of testosterone effect by androgen antagonist 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide].", "content": "The influence of testosterone and antiandrogen 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide (4N3TFMIBA) on the content and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and the protein in the ventral prostate and the seminal vesicles of Wistar rats was studied under experimental conditions. As revealed, with the simultaneous administration of the androgen and its antagonist there was a fall in the organs under study of the RNA and protein content and a reduction of incorporation of labeled precursors into the DNA, RNA, and protein. Similar changes were seen after castration. A conclusion was drawn that the capacity to block the stimulating influence of testosterone on the nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis underlay \"castration\" effects of antiandrogen 4N3TFMIBA, this causing atrophy of the accessory genital apparatus.", "contents": "[Nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis in the accessory sex organs of rats during blockade of testosterone effect by androgen antagonist 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide]. The influence of testosterone and antiandrogen 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide (4N3TFMIBA) on the content and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and the protein in the ventral prostate and the seminal vesicles of Wistar rats was studied under experimental conditions. As revealed, with the simultaneous administration of the androgen and its antagonist there was a fall in the organs under study of the RNA and protein content and a reduction of incorporation of labeled precursors into the DNA, RNA, and protein. Similar changes were seen after castration. A conclusion was drawn that the capacity to block the stimulating influence of testosterone on the nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis underlay \"castration\" effects of antiandrogen 4N3TFMIBA, this causing atrophy of the accessory genital apparatus.", "PMID": 634940} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10284", "title": "[Effect of corticosteroids, androgens and their metabolites on the activation of lymphoid cells].", "content": "The character of hydrocortisone and testosterone, and also of their metabolites (cortisone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone) influence on the lymphocyte blasttransformation induced with PHA and various antigens was studied. Testosterone proved to produce a preponderant depressive action on the blasttransformation induced by PHA. On the contrary, hydrocortisone considerably suppressed the blasttransformation to the antigen. The suppressive influence on the blasttransformation to PHA is intensive in case of a simultaneous administration into the culture of the hormonal preparations and mitogen. Transformation of the hormones into metabolites is accompanied by some reduction of their suppressive influence on the blasttransformation. On the whole, blasttransformation to PHA is more resistant to the action of the hormones than that induced with the antigen.", "contents": "[Effect of corticosteroids, androgens and their metabolites on the activation of lymphoid cells]. The character of hydrocortisone and testosterone, and also of their metabolites (cortisone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone) influence on the lymphocyte blasttransformation induced with PHA and various antigens was studied. Testosterone proved to produce a preponderant depressive action on the blasttransformation induced by PHA. On the contrary, hydrocortisone considerably suppressed the blasttransformation to the antigen. The suppressive influence on the blasttransformation to PHA is intensive in case of a simultaneous administration into the culture of the hormonal preparations and mitogen. Transformation of the hormones into metabolites is accompanied by some reduction of their suppressive influence on the blasttransformation. On the whole, blasttransformation to PHA is more resistant to the action of the hormones than that induced with the antigen.", "PMID": 634941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10285", "title": "[Content of placental lactogen in the blood of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus].", "content": "The content of placental lactogenic hormone (PLH), one of the indices of the hormonal function of the placenta, was studied in the blood of pregnant women suffering from diabetes mellitus, depending on the compensation of the disease and the presence of complications in pregnancy. Despite the high weight of placenta, usually observed in this pathology in pregnant women, the blood PLH level did not significantly exceed that in normally coursing pregnancy. In case of decompensated diabetes mellitus there was a significantly lower blood PLH level in comparison with that in the compensated one, this pointing to the direct influence of metabolic disturbances characteristic of decompensated diabetes mellitus on the hormonal function of the placenta. The lowest PLH level was found in the patients with diabetes mellitus at the period of decompensation of the disease in the presence of complications in pregnancy. An unfavourable influence of decompensated diabetes mellitus on the hormonal function of the placenta and the known data on the fact that decompensated diabetes mellitus promoted the development of complications in pregnancy, also deranging the placental function, confirmed the necessity of compensation of the disease during pregnancy.", "contents": "[Content of placental lactogen in the blood of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus]. The content of placental lactogenic hormone (PLH), one of the indices of the hormonal function of the placenta, was studied in the blood of pregnant women suffering from diabetes mellitus, depending on the compensation of the disease and the presence of complications in pregnancy. Despite the high weight of placenta, usually observed in this pathology in pregnant women, the blood PLH level did not significantly exceed that in normally coursing pregnancy. In case of decompensated diabetes mellitus there was a significantly lower blood PLH level in comparison with that in the compensated one, this pointing to the direct influence of metabolic disturbances characteristic of decompensated diabetes mellitus on the hormonal function of the placenta. The lowest PLH level was found in the patients with diabetes mellitus at the period of decompensation of the disease in the presence of complications in pregnancy. An unfavourable influence of decompensated diabetes mellitus on the hormonal function of the placenta and the known data on the fact that decompensated diabetes mellitus promoted the development of complications in pregnancy, also deranging the placental function, confirmed the necessity of compensation of the disease during pregnancy.", "PMID": 634942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10286", "title": "[Mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in adolescent girls with thyrotoxicosis].", "content": "As a result of clinical examination of patients with juvenile thyrotoxicosis there was revealed an increase of the blood plasma renin and a derangement of mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex expressed in increased aldosterone excretion, retention of sodium in the organism and reduction of potassium excretion. Normalization of aldosterone excretion in thyrotoxicosis compensation and after the surgical intervention can indicate the influence of increased amount of thyroid hormones on the mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex.", "contents": "[Mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex in adolescent girls with thyrotoxicosis]. As a result of clinical examination of patients with juvenile thyrotoxicosis there was revealed an increase of the blood plasma renin and a derangement of mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex expressed in increased aldosterone excretion, retention of sodium in the organism and reduction of potassium excretion. Normalization of aldosterone excretion in thyrotoxicosis compensation and after the surgical intervention can indicate the influence of increased amount of thyroid hormones on the mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex.", "PMID": 634943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10287", "title": "[Content of growth hormone in the blood in insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus during compensation].", "content": "The growth hormone and blood sugar level was determined during compensation in 38 insulin-resistant and in 48 insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus, on fasting stomach and after an intravenous injection of insulin. The insulin-resistant patients were given insulin in the amount of 100 and more Units per 24 hours at the period of achievement of compensation. In the insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus during the compensation the growth hormone level in the blood serum on fasting stomach displayed a significant reduction; no significant change occurred in the insulin-resistant patients. On the achievement of normoglycemia a high growth hormone level in the patients with insulin-resistant forms of diabetes mellitus was probably conditioned by disturbance of the adaptation processes, and possibly also by the preservation of decreased glucose metabolism at the cell level. Under these conditions the growth hormone apparently produced a diabetogenic action and prevented stable compensation creating conditions for the preservation of insulin resistance.", "contents": "[Content of growth hormone in the blood in insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus during compensation]. The growth hormone and blood sugar level was determined during compensation in 38 insulin-resistant and in 48 insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus, on fasting stomach and after an intravenous injection of insulin. The insulin-resistant patients were given insulin in the amount of 100 and more Units per 24 hours at the period of achievement of compensation. In the insulin-sensitive patients with diabetes mellitus during the compensation the growth hormone level in the blood serum on fasting stomach displayed a significant reduction; no significant change occurred in the insulin-resistant patients. On the achievement of normoglycemia a high growth hormone level in the patients with insulin-resistant forms of diabetes mellitus was probably conditioned by disturbance of the adaptation processes, and possibly also by the preservation of decreased glucose metabolism at the cell level. Under these conditions the growth hormone apparently produced a diabetogenic action and prevented stable compensation creating conditions for the preservation of insulin resistance.", "PMID": 634944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10288", "title": "[Nucleic acid and protein synthesis in the lymphocyte populations of men, women and patients with karyotype 45,XO].", "content": "The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein was measured in the lymphoid cells of the palatine tonsils in children aged from 3 to 15 years. The rate of RNA synthesis was also studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of men and women of different age and also in the patients with Shereskevsky-Turner's syndrome. 3H-thymidine incorporation into the tonsillar lymphocytes was independent of sex. 3H-uridine incorporation both into the palatine lymphocytes and into the peripheral blood lymphocytes in persons under 20 years of age and over 50 years old was greater in males. The rate of RNA and protein synthesis in the lymphocytes with kariotype 45,XO proved to be greater than in the lymphocytes with kariotype 46,XX and 46XY. The detected differences are discussed from the aspect of sex differences of the hormonal background and dyshormonal condition in patients with Shereshevsky-Turner's syndrome and possible differences in the temporary parameters of the mitotic cycle.", "contents": "[Nucleic acid and protein synthesis in the lymphocyte populations of men, women and patients with karyotype 45,XO]. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein was measured in the lymphoid cells of the palatine tonsils in children aged from 3 to 15 years. The rate of RNA synthesis was also studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of men and women of different age and also in the patients with Shereskevsky-Turner's syndrome. 3H-thymidine incorporation into the tonsillar lymphocytes was independent of sex. 3H-uridine incorporation both into the palatine lymphocytes and into the peripheral blood lymphocytes in persons under 20 years of age and over 50 years old was greater in males. The rate of RNA and protein synthesis in the lymphocytes with kariotype 45,XO proved to be greater than in the lymphocytes with kariotype 46,XX and 46XY. The detected differences are discussed from the aspect of sex differences of the hormonal background and dyshormonal condition in patients with Shereshevsky-Turner's syndrome and possible differences in the temporary parameters of the mitotic cycle.", "PMID": 634945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10289", "title": "[Osmotic stability of erythrocytes in Turner's syndrome].", "content": "Osmotic stability of erythrocytes was determined in 11 patients with Shereskevsky-Turner's syndrome and in 11 practically healthy persons. There was revealed an increased sensitivity of the patients' erythrocytes to the hypotonic NaCl solutions in comparison with the population of erythrocytes in control. Analysis of the age composition of the red blood cells demonstrated an increase in the number of young and old forms with an inadequate quantity of mature cells, this serving as a characteristic feature of the red blood in ageing. The results presented serve as an additional fact pointing to early ageing of patients with the Shereshevsky-Turner's syndrome.", "contents": "[Osmotic stability of erythrocytes in Turner's syndrome]. Osmotic stability of erythrocytes was determined in 11 patients with Shereskevsky-Turner's syndrome and in 11 practically healthy persons. There was revealed an increased sensitivity of the patients' erythrocytes to the hypotonic NaCl solutions in comparison with the population of erythrocytes in control. Analysis of the age composition of the red blood cells demonstrated an increase in the number of young and old forms with an inadequate quantity of mature cells, this serving as a characteristic feature of the red blood in ageing. The results presented serve as an additional fact pointing to early ageing of patients with the Shereshevsky-Turner's syndrome.", "PMID": 634946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10290", "title": "[Placental permeability in experimental diabetes mellitus].", "content": "The work was performed on female rats to which alloxan was administered at immature age. Placental permeability was studied in female rats, healthy ones (170 fetuses), with prediabetes (124 fetuses), with latent diabetes (102 fetuses), and with manifest diabetes (112 fetuses). Permeability of placental membrane was assessed by means of the fluorimetric method of determination in the fetal organism of uranin, a stain administered into the blood of a pregnant animal. The results of the investigations demonstrated that in rats with alloxan prediabetes, latent and manifest diabetes permeability of placental membrane showed a significant elevation (P less than 0.001). There was revealed a direct relationship between the extent of the insular insufficiency and permeability of the placental membrane.", "contents": "[Placental permeability in experimental diabetes mellitus]. The work was performed on female rats to which alloxan was administered at immature age. Placental permeability was studied in female rats, healthy ones (170 fetuses), with prediabetes (124 fetuses), with latent diabetes (102 fetuses), and with manifest diabetes (112 fetuses). Permeability of placental membrane was assessed by means of the fluorimetric method of determination in the fetal organism of uranin, a stain administered into the blood of a pregnant animal. The results of the investigations demonstrated that in rats with alloxan prediabetes, latent and manifest diabetes permeability of placental membrane showed a significant elevation (P less than 0.001). There was revealed a direct relationship between the extent of the insular insufficiency and permeability of the placental membrane.", "PMID": 634949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10291", "title": "[Comparative data on the radioimmunological and biological activity of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland and the blood serum of human fetuses].", "content": "Determination of immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (LH) was carried out in 291 hypophyses of 8--34-week human fetuses, and in 92 blood serum samples of 14--34 week human fetuses. Immunoreactive LH was revealed in human hypophyses as soon as the 8th week of embryogenesis. In female fetuses the concentration and content of the hormone showed a sharp rise from the 14th--16th to the 19th--20th week. The LH concentration displayed a gradual decrease and the hormone content remained at the same level from the 21st--22nd to the 32nd--34th week. The LH concentration and content showed practically no change in male fetuses from the 14th--16th to the 23rd--24th week. A sharp elevation of the hormone level was observed from the 23rd--24th to the 27th--28th week. Immunoreactive LH was revealed in the blood of human fetuses from the 14th to the 34th week. The LH concentration was significantly greater from the 21st--22nd and 23rd--24th weeks in female than in male fetuses. In comparing the data obtained as a result of application of radioimmunological and biological methods there was revealed a coincidence of the time of appearance, of the changes and of the sex differences in the immunoreactive LH level and its biological activity in the hypophysis and in the blood of human fetuses.", "contents": "[Comparative data on the radioimmunological and biological activity of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland and the blood serum of human fetuses]. Determination of immunoreactive luteinizing hormone (LH) was carried out in 291 hypophyses of 8--34-week human fetuses, and in 92 blood serum samples of 14--34 week human fetuses. Immunoreactive LH was revealed in human hypophyses as soon as the 8th week of embryogenesis. In female fetuses the concentration and content of the hormone showed a sharp rise from the 14th--16th to the 19th--20th week. The LH concentration displayed a gradual decrease and the hormone content remained at the same level from the 21st--22nd to the 32nd--34th week. The LH concentration and content showed practically no change in male fetuses from the 14th--16th to the 23rd--24th week. A sharp elevation of the hormone level was observed from the 23rd--24th to the 27th--28th week. Immunoreactive LH was revealed in the blood of human fetuses from the 14th to the 34th week. The LH concentration was significantly greater from the 21st--22nd and 23rd--24th weeks in female than in male fetuses. In comparing the data obtained as a result of application of radioimmunological and biological methods there was revealed a coincidence of the time of appearance, of the changes and of the sex differences in the immunoreactive LH level and its biological activity in the hypophysis and in the blood of human fetuses.", "PMID": 634947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10292", "title": "[Estradiol reception and induction of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis and adaptive enzymes in the mammary glands of mice].", "content": "The content of estradiol receptors in the mammary glands of virgin female mice, and the capacity of this hormone to induce RNA synthesis, hexokinase, pyruvatkinase, and glucose-6-phosphoric dehydrogenase in the glands was studied. H3-estradiol binding to the mammary glands was found to be highly specific: only estradiol, and, to a lesser degree, estron, competed with H2-estradiol for the binding sites, while progesterone and hydrocortisone failed to affect the binding of H3-estradiol. As determined by the method of exchange of the receptor-bound endogenous hormone for the labeled exogenous one, the value of H3-estradiol specific binding was 4.3+/-1.5 10(-15) M/mg protein. Under the influence of estradiol the incorporation of H3-adenine and H3-orotic acid into the RNA of the mammary glands increased by 70%, and activity of the enzymes under study was almost doubled.", "contents": "[Estradiol reception and induction of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis and adaptive enzymes in the mammary glands of mice]. The content of estradiol receptors in the mammary glands of virgin female mice, and the capacity of this hormone to induce RNA synthesis, hexokinase, pyruvatkinase, and glucose-6-phosphoric dehydrogenase in the glands was studied. H3-estradiol binding to the mammary glands was found to be highly specific: only estradiol, and, to a lesser degree, estron, competed with H2-estradiol for the binding sites, while progesterone and hydrocortisone failed to affect the binding of H3-estradiol. As determined by the method of exchange of the receptor-bound endogenous hormone for the labeled exogenous one, the value of H3-estradiol specific binding was 4.3+/-1.5 10(-15) M/mg protein. Under the influence of estradiol the incorporation of H3-adenine and H3-orotic acid into the RNA of the mammary glands increased by 70%, and activity of the enzymes under study was almost doubled.", "PMID": 634952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10293", "title": "[Role of dopamine in the regulation of the thyrotropic function of the pituitary gland].", "content": "Acute experiments on sexually mature mongrel male rats showed that microinjection of dopamine into the area of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the anterior lobe of the hypophysis failed to influence the secretion from the hypophysis of the thyrotropic hormone (TTH), the content of which was determined radioimmunologically. Dophamine injections in the mediobasal hypothalamus decreased the TTH content in the blood of euthyroid rats. In animals given thyroxin preliminarily, an increase in the TTH level occurred in the blood serum in response to dophamine administration into the mediobasal hypothalamus. A conclusion was drawn that dophamine of the mediobasal hypothalamus took part in the TTH secretion from the anterior lobe of the hypophysis. The normalizing action of the given mediator is expressed under conditions of the changed functional activity of the hypophysis-thyroid gland system.", "contents": "[Role of dopamine in the regulation of the thyrotropic function of the pituitary gland]. Acute experiments on sexually mature mongrel male rats showed that microinjection of dopamine into the area of paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the anterior lobe of the hypophysis failed to influence the secretion from the hypophysis of the thyrotropic hormone (TTH), the content of which was determined radioimmunologically. Dophamine injections in the mediobasal hypothalamus decreased the TTH content in the blood of euthyroid rats. In animals given thyroxin preliminarily, an increase in the TTH level occurred in the blood serum in response to dophamine administration into the mediobasal hypothalamus. A conclusion was drawn that dophamine of the mediobasal hypothalamus took part in the TTH secretion from the anterior lobe of the hypophysis. The normalizing action of the given mediator is expressed under conditions of the changed functional activity of the hypophysis-thyroid gland system.", "PMID": 634953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10294", "title": "[Effect of long-term administration of thyroxine on the content of nucleic acids and certain indicators of phosphorus metabolism in the liver in experimental thyrotoxicosis].", "content": "In the liver of albino rats with experimental thyrotoxicosis a study was made of nucleic acids and some indices of phosphorus metabolism: total and inorganic phosphorus, total and acid-soluble phosphorus, phosphorus of RNA, DNA and phosphoproteins. A significant elevation of the RNA and DNA content was noted 1 1/2 months from the beginning of the experiment. An increase of the concentration of nucleic acid phosphorus and a simultaneous reduction of the content of phosphorus of phosphoproteins and inorganic phosphorus was noted in the phosphorus metabolism indices under study. The content of total and acid-soluble phosphorus displayed no significant change. The data obtained indicated that, along with increased catabolism in thyrotoxicosis there occurred rather intensive synthesis, without reaching the normal level, however.", "contents": "[Effect of long-term administration of thyroxine on the content of nucleic acids and certain indicators of phosphorus metabolism in the liver in experimental thyrotoxicosis]. In the liver of albino rats with experimental thyrotoxicosis a study was made of nucleic acids and some indices of phosphorus metabolism: total and inorganic phosphorus, total and acid-soluble phosphorus, phosphorus of RNA, DNA and phosphoproteins. A significant elevation of the RNA and DNA content was noted 1 1/2 months from the beginning of the experiment. An increase of the concentration of nucleic acid phosphorus and a simultaneous reduction of the content of phosphorus of phosphoproteins and inorganic phosphorus was noted in the phosphorus metabolism indices under study. The content of total and acid-soluble phosphorus displayed no significant change. The data obtained indicated that, along with increased catabolism in thyrotoxicosis there occurred rather intensive synthesis, without reaching the normal level, however.", "PMID": 634954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10295", "title": "[Insulin activity of blood plasma in fetuses and newborn infants with asphyxia. Effect of insulin on the course of hypoxia and elimination of its sequelae under experimental conditions].", "content": "In this clinico-experimental work data are presented concerning the blood plasma insulin activity in mature fetuses and neonates in asphyxia; the influence of insulin on the course of hypoxia and elimination of its sequelae under experimental conditions on the newborn and sexually mature rats was also noted. The blood plasma insulin activity proved to increase in the neonates born of mothers with normally coursing pregnancy. A statistically significant reduction of the insulin activity was noted in neonates whose mothers suffered from toxemia of the second half of pregnancy. The death of fetuses and neonates was accompanied by a marked reduction of the blood plasma insulin activity. Preliminary administration of insulin increased the tolerance of experimental animals to hypoxia. Administration of insulin at the period of normalization of physiological functions after hypoxia produced a positive influence on the animal revival. Data are presented on the mechanism of insulin action in hypoxia.", "contents": "[Insulin activity of blood plasma in fetuses and newborn infants with asphyxia. Effect of insulin on the course of hypoxia and elimination of its sequelae under experimental conditions]. In this clinico-experimental work data are presented concerning the blood plasma insulin activity in mature fetuses and neonates in asphyxia; the influence of insulin on the course of hypoxia and elimination of its sequelae under experimental conditions on the newborn and sexually mature rats was also noted. The blood plasma insulin activity proved to increase in the neonates born of mothers with normally coursing pregnancy. A statistically significant reduction of the insulin activity was noted in neonates whose mothers suffered from toxemia of the second half of pregnancy. The death of fetuses and neonates was accompanied by a marked reduction of the blood plasma insulin activity. Preliminary administration of insulin increased the tolerance of experimental animals to hypoxia. Administration of insulin at the period of normalization of physiological functions after hypoxia produced a positive influence on the animal revival. Data are presented on the mechanism of insulin action in hypoxia.", "PMID": 634951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10296", "title": "[Effect of hydrocortisone on the ribonucleic acid biosynthesis in the liver mitochondria, heart and spleen of rats with alloxan diabetes].", "content": "Mitochondrial RNA biosynthesis in diabetic rats under the influence of hydrocortisone (0.5 or 2 U per 100 g for 7 days) increased in the liver and decreased in the spleen. Heart mitochondrial RNA biosynthesis increased after hydrocortisone injection in a dose of 0.5 U per 100 g, but decreased after hormone administration in a dose of 2.5 U per 100 g. Thus, hydrocortisone played an important role in the changes of RNA biosynthesis in the liver, heart, and spleen mitochondria of diabetic animals.", "contents": "[Effect of hydrocortisone on the ribonucleic acid biosynthesis in the liver mitochondria, heart and spleen of rats with alloxan diabetes]. Mitochondrial RNA biosynthesis in diabetic rats under the influence of hydrocortisone (0.5 or 2 U per 100 g for 7 days) increased in the liver and decreased in the spleen. Heart mitochondrial RNA biosynthesis increased after hydrocortisone injection in a dose of 0.5 U per 100 g, but decreased after hormone administration in a dose of 2.5 U per 100 g. Thus, hydrocortisone played an important role in the changes of RNA biosynthesis in the liver, heart, and spleen mitochondria of diabetic animals.", "PMID": 634950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10297", "title": "Effect of pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile on bilirubin-and sulfobromophthalein-binding to hepatic Y and Z proteins in the rat.", "content": "Pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), administered twice daily p.o. for 3 days at a dose level of 20 mumol/100 g body weight, significantly enhances in vivo binding of 14C-bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein (BSP) to hepatic Y and Z proteins in female Charles River CD rats. 14C-bilirubin-binding to Y protein showed a 61% increase, while binding of the same moiety to the Z protein fraction was augmented by 59%. BSP-binding in vivo demonstrated rises of 114 and 71% in relation to Y and Z proteins, respectively. These data correlate well with previous investigations in which PCN was found to have a beneficial influence on experimentally induced hyperbilirubinemias and, furthermore, there is an indication that phenobarbital, another potent microsomal enzyme inducer, acts via a similar mechanism.", "contents": "Effect of pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile on bilirubin-and sulfobromophthalein-binding to hepatic Y and Z proteins in the rat. Pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), administered twice daily p.o. for 3 days at a dose level of 20 mumol/100 g body weight, significantly enhances in vivo binding of 14C-bilirubin and sulfobromophthalein (BSP) to hepatic Y and Z proteins in female Charles River CD rats. 14C-bilirubin-binding to Y protein showed a 61% increase, while binding of the same moiety to the Z protein fraction was augmented by 59%. BSP-binding in vivo demonstrated rises of 114 and 71% in relation to Y and Z proteins, respectively. These data correlate well with previous investigations in which PCN was found to have a beneficial influence on experimentally induced hyperbilirubinemias and, furthermore, there is an indication that phenobarbital, another potent microsomal enzyme inducer, acts via a similar mechanism.", "PMID": 634996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10298", "title": "Lead-induced behavioral disorders in the rat: effects of amphetamine.", "content": "The effects of d-amphetamine on several measures of activity and spontaneous alternation were evaluated in rats chronically exposed to a low level of lead acetate via maternal milk during the neonatal period. Alterations in the amphetamine responses of lead-treated rats were observed with some measures of activity and exploration but not with others. 'Paradoxical' responses were observed with postural rearing and spontaneous alternation. No drug response was seen in lead-treated animals with respect to center field activity in contrast to a large increase seen in controls. Normally, amphetamine reduces grooming behavior, but since this reduction was greater in lead-reared than in control rats, the data suggest that for this measure the lead-reared rat may posses an increased sensitivity to amphetamines. These results were discussed in terms of the behavioral parallels found between lead poisoning and childhood hyperactivity, and the potential of this model as an animal analog of minimal brain dysfunction hyperactivity.", "contents": "Lead-induced behavioral disorders in the rat: effects of amphetamine. The effects of d-amphetamine on several measures of activity and spontaneous alternation were evaluated in rats chronically exposed to a low level of lead acetate via maternal milk during the neonatal period. Alterations in the amphetamine responses of lead-treated rats were observed with some measures of activity and exploration but not with others. 'Paradoxical' responses were observed with postural rearing and spontaneous alternation. No drug response was seen in lead-treated animals with respect to center field activity in contrast to a large increase seen in controls. Normally, amphetamine reduces grooming behavior, but since this reduction was greater in lead-reared than in control rats, the data suggest that for this measure the lead-reared rat may posses an increased sensitivity to amphetamines. These results were discussed in terms of the behavioral parallels found between lead poisoning and childhood hyperactivity, and the potential of this model as an animal analog of minimal brain dysfunction hyperactivity.", "PMID": 634997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10299", "title": "Fourier analysis of the echocardiogram.", "content": "Fourier analysis has been applied to the analysis of echocardiograms, with the result that anterior mitral leaflet waveforms have been classified in a manner which is unambiguous and which lends itself easily to present-day automated technology.", "contents": "Fourier analysis of the echocardiogram. Fourier analysis has been applied to the analysis of echocardiograms, with the result that anterior mitral leaflet waveforms have been classified in a manner which is unambiguous and which lends itself easily to present-day automated technology.", "PMID": 635004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10300", "title": "Temperature gradients in low-flow vessels.", "content": "A graphical representation of heat transfer measurements and a graphical solution of the heat transfer equation, describing the temperature changes in a fluid flowing in a pipe localised in a heated or cooled region, are given. The solution is applicable to the axial temperature distribution of the blood in a vessel passing a region of high or lower temperature. An experimental study of the temperature distribution in small pipes with various flow rates and pipe diameters is presented. The results add information on conductive heat distribution in vessels to available knowledge of conductive heat distribution in tissues. The results can be used for the analysis of temperature changes in the vicinity of pathological processes accompanied by vascular changes, e.g. primary venous or arterial disease, inflammatory conditions or neoplasia.", "contents": "Temperature gradients in low-flow vessels. A graphical representation of heat transfer measurements and a graphical solution of the heat transfer equation, describing the temperature changes in a fluid flowing in a pipe localised in a heated or cooled region, are given. The solution is applicable to the axial temperature distribution of the blood in a vessel passing a region of high or lower temperature. An experimental study of the temperature distribution in small pipes with various flow rates and pipe diameters is presented. The results add information on conductive heat distribution in vessels to available knowledge of conductive heat distribution in tissues. The results can be used for the analysis of temperature changes in the vicinity of pathological processes accompanied by vascular changes, e.g. primary venous or arterial disease, inflammatory conditions or neoplasia.", "PMID": 635005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10301", "title": "An improved uptake probe designed for a large crystal rectilinear scanner.", "content": "Stationary probes are frequently used to estimate the uptake of radionuclides in particular organs such as the liver, spleen, heart or thyroid. Conventional probes have both a non-uniform response volume along the detector axis and a large diverging field of view. Therefore the sensitivity of these probes is strongly dependent on organ depth and the extent of the activity in the surrounding tissues. This paper describes a focused probe which can be used to give an improved response relative to organ depth and reduces the effect of the surrounding activity. Phantom measurements suggest that under suitable circumstances the probe could be used to measure absolute organ activity.", "contents": "An improved uptake probe designed for a large crystal rectilinear scanner. Stationary probes are frequently used to estimate the uptake of radionuclides in particular organs such as the liver, spleen, heart or thyroid. Conventional probes have both a non-uniform response volume along the detector axis and a large diverging field of view. Therefore the sensitivity of these probes is strongly dependent on organ depth and the extent of the activity in the surrounding tissues. This paper describes a focused probe which can be used to give an improved response relative to organ depth and reduces the effect of the surrounding activity. Phantom measurements suggest that under suitable circumstances the probe could be used to measure absolute organ activity.", "PMID": 635006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10302", "title": "Platelet estimation in whole blood.", "content": "An application of particle size analysis is described for the estimation of platelet counts in whole blood based on a variable size threshold and baseline. The simplicity of the sample preparation for this technique may enable its automation as a semiquantitative screening method. Platelets, defined as particles to the platelet side and above the minimum point between the platelet and red cell distributions were counted on specially designed electronics. The system divides the normal size distribution from the smallest platelet to the smallest red cell into four equal windows and performs three integrations to calculate the best result. Correlation of results obtained using this technique with results form the sedimentation method produced a coefficient of 0.93. In the trial period of a week in which all the samples (132) normally undergoing platelet count were also counted on the system descirbed, only six false negative results were found, four at the lower end of normal (150000) and two at the upper end (400000). The advantages of an MCA computer-based system are also discussed.", "contents": "Platelet estimation in whole blood. An application of particle size analysis is described for the estimation of platelet counts in whole blood based on a variable size threshold and baseline. The simplicity of the sample preparation for this technique may enable its automation as a semiquantitative screening method. Platelets, defined as particles to the platelet side and above the minimum point between the platelet and red cell distributions were counted on specially designed electronics. The system divides the normal size distribution from the smallest platelet to the smallest red cell into four equal windows and performs three integrations to calculate the best result. Correlation of results obtained using this technique with results form the sedimentation method produced a coefficient of 0.93. In the trial period of a week in which all the samples (132) normally undergoing platelet count were also counted on the system descirbed, only six false negative results were found, four at the lower end of normal (150000) and two at the upper end (400000). The advantages of an MCA computer-based system are also discussed.", "PMID": 635007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10303", "title": "An instrument for routine measurements with x-ray therapy equipment operating between 10 and 250 kv.", "content": "X-ray equipment, used for radiation therapy at low voltages, is frequently operated in small hospitals which do not have full-time physics staff. Most of the X-ray units involved are not fitted with dose-rate monitors which would allow continuous control dose so that the output must be checked at frequent intervals by the radiographer using a suitable instrument. The design criteria for such an instrument are discussed and its construction described in detail together with the tests and field trials carried out. The instrument is designed to measure dose rates from 2500 rad min-1 at 10 kV to 50 rad min-1 at 250 kV. It has been possible by use of the instrument to determine the 'normal' behaviour of each X-ray unit and to establish criteria by which 'abnormal' behaviour can be determined.", "contents": "An instrument for routine measurements with x-ray therapy equipment operating between 10 and 250 kv. X-ray equipment, used for radiation therapy at low voltages, is frequently operated in small hospitals which do not have full-time physics staff. Most of the X-ray units involved are not fitted with dose-rate monitors which would allow continuous control dose so that the output must be checked at frequent intervals by the radiographer using a suitable instrument. The design criteria for such an instrument are discussed and its construction described in detail together with the tests and field trials carried out. The instrument is designed to measure dose rates from 2500 rad min-1 at 10 kV to 50 rad min-1 at 250 kV. It has been possible by use of the instrument to determine the 'normal' behaviour of each X-ray unit and to establish criteria by which 'abnormal' behaviour can be determined.", "PMID": 635008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10304", "title": "The measurement of low concentrations of radon-222 daughters in air, with emphasis on RaA assessment.", "content": "A number of methods exist for the measurement of the activity concentrations of radon-222 daughters in air but in most cases interest is centred on determining the Working Levels. In those instances where individual daughter activity concentrations are assessed the precision of the assessment of RaA (218Po) is poor unless spectrometry is used. In environmental monitoring the measurement of RaA activity concentrations is a reliable indicator of radon activity concentrations. Following a brief review of established methods of radon daughter activity concentration measurement, a method is given which enables activity concentrations as low as 0.05 pCi l-1 (50 pCim-3) of RaA to be measured with simple readily transportable equipment. The method presented here also measures RaB (214Pb) and RaC (214 Bi) activity concentrations and Working Levels with improved precision compared with established methods.", "contents": "The measurement of low concentrations of radon-222 daughters in air, with emphasis on RaA assessment. A number of methods exist for the measurement of the activity concentrations of radon-222 daughters in air but in most cases interest is centred on determining the Working Levels. In those instances where individual daughter activity concentrations are assessed the precision of the assessment of RaA (218Po) is poor unless spectrometry is used. In environmental monitoring the measurement of RaA activity concentrations is a reliable indicator of radon activity concentrations. Following a brief review of established methods of radon daughter activity concentration measurement, a method is given which enables activity concentrations as low as 0.05 pCi l-1 (50 pCim-3) of RaA to be measured with simple readily transportable equipment. The method presented here also measures RaB (214Pb) and RaC (214 Bi) activity concentrations and Working Levels with improved precision compared with established methods.", "PMID": 635016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10305", "title": "Determination of certain selected bulk and trace elements in the bovine liver matrix using neutron activation analysis.", "content": "Effective utilisation of neutron activation analysis (NAA) for the elemental analysis of biomedical samples with or without a radiochemical separation, especially when optimal Ge(Li) well type detectors are employed for the acquisition of complex spectra, is demonstrated by determining normal values for 25 elements in bovine liver. Optimal conditions for the determination of Ag, Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, I, K, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn with the aid of instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis (INAA) by varying the irradiation and decay time are presented. Where INAA was inadequate, simple post irradiation separation based on ion-exchange has been used to determine such elements as Au, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, La, Mo and W. Results from the IAEA intercomparison run for animal muscle (H-4) are also given. The influence of sample size with respect to within-tissue variation of the bulk and trace elements in liver and the contamination of liver samples from the interfering components such as residual blood are also discussed.", "contents": "Determination of certain selected bulk and trace elements in the bovine liver matrix using neutron activation analysis. Effective utilisation of neutron activation analysis (NAA) for the elemental analysis of biomedical samples with or without a radiochemical separation, especially when optimal Ge(Li) well type detectors are employed for the acquisition of complex spectra, is demonstrated by determining normal values for 25 elements in bovine liver. Optimal conditions for the determination of Ag, Br, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, I, K, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn with the aid of instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis (INAA) by varying the irradiation and decay time are presented. Where INAA was inadequate, simple post irradiation separation based on ion-exchange has been used to determine such elements as Au, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cr, Cu, La, Mo and W. Results from the IAEA intercomparison run for animal muscle (H-4) are also given. The influence of sample size with respect to within-tissue variation of the bulk and trace elements in liver and the contamination of liver samples from the interfering components such as residual blood are also discussed.", "PMID": 635017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10306", "title": "Trapping and re-use system for radioactive xenon in nuclear medicine.", "content": "Different methods of trapping radioactive xenon are reviewed. Trapping by adsorption on activated charcoal has the advantage of being simple and cheap and also makes it possible to recycle the xenon. An activated charcoal trapping system is described which can extract 133Xe from 1001 of expired air in 10 min from patients undergoing diagnostic pulmonary or circulation studies. Details of the construction are discussed. The trapped gas can be rapidly released and returned to the spirometer. Substantial reduction of costs can be achieved with 133Xe; this becomes even more important as accelerator-produced 127Xe comes into more general use.", "contents": "Trapping and re-use system for radioactive xenon in nuclear medicine. Different methods of trapping radioactive xenon are reviewed. Trapping by adsorption on activated charcoal has the advantage of being simple and cheap and also makes it possible to recycle the xenon. An activated charcoal trapping system is described which can extract 133Xe from 1001 of expired air in 10 min from patients undergoing diagnostic pulmonary or circulation studies. Details of the construction are discussed. The trapped gas can be rapidly released and returned to the spirometer. Substantial reduction of costs can be achieved with 133Xe; this becomes even more important as accelerator-produced 127Xe comes into more general use.", "PMID": 635018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10307", "title": "Transverse tomography with incoherent optical reconstruction.", "content": "A thin layer of an object can be imaged by reconstruction from a so-called sinogram. It is produced by an x-ray fan beam rotating around the object while a recording film is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the fan beam. Before reconstruction the sinogram image is convoluted according to a special function to remove artifacts consisting of spurious shadows between different object elements. The reconstruction is done from the convoluted sinogram by means of a back projector, which operates according to a prinicple that is the reverse of the recording of the original sinogram. Tomograms of phantoms, pork chops and the head of a dog show that the process is capable of high spatial resolution but is limited by low contrast.", "contents": "Transverse tomography with incoherent optical reconstruction. A thin layer of an object can be imaged by reconstruction from a so-called sinogram. It is produced by an x-ray fan beam rotating around the object while a recording film is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the fan beam. Before reconstruction the sinogram image is convoluted according to a special function to remove artifacts consisting of spurious shadows between different object elements. The reconstruction is done from the convoluted sinogram by means of a back projector, which operates according to a prinicple that is the reverse of the recording of the original sinogram. Tomograms of phantoms, pork chops and the head of a dog show that the process is capable of high spatial resolution but is limited by low contrast.", "PMID": 635019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10308", "title": "Measurement for curriculum building for multiply handicapped children.", "content": "Quantitative longitudinal tracking of objectively defined motor behaviors can be used with severely multiply handicapped infants and children to develop treatment curricula and assess the changes occurring as a result of stimulation programs. The frequency or duration of clearly defined motor behaviors can be observed and recorded by parents or teachers with therapists periodically observing for reliability. We have found that this recording technique can effectively be used to 1) establish a baseline of motor behaviors, 2) detect small changes in a slowly developing behavior, and 3) assist in development of finely sequential treatment curricula.", "contents": "Measurement for curriculum building for multiply handicapped children. Quantitative longitudinal tracking of objectively defined motor behaviors can be used with severely multiply handicapped infants and children to develop treatment curricula and assess the changes occurring as a result of stimulation programs. The frequency or duration of clearly defined motor behaviors can be observed and recorded by parents or teachers with therapists periodically observing for reliability. We have found that this recording technique can effectively be used to 1) establish a baseline of motor behaviors, 2) detect small changes in a slowly developing behavior, and 3) assist in development of finely sequential treatment curricula.", "PMID": 635020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10309", "title": "Effects of respiratory exercises on the vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in children with cerebral palsy.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to determine if breathing exercises can increase the vital capacity in children with cerebral palsy. Ten children with spastic cerebral palsy, five in the experimental group and five in the control group, were the subjects for the study. A spirometer was used to measure vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume before and after the children performed a breathing exercise program. The pretest values for all 10 youngsters indicated a vital capacity lower than the normal predicted values. The breathing exercises selected emphasized strengthening of the muscles of inspiration and the muscles of expiration. In the breathing exercise program, the physical therapists also attempted to follow the Bobath treatment approach by inhibiting the abnormal breathing patterns and by teaching the child proper ways of breathing control. The results seem to indicate that a breathing exercise program can increase the vital capacity in youngsters with cerebral palsy. The vital capacity of the experimental group was increased by 0.46 liters after exercising for five to seven minutes each day for a period of eight weeks. The mean increase of the vital capacity was 31 percent over the pretest values. The control group showed no change in vital capacity. The pretest and posttest forced expiratory volumes of both groups were within normal limits.", "contents": "Effects of respiratory exercises on the vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in children with cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to determine if breathing exercises can increase the vital capacity in children with cerebral palsy. Ten children with spastic cerebral palsy, five in the experimental group and five in the control group, were the subjects for the study. A spirometer was used to measure vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume before and after the children performed a breathing exercise program. The pretest values for all 10 youngsters indicated a vital capacity lower than the normal predicted values. The breathing exercises selected emphasized strengthening of the muscles of inspiration and the muscles of expiration. In the breathing exercise program, the physical therapists also attempted to follow the Bobath treatment approach by inhibiting the abnormal breathing patterns and by teaching the child proper ways of breathing control. The results seem to indicate that a breathing exercise program can increase the vital capacity in youngsters with cerebral palsy. The vital capacity of the experimental group was increased by 0.46 liters after exercising for five to seven minutes each day for a period of eight weeks. The mean increase of the vital capacity was 31 percent over the pretest values. The control group showed no change in vital capacity. The pretest and posttest forced expiratory volumes of both groups were within normal limits.", "PMID": 635021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10310", "title": "A light-emitting diode system for the analysis of gait. A method and selected clinical examples.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to design, develop, and test a comprehensive and potentially clinically useful system for the objective evaluation of sagittal-plane motion and temporal and distance factors during gait. A light-emitting diode and a 35 mm single-frame color slide photographic technique were utilized. The method of data collection and reduction produced values that are similar to reports in previous literature. High reliability was shown both within and across investigators testing normal subjects. Across-investigator comparisons when taking angular measurements demonstrated lower reliability. Specific clinical examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the light-emitting diode system.", "contents": "A light-emitting diode system for the analysis of gait. A method and selected clinical examples. The purpose of this study was to design, develop, and test a comprehensive and potentially clinically useful system for the objective evaluation of sagittal-plane motion and temporal and distance factors during gait. A light-emitting diode and a 35 mm single-frame color slide photographic technique were utilized. The method of data collection and reduction produced values that are similar to reports in previous literature. High reliability was shown both within and across investigators testing normal subjects. Across-investigator comparisons when taking angular measurements demonstrated lower reliability. Specific clinical examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the light-emitting diode system.", "PMID": 635022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10311", "title": "Severely handicapped children in the public schools. A new frontier for the physical therapist.", "content": "Recent court decisions are currently generating the need for the development of a more humane, school-based system of educational options for severely and profoundly handicapped children. This natural commitment, which includes provisions for various ancillary services, has major implications for the profession of physical therapy. This paper includes the problems, issues, and trends related to the development of public school physical therapy programs and presents some guidelines and suggestions which might be helpful in the implementation of such programs.", "contents": "Severely handicapped children in the public schools. A new frontier for the physical therapist. Recent court decisions are currently generating the need for the development of a more humane, school-based system of educational options for severely and profoundly handicapped children. This natural commitment, which includes provisions for various ancillary services, has major implications for the profession of physical therapy. This paper includes the problems, issues, and trends related to the development of public school physical therapy programs and presents some guidelines and suggestions which might be helpful in the implementation of such programs.", "PMID": 635023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10312", "title": "Laryngeal control for voicing distinction in Japanese consonant production.", "content": "The aim of the present study was to investigate the laryngeal adjustments for voiced versus voiceless distinction in Japanese consonant production by means of laryngeal electromyography (EMG) and fiberoptic observation. Multichannel EMG recordings were taken of a Japanese subject and the data were computer-processed to obtain the averaged activity patterns of the five intrinsic laryngeal muscles with special reference to the voicing distinction in consonant production in various phonetic environments. It was found that there were apparent reciprocal patterns in the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) and the interarytenoid (INT) in terms of significant negative correlation, and active control of PCA for voicelessness was demonstrated. The patterns of the thyroarytenoid and the lateral cricoarytenoid were different from that of INT even though these two muscles are usually classified as the members of the adductor group, and their activity levels were apparently influenced by the phonetic environment. A possible contribution of the cricothyroid (CT) to the voicing distinction was also pointed out but further investigations on acoustic parameters seem to be mandatory in more critical interpretation of CT activity in speech.", "contents": "Laryngeal control for voicing distinction in Japanese consonant production. The aim of the present study was to investigate the laryngeal adjustments for voiced versus voiceless distinction in Japanese consonant production by means of laryngeal electromyography (EMG) and fiberoptic observation. Multichannel EMG recordings were taken of a Japanese subject and the data were computer-processed to obtain the averaged activity patterns of the five intrinsic laryngeal muscles with special reference to the voicing distinction in consonant production in various phonetic environments. It was found that there were apparent reciprocal patterns in the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) and the interarytenoid (INT) in terms of significant negative correlation, and active control of PCA for voicelessness was demonstrated. The patterns of the thyroarytenoid and the lateral cricoarytenoid were different from that of INT even though these two muscles are usually classified as the members of the adductor group, and their activity levels were apparently influenced by the phonetic environment. A possible contribution of the cricothyroid (CT) to the voicing distinction was also pointed out but further investigations on acoustic parameters seem to be mandatory in more critical interpretation of CT activity in speech.", "PMID": 635030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10313", "title": "Contrastive intonation of German and English. Problems and some results.", "content": "For the purpose of a contrastive analysis only distinctive formal elements and functions are to be considered. The latter are \"lexical or syntactic disambiguation\", \"syntactic characterization\" and \"communicative differentiation\". In German, modal particles and intonation render expressive functions which are conveyed in English by intonation only. The differing punctuation systems of English and German have to be considered as a source of interference besides limited differences between the English and the German intonation systems.", "contents": "Contrastive intonation of German and English. Problems and some results. For the purpose of a contrastive analysis only distinctive formal elements and functions are to be considered. The latter are \"lexical or syntactic disambiguation\", \"syntactic characterization\" and \"communicative differentiation\". In German, modal particles and intonation render expressive functions which are conveyed in English by intonation only. The differing punctuation systems of English and German have to be considered as a source of interference besides limited differences between the English and the German intonation systems.", "PMID": 635031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10314", "title": "Advancement of the orbits and the midface in one piece, combined with frontal repositioning, for the correction of Crouzon's deformities.", "content": "We describe the use of radical craniofacial osteotomies, to improve the correction of exorbitism and to obtain better esthetic results in children with Crouzon's syndrome. We suggest some minor modifications to improve the fixation and the mechanical stability of the mobilized segments of the skull. Our procedure consists, essentially, of advancement of both orbits and the midface in one piece, plus advancement and reshaping of the frontal area. The results obtained by this technique, in children with a Crouzon's deformity without open bite, have been most satisfactory. We believe the satisfactory resultant appearance will be maintained during and after growth of the face, although these children have not been followed long enough yet to ascertain this with certainty.", "contents": "Advancement of the orbits and the midface in one piece, combined with frontal repositioning, for the correction of Crouzon's deformities. We describe the use of radical craniofacial osteotomies, to improve the correction of exorbitism and to obtain better esthetic results in children with Crouzon's syndrome. We suggest some minor modifications to improve the fixation and the mechanical stability of the mobilized segments of the skull. Our procedure consists, essentially, of advancement of both orbits and the midface in one piece, plus advancement and reshaping of the frontal area. The results obtained by this technique, in children with a Crouzon's deformity without open bite, have been most satisfactory. We believe the satisfactory resultant appearance will be maintained during and after growth of the face, although these children have not been followed long enough yet to ascertain this with certainty.", "PMID": 635043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10315", "title": "Festoons of orbicularis muscle as a cause of baggy eyelids.", "content": "Occasionally, baggy eyelids are caused by a laxity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The extent of these orbicularis festoons is evaluated by a careful examination--including the \"squinch\" and the \"pinch\" tests. We excise such festoons of excess muscle and then support the orbicularis oculi of the lower lid by using periosteal and muscular sutures. (Orbicularis plication is an alternate procedure for the lower lid). Any muscle festoons of the upper lid are simply excised.", "contents": "Festoons of orbicularis muscle as a cause of baggy eyelids. Occasionally, baggy eyelids are caused by a laxity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The extent of these orbicularis festoons is evaluated by a careful examination--including the \"squinch\" and the \"pinch\" tests. We excise such festoons of excess muscle and then support the orbicularis oculi of the lower lid by using periosteal and muscular sutures. (Orbicularis plication is an alternate procedure for the lower lid). Any muscle festoons of the upper lid are simply excised.", "PMID": 635044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10316", "title": "The role of psychiatry in a craniofacial team.", "content": "The psychosocial assessment of the child in the context of his family and community is, we believe, an essential factor in the decision for and the timing of major reconstructive surgery. A severe congenital facial deformity does not usually affect a child's body-image, but it can have a great impact on the total self-image (which is related to social reactions). Surgery should be performed ideally before the early school years, when the child is subjected to the most teasing, provided both parents and the patient have realistic expectations and really want the major reconstruction.", "contents": "The role of psychiatry in a craniofacial team. The psychosocial assessment of the child in the context of his family and community is, we believe, an essential factor in the decision for and the timing of major reconstructive surgery. A severe congenital facial deformity does not usually affect a child's body-image, but it can have a great impact on the total self-image (which is related to social reactions). Surgery should be performed ideally before the early school years, when the child is subjected to the most teasing, provided both parents and the patient have realistic expectations and really want the major reconstruction.", "PMID": 635045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10317", "title": "Nicotine and its effect on wound healing.", "content": "Our data demonstrate that nicotine impairs wound contraction in the rabbit ear model from the 4th to the 10th day of wound healing. However, the wounds contracted at essentially the same rate from the 12th to the 20th day in the experimental and control groups of animals. This study would suggest that cigarette smoking, with its associated nicotine ingestion, is adverse for a time to wound healing. It is clearly possible that in cases of extremity injury, or surgery, cigarette smoking may adversely affect wound healing.", "contents": "Nicotine and its effect on wound healing. Our data demonstrate that nicotine impairs wound contraction in the rabbit ear model from the 4th to the 10th day of wound healing. However, the wounds contracted at essentially the same rate from the 12th to the 20th day in the experimental and control groups of animals. This study would suggest that cigarette smoking, with its associated nicotine ingestion, is adverse for a time to wound healing. It is clearly possible that in cases of extremity injury, or surgery, cigarette smoking may adversely affect wound healing.", "PMID": 635046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10318", "title": "Histological changes in skeletal muscle after temporary independent occlusion of arterial and venous supply.", "content": "In both replantation and transplantation, circulation is restored to ischemic muscle by vascular anastomoses. As a result, the length of time that skeletal muscle will endure ischemia is important to know clinically. Using microsurgical techniques, we shut off the blood supply to the quadriceps femoris muscle in adult Wistar rats--by occluding the artery, the vein, or both for varying time intervals. The muscle was maintained in the animal for 48 hours, and then examined histologically. Our results indicate that the period of warm ischemia should be limited to about one hour, because a longer period of arterial ischemia produces severe histological changes in muscle. The limiting factor seems to be the arterial, rather than the venous supply. The possibility of muscle regeneration after such ischemic insults was not investigated.", "contents": "Histological changes in skeletal muscle after temporary independent occlusion of arterial and venous supply. In both replantation and transplantation, circulation is restored to ischemic muscle by vascular anastomoses. As a result, the length of time that skeletal muscle will endure ischemia is important to know clinically. Using microsurgical techniques, we shut off the blood supply to the quadriceps femoris muscle in adult Wistar rats--by occluding the artery, the vein, or both for varying time intervals. The muscle was maintained in the animal for 48 hours, and then examined histologically. Our results indicate that the period of warm ischemia should be limited to about one hour, because a longer period of arterial ischemia produces severe histological changes in muscle. The limiting factor seems to be the arterial, rather than the venous supply. The possibility of muscle regeneration after such ischemic insults was not investigated.", "PMID": 635047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10319", "title": "Carcinoma of the skin of the foot exhibiting some verrucous features. Case report.", "content": "A patient with a skin carcinoma of the foot showing verrucous features is described. The clinical course and histopathological appearance are discussed.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the skin of the foot exhibiting some verrucous features. Case report. A patient with a skin carcinoma of the foot showing verrucous features is described. The clinical course and histopathological appearance are discussed.", "PMID": 635054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10320", "title": "Tie-over dressing to prevent recurrence of a hematoma of the ear. Case report.", "content": "We describe the use of a tie-over dressing to compress and eliminate the dead space in an ear after evacuation of a hematoma. This method seems to produce effective local pressure in the precise area where it is needed.", "contents": "Tie-over dressing to prevent recurrence of a hematoma of the ear. Case report. We describe the use of a tie-over dressing to compress and eliminate the dead space in an ear after evacuation of a hematoma. This method seems to produce effective local pressure in the precise area where it is needed.", "PMID": 635055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10321", "title": "A pneumatic tourniquet as an aid to release of capsular contracture around a breast implant.", "content": "The use of a pneumatic tourniquet to release fibrous capsular contracture around a breast implant is described. This method protects the operator's hands and, we believe, is potentially safer for the patient and for the breast prosthesis.", "contents": "A pneumatic tourniquet as an aid to release of capsular contracture around a breast implant. The use of a pneumatic tourniquet to release fibrous capsular contracture around a breast implant is described. This method protects the operator's hands and, we believe, is potentially safer for the patient and for the breast prosthesis.", "PMID": 635056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10322", "title": "Dual curved incisions for trans-metacarpophalangeal surgery.", "content": "Two transverse curved incisions have been used for surgical procedures on all 4-finger MP joints. The edema and hematoma beneath the incision are reduced, and the skin healing is excellent. The exposure is more than sufficient for all the commonly employed surgical procedures on these 4 joints. The final appearance is as good as with a single transverse curved incision.", "contents": "Dual curved incisions for trans-metacarpophalangeal surgery. Two transverse curved incisions have been used for surgical procedures on all 4-finger MP joints. The edema and hematoma beneath the incision are reduced, and the skin healing is excellent. The exposure is more than sufficient for all the commonly employed surgical procedures on these 4 joints. The final appearance is as good as with a single transverse curved incision.", "PMID": 635059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10323", "title": "Psychological test performance and sedation thresholds of elderly dements, depressives and depressives with incipient brain change.", "content": "As expected, dements, depressives and patients with a mixed psychopathology were differentiated from one another on the sedation threshold measure and on a number of psychological tests. In depressives responding to treatment significant changes in physiological and psychological measures, which had been reported in an earlier study could not be replicated except for an increase of psychomotor speed. In the present sample of patients there were significant correlations between various psychological measures and between them and the levels of the sedation threshold, suggesting that sedation thresholds and psychological tests measured related cerebral functions. Evidence obtained from the earlier investigations to the effect that cerebral age changes short of those occurring in dementia may facilitate the occurrence of depression in late life was only weakly confirmed by the replication study.", "contents": "Psychological test performance and sedation thresholds of elderly dements, depressives and depressives with incipient brain change. As expected, dements, depressives and patients with a mixed psychopathology were differentiated from one another on the sedation threshold measure and on a number of psychological tests. In depressives responding to treatment significant changes in physiological and psychological measures, which had been reported in an earlier study could not be replicated except for an increase of psychomotor speed. In the present sample of patients there were significant correlations between various psychological measures and between them and the levels of the sedation threshold, suggesting that sedation thresholds and psychological tests measured related cerebral functions. Evidence obtained from the earlier investigations to the effect that cerebral age changes short of those occurring in dementia may facilitate the occurrence of depression in late life was only weakly confirmed by the replication study.", "PMID": 635061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10324", "title": "Dichotic listening and allusive thinking.", "content": "Previous work suggests that allusive thinkers have a broader attentional process associated with weak central inhibition. The method of dichotic stimulation was used to investigate this concept. Sixty-three university students completed a battery of tests including 2 dichotic listening tasks. The Object Sorting Test was used as a measure of allusive thinking. Allusive thinkers showed a trend towards impaired shadowing performance. Mislabelling of shadow as distractor words and vice versa, on recall and recognition tasks, showed the strongest correlation with allusive thinking. Such mislabelling was considered to reflect impaired discrimination learning, and provides further support for a hypothesis relating allusive thinking to weak Pavlovaian central inhibition.", "contents": "Dichotic listening and allusive thinking. Previous work suggests that allusive thinkers have a broader attentional process associated with weak central inhibition. The method of dichotic stimulation was used to investigate this concept. Sixty-three university students completed a battery of tests including 2 dichotic listening tasks. The Object Sorting Test was used as a measure of allusive thinking. Allusive thinkers showed a trend towards impaired shadowing performance. Mislabelling of shadow as distractor words and vice versa, on recall and recognition tasks, showed the strongest correlation with allusive thinking. Such mislabelling was considered to reflect impaired discrimination learning, and provides further support for a hypothesis relating allusive thinking to weak Pavlovaian central inhibition.", "PMID": 635062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10325", "title": "Psychiatric aspects of pregnancy in schoolgirls: a review.", "content": "This review has searched the literature to examine the hypothesis that illegitimate pregnancy in girls of school going age is an indicator of underlying psychopathology and, in particular, that pregnancy or sexual activity provide a form of gratification for otherwise deprived young girls. Surveys suggest that precocious sexual activity is more common in disadvantaged young teenagers and that pregnant schoolgirls are especially likely to come from large families, and to have unskilled parents. There is a suggestion that the younger groups of pregnant teenagers come from unsatisfactory home backgrounds. However, these conclusions are derived from inadequate studies and should be treated with caution. Relatively few sexually active teenagers use contraceptives but there is no evidence that this represents a subconscious intent to conceive and there is greater support for more straightforward explanations. There is a further suggestion that girls who continue with their pregnancy when the choice for termination is available are more disadvantaged than girls who obtain a termination, although the reasons for this association are not clear. Children born to very young mothers appear to do less well than children born to older mothers. However, it may be that this difference can be attributed to greater overall disadvantages in the younger group rather than to specific age related deficiencies in 'mothering ability'. The problems of schoolgirl pregnancy are compounded by interruption of her schooling and early re-conception. There is evidence that these complications can be lessened by the provision of specially designed intervention programmes.", "contents": "Psychiatric aspects of pregnancy in schoolgirls: a review. This review has searched the literature to examine the hypothesis that illegitimate pregnancy in girls of school going age is an indicator of underlying psychopathology and, in particular, that pregnancy or sexual activity provide a form of gratification for otherwise deprived young girls. Surveys suggest that precocious sexual activity is more common in disadvantaged young teenagers and that pregnant schoolgirls are especially likely to come from large families, and to have unskilled parents. There is a suggestion that the younger groups of pregnant teenagers come from unsatisfactory home backgrounds. However, these conclusions are derived from inadequate studies and should be treated with caution. Relatively few sexually active teenagers use contraceptives but there is no evidence that this represents a subconscious intent to conceive and there is greater support for more straightforward explanations. There is a further suggestion that girls who continue with their pregnancy when the choice for termination is available are more disadvantaged than girls who obtain a termination, although the reasons for this association are not clear. Children born to very young mothers appear to do less well than children born to older mothers. However, it may be that this difference can be attributed to greater overall disadvantages in the younger group rather than to specific age related deficiencies in 'mothering ability'. The problems of schoolgirl pregnancy are compounded by interruption of her schooling and early re-conception. There is evidence that these complications can be lessened by the provision of specially designed intervention programmes.", "PMID": 635063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10326", "title": "Responses of Australian patients with gynaecological disorders to the General Health Questionnaire: a factor analytic study.", "content": "One hundred and twenty-seven out-patients attending a gynaecology clinic completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, 60-item version) and a role problems checklist (RPCL). Principal factors analysis of the GHQ yielded 8 factors which were named: poor performance (which accounted for 63.3% of total variance), depression-anxiety, sleep-disturbance, anhedonia anergia, loss of confidence, general illness, social dysfunction and headache. These results were compared with previous principal components analyses of the GHQ (Goldberg, 1972; Goldberg et al. 1976). A multiple regression analysis indicated that age and 7 of the 8 factors were significantly related to the number of role problems reported by the patients. However, it appears that psychiatric distress (as measured by the GHQ) and role problems were only related to a small degree (multiple R2 = 12.69% only).", "contents": "Responses of Australian patients with gynaecological disorders to the General Health Questionnaire: a factor analytic study. One hundred and twenty-seven out-patients attending a gynaecology clinic completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, 60-item version) and a role problems checklist (RPCL). Principal factors analysis of the GHQ yielded 8 factors which were named: poor performance (which accounted for 63.3% of total variance), depression-anxiety, sleep-disturbance, anhedonia anergia, loss of confidence, general illness, social dysfunction and headache. These results were compared with previous principal components analyses of the GHQ (Goldberg, 1972; Goldberg et al. 1976). A multiple regression analysis indicated that age and 7 of the 8 factors were significantly related to the number of role problems reported by the patients. However, it appears that psychiatric distress (as measured by the GHQ) and role problems were only related to a small degree (multiple R2 = 12.69% only).", "PMID": 635064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10327", "title": "Serum folic acid and B12 in 272 psychiatric in-patients.", "content": "Serum folate and B12 estimations were carried out on 272 admissions to a psychiatric unit during 1972 and 1973. 21.3% had serum folate below 2 ng/ml and 26.1% serum B12 below 150 pg/ml. The organic psychosis patients had a significantly lower mean B12 than the others, and were over-represented among the low B12 group. Low B12 status was also associated with low RBC and WBC. Low folate status was linked with depression, malnutrition, physical illness and low Hb, RBC and WBC. There were more chronic alcoholics than others with serum folate greater than 4-9 ng/ml, low RBC and macrocytosis. The presence of one or more haematological abnormalities (macrocytosis, low Hb, low RBC or low WBC) predicted low folate in 76%, and low B12 in 79%, but these were also found in 40% of the normal folate and 41% of the normal B12 patients. Macrocytosis may prove to be a reliable sign of alcoholic abuse.", "contents": "Serum folic acid and B12 in 272 psychiatric in-patients. Serum folate and B12 estimations were carried out on 272 admissions to a psychiatric unit during 1972 and 1973. 21.3% had serum folate below 2 ng/ml and 26.1% serum B12 below 150 pg/ml. The organic psychosis patients had a significantly lower mean B12 than the others, and were over-represented among the low B12 group. Low B12 status was also associated with low RBC and WBC. Low folate status was linked with depression, malnutrition, physical illness and low Hb, RBC and WBC. There were more chronic alcoholics than others with serum folate greater than 4-9 ng/ml, low RBC and macrocytosis. The presence of one or more haematological abnormalities (macrocytosis, low Hb, low RBC or low WBC) predicted low folate in 76%, and low B12 in 79%, but these were also found in 40% of the normal folate and 41% of the normal B12 patients. Macrocytosis may prove to be a reliable sign of alcoholic abuse.", "PMID": 635065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10328", "title": "The movement of hostility during recovery from depression.", "content": "Sixteen depressed in-patients from a hospital in Athens were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale and the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire. Comparison of admission, discharge and mid-treatment scores showed that: (1) There was a larger drop in depression score in the first half of treatment. (2) Hostility scores, except for extrapunitiveness, decreased significantly over time, larger changes occurring in the first half of treatment. (3) Comparisons with British scores showed that during illness there were no significant differences between British and Greeks, though the latter tended to be more extrapunitive. At recovery, the Greeks were significantly more extrapunitive. The movement of hostility in depressive illness, the validity of the HDHQ and need for national norms are discussed.", "contents": "The movement of hostility during recovery from depression. Sixteen depressed in-patients from a hospital in Athens were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale and the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire. Comparison of admission, discharge and mid-treatment scores showed that: (1) There was a larger drop in depression score in the first half of treatment. (2) Hostility scores, except for extrapunitiveness, decreased significantly over time, larger changes occurring in the first half of treatment. (3) Comparisons with British scores showed that during illness there were no significant differences between British and Greeks, though the latter tended to be more extrapunitive. At recovery, the Greeks were significantly more extrapunitive. The movement of hostility in depressive illness, the validity of the HDHQ and need for national norms are discussed.", "PMID": 635066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10329", "title": "Thryo-endocrine pathology, obstetric morbidity and schizophrenia: survey of a hundred families with a schizophrenic proband.", "content": "This preliminary communication reports that the mothers of 104 schizophrenic patients had: (1) a significantly higher incidence of thyroid disease than a carefully matched control group; (2) significantly more abortions, still-births and greater infant mortality. The findings and possible relevance of thyroid disease to schizophrenia are discussed. Three prospective studies currently in progress are outlined.", "contents": "Thryo-endocrine pathology, obstetric morbidity and schizophrenia: survey of a hundred families with a schizophrenic proband. This preliminary communication reports that the mothers of 104 schizophrenic patients had: (1) a significantly higher incidence of thyroid disease than a carefully matched control group; (2) significantly more abortions, still-births and greater infant mortality. The findings and possible relevance of thyroid disease to schizophrenia are discussed. Three prospective studies currently in progress are outlined.", "PMID": 635067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10330", "title": "The late effects of necrotizing encephalitis of the temporal lobes and limbic areas: a clinico-pathological study of 10 cases.", "content": "The clinical and neuropathological features are reported of 10 patients who had suffered, usually for several years, from the after effects of an acute or sub-acute necrotizing encephalitis of the limbic grey matter and of the adjacent temporal lobes. Emphasis is laid on the memory disturbance and on the behavioural and emotional aberrations that tended to occur and that are in some ways reminiscent of the Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome.", "contents": "The late effects of necrotizing encephalitis of the temporal lobes and limbic areas: a clinico-pathological study of 10 cases. The clinical and neuropathological features are reported of 10 patients who had suffered, usually for several years, from the after effects of an acute or sub-acute necrotizing encephalitis of the limbic grey matter and of the adjacent temporal lobes. Emphasis is laid on the memory disturbance and on the behavioural and emotional aberrations that tended to occur and that are in some ways reminiscent of the Kl\u00fcver-Bucy syndrome.", "PMID": 635068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10331", "title": "Prostaglandins and schizophrenia: further discussion of the evidence.", "content": "It has been proposed that schizophrenia is a prostaglandin-deficiency disease and also that it is a disease of prostaglandin excess. New evidence is reviewed which suggests that 'classic' schizophrenia is due to a specific deficiency of prostaglandin E1 while certain toxic and vitamin-deficiency psychoses may be due to a broader spectrum of prostaglandin deficiency. There is also good evidence that a particular schizophrenic subgroup, which includes catatonic schizophrenia but may not be confirmed to it, is associated with an excess of prostaglandins. Part of the explanation may be that prostaglandin E1 has a 'bell-shaped' dose-response curve with high concentrations having effects similar to those of prostaglandin deficiency.", "contents": "Prostaglandins and schizophrenia: further discussion of the evidence. It has been proposed that schizophrenia is a prostaglandin-deficiency disease and also that it is a disease of prostaglandin excess. New evidence is reviewed which suggests that 'classic' schizophrenia is due to a specific deficiency of prostaglandin E1 while certain toxic and vitamin-deficiency psychoses may be due to a broader spectrum of prostaglandin deficiency. There is also good evidence that a particular schizophrenic subgroup, which includes catatonic schizophrenia but may not be confirmed to it, is associated with an excess of prostaglandins. Part of the explanation may be that prostaglandin E1 has a 'bell-shaped' dose-response curve with high concentrations having effects similar to those of prostaglandin deficiency.", "PMID": 635069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10332", "title": "Effects of certainty, modality shift and guess outcome on evoked potentials and reaction times in chronic schizophrenics.", "content": "Evoked potentials and reaction times were obtained from chronic schizophrenics and normal controls to light and sound stimuli presented in random order. In the 'certain' condition subjects were told what the next stimulus would be, in the 'uncertain' condition they were asked to guess. Amplitudes were usually larger for normals than for schizophrenics, for 'uncertain' than for 'certain' conditions, and in cross- than in ipsimodal stimulus-sequences. The effect of certainty was stronger in normals across 4 leads; so was the effect of modality shift at vertex. While these findings replicate earlier results from acute schizophrenics, no condition X group interactions could be found in the reaction time measures. Two additional results were interpreted as showing basically different attitudes with respect to the predictability of events: (1) there was a slow positivity between the verbal information and the following stimuli which was largest for schizophrenics in the conditions of certainty; (2) while normals showed long-term habituation only in N1- but not in P3-amplitudes, the reverse was true for schizophrenics.", "contents": "Effects of certainty, modality shift and guess outcome on evoked potentials and reaction times in chronic schizophrenics. Evoked potentials and reaction times were obtained from chronic schizophrenics and normal controls to light and sound stimuli presented in random order. In the 'certain' condition subjects were told what the next stimulus would be, in the 'uncertain' condition they were asked to guess. Amplitudes were usually larger for normals than for schizophrenics, for 'uncertain' than for 'certain' conditions, and in cross- than in ipsimodal stimulus-sequences. The effect of certainty was stronger in normals across 4 leads; so was the effect of modality shift at vertex. While these findings replicate earlier results from acute schizophrenics, no condition X group interactions could be found in the reaction time measures. Two additional results were interpreted as showing basically different attitudes with respect to the predictability of events: (1) there was a slow positivity between the verbal information and the following stimuli which was largest for schizophrenics in the conditions of certainty; (2) while normals showed long-term habituation only in N1- but not in P3-amplitudes, the reverse was true for schizophrenics.", "PMID": 635071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10333", "title": "The relationship between psychological and physiological measures of anxiety.", "content": "The responses of 6 representative physiological parameters frequently assumed to be measures of anxiety along with a set of 4 psychological tests for measuring anxiety were obtained under naturalistic conditions from 25 patients hospitalized with a first myocardial infarction. A canonical correlational analysis failed to show any relationship between anxiety as assessed by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Mood Adjective Check List, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Multiple Affect Adjective Check List psychological tests, and anxiety as assessed by the physiological indices of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, epinephrine, norepinephrine and VMA. The intercorrelation matrix revealed a significant positive pattern of relationships among all 4 psychological tests, a non-significant, positive pattern of relationships among the physiological indices, and a non-significant, negative pattern of relationships between the psychological and physiological measures. The absence of mood-specific physiological measures for anxiety, as measured by the psychological tests, supports previous theory and investigation and points to the inadvisability of assuming that studies on anxiety that use diverse physiological and psychological measures yield results that may be compared as though they were assessing a common mood.", "contents": "The relationship between psychological and physiological measures of anxiety. The responses of 6 representative physiological parameters frequently assumed to be measures of anxiety along with a set of 4 psychological tests for measuring anxiety were obtained under naturalistic conditions from 25 patients hospitalized with a first myocardial infarction. A canonical correlational analysis failed to show any relationship between anxiety as assessed by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Mood Adjective Check List, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Multiple Affect Adjective Check List psychological tests, and anxiety as assessed by the physiological indices of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, epinephrine, norepinephrine and VMA. The intercorrelation matrix revealed a significant positive pattern of relationships among all 4 psychological tests, a non-significant, positive pattern of relationships among the physiological indices, and a non-significant, negative pattern of relationships between the psychological and physiological measures. The absence of mood-specific physiological measures for anxiety, as measured by the psychological tests, supports previous theory and investigation and points to the inadvisability of assuming that studies on anxiety that use diverse physiological and psychological measures yield results that may be compared as though they were assessing a common mood.", "PMID": 635072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10334", "title": "Sylvatic trichinosis in British Columbia: potential threat to human health from an independent cycle.", "content": "The results of a 3-year study of trichinosis in British Columbia wild-life, based on the testing of more than 9,000 tissue specimens from a large variety of animal species, indicated that trichinosis is widespread among wild mammals in the southern and central parts of British Columbia. This continuing survey has established that the disease is carried by at least 15 species of terrestrial mammals including 3 species of rodents. The finding of Trichinella spiralis in ground squirrels and nonsynanthropic mice may be the first reported in North America. Although trichinosis appears to be eradicated in domestic pigs in British Columbia, a sylvatic cycle of the disease continues to exist independently and poses a potential threat to human health. It is possible for human beings to contract trichinosis by consuming inadequately cooked meat from certain wildlife species, especially bears, as well as meat products (such as pork or beef sausage) to which game meat has been added; several local outbreaks were caused by this source. Another hazard of unknown potential is the spread of trichinosis from the wild animal reservoir--from rodents in particular--to domestic pigs and thus to man.", "contents": "Sylvatic trichinosis in British Columbia: potential threat to human health from an independent cycle. The results of a 3-year study of trichinosis in British Columbia wild-life, based on the testing of more than 9,000 tissue specimens from a large variety of animal species, indicated that trichinosis is widespread among wild mammals in the southern and central parts of British Columbia. This continuing survey has established that the disease is carried by at least 15 species of terrestrial mammals including 3 species of rodents. The finding of Trichinella spiralis in ground squirrels and nonsynanthropic mice may be the first reported in North America. Although trichinosis appears to be eradicated in domestic pigs in British Columbia, a sylvatic cycle of the disease continues to exist independently and poses a potential threat to human health. It is possible for human beings to contract trichinosis by consuming inadequately cooked meat from certain wildlife species, especially bears, as well as meat products (such as pork or beef sausage) to which game meat has been added; several local outbreaks were caused by this source. Another hazard of unknown potential is the spread of trichinosis from the wild animal reservoir--from rodents in particular--to domestic pigs and thus to man.", "PMID": 635095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10335", "title": "The public health need for abortion statistics.", "content": "As with the delivery of any medical service, abortion has definite public health effects that should be evaluated. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has monitored the impact of abortion in three ways: (a) conducting epidemiologic surveillance of legally induced abortion beginning in 1969. (b) funding a multicenter study of abortion morbidity beginning in 1971, and (c) undertaking surveillance of abortion-related mortality beginning in 1972. These activities are intended to identify health problems related to abortion, to assess the magnitude of these problems, and to make recommendations directed at eliminating the problems. In addition to the Programmatic uses of abortion data, the CDC statistics have also provided a basis for both legislative and judicial decisions that have had national and local impact. The CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics are currently working collectively to strengthen the reporting of national abortion statistics so that the public health need for abortion statistics can be met.", "contents": "The public health need for abortion statistics. As with the delivery of any medical service, abortion has definite public health effects that should be evaluated. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has monitored the impact of abortion in three ways: (a) conducting epidemiologic surveillance of legally induced abortion beginning in 1969. (b) funding a multicenter study of abortion morbidity beginning in 1971, and (c) undertaking surveillance of abortion-related mortality beginning in 1972. These activities are intended to identify health problems related to abortion, to assess the magnitude of these problems, and to make recommendations directed at eliminating the problems. In addition to the Programmatic uses of abortion data, the CDC statistics have also provided a basis for both legislative and judicial decisions that have had national and local impact. The CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics are currently working collectively to strengthen the reporting of national abortion statistics so that the public health need for abortion statistics can be met.", "PMID": 635096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10336", "title": "[Roentgenographic findings in hemangioma of the skull (author's transl)].", "content": "Neuroradiological aspects of diagnosis of skull hemangiomas are analysed in 25 surgically treated cases. Selective internal and external carotid angiographies are important if recurrence after incomplete excision is to avoided.", "contents": "[Roentgenographic findings in hemangioma of the skull (author's transl)]. Neuroradiological aspects of diagnosis of skull hemangiomas are analysed in 25 surgically treated cases. Selective internal and external carotid angiographies are important if recurrence after incomplete excision is to avoided.", "PMID": 635161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10337", "title": "[Roentgen diagnosis of hypoglossal nerve canal (author's transl)].", "content": "Roentgenographic demonstration of the hypoglossal canal had been neglected for a long time, mainly because of superposition of other bone structures. For full evaluation of the hypoglossal canal, tomographic studies with multidirectional tube positions are essential. In order to visualize the canal in three dimensions and to examine its osseous contours in detail axial, frontal and oblique views should be obtained. The jugular tubercle -- forming the roof of the hypoglossal canal -- is of special significance. The roentgenologic features of infiltrating and expansive tumor growth in the region of hypoglossal canal are discussed.", "contents": "[Roentgen diagnosis of hypoglossal nerve canal (author's transl)]. Roentgenographic demonstration of the hypoglossal canal had been neglected for a long time, mainly because of superposition of other bone structures. For full evaluation of the hypoglossal canal, tomographic studies with multidirectional tube positions are essential. In order to visualize the canal in three dimensions and to examine its osseous contours in detail axial, frontal and oblique views should be obtained. The jugular tubercle -- forming the roof of the hypoglossal canal -- is of special significance. The roentgenologic features of infiltrating and expansive tumor growth in the region of hypoglossal canal are discussed.", "PMID": 635162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10338", "title": "[Cranio-vertebral junction anomalies and osseous dysplasias (author's transl)].", "content": "The cartilaginously preformed occipital region of the cranium is ontogenetically a part of the backbone. The cranio-vertebral junction is unique among the other junctional areas of the backbone: 1. It has not yet been proved that different combinations of cranial and caudal junction anomalies are not combined with cervical junction anomalies. 2. The assimilations of the atlas which are considered to be progressive and regressive variants and the so-called manifestations of the occipital vertebra, i.e. diametrically opposed members of a developmental line occur together with a frequency that is inconsistent with the above assumption. 3. Both variants occur combined with the most serious developmental abnormalities of the cranio-vertebral junction. All described occipital-cervical abnormalities may have clinical significance with extends far beyond an assessment as simple variants (deviations) and includes extremely serious, life-threatening osseous deformations.", "contents": "[Cranio-vertebral junction anomalies and osseous dysplasias (author's transl)]. The cartilaginously preformed occipital region of the cranium is ontogenetically a part of the backbone. The cranio-vertebral junction is unique among the other junctional areas of the backbone: 1. It has not yet been proved that different combinations of cranial and caudal junction anomalies are not combined with cervical junction anomalies. 2. The assimilations of the atlas which are considered to be progressive and regressive variants and the so-called manifestations of the occipital vertebra, i.e. diametrically opposed members of a developmental line occur together with a frequency that is inconsistent with the above assumption. 3. Both variants occur combined with the most serious developmental abnormalities of the cranio-vertebral junction. All described occipital-cervical abnormalities may have clinical significance with extends far beyond an assessment as simple variants (deviations) and includes extremely serious, life-threatening osseous deformations.", "PMID": 635163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10339", "title": "[Bony malformations of the cranio-vertebral junction and its clinical relevance (author's transl)].", "content": "A statistical analysis is performed in 86 cases suffering from osseous malformation of the cranio-vertebral junction. The material consists of 71 cases with basilar impression, 8 cases with hypoplasia or absence of the odontoid process, and 7 cases with a congenital atlanto-epistropheal dislocation. The patients are clinically asymptomatic in 23 cases, and are marked by a para-respectively tetraparesis in 28 cases, by bulbar-pontine-cerebellar disorders in 24 cases, and by syringomyelia in 11 cases. A control group is included consisting of 30 cases without neurological symptoms and with a normal radiological finding of the cranio-vertebral region. The following measured values are taken in consideration to perform a statistical calculation using the simple variance analysis: The height of the odontoid process above of McGregor's line, the distance between the back of the odontoid process and the inner limit of the arch of C1, and, concerning the groups with hypoplasia of the odontoid process process and with atlanto-axial dislocation, the narrowing of the spinal canal at the level of C1 dependent on movements of the head. The measured values are referred to the different clinical syndromes and are described and divided according to its statistical significance related to the clinical groups.", "contents": "[Bony malformations of the cranio-vertebral junction and its clinical relevance (author's transl)]. A statistical analysis is performed in 86 cases suffering from osseous malformation of the cranio-vertebral junction. The material consists of 71 cases with basilar impression, 8 cases with hypoplasia or absence of the odontoid process, and 7 cases with a congenital atlanto-epistropheal dislocation. The patients are clinically asymptomatic in 23 cases, and are marked by a para-respectively tetraparesis in 28 cases, by bulbar-pontine-cerebellar disorders in 24 cases, and by syringomyelia in 11 cases. A control group is included consisting of 30 cases without neurological symptoms and with a normal radiological finding of the cranio-vertebral region. The following measured values are taken in consideration to perform a statistical calculation using the simple variance analysis: The height of the odontoid process above of McGregor's line, the distance between the back of the odontoid process and the inner limit of the arch of C1, and, concerning the groups with hypoplasia of the odontoid process process and with atlanto-axial dislocation, the narrowing of the spinal canal at the level of C1 dependent on movements of the head. The measured values are referred to the different clinical syndromes and are described and divided according to its statistical significance related to the clinical groups.", "PMID": 635164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10340", "title": "[Traumatic and posttraumatic lesions of the cranio-vertebral junction (author's transl)].", "content": "Trauma of the cranio-vertebral junction does not only cause osseous and ligamentous injuries but also nervous and vascular damage. The peculiar structure of these joints and trauma by hyperextension as well as forced bending of the spinal cord provoke distorsion, dislocations and fractures of atlas and axis as well as occipital condyles. A radiographic examination of these lesions must be minute and tomography and functional tests employed. Post-traumatic, neurologic and vascular complications are often the cause for acute and chronic bulbo-medullary alterations.", "contents": "[Traumatic and posttraumatic lesions of the cranio-vertebral junction (author's transl)]. Trauma of the cranio-vertebral junction does not only cause osseous and ligamentous injuries but also nervous and vascular damage. The peculiar structure of these joints and trauma by hyperextension as well as forced bending of the spinal cord provoke distorsion, dislocations and fractures of atlas and axis as well as occipital condyles. A radiographic examination of these lesions must be minute and tomography and functional tests employed. Post-traumatic, neurologic and vascular complications are often the cause for acute and chronic bulbo-medullary alterations.", "PMID": 635165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10341", "title": "[Radiologic differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the base of skull (author's transl)].", "content": "The radiologic differential diagnosis of radiolucencies of the base of skull is discussed by clinically and microscopically verified cases. For clarification of lesions in the base of skull tomography is frequently necessary. The specific diagnosis of these lesions is often only possible by angiography and consideration of the patient's history and physical findings.", "contents": "[Radiologic differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the base of skull (author's transl)]. The radiologic differential diagnosis of radiolucencies of the base of skull is discussed by clinically and microscopically verified cases. For clarification of lesions in the base of skull tomography is frequently necessary. The specific diagnosis of these lesions is often only possible by angiography and consideration of the patient's history and physical findings.", "PMID": 635166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10342", "title": "[The aid of bone scans in diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia (author's transl)].", "content": "Fibrous dysplasia of the bone does not only occur in childhood as commonly believed, but may also be diagnosed during adult life as a stepwise progressing disease. Bone scans are useful to differentiate active from non-active disease. Suspicious accumulations of the radio-pharmaceutical which may be detected by total body scanning, should be confirmed by roentgen examination as a more specific method. Bone scan is helpful in early detection of focal disease and may visualize lesions in wide-spread disease for further radiological workup.", "contents": "[The aid of bone scans in diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia (author's transl)]. Fibrous dysplasia of the bone does not only occur in childhood as commonly believed, but may also be diagnosed during adult life as a stepwise progressing disease. Bone scans are useful to differentiate active from non-active disease. Suspicious accumulations of the radio-pharmaceutical which may be detected by total body scanning, should be confirmed by roentgen examination as a more specific method. Bone scan is helpful in early detection of focal disease and may visualize lesions in wide-spread disease for further radiological workup.", "PMID": 635167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10343", "title": "[Roentgen-anatomy of the distal fibula (author's transl)].", "content": "Based upon 1000 x-rays of the ankle the radiologic appearance of the sulcus peronaealis is evaluated. Three types may be differentiated. The muscle tone seems to be responsible for the development of the sulcus.", "contents": "[Roentgen-anatomy of the distal fibula (author's transl)]. Based upon 1000 x-rays of the ankle the radiologic appearance of the sulcus peronaealis is evaluated. Three types may be differentiated. The muscle tone seems to be responsible for the development of the sulcus.", "PMID": 635168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10344", "title": "[Value of lymphography in teratoid testicular tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "In 72 patients with malignant testicular tumors lymphograms were reviewed and correlated with the microscopic findings of the resected lymphnodes. In 55 patients (76%) the roentgenographic diagnosis was confirmed by histology. In 6 patients lymphography was false positive as microscopic examination of the resected lymphnodes showed. In 4 patients lymphography was considered negative but metastatic disease proven microscopically from retroperitoneal lymphnodes. Out of 7 patients with questionable positive lymphograms 2 had retroperitoneal metastases confirmed by microscopic examination. The limits, errors and value of lymphography in patients with testicular tumors are discussed.", "contents": "[Value of lymphography in teratoid testicular tumors (author's transl)]. In 72 patients with malignant testicular tumors lymphograms were reviewed and correlated with the microscopic findings of the resected lymphnodes. In 55 patients (76%) the roentgenographic diagnosis was confirmed by histology. In 6 patients lymphography was false positive as microscopic examination of the resected lymphnodes showed. In 4 patients lymphography was considered negative but metastatic disease proven microscopically from retroperitoneal lymphnodes. Out of 7 patients with questionable positive lymphograms 2 had retroperitoneal metastases confirmed by microscopic examination. The limits, errors and value of lymphography in patients with testicular tumors are discussed.", "PMID": 635169} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10345", "title": "Augmented arterial flow and pressure resulting from selective injections through catheters: clinical implications.", "content": "Injection of fluid through catheters positioned selectively in arteries results in substantial increases in flow and pressure in those arteries for the duration of the injection. This produces certain artifacts which may lead to misinterpretation of the arteriograms. Apparent direction of flow in major vessels, extent of collateral circulation, distribution of contrast medium throughout various branches of the arterial tree, and density of accumulation of contrast material in organs or tumors can be altered significantly by the injection technique.", "contents": "Augmented arterial flow and pressure resulting from selective injections through catheters: clinical implications. Injection of fluid through catheters positioned selectively in arteries results in substantial increases in flow and pressure in those arteries for the duration of the injection. This produces certain artifacts which may lead to misinterpretation of the arteriograms. Apparent direction of flow in major vessels, extent of collateral circulation, distribution of contrast medium throughout various branches of the arterial tree, and density of accumulation of contrast material in organs or tumors can be altered significantly by the injection technique.", "PMID": 635170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10346", "title": "The fabella sign: fabella displacement in synovial effusion and popliteal fossa masses. Normal and abnormal fabello-femoral and fabello-tibial distances.", "content": "Posterior displacement of the fabella is a reliable sign of synovial effusion or mass which may be applied even when inflammation or post-traumatic edema obscures the extrasynovial fat lines of the knee joint. The fabella normally moves posteriorly as the knee is flexed, but correlation of fabella position with degree of flexion defined ranges of normal and abnormal fabella position which are useful in diagnosis. If all lateral views are obtained with the knee flexed over a standard angle bolster, fabella position is standardized and fabella displacement readily detected without need for measurement. With experience, fabella displacement is readily apparent in non-standard positions as well. Normal fabella position does not rule out small effusion or effusion which is confined to the suprapatellar pouch because the knee is extended.", "contents": "The fabella sign: fabella displacement in synovial effusion and popliteal fossa masses. Normal and abnormal fabello-femoral and fabello-tibial distances. Posterior displacement of the fabella is a reliable sign of synovial effusion or mass which may be applied even when inflammation or post-traumatic edema obscures the extrasynovial fat lines of the knee joint. The fabella normally moves posteriorly as the knee is flexed, but correlation of fabella position with degree of flexion defined ranges of normal and abnormal fabella position which are useful in diagnosis. If all lateral views are obtained with the knee flexed over a standard angle bolster, fabella position is standardized and fabella displacement readily detected without need for measurement. With experience, fabella displacement is readily apparent in non-standard positions as well. Normal fabella position does not rule out small effusion or effusion which is confined to the suprapatellar pouch because the knee is extended.", "PMID": 635171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10347", "title": "The influence of thin-section tomography on the treatment of cervical spine injuries.", "content": "A study was performed to determine the influence of routine thin-section tomography on subsequent treatment of the patient with acute trauma to the cervical spine. Of 79 such patients who underwent tomography over a 14-month period, 55 had suspicious indirect findings on the radiograph and 25% of these were shown to have fractures, while 67% of the patients without radiographic abnormalities who presented with a neurological deficit also demonstrated fractures on tomography. Of the patients who were shown to have fractures prior to tomography, 54% had more extensive injury than originally suspected. In nearly 18% of patients, the mode of therapy was changed significantly after tomographic evaluation. Indications for tomography are discussed and specific recommendations for systematic radiographic evaluation of cervical spine injuries are presented.", "contents": "The influence of thin-section tomography on the treatment of cervical spine injuries. A study was performed to determine the influence of routine thin-section tomography on subsequent treatment of the patient with acute trauma to the cervical spine. Of 79 such patients who underwent tomography over a 14-month period, 55 had suspicious indirect findings on the radiograph and 25% of these were shown to have fractures, while 67% of the patients without radiographic abnormalities who presented with a neurological deficit also demonstrated fractures on tomography. Of the patients who were shown to have fractures prior to tomography, 54% had more extensive injury than originally suspected. In nearly 18% of patients, the mode of therapy was changed significantly after tomographic evaluation. Indications for tomography are discussed and specific recommendations for systematic radiographic evaluation of cervical spine injuries are presented.", "PMID": 635172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10348", "title": "On-line computer storage, retrieval, and reporting of coded angiographic data.", "content": "Interpretations of angiographic images have been coded and stored using an on-line computer terminal for seven years. Decoded angiographic information is incorporated in computer-generated reports which are printed on demand after completion of cardiac catheterization procedures. Currently, almost 5,500 cases are stored in an off-line data base which has been designed to help identify patterns with prognostic potential. Also, the program has helped standardize angiographic nomenclature, saved much clerical time, and virtually eliminated clerical errors. The program interacts with other software in the hospital, avoiding repetitious entries. The advantages and shortcomings of the program and commonly used approaches to computer storage/retrieval of radiographic information are described.", "contents": "On-line computer storage, retrieval, and reporting of coded angiographic data. Interpretations of angiographic images have been coded and stored using an on-line computer terminal for seven years. Decoded angiographic information is incorporated in computer-generated reports which are printed on demand after completion of cardiac catheterization procedures. Currently, almost 5,500 cases are stored in an off-line data base which has been designed to help identify patterns with prognostic potential. Also, the program has helped standardize angiographic nomenclature, saved much clerical time, and virtually eliminated clerical errors. The program interacts with other software in the hospital, avoiding repetitious entries. The advantages and shortcomings of the program and commonly used approaches to computer storage/retrieval of radiographic information are described.", "PMID": 635173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10349", "title": "Telephone transmission of radiographic images.", "content": "A new system for telecommunication of radiographic images using readily available telephone transmission circuitry is described. The resulting video images were satisfactory for accurate interpretation in 80% of the cases tested. The system is moderately priced and has facilitated maintenance of radiodiagnostic interpretive services at a satellite office form the central hospital location.", "contents": "Telephone transmission of radiographic images. A new system for telecommunication of radiographic images using readily available telephone transmission circuitry is described. The resulting video images were satisfactory for accurate interpretation in 80% of the cases tested. The system is moderately priced and has facilitated maintenance of radiodiagnostic interpretive services at a satellite office form the central hospital location.", "PMID": 635174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10350", "title": "Economic analysis of body computed tomography units including data on utilization.", "content": "All operating body computed tomography installations in the United States were surveyed in May 1977; data were obtained from 74 of 118 installations. Utilization and economic data from this survey are compared to similar data from January 1976. Scheduling delay data indicate that computed tomography availability is closer to meeting the clinical demand for CT studies than in January 1976; however, CT demand (as indicated by scheduling delay) is rising at installations with greater than 5 months BCT experience. The estimated annual technical cost of BCT is $359,000--$392,000 with a patient volume of 25--50 patients per week and is higher than the current net technical revenue.", "contents": "Economic analysis of body computed tomography units including data on utilization. All operating body computed tomography installations in the United States were surveyed in May 1977; data were obtained from 74 of 118 installations. Utilization and economic data from this survey are compared to similar data from January 1976. Scheduling delay data indicate that computed tomography availability is closer to meeting the clinical demand for CT studies than in January 1976; however, CT demand (as indicated by scheduling delay) is rising at installations with greater than 5 months BCT experience. The estimated annual technical cost of BCT is $359,000--$392,000 with a patient volume of 25--50 patients per week and is higher than the current net technical revenue.", "PMID": 635175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10351", "title": "Computed tomography and radionuclide imaging of the liver: a comparative evaluation.", "content": "The authors retrospectively analyzed the results of radionuclide imaging (RI) and computed tomography (CT) of the liver in 174 patients. RI correctly identified 90% of patients with focal hepatic lesions while CT identified 85%. CT was capable of differentiating tumor, abscess/hematoma, and cyst while RI was more sensitive in the detection of hepatocellular disease. CT distinguished regenerating nodules from other focal lesions. Radionuclide imaging remains the preferred initial screening examination in patients with suspected focal liver disease, while CT is the examination of choice to distinguish obstructive from nonobstructive jaundice.", "contents": "Computed tomography and radionuclide imaging of the liver: a comparative evaluation. The authors retrospectively analyzed the results of radionuclide imaging (RI) and computed tomography (CT) of the liver in 174 patients. RI correctly identified 90% of patients with focal hepatic lesions while CT identified 85%. CT was capable of differentiating tumor, abscess/hematoma, and cyst while RI was more sensitive in the detection of hepatocellular disease. CT distinguished regenerating nodules from other focal lesions. Radionuclide imaging remains the preferred initial screening examination in patients with suspected focal liver disease, while CT is the examination of choice to distinguish obstructive from nonobstructive jaundice.", "PMID": 635176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10352", "title": "Computed tomography of tumors of the musculoskeletal system in children. Clinical applications.", "content": "Studies indicate that computed tomography (CT) has several important clinical applications in the evaluation of tumors of the musculoskeletal system. These include (a) diagnosis of lesions involving difficult areas such as the sacrum and ilium, (b) demonstration of soft-tissue components of bone tumors or primary soft-tissue masses, (c) assessment of bone-marrow involvement, and (d) follow-up after irradiation or chemotherapy. Several selected pediatric cases are described in detail.", "contents": "Computed tomography of tumors of the musculoskeletal system in children. Clinical applications. Studies indicate that computed tomography (CT) has several important clinical applications in the evaluation of tumors of the musculoskeletal system. These include (a) diagnosis of lesions involving difficult areas such as the sacrum and ilium, (b) demonstration of soft-tissue components of bone tumors or primary soft-tissue masses, (c) assessment of bone-marrow involvement, and (d) follow-up after irradiation or chemotherapy. Several selected pediatric cases are described in detail.", "PMID": 635177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10353", "title": "Malignant melanoma metastatic to the central nervous system.", "content": "The CT appearance of metastatic malignant melanoma is varied, but it can show features suggesting the correct diagnosis. Intracerebral hemorrhage alone, associated with an adjacent tumor nodule or mixed diffusely with a tumor, occurred in 10 of 33 patients. Identification of a tumor nodule is important, since it may be the site of recurrent hemorrhage if not removed completely at surgery. Unusual presentations such as meningeal carcinomatosis and lesions simulating primary gliomas also occurred.", "contents": "Malignant melanoma metastatic to the central nervous system. The CT appearance of metastatic malignant melanoma is varied, but it can show features suggesting the correct diagnosis. Intracerebral hemorrhage alone, associated with an adjacent tumor nodule or mixed diffusely with a tumor, occurred in 10 of 33 patients. Identification of a tumor nodule is important, since it may be the site of recurrent hemorrhage if not removed completely at surgery. Unusual presentations such as meningeal carcinomatosis and lesions simulating primary gliomas also occurred.", "PMID": 635178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10354", "title": "Spinal cord angiography using 4x magnification.", "content": "Angiography at 4X magnification using a microfocal x-ray tube (0.05 mm) gives better resolution and detail of the spinal cord than conventional angiography. This technique permits demonstration of feeding arteries and draining veins, the course of the radiculomedullary arteries (including the artery of Adamkiewicz), ramification of communicating branches, and location of stenotic portions.", "contents": "Spinal cord angiography using 4x magnification. Angiography at 4X magnification using a microfocal x-ray tube (0.05 mm) gives better resolution and detail of the spinal cord than conventional angiography. This technique permits demonstration of feeding arteries and draining veins, the course of the radiculomedullary arteries (including the artery of Adamkiewicz), ramification of communicating branches, and location of stenotic portions.", "PMID": 635179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10355", "title": "Renal uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in congestive heart failure.", "content": "Renal uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid during liver and spleen imaging was observed in 4 patients; all had moderate to severe congestive heart failure. Four similar patients with this association have been reported. Although the exact mechanism of colloid uptake by the kidneys is not known, an association with congestive heart failure seems likely.", "contents": "Renal uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid in congestive heart failure. Renal uptake of 99mTc-sulfur colloid during liver and spleen imaging was observed in 4 patients; all had moderate to severe congestive heart failure. Four similar patients with this association have been reported. Although the exact mechanism of colloid uptake by the kidneys is not known, an association with congestive heart failure seems likely.", "PMID": 635180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10356", "title": "The diagnostic significance of gallium lung uptake in patients with normal chest radiographs.", "content": "Nine patients were encountered with normal chest radiographs, but diffuse bilateral lung uptake of 67Ga-citrate. They were divided into three groups. The first consisted of 6 patients who had lymphoma or leukemia and had had multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Here, abnormal uptake may have resulted from a toxic effect of the drugs or from a low-grade, subclinical infectious process. The 2 patients in the second group were drug addicts and a subradiographic interstitial inflammatory reaction was probably responsible for abnormal uptake. The last patient had diffuse uptake of 67Ga-citrate throughout the lungs two weeks before lymphomatous infiltrates became radiographically visible.", "contents": "The diagnostic significance of gallium lung uptake in patients with normal chest radiographs. Nine patients were encountered with normal chest radiographs, but diffuse bilateral lung uptake of 67Ga-citrate. They were divided into three groups. The first consisted of 6 patients who had lymphoma or leukemia and had had multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Here, abnormal uptake may have resulted from a toxic effect of the drugs or from a low-grade, subclinical infectious process. The 2 patients in the second group were drug addicts and a subradiographic interstitial inflammatory reaction was probably responsible for abnormal uptake. The last patient had diffuse uptake of 67Ga-citrate throughout the lungs two weeks before lymphomatous infiltrates became radiographically visible.", "PMID": 635181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10357", "title": "Epidural hematoma of the posterior fossa: radionuclide features.", "content": "Since epidural hematomas usually present as acute neurosurgical emergencies, they are rarely studied by radionuclide imaging. An epidural hematoma in the posterior fossa showed characteristic anterior displacement of the torcular Herophili and separation of the superior sagittal sinus from the inner table of the skull on cerebral radionuclide imaging and angiography.", "contents": "Epidural hematoma of the posterior fossa: radionuclide features. Since epidural hematomas usually present as acute neurosurgical emergencies, they are rarely studied by radionuclide imaging. An epidural hematoma in the posterior fossa showed characteristic anterior displacement of the torcular Herophili and separation of the superior sagittal sinus from the inner table of the skull on cerebral radionuclide imaging and angiography.", "PMID": 635182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10358", "title": "Cystic retroperitoneal lymphangioma in infants and children.", "content": "Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are uncommon benign tumors usually presenting in early life. They may cause significant pressure on adjacent structures, most often with superior and medial displacement of the kidney and medial deviation of the ureter. Relative radiolucency on total body opacification during excretory urography, and features of a cystic structure on ultrasonography and computed tomography should further suggest the possibility of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma. Vascular stretching and displacement without neovascularity on angiography and contrast entry into the cysts on lower extremity lymphography are additional features, but such procedures are usually unnecessary.", "contents": "Cystic retroperitoneal lymphangioma in infants and children. Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are uncommon benign tumors usually presenting in early life. They may cause significant pressure on adjacent structures, most often with superior and medial displacement of the kidney and medial deviation of the ureter. Relative radiolucency on total body opacification during excretory urography, and features of a cystic structure on ultrasonography and computed tomography should further suggest the possibility of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma. Vascular stretching and displacement without neovascularity on angiography and contrast entry into the cysts on lower extremity lymphography are additional features, but such procedures are usually unnecessary.", "PMID": 635183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10359", "title": "Peritoneographic demonstration of femoral hernia.", "content": "Four cases of congenital hernia demonstrated by positive-contrast peritoneography are reported. Its differentiation from indirect inguinal hernia is described.", "contents": "Peritoneographic demonstration of femoral hernia. Four cases of congenital hernia demonstrated by positive-contrast peritoneography are reported. Its differentiation from indirect inguinal hernia is described.", "PMID": 635184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10360", "title": "False aneurysms of the left ventricle. Identification of distinctive clinical, radiographic, and angiographic features.", "content": "False aneurysms of the left ventricle were observed in 14 patients. They were caused by obstructive coronary arterial disease with resultant myocardial infarction in 11, bacterial endocarditis in 1, a knife wound in 1, and disruption of a ventriculotomy in 1. Most of them extended posteriorly on the lateral radiograph, as opposed to the usual anterior position of true aneurysms. Enlargement was frequently observed on sequential studies. Angiography usually demonstrated involvement of the diaphragmatic or posterolateral segment due to occlusion of the right coronary artery; in contrast, true aneurysms are apical or anterolateral and are due to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. The frequency of rupture of false aneurysms points up the importance of dinstinguishing them from true aneurysms.", "contents": "False aneurysms of the left ventricle. Identification of distinctive clinical, radiographic, and angiographic features. False aneurysms of the left ventricle were observed in 14 patients. They were caused by obstructive coronary arterial disease with resultant myocardial infarction in 11, bacterial endocarditis in 1, a knife wound in 1, and disruption of a ventriculotomy in 1. Most of them extended posteriorly on the lateral radiograph, as opposed to the usual anterior position of true aneurysms. Enlargement was frequently observed on sequential studies. Angiography usually demonstrated involvement of the diaphragmatic or posterolateral segment due to occlusion of the right coronary artery; in contrast, true aneurysms are apical or anterolateral and are due to occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. The frequency of rupture of false aneurysms points up the importance of dinstinguishing them from true aneurysms.", "PMID": 635185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10361", "title": "Ultrasonic study of the normal and dilated biliary tree. The \"shotgun\" sign.", "content": "With the advent of real time scanners, segments of the normal biliary tree can now be seen regularly. Normally, the biliary junction is narrower than the portal vein or the portal division. With early dilatation of the bile ducts the diameters of the two systems tend to equalize. Thus, the presence of two parallel ducts with similar diameters is pathologic. As the dilatation of the biliary tree progresses, the portal system may become flattened, thus reversing the initial proportion between the diameter of the biliary junction and that of the biliary tree.", "contents": "Ultrasonic study of the normal and dilated biliary tree. The \"shotgun\" sign. With the advent of real time scanners, segments of the normal biliary tree can now be seen regularly. Normally, the biliary junction is narrower than the portal vein or the portal division. With early dilatation of the bile ducts the diameters of the two systems tend to equalize. Thus, the presence of two parallel ducts with similar diameters is pathologic. As the dilatation of the biliary tree progresses, the portal system may become flattened, thus reversing the initial proportion between the diameter of the biliary junction and that of the biliary tree.", "PMID": 635187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10362", "title": "Gray scale ultrasound of the scrotum.", "content": "Clinical differentiation of the various pathological conditions which affect the scrotal contents can be difficult. The value of gray scale ultrasonography was assessed prospectively in 55 patients (110 testes) with specific clinical presentations and was compared to the reported results of other noninvasive imaging procedures. The homogeneous texture of the testes and the coarser pattern of the epididymal region were normally more clearly separable with gray scale signal processing. In this series, a clear differentiation of the origin of an abnormality was possible in 80% of the cases. A negative sonogram was highly reliable. However, the benefits of scrotal ultrasonography can only be evaluated after consideration of the clinical setting and alternative noninvasive diagnostic modalities.", "contents": "Gray scale ultrasound of the scrotum. Clinical differentiation of the various pathological conditions which affect the scrotal contents can be difficult. The value of gray scale ultrasonography was assessed prospectively in 55 patients (110 testes) with specific clinical presentations and was compared to the reported results of other noninvasive imaging procedures. The homogeneous texture of the testes and the coarser pattern of the epididymal region were normally more clearly separable with gray scale signal processing. In this series, a clear differentiation of the origin of an abnormality was possible in 80% of the cases. A negative sonogram was highly reliable. However, the benefits of scrotal ultrasonography can only be evaluated after consideration of the clinical setting and alternative noninvasive diagnostic modalities.", "PMID": 635188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10363", "title": "The spectrum of ultrasonic findings in endometriosis.", "content": "Ten cases of endometriosis presenting as pelvic masses are reviewed. Ultrasonically, these lesions were classified into three categories: cystic, mixed, and solid. In the cystic pattern, none had the smooth, well-defined wall and totally echo-free appearance characteristic of a simple cyst. Instead, the wall was shaggy and somewhat irregular with some evidence of septation. In the mixed type, the echographic appearance was compatible with pelvic inflammatory disease of an infectious etiology. In 3 cases with the solid pattern, the ultrasound appearance suggested ovarian malignancy. When the clinical setting and the age of the patient are suggestive of endometriosis, the sonographer should consider this possibility in his differential diagnosis of pelvic masses, regardless of the consistency of the lesion.", "contents": "The spectrum of ultrasonic findings in endometriosis. Ten cases of endometriosis presenting as pelvic masses are reviewed. Ultrasonically, these lesions were classified into three categories: cystic, mixed, and solid. In the cystic pattern, none had the smooth, well-defined wall and totally echo-free appearance characteristic of a simple cyst. Instead, the wall was shaggy and somewhat irregular with some evidence of septation. In the mixed type, the echographic appearance was compatible with pelvic inflammatory disease of an infectious etiology. In 3 cases with the solid pattern, the ultrasound appearance suggested ovarian malignancy. When the clinical setting and the age of the patient are suggestive of endometriosis, the sonographer should consider this possibility in his differential diagnosis of pelvic masses, regardless of the consistency of the lesion.", "PMID": 635189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10364", "title": "Ultrasonic detection of nonopaque renal calculi.", "content": "Four patients with 5 nonopaque renal calculi composed of uric acid were examined by ultrasound. The calculi varied in size from a 1.5 X 1.5-cm intrapelvic stone to a staghorn calculus measuring 4 cm. All stones were satisfactorily imaged by ultrasound, allowing a diagnosis of nephrolithiasis to be made with confidence in each case. In 2 patients with poor excretion on urography, the diagnosis was not suspected prior to the ultrasound examination. The authors feel that ultrasound has great potential value in the investigation of nonopaque filling defects of the renal pelvis and in patients with urographic nonvisualization who have a high risk of uric acid lithiasis.", "contents": "Ultrasonic detection of nonopaque renal calculi. Four patients with 5 nonopaque renal calculi composed of uric acid were examined by ultrasound. The calculi varied in size from a 1.5 X 1.5-cm intrapelvic stone to a staghorn calculus measuring 4 cm. All stones were satisfactorily imaged by ultrasound, allowing a diagnosis of nephrolithiasis to be made with confidence in each case. In 2 patients with poor excretion on urography, the diagnosis was not suspected prior to the ultrasound examination. The authors feel that ultrasound has great potential value in the investigation of nonopaque filling defects of the renal pelvis and in patients with urographic nonvisualization who have a high risk of uric acid lithiasis.", "PMID": 635191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10365", "title": "Histopathologic studies of the liver following intravenous colloidal 198Au therapy.", "content": "Histologic studies of liver tissue from 27 patients given up to 395 mCi (cumulative) of intravenous colloidal 198Au showed no definite radiation injury and no correlation between hepatic abnormalities and dose. Demonstration of aggregates of colloidal gold in the Kupffer cells was inconsistent, suggesting slow removal or dispersion. Although the liver ordinarily receives the highest radiation dose, the critical organ is the marrow. Results support the recent introduction of 198Au to supplement teletherapy for certain neoplasms diffusely infiltrating the liver. Apparently the beta distribution minimizes endothelial injury in large vessels, which has been shown to be the cause of radiation hepatitis.", "contents": "Histopathologic studies of the liver following intravenous colloidal 198Au therapy. Histologic studies of liver tissue from 27 patients given up to 395 mCi (cumulative) of intravenous colloidal 198Au showed no definite radiation injury and no correlation between hepatic abnormalities and dose. Demonstration of aggregates of colloidal gold in the Kupffer cells was inconsistent, suggesting slow removal or dispersion. Although the liver ordinarily receives the highest radiation dose, the critical organ is the marrow. Results support the recent introduction of 198Au to supplement teletherapy for certain neoplasms diffusely infiltrating the liver. Apparently the beta distribution minimizes endothelial injury in large vessels, which has been shown to be the cause of radiation hepatitis.", "PMID": 635192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10366", "title": "Reduction of patient exposure by use of heavy elements as radiation filters in diagnostic radiology.", "content": "The effect on patient exposure of x-ray filters made of heavy elements has been studied in excretory urography and lumbar spine examinations. Several elements with atomic numbers between 62 and 74 were tested in experiments using radiographic phantoms and in patient studies. A holmium filter reduced skin exposure by more than 50% in excretory urography. Similar results were obtained with ytterbium and tungsten in lumbar spine studies.", "contents": "Reduction of patient exposure by use of heavy elements as radiation filters in diagnostic radiology. The effect on patient exposure of x-ray filters made of heavy elements has been studied in excretory urography and lumbar spine examinations. Several elements with atomic numbers between 62 and 74 were tested in experiments using radiographic phantoms and in patient studies. A holmium filter reduced skin exposure by more than 50% in excretory urography. Similar results were obtained with ytterbium and tungsten in lumbar spine studies.", "PMID": 635193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10367", "title": "A film dosimetry system for use in computed tomography.", "content": "The authors describe a film dosimetry system for use in calculating the surface dose delivered by a CT scanner. Kodak XV-2 film is wrapped around a cylindrical water-filled phantom and the dose distribution is recorded. This system is easier to use than thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) and provides a detailed map of the dose distribution. Comparison with TLD measurements for a variety of CT scanners indicates that an accuracy of +/-15% can be achieved using this system. Dose distributions obtained with several scanners are shown.", "contents": "A film dosimetry system for use in computed tomography. The authors describe a film dosimetry system for use in calculating the surface dose delivered by a CT scanner. Kodak XV-2 film is wrapped around a cylindrical water-filled phantom and the dose distribution is recorded. This system is easier to use than thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) and provides a detailed map of the dose distribution. Comparison with TLD measurements for a variety of CT scanners indicates that an accuracy of +/-15% can be achieved using this system. Dose distributions obtained with several scanners are shown.", "PMID": 635194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10368", "title": "A computer-assisted three-dimensional treatment planning system.", "content": "The three-dimensional treatment planning system developed at the Rhode Island Hospital visualizes the spatial interrelationships of the radiation beam, the tumor, and the adjacent organs within the patient. It is possible to rotate and vary the scale of the display to better comprehend the extent of these structures. By viewing the display as if from along the radiation beam, one can design shaped treatment fields which best suit the three-dimensional nature of the disease. With this system, it is possible to reduce the volume of normal tissue which would typically be irradiated if two-dimensional treatment planning techniques and assumptions were employed.", "contents": "A computer-assisted three-dimensional treatment planning system. The three-dimensional treatment planning system developed at the Rhode Island Hospital visualizes the spatial interrelationships of the radiation beam, the tumor, and the adjacent organs within the patient. It is possible to rotate and vary the scale of the display to better comprehend the extent of these structures. By viewing the display as if from along the radiation beam, one can design shaped treatment fields which best suit the three-dimensional nature of the disease. With this system, it is possible to reduce the volume of normal tissue which would typically be irradiated if two-dimensional treatment planning techniques and assumptions were employed.", "PMID": 635195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10369", "title": "Percutaneous biopsy using a safe, effective needle.", "content": "A specially designed three-pronged aspiration needle is described. It was used in 166 percutaneous lung biopsies in 151 patients. A correct diagnosis was obtained in 141 patients (93.3%). Only minor complications were seen, including pneumothorax (7.8%) and pulmonary hemorrhage with hemoptysis (2.4 percent).", "contents": "Percutaneous biopsy using a safe, effective needle. A specially designed three-pronged aspiration needle is described. It was used in 166 percutaneous lung biopsies in 151 patients. A correct diagnosis was obtained in 141 patients (93.3%). Only minor complications were seen, including pneumothorax (7.8%) and pulmonary hemorrhage with hemoptysis (2.4 percent).", "PMID": 635196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10370", "title": "Fluoroscopic guidance in femoral artery puncture.", "content": "Analysis of 100 femoral arteriograms demonstrated a consistent relationship between the course of the femoral artery and the femoral head. Fluoroscopic guidance can be of value in femoral puncture when the arterial pulse is diminished or obscured, for training purposes, and for analysis and correction of missed punctures.", "contents": "Fluoroscopic guidance in femoral artery puncture. Analysis of 100 femoral arteriograms demonstrated a consistent relationship between the course of the femoral artery and the femoral head. Fluoroscopic guidance can be of value in femoral puncture when the arterial pulse is diminished or obscured, for training purposes, and for analysis and correction of missed punctures.", "PMID": 635197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10371", "title": "Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. Radiographic and angiocardiographic diagnosis.", "content": "Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms represent intrapericardial ruptures contained by adherent pericardium and fibrous tissue, forming an avascular wall; in contrast, the wall of a true aneurysm is formed of fibrous elements of the infarcted myocardium and contains coronary vessels. Prior myocardial infarction and/or aneurysmectomy may predispose to pseudoaneurysm formation. Plain radiographs, echocardiography, gated cardiac blood pool imaging, and left ventriculography are helpful, and the combination of left ventriculography and selective coronary arteriography is diagnostic. A uni- or multiloculated chamber communicating with the left ventricle by a relatively small orifice without draping of coronary vessels is diagnostic of pseudoaneurysm.", "contents": "Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. Radiographic and angiocardiographic diagnosis. Left ventricular pseudoaneurysms represent intrapericardial ruptures contained by adherent pericardium and fibrous tissue, forming an avascular wall; in contrast, the wall of a true aneurysm is formed of fibrous elements of the infarcted myocardium and contains coronary vessels. Prior myocardial infarction and/or aneurysmectomy may predispose to pseudoaneurysm formation. Plain radiographs, echocardiography, gated cardiac blood pool imaging, and left ventriculography are helpful, and the combination of left ventriculography and selective coronary arteriography is diagnostic. A uni- or multiloculated chamber communicating with the left ventricle by a relatively small orifice without draping of coronary vessels is diagnostic of pseudoaneurysm.", "PMID": 635201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10372", "title": "Aspiration biopsies of chest lesions.", "content": "1223 patients underwent aspiration biopsy with a diagnostic yield of 86.4%; 24.2% of the patients had a small pneumothorax, but only 4.4% required treatment; one patient developed a moderate hemothorax. The method, problems, and complications including morbidity and mortality are discussed. The relative success of aspiration biopsy with different lesions of the lung and mediastinum is identified.", "contents": "Aspiration biopsies of chest lesions. 1223 patients underwent aspiration biopsy with a diagnostic yield of 86.4%; 24.2% of the patients had a small pneumothorax, but only 4.4% required treatment; one patient developed a moderate hemothorax. The method, problems, and complications including morbidity and mortality are discussed. The relative success of aspiration biopsy with different lesions of the lung and mediastinum is identified.", "PMID": 635202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10373", "title": "Giant hyperplastic parathyroid gland in the mediastinum--partially cystic and calcified.", "content": "A large, calcified paratracheal mass was identified in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mass proved to be a giant, calcified, cystic, hyperplastic parathyroid gland. Radiographic and ultrasonic imaging techniques were quite useful in diagnostic evaluation. Whenever a calcified mediastinal or neck mass is discovered, especially in a patient with hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid enlargement should be a diagnostic consideration.", "contents": "Giant hyperplastic parathyroid gland in the mediastinum--partially cystic and calcified. A large, calcified paratracheal mass was identified in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mass proved to be a giant, calcified, cystic, hyperplastic parathyroid gland. Radiographic and ultrasonic imaging techniques were quite useful in diagnostic evaluation. Whenever a calcified mediastinal or neck mass is discovered, especially in a patient with hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid enlargement should be a diagnostic consideration.", "PMID": 635204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10374", "title": "Right posterior oblique: the projection of choice in aortography of hypertensive patients.", "content": "The right posterior oblique (RPO) is the most helpful aortographic projection for demonstrating the origins of the renal arteries. In 59% of the 692 hypertensive patients studied, the origins of both renal arteries were seen in this projection. The second most helpful aortographic projection was the anteroposterior (AP) view, which showed the origins of the renal arteries in 22.6% of these patients. The remaining 18.4% of the patients required both the AP and RPO projections in order to show the origins of both renal arteries.", "contents": "Right posterior oblique: the projection of choice in aortography of hypertensive patients. The right posterior oblique (RPO) is the most helpful aortographic projection for demonstrating the origins of the renal arteries. In 59% of the 692 hypertensive patients studied, the origins of both renal arteries were seen in this projection. The second most helpful aortographic projection was the anteroposterior (AP) view, which showed the origins of the renal arteries in 22.6% of these patients. The remaining 18.4% of the patients required both the AP and RPO projections in order to show the origins of both renal arteries.", "PMID": 635205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10375", "title": "The use of Pro-Banthine to induce gastrointestinal hypotonia.", "content": "Immediate and satisfactory gastrointestinal hypotonia was induced in 48 patients with 5--10 mg of intravenous Pro-Banthine during radiographic examination; side-effects were minimal. If given intravenously in small doses, Pro-Banthine is a satisfactory alternative when glucagon is contraindicated or not available.", "contents": "The use of Pro-Banthine to induce gastrointestinal hypotonia. Immediate and satisfactory gastrointestinal hypotonia was induced in 48 patients with 5--10 mg of intravenous Pro-Banthine during radiographic examination; side-effects were minimal. If given intravenously in small doses, Pro-Banthine is a satisfactory alternative when glucagon is contraindicated or not available.", "PMID": 635206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10376", "title": "Profile roentgenographic features of benign greater curvature ulcers.", "content": "Certain roentgenographic features have been considered typical of benign gastric ulcers, based almost entirely on studies of the lesser curvature. However, these features frequently are not present on the profile view in benign greater curvature ulcers. Moreover, features stated to suggest malignancy in gastric ulcers are commonly simulated by benign greater curvature ulcers. The authors reviewed the profile roentgenographic features of 19 benign greater curvature ulcers and found that they often appeared to be intraluminal and had shouldered edges due to spasm of the surrounding circular muscles. In 6 patients the adjacent gastric contour was scalloped. These features frequently cause radiologists to misinterpret benign greater curvature ulcers as malignant.", "contents": "Profile roentgenographic features of benign greater curvature ulcers. Certain roentgenographic features have been considered typical of benign gastric ulcers, based almost entirely on studies of the lesser curvature. However, these features frequently are not present on the profile view in benign greater curvature ulcers. Moreover, features stated to suggest malignancy in gastric ulcers are commonly simulated by benign greater curvature ulcers. The authors reviewed the profile roentgenographic features of 19 benign greater curvature ulcers and found that they often appeared to be intraluminal and had shouldered edges due to spasm of the surrounding circular muscles. In 6 patients the adjacent gastric contour was scalloped. These features frequently cause radiologists to misinterpret benign greater curvature ulcers as malignant.", "PMID": 635207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10377", "title": "Radiologic-pathologic correlation from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Inflammatory fibroid polyp.", "content": "The inflammatory fibroid polyp of the stomach, sometimes called eosinophilic granuloma, is a relatively uncommon lesion usually presenting a solitary, benign-appearing filling defect. The differential diagnoses include polypoid adenocarcinoma, hyperplastic mucosal polyp, adenoma, leiomyoma, epitheliod leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, and aberrant pancreas. Although difficult to distinguish by gross morphologic features, the inflammatory fibroid polyp shows a distinctive inflammatory response of the mucosal stroma in which eosinophils may be prominent. It is unrelated to the eosinophilic granuloma of lung or bone.", "contents": "Radiologic-pathologic correlation from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Inflammatory fibroid polyp. The inflammatory fibroid polyp of the stomach, sometimes called eosinophilic granuloma, is a relatively uncommon lesion usually presenting a solitary, benign-appearing filling defect. The differential diagnoses include polypoid adenocarcinoma, hyperplastic mucosal polyp, adenoma, leiomyoma, epitheliod leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, and aberrant pancreas. Although difficult to distinguish by gross morphologic features, the inflammatory fibroid polyp shows a distinctive inflammatory response of the mucosal stroma in which eosinophils may be prominent. It is unrelated to the eosinophilic granuloma of lung or bone.", "PMID": 635208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10378", "title": "Portosystemic communications studied by transhepatic portography;.", "content": "The experience of collecting 120 transhepatic portograms, performed in patients with different degrees of portal hypertension, affords the opportunity for discussing the anatomical and hemodynamic features of portosystemic communications. Multiple pathways of decompression were found. The coronary-gastroesophageal collateral formed pathways in 108 cases, other major collaterals in 41, and minor collaterals in 2. This multiplicity of communications suggests that no one vessel is indispensable as a collateral pathway.", "contents": "Portosystemic communications studied by transhepatic portography;. The experience of collecting 120 transhepatic portograms, performed in patients with different degrees of portal hypertension, affords the opportunity for discussing the anatomical and hemodynamic features of portosystemic communications. Multiple pathways of decompression were found. The coronary-gastroesophageal collateral formed pathways in 108 cases, other major collaterals in 41, and minor collaterals in 2. This multiplicity of communications suggests that no one vessel is indispensable as a collateral pathway.", "PMID": 635209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10379", "title": "Suture granuloma of the stomach following total colectomy.", "content": "Stitch granuloma is rarely a consideration in the differential diagnosis of stomach lesions. This report documents the occurrence of a granulomatous mass of gastric origin simulating an intramural tumor.", "contents": "Suture granuloma of the stomach following total colectomy. Stitch granuloma is rarely a consideration in the differential diagnosis of stomach lesions. This report documents the occurrence of a granulomatous mass of gastric origin simulating an intramural tumor.", "PMID": 635210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10380", "title": "Radiology of colon loop diversion: anatomical and urodynamic studies of the conduit and ureters in children and adults.", "content": "Colon loop diversion of the urinary stream is a relatively recent procedure designed to decrease the frequent incidence of reflux, infection and calculus formation in ileal loop conduits. Fifty-seven colon conduits and 107 ureters were studied. No reflux occurred in 67 ureters with intracolonic loop pressures exceeding 40 cm H2O. To evaluate and manage possible ureteral obstruction, percutaneous (antegrade) pyelography was utilized in 11 kidneys, ureteral perfusion (pressure-flow) studies in 8, and percutaneous catheter nephrostomy in one.", "contents": "Radiology of colon loop diversion: anatomical and urodynamic studies of the conduit and ureters in children and adults. Colon loop diversion of the urinary stream is a relatively recent procedure designed to decrease the frequent incidence of reflux, infection and calculus formation in ileal loop conduits. Fifty-seven colon conduits and 107 ureters were studied. No reflux occurred in 67 ureters with intracolonic loop pressures exceeding 40 cm H2O. To evaluate and manage possible ureteral obstruction, percutaneous (antegrade) pyelography was utilized in 11 kidneys, ureteral perfusion (pressure-flow) studies in 8, and percutaneous catheter nephrostomy in one.", "PMID": 635211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10381", "title": "Epinephrine renal venography in severe inflammatory disease of the kidney.", "content": "In a comparative study of the diagnostic value of epinephrine renal venography (ERV) and angiography in eight patients with severe inflammatory disease of the kidneys, the spectrum of abnormalities exhibited by ERV was more striking than the angiographic findings. Complete disorganization of the renal venous architecture with linear streaking of contrast agent is a sign of renal inflammatory disease. ERV is a useful adjunctive diagnostic procedure in cases of a nonfunctioning kidney.", "contents": "Epinephrine renal venography in severe inflammatory disease of the kidney. In a comparative study of the diagnostic value of epinephrine renal venography (ERV) and angiography in eight patients with severe inflammatory disease of the kidneys, the spectrum of abnormalities exhibited by ERV was more striking than the angiographic findings. Complete disorganization of the renal venous architecture with linear streaking of contrast agent is a sign of renal inflammatory disease. ERV is a useful adjunctive diagnostic procedure in cases of a nonfunctioning kidney.", "PMID": 635212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10382", "title": "Radioimmunoassay of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha.", "content": "A simple method is described for the determination of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM), using a highly specific antiserum raised in New Zealand rabbits. It involves extraction of human peripheral venous plasma with diethyl ether after addition of tritiated PGFM and HCl. Radioimmunoassay is performed on appropriate aliquots; after 2 hours or overnight equilibration the bound and free metabolite are separated using dextran-coated charcoal. The mean values +/- S.D. obtained are as follows: healthy males 32 +/- 16 pg/ml, females during follicular phase 48 +/- 18 pg/ml, luteal phase 37 +/- 8 pg/ml, first trimester of pregnancy 66 +/- 33 pg/ml, second trimester 67 +/- 42 pg/ml and third trimester 72 +/- 26 pg/ml.", "contents": "Radioimmunoassay of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha. A simple method is described for the determination of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM), using a highly specific antiserum raised in New Zealand rabbits. It involves extraction of human peripheral venous plasma with diethyl ether after addition of tritiated PGFM and HCl. Radioimmunoassay is performed on appropriate aliquots; after 2 hours or overnight equilibration the bound and free metabolite are separated using dextran-coated charcoal. The mean values +/- S.D. obtained are as follows: healthy males 32 +/- 16 pg/ml, females during follicular phase 48 +/- 18 pg/ml, luteal phase 37 +/- 8 pg/ml, first trimester of pregnancy 66 +/- 33 pg/ml, second trimester 67 +/- 42 pg/ml and third trimester 72 +/- 26 pg/ml.", "PMID": 635217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10383", "title": "Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2alpha in potassium-deficient rats.", "content": "Potassium-deficiency was induced in rats by dietary deprivation of potassium. The animals became polyuric and urine osmolality decreased more then three-fold compared to controls. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) did not increase during 2 weeks of potassium depletion. Partial inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by meclofenamate did not increase the urine osmolality after water deprivation. These results make unlikely the hypothesis that the polyuria of potassium-deficiency, is the result of enhanced renal synthesis of prostaglandins with subsequent antagonism of the hydro-osmotic effect of vasopressin. Male animals consistently excreted less PGE2 than female animals.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2alpha in potassium-deficient rats. Potassium-deficiency was induced in rats by dietary deprivation of potassium. The animals became polyuric and urine osmolality decreased more then three-fold compared to controls. Urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) did not increase during 2 weeks of potassium depletion. Partial inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis by meclofenamate did not increase the urine osmolality after water deprivation. These results make unlikely the hypothesis that the polyuria of potassium-deficiency, is the result of enhanced renal synthesis of prostaglandins with subsequent antagonism of the hydro-osmotic effect of vasopressin. Male animals consistently excreted less PGE2 than female animals.", "PMID": 635218} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10384", "title": "Prostaglandin E inhibition of mitogen stimulation in patients with multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Kirbey et al have reported that leukocyte function from patients with multiple sclerosis is not suppressed by PGE2, as are normal leukocytes. We examined the ability of PGE2 (0.01-0.5 microgram/ml) to suppress Phytohemagglutinin induced 3H-thymidine incorporation in peripheral blood lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients and normals. There was no difference in sensitivity between the two groups. There was also no difference in activity of the prostaglandin producing suppressor cell between the multiple sclerosis patients and controls.", "contents": "Prostaglandin E inhibition of mitogen stimulation in patients with multiple sclerosis. Kirbey et al have reported that leukocyte function from patients with multiple sclerosis is not suppressed by PGE2, as are normal leukocytes. We examined the ability of PGE2 (0.01-0.5 microgram/ml) to suppress Phytohemagglutinin induced 3H-thymidine incorporation in peripheral blood lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients and normals. There was no difference in sensitivity between the two groups. There was also no difference in activity of the prostaglandin producing suppressor cell between the multiple sclerosis patients and controls.", "PMID": 635219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10385", "title": "A comparison of prostaglandin F2alpha and three 16-aryloxy analogues on the isolated rabbit jejunum.", "content": "Three 16-aryloxy analogues of PGF2alpha are potent, full agonists on the isolated rabbit jejunum. Their actions are more prolonged than that of PGF2alpha, and radioactive tracer studies with one of the analogues reveal a slower wash-out of the analogue compared to PGF2alpha, under superfusion conditions. During the prolonged contractile response diminished responses to PGF2alpha were obtained: this effect was investigated in terms of receptor desensitization. The actions of these analogues were also investigated on the isolated guinea-pig ileum and the rabbit oviduct in vivo.", "contents": "A comparison of prostaglandin F2alpha and three 16-aryloxy analogues on the isolated rabbit jejunum. Three 16-aryloxy analogues of PGF2alpha are potent, full agonists on the isolated rabbit jejunum. Their actions are more prolonged than that of PGF2alpha, and radioactive tracer studies with one of the analogues reveal a slower wash-out of the analogue compared to PGF2alpha, under superfusion conditions. During the prolonged contractile response diminished responses to PGF2alpha were obtained: this effect was investigated in terms of receptor desensitization. The actions of these analogues were also investigated on the isolated guinea-pig ileum and the rabbit oviduct in vivo.", "PMID": 635220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10386", "title": "Effect of prostaglandin I2 and related compounds on vascular permeability response in granuloma tissues.", "content": "The effects of prostaglandin I2, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha, prostaglandin E1 and thromboxane B2 on the vascular permeability response in rat carrageenin granuloma were studied with the aid of 131I- and 125I-human serum albumin as indicators for the measurement of local vascular permeability. A single injection of 5 microgram of prostaglandin I2 methyl ester or I2 sodium salt into the locus of the granulomatous inflammation elevated local vascular permeability 2.0-2.5 times over the control within 30 min. The potency was equal to that of the positive control prostaglandin E1 which has been known to be the most potent mediator in this index among several candidate prostaglandins for chemical mediator of inflammation. The other prostaglandin and thromboxane B2 tested were essentially inactive.", "contents": "Effect of prostaglandin I2 and related compounds on vascular permeability response in granuloma tissues. The effects of prostaglandin I2, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha, prostaglandin E1 and thromboxane B2 on the vascular permeability response in rat carrageenin granuloma were studied with the aid of 131I- and 125I-human serum albumin as indicators for the measurement of local vascular permeability. A single injection of 5 microgram of prostaglandin I2 methyl ester or I2 sodium salt into the locus of the granulomatous inflammation elevated local vascular permeability 2.0-2.5 times over the control within 30 min. The potency was equal to that of the positive control prostaglandin E1 which has been known to be the most potent mediator in this index among several candidate prostaglandins for chemical mediator of inflammation. The other prostaglandin and thromboxane B2 tested were essentially inactive.", "PMID": 635221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10387", "title": "Tracheobronchial irritancy of inhaled prostaglandins in the conscious cat.", "content": "A novel test was developed to measure the tracheobronchial irritant activity of inhaled prostaglandins. Conscious restrained cats were challenged with separate aerosols of PGE1, PGF2alpha, acetylcholine or isoprenaline. All of the aerosols except isoprenaline caused coughing in a concentration related manner. Tolerance developed very quickly to the tracheobronchial irritation and lasted 1-2 days for PGE1 and less than 1 day for PGF2alpha and acetylcholine. When a 3 day interval between each aerosol challenge was used, PGF2alpha was approximately 700 times more potent than acetylcholine as a tracheobronchial irritant. The highest PGE1 aerosol concentration (500microgram/ml) also caused sedation, diarrhoea and salivation. This test probably provides a useful method for evaluating the tracheobronchial irritant activity of potential prostaglandin bronchodilator analogues and for investigating the mechanism of action of prostaglandin induced tracheobronchial irritancy.", "contents": "Tracheobronchial irritancy of inhaled prostaglandins in the conscious cat. A novel test was developed to measure the tracheobronchial irritant activity of inhaled prostaglandins. Conscious restrained cats were challenged with separate aerosols of PGE1, PGF2alpha, acetylcholine or isoprenaline. All of the aerosols except isoprenaline caused coughing in a concentration related manner. Tolerance developed very quickly to the tracheobronchial irritation and lasted 1-2 days for PGE1 and less than 1 day for PGF2alpha and acetylcholine. When a 3 day interval between each aerosol challenge was used, PGF2alpha was approximately 700 times more potent than acetylcholine as a tracheobronchial irritant. The highest PGE1 aerosol concentration (500microgram/ml) also caused sedation, diarrhoea and salivation. This test probably provides a useful method for evaluating the tracheobronchial irritant activity of potential prostaglandin bronchodilator analogues and for investigating the mechanism of action of prostaglandin induced tracheobronchial irritancy.", "PMID": 635222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10388", "title": "Responsiveness of the lamb ductus arteriosus to prostaglandins and their metabolites.", "content": "The relative potencies of the prostaglandins A1, A2, E1, E2, F2alpha and their 15-keto-, 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-, and 13,14-dihydro-metabolites were investigated on isolated lamb ductus arteriosus preparations contracted by exposure to elevated PO2. All the prostaglandins (except PGF2alpha and its 15-keto-metabolites) relaxed the tissue. However, only PGE1, E2, and their 13,14-dihydro-metabolites, were effective at concentrations below 10(-8) M. Therefore, events that alter metabolism of circulating PGs in the perinatal period may have significant effects on the relative patency or closure of the ductus arteriosus.", "contents": "Responsiveness of the lamb ductus arteriosus to prostaglandins and their metabolites. The relative potencies of the prostaglandins A1, A2, E1, E2, F2alpha and their 15-keto-, 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-, and 13,14-dihydro-metabolites were investigated on isolated lamb ductus arteriosus preparations contracted by exposure to elevated PO2. All the prostaglandins (except PGF2alpha and its 15-keto-metabolites) relaxed the tissue. However, only PGE1, E2, and their 13,14-dihydro-metabolites, were effective at concentrations below 10(-8) M. Therefore, events that alter metabolism of circulating PGs in the perinatal period may have significant effects on the relative patency or closure of the ductus arteriosus.", "PMID": 635223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10389", "title": "Biosynthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 by fetal lung homogenates.", "content": "The conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG's) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was investigated in homogenates from fetal and adult bovine and rabbit lungs. Adult bovine lungs were very active in converting arachidonic acid (100 microgram/g tissue) to both PGE2 (10.7 microgram/g tissue) and TXB2 (6.2 microgram/g tissue. Smaller amounts of PGF2alpha (0.9 microgram/g) and 6-oxoPGF1alpha were formed. Homogenates from fetal calf lungs during the third trimester of pregnancy were quite active in converting arachidonic acid to PGE2, but formed very little TXB2, PGF2alpha or 6-oxoPGF1alpha. Homogenates from rabbit lungs converted arachidonic acid (100 microgram/g) mainly to PGE2, both before and after birth. The amount of PGE2 formed increased during gestation to a maximum of about 6 microgram/g tissue at 28 days of gestation. It then decreased to a minimum (1.5 microgram/g) which was observed 8 days after birth, followed by an increase to about 4 microgram/g in older rabbits.", "contents": "Biosynthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 by fetal lung homogenates. The conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG's) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was investigated in homogenates from fetal and adult bovine and rabbit lungs. Adult bovine lungs were very active in converting arachidonic acid (100 microgram/g tissue) to both PGE2 (10.7 microgram/g tissue) and TXB2 (6.2 microgram/g tissue. Smaller amounts of PGF2alpha (0.9 microgram/g) and 6-oxoPGF1alpha were formed. Homogenates from fetal calf lungs during the third trimester of pregnancy were quite active in converting arachidonic acid to PGE2, but formed very little TXB2, PGF2alpha or 6-oxoPGF1alpha. Homogenates from rabbit lungs converted arachidonic acid (100 microgram/g) mainly to PGE2, both before and after birth. The amount of PGE2 formed increased during gestation to a maximum of about 6 microgram/g tissue at 28 days of gestation. It then decreased to a minimum (1.5 microgram/g) which was observed 8 days after birth, followed by an increase to about 4 microgram/g in older rabbits.", "PMID": 635224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10390", "title": "Determination of menstrual prostaglandin levels in non-dysmenorrheic and dysmenorrheic subjects.", "content": "We have developed a method which can measure the menstrual prostaglandin (PG) activity in a single tampon specimen by bioassays. This method makes it possible to monitor the menstrual PG activity continuously during menstruation. Using this technique, we determined the menstrual PG patterns of two normal non-dysmenorrheic subjects, one subject on oral contraceptives (OC) and one subject with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Two to four cycles were studied per subject. We observed three mentrual patterns among the four subjects studied. Compared to the two normal controls, the subject on OC had a significantly lower menstrual fluid total and menstrual PG activity. The mean values +/- S.E. per menstrual period were 33.4 g +/- 1.5 vs 21.5 g +/- 2.0 and 28.6 microgram (PGF2alpha equivalent) +/- 1.5 vs 11.3 microgram +/- 4.2 respectively (control vs OC). The dysmenorrheic subject had a menstrual fluid total of 37.0 g +/- 1.9 similar to the two normal controls. Her menstrual PG activity (49.8 microgram +/- 7.7), however, was nearly two times higher than the normal controls. In one cycle studied, the dysmenorrheic subject was treated with a PG synthetase inhibitor, ibuprofen (Motrin). Remarkable relief was achieved. The alleviation of symptoms was accompanied by a concomitant marked reduction in the menstrual PG activity.", "contents": "Determination of menstrual prostaglandin levels in non-dysmenorrheic and dysmenorrheic subjects. We have developed a method which can measure the menstrual prostaglandin (PG) activity in a single tampon specimen by bioassays. This method makes it possible to monitor the menstrual PG activity continuously during menstruation. Using this technique, we determined the menstrual PG patterns of two normal non-dysmenorrheic subjects, one subject on oral contraceptives (OC) and one subject with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. Two to four cycles were studied per subject. We observed three mentrual patterns among the four subjects studied. Compared to the two normal controls, the subject on OC had a significantly lower menstrual fluid total and menstrual PG activity. The mean values +/- S.E. per menstrual period were 33.4 g +/- 1.5 vs 21.5 g +/- 2.0 and 28.6 microgram (PGF2alpha equivalent) +/- 1.5 vs 11.3 microgram +/- 4.2 respectively (control vs OC). The dysmenorrheic subject had a menstrual fluid total of 37.0 g +/- 1.9 similar to the two normal controls. Her menstrual PG activity (49.8 microgram +/- 7.7), however, was nearly two times higher than the normal controls. In one cycle studied, the dysmenorrheic subject was treated with a PG synthetase inhibitor, ibuprofen (Motrin). Remarkable relief was achieved. The alleviation of symptoms was accompanied by a concomitant marked reduction in the menstrual PG activity.", "PMID": 635225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10391", "title": "Specific production of prostaglandin E by human amnion in vitro.", "content": "Prostaglandin production by intra-uterine human tissues has been investigated using a method of tissue superfusion. Tissues were obtained at elective Caesarean section and after spontaneous vaginal delivery. It was found that all the tissues studied (amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta) produced more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM - the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandin F) than prostaglandin F (PGF). Amnion produced significantly more PGE (but not PGF or PGFM) than any other tissue. Prostaglandin production by each tissue was similar whether it was taken at elective Caesarean section or after spontaneous vaginal delivery.", "contents": "Specific production of prostaglandin E by human amnion in vitro. Prostaglandin production by intra-uterine human tissues has been investigated using a method of tissue superfusion. Tissues were obtained at elective Caesarean section and after spontaneous vaginal delivery. It was found that all the tissues studied (amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta) produced more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM - the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandin F) than prostaglandin F (PGF). Amnion produced significantly more PGE (but not PGF or PGFM) than any other tissue. Prostaglandin production by each tissue was similar whether it was taken at elective Caesarean section or after spontaneous vaginal delivery.", "PMID": 635226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10392", "title": "Resolutions in imaging with Fresnel zone plate.", "content": "A coarse Fresnel zone plate (FZP) may be used as a large-area coded aperture for imaging incoherent sources. The longitudinal and lateral spatial resolutions are discussed on the basis of experiment using an FZP having 18 or 19 zones as an aperture. In this paper, it is then shown that the lateral spatial resolution is about 5 mm and the longitudinal is about 1 cm, respectively and it is appropriate to use the longitudinal resolution factor 3.7 as a guide to know the tomographic effect. These results may be extended for imaging incoherent gamma-ray sources. According to our experiments, radioactivity of several tens of a millicurie is necessary for imaging with 99mTc, when using X-ray film as a detector. Therefore, it is important to improve the detector in order to apply to the human organ imaging generally.", "contents": "Resolutions in imaging with Fresnel zone plate. A coarse Fresnel zone plate (FZP) may be used as a large-area coded aperture for imaging incoherent sources. The longitudinal and lateral spatial resolutions are discussed on the basis of experiment using an FZP having 18 or 19 zones as an aperture. In this paper, it is then shown that the lateral spatial resolution is about 5 mm and the longitudinal is about 1 cm, respectively and it is appropriate to use the longitudinal resolution factor 3.7 as a guide to know the tomographic effect. These results may be extended for imaging incoherent gamma-ray sources. According to our experiments, radioactivity of several tens of a millicurie is necessary for imaging with 99mTc, when using X-ray film as a detector. Therefore, it is important to improve the detector in order to apply to the human organ imaging generally.", "PMID": 635231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10393", "title": "[Effect of 60Co gamma-irradiation on dilute aqueous solutions of surfactants].", "content": "Present work deals with the effects of gamma irradiation from 60Co gamma-ray source upon aqueous solutions of three kinds of surfactants. When dilute aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic), cethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC, cationic), and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (POE, non-ionic) were irradiated with gamma-rays at a room remperature, the residual concentration, products, surface tension, and forming power were examined by colorimetric method, IR spectrophotometric method, gaschromatography, Ross-Miles method, and Traube's stalagnometer etc.. These surfactants were decomposed by the irradiation and thus the surface tension increased and the forming power, on the contrary, decreased with dose. Radiation chemical yields (G-value) of the degradation were about 1 for the solutions of SDS and CTAC, and about 0.3 for the POE solution. From the experimental results, it was found that following chemical reactions seem to occur followed by the radiolysis of water; a) bond cleavage of ester for SDS, of CN for CTAC, and of oxyethylene for POE, b) hydrogen abstraction from the surfactants, c) production of CO bond in the presence of dissolved oxygen.", "contents": "[Effect of 60Co gamma-irradiation on dilute aqueous solutions of surfactants]. Present work deals with the effects of gamma irradiation from 60Co gamma-ray source upon aqueous solutions of three kinds of surfactants. When dilute aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic), cethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC, cationic), and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (POE, non-ionic) were irradiated with gamma-rays at a room remperature, the residual concentration, products, surface tension, and forming power were examined by colorimetric method, IR spectrophotometric method, gaschromatography, Ross-Miles method, and Traube's stalagnometer etc.. These surfactants were decomposed by the irradiation and thus the surface tension increased and the forming power, on the contrary, decreased with dose. Radiation chemical yields (G-value) of the degradation were about 1 for the solutions of SDS and CTAC, and about 0.3 for the POE solution. From the experimental results, it was found that following chemical reactions seem to occur followed by the radiolysis of water; a) bond cleavage of ester for SDS, of CN for CTAC, and of oxyethylene for POE, b) hydrogen abstraction from the surfactants, c) production of CO bond in the presence of dissolved oxygen.", "PMID": 635232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10394", "title": "Incidence of pulmonary embolism.", "content": "During the last 5 years in a community hospital of 219 beds, the most common cause of death (primary and secondary or contributory) was pulmonary embolus. In the US fatal pulmonary emboli occur in 5 patients for 1,000 inpatients, nonfatal pulmonary embolism in 20 patients per 1,000 inpatients, about 142,000 patients suffer fatal pulmonary emboli and 568,000 suffer nonfatal pulmonary emboli each year. In 422 autopsies 93 patients (21%) have pulmonary emboli undiagnosed during the patient's life time. In comparing with other statistical studies, about 21% represent the death rate of patients treated for pulmonary emboli if the diagnosis is previously made. On the basis of this observation the incidence of pulmonary emboli and thrombosis of the lower limbs appears to be about the same in community and the university hospitals, disregarding if the patients are having the highly skill care or are treated by the general practitioner without the sophistication of expensive technology.", "contents": "Incidence of pulmonary embolism. During the last 5 years in a community hospital of 219 beds, the most common cause of death (primary and secondary or contributory) was pulmonary embolus. In the US fatal pulmonary emboli occur in 5 patients for 1,000 inpatients, nonfatal pulmonary embolism in 20 patients per 1,000 inpatients, about 142,000 patients suffer fatal pulmonary emboli and 568,000 suffer nonfatal pulmonary emboli each year. In 422 autopsies 93 patients (21%) have pulmonary emboli undiagnosed during the patient's life time. In comparing with other statistical studies, about 21% represent the death rate of patients treated for pulmonary emboli if the diagnosis is previously made. On the basis of this observation the incidence of pulmonary emboli and thrombosis of the lower limbs appears to be about the same in community and the university hospitals, disregarding if the patients are having the highly skill care or are treated by the general practitioner without the sophistication of expensive technology.", "PMID": 635301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10395", "title": "Oxygen cost of breathing in dogs.", "content": "The O2 cost of breathing has been calculated in awake and anesthetized dogs breathing spontaneously. Respiratory variables were measured in tracheostomized dogs in the standing position, while supported in a canvas sling, at room temperatures between 20 and 23 degrees C. Minute ventilation ranged between 3 and 53 liters/min while VO2 ranged from 61 to 686 ml/min. VE, VO2 and f varied considerably from measurement to measurement even though body temperatures and experimental conditions changed very little. VO2 increased with VE: VO2 = 10.2 VE + 58.4 r = 0.94. A cubic polynomial equation was also calculated for these data: VO2 = 11.6 + 19.0 VE-0.42 (VE)2 + 0.0057 (VE)3. Awake dogs showed panting and considerable hyperventilation (PACO2 = 22.5 +/- SD of 4.5 mm Hg). Anesthetized dogs had lower average values of f, VE and VO2; while average PACO2 was 29.1 +/- 4.5 mm Hg. VO2 and VE measured when the dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed and artifically ventilated were related by this equation: VO2 = 5.9 VE + 87.5, r = 0.88. The O2 cost of breathing, calculated by subtracting the regression equation obtained while the dogs were under artificial respiration, from the cubic polynomial equation, increased with increasing VE in a curvilinear fashion. The values for O2 cost of breathing at high levels of ventilation were high because dogs' lungs are small. After correcting for lung size, values for O2 cost of breathing were similar to those in humans.", "contents": "Oxygen cost of breathing in dogs. The O2 cost of breathing has been calculated in awake and anesthetized dogs breathing spontaneously. Respiratory variables were measured in tracheostomized dogs in the standing position, while supported in a canvas sling, at room temperatures between 20 and 23 degrees C. Minute ventilation ranged between 3 and 53 liters/min while VO2 ranged from 61 to 686 ml/min. VE, VO2 and f varied considerably from measurement to measurement even though body temperatures and experimental conditions changed very little. VO2 increased with VE: VO2 = 10.2 VE + 58.4 r = 0.94. A cubic polynomial equation was also calculated for these data: VO2 = 11.6 + 19.0 VE-0.42 (VE)2 + 0.0057 (VE)3. Awake dogs showed panting and considerable hyperventilation (PACO2 = 22.5 +/- SD of 4.5 mm Hg). Anesthetized dogs had lower average values of f, VE and VO2; while average PACO2 was 29.1 +/- 4.5 mm Hg. VO2 and VE measured when the dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed and artifically ventilated were related by this equation: VO2 = 5.9 VE + 87.5, r = 0.88. The O2 cost of breathing, calculated by subtracting the regression equation obtained while the dogs were under artificial respiration, from the cubic polynomial equation, increased with increasing VE in a curvilinear fashion. The values for O2 cost of breathing at high levels of ventilation were high because dogs' lungs are small. After correcting for lung size, values for O2 cost of breathing were similar to those in humans.", "PMID": 635302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10396", "title": "Structural alterations of the lung in anthracosilicosis--automatic quantitation with an image-analysing computer.", "content": "A morphometric method of assessing anthracosilicotic alterations in lung structure was studied in 4 patients. The introduced model and a special technique for preparation permit the evaluation of anthracosilicotic dust deposits, secondary emphysema, and intact residual parenchyma by means of an image-analysing computer. This method appears particularly suitable for investigating and correlating morphology to clinical data, because the parameter 'intact residual parenchyma' can be reproduced in a short time with sufficient accuracy by random samples.", "contents": "Structural alterations of the lung in anthracosilicosis--automatic quantitation with an image-analysing computer. A morphometric method of assessing anthracosilicotic alterations in lung structure was studied in 4 patients. The introduced model and a special technique for preparation permit the evaluation of anthracosilicotic dust deposits, secondary emphysema, and intact residual parenchyma by means of an image-analysing computer. This method appears particularly suitable for investigating and correlating morphology to clinical data, because the parameter 'intact residual parenchyma' can be reproduced in a short time with sufficient accuracy by random samples.", "PMID": 635303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10397", "title": "[Prevalence of bronchitis in socio-professional groups. III. Unexposed workers (author's transl)].", "content": "Besides the two groups of exposed workers (building workers and workers of a steel mill), a reference group of age-matched (40--60 years) unexposed workers was studied. They were examined by the same procedures (interrogation by ESC questionnaire, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec residual volume, apnea CO test and steady-state Co test at rest and exercise of 40 W. Results are presented according to age and smoking habits. They are compared with results observed in the two exposed groups, and discussed.", "contents": "[Prevalence of bronchitis in socio-professional groups. III. Unexposed workers (author's transl)]. Besides the two groups of exposed workers (building workers and workers of a steel mill), a reference group of age-matched (40--60 years) unexposed workers was studied. They were examined by the same procedures (interrogation by ESC questionnaire, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec residual volume, apnea CO test and steady-state Co test at rest and exercise of 40 W. Results are presented according to age and smoking habits. They are compared with results observed in the two exposed groups, and discussed.", "PMID": 635304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10398", "title": "Giant intralobar sequestration.", "content": "A case of intralobar sequestration is reported in a 20-year-old male who had recurrent localized infections since age 5. The prolonged course without diagnosis, the very large size of the lesion, and the demonstration of an anomalous artery from the abdomen on the plain chest film represented unusual features. Classification, clinical presentation, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are emphasized.", "contents": "Giant intralobar sequestration. A case of intralobar sequestration is reported in a 20-year-old male who had recurrent localized infections since age 5. The prolonged course without diagnosis, the very large size of the lesion, and the demonstration of an anomalous artery from the abdomen on the plain chest film represented unusual features. Classification, clinical presentation, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are emphasized.", "PMID": 635305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10399", "title": "Variations in nasal resistance in man: a rhinomanometric study of the nasal cycle in 50 human subjects.", "content": "The alternating congestion and decongestion of the nasal mucosa, termed the \"nasal cycle\", was investigated with current mask (posterior) active rhinomanometric techniques. This communication reports variations in nasal resistance in 50 human subjects, each studied for about 7 hours. Approximately 600 resistance values (cm H2O/liter per second) were obtained from each subject. The nasal cycle defined in rhinomanometric terms was that alternating congestion and decongestion of the nasal turbinates which produced a change in pressure and airflow values calculated as resistance (comparing one side with the other) of 20% or greater for two consecutive observations (at least 15 minutes). The data demonstrated that 36 of 50 subjects (12 of 18 males and 24 of 32 females) had at least one nasal cycle during the period of observation.", "contents": "Variations in nasal resistance in man: a rhinomanometric study of the nasal cycle in 50 human subjects. The alternating congestion and decongestion of the nasal mucosa, termed the \"nasal cycle\", was investigated with current mask (posterior) active rhinomanometric techniques. This communication reports variations in nasal resistance in 50 human subjects, each studied for about 7 hours. Approximately 600 resistance values (cm H2O/liter per second) were obtained from each subject. The nasal cycle defined in rhinomanometric terms was that alternating congestion and decongestion of the nasal turbinates which produced a change in pressure and airflow values calculated as resistance (comparing one side with the other) of 20% or greater for two consecutive observations (at least 15 minutes). The data demonstrated that 36 of 50 subjects (12 of 18 males and 24 of 32 females) had at least one nasal cycle during the period of observation.", "PMID": 635366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10400", "title": "The clinical significance, diagnosis and treatment of bulla formation in the nose.", "content": "Nasal stenosis as a result of a bulla formation in the middle concha and uncinate process, together with hypertrophy of the bulla ethmoidalis, is described on the basis of 4 case histories. The condition obstructs drainage from the paranasal sinuses and produces an unphysiological airstream through the nose. This results in a disease complex which is dominated, in particular, by nasal stenosis, a feeling of pressure with radiating pains to the neighbouring regions, together with chronic infection of the upper and lower airways. It appears to be difficult to make the diagnosis clinically and from routine x-rays. The importance of the differential diagnosis from nasal polyps and mucosal hypertropy is emphasized. It is suggested that the term \"bulla cavi nasi\" by employed as a common name for bulla formation in the nose.", "contents": "The clinical significance, diagnosis and treatment of bulla formation in the nose. Nasal stenosis as a result of a bulla formation in the middle concha and uncinate process, together with hypertrophy of the bulla ethmoidalis, is described on the basis of 4 case histories. The condition obstructs drainage from the paranasal sinuses and produces an unphysiological airstream through the nose. This results in a disease complex which is dominated, in particular, by nasal stenosis, a feeling of pressure with radiating pains to the neighbouring regions, together with chronic infection of the upper and lower airways. It appears to be difficult to make the diagnosis clinically and from routine x-rays. The importance of the differential diagnosis from nasal polyps and mucosal hypertropy is emphasized. It is suggested that the term \"bulla cavi nasi\" by employed as a common name for bulla formation in the nose.", "PMID": 635367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10401", "title": "Porcine atrophic rhinitis: a model for studying nasal physiology and pathophysiology.", "content": "Porcine infectious atrophic rhinitis is a disease of swine which ought to be of considerable interest to rhinologists. We have reviewed some aspects of human atrophic rhinitis, and some aspects of etiology incidence, pathology and physiology of porcine infectious atrophic rhinitis. Swine with this nasal problem fail rather dramatically, to gain as much weight as unaffected animals. We have speculated on several reasons for this including altered nasal physiology and trigeminal reflexes and reduced olfaction. Photographs of infected pigs are included.", "contents": "Porcine atrophic rhinitis: a model for studying nasal physiology and pathophysiology. Porcine infectious atrophic rhinitis is a disease of swine which ought to be of considerable interest to rhinologists. We have reviewed some aspects of human atrophic rhinitis, and some aspects of etiology incidence, pathology and physiology of porcine infectious atrophic rhinitis. Swine with this nasal problem fail rather dramatically, to gain as much weight as unaffected animals. We have speculated on several reasons for this including altered nasal physiology and trigeminal reflexes and reduced olfaction. Photographs of infected pigs are included.", "PMID": 635368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10402", "title": "Microscopic and ultramicroscopic alterations of the respiratory mucous membrane in experimentally provoked bronchitis.", "content": "The noses of four experimental dogs were surgically obstructed, and thus their entire respiration was disturbed, and this affected the mucous membranes of the lower respiratory passages. Normal histological examinations and electronic microscopy found chronic irritation of the bronchial mucous membranes. It was possible histologically to follow the most subtile alterations on the membranes from the very beginning of the chronic bronchitis. The importance of nasal obstruction as a contributing factor of chronic bronchitis is stressed.", "contents": "Microscopic and ultramicroscopic alterations of the respiratory mucous membrane in experimentally provoked bronchitis. The noses of four experimental dogs were surgically obstructed, and thus their entire respiration was disturbed, and this affected the mucous membranes of the lower respiratory passages. Normal histological examinations and electronic microscopy found chronic irritation of the bronchial mucous membranes. It was possible histologically to follow the most subtile alterations on the membranes from the very beginning of the chronic bronchitis. The importance of nasal obstruction as a contributing factor of chronic bronchitis is stressed.", "PMID": 635369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10403", "title": "[The reliability of arthrography of the knee joint via medium format technique (author's transl)].", "content": "Reports on 217 arthrographies of the knee joint with operative control. Partly or entirely erroneous roentgen diagnoses were made in 4.8-16.3% of the cases, depending upon the technique by which the patients had been examined. Lateral meniscus lesion was wrongly diagnosed three times as often as the medial lesion. The lowest incidence of wrong diagnoses occurred when examining via the medium format technique.", "contents": "[The reliability of arthrography of the knee joint via medium format technique (author's transl)]. Reports on 217 arthrographies of the knee joint with operative control. Partly or entirely erroneous roentgen diagnoses were made in 4.8-16.3% of the cases, depending upon the technique by which the patients had been examined. Lateral meniscus lesion was wrongly diagnosed three times as often as the medial lesion. The lowest incidence of wrong diagnoses occurred when examining via the medium format technique.", "PMID": 635376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10404", "title": "[On the meaningful filing period for x-ray films (author's transl)].", "content": "A total of 19,577 x-ray films made from 5,092 patients was examined, subdivided into 94 different kinds of examination. The following observations were made: The time since the last x-ray examination of the patient up to Jan. 6 1973 was less than 2 years in 30.1% and less than 5 years in 63.8% of the patients. These figures are due to the fact that the hospital is still very young. The period between two successive x-ray examinations was less than 2 years in 88.2% and less than 5 years in 95.8% of the patients. It is obviously not necessary to file roentgenographs for more than 5 years, since after that time only 4.2% of the patients return for a follow-up examination, and only a fraction of these can probably be regarded as really remarkable (Brolin).", "contents": "[On the meaningful filing period for x-ray films (author's transl)]. A total of 19,577 x-ray films made from 5,092 patients was examined, subdivided into 94 different kinds of examination. The following observations were made: The time since the last x-ray examination of the patient up to Jan. 6 1973 was less than 2 years in 30.1% and less than 5 years in 63.8% of the patients. These figures are due to the fact that the hospital is still very young. The period between two successive x-ray examinations was less than 2 years in 88.2% and less than 5 years in 95.8% of the patients. It is obviously not necessary to file roentgenographs for more than 5 years, since after that time only 4.2% of the patients return for a follow-up examination, and only a fraction of these can probably be regarded as really remarkable (Brolin).", "PMID": 635377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10405", "title": "[Studies on the biliary excretion of the hepatotropic contrast media ioglycamate and iotroxinate in pigs and men (author's transl)].", "content": "The distribution and biliary excretion of two hepatotropic contrast media, Ioglycamate and Iotroxinate, has been studied in the anaesthetized pig in infusion experiments. The new substance Iotroxinate exceeds the Ioglycamate in two of the investigated parameters: it was excreted faster and reached a higher biliary concentration. The biliary transport maximum, however, was unchanged. On the basis of these experiments the new contrast medium Iotroxinate was tested in men.", "contents": "[Studies on the biliary excretion of the hepatotropic contrast media ioglycamate and iotroxinate in pigs and men (author's transl)]. The distribution and biliary excretion of two hepatotropic contrast media, Ioglycamate and Iotroxinate, has been studied in the anaesthetized pig in infusion experiments. The new substance Iotroxinate exceeds the Ioglycamate in two of the investigated parameters: it was excreted faster and reached a higher biliary concentration. The biliary transport maximum, however, was unchanged. On the basis of these experiments the new contrast medium Iotroxinate was tested in men.", "PMID": 635378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10406", "title": "[X-ray installations for gastrointestinal diagnosis. The technical state of the art and problems (author's transl)].", "content": "Today, the X-ray industry offers a side range of products with varying facilities and prices for the X-ray examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. All the further stages of development from the simple unit to the highly sophisticated installation have a common aim: The earliest, reliable diagnosis, as the prerequisite for early and effective therapy. Certain expenditures are necessary to achieve this objective. The main point is to find the optimum, wherein the requirements of the user, the technical possibilities and the costs are matched to one an other. Besides the enhancement of image quality in both, fluoroscopy and radiography, improvements in working conditions and the automation of technical processes also contribute to improving the diagnostic possibilities. The technically sophisticated installations guarantee a uniform standard of the pictures \"documented\", so that the examiner can concentrate more intensively on the medical problems. The introduction of fluoroscopy via image intensifier and TV has led not only to improvements in the conventional examination unit, but also to the realization of a new unit conception which, because of more universal application, can be more economically used, and because of new projections, provides additional information. Each X-ray installation must be configurated according to its specific medical application.", "contents": "[X-ray installations for gastrointestinal diagnosis. The technical state of the art and problems (author's transl)]. Today, the X-ray industry offers a side range of products with varying facilities and prices for the X-ray examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. All the further stages of development from the simple unit to the highly sophisticated installation have a common aim: The earliest, reliable diagnosis, as the prerequisite for early and effective therapy. Certain expenditures are necessary to achieve this objective. The main point is to find the optimum, wherein the requirements of the user, the technical possibilities and the costs are matched to one an other. Besides the enhancement of image quality in both, fluoroscopy and radiography, improvements in working conditions and the automation of technical processes also contribute to improving the diagnostic possibilities. The technically sophisticated installations guarantee a uniform standard of the pictures \"documented\", so that the examiner can concentrate more intensively on the medical problems. The introduction of fluoroscopy via image intensifier and TV has led not only to improvements in the conventional examination unit, but also to the realization of a new unit conception which, because of more universal application, can be more economically used, and because of new projections, provides additional information. Each X-ray installation must be configurated according to its specific medical application.", "PMID": 635379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10407", "title": "[Inventory relating to roentgen diagnostics of the gastro-intestinal tract (especially of the small intestine, colon, and biliary tract) (author's transl)].", "content": "The article describes the authors' experience in their Department in Nijmegen (Holland) with the various types of x-ray equipment: in gastroenterology--especially in the examination of the small intestine, colon, and the bile ducts--and also within the framework of a general roentgenology diagnostics section. Problems of cost are also considered, relating on the one hand to the equipment required in an examination room, and on the other hand to gastroenterological examination. In conclusion, the authors suggest the most suitable type of apparatus to be acquired for a particular purpose.", "contents": "[Inventory relating to roentgen diagnostics of the gastro-intestinal tract (especially of the small intestine, colon, and biliary tract) (author's transl)]. The article describes the authors' experience in their Department in Nijmegen (Holland) with the various types of x-ray equipment: in gastroenterology--especially in the examination of the small intestine, colon, and the bile ducts--and also within the framework of a general roentgenology diagnostics section. Problems of cost are also considered, relating on the one hand to the equipment required in an examination room, and on the other hand to gastroenterological examination. In conclusion, the authors suggest the most suitable type of apparatus to be acquired for a particular purpose.", "PMID": 635380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10408", "title": "[Tomography (author's transl)].", "content": "Conventional and Computerized Tomography are radiological techniques with the objective to reproduce tomographique images, both with different features with regard to detail recognition. Both techniques can be considered as methods complementing one another and not as competitive ones following the present stage of development and experiences gained in this field. Conventional Tomography with its proper range of application is regarded as a fully developed technique, whereas Computerized Tomography will possibly allow further development and improvements with regard to technology and performance. The limits, however, in the relation price/performance regarding tomopgraphic equipments and the relation dosage/image quality regarding the method can already be recognized. If we compare both techniques, we may say, however, with certain reservations, that Conventional Tomography stands out for a superior spatial resolution whereas a better distinction between small density differences in tissues one of the most distinguished features is Computerized Tomography is known for.", "contents": "[Tomography (author's transl)]. Conventional and Computerized Tomography are radiological techniques with the objective to reproduce tomographique images, both with different features with regard to detail recognition. Both techniques can be considered as methods complementing one another and not as competitive ones following the present stage of development and experiences gained in this field. Conventional Tomography with its proper range of application is regarded as a fully developed technique, whereas Computerized Tomography will possibly allow further development and improvements with regard to technology and performance. The limits, however, in the relation price/performance regarding tomopgraphic equipments and the relation dosage/image quality regarding the method can already be recognized. If we compare both techniques, we may say, however, with certain reservations, that Conventional Tomography stands out for a superior spatial resolution whereas a better distinction between small density differences in tissues one of the most distinguished features is Computerized Tomography is known for.", "PMID": 635381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10409", "title": "[Computer tomography--present role and future prospects (author's transl)].", "content": "The actual CT apparatus requirements connot be estimated at present. For cranial CT, one apparatus for every 200,000 inhabitants is considered necessary. For radiotherapy, apparatus with a slow scanning rate will be sufficient. A scanning time below 1 second is required for cardiac investigations. More attention should be paid to the kinetics of organ-specific contrast media, so that better diagnostic information may become possible by effecting the roentgenograms at the most favorable time.", "contents": "[Computer tomography--present role and future prospects (author's transl)]. The actual CT apparatus requirements connot be estimated at present. For cranial CT, one apparatus for every 200,000 inhabitants is considered necessary. For radiotherapy, apparatus with a slow scanning rate will be sufficient. A scanning time below 1 second is required for cardiac investigations. More attention should be paid to the kinetics of organ-specific contrast media, so that better diagnostic information may become possible by effecting the roentgenograms at the most favorable time.", "PMID": 635382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10410", "title": "[Filmsizes; physical-technical aspects of x-ray image recording (author's transl)].", "content": "Formats of full-size radiographs are determined by the dimensions of the anatomy to be recorded, the enlargement factor is always larger than unity. Given a certain film screen combination exposure and film-density cannot be chosen independently--whereas with X-ray I.I. fluorography this is possible. In the former case they depend on X-ray absorption, energy efficiency and the luminescent spectral emission of the screens in combination with the corresponding characteristics of the photographic film. The respective characteristics of standard film-screen combinations and those based on rear earth screens are discussed and compared. X-ray image intensifier fluorography is presented as a logical enlargement of I.I. fluoroscopy, in itself and indispensable tool in X-ray diagnostics. Its real or imaginary pro's and con's are elucidated.", "contents": "[Filmsizes; physical-technical aspects of x-ray image recording (author's transl)]. Formats of full-size radiographs are determined by the dimensions of the anatomy to be recorded, the enlargement factor is always larger than unity. Given a certain film screen combination exposure and film-density cannot be chosen independently--whereas with X-ray I.I. fluorography this is possible. In the former case they depend on X-ray absorption, energy efficiency and the luminescent spectral emission of the screens in combination with the corresponding characteristics of the photographic film. The respective characteristics of standard film-screen combinations and those based on rear earth screens are discussed and compared. X-ray image intensifier fluorography is presented as a logical enlargement of I.I. fluoroscopy, in itself and indispensable tool in X-ray diagnostics. Its real or imaginary pro's and con's are elucidated.", "PMID": 635383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10411", "title": "[Format and image contents of x-ray picture (author's transl)].", "content": "This article is essentially on the lines of the paper read at the German Congress of Radiologists (\"Deutscher R\u00f6ntgenkongress\") at M\u00fcnster. It deals with the visual interpretation of the contents of roentgenographic films of widely different origin. On going deeper into the subject, it was found that by examining the pictures for structural contents as far as the image permits, it becomes possible to obtain a survey of all the usually prepared x-ray photographs--a viewpoint which has so far been greatly neglected. Knowledge of the conditions of observation and of the prerequisites is promoted at the same time. The need for radiation protection is re-emphasized from a new angle.", "contents": "[Format and image contents of x-ray picture (author's transl)]. This article is essentially on the lines of the paper read at the German Congress of Radiologists (\"Deutscher R\u00f6ntgenkongress\") at M\u00fcnster. It deals with the visual interpretation of the contents of roentgenographic films of widely different origin. On going deeper into the subject, it was found that by examining the pictures for structural contents as far as the image permits, it becomes possible to obtain a survey of all the usually prepared x-ray photographs--a viewpoint which has so far been greatly neglected. Knowledge of the conditions of observation and of the prerequisites is promoted at the same time. The need for radiation protection is re-emphasized from a new angle.", "PMID": 635384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10412", "title": "[X-ray format and dose (author's transl)].", "content": "The paper discusses conventional roentgenographic methods and image amplifier fluorography. 1. Reduction of the required dose in conventional roentgenographic examinations has been achieved by the use of CaWO4 special foils, or , to an even greater extent, on rare earth basis (lanthanum oxibromide). 2. A considerably greater reduction in dose is achieved with image amplifier fluorography of medium format. 3. The possibilities offered by both systems are discussed. Possible future developments are examined.", "contents": "[X-ray format and dose (author's transl)]. The paper discusses conventional roentgenographic methods and image amplifier fluorography. 1. Reduction of the required dose in conventional roentgenographic examinations has been achieved by the use of CaWO4 special foils, or , to an even greater extent, on rare earth basis (lanthanum oxibromide). 2. A considerably greater reduction in dose is achieved with image amplifier fluorography of medium format. 3. The possibilities offered by both systems are discussed. Possible future developments are examined.", "PMID": 635385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10413", "title": "Influence of sex and age on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in healthy subjects.", "content": "Cencentrations of serum-immunoglobulins IG, IgA and IgM in 440 apparently healthy subjects aged 15 to 70 years were estimated by assay against the WHO International Reference Preparation 67/97. An improved single-radial-diffusion technique was used. Sex-related differences were separately examined for each age group by means of Stusdent's t test. Except for IgA mean value of the younger males (15--24 years), which was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than that of females, no other significant sex differences were found for IgA mean levels; in contrast, mean IgM concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in females than in males, in all but one (55--70 years) of the age groups. Linear-regression analyses of log10 Ig concentration on age have evidenced that a significant decrease in IgM levels with age occurred only in females (r = - 0.390; p less than 0.001); on the contrary, significant increases with age occurred in IgG concentrations of males (r = 0.271; p less than 0.001), as well as in IgA levels of both males (r = 0.240; p less than , less than 0.001) and females (r = 0.263 ; p less than 0.001).", "contents": "Influence of sex and age on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in healthy subjects. Cencentrations of serum-immunoglobulins IG, IgA and IgM in 440 apparently healthy subjects aged 15 to 70 years were estimated by assay against the WHO International Reference Preparation 67/97. An improved single-radial-diffusion technique was used. Sex-related differences were separately examined for each age group by means of Stusdent's t test. Except for IgA mean value of the younger males (15--24 years), which was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than that of females, no other significant sex differences were found for IgA mean levels; in contrast, mean IgM concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in females than in males, in all but one (55--70 years) of the age groups. Linear-regression analyses of log10 Ig concentration on age have evidenced that a significant decrease in IgM levels with age occurred only in females (r = - 0.390; p less than 0.001); on the contrary, significant increases with age occurred in IgG concentrations of males (r = 0.271; p less than 0.001), as well as in IgA levels of both males (r = 0.240; p less than , less than 0.001) and females (r = 0.263 ; p less than 0.001).", "PMID": 635399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10414", "title": "Hemodynamic stresses and atherosclerosis.", "content": "An attempt is made to summarize the recent available information on the atherogenic role of hemodynamic stresses. The paper focuses attention on the interrelations between hemodynamic stresses, on the one hand, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, aortic and coronary walls on the other. In addition data are presented on the atherogenic role of hemodynamic changes induced by arterial hypertension and myocardial revascularization.", "contents": "Hemodynamic stresses and atherosclerosis. An attempt is made to summarize the recent available information on the atherogenic role of hemodynamic stresses. The paper focuses attention on the interrelations between hemodynamic stresses, on the one hand, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, aortic and coronary walls on the other. In addition data are presented on the atherogenic role of hemodynamic changes induced by arterial hypertension and myocardial revascularization.", "PMID": 635400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10415", "title": "The enzymatic equipment of neutrophils in patients with precancerous states of the larynx.", "content": "Cytochemical investigations performed in 24 men with precancerous states of the larynx, i.e. leukoplakia, papillomas and pachydermia, indicated that the peripheral blood neutrophils from these patients exhibit a significant intracellular deficiency of beta-glucuronidase activity and of total lipids, as well as an increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activities did not differ significantly between patients and normal controls. In the authors' opinion, the neutrophil beta-glucuronidase deficiency might be a specific disturbance of neutrophils in the precancerous states and the cancer of the larynx. The possible significance of this disturbance and the subsequent decrease of antitumor immune reactivity are discussed.", "contents": "The enzymatic equipment of neutrophils in patients with precancerous states of the larynx. Cytochemical investigations performed in 24 men with precancerous states of the larynx, i.e. leukoplakia, papillomas and pachydermia, indicated that the peripheral blood neutrophils from these patients exhibit a significant intracellular deficiency of beta-glucuronidase activity and of total lipids, as well as an increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activities did not differ significantly between patients and normal controls. In the authors' opinion, the neutrophil beta-glucuronidase deficiency might be a specific disturbance of neutrophils in the precancerous states and the cancer of the larynx. The possible significance of this disturbance and the subsequent decrease of antitumor immune reactivity are discussed.", "PMID": 635401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10416", "title": "Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.", "content": "ECG changes were followed up in 69 patients under continuous electrocardiographic monitoring before, during and after esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD). Of these 32 (46.5%) had ischemic heart disease (IHD). One or more varied abnormalities including supraventricular or ventricular ectopic beats, sinus tachycardia or sinus bradycardia, intermittent right or left bundle branch block, S--T segment depression (and increased preexisting S--T segment depression), T wave flattening or inversion appeared during EGD. Only one patient with IHD developed anginal chest pain during endoscopy. Despite the high incidence of recorded rhythm abnormalities, these were transient, and no treatments were needed. However, it seems advisable to have resuscitation equipment and emergency drugs available during EGD, particularly when it is performed in patients with IHD.", "contents": "Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. ECG changes were followed up in 69 patients under continuous electrocardiographic monitoring before, during and after esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD). Of these 32 (46.5%) had ischemic heart disease (IHD). One or more varied abnormalities including supraventricular or ventricular ectopic beats, sinus tachycardia or sinus bradycardia, intermittent right or left bundle branch block, S--T segment depression (and increased preexisting S--T segment depression), T wave flattening or inversion appeared during EGD. Only one patient with IHD developed anginal chest pain during endoscopy. Despite the high incidence of recorded rhythm abnormalities, these were transient, and no treatments were needed. However, it seems advisable to have resuscitation equipment and emergency drugs available during EGD, particularly when it is performed in patients with IHD.", "PMID": 635403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10417", "title": "Ventricular monophasic action potentials during intermittent left bundle branch block.", "content": "A case of intermittent left bundle branch block is presented. Simultaneous recording of right and left ventricular monophasic action potentials allowed a more accurate demonstration of delayed left ventricular activation during intermittent left bundle branch block. His bundle electrogram was also of great help in the interpretation of infrahisian conduction in the patient studied. These methods may be useful in the complex electrophysiologic investigation of certain cases.", "contents": "Ventricular monophasic action potentials during intermittent left bundle branch block. A case of intermittent left bundle branch block is presented. Simultaneous recording of right and left ventricular monophasic action potentials allowed a more accurate demonstration of delayed left ventricular activation during intermittent left bundle branch block. His bundle electrogram was also of great help in the interpretation of infrahisian conduction in the patient studied. These methods may be useful in the complex electrophysiologic investigation of certain cases.", "PMID": 635404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10418", "title": "Gastro-duodenal motility: 24 hour continuous recordings in normal subjects.", "content": "Twenty four-hour continuous recordings of gastric and duodenal motor activity were obtained in 12 normal subjects. A regular, cyclical variation in gastro-duodenal motility, consisting of periods of intesnse activity for 15--30 minutes alternating with periods of almost complete quiescence during the following 30--90 minutes, was noted in all subjects. All wave types previously described in short term studies were observed. Antral and duodenal activity were often linked, but there were many occasions when either occurred independently. Motor activity while the patient slept differed little from the waking pattern. There was no consistent motility pattern which could be associated with the subjects' hunger sensation. Eating was followed by a significant increase in duodenal motor activity which has not been previously described; the authors assume it to be due to endogenous gastrin release.", "contents": "Gastro-duodenal motility: 24 hour continuous recordings in normal subjects. Twenty four-hour continuous recordings of gastric and duodenal motor activity were obtained in 12 normal subjects. A regular, cyclical variation in gastro-duodenal motility, consisting of periods of intesnse activity for 15--30 minutes alternating with periods of almost complete quiescence during the following 30--90 minutes, was noted in all subjects. All wave types previously described in short term studies were observed. Antral and duodenal activity were often linked, but there were many occasions when either occurred independently. Motor activity while the patient slept differed little from the waking pattern. There was no consistent motility pattern which could be associated with the subjects' hunger sensation. Eating was followed by a significant increase in duodenal motor activity which has not been previously described; the authors assume it to be due to endogenous gastrin release.", "PMID": 635405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10419", "title": "Antigens with glycoprotein structure in the gastric juice. I. Immunological and chemical determinations.", "content": "To demonstrate the presence of specific antigens in the normal and malignant gastric juice the immunological and chemical features of certain antigens with glycoprotein structure from malignant gastric jucice and gastric tumors were studied comparatively with those of antigens obtained from normal gastric juice and gastric tissue. The investigation was carried out in tumor tissue extracts from 7 patients with malignant gastric tumors and in gastric juice from 45 patients with other non-cancerous diseases. From the five fractions obtained, which gave immunoelectrophoretic precipitin lines in the beta and alpha-globulin regions with the antiserum against total normal gastric juice, a single specific was separated by means of successive chromatographies on sephadex G--100 and DEAE-Sephadex -a--50 (eluted in NaCl concentration gradient). This fraction represented 11.1 per cent of the total proteins. None of the five fractions could be identified with carcinoembryonic antigen (value in gastric juice and gastric malignant tumors = 2 to 10 ng per mg lyophilized products).", "contents": "Antigens with glycoprotein structure in the gastric juice. I. Immunological and chemical determinations. To demonstrate the presence of specific antigens in the normal and malignant gastric juice the immunological and chemical features of certain antigens with glycoprotein structure from malignant gastric jucice and gastric tumors were studied comparatively with those of antigens obtained from normal gastric juice and gastric tissue. The investigation was carried out in tumor tissue extracts from 7 patients with malignant gastric tumors and in gastric juice from 45 patients with other non-cancerous diseases. From the five fractions obtained, which gave immunoelectrophoretic precipitin lines in the beta and alpha-globulin regions with the antiserum against total normal gastric juice, a single specific was separated by means of successive chromatographies on sephadex G--100 and DEAE-Sephadex -a--50 (eluted in NaCl concentration gradient). This fraction represented 11.1 per cent of the total proteins. None of the five fractions could be identified with carcinoembryonic antigen (value in gastric juice and gastric malignant tumors = 2 to 10 ng per mg lyophilized products).", "PMID": 635406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10420", "title": "Serum hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine levels in viral hepatitis.", "content": "High serum levels of total hydroxyproline (Hyp) and hydroxylysine (Hyl) in patients with acute viral hepatitis were found to be due to a marked increase of the peptide-bound form of these aminoacids. The concentrations of free Hyp and Hyl were only slightly changed. The levels of serum Hyp and Hyl were higher in patients with bilirubin concentration, and decreased during recovery.", "contents": "Serum hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine levels in viral hepatitis. High serum levels of total hydroxyproline (Hyp) and hydroxylysine (Hyl) in patients with acute viral hepatitis were found to be due to a marked increase of the peptide-bound form of these aminoacids. The concentrations of free Hyp and Hyl were only slightly changed. The levels of serum Hyp and Hyl were higher in patients with bilirubin concentration, and decreased during recovery.", "PMID": 635409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10421", "title": "Effect of indomethacin on lysosomal acid phosphatase activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes.", "content": "In 25 patients with discopathies and degenerative disease of the vertebral column, treated with indomethacin (Metindol, Polfa) in a dose of 100 mg per day during 10 days, the acid phosphatase (AP) activity was determined in the peripheral blood lymphocytes by means of the cytochemical method of Barka and Anderson. Indomethacin administration induced an increase of total lymphocytosis related to the elevation of the AP-negative lymphocyte count. These changes were accompained by an increased lymphocyte count including enzyme-positive lysosomal granules within their cytoplasm and a decrease of those showing diffuse enzymatic reaction and no granules. In the author's opinion, such changes reflect the stabilizing effect of indomethacin on lysosomal membranes within lymphocytes and a diminished release of this enzyme from lysosomes to the cytoplasm.", "contents": "Effect of indomethacin on lysosomal acid phosphatase activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In 25 patients with discopathies and degenerative disease of the vertebral column, treated with indomethacin (Metindol, Polfa) in a dose of 100 mg per day during 10 days, the acid phosphatase (AP) activity was determined in the peripheral blood lymphocytes by means of the cytochemical method of Barka and Anderson. Indomethacin administration induced an increase of total lymphocytosis related to the elevation of the AP-negative lymphocyte count. These changes were accompained by an increased lymphocyte count including enzyme-positive lysosomal granules within their cytoplasm and a decrease of those showing diffuse enzymatic reaction and no granules. In the author's opinion, such changes reflect the stabilizing effect of indomethacin on lysosomal membranes within lymphocytes and a diminished release of this enzyme from lysosomes to the cytoplasm.", "PMID": 635408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10422", "title": "Use of angioscintigraphy in the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the liver.", "content": "Dynamic hepatic angioscintigraphy, a method of estimation and follow up of the double (arterial and portal) circulation in the liver, was performed in association with static liver scanning in 20 patients with suspicion of primary or secondary tumors of the liver, and in 5 healthy controls, after administration of 113min colloid. This procedure allowed confirmation of primary neoplastic tumors of the liver in 3 patients and of hepatic metastases in 5. The method supplies additional diagnostic information in malignant tumors of the liver and reduces the irradiation of the patients by using a single radiopreparation.", "contents": "Use of angioscintigraphy in the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the liver. Dynamic hepatic angioscintigraphy, a method of estimation and follow up of the double (arterial and portal) circulation in the liver, was performed in association with static liver scanning in 20 patients with suspicion of primary or secondary tumors of the liver, and in 5 healthy controls, after administration of 113min colloid. This procedure allowed confirmation of primary neoplastic tumors of the liver in 3 patients and of hepatic metastases in 5. The method supplies additional diagnostic information in malignant tumors of the liver and reduces the irradiation of the patients by using a single radiopreparation.", "PMID": 635410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10423", "title": "Study of mediastinal and lung involvements in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Clinical, biological, radiological and radioisotope investigations in 224 patients with Hodgkin's disease revealed a great frequency (100 cases, i.e. 44%) of mediastinal and pleuro-pulmonary involvements, most of them in advanced stages of the disease. The predominant histologic types in these cases were mixed cellularity or nodular sclerosis. Evolution and prognosis were improved by combination chemotherapy in COOP courses; X-ray therapy was associated after drug therapy only if absolutely necessary, on limited areas.", "contents": "Study of mediastinal and lung involvements in Hodgkin's disease. Clinical, biological, radiological and radioisotope investigations in 224 patients with Hodgkin's disease revealed a great frequency (100 cases, i.e. 44%) of mediastinal and pleuro-pulmonary involvements, most of them in advanced stages of the disease. The predominant histologic types in these cases were mixed cellularity or nodular sclerosis. Evolution and prognosis were improved by combination chemotherapy in COOP courses; X-ray therapy was associated after drug therapy only if absolutely necessary, on limited areas.", "PMID": 635407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10424", "title": "[Evaluation of the tumor mass and its regression under treatment of multiple myeloma of the bones. Critical comments apropos of 22 patients].", "content": "In reference to 22 recent cases of multiple myeloma the authors underline the value of estimating the tumour size and its variations under treatment, according to the method of Salmon and Durie. This allows an estimation of the initial prognosis and rapide evaluation of the response to treatment given, permitting a truly strategic approach to the treatment of multiple myeloma.", "contents": "[Evaluation of the tumor mass and its regression under treatment of multiple myeloma of the bones. Critical comments apropos of 22 patients]. In reference to 22 recent cases of multiple myeloma the authors underline the value of estimating the tumour size and its variations under treatment, according to the method of Salmon and Durie. This allows an estimation of the initial prognosis and rapide evaluation of the response to treatment given, permitting a truly strategic approach to the treatment of multiple myeloma.", "PMID": 635420} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10425", "title": "[The hip in vertebral hyperostosis].", "content": "The study of two series of cases affected by vertebral hyperostosis allows the authors to underline the frequency with which the hip joint is affected and to describe the destructive forms seen in hyperostosis of the hip. In a first series of 101 cases the authors picked up 145 pathological hips which were probably or surely associated with hyperostosis. These hip disorders presented in three types: Type I (already described by J. Forestier et al.) with peri-articular proliferation and radiological integrity of the joint space; Type II with hyperostotic proliferation and narrowing of the joint space; Type III with epiphysial destruction. The study of a second series \"of the development of 58 cases of hyperostotic hip disease\" followed for 2-16 years raises the consideration that these three types are in fact three stages in the evolution of the condition.", "contents": "[The hip in vertebral hyperostosis]. The study of two series of cases affected by vertebral hyperostosis allows the authors to underline the frequency with which the hip joint is affected and to describe the destructive forms seen in hyperostosis of the hip. In a first series of 101 cases the authors picked up 145 pathological hips which were probably or surely associated with hyperostosis. These hip disorders presented in three types: Type I (already described by J. Forestier et al.) with peri-articular proliferation and radiological integrity of the joint space; Type II with hyperostotic proliferation and narrowing of the joint space; Type III with epiphysial destruction. The study of a second series \"of the development of 58 cases of hyperostotic hip disease\" followed for 2-16 years raises the consideration that these three types are in fact three stages in the evolution of the condition.", "PMID": 635421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10426", "title": "[Anatomical study of the lumbosciatic area].", "content": "This study of 75 anatomical specimens and their comparison with contrast metrizamide radiography of the terminal dural sac reveals the exact topography, height, volume and morphology of the dural sheath and for the nerve roots their disposition in the terminal sac, the level of the root emergence and anatomical and radiological views of the foramina above and below the emerging roots.", "contents": "[Anatomical study of the lumbosciatic area]. This study of 75 anatomical specimens and their comparison with contrast metrizamide radiography of the terminal dural sac reveals the exact topography, height, volume and morphology of the dural sheath and for the nerve roots their disposition in the terminal sac, the level of the root emergence and anatomical and radiological views of the foramina above and below the emerging roots.", "PMID": 635422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10427", "title": "[Vitamin-resistant osteomalacias of hepatic origin in the adult].", "content": "The authors report two cases of vitamin resistant osteomalacia in an adult connected with an apparent inability of the liver to hydroxylate vitamin D. One of the cases showed a case of pseudo-hypo parathyroidism of type II, reversible by the administration of calcium. The other case demonstrated vertebral hyperossification. Treated with 25 hydroxycholecalciferol in physiological dosage an improvement in the clinical, biochemical and histological states resulted.", "contents": "[Vitamin-resistant osteomalacias of hepatic origin in the adult]. The authors report two cases of vitamin resistant osteomalacia in an adult connected with an apparent inability of the liver to hydroxylate vitamin D. One of the cases showed a case of pseudo-hypo parathyroidism of type II, reversible by the administration of calcium. The other case demonstrated vertebral hyperossification. Treated with 25 hydroxycholecalciferol in physiological dosage an improvement in the clinical, biochemical and histological states resulted.", "PMID": 635428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10428", "title": "The inhibitory effect of crinofizin (pineal peptide extract) on adrenalin-induced hyperglycemia in rabbits.", "content": "The effect of crinofizin--a pineal peptide extract with clinical use--on adrenalin hyperglycemia was tested in the rabbit. Administered subcutaneously one hour before an i.v. hyperglycemic dose of adrenalin, crinofizin significantly reduced the hyperglycemic effect of this hormone. The results reveal the functional antagonism between adrenalin and hypoglycemic pineal peptide(s) called \"pinealine\".", "contents": "The inhibitory effect of crinofizin (pineal peptide extract) on adrenalin-induced hyperglycemia in rabbits. The effect of crinofizin--a pineal peptide extract with clinical use--on adrenalin hyperglycemia was tested in the rabbit. Administered subcutaneously one hour before an i.v. hyperglycemic dose of adrenalin, crinofizin significantly reduced the hyperglycemic effect of this hormone. The results reveal the functional antagonism between adrenalin and hypoglycemic pineal peptide(s) called \"pinealine\".", "PMID": 635429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10429", "title": "Urinary, plasma and adrenal tissue steroids in a male patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal carcinoma.", "content": "The dynamics of urinary and plasma steroids (CPB and RIA) were simultaneously studied in a 36-yr-man with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal carcinoma. The markedly increased basal excretion of 5-pregnenetriol, PG, PGT, DHA, THS and corticosteroids with nonsignificant changes during the endocrine tests decreased to normal levels after tumour removal. The basal low level of plasma testosterone, with nonsignificant changes during the endocrine tests, rose progressively after surgery. The steroid content of adrenal carcinoma tissue determined by CPB and RIA after LH-20-Sephadex CC separation revealed important proportion of unconjugated 17-OH-P.", "contents": "Urinary, plasma and adrenal tissue steroids in a male patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal carcinoma. The dynamics of urinary and plasma steroids (CPB and RIA) were simultaneously studied in a 36-yr-man with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal carcinoma. The markedly increased basal excretion of 5-pregnenetriol, PG, PGT, DHA, THS and corticosteroids with nonsignificant changes during the endocrine tests decreased to normal levels after tumour removal. The basal low level of plasma testosterone, with nonsignificant changes during the endocrine tests, rose progressively after surgery. The steroid content of adrenal carcinoma tissue determined by CPB and RIA after LH-20-Sephadex CC separation revealed important proportion of unconjugated 17-OH-P.", "PMID": 635433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10430", "title": "Cortisol circadian rhythm in 70--100-year-old subjects.", "content": "The circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol was examined in 25 persons aged between 70 and 100 years by comparison with 5 adults aged between 17 and 38 years. The blood samples were drawn at 16 hundred, 20 hundred, 00 hundred, 04 hundred and 08 hundred hrs. Cortisol was assayed by the fluorimetric method. The experimental data were analyzed by Halberg's mean-cosinor method. The results showed that the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol changes with age. The characteristic phenomena found were the following: a tendency towards reducing the hourly quantitative differences, comparatively more marked between 90 and 100 years; anticipation of the cortisol maximum level of 08 hundred at 04 hundred hrs in the group of 71 to 80 years, and at 00 hundred hrs in some of the subjects older than 80. A normal circadian rhythm was found in 2 of the 25 cases examined. These changes imply variations of the same kind in the CRF and ACTH levels. The changes in the circadian rhythms of cortisol show that the regulation systems are also implied in the aging process. It is possible that early-morning insomnia of the aged be due to this anticipation in cortisol secretion.", "contents": "Cortisol circadian rhythm in 70--100-year-old subjects. The circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol was examined in 25 persons aged between 70 and 100 years by comparison with 5 adults aged between 17 and 38 years. The blood samples were drawn at 16 hundred, 20 hundred, 00 hundred, 04 hundred and 08 hundred hrs. Cortisol was assayed by the fluorimetric method. The experimental data were analyzed by Halberg's mean-cosinor method. The results showed that the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol changes with age. The characteristic phenomena found were the following: a tendency towards reducing the hourly quantitative differences, comparatively more marked between 90 and 100 years; anticipation of the cortisol maximum level of 08 hundred at 04 hundred hrs in the group of 71 to 80 years, and at 00 hundred hrs in some of the subjects older than 80. A normal circadian rhythm was found in 2 of the 25 cases examined. These changes imply variations of the same kind in the CRF and ACTH levels. The changes in the circadian rhythms of cortisol show that the regulation systems are also implied in the aging process. It is possible that early-morning insomnia of the aged be due to this anticipation in cortisol secretion.", "PMID": 635432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10431", "title": "A histopathological, cytochemical and morphometrical study of the androgenic polycystic ovary.", "content": "The authors studied histopathologically, cytoenzymologically and morphometrically 64 cases of androgenic polycystic ovaries. The distinctive sign disclosed was a marked hyperplasia of theca interna. The mean values of this latter in the androgenic polycystic ovaries was of 87 mu +/- 19 as compared to that of 75 mu +/- 18 found for theca interna in the ovarian follicular cysts unaccompanied by endocrine symptoms. Large lipid-rich cells--the so-called androgenic cells--were often present in the polycystic ovary. Cytoenzymologically a high activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was assayed in theca interna and in the androgenic paralutein cells, while the lowest activity was shown by the 3beta-ol-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.", "contents": "A histopathological, cytochemical and morphometrical study of the androgenic polycystic ovary. The authors studied histopathologically, cytoenzymologically and morphometrically 64 cases of androgenic polycystic ovaries. The distinctive sign disclosed was a marked hyperplasia of theca interna. The mean values of this latter in the androgenic polycystic ovaries was of 87 mu +/- 19 as compared to that of 75 mu +/- 18 found for theca interna in the ovarian follicular cysts unaccompanied by endocrine symptoms. Large lipid-rich cells--the so-called androgenic cells--were often present in the polycystic ovary. Cytoenzymologically a high activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was assayed in theca interna and in the androgenic paralutein cells, while the lowest activity was shown by the 3beta-ol-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.", "PMID": 635435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10432", "title": "The action of chlorpromazine upon the serum and hypophyseal variations of growth hormone, prolactin and TSH in the male adult rat under continuous-lighting stress.", "content": "The influence of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the serum and hypophyseal levels of growth hormone (GH), prolactin and TSH was studied in the male adult rat occurring under normal light-dark-rhythm conditions and under continuous 24-hour lighting, respectively. The serum and hypophyseal concentrations of GH decreased significantly (p less than 0.01 and p less than or equal to 0.02) one hour after the administration of 1.0 mg of CPZ in the animals under continuous light by comparison with the animals maintained on the same conditions. In the animals under normal light-dark rhythm, CPZ did not influence the peripheral or central concentrations of GH. The animals maintained either in normal or in continuous lighting conditions released prolactin under the influence of CPZ. The increased values of circulating TSH in light-exposed animals by comparison with the diurnal group (p less than 0.001) were some more augmented under the influence of CPZ, while this drug remained unefficient in the animals under normal light-dark-rhythm conditions. The mechanism of CPZ action upon the secretion of GH and prolactin, which are hormones lacking target gland, is discussed.", "contents": "The action of chlorpromazine upon the serum and hypophyseal variations of growth hormone, prolactin and TSH in the male adult rat under continuous-lighting stress. The influence of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the serum and hypophyseal levels of growth hormone (GH), prolactin and TSH was studied in the male adult rat occurring under normal light-dark-rhythm conditions and under continuous 24-hour lighting, respectively. The serum and hypophyseal concentrations of GH decreased significantly (p less than 0.01 and p less than or equal to 0.02) one hour after the administration of 1.0 mg of CPZ in the animals under continuous light by comparison with the animals maintained on the same conditions. In the animals under normal light-dark rhythm, CPZ did not influence the peripheral or central concentrations of GH. The animals maintained either in normal or in continuous lighting conditions released prolactin under the influence of CPZ. The increased values of circulating TSH in light-exposed animals by comparison with the diurnal group (p less than 0.001) were some more augmented under the influence of CPZ, while this drug remained unefficient in the animals under normal light-dark-rhythm conditions. The mechanism of CPZ action upon the secretion of GH and prolactin, which are hormones lacking target gland, is discussed.", "PMID": 635430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10433", "title": "The biochemical prerequisites for preventing pathogenic lysolecithin activity in the human gallbladder. II. Studies on the subcellular localization of lysophospholipase.", "content": "The subcellular localization of lysophospholipase activity in the human gallbladder epithelium was studied by differential and density gradient centrifugation. The highest relative specific activity was found in the microsomal fraction, although the enzyme appeared in mitochondria and lysosomes as well. The cytosol did not contain any significant lysophospholipase activity, but large amounts of enzyme were solubilized during centrifugation in sucrose gradients. These findings are discussed in relation to the distribution and properties of lysophospholipase in other cells and tissues and with regard to physiological implications. The possible relevance to the pathogenesis of aseptic cholecystitis is inferred.", "contents": "The biochemical prerequisites for preventing pathogenic lysolecithin activity in the human gallbladder. II. Studies on the subcellular localization of lysophospholipase. The subcellular localization of lysophospholipase activity in the human gallbladder epithelium was studied by differential and density gradient centrifugation. The highest relative specific activity was found in the microsomal fraction, although the enzyme appeared in mitochondria and lysosomes as well. The cytosol did not contain any significant lysophospholipase activity, but large amounts of enzyme were solubilized during centrifugation in sucrose gradients. These findings are discussed in relation to the distribution and properties of lysophospholipase in other cells and tissues and with regard to physiological implications. The possible relevance to the pathogenesis of aseptic cholecystitis is inferred.", "PMID": 635441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10434", "title": "The effect of thiazolidin carboxylic acid (ThCA) on the redox equilibrium maintaining in the rat hepatocyte with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.", "content": "The variation of the activities of glutathion peroxidase, glutathion reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as of the concentrations of lipid peroxides and -SH groups of nonproteic nature, was followed up in the hepatocyte of normal rats, of those with, streptozotocin-induced-diabetes, and of diabetic rats treated with thiazolidin carboxylic (ThCA) acid. Free peroxides and glutathion peroxidase were increased in the diabetic animals as against the normals, whereas glutathion reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the -SH groups of nonproteic nature had lower values. A return to normal of these parameters was noticed in the animals treated with ThCA.", "contents": "The effect of thiazolidin carboxylic acid (ThCA) on the redox equilibrium maintaining in the rat hepatocyte with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The variation of the activities of glutathion peroxidase, glutathion reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as of the concentrations of lipid peroxides and -SH groups of nonproteic nature, was followed up in the hepatocyte of normal rats, of those with, streptozotocin-induced-diabetes, and of diabetic rats treated with thiazolidin carboxylic (ThCA) acid. Free peroxides and glutathion peroxidase were increased in the diabetic animals as against the normals, whereas glutathion reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the -SH groups of nonproteic nature had lower values. A return to normal of these parameters was noticed in the animals treated with ThCA.", "PMID": 635431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10435", "title": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. II. Effects of intraluminal hyperosmolality and simultaneous intravenous infusions.", "content": "Using an experimental model in rats a hyperosmolal glucose solution was introduced into the intestinal lumen to simulate and magnify the accumulation of fluid seen in simple small intestinal obstruction. Efforts to modify the extent and rate of this fluid flux by administering parenteral solutions of varying osmolality produced no result. When hypoosmolal or iso-osmolal infusion solutions were used, the intraluminal dilution process displayed mathematical characteristics in agreement with those of a simple dilution process, while at the same time normal blood volume was maintained. On the other hand, when a hyperosmolal glucose solution was infused, very great demands were made on the extravascular compartment, because a severe diuresis equal in volume to the fluid given parenterally took place, while at the same time there was marked hemodilution. Despite this the organism delivered as much fluid to the intestine as when hypo-osmolal or iso-osmolal infusions were given. Thus in principle the flow of fluid into the intestinal lumen could not be modified by giving parenteral solutions of any osmolality.", "contents": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. II. Effects of intraluminal hyperosmolality and simultaneous intravenous infusions. Using an experimental model in rats a hyperosmolal glucose solution was introduced into the intestinal lumen to simulate and magnify the accumulation of fluid seen in simple small intestinal obstruction. Efforts to modify the extent and rate of this fluid flux by administering parenteral solutions of varying osmolality produced no result. When hypoosmolal or iso-osmolal infusion solutions were used, the intraluminal dilution process displayed mathematical characteristics in agreement with those of a simple dilution process, while at the same time normal blood volume was maintained. On the other hand, when a hyperosmolal glucose solution was infused, very great demands were made on the extravascular compartment, because a severe diuresis equal in volume to the fluid given parenterally took place, while at the same time there was marked hemodilution. Despite this the organism delivered as much fluid to the intestine as when hypo-osmolal or iso-osmolal infusions were given. Thus in principle the flow of fluid into the intestinal lumen could not be modified by giving parenteral solutions of any osmolality.", "PMID": 635442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10436", "title": "Portography of normal and regenerating dog liver.", "content": "The angiographic appearance of the portal vein in the dog before and after major hepatic resection is described. An increased diameter and length of the lobar vein and their ramifications were found following resection. The appearance both in the portal and sinusoidal phase indicated a diffuse growth of the liver remnant. One week after resection a portal hypertension was recorded, which had usually receded after six weeks. Major hepatic resection seems to imply a higher risk for fatal toxic effects from the contrast medium.", "contents": "Portography of normal and regenerating dog liver. The angiographic appearance of the portal vein in the dog before and after major hepatic resection is described. An increased diameter and length of the lobar vein and their ramifications were found following resection. The appearance both in the portal and sinusoidal phase indicated a diffuse growth of the liver remnant. One week after resection a portal hypertension was recorded, which had usually receded after six weeks. Major hepatic resection seems to imply a higher risk for fatal toxic effects from the contrast medium.", "PMID": 635443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10437", "title": "Hepatic venography of normal and regenerating dog liver.", "content": "Total and selective hepatic vein angiographies were performed preoperatively and 6 weeks after 70 per cent liver resection in 6 dogs. The alterations in the hepatic vein system, increased diameter and elongation of the remaining lobar veins and their major tributaries plus increased angle between the radicles, are consistent with the findings earlier described by angiography of the hepatic arterial and portal venous system after major hepatic resection in dogs.", "contents": "Hepatic venography of normal and regenerating dog liver. Total and selective hepatic vein angiographies were performed preoperatively and 6 weeks after 70 per cent liver resection in 6 dogs. The alterations in the hepatic vein system, increased diameter and elongation of the remaining lobar veins and their major tributaries plus increased angle between the radicles, are consistent with the findings earlier described by angiography of the hepatic arterial and portal venous system after major hepatic resection in dogs.", "PMID": 635444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10438", "title": "Serum gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in duodenal ulcer disease: relationship to glucose tolerance, insulin, and gastrin release.", "content": "Serum immunoreactive gastric inhibitory polypeptide (IR-GIP), gastrin (IRG), and insulin (IRI) were estimated in 41 normal weight patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and 25 age-matched controls in response to a high calorie liquid test meal. 28 out of 41 DU patients had a hyperglycaemic glucose response during the test meal, and 15 had a pathological oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and food-stimulated IR-GIP and IRG levels were significantly elevated in the DU patients. Serum IRI also increased to significantly higher levels in DU patients after the test meal. The degree of the greater hormone response was dependent on the glucose increase after the test meal in the case of insulin and GIP, but not in the case of gastrin. It is concluded: firstly, that a faster glucose absorption (possibly due to rapid initial gastric emptying or increased intestinal motility) is responsible for the high and short-lasting glucose peak and the increased GIP and insulin secretion; secondly, that the GIP response could well be causally related to the insulin response; thirdly, that hyposcretion of GIP is ruled out as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of gastric acid hypersecretion of duodenal ulcer patients.", "contents": "Serum gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in duodenal ulcer disease: relationship to glucose tolerance, insulin, and gastrin release. Serum immunoreactive gastric inhibitory polypeptide (IR-GIP), gastrin (IRG), and insulin (IRI) were estimated in 41 normal weight patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and 25 age-matched controls in response to a high calorie liquid test meal. 28 out of 41 DU patients had a hyperglycaemic glucose response during the test meal, and 15 had a pathological oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and food-stimulated IR-GIP and IRG levels were significantly elevated in the DU patients. Serum IRI also increased to significantly higher levels in DU patients after the test meal. The degree of the greater hormone response was dependent on the glucose increase after the test meal in the case of insulin and GIP, but not in the case of gastrin. It is concluded: firstly, that a faster glucose absorption (possibly due to rapid initial gastric emptying or increased intestinal motility) is responsible for the high and short-lasting glucose peak and the increased GIP and insulin secretion; secondly, that the GIP response could well be causally related to the insulin response; thirdly, that hyposcretion of GIP is ruled out as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of gastric acid hypersecretion of duodenal ulcer patients.", "PMID": 635445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10439", "title": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. I. Effects of intraluminal hyperosmolality.", "content": "An experimental model is described which is intended to simulate and accentuate the movement of fluids across the intestinal mucosa resulting from simple small intestinal obstruction as well as to provide a means for measuring these fluid shifts. Working on the hypothesis that the increase in fluid in the obstructed small intestine is a consequence of increased osmolality resulting from enzymatic breakdown of the intestinal contents, a solution of high osmolality was introduced into an intestinal segment of known size and position. Under these conditions the intestinal mucosa functioned in the manner of a semipermeable membrane and permitted only fluids of low osmolality to enter the intestinal lumen, thus tending to normalize its hyperosmolal contents. The process of dilution followed a simple dilution curve. At the same time hemoconcentration and increased serum osmolality reflected the mobilization of fluids from the extravascular and vascular compartments. The transfer of fluids into the intestinal lumen continued throughout the test period, despite the fact that there was a linear increase in intraluminal pressure to a relatively high level, indicating increased smooth muscle tone probably due to the hyperosmolal provocation. The observed accumulation of fluid was well reproducible and associated with predictable effects on the vascular and extra-vascular compartments.", "contents": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. I. Effects of intraluminal hyperosmolality. An experimental model is described which is intended to simulate and accentuate the movement of fluids across the intestinal mucosa resulting from simple small intestinal obstruction as well as to provide a means for measuring these fluid shifts. Working on the hypothesis that the increase in fluid in the obstructed small intestine is a consequence of increased osmolality resulting from enzymatic breakdown of the intestinal contents, a solution of high osmolality was introduced into an intestinal segment of known size and position. Under these conditions the intestinal mucosa functioned in the manner of a semipermeable membrane and permitted only fluids of low osmolality to enter the intestinal lumen, thus tending to normalize its hyperosmolal contents. The process of dilution followed a simple dilution curve. At the same time hemoconcentration and increased serum osmolality reflected the mobilization of fluids from the extravascular and vascular compartments. The transfer of fluids into the intestinal lumen continued throughout the test period, despite the fact that there was a linear increase in intraluminal pressure to a relatively high level, indicating increased smooth muscle tone probably due to the hyperosmolal provocation. The observed accumulation of fluid was well reproducible and associated with predictable effects on the vascular and extra-vascular compartments.", "PMID": 635446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10440", "title": "Giant pseudopolyposis causing colonic obstruction. Report of a case seemingly associated with Crohn's disease of the colon.", "content": "Gian pseudopolyposis is uncommon and only one obstructive case has previously been reported. In that case the underlying disease was ulcerative colitis while the present case seemed associated with Crohn's disease. Clinically this condition imitates a malignant tumour, and because of the rarity we failed to reach the right preoperative diagnosis in spite of correct colonoscopy and biopsy findings.", "contents": "Giant pseudopolyposis causing colonic obstruction. Report of a case seemingly associated with Crohn's disease of the colon. Gian pseudopolyposis is uncommon and only one obstructive case has previously been reported. In that case the underlying disease was ulcerative colitis while the present case seemed associated with Crohn's disease. Clinically this condition imitates a malignant tumour, and because of the rarity we failed to reach the right preoperative diagnosis in spite of correct colonoscopy and biopsy findings.", "PMID": 635447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10441", "title": "Skin reactivity and phagocytic function of neutrophil leucocytes in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.", "content": "A decreased capacity of the leucocytes to phagocyte yeast particles was found in patients with Crohn's disease of the ileum. Patients with lesions only in the colon showed normal phagocytic activity as did patients with ulcerative colitis (U.C.). Intradermal injection of killed Strep. pyogenes produced an increased erythrmatous reaction after 48 hours in patients with U.C., and the reaction was pustular in half of them. None of the controls or the patients with Crohn's disease of the ileum had such a reaction. An increased erythematous reaction to streptokinase-streptodornase was also more common in patients with U.C. than in those with Crohn's disease and a control group. No such difference was seen to other bacterial antigens. The reactivity to kallikrein, prostaglandin E1, histamine or bradykinin did not differ from that of normal subjects.", "contents": "Skin reactivity and phagocytic function of neutrophil leucocytes in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A decreased capacity of the leucocytes to phagocyte yeast particles was found in patients with Crohn's disease of the ileum. Patients with lesions only in the colon showed normal phagocytic activity as did patients with ulcerative colitis (U.C.). Intradermal injection of killed Strep. pyogenes produced an increased erythrmatous reaction after 48 hours in patients with U.C., and the reaction was pustular in half of them. None of the controls or the patients with Crohn's disease of the ileum had such a reaction. An increased erythematous reaction to streptokinase-streptodornase was also more common in patients with U.C. than in those with Crohn's disease and a control group. No such difference was seen to other bacterial antigens. The reactivity to kallikrein, prostaglandin E1, histamine or bradykinin did not differ from that of normal subjects.", "PMID": 635448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10442", "title": "Serum bile acids in patients with viral hepatitis.", "content": "Total and individual serum bile acid concentrations were studied in 18 patients with viral hepatitis. The initial high values returned to the normal range at approximately the same time as the conventional liver function tests. Chenodeoxycholic acid was the predominant bile acid initially, but cholic acid predominated as the disease resolved. All patients had proportionately less doexycholic acid than controls. It is concluded that the measurement of serum bile acid does not provide added information of value in the management of patients with viral hepatitis.", "contents": "Serum bile acids in patients with viral hepatitis. Total and individual serum bile acid concentrations were studied in 18 patients with viral hepatitis. The initial high values returned to the normal range at approximately the same time as the conventional liver function tests. Chenodeoxycholic acid was the predominant bile acid initially, but cholic acid predominated as the disease resolved. All patients had proportionately less doexycholic acid than controls. It is concluded that the measurement of serum bile acid does not provide added information of value in the management of patients with viral hepatitis.", "PMID": 635449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10443", "title": "Calcium malabsorption and absence of bone decalcination following intestinal shunt operation for obesity. A comparison of two types of operation.", "content": "Calcium absorption was studied in 23 patients before and one year after intestinal shunt operation for obesity. It decreased from 23 to 12% (p less than 0.02) after surgery, when the jejunum/ileum ratio was 36cm/12cm [type I], and only from 19 to 16% (p greater than 0.05), when the ratio was 12cm/36cm [type III]. It is suggested that the difference is due to variation in absorptive surface in the distal half of the small intestine and to a minor degree to change in external pancreatic function, bile acid metabolism, and fat digestion. Bone mineral content was lower in 37 obese than in normal subjects and underwent only minor changes (p greater than 0.01) 3 and 12 months after surgery, possible because of postoperative daily calcium and vitamin-D substitution.", "contents": "Calcium malabsorption and absence of bone decalcination following intestinal shunt operation for obesity. A comparison of two types of operation. Calcium absorption was studied in 23 patients before and one year after intestinal shunt operation for obesity. It decreased from 23 to 12% (p less than 0.02) after surgery, when the jejunum/ileum ratio was 36cm/12cm [type I], and only from 19 to 16% (p greater than 0.05), when the ratio was 12cm/36cm [type III]. It is suggested that the difference is due to variation in absorptive surface in the distal half of the small intestine and to a minor degree to change in external pancreatic function, bile acid metabolism, and fat digestion. Bone mineral content was lower in 37 obese than in normal subjects and underwent only minor changes (p greater than 0.01) 3 and 12 months after surgery, possible because of postoperative daily calcium and vitamin-D substitution.", "PMID": 635450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10444", "title": "Properties and subcellular distribution of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in guinea-pig liver.", "content": "The optimal in vivo conditions for measuring liver acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, EC.2.2.1.26 (ACAT) activity in cytoplasmic extract from guinea-pigs have been examined. ACAT in liver from ordinarily fed guinea-pigs is very low. The effect of different compounds on ACAT activity was evaluated. Sodium fluoride, oligomycin, divalent cations, oleyl-CoA, and bile acids were all shown to inhibit ACAT activity markedly. Albumin stimulated the cholesterol esterification independently of the presence of fatty acids. Subcellular distribution of liver ACAT in relation to different marker enzymes shows that the bulk of ACAT activity is present in the microsomal fraction. By comparing the esterification of exogenous and endogenous cholesterol, the results indicate that these two substrates are not esterified to the same extent. Both the 'enzyme\" level and substrate quality are of importance for the high ACAT activity found in rat-liver homogenates compared to guinea-pig.", "contents": "Properties and subcellular distribution of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in guinea-pig liver. The optimal in vivo conditions for measuring liver acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, EC.2.2.1.26 (ACAT) activity in cytoplasmic extract from guinea-pigs have been examined. ACAT in liver from ordinarily fed guinea-pigs is very low. The effect of different compounds on ACAT activity was evaluated. Sodium fluoride, oligomycin, divalent cations, oleyl-CoA, and bile acids were all shown to inhibit ACAT activity markedly. Albumin stimulated the cholesterol esterification independently of the presence of fatty acids. Subcellular distribution of liver ACAT in relation to different marker enzymes shows that the bulk of ACAT activity is present in the microsomal fraction. By comparing the esterification of exogenous and endogenous cholesterol, the results indicate that these two substrates are not esterified to the same extent. Both the 'enzyme\" level and substrate quality are of importance for the high ACAT activity found in rat-liver homogenates compared to guinea-pig.", "PMID": 635451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10445", "title": "Red blood cell transketolase activity and the effect of thiamine supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease.", "content": "Biochemical evidence of thiamine deficiency was found in 58% of patients with chronic liver disease, the incidence being higher in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic patients. Daily supplementation with high doses of thiamine hydrochloride (200 mg/day) for one week restored levels of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the active co-enzyme form of thiamine, to normal in all cases. Such supplementation also stimulated synthesis of the TPP dependent enzyme transketolase. Because of the essential role of TPP as a co-factor in intermediary metabolism, it is concluded that high doses of thiamine should be included in the routine nutritional management of patients with severe chronic liver disease.", "contents": "Red blood cell transketolase activity and the effect of thiamine supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease. Biochemical evidence of thiamine deficiency was found in 58% of patients with chronic liver disease, the incidence being higher in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic patients. Daily supplementation with high doses of thiamine hydrochloride (200 mg/day) for one week restored levels of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the active co-enzyme form of thiamine, to normal in all cases. Such supplementation also stimulated synthesis of the TPP dependent enzyme transketolase. Because of the essential role of TPP as a co-factor in intermediary metabolism, it is concluded that high doses of thiamine should be included in the routine nutritional management of patients with severe chronic liver disease.", "PMID": 635453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10446", "title": "Gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease in a well-defined population. A prospective necropsy study in Malm\u00f6, Sweden.", "content": "In a necropsy series from Malm\u00f6 of 2,218 subjects above 20 years of age, and composing 88.2% of all Malm\u00f6 residents above 20 who died during the period of investigation, the frequency of gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease (ulcer, scar or surgically treated peptic ulcer) was studied. The total frequency of peptic ulcer disease was 17.9% (20.9% in men and 14.7% in women). The condition was most common (25.4%) in men in the 50-59 year age group, after which the frequency declined. In women a constant high frequency (15-16%) was seen in all age groups above 60 years. Gastric ulcer (ulcer or scar) was found in 10.7% and duodenal ulcer in 5.5%. 16.1% of subjects with peptic ulcer disease had been subjected to surgical treatment, 22.8% of the men and 5.8% of the women.", "contents": "Gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease in a well-defined population. A prospective necropsy study in Malm\u00f6, Sweden. In a necropsy series from Malm\u00f6 of 2,218 subjects above 20 years of age, and composing 88.2% of all Malm\u00f6 residents above 20 who died during the period of investigation, the frequency of gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease (ulcer, scar or surgically treated peptic ulcer) was studied. The total frequency of peptic ulcer disease was 17.9% (20.9% in men and 14.7% in women). The condition was most common (25.4%) in men in the 50-59 year age group, after which the frequency declined. In women a constant high frequency (15-16%) was seen in all age groups above 60 years. Gastric ulcer (ulcer or scar) was found in 10.7% and duodenal ulcer in 5.5%. 16.1% of subjects with peptic ulcer disease had been subjected to surgical treatment, 22.8% of the men and 5.8% of the women.", "PMID": 635454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10447", "title": "Somatostatin inhibits gastric motility in response to distention.", "content": "Gastric motility and plasma gastrin concentration have been measured in 6 healthy volunteers before and after stepwise gastric distention. Distention was performed by filling a flaccid thin-walled bag, which was connected with a low pressure transducer for measuring intragastric pressure variations. Stepwise increase in gastric volume from 0-600 ml caused graded increases in gastric motility. No significant change was seen in the plasma gastrin level. When gastric distention was performed concomitantly with constant infusion of somatostatin (0.05 mg/h and 0.50 mg/h) in the same individuals on different days, motility was significantly reduced, without any changes in the plasma gastrin concentration. It is concluded that somatostatin, which probably plays a role in the gastro-intestinal tract, may have a physiological effect in the regulation of gastric motility too. This motility effect of somatostatin seems to be independent of any effect on the gastrin concentration.", "contents": "Somatostatin inhibits gastric motility in response to distention. Gastric motility and plasma gastrin concentration have been measured in 6 healthy volunteers before and after stepwise gastric distention. Distention was performed by filling a flaccid thin-walled bag, which was connected with a low pressure transducer for measuring intragastric pressure variations. Stepwise increase in gastric volume from 0-600 ml caused graded increases in gastric motility. No significant change was seen in the plasma gastrin level. When gastric distention was performed concomitantly with constant infusion of somatostatin (0.05 mg/h and 0.50 mg/h) in the same individuals on different days, motility was significantly reduced, without any changes in the plasma gastrin concentration. It is concluded that somatostatin, which probably plays a role in the gastro-intestinal tract, may have a physiological effect in the regulation of gastric motility too. This motility effect of somatostatin seems to be independent of any effect on the gastrin concentration.", "PMID": 635455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10448", "title": "Oesophageal peristalsis. A simple system for the recording of oesophageal peristalsis, and the influence of bolus volume on peak peristaltic pressure amplitude.", "content": "Peak oesophageal peristaltic pressure amplitude was recorded in 8 healthy subjects at points 5 and 15 cm proximal to the gastro-oesophageal sphincter, by using an in situ tip-transducer simultaneously with a continuous flush (Intraflo) perfused catheter system with external pressure transducer. Dry swallows and wet swallows of 2.5, 5 and 10ml, respectively, were made in random succession. In all cases the pressures recorded by either system correlated well. In all cases the peristaltic pressure amplitude was significantly higher after the wet swallows. The catheter and flow system used in this study is simple and makes recording of peristaltic pressures independent of the shape of the in situ transducer, and its therefore well suited for measuring the amplitude of oesophageal contractions.", "contents": "Oesophageal peristalsis. A simple system for the recording of oesophageal peristalsis, and the influence of bolus volume on peak peristaltic pressure amplitude. Peak oesophageal peristaltic pressure amplitude was recorded in 8 healthy subjects at points 5 and 15 cm proximal to the gastro-oesophageal sphincter, by using an in situ tip-transducer simultaneously with a continuous flush (Intraflo) perfused catheter system with external pressure transducer. Dry swallows and wet swallows of 2.5, 5 and 10ml, respectively, were made in random succession. In all cases the pressures recorded by either system correlated well. In all cases the peristaltic pressure amplitude was significantly higher after the wet swallows. The catheter and flow system used in this study is simple and makes recording of peristaltic pressures independent of the shape of the in situ transducer, and its therefore well suited for measuring the amplitude of oesophageal contractions.", "PMID": 635456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10449", "title": "Metabolic changes after jejuno-ileal bypass for obesity.", "content": "Metabolic parameters were studied in 6 patients before and for 18 months after jejunoileal bypass for obesity. The postoperative changes in plasma concentration of amino acids were characterized by a decrease in essential amino acids, while the non-essential amino acids were unchanged or elevated, indicating a state of protein-caloric malnutrition. The pattern of fatty acids in serum the first year after operation: an unchanged sum of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids accompanied by a significant fall in linoleic acid and a corresponding increase in oleic acid, showed that even during this period the patients were in a state of essential fatty acid deficiency. The oral glucose tolerance test and the levels of serum immunoreactive insulin activity indicated a general improvement in glucose tolerance and a normalization of preoperative hyperinsulinism. A 40-50% reduction was found both in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Serum iron was reduced by approximately 30%, whereas TIBC levels remained unchanged. The Schilling test showed a significant fall in vitamin B12 absorption postoperatively with subnormal values at 6 and 12 months. Vitamin B12 in serum dropped, but remained within the normal range, suggesting that the preservation of 25 cm of distal ileum is sufficient to secure adequate absorption of vitamin B12. Folic acid levels in serum fell after the bypass, demanding supplementation in 5 of the 6 patients at 6 months postoperatively.", "contents": "Metabolic changes after jejuno-ileal bypass for obesity. Metabolic parameters were studied in 6 patients before and for 18 months after jejunoileal bypass for obesity. The postoperative changes in plasma concentration of amino acids were characterized by a decrease in essential amino acids, while the non-essential amino acids were unchanged or elevated, indicating a state of protein-caloric malnutrition. The pattern of fatty acids in serum the first year after operation: an unchanged sum of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids accompanied by a significant fall in linoleic acid and a corresponding increase in oleic acid, showed that even during this period the patients were in a state of essential fatty acid deficiency. The oral glucose tolerance test and the levels of serum immunoreactive insulin activity indicated a general improvement in glucose tolerance and a normalization of preoperative hyperinsulinism. A 40-50% reduction was found both in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Serum iron was reduced by approximately 30%, whereas TIBC levels remained unchanged. The Schilling test showed a significant fall in vitamin B12 absorption postoperatively with subnormal values at 6 and 12 months. Vitamin B12 in serum dropped, but remained within the normal range, suggesting that the preservation of 25 cm of distal ileum is sufficient to secure adequate absorption of vitamin B12. Folic acid levels in serum fell after the bypass, demanding supplementation in 5 of the 6 patients at 6 months postoperatively.", "PMID": 635457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10450", "title": "Evidence for excessive absorption of oxalate by the colon in enteric hyperoxaluria.", "content": "This work was designed to investigate the site of oxalate hyperabsorption in malabsorption syndromes. 1) Urinary oxalate excretion was measured in 27 patients with ileal resection (IR) and steatorrhea. Mean urinary oxalate excretion was high in 13 patients with IR and intact colon and in 9 subjects with IR and right hemicolectomy (90.2 +/- 11.9 and 108 +/- 18.6 mg per 24 hours; mean +/- S.E.M.), whereas it was normal in 5 patients with IR and ileostomy (21.9 +/- 4.4 mg per 24 hours). Steatorrhea was similar in the three groups. 2) On one patient of the last group in whom the colon had not been removed initially but excluded closure of the ileostomy resulted in the development of frank hyperoxaluria. 3) Intracolonic perfusion of calcium (1.93 g per day) abolished or greatly reduced the hyperoxaluria in 3 patients. These results indicate that the colon is the major site of oxalate hyperabsorption, and the right colon is not necessary for the development of hyperoxaluria in malabsorption syndromes.", "contents": "Evidence for excessive absorption of oxalate by the colon in enteric hyperoxaluria. This work was designed to investigate the site of oxalate hyperabsorption in malabsorption syndromes. 1) Urinary oxalate excretion was measured in 27 patients with ileal resection (IR) and steatorrhea. Mean urinary oxalate excretion was high in 13 patients with IR and intact colon and in 9 subjects with IR and right hemicolectomy (90.2 +/- 11.9 and 108 +/- 18.6 mg per 24 hours; mean +/- S.E.M.), whereas it was normal in 5 patients with IR and ileostomy (21.9 +/- 4.4 mg per 24 hours). Steatorrhea was similar in the three groups. 2) On one patient of the last group in whom the colon had not been removed initially but excluded closure of the ileostomy resulted in the development of frank hyperoxaluria. 3) Intracolonic perfusion of calcium (1.93 g per day) abolished or greatly reduced the hyperoxaluria in 3 patients. These results indicate that the colon is the major site of oxalate hyperabsorption, and the right colon is not necessary for the development of hyperoxaluria in malabsorption syndromes.", "PMID": 635458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10451", "title": "Gastric emptying in patients with reflux esophagitis or benign strictures of the esophagus secondary to reflux compared to controls.", "content": "Quantitative measurements of gastric emptying of fluids were performed in 11 controls, 12 patients with reflux esophagitis, and in 7 cases with benign strictures of the esophagus secondary to reflux. The method for measuring gastric emptying was the double-sampling test with phenol red as an inert marker. No significant alterations in gastric emptying were noted in reflux patients or in stricture patients compared to controls, although a tendency to a slower emptying was noticed in the latter group. The importance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "Gastric emptying in patients with reflux esophagitis or benign strictures of the esophagus secondary to reflux compared to controls. Quantitative measurements of gastric emptying of fluids were performed in 11 controls, 12 patients with reflux esophagitis, and in 7 cases with benign strictures of the esophagus secondary to reflux. The method for measuring gastric emptying was the double-sampling test with phenol red as an inert marker. No significant alterations in gastric emptying were noted in reflux patients or in stricture patients compared to controls, although a tendency to a slower emptying was noticed in the latter group. The importance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 635459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10452", "title": "Effects of intraduodenal acid on gallbladder net water absorption and motility in the cat.", "content": "A recently described perfusion technique has been used in the study of gallbladder function during acid infusion into the duodenum in the anaesthetized cat. The method allows simultaneous measurements of the net water absorption, and thereby the concentrating function of the gallbladder, as well as the motility of the organ. Duodenal acidification, which is known to release several gastrointestinal hormones, was found to reduce the net water absorption and induce a contraction in the gallbladder. The results are discussed in relation to earlier studies of gallbladder function as influenced by gastrointestinal hormones.", "contents": "Effects of intraduodenal acid on gallbladder net water absorption and motility in the cat. A recently described perfusion technique has been used in the study of gallbladder function during acid infusion into the duodenum in the anaesthetized cat. The method allows simultaneous measurements of the net water absorption, and thereby the concentrating function of the gallbladder, as well as the motility of the organ. Duodenal acidification, which is known to release several gastrointestinal hormones, was found to reduce the net water absorption and induce a contraction in the gallbladder. The results are discussed in relation to earlier studies of gallbladder function as influenced by gastrointestinal hormones.", "PMID": 635460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10453", "title": "The development of mucosal changes after gastric surgery for ulcer disease.", "content": "The development of morphological changes in the body mucosa after partial gastrectomy for ulcer disease according to Billroth I and II was studied early (within 3 years) and late (10-24 years) postoperatively with gastroscopy and forceps biopsies. The morphological findings in the body mucosa of the operation specimens and biopsies from the stomas were compared. The effect of time, ulcer disease, operation procedure, sex, and age was studied. In duodenal ulcer patients, with significantly less pronounced inflammatory mucosal changes in the operation specimen, partial gastrectomy caused acute and chronic gastritis to the same degree as seen in gastric ulcer patients within 3 years postoperatively. Duodenal ulcer patients also developed mucosal atrophy, cystic dilatation of the gastric glands, and intestinal metaplasia by time to an extent not significantly different from what was found in gastric ulcer patients. No correlation could be found between the mucosal changes and factors like age, sex, or operation procedure. Mucosal atrophy, chronic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia are regarded as possible features of malignant transformation. If this concept is true, our findings may explain why stump carcinoma is frequently reported with the same incidence independent of preoperative ulcer disease or anastomotic procedure.", "contents": "The development of mucosal changes after gastric surgery for ulcer disease. The development of morphological changes in the body mucosa after partial gastrectomy for ulcer disease according to Billroth I and II was studied early (within 3 years) and late (10-24 years) postoperatively with gastroscopy and forceps biopsies. The morphological findings in the body mucosa of the operation specimens and biopsies from the stomas were compared. The effect of time, ulcer disease, operation procedure, sex, and age was studied. In duodenal ulcer patients, with significantly less pronounced inflammatory mucosal changes in the operation specimen, partial gastrectomy caused acute and chronic gastritis to the same degree as seen in gastric ulcer patients within 3 years postoperatively. Duodenal ulcer patients also developed mucosal atrophy, cystic dilatation of the gastric glands, and intestinal metaplasia by time to an extent not significantly different from what was found in gastric ulcer patients. No correlation could be found between the mucosal changes and factors like age, sex, or operation procedure. Mucosal atrophy, chronic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia are regarded as possible features of malignant transformation. If this concept is true, our findings may explain why stump carcinoma is frequently reported with the same incidence independent of preoperative ulcer disease or anastomotic procedure.", "PMID": 635461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10454", "title": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. III. Effects of intraluminal iso-osmolality and simultaneous intravenous infusions.", "content": "The introduction of a hyperosmolal glucose solution in the intestinal lumen in an experimental model using rats resulted in the accumulation of large quantities of fluid in the lumen, resembling the situation in simple obstruction of the small intestine. To establish whether the osmotic strength of the glucose solution caused this influx of fluid, or whether the volume of the fluid per se is a contributory factor, an identical amount of an iso-osmolal and largely non-resorbable substance was introduced in place of the hyperosmolal glucose solution. No influx of fluid into the intestinal lumen could be demonstrated even when large infusions of varying osmolality were given intravenously. The osmolality of the intestinal contents remained unchanged as well as the intraluminal pressure. Despite the massive infusion of fluids, the hematocrit remained relatively stable, thus indicating stable blood volume and demonstrating the enormous storage capacity of the extravascular compartment.", "contents": "Experimental studies on fluid pathophysiology in small intestinal obstruction in the rat. III. Effects of intraluminal iso-osmolality and simultaneous intravenous infusions. The introduction of a hyperosmolal glucose solution in the intestinal lumen in an experimental model using rats resulted in the accumulation of large quantities of fluid in the lumen, resembling the situation in simple obstruction of the small intestine. To establish whether the osmotic strength of the glucose solution caused this influx of fluid, or whether the volume of the fluid per se is a contributory factor, an identical amount of an iso-osmolal and largely non-resorbable substance was introduced in place of the hyperosmolal glucose solution. No influx of fluid into the intestinal lumen could be demonstrated even when large infusions of varying osmolality were given intravenously. The osmolality of the intestinal contents remained unchanged as well as the intraluminal pressure. Despite the massive infusion of fluids, the hematocrit remained relatively stable, thus indicating stable blood volume and demonstrating the enormous storage capacity of the extravascular compartment.", "PMID": 635462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10455", "title": "Encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. A neuropsychological study.", "content": "Neuropsychological tests and clinical ratings of the level of consciousness were performed in 30 patients with encephalopathy due to cirrhosis of the liver. Compared to the test norms for patients with diffuse cerebral lesions, the state of encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis has a qualitatively different pattern of cerebral affection, since disturbances of attention were found independently of general intellectual function. Eight cirrhotic patients without portacaval anastomosis were matched in clinical rating with 8 patients with portacaval anastomosis. The course of cerebral affection after portacaval shunts showed defects characteristic of intellectual impairments in diffuse cerebral lesions, which were not found in the non-operated matched controls.", "contents": "Encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. A neuropsychological study. Neuropsychological tests and clinical ratings of the level of consciousness were performed in 30 patients with encephalopathy due to cirrhosis of the liver. Compared to the test norms for patients with diffuse cerebral lesions, the state of encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis has a qualitatively different pattern of cerebral affection, since disturbances of attention were found independently of general intellectual function. Eight cirrhotic patients without portacaval anastomosis were matched in clinical rating with 8 patients with portacaval anastomosis. The course of cerebral affection after portacaval shunts showed defects characteristic of intellectual impairments in diffuse cerebral lesions, which were not found in the non-operated matched controls.", "PMID": 635463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10456", "title": "Determination of the faecal excretion of labelled bile salts after i.v. administration of 14C-cholic acid. An evaluation of the bile salt malabsorption before and after surgery in patients with Crohn's disease.", "content": "By measuring total faecal radioactivity, correlated to 24-hour enterohepatic circulation, following i.v. administration of 14C-cholic acid, bile salt malabsorption was evaluated before and/or after surgery in 80 patients with Crohn's disease localized to the ileum and/or the colon and the results related to the length of ileum diseased or resected. Before operation bile salt malabsorption was observed only in patients with inflammation of the terminal ileum, but no significant correlation was found between bile salt excretion and the extent of ileal disease. In patients subjected to ileal resection with sacrifice of the ileocaecal valve, bile salt malabsorption correlated strongly to the length of ileum resected. This correlation was about the same in ileostomy patients and in patients subjected to restorative operation. We concluded that determination of 14C in faeces is a more sensitive test than the Schilling test and the faecal fat excretion test in reflecting ileal dysfunction, at least in patients with ileal resections.", "contents": "Determination of the faecal excretion of labelled bile salts after i.v. administration of 14C-cholic acid. An evaluation of the bile salt malabsorption before and after surgery in patients with Crohn's disease. By measuring total faecal radioactivity, correlated to 24-hour enterohepatic circulation, following i.v. administration of 14C-cholic acid, bile salt malabsorption was evaluated before and/or after surgery in 80 patients with Crohn's disease localized to the ileum and/or the colon and the results related to the length of ileum diseased or resected. Before operation bile salt malabsorption was observed only in patients with inflammation of the terminal ileum, but no significant correlation was found between bile salt excretion and the extent of ileal disease. In patients subjected to ileal resection with sacrifice of the ileocaecal valve, bile salt malabsorption correlated strongly to the length of ileum resected. This correlation was about the same in ileostomy patients and in patients subjected to restorative operation. We concluded that determination of 14C in faeces is a more sensitive test than the Schilling test and the faecal fat excretion test in reflecting ileal dysfunction, at least in patients with ileal resections.", "PMID": 635464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10457", "title": "Relations between surface charge and in vitro lysis of red blood cells in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.", "content": "The effects of neuraminadase on the electrophoretic mobility and in vitro lysis of PNH, glutathione treated and normal erythrocytes was determined. Neuraminidase strongly affected the in vitro haemolysis of PNH and glutathione treated erythrocytes by substantially elevating the lysis in the Ham acid test while virtually eliminating lysis in the sucrose test. Findings suggest that membrane bound sialic acid or the level of cell surface charge may have a role in the susceptibility of PNH erythrocytes to complement mediated lysis.", "contents": "Relations between surface charge and in vitro lysis of red blood cells in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. The effects of neuraminadase on the electrophoretic mobility and in vitro lysis of PNH, glutathione treated and normal erythrocytes was determined. Neuraminidase strongly affected the in vitro haemolysis of PNH and glutathione treated erythrocytes by substantially elevating the lysis in the Ham acid test while virtually eliminating lysis in the sucrose test. Findings suggest that membrane bound sialic acid or the level of cell surface charge may have a role in the susceptibility of PNH erythrocytes to complement mediated lysis.", "PMID": 635466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10458", "title": "Sustained haematological remission after bone marrow curettage in a case of primary myelofibrosis.", "content": "This brief case report describes a sustained haematological remission obtained in a patient with primary myelofibrosis treated by bone marrow curettage after previous therapy with androgens was unsuccessful. The patient remains in haematological remission 5 years after the procedure. It is suggested that this procedure be attempted in more cases of myelofibrosis.", "contents": "Sustained haematological remission after bone marrow curettage in a case of primary myelofibrosis. This brief case report describes a sustained haematological remission obtained in a patient with primary myelofibrosis treated by bone marrow curettage after previous therapy with androgens was unsuccessful. The patient remains in haematological remission 5 years after the procedure. It is suggested that this procedure be attempted in more cases of myelofibrosis.", "PMID": 635467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10459", "title": "Clinico-pathological correlations in the Kiel classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomata in children.", "content": "The rapid development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy during the last decade makes an increasing demand for a reliable classification of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This is especially important in children since in this age group the lymphomas show a much worse prognosis than in adults. An attempt at a modern classification is offered by the so-called Kiel classification. 38 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas previously classified according to Rappaport were re-evaluated according to the Kiel system. Reclassification was technically feasible in 26 patients. There was good agreement on typing between the two independently working cytopathologists. 3 patients proved to be cases of histiocytic medullary reticulosis. Among the remaining patients, a much larger variety of histological subgroups was seen than in the one published paediatric series of Lennert. 17 patients had high-grade malignant lymphomas with lymphoblastic lymphomas predominating. Some clinical correlations not detectable with the Rappaport classification were found using the Kiel system. 6 patients were judged as having low-grade malignant lymphomas but in this group the survival was poorer than expected and 1 patient showed leukaemic transformation. The Kiel classification makes high demands for adequate surgical techniques and preparatory routines. It seems to represent a step forward in the classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas but much more experience is needed, especially in children, in order to evaluate its role as a guide to differentiated therapy.", "contents": "Clinico-pathological correlations in the Kiel classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomata in children. The rapid development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy during the last decade makes an increasing demand for a reliable classification of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This is especially important in children since in this age group the lymphomas show a much worse prognosis than in adults. An attempt at a modern classification is offered by the so-called Kiel classification. 38 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas previously classified according to Rappaport were re-evaluated according to the Kiel system. Reclassification was technically feasible in 26 patients. There was good agreement on typing between the two independently working cytopathologists. 3 patients proved to be cases of histiocytic medullary reticulosis. Among the remaining patients, a much larger variety of histological subgroups was seen than in the one published paediatric series of Lennert. 17 patients had high-grade malignant lymphomas with lymphoblastic lymphomas predominating. Some clinical correlations not detectable with the Rappaport classification were found using the Kiel system. 6 patients were judged as having low-grade malignant lymphomas but in this group the survival was poorer than expected and 1 patient showed leukaemic transformation. The Kiel classification makes high demands for adequate surgical techniques and preparatory routines. It seems to represent a step forward in the classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas but much more experience is needed, especially in children, in order to evaluate its role as a guide to differentiated therapy.", "PMID": 635468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10460", "title": "Migration pattern of splenic lymphocytes after local labelling of the pig spleen with 3H-cytidine.", "content": "In normal young pigs splenic lymphocytes were selectively labelled by injecting tritiated cytidine into a splenic artery. 10 h later several lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs were investigated for spleen-derived lymphocytes by autoradiography. The relative and absolute organ distribution of the labelled cells was determined. Labelled lymphocytes appeared rapidly in the peripheral blood reaching a mean labelling index of 4.8%. More splenic lymphocytes were found in thymus dependent areas than in thymus independent areas of lymphoid organs. Nearly 40% of all emigrated lymphocytes homed to lymph nodes and only about 1% in the thymus. A surprisingly high number of splenic lymphocytes were located in the bone marrow and the lung.", "contents": "Migration pattern of splenic lymphocytes after local labelling of the pig spleen with 3H-cytidine. In normal young pigs splenic lymphocytes were selectively labelled by injecting tritiated cytidine into a splenic artery. 10 h later several lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs were investigated for spleen-derived lymphocytes by autoradiography. The relative and absolute organ distribution of the labelled cells was determined. Labelled lymphocytes appeared rapidly in the peripheral blood reaching a mean labelling index of 4.8%. More splenic lymphocytes were found in thymus dependent areas than in thymus independent areas of lymphoid organs. Nearly 40% of all emigrated lymphocytes homed to lymph nodes and only about 1% in the thymus. A surprisingly high number of splenic lymphocytes were located in the bone marrow and the lung.", "PMID": 635469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10461", "title": "Difference in the effect of immobilized ligands on the Fc and C3 receptors of mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro.", "content": "The function of the Fc and C3 receptors on the free surface of normal and endotoxin activated mouse peritoneal macrophages seeded on glass bound antibody--antigen (AbAg) complexes or complement was examined. We found that the glass bound AbAg complexes interfered with attachment and internalization of particles recognized by the Fc receptor. The C3 receptor function in these cells was not affected. On the other hand, normal and activated macrophages seeded on glass bound complement showed no change in the function of the C3 and the Fc receptors.", "contents": "Difference in the effect of immobilized ligands on the Fc and C3 receptors of mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The function of the Fc and C3 receptors on the free surface of normal and endotoxin activated mouse peritoneal macrophages seeded on glass bound antibody--antigen (AbAg) complexes or complement was examined. We found that the glass bound AbAg complexes interfered with attachment and internalization of particles recognized by the Fc receptor. The C3 receptor function in these cells was not affected. On the other hand, normal and activated macrophages seeded on glass bound complement showed no change in the function of the C3 and the Fc receptors.", "PMID": 635470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10462", "title": "Circulating immune complexes, complement activation kinetics and serum sickness following treatment with heterologous anti-snake venom globulin.", "content": "Consecutive serum and plasma samples, from a patient receiving 100 ml polyvalent horse anti-venom globulin after a rattlesnake bite, were analysed for circulating immune complexes (IC) and activation of complement factors. IC were determined by two independent methods, a complement consumption assay and a Clq-binding assay. Rapidly rising levels of complement-fixing circulating IC were detected as early as 4--5 days after the serum treatment and distinct IC-activity was recorded in both assays on day 8 when clinical symptoms of serum sickness were observed. The IC remained in circulation for at least 5 weeks. Signs of intravascular C-activation in the form of low C3, C4 and C5 values was noted on day 1 after treatment. Factor B was demonstrable 3--4 days after the snake bite and this factor and C3c attained a peak around day 8, just before maximal suppression of native C3 and C4. 14 days after the globulin treatment C3c and B were declining rapidly while C3 and C4 approached normal values first 36 days after treatment. An increase in heterophilic antibodies to sheep erythrocytes was observed after treatment with anti-venom globulin.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes, complement activation kinetics and serum sickness following treatment with heterologous anti-snake venom globulin. Consecutive serum and plasma samples, from a patient receiving 100 ml polyvalent horse anti-venom globulin after a rattlesnake bite, were analysed for circulating immune complexes (IC) and activation of complement factors. IC were determined by two independent methods, a complement consumption assay and a Clq-binding assay. Rapidly rising levels of complement-fixing circulating IC were detected as early as 4--5 days after the serum treatment and distinct IC-activity was recorded in both assays on day 8 when clinical symptoms of serum sickness were observed. The IC remained in circulation for at least 5 weeks. Signs of intravascular C-activation in the form of low C3, C4 and C5 values was noted on day 1 after treatment. Factor B was demonstrable 3--4 days after the snake bite and this factor and C3c attained a peak around day 8, just before maximal suppression of native C3 and C4. 14 days after the globulin treatment C3c and B were declining rapidly while C3 and C4 approached normal values first 36 days after treatment. An increase in heterophilic antibodies to sheep erythrocytes was observed after treatment with anti-venom globulin.", "PMID": 635471} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10463", "title": "Complement lysis: the ultrastructure and orientation of the C5b-9 complex on target sheep erythrocyte membranes.", "content": "The C5b-9 complex derived from human serum and assembled on target sheep erythrocyte membranes is a thin-walled cylinder rimmed by an annulus at one end. The total height of the cylinder is 150 A, towards which the annulus contributes 30 A. The cylinder has an apparently uniform internal diameter of 100 A. The external diameter of the annulus is 200 A. The classical complement 'rings' visualized on membranes after complement lysis represent such C5b-9 cylinders perpendicularly oriented on the membranes. The thin-walled cylinder is anchored in the membrane matrix and the annulus located in the exterior membrane glycocalyx. At the sites of attachment of the C5b-9 complexes, the continuity of the membrane bilayer is disturbed and the presence of trans-membrane pores is indicated. The data essentially support the 'doughnut' theory of complement lysis.", "contents": "Complement lysis: the ultrastructure and orientation of the C5b-9 complex on target sheep erythrocyte membranes. The C5b-9 complex derived from human serum and assembled on target sheep erythrocyte membranes is a thin-walled cylinder rimmed by an annulus at one end. The total height of the cylinder is 150 A, towards which the annulus contributes 30 A. The cylinder has an apparently uniform internal diameter of 100 A. The external diameter of the annulus is 200 A. The classical complement 'rings' visualized on membranes after complement lysis represent such C5b-9 cylinders perpendicularly oriented on the membranes. The thin-walled cylinder is anchored in the membrane matrix and the annulus located in the exterior membrane glycocalyx. At the sites of attachment of the C5b-9 complexes, the continuity of the membrane bilayer is disturbed and the presence of trans-membrane pores is indicated. The data essentially support the 'doughnut' theory of complement lysis.", "PMID": 635472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10464", "title": "Ultrastructure of effector--target cell interaction in secondary cell-mediated lympholysis.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the secondary cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) reaction and the effects on interacting lymphocytes of colchicine, cytochalasin B, and effector cell-specific antisera were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Surface labelling of cytotoxic secondary effector cells with cationized ferritin allowed them to be distinguished from unlabelled target lymphocytes. Effector--target interactions were characterized by intercellular junctions involving extensive areas of membrane apposition and interdigitation and extension of pseudopod-like processes by the effector cell. The abolition of such interactions when effector populations were pretreated with anti-Ly2 sera plus complement demonstrated target cell destruction in secondary CML to be dependent on the activity of restimulated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cytochalasin B and colchicine dramatically decreased the numbers of specific effector--target cell interactions observed. Although the data presented do not allow the possible activity of soluble lytic factors associated with the effector cell surface to be ruled out, they suggest that target cell lysis in the secondary CML system examined results from immune-specific binding of alloantigen-sensitized effectors to targets and osmotic effects which follow localized disruption of the target cell membrane.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of effector--target cell interaction in secondary cell-mediated lympholysis. The ultrastructure of the secondary cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) reaction and the effects on interacting lymphocytes of colchicine, cytochalasin B, and effector cell-specific antisera were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Surface labelling of cytotoxic secondary effector cells with cationized ferritin allowed them to be distinguished from unlabelled target lymphocytes. Effector--target interactions were characterized by intercellular junctions involving extensive areas of membrane apposition and interdigitation and extension of pseudopod-like processes by the effector cell. The abolition of such interactions when effector populations were pretreated with anti-Ly2 sera plus complement demonstrated target cell destruction in secondary CML to be dependent on the activity of restimulated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cytochalasin B and colchicine dramatically decreased the numbers of specific effector--target cell interactions observed. Although the data presented do not allow the possible activity of soluble lytic factors associated with the effector cell surface to be ruled out, they suggest that target cell lysis in the secondary CML system examined results from immune-specific binding of alloantigen-sensitized effectors to targets and osmotic effects which follow localized disruption of the target cell membrane.", "PMID": 635473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10465", "title": "Tracheobronchial clearance 5-15 months after infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.", "content": "Tracheobronchial clearance was studied in 17 non-smokers who had suffered from a serologically verified Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia 5-15 months earlier. The subjects inhaled 6 micron teflon particles tagged with 99mTc. The retention of the particles in the lungs was measured for 2 h. The retention after 2 h in this group was significantly higher than in a control group of healthy non-smokers. The results suggest that some impairment persists 5-15 months after the infection or that persons with slow clearance contract a mycoplasma pneumonia more easily than do those with fast clearance.", "contents": "Tracheobronchial clearance 5-15 months after infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Tracheobronchial clearance was studied in 17 non-smokers who had suffered from a serologically verified Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia 5-15 months earlier. The subjects inhaled 6 micron teflon particles tagged with 99mTc. The retention of the particles in the lungs was measured for 2 h. The retention after 2 h in this group was significantly higher than in a control group of healthy non-smokers. The results suggest that some impairment persists 5-15 months after the infection or that persons with slow clearance contract a mycoplasma pneumonia more easily than do those with fast clearance.", "PMID": 635474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10466", "title": "Group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and course of the group A meningococcal epidemic in Finland.", "content": "A group A meningococcal epidemic started in Finland in 1973 and had its peak in 1974. Its rapid decline and end after large scale vaccinations in 1975-76, involving approximately one quarter of the population, is described. It gives further proof of the clinical efficacy of the group A polysaccharide vaccine. No corresponding increase in the other serogroups has been seen in the 1 1/2 years elapsed after these vaccinations.", "contents": "Group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and course of the group A meningococcal epidemic in Finland. A group A meningococcal epidemic started in Finland in 1973 and had its peak in 1974. Its rapid decline and end after large scale vaccinations in 1975-76, involving approximately one quarter of the population, is described. It gives further proof of the clinical efficacy of the group A polysaccharide vaccine. No corresponding increase in the other serogroups has been seen in the 1 1/2 years elapsed after these vaccinations.", "PMID": 635475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10467", "title": "Relative concentrations of albumin and IgG in cerebrospinal fluid in health and in acute meningitis.", "content": "IgG and albumin were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma by electroimmuno assay in 90 control patients. The curve for the ratios between concentration of IgG in CSF and in plasma versus the ratios between concentration of albumin in CSF and in plasma was practically linear (r=0.95). The scatter diagram of these ratios was used to investigate the occurrence of synthesis of IgG within the central nervous system in 55 cases of acute meningitis. No unmistakable intrathecal synthesis of IgG was demonstrated. No difference was found between the relative concentration of IgG in CSF early in the course of the disease and that observed later.", "contents": "Relative concentrations of albumin and IgG in cerebrospinal fluid in health and in acute meningitis. IgG and albumin were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma by electroimmuno assay in 90 control patients. The curve for the ratios between concentration of IgG in CSF and in plasma versus the ratios between concentration of albumin in CSF and in plasma was practically linear (r=0.95). The scatter diagram of these ratios was used to investigate the occurrence of synthesis of IgG within the central nervous system in 55 cases of acute meningitis. No unmistakable intrathecal synthesis of IgG was demonstrated. No difference was found between the relative concentration of IgG in CSF early in the course of the disease and that observed later.", "PMID": 635476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10468", "title": "Prognostic value of blood platelet counts, coagulation factors and serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in acute infections.", "content": "Platelet counts, P&P, factor V and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in serum were determined in 96 patients with 100 episodes of acute infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the tests, separately and in combination, and the outcome of the patients. The prognostic value was found to be dubious (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01) as regards both a low platelet count and a decreased level of P&P and very low (P greater than 0.2) as regards factor V. On the other hand, the demonstration of a raised S-FDP as well as the presence of more than one pathological test was of distinct prognostic value (P less than 0.001). It is concluded that coagulation tests are useful as supportive aids in the prognostic evaluation of patients with acute infectious diseases.", "contents": "Prognostic value of blood platelet counts, coagulation factors and serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in acute infections. Platelet counts, P&P, factor V and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in serum were determined in 96 patients with 100 episodes of acute infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the tests, separately and in combination, and the outcome of the patients. The prognostic value was found to be dubious (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01) as regards both a low platelet count and a decreased level of P&P and very low (P greater than 0.2) as regards factor V. On the other hand, the demonstration of a raised S-FDP as well as the presence of more than one pathological test was of distinct prognostic value (P less than 0.001). It is concluded that coagulation tests are useful as supportive aids in the prognostic evaluation of patients with acute infectious diseases.", "PMID": 635477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10469", "title": "Prevalence of hospital-associated infections in five Swedish hospitals in November 1975.", "content": "The prevalence rate of hospital-associated infections in 5 Swedish hospitals on November 4, 1975 is reported. In all, 4246 patients were included in the study, 3657 in acute disease clinics and 589 in chronic disease clinics. The overall prevalence rate was 17%, 11% in acute disease clinics and 59% in chronic disease clinics. The highest rate was found in intensive care units (72%), while in ophthalmological units it was 1%. 50% of all hospital-associated infections were urinary tract infections, 68% of which occurred in patients with an indwelling urinary catheter. 25% of all infections in acute disease clinics were postoperative wound infections, and 20% in chronic disease clinics were skin infections, including infections in varicose and decubital ulcers. 58% of the bacterial isolates from hospital-associated infections were gram-negative rods, while 12% were Staphylococcus aureus. Also in postoperative wound infections the gram-negative rods dominated over Staph. aureus, 35 vs. 23%. A prevalence study of this order of size seems adequate to assess the overall rate of hospital-associated infections in Sweden as compared to other countries. However, differences in prevalence rates between hospitals and clinics should be interpreted with great care. The seriousness and effect of reported infections must be evaluated otherwise, as well as the day-to-day infection control and the evaluation of prophylactic measures need other methods.", "contents": "Prevalence of hospital-associated infections in five Swedish hospitals in November 1975. The prevalence rate of hospital-associated infections in 5 Swedish hospitals on November 4, 1975 is reported. In all, 4246 patients were included in the study, 3657 in acute disease clinics and 589 in chronic disease clinics. The overall prevalence rate was 17%, 11% in acute disease clinics and 59% in chronic disease clinics. The highest rate was found in intensive care units (72%), while in ophthalmological units it was 1%. 50% of all hospital-associated infections were urinary tract infections, 68% of which occurred in patients with an indwelling urinary catheter. 25% of all infections in acute disease clinics were postoperative wound infections, and 20% in chronic disease clinics were skin infections, including infections in varicose and decubital ulcers. 58% of the bacterial isolates from hospital-associated infections were gram-negative rods, while 12% were Staphylococcus aureus. Also in postoperative wound infections the gram-negative rods dominated over Staph. aureus, 35 vs. 23%. A prevalence study of this order of size seems adequate to assess the overall rate of hospital-associated infections in Sweden as compared to other countries. However, differences in prevalence rates between hospitals and clinics should be interpreted with great care. The seriousness and effect of reported infections must be evaluated otherwise, as well as the day-to-day infection control and the evaluation of prophylactic measures need other methods.", "PMID": 635478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10470", "title": "Treatment of anginose infectious mononucleosis with metronidazole.", "content": "16 patients with the anginose type of infectious mononucleosis were treated with metronidazole, and another 3 patients were given clindamycin. Most of the patients had been given penicillin or erythromycin before admittance to hospital. Treatment with metronidazole had a favourable effect on the course of the disease; the body temperature was normalized, signs of tonsillitis disappeared and cervical lymph nodes decreased in size within 3 days in 10 patients and in the remaining 6 within 4 or 5 days. Difficulty in mastication and swallowing was usually relieved within 1 to 2 days of treatment. The period before normalization was significantly shorter than in 10 controls. Two of the 3 patients who were given clindamycin developed exanthems, but otherwise a similar favourable effect as in the metronidazole-treated patients was observed.", "contents": "Treatment of anginose infectious mononucleosis with metronidazole. 16 patients with the anginose type of infectious mononucleosis were treated with metronidazole, and another 3 patients were given clindamycin. Most of the patients had been given penicillin or erythromycin before admittance to hospital. Treatment with metronidazole had a favourable effect on the course of the disease; the body temperature was normalized, signs of tonsillitis disappeared and cervical lymph nodes decreased in size within 3 days in 10 patients and in the remaining 6 within 4 or 5 days. Difficulty in mastication and swallowing was usually relieved within 1 to 2 days of treatment. The period before normalization was significantly shorter than in 10 controls. Two of the 3 patients who were given clindamycin developed exanthems, but otherwise a similar favourable effect as in the metronidazole-treated patients was observed.", "PMID": 635479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10471", "title": "Bladder irrigation in patients with indwelling catheters.", "content": "The effect of intermittent bladder irrigation on the bacterial counts in urine samples was studied in patients with indwelling catheter and pre-existing urinary tract infection. Four different irrigating solutions were used. Irrigation with saline or 0.25% acetic acid had no effect on the urinary bacterial count. The bacterial counts were effectively reduced during intermittent irrigation both with 0.02% chlorhexidine and with 0.25% silver nitrate. Silver nitrate gave the greatest reduction of bacterial counts but chlorhexidine is preferable due to fewer side effects and greater convenience.", "contents": "Bladder irrigation in patients with indwelling catheters. The effect of intermittent bladder irrigation on the bacterial counts in urine samples was studied in patients with indwelling catheter and pre-existing urinary tract infection. Four different irrigating solutions were used. Irrigation with saline or 0.25% acetic acid had no effect on the urinary bacterial count. The bacterial counts were effectively reduced during intermittent irrigation both with 0.02% chlorhexidine and with 0.25% silver nitrate. Silver nitrate gave the greatest reduction of bacterial counts but chlorhexidine is preferable due to fewer side effects and greater convenience.", "PMID": 635480} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10472", "title": "Chronic granulomatous disease in three siblings.", "content": "A family of 7 persons is described in which one male and two female siblings have chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The CGD diagnosis was established by histories of recurring infections, typical histopathology, deficient nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and deficient neutrophil killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Noteworthy infections were liver abscesses, pneumonia, pleurisy, lymphadenitis, skin pustules, urinary tract infection and dental abscesses. The affected boy was the most severely ill with liver abscesses. One sister also had liver abscesses with Staph. aureus and both were treated with cloxacillin in combination with fucidin and surgical intervention. A survey of the closest relatives with the NBT test disclosed no further cases. In this family in the heredity seems to be of the recessive type.", "contents": "Chronic granulomatous disease in three siblings. A family of 7 persons is described in which one male and two female siblings have chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The CGD diagnosis was established by histories of recurring infections, typical histopathology, deficient nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and deficient neutrophil killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Noteworthy infections were liver abscesses, pneumonia, pleurisy, lymphadenitis, skin pustules, urinary tract infection and dental abscesses. The affected boy was the most severely ill with liver abscesses. One sister also had liver abscesses with Staph. aureus and both were treated with cloxacillin in combination with fucidin and surgical intervention. A survey of the closest relatives with the NBT test disclosed no further cases. In this family in the heredity seems to be of the recessive type.", "PMID": 635481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10473", "title": "Electrolyte distrubances after jejunal conduit urinary diversion.", "content": "The use of jejunum in conduit urinary diversion may lead to electrolyte disturbances, characterized by hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and azotemia, and a clinical picture of nausea, vomiting, dehydration, anorexia, and lethargy. Four out of six patients deviated with a jejunal loop developed this syndrome, the cause of which is discussed. It is concluded that the use of jejunum in urinary diversion should be avoided.", "contents": "Electrolyte distrubances after jejunal conduit urinary diversion. The use of jejunum in conduit urinary diversion may lead to electrolyte disturbances, characterized by hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and azotemia, and a clinical picture of nausea, vomiting, dehydration, anorexia, and lethargy. Four out of six patients deviated with a jejunal loop developed this syndrome, the cause of which is discussed. It is concluded that the use of jejunum in urinary diversion should be avoided.", "PMID": 635483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10474", "title": "Effects of terbutaline and isoproterenol on hyperkalemia in nephrectomized rabbits.", "content": "Terbutaline, an adrenergic beta2-receptor-stimulating substance, resembled isoproterenol in its hypokalemic effect on rabbits made hyperkalemic by nephrectomy three days prior to the experiments. Both agents lowered the serum potassium values. The duration of the terbutaline effect was longer and had less influence on the cardiovascular system than had isoproterenol.", "contents": "Effects of terbutaline and isoproterenol on hyperkalemia in nephrectomized rabbits. Terbutaline, an adrenergic beta2-receptor-stimulating substance, resembled isoproterenol in its hypokalemic effect on rabbits made hyperkalemic by nephrectomy three days prior to the experiments. Both agents lowered the serum potassium values. The duration of the terbutaline effect was longer and had less influence on the cardiovascular system than had isoproterenol.", "PMID": 635484} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10475", "title": "Grading of human renal adenocarcinoma.", "content": "One hundred and thirty-eight adenocarcinomas of human kidney were assessed histologically with special reference to the tumor malignancy as indicated by the 5-year survival of the patients. Four different grading systems were used; the classification based on the histologic type of tumor growth, the grading of malignancy according to Arner et al., the grading based on the nuclear structure of carcinoma cells and finally a combined grading system based on the nuclear structure and the demarcation of the tumor from the surround tissue. The histologic type of growth was observed to be an inappropriate basis for grading of renal carcinoma. The grading system of Arner et al. was an appropriate method of malignancy grading despite its somewhat low reproducibility. The grading system based on the nuclear structure of the tumor cells was an accurate measure of the intrinsic malignancy of renal carcinoma and gave an excellent correlation between tumor grade and the 5-year survival rate of the patients. The combined grading system was an equally accurate method in estimating the 5-year prognosis of ranal carcinomas and indicated that the poor demarcation of the tumor from the surroundings in an unfavorable prognostic sign.", "contents": "Grading of human renal adenocarcinoma. One hundred and thirty-eight adenocarcinomas of human kidney were assessed histologically with special reference to the tumor malignancy as indicated by the 5-year survival of the patients. Four different grading systems were used; the classification based on the histologic type of tumor growth, the grading of malignancy according to Arner et al., the grading based on the nuclear structure of carcinoma cells and finally a combined grading system based on the nuclear structure and the demarcation of the tumor from the surround tissue. The histologic type of growth was observed to be an inappropriate basis for grading of renal carcinoma. The grading system of Arner et al. was an appropriate method of malignancy grading despite its somewhat low reproducibility. The grading system based on the nuclear structure of the tumor cells was an accurate measure of the intrinsic malignancy of renal carcinoma and gave an excellent correlation between tumor grade and the 5-year survival rate of the patients. The combined grading system was an equally accurate method in estimating the 5-year prognosis of ranal carcinomas and indicated that the poor demarcation of the tumor from the surroundings in an unfavorable prognostic sign.", "PMID": 635486} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10476", "title": "Ultrastructural characteristics of human renal cell carcinoma in relation to the light microscopic grading.", "content": "Twenty-two consecutive cases of renal adenocarcinoma were graded histologically according to the nuclear structure of the tumor cells. The ultrastructural characteristics of these tumors were then evaluated and the findings were compared with the results of the nuclear grading. No ultrastructural characteristic was found which would have been specific for either Grade I, II, III or IV carcinomas. There was no ultrastructural features that could have been used as a basis for malignancy grading. The results show that electron microscopy has nothing to add to the nuclear grading system of renal adenocarcinoma and the value of this grading system is to be emphasized.", "contents": "Ultrastructural characteristics of human renal cell carcinoma in relation to the light microscopic grading. Twenty-two consecutive cases of renal adenocarcinoma were graded histologically according to the nuclear structure of the tumor cells. The ultrastructural characteristics of these tumors were then evaluated and the findings were compared with the results of the nuclear grading. No ultrastructural characteristic was found which would have been specific for either Grade I, II, III or IV carcinomas. There was no ultrastructural features that could have been used as a basis for malignancy grading. The results show that electron microscopy has nothing to add to the nuclear grading system of renal adenocarcinoma and the value of this grading system is to be emphasized.", "PMID": 635487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10477", "title": "Urinary infection and transurethral prostatectomy.", "content": "Positive preoperative urine cultures were obtained from 31 of 107 patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy (TUR). The incidence was 59% among the patients who had had indwelling catheter and 15% in the non-catheterized cases. Of the 76 patients whose urine was sterile before TUR, 24 (32%) became infected in connection with the operation or in the immediate postoperative period. The length of hospital stay after TUR averaged 7.2 days for the patients with sterile urine postoperatively and 10.3 days for those with infected urine, a non-significant difference, partly explained by circumstances other than the infection. The postoperative urinary infections were not associated with serious complications. Postoperative epididymitis occurred in three patients. The mortality was nil.", "contents": "Urinary infection and transurethral prostatectomy. Positive preoperative urine cultures were obtained from 31 of 107 patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy (TUR). The incidence was 59% among the patients who had had indwelling catheter and 15% in the non-catheterized cases. Of the 76 patients whose urine was sterile before TUR, 24 (32%) became infected in connection with the operation or in the immediate postoperative period. The length of hospital stay after TUR averaged 7.2 days for the patients with sterile urine postoperatively and 10.3 days for those with infected urine, a non-significant difference, partly explained by circumstances other than the infection. The postoperative urinary infections were not associated with serious complications. Postoperative epididymitis occurred in three patients. The mortality was nil.", "PMID": 635488} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10478", "title": "Rupture of the penis.", "content": "A case of acute penile rupture in a 32-year-old man is reported. The treatment was non-surgical. The symptoms subsided and sexual function was restored to normal within 8 weeks. The aetiology, pathology and symptomatology of penile rupture and the therapeutic possibilities are briefly surveyed.", "contents": "Rupture of the penis. A case of acute penile rupture in a 32-year-old man is reported. The treatment was non-surgical. The symptoms subsided and sexual function was restored to normal within 8 weeks. The aetiology, pathology and symptomatology of penile rupture and the therapeutic possibilities are briefly surveyed.", "PMID": 635489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10479", "title": "Double vas deferens and epididymis associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis simulating ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle.", "content": "A 26-year-old man presented clinical, radiographic and, at operation, macroscopic signs of an ectopic opening of the left ureter into the seminal vesicle and agenesis of the left kidney. However, histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed that the supposed ureter was actually a vas deferens, and the structure removed from the renal site showed a histological composition like that the epididymis. The anomaly observed was thus a retroperitoneal duplication of the vas deferens and epididymis and failure of development of the ipsilateral kidney and ureter.", "contents": "Double vas deferens and epididymis associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis simulating ectopic ureter opening into the seminal vesicle. A 26-year-old man presented clinical, radiographic and, at operation, macroscopic signs of an ectopic opening of the left ureter into the seminal vesicle and agenesis of the left kidney. However, histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed that the supposed ureter was actually a vas deferens, and the structure removed from the renal site showed a histological composition like that the epididymis. The anomaly observed was thus a retroperitoneal duplication of the vas deferens and epididymis and failure of development of the ipsilateral kidney and ureter.", "PMID": 635490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10480", "title": "M\u00fcllerian duct cyst. Report of a case and review of the literature.", "content": "Stranguria in a 35-year-old man was caused by an orange-sized cyst of the M\u00fcllerian duct. The case is reported and the literature is reviewed. The most reliable diagnostic method is cystoscopic tubulation through the prostatic utricle. The simplest form of treatment is subsequent evacuation of the cyst through the tube. Alternatively, marsupialization of the posterior cyst wall at laparotomy is preferable to attempted extirpation, which is always difficult and usually gives rise to complications.", "contents": "M\u00fcllerian duct cyst. Report of a case and review of the literature. Stranguria in a 35-year-old man was caused by an orange-sized cyst of the M\u00fcllerian duct. The case is reported and the literature is reviewed. The most reliable diagnostic method is cystoscopic tubulation through the prostatic utricle. The simplest form of treatment is subsequent evacuation of the cyst through the tube. Alternatively, marsupialization of the posterior cyst wall at laparotomy is preferable to attempted extirpation, which is always difficult and usually gives rise to complications.", "PMID": 635491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10481", "title": "Prognosis of survival in a geriatric population.", "content": "With the aim of demonstrating prognostics as regards death in a geriatric population, the mortality among 1 486 patients (516 men and 970 women) in De Gamles By, Copenhagen, was observed over a 2-year period. The mortality curves for the groups examined were found to be rectilinear in logarithmic form and could therefore be described with sufficient certainty by one value, viz. the probability of death in any one year. The probability of death was just over 20% and was the same for both sexes. Of the parameters examined, particularly high mortality was found where there was urinary incontinence, severe mental abnormality, a great need for nursing, and poor physical mobility (especially inability to walk). On the other hand, there was no particular relationship with age. Where the degree of the handicapping factors was severe, there was generally greater mortality among the men than among the women, but this was not so in the less severe cases. The length of stay in the institution had no effect on the mortality. The results of the present study are in good agreement with previous findings reported from New York (7).", "contents": "Prognosis of survival in a geriatric population. With the aim of demonstrating prognostics as regards death in a geriatric population, the mortality among 1 486 patients (516 men and 970 women) in De Gamles By, Copenhagen, was observed over a 2-year period. The mortality curves for the groups examined were found to be rectilinear in logarithmic form and could therefore be described with sufficient certainty by one value, viz. the probability of death in any one year. The probability of death was just over 20% and was the same for both sexes. Of the parameters examined, particularly high mortality was found where there was urinary incontinence, severe mental abnormality, a great need for nursing, and poor physical mobility (especially inability to walk). On the other hand, there was no particular relationship with age. Where the degree of the handicapping factors was severe, there was generally greater mortality among the men than among the women, but this was not so in the less severe cases. The length of stay in the institution had no effect on the mortality. The results of the present study are in good agreement with previous findings reported from New York (7).", "PMID": 635496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10482", "title": "Minimum need for care in geriatric institutions.", "content": "On the basis of a study from De Gamles By, Copenhagen, concerning the mortality and changes in the patients' need for nursing care over a 2-year period, calculation is made of the time-related changes in the care status, using a special model for homes for elderly persons. This model is based on a policy that only independent persons are received into such homes and that they remain there until they die. It is found that the need for care becomes stabilized after a period of 5-6 years and remains at a level corresponding to about 45% independent, 36% slightly dependent, and 17% heavily dependent patients (the \"minimum need for care\"). Using the model, a few examples are given to illustrate the changes which would arise in the need for care in De Gamles By if, on the basis of the primary care status on January 15, 1969, (A) only independent patients were admitted, and (B) the current admittance policy was continued.", "contents": "Minimum need for care in geriatric institutions. On the basis of a study from De Gamles By, Copenhagen, concerning the mortality and changes in the patients' need for nursing care over a 2-year period, calculation is made of the time-related changes in the care status, using a special model for homes for elderly persons. This model is based on a policy that only independent persons are received into such homes and that they remain there until they die. It is found that the need for care becomes stabilized after a period of 5-6 years and remains at a level corresponding to about 45% independent, 36% slightly dependent, and 17% heavily dependent patients (the \"minimum need for care\"). Using the model, a few examples are given to illustrate the changes which would arise in the need for care in De Gamles By if, on the basis of the primary care status on January 15, 1969, (A) only independent patients were admitted, and (B) the current admittance policy was continued.", "PMID": 635497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10483", "title": "A model for the estimation of change in knowledge between two interview occasions with unreliable responses.", "content": "If a person gives the right answer to a question of yes/no type concerning a certain fact, the answer is correct either because the person knows the truth or because he/she happens to guess the right response alternative. Suppose that such a question is given to the same persons on two occasions, and that between these occasions, a campaign is undertaken, the aim of which is to raise the level of knowledge in the population. A model is introduced for this situation, making it possible to estimate the proportion (PB) of persons who know the answer before the campaign, the difference (D=PA-PB) in knowledge after (PA) vs. before the campaign, and the rate (g) of persons who guess the correct answer without having the actual knowledge. Asymptoic variances for the estimates are also given. The method is illustrated by means of data from a socio-medical survey in Addis Ababa, were the spread of knowledge concerning various vaccinations was investigated.", "contents": "A model for the estimation of change in knowledge between two interview occasions with unreliable responses. If a person gives the right answer to a question of yes/no type concerning a certain fact, the answer is correct either because the person knows the truth or because he/she happens to guess the right response alternative. Suppose that such a question is given to the same persons on two occasions, and that between these occasions, a campaign is undertaken, the aim of which is to raise the level of knowledge in the population. A model is introduced for this situation, making it possible to estimate the proportion (PB) of persons who know the answer before the campaign, the difference (D=PA-PB) in knowledge after (PA) vs. before the campaign, and the rate (g) of persons who guess the correct answer without having the actual knowledge. Asymptoic variances for the estimates are also given. The method is illustrated by means of data from a socio-medical survey in Addis Ababa, were the spread of knowledge concerning various vaccinations was investigated.", "PMID": 635498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10484", "title": "Frequent users of doctor services in a small rural community.", "content": "Thirty-six per cent of the visits to doctors in a small rural community were made by the 6% of the population having the most diseases or symptoms. About 90% of the population accounted for about one-half of the medical services provided by the Kuusamo doctors; the other half was taken up by the 10% of the inhabitants in greatest need of medical attention. Adults consulted a doctor 2.1 times a year on the average. The most common reasons for consultations were respiratory diseases (23%), diseases of the genito-urinary system (16%) and accidents (14%).", "contents": "Frequent users of doctor services in a small rural community. Thirty-six per cent of the visits to doctors in a small rural community were made by the 6% of the population having the most diseases or symptoms. About 90% of the population accounted for about one-half of the medical services provided by the Kuusamo doctors; the other half was taken up by the 10% of the inhabitants in greatest need of medical attention. Adults consulted a doctor 2.1 times a year on the average. The most common reasons for consultations were respiratory diseases (23%), diseases of the genito-urinary system (16%) and accidents (14%).", "PMID": 635499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10485", "title": "Pregnancy and delivery among immigrants.", "content": "Risk factors during pregnancy and delivery of immigrant women are analysed. Individual birth delivery records of 1 235 immigrant women and of 412 Swedish women are studied. Most of the immigrants--65%--were Scandinavians, while 10% had come from Southern Europe and 4% were non-Europeans. The immigrant groups differed somewhat amongst themselves, and also vis-\u00e0-vis the Swedes in some social and demographic respects. Participation in antenatal care was not lower among the immigrants than in the control group, but the former did not attend antenatal exercises to the same extent. The perinatal mortality and prematurity rates were 1.5% and 5%--about the same as among the Swedish women. The rate of premature delivery was found to be related to the duration of residence in Sweden. Women who had lived less than one year in this country more often delivered prematurely than did the more settled immigrant women. Further studies on the emotional reactions of immigrant women during pregnancy and delivery are proposed.", "contents": "Pregnancy and delivery among immigrants. Risk factors during pregnancy and delivery of immigrant women are analysed. Individual birth delivery records of 1 235 immigrant women and of 412 Swedish women are studied. Most of the immigrants--65%--were Scandinavians, while 10% had come from Southern Europe and 4% were non-Europeans. The immigrant groups differed somewhat amongst themselves, and also vis-\u00e0-vis the Swedes in some social and demographic respects. Participation in antenatal care was not lower among the immigrants than in the control group, but the former did not attend antenatal exercises to the same extent. The perinatal mortality and prematurity rates were 1.5% and 5%--about the same as among the Swedish women. The rate of premature delivery was found to be related to the duration of residence in Sweden. Women who had lived less than one year in this country more often delivered prematurely than did the more settled immigrant women. Further studies on the emotional reactions of immigrant women during pregnancy and delivery are proposed.", "PMID": 635500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10486", "title": "Plans for epidemiologic research in primary health care in Denmark.", "content": "In Denmark health policy as well as research priorities are undergoing a gradual change. Increased emphasis has been placed on primary health care in the future. Routine epidemiologic registers in Denmark are presented briefly as well as some plans for future epidemiologic research in primary health care.", "contents": "Plans for epidemiologic research in primary health care in Denmark. In Denmark health policy as well as research priorities are undergoing a gradual change. Increased emphasis has been placed on primary health care in the future. Routine epidemiologic registers in Denmark are presented briefly as well as some plans for future epidemiologic research in primary health care.", "PMID": 635501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10487", "title": "Early retirement pensions in Sweden: trends and regional variations.", "content": "The total number of early retirement pensiones has risen sharply since the end of the 1960s. The increase was greatest during the early 1970s following a reform in 1970 which extended the right to early retirement pension to older workers because of labour market considerations. This article discusses various conceivable explanations for the growth in the number of early retirement pensioners and regional variations of this phenomenon. The following explanatory factors are considered: (a) The prospects of getting (keeping) a job. (b) Work capacity. (c) The nature of the pension scheme. (d) Alternative possibilities of support. (e) Preferences concerning early retirement pensions. The discussion focuses on two explanations highlighted in the public debate in Sweden: changes in pension legislation and the role of the solidarity wages policy. An empirical analysis of variations at the provincial level reveals a definite correlation between the proportion of early retirement pensioners and various indices of unemployment and underemployment.", "contents": "Early retirement pensions in Sweden: trends and regional variations. The total number of early retirement pensiones has risen sharply since the end of the 1960s. The increase was greatest during the early 1970s following a reform in 1970 which extended the right to early retirement pension to older workers because of labour market considerations. This article discusses various conceivable explanations for the growth in the number of early retirement pensioners and regional variations of this phenomenon. The following explanatory factors are considered: (a) The prospects of getting (keeping) a job. (b) Work capacity. (c) The nature of the pension scheme. (d) Alternative possibilities of support. (e) Preferences concerning early retirement pensions. The discussion focuses on two explanations highlighted in the public debate in Sweden: changes in pension legislation and the role of the solidarity wages policy. An empirical analysis of variations at the provincial level reveals a definite correlation between the proportion of early retirement pensioners and various indices of unemployment and underemployment.", "PMID": 635502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10488", "title": "[The little observed ions: magnesium and phosphorus].", "content": "Signs and symptoms of phosphorus and magnesium deficiency are recognized with increasing frequency. More and more clinical settings are known to favor P and Mg depletion. The clinical aspects of the P and the Mg depletion syndrome and are briefly summarized and a list is provided of papers describing the pathophysiologic mechanisms which may lead to clinically relevant loss of phosphorus and magnesium.", "contents": "[The little observed ions: magnesium and phosphorus]. Signs and symptoms of phosphorus and magnesium deficiency are recognized with increasing frequency. More and more clinical settings are known to favor P and Mg depletion. The clinical aspects of the P and the Mg depletion syndrome and are briefly summarized and a list is provided of papers describing the pathophysiologic mechanisms which may lead to clinically relevant loss of phosphorus and magnesium.", "PMID": 635503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10489", "title": "[Certain and disputed indications of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney diseases].", "content": "The effect of immunosuppressive agents in different glomerulopathies is reviewed and some guidelines for their use in clinical practice are proposed. The immunological aspects of pyelonephritis and interstitial nephritis are studied to evaluate future possibilities of either therapeutic immunosuppression or immunization in these diseases.", "contents": "[Certain and disputed indications of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney diseases]. The effect of immunosuppressive agents in different glomerulopathies is reviewed and some guidelines for their use in clinical practice are proposed. The immunological aspects of pyelonephritis and interstitial nephritis are studied to evaluate future possibilities of either therapeutic immunosuppression or immunization in these diseases.", "PMID": 635505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10490", "title": "[Indications and contraindications of liver biopsy].", "content": "In each individual case the indication for liver biopsy depends on assessment of the risks relative to the potential benefits of the procedure. Besides hepatological risk factors, hemostasis and overall health problems must be considered. The benefit of liver biopsy is dependent on recognition of the pathognomonic lesion within the tissue sample obtained. Size and distribution of the different histological features and the size of the biopsy cylinder are, therefore, important determinants for the success of the examination. Whether or not a histological diagnosis may be useful for optimal management of a patient can best be judged if the clinical question has been well defined before the biopsy is performed.", "contents": "[Indications and contraindications of liver biopsy]. In each individual case the indication for liver biopsy depends on assessment of the risks relative to the potential benefits of the procedure. Besides hepatological risk factors, hemostasis and overall health problems must be considered. The benefit of liver biopsy is dependent on recognition of the pathognomonic lesion within the tissue sample obtained. Size and distribution of the different histological features and the size of the biopsy cylinder are, therefore, important determinants for the success of the examination. Whether or not a histological diagnosis may be useful for optimal management of a patient can best be judged if the clinical question has been well defined before the biopsy is performed.", "PMID": 635506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10491", "title": "[Transfemoral embolus aspiration from both renal arteries].", "content": "In a 50-year-old female patient who had suffered from coronary heart disease for about 3 years, a cerebral embolus resulted in left-sided hemiparesis. Four days later she became anuric. Acute thromboembolis occlusion of the renal arteries was assumed and renal angiography was performed. The angiography showed complete obstruction of the left renal artery and partial obstruction of the right renal artery. Due to the poor general condition of the patient it was not possible to carry out renovascular surgery or streptokinasetherapy. An attempt was therefore made to remove the emboli from the renal arteries by a new technique (transfemoral embolus aspiration). The subsequent angiography showed normal circulation in the right kidney and improved circulation in the left kidney. Ten days of dialysis treatment were required until urine production started again. Death then occurred from other causes. The autopsy confirmed free permeable renal vessels and absence of permanent sequelae in the parenchyma.", "contents": "[Transfemoral embolus aspiration from both renal arteries]. In a 50-year-old female patient who had suffered from coronary heart disease for about 3 years, a cerebral embolus resulted in left-sided hemiparesis. Four days later she became anuric. Acute thromboembolis occlusion of the renal arteries was assumed and renal angiography was performed. The angiography showed complete obstruction of the left renal artery and partial obstruction of the right renal artery. Due to the poor general condition of the patient it was not possible to carry out renovascular surgery or streptokinasetherapy. An attempt was therefore made to remove the emboli from the renal arteries by a new technique (transfemoral embolus aspiration). The subsequent angiography showed normal circulation in the right kidney and improved circulation in the left kidney. Ten days of dialysis treatment were required until urine production started again. Death then occurred from other causes. The autopsy confirmed free permeable renal vessels and absence of permanent sequelae in the parenchyma.", "PMID": 635507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10492", "title": "[Genetic radiation burden of the population in the canton Basel-City due to nuclear medicine].", "content": "The genetically significant radiation dose is defined as the gonadal dose which, if received by every member of the population, would produce the same genetic hazard to the population as do the actual doses received by the individuals. PORETTI et al. published a value of 42.9 mrad for Switzerland as the result of X-ray diagnostic examinations in 1971. The contribution from nuclear medicine was determined with reference to special circumstances in the Canton of Basle City: the annual genetically significant dose amounted to 0.5 mrad in 1976. This value represents about 0.5% of the annual annual background radiation.", "contents": "[Genetic radiation burden of the population in the canton Basel-City due to nuclear medicine]. The genetically significant radiation dose is defined as the gonadal dose which, if received by every member of the population, would produce the same genetic hazard to the population as do the actual doses received by the individuals. PORETTI et al. published a value of 42.9 mrad for Switzerland as the result of X-ray diagnostic examinations in 1971. The contribution from nuclear medicine was determined with reference to special circumstances in the Canton of Basle City: the annual genetically significant dose amounted to 0.5 mrad in 1976. This value represents about 0.5% of the annual annual background radiation.", "PMID": 635508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10493", "title": "[Fat embolism syndrome without fractures].", "content": "Report on an 18-year-old patient who developed a respiratory distress syndrome after trauma without bone fractures and with only minimal soft tissue contusion. Twelve hours after the accident fever and dyspnea appeared, accompanied later by hemoptysis, microhematuria, a fall in hemoglobin and in platelet count, petechiae on the skin and in the conjunctiva, cotton-wool lesions in the retina and micronodular shadows in the lungs. Various pathogenetic mechanisms other than bone marrow fat embolism are discussed in the light of this case.", "contents": "[Fat embolism syndrome without fractures]. Report on an 18-year-old patient who developed a respiratory distress syndrome after trauma without bone fractures and with only minimal soft tissue contusion. Twelve hours after the accident fever and dyspnea appeared, accompanied later by hemoptysis, microhematuria, a fall in hemoglobin and in platelet count, petechiae on the skin and in the conjunctiva, cotton-wool lesions in the retina and micronodular shadows in the lungs. Various pathogenetic mechanisms other than bone marrow fat embolism are discussed in the light of this case.", "PMID": 635509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10494", "title": "[Treatment with high-dose beta-pyridylcarbinol: results in patients with hypercholesterinemia].", "content": "The effect of lipid-lowering therapy with high-dose beta-pyridylcarbinol was studied in 16 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia of type IIa and type IIb. After a controlled dietary pretreatment period of at least 3 months, the patients received 900 mg beta-pyridylcarbinol (Ronicol 300) per day for 12 weeks. The patients were then given only dietary treatment for a further 6 weeks. Clinical and laboratory controls were carried out every month and included measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides in whole serum and in the isolated lipoprotein fractions after ultracentrifugation. In 2 patients the treatment had to be discontinued due to side effects (flush). The numerous \"safety parameters\" were not affected by the treatment. Total and LDL cholesterol were lowered by about 15% and total triglycerides by about 25%. The HDL cholesterol levels remained unchanged.", "contents": "[Treatment with high-dose beta-pyridylcarbinol: results in patients with hypercholesterinemia]. The effect of lipid-lowering therapy with high-dose beta-pyridylcarbinol was studied in 16 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia of type IIa and type IIb. After a controlled dietary pretreatment period of at least 3 months, the patients received 900 mg beta-pyridylcarbinol (Ronicol 300) per day for 12 weeks. The patients were then given only dietary treatment for a further 6 weeks. Clinical and laboratory controls were carried out every month and included measurement of cholesterol and triglycerides in whole serum and in the isolated lipoprotein fractions after ultracentrifugation. In 2 patients the treatment had to be discontinued due to side effects (flush). The numerous \"safety parameters\" were not affected by the treatment. Total and LDL cholesterol were lowered by about 15% and total triglycerides by about 25%. The HDL cholesterol levels remained unchanged.", "PMID": 635510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10495", "title": "Clinical attitudes to the autopsy.", "content": "An enquiry into the attitudes of clinical consultants to autopsies was conducted by questionnaire. Responses indicate that most of the consultants accept that the autopsy is important in hospital practice and in teaching. There are, however, marked differences of view on the reasons for doing autopsies, and on the results of autopsies (e.g. in altering diagnoses or revealing unsuspected pathology), differences which influence the freqeuncy with which autopsies are requested. Some clinicians believe that increasing resistance by relatives to granting permission contributes to the falling rates, but this is a minority view. Clinicians also vary in their reactions to the falling rate, some regarding it as worrying while others are not concerned.", "contents": "Clinical attitudes to the autopsy. An enquiry into the attitudes of clinical consultants to autopsies was conducted by questionnaire. Responses indicate that most of the consultants accept that the autopsy is important in hospital practice and in teaching. There are, however, marked differences of view on the reasons for doing autopsies, and on the results of autopsies (e.g. in altering diagnoses or revealing unsuspected pathology), differences which influence the freqeuncy with which autopsies are requested. Some clinicians believe that increasing resistance by relatives to granting permission contributes to the falling rates, but this is a minority view. Clinicians also vary in their reactions to the falling rate, some regarding it as worrying while others are not concerned.", "PMID": 635534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10496", "title": "Morbidity and mortality in salmonella food poisoning. A review of 47 in-patient cases.", "content": "Forty-seven new patients with salmonella food poisoning were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit at the City Hospital, Edinburgh, during 1975. Although all the patients had diarrhoea at some stage of their illness, the wide variety of presenting symptoms caused some diagnostic difficulties prior to the isolation of the organism. A probable predisposing factor to serious disease was recognised in 15 patients. Twenty patients (42.5%) were seriously ill and 4 patients (8.5%) died. This series stresses the potential severity of this common disease.", "contents": "Morbidity and mortality in salmonella food poisoning. A review of 47 in-patient cases. Forty-seven new patients with salmonella food poisoning were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit at the City Hospital, Edinburgh, during 1975. Although all the patients had diarrhoea at some stage of their illness, the wide variety of presenting symptoms caused some diagnostic difficulties prior to the isolation of the organism. A probable predisposing factor to serious disease was recognised in 15 patients. Twenty patients (42.5%) were seriously ill and 4 patients (8.5%) died. This series stresses the potential severity of this common disease.", "PMID": 635535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10497", "title": "Non calculous cholecystitis: an 8 year review of cases treated by elective cholecystectomy.", "content": "From a total of 248 cases of cholecystectomy, 36 were found to be without stones. These cases of acalculous cholecystitis have been reviewed with regard to signs, symptoms and radiological investigations. The complications of operative treatment have been documented and the etiology of the condition discussed. As a result of favourable outcome of operative treatment in these patients, it is suggested that surgery should be considered even in the absence of positive radiological findings at an earlier date.", "contents": "Non calculous cholecystitis: an 8 year review of cases treated by elective cholecystectomy. From a total of 248 cases of cholecystectomy, 36 were found to be without stones. These cases of acalculous cholecystitis have been reviewed with regard to signs, symptoms and radiological investigations. The complications of operative treatment have been documented and the etiology of the condition discussed. As a result of favourable outcome of operative treatment in these patients, it is suggested that surgery should be considered even in the absence of positive radiological findings at an earlier date.", "PMID": 635536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10498", "title": "Post-partum cardiomyopathy.", "content": "A report is presented of a patient who developed signs of cardiac failure 6 weeks after the birth of her fourth child. Detailed cardiac investigation indicated the diagnosis to be post-partum cardiomyopathy, a condition more commonly encountered in Negro women and comparatively rare in this country. The aetiology and mode of presentation are discussed.", "contents": "Post-partum cardiomyopathy. A report is presented of a patient who developed signs of cardiac failure 6 weeks after the birth of her fourth child. Detailed cardiac investigation indicated the diagnosis to be post-partum cardiomyopathy, a condition more commonly encountered in Negro women and comparatively rare in this country. The aetiology and mode of presentation are discussed.", "PMID": 635537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10499", "title": "Digoxin therapy: a clinical pharmacokinetic approach.", "content": "Within certain limitations, digoxin can be prescribed for individual patients on a sound scientific basis. The use of pharmacokinetic principles and digoxin radioimmunoassay can improve the overall quality of treatment with this drug and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. Variations in bioavailability and intestinal absorption are important factors in the determination of dosage and should be reduced to a minimum by improved pharmaceutical formulations.", "contents": "Digoxin therapy: a clinical pharmacokinetic approach. Within certain limitations, digoxin can be prescribed for individual patients on a sound scientific basis. The use of pharmacokinetic principles and digoxin radioimmunoassay can improve the overall quality of treatment with this drug and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions. Variations in bioavailability and intestinal absorption are important factors in the determination of dosage and should be reduced to a minimum by improved pharmaceutical formulations.", "PMID": 635542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10500", "title": "The treatment of gout: a case of medical audit?", "content": "An assessment of quality of drug control of hyperuricaemia in gouty subjects is reported. Twenty seven of 40 patients were found to be hyperuricaemic. Factors influencing compliance with drug therapy included awareness of the nature of gout and excessive alcohol consumption.", "contents": "The treatment of gout: a case of medical audit? An assessment of quality of drug control of hyperuricaemia in gouty subjects is reported. Twenty seven of 40 patients were found to be hyperuricaemic. Factors influencing compliance with drug therapy included awareness of the nature of gout and excessive alcohol consumption.", "PMID": 635557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10501", "title": "Trace-metal concentrations in normal human liver: methods to cope with marked variability.", "content": "Concentrations of trace elements in human tissues characteristically vary widely, and the distributions of most concentrations are skewed to the right. Examination of some of the factors which contribute to the marked variability and skewness of the concentrations revealed that: (1) distributions of concentrations are satisfactorily normal (Gaussian) after logarithmic transformation, (2) ash weight is the best frame of reference in which to report results, (3) the distributions of metal concentrations are not further normalized by adjustments which assume that tissue lipid or collagen contains a fixed fraction of the metal found in the parenchyma, and (4) the choice of sample site within the liver is of minimal significance.", "contents": "Trace-metal concentrations in normal human liver: methods to cope with marked variability. Concentrations of trace elements in human tissues characteristically vary widely, and the distributions of most concentrations are skewed to the right. Examination of some of the factors which contribute to the marked variability and skewness of the concentrations revealed that: (1) distributions of concentrations are satisfactorily normal (Gaussian) after logarithmic transformation, (2) ash weight is the best frame of reference in which to report results, (3) the distributions of metal concentrations are not further normalized by adjustments which assume that tissue lipid or collagen contains a fixed fraction of the metal found in the parenchyma, and (4) the choice of sample site within the liver is of minimal significance.", "PMID": 635568} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10502", "title": "The glycosylation of hemoglobin: relevance to diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Glucose reacts nonenzymatically with the NH2-terminal amino acid of the beta chain of human hemoglobin by way of a ketoamine linkage, resulting in the formation of hemoglobin AIc. Other minor components appear to be adducts of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. These hemoglobins are formed slowly and continuously throughout the 120-day life-span of the red cell. There is a two- to threefold increase in hemoglobin AIc in the red cells of patients with diabetes mellitus. By providing an integrated measurement of blood glucose, hemoglobin AIc is useful in assessing the degree of diabetic control. Furthermore, this hemoglobin is a useful model of nonenzymatic glycosylation of other proteins that may be involved in the long-term complications of the disease.", "contents": "The glycosylation of hemoglobin: relevance to diabetes mellitus. Glucose reacts nonenzymatically with the NH2-terminal amino acid of the beta chain of human hemoglobin by way of a ketoamine linkage, resulting in the formation of hemoglobin AIc. Other minor components appear to be adducts of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. These hemoglobins are formed slowly and continuously throughout the 120-day life-span of the red cell. There is a two- to threefold increase in hemoglobin AIc in the red cells of patients with diabetes mellitus. By providing an integrated measurement of blood glucose, hemoglobin AIc is useful in assessing the degree of diabetic control. Furthermore, this hemoglobin is a useful model of nonenzymatic glycosylation of other proteins that may be involved in the long-term complications of the disease.", "PMID": 635569} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10503", "title": "Muscular dystrophy: inhibition of degeneration in vivo with protease inhibitors.", "content": "The protease inhibitors leupeptin and pepstatin were used in vivo in genetically dystrophic chickens to determine their effects on the histological and biochemical changes observed in this disease. These compounds appear to delay the degeneration of muscle tissue which is characteristic of this disorder and thus may have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.", "contents": "Muscular dystrophy: inhibition of degeneration in vivo with protease inhibitors. The protease inhibitors leupeptin and pepstatin were used in vivo in genetically dystrophic chickens to determine their effects on the histological and biochemical changes observed in this disease. These compounds appear to delay the degeneration of muscle tissue which is characteristic of this disorder and thus may have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.", "PMID": 635570} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10504", "title": "Size and shape of the lateral intercellular spaces in a living epithelium.", "content": "The lateral intercellular spaces of Necturus gallbladder epithelium were seen and measured while the living tissue was perfused in a new chamber. The compliance of the lateral cell membranes was calculated from the measured pressure-volume characteristics of the lateral intercellular spaces.", "contents": "Size and shape of the lateral intercellular spaces in a living epithelium. The lateral intercellular spaces of Necturus gallbladder epithelium were seen and measured while the living tissue was perfused in a new chamber. The compliance of the lateral cell membranes was calculated from the measured pressure-volume characteristics of the lateral intercellular spaces.", "PMID": 635571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10505", "title": "Murine lymphoma-induced immunosuppression: requirement for direct tumour cell contact.", "content": "The FBL-3 lymphoma cell line caused impaired antibody formation in vivo when injected into mice intraperitoneally, and in vitro when added to normal syngeneic spleen cells immunized in vitro with sheep erythrocytes. Immunosuppression occurred only when intact viable tumor cells were cocultivated with the normal spleen cells. As few as 10(5) FBL-3 cells, when added to 5 X 10(6) normal cells, impaired antibody formation. However, cell-free extracts of filtrates from even much larger numbers of tumor cells did not affect antibody formation, either in vitro or in vivo. Heating the tumor cells at 56 degrees C or irradiation with as little as 1000 rads completely abolished immunosuppressive activity, both in vitro and in vivo. Separation of viable tumor cells from target antibody-forming cells by cell-impermeable membranes prevented immunosuppression, showing that direct cell-to-cell contact is required for immunosuppression.", "contents": "Murine lymphoma-induced immunosuppression: requirement for direct tumour cell contact. The FBL-3 lymphoma cell line caused impaired antibody formation in vivo when injected into mice intraperitoneally, and in vitro when added to normal syngeneic spleen cells immunized in vitro with sheep erythrocytes. Immunosuppression occurred only when intact viable tumor cells were cocultivated with the normal spleen cells. As few as 10(5) FBL-3 cells, when added to 5 X 10(6) normal cells, impaired antibody formation. However, cell-free extracts of filtrates from even much larger numbers of tumor cells did not affect antibody formation, either in vitro or in vivo. Heating the tumor cells at 56 degrees C or irradiation with as little as 1000 rads completely abolished immunosuppressive activity, both in vitro and in vivo. Separation of viable tumor cells from target antibody-forming cells by cell-impermeable membranes prevented immunosuppression, showing that direct cell-to-cell contact is required for immunosuppression.", "PMID": 635572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10506", "title": "Immunoassay of androgen binding protein in blood: a new approach for study of the seminiferous tubule.", "content": "Androgen binding protein, a secretory product of seminiferous tubules, was isolated by means of affinity chromatography. A radioimmunoassay was developed and used to identify androgen binding protein in rat plasma. The ability to measure a testicular protein in blood provides a new method for investigation of seminiferous tubular physiology.", "contents": "Immunoassay of androgen binding protein in blood: a new approach for study of the seminiferous tubule. Androgen binding protein, a secretory product of seminiferous tubules, was isolated by means of affinity chromatography. A radioimmunoassay was developed and used to identify androgen binding protein in rat plasma. The ability to measure a testicular protein in blood provides a new method for investigation of seminiferous tubular physiology.", "PMID": 635573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10507", "title": "Bioluminescence: dual mechanism in a planktonic tunicate produces brilliant surface display.", "content": "Luminescent flashes emanate spontaneously and on mechanical stimulation from the bodies of Oikopleura dioica (Urochordata, Larvacea); flashes also emanate, on mechanical stimulation only, from both their occupied and discarded mucous houses. The luminescence is intrinsic to the animals and their houses. Field observations suggest that, because of this dual method of light production, larvaceans may contribute substantially to surface coastal displays of marine bioluminescence.", "contents": "Bioluminescence: dual mechanism in a planktonic tunicate produces brilliant surface display. Luminescent flashes emanate spontaneously and on mechanical stimulation from the bodies of Oikopleura dioica (Urochordata, Larvacea); flashes also emanate, on mechanical stimulation only, from both their occupied and discarded mucous houses. The luminescence is intrinsic to the animals and their houses. Field observations suggest that, because of this dual method of light production, larvaceans may contribute substantially to surface coastal displays of marine bioluminescence.", "PMID": 635574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10508", "title": "Behavior and phylogeny: constriction in ancient and modern snakes.", "content": "Comparative analyses of behavior have an underappreciated potential for revealing the role of ethoecological factors in the origins of higher taxa. Twenty-seven species (13 genera) in the advanced family Colubridae exhibited 19 patterns of coil application; one or two patterns were usually consistent within a genus. Forty-eight species (26 genera) in the primitive families Acrochordidae, Aniliidae, Boidae, and Xenopeltidae usually used a single pattern, despite differences in age, size, shape, habitat, and diet. This implies the shared retention of an action pattern used by their common ancestor no later than the early Paleocene. Constriction must have been used as a prey-killing tactic very early in the history of snakes and might have been a behavioral \"key innovation\" in the evolution of their unusual jaw mechanism.", "contents": "Behavior and phylogeny: constriction in ancient and modern snakes. Comparative analyses of behavior have an underappreciated potential for revealing the role of ethoecological factors in the origins of higher taxa. Twenty-seven species (13 genera) in the advanced family Colubridae exhibited 19 patterns of coil application; one or two patterns were usually consistent within a genus. Forty-eight species (26 genera) in the primitive families Acrochordidae, Aniliidae, Boidae, and Xenopeltidae usually used a single pattern, despite differences in age, size, shape, habitat, and diet. This implies the shared retention of an action pattern used by their common ancestor no later than the early Paleocene. Constriction must have been used as a prey-killing tactic very early in the history of snakes and might have been a behavioral \"key innovation\" in the evolution of their unusual jaw mechanism.", "PMID": 635575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10509", "title": "Development of sensitivity to pictorial depth.", "content": "Sensitivity to static pictorial information for depth develops between 22 and 26 weeks of age. When conflicting binocular and surface-texture information was minimized, 26- to 30-week-old infants directed their reaching to the apparently closer side of a photograph of a window rotated in depth. Younger infants, from 20 to 22 weeks of age, did not direct their reaching to the pictorially nearer side of the display but did reach with a high degree of directionality when presented with a real window rotated in depth.", "contents": "Development of sensitivity to pictorial depth. Sensitivity to static pictorial information for depth develops between 22 and 26 weeks of age. When conflicting binocular and surface-texture information was minimized, 26- to 30-week-old infants directed their reaching to the apparently closer side of a photograph of a window rotated in depth. Younger infants, from 20 to 22 weeks of age, did not direct their reaching to the pictorially nearer side of the display but did reach with a high degree of directionality when presented with a real window rotated in depth.", "PMID": 635576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10510", "title": "Behavioral thermoregulation: orientation toward the sun in herring gulls.", "content": "Orientation toward the sun combined with postural changes minimized the net radiation gain on the adult herring gull during the breeding season. The decrease in absorbed solar radiation was due to reduced surface area exposed to direct sunlight and to reduced absorptivity since, when the bird orients toward the sun, the angle of incidence is such that only the white surfaces receive direct sunlight. At low wind velocities (0 to 0.6 meter per second) and ambient temperatures above the lower critical temperature, the birds rotated 180 degrees during the day, always facing the sun.", "contents": "Behavioral thermoregulation: orientation toward the sun in herring gulls. Orientation toward the sun combined with postural changes minimized the net radiation gain on the adult herring gull during the breeding season. The decrease in absorbed solar radiation was due to reduced surface area exposed to direct sunlight and to reduced absorptivity since, when the bird orients toward the sun, the angle of incidence is such that only the white surfaces receive direct sunlight. At low wind velocities (0 to 0.6 meter per second) and ambient temperatures above the lower critical temperature, the birds rotated 180 degrees during the day, always facing the sun.", "PMID": 635577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10511", "title": "Attenuation of amnesia in rats by systemically administered enkephalins.", "content": "The pentapeptides methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin are both able to reduce experimentally induced amnesia in rats. In contrast to the possible analgesic activity of these peptides, the anti-amnesic effect is seen after systemic administration of dosages of 30 micrograms or lower. The nature of the anti-amnesic effect is different for the two peptides.", "contents": "Attenuation of amnesia in rats by systemically administered enkephalins. The pentapeptides methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin are both able to reduce experimentally induced amnesia in rats. In contrast to the possible analgesic activity of these peptides, the anti-amnesic effect is seen after systemic administration of dosages of 30 micrograms or lower. The nature of the anti-amnesic effect is different for the two peptides.", "PMID": 635578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10512", "title": "Polyribosomes associated with forming acrosome membranes in guinea pig spermatids.", "content": "Ribosomes, some of which are arranged in polyribosomal configurations, are attached to specialized regions of the acrosomal membrane in guinea pig spermatids. This finding indicates a new functional dimension for the acrosomal membrane, that of protein synthesis, and suggests that during acrosome formation, proteins of the acrosomal membrane or acrosomal contents need not be synthesized before or during passage through the Golgi apparatus.", "contents": "Polyribosomes associated with forming acrosome membranes in guinea pig spermatids. Ribosomes, some of which are arranged in polyribosomal configurations, are attached to specialized regions of the acrosomal membrane in guinea pig spermatids. This finding indicates a new functional dimension for the acrosomal membrane, that of protein synthesis, and suggests that during acrosome formation, proteins of the acrosomal membrane or acrosomal contents need not be synthesized before or during passage through the Golgi apparatus.", "PMID": 635579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10513", "title": "Gyrate atrophy of the retina: inborn error of L-ornithin:2-oxoacid aminotransferase.", "content": "Cultured fibroblasts from a patient with gyrate atrophy of the retina do not convert L-ornithine, uniformly labeled with carbon-14, to proline. This metabolic block is caused by deficient L-ornithine:2-oxoacid aminotransferase activity in the patient. Her heterozygote father has intermediate activity of this enzyme.", "contents": "Gyrate atrophy of the retina: inborn error of L-ornithin:2-oxoacid aminotransferase. Cultured fibroblasts from a patient with gyrate atrophy of the retina do not convert L-ornithine, uniformly labeled with carbon-14, to proline. This metabolic block is caused by deficient L-ornithine:2-oxoacid aminotransferase activity in the patient. Her heterozygote father has intermediate activity of this enzyme.", "PMID": 635581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10514", "title": "5-Thio-D-glucose selectively potentiates hyperthermic killing of hypoxic tumor cells.", "content": "To investigate the mechanisms by which heat affects cancer cells, we used 5-thio-D-glucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis in HeLa S-3 cells, under aerobic and hypoxic conditions at temperatures ranging from 37 degrees to 43 degrees C. Drug alone or heat alone killed a minimum number of cells under aerobic or hypoxic conditions. Exposure to drug and hyperthermia selectively increased the number of cells killed under hypoxic conditions at temperatures as low as 40.5 degrees C but had little effect on cells incubated under aerobic conditions. These results suggest that the glycolytic pathways is a primary site of hyperthermic damage leading to cell death.", "contents": "5-Thio-D-glucose selectively potentiates hyperthermic killing of hypoxic tumor cells. To investigate the mechanisms by which heat affects cancer cells, we used 5-thio-D-glucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis in HeLa S-3 cells, under aerobic and hypoxic conditions at temperatures ranging from 37 degrees to 43 degrees C. Drug alone or heat alone killed a minimum number of cells under aerobic or hypoxic conditions. Exposure to drug and hyperthermia selectively increased the number of cells killed under hypoxic conditions at temperatures as low as 40.5 degrees C but had little effect on cells incubated under aerobic conditions. These results suggest that the glycolytic pathways is a primary site of hyperthermic damage leading to cell death.", "PMID": 635582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10515", "title": "Frog perspective on the morphological difference between humans and chimpanzees.", "content": "The body shapes of humans and chimpanzees were compared quantitatively by criteria chosen for their capacity to discriminate well among the body shapes of frogs. By these criteria, the difference in body shape between humans and chimpanzees was found to be greater than that between the most dissimilar pairs of frogs examined--that is, frogs classified in separate taxonomic suborders. Even though the morphological diffference between the two primates is large by frog standards, the biochemical differences between the structural genes of these two species are small. The results of this study give quantitative support to the proposal that morphological evolution and biochemical evolution in structural genes can proceed at independent rates.", "contents": "Frog perspective on the morphological difference between humans and chimpanzees. The body shapes of humans and chimpanzees were compared quantitatively by criteria chosen for their capacity to discriminate well among the body shapes of frogs. By these criteria, the difference in body shape between humans and chimpanzees was found to be greater than that between the most dissimilar pairs of frogs examined--that is, frogs classified in separate taxonomic suborders. Even though the morphological diffference between the two primates is large by frog standards, the biochemical differences between the structural genes of these two species are small. The results of this study give quantitative support to the proposal that morphological evolution and biochemical evolution in structural genes can proceed at independent rates.", "PMID": 635583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10516", "title": "Improving cognitive ability in chronically deprived children.", "content": "Beginning at different ages in their preschool years, groups of chronically undernourished children from Colombian families of low socioeconomic status participated in a program of treatment combining nutritional, health care, and educational features. By school age the gap in cognitive ability between the treated children and a group of privileged children in the same city had narrowed, the effect being greater the younger the children were when they entered the treatment program. The gains were still evident at the end of the first grade in primary school, a year after the experiment had ended.", "contents": "Improving cognitive ability in chronically deprived children. Beginning at different ages in their preschool years, groups of chronically undernourished children from Colombian families of low socioeconomic status participated in a program of treatment combining nutritional, health care, and educational features. By school age the gap in cognitive ability between the treated children and a group of privileged children in the same city had narrowed, the effect being greater the younger the children were when they entered the treatment program. The gains were still evident at the end of the first grade in primary school, a year after the experiment had ended.", "PMID": 635585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10517", "title": "delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 17beta-estradiol bind to different macromolecules in estrogen target tissues.", "content": "delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), added to the limit of its solubility, did not compete with tritiated 17beta-estradiol for binding to estrogen receptor sites in mouse mammary or uterine cytosols. On sucrose density gradients of low-ionic strength, mammary cytosol labeled with [3H]estradiol exhibited a binding peak near the \"8S\" region typical of estrogen receptor whereas in cytosol labeled with delta9-[3H]THC binding was limited to the nonspecific 4- to 5S region. Differences in sedimentation properties and reciprocal competition studies strongly refute previous claims that delta-9-THC binds to estrogen receptor and that by so doing it directly acts as an estrogen.", "contents": "delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 17beta-estradiol bind to different macromolecules in estrogen target tissues. delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), added to the limit of its solubility, did not compete with tritiated 17beta-estradiol for binding to estrogen receptor sites in mouse mammary or uterine cytosols. On sucrose density gradients of low-ionic strength, mammary cytosol labeled with [3H]estradiol exhibited a binding peak near the \"8S\" region typical of estrogen receptor whereas in cytosol labeled with delta9-[3H]THC binding was limited to the nonspecific 4- to 5S region. Differences in sedimentation properties and reciprocal competition studies strongly refute previous claims that delta-9-THC binds to estrogen receptor and that by so doing it directly acts as an estrogen.", "PMID": 635586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10518", "title": "Activity patterns of human skeletal muscles: relation to muscle fiber type composition.", "content": "The muscle activity of normal ambulatory individuals was recorded continuously for 8-hour (working day) periods. Parameters of activity patterns were defined and numerical outcomes for these parameters were compared across a diverse population of muscles. Several pattern parameters, such as the average percentage of time active, were highly correlated with the percentage of type I fibers of a muscle.", "contents": "Activity patterns of human skeletal muscles: relation to muscle fiber type composition. The muscle activity of normal ambulatory individuals was recorded continuously for 8-hour (working day) periods. Parameters of activity patterns were defined and numerical outcomes for these parameters were compared across a diverse population of muscles. Several pattern parameters, such as the average percentage of time active, were highly correlated with the percentage of type I fibers of a muscle.", "PMID": 635587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10519", "title": "3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in cerebrospinal fluid and vanillylmandelic acid in urine of humans with hypertension.", "content": "3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured in lumbar spinal fluid of 20 subjects with hypertension of varied etiology and severity. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of MHPG and the severity of hypertension. However, changes in the concentration of vanillylmandelic acid in the urine of these subjects were insignificant. In six subjects, administration of clonidine or alpha-methyldopa, two centrally acting antihypertensive drugs, was associated with a significant lowering of MHPG concentrations. These data support the hypothesis that central catecholamines are involved in clinical hypertension.", "contents": "3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in cerebrospinal fluid and vanillylmandelic acid in urine of humans with hypertension. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was measured in lumbar spinal fluid of 20 subjects with hypertension of varied etiology and severity. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of MHPG and the severity of hypertension. However, changes in the concentration of vanillylmandelic acid in the urine of these subjects were insignificant. In six subjects, administration of clonidine or alpha-methyldopa, two centrally acting antihypertensive drugs, was associated with a significant lowering of MHPG concentrations. These data support the hypothesis that central catecholamines are involved in clinical hypertension.", "PMID": 635588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10520", "title": "Myotonic muscular dystrophy: altered calcium transport in erythrocytes.", "content": "Erythrocytes from patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy accumulate calcium at a significantly higher rate than normals do. This increased rate of net accumulation appears related to an enhanced permeability of the membrane to calcium, rather than to an impairment in its active outward transport.", "contents": "Myotonic muscular dystrophy: altered calcium transport in erythrocytes. Erythrocytes from patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy accumulate calcium at a significantly higher rate than normals do. This increased rate of net accumulation appears related to an enhanced permeability of the membrane to calcium, rather than to an impairment in its active outward transport.", "PMID": 635589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10521", "title": "Aflatoxicol: major aflatoxin B1 metabolite in rat plasma.", "content": "Aflatoxicol, a carcinogenic metabolite of the foodborne carcinogen aflatoxin B1 previously known only as a bioreduction product in vitro, was identified as the major aflatoxin metabolite in the plasma of Sprague-Dawley rats, a susceptible species, that had been doses orally or intravenously with aflatoxin B1 labeled with carbon-14. Alfatoxicol, however, was not detected in the plasma of similarly dosed mice and monkeys, which are both resistant to aflatoxin B1-induced cardinogenesis. The formation of aflatoxicol both in vitro and in vivo may be an indicatory of species sensitivity to aflatoxin-induced carcinogenesis and may be useful in the prediction of human susceptibility.", "contents": "Aflatoxicol: major aflatoxin B1 metabolite in rat plasma. Aflatoxicol, a carcinogenic metabolite of the foodborne carcinogen aflatoxin B1 previously known only as a bioreduction product in vitro, was identified as the major aflatoxin metabolite in the plasma of Sprague-Dawley rats, a susceptible species, that had been doses orally or intravenously with aflatoxin B1 labeled with carbon-14. Alfatoxicol, however, was not detected in the plasma of similarly dosed mice and monkeys, which are both resistant to aflatoxin B1-induced cardinogenesis. The formation of aflatoxicol both in vitro and in vivo may be an indicatory of species sensitivity to aflatoxin-induced carcinogenesis and may be useful in the prediction of human susceptibility.", "PMID": 635590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10522", "title": "Crankcase oils: are they a major mutagenic burden in the aquatic environment?", "content": "Fractions from used crankcase oil enriched in polyaromatic hydrocarbons induced revertant colonies in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 98 when activated by rat or trout liver extracts. The mutagenic activity was not due to benzopyrene or benzanthracene. Fractions from various crude and refined petroleums were nonmutagenic. Among various petroleum hydrocarbons entering inland and coastal waters, used crankcase oils may represent a major mutagenic burden.", "contents": "Crankcase oils: are they a major mutagenic burden in the aquatic environment? Fractions from used crankcase oil enriched in polyaromatic hydrocarbons induced revertant colonies in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 98 when activated by rat or trout liver extracts. The mutagenic activity was not due to benzopyrene or benzanthracene. Fractions from various crude and refined petroleums were nonmutagenic. Among various petroleum hydrocarbons entering inland and coastal waters, used crankcase oils may represent a major mutagenic burden.", "PMID": 635591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10523", "title": "Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size.", "content": "Separate groups of people estimated the sizes of perceived or of remembered objects. In three independent experiments, both sets of data were well fit by power functions, and the exponent was reliably smaller by remembered than for perceived size.", "contents": "Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size. Separate groups of people estimated the sizes of perceived or of remembered objects. In three independent experiments, both sets of data were well fit by power functions, and the exponent was reliably smaller by remembered than for perceived size.", "PMID": 635592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10524", "title": "Neurotrophic protein regulates muscle acetylcholinesterase in culture.", "content": "Skeletal muscles lose acetylcholinesterase in culture as a result of denervation. A protein fraction isolated from peripheral nerves maintained the level of acetylcholinesterase in cultures of aneural embryonic muscle or denervated adult chicken muscle. These results indicate that trophic regulation of muscle acetylcholinesterase might be mediated by a protein produced by nerves.", "contents": "Neurotrophic protein regulates muscle acetylcholinesterase in culture. Skeletal muscles lose acetylcholinesterase in culture as a result of denervation. A protein fraction isolated from peripheral nerves maintained the level of acetylcholinesterase in cultures of aneural embryonic muscle or denervated adult chicken muscle. These results indicate that trophic regulation of muscle acetylcholinesterase might be mediated by a protein produced by nerves.", "PMID": 635593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10525", "title": "Aural representation in the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area of the auditory cortex of the mustache bat.", "content": "In the mustache bat (Pteronotus pamellii rubiginosus) the frequency and amplitude of an acoustic signal are represented in the coordinates parallel to the surface of the Doppler-shifted-CF (constant frequency) processing area ofthe primary auditory cortex. In this area all cortical neurons studied were excited by contralateral stimuli, and almost all of them were either excited or inhibited by ipsilateral stimuli. These are called E-E (ipsilateral and contralateral excitatory) and I-E (ipsilateral inhibitory and contralateral excitatory) neurons, respectively. The I-E neurons are directionally sensitive, while the E-E neurons are not. The E-E neurons are equally sensitive to echoes between 30 degrees contralateral and 30 degrees ipsilateral. Of the electrode penetrations orthogonal to the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, 57 percent were characterized by either E-E or I-E neurons. Thus, there are at least two types of binaural columns: E-E columns, mainly located in a ventral part of the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, where neurons are tuned to weak echoes; and IE columns, mainly distributed in a dorsal part, where neurons are tuned to moderate to intense echoes. Therefore, neurons tuned to weaker echoes integrate or even multiply faint signals from both ears for effective detection of a distant small target, while neurons tuned to moderate to intense echoes are suited for processing directional information and are stimulated when a bat approaches a target at short range. The Doppler-shifted-CF processing area may be considered to consist of two functional subdivisions.", "contents": "Aural representation in the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area of the auditory cortex of the mustache bat. In the mustache bat (Pteronotus pamellii rubiginosus) the frequency and amplitude of an acoustic signal are represented in the coordinates parallel to the surface of the Doppler-shifted-CF (constant frequency) processing area ofthe primary auditory cortex. In this area all cortical neurons studied were excited by contralateral stimuli, and almost all of them were either excited or inhibited by ipsilateral stimuli. These are called E-E (ipsilateral and contralateral excitatory) and I-E (ipsilateral inhibitory and contralateral excitatory) neurons, respectively. The I-E neurons are directionally sensitive, while the E-E neurons are not. The E-E neurons are equally sensitive to echoes between 30 degrees contralateral and 30 degrees ipsilateral. Of the electrode penetrations orthogonal to the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, 57 percent were characterized by either E-E or I-E neurons. Thus, there are at least two types of binaural columns: E-E columns, mainly located in a ventral part of the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, where neurons are tuned to weak echoes; and IE columns, mainly distributed in a dorsal part, where neurons are tuned to moderate to intense echoes. Therefore, neurons tuned to weaker echoes integrate or even multiply faint signals from both ears for effective detection of a distant small target, while neurons tuned to moderate to intense echoes are suited for processing directional information and are stimulated when a bat approaches a target at short range. The Doppler-shifted-CF processing area may be considered to consist of two functional subdivisions.", "PMID": 635594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10526", "title": "Adrenal imaging agents: rationale, synthesis, formulation and, metabolism.", "content": "In this introductory paper on radionuclide adrenal imaging, the rationale, synthesis, formulation, and metabolism of two clinically well-established and one promisinmg adrenocortical imaging agents are reviewed. Their present clinical utility is reviewed in a separate presentation in this issue. Progress to date in developing a positive imaging agent of the adrenal medulla and tumors of chromaffin tissue will be given brief consideration because there is, as yet, no clinically successful radiolabeled adrenal medulla imaging agent.", "contents": "Adrenal imaging agents: rationale, synthesis, formulation and, metabolism. In this introductory paper on radionuclide adrenal imaging, the rationale, synthesis, formulation, and metabolism of two clinically well-established and one promisinmg adrenocortical imaging agents are reviewed. Their present clinical utility is reviewed in a separate presentation in this issue. Progress to date in developing a positive imaging agent of the adrenal medulla and tumors of chromaffin tissue will be given brief consideration because there is, as yet, no clinically successful radiolabeled adrenal medulla imaging agent.", "PMID": 635596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10527", "title": "Precursor lesions in familial melanoma.", "content": "Familial occurrences of malignant melanoma may be related to an inherited syndrome of precursor cutaneous lesions with distinct clinical and histologic features. Recognition of the syndrome in the relatives of melanoma patients identifies a subset of family members at high risk for melanoma, facilitating their early diagnosis and treatment. Further studies of these families may provide insight into the biology of malignant melanoma and the pathophysiology of malignant transformation in benign nevi.", "contents": "Precursor lesions in familial melanoma. Familial occurrences of malignant melanoma may be related to an inherited syndrome of precursor cutaneous lesions with distinct clinical and histologic features. Recognition of the syndrome in the relatives of melanoma patients identifies a subset of family members at high risk for melanoma, facilitating their early diagnosis and treatment. Further studies of these families may provide insight into the biology of malignant melanoma and the pathophysiology of malignant transformation in benign nevi.", "PMID": 635599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10528", "title": "Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.", "content": "Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater represents about 10% of periampullary neoplasms. This tumor is slow-growing, often amenable to radical surgical resection, and associated with a better prognosis than the other neoplasms which arise in the periampullary area. Correct identification of ampullary carcinoma may be difficult but is essential because of its better prognosis. A review of 31 patients with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater treated at our institution reveals that the classical history of fluctuating jaundice and the well known findings of a palpable gallbladder and occult blood in the stool may not be present. The treatment of choice for ampullary carcinoma in the absence of hepatic or distant metastases is pancreaticoduodenectomy. Our operative mortality for pancreaticoduodenectomy is 16%, and the five-year survival rate is 32%. The role of palliative procedures, the operative complications, and the survival rates are discussed.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. Adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater represents about 10% of periampullary neoplasms. This tumor is slow-growing, often amenable to radical surgical resection, and associated with a better prognosis than the other neoplasms which arise in the periampullary area. Correct identification of ampullary carcinoma may be difficult but is essential because of its better prognosis. A review of 31 patients with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater treated at our institution reveals that the classical history of fluctuating jaundice and the well known findings of a palpable gallbladder and occult blood in the stool may not be present. The treatment of choice for ampullary carcinoma in the absence of hepatic or distant metastases is pancreaticoduodenectomy. Our operative mortality for pancreaticoduodenectomy is 16%, and the five-year survival rate is 32%. The role of palliative procedures, the operative complications, and the survival rates are discussed.", "PMID": 635606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10529", "title": "Verrucous carcinoma of the vagina.", "content": "The case histories of three women with verrucous carcinoma of the vagina are presented. Verrucous carcinoma, in the female genital tract as elsewhere, is a relentlessly growing, destructive, but generally nonmetastasizing neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium with a characteristic gross and microscopic appearance. It should be recognized and segregated from the usual type of squamous carcinoma so that appropriate therapy can be administered. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is usually contraindicated. Two of the patients described here were treated by surgery alone with good results. The other received radiation only and died within a year with persistent disease.", "contents": "Verrucous carcinoma of the vagina. The case histories of three women with verrucous carcinoma of the vagina are presented. Verrucous carcinoma, in the female genital tract as elsewhere, is a relentlessly growing, destructive, but generally nonmetastasizing neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium with a characteristic gross and microscopic appearance. It should be recognized and segregated from the usual type of squamous carcinoma so that appropriate therapy can be administered. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is usually contraindicated. Two of the patients described here were treated by surgery alone with good results. The other received radiation only and died within a year with persistent disease.", "PMID": 635607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10530", "title": "Unusual incidence of testicular tumors.", "content": "Although carcinoma of the testicle is a rare lesion, one family physician saw three cases in 18 months. He diagnosed all correctly and referred the patients for treatment immediately. All three patients are living and well. We believe his alertness is worthy of note because, given the rarity of the lesion, a low index of suspicion and delayed diagnosis often occur, with less than desirable results.", "contents": "Unusual incidence of testicular tumors. Although carcinoma of the testicle is a rare lesion, one family physician saw three cases in 18 months. He diagnosed all correctly and referred the patients for treatment immediately. All three patients are living and well. We believe his alertness is worthy of note because, given the rarity of the lesion, a low index of suspicion and delayed diagnosis often occur, with less than desirable results.", "PMID": 635608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10531", "title": "Hodgkin's disease in pregnancy.", "content": "Two cases of Hodgkin's disease associated with pregnancies are presented. Review of the literature failed to show that pregnancy had any deletorious effect on either the course or survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease; nor did therapeutic abortion alter the survival curves of these patients. There is only one report of Hodgkin's disease metastasizing to the products of conception. Both chemotherapy and irradiation are used to treat Hodgkin's disease, and both are potentially harmful to the growing fetus. Therefore, if therapy can be delayed without detriment to the patient, is should be postponed until after termination of the pregnancy.", "contents": "Hodgkin's disease in pregnancy. Two cases of Hodgkin's disease associated with pregnancies are presented. Review of the literature failed to show that pregnancy had any deletorious effect on either the course or survival of patients with Hodgkin's disease; nor did therapeutic abortion alter the survival curves of these patients. There is only one report of Hodgkin's disease metastasizing to the products of conception. Both chemotherapy and irradiation are used to treat Hodgkin's disease, and both are potentially harmful to the growing fetus. Therefore, if therapy can be delayed without detriment to the patient, is should be postponed until after termination of the pregnancy.", "PMID": 635609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10532", "title": "Localization of bronchogenic carcinoma in tuberculous lobes.", "content": "The pronounced predilection of bronchogenic carcinoma for tuberculous lobes of the lungs is not generally recognized. In this plus 11 other series of patients with coexisting disease, an average of 52% had the neoplasm in a tuberculous lobe. In the present study, tuberculosis was confined to one or two lobes in 24 of 27 patients (89%) with coexisting disease; 21 (88%) of these patients had the neoplasm in a tuberculous lobe. Diagnosis required an average of 1.8 months (one week to 18 months). A low index of suspicion can delay diagnosis of the carcinoma until hilar enlargement, tumor, or metastasis is apparent radiologically, By then, often the tumor has become inoperable. Our data suggest that carcinoma should be suspected in a tuberculous man of cancer age who smokes and who has a lesion which is enlarging, is in an unusual location, or is drug resistant. Cytologic study of sputum, bronchoscopy, and early thoractomy are advocated.", "contents": "Localization of bronchogenic carcinoma in tuberculous lobes. The pronounced predilection of bronchogenic carcinoma for tuberculous lobes of the lungs is not generally recognized. In this plus 11 other series of patients with coexisting disease, an average of 52% had the neoplasm in a tuberculous lobe. In the present study, tuberculosis was confined to one or two lobes in 24 of 27 patients (89%) with coexisting disease; 21 (88%) of these patients had the neoplasm in a tuberculous lobe. Diagnosis required an average of 1.8 months (one week to 18 months). A low index of suspicion can delay diagnosis of the carcinoma until hilar enlargement, tumor, or metastasis is apparent radiologically, By then, often the tumor has become inoperable. Our data suggest that carcinoma should be suspected in a tuberculous man of cancer age who smokes and who has a lesion which is enlarging, is in an unusual location, or is drug resistant. Cytologic study of sputum, bronchoscopy, and early thoractomy are advocated.", "PMID": 635610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10533", "title": "Severe electrolyte disturbances associated with metolazone and furosemide.", "content": "In two patients with severe hypertension and moderately severe renal insufficiency, metolazone and furosemide were used in combination with propranolol, methyldopa, and hydralazine to augment control of blood pressure. This combination of diuretics also was used in five patients with refractory congestive heart failure. The patients developed severe electrolyte disturbances with a general pattern of hyponatremia. disproportionate hypochloremia, alkalosis, and phyokalemia. These abnormalities were transient in the patients with severe hypertension and moderately severe renal insufficiency. Effective long-term control of blood pressure was obtained. In the patients with heart failure, edema persisted. Due to the severity of the electrolyte derangements, metolazone and furosemide were discontinued. Because of potential untoward effects, this combination of diuretics should be used with caution.", "contents": "Severe electrolyte disturbances associated with metolazone and furosemide. In two patients with severe hypertension and moderately severe renal insufficiency, metolazone and furosemide were used in combination with propranolol, methyldopa, and hydralazine to augment control of blood pressure. This combination of diuretics also was used in five patients with refractory congestive heart failure. The patients developed severe electrolyte disturbances with a general pattern of hyponatremia. disproportionate hypochloremia, alkalosis, and phyokalemia. These abnormalities were transient in the patients with severe hypertension and moderately severe renal insufficiency. Effective long-term control of blood pressure was obtained. In the patients with heart failure, edema persisted. Due to the severity of the electrolyte derangements, metolazone and furosemide were discontinued. Because of potential untoward effects, this combination of diuretics should be used with caution.", "PMID": 635611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10534", "title": "Acute renal failure in patients with acute leukemia.", "content": "Acute renal failure may be a contributory cause of death in patients with acute leukemia. The purpose of this study was to define the causes and course of acute renal failure in group of patients with acute leukemia in order to identify preventive measures and reversible aspects of the renal insufficiency. Among 88 patients with acute leukemia whose courses were followed to the time of death, ten developed acute renal failure. Etiologic factors of the renal failure were uric acid nephropathy, sepsis with complicating hypotension and hypovolemia, and the administration of nephrotoxic antibiotics. In one patient ureteral obstruction from clots was responsible for renal failure, while in another patient disseminated aspergillosis led to renal failure. Other causes of acute renal failure in persons with acute leukemia, but not observed in this patient group, are hypercalcemia and leukemic infiltration of the kidneys.", "contents": "Acute renal failure in patients with acute leukemia. Acute renal failure may be a contributory cause of death in patients with acute leukemia. The purpose of this study was to define the causes and course of acute renal failure in group of patients with acute leukemia in order to identify preventive measures and reversible aspects of the renal insufficiency. Among 88 patients with acute leukemia whose courses were followed to the time of death, ten developed acute renal failure. Etiologic factors of the renal failure were uric acid nephropathy, sepsis with complicating hypotension and hypovolemia, and the administration of nephrotoxic antibiotics. In one patient ureteral obstruction from clots was responsible for renal failure, while in another patient disseminated aspergillosis led to renal failure. Other causes of acute renal failure in persons with acute leukemia, but not observed in this patient group, are hypercalcemia and leukemic infiltration of the kidneys.", "PMID": 635612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10535", "title": "Vascular access for chronic hemodialysis: use of bovine xenografts to create arteriovenous fistulas.", "content": "Adequate vascular access is the hallmark of successful chronic hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Between May 1975 and August 1975, it was necessary to use a bovine xenograft in 91 instances to create an arteriovenous fistula for vascular access in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis at the Vanderbilt University Affiliated Hospitals. Forty-two patients had one xenograft, 14 patients had two, and seven had three xenografts. Of all fistulas created with the xenografts, 53% were patent six months after the operation, 36% were patent at 12 months, and 15% have remained patent for 24 months. Thirty-seven percent of the xenografts failed during the first three months after operation. The most common reason for failure was thrombosis of the xenograft. Other complications encountered were false aneurysms, infection of the graft, ischemia of the extremity, and bleeding. Amputation of the lower extremity due to ischemia from septic emboli was necessary in one case. There was no deaths directly related to the use of these xenografts. It is out current opinion that the bovine xenograft should be reserved for use in patients who have had failure of the more conventional type of internal fistula (Cimino type). In selected patients in whom it is not possible to create a Cimino shunt, the xenograft offers adequate primary vascular access.", "contents": "Vascular access for chronic hemodialysis: use of bovine xenografts to create arteriovenous fistulas. Adequate vascular access is the hallmark of successful chronic hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Between May 1975 and August 1975, it was necessary to use a bovine xenograft in 91 instances to create an arteriovenous fistula for vascular access in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis at the Vanderbilt University Affiliated Hospitals. Forty-two patients had one xenograft, 14 patients had two, and seven had three xenografts. Of all fistulas created with the xenografts, 53% were patent six months after the operation, 36% were patent at 12 months, and 15% have remained patent for 24 months. Thirty-seven percent of the xenografts failed during the first three months after operation. The most common reason for failure was thrombosis of the xenograft. Other complications encountered were false aneurysms, infection of the graft, ischemia of the extremity, and bleeding. Amputation of the lower extremity due to ischemia from septic emboli was necessary in one case. There was no deaths directly related to the use of these xenografts. It is out current opinion that the bovine xenograft should be reserved for use in patients who have had failure of the more conventional type of internal fistula (Cimino type). In selected patients in whom it is not possible to create a Cimino shunt, the xenograft offers adequate primary vascular access.", "PMID": 635613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10536", "title": "Liver-kidney relationship in radioisotopic localization of retroheptic and subhepatic masses.", "content": "Combined liver-kidney scintigrams in 46 patients were obtained by administering two radiopharmaceuticals labeled with 99mTc. A mass in the right adrenal or subhepatic area was demonstrated as a void or absence of activity between the organs. Normally, the activity in the liver and right kidney blends together so visual separation of organs is not possible. Two clinical cases, including ultrasonic and angiographic studies for comparison, are presented.", "contents": "Liver-kidney relationship in radioisotopic localization of retroheptic and subhepatic masses. Combined liver-kidney scintigrams in 46 patients were obtained by administering two radiopharmaceuticals labeled with 99mTc. A mass in the right adrenal or subhepatic area was demonstrated as a void or absence of activity between the organs. Normally, the activity in the liver and right kidney blends together so visual separation of organs is not possible. Two clinical cases, including ultrasonic and angiographic studies for comparison, are presented.", "PMID": 635614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10537", "title": "Effects of acupuncture on tissue oxygenation of the rat brain.", "content": "Acupuncture has been claimed to be effective in restoring consciousness in some comatose patients. Possible mechanisms to explain alleged acupuncture-induced arousal may include vasodilatory effects caused by smypathetic stimulation which leads to an augmentation of cerebral microcirculation and thereby improves oxygen supply to the brain tissue. Experiments were performed in ten albino rats (Wistar) employing PO2 microelectrodes which were inserted into the cortex through small burholes. Brain tissue PO2 was continuously recorded before, during, and after acupuncture. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points (Go-26) resulted in immediate increase of PO2 in the frontal cortex of the rat brain. This effect was reproducible and was comparable to that obtained with increase of inspiratory CO2 known to induce arterial vasodilatation and thus capillary perfusion pressure. The effect was more significant as compared to tissue PO2 increases obtained after increase in inspiratory oxygen concentration from 21% to 100%. It appears that acupuncture causes increased brain tissue perfusion which may be, at least in part, responsible for arousal of unconscious patients.", "contents": "Effects of acupuncture on tissue oxygenation of the rat brain. Acupuncture has been claimed to be effective in restoring consciousness in some comatose patients. Possible mechanisms to explain alleged acupuncture-induced arousal may include vasodilatory effects caused by smypathetic stimulation which leads to an augmentation of cerebral microcirculation and thereby improves oxygen supply to the brain tissue. Experiments were performed in ten albino rats (Wistar) employing PO2 microelectrodes which were inserted into the cortex through small burholes. Brain tissue PO2 was continuously recorded before, during, and after acupuncture. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points (Go-26) resulted in immediate increase of PO2 in the frontal cortex of the rat brain. This effect was reproducible and was comparable to that obtained with increase of inspiratory CO2 known to induce arterial vasodilatation and thus capillary perfusion pressure. The effect was more significant as compared to tissue PO2 increases obtained after increase in inspiratory oxygen concentration from 21% to 100%. It appears that acupuncture causes increased brain tissue perfusion which may be, at least in part, responsible for arousal of unconscious patients.", "PMID": 635615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10538", "title": "Neural and dural optic nerve measurements with A-scan ultrasonography.", "content": "Ultrasonography has been shown to be of great value in studying drusen, cupping, and elevation of the optic disk, as well as mass lesions of the orbital optic nerve. We have found A-scan ultrasonography to be an accurate and simple method of measuring both the diameter of the retrobulbar optic nerve and the size of the subdural perineural space. We have found the intervaginal space of the retrobulbar optic nerve to be uniformly enlarged in papilledema, optic nerve lesions, and endocrine orbitopathy.", "contents": "Neural and dural optic nerve measurements with A-scan ultrasonography. Ultrasonography has been shown to be of great value in studying drusen, cupping, and elevation of the optic disk, as well as mass lesions of the orbital optic nerve. We have found A-scan ultrasonography to be an accurate and simple method of measuring both the diameter of the retrobulbar optic nerve and the size of the subdural perineural space. We have found the intervaginal space of the retrobulbar optic nerve to be uniformly enlarged in papilledema, optic nerve lesions, and endocrine orbitopathy.", "PMID": 635616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10539", "title": "Initial evaluation of patients with hypertension: an office procedure.", "content": "Traditionally the initial evaluation of a patient with high blood pressure has focused on exluding secondary correctable causes of hypertension. Such all-inclusive evaluations are expensive, time-consuming, and expose the patient to some risk. A complete history, physical examination, and relatively simple laboratory procedures such as CBC, urinalysis, SMA-6 and 12, and ECG yield sufficient information to detect damage to target organs caused by elevated blood pressure and to exclude the presence of secondary causes fairly adequately. In that small number of patients in whom clues for correctable causes of hypertension are uncovered, or if patients fail to respond to appropriate treatment for essential hypertension, a more extensive evaluation can be undertaken.", "contents": "Initial evaluation of patients with hypertension: an office procedure. Traditionally the initial evaluation of a patient with high blood pressure has focused on exluding secondary correctable causes of hypertension. Such all-inclusive evaluations are expensive, time-consuming, and expose the patient to some risk. A complete history, physical examination, and relatively simple laboratory procedures such as CBC, urinalysis, SMA-6 and 12, and ECG yield sufficient information to detect damage to target organs caused by elevated blood pressure and to exclude the presence of secondary causes fairly adequately. In that small number of patients in whom clues for correctable causes of hypertension are uncovered, or if patients fail to respond to appropriate treatment for essential hypertension, a more extensive evaluation can be undertaken.", "PMID": 635618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10540", "title": "Interesting approaches to the diagnosis of angina pectoris.", "content": "Twelve different approaches to laboratory diagnosis of angina pectoris are reviewed here. They employ no fewer than seven different means of intentionally provoking a disparity between myocardial requirement and supply: dynamic exercise, hypoxia, prandial stress, raised systemic vascular resistance, paced tachycardia, mental stress, and exposure to normal environment. Of these, only dynamic exercise and the diverse combinations of stresses in the normal environment are capable of altering the heart's oxygen requirement-supply ratio threefold or more, accounting for the successful results from tests using these means of stress. The reviewed tests use three different means of detecting myocardial ischemia provoked by stress: electrocardiography to indicate impaired ventricular repolarization, indirect graphic records sensitive to impairment of mechanical ventricular function, and detection of insufficient myocardial perfusion patterns by radioactive tracer. The latter approach is particularly appealing because it directly reflects the pathophysiologic anomaly of interest. It should be remembered, however, that the basic differences in these methods of detecting ischemia make them complementary to each other and encourage their use in combination for improved diagnostic sensitivity.", "contents": "Interesting approaches to the diagnosis of angina pectoris. Twelve different approaches to laboratory diagnosis of angina pectoris are reviewed here. They employ no fewer than seven different means of intentionally provoking a disparity between myocardial requirement and supply: dynamic exercise, hypoxia, prandial stress, raised systemic vascular resistance, paced tachycardia, mental stress, and exposure to normal environment. Of these, only dynamic exercise and the diverse combinations of stresses in the normal environment are capable of altering the heart's oxygen requirement-supply ratio threefold or more, accounting for the successful results from tests using these means of stress. The reviewed tests use three different means of detecting myocardial ischemia provoked by stress: electrocardiography to indicate impaired ventricular repolarization, indirect graphic records sensitive to impairment of mechanical ventricular function, and detection of insufficient myocardial perfusion patterns by radioactive tracer. The latter approach is particularly appealing because it directly reflects the pathophysiologic anomaly of interest. It should be remembered, however, that the basic differences in these methods of detecting ischemia make them complementary to each other and encourage their use in combination for improved diagnostic sensitivity.", "PMID": 635619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10541", "title": "Laboratory Diagnosis of sickling hemoglobinopathies.", "content": "Sickle cell trait is present in about 8% of black Americans, and clinically significant sickling disorders are common in this population. These disorders can be accurately defined by combinations of quantitative hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline pH, citrate agar electrophoresis, solubility tests for sickle hemoglobin, fetal hemoglobin measurements, blood counts, erythrocyte indices and family studies. Unusual types of sickling hemoglobinopathies may require more extensive, specialized study. An unquestioned diagnosis should be prerequisite for any subsequent genetic counseling.", "contents": "Laboratory Diagnosis of sickling hemoglobinopathies. Sickle cell trait is present in about 8% of black Americans, and clinically significant sickling disorders are common in this population. These disorders can be accurately defined by combinations of quantitative hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline pH, citrate agar electrophoresis, solubility tests for sickle hemoglobin, fetal hemoglobin measurements, blood counts, erythrocyte indices and family studies. Unusual types of sickling hemoglobinopathies may require more extensive, specialized study. An unquestioned diagnosis should be prerequisite for any subsequent genetic counseling.", "PMID": 635620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10542", "title": "Posterior dislocation of the shoulder: report of six cases.", "content": "Posterior dislocation of the shoulder is a rare lesion. We have seen six of these dislocations in recent years. Review of these six cases indicated that posterior dislocations of the shoulder have consistent causes and physical and roentgenographic findings. Recent dislocations can be treated conservatively with closed reduction. Recurrent or unreduced dislocations can be treated successfully with the McLaughlin technic of open reduction and suturing of the subscapularis tendon into the defect in the humeral head. Our results were satisfactory with either closed or open treatment.", "contents": "Posterior dislocation of the shoulder: report of six cases. Posterior dislocation of the shoulder is a rare lesion. We have seen six of these dislocations in recent years. Review of these six cases indicated that posterior dislocations of the shoulder have consistent causes and physical and roentgenographic findings. Recent dislocations can be treated conservatively with closed reduction. Recurrent or unreduced dislocations can be treated successfully with the McLaughlin technic of open reduction and suturing of the subscapularis tendon into the defect in the humeral head. Our results were satisfactory with either closed or open treatment.", "PMID": 635622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10543", "title": "Complete spontaneous resolution of bilateral subdural hematoma.", "content": "Complete spontaneous resolution of bilateral subdural hematoma overa period of 17 months was documented by both radioisotopic brain scan and cerebral angiogram. It is suggested that the favorable response to the medical treatment in some cases should be interpreted with caution.", "contents": "Complete spontaneous resolution of bilateral subdural hematoma. Complete spontaneous resolution of bilateral subdural hematoma overa period of 17 months was documented by both radioisotopic brain scan and cerebral angiogram. It is suggested that the favorable response to the medical treatment in some cases should be interpreted with caution.", "PMID": 635626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10544", "title": "Chylothorax and lymphangiomas of bone: unusual manifestations of lymphatic disease.", "content": "A patient with chylothorax, mediastinal lymphangiomatous malformation of the thoracic duct, and multiple lymphangiomas of bone is reported. If a patient has radiographic findings of increased pleural fluid with multiple lucent lesions of the skeleton, the possibility of a generalized abnormality in the lymphatic system should be considered. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a protracted course and wasting of the body due to the loss of essential body nutrients in the chylous fluid.", "contents": "Chylothorax and lymphangiomas of bone: unusual manifestations of lymphatic disease. A patient with chylothorax, mediastinal lymphangiomatous malformation of the thoracic duct, and multiple lymphangiomas of bone is reported. If a patient has radiographic findings of increased pleural fluid with multiple lucent lesions of the skeleton, the possibility of a generalized abnormality in the lymphatic system should be considered. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent a protracted course and wasting of the body due to the loss of essential body nutrients in the chylous fluid.", "PMID": 635627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10545", "title": "Mitral valve prolapse syndrome with early diastolic click.", "content": "An instance of mitral valve prolapse syndrome demonstrating early diastolic click was reported. From the phonographic analysis of the cardiac sounds with simultaneous recording of apexcardiogram or echocardiogram, the production mechanism of the diastolic click was discussed.", "contents": "Mitral valve prolapse syndrome with early diastolic click. An instance of mitral valve prolapse syndrome demonstrating early diastolic click was reported. From the phonographic analysis of the cardiac sounds with simultaneous recording of apexcardiogram or echocardiogram, the production mechanism of the diastolic click was discussed.", "PMID": 635628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10546", "title": "Disseminated actinomycosis.", "content": "A case of pulmonary actinomycosis with dissemination to skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bone is described. The cutaneous lesions were characterized by tender swellings and fluctuant nodules and were the presenting manifestation of the disease. Typical sulfur granules were present in the skin and pleural biopsies. Actinomyces israelii and its synergistic bacteria Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were cultured from skin and pleura. Clinical improvement, with resolution of lung and disseminated skin lesions, was prompt with parenteral penicillin therapy.", "contents": "Disseminated actinomycosis. A case of pulmonary actinomycosis with dissemination to skin, subcutaneous tissue, and bone is described. The cutaneous lesions were characterized by tender swellings and fluctuant nodules and were the presenting manifestation of the disease. Typical sulfur granules were present in the skin and pleural biopsies. Actinomyces israelii and its synergistic bacteria Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were cultured from skin and pleura. Clinical improvement, with resolution of lung and disseminated skin lesions, was prompt with parenteral penicillin therapy.", "PMID": 635629} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10547", "title": "Enchondromatosis with hemangiomas (Maffucci's syndrome).", "content": "Maffucci's syndrome in a 17-year-old girl is reported. Since the entity was first described in 1881 by Maffucci, 105 additional cases have been recorded. Several series have reported a small but significant percentage of cases (up to 18%) with malignant change. Our case, although not particularly unique in comparison with other cases of this syndrome, is presented because of the infrequent occurrence of this syndrome.", "contents": "Enchondromatosis with hemangiomas (Maffucci's syndrome). Maffucci's syndrome in a 17-year-old girl is reported. Since the entity was first described in 1881 by Maffucci, 105 additional cases have been recorded. Several series have reported a small but significant percentage of cases (up to 18%) with malignant change. Our case, although not particularly unique in comparison with other cases of this syndrome, is presented because of the infrequent occurrence of this syndrome.", "PMID": 635630} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10548", "title": "Snake-to-human transmission of Aeromonas (Pl) shigelloides resulting in gastroenteritis.", "content": "A healthy young man developed acute gastroenteritis after handling an infected bao constrictor. The animal died after contracting \"mouth-rot disease\", a progressive ulcerative stomatitis of snakes charactistically caused a Aeromonas species. Stool cultures from the patient yielded a heavy growth of Aeromonas (Plesiomonas) shigelloides but no other enteric pathogens. Treatment wit sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resulted in rapid relief of clinical symptoms. Aeromonas species are not considered part of the normal human fecal flora and gastroenteritis due to this organism is rare. Furthermore, this case appears to represent a new zoonosis: human Aeromonas (Plasiomonas) gastroenteritis derived from contact with an infected animal host.", "contents": "Snake-to-human transmission of Aeromonas (Pl) shigelloides resulting in gastroenteritis. A healthy young man developed acute gastroenteritis after handling an infected bao constrictor. The animal died after contracting \"mouth-rot disease\", a progressive ulcerative stomatitis of snakes charactistically caused a Aeromonas species. Stool cultures from the patient yielded a heavy growth of Aeromonas (Plesiomonas) shigelloides but no other enteric pathogens. Treatment wit sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resulted in rapid relief of clinical symptoms. Aeromonas species are not considered part of the normal human fecal flora and gastroenteritis due to this organism is rare. Furthermore, this case appears to represent a new zoonosis: human Aeromonas (Plasiomonas) gastroenteritis derived from contact with an infected animal host.", "PMID": 635632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10549", "title": "Cerebromedullospinal disconnection after intraventricular methotrexate.", "content": "A case of cerebromedullospinal disconnection or \"locked-in\" syndrome after intraventricular methotrexate is described. This is an unusual complication of intraventricular methotrexate instillation. Ventral pontine infarction is postulated to be responsible for the syndrome.", "contents": "Cerebromedullospinal disconnection after intraventricular methotrexate. A case of cerebromedullospinal disconnection or \"locked-in\" syndrome after intraventricular methotrexate is described. This is an unusual complication of intraventricular methotrexate instillation. Ventral pontine infarction is postulated to be responsible for the syndrome.", "PMID": 635633} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10550", "title": "Epithelioma cuniculatum.", "content": "The cases of epithelioma cuniculatum in this report illustrate the unusual appearance and diagnostic difficulty of the lesion. Early diagnosis resulted in apparent cure with adequate local excision in some cases, whereas amputation was necessary for advanced or recurrent tumors. Distant metastasis may occur. Superficial biopsy specimens may yield inadequate tissue for proper diagnosis. Verrucous carcinoma should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in any atypical or recurrent \"wart\" on the sole.", "contents": "Epithelioma cuniculatum. The cases of epithelioma cuniculatum in this report illustrate the unusual appearance and diagnostic difficulty of the lesion. Early diagnosis resulted in apparent cure with adequate local excision in some cases, whereas amputation was necessary for advanced or recurrent tumors. Distant metastasis may occur. Superficial biopsy specimens may yield inadequate tissue for proper diagnosis. Verrucous carcinoma should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in any atypical or recurrent \"wart\" on the sole.", "PMID": 635634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10551", "title": "Viral hepatitis in pregnancy with disseminated intravascular coagulation and hypoglycemia.", "content": "A case of a 26-year-old woman who presented at 38 weeks of gestation with severe hepatitis B complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hypoglycemia is reported. The clinical features of the illness suggested acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Cesarean section was followed by resolution of the coagulopathy and the hypoglycemia. Both mother and infant survived and remain well. The diagnosis of hepatitis B was confirmed by a transiently positive hepatitis B surface antigen and percutaneous liver biopsy. This case emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing acute viral hepatitis from acute fatty liver of pregnancy. In addition, the predominant features of DIC and hypoglycemia in our case are reported.", "contents": "Viral hepatitis in pregnancy with disseminated intravascular coagulation and hypoglycemia. A case of a 26-year-old woman who presented at 38 weeks of gestation with severe hepatitis B complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and hypoglycemia is reported. The clinical features of the illness suggested acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Cesarean section was followed by resolution of the coagulopathy and the hypoglycemia. Both mother and infant survived and remain well. The diagnosis of hepatitis B was confirmed by a transiently positive hepatitis B surface antigen and percutaneous liver biopsy. This case emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing acute viral hepatitis from acute fatty liver of pregnancy. In addition, the predominant features of DIC and hypoglycemia in our case are reported.", "PMID": 635635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10552", "title": "The occurrence of zearalanone in raw and fermented products from Swaziland and Lesotho.", "content": "Numerous reports of epizootics dur to zearalanone, and the subsequent experimental work upon it have implicated this oestrogenic mycotoxin as an important pathologic agent for the uterus and vagina. The finding of zearalanone in fermented products in an area in Southern Africa where human cervical cancer is prevalent may be related to this disease.", "contents": "The occurrence of zearalanone in raw and fermented products from Swaziland and Lesotho. Numerous reports of epizootics dur to zearalanone, and the subsequent experimental work upon it have implicated this oestrogenic mycotoxin as an important pathologic agent for the uterus and vagina. The finding of zearalanone in fermented products in an area in Southern Africa where human cervical cancer is prevalent may be related to this disease.", "PMID": 635723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10553", "title": "Pityrosporum pachydermatis in a black bear (Ursus americanus).", "content": "Pityrosporum pachydermatis was repeatedly isolated from portions of alopecic tissue from the throax and ears of a black bear cub (Ursus americanus). Yeastlike cells morphologically identical with those of P. pachydermatis were observed in stained tissue sections. This is the first reported association of this yeast with a member of the family Ursidae.", "contents": "Pityrosporum pachydermatis in a black bear (Ursus americanus). Pityrosporum pachydermatis was repeatedly isolated from portions of alopecic tissue from the throax and ears of a black bear cub (Ursus americanus). Yeastlike cells morphologically identical with those of P. pachydermatis were observed in stained tissue sections. This is the first reported association of this yeast with a member of the family Ursidae.", "PMID": 635724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10554", "title": "Isolation of aminopeptidases from Histoplasma capsulatum.", "content": "Two aminopeptidases (arylamidases) were isolated and partially purified from Histoplasma capsulatum. The larger molecular weight enzyme was a proline iminopeptidase and hydrolyzed primarily a synthetic substrate, L-prolyl-beta-napthylamide. The other aminopeptidase was less substrate specific and hydrolyzed rapidly the following amino acid beta-napthylamides (beta NA): L-arginyl-beta NA greater than L-lysyl-beta NA greater than -L-4-methoxy-leucyl-beta NA greater than L-leucyl-beta NA greater than L-phenylalanyl-beta NA greater than L-alanyl-beta NA. The proline iminopeptidase was purified 1420 fold while the leucine aminopeptidase was purified 650 fold with good recovery.", "contents": "Isolation of aminopeptidases from Histoplasma capsulatum. Two aminopeptidases (arylamidases) were isolated and partially purified from Histoplasma capsulatum. The larger molecular weight enzyme was a proline iminopeptidase and hydrolyzed primarily a synthetic substrate, L-prolyl-beta-napthylamide. The other aminopeptidase was less substrate specific and hydrolyzed rapidly the following amino acid beta-napthylamides (beta NA): L-arginyl-beta NA greater than L-lysyl-beta NA greater than -L-4-methoxy-leucyl-beta NA greater than L-leucyl-beta NA greater than L-phenylalanyl-beta NA greater than L-alanyl-beta NA. The proline iminopeptidase was purified 1420 fold while the leucine aminopeptidase was purified 650 fold with good recovery.", "PMID": 635725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10555", "title": "Microsporum canis infection: first epidemic in Israel.", "content": "We report here on the first epidemic of Microsporum canis infection in Israel. All 78 cases were diagnosed in the port city of Eilat between August, 1975 and May 1976. The epidemic has apparently been controlled with Griseofulvin therapy and public health measures.", "contents": "Microsporum canis infection: first epidemic in Israel. We report here on the first epidemic of Microsporum canis infection in Israel. All 78 cases were diagnosed in the port city of Eilat between August, 1975 and May 1976. The epidemic has apparently been controlled with Griseofulvin therapy and public health measures.", "PMID": 635726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10556", "title": "Survey of keratinophilic fungi in Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) burrow soil and in adjoining soils.", "content": "Soil samples from 127 marmot (Marmota marmota) burrows were examined for keratinophilic fungi along with 48 soil samples from adjoining areas. The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi (especially Microsporum gypseum) was significantly higher in burrow soil. A review of the literature and our results support the hypothesis that the \"animalization\" (i.e. the enrichment of soil with hairs, crusts and other organic matters) of the environment may create conditions suitable for the growth of keratinophilic fungi. The presence of keratinophilic fungi in alpine mountain soil was noted for the first time.", "contents": "Survey of keratinophilic fungi in Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) burrow soil and in adjoining soils. Soil samples from 127 marmot (Marmota marmota) burrows were examined for keratinophilic fungi along with 48 soil samples from adjoining areas. The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi (especially Microsporum gypseum) was significantly higher in burrow soil. A review of the literature and our results support the hypothesis that the \"animalization\" (i.e. the enrichment of soil with hairs, crusts and other organic matters) of the environment may create conditions suitable for the growth of keratinophilic fungi. The presence of keratinophilic fungi in alpine mountain soil was noted for the first time.", "PMID": 635727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10557", "title": "Financial status of social security program after the Social Security Amendments of 1977.", "content": "The Social Security Amendments of 1977 resulted in substantial improvement in the current and projected financial condition of the OASDI program. This article reviews the causes of the recent operating deficits, describes the effects of the amendments that most influence the program's financial status, and gives projections of income and expenditures under the new law. The revised benefit formula eliminates the \"over-indexing\" expected to occur under the old provisions and results in stable earnings-replacement ratios under practically all future economic conditions. About one-half of the long-range actuarial deficit was resolved by this step alone. Increases in the contribution and benefit base, along with tax-rate reallocations and increases, prevent the imminent depletion of the OASI and DI trust funds. Increased income due to the higher wage bases is partially offset in later years, however, by greater benefit payments based on the increases in the coverage of total earnings. Overall, under the new law the OASDI program is projected to be financed adequately for about 50 years but significant operating deficits are expected after that. The financial condition of the hospital insurance program was substantially unchanged by the amendments, however, and the HI trust fund is expected to be exhausted in 1988.", "contents": "Financial status of social security program after the Social Security Amendments of 1977. The Social Security Amendments of 1977 resulted in substantial improvement in the current and projected financial condition of the OASDI program. This article reviews the causes of the recent operating deficits, describes the effects of the amendments that most influence the program's financial status, and gives projections of income and expenditures under the new law. The revised benefit formula eliminates the \"over-indexing\" expected to occur under the old provisions and results in stable earnings-replacement ratios under practically all future economic conditions. About one-half of the long-range actuarial deficit was resolved by this step alone. Increases in the contribution and benefit base, along with tax-rate reallocations and increases, prevent the imminent depletion of the OASI and DI trust funds. Increased income due to the higher wage bases is partially offset in later years, however, by greater benefit payments based on the increases in the coverage of total earnings. Overall, under the new law the OASDI program is projected to be financed adequately for about 50 years but significant operating deficits are expected after that. The financial condition of the hospital insurance program was substantially unchanged by the amendments, however, and the HI trust fund is expected to be exhausted in 1988.", "PMID": 635734} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10558", "title": "Social Security Amendments of 1977: legislative history and summary of provisions.", "content": "This article describes the legislative history of the Social Security Amendments of 1977 and contains a summary of the amendments. The major provisions revise the benefit structure so that future replacement rates--initial benefits as a percent of previous earnings--will be relatively stable and revise the tax structure to restore the financial soundness of the program in the short range and into the 21st century. Other significant provisions include: An increased special minimum benefit for long-term workers with future automatic adjustment to prices; a minimum benefit frozen at the December 1978 level (roughly $121) with automatic adjustment only for those on the rolls; a higher retirement test exempt amount of beneficiaries aged 65 and over; an annual measure of \"quarter of coverage\" and other changes in annual wage reporting provisions; and authorization for agreements with foreign countries for limited coordination between social security systems.", "contents": "Social Security Amendments of 1977: legislative history and summary of provisions. This article describes the legislative history of the Social Security Amendments of 1977 and contains a summary of the amendments. The major provisions revise the benefit structure so that future replacement rates--initial benefits as a percent of previous earnings--will be relatively stable and revise the tax structure to restore the financial soundness of the program in the short range and into the 21st century. Other significant provisions include: An increased special minimum benefit for long-term workers with future automatic adjustment to prices; a minimum benefit frozen at the December 1978 level (roughly $121) with automatic adjustment only for those on the rolls; a higher retirement test exempt amount of beneficiaries aged 65 and over; an annual measure of \"quarter of coverage\" and other changes in annual wage reporting provisions; and authorization for agreements with foreign countries for limited coordination between social security systems.", "PMID": 635735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10559", "title": "The definitive technique of selective proximal vagotomy with pyloroplasty appropriate to form and function in surgery of peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "The overall efficiency of the ff-PYPL is most apparent when we compare our own large series of long-term observations of SPV, accompanied with these pyloroplasty forms with all types of DU, in contrast to the series of SPV without pyloroplasty of some other authors with a smaller number of patients and a shorter observation period (Table 1). The table shows that the combination operation of complete SPV with ff-PYPL (Fig. 17) assures the clinical permanent healing of DU. In GU the results of the nonresecting method are less satisfying. Twenty-two percent of the GU patients must have selective vagotomy with antrectomy because of antral disorder, destroyed antral innervation, or suspicion of malignancy.", "contents": "The definitive technique of selective proximal vagotomy with pyloroplasty appropriate to form and function in surgery of peptic ulcer disease. The overall efficiency of the ff-PYPL is most apparent when we compare our own large series of long-term observations of SPV, accompanied with these pyloroplasty forms with all types of DU, in contrast to the series of SPV without pyloroplasty of some other authors with a smaller number of patients and a shorter observation period (Table 1). The table shows that the combination operation of complete SPV with ff-PYPL (Fig. 17) assures the clinical permanent healing of DU. In GU the results of the nonresecting method are less satisfying. Twenty-two percent of the GU patients must have selective vagotomy with antrectomy because of antral disorder, destroyed antral innervation, or suspicion of malignancy.", "PMID": 635742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10560", "title": "A continent ileostomy and reservoir using the canine ileocolonic segment.", "content": "The present study was an attempt to create a simple reservoir with a reliable continent ileostomy, so as to overcome the many drawbacks of the regular ileostomy. The ileocolonic segment was isolated and the ileum was intussuscepted into the colon to augment the ileocolonic sphincter. Pressure recordings disclosed a high pressure zone in the ileocolonic sphincter area reacting with a significant pressure increase to colonic distention. The proximal ileal end was anastomosed to the colonic part of the ileocolonic segment, and the ileal part of the ileocolonic segment was maturated as an ileostomy. The colonic reservoir was emptied by catheterization. Between catherizations, the ileostomies remained completely continent to small intestinal contents and gas. The reservoir and continent ileostomy are easily constructed, offer convenience and safety, voluntary and controlled emptying and conservation of part of the water and sodium excessively lost with conventional ileostomies. The procedure should be applied only to those patients in whom the right colon is unaffected or only slightly affected by the inflammatory process.", "contents": "A continent ileostomy and reservoir using the canine ileocolonic segment. The present study was an attempt to create a simple reservoir with a reliable continent ileostomy, so as to overcome the many drawbacks of the regular ileostomy. The ileocolonic segment was isolated and the ileum was intussuscepted into the colon to augment the ileocolonic sphincter. Pressure recordings disclosed a high pressure zone in the ileocolonic sphincter area reacting with a significant pressure increase to colonic distention. The proximal ileal end was anastomosed to the colonic part of the ileocolonic segment, and the ileal part of the ileocolonic segment was maturated as an ileostomy. The colonic reservoir was emptied by catheterization. Between catherizations, the ileostomies remained completely continent to small intestinal contents and gas. The reservoir and continent ileostomy are easily constructed, offer convenience and safety, voluntary and controlled emptying and conservation of part of the water and sodium excessively lost with conventional ileostomies. The procedure should be applied only to those patients in whom the right colon is unaffected or only slightly affected by the inflammatory process.", "PMID": 635744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10561", "title": "An experimental assessment of esophageal anastomotic integrity.", "content": "A series of experiments was designed to establish the role of proximal diversion and perioperative antibiotics in primary healing of experimental esophageal anastomoses designed to stimulate the clinical leak and death rate seen in patients treated for carcinoma of the esophagus. Thirty-four cats underwent partial thoracic esophagectomy with end-to-end anastomosis. Seventeen cats were randomized to complementary proximal esophageal diversion. Postoperative mortality was 38 per cent. The over-all rate of anastomotic leakage was 18 per cent, with 83 per cent of these cats dying as a result of this complication. Proximal esophageal diversion had no demonstrable role in the prevention of anastomotic dehiscence or subsequent mortality. In 22 of 34 cats, systemic perioperative antibiotics were administered. Administration of perioperative antibiotics decreased anastomotic leak significantly, p less than 0.05, and lowered mortality, p less than 0.001, with or without proximal esophageal diversion.", "contents": "An experimental assessment of esophageal anastomotic integrity. A series of experiments was designed to establish the role of proximal diversion and perioperative antibiotics in primary healing of experimental esophageal anastomoses designed to stimulate the clinical leak and death rate seen in patients treated for carcinoma of the esophagus. Thirty-four cats underwent partial thoracic esophagectomy with end-to-end anastomosis. Seventeen cats were randomized to complementary proximal esophageal diversion. Postoperative mortality was 38 per cent. The over-all rate of anastomotic leakage was 18 per cent, with 83 per cent of these cats dying as a result of this complication. Proximal esophageal diversion had no demonstrable role in the prevention of anastomotic dehiscence or subsequent mortality. In 22 of 34 cats, systemic perioperative antibiotics were administered. Administration of perioperative antibiotics decreased anastomotic leak significantly, p less than 0.05, and lowered mortality, p less than 0.001, with or without proximal esophageal diversion.", "PMID": 635745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10562", "title": "Severe hyperchloremic acidosis complicating jejunoileal bypass.", "content": "In summary, severe hyperchloremic acidosis developed in two patients as a late complication after jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity. This acidosis was associated with episodes of dizziness, ataxia, headache, weakness, confusion and transient loss of consciousness. Recognition of this symptom complex in the patient with a jejunoileal bypass should suggest metabolic acidosis as a complication of this surgical procedure. Bicarbonate replacement provided prompt, but temporary, improvement in the symptoms and the acidosis. Revision of the intestinal bypass was required for correction. Special studies to rule out renal tubular acidosis were performed and definitely excluded the kidney as a source of the acidosis.", "contents": "Severe hyperchloremic acidosis complicating jejunoileal bypass. In summary, severe hyperchloremic acidosis developed in two patients as a late complication after jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity. This acidosis was associated with episodes of dizziness, ataxia, headache, weakness, confusion and transient loss of consciousness. Recognition of this symptom complex in the patient with a jejunoileal bypass should suggest metabolic acidosis as a complication of this surgical procedure. Bicarbonate replacement provided prompt, but temporary, improvement in the symptoms and the acidosis. Revision of the intestinal bypass was required for correction. Special studies to rule out renal tubular acidosis were performed and definitely excluded the kidney as a source of the acidosis.", "PMID": 635746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10563", "title": "Comparison of three treatments for fractures of the diaphysis of the femur.", "content": "Sixty-eight patients with fractured femurs were studied who, in terms of personal characteristics, associated injuries and type of fracture, could have been treated by intramedullary nailing or traction followed by the application of either a spica cast or fracture brace. Twenty-eight patients actually underwent intramedullary nailing, while 18 were treated with a spica cast and 22 with a fracture brace. Multiple outcome factors were studied and, based upon every comparison, intramedullary nailing was found superior. Among those patients treated by non-operative techniques, fracture bracing permitted earlier independent ambulation and increased the probability of normal knee motion at the conclusion of treatment.", "contents": "Comparison of three treatments for fractures of the diaphysis of the femur. Sixty-eight patients with fractured femurs were studied who, in terms of personal characteristics, associated injuries and type of fracture, could have been treated by intramedullary nailing or traction followed by the application of either a spica cast or fracture brace. Twenty-eight patients actually underwent intramedullary nailing, while 18 were treated with a spica cast and 22 with a fracture brace. Multiple outcome factors were studied and, based upon every comparison, intramedullary nailing was found superior. Among those patients treated by non-operative techniques, fracture bracing permitted earlier independent ambulation and increased the probability of normal knee motion at the conclusion of treatment.", "PMID": 635747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10564", "title": "The effect of a mechanical venous pump on the circulation of the feet in the presence of arterial obstruction.", "content": "A boot of single layer, flexible vinyl sheeting and a pneumatic cuff encircling its top at the ankle, each independently inflatable, constitute a mechanical venous pump. Inflation of the cuff to the desired boot pressure is followed immediately by inflation of the boot from a reservoir with higher available pressure than that in the cuff. When the boot pressure reaches cuff pressure, the excess air escapes from the boot under the cuff. A low venous pressure at the foot could be maintained by compressing the foot for 2 seconds every 15 seconds with a pressure which is 10 millimeters of mercury above initial venous pressure. In seated patients with arterial obstruction whose supine ankle blood pressure was 60 milimeters of mercury or less, the rate of blood flow in the skin of the forefoot was increased by 104.1 +/- 43.7 per cent S.E.M., p less than 0.05, during venous pumping. In these patients, a change in posture alone from supine to sitting increased the rate of blood flow by 81.7 +/- 19.47 per cent, p less than 0.002. The combined effect of the erect posture and venous pumping was an increase of 185.7 +/- 49.63 per cent, p less than 0.01. Rest pain was relieved by the combined effect.", "contents": "The effect of a mechanical venous pump on the circulation of the feet in the presence of arterial obstruction. A boot of single layer, flexible vinyl sheeting and a pneumatic cuff encircling its top at the ankle, each independently inflatable, constitute a mechanical venous pump. Inflation of the cuff to the desired boot pressure is followed immediately by inflation of the boot from a reservoir with higher available pressure than that in the cuff. When the boot pressure reaches cuff pressure, the excess air escapes from the boot under the cuff. A low venous pressure at the foot could be maintained by compressing the foot for 2 seconds every 15 seconds with a pressure which is 10 millimeters of mercury above initial venous pressure. In seated patients with arterial obstruction whose supine ankle blood pressure was 60 milimeters of mercury or less, the rate of blood flow in the skin of the forefoot was increased by 104.1 +/- 43.7 per cent S.E.M., p less than 0.05, during venous pumping. In these patients, a change in posture alone from supine to sitting increased the rate of blood flow by 81.7 +/- 19.47 per cent, p less than 0.002. The combined effect of the erect posture and venous pumping was an increase of 185.7 +/- 49.63 per cent, p less than 0.01. Rest pain was relieved by the combined effect.", "PMID": 635749} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10565", "title": "Evaluation of optimum time for surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta.", "content": "The results of 182 patients operated upon for coarctation of the aorta from 1953 to 1976 were reviewed. The youngest patient was three weeks old, the eldest, 60 years. One hudnred and twenty-three patients had coarctation without complications, while 59 had other cardiovascular lesions. An end-to-end anastomosis was carried out in 144 patients. Artificial grafts were inserted in 33 patients, while individual techniques were applied in five patients. There were four peroperative deaths, five postoperative deaths and four late deaths. All of these patients had multiple cardiovascular lesions. With respect to the peroperative and postoperative complications and the effect of operation on blood pressure, correction of coarctation of the aorta should be carried out between the ages of five and 15 years.", "contents": "Evaluation of optimum time for surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta. The results of 182 patients operated upon for coarctation of the aorta from 1953 to 1976 were reviewed. The youngest patient was three weeks old, the eldest, 60 years. One hudnred and twenty-three patients had coarctation without complications, while 59 had other cardiovascular lesions. An end-to-end anastomosis was carried out in 144 patients. Artificial grafts were inserted in 33 patients, while individual techniques were applied in five patients. There were four peroperative deaths, five postoperative deaths and four late deaths. All of these patients had multiple cardiovascular lesions. With respect to the peroperative and postoperative complications and the effect of operation on blood pressure, correction of coarctation of the aorta should be carried out between the ages of five and 15 years.", "PMID": 635750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10566", "title": "Chronic appendicitis.", "content": "Twenty patients with chronic pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen were reviewed as to preoperative findings and pathologic findings at laparotomy. Eleven of the 20 patients had acute appendicitis, and 13 of the 20 had some appendiceal problem. The white blood count was not reliable in diagnosing this, as eight of the 11 of those with acute appendicitis had a normal white blood count. Barium enema examination was performed in ten of the 13 with disease, and abnormalities were noted in nine of the ten, an indication of a high degree of reliability of this examination. Long term follow-up study revealed that 17 of the patients in the study gained complete relief of symptoms after appendectomy.", "contents": "Chronic appendicitis. Twenty patients with chronic pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen were reviewed as to preoperative findings and pathologic findings at laparotomy. Eleven of the 20 patients had acute appendicitis, and 13 of the 20 had some appendiceal problem. The white blood count was not reliable in diagnosing this, as eight of the 11 of those with acute appendicitis had a normal white blood count. Barium enema examination was performed in ten of the 13 with disease, and abnormalities were noted in nine of the ten, an indication of a high degree of reliability of this examination. Long term follow-up study revealed that 17 of the patients in the study gained complete relief of symptoms after appendectomy.", "PMID": 635751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10567", "title": "The management of ureteral calculi during pregnancy.", "content": "During the past seven years, 14 pregnant patients were admitted to our hospital for treatment of ureteral calculus. During this same period, 22,495 deliveries were performed, for an incidence of one calculus per 1,600 pregnancies. Eleven patients spontaneously passed the calculus, ten prior to delivery and one patient postpartum. Three patients required an operation, two antepartum and one patient postpartum. No maternal or fetal complications occurred. Management of urinary calculi during pregnancy must be individualized and should be based upon location of the stone, degree of obstruction, presence or absence of infection, general condition of the patient and stage of pregnancy. Surgical intervention to remove obstructing calculi is not contraindicated during pregnancy.", "contents": "The management of ureteral calculi during pregnancy. During the past seven years, 14 pregnant patients were admitted to our hospital for treatment of ureteral calculus. During this same period, 22,495 deliveries were performed, for an incidence of one calculus per 1,600 pregnancies. Eleven patients spontaneously passed the calculus, ten prior to delivery and one patient postpartum. Three patients required an operation, two antepartum and one patient postpartum. No maternal or fetal complications occurred. Management of urinary calculi during pregnancy must be individualized and should be based upon location of the stone, degree of obstruction, presence or absence of infection, general condition of the patient and stage of pregnancy. Surgical intervention to remove obstructing calculi is not contraindicated during pregnancy.", "PMID": 635752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10568", "title": "An analysis of phytohemagglutinin lymphoblastogenesis in whole blood.", "content": "A population of 80 defined normal people ranging in age from 20 to 62 years were used to define a dose response curve in whole blood phytohemagglutinin blastogenesis of lymphocytes. Maximum stimulation occurred at four days of incubation and 18 hours of pulse labeling with tritiated thymidine using 50 micrograms per milliliter of phytohemagglutinin and 1 microcurie of tritiated thymidine. An analysis of variants indicates a statistically significant trend of reduction of disintegrations per minute per milliliter with advancing age. Likewise, there was an extremely significant difference between measurements performed in the morning and late in the afternoon. Measurements referred to sex and sequential testing were not shown to be significant. Therefore, whole blood phytohemagglutinin blastogenesis may be meaningfully performed and interpreted using nonparametric statistics and the raw blastogenesis of a standard amount of peripheral whole blood, provided that the remainder of the test conditions are rigidly controlled.", "contents": "An analysis of phytohemagglutinin lymphoblastogenesis in whole blood. A population of 80 defined normal people ranging in age from 20 to 62 years were used to define a dose response curve in whole blood phytohemagglutinin blastogenesis of lymphocytes. Maximum stimulation occurred at four days of incubation and 18 hours of pulse labeling with tritiated thymidine using 50 micrograms per milliliter of phytohemagglutinin and 1 microcurie of tritiated thymidine. An analysis of variants indicates a statistically significant trend of reduction of disintegrations per minute per milliliter with advancing age. Likewise, there was an extremely significant difference between measurements performed in the morning and late in the afternoon. Measurements referred to sex and sequential testing were not shown to be significant. Therefore, whole blood phytohemagglutinin blastogenesis may be meaningfully performed and interpreted using nonparametric statistics and the raw blastogenesis of a standard amount of peripheral whole blood, provided that the remainder of the test conditions are rigidly controlled.", "PMID": 635753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10569", "title": "A modified technique for lateral internal sphincterotomy.", "content": "A technique for lateral subcutaneous internal sphincterotomy has been used in 300 patients. In 200, the blind method was used, and in 100, the open technique was used. Although the number of patients and the follow-up period were not matched, the early results were somewhat better with the group of patients who underwent the open technique than with those who underwent the blind procedure, particularly in regard to postoperative bleeding. We recommend this technique both to minimize bleeding and to afford the surgeon more technical control.", "contents": "A modified technique for lateral internal sphincterotomy. A technique for lateral subcutaneous internal sphincterotomy has been used in 300 patients. In 200, the blind method was used, and in 100, the open technique was used. Although the number of patients and the follow-up period were not matched, the early results were somewhat better with the group of patients who underwent the open technique than with those who underwent the blind procedure, particularly in regard to postoperative bleeding. We recommend this technique both to minimize bleeding and to afford the surgeon more technical control.", "PMID": 635756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10570", "title": "Sliding appendiceal inguinal hernia.", "content": "Rarely, the mesoappendix forms the sliding component of an inguinal hernia. Appendectomy, in such instances, permits effective repair of the hernia. This was accomplished in 16 patients without wound complication or recurrence of the hernia.", "contents": "Sliding appendiceal inguinal hernia. Rarely, the mesoappendix forms the sliding component of an inguinal hernia. Appendectomy, in such instances, permits effective repair of the hernia. This was accomplished in 16 patients without wound complication or recurrence of the hernia.", "PMID": 635757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10571", "title": "Delayed evolution of posttraumatic subdural hygroma.", "content": "Five hundred and forty-six patients in a consecutive series of 1,601 patients with craniocerebral trauma had computed tomography. One hundred and ninety-six patients had a follow-up CT scan. Thirteen patients (6.6%) developed apparently \"silent\" subdural hygromas of delayed evolution noted from six to 46 days after injury (average 22 days). Three of 10 patients (30%) improved after operation. No patient with a severe cerebral deficit (decortication or decerebration) improved. The three unoperated hygromas and the six that persisted after operation tended to resolve spontaneously. The infrequent and modest improvement following surgical treatment and the tendency to spontaneous resolution suggest that operation may be unnecessary in many patients with posttraumatic subdural hygroma of delayed evolution.", "contents": "Delayed evolution of posttraumatic subdural hygroma. Five hundred and forty-six patients in a consecutive series of 1,601 patients with craniocerebral trauma had computed tomography. One hundred and ninety-six patients had a follow-up CT scan. Thirteen patients (6.6%) developed apparently \"silent\" subdural hygromas of delayed evolution noted from six to 46 days after injury (average 22 days). Three of 10 patients (30%) improved after operation. No patient with a severe cerebral deficit (decortication or decerebration) improved. The three unoperated hygromas and the six that persisted after operation tended to resolve spontaneously. The infrequent and modest improvement following surgical treatment and the tendency to spontaneous resolution suggest that operation may be unnecessary in many patients with posttraumatic subdural hygroma of delayed evolution.", "PMID": 635758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10572", "title": "Embolization and surgical excision of giant arterio-venous malformation.", "content": "A case of a giant arteriovenous malformation involving almost the entire dominant hemisphere in a 32-year-old white male with progressive neurologic deterioration, presumbaly due to cerebral steal, is described. Special management included surgical intravascular embolization with latex spheres. and at a later date, resection of the arteriovenous malformation.", "contents": "Embolization and surgical excision of giant arterio-venous malformation. A case of a giant arteriovenous malformation involving almost the entire dominant hemisphere in a 32-year-old white male with progressive neurologic deterioration, presumbaly due to cerebral steal, is described. Special management included surgical intravascular embolization with latex spheres. and at a later date, resection of the arteriovenous malformation.", "PMID": 635759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10573", "title": "Cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system.", "content": "Two patients with cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system are described. The first presented with signs of an intracranial mass and was subsequently shown to have two lesions within the brain which were later identified as cryptococcal granulomata. Antifungal therapy did not eradicate the lesions; following their excision and continued therapy, the CSF became sterile however. The other patient had signs of a fulminant meningoencephalitis which initially were thought to represent the pathophysiological expression of an expanding brain tumor. These reports are used as a basis to review the various aspects of central nervous system cryptococcosis, particularly as they may relate to the neurosurgeon and the therapy of the disease.", "contents": "Cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system. Two patients with cryptococcal infection of the central nervous system are described. The first presented with signs of an intracranial mass and was subsequently shown to have two lesions within the brain which were later identified as cryptococcal granulomata. Antifungal therapy did not eradicate the lesions; following their excision and continued therapy, the CSF became sterile however. The other patient had signs of a fulminant meningoencephalitis which initially were thought to represent the pathophysiological expression of an expanding brain tumor. These reports are used as a basis to review the various aspects of central nervous system cryptococcosis, particularly as they may relate to the neurosurgeon and the therapy of the disease.", "PMID": 635760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10574", "title": "An endoscopic technique for third ventriculostomy.", "content": "A simple technique for performing third ventriculostomy is described. The technique utilizes a fiberoptic endoscope inserted through a small burr hole over the coronal suture. The technique has been successfully employed in five patients without complications. If better criteria for selection of patients for third ventriculostomy could be established, this procedure would provide an ideal means for treatment.", "contents": "An endoscopic technique for third ventriculostomy. A simple technique for performing third ventriculostomy is described. The technique utilizes a fiberoptic endoscope inserted through a small burr hole over the coronal suture. The technique has been successfully employed in five patients without complications. If better criteria for selection of patients for third ventriculostomy could be established, this procedure would provide an ideal means for treatment.", "PMID": 635761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10575", "title": "Intracranial sarcoidosis presenting angiographically as a sub-dural hematoma.", "content": "Intracranial sarcoidosis is rare. Usually it involves the cranial nerves and presents with symptoms of meningeal irritation, convulsive seizures, hydrocephalus, hemiparesis, mental changes and hypothalamic dysfunction. A case in which the condition simulated a subdural hematoma is reported.", "contents": "Intracranial sarcoidosis presenting angiographically as a sub-dural hematoma. Intracranial sarcoidosis is rare. Usually it involves the cranial nerves and presents with symptoms of meningeal irritation, convulsive seizures, hydrocephalus, hemiparesis, mental changes and hypothalamic dysfunction. A case in which the condition simulated a subdural hematoma is reported.", "PMID": 635762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10576", "title": "Sarcomas metastatic to the brain: case report of a metastatic fibrosarcoma, and review of literature.", "content": "A case of fibrosarcoma with metastases to the brain is presented with a review of the pertinent literature. This review demonstrates that the incidence of brain metastases in patients with sarcoma is probably higher than previously indicated.", "contents": "Sarcomas metastatic to the brain: case report of a metastatic fibrosarcoma, and review of literature. A case of fibrosarcoma with metastases to the brain is presented with a review of the pertinent literature. This review demonstrates that the incidence of brain metastases in patients with sarcoma is probably higher than previously indicated.", "PMID": 635763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10577", "title": "Multiple meningiomas.", "content": "The authors report a patient with a right sphenoid wing meningioma 16 years after a left convexity meningioma was removed. She had no evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease. Both tumors were benign. The literature on multiple meningiomas is reviewed.", "contents": "Multiple meningiomas. The authors report a patient with a right sphenoid wing meningioma 16 years after a left convexity meningioma was removed. She had no evidence of von Recklinghausen's disease. Both tumors were benign. The literature on multiple meningiomas is reviewed.", "PMID": 635764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10578", "title": "Giant cell tumor of the skull.", "content": "A 23 year-old female had a giant cell tumor originating in the right temporal bone. A diagnosis was maed by biopsy. Microscopically it was sarcomatous in part. Two courses of radiation therapy, each total dose being 6000 rads and 3000 rads in air, were employed with good subjective response for a short duration. However, the tumor involving the petrous bone and the mastoid process extended, invading the epipharynx and the clivus. The patient died one year after onset.", "contents": "Giant cell tumor of the skull. A 23 year-old female had a giant cell tumor originating in the right temporal bone. A diagnosis was maed by biopsy. Microscopically it was sarcomatous in part. Two courses of radiation therapy, each total dose being 6000 rads and 3000 rads in air, were employed with good subjective response for a short duration. However, the tumor involving the petrous bone and the mastoid process extended, invading the epipharynx and the clivus. The patient died one year after onset.", "PMID": 635765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10579", "title": "Observations on moyamoya disease: a case treated with superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.", "content": "A 24-year-old Caucasian woman with Moyamoya disease was treated by a superficial temporal, middle cerebral artery anastomosis. Her pre and postoperative angiograms revealed that the telangiectatic network in the region of the basal ganglion served as a transcerebral collateral circulation from the internal carotid artery proximal to its occlusion to the cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. The transit through two capillary systems (basal ganglia and cortical) explains the slow circulation time. Prompt venous drainage was seen to occur once a more direct collateral supply was established by the superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.", "contents": "Observations on moyamoya disease: a case treated with superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis. A 24-year-old Caucasian woman with Moyamoya disease was treated by a superficial temporal, middle cerebral artery anastomosis. Her pre and postoperative angiograms revealed that the telangiectatic network in the region of the basal ganglion served as a transcerebral collateral circulation from the internal carotid artery proximal to its occlusion to the cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. The transit through two capillary systems (basal ganglia and cortical) explains the slow circulation time. Prompt venous drainage was seen to occur once a more direct collateral supply was established by the superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.", "PMID": 635766} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10580", "title": "Spinal epidural empyema with the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome.", "content": "A patient with an acute onset of the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome, in whom the etiology was a painless thoracic epidural empyema, is discussed. The case is a unique presentation for spinal epidural empyema and presents a rare extramedullary cause of the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome. Pertinent literature for spinal epidural empyema is reviewed.", "contents": "Spinal epidural empyema with the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome. A patient with an acute onset of the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome, in whom the etiology was a painless thoracic epidural empyema, is discussed. The case is a unique presentation for spinal epidural empyema and presents a rare extramedullary cause of the Brown-S\u00e9quard syndrome. Pertinent literature for spinal epidural empyema is reviewed.", "PMID": 635767} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10581", "title": "Embryonal carcinoma with teratomatous elements in the region of the pineal gland.", "content": "An embryonal carcinoma with teratomatous elements arising in the region of the pineal gland of an eight-year-old boy is reported. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgical intervention failed, and he died 16 months after the onset of the symptoms. His clinical and autopsy findings are described.", "contents": "Embryonal carcinoma with teratomatous elements in the region of the pineal gland. An embryonal carcinoma with teratomatous elements arising in the region of the pineal gland of an eight-year-old boy is reported. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgical intervention failed, and he died 16 months after the onset of the symptoms. His clinical and autopsy findings are described.", "PMID": 635768} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10582", "title": "Somatosensory evoked potentials in acute spinal cord injury: prognostic value.", "content": "The somatosensory evoked potential is absent in patients with complete motor and sensory loss below the level of spinal cord injury. When spinal cord injury is incomplete, these alterations in potential may be elicited from stimulation of a nerve entering the cord below the level of injury. The presence of such potentials soon after injury, or their early return, and progressive normalization of the wave form are sensitive early indications of favorable prognosis. Indeed, recovery of the somatosensory evoked potentials frequently precedes major clinical improvement and may occur in advance of clinical recovery or posterior column function.", "contents": "Somatosensory evoked potentials in acute spinal cord injury: prognostic value. The somatosensory evoked potential is absent in patients with complete motor and sensory loss below the level of spinal cord injury. When spinal cord injury is incomplete, these alterations in potential may be elicited from stimulation of a nerve entering the cord below the level of injury. The presence of such potentials soon after injury, or their early return, and progressive normalization of the wave form are sensitive early indications of favorable prognosis. Indeed, recovery of the somatosensory evoked potentials frequently precedes major clinical improvement and may occur in advance of clinical recovery or posterior column function.", "PMID": 635769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10583", "title": "Effect on canine cerebral blood flow of two common pressor agents during prolonged halothane anesthesia.", "content": "Inasmuch as prolonged halothane anesthesia is often associated with hypotension, the effects of pressor agents possibly employed to adjust this hypotension on cerebral blood flow are of interest. In dogs, after prolonged halothane anesthesia, there was a marked difference in the effects of phenylephrine and angiotensin on cerebral blood flow at dosages which promote moderate rises in blood pressure. Phenylephrine had no effect whereas angiotensin had a significantly enhancing effect on cerebral blood flow.", "contents": "Effect on canine cerebral blood flow of two common pressor agents during prolonged halothane anesthesia. Inasmuch as prolonged halothane anesthesia is often associated with hypotension, the effects of pressor agents possibly employed to adjust this hypotension on cerebral blood flow are of interest. In dogs, after prolonged halothane anesthesia, there was a marked difference in the effects of phenylephrine and angiotensin on cerebral blood flow at dosages which promote moderate rises in blood pressure. Phenylephrine had no effect whereas angiotensin had a significantly enhancing effect on cerebral blood flow.", "PMID": 635770} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10584", "title": "Small bowel obstruction as a complication of disseminated varicella-zoster infection.", "content": "A 40-year-old woman with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and mixed cryoglobulinemia, treated with corticosteroids, presented with small bowel obstruction temporally associated with cutaneous varicella-zoster (V-Z) infection. At laparotomy a portion of inflamed, necrotic small bowel was resected. Cells in the margin of the lesion exhibited characteristic intranuclear inclusion bodies. This case report emphasizes the multiple organ involvement that can occur with disseminated V-Z infection. Despite the rarity of gastrointestinal involvement, this infection must be included in the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen in patients with cutaneous vesicles.", "contents": "Small bowel obstruction as a complication of disseminated varicella-zoster infection. A 40-year-old woman with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and mixed cryoglobulinemia, treated with corticosteroids, presented with small bowel obstruction temporally associated with cutaneous varicella-zoster (V-Z) infection. At laparotomy a portion of inflamed, necrotic small bowel was resected. Cells in the margin of the lesion exhibited characteristic intranuclear inclusion bodies. This case report emphasizes the multiple organ involvement that can occur with disseminated V-Z infection. Despite the rarity of gastrointestinal involvement, this infection must be included in the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen in patients with cutaneous vesicles.", "PMID": 635773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10585", "title": "Giving and getting surgery in Utah: an urban-rural comparison.", "content": "Using the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare records for 1 year in Utah, we examined the pattern of surgical performance for 15 selected procedures. Only 60% of those identifying themselves as general surgeons had their specialty boards. General practitioners performed 24% of the procedures. Urban general practitioners performed proportionately more surgery than did their rural counterparts. There was no clear pattern of difference in fees or length of stay by specialty or board certification status. For most procedures studied, at least a third of the rural patients had their operations in urban hospitals. In only 3% of the cases did an urban physician operate in a rural hospital. The pattern of surgery for rural and urban residents was strikingly similar.", "contents": "Giving and getting surgery in Utah: an urban-rural comparison. Using the Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare records for 1 year in Utah, we examined the pattern of surgical performance for 15 selected procedures. Only 60% of those identifying themselves as general surgeons had their specialty boards. General practitioners performed 24% of the procedures. Urban general practitioners performed proportionately more surgery than did their rural counterparts. There was no clear pattern of difference in fees or length of stay by specialty or board certification status. For most procedures studied, at least a third of the rural patients had their operations in urban hospitals. In only 3% of the cases did an urban physician operate in a rural hospital. The pattern of surgery for rural and urban residents was strikingly similar.", "PMID": 635774} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10586", "title": "Maintenance of viable arterial allografts by cryopreservation.", "content": "An experimental study, designed to investigate the feasibility of maintaining fresh, viable arterial allografts by cryopreservation, is presented. Cryopreserved femoral arterial allografts were shown to be equal in patency rate when compared with fresh controls. The cryopreserved allografts were shown to be superior to fresh allografts in the parameters of intimal integrity, absence of host rejection, and reduced surface thrombogenicity. This experimental study supports the thesis that cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen, utilizing 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylprednisolone as a cryoprotectant solution, is an excellent method of preserving and storing fresh allograft arteries for use as a small vessel replacement.", "contents": "Maintenance of viable arterial allografts by cryopreservation. An experimental study, designed to investigate the feasibility of maintaining fresh, viable arterial allografts by cryopreservation, is presented. Cryopreserved femoral arterial allografts were shown to be equal in patency rate when compared with fresh controls. The cryopreserved allografts were shown to be superior to fresh allografts in the parameters of intimal integrity, absence of host rejection, and reduced surface thrombogenicity. This experimental study supports the thesis that cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen, utilizing 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylprednisolone as a cryoprotectant solution, is an excellent method of preserving and storing fresh allograft arteries for use as a small vessel replacement.", "PMID": 635775} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10587", "title": "Automated perimetry: background, instruments and methods.", "content": "The goal of automated perimetry is to reduce perimetrist involvement and testing time while maintaining standardized test conditions. Proper calibration of the perimeter background luminance and target intensity is important so that results can be compared between examinations and machines. Three testing procedures may be used alone or in combination: kinetic, threshold static and suprathreshold static perimetry. The Octopus and the Perimetron are fully automated perimeters. The former uses threshold static perimetry while the latter uses kinetic and suprathreshold static perimetry. They are operated by small-sized microprocessors using miniature silicone chip circuitry. They are accurately calibrated, fulfilling the specifications deemed necessary by visual psychophysicists. Although data display and plotting problems still exist, automated perimetry is ready for thorough comparisons with Goldmann and T\u00fcbinger manual perimetry.", "contents": "Automated perimetry: background, instruments and methods. The goal of automated perimetry is to reduce perimetrist involvement and testing time while maintaining standardized test conditions. Proper calibration of the perimeter background luminance and target intensity is important so that results can be compared between examinations and machines. Three testing procedures may be used alone or in combination: kinetic, threshold static and suprathreshold static perimetry. The Octopus and the Perimetron are fully automated perimeters. The former uses threshold static perimetry while the latter uses kinetic and suprathreshold static perimetry. They are operated by small-sized microprocessors using miniature silicone chip circuitry. They are accurately calibrated, fulfilling the specifications deemed necessary by visual psychophysicists. Although data display and plotting problems still exist, automated perimetry is ready for thorough comparisons with Goldmann and T\u00fcbinger manual perimetry.", "PMID": 635771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10588", "title": "In vivo observations on arterial micrografts.", "content": "Few investigations have been made to date on the in vivo behavior of blood vessel grafts. An experimental model is described which permits continuous monitoring of grafted arteries both by gross examination and by in vivo microscopy. Allografts and autografts of the central ear arteries of rabbits, 0.5 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length, were transplanted in rabbit ears and subsequently enclosed with transparent plastic discs on each surface of the ear in place of the reflected skin. Allograft segments showed decreased vasomotor activity by about 3 weeks after grafting, whereas the recipient arteries and autograft segments retained their activity. Reduced activity of allograft segments was confirmed by their poor responses to vasoactive drugs. Many allografts thrombosed due to immune reaction between 3 and 8 weeks after grafting. Allografts that survived this episode went on functioning as efficient conduits of blood for many months thereafter.", "contents": "In vivo observations on arterial micrografts. Few investigations have been made to date on the in vivo behavior of blood vessel grafts. An experimental model is described which permits continuous monitoring of grafted arteries both by gross examination and by in vivo microscopy. Allografts and autografts of the central ear arteries of rabbits, 0.5 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length, were transplanted in rabbit ears and subsequently enclosed with transparent plastic discs on each surface of the ear in place of the reflected skin. Allograft segments showed decreased vasomotor activity by about 3 weeks after grafting, whereas the recipient arteries and autograft segments retained their activity. Reduced activity of allograft segments was confirmed by their poor responses to vasoactive drugs. Many allografts thrombosed due to immune reaction between 3 and 8 weeks after grafting. Allografts that survived this episode went on functioning as efficient conduits of blood for many months thereafter.", "PMID": 635776} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10589", "title": "The response of canine veins to three types of abdominal surgery: a scanning and transmission electron microscopic study.", "content": "Several studies have suggested that events which initiate deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occur in the early postoperative or interoperative period. Since DVT is a complication of many surgical procedures, an understanding of the early events which initiate DVT would be highly desirable. We have studied these events in a canine surgical model. The early response of the endothelium and the adhesion of blood elements to the luminal surface of veins was compared following three types of surgical trauma. Sixteen dogs were divided into four groups (control, splenectomy, hysterectomy, intestinal anastomoses) of four animals each. Blood was removed by perfusion 4 hours after anesthesia alone (control dogs) or anesthesia and surgery (experimental dogs). Jugular veins were removed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Veins from control dogs were covered by a continuous sheet of endothelial cells with some pseudopod formation and minor deposition and adhesion of cellular and noncellular material on the luminal surface. The response of veins from experimental animals varied considerably in the three types of surgery studied. The least-affected veins were those from splenectomized animals. These veins had patchy areas of cellular and noncellular material (10 veins) and occasional microthrombi deposited on the luminal surface (one vein). The veins from dogs subjected to hysterectomy exhibited greater endothelial alteration, including crater formation (two veins) and more cellular adhesion, particularly erythrocytes (eight veins). The veins from intestinal anastomoses animals exhibited the greatest response. In these animals there was considerable cellular and noncellular material deposited on the luminal surface of six veins from three of the four animals. The cellular material consisted primarily of erythrocytes and leukocytes, and the noncellular material was an amorphous granular substance. The other two veins were similar in appearance to the control veins. These findings would support the concept that deep venous thrombosis can begin in the interoperative or early postoperative period and that therapeutic intervention in the preoperative and interoperative periods might help prevent subsequent DVT.", "contents": "The response of canine veins to three types of abdominal surgery: a scanning and transmission electron microscopic study. Several studies have suggested that events which initiate deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occur in the early postoperative or interoperative period. Since DVT is a complication of many surgical procedures, an understanding of the early events which initiate DVT would be highly desirable. We have studied these events in a canine surgical model. The early response of the endothelium and the adhesion of blood elements to the luminal surface of veins was compared following three types of surgical trauma. Sixteen dogs were divided into four groups (control, splenectomy, hysterectomy, intestinal anastomoses) of four animals each. Blood was removed by perfusion 4 hours after anesthesia alone (control dogs) or anesthesia and surgery (experimental dogs). Jugular veins were removed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Veins from control dogs were covered by a continuous sheet of endothelial cells with some pseudopod formation and minor deposition and adhesion of cellular and noncellular material on the luminal surface. The response of veins from experimental animals varied considerably in the three types of surgery studied. The least-affected veins were those from splenectomized animals. These veins had patchy areas of cellular and noncellular material (10 veins) and occasional microthrombi deposited on the luminal surface (one vein). The veins from dogs subjected to hysterectomy exhibited greater endothelial alteration, including crater formation (two veins) and more cellular adhesion, particularly erythrocytes (eight veins). The veins from intestinal anastomoses animals exhibited the greatest response. In these animals there was considerable cellular and noncellular material deposited on the luminal surface of six veins from three of the four animals. The cellular material consisted primarily of erythrocytes and leukocytes, and the noncellular material was an amorphous granular substance. The other two veins were similar in appearance to the control veins. These findings would support the concept that deep venous thrombosis can begin in the interoperative or early postoperative period and that therapeutic intervention in the preoperative and interoperative periods might help prevent subsequent DVT.", "PMID": 635777} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10590", "title": "Entrapment of sized emboli by the KMA-Greenfield intracaval filter.", "content": "Clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the Kim-Ray Greenfield vena caval filter in the management of pulmonary emboli have stimulated efforts to accurately define this filter's capability to entrap sized emboli and maintain caval patency. Twenty-three dogs had filters inserted and positioned distal to the renal veins. Radiopaque emboli measuring 2 to 5 mm were introduced via the femoral vein. Cineradiography allowed direct observation of emboli capture and filter flow dynamics. Probability of entrapment was found to be related to (1) emboli size, (2) depth of filling of the conical-shaped filter by prior entrapment of emboli, and (3) absence of distal venous hypertension. The geometric design of the filter, which allows progressive vertical filling while maintaining circumferential blood flow, is thought to be responsible for entrapment of emboli and avoidance of venous thrombosis and hypertension.", "contents": "Entrapment of sized emboli by the KMA-Greenfield intracaval filter. Clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the Kim-Ray Greenfield vena caval filter in the management of pulmonary emboli have stimulated efforts to accurately define this filter's capability to entrap sized emboli and maintain caval patency. Twenty-three dogs had filters inserted and positioned distal to the renal veins. Radiopaque emboli measuring 2 to 5 mm were introduced via the femoral vein. Cineradiography allowed direct observation of emboli capture and filter flow dynamics. Probability of entrapment was found to be related to (1) emboli size, (2) depth of filling of the conical-shaped filter by prior entrapment of emboli, and (3) absence of distal venous hypertension. The geometric design of the filter, which allows progressive vertical filling while maintaining circumferential blood flow, is thought to be responsible for entrapment of emboli and avoidance of venous thrombosis and hypertension.", "PMID": 635779} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10591", "title": "Planned extra-anatomic cerebral revascularization for carotid artery ligation.", "content": "Cerebral revascularization, using extra-anatomic bypass grafts of autologous saphenous vein, was performed in three patients to prevent or to compensate for ischemic effects of emergency ligation of a carotid artery. These ligations were required after spontaneous disruption of common carotid arteries in patients with previous irradiation and radical head and neck surgery. External-carotid-to-external-carotid cross-over (submandibular) bypass graft was performed once, and ipsilateral axillointernal carotid bypass grafts twice. The role of infection in carotid artery rupture, the unpredictable nature and different mechanisms of cerebral malfunctions after carotid ligation, technical details of extra-anatomic bypass grafts, and anatomic considerations in the prevention of recurrent infection and bleeding are discussed. A planned approach of cerebral revascularization at the time of ligation appears to be preferable to a fortuitous outcome. Neurological disability and death from cerebral ischemia can be prevented by using extraanatomic bypass vein grafts.", "contents": "Planned extra-anatomic cerebral revascularization for carotid artery ligation. Cerebral revascularization, using extra-anatomic bypass grafts of autologous saphenous vein, was performed in three patients to prevent or to compensate for ischemic effects of emergency ligation of a carotid artery. These ligations were required after spontaneous disruption of common carotid arteries in patients with previous irradiation and radical head and neck surgery. External-carotid-to-external-carotid cross-over (submandibular) bypass graft was performed once, and ipsilateral axillointernal carotid bypass grafts twice. The role of infection in carotid artery rupture, the unpredictable nature and different mechanisms of cerebral malfunctions after carotid ligation, technical details of extra-anatomic bypass grafts, and anatomic considerations in the prevention of recurrent infection and bleeding are discussed. A planned approach of cerebral revascularization at the time of ligation appears to be preferable to a fortuitous outcome. Neurological disability and death from cerebral ischemia can be prevented by using extraanatomic bypass vein grafts.", "PMID": 635780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10592", "title": "Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with massive angioinvasion: extension of tumor thrombus to the heart.", "content": "Angioinvasion is a well documented microscopic characteristic of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. Patients with untreated tumors may die from local invasion or metastases to the lungs, bones, or other organs. A less well recognized cause of morbidity and death from this neoplasm is angioinvasion of cervical veins with direct extension into the great veins of the chest, to the heart. Six instances of this complication have been reported previously. The most common clinical presentation of patients with neoplastic thrombus within the great veins is the superior vena cava syndrome. In each case the patient died as a result of the vascular or cardiac involvement, shortly after diagnosis. The patient reported is the first in which follicular carcinoma with extensive angioinvasion was treated. A clinical diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome was confirmed by angiographic studies. Resection of the primary thyroid tumor and the angioinvasive extension to the heart plus 131I therapy have controlled the malignancy for at least 3 years.", "contents": "Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with massive angioinvasion: extension of tumor thrombus to the heart. Angioinvasion is a well documented microscopic characteristic of follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. Patients with untreated tumors may die from local invasion or metastases to the lungs, bones, or other organs. A less well recognized cause of morbidity and death from this neoplasm is angioinvasion of cervical veins with direct extension into the great veins of the chest, to the heart. Six instances of this complication have been reported previously. The most common clinical presentation of patients with neoplastic thrombus within the great veins is the superior vena cava syndrome. In each case the patient died as a result of the vascular or cardiac involvement, shortly after diagnosis. The patient reported is the first in which follicular carcinoma with extensive angioinvasion was treated. A clinical diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome was confirmed by angiographic studies. Resection of the primary thyroid tumor and the angioinvasive extension to the heart plus 131I therapy have controlled the malignancy for at least 3 years.", "PMID": 635781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10593", "title": "The effect of insulin on bile-salt-independent canalicular secretion.", "content": "Mongrel dogs were prepared by cholecystectomy, ligation of the lesser pancreatic duct, and insertion of gastric and duodenal cannulas. The common bile duct was cannulated through the duodenal fistula. After stabilization of bile flow by intravenous infusion of sodium taurocholate, the dogs received an intravenous injection of insulin or 0.9% NaCl (control). This procedure was repeated with varying concentrations of sodium taurocholate to obtain taurocholate dose-response tests with and without insulin. Insulin caused marked increases in bile flow and the biliary clearance of erythritol, with no increase in bile-salt output The regression of bile-salt output on erythritol clearance was calculated for experiments with and without insulin. The resulting lines were compared by covariate analysis, which revealed a significantly higher intercept during insulin choleresis. This observation demonstrated that insulin stimulated the bile-salt-independent fraction of canalicular bile formation.", "contents": "The effect of insulin on bile-salt-independent canalicular secretion. Mongrel dogs were prepared by cholecystectomy, ligation of the lesser pancreatic duct, and insertion of gastric and duodenal cannulas. The common bile duct was cannulated through the duodenal fistula. After stabilization of bile flow by intravenous infusion of sodium taurocholate, the dogs received an intravenous injection of insulin or 0.9% NaCl (control). This procedure was repeated with varying concentrations of sodium taurocholate to obtain taurocholate dose-response tests with and without insulin. Insulin caused marked increases in bile flow and the biliary clearance of erythritol, with no increase in bile-salt output The regression of bile-salt output on erythritol clearance was calculated for experiments with and without insulin. The resulting lines were compared by covariate analysis, which revealed a significantly higher intercept during insulin choleresis. This observation demonstrated that insulin stimulated the bile-salt-independent fraction of canalicular bile formation.", "PMID": 635782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10594", "title": "Ureteral pathology associated with aortic surgery: a report of three unusual cases.", "content": "Intravenous pyelography is a necessary prerequisite to safe aortic surgery. Although urological complications of aortic pathology have been recognzized for 30 years, visualization of the urinary tract has not necessarily been routine practice in preoperative planning. With increasing frequency of aortic reconstruction, careful preoperative evaluation will continue to lower morbidity and mortality rates. Three unusual cases--one of perigraft ureteral fibrosis causing obstruction, one of ureteral obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis, and one of ureterocutaneous fistula in a patient with an infected aortic prosthesis--are reviewed. These uncommon problems support the contention that information gained from routine excretory urograms will aid in careful preoperative assessment. Furthermore, the intravenous pyelogram will facilitate early recognition of postoperative urological complications.", "contents": "Ureteral pathology associated with aortic surgery: a report of three unusual cases. Intravenous pyelography is a necessary prerequisite to safe aortic surgery. Although urological complications of aortic pathology have been recognzized for 30 years, visualization of the urinary tract has not necessarily been routine practice in preoperative planning. With increasing frequency of aortic reconstruction, careful preoperative evaluation will continue to lower morbidity and mortality rates. Three unusual cases--one of perigraft ureteral fibrosis causing obstruction, one of ureteral obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis, and one of ureterocutaneous fistula in a patient with an infected aortic prosthesis--are reviewed. These uncommon problems support the contention that information gained from routine excretory urograms will aid in careful preoperative assessment. Furthermore, the intravenous pyelogram will facilitate early recognition of postoperative urological complications.", "PMID": 635783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10595", "title": "Intraoperative autotransfusion in elective and emergency vascular surgery.", "content": "Intraoperative autotransfusion was studied in 62 patients undergoing elective or emergency thoracic or abdominal vascular surgery systemic heparinization. The results in 58 patients who received a mean autotransfusion volume of 1.8 liters were compared with a group of four patients in whom 9 liters of blood was autotransfused. The quality of the autotransfused blood also was studied and was shown to have a normal platelet count (mean, 144,000/cu mm) and normal fibrinogen value (mean, 212 mg%). No significant differences in the hematological or coagulation parameters measured were detected in the groups given moderate or massive autotransfusion. The mean homologous blood requirement during the hospital admission in the \"moderate\" group was 300 ml and in the \"massive\" group 1,000 ml. With careful technique excessive hemolysis or pulmonary microaggregate embolism does not occur; 75% of patients required no homologous blood throughout their hospital admission. No complications which would be attributed to autotransfusion were seen in either group. It is concluded that intraoperative autotransfusion is safe and effective and deserves wider application.", "contents": "Intraoperative autotransfusion in elective and emergency vascular surgery. Intraoperative autotransfusion was studied in 62 patients undergoing elective or emergency thoracic or abdominal vascular surgery systemic heparinization. The results in 58 patients who received a mean autotransfusion volume of 1.8 liters were compared with a group of four patients in whom 9 liters of blood was autotransfused. The quality of the autotransfused blood also was studied and was shown to have a normal platelet count (mean, 144,000/cu mm) and normal fibrinogen value (mean, 212 mg%). No significant differences in the hematological or coagulation parameters measured were detected in the groups given moderate or massive autotransfusion. The mean homologous blood requirement during the hospital admission in the \"moderate\" group was 300 ml and in the \"massive\" group 1,000 ml. With careful technique excessive hemolysis or pulmonary microaggregate embolism does not occur; 75% of patients required no homologous blood throughout their hospital admission. No complications which would be attributed to autotransfusion were seen in either group. It is concluded that intraoperative autotransfusion is safe and effective and deserves wider application.", "PMID": 635784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10596", "title": "Acute superior mesenteric arterial occlusion: a plea for early diagnosis.", "content": "Acute mesenteric arterial occlusion is a curable disease, provided it is diagnosed and treated before irreversible changes occur in the ischemic bowel. Forty patients treated for proven mesenteric arterial occlusion were evaluated retrospectively in an effort to broaden the existing criteria for early diagnosis. Twenty-three patients suffered from mesenteric thrombosis and 17 sustained embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. The overall mortality rate was 77.5% (31 of 40 patients). Three patients survived without bowel resection. The appearance of acute abdominal pain accompanied by profuse cold sweating in a cardiac patient with apparently normal abdomen, hyperactive bowel sounds, and a history of embolic events should always raise the suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia and should be verified immediately by mesenteric angiography. A high index of suspicion, aggressive measures for early diagnosis, and early operative treatment are presently the only possibilities to provide a better outcome.", "contents": "Acute superior mesenteric arterial occlusion: a plea for early diagnosis. Acute mesenteric arterial occlusion is a curable disease, provided it is diagnosed and treated before irreversible changes occur in the ischemic bowel. Forty patients treated for proven mesenteric arterial occlusion were evaluated retrospectively in an effort to broaden the existing criteria for early diagnosis. Twenty-three patients suffered from mesenteric thrombosis and 17 sustained embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. The overall mortality rate was 77.5% (31 of 40 patients). Three patients survived without bowel resection. The appearance of acute abdominal pain accompanied by profuse cold sweating in a cardiac patient with apparently normal abdomen, hyperactive bowel sounds, and a history of embolic events should always raise the suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia and should be verified immediately by mesenteric angiography. A high index of suspicion, aggressive measures for early diagnosis, and early operative treatment are presently the only possibilities to provide a better outcome.", "PMID": 635786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10597", "title": "[Antibiotic residues in bovine udders passed for consumption and meats containing milk-gland tissues (author's transl)].", "content": "Residues of identifiable antibiotics were found to be present in approximately 8.1 per cent of 999 bovine udders. In order to form an opinion on the consequences to consumers, the extent to which using milk-gland tissues results in the presence of detectable antibiotic residues in meats, was studied. For this purpose, 797 samples of meats were examined for antibiotic residues during the period from August to December 1976. The samples came from all over the country. Having been screened, the positive samples were examined by high-voltage electrophoresis on agar gel. The number of samples found to contain antibiotic residues could not be neglected. The results of these studies show that incorporating udder tissues in meats and meat-containing products is not acceptable without closer examination. It is doubted whether the decision to pass udders as fit for human consumption after palpation, incision and inspection is a correct procedure.", "contents": "[Antibiotic residues in bovine udders passed for consumption and meats containing milk-gland tissues (author's transl)]. Residues of identifiable antibiotics were found to be present in approximately 8.1 per cent of 999 bovine udders. In order to form an opinion on the consequences to consumers, the extent to which using milk-gland tissues results in the presence of detectable antibiotic residues in meats, was studied. For this purpose, 797 samples of meats were examined for antibiotic residues during the period from August to December 1976. The samples came from all over the country. Having been screened, the positive samples were examined by high-voltage electrophoresis on agar gel. The number of samples found to contain antibiotic residues could not be neglected. The results of these studies show that incorporating udder tissues in meats and meat-containing products is not acceptable without closer examination. It is doubted whether the decision to pass udders as fit for human consumption after palpation, incision and inspection is a correct procedure.", "PMID": 635884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10598", "title": "[Studies on the Microbiological Quality of Mammary Gland Tissues (author's transl)].", "content": "During the period from August to December 1976, 239 bovine udders were examined for their microbiological quality. Counts were made of the total number of aerobes, anaerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform micro-organisms and staphylococci positive for coagulas and DNA-ase. The udders were examined for the presence or absence of Salmonella, E. coli and haemolytic streptococci. In addition, the Enterobacteriaceae were identified. The udders examined were from animals brought up for slaughter from all over the country. The studies were designed to examine whether udders are suited as raw material for products to be consumed by human individuals. The number of pathogenic bacteria isolated was found to be considerable and the average bacterial counts were rather high. The studies showed that the bacterial content of mammary-gland tissues has an adverse effect on the quality of raw meats made from these tissues so that they are not aceptable from the point of view of public health. Even when they are used as raw material for heated products, the risk of food poisoning caused by toxin produced by staphylococci cannot be entirely ruled out.", "contents": "[Studies on the Microbiological Quality of Mammary Gland Tissues (author's transl)]. During the period from August to December 1976, 239 bovine udders were examined for their microbiological quality. Counts were made of the total number of aerobes, anaerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform micro-organisms and staphylococci positive for coagulas and DNA-ase. The udders were examined for the presence or absence of Salmonella, E. coli and haemolytic streptococci. In addition, the Enterobacteriaceae were identified. The udders examined were from animals brought up for slaughter from all over the country. The studies were designed to examine whether udders are suited as raw material for products to be consumed by human individuals. The number of pathogenic bacteria isolated was found to be considerable and the average bacterial counts were rather high. The studies showed that the bacterial content of mammary-gland tissues has an adverse effect on the quality of raw meats made from these tissues so that they are not aceptable from the point of view of public health. Even when they are used as raw material for heated products, the risk of food poisoning caused by toxin produced by staphylococci cannot be entirely ruled out.", "PMID": 635885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10599", "title": "[To which extent do dogs, cats and farm animals compete with man in food consumption? (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparative calculation shows that approximately 80 million tons of \"edible concentrates\" which farm animals are fed and approximately 7.5 million tons of equivalent \"edible concentrates\" which dogs and cats are fed, are potentially lost each year for human consumption in the EC, the USA and Canada. These amounts could meet the nutritional requirements of approximately 400 million \"standard citizens\". Saving, for instance, 150 million world-citizen food equivalents by considerably reducing the number of domestic and farm animals in the western world will not afford any practical relief in regard to the enormous shortages which can be expected in the future. The share of cats and dogs in this consumption, being less than 10 per cent, is insignificant. Possible trebling of the population in the developing countries during the next fifty years will give rise to problems of an entirely different order of magnitude.", "contents": "[To which extent do dogs, cats and farm animals compete with man in food consumption? (author's transl)]. Comparative calculation shows that approximately 80 million tons of \"edible concentrates\" which farm animals are fed and approximately 7.5 million tons of equivalent \"edible concentrates\" which dogs and cats are fed, are potentially lost each year for human consumption in the EC, the USA and Canada. These amounts could meet the nutritional requirements of approximately 400 million \"standard citizens\". Saving, for instance, 150 million world-citizen food equivalents by considerably reducing the number of domestic and farm animals in the western world will not afford any practical relief in regard to the enormous shortages which can be expected in the future. The share of cats and dogs in this consumption, being less than 10 per cent, is insignificant. Possible trebling of the population in the developing countries during the next fifty years will give rise to problems of an entirely different order of magnitude.", "PMID": 635886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10600", "title": "[Nematodirus battus in the Netherlands (author's transl)].", "content": "Infestation with Nematodirus battus was found to be present in sheep imported from Great Britain. This is the first report on the presence of this parasite, which is highly pathogenic for young lambs, in the Netherlands.", "contents": "[Nematodirus battus in the Netherlands (author's transl)]. Infestation with Nematodirus battus was found to be present in sheep imported from Great Britain. This is the first report on the presence of this parasite, which is highly pathogenic for young lambs, in the Netherlands.", "PMID": 635887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10601", "title": "[Pulmonary adenomatosis (jaagsiekte) in imported sheep (author's transl)].", "content": "Pulmonary adenomatosis was diagnosed in a flock of Scottish Half-Bred sheep imported eighteen months previously. The differences between pulmonary adenomatosis (jaagsiekte) and chronic progressive pneumonia (zwoegerziekte) are stressed. These differences are clinical as well as morbid-anatomical and histological in character. This is the first time that pulmonary adenomatosis was reported as occurring in sheep in the Netherlands. The disease has not been reported in indigenous breeds of sheep.", "contents": "[Pulmonary adenomatosis (jaagsiekte) in imported sheep (author's transl)]. Pulmonary adenomatosis was diagnosed in a flock of Scottish Half-Bred sheep imported eighteen months previously. The differences between pulmonary adenomatosis (jaagsiekte) and chronic progressive pneumonia (zwoegerziekte) are stressed. These differences are clinical as well as morbid-anatomical and histological in character. This is the first time that pulmonary adenomatosis was reported as occurring in sheep in the Netherlands. The disease has not been reported in indigenous breeds of sheep.", "PMID": 635888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10602", "title": "Effect of oral administration of calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide gel and dihydrotachysterol on renal acidosis.", "content": "The effects of oral administration of calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide gel, dihydrotachysterol (DHT) and sodium bicarbonate on metabolic acidosis and plasma calcium and phosphate were studied in 7 patients with chronic renal failure. Single administration of calcium carbonate alleviated the acidosis and increased the urinary bicarbonate excretion. These effects were potentiated when aluminum hydroxide gel was administered in combination with calcium carbonate. The plasma calcium was increased by this combination therapy. The effects of these two agents on acidosis and plasma calcium were further enhanced by the additional administration of DHT. Urinary bicarbonate excretion was less during the treatment with aluminum hydroxide gel and calcium carbonate than with aluminum hydroxide gel and sodium bicarbonate, when the excretions were compared at the similar concentrations of plasma bicarbonate. Aluminum hydroxide gel and DHT are likely to enhance the effect of calcium carbonate, which works as an alkalinizing salt on acidosis, probably through increasing calcium absorption in the intestine. And the three agents suppress the leak of bicarbonate into the urine contributing to the improvement of acidosis.", "contents": "Effect of oral administration of calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide gel and dihydrotachysterol on renal acidosis. The effects of oral administration of calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide gel, dihydrotachysterol (DHT) and sodium bicarbonate on metabolic acidosis and plasma calcium and phosphate were studied in 7 patients with chronic renal failure. Single administration of calcium carbonate alleviated the acidosis and increased the urinary bicarbonate excretion. These effects were potentiated when aluminum hydroxide gel was administered in combination with calcium carbonate. The plasma calcium was increased by this combination therapy. The effects of these two agents on acidosis and plasma calcium were further enhanced by the additional administration of DHT. Urinary bicarbonate excretion was less during the treatment with aluminum hydroxide gel and calcium carbonate than with aluminum hydroxide gel and sodium bicarbonate, when the excretions were compared at the similar concentrations of plasma bicarbonate. Aluminum hydroxide gel and DHT are likely to enhance the effect of calcium carbonate, which works as an alkalinizing salt on acidosis, probably through increasing calcium absorption in the intestine. And the three agents suppress the leak of bicarbonate into the urine contributing to the improvement of acidosis.", "PMID": 635890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10603", "title": "Regulation of regional perfusion distribution in the lungs. Experimental model and effect of alveolar pressure.", "content": "An experimental model for studying changes in regional perfusion distribution in the lungs of a dog was described. The right upper lobe was separated in vivo from the rest of the lungs by a balloon catheter and gas exchange of the lobe was artificially done asynchronously with the rest of the lungs by using a gas of interest at a prescheduled aveolar pressure. 99mTc-albumin microsphere was the agent of choice for multiple sequential studies in one dog. Alveolar gas composition reached a plateau after the 4th inflation of the right upper lobe. Effect of alveolar pressure on regional perfusion distribution was studied by using nitrogen and air as exchange gases. Perfusion distribution in the right upper lobe was the least at the maximal alveolar pressure of 14 to 19 cm H2O, while it was the greatest at the tidal maximal alveolar pressure of 1 to-1cm H2O with either gas. Alveolar hyperinflation in a localized lung region due to the increase in regional alveolar pressure reduced regional perfusion distribution.", "contents": "Regulation of regional perfusion distribution in the lungs. Experimental model and effect of alveolar pressure. An experimental model for studying changes in regional perfusion distribution in the lungs of a dog was described. The right upper lobe was separated in vivo from the rest of the lungs by a balloon catheter and gas exchange of the lobe was artificially done asynchronously with the rest of the lungs by using a gas of interest at a prescheduled aveolar pressure. 99mTc-albumin microsphere was the agent of choice for multiple sequential studies in one dog. Alveolar gas composition reached a plateau after the 4th inflation of the right upper lobe. Effect of alveolar pressure on regional perfusion distribution was studied by using nitrogen and air as exchange gases. Perfusion distribution in the right upper lobe was the least at the maximal alveolar pressure of 14 to 19 cm H2O, while it was the greatest at the tidal maximal alveolar pressure of 1 to-1cm H2O with either gas. Alveolar hyperinflation in a localized lung region due to the increase in regional alveolar pressure reduced regional perfusion distribution.", "PMID": 635891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10604", "title": "The presence of new permeability factor in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its significance.", "content": "We have found a new permeability factor in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is non-dialyzable, heat stable, and long acting as compared to histamine or bradykinin which is short acting. It has no esterolytic nor smooth muscle contracting activities. It is not inhibited by anti-histamine drugs, soy bean trypsin inhibitor, DFP or Cl esterase inhibitor. It is independent of the kallikrein system. It has the common antigenicity with IgG Fc fragments. Its approximate molecular weight is about 55,000. So we tentatively call this permeability factor IgG-PF. Intravenous injections of HGG-anti-HGG immune complex, which has been formed by antigen-antibody reactions in 20 times antigen excess, into rats resulted in no immune complex nephritis. However, intravenous injections of HGG-anti-HGG immune complex with IgG-PF resulted in immune complex nephritis in rats. The above immune complex nephritis was inhibited by administrations of sulfapyridine but not by administrations of anti-histamine. These results indicate that IgG-PF plays some roles in the mechanism of immune complex nephritis.", "contents": "The presence of new permeability factor in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its significance. We have found a new permeability factor in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is non-dialyzable, heat stable, and long acting as compared to histamine or bradykinin which is short acting. It has no esterolytic nor smooth muscle contracting activities. It is not inhibited by anti-histamine drugs, soy bean trypsin inhibitor, DFP or Cl esterase inhibitor. It is independent of the kallikrein system. It has the common antigenicity with IgG Fc fragments. Its approximate molecular weight is about 55,000. So we tentatively call this permeability factor IgG-PF. Intravenous injections of HGG-anti-HGG immune complex, which has been formed by antigen-antibody reactions in 20 times antigen excess, into rats resulted in no immune complex nephritis. However, intravenous injections of HGG-anti-HGG immune complex with IgG-PF resulted in immune complex nephritis in rats. The above immune complex nephritis was inhibited by administrations of sulfapyridine but not by administrations of anti-histamine. These results indicate that IgG-PF plays some roles in the mechanism of immune complex nephritis.", "PMID": 635892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10605", "title": "Diagnosis of placental function by prediction curves for heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP).", "content": "In order to establish an effective diagnostic method for placental function using HSAP, the authors formulated two expressions to predict HSAP values for their rise before 38.7 weeks of gestation and declining after that; loge y = 1.03a-3.37 + 0.123x (i), and y = Y (1 + d/100( (ii), respectively. Further they prepared a chart of curves for these predicting expressions. The results obtained are as follows: (1) In normal pregnancies the deviation of prediction from measured values of HSAP was +/- 15% in 94% of the cases examined. (2) Many of cases of abnormal pregnancy showed a low level of HSAP, -15% or lower, and abnormal signs in HSAP pattern were found several days or weeks prior to the onset of fetal troubles. (3) Prolonged pregnancy with fetal troubles was able to be distinguished from \"false\" prolonged pregnancy. (4) In two consecutive pregnancies in the same woman, the courses of HSAP were strikingly consistent as far as both pregnancies were normal. The last fact suggests that the placental production of HSAP and its release into the maternal blood may be influenced by the individual constant a in expression (i). (5) It is recommended that the HSAP prediction curve is worthy to use as an easy screening method for placental function in the third trimester of pregnancy.", "contents": "Diagnosis of placental function by prediction curves for heat-stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP). In order to establish an effective diagnostic method for placental function using HSAP, the authors formulated two expressions to predict HSAP values for their rise before 38.7 weeks of gestation and declining after that; loge y = 1.03a-3.37 + 0.123x (i), and y = Y (1 + d/100( (ii), respectively. Further they prepared a chart of curves for these predicting expressions. The results obtained are as follows: (1) In normal pregnancies the deviation of prediction from measured values of HSAP was +/- 15% in 94% of the cases examined. (2) Many of cases of abnormal pregnancy showed a low level of HSAP, -15% or lower, and abnormal signs in HSAP pattern were found several days or weeks prior to the onset of fetal troubles. (3) Prolonged pregnancy with fetal troubles was able to be distinguished from \"false\" prolonged pregnancy. (4) In two consecutive pregnancies in the same woman, the courses of HSAP were strikingly consistent as far as both pregnancies were normal. The last fact suggests that the placental production of HSAP and its release into the maternal blood may be influenced by the individual constant a in expression (i). (5) It is recommended that the HSAP prediction curve is worthy to use as an easy screening method for placental function in the third trimester of pregnancy.", "PMID": 635893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10606", "title": "Urinary acid glycosaminoglycan in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (recessive type).", "content": "A biochemical study was carried out on the urine of an 18-year-old woman with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessive type E.b.d.r.). The urinary acid glycosaminoglycans were separated and subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses by gel filtration and column chromatography. A hyaluronic acid and the 0.5 M NaCl elution fraction were increased characteristically in the acid glycosaminoglycan.", "contents": "Urinary acid glycosaminoglycan in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (recessive type). A biochemical study was carried out on the urine of an 18-year-old woman with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessive type E.b.d.r.). The urinary acid glycosaminoglycans were separated and subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses by gel filtration and column chromatography. A hyaluronic acid and the 0.5 M NaCl elution fraction were increased characteristically in the acid glycosaminoglycan.", "PMID": 635894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10607", "title": "The simultaneous recording of the rhythmic contraction and electrical activity of the renal previs--a new in vitro method.", "content": "A new in vitro method which enables the simultaneous recording of the electromyogram from various regions of the renal pelvis and the pressure changes associated with those electrical activities is described in an experiment on canine kidney. At the proximal end of the renal pelvis, the interval of the electromyogram was constant and pelvic pressure changes showed rhythmic activity, while the discharge interval of the proximal end was the same as the pressure interval. However, the discharge intervals of both the pelvic center and the pelviureteric junction were found to be multiples of that of the proximal end of the pelvis.", "contents": "The simultaneous recording of the rhythmic contraction and electrical activity of the renal previs--a new in vitro method. A new in vitro method which enables the simultaneous recording of the electromyogram from various regions of the renal pelvis and the pressure changes associated with those electrical activities is described in an experiment on canine kidney. At the proximal end of the renal pelvis, the interval of the electromyogram was constant and pelvic pressure changes showed rhythmic activity, while the discharge interval of the proximal end was the same as the pressure interval. However, the discharge intervals of both the pelvic center and the pelviureteric junction were found to be multiples of that of the proximal end of the pelvis.", "PMID": 635895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10608", "title": "Listeria monocytogenes infection with brain abscess formation--the first case in Miyagi Prefecture.", "content": "A rare type of brain abscess formation caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes was observed in a 2-year-old boy. The patient did not respond to treatment with various antibiotics. The isolated organisms were found to be sero-type 4b. This is the first report of Listeria monocytogenes infection in Miyagi Prefecture.", "contents": "Listeria monocytogenes infection with brain abscess formation--the first case in Miyagi Prefecture. A rare type of brain abscess formation caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes was observed in a 2-year-old boy. The patient did not respond to treatment with various antibiotics. The isolated organisms were found to be sero-type 4b. This is the first report of Listeria monocytogenes infection in Miyagi Prefecture.", "PMID": 635896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10609", "title": "Effect of furosemide on urinary kallikrein excretion in patients with essential hypertension.", "content": "The effect of furosemide on urinary kallikrein excretion was studied in 10 patients with essential hypertension and 9 normal volunteer subjects. After intravenous administration of furosemide and 2 hours of upright posture, urine volume (UV), urinary sodium (UNaV) and potassium (UKV) excretion, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and urinary kallikrein markedly increased. However, the augmentation of urinary kallikrein in patients with essential hypertension (1.50 +/- 0.19 EU/2 hr) was less remarkable than that in normal subjects (2.33 +/- 0.24 EU/2 hr), although the same degrees of response were observed in PRA and PAC. The increments of UV, UNaV and UKV in patients with essential hypertension were also significantly lower than in normal subjects. Significant positive relations were found between urinary kallikrein and UV or UNaV in both hypertensive and normotensive groups, but there was no such correlation before fursemide administration. It is likely that diuresis and natriuresis induced by furosemide are somehow associated with an increase in urinary kallikrein excretion. Blunted response of urinary kallikrein in essential hypertension may suggest an abnormality in the renal kallikrein-kinin system in this disease.", "contents": "Effect of furosemide on urinary kallikrein excretion in patients with essential hypertension. The effect of furosemide on urinary kallikrein excretion was studied in 10 patients with essential hypertension and 9 normal volunteer subjects. After intravenous administration of furosemide and 2 hours of upright posture, urine volume (UV), urinary sodium (UNaV) and potassium (UKV) excretion, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and urinary kallikrein markedly increased. However, the augmentation of urinary kallikrein in patients with essential hypertension (1.50 +/- 0.19 EU/2 hr) was less remarkable than that in normal subjects (2.33 +/- 0.24 EU/2 hr), although the same degrees of response were observed in PRA and PAC. The increments of UV, UNaV and UKV in patients with essential hypertension were also significantly lower than in normal subjects. Significant positive relations were found between urinary kallikrein and UV or UNaV in both hypertensive and normotensive groups, but there was no such correlation before fursemide administration. It is likely that diuresis and natriuresis induced by furosemide are somehow associated with an increase in urinary kallikrein excretion. Blunted response of urinary kallikrein in essential hypertension may suggest an abnormality in the renal kallikrein-kinin system in this disease.", "PMID": 635897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10610", "title": "Fine structure of the spleen in autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "The fine structures of the red pulp of the spleen and the liver of a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are described. The red blood cells were phagocytized in toto by the splenic macrophages. These also contained neutrophils and platelets in various stages of degradation. Sinus endothelial cells revealed occasional erythrophagocytosis. The Kupffer cells in the liver occasionally contained red cells and platelets. These morphological findings and marked improvement of hematological abnormalities following splenectomy suggested that the spleen was the major site of destruction of blood cells. Undulating tubules associated with the endoplasmic reticulum were present in the sinus endothelial cells of the spleen.", "contents": "Fine structure of the spleen in autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. The fine structures of the red pulp of the spleen and the liver of a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus are described. The red blood cells were phagocytized in toto by the splenic macrophages. These also contained neutrophils and platelets in various stages of degradation. Sinus endothelial cells revealed occasional erythrophagocytosis. The Kupffer cells in the liver occasionally contained red cells and platelets. These morphological findings and marked improvement of hematological abnormalities following splenectomy suggested that the spleen was the major site of destruction of blood cells. Undulating tubules associated with the endoplasmic reticulum were present in the sinus endothelial cells of the spleen.", "PMID": 635898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10611", "title": "Lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxalic transaminase isozymes in heart muscle of forensic pathological cases.", "content": "LDH and GOT isozyme patterns in the heart muscle of forensic pathological cases were investigated to find out the relationship between their changes and the causes of death. In most cases of death by violence, natural causes, poisoning and cold, the sum of LDH-1 and LDH-2 averaged about 80-90% of the total LDH, and GOTs was equal to or slightly lower than GOTm. In about two thirds of cases of asphyxia and drowning, LDH-1 and LDH-2 decreased and LDH-3, LDH-4 and LDH-5 increased. The activity of GOTs decreased and the ratio of GOTs/GOTm diminished. In neonate, LDH-3 showed the highest activity, followed by LDH-2 and LDH-1. GOTm was much less than GOTs. In most cases of cardiac death from unknown cause and cot death, LDH-3 increased remarkably, though it was less than LDH-1 and LDH-2, and GOTm became much less than GOTs. These findings revealed that there were some similarities in the LDH and GOT isozyme patterns in the heart muscle of the cardiac death from unknown cause and cot death and that of neonate.", "contents": "Lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxalic transaminase isozymes in heart muscle of forensic pathological cases. LDH and GOT isozyme patterns in the heart muscle of forensic pathological cases were investigated to find out the relationship between their changes and the causes of death. In most cases of death by violence, natural causes, poisoning and cold, the sum of LDH-1 and LDH-2 averaged about 80-90% of the total LDH, and GOTs was equal to or slightly lower than GOTm. In about two thirds of cases of asphyxia and drowning, LDH-1 and LDH-2 decreased and LDH-3, LDH-4 and LDH-5 increased. The activity of GOTs decreased and the ratio of GOTs/GOTm diminished. In neonate, LDH-3 showed the highest activity, followed by LDH-2 and LDH-1. GOTm was much less than GOTs. In most cases of cardiac death from unknown cause and cot death, LDH-3 increased remarkably, though it was less than LDH-1 and LDH-2, and GOTm became much less than GOTs. These findings revealed that there were some similarities in the LDH and GOT isozyme patterns in the heart muscle of the cardiac death from unknown cause and cot death and that of neonate.", "PMID": 635901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10612", "title": "Urinary prostaglandin and sodium metabolism in patients with essential hypertension.", "content": "Urinary prostaglandin E (PGE) excretion as an indicator of renal PGE, urinary aldosterone excretion, plasma renin activity, urinary sodium excretion, and urinary potassium excretion were measured after sodium depletion in 15 patients with essential hypertension to investigate the interaction between renal PGE and sodium metabolism. Following sodium depletion, urinary PGE excretion decreased, whereas urinary aldosterone excretion and plasma renin activity increased. Significant positive correlations were found between urinary PGE excretion and urinary sodium excretion (r=0.41, p less than 0.01) or urinary sodium excretion-urinary potassium excretion ratio (r = 0.43, p less than 0.005). These results support the hypothesis that the renal PGE may play an important role in the regulation of sodium metabolism and this action of PGE is independent of the renin-aldosterone system.", "contents": "Urinary prostaglandin and sodium metabolism in patients with essential hypertension. Urinary prostaglandin E (PGE) excretion as an indicator of renal PGE, urinary aldosterone excretion, plasma renin activity, urinary sodium excretion, and urinary potassium excretion were measured after sodium depletion in 15 patients with essential hypertension to investigate the interaction between renal PGE and sodium metabolism. Following sodium depletion, urinary PGE excretion decreased, whereas urinary aldosterone excretion and plasma renin activity increased. Significant positive correlations were found between urinary PGE excretion and urinary sodium excretion (r=0.41, p less than 0.01) or urinary sodium excretion-urinary potassium excretion ratio (r = 0.43, p less than 0.005). These results support the hypothesis that the renal PGE may play an important role in the regulation of sodium metabolism and this action of PGE is independent of the renin-aldosterone system.", "PMID": 635902} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10613", "title": "Morphogenesis of axial sclerosis and fibrosis following proliferative glomerulitis and their significance for the nephrotic syndrome.", "content": "Mode of development of axial sclerosis and fibrosis of glomerular loops following proliferative glomerulitis was studied on the basis of renal biopsies. The analyses of biopsy specimens revealed that mild proliferative glomerulitis with preservation of capillary structure is followed by axial sclerosis or sclerosis of mesangial area of glomerular loops, whereas marked or severe proliferative glomerulitis characterized by disorganization of glomerular architecture due to proliferation of local fixed cells with reticular arrangement, chiefly of endothelial origin, following histolysis of loop walls results in crowding of proliferated cells accompanied by formation of fibers along them toward axis of the loop (axial fibrosis) and recanalization at its periphery. It was also clarified that when cell proliferation and following axial fibrosis of glomerulus are pronounced, lobulation of glomerular loops associated with further formation of centrolobular nodules is brought about, which is the lesion characteristic of lobular glomerulonephritis. Some clinical features concerning these processes were presented and discussed, and significance of glomerular lesions here presented for the nephrotic syndrome was considered.", "contents": "Morphogenesis of axial sclerosis and fibrosis following proliferative glomerulitis and their significance for the nephrotic syndrome. Mode of development of axial sclerosis and fibrosis of glomerular loops following proliferative glomerulitis was studied on the basis of renal biopsies. The analyses of biopsy specimens revealed that mild proliferative glomerulitis with preservation of capillary structure is followed by axial sclerosis or sclerosis of mesangial area of glomerular loops, whereas marked or severe proliferative glomerulitis characterized by disorganization of glomerular architecture due to proliferation of local fixed cells with reticular arrangement, chiefly of endothelial origin, following histolysis of loop walls results in crowding of proliferated cells accompanied by formation of fibers along them toward axis of the loop (axial fibrosis) and recanalization at its periphery. It was also clarified that when cell proliferation and following axial fibrosis of glomerulus are pronounced, lobulation of glomerular loops associated with further formation of centrolobular nodules is brought about, which is the lesion characteristic of lobular glomerulonephritis. Some clinical features concerning these processes were presented and discussed, and significance of glomerular lesions here presented for the nephrotic syndrome was considered.", "PMID": 635903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10614", "title": "[Endolymphatic radionuclide therapy of the malignant melanoma (author's transl)].", "content": "In the radiological hospital of Essen, 139 patients with malignant melanomas on the extremities have been submitted to an endolymphatic radionuclide therapy between May 29, 1970 and January 1, 1976. The survival rates of the different tumor stages are indicated and the changes of the survival curves since the last evaluation of August 31, 1973 are discussed. If the endolymphatic radionuclide therapy is applied, there is no risk of important side effects or complications. If an adequate surgical therapy has been effected prior to the radiotherapy, we consider the endolymphatic radionuclide therapy to be indicated above all in case of a malignant melanoma of the clinical stage I or II when the primary tumor is situated in the lower extremity.", "contents": "[Endolymphatic radionuclide therapy of the malignant melanoma (author's transl)]. In the radiological hospital of Essen, 139 patients with malignant melanomas on the extremities have been submitted to an endolymphatic radionuclide therapy between May 29, 1970 and January 1, 1976. The survival rates of the different tumor stages are indicated and the changes of the survival curves since the last evaluation of August 31, 1973 are discussed. If the endolymphatic radionuclide therapy is applied, there is no risk of important side effects or complications. If an adequate surgical therapy has been effected prior to the radiotherapy, we consider the endolymphatic radionuclide therapy to be indicated above all in case of a malignant melanoma of the clinical stage I or II when the primary tumor is situated in the lower extremity.", "PMID": 635942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10615", "title": "[Radiation therapy of anal carcinome. Experiences in 28 cases during the years 1950 to 1975 (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1950 to 1975, there were 28 patients with anal cancer irradiated in the University Clinic for Nuclear Medicine of the Kantonsspital Z\u00fcrich. All patients with small and perianally situated tumors were cured by radiotherapy. In advanced lesions, the cure rate was about 10 to 20%. Our own results and a review of the literature shows, that in most cases of anal cancer surgical treatment should be preferred. Radiotherapy should be reserved for small and superficial perianal lesions and for inoperable lesions. Treatment results may be improved by a combined treatment with surgery and irradiation.", "contents": "[Radiation therapy of anal carcinome. Experiences in 28 cases during the years 1950 to 1975 (author's transl)]. From 1950 to 1975, there were 28 patients with anal cancer irradiated in the University Clinic for Nuclear Medicine of the Kantonsspital Z\u00fcrich. All patients with small and perianally situated tumors were cured by radiotherapy. In advanced lesions, the cure rate was about 10 to 20%. Our own results and a review of the literature shows, that in most cases of anal cancer surgical treatment should be preferred. Radiotherapy should be reserved for small and superficial perianal lesions and for inoperable lesions. Treatment results may be improved by a combined treatment with surgery and irradiation.", "PMID": 635943} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10616", "title": "[Results of radiotherapy of metastatic orbit tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of radiotherapy of 18 patients with metastatic orbit tumors were analyzed in a retrospective study. Twelve of fifteen evaluable patients were free of all symptoms immediately after the irratiation. The findings of two patients showed an amelioration, and one patient did not present any therapeutic success at all. The late results of twelve patients could be determined. Nine of them showed nn recurrence of the orbit tumor. Severe side effects, especially cataracts, could not be observed.", "contents": "[Results of radiotherapy of metastatic orbit tumors (author's transl)]. The results of radiotherapy of 18 patients with metastatic orbit tumors were analyzed in a retrospective study. Twelve of fifteen evaluable patients were free of all symptoms immediately after the irratiation. The findings of two patients showed an amelioration, and one patient did not present any therapeutic success at all. The late results of twelve patients could be determined. Nine of them showed nn recurrence of the orbit tumor. Severe side effects, especially cataracts, could not be observed.", "PMID": 635944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10617", "title": "CRE for brachytherapy.", "content": "Various methods suggested in literature for estimating the ret dose for brachytherapy treatments do not provide unique answers to treatment scheduling problems. These schemes are reviewed with the aim to find out the cause of disparity and to suggest the most consistent system. The variability of the various schemes with the variations of the exponent of time is studied and the CRE system with its minimum variation is advocated for use in solving brachytherapy treatment scheduling problems. The average value of the exponent of time and the corresponding normalizing constant is used to evaluate CRE for brachytherapy fro various dose rates with increasing periods of treatments. Use of the CRE for solving treatment scheduling problems is simplified by providing ready made estimation of CRE for various dose rates and treatment times. A nomogram is devised which gives CRE values for various values of exponent of time.", "contents": "CRE for brachytherapy. Various methods suggested in literature for estimating the ret dose for brachytherapy treatments do not provide unique answers to treatment scheduling problems. These schemes are reviewed with the aim to find out the cause of disparity and to suggest the most consistent system. The variability of the various schemes with the variations of the exponent of time is studied and the CRE system with its minimum variation is advocated for use in solving brachytherapy treatment scheduling problems. The average value of the exponent of time and the corresponding normalizing constant is used to evaluate CRE for brachytherapy fro various dose rates with increasing periods of treatments. Use of the CRE for solving treatment scheduling problems is simplified by providing ready made estimation of CRE for various dose rates and treatment times. A nomogram is devised which gives CRE values for various values of exponent of time.", "PMID": 635945} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10618", "title": "Mechanism of liver lipid accumulation in x-irradiated rat.", "content": "The incorporation, both in vivo and in vitro, of 14C-acetate into hepatic lipids, notably the triglyceride and free fatty acid fractions, is greatly reduced following whole-body irradiation and is indicative of significantly reduced lipogenesis. Irradiation results in a several-fold increase in fatty acid oxidation, by the liver in vitro as well as in the whole animal, during the phase of active hepatic lipid accumulation. Small increases in lipoprotein lipase activity of adipose, immediately following irradiation and up to 24 hours, and the attendant marked fall in adipose lipids are suggestive of increased mobilization of peripheral lipids during the early period. However, in view of the fact that the maximum lipid accumulation occurs very much later, inflow of extra-hepatic lipid into liver does not appear to be of major etiological significance. There is three-fold experimental evidence in support of an impairment of triglyceride transport from liver being primarily responsible for the build-up of liver lipids: (I) Triton WR-1339 induced hypertriglyceridemia is totally absent in the irradiated rat during the period when liver lipids increase significantly; (II) the rate of disappearance of radioactivity from pre-labeled hepatic lipids is considerably lower in the irradiated rats; and (III) the irradiated rats show decrease in lipoproteins of liver cell-sap and of serum, the latter being more marked and a lowered synthesis of the lipoproteins, as assessed by labeling of the protein moiety.", "contents": "Mechanism of liver lipid accumulation in x-irradiated rat. The incorporation, both in vivo and in vitro, of 14C-acetate into hepatic lipids, notably the triglyceride and free fatty acid fractions, is greatly reduced following whole-body irradiation and is indicative of significantly reduced lipogenesis. Irradiation results in a several-fold increase in fatty acid oxidation, by the liver in vitro as well as in the whole animal, during the phase of active hepatic lipid accumulation. Small increases in lipoprotein lipase activity of adipose, immediately following irradiation and up to 24 hours, and the attendant marked fall in adipose lipids are suggestive of increased mobilization of peripheral lipids during the early period. However, in view of the fact that the maximum lipid accumulation occurs very much later, inflow of extra-hepatic lipid into liver does not appear to be of major etiological significance. There is three-fold experimental evidence in support of an impairment of triglyceride transport from liver being primarily responsible for the build-up of liver lipids: (I) Triton WR-1339 induced hypertriglyceridemia is totally absent in the irradiated rat during the period when liver lipids increase significantly; (II) the rate of disappearance of radioactivity from pre-labeled hepatic lipids is considerably lower in the irradiated rats; and (III) the irradiated rats show decrease in lipoproteins of liver cell-sap and of serum, the latter being more marked and a lowered synthesis of the lipoproteins, as assessed by labeling of the protein moiety.", "PMID": 635946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10619", "title": "Studies on the intestinal parasites in African patients in Owamboland, South West Africa.", "content": "The paper gives the results of a survey of intestinal parasites among 501 in-patients drawn from four mission hospitals in Owambo and Kavango in northern South West Africa. Most of the patients (90%) were examined twice by the formol-ether concentration method, while the remaining 10% had one stool specimen examined. 10 species of helminths and 3 species of potentially-pathogenic protozoa were recorded--Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, Trichuris trichura, Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium, and Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Balantidium coli. The loads of Necator americanus were recorded in a few cases. The results are compared with those of some other Central and Southern African countries. 96 blood smears were examined for filaria and 46 patients were tested for bilharzia using the bilharzial skin test. Both groups gave only negative results.", "contents": "Studies on the intestinal parasites in African patients in Owamboland, South West Africa. The paper gives the results of a survey of intestinal parasites among 501 in-patients drawn from four mission hospitals in Owambo and Kavango in northern South West Africa. Most of the patients (90%) were examined twice by the formol-ether concentration method, while the remaining 10% had one stool specimen examined. 10 species of helminths and 3 species of potentially-pathogenic protozoa were recorded--Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, Trichuris trichura, Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium, and Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Balantidium coli. The loads of Necator americanus were recorded in a few cases. The results are compared with those of some other Central and Southern African countries. 96 blood smears were examined for filaria and 46 patients were tested for bilharzia using the bilharzial skin test. Both groups gave only negative results.", "PMID": 635971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10620", "title": "Bacterial colonization of jejunal mucosa in giardiasis.", "content": "Nine of 14 cases of giardiasis and severe malabsorption were found to have numerous bacteria adjacent to the mucosa and within luminal fluid samples from the upper jejunum. Three species of enterobacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and E. hafniae) were cultured from eight patients and from only one were Bacteroides isolated. Enterobacteria were not cultured from seven of eight patients who had giardiasis but only mild malabsorption (of xylose only) nor from seven patients without malabsorption. Intestinal colonization by enterobacteria may make an important contribution to the development of malabsorption in patients with giardiasis.", "contents": "Bacterial colonization of jejunal mucosa in giardiasis. Nine of 14 cases of giardiasis and severe malabsorption were found to have numerous bacteria adjacent to the mucosa and within luminal fluid samples from the upper jejunum. Three species of enterobacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and E. hafniae) were cultured from eight patients and from only one were Bacteroides isolated. Enterobacteria were not cultured from seven of eight patients who had giardiasis but only mild malabsorption (of xylose only) nor from seven patients without malabsorption. Intestinal colonization by enterobacteria may make an important contribution to the development of malabsorption in patients with giardiasis.", "PMID": 635972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10621", "title": "Central nervous system involvement in South American blastomycosis.", "content": "The authors present a patient with South American blastomycosis with cerebral involvement in whom a ventriculography and a cerebral arteriography showed a tumour at the level of the fourth ventricle. After six months of therapy, clinical cure of some lesions was obtained while the neurological picture of right hemiparesia remained unchanged. Surgery was performed and the histopathological study revealed a tuberculoid, granuloma-forming gumma. The literature is reviewed and comments are made on the cerebro-spinal fluid changes and the types of involvement of the nervous system. The neurological examination and the analysis of the cerebro-spinal fluid indicated that the relative frequency of central nervous system localization in South American blastomycosis was not in agreement with current thought.", "contents": "Central nervous system involvement in South American blastomycosis. The authors present a patient with South American blastomycosis with cerebral involvement in whom a ventriculography and a cerebral arteriography showed a tumour at the level of the fourth ventricle. After six months of therapy, clinical cure of some lesions was obtained while the neurological picture of right hemiparesia remained unchanged. Surgery was performed and the histopathological study revealed a tuberculoid, granuloma-forming gumma. The literature is reviewed and comments are made on the cerebro-spinal fluid changes and the types of involvement of the nervous system. The neurological examination and the analysis of the cerebro-spinal fluid indicated that the relative frequency of central nervous system localization in South American blastomycosis was not in agreement with current thought.", "PMID": 635973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10622", "title": "Effect of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole on vibrio clearance in cholera (El Tor): a comparative study.", "content": "The efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has been compared with that of tetracycline and chloramphenicol in 175 bacteriologically confirmed cases of cholera admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital Delhi. Vibrio cholerae, biotype El Tor, serotype ogawa, were isolated from all the patients. TMP-SMX showed greater in vitro inhibition and earlier eradication from the intestinal tract and is recommended as a suitable vibriocidal agent against cholera.", "contents": "Effect of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole on vibrio clearance in cholera (El Tor): a comparative study. The efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has been compared with that of tetracycline and chloramphenicol in 175 bacteriologically confirmed cases of cholera admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital Delhi. Vibrio cholerae, biotype El Tor, serotype ogawa, were isolated from all the patients. TMP-SMX showed greater in vitro inhibition and earlier eradication from the intestinal tract and is recommended as a suitable vibriocidal agent against cholera.", "PMID": 635974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10623", "title": "Visceral leishmaniasis masquerading as a nasopharyngeal tumour. Report of a case.", "content": "A 55-year-old male, a resident of a village in the foothills of the Himalayas in the north-western region of India, presented with a huge nasopharyngeal tumour but was subsequently found to be infected with Leishmania donovani, involving the nasopharyngeal tissue and the draining lymph nodes as well as a visceral infection.", "contents": "Visceral leishmaniasis masquerading as a nasopharyngeal tumour. Report of a case. A 55-year-old male, a resident of a village in the foothills of the Himalayas in the north-western region of India, presented with a huge nasopharyngeal tumour but was subsequently found to be infected with Leishmania donovani, involving the nasopharyngeal tissue and the draining lymph nodes as well as a visceral infection.", "PMID": 635975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10624", "title": "The epidemiology of tropical myositis in the Mengo Districts of Uganda.", "content": "In the five-year period 1964-68 1,335 patients were admitted to Mulago Hospital, Kampala, with tropical myositis. The marked increase in the number of admissions during the study period is attributed to a change in the utilization of the hospital rather than to a true increase in the incidence of the disease. There was found to be only slight variation in incidence between different age and sex groups and there was no convincing evidence that immigrants from high altitude areas, where the disease is rare, were at different risk. There was statistically significant month-to-month variation in admission rates but there was no apparent correlation with rainfall, and no marked seasonal variation. During the quinquennium there was a changing pattern of admission rates for patients from different counties, and some evidence of 'space-time' clustering. These findings are compatible with the primary muscle damage being induced by a virus or the presence of aberrant hookworm larvae, but an ingested toxin cannot be excluded. Trauma may also play a role in determining localization of the disease in some cases.", "contents": "The epidemiology of tropical myositis in the Mengo Districts of Uganda. In the five-year period 1964-68 1,335 patients were admitted to Mulago Hospital, Kampala, with tropical myositis. The marked increase in the number of admissions during the study period is attributed to a change in the utilization of the hospital rather than to a true increase in the incidence of the disease. There was found to be only slight variation in incidence between different age and sex groups and there was no convincing evidence that immigrants from high altitude areas, where the disease is rare, were at different risk. There was statistically significant month-to-month variation in admission rates but there was no apparent correlation with rainfall, and no marked seasonal variation. During the quinquennium there was a changing pattern of admission rates for patients from different counties, and some evidence of 'space-time' clustering. These findings are compatible with the primary muscle damage being induced by a virus or the presence of aberrant hookworm larvae, but an ingested toxin cannot be excluded. Trauma may also play a role in determining localization of the disease in some cases.", "PMID": 635976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10625", "title": "Macdonald's model and the transmission of bilharzia.", "content": "The paper considers a model for the transmission of bilharzia based on Macdonald's assumptions, in the light of data observed in the field. It is shown, in particular, that the threshold parameter governing whether or not an endemic cycle can be established is closely related to the proportion of infected snails in a community, and that this proportion is normally observed to be rather smaller than is compatible with the model. By considering more sophisticated models, allowing for the latent period of infection in the snails, and also for spatial and seasonal heterogeneity, the effective proportion of infected snails, from the point of view of Macdonald's model, is shown to be rather larger, and expressions are given whereby it can be evaluated from observable quantities. However, for the data from Malirong which are taken as illustration, it is also demonstrated that an even more plausible threshold value is obtained from a simple model incorporating human immunity in addition to the assumptions of Macdonald's model, and that, if this model were reasonable, human immunity would appear to be the most important factor in controlling the level of the disease in Malirong.", "contents": "Macdonald's model and the transmission of bilharzia. The paper considers a model for the transmission of bilharzia based on Macdonald's assumptions, in the light of data observed in the field. It is shown, in particular, that the threshold parameter governing whether or not an endemic cycle can be established is closely related to the proportion of infected snails in a community, and that this proportion is normally observed to be rather smaller than is compatible with the model. By considering more sophisticated models, allowing for the latent period of infection in the snails, and also for spatial and seasonal heterogeneity, the effective proportion of infected snails, from the point of view of Macdonald's model, is shown to be rather larger, and expressions are given whereby it can be evaluated from observable quantities. However, for the data from Malirong which are taken as illustration, it is also demonstrated that an even more plausible threshold value is obtained from a simple model incorporating human immunity in addition to the assumptions of Macdonald's model, and that, if this model were reasonable, human immunity would appear to be the most important factor in controlling the level of the disease in Malirong.", "PMID": 635979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10626", "title": "Antibody responses in self-infections with Necator americanus.", "content": "Antibody responses were measured in a volunteer infected four times with Necator americanus over a 27-month period. The main source of antigen was culture fluid in which living adult N. americanus had been maintained for several days. Antibodies to worm acetylcholinesterase and IgE antibodies were detected only with this material, but antibodies were identified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay, with either adult worm secretions or extracts of third-stage infective larvae. The total serum IgE level fell after the first infection, but although it then increased during subsequent infections, it never rose above 600 U per ml. None of the antibody responses suppressed the rat of worm development to maturity, or reduced the fecundity of the parasites. However, it is suggested that the development of the immune response may be associated with the waning of the severe gastro-intestinal symptoms which were experienced in this infection, and which are frequently characteristic of hookworm infections.", "contents": "Antibody responses in self-infections with Necator americanus. Antibody responses were measured in a volunteer infected four times with Necator americanus over a 27-month period. The main source of antigen was culture fluid in which living adult N. americanus had been maintained for several days. Antibodies to worm acetylcholinesterase and IgE antibodies were detected only with this material, but antibodies were identified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay, with either adult worm secretions or extracts of third-stage infective larvae. The total serum IgE level fell after the first infection, but although it then increased during subsequent infections, it never rose above 600 U per ml. None of the antibody responses suppressed the rat of worm development to maturity, or reduced the fecundity of the parasites. However, it is suggested that the development of the immune response may be associated with the waning of the severe gastro-intestinal symptoms which were experienced in this infection, and which are frequently characteristic of hookworm infections.", "PMID": 635980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10627", "title": "Anaemia and Schistosoma haematobium infection in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya.", "content": "The haemoglobin levels of 787 Somali people in north-eastern Kenya were measured. Severe anaemia was very common in both sexes of all ages. Possible causative factors are discussed. Adolescent boys had particularly low haemoglobin values (in one area 43% had levels below 8 g/dl) and this was related to Schistosoma haematobium infection. Such a clear relationshiop has not been shown before.", "contents": "Anaemia and Schistosoma haematobium infection in the North-Eastern Province of Kenya. The haemoglobin levels of 787 Somali people in north-eastern Kenya were measured. Severe anaemia was very common in both sexes of all ages. Possible causative factors are discussed. Adolescent boys had particularly low haemoglobin values (in one area 43% had levels below 8 g/dl) and this was related to Schistosoma haematobium infection. Such a clear relationshiop has not been shown before.", "PMID": 635981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10628", "title": "Study of coinciding foci of malaria and leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon area.", "content": "A hyperendemic malaria focus, found in 1973 in a secluded valley in South-eastern Peru, was restudied in 1975. Tests for antibodies to Plasmodium and Leptospira were performed on blood serum and blood slides collected at three locations on the Rio Ene and confluent streams and at two locations in the neighbouring highlands. The hyperendemic focus of P. vivax-P. malariae found at Mission Cutivirini in 1973 was confirmed in this study. Another hyperendemic focus of predominantly P. vivax was found at the village of Saoreni. Lesser amounts of malaria were found at other locations. Serology indicated past or present contact with Leptospira of from 50 to 75% of individuals at all locations. The two hyperendemic malaria foci therefore were embedded in a much larger hyperendemic focus of leptospirosis. The value of the indirect immunofluorescence test for malarial antibodies as a sero-epidemiological tool was emphasized by this study.", "contents": "Study of coinciding foci of malaria and leptospirosis in the Peruvian Amazon area. A hyperendemic malaria focus, found in 1973 in a secluded valley in South-eastern Peru, was restudied in 1975. Tests for antibodies to Plasmodium and Leptospira were performed on blood serum and blood slides collected at three locations on the Rio Ene and confluent streams and at two locations in the neighbouring highlands. The hyperendemic focus of P. vivax-P. malariae found at Mission Cutivirini in 1973 was confirmed in this study. Another hyperendemic focus of predominantly P. vivax was found at the village of Saoreni. Lesser amounts of malaria were found at other locations. Serology indicated past or present contact with Leptospira of from 50 to 75% of individuals at all locations. The two hyperendemic malaria foci therefore were embedded in a much larger hyperendemic focus of leptospirosis. The value of the indirect immunofluorescence test for malarial antibodies as a sero-epidemiological tool was emphasized by this study.", "PMID": 635982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10629", "title": "Ia versus K/D antigens in immunological enhancement of tumor allografts.", "content": "The respective role of anti-H-2 K/D and anti-H-2 Ia antibodies in allotransplanted tumor enhancement was tested in vivo on two experimental tumors. Sa I A/4 (H-2a, i.e., H-2k/d) was enhanced in CBA (H-2k) and C57BL/Ks (H-2d) strains with anti-A/J immune sera prepared in CBA and C57BL/Ks, respectively. EL 4, C57BL/6 (H-2b) lymphoma, was enhanced in DBA/2 (H-2d) and BALB/c (H-2d) with immune sera prepared in DBA/2 and BALB/c. Anti-K/D antibodies were obtrained by elution from glutaraldehyde-treated RBC previously incubated with corresponding alloimmune sera prepared in mice immunized with spleen cells, thymocytes, or two consecutive skin grafts syngeneic to the RBC. The residual complement-dependent serocytotoxicity for target lymphocytes observed after complete hemagglutinin absorption on corresponding RBC was attributed to anti-Ia antibodies. RBC eluates (anti-K/D) were found to be enhancing for both experimental tumors and for all studied sera. After RBC absorption, the sera lost all enhancing activity when they were prepared by immunization with spleen or thymus cells, but remained enhancing in some sera prepared by immunization with skin grafts. Both types of antibodies (anti-K/D and anti-Ia) therefore appear able to enhance allografts. These results are compatible with the in vitro correlates of the two phases of the transplantation reaction: initiation phase (mixed lymphocyte reaction) inhibitable by anti-Ia and effector phase (cell-mediated cytotoxicity) inhibitable by anti-K/D.", "contents": "Ia versus K/D antigens in immunological enhancement of tumor allografts. The respective role of anti-H-2 K/D and anti-H-2 Ia antibodies in allotransplanted tumor enhancement was tested in vivo on two experimental tumors. Sa I A/4 (H-2a, i.e., H-2k/d) was enhanced in CBA (H-2k) and C57BL/Ks (H-2d) strains with anti-A/J immune sera prepared in CBA and C57BL/Ks, respectively. EL 4, C57BL/6 (H-2b) lymphoma, was enhanced in DBA/2 (H-2d) and BALB/c (H-2d) with immune sera prepared in DBA/2 and BALB/c. Anti-K/D antibodies were obtrained by elution from glutaraldehyde-treated RBC previously incubated with corresponding alloimmune sera prepared in mice immunized with spleen cells, thymocytes, or two consecutive skin grafts syngeneic to the RBC. The residual complement-dependent serocytotoxicity for target lymphocytes observed after complete hemagglutinin absorption on corresponding RBC was attributed to anti-Ia antibodies. RBC eluates (anti-K/D) were found to be enhancing for both experimental tumors and for all studied sera. After RBC absorption, the sera lost all enhancing activity when they were prepared by immunization with spleen or thymus cells, but remained enhancing in some sera prepared by immunization with skin grafts. Both types of antibodies (anti-K/D and anti-Ia) therefore appear able to enhance allografts. These results are compatible with the in vitro correlates of the two phases of the transplantation reaction: initiation phase (mixed lymphocyte reaction) inhibitable by anti-Ia and effector phase (cell-mediated cytotoxicity) inhibitable by anti-K/D.", "PMID": 635985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10630", "title": "Living related kidney donors: complications and long-term renal function.", "content": "Sixty-two living related kidney donors were nephrectomized during a 10-year period. The overall complication rate was 40%, most complications being minor. Among the major complications was one patient with pulmonary embolism and three patients with hepatitis. One female donor suffered a psychoneurotic reaction following rejection of the donated kidney and she is still away from work, more than 2 years later. The other 61 donors were back to work within 2 to 18 (mean 8) weeks. The mean serum creatinine livels increased from 0.95 preoperatively to 1.15 mg/100 ml at the followup examination, which took place between 6 months and 9 years after nephrectomy. The mean increase in serum creatinine was higher in donors above 50 years of age (P less than 0.02). The mean creatinine clearance of the whole group decreased from 111 to 90 ml/min. The mean increase in size of the remaining kidney was 22%. Donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure with few serious complications and the prognosis for the recipient is excellent. Therefore, we consider transplantation from a family member to be the treatment of choice in terminal uremia.", "contents": "Living related kidney donors: complications and long-term renal function. Sixty-two living related kidney donors were nephrectomized during a 10-year period. The overall complication rate was 40%, most complications being minor. Among the major complications was one patient with pulmonary embolism and three patients with hepatitis. One female donor suffered a psychoneurotic reaction following rejection of the donated kidney and she is still away from work, more than 2 years later. The other 61 donors were back to work within 2 to 18 (mean 8) weeks. The mean serum creatinine livels increased from 0.95 preoperatively to 1.15 mg/100 ml at the followup examination, which took place between 6 months and 9 years after nephrectomy. The mean increase in serum creatinine was higher in donors above 50 years of age (P less than 0.02). The mean creatinine clearance of the whole group decreased from 111 to 90 ml/min. The mean increase in size of the remaining kidney was 22%. Donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure with few serious complications and the prognosis for the recipient is excellent. Therefore, we consider transplantation from a family member to be the treatment of choice in terminal uremia.", "PMID": 635986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10631", "title": "Ethambutol and intra-ocular pressure.", "content": "Two groups of Korean patients with tuberculosis, matched in pairs for age and duration of chemotherapy, have been studied. One group had received ethambutol in a mean dosage of 14.4 mg/kg and the other antituberculosis chemotherapy not including ethambutol for at least 3 months. All patients had routine ophthalmological assessments on admission to the study, including examination of the fundi, visual fields and macular thresholds. Intra-ocular pressures were measured and a water-drinking test was then carried out. All the assessments were made by the same ophthalmologist who was at all times kept unaware of the treatment which each patient was receiving or which patients were paired. There was no evidence of ocular toxicity or that ethambutol in the dosages studied has an effect on intra-ocular pressure.", "contents": "Ethambutol and intra-ocular pressure. Two groups of Korean patients with tuberculosis, matched in pairs for age and duration of chemotherapy, have been studied. One group had received ethambutol in a mean dosage of 14.4 mg/kg and the other antituberculosis chemotherapy not including ethambutol for at least 3 months. All patients had routine ophthalmological assessments on admission to the study, including examination of the fundi, visual fields and macular thresholds. Intra-ocular pressures were measured and a water-drinking test was then carried out. All the assessments were made by the same ophthalmologist who was at all times kept unaware of the treatment which each patient was receiving or which patients were paired. There was no evidence of ocular toxicity or that ethambutol in the dosages studied has an effect on intra-ocular pressure.", "PMID": 635991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10632", "title": "Tuberculosis of the breast.", "content": "The case histories of five women patients with mammary tuberculosis are described. All were treated by surgical excision of the lesion followed by antituberculosis chemotherapy. Recovery was uncomplicated in four of the patients but the fifth had a recurrence after 6 months for which a second operation was required. Tuberculosis of the breast is rarely diagnosed by clinical methods alone. The main problem is to distinguish it from pyogenic abscess in young women and from mammary carcinoma in older women. Surgical excision is often needed to prove the diagnosis. All patients should be given a standard course of chemotherapy but the value of surgery in the treatment of this disease has yet to be assessed.", "contents": "Tuberculosis of the breast. The case histories of five women patients with mammary tuberculosis are described. All were treated by surgical excision of the lesion followed by antituberculosis chemotherapy. Recovery was uncomplicated in four of the patients but the fifth had a recurrence after 6 months for which a second operation was required. Tuberculosis of the breast is rarely diagnosed by clinical methods alone. The main problem is to distinguish it from pyogenic abscess in young women and from mammary carcinoma in older women. Surgical excision is often needed to prove the diagnosis. All patients should be given a standard course of chemotherapy but the value of surgery in the treatment of this disease has yet to be assessed.", "PMID": 635992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10633", "title": "Tuberculoma of the liver.", "content": "During the period 1973-76 2 patients, neither immigrants, were operated on and found to have tuberculoma of the liver. Both were successfully treated. Tuberculoma of the liver is an uncommon condition and is rarely encountered as a surgical problem. It can, however, present a surgical challenge as it must be distinguished from the more common types of right upper quandrant abdominal lesions such as biliary, gastroduodenal and other hepatic diseases. The occurrence of a tuberculoma of the liver without coexistent tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is extremely rare. Its presence in association with other tuberculous foci, whilst uncommon, has been recorded on a number of occasions.", "contents": "Tuberculoma of the liver. During the period 1973-76 2 patients, neither immigrants, were operated on and found to have tuberculoma of the liver. Both were successfully treated. Tuberculoma of the liver is an uncommon condition and is rarely encountered as a surgical problem. It can, however, present a surgical challenge as it must be distinguished from the more common types of right upper quandrant abdominal lesions such as biliary, gastroduodenal and other hepatic diseases. The occurrence of a tuberculoma of the liver without coexistent tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is extremely rare. Its presence in association with other tuberculous foci, whilst uncommon, has been recorded on a number of occasions.", "PMID": 635993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10634", "title": "Keratitis due to Mycobacterium chelonei.", "content": "A case of ulcerative keratitis has been followed by ophthalmological, bacteriological and histopathological examinations. Mycobacterium chelonei has been repeatedly isolated from the lesion before and after surgical interventions.", "contents": "Keratitis due to Mycobacterium chelonei. A case of ulcerative keratitis has been followed by ophthalmological, bacteriological and histopathological examinations. Mycobacterium chelonei has been repeatedly isolated from the lesion before and after surgical interventions.", "PMID": 635994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10635", "title": "Pulmonary oxygen toxicity in chickens and rabbits.", "content": "Chickens exposed to hyperbaric oxygen (3 to 5 ATA) or to 100% oxygen at atmospheric pressure for prolonged periods showed no pathologic pulmonary damage, although hydrogen peroxide did accumulate in their airways. Superoxide dismutase in the peripheral nucleated red blood cells and the rate of oxidation of specifically labeled glucose were increased in chickens exposed to hyperbaric oxygen for three hours. Superoxide dismutase increased in the lung lavage of the rabbits and in the peripheral nucleated red blood cells. Glucose oxidation was unchanged. The difference in superoxide dismutase is probably the result of the desquamated, damaged cells found in the rabbit lung lavage. That only rabbit bronchi are lined with oxidant-sensitive ciliated cells suggests that the absence of these ciliated cells in fowl may well be responsible for the observed resistance of these birds to oxidant damage by oxygen.", "contents": "Pulmonary oxygen toxicity in chickens and rabbits. Chickens exposed to hyperbaric oxygen (3 to 5 ATA) or to 100% oxygen at atmospheric pressure for prolonged periods showed no pathologic pulmonary damage, although hydrogen peroxide did accumulate in their airways. Superoxide dismutase in the peripheral nucleated red blood cells and the rate of oxidation of specifically labeled glucose were increased in chickens exposed to hyperbaric oxygen for three hours. Superoxide dismutase increased in the lung lavage of the rabbits and in the peripheral nucleated red blood cells. Glucose oxidation was unchanged. The difference in superoxide dismutase is probably the result of the desquamated, damaged cells found in the rabbit lung lavage. That only rabbit bronchi are lined with oxidant-sensitive ciliated cells suggests that the absence of these ciliated cells in fowl may well be responsible for the observed resistance of these birds to oxidant damage by oxygen.", "PMID": 636070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10636", "title": "Pulmonary alveolar macrophage response to hyperbaric carbon monoxide exposure.", "content": "The sublethal effects of carbon monoxide (CO) in hyperbaric environments have not been adequately characterized. A physiologically sensitive indicator of sublethal effects of a contaminant is the pulmonary alveolar macrophage (PAM). The guinea pig PAM and its reaction to various CO concentrations at 8 atmospheres absolute (ATA) and the surface-equivalent concentrations at 1 ATA were studied in this experiment. In the absence of CO, PAM counts and viabilites from guinea pigs exposed to a helium-oxygen environment at either 1 or 8 ATA were not significantly different from one another. Mean PAM viability for guinea pigs exposed to CO concentrations at 2250--4200 mg/m3 at 8 ATA was 68.4 +/- 7.3% and was not significantly different from the 1-ATA viability value of 72.0 +/- 4.5% for the 1600--4200 mg/m3 CO range. The data show that at 1 to 8 ATA and CO concentrations of 1600--4200 mg/m3, the decrease in PAM viability was accompanied by dramatic five- to sixfold increases in PAM counts.", "contents": "Pulmonary alveolar macrophage response to hyperbaric carbon monoxide exposure. The sublethal effects of carbon monoxide (CO) in hyperbaric environments have not been adequately characterized. A physiologically sensitive indicator of sublethal effects of a contaminant is the pulmonary alveolar macrophage (PAM). The guinea pig PAM and its reaction to various CO concentrations at 8 atmospheres absolute (ATA) and the surface-equivalent concentrations at 1 ATA were studied in this experiment. In the absence of CO, PAM counts and viabilites from guinea pigs exposed to a helium-oxygen environment at either 1 or 8 ATA were not significantly different from one another. Mean PAM viability for guinea pigs exposed to CO concentrations at 2250--4200 mg/m3 at 8 ATA was 68.4 +/- 7.3% and was not significantly different from the 1-ATA viability value of 72.0 +/- 4.5% for the 1600--4200 mg/m3 CO range. The data show that at 1 to 8 ATA and CO concentrations of 1600--4200 mg/m3, the decrease in PAM viability was accompanied by dramatic five- to sixfold increases in PAM counts.", "PMID": 636071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10637", "title": "Aseptic bone necrosis among U.S. Navy divers: survey of 934 nonrandomly selected personnel.", "content": "Nine hundred thirty-four U.S. Navy divers were selected and surveyed radiographically using standard techniques developed for detecting aseptic bone necrosis (ABN). X rays were read by qualified radiologists. A total of 16 positive cases was detected, and another 11 were interpreted as doubtful. ABN was found to be related to age and number of months in diving. After controlling for these factors, ABN could not be related to any of seven indices of diving activity. Divers with ABN did, however, have a history of more treatments for decompression sickness (DCS) than did divers without ABN. Implications of these findings are discussed, and the suggestion is made that ABN and DCS may not be related causally, but may be related to a third common factor. The need for controlled studies is discussed. The conclusion is made that the low prevalence rates of ABN among U.S. Navy divers cannot be related to any specific index of diving activity, and may not be causally related to DCS.", "contents": "Aseptic bone necrosis among U.S. Navy divers: survey of 934 nonrandomly selected personnel. Nine hundred thirty-four U.S. Navy divers were selected and surveyed radiographically using standard techniques developed for detecting aseptic bone necrosis (ABN). X rays were read by qualified radiologists. A total of 16 positive cases was detected, and another 11 were interpreted as doubtful. ABN was found to be related to age and number of months in diving. After controlling for these factors, ABN could not be related to any of seven indices of diving activity. Divers with ABN did, however, have a history of more treatments for decompression sickness (DCS) than did divers without ABN. Implications of these findings are discussed, and the suggestion is made that ABN and DCS may not be related causally, but may be related to a third common factor. The need for controlled studies is discussed. The conclusion is made that the low prevalence rates of ABN among U.S. Navy divers cannot be related to any specific index of diving activity, and may not be causally related to DCS.", "PMID": 636072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10638", "title": "Physiological responses to head-out immersion in water at 11 ATA.", "content": "Cardiorespiratory, thermal, and renal responses to a 30-min head-out immersion in 15 degree C water were studied at 1-ATA air and 11-ATA helium-oxygne environments in four male subjects wearing dry suits. Cardiorespiratory responses to immersion (reductions in heart rate, expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, and thoracic impedance; and increases in stroke volume, cardiac output, and inspiratory capacity) were comparable at both pressures. However, thermal responses to immersion (a reduction in mean skin temperature and increases in skin heat flux and suit conductance) were significantly greater at 11 ATA compared to those at 1 ATA. The rate of urinary excretion of norepinephrine increased significantly during and after immersion at 11 ATA but not at 1 ATA. In contrast, the urinary excretion of epinephrine was not altered by pressure or immersion. The immersion diuresis was greater and lasted longer at 11 ATA than at 1 ATA although there was no difference in the endogenous creatinine excretion . This diuresis was accompanied by a significant natriuresis which was more marked at 1 ATA than at 11 ATA. At 1 ATA, the urinary excretion of both aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) decreased during immersion. At 11 ATA, the rate of excretion of these hormones before immersion was lower compared to that at 1 ATA and did not change significantly during immersion. These results indicate that immersion in a hyperbaric helium-oxygen environment presents a greater cold stress than at 1-ATA air, and also that immersion diuresis and natriuresis at high pressure may be induced by a factor other than inhibition of aldosterone and ADH.", "contents": "Physiological responses to head-out immersion in water at 11 ATA. Cardiorespiratory, thermal, and renal responses to a 30-min head-out immersion in 15 degree C water were studied at 1-ATA air and 11-ATA helium-oxygne environments in four male subjects wearing dry suits. Cardiorespiratory responses to immersion (reductions in heart rate, expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, and thoracic impedance; and increases in stroke volume, cardiac output, and inspiratory capacity) were comparable at both pressures. However, thermal responses to immersion (a reduction in mean skin temperature and increases in skin heat flux and suit conductance) were significantly greater at 11 ATA compared to those at 1 ATA. The rate of urinary excretion of norepinephrine increased significantly during and after immersion at 11 ATA but not at 1 ATA. In contrast, the urinary excretion of epinephrine was not altered by pressure or immersion. The immersion diuresis was greater and lasted longer at 11 ATA than at 1 ATA although there was no difference in the endogenous creatinine excretion . This diuresis was accompanied by a significant natriuresis which was more marked at 1 ATA than at 11 ATA. At 1 ATA, the urinary excretion of both aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) decreased during immersion. At 11 ATA, the rate of excretion of these hormones before immersion was lower compared to that at 1 ATA and did not change significantly during immersion. These results indicate that immersion in a hyperbaric helium-oxygen environment presents a greater cold stress than at 1-ATA air, and also that immersion diuresis and natriuresis at high pressure may be induced by a factor other than inhibition of aldosterone and ADH.", "PMID": 636073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10639", "title": "Effects of hyperbaric helium-oxygen on the antipyretic actions of aspirin and acetaminophen in rats.", "content": "The effects of two antipyretics, aspirin and acetaminophen, were studied under hyperbaric helium-oxygen conditions. Groups of yeast-fevered rats were given three different doses of each antipyretic in 1-ATA air and 31-ATA helium-oxygen. Neither agent was as effective an antipyretic in hyperbaric helium as it was in 1-ATA air. Responses to acetaminophen were reduced an average of 73%, and those to the two lower doses of aspirin by 56%; the highest dose of aspirin (135 mg/kg) caused a significant elevation of temperatures in the hyperbaric environment. A similar increase in temperatures was observed in rats treated with 135 mg/kg of aspirin and exposed to hot (30--31 degrees C) air at 1 ATA. It is concluded that the decreased efficacy of antipyretics in hyperbaric helium environments is caused by the high ambient temperatures maintained in helium (34--35 degrees C) to compensate for the greater thermal conductivity of helium compared to nitrogen, which may limit the heat-dissipating abilities of rats in the hyperbaric environment.", "contents": "Effects of hyperbaric helium-oxygen on the antipyretic actions of aspirin and acetaminophen in rats. The effects of two antipyretics, aspirin and acetaminophen, were studied under hyperbaric helium-oxygen conditions. Groups of yeast-fevered rats were given three different doses of each antipyretic in 1-ATA air and 31-ATA helium-oxygen. Neither agent was as effective an antipyretic in hyperbaric helium as it was in 1-ATA air. Responses to acetaminophen were reduced an average of 73%, and those to the two lower doses of aspirin by 56%; the highest dose of aspirin (135 mg/kg) caused a significant elevation of temperatures in the hyperbaric environment. A similar increase in temperatures was observed in rats treated with 135 mg/kg of aspirin and exposed to hot (30--31 degrees C) air at 1 ATA. It is concluded that the decreased efficacy of antipyretics in hyperbaric helium environments is caused by the high ambient temperatures maintained in helium (34--35 degrees C) to compensate for the greater thermal conductivity of helium compared to nitrogen, which may limit the heat-dissipating abilities of rats in the hyperbaric environment.", "PMID": 636074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10640", "title": "Effect of cerebellar ablation on the high pressure nervous syndrome in rats.", "content": "To evaluate the interaction between high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) seizures and cerebellar integrity, seizure threshold pressure (Pc) of normal rats was compared with that of rats sustaining cerebellar ablation two weeks prior to exposure to 136 ATA in a helium-oxygen atmosphere. All rats exhibited severe HPNS symptoms which culminated in seizures. Pc was reduced in cerebellectomized animals, and the number of seizure episodes increased twofold, but the average duration of seizure episodes was unchanged. The spike-and-wave pattern in the electroencephalogram remained a prominent feature in both groups.", "contents": "Effect of cerebellar ablation on the high pressure nervous syndrome in rats. To evaluate the interaction between high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) seizures and cerebellar integrity, seizure threshold pressure (Pc) of normal rats was compared with that of rats sustaining cerebellar ablation two weeks prior to exposure to 136 ATA in a helium-oxygen atmosphere. All rats exhibited severe HPNS symptoms which culminated in seizures. Pc was reduced in cerebellectomized animals, and the number of seizure episodes increased twofold, but the average duration of seizure episodes was unchanged. The spike-and-wave pattern in the electroencephalogram remained a prominent feature in both groups.", "PMID": 636075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10641", "title": "Influence of hydrostatic compression of the chest and intrathoracic blood pooling on static lung mechanics during head-out immersion.", "content": "The effect of water immersion on static lung volumes and pressure-volume curves was studied in five subjects. A special container allowed measurements during nonimmersion, head-out immersion, and thorax immersion leaving the head, pelvis region, and legs dry. It was thus possible to separate the part played by hydrostatic forces acting on the chest from the part played by intrathoracic blood pooling during immersion. Hydrostatic compression of the chest decreased total lung capacity (TLC) by 0.30 liter and residual volume (RV) by 0.25 liter. Blood redistributed into the thorax during head-out immersion caused a further reduction of TLC of 0.13 liter; RV increased by 0.10 liter, probably because expiration was hampered by air-trapping. Heal-out immersion reduced VC by 0.29 liter compared to nonimmersion, and this effect was wholly attributable to intrathoracic blood pooling. Lung compliance during head-out immersion was 0.11 liter x (cmH2O)-1 smaller than during nonimmersion; this was mainly due to intrathoracic blood pooling. Results support the notion that blood redistribution decreased lung compliance by exerting an erectile effect on the lung tissue.", "contents": "Influence of hydrostatic compression of the chest and intrathoracic blood pooling on static lung mechanics during head-out immersion. The effect of water immersion on static lung volumes and pressure-volume curves was studied in five subjects. A special container allowed measurements during nonimmersion, head-out immersion, and thorax immersion leaving the head, pelvis region, and legs dry. It was thus possible to separate the part played by hydrostatic forces acting on the chest from the part played by intrathoracic blood pooling during immersion. Hydrostatic compression of the chest decreased total lung capacity (TLC) by 0.30 liter and residual volume (RV) by 0.25 liter. Blood redistributed into the thorax during head-out immersion caused a further reduction of TLC of 0.13 liter; RV increased by 0.10 liter, probably because expiration was hampered by air-trapping. Heal-out immersion reduced VC by 0.29 liter compared to nonimmersion, and this effect was wholly attributable to intrathoracic blood pooling. Lung compliance during head-out immersion was 0.11 liter x (cmH2O)-1 smaller than during nonimmersion; this was mainly due to intrathoracic blood pooling. Results support the notion that blood redistribution decreased lung compliance by exerting an erectile effect on the lung tissue.", "PMID": 636076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10642", "title": "Cerebral and blood glucose in central oxygen poisoning.", "content": "Studies were carried out to determine the effect of high oxygen pressure (OHP) on brain and blood glucose. OHP increased cerebral glucose in mice killed at various stages of oxygen toxicity. This included times which corresponded to 75% and 100% of the CT50, the hyperactive state, and at seizure onset. Blood glucose also was increased but only when mice were exposed to oxygen for times which produced stress-related responses. These were at 100% of the CT50,during hyperactivity, and at the onset of seizures. The increase in cerebral glucose was due to the increased oxygen pressure and not to the pressure per se. Adrenalectomy blocked the oxygen-induced increase in blood glucose but not in cerebral glucose. Disulfiram, an effective oxygen protectant, markedly increased both brain and blood glucose.", "contents": "Cerebral and blood glucose in central oxygen poisoning. Studies were carried out to determine the effect of high oxygen pressure (OHP) on brain and blood glucose. OHP increased cerebral glucose in mice killed at various stages of oxygen toxicity. This included times which corresponded to 75% and 100% of the CT50, the hyperactive state, and at seizure onset. Blood glucose also was increased but only when mice were exposed to oxygen for times which produced stress-related responses. These were at 100% of the CT50,during hyperactivity, and at the onset of seizures. The increase in cerebral glucose was due to the increased oxygen pressure and not to the pressure per se. Adrenalectomy blocked the oxygen-induced increase in blood glucose but not in cerebral glucose. Disulfiram, an effective oxygen protectant, markedly increased both brain and blood glucose.", "PMID": 636077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10643", "title": "Effects of varying thermal and apneic conditions on the human diving reflex.", "content": "An investigation of the importance of water contact, cooling, and apnea to the development of the diving reflex in humans was performed in two experimental series. The first series involved exposure of different parts of the face to direct water contact, while the second consisted of face immersion in water baths of varying temperatures. Data were obtained on heart rate (ECG's) and peripheral vasoconstriction (by indirect blood pressure using sphygmomanometry). Results were interpreted to indicate that the diving reflex is actuated by both facial cooling and apnea, but not by any direct effect of water contact other than cooling.", "contents": "Effects of varying thermal and apneic conditions on the human diving reflex. An investigation of the importance of water contact, cooling, and apnea to the development of the diving reflex in humans was performed in two experimental series. The first series involved exposure of different parts of the face to direct water contact, while the second consisted of face immersion in water baths of varying temperatures. Data were obtained on heart rate (ECG's) and peripheral vasoconstriction (by indirect blood pressure using sphygmomanometry). Results were interpreted to indicate that the diving reflex is actuated by both facial cooling and apnea, but not by any direct effect of water contact other than cooling.", "PMID": 636078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10644", "title": "Quantification of high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) tremor in the guinea pig.", "content": "Previous studies have demonstrated two tremorgenic systems that involve separate brain mechanisms and exhibit different peak frequencies. One system (the thalamo-cortical) generates low frequency (4--8 Hz) tremor; the other (the olivo-cerebellar) produces high frequency (10--18 Hz) tremor. Based on this evidence, the present study focused on determining whether one or both of these tremor systems is involved in the high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS). Specifically, the concern was to identify and to quantify amplitude and frequency characteristics of HPNS tremor in 8 guinea pigs breathing helium-oxygen during compression (40 ft/min) in a chamber dive to 61.6 ATA (2000 fsw) with a bottom time of 1 h. Rectal temperature was recorded and maintained at 39 degrees C +/- 1 degree. Leg tremor was recorded by magnetic inductance and stored on magnetic tape for power spectral analysis. Frequency histograms of the tremor data revealed development of a biphasic response. From surface to about 31.3 ATA (1000 fsw), a low-power, single, 4- to 6-Hz component was evident, which resembled fine or moderate tremor. Between 34.3 ATA (1100 fsw) and 61.6 ATA, a 12- to 18-Hz component emerged abruptly with a dramatic increase in power, which reflected coarse, uncontrollable tremors. In the first 5 to 10 min after the animals arrived at maximum pressure, relative power of the high frequency component dropped to and remained near base-line levels. These results support the hypothesis that HPNS tremor consists of two components and possibly two separate tremor systems.", "contents": "Quantification of high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS) tremor in the guinea pig. Previous studies have demonstrated two tremorgenic systems that involve separate brain mechanisms and exhibit different peak frequencies. One system (the thalamo-cortical) generates low frequency (4--8 Hz) tremor; the other (the olivo-cerebellar) produces high frequency (10--18 Hz) tremor. Based on this evidence, the present study focused on determining whether one or both of these tremor systems is involved in the high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS). Specifically, the concern was to identify and to quantify amplitude and frequency characteristics of HPNS tremor in 8 guinea pigs breathing helium-oxygen during compression (40 ft/min) in a chamber dive to 61.6 ATA (2000 fsw) with a bottom time of 1 h. Rectal temperature was recorded and maintained at 39 degrees C +/- 1 degree. Leg tremor was recorded by magnetic inductance and stored on magnetic tape for power spectral analysis. Frequency histograms of the tremor data revealed development of a biphasic response. From surface to about 31.3 ATA (1000 fsw), a low-power, single, 4- to 6-Hz component was evident, which resembled fine or moderate tremor. Between 34.3 ATA (1100 fsw) and 61.6 ATA, a 12- to 18-Hz component emerged abruptly with a dramatic increase in power, which reflected coarse, uncontrollable tremors. In the first 5 to 10 min after the animals arrived at maximum pressure, relative power of the high frequency component dropped to and remained near base-line levels. These results support the hypothesis that HPNS tremor consists of two components and possibly two separate tremor systems.", "PMID": 636079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10645", "title": "[Bladder carcinoma associated with long-term treatment with cyclophosphamide for multiple myeloma (author's transl)].", "content": "A report is presented of a female patient who developed an extensive bladder carcinoma with severe hemorrhaging after many years of treatment with cyclophosphamide for multiple myeloma. The severe hemorrhage could only be controlled by drainage of the urine. The possible causes of the development of a second neoplasia, particularly of urinary bladder carcinoma following long-term therapy with cyclophosphamide, are discussed.", "contents": "[Bladder carcinoma associated with long-term treatment with cyclophosphamide for multiple myeloma (author's transl)]. A report is presented of a female patient who developed an extensive bladder carcinoma with severe hemorrhaging after many years of treatment with cyclophosphamide for multiple myeloma. The severe hemorrhage could only be controlled by drainage of the urine. The possible causes of the development of a second neoplasia, particularly of urinary bladder carcinoma following long-term therapy with cyclophosphamide, are discussed.", "PMID": 636115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10646", "title": "[Clinical and immunologic investigations of patients with urinary bladder tumors (author's transl)].", "content": "Forty patients with urinary bladder tumors (26 cancer and 14 papilloma) were investigated by clinical and immunological methods. Patients with Stage I and II bladder cancer had a decrease in their delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in comparison to healthy controls. The same was found in patients with proliferating papillomas (WHO I) and benign papillomas. Patients with carcinoma in Stages III and IV had a reduced reactivity to recall antigens and could be immunized to a significantly lesser degree with primary antigens. In most cases a transurethral resection of the tumor was followed by radiotherapy. In four patients local immunotherapy was performed after resection of most of the tumor mass.", "contents": "[Clinical and immunologic investigations of patients with urinary bladder tumors (author's transl)]. Forty patients with urinary bladder tumors (26 cancer and 14 papilloma) were investigated by clinical and immunological methods. Patients with Stage I and II bladder cancer had a decrease in their delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in comparison to healthy controls. The same was found in patients with proliferating papillomas (WHO I) and benign papillomas. Patients with carcinoma in Stages III and IV had a reduced reactivity to recall antigens and could be immunized to a significantly lesser degree with primary antigens. In most cases a transurethral resection of the tumor was followed by radiotherapy. In four patients local immunotherapy was performed after resection of most of the tumor mass.", "PMID": 636116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10647", "title": "[Andromastectomy for avoidance of gynecomastia in treatment of prostate carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "An operation is described for the prevention of hormone-related gynecomastia that has not yet been published in the literature. In the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon, the operation has proved to be without problems. However, certain guidelines for the operative technique which will be described in more detail elsewhere must be observed.", "contents": "[Andromastectomy for avoidance of gynecomastia in treatment of prostate carcinoma (author's transl)]. An operation is described for the prevention of hormone-related gynecomastia that has not yet been published in the literature. In the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon, the operation has proved to be without problems. However, certain guidelines for the operative technique which will be described in more detail elsewhere must be observed.", "PMID": 636117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10648", "title": "[A transurethrally transplanted model of a carcinoma in the area of the urinary bladder of the rabbit (author's transl)].", "content": "Thirty-nine rabbits were injected intratesticularly (n = 4), in the neck (n = 6), or in the submucosal area of the bladder (n = 29), with a 1-ml suspension of cells from a continuously passaged Brown-Pearce carcinoma. Actual submucosal transplantation (n = 9) caused, in addition to bladder tumors, massive metastases in the peritoneal cavity, the pleura, and the eyes. Animals receiving mucous membrane cornification prior to the submucosal infiltration (n = 15) developed exulcerated tumors in the bladder lumen and a primary bladder carcinoma like metastasis. Animals in which the tumor cell suspension was transplanted transurethrally (n = 5) likewise showed metastases in para-aortal lymph nodes and in the liver. The experiments indicate that the Brown-Pearce carcinoma, which is not indigenous to the bladder, will, with appropriate methodology, behave in a manner similar to that of a primary bladder carcinoma and can in addition be transplanted transurethrally. Tumors thus induced appear to be suitable models for studying different therapeutic approaches to bladder carcinoma.", "contents": "[A transurethrally transplanted model of a carcinoma in the area of the urinary bladder of the rabbit (author's transl)]. Thirty-nine rabbits were injected intratesticularly (n = 4), in the neck (n = 6), or in the submucosal area of the bladder (n = 29), with a 1-ml suspension of cells from a continuously passaged Brown-Pearce carcinoma. Actual submucosal transplantation (n = 9) caused, in addition to bladder tumors, massive metastases in the peritoneal cavity, the pleura, and the eyes. Animals receiving mucous membrane cornification prior to the submucosal infiltration (n = 15) developed exulcerated tumors in the bladder lumen and a primary bladder carcinoma like metastasis. Animals in which the tumor cell suspension was transplanted transurethrally (n = 5) likewise showed metastases in para-aortal lymph nodes and in the liver. The experiments indicate that the Brown-Pearce carcinoma, which is not indigenous to the bladder, will, with appropriate methodology, behave in a manner similar to that of a primary bladder carcinoma and can in addition be transplanted transurethrally. Tumors thus induced appear to be suitable models for studying different therapeutic approaches to bladder carcinoma.", "PMID": 636118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10649", "title": "[Local high-frequency hyperthermia of the Brown-Pearce carcinoma in the urinary bladder of rabbits (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of a conductive high-frequency hyperthermia on a model tumor in the urinary bladder of rabbits (Brown-Pearce Carcinoma) was studied at a temperature of 43 degrees C, and with an application time of 30 min. The frequency used was 500 kHz, wattage 30-300 and wavelength 600 m. This resulted in the homogeneous warming of the urinary bladder tissue, in contrast to the results obtained when warm water was injected. Essential test results included: (1) a temperature gradient of max. 6.7 degrees C from the tumor center to the lumen of the urinary bladder, the tumor favoring the higher temperatures; (2) a prolongation of the survival time for animals with heat-treated tumors as opposed to the control animals. After transplantation heat-treated tumors evolved to receptor animals considerably less often than did untreated tumors.", "contents": "[Local high-frequency hyperthermia of the Brown-Pearce carcinoma in the urinary bladder of rabbits (author's transl)]. The effect of a conductive high-frequency hyperthermia on a model tumor in the urinary bladder of rabbits (Brown-Pearce Carcinoma) was studied at a temperature of 43 degrees C, and with an application time of 30 min. The frequency used was 500 kHz, wattage 30-300 and wavelength 600 m. This resulted in the homogeneous warming of the urinary bladder tissue, in contrast to the results obtained when warm water was injected. Essential test results included: (1) a temperature gradient of max. 6.7 degrees C from the tumor center to the lumen of the urinary bladder, the tumor favoring the higher temperatures; (2) a prolongation of the survival time for animals with heat-treated tumors as opposed to the control animals. After transplantation heat-treated tumors evolved to receptor animals considerably less often than did untreated tumors.", "PMID": 636119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10650", "title": "[Hypernephroma as a cause of high blood pressure (author's transl)].", "content": "In the group of 111 patients treated for hypernephroma, 24 have shown in addition to their usual symptoms a more systolic an elevated blood pressure up to 22 mm Hg and higher. In two cases was hypertension the only symptom. In the hypertensive group, 20 patients underwent nephrectomy and blood pressure returned to normal in all but one. Four pathophysiologic mechanisms of blood pressure elevation in hypernephroma are discussed: (1) AV shunts; (2) Compression of the renal artery or its branches due to tumor expansion; (3) Polycythemia; (4) Hypernephroma with hormonal activity. The hypertension of 6 of our patients was due to AV shunts, of 7, to renal vessels compression, and of 6 others, to a polycythemia.", "contents": "[Hypernephroma as a cause of high blood pressure (author's transl)]. In the group of 111 patients treated for hypernephroma, 24 have shown in addition to their usual symptoms a more systolic an elevated blood pressure up to 22 mm Hg and higher. In two cases was hypertension the only symptom. In the hypertensive group, 20 patients underwent nephrectomy and blood pressure returned to normal in all but one. Four pathophysiologic mechanisms of blood pressure elevation in hypernephroma are discussed: (1) AV shunts; (2) Compression of the renal artery or its branches due to tumor expansion; (3) Polycythemia; (4) Hypernephroma with hormonal activity. The hypertension of 6 of our patients was due to AV shunts, of 7, to renal vessels compression, and of 6 others, to a polycythemia.", "PMID": 636120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10651", "title": "[A benign tumor of the kidney (author's transl)].", "content": "In discussing the frequency of kidney adenomas we present a rare case of a large oncocytoma, with all diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The special angiografic picture of thistumor seems to be important. Furthermore the criteria for malignancy of epithelial tumors of the kidney are discussed.", "contents": "[A benign tumor of the kidney (author's transl)]. In discussing the frequency of kidney adenomas we present a rare case of a large oncocytoma, with all diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The special angiografic picture of thistumor seems to be important. Furthermore the criteria for malignancy of epithelial tumors of the kidney are discussed.", "PMID": 636121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10652", "title": "[Cholesteatoma of the renal pelvis (author's transl)].", "content": "A 63-year-old male experienced pain in the epigastric region and a septic fiver. X-ray examinations showed a tumor-like process in the lower part of the left kidney with some concrements. Upon operation a nodular inflammatory tumor was found, occupying more than two-thirds of the left kidney. Histologic examination revealed a typical cholesteatoma of the renal pelvis and calyces with some concrements among the abundant keratin material.", "contents": "[Cholesteatoma of the renal pelvis (author's transl)]. A 63-year-old male experienced pain in the epigastric region and a septic fiver. X-ray examinations showed a tumor-like process in the lower part of the left kidney with some concrements. Upon operation a nodular inflammatory tumor was found, occupying more than two-thirds of the left kidney. Histologic examination revealed a typical cholesteatoma of the renal pelvis and calyces with some concrements among the abundant keratin material.", "PMID": 636122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10653", "title": "[Clinical and morphological findings and problems in malacoplakia of the urinary bladder (author's transl)].", "content": "Malacoplakia of the urinary bladder (observations on 4 female patients, average age 47 years, longest duration 8 years) is, under light microscopy, arranged in 4 layers. Zone 1 contains inflammatory granulation tissue. Zone 2 is composed of von Hansemann cells (macrophages). In zone 3, Michaelis-Gutmann bodies appear. Finally, the deepest zone 4 contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphoplasmacellular infiltrates. By electron microscopy, the gradual formation of residual bodies from the remains of phagocytosed materials in the macrophages in these layers can be observed. Through loading with calcium and iron compounds, the residual bodies take on the characteristic appearance of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Etiologically, the origin of malacoplakia is probably involved with coliform bacteria, but apparently additional factors are required for the development of a disease process: e.g., disturbance of macrophage function. There are certain parallels between malacoplakia and Whipple's disease. With atypical localization outside the urinary bladder, differential diagnostic difficulties can arise in separating malacoplakia from inflammatory-granulomatous processes (granulomatous orchitis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis). The prognosis of malacoplakia in the urinary bladder is good in all cases, but timely treatment of recurrence and constant supervision are indicated.", "contents": "[Clinical and morphological findings and problems in malacoplakia of the urinary bladder (author's transl)]. Malacoplakia of the urinary bladder (observations on 4 female patients, average age 47 years, longest duration 8 years) is, under light microscopy, arranged in 4 layers. Zone 1 contains inflammatory granulation tissue. Zone 2 is composed of von Hansemann cells (macrophages). In zone 3, Michaelis-Gutmann bodies appear. Finally, the deepest zone 4 contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphoplasmacellular infiltrates. By electron microscopy, the gradual formation of residual bodies from the remains of phagocytosed materials in the macrophages in these layers can be observed. Through loading with calcium and iron compounds, the residual bodies take on the characteristic appearance of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. Etiologically, the origin of malacoplakia is probably involved with coliform bacteria, but apparently additional factors are required for the development of a disease process: e.g., disturbance of macrophage function. There are certain parallels between malacoplakia and Whipple's disease. With atypical localization outside the urinary bladder, differential diagnostic difficulties can arise in separating malacoplakia from inflammatory-granulomatous processes (granulomatous orchitis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis). The prognosis of malacoplakia in the urinary bladder is good in all cases, but timely treatment of recurrence and constant supervision are indicated.", "PMID": 636123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10654", "title": "Hematuria and proteinuria in pediatric patient. Diagnostic approach.", "content": "Some of the first clues suggestive of renal disease are hematuria and proteinuria, and when present in a child, deserve careful consideration. The clinical experience and diagnostic evaluations at a new renal unit are examined to familiarize the practicing urologists with the diagnostic approach which will generate the correct diagnosis. The indications and results of kidney biopsy in children are also presented.", "contents": "Hematuria and proteinuria in pediatric patient. Diagnostic approach. Some of the first clues suggestive of renal disease are hematuria and proteinuria, and when present in a child, deserve careful consideration. The clinical experience and diagnostic evaluations at a new renal unit are examined to familiarize the practicing urologists with the diagnostic approach which will generate the correct diagnosis. The indications and results of kidney biopsy in children are also presented.", "PMID": 636124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10655", "title": "Dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of inflammatory genitourinary disorders.", "content": "Intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used in the treatment of 213 patients with various inflammatory conditions involving the lower genitourinary tract, including intractable interstitial cystitis, radiation cystitis, chronic prostatitis, and chronic female trigonitis. Significant symptomatic relief has been achieved in the majority of patients so treated, and no systemic or local toxicity has been noted. Some patients failed to respond entirely, and others relapsed after DMSO treatment periods of several months, ultimately coming to augmentation cystoplasty or urinary diversion. However, because of its simplicity and ease of administration, intravesical DMSO therapy is recommended in all noninfectious or non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions presenting initially with severe symptoms, or that have failed to respond to conventional therapy.", "contents": "Dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of inflammatory genitourinary disorders. Intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used in the treatment of 213 patients with various inflammatory conditions involving the lower genitourinary tract, including intractable interstitial cystitis, radiation cystitis, chronic prostatitis, and chronic female trigonitis. Significant symptomatic relief has been achieved in the majority of patients so treated, and no systemic or local toxicity has been noted. Some patients failed to respond entirely, and others relapsed after DMSO treatment periods of several months, ultimately coming to augmentation cystoplasty or urinary diversion. However, because of its simplicity and ease of administration, intravesical DMSO therapy is recommended in all noninfectious or non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions presenting initially with severe symptoms, or that have failed to respond to conventional therapy.", "PMID": 636125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10656", "title": "Megaureters in children.", "content": "The results of surgery for megaureter are reviewed in 40 children. Special attention is focused on the etiologic causes of these dilated ureters in relation to the surgical results. Thirty of 31 children with obstructive or refluxing megaureters and normal bladders had satisfactory results. Less satisfactory results occurred in children with abnormal bladder dynamics. No child in this series required upper ureteral tapering. A discussion of the causes and further management of the surgical failures is presented.", "contents": "Megaureters in children. The results of surgery for megaureter are reviewed in 40 children. Special attention is focused on the etiologic causes of these dilated ureters in relation to the surgical results. Thirty of 31 children with obstructive or refluxing megaureters and normal bladders had satisfactory results. Less satisfactory results occurred in children with abnormal bladder dynamics. No child in this series required upper ureteral tapering. A discussion of the causes and further management of the surgical failures is presented.", "PMID": 636126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10657", "title": "Vasoseminal vesiculography in staging adenocarcinoma of prostate.", "content": "We found vasoseminal vesiculography useful in staging adenocarcinoma of the prostate and in measurement of radiotherapy ports. In 12 patients who had radical prostatectomies, the histologic findings correlated well with the vasoseminal vesiculograms. Criteria for reading benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma have been well established in the literature and are reviewed.", "contents": "Vasoseminal vesiculography in staging adenocarcinoma of prostate. We found vasoseminal vesiculography useful in staging adenocarcinoma of the prostate and in measurement of radiotherapy ports. In 12 patients who had radical prostatectomies, the histologic findings correlated well with the vasoseminal vesiculograms. Criteria for reading benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma have been well established in the literature and are reviewed.", "PMID": 636127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10658", "title": "Chemotherapy trial with comp-F regimen in advanced adenocarcinoma of prostate.", "content": "Multiple agent combination chemotherapy was used to treat 16 patients with Stage D adenocarcinoma of the prostate in relapse. Agents employed were cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone. Results were encouraging. Six of 16 patients achieved an objective response (2 complete, 3 partial, 1 stabilization) for a 37.5 per cent response rate. Eleven of 16 patients achieved a subjective response for a 69% response rate. Soft tissue metastases may be more responsive than bony lesions. Employment of vincristine made no obvious difference in response rate in those patients in whom it was used. Toxicity was only moderate. Further studies are warranted.", "contents": "Chemotherapy trial with comp-F regimen in advanced adenocarcinoma of prostate. Multiple agent combination chemotherapy was used to treat 16 patients with Stage D adenocarcinoma of the prostate in relapse. Agents employed were cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and prednisone. Results were encouraging. Six of 16 patients achieved an objective response (2 complete, 3 partial, 1 stabilization) for a 37.5 per cent response rate. Eleven of 16 patients achieved a subjective response for a 69% response rate. Soft tissue metastases may be more responsive than bony lesions. Employment of vincristine made no obvious difference in response rate in those patients in whom it was used. Toxicity was only moderate. Further studies are warranted.", "PMID": 636128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10659", "title": "Unilateral anorchism. Report of 11 cases with discussion of etiology and pathogenesis.", "content": "Eleven cases of unilateral anorchism are presented. The patients, aged two to thirty-nine years, were explored for cryptorchism but, though ducts could be identified operatively in most cases, there was doubt regarding the presence of the testis. These tissues, including the putative testes, were excised and pathologically the excurrent ducts, consisting of vas deferens with or without epididymis, were seen in all cases. No tunica albuginea or testicular parenchyma was identified and the structures, submitted as possibly testicular, were nonencapsulated, well-circumscribed, subserosal foci of highly vascularized fibrous tissue with few small nerves and smooth muscle bundles. Dystrophic calcific deposits were seen in 2 cases and microfoci of poorly developed Leydig cells in 2 cases. A vascular hypothesis is proposed for the etiology and pathogenesis of unilateral anorchism.", "contents": "Unilateral anorchism. Report of 11 cases with discussion of etiology and pathogenesis. Eleven cases of unilateral anorchism are presented. The patients, aged two to thirty-nine years, were explored for cryptorchism but, though ducts could be identified operatively in most cases, there was doubt regarding the presence of the testis. These tissues, including the putative testes, were excised and pathologically the excurrent ducts, consisting of vas deferens with or without epididymis, were seen in all cases. No tunica albuginea or testicular parenchyma was identified and the structures, submitted as possibly testicular, were nonencapsulated, well-circumscribed, subserosal foci of highly vascularized fibrous tissue with few small nerves and smooth muscle bundles. Dystrophic calcific deposits were seen in 2 cases and microfoci of poorly developed Leydig cells in 2 cases. A vascular hypothesis is proposed for the etiology and pathogenesis of unilateral anorchism.", "PMID": 636129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10660", "title": "Effect of pesticides on testicular function.", "content": "Marked impairment of spermatogenesis was found in a group of men exposed to the pesticide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), demonstrated by semen analyses, testicular biopsies, and hormone studies. The ramifications of the use of this pesticide are discussed.", "contents": "Effect of pesticides on testicular function. Marked impairment of spermatogenesis was found in a group of men exposed to the pesticide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), demonstrated by semen analyses, testicular biopsies, and hormone studies. The ramifications of the use of this pesticide are discussed.", "PMID": 636130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10661", "title": "Anterior urethral valves.", "content": "A case of anterior urethral valves is presented. A diagnosis of anterior urethral valves can be suspected clinically by watching the patient void. Dribbling and a diminished force of the patient's urinary stream are present in this condition. Confirmation is made with a voiding cystourethrogram and panendoscopy. Various modes of therapy are discussed.", "contents": "Anterior urethral valves. A case of anterior urethral valves is presented. A diagnosis of anterior urethral valves can be suspected clinically by watching the patient void. Dribbling and a diminished force of the patient's urinary stream are present in this condition. Confirmation is made with a voiding cystourethrogram and panendoscopy. Various modes of therapy are discussed.", "PMID": 636131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10662", "title": "Carcinoma of prostate metastatic to prepuce and glans penis.", "content": "A case of adenocarcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the prepuce and glans penis is described. This is the second case reported. The various routes of tumor spread to the penis are discussed briefly, and the possibility of direct spread is postulated as the cause of \"kissing\" foreskin and glandular lesions.", "contents": "Carcinoma of prostate metastatic to prepuce and glans penis. A case of adenocarcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the prepuce and glans penis is described. This is the second case reported. The various routes of tumor spread to the penis are discussed briefly, and the possibility of direct spread is postulated as the cause of \"kissing\" foreskin and glandular lesions.", "PMID": 636132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10663", "title": "Hydroxyurea and infected stones.", "content": "The formation of struvite stones is closely linked to the enzyme urease produced by certain bacteria found in urine. It has been shown that hydroxamic acids will block the activity of this enzyme. One of these, hydroxyurea, in a morning dose of 500 mg. was used in 21 patients for three months or longer. Most were then able to acidify their urine despite persistent urinary infection. After three months, treatment with nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin and hydroxyurea (Hydrea), 78.6 per cent of patients had persistently sterile urine. There are 11 patients who have been observed for one year, and no toxic effect of the drug has been found. Three patients have shown some decrease in size of their retained calculus. This experimental study has shown that hydroxyurea may be useful in the management of struvite stones and deserves further study.", "contents": "Hydroxyurea and infected stones. The formation of struvite stones is closely linked to the enzyme urease produced by certain bacteria found in urine. It has been shown that hydroxamic acids will block the activity of this enzyme. One of these, hydroxyurea, in a morning dose of 500 mg. was used in 21 patients for three months or longer. Most were then able to acidify their urine despite persistent urinary infection. After three months, treatment with nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin and hydroxyurea (Hydrea), 78.6 per cent of patients had persistently sterile urine. There are 11 patients who have been observed for one year, and no toxic effect of the drug has been found. Three patients have shown some decrease in size of their retained calculus. This experimental study has shown that hydroxyurea may be useful in the management of struvite stones and deserves further study.", "PMID": 636134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10664", "title": "Enzyme activity and distribution in rat prostatic adenocarcinoma.", "content": "The activity and distribution of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, nonspecific esterases, beta-glucuronidase, and aminopeptidase were examined in the transplantable R-3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma and compared with those in the four prostatic lobes of the rat. Both the well and poorly differentiated tumor cells in R-3327 carcinoma were characterized by high activities of beta-glucuronidase and aminopeptidase. The poorly differentiated cells had a high alkaline phosphatase activity. The enzymatic profile of the R-3327 adenocarcinoma closely resembled that of the anterior and dorsal prostate. The origin of the tumor in one of these prostatic lobes is probable, but not certain.", "contents": "Enzyme activity and distribution in rat prostatic adenocarcinoma. The activity and distribution of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, nonspecific esterases, beta-glucuronidase, and aminopeptidase were examined in the transplantable R-3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma and compared with those in the four prostatic lobes of the rat. Both the well and poorly differentiated tumor cells in R-3327 carcinoma were characterized by high activities of beta-glucuronidase and aminopeptidase. The poorly differentiated cells had a high alkaline phosphatase activity. The enzymatic profile of the R-3327 adenocarcinoma closely resembled that of the anterior and dorsal prostate. The origin of the tumor in one of these prostatic lobes is probable, but not certain.", "PMID": 636135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10665", "title": "Interstitial cell tumor. Profile of hormone-producing tumor.", "content": "Interstitial cell tumor of the testis in an adult male can present with feminization and psychologic changes. The feminization and psychologic changes most likely reflect production of estrogen by the interstitial cell tumor. Removal of the tumor causes rapid return of the pituitary-testicular axis to normal, loss of feminization, and development of male psychosocial characteristics.", "contents": "Interstitial cell tumor. Profile of hormone-producing tumor. Interstitial cell tumor of the testis in an adult male can present with feminization and psychologic changes. The feminization and psychologic changes most likely reflect production of estrogen by the interstitial cell tumor. Removal of the tumor causes rapid return of the pituitary-testicular axis to normal, loss of feminization, and development of male psychosocial characteristics.", "PMID": 636136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10666", "title": "Paratesticular liposarcoma.", "content": "The fifteenth reported case of paratesticular liposarcoma is presented, together with a review of the literature. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of this particular neoplasm are discussed.", "contents": "Paratesticular liposarcoma. The fifteenth reported case of paratesticular liposarcoma is presented, together with a review of the literature. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of this particular neoplasm are discussed.", "PMID": 636137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10667", "title": "Clue to diagnosis of neonatal urinary ascites. Relative radioluency of liver shadow.", "content": "About 25 per cent of neonatal ascites is caused by urinary tract disease. Opacification of the ascitic fluid by leakage of contrast material during cystography or intravenous urography may lead to striking relative radioluency of the liver. This phenomenon may be an important clue to the differential diagnosis of the etiology of neonatal ascites.", "contents": "Clue to diagnosis of neonatal urinary ascites. Relative radioluency of liver shadow. About 25 per cent of neonatal ascites is caused by urinary tract disease. Opacification of the ascitic fluid by leakage of contrast material during cystography or intravenous urography may lead to striking relative radioluency of the liver. This phenomenon may be an important clue to the differential diagnosis of the etiology of neonatal ascites.", "PMID": 636138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10668", "title": "Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy of renal masses.", "content": "Percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy is a harmless, easy to perform, and most direct procedure used to diagnose uncertain causes of ureteral obstruction and displacement of various parts of the urinary tract system. Frequently it is the least invasive method that can decide further treatment.", "contents": "Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy of renal masses. Percutaneous transperitoneal fine needle biopsy is a harmless, easy to perform, and most direct procedure used to diagnose uncertain causes of ureteral obstruction and displacement of various parts of the urinary tract system. Frequently it is the least invasive method that can decide further treatment.", "PMID": 636139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10669", "title": "Radiologic findings of bilharzial (schistosomal) contracted bladder.", "content": "The radiologic findings in bilharzial contracted bladder are presented. Calcifications of the bladder were seen in only 4.3 per cent, hydronephrosis in 37.2 per cent, and reflux in 62.8 per cent.", "contents": "Radiologic findings of bilharzial (schistosomal) contracted bladder. The radiologic findings in bilharzial contracted bladder are presented. Calcifications of the bladder were seen in only 4.3 per cent, hydronephrosis in 37.2 per cent, and reflux in 62.8 per cent.", "PMID": 636140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10670", "title": "Foreign body localization and removal utilizing computerized axial tomography.", "content": "In this preliminary report, computerized tomography guidance was instrumental in allowing the safe and rapid removal of a metallic foreign body from paravesical soft tissues deep within the male pelvis. Hopefully, expanded future experience with this technique will further clarify its value in the management of retained foreign bodies.", "contents": "Foreign body localization and removal utilizing computerized axial tomography. In this preliminary report, computerized tomography guidance was instrumental in allowing the safe and rapid removal of a metallic foreign body from paravesical soft tissues deep within the male pelvis. Hopefully, expanded future experience with this technique will further clarify its value in the management of retained foreign bodies.", "PMID": 636141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10671", "title": "Patterns of bladder recovery in spinal injury evaluated by serial urodynamic observations.", "content": "The results of serial urodynamic studies in spinal cord injury are presented. A number of signs which may be useful in the prediction of patients who will eventually establish spontaneous and satisfactory voiding are described. (1) Some patients with cervical high/thoracic lesions show evidence of synchrony between the external sphincter and the detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Spontaneous and efficient voiding usually occurs in this group. (2) Some patients, especially those with mild-thoracic lesions show marked dyschrony between the external sphincter/detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Early outlet surgery is indicated in this group since spontaneous and efficient voiding rarely occurs. (3) A zone of high pressure can be detected in the posterior urethra in the phase of spinal shock often within the first week after injury.", "contents": "Patterns of bladder recovery in spinal injury evaluated by serial urodynamic observations. The results of serial urodynamic studies in spinal cord injury are presented. A number of signs which may be useful in the prediction of patients who will eventually establish spontaneous and satisfactory voiding are described. (1) Some patients with cervical high/thoracic lesions show evidence of synchrony between the external sphincter and the detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Spontaneous and efficient voiding usually occurs in this group. (2) Some patients, especially those with mild-thoracic lesions show marked dyschrony between the external sphincter/detrusor muscle in the phase of spinal shock. Early outlet surgery is indicated in this group since spontaneous and efficient voiding rarely occurs. (3) A zone of high pressure can be detected in the posterior urethra in the phase of spinal shock often within the first week after injury.", "PMID": 636142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10672", "title": "[Surgeons failure to recognize syphilis in the diagnosis].", "content": "The most typical diagnostic errors occuring in presence of syphilis are shown in this article. It is noted, that a groundless treatment with antibiotics hampers the detection of Treponema pallidum.", "contents": "[Surgeons failure to recognize syphilis in the diagnosis]. The most typical diagnostic errors occuring in presence of syphilis are shown in this article. It is noted, that a groundless treatment with antibiotics hampers the detection of Treponema pallidum.", "PMID": 636170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10673", "title": "[Rare pulmonary-pleural complications in pancreatitis].", "content": "Pulmonary-pleural complications are likely to occur in pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts. These complications are manifested as pleuritis, pulmonary abscess or mediastinal pseudocyst. The author describes his own cases of rare pulmonary-pleural complications and suggests some recommendations on refined diagnosis and surgical tactics.", "contents": "[Rare pulmonary-pleural complications in pancreatitis]. Pulmonary-pleural complications are likely to occur in pancreatitis and pancreatic cysts. These complications are manifested as pleuritis, pulmonary abscess or mediastinal pseudocyst. The author describes his own cases of rare pulmonary-pleural complications and suggests some recommendations on refined diagnosis and surgical tactics.", "PMID": 636171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10674", "title": "[Effect of elastase inhibitor on proteolytic enzyme activity in experimental wounds].", "content": "The protease activity of the wound walls and in the wound washings during the experimental skin and muscular wounds treatment with a Trieline-containing ointment, which is an inhibitor of the elastinase, and with some other proteolytic enzymes has been determined on white rats. It is suggested, that the application of such inhibitors suppresses the catabolism rocesses and stimulates the regenerative ones.", "contents": "[Effect of elastase inhibitor on proteolytic enzyme activity in experimental wounds]. The protease activity of the wound walls and in the wound washings during the experimental skin and muscular wounds treatment with a Trieline-containing ointment, which is an inhibitor of the elastinase, and with some other proteolytic enzymes has been determined on white rats. It is suggested, that the application of such inhibitors suppresses the catabolism rocesses and stimulates the regenerative ones.", "PMID": 636174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10675", "title": "[Liver blood flow in patients with cholecystitis].", "content": "Hepatic blood flow was studied in 82 patients, suffering from calculous cholecystitis. These studies proved that the lowest preoperative arterial blood flow level is in case of mechanical jaundice. Within the first 2 days after operation the increase of hepatic blood flow in the right portions of the liver in 67.7% of patients, and in the left portions in 51.6% took place against the background of the decrease of portal blood flow. Pronounced arterial hyperemia of the liver and sharp decrease of portal blood flow within the earliest postoperative period occur in mechanical jaundice and cholecystitis with suppurative complications.", "contents": "[Liver blood flow in patients with cholecystitis]. Hepatic blood flow was studied in 82 patients, suffering from calculous cholecystitis. These studies proved that the lowest preoperative arterial blood flow level is in case of mechanical jaundice. Within the first 2 days after operation the increase of hepatic blood flow in the right portions of the liver in 67.7% of patients, and in the left portions in 51.6% took place against the background of the decrease of portal blood flow. Pronounced arterial hyperemia of the liver and sharp decrease of portal blood flow within the earliest postoperative period occur in mechanical jaundice and cholecystitis with suppurative complications.", "PMID": 636175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10676", "title": "[Individual variations of individual location of hepatic arteries in the lower part of the hepatoduodenal ligament].", "content": "The topography of the hepatic arteries in the lower half of the hepatoduodenal ligament was studied on 230 human cadavers. In 64.8% of cases the common hepatic artery was, as usual, in the left margin of the hepatoduodenal ligament, in 0.87% it was between the common bile duct and the portal vein i.e. to the right from the latter. The location of the right hepatic artery to the right or to the right and backwards from the common bile duct constitutes a supplementary risk of an accidental lesion of this artery in choledochotomy and drainage of the duct.", "contents": "[Individual variations of individual location of hepatic arteries in the lower part of the hepatoduodenal ligament]. The topography of the hepatic arteries in the lower half of the hepatoduodenal ligament was studied on 230 human cadavers. In 64.8% of cases the common hepatic artery was, as usual, in the left margin of the hepatoduodenal ligament, in 0.87% it was between the common bile duct and the portal vein i.e. to the right from the latter. The location of the right hepatic artery to the right or to the right and backwards from the common bile duct constitutes a supplementary risk of an accidental lesion of this artery in choledochotomy and drainage of the duct.", "PMID": 636176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10677", "title": "[Liver echinococcosis].", "content": "On the basis of the experience with surgical treatment of 168 cases of hepatic echinococcosis in Algeria the author has concluded that such cases need an intense therapy both in pre- and postoperative period. To prevent from the recurrence of the disease it is sufficient to process the hydatid cyst fibrosal tunic with a tampon moistened with 5% formaline or 1% tripaflavine solution. The excision of the fibrosal tunic extended down to the cyst \"bottom\", followed by the suturing of the capsule stump to the liver wound margins, or primary suturing, before the drainage is started, in cases of a narrow wound cavity, result in 98.8% of recovery.", "contents": "[Liver echinococcosis]. On the basis of the experience with surgical treatment of 168 cases of hepatic echinococcosis in Algeria the author has concluded that such cases need an intense therapy both in pre- and postoperative period. To prevent from the recurrence of the disease it is sufficient to process the hydatid cyst fibrosal tunic with a tampon moistened with 5% formaline or 1% tripaflavine solution. The excision of the fibrosal tunic extended down to the cyst \"bottom\", followed by the suturing of the capsule stump to the liver wound margins, or primary suturing, before the drainage is started, in cases of a narrow wound cavity, result in 98.8% of recovery.", "PMID": 636177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10678", "title": "[Perforation of the distal end of the colon and intraabdominal portion of the rectum].", "content": "The authors present their own observations on some cases of the perforation of the distal end of the sigmoid colon and the intraabdominal portion of the rectum, which is a rare condition. The authors present their own observation of 7 cases, only one of whom died. On the grounds of their experience the authors suggest the most suitable variants of surgical interventions.", "contents": "[Perforation of the distal end of the colon and intraabdominal portion of the rectum]. The authors present their own observations on some cases of the perforation of the distal end of the sigmoid colon and the intraabdominal portion of the rectum, which is a rare condition. The authors present their own observation of 7 cases, only one of whom died. On the grounds of their experience the authors suggest the most suitable variants of surgical interventions.", "PMID": 636178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10679", "title": "[Surgery of thyrotoxicosis associated with diseases of the central nervous system].", "content": "Studies on 1432 thyrotoxicosis cases attracted the attention to a relatively high incidence (7.7%) of its association with damage to the central nervous system. 27 of 110 patients with combined type of thyrotoxicosis developed malignant exophthalmos. On the grounds of the studies of long-term results of the surgical treatment of these cases one could come to the conclusion, that surgical treatment of combined types of thyrotoxicosis was an efficient method. The clinic recommends complex preoperative management and a postoperative care procedure.", "contents": "[Surgery of thyrotoxicosis associated with diseases of the central nervous system]. Studies on 1432 thyrotoxicosis cases attracted the attention to a relatively high incidence (7.7%) of its association with damage to the central nervous system. 27 of 110 patients with combined type of thyrotoxicosis developed malignant exophthalmos. On the grounds of the studies of long-term results of the surgical treatment of these cases one could come to the conclusion, that surgical treatment of combined types of thyrotoxicosis was an efficient method. The clinic recommends complex preoperative management and a postoperative care procedure.", "PMID": 636179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10680", "title": "[Benign esophageal tumors, their diagnosis and treatment].", "content": "The results of the observation over 15 cases of benign esophageal tumors, diagnostic procedures permitting to precise the esophageal pathology, the validity of the catheterization in the roentgenological examination of the esophagus aimed at the differentiation of a given pathology from esophageal cancer and the treatment results as well are set forth in this work. A complex of diagnostic procedures and features recommended for the differential diagnosis of esophageal diseases is suggested.", "contents": "[Benign esophageal tumors, their diagnosis and treatment]. The results of the observation over 15 cases of benign esophageal tumors, diagnostic procedures permitting to precise the esophageal pathology, the validity of the catheterization in the roentgenological examination of the esophagus aimed at the differentiation of a given pathology from esophageal cancer and the treatment results as well are set forth in this work. A complex of diagnostic procedures and features recommended for the differential diagnosis of esophageal diseases is suggested.", "PMID": 636180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10681", "title": "[Extend of surgical intervention in breast cancer].", "content": "The results of treatment in 1362 breast cancer patients were analysed, depending on the extent of surgical intervention. An extended operation failed to improve the survival of the patients and, therefore, such operations seem to be indicated only in median-central localization of the tumor and the absence of axillary lymph nodes involvement. In surface location of the neoplasm and not enlarged axillary lymph nodes the Patey surgery proved to be warranted. For most patients with breast cancer radical mastectomy is remained to be the operation of choice.", "contents": "[Extend of surgical intervention in breast cancer]. The results of treatment in 1362 breast cancer patients were analysed, depending on the extent of surgical intervention. An extended operation failed to improve the survival of the patients and, therefore, such operations seem to be indicated only in median-central localization of the tumor and the absence of axillary lymph nodes involvement. In surface location of the neoplasm and not enlarged axillary lymph nodes the Patey surgery proved to be warranted. For most patients with breast cancer radical mastectomy is remained to be the operation of choice.", "PMID": 636181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10682", "title": "[Comparative evaluation of reconstructive surgery in atherosclerotic occlusions of the arteries of the lower extremities].", "content": "In 118 patients 144 different reparative operative procedures were performed for ischemia of the extremity, grade II-IV, due to atherosclerotic lesion of arteries of the femoropopliteal zone. In ischemia of the extremity due to an isolated lesion of the superficial femoral artery transplantation of the reversed autovein is felt to be the best method of reconstruction. Transplantation of a synthetic prosthesis may be employed, only if other methods, as the last chance for saving the extremity from amputation, proved to be unfeasible.", "contents": "[Comparative evaluation of reconstructive surgery in atherosclerotic occlusions of the arteries of the lower extremities]. In 118 patients 144 different reparative operative procedures were performed for ischemia of the extremity, grade II-IV, due to atherosclerotic lesion of arteries of the femoropopliteal zone. In ischemia of the extremity due to an isolated lesion of the superficial femoral artery transplantation of the reversed autovein is felt to be the best method of reconstruction. Transplantation of a synthetic prosthesis may be employed, only if other methods, as the last chance for saving the extremity from amputation, proved to be unfeasible.", "PMID": 636182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10683", "title": "[Treatment of pseudathrosis and defects of the lower part of the femoral bone].", "content": "A description of the methods of treatment, elaborated by the author for pseudarthrosis and defects located in the lower third of the femur, is given. Original clips devised by the author are described.", "contents": "[Treatment of pseudathrosis and defects of the lower part of the femoral bone]. A description of the methods of treatment, elaborated by the author for pseudarthrosis and defects located in the lower third of the femur, is given. Original clips devised by the author are described.", "PMID": 636183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10684", "title": "[Acute cholecystitis as a postoperative complication].", "content": "The literature data on acute cholecystitis occuring as a complication after operations on the abdominal organs are analysed. The author presents 3 own observations of cholecystitis in early postoperative period among 28,556 laparotomies. Taking into consideration the rarity of this complication, the author believes that the arguments adduced for simultaneous preventive cholecystectomy in operations for other abdominal organs diseases are dubious, especially in emergent abdominal surgery.", "contents": "[Acute cholecystitis as a postoperative complication]. The literature data on acute cholecystitis occuring as a complication after operations on the abdominal organs are analysed. The author presents 3 own observations of cholecystitis in early postoperative period among 28,556 laparotomies. Taking into consideration the rarity of this complication, the author believes that the arguments adduced for simultaneous preventive cholecystectomy in operations for other abdominal organs diseases are dubious, especially in emergent abdominal surgery.", "PMID": 636184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10685", "title": "[Diagnosis and treatment of subphrenic abscess].", "content": "The clinical picture of subphrenic abscess taking place against the background of the treatment with modern antibacterial drugs has changed essentially, which requires a complex solution of the problem of the timely abscess diagnosis. The antistaphylococcal plasma and gamma globulin applied together with other methods of intense therapy proved to be the most effective after the dissection of the abscess.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and treatment of subphrenic abscess]. The clinical picture of subphrenic abscess taking place against the background of the treatment with modern antibacterial drugs has changed essentially, which requires a complex solution of the problem of the timely abscess diagnosis. The antistaphylococcal plasma and gamma globulin applied together with other methods of intense therapy proved to be the most effective after the dissection of the abscess.", "PMID": 636186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10686", "title": "[Distraction epiphysiolysis for lengthening of the extremities in children with the hip and knee tuberculosis].", "content": "6 cases with the sequelae of bones and joints tuberculosis underwent the distraction epiphysiolysis aimed at the lengthening of these extremities. The maximal lengthening reached 7 cm. The complications and treatment results are described.", "contents": "[Distraction epiphysiolysis for lengthening of the extremities in children with the hip and knee tuberculosis]. 6 cases with the sequelae of bones and joints tuberculosis underwent the distraction epiphysiolysis aimed at the lengthening of these extremities. The maximal lengthening reached 7 cm. The complications and treatment results are described.", "PMID": 636191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10687", "title": "[Surgical indications and surgical methods in post-traumatic management of the main arteries and nerves of upper extremities in late postraumatic period].", "content": "Reconstructive operations for nervous and vascular lesions of the upper extremities were carried out upon 37 cases within 2 to 46 months after trauma. The technic of operations and the results of the treatment are described.", "contents": "[Surgical indications and surgical methods in post-traumatic management of the main arteries and nerves of upper extremities in late postraumatic period]. Reconstructive operations for nervous and vascular lesions of the upper extremities were carried out upon 37 cases within 2 to 46 months after trauma. The technic of operations and the results of the treatment are described.", "PMID": 636195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10688", "title": "[Blood insulin activity in patients with burns during septicotoxemia].", "content": "It has been established that in severe burned cases fasting blood sugar and immunoreactive insulin level remain within the physiological range. It has been found that insulin secretion in severe burned cases is of a torpid type.", "contents": "[Blood insulin activity in patients with burns during septicotoxemia]. It has been established that in severe burned cases fasting blood sugar and immunoreactive insulin level remain within the physiological range. It has been found that insulin secretion in severe burned cases is of a torpid type.", "PMID": 636197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10689", "title": "[Necrectomy of upper extremities in thermal burns].", "content": "The results of necrectomy in 26 burned cases are described. There were 9 unilateral cases, the rest were bilateral with the involvement of other parts of the body. The indications for necrectomy on the upper extremities are established.", "contents": "[Necrectomy of upper extremities in thermal burns]. The results of necrectomy in 26 burned cases are described. There were 9 unilateral cases, the rest were bilateral with the involvement of other parts of the body. The indications for necrectomy on the upper extremities are established.", "PMID": 636198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10690", "title": "Synchronisation of oestrus and pregnancy diagnosis in heifers bred in autumn and winter.", "content": "The calving rate to artificial insemination following administration of progesterone or prostaglandin was influenced by ovarian activity at the start of the treatment. Significantly more heifers inseminated on a fixed time basis after a 12-day progesterone treatment calved compared to synchronised or control heifers inseminated at a detected oestrus. Administration of 10 mg oestrogen intravaginally by gelatin capsule attached to the progesterone-containing coil or injection of 5 mg oestrogen and 200 mg progesterone at the start of the 12-day progesterone treatment did not influence the oestrous response of calving rate. The accuracy of detection of non-pregnant heifers by oestrous detection, measurement of progesterone in blood 21 days after AI or rectal examination varied from 90 to 93 per cent. However, both oestrous detection and the progesterone test identified significantly fewer non-pregnant heifers. Rectal examination as a method of diagnosing pregnant heifers was significantly more accurate than either of the above.", "contents": "Synchronisation of oestrus and pregnancy diagnosis in heifers bred in autumn and winter. The calving rate to artificial insemination following administration of progesterone or prostaglandin was influenced by ovarian activity at the start of the treatment. Significantly more heifers inseminated on a fixed time basis after a 12-day progesterone treatment calved compared to synchronised or control heifers inseminated at a detected oestrus. Administration of 10 mg oestrogen intravaginally by gelatin capsule attached to the progesterone-containing coil or injection of 5 mg oestrogen and 200 mg progesterone at the start of the 12-day progesterone treatment did not influence the oestrous response of calving rate. The accuracy of detection of non-pregnant heifers by oestrous detection, measurement of progesterone in blood 21 days after AI or rectal examination varied from 90 to 93 per cent. However, both oestrous detection and the progesterone test identified significantly fewer non-pregnant heifers. Rectal examination as a method of diagnosing pregnant heifers was significantly more accurate than either of the above.", "PMID": 636204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10691", "title": "Clinical pregnancy diagnosis in the camel and a comparison with bovine pregnancy.", "content": "The clinical features of pregnancy for each month of gestation were studied and the findings recorded in respect of six pregnant camels which were subjected to rectal and vaginal examinations at weekly intervals over a period of 13 months. A comparison of the findings was made with those previously recorded for the cow.", "contents": "Clinical pregnancy diagnosis in the camel and a comparison with bovine pregnancy. The clinical features of pregnancy for each month of gestation were studied and the findings recorded in respect of six pregnant camels which were subjected to rectal and vaginal examinations at weekly intervals over a period of 13 months. A comparison of the findings was made with those previously recorded for the cow.", "PMID": 636209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10692", "title": "The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed by insulin on blood glucose and insulin in the dairy cow.", "content": "The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by insulin upon glucose metabolism and plasma insulin concentrations was examined in three cows. After doses of 0.18 mg per kg xylazine given intramuscularly (IM) or 0.15 mg per kg given intravenously (IV) hepatic glucose production increased, plasma insulin concentrations decreased to 25 to 33 per cent of control values, and there was a prolonged hyperglycaemia. When 200 units of soluble insulin were given 20 minutes after similar doses of xylazine there was a rapid fall in blood glucose and a reduction in the rate of glucose production by the liver. Xylazine-induced hyperglycaemia arose from a combination of increased hepatic glucose production and reduced plasma insulin concentrations. Peripheral tissues were still responsive to insulin and when adequate insulin was available blood glucose concentrations rapidly decreased.", "contents": "The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed by insulin on blood glucose and insulin in the dairy cow. The effect of xylazine and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by insulin upon glucose metabolism and plasma insulin concentrations was examined in three cows. After doses of 0.18 mg per kg xylazine given intramuscularly (IM) or 0.15 mg per kg given intravenously (IV) hepatic glucose production increased, plasma insulin concentrations decreased to 25 to 33 per cent of control values, and there was a prolonged hyperglycaemia. When 200 units of soluble insulin were given 20 minutes after similar doses of xylazine there was a rapid fall in blood glucose and a reduction in the rate of glucose production by the liver. Xylazine-induced hyperglycaemia arose from a combination of increased hepatic glucose production and reduced plasma insulin concentrations. Peripheral tissues were still responsive to insulin and when adequate insulin was available blood glucose concentrations rapidly decreased.", "PMID": 636210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10693", "title": "Haematological and blood chemistry \"comparison values\" for clinical pathology in poultry.", "content": "Twelve blood chemistry values, six haematological values and bodyweight were estimated for six-week-old specific-pathogen-free brown leghorns. Observations were based on 208 birds sampled from 11 groups. Subsequently the same values were estimated for specific pathogen free brown leghorns and broiler hybrids of differing ages. These estimates have been designated \"comparison values\" and were intended for reference use in clinical pathology. Results were compared with 14 \"comparison value\" estimated obtained previously for six-week-old commercial broiler hybrids. Haematological values varied with age and type of bird. Differences were observed between bird types in serum protein, serum cholesterol, uric acid, calcium and potassium levels and in weight. The significance of these differences is discussed.", "contents": "Haematological and blood chemistry \"comparison values\" for clinical pathology in poultry. Twelve blood chemistry values, six haematological values and bodyweight were estimated for six-week-old specific-pathogen-free brown leghorns. Observations were based on 208 birds sampled from 11 groups. Subsequently the same values were estimated for specific pathogen free brown leghorns and broiler hybrids of differing ages. These estimates have been designated \"comparison values\" and were intended for reference use in clinical pathology. Results were compared with 14 \"comparison value\" estimated obtained previously for six-week-old commercial broiler hybrids. Haematological values varied with age and type of bird. Differences were observed between bird types in serum protein, serum cholesterol, uric acid, calcium and potassium levels and in weight. The significance of these differences is discussed.", "PMID": 636211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10694", "title": "Hip dysplasia in beef cattle.", "content": "A bilateral hip lameness has been found in young beef bulls of the Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Charolais breeds in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. The incidence is usually small and sporadic, but up to half of the male animals on one farm may be affected clinically by the time they are one year old. Clinical lameness begins at three months to two years old, and very occasionally up to three years of age; some calves are obviously affected at birth. Aberdeen Angus cattle tend to be affected earlier than other breeds. Clinical evidence of the condition is almost entirely confined to the male.", "contents": "Hip dysplasia in beef cattle. A bilateral hip lameness has been found in young beef bulls of the Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Charolais breeds in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. The incidence is usually small and sporadic, but up to half of the male animals on one farm may be affected clinically by the time they are one year old. Clinical lameness begins at three months to two years old, and very occasionally up to three years of age; some calves are obviously affected at birth. Aberdeen Angus cattle tend to be affected earlier than other breeds. Clinical evidence of the condition is almost entirely confined to the male.", "PMID": 636223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10695", "title": "The variation in the concentration of plasma amino acids and blood urea in pregnant sows.", "content": "Two pregnant sows were fed on a basal diet consisting of equal amounts of ground barley and ground wheat with or without addition of L-lysine hydrochloride. Plasma amino acid and blood urea levels varied according to the time after feeding. Almost all the essential amino acids reached a maximum level after one hour and then declined at four hours after feeding. The results suggested that samples taken at between one and four hours after feeding were responsive to changes in dietary composition and could provide a measure to evaluate the amino acid pattern in relation to feeding. Both plasma amino acid and blood urea data suggested that lysine was the first limiting amino acid in the basal diet.", "contents": "The variation in the concentration of plasma amino acids and blood urea in pregnant sows. Two pregnant sows were fed on a basal diet consisting of equal amounts of ground barley and ground wheat with or without addition of L-lysine hydrochloride. Plasma amino acid and blood urea levels varied according to the time after feeding. Almost all the essential amino acids reached a maximum level after one hour and then declined at four hours after feeding. The results suggested that samples taken at between one and four hours after feeding were responsive to changes in dietary composition and could provide a measure to evaluate the amino acid pattern in relation to feeding. Both plasma amino acid and blood urea data suggested that lysine was the first limiting amino acid in the basal diet.", "PMID": 636224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10696", "title": "Non-surgical transfer of bovine embryos.", "content": "Bovine embryos obtained from donors six to nine days after oestrus were transferred non-surgically at a rate of one per recipient using a sterile insemination instrument, protected from contamination by the vagina with a plastic sheath. The percentage of recipients pregnant increased with the age of embryo transferred and for day 6 and 7 embryos was 33% compared to 58% for day 9 and 8 embryos. This difference approached statistical significance. Bacterial contamination of the instrument on withdrawal after transfer was not related to the success or failure of pregnancy. Maintenance of pregnancy to term and calving appeared to be normal. It is suggested that this method could be used for the routine transfer of eight and nine day embryos.", "contents": "Non-surgical transfer of bovine embryos. Bovine embryos obtained from donors six to nine days after oestrus were transferred non-surgically at a rate of one per recipient using a sterile insemination instrument, protected from contamination by the vagina with a plastic sheath. The percentage of recipients pregnant increased with the age of embryo transferred and for day 6 and 7 embryos was 33% compared to 58% for day 9 and 8 embryos. This difference approached statistical significance. Bacterial contamination of the instrument on withdrawal after transfer was not related to the success or failure of pregnancy. Maintenance of pregnancy to term and calving appeared to be normal. It is suggested that this method could be used for the routine transfer of eight and nine day embryos.", "PMID": 636234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10697", "title": "Cattle twins and freemartin diagnosis.", "content": "Some cattle breeding improvement programmes particularly in continental Europe aim to reduce the costs of rearing calves by increasing the number suckled by each cow. This encourages the rearing of twins and an increase in the number of heifers born twin-to-bull. Many of these are offered in the market and bought on the assumption that they are single-born. A large proportion will be freemartins and therefore irremediably sterile. Theories of the aetiology of the freemartin condition are summarised. The anatomical, haematological and chromosomal characteristics are described. Diagnostic methods based on these characteristics are described and compared. The clinical method is recommended as reliable in all but a small proportion of cases. The clinical signs of the freemartin at age three to six weeks are the absence of the external os, and a vagina length of 5 inches (12 cm) or less. The veterinary surgeon is encouraged to make the diagnosis on these clinical signs alone.", "contents": "Cattle twins and freemartin diagnosis. Some cattle breeding improvement programmes particularly in continental Europe aim to reduce the costs of rearing calves by increasing the number suckled by each cow. This encourages the rearing of twins and an increase in the number of heifers born twin-to-bull. Many of these are offered in the market and bought on the assumption that they are single-born. A large proportion will be freemartins and therefore irremediably sterile. Theories of the aetiology of the freemartin condition are summarised. The anatomical, haematological and chromosomal characteristics are described. Diagnostic methods based on these characteristics are described and compared. The clinical method is recommended as reliable in all but a small proportion of cases. The clinical signs of the freemartin at age three to six weeks are the absence of the external os, and a vagina length of 5 inches (12 cm) or less. The veterinary surgeon is encouraged to make the diagnosis on these clinical signs alone.", "PMID": 636235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10698", "title": "Pasteurellosis in sheep.", "content": "Pasteurellosis is an important cause of economic loss to the sheep industry. There are two distinct syndromes. The pneumonic form of the disease caused by P haemolytica biotype A occurs as pneumonia in flocks and sporadically in individual sheep. The septicaemic form, caused by P haemolytica biotype T is associated with hyper-acute disease and occurs most commonly in the autumn coinciding with the folding of hoggs on rape, turnips and improved pastures. The factors which predispose sheep to the different forms of the disease are poorly understood but recently it has been possible to reproduce pasteurella pneumonia experimentally.", "contents": "Pasteurellosis in sheep. Pasteurellosis is an important cause of economic loss to the sheep industry. There are two distinct syndromes. The pneumonic form of the disease caused by P haemolytica biotype A occurs as pneumonia in flocks and sporadically in individual sheep. The septicaemic form, caused by P haemolytica biotype T is associated with hyper-acute disease and occurs most commonly in the autumn coinciding with the folding of hoggs on rape, turnips and improved pastures. The factors which predispose sheep to the different forms of the disease are poorly understood but recently it has been possible to reproduce pasteurella pneumonia experimentally.", "PMID": 636244} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10699", "title": "The inheritance of ocular colobomata in Charolais cattle.", "content": "The examination of approximately 800 pure bred and cross bred Charolais cattle indicated that ocular colobomata is inherited via an autosomal dominant gene in this breed. Penetrance was found to be complete in the male and partial (52 per cent) in the female. Inheritance in the crossbred animals was different to that in the pure bred.", "contents": "The inheritance of ocular colobomata in Charolais cattle. The examination of approximately 800 pure bred and cross bred Charolais cattle indicated that ocular colobomata is inherited via an autosomal dominant gene in this breed. Penetrance was found to be complete in the male and partial (52 per cent) in the female. Inheritance in the crossbred animals was different to that in the pure bred.", "PMID": 636245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10700", "title": "Use of a silicone shunt for the surgical relief of feline urethral obstruction.", "content": "The technique and results of a recently developed surgical procedure for the relief of feline urethral obstruction are described. The method involves implanting a silicone shunt of comparable diameter into the pelvic urethra. Urine and struvite crystals are passed through the wide bore tube. The possibility of crystal accumulation and subsequent obstruction is thus avoided.", "contents": "Use of a silicone shunt for the surgical relief of feline urethral obstruction. The technique and results of a recently developed surgical procedure for the relief of feline urethral obstruction are described. The method involves implanting a silicone shunt of comparable diameter into the pelvic urethra. Urine and struvite crystals are passed through the wide bore tube. The possibility of crystal accumulation and subsequent obstruction is thus avoided.", "PMID": 636253} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10701", "title": "Dealing with data: the practical use of numerical information--(1) A place for statistics.", "content": "The purpose of the series of articles, of which this is the first, is to introduce from a practical angle those methods of handling data which have a statistical basis and to suggest some of their possible uses in veterinary medicine. This does not entail sophisticated mathematics, nor should it inevitably bring with it the pain and misery which is so often, and so frequently unjustly, associated with matters biometrical. No attempt will be made to cover the subject in any more depth than is required for the condensation and basic assessment of quantitative data, bearing in mind the number of comprehensive textbooks already available. Indeed, so many pitfalls await those who wander out of their statistical depth that for data requiring complex analysis, rather than sorting and simple testing, the inexperienced are well advised to seek expert assistance, such as is available through the Ministry of Agriculture's veterinary investigation centres.", "contents": "Dealing with data: the practical use of numerical information--(1) A place for statistics. The purpose of the series of articles, of which this is the first, is to introduce from a practical angle those methods of handling data which have a statistical basis and to suggest some of their possible uses in veterinary medicine. This does not entail sophisticated mathematics, nor should it inevitably bring with it the pain and misery which is so often, and so frequently unjustly, associated with matters biometrical. No attempt will be made to cover the subject in any more depth than is required for the condensation and basic assessment of quantitative data, bearing in mind the number of comprehensive textbooks already available. Indeed, so many pitfalls await those who wander out of their statistical depth that for data requiring complex analysis, rather than sorting and simple testing, the inexperienced are well advised to seek expert assistance, such as is available through the Ministry of Agriculture's veterinary investigation centres.", "PMID": 636254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10702", "title": "Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) poisoning in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus).", "content": "A series of unexpected deaths and unthriftiness was encountered in red deer at Glensaugh Deer Farm, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the autumn and winter of 1975--76. Occurrence and gross post mortem findings suggested a common etiology but microbiological, helminthological and histological examinations indicated that the syndrome was not of infectious or parasitic origin. Some of the lesions suggested an irritant poison. Foxglove plants were found in the pasture and their poisonous potential seemed to fit the post mortem findings and clinical signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by chemical analysis of tissues and botanical examination of rumen contents, and a similar fatality was produced in a penned red deer by test dosing with powdered foxglove leaves. Possible control and treatment are discussed. It is concluded that foxglove poisoning may be an occasional hazard in the husbanding of red deer. The history, clinical syndrome and gross post mortem findings may be sufficiently characteristic to allow a provisional diagnosis to be made in the field.", "contents": "Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) poisoning in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). A series of unexpected deaths and unthriftiness was encountered in red deer at Glensaugh Deer Farm, Kincardineshire, Scotland, in the autumn and winter of 1975--76. Occurrence and gross post mortem findings suggested a common etiology but microbiological, helminthological and histological examinations indicated that the syndrome was not of infectious or parasitic origin. Some of the lesions suggested an irritant poison. Foxglove plants were found in the pasture and their poisonous potential seemed to fit the post mortem findings and clinical signs. The diagnosis was confirmed by chemical analysis of tissues and botanical examination of rumen contents, and a similar fatality was produced in a penned red deer by test dosing with powdered foxglove leaves. Possible control and treatment are discussed. It is concluded that foxglove poisoning may be an occasional hazard in the husbanding of red deer. The history, clinical syndrome and gross post mortem findings may be sufficiently characteristic to allow a provisional diagnosis to be made in the field.", "PMID": 636255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10703", "title": "Herpes virus of turkey vaccine: viraemias in field flocks and in experimental chickens.", "content": "In a field survey of viraemias due to vaccination of chickens with herpes virus of turkey, variation was encountered in titres and percentages of birds viraemic. The incidence of viraemias was much lower in sick than in healthy birds in flocks undergoing mortality from Marek's disease. In a concurrent experiment the same strain of chicken and the same commercial vaccine were used as in the field flocks affected with Marek's disease. A high incidence of viraemia and 84.6 per cent protection against Marek's disease were obtained with single vaccination at one day of age. Revaccination at 21 days of age produced no measurable benefits in the same experiment.", "contents": "Herpes virus of turkey vaccine: viraemias in field flocks and in experimental chickens. In a field survey of viraemias due to vaccination of chickens with herpes virus of turkey, variation was encountered in titres and percentages of birds viraemic. The incidence of viraemias was much lower in sick than in healthy birds in flocks undergoing mortality from Marek's disease. In a concurrent experiment the same strain of chicken and the same commercial vaccine were used as in the field flocks affected with Marek's disease. A high incidence of viraemia and 84.6 per cent protection against Marek's disease were obtained with single vaccination at one day of age. Revaccination at 21 days of age produced no measurable benefits in the same experiment.", "PMID": 636256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10704", "title": "Significance of some immunochemical data for the viral pathogeny of multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 124 patients with different neurological diseases (35 having an ascertained diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 20--of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)) were investigated by immunoelectrophoresis. The correlation between the \"secretory\" immunoelectrophoretic pattern of CSF proteins in MS and SSPE patients and the incidence of antimeasles HI antibodies in the CSF is analysed. The results point to a different pathogenic significance of the presence of antimeasles antibodies : a) persistent measles virus infection in SSPE and b) a particular genetic constitution, coincident with a hyperreactivity to measles virus, in MS.", "contents": "Significance of some immunochemical data for the viral pathogeny of multiple sclerosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 124 patients with different neurological diseases (35 having an ascertained diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and 20--of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)) were investigated by immunoelectrophoresis. The correlation between the \"secretory\" immunoelectrophoretic pattern of CSF proteins in MS and SSPE patients and the incidence of antimeasles HI antibodies in the CSF is analysed. The results point to a different pathogenic significance of the presence of antimeasles antibodies : a) persistent measles virus infection in SSPE and b) a particular genetic constitution, coincident with a hyperreactivity to measles virus, in MS.", "PMID": 636308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10705", "title": "Apparently healthy HBsAg carriers: sex-dependent difference in ABO blood group distribution, subtype ratio and antigen titer.", "content": "The results obtained by subtyping and titration of 872 HBsAg from apparently healthy carriers were grouped according to blood group and sex. The incidence of blood group AB is higher among healthy HBsAg carriers than in the unselected population. There are large variations as regards the ay : ad ratio (overall mean value : 4.74) : minimal ay : ad values occur in the AB blood group, both in men (4.00) and in women (1.33), as compared with the mean values of 5.07 and 2.95 recorded in men and women, respectively. Titer analysis shows a cluster of higher titers in women. The involvement of immunogenetic mechanisms in asymptomatic HBsAg carriage is suggested.", "contents": "Apparently healthy HBsAg carriers: sex-dependent difference in ABO blood group distribution, subtype ratio and antigen titer. The results obtained by subtyping and titration of 872 HBsAg from apparently healthy carriers were grouped according to blood group and sex. The incidence of blood group AB is higher among healthy HBsAg carriers than in the unselected population. There are large variations as regards the ay : ad ratio (overall mean value : 4.74) : minimal ay : ad values occur in the AB blood group, both in men (4.00) and in women (1.33), as compared with the mean values of 5.07 and 2.95 recorded in men and women, respectively. Titer analysis shows a cluster of higher titers in women. The involvement of immunogenetic mechanisms in asymptomatic HBsAg carriage is suggested.", "PMID": 636309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10706", "title": "The role of vaccinia virus in the evolution of some human hemopathies.", "content": "Six cases of severe hemopathy, detected following smallpox revaccination are described. Their onset was favoured by vaccinia virus-induced suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In two leukemia patients humoral immunity was present, but insufficient to assure protection of the diseased organisms, the outcome being fatal. The pancytopenia syndrome recorded in 4 patients with anergy caused by autoimmune mechanisms had different outcomes: favourable in 2 cases and fatal in the other 2 patients, who died within 4 years.", "contents": "The role of vaccinia virus in the evolution of some human hemopathies. Six cases of severe hemopathy, detected following smallpox revaccination are described. Their onset was favoured by vaccinia virus-induced suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In two leukemia patients humoral immunity was present, but insufficient to assure protection of the diseased organisms, the outcome being fatal. The pancytopenia syndrome recorded in 4 patients with anergy caused by autoimmune mechanisms had different outcomes: favourable in 2 cases and fatal in the other 2 patients, who died within 4 years.", "PMID": 636310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10707", "title": "The general stochastic model of epidemics applied to the study of viral hepatitis.", "content": "The general stochastic model of epidemics was applied to the study of the total average number of hepatitis patients in a closed community during one year. A modification of Bailey's method was used to estimate the threshold parameter essentially implied in all calculations of this model.", "contents": "The general stochastic model of epidemics applied to the study of viral hepatitis. The general stochastic model of epidemics was applied to the study of the total average number of hepatitis patients in a closed community during one year. A modification of Bailey's method was used to estimate the threshold parameter essentially implied in all calculations of this model.", "PMID": 636314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10708", "title": "[Clinical aspects and morphology of sinus histiocytosis of the lymph nodes].", "content": "Based on the analysis of the literature data and personal authors' observations, the clinico-morphological signs of sinus histiocytosis are described. Also, the kinetics of the disease and a histological picture of the involved lymph nodes are shown at different stages of the process development. The necessity of lymph nodes biopsy in all cases suspicious of malignant lymphoma is emphasized.", "contents": "[Clinical aspects and morphology of sinus histiocytosis of the lymph nodes]. Based on the analysis of the literature data and personal authors' observations, the clinico-morphological signs of sinus histiocytosis are described. Also, the kinetics of the disease and a histological picture of the involved lymph nodes are shown at different stages of the process development. The necessity of lymph nodes biopsy in all cases suspicious of malignant lymphoma is emphasized.", "PMID": 636366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10709", "title": "[Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme spectrum in malignant neoplasm patients].", "content": "The isoenzymic spectrum of lactate dehydrogenase of blood sera was studied in 170 patients with malignant and benign tumors, chronic inflammatory lesions and in healthy persons. The characteristic changes in patients with malignant tumors were as follows: an increased activity of slow fractions and a decreased one in rapidly migrating fractions. The level of the 5th isoenzyme activity and the frequency of its increased activity in serum correlated well with the degree of cancer spread. The determination of a percentual content of the isoenzyme may be used as a supplementary test for diagnosing metastic involvement of the liver. The examination of the serum lactate dehydrogenase spectrum in patients with benign tumors and chronic inflammatory disease revealed no changes characteristic of malignant neoplasms.", "contents": "[Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme spectrum in malignant neoplasm patients]. The isoenzymic spectrum of lactate dehydrogenase of blood sera was studied in 170 patients with malignant and benign tumors, chronic inflammatory lesions and in healthy persons. The characteristic changes in patients with malignant tumors were as follows: an increased activity of slow fractions and a decreased one in rapidly migrating fractions. The level of the 5th isoenzyme activity and the frequency of its increased activity in serum correlated well with the degree of cancer spread. The determination of a percentual content of the isoenzyme may be used as a supplementary test for diagnosing metastic involvement of the liver. The examination of the serum lactate dehydrogenase spectrum in patients with benign tumors and chronic inflammatory disease revealed no changes characteristic of malignant neoplasms.", "PMID": 636367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10710", "title": "[Leukocyte migration inhibition reaction in melanoma].", "content": "Under study was the reaction of suppression of leucocytes migration in 28 patients with melanoma and in 15 healthy donors. In patients with the local neoplastic process the suppression of their lymphocytes migration under the melanoma extract influence was much more frequently observed and wos more significantly pronounced than in healthy donors and patients with metastases, especially in cases of wide tumor spread. Enhanced migration noted in a number of cases was associated with an unfavourable clinical course. Likewise, the enhanced migration was observed 2--3 weeks following resection of primary melanoma and in one case--at the end of the chemotherapy course.", "contents": "[Leukocyte migration inhibition reaction in melanoma]. Under study was the reaction of suppression of leucocytes migration in 28 patients with melanoma and in 15 healthy donors. In patients with the local neoplastic process the suppression of their lymphocytes migration under the melanoma extract influence was much more frequently observed and wos more significantly pronounced than in healthy donors and patients with metastases, especially in cases of wide tumor spread. Enhanced migration noted in a number of cases was associated with an unfavourable clinical course. Likewise, the enhanced migration was observed 2--3 weeks following resection of primary melanoma and in one case--at the end of the chemotherapy course.", "PMID": 636368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10711", "title": "[Malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex].", "content": "The authors report the clinico-anatomical analysis of 23 observations on malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex. The greatest diagnostic difficulties are encountered in the so-called \"non-functioning\" tumors, devoid of normal activity and mostly observed in adults. To pinpoint further the diagnosis, a wide use of morphological methods, especially needle biopsy, is recommended. A prolonged preclinical period, a tendency to predominantly hematogenic metastases spread, the fibrinolytic activity of parenchymal cells, pyrogenic and allergic effects of the catabolism products should be referred to as the biological features of the tumor. Bilateral involvement of adrenal glands sometimes depends on multicentric growth of a hormone-dependent tumor.", "contents": "[Malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex]. The authors report the clinico-anatomical analysis of 23 observations on malignant tumors of the adrenal cortex. The greatest diagnostic difficulties are encountered in the so-called \"non-functioning\" tumors, devoid of normal activity and mostly observed in adults. To pinpoint further the diagnosis, a wide use of morphological methods, especially needle biopsy, is recommended. A prolonged preclinical period, a tendency to predominantly hematogenic metastases spread, the fibrinolytic activity of parenchymal cells, pyrogenic and allergic effects of the catabolism products should be referred to as the biological features of the tumor. Bilateral involvement of adrenal glands sometimes depends on multicentric growth of a hormone-dependent tumor.", "PMID": 636369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10712", "title": "[Changes in lactate dehydrogenase isoforms in the process of oncogenesis].", "content": "Isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase were studied by disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and in the clinic--in 1% agar gel. Oncovirus A12 invasion of the culture of rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) was found to result in the increased percentage of the cathode fractions activity (LDG-4 and LD-5) and in the disappearance of LDG-1 yet during the first day of the experiment prior to hypoxia and enhanced proliferation, i. e. it is most likely to be primary. In the homogenates of cancerous tumor and large intestine polyps of man also a reliable increase of the cathode and a decrease or disappearance of the anode fractions accur. A correlation of the experimental and clinical data allowed a suggestion to be made that LDG isoenzymes changes are genetically conditioned and play an important role in the process of oncogenesis, providing conditions for the increased intensity of glycolysis and proliferation.", "contents": "[Changes in lactate dehydrogenase isoforms in the process of oncogenesis]. Isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase were studied by disc-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, and in the clinic--in 1% agar gel. Oncovirus A12 invasion of the culture of rat embryo fibroblasts (REF) was found to result in the increased percentage of the cathode fractions activity (LDG-4 and LD-5) and in the disappearance of LDG-1 yet during the first day of the experiment prior to hypoxia and enhanced proliferation, i. e. it is most likely to be primary. In the homogenates of cancerous tumor and large intestine polyps of man also a reliable increase of the cathode and a decrease or disappearance of the anode fractions accur. A correlation of the experimental and clinical data allowed a suggestion to be made that LDG isoenzymes changes are genetically conditioned and play an important role in the process of oncogenesis, providing conditions for the increased intensity of glycolysis and proliferation.", "PMID": 636370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10713", "title": "[Data on the biological properties of olefin sulfate].", "content": "In the experiments on hybrid mice CBA X C57Bl6 the effect of the preparation Progress with different (16.5% and 24.5%) content of the surface-active agent--olefine sulphate on benz(a)pyrene induced carcinogenesis has been studied. The cutaneous application of the substance has evidenced enhanced carcinogenesis under the exposure to a larger of the two dosages: skin tumors in the experimental group were noted in 68.75% of animals, in the control group (application of the carcinogen)--in 19.44%. Under the condition of peroral administration of the agent no enhancement of carcinogenesis was revealed, meanwhile proventricular tumors appeared in the group where the carcinogen was administered without the preliminary carcinogen exposure.", "contents": "[Data on the biological properties of olefin sulfate]. In the experiments on hybrid mice CBA X C57Bl6 the effect of the preparation Progress with different (16.5% and 24.5%) content of the surface-active agent--olefine sulphate on benz(a)pyrene induced carcinogenesis has been studied. The cutaneous application of the substance has evidenced enhanced carcinogenesis under the exposure to a larger of the two dosages: skin tumors in the experimental group were noted in 68.75% of animals, in the control group (application of the carcinogen)--in 19.44%. Under the condition of peroral administration of the agent no enhancement of carcinogenesis was revealed, meanwhile proventricular tumors appeared in the group where the carcinogen was administered without the preliminary carcinogen exposure.", "PMID": 636371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10714", "title": "[Change in the density of surface lymphocyte receptors and in the level of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lympholeukosis].", "content": "Using the complex of methods for recognition of surface lymphocyte receptors the authors examined 42 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia and 30 healthy individuals. The reduced density of receptors on lymphocyte surface or their total absence is characteristic of the whole group of patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. This atypism of leukemia lymphocytes is augmented in greater rate of neoplastic cells growth. Total synthesis of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lymphatic leukemia is found to be lowered, the fall being more sharp in increased amount of lymphocytes in peripheral blood.", "contents": "[Change in the density of surface lymphocyte receptors and in the level of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lympholeukosis]. Using the complex of methods for recognition of surface lymphocyte receptors the authors examined 42 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia and 30 healthy individuals. The reduced density of receptors on lymphocyte surface or their total absence is characteristic of the whole group of patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. This atypism of leukemia lymphocytes is augmented in greater rate of neoplastic cells growth. Total synthesis of serum immunoglobulins in chronic lymphatic leukemia is found to be lowered, the fall being more sharp in increased amount of lymphocytes in peripheral blood.", "PMID": 636372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10715", "title": "[Treatment of skin tumors with a pulse laser].", "content": "The clinical laser complex including neodymium and CO2--lasers is described, and the methods of irradiation depending on the type of the laser and tumor are given. The results of the treatment in 559 patients with different malignant and benign skin tumors are analysed. The data of the follow-up (up to 7 years) indicated that 15 of 48 patients with primary melanomas developed metastases, and 12 of them died. Among 105 patients with skin cancers 4 persons had recurrences and were irradiated repeatedly. The main merits of the method compared with surgery and X-ray therapy (the absence of side effects, promptness of the treatment, sterility and precise localization of the effect, vascular thrombosis contributing to an ablastic operation) are discussed. The results obtained with neodymium and CO2--lasers are compared.", "contents": "[Treatment of skin tumors with a pulse laser]. The clinical laser complex including neodymium and CO2--lasers is described, and the methods of irradiation depending on the type of the laser and tumor are given. The results of the treatment in 559 patients with different malignant and benign skin tumors are analysed. The data of the follow-up (up to 7 years) indicated that 15 of 48 patients with primary melanomas developed metastases, and 12 of them died. Among 105 patients with skin cancers 4 persons had recurrences and were irradiated repeatedly. The main merits of the method compared with surgery and X-ray therapy (the absence of side effects, promptness of the treatment, sterility and precise localization of the effect, vascular thrombosis contributing to an ablastic operation) are discussed. The results obtained with neodymium and CO2--lasers are compared.", "PMID": 636374} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10716", "title": "[Surgical treatment of tumors of the ribs and clavicles].", "content": "The authors report 32 patients with different lesions of ribs and 6 patients with clavicular lesions. Due attention is given to the difficulties in establishing the differential roentgenological diagnosis between reticulosarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, metastases of other tumors in the rib and fibrous dysplasia. Great diagnostic value of trephine biopsy in establishing the morphological diagnosis is emphasized. To close large defects in the thoracic wall following the resection of some ribs a new variant of autodermal thoracoplasty is suggested.", "contents": "[Surgical treatment of tumors of the ribs and clavicles]. The authors report 32 patients with different lesions of ribs and 6 patients with clavicular lesions. Due attention is given to the difficulties in establishing the differential roentgenological diagnosis between reticulosarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, metastases of other tumors in the rib and fibrous dysplasia. Great diagnostic value of trephine biopsy in establishing the morphological diagnosis is emphasized. To close large defects in the thoracic wall following the resection of some ribs a new variant of autodermal thoracoplasty is suggested.", "PMID": 636375} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10717", "title": "[Characteristics of the clinical course and prognosis in glandular lung cancer].", "content": "The peculiarities of clinical manifestations of glandular carcinoma of the lung have been studied, an account is taken of histological tumor variants and the degree of tumor proliferation. The results of treatment are analysed in relation to the prognosis of the disease in 305 patients. The peculiar clinical course of lung adenocarcinoma seems to be due to the predominantly peripheral kind of the tumor and relatively prompt lympho-hematogenic metastasization. Marked anaplasia of the tumor revealed morphologically is usually indicative of the dissemination even in insignificant local spread. Satisfactory results of surgical treatment are gained only in early stages (I--II), mainly in patients with high-differentiated adenocarcinoma.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the clinical course and prognosis in glandular lung cancer]. The peculiarities of clinical manifestations of glandular carcinoma of the lung have been studied, an account is taken of histological tumor variants and the degree of tumor proliferation. The results of treatment are analysed in relation to the prognosis of the disease in 305 patients. The peculiar clinical course of lung adenocarcinoma seems to be due to the predominantly peripheral kind of the tumor and relatively prompt lympho-hematogenic metastasization. Marked anaplasia of the tumor revealed morphologically is usually indicative of the dissemination even in insignificant local spread. Satisfactory results of surgical treatment are gained only in early stages (I--II), mainly in patients with high-differentiated adenocarcinoma.", "PMID": 636378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10718", "title": "[Metastasizing bronchial carcinoids].", "content": "Bronchial carcinoids develop metastases approximately in 22 per cent of cases. Metastases can develop in all anatomical forms of the growth. Histologically, metastasizing tumors may be of a different structure: a) typical histoarchitectonics and cytology; b) atypical histoarchitectonics but without cell atypism; c) typical histoarchitectonics associated with cytologic atypism; d) histoarchitectonic atypism associated with cytologic atypism. There is no dependence between an anatomical form of the growth and histological structure. But secondary changes in the lung are directly dependent on the localization and anatomical form of the growth. In Fontana silverring and diazol rose staining secretory granules in the tumor cells cytoplasm, as a rule, are not revealed, including the cases with carcinoid syndrome.", "contents": "[Metastasizing bronchial carcinoids]. Bronchial carcinoids develop metastases approximately in 22 per cent of cases. Metastases can develop in all anatomical forms of the growth. Histologically, metastasizing tumors may be of a different structure: a) typical histoarchitectonics and cytology; b) atypical histoarchitectonics but without cell atypism; c) typical histoarchitectonics associated with cytologic atypism; d) histoarchitectonic atypism associated with cytologic atypism. There is no dependence between an anatomical form of the growth and histological structure. But secondary changes in the lung are directly dependent on the localization and anatomical form of the growth. In Fontana silverring and diazol rose staining secretory granules in the tumor cells cytoplasm, as a rule, are not revealed, including the cases with carcinoid syndrome.", "PMID": 636379} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10719", "title": "[Puncture of a bronchial tumor in the bronchoscopic diagnosis of lung cancer].", "content": "An analysis of the results of bronchial tumor biopsy performed in 200 lung cancer patients is reported. Morphological verification proved feasible in 193 of 200 patients. Biopsy and puncturing of the tumor are found to be most advantageous technics for the material take during bronchoscopy. Contrary to biopsy, an efficiency of transbronchial puncturing is not affected by the character of tumor growth and its morphological structure. A combined use of biopsy and puncture makes it possible to increase the percentage of morphologically supported diagnosis of pulmonary cancer. Transbronchial puncturing is also an efficient maneuver for detection of cancer recurrence in the bronchial stump and a residual tumor after conservative therapy. Endoscopic signs of the peribronchial pattern of tumor growth are absolute indications to its puncture.", "contents": "[Puncture of a bronchial tumor in the bronchoscopic diagnosis of lung cancer]. An analysis of the results of bronchial tumor biopsy performed in 200 lung cancer patients is reported. Morphological verification proved feasible in 193 of 200 patients. Biopsy and puncturing of the tumor are found to be most advantageous technics for the material take during bronchoscopy. Contrary to biopsy, an efficiency of transbronchial puncturing is not affected by the character of tumor growth and its morphological structure. A combined use of biopsy and puncture makes it possible to increase the percentage of morphologically supported diagnosis of pulmonary cancer. Transbronchial puncturing is also an efficient maneuver for detection of cancer recurrence in the bronchial stump and a residual tumor after conservative therapy. Endoscopic signs of the peribronchial pattern of tumor growth are absolute indications to its puncture.", "PMID": 636380} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10720", "title": "[Role of nonspecific accompanying pulmonary pathology in altering the external respiratory function in lung cancer].", "content": "In 110 lung cancer patients the authors have determined the rate of separate distension of the lung and chest (DL--C), and in 60 of them radiopneumography with Xe133 was employed. All patients were subdivided into 3 groups: I--those suffering chronic concomitant lung affections, II--those with acute pulmonary diseases in the anamnesis, III--those showing no signs of concomitant pathology. It was found that the previous diseases (pneumonia, acute bronchitis) render no significant effect on the external respiration function (as evidenced by radiopneumographic findings). Whereas concomitant pathology (chronic bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, etc.) would aggravate the function considerably, that is especially pronounced in central tumor localization. In patients of the group I and II DL--C was found to be markely reduced, that may be due to asymptomatic pleurofibrosis in the group II. To estimate the possibilities of surgical treatment for lung cancer, a detailed complex diagnosis of concomitant nonspecific pulmonary pathology seems to be absolutely necessary.", "contents": "[Role of nonspecific accompanying pulmonary pathology in altering the external respiratory function in lung cancer]. In 110 lung cancer patients the authors have determined the rate of separate distension of the lung and chest (DL--C), and in 60 of them radiopneumography with Xe133 was employed. All patients were subdivided into 3 groups: I--those suffering chronic concomitant lung affections, II--those with acute pulmonary diseases in the anamnesis, III--those showing no signs of concomitant pathology. It was found that the previous diseases (pneumonia, acute bronchitis) render no significant effect on the external respiration function (as evidenced by radiopneumographic findings). Whereas concomitant pathology (chronic bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, etc.) would aggravate the function considerably, that is especially pronounced in central tumor localization. In patients of the group I and II DL--C was found to be markely reduced, that may be due to asymptomatic pleurofibrosis in the group II. To estimate the possibilities of surgical treatment for lung cancer, a detailed complex diagnosis of concomitant nonspecific pulmonary pathology seems to be absolutely necessary.", "PMID": 636382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10721", "title": "[Combination of primary lung cancer with extrapulmonary carcinomas].", "content": "An analysis is given of 50 observations of lung cancer associated with cancer of other organs. Lung cancer was preceded by cancer of another organ in 33 patients (66%), cancer of another organ developed after lung cancer had been cured--in 6 (12%), and synchronous involvement was noted in II (22%). An average interval between radical surgery for lung cancer and subsequent tumor growth in another organ was 6.2 years. Among patients with synchronous carcinomas the association with laryngeal cancer (4) and cancer of the stomach (4) was most frequently noted. The principles of treatment in patients with synchronous carcinomas are described.", "contents": "[Combination of primary lung cancer with extrapulmonary carcinomas]. An analysis is given of 50 observations of lung cancer associated with cancer of other organs. Lung cancer was preceded by cancer of another organ in 33 patients (66%), cancer of another organ developed after lung cancer had been cured--in 6 (12%), and synchronous involvement was noted in II (22%). An average interval between radical surgery for lung cancer and subsequent tumor growth in another organ was 6.2 years. Among patients with synchronous carcinomas the association with laryngeal cancer (4) and cancer of the stomach (4) was most frequently noted. The principles of treatment in patients with synchronous carcinomas are described.", "PMID": 636383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10722", "title": "[Endocrine system reaction in relation to the clinical manifestations of lung cancer].", "content": "Using radiobiochemical methods \"in vitro\" by means of determining hormone production in blood serum, the authors studied the functional state of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid in 51 patients with lung cancer: stage I--in 8 patients, II--in 7, III--in 23 and IV--in 13. Histological structure: adenocarcinoma--in 9, epidermoid cancer--in 29, undifferentiated cancer--in 5. The analysis indicated that the hormonal disbalance in the organism of lung cancer patients is not evidenced by secondary clinical manifestations of the disease (atelectasis, suppuration, etc), there being a number of general regularities in the response of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid depending on the stage. This dependence shows a sinusoidal pattern maximum pronounced in stage I. Some common regularities in the endocrinous response of the hypophysis and adrenal glands are observed in different histostructure of the tumor, the response increasing in the following sequence: adenocarcinoma, epidermoid, undifferentiated cancer.", "contents": "[Endocrine system reaction in relation to the clinical manifestations of lung cancer]. Using radiobiochemical methods \"in vitro\" by means of determining hormone production in blood serum, the authors studied the functional state of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid in 51 patients with lung cancer: stage I--in 8 patients, II--in 7, III--in 23 and IV--in 13. Histological structure: adenocarcinoma--in 9, epidermoid cancer--in 29, undifferentiated cancer--in 5. The analysis indicated that the hormonal disbalance in the organism of lung cancer patients is not evidenced by secondary clinical manifestations of the disease (atelectasis, suppuration, etc), there being a number of general regularities in the response of the hypophysis, adrenal glands, the pancreas and thyroid depending on the stage. This dependence shows a sinusoidal pattern maximum pronounced in stage I. Some common regularities in the endocrinous response of the hypophysis and adrenal glands are observed in different histostructure of the tumor, the response increasing in the following sequence: adenocarcinoma, epidermoid, undifferentiated cancer.", "PMID": 636384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10723", "title": "[Adaptational and thyroid homeostasis and the state of fat and carbohydrate metabolism in lung cancer].", "content": "An examination of over 100 patients with cancer and benign processes in the lung has demonstrated that the increased hypothalamic threshold to homeostatic inhibition in the adaptation system and a tendency to lowering of this threshold in the thyroid system are typical for lung cancer patients. Disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism are more frequently observed in lung cancer than lipid metabolism disorders, recognized in approximately 1/5 of all patients. Whereas lipid metabolism disorders in lung cancer patients are more closely than those of carbohydrate metabolism correlated with the state of adaptation and thyroid homeostasis. The data obtained will be compared with the results of the corresponding observations in patients with mammary gland cancer.", "contents": "[Adaptational and thyroid homeostasis and the state of fat and carbohydrate metabolism in lung cancer]. An examination of over 100 patients with cancer and benign processes in the lung has demonstrated that the increased hypothalamic threshold to homeostatic inhibition in the adaptation system and a tendency to lowering of this threshold in the thyroid system are typical for lung cancer patients. Disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism are more frequently observed in lung cancer than lipid metabolism disorders, recognized in approximately 1/5 of all patients. Whereas lipid metabolism disorders in lung cancer patients are more closely than those of carbohydrate metabolism correlated with the state of adaptation and thyroid homeostasis. The data obtained will be compared with the results of the corresponding observations in patients with mammary gland cancer.", "PMID": 636385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10724", "title": "[Cytological and cytochemical characteristics of the metastases of undifferentiated cancer to the lymph nodes].", "content": "Cytologic assay of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes may be used along with histological studies as a reliable adjunct for morphological diagnosis, that makes possible in many cases to determine not only the epithelial origin of the affection but also to characterize its histological pattern. However, the cytologic diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer metastases is frequently rather difficult in relation to establishing the differential diagnosis between the former and other affections of lymph nodes. A careful, and sometimes repeated analysis of the material, taking into account the clinical data and cytochemical findings, contributes to greater efficiency of a cytologic method. The perspective use of cytochemical reactions as additional criteria for the diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer necessitates their further elaboration and study.", "contents": "[Cytological and cytochemical characteristics of the metastases of undifferentiated cancer to the lymph nodes]. Cytologic assay of metastatic involvement of lymph nodes may be used along with histological studies as a reliable adjunct for morphological diagnosis, that makes possible in many cases to determine not only the epithelial origin of the affection but also to characterize its histological pattern. However, the cytologic diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer metastases is frequently rather difficult in relation to establishing the differential diagnosis between the former and other affections of lymph nodes. A careful, and sometimes repeated analysis of the material, taking into account the clinical data and cytochemical findings, contributes to greater efficiency of a cytologic method. The perspective use of cytochemical reactions as additional criteria for the diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer necessitates their further elaboration and study.", "PMID": 636386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10725", "title": "[Indications for mediastinoscopy in lung cancer].", "content": "An experience with 371 mediastinoscopies in lung cancer patients is analysed. The enlargement of intrathoracic lymph nodes revealed roentgenologically or bronchoscopically is considered by the authors to be the basic indication to mediastinoscopy. Among 270 such patients the positive result of mediastinoscopy was noted in 128 (47.3%). Among the remaining 101 patients, in whom none of the methods concerned revealed lymph nodes enlargement, the positive results of mediastinoscopy were noted only in 3 (2.97%).", "contents": "[Indications for mediastinoscopy in lung cancer]. An experience with 371 mediastinoscopies in lung cancer patients is analysed. The enlargement of intrathoracic lymph nodes revealed roentgenologically or bronchoscopically is considered by the authors to be the basic indication to mediastinoscopy. Among 270 such patients the positive result of mediastinoscopy was noted in 128 (47.3%). Among the remaining 101 patients, in whom none of the methods concerned revealed lymph nodes enlargement, the positive results of mediastinoscopy were noted only in 3 (2.97%).", "PMID": 636387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10726", "title": "[Importance of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy in the accurate determination of the operability of lung cancer patients].", "content": "The authors give a comparative estimation of the results of 217 mediastinoscopies, 58 parasternal mediastinotomies, performed in 274 patients with pulmonary cancer to determine precisely their operability. Positive findings in mediastinoscopy were noted in 66 (33.4%) of 217 patients, especially in cancer of median localization (in 42 of 153 patients or in 32%) and of the right lung predominantly (in 51 of 134 patients or in 45.5%). Parasternal mediastinoscopy yielded positive findings in 30 (51.7%) of 58 patients. This method proved to be mostly reliable in examining patients with peripheral bronchus cancer, especially in left lung localization of the tumor. The results of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy are similarly conditioned by the morphological structure of the tumor. Due to mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy 57 (26.6%) of 222 patients, previously referred to as being \"operable,\" proved to be inoperable. These methods also would aid in avoiding tentative thoracotomy or nonradical surgery in 78 (30.7%) of 254 patients, primarily considered to be \"operable\" or \"doubtfully operable\".", "contents": "[Importance of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy in the accurate determination of the operability of lung cancer patients]. The authors give a comparative estimation of the results of 217 mediastinoscopies, 58 parasternal mediastinotomies, performed in 274 patients with pulmonary cancer to determine precisely their operability. Positive findings in mediastinoscopy were noted in 66 (33.4%) of 217 patients, especially in cancer of median localization (in 42 of 153 patients or in 32%) and of the right lung predominantly (in 51 of 134 patients or in 45.5%). Parasternal mediastinoscopy yielded positive findings in 30 (51.7%) of 58 patients. This method proved to be mostly reliable in examining patients with peripheral bronchus cancer, especially in left lung localization of the tumor. The results of mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy are similarly conditioned by the morphological structure of the tumor. Due to mediastinoscopy and parasternal mediastinotomy 57 (26.6%) of 222 patients, previously referred to as being \"operable,\" proved to be inoperable. These methods also would aid in avoiding tentative thoracotomy or nonradical surgery in 78 (30.7%) of 254 patients, primarily considered to be \"operable\" or \"doubtfully operable\".", "PMID": 636388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10727", "title": "[Postoperative irradiation in lung cancer].", "content": "The authors report a comparative analysis of the results of treatment in two groups of patients with lung cancer. In the first group (194 patients) surgical treatment was supplemented by postoperative irradiation with a total dosage of 4000--5500 rad. In the second control group (189 patients) only surgery was employed. Both groups are comparable according to main generally accepted clinical characteristics. It was found that the use of postoperative irradiation after the mentioned technic failed to improve remote results of surgical therapy. The indices of a 5-year survival proved to be higher than those with surgical treatment only--38.6% versus 24.8% in the combined treatment (P less than 0.05), that was due to the increased mortality rate as a result of complications, induced by postoperative irradiation.", "contents": "[Postoperative irradiation in lung cancer]. The authors report a comparative analysis of the results of treatment in two groups of patients with lung cancer. In the first group (194 patients) surgical treatment was supplemented by postoperative irradiation with a total dosage of 4000--5500 rad. In the second control group (189 patients) only surgery was employed. Both groups are comparable according to main generally accepted clinical characteristics. It was found that the use of postoperative irradiation after the mentioned technic failed to improve remote results of surgical therapy. The indices of a 5-year survival proved to be higher than those with surgical treatment only--38.6% versus 24.8% in the combined treatment (P less than 0.05), that was due to the increased mortality rate as a result of complications, induced by postoperative irradiation.", "PMID": 636389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10728", "title": "[Immediate and late results of plastic operations in lung cancer].", "content": "The author's experience with 94 plastic operations on bronchi for lung cancer is analysed. Plastic procedures made 9% of all radical interventions. Following lobe and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus 51% of patients survived over 3 years, 32%--over 5 years, 6 patients have been followed up for 10 years. Plastic procedures on bronchi for lung cancer seem to be oncologically warranted and should be performed on definite indications. The best remote results were observed following lobe- and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus, performed for epidermoid cancer of stage II with endobronchial tumor growth. Lobectomy with wedge-shaped resection of the main bronchus not infrequently resulted in local tumor recurrence.", "contents": "[Immediate and late results of plastic operations in lung cancer]. The author's experience with 94 plastic operations on bronchi for lung cancer is analysed. Plastic procedures made 9% of all radical interventions. Following lobe and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus 51% of patients survived over 3 years, 32%--over 5 years, 6 patients have been followed up for 10 years. Plastic procedures on bronchi for lung cancer seem to be oncologically warranted and should be performed on definite indications. The best remote results were observed following lobe- and bilobectomy with circular resection of the main bronchus, performed for epidermoid cancer of stage II with endobronchial tumor growth. Lobectomy with wedge-shaped resection of the main bronchus not infrequently resulted in local tumor recurrence.", "PMID": 636390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10729", "title": "[Immediate and late results of the surgical treatment of tumors of the thoracic portion of the trachea].", "content": "The immediate and late results of surgical procedures, performed in 36 patients for tumors of the thoracic trachea, are presented. The survival of the patients was studied with special reference to the type of the operation and tumor. Benign tumors of the trachea were found to give good late results. Among the patients with primary malignant tumors better results were gained in case of cylindromas.", "contents": "[Immediate and late results of the surgical treatment of tumors of the thoracic portion of the trachea]. The immediate and late results of surgical procedures, performed in 36 patients for tumors of the thoracic trachea, are presented. The survival of the patients was studied with special reference to the type of the operation and tumor. Benign tumors of the trachea were found to give good late results. Among the patients with primary malignant tumors better results were gained in case of cylindromas.", "PMID": 636391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10730", "title": "[Causes of death in lung cancer patients undergoing radical surgery].", "content": "Based on a retrospective analysis of the data on 255 patients, died after the radical surgery in the early and late period, is was found that 86.2% of the patients died due to the tumor process progression and only 13.8%--due to other causes. In 71 patients tumor recurrence was in the bronchial stump, in 50 of them this recurrence was associated with metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes. Metastases in distant organs without mediastinal lymphnodes involvement were noted in 113 patients, 36 patients showed metastatic involvement of both intrathoracic lymph nodes and distant organs. In the first 3 years since the progressing of the principal lesion 73.3% of all the examined patients died.", "contents": "[Causes of death in lung cancer patients undergoing radical surgery]. Based on a retrospective analysis of the data on 255 patients, died after the radical surgery in the early and late period, is was found that 86.2% of the patients died due to the tumor process progression and only 13.8%--due to other causes. In 71 patients tumor recurrence was in the bronchial stump, in 50 of them this recurrence was associated with metastases in mediastinal lymph nodes. Metastases in distant organs without mediastinal lymphnodes involvement were noted in 113 patients, 36 patients showed metastatic involvement of both intrathoracic lymph nodes and distant organs. In the first 3 years since the progressing of the principal lesion 73.3% of all the examined patients died.", "PMID": 636392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10731", "title": "[Lung cancer in different chronic lung diseases].", "content": "The studies performed have indicated that nearly in 50% of cases lung cancer is associated with different chronic lesions of the lung: chronic purulent bronchitis, tuberculosis, chronic pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema and diffuse pneumosclerosis, and these provide favourable conditions for epithelial metaplasia of the bronchi, bronchioli and alveoli with subsequent cell atypism and development of lung cancer.", "contents": "[Lung cancer in different chronic lung diseases]. The studies performed have indicated that nearly in 50% of cases lung cancer is associated with different chronic lesions of the lung: chronic purulent bronchitis, tuberculosis, chronic pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema and diffuse pneumosclerosis, and these provide favourable conditions for epithelial metaplasia of the bronchi, bronchioli and alveoli with subsequent cell atypism and development of lung cancer.", "PMID": 636393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10732", "title": "[Memory disorders in patients with saccular aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries].", "content": "Neuropsychological analysis of disorders of memory in patients with sacculated aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries, 14 of whom were examined in the immediate and 30 in the remote periods after the hemorrhage, showed that the side of the lesion may be judged by the character of these disorders. The disorders of memory were of a modally-specific character and emerged in the link of direct reproduction in aneurysms of the right internal carotid artery and in the link of delayed (under conditions of interference) reproduction in aneurysms of the left internal carotid artery. The general cerebral signs in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage are also manifested specifically in the structure of the memory defect.", "contents": "[Memory disorders in patients with saccular aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries]. Neuropsychological analysis of disorders of memory in patients with sacculated aneurysms of the internal carotid arteries, 14 of whom were examined in the immediate and 30 in the remote periods after the hemorrhage, showed that the side of the lesion may be judged by the character of these disorders. The disorders of memory were of a modally-specific character and emerged in the link of direct reproduction in aneurysms of the right internal carotid artery and in the link of delayed (under conditions of interference) reproduction in aneurysms of the left internal carotid artery. The general cerebral signs in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage are also manifested specifically in the structure of the memory defect.", "PMID": 636396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10733", "title": "[Effect of dentatotomy on muscle tonus in infantile cerebral palsy].", "content": "The article deals with the results of the quantitative study of the muscular tonus in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis by the method of passive sinusoid movements of the arm at the elbow joint at various rates, with a period of T = Is to T = 200s and its assessment by the value of the mechanical resistance of the extremity in the region of high (T = I--4s) and low rates (T = 50s). The spectromechanomyographic method of examination revealed two components in the muscular tonus: an increase in the region of high rates, which were identify as the spastic component of the muscular tonus, and an increase in the region of low rates, which is identified with the rigid component of the muscular tonus. Operative destruction of the cerebellar dentate nuclei in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis naturally reduces this spastic component, but hardly changes the rigid component. One of the factors causing changes in the shape and amplitude of choreothetoid hyperkinesia in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis may evidently be the redistribution of the tonus in different muscular groups and changes in the correlations between its spastic and rigid components.", "contents": "[Effect of dentatotomy on muscle tonus in infantile cerebral palsy]. The article deals with the results of the quantitative study of the muscular tonus in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis by the method of passive sinusoid movements of the arm at the elbow joint at various rates, with a period of T = Is to T = 200s and its assessment by the value of the mechanical resistance of the extremity in the region of high (T = I--4s) and low rates (T = 50s). The spectromechanomyographic method of examination revealed two components in the muscular tonus: an increase in the region of high rates, which were identify as the spastic component of the muscular tonus, and an increase in the region of low rates, which is identified with the rigid component of the muscular tonus. Operative destruction of the cerebellar dentate nuclei in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis naturally reduces this spastic component, but hardly changes the rigid component. One of the factors causing changes in the shape and amplitude of choreothetoid hyperkinesia in patients with infantile cerebral paralysis may evidently be the redistribution of the tonus in different muscular groups and changes in the correlations between its spastic and rigid components.", "PMID": 636397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10734", "title": "[Causes of azotemia in severe cranio-cerebral injuries].", "content": "The functional state of the kidneys and the level of azotemia were studied in 51 patients with a severe craniocerebral trauma. Two groups of patients were distinguished according to the preservation of diminution of glomerular filtration. Comparison between these 2 groups showed that in normal glomerular filtration azotemia was linked with the catabolic process, while in diminished glomerular filtration azotemia was also associated with a reduced renal function. The level of azotemia has been established; a higher value is evidence of renal insufficiency.", "contents": "[Causes of azotemia in severe cranio-cerebral injuries]. The functional state of the kidneys and the level of azotemia were studied in 51 patients with a severe craniocerebral trauma. Two groups of patients were distinguished according to the preservation of diminution of glomerular filtration. Comparison between these 2 groups showed that in normal glomerular filtration azotemia was linked with the catabolic process, while in diminished glomerular filtration azotemia was also associated with a reduced renal function. The level of azotemia has been established; a higher value is evidence of renal insufficiency.", "PMID": 636399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10735", "title": "[Ventriculoscopy in pediatric neurosurgery].", "content": "Ventriculoscopy is a simple, safe and informative method of examination of the lateral and third ventricles of the brain in childhood. In hydrocephalus of non-tumorous origin ventriculoscopy makes its possible, as a rule, to determine the origin of the dropsy and its character. The diagnosis of tumor of the brain of intraventricular or paraventricular localization and also of a tumor growing into the lumen of a cerebral ventricle is made on the basis of direct and indirect signs found during a visual examination. The histological nature of the process may be determined by biopsy of the pathological tissue collected during ventriculoscopy.", "contents": "[Ventriculoscopy in pediatric neurosurgery]. Ventriculoscopy is a simple, safe and informative method of examination of the lateral and third ventricles of the brain in childhood. In hydrocephalus of non-tumorous origin ventriculoscopy makes its possible, as a rule, to determine the origin of the dropsy and its character. The diagnosis of tumor of the brain of intraventricular or paraventricular localization and also of a tumor growing into the lumen of a cerebral ventricle is made on the basis of direct and indirect signs found during a visual examination. The histological nature of the process may be determined by biopsy of the pathological tissue collected during ventriculoscopy.", "PMID": 636398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10736", "title": "[Histomorphologic changes following plastic repair of defects in spinal dura mater with a capron strip in complicated experimental fractures of the spine].", "content": "A wide incision of the dura mater of the spinal cord helps to inspect the subdural space in detail. If there is a defect in the dura mater, or if it is impossible to suture it due to edema and swelling of the spinal cord, it is rational to resort to plastic replacement with a band of capron mesh which resolves completely by the end of the third year after the surgical intervention.", "contents": "[Histomorphologic changes following plastic repair of defects in spinal dura mater with a capron strip in complicated experimental fractures of the spine]. A wide incision of the dura mater of the spinal cord helps to inspect the subdural space in detail. If there is a defect in the dura mater, or if it is impossible to suture it due to edema and swelling of the spinal cord, it is rational to resort to plastic replacement with a band of capron mesh which resolves completely by the end of the third year after the surgical intervention.", "PMID": 636400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10737", "title": "[Prevention and treatment of the complications of peridurography].", "content": "In lumbar peridurography conducted in 117 patients with discogenic radiculitis complications occurred both in the stage of peridural anesthesia and after introduction of the radiocontrast medium. During anesthesia the dura mater was punctured in 4 patients, in another 2 patients dicaine penetrated into the subarachnoid space and caused spinal anesthesia with a high upper level. Peridural anesthesia with paralysis of the respiratory musculature developed in 1 patient. After the injection of the radiocontrast medium, spasm in the lower extremities and trunk of the type of spinal epilepsy developed in 4 patients. The clinical picture, prevention, and treatment of these complications are discussed.", "contents": "[Prevention and treatment of the complications of peridurography]. In lumbar peridurography conducted in 117 patients with discogenic radiculitis complications occurred both in the stage of peridural anesthesia and after introduction of the radiocontrast medium. During anesthesia the dura mater was punctured in 4 patients, in another 2 patients dicaine penetrated into the subarachnoid space and caused spinal anesthesia with a high upper level. Peridural anesthesia with paralysis of the respiratory musculature developed in 1 patient. After the injection of the radiocontrast medium, spasm in the lower extremities and trunk of the type of spinal epilepsy developed in 4 patients. The clinical picture, prevention, and treatment of these complications are discussed.", "PMID": 636401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10738", "title": "[Multi-projection skull x-rays].", "content": "An X-ray method of examination of the skull bones is discussed which is used for detecting multiple small perforating defects in the skull of various localization, determination of the localization of foreign bodies in relation to definite anatomical structures, identification of the displacement of the bone fragments into the cranial cavity, and for the diagnosis of multiple infractions of the cerebral skull. Besides two antero-posterior craniograms, radiograms were taken in additional oblique views with the head turned to the right or to the left in the interval of 20 to 45 degrees. The guiding points for the direction of the X-ray heam are: the lateral border of the superciliary arch, the midpoint between the lateral border of the superciciliary arch and the external acoustic meatus, the midpoint between the external acoustic meatus and the external occipital protuberance. The effectiveness of the method was tested on a skull phantom and verified by observations over 3 patients with multiple infractions of the skull bones.", "contents": "[Multi-projection skull x-rays]. An X-ray method of examination of the skull bones is discussed which is used for detecting multiple small perforating defects in the skull of various localization, determination of the localization of foreign bodies in relation to definite anatomical structures, identification of the displacement of the bone fragments into the cranial cavity, and for the diagnosis of multiple infractions of the cerebral skull. Besides two antero-posterior craniograms, radiograms were taken in additional oblique views with the head turned to the right or to the left in the interval of 20 to 45 degrees. The guiding points for the direction of the X-ray heam are: the lateral border of the superciliary arch, the midpoint between the lateral border of the superciciliary arch and the external acoustic meatus, the midpoint between the external acoustic meatus and the external occipital protuberance. The effectiveness of the method was tested on a skull phantom and verified by observations over 3 patients with multiple infractions of the skull bones.", "PMID": 636402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10739", "title": "An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in adults.", "content": "An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis occurred in five adults, with the acute onset of symptoms developing in two of the patients after they returned to Los Angeles from the San Francisco Bay area. The secondary attack rate was 36.4 percent in this entirely adult household. The authors review reports of secondary cases in civilian epidemics, as well as recommendations for chemoprophylaxis in household contacts.", "contents": "An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in adults. An intercity outbreak of meningococcal meningitis occurred in five adults, with the acute onset of symptoms developing in two of the patients after they returned to Los Angeles from the San Francisco Bay area. The secondary attack rate was 36.4 percent in this entirely adult household. The authors review reports of secondary cases in civilian epidemics, as well as recommendations for chemoprophylaxis in household contacts.", "PMID": 636407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10740", "title": "[Development of meningioma after x-irradiation of the head].", "content": "A case with one-stage removal of pus from the cavities of two abscesses in a 49-year-old female through a supratranstentorial approach is described. The postoperative period was uneventful. A follow-up four months later showed that the woman was healthy and continued working.", "contents": "[Development of meningioma after x-irradiation of the head]. A case with one-stage removal of pus from the cavities of two abscesses in a 49-year-old female through a supratranstentorial approach is described. The postoperative period was uneventful. A follow-up four months later showed that the woman was healthy and continued working.", "PMID": 636403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10741", "title": "Meningococcal disease in California. Epidemiology and management.", "content": "Between 1969 and 1975 in California, 1,953 cases of meningococcal disease were reported. For cases reported in 1973, 1974 and 1975, detailed information about chemoprophylaxis of cases and contacts was obtained in addition to demographic and laboratory data. A review of data for the seven years showed a reduction in the case rate from 2.6 to 0.6 per 100,000 population, but this drop was due primarily to a very substantial decline in the military rate from 35.7 to 1.8 per 100,000 population. No reduction was apparent in the case fatality rate. Five groups of associated meningococcal disease cases were identified for a total of nine secondary or coprimary cases among 862 household contacts. Associated cases occurred in 10.4 per 1,000 household contacts-a rate several hundred times greater than that for the general population. THE STUDY FINDINGS INDICATE THAT MANY PHYSICIANS ARE UNAWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) nonhousehold contacts are at little or no risk of contracting meningococcal disease; (2) prophylaxis should be offered only to household or intimate contacts immediately upon identification of an index case without waiting for test results for meningococcal carriage; (3) valid medical and epidemiologic indications exist for administering prophylaxis to household contacts who are culture negative as well as those who are culture positive; (4) the current drug of choice for prophylaxis is rifampin, but since no drug is completely effective, close medical observation remains the most important factor in the management of household or intimate contacts to meningococcal disease.", "contents": "Meningococcal disease in California. Epidemiology and management. Between 1969 and 1975 in California, 1,953 cases of meningococcal disease were reported. For cases reported in 1973, 1974 and 1975, detailed information about chemoprophylaxis of cases and contacts was obtained in addition to demographic and laboratory data. A review of data for the seven years showed a reduction in the case rate from 2.6 to 0.6 per 100,000 population, but this drop was due primarily to a very substantial decline in the military rate from 35.7 to 1.8 per 100,000 population. No reduction was apparent in the case fatality rate. Five groups of associated meningococcal disease cases were identified for a total of nine secondary or coprimary cases among 862 household contacts. Associated cases occurred in 10.4 per 1,000 household contacts-a rate several hundred times greater than that for the general population. THE STUDY FINDINGS INDICATE THAT MANY PHYSICIANS ARE UNAWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: (1) nonhousehold contacts are at little or no risk of contracting meningococcal disease; (2) prophylaxis should be offered only to household or intimate contacts immediately upon identification of an index case without waiting for test results for meningococcal carriage; (3) valid medical and epidemiologic indications exist for administering prophylaxis to household contacts who are culture negative as well as those who are culture positive; (4) the current drug of choice for prophylaxis is rifampin, but since no drug is completely effective, close medical observation remains the most important factor in the management of household or intimate contacts to meningococcal disease.", "PMID": 636408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10742", "title": "Feasibility of outpatient self-administration of parenteral antibiotics.", "content": "It is customary to treat patients with infective endocarditis or osteomyelitis for a prolonged period in hospital with parenteral antibiotics. It was felt that it might be feasible to allow parenteral administration of antibiotics by the patients themselves at home. Results in 13 patients who administered antibiotics parenterally themselves (experimental group) were compared with those in 7 patients (control group) treated entirely within the hospital. Antibiotic-related complications were similar in both groups. There was no instance of infection of the intravenous cannula in either group. The average daily cost of antibiotic therapy decreased from $243.22 for inpatients to $69.35 for outpatients. The average cost of illness was $6,357.22 in the experimental group and $10,022.23 in the control group. If patients are carefully selected and well educated, the outpatient self-administration of antibiotics parenterally is both economical and safe.", "contents": "Feasibility of outpatient self-administration of parenteral antibiotics. It is customary to treat patients with infective endocarditis or osteomyelitis for a prolonged period in hospital with parenteral antibiotics. It was felt that it might be feasible to allow parenteral administration of antibiotics by the patients themselves at home. Results in 13 patients who administered antibiotics parenterally themselves (experimental group) were compared with those in 7 patients (control group) treated entirely within the hospital. Antibiotic-related complications were similar in both groups. There was no instance of infection of the intravenous cannula in either group. The average daily cost of antibiotic therapy decreased from $243.22 for inpatients to $69.35 for outpatients. The average cost of illness was $6,357.22 in the experimental group and $10,022.23 in the control group. If patients are carefully selected and well educated, the outpatient self-administration of antibiotics parenterally is both economical and safe.", "PMID": 636409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10743", "title": "The commitment process for psychiatric patients. Changing status in the Western States.", "content": "Recent changes in commitment legislation for the mentally ill have had an important impact on the role of physicians in treating these patients. New commitment laws emphasize civil rights at the expense of right-to-treatment concepts, sometimes causing neglect of severely psychotic persons. Only four western states have a high rating of conformity with a model commitment statute.", "contents": "The commitment process for psychiatric patients. Changing status in the Western States. Recent changes in commitment legislation for the mentally ill have had an important impact on the role of physicians in treating these patients. New commitment laws emphasize civil rights at the expense of right-to-treatment concepts, sometimes causing neglect of severely psychotic persons. Only four western states have a high rating of conformity with a model commitment statute.", "PMID": 636410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10744", "title": "[Method for treating hydrocephalus by ventriculo-jugular shunting].", "content": "Pressure sustained by the venous valves was studied by means of a self-recording device; 47 valves of the great saphenous veins of the thigh were tests. A total of 51 valves taken from 10 cadavers were studied. The instruments for and the method of ventriculojugulostomy are described. It consists in diverting the CSF from the lateral ventricle of the brain into the internal jugular vein by means of ventricular silicone rubber catheter and a venous auto- or homograft. Despite the severe contingent of patients subjected to surgery, analysis of 12 operations allows the suggested method to be used for treating hydrocephalus both in adults and in children.", "contents": "[Method for treating hydrocephalus by ventriculo-jugular shunting]. Pressure sustained by the venous valves was studied by means of a self-recording device; 47 valves of the great saphenous veins of the thigh were tests. A total of 51 valves taken from 10 cadavers were studied. The instruments for and the method of ventriculojugulostomy are described. It consists in diverting the CSF from the lateral ventricle of the brain into the internal jugular vein by means of ventricular silicone rubber catheter and a venous auto- or homograft. Despite the severe contingent of patients subjected to surgery, analysis of 12 operations allows the suggested method to be used for treating hydrocephalus both in adults and in children.", "PMID": 636406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10745", "title": "Continuing medical education in midpassage.", "content": "Mandatory continuing education for physicians and other health professionals raises numerous problems. Issues that were considered academic when continuing education was voluntary now take on major practical and political significance. There is the risk that future legislation will mandate activities and methodologies which have not been proven. Research and development in continuing education must be accelerated so that decisions can be based on proper data. Centers of research and development should be established to encourage research and provide a sound foundation for the future of continuing education.", "contents": "Continuing medical education in midpassage. Mandatory continuing education for physicians and other health professionals raises numerous problems. Issues that were considered academic when continuing education was voluntary now take on major practical and political significance. There is the risk that future legislation will mandate activities and methodologies which have not been proven. Research and development in continuing education must be accelerated so that decisions can be based on proper data. Centers of research and development should be established to encourage research and provide a sound foundation for the future of continuing education.", "PMID": 636416} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10746", "title": "Legal implications of physical examinations.", "content": "With the new national emphasis on the prevention of occupationally incurred disease, legislative constraints have been placed in connection with the medical examination of employed persons at health risk. Concurrently, there is mandated a system of communication to the worker of the significant clinical findings encountered on his physical and laboratory inventories.", "contents": "Legal implications of physical examinations. With the new national emphasis on the prevention of occupationally incurred disease, legislative constraints have been placed in connection with the medical examination of employed persons at health risk. Concurrently, there is mandated a system of communication to the worker of the significant clinical findings encountered on his physical and laboratory inventories.", "PMID": 636417} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10747", "title": "[Operative treatment of prostatic adenoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The indications for operative treatment of prostatic adenomas are outlined. The three operative techniques (suprapubic adenomectomy, resection and cryosurgery) should not be considered rival procedures, but complementary methods of therapy. The postoperative mortality dropped from 5.64% in the years 1957-1967 to 1.01% during the last decade mainly due to the implementation of electroresection and cryosurgery in high-risk patients. The advisability of early surgery is pointed out.", "contents": "[Operative treatment of prostatic adenoma (author's transl)]. The indications for operative treatment of prostatic adenomas are outlined. The three operative techniques (suprapubic adenomectomy, resection and cryosurgery) should not be considered rival procedures, but complementary methods of therapy. The postoperative mortality dropped from 5.64% in the years 1957-1967 to 1.01% during the last decade mainly due to the implementation of electroresection and cryosurgery in high-risk patients. The advisability of early surgery is pointed out.", "PMID": 636430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10748", "title": "[Characterization of a serum protein with selective affinity for denatured collagen (author's transl)].", "content": "A protein known as antigelatin factor (AGF) was isolated from human serum by affinity chromatography with immobilized denatured collagen. In biochemical and immunological assays AGF showed specificity to denatured, but not to native collagen of the types I, II and III. A close relationship to Cell Attachment Protein and Cold Insoluble Globulin was found in comparative studies.", "contents": "[Characterization of a serum protein with selective affinity for denatured collagen (author's transl)]. A protein known as antigelatin factor (AGF) was isolated from human serum by affinity chromatography with immobilized denatured collagen. In biochemical and immunological assays AGF showed specificity to denatured, but not to native collagen of the types I, II and III. A close relationship to Cell Attachment Protein and Cold Insoluble Globulin was found in comparative studies.", "PMID": 636431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10749", "title": "[Studies on pinocytosis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (author's transl)].", "content": "Comparative studies were performed on the uptake of 35SO4-labelled proteoglycans and of free 35SO4-glycosaminoglycan chains by cultured skin fibroblasts. Proteoglycans as well as protein-free polysaccharide chains are internalized by adsorptive pinocytosis. The maximum capacity for endocytosis of proteoglycans is about four times higher than for glycosaminoglycan chains when referred to disaccharide units. On a molar basis about 10 times more glycosaminoglycan chains than proteoglycans can be internalized within a given time. Since unlabelled carbohydrate chains do not compete for the uptake of labelled proteoglycans it seems likely that different receptors exist on the cell surface for endocytosis of both types of macromolecules. 14C-labelled hyaluronate was neither pinocytosed to a measurable extent by skin fibroblasts nor by intima cells cultured from the thoracic aorta. Rat liver hepatocytes efficiently internalized hyaluronate by adsorptive pinocytosis. It was concluded from competitive experiments with hyaluronate oligosaccharides that hyaluronate has to interact with at least two receptor molecules on the cell membrane to achieve endocytosis.", "contents": "[Studies on pinocytosis of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (author's transl)]. Comparative studies were performed on the uptake of 35SO4-labelled proteoglycans and of free 35SO4-glycosaminoglycan chains by cultured skin fibroblasts. Proteoglycans as well as protein-free polysaccharide chains are internalized by adsorptive pinocytosis. The maximum capacity for endocytosis of proteoglycans is about four times higher than for glycosaminoglycan chains when referred to disaccharide units. On a molar basis about 10 times more glycosaminoglycan chains than proteoglycans can be internalized within a given time. Since unlabelled carbohydrate chains do not compete for the uptake of labelled proteoglycans it seems likely that different receptors exist on the cell surface for endocytosis of both types of macromolecules. 14C-labelled hyaluronate was neither pinocytosed to a measurable extent by skin fibroblasts nor by intima cells cultured from the thoracic aorta. Rat liver hepatocytes efficiently internalized hyaluronate by adsorptive pinocytosis. It was concluded from competitive experiments with hyaluronate oligosaccharides that hyaluronate has to interact with at least two receptor molecules on the cell membrane to achieve endocytosis.", "PMID": 636432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10750", "title": "[Morphology of the incisura scapulae in relation to the frozen shoulder (author's transl)].", "content": "A flat incisura scapulae was registered on radiological examination of four cases of frozen shoulder. A modified X-ray technique was used to investigated 250 patients with spondylosis cervicalis in a morphological study of the incisura scapulae. Three types were found: Type I with a deep, sharp incisura, type 2 with a widened, balloon-sharped incisura and type 3 with a flat, barely-distinguishable incisura. The significance of the X-ray appearance is discussed.", "contents": "[Morphology of the incisura scapulae in relation to the frozen shoulder (author's transl)]. A flat incisura scapulae was registered on radiological examination of four cases of frozen shoulder. A modified X-ray technique was used to investigated 250 patients with spondylosis cervicalis in a morphological study of the incisura scapulae. Three types were found: Type I with a deep, sharp incisura, type 2 with a widened, balloon-sharped incisura and type 3 with a flat, barely-distinguishable incisura. The significance of the X-ray appearance is discussed.", "PMID": 636433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10751", "title": "[Four cases of fatal lactic acidosis during biguanide therapy (author's transl)].", "content": "Four case reports of lactic acidosis occurring during biguanide treatment (2 with phenormin, 2 with buformin) are analysed. Three of the patients died in a toxic state of lactic acidosis, whilst the fourth patient survived lactic acidosis, but died 11 days later due to myocardial infarction. In spite of serum biguanide levels within the therapeutic range, one patient had highly toxic hepatic levels of phenformin (13,500 ng/g tissue). Two factors are essential for the treatment of lactic acidosis: 1. rapid diagnosis: history of biguanide intake; clinical symptoms; acid-base imbalance; rapid lactate determination to establish the diagnosis. 2. therapy: correction of acidosis, insulin and glucose; shock treatment; forced diuresis and/or haemodialysis. From the high numbers of biguanide-treated diabetics and the incidence of lactic acidosis in other countries it can be assumed that this toxic side effect of biguanide treatment occurs relatively frequently in Austria too, but remains largely undetected.", "contents": "[Four cases of fatal lactic acidosis during biguanide therapy (author's transl)]. Four case reports of lactic acidosis occurring during biguanide treatment (2 with phenormin, 2 with buformin) are analysed. Three of the patients died in a toxic state of lactic acidosis, whilst the fourth patient survived lactic acidosis, but died 11 days later due to myocardial infarction. In spite of serum biguanide levels within the therapeutic range, one patient had highly toxic hepatic levels of phenformin (13,500 ng/g tissue). Two factors are essential for the treatment of lactic acidosis: 1. rapid diagnosis: history of biguanide intake; clinical symptoms; acid-base imbalance; rapid lactate determination to establish the diagnosis. 2. therapy: correction of acidosis, insulin and glucose; shock treatment; forced diuresis and/or haemodialysis. From the high numbers of biguanide-treated diabetics and the incidence of lactic acidosis in other countries it can be assumed that this toxic side effect of biguanide treatment occurs relatively frequently in Austria too, but remains largely undetected.", "PMID": 636434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10752", "title": "[Injuries of the oesophagus (author's transl)].", "content": "34 cases of perforation of the oesophagus are reported, partly treated at the surgical and partly at the E.N.T. department. Air emphysema of the throat or of the mediastinum and/or escape of the contrast medium was observed in all patients. The main cause of perforation was endoscopic examination. The patients partly underwent conservative and partly surgical therapy, both groups showing similar mortality rates. Small perforations in the upper third of the oesophagus can be treated conservatively, whereas perforations in the lower two thirds, especially with involvement of the pleura, pericardium or peritoneum, need rapid surgical intervention, as the prognosis improves in relationship to the rapidity with which treatment is instituted following perforation.", "contents": "[Injuries of the oesophagus (author's transl)]. 34 cases of perforation of the oesophagus are reported, partly treated at the surgical and partly at the E.N.T. department. Air emphysema of the throat or of the mediastinum and/or escape of the contrast medium was observed in all patients. The main cause of perforation was endoscopic examination. The patients partly underwent conservative and partly surgical therapy, both groups showing similar mortality rates. Small perforations in the upper third of the oesophagus can be treated conservatively, whereas perforations in the lower two thirds, especially with involvement of the pleura, pericardium or peritoneum, need rapid surgical intervention, as the prognosis improves in relationship to the rapidity with which treatment is instituted following perforation.", "PMID": 636435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10753", "title": "[Clinical experience in the use of modern inhalation anaesthetic enflurane (author's transl)].", "content": "A clinical investigation was carried out on the findings obtained during 120 anaesthetics conducted with enflurane. The anaesthetic properties and the effects of enflurane on respiration, heart and circulation, liver, kidney, haematopoesis, clotting mechanisms and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated. The results are discussed and the data compared with those of halothane for better quantitative assessment.", "contents": "[Clinical experience in the use of modern inhalation anaesthetic enflurane (author's transl)]. A clinical investigation was carried out on the findings obtained during 120 anaesthetics conducted with enflurane. The anaesthetic properties and the effects of enflurane on respiration, heart and circulation, liver, kidney, haematopoesis, clotting mechanisms and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated. The results are discussed and the data compared with those of halothane for better quantitative assessment.", "PMID": 636436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10754", "title": "[The present state of haemorheology: methods, findings and significance with regard to physiology and pathology of the blood circulation (author's transl)].", "content": "The role of the flow properties of blood in microcirculation dynamics, as well as the significance of microcirculatory disturbances in various pathological states are discussed. The present understanding of the factors responsible for the \"anomalous\" viscosity of the blood is reviewed, and the methods of measuring apparent blood viscosity are assessed. Normal, rapidly-perfused microcirculation is greatly facilitated by the unusual deformability of the red blood cell, which lowers blood viscosity. Red cell aggregation, which occurs at low flow and increases the blood viscosity, is capable of maintaining and potentiating acute and/or chronic states of hypoperfusion initiated by other haemodynamic abnormalities. While under normal cardiovascular conditions vasomotion regulates and controls peripheral blood flow, in chronic states of hypoperfusion the residual blood flow is limited by the prevailing level of apparent blood viscosity.", "contents": "[The present state of haemorheology: methods, findings and significance with regard to physiology and pathology of the blood circulation (author's transl)]. The role of the flow properties of blood in microcirculation dynamics, as well as the significance of microcirculatory disturbances in various pathological states are discussed. The present understanding of the factors responsible for the \"anomalous\" viscosity of the blood is reviewed, and the methods of measuring apparent blood viscosity are assessed. Normal, rapidly-perfused microcirculation is greatly facilitated by the unusual deformability of the red blood cell, which lowers blood viscosity. Red cell aggregation, which occurs at low flow and increases the blood viscosity, is capable of maintaining and potentiating acute and/or chronic states of hypoperfusion initiated by other haemodynamic abnormalities. While under normal cardiovascular conditions vasomotion regulates and controls peripheral blood flow, in chronic states of hypoperfusion the residual blood flow is limited by the prevailing level of apparent blood viscosity.", "PMID": 636437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10755", "title": "[Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in severe non-thyroidal illnesses (author's transl)].", "content": "Pathologically low serum total triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are a characteristic finding in patients with severe non-thyroidal illnesses. No adequate explanation has yet been offered for this phenomenon. We have, therefore, investigated the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), total T3 and total 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3)--the metabolically-inactive metabolite of thyroxine--and of TSH in 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction, in 12 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, in 9 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and in 15 patients with chronic renal failure on chronic intermittent haemodialysis by radioimmunoassay. The values obtained were compared to corresponding values of a normal control group (n - 23). According to our results the decrease in serum T3 combined with normal T4 concentrations in severe non-thyroidal illnesses seems to be a consequence of an alteration in thyroxine degradation. Two different possibilities of alteration can be considered: 1. inhibition of the overall deiodinationof T4, leading to low total T3 serum concentrations with concomitant normal to low reverse T3 serum concentrations (chronic uraemia), 2. a shift in the monodeiodination of T4 towards enhanced reverse T3 production, leading also to low total T3 concentrations, but with a concomitant increase in reverse T3 serum concentrations (myocardial infarction, liver cirrhosis). The results obtained in our patients with liver cirrhosis show, moreover, that this alteration of T4 metabolism depends on the severity of the illness.", "contents": "[Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in severe non-thyroidal illnesses (author's transl)]. Pathologically low serum total triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations are a characteristic finding in patients with severe non-thyroidal illnesses. No adequate explanation has yet been offered for this phenomenon. We have, therefore, investigated the serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), total T3 and total 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3)--the metabolically-inactive metabolite of thyroxine--and of TSH in 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction, in 12 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, in 9 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and in 15 patients with chronic renal failure on chronic intermittent haemodialysis by radioimmunoassay. The values obtained were compared to corresponding values of a normal control group (n - 23). According to our results the decrease in serum T3 combined with normal T4 concentrations in severe non-thyroidal illnesses seems to be a consequence of an alteration in thyroxine degradation. Two different possibilities of alteration can be considered: 1. inhibition of the overall deiodinationof T4, leading to low total T3 serum concentrations with concomitant normal to low reverse T3 serum concentrations (chronic uraemia), 2. a shift in the monodeiodination of T4 towards enhanced reverse T3 production, leading also to low total T3 concentrations, but with a concomitant increase in reverse T3 serum concentrations (myocardial infarction, liver cirrhosis). The results obtained in our patients with liver cirrhosis show, moreover, that this alteration of T4 metabolism depends on the severity of the illness.", "PMID": 636438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10756", "title": "[Changes in carbohydrate tolerance and birth weight during carbohydrate-reduced diet in latent diabetic pregnancy (author's transl)].", "content": "The extent to which glucose tolerance can be improved by a carbohydrate-reduced diet in pregnant women with latent diabetes was investigated and, furthermore, whether this measure can reduce the incidence of high birth weight in the infants. 1. In a group of pregnant women who were thought to have some carbohydrate, metabolic disturbance on the basis of adipositas, glycosuria, hereditary taint or a history of infants with birth weights over 4000 g, the oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), showed a significant improvement under diet during pregnancy in comparison with a control group without diet. 2. Although an increase in the mean GTT after birth is to be expected--and was observed in the control group--, under diet the GTT values actually decreased post partum. 3. The extent of improvement in the GTT values depended on the degree of carbohydrate reduction in the diet. 4. In the years 1968 to 1976 all pregnant women with latent (gestational) diabetes showing high GTT values were submitted to a carbohydrate-reduced diet. This measure contributed to a reduction in the incidence of birth weights over 4000 g from 7.8% to 4.8%.", "contents": "[Changes in carbohydrate tolerance and birth weight during carbohydrate-reduced diet in latent diabetic pregnancy (author's transl)]. The extent to which glucose tolerance can be improved by a carbohydrate-reduced diet in pregnant women with latent diabetes was investigated and, furthermore, whether this measure can reduce the incidence of high birth weight in the infants. 1. In a group of pregnant women who were thought to have some carbohydrate, metabolic disturbance on the basis of adipositas, glycosuria, hereditary taint or a history of infants with birth weights over 4000 g, the oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), showed a significant improvement under diet during pregnancy in comparison with a control group without diet. 2. Although an increase in the mean GTT after birth is to be expected--and was observed in the control group--, under diet the GTT values actually decreased post partum. 3. The extent of improvement in the GTT values depended on the degree of carbohydrate reduction in the diet. 4. In the years 1968 to 1976 all pregnant women with latent (gestational) diabetes showing high GTT values were submitted to a carbohydrate-reduced diet. This measure contributed to a reduction in the incidence of birth weights over 4000 g from 7.8% to 4.8%.", "PMID": 636439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10757", "title": "[Stauffer's syndrome. Reversible hepatic dysfunction in renal cell carcinoma (author's transl)].", "content": "Stauffer's syndrome represents a paraneoplastic liver disorder associated with renal cell carcinoma and is characterized by elevation of the serum alkaline phosphatase, increased bromsulphthalein retention, hypalbuminaemia, elevation of alpha-2-globulin and hypoprothrombinaemia, as well as hepatosplenomegaly. Two cases are reported in which this syndrome was the presenting feature and operation was undertaken on the basis of suspected primary biliary tract disease. The aetiology of the typical findings of Stauffer's syndrome are discussed. As they may be the only symptoms of an otherwise occult renal cell carcinoma, their presence should guide the diagnostic efforts in the right direction. Moreover, the possibility of predicting the postoperative course by follow-up control of the liver function tests is stressed.", "contents": "[Stauffer's syndrome. Reversible hepatic dysfunction in renal cell carcinoma (author's transl)]. Stauffer's syndrome represents a paraneoplastic liver disorder associated with renal cell carcinoma and is characterized by elevation of the serum alkaline phosphatase, increased bromsulphthalein retention, hypalbuminaemia, elevation of alpha-2-globulin and hypoprothrombinaemia, as well as hepatosplenomegaly. Two cases are reported in which this syndrome was the presenting feature and operation was undertaken on the basis of suspected primary biliary tract disease. The aetiology of the typical findings of Stauffer's syndrome are discussed. As they may be the only symptoms of an otherwise occult renal cell carcinoma, their presence should guide the diagnostic efforts in the right direction. Moreover, the possibility of predicting the postoperative course by follow-up control of the liver function tests is stressed.", "PMID": 636440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10758", "title": "[Comparative investigations on polymorphism of the red cell enzymes in Franconia and West Hungary (author's transl)].", "content": "The distribution of the phenotypes of the red cell enzymes adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, glutamate pyruvate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase was studied in blood samples of 794 West Hungarian subjects and 955 subjects from Franconia in Bavaria. All enzymes were separated on cellulose acetate foil, SEP in starch gel. The method of separation has been described elsewhere. The phenotypes of all enzymes were found to be distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg law. The calculated gene frequencies were in good agreement with data from the literature, according to the results of other investigations carried out in Germany and the central European region. No significant difference was found between the gene frequencies of these enzyme phenotypes in West Hungary and Franconia, although the PGM2 frequency level was higher in West Hungary than in Franconia.", "contents": "[Comparative investigations on polymorphism of the red cell enzymes in Franconia and West Hungary (author's transl)]. The distribution of the phenotypes of the red cell enzymes adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase, glutamate pyruvate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and phosphoglucomutase was studied in blood samples of 794 West Hungarian subjects and 955 subjects from Franconia in Bavaria. All enzymes were separated on cellulose acetate foil, SEP in starch gel. The method of separation has been described elsewhere. The phenotypes of all enzymes were found to be distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg law. The calculated gene frequencies were in good agreement with data from the literature, according to the results of other investigations carried out in Germany and the central European region. No significant difference was found between the gene frequencies of these enzyme phenotypes in West Hungary and Franconia, although the PGM2 frequency level was higher in West Hungary than in Franconia.", "PMID": 636441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10759", "title": "[Hemodynamic parameters and plasma-renin activity following intravenous dihydralazine administration--a contribution to the regulation of renin].", "content": "On account of the complex effective mechanism the control of dihydralazin is performed particularly with regard to the changes of the plasma-renin-activity. The examinations were carried out in 7 patients each with renal and essential hypertension. The plasma-renin-activity, the behaviour of blood pressure, the stroke volume and the minute volume as well as the peripheral arterial resistance should be examined concerning the influence of two doses of dihydralazin and with regard to the influence of the basic disease to the above mentioned parameters. The plasma-renin-activity is decreased as well as increased by dihydralazin. Baroreceptors are made responsible for the renin regulation. Already with 4.125 mg dihydralazin (1/8 ampoule Depressan) nearly the same permanent effect reducing the blood pressure is to be achieved as with a double dosage. Stroke volume and minute volume are reduced by dihydralazin. The peripheral arterial resistance decreases in no case, but in the renal hypertension it shows a rising tendency. With the help of these examinations it shall particularly referred to the fact that the therapeutic mechanism of the slowly beginning and long lasting decrease of blood pressure is not yet be fully clarified.", "contents": "[Hemodynamic parameters and plasma-renin activity following intravenous dihydralazine administration--a contribution to the regulation of renin]. On account of the complex effective mechanism the control of dihydralazin is performed particularly with regard to the changes of the plasma-renin-activity. The examinations were carried out in 7 patients each with renal and essential hypertension. The plasma-renin-activity, the behaviour of blood pressure, the stroke volume and the minute volume as well as the peripheral arterial resistance should be examined concerning the influence of two doses of dihydralazin and with regard to the influence of the basic disease to the above mentioned parameters. The plasma-renin-activity is decreased as well as increased by dihydralazin. Baroreceptors are made responsible for the renin regulation. Already with 4.125 mg dihydralazin (1/8 ampoule Depressan) nearly the same permanent effect reducing the blood pressure is to be achieved as with a double dosage. Stroke volume and minute volume are reduced by dihydralazin. The peripheral arterial resistance decreases in no case, but in the renal hypertension it shows a rising tendency. With the help of these examinations it shall particularly referred to the fact that the therapeutic mechanism of the slowly beginning and long lasting decrease of blood pressure is not yet be fully clarified.", "PMID": 636499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10760", "title": "[Increased epidemic incidence of hepatitis B in a district hospital].", "content": "It is reported on an epidemic of hepatitis B of 29 patients in a district hospital. Due to diagnostic errors in importation and a more frequent appearance of diseases of hepatitis B in the surgical department and the 2nd medical department, in which above all diabetics are treated, took place. The average age of the patients was 55 years. In all patients the clinical course was to be regarded as severe. 4 of 29 patients died. In all patients the hepatitis B disease showed a pronounced jaundice with high transaminases, particularly the SGOT and LAP were clearly increased. Also the duration of the presence was longer than in hepatitis A as well as the transition into chronic hepatitis was more frequent. By diagnostic information of the physicians and the other medical staff as well as improved measures of desinfection the epidemic could be restricted.", "contents": "[Increased epidemic incidence of hepatitis B in a district hospital]. It is reported on an epidemic of hepatitis B of 29 patients in a district hospital. Due to diagnostic errors in importation and a more frequent appearance of diseases of hepatitis B in the surgical department and the 2nd medical department, in which above all diabetics are treated, took place. The average age of the patients was 55 years. In all patients the clinical course was to be regarded as severe. 4 of 29 patients died. In all patients the hepatitis B disease showed a pronounced jaundice with high transaminases, particularly the SGOT and LAP were clearly increased. Also the duration of the presence was longer than in hepatitis A as well as the transition into chronic hepatitis was more frequent. By diagnostic information of the physicians and the other medical staff as well as improved measures of desinfection the epidemic could be restricted.", "PMID": 636500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10761", "title": "[Length of stay in the hospital in shigella and salmonella infections treated with furazolidone and without any antimicrobial chemotherapy].", "content": "163 patients suffering from Shigellosis and Salmonellosis were treated in principle of alternating sequence with Furazolidon and without drug. Without antimicrobial chemotherapy the average period of rest in hospital was five days shorter.", "contents": "[Length of stay in the hospital in shigella and salmonella infections treated with furazolidone and without any antimicrobial chemotherapy]. 163 patients suffering from Shigellosis and Salmonellosis were treated in principle of alternating sequence with Furazolidon and without drug. Without antimicrobial chemotherapy the average period of rest in hospital was five days shorter.", "PMID": 636501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10762", "title": "[Endoscopic stomach polypectomy].", "content": "During 33 months in 45 patients 52 times an endoscopic polypectomy was performed in the stomach or in the duodenum. The polyp or the polyposis of the stomach in every case should be clarified with the help of endoscopic polypectomy and histological examination. The histological type of the polyps got in toto determines the therapeutic methods essentially deviating from each other. After a polypectomy a regular gastroscopic control is necessary. The 10% frequency of postoperative bleedings after endoscopic polypectomy may be reduced by improvement of the technique.", "contents": "[Endoscopic stomach polypectomy]. During 33 months in 45 patients 52 times an endoscopic polypectomy was performed in the stomach or in the duodenum. The polyp or the polyposis of the stomach in every case should be clarified with the help of endoscopic polypectomy and histological examination. The histological type of the polyps got in toto determines the therapeutic methods essentially deviating from each other. After a polypectomy a regular gastroscopic control is necessary. The 10% frequency of postoperative bleedings after endoscopic polypectomy may be reduced by improvement of the technique.", "PMID": 636502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10763", "title": "[Diagnosis and first aid in stroke during the prehospital phase].", "content": "In the GDR the apoplexy occupies the 4th place in the statistics of causes of death. It is an acute pathological process and has a firm place in emergency medicine (urgent home visit service and urgent medical aid). The symptomatology is multiform and under ambulatory conditions it may lead to considerable differential-diagnostic difficulties. In the present paper references are given taking into consideration the anamnesis (factors of risk), the clinical examination of the patient, first differential-diagnostic aspects, therapeutic methods resulting from this and suitable possibilities of hospitalisation.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and first aid in stroke during the prehospital phase]. In the GDR the apoplexy occupies the 4th place in the statistics of causes of death. It is an acute pathological process and has a firm place in emergency medicine (urgent home visit service and urgent medical aid). The symptomatology is multiform and under ambulatory conditions it may lead to considerable differential-diagnostic difficulties. In the present paper references are given taking into consideration the anamnesis (factors of risk), the clinical examination of the patient, first differential-diagnostic aspects, therapeutic methods resulting from this and suitable possibilities of hospitalisation.", "PMID": 636503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10764", "title": "[Value of lymphography within the framework of complex diagnosis of fever of unknown origin].", "content": "After comprehensive diagnostics on account of antibiotic-resistant subfebrile temperatures under suspicion of a lymphogranulomatosis a lymphography was performed in a 49-year-old patient. The lymphographic findings are discussed in detail. Since these findings differential-diagnostically allow a tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, a tuberculostatic therapy is performed. 6 months later the patient has an improved general condition and may again work in this former profession.", "contents": "[Value of lymphography within the framework of complex diagnosis of fever of unknown origin]. After comprehensive diagnostics on account of antibiotic-resistant subfebrile temperatures under suspicion of a lymphogranulomatosis a lymphography was performed in a 49-year-old patient. The lymphographic findings are discussed in detail. Since these findings differential-diagnostically allow a tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, a tuberculostatic therapy is performed. 6 months later the patient has an improved general condition and may again work in this former profession.", "PMID": 636504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10765", "title": "[Progress in diagnosis of gastric function: gastric secretory analysis, intragastric titration, endocrine provocation tests (author's transl)].", "content": "Diagnostic procedures for the measurement of gastric acid secretion and for the differention between several types of hypergastrinemia have been improved during the last years. An intravenous dose-response curve with increasing doses of pentagastrin resulted in 30% higher MAO compared to subcutaneously administered pentagastrin (6 microgram/kg body weight). Food-stimulated gastric acid secretions can be measured by intragastric titration; this method is used mainly in clinical-physiological studies. The different forms of hypergastrinemia may be differentiated by 3 provocation tests: calciuminfusion, secretintest, glucagontest. In atypical cases of Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrome it may be necessary to perform all 3 tests.", "contents": "[Progress in diagnosis of gastric function: gastric secretory analysis, intragastric titration, endocrine provocation tests (author's transl)]. Diagnostic procedures for the measurement of gastric acid secretion and for the differention between several types of hypergastrinemia have been improved during the last years. An intravenous dose-response curve with increasing doses of pentagastrin resulted in 30% higher MAO compared to subcutaneously administered pentagastrin (6 microgram/kg body weight). Food-stimulated gastric acid secretions can be measured by intragastric titration; this method is used mainly in clinical-physiological studies. The different forms of hypergastrinemia may be differentiated by 3 provocation tests: calciuminfusion, secretintest, glucagontest. In atypical cases of Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrome it may be necessary to perform all 3 tests.", "PMID": 636505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10766", "title": "[Transmural electronic potential difference--a functional parameter of the gastric mucosal barrier (author's transl)].", "content": "The transmural electric potential difference represents the resultant of a complex of electromotive forces across the gastric mucosal barrier. Its quantitative changes correlate with other functional parameters of the gastric mucosal barrier: H+-back diffusion, Na+-influx, ultrastructural changes of the mucosa. Measurement of the transmural electric PD represents a convenient technique to detect functional changes of the mucosa induced by aspirin, alcohol and bile acids. Antacids with potent buffering capacity are able to prevent reduction of PD-changes induced by aspirin and bile acids. Antacids therefore seem to exhibit a protective effect against acute lesions of the gastric mucosa.", "contents": "[Transmural electronic potential difference--a functional parameter of the gastric mucosal barrier (author's transl)]. The transmural electric potential difference represents the resultant of a complex of electromotive forces across the gastric mucosal barrier. Its quantitative changes correlate with other functional parameters of the gastric mucosal barrier: H+-back diffusion, Na+-influx, ultrastructural changes of the mucosa. Measurement of the transmural electric PD represents a convenient technique to detect functional changes of the mucosa induced by aspirin, alcohol and bile acids. Antacids with potent buffering capacity are able to prevent reduction of PD-changes induced by aspirin and bile acids. Antacids therefore seem to exhibit a protective effect against acute lesions of the gastric mucosa.", "PMID": 636506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10767", "title": "[Endoscopic measurement of transmucosal potential differences of the stomach (author's transl)].", "content": "Recording of the transmural electric potential differences (PD) of the stomach by endoscopic control demonstrate significant differences between antral and corpus mucosa. In ulcers there is a drop of PD in the circumference, PD is nearly zero in the ground of the ulcers. These results possibly are references to the origin of ulcers.", "contents": "[Endoscopic measurement of transmucosal potential differences of the stomach (author's transl)]. Recording of the transmural electric potential differences (PD) of the stomach by endoscopic control demonstrate significant differences between antral and corpus mucosa. In ulcers there is a drop of PD in the circumference, PD is nearly zero in the ground of the ulcers. These results possibly are references to the origin of ulcers.", "PMID": 636507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10768", "title": "[Functional tests during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) (author's transl)].", "content": "The diagnostic tools and functional analyses during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) are critically surveyed. The most important recent advance seems to be manometry in the bile- and pancreatic duct if a reproducible technique has been established. Pancreatic- and biliary juice cytology is of limited value in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer only; this holds true for the estimation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). However, both techniques are supplemental procedures in ERCP. Pancreatic function test from pure pancreatic juice is of no obvious advantage compared to the duodenal aspiration procedure; at present it is of scientific interest only as are the analysis of the pattern of pancreatic juice proteins and measurement of the viscosity of the pancreatic juice.", "contents": "[Functional tests during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) (author's transl)]. The diagnostic tools and functional analyses during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) are critically surveyed. The most important recent advance seems to be manometry in the bile- and pancreatic duct if a reproducible technique has been established. Pancreatic- and biliary juice cytology is of limited value in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer only; this holds true for the estimation of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). However, both techniques are supplemental procedures in ERCP. Pancreatic function test from pure pancreatic juice is of no obvious advantage compared to the duodenal aspiration procedure; at present it is of scientific interest only as are the analysis of the pattern of pancreatic juice proteins and measurement of the viscosity of the pancreatic juice.", "PMID": 636508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10769", "title": "[Methods for serum bile acid analysis and their diagnostic inpact (author's transl)].", "content": "Various hepatic disorders lead to elevated serum bile acid concentrations. Determination of serum bile acids is helpful for screening and follow up of liver diseases, it gives however only little support in the differentiation of various hepatic diseases. Besides the enzymatic method which has been shown to be good for routine analysis of serum bile acids, also radioimmunological methods seem to be useful.", "contents": "[Methods for serum bile acid analysis and their diagnostic inpact (author's transl)]. Various hepatic disorders lead to elevated serum bile acid concentrations. Determination of serum bile acids is helpful for screening and follow up of liver diseases, it gives however only little support in the differentiation of various hepatic diseases. Besides the enzymatic method which has been shown to be good for routine analysis of serum bile acids, also radioimmunological methods seem to be useful.", "PMID": 636509} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10770", "title": "[Determination of bile acids by radioimmunoassays (author's transl)].", "content": "The present paper, based on the current literature, considers the practical aspects of bile acid radioimmunoassays. The problems associated with the raising of specific antisera and their characterization are discussed. Features of assay design for bile acids are considered. Solid-phase radioimmunoassays are described for separate determination of unconjugated cholic acid and conjugated cholic acid in serum. The clinical application of specific bile acid radioimmunoassays is shown by an \"oral cholate tolerance test\" as a sensitive indicator of liver function and by an \"oral cholylglycine tolerance test\" for characterization of intestinal function in diarrheal states.", "contents": "[Determination of bile acids by radioimmunoassays (author's transl)]. The present paper, based on the current literature, considers the practical aspects of bile acid radioimmunoassays. The problems associated with the raising of specific antisera and their characterization are discussed. Features of assay design for bile acids are considered. Solid-phase radioimmunoassays are described for separate determination of unconjugated cholic acid and conjugated cholic acid in serum. The clinical application of specific bile acid radioimmunoassays is shown by an \"oral cholate tolerance test\" as a sensitive indicator of liver function and by an \"oral cholylglycine tolerance test\" for characterization of intestinal function in diarrheal states.", "PMID": 636510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10771", "title": "[Hepatic hemodynamics and function (author's transl)].", "content": "Methods to quantitatively assess all the hemodynamic alterations which occur in cirrhosis of the liver unfortunately are not as yet available. Within this context, transhepatic catheterization of portal vein branches represents a real progress. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the BSP plasma disappearance curve has revealed that the second exponential component (k2) is particularly useful for the early diagnosis of cholestasis.", "contents": "[Hepatic hemodynamics and function (author's transl)]. Methods to quantitatively assess all the hemodynamic alterations which occur in cirrhosis of the liver unfortunately are not as yet available. Within this context, transhepatic catheterization of portal vein branches represents a real progress. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the BSP plasma disappearance curve has revealed that the second exponential component (k2) is particularly useful for the early diagnosis of cholestasis.", "PMID": 636511} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10772", "title": "[Use of breath analysis in diagnosis of liver function (author's transl)].", "content": "Breath tests with analysis of 14CO2 after oral ingestion of 14C-labeled substrates (14C-aminopyrin. 14C-diazepam, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-D-galactose) have been used as quantitative liver function tests. Their diagnostic value is discussed. Breath tests are non-invasive, cheap, easy to perform often without assistance and allow to assess a function of the liver (drug metabolizable function) which is not accessible by other simple analysis techniques. Decreased demethylation of 14C-aminopyrine, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-diazepam is present in chronic liver disease, whereas increased demethylation correlating with chemically determined drug elimination capacity is observed in patients on drugs which induce the capacity of the drug metabolizing enzyme system of the liver.", "contents": "[Use of breath analysis in diagnosis of liver function (author's transl)]. Breath tests with analysis of 14CO2 after oral ingestion of 14C-labeled substrates (14C-aminopyrin. 14C-diazepam, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-D-galactose) have been used as quantitative liver function tests. Their diagnostic value is discussed. Breath tests are non-invasive, cheap, easy to perform often without assistance and allow to assess a function of the liver (drug metabolizable function) which is not accessible by other simple analysis techniques. Decreased demethylation of 14C-aminopyrine, 14C-phenacetin, 14C-diazepam is present in chronic liver disease, whereas increased demethylation correlating with chemically determined drug elimination capacity is observed in patients on drugs which induce the capacity of the drug metabolizing enzyme system of the liver.", "PMID": 636512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10773", "title": "[Functional tests in small bowel diseases (author's transl)].", "content": "D-xylose-, Schilling-test, and fecal fat analysis are still the most important functional tests in small bowel diseases despite rapid progress in enterology. The segmental intestinal perfusion technique can be considered to be the most appropriate method at the moment to measure absorptive or secretory capacity of defined gut segments. Under well-defined conditions the tissue accumulation technique with fresh small bowel biopsy specimens may offer valuable results on absorptive capacity of the gut tissue in specialized laboratories.", "contents": "[Functional tests in small bowel diseases (author's transl)]. D-xylose-, Schilling-test, and fecal fat analysis are still the most important functional tests in small bowel diseases despite rapid progress in enterology. The segmental intestinal perfusion technique can be considered to be the most appropriate method at the moment to measure absorptive or secretory capacity of defined gut segments. Under well-defined conditions the tissue accumulation technique with fresh small bowel biopsy specimens may offer valuable results on absorptive capacity of the gut tissue in specialized laboratories.", "PMID": 636513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10774", "title": "[Measurement of electric transmural potential difference in the rectum--a new diagnostic tool (author's transl)].", "content": "Transepithelial measurement of electric potential difference in the sigma or rectum represents a non-invasive, fast, low-risk, and low-cost diagnostic procedure to be used in clinical research and possibly in chronic inflammatory large bowel diseases.", "contents": "[Measurement of electric transmural potential difference in the rectum--a new diagnostic tool (author's transl)]. Transepithelial measurement of electric potential difference in the sigma or rectum represents a non-invasive, fast, low-risk, and low-cost diagnostic procedure to be used in clinical research and possibly in chronic inflammatory large bowel diseases.", "PMID": 636514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10775", "title": "Plasma digoxin levels and the interbeat interval signal in atrial fibrillation.", "content": "Fifty-eight patients with atrial fibrillation treated with digoxin were studied to determine the correlation between serum digoxin levels and the ventricular rate. The study was a computer-based exercise, processing a signal consisting of R-R intervals, derived by point-digitising electrocardiograms. The means, variances and centers of gravity of power-spectra from the signal were correlated with serum digoxin levels, the peripheral pulse and with each other. A poor negative correlation of -0.31 was calculated between the means of interbeat-intervals and serum digoxin levels. Other Ecg-derived rate parameters did not correlate any better with serum digoxin. The mean interbeat-interval in a group of patients with higher serum digoxin levels (2 ng/ml) was significantly (p is less than or equal to 0.05) shorter than in a group with a low level (1 ng/ml). The negative correlation and this significant difference are best explained by the gradual increase in the dose administered to non-responders by the attending physicians who did not fear over-dosage because of frequent serum level determinations. It is concluded that the serum digoxin level is a poor predictor of the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation because of marked individual differences. These are due to the poor representation by serum levels of drug concentration at the point of interest (A-V node) and the non-linearity of the chronotropic effect of digitalis.", "contents": "Plasma digoxin levels and the interbeat interval signal in atrial fibrillation. Fifty-eight patients with atrial fibrillation treated with digoxin were studied to determine the correlation between serum digoxin levels and the ventricular rate. The study was a computer-based exercise, processing a signal consisting of R-R intervals, derived by point-digitising electrocardiograms. The means, variances and centers of gravity of power-spectra from the signal were correlated with serum digoxin levels, the peripheral pulse and with each other. A poor negative correlation of -0.31 was calculated between the means of interbeat-intervals and serum digoxin levels. Other Ecg-derived rate parameters did not correlate any better with serum digoxin. The mean interbeat-interval in a group of patients with higher serum digoxin levels (2 ng/ml) was significantly (p is less than or equal to 0.05) shorter than in a group with a low level (1 ng/ml). The negative correlation and this significant difference are best explained by the gradual increase in the dose administered to non-responders by the attending physicians who did not fear over-dosage because of frequent serum level determinations. It is concluded that the serum digoxin level is a poor predictor of the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation because of marked individual differences. These are due to the poor representation by serum levels of drug concentration at the point of interest (A-V node) and the non-linearity of the chronotropic effect of digitalis.", "PMID": 636516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10776", "title": "[The clinical significance of plasma glycoside concentrations in patients with cardiac pacemakers (author's transl)].", "content": "308 digitalized out-patients with artificial cardiac pacemakers were explored for signs of glycoside toxicity with simultaneous determination of digoxin plasma levels 12 hours after the last dose. The incidence of different side effects commonly attributed to overdigitalization did not allow prediction of toxic plasma levels. 55% of all glycoside levels were within the therapeutic range, 34% were below 0.7 ng/ml and only 11% above 2.0 ng/ml. With the most commonly prescribed maintenance doses of the glycosides used (digoxin 0.5 mg, beta-acetyldigoxin 0.4 mg, beta-methyldigoxin 0.2 mg, lanatosid C 1.0 mg) therapeutic plasma levels were reached regularly in 60-65% of the patients. A significant correlation existed between plasma glycoside concentrations and renal function as well as age, but glycoside concentrations could not be correlated with the age of the patients. There were no indications for interactions of the different glycosides prescribed with diuretics or oral antidiabetics.", "contents": "[The clinical significance of plasma glycoside concentrations in patients with cardiac pacemakers (author's transl)]. 308 digitalized out-patients with artificial cardiac pacemakers were explored for signs of glycoside toxicity with simultaneous determination of digoxin plasma levels 12 hours after the last dose. The incidence of different side effects commonly attributed to overdigitalization did not allow prediction of toxic plasma levels. 55% of all glycoside levels were within the therapeutic range, 34% were below 0.7 ng/ml and only 11% above 2.0 ng/ml. With the most commonly prescribed maintenance doses of the glycosides used (digoxin 0.5 mg, beta-acetyldigoxin 0.4 mg, beta-methyldigoxin 0.2 mg, lanatosid C 1.0 mg) therapeutic plasma levels were reached regularly in 60-65% of the patients. A significant correlation existed between plasma glycoside concentrations and renal function as well as age, but glycoside concentrations could not be correlated with the age of the patients. There were no indications for interactions of the different glycosides prescribed with diuretics or oral antidiabetics.", "PMID": 636517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10777", "title": "[Effects of furosemide on hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise in patients with angina pectoris (author's transl)].", "content": "In 12 patients with coronary artery disease and typical exercise-induced angina pectoris hemodynamic and ECG studies were performed at rest and during ergometer load in supine position. During the attacks of angina there was a significant ST-depression in all cases accompanied by elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCP) and pulmonary artery mean pressures (PAM). Intravenous administration of 40 mg furosemide showed consistent hemodynamic changes. Cardiac output (CO) dropped significantly by 15.9 per cent at rest (p is less than 0.001) and by 6.9 per cent during exercise (p is less than 0.005). The PCP during exercise following furosemide decreased from 32.9 mmHg to 11.8 mm Hg (p is less than 0.001) and was paralleled by a significant decrease of PAM, indicating reduction of ischemia-related hemodynamic impairment. Furthermore, there was a striking improvement of Ecg findings during ergometer load in 9 of 12 patients as well as a relief of anginal pain in 11 of 12 patients. The present demonstration of antianginal properties of furosemide may be explained by the reduction of ventricular volumes and pressures, resulting in a decrease of myocardial wall stress. These effects are suggested to be related to the peripheral venodilator capacity of furosemide in conjunction with its diuretic properties. Thus, in patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to ischemia, intravenous furosemide may have salutary effects on myocardial oxygen requirements resembling the action of nitroglycerin, but without its oxygen-wasting effects on tachycardia.", "contents": "[Effects of furosemide on hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise in patients with angina pectoris (author's transl)]. In 12 patients with coronary artery disease and typical exercise-induced angina pectoris hemodynamic and ECG studies were performed at rest and during ergometer load in supine position. During the attacks of angina there was a significant ST-depression in all cases accompanied by elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCP) and pulmonary artery mean pressures (PAM). Intravenous administration of 40 mg furosemide showed consistent hemodynamic changes. Cardiac output (CO) dropped significantly by 15.9 per cent at rest (p is less than 0.001) and by 6.9 per cent during exercise (p is less than 0.005). The PCP during exercise following furosemide decreased from 32.9 mmHg to 11.8 mm Hg (p is less than 0.001) and was paralleled by a significant decrease of PAM, indicating reduction of ischemia-related hemodynamic impairment. Furthermore, there was a striking improvement of Ecg findings during ergometer load in 9 of 12 patients as well as a relief of anginal pain in 11 of 12 patients. The present demonstration of antianginal properties of furosemide may be explained by the reduction of ventricular volumes and pressures, resulting in a decrease of myocardial wall stress. These effects are suggested to be related to the peripheral venodilator capacity of furosemide in conjunction with its diuretic properties. Thus, in patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to ischemia, intravenous furosemide may have salutary effects on myocardial oxygen requirements resembling the action of nitroglycerin, but without its oxygen-wasting effects on tachycardia.", "PMID": 636518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10778", "title": "[Transesophageal rapid stimulation of the left atrium in atrial tachycardias (author's transl)].", "content": "A new method to interrupt atrial tachycardias is reported. With an esophageal double-electrode the left atrium is stimulated with an external pacemaker at rates of 400 per minute and with 10 to 20 mAmp; The rhythm-disturbances treated in this way were: atrial tachycardias with constant or inconstant blocks and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. 7 of 9 cases reported showed positive results, i.e. electrically induced atrial fibrillation and sinusrhythm immediately or within the first hour after stopping the pacer (6) or atrial fibrillation after disconnection from the pacer at a lower heart-rate than before (1). In 2 cases the technique was applied without success. The transoesophageal rapid left atrial stimulation (oeRLAS) is painless, can be applied without sterile measures and even without X-ray-control just by observing the oesophageal Ecg. Digitalisation is unimportant. The technique described may prove useful in cases of atrial tachycardias esp; in intensive care units.", "contents": "[Transesophageal rapid stimulation of the left atrium in atrial tachycardias (author's transl)]. A new method to interrupt atrial tachycardias is reported. With an esophageal double-electrode the left atrium is stimulated with an external pacemaker at rates of 400 per minute and with 10 to 20 mAmp; The rhythm-disturbances treated in this way were: atrial tachycardias with constant or inconstant blocks and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias. 7 of 9 cases reported showed positive results, i.e. electrically induced atrial fibrillation and sinusrhythm immediately or within the first hour after stopping the pacer (6) or atrial fibrillation after disconnection from the pacer at a lower heart-rate than before (1). In 2 cases the technique was applied without success. The transoesophageal rapid left atrial stimulation (oeRLAS) is painless, can be applied without sterile measures and even without X-ray-control just by observing the oesophageal Ecg. Digitalisation is unimportant. The technique described may prove useful in cases of atrial tachycardias esp; in intensive care units.", "PMID": 636520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10779", "title": "[Validity of oxygen saturation and content determinations with various modern instruments (author's transl)].", "content": "A study has been undertaken to determine the accuracy of measuring oxygen saturation and oxygen content of blood with five different, commercially available systems. The indications for using them in medicine are discussed. In animal experiments simultaneous measurements were carried out with variations of oxygen saturation from 7% to 100%, of oxygen content from 0.1 vol% to 18 vol% and hemoglobin content from 5.5 g% to 18 g%. The Lex-O2-Con, the CO-Oximeter IL 182 and the Hemoximeter OSM2 are usable over the total range of variations, but the results of the AO-Oximeter are only correct in the range above 50% oxygen saturation. The information directly displayed by the In Vivo-H\u00e4moreflektometer IVH3 are satisfactory, but its use obviously must be reserved for special situations which warrant the use of the catheter.", "contents": "[Validity of oxygen saturation and content determinations with various modern instruments (author's transl)]. A study has been undertaken to determine the accuracy of measuring oxygen saturation and oxygen content of blood with five different, commercially available systems. The indications for using them in medicine are discussed. In animal experiments simultaneous measurements were carried out with variations of oxygen saturation from 7% to 100%, of oxygen content from 0.1 vol% to 18 vol% and hemoglobin content from 5.5 g% to 18 g%. The Lex-O2-Con, the CO-Oximeter IL 182 and the Hemoximeter OSM2 are usable over the total range of variations, but the results of the AO-Oximeter are only correct in the range above 50% oxygen saturation. The information directly displayed by the In Vivo-H\u00e4moreflektometer IVH3 are satisfactory, but its use obviously must be reserved for special situations which warrant the use of the catheter.", "PMID": 636521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10780", "title": "[Determination of cardiac output and ejection fraction using radionuclide angiography. A comparsion with conventional diagnostic methods in cardiology (author's transl)].", "content": "Cardiac output and ejection fraction of left and right ventricle were determined in 75 patients with different heart diseases applying a newly developed method which combines radionuclide angiography and triggered blood pool scintigraphy. The comparison of cardiac output and ejection fraction as determined by dye-dilution or thermodilution technique and left ventricular angiography is excellent (coefficient of correlation r equal to 0.86 and r equal to 0.91). Cardiac output and ejection fraction can be determined with this method in single non-invasive operation, i.e. under physiological conditions. The ejection fractions can be determined with high statistical accuracy from time-activity curves of both ventricles. Similar to cine-angiography it is possible to evaluate the ventricular volume, the regional contraction patterns and aneurysmata. Outpatients can be investigated in 30 min. Since the radiation dose in comparison to cine-angiography is very low, this investigation can be repeated several times without harm to the patient. There are no risks as described for cardiac catheterization and contrast angiography. Patients with low cardiac output and ejection fraction can be classified as \"high risk patients\". In these patients cardiac catheterization can be avoided by applying the described method.", "contents": "[Determination of cardiac output and ejection fraction using radionuclide angiography. A comparsion with conventional diagnostic methods in cardiology (author's transl)]. Cardiac output and ejection fraction of left and right ventricle were determined in 75 patients with different heart diseases applying a newly developed method which combines radionuclide angiography and triggered blood pool scintigraphy. The comparison of cardiac output and ejection fraction as determined by dye-dilution or thermodilution technique and left ventricular angiography is excellent (coefficient of correlation r equal to 0.86 and r equal to 0.91). Cardiac output and ejection fraction can be determined with this method in single non-invasive operation, i.e. under physiological conditions. The ejection fractions can be determined with high statistical accuracy from time-activity curves of both ventricles. Similar to cine-angiography it is possible to evaluate the ventricular volume, the regional contraction patterns and aneurysmata. Outpatients can be investigated in 30 min. Since the radiation dose in comparison to cine-angiography is very low, this investigation can be repeated several times without harm to the patient. There are no risks as described for cardiac catheterization and contrast angiography. Patients with low cardiac output and ejection fraction can be classified as \"high risk patients\". In these patients cardiac catheterization can be avoided by applying the described method.", "PMID": 636522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10781", "title": "[Myocardial infarction associated with thyrotoxicosis (author's transl)].", "content": "The development of massive anteroseptal and high lateral myocardial infarction was observed in a 29-year-old male patient 7 months after symptoms of thyrotoxicosis had appeared. A selective coronaroangiography, performed later, revealed no significant stenosis. It was postulated that coronary embolism, coronary angiospasm and \"small vessel disease\" were possible causes of the myocardial infarction, while thyrotoxicosis was not thought to have played any causative role.", "contents": "[Myocardial infarction associated with thyrotoxicosis (author's transl)]. The development of massive anteroseptal and high lateral myocardial infarction was observed in a 29-year-old male patient 7 months after symptoms of thyrotoxicosis had appeared. A selective coronaroangiography, performed later, revealed no significant stenosis. It was postulated that coronary embolism, coronary angiospasm and \"small vessel disease\" were possible causes of the myocardial infarction, while thyrotoxicosis was not thought to have played any causative role.", "PMID": 636523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10782", "title": "Axillary lymph nodes as occult site of breast cancer.", "content": "The author discusses a case of axillary node metastasis presenting as the initial indication of breast cancer and documents the diagnostic clues and therapeutic course.", "contents": "Axillary lymph nodes as occult site of breast cancer. The author discusses a case of axillary node metastasis presenting as the initial indication of breast cancer and documents the diagnostic clues and therapeutic course.", "PMID": 636544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10783", "title": "Active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors.", "content": "A limited study of tumor patients with otherwise untreatable lesions suggests the feasibility of using enzyme altered cells in the active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors.", "contents": "Active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors. A limited study of tumor patients with otherwise untreatable lesions suggests the feasibility of using enzyme altered cells in the active specific immunotherapy of human solid tumors.", "PMID": 636545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10784", "title": "[Conditioned reflex activity of rats at later periods after the end of flight aboard the bioasatellite \"Cosmos-605\"].", "content": "During the period from the 15th to the 50th day after the end of the flight in the \"Cosmos-605\" biosatellite, the rats revealed a deterioration of the capacity for the transfer of experience and for improving the habit of reaching the goal in a maze. There was also a change in the dynamics of errors during the experiment which testifies to greater susceptibility to exhaustion of nervous processes. Some parameters indicated a tendency to normalization of higher nervous activity. This suggests that the disturbances observed are functional and reversible.", "contents": "[Conditioned reflex activity of rats at later periods after the end of flight aboard the bioasatellite \"Cosmos-605\"]. During the period from the 15th to the 50th day after the end of the flight in the \"Cosmos-605\" biosatellite, the rats revealed a deterioration of the capacity for the transfer of experience and for improving the habit of reaching the goal in a maze. There was also a change in the dynamics of errors during the experiment which testifies to greater susceptibility to exhaustion of nervous processes. Some parameters indicated a tendency to normalization of higher nervous activity. This suggests that the disturbances observed are functional and reversible.", "PMID": 636634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10785", "title": "[Characteristics of the mean level of asymmetry of EEG phase durations in children from 3 to 7-years-old].", "content": "Electrical activity in three to seven-year old children was investigated by the criterion of correlations between the duration of ascending and descending phases of EEG oscillations--the mean level of asymmetry (MLA) during calm alertness and physiological loads. The existence of a positive and negative MLA and considerable variation boundaries of the parameter are the distinguishing properties of the child's background EEG. The parameters of the summary MLA shift and the dynamics of fluctuations of the successive second asymmetry values made it possible to obtain quantitative and qualitative characteristics of EEG reactions. An increase of the range of the second MLA oscillations is the basic form of reaction in preschool children. The greatest quantiative and qualitative shifts are produced by emotiogenic stimulation.", "contents": "[Characteristics of the mean level of asymmetry of EEG phase durations in children from 3 to 7-years-old]. Electrical activity in three to seven-year old children was investigated by the criterion of correlations between the duration of ascending and descending phases of EEG oscillations--the mean level of asymmetry (MLA) during calm alertness and physiological loads. The existence of a positive and negative MLA and considerable variation boundaries of the parameter are the distinguishing properties of the child's background EEG. The parameters of the summary MLA shift and the dynamics of fluctuations of the successive second asymmetry values made it possible to obtain quantitative and qualitative characteristics of EEG reactions. An increase of the range of the second MLA oscillations is the basic form of reaction in preschool children. The greatest quantiative and qualitative shifts are produced by emotiogenic stimulation.", "PMID": 636635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10786", "title": "[Changes in the reflex excitability of spinal motor neurons in newborn infants during sleep and increases in environmental temperature].", "content": "Reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres was studied in newborns by the monosynaptic testing (H-reflex) method during the rise of air temperature in the cunette up to 32 degrees and 34 degrees as compared to the control data obtained at 30 degrees C. It was shown that at temperatures of 32 degrees and 34 degrees C the reflex excitability of spinal motoneurones is lower than in the control. A narrowing of the range and a weakening of the stimuli were recorded at which the H-reflex could be elicited. The possible ways are discussed in which the surrounding temperature affects reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres.", "contents": "[Changes in the reflex excitability of spinal motor neurons in newborn infants during sleep and increases in environmental temperature]. Reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres was studied in newborns by the monosynaptic testing (H-reflex) method during the rise of air temperature in the cunette up to 32 degrees and 34 degrees as compared to the control data obtained at 30 degrees C. It was shown that at temperatures of 32 degrees and 34 degrees C the reflex excitability of spinal motoneurones is lower than in the control. A narrowing of the range and a weakening of the stimuli were recorded at which the H-reflex could be elicited. The possible ways are discussed in which the surrounding temperature affects reflex excitability of the spinal motor centres.", "PMID": 636636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10787", "title": "[Tecto-thalamo-telencephalic interrelationships following visual deafferentation].", "content": "21-23 months after uni- and bilateral enucleation of the eyes, the turtles Emys orbicularis and Testudo horsfieldi exhibited atrophy, gliosis and residual degenerative changes in the visual nerves and tracts and in the two upper layers of the optic tectum, as well as a reduced density of fibres in the tecto-thalamic tract on the deafferentated side. Electrophysiological experiments on the turtles have shown that tectal impulses en route to the general cortex of the forebrain are relayed in the n. rotundus. Conduction of impulses along the tecto-geniculo-cortical path, found in intact animals, ceases, which is apparently due to transsynaptic changes in the surface layers of the optic tectum.", "contents": "[Tecto-thalamo-telencephalic interrelationships following visual deafferentation]. 21-23 months after uni- and bilateral enucleation of the eyes, the turtles Emys orbicularis and Testudo horsfieldi exhibited atrophy, gliosis and residual degenerative changes in the visual nerves and tracts and in the two upper layers of the optic tectum, as well as a reduced density of fibres in the tecto-thalamic tract on the deafferentated side. Electrophysiological experiments on the turtles have shown that tectal impulses en route to the general cortex of the forebrain are relayed in the n. rotundus. Conduction of impulses along the tecto-geniculo-cortical path, found in intact animals, ceases, which is apparently due to transsynaptic changes in the surface layers of the optic tectum.", "PMID": 636640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10788", "title": "[Activation of hypersynchronous discharges in the visual cortex using corazole].", "content": "A study was made of the firing (extracellular records) of the rabbit visual cortex cells during hypersynchronous rhythmics of the wave-peak type, provoked by intravenous injection of subconvulsive doses of corasol. The analysis suggests that the wave-peak discharge results from synchronous alternation of depolarization potentials and long periods of postsynaptic inhibition in most of the cortical elements. In the course of involvement of new elements in the reaction, there is an increase in the probability of appearance of populations with a different frequency of discharge; this is one of the causes of discontinuation of the paroxysmal rhythm following small doses of corasol.", "contents": "[Activation of hypersynchronous discharges in the visual cortex using corazole]. A study was made of the firing (extracellular records) of the rabbit visual cortex cells during hypersynchronous rhythmics of the wave-peak type, provoked by intravenous injection of subconvulsive doses of corasol. The analysis suggests that the wave-peak discharge results from synchronous alternation of depolarization potentials and long periods of postsynaptic inhibition in most of the cortical elements. In the course of involvement of new elements in the reaction, there is an increase in the probability of appearance of populations with a different frequency of discharge; this is one of the causes of discontinuation of the paroxysmal rhythm following small doses of corasol.", "PMID": 636638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10789", "title": "[Intercortical connections between the auditory fields and the motor area].", "content": "The connections of auditory fields AI, AII and Ep with the motor area were studied in 14 cats by anterograde degeneration method by means of impregnation techniques of Nauta-Gigax and Fink-Heimer in Victorov's modification. Direct connections were established between the three auditory fields and the motor projection field of the forepaw. The connections coming from the auditory field Ep spread wider, to the motor projection field of the head. The greatest number of these interzonal connections originates in zone Ep, and the smallest in AII zone.", "contents": "[Intercortical connections between the auditory fields and the motor area]. The connections of auditory fields AI, AII and Ep with the motor area were studied in 14 cats by anterograde degeneration method by means of impregnation techniques of Nauta-Gigax and Fink-Heimer in Victorov's modification. Direct connections were established between the three auditory fields and the motor projection field of the forepaw. The connections coming from the auditory field Ep spread wider, to the motor projection field of the head. The greatest number of these interzonal connections originates in zone Ep, and the smallest in AII zone.", "PMID": 636637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10790", "title": "[Specificity of hippocampal field CA3 neuronal responses to repetitive single stimuli].", "content": "It has been shown on alert rabbits that responses of field CA3 units to stimuli eliciting (single tones) and not eliciting (single flashes) an activation reaction are substantially different. 75% of units responsive to a flash exhibited: less pronounced tonic extinctive responses, stable structurized phasic reactions and the dynamics of responses in the form of changes in their types. The system of field CA3 units \"triggered\" by single stimulation is under control of the sensorimotor cortical area. Modulating cortical influences enhance the revealed tendencies of responses of the examined neurones to a single photic stimulus.", "contents": "[Specificity of hippocampal field CA3 neuronal responses to repetitive single stimuli]. It has been shown on alert rabbits that responses of field CA3 units to stimuli eliciting (single tones) and not eliciting (single flashes) an activation reaction are substantially different. 75% of units responsive to a flash exhibited: less pronounced tonic extinctive responses, stable structurized phasic reactions and the dynamics of responses in the form of changes in their types. The system of field CA3 units \"triggered\" by single stimulation is under control of the sensorimotor cortical area. Modulating cortical influences enhance the revealed tendencies of responses of the examined neurones to a single photic stimulus.", "PMID": 636639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10791", "title": "[Comparative study of the neuronal structure of the neostriatum in birds with different extrapolation capabilities].", "content": "A comparative study of the neuronal structure of neostriatum in crows possessing a great capacity for extrapolation of the movement direction of an alimentary stimulus, and in pigeons deprived of it, did not reveal any fundamental differences in the size of cells, the number of dendritic endings and dendritic ramifications. Differences were observed in the neuronal morphology. In the crow neostriatum neurones, the dendrites are thinner, more sinous and provided with a denser cover of extremely fine protoplasmatic protrusions. In corresponding pigeon neurones the dendrites are thicker, more straight and with a smaller number of rather large protoplasmatic outgrowths. Such differences apparently set up morphological prerequisites for a finer analysis and processing of information, which may contribute to greater capacity of crows for extrapolation.", "contents": "[Comparative study of the neuronal structure of the neostriatum in birds with different extrapolation capabilities]. A comparative study of the neuronal structure of neostriatum in crows possessing a great capacity for extrapolation of the movement direction of an alimentary stimulus, and in pigeons deprived of it, did not reveal any fundamental differences in the size of cells, the number of dendritic endings and dendritic ramifications. Differences were observed in the neuronal morphology. In the crow neostriatum neurones, the dendrites are thinner, more sinous and provided with a denser cover of extremely fine protoplasmatic protrusions. In corresponding pigeon neurones the dendrites are thicker, more straight and with a smaller number of rather large protoplasmatic outgrowths. Such differences apparently set up morphological prerequisites for a finer analysis and processing of information, which may contribute to greater capacity of crows for extrapolation.", "PMID": 636642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10792", "title": "[Impulse activity of neurons of the visual and somatosensory regions of the cerebral cortex at different stages of goal-directed behavior].", "content": "Impulse activity of neurones of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas was studied in free moving cats during performance of conditioned instrumental food-procuring reactions to the presentation of light or sound. It was established that the units of these cortical areas may participate in both all or individual stages of complex instrumental behaviour. The visual cortex neurones are more extensively involved in the formation of successive stages of the goal-directed behavioral act. Significant differences were revealed in the unit responses of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas at the moment of the switching on of the conditioned signal, at the period of \"reinforcement anticipation\", at the moment of appearance of milk, the reinforcing agent, and during reinforcement, when the milk was lapped by the animal.", "contents": "[Impulse activity of neurons of the visual and somatosensory regions of the cerebral cortex at different stages of goal-directed behavior]. Impulse activity of neurones of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas was studied in free moving cats during performance of conditioned instrumental food-procuring reactions to the presentation of light or sound. It was established that the units of these cortical areas may participate in both all or individual stages of complex instrumental behaviour. The visual cortex neurones are more extensively involved in the formation of successive stages of the goal-directed behavioral act. Significant differences were revealed in the unit responses of the visual and somatosensory cortical areas at the moment of the switching on of the conditioned signal, at the period of \"reinforcement anticipation\", at the moment of appearance of milk, the reinforcing agent, and during reinforcement, when the milk was lapped by the animal.", "PMID": 636641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10793", "title": "[Selective decrease in neuron excitability during habituation].", "content": "By means of the intracellular recording a study was made of the habituation to tactile stimuli in Helex pomatia neurones and of the influence of acetylcholine (ACh) microionphoresis on the response to a habituating stimulus in those units which before habituation reduced the reaction to a tactile stimulus under the action of ACh. Habituation was attended with a diminution of EPSP and of the action potential (AP) elicited by the habituating stimulus. The AP generation threshold and the probability of AP blockade increased with stimuli repetition. An extra stimulus produced in the neurones a greater AP at a lower threshold. After habituation elaboration, Ach increased the neurone response to the habituating stimulus: EPSP and the probability of AP generation increased, while the AP threshold was lowered. At the interaction of the activated synapses with the neurone, the electrogenic and chemical properties of its membrane may probably change for a short time so that the threshold and the AP and EPSP amplitude may differ for the stimuli with different biological significance.", "contents": "[Selective decrease in neuron excitability during habituation]. By means of the intracellular recording a study was made of the habituation to tactile stimuli in Helex pomatia neurones and of the influence of acetylcholine (ACh) microionphoresis on the response to a habituating stimulus in those units which before habituation reduced the reaction to a tactile stimulus under the action of ACh. Habituation was attended with a diminution of EPSP and of the action potential (AP) elicited by the habituating stimulus. The AP generation threshold and the probability of AP blockade increased with stimuli repetition. An extra stimulus produced in the neurones a greater AP at a lower threshold. After habituation elaboration, Ach increased the neurone response to the habituating stimulus: EPSP and the probability of AP generation increased, while the AP threshold was lowered. At the interaction of the activated synapses with the neurone, the electrogenic and chemical properties of its membrane may probably change for a short time so that the threshold and the AP and EPSP amplitude may differ for the stimuli with different biological significance.", "PMID": 636651} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10794", "title": "[Change in the human electroencephalogram during brief mental loads].", "content": "Frequency-amplitude characteristics of EEG beta-, alpha-, theta- and delta-rhythms were studied in 33 male subjects with different maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information. Dosed mental load enhanced the total activity of EEG frequency components of parieto-occipital parts of the brain. The most substantial changes were revealed in the delta-rhythm range. A statistically significant correlative connection was found between integrative amplitude values of EEG slow rhythms and success in performing mental tasks. The higher the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information, the greater the magnitudes of theta- and beta-activity. No statistically significant connection has been revealed between the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information and the frequency-amplitude EEG characteristics before and after mental loads.", "contents": "[Change in the human electroencephalogram during brief mental loads]. Frequency-amplitude characteristics of EEG beta-, alpha-, theta- and delta-rhythms were studied in 33 male subjects with different maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information. Dosed mental load enhanced the total activity of EEG frequency components of parieto-occipital parts of the brain. The most substantial changes were revealed in the delta-rhythm range. A statistically significant correlative connection was found between integrative amplitude values of EEG slow rhythms and success in performing mental tasks. The higher the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information, the greater the magnitudes of theta- and beta-activity. No statistically significant connection has been revealed between the maximal velocity of effective processing of visual information and the frequency-amplitude EEG characteristics before and after mental loads.", "PMID": 636653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10795", "title": "[Conditioned reflexes following unilateral damage to the premotor cortex and the dorsal portion of the head of the caudate nucleus in dogs].", "content": "The study was carried out on dogs by the secretory-motor method with a two-side reinforcement. Simultaneous and unilateral lesion of the premotor cortex and of the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head brought about prolonged disturbances of the vegetative components (pulse and respiratory rate) and in the choice of the side of food reinforcement. The change in the magnitude of conditioned salivation, latencies of secretion and motor reaction was temporary, and by the end of the third postoperative period their initial magnitudes were restored. The duration of the disturbances of higher nervous activity depended on the localization and extent of lesion of the caudate nucleus head. Tests were made with chlorpromazine and caffeine before and after the lesion of the brain structures. The tests in the postoperative period revealed latent disturbances in the dog higher nervous activity. It is assumed that the premotor cortex and the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head are one of the sub-systems involved in the regulation of vegetative, somatic components of unconditioned behaviour and in the analysis of conditioned stimuli.", "contents": "[Conditioned reflexes following unilateral damage to the premotor cortex and the dorsal portion of the head of the caudate nucleus in dogs]. The study was carried out on dogs by the secretory-motor method with a two-side reinforcement. Simultaneous and unilateral lesion of the premotor cortex and of the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head brought about prolonged disturbances of the vegetative components (pulse and respiratory rate) and in the choice of the side of food reinforcement. The change in the magnitude of conditioned salivation, latencies of secretion and motor reaction was temporary, and by the end of the third postoperative period their initial magnitudes were restored. The duration of the disturbances of higher nervous activity depended on the localization and extent of lesion of the caudate nucleus head. Tests were made with chlorpromazine and caffeine before and after the lesion of the brain structures. The tests in the postoperative period revealed latent disturbances in the dog higher nervous activity. It is assumed that the premotor cortex and the dorsal part of the caudate nucleus head are one of the sub-systems involved in the regulation of vegetative, somatic components of unconditioned behaviour and in the analysis of conditioned stimuli.", "PMID": 636654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10796", "title": "Electron microscopic studies in cultivated plants. I. Green pods of Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus L.", "content": "Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic studies in the legumen of Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus L. (kidney beans) were carried out. In this work emphasis was laid on the analysis of the morphological structure of the parenchyma tissue, being the chief component of the pod at edible maturity. The leaf character of the pod becomes especially evident by the occurence of stomata, trichomes, and typical cuticle structures on the outside of the pod (SEM). The cells of the mesophyll-like parenchyma tissue are distinguished by a great range of variation of their plastids (chloroplasts--chloroamyloplasts--amyloplasts) and some special cytological features such as a strongly developed rough ER, big nuclei, and numerous plasmodesmata (TEM).", "contents": "Electron microscopic studies in cultivated plants. I. Green pods of Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus L. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic studies in the legumen of Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus L. (kidney beans) were carried out. In this work emphasis was laid on the analysis of the morphological structure of the parenchyma tissue, being the chief component of the pod at edible maturity. The leaf character of the pod becomes especially evident by the occurence of stomata, trichomes, and typical cuticle structures on the outside of the pod (SEM). The cells of the mesophyll-like parenchyma tissue are distinguished by a great range of variation of their plastids (chloroplasts--chloroamyloplasts--amyloplasts) and some special cytological features such as a strongly developed rough ER, big nuclei, and numerous plasmodesmata (TEM).", "PMID": 636661} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10797", "title": "[Reaction time and interhemispheric interaction].", "content": "The study was made on healthy adult subjects. The reaction time of the hand (RT) was measured under two conditions: 1) the choice of reaction (right or left hand) is determined by the nature of the warning stimulus; 2) decision on the choice is taken, depending on the second, trigger stimulus. Stimuli are presented at random sequences to different visual fields. The reaction time to the visual signal presented to the visual field ipsilateral to the hand is significantly shorter (by 15 to 26 msec) than to the stimulus in the contralateral visual field. In a simple motor reaction, when no discrimination of trigger stimulus and the decision on the choice of reaction is required, a hemispheric asymmetry of reaction time is manifested: the left hemisphere only responds differently to direct visual stimulation and to that mediated through the contralateral hemisphere.", "contents": "[Reaction time and interhemispheric interaction]. The study was made on healthy adult subjects. The reaction time of the hand (RT) was measured under two conditions: 1) the choice of reaction (right or left hand) is determined by the nature of the warning stimulus; 2) decision on the choice is taken, depending on the second, trigger stimulus. Stimuli are presented at random sequences to different visual fields. The reaction time to the visual signal presented to the visual field ipsilateral to the hand is significantly shorter (by 15 to 26 msec) than to the stimulus in the contralateral visual field. In a simple motor reaction, when no discrimination of trigger stimulus and the decision on the choice of reaction is required, a hemispheric asymmetry of reaction time is manifested: the left hemisphere only responds differently to direct visual stimulation and to that mediated through the contralateral hemisphere.", "PMID": 636652} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10798", "title": "Electron microscopic studies in cultivated plants. II. Fresh and stored roots of Daucus carota L.", "content": "Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic studies in fresh and stored roots (4 months at an average temperature of +8 degrees C) of Daucus carota L. (carrots) were carried out. Chief stress was laid on the analysis of the histological and cytological structure of the secondary phloem parenchyma cell. SEM images show the three-dimensional histological arrangement of the cells. Moreover, the outlines of lipid droplets, mitochondria, starch grains, and carotin pigment crystals are visible within the parietal cytoplasmic layer. In TEM, besides the usual cell organelles (mitochondria, golgi-apparatus, ER, etc.) nuclei with several nuclear bodies can be recognised. The morphological structure of the chromoplasts shows a remarkable diversity. Within stored carrots a strong reduction of lipid droplets and starch grains within the chromoplasts takes place.", "contents": "Electron microscopic studies in cultivated plants. II. Fresh and stored roots of Daucus carota L. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic studies in fresh and stored roots (4 months at an average temperature of +8 degrees C) of Daucus carota L. (carrots) were carried out. Chief stress was laid on the analysis of the histological and cytological structure of the secondary phloem parenchyma cell. SEM images show the three-dimensional histological arrangement of the cells. Moreover, the outlines of lipid droplets, mitochondria, starch grains, and carotin pigment crystals are visible within the parietal cytoplasmic layer. In TEM, besides the usual cell organelles (mitochondria, golgi-apparatus, ER, etc.) nuclei with several nuclear bodies can be recognised. The morphological structure of the chromoplasts shows a remarkable diversity. Within stored carrots a strong reduction of lipid droplets and starch grains within the chromoplasts takes place.", "PMID": 636662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10799", "title": "[Role of dominant motivation in producing the effects of electric stimulation of hypothalamo-limbic structures].", "content": "The experiments were made on cats with electrodes chronically implanted in the hypothalamus and the amygdala. The effects of electrical stimulation of the points from which the food reactions were initially evoked, were transformed into an avoidance reaction, if stimulation was applied in surroundings where the animals had previously received pain stimuli. Defensive reactions to stimulation of the hypothalamus and amygdala changed to alimentary reactions if the same stimulation was presented to hungry cats in conditions of repetitive feeding. A conclusion has been drawn that the elements of the hypothalamo-limbic structures have plastic properties and may be involved in different forms of behaviour, depending on current motivation and learning.", "contents": "[Role of dominant motivation in producing the effects of electric stimulation of hypothalamo-limbic structures]. The experiments were made on cats with electrodes chronically implanted in the hypothalamus and the amygdala. The effects of electrical stimulation of the points from which the food reactions were initially evoked, were transformed into an avoidance reaction, if stimulation was applied in surroundings where the animals had previously received pain stimuli. Defensive reactions to stimulation of the hypothalamus and amygdala changed to alimentary reactions if the same stimulation was presented to hungry cats in conditions of repetitive feeding. A conclusion has been drawn that the elements of the hypothalamo-limbic structures have plastic properties and may be involved in different forms of behaviour, depending on current motivation and learning.", "PMID": 636656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10800", "title": "[A method for differentiating between vinegar produced by fermentation and vinegar made from synthetic acetic acid based on determination of the 13C/12C-isotope ratio by mass spectrometry (author's transl)].", "content": "The 13C/12C-isotope ratio is characteristic for vinegar of fermentation and synthetic origin respectively and used for their differentiation. The acetic acid was isolated from the vinegar as calcium acetate, the calcium acetate was pyrolysed to CaCO3 and the CO2 was released from the CaCO3 with H3PO4. The CO2 was measured in a mass spectrometer with double collector. The difference in the 13C-content between the two varieties of vinegar is 5 0/00; the accuracy of the measurement is between is 0.5 0/00 and 1 0/00 Therefore, addition of synthetic acetic acid in excess of 15--20% to fermentation vinegar can be detected by this method.", "contents": "[A method for differentiating between vinegar produced by fermentation and vinegar made from synthetic acetic acid based on determination of the 13C/12C-isotope ratio by mass spectrometry (author's transl)]. The 13C/12C-isotope ratio is characteristic for vinegar of fermentation and synthetic origin respectively and used for their differentiation. The acetic acid was isolated from the vinegar as calcium acetate, the calcium acetate was pyrolysed to CaCO3 and the CO2 was released from the CaCO3 with H3PO4. The CO2 was measured in a mass spectrometer with double collector. The difference in the 13C-content between the two varieties of vinegar is 5 0/00; the accuracy of the measurement is between is 0.5 0/00 and 1 0/00 Therefore, addition of synthetic acetic acid in excess of 15--20% to fermentation vinegar can be detected by this method.", "PMID": 636664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10801", "title": "[Flavonol glycosides of apples (Malus silvestris Mill.). 10. Phenolics of fruits (author's transl)].", "content": "The flavonol glycosides of apple skin (Malus silvestris Mill. cv. Golden Delicious) were separated by means of cellulose column chromatography and paper chromatography, and the following compounds were obtained crystalline and identified by usual procedures: quercetin 3-O-alpha-D-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside and rutin. Quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside also was identified, but could not be obtained crystallin. A comparison by TLC of 10 very different varieties of apples namely Golden Delicious, Cox Orange, Roter Berlepsch, Cortland, Ingrid Marie, Jonathan, Boskoop, Laxtons Superb, Gloster, and James Grieve demonstrated the same flavonol glycosides and thus showed no distinctions in glycosid pattern between the different varieties of these apples.", "contents": "[Flavonol glycosides of apples (Malus silvestris Mill.). 10. Phenolics of fruits (author's transl)]. The flavonol glycosides of apple skin (Malus silvestris Mill. cv. Golden Delicious) were separated by means of cellulose column chromatography and paper chromatography, and the following compounds were obtained crystalline and identified by usual procedures: quercetin 3-O-alpha-D-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-xyloside, quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside and rutin. Quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside also was identified, but could not be obtained crystallin. A comparison by TLC of 10 very different varieties of apples namely Golden Delicious, Cox Orange, Roter Berlepsch, Cortland, Ingrid Marie, Jonathan, Boskoop, Laxtons Superb, Gloster, and James Grieve demonstrated the same flavonol glycosides and thus showed no distinctions in glycosid pattern between the different varieties of these apples.", "PMID": 636663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10802", "title": "[Functional assymmetry of the cerebral cortex in cats during formation of a conditioned reflex].", "content": "During elaboration of a symmetric active defensive reflex, the animal is given the opportunity to make instrumental movements with the right or left paw. On the first day of elaboration, the cats can be subdivided into three approximately equal groups: with the right preferred paw, with the left preferred paw and ambidexters. After stabilization of the reflex, motor asymmetry increases in both preferred groups, while the number of ambidexters diminishes. Unilateral electric shock producing seizures, which is applied to the \"dominant\" or \"subdominant\" hemisphere, exerts correspondingly differing influences on the subsequent reproduction of the reflex. Suppression of reproduction is more pronounced when the shock is applied to the \"dominant\" hemisphere. The result of repetitive application of electroshock to one and the same hemisphere is that the functions of the \"dominant\" hemisphere are effected by the hemisphere which was not subjected to direct electrical stimulation.", "contents": "[Functional assymmetry of the cerebral cortex in cats during formation of a conditioned reflex]. During elaboration of a symmetric active defensive reflex, the animal is given the opportunity to make instrumental movements with the right or left paw. On the first day of elaboration, the cats can be subdivided into three approximately equal groups: with the right preferred paw, with the left preferred paw and ambidexters. After stabilization of the reflex, motor asymmetry increases in both preferred groups, while the number of ambidexters diminishes. Unilateral electric shock producing seizures, which is applied to the \"dominant\" or \"subdominant\" hemisphere, exerts correspondingly differing influences on the subsequent reproduction of the reflex. Suppression of reproduction is more pronounced when the shock is applied to the \"dominant\" hemisphere. The result of repetitive application of electroshock to one and the same hemisphere is that the functions of the \"dominant\" hemisphere are effected by the hemisphere which was not subjected to direct electrical stimulation.", "PMID": 636658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10803", "title": "[Analysis of photic signals by cats according to their intensity following transection of the superior quadrigeminal brachii].", "content": "In experiments on cats trained by the motor alimentary conditioned method to discriminate photic stimuli by intensity, EEG changes were studied when differentiating signals of different biological significance before and after transection of the brachii of the superior colliculi. The normal direct proportional dependence of pronouncedness of brain electrical reactions on the complexity of stimuli analysis was disturbed after transection. The operated animals retained only the capacity for a rough differentiation by brightness, the fine gradation of EEG responses to negative signals of different fineness being lost. The disturbance of interaction between the analysing and activating brain systems after transection of the brachii may be due to both the lack of non-specific ascending tonic influences of the midbrain reticular formation on the cortex, and to the destruction of many pathways for corticofugal control of the activity of the brainstem non-specific apparatus.", "contents": "[Analysis of photic signals by cats according to their intensity following transection of the superior quadrigeminal brachii]. In experiments on cats trained by the motor alimentary conditioned method to discriminate photic stimuli by intensity, EEG changes were studied when differentiating signals of different biological significance before and after transection of the brachii of the superior colliculi. The normal direct proportional dependence of pronouncedness of brain electrical reactions on the complexity of stimuli analysis was disturbed after transection. The operated animals retained only the capacity for a rough differentiation by brightness, the fine gradation of EEG responses to negative signals of different fineness being lost. The disturbance of interaction between the analysing and activating brain systems after transection of the brachii may be due to both the lack of non-specific ascending tonic influences of the midbrain reticular formation on the cortex, and to the destruction of many pathways for corticofugal control of the activity of the brainstem non-specific apparatus.", "PMID": 636657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10804", "title": "[Role of motivational excitations in the integrative activity of individual cerebral neurons].", "content": "It has been shown that motivational excitation is a factor that changes the functional properties of brain single neurones. On the basis of ascending activating influences of the hypothalamic initiative centres, motivational excitation considerably changes convergent and discriminating properties of the cortical units. It is toward the cortical and subcortical neurones excitated by motivation that excitations evoked by reinforcing stimuli are directed. Under repetitive reinforcing action a certain trace is imprinted in the dynamic architecture of motivational excitation, which is the neuronal basis of the action result acceptor. The apparatus of the action result acceptor, formed after the precedence principle, is precisely the directing factor of the animals' purposeful activity.", "contents": "[Role of motivational excitations in the integrative activity of individual cerebral neurons]. It has been shown that motivational excitation is a factor that changes the functional properties of brain single neurones. On the basis of ascending activating influences of the hypothalamic initiative centres, motivational excitation considerably changes convergent and discriminating properties of the cortical units. It is toward the cortical and subcortical neurones excitated by motivation that excitations evoked by reinforcing stimuli are directed. Under repetitive reinforcing action a certain trace is imprinted in the dynamic architecture of motivational excitation, which is the neuronal basis of the action result acceptor. The apparatus of the action result acceptor, formed after the precedence principle, is precisely the directing factor of the animals' purposeful activity.", "PMID": 636659} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10805", "title": "[Formation of reverse conditioned connections during unrestrained behavior].", "content": "Reactions achieved by the mechanism of backward connection were studied in unrestrained dogs with acoustic stimuli preceded by an alimentary unconditioned reflex: a 300 c/s acoustic stimulus was paired with feeding from the left feeding trough and 1000 c/s stimulus--with the right feeding trough. A certain dynamics was observed in the manifestation of these reactions. As the number of tests increased, the number of specific reactions diminished, while non-specific reactions and reactions of running to the door appeared. Acute extinction of the running reflex to the sound of the feeding trough has been shown that the dynamics of reactions to the later is the same as in tests to the tone. Proceeding from this, it may be assumed that the evolution of backward connections manifestation is based on extinctive inhibition which develops in consequence of non-reinforcement of conditioned stimuli in the tests on backward connection formation.", "contents": "[Formation of reverse conditioned connections during unrestrained behavior]. Reactions achieved by the mechanism of backward connection were studied in unrestrained dogs with acoustic stimuli preceded by an alimentary unconditioned reflex: a 300 c/s acoustic stimulus was paired with feeding from the left feeding trough and 1000 c/s stimulus--with the right feeding trough. A certain dynamics was observed in the manifestation of these reactions. As the number of tests increased, the number of specific reactions diminished, while non-specific reactions and reactions of running to the door appeared. Acute extinction of the running reflex to the sound of the feeding trough has been shown that the dynamics of reactions to the later is the same as in tests to the tone. Proceeding from this, it may be assumed that the evolution of backward connections manifestation is based on extinctive inhibition which develops in consequence of non-reinforcement of conditioned stimuli in the tests on backward connection formation.", "PMID": 636655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10806", "title": "[Effect of hippocampal stimulation on the feeding behavior of cats].", "content": "Influence of electrical stimulation (100 cps., 1.0 ms) of medial parts of dorsal and ventral hippocampus (field CA1), and the lateral parts of dorsal and posterior hippocampus (field CA3) on general behaviour, elaboration of instrumental and manifestation of delayed reactions was studied in chronic experiments on cats. Stimulation of medial parts of dorsal and ventral hippocampus elicited a reaction of orienting reflex type to natural stimuli. Stimulation of lateral parts of dorsal and posterior hippocampus evoked arrest reactions. Medial and lateral parts of hippocampus produced different influences on elaboration of conditioned reflexes. In the first case elaboration was possible, but developed slower, while in the second case the ability to learn during stimulation was completely lost due to development of arrest reaction. Stimulation of different parts of the hippocampus disturbed delayed reactions, reducing the number of correct responses.", "contents": "[Effect of hippocampal stimulation on the feeding behavior of cats]. Influence of electrical stimulation (100 cps., 1.0 ms) of medial parts of dorsal and ventral hippocampus (field CA1), and the lateral parts of dorsal and posterior hippocampus (field CA3) on general behaviour, elaboration of instrumental and manifestation of delayed reactions was studied in chronic experiments on cats. Stimulation of medial parts of dorsal and ventral hippocampus elicited a reaction of orienting reflex type to natural stimuli. Stimulation of lateral parts of dorsal and posterior hippocampus evoked arrest reactions. Medial and lateral parts of hippocampus produced different influences on elaboration of conditioned reflexes. In the first case elaboration was possible, but developed slower, while in the second case the ability to learn during stimulation was completely lost due to development of arrest reaction. Stimulation of different parts of the hippocampus disturbed delayed reactions, reducing the number of correct responses.", "PMID": 636660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10807", "title": "Plasma amino acid level in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and its variation during age.", "content": "28 plasma amino acids of 40 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 24 male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (ASp) and 19 controls (14 females and 5 males) were investigated. In RA-patients 19 amino acids showed statistically significant differences to healthy people of which 18 were decreased. In ASp-patients 14 amino acid concentrations were statistically altered whereby 10 showed enhanced values. In female RA-patients and controls a linear dependency between distinct amino acids (threonine, glutamic acid, proline, alanine, citrulline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine and 3-methylhistidine) - and advanced age could be demonstrated.", "contents": "Plasma amino acid level in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and its variation during age. 28 plasma amino acids of 40 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 24 male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (ASp) and 19 controls (14 females and 5 males) were investigated. In RA-patients 19 amino acids showed statistically significant differences to healthy people of which 18 were decreased. In ASp-patients 14 amino acid concentrations were statistically altered whereby 10 showed enhanced values. In female RA-patients and controls a linear dependency between distinct amino acids (threonine, glutamic acid, proline, alanine, citrulline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine and 3-methylhistidine) - and advanced age could be demonstrated.", "PMID": 636665} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10808", "title": "The photometric latex test for rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. II. Clinical evaluation.", "content": "The photometric latex test (PLT) for the detection of rheumatoid factors has been clinically evaluated. PLT titers have been closely studied in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters by means of parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. An analysis of the sensitized sheep cell test (SSC) titers has also been undertaken. The subjects comprised 377 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 120 controls. The medical data recorded included sex, age, diagnosis, anatomical stage, functional class, duration and course of the disease, presence of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria, blood sedimentation rate, red and white blood counts, haemoglobin concentration, total protein content, serum protein levels, and SSC and PLT titers. A multivariate stepwise regression analysis with eight normally distributed variables was made. In accordance with previous findings, a significant correlation was shown to exist between the serum protein levels and the development of the RA when the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease were used as parameters of disease activity. In the RA patients there was also correlation between the serologic titers and the serum protein levels, and the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease, and the sedimentation rate, thus showing that titers can also serve as a measure of the inflammatory process. There was a significant correlation between the number of ARA criteria and the titers in the RA patients but not in the controls. The course of the disease correlated with the serum titers and other inflammatory parameters, a finding showing that the course of the disease is an important diagnostic parameter with possible prognostic value. Correlation was also demonstrated between the white blood count and the titers. It is concluded that the sedimentation rate, albumin and gamma-globulin levels, and PLT titer are the best parameters of disease activity. The titer values are not only of diagnostic importance but have prognostic value as regards the severity of the disease.", "contents": "The photometric latex test for rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. II. Clinical evaluation. The photometric latex test (PLT) for the detection of rheumatoid factors has been clinically evaluated. PLT titers have been closely studied in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters by means of parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. An analysis of the sensitized sheep cell test (SSC) titers has also been undertaken. The subjects comprised 377 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 120 controls. The medical data recorded included sex, age, diagnosis, anatomical stage, functional class, duration and course of the disease, presence of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria, blood sedimentation rate, red and white blood counts, haemoglobin concentration, total protein content, serum protein levels, and SSC and PLT titers. A multivariate stepwise regression analysis with eight normally distributed variables was made. In accordance with previous findings, a significant correlation was shown to exist between the serum protein levels and the development of the RA when the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease were used as parameters of disease activity. In the RA patients there was also correlation between the serologic titers and the serum protein levels, and the anatomical stage, functional class and course of the disease, and the sedimentation rate, thus showing that titers can also serve as a measure of the inflammatory process. There was a significant correlation between the number of ARA criteria and the titers in the RA patients but not in the controls. The course of the disease correlated with the serum titers and other inflammatory parameters, a finding showing that the course of the disease is an important diagnostic parameter with possible prognostic value. Correlation was also demonstrated between the white blood count and the titers. It is concluded that the sedimentation rate, albumin and gamma-globulin levels, and PLT titer are the best parameters of disease activity. The titer values are not only of diagnostic importance but have prognostic value as regards the severity of the disease.", "PMID": 636666} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10809", "title": "[Enzyme, enzyme-histochemical and immunohistological studies in chronic erysipelas polyarthritis of swine].", "content": "The chronic Erysipelas-polyarthritis in pigs has been considered an animal model resembling human rheumatoid arthritis. Fifteen specifically pathogenfree (SPF) pigs 45 days old were experimentally infectec with strain T 28 of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae-bacteria. During the subsequent 32 weeks several enzymatic, immunohistological and microbiological parameters were monitored. Compared to 5 age and sex matched healthy controls the infected pigs showed increased activity of plasma acid phosphatase starting 4 weeks after the infection. Acid phosphatase activity was usually enhanced in synovial fluid of chronically ill animals. Histochemically increased activity of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and beta-acetylglucosaminidase was found in lining cells and fibroblasts of the synovial membrane of chronically diseased joints. Immunohistochemically Erysipelas-antigen was demonstrated in the synovial membrane even of those inflamed joints from which no living bacteria had been isolated. The microbiological and immunohistochemical results correlated positively with the enzymehistochemical data. The release of lysosomal enzymes from cells of the synovial membrane in chronically diseased joints due to the influence of Erysipelas-bacteria and the possible implications of persistent bacteria on the perpetuation of chronic Erysipelas-polyarthritis are discussed.", "contents": "[Enzyme, enzyme-histochemical and immunohistological studies in chronic erysipelas polyarthritis of swine]. The chronic Erysipelas-polyarthritis in pigs has been considered an animal model resembling human rheumatoid arthritis. Fifteen specifically pathogenfree (SPF) pigs 45 days old were experimentally infectec with strain T 28 of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae-bacteria. During the subsequent 32 weeks several enzymatic, immunohistological and microbiological parameters were monitored. Compared to 5 age and sex matched healthy controls the infected pigs showed increased activity of plasma acid phosphatase starting 4 weeks after the infection. Acid phosphatase activity was usually enhanced in synovial fluid of chronically ill animals. Histochemically increased activity of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and beta-acetylglucosaminidase was found in lining cells and fibroblasts of the synovial membrane of chronically diseased joints. Immunohistochemically Erysipelas-antigen was demonstrated in the synovial membrane even of those inflamed joints from which no living bacteria had been isolated. The microbiological and immunohistochemical results correlated positively with the enzymehistochemical data. The release of lysosomal enzymes from cells of the synovial membrane in chronically diseased joints due to the influence of Erysipelas-bacteria and the possible implications of persistent bacteria on the perpetuation of chronic Erysipelas-polyarthritis are discussed.", "PMID": 636667} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10810", "title": "The relationship between polymorphonuclear granulocytes and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "The pannus-cartilage junction was investigated in cases of rheumatoid joint destruction. By a histochemical method for demonstrating the presence of neutrophil granulocytes, it became obvious that these cells in some cases were found in high numbers in the immediate vicinity of the cartilage in the process of being destroyed. It is concluded that these blood-carried cells may also participate in cartilage destruction in acute phases of chronic rheumatoid disease.", "contents": "The relationship between polymorphonuclear granulocytes and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. The pannus-cartilage junction was investigated in cases of rheumatoid joint destruction. By a histochemical method for demonstrating the presence of neutrophil granulocytes, it became obvious that these cells in some cases were found in high numbers in the immediate vicinity of the cartilage in the process of being destroyed. It is concluded that these blood-carried cells may also participate in cartilage destruction in acute phases of chronic rheumatoid disease.", "PMID": 636668} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10811", "title": "Leucocyte migration inhibition with collagen type I and collagen type III in rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint diseases.", "content": "The leucocytes of 22 patients with classic rheumatoid arthritis were investigated with the direct leucocyte migration inhibition technique in agarose as described by Clausen. The leucocytes of 9 patients with degenerative joint diseases and of 9 healthy persons served as controls. Collagen type I and collagen type III were used as antigens. The leucocytes of 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed in 15 cases a migration inhibition with collagen type III and in 10 cases with collagen type I. The inhibition with collagen type III was stronger and more frequent than with collagen type I. The frequent leucocyte migration inhibition with collagen type III in classic rheumatoid arthritis seems to be an expression of possible cell mediated reactivity against that type of collagen which appears especially in rheumatoid synovial tissue.", "contents": "Leucocyte migration inhibition with collagen type I and collagen type III in rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative joint diseases. The leucocytes of 22 patients with classic rheumatoid arthritis were investigated with the direct leucocyte migration inhibition technique in agarose as described by Clausen. The leucocytes of 9 patients with degenerative joint diseases and of 9 healthy persons served as controls. Collagen type I and collagen type III were used as antigens. The leucocytes of 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed in 15 cases a migration inhibition with collagen type III and in 10 cases with collagen type I. The inhibition with collagen type III was stronger and more frequent than with collagen type I. The frequent leucocyte migration inhibition with collagen type III in classic rheumatoid arthritis seems to be an expression of possible cell mediated reactivity against that type of collagen which appears especially in rheumatoid synovial tissue.", "PMID": 636669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10812", "title": "The photometric latex test for rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. I. correlation with other serologic tests.", "content": "The photometric latex test (PLT) for the detection of rheumatoid factors (RF) has been correlated with the sensitized sheep cell test (SSC) and the latex slide test (LST). A total of 377 sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 120 sera from control subjects were examined. When the PLT was carried out on the native sera at a lower buffer ionic strength (0.05 M), agglutination was noted in over 99% of cases, indicating interaction of complement with human immunoglobulin bound to the latex particle surface. Although thermal inactivation eliminated most of the complement agglutination, an increase in ionic strength (0.5 M) was found to be essential for measuring only RF agglutination. The serologic data were analysed statistically by computer. A highly significant correlation was found between all serologic tests and RA sera, but there was no such correlation with the control sera. The specificity of all tests was generally over 90% and did not vary significantly, but the sensitivity varied from 52.0% to 71.1%, confirming that about one-third of all RA patients are seronegative. The tests were analysed for their total diagnostic capability. The PLT with native sera at higher ionic strenght proved to be the most sensitive, but with thermally inactivated sera it had a better diagnostic capacity. The SSC test appeared to be less sensitive and of lower diagnostic validity. Rapid LST tests were clearly inferior to PLT tests. The PLT can be used as a reliable and straightforward serologic method of diagnosis in RA, especially when carried out at a higher ionic strength and with thermally inactivated sera. It should be given preference over other serologic tests for RF and could well become standard practice in rheumatologic serology as a substitute for the SSC test.", "contents": "The photometric latex test for rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. I. correlation with other serologic tests. The photometric latex test (PLT) for the detection of rheumatoid factors (RF) has been correlated with the sensitized sheep cell test (SSC) and the latex slide test (LST). A total of 377 sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 120 sera from control subjects were examined. When the PLT was carried out on the native sera at a lower buffer ionic strength (0.05 M), agglutination was noted in over 99% of cases, indicating interaction of complement with human immunoglobulin bound to the latex particle surface. Although thermal inactivation eliminated most of the complement agglutination, an increase in ionic strength (0.5 M) was found to be essential for measuring only RF agglutination. The serologic data were analysed statistically by computer. A highly significant correlation was found between all serologic tests and RA sera, but there was no such correlation with the control sera. The specificity of all tests was generally over 90% and did not vary significantly, but the sensitivity varied from 52.0% to 71.1%, confirming that about one-third of all RA patients are seronegative. The tests were analysed for their total diagnostic capability. The PLT with native sera at higher ionic strenght proved to be the most sensitive, but with thermally inactivated sera it had a better diagnostic capacity. The SSC test appeared to be less sensitive and of lower diagnostic validity. Rapid LST tests were clearly inferior to PLT tests. The PLT can be used as a reliable and straightforward serologic method of diagnosis in RA, especially when carried out at a higher ionic strength and with thermally inactivated sera. It should be given preference over other serologic tests for RF and could well become standard practice in rheumatologic serology as a substitute for the SSC test.", "PMID": 636670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10813", "title": "[Urinary transaminase in the diagnosis of kidney disorders in liver cirrhosis].", "content": "In examinations of 72 patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis the transaminase activity of the urine (T-uria) was found in 55.6% of the cases, above all in liver cirrhosis. The T-uria increases parallel to the progressing portal hypertension to the hepatocellular insufficiency and to the hepatorenal syndrome. It is reduced in positive dynamics of the hepatic process. The T-uria has an essential prognostic value. In the terminal phase of the liver cirrhosis the T-uria is perhaps connected with disturbances of the hepatic haemodynamics.", "contents": "[Urinary transaminase in the diagnosis of kidney disorders in liver cirrhosis]. In examinations of 72 patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis the transaminase activity of the urine (T-uria) was found in 55.6% of the cases, above all in liver cirrhosis. The T-uria increases parallel to the progressing portal hypertension to the hepatocellular insufficiency and to the hepatorenal syndrome. It is reduced in positive dynamics of the hepatic process. The T-uria has an essential prognostic value. In the terminal phase of the liver cirrhosis the T-uria is perhaps connected with disturbances of the hepatic haemodynamics.", "PMID": 636678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10814", "title": "[Clinical and histological studies on the course of glomerulonephritis].", "content": "It is reported on 37 patients in whom on the basis of the clinical suspicion of a glomerulonephritis a biopsy of the kidneys was carried out, and after treatment in these patients a rebiopsy was carried out 21 months later in order to examine clinical and histological changes during this period. Hereby could be established that the rebiopsy only six times evoked an apparant improvement, whereas the other cases showed clinical findings or deterioration and only in half the cases a correspondence between clinical and histological developmental tendencies was recognizable. As conclusion indications to rebiopsy are proposed.", "contents": "[Clinical and histological studies on the course of glomerulonephritis]. It is reported on 37 patients in whom on the basis of the clinical suspicion of a glomerulonephritis a biopsy of the kidneys was carried out, and after treatment in these patients a rebiopsy was carried out 21 months later in order to examine clinical and histological changes during this period. Hereby could be established that the rebiopsy only six times evoked an apparant improvement, whereas the other cases showed clinical findings or deterioration and only in half the cases a correspondence between clinical and histological developmental tendencies was recognizable. As conclusion indications to rebiopsy are proposed.", "PMID": 636679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10815", "title": "[Psychovegetative disorders in the diagnostic key of WHO].", "content": "A diagnostic key and glossary of psychiatric illness are arranged in a new order with the numbers 300-308, along with a suggestion for the integration of psycho-vegetative disorders with psychic or physical symptoms. They are represented from neuroses and psychosomatic illness in a narrow sense which are also arranged in a new sequence. A statistic of examination of 500 patients demonstrates the diagnostic distribution with the new scale. This new structure enable a new systematic for diagnosis.", "contents": "[Psychovegetative disorders in the diagnostic key of WHO]. A diagnostic key and glossary of psychiatric illness are arranged in a new order with the numbers 300-308, along with a suggestion for the integration of psycho-vegetative disorders with psychic or physical symptoms. They are represented from neuroses and psychosomatic illness in a narrow sense which are also arranged in a new sequence. A statistic of examination of 500 patients demonstrates the diagnostic distribution with the new scale. This new structure enable a new systematic for diagnosis.", "PMID": 636674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10816", "title": "[Psychosomatic aspects of adolescence].", "content": "During adolescence physical, psychic and social changes occure more rapidly and to a greater extent than during any other period of live. The marked changes concern not only the outern appearence, but also its intrapsychic representations, the body image. The complex integrative processes towards the identity as man or woman cannot be mastered without a certain emotional and physical instability. This is particularly the case if, in addition, nearly infantile disturbances in the socialisation or conflicts specific for this life period are, or have been, present. They can in the sense of a disposition lead to the manifestation of more or less severe crisis in adolescence. These crises interfere not only with the body image, but in many cases with the somatic functions as well. In the study three general aspects of this developmental problem are discussed as far they are relevant in the therapy of psycho-somatic disturbances in adolescents. 1. The implication of the adolescent phase in the course of psycho-somatic diseases. 2. Diseases which mainly occure in adolescence and are predominantly confined to this life period or are mainly influenced by it. 3. The influence which conflicts and phase-specific anxieties and fantasies exercise on the development and establishment of a mature body image and an adult identity.", "contents": "[Psychosomatic aspects of adolescence]. During adolescence physical, psychic and social changes occure more rapidly and to a greater extent than during any other period of live. The marked changes concern not only the outern appearence, but also its intrapsychic representations, the body image. The complex integrative processes towards the identity as man or woman cannot be mastered without a certain emotional and physical instability. This is particularly the case if, in addition, nearly infantile disturbances in the socialisation or conflicts specific for this life period are, or have been, present. They can in the sense of a disposition lead to the manifestation of more or less severe crisis in adolescence. These crises interfere not only with the body image, but in many cases with the somatic functions as well. In the study three general aspects of this developmental problem are discussed as far they are relevant in the therapy of psycho-somatic disturbances in adolescents. 1. The implication of the adolescent phase in the course of psycho-somatic diseases. 2. Diseases which mainly occure in adolescence and are predominantly confined to this life period or are mainly influenced by it. 3. The influence which conflicts and phase-specific anxieties and fantasies exercise on the development and establishment of a mature body image and an adult identity.", "PMID": 636673} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10817", "title": "[Choreatic movement disorders as a psychosomatic syndrome].", "content": "A psychogenic movement disorder can immitate sometimes a choreatic syndrom. In the present report a young lady with choreatic movement disorders is described, the causes of which were psychogenic. Of central importance in this case history is the repressed agression, which is experienced as \"killing\".", "contents": "[Choreatic movement disorders as a psychosomatic syndrome]. A psychogenic movement disorder can immitate sometimes a choreatic syndrom. In the present report a young lady with choreatic movement disorders is described, the causes of which were psychogenic. Of central importance in this case history is the repressed agression, which is experienced as \"killing\".", "PMID": 636676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10818", "title": "[Prognosis of anorexia nervosa (11 26 to 29 year follow-up studies of psychotherapeutically untreated cases)].", "content": "We report about a group of 13 anorectic patients, whose case and life history could be observed from the first examination (not identical with the beginning of the disease, dated 1-4 years earlier) during the interval 1947-1950. The first catamnesis was done 1965. At this time one female patient had died in connection with A. n.; another patient, the only male one of the group was not traceable any more. The next catamnesis was done 1976. 8 patients could be explored personally, by mail or phone. For two dead patients informations where given by the relatives. For another patient, who could not be found postally, we had informations by letter for the time before 1975. The group showed the following composition: - 12 women, 1 man; - beginning of the disease in puberty; - in the beginning of the disease all of them students at higher educational establishments; - the type of the disease is grave concerning the type of symptoms and course. - The later states show the following picture: - With 6 patients the A. n.-Syndrom continues; - of these six 2 died in connection with the disease; - with 7 patients the A.n.-Syndrom is not ascertainable any more. In this group there are 4 more or less distinct psychoses. - Two patients without A.n.-Syndromatic are remarcably improved, two patients with ongoing A.n.-Symptomatic are physically not basically, but socially definitively improved. My material does confirm thus the well-known tendency: one third remains anorectic and shows a chronical course, one third gets psychally very ill, resp. psychotic after loosing the A.n.-Symptomatic, the rest shows change of the Syndrom and improvement. Convincing healing of symptoms do not exist--except for the only male patient--in my material.", "contents": "[Prognosis of anorexia nervosa (11 26 to 29 year follow-up studies of psychotherapeutically untreated cases)]. We report about a group of 13 anorectic patients, whose case and life history could be observed from the first examination (not identical with the beginning of the disease, dated 1-4 years earlier) during the interval 1947-1950. The first catamnesis was done 1965. At this time one female patient had died in connection with A. n.; another patient, the only male one of the group was not traceable any more. The next catamnesis was done 1976. 8 patients could be explored personally, by mail or phone. For two dead patients informations where given by the relatives. For another patient, who could not be found postally, we had informations by letter for the time before 1975. The group showed the following composition: - 12 women, 1 man; - beginning of the disease in puberty; - in the beginning of the disease all of them students at higher educational establishments; - the type of the disease is grave concerning the type of symptoms and course. - The later states show the following picture: - With 6 patients the A. n.-Syndrom continues; - of these six 2 died in connection with the disease; - with 7 patients the A.n.-Syndrom is not ascertainable any more. In this group there are 4 more or less distinct psychoses. - Two patients without A.n.-Syndromatic are remarcably improved, two patients with ongoing A.n.-Symptomatic are physically not basically, but socially definitively improved. My material does confirm thus the well-known tendency: one third remains anorectic and shows a chronical course, one third gets psychally very ill, resp. psychotic after loosing the A.n.-Symptomatic, the rest shows change of the Syndrom and improvement. Convincing healing of symptoms do not exist--except for the only male patient--in my material.", "PMID": 636675} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10819", "title": "[Sibling constellation and psychosomatic disease in adult years].", "content": "Patients of a psychosomatic department are described with regard to their sex, the number of siblings, and the position within the respective sibship. The tendency of seeking stationary psychoanalytic help in psychosomatic diseases seems to increase with the number of siblings. A prevalence of helders of a middle position is found. Correlation between sibling constellation and the nature of a psychosomatic disease could not be statistically proven.", "contents": "[Sibling constellation and psychosomatic disease in adult years]. Patients of a psychosomatic department are described with regard to their sex, the number of siblings, and the position within the respective sibship. The tendency of seeking stationary psychoanalytic help in psychosomatic diseases seems to increase with the number of siblings. A prevalence of helders of a middle position is found. Correlation between sibling constellation and the nature of a psychosomatic disease could not be statistically proven.", "PMID": 636677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10820", "title": "[Thermography in medicine (author's transl)].", "content": "Telethermography and thermography en plaque have a high sensitivity and a low specifity. In 75% they are applied to diagnose diseases of the female breast. Data concerning diagnostic reliability differ considerably. The author emphasizes the classification of thermographies of the female breast.", "contents": "[Thermography in medicine (author's transl)]. Telethermography and thermography en plaque have a high sensitivity and a low specifity. In 75% they are applied to diagnose diseases of the female breast. Data concerning diagnostic reliability differ considerably. The author emphasizes the classification of thermographies of the female breast.", "PMID": 636696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10821", "title": "[Clinical significance of hiatal hernia].", "content": "A careful clinical investigation of 245 patients with hiatus hernia was performed. (History and physical examination, x-ray tests, oesophago-gastroscopy with biopsies, 3-point-manometry, rapid pull-through manometry with pentagastrintest). Classification of hiatus hernia was performed by x-ray test. (222 axial hiatus hernia, 14 mixed hiatus hernia, 9 paraoesophageal hiatus hernia) 3-point-manometry and rapid pull-through manometry with Pg-test were used to differentiate the function of the cardia. In spite of a strong selection in 84 out of 245 patients examined in our hospital, a sufficient cardia could be seen. 161 cases showed a gastro-oesophageal reflux which has been in accordance with a decompensated reflux disease in 97 patients. Solely in these 97 patients an operative correction of the gastro-oesophageal reflux seemed convenient. 84 patients showed a considerable variability of oesophageal disorders. In a final correlation between endoscopy, manometry and x-ray tests our opinion was confirmed that hiatus hernia must not lead inevitably to an insufficiency of the cardia. In the above investigations it could be shown that any therapeutic proceeding in the treatment of hiatus hernia first needs a careful analysis of the cardiac and oesophageal activity and second requires a careful indication for the surgical treatment of hiatus hernia.", "contents": "[Clinical significance of hiatal hernia]. A careful clinical investigation of 245 patients with hiatus hernia was performed. (History and physical examination, x-ray tests, oesophago-gastroscopy with biopsies, 3-point-manometry, rapid pull-through manometry with pentagastrintest). Classification of hiatus hernia was performed by x-ray test. (222 axial hiatus hernia, 14 mixed hiatus hernia, 9 paraoesophageal hiatus hernia) 3-point-manometry and rapid pull-through manometry with Pg-test were used to differentiate the function of the cardia. In spite of a strong selection in 84 out of 245 patients examined in our hospital, a sufficient cardia could be seen. 161 cases showed a gastro-oesophageal reflux which has been in accordance with a decompensated reflux disease in 97 patients. Solely in these 97 patients an operative correction of the gastro-oesophageal reflux seemed convenient. 84 patients showed a considerable variability of oesophageal disorders. In a final correlation between endoscopy, manometry and x-ray tests our opinion was confirmed that hiatus hernia must not lead inevitably to an insufficiency of the cardia. In the above investigations it could be shown that any therapeutic proceeding in the treatment of hiatus hernia first needs a careful analysis of the cardiac and oesophageal activity and second requires a careful indication for the surgical treatment of hiatus hernia.", "PMID": 636697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10822", "title": "[Primary sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1952 to 1976 2203 malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract were seen at the Surgical Clinic of the M.H.L., 18 of them were sarcomas. There was a predominance of carcinomas of the stomach (Sa: Ca = 1:229) and of the colon (1:162), whereas sarcomas of the small intestine were found in a relation of 1:0,9. X-ray diagnosis of the gastric sarcomas is difficult, only those with endogastric growth can be recognized by gastroscopy. The postoperative prognosis of gastric sarcomas is better than that of gastric carcinomas. Sarcomas of the small intestine have a high mortality rate because of a high rate of ileus and perforation. Sarcomas of the colon - normally localized in the caecum or rectum - have a better prognosis, seldom stenosis can be seen.", "contents": "[Primary sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract (author's transl)]. From 1952 to 1976 2203 malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract were seen at the Surgical Clinic of the M.H.L., 18 of them were sarcomas. There was a predominance of carcinomas of the stomach (Sa: Ca = 1:229) and of the colon (1:162), whereas sarcomas of the small intestine were found in a relation of 1:0,9. X-ray diagnosis of the gastric sarcomas is difficult, only those with endogastric growth can be recognized by gastroscopy. The postoperative prognosis of gastric sarcomas is better than that of gastric carcinomas. Sarcomas of the small intestine have a high mortality rate because of a high rate of ileus and perforation. Sarcomas of the colon - normally localized in the caecum or rectum - have a better prognosis, seldom stenosis can be seen.", "PMID": 636698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10823", "title": "[Experimental longterm cannulation of the stomach (author's transl)].", "content": "The construction and use of a new cannula for the long-term cannulation of the stomach in experimental surgery is described. The major attribute of the gastric fistula is the simplicity of technical management and the advantage to avoid irritation of the animals as much as possible.", "contents": "[Experimental longterm cannulation of the stomach (author's transl)]. The construction and use of a new cannula for the long-term cannulation of the stomach in experimental surgery is described. The major attribute of the gastric fistula is the simplicity of technical management and the advantage to avoid irritation of the animals as much as possible.", "PMID": 636699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10824", "title": "[Fibroplastic peritonitis (author's transl)].", "content": "2 cases of peritonitis fibroplastica with obscure genesis and atypical complaints were operated on. Pseudomembranes were carefully cleared away from the intestine. The first patient has been cured after two years, the other died of another disease.", "contents": "[Fibroplastic peritonitis (author's transl)]. 2 cases of peritonitis fibroplastica with obscure genesis and atypical complaints were operated on. Pseudomembranes were carefully cleared away from the intestine. The first patient has been cured after two years, the other died of another disease.", "PMID": 636700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10825", "title": "[Elektrolyte-losing rectum adenoma (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical picture of electrolyte-losing villous tumours localized in the rectum or colon is represented by own observations and the literature. Diagnostic errors arising from disturbances of water and electrolyte balance are emphasized. In order to find out the optimal therapy, classification of the tumour according to clinical criteria is recommended.", "contents": "[Elektrolyte-losing rectum adenoma (author's transl)]. The clinical picture of electrolyte-losing villous tumours localized in the rectum or colon is represented by own observations and the literature. Diagnostic errors arising from disturbances of water and electrolyte balance are emphasized. In order to find out the optimal therapy, classification of the tumour according to clinical criteria is recommended.", "PMID": 636701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10826", "title": "[Intraoperative liver biopsy for gall-bladder disorders (author's transl)].", "content": "447 liver biopsy samples were taken during surgery for gall bladder disorders. Defined relations between histologic gallbladder and liver findings and also between duration of illness and liver changes could not be established. In more than 90% of the cases there were only minor pathologic findings so that a routine application of this method is not necessary and should be restricted to selected cases.", "contents": "[Intraoperative liver biopsy for gall-bladder disorders (author's transl)]. 447 liver biopsy samples were taken during surgery for gall bladder disorders. Defined relations between histologic gallbladder and liver findings and also between duration of illness and liver changes could not be established. In more than 90% of the cases there were only minor pathologic findings so that a routine application of this method is not necessary and should be restricted to selected cases.", "PMID": 636702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10827", "title": "[Hernia incarcerata in the aged (author's transl)].", "content": "From 1966 up to 1975 164 patients with a hernia incarcerata were seen. 21,3% of them died, in most cases of delayed diagnosis bowel resection was necessary. The prognosis depends on ileus (11,8%) and multimorbidity of the aged. The death was mainly related to peritonitis (43%) and pneumonia (26%). Only no delay in diagnosis, early surgery, intensive pre- and postoperative care will improve the results.", "contents": "[Hernia incarcerata in the aged (author's transl)]. From 1966 up to 1975 164 patients with a hernia incarcerata were seen. 21,3% of them died, in most cases of delayed diagnosis bowel resection was necessary. The prognosis depends on ileus (11,8%) and multimorbidity of the aged. The death was mainly related to peritonitis (43%) and pneumonia (26%). Only no delay in diagnosis, early surgery, intensive pre- and postoperative care will improve the results.", "PMID": 636704} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10828", "title": "The effect of passively transferred heterologous serum on Toxoplasma gondii in NMRI mice. Influence of the treatment on course of infection and cyst formation.", "content": "Anti-Toxoplasma serum from rabbits or normal Toxoplasma negative serum from humans was administered to NMRI mice by intraperitoneal, intravenous or oral routes. Transfer of immune serum intrapertioneally 48 hours before lethal challenge with cyst forming Alt strain conferred significant resistance to normal recipients as assessed by a 55% reduction in the number of brain cysts and 89% survival rate. Survivors of the groups receiving oral administration of immune or normal serum 48 hours prior to challenge also showed a reduction in the number of brain cysts of 50% and 21% respectively. Animals given immune serum by intrapertioneal or oral routes 48 hours after, or a small intravenous dose one day before challenge showed higher survival rates in comparison to controls but had an \"enchancement\" of infection as revealed by increased number of brain cysts.", "contents": "The effect of passively transferred heterologous serum on Toxoplasma gondii in NMRI mice. Influence of the treatment on course of infection and cyst formation. Anti-Toxoplasma serum from rabbits or normal Toxoplasma negative serum from humans was administered to NMRI mice by intraperitoneal, intravenous or oral routes. Transfer of immune serum intrapertioneally 48 hours before lethal challenge with cyst forming Alt strain conferred significant resistance to normal recipients as assessed by a 55% reduction in the number of brain cysts and 89% survival rate. Survivors of the groups receiving oral administration of immune or normal serum 48 hours prior to challenge also showed a reduction in the number of brain cysts of 50% and 21% respectively. Animals given immune serum by intrapertioneal or oral routes 48 hours after, or a small intravenous dose one day before challenge showed higher survival rates in comparison to controls but had an \"enchancement\" of infection as revealed by increased number of brain cysts.", "PMID": 636705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10829", "title": "An economic and rapid diagnostic procedure for the detection of salmonella/shigella using the polyvalent salmonella phage O-1.", "content": "An easy, rapid and economic two-step procedure is described for the detection of Salmonella/Shigella. In the first step the susceptibility of suspected colonies for the phage O-1 of FELIX and CALLOW is tested. Positive cultures are serologically confirmed. The test is performed on Triple Sugar Iron Agar and lasts 4-6 hrs. Phage negative cultures which are lactose- and sucrose negative are tested for lysine decarboxylase and, if Shigella is possible (i.e. in human material on primary plates), for indol production and motility in a semisolid tryptophane agar. Of 22880 Salmonella straine 21977, i.e. 96.1% were phage-sensitive. Strains belonging to certain O-groups (OE) or species are lysed at a lower percentage. However, since they are lysine decarboxylase positive they are not lost and can be submitted to a serological examination.", "contents": "An economic and rapid diagnostic procedure for the detection of salmonella/shigella using the polyvalent salmonella phage O-1. An easy, rapid and economic two-step procedure is described for the detection of Salmonella/Shigella. In the first step the susceptibility of suspected colonies for the phage O-1 of FELIX and CALLOW is tested. Positive cultures are serologically confirmed. The test is performed on Triple Sugar Iron Agar and lasts 4-6 hrs. Phage negative cultures which are lactose- and sucrose negative are tested for lysine decarboxylase and, if Shigella is possible (i.e. in human material on primary plates), for indol production and motility in a semisolid tryptophane agar. Of 22880 Salmonella straine 21977, i.e. 96.1% were phage-sensitive. Strains belonging to certain O-groups (OE) or species are lysed at a lower percentage. However, since they are lysine decarboxylase positive they are not lost and can be submitted to a serological examination.", "PMID": 636706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10830", "title": "Comparative studies on the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330.", "content": "Electron-microscopic studies were carried out on S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330 and the production of L forms induced with the use of penicillin. No variations were established in the ultrastructure of the initial forms. However, essential differences were observed in the ultrastructure between the latter and the L-transformed Brucellae as well as changes that differentiated the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S variants from that of L forms obtained from R variants. In both cases the L-transformed Brucella organisms have suffered substantial changes in their electron-microscopic structure. There was no cell wall, the cytoplasm was profoundly altered - chiefly the ribosomal apparatus, which, from a polyribosomal complex located peripherally in the cell, adjacent to the cytoplasmic membrane in the initial forms, has disintegrated into ribosomal units parts of which have often penetrated deeply in the nucleotide mass. Individual ribosomes remained connected with each other through DNA filaments, but there were equally cases in which links of such types were not present. The structure of the cytoplasmic membrane invariably showed three layers. The L forms obtained from R variants occasionally showed the presence of microtubules similar to those established with other microorganisms. Such structures were missing in the L forms obtained from S variants.", "contents": "Comparative studies on the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330. Electron-microscopic studies were carried out on S and R variants of Brucella suis 1330 and the production of L forms induced with the use of penicillin. No variations were established in the ultrastructure of the initial forms. However, essential differences were observed in the ultrastructure between the latter and the L-transformed Brucellae as well as changes that differentiated the ultrastructure of L forms obtained from S variants from that of L forms obtained from R variants. In both cases the L-transformed Brucella organisms have suffered substantial changes in their electron-microscopic structure. There was no cell wall, the cytoplasm was profoundly altered - chiefly the ribosomal apparatus, which, from a polyribosomal complex located peripherally in the cell, adjacent to the cytoplasmic membrane in the initial forms, has disintegrated into ribosomal units parts of which have often penetrated deeply in the nucleotide mass. Individual ribosomes remained connected with each other through DNA filaments, but there were equally cases in which links of such types were not present. The structure of the cytoplasmic membrane invariably showed three layers. The L forms obtained from R variants occasionally showed the presence of microtubules similar to those established with other microorganisms. Such structures were missing in the L forms obtained from S variants.", "PMID": 636707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10831", "title": "[Immunologic differentiation of brain antigens in multiple sclerosis].", "content": "In 30 patients with disseminated sclerosis (more than 500 sera) the authors studied autoantibodies in Steffen's reaction to different homologous antigens of normal and \"pathological\" brain and to some internal organs. A normal brain tissue appeared to be immunologically more differentiated than the tissues of patients who had died of disseminated sclerosis. The antigen properties of the white matter of frontal lobes were more expressed than the gray matter, subcortical nodes, tissues of the cerebellum and spinal cord. Gliose-changed nervous tissues are immunologically not active. There was a certain parallelism between the supposed focal substrate of neurological symptoms and the data of autoimmune reactions which may have a topico-diagnostic significance. The authors discuss the antibrain antibodies found in disseminated sclerosis from the concept of their preventive function.", "contents": "[Immunologic differentiation of brain antigens in multiple sclerosis]. In 30 patients with disseminated sclerosis (more than 500 sera) the authors studied autoantibodies in Steffen's reaction to different homologous antigens of normal and \"pathological\" brain and to some internal organs. A normal brain tissue appeared to be immunologically more differentiated than the tissues of patients who had died of disseminated sclerosis. The antigen properties of the white matter of frontal lobes were more expressed than the gray matter, subcortical nodes, tissues of the cerebellum and spinal cord. Gliose-changed nervous tissues are immunologically not active. There was a certain parallelism between the supposed focal substrate of neurological symptoms and the data of autoimmune reactions which may have a topico-diagnostic significance. The authors discuss the antibrain antibodies found in disseminated sclerosis from the concept of their preventive function.", "PMID": 636708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10832", "title": "[Ophthalmologic symptoms of multiple sclerosis].", "content": "Long-term clinical studies of 220 patients with disseminated sclerosis and different pathology of the optico-nervous apparatus demonstrated that neuritis of the optic nerve is not always accompanied by impairment of vision and sometimes may lead to ophthalmological symptomatology. This symptomatology may be similar to the picture of congested disks of optic nerves. It was established that the appearance of the disk of theoptic nerve in the postneuritic condition is determined by a combination of a substitutive (due to the destruction of nervous fibers and consequently to an irreversible loss of vision) and resorbtive (due to a resorbtion of inflammation products) fibrogliosis. The second process, depending upon the nearness of the inflammational focus to the eye ground and the duration of the nerve disorder, does not reflect the irreversible loss of visual functions and leads to a discrepancy between the ophthalmological and visual changes. This discrepancy is aggravated by the possibility of a long-term preservation of the axons and as a result an absence of substitutive scarring, even in an irreversible loss of vision.", "contents": "[Ophthalmologic symptoms of multiple sclerosis]. Long-term clinical studies of 220 patients with disseminated sclerosis and different pathology of the optico-nervous apparatus demonstrated that neuritis of the optic nerve is not always accompanied by impairment of vision and sometimes may lead to ophthalmological symptomatology. This symptomatology may be similar to the picture of congested disks of optic nerves. It was established that the appearance of the disk of theoptic nerve in the postneuritic condition is determined by a combination of a substitutive (due to the destruction of nervous fibers and consequently to an irreversible loss of vision) and resorbtive (due to a resorbtion of inflammation products) fibrogliosis. The second process, depending upon the nearness of the inflammational focus to the eye ground and the duration of the nerve disorder, does not reflect the irreversible loss of visual functions and leads to a discrepancy between the ophthalmological and visual changes. This discrepancy is aggravated by the possibility of a long-term preservation of the axons and as a result an absence of substitutive scarring, even in an irreversible loss of vision.", "PMID": 636709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10833", "title": "[Fluorescent ophthalmochromoscopy in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis].", "content": "The authors applied a method of fluorescent ophthalmochromoscopy for the characteristics of the optic nerve in 61 patients with disseminated sclerosis. All the patients had undergone a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. A clinical characteristic is given for the initial period of disseminated sclerosis (I group of patients) and for the florid picture (II group). According to the ophthalmological examination disseminated sclerosis was suspected in 1/4 of the patients of the I group and in half of the patients of the second. The use of fluorescent ophtalmochromoscopy permitted to detect larvated lesions of the optic nerve, which by routine methods cannot be revealed. The use of this method with consideration for the period of contrasting the retinal vessles and phenomenon of the most intensive staining of the optic nerve discs permits to judge on the stage and activity of the pathological process.", "contents": "[Fluorescent ophthalmochromoscopy in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis]. The authors applied a method of fluorescent ophthalmochromoscopy for the characteristics of the optic nerve in 61 patients with disseminated sclerosis. All the patients had undergone a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. A clinical characteristic is given for the initial period of disseminated sclerosis (I group of patients) and for the florid picture (II group). According to the ophthalmological examination disseminated sclerosis was suspected in 1/4 of the patients of the I group and in half of the patients of the second. The use of fluorescent ophtalmochromoscopy permitted to detect larvated lesions of the optic nerve, which by routine methods cannot be revealed. The use of this method with consideration for the period of contrasting the retinal vessles and phenomenon of the most intensive staining of the optic nerve discs permits to judge on the stage and activity of the pathological process.", "PMID": 636710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10834", "title": "[Neurologic adverse manifestations and complications of ambulatory therapy with psychotropic drugs in the late stages].", "content": "Neurological side-effects and complications were studied in 100 patients having undergone long-term (3--14 years) out-patient treatment. In 14 cases there were slight side-effects. In patients of old age, after 6 year lithium treatment there were extrapyramidal signs, disturbances of memory and disorders of orientation in place. In 1 case following 2 year treatment with small doses of neuroleptical drugs there was an oral dyskinesia, after which an overdosage with antidepressive drugs and tranquillizers led to an akineticohypotonic syndrome. The side-effects and complications had a reversible character. Recommendations for therapy of such complications are given.", "contents": "[Neurologic adverse manifestations and complications of ambulatory therapy with psychotropic drugs in the late stages]. Neurological side-effects and complications were studied in 100 patients having undergone long-term (3--14 years) out-patient treatment. In 14 cases there were slight side-effects. In patients of old age, after 6 year lithium treatment there were extrapyramidal signs, disturbances of memory and disorders of orientation in place. In 1 case following 2 year treatment with small doses of neuroleptical drugs there was an oral dyskinesia, after which an overdosage with antidepressive drugs and tranquillizers led to an akineticohypotonic syndrome. The side-effects and complications had a reversible character. Recommendations for therapy of such complications are given.", "PMID": 636711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10835", "title": "[Allergic encephalomyelopolyradiculoneuritis from a wasp sting (clinico-pathologic report)].", "content": "The authors discuss clinico-pathomorphological observations of allergic encephalomyelopolyradiculoneuritis, due to wasp stings. A lethal outcome followed the 14th day of the disease. The clinical picture and morphological symptoms were characterized by allergic reactions of immediate and retarded types leading to severe lesions of the vital organs and the nervous system. Special attention is drawn to a selective lesion of the pallidonigral system conditioning the clinical picture of acutely developing parkinsonism. The polyradiculoneuritis and myelitical syndrome were also expressed.", "contents": "[Allergic encephalomyelopolyradiculoneuritis from a wasp sting (clinico-pathologic report)]. The authors discuss clinico-pathomorphological observations of allergic encephalomyelopolyradiculoneuritis, due to wasp stings. A lethal outcome followed the 14th day of the disease. The clinical picture and morphological symptoms were characterized by allergic reactions of immediate and retarded types leading to severe lesions of the vital organs and the nervous system. Special attention is drawn to a selective lesion of the pallidonigral system conditioning the clinical picture of acutely developing parkinsonism. The polyradiculoneuritis and myelitical syndrome were also expressed.", "PMID": 636712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10836", "title": "[Diagnosis and treatment of the Tolosa-Hunt syndrome].", "content": "An analysis of clinical data concerning 13 patients with nonpurulent inflammation of the external wall of the cavernous sinus (or the Tolosa-Hunt syndrome) permitted the authors to come to the conclusion that as a result of administration of steroid preparations the assessment of some diagnostical criteria is somewhat altered. At the same time of certain diagnostical value is the rapid therapeutical effect of steroid preparations as well as the criteria proposed by the authors-- the connection between the onset of the disease and some infectious disease (most frequently catarrh of the upper airway) and a combined lesions of the oculomotor nerves and sympathic periarterial fibres of the internal carotid artery without marked exophthalmus.", "contents": "[Diagnosis and treatment of the Tolosa-Hunt syndrome]. An analysis of clinical data concerning 13 patients with nonpurulent inflammation of the external wall of the cavernous sinus (or the Tolosa-Hunt syndrome) permitted the authors to come to the conclusion that as a result of administration of steroid preparations the assessment of some diagnostical criteria is somewhat altered. At the same time of certain diagnostical value is the rapid therapeutical effect of steroid preparations as well as the criteria proposed by the authors-- the connection between the onset of the disease and some infectious disease (most frequently catarrh of the upper airway) and a combined lesions of the oculomotor nerves and sympathic periarterial fibres of the internal carotid artery without marked exophthalmus.", "PMID": 636713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10837", "title": "[Functional state of the sympathetic-adrenal system in meningococcal infections].", "content": "A study of the functional state of the sympathico-adrenal system by determining the diurnal urine excretion of catecholamines and DOPA was conducted in 29 patients with meningoencephalitis of a meningococcal etiology. These studies demonstrated a significant activation of its adrenal link and a tendency to an increase of activity in the sympathical link with a drop of the reserve possibilities. These changes were most distinctly expressed in cases with prevalent localization of the pathological process in the deep brain structures. These facts made it possible to conclude that there is a lesion in the link of a control of the sympathico-adrenal system. These data were confirmed by results of a study in 18 patients with meningococcal infections by physiological loadings with insulin and adrenalin and a study of the catecholamines and DOPA in the urine portions, which exert specific influence on the state of activity of the sympathico-adrenal system through the hypothalamus and reticular formation.", "contents": "[Functional state of the sympathetic-adrenal system in meningococcal infections]. A study of the functional state of the sympathico-adrenal system by determining the diurnal urine excretion of catecholamines and DOPA was conducted in 29 patients with meningoencephalitis of a meningococcal etiology. These studies demonstrated a significant activation of its adrenal link and a tendency to an increase of activity in the sympathical link with a drop of the reserve possibilities. These changes were most distinctly expressed in cases with prevalent localization of the pathological process in the deep brain structures. These facts made it possible to conclude that there is a lesion in the link of a control of the sympathico-adrenal system. These data were confirmed by results of a study in 18 patients with meningococcal infections by physiological loadings with insulin and adrenalin and a study of the catecholamines and DOPA in the urine portions, which exert specific influence on the state of activity of the sympathico-adrenal system through the hypothalamus and reticular formation.", "PMID": 636714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10838", "title": "[Clinical manifestations of nervous system lesions in Urov's disease].", "content": "Neurological disturbances in Urow's disease are insufficiently studied. In order to clarify the neurological signs of this disease the author conducted neurological and neurophysiological (EEG, EMG, rheovasography, electrothermometry, telechronoreflexometry, psychological tests) studies in 1348 patients, including 211 in hospitalized patients. The achieved results testify to a diffuse lesion of different levels in the nervous system (brain cortex, stem structures, cerebellum, spinal cord and vegetative nervous system), not only in severe forms of Urow's disease, but also in the initial stages. The different neurological changes permitted to distinquish new clinical syndromes: cerebrasthenia, encephalopathy, myodystrophy, myelopathy, angioneurotic and neurodystrophical syndromes. This makes it necessary to use such drugs in this form of disorder, which will normalize the activity of the nervous and muscular systems.", "contents": "[Clinical manifestations of nervous system lesions in Urov's disease]. Neurological disturbances in Urow's disease are insufficiently studied. In order to clarify the neurological signs of this disease the author conducted neurological and neurophysiological (EEG, EMG, rheovasography, electrothermometry, telechronoreflexometry, psychological tests) studies in 1348 patients, including 211 in hospitalized patients. The achieved results testify to a diffuse lesion of different levels in the nervous system (brain cortex, stem structures, cerebellum, spinal cord and vegetative nervous system), not only in severe forms of Urow's disease, but also in the initial stages. The different neurological changes permitted to distinquish new clinical syndromes: cerebrasthenia, encephalopathy, myodystrophy, myelopathy, angioneurotic and neurodystrophical syndromes. This makes it necessary to use such drugs in this form of disorder, which will normalize the activity of the nervous and muscular systems.", "PMID": 636715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10839", "title": "[Features of the dynamics of evoked cerebral electrical activity in psychopathic personalities when the meaning of a stimulus is changed].", "content": "A correlation of parameteres of evoked activity in psychopathic personalities of an explosive type and in control groups, detected certain differences in the dynamics of separate parameters of evoked potentials in a changed informativeness of the stimula. The physiological interpretation of these data indicates that in psychopathic personalities on the background of increased orientating reactions with prevalence of a general alert condition there is a decreased evaluations of the signal according to its significance. An evaluation of their actions and consideration of the past experience in such patients is also decreased. These disorders are more distinctly expressed in a complicated situation.", "contents": "[Features of the dynamics of evoked cerebral electrical activity in psychopathic personalities when the meaning of a stimulus is changed]. A correlation of parameteres of evoked activity in psychopathic personalities of an explosive type and in control groups, detected certain differences in the dynamics of separate parameters of evoked potentials in a changed informativeness of the stimula. The physiological interpretation of these data indicates that in psychopathic personalities on the background of increased orientating reactions with prevalence of a general alert condition there is a decreased evaluations of the signal according to its significance. An evaluation of their actions and consideration of the past experience in such patients is also decreased. These disorders are more distinctly expressed in a complicated situation.", "PMID": 636716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10840", "title": "[Pathogenesis of obsessional states against a psychopathic background].", "content": "The paper is concerned with a clinical study of 37 psychopaths with obsessional symptoms: 24 anancasts and 13 psychasthenics. In 14 patients the obsessional ideas were combined with obsessional actions, in 28 cases there was a defect of integrative automatized motions, in 6 cases--tics, in 2--writing spasms and in 1 case--a spastic torticollis without symptoms of an organic lesion of the nervous system. A hyperkinesis of the tic-type, professional dyskinesia and possibly obsessional actions may be explained by a functional dissociation of the neocrotex with subcortex and limbico-reticular complex. The author discusses the hypotheses of an inborn insufficiency of the latter.", "contents": "[Pathogenesis of obsessional states against a psychopathic background]. The paper is concerned with a clinical study of 37 psychopaths with obsessional symptoms: 24 anancasts and 13 psychasthenics. In 14 patients the obsessional ideas were combined with obsessional actions, in 28 cases there was a defect of integrative automatized motions, in 6 cases--tics, in 2--writing spasms and in 1 case--a spastic torticollis without symptoms of an organic lesion of the nervous system. A hyperkinesis of the tic-type, professional dyskinesia and possibly obsessional actions may be explained by a functional dissociation of the neocrotex with subcortex and limbico-reticular complex. The author discusses the hypotheses of an inborn insufficiency of the latter.", "PMID": 636717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10841", "title": "[Clinical-pathogenetic patterns in the course of reactive psychoses in persons who have suffered cranio-cerebral injuries].", "content": "The author conducted a clinico-statistical and follow up study, related to the development of a clinical shaping, courese and outcome of reactive psychoses in individuals with brain traumas. The data gave grounds to eliminate 2 main groups of psychogenic reactions: hysterical and endoform. The former developed on the personality-charactegenic level and developed more moderately. Endoform reactive psychses appeared on a more profound personality--vital level and had a more severe course with a worse prognosis.", "contents": "[Clinical-pathogenetic patterns in the course of reactive psychoses in persons who have suffered cranio-cerebral injuries]. The author conducted a clinico-statistical and follow up study, related to the development of a clinical shaping, courese and outcome of reactive psychoses in individuals with brain traumas. The data gave grounds to eliminate 2 main groups of psychogenic reactions: hysterical and endoform. The former developed on the personality-charactegenic level and developed more moderately. Endoform reactive psychses appeared on a more profound personality--vital level and had a more severe course with a worse prognosis.", "PMID": 636718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10842", "title": "[Classification of mental disorders of neuro-infectious origin].", "content": "The report contains a clinical analysis and the results of a paraclinical study of 4894 patients with mental disorders of different etiology. The following 4 types of development were distinguished: abortive, periodical, remittent, continuous. The authors propose a structure of neuropsychic disorders and the main groups of psychopathological syndrome and their frequency. Some criteria for the differential diagnosis of this group of disorders is outlined.", "contents": "[Classification of mental disorders of neuro-infectious origin]. The report contains a clinical analysis and the results of a paraclinical study of 4894 patients with mental disorders of different etiology. The following 4 types of development were distinguished: abortive, periodical, remittent, continuous. The authors propose a structure of neuropsychic disorders and the main groups of psychopathological syndrome and their frequency. Some criteria for the differential diagnosis of this group of disorders is outlined.", "PMID": 636719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10843", "title": "[Mental disorders and their characteristics in neuro-infectious diseases with a severe course].", "content": "A study of patients with severe forms of neuroinfections permitted to follow up the development of psychopathological syndromes and detect some correlations between their structures and the traits of the different stages of the disease. At the acne of the disease there are frequent and severe syndromes of disturbed consciousness with the prevalence of deep unconscious states compared to the more obliviated productive variants in the framework of exogenous types of psychic reactions. On the eventual stages of the disease there are distinct correlations between the severity of the acute period and the formation of more expressed variants of the psychoorganic syndrome (organic brain syndrome). Extensive possibilities to a regressive development of the above-mentioned mental disorders are determined by such factors as young age, due time and comprehensive therapy with the use of psychopharmacological drugs and individual rehabilitative methods.", "contents": "[Mental disorders and their characteristics in neuro-infectious diseases with a severe course]. A study of patients with severe forms of neuroinfections permitted to follow up the development of psychopathological syndromes and detect some correlations between their structures and the traits of the different stages of the disease. At the acne of the disease there are frequent and severe syndromes of disturbed consciousness with the prevalence of deep unconscious states compared to the more obliviated productive variants in the framework of exogenous types of psychic reactions. On the eventual stages of the disease there are distinct correlations between the severity of the acute period and the formation of more expressed variants of the psychoorganic syndrome (organic brain syndrome). Extensive possibilities to a regressive development of the above-mentioned mental disorders are determined by such factors as young age, due time and comprehensive therapy with the use of psychopharmacological drugs and individual rehabilitative methods.", "PMID": 636720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10844", "title": "[Oneiroid and oneiric states in cerebral toxoplasmosis].", "content": "The report deals with 34 cases of toxoplasmotic psychoses proceeding with oneiroid (32 patients) and oniric (2 patients) syndromes. The authors distinguish 3 types of oneiroid states differing in the depth of clouded consciousness: 1) oneiroid states, the main content of which consisted of illusional and delusional experiences; 2) oneiroid states with prevalent dream-like imaginations; 3) oneiroid states developing with syndromes of substupor or catatonia excitation where due to a deep change of consciousness there were signs of resignation from the environment, dream-like and fantasticalhallucinatory components with a more vivid colouring. The clinico-laboratorial and somato-neurological correlations indicated that oneiroid conditions in cerebral toxoplasmoids develop in an exacerbation of the general toxoplasmotic process.", "contents": "[Oneiroid and oneiric states in cerebral toxoplasmosis]. The report deals with 34 cases of toxoplasmotic psychoses proceeding with oneiroid (32 patients) and oniric (2 patients) syndromes. The authors distinguish 3 types of oneiroid states differing in the depth of clouded consciousness: 1) oneiroid states, the main content of which consisted of illusional and delusional experiences; 2) oneiroid states with prevalent dream-like imaginations; 3) oneiroid states developing with syndromes of substupor or catatonia excitation where due to a deep change of consciousness there were signs of resignation from the environment, dream-like and fantasticalhallucinatory components with a more vivid colouring. The clinico-laboratorial and somato-neurological correlations indicated that oneiroid conditions in cerebral toxoplasmoids develop in an exacerbation of the general toxoplasmotic process.", "PMID": 636721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10845", "title": "[Social-psychological mechanisms for the development of adolescent alcoholism].", "content": "A clinical and pathopsychological analysis of the premorbid personality development in 30 adolescents permitted to describe the \"nonalcoholic\" path of formation in childhood, adolescence and young age of certain personality traits which are similar to those in patients with developed alcoholism. These symptoms were expressed in a drop of moderations in the activity structure, a reconstruction and simplification of the ierarchy of behavioral motivation, the acquisition by alcohol of the quality of a leading and motivating idea of the entire behaviour. The mechanism of anozognosia in this type of alcoholic patients are demonstrated. The author proposes some measures of social psychological and pedagogical prevention of alcoholism on the stages of premorbid personality development.", "contents": "[Social-psychological mechanisms for the development of adolescent alcoholism]. A clinical and pathopsychological analysis of the premorbid personality development in 30 adolescents permitted to describe the \"nonalcoholic\" path of formation in childhood, adolescence and young age of certain personality traits which are similar to those in patients with developed alcoholism. These symptoms were expressed in a drop of moderations in the activity structure, a reconstruction and simplification of the ierarchy of behavioral motivation, the acquisition by alcohol of the quality of a leading and motivating idea of the entire behaviour. The mechanism of anozognosia in this type of alcoholic patients are demonstrated. The author proposes some measures of social psychological and pedagogical prevention of alcoholism on the stages of premorbid personality development.", "PMID": 636722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10846", "title": "[Effect of several drugs on the functional state of the liver in the presence of alcoholic lesions by the radioisotope tracer technic].", "content": "With the aid of radioisotope hepatography by radioactive colloidal 198-Au, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of some drugs directed towards normalization of the functional state of the liver in patients with chronic alcoholism. The studies demonstrated the feasibility of using on the initial stages of medical treatment a complex of drugs for the normalization of the carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism as well as of vitamins.", "contents": "[Effect of several drugs on the functional state of the liver in the presence of alcoholic lesions by the radioisotope tracer technic]. With the aid of radioisotope hepatography by radioactive colloidal 198-Au, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of some drugs directed towards normalization of the functional state of the liver in patients with chronic alcoholism. The studies demonstrated the feasibility of using on the initial stages of medical treatment a complex of drugs for the normalization of the carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism as well as of vitamins.", "PMID": 636723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10847", "title": "[Differentiated treatment of patients with chronic alcoholism using modern psychotropic drugs].", "content": "By using a clinico-catamnestical method the authors studied the effectiveness of different forms of treatment in 159 chronic alcoholic patients (placebo, antabuse and psychotropic drugs). A clinical homogenous group of patients by age, form and duration of the disease, as well as by the degree of degradation, were compared. These data testify to the expediency of a differentiated use of psychotropic drugs depending upon the personality, mental state of the chronic alcoholic patients, the stage and character of the disease in each specific case.", "contents": "[Differentiated treatment of patients with chronic alcoholism using modern psychotropic drugs]. By using a clinico-catamnestical method the authors studied the effectiveness of different forms of treatment in 159 chronic alcoholic patients (placebo, antabuse and psychotropic drugs). A clinical homogenous group of patients by age, form and duration of the disease, as well as by the degree of degradation, were compared. These data testify to the expediency of a differentiated use of psychotropic drugs depending upon the personality, mental state of the chronic alcoholic patients, the stage and character of the disease in each specific case.", "PMID": 636724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10848", "title": "[Surgery of impotency (author's transl)].", "content": "Psychic disorders may sometimes explain the impossibility of erection. Organic causes of impotency must not go unrecognized though, because they are numerous: lesions of the cavernous bodies, arterial occlusions and deficiencies of innervation. The implantation of silicone prostheses in the cavernous bodies insures the erection and makes possible a normal sexual activity: the orgasm and the ejaculation may reappear even after they have disappeared for many years. This operation was realized in sixteen patients according to the technique of Small and Carrion. Postoperative hospitalization is usually of 24 hours. All patients resumed a normal sexual activity. Our earliest observation occurred three years ago. Up to now there were no cases of infection, or rejection. The implantation of silicone prostheses in the cavernous bodies constitutes an important step in the treatment of organic impotency.", "contents": "[Surgery of impotency (author's transl)]. Psychic disorders may sometimes explain the impossibility of erection. Organic causes of impotency must not go unrecognized though, because they are numerous: lesions of the cavernous bodies, arterial occlusions and deficiencies of innervation. The implantation of silicone prostheses in the cavernous bodies insures the erection and makes possible a normal sexual activity: the orgasm and the ejaculation may reappear even after they have disappeared for many years. This operation was realized in sixteen patients according to the technique of Small and Carrion. Postoperative hospitalization is usually of 24 hours. All patients resumed a normal sexual activity. Our earliest observation occurred three years ago. Up to now there were no cases of infection, or rejection. The implantation of silicone prostheses in the cavernous bodies constitutes an important step in the treatment of organic impotency.", "PMID": 636726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10849", "title": "Changes in \"routine laboratory tests\" during abstinence after heavy alcohol consumption in chronic alcoholics.", "content": "Standard laboratory tests were studied in 61 male chronic alcoholics admitted for detoxication after a period of heavy alcohol consumption. Results obtained within three days after the end of the last debauche were compared with those obtained one week later. Almost half of the patients was considered to have thrombocytopenia, two thirds of the patients had subnormal serum urea values and more than two thirds of the patients were considered to have increased ASAT values. Abnormal values often normalized within one week after admission. Significant alterations within the reference limits were observed for hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, sodium, potassium and bilirubin. The latter test often showed strikingly low values after one week. Most of the aberrations and the changes could be related to details in the case histories.", "contents": "Changes in \"routine laboratory tests\" during abstinence after heavy alcohol consumption in chronic alcoholics. Standard laboratory tests were studied in 61 male chronic alcoholics admitted for detoxication after a period of heavy alcohol consumption. Results obtained within three days after the end of the last debauche were compared with those obtained one week later. Almost half of the patients was considered to have thrombocytopenia, two thirds of the patients had subnormal serum urea values and more than two thirds of the patients were considered to have increased ASAT values. Abnormal values often normalized within one week after admission. Significant alterations within the reference limits were observed for hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, sodium, potassium and bilirubin. The latter test often showed strikingly low values after one week. Most of the aberrations and the changes could be related to details in the case histories.", "PMID": 636735} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10850", "title": "[Bacteriological problems related to hospital infections (author's transl)].", "content": "Bacteria responsible for nosocomial, i.e. hospital acquired, infections present a multiresistance to antibiotics. Multiple studies performed since the introduction of the first antibiotics have shown a correlation between their use and the identification and sensitivity of isolated bacteria. A program of control of antibiotherapy should be instituted in the hospitals in order to limit the occurrence of resistant strains.", "contents": "[Bacteriological problems related to hospital infections (author's transl)]. Bacteria responsible for nosocomial, i.e. hospital acquired, infections present a multiresistance to antibiotics. Multiple studies performed since the introduction of the first antibiotics have shown a correlation between their use and the identification and sensitivity of isolated bacteria. A program of control of antibiotherapy should be instituted in the hospitals in order to limit the occurrence of resistant strains.", "PMID": 636728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10851", "title": "[Asepsis and hospital architecture: the surroundings of the operating theatre (author's transl)].", "content": "The author contends one can not plan an operatief theatre and its organization, if it is dissociated from its immediate dependencies, entrances and exists. a) The necessity of the following dependencies is discussed: 1. an anesthetic room forming a sas between the entrance hall for the patient and the operating room that makes possible the preop. preparation; 2. an area where the surgeons may prepare, corectly ventilated and reserved to the entrance of the surgical team; 3. a reserve of sterile equipment in immediate contact with the operating threater; 4. a disposal area for the linen and soiled material and that may serve to the transfer of the patient after the operation, given the wastes be evacuated in thermosealed bags. b) The circuits of the personel is then considered with a study of the one way cloak-rooms, and an example is given. Then comes the introduction in these circuits of the so-called septic operating room and of room for decontamination of instruments that can be superimposed with the place of evacuation of the equipment. In conclusion, the author mentions the evacuation of atmospheric particles released in the operating theatre and the methods of improving asepsis. He suggests the surgeon be very critic concerning the techniques proposed by the advertising.", "contents": "[Asepsis and hospital architecture: the surroundings of the operating theatre (author's transl)]. The author contends one can not plan an operatief theatre and its organization, if it is dissociated from its immediate dependencies, entrances and exists. a) The necessity of the following dependencies is discussed: 1. an anesthetic room forming a sas between the entrance hall for the patient and the operating room that makes possible the preop. preparation; 2. an area where the surgeons may prepare, corectly ventilated and reserved to the entrance of the surgical team; 3. a reserve of sterile equipment in immediate contact with the operating threater; 4. a disposal area for the linen and soiled material and that may serve to the transfer of the patient after the operation, given the wastes be evacuated in thermosealed bags. b) The circuits of the personel is then considered with a study of the one way cloak-rooms, and an example is given. Then comes the introduction in these circuits of the so-called septic operating room and of room for decontamination of instruments that can be superimposed with the place of evacuation of the equipment. In conclusion, the author mentions the evacuation of atmospheric particles released in the operating theatre and the methods of improving asepsis. He suggests the surgeon be very critic concerning the techniques proposed by the advertising.", "PMID": 636729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10852", "title": "Immunoglobulins in sera of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda.", "content": "Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) were measured in 67 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda and liver dysfunction. Immunoglobulins, especially IgG and IgM, were significantly decreased.", "contents": "Immunoglobulins in sera of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM) were measured in 67 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda and liver dysfunction. Immunoglobulins, especially IgG and IgM, were significantly decreased.", "PMID": 636736} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10853", "title": "[Use of an isolator (so-called \"bubble\") in orthopaedic surgery (author's transl)].", "content": "The results of 2 series of casualties presenting with femoral neck fractures and operated with Moore prostheses are compared. The first was operated between September 18, 1972 and July 17, 1975 in a conventional way; the other between July 18, 1975 and January 10, 1977 under an Isolator. The rate of infection was much reduced in the latter. It seems to indicate the important function of this apparatus in the prevention of postoperative infection.", "contents": "[Use of an isolator (so-called \"bubble\") in orthopaedic surgery (author's transl)]. The results of 2 series of casualties presenting with femoral neck fractures and operated with Moore prostheses are compared. The first was operated between September 18, 1972 and July 17, 1975 in a conventional way; the other between July 18, 1975 and January 10, 1977 under an Isolator. The rate of infection was much reduced in the latter. It seems to indicate the important function of this apparatus in the prevention of postoperative infection.", "PMID": 636730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10854", "title": "[Burned patients center and hospital hygiene (author's transl)].", "content": "The author specifies that seriously burned patients, i.e. over 15% of body surface, should be treated in specialized centers given the hygiene problems they present. He describes the main principles that should guide the conception and realization of such a center stressing the isolation from the general hospital and technical aspects that prevent contamination of the areas and cross-infections of patients.", "contents": "[Burned patients center and hospital hygiene (author's transl)]. The author specifies that seriously burned patients, i.e. over 15% of body surface, should be treated in specialized centers given the hygiene problems they present. He describes the main principles that should guide the conception and realization of such a center stressing the isolation from the general hospital and technical aspects that prevent contamination of the areas and cross-infections of patients.", "PMID": 636731} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10855", "title": "The effect of glucagon on free plasma amino acids in cirrhotics and healthy controls.", "content": "The effect on free plasma amino acids before and after infusion of 1 mg glucagon was studied at rest after an overnight fast in seven patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and in seven healthy controls. Total aminoacidaemia in cirrhotic patients is significantly higher than in controls. Elevated basal levels in cirrhotics are found particularly in tyrosine, citrulline, tryptophane, threonine, phenylalanine, and methionine whereas ornithine and serine levels are decreased. Save for the redox couple cystine-cysteine which increases, glucagon elicits an decrease in most amino acids that is proportionate to their initial level. Total aminoacidaemia decreases in controls and cirrhotics by 14.6 and 9.1 per cent respectively. Serum ammonia level rises significantly in both groups, urea increases only in controls, uricaemia remains virtually unchanged.", "contents": "The effect of glucagon on free plasma amino acids in cirrhotics and healthy controls. The effect on free plasma amino acids before and after infusion of 1 mg glucagon was studied at rest after an overnight fast in seven patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and in seven healthy controls. Total aminoacidaemia in cirrhotic patients is significantly higher than in controls. Elevated basal levels in cirrhotics are found particularly in tyrosine, citrulline, tryptophane, threonine, phenylalanine, and methionine whereas ornithine and serine levels are decreased. Save for the redox couple cystine-cysteine which increases, glucagon elicits an decrease in most amino acids that is proportionate to their initial level. Total aminoacidaemia decreases in controls and cirrhotics by 14.6 and 9.1 per cent respectively. Serum ammonia level rises significantly in both groups, urea increases only in controls, uricaemia remains virtually unchanged.", "PMID": 636737} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10856", "title": "Intrahepatic cystic bile duct dilatations and stone formation: a new case of Caroli's disease.", "content": "Caroli's disease is a rare familial anomaly with circumscribed saccular dilatations of enlarged intrahepatic bile ducts coated by regular or pseudopapillomatous epithelium. The disease may be combined with additional malformations of the extrahepatic biliary tract as well as with medullary sponge kidney. Infection and stone formation are frequent complications. Surgery is indicated if the disease is limited to one love which should be resected or if biliary obstruction in diffuse disease necessitates biliodigestive anastomosis. Antibiotics and CDCA-mediation are essential for symptomatic therapy. We analysed the findings in 40 cases including one own observation.", "contents": "Intrahepatic cystic bile duct dilatations and stone formation: a new case of Caroli's disease. Caroli's disease is a rare familial anomaly with circumscribed saccular dilatations of enlarged intrahepatic bile ducts coated by regular or pseudopapillomatous epithelium. The disease may be combined with additional malformations of the extrahepatic biliary tract as well as with medullary sponge kidney. Infection and stone formation are frequent complications. Surgery is indicated if the disease is limited to one love which should be resected or if biliary obstruction in diffuse disease necessitates biliodigestive anastomosis. Antibiotics and CDCA-mediation are essential for symptomatic therapy. We analysed the findings in 40 cases including one own observation.", "PMID": 636738} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10857", "title": "[Iatrogene aorto-enteric fistula. Report of two cases (author's transl)].", "content": "Two cases of treated iatrogenic aorto-enteric fistula are presented: one completely successfull, the other less, with exitus after five months due to aortic wall disruption. The late occurrence, operative findings, anatomo-pathological examination of the specimens, as well as the sterile (aerobic) cultures in both cases, rather favour mechanical etiological forces associated with the healing complications of aortic synthetic grafts, with or without secundary infection. Emphasis is placed on familiarity with the symptom-complex and the fact that in general the commonly available objective diagnostic tools are not a great deal more helpful in arriving at the correct diagnosis than the history and physical examination. They may even be time-consuming and lead to the demise of the patient. The importance of prevention is stressed as well as the aspects of early aggressive surgical therapy for this dismal complication.", "contents": "[Iatrogene aorto-enteric fistula. Report of two cases (author's transl)]. Two cases of treated iatrogenic aorto-enteric fistula are presented: one completely successfull, the other less, with exitus after five months due to aortic wall disruption. The late occurrence, operative findings, anatomo-pathological examination of the specimens, as well as the sterile (aerobic) cultures in both cases, rather favour mechanical etiological forces associated with the healing complications of aortic synthetic grafts, with or without secundary infection. Emphasis is placed on familiarity with the symptom-complex and the fact that in general the commonly available objective diagnostic tools are not a great deal more helpful in arriving at the correct diagnosis than the history and physical examination. They may even be time-consuming and lead to the demise of the patient. The importance of prevention is stressed as well as the aspects of early aggressive surgical therapy for this dismal complication.", "PMID": 636733} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10858", "title": "[Surgeons responsibility in infectious complications (author's transl)].", "content": "Law suits of surgeons are increasing in number. Although the surgeon has no obligation concerning results, but only concerning means, the causes of postoperative infections are numerous: inadequate preoperative work-up (chronic focal infection), operative infection by means of an assistant or a visitor, inadequate air conditioning, lengthy operation, prolonged intravenous catheter and viral hepatitis after transfusion are some examples. Liability of the anaesthetist is a difficult problem. In many institutes one anaesthetist simultaneously monitors more than one anaesthesia. The cause-effect relation between the infection and the surgical malpractice must be proven by the patient; this creates an athmosphere of suspicion in the surgical team. More recently the courts have admitted that an infection can render the patient less resistant to another complication, of which he may die.", "contents": "[Surgeons responsibility in infectious complications (author's transl)]. Law suits of surgeons are increasing in number. Although the surgeon has no obligation concerning results, but only concerning means, the causes of postoperative infections are numerous: inadequate preoperative work-up (chronic focal infection), operative infection by means of an assistant or a visitor, inadequate air conditioning, lengthy operation, prolonged intravenous catheter and viral hepatitis after transfusion are some examples. Liability of the anaesthetist is a difficult problem. In many institutes one anaesthetist simultaneously monitors more than one anaesthesia. The cause-effect relation between the infection and the surgical malpractice must be proven by the patient; this creates an athmosphere of suspicion in the surgical team. More recently the courts have admitted that an infection can render the patient less resistant to another complication, of which he may die.", "PMID": 636732} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10859", "title": "Oxygen measurement and arteriography in the rat and guinea pig liver after artery ligation in the liver hilus.", "content": "There are differences in biological behavior of liver in different species of animals. The most impressive and easily reproduceable examples are the different reactions of rat and guinea pigs livers: The guinea pig cannot withstand more than a few hours the interruption of the Ductus Choledochus, it cannot survive complete ligation of liver arteries plus many anastomosis. Furthermore it is unable to withstand infections in the liver and intestine after operations of the liver. The rat however can withstand ligations of the Ductus Choledochus, even for months, and is not harmed by complete dissection of liver hilus with double ligations of Arteria Hepatica Propria and Communis, including the few anastomoses. Infections of liver after laparotomias are unknown in rats. To study these differences the Po 2 values of liver were measured and checked against angiographies and biological tests. In dearterialised rat liver the reduced Po 2 values and biological tests rose parallel with the reaterialisation for weeks. In guinea pigs the Po 2 values were not lower than in the rats in the short surviving time measured. The Po 2 reduction seems in both species the same. The rat liver is able to adapt -, the liver of guinea pig is not.", "contents": "Oxygen measurement and arteriography in the rat and guinea pig liver after artery ligation in the liver hilus. There are differences in biological behavior of liver in different species of animals. The most impressive and easily reproduceable examples are the different reactions of rat and guinea pigs livers: The guinea pig cannot withstand more than a few hours the interruption of the Ductus Choledochus, it cannot survive complete ligation of liver arteries plus many anastomosis. Furthermore it is unable to withstand infections in the liver and intestine after operations of the liver. The rat however can withstand ligations of the Ductus Choledochus, even for months, and is not harmed by complete dissection of liver hilus with double ligations of Arteria Hepatica Propria and Communis, including the few anastomoses. Infections of liver after laparotomias are unknown in rats. To study these differences the Po 2 values of liver were measured and checked against angiographies and biological tests. In dearterialised rat liver the reduced Po 2 values and biological tests rose parallel with the reaterialisation for weeks. In guinea pigs the Po 2 values were not lower than in the rats in the short surviving time measured. The Po 2 reduction seems in both species the same. The rat liver is able to adapt -, the liver of guinea pig is not.", "PMID": 636739} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10860", "title": "True teratoma of the liver--report of a case and review of the literature--.", "content": "A true teratoma of the liver seen in 20 year-old female was successfully resected. Dysgerminoma of her left ovary had been resected 8 years prior to the right hepatic lobectomy. Previous reports on 8 other cases of true teratoma of the liver were briefly reviewed.", "contents": "True teratoma of the liver--report of a case and review of the literature--. A true teratoma of the liver seen in 20 year-old female was successfully resected. Dysgerminoma of her left ovary had been resected 8 years prior to the right hepatic lobectomy. Previous reports on 8 other cases of true teratoma of the liver were briefly reviewed.", "PMID": 636740} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10861", "title": "Viscosity of duodenal juice examined in patients with excretory pancreas insufficiency by the pancreocymin secretin test compared to a control group and patients with cholelithiasis.", "content": "The viscosity of duodenal juice obtained during the pancreocymin secretin test from patients with excretory pancreas insufficiency was significantly higher compared to the viscosity of duodenal secretions from a control group or from patients with gall bladder stones. Since the viscosity was inversely related to the total volume as well as the bicarbonate and trypsin concentrations, it is concluded that the increased viscosity is due to a reduction in the secretory activity of the pancreas. The viscosity measurements found for patients with cholelithiasis reflects merely the higher viscosity of the gall bladder bile.", "contents": "Viscosity of duodenal juice examined in patients with excretory pancreas insufficiency by the pancreocymin secretin test compared to a control group and patients with cholelithiasis. The viscosity of duodenal juice obtained during the pancreocymin secretin test from patients with excretory pancreas insufficiency was significantly higher compared to the viscosity of duodenal secretions from a control group or from patients with gall bladder stones. Since the viscosity was inversely related to the total volume as well as the bicarbonate and trypsin concentrations, it is concluded that the increased viscosity is due to a reduction in the secretory activity of the pancreas. The viscosity measurements found for patients with cholelithiasis reflects merely the higher viscosity of the gall bladder bile.", "PMID": 636741} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10862", "title": "Lysine acetylisalicylate inhibits the protein synthesis in the rat gastric mucosa in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS), a water soluble derivative of acetylsalicylic acid and parenterally administrable analgesic, locally inhibits the incorporation of 14C protein hydrolysate into proteins of the rat isolated gastric mucosa. A similar effect on protein synthesis was observed after s.c. administration of the drug, whereas DNA and RNA synthesis were not affected. Obviously, LAS inhibits the translation step during biosynthesis of proteins. It is conceivable that this effect contributes to the potential ulcerogenic action of acetylsalicylate and that parenteral administration is not a criteria to protect the stomach from salicylate-induced side effects.", "contents": "Lysine acetylisalicylate inhibits the protein synthesis in the rat gastric mucosa in vivo and in vitro. Lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS), a water soluble derivative of acetylsalicylic acid and parenterally administrable analgesic, locally inhibits the incorporation of 14C protein hydrolysate into proteins of the rat isolated gastric mucosa. A similar effect on protein synthesis was observed after s.c. administration of the drug, whereas DNA and RNA synthesis were not affected. Obviously, LAS inhibits the translation step during biosynthesis of proteins. It is conceivable that this effect contributes to the potential ulcerogenic action of acetylsalicylate and that parenteral administration is not a criteria to protect the stomach from salicylate-induced side effects.", "PMID": 636742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10863", "title": "Acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis in mice bile acids in gallbladder bile, serum and pancreas.", "content": "Mice develop acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis after 4 days of feeding on a choline deficient-ethionine supplemented (CDE) diet. The diameter, weight and histopathology of the gallbladder were determined in mice fed laboratory chow (LC), a choline-supplemented (CS) diet, a choline-deficient (CD) diet, or the CDE diet for 1, 2 or 3 days. A progressive distension of the gallbladder due to accumulation of bile, was observed in mice fed the CS, CD and CDE diets. An analysis of the bile acid composition of the pancreas, serum and gallbladder bile of mice fed the same diets for 3 days was performed. No differences between control and experimental animals were seen in the concentration and distribution of bile acids in the pancreas. It is concluded that: 1) alterations in bile acid constituents are produced by the diets; and, 2) regurgitation of bile into the pancreas of mice fed the CDE diet does not occur. Thus, bile acids do not seem to initiate or participate in the extensive cellular damage that precedes and accompanies the onset of acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis in mice fed the CDE diet.", "contents": "Acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis in mice bile acids in gallbladder bile, serum and pancreas. Mice develop acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis after 4 days of feeding on a choline deficient-ethionine supplemented (CDE) diet. The diameter, weight and histopathology of the gallbladder were determined in mice fed laboratory chow (LC), a choline-supplemented (CS) diet, a choline-deficient (CD) diet, or the CDE diet for 1, 2 or 3 days. A progressive distension of the gallbladder due to accumulation of bile, was observed in mice fed the CS, CD and CDE diets. An analysis of the bile acid composition of the pancreas, serum and gallbladder bile of mice fed the same diets for 3 days was performed. No differences between control and experimental animals were seen in the concentration and distribution of bile acids in the pancreas. It is concluded that: 1) alterations in bile acid constituents are produced by the diets; and, 2) regurgitation of bile into the pancreas of mice fed the CDE diet does not occur. Thus, bile acids do not seem to initiate or participate in the extensive cellular damage that precedes and accompanies the onset of acute hemorrhagic pancreatic necrosis with fat necrosis in mice fed the CDE diet.", "PMID": 636743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10864", "title": "Drinking and dietary habits and prevalence of somatic abnormalities in chronic alcoholics hospitalized for detoxication.", "content": "The alcoholic histories and the physical status of 61 male chronic alcoholics have been studied within three days after the end of the last d\u00e9bauche. The mean duration of chronic alcoholism was 11 years. The drinking habits revealed an advanced consumption pattern in almost all of the patients. However, the majority was considered intermittent drinkers which stresses the difficulties of stating the amount of daily ethanol consumption. Somatic complaints were rather common but the physical status did not reveal signs of chronic liver damage or other serious diseases. Thirtythree of the patients gave their consent to a liver biopsy. Steatosis of the liver was seen in 23 of these patients. Only two patients had liver fibrosis and cirrhosis respectively. The amount of liver fat was not significantly correlated to any of the many statements on drinking and dietary habits.", "contents": "Drinking and dietary habits and prevalence of somatic abnormalities in chronic alcoholics hospitalized for detoxication. The alcoholic histories and the physical status of 61 male chronic alcoholics have been studied within three days after the end of the last d\u00e9bauche. The mean duration of chronic alcoholism was 11 years. The drinking habits revealed an advanced consumption pattern in almost all of the patients. However, the majority was considered intermittent drinkers which stresses the difficulties of stating the amount of daily ethanol consumption. Somatic complaints were rather common but the physical status did not reveal signs of chronic liver damage or other serious diseases. Thirtythree of the patients gave their consent to a liver biopsy. Steatosis of the liver was seen in 23 of these patients. Only two patients had liver fibrosis and cirrhosis respectively. The amount of liver fat was not significantly correlated to any of the many statements on drinking and dietary habits.", "PMID": 636744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10865", "title": "Gastric lesion and pernicious anemia: a family study.", "content": "34 subjects including 5 probands with pernicious anemia, 3 probands with severe atriphic body gastritis and 26 of their first-degree relatives were studied gastroscopically, bioptically, functionally and immunologically. In general, members of the same family revealed a trend to behave similarly with respect to the parameters studied. Signs of A-gastritis (severe atrophy of gastric body glands with a normal or almost normal antrum, achlorhydria, hypergastrinemia and parietal cell antibodies), with intrinsic factor antibodies in the gastric juice and diminished intrinsic factor secretion without anemia were found both in families of probands with atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia. This suggests a close etiopathogenetic relation of this type of mucosal lesion to overt pernicious anemia. Determination of HCl output and serum gastrin level enabled us to distinguish two differently behaving subgroups in the series, one of them with characteristics of overt adult pernicious anemia. Very low intrinsic factor secretion was found almost exclusively in connection with the presence of intrinsic factor antibodies in the gastric juice and always with severe atrophy of gastric body glands.", "contents": "Gastric lesion and pernicious anemia: a family study. 34 subjects including 5 probands with pernicious anemia, 3 probands with severe atriphic body gastritis and 26 of their first-degree relatives were studied gastroscopically, bioptically, functionally and immunologically. In general, members of the same family revealed a trend to behave similarly with respect to the parameters studied. Signs of A-gastritis (severe atrophy of gastric body glands with a normal or almost normal antrum, achlorhydria, hypergastrinemia and parietal cell antibodies), with intrinsic factor antibodies in the gastric juice and diminished intrinsic factor secretion without anemia were found both in families of probands with atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia. This suggests a close etiopathogenetic relation of this type of mucosal lesion to overt pernicious anemia. Determination of HCl output and serum gastrin level enabled us to distinguish two differently behaving subgroups in the series, one of them with characteristics of overt adult pernicious anemia. Very low intrinsic factor secretion was found almost exclusively in connection with the presence of intrinsic factor antibodies in the gastric juice and always with severe atrophy of gastric body glands.", "PMID": 636745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10866", "title": "Viscosity and trypsin activity of pure pancreatic juice in chronic pancreatitis.", "content": "In patients with chronic pancreatitis, the viscosity and trypsin activity of the pure pancreatic juice obtained endoscopically are significantly higher than in healthy subjects. These two parameters may thus represent a simple method for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.", "contents": "Viscosity and trypsin activity of pure pancreatic juice in chronic pancreatitis. In patients with chronic pancreatitis, the viscosity and trypsin activity of the pure pancreatic juice obtained endoscopically are significantly higher than in healthy subjects. These two parameters may thus represent a simple method for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.", "PMID": 636746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10867", "title": "Glomerular filtration rate during enflurane anaesthesia.", "content": "Pre- and preoperative determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was performed in 10 patients operated on during enflurane anaesthesia. The mean GFR decreased significantly by 21%. The decrease in GFR is of the same order of magnitude as that reported for most general anaesthetics.", "contents": "Glomerular filtration rate during enflurane anaesthesia. Pre- and preoperative determination of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was performed in 10 patients operated on during enflurane anaesthesia. The mean GFR decreased significantly by 21%. The decrease in GFR is of the same order of magnitude as that reported for most general anaesthetics.", "PMID": 636800} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10868", "title": "Anaesthesia induction and lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.", "content": "The effects of some drugs generally used in premedication for and induction of anaesthesia on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure were investigated in 30 dogs, using the modern oesophageal manometric technique. In thiopental-induced anaesthesia, a distinct pressure gradient was noted between the LOS and gastric pressure. Atropine eliminated this pressure gradient almost completely. Metoclopramide increased the LOS pressure significantly, and subsequent atropine administration was unable to bring it down. Metoclopramide administered after atropine was unable to elevate the LOS pressure reduced by atropine. Succinylcholine had no observable lasting effect on the LOS pressure. The present findings seem to indicate that of the drugs generally used in premedication for and induction of anaesthesia, atropine significantly reduces the LOS competence, thereby creating favourable conditions for gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and consequent postoperative pulmonary complications. Use of metoclopramide in premedication for or induction of anaesthesia to eliminate the depressant effect of atropine on the LOS pressure appears to be indicated.", "contents": "Anaesthesia induction and lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. The effects of some drugs generally used in premedication for and induction of anaesthesia on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure were investigated in 30 dogs, using the modern oesophageal manometric technique. In thiopental-induced anaesthesia, a distinct pressure gradient was noted between the LOS and gastric pressure. Atropine eliminated this pressure gradient almost completely. Metoclopramide increased the LOS pressure significantly, and subsequent atropine administration was unable to bring it down. Metoclopramide administered after atropine was unable to elevate the LOS pressure reduced by atropine. Succinylcholine had no observable lasting effect on the LOS pressure. The present findings seem to indicate that of the drugs generally used in premedication for and induction of anaesthesia, atropine significantly reduces the LOS competence, thereby creating favourable conditions for gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and consequent postoperative pulmonary complications. Use of metoclopramide in premedication for or induction of anaesthesia to eliminate the depressant effect of atropine on the LOS pressure appears to be indicated.", "PMID": 636801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10869", "title": "Comparative evaluation of neuro-muscular blockade after pancuronium administration in patients with and without renal failure.", "content": "Objective studies about the duration of action pancuronium (PCM) in renal failure patients are scarce. This study was undertaken to obtain more complete information on spontaneous reversal from PCM-induced neuromuscular block by monitoring the twitch height to full recovery in the absence of any potentiating agent. Thumb abduction was monitored by a deplacement transducer in end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and in control patients without renal failure (RF) during neuroleptanalgesia after 0.04 mg/kg and 0.08 mg/kg PCM administration. In the small dosage series, the prologation of action in ESRF becomes significant for the 75% recovery level (mean values +/- s.e.mean:control: 42 +/- 7 min, ESRF: 71 +/- 10 min, P less than or equal to 0.05). In the second series (0.08 mg/kg), the 50% recovery level is already significantly delayed in ESRF patients (control: 91 +/- 7 min, ESRF: 163 +/- 27 min, P less than or equal to 0.05). The 100% twitch height recovery is obtained with 0.04 mg/kg PCM within 65+/- 7 min for patients without RF and within 103 +/- 9 min in ESRF patients (P less than or equal to 0.01). For the 0.08 mg/kg PCM dose, these figures are, respectively, 139 +/- 9 min and 214 +/- 20 min (P less than or equal to 0.01). The prolongation of PCM action in ESRF is in agreement with the pharmaco-kinetics of the drug. Large dosages of PCM must be avoided in ESRF patients because it delays spontaneous full recovery for too long.", "contents": "Comparative evaluation of neuro-muscular blockade after pancuronium administration in patients with and without renal failure. Objective studies about the duration of action pancuronium (PCM) in renal failure patients are scarce. This study was undertaken to obtain more complete information on spontaneous reversal from PCM-induced neuromuscular block by monitoring the twitch height to full recovery in the absence of any potentiating agent. Thumb abduction was monitored by a deplacement transducer in end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and in control patients without renal failure (RF) during neuroleptanalgesia after 0.04 mg/kg and 0.08 mg/kg PCM administration. In the small dosage series, the prologation of action in ESRF becomes significant for the 75% recovery level (mean values +/- s.e.mean:control: 42 +/- 7 min, ESRF: 71 +/- 10 min, P less than or equal to 0.05). In the second series (0.08 mg/kg), the 50% recovery level is already significantly delayed in ESRF patients (control: 91 +/- 7 min, ESRF: 163 +/- 27 min, P less than or equal to 0.05). The 100% twitch height recovery is obtained with 0.04 mg/kg PCM within 65+/- 7 min for patients without RF and within 103 +/- 9 min in ESRF patients (P less than or equal to 0.01). For the 0.08 mg/kg PCM dose, these figures are, respectively, 139 +/- 9 min and 214 +/- 20 min (P less than or equal to 0.01). The prolongation of PCM action in ESRF is in agreement with the pharmaco-kinetics of the drug. Large dosages of PCM must be avoided in ESRF patients because it delays spontaneous full recovery for too long.", "PMID": 636802} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10870", "title": "Flow requirements in the Hafnia modifications of the Mapleson circuits during spontaneous respiration.", "content": "The Mapleson A, B, C and D circuits can be changed into non-polluting circuits by employing continuous gas evacuation directly from the circuit, via an ejector flowmeter (J\u00f8rgensen 1974); Mapleson A and C circuits with this modification have been described previously as the Hafnia A and C circuits (Christensen 1976, Thomsen & J\u00f8rgensen 1976). If evacuation from a closed reservoir is employed, total removal of the expired and surplus gases from the operating theatre is obtained (J\u00f8rgensen & Thomsen 1976). There will be resistance to expiration in all the circuits with a relief valve for the discharge of surplus gas. If surplus gas is continuously removed directly from the anaesthetic circuit, the patient breathes in an air compartment at ambient pressure, as long as the removal rate equals the inflow of fresh gas. The relief valve is only included in the circuit to ensure that high pressures do not develop. As in any other circuit, the relief valve remains open except during controlled ventilation. A dumping valve may also be included as a safeguard against low pressures (J\u00f8rgensen & Thomsen 1976). The flow requirements of the Hafnia B and D circuits and the corresponding Mapleson circuits have been studied in conscious, spontaneously breathing subjects, and the results are discussed in relation to the flow requirements of other semi-closed system.", "contents": "Flow requirements in the Hafnia modifications of the Mapleson circuits during spontaneous respiration. The Mapleson A, B, C and D circuits can be changed into non-polluting circuits by employing continuous gas evacuation directly from the circuit, via an ejector flowmeter (J\u00f8rgensen 1974); Mapleson A and C circuits with this modification have been described previously as the Hafnia A and C circuits (Christensen 1976, Thomsen & J\u00f8rgensen 1976). If evacuation from a closed reservoir is employed, total removal of the expired and surplus gases from the operating theatre is obtained (J\u00f8rgensen & Thomsen 1976). There will be resistance to expiration in all the circuits with a relief valve for the discharge of surplus gas. If surplus gas is continuously removed directly from the anaesthetic circuit, the patient breathes in an air compartment at ambient pressure, as long as the removal rate equals the inflow of fresh gas. The relief valve is only included in the circuit to ensure that high pressures do not develop. As in any other circuit, the relief valve remains open except during controlled ventilation. A dumping valve may also be included as a safeguard against low pressures (J\u00f8rgensen & Thomsen 1976). The flow requirements of the Hafnia B and D circuits and the corresponding Mapleson circuits have been studied in conscious, spontaneously breathing subjects, and the results are discussed in relation to the flow requirements of other semi-closed system.", "PMID": 636803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10871", "title": "The use of physostigmine as an antidote in tricyclic anti-depressant intoxication.", "content": "The value of physostigmine treatment of unconsciousness due to self-poisoning by tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TAD) was evaluated in 10 patients, and the following conclusions are drawn: 1. A slow i.v. injection of 2 mg of physostigmine produces a clear-cut increase in consciousness within 15 min if a TAD (or other drugs with central anticholingeric potencies) is mainly responsible for the poisoning. This \"test dose\" can give valuable diagnostic information. 2. Repeated i.v. injections seem of little practical value, since they may be expected to produce a state with rapid shifts in the level of consciousness. 3. If the test dose has a positive effect, immediate i.v. infusion of 4 mg physostigmine/h will maintain a high level of consciousness. Infusion should be stopped every sixth hour for about 30 min to check whether the level of consciousness still falls upon withdrawal of therapy 4. In cases of massive TAD overdosage, i.v. injection of physostigmine may increase the risk of grand mal seizures. 5. No signs of enhanced peripheral cholinergic activity following physostigmine are seen if 30 mg of propantheline is given i.v. every sixth hour. 6. No evidence has been produced that the morality rate in TAD poisoning is lower following physostigmine treatment whan with conventional supportive care. There must be the usual preparedness for cardiac complications.", "contents": "The use of physostigmine as an antidote in tricyclic anti-depressant intoxication. The value of physostigmine treatment of unconsciousness due to self-poisoning by tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TAD) was evaluated in 10 patients, and the following conclusions are drawn: 1. A slow i.v. injection of 2 mg of physostigmine produces a clear-cut increase in consciousness within 15 min if a TAD (or other drugs with central anticholingeric potencies) is mainly responsible for the poisoning. This \"test dose\" can give valuable diagnostic information. 2. Repeated i.v. injections seem of little practical value, since they may be expected to produce a state with rapid shifts in the level of consciousness. 3. If the test dose has a positive effect, immediate i.v. infusion of 4 mg physostigmine/h will maintain a high level of consciousness. Infusion should be stopped every sixth hour for about 30 min to check whether the level of consciousness still falls upon withdrawal of therapy 4. In cases of massive TAD overdosage, i.v. injection of physostigmine may increase the risk of grand mal seizures. 5. No signs of enhanced peripheral cholinergic activity following physostigmine are seen if 30 mg of propantheline is given i.v. every sixth hour. 6. No evidence has been produced that the morality rate in TAD poisoning is lower following physostigmine treatment whan with conventional supportive care. There must be the usual preparedness for cardiac complications.", "PMID": 636804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10872", "title": "Concentration and elimination of anaesthetic gases in recovery rooms.", "content": "The investigation includes measurement of the N2O-concentration in the recovery rooms of three hospitals with different room ventilation systems. The amount of ventilation determines the elimination of the gas exhaled by the patients and, therefore, is related to the number of patients in the recovery rooms. The investigation has shown that non-recirculating room ventilation of 500 m3/pt./hour in recovery rooms gives personnel the same protection against inhalation of anaesthetic gases as is afforded to personnel in operating theatres with scavening equipment.", "contents": "Concentration and elimination of anaesthetic gases in recovery rooms. The investigation includes measurement of the N2O-concentration in the recovery rooms of three hospitals with different room ventilation systems. The amount of ventilation determines the elimination of the gas exhaled by the patients and, therefore, is related to the number of patients in the recovery rooms. The investigation has shown that non-recirculating room ventilation of 500 m3/pt./hour in recovery rooms gives personnel the same protection against inhalation of anaesthetic gases as is afforded to personnel in operating theatres with scavening equipment.", "PMID": 636805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10873", "title": "A comparative study of halothane and enflurane in paediatric outpatient anaesthesia.", "content": "Two groups of paediatric patients, consisting of 40 patients each, were studied with regard to anaesthesia induction and recovery. Group H was given halothane and Group E received enflurane. The induction time was similar for the two groups. Enflurane had, on average, a shorter recovery time (17 +/- 4 min) than halothane (26 +/- 4min) (P less than 0.05). The mean dose of anaesthetic given, expressed as the product of inspired concentration times minute ventilation, was 2.3 +/- 0.2 1 100% halothane and 2.8 +/- 0.2 1 100% enflurane. If one assumes that the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) value for enflurane twice that of halothane, group E received a less potent anaesthetic dose. This might explain the similar induction times, and, in part, the shorter recovery time for enflurane in this study. No difference was noted between the two agents with regard to post-operative nausea and vomiting or restlessness.", "contents": "A comparative study of halothane and enflurane in paediatric outpatient anaesthesia. Two groups of paediatric patients, consisting of 40 patients each, were studied with regard to anaesthesia induction and recovery. Group H was given halothane and Group E received enflurane. The induction time was similar for the two groups. Enflurane had, on average, a shorter recovery time (17 +/- 4 min) than halothane (26 +/- 4min) (P less than 0.05). The mean dose of anaesthetic given, expressed as the product of inspired concentration times minute ventilation, was 2.3 +/- 0.2 1 100% halothane and 2.8 +/- 0.2 1 100% enflurane. If one assumes that the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) value for enflurane twice that of halothane, group E received a less potent anaesthetic dose. This might explain the similar induction times, and, in part, the shorter recovery time for enflurane in this study. No difference was noted between the two agents with regard to post-operative nausea and vomiting or restlessness.", "PMID": 636806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10874", "title": "The effects of antihypertensive medication on the control of the cardiovascular system during halothane anaesthesia in rats.", "content": "The effects of hydralazine, clonidine, propranolol and methyldopa medication on the control of the circulatory system during halothane anaesthesia were studied in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Special attention was directed to the problem of circulatory emergencies. Under 1 and 3% halothane anaesthesia, the mean arterial pressure was lowest in methyldopa-treated rats. During 3% anaesthesia, plasma renin activity was markedly increased in the methyldopa group and decreased in the propranolol group. Hydralazine medication suppressed the pressor responses to dopamine and metaraminol, whereas clonidine, propranolol and methylopa increased the response to dopamine. These sympathetic agents induced more cardiac arrhythmias in SH controls than in normotensive ones. These arrhythmias were antagonized by hydralazine. The SH controls also tolerated haemorrhagic shock more poorly than did normotensive control rats. Among the pretreated animals, tolerance to this shock was highest in hydralazine-and clonidine-treated animals and lowest in the methyldopa group. The results suggest that during halothane anaesthesia SH rats are more prone to disturbances in the control of circulation than are normotensive controls. Hydralazine and, to a lesser extent, clonidine have a protective action against these disturbances, but the effect of methyldopa seems to be disadvantageous.", "contents": "The effects of antihypertensive medication on the control of the cardiovascular system during halothane anaesthesia in rats. The effects of hydralazine, clonidine, propranolol and methyldopa medication on the control of the circulatory system during halothane anaesthesia were studied in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. Special attention was directed to the problem of circulatory emergencies. Under 1 and 3% halothane anaesthesia, the mean arterial pressure was lowest in methyldopa-treated rats. During 3% anaesthesia, plasma renin activity was markedly increased in the methyldopa group and decreased in the propranolol group. Hydralazine medication suppressed the pressor responses to dopamine and metaraminol, whereas clonidine, propranolol and methylopa increased the response to dopamine. These sympathetic agents induced more cardiac arrhythmias in SH controls than in normotensive ones. These arrhythmias were antagonized by hydralazine. The SH controls also tolerated haemorrhagic shock more poorly than did normotensive control rats. Among the pretreated animals, tolerance to this shock was highest in hydralazine-and clonidine-treated animals and lowest in the methyldopa group. The results suggest that during halothane anaesthesia SH rats are more prone to disturbances in the control of circulation than are normotensive controls. Hydralazine and, to a lesser extent, clonidine have a protective action against these disturbances, but the effect of methyldopa seems to be disadvantageous.", "PMID": 636807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10875", "title": "Reduction of cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption with a combination of barbiturate anaesthesia and induced hypothermia in the rat.", "content": "The influence of phenobarbitone anaesthesia on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRo2) during hypothermia (23 degrees C & 27 degrees C) was studied in the rat, using a modification of the Kety & Schmidt (1948) technique and arterio-venous differences for oxygen. Phenobarbitone (150 mg/kg) was found to decrease CMRo2 by 40-60% during hypothermia, when compared to N2O anaesthesia. At a body temperature of 23 degrees C, and during phenobarbitone anaesthesia, CMRo2 was reduced to about 15% of normal control value (about 10.3 ml.100g-1). CBF was reduced to about 50% of the phenobarbitone control value but was similar to the value obtained with N2O anaesthesia at 22 degrees C. It is concluded that the combination of phenobarbitone anaesthesia and hypothermia results in a more pronounced reduction in cerebral metablic rate for oxygen than can be achieved by administration of barbiturates to normothermic animals, or by reducing body temperature by 15 degrees C during superficial anaesthesia.", "contents": "Reduction of cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption with a combination of barbiturate anaesthesia and induced hypothermia in the rat. The influence of phenobarbitone anaesthesia on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRo2) during hypothermia (23 degrees C & 27 degrees C) was studied in the rat, using a modification of the Kety & Schmidt (1948) technique and arterio-venous differences for oxygen. Phenobarbitone (150 mg/kg) was found to decrease CMRo2 by 40-60% during hypothermia, when compared to N2O anaesthesia. At a body temperature of 23 degrees C, and during phenobarbitone anaesthesia, CMRo2 was reduced to about 15% of normal control value (about 10.3 ml.100g-1). CBF was reduced to about 50% of the phenobarbitone control value but was similar to the value obtained with N2O anaesthesia at 22 degrees C. It is concluded that the combination of phenobarbitone anaesthesia and hypothermia results in a more pronounced reduction in cerebral metablic rate for oxygen than can be achieved by administration of barbiturates to normothermic animals, or by reducing body temperature by 15 degrees C during superficial anaesthesia.", "PMID": 636808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10876", "title": "Hemodynamics during superficial thiopental anesthesia in the dog.", "content": "Radioactive microspheres, labeled withe ytterbium (169Yb), strontium (85Sr) and cerium (141Ce) were used in an investigation of the cardiovascular response to superficial thiopental anesthesia. The course was followed for 90 min and measurements were carried out 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively. Between 30 and 60 min of anesthesia there was a slight decrease in cardiac output and left ventricular work. The blood flow was reduced to the lungs, kidneys and the liver. Between 60 and 90 min there were, except for the coeliac artery and total liver, no further changes, which indicated a circulatory steady state.", "contents": "Hemodynamics during superficial thiopental anesthesia in the dog. Radioactive microspheres, labeled withe ytterbium (169Yb), strontium (85Sr) and cerium (141Ce) were used in an investigation of the cardiovascular response to superficial thiopental anesthesia. The course was followed for 90 min and measurements were carried out 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively. Between 30 and 60 min of anesthesia there was a slight decrease in cardiac output and left ventricular work. The blood flow was reduced to the lungs, kidneys and the liver. Between 60 and 90 min there were, except for the coeliac artery and total liver, no further changes, which indicated a circulatory steady state.", "PMID": 636809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10877", "title": "The hemodynamic effect of halothane in the normovolemic dog.", "content": "With the aid of radioactive microspheres (labeled with 169Yb, 85Sr and 141Ce, respectively), the effect of halothane anesthesia on circulation was studied for 30 min and (group A) for 120 min of halothane anesthesia in thiopental-sedated dogs. Measurements were also carried out on recovery from halothane anesthesia. Besides such well-known general circulatory changes as reduction in cardiac output, pulse rate, left ventricular work, arterial mean blood pressure and left atrial mean blood pressure, in both groups there was also a reduced coronary blood flow. The flow to the lungs, kidneys and the brain was well preserved, despite the reduction in both the cardiac output and arterial mean blood pressure. The flow to the liver, however, did not change during short halothane anesthesia; but during long anesthesia there was a marked reduction, due mainly to a decrease in the flow to the preportal area. On recovery from halothane anesthesia, the changes had mostly returned to the preanesthetic values.", "contents": "The hemodynamic effect of halothane in the normovolemic dog. With the aid of radioactive microspheres (labeled with 169Yb, 85Sr and 141Ce, respectively), the effect of halothane anesthesia on circulation was studied for 30 min and (group A) for 120 min of halothane anesthesia in thiopental-sedated dogs. Measurements were also carried out on recovery from halothane anesthesia. Besides such well-known general circulatory changes as reduction in cardiac output, pulse rate, left ventricular work, arterial mean blood pressure and left atrial mean blood pressure, in both groups there was also a reduced coronary blood flow. The flow to the lungs, kidneys and the brain was well preserved, despite the reduction in both the cardiac output and arterial mean blood pressure. The flow to the liver, however, did not change during short halothane anesthesia; but during long anesthesia there was a marked reduction, due mainly to a decrease in the flow to the preportal area. On recovery from halothane anesthesia, the changes had mostly returned to the preanesthetic values.", "PMID": 636810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10878", "title": "The effect of halothane anesthesia on heart function during normovolemia and hypovolemia in the dog.", "content": "The effects of halothane anesthesia on coronary circulation and cardiac work were studied in normovolemic and hypovolemic dogs, with aid of the radioactive microsphere technique. During normovolemia, halothane depressed the heart rate, cardiac output, arterial mean blood pressure and left ventricular work, with a simultaneous decrease in the coronary blood flow. During moderate hypovolemia, the arterial blood pressure was reduced as well as the coronary blood flow; whereas during hemorrhagic hypotension (severe hypovolemia), the arterial blood pressure was slightly increased and the coronary blood flow was unchanged with a reduced heart rate and increased stroke volume.", "contents": "The effect of halothane anesthesia on heart function during normovolemia and hypovolemia in the dog. The effects of halothane anesthesia on coronary circulation and cardiac work were studied in normovolemic and hypovolemic dogs, with aid of the radioactive microsphere technique. During normovolemia, halothane depressed the heart rate, cardiac output, arterial mean blood pressure and left ventricular work, with a simultaneous decrease in the coronary blood flow. During moderate hypovolemia, the arterial blood pressure was reduced as well as the coronary blood flow; whereas during hemorrhagic hypotension (severe hypovolemia), the arterial blood pressure was slightly increased and the coronary blood flow was unchanged with a reduced heart rate and increased stroke volume.", "PMID": 636811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10879", "title": "Additional effects of postpuberal estrogen injections on the vaginal epithelium in neonatally estrogenized mice.", "content": "In the ovariectomized mice given 10 injections of 100 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol at intervals of 2 weeks from 60 days of age, the vaginal epithelium was atrophic when killed more than 2 months after the last injection. If mice given 3 daily injections of 20 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol from the day of birth were similarly treated with estradiol after postpuberal ovariectomy, the vaginal epithelium was stratified and hyperplastic at autopsy performed more than 2 months later. These changes in the epithelium persisted for at least 30 days after transplantation of the vaginae to normal ovariectomized hosts. Neonatal treatments only did not produce such persistent vaginal changes. In view of these results, additional effects of neonatal and postpuberal injections of estrogen on the vaginal epithelium are evident. However, effects of such neonatal and postpuberal injections of estrogen might be transient on the uterine epithelium, since abnormal proliferation was not observed in it.", "contents": "Additional effects of postpuberal estrogen injections on the vaginal epithelium in neonatally estrogenized mice. In the ovariectomized mice given 10 injections of 100 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol at intervals of 2 weeks from 60 days of age, the vaginal epithelium was atrophic when killed more than 2 months after the last injection. If mice given 3 daily injections of 20 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol from the day of birth were similarly treated with estradiol after postpuberal ovariectomy, the vaginal epithelium was stratified and hyperplastic at autopsy performed more than 2 months later. These changes in the epithelium persisted for at least 30 days after transplantation of the vaginae to normal ovariectomized hosts. Neonatal treatments only did not produce such persistent vaginal changes. In view of these results, additional effects of neonatal and postpuberal injections of estrogen on the vaginal epithelium are evident. However, effects of such neonatal and postpuberal injections of estrogen might be transient on the uterine epithelium, since abnormal proliferation was not observed in it.", "PMID": 636812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10880", "title": "The effects of DNA administration on the growth of X-irradiated Xenopus tadpoles.", "content": "An easy method for the harmless measurement of the length of tadpoles is described. The results indicate that tadpoles exposed to 3,000 r showed increase in length 20 days following irradiation. The animals exposed to the same or other X-ray doses and administered high molecular homologous and heterologous DNA showed a better rate of growth than the animals exposed to a dose of 3,000 r and not given DNA.", "contents": "The effects of DNA administration on the growth of X-irradiated Xenopus tadpoles. An easy method for the harmless measurement of the length of tadpoles is described. The results indicate that tadpoles exposed to 3,000 r showed increase in length 20 days following irradiation. The animals exposed to the same or other X-ray doses and administered high molecular homologous and heterologous DNA showed a better rate of growth than the animals exposed to a dose of 3,000 r and not given DNA.", "PMID": 636813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10881", "title": "Quantitative studies on the development of the bronchi and bronchial glands of the pig from birth to maturity.", "content": "Cross-sectional areas of bronchi and bronchial glands of pigs aged from 1 day to 10 months were measured using image analysis. Growth of the bronchial glands was slow for the first month of life, reached a maximum between 1 and 3 months, and slowed again after 5 months. Mucous gland sizes fell into two groups, one included the apical, cardiac and accessory lobes, the other the diaphragmatic lobes. From birth to maturity the percentage increase in mucous gland area of all lobes was very similar. For the anterior lobes, mucous glands and bronchial lumina grew in direct proportion to each other. Up to 1 month of age the bronchial lumina of the diaphragmatic lobes grew but the glands did not. Later, glands and lumina grew in direct proportion. From birth to maturity the percentage increase in bronchial cross-sectional area was similar for all lobes.", "contents": "Quantitative studies on the development of the bronchi and bronchial glands of the pig from birth to maturity. Cross-sectional areas of bronchi and bronchial glands of pigs aged from 1 day to 10 months were measured using image analysis. Growth of the bronchial glands was slow for the first month of life, reached a maximum between 1 and 3 months, and slowed again after 5 months. Mucous gland sizes fell into two groups, one included the apical, cardiac and accessory lobes, the other the diaphragmatic lobes. From birth to maturity the percentage increase in mucous gland area of all lobes was very similar. For the anterior lobes, mucous glands and bronchial lumina grew in direct proportion to each other. Up to 1 month of age the bronchial lumina of the diaphragmatic lobes grew but the glands did not. Later, glands and lumina grew in direct proportion. From birth to maturity the percentage increase in bronchial cross-sectional area was similar for all lobes.", "PMID": 636815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10882", "title": "Development of the omasum in sheep.", "content": "Data are presented on the histogenesis of the omasal mucosa in sheep from the 2.5 cm crown-rump (c-r) length fetus to the adult. 11 stages of fetal development, and 4 post-natal stages, were studies. The distribution of glycogen in the omasal epithelium was also studied. During fetal life the omasal epithelium was initially stratified cuboidal in type, but the superficial layers of cells became flattened in later stages of gestation. This epithelium became extremely thick by the late stages of fetal life, reaching a maximum of 358 micron, and consisting of greater than 20 layers of cells, in the 45 cm c-r fetus (approximatelay 140 days). After birth the epithelium became markedly reduced in thickness, being approximately 77 micron in the adult, and had differentiated into a cornified stratified squamous epithelium of the adult type by 12 weeks after birth. Glycogen was extremely abundant in the omasal epithelium of the 2.5 cm fetus, and declined gradually thereafter to be almost completely absent in post-natal specimens. 4 orders of laminae were present in the adult omasum, distributed in the seqeunce 1-4-3-4-2-4-3-4-1. The 1st order was already present in fetuses of 2.5 cm c-r length, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th appearing by the 3.5, 5.5 and 11.0 cm stages, respectively. Initial stages in the development of conical papillae were first seen in 15.0 cm fetuses, but the development of these papillae was not completed until after birth.", "contents": "Development of the omasum in sheep. Data are presented on the histogenesis of the omasal mucosa in sheep from the 2.5 cm crown-rump (c-r) length fetus to the adult. 11 stages of fetal development, and 4 post-natal stages, were studies. The distribution of glycogen in the omasal epithelium was also studied. During fetal life the omasal epithelium was initially stratified cuboidal in type, but the superficial layers of cells became flattened in later stages of gestation. This epithelium became extremely thick by the late stages of fetal life, reaching a maximum of 358 micron, and consisting of greater than 20 layers of cells, in the 45 cm c-r fetus (approximatelay 140 days). After birth the epithelium became markedly reduced in thickness, being approximately 77 micron in the adult, and had differentiated into a cornified stratified squamous epithelium of the adult type by 12 weeks after birth. Glycogen was extremely abundant in the omasal epithelium of the 2.5 cm fetus, and declined gradually thereafter to be almost completely absent in post-natal specimens. 4 orders of laminae were present in the adult omasum, distributed in the seqeunce 1-4-3-4-2-4-3-4-1. The 1st order was already present in fetuses of 2.5 cm c-r length, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th appearing by the 3.5, 5.5 and 11.0 cm stages, respectively. Initial stages in the development of conical papillae were first seen in 15.0 cm fetuses, but the development of these papillae was not completed until after birth.", "PMID": 636816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10883", "title": "Development of cartilage in transplanted future coronal sutures.", "content": "From fetal rat skulls, tissue containing the 19-day-old presumptive coronal suture was excised and transplanted onto the exposed dura mater of adult rats. Host animals were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days. From the results of these experiments, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) in all transplants chondrogenic activity occurred, resulting in the production of ectopic cartilage, and (2) cartilage development only starts on the cerebral side of the transplanted embryonic dura mater just beneath the area of the presumptive suture. Transplanted presumptive sutures of 21-day-old rats do not produce cartilage. The findings suggest that the suture undergoes a process of maturation. The existence of an osteogenesis-inhibiting mechanism, located in embryonic sutural tissue and being transmitted to the developing dura, is discussed.", "contents": "Development of cartilage in transplanted future coronal sutures. From fetal rat skulls, tissue containing the 19-day-old presumptive coronal suture was excised and transplanted onto the exposed dura mater of adult rats. Host animals were sacrificed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days. From the results of these experiments, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) in all transplants chondrogenic activity occurred, resulting in the production of ectopic cartilage, and (2) cartilage development only starts on the cerebral side of the transplanted embryonic dura mater just beneath the area of the presumptive suture. Transplanted presumptive sutures of 21-day-old rats do not produce cartilage. The findings suggest that the suture undergoes a process of maturation. The existence of an osteogenesis-inhibiting mechanism, located in embryonic sutural tissue and being transmitted to the developing dura, is discussed.", "PMID": 636818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10884", "title": "Transport of fat through jejunal absorptive epithelium in vitro.", "content": "The mucosa of excised pieces of jejunum of fasting rats was exposed for 10 min to fresh chyme obtained from other rats which had been digesting either buttered bread or bread alone. The mucosa was then processed for electron microscopy of lipid material. After exposure to fatty chyme, fat globules were scattered throughout the cytoplasm of absorptive epithelial cells, and concentrated in both supranuclear and infranuclear components of the Golgi apparatus. They were also present within lymphatics of the villus. After exposure to both types of chyme, the basal parts of the cells were much elongated through collection of a finely granular deposit of non-lipid material. This collection was probably due to failure of clearance of absorbed material from the cells in the absence of blood flow through the villus.", "contents": "Transport of fat through jejunal absorptive epithelium in vitro. The mucosa of excised pieces of jejunum of fasting rats was exposed for 10 min to fresh chyme obtained from other rats which had been digesting either buttered bread or bread alone. The mucosa was then processed for electron microscopy of lipid material. After exposure to fatty chyme, fat globules were scattered throughout the cytoplasm of absorptive epithelial cells, and concentrated in both supranuclear and infranuclear components of the Golgi apparatus. They were also present within lymphatics of the villus. After exposure to both types of chyme, the basal parts of the cells were much elongated through collection of a finely granular deposit of non-lipid material. This collection was probably due to failure of clearance of absorbed material from the cells in the absence of blood flow through the villus.", "PMID": 636819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10885", "title": "A comparative morphometric study of synaptic vesicles and other organelles in mossy fiber endings of the pigeon and the rat.", "content": "The mossy fiber ending organelles of 4 rats and 4 pigeons were studied using ultrastructural morphometric methods. The number of agranular vesicles per square micrometer of synaptic surface, as well as the number of agranular vesicles per synapse, were found to be greater in the rat than in the pigeon, while no significant differences were found in coated and dense core vesicles. A highly positive correlation was found, in both species, between the synaptic surface and the number of agranular vesicles per unit volume of mossy fiber endings, while no correlation was found between the synaptic surface and numerical densities of coated and dense core vesicles.", "contents": "A comparative morphometric study of synaptic vesicles and other organelles in mossy fiber endings of the pigeon and the rat. The mossy fiber ending organelles of 4 rats and 4 pigeons were studied using ultrastructural morphometric methods. The number of agranular vesicles per square micrometer of synaptic surface, as well as the number of agranular vesicles per synapse, were found to be greater in the rat than in the pigeon, while no significant differences were found in coated and dense core vesicles. A highly positive correlation was found, in both species, between the synaptic surface and the number of agranular vesicles per unit volume of mossy fiber endings, while no correlation was found between the synaptic surface and numerical densities of coated and dense core vesicles.", "PMID": 636821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10886", "title": "[The utero-ovarian vascularization of the albino rat].", "content": "The utero-ovarian vascularisation of the non-pregnant rat was investigated, described and morphometrically evaluated. The ovarian and uterine arteries anastomose together giving up a ramus ovaricus. The leaving of these vessels from their main trunks varies to each body side, just as their length and width. Several segmental arteries arise from each uterine artery to the corpus uteri also side-specifically. Coiled circular arteries are found. The uterine cervical vascularisation is described separately. Different regulating effects on the function of the vessels are discussed.", "contents": "[The utero-ovarian vascularization of the albino rat]. The utero-ovarian vascularisation of the non-pregnant rat was investigated, described and morphometrically evaluated. The ovarian and uterine arteries anastomose together giving up a ramus ovaricus. The leaving of these vessels from their main trunks varies to each body side, just as their length and width. Several segmental arteries arise from each uterine artery to the corpus uteri also side-specifically. Coiled circular arteries are found. The uterine cervical vascularisation is described separately. Different regulating effects on the function of the vessels are discussed.", "PMID": 636822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10887", "title": "Adrenergic terminal structures in the mesentery of mammals.", "content": "This work is devoted to the study of adrenergic terminal structures in the mesentery of mammals (cat, dog). The investigation was performed with the Falck-Hillarp method of catecholamine fluorescence microscopy on total stretch mesentery preparations. The investigation showed that richly developed perivascular plexus constitute the basis of the adrenergic innervation system of the mesentery. In numerous points of these plexuses, single adrenergic fibers or polyaxonal structures are observed to issue into nonvascular areas of the mesentery where after repeated dichotomic division they pass into the preterminal and terminal parts. Being constructed on the principle of extended or restrained arborizations, these innervating structures have a morphological similarity with free sensory nerve endings. In this connection, the question of the possible existence of the sensory (afferent) links in the catecholamine-containing vegetative nerve plexuses is discussed.", "contents": "Adrenergic terminal structures in the mesentery of mammals. This work is devoted to the study of adrenergic terminal structures in the mesentery of mammals (cat, dog). The investigation was performed with the Falck-Hillarp method of catecholamine fluorescence microscopy on total stretch mesentery preparations. The investigation showed that richly developed perivascular plexus constitute the basis of the adrenergic innervation system of the mesentery. In numerous points of these plexuses, single adrenergic fibers or polyaxonal structures are observed to issue into nonvascular areas of the mesentery where after repeated dichotomic division they pass into the preterminal and terminal parts. Being constructed on the principle of extended or restrained arborizations, these innervating structures have a morphological similarity with free sensory nerve endings. In this connection, the question of the possible existence of the sensory (afferent) links in the catecholamine-containing vegetative nerve plexuses is discussed.", "PMID": 636823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10888", "title": "Some observations on the morphological evidence for mechanism of the bile secretion.", "content": "The morphological evidence of the intracellular route of bile secretion was investigated in the liver of goldfish (Carassius auratus) as revealed by electron microscopy. Smooth surfaced tubules or cisterns within or adjacent to the Golgi apparatus showed linear saccular forms and contained sparse particulate or cloudy materials of low electron density. The isolated vacuoles were restrictedly found between the Golgi apparatus and the intracellular bile canaliculus or hepatocytic side at the zone of transition. These vacuoles showed no reaction for acid phosphatase activity, and contained only a few cloudy materials similar to those found in the saccular tubules and within the bile canaliculus. Some of these vacuoles fused with the luminal cytolemmas of the bile canaliculus. Bases on these findings, it was assumed that these vacuoles are structures participating in transport and secretion of bile constituents and derive from the linearly sacculated tubules or cisterns in the Golgi zone. Duct cells showed no morphological evidence to suggest bile secretion.", "contents": "Some observations on the morphological evidence for mechanism of the bile secretion. The morphological evidence of the intracellular route of bile secretion was investigated in the liver of goldfish (Carassius auratus) as revealed by electron microscopy. Smooth surfaced tubules or cisterns within or adjacent to the Golgi apparatus showed linear saccular forms and contained sparse particulate or cloudy materials of low electron density. The isolated vacuoles were restrictedly found between the Golgi apparatus and the intracellular bile canaliculus or hepatocytic side at the zone of transition. These vacuoles showed no reaction for acid phosphatase activity, and contained only a few cloudy materials similar to those found in the saccular tubules and within the bile canaliculus. Some of these vacuoles fused with the luminal cytolemmas of the bile canaliculus. Bases on these findings, it was assumed that these vacuoles are structures participating in transport and secretion of bile constituents and derive from the linearly sacculated tubules or cisterns in the Golgi zone. Duct cells showed no morphological evidence to suggest bile secretion.", "PMID": 636824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10889", "title": "An electron microscopical study of epididymal epithelium of rats treated with gonadotropic hormone.", "content": "The ultrastructural modifications of the epithelial cells of rat corpus epididymis stimulated with gonadotropic hormone were studied. The structural variety of the cells depending on functional conditions becomes more prominent 6 h after the injection of gonadotropic hormone. Light large cells have one or often two nucleus-containing bing nucleoli, in their cytoplasm there are numerous vesicles, a well-developed Golgi apparatus, other organelles and lysosomal bodies. Some other cells are filled with many large vacuoles of different density, dense bodies and vesicles. Cells of another type which are in the majority show an unusually active structure reflecting the function of synthesis. The more prominent nucleolus is associated to clumps of chromatin. Their apical cytoplasm is filled by a structure related to absorption. The whole remaining part of their cytoplasm is covered with a very extensive Golgi apparatus and a very well developed granular endoplasmic reticulum. The extremely enlarged cisternae of this reticulum were found to be very closely applied to the basal cell membrane. There is a flocculent material inside the cisternae. Similar material is observed in the extracellular medium under the basal membrane. The epithelium seems normal 10 h after the injection of hormone, but large light cells make up the majority of them.", "contents": "An electron microscopical study of epididymal epithelium of rats treated with gonadotropic hormone. The ultrastructural modifications of the epithelial cells of rat corpus epididymis stimulated with gonadotropic hormone were studied. The structural variety of the cells depending on functional conditions becomes more prominent 6 h after the injection of gonadotropic hormone. Light large cells have one or often two nucleus-containing bing nucleoli, in their cytoplasm there are numerous vesicles, a well-developed Golgi apparatus, other organelles and lysosomal bodies. Some other cells are filled with many large vacuoles of different density, dense bodies and vesicles. Cells of another type which are in the majority show an unusually active structure reflecting the function of synthesis. The more prominent nucleolus is associated to clumps of chromatin. Their apical cytoplasm is filled by a structure related to absorption. The whole remaining part of their cytoplasm is covered with a very extensive Golgi apparatus and a very well developed granular endoplasmic reticulum. The extremely enlarged cisternae of this reticulum were found to be very closely applied to the basal cell membrane. There is a flocculent material inside the cisternae. Similar material is observed in the extracellular medium under the basal membrane. The epithelium seems normal 10 h after the injection of hormone, but large light cells make up the majority of them.", "PMID": 636825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10890", "title": "Ependyma and supraependymal structures in some areas of the fourth ventricle in the rat.", "content": "The ependyma was investigated in five areas of the rat ventricle system by means of both light and electron microscopy. The columnar, cuboidal and flattened types of the ependymal cells were mainly seen. All of them were seen in the fourth ventricle, while in the aqueductus cerebri and in the central canal the flattened type of the cell was lacking. An unusual variation as to the form of the ependymal cells was found on the roof of the fourth ventricle. Three groups of intraventricular structures were found in all investigated parts of the ventricle system: supraependymal globular structures containing irregularly arranged cristae, supraependymal protrusions appearing as homogeneous contents, and nerve profiles including nerve endings and nerve axons. The morphological characteristics of the ependyma and intraventricular profiles in the fourth ventricle allow to suppose a certain role of these structures in the exchange of various materials between the CSF, ependyma and neuropile.", "contents": "Ependyma and supraependymal structures in some areas of the fourth ventricle in the rat. The ependyma was investigated in five areas of the rat ventricle system by means of both light and electron microscopy. The columnar, cuboidal and flattened types of the ependymal cells were mainly seen. All of them were seen in the fourth ventricle, while in the aqueductus cerebri and in the central canal the flattened type of the cell was lacking. An unusual variation as to the form of the ependymal cells was found on the roof of the fourth ventricle. Three groups of intraventricular structures were found in all investigated parts of the ventricle system: supraependymal globular structures containing irregularly arranged cristae, supraependymal protrusions appearing as homogeneous contents, and nerve profiles including nerve endings and nerve axons. The morphological characteristics of the ependyma and intraventricular profiles in the fourth ventricle allow to suppose a certain role of these structures in the exchange of various materials between the CSF, ependyma and neuropile.", "PMID": 636826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10891", "title": "Comparative study of Gartner's duct in the camel.", "content": "Gartner's duct is fairly constant in the camel, especially in young animals. It contains fluid secretion, yellowish translucent and viscid in character. Secondary coagulation of the secretion occurs on standing, and so becomes gelatinous. The ducts were histologically studies and glandular acini were found opening in them. An explanation of the manner of formation of Gartner's duct cyst is suggested. Gartner's duct may be a functioning accessory gland of the female sexual apparatus in the camel.", "contents": "Comparative study of Gartner's duct in the camel. Gartner's duct is fairly constant in the camel, especially in young animals. It contains fluid secretion, yellowish translucent and viscid in character. Secondary coagulation of the secretion occurs on standing, and so becomes gelatinous. The ducts were histologically studies and glandular acini were found opening in them. An explanation of the manner of formation of Gartner's duct cyst is suggested. Gartner's duct may be a functioning accessory gland of the female sexual apparatus in the camel.", "PMID": 636827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10892", "title": "Ultrastructure of the capsule of the rabbit adrenal gland.", "content": "The capsule of the normal rabbit adrenal gland was examined with the electron microscope, and three layers are described. The outermost layer consists of collagen and elastic fibrillae, with cytoplasmic processes of fibroblasts in between. Myofibroblasts with parallel cytoplasmic filaments, dense bodies at the inner surface of the plasma membrane and an irregular nuclear outline were seen in the middle layer. The presence of unmyelinated nerves and an axon terminal near to the myofibroblasts of the middle layer raised the possibility of innervation of these cells which could have a contractile function. The basal lamina of the fenestrated capilaries in the inner vascular layer is occasionally fused with that of the outer zona glomerulosa, suggesting a probable route for blood supply and secretion.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the capsule of the rabbit adrenal gland. The capsule of the normal rabbit adrenal gland was examined with the electron microscope, and three layers are described. The outermost layer consists of collagen and elastic fibrillae, with cytoplasmic processes of fibroblasts in between. Myofibroblasts with parallel cytoplasmic filaments, dense bodies at the inner surface of the plasma membrane and an irregular nuclear outline were seen in the middle layer. The presence of unmyelinated nerves and an axon terminal near to the myofibroblasts of the middle layer raised the possibility of innervation of these cells which could have a contractile function. The basal lamina of the fenestrated capilaries in the inner vascular layer is occasionally fused with that of the outer zona glomerulosa, suggesting a probable route for blood supply and secretion.", "PMID": 636828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10893", "title": "Histology and mucosubstance histochemistry of mongoose salivary glands.", "content": "The histology and mucosubstance histochemistry of the mongoose salivary glands were studied. Histologically, the mongoose salivary glands were generally similar to those in other carnivores (dog, cat and ferret). The mucosubstance histochemistry demonstrated considerable variations in the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands in comparison to the other carnivores. The partoid gland contained carboxylated mucin which was sialidase-resistant. Granules in a few cells also contained sulphated mucin. Both submandibular and sublingual glands contained mainly carboxylated sialomucin which was sialidase-labile except in a few cell, some neutral mucin but no sulphated mucin. The molar and zygomatic glands were similar to those in the other carnivores. They contained both sulphated and carboxylated mucins but no neutral mucin. The carboxylated mucin was sialidase-resistant.", "contents": "Histology and mucosubstance histochemistry of mongoose salivary glands. The histology and mucosubstance histochemistry of the mongoose salivary glands were studied. Histologically, the mongoose salivary glands were generally similar to those in other carnivores (dog, cat and ferret). The mucosubstance histochemistry demonstrated considerable variations in the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands in comparison to the other carnivores. The partoid gland contained carboxylated mucin which was sialidase-resistant. Granules in a few cells also contained sulphated mucin. Both submandibular and sublingual glands contained mainly carboxylated sialomucin which was sialidase-labile except in a few cell, some neutral mucin but no sulphated mucin. The molar and zygomatic glands were similar to those in the other carnivores. They contained both sulphated and carboxylated mucins but no neutral mucin. The carboxylated mucin was sialidase-resistant.", "PMID": 636829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10894", "title": "[Energetic swelling and lysis of mitochondria].", "content": "B1 avitaminosis presents a typical example of energetic mitochondrial degeneration. The alterations--swelling and lysis of mitochondria--are accompanied by dilatation with formation of megamitochondria, by appearance of blebs and tearings of the mitochondrial membranes, by progressive fading of the matrix, by swelling of the mitochondrial membranes with lysis of the cristae advancing from centre towards periphery, by vacuolar transformation of the cell and by development of onionoid bodies (corpora cepiformia).", "contents": "[Energetic swelling and lysis of mitochondria]. B1 avitaminosis presents a typical example of energetic mitochondrial degeneration. The alterations--swelling and lysis of mitochondria--are accompanied by dilatation with formation of megamitochondria, by appearance of blebs and tearings of the mitochondrial membranes, by progressive fading of the matrix, by swelling of the mitochondrial membranes with lysis of the cristae advancing from centre towards periphery, by vacuolar transformation of the cell and by development of onionoid bodies (corpora cepiformia).", "PMID": 636830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10895", "title": "Spinal roots in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease.", "content": "The spinal nerve roots were studied in two siblings with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (WHD). An invasion by fibrous astrocytes was consistently seen along the atrophic ventral roots, more extensively in the older sibling. The parallel glial processes extended in discrete bundles and were always enclosed by a basal lamina. Loss of unmyelinated axons and probable glial extension along unmyelinated fibers were also seen. The astrocytic processes with abundant microtubules and prominent junctional devices resembled those of the subpial region, which appeared to have gained access into the ventral roots following axonal degeneration. The present observations suggest that such glial migration, although apparently unique in WHD, is a secondary phenomenon and fails to resolve the issue as to whether neuronal degeneration or an injury to the nerve roots is the primary event in this disorder.", "contents": "Spinal roots in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. The spinal nerve roots were studied in two siblings with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease (WHD). An invasion by fibrous astrocytes was consistently seen along the atrophic ventral roots, more extensively in the older sibling. The parallel glial processes extended in discrete bundles and were always enclosed by a basal lamina. Loss of unmyelinated axons and probable glial extension along unmyelinated fibers were also seen. The astrocytic processes with abundant microtubules and prominent junctional devices resembled those of the subpial region, which appeared to have gained access into the ventral roots following axonal degeneration. The present observations suggest that such glial migration, although apparently unique in WHD, is a secondary phenomenon and fails to resolve the issue as to whether neuronal degeneration or an injury to the nerve roots is the primary event in this disorder.", "PMID": 636832} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10896", "title": "Neurofibrillary tangles in experimental neurolathyrism in rats induced by imino-dipropionitrile (IDPN). 1. Fine structural changes in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia.", "content": "Anterior horns of the spinal cord from cervical and lumbar regions and dorsal root ganglia from these same levels were studied for ultrastructural changes in imino-dipropionitrile (IDPN) treated rats. Normal saline-injected rats, treated identically, served as controls for this study. In the spinal cord axonal balloons or dystrophic axons appeared in lightly myelinated or unmyelinated axons within 24 h after the third injection of IDPN. At this time hind leg paralysis had not yet developed. In addition to axonal changes, a few dendrites also showed neurofibrillary degeneration. Central chromatolytic changes were observed in most of the neurons, with evidence of generalized edema present within the cord. In the dorsal root ganglia axonal balloons were very prominent and showed neurofibrillary hypertrophy. Neurofibrillary material was also noted in the perikarya of medium-sized ganglion cells.", "contents": "Neurofibrillary tangles in experimental neurolathyrism in rats induced by imino-dipropionitrile (IDPN). 1. Fine structural changes in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Anterior horns of the spinal cord from cervical and lumbar regions and dorsal root ganglia from these same levels were studied for ultrastructural changes in imino-dipropionitrile (IDPN) treated rats. Normal saline-injected rats, treated identically, served as controls for this study. In the spinal cord axonal balloons or dystrophic axons appeared in lightly myelinated or unmyelinated axons within 24 h after the third injection of IDPN. At this time hind leg paralysis had not yet developed. In addition to axonal changes, a few dendrites also showed neurofibrillary degeneration. Central chromatolytic changes were observed in most of the neurons, with evidence of generalized edema present within the cord. In the dorsal root ganglia axonal balloons were very prominent and showed neurofibrillary hypertrophy. Neurofibrillary material was also noted in the perikarya of medium-sized ganglion cells.", "PMID": 636833} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10897", "title": "Cerebral tumors induced by transplacental ENU: study of the different tumoral stages, particularly of early proliferations.", "content": "Experimental cerebral tumors have been induced by transplacental ENU. A systematic diachronic study of the brains has been performed starting from the 15th day of extrauterine life. The tumoral lesions firstly appear as \"early stage proliferations\" or oligodendroglial foci and develop as glial micro- and macrotumors or as isomorphic and polymorphic oligodendrogliomas respectively. Neurinomas appear later than glial tumors. The duration of the different lesions is sketched out. The usefulness of the model for chemotherapy studies is discussed.", "contents": "Cerebral tumors induced by transplacental ENU: study of the different tumoral stages, particularly of early proliferations. Experimental cerebral tumors have been induced by transplacental ENU. A systematic diachronic study of the brains has been performed starting from the 15th day of extrauterine life. The tumoral lesions firstly appear as \"early stage proliferations\" or oligodendroglial foci and develop as glial micro- and macrotumors or as isomorphic and polymorphic oligodendrogliomas respectively. Neurinomas appear later than glial tumors. The duration of the different lesions is sketched out. The usefulness of the model for chemotherapy studies is discussed.", "PMID": 636834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10898", "title": "[Contribution towards the study of the average visual-evoked response; non-gaussian character of spontaneous electroencephalographic activity; non-independence of noise and signal; possible non-stationary character of evoked response (author's transl)].", "content": "The succession of amplitudes constituting spontaneous electroencephalographic activity cannot be regarded as a strictly normal distribution. Spontaneous activity and the evoked response are not independent. The signal (evoked response)is, in some cases, non-stationary. The average visual-evoked response comprises several successive temporal fragments of which the stationary character varies. This variability of the average visual-evoked response argues in favour of the complexity of its genesis.", "contents": "[Contribution towards the study of the average visual-evoked response; non-gaussian character of spontaneous electroencephalographic activity; non-independence of noise and signal; possible non-stationary character of evoked response (author's transl)]. The succession of amplitudes constituting spontaneous electroencephalographic activity cannot be regarded as a strictly normal distribution. Spontaneous activity and the evoked response are not independent. The signal (evoked response)is, in some cases, non-stationary. The average visual-evoked response comprises several successive temporal fragments of which the stationary character varies. This variability of the average visual-evoked response argues in favour of the complexity of its genesis.", "PMID": 636831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10899", "title": "Early vascular changes in the spinal grey matter following impact injury.", "content": "The ultrastructural changes of the microvasculature in the spinal grey matter were studied after impact injuries of varying severity in cats. Survival times ranged from 3 min to 6 h after injuries. The main vessels affected were capillaries and postcapillary venules. Perivascular haemorrhage and protein extravasation were present immediately after impact. Astrocytic foot processes could be swollen or shrunken and of increased electron density. The extra cellular space (ECS) was often distended with proteinaceous material. Some vessels showed an apparent increase in vesicles and small dense inclusions were seen in pericytes. By 20--30 min after impact, a number of vessels at greater impact energies showed degenerative changes in organelles and endothelial gaps. The lumina of these vessels often contained plasma, platelets, red cells and occasional neutrophils. Similar changes were seen between 3 and 6 h and at this stage neutrophils and some monocytes were present in the perivascular spaces and neuropil. Endothelial balloons and pericytic dense inclusions were also seen. It is suggested that initial events are mechanical, perhaps due to a rapid displacement of blood in venules followed by arterial hypertension (which commonly accompanies spinal cord impacts). Although initially many lumena are patent by 30 min there is a difference between the lesser and greater severities of impact.", "contents": "Early vascular changes in the spinal grey matter following impact injury. The ultrastructural changes of the microvasculature in the spinal grey matter were studied after impact injuries of varying severity in cats. Survival times ranged from 3 min to 6 h after injuries. The main vessels affected were capillaries and postcapillary venules. Perivascular haemorrhage and protein extravasation were present immediately after impact. Astrocytic foot processes could be swollen or shrunken and of increased electron density. The extra cellular space (ECS) was often distended with proteinaceous material. Some vessels showed an apparent increase in vesicles and small dense inclusions were seen in pericytes. By 20--30 min after impact, a number of vessels at greater impact energies showed degenerative changes in organelles and endothelial gaps. The lumina of these vessels often contained plasma, platelets, red cells and occasional neutrophils. Similar changes were seen between 3 and 6 h and at this stage neutrophils and some monocytes were present in the perivascular spaces and neuropil. Endothelial balloons and pericytic dense inclusions were also seen. It is suggested that initial events are mechanical, perhaps due to a rapid displacement of blood in venules followed by arterial hypertension (which commonly accompanies spinal cord impacts). Although initially many lumena are patent by 30 min there is a difference between the lesser and greater severities of impact.", "PMID": 636835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10900", "title": "Arachnoidea and subarachnoid spaces of the vault of the skull in man.", "content": "This field is meagerly represented in the literature. The aim of this paper is to check in man the descriptions which for the most part were made in animals. Specimens were taken during the course of neurosurgical operations. Arachnoidea of the vault of the skull is situated beneath the subdural neurothelium previously described in man by the same authors. Its cells have epithelial features. Its extracellular spaces are more or less dilated and contain connective tissue fibers. Subarachnoid spaces appear as dilated perivascular spaces. Under the conditions in which human specimens were obtained, we cannot determine whether the cellular coverings of the deep surface of the arachnoidea are continuous. The adventitiae of the subarachnoid vessels contain an apparently continuous cellular sheath, which does not usually occur in other vessels. Arachnoid trabeculae are of uncommon occurrence. Their connective tissue fibers are isolated from the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid by an apparently continuous cellular covering.", "contents": "Arachnoidea and subarachnoid spaces of the vault of the skull in man. This field is meagerly represented in the literature. The aim of this paper is to check in man the descriptions which for the most part were made in animals. Specimens were taken during the course of neurosurgical operations. Arachnoidea of the vault of the skull is situated beneath the subdural neurothelium previously described in man by the same authors. Its cells have epithelial features. Its extracellular spaces are more or less dilated and contain connective tissue fibers. Subarachnoid spaces appear as dilated perivascular spaces. Under the conditions in which human specimens were obtained, we cannot determine whether the cellular coverings of the deep surface of the arachnoidea are continuous. The adventitiae of the subarachnoid vessels contain an apparently continuous cellular sheath, which does not usually occur in other vessels. Arachnoid trabeculae are of uncommon occurrence. Their connective tissue fibers are isolated from the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid by an apparently continuous cellular covering.", "PMID": 636836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10901", "title": "Werdnig-Hoffmann disease: proposal of a pathogenetic mechanism.", "content": "Light and electron microscopic study and morphometric analysis were performed on the spinal cords and roots from six cases of acute Werdnig-Hoffmann disease and four control cases, in search of the pathogenesis of the selective motor neuron changes considered primarily responsible for Werdnig-Hoffman disease. This investigation posits a centrifugal traction mechanism based upon the discovery of cylindrical outgrowths of glial bundles, selective loss of large myelinated fibers, and axonal degeneration in the proximal portion of anterior spinal roots (and to a lesser extent in posterior spinal roots) in all six disease cases. This traction mechanism exerts principally upon anterior spinal nerve roots and can account for morphologic and morphometric data characteristically ascribed to Werdnig-Hoffmann disease.", "contents": "Werdnig-Hoffmann disease: proposal of a pathogenetic mechanism. Light and electron microscopic study and morphometric analysis were performed on the spinal cords and roots from six cases of acute Werdnig-Hoffmann disease and four control cases, in search of the pathogenesis of the selective motor neuron changes considered primarily responsible for Werdnig-Hoffman disease. This investigation posits a centrifugal traction mechanism based upon the discovery of cylindrical outgrowths of glial bundles, selective loss of large myelinated fibers, and axonal degeneration in the proximal portion of anterior spinal roots (and to a lesser extent in posterior spinal roots) in all six disease cases. This traction mechanism exerts principally upon anterior spinal nerve roots and can account for morphologic and morphometric data characteristically ascribed to Werdnig-Hoffmann disease.", "PMID": 636837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10902", "title": "An ultrastructure study of cerebellar lesions induced in mice by three inoculations of avirulent Semliki forest virus.", "content": "An ultrastructural study of cerebellar lesions involving axonal and myelin degeneration induced in adult Swiss A2G mice by 3 intraperitoneal inoculations of avirulent Semliki Forest virus is described. Cerebellar white matter samples examined by light and electron miscroscopy 21 days after the first virus infection revealed microcystic areas, degenerating axons, macrophages containing myelin debris as well as normal elements. By light microscopy foci of myelin loss were apparent. At 28 days groups of degenerating axons were apparent in the white matter. No virus was seen in any of the sections.", "contents": "An ultrastructure study of cerebellar lesions induced in mice by three inoculations of avirulent Semliki forest virus. An ultrastructural study of cerebellar lesions involving axonal and myelin degeneration induced in adult Swiss A2G mice by 3 intraperitoneal inoculations of avirulent Semliki Forest virus is described. Cerebellar white matter samples examined by light and electron miscroscopy 21 days after the first virus infection revealed microcystic areas, degenerating axons, macrophages containing myelin debris as well as normal elements. By light microscopy foci of myelin loss were apparent. At 28 days groups of degenerating axons were apparent in the white matter. No virus was seen in any of the sections.", "PMID": 636838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10903", "title": "Increased permeability to horseradish peroxidase across cerebral vessels, evoked by electrically induced seizures in the rat.", "content": "Under normal conditions a slight vesicular transfer of intravenously injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP) occurs across the endothelium of cerebral vessels, especially short segments of arterioles. The vesicular transport can be notably increased by chemically induced acute hypertension. In the present investigation 4 groups of animals received HRP, and the permeability of the cerebral endothelium was studied semimacroscopically, light microscopically and electron microscopically. The rats in group 1 were given 10 electroshocks. This caused a significant rise in the blood pressure (BP). Furthermore, a noticeable extravasation of HRP was observed, especially across the endothelium in cerebral arterioles. From the basement membranes of the vessels reaction product could be followed into the extracellular spaces of the neighbouring neuropil. Group 2 comprises rats that were given 10 electroshocks preceded by transection of the cervical part of the spinal cord. The BP remained at normal level and the permeability was unaltered. The animals in group 3 received only 1 electroshock. Usually, the BP was markedly increased and this was accompanied by enhanced permeability across the vessels of the brain. Group 4 consists of control animals, injected with HRP and treated as groups 1 and 3 with the difference that electrical stimulation was not performed. A general feature was that no endothelial damage was observed and that reaction product was not found between neighbouring endothelial cells from the first luminal to the first abluminal tight junction. Based on the observations it seems reasonable to assume that the increased permeability of tracer that occurs after 10 electroshocks or only one is caused by the acute hypertension evoked by the electrical stimulation; furthermore, the transfer is concluded to be vesicular transport.", "contents": "Increased permeability to horseradish peroxidase across cerebral vessels, evoked by electrically induced seizures in the rat. Under normal conditions a slight vesicular transfer of intravenously injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP) occurs across the endothelium of cerebral vessels, especially short segments of arterioles. The vesicular transport can be notably increased by chemically induced acute hypertension. In the present investigation 4 groups of animals received HRP, and the permeability of the cerebral endothelium was studied semimacroscopically, light microscopically and electron microscopically. The rats in group 1 were given 10 electroshocks. This caused a significant rise in the blood pressure (BP). Furthermore, a noticeable extravasation of HRP was observed, especially across the endothelium in cerebral arterioles. From the basement membranes of the vessels reaction product could be followed into the extracellular spaces of the neighbouring neuropil. Group 2 comprises rats that were given 10 electroshocks preceded by transection of the cervical part of the spinal cord. The BP remained at normal level and the permeability was unaltered. The animals in group 3 received only 1 electroshock. Usually, the BP was markedly increased and this was accompanied by enhanced permeability across the vessels of the brain. Group 4 consists of control animals, injected with HRP and treated as groups 1 and 3 with the difference that electrical stimulation was not performed. A general feature was that no endothelial damage was observed and that reaction product was not found between neighbouring endothelial cells from the first luminal to the first abluminal tight junction. Based on the observations it seems reasonable to assume that the increased permeability of tracer that occurs after 10 electroshocks or only one is caused by the acute hypertension evoked by the electrical stimulation; furthermore, the transfer is concluded to be vesicular transport.", "PMID": 636839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10904", "title": "Chronic relapsing polyradiculoneuritis in a cat.", "content": "An 18 month old cat had a 6 month history of abnormal high stepping gait, ataxia, muscle twitching and loss of sensory perception. The clinical course was interrupted by several episodes of temporary remission. The essential pathological features were those of a polyradiculoneuritis with segmental demyelination, focal mononuclear cell infiltration and hypertrophic onion-bulb formations. The condition is compared with chronic relapsing polyradiculoneuritis in the dog and in man.", "contents": "Chronic relapsing polyradiculoneuritis in a cat. An 18 month old cat had a 6 month history of abnormal high stepping gait, ataxia, muscle twitching and loss of sensory perception. The clinical course was interrupted by several episodes of temporary remission. The essential pathological features were those of a polyradiculoneuritis with segmental demyelination, focal mononuclear cell infiltration and hypertrophic onion-bulb formations. The condition is compared with chronic relapsing polyradiculoneuritis in the dog and in man.", "PMID": 636840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10905", "title": "Primary cerebral neuroblastoma: a light and electron microscopic study.", "content": "A small-cell neoplasm in the left temporal lobe of a 10 and a half year old boy was studied by light and electron microscopy. Routine sections of the mass showed a differentiating neuroblastoma with Homer Wright rosettes, several foci of immature neoplastic neurons (ganglion cells), and many mitoses, areas of necrosis and tumor vessels showing endothelial proliferation. Ultrastructurally, most cells resembled early fetal neuroblasts and also were similar to those in murine and peripheral human neuroblastomas.", "contents": "Primary cerebral neuroblastoma: a light and electron microscopic study. A small-cell neoplasm in the left temporal lobe of a 10 and a half year old boy was studied by light and electron microscopy. Routine sections of the mass showed a differentiating neuroblastoma with Homer Wright rosettes, several foci of immature neoplastic neurons (ganglion cells), and many mitoses, areas of necrosis and tumor vessels showing endothelial proliferation. Ultrastructurally, most cells resembled early fetal neuroblasts and also were similar to those in murine and peripheral human neuroblastomas.", "PMID": 636842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10906", "title": "Histopathological evaluation of materials implanted in the cerebral cortex.", "content": "Histopathological changes of the cerebral cortex in response to small, penetrating metal and non-metal implants were analyzed by means of light and electron microscopy. The needle-shaped implants were left in place during all stages of histological preparation and embedded in plastic together with the cortex. Changes of the brain-implant boundary were classified as non-reactive, reactive, or toxic, according to the reactive cellular constituents. Among the non-reactive materials were several plastics and metals such as aluminum, gold, platinum, and tungsten. The boundary of these implants displayed little or no gliosis and normal neuropile with synapses within 5 micron of the implant's surface. The boundary of reactive materials such as tantalum or silicon dioxide was marked by multinucleate giant cells and a thin layer (10 micron)) of connective tissue. Toxic materials such as iron and copper were separated from the cortical neuropile by a capsule of cellular connective tissue and a zone of astrocytosis. Cobalt, a highly toxic material, produced more extensive changes in the zones of connective tissue and astrocytes. These results indicate that a variety of materials are well tolerated by the brain and could be used in the fabrication of neuroprosthetic devices.", "contents": "Histopathological evaluation of materials implanted in the cerebral cortex. Histopathological changes of the cerebral cortex in response to small, penetrating metal and non-metal implants were analyzed by means of light and electron microscopy. The needle-shaped implants were left in place during all stages of histological preparation and embedded in plastic together with the cortex. Changes of the brain-implant boundary were classified as non-reactive, reactive, or toxic, according to the reactive cellular constituents. Among the non-reactive materials were several plastics and metals such as aluminum, gold, platinum, and tungsten. The boundary of these implants displayed little or no gliosis and normal neuropile with synapses within 5 micron of the implant's surface. The boundary of reactive materials such as tantalum or silicon dioxide was marked by multinucleate giant cells and a thin layer (10 micron)) of connective tissue. Toxic materials such as iron and copper were separated from the cortical neuropile by a capsule of cellular connective tissue and a zone of astrocytosis. Cobalt, a highly toxic material, produced more extensive changes in the zones of connective tissue and astrocytes. These results indicate that a variety of materials are well tolerated by the brain and could be used in the fabrication of neuroprosthetic devices.", "PMID": 636844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10907", "title": "An unusual intraspinal connective tissue mass.", "content": "The fine structure of a surgically excised intradural spinal mass is described. The mass was essentially composed of giant collagent fibers measuring up to 500 nm or more in diameter. In addition, small collections of collagen fibers with unusual cross banding pattern were occasionally observed. The precise nature of this apparently unique lesion simulating an intraspinal tumor remains undetermined.", "contents": "An unusual intraspinal connective tissue mass. The fine structure of a surgically excised intradural spinal mass is described. The mass was essentially composed of giant collagent fibers measuring up to 500 nm or more in diameter. In addition, small collections of collagen fibers with unusual cross banding pattern were occasionally observed. The precise nature of this apparently unique lesion simulating an intraspinal tumor remains undetermined.", "PMID": 636845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10908", "title": "Ultrastructure of oncocytic adenoma of the human pituitary gland.", "content": "Two cases of oncocytic adenoma occuring in the pituitary are reported. Both were men aged 40 and 50 years respectively and there was no evidence of endocrine abnormality. In both the tumours many cells showed abundant acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm which had not stained positively with PAS-orange G stain. Electron microscopically the cells contained numerous mitochondria associated with marked reduction of other cytoplasmic organelles including the secretory granules.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of oncocytic adenoma of the human pituitary gland. Two cases of oncocytic adenoma occuring in the pituitary are reported. Both were men aged 40 and 50 years respectively and there was no evidence of endocrine abnormality. In both the tumours many cells showed abundant acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm which had not stained positively with PAS-orange G stain. Electron microscopically the cells contained numerous mitochondria associated with marked reduction of other cytoplasmic organelles including the secretory granules.", "PMID": 636846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10909", "title": "Brain monoamines in human cerebral infarcts. A preliminary study.", "content": "Dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic aced (5-HIAA) were assayed spectrofluorometrically in various brain regions of 8 human patients who died after acute and old cerebral infarction. In both recent and older infarct a total depletion of DA and 5-HT was associated with slight reduction of DA and 5-HT levels in remote nonischemic areas and various nuclei of both the injured and contralateral hemispheres. 5-HIAA was significantly reduced in acute ischemic necrosis, while the perifocal edema zone showed considerable accumulation of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA. The degradation zone surrounding old infarcts showed a mild decrease of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA, indicating normalization of K-HT metabolism and turnover after decrease of cerebral edema. These preliminary data which confirm previous findings in experimental cerebral ischemia and infarct indicate that disorders of brain monoamine metabolism are contributing to the development of postischemic brain damage and the complicating cerebral edema.", "contents": "Brain monoamines in human cerebral infarcts. A preliminary study. Dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic aced (5-HIAA) were assayed spectrofluorometrically in various brain regions of 8 human patients who died after acute and old cerebral infarction. In both recent and older infarct a total depletion of DA and 5-HT was associated with slight reduction of DA and 5-HT levels in remote nonischemic areas and various nuclei of both the injured and contralateral hemispheres. 5-HIAA was significantly reduced in acute ischemic necrosis, while the perifocal edema zone showed considerable accumulation of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA. The degradation zone surrounding old infarcts showed a mild decrease of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA, indicating normalization of K-HT metabolism and turnover after decrease of cerebral edema. These preliminary data which confirm previous findings in experimental cerebral ischemia and infarct indicate that disorders of brain monoamine metabolism are contributing to the development of postischemic brain damage and the complicating cerebral edema.", "PMID": 636847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10910", "title": "Peripheral neuropathy in mutant diabetic mouse [C57BL/Ks (db/db)].", "content": "A new animal model for the study of diabetic neuropathy is presented. The homozygote (db/db) of the mouse strain C57BL/Ks shows severe diabetes with longstanding hyperglycemia. Electrophysiological studies showed severely decreased motor nerve conduction velocity. Morphometric examination of sensory and motor nerves at different levels revealed absence of large myelinated fibers, with morphological features indicative of axonal atrophy.", "contents": "Peripheral neuropathy in mutant diabetic mouse [C57BL/Ks (db/db)]. A new animal model for the study of diabetic neuropathy is presented. The homozygote (db/db) of the mouse strain C57BL/Ks shows severe diabetes with longstanding hyperglycemia. Electrophysiological studies showed severely decreased motor nerve conduction velocity. Morphometric examination of sensory and motor nerves at different levels revealed absence of large myelinated fibers, with morphological features indicative of axonal atrophy.", "PMID": 636848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10911", "title": "Plasma steroids in the foetal and maternal circulation at normal delivery and elective caesarean section.", "content": "Maternal and foetal plasma collected at normal delivery and at elective caesarean section was assayed for sex steroid levels. Foetal cord plasma concentrations of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, oestrone and oestriol were higher than maternal values at normal delivery, whereas oestradiol levels were lower. Oestrone concentrations were higher than oestradiol in the foetal circulation at normal delivery and oestrone values were higher following normal delivery than at elective caesarean section.", "contents": "Plasma steroids in the foetal and maternal circulation at normal delivery and elective caesarean section. Maternal and foetal plasma collected at normal delivery and at elective caesarean section was assayed for sex steroid levels. Foetal cord plasma concentrations of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, oestrone and oestriol were higher than maternal values at normal delivery, whereas oestradiol levels were lower. Oestrone concentrations were higher than oestradiol in the foetal circulation at normal delivery and oestrone values were higher following normal delivery than at elective caesarean section.", "PMID": 636851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10912", "title": "Electrical potential difference across the mid-term human placenta.", "content": "Electrical potential difference across the mid-term human placenta was recorded during hysterotomy. The average value registered was 2.7 mV (S.E. of mean=0.4 mV, n=7), fetus negative. From this value and the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Cl and inorganic phosphate in maternal and fetal plasma the possible mechanisms of net transport from mother to fetus are inferred. It is concluded that of the above ions only the transport of Na is compatible with simple diffusion.", "contents": "Electrical potential difference across the mid-term human placenta. Electrical potential difference across the mid-term human placenta was recorded during hysterotomy. The average value registered was 2.7 mV (S.E. of mean=0.4 mV, n=7), fetus negative. From this value and the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Cl and inorganic phosphate in maternal and fetal plasma the possible mechanisms of net transport from mother to fetus are inferred. It is concluded that of the above ions only the transport of Na is compatible with simple diffusion.", "PMID": 636852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10913", "title": "Maternal mortality in Sweden 1955-1974.", "content": "A survey of the causes of maternal death in Sweden during the years 1955-74 is presented. 296 cases, where autopsy has been performed in 94%, have been reviewed. 219 have been classified as obstetrical deaths and 77 as non-obstetrical. During the period an almost uniform lowering of the maternal death rate occurred. The explanation is a probable improvement in the quality of the medical care given in the hospitals and the antenatal clinics.", "contents": "Maternal mortality in Sweden 1955-1974. A survey of the causes of maternal death in Sweden during the years 1955-74 is presented. 296 cases, where autopsy has been performed in 94%, have been reviewed. 219 have been classified as obstetrical deaths and 77 as non-obstetrical. During the period an almost uniform lowering of the maternal death rate occurred. The explanation is a probable improvement in the quality of the medical care given in the hospitals and the antenatal clinics.", "PMID": 636853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10914", "title": "The influence of locally administered prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha on uterine motility in the intact non-pregnant human uterus.", "content": "Clinical studies on the effect of locally administered prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha on the sensitivity and reactivity of the non-pregnant human uterus were performed in 16 volunteers. With the use of the flaccid microballoon technique, uterine recordings were made at frequent intervals throughout the menstrual cycle. As little as 0.25 microgram PGF2 or 1.0 microgram PGF2alpha effected an increase in uterine motility during most of the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. However, a marked decrease in sensitivity and suppression of reactivity to either prostaglandin compound was observed around ovulation. Moreover, an inhibition of uterine contractility in response to PGE2 but not to PGF2alpha was noted during active menstrual bleeding. Circulating levels of estrogen could be correlated generally with these uterine responses. Endogenous prostaglandins normally occur in the secretory endometrium in levels compatible with the amount of exogenously administered prostaglandins which elicited increased, decreased, or unchanged uterine activity in this study. These findings suggest that local prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha in concert with variable levels of circulating estrogen, may play important roles in the cyclic regulation of uterine motility during the menstrual cycle.", "contents": "The influence of locally administered prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha on uterine motility in the intact non-pregnant human uterus. Clinical studies on the effect of locally administered prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha on the sensitivity and reactivity of the non-pregnant human uterus were performed in 16 volunteers. With the use of the flaccid microballoon technique, uterine recordings were made at frequent intervals throughout the menstrual cycle. As little as 0.25 microgram PGF2 or 1.0 microgram PGF2alpha effected an increase in uterine motility during most of the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. However, a marked decrease in sensitivity and suppression of reactivity to either prostaglandin compound was observed around ovulation. Moreover, an inhibition of uterine contractility in response to PGE2 but not to PGF2alpha was noted during active menstrual bleeding. Circulating levels of estrogen could be correlated generally with these uterine responses. Endogenous prostaglandins normally occur in the secretory endometrium in levels compatible with the amount of exogenously administered prostaglandins which elicited increased, decreased, or unchanged uterine activity in this study. These findings suggest that local prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha in concert with variable levels of circulating estrogen, may play important roles in the cyclic regulation of uterine motility during the menstrual cycle.", "PMID": 636855} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10915", "title": "Human ovarian tumours heterotransplanted to \"nude\" mice.", "content": "22 different human ovarian tumours were heterotransplanted subcutaneously to female \"nude\" mice. When small tissue pieces were used 10 out of 16 tumours grew. Subcutaneous injections of suspended tumour cells were made to 11 mice: all failed. Metastatic or infiltrative growth was never seen in the mice observed for up to 25-40 days. Material from each tumour was transplanted to four separate sites in two mice. The successful grafts largely retained the original morphological features. As measured with H3-thymidine incorporation, DNA-synthesis was also similar in the original tumours and the growing grafts. This animal in vivo model might be highly informative for the study of inter alia fundamental biology, chemotherapy, and irradiation of ovarian tumours.", "contents": "Human ovarian tumours heterotransplanted to \"nude\" mice. 22 different human ovarian tumours were heterotransplanted subcutaneously to female \"nude\" mice. When small tissue pieces were used 10 out of 16 tumours grew. Subcutaneous injections of suspended tumour cells were made to 11 mice: all failed. Metastatic or infiltrative growth was never seen in the mice observed for up to 25-40 days. Material from each tumour was transplanted to four separate sites in two mice. The successful grafts largely retained the original morphological features. As measured with H3-thymidine incorporation, DNA-synthesis was also similar in the original tumours and the growing grafts. This animal in vivo model might be highly informative for the study of inter alia fundamental biology, chemotherapy, and irradiation of ovarian tumours.", "PMID": 636856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10916", "title": "Relaparotomy in advanced ovarian carcinoma.", "content": "Patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma were treated either with extensive initial surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (17 patients) or with a less extensive initial laparotomy, postoperative radiation therapy and relaparotomy (19 patients). Better results were obtained among the patients in the latter group.", "contents": "Relaparotomy in advanced ovarian carcinoma. Patients with Stage III ovarian carcinoma were treated either with extensive initial surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (17 patients) or with a less extensive initial laparotomy, postoperative radiation therapy and relaparotomy (19 patients). Better results were obtained among the patients in the latter group.", "PMID": 636857} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10917", "title": "Acute fatty liver of pregnancy with disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "content": "A patient with acute fatty liver of pregnancy associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is reported. The case lends support to the hypothesis that DIC may be of pathophysiologic significance in this disorder. Treatment principles are discussed and the importance of prompt Caesarean section as early as possible after the onset of symptoms is emphasized.", "contents": "Acute fatty liver of pregnancy with disseminated intravascular coagulation. A patient with acute fatty liver of pregnancy associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is reported. The case lends support to the hypothesis that DIC may be of pathophysiologic significance in this disorder. Treatment principles are discussed and the importance of prompt Caesarean section as early as possible after the onset of symptoms is emphasized.", "PMID": 636858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10918", "title": "Delivery complicated by myasthenia gravis and epilepsy.", "content": "The literature on the possible risk of myasthenia gravis complicating pregnancy and delivery is sparse and partly contradictory but some of the reports on the number of perinatal and neonatal deaths are alarming. Epilepsy in pregnancy implies on approximately twofold risk of intervention in connection with labour. A pregnant patient with myasthenia gravis and epilepsy has recently been delivered. The case is reported and the considerations with regard to suitable anaesthesia and the two diseases are discussed.", "contents": "Delivery complicated by myasthenia gravis and epilepsy. The literature on the possible risk of myasthenia gravis complicating pregnancy and delivery is sparse and partly contradictory but some of the reports on the number of perinatal and neonatal deaths are alarming. Epilepsy in pregnancy implies on approximately twofold risk of intervention in connection with labour. A pregnant patient with myasthenia gravis and epilepsy has recently been delivered. The case is reported and the considerations with regard to suitable anaesthesia and the two diseases are discussed.", "PMID": 636859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10919", "title": "Rupture of the spleen during delivery.", "content": "A case of traumatic rupture of a normal spleen in a complicated delivery is presented. The etiology of splenic rupture and therapeutic aspects of this unusual occurrence are discussed. It is pointed out that a violent expression of the fetus might be dangerous for the mother.", "contents": "Rupture of the spleen during delivery. A case of traumatic rupture of a normal spleen in a complicated delivery is presented. The etiology of splenic rupture and therapeutic aspects of this unusual occurrence are discussed. It is pointed out that a violent expression of the fetus might be dangerous for the mother.", "PMID": 636860} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10920", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of oxytocin (syntocinon) and methyl ergometrine (methergin) on the systemic and pulmonary circulations of pregnant anaesthetized women.", "content": "The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin (Syntocinon) and methyl ergometrin (Methergin) were studied in 9 healthy females in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients were anaesthetized with sodium thiomebumal, pethidine and pancuronium bromide and ventilated on a Manley respirator. 10 i.u. oxytocin given as an i.v. bolus brought about a fall in femoral arterial pressure of 40%, systemic resistance 59% and pulmonary resistance 44% 30 sec after injection. However, the heart rate increased 31% and stroke volume 17%, so that the cardiac output increased by 54%. The pulmonary arterial pressure and wedge pressure were increased by 33% and 35%, respectively 150 sec after injection. No changes were seen in the haemodynamic parameters during infusion of 80 mU oxytocin for 10 min. 0.2 mg Methergin brought about an increase in the femoral arterial pressure of 11%, pulmonary arterial pressure 27% and wedge pressure 31%, with no changes in the other measured parameters. The use of oxytocic drugs in patients with compromised circulation is discussed.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of oxytocin (syntocinon) and methyl ergometrine (methergin) on the systemic and pulmonary circulations of pregnant anaesthetized women. The haemodynamic effects of oxytocin (Syntocinon) and methyl ergometrin (Methergin) were studied in 9 healthy females in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients were anaesthetized with sodium thiomebumal, pethidine and pancuronium bromide and ventilated on a Manley respirator. 10 i.u. oxytocin given as an i.v. bolus brought about a fall in femoral arterial pressure of 40%, systemic resistance 59% and pulmonary resistance 44% 30 sec after injection. However, the heart rate increased 31% and stroke volume 17%, so that the cardiac output increased by 54%. The pulmonary arterial pressure and wedge pressure were increased by 33% and 35%, respectively 150 sec after injection. No changes were seen in the haemodynamic parameters during infusion of 80 mU oxytocin for 10 min. 0.2 mg Methergin brought about an increase in the femoral arterial pressure of 11%, pulmonary arterial pressure 27% and wedge pressure 31%, with no changes in the other measured parameters. The use of oxytocic drugs in patients with compromised circulation is discussed.", "PMID": 636863} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10921", "title": "Peripheral vasoconstriction in the rat in response to sound. I. Dependence on stimulus duration.", "content": "Vasoconstriction in response to sound has been studied in the non-anaesthetized rat. Arterial pulsations in the tail were recorded by a non-invasive technique. Broad-band noise bursts at 80 dB SPL with durations from 1 ms to several hours were presented in a free field in a sound-isolated box. The results show that acoustic energy is integrated with a time constant of about 0.1 s. The responses during continuous stimulation habituated slowly and the time to halfway normalization of arterial pulsation was more than 15 min.", "contents": "Peripheral vasoconstriction in the rat in response to sound. I. Dependence on stimulus duration. Vasoconstriction in response to sound has been studied in the non-anaesthetized rat. Arterial pulsations in the tail were recorded by a non-invasive technique. Broad-band noise bursts at 80 dB SPL with durations from 1 ms to several hours were presented in a free field in a sound-isolated box. The results show that acoustic energy is integrated with a time constant of about 0.1 s. The responses during continuous stimulation habituated slowly and the time to halfway normalization of arterial pulsation was more than 15 min.", "PMID": 636864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10922", "title": "Transtympanic electrocochleography during glycerol dehydration.", "content": "Thirteen patients with Meniere's disorder were tested using transtympanic electrocochleography during glycerol dehydration. The most common finding was a decrease in the negative summating potential and this appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of changes occurring in the cochlea than pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination. A pathophysiological explanation for this observation is offered and the possibility of using this decrease in the negative summating potential as a pointer to the prognosis of endolymphatic sac surgery is discussed.", "contents": "Transtympanic electrocochleography during glycerol dehydration. Thirteen patients with Meniere's disorder were tested using transtympanic electrocochleography during glycerol dehydration. The most common finding was a decrease in the negative summating potential and this appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of changes occurring in the cochlea than pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination. A pathophysiological explanation for this observation is offered and the possibility of using this decrease in the negative summating potential as a pointer to the prognosis of endolymphatic sac surgery is discussed.", "PMID": 636865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10923", "title": "Relation between the waveform of the cochlear whole nerve action potential and its intensity function.", "content": "The whole-nerve action potential (AP) was recorded by intracochlear electrodes in the guinea-pig. As is well known, in normal conditions, the AP elicited by tone bursts displays negative and positive deflections. Inactivation of the central end of the nerve at the internal auditory meatus (IAM), by introduction of a few drops of KC1 solution, or by mechanical pressure, produces a change in the wave shape of AP which is transformed into a single negative deflection. The relation of the amplitude of the monophasic AP to the intensity of the tone burst is monotonic, in contrast to the classical two-slope variation observed in normal conditions. These results are interpreted by the disappearance of a positive component of the response produced at the IAM. The convolution of the monophasic unit AP would explain the monotonic intensity function.", "contents": "Relation between the waveform of the cochlear whole nerve action potential and its intensity function. The whole-nerve action potential (AP) was recorded by intracochlear electrodes in the guinea-pig. As is well known, in normal conditions, the AP elicited by tone bursts displays negative and positive deflections. Inactivation of the central end of the nerve at the internal auditory meatus (IAM), by introduction of a few drops of KC1 solution, or by mechanical pressure, produces a change in the wave shape of AP which is transformed into a single negative deflection. The relation of the amplitude of the monophasic AP to the intensity of the tone burst is monotonic, in contrast to the classical two-slope variation observed in normal conditions. These results are interpreted by the disappearance of a positive component of the response produced at the IAM. The convolution of the monophasic unit AP would explain the monotonic intensity function.", "PMID": 636867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10924", "title": "Cochlear frequency sharpening-a new synthesis.", "content": "Recent evidence indicates a substantial difference in sharpness of tuning between basilar membrane mechanics and primary neuron responses in mammals. This paper describes a new qualitative model for a sharpening mechanism. It is suggested that the inner hair cells are sensitive to d.c. potential changes in scala media that are induced by sound stimuli, and that these d.c. potentials can suppress neuron activity in a frequency-dependent way. The model explains sharpening of both sides of neural tuning curves, the shape of the low-frequency part of the tuning curves and is also compatible with other phenomena such as two-tone inhibition and the effects of electrical polarization of the basilar membrane.", "contents": "Cochlear frequency sharpening-a new synthesis. Recent evidence indicates a substantial difference in sharpness of tuning between basilar membrane mechanics and primary neuron responses in mammals. This paper describes a new qualitative model for a sharpening mechanism. It is suggested that the inner hair cells are sensitive to d.c. potential changes in scala media that are induced by sound stimuli, and that these d.c. potentials can suppress neuron activity in a frequency-dependent way. The model explains sharpening of both sides of neural tuning curves, the shape of the low-frequency part of the tuning curves and is also compatible with other phenomena such as two-tone inhibition and the effects of electrical polarization of the basilar membrane.", "PMID": 636866} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10925", "title": "Some experiments on temporary threshold shifts produced by short tones.", "content": "TTSs produced by short (500-1000 msec) pure frequency (2000, 3000, 4000 c.p.s.) tones on normal young subjects show, under comparable conditions, the same essential characteristics as TTSs which follow longer stimulations. In particular, they show a tendency to a displacement of their maximal values, as soon as the stimulating tone is presented at adequately high (100 dB SPL) intensity levels, towards a frequency about a halfoctave higher than that of the stimulating tone. In our experiments, however, this tendency was more clearly and constantly demonstrable following stimulations with 3000 c.p.s. tones. Significant individual variations in quantitative aspects of the TTSs have been observed. It is suggested that the use of short tones may be easier and more applicable in practice in investigations concerning the after effects of acoustical stimulation and possible also in procedures aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the significance of individual variations in the behaviour of the receptor organ upon exposure to high intensity stimulations.", "contents": "Some experiments on temporary threshold shifts produced by short tones. TTSs produced by short (500-1000 msec) pure frequency (2000, 3000, 4000 c.p.s.) tones on normal young subjects show, under comparable conditions, the same essential characteristics as TTSs which follow longer stimulations. In particular, they show a tendency to a displacement of their maximal values, as soon as the stimulating tone is presented at adequately high (100 dB SPL) intensity levels, towards a frequency about a halfoctave higher than that of the stimulating tone. In our experiments, however, this tendency was more clearly and constantly demonstrable following stimulations with 3000 c.p.s. tones. Significant individual variations in quantitative aspects of the TTSs have been observed. It is suggested that the use of short tones may be easier and more applicable in practice in investigations concerning the after effects of acoustical stimulation and possible also in procedures aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the significance of individual variations in the behaviour of the receptor organ upon exposure to high intensity stimulations.", "PMID": 636869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10926", "title": "Cochlear pathology following exposure to mercury.", "content": "The sensory and secretory epithelia may become morphologically changed following the exposure to mercury chloride. The earliest and most sever change in the sensory epithelium appeared in the apical part of the cochlea, while the basal coils were only seldom damaged (cytocochleogram studies). Acute intoxication mostly affected both afferent and efferent nerve terminals and the hair cells, while chronic poisoning could also damage the stria vascularis.", "contents": "Cochlear pathology following exposure to mercury. The sensory and secretory epithelia may become morphologically changed following the exposure to mercury chloride. The earliest and most sever change in the sensory epithelium appeared in the apical part of the cochlea, while the basal coils were only seldom damaged (cytocochleogram studies). Acute intoxication mostly affected both afferent and efferent nerve terminals and the hair cells, while chronic poisoning could also damage the stria vascularis.", "PMID": 636870} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10927", "title": "Clinical findings and diagnostic problems in sensorineural low frequency hearing loss.", "content": "The otological and audiological findings in 39 patients with sensorineural low frequency hearing loss are reported. This type of perceptive hearing loss is difficult to distinguish from the true conductive hearing losses due to the air conduction audiogram shape and the invalidity of bone conduction determinations showing a false \"air-bone gap\". This may lead to surgical treatment of a perceptive hearing loss, as reported in the four case histories. By various audiological tests, contradictory information may be obtained. In our material, Bing's test and absent acoustic reflexes indicated a conductive disorder in 25% of the ears. The final differentiation may require cochleography. The hearing loss may be diagnosed as Meniere's disease. In our material only 17% complained of tinnitus and no patients had vertigo. Consequently, we find sensorineural low frequency hearing loss to differ from Meniere's disease. Our material comprises different etiological types of perceptive low frequency hearing loss. On type was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, another type due to cochlear malformation probably also inherited, and a third group showing diverse audiological results. When the diagnosis is established, the patients may be treated successfully by specially constructed hearing aids.", "contents": "Clinical findings and diagnostic problems in sensorineural low frequency hearing loss. The otological and audiological findings in 39 patients with sensorineural low frequency hearing loss are reported. This type of perceptive hearing loss is difficult to distinguish from the true conductive hearing losses due to the air conduction audiogram shape and the invalidity of bone conduction determinations showing a false \"air-bone gap\". This may lead to surgical treatment of a perceptive hearing loss, as reported in the four case histories. By various audiological tests, contradictory information may be obtained. In our material, Bing's test and absent acoustic reflexes indicated a conductive disorder in 25% of the ears. The final differentiation may require cochleography. The hearing loss may be diagnosed as Meniere's disease. In our material only 17% complained of tinnitus and no patients had vertigo. Consequently, we find sensorineural low frequency hearing loss to differ from Meniere's disease. Our material comprises different etiological types of perceptive low frequency hearing loss. On type was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, another type due to cochlear malformation probably also inherited, and a third group showing diverse audiological results. When the diagnosis is established, the patients may be treated successfully by specially constructed hearing aids.", "PMID": 636868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10928", "title": "Auditory function after Haemophilus influenczae meningitis.", "content": "Eighty-three children, having recovered from Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, were examined with audiometrical tests. Fifteen of the children (18.1%) had significant hearing loss. Bilateral severe hearing loss was found in 3 patients. Three patients had severe hearing loss affecting one ear and slight or moderate hearing loss affecting the contralateral ear. Six children had entirely unilateral severe hearing loss. Bilateral or unilateral slight or moderate hearing loss was found in 3 patients. The remaining 68 patients had normal pure tone average. Half of these patients, however, showed minimal hearing impairment at the low and high frequencies.", "contents": "Auditory function after Haemophilus influenczae meningitis. Eighty-three children, having recovered from Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, were examined with audiometrical tests. Fifteen of the children (18.1%) had significant hearing loss. Bilateral severe hearing loss was found in 3 patients. Three patients had severe hearing loss affecting one ear and slight or moderate hearing loss affecting the contralateral ear. Six children had entirely unilateral severe hearing loss. Bilateral or unilateral slight or moderate hearing loss was found in 3 patients. The remaining 68 patients had normal pure tone average. Half of these patients, however, showed minimal hearing impairment at the low and high frequencies.", "PMID": 636872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10929", "title": "Hearing in pop musicians.", "content": "Comparatively few previous studies have investigated the hearing of pop musicians. On the average, a surprisingly low percentage (5%) of hearing loss was demonstrated in 160 pop musicians. The present material comprises 83 musicians, with an average exposure of 9 years. Group mean hearing thresholds show only a slight deviation from normal. Age, weekly and total exposure time appear to increase the risk of hearing impairment. In the individual analysis 13-30% were found to have a sensorineural hearing loss, depending upon the definition of hearing loss. Subjects with hearing loss show a discrete impairment in the frequency range 3-8 kHz. Considering the sound levels and the length of exposure, the incidence of hearing loss is suprisingly low. Possible reasons for this are discussed.", "contents": "Hearing in pop musicians. Comparatively few previous studies have investigated the hearing of pop musicians. On the average, a surprisingly low percentage (5%) of hearing loss was demonstrated in 160 pop musicians. The present material comprises 83 musicians, with an average exposure of 9 years. Group mean hearing thresholds show only a slight deviation from normal. Age, weekly and total exposure time appear to increase the risk of hearing impairment. In the individual analysis 13-30% were found to have a sensorineural hearing loss, depending upon the definition of hearing loss. Subjects with hearing loss show a discrete impairment in the frequency range 3-8 kHz. Considering the sound levels and the length of exposure, the incidence of hearing loss is suprisingly low. Possible reasons for this are discussed.", "PMID": 636871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10930", "title": "A note on the so-called Lennert's lymphoma (lympho epithelioid cellular lymphoma) concerning its disease entity.", "content": "Two cases of so-called Lennert's lymphoma, which is characterized by massive infiltrations of focally aggregated epithelioid cells, are presented. Since this lesion was particularly emphasized by LENNERT and MESTDAGH in 1968, the major conflicting issue has been focussed on its precise disease entity whether this is an independent or already-established lymphoproliferative disorder. Based on our experiences, we are rather inclined to regard this lesion to be \"a curious histologic variant of an already-established disease entity\". In order to investigate its precise disease entity and also in view of a possible significance of the presence of epithelioid histiocytes in the lymph nodes and of tonsillar involvement in relation to immunocompetence of the patients, further accumulation of similar cases is required.", "contents": "A note on the so-called Lennert's lymphoma (lympho epithelioid cellular lymphoma) concerning its disease entity. Two cases of so-called Lennert's lymphoma, which is characterized by massive infiltrations of focally aggregated epithelioid cells, are presented. Since this lesion was particularly emphasized by LENNERT and MESTDAGH in 1968, the major conflicting issue has been focussed on its precise disease entity whether this is an independent or already-established lymphoproliferative disorder. Based on our experiences, we are rather inclined to regard this lesion to be \"a curious histologic variant of an already-established disease entity\". In order to investigate its precise disease entity and also in view of a possible significance of the presence of epithelioid histiocytes in the lymph nodes and of tonsillar involvement in relation to immunocompetence of the patients, further accumulation of similar cases is required.", "PMID": 636878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10931", "title": "Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai and Dorfman) and significant skin involvement.", "content": "Clinicopathological features of this female patient described here, showing unusual and extremely marked sinus histiocytosis of lymph nodes with considerable systemic lymphadenopathy, accompanying fever as well as acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation rate fairly well coincided with the symptoms of \"Sinus Histiocytosis With Massive Lymphadenopathy\" (Rosai and Dorfman). The onset of the present case was in 1966 when the patient was 10 years of age, and she has been followed-up for over 10 years. While persisting to display active clinical manifestations, immunological abnormality with thymus involution was demonstrated--deterioration of cell-mediated immunity, but with non-remarkable humoral immunological data, except for hypergammaglobulinemia with elevation of IgG. In 1973 lymphadenopathy as well as skin eruption extended over the extremities and abnormalities of hematological and serological nature began to improve and at the present date the patient is uneventful. This is the first recorded case of \"Sinus Histiocytosis With Massive Lymphadenopathy\" (Rosai and Dorfman) in Japan. Considerable skin involvement in the upper and lower extremities was a significant feature and unique in this case.", "contents": "Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai and Dorfman) and significant skin involvement. Clinicopathological features of this female patient described here, showing unusual and extremely marked sinus histiocytosis of lymph nodes with considerable systemic lymphadenopathy, accompanying fever as well as acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation rate fairly well coincided with the symptoms of \"Sinus Histiocytosis With Massive Lymphadenopathy\" (Rosai and Dorfman). The onset of the present case was in 1966 when the patient was 10 years of age, and she has been followed-up for over 10 years. While persisting to display active clinical manifestations, immunological abnormality with thymus involution was demonstrated--deterioration of cell-mediated immunity, but with non-remarkable humoral immunological data, except for hypergammaglobulinemia with elevation of IgG. In 1973 lymphadenopathy as well as skin eruption extended over the extremities and abnormalities of hematological and serological nature began to improve and at the present date the patient is uneventful. This is the first recorded case of \"Sinus Histiocytosis With Massive Lymphadenopathy\" (Rosai and Dorfman) in Japan. Considerable skin involvement in the upper and lower extremities was a significant feature and unique in this case.", "PMID": 636879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10932", "title": "Desquamation on taste buds.", "content": "Taste bud surface cells suffer from a desquamation process that modifies the pores' shape and size and the amount of amorphous substance in the pits region. We have studied this phenomenon-which probably plays an important functional role-by light, electron and scanning microscopy.", "contents": "Desquamation on taste buds. Taste bud surface cells suffer from a desquamation process that modifies the pores' shape and size and the amount of amorphous substance in the pits region. We have studied this phenomenon-which probably plays an important functional role-by light, electron and scanning microscopy.", "PMID": 636875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10933", "title": "Epithelial migration on the tympanic membrane. An experimental study.", "content": "The existence of an epidermal migration pattern was studied in mice using a whole-mount autoradiographical technique. The mitotic activity appeared to be confined to an area close to the annulus tympanicus. A very slow migratory activity of the labelled cells, was observed, situated in the basal cell layer. Perforation of the tympanic membrane showed no effect on the position of the labelled cells. This slow migration described by several authors. The latter migration was suggested to represent a mechanism for cleaning the tympanic membrane.", "contents": "Epithelial migration on the tympanic membrane. An experimental study. The existence of an epidermal migration pattern was studied in mice using a whole-mount autoradiographical technique. The mitotic activity appeared to be confined to an area close to the annulus tympanicus. A very slow migratory activity of the labelled cells, was observed, situated in the basal cell layer. Perforation of the tympanic membrane showed no effect on the position of the labelled cells. This slow migration described by several authors. The latter migration was suggested to represent a mechanism for cleaning the tympanic membrane.", "PMID": 636873} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10934", "title": "Four autopsy cases of neonatal giant cell hepatitis died suddenly and unexpectedly from intracranial hemorrhage.", "content": "The authors present four cases of neonatal giant cell hepatitis who died suddenly and unexpectedly from intracranial hemorrhage, autopsied recently at the Tokyo-to Medical Examiner Office. This series consisted of one male and 3 female infants ranging from 37 to 52 days of age. The cause of death of all cases was thought to be massive intracranial hemorrhage. Referring to the connection between intracranial hemorrhage and neonatal giant cell hepatitis, it was assumed that the former must have occurred due to the hemorrhagic tendencies of the latter, superimposing to the hemorrhage at birth trauma of the head. As to the formation of multinucleated giant cell, it is considered to be of degenerative nature of hepatocytes, i.e. the giant cell is formed by fusion of hepatocytes as a result of the disappearance of bile canaliculi, although the etiology of this hepatitis is still unknown.", "contents": "Four autopsy cases of neonatal giant cell hepatitis died suddenly and unexpectedly from intracranial hemorrhage. The authors present four cases of neonatal giant cell hepatitis who died suddenly and unexpectedly from intracranial hemorrhage, autopsied recently at the Tokyo-to Medical Examiner Office. This series consisted of one male and 3 female infants ranging from 37 to 52 days of age. The cause of death of all cases was thought to be massive intracranial hemorrhage. Referring to the connection between intracranial hemorrhage and neonatal giant cell hepatitis, it was assumed that the former must have occurred due to the hemorrhagic tendencies of the latter, superimposing to the hemorrhage at birth trauma of the head. As to the formation of multinucleated giant cell, it is considered to be of degenerative nature of hepatocytes, i.e. the giant cell is formed by fusion of hepatocytes as a result of the disappearance of bile canaliculi, although the etiology of this hepatitis is still unknown.", "PMID": 636880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10935", "title": "Neural discharge of medial geniculate body units and single semicircular canal stimulation.", "content": "In curarized guinea pigs, 68 neurons of the medical geniculate body (MGB) were tested with vestibular and acoustic stimulations. Single semicircular canals were stimulated thermally. Convergence of acoustic and vestibular afferences on the same MGB unit was observed. Following stimulation of the semicircular canals, activation and inhibition of urinary discharge were recorded, inhibition being predominant, while, when clicks were delivered, bursts of activity occurred. The implications of MGB in vestibular and acoustic integration are postulated.", "contents": "Neural discharge of medial geniculate body units and single semicircular canal stimulation. In curarized guinea pigs, 68 neurons of the medical geniculate body (MGB) were tested with vestibular and acoustic stimulations. Single semicircular canals were stimulated thermally. Convergence of acoustic and vestibular afferences on the same MGB unit was observed. Following stimulation of the semicircular canals, activation and inhibition of urinary discharge were recorded, inhibition being predominant, while, when clicks were delivered, bursts of activity occurred. The implications of MGB in vestibular and acoustic integration are postulated.", "PMID": 636874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10936", "title": "A simple device measuring differences in level in the oesophagus.", "content": "A device for measuring the difference in level between the pressure transducer and a point of measurment is described. It can be used in oesophageal manometry with waterfilled catheters to measure and compensate for superimposed hydrostatic pressure. The practical application of the method is illustrated.", "contents": "A simple device measuring differences in level in the oesophagus. A device for measuring the difference in level between the pressure transducer and a point of measurment is described. It can be used in oesophageal manometry with waterfilled catheters to measure and compensate for superimposed hydrostatic pressure. The practical application of the method is illustrated.", "PMID": 636876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10937", "title": "Various epithelial and non-epithelial tumors spontaneously occurring in long-lived mice of A/St, CBA, C57BL/6 and their hybrid mice.", "content": "Various kinds of epithelial and non-epithelial tumors, and tumor-like lesions spontaneously developed in long-lived mice of strains A/St, C57BL/6 and CBA, and of (C57BL/6 X CBA) F1 hybrids, all of which had been fed in the 2nd Department of Pathology, Gifu University School of Medicine. Some tumors were successfully transplanted into the same strain of mice. An interesting tumor line showing phagocytic activity and growing only in the liver even when inoculated subcutaneously, which was obtained from a reticulum cell neoplasm, Type A by Dunn, originated in the liver of a (C57BL/6 X CBA) F1 hybrid male mouse.", "contents": "Various epithelial and non-epithelial tumors spontaneously occurring in long-lived mice of A/St, CBA, C57BL/6 and their hybrid mice. Various kinds of epithelial and non-epithelial tumors, and tumor-like lesions spontaneously developed in long-lived mice of strains A/St, C57BL/6 and CBA, and of (C57BL/6 X CBA) F1 hybrids, all of which had been fed in the 2nd Department of Pathology, Gifu University School of Medicine. Some tumors were successfully transplanted into the same strain of mice. An interesting tumor line showing phagocytic activity and growing only in the liver even when inoculated subcutaneously, which was obtained from a reticulum cell neoplasm, Type A by Dunn, originated in the liver of a (C57BL/6 X CBA) F1 hybrid male mouse.", "PMID": 636881} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10938", "title": "Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas in a human fetus.", "content": "Postmortem examination of a 26 week old (postmenstrual) human fetus delivered by Cesarean section revealed meconium ileus and many swollen mucus-secreting cells in the gastro-intestinal mucosa. The pancreas showed extensive fibrosis, acinar destruction and dilatation of ducts containing eosinophilic casts. Mucous glands of the lungs also revealed mucous cells swollen and distended with their secretory products. The patient is believed to have cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, suggesting that the pathologic manifestations of the disease may begin early in fetal life.", "contents": "Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas in a human fetus. Postmortem examination of a 26 week old (postmenstrual) human fetus delivered by Cesarean section revealed meconium ileus and many swollen mucus-secreting cells in the gastro-intestinal mucosa. The pancreas showed extensive fibrosis, acinar destruction and dilatation of ducts containing eosinophilic casts. Mucous glands of the lungs also revealed mucous cells swollen and distended with their secretory products. The patient is believed to have cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, suggesting that the pathologic manifestations of the disease may begin early in fetal life.", "PMID": 636882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10939", "title": "Focal \"spontaneous\" alterations and loss of endothelial cells in rabbit aorta.", "content": "Rabbit aortas were examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to observe the morphological steps in focal endothelial cell desquamation. The aortas were not subjected to any instrumentation prior to fixation by either immersion alone or combined perfusion and immersion. In areas where boundary layers separation of flow with eddy formation is known to occur, many elongated protruding cells were observed, some obviously partly loosened from the basement membrane. Some of the latter cells appeared to be attached by two ends and to be twisted longitudinally. Single cells, or even sheets of cells, were completely detached. The breaks seemed to have taken place close to, and parallel with, intercellular junctions, but not within these structures. Platelets had reacted both with injured cells and the denuded intimal surface. Thus, the sequence appears to be protrusion of cell body, partial loosening of cells from the basement membrane, breaks near the intercellular junctions, twisting of cells, and complete detachment.", "contents": "Focal \"spontaneous\" alterations and loss of endothelial cells in rabbit aorta. Rabbit aortas were examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to observe the morphological steps in focal endothelial cell desquamation. The aortas were not subjected to any instrumentation prior to fixation by either immersion alone or combined perfusion and immersion. In areas where boundary layers separation of flow with eddy formation is known to occur, many elongated protruding cells were observed, some obviously partly loosened from the basement membrane. Some of the latter cells appeared to be attached by two ends and to be twisted longitudinally. Single cells, or even sheets of cells, were completely detached. The breaks seemed to have taken place close to, and parallel with, intercellular junctions, but not within these structures. Platelets had reacted both with injured cells and the denuded intimal surface. Thus, the sequence appears to be protrusion of cell body, partial loosening of cells from the basement membrane, breaks near the intercellular junctions, twisting of cells, and complete detachment.", "PMID": 636884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10940", "title": "Histological and fine structural studies on pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.", "content": "Pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy originating from the anterior maxilla in a two-month-old male has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor is characterized histologically by two types of neoplastic cells embedded in considerable amounts of fibrous stromal tissue. The first type of cell is cuboidal to columnar in shape with an epithelial appearance having abundant cytoplasm; either scanty or a heavy accumulation of melanin pigment is observed in the cytoplasm. These cells are aligned along the cleft-like space or arranged in small ductal structures. Electron microscopy shows the characteristic features of melanocytic cells having a varying degree of asynchronous maturation of melanosomes. The second type of cells is small and round in shape and has a hyperchromatic nucleus and scanty cytoplasm, resembling neuroblastic cells or lymphocytes. Electron microscopy reveals cytoplasmic processes resembling immature neuritis which protrude into the intracellular space; a small number of secretory granules having a central core surrounded by a single limiting membrane are observed in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic processes.", "contents": "Histological and fine structural studies on pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy. Pigmented neuroectodermal tumor of infancy originating from the anterior maxilla in a two-month-old male has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor is characterized histologically by two types of neoplastic cells embedded in considerable amounts of fibrous stromal tissue. The first type of cell is cuboidal to columnar in shape with an epithelial appearance having abundant cytoplasm; either scanty or a heavy accumulation of melanin pigment is observed in the cytoplasm. These cells are aligned along the cleft-like space or arranged in small ductal structures. Electron microscopy shows the characteristic features of melanocytic cells having a varying degree of asynchronous maturation of melanosomes. The second type of cells is small and round in shape and has a hyperchromatic nucleus and scanty cytoplasm, resembling neuroblastic cells or lymphocytes. Electron microscopy reveals cytoplasmic processes resembling immature neuritis which protrude into the intracellular space; a small number of secretory granules having a central core surrounded by a single limiting membrane are observed in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic processes.", "PMID": 636883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10941", "title": "Ultrastructural observations on the parotitis autoimmunica in the NZB/NZW hybrid mice.", "content": "The lesions of the spontaneously occurring sialoadenitis in the parotid gland of New Zealand Black/New Zealand White (NZB/NZW) hybrid mice were studied with the light microscope and the electron microscope. The inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltrates of the glands observed adjacent to glandular vessels and ducts were found to consist of several different cell types. Lymphoid cells (large, medium sized and small lymphocytes) were the most common, but plasma cells, histiocytes and macrophages were also encountered. Furthermore lymphoid cells were frequently observed inside the basement membrane of acini as well as INTERcalated ducts. Evidence of cell damage of the epithelium invaded by lymphoid elements included loss of cytoplasmic density, vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum, the appearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles, and cellular lysis. All the animals studied displayed moderate to advanced glomerular, wire-loop lesions in the kidneys. The light and electron microscopic findings indicate that the parotitis in NZB/NZW mice is basically a vasculitis. Duct cell proliferation and epimyo-epithelial island formation, which are common features in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome, are totally lacking in the material studied.", "contents": "Ultrastructural observations on the parotitis autoimmunica in the NZB/NZW hybrid mice. The lesions of the spontaneously occurring sialoadenitis in the parotid gland of New Zealand Black/New Zealand White (NZB/NZW) hybrid mice were studied with the light microscope and the electron microscope. The inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltrates of the glands observed adjacent to glandular vessels and ducts were found to consist of several different cell types. Lymphoid cells (large, medium sized and small lymphocytes) were the most common, but plasma cells, histiocytes and macrophages were also encountered. Furthermore lymphoid cells were frequently observed inside the basement membrane of acini as well as INTERcalated ducts. Evidence of cell damage of the epithelium invaded by lymphoid elements included loss of cytoplasmic density, vesiculation of the endoplasmic reticulum, the appearance of cytoplasmic vacuoles, and cellular lysis. All the animals studied displayed moderate to advanced glomerular, wire-loop lesions in the kidneys. The light and electron microscopic findings indicate that the parotitis in NZB/NZW mice is basically a vasculitis. Duct cell proliferation and epimyo-epithelial island formation, which are common features in Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome, are totally lacking in the material studied.", "PMID": 636877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10942", "title": "Tumour cell death: the probable cause of increased polyamine levels in physiological fluids.", "content": "The occurrence of extracellular polyamines in Ehrlich ascites tumour-bearing mice was studied in relation to tumour growth. The concentration of putrescine and spermidine in cell-free ascites fluid and serum was found to increase significantly with increasing tumour mass. Data is presented which suggest that the observed accumulation of extracellular polyamines is a result of a continuous release from dead or dying tumour cells. This observation is consistent with the notion that extracellular polyamines accumulate during tumour growth and following radio- and chemotherapy as a result of tumour cell death, and emphasizes the potential clinical usefulness of the polyamine analysis for evaluating tumor cell kill.", "contents": "Tumour cell death: the probable cause of increased polyamine levels in physiological fluids. The occurrence of extracellular polyamines in Ehrlich ascites tumour-bearing mice was studied in relation to tumour growth. The concentration of putrescine and spermidine in cell-free ascites fluid and serum was found to increase significantly with increasing tumour mass. Data is presented which suggest that the observed accumulation of extracellular polyamines is a result of a continuous release from dead or dying tumour cells. This observation is consistent with the notion that extracellular polyamines accumulate during tumour growth and following radio- and chemotherapy as a result of tumour cell death, and emphasizes the potential clinical usefulness of the polyamine analysis for evaluating tumor cell kill.", "PMID": 636885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10943", "title": "Solitary dural plasmacytoma.", "content": "Only four of the nine published cases of solitary, extraskeletal, intracranial plasmacytoma are considered authentic. In this report we describe an accidentally discovered dural plasmacytoma and draw the attention to this rare lesion which might have a different prognosis from the rather benign course of meningioma with which it is confused.", "contents": "Solitary dural plasmacytoma. Only four of the nine published cases of solitary, extraskeletal, intracranial plasmacytoma are considered authentic. In this report we describe an accidentally discovered dural plasmacytoma and draw the attention to this rare lesion which might have a different prognosis from the rather benign course of meningioma with which it is confused.", "PMID": 636886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10944", "title": "Carcinoma of the uterine cervix and dysplasia in Greenland.", "content": "A preliminary study, based on officially recorded cases of cervical carcinoma, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ in Greenlandic women over the period 1955-1975 revealed a total of 117 cases of carcinoma and 119 cases of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. The incidence of invasive carcinoma, age-adjusted to \"European standard population\" (Doll 1976), exhibited a rise from 20.9 per 100,000 in 1955-1959 to 84.8 in 1970-1975. The latter incidence rate is one of the highest in the world, and about 2.5 times as high as the most recently recorded incidence in Denmark. Age-specific incidence rates for cervical carcinoma in Greenland for 1970-1975 showed significantly higher values in the age groups 15-49 and 60-64 years as compared with the most recent Danish rates. The crude incidence of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ per 100,000 women over 15 years of age rose from 10.5 for 1955-1959 to 137.5 for 1970-1975. The corresponding incidence for severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ was 93.7 for 1970-1975. There has most likely been a more complete registration of these initial stages during recent years, although organized detection work has not been initiated.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the uterine cervix and dysplasia in Greenland. A preliminary study, based on officially recorded cases of cervical carcinoma, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ in Greenlandic women over the period 1955-1975 revealed a total of 117 cases of carcinoma and 119 cases of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. The incidence of invasive carcinoma, age-adjusted to \"European standard population\" (Doll 1976), exhibited a rise from 20.9 per 100,000 in 1955-1959 to 84.8 in 1970-1975. The latter incidence rate is one of the highest in the world, and about 2.5 times as high as the most recently recorded incidence in Denmark. Age-specific incidence rates for cervical carcinoma in Greenland for 1970-1975 showed significantly higher values in the age groups 15-49 and 60-64 years as compared with the most recent Danish rates. The crude incidence of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ per 100,000 women over 15 years of age rose from 10.5 for 1955-1959 to 137.5 for 1970-1975. The corresponding incidence for severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ was 93.7 for 1970-1975. There has most likely been a more complete registration of these initial stages during recent years, although organized detection work has not been initiated.", "PMID": 636887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10945", "title": "Plasma membrane motility and proliferation of human glioma cells in agarose and monolayer cultures.", "content": "Human glioma cells, growing as spherical colonies in agarose gel, or as monolayers on glass or plastic, were studied with time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. The cells in the agarose cultured colonies often had ruffling-like membrane structures which were similar in for, although smaller in size, than those observed on monolayer cultured cells. The ruffling-like structures were more frequent at the periphery than in the central regions of the colonies which was in parallel to the proliferative pattern. In time-lapse cinematography it was seen that pinocytotic vacuoles were formed from ruffling membranes in the monolayer cultures. In the transmission electron microscope, such vacuoles were also found near the ruffling-like structures in the agarose cultured cells. In dense monolayer cultures, ruffling and associated pinocytosis were to a large extent transferred from the margin to the upper surface of the cells. This capacity may be an important property for the ability of the malignant cells to attain extreme high cell densities in monolayer cultures and to grow as colonies in agarose cultures. As has been previously shown, the normal counterpart of the gliomas, the glia cells, cannot grow to high densities; they do not ruffle on their upper cell surface and are unable to grow in suspension or agarose culture.", "contents": "Plasma membrane motility and proliferation of human glioma cells in agarose and monolayer cultures. Human glioma cells, growing as spherical colonies in agarose gel, or as monolayers on glass or plastic, were studied with time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. The cells in the agarose cultured colonies often had ruffling-like membrane structures which were similar in for, although smaller in size, than those observed on monolayer cultured cells. The ruffling-like structures were more frequent at the periphery than in the central regions of the colonies which was in parallel to the proliferative pattern. In time-lapse cinematography it was seen that pinocytotic vacuoles were formed from ruffling membranes in the monolayer cultures. In the transmission electron microscope, such vacuoles were also found near the ruffling-like structures in the agarose cultured cells. In dense monolayer cultures, ruffling and associated pinocytosis were to a large extent transferred from the margin to the upper surface of the cells. This capacity may be an important property for the ability of the malignant cells to attain extreme high cell densities in monolayer cultures and to grow as colonies in agarose cultures. As has been previously shown, the normal counterpart of the gliomas, the glia cells, cannot grow to high densities; they do not ruffle on their upper cell surface and are unable to grow in suspension or agarose culture.", "PMID": 636888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10946", "title": "Morphometric and dynamic studies of bone changes in hypothyroidism.", "content": "Bone biopsies were performed after tetracycline double-labelling by transfixing the right iliac crest in fourteen hypothyroid patients. The bone changes in cortical and trabecular bone were determined by simple measurement and point counting on decalcified and undecalcified stained sections and compared to normal controls and to sex and age matched hyperthyroid patients. The amount of trabecular bone and the cortical porosity were unchanged in the hypothyroid patients compared to normal controls, whereas the mean cortical thickness was increased. The amount of osteoid and the length of the osteoid seams were normal, whereas the mean width of the osteoid seams was decreased. The linear calcification rate in cancellous bone was decreased, as were the active calcification surfaces (tetracycline-labelled) and the percentage of osteoid covered surfaces active in mineralization. The osteoclastic resorption surfaces were unchanged in trabecular bone, whereas the osteoclastic activity in cortical bone was decreased. The osteocytic osteolysis was normal. The bone changes in hypothyroidism were opposite to the changes in hyperthyroidism characterized by a very low bone turn-over with a reduced osteoid apposition and bone mineralization rate, an inactive osteoclastic resorption in trabecular bone and a decreased osteoclastic resorption in cortical bone.", "contents": "Morphometric and dynamic studies of bone changes in hypothyroidism. Bone biopsies were performed after tetracycline double-labelling by transfixing the right iliac crest in fourteen hypothyroid patients. The bone changes in cortical and trabecular bone were determined by simple measurement and point counting on decalcified and undecalcified stained sections and compared to normal controls and to sex and age matched hyperthyroid patients. The amount of trabecular bone and the cortical porosity were unchanged in the hypothyroid patients compared to normal controls, whereas the mean cortical thickness was increased. The amount of osteoid and the length of the osteoid seams were normal, whereas the mean width of the osteoid seams was decreased. The linear calcification rate in cancellous bone was decreased, as were the active calcification surfaces (tetracycline-labelled) and the percentage of osteoid covered surfaces active in mineralization. The osteoclastic resorption surfaces were unchanged in trabecular bone, whereas the osteoclastic activity in cortical bone was decreased. The osteocytic osteolysis was normal. The bone changes in hypothyroidism were opposite to the changes in hyperthyroidism characterized by a very low bone turn-over with a reduced osteoid apposition and bone mineralization rate, an inactive osteoclastic resorption in trabecular bone and a decreased osteoclastic resorption in cortical bone.", "PMID": 636889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10947", "title": "Pulmonary excretion of carbon black injected into the cerebral ventricles of the rat.", "content": "After injection of a mixture of carbon black and a iodinated X-ray contrast medium into the cerebral ventricles of rats carbon black loaded macrophages were found in the alveolar septa in the lungs. It is concluded that contrast media used in cerebral ventriculography are eliminated at least partly by discharge of pulmonary macrophages.", "contents": "Pulmonary excretion of carbon black injected into the cerebral ventricles of the rat. After injection of a mixture of carbon black and a iodinated X-ray contrast medium into the cerebral ventricles of rats carbon black loaded macrophages were found in the alveolar septa in the lungs. It is concluded that contrast media used in cerebral ventriculography are eliminated at least partly by discharge of pulmonary macrophages.", "PMID": 636892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10948", "title": "Accident and its correlates in a psychiatric hospital.", "content": "The literature on accidental and violetn minor injuries in hospitals is reviewed. From it hypotheses about the causes and correlates of such accidents are derived. These theories are tested on a 2-year sample of accidents in a 2,400-patient mental hospital, using standard multivariate statistical procedures. Age, psychiatric disability, and sex prove to be correlates of rates of injury. Social disorganization is shown to be the intervening variable in the common theory that crowding leads to violent injury.", "contents": "Accident and its correlates in a psychiatric hospital. The literature on accidental and violetn minor injuries in hospitals is reviewed. From it hypotheses about the causes and correlates of such accidents are derived. These theories are tested on a 2-year sample of accidents in a 2,400-patient mental hospital, using standard multivariate statistical procedures. Age, psychiatric disability, and sex prove to be correlates of rates of injury. Social disorganization is shown to be the intervening variable in the common theory that crowding leads to violent injury.", "PMID": 636899} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10949", "title": "The Marke-Nyman temperament scale. Evaluation of transferability using the Rasch item analysis.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to test the transferability of the Marke-Nymann Temperament Scale (MNTS) using the Rasch item analysis. The results showed that the three Sj\u00f6bring personality dimensions Validity, Stability, and Solidity measured by the MNTS were without transferability. However, the item analysis demonstrated a subscale for each of the three Sj\u00f6bring dimensions having adequate transferability, i.e. the subscales continued to test the same dimension in different groups of patients. These subscales still cover much of the range of the original descriptions by Sj\u00f6bring.", "contents": "The Marke-Nyman temperament scale. Evaluation of transferability using the Rasch item analysis. The purpose of this study was to test the transferability of the Marke-Nymann Temperament Scale (MNTS) using the Rasch item analysis. The results showed that the three Sj\u00f6bring personality dimensions Validity, Stability, and Solidity measured by the MNTS were without transferability. However, the item analysis demonstrated a subscale for each of the three Sj\u00f6bring dimensions having adequate transferability, i.e. the subscales continued to test the same dimension in different groups of patients. These subscales still cover much of the range of the original descriptions by Sj\u00f6bring.", "PMID": 636900} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10950", "title": "Intellectual functioning in a 70-year-old urban population.", "content": "A subsample of 229 persons from the population study \"70-year-olds in Gothenburg\" was studied with different intelligence tests. The non-response was 15%, and another 4% refused to take part in the psychological examination or had handicaps which made the performance of all or some of the tests impossible. Measurements were made of verbal meaning (SRB1), reasoning (SRB2), spatial ability (SRB3), perceptual speed (Ps-if) and logical thinking and observation (Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices). There were no differences in the tests between men and women except with Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, where the men had a better score. Amongst the women, those who had received a longer education had a better score compared with those who had had less education. Norm-tables for the different tests are presented. As far as could be judged from cross-sectional comparisons the average general cognitive capability was good, even though the 70-year-olds to a higher degree were suffering from mental disorders than younger individuals and more often were living in social situations that could have influenced basic physical and mental functions. The perceptual speed was the only ability that showed a marked change at the age of 70.", "contents": "Intellectual functioning in a 70-year-old urban population. A subsample of 229 persons from the population study \"70-year-olds in Gothenburg\" was studied with different intelligence tests. The non-response was 15%, and another 4% refused to take part in the psychological examination or had handicaps which made the performance of all or some of the tests impossible. Measurements were made of verbal meaning (SRB1), reasoning (SRB2), spatial ability (SRB3), perceptual speed (Ps-if) and logical thinking and observation (Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices). There were no differences in the tests between men and women except with Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, where the men had a better score. Amongst the women, those who had received a longer education had a better score compared with those who had had less education. Norm-tables for the different tests are presented. As far as could be judged from cross-sectional comparisons the average general cognitive capability was good, even though the 70-year-olds to a higher degree were suffering from mental disorders than younger individuals and more often were living in social situations that could have influenced basic physical and mental functions. The perceptual speed was the only ability that showed a marked change at the age of 70.", "PMID": 636901} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10951", "title": "Effect of lithium on hypothalamic-pituitary dopaminergic function.", "content": "The effect of lithium on apomorphine-induced growth hormone secretion and haloperidol-induced prolactin secretion was examined in eight male subjects without history of manic-depressive illness. Lithium had no effect on baseline or drug-induced changes in serum growth hormone or prolactin concentrations. These data suggest that lithium does not alter hypothalamic-pituitary dopamine receptor function.", "contents": "Effect of lithium on hypothalamic-pituitary dopaminergic function. The effect of lithium on apomorphine-induced growth hormone secretion and haloperidol-induced prolactin secretion was examined in eight male subjects without history of manic-depressive illness. Lithium had no effect on baseline or drug-induced changes in serum growth hormone or prolactin concentrations. These data suggest that lithium does not alter hypothalamic-pituitary dopamine receptor function.", "PMID": 636903} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10952", "title": "Calcium metabolism in lithium-treated patients. Relation to uni-bipolar dichotomy.", "content": "The bone mineral content (BMC) together with biochemical indices of calcium metabolism were measured in 83 manic-depressive patients on long-term lithium therapy. The patients were diagnosed and divided into a unipolar and a bipolar group according to strict symptomatic course criteria. The patients with bipolar course had a significantly decreased BMC (88% of normal, P is less than 0.001), while the unipolar patients had normal BMC. Both groups had biochemical changes consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism.", "contents": "Calcium metabolism in lithium-treated patients. Relation to uni-bipolar dichotomy. The bone mineral content (BMC) together with biochemical indices of calcium metabolism were measured in 83 manic-depressive patients on long-term lithium therapy. The patients were diagnosed and divided into a unipolar and a bipolar group according to strict symptomatic course criteria. The patients with bipolar course had a significantly decreased BMC (88% of normal, P is less than 0.001), while the unipolar patients had normal BMC. Both groups had biochemical changes consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism.", "PMID": 636904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10953", "title": "Fifteen years later. A comparison of patients in Danish psychiatric institutions in 1957, 1962, 1967, and 1972.", "content": "The census study in 1972, including all Danish psychiatric institutions, was the fourth in a series, the first being performed in 1957. In the 15-year period from 1957 to 1972 the total number of hospitalized psychiatric patients, including day-patients, has been almost unchanged, about 240-260 per 100,000 population. There have, however, been marked changes within the resident population. The hospital prevalence of schizophrenia has gradually decreased from 132 to 97 per 100,000 males and from 140 to 86 per 100,000 females. The decrease concerns all age groups over 35 years and is especially pronounced in females aged 35-54. In young males there has been a remarkable increase during the last 5-year period. In 1957 the schizophrenic patients constituted 62% of the male and 57% of the female patients, compared with 43% and 30%, respectively, of the patients in 1972. The downward trend which was practically linear during the first two 5-year periods slowed down during the third period but was still quite marked for the middle-aged and old groups. The patients with organic disorders (especially senile and cerebrovascular psychoses) and with reactive conditions have increased in absolute numbers as well as in rates per 100,000 population.", "contents": "Fifteen years later. A comparison of patients in Danish psychiatric institutions in 1957, 1962, 1967, and 1972. The census study in 1972, including all Danish psychiatric institutions, was the fourth in a series, the first being performed in 1957. In the 15-year period from 1957 to 1972 the total number of hospitalized psychiatric patients, including day-patients, has been almost unchanged, about 240-260 per 100,000 population. There have, however, been marked changes within the resident population. The hospital prevalence of schizophrenia has gradually decreased from 132 to 97 per 100,000 males and from 140 to 86 per 100,000 females. The decrease concerns all age groups over 35 years and is especially pronounced in females aged 35-54. In young males there has been a remarkable increase during the last 5-year period. In 1957 the schizophrenic patients constituted 62% of the male and 57% of the female patients, compared with 43% and 30%, respectively, of the patients in 1972. The downward trend which was practically linear during the first two 5-year periods slowed down during the third period but was still quite marked for the middle-aged and old groups. The patients with organic disorders (especially senile and cerebrovascular psychoses) and with reactive conditions have increased in absolute numbers as well as in rates per 100,000 population.", "PMID": 636905} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10954", "title": "Motivation for cross-dressing in heterosexual transvestism.", "content": "The literature concerning the motivation for cross-dressing in heterosexual transvestism is briefly reviewed. Thirty-three members of a club established for heterosexual transvestites were interviewed. The sensations they derived from cross-dressing and the importance of compulsive and narcissistic aspects in their transvestite behaviour were assessed and compared with those reported by 24 transsexual subjects. While cross-dressed, transvestite and transsexual subjects frequently reported feeling relaxed, comfortable and relieved of masculine demands. Transvestite subjects showed significantly more compulsive and narcissistic aspects in their transvestite behaviour than transsexual subjects. Fetishistic pleasure was infrequently given as a motivation for cross-dressing.", "contents": "Motivation for cross-dressing in heterosexual transvestism. The literature concerning the motivation for cross-dressing in heterosexual transvestism is briefly reviewed. Thirty-three members of a club established for heterosexual transvestites were interviewed. The sensations they derived from cross-dressing and the importance of compulsive and narcissistic aspects in their transvestite behaviour were assessed and compared with those reported by 24 transsexual subjects. While cross-dressed, transvestite and transsexual subjects frequently reported feeling relaxed, comfortable and relieved of masculine demands. Transvestite subjects showed significantly more compulsive and narcissistic aspects in their transvestite behaviour than transsexual subjects. Fetishistic pleasure was infrequently given as a motivation for cross-dressing.", "PMID": 636906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10955", "title": "Endorphins in human cerebrospinal fluid: clinical correlations to some psychotic states.", "content": "The significance of endorphins, endogenous morphine-like agents, in some psychiatric disorders was investigated. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid were taken by lumbar puncture from healthy volunteers and from patients with schizophrenic, manic-depressive and puerperal psychosis and analyzed for two major fractions of endorphins (Fractions I and II). In 19 healthy volunteers the levels of the two fractions fell within a fairly narrow range. In contrast, six out of nine drug-free and symptom-rich schizophrenics showed elevated levels of Fraction I, which returned to normal or slightly supranormal values after treatment with neuroleptics or propranolol. This decrement was paralleled by a clinical improvement in four of six responding patients. In four manic-depressive patients, serial samples of cerebrospinal fluid revealed elevated endorphin levels, particularly Fraction I during the manic stage. In three out of four patients with puerperal psychosis, the levels of endorphins (either Fraction I or II) were elevated in the acute drug-free stage. During a later symptom-free stage, after treatment with ECT and/or neuroleptics, the endorphin levels were within the normal range. The present data lend credit to the hypothesis that endorphins are involved in some psychotic states in the human.", "contents": "Endorphins in human cerebrospinal fluid: clinical correlations to some psychotic states. The significance of endorphins, endogenous morphine-like agents, in some psychiatric disorders was investigated. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid were taken by lumbar puncture from healthy volunteers and from patients with schizophrenic, manic-depressive and puerperal psychosis and analyzed for two major fractions of endorphins (Fractions I and II). In 19 healthy volunteers the levels of the two fractions fell within a fairly narrow range. In contrast, six out of nine drug-free and symptom-rich schizophrenics showed elevated levels of Fraction I, which returned to normal or slightly supranormal values after treatment with neuroleptics or propranolol. This decrement was paralleled by a clinical improvement in four of six responding patients. In four manic-depressive patients, serial samples of cerebrospinal fluid revealed elevated endorphin levels, particularly Fraction I during the manic stage. In three out of four patients with puerperal psychosis, the levels of endorphins (either Fraction I or II) were elevated in the acute drug-free stage. During a later symptom-free stage, after treatment with ECT and/or neuroleptics, the endorphin levels were within the normal range. The present data lend credit to the hypothesis that endorphins are involved in some psychotic states in the human.", "PMID": 636907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10956", "title": "Diagnostic value for acute myocardial infarction of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes compared with total enzymes. Creatine kinase isoenzyme specificity for myocardial damage.", "content": "The diagnostic value of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes was investigated in a prospective study of 201 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The isoenzymes were analyzed with a column chromatographic method. The patients' final diagnoses were made according to the WHO criteria without knowledge of the isoenzyme results. The prevalence of AMI was 50%. The diagnoses were predicted with significantly greater reliability with the isoenzyme than with the total enzyme determinations in most of the patients. However, the greater diagnostic reliability had sufficient therapeutic consequence to justify the extra analytical cost only in patients for whom the diagnosis must be based mainly on the enzyme results. The CK isoenzyme specificity for myocardial damage was studied in populations with low prevalence of heart disease. In a group of 39 patients who had elevated total CK due to noncardiac disease there were five with elevated isoenzyme values, but since among 69 young healthy persons none had elevated isoenzymes, this was taken to indicate that the isoenzymes may be leaked into the blood from other organs than the heart.", "contents": "Diagnostic value for acute myocardial infarction of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes compared with total enzymes. Creatine kinase isoenzyme specificity for myocardial damage. The diagnostic value of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes was investigated in a prospective study of 201 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The isoenzymes were analyzed with a column chromatographic method. The patients' final diagnoses were made according to the WHO criteria without knowledge of the isoenzyme results. The prevalence of AMI was 50%. The diagnoses were predicted with significantly greater reliability with the isoenzyme than with the total enzyme determinations in most of the patients. However, the greater diagnostic reliability had sufficient therapeutic consequence to justify the extra analytical cost only in patients for whom the diagnosis must be based mainly on the enzyme results. The CK isoenzyme specificity for myocardial damage was studied in populations with low prevalence of heart disease. In a group of 39 patients who had elevated total CK due to noncardiac disease there were five with elevated isoenzyme values, but since among 69 young healthy persons none had elevated isoenzymes, this was taken to indicate that the isoenzymes may be leaked into the blood from other organs than the heart.", "PMID": 636912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10957", "title": "Aortic insufficiency in chronic renal failure.", "content": "A diastolic decrescendo murmur was heard along the left sternal border in 21 patients with advanced renal failure. Eight patients had organic aortic insufficiency. Among the remaining 13 patients, angiocardiography was carried out in 6; aortic regurgitation was demonstrated in 4, while 2 had stenosis of a coronary artery. Two of the 5 patients with positive angiography have died. At autopsy the aortic ostium was normal. The diastolic murmur in these patients is thought to be functional. It disappears during treatment with hemodialysis and renal transplantation.", "contents": "Aortic insufficiency in chronic renal failure. A diastolic decrescendo murmur was heard along the left sternal border in 21 patients with advanced renal failure. Eight patients had organic aortic insufficiency. Among the remaining 13 patients, angiocardiography was carried out in 6; aortic regurgitation was demonstrated in 4, while 2 had stenosis of a coronary artery. Two of the 5 patients with positive angiography have died. At autopsy the aortic ostium was normal. The diastolic murmur in these patients is thought to be functional. It disappears during treatment with hemodialysis and renal transplantation.", "PMID": 636913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10958", "title": "Long-term effect of clofibrate on albumin turnover and distribution in man.", "content": "The long-term effect of clofibrate (at least 6 months' treatment) on albumin metabolism was investigated in 7 subjects and the results were compared with those from 15 control subjects. Human albumin labelled with 131I was used as a tracer. A significant difference between the groups was found in the following parameters: The clofibrate-treated group had a prolonged rapid component (t1 1/2) of the disappearance curve (p less than 0.05), relatively increased albumin in the extravascular space (i.e. decreased distribution ratio, p less than 0.01) and increased extravascular albumin space when corrected for body size by calculating it as per cent of the extravascular bromide space (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the groups in albumin synthesis, fractional catabolic rate or the slow component (t2 1/2) of the disappearance curve. The results suggest that long-term treatment with clofibrate causes changes in the intercellular matrix.", "contents": "Long-term effect of clofibrate on albumin turnover and distribution in man. The long-term effect of clofibrate (at least 6 months' treatment) on albumin metabolism was investigated in 7 subjects and the results were compared with those from 15 control subjects. Human albumin labelled with 131I was used as a tracer. A significant difference between the groups was found in the following parameters: The clofibrate-treated group had a prolonged rapid component (t1 1/2) of the disappearance curve (p less than 0.05), relatively increased albumin in the extravascular space (i.e. decreased distribution ratio, p less than 0.01) and increased extravascular albumin space when corrected for body size by calculating it as per cent of the extravascular bromide space (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the groups in albumin synthesis, fractional catabolic rate or the slow component (t2 1/2) of the disappearance curve. The results suggest that long-term treatment with clofibrate causes changes in the intercellular matrix.", "PMID": 636914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10959", "title": "Neuropsychological findings with pseudoxanthoma elasticum.", "content": "It has been reported that the disease pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is associated with a high incidence of neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, which are possibly due to cerebrovascular ischemia. These reports are based mainly upon clinical observations made without reference to control group data. We have compared the results of 27 PXE patients with results of a control group on a battery of objective neuropsychological and personality tests. The PXE group showed only very mild deficits on extensive neuropsychological testing, a finding which argues against any marked involvement of cerebral vessels in these patients. Similarly, the personality test results did not reveal significant psychiatric disturbances which could be attributed to PXE. Possible reasons for the descrepancy with previous reports include the subjective data and much older PXE patients on which those reports are based. The need for systematic neuropsychological research with older PXE patients and control groups is suggested.", "contents": "Neuropsychological findings with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. It has been reported that the disease pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is associated with a high incidence of neurologic and psychiatric symptoms, which are possibly due to cerebrovascular ischemia. These reports are based mainly upon clinical observations made without reference to control group data. We have compared the results of 27 PXE patients with results of a control group on a battery of objective neuropsychological and personality tests. The PXE group showed only very mild deficits on extensive neuropsychological testing, a finding which argues against any marked involvement of cerebral vessels in these patients. Similarly, the personality test results did not reveal significant psychiatric disturbances which could be attributed to PXE. Possible reasons for the descrepancy with previous reports include the subjective data and much older PXE patients on which those reports are based. The need for systematic neuropsychological research with older PXE patients and control groups is suggested.", "PMID": 636915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10960", "title": "Hypocalcaemia with zonular cataract due to idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. With a note on the prevalence of severe hypocalcaemia in a health screening.", "content": "A 59-year-old woman with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism who had tetany and zonular cataract is described. Twelve years ago she had had a period with cramps and convulsions, followed by an absence of symptoms for several years. Judging from the distance between the opacity of cataract and the surface of the lens, the onset of the cataract was estimated to have occurred 11 years ago and the apparent cessation of cataract development 10 years ago. It is suggested that the absence of hypocalcaemic symptoms during the last 10 years was associated with an increase in serum calcium levels, possibly connected with the onset of menopause. The occurrence of hypocalcaemia was analyzed in a health-screened population of 15 903 persons. Nine of the subjects were found to have a serum calcium level of less than 2.10 mmol/l, giving a prevalence of 0.6%0. None had primary hypoparathyroidism, which illustrates the rarity of this condition.", "contents": "Hypocalcaemia with zonular cataract due to idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. With a note on the prevalence of severe hypocalcaemia in a health screening. A 59-year-old woman with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism who had tetany and zonular cataract is described. Twelve years ago she had had a period with cramps and convulsions, followed by an absence of symptoms for several years. Judging from the distance between the opacity of cataract and the surface of the lens, the onset of the cataract was estimated to have occurred 11 years ago and the apparent cessation of cataract development 10 years ago. It is suggested that the absence of hypocalcaemic symptoms during the last 10 years was associated with an increase in serum calcium levels, possibly connected with the onset of menopause. The occurrence of hypocalcaemia was analyzed in a health-screened population of 15 903 persons. Nine of the subjects were found to have a serum calcium level of less than 2.10 mmol/l, giving a prevalence of 0.6%0. None had primary hypoparathyroidism, which illustrates the rarity of this condition.", "PMID": 636916} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10961", "title": "Acute interstitial nephritis during treatment with penicillin and cephalothin.", "content": "A case of non-oliguric acute interstitial nephritis during treatment with ampicillin, benzylpenicillin and cephalothin is reported. There were symptoms of drug hypersensitivity, including fever, exanthema, eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE. Renal biopsy showed marked interstitial edema and infiltration with numerous eosinophils, some mononuclear cells and giant cells, and scattered tubular damage, but normal glomeruli and vessels. There was no pathological deposition of immunoglobulins or complement in the renal tissue. Renal function recovered after withdrawal of antibiotics and treatment with steroids. The findings suggest a drug-induced, hypersensitivity-mediated pathogenesis of the renal lesions, with participation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunological reactions.", "contents": "Acute interstitial nephritis during treatment with penicillin and cephalothin. A case of non-oliguric acute interstitial nephritis during treatment with ampicillin, benzylpenicillin and cephalothin is reported. There were symptoms of drug hypersensitivity, including fever, exanthema, eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE. Renal biopsy showed marked interstitial edema and infiltration with numerous eosinophils, some mononuclear cells and giant cells, and scattered tubular damage, but normal glomeruli and vessels. There was no pathological deposition of immunoglobulins or complement in the renal tissue. Renal function recovered after withdrawal of antibiotics and treatment with steroids. The findings suggest a drug-induced, hypersensitivity-mediated pathogenesis of the renal lesions, with participation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunological reactions.", "PMID": 636917} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10962", "title": "Persistent hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency following acute meningoencephalitis. A report of two cases.", "content": "This report concerns two patients, a 43-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, who developed clinical as well as laboratory signs of permanent gonodal and thyroid failure following an acute intracranial infection--in the woman a meningoencephalitis of unknown origin, and in the man an encephalitis caused by Coxsackie B5. Endocrine investigations were compatible with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, with some of the results favoring a hypothalamic lesion. Perhaps hormone deficiency of hypothalamic and/or pituitary origin is a more common sequel of acute meningoencephalitis than has hitherto been reported.", "contents": "Persistent hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency following acute meningoencephalitis. A report of two cases. This report concerns two patients, a 43-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, who developed clinical as well as laboratory signs of permanent gonodal and thyroid failure following an acute intracranial infection--in the woman a meningoencephalitis of unknown origin, and in the man an encephalitis caused by Coxsackie B5. Endocrine investigations were compatible with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, with some of the results favoring a hypothalamic lesion. Perhaps hormone deficiency of hypothalamic and/or pituitary origin is a more common sequel of acute meningoencephalitis than has hitherto been reported.", "PMID": 636918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10963", "title": "Hemodynamic evaluation in acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Bedside right heart catheterization in patients with acute myocardial infarction and hemodynamic dysfunction provides a rational basis for therapy aimed at maximizing cardiac performance and limiting infarct size. Readily performed and associated with minimal risk, this diagnostic approach is primarily indicated when myocardial infarction is associated with evidence of hemodynamic dysfunction. It affords precise information on cardiac performance and prognosis, allows identification of specific complications such as ventricular septal defect and acute mitral regurgitation, and is of critical importance in selection of therapy. Hemodynamic monitoring is also essential for safe, effective application of certain forms of treatment such as vasodilator therapy for the failing ventricle.", "contents": "Hemodynamic evaluation in acute myocardial infarction. Bedside right heart catheterization in patients with acute myocardial infarction and hemodynamic dysfunction provides a rational basis for therapy aimed at maximizing cardiac performance and limiting infarct size. Readily performed and associated with minimal risk, this diagnostic approach is primarily indicated when myocardial infarction is associated with evidence of hemodynamic dysfunction. It affords precise information on cardiac performance and prognosis, allows identification of specific complications such as ventricular septal defect and acute mitral regurgitation, and is of critical importance in selection of therapy. Hemodynamic monitoring is also essential for safe, effective application of certain forms of treatment such as vasodilator therapy for the failing ventricle.", "PMID": 636920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10964", "title": "Progesterone receptors of chick oviduct.", "content": "The chick oviduct progesterone receptor has been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and its molecular action studied in vitro. The native receptor is a 200,000 MW dimer of two dissimilar 4S subunits with different intranuclear function. The receptors directly regulate RNA chain initiation sites in oviduct chromatin by interactions involving target tissue nuclear acceptor sites. There is a 1:1 correspondence between receptor \"acceptor\" sites and RNA sites. Only the dimer form of the receptor is active in vitro on chromatin templates. The study suggests a novel model for hormone action which can be tested directly in this system.", "contents": "Progesterone receptors of chick oviduct. The chick oviduct progesterone receptor has been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and its molecular action studied in vitro. The native receptor is a 200,000 MW dimer of two dissimilar 4S subunits with different intranuclear function. The receptors directly regulate RNA chain initiation sites in oviduct chromatin by interactions involving target tissue nuclear acceptor sites. There is a 1:1 correspondence between receptor \"acceptor\" sites and RNA sites. Only the dimer form of the receptor is active in vitro on chromatin templates. The study suggests a novel model for hormone action which can be tested directly in this system.", "PMID": 636924} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10965", "title": "Vitamin C and osteoporosis in old age.", "content": "In a study of 80 reasonably healthy geriatric day hospital attenders, a progressive decline with age in bone mass and ascorbic acid level was noted; however, they were not simultaneous in each individual and there was no statistically significant correlation. Ascorbic acid depletion is not a cause of osteoporosis in old age.", "contents": "Vitamin C and osteoporosis in old age. In a study of 80 reasonably healthy geriatric day hospital attenders, a progressive decline with age in bone mass and ascorbic acid level was noted; however, they were not simultaneous in each individual and there was no statistically significant correlation. Ascorbic acid depletion is not a cause of osteoporosis in old age.", "PMID": 636927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10966", "title": "Fracture of the femur in old age: A two-centre study of associated clinical factors and the cause of the fall.", "content": "All patients with fractured neck of the femur admitted to hospitals in two areas (North London and Manchester) in a period of one year have been examined--a total of 384 patients. Compared to control groups of similar age, the older fracture patients showed a higher prevalence of chronic brain syndrome, they were in poorer physical state and their skinfold thickness was less. They also had more unrecognized visual disorders. Those who were younger had a higher prevalence of stroke than comparable controls. The type of fall leading to the fracture varied with age--tripping was the commonest cause in the younger patients the 'drop attacks' in the older. Both stroke and partial sightedness were associated with falls due to loss of balance. The older patients had a very high prevalence of pyramidal tract abnormality associated with chronic brain syndrome--and it appears that these demented patients fall not because of mental confusion but because of associated motor abnormalities. Extra-capsular fractures occur in older patients. They are more likely to have a history of falls but previous fracture is equally common at this age in the fracture and control series.", "contents": "Fracture of the femur in old age: A two-centre study of associated clinical factors and the cause of the fall. All patients with fractured neck of the femur admitted to hospitals in two areas (North London and Manchester) in a period of one year have been examined--a total of 384 patients. Compared to control groups of similar age, the older fracture patients showed a higher prevalence of chronic brain syndrome, they were in poorer physical state and their skinfold thickness was less. They also had more unrecognized visual disorders. Those who were younger had a higher prevalence of stroke than comparable controls. The type of fall leading to the fracture varied with age--tripping was the commonest cause in the younger patients the 'drop attacks' in the older. Both stroke and partial sightedness were associated with falls due to loss of balance. The older patients had a very high prevalence of pyramidal tract abnormality associated with chronic brain syndrome--and it appears that these demented patients fall not because of mental confusion but because of associated motor abnormalities. Extra-capsular fractures occur in older patients. They are more likely to have a history of falls but previous fracture is equally common at this age in the fracture and control series.", "PMID": 636928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10967", "title": "A study of religious attitudes of the elderly.", "content": "A study is reported of the religious beliefs, attitudes, and practice of old people in the West of Scotland, based on a questionnaire given to 501 people aged 65 years and over randomly selected from those living at home. Almost all had had a full range of religious instruction, and regarded their parents as religious. Weekly church attendance was commoner among Catholics (70%) than Protestants (40%), among women than men, among those whose beliefs were those of organized religion, and among those with unrestricted mobility. The pattern of participation in church organizations and social activities was similar. A firm belief in an after-life was expressed by 80% of Catholics and 60% of Protestants, and higher proportions derived comfort from religion, especially in bereavement. Over 70% expressed no fear of their own death. In this elderly population, religious beliefs and attitudes remain important considerations, which should therefore be of concern to all those involved in the care of the elderly.", "contents": "A study of religious attitudes of the elderly. A study is reported of the religious beliefs, attitudes, and practice of old people in the West of Scotland, based on a questionnaire given to 501 people aged 65 years and over randomly selected from those living at home. Almost all had had a full range of religious instruction, and regarded their parents as religious. Weekly church attendance was commoner among Catholics (70%) than Protestants (40%), among women than men, among those whose beliefs were those of organized religion, and among those with unrestricted mobility. The pattern of participation in church organizations and social activities was similar. A firm belief in an after-life was expressed by 80% of Catholics and 60% of Protestants, and higher proportions derived comfort from religion, especially in bereavement. Over 70% expressed no fear of their own death. In this elderly population, religious beliefs and attitudes remain important considerations, which should therefore be of concern to all those involved in the care of the elderly.", "PMID": 636930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10968", "title": "A survey of the haematological, nutritional and biochemical state of the rural elderly with particular reference to vitamin C.", "content": "A survey of the rural elderly has been carried out to determine basic haematological and biochemical data, and to establish a pattern of living for this 'well' population. The blood parameters related to diet, such as haemoglobin, folate, cholesterol, vitamin C etc., show considerable changes with increasing age in the male but little significant change in the female. The vitamin C status for both sexes compares favourably with that reported by other workers studying the urban elderly. The biochemical and haematological data derived provide a normal range with which the 'sick' elderly can be compared. The subjects were generally active and independent in spite of (or because of) a somewhat Spartan existence.", "contents": "A survey of the haematological, nutritional and biochemical state of the rural elderly with particular reference to vitamin C. A survey of the rural elderly has been carried out to determine basic haematological and biochemical data, and to establish a pattern of living for this 'well' population. The blood parameters related to diet, such as haemoglobin, folate, cholesterol, vitamin C etc., show considerable changes with increasing age in the male but little significant change in the female. The vitamin C status for both sexes compares favourably with that reported by other workers studying the urban elderly. The biochemical and haematological data derived provide a normal range with which the 'sick' elderly can be compared. The subjects were generally active and independent in spite of (or because of) a somewhat Spartan existence.", "PMID": 636931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10969", "title": "Career plans of student physical therapists regarding geriatric medicine.", "content": "Questionnaires designed to evaluate experience in geriatric medicine and attitudes towards a career with a geriatric service were set to final-year students of eight schools of physical therapy. An analysis of replies indicates that many students are not sufficiently involved in the care of the elderly or with the practice of modern geriatric medicine. The majority of students preferred a career which involved both elderly and younger patients and work in geriatric rehabilitation wards and day hospitals.", "contents": "Career plans of student physical therapists regarding geriatric medicine. Questionnaires designed to evaluate experience in geriatric medicine and attitudes towards a career with a geriatric service were set to final-year students of eight schools of physical therapy. An analysis of replies indicates that many students are not sufficiently involved in the care of the elderly or with the practice of modern geriatric medicine. The majority of students preferred a career which involved both elderly and younger patients and work in geriatric rehabilitation wards and day hospitals.", "PMID": 636932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10970", "title": "Changes in rectal temperature of the rabbit by intracerebroventricular injection of bradykinin and related kinins.", "content": "The effects of intracerebrovascular injections of bradykinin (BK), lysyl-bradykinin (L-BK), methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin (ML-BK) and des-arginyl-bradykinin (Des-Arg9-BK) on the rectal temperature of rabbits were investigated. A linear dose-response curve could be obtained with bradykinin. Equimolar doses to BK of L-BK and ML-BK gave responses of the rectal temperature undistinguishable from those of BK. In contrast, the smaller polypeptide Des-Arg9-BK did not show any hyperthermic properties. Since prostaglandins (PG) are known to potentiate (facilitate) the peripheral effects of BK and display a hyperthermic action, their synthesis being inhibited by antipyretics, we studied the effect of indomethacin and paracetamol on the BK-induced rise in rectal temperature in rabbits. It could be shown that these drugs inhibited partially the response to BK. The possible participation of BK in thermoregulation will be discussed.", "contents": "Changes in rectal temperature of the rabbit by intracerebroventricular injection of bradykinin and related kinins. The effects of intracerebrovascular injections of bradykinin (BK), lysyl-bradykinin (L-BK), methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin (ML-BK) and des-arginyl-bradykinin (Des-Arg9-BK) on the rectal temperature of rabbits were investigated. A linear dose-response curve could be obtained with bradykinin. Equimolar doses to BK of L-BK and ML-BK gave responses of the rectal temperature undistinguishable from those of BK. In contrast, the smaller polypeptide Des-Arg9-BK did not show any hyperthermic properties. Since prostaglandins (PG) are known to potentiate (facilitate) the peripheral effects of BK and display a hyperthermic action, their synthesis being inhibited by antipyretics, we studied the effect of indomethacin and paracetamol on the BK-induced rise in rectal temperature in rabbits. It could be shown that these drugs inhibited partially the response to BK. The possible participation of BK in thermoregulation will be discussed.", "PMID": 636933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10971", "title": "Mechanism of the pulmonary edema induced by intravenous injection of scorpion toxin in the rat.", "content": "The intravenous injection of purified scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTX) into unanesthetized rats induces a severe systemic hypertension followed by a hemorrhagic edema of the lungs. The edema is focal or diffuse, whereas the hemorrhage is always focal and less prominent than the edema. Anesthesia of the rats prevents the appearance of pulmonary edema. It seems likely that this protective action of the anesthesia is due, at least in part, to an interference with the hypertension induced by TsTX. The pulmonary edema is prevented by bilateral adrenalectomy, guanethidine or phenoxybenzamine. It is suggested that the edema depends on a sympathetic-adrenal discharge and that catecholamines released by TsTX act on alpha adrenergic receptors. The mean kininogen content of the rat plasma, 1 h after TsTX injection, is not significantly different from that found in the control animals. The possible role played by kinins and other mediators in the early phases of the pulmonary edema induced by TsTX is under investigation.", "contents": "Mechanism of the pulmonary edema induced by intravenous injection of scorpion toxin in the rat. The intravenous injection of purified scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTX) into unanesthetized rats induces a severe systemic hypertension followed by a hemorrhagic edema of the lungs. The edema is focal or diffuse, whereas the hemorrhage is always focal and less prominent than the edema. Anesthesia of the rats prevents the appearance of pulmonary edema. It seems likely that this protective action of the anesthesia is due, at least in part, to an interference with the hypertension induced by TsTX. The pulmonary edema is prevented by bilateral adrenalectomy, guanethidine or phenoxybenzamine. It is suggested that the edema depends on a sympathetic-adrenal discharge and that catecholamines released by TsTX act on alpha adrenergic receptors. The mean kininogen content of the rat plasma, 1 h after TsTX injection, is not significantly different from that found in the control animals. The possible role played by kinins and other mediators in the early phases of the pulmonary edema induced by TsTX is under investigation.", "PMID": 636935} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10972", "title": "Effect of scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTx) on the salivary gland of the rat, in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Intravenous injection of purified scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTX) brings about the appearance of salivary flow and of kallikrein and amylase secretion in the saliva of rats. In experiments performed in vitro, using slices of parotid gland, a dose-response curve correlating tityustoxin concentration with kallikrein and amylase activities was obtained. The secretion of kallikrein is slower and smaller than that of amylase after up to 60 min of incubation. Experiments in which propranolol, phenoxybenzamine or atropine were injected into rats or added to parotid gland slices showed that the release of kallikrein is more dependent on cholinergic mechanisms, whereas the release of amylase is mainly related to adrenergic effects. Pre-treatment of the animals with reserpine confirms these results. The actions of tityustoxin on the kallikrein and amylase secretions, per min, are more effective than those by pilocarpine and isoproterenol, respectively.", "contents": "Effect of scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTx) on the salivary gland of the rat, in vivo and in vitro. Intravenous injection of purified scorpion toxin (tityustoxin, TsTX) brings about the appearance of salivary flow and of kallikrein and amylase secretion in the saliva of rats. In experiments performed in vitro, using slices of parotid gland, a dose-response curve correlating tityustoxin concentration with kallikrein and amylase activities was obtained. The secretion of kallikrein is slower and smaller than that of amylase after up to 60 min of incubation. Experiments in which propranolol, phenoxybenzamine or atropine were injected into rats or added to parotid gland slices showed that the release of kallikrein is more dependent on cholinergic mechanisms, whereas the release of amylase is mainly related to adrenergic effects. Pre-treatment of the animals with reserpine confirms these results. The actions of tityustoxin on the kallikrein and amylase secretions, per min, are more effective than those by pilocarpine and isoproterenol, respectively.", "PMID": 636936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10973", "title": "Naturally occurring low molecular weight inhibitors of neutral proteinases from PMN-granulocytes and of kallikreins.", "content": "Human mucous secretions contain low molecular weight (Mr approximately 11,000) acid-stable inhibitors directed against elastase and cathepsin G from PMN-granulocytes. Important biochemical properties of these inhibitors are presented and their possible biological function is discussed. An inhibitor of glandular and plasma kallikreins preventing kinin-liberation from kininogen but not ester hydrolysis was obtained from rat kidney tubules. A molecular weight of about 4700 was estimated for this kallikrein-specific inhibitor (trypsin-induced kinin-liberation is not prevented).", "contents": "Naturally occurring low molecular weight inhibitors of neutral proteinases from PMN-granulocytes and of kallikreins. Human mucous secretions contain low molecular weight (Mr approximately 11,000) acid-stable inhibitors directed against elastase and cathepsin G from PMN-granulocytes. Important biochemical properties of these inhibitors are presented and their possible biological function is discussed. An inhibitor of glandular and plasma kallikreins preventing kinin-liberation from kininogen but not ester hydrolysis was obtained from rat kidney tubules. A molecular weight of about 4700 was estimated for this kallikrein-specific inhibitor (trypsin-induced kinin-liberation is not prevented).", "PMID": 636956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10974", "title": "Surface activation of factor XII (Hageman factor)--critical role of high molecular weight kininogen and another potentiator).", "content": "When factor XII was adsorbed to kaolin it slowly became activated and converted prekallikrein to kallikrein. In the presence of HMW-kininogen the rate of activation of factor XII and consequently that of prekallikrein was markedly enhanced. The enhancing effect of HMW-kininogen was a dose-dependent phenomenon. In order to enhance the activation of factor XII on a surface the HMW-kininogen molecule had to be intact. Cleavage of HMW-kininogen by kallikrein decreased the enhancing effect of HMW-kininogen, there being an inverse relation between the bradykinin-generated and the capacity to enhance factor XII activation. Another 'potentiator' of factor XII activation was isolated from proteins adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. This potentiator further increased the activation of factor XII, also in a dose-dependent fashion. It was postulated that factor XII is slowly converted into its active form by exposure to negatively charged surfaces; that this process is enhanced by kallikrein and further accelerated by HMW-kininogen and the 'potentiator'; and that these enhancing substances probably act by opening active sites on the factor XII molecule.", "contents": "Surface activation of factor XII (Hageman factor)--critical role of high molecular weight kininogen and another potentiator). When factor XII was adsorbed to kaolin it slowly became activated and converted prekallikrein to kallikrein. In the presence of HMW-kininogen the rate of activation of factor XII and consequently that of prekallikrein was markedly enhanced. The enhancing effect of HMW-kininogen was a dose-dependent phenomenon. In order to enhance the activation of factor XII on a surface the HMW-kininogen molecule had to be intact. Cleavage of HMW-kininogen by kallikrein decreased the enhancing effect of HMW-kininogen, there being an inverse relation between the bradykinin-generated and the capacity to enhance factor XII activation. Another 'potentiator' of factor XII activation was isolated from proteins adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. This potentiator further increased the activation of factor XII, also in a dose-dependent fashion. It was postulated that factor XII is slowly converted into its active form by exposure to negatively charged surfaces; that this process is enhanced by kallikrein and further accelerated by HMW-kininogen and the 'potentiator'; and that these enhancing substances probably act by opening active sites on the factor XII molecule.", "PMID": 636957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10975", "title": "An aminopeptidase of human neutrophil leucocytes--its possible role in enhanced vascular permeability.", "content": "An aminopeptidase of human leukocyte lysosomes was partially purified by chromatography on SP-Sephadex, Sephadex G-200 and QAE-Sephadex. By QAE-Sephadex and isolelectric focusing it showed microheterogeneity, focusing at pH 3.7 and 4.1. By gel filtration its molecular weight was estimated to be approx. 200,000. The enzyme had leucine amino peptidase activity and pharmacological assays indicated that it converted lysyl- or methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin to bradykinin. Conversion of lysyl-bradykinin to bradykinin could be confirmed also by chromatography on CM-cellulose. When the neutrophil-derived enzyme acted on methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin it increased its effect of enhancing vascular permeability, when injected intradermally into guinea pits. Thus the enzyme may play a role in neutrophil leukocyte-mediated vascular phenomena of the inflammatory reaction.", "contents": "An aminopeptidase of human neutrophil leucocytes--its possible role in enhanced vascular permeability. An aminopeptidase of human leukocyte lysosomes was partially purified by chromatography on SP-Sephadex, Sephadex G-200 and QAE-Sephadex. By QAE-Sephadex and isolelectric focusing it showed microheterogeneity, focusing at pH 3.7 and 4.1. By gel filtration its molecular weight was estimated to be approx. 200,000. The enzyme had leucine amino peptidase activity and pharmacological assays indicated that it converted lysyl- or methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin to bradykinin. Conversion of lysyl-bradykinin to bradykinin could be confirmed also by chromatography on CM-cellulose. When the neutrophil-derived enzyme acted on methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin it increased its effect of enhancing vascular permeability, when injected intradermally into guinea pits. Thus the enzyme may play a role in neutrophil leukocyte-mediated vascular phenomena of the inflammatory reaction.", "PMID": 636959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10976", "title": "The biochemistry of lymphocyte-derived mediators of immunological inflammation.", "content": "Evidence is presented to indicate that there exists in lymphoid tissue, as a result of transforming lymphocytes, a new lymphokine which is chemotactically specific for lymphocytes, called 'lymphotactin'. Lymphotactin has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity; has a molecular weight of 10,500 D and an isoelectric point of 5.9. Its role in amplifying the immune defense system by recruitment of naive lymphocytes into propinquity with the challenging antigens is suggested. Purification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor from thymus extracts to electrophoretic homogeneity leads to a compound of molecular weight of 36,500 D and an IEP of 6.9. Chemically it contains sialic acid and o-methyl glucopyranoside as its only carbohydrates. Purified MIF activates the macrophage phagocytically. Skin reactive factor and lymph node permeability factor have been isolated and purified and are found to be inhibited by pepstatin and antihistamine and to have an isoelectric point of pH 4.2 and a molecular weight of 50,000--100,000 D. It is believed that this anionic permeability increasing agent actually arises from the lysosomes of macrophages and lymphoblasts (the normal small lymphocyte having essentially no lysosomal organelles). The mononuclear cell infiltration characteristic of crude SRF and LNPF may proceed from their being contaminated with lymphotactin.", "contents": "The biochemistry of lymphocyte-derived mediators of immunological inflammation. Evidence is presented to indicate that there exists in lymphoid tissue, as a result of transforming lymphocytes, a new lymphokine which is chemotactically specific for lymphocytes, called 'lymphotactin'. Lymphotactin has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity; has a molecular weight of 10,500 D and an isoelectric point of 5.9. Its role in amplifying the immune defense system by recruitment of naive lymphocytes into propinquity with the challenging antigens is suggested. Purification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor from thymus extracts to electrophoretic homogeneity leads to a compound of molecular weight of 36,500 D and an IEP of 6.9. Chemically it contains sialic acid and o-methyl glucopyranoside as its only carbohydrates. Purified MIF activates the macrophage phagocytically. Skin reactive factor and lymph node permeability factor have been isolated and purified and are found to be inhibited by pepstatin and antihistamine and to have an isoelectric point of pH 4.2 and a molecular weight of 50,000--100,000 D. It is believed that this anionic permeability increasing agent actually arises from the lysosomes of macrophages and lymphoblasts (the normal small lymphocyte having essentially no lysosomal organelles). The mononuclear cell infiltration characteristic of crude SRF and LNPF may proceed from their being contaminated with lymphotactin.", "PMID": 636958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10977", "title": "Inflammatory models in rats depleted of endogenous precursors of prostaglandins.", "content": "Inflammatory models in rats, depleted of prostaglandin precursors, are discussed as a novel approach to investigate anti-inflammatory drug mechanisms independent of interaction with the production of prostaglandins and to study the ambivalent (pro- or anti-inflammatory) role of endogenous prostaglandins.", "contents": "Inflammatory models in rats depleted of endogenous precursors of prostaglandins. Inflammatory models in rats, depleted of prostaglandin precursors, are discussed as a novel approach to investigate anti-inflammatory drug mechanisms independent of interaction with the production of prostaglandins and to study the ambivalent (pro- or anti-inflammatory) role of endogenous prostaglandins.", "PMID": 636960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10978", "title": "Biofeedback treatment of orofacial dysfunction: a preliminary study.", "content": "One quadriparetic patient and three hemiparetic patients, who were two-months, one-year, and three-year's post-stroke, respectively, were involved in a study to compare the effectivess of electromyographic biofeedback versus mirror feedback in correcting orofacial dysfunction. The results of this study support the use of electromyographic biofeedback as an adjunctive tool in muscle reeducation, demonstrate the value of its application by trained allied health professionals, and raise questions for further research.", "contents": "Biofeedback treatment of orofacial dysfunction: a preliminary study. One quadriparetic patient and three hemiparetic patients, who were two-months, one-year, and three-year's post-stroke, respectively, were involved in a study to compare the effectivess of electromyographic biofeedback versus mirror feedback in correcting orofacial dysfunction. The results of this study support the use of electromyographic biofeedback as an adjunctive tool in muscle reeducation, demonstrate the value of its application by trained allied health professionals, and raise questions for further research.", "PMID": 636967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10979", "title": "Olfaction in health & disease.", "content": "The significance of olfaction is frequently overlooked by health professionals. The purpose of this presentation is to briefly review the neurophysiology of olfaction, survey the relevant research, and present specific implications for occupational therapists working in both physical disabilities and psychiatric settings.", "contents": "Olfaction in health & disease. The significance of olfaction is frequently overlooked by health professionals. The purpose of this presentation is to briefly review the neurophysiology of olfaction, survey the relevant research, and present specific implications for occupational therapists working in both physical disabilities and psychiatric settings.", "PMID": 636968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10980", "title": "Learning style preferences of occupational therapy students.", "content": "Fifty-five undergraduate and 22 graduate students in occupational therapy were surveyed by using the Canfield-Lafferty Learning Styles Inventory. The results of the study indicate that their learning style preferences favor the learning conditions that permit knowing and liking the instructor personally, setting one's own objectives, and working alone and independently. The highest content and mode preferences for learning were working with people and engaging in direct experience, respectively. The lowest content and mode preferences were for working with numbers and for reading. Achievement expectations for grades were A and B. The findings are discussed.", "contents": "Learning style preferences of occupational therapy students. Fifty-five undergraduate and 22 graduate students in occupational therapy were surveyed by using the Canfield-Lafferty Learning Styles Inventory. The results of the study indicate that their learning style preferences favor the learning conditions that permit knowing and liking the instructor personally, setting one's own objectives, and working alone and independently. The highest content and mode preferences for learning were working with people and engaging in direct experience, respectively. The lowest content and mode preferences were for working with numbers and for reading. Achievement expectations for grades were A and B. The findings are discussed.", "PMID": 636969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10981", "title": "The effect of restricted manipulative experience on problem solving.", "content": "The literature has described restricted active movement as a contributing factor to a general state of distress, behavioral disruption, and cognitive disturbance under experimental conditions and suggests similar effects may result from chronic illness or physical disability. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of short-term restructed active movement in the upper extremities, specifically with regard to object manipulation, on problem-solving ability. A two-factor design was employed involving 60 male college students ranging in age from 18 to 24. The variables were: restricted versus free manipulation, and easy versus difficult arrangements of a Dunker-type candle problem. An analysis of the variance revealed no significant interaction between problem difficulty and manipulative condition. The restricted manipulation condition produced significantly lower solution times than the free manipulation condition. Observations on the significance of sensory experience arising from active movement and relevant implications for the health care professions are discussed.", "contents": "The effect of restricted manipulative experience on problem solving. The literature has described restricted active movement as a contributing factor to a general state of distress, behavioral disruption, and cognitive disturbance under experimental conditions and suggests similar effects may result from chronic illness or physical disability. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of short-term restructed active movement in the upper extremities, specifically with regard to object manipulation, on problem-solving ability. A two-factor design was employed involving 60 male college students ranging in age from 18 to 24. The variables were: restricted versus free manipulation, and easy versus difficult arrangements of a Dunker-type candle problem. An analysis of the variance revealed no significant interaction between problem difficulty and manipulative condition. The restricted manipulation condition produced significantly lower solution times than the free manipulation condition. Observations on the significance of sensory experience arising from active movement and relevant implications for the health care professions are discussed.", "PMID": 636970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10982", "title": "Technology transfer: from space exploration to occupational therapy.", "content": "The technologies developed for the United States space exploration program are frequently adapted for use in other fields, including occupational therapy. For example, technologies transferred from the space program to occupational therapy include a special foam material, developed for space vehicle seating, that is now used as a padding for orthopedic and prosthetic devices; and a control switch, developed for astronauts immobilized by the force of gravity, that has been adapted for use by paralyzed patients. These and similar space technology spinoffs and the several technology utilization programs that help provide new aerospace solutions to health-care problems are discussed in this article.", "contents": "Technology transfer: from space exploration to occupational therapy. The technologies developed for the United States space exploration program are frequently adapted for use in other fields, including occupational therapy. For example, technologies transferred from the space program to occupational therapy include a special foam material, developed for space vehicle seating, that is now used as a padding for orthopedic and prosthetic devices; and a control switch, developed for astronauts immobilized by the force of gravity, that has been adapted for use by paralyzed patients. These and similar space technology spinoffs and the several technology utilization programs that help provide new aerospace solutions to health-care problems are discussed in this article.", "PMID": 636971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10983", "title": "Traction splint for maximum interphalangeal joint flexion.", "content": "Several splints are being used, both dynamic and static, for the purpose of increasing finger flexion. The joints affected by the splint as well as the maximum degree of motion feasible vary with the splint design. This paper suggests a splint design for which the specific goal is maximum flexion of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints (DIP and PIP) while maintaining metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) flexion.", "contents": "Traction splint for maximum interphalangeal joint flexion. Several splints are being used, both dynamic and static, for the purpose of increasing finger flexion. The joints affected by the splint as well as the maximum degree of motion feasible vary with the splint design. This paper suggests a splint design for which the specific goal is maximum flexion of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joints (DIP and PIP) while maintaining metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) flexion.", "PMID": 636972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10984", "title": "A seating position for a cerebral-palsied child.", "content": "An alternate seating position for the cerebral-palsied child who is less impaired in the lower extremities than in the upper extremities is discussed in this article. A straightback wooden chair adapted with armrests, a hip restrainer, and a lapboard with a removable midsection panel, plus an elevated slantboard, provided versatility and was functional as well. This adapted seat not only permits the child greater selfmobility but offers a basic, proper position for activities such as reading, self-feeding--with some assistance, typing, writing, or playing--in other words, proper posture, self-propulsion, eye-foot and eye-hand skills are facilitated.", "contents": "A seating position for a cerebral-palsied child. An alternate seating position for the cerebral-palsied child who is less impaired in the lower extremities than in the upper extremities is discussed in this article. A straightback wooden chair adapted with armrests, a hip restrainer, and a lapboard with a removable midsection panel, plus an elevated slantboard, provided versatility and was functional as well. This adapted seat not only permits the child greater selfmobility but offers a basic, proper position for activities such as reading, self-feeding--with some assistance, typing, writing, or playing--in other words, proper posture, self-propulsion, eye-foot and eye-hand skills are facilitated.", "PMID": 636973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10985", "title": "\"Silent\" myocardial ischemia during and after exercise testing in patients with coronary artery disease.", "content": "Although many patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a positive exercise test without pain, the frequency and significance of this \"silent\" ischemia is unclear. Therefore, we studied 122 consecutive clinically stable patients with angiographically defined CAD (greater than 75 per cent luminal stenosis) and a positive exercise test. Seventy-eight patients had pain or anginal equivalent during or after a positive exercise test; 44 did not, including 32 (26 per cent) with no symptoms at all. Patients were evaluated as to age, sex, prior myocardial infarction, congestive failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and digoxin or propranolol therapy--in addition to anginal symptoms before, during, or after the exercise itself. Extent of CAD, presence of collaterals, and left ventricular ejection fraction were also determined. All exercise tests were evaluated for evidence of ST-T abnormalities or prior infarction on the control ECG as well as peak heart rate during exercise and post-exercise degree of ST segment depression. There were no significant differences between patients with and without exercise-induced pain in regard to any of the clinical and angiographic features noted above, demonstrating that \"silent\" myocardial ischemia during or after exercise testing is not uncommon and is not readily attributable to any obvious clinical or catheterization findings. Further studies are necessary to determine if patients with evidence of \"silent\" myocardial ischemia are especially prone to sudden death.", "contents": "\"Silent\" myocardial ischemia during and after exercise testing in patients with coronary artery disease. Although many patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a positive exercise test without pain, the frequency and significance of this \"silent\" ischemia is unclear. Therefore, we studied 122 consecutive clinically stable patients with angiographically defined CAD (greater than 75 per cent luminal stenosis) and a positive exercise test. Seventy-eight patients had pain or anginal equivalent during or after a positive exercise test; 44 did not, including 32 (26 per cent) with no symptoms at all. Patients were evaluated as to age, sex, prior myocardial infarction, congestive failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and digoxin or propranolol therapy--in addition to anginal symptoms before, during, or after the exercise itself. Extent of CAD, presence of collaterals, and left ventricular ejection fraction were also determined. All exercise tests were evaluated for evidence of ST-T abnormalities or prior infarction on the control ECG as well as peak heart rate during exercise and post-exercise degree of ST segment depression. There were no significant differences between patients with and without exercise-induced pain in regard to any of the clinical and angiographic features noted above, demonstrating that \"silent\" myocardial ischemia during or after exercise testing is not uncommon and is not readily attributable to any obvious clinical or catheterization findings. Further studies are necessary to determine if patients with evidence of \"silent\" myocardial ischemia are especially prone to sudden death.", "PMID": 636980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10986", "title": "Bacterial endocarditis: an analysis of factors affecting long-term survival.", "content": "The records of 108 patients treated for bacterial endocarditis were reviewed. Six were diagnosed at autopsy and had not been treated for endocarditis. Of the 102 treated patients, 32 died during the first 30 days and 32 more were dead by 365 days. Although some reports indicate a much greater survival rate, our findings are more in keeping with those reports giving a rather poor long-term outlook for patients with endocarditis.", "contents": "Bacterial endocarditis: an analysis of factors affecting long-term survival. The records of 108 patients treated for bacterial endocarditis were reviewed. Six were diagnosed at autopsy and had not been treated for endocarditis. Of the 102 treated patients, 32 died during the first 30 days and 32 more were dead by 365 days. Although some reports indicate a much greater survival rate, our findings are more in keeping with those reports giving a rather poor long-term outlook for patients with endocarditis.", "PMID": 636981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10987", "title": "Influence of etiology on the functional result of aortic valve replacement.", "content": "The functional result of aortic valve replacement has been assessed in patients treated for isolated aortic incompetence. Using maximal oxygen uptake as an index of myocardial function, a significant difference (p less than .05) exists between the patients who had Q fever endocarditis on the one hand and those who had bacterial endocarditis or rheumatic fever on the other hand. We believe that permanent myocardial damage occurs as a result of bacterial endocarditis and rheumatic fever but because of the biological properties of Coxiella burnetii the myocardium is spared in Q fever endocarditis.", "contents": "Influence of etiology on the functional result of aortic valve replacement. The functional result of aortic valve replacement has been assessed in patients treated for isolated aortic incompetence. Using maximal oxygen uptake as an index of myocardial function, a significant difference (p less than .05) exists between the patients who had Q fever endocarditis on the one hand and those who had bacterial endocarditis or rheumatic fever on the other hand. We believe that permanent myocardial damage occurs as a result of bacterial endocarditis and rheumatic fever but because of the biological properties of Coxiella burnetii the myocardium is spared in Q fever endocarditis.", "PMID": 636982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10988", "title": "Coronary artery spasm and mitral valve prolapse.", "content": "Ten patients, representing 1.34 per cent of those patients undergoing selective coronary arteriography, were found to have unequivocal evidence of coronary artery spasm. This involved the proximal right coronary artery in eight patients, the mid-left anterior descending branch in one, and the left main coronary artery in one. Eight of these 10 patients had otherwise normal coronary arteries. Of these 10 patients with coronary artery spasm, nine had evidence of mitral valve prolapse. This involved the posteromedial scallop in six patients; the anterolateral and posteromedial scallops in one; the middle and posteromedial scallops in one; and the anterolateral, middle, and posteromedial scallops in one. These data suggest an association between coronary artery spasm and mitral valve prolapse. Coronary artery spasm may thus be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the chest pain, arrhythmias, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and sudden death, that have already been described in some patients with mitral valve prolapse.", "contents": "Coronary artery spasm and mitral valve prolapse. Ten patients, representing 1.34 per cent of those patients undergoing selective coronary arteriography, were found to have unequivocal evidence of coronary artery spasm. This involved the proximal right coronary artery in eight patients, the mid-left anterior descending branch in one, and the left main coronary artery in one. Eight of these 10 patients had otherwise normal coronary arteries. Of these 10 patients with coronary artery spasm, nine had evidence of mitral valve prolapse. This involved the posteromedial scallop in six patients; the anterolateral and posteromedial scallops in one; the middle and posteromedial scallops in one; and the anterolateral, middle, and posteromedial scallops in one. These data suggest an association between coronary artery spasm and mitral valve prolapse. Coronary artery spasm may thus be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the chest pain, arrhythmias, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and sudden death, that have already been described in some patients with mitral valve prolapse.", "PMID": 636983} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10989", "title": "Electrode position effects on Frank lead electrocardiograms.", "content": "Frank lead electrocardiograms were recorded from 149 normal and abnormal adult males using four different electrode placements. All chest electrodes were placed at: (1) the fourth intercostal space level, (2) the fifth intercostal space level, (3) the fourth intercostal space level with V4 substituted for C, and (4) the fifth intercostal space level with V4 substituted for C. Differences in mean values of many commonly used amplitudes and orientations were not statistically significant among the four recording methods, but amplitude differences for individual subjects were often large and difficult to predict. When V4 is substituted for C, as commonly done in some laboratories, Rx decreased and Rz increased by more than 10 per cent in about 40 per cent of the cases. In about 70 per cent of the cases, Rx and Rz changed significantly when electrode level was shifted from the fifth to the fourth intercostal space. For these 70 per cent, it does not appear possible to accurately predict increase or decrease of Rx, Rz, or QRSm. Analysis programs which depend on individual amplitude measurements are likely to be significantly affected by electrode placement. It is suggested that criteria for analysis programs developed using a specified version of the Frank system should ideally be applied only to electrocardiograms recorded in the same manner.", "contents": "Electrode position effects on Frank lead electrocardiograms. Frank lead electrocardiograms were recorded from 149 normal and abnormal adult males using four different electrode placements. All chest electrodes were placed at: (1) the fourth intercostal space level, (2) the fifth intercostal space level, (3) the fourth intercostal space level with V4 substituted for C, and (4) the fifth intercostal space level with V4 substituted for C. Differences in mean values of many commonly used amplitudes and orientations were not statistically significant among the four recording methods, but amplitude differences for individual subjects were often large and difficult to predict. When V4 is substituted for C, as commonly done in some laboratories, Rx decreased and Rz increased by more than 10 per cent in about 40 per cent of the cases. In about 70 per cent of the cases, Rx and Rz changed significantly when electrode level was shifted from the fifth to the fourth intercostal space. For these 70 per cent, it does not appear possible to accurately predict increase or decrease of Rx, Rz, or QRSm. Analysis programs which depend on individual amplitude measurements are likely to be significantly affected by electrode placement. It is suggested that criteria for analysis programs developed using a specified version of the Frank system should ideally be applied only to electrocardiograms recorded in the same manner.", "PMID": 636984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10990", "title": "Lidocaine-induced cardiac rate changes in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.", "content": "To assess atrial and ventricular rate changes after lidocaine injection, 18 atrial flutter patients and 35 atrial fibrillation patients were given intravenous lidocaine, mean dose 100 mg. Continuous electrocardiographic recording for 5 minutes before and at least 10 minutes after lidocaine injection was used to determine rate changes. The atrial flutter rate decreased after lidocaine in 17 of 18 patients (94 per cent), mean maximal decrease 27 beats/minute. The ventricular rate response in atrial flutter was variable but in three patients increased 21, 27, and 47 beats/minute respectively (P less than 0.001). In atrial fibrillation, the mean ventricular rate after rapid lidocaine injection increased six beats/minute (P less than 0.01). In three of 35 atrial fibrillation patients (9 per cent), the ventricular rate increase was greater than 20 beats/minute (P less than 0.001), and in two patients (6 per cent), the ventricular rate increase was associated with potentially serious clinical events. Lidocaine-induced ventricular rate increases are common in atrial flutter and fibrillation, particularly in patients who are also receiving quinidine.", "contents": "Lidocaine-induced cardiac rate changes in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. To assess atrial and ventricular rate changes after lidocaine injection, 18 atrial flutter patients and 35 atrial fibrillation patients were given intravenous lidocaine, mean dose 100 mg. Continuous electrocardiographic recording for 5 minutes before and at least 10 minutes after lidocaine injection was used to determine rate changes. The atrial flutter rate decreased after lidocaine in 17 of 18 patients (94 per cent), mean maximal decrease 27 beats/minute. The ventricular rate response in atrial flutter was variable but in three patients increased 21, 27, and 47 beats/minute respectively (P less than 0.001). In atrial fibrillation, the mean ventricular rate after rapid lidocaine injection increased six beats/minute (P less than 0.01). In three of 35 atrial fibrillation patients (9 per cent), the ventricular rate increase was greater than 20 beats/minute (P less than 0.001), and in two patients (6 per cent), the ventricular rate increase was associated with potentially serious clinical events. Lidocaine-induced ventricular rate increases are common in atrial flutter and fibrillation, particularly in patients who are also receiving quinidine.", "PMID": 636985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10991", "title": "Cholelithiasis: a frequent complication of artificial heart valve replacement.", "content": "The results of this investigation reveal that 39 per cent of patients in a study group of 46 patients with heart valve prostheses had gallstones if they survived 18 months or longer following valve replacement. In contrast, the prevalence of gallstones in a general population of autopsied rheumatic heart disease patients, including those who had been operated for severe valvular heart disease and had not survived for more than one month, was only 12 per cent. These findings suggest that gallstones are a frequent late complication of heart valve replacement.", "contents": "Cholelithiasis: a frequent complication of artificial heart valve replacement. The results of this investigation reveal that 39 per cent of patients in a study group of 46 patients with heart valve prostheses had gallstones if they survived 18 months or longer following valve replacement. In contrast, the prevalence of gallstones in a general population of autopsied rheumatic heart disease patients, including those who had been operated for severe valvular heart disease and had not survived for more than one month, was only 12 per cent. These findings suggest that gallstones are a frequent late complication of heart valve replacement.", "PMID": 636986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10992", "title": "The influence of atrial systole on ventricular capture by failing artificial pacemakers. II. Experimental observations.", "content": "The mechanism by which atrial systeole influences the efficacy of ventricular capture by a failing pacemaker was investigated in 12 dogs with atrioventricular heart block. Atrial systole caused facilitation of ventricular capture in eight dogs, and inhibition of capture in 10 dogs. Interpolating atrial extrasystoles caused an enhancement or depression of the hemodynamic performance of the atrial systole that affected the efficacy of the pacemaker stimulus. These interpolation experiments showed that atrial systole influenced the efficacy of capture by a mechanical mechanism and not by an electrotonic mechanism. Atrial systole probably caused motion of the endocardial pacing catheter and/or ventricular myocardium. This motion increased or decreased the contact between the pacing electrode and the endocardium with subsequent changes in the efficacy of capture. In three dogs with pacing through epicardial electrodes, atrial systole had no effect on the efficacy of capture.", "contents": "The influence of atrial systole on ventricular capture by failing artificial pacemakers. II. Experimental observations. The mechanism by which atrial systeole influences the efficacy of ventricular capture by a failing pacemaker was investigated in 12 dogs with atrioventricular heart block. Atrial systole caused facilitation of ventricular capture in eight dogs, and inhibition of capture in 10 dogs. Interpolating atrial extrasystoles caused an enhancement or depression of the hemodynamic performance of the atrial systole that affected the efficacy of the pacemaker stimulus. These interpolation experiments showed that atrial systole influenced the efficacy of capture by a mechanical mechanism and not by an electrotonic mechanism. Atrial systole probably caused motion of the endocardial pacing catheter and/or ventricular myocardium. This motion increased or decreased the contact between the pacing electrode and the endocardium with subsequent changes in the efficacy of capture. In three dogs with pacing through epicardial electrodes, atrial systole had no effect on the efficacy of capture.", "PMID": 636987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10993", "title": "Systemic hypertension after surgical treatment of a congenital arteriovenous malformation.", "content": "The development of systemic hypertension, in an eight-year-old girl, after resection of a large arteriovenous malformation, is described. The hypertension was related to an elevated plasma renin activity and was controlled with propranolol. A possible mechanism for the rise in plasma renin activity is postulated.", "contents": "Systemic hypertension after surgical treatment of a congenital arteriovenous malformation. The development of systemic hypertension, in an eight-year-old girl, after resection of a large arteriovenous malformation, is described. The hypertension was related to an elevated plasma renin activity and was controlled with propranolol. A possible mechanism for the rise in plasma renin activity is postulated.", "PMID": 636988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10994", "title": "Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death with normal coronary arteries: a clinicopathologic study of 9 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.", "content": "The syndrome of angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary artery disease has been the subject of much interest. We studied nine autopsied patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and evidence of ischemic heart disease but morphologically normal coronary arteries. Three patients had angina pectoris and three others chest pains of unknown etiology, six had ventricular arrhythmias, four had clinically suspected acute myocardial infarction, and eight had sudden cardiac death. At autopsy extensive focal myocardial necrosis was present in seven patients and myocardial scarring in all nine, but all patients had widely patent intramural and extramural coronary arteries. The finding of contraction band myocardial necrosis in seven of the eight patients who experienced sudden death suggests that the myocardial damage was a consequence of reperfusion of focally nonperfused myocardium, and thus due to a myocardial Raynaud's phenomenon. Patients with PSS may provide a model of spasm of intramyocardial vessels causing angina pectoris or myocardial infarction with morphologically normal coronary arteries.", "contents": "Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death with normal coronary arteries: a clinicopathologic study of 9 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. The syndrome of angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary artery disease has been the subject of much interest. We studied nine autopsied patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and evidence of ischemic heart disease but morphologically normal coronary arteries. Three patients had angina pectoris and three others chest pains of unknown etiology, six had ventricular arrhythmias, four had clinically suspected acute myocardial infarction, and eight had sudden cardiac death. At autopsy extensive focal myocardial necrosis was present in seven patients and myocardial scarring in all nine, but all patients had widely patent intramural and extramural coronary arteries. The finding of contraction band myocardial necrosis in seven of the eight patients who experienced sudden death suggests that the myocardial damage was a consequence of reperfusion of focally nonperfused myocardium, and thus due to a myocardial Raynaud's phenomenon. Patients with PSS may provide a model of spasm of intramyocardial vessels causing angina pectoris or myocardial infarction with morphologically normal coronary arteries.", "PMID": 636997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10995", "title": "Hemodynamic evaluation of the Ionescu-Shiley pericardial xenograft in the mitral position.", "content": "Hemodynamic studies were performed in 27 patients at a mean interval of 40.3 (range 24 to 59) months following mitral valve replacement with pericardial xenografts. Six patients had sequential studies, one before operation and two separate investigations at mean intervals of 11.2 and 42.8 months following valve replacement. The results showed significant increase in cardiac index, reduction in mean pulmonary artery and wedge pressures, and decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance both at rest and during exercise, when compared with the preoperative values. The mean diastolic gradient across the pericardial xenografts was 6.4 mm. Hg at rest and 15.3 mm. Hg during exercise. The calculated xenograft surface area was 2.0 and 2.3 cm.2, respectively. The sequential studies established that the maximum hemodynamic improvement was achieved within the first year following valve replacement and that the functional performance of the xenografts was maintained, unaltered, with the passage of time.", "contents": "Hemodynamic evaluation of the Ionescu-Shiley pericardial xenograft in the mitral position. Hemodynamic studies were performed in 27 patients at a mean interval of 40.3 (range 24 to 59) months following mitral valve replacement with pericardial xenografts. Six patients had sequential studies, one before operation and two separate investigations at mean intervals of 11.2 and 42.8 months following valve replacement. The results showed significant increase in cardiac index, reduction in mean pulmonary artery and wedge pressures, and decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance both at rest and during exercise, when compared with the preoperative values. The mean diastolic gradient across the pericardial xenografts was 6.4 mm. Hg at rest and 15.3 mm. Hg during exercise. The calculated xenograft surface area was 2.0 and 2.3 cm.2, respectively. The sequential studies established that the maximum hemodynamic improvement was achieved within the first year following valve replacement and that the functional performance of the xenografts was maintained, unaltered, with the passage of time.", "PMID": 637000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10996", "title": "Mechanism of antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics.", "content": "Hemodynamic studies were carried out before and during 8 weeks of treatment with hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg. twice daily in 11 hypertensive patients. Forty-eight hours after beginning treatment there was a significant reduction in blood pressure, cardiac output, plasma volume, and extracellular fluid volume (thiocyanate space) while total peripheral resistance increased. After 6 and 8 weeks of treatment, the blood pressure and the plasma and extracellular volumes remained reduced. However, total peripheral resistance fell while cardiac output rose to control levels. These results were consistent with the \"reverse autoregulation\" theory of the action of the thiazides as proposed by Tobian. The present evidence discussed below makes it appear unlikely that the thiazides have an important direct vasodilator effect.", "contents": "Mechanism of antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics. Hemodynamic studies were carried out before and during 8 weeks of treatment with hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg. twice daily in 11 hypertensive patients. Forty-eight hours after beginning treatment there was a significant reduction in blood pressure, cardiac output, plasma volume, and extracellular fluid volume (thiocyanate space) while total peripheral resistance increased. After 6 and 8 weeks of treatment, the blood pressure and the plasma and extracellular volumes remained reduced. However, total peripheral resistance fell while cardiac output rose to control levels. These results were consistent with the \"reverse autoregulation\" theory of the action of the thiazides as proposed by Tobian. The present evidence discussed below makes it appear unlikely that the thiazides have an important direct vasodilator effect.", "PMID": 637001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10997", "title": "Chlamydia trachomatis endocarditis.", "content": "A case of infective endocarditis due to Chlamydia trachomatis immunotype F is reported. Multiple negative blood cultures were a major deterrant from the initial clinical diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Postmortem ultrastructural identification of Chlamydia in the aortic valve vegetation led to an intensive retrospective study of retrieved serum samples utilizing microimmunofluorescent tests. Likewise an unusual echocardiographic finding was discovered to be the ultrasonic visualization of an aortic ring abscess. No similar case could be found in the literature. Clinicopathologic correlations are presented.", "contents": "Chlamydia trachomatis endocarditis. A case of infective endocarditis due to Chlamydia trachomatis immunotype F is reported. Multiple negative blood cultures were a major deterrant from the initial clinical diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Postmortem ultrastructural identification of Chlamydia in the aortic valve vegetation led to an intensive retrospective study of retrieved serum samples utilizing microimmunofluorescent tests. Likewise an unusual echocardiographic finding was discovered to be the ultrasonic visualization of an aortic ring abscess. No similar case could be found in the literature. Clinicopathologic correlations are presented.", "PMID": 637003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10998", "title": "Tellurium and tellurium dioxide: single endotracheal injection to rats.", "content": "Single endotracheal injections of tellurium and tellurium dioxide, at dosage levels sufficient to cause observable stress in rats, did not result in a progressive fibrotic tissue response after 180 days. The observation period of 180 days is insufficient to assess the lack of tumorigenic potential of these compounds and, therefore, no conclusions on this point are to be inferred.", "contents": "Tellurium and tellurium dioxide: single endotracheal injection to rats. Single endotracheal injections of tellurium and tellurium dioxide, at dosage levels sufficient to cause observable stress in rats, did not result in a progressive fibrotic tissue response after 180 days. The observation period of 180 days is insufficient to assess the lack of tumorigenic potential of these compounds and, therefore, no conclusions on this point are to be inferred.", "PMID": 637014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_10999", "title": "Quest for a gasoline TLV.", "content": "The major components in gasoline vapor generated during tank truck loading operations are identified. By analyzing 95 separate gasoline vapor samples, a mean Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for mixtures of about 300 ppm is calculated using 1976 TLV's for the individual hydrocarbons, if available. For compounds without an assigned TLV, a safe exposure value is estimated. Maximum levels of leaded gasoline additives tetraethyl/tetramethyllead, ethylene dibromide and ethylene dichloride are also estimated.", "contents": "Quest for a gasoline TLV. The major components in gasoline vapor generated during tank truck loading operations are identified. By analyzing 95 separate gasoline vapor samples, a mean Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for mixtures of about 300 ppm is calculated using 1976 TLV's for the individual hydrocarbons, if available. For compounds without an assigned TLV, a safe exposure value is estimated. Maximum levels of leaded gasoline additives tetraethyl/tetramethyllead, ethylene dibromide and ethylene dichloride are also estimated.", "PMID": 637015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11000", "title": "Gasoline vapor exposure during bulk handling operations.", "content": "The survey evaluated gasoline vapor concentrations in the employees, breathing zone at five bulk handling facilities. Charcoal tube samples were analyzed by a special GLC/flame ionization/flasher technique which coupled with a computer program identified up to 142 constituents. A time-weighted limit of 240 ppm/10-hour day was only exceeded for five percent of the time at one location.", "contents": "Gasoline vapor exposure during bulk handling operations. The survey evaluated gasoline vapor concentrations in the employees, breathing zone at five bulk handling facilities. Charcoal tube samples were analyzed by a special GLC/flame ionization/flasher technique which coupled with a computer program identified up to 142 constituents. A time-weighted limit of 240 ppm/10-hour day was only exceeded for five percent of the time at one location.", "PMID": 637016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11001", "title": "Occupational exposure to synthetic estrogens--the need to establish safety standards.", "content": "An environmental survey of a plant formulating oral contraceptives demonstrated considerable variation in possible synthetic estrogen exposure to the plant personnel. Clinical epidemiological studies showed evidence of increased absorption of estrogens in some employees at the plant. In view of the company's considerable efforts to suppress dust from work areas, new approaches to containment may be necessary with biologically active dusts--including the establishment of a dust standard.", "contents": "Occupational exposure to synthetic estrogens--the need to establish safety standards. An environmental survey of a plant formulating oral contraceptives demonstrated considerable variation in possible synthetic estrogen exposure to the plant personnel. Clinical epidemiological studies showed evidence of increased absorption of estrogens in some employees at the plant. In view of the company's considerable efforts to suppress dust from work areas, new approaches to containment may be necessary with biologically active dusts--including the establishment of a dust standard.", "PMID": 637017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11002", "title": "Tandem HEPA filter tests.", "content": "Current methods for evaluating the performance and reliability of high-efficiency air cleaning systems use forward light-scattering photometers and DOP aerosol. This method is limited to measuring protection factors of 10(4) or 10(5) and has poor sensitivity to particles less than .3 micron. More accurate determination of system performance could be made by measuring two filter stages with a single test. Because of the large protection factors of a two-stage system, it is necessary to use high challenge aerosol concentrations and long downstream sampling times. Concentrations were measured using an intra-cavity laser light-scattering aerosol spectrometer which is capable of detection of single particles ranging in size from 0.07 to 3.00 micron diameter. The results of several tests with challenge aerosols of both NaCl and DOP yielded protection factors ranging from 1.4 x 10(7) to 3.0 x 10(9) for two HEPA filters in series.", "contents": "Tandem HEPA filter tests. Current methods for evaluating the performance and reliability of high-efficiency air cleaning systems use forward light-scattering photometers and DOP aerosol. This method is limited to measuring protection factors of 10(4) or 10(5) and has poor sensitivity to particles less than .3 micron. More accurate determination of system performance could be made by measuring two filter stages with a single test. Because of the large protection factors of a two-stage system, it is necessary to use high challenge aerosol concentrations and long downstream sampling times. Concentrations were measured using an intra-cavity laser light-scattering aerosol spectrometer which is capable of detection of single particles ranging in size from 0.07 to 3.00 micron diameter. The results of several tests with challenge aerosols of both NaCl and DOP yielded protection factors ranging from 1.4 x 10(7) to 3.0 x 10(9) for two HEPA filters in series.", "PMID": 637018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11003", "title": "Analysis of formic acid in air samples.", "content": "The method reported here is for formic acid in air. Air containing formic acid is drawn through a midget impinger containing 15 ml of 0.1 N NaOH at a rate of one liter per minute for 42 minutes. An aliquot from the impinger is treated with an equal volume of ethanol-sulfuric acid mixture in a gastight reaction vial to produce ethyl formate. Because ethyl formate is volatile, an analysis of its vapor contained in the vial (headspace analysis) can be performed. The ethyl formate is analyzed by gas chromatography and its quantity is proportional to the quantity of formic acid contained in the reaction vial. With a relative standard deviation of 11 percent the method is precise enough for evaluating airborne formic acid at 0.1 of Threshold Limit Value of 9 mg/m3.", "contents": "Analysis of formic acid in air samples. The method reported here is for formic acid in air. Air containing formic acid is drawn through a midget impinger containing 15 ml of 0.1 N NaOH at a rate of one liter per minute for 42 minutes. An aliquot from the impinger is treated with an equal volume of ethanol-sulfuric acid mixture in a gastight reaction vial to produce ethyl formate. Because ethyl formate is volatile, an analysis of its vapor contained in the vial (headspace analysis) can be performed. The ethyl formate is analyzed by gas chromatography and its quantity is proportional to the quantity of formic acid contained in the reaction vial. With a relative standard deviation of 11 percent the method is precise enough for evaluating airborne formic acid at 0.1 of Threshold Limit Value of 9 mg/m3.", "PMID": 637019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11004", "title": "The use of infrared analyzers for monitoring acrylonitrile.", "content": "The selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy obtained with the infrared analyzers discussed here make them well suited for acrylonitrile measurement. The instruments are helping industry solve the many difficulties encountered in protecting its workers from acrylonitrile; and they are of great benefit to the industrial hygienist who previously had at his disposal only techniques which are cumbersome and time consuming.", "contents": "The use of infrared analyzers for monitoring acrylonitrile. The selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy obtained with the infrared analyzers discussed here make them well suited for acrylonitrile measurement. The instruments are helping industry solve the many difficulties encountered in protecting its workers from acrylonitrile; and they are of great benefit to the industrial hygienist who previously had at his disposal only techniques which are cumbersome and time consuming.", "PMID": 637022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11005", "title": "Air pollution control in kraft pulp mills.", "content": "A patented gas scrubbing process, whereby the emissions of malodorous reduced sulphur compounds are effectively and economically reduced, is described. Stack gases are scrubbed with an alkaline suspension of activated carbon. Reduced sulphur compounds as well as sulphur oxides are converted to sodium salts which are subsequently recovered and utilized for pulping. The process also reduces particulate emissions. It does not produce subsequent waste disposal problems and has little or, in some cases, zero net cost, on account of the simultaneous recovery of heat and chemicals. Furthermore, the paper also reviews some innovations made in gas chromatography techniques, for the measurement of trace quantities of sulphur compounds present in kraft mill emissions.", "contents": "Air pollution control in kraft pulp mills. A patented gas scrubbing process, whereby the emissions of malodorous reduced sulphur compounds are effectively and economically reduced, is described. Stack gases are scrubbed with an alkaline suspension of activated carbon. Reduced sulphur compounds as well as sulphur oxides are converted to sodium salts which are subsequently recovered and utilized for pulping. The process also reduces particulate emissions. It does not produce subsequent waste disposal problems and has little or, in some cases, zero net cost, on account of the simultaneous recovery of heat and chemicals. Furthermore, the paper also reviews some innovations made in gas chromatography techniques, for the measurement of trace quantities of sulphur compounds present in kraft mill emissions.", "PMID": 637026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11006", "title": "The effect of 2-hexanone and 2-hexanone metabolites on pupillomotor activity and growth.", "content": "Neurotoxic agents such as MBK (2-hexanone) and MBK metabolites were fed in drinking water to guinea pigs. Effects of these solvents on locomotor activity were studied. Dynamic pupillometry indicated that MBK, 2,5-hexanedione and 2-hexanol decreased pupillary response throughout the first five weeks; by the 24th week, all treatment groups showed a greatly impaired pupillary response. From biotransformation studies, it is possible that the 2-hexanol effect on pupillary response may be attributed to its conversion to MBK and/or 2,5-hexanedione. Each of the solvents increased body weight, but decreased locomotor activity. The pupillary changes reported here may serve as an index of solvent exposure in the work environment, if such measurements were to be conducted on workers.", "contents": "The effect of 2-hexanone and 2-hexanone metabolites on pupillomotor activity and growth. Neurotoxic agents such as MBK (2-hexanone) and MBK metabolites were fed in drinking water to guinea pigs. Effects of these solvents on locomotor activity were studied. Dynamic pupillometry indicated that MBK, 2,5-hexanedione and 2-hexanol decreased pupillary response throughout the first five weeks; by the 24th week, all treatment groups showed a greatly impaired pupillary response. From biotransformation studies, it is possible that the 2-hexanol effect on pupillary response may be attributed to its conversion to MBK and/or 2,5-hexanedione. Each of the solvents increased body weight, but decreased locomotor activity. The pupillary changes reported here may serve as an index of solvent exposure in the work environment, if such measurements were to be conducted on workers.", "PMID": 637027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11007", "title": "Comparative bioavailability of elemental iron powders for repair of iron deficiency anemia in rats. Studies of efficacy and toxicity of carbonyl iron.", "content": "The rate of hemoglobin repletion in iron-deficient rats was used to measure the bioavailability of several elemental iron powders added to an iron-free nutritionally balanced chow. We used ferrous sulfate as a standard, highly bioavailable control. Of the several powders, carbonyl iron demonstrated the highest bioavailability. Testing elemental iron powders in human diets seems appropriate.", "contents": "Comparative bioavailability of elemental iron powders for repair of iron deficiency anemia in rats. Studies of efficacy and toxicity of carbonyl iron. The rate of hemoglobin repletion in iron-deficient rats was used to measure the bioavailability of several elemental iron powders added to an iron-free nutritionally balanced chow. We used ferrous sulfate as a standard, highly bioavailable control. Of the several powders, carbonyl iron demonstrated the highest bioavailability. Testing elemental iron powders in human diets seems appropriate.", "PMID": 637033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11008", "title": "Diet therapy in adult lactose malabsorption: present practices.", "content": "Three hundred twenty-three of 473 questionnaires sent to hospital dietitians in 50 states and Puerto Rico concerning diet therapy for adult lactose malabsorption were returned and analyzed. Only 42% of the responding dietitians stated that their hospital diet manuals contained a diet for adult lactose malabsorption, with less than 1% having a diet specific for patients with peptic ulcer disease and lactose malabsorption. Physicians in almost half of these hospitals rarely considered lactose malabsorption when prescribing a diet for patients with peptic ulcer disease or rarely modified diets for suspected lactose malabsorption. The responding dietitians supplied pertinent portions of their diet manuals in 99 instances, which was 72% of those having such diets. Many of the submitted diets were too rigid, frequently restricting foods that did not contain lactose. On the basis of the survey and a review of the literature, a more reasonable approach to the therapy of adult lactose malabsorption is suggested.", "contents": "Diet therapy in adult lactose malabsorption: present practices. Three hundred twenty-three of 473 questionnaires sent to hospital dietitians in 50 states and Puerto Rico concerning diet therapy for adult lactose malabsorption were returned and analyzed. Only 42% of the responding dietitians stated that their hospital diet manuals contained a diet for adult lactose malabsorption, with less than 1% having a diet specific for patients with peptic ulcer disease and lactose malabsorption. Physicians in almost half of these hospitals rarely considered lactose malabsorption when prescribing a diet for patients with peptic ulcer disease or rarely modified diets for suspected lactose malabsorption. The responding dietitians supplied pertinent portions of their diet manuals in 99 instances, which was 72% of those having such diets. Many of the submitted diets were too rigid, frequently restricting foods that did not contain lactose. On the basis of the survey and a review of the literature, a more reasonable approach to the therapy of adult lactose malabsorption is suggested.", "PMID": 637035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11009", "title": "Ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Prevalence and contributing factors.", "content": "Seventy-seven chronic alcoholic subjects admitted to two alcoholic detoxification centers were evaluated for lipid abnormalities. Nineteen (26%) of these male patients had serum triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/100 ml and six (9%) had serum cholesterol levels greater than 250 mg/100 ml. Compared to 33 age-matched, nonalcoholic control subjects, there was a significantly greater incidence of hypertriglyceridemia in the alcoholic subjects. All patients with triglyceride abnormalities had type IV electrophoretic patterns. The triglyceride elevations were not related to serum amylase, lipase, liver function, obesity, and abnormal fasting glucose. We conclude that there is a significant increase in hypertriglyceridemia in chronic alcoholic patients.", "contents": "Ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Prevalence and contributing factors. Seventy-seven chronic alcoholic subjects admitted to two alcoholic detoxification centers were evaluated for lipid abnormalities. Nineteen (26%) of these male patients had serum triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/100 ml and six (9%) had serum cholesterol levels greater than 250 mg/100 ml. Compared to 33 age-matched, nonalcoholic control subjects, there was a significantly greater incidence of hypertriglyceridemia in the alcoholic subjects. All patients with triglyceride abnormalities had type IV electrophoretic patterns. The triglyceride elevations were not related to serum amylase, lipase, liver function, obesity, and abnormal fasting glucose. We conclude that there is a significant increase in hypertriglyceridemia in chronic alcoholic patients.", "PMID": 637036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11010", "title": "Nutritional assessment of senior rural Utahns by biochemical and physical measurements.", "content": "Biochemical composition of blood and urine was used to evaluate the nutritional status of 187 ambulatory, older residents of five rural Utah communities. Measurements were also taken of height, weight, and blood pressure. The sample included 58 men and 129 women, with a mean age of 69 years. No deficiencies were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum iron levels, although approximately 15% of the men had low levels for the first two indices. Serum mineral status for zinc, copper, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium was adequate for most of the participants. Of the women 40% and of the men 21% had low serum total protein levels. No low serum levels of vitamin A and carotene were observed. Urinary excretion of riboflavin and thiamine was high for approximately 90% of the participants. Of the women 46% and of the men 37% had serum cholesterol values above 249 mg/100 ml of serum. One half of the women and 30% of the men were determined to be obese. Approximately one-fourth of both sexes had systolic pressures above 160 mm Hg.", "contents": "Nutritional assessment of senior rural Utahns by biochemical and physical measurements. Biochemical composition of blood and urine was used to evaluate the nutritional status of 187 ambulatory, older residents of five rural Utah communities. Measurements were also taken of height, weight, and blood pressure. The sample included 58 men and 129 women, with a mean age of 69 years. No deficiencies were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum iron levels, although approximately 15% of the men had low levels for the first two indices. Serum mineral status for zinc, copper, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium was adequate for most of the participants. Of the women 40% and of the men 21% had low serum total protein levels. No low serum levels of vitamin A and carotene were observed. Urinary excretion of riboflavin and thiamine was high for approximately 90% of the participants. Of the women 46% and of the men 37% had serum cholesterol values above 249 mg/100 ml of serum. One half of the women and 30% of the men were determined to be obese. Approximately one-fourth of both sexes had systolic pressures above 160 mm Hg.", "PMID": 637038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11011", "title": "A nomogram to predict lean body mass in men.", "content": "A simple three scale nomogram is presented to predict lean body mass in men from two anthropometric measurements: height and the circumference of the flexed biceps. The prediction equation used in constructing the nomogram was established from data collected on 198 USAF aircrewmen. Lean body mass was determined on these men by a standard tritium dilution technique. The equation was validated on a total of 65 additional flyers, comparing measurements obtained by tritium dilution (r = 0.91), 40K wholebody counter techniques (r = 0.90), and water-displacement techniques (r = 0.86). A second nomogram demonstrates the flexibility in using this anthropometric-type prediction of body composition to arrive at personalized weight standards.", "contents": "A nomogram to predict lean body mass in men. A simple three scale nomogram is presented to predict lean body mass in men from two anthropometric measurements: height and the circumference of the flexed biceps. The prediction equation used in constructing the nomogram was established from data collected on 198 USAF aircrewmen. Lean body mass was determined on these men by a standard tritium dilution technique. The equation was validated on a total of 65 additional flyers, comparing measurements obtained by tritium dilution (r = 0.91), 40K wholebody counter techniques (r = 0.90), and water-displacement techniques (r = 0.86). A second nomogram demonstrates the flexibility in using this anthropometric-type prediction of body composition to arrive at personalized weight standards.", "PMID": 637039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11012", "title": "Preventive and therapeutic benefits in relation to cost: performance over 10 years of Mothercraft Centers in Haiti.", "content": "Evaluation of the effectiveness of Mothercraft Centers operating in Haiti over the period 1964 to 1975 as a public health measure in private and public health services is reported. For the most part, the data are derived from centers operating routinely in the health services rather than from pilot demonstrations. Their impact in both therapy and prevention of severe malnutrition in preschool children is considered, and it is found that numerically the greater benefit is in prevention. At a total annual cost of $4034 a typical center accomplishes successful therapy and prevents relapse in 105 children. In addition, it provides protection against severe malnutrition to their 306 younger siblings. It is thus estimated that, considering only these 411 children demonstrably benefited from a year's operation, the cost of providing essentially lifetime protection from severe malnutrition is approximately $10 per child.", "contents": "Preventive and therapeutic benefits in relation to cost: performance over 10 years of Mothercraft Centers in Haiti. Evaluation of the effectiveness of Mothercraft Centers operating in Haiti over the period 1964 to 1975 as a public health measure in private and public health services is reported. For the most part, the data are derived from centers operating routinely in the health services rather than from pilot demonstrations. Their impact in both therapy and prevention of severe malnutrition in preschool children is considered, and it is found that numerically the greater benefit is in prevention. At a total annual cost of $4034 a typical center accomplishes successful therapy and prevents relapse in 105 children. In addition, it provides protection against severe malnutrition to their 306 younger siblings. It is thus estimated that, considering only these 411 children demonstrably benefited from a year's operation, the cost of providing essentially lifetime protection from severe malnutrition is approximately $10 per child.", "PMID": 637040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11013", "title": "Strumal carcinoid of the ovary: ultrastructural observations and long-term follow-up study.", "content": "Herein is reported an ovarian strumal carcinoid in a mature tetratoma from a 54-year-old women. Ultrastructural examination revealed numerous electron-dense intracellular granules, which were intrepreted as neurosecretory granules. They corresponded to argyrophil granules observed by light microscopy and were identified within neoplastic cells arranged in both follicular and trabecular patterns. These findings corroborate the contention that the strumal carcinoid itself is a pure neuroendocrine tumor devoid of thyroid follicular epithelium, but do not disprove its possible origin from parafollicular cells of adjacent teratomatous thyroid tissue. There was no recurrence of tumor during the 20 1/2 years the patient was followed.", "contents": "Strumal carcinoid of the ovary: ultrastructural observations and long-term follow-up study. Herein is reported an ovarian strumal carcinoid in a mature tetratoma from a 54-year-old women. Ultrastructural examination revealed numerous electron-dense intracellular granules, which were intrepreted as neurosecretory granules. They corresponded to argyrophil granules observed by light microscopy and were identified within neoplastic cells arranged in both follicular and trabecular patterns. These findings corroborate the contention that the strumal carcinoid itself is a pure neuroendocrine tumor devoid of thyroid follicular epithelium, but do not disprove its possible origin from parafollicular cells of adjacent teratomatous thyroid tissue. There was no recurrence of tumor during the 20 1/2 years the patient was followed.", "PMID": 637041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11014", "title": "Karyotypic abnormalities in precursor lesions of human cancer of the breast.", "content": "Aneuploidy and structurally aberrant chromsomes were identified in most cultures of ductal epithelial cells from proliferative lesions of human fibrocystic disease. These were qualitatively similar to those observed in cells comprising overt invasive mammary cancers. This represents some evidence in support of views indicating that proliferative fibrocystic disease may represent a precursor lesion of cancer of the breast, if not indeed its earliest morphologic expression.", "contents": "Karyotypic abnormalities in precursor lesions of human cancer of the breast. Aneuploidy and structurally aberrant chromsomes were identified in most cultures of ductal epithelial cells from proliferative lesions of human fibrocystic disease. These were qualitatively similar to those observed in cells comprising overt invasive mammary cancers. This represents some evidence in support of views indicating that proliferative fibrocystic disease may represent a precursor lesion of cancer of the breast, if not indeed its earliest morphologic expression.", "PMID": 637042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11015", "title": "Microcystic adenomas of the pancreas (glycogen-rich cystadenomas): a clinicopathologic study of 34 cases.", "content": "Thirty-four cases of microcystic adenoma of the pancreas were studied. These benign tumors have traditionally been classified as cystadenomas, but have not been clearly distinguished from those cystic neoplasms of the pancreas that have a significant malignant potential. Microcystic adenomas are benign, usually large (mean diameter 10.8 cm), and are composed of many tiny cysts lined by small cuboidal cells containing glycogen but little or no mucin. The tumor may be found incidentally at autopsy or, more commonly, may manifest as an abdominal mass with some associated local pain or discomfort. There is no sex predilection. The patients are usually elderly, both mean and median ages being 68. A microcystic pattern is apparent both grossly and microscopically. Electron microscopy confirms the presence of intracytoplasmic glycogen and the epithelial character of the cells. Follow-up data (mean 6.4 years), available in all cases, indicate that when these tumors occur in the head of the pancreas, fatalities may result either from complications of radical surgery or from gastrointestinal or biliary obstruction. When the tumors occur in the body or tail of the pancreas, biopsy alone may be sufficient.", "contents": "Microcystic adenomas of the pancreas (glycogen-rich cystadenomas): a clinicopathologic study of 34 cases. Thirty-four cases of microcystic adenoma of the pancreas were studied. These benign tumors have traditionally been classified as cystadenomas, but have not been clearly distinguished from those cystic neoplasms of the pancreas that have a significant malignant potential. Microcystic adenomas are benign, usually large (mean diameter 10.8 cm), and are composed of many tiny cysts lined by small cuboidal cells containing glycogen but little or no mucin. The tumor may be found incidentally at autopsy or, more commonly, may manifest as an abdominal mass with some associated local pain or discomfort. There is no sex predilection. The patients are usually elderly, both mean and median ages being 68. A microcystic pattern is apparent both grossly and microscopically. Electron microscopy confirms the presence of intracytoplasmic glycogen and the epithelial character of the cells. Follow-up data (mean 6.4 years), available in all cases, indicate that when these tumors occur in the head of the pancreas, fatalities may result either from complications of radical surgery or from gastrointestinal or biliary obstruction. When the tumors occur in the body or tail of the pancreas, biopsy alone may be sufficient.", "PMID": 637043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11016", "title": "Disseminated visceral giant cell arteritis: histopathologic description and differentiation from other granulomatous vasculitides.", "content": "Disseminated visceral giant cell arteristic, a previously unknown entity, was observed in four autopsied patients, all men, aged 33, 67, 59 and 45 years. None of the patients had temporal arteritis, collagen disease, sarcoidosis, hepatitis or other infections, and vasculitis was diagnosed only after death. All had giant cell arteritis of extracranial arteries and arterioles in at least three of the following organs: the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and stomach in various combinations. Despite some histopathologic similarities, disseminated visceral giant cell arteritis can be distinguished from other necrotizing and granulomatous vasculitides by the type of vessels principally affected and the presence or absence of giant cells, vascular fibrinoid necrosis and eosinophilic infiltrates. The observations suggest that it is a distinctive type of systemic vasculitis.", "contents": "Disseminated visceral giant cell arteritis: histopathologic description and differentiation from other granulomatous vasculitides. Disseminated visceral giant cell arteristic, a previously unknown entity, was observed in four autopsied patients, all men, aged 33, 67, 59 and 45 years. None of the patients had temporal arteritis, collagen disease, sarcoidosis, hepatitis or other infections, and vasculitis was diagnosed only after death. All had giant cell arteritis of extracranial arteries and arterioles in at least three of the following organs: the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and stomach in various combinations. Despite some histopathologic similarities, disseminated visceral giant cell arteritis can be distinguished from other necrotizing and granulomatous vasculitides by the type of vessels principally affected and the presence or absence of giant cells, vascular fibrinoid necrosis and eosinophilic infiltrates. The observations suggest that it is a distinctive type of systemic vasculitis.", "PMID": 637044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11017", "title": "Phytohemagglutinin activation of lymphocytes: quantitative comparison of different preparations.", "content": "Lymphocytes from 12 normal subjects were stimulated in vitro with several concentrations of six commercial preparations of phytohemagglutinin and one column-purified preparation. All preparations produced activation profiles that were highly concentration dependent, with diminished activation at concentrations greater than the optimal concentration. The preparations differed markedly in their mitogenic capacities. Several concentrations of phytohemagglutinin should be employed when lymphocyte activation in vitro is studied as an index of cell-mediated immunity.", "contents": "Phytohemagglutinin activation of lymphocytes: quantitative comparison of different preparations. Lymphocytes from 12 normal subjects were stimulated in vitro with several concentrations of six commercial preparations of phytohemagglutinin and one column-purified preparation. All preparations produced activation profiles that were highly concentration dependent, with diminished activation at concentrations greater than the optimal concentration. The preparations differed markedly in their mitogenic capacities. Several concentrations of phytohemagglutinin should be employed when lymphocyte activation in vitro is studied as an index of cell-mediated immunity.", "PMID": 637045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11018", "title": "A computer-based reporting system for bone marrow evaluation.", "content": "A computerized system of reporting results of bone marrow examination has been implemented at The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, since 1975. All results are entered via the keyboard of cathode-ray tube (CRT) consoles and are instantly available to the attending physician in CRTs strategically located throughout the institution in patient-related areas. Differential counts are available within two to three hours after aspiration. Description of clot sections and smear, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis are completed within 24 hours. Permanent reports are also printed by the computer at regular intervals during the day. The physician can ask the computer for results on a given day or for a cumulative summary displayed in tabular or plot form. This system has proven efficient and rapid, not only for direct reporting of bone marrow examination results but also for storage and retrieval of patient information.", "contents": "A computer-based reporting system for bone marrow evaluation. A computerized system of reporting results of bone marrow examination has been implemented at The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, since 1975. All results are entered via the keyboard of cathode-ray tube (CRT) consoles and are instantly available to the attending physician in CRTs strategically located throughout the institution in patient-related areas. Differential counts are available within two to three hours after aspiration. Description of clot sections and smear, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis are completed within 24 hours. Permanent reports are also printed by the computer at regular intervals during the day. The physician can ask the computer for results on a given day or for a cumulative summary displayed in tabular or plot form. This system has proven efficient and rapid, not only for direct reporting of bone marrow examination results but also for storage and retrieval of patient information.", "PMID": 637046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11019", "title": "An evaluation of the overestimation of serum albumin by bromcresol green.", "content": "Repeated observations have shown that the bromcresol green method overestimates serum albumin. Random patient serum samples were analyzed by a bromcresol green method using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer and by serum protein electrophoresis using cellulose acetate. The mean AutoAnalyzer value was 4.29 g/dl and the mean protein electrophoresis value was 3.68 g/dl (r = 0.915, slope = 0.869, y intercept = 1.090 g/dl where bromcresol green is on the Y axis, n = 166). Studies of the interference of proteins other than albumin in the bromcresol green method using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer showed that alpha globulins produce approximately a third, beta globulins a ninth, fibrinogen a fifth and hemoglobin equal the color intensity with the bromcresol green reagent that a comparable weight of albumin produced. In the bromcresol green method using the Du Pont ACA the interferences were even greater. At present, serum protein electrophresis is the most reliable method generally available to measure serum albumin. A modified bromcresol green method or immunoassay may eventually prove to be the method of choice.", "contents": "An evaluation of the overestimation of serum albumin by bromcresol green. Repeated observations have shown that the bromcresol green method overestimates serum albumin. Random patient serum samples were analyzed by a bromcresol green method using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer and by serum protein electrophoresis using cellulose acetate. The mean AutoAnalyzer value was 4.29 g/dl and the mean protein electrophoresis value was 3.68 g/dl (r = 0.915, slope = 0.869, y intercept = 1.090 g/dl where bromcresol green is on the Y axis, n = 166). Studies of the interference of proteins other than albumin in the bromcresol green method using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer showed that alpha globulins produce approximately a third, beta globulins a ninth, fibrinogen a fifth and hemoglobin equal the color intensity with the bromcresol green reagent that a comparable weight of albumin produced. In the bromcresol green method using the Du Pont ACA the interferences were even greater. At present, serum protein electrophresis is the most reliable method generally available to measure serum albumin. A modified bromcresol green method or immunoassay may eventually prove to be the method of choice.", "PMID": 637047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11020", "title": "Substitution of a non-hazardous chromogen for benzidine in the measurement of plasma hemoglobin.", "content": "Because of the possible carcinogenicity of benzidine, a plasma hemoglobin method that substitutes reagents now used in other methods and poses no similar hazard is presented. It is comparable to the benzidine method in ease and time of accomplishment.", "contents": "Substitution of a non-hazardous chromogen for benzidine in the measurement of plasma hemoglobin. Because of the possible carcinogenicity of benzidine, a plasma hemoglobin method that substitutes reagents now used in other methods and poses no similar hazard is presented. It is comparable to the benzidine method in ease and time of accomplishment.", "PMID": 637048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11021", "title": "The microscopic appearance of a sodium-potassium exchange resin in histologic sections.", "content": "The histologic appearance of Kayexalate, an ion-exchange resin, in bronchioles and alveolar spaces is described. Aspiration of this material occurred as a terminal event in an infant who suffered neonatal asphyxia and meconium aspiration. A solution of Kayexalate prepared for comparison appears to be identical to that found in the lung sections.", "contents": "The microscopic appearance of a sodium-potassium exchange resin in histologic sections. The histologic appearance of Kayexalate, an ion-exchange resin, in bronchioles and alveolar spaces is described. Aspiration of this material occurred as a terminal event in an infant who suffered neonatal asphyxia and meconium aspiration. A solution of Kayexalate prepared for comparison appears to be identical to that found in the lung sections.", "PMID": 637049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11022", "title": "Haemophilus aphrophilus cholecystitis.", "content": "Cultures from the gallbladder and blood of a 60-year-old man with acute cholecystitis grew Haemophilus aphrophilus. This organism, an unusual isolate in clinical specimens, is most frequently seen in patients with either endocarditis or brain abscesses. Haemophilus aphrophilus may be distinguished from Eikenella corrodens and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans on the basis of colonial morphology and the biochemical tests for oxidase and catalase production and fermentation of lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, xylose, and trehalose.", "contents": "Haemophilus aphrophilus cholecystitis. Cultures from the gallbladder and blood of a 60-year-old man with acute cholecystitis grew Haemophilus aphrophilus. This organism, an unusual isolate in clinical specimens, is most frequently seen in patients with either endocarditis or brain abscesses. Haemophilus aphrophilus may be distinguished from Eikenella corrodens and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans on the basis of colonial morphology and the biochemical tests for oxidase and catalase production and fermentation of lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, xylose, and trehalose.", "PMID": 637050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11023", "title": "The relationship of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia complicating the acute phase and ventricular arrhythmia during the late hospital phase of myocardial infarction to long-term survival.", "content": "The long-term prognosis of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (PVT) complicating acute myocardial infarction remains unevaluated. Significant ventricular arrhythmia in the patient after infarction is said to carry a poor prognosis with regard to survival. To evaluate these two important aspects of myocardial infarction in man, 56 patients with documented myocardial infarction had Holter monitoring performed during the initial 24 hours and prior to hospital discharge. In 38 of the 45 survivors, Holter monitoring was repeated an average of 19 months after infarction. There were eight cardiac deaths during follow-up. Data analysis revealed that of 18 patients with PVT during the acute phase, one died during follow-up and 17 survived long-term. Even though the incidence of complex PVCs prior to hospital discharge and at long-term follow-up was higher in patients with PVT during the acute phase than in those without PVT, survival appeared unaffected. Thus, PVT during the acute phase of myocardial infarction and complex PVCs at the time of hospital discharge are not incompatible with long-term survival.", "contents": "The relationship of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia complicating the acute phase and ventricular arrhythmia during the late hospital phase of myocardial infarction to long-term survival. The long-term prognosis of paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (PVT) complicating acute myocardial infarction remains unevaluated. Significant ventricular arrhythmia in the patient after infarction is said to carry a poor prognosis with regard to survival. To evaluate these two important aspects of myocardial infarction in man, 56 patients with documented myocardial infarction had Holter monitoring performed during the initial 24 hours and prior to hospital discharge. In 38 of the 45 survivors, Holter monitoring was repeated an average of 19 months after infarction. There were eight cardiac deaths during follow-up. Data analysis revealed that of 18 patients with PVT during the acute phase, one died during follow-up and 17 survived long-term. Even though the incidence of complex PVCs prior to hospital discharge and at long-term follow-up was higher in patients with PVT during the acute phase than in those without PVT, survival appeared unaffected. Thus, PVT during the acute phase of myocardial infarction and complex PVCs at the time of hospital discharge are not incompatible with long-term survival.", "PMID": 637052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11024", "title": "Repeat hemodynamic determinations in borderline hypertension.", "content": "Repeat hemodynamic determinations were performed in 37 young men with borderline hypertension. The duration of the follow up study was 47 +/- three months. At each determination, those with borderline hypertension were compared to a group of matched normal subjects. Blood pressure increased from the first to the second determination, but the increase was significant only for systolic (P less than 0.001) and mean (P less than 0.01) arterial presssures. Cardiac index and heart rate, which were initially increased, decreased significantly (P less than 0.02; P less than 0.01, respectively) and decreased to normal values; total peripheral resistance increased (P less than 0.01); blood and plasma volumes decreased (P less than 0.01). At the first determination, the cardiac index-heart rate correlation was significant (P less than 0.01) and the cardiac index-blood volume correlation was not. At the second determination, on the contrary, the cardiac index-total blood volume correlation was significant (P less than 0.001) whereas the cardiac index-heart rate correlation was not. The study provides evidence that patients with borderline hypertension, over a short-term period, show (1) a greater increase in systolic than in diastolic pressure, (2) a return of cardiac output toward normal values through a decrease both in heart rate and blood volume, and (3) an increased importance of volume factors in the cardiac output control.", "contents": "Repeat hemodynamic determinations in borderline hypertension. Repeat hemodynamic determinations were performed in 37 young men with borderline hypertension. The duration of the follow up study was 47 +/- three months. At each determination, those with borderline hypertension were compared to a group of matched normal subjects. Blood pressure increased from the first to the second determination, but the increase was significant only for systolic (P less than 0.001) and mean (P less than 0.01) arterial presssures. Cardiac index and heart rate, which were initially increased, decreased significantly (P less than 0.02; P less than 0.01, respectively) and decreased to normal values; total peripheral resistance increased (P less than 0.01); blood and plasma volumes decreased (P less than 0.01). At the first determination, the cardiac index-heart rate correlation was significant (P less than 0.01) and the cardiac index-blood volume correlation was not. At the second determination, on the contrary, the cardiac index-total blood volume correlation was significant (P less than 0.001) whereas the cardiac index-heart rate correlation was not. The study provides evidence that patients with borderline hypertension, over a short-term period, show (1) a greater increase in systolic than in diastolic pressure, (2) a return of cardiac output toward normal values through a decrease both in heart rate and blood volume, and (3) an increased importance of volume factors in the cardiac output control.", "PMID": 637053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11025", "title": "Outbreak of toxoplasmosis in a family and documentation of acquired retinochoroiditis.", "content": "An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in one household is described. It demonstrates the potential for a common source infection with Toxoplasma gondii to cause multiple cases. Six of seven members of a household investigated for toxoplasmosis demonstrated high antibody titers consistent with recent infection; five of these members (83%) were symptomatic. The most common manifestations were fever and lymphadenopathy, which developed from seven to 18 days (mean 11 days) after a common source ingestion of infected meat. Since inadequately cooked lamb, pork and beef are probably the most common sources of infection in the United States, outbreaks of multiple cases may occur more frequently than is generally appreciated. As more outbreaks of febrile illnesses are examined, especially in families and closed communities, it is likely that more common source epidemics of toxoplasmosis will be recognized. Retinochoroiditis is an unusual manifestation of adult acquired toxoplasmosis. In the index case in this epidemic the patient manifested vision threatening retinochoroiditis 129 days after infection with toxoplasmosis. He represents the ninth well-documented case of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis associated with adult acquired disease.", "contents": "Outbreak of toxoplasmosis in a family and documentation of acquired retinochoroiditis. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in one household is described. It demonstrates the potential for a common source infection with Toxoplasma gondii to cause multiple cases. Six of seven members of a household investigated for toxoplasmosis demonstrated high antibody titers consistent with recent infection; five of these members (83%) were symptomatic. The most common manifestations were fever and lymphadenopathy, which developed from seven to 18 days (mean 11 days) after a common source ingestion of infected meat. Since inadequately cooked lamb, pork and beef are probably the most common sources of infection in the United States, outbreaks of multiple cases may occur more frequently than is generally appreciated. As more outbreaks of febrile illnesses are examined, especially in families and closed communities, it is likely that more common source epidemics of toxoplasmosis will be recognized. Retinochoroiditis is an unusual manifestation of adult acquired toxoplasmosis. In the index case in this epidemic the patient manifested vision threatening retinochoroiditis 129 days after infection with toxoplasmosis. He represents the ninth well-documented case of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis associated with adult acquired disease.", "PMID": 637054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11026", "title": "Pseudomonas maltophilia pseudosepticemia.", "content": "During a 17 month period, 25 hospitalized adult patients had blood cultures reported as positive for Pseudomonas maltophila. Review of the hospital records suggested that these were contaminants and that blood for coagulation studies and for cultures that were subsequently positive had been drawn simultaneously. The source of contamination appeared to be black-top evacuated collection tubes used for coagulation studies in adults. Cultures of the liquid anticoagulant tubes yielded a pure growth of greater than 10(5) colony forming units (CFU)/cc of Ps. maltophilia on blood agar. Mock trials demonstrated that following venipuncture by syringe, inoculation of contaminated black-top tubes prior to inoculation of blood culture bottles would yield false-positive blood cultures (pseudosepticemia). One patient being treated for streptococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis and having frequent coagulation studies with blood obtained via direct venipuncture into evacuated collection tubes was found to have superinfection of his prosthetic valve with Ps. maltophilia at autopsy. Prosthetic valve infection may have occurred after reflux of contaminated anticoagulant from an evacuated collection tube directly into the vein. Contaminated evacuated collection tubes are a potential source of confusion in the diagnosis of infection as well as a potential source of true infection.", "contents": "Pseudomonas maltophilia pseudosepticemia. During a 17 month period, 25 hospitalized adult patients had blood cultures reported as positive for Pseudomonas maltophila. Review of the hospital records suggested that these were contaminants and that blood for coagulation studies and for cultures that were subsequently positive had been drawn simultaneously. The source of contamination appeared to be black-top evacuated collection tubes used for coagulation studies in adults. Cultures of the liquid anticoagulant tubes yielded a pure growth of greater than 10(5) colony forming units (CFU)/cc of Ps. maltophilia on blood agar. Mock trials demonstrated that following venipuncture by syringe, inoculation of contaminated black-top tubes prior to inoculation of blood culture bottles would yield false-positive blood cultures (pseudosepticemia). One patient being treated for streptococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis and having frequent coagulation studies with blood obtained via direct venipuncture into evacuated collection tubes was found to have superinfection of his prosthetic valve with Ps. maltophilia at autopsy. Prosthetic valve infection may have occurred after reflux of contaminated anticoagulant from an evacuated collection tube directly into the vein. Contaminated evacuated collection tubes are a potential source of confusion in the diagnosis of infection as well as a potential source of true infection.", "PMID": 637055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11027", "title": "Morbidity of staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "The morbidity of exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease was determined at three institutions--a university hospital, a major university affiliated hospital and a large community hospital. Of the 90 patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy, 33 (37%) sustained a major or minor complication within two weeks of surgery. Seventeen patients (19%) sustained a minor complication and 16 patients (18%) a major complication. There was no mortality. A higher complication rate occurred in patients more than 28 years of age (p = 0.01), and in patients with advanced clinical stage when age was controlled (p = 0.05). We suggest that prior to performing an exploratory laparotomy in a given patient, the necessity of the procedure be weighed against its potential hazards.", "contents": "Morbidity of staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease. The morbidity of exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease was determined at three institutions--a university hospital, a major university affiliated hospital and a large community hospital. Of the 90 patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy, 33 (37%) sustained a major or minor complication within two weeks of surgery. Seventeen patients (19%) sustained a minor complication and 16 patients (18%) a major complication. There was no mortality. A higher complication rate occurred in patients more than 28 years of age (p = 0.01), and in patients with advanced clinical stage when age was controlled (p = 0.05). We suggest that prior to performing an exploratory laparotomy in a given patient, the necessity of the procedure be weighed against its potential hazards.", "PMID": 637057} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11028", "title": "Capturing clinical expertise. A computer program that considers clinical responses to digitalis.", "content": "The administration of digitalis by experienced cardiologists has been examined and a prototypical computer program has been developed which captures portions of their expertise. The new program first constructs a patient-specific model upon which to base the determination of dosage and then uses feedback information about a variety of clinical aspects of the patient's response to modify its recommendations. The model reflects both the program's knowledge of pharmacokinetics and those special features of the patient's condition which may alter his response to therapy. The program makes assessments of the therapeutic and the toxic effects of digitalis on the patient, and bases its subsequent recommendations on the \"therapeutic-toxic\" state which best describes the evolving clinical situation. A clinical trial was performed in which the program \"followed\" a series of patients managed by clinicians on a cardiology service. That trial demonstrated the feasibility of this type of program in dealing with acutely ill patients, even those who have increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of digitalis. Each patient in the trial in whom toxicity developed had received more digitalis than would have been recommended by the program. This approach to automated clinical consultation should eventually provide a technology for the distribution of clinical expertise.", "contents": "Capturing clinical expertise. A computer program that considers clinical responses to digitalis. The administration of digitalis by experienced cardiologists has been examined and a prototypical computer program has been developed which captures portions of their expertise. The new program first constructs a patient-specific model upon which to base the determination of dosage and then uses feedback information about a variety of clinical aspects of the patient's response to modify its recommendations. The model reflects both the program's knowledge of pharmacokinetics and those special features of the patient's condition which may alter his response to therapy. The program makes assessments of the therapeutic and the toxic effects of digitalis on the patient, and bases its subsequent recommendations on the \"therapeutic-toxic\" state which best describes the evolving clinical situation. A clinical trial was performed in which the program \"followed\" a series of patients managed by clinicians on a cardiology service. That trial demonstrated the feasibility of this type of program in dealing with acutely ill patients, even those who have increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of digitalis. Each patient in the trial in whom toxicity developed had received more digitalis than would have been recommended by the program. This approach to automated clinical consultation should eventually provide a technology for the distribution of clinical expertise.", "PMID": 637058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11029", "title": "Oxacillin hepatitis. Two patients with liver biopsy, and review of the literature.", "content": "Hepatotoxicity associated with intravenous sodium oxacillin therapy is reported in two drug abusers cured of staphylococcal endocarditis. Coincident with the administration of oxacillin, marked increases in hepatic transaminase were observed and liver biopsy showed nonspecific hepatitis. Upon cessation of oxacillin therapy, liver enzyme values returned to(ward) normal. Reports of oxacillin-associated changes in hepatic enzyme levels are reviewed; further observation of oxacillin-associated hepatotoxicity is warranted.", "contents": "Oxacillin hepatitis. Two patients with liver biopsy, and review of the literature. Hepatotoxicity associated with intravenous sodium oxacillin therapy is reported in two drug abusers cured of staphylococcal endocarditis. Coincident with the administration of oxacillin, marked increases in hepatic transaminase were observed and liver biopsy showed nonspecific hepatitis. Upon cessation of oxacillin therapy, liver enzyme values returned to(ward) normal. Reports of oxacillin-associated changes in hepatic enzyme levels are reviewed; further observation of oxacillin-associated hepatotoxicity is warranted.", "PMID": 637061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11030", "title": "Methamphetamine intoxication. A speedy new treatment.", "content": "This communication describes the use of droperidol in methamphetamine poisoning. Droperidol antagonizes the central stimulatory effects of amphetamines producing a person who is indifferent to environmental stimuli, calm and cooperative. Coupled with an acid diuresis, causing a fivefold increase in the urinary concentration of methamphetamine and recovery of 66% of the ingested drug, a seriously intoxicated patient showed rapid improvement.", "contents": "Methamphetamine intoxication. A speedy new treatment. This communication describes the use of droperidol in methamphetamine poisoning. Droperidol antagonizes the central stimulatory effects of amphetamines producing a person who is indifferent to environmental stimuli, calm and cooperative. Coupled with an acid diuresis, causing a fivefold increase in the urinary concentration of methamphetamine and recovery of 66% of the ingested drug, a seriously intoxicated patient showed rapid improvement.", "PMID": 637062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11031", "title": "Effective treatment of self-injurious behavior through a forced arm exercise.", "content": "A forced arm exercise was investigated as a means of eliminating head-hitting in two children. During sessions restraints used to manage subjects were removed. After a baseline measure, required practice of repeated vertical arm movements was made contingent upon each response. Later, this procedure was combined with reinforcement under a differential reinforcement of other behavior schedule. Arm exercise alone produced a substantial decrease in head-hitting, while the combination treatment engendered near-zero levels. Subsequently, reduction of head-hitting was extended to several contexts by regular ward staff. This type of treatment appears as effective with self-injurious behavior as it is with stereotyped behavior.", "contents": "Effective treatment of self-injurious behavior through a forced arm exercise. A forced arm exercise was investigated as a means of eliminating head-hitting in two children. During sessions restraints used to manage subjects were removed. After a baseline measure, required practice of repeated vertical arm movements was made contingent upon each response. Later, this procedure was combined with reinforcement under a differential reinforcement of other behavior schedule. Arm exercise alone produced a substantial decrease in head-hitting, while the combination treatment engendered near-zero levels. Subsequently, reduction of head-hitting was extended to several contexts by regular ward staff. This type of treatment appears as effective with self-injurious behavior as it is with stereotyped behavior.", "PMID": 637063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11032", "title": "Effects of attributions for success and failure on the performance of retarded adults.", "content": "Seventy-two TMR adults were given success and failure experiences at a coding task, as well as one of three causal attributions (ability, effort, or task difficulty [ease]). The data revealed that causal ascriptions interacted with outcome in influencing speed of performance and that success enhanced performance only when coupled with an ability ascription. The data suggested that some of the contradictions in the success-failure literature may be due to differential causal attributions elicited across the various investigations. The implications of these data for training programs also were discussed.", "contents": "Effects of attributions for success and failure on the performance of retarded adults. Seventy-two TMR adults were given success and failure experiences at a coding task, as well as one of three causal attributions (ability, effort, or task difficulty [ease]). The data revealed that causal ascriptions interacted with outcome in influencing speed of performance and that success enhanced performance only when coupled with an ability ascription. The data suggested that some of the contradictions in the success-failure literature may be due to differential causal attributions elicited across the various investigations. The implications of these data for training programs also were discussed.", "PMID": 637064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11033", "title": "Test of the generality of Bobrow and Bower's comprehension hypothesis.", "content": "In a test of the generality of the comprehension hypothesis, EMR children were assigned, following pretraining measures, to experimental(n = 24) and control (n = 12) conditions. The experimental group was given intensive training with both self-generated and supplied links, while the control group participated in the same training format but without mediational instruction. Posttraining measures strongly supported the applicability of the comprehension hypothesis to the associative learning of EMR children. Superior associative learning and greater comprehension occurred under generate as compared to supplied conditions.", "contents": "Test of the generality of Bobrow and Bower's comprehension hypothesis. In a test of the generality of the comprehension hypothesis, EMR children were assigned, following pretraining measures, to experimental(n = 24) and control (n = 12) conditions. The experimental group was given intensive training with both self-generated and supplied links, while the control group participated in the same training format but without mediational instruction. Posttraining measures strongly supported the applicability of the comprehension hypothesis to the associative learning of EMR children. Superior associative learning and greater comprehension occurred under generate as compared to supplied conditions.", "PMID": 637065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11034", "title": "Facilitative effect of mnemonic strategies on multiple-associate learning in EMR children.", "content": "The efficacy of mnemonic strategy training for multiple-associate learning was examined. Following pretraining measures of multiple-associate learning and general memory skills, 33 young EMR children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: imagery, rote repetition, or control. Each group participated in a story and game program for 5 hours over a 2-week period, which, depending on condition, involved intensive training in the use of either imagery or rote repetition or no direct mnemonic training. Posttraining measures of children who received mnemonic training showed marked improvement, with imagery being superior (p less than .01) to rote repetition.", "contents": "Facilitative effect of mnemonic strategies on multiple-associate learning in EMR children. The efficacy of mnemonic strategy training for multiple-associate learning was examined. Following pretraining measures of multiple-associate learning and general memory skills, 33 young EMR children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: imagery, rote repetition, or control. Each group participated in a story and game program for 5 hours over a 2-week period, which, depending on condition, involved intensive training in the use of either imagery or rote repetition or no direct mnemonic training. Posttraining measures of children who received mnemonic training showed marked improvement, with imagery being superior (p less than .01) to rote repetition.", "PMID": 637066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11035", "title": "Role of strategy in reading by mentally retarded persons.", "content": "Mentally retarded individuals who could read were tested on their ability to pronounce words and produce meaningful associates. Analyses of their responses indicated an overuse of a strategy of memorizing works as a way to recognize words in print and an inability to consider work meanings in terms of abstract referents. A comparison of these results with responses given by nonretarded children suggests that retarded persons use cognitive strategies that lead to inefficient reading and even interfere with the development of effective reading skills.", "contents": "Role of strategy in reading by mentally retarded persons. Mentally retarded individuals who could read were tested on their ability to pronounce words and produce meaningful associates. Analyses of their responses indicated an overuse of a strategy of memorizing works as a way to recognize words in print and an inability to consider work meanings in terms of abstract referents. A comparison of these results with responses given by nonretarded children suggests that retarded persons use cognitive strategies that lead to inefficient reading and even interfere with the development of effective reading skills.", "PMID": 637067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11036", "title": "Low-income children's attitudes toward mentally retarded children: effects of labeling and academic behavior.", "content": "Effects of the label \"mentally retarded\" and academic competence on low-income sixth-grade children's attitudes toward peers were examined. Attitude was defined in terms of children's affective feelings and behavioral inclinations. The results showed that low-income children expressed more favorable attitudes toward a competent than an incompetent child and, paradoxically, toward a labeled than a nonlabeled child. The data also revealed that an academically incompetent child who was not labeled as retarded evoked negative attitudes, especially from boys, whereas an incompetent child who was labeled as retarded evoked positive attitudes. The findings were discussed in terms of the pros and cons of the current trend toward delabeling.", "contents": "Low-income children's attitudes toward mentally retarded children: effects of labeling and academic behavior. Effects of the label \"mentally retarded\" and academic competence on low-income sixth-grade children's attitudes toward peers were examined. Attitude was defined in terms of children's affective feelings and behavioral inclinations. The results showed that low-income children expressed more favorable attitudes toward a competent than an incompetent child and, paradoxically, toward a labeled than a nonlabeled child. The data also revealed that an academically incompetent child who was not labeled as retarded evoked negative attitudes, especially from boys, whereas an incompetent child who was labeled as retarded evoked positive attitudes. The findings were discussed in terms of the pros and cons of the current trend toward delabeling.", "PMID": 637068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11037", "title": "Group decision-making by mentally retarded adults.", "content": "The effects of group discussion and decision-making on subsequent individual decisions of mentally retarded residents of group homes were studied. Meeting in groups of four, the subjects discussed and attempted to make group decisions of 6 of 12 interview questions (experimental) but did not discuss the remainder of the questions (control). Between the pretest and the posttest, there was a significantly greater increase in the quality of answers to the experimental than to the control questions. Also, leadership status moderately correlated with individual participation rates and initial task competence but not with verbal intelligence.", "contents": "Group decision-making by mentally retarded adults. The effects of group discussion and decision-making on subsequent individual decisions of mentally retarded residents of group homes were studied. Meeting in groups of four, the subjects discussed and attempted to make group decisions of 6 of 12 interview questions (experimental) but did not discuss the remainder of the questions (control). Between the pretest and the posttest, there was a significantly greater increase in the quality of answers to the experimental than to the control questions. Also, leadership status moderately correlated with individual participation rates and initial task competence but not with verbal intelligence.", "PMID": 637069} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11038", "title": "Effects of contingency management of academic achievement and conduct of mentally retarded Arab students.", "content": "An experimental group of 11 mentally retarded Arab children were involved in a contingency-management program based on successful completion of academic work. A control group of retarded children with approximately equal mean CA and mean IQ scores was exposed only to the regular teaching routine. Results indicated that academic achievement was greatest in Phase B an ABA design. In addition, the experimental group made achievement gains beyond that of the control group, and there were some generalization effects stemming from the treatment phase. Also, good conduct, although not directly manipulated in the study, was observed in the three phases of the study. Subjects in the experimental group displayed more attending behavior and decreased their amount of nonattending (e.g., looking out the window) and disruptive behavior (e.g., shouting) during the treatment phase. The results also indicated that contingency management is a viable technique for retarded children living in a culture substantially different from that in the United States.", "contents": "Effects of contingency management of academic achievement and conduct of mentally retarded Arab students. An experimental group of 11 mentally retarded Arab children were involved in a contingency-management program based on successful completion of academic work. A control group of retarded children with approximately equal mean CA and mean IQ scores was exposed only to the regular teaching routine. Results indicated that academic achievement was greatest in Phase B an ABA design. In addition, the experimental group made achievement gains beyond that of the control group, and there were some generalization effects stemming from the treatment phase. Also, good conduct, although not directly manipulated in the study, was observed in the three phases of the study. Subjects in the experimental group displayed more attending behavior and decreased their amount of nonattending (e.g., looking out the window) and disruptive behavior (e.g., shouting) during the treatment phase. The results also indicated that contingency management is a viable technique for retarded children living in a culture substantially different from that in the United States.", "PMID": 637070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11039", "title": "Stability of territorial and aggressive behavior in profoundly mentally retarded institutionalized male adults.", "content": "Previous research has documented that institutionalized profoundly retarded male adults are territorial and aggresive. The present study represents a follow-up on the same group of males. Results demonstrated that the behavior initially observed remained highly stable across the 19 months since the previous study.", "contents": "Stability of territorial and aggressive behavior in profoundly mentally retarded institutionalized male adults. Previous research has documented that institutionalized profoundly retarded male adults are territorial and aggresive. The present study represents a follow-up on the same group of males. Results demonstrated that the behavior initially observed remained highly stable across the 19 months since the previous study.", "PMID": 637071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11040", "title": "Reducing self-injurious behavior by facial screening.", "content": "Self-injurious behavior has been treated with a variety of techniques with varying degrees of success. Some techniques that have generally been effective, such as response-contingent shock punishment, are not always permissible to use; thus, other methods must be investigated. A multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate facial screening (covering a subject's face with a terrycloth bib) as a means of reducing a retarded person's self-injurious behavior. Facial screening applied intermittently by teachers in three special education classroom was successful in eliminating self-injurious behavior.", "contents": "Reducing self-injurious behavior by facial screening. Self-injurious behavior has been treated with a variety of techniques with varying degrees of success. Some techniques that have generally been effective, such as response-contingent shock punishment, are not always permissible to use; thus, other methods must be investigated. A multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate facial screening (covering a subject's face with a terrycloth bib) as a means of reducing a retarded person's self-injurious behavior. Facial screening applied intermittently by teachers in three special education classroom was successful in eliminating self-injurious behavior.", "PMID": 637073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11041", "title": "Sperm procurement and analysis in Jewish law.", "content": "Whether, and how, a husband whose marriage has proved barren may procure a sample of his semen for a fertility test is a question that has often been discussed in rabbinic writings. It is permissible according to most rabbis to obtain sperm from the husband both for analysis and for insemination, but a difference of opinion exists as to the method to be used in the procurement of it. Masturbation should be avoided if at all possible and coitus interruptus or the use of a condom seem to be the preferred methods. Since many important legal and moral considerations, which cannot be enunciated in the presentation of general principles, may weigh heavily upon the verdict in any given situation, it seems advisable to submit each individual case to rabbinic judgment, which, in turn, will be based upon expert medical advice and other prevailing circumstances.", "contents": "Sperm procurement and analysis in Jewish law. Whether, and how, a husband whose marriage has proved barren may procure a sample of his semen for a fertility test is a question that has often been discussed in rabbinic writings. It is permissible according to most rabbis to obtain sperm from the husband both for analysis and for insemination, but a difference of opinion exists as to the method to be used in the procurement of it. Masturbation should be avoided if at all possible and coitus interruptus or the use of a condom seem to be the preferred methods. Since many important legal and moral considerations, which cannot be enunciated in the presentation of general principles, may weigh heavily upon the verdict in any given situation, it seems advisable to submit each individual case to rabbinic judgment, which, in turn, will be based upon expert medical advice and other prevailing circumstances.", "PMID": 637074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11042", "title": "Serum prolactin, gonadotropins, and estradiol in menstruating and amenorrheic mothers during two years' lactation.", "content": "Serum prolactin, LH, FSH, and estradiol were measured in single blood samples collected from 465 nursing mothers in Central Africa (Kivu, Za\u00efre) during the first 2 postpartum years. Lactating mothers were hyperprolactinemic during 15 to 18 postpartum months. Both serum prolactin and FSH were higher in amenorrheic than in menstruating nursing mothers; the difference was more apparent during the first than during the second year. Mean serum LH and estradiol were significantly higher in menstruating then in amenorrheic nursing mothers during the second postpartum year but not during the first. There was a significant association of hyperprolactinemia with amenorrhea. Furthermore, postpartum, the incidence of amenorrhea declined parallel to that of hyperprolactinemia.", "contents": "Serum prolactin, gonadotropins, and estradiol in menstruating and amenorrheic mothers during two years' lactation. Serum prolactin, LH, FSH, and estradiol were measured in single blood samples collected from 465 nursing mothers in Central Africa (Kivu, Za\u00efre) during the first 2 postpartum years. Lactating mothers were hyperprolactinemic during 15 to 18 postpartum months. Both serum prolactin and FSH were higher in amenorrheic than in menstruating nursing mothers; the difference was more apparent during the first than during the second year. Mean serum LH and estradiol were significantly higher in menstruating then in amenorrheic nursing mothers during the second postpartum year but not during the first. There was a significant association of hyperprolactinemia with amenorrhea. Furthermore, postpartum, the incidence of amenorrhea declined parallel to that of hyperprolactinemia.", "PMID": 637075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11043", "title": "Endogenous levels of prostaglandin F2alpha and its main metabolites in plasma and endometrium of normal and dysmenorrheic women.", "content": "The concentrations of prostaglandin F2alpha 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-PGF2alpha, and 13,14-dihydro-PGF2alpha were determined in plasma and in endometrial specimens taken from both dysmenorrheic and normal women at the time of their menstruation. The estimations were carried out by means of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The plasma levels of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2alpha in dysmenorrheic women ranged between 32 and 105 pg. per milliliter, which are significantly higher than the corresponding levels in eumenorrheic women, 20 to 33 pg. per milliliter. On the first day of menstrual bleeding the concentration of PGF2alpha in the endometrium was approximately 4 times higher (300 to 2,600 pg. per milligram) in cases of dysmenorrhea than in normal subjects. Treatment with either oral contraceptives or prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors lowered the concentrations significantly and the majority of patients became symptom free.", "contents": "Endogenous levels of prostaglandin F2alpha and its main metabolites in plasma and endometrium of normal and dysmenorrheic women. The concentrations of prostaglandin F2alpha 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-PGF2alpha, and 13,14-dihydro-PGF2alpha were determined in plasma and in endometrial specimens taken from both dysmenorrheic and normal women at the time of their menstruation. The estimations were carried out by means of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The plasma levels of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2alpha in dysmenorrheic women ranged between 32 and 105 pg. per milliliter, which are significantly higher than the corresponding levels in eumenorrheic women, 20 to 33 pg. per milliliter. On the first day of menstrual bleeding the concentration of PGF2alpha in the endometrium was approximately 4 times higher (300 to 2,600 pg. per milligram) in cases of dysmenorrhea than in normal subjects. Treatment with either oral contraceptives or prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors lowered the concentrations significantly and the majority of patients became symptom free.", "PMID": 637076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11044", "title": "Hysteroscopic management of intrauterine adhesions.", "content": "Sixty-six patients who had the presumptive diagnosis of Asherman's syndrome underwent hysteroscopic evaluation and treatment. In 65 patients, hysteroscopy was performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. In all but five patients, complete lysis of adhesions was accomplished during the initial hysteroscopy. Uterine perforation occurred in two of the 66 patients. The extent of the intrauterine adhesions correlated with the patients' presenting menstrual patterns, but not with prior hysterosalpingography. Of the patients who have completed surgical and hormonal therapy, 98 per cent have normal spontaneous menses. Follow-up examination of the endometrial cavity was normal in 32 of 34 patients. Seven of ten patients who wished to conceive and who had no other infertility factors have done so. The pregnancies have been uncomplicated. Hysteroscopy is the method of choice to diagnose, classify, treat, and follow-up patients with Asherman's syndrome.", "contents": "Hysteroscopic management of intrauterine adhesions. Sixty-six patients who had the presumptive diagnosis of Asherman's syndrome underwent hysteroscopic evaluation and treatment. In 65 patients, hysteroscopy was performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. In all but five patients, complete lysis of adhesions was accomplished during the initial hysteroscopy. Uterine perforation occurred in two of the 66 patients. The extent of the intrauterine adhesions correlated with the patients' presenting menstrual patterns, but not with prior hysterosalpingography. Of the patients who have completed surgical and hormonal therapy, 98 per cent have normal spontaneous menses. Follow-up examination of the endometrial cavity was normal in 32 of 34 patients. Seven of ten patients who wished to conceive and who had no other infertility factors have done so. The pregnancies have been uncomplicated. Hysteroscopy is the method of choice to diagnose, classify, treat, and follow-up patients with Asherman's syndrome.", "PMID": 637078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11045", "title": "Cervical and vaginal bacterial flora: ecologic niches in the female lower genital tract.", "content": "The bacterial flora of the cervix and vaginal vault were compared by obtaining duplicate specimens for quantitative bacteriologic studies in 14 patients electively admitted for hysterectomy. There were a total of 137 isolates from the 28 specimens, including 71 aerobes and 66 anaerobes. Aggregate data showed that the flora of the two sample sites were similar by both qualitative and quantitative analysis. However, individual comparison of paired specimens showed considerable differences in that 75 of the 137 isolates were recovered from only the cervix or vaginal vault. Additional studies showed that neither low concentrations of bacteria nor the culture techniques accounted for these differences. It is concluded that most women harbor distinctive bacterial populations in the cervix and vaginal vault.", "contents": "Cervical and vaginal bacterial flora: ecologic niches in the female lower genital tract. The bacterial flora of the cervix and vaginal vault were compared by obtaining duplicate specimens for quantitative bacteriologic studies in 14 patients electively admitted for hysterectomy. There were a total of 137 isolates from the 28 specimens, including 71 aerobes and 66 anaerobes. Aggregate data showed that the flora of the two sample sites were similar by both qualitative and quantitative analysis. However, individual comparison of paired specimens showed considerable differences in that 75 of the 137 isolates were recovered from only the cervix or vaginal vault. Additional studies showed that neither low concentrations of bacteria nor the culture techniques accounted for these differences. It is concluded that most women harbor distinctive bacterial populations in the cervix and vaginal vault.", "PMID": 637079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11046", "title": "The cervical polyp: a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach with CO2 hysteroscopy.", "content": "CO2 hysteroscopy for diagnosis of cervical polyps was performed in 36 patients. The polyps could be located under direct vision and their attachments were found to be deeper than what is seen in regular inspection. A relatively high number of endometrial polyps were found. It is advised that the polyps be surgically removed by cutting the stem at its attachment followed by a curettage.", "contents": "The cervical polyp: a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach with CO2 hysteroscopy. CO2 hysteroscopy for diagnosis of cervical polyps was performed in 36 patients. The polyps could be located under direct vision and their attachments were found to be deeper than what is seen in regular inspection. A relatively high number of endometrial polyps were found. It is advised that the polyps be surgically removed by cutting the stem at its attachment followed by a curettage.", "PMID": 637080} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11047", "title": "Promethazine hydrochloride: use in patients with Rh isoimmunization.", "content": "Twenty-two babies born to 21 mothers were treated prenatally for varying periods of time with promethazine hydrochloride in doses of 150 mg. per day. Seven of the 22 babies required intrauterine transfusions. With the exception of positive clinical impressions in some cases, specific ameliorating effects of the drug in this group could not be demonstrated.", "contents": "Promethazine hydrochloride: use in patients with Rh isoimmunization. Twenty-two babies born to 21 mothers were treated prenatally for varying periods of time with promethazine hydrochloride in doses of 150 mg. per day. Seven of the 22 babies required intrauterine transfusions. With the exception of positive clinical impressions in some cases, specific ameliorating effects of the drug in this group could not be demonstrated.", "PMID": 637081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11048", "title": "Systemic and uterine hemodynamic responses to dopamine in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep.", "content": "The systemic and uterine hemodynamic effects of dopamine were studied in nonpregnant and near-term pregnant, unanesthetized, chronically instrumented sheep. Dopamine was administered by constant intravenous infusion in doses ranging from 2 to 40 microgram per kilogram per minute. A hypertensive effect was consistently observed when doses greater than 5 microgram per kilogram per minute were given. The rise in pressure was accompanied by a rise in the systemic vascular resistance and an increase in the cardiac output; the increment in the latter was greater in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant animals. Uterine blood flow increased consistently despite some rise in uterine vascular resistance; uterine fraction of cardiac output either remained unchanged or increased slightly. Venomotor construction, reflected by a rise in central venous pressure, occurred at all dose levels. These hemodynamic properties of dopamine may be explained partly on the basis of its combined beta- and alpha-mimetic action, as well as through redistributions of flows and resistances among various regional vascular beds.", "contents": "Systemic and uterine hemodynamic responses to dopamine in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep. The systemic and uterine hemodynamic effects of dopamine were studied in nonpregnant and near-term pregnant, unanesthetized, chronically instrumented sheep. Dopamine was administered by constant intravenous infusion in doses ranging from 2 to 40 microgram per kilogram per minute. A hypertensive effect was consistently observed when doses greater than 5 microgram per kilogram per minute were given. The rise in pressure was accompanied by a rise in the systemic vascular resistance and an increase in the cardiac output; the increment in the latter was greater in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant animals. Uterine blood flow increased consistently despite some rise in uterine vascular resistance; uterine fraction of cardiac output either remained unchanged or increased slightly. Venomotor construction, reflected by a rise in central venous pressure, occurred at all dose levels. These hemodynamic properties of dopamine may be explained partly on the basis of its combined beta- and alpha-mimetic action, as well as through redistributions of flows and resistances among various regional vascular beds.", "PMID": 637082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11049", "title": "Plasma levels of ampicillin in pregnant women following administration of ampicillin and pivampicillin.", "content": "A single dose of ampicillin as been reported to produce lower plasma levels in pregnant than in nonpregnant women. In the present study plasma and urine levels oa ampicillin were studied in pregnant women following administration of multiple oral doses as well as single doses of 0.35 Gm. of pivampicillin and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 Gm. of ampicillin. Assays for levels of ampicillin were performed by means of a disc-agar-diffusion method. Multiple doses of ampicillin resulted in plasma levels and recovery in urine similar to those after a single dose. Mean plasma levels were low. A dose of 1.0 Gm. of ampicillin resulted in plasma levels in pregnant women comparable to those reported earlier by us in nonpregnant women following a dose of 0.5 Gm. A dose of 0.35 Gm. of pivampicillin resulted in plasma levels considerably lower than those reported by others in nonpregnant subjects, but plasma levels and recovery in urine were as high as those produced in pregnant women by 0.5 Gm. of ampicillin.", "contents": "Plasma levels of ampicillin in pregnant women following administration of ampicillin and pivampicillin. A single dose of ampicillin as been reported to produce lower plasma levels in pregnant than in nonpregnant women. In the present study plasma and urine levels oa ampicillin were studied in pregnant women following administration of multiple oral doses as well as single doses of 0.35 Gm. of pivampicillin and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 Gm. of ampicillin. Assays for levels of ampicillin were performed by means of a disc-agar-diffusion method. Multiple doses of ampicillin resulted in plasma levels and recovery in urine similar to those after a single dose. Mean plasma levels were low. A dose of 1.0 Gm. of ampicillin resulted in plasma levels in pregnant women comparable to those reported earlier by us in nonpregnant women following a dose of 0.5 Gm. A dose of 0.35 Gm. of pivampicillin resulted in plasma levels considerably lower than those reported by others in nonpregnant subjects, but plasma levels and recovery in urine were as high as those produced in pregnant women by 0.5 Gm. of ampicillin.", "PMID": 637083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11050", "title": "Human fetal breathing movements and gross fetal body movements at weeks 34 to 35 of gestation.", "content": "Human fetal breathing movements in utero at 34 to 35 weeks' gestational age were measured using a real-time ultrasonic scanner. Fetal breathing movements were episodic and occurred 31.8 per cent of the time. Aanalysis of continuous recordings in 10 fetuses from 09:00 to 17:00 hours demonstrated that the percentage of time spent breathing per hour was greater in the afternoon than in the morning. The number of gross fetal body movements was also greater in the afternoon than in the morning. The percentage of time spent breathing was significantly greater during the hour following the noon meal than during the hour preceding the noon meal. It was concluded that real-time ultrasonic scanning permits identification of fetal breathing movements and that between 09:00 and 17:00 hours the character of these movements is related to the time of the day and to the ingestion of food by the mother.", "contents": "Human fetal breathing movements and gross fetal body movements at weeks 34 to 35 of gestation. Human fetal breathing movements in utero at 34 to 35 weeks' gestational age were measured using a real-time ultrasonic scanner. Fetal breathing movements were episodic and occurred 31.8 per cent of the time. Aanalysis of continuous recordings in 10 fetuses from 09:00 to 17:00 hours demonstrated that the percentage of time spent breathing per hour was greater in the afternoon than in the morning. The number of gross fetal body movements was also greater in the afternoon than in the morning. The percentage of time spent breathing was significantly greater during the hour following the noon meal than during the hour preceding the noon meal. It was concluded that real-time ultrasonic scanning permits identification of fetal breathing movements and that between 09:00 and 17:00 hours the character of these movements is related to the time of the day and to the ingestion of food by the mother.", "PMID": 637085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11051", "title": "Concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in paired maternal-cord sera.", "content": "Mean serum concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), measured by competitive radioassays, were significantly higher in maternal serum than in cord serum of term infants in both black and white subjects. There were positive correlations between maternal and cord levels of both metabolites of vitamin D. Serum concentrations of 24,25(OH)2D and 25OHD were significantly lower in white pregnant subjects than in nonpregnant women. In utero levels of 24,25(OH)2D and 25OHD probably reflect maternal stores of these metabolites.", "contents": "Concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in paired maternal-cord sera. Mean serum concentrations of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), measured by competitive radioassays, were significantly higher in maternal serum than in cord serum of term infants in both black and white subjects. There were positive correlations between maternal and cord levels of both metabolites of vitamin D. Serum concentrations of 24,25(OH)2D and 25OHD were significantly lower in white pregnant subjects than in nonpregnant women. In utero levels of 24,25(OH)2D and 25OHD probably reflect maternal stores of these metabolites.", "PMID": 637086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11052", "title": "Spontaneous abortion and the use of sugar substitutes (saccharin).", "content": "The hypothesis that the use of saccharin may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion was tested in a case-control study. Women who had had spontaneous abortions were compared with women who had been delivered after 28 weeks' gestation. Women with a history of diabetes were excluded from the analysis. The use of sugar substitutes during pregnancy was similar in cases and controls: 5.5 per cent of cases and 5.8 per cent of controls reported using sugar substitutes. The power of the analysis to detect a twofold increase in the frequency of use of sugar substitutes in cases as compared to controls was approximately 81 per cent. The analysis effectively controlled for all known potentially confounding variables: that is, age at last menstrual period, history of previous spontaneous abortions, smoking during pregnancy, and usual weight were controlled in the analysis.", "contents": "Spontaneous abortion and the use of sugar substitutes (saccharin). The hypothesis that the use of saccharin may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion was tested in a case-control study. Women who had had spontaneous abortions were compared with women who had been delivered after 28 weeks' gestation. Women with a history of diabetes were excluded from the analysis. The use of sugar substitutes during pregnancy was similar in cases and controls: 5.5 per cent of cases and 5.8 per cent of controls reported using sugar substitutes. The power of the analysis to detect a twofold increase in the frequency of use of sugar substitutes in cases as compared to controls was approximately 81 per cent. The analysis effectively controlled for all known potentially confounding variables: that is, age at last menstrual period, history of previous spontaneous abortions, smoking during pregnancy, and usual weight were controlled in the analysis.", "PMID": 637087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11053", "title": "Effects of maternal and fetal plasma from toxemic patients on the vasomotility of the human umbilical artery.", "content": "Maternal and fetal plasmas from patients with specific hypertensive disease of pregnancy (SHDP) are shown to have a greater vasoconstrictive effect on perfused human unbilical artery than plasma from normal parturients. The vasomotility of isolated segments of artery was determined by measuring perfusion pressure at constant flow rate. The differences were demonstrable with plasmas and artery segments from the same parturients and also when plasma from patients with SHDP and arteries from normal parturients were used. These results, which show that plasmas from SHDP patients have a larger vasoconstrictive effect on human umbilical artery than normal plasma, support and extend the suggestion that there may be humoral mechanism which participates in the physiopathology of SHDP. This humoral factor can be detected with human umbilical artery from both normal and SHDP parturients.", "contents": "Effects of maternal and fetal plasma from toxemic patients on the vasomotility of the human umbilical artery. Maternal and fetal plasmas from patients with specific hypertensive disease of pregnancy (SHDP) are shown to have a greater vasoconstrictive effect on perfused human unbilical artery than plasma from normal parturients. The vasomotility of isolated segments of artery was determined by measuring perfusion pressure at constant flow rate. The differences were demonstrable with plasmas and artery segments from the same parturients and also when plasma from patients with SHDP and arteries from normal parturients were used. These results, which show that plasmas from SHDP patients have a larger vasoconstrictive effect on human umbilical artery than normal plasma, support and extend the suggestion that there may be humoral mechanism which participates in the physiopathology of SHDP. This humoral factor can be detected with human umbilical artery from both normal and SHDP parturients.", "PMID": 637088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11054", "title": "Spontaneous human lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor target cells. IV. The suppressive effect of normal pregnancy.", "content": "The effects of pregnancy and other donor characteristics on spontaneous lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (SLMC) were studied. Sex, age, and stage of the menstrual cycle had no significant effect on the SLMC of the control donors, the SLMC was significantly lower in pregnant donors in the second or third trimester. However, this lowered level of activity was still within the 95 per cent confidience limits of the normal population and parity had no cumulative effect. At delivery, fetal cord blood lymphocytes possessed substantial cytotoxic activity, further evidence that the fetus is immunologically competent at birth. The relevance of these data to the immunologic coexistence of the mother and fetus is discussed.", "contents": "Spontaneous human lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against tumor target cells. IV. The suppressive effect of normal pregnancy. The effects of pregnancy and other donor characteristics on spontaneous lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity (SLMC) were studied. Sex, age, and stage of the menstrual cycle had no significant effect on the SLMC of the control donors, the SLMC was significantly lower in pregnant donors in the second or third trimester. However, this lowered level of activity was still within the 95 per cent confidience limits of the normal population and parity had no cumulative effect. At delivery, fetal cord blood lymphocytes possessed substantial cytotoxic activity, further evidence that the fetus is immunologically competent at birth. The relevance of these data to the immunologic coexistence of the mother and fetus is discussed.", "PMID": 637095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11055", "title": "Maternal circulatory response to a single dose of ritodrine hydrochloride during orthostasis in normal and hypertensive late pregnancy.", "content": "Placental blood perfusion, the maternal heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were measured before and after a single intramuscular dose of ritodrine hydrochloride during orthostasis in 11 healthy pregnant women, 10 pre-eclamptic patients, and 11 pregnant patients with essentially hypertension. There was a slight increase in placental blood perfusion in the healthy subjects and a significant rise in the pre-eclamptic patients and the women with essential hypertension. The heart rate increased significantly in all groups. No greater changes in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were observed. The clinical significant of the results is discussed briefly.", "contents": "Maternal circulatory response to a single dose of ritodrine hydrochloride during orthostasis in normal and hypertensive late pregnancy. Placental blood perfusion, the maternal heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were measured before and after a single intramuscular dose of ritodrine hydrochloride during orthostasis in 11 healthy pregnant women, 10 pre-eclamptic patients, and 11 pregnant patients with essentially hypertension. There was a slight increase in placental blood perfusion in the healthy subjects and a significant rise in the pre-eclamptic patients and the women with essential hypertension. The heart rate increased significantly in all groups. No greater changes in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were observed. The clinical significant of the results is discussed briefly.", "PMID": 637096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11056", "title": "The effects of hexoprenaline, a beta 2-sympathomimetic drug, on maternal glucose, insulin, glucagon, and free fatty acid levels.", "content": "Hexoprenaline, an adrenergic beta 2-receptor agonist, was administered as a 10 microgram intravenous bolus to 9 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. The maternal plasma glucose, serum immunoreactive insulin, plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG 30 K), and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations rose significantly at different times following the bolus injection. Thc serum insulin level increased first and reached a peak at 10 minutes, before the rise in plasma glucose, which reached a maximum at 30 minutes, suggesting that beta 2-receptor stimulation affects insulin secretion directly and not via a rise in the glucose level. Plasma glucagon and FFA levels also rose despite the rise in glucose levels. We therefore conclude that beta 2-receptor stimulation has direct actions on insulin and glucagon release and on glucose and FFA metabolism. The possible fetal sequelae due to these changes in the maternal metabolic milieu are discussed in relation to the use of a 10 microgram intravenous bolus of hexoprenaline as a measure in the treatment of acute fetal distress.", "contents": "The effects of hexoprenaline, a beta 2-sympathomimetic drug, on maternal glucose, insulin, glucagon, and free fatty acid levels. Hexoprenaline, an adrenergic beta 2-receptor agonist, was administered as a 10 microgram intravenous bolus to 9 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. The maternal plasma glucose, serum immunoreactive insulin, plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG 30 K), and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations rose significantly at different times following the bolus injection. Thc serum insulin level increased first and reached a peak at 10 minutes, before the rise in plasma glucose, which reached a maximum at 30 minutes, suggesting that beta 2-receptor stimulation affects insulin secretion directly and not via a rise in the glucose level. Plasma glucagon and FFA levels also rose despite the rise in glucose levels. We therefore conclude that beta 2-receptor stimulation has direct actions on insulin and glucagon release and on glucose and FFA metabolism. The possible fetal sequelae due to these changes in the maternal metabolic milieu are discussed in relation to the use of a 10 microgram intravenous bolus of hexoprenaline as a measure in the treatment of acute fetal distress.", "PMID": 637098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11057", "title": "Clinical application of a scoring system for evaluation of antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring.", "content": "Five hundred-seven passive tests (PT's) on 260 patients and 133 oxytocin challenge tests (OCT's) on 97 of these patients were reviewed. The tracings were categorized according to a proposed modified scoring system based on baseline fetal heart rate (FHR), variability, accelerations and decelerations of FHR, and fetal activity. The scoring system was compared with the usual criteria for fetal compromise currently employed in PT's and OCT's and was found to be superior in accuracy. The usefulness of antepartum FHR monitoring as evaluated throuth the scoring system is discussed. It is concluded that passive testing can largely replace the OCT.", "contents": "Clinical application of a scoring system for evaluation of antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring. Five hundred-seven passive tests (PT's) on 260 patients and 133 oxytocin challenge tests (OCT's) on 97 of these patients were reviewed. The tracings were categorized according to a proposed modified scoring system based on baseline fetal heart rate (FHR), variability, accelerations and decelerations of FHR, and fetal activity. The scoring system was compared with the usual criteria for fetal compromise currently employed in PT's and OCT's and was found to be superior in accuracy. The usefulness of antepartum FHR monitoring as evaluated throuth the scoring system is discussed. It is concluded that passive testing can largely replace the OCT.", "PMID": 637099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11058", "title": "Functional significance of the zonal morphologic differences in the normal human placenta. A morphometric study.", "content": "Previous investigations have shown that the human placenta is a complex organ with different zones, each with a unique morphology. These zonal morphologic difference have been related to a probable blood PO2 gradient operating in the intervillous space. This study describes zonal variations in the vertical plane of the placenta by the application of different morphometric parameters. It demonstrates morphologic changes, which suggest that zonal differences may be the result of a physiologic adaptation of the placenta, which is dependent upon its structural relationships with the maternal tissues. This adaptation found in various areas of the placenta increases its functional efficiency.", "contents": "Functional significance of the zonal morphologic differences in the normal human placenta. A morphometric study. Previous investigations have shown that the human placenta is a complex organ with different zones, each with a unique morphology. These zonal morphologic difference have been related to a probable blood PO2 gradient operating in the intervillous space. This study describes zonal variations in the vertical plane of the placenta by the application of different morphometric parameters. It demonstrates morphologic changes, which suggest that zonal differences may be the result of a physiologic adaptation of the placenta, which is dependent upon its structural relationships with the maternal tissues. This adaptation found in various areas of the placenta increases its functional efficiency.", "PMID": 637100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11059", "title": "Determination of fetal lung maturity by fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid.", "content": "The degree of fluorescence polarization (P value) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene has been shown to be an excellent indicator of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in laboratory prepared liposomal dispersions. In order to test the validity of this technique in amniotic fluid, the L/S ratio and P value of 161 amniotic fluid specimens were determined. In 127 the P value was less than or equal to 0.336 and the L/S ratio was greater than or equal to 2. In 26 the P value was greater than 0.336 and the L/S ratio was less than 2 (P less than 0.05). The amniotic fluid P value is affected by blood or meconium but not by surgical lubricants or bilirubin. We concluded that the degree of fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid indicates fetal lung maturity as reliably as the L/S ratio. However, this method has important technical and practical advantages that make it more applicable for a clinical laboratory.", "contents": "Determination of fetal lung maturity by fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid. The degree of fluorescence polarization (P value) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene has been shown to be an excellent indicator of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in laboratory prepared liposomal dispersions. In order to test the validity of this technique in amniotic fluid, the L/S ratio and P value of 161 amniotic fluid specimens were determined. In 127 the P value was less than or equal to 0.336 and the L/S ratio was greater than or equal to 2. In 26 the P value was greater than 0.336 and the L/S ratio was less than 2 (P less than 0.05). The amniotic fluid P value is affected by blood or meconium but not by surgical lubricants or bilirubin. We concluded that the degree of fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid indicates fetal lung maturity as reliably as the L/S ratio. However, this method has important technical and practical advantages that make it more applicable for a clinical laboratory.", "PMID": 637101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11060", "title": "Positive correlation of optical density at 650 nm. with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios in amniotic fluid.", "content": "In this study, we have attempted to correlate optical density measurements of amniotic fluids with L/S ratios. We may conclude, with over a 98 per cent accuracy, that fluids having optical density readings of 0.15 and above, at 650 nm. will have an L/S ratio over 2.0. Fluids having optical density readings up to 0.05 will have L/S ratios of about 1.3. Finally, amniotic fluids having optical densities greater than 0.05 and less than 0.15 will have L/S ratios of approximately 1.5.", "contents": "Positive correlation of optical density at 650 nm. with lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios in amniotic fluid. In this study, we have attempted to correlate optical density measurements of amniotic fluids with L/S ratios. We may conclude, with over a 98 per cent accuracy, that fluids having optical density readings of 0.15 and above, at 650 nm. will have an L/S ratio over 2.0. Fluids having optical density readings up to 0.05 will have L/S ratios of about 1.3. Finally, amniotic fluids having optical densities greater than 0.05 and less than 0.15 will have L/S ratios of approximately 1.5.", "PMID": 637102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11061", "title": "Maternal and amniotic fluid 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels during pregnancy: diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in utero.", "content": "17 alpha-Hdroxyprogesterone levels (17 alpha-OHP) were measured in 70 samples of amniotic fluid and 30 samples of maternal serum obtained at different stages of normal pregnancy and in samples of maternal serum and amniotic fluid from a pregnancy with the fetus affected with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The mean level of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the amniotic fluid from control pregnancies was 133.9 +/- 7.6 ng. per 100 ml. (range, 25.1 to 266.6 ng. per 100 ml). The levels were significantly higher in midpregnancy (157.4 +/- 8.4 ng. per 100 ml.) than in late pregnancy (79.2 +/- 6.8 ng. per 100 ml.) (p less than 0.01). Amniotic fluid 17 alpha-OHP levels in the affected pregnancy were significantly higher than the control levels. Mean maternal 17 alpha-OHP level during early pregnancy and midpregnancy was 259.5 +/- 22 ng. per 100 ml. and there was a two-to three-fold increase after 37 weeks (672.2 +/- 61 ng. per 100 ml.) The maternal 17 alpha-OHP levels in the affected pregnancy were significantly higher than the control levels after 34 weeks, but before 34 weeks, the level was within the range seen in control pregnancies. Measurement of 17 alpha-OHP levels in the amniotic fluid before 24 weeks and maternal serum after 34 weeks can be utilized for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.", "contents": "Maternal and amniotic fluid 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels during pregnancy: diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in utero. 17 alpha-Hdroxyprogesterone levels (17 alpha-OHP) were measured in 70 samples of amniotic fluid and 30 samples of maternal serum obtained at different stages of normal pregnancy and in samples of maternal serum and amniotic fluid from a pregnancy with the fetus affected with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The mean level of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the amniotic fluid from control pregnancies was 133.9 +/- 7.6 ng. per 100 ml. (range, 25.1 to 266.6 ng. per 100 ml). The levels were significantly higher in midpregnancy (157.4 +/- 8.4 ng. per 100 ml.) than in late pregnancy (79.2 +/- 6.8 ng. per 100 ml.) (p less than 0.01). Amniotic fluid 17 alpha-OHP levels in the affected pregnancy were significantly higher than the control levels. Mean maternal 17 alpha-OHP level during early pregnancy and midpregnancy was 259.5 +/- 22 ng. per 100 ml. and there was a two-to three-fold increase after 37 weeks (672.2 +/- 61 ng. per 100 ml.) The maternal 17 alpha-OHP levels in the affected pregnancy were significantly higher than the control levels after 34 weeks, but before 34 weeks, the level was within the range seen in control pregnancies. Measurement of 17 alpha-OHP levels in the amniotic fluid before 24 weeks and maternal serum after 34 weeks can be utilized for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.", "PMID": 637103} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11062", "title": "The impairment of progesterone-induced pituitary release of prolactin and gonadotropin in patients with hypothalamic chronic anovulation.", "content": "Sequential administrations of progessively increasing amounts of estradiol benzoate (EB) for five days followed by 10 mg. of progesterone (P) elicited a prompt pituitary release of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin in normal women during the early follicular phase but not in women with normogonadotropic hypothalamic chronic anovulation with or without associated hyperprolactinemia. Since hypothalamic dopamine functions as an inhibitor for the secretion of both prolactin and gonadotropin, we postulate that sequential EB-P stimulation for simultaneous release of gonadotropin and prolactin may be mediated by a reduction of hypothalamic dopamine in response to progesterone. The failure of patients with hypothalamic chronic anovulation to respond to this sequential ovarian steroid feedback demonstrated in this study may indicate the presence of dopaminergic dysfunction and that this test may prove to be useful in delineating hypothalamic function in amenorrhea patients.", "contents": "The impairment of progesterone-induced pituitary release of prolactin and gonadotropin in patients with hypothalamic chronic anovulation. Sequential administrations of progessively increasing amounts of estradiol benzoate (EB) for five days followed by 10 mg. of progesterone (P) elicited a prompt pituitary release of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin in normal women during the early follicular phase but not in women with normogonadotropic hypothalamic chronic anovulation with or without associated hyperprolactinemia. Since hypothalamic dopamine functions as an inhibitor for the secretion of both prolactin and gonadotropin, we postulate that sequential EB-P stimulation for simultaneous release of gonadotropin and prolactin may be mediated by a reduction of hypothalamic dopamine in response to progesterone. The failure of patients with hypothalamic chronic anovulation to respond to this sequential ovarian steroid feedback demonstrated in this study may indicate the presence of dopaminergic dysfunction and that this test may prove to be useful in delineating hypothalamic function in amenorrhea patients.", "PMID": 637104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11063", "title": "Benign glandular inclusions in para-aortic lymph nodes in women undergoing lymphadenectomies.", "content": "Benign glandular inclusions in para-aortic lymph nodes are a relatively common occurrence. The chance of finding these benign glandular inclusions in the para-aortic lymph nodes is dependent on the intensity with which one searches. In our series of 106 para-aortic lymphadenectomies performed on patients with gynecologic malignancies, there were five patients in whom these benign M\u00fcllerian rests were found. Other series report up to a 40.8 per cent incidence of benign inclusions in nodes of patients with cervical cancer. They may have been either congenital or acquired. It is critical that these M\u00fcllerian tissues are not confused with metastatic disease. The significance of these benign glandular inclusions is discussed.", "contents": "Benign glandular inclusions in para-aortic lymph nodes in women undergoing lymphadenectomies. Benign glandular inclusions in para-aortic lymph nodes are a relatively common occurrence. The chance of finding these benign glandular inclusions in the para-aortic lymph nodes is dependent on the intensity with which one searches. In our series of 106 para-aortic lymphadenectomies performed on patients with gynecologic malignancies, there were five patients in whom these benign M\u00fcllerian rests were found. Other series report up to a 40.8 per cent incidence of benign inclusions in nodes of patients with cervical cancer. They may have been either congenital or acquired. It is critical that these M\u00fcllerian tissues are not confused with metastatic disease. The significance of these benign glandular inclusions is discussed.", "PMID": 637105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11064", "title": "Tomographic diagnosis of pituitary microadenomas in Forbes-Albright syndrome (amenorrhea-galactorrhea).", "content": "The present study documents a characteristic tomographic sellar abnormality in five patients with Forbes-Albright syndrome (ammenorrhea-galactorrhea) and surgically proved pituitary microadenomas. This abnormality, noted in patients with normal-sized sellae, consists of asymmetric erosion of the anterior inferior wall of the sella turcica. Utilizing the twin criteria of an elevated serum prolactin and characteristic sella abnormality, herein described, previously unrecognized patients with pituitary microadenomas can be diagnosed and treated effectively.", "contents": "Tomographic diagnosis of pituitary microadenomas in Forbes-Albright syndrome (amenorrhea-galactorrhea). The present study documents a characteristic tomographic sellar abnormality in five patients with Forbes-Albright syndrome (ammenorrhea-galactorrhea) and surgically proved pituitary microadenomas. This abnormality, noted in patients with normal-sized sellae, consists of asymmetric erosion of the anterior inferior wall of the sella turcica. Utilizing the twin criteria of an elevated serum prolactin and characteristic sella abnormality, herein described, previously unrecognized patients with pituitary microadenomas can be diagnosed and treated effectively.", "PMID": 637106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11065", "title": "Manpower for obstetrics-gynecology. I. Demographic considerations and practice work load.", "content": "A cooperative study between the University of Southern California Division of Research in Medical Education and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists represents one subset of a large-scale study of manpower supply in obstetrics-gynecology. A stratified random sample of all obstetrician-gynecologists was obtained from the AMerican Medical Association's \"Master File of Physicians.\" A total of 879 respondents (56 per cent of the sample) completed a detailed, one-week log of practice activities and self-descriptive questionnaire. This initial report describes these physicians by practice arrangement as related to age and geography. Practice work load is identified by encounter time per patient, work hours per day and week, and variations related to geographic location and population served. The descriptive findings may have important implications for manpower planning.", "contents": "Manpower for obstetrics-gynecology. I. Demographic considerations and practice work load. A cooperative study between the University of Southern California Division of Research in Medical Education and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists represents one subset of a large-scale study of manpower supply in obstetrics-gynecology. A stratified random sample of all obstetrician-gynecologists was obtained from the AMerican Medical Association's \"Master File of Physicians.\" A total of 879 respondents (56 per cent of the sample) completed a detailed, one-week log of practice activities and self-descriptive questionnaire. This initial report describes these physicians by practice arrangement as related to age and geography. Practice work load is identified by encounter time per patient, work hours per day and week, and variations related to geographic location and population served. The descriptive findings may have important implications for manpower planning.", "PMID": 637111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11066", "title": "Intrauterine fetal transfusion, 1965-1976, with an assessment of the surviving children.", "content": "The need for IUT in the management of Rh hemolytic disease is likely to continue in the foreseeable future. Recent reports have been skeptical about the success of this procedure and the quality of the surviving infants. Of 84 fetuses who received 134 IUT's, over all, 35.7 per cent survived; 48.3 per cent of the nonhydropic group survived. Fifteen of the 23 survivors between 3 and 11 years of age received intellectual, academic, behavioral, health, and developmental evaluations. When compared to sibling and high-risk control groups, the study children showed no significant differences in intelligence quotients, arithmetic achievements, or reading achievements; their school performance is acceptable and none is presenting significant behavioral problems. Except for an excessive number of umbilical and inguinal hernias, there were no physical abnormalities that could be directly related to IUT.", "contents": "Intrauterine fetal transfusion, 1965-1976, with an assessment of the surviving children. The need for IUT in the management of Rh hemolytic disease is likely to continue in the foreseeable future. Recent reports have been skeptical about the success of this procedure and the quality of the surviving infants. Of 84 fetuses who received 134 IUT's, over all, 35.7 per cent survived; 48.3 per cent of the nonhydropic group survived. Fifteen of the 23 survivors between 3 and 11 years of age received intellectual, academic, behavioral, health, and developmental evaluations. When compared to sibling and high-risk control groups, the study children showed no significant differences in intelligence quotients, arithmetic achievements, or reading achievements; their school performance is acceptable and none is presenting significant behavioral problems. Except for an excessive number of umbilical and inguinal hernias, there were no physical abnormalities that could be directly related to IUT.", "PMID": 637112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11067", "title": "Lymph gland metastases in invasive squamous cell cancer of the vulva.", "content": "Cancer of the vulva has responded to surgical therapy. \"The problem now is to decide in what way the results may be improved.\" A clinical series of 195 patients who had extended vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy were systematically examined for lymph gland metastases in the inguinal and pelvic regions. Forty-one patients had metastases in these lymph glands. Lesion site, lesion size, and patterns of metastases were delineated in these 41 patients. ;ariations in the pattern of central (clitoral) and lateral (labial) cancers were recorded. Risk factors of 20.5 and 4.6 per cent respectively, was calculated for omitting bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The latter figure indicated that one of 20 patients would have had residual disease if pelvic lymphadenectomy had been omitted. With out present inability to determine accurately lymph gland metastases by nonsurgical means, trends from this study indicate that optimum therapy requires addition of pelvic lymphadenectomy to extended vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy.", "contents": "Lymph gland metastases in invasive squamous cell cancer of the vulva. Cancer of the vulva has responded to surgical therapy. \"The problem now is to decide in what way the results may be improved.\" A clinical series of 195 patients who had extended vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy were systematically examined for lymph gland metastases in the inguinal and pelvic regions. Forty-one patients had metastases in these lymph glands. Lesion site, lesion size, and patterns of metastases were delineated in these 41 patients. ;ariations in the pattern of central (clitoral) and lateral (labial) cancers were recorded. Risk factors of 20.5 and 4.6 per cent respectively, was calculated for omitting bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The latter figure indicated that one of 20 patients would have had residual disease if pelvic lymphadenectomy had been omitted. With out present inability to determine accurately lymph gland metastases by nonsurgical means, trends from this study indicate that optimum therapy requires addition of pelvic lymphadenectomy to extended vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy.", "PMID": 637113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11068", "title": "Rehabilitation of patients with NCA (neurocirculatory asthenia) through a short term training program.", "content": "Twenty-two patients, 18 years old, with the predominant somatic type of NCA, and a control group of 22 healthy subjects participated in a short term training course lasting three weeks. Following the training the NCA subjects showed a significant change in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 5 minutes of recumbency as well as in the systolic blood pressure after 5 minutes of standing, diastolic pressures during 50 W load and submaximal effort (100-150 W) - all the values being significantly lower following the training, except the diastolic pressure during 50 W load which was higher following the course. The prominent training effect was on the heart rate during light work loads (50 W) in which a decrease from a mean of 151.2 +/- 13.9 to 118.3 +/- 16.3 beats/min was recorded. This decrease indicates the better adaptation of the NCA patients to physical effort. Similarly, a significant increase in the mean VO2max from 31.5 +/- 6.1 to 37.7 +/- 5.9 ml O2/kg B.W./min was observed. No changes were recorded in the ECG after the short training course. Following the training all the symptoms typical of the NCA syndrome vanished. A short physical training of 3 weeks can start the procedure of rehabilitation of a well selected group of NCA patients with predominant somatic complaints. The rehabilitation must be continued throughout life by continued physical training.", "contents": "Rehabilitation of patients with NCA (neurocirculatory asthenia) through a short term training program. Twenty-two patients, 18 years old, with the predominant somatic type of NCA, and a control group of 22 healthy subjects participated in a short term training course lasting three weeks. Following the training the NCA subjects showed a significant change in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 5 minutes of recumbency as well as in the systolic blood pressure after 5 minutes of standing, diastolic pressures during 50 W load and submaximal effort (100-150 W) - all the values being significantly lower following the training, except the diastolic pressure during 50 W load which was higher following the course. The prominent training effect was on the heart rate during light work loads (50 W) in which a decrease from a mean of 151.2 +/- 13.9 to 118.3 +/- 16.3 beats/min was recorded. This decrease indicates the better adaptation of the NCA patients to physical effort. Similarly, a significant increase in the mean VO2max from 31.5 +/- 6.1 to 37.7 +/- 5.9 ml O2/kg B.W./min was observed. No changes were recorded in the ECG after the short training course. Following the training all the symptoms typical of the NCA syndrome vanished. A short physical training of 3 weeks can start the procedure of rehabilitation of a well selected group of NCA patients with predominant somatic complaints. The rehabilitation must be continued throughout life by continued physical training.", "PMID": 637114} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11069", "title": "Muscle stretch receptor hypersensitization in spasticity. Inapproprioception, Part III.", "content": "The author's concept of Inapproprioception, which accounts for athetoid movements in terms of defective proprioceptive feedback (i.e., distortion of afferent signals representing limb position) is extended here to explain spasticity in cerebral palsy was well. Descending activation of gamma efferents supplying hypertonic muscles may be excessive, leading to hypersensitization of stretch receptors in those muscles (the exact distribution of muscles affected varying with the individual). The result is exaggerated reflex activation of alpha motoneurons in response to the slightest muscle stretch. Even passive tension due to gravitational forces, which is inescapable, results in excessive impulse discharge from sensitized stretch afferents and thus leads to reflex contractions simply in response to shifts in body position. The affected muscles shorten to a length corresponding to the elevated level of reflexly originating motoneuron discharge, manifesting excessive tone even in the contracted state. The distribution of hypertonicity thus induced usually follows a predictable pattern and can be modified using slow passive stretch of hypertonic muscles to relax them, followed by facilitated voluntary contraction to strengthen weak antagonists, and progressing to functional reciprocal usage of agonists and antagonists to achieve proper muscle balance. Application of this procedure leads to improved posture, balance and ambulation in subjects with spastic cerebral palsy.", "contents": "Muscle stretch receptor hypersensitization in spasticity. Inapproprioception, Part III. The author's concept of Inapproprioception, which accounts for athetoid movements in terms of defective proprioceptive feedback (i.e., distortion of afferent signals representing limb position) is extended here to explain spasticity in cerebral palsy was well. Descending activation of gamma efferents supplying hypertonic muscles may be excessive, leading to hypersensitization of stretch receptors in those muscles (the exact distribution of muscles affected varying with the individual). The result is exaggerated reflex activation of alpha motoneurons in response to the slightest muscle stretch. Even passive tension due to gravitational forces, which is inescapable, results in excessive impulse discharge from sensitized stretch afferents and thus leads to reflex contractions simply in response to shifts in body position. The affected muscles shorten to a length corresponding to the elevated level of reflexly originating motoneuron discharge, manifesting excessive tone even in the contracted state. The distribution of hypertonicity thus induced usually follows a predictable pattern and can be modified using slow passive stretch of hypertonic muscles to relax them, followed by facilitated voluntary contraction to strengthen weak antagonists, and progressing to functional reciprocal usage of agonists and antagonists to achieve proper muscle balance. Application of this procedure leads to improved posture, balance and ambulation in subjects with spastic cerebral palsy.", "PMID": 637115} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11070", "title": "Immunoglobulin (Gm) allotypes in a sample of Canadian Ashkenazic Jews.", "content": "Gm typing on the serum specimens of 507 Ashkenazic Jews (pre-dominantly of Polish-Russian ancestry) from Toronto, Canada has established the presence of haplotypes Gm3;5, Gm1;21, Gm1,2;21, and Gm1,17;5, and the absence of haplotypes Gm1;13,15,16, Gm1;5,6, and Gm1;5,6,24 which have been found in other Jewish peoples. It is suggested that Ashkenazic populations have lower frequencies of haplotype Gm1,17;5 than non-European Jewish populations, and that some eastern European Jewish populations have acquired the Gm1;13,15,16 haplotype through gene flow from Central Asia. Thus Jewish populations show differences in the Gm system; many of the differences may be in the direction of similarities to neighbouring non-Jewish populations.", "contents": "Immunoglobulin (Gm) allotypes in a sample of Canadian Ashkenazic Jews. Gm typing on the serum specimens of 507 Ashkenazic Jews (pre-dominantly of Polish-Russian ancestry) from Toronto, Canada has established the presence of haplotypes Gm3;5, Gm1;21, Gm1,2;21, and Gm1,17;5, and the absence of haplotypes Gm1;13,15,16, Gm1;5,6, and Gm1;5,6,24 which have been found in other Jewish peoples. It is suggested that Ashkenazic populations have lower frequencies of haplotype Gm1,17;5 than non-European Jewish populations, and that some eastern European Jewish populations have acquired the Gm1;13,15,16 haplotype through gene flow from Central Asia. Thus Jewish populations show differences in the Gm system; many of the differences may be in the direction of similarities to neighbouring non-Jewish populations.", "PMID": 637117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11071", "title": "Genetic variation in transferrin alleles of rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta.", "content": "The rhesus macaque displays an extensive polymorphism at the transferrin locus. A principal components analysis describes the variance and covariance of alleles at the transferrin locus in eight widely dispersed sample populations. Using an eigenvectorial representation of the covariance matrix and systematically approximated geographical locations the distribution of populations and transferrin alleles is compared. Alleles with high variance prove to be the determining factor in the placement of populations in a \"genetic map\" and provide a means for interpreting the low congruence of genetics and geography found.", "contents": "Genetic variation in transferrin alleles of rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta. The rhesus macaque displays an extensive polymorphism at the transferrin locus. A principal components analysis describes the variance and covariance of alleles at the transferrin locus in eight widely dispersed sample populations. Using an eigenvectorial representation of the covariance matrix and systematically approximated geographical locations the distribution of populations and transferrin alleles is compared. Alleles with high variance prove to be the determining factor in the placement of populations in a \"genetic map\" and provide a means for interpreting the low congruence of genetics and geography found.", "PMID": 637118} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11072", "title": "Growth trends among male Bods of Ladakh--a high altitude population.", "content": "A random sample of 274 native male Bods of Ladakh ranging in age from 11 to 19 years, living in Leh (Ladakh) at mean altitude of 3,514 metres, was studied. The pattern of growth of this sample was compared with the sea level Indians. The results indicate that: (1) The so called adolescent spurt is not well defined among Bod highlanders. (2) Bods grow faster than plain dwelling Indians and are taller and heavier at the age of 19 years. (3) The highlanders exhibit greater chest circumference than the lowland norms. This finding, similar to those among Andean natives, supports high altitude hypoxia's role in human growth and morphology.", "contents": "Growth trends among male Bods of Ladakh--a high altitude population. A random sample of 274 native male Bods of Ladakh ranging in age from 11 to 19 years, living in Leh (Ladakh) at mean altitude of 3,514 metres, was studied. The pattern of growth of this sample was compared with the sea level Indians. The results indicate that: (1) The so called adolescent spurt is not well defined among Bod highlanders. (2) Bods grow faster than plain dwelling Indians and are taller and heavier at the age of 19 years. (3) The highlanders exhibit greater chest circumference than the lowland norms. This finding, similar to those among Andean natives, supports high altitude hypoxia's role in human growth and morphology.", "PMID": 637119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11073", "title": "Prevalence and possible etiology of dental enamel hypoplasia.", "content": "Two hundred black and white adult human skeletons and 200 living black and white children from the greater Cleveland area were examined for evidence of enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia, present in varying expressings (pits, lines and grooves), was found to be more prevalent in both skeletal samples, than in the living groups. In the majority of cases, sex differences between white and black males and females through time and space are highly significant for all tooth catagories. Regardless of the mechanisms behind it, prevalence of enamel hypoplasia for both white and black group has significantly declined through time. No evidence suggesting specific etiologies responsible for enamel hypoplasia can be found. In the majority of previously published reports, the etiology is still idiopathic. The reduction in the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in the groups examined through time may be related to improved nutritional conditions and the elimination or decline of childhood diseases that have been implicated in this condition.", "contents": "Prevalence and possible etiology of dental enamel hypoplasia. Two hundred black and white adult human skeletons and 200 living black and white children from the greater Cleveland area were examined for evidence of enamel hypoplasia. Enamel hypoplasia, present in varying expressings (pits, lines and grooves), was found to be more prevalent in both skeletal samples, than in the living groups. In the majority of cases, sex differences between white and black males and females through time and space are highly significant for all tooth catagories. Regardless of the mechanisms behind it, prevalence of enamel hypoplasia for both white and black group has significantly declined through time. No evidence suggesting specific etiologies responsible for enamel hypoplasia can be found. In the majority of previously published reports, the etiology is still idiopathic. The reduction in the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in the groups examined through time may be related to improved nutritional conditions and the elimination or decline of childhood diseases that have been implicated in this condition.", "PMID": 637120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11074", "title": "Multivariate dental allometry in primates.", "content": "Disagreement is current over the question of whether relatively large teeth in some large primates are a natural outcome of growth trends instead of an indication of intrinsic differences. A cross-primate survey of dental scaling relative to skull (and inferred body) size is given in this study, using a principal component technique to measure the multivariate growth relation between two sets of data: dental size and cranial size. Cheek teeth are strongly positively allometric in restriced taxonomic groups, especially in cercopithecoids. Conversely, the allometry drops to an almost linear proportional growth relation when variation in diet is controlled.", "contents": "Multivariate dental allometry in primates. Disagreement is current over the question of whether relatively large teeth in some large primates are a natural outcome of growth trends instead of an indication of intrinsic differences. A cross-primate survey of dental scaling relative to skull (and inferred body) size is given in this study, using a principal component technique to measure the multivariate growth relation between two sets of data: dental size and cranial size. Cheek teeth are strongly positively allometric in restriced taxonomic groups, especially in cercopithecoids. Conversely, the allometry drops to an almost linear proportional growth relation when variation in diet is controlled.", "PMID": 637121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11075", "title": "Artificial cranial deformation and the increased complexity of the lambdoid suture.", "content": "Studies examining an association between artificial cranial deformation and the presence of wormian bones in the lambdoid suture have been inconclusive. Cranial deformation, however, does not seem to have a direct effect of increasing the sutural complexity of the pars lambdica of the lambdoid suture and also increasing the mean number of lambdoidal wormian bones, given their presence.", "contents": "Artificial cranial deformation and the increased complexity of the lambdoid suture. Studies examining an association between artificial cranial deformation and the presence of wormian bones in the lambdoid suture have been inconclusive. Cranial deformation, however, does not seem to have a direct effect of increasing the sutural complexity of the pars lambdica of the lambdoid suture and also increasing the mean number of lambdoidal wormian bones, given their presence.", "PMID": 637122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11076", "title": "A new method for assessing the sex of fragmentary skeletal remains: femoral shaft circumference.", "content": "A simple discriminant function using midshaft femoral circumference for the determination of sex has been tested with 114 skeletons from the Libben Site, Ontario County, Ohio. The results have been shown to be 85% consistent with other, accepted means of determining sex. Femur circumference an be an aid to the sexual identification of poorly preserved and fragmentary skeletal remains.", "contents": "A new method for assessing the sex of fragmentary skeletal remains: femoral shaft circumference. A simple discriminant function using midshaft femoral circumference for the determination of sex has been tested with 114 skeletons from the Libben Site, Ontario County, Ohio. The results have been shown to be 85% consistent with other, accepted means of determining sex. Femur circumference an be an aid to the sexual identification of poorly preserved and fragmentary skeletal remains.", "PMID": 637123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11077", "title": "Aging in the lumbar spine. II. L1 and L2.", "content": "The bodies of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, like those of L3 and L4, show a significant trend toward lowering and broadening with age. Superior, inferior, and midbody transverse breadths increase, but there is little or no increase in endplate \"flaring\" with age. There is essentially no change in the relationship between anterior and posterior heights, but as reported for L3 and L4, there is a sexual difference in the amount and type of wedging of the bodies of L1 and L2. Posterior wedging (posterior height less than anterior height) of these vertebrae is about twice as common in females as in males. Whites of both sexes show a statistically significant relationship between age and increased biconcavity of the endplates. Black females, but not the males, show a similar trend, especially in L1.", "contents": "Aging in the lumbar spine. II. L1 and L2. The bodies of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, like those of L3 and L4, show a significant trend toward lowering and broadening with age. Superior, inferior, and midbody transverse breadths increase, but there is little or no increase in endplate \"flaring\" with age. There is essentially no change in the relationship between anterior and posterior heights, but as reported for L3 and L4, there is a sexual difference in the amount and type of wedging of the bodies of L1 and L2. Posterior wedging (posterior height less than anterior height) of these vertebrae is about twice as common in females as in males. Whites of both sexes show a statistically significant relationship between age and increased biconcavity of the endplates. Black females, but not the males, show a similar trend, especially in L1.", "PMID": 637124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11078", "title": "Aging in the lumber spine. III. L5.", "content": "The fifth lumbar vertebra, like the other units of the lumbar spine, shows a significant trend toward lowering and broadening of the body with age. In most individuals the pedicales of L5 arise from the lateral surface of the body, rather than posteriorly as in the other lumbar vertebrae, and the increase in body breadth is very often associated with the formation of reinforcing columns of bone between the bases of the pedicles and osteophytes bordering the inferior endplate. In L5 midbody breadth shows a greater gain than endplate breadths, so \"flaring\" is decreased with age, a change that is statistically significant in Black males and White females. This vertebra shows no significant change in endplate biconcavity or posterior wedging with age.", "contents": "Aging in the lumber spine. III. L5. The fifth lumbar vertebra, like the other units of the lumbar spine, shows a significant trend toward lowering and broadening of the body with age. In most individuals the pedicales of L5 arise from the lateral surface of the body, rather than posteriorly as in the other lumbar vertebrae, and the increase in body breadth is very often associated with the formation of reinforcing columns of bone between the bases of the pedicles and osteophytes bordering the inferior endplate. In L5 midbody breadth shows a greater gain than endplate breadths, so \"flaring\" is decreased with age, a change that is statistically significant in Black males and White females. This vertebra shows no significant change in endplate biconcavity or posterior wedging with age.", "PMID": 637125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11079", "title": "Changes in somatotypes of European males between 17 and 24 years.", "content": "In order to examine the possible changes in somatotype of young males, 14 boys who had been somatotyped annually from 11 to 18 years by the Health-Carter anthropometric rating method were re-somatotyped at 24 years. The analysis focused on years 17, 18 and 24. Discriminant analysis, somatotype dispersion indices and distances, and the I-index were used to analyze the data. The findings showed a significant shift in somatotype from ectomorphmesomorph towards endo-mesomorphy between 17 and 24 years. This shift was greater than that observed by Zuk ('58), and was in the same direction. It is hypothesized that the somatotypes of males become more endo-mesomorphic from 17 years to the mid-twenties.", "contents": "Changes in somatotypes of European males between 17 and 24 years. In order to examine the possible changes in somatotype of young males, 14 boys who had been somatotyped annually from 11 to 18 years by the Health-Carter anthropometric rating method were re-somatotyped at 24 years. The analysis focused on years 17, 18 and 24. Discriminant analysis, somatotype dispersion indices and distances, and the I-index were used to analyze the data. The findings showed a significant shift in somatotype from ectomorphmesomorph towards endo-mesomorphy between 17 and 24 years. This shift was greater than that observed by Zuk ('58), and was in the same direction. It is hypothesized that the somatotypes of males become more endo-mesomorphic from 17 years to the mid-twenties.", "PMID": 637126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11080", "title": "The blacks of Panama: their genetic diversity as assessed by 15 inherited biochemical systems.", "content": "Panama's black citizens are culturally and historically divisible into two groups, the Spanish-speaking coloniales and the English-speaking anglos or afro-antillanos. Until recently these groups have been geographically as well as culturally isolated one from the other, although both are predominantly of West and Southwest African origin. Assessment of the genetic diversity within-villages and within language groups reveals as much, possibly somewhat more, diversity in 15 inherited biochemical markers within villages and language groups as that which obtains between villages and language groups. A number of rare variants at the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and esterase D loci were encountered and are described.", "contents": "The blacks of Panama: their genetic diversity as assessed by 15 inherited biochemical systems. Panama's black citizens are culturally and historically divisible into two groups, the Spanish-speaking coloniales and the English-speaking anglos or afro-antillanos. Until recently these groups have been geographically as well as culturally isolated one from the other, although both are predominantly of West and Southwest African origin. Assessment of the genetic diversity within-villages and within language groups reveals as much, possibly somewhat more, diversity in 15 inherited biochemical markers within villages and language groups as that which obtains between villages and language groups. A number of rare variants at the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and esterase D loci were encountered and are described.", "PMID": 637128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11081", "title": "Mineral analysis of ancient Peruvian hair.", "content": "Ancient Peruvian hair has been excavated from a series of archaeological sites on the Peruvian coast. After careful cleaning, examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed most of the samples to be in a state of preservation comparable to modern hair. No evidence of pathological conditions was observed. Trace metal composition was determined by atomic absorption and flame emission spectrophotometry and nitrogen by Kjeldahl analysis, producing the following results: (1) nitrogen is lost with time, while all other tested minerals except zinc and copper showed irregular increases; (2) relatively high chromium levels may indicate that diabetes was not present in the samples; and (3) no consistent trend in the ratio of calcium to strontium was found through time and across corresponding dietary shifts.", "contents": "Mineral analysis of ancient Peruvian hair. Ancient Peruvian hair has been excavated from a series of archaeological sites on the Peruvian coast. After careful cleaning, examination by scanning electron microscopy revealed most of the samples to be in a state of preservation comparable to modern hair. No evidence of pathological conditions was observed. Trace metal composition was determined by atomic absorption and flame emission spectrophotometry and nitrogen by Kjeldahl analysis, producing the following results: (1) nitrogen is lost with time, while all other tested minerals except zinc and copper showed irregular increases; (2) relatively high chromium levels may indicate that diabetes was not present in the samples; and (3) no consistent trend in the ratio of calcium to strontium was found through time and across corresponding dietary shifts.", "PMID": 637129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11082", "title": "Linkage disequilibrium in Bougainville Island.", "content": "Linkage disequilibria are estimated for three 2-locus systems in 18 samples from Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. The systems are haptoglobin, acid phosphatase and MN blood group. The disequilibria are estimated two ways: by maximum likelihood (ML) and by the covariance between the non-alleles. Though seven of the 52 ML estimates are statistically different than zero, none of the covariance estimates are significant. We conclude that because linkage disequilibrium for loosely linked loci is a small quantity and because the sample sizes for most populations studied by anthropologists are small, linkage disequilibrium will not be a useful parameter for the study of natural selection in these populations.", "contents": "Linkage disequilibrium in Bougainville Island. Linkage disequilibria are estimated for three 2-locus systems in 18 samples from Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. The systems are haptoglobin, acid phosphatase and MN blood group. The disequilibria are estimated two ways: by maximum likelihood (ML) and by the covariance between the non-alleles. Though seven of the 52 ML estimates are statistically different than zero, none of the covariance estimates are significant. We conclude that because linkage disequilibrium for loosely linked loci is a small quantity and because the sample sizes for most populations studied by anthropologists are small, linkage disequilibrium will not be a useful parameter for the study of natural selection in these populations.", "PMID": 637130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11083", "title": "Inheritance of tooth size in Australian aboriginals.", "content": "The purpose of this study was to clarify the question of inheritance of tooth size, with particular reference to the role of the sex chromosomes. Data were obtained from the dental casts of Aboriginals living at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory of Australia, who had participated in a longitudinal growth study extending over 20 years. The compilation and verification of comprehensive genealogical records gathered over a number of years enabled the analysis of family data. Product-moment correlation coefficients between different full-sibling and half-sibling pairs were calculated for permanent tooth size. Values of individual and average correlation for both mesiodistal and buccolingual tooth diameters conformed with the theoretical correlations expected assuming polygenic inheritance. However, no evidence of sex chromosomal involvement was found.", "contents": "Inheritance of tooth size in Australian aboriginals. The purpose of this study was to clarify the question of inheritance of tooth size, with particular reference to the role of the sex chromosomes. Data were obtained from the dental casts of Aboriginals living at Yuendumu in the Northern Territory of Australia, who had participated in a longitudinal growth study extending over 20 years. The compilation and verification of comprehensive genealogical records gathered over a number of years enabled the analysis of family data. Product-moment correlation coefficients between different full-sibling and half-sibling pairs were calculated for permanent tooth size. Values of individual and average correlation for both mesiodistal and buccolingual tooth diameters conformed with the theoretical correlations expected assuming polygenic inheritance. However, no evidence of sex chromosomal involvement was found.", "PMID": 637131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11084", "title": "Variation in dental occlusion and arches among Melanesians of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. II. Clinical variation, geographic microdifferentiation and synthesis.", "content": "Patterns of geographic microdifferentiation for dental occlusion and the size and shape of the dental arches are described for 14 villages on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. Occlusal variables, such as overjet, overbite, molar relationships, crowding or spacing, and malalignment vary less among villages than do arch length and width. Arch length and width decrease in size from north to south. The pattern of biological distance among villages for occlusal variables and arch size correspond poorly to anthropometric, linguistic, geographic and migrational distances. The value of occlusal variables and arch size for discriminating among populations, the biological interpretation of multivariate data and the objectives of research on geographic microdifferentiation are discussed.", "contents": "Variation in dental occlusion and arches among Melanesians of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. II. Clinical variation, geographic microdifferentiation and synthesis. Patterns of geographic microdifferentiation for dental occlusion and the size and shape of the dental arches are described for 14 villages on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. Occlusal variables, such as overjet, overbite, molar relationships, crowding or spacing, and malalignment vary less among villages than do arch length and width. Arch length and width decrease in size from north to south. The pattern of biological distance among villages for occlusal variables and arch size correspond poorly to anthropometric, linguistic, geographic and migrational distances. The value of occlusal variables and arch size for discriminating among populations, the biological interpretation of multivariate data and the objectives of research on geographic microdifferentiation are discussed.", "PMID": 637132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11085", "title": "Genetic basis of a-b, b-c and c-d ridge counts on human soles.", "content": "The mechanism of inheritance of ridge count of plantar interdigital areas has been studied among Brahmans of Sagar town of Central India. The correlation coefficient between ridge counts in various family relationships lend support to the concept of an additive genetic model.", "contents": "Genetic basis of a-b, b-c and c-d ridge counts on human soles. The mechanism of inheritance of ridge count of plantar interdigital areas has been studied among Brahmans of Sagar town of Central India. The correlation coefficient between ridge counts in various family relationships lend support to the concept of an additive genetic model.", "PMID": 637133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11086", "title": "The adult psychiatrist in the medical environment.", "content": "To function effectively in the medical environment a psychiatrist must be comfortable with the skills and values of medicine. He or she must nurture his or her original knowledge in this area with an ongoing learning program. Certain problems are uniquely encountered in this environment. The psychiatrist must understand that various psychiatric disorders may be masked by or may mask somatic complaints. He or she must expect to deal with threatened and threatening patients. Most important, the psychiatrist must understand that to be effective he or she must make a commitment to involvement.", "contents": "The adult psychiatrist in the medical environment. To function effectively in the medical environment a psychiatrist must be comfortable with the skills and values of medicine. He or she must nurture his or her original knowledge in this area with an ongoing learning program. Certain problems are uniquely encountered in this environment. The psychiatrist must understand that various psychiatric disorders may be masked by or may mask somatic complaints. He or she must expect to deal with threatened and threatening patients. Most important, the psychiatrist must understand that to be effective he or she must make a commitment to involvement.", "PMID": 637134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11087", "title": "Stages of onset of schizophrenic psychosis.", "content": "On the basis of a review of the literature describing the process of schizophrenic illness, the authors conclude that schizophrenic psychosis is one stage in a process of psychological and biological breakdown that has a specific structure and a characteristic unfolding consisting of the sequential appearance of hierarchically ordered, distinguishable, and recognizable psychological states. They present on illustrative case history of a patient who was able to describe her feelings during the process of decompensation to schizophrenic psychosis and two case histories of patients whose decompensations were rated according to the authors' State of Illness Rating Scale.", "contents": "Stages of onset of schizophrenic psychosis. On the basis of a review of the literature describing the process of schizophrenic illness, the authors conclude that schizophrenic psychosis is one stage in a process of psychological and biological breakdown that has a specific structure and a characteristic unfolding consisting of the sequential appearance of hierarchically ordered, distinguishable, and recognizable psychological states. They present on illustrative case history of a patient who was able to describe her feelings during the process of decompensation to schizophrenic psychosis and two case histories of patients whose decompensations were rated according to the authors' State of Illness Rating Scale.", "PMID": 637135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11088", "title": "Clinical relevance of anthropological and cross-cultural research: concepts and strategies.", "content": "The author presents a method through which findings from anthropological and cross-cultural research can be applied to problems affecting patient care. The clinical social science approach emphasizes the distinction between disease and illness and cultural influences on the ways \"clinical reality\" is conflictingly construed in the ethnomedical models of patients and the biomedical models of practitioners. The relevance of such research extends beyond special clinical concerns arising from ethnic differences to ubiquitous problems that result from cultural influences on all aspects of health care. Consultation-liaison psychiatry is a particularly appropriate vehicle for introducing clinical social science into medical and psychiatric teaching and practice.", "contents": "Clinical relevance of anthropological and cross-cultural research: concepts and strategies. The author presents a method through which findings from anthropological and cross-cultural research can be applied to problems affecting patient care. The clinical social science approach emphasizes the distinction between disease and illness and cultural influences on the ways \"clinical reality\" is conflictingly construed in the ethnomedical models of patients and the biomedical models of practitioners. The relevance of such research extends beyond special clinical concerns arising from ethnic differences to ubiquitous problems that result from cultural influences on all aspects of health care. Consultation-liaison psychiatry is a particularly appropriate vehicle for introducing clinical social science into medical and psychiatric teaching and practice.", "PMID": 637136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11089", "title": "Psychosocial aspects of mastectomy: I. the women's perspective.", "content": "The authors administered a questionnaire to 41 women who had had mastectomies to investigate aspects of the procedure itself, pre- and postmastectomy adjustment, effects on sexual relationships, and the influence of age. Although most women reported good overall adjustment, there were strong indications of psychological suffering (suicidal ideation, increased use of alcohol and tranquilizers, etc.). Psychological intervention may be called for in many cases, and age, support systems, and premorbid functioning may be indicators of the amount and type of intervention needed. Counseling is particularly important before surgery, since this was viewed as the period of maximum stress by most women. Further research with larger, more random samples and postsurgical control groups is indicated to determine more precisely the factors related to adjustment to mastectomy.", "contents": "Psychosocial aspects of mastectomy: I. the women's perspective. The authors administered a questionnaire to 41 women who had had mastectomies to investigate aspects of the procedure itself, pre- and postmastectomy adjustment, effects on sexual relationships, and the influence of age. Although most women reported good overall adjustment, there were strong indications of psychological suffering (suicidal ideation, increased use of alcohol and tranquilizers, etc.). Psychological intervention may be called for in many cases, and age, support systems, and premorbid functioning may be indicators of the amount and type of intervention needed. Counseling is particularly important before surgery, since this was viewed as the period of maximum stress by most women. Further research with larger, more random samples and postsurgical control groups is indicated to determine more precisely the factors related to adjustment to mastectomy.", "PMID": 637137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11090", "title": "The borderline adult: therapeutic alliance and transference.", "content": "The author suggests that successful therapy with borderline patients requires the initiation, strengthening, and maturation of the therapeutic alliance as well as the working-through of the patient's difficulty with separation-individuation from the past. He defines a borderline transference as the activation and alternative projection on the therapist of the patient's primitive, split, positive, and negative object relations part-units. In the process of therapy confrontation and, later, interpretation bring these part-units to the patient's awareness, where they can be worked through and the separation-individuation process failure repaired. The therapist who deals with borderline patients must have both personal maturity and professional skill.", "contents": "The borderline adult: therapeutic alliance and transference. The author suggests that successful therapy with borderline patients requires the initiation, strengthening, and maturation of the therapeutic alliance as well as the working-through of the patient's difficulty with separation-individuation from the past. He defines a borderline transference as the activation and alternative projection on the therapist of the patient's primitive, split, positive, and negative object relations part-units. In the process of therapy confrontation and, later, interpretation bring these part-units to the patient's awareness, where they can be worked through and the separation-individuation process failure repaired. The therapist who deals with borderline patients must have both personal maturity and professional skill.", "PMID": 637138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11091", "title": "A profile of Asian-American psychiatrists.", "content": "Of 367 respondents to a survey of Asian-American members of the American Psychiatric Association, fewer than 16% were American-born U.S. medical graduates, and 41% of the patients treated by this sample were minority group members. These findings have important implications for training. Asian psychiatrists have recently emerged as the largest visible multiethnic minority group within American psychiatry, and increased attention to this group may lead to its more appropriate utilization in this country.", "contents": "A profile of Asian-American psychiatrists. Of 367 respondents to a survey of Asian-American members of the American Psychiatric Association, fewer than 16% were American-born U.S. medical graduates, and 41% of the patients treated by this sample were minority group members. These findings have important implications for training. Asian psychiatrists have recently emerged as the largest visible multiethnic minority group within American psychiatry, and increased attention to this group may lead to its more appropriate utilization in this country.", "PMID": 637139} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11092", "title": "The education and training of Asian foreign medical graduates in the United States.", "content": "Asian physicians represent a growing majority among foreign medical graduates practicing psychiatry in the United States. The training of this group requires continued study and planning. Particular attention should be given to curriculum enrichment programs, the acculturation process, and role models and supervision.", "contents": "The education and training of Asian foreign medical graduates in the United States. Asian physicians represent a growing majority among foreign medical graduates practicing psychiatry in the United States. The training of this group requires continued study and planning. Particular attention should be given to curriculum enrichment programs, the acculturation process, and role models and supervision.", "PMID": 637140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11093", "title": "Service delivery issues in Asian-North American communities.", "content": "The authors describe some of the sociocultural factors (e.g., moralistic, religious, psychological, and familial characteristics) that influence the help-seeking behavior of Chinese psychiatric patients in North America. They propose a replicable approach for investigating sociocultural patterns relevant to service delivery to Chinese in other communities.", "contents": "Service delivery issues in Asian-North American communities. The authors describe some of the sociocultural factors (e.g., moralistic, religious, psychological, and familial characteristics) that influence the help-seeking behavior of Chinese psychiatric patients in North America. They propose a replicable approach for investigating sociocultural patterns relevant to service delivery to Chinese in other communities.", "PMID": 637141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11094", "title": "Research priorities in Asian-American mental health delivery.", "content": "The author cites statistics which show that Asian-Americans underutilize mental health services. He suggests that more research is needed regarding the effects of such mental health delivery factors as language difference, familial reaction, community education, cultural changes, cross-cultural misdiagnosis, and therapeutic method.", "contents": "Research priorities in Asian-American mental health delivery. The author cites statistics which show that Asian-Americans underutilize mental health services. He suggests that more research is needed regarding the effects of such mental health delivery factors as language difference, familial reaction, community education, cultural changes, cross-cultural misdiagnosis, and therapeutic method.", "PMID": 637142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11095", "title": "Psychiatric disorders in a U.S. urban community: 1975-1976.", "content": "The authors point out that new findings in psychiatric genetics and psychopharmacology support the heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders. They present data on the current rates of specific psychiatric disorders, using a recently developed diagnostic technique in a survey conducted in New Haven, Conn., during 1975-1976. The survey showed that depressive disorders are the most common diagnoses.", "contents": "Psychiatric disorders in a U.S. urban community: 1975-1976. The authors point out that new findings in psychiatric genetics and psychopharmacology support the heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders. They present data on the current rates of specific psychiatric disorders, using a recently developed diagnostic technique in a survey conducted in New Haven, Conn., during 1975-1976. The survey showed that depressive disorders are the most common diagnoses.", "PMID": 637143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11096", "title": "Evidence for genetic inheritance of primary affective disorder in adoptees.", "content": "Offspring of psychiatrically disturbed and normal biologic parents, adopted away at birth, were followed up as adults. The psychiatric status of the adoptees was determined by adoptive parent and adoptee interviews. The incidence of depression was significantly higher in the affective-parented adoptees (3 depressed of 8 adoptees) than in the remaining adoptees whose biologic parents had other psychiatric conditions or were apparently psychiatrically well (8 depressed of 118). The results suggest a genetic factor in affective disorders.", "contents": "Evidence for genetic inheritance of primary affective disorder in adoptees. Offspring of psychiatrically disturbed and normal biologic parents, adopted away at birth, were followed up as adults. The psychiatric status of the adoptees was determined by adoptive parent and adoptee interviews. The incidence of depression was significantly higher in the affective-parented adoptees (3 depressed of 8 adoptees) than in the remaining adoptees whose biologic parents had other psychiatric conditions or were apparently psychiatrically well (8 depressed of 118). The results suggest a genetic factor in affective disorders.", "PMID": 637144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11097", "title": "Phantom bite syndrome.", "content": "Despite repeated treatment failures, some individuals seek bite correction from a succession of dentists. Their pathological narcissism focuses on their bite, in a manner reminiscent of phantom limb phenomena. The dentist's diagnosis and treatment are manipulated until the patient claims them a failure and consults another dentist. The author suggests that this behavior represents a defense against paranoia and severe personality disorders.", "contents": "Phantom bite syndrome. Despite repeated treatment failures, some individuals seek bite correction from a succession of dentists. Their pathological narcissism focuses on their bite, in a manner reminiscent of phantom limb phenomena. The dentist's diagnosis and treatment are manipulated until the patient claims them a failure and consults another dentist. The author suggests that this behavior represents a defense against paranoia and severe personality disorders.", "PMID": 637145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11098", "title": "ECT in metropolitan New York hospitals: a survey of practice, 1975-1976.", "content": "Of New York psychiatric facilities surveyed, 83% used ECT. Five percent of patients in university and private nonprofit hospitals, less than 1% in public hospitals, and 21% in private for-profit hospitals received ECT. Practices and procedures were remarkably uniform, except that less than 17% of units used unilateral ECT. Training programs were minimal and unplanned. Differences in incidence of use result from staff training, public antipathy, and economic factors.", "contents": "ECT in metropolitan New York hospitals: a survey of practice, 1975-1976. Of New York psychiatric facilities surveyed, 83% used ECT. Five percent of patients in university and private nonprofit hospitals, less than 1% in public hospitals, and 21% in private for-profit hospitals received ECT. Practices and procedures were remarkably uniform, except that less than 17% of units used unilateral ECT. Training programs were minimal and unplanned. Differences in incidence of use result from staff training, public antipathy, and economic factors.", "PMID": 637146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11099", "title": "Contamination of the home environment by patients treated with Iodine-131: initial results.", "content": "We have employed twin sodium iodide radiation detectors to analyze iodine-131 transfer from thyroid patients to their families. Unlike previous studies of this problem, we measured thyroid radioiodine activity directly and are able to detect as little as 92 pCi of iodine 131 in adult thyroids. As in previous studies, we have also measured direct radiation exposures of family members with wristband thermoluminescent dosimeters. Thus far, we have studied seven families with 17 persons. Eleven of these are children under age 16. Direct radiation exposure of family persons from proximity of these radioactive patients ranged from 0.17 to 126 mR per day (natural background radiation amounts to approximately 0.35 mR per day). The maximum activity of iodine-131 in family thyroids ranged from less than 92 pCi to as high as 110,000 pCi and resulted in thyroid dose equivalents of 4 to 1330 mrem. Based on recent estimates of thyroid cancer, the latter dose equivalent could possibly double the risk of thyroid malignancy in children over what is expected normally. Such a risk implies the addition of 10 induced cases to the 10 naturally occurring cases per million people per year.", "contents": "Contamination of the home environment by patients treated with Iodine-131: initial results. We have employed twin sodium iodide radiation detectors to analyze iodine-131 transfer from thyroid patients to their families. Unlike previous studies of this problem, we measured thyroid radioiodine activity directly and are able to detect as little as 92 pCi of iodine 131 in adult thyroids. As in previous studies, we have also measured direct radiation exposures of family members with wristband thermoluminescent dosimeters. Thus far, we have studied seven families with 17 persons. Eleven of these are children under age 16. Direct radiation exposure of family persons from proximity of these radioactive patients ranged from 0.17 to 126 mR per day (natural background radiation amounts to approximately 0.35 mR per day). The maximum activity of iodine-131 in family thyroids ranged from less than 92 pCi to as high as 110,000 pCi and resulted in thyroid dose equivalents of 4 to 1330 mrem. Based on recent estimates of thyroid cancer, the latter dose equivalent could possibly double the risk of thyroid malignancy in children over what is expected normally. Such a risk implies the addition of 10 induced cases to the 10 naturally occurring cases per million people per year.", "PMID": 637168} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11100", "title": "Laceration of the median nerve from skiing.", "content": "Increased numbers of injuries to the upper extremity are being seen since improved equipment is available to protect the lower extremity. Three patients, who are excellent skiers, have been seen in which significant structures of the wrist were lacerated by the sharp outer edge of the ski. Well fitted leather gloves or mittens designed to protect the palmar surface of the wrists are recommended during skiing. We must now focus our attention to design better protection for the more vulnerable upper extremity during the sport of skiing.", "contents": "Laceration of the median nerve from skiing. Increased numbers of injuries to the upper extremity are being seen since improved equipment is available to protect the lower extremity. Three patients, who are excellent skiers, have been seen in which significant structures of the wrist were lacerated by the sharp outer edge of the ski. Well fitted leather gloves or mittens designed to protect the palmar surface of the wrists are recommended during skiing. We must now focus our attention to design better protection for the more vulnerable upper extremity during the sport of skiing.", "PMID": 637180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11101", "title": "Occult osteomalacia in American (U.S.A.) patients with fracture of the hip.", "content": "Low-grade osteomalacia, detectable only by quantitative histological measurement, was present in eight of 31 femoral heads from normocalcemia American patients having intracapsular fracture of the hip. The histological changes were of a much lower degree than those observed in overt clinical osteomalacia. Further, regional differences between the osteoid content of the proximal femur and iliac crest were demonstrated in 13 age-matched controls. In these, the osteoid content of the femoral bone averaged only 30% of that in the iliac crest.", "contents": "Occult osteomalacia in American (U.S.A.) patients with fracture of the hip. Low-grade osteomalacia, detectable only by quantitative histological measurement, was present in eight of 31 femoral heads from normocalcemia American patients having intracapsular fracture of the hip. The histological changes were of a much lower degree than those observed in overt clinical osteomalacia. Further, regional differences between the osteoid content of the proximal femur and iliac crest were demonstrated in 13 age-matched controls. In these, the osteoid content of the femoral bone averaged only 30% of that in the iliac crest.", "PMID": 637186} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11102", "title": "Lipoadenoma of the parathyroid gland.", "content": "An unusual parathyroid adenoma containing abundant adipose tissue is described in four patients. In one patient, hyperparathyroidism was documented; in another, studies were incomplete but the adenoma was probably functioning. Prior reports of similar lesions have been called \"parathyroid hamartoma or parathyroid adenoma with myxoid stroma,\" and some of these also have been shown to be functional. They may create diagnostic difficulties because of the presence of adipose tissue, a feature associated with normal parathyroid glands.", "contents": "Lipoadenoma of the parathyroid gland. An unusual parathyroid adenoma containing abundant adipose tissue is described in four patients. In one patient, hyperparathyroidism was documented; in another, studies were incomplete but the adenoma was probably functioning. Prior reports of similar lesions have been called \"parathyroid hamartoma or parathyroid adenoma with myxoid stroma,\" and some of these also have been shown to be functional. They may create diagnostic difficulties because of the presence of adipose tissue, a feature associated with normal parathyroid glands.", "PMID": 637187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11103", "title": "Treating \"cauliflower ear\" with silicone mold.", "content": "Acute hematoma of the ear (cauliflower ear) can be satisfactorily treated with aspiration and the use of the silicone mold to prevent reaccumulation of the blood or serum in the ear. Advantages of the silicone mold over other dressings appears to be ease of application, patient acceptance, and prevention of reoccurrence of reaccumulation of the hematoma.", "contents": "Treating \"cauliflower ear\" with silicone mold. Acute hematoma of the ear (cauliflower ear) can be satisfactorily treated with aspiration and the use of the silicone mold to prevent reaccumulation of the blood or serum in the ear. Advantages of the silicone mold over other dressings appears to be ease of application, patient acceptance, and prevention of reoccurrence of reaccumulation of the hematoma.", "PMID": 637183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11104", "title": "Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinoma of the colon.", "content": "Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinomas of the colon are uncommon tumors; only 28 have been previously reported. In a review of 5,969 colonic adenocarcinomas (excluding anorectal cancers). I identified six carcinomas with squamous features. This is a frequency of 0.1% relative to the incidence of \"usual\" adenocarcinomas of the colon. An association of squamous neoplasia in the colon and chronic ulcerative colitis is noted.", "contents": "Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinoma of the colon. Adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinomas of the colon are uncommon tumors; only 28 have been previously reported. In a review of 5,969 colonic adenocarcinomas (excluding anorectal cancers). I identified six carcinomas with squamous features. This is a frequency of 0.1% relative to the incidence of \"usual\" adenocarcinomas of the colon. An association of squamous neoplasia in the colon and chronic ulcerative colitis is noted.", "PMID": 637188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11105", "title": "Injury prediction in the young athlete: a preliminary report.", "content": "Joint flexibility and laxity as measured by 5 indices among 2,300 West Point cadets demonstrated no statistical relationship to joint injuries, or the need for surgical intervention resulting from injuries sustained in general athletic competition involving the ankle, knee, shoulder, or elbow. Similarly, no relationships were seen in a high school and collegiate football team. Parameters of flexibility vary significantly among different athletic population groups as related to age, sex, and type of athletic activity in which the individual is participating. In that part of the study conducted during the 1975 football season, the 16PF showed some potential for predicting injuries. However, stronger relationships between predictor and criterion variables must be established in the future before injury predisposition counseling is a possibility. Hopefully, continuing study will bring this into being and will extend to younger and younger individuals and other population groups. This would facilitate the development of an injury profile index to assist in the counseling of athletes into sports where their individual traits are protective and beneficial, rather than detrimental.", "contents": "Injury prediction in the young athlete: a preliminary report. Joint flexibility and laxity as measured by 5 indices among 2,300 West Point cadets demonstrated no statistical relationship to joint injuries, or the need for surgical intervention resulting from injuries sustained in general athletic competition involving the ankle, knee, shoulder, or elbow. Similarly, no relationships were seen in a high school and collegiate football team. Parameters of flexibility vary significantly among different athletic population groups as related to age, sex, and type of athletic activity in which the individual is participating. In that part of the study conducted during the 1975 football season, the 16PF showed some potential for predicting injuries. However, stronger relationships between predictor and criterion variables must be established in the future before injury predisposition counseling is a possibility. Hopefully, continuing study will bring this into being and will extend to younger and younger individuals and other population groups. This would facilitate the development of an injury profile index to assist in the counseling of athletes into sports where their individual traits are protective and beneficial, rather than detrimental.", "PMID": 637184} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11106", "title": "Giant-cell containing \"fibrous\" lesion of the sacrum. A roentgenographic, pathologic, and ultrastructural study of three cases.", "content": "Three similar and unique, predominantly osteolytic lesions are reported in young patients between the ages of 4 and 19 years. Progressive back pain and neurologic deficits were the principal clinical features. The initial roentgenographic impression was that of a malignant tumor either primary or metastic. Despite incomplete resections of a firm, intraosseous and extradural tumor, healing has occurred during the follow-up interval with one interim exception. A spindle-cell stroma containing a variable number of giant cells was the consistent microscopic finding. Ultrastructural studies of one case revealed that the mononuclear spindle cells and giant cells contained cytoplasmic microfilaments similar to those of the myofibroblast. The possible relationship of this tumor to nodular fasciitis and desmoplastic fibroma is hypothesized in the light of the role of the myofibroblast in the fibromatoses and nodular fasciitis.", "contents": "Giant-cell containing \"fibrous\" lesion of the sacrum. A roentgenographic, pathologic, and ultrastructural study of three cases. Three similar and unique, predominantly osteolytic lesions are reported in young patients between the ages of 4 and 19 years. Progressive back pain and neurologic deficits were the principal clinical features. The initial roentgenographic impression was that of a malignant tumor either primary or metastic. Despite incomplete resections of a firm, intraosseous and extradural tumor, healing has occurred during the follow-up interval with one interim exception. A spindle-cell stroma containing a variable number of giant cells was the consistent microscopic finding. Ultrastructural studies of one case revealed that the mononuclear spindle cells and giant cells contained cytoplasmic microfilaments similar to those of the myofibroblast. The possible relationship of this tumor to nodular fasciitis and desmoplastic fibroma is hypothesized in the light of the role of the myofibroblast in the fibromatoses and nodular fasciitis.", "PMID": 637189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11107", "title": "Pulmonary resection for metastatic neoplasms in the lung. Experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital.", "content": "Cumulative survival in a series of 142 patients undergoing 163 pulmonary resections for metastatic malignant disease is 30% at five years, a statistic that is slightly higher than survival for 820 cases of resection for primary lung carcinoma at the same institution (26%). Removal of pulmonary metastases continues to be a relatively safe approach with hospital mortality of 1.2% and low operative morbidity. Unfavorable predictors, if primary disease is under control, are limited. The primary ones include extent of disease requiring pneumonectomy, melanomatous disease, and appearance of the metastasis antedating knowledge of the primary. An aggressive approach to removal of pulmonary metastases merits continued consideration.", "contents": "Pulmonary resection for metastatic neoplasms in the lung. Experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Cumulative survival in a series of 142 patients undergoing 163 pulmonary resections for metastatic malignant disease is 30% at five years, a statistic that is slightly higher than survival for 820 cases of resection for primary lung carcinoma at the same institution (26%). Removal of pulmonary metastases continues to be a relatively safe approach with hospital mortality of 1.2% and low operative morbidity. Unfavorable predictors, if primary disease is under control, are limited. The primary ones include extent of disease requiring pneumonectomy, melanomatous disease, and appearance of the metastasis antedating knowledge of the primary. An aggressive approach to removal of pulmonary metastases merits continued consideration.", "PMID": 637191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11108", "title": "Management of the upper extremity with absent pulses after cardiac catheterization.", "content": "Thirty-one patients had a delayed loss of brachial artery and radial artery pulse after cardiac catheterization; eleven of the patients had early embolectomy or a vein patch graft and 82% of these had immediate restoration of pulse and remained asymptomatic. Early surgery failed in two patients, requiring late vein bypass grafting for claudication. Twenty patients did not have early surgery, eleven (55%) remaining asymptomatic and nine (45%) developing ischemic symptoms. Five of these nine patients (25%) required late vein bypass grafting for severe claudication. Of the fifteen patients who lost their pulse and did not undergo surgery, the average Doppler forearm pressure immediately following the occlusion was 50 mm Hg (pressure index=0.46). The average Doppler pressure measured at the time of follow-up was 80 mm Hg (pressure index = 0.61). Early local surgery is highly successful in patients who lose their radial artery pulse after cardiac catheterization. Conservative nonoperative therapy may be successful but often results in late ischemic symptoms that may require late vein bypass grafting.", "contents": "Management of the upper extremity with absent pulses after cardiac catheterization. Thirty-one patients had a delayed loss of brachial artery and radial artery pulse after cardiac catheterization; eleven of the patients had early embolectomy or a vein patch graft and 82% of these had immediate restoration of pulse and remained asymptomatic. Early surgery failed in two patients, requiring late vein bypass grafting for claudication. Twenty patients did not have early surgery, eleven (55%) remaining asymptomatic and nine (45%) developing ischemic symptoms. Five of these nine patients (25%) required late vein bypass grafting for severe claudication. Of the fifteen patients who lost their pulse and did not undergo surgery, the average Doppler forearm pressure immediately following the occlusion was 50 mm Hg (pressure index=0.46). The average Doppler pressure measured at the time of follow-up was 80 mm Hg (pressure index = 0.61). Early local surgery is highly successful in patients who lose their radial artery pulse after cardiac catheterization. Conservative nonoperative therapy may be successful but often results in late ischemic symptoms that may require late vein bypass grafting.", "PMID": 637192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11109", "title": "Macroamylasemia and other chronic nonspecific hyperamylasemias: chemical oddities or clinical entities?", "content": "Seventeen patients with chronic hyperamylasemia were studied using standard clinical and laboratory parameters, amylase/creatinine clearance ratios, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of serum amylases. These patients, none of whom had evidence of pancreatic disease or other specific source for the elevated serum amylase, fell into three groups: (1) Normal serum isoamylase profile and normal amylase clearance (6 patients). We postulate that the generalized hyperamylasemia may be due to reduced extrarenal catabolism of amylase, a previously undescribed phenomenon. (2) Macroamylasemia and very low amylase clearance (9 patients). Seven of the nine patients had recurrent epigastric pain. Evidence for an autoimmune basis is discussed. (3) Salivary-type hyperamylasemia and low amylase clearance (2 patients). This entity may really be macroamylasemia in which the macroamylase complex dissociated during analysis. Chronic hyperamylasemia is often not of pancreatic origin. The assumption that the pancreas is at fault, especially if there is abdominal pain, may cause morbidity due to gross overtreatment.", "contents": "Macroamylasemia and other chronic nonspecific hyperamylasemias: chemical oddities or clinical entities? Seventeen patients with chronic hyperamylasemia were studied using standard clinical and laboratory parameters, amylase/creatinine clearance ratios, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of serum amylases. These patients, none of whom had evidence of pancreatic disease or other specific source for the elevated serum amylase, fell into three groups: (1) Normal serum isoamylase profile and normal amylase clearance (6 patients). We postulate that the generalized hyperamylasemia may be due to reduced extrarenal catabolism of amylase, a previously undescribed phenomenon. (2) Macroamylasemia and very low amylase clearance (9 patients). Seven of the nine patients had recurrent epigastric pain. Evidence for an autoimmune basis is discussed. (3) Salivary-type hyperamylasemia and low amylase clearance (2 patients). This entity may really be macroamylasemia in which the macroamylase complex dissociated during analysis. Chronic hyperamylasemia is often not of pancreatic origin. The assumption that the pancreas is at fault, especially if there is abdominal pain, may cause morbidity due to gross overtreatment.", "PMID": 637193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11110", "title": "In pursuit of the unknown primary.", "content": "The case histories of sixty-seven patients were reviewed to evaluate the contribution made by various x-ray and laboratory studies to the diagnosis and treatment of systemic metastases from unknown primary tumors. When used as screening procedures, radiographic contrast studies were rarely helpful unless the test was indicated by appropriate symptoms. The large number (8 of 27) of misleading ultrasonic scans rendered that study a major source of confusion. Inadequate tissue samples were another cause of confusion and delay. Even with adequate tissue samples, a definitive pathologic diagnosis could be assigned to only forty-five of the sixty-five patients who underwent biopsy. After extensive diagnostic evaluations, only thirty-one of the sixty-seven patients received chemotherapy for specific diagnoses. Objective remissions were seen in four of thirty-one recipients of specific chemotherapy and one of five patients treated without a primary diagnosis. The same patients would have received the same therapy had the diagnostic workup been limited to x-ray studies of symptomatic systems, adequate tissue sampling, and appropriate pathologic examinations followed by treatment of the \"most treatable\" disease.", "contents": "In pursuit of the unknown primary. The case histories of sixty-seven patients were reviewed to evaluate the contribution made by various x-ray and laboratory studies to the diagnosis and treatment of systemic metastases from unknown primary tumors. When used as screening procedures, radiographic contrast studies were rarely helpful unless the test was indicated by appropriate symptoms. The large number (8 of 27) of misleading ultrasonic scans rendered that study a major source of confusion. Inadequate tissue samples were another cause of confusion and delay. Even with adequate tissue samples, a definitive pathologic diagnosis could be assigned to only forty-five of the sixty-five patients who underwent biopsy. After extensive diagnostic evaluations, only thirty-one of the sixty-seven patients received chemotherapy for specific diagnoses. Objective remissions were seen in four of thirty-one recipients of specific chemotherapy and one of five patients treated without a primary diagnosis. The same patients would have received the same therapy had the diagnostic workup been limited to x-ray studies of symptomatic systems, adequate tissue sampling, and appropriate pathologic examinations followed by treatment of the \"most treatable\" disease.", "PMID": 637194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11111", "title": "Survival and limb salvage in patients with infected arterial prostheses.", "content": "A series of 590 cases with a 2.5% rate of infection of arterial prostheses is presented. When one of the anastomoses was in the inguinal area, the incidence of prosthetic infection was higher. Two infections not involving the anastomotic site healed with conservative management. The three patients with aortoduodenal fistulas died. The long-term survival was 62%, and the amputation rate was 31%. During the last two years, a more aggressive surgical approach of total removal of the infected prosthesis and its replacement with an extraanatomic bypass has been instituted. With this approach, only one death and one amputation has occurred in six patients.", "contents": "Survival and limb salvage in patients with infected arterial prostheses. A series of 590 cases with a 2.5% rate of infection of arterial prostheses is presented. When one of the anastomoses was in the inguinal area, the incidence of prosthetic infection was higher. Two infections not involving the anastomotic site healed with conservative management. The three patients with aortoduodenal fistulas died. The long-term survival was 62%, and the amputation rate was 31%. During the last two years, a more aggressive surgical approach of total removal of the infected prosthesis and its replacement with an extraanatomic bypass has been instituted. With this approach, only one death and one amputation has occurred in six patients.", "PMID": 637195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11112", "title": "Detection and treatment of recurrent cancer of the colon and rectum.", "content": "A series of 177 patients with recurrent colorectal cancer treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital is examined retrospectively. Two thirds of recurrences were observed by the second postoperative year, and 15% of patients were asymptomatic. Pelvic recurrences were usually attributable to rectal or sigmoid tumors, whereas right-sided carcinomas frequently spread to the liver. The commonest methods of clinical discovery of recurrence included findings of abdominal and pelvic masses, hepatomegaly, and positive chest films. The average survival after discovery of recurrence was only eleven months, but 23 patients having reresections for cure lived an average of thirty-three months. Seven patients (30%) undergoing reresection for cure represented probable cures. Chemotherapy with intravenous 5-FU provided poor palliation, but radiotherapy gave satisfactory relief of symptoms in approximately 50% of patients, particularly those with rectal or low colon lesions. A program of follow-up is offered since there is evidence that even the symptomatic patient may be well palliated or even cured by surgical resection of the recurrence or palliative therapy.", "contents": "Detection and treatment of recurrent cancer of the colon and rectum. A series of 177 patients with recurrent colorectal cancer treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital is examined retrospectively. Two thirds of recurrences were observed by the second postoperative year, and 15% of patients were asymptomatic. Pelvic recurrences were usually attributable to rectal or sigmoid tumors, whereas right-sided carcinomas frequently spread to the liver. The commonest methods of clinical discovery of recurrence included findings of abdominal and pelvic masses, hepatomegaly, and positive chest films. The average survival after discovery of recurrence was only eleven months, but 23 patients having reresections for cure lived an average of thirty-three months. Seven patients (30%) undergoing reresection for cure represented probable cures. Chemotherapy with intravenous 5-FU provided poor palliation, but radiotherapy gave satisfactory relief of symptoms in approximately 50% of patients, particularly those with rectal or low colon lesions. A program of follow-up is offered since there is evidence that even the symptomatic patient may be well palliated or even cured by surgical resection of the recurrence or palliative therapy.", "PMID": 637196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11113", "title": "Adjuvant radiation therapy in colorectal carcinoma.", "content": "A series of sixty-five patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum and rectosigmoid is reviewed. Thirty-two patients had surgery alone, fourteen patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy, and nineteen patients underwent preoperative radiation therapy. A moderate dose program of 4,000 to 4,500 r was used. The postoperative treatment group had a higher incidence of stage C lesions and a higher recurrence rate, but there were no statistically significant differences in survival. Postoperative radiation therapy in patients with stage C lesions did not prolong life and is of little benefit. The preoperative treatment group tolerated the radiation very well, and there were no major complications. Eight patients underwent anterior resections in irradiated fields. Two minor anastomotic leaks subsequently healed spontaneously. There were no pelvic recurrences in the preoperative treatment group, and the incidence of lymph node metastases was 26% as opposed to 41% in controls. We conclude that preoperative moderate dose radiation is not associated with increased risk of morbidity or mortality. It may be useful in reducing the incidence of lymph node metastases and pelvic recurrence. The effect on survival is not determined in this study.", "contents": "Adjuvant radiation therapy in colorectal carcinoma. A series of sixty-five patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum and rectosigmoid is reviewed. Thirty-two patients had surgery alone, fourteen patients underwent postoperative radiation therapy, and nineteen patients underwent preoperative radiation therapy. A moderate dose program of 4,000 to 4,500 r was used. The postoperative treatment group had a higher incidence of stage C lesions and a higher recurrence rate, but there were no statistically significant differences in survival. Postoperative radiation therapy in patients with stage C lesions did not prolong life and is of little benefit. The preoperative treatment group tolerated the radiation very well, and there were no major complications. Eight patients underwent anterior resections in irradiated fields. Two minor anastomotic leaks subsequently healed spontaneously. There were no pelvic recurrences in the preoperative treatment group, and the incidence of lymph node metastases was 26% as opposed to 41% in controls. We conclude that preoperative moderate dose radiation is not associated with increased risk of morbidity or mortality. It may be useful in reducing the incidence of lymph node metastases and pelvic recurrence. The effect on survival is not determined in this study.", "PMID": 637197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11114", "title": "Anastomotic dehiscence after low anterior resection of the rectum.", "content": "Thirty-two patients who had anastomoses to the extraperitoneal rectum underwent radiographic contrast studies about two weeks after operation in order to determine the incidence of anastomotic dehiscence. No extravasation occurred in the sixteen anastomoses in which the middle hemorrhoidal arteries were intact, but partial disruption occurred in four of seventeen (24%) anastomoses in which the middle hemorrhoidal arteries were sacrificed. Since not all patients with anastomotic dehiscence after low anterior resection are symptomatic, the incidence of anastomotic breakdown will be under-estimated unless x-ray studies are performed. More data are required for a better understanding of the technical features of operation which will reduce the incidence of leakage from anastomoses to the extraperitoneal rectum.", "contents": "Anastomotic dehiscence after low anterior resection of the rectum. Thirty-two patients who had anastomoses to the extraperitoneal rectum underwent radiographic contrast studies about two weeks after operation in order to determine the incidence of anastomotic dehiscence. No extravasation occurred in the sixteen anastomoses in which the middle hemorrhoidal arteries were intact, but partial disruption occurred in four of seventeen (24%) anastomoses in which the middle hemorrhoidal arteries were sacrificed. Since not all patients with anastomotic dehiscence after low anterior resection are symptomatic, the incidence of anastomotic breakdown will be under-estimated unless x-ray studies are performed. More data are required for a better understanding of the technical features of operation which will reduce the incidence of leakage from anastomoses to the extraperitoneal rectum.", "PMID": 637198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11115", "title": "Acute fulminating transmural ileocolitis after small bowel bypass for morbid obesity.", "content": "A personal series of small bowel bypass operations for morbid obesity is presented. The importance of careful considerate follow-up by the operating surgeon is stressed. The development of acute fulminating transmural ileocolitis, Crohn's disease, in a patient twenty-two months after such surgery is reported and considered merely a dangerous coincidence, combining an acute colonic disease with a short small intestine.", "contents": "Acute fulminating transmural ileocolitis after small bowel bypass for morbid obesity. A personal series of small bowel bypass operations for morbid obesity is presented. The importance of careful considerate follow-up by the operating surgeon is stressed. The development of acute fulminating transmural ileocolitis, Crohn's disease, in a patient twenty-two months after such surgery is reported and considered merely a dangerous coincidence, combining an acute colonic disease with a short small intestine.", "PMID": 637199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11116", "title": "Screening for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. An improved plethysmographic and Doppler approach.", "content": "Noninvasive screening of the lower extremities for deep vein thrombosis was performed bilaterally on 1,118 patients. Impedance plethysmography alone was used in 868. Venography in 135 revealed an accuracy of 88%, with a false-negative rate of 5.3% and a false-positive rate of 18.6%. A combined ultrasonic Doppler and modified impedance technic was used in 250 patients. Venography in forty revealed an accuracy of 95%, with a false-positive rate of 10% and no undetected thrombi. The combined technic, emphasizing the more accurate modality in three anatomic areas, has proven sensitive, specific, and reliable as a screening test for deep venous thrombosis.", "contents": "Screening for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. An improved plethysmographic and Doppler approach. Noninvasive screening of the lower extremities for deep vein thrombosis was performed bilaterally on 1,118 patients. Impedance plethysmography alone was used in 868. Venography in 135 revealed an accuracy of 88%, with a false-negative rate of 5.3% and a false-positive rate of 18.6%. A combined ultrasonic Doppler and modified impedance technic was used in 250 patients. Venography in forty revealed an accuracy of 95%, with a false-positive rate of 10% and no undetected thrombi. The combined technic, emphasizing the more accurate modality in three anatomic areas, has proven sensitive, specific, and reliable as a screening test for deep venous thrombosis.", "PMID": 637200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11117", "title": "Computerized discrimination of microemboli in extracorporeal circuits.", "content": "A computerized ultrasonic particle detection system is capable of identifying microemboli in the 10 to 350 microgram. Data show that appropriate computer analysis of the reflecting signals allows discrimination of size and type of emboli. All extracorporeal circuits have microemboli with a large variation in size and number, depending upon the apparatus and how it is run.", "contents": "Computerized discrimination of microemboli in extracorporeal circuits. A computerized ultrasonic particle detection system is capable of identifying microemboli in the 10 to 350 microgram. Data show that appropriate computer analysis of the reflecting signals allows discrimination of size and type of emboli. All extracorporeal circuits have microemboli with a large variation in size and number, depending upon the apparatus and how it is run.", "PMID": 637201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11118", "title": "Noninvasive intraoperative monitoring: a prospective study comparing Doppler systolic occlusion pressure and segmental plethysmography.", "content": "Seventy-two limbs in forty patients underwent Doppler systolic ankle pressure and Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) amplitude measurements intraoperatively. Control patients and patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resections showed no significant decrease in Doppler systolic ankle/brachial pressure ratio (DSAB). PVR measurements were slightly decreased after declamping in the AAA patients. Femoropopliteal bypass was associated with a prompt increase in PVR and DSAB levels. In contrast, postreconstruction values in the extraanatomic (EA) and aortofemoral (AF) bypass groups were dependent upon the patency of the femoropopliteal segment. Intraoperative monitoring provides a quantitative assessment of the immediate success of arterial surgery.", "contents": "Noninvasive intraoperative monitoring: a prospective study comparing Doppler systolic occlusion pressure and segmental plethysmography. Seventy-two limbs in forty patients underwent Doppler systolic ankle pressure and Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) amplitude measurements intraoperatively. Control patients and patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resections showed no significant decrease in Doppler systolic ankle/brachial pressure ratio (DSAB). PVR measurements were slightly decreased after declamping in the AAA patients. Femoropopliteal bypass was associated with a prompt increase in PVR and DSAB levels. In contrast, postreconstruction values in the extraanatomic (EA) and aortofemoral (AF) bypass groups were dependent upon the patency of the femoropopliteal segment. Intraoperative monitoring provides a quantitative assessment of the immediate success of arterial surgery.", "PMID": 637202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11119", "title": "Management of penetrating heart wounds.", "content": "The records of ninety-two patients treated between 1965 and 1976 at the Boston City Hospital for penetrating wounds of the heart were reviewed and the results were compared with a previous series of twenty-five patients admitted to the same institution between 1956 and 1964. The annual incidence rose from 2.8 cases during the first period to 8.0 during the more recent years. Gunshot wounds increased in frequency in the second period. The overall mortality was similar in the two series. However, there were more complex wounds and agonal patients subjected to immediate emergency room thoracotomy during the second phase of this experience. The salvage rate in the latter group of patients gradually improved and averaged 24% between 1965 and 1976. These data indicate that an aggressive approach, including the use of immediate thoracotomy, to the agonal patient with a heart wound will be rewarded with salvage of some patients.", "contents": "Management of penetrating heart wounds. The records of ninety-two patients treated between 1965 and 1976 at the Boston City Hospital for penetrating wounds of the heart were reviewed and the results were compared with a previous series of twenty-five patients admitted to the same institution between 1956 and 1964. The annual incidence rose from 2.8 cases during the first period to 8.0 during the more recent years. Gunshot wounds increased in frequency in the second period. The overall mortality was similar in the two series. However, there were more complex wounds and agonal patients subjected to immediate emergency room thoracotomy during the second phase of this experience. The salvage rate in the latter group of patients gradually improved and averaged 24% between 1965 and 1976. These data indicate that an aggressive approach, including the use of immediate thoracotomy, to the agonal patient with a heart wound will be rewarded with salvage of some patients.", "PMID": 637203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11120", "title": "Plastic mesh repair of incisional hernias.", "content": "During eight years polypropylene mesh was used in fifty-three patients for the repair of difficult incisional hernias. There was no operative mortality, and the mesh has been uniformly well tolerated. To date, recurrences have been observed in six patients (11.3%), a distinct improvement over the era before mesh was used. Greater attention to the details of mesh fixation may further lower the recurrence rate.", "contents": "Plastic mesh repair of incisional hernias. During eight years polypropylene mesh was used in fifty-three patients for the repair of difficult incisional hernias. There was no operative mortality, and the mesh has been uniformly well tolerated. To date, recurrences have been observed in six patients (11.3%), a distinct improvement over the era before mesh was used. Greater attention to the details of mesh fixation may further lower the recurrence rate.", "PMID": 637204} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11121", "title": "Hydatid disease of the liver.", "content": "Our experience in the surgical management of hydatid disease of the liver in 212 patients over the past eighteen years is reviewed. The most frequent postoperative complications and mortality rates of elective and emergency procedures are presented, and the more frequently utilized operative technics are described. In the great majority of patients conservatism was the rule in excision of solitary or multiple cysts. It is important to establish whether or not hepatic cysts communicate with the biliary tree. In these cases, enteroanastomoses (such as cystjejunostomy or cystgastrostomy) may be utilized depending on the position of the cyst. Any associated biliary disease (such as lithiasis or fibrosis) should be taken care of at the same time. External cystic drainage (marsupialization) is contraindicated because of the high incidence of chronic external biliary fistula, secondary hemorrhage, sepsis, and postlaparotomy hernia. In those patients in whom the cyst has penetrated the diaphragm and communicates with the lung, treatment should be carried out in one stage whenever possible.", "contents": "Hydatid disease of the liver. Our experience in the surgical management of hydatid disease of the liver in 212 patients over the past eighteen years is reviewed. The most frequent postoperative complications and mortality rates of elective and emergency procedures are presented, and the more frequently utilized operative technics are described. In the great majority of patients conservatism was the rule in excision of solitary or multiple cysts. It is important to establish whether or not hepatic cysts communicate with the biliary tree. In these cases, enteroanastomoses (such as cystjejunostomy or cystgastrostomy) may be utilized depending on the position of the cyst. Any associated biliary disease (such as lithiasis or fibrosis) should be taken care of at the same time. External cystic drainage (marsupialization) is contraindicated because of the high incidence of chronic external biliary fistula, secondary hemorrhage, sepsis, and postlaparotomy hernia. In those patients in whom the cyst has penetrated the diaphragm and communicates with the lung, treatment should be carried out in one stage whenever possible.", "PMID": 637207} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11122", "title": "Primary malignant tumors of the small intestine. A twenty-two year experience with thirty patients.", "content": "A review of thirty cases of primary malignant small bowel tumors is presented. Chronic obstruction was the presenting symptom most frequently encountered, with an acute abdomen from perforation of the tumor next in frequency. Adenocarcinoma and carcinoid were about equally encountered, and more than half of all tumors were found in the ileum. Three patients are alive and well, two are alive on chemotherapy, and all others are dead. Five of these died of other causes. Of twenty-seven patients explored for symptomatic small bowel cancers, only one is alive free of tumor. Malignant small bowel tumors are difficult to diagnose early and have a poor prognosis.", "contents": "Primary malignant tumors of the small intestine. A twenty-two year experience with thirty patients. A review of thirty cases of primary malignant small bowel tumors is presented. Chronic obstruction was the presenting symptom most frequently encountered, with an acute abdomen from perforation of the tumor next in frequency. Adenocarcinoma and carcinoid were about equally encountered, and more than half of all tumors were found in the ileum. Three patients are alive and well, two are alive on chemotherapy, and all others are dead. Five of these died of other causes. Of twenty-seven patients explored for symptomatic small bowel cancers, only one is alive free of tumor. Malignant small bowel tumors are difficult to diagnose early and have a poor prognosis.", "PMID": 637208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11123", "title": "Diagnostic value of the portable chest x-ray technic in pulmonary edema.", "content": "The ability of the portable chest x-ray film to define the amount of physiologic shunting and the severity of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema was evaluated in thirty-seven observations of eleven patients. Ten of the eleven patients were suffering from acute respiratory failure. The radiologic assessment of the amount of pulmonary edema and the severity of left ventricular failure were compared with the physiologic shunt fraction, tracer-measured lung water, and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure. The radiologic scores for edema did not predict the shunt fraction or tracer measurements of lung water. The radiologic score for congestive failure correlated with the wedge pressure but not well enough to be clinically useful. Five per cent of the x-ray results were false-positive and 11 per cent false-negative. Results indicate that the portable chest x-ray technic does not provide quantitative information regarding cardiopulmonary function. It is especially hazardous to accept an x-ray diagnosis of congestive failure as the cause of pulmonary edema.", "contents": "Diagnostic value of the portable chest x-ray technic in pulmonary edema. The ability of the portable chest x-ray film to define the amount of physiologic shunting and the severity of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema was evaluated in thirty-seven observations of eleven patients. Ten of the eleven patients were suffering from acute respiratory failure. The radiologic assessment of the amount of pulmonary edema and the severity of left ventricular failure were compared with the physiologic shunt fraction, tracer-measured lung water, and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure. The radiologic scores for edema did not predict the shunt fraction or tracer measurements of lung water. The radiologic score for congestive failure correlated with the wedge pressure but not well enough to be clinically useful. Five per cent of the x-ray results were false-positive and 11 per cent false-negative. Results indicate that the portable chest x-ray technic does not provide quantitative information regarding cardiopulmonary function. It is especially hazardous to accept an x-ray diagnosis of congestive failure as the cause of pulmonary edema.", "PMID": 637209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11124", "title": "Anticholinergic drugs in anaesthesia. A survey of their present position.", "content": "A survey was carried out amongst anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and Ireland regarding the use of anticholinergic drugs. Sixty-two per cent of these anaesthetists use these drugs routinely in premedication. The drugs are nearly always atropine or hyoscine and are used mainly for reducing secretions and protection against vagal stimulation. A longer-acting drug was desired by 22% and 60% would like to use an orally effective anticholinergic drug. Though quite a number of minor side effects are high-lighted, the majority do not consider these serious enough to stop routine use. There is now a tendency amongst many anaesthetists either not to use these drugs routinely or use them less often, more rationally and in reduced dosage.", "contents": "Anticholinergic drugs in anaesthesia. A survey of their present position. A survey was carried out amongst anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and Ireland regarding the use of anticholinergic drugs. Sixty-two per cent of these anaesthetists use these drugs routinely in premedication. The drugs are nearly always atropine or hyoscine and are used mainly for reducing secretions and protection against vagal stimulation. A longer-acting drug was desired by 22% and 60% would like to use an orally effective anticholinergic drug. Though quite a number of minor side effects are high-lighted, the majority do not consider these serious enough to stop routine use. There is now a tendency amongst many anaesthetists either not to use these drugs routinely or use them less often, more rationally and in reduced dosage.", "PMID": 637269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11125", "title": "The interaction of halothane and pancuronium bromide. A study in dogs.", "content": "The interaction of halothane and pancuronium is demonstrated in the dog tibialis anterior-sciatic nerve preparation. The results show a dose related effect of halothane on the recovery index and the 50% recovery times. These results are compared to other reports and possible mechanisms are discussed.", "contents": "The interaction of halothane and pancuronium bromide. A study in dogs. The interaction of halothane and pancuronium is demonstrated in the dog tibialis anterior-sciatic nerve preparation. The results show a dose related effect of halothane on the recovery index and the 50% recovery times. These results are compared to other reports and possible mechanisms are discussed.", "PMID": 637270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11126", "title": "Circulatory effects of labetalol during halothane anaesthesia.", "content": "Labetalol is a drug possessing both alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blocking properties. Its possible use in induced hypotension during halothane anaesthesia has been investigated. It causes a satisfactory decrease in arterial pressure unaccompanied by tachycardia. The circulatory effects of the drug during halothane anaesthesia, both with spontaneous and controlled respiration, have been measured and compared with those of halothane alone. In patients anaesthetised with 1% halothane, labetalol, with both spontaneous and controlled ventilation, was associated with a reduction in MAP from 71.5 mmHg to 54.0 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and 66.8 mmHg to 50.4 mmHg (P less than 0.001) respectively. This reduction was associated with decreases in Qt of 18% and 12% respectively. In the presence of labetalol, with 3% halothane and spontaneous respiration, the depressant effects of the anaesthetic on the heart became rapidly apparent: Qt was reduced by a further 28%. In patients not receiving labetalol, the depressant effects of 3% halothane were frequently countered by the positive inotropic effects of hypercarbia.", "contents": "Circulatory effects of labetalol during halothane anaesthesia. Labetalol is a drug possessing both alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blocking properties. Its possible use in induced hypotension during halothane anaesthesia has been investigated. It causes a satisfactory decrease in arterial pressure unaccompanied by tachycardia. The circulatory effects of the drug during halothane anaesthesia, both with spontaneous and controlled respiration, have been measured and compared with those of halothane alone. In patients anaesthetised with 1% halothane, labetalol, with both spontaneous and controlled ventilation, was associated with a reduction in MAP from 71.5 mmHg to 54.0 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and 66.8 mmHg to 50.4 mmHg (P less than 0.001) respectively. This reduction was associated with decreases in Qt of 18% and 12% respectively. In the presence of labetalol, with 3% halothane and spontaneous respiration, the depressant effects of the anaesthetic on the heart became rapidly apparent: Qt was reduced by a further 28%. In patients not receiving labetalol, the depressant effects of 3% halothane were frequently countered by the positive inotropic effects of hypercarbia.", "PMID": 637271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11127", "title": "Hazards of central venous pressure monitoring.", "content": "In shock syndromes, cannulation of the central veins has become standard practice. The procedure, although valuable, is not completely innocuous. Fatal complications as a result of perforation of the sinus coronarius with resultant cardiac tamponade, and a laceration of the subclavian artery are described, in addition to the previously reported complications encountered during such monitoring. It is of vital importance that the procedure be prescribed and supervised only by those who are thoroughly skilled in its use and that there be awareness of the early symptoms of cardiac tamponade when a venous catheter is in situ.", "contents": "Hazards of central venous pressure monitoring. In shock syndromes, cannulation of the central veins has become standard practice. The procedure, although valuable, is not completely innocuous. Fatal complications as a result of perforation of the sinus coronarius with resultant cardiac tamponade, and a laceration of the subclavian artery are described, in addition to the previously reported complications encountered during such monitoring. It is of vital importance that the procedure be prescribed and supervised only by those who are thoroughly skilled in its use and that there be awareness of the early symptoms of cardiac tamponade when a venous catheter is in situ.", "PMID": 637273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11128", "title": "Anaesthesia for bronchoscopy. A laboratory study using the Nuffield lung ventilator with the injector technique.", "content": "The control module of the Nuffield (A-P) Anaesthetic Ventilator was found to be an efficient means of automatically controlling the ventilation of the lungs through a bronchoscope during a series of laboratory experiments. The relationships between lung characteristics (compliance and airway resistance) and the driving flow rate through various injectors on the final oxygen concentrations and tidal volumes delivered were determined. A 14 gauge injector provided the largest tidal volumes with the least entrainment of air.", "contents": "Anaesthesia for bronchoscopy. A laboratory study using the Nuffield lung ventilator with the injector technique. The control module of the Nuffield (A-P) Anaesthetic Ventilator was found to be an efficient means of automatically controlling the ventilation of the lungs through a bronchoscope during a series of laboratory experiments. The relationships between lung characteristics (compliance and airway resistance) and the driving flow rate through various injectors on the final oxygen concentrations and tidal volumes delivered were determined. A 14 gauge injector provided the largest tidal volumes with the least entrainment of air.", "PMID": 637274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11129", "title": "Cardio-respiratory effects of nitrous oxide:oxygen:halothane anaesthesia administered to dental outpatients in the upright position.", "content": "The cardio-respiratory responses of fifty-three healthy dental patients receiving 30% oxygen with nitrous oxide and halothane whilst seated upright are reported. A high degree of sympathetic autonomic activity was noted with considerable lability of the blood pressure and pulse rate. Hypoxaemia caused by respiratory obstruction, unrecognised by the anaesthetist, occurred in approximately 20% of patients at the time of insertion of the prop or pack and during removal of teeth.", "contents": "Cardio-respiratory effects of nitrous oxide:oxygen:halothane anaesthesia administered to dental outpatients in the upright position. The cardio-respiratory responses of fifty-three healthy dental patients receiving 30% oxygen with nitrous oxide and halothane whilst seated upright are reported. A high degree of sympathetic autonomic activity was noted with considerable lability of the blood pressure and pulse rate. Hypoxaemia caused by respiratory obstruction, unrecognised by the anaesthetist, occurred in approximately 20% of patients at the time of insertion of the prop or pack and during removal of teeth.", "PMID": 637275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11130", "title": "Method of measuring blood loss.", "content": "An easy rapid method of calculating blood loss during paediatric surgery using an osmolality dilution technique is described. Known volumes of whole blood packed red blood cells and plasma were measured in the laboratory using this method. A statistical analysis of the results suggest that this technique would be useful for measuring blood loss in the operating theatre.", "contents": "Method of measuring blood loss. An easy rapid method of calculating blood loss during paediatric surgery using an osmolality dilution technique is described. Known volumes of whole blood packed red blood cells and plasma were measured in the laboratory using this method. A statistical analysis of the results suggest that this technique would be useful for measuring blood loss in the operating theatre.", "PMID": 637276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11131", "title": "Directional spinals in obstetric analgesia.", "content": "Directional characteristics of spinal injections delivered via a 22 gauge Whitacre needle were confirmed in twenty-one obstetric patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. Caudad injection was inadequate for elective Caesarean section, while cephalad or lateral injection provided good sensory levels for the duration of the surgery. It is speculated that along with the low incidence of postspinal headache and ease of administering the block with a more rigid 22 gauge needle, low dose caudally directed injections may provide a superior means of administering saddle block analgesia for obstetric patients.", "contents": "Directional spinals in obstetric analgesia. Directional characteristics of spinal injections delivered via a 22 gauge Whitacre needle were confirmed in twenty-one obstetric patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. Caudad injection was inadequate for elective Caesarean section, while cephalad or lateral injection provided good sensory levels for the duration of the surgery. It is speculated that along with the low incidence of postspinal headache and ease of administering the block with a more rigid 22 gauge needle, low dose caudally directed injections may provide a superior means of administering saddle block analgesia for obstetric patients.", "PMID": 637277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11132", "title": "Anaesthesia for mediastinoscopy.", "content": "The hazards associated with anaesthesia and surgery for mediastinoscopy are reviewed. A successful general anaesthetic technique in a series of twenty cases is described. Recommendations are put forward about the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing this investigation.", "contents": "Anaesthesia for mediastinoscopy. The hazards associated with anaesthesia and surgery for mediastinoscopy are reviewed. A successful general anaesthetic technique in a series of twenty cases is described. Recommendations are put forward about the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing this investigation.", "PMID": 637278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11133", "title": "[Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.75% in comparison with bupivacaine 0.5% and mepivacaine 1.5% with adrenaline (author's transl)].", "content": "147 patients undergoing low laparotomies, perineal operations and operations on the lower limbs were given bupivacaine 0.75%, bupivacaine 0.5% or mepivacain-adrenaline 1.5% for epidural anaesthesia. The anaesthesia was most effective after bupivacaine 0.75%. In this group the intensity and duration of both sensory analgesia and motor block were more prolonged. No serious complications occurred. No increase in toxicity, when using bupivacaine 0.75% (total dose of 128 mg) for epidural anaesthesia, has been shown in this clinical trial.", "contents": "[Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.75% in comparison with bupivacaine 0.5% and mepivacaine 1.5% with adrenaline (author's transl)]. 147 patients undergoing low laparotomies, perineal operations and operations on the lower limbs were given bupivacaine 0.75%, bupivacaine 0.5% or mepivacain-adrenaline 1.5% for epidural anaesthesia. The anaesthesia was most effective after bupivacaine 0.75%. In this group the intensity and duration of both sensory analgesia and motor block were more prolonged. No serious complications occurred. No increase in toxicity, when using bupivacaine 0.75% (total dose of 128 mg) for epidural anaesthesia, has been shown in this clinical trial.", "PMID": 637281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11134", "title": "[The use of nerve stimulators for nerve blocks (author's transl)].", "content": "The clinical experience using peripheral nerve stimulators for nerve blocks is described. This method has the advantage that the patient cooperation is not required. In addition injections of local anaesthetic agents can be placed more accurately and therefore the total dose may be lowered. Thus successful injection is more probable and the possibility of an inadequate block, a Wedensky block, is diminished. 301 therapeutic blocks and 195 blocks for clinical anaesthesia are described.", "contents": "[The use of nerve stimulators for nerve blocks (author's transl)]. The clinical experience using peripheral nerve stimulators for nerve blocks is described. This method has the advantage that the patient cooperation is not required. In addition injections of local anaesthetic agents can be placed more accurately and therefore the total dose may be lowered. Thus successful injection is more probable and the possibility of an inadequate block, a Wedensky block, is diminished. 301 therapeutic blocks and 195 blocks for clinical anaesthesia are described.", "PMID": 637282} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11135", "title": "[Physiology and pathophysiology of subarachnoid and epidural block (author's transl)].", "content": "The most important patho-physiological changes following subdural or epidural blockade are seen in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Preganglionic sympathetic blockade is the main reason for these changes. Sympathetic blockade is followed by a decrease in peripheral vascular resistence and alterations in the arterial and venous circulation. Hypotension occurs frequently and is thus of great interest in clinical anaesthesia. Differences in the degree of nerve block are not only seen when comparing spinal and peridural blockade but also relate to the different pharmacodynamic properties of local anaesthetics. These pharmacodynamic differences are very pronounced when the new long acting local anaesthetics bupivacaine and etiodocaine are compared in respect of motor and sympathetic denervation. All severe patho-physiological changes following subdural and peridural blockade are predictable and can be avoided by proper prophylactic treatment.", "contents": "[Physiology and pathophysiology of subarachnoid and epidural block (author's transl)]. The most important patho-physiological changes following subdural or epidural blockade are seen in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Preganglionic sympathetic blockade is the main reason for these changes. Sympathetic blockade is followed by a decrease in peripheral vascular resistence and alterations in the arterial and venous circulation. Hypotension occurs frequently and is thus of great interest in clinical anaesthesia. Differences in the degree of nerve block are not only seen when comparing spinal and peridural blockade but also relate to the different pharmacodynamic properties of local anaesthetics. These pharmacodynamic differences are very pronounced when the new long acting local anaesthetics bupivacaine and etiodocaine are compared in respect of motor and sympathetic denervation. All severe patho-physiological changes following subdural and peridural blockade are predictable and can be avoided by proper prophylactic treatment.", "PMID": 637283} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11136", "title": "[The effect of methohexital, fentanyl, droperidol, and chloralose on the aortic baroceptor discharge of decerebrated cats (author's transl)].", "content": "The effect of methohexitone, fentanyl, droperidol and chloralose on the response characteristics of aortic barorecptors was studied in decerebrated cats. The conclusions rest on the analysis of the drug effect on the stimulus-response curves of individual baroceptor fibres of the aortic region relating the average discharge rate (spike/s) to the average aortic arch pressure which was altered over wide ranges by a balloon catheter located in the thoracic aorta. The stimulus response curves were shifted to higher activities by methohexitone and less obviously also by droperidol. Contrarywise, chloralose and fentanyl shifted these curves to lower activities. Thus, the first two drugs increase the afferent receptor drive and favour the development of arterial hypotension, whereas the last two decrease the afferent receptor drive and act to stabilize the arterial pressure. Interestingly, at comparable depth of anesthesia arterial blood pressure levels tend to be lower with the first kind of anaesthetics as compared with the last.", "contents": "[The effect of methohexital, fentanyl, droperidol, and chloralose on the aortic baroceptor discharge of decerebrated cats (author's transl)]. The effect of methohexitone, fentanyl, droperidol and chloralose on the response characteristics of aortic barorecptors was studied in decerebrated cats. The conclusions rest on the analysis of the drug effect on the stimulus-response curves of individual baroceptor fibres of the aortic region relating the average discharge rate (spike/s) to the average aortic arch pressure which was altered over wide ranges by a balloon catheter located in the thoracic aorta. The stimulus response curves were shifted to higher activities by methohexitone and less obviously also by droperidol. Contrarywise, chloralose and fentanyl shifted these curves to lower activities. Thus, the first two drugs increase the afferent receptor drive and favour the development of arterial hypotension, whereas the last two decrease the afferent receptor drive and act to stabilize the arterial pressure. Interestingly, at comparable depth of anesthesia arterial blood pressure levels tend to be lower with the first kind of anaesthetics as compared with the last.", "PMID": 637284} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11137", "title": "[The influences of anesthetic methods on intraoperative cholangiometry (author's transl)].", "content": "The influence of several anaesthetic methods on the tonus of the sphincter of Oddi was investigated in 45 selected patients undergoing cholecystectomy (halothane; fentanyl; fentanyl-droperidol (DHB); all in combination with N2O:O2 and relaxant). The fentanyl collective showed a significant rise of the common bile duct pressure, while the fentanyl-DHB and the halothane collectives did not show any statistical difference in their parameters. From these results neuroleptanalgesia appears to be a surtable method for biliary surgery.", "contents": "[The influences of anesthetic methods on intraoperative cholangiometry (author's transl)]. The influence of several anaesthetic methods on the tonus of the sphincter of Oddi was investigated in 45 selected patients undergoing cholecystectomy (halothane; fentanyl; fentanyl-droperidol (DHB); all in combination with N2O:O2 and relaxant). The fentanyl collective showed a significant rise of the common bile duct pressure, while the fentanyl-DHB and the halothane collectives did not show any statistical difference in their parameters. From these results neuroleptanalgesia appears to be a surtable method for biliary surgery.", "PMID": 637285} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11138", "title": "[A neurometric analysis of brain functions after halothane anaesthesia, neuroleptanalgesia and combined acupuncture-analgesia (author's transl)].", "content": "In a comparative examination of the effects on brain function of three anaesthetic methods--halothane anaesthesia, neuroleptanalgesia and combined acupuncture-analgesia--typical and characteristic changes in brain metabolism, brain electrical activity or psychological test parameters were observed with each method. Brain function is understood here as complex of consciousness and pain. Loss of consciousness is defined as the suspension of intelligence quotient with characteristic changes of brain activity and metabolism. Pain is defined as the central perception of senses evoked by peripheral sensors. Loss of consciousness is only the evident and monotone finishing result of different effects of the anaesthetic methods on brain function. In using combined acupuncture analgesia a hypalgetic method is introduced to the anaesthetists armamentarium. Possible mode of action are discussed. In place of the name acupuncture-analgesia ther term electrohypalgesia is recommended.", "contents": "[A neurometric analysis of brain functions after halothane anaesthesia, neuroleptanalgesia and combined acupuncture-analgesia (author's transl)]. In a comparative examination of the effects on brain function of three anaesthetic methods--halothane anaesthesia, neuroleptanalgesia and combined acupuncture-analgesia--typical and characteristic changes in brain metabolism, brain electrical activity or psychological test parameters were observed with each method. Brain function is understood here as complex of consciousness and pain. Loss of consciousness is defined as the suspension of intelligence quotient with characteristic changes of brain activity and metabolism. Pain is defined as the central perception of senses evoked by peripheral sensors. Loss of consciousness is only the evident and monotone finishing result of different effects of the anaesthetic methods on brain function. In using combined acupuncture analgesia a hypalgetic method is introduced to the anaesthetists armamentarium. Possible mode of action are discussed. In place of the name acupuncture-analgesia ther term electrohypalgesia is recommended.", "PMID": 637286} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11139", "title": "[The cardiovascular response to gradual increase of intracranial pressure in experiments on animals (author's transl)].", "content": "Experiments were performed on dogs to examine the cardiovascular response (Cushing' reflex) to slow increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) by means of an epidural balloon. In contrast to the acute increase in ICP, a slow but constant increase of the cardiac output (CO) was observed, followed later by a short and steep increase of blood pressure, in various experiments with different ICP. In the range of ICP from 30 to 100 mm Hg a linear relation existed between the ICP and CO. The experiments indicate that with the slow ICP increase the so-called cardiovascular response does not occur, or only occurs rudimentarily, in contrast to a swift ICP-increase. It seems therefore obvious that a suppression of the cardiovascular reaction occurs which is dependent on the sympathicoadrenergic system by the parasympathetic fibers. The reflex mechanism is discussed. The release mechanism of the circulation reaction is not specifically dependent on pressure but is the consequence of a nonspecific lesion of the circulation centre in the medulla oblongata.", "contents": "[The cardiovascular response to gradual increase of intracranial pressure in experiments on animals (author's transl)]. Experiments were performed on dogs to examine the cardiovascular response (Cushing' reflex) to slow increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) by means of an epidural balloon. In contrast to the acute increase in ICP, a slow but constant increase of the cardiac output (CO) was observed, followed later by a short and steep increase of blood pressure, in various experiments with different ICP. In the range of ICP from 30 to 100 mm Hg a linear relation existed between the ICP and CO. The experiments indicate that with the slow ICP increase the so-called cardiovascular response does not occur, or only occurs rudimentarily, in contrast to a swift ICP-increase. It seems therefore obvious that a suppression of the cardiovascular reaction occurs which is dependent on the sympathicoadrenergic system by the parasympathetic fibers. The reflex mechanism is discussed. The release mechanism of the circulation reaction is not specifically dependent on pressure but is the consequence of a nonspecific lesion of the circulation centre in the medulla oblongata.", "PMID": 637287} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11140", "title": "[Complete occlusion of an endotrachealtube in the course of long-lasting anaesthesia. A hazard of reinforced latex tubes (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of sudden occlusion of a reinforced latex endotracheal tube is reported. The event took place four hours and twenty minutes after induction of anaesthesia. Reintubation during operation became necessary under difficult circumstances. The causes of such incidents, and appropriate preventive measures are discussed.", "contents": "[Complete occlusion of an endotrachealtube in the course of long-lasting anaesthesia. A hazard of reinforced latex tubes (author's transl)]. A case of sudden occlusion of a reinforced latex endotracheal tube is reported. The event took place four hours and twenty minutes after induction of anaesthesia. Reintubation during operation became necessary under difficult circumstances. The causes of such incidents, and appropriate preventive measures are discussed.", "PMID": 637288} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11141", "title": "Multinational evaluation of etomidate for anesthesia induction. Conclusions and consequences.", "content": "An overall analysis was made of 4763 case report forms from 45 anesthesiologists who used etomidate (Hypnomidate) routinely as an induction hypnotic in a total of 4127 surgical cases or compared it to thiopental in a series of controlled studies (325 on etomidate, 311 on thiopental). Premedication was standardized only in the controlled studies, and there were no restrictions on the use of anesthetic agents or techniques. Etomidate proved to be a safe and effective induction hypnotic. Sleep was deep and long enough to allow the normal induction and maintenance procedures. Blood pressure and heart rate remained remarkably stable in the 3 study groups. The incidence of respiratory depression was higher for thiopental; anesthesiologists' acceptance of etomidate was, however, reduced by the occurrence of venous pain during injection and of associated involuntary muscle movements. It is expected that these adverse effects will be largely eliminated by using the recently introduced new formulation of etomidate shortly after fentanyl.", "contents": "Multinational evaluation of etomidate for anesthesia induction. Conclusions and consequences. An overall analysis was made of 4763 case report forms from 45 anesthesiologists who used etomidate (Hypnomidate) routinely as an induction hypnotic in a total of 4127 surgical cases or compared it to thiopental in a series of controlled studies (325 on etomidate, 311 on thiopental). Premedication was standardized only in the controlled studies, and there were no restrictions on the use of anesthetic agents or techniques. Etomidate proved to be a safe and effective induction hypnotic. Sleep was deep and long enough to allow the normal induction and maintenance procedures. Blood pressure and heart rate remained remarkably stable in the 3 study groups. The incidence of respiratory depression was higher for thiopental; anesthesiologists' acceptance of etomidate was, however, reduced by the occurrence of venous pain during injection and of associated involuntary muscle movements. It is expected that these adverse effects will be largely eliminated by using the recently introduced new formulation of etomidate shortly after fentanyl.", "PMID": 637292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11142", "title": "Venous pain and involuntary muscular movements during and after administration of etomidate. A comparison of two different formulations.", "content": "Anaesthesia was induced in 209 patients with etomidate, using either the two vidal formulation, i.e. a solution of 30 mg etomidate sulphate in 20 ml phosphate buffered solution or the new formulation i.e. 5ml ampoules containing 2% etomidate base in polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG 1000), a ready-for-use solution. Amongst patients who received the two vial formulation of etomidate (n = 105), 26 reported pain on injection as compared with six patients who received etomidate in PEG 1000 (n = 104). In the former group, involuntary muscle movements were reported in 12 patients, three of them being disturbing. In the latter group slight involuntary muscle movements occurred in 15 patients, but were never disturbing.", "contents": "Venous pain and involuntary muscular movements during and after administration of etomidate. A comparison of two different formulations. Anaesthesia was induced in 209 patients with etomidate, using either the two vidal formulation, i.e. a solution of 30 mg etomidate sulphate in 20 ml phosphate buffered solution or the new formulation i.e. 5ml ampoules containing 2% etomidate base in polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG 1000), a ready-for-use solution. Amongst patients who received the two vial formulation of etomidate (n = 105), 26 reported pain on injection as compared with six patients who received etomidate in PEG 1000 (n = 104). In the former group, involuntary muscle movements were reported in 12 patients, three of them being disturbing. In the latter group slight involuntary muscle movements occurred in 15 patients, but were never disturbing.", "PMID": 637293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11143", "title": "[Comparative investigations on the influence of etomidate, thiopentone and methohexitone on the intracranial pressure of the patient (author's transl)].", "content": "Intracranial pressure was measured under the influence of the new hypnotic etomidate (Dosage: 0.15 to 0.30 mg/kg b.w.). For comparison thiopentone (Trapanal: 3 to 4.5 mg/kg) and methohexitone (Brevimytal: 1 to 1.5 mg/kg) were given. The investigations were performed on 28 neurosurgical patients, who thereafter underwent surgery. The patients already had a closed or open ventricular catheter by means of which intracranial pressure was continuously measured. Etomidate lowered intracranial pressure. This happened during induction of anaesthesia and later during neuroleptanalgesia when etomidate was again injected. The pressure fall after etomidate was similar to that seen after thiopentone. It was at the time of induction 5 and later on 3mm Hg. Methohexitone showed a somewhat smaller effect. The cerebral perfusion pressure was calculated. When etomidate was given during the course of a neuroleptanalgesia the cerebral perfusion pressure merely decreased slightly (-7 per cent). Perfusion pressure remained stable after thiopentone and methohexitone.", "contents": "[Comparative investigations on the influence of etomidate, thiopentone and methohexitone on the intracranial pressure of the patient (author's transl)]. Intracranial pressure was measured under the influence of the new hypnotic etomidate (Dosage: 0.15 to 0.30 mg/kg b.w.). For comparison thiopentone (Trapanal: 3 to 4.5 mg/kg) and methohexitone (Brevimytal: 1 to 1.5 mg/kg) were given. The investigations were performed on 28 neurosurgical patients, who thereafter underwent surgery. The patients already had a closed or open ventricular catheter by means of which intracranial pressure was continuously measured. Etomidate lowered intracranial pressure. This happened during induction of anaesthesia and later during neuroleptanalgesia when etomidate was again injected. The pressure fall after etomidate was similar to that seen after thiopentone. It was at the time of induction 5 and later on 3mm Hg. Methohexitone showed a somewhat smaller effect. The cerebral perfusion pressure was calculated. When etomidate was given during the course of a neuroleptanalgesia the cerebral perfusion pressure merely decreased slightly (-7 per cent). Perfusion pressure remained stable after thiopentone and methohexitone.", "PMID": 637294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11144", "title": "[Effects of etomidate and thiopentone on the primarily elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) (author's transl)].", "content": "In 8 patients having primarily an increased ICP, the effects of etomidate on ICP, arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were studied by comparison with thiopentone. The patients received no premedication or basic anaesthesia and relaxation was obtained using pancuronium bromide. Blood gas analysis was performed at regular intervals to maintain a constant level of the arterial pCO2. Under the conditions of a reduced intracranial compliance and an elevated ICP, thiopentone lowered the arterial pressure considerably in contrast to etomidate. The primarily elevated ICP was reduced by both, etomidate and thiopentone to an extent of 27 per cent for more than 10 min. The considerable decrease of arterial pressure by thiopentone caused marked lowering of CPP during more than 10 min. In the same period etomidate did not influence either arterial pressure or CPP. These results show that for the induction of anaesthesia in neurosurgical patients having a primarily increased ICP etomidate has good properties.", "contents": "[Effects of etomidate and thiopentone on the primarily elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) (author's transl)]. In 8 patients having primarily an increased ICP, the effects of etomidate on ICP, arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were studied by comparison with thiopentone. The patients received no premedication or basic anaesthesia and relaxation was obtained using pancuronium bromide. Blood gas analysis was performed at regular intervals to maintain a constant level of the arterial pCO2. Under the conditions of a reduced intracranial compliance and an elevated ICP, thiopentone lowered the arterial pressure considerably in contrast to etomidate. The primarily elevated ICP was reduced by both, etomidate and thiopentone to an extent of 27 per cent for more than 10 min. The considerable decrease of arterial pressure by thiopentone caused marked lowering of CPP during more than 10 min. In the same period etomidate did not influence either arterial pressure or CPP. These results show that for the induction of anaesthesia in neurosurgical patients having a primarily increased ICP etomidate has good properties.", "PMID": 637295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11145", "title": "[The effect of operation, anaesthesia and blood viscosity on haemodynamic during aortofemoral bypass operation (author's transl)].", "content": "Cardiac index, total peripheral resistance, blood, plasma and serum viscosity in patients with peripheral vascular disease were measured pre-, intra- and postoperatively. Besides plasma and serum viscosity, most obviously blood viscosity decreased during anaesthesia and operation. The decrease of blood viscosity is caused mainly by the falling haematocrit. Red blood cell aggregation occuring under low-flow conditions is decreased. Thus blood viscosity additionally is diminished at least in the area of low shear rates. Corresponding haemodynamic measurements revealed that decreasing viscosity improves cardiac index and total pressure resistance if normovolaemia exists, but in general is masked by anaesthesia and operation.", "contents": "[The effect of operation, anaesthesia and blood viscosity on haemodynamic during aortofemoral bypass operation (author's transl)]. Cardiac index, total peripheral resistance, blood, plasma and serum viscosity in patients with peripheral vascular disease were measured pre-, intra- and postoperatively. Besides plasma and serum viscosity, most obviously blood viscosity decreased during anaesthesia and operation. The decrease of blood viscosity is caused mainly by the falling haematocrit. Red blood cell aggregation occuring under low-flow conditions is decreased. Thus blood viscosity additionally is diminished at least in the area of low shear rates. Corresponding haemodynamic measurements revealed that decreasing viscosity improves cardiac index and total pressure resistance if normovolaemia exists, but in general is masked by anaesthesia and operation.", "PMID": 637296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11146", "title": "[Acute posttraumatic renal failure following therapy with antibiotics and beta-aescin (author's transl)].", "content": "A case of acute renal insufficiency after therapy with gentamycin and beta-Aescin is reported. The role of these two agents in the causation of the acute renal failure is discussed. Renal function was restored using the REDY-Hemodialization System.", "contents": "[Acute posttraumatic renal failure following therapy with antibiotics and beta-aescin (author's transl)]. A case of acute renal insufficiency after therapy with gentamycin and beta-Aescin is reported. The role of these two agents in the causation of the acute renal failure is discussed. Renal function was restored using the REDY-Hemodialization System.", "PMID": 637297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11147", "title": "[Caryometric studies on the cortex of the adrenal gland of parathyroidectomized and thyroparathyroidectomized female rats both during and without hormonal substitution (author's transl)].", "content": "80 female Wistar rats were either parathyroidectomized or thyroparathyroidectomized and subsequently substituted with one of the following hormone regimes: thyroxine, parathormone, calcitonin, thyroxine + parathormone, or thyroxine + calcitonin. On the fifteenth day following the operation the animals were killed, the adrenals immediately removed, fixed in Bouin's fluid, dehydrated through methylbenzoate and embedded in paraffin. 5 micrometer thick sections were stained with hematoxylin--Organe G--phosphotumgstic acid--Aniline blue (HOPA). From 5 different animals in each experimental group, 200 nuclear diameters were measured in the Zona glomerulosa, Z. Fasciculata, and Z. reticularis. Statistically significant differences (P less than 0.01) were found only in those cases were the hormonal balance between thyroxine, parathormone and calcitonin was disturbed, i.e. in experimental groups receiving one of the above mentioned hormonal regimes following operation. In contrast, no significant difference was attained in nuclear diameter between nonoperated animals and those animals in which all three hormones were lacking, i.e. when a thyroparathyroidectomy was performed.", "contents": "[Caryometric studies on the cortex of the adrenal gland of parathyroidectomized and thyroparathyroidectomized female rats both during and without hormonal substitution (author's transl)]. 80 female Wistar rats were either parathyroidectomized or thyroparathyroidectomized and subsequently substituted with one of the following hormone regimes: thyroxine, parathormone, calcitonin, thyroxine + parathormone, or thyroxine + calcitonin. On the fifteenth day following the operation the animals were killed, the adrenals immediately removed, fixed in Bouin's fluid, dehydrated through methylbenzoate and embedded in paraffin. 5 micrometer thick sections were stained with hematoxylin--Organe G--phosphotumgstic acid--Aniline blue (HOPA). From 5 different animals in each experimental group, 200 nuclear diameters were measured in the Zona glomerulosa, Z. Fasciculata, and Z. reticularis. Statistically significant differences (P less than 0.01) were found only in those cases were the hormonal balance between thyroxine, parathormone and calcitonin was disturbed, i.e. in experimental groups receiving one of the above mentioned hormonal regimes following operation. In contrast, no significant difference was attained in nuclear diameter between nonoperated animals and those animals in which all three hormones were lacking, i.e. when a thyroparathyroidectomy was performed.", "PMID": 637305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11148", "title": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial vascularization of the teleost, Puntius sophore (Ham.) with special reference to its tetrapodan features.", "content": "In Puntis sophore a hypothalamo-hypophysical portal system structurally comparable to the tetrapods is present. Apart from this the teleostean type of neuroadeno-interface vasculature is also evident. The hypothalamic artery gives rise to the primary capillary plexus of the infundibular floow. The protal vessels formed from them largely irrigate the adenohypophysis through their secondary vascular network. The dense neurosecretory axonal ramifications present in the infundibular floor are in close morphological contact with the primary plexus. This region also exhibits intense monoamine oxidase activity. Thus, the infundibular floor of P. sophore is structually comparable to the meidan eminence of the higher vertebrates.", "contents": "Hypothalamo-hypophysial vascularization of the teleost, Puntius sophore (Ham.) with special reference to its tetrapodan features. In Puntis sophore a hypothalamo-hypophysical portal system structurally comparable to the tetrapods is present. Apart from this the teleostean type of neuroadeno-interface vasculature is also evident. The hypothalamic artery gives rise to the primary capillary plexus of the infundibular floow. The protal vessels formed from them largely irrigate the adenohypophysis through their secondary vascular network. The dense neurosecretory axonal ramifications present in the infundibular floor are in close morphological contact with the primary plexus. This region also exhibits intense monoamine oxidase activity. Thus, the infundibular floor of P. sophore is structually comparable to the meidan eminence of the higher vertebrates.", "PMID": 637306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11149", "title": "[Compression tests on the human hip joint (author's transl)].", "content": "Three human pelvises were subjected to static loading in the course of the experiments. The values determined for the elasticity modules lie between 2 and 4.5 kp/min2. The values range between 5 and 14 kp/mm2 if only the compacta is considered. The experiments show that the elasticity modules obtained at cross sections through the Os coxae are higher than those for sections through the hip joint and its immediate surroundings. Here the elasticity module reaches the minimum value of 0.77 kp/cm2 (Fig. 1, cross section No.2, Table 3). The highest breaking strain was 1045 kp (Pelvis II). The longitudinal contraction of the three pelvis was 26.6 mm on average. For the mean height of 27.2 cm for the specimens used, this means that the pelvis, as a system (with hip joint) can be reduced in length by about 10% before a fracture occurs under static load conditions.", "contents": "[Compression tests on the human hip joint (author's transl)]. Three human pelvises were subjected to static loading in the course of the experiments. The values determined for the elasticity modules lie between 2 and 4.5 kp/min2. The values range between 5 and 14 kp/mm2 if only the compacta is considered. The experiments show that the elasticity modules obtained at cross sections through the Os coxae are higher than those for sections through the hip joint and its immediate surroundings. Here the elasticity module reaches the minimum value of 0.77 kp/cm2 (Fig. 1, cross section No.2, Table 3). The highest breaking strain was 1045 kp (Pelvis II). The longitudinal contraction of the three pelvis was 26.6 mm on average. For the mean height of 27.2 cm for the specimens used, this means that the pelvis, as a system (with hip joint) can be reduced in length by about 10% before a fracture occurs under static load conditions.", "PMID": 637307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11150", "title": "[Compressive loads on the human knee joint (author's transl)].", "content": "A total of five human knee joints fixed in formalin were available from the 1975/76 dissection course at the Anatomical Institute in Rostock. The different joints where loaded while bent at rightangles (Fig. 1). The maximum load varied between 280 and 400 kp. The length reductions at the compression fracture load were between 5.3 and 10.5 mm. The curves shown beyond the fracture region in Fig. 2 result from the reconsolidation of the fractured bone as an additional elastic region. Bone is generally regarded as a completely elastic material. The load range prior to fracture can probably be considered as elastic in the sense defined by Hooke's law; the curves are correspondingly approximately linear. This also applies to our knee joints, which require a system approach.", "contents": "[Compressive loads on the human knee joint (author's transl)]. A total of five human knee joints fixed in formalin were available from the 1975/76 dissection course at the Anatomical Institute in Rostock. The different joints where loaded while bent at rightangles (Fig. 1). The maximum load varied between 280 and 400 kp. The length reductions at the compression fracture load were between 5.3 and 10.5 mm. The curves shown beyond the fracture region in Fig. 2 result from the reconsolidation of the fractured bone as an additional elastic region. Bone is generally regarded as a completely elastic material. The load range prior to fracture can probably be considered as elastic in the sense defined by Hooke's law; the curves are correspondingly approximately linear. This also applies to our knee joints, which require a system approach.", "PMID": 637308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11151", "title": "Gross, histomorphological and histochemical changes in thyroid gland of goat with age. II. Occurrence of ultimobranchial follicles.", "content": "Occurrence and histomorphology of ultimobranchial follicles in the thyroid glands of 26 goats of six different age groups (ranging from 20 days to above five years) was studied. The occurrence of ultimobranchial follicles was 38.46%. In 15.38% of the cases, it was found with and in 23.08% without any association of the thymic tissue. Its association with parathyroid tissue has also been recorded in one of the goats aged 7 months 11 days. Their size and shape varied greatly and were narrow and wide tubular, epithelial pear like, long follicle with colloid, sheet of stratified squamous cells attached to follicle, bilobed, evaginated and a group of follicles. The latter three forms of follicles were due to the branching of main stem UB follicle, present at different levels. They were located in perivascular connective tissue in the deeper zone of the thyroid gland but their presence in periphery of thyroid gland within the capsule was not uncommon. The epithelial lining of these follicles was highly variable from simple squamous to columnar with or without cilia which may be stratified. Light cells were seen among epithelial lining. The lumen of the follicles was filled with nucleated, non-nucleated and colloid debris which was PAS-positive. In older animal colloid contained acid mucopolysaccharides.", "contents": "Gross, histomorphological and histochemical changes in thyroid gland of goat with age. II. Occurrence of ultimobranchial follicles. Occurrence and histomorphology of ultimobranchial follicles in the thyroid glands of 26 goats of six different age groups (ranging from 20 days to above five years) was studied. The occurrence of ultimobranchial follicles was 38.46%. In 15.38% of the cases, it was found with and in 23.08% without any association of the thymic tissue. Its association with parathyroid tissue has also been recorded in one of the goats aged 7 months 11 days. Their size and shape varied greatly and were narrow and wide tubular, epithelial pear like, long follicle with colloid, sheet of stratified squamous cells attached to follicle, bilobed, evaginated and a group of follicles. The latter three forms of follicles were due to the branching of main stem UB follicle, present at different levels. They were located in perivascular connective tissue in the deeper zone of the thyroid gland but their presence in periphery of thyroid gland within the capsule was not uncommon. The epithelial lining of these follicles was highly variable from simple squamous to columnar with or without cilia which may be stratified. Light cells were seen among epithelial lining. The lumen of the follicles was filled with nucleated, non-nucleated and colloid debris which was PAS-positive. In older animal colloid contained acid mucopolysaccharides.", "PMID": 637309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11152", "title": "Gross, histomorphological and histochemical changes in thyroid gland of goat with age. IV. Histomorphological study.", "content": "Histomorphological changes on the thyroid gland of 26 goats of different ages ranging from 20 days to over 5 years and of both the sexes were studied. The main fibroarchitecture was of collagen and reticular fibres, the latter fibres being gradually replaced by former with advancing age. The presence of thyroid lobule was observed in all age groups. The interfollicular connective tissue was constantly found around the follicle and increase with age. The follicles became irregular in outline and their diameter increased in the older subjects. The follicular epithelium comprised of two types of cells--Follicular cell and light cell and had tendency to become squamous with ageing. The mitotic division was occasional in younger and rare in older age groups. The mode of secretion was of merocrine and apocrine type. The solid form of colloid was observed in oldest goat. Accessory thyroid tissue and isthmus had similar histomorphology, however, the glandular sthmus was replaced by fibrous tissue with ageing.", "contents": "Gross, histomorphological and histochemical changes in thyroid gland of goat with age. IV. Histomorphological study. Histomorphological changes on the thyroid gland of 26 goats of different ages ranging from 20 days to over 5 years and of both the sexes were studied. The main fibroarchitecture was of collagen and reticular fibres, the latter fibres being gradually replaced by former with advancing age. The presence of thyroid lobule was observed in all age groups. The interfollicular connective tissue was constantly found around the follicle and increase with age. The follicles became irregular in outline and their diameter increased in the older subjects. The follicular epithelium comprised of two types of cells--Follicular cell and light cell and had tendency to become squamous with ageing. The mitotic division was occasional in younger and rare in older age groups. The mode of secretion was of merocrine and apocrine type. The solid form of colloid was observed in oldest goat. Accessory thyroid tissue and isthmus had similar histomorphology, however, the glandular sthmus was replaced by fibrous tissue with ageing.", "PMID": 637310} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11153", "title": "A comparative histologic study of thyroid follicular size and epithelium percentage in certain mammals.", "content": "The size and epithelium percentage of mammalian thyroid follicles were studied by making camera lucida drawings of histologic sections on calibrated graph paper. The average horizontal dimension of 500 follicles per animal was calculated together with the percentage amount occupied by follicular epithelium. With a few exceptions, folicular size tends to increase with increasing body size, while epithelium percentage decreases.", "contents": "A comparative histologic study of thyroid follicular size and epithelium percentage in certain mammals. The size and epithelium percentage of mammalian thyroid follicles were studied by making camera lucida drawings of histologic sections on calibrated graph paper. The average horizontal dimension of 500 follicles per animal was calculated together with the percentage amount occupied by follicular epithelium. With a few exceptions, folicular size tends to increase with increasing body size, while epithelium percentage decreases.", "PMID": 637311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11154", "title": "On magnopyramidal temporal fields in the human brain - probable morphological counter parts of Wernicke's sensory speech region.", "content": "Posterior parts of the human superior temporal gyrus have been examined by means of stereomicroscopical observations of pigment preparations up to 800 microgram thick. As a rule, the proximal half of the first transverse gyrus of Heschl is covered by an extremely lightly pigmented conicortex which is surrounded by belt areas, a proncoinocortex anteriorly and paraconiocortical fields posteriorly and laterally. The paraconiocortex is divisble into a primitively organized part lying just behind the conicortical core and a more advanced portion forming the temporal magnopyramidal region. This extended lateralmost part of the paraconicortex is more or less richly endowed with unusually large and pigment-rich IIIc-pyramids. Third layer pyramidal cells showing densley aggregated lipofuscin deposits are rarely encountered within the human isocortex. As regards the temporal lobe, pyramids of this type, in general, do not occur outside the magnopyramidal region. The magnopyramidal region covers only a part of the temporal plane but extends much more in the lateral direction spreading over distal portions of the first and the second transverse gyri, posterior parts of the exposed surface of the superior temporal gyrus and those of its lower wall. The extension of the magnopyramidal region varies considerably from one side of the brain to the other. It is also subject to a pronounced variation from one individual to another. On account of its localization and its uniqueness in cortical structure, the temporal magnopyramidal region is considered to represent the morphological counterpart of the sensory speech centre of Wernicke.", "contents": "On magnopyramidal temporal fields in the human brain - probable morphological counter parts of Wernicke's sensory speech region. Posterior parts of the human superior temporal gyrus have been examined by means of stereomicroscopical observations of pigment preparations up to 800 microgram thick. As a rule, the proximal half of the first transverse gyrus of Heschl is covered by an extremely lightly pigmented conicortex which is surrounded by belt areas, a proncoinocortex anteriorly and paraconiocortical fields posteriorly and laterally. The paraconiocortex is divisble into a primitively organized part lying just behind the conicortical core and a more advanced portion forming the temporal magnopyramidal region. This extended lateralmost part of the paraconicortex is more or less richly endowed with unusually large and pigment-rich IIIc-pyramids. Third layer pyramidal cells showing densley aggregated lipofuscin deposits are rarely encountered within the human isocortex. As regards the temporal lobe, pyramids of this type, in general, do not occur outside the magnopyramidal region. The magnopyramidal region covers only a part of the temporal plane but extends much more in the lateral direction spreading over distal portions of the first and the second transverse gyri, posterior parts of the exposed surface of the superior temporal gyrus and those of its lower wall. The extension of the magnopyramidal region varies considerably from one side of the brain to the other. It is also subject to a pronounced variation from one individual to another. On account of its localization and its uniqueness in cortical structure, the temporal magnopyramidal region is considered to represent the morphological counterpart of the sensory speech centre of Wernicke.", "PMID": 637313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11155", "title": "Cell death in the mosaic epididymis of sex reversed mice, heterozygous for testicular feminization.", "content": "Sex reversed mice heterozygous for testicular feminization are genetic females which are converted to males by the autosomal Sxr (\"sex reversed\") mutation, thus imitating the Y-chromosome. They carry on one of their X-chromosomes the mutation for testicular feminization. Then, X-inactivation leads to the formation of a mosaic of androgen insensitive XTfm and androgen sensitive X+ cells. In the epididymis the Tfm cells are maintained into adulthood as undifferentiated flat cells. There are however, always less Tfm cells than expected from random X-inactivation. Therefore, in the present study the role of cell death in the modification of the original mosaic is investigated before and after castration. It is shown that survival or elimination of Tfm cells depends on the structure of the smooth muscle layers around the epididymal duct. In addition to elimination of whole Tfm sections, a steady loss of single cells, not only in the Tfm but also in the wild-type fraction occurs. In the connective tissue distinct necrotic areas are present. After castration massive necroses appear in both cell types. In Tfm sections disintegration of the wall layers again leads to elimination of Tfm cells and to protrusion of epithelial cells in the interstitium which later on may be organized as abnormal sprouts and ducts. The observations indicate that the testosterone dependent trophic principle is based on short-range intercellular interactions and presumably arises in the connective tissue component of the epididymis.", "contents": "Cell death in the mosaic epididymis of sex reversed mice, heterozygous for testicular feminization. Sex reversed mice heterozygous for testicular feminization are genetic females which are converted to males by the autosomal Sxr (\"sex reversed\") mutation, thus imitating the Y-chromosome. They carry on one of their X-chromosomes the mutation for testicular feminization. Then, X-inactivation leads to the formation of a mosaic of androgen insensitive XTfm and androgen sensitive X+ cells. In the epididymis the Tfm cells are maintained into adulthood as undifferentiated flat cells. There are however, always less Tfm cells than expected from random X-inactivation. Therefore, in the present study the role of cell death in the modification of the original mosaic is investigated before and after castration. It is shown that survival or elimination of Tfm cells depends on the structure of the smooth muscle layers around the epididymal duct. In addition to elimination of whole Tfm sections, a steady loss of single cells, not only in the Tfm but also in the wild-type fraction occurs. In the connective tissue distinct necrotic areas are present. After castration massive necroses appear in both cell types. In Tfm sections disintegration of the wall layers again leads to elimination of Tfm cells and to protrusion of epithelial cells in the interstitium which later on may be organized as abnormal sprouts and ducts. The observations indicate that the testosterone dependent trophic principle is based on short-range intercellular interactions and presumably arises in the connective tissue component of the epididymis.", "PMID": 637314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11156", "title": "A Golgi-study of oculomotor neuroblasts migrating across the midline in chick embryos.", "content": "The Golgi-Stensaas impregnation technique was employed at appropriate stages of development to study the morphology of the oculomotor neuroblasts as these migrate across the midline. Data reported in previous publications were confirmed, such as the timing of the migration (occurring between the 4th and the 9th days of inoculation), the fact that the migrating cells carry their axons across the midline as trailing processes, and the absence of pre-existing fibrillar structures able to provide contact guidance for this migration. The most striking new fact discovered is that the leading processes of the oculomotor neuroblasts are often branched, and that all these branches are uniformly oriented towards the midline. This seems to indicate the existence of a non-random growth process. It is argued in the discussed that this can be explained through the presence of an orienting neurotropic influence. This one could have its source in certain non-oculomotor neuroblasts which were detected within the midline ventricular zone. On morphological grounds, this group of cells may be tentatively identified as the avian counterpart of the midventral mesencephalic proliferation described in several mammals. This proliferative zone is known to contain dopamine at early stages of development. A hypothetic casual mechanism of the oculomotor migration is therefore advanced, wherein dopamine, diffusing out of the non-oculomotor midline neuroblasts, induces at short range oriented outgrowth of oculomotor leading processes across the midline.", "contents": "A Golgi-study of oculomotor neuroblasts migrating across the midline in chick embryos. The Golgi-Stensaas impregnation technique was employed at appropriate stages of development to study the morphology of the oculomotor neuroblasts as these migrate across the midline. Data reported in previous publications were confirmed, such as the timing of the migration (occurring between the 4th and the 9th days of inoculation), the fact that the migrating cells carry their axons across the midline as trailing processes, and the absence of pre-existing fibrillar structures able to provide contact guidance for this migration. The most striking new fact discovered is that the leading processes of the oculomotor neuroblasts are often branched, and that all these branches are uniformly oriented towards the midline. This seems to indicate the existence of a non-random growth process. It is argued in the discussed that this can be explained through the presence of an orienting neurotropic influence. This one could have its source in certain non-oculomotor neuroblasts which were detected within the midline ventricular zone. On morphological grounds, this group of cells may be tentatively identified as the avian counterpart of the midventral mesencephalic proliferation described in several mammals. This proliferative zone is known to contain dopamine at early stages of development. A hypothetic casual mechanism of the oculomotor migration is therefore advanced, wherein dopamine, diffusing out of the non-oculomotor midline neuroblasts, induces at short range oriented outgrowth of oculomotor leading processes across the midline.", "PMID": 637315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11157", "title": "The ependyma on the pineal of the Guinea pig (Cavia cobaya). A scanning electron microscopic investigation.", "content": "The proximal part of the epiphysis cerebri of the guinea pig is in close contact with the cerebrosopinal fluid of the third ventricle. A direct contact is not present as the pineal tissue is covered by a continuous ependymal layer. Two types of ependymal cells with different surface protrusions are discussed as being involved in possible interactions between the neuroendocrine tissue of the pineal organ and the cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, two different types of supraependymal structures are found on the ependymal surface of the habenulae and the wall of the third ventricle. Because of their morphological characteristics, these supraependymal structures are thought to be neural elements.", "contents": "The ependyma on the pineal of the Guinea pig (Cavia cobaya). A scanning electron microscopic investigation. The proximal part of the epiphysis cerebri of the guinea pig is in close contact with the cerebrosopinal fluid of the third ventricle. A direct contact is not present as the pineal tissue is covered by a continuous ependymal layer. Two types of ependymal cells with different surface protrusions are discussed as being involved in possible interactions between the neuroendocrine tissue of the pineal organ and the cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, two different types of supraependymal structures are found on the ependymal surface of the habenulae and the wall of the third ventricle. Because of their morphological characteristics, these supraependymal structures are thought to be neural elements.", "PMID": 637316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11158", "title": "The ultrastructure of normal myogenesis in the limb of the mouse.", "content": "The ultrastructure of myogenesis in the mouse hind limb has been studied from day 12 to birth. Mononucleated cells with myofilaments are small and infrequent during myogenesis and never line myotubes. Only mononucleated cells without myofilaments cover the myotubes are involved in mass fusion. These mononucleated cells are pleomorphic and undifferentiated during early myogenesis. They have a heterochromatic nucleus and many accumulate mitochondria and lengthen during days 16-18. After day 18 they are normally elongate with a heterochromatic nucleus and packed with free ribosomes. The multinucleated cell development may be divided into four stages. 1. Immature myotube (days 14-15). Their fibrils are small, out of register and some poorly defined. Many myofilaments are not in rigid hexagonal alignment. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is simple and randomly oriented and triads are absent. Large clumps of glycogen occur between euchromatic nuclei which are in chain formation. 2. Mature myotube (days 16-18). Small groups of fibrils show alignment. Glycogen granules and sarcoplasmic reticulum become numerous between fibrils. Triads are sparse and mitochondria cluster in subsarcolemmal regions and between nuclei. 3. Young myofibers are present by day 19. More fibrils are aligned and compact. The filaments are in a rigid hexagonal array, the glycogen is dispersed and nuclei are peripherally located and moderately heterochromatic. Triads are frequent but often obliquely oriented and mitochondria are elongate and numerous between fibrils. 4. Mature myofibers occur postnatally (2 weeks).", "contents": "The ultrastructure of normal myogenesis in the limb of the mouse. The ultrastructure of myogenesis in the mouse hind limb has been studied from day 12 to birth. Mononucleated cells with myofilaments are small and infrequent during myogenesis and never line myotubes. Only mononucleated cells without myofilaments cover the myotubes are involved in mass fusion. These mononucleated cells are pleomorphic and undifferentiated during early myogenesis. They have a heterochromatic nucleus and many accumulate mitochondria and lengthen during days 16-18. After day 18 they are normally elongate with a heterochromatic nucleus and packed with free ribosomes. The multinucleated cell development may be divided into four stages. 1. Immature myotube (days 14-15). Their fibrils are small, out of register and some poorly defined. Many myofilaments are not in rigid hexagonal alignment. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is simple and randomly oriented and triads are absent. Large clumps of glycogen occur between euchromatic nuclei which are in chain formation. 2. Mature myotube (days 16-18). Small groups of fibrils show alignment. Glycogen granules and sarcoplasmic reticulum become numerous between fibrils. Triads are sparse and mitochondria cluster in subsarcolemmal regions and between nuclei. 3. Young myofibers are present by day 19. More fibrils are aligned and compact. The filaments are in a rigid hexagonal array, the glycogen is dispersed and nuclei are peripherally located and moderately heterochromatic. Triads are frequent but often obliquely oriented and mitochondria are elongate and numerous between fibrils. 4. Mature myofibers occur postnatally (2 weeks).", "PMID": 637317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11159", "title": "The structure of the epididymis, efferent ductules and ductus deferens of the guinea pig: a light microscope study.", "content": "In the guinea pig, the narrow part of the epididymis that traverses the upper pole of the testis and passes downward over the entire length of the gonad is composed exclusively of efferent ductules and the initial segment (zone I) of the epididymal duct. At the beginning of zone II, the narrow contour of zone I expands into a large globular region which lies adjacent to the caudal pole of the testis. The globular region of the guinea pig epididymis is commonly referred to as the cauda epididymidis but in the present study, examination with the light microscope reveals that it is composed of five histologically distinct zones (zones III through VII). A detailed histological analysis of the characteristics of the epithelium in the seven zones of the guinea pig epididymis and in the efferent ductules and ductus deferens was udertaken to obtain a better understanding of structure-function relationships in the epididymis of the guinea pig. It was found that each of the zones could be readily distinguished on the basis of its histological features and primarily on the basis of the appearance of the principal cells.", "contents": "The structure of the epididymis, efferent ductules and ductus deferens of the guinea pig: a light microscope study. In the guinea pig, the narrow part of the epididymis that traverses the upper pole of the testis and passes downward over the entire length of the gonad is composed exclusively of efferent ductules and the initial segment (zone I) of the epididymal duct. At the beginning of zone II, the narrow contour of zone I expands into a large globular region which lies adjacent to the caudal pole of the testis. The globular region of the guinea pig epididymis is commonly referred to as the cauda epididymidis but in the present study, examination with the light microscope reveals that it is composed of five histologically distinct zones (zones III through VII). A detailed histological analysis of the characteristics of the epithelium in the seven zones of the guinea pig epididymis and in the efferent ductules and ductus deferens was udertaken to obtain a better understanding of structure-function relationships in the epididymis of the guinea pig. It was found that each of the zones could be readily distinguished on the basis of its histological features and primarily on the basis of the appearance of the principal cells.", "PMID": 637318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11160", "title": "Development of the fetal pituitary-testicular system based on the observation of Leydig cells in encephalectomized, hypophysectomized and control fetal rats.", "content": "The time of onset of brain regulation of the pituitary-Leydig cell system in fetal rats was assessed by fetal encephalectomy, which allowed the pituitary to persist in situ. The effects of encephalectomy were compared with those of fetal hypophysectomy (surgical decapitation). The parameter for interpretation of these effects was the collective volume of Leydig cells, measured by the method of Chalkley ('43). The normal increase in the collective volume of Leydig cells in fetuses encephalectomized on day 17 of gestation and autopsied on day 18 was not retarded, whereas that in decapitated fetuses of the same age was retarded. In all other one-day experimental periods (day 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, and 21-22), the increase in volume was retarded to approximately the same extent in encephalectomized as in decapitated fetuses. The collective volume of Leydig cells continued to increase to some extent without the brain until day 20, after which it ceased to increase. The results suggest that in fetal rats, the brain control of the pituitary-Leydig cell system begins to operate from day 18 of gestation, when the day following overnight mating was designated as day 1 of gestation.", "contents": "Development of the fetal pituitary-testicular system based on the observation of Leydig cells in encephalectomized, hypophysectomized and control fetal rats. The time of onset of brain regulation of the pituitary-Leydig cell system in fetal rats was assessed by fetal encephalectomy, which allowed the pituitary to persist in situ. The effects of encephalectomy were compared with those of fetal hypophysectomy (surgical decapitation). The parameter for interpretation of these effects was the collective volume of Leydig cells, measured by the method of Chalkley ('43). The normal increase in the collective volume of Leydig cells in fetuses encephalectomized on day 17 of gestation and autopsied on day 18 was not retarded, whereas that in decapitated fetuses of the same age was retarded. In all other one-day experimental periods (day 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, and 21-22), the increase in volume was retarded to approximately the same extent in encephalectomized as in decapitated fetuses. The collective volume of Leydig cells continued to increase to some extent without the brain until day 20, after which it ceased to increase. The results suggest that in fetal rats, the brain control of the pituitary-Leydig cell system begins to operate from day 18 of gestation, when the day following overnight mating was designated as day 1 of gestation.", "PMID": 637319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11161", "title": "Rat adrenocortical carcinoma 494: an integrated structural, stereological, and biochemical analysis.", "content": "Snell adrenocortical tumor 494 was implanted into male Sprague-Dawley rats and recovered 7, 14, 21, 28 or 35 days following initial detection by palpation (7-10 days following transplantation). Electron microscopic, stereological and biochemical analyses of the tumor were compared to adrenals of normal animals to serve as a baseline for further studies of the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor cells. Tumor cells possessed oval or elongated mitochondrial profiles with tubular cristae, one or two very large (greater than 5 micrometer) lipid droplets, abundant ribosomes and coated vesicles, and sparse rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Stereologic evaluation revealed that tumor lipid volume was 41% and mitochondrial volume 29% that of the normal adrenal controls. Tumor nuclei were 2.5 times larger than adrenocortical nuclei while cellular volumes were similar. On a net weight basis, tumor cholesterol was 55%, cholesterol ester 2.2%, and lipid phosphate 25% of respective mean values for normal adrenal glands. The tumor cholesterol: cholesterol ester ratio progressively decreased with time but remained 18-fold greater than the normal adrenal. Plasma corticosterone levels in tumor-bearing rats were elevated 3-fold by 14 days and initial detection. The adrenals of the tumor-bearing host exhibited marked involution, the extent of which was directly related to tumor size.", "contents": "Rat adrenocortical carcinoma 494: an integrated structural, stereological, and biochemical analysis. Snell adrenocortical tumor 494 was implanted into male Sprague-Dawley rats and recovered 7, 14, 21, 28 or 35 days following initial detection by palpation (7-10 days following transplantation). Electron microscopic, stereological and biochemical analyses of the tumor were compared to adrenals of normal animals to serve as a baseline for further studies of the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on tumor cells. Tumor cells possessed oval or elongated mitochondrial profiles with tubular cristae, one or two very large (greater than 5 micrometer) lipid droplets, abundant ribosomes and coated vesicles, and sparse rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Stereologic evaluation revealed that tumor lipid volume was 41% and mitochondrial volume 29% that of the normal adrenal controls. Tumor nuclei were 2.5 times larger than adrenocortical nuclei while cellular volumes were similar. On a net weight basis, tumor cholesterol was 55%, cholesterol ester 2.2%, and lipid phosphate 25% of respective mean values for normal adrenal glands. The tumor cholesterol: cholesterol ester ratio progressively decreased with time but remained 18-fold greater than the normal adrenal. Plasma corticosterone levels in tumor-bearing rats were elevated 3-fold by 14 days and initial detection. The adrenals of the tumor-bearing host exhibited marked involution, the extent of which was directly related to tumor size.", "PMID": 637320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11162", "title": "Ultrastructure of the harderian gland in male albino rats.", "content": "Harderian glands of adult male albino rats were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: (1) castrated only, (2) castrated with testosterone replacement and (3) sham operated controls. Two types of secretory cells, designated as A and B, comprise the glandular epithelium and are distinguished on the basis of morphologic differences in the following cellular components: cytoplasmic secretory vacuoles, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Cell type A is more numerous and contains larger secretory vacuoles than cell type B which is characterized by the presence of large numbers of mitochondria and packet-like arrangement of SER profiles. The glandular secretion appears to be elaborated via merocrine mechanisms and consists primarily of lipids and a fibrogranular substance. The latter component may consist of porph,yrin compounds. Nerve endings are found in the connective tissue interstices of the gland. Direct synapses were not observed in association with either gland cells or myoepithelial cells. Castration did not produce significant alterations in the morphology of the glandular epithelium. Results of the investigation suggest that the rat Harderian gland may serve as a useful model for the study of cellular mechanisms involved in the production of human porphyrias.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the harderian gland in male albino rats. Harderian glands of adult male albino rats were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: (1) castrated only, (2) castrated with testosterone replacement and (3) sham operated controls. Two types of secretory cells, designated as A and B, comprise the glandular epithelium and are distinguished on the basis of morphologic differences in the following cellular components: cytoplasmic secretory vacuoles, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Cell type A is more numerous and contains larger secretory vacuoles than cell type B which is characterized by the presence of large numbers of mitochondria and packet-like arrangement of SER profiles. The glandular secretion appears to be elaborated via merocrine mechanisms and consists primarily of lipids and a fibrogranular substance. The latter component may consist of porph,yrin compounds. Nerve endings are found in the connective tissue interstices of the gland. Direct synapses were not observed in association with either gland cells or myoepithelial cells. Castration did not produce significant alterations in the morphology of the glandular epithelium. Results of the investigation suggest that the rat Harderian gland may serve as a useful model for the study of cellular mechanisms involved in the production of human porphyrias.", "PMID": 637321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11163", "title": "Gross and histological variations along the length of the rat vas deferens.", "content": "The gross morphology of the vas deferens of the rat and the changes that occur along its length are reported. It is shown that the organ can be divided into proximal, distal and terminal portions. Each portion is histologically unique and is situated in a different part of the body. The differences are discussed in relation to the function of the organ and their possible role in the consequences of vasectomy.", "contents": "Gross and histological variations along the length of the rat vas deferens. The gross morphology of the vas deferens of the rat and the changes that occur along its length are reported. It is shown that the organ can be divided into proximal, distal and terminal portions. Each portion is histologically unique and is situated in a different part of the body. The differences are discussed in relation to the function of the organ and their possible role in the consequences of vasectomy.", "PMID": 637322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11164", "title": "Ultrastructural identification of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in notochordal extracellular matrix in vivo and in vitro.", "content": "Notochordal extracellular matrix consists of a continuous basal lamina, amorphous materials and microfibrils embedded in the ground substance of low electron density. Together they comprise the notochord sheath and are of considerable interest because of their suspected role in early embryonic tissue interactions. The notochord is particularly well-suited to morphological investigation of extracellular matrix because it is one of the few embryonic epithelia which produces ultrastructurally recognizable stroma in vitro without the advantage of a collagenous substratum. Furthermore, these matrix components produced in vitro are morphologically identical to those observed in vivo. The present study used ruthenium red staining to demonstrate that notochordal microfibrils exhibit collagen-like cross-banding patterns both in vivo and in vitro. Collagenase and testicular hyaluronidase digestion studies designed to localize collagen and glycosaminoglycans show a reduction of microfibrillar diameters by 30-35%. Furthermore, these enzyme treatments frequently result in enhanced striations of microfibrils. When cis-hydroxyproline (a proline analog) or beta-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN, a lathyrogenic compound) is added to the culture medium, a similar reduction in microfibrillar diameters is seen. Moreover, increased ruthenium red-positive surface coats and large collagen fibrils are frequently present in BAPN-treated cultures, implying a stimulatory metabolic effect. We conclude that most, if not all, notochordal extracellular matrix components are composed of both collagen and glycosaminoglycans and suggest that the entire extracellular matrix should be considered a macromolecular composite which acts in concert to induce or stabilize developmental interactions.", "contents": "Ultrastructural identification of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in notochordal extracellular matrix in vivo and in vitro. Notochordal extracellular matrix consists of a continuous basal lamina, amorphous materials and microfibrils embedded in the ground substance of low electron density. Together they comprise the notochord sheath and are of considerable interest because of their suspected role in early embryonic tissue interactions. The notochord is particularly well-suited to morphological investigation of extracellular matrix because it is one of the few embryonic epithelia which produces ultrastructurally recognizable stroma in vitro without the advantage of a collagenous substratum. Furthermore, these matrix components produced in vitro are morphologically identical to those observed in vivo. The present study used ruthenium red staining to demonstrate that notochordal microfibrils exhibit collagen-like cross-banding patterns both in vivo and in vitro. Collagenase and testicular hyaluronidase digestion studies designed to localize collagen and glycosaminoglycans show a reduction of microfibrillar diameters by 30-35%. Furthermore, these enzyme treatments frequently result in enhanced striations of microfibrils. When cis-hydroxyproline (a proline analog) or beta-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN, a lathyrogenic compound) is added to the culture medium, a similar reduction in microfibrillar diameters is seen. Moreover, increased ruthenium red-positive surface coats and large collagen fibrils are frequently present in BAPN-treated cultures, implying a stimulatory metabolic effect. We conclude that most, if not all, notochordal extracellular matrix components are composed of both collagen and glycosaminoglycans and suggest that the entire extracellular matrix should be considered a macromolecular composite which acts in concert to induce or stabilize developmental interactions.", "PMID": 637323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11165", "title": "Fenestrations in endothelium of rat liver sinusoids revisited by freeze-fracture.", "content": "The freeze-fracture appearance of fenestrations of sinusoidal endothelial cells has been reassessed in perfusion-fixed rat liver. Fenestrations, limited to the attenuated portions of the endothelial cell cytoplasm are usually round or oval in shape, with diameters ranging from 40-600 nm. Within a given fenestrated region, they are disposed in clusters forming sieve plates. In addition, the presence of wide, irregularly shape openings suggest that adjacent fenestrations may coalesce and result in the larger openings. Our data thus confirm the existence of both small and large fenestrae in the endothelial wall, in contradistinction to previous studies showing only regular, medium sized (100 nm) openings.", "contents": "Fenestrations in endothelium of rat liver sinusoids revisited by freeze-fracture. The freeze-fracture appearance of fenestrations of sinusoidal endothelial cells has been reassessed in perfusion-fixed rat liver. Fenestrations, limited to the attenuated portions of the endothelial cell cytoplasm are usually round or oval in shape, with diameters ranging from 40-600 nm. Within a given fenestrated region, they are disposed in clusters forming sieve plates. In addition, the presence of wide, irregularly shape openings suggest that adjacent fenestrations may coalesce and result in the larger openings. Our data thus confirm the existence of both small and large fenestrae in the endothelial wall, in contradistinction to previous studies showing only regular, medium sized (100 nm) openings.", "PMID": 637324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11166", "title": "Cilia of neonatal articular chondrocytes: incidence and morphology.", "content": "Cilia in neonatal canine articular chondrocytes were studied using morphometric techniques and transmission electron microscopy. The cilia in chondrocytes were morphologically similar to cilia in a variety of other cell types. A chondrocytic cilium consisted of a basal body and a ciliary shaft. The cylindrical basal body was 0.21 micron (S.D. = 0.01 micron) in diameter, 0.50 micron (S.D. = 0.03 micron) in length and contained nine microtubular triplets. The ciliary shaft was 0.196 micron (S.D. = 0.02 micron) in diameter and 1.76 micron (S.D. = 0.80 micron) in length. The number of microbtubular doublets in the ciliary shaft varied depending on where along the length of the shaft the section was taken. This study demonstrates that on the average the frequency of cilia in neonatal articular chondrocytes, as estimated sterologically, was about one cilium per cell.", "contents": "Cilia of neonatal articular chondrocytes: incidence and morphology. Cilia in neonatal canine articular chondrocytes were studied using morphometric techniques and transmission electron microscopy. The cilia in chondrocytes were morphologically similar to cilia in a variety of other cell types. A chondrocytic cilium consisted of a basal body and a ciliary shaft. The cylindrical basal body was 0.21 micron (S.D. = 0.01 micron) in diameter, 0.50 micron (S.D. = 0.03 micron) in length and contained nine microtubular triplets. The ciliary shaft was 0.196 micron (S.D. = 0.02 micron) in diameter and 1.76 micron (S.D. = 0.80 micron) in length. The number of microbtubular doublets in the ciliary shaft varied depending on where along the length of the shaft the section was taken. This study demonstrates that on the average the frequency of cilia in neonatal articular chondrocytes, as estimated sterologically, was about one cilium per cell.", "PMID": 637325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11167", "title": "Perisynaptic satellite cells in the developing and mature rat soleus muscle.", "content": "In mature rat soleus muscle it is shown that satellite cells are not evenly distributed over the surface of myofibers but are more numerous in the vicinity of the motor endplate. In this location they commonly lie close to the post synaptic membrane where they are termed perisynaptic satellite cells. In developing muscle several satellite cells may be seen close to the endplate and give the impression of limiting the spread of the axon over the myofiber. In addition these satellite cells make close plasmalemmal contact with Schwann cells and appear as a continuation of the Schwann sheath onto the surface of the myofiber.", "contents": "Perisynaptic satellite cells in the developing and mature rat soleus muscle. In mature rat soleus muscle it is shown that satellite cells are not evenly distributed over the surface of myofibers but are more numerous in the vicinity of the motor endplate. In this location they commonly lie close to the post synaptic membrane where they are termed perisynaptic satellite cells. In developing muscle several satellite cells may be seen close to the endplate and give the impression of limiting the spread of the axon over the myofiber. In addition these satellite cells make close plasmalemmal contact with Schwann cells and appear as a continuation of the Schwann sheath onto the surface of the myofiber.", "PMID": 637326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11168", "title": "The morphology and kinetics of spermatogonial degeneration in normal adult rats: an analysis using a simplified classification of the germinal epithelium.", "content": "The phenomena of spermatogonial degeneration have been studied in normal adult rat testes using a simplified classification of the germinal epthelium based upon the six types of differentiating spermatogonia. The following features distinguished this from schemes based on acrosome development. Rather than 14 states of unequal duration, there are only six stages, five of which are the same length. The classification starts at the beginning of spermatogenesis with A1 spermatogonia rather than at the onset of spermiogenesis. The classification is derived from acutal biological events in spermatogenesis, namely generation times of spermatogonia, rather than upon arbitrary events in acrosome development. Most importantly, this new classification can be used with most types of preparations and in most experimental conditions. Examination of tubular whole mounts reveals that degeneration preferentially occurs in types A2 and A3 and to a lesser extent A4 spermatogonia, and is rarely seen in generations of A1, In or B cells. Deterioration is first manifested in clusters of cells joined by the intercellular bridges as they complete DNA synthesis and enter the 2 phase of cell cycle. It is characterized by a denser staining of the nuclear membrane, coalescence of chromatin into several pyknotic bodies, and eventual extrusion of the nuclear mass, leaving a cytoplasmic ghost. The sequential steps in degeneration may often be traced from one end of a synctial chain to the other, suggesting that the process may start with just one cell and then spread via intercellular bridges to involve all spermatogonia within the clone. Quanitatively, degeneration is a relatively constant feature of spermatogonial development. Only 25% of the theoretically possible number of pre-leptotene spermatocytes are produced from th original population of A1 spermatogonia; most of this loss is incurred during the maturation of A2 and A3 generations. While the reason for spermatogonial degeneration in the normal generminal epithelium remain obscure, it is proposed that the numerical ratio of A spermatogonia to Sertoli cells may be a significant limiting factor.", "contents": "The morphology and kinetics of spermatogonial degeneration in normal adult rats: an analysis using a simplified classification of the germinal epithelium. The phenomena of spermatogonial degeneration have been studied in normal adult rat testes using a simplified classification of the germinal epthelium based upon the six types of differentiating spermatogonia. The following features distinguished this from schemes based on acrosome development. Rather than 14 states of unequal duration, there are only six stages, five of which are the same length. The classification starts at the beginning of spermatogenesis with A1 spermatogonia rather than at the onset of spermiogenesis. The classification is derived from acutal biological events in spermatogenesis, namely generation times of spermatogonia, rather than upon arbitrary events in acrosome development. Most importantly, this new classification can be used with most types of preparations and in most experimental conditions. Examination of tubular whole mounts reveals that degeneration preferentially occurs in types A2 and A3 and to a lesser extent A4 spermatogonia, and is rarely seen in generations of A1, In or B cells. Deterioration is first manifested in clusters of cells joined by the intercellular bridges as they complete DNA synthesis and enter the 2 phase of cell cycle. It is characterized by a denser staining of the nuclear membrane, coalescence of chromatin into several pyknotic bodies, and eventual extrusion of the nuclear mass, leaving a cytoplasmic ghost. The sequential steps in degeneration may often be traced from one end of a synctial chain to the other, suggesting that the process may start with just one cell and then spread via intercellular bridges to involve all spermatogonia within the clone. Quanitatively, degeneration is a relatively constant feature of spermatogonial development. Only 25% of the theoretically possible number of pre-leptotene spermatocytes are produced from th original population of A1 spermatogonia; most of this loss is incurred during the maturation of A2 and A3 generations. While the reason for spermatogonial degeneration in the normal generminal epithelium remain obscure, it is proposed that the numerical ratio of A spermatogonia to Sertoli cells may be a significant limiting factor.", "PMID": 637327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11169", "title": "Responses to fasting and lipid infusion of epinephrine-induced arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia.", "content": "Sensitivities to epinephrine in fasted and non-fasted rats anesthetized with halothane or pentobarbital were determined. The arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine, i.e., the dose which upon injection produced four or more premature ventricular contractions, was significantly lower for 12-hour (5.5 +/- 3.2 microgram/kg), 24-hour (2.2 +/- 1.3 microgram/kg) and 48-hour (2.25 +/- 0.6 microgram/kg) fasted rats than for non-fasted rats (10.9 +/- 3.4 microgram/kg) at the same dose of halothane (2.0 per cent). Fasting had no effect on the arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine in rats anesthetized with pentobarbital (35 mg/kg). Infusion of a 10 per cent fatty acid emulsion caused a significant lowering of the arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine of fed rats, while infusion of acetoacetic acid had no effect on the arrhythmic threshold. It is concluded that the combination of fasting and halothane anesthesia renders the heart more sensitive to epinephrine than halothane anesthesia alone.", "contents": "Responses to fasting and lipid infusion of epinephrine-induced arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia. Sensitivities to epinephrine in fasted and non-fasted rats anesthetized with halothane or pentobarbital were determined. The arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine, i.e., the dose which upon injection produced four or more premature ventricular contractions, was significantly lower for 12-hour (5.5 +/- 3.2 microgram/kg), 24-hour (2.2 +/- 1.3 microgram/kg) and 48-hour (2.25 +/- 0.6 microgram/kg) fasted rats than for non-fasted rats (10.9 +/- 3.4 microgram/kg) at the same dose of halothane (2.0 per cent). Fasting had no effect on the arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine in rats anesthetized with pentobarbital (35 mg/kg). Infusion of a 10 per cent fatty acid emulsion caused a significant lowering of the arrhythmic threshold for epinephrine of fed rats, while infusion of acetoacetic acid had no effect on the arrhythmic threshold. It is concluded that the combination of fasting and halothane anesthesia renders the heart more sensitive to epinephrine than halothane anesthesia alone.", "PMID": 637331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11170", "title": "A new concept in controlled ventilation of children with the Bain anesthetic circuit.", "content": "The Bain anesthesia circuit was studied as a semi-open or partial rebreathing system during controlled ventilation in 16 children weighing from 7.5 to 48 kg. During anesthesia the lungs were ventilated with a volume ventilator set at three times the calculated alveolar ventilation to provide optimum mixing in the exhalation tube of the Bain circuit. Fresh gas inflow rates initially were set equal to the calculated alveolar ventilation, and after 30 to 45 min, PCO2, PO2 and pH values were measured. At the same time, the fractional concentration of mixed expired carbon dioxide (FECO2) was recorded from a capnograph inserted between the ventilator and the Bain circuit. After initial readings, the fresh gas inflow was varied over a range of 1,400-3,000 ml/m2/min at 20-min intervals, with the arterial blood-gas values and FECO2 recorded at each setting. The results indicate that a lower fresh gas inflow than previously recommended can be used safely in children. When the minute ventilation is three times the fresh gas inflow, values for FECO2 correlate closely with PaCO2 values; with a fresh gas inflow of 2,500 ml/m2/min,PaCO2 values can be maintained near 40 torr.", "contents": "A new concept in controlled ventilation of children with the Bain anesthetic circuit. The Bain anesthesia circuit was studied as a semi-open or partial rebreathing system during controlled ventilation in 16 children weighing from 7.5 to 48 kg. During anesthesia the lungs were ventilated with a volume ventilator set at three times the calculated alveolar ventilation to provide optimum mixing in the exhalation tube of the Bain circuit. Fresh gas inflow rates initially were set equal to the calculated alveolar ventilation, and after 30 to 45 min, PCO2, PO2 and pH values were measured. At the same time, the fractional concentration of mixed expired carbon dioxide (FECO2) was recorded from a capnograph inserted between the ventilator and the Bain circuit. After initial readings, the fresh gas inflow was varied over a range of 1,400-3,000 ml/m2/min at 20-min intervals, with the arterial blood-gas values and FECO2 recorded at each setting. The results indicate that a lower fresh gas inflow than previously recommended can be used safely in children. When the minute ventilation is three times the fresh gas inflow, values for FECO2 correlate closely with PaCO2 values; with a fresh gas inflow of 2,500 ml/m2/min,PaCO2 values can be maintained near 40 torr.", "PMID": 637332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11171", "title": "Metabolism of sodium nitroprusside in dogs awake and anesthetized with halothane.", "content": "Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is rapidly metabolized to cyanide (CN) and thiocyanate (SCN). The authors determined the rates of CN and SCN production during SNP infusion sufficient to maintain blood pressure at 80 per cent of baseline in the dog awake and during halothane anesthesia. Each dog served as its own control. The endogenous whole-blood CN concentration was significantly lower in anesthetized dogs (0.6 nmol/ml) than awake dogs (1.8 nmol/ml). CN concentration increased similarly during SNP infusion in awake (4.5 nmol/ml) and anesthetized dogs (2.3 nmol/ml). In another group of dogs, whole-blood CN concentration decreased significantly due to halothane anesthesia. The regression coefficient was -0.21 nmol CN/ml/hr. There was no significant difference in plasma SCN concentration following infusion of SNP in both awake (33 nmol/ml) and anesthetized dogs (26 nmol/ml). The cause of this decreased blood CN concentration with or without SNP infusion during halothane anesthesia is not known.", "contents": "Metabolism of sodium nitroprusside in dogs awake and anesthetized with halothane. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is rapidly metabolized to cyanide (CN) and thiocyanate (SCN). The authors determined the rates of CN and SCN production during SNP infusion sufficient to maintain blood pressure at 80 per cent of baseline in the dog awake and during halothane anesthesia. Each dog served as its own control. The endogenous whole-blood CN concentration was significantly lower in anesthetized dogs (0.6 nmol/ml) than awake dogs (1.8 nmol/ml). CN concentration increased similarly during SNP infusion in awake (4.5 nmol/ml) and anesthetized dogs (2.3 nmol/ml). In another group of dogs, whole-blood CN concentration decreased significantly due to halothane anesthesia. The regression coefficient was -0.21 nmol CN/ml/hr. There was no significant difference in plasma SCN concentration following infusion of SNP in both awake (33 nmol/ml) and anesthetized dogs (26 nmol/ml). The cause of this decreased blood CN concentration with or without SNP infusion during halothane anesthesia is not known.", "PMID": 637333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11172", "title": "Neural pharmacokinetics of epinephrine.", "content": "The effects of 3H-epinephrine on the duration of block and on the time course of uptake and efflux of local anesthetic (14C-lidocaine hydrochloride) were determined in the infraorbital nerve of the pentobarbital-obtunded rat. Epinephrine, 1:50,000, doubled the duration of behavioral block produced by 37 mM (1 per cent) lidocaine; 1:100,000, 1:200,000 and 1:400,000 prolonged the block correspondingly less, the relation being inversely proportional to the log of the epinephrine concentration. The nerural level of 3H-epinephrine reached a peak within 10 minutes and then declined linearly with time, as did the associated neural level of 14C-lidocaine. Linearity apparently results from the summation of the time-linked decreasing diffusion gradient of drug and the consequently increasing rate of perfusion with blood. Phentolamine antagonizes the epinephrine-caused prolongation of behavioral block. The results suggest that in spinal anesthesia the extent of dilution of an epinephrine additive by cerebrospinal fluid will significantly affect the duration of the block.", "contents": "Neural pharmacokinetics of epinephrine. The effects of 3H-epinephrine on the duration of block and on the time course of uptake and efflux of local anesthetic (14C-lidocaine hydrochloride) were determined in the infraorbital nerve of the pentobarbital-obtunded rat. Epinephrine, 1:50,000, doubled the duration of behavioral block produced by 37 mM (1 per cent) lidocaine; 1:100,000, 1:200,000 and 1:400,000 prolonged the block correspondingly less, the relation being inversely proportional to the log of the epinephrine concentration. The nerural level of 3H-epinephrine reached a peak within 10 minutes and then declined linearly with time, as did the associated neural level of 14C-lidocaine. Linearity apparently results from the summation of the time-linked decreasing diffusion gradient of drug and the consequently increasing rate of perfusion with blood. Phentolamine antagonizes the epinephrine-caused prolongation of behavioral block. The results suggest that in spinal anesthesia the extent of dilution of an epinephrine additive by cerebrospinal fluid will significantly affect the duration of the block.", "PMID": 637334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11173", "title": "Significant effects on the blood pressure of an apparently trivial atrial dysrhythmia.", "content": "Continuous automatic monitoring and recording, at slow paper speed, of the intra-arterial blood pressure revealed serious disturbances in blood pressure in a small number of patients undergoing general anesthesia. In all instances, the underlying mechanism was found to be a rhythm disturbance so trivial as to have escaped earlier detection by means of conventional audio-visual monitoring. The practice of routine monitoring and recording of the intra-arterial blood pressure would appear to receive support from these findings.", "contents": "Significant effects on the blood pressure of an apparently trivial atrial dysrhythmia. Continuous automatic monitoring and recording, at slow paper speed, of the intra-arterial blood pressure revealed serious disturbances in blood pressure in a small number of patients undergoing general anesthesia. In all instances, the underlying mechanism was found to be a rhythm disturbance so trivial as to have escaped earlier detection by means of conventional audio-visual monitoring. The practice of routine monitoring and recording of the intra-arterial blood pressure would appear to receive support from these findings.", "PMID": 637336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11174", "title": "Simultaneous colour discrimination in chicks is improved by brief exposure to light.", "content": "Dark-reared chicks were exposed to white light for 1 h at age 24 h. At 48 h these chicks, and others kept in the dark throughout, were given the opportunity to obtain a heat reward by choosing the correct arm in a Y maze. The discriminanda were red and blue illuminated circles, each being the positive stimulus for half the chicks. Light-exposure resulted in faster learning, especially when the positive stimulus was blue. This is taken as further support for the view that brief exposure to light activates the visual system non-specifically, affecting many kinds of visually guided behavior.", "contents": "Simultaneous colour discrimination in chicks is improved by brief exposure to light. Dark-reared chicks were exposed to white light for 1 h at age 24 h. At 48 h these chicks, and others kept in the dark throughout, were given the opportunity to obtain a heat reward by choosing the correct arm in a Y maze. The discriminanda were red and blue illuminated circles, each being the positive stimulus for half the chicks. Light-exposure resulted in faster learning, especially when the positive stimulus was blue. This is taken as further support for the view that brief exposure to light activates the visual system non-specifically, affecting many kinds of visually guided behavior.", "PMID": 637367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11175", "title": "Models of parent-offspring conflict. II. Promiscuity.", "content": "The population genetics of Trivers (1974) concept of parent-offspring is examined for species in which the effects of the conflict are felt by future half-sibs, as in promiscuous mating systems in which the male shows no parental care. Whether or not a rare conflictor gene will spread in a non-conflictor population depends on f(m) greater than (m + 1)/(0.5m + 1.5) for a dominant gene, and on f(m) greater than 1/4(7 + 3) for a recessive gene; f(m) is the fitness gained by a conflictor relative to a non-conflictor offspring [f(m) greater than 1], and m is the amount of parental investment taken by a conflictor relative to m = 1 for a non-conflictor. The ESS value for conflict (mo) in promiscuous species with zero male parental care has mo = f(mo)/4[df(mo)/dmo]. However, where the male maintains the same harem for several breeding seasons, or where there is promiscuity but both sexes contribute equally to parental care, conditions for conflict are equivalent to monogamy.", "contents": "Models of parent-offspring conflict. II. Promiscuity. The population genetics of Trivers (1974) concept of parent-offspring is examined for species in which the effects of the conflict are felt by future half-sibs, as in promiscuous mating systems in which the male shows no parental care. Whether or not a rare conflictor gene will spread in a non-conflictor population depends on f(m) greater than (m + 1)/(0.5m + 1.5) for a dominant gene, and on f(m) greater than 1/4(7 + 3) for a recessive gene; f(m) is the fitness gained by a conflictor relative to a non-conflictor offspring [f(m) greater than 1], and m is the amount of parental investment taken by a conflictor relative to m = 1 for a non-conflictor. The ESS value for conflict (mo) in promiscuous species with zero male parental care has mo = f(mo)/4[df(mo)/dmo]. However, where the male maintains the same harem for several breeding seasons, or where there is promiscuity but both sexes contribute equally to parental care, conditions for conflict are equivalent to monogamy.", "PMID": 637368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11176", "title": "Orienting behaviour during aerial and underwater visual discrimination by the mink (Mustela vison schreber).", "content": "Orienting responses by mink during aerial and underwater visual discrimination tests were most frequent when the grating lines subtended angles at the eye near the visual threshold angle. Factorial analysis showed that in air and in water at ranges from 10 to 90 cm most responses occurred at 30 cm discrimination distance and more occurred to marginally supra-threshold than to marginally sub-threshold stimuli. Between media, more responses occurred in air than in water. At longer ranges the mink oriented less readily than at 30 cm but if orienting occurred better discrimination followed than if the mink did not orient.", "contents": "Orienting behaviour during aerial and underwater visual discrimination by the mink (Mustela vison schreber). Orienting responses by mink during aerial and underwater visual discrimination tests were most frequent when the grating lines subtended angles at the eye near the visual threshold angle. Factorial analysis showed that in air and in water at ranges from 10 to 90 cm most responses occurred at 30 cm discrimination distance and more occurred to marginally supra-threshold than to marginally sub-threshold stimuli. Between media, more responses occurred in air than in water. At longer ranges the mink oriented less readily than at 30 cm but if orienting occurred better discrimination followed than if the mink did not orient.", "PMID": 637369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11177", "title": "Phototactic responses of anuran amphibians to monochromatic stimuli of equal quantum intensity.", "content": "The phototactic responses of anuran amphibians to narrow-band monochromatic stimuli of equal quantum intensity were measured for the first time in eight new experiments. The unimodal spectral response, obtained from dark-adapted American toads (Bufo americanus), peaks near 626 THz of frequency (480 nm wavelength). The bimodal, U-shaped spectral response, obtained from dark-adapted tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei), has the anti-mode at about 589 THz (510 nm) and is not merely the spectral mirror-image of the unimodal response. Absolute level of the spectral stimuli of equal quantum intensity did not affect the spectral response of dark-adapted toads, but light-adaptation enhanced a component that has the same spectral peak as the visual pigment absorption spectrum of principal and single cones of the frog's retina.", "contents": "Phototactic responses of anuran amphibians to monochromatic stimuli of equal quantum intensity. The phototactic responses of anuran amphibians to narrow-band monochromatic stimuli of equal quantum intensity were measured for the first time in eight new experiments. The unimodal spectral response, obtained from dark-adapted American toads (Bufo americanus), peaks near 626 THz of frequency (480 nm wavelength). The bimodal, U-shaped spectral response, obtained from dark-adapted tailed frogs (Ascaphus truei), has the anti-mode at about 589 THz (510 nm) and is not merely the spectral mirror-image of the unimodal response. Absolute level of the spectral stimuli of equal quantum intensity did not affect the spectral response of dark-adapted toads, but light-adaptation enhanced a component that has the same spectral peak as the visual pigment absorption spectrum of principal and single cones of the frog's retina.", "PMID": 637370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11178", "title": "Comparative aerial and underwater visual acuity of the mink, Mustela vison schreber, as a function of discrimination distance and stimulus luminance.", "content": "The aerial threshold visual angle of mink rose from 15.4 min at 10 cm stimulus distance to 19.1 min at 90 cm and the underwater angle varied from 32.7 min at 10 cm to 46.6 min at 90 cm, all at 34 mL luminance. At constant 30 cm stimulus distance, the aerial angle rose from 15 min at 34 mL to 51.7 min at 0.012 mL, the underwater angle from 31.4 min at 34 mL to 95 min at 0.012 mL, the aerial and underwater data forming similar curves. If mink hunt in water at somewhat higher light levels than in air they can obtain equal acuities in the two media.", "contents": "Comparative aerial and underwater visual acuity of the mink, Mustela vison schreber, as a function of discrimination distance and stimulus luminance. The aerial threshold visual angle of mink rose from 15.4 min at 10 cm stimulus distance to 19.1 min at 90 cm and the underwater angle varied from 32.7 min at 10 cm to 46.6 min at 90 cm, all at 34 mL luminance. At constant 30 cm stimulus distance, the aerial angle rose from 15 min at 34 mL to 51.7 min at 0.012 mL, the underwater angle from 31.4 min at 34 mL to 95 min at 0.012 mL, the aerial and underwater data forming similar curves. If mink hunt in water at somewhat higher light levels than in air they can obtain equal acuities in the two media.", "PMID": 637372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11179", "title": "Models of parent-offspring conflict. I. Monogamy.", "content": "Theoretical models for Trivers (1974) concept of parent-offspring conflict are examined for species in which the effects of the conflict are felt by full sibs. A rare conflictor gene will spread if (f(m) greater than 1/2(m + 1), where f(m) is the fitness gained by a conflictor relative to a non-conflictor offspring (f(m) greater than 1), and m is the amount of parental investment taken by a conflictor relative to m = 1 for a non-conflictor. The range of m alleles which can spread against the parent optimum decreases as the cost to the parent increases until a point is reached where there is no conflict of evolutionary interests. There would be no polymorphism for conflictor: non-conflictor alleles unless special conditions prevail. The conflictor allele which spreads most rapidly as a rare mutant against the parental optimum is not an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). The ESS for parent-offspring conflict in monogamous species has mo = f(mo)/2[df(mo)/dmo]. The analytical solutions are confirmed throughout by simulations.", "contents": "Models of parent-offspring conflict. I. Monogamy. Theoretical models for Trivers (1974) concept of parent-offspring conflict are examined for species in which the effects of the conflict are felt by full sibs. A rare conflictor gene will spread if (f(m) greater than 1/2(m + 1), where f(m) is the fitness gained by a conflictor relative to a non-conflictor offspring (f(m) greater than 1), and m is the amount of parental investment taken by a conflictor relative to m = 1 for a non-conflictor. The range of m alleles which can spread against the parent optimum decreases as the cost to the parent increases until a point is reached where there is no conflict of evolutionary interests. There would be no polymorphism for conflictor: non-conflictor alleles unless special conditions prevail. The conflictor allele which spreads most rapidly as a rare mutant against the parental optimum is not an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). The ESS for parent-offspring conflict in monogamous species has mo = f(mo)/2[df(mo)/dmo]. The analytical solutions are confirmed throughout by simulations.", "PMID": 637373} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11180", "title": "Allergens in hymenoptera venom. V. Identification of some of the enzymes and demonstration of multiple allergens in yellow jacket venom.", "content": "Yellow jacket venom (YJV) contains acid phosphatase, hyaluronidase and phospholipase but neither allergen C nor melittin as bee venom (BV). YJV enzymes did not cross react with antisera to BV enzymes. YJV was separated into seven fractions, all of which had some activity in RAST. Sera were found specific for the fractions containing phospholipase and acid phosphatase. The other three protein fractions also exhibited substantial RAST activity, suggesting there are at least five allergens in YJV.", "contents": "Allergens in hymenoptera venom. V. Identification of some of the enzymes and demonstration of multiple allergens in yellow jacket venom. Yellow jacket venom (YJV) contains acid phosphatase, hyaluronidase and phospholipase but neither allergen C nor melittin as bee venom (BV). YJV enzymes did not cross react with antisera to BV enzymes. YJV was separated into seven fractions, all of which had some activity in RAST. Sera were found specific for the fractions containing phospholipase and acid phosphatase. The other three protein fractions also exhibited substantial RAST activity, suggesting there are at least five allergens in YJV.", "PMID": 637376} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11181", "title": "Tympanometry in children with allergic respiratory disease.", "content": "The results of pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry were compared in 102 children who were being followed in allergy clinic for allergic rhinitis or asthma. Forty-five abnormal tympanograms were found in 30 children, including six type B tympanograms, 20 type C and 19 with reduced compliance. Acoustic reflexes were absent or elicited only at thresholds greater than or equal to 100 DbHL in 45 ears of 34 children. Agreement between two examiners and tympanometry improved significantly during the study from 62% to 75% and from 62% to 79%, respectively. Tympanometry is an important adjunct to the evaluation of allergic children and supplies objective information useful in teaching proper evaluation of signs of middle ear disease.", "contents": "Tympanometry in children with allergic respiratory disease. The results of pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry were compared in 102 children who were being followed in allergy clinic for allergic rhinitis or asthma. Forty-five abnormal tympanograms were found in 30 children, including six type B tympanograms, 20 type C and 19 with reduced compliance. Acoustic reflexes were absent or elicited only at thresholds greater than or equal to 100 DbHL in 45 ears of 34 children. Agreement between two examiners and tympanometry improved significantly during the study from 62% to 75% and from 62% to 79%, respectively. Tympanometry is an important adjunct to the evaluation of allergic children and supplies objective information useful in teaching proper evaluation of signs of middle ear disease.", "PMID": 637377} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11182", "title": "Treatment of severe attacks of asthma in children with nebulized B2 adrenergic agents.", "content": "Selective B2 adrenergic agents given by nebulizer is described as a hospital or office treatment for severe attacks of asthma. Salbutamol and Bronkosol are shown to be effective and safe drugs. The method is a simple alternative to IPPB and is easier to use in small children. The use of long-acting, selective B2 adrenergic drugs by nebulizer is recommended in preference to non-selective and short-acting adrenergic agents like epinephrine and isoproterenol.", "contents": "Treatment of severe attacks of asthma in children with nebulized B2 adrenergic agents. Selective B2 adrenergic agents given by nebulizer is described as a hospital or office treatment for severe attacks of asthma. Salbutamol and Bronkosol are shown to be effective and safe drugs. The method is a simple alternative to IPPB and is easier to use in small children. The use of long-acting, selective B2 adrenergic drugs by nebulizer is recommended in preference to non-selective and short-acting adrenergic agents like epinephrine and isoproterenol.", "PMID": 637378} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11183", "title": "Possible immediate hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa to oral contraceptives.", "content": "Nasal provocation tests with suspension of oral contraceptive drugs (OCD) as well as of their components (Estrogen, Progestin, Non-hormonal components) were performed in two groups of women, mostly suffering from perennial rhinitis or pollinosis, and all taking oral contraceptive drugs. Thirteen of the 15 patients from the first experimental group, in whom the increase of the nasal complaints was anamnestically related to the oral contraception, and three of the 34 patients from the second experimental group (without anamnestical relation to the oral contraception) demonstrated a positive nasal mucosa response after topical challenge with OCD. All OCD positively reacting patients showed also a positive nasal mucosa response after challenge with the Estrogen and one patient also after Progestin challenge. Non-hormonal components did not cause any reaction. This nasal mucosa response was interpreted as a possible allergic reaction. Type I (immedicate hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa due to Estrogen in blood contraceptives. This response begins within 10 minutes, reaches its maximum within 30 minutes, and does not disappear completely within 60 minutes in most patients. None of the patients from control groups (atopy--without OCD; OCD takers--without atopy; male volunteers without atopy) demonstrated any positive nasal mucosa response to OCD or their components.", "contents": "Possible immediate hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa to oral contraceptives. Nasal provocation tests with suspension of oral contraceptive drugs (OCD) as well as of their components (Estrogen, Progestin, Non-hormonal components) were performed in two groups of women, mostly suffering from perennial rhinitis or pollinosis, and all taking oral contraceptive drugs. Thirteen of the 15 patients from the first experimental group, in whom the increase of the nasal complaints was anamnestically related to the oral contraception, and three of the 34 patients from the second experimental group (without anamnestical relation to the oral contraception) demonstrated a positive nasal mucosa response after topical challenge with OCD. All OCD positively reacting patients showed also a positive nasal mucosa response after challenge with the Estrogen and one patient also after Progestin challenge. Non-hormonal components did not cause any reaction. This nasal mucosa response was interpreted as a possible allergic reaction. Type I (immedicate hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa due to Estrogen in blood contraceptives. This response begins within 10 minutes, reaches its maximum within 30 minutes, and does not disappear completely within 60 minutes in most patients. None of the patients from control groups (atopy--without OCD; OCD takers--without atopy; male volunteers without atopy) demonstrated any positive nasal mucosa response to OCD or their components.", "PMID": 637381} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11184", "title": "Primary lung cancer and asthma.", "content": "6,021 40-year-old and older chronic asthma suffers, seen during the past 20 years, were analyzed with regard to the development of primary lung cancer and their smoking habits. Over this period only two developed lung cancer, 0.032% as compared with 0.314% in the general population. Only 16.9% of chronic asthmatics had smoked over any significant period during the five years prior to assessment as compared with approximately 40% of the general population. Of those who did smoke, the tendency was to a lesser extent. This survey adds further evidence that cancer develops less frequently in patients suffering from an allergic disease such as asthma, perhaps because of (1) some enhanced immunological activity preventing the advent of new growth or (2) reduced smoking habits of chronic asthmatics.", "contents": "Primary lung cancer and asthma. 6,021 40-year-old and older chronic asthma suffers, seen during the past 20 years, were analyzed with regard to the development of primary lung cancer and their smoking habits. Over this period only two developed lung cancer, 0.032% as compared with 0.314% in the general population. Only 16.9% of chronic asthmatics had smoked over any significant period during the five years prior to assessment as compared with approximately 40% of the general population. Of those who did smoke, the tendency was to a lesser extent. This survey adds further evidence that cancer develops less frequently in patients suffering from an allergic disease such as asthma, perhaps because of (1) some enhanced immunological activity preventing the advent of new growth or (2) reduced smoking habits of chronic asthmatics.", "PMID": 637382} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11185", "title": "Effect of gold salts on the IgE immune response in mice.", "content": "In vivo effect of gold salts on the IgE immune response was investigated in mice and rats. It was demonstrated that gold salts did not suppress but rather enhanced the antigen-specific IgE immune response in mice. Moreover, gold salt had on mast cell degranulation in vivo in rats.", "contents": "Effect of gold salts on the IgE immune response in mice. In vivo effect of gold salts on the IgE immune response was investigated in mice and rats. It was demonstrated that gold salts did not suppress but rather enhanced the antigen-specific IgE immune response in mice. Moreover, gold salt had on mast cell degranulation in vivo in rats.", "PMID": 637383} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11186", "title": "A laboratory system for production of flexion rates and forces in the forelimb of the horse.", "content": "The distal portion of the forelimb of the horse is provided with a stay apparatus composed of tendons, ligaments, and fascia. This stay apparatus provides the major resistance to joint flexion during the support phase of the stride. The laboratory test system described was shown to be able to reproduce in vitro limb motions and hoof forces measured with a running horse. These results indicated the stay apparatus operates in a largely passive mode, active muscle contraction apparently serving to provide rigidity only early in the support phase of the stride. The testing system described was designed to take advantage of the passive nature of the stay apparatus in order to study in vitro the forces, accelerations, and deformations encountered by the limb of the galloping horse in vivo.", "contents": "A laboratory system for production of flexion rates and forces in the forelimb of the horse. The distal portion of the forelimb of the horse is provided with a stay apparatus composed of tendons, ligaments, and fascia. This stay apparatus provides the major resistance to joint flexion during the support phase of the stride. The laboratory test system described was shown to be able to reproduce in vitro limb motions and hoof forces measured with a running horse. These results indicated the stay apparatus operates in a largely passive mode, active muscle contraction apparently serving to provide rigidity only early in the support phase of the stride. The testing system described was designed to take advantage of the passive nature of the stay apparatus in order to study in vitro the forces, accelerations, and deformations encountered by the limb of the galloping horse in vivo.", "PMID": 637385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11187", "title": "Study of homologous and heterologous antibody response in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83).", "content": "Of 359 horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) vaccine (strain TC-83), 87% developed hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies to VEE virus within 1 month. Blood from a subsample of 101 of the 359 horses was obtained over a 1-year period. Within 1 month after vaccination, 84% of the 101 horses had developed VEE HI antibodies, 87% had developed VEE-neutralizing (Nt) antibodies, and 78% had developed VEE complement-fixing (CF) antibodies. One year after vaccination, 58% of the horses had VEE HI antibodies and 73% had VEE Nt antibodies. The percentage of horses with VEE CF antibody titers dropped to a low level (46%) within 6 months after vaccination, and most horses were seronegative for VEE CF antibodies 1 year after vaccination. The presence of antibodies to heterologous (western equine or eastern equine encephalomyelitis, or both) alphaviruses suppressed VEE antibody formation in horses vaccinated with TC-83 vaccine. However, the proportion of horses that developed VEE antibodies exceeded levels that generally were believed adequate to suppress a VEE epizootic in a population. There was an 88% correlation between the HI and Nt tests for VEE antibodies.", "contents": "Study of homologous and heterologous antibody response in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83). Of 359 horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) vaccine (strain TC-83), 87% developed hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies to VEE virus within 1 month. Blood from a subsample of 101 of the 359 horses was obtained over a 1-year period. Within 1 month after vaccination, 84% of the 101 horses had developed VEE HI antibodies, 87% had developed VEE-neutralizing (Nt) antibodies, and 78% had developed VEE complement-fixing (CF) antibodies. One year after vaccination, 58% of the horses had VEE HI antibodies and 73% had VEE Nt antibodies. The percentage of horses with VEE CF antibody titers dropped to a low level (46%) within 6 months after vaccination, and most horses were seronegative for VEE CF antibodies 1 year after vaccination. The presence of antibodies to heterologous (western equine or eastern equine encephalomyelitis, or both) alphaviruses suppressed VEE antibody formation in horses vaccinated with TC-83 vaccine. However, the proportion of horses that developed VEE antibodies exceeded levels that generally were believed adequate to suppress a VEE epizootic in a population. There was an 88% correlation between the HI and Nt tests for VEE antibodies.", "PMID": 637386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11188", "title": "Surgical implications of extensibility of the skin of the equine carpus.", "content": "To determine the lines of maximum extensibility of the skin over the equine carpus, round puncture wounds were made 2.0 cm apart over the carpal area of 5 horses (7 carpi). The direction of elongation of the round puncture wound was observed and photographed. Lines of maximum extensibility that occurred over the surfaces of the equine carpus were determined to be proximal to distal, except in a small area over the accessory carpal bone where a state of anisotropism existed. In an immobilized carpus, direction of a surgical incision was not as important as it was in a mobile carpus, in which the incision should parallel the lines of maximum extensibility. This was especially true on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus. Curved or straight surgical incisions could be made on the palmar side of the carpus, but straight incisions parallel to these lines should be made on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus.", "contents": "Surgical implications of extensibility of the skin of the equine carpus. To determine the lines of maximum extensibility of the skin over the equine carpus, round puncture wounds were made 2.0 cm apart over the carpal area of 5 horses (7 carpi). The direction of elongation of the round puncture wound was observed and photographed. Lines of maximum extensibility that occurred over the surfaces of the equine carpus were determined to be proximal to distal, except in a small area over the accessory carpal bone where a state of anisotropism existed. In an immobilized carpus, direction of a surgical incision was not as important as it was in a mobile carpus, in which the incision should parallel the lines of maximum extensibility. This was especially true on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus. Curved or straight surgical incisions could be made on the palmar side of the carpus, but straight incisions parallel to these lines should be made on the dorsal, lateral, and medial surfaces of the carpus.", "PMID": 637387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11189", "title": "Phagocytosis of serum-resistant and serum-sensitive coliform bacteria (Klebsiella) by bovine neutrophils from blood and mastitic milk.", "content": "Phagocytic activity of neutrophil leukocytes from bovine blood and mastitic milk was determined for 2 strains of Klebsiella, 1 resistant and the other sensitive to serum bactericidal activity. Both strains were easily phagocytized in the presence of an opsonic agent, but milk neutrophils seemed to be less efficient than blood neutrophils in this respect. Phagocytosis was maximal after incubation for 60 minutes at 37 C and decreased markedly with reduction in incubation temperature. The opsonic activity of mastitic milk was considerably higher than that of normal milk and approached that of fresh bovine serum. Precolostral calf serum was deficient in opsonic activity and anti-bovine leukocyte serum was antiphagocytic.", "contents": "Phagocytosis of serum-resistant and serum-sensitive coliform bacteria (Klebsiella) by bovine neutrophils from blood and mastitic milk. Phagocytic activity of neutrophil leukocytes from bovine blood and mastitic milk was determined for 2 strains of Klebsiella, 1 resistant and the other sensitive to serum bactericidal activity. Both strains were easily phagocytized in the presence of an opsonic agent, but milk neutrophils seemed to be less efficient than blood neutrophils in this respect. Phagocytosis was maximal after incubation for 60 minutes at 37 C and decreased markedly with reduction in incubation temperature. The opsonic activity of mastitic milk was considerably higher than that of normal milk and approached that of fresh bovine serum. Precolostral calf serum was deficient in opsonic activity and anti-bovine leukocyte serum was antiphagocytic.", "PMID": 637390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11190", "title": "Toxicologic evaluation of a microencapsulated formulation of methyl parathion applied dermally to cattle.", "content": "Acute toxicity studies in newborn calves and 2- to 3-year-old cattle were conducted with methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate) in the form of a 22% microencapsulated slurry used in a manually operated sprayer. Twelve calves and 9 cattle were tested. The minimal toxic dosages were 4 L of a 0.5% concentration for calves and 10 L of a 0.25% concentration for mature cattle. At all toxic dosages, cholinesterase activities were decreased--that of the calves to 0 and that of the cattle to 50% of base line or less. Weight losses 2 weeks after single exposures to the treated cattle ranged from 6.5% to 11.5% of total body weight. Absorption of the formulation in its entirety or its metabolic products resulted in a possible interference with feed utilization.", "contents": "Toxicologic evaluation of a microencapsulated formulation of methyl parathion applied dermally to cattle. Acute toxicity studies in newborn calves and 2- to 3-year-old cattle were conducted with methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl O-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate) in the form of a 22% microencapsulated slurry used in a manually operated sprayer. Twelve calves and 9 cattle were tested. The minimal toxic dosages were 4 L of a 0.5% concentration for calves and 10 L of a 0.25% concentration for mature cattle. At all toxic dosages, cholinesterase activities were decreased--that of the calves to 0 and that of the cattle to 50% of base line or less. Weight losses 2 weeks after single exposures to the treated cattle ranged from 6.5% to 11.5% of total body weight. Absorption of the formulation in its entirety or its metabolic products resulted in a possible interference with feed utilization.", "PMID": 637391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11191", "title": "Effects of aflatoxin on the development of acquired immunity to swine erysipelas.", "content": "The effect of aflatoxin consumption on the development of acquired immunity to swine erysipelas was studied. Twenty-four pigs were divided into 4 groups (6 pigs/group). Two groups were fed a normal diet and 2 groups were fed the same diet but containing aflatoxin. One group from each diet treatment was given a single injection of an erysipelas bacterin, and 21 days later all pigs were given a challenge inoculum of virulent Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae organisms. On the basis of the response to the challenge inoculation, pigs were classified as immune, partially immune (PI), or susceptible. Three of the vaccinated pigs fed the normal diet were immune, 2 were PI, and 1 was susceptible, whereas none of the vaccinated pigs given the aflatoxin diet were immune, only 1 was PI, and the remainder were susceptible. Two of the nonvaccinated pigs fed the normal diet were PI and 4 were susceptible; all of the nonvaccinated pigs fed the aflatoxin diet were susceptible. It was concluded that aflatoxin consumption interfered with the development of acquired immunity and apparently increased the severity of the E rhusiopathiae infection in unvaccinated pigs.", "contents": "Effects of aflatoxin on the development of acquired immunity to swine erysipelas. The effect of aflatoxin consumption on the development of acquired immunity to swine erysipelas was studied. Twenty-four pigs were divided into 4 groups (6 pigs/group). Two groups were fed a normal diet and 2 groups were fed the same diet but containing aflatoxin. One group from each diet treatment was given a single injection of an erysipelas bacterin, and 21 days later all pigs were given a challenge inoculum of virulent Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae organisms. On the basis of the response to the challenge inoculation, pigs were classified as immune, partially immune (PI), or susceptible. Three of the vaccinated pigs fed the normal diet were immune, 2 were PI, and 1 was susceptible, whereas none of the vaccinated pigs given the aflatoxin diet were immune, only 1 was PI, and the remainder were susceptible. Two of the nonvaccinated pigs fed the normal diet were PI and 4 were susceptible; all of the nonvaccinated pigs fed the aflatoxin diet were susceptible. It was concluded that aflatoxin consumption interfered with the development of acquired immunity and apparently increased the severity of the E rhusiopathiae infection in unvaccinated pigs.", "PMID": 637393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11192", "title": "Disposition of sulfonamides in food-producing animals: pharmacokinetics of sulfathiazole in swine.", "content": "Disposition of sulfathiazole in plasma and urine of swine was determined following single intravenous and oral doses. Pharmacokinetics of the drug were described by a 1-compartment open model. The drug was rapidly eliminated, mainly by renal excretion of unchanged sulfathiazole and metabolism to acetylsulfathiazole, with a biological half-life of 1.4 hours. Sulfathiazole (in solution) was absorbed rapidly (half-life 0.8 hour) and relatively completely (73%) following oral administration.", "contents": "Disposition of sulfonamides in food-producing animals: pharmacokinetics of sulfathiazole in swine. Disposition of sulfathiazole in plasma and urine of swine was determined following single intravenous and oral doses. Pharmacokinetics of the drug were described by a 1-compartment open model. The drug was rapidly eliminated, mainly by renal excretion of unchanged sulfathiazole and metabolism to acetylsulfathiazole, with a biological half-life of 1.4 hours. Sulfathiazole (in solution) was absorbed rapidly (half-life 0.8 hour) and relatively completely (73%) following oral administration.", "PMID": 637396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11193", "title": "Echinococcus granulosus in dogs and sheep in central Utah, 1971-1976.", "content": "During 1971 to 1976, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection among dogs and sheep in central Utah. For each year, the number of dogs positive for adult tapeworms of the total number examined and the percentage infected were: in 1971, 14 of 51 infected (27.4%); in 1972, 13 of 46 infected (28.3%); in 1973, 7 of 36 infected (19.4%); in 1974, 34 of 244 infected (13.9%); in 1975, 13 of 267 infected (4.9%); and in 1976, 14 of 195 infected (7.2%), or a 6-year total of 95 of 839 infected (av = 11.3%). For each year, the number of sheep positive with hydatid cysts of the total number examined and the percentage infected were: in 1971, 103 of 1,007 infected (10.2%); in 1972, 235 of 1,808 infected (13.0%); in 1973, 242 of 2,003 infected (12.1%); in 1974, 105 of 1,406 infected (7.5%); in 1975, 96 of 1,599 infected (6.0%); and in 1976, 96 of 1,171 infected (8.2%), or a 6-year total of 877 of 8,994 infected (av = 9.8%). These results represent a definite decline in numbers of infected animals and suggest that preventive and control measures advocated in central Utah are being implemented.", "contents": "Echinococcus granulosus in dogs and sheep in central Utah, 1971-1976. During 1971 to 1976, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection among dogs and sheep in central Utah. For each year, the number of dogs positive for adult tapeworms of the total number examined and the percentage infected were: in 1971, 14 of 51 infected (27.4%); in 1972, 13 of 46 infected (28.3%); in 1973, 7 of 36 infected (19.4%); in 1974, 34 of 244 infected (13.9%); in 1975, 13 of 267 infected (4.9%); and in 1976, 14 of 195 infected (7.2%), or a 6-year total of 95 of 839 infected (av = 11.3%). For each year, the number of sheep positive with hydatid cysts of the total number examined and the percentage infected were: in 1971, 103 of 1,007 infected (10.2%); in 1972, 235 of 1,808 infected (13.0%); in 1973, 242 of 2,003 infected (12.1%); in 1974, 105 of 1,406 infected (7.5%); in 1975, 96 of 1,599 infected (6.0%); and in 1976, 96 of 1,171 infected (8.2%), or a 6-year total of 877 of 8,994 infected (av = 9.8%). These results represent a definite decline in numbers of infected animals and suggest that preventive and control measures advocated in central Utah are being implemented.", "PMID": 637397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11194", "title": "Cestocidal activity of albendazole in calves.", "content": "Sixty commercial-grade calves naturally infected with tapeworms (Moniezia benedeni and M expansa) were used in a controlled experiment to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of 4 dose levels of albendazole. Calves were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 each. One group served as non-medicated controls. Other groups were drenched with albendazole (methyl [5-(propyltion)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl] carbamate) at dose rates of 20, 10, 5 and 2.5 mg/kg of body weight. Calves were necropsied 14 days after treatment. Doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg were 100% efficacious in reducing the number of tapeworm scolices, and doses of 5 and 2.5 mg/kg were 97.8%. Medicated cattle did not show signs of intoxication.", "contents": "Cestocidal activity of albendazole in calves. Sixty commercial-grade calves naturally infected with tapeworms (Moniezia benedeni and M expansa) were used in a controlled experiment to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of 4 dose levels of albendazole. Calves were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 each. One group served as non-medicated controls. Other groups were drenched with albendazole (methyl [5-(propyltion)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl] carbamate) at dose rates of 20, 10, 5 and 2.5 mg/kg of body weight. Calves were necropsied 14 days after treatment. Doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg were 100% efficacious in reducing the number of tapeworm scolices, and doses of 5 and 2.5 mg/kg were 97.8%. Medicated cattle did not show signs of intoxication.", "PMID": 637399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11195", "title": "Experimental infection of calves with Leptospira interrogans serotype szwajizak.", "content": "This is a report on the experimental infection of cattle with Leptospira interrogans serotype szwajizak. The principal clinical features in three 4-week-old Holstein-Friesian heifers intravenously inoculated were fever, listlessness, anorexia, weakness, and diarrhea. Szwajizak was isolated from the blood for the first 5 to 8 days after inoculation. Leptospires were recovered from kidneys, but not from liver, spleen, brain, or urine. Two of the 3 calves produced homologous agglutinins, with maximum serum titers of 1:80 and 1:160. The sera of the 2 calves that developed szwajizak agglutinins showed cross reactivity with wolffi and hardjo antigens. There were not significant differences of plasma and urine constituents between the inoculated calves and the control calf. Endocardial hemorrhages and large soft black-red spleen were present in the 2 calves given the greatest numbers of leptospires. Histopathologically, kidney of all infected calves had multiple small foci of lymphoid cells, chiefly pasmacytes, which were present in periglomerular and interstitial areas.", "contents": "Experimental infection of calves with Leptospira interrogans serotype szwajizak. This is a report on the experimental infection of cattle with Leptospira interrogans serotype szwajizak. The principal clinical features in three 4-week-old Holstein-Friesian heifers intravenously inoculated were fever, listlessness, anorexia, weakness, and diarrhea. Szwajizak was isolated from the blood for the first 5 to 8 days after inoculation. Leptospires were recovered from kidneys, but not from liver, spleen, brain, or urine. Two of the 3 calves produced homologous agglutinins, with maximum serum titers of 1:80 and 1:160. The sera of the 2 calves that developed szwajizak agglutinins showed cross reactivity with wolffi and hardjo antigens. There were not significant differences of plasma and urine constituents between the inoculated calves and the control calf. Endocardial hemorrhages and large soft black-red spleen were present in the 2 calves given the greatest numbers of leptospires. Histopathologically, kidney of all infected calves had multiple small foci of lymphoid cells, chiefly pasmacytes, which were present in periglomerular and interstitial areas.", "PMID": 637400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11196", "title": "Activation of latent Salmonella and Arizona organisms by dehydration of red-eared turtles, Pseudemys scripta-elegans.", "content": "Salmonella and Arizona organisms could not be isolated from water samples, feces, and tissues of turtles prior to the experiment. After stressing, Salmonella organisms were isolated from tissues of 7 of 27 stressed turtles and from only 1 of 12 unstressed turtles. Arizona organisms were isolated from 9 of 36 stressed turtles whereas results for all 12 unstressed turtles were negative.", "contents": "Activation of latent Salmonella and Arizona organisms by dehydration of red-eared turtles, Pseudemys scripta-elegans. Salmonella and Arizona organisms could not be isolated from water samples, feces, and tissues of turtles prior to the experiment. After stressing, Salmonella organisms were isolated from tissues of 7 of 27 stressed turtles and from only 1 of 12 unstressed turtles. Arizona organisms were isolated from 9 of 36 stressed turtles whereas results for all 12 unstressed turtles were negative.", "PMID": 637401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11197", "title": "Enhanced clearance of secretions from the human lung after the administration of hypertonic saline aerosol.", "content": "The radioaerosol method was used to measure the effect of saline aerosol on the rate of clearance of secretions from the lung. Two trial runs were done in each of 7 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (mean +/- SD ratio of 1-sec forced expiratory volume for forced vital capacity, 50 +/- 15 per cent), a control run and a saline run. In both runs, 5.0 +/- 0.7-micron polystyrene particles tagged with 99mTc were inhaled under controlled conditions by the patients, and their subsequent clearance was monitored for 6 hours by whole lung counters. Scanning was also done with a gamma rectilinear scanner. The saline run was identical to the control run except that 30 min after inhaling the radioaerosol the patient inhaled an aerosol of hypertonic (1.21 M) saline for 11 min from an ultrasonic nebulizer. Although the initial distribution of the radioaerosol along the airways was the same in both runs, whole lung clearance during the first 50 min was twice as fast after the inhalation oft he hypertonic saline aerosol as in the control (P less than 0.01). The mean weight of sputum produced was higher (P less than 0.05) in the saline run. The number of coughs in the 2 runs was the same.", "contents": "Enhanced clearance of secretions from the human lung after the administration of hypertonic saline aerosol. The radioaerosol method was used to measure the effect of saline aerosol on the rate of clearance of secretions from the lung. Two trial runs were done in each of 7 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (mean +/- SD ratio of 1-sec forced expiratory volume for forced vital capacity, 50 +/- 15 per cent), a control run and a saline run. In both runs, 5.0 +/- 0.7-micron polystyrene particles tagged with 99mTc were inhaled under controlled conditions by the patients, and their subsequent clearance was monitored for 6 hours by whole lung counters. Scanning was also done with a gamma rectilinear scanner. The saline run was identical to the control run except that 30 min after inhaling the radioaerosol the patient inhaled an aerosol of hypertonic (1.21 M) saline for 11 min from an ultrasonic nebulizer. Although the initial distribution of the radioaerosol along the airways was the same in both runs, whole lung clearance during the first 50 min was twice as fast after the inhalation oft he hypertonic saline aerosol as in the control (P less than 0.01). The mean weight of sputum produced was higher (P less than 0.05) in the saline run. The number of coughs in the 2 runs was the same.", "PMID": 637404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11198", "title": "Prevalence of respiratory abnormalities in a rural and an urban community.", "content": "Population samples stratified on sex, age and smoking habits were studied in a rural and an urban community with a low level of air pollution to establish \"normal\" values of parameters derived from the single-breath N2 curve, the effect of smoking on these parameters, and any differences related to an urban or rural environment. Respiratory symptoms and past illnesses, smoking habits, and residential as well as occupational history were obtained by a respiratory questionnair. Pulmonary function was assessed by the single-breath N2 test and the forced vital capacity maneuver. In \"healthy\" nonsmokers, residual volume/total lung capacity, closing volume/vital capacity on expiration, and closing capacity/total lung capacity were significantly related to age. The slope of phase III was related to neither height nor age. There was no significant difference in prediction equations between the 2 communities for any of these parameters. Multiple regression analysis indicated that smoking had an effect on residual volume/total lung capacity, closing volume/vital capacity on expiration, closing capacity/total lung capacity, and the slope of phase III in both sexes. Abnormal values were more prevalent among male than female smokers in both communities, the highest prevalence being found in the slope of phase III in both sexes (35 to 40 per cent). The slope of phase III and closing capacity/total lung capacity were consistently related to the current number of cigarettes smoked per day.", "contents": "Prevalence of respiratory abnormalities in a rural and an urban community. Population samples stratified on sex, age and smoking habits were studied in a rural and an urban community with a low level of air pollution to establish \"normal\" values of parameters derived from the single-breath N2 curve, the effect of smoking on these parameters, and any differences related to an urban or rural environment. Respiratory symptoms and past illnesses, smoking habits, and residential as well as occupational history were obtained by a respiratory questionnair. Pulmonary function was assessed by the single-breath N2 test and the forced vital capacity maneuver. In \"healthy\" nonsmokers, residual volume/total lung capacity, closing volume/vital capacity on expiration, and closing capacity/total lung capacity were significantly related to age. The slope of phase III was related to neither height nor age. There was no significant difference in prediction equations between the 2 communities for any of these parameters. Multiple regression analysis indicated that smoking had an effect on residual volume/total lung capacity, closing volume/vital capacity on expiration, closing capacity/total lung capacity, and the slope of phase III in both sexes. Abnormal values were more prevalent among male than female smokers in both communities, the highest prevalence being found in the slope of phase III in both sexes (35 to 40 per cent). The slope of phase III and closing capacity/total lung capacity were consistently related to the current number of cigarettes smoked per day.", "PMID": 637406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11199", "title": "The refractory period after exercise-induced asthma: its duration and relation to the severity of exercise.", "content": "A study was carried out to determine whether an episode of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is followed by a refractory period and to assess the factors that affect it. Nine children, 9 to 14 years of age, were studied during repeated, paired exercise tests on a treadmill. Respiratory function was assessed by measuring peak expiratory flow rate before and after exercise. Changes were related to measured uptake of O2 during exercise. When paired tests were at a constant metabolic load, the severity of EIA was relatively constant in the first test of each pair, but it diminished in the second tests as the interval between tests decreased. The ability to bronchoconstrict fully was recovered within 4 hours after a test. When tests at varying metabolic loads were followed after 30 min by tests at a constant load, the severity of EIA increased in proportion to the load in the first test of each pair. In the second tests it was inversely related to that which occurred in the first tests. These results were compatible with the suggestion that the development of EIA requires the release of a stored mediator or enzyme precursor.", "contents": "The refractory period after exercise-induced asthma: its duration and relation to the severity of exercise. A study was carried out to determine whether an episode of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is followed by a refractory period and to assess the factors that affect it. Nine children, 9 to 14 years of age, were studied during repeated, paired exercise tests on a treadmill. Respiratory function was assessed by measuring peak expiratory flow rate before and after exercise. Changes were related to measured uptake of O2 during exercise. When paired tests were at a constant metabolic load, the severity of EIA was relatively constant in the first test of each pair, but it diminished in the second tests as the interval between tests decreased. The ability to bronchoconstrict fully was recovered within 4 hours after a test. When tests at varying metabolic loads were followed after 30 min by tests at a constant load, the severity of EIA increased in proportion to the load in the first test of each pair. In the second tests it was inversely related to that which occurred in the first tests. These results were compatible with the suggestion that the development of EIA requires the release of a stored mediator or enzyme precursor.", "PMID": 637407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11200", "title": "Improvement of platelet survival time with oxygen in patients with chronic obstructive airway disease.", "content": "Platelet survival time has been found to be shortened in hypoxemic patients, and these patients may have an increased risk of thromboembolism. Supplemental O2 was administered to 10 men with sever chronic obstructive airway disease and hypoxemia. Oxygen increased platelet survival time from a mean +/- SE of 1.9 +/- 0.16 to 2.5 +/- 0.21 days (P less than 0.005; normal half-time, 3.7 +/- 0.03 days); the survival half-time was increased by 0.03 days or more in 9 of these 10 men. Arterial Po2 was increased (46.0 +/- 1.1 to 60.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg; P less than 0.001) in all men. Results suggest that hypoxemia is associated with shortened platelet survival time and that an increase in arterial Po2 is associated with an increase in platelet survival time. Although not established by this study, the increase in platelet survival time associated with supplemental O2 may decrease the risk of thromboembolism.", "contents": "Improvement of platelet survival time with oxygen in patients with chronic obstructive airway disease. Platelet survival time has been found to be shortened in hypoxemic patients, and these patients may have an increased risk of thromboembolism. Supplemental O2 was administered to 10 men with sever chronic obstructive airway disease and hypoxemia. Oxygen increased platelet survival time from a mean +/- SE of 1.9 +/- 0.16 to 2.5 +/- 0.21 days (P less than 0.005; normal half-time, 3.7 +/- 0.03 days); the survival half-time was increased by 0.03 days or more in 9 of these 10 men. Arterial Po2 was increased (46.0 +/- 1.1 to 60.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg; P less than 0.001) in all men. Results suggest that hypoxemia is associated with shortened platelet survival time and that an increase in arterial Po2 is associated with an increase in platelet survival time. Although not established by this study, the increase in platelet survival time associated with supplemental O2 may decrease the risk of thromboembolism.", "PMID": 637408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11201", "title": "Influence of the panting technique on the plethysmographic measurement of thoracic gas volume.", "content": "In 7 normal subjects we studied the effect of different panting techniques on the measurement of thoracic gas volume (VTG). When inspiratory efforts against the occluded airway were performed primarily with intercostal and accessory muscles, the value of VTG was significantly larger than during efforts performed primarily with the diaphragm. The difference could be as large as 900 ml during the same occlusion and was due to compression and decompression of abdominal gas. The divergence of the measured VTG from the true VTG depended on the volume of abdominal gas (Vab) and the ratio of gastrict to mouth pressure changes (deltaPg/deltaPm). In our normal subjects, Vab was 358 +/- 65 ml (mean +/- SE) and deltaPg/deltaPm ranged from 0.7 to -2.5. In 10 randomly selected patients with a variety of pulmonary disorders, the mean value of deltaPg/deltaPm was 0.32. In one subject with asthma who increased his total lung capacity by one liter after exercising, deltaPg/deltaPm did not change significantly from the control value. Our results indicated that the pattern of panting is an important determinant of the accuracy of plethysmographic measurement of VTG. However, preliminary results from studies of patients suggest that the error is small and does not account for the large changes in lung volume measured in patients with acute asthma.", "contents": "Influence of the panting technique on the plethysmographic measurement of thoracic gas volume. In 7 normal subjects we studied the effect of different panting techniques on the measurement of thoracic gas volume (VTG). When inspiratory efforts against the occluded airway were performed primarily with intercostal and accessory muscles, the value of VTG was significantly larger than during efforts performed primarily with the diaphragm. The difference could be as large as 900 ml during the same occlusion and was due to compression and decompression of abdominal gas. The divergence of the measured VTG from the true VTG depended on the volume of abdominal gas (Vab) and the ratio of gastrict to mouth pressure changes (deltaPg/deltaPm). In our normal subjects, Vab was 358 +/- 65 ml (mean +/- SE) and deltaPg/deltaPm ranged from 0.7 to -2.5. In 10 randomly selected patients with a variety of pulmonary disorders, the mean value of deltaPg/deltaPm was 0.32. In one subject with asthma who increased his total lung capacity by one liter after exercising, deltaPg/deltaPm did not change significantly from the control value. Our results indicated that the pattern of panting is an important determinant of the accuracy of plethysmographic measurement of VTG. However, preliminary results from studies of patients suggest that the error is small and does not account for the large changes in lung volume measured in patients with acute asthma.", "PMID": 637410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11202", "title": "The fate of newly synthesized lung collagen after endotracheal administration of C-proline to hamsters.", "content": "The endotracheal administration of 14C-proline to young adult golden hamsters was effective in radiolabeling collagen and resulted in a greater specific activity for hydroxyproline than did intraperitoneal administration of the amino acid. The isolation of purified isoluble collagen was accomplished with the aid of pancreatic elastase. Enzyme treatment of lung homogenates resulted in the solubilization of 35 per cent of total lung collagen. The residue obtained after elastase treatment was pure collagen. A significant portion of the radiolabeled collagen was solubilized by the elastase treatment, which suggests that elastase may be helpful in distinguishing between newly synthesized and total lung collagen. Studies performed at various times after administration of 14C-proline indicate that a greater portion of the collagen radioactivity is solubilized during the early days after treatment with the amino acid. The methodology and procedures outlined in this communication allow for additional insights into the metabolism of connective tissue, specifically collagen, in normal and diseased lungs.", "contents": "The fate of newly synthesized lung collagen after endotracheal administration of C-proline to hamsters. The endotracheal administration of 14C-proline to young adult golden hamsters was effective in radiolabeling collagen and resulted in a greater specific activity for hydroxyproline than did intraperitoneal administration of the amino acid. The isolation of purified isoluble collagen was accomplished with the aid of pancreatic elastase. Enzyme treatment of lung homogenates resulted in the solubilization of 35 per cent of total lung collagen. The residue obtained after elastase treatment was pure collagen. A significant portion of the radiolabeled collagen was solubilized by the elastase treatment, which suggests that elastase may be helpful in distinguishing between newly synthesized and total lung collagen. Studies performed at various times after administration of 14C-proline indicate that a greater portion of the collagen radioactivity is solubilized during the early days after treatment with the amino acid. The methodology and procedures outlined in this communication allow for additional insights into the metabolism of connective tissue, specifically collagen, in normal and diseased lungs.", "PMID": 637411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11203", "title": "Possible mechanisms of emphysema in cigarette smokers. Release of elastase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cigarette smoke condensate in vitro.", "content": "Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, when incubated in vitro with cigarette smoke condensate, release beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and elastase and fail to exclude trypan blue. The released elastase is active on an elastin substrate even in the continuing presence of cigarette smoke condensate. When mixtures of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and cigarette smoke condensate are instilled into rat lungs in vivo, the elastase is also released and can be traced to conneective tissue targets by immunohistochemical and enzyme-histochemical techniques.", "contents": "Possible mechanisms of emphysema in cigarette smokers. Release of elastase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cigarette smoke condensate in vitro. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, when incubated in vitro with cigarette smoke condensate, release beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, and elastase and fail to exclude trypan blue. The released elastase is active on an elastin substrate even in the continuing presence of cigarette smoke condensate. When mixtures of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and cigarette smoke condensate are instilled into rat lungs in vivo, the elastase is also released and can be traced to conneective tissue targets by immunohistochemical and enzyme-histochemical techniques.", "PMID": 637413} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11204", "title": "Ultrastructure of the mucociliary interface in the nasal mucosa of the chicken.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the extracellular mucous blanket at the nasal cavities of the chicken was preserved by a method that stabilizes primarily carbohydrate moieties. The cilia were apparently fixed as if \"frozen\" in the act of beating. The blanket was markedly heterogeneous, with a basic fibrous structure, and it contained membrane remnants. The lumenal surface of the blanket was smooth, but the surface in contact with the cilia penetrated to varying depths between the ciliary shafts. The findings are discussed in terms of the assumptions made by others on the basis of indirect evidence.", "contents": "Ultrastructure of the mucociliary interface in the nasal mucosa of the chicken. The ultrastructure of the extracellular mucous blanket at the nasal cavities of the chicken was preserved by a method that stabilizes primarily carbohydrate moieties. The cilia were apparently fixed as if \"frozen\" in the act of beating. The blanket was markedly heterogeneous, with a basic fibrous structure, and it contained membrane remnants. The lumenal surface of the blanket was smooth, but the surface in contact with the cilia penetrated to varying depths between the ciliary shafts. The findings are discussed in terms of the assumptions made by others on the basis of indirect evidence.", "PMID": 637414} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11205", "title": "Aortoenteric fistula following renal revascularization.", "content": "Aortoduodenal fistula following renal revascularization is a rare and frequently lethal event. This report records the first known survivor of aortoenteric fistula following renal revascularization alone. Four previously reported cases followed secondary operations such as nephrectomy or autotransplantation necessitated by thrombosis of aortorenal bypass grafts. Synthetic prosthetic material led to the fistula in all instances. Infection occurred in only one. This complication may be prevented by the use of autogenous tissue grafts, monofilament suture, and interposition of viable tissue between anastomosis and gastrointestinal tract. When massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs following aortic-prosthetic vascular procedures and standard studies prove nondiagnostic, prompt celiotomy is recommended.", "contents": "Aortoenteric fistula following renal revascularization. Aortoduodenal fistula following renal revascularization is a rare and frequently lethal event. This report records the first known survivor of aortoenteric fistula following renal revascularization alone. Four previously reported cases followed secondary operations such as nephrectomy or autotransplantation necessitated by thrombosis of aortorenal bypass grafts. Synthetic prosthetic material led to the fistula in all instances. Infection occurred in only one. This complication may be prevented by the use of autogenous tissue grafts, monofilament suture, and interposition of viable tissue between anastomosis and gastrointestinal tract. When massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs following aortic-prosthetic vascular procedures and standard studies prove nondiagnostic, prompt celiotomy is recommended.", "PMID": 637421} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11206", "title": "Principles and management of penetrating vascular injuries secondary to shotgun wounds.", "content": "The characteristics of shotgun ammunition and ballistics are discussed to give an understanding of how shotgun wounds differ from all other types of civilian penetrating wounds. Five case examples of shotgun injuries to blood vessels involving the neck and extremities are presented to highlight problems encountered and to point out the principles of management. The importance of muzzle-to-victim range, preoperative arteriography and the definite place of conservation treatment are stressed.", "contents": "Principles and management of penetrating vascular injuries secondary to shotgun wounds. The characteristics of shotgun ammunition and ballistics are discussed to give an understanding of how shotgun wounds differ from all other types of civilian penetrating wounds. Five case examples of shotgun injuries to blood vessels involving the neck and extremities are presented to highlight problems encountered and to point out the principles of management. The importance of muzzle-to-victim range, preoperative arteriography and the definite place of conservation treatment are stressed.", "PMID": 637422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11207", "title": "Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.", "content": "The technique of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was evaluated in nine patients during 136 patient weeks. The major objectives were to see if continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis would provide [1] acceptable control of serum chemistries by usual criteria, [2] adequate removal of sodium and water, [3] tolerable protein losses, and [4] a low prevalence of peritonitis with episodes responsive to therapy with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Preliminary findings suggest continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis represents an effective ambulatory, portable, internal dialysis technique. Larger-solute clearances per week may approach values six times greater than with most hemodialysis techniques. Small-solute clearances approach dialysate flow rate (8.3 ml/min) and are comparable to other dialysis techniques on a weekly basis. Edema is readily controlled and protein losses should be tolerable with adequate protein intake. Peritonitus occurs on the average every 10 weeks but responds to therapy promptly with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. If the prevalence of peritonitis can be reduced, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis appears to represent a very attractive dialysis technique.", "contents": "Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The technique of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was evaluated in nine patients during 136 patient weeks. The major objectives were to see if continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis would provide [1] acceptable control of serum chemistries by usual criteria, [2] adequate removal of sodium and water, [3] tolerable protein losses, and [4] a low prevalence of peritonitis with episodes responsive to therapy with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Preliminary findings suggest continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis represents an effective ambulatory, portable, internal dialysis technique. Larger-solute clearances per week may approach values six times greater than with most hemodialysis techniques. Small-solute clearances approach dialysate flow rate (8.3 ml/min) and are comparable to other dialysis techniques on a weekly basis. Edema is readily controlled and protein losses should be tolerable with adequate protein intake. Peritonitus occurs on the average every 10 weeks but responds to therapy promptly with continuing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. If the prevalence of peritonitis can be reduced, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis appears to represent a very attractive dialysis technique.", "PMID": 637423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11208", "title": "Propranolol effects in long-term hemodialysis patients with renin-dependent hypertension.", "content": "We evaluated propranolol effects on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and erythrocyte production in nine chronically hemodialyzed and four nondialyzed patients with hypertension and high plasma renin concentrations. Propranolol, at a maximum daily dose of 240 mg, controlled blood pressure in 12 of the 13 patients. During propranolol treatment of dialyzed patients, mean blood pressure fell from 133 +/- 1 to 113 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.005) and plasma renin activity from 3093 +/- 423 to 689 +/- 218 ng/dl 3h (P less than 0.001). Similar results were obtained in nondialyzed patients. In both groups hematocrit and red cell mass were unchanged, although ferrokinetic measurements suggested a decrease in erythropoiesis. Thus propranolol alone reduces blood pressure and renin activity in chronically dialyzed patients with hypertension and high renin concentrations. No hematologic complications or other side effects were observed. These findings suggest that propranolol may be an effective alternative to bilateral nephrectomy in the control of renin-dependent hypertension in selected patients.", "contents": "Propranolol effects in long-term hemodialysis patients with renin-dependent hypertension. We evaluated propranolol effects on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and erythrocyte production in nine chronically hemodialyzed and four nondialyzed patients with hypertension and high plasma renin concentrations. Propranolol, at a maximum daily dose of 240 mg, controlled blood pressure in 12 of the 13 patients. During propranolol treatment of dialyzed patients, mean blood pressure fell from 133 +/- 1 to 113 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.005) and plasma renin activity from 3093 +/- 423 to 689 +/- 218 ng/dl 3h (P less than 0.001). Similar results were obtained in nondialyzed patients. In both groups hematocrit and red cell mass were unchanged, although ferrokinetic measurements suggested a decrease in erythropoiesis. Thus propranolol alone reduces blood pressure and renin activity in chronically dialyzed patients with hypertension and high renin concentrations. No hematologic complications or other side effects were observed. These findings suggest that propranolol may be an effective alternative to bilateral nephrectomy in the control of renin-dependent hypertension in selected patients.", "PMID": 637424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11209", "title": "Meningoencephalitis and brain abscess due to a free-living amoeba.", "content": "A 47-year-old diabetic woman developed fatal meningoencephalitis due to a free-living amoeba. The responsible organism appeared to be neither Naegleria nor Acanthamoeba-Hartmannella. Both acute and chronic (granulomatous) inflammatory reactions of the brain were present, and both cysts and trophozoite forms were readily visualized. The latest classification and methods of identification of such amoebae are reviewed and their threat to public health underscored. It should be realized that a variety of free-living amoebae exist in nature, which potentially can produce meningoencephalitis in humans, and that none of these organisms should be labeled or considered as \"avirulent\" or \"nonpathogenic\" until proved otherwise.", "contents": "Meningoencephalitis and brain abscess due to a free-living amoeba. A 47-year-old diabetic woman developed fatal meningoencephalitis due to a free-living amoeba. The responsible organism appeared to be neither Naegleria nor Acanthamoeba-Hartmannella. Both acute and chronic (granulomatous) inflammatory reactions of the brain were present, and both cysts and trophozoite forms were readily visualized. The latest classification and methods of identification of such amoebae are reviewed and their threat to public health underscored. It should be realized that a variety of free-living amoebae exist in nature, which potentially can produce meningoencephalitis in humans, and that none of these organisms should be labeled or considered as \"avirulent\" or \"nonpathogenic\" until proved otherwise.", "PMID": 637425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11210", "title": "The free triiodothyronine (T3) index.", "content": "In a large number of normal men (n = 111) and women (n = 110) the free triiodothyronine (T3), index, calculated from serum total T3 and T3-uptake, was highly correlated with free T3, measured by equilibrium dialysis. The correlation was almost as high as that of the free thyroxine (T4) index with free T4. The correlations of the total T3, free T3, and free T3 index with, respectively, the total T4, free T4, and free T4 index were much lower, though still statistically significant. The free T3 index is clinically useful because serum total T3 may sometimes be misleading. Hyperthyroid patients with apparent T4-toxicosis and normal total T3 may have an elevated free T3 index and thus physiologically elevated levels of both thyroid hormones. Calculation of the free T3 index might also make possible the diagnosis of T3-toxicosis in a patient with a normal free T4 index and normal total T3. Total T3 may be elevated without an elevated total T4 in women taking oral contraceptives; thus the free T3 index may prevent a misdiagnosis of T3-toxicosis. The free T3 index seems no better than total T3 in the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism, but it can confirm the diagnosis of T3-hypothyroidism.", "contents": "The free triiodothyronine (T3) index. In a large number of normal men (n = 111) and women (n = 110) the free triiodothyronine (T3), index, calculated from serum total T3 and T3-uptake, was highly correlated with free T3, measured by equilibrium dialysis. The correlation was almost as high as that of the free thyroxine (T4) index with free T4. The correlations of the total T3, free T3, and free T3 index with, respectively, the total T4, free T4, and free T4 index were much lower, though still statistically significant. The free T3 index is clinically useful because serum total T3 may sometimes be misleading. Hyperthyroid patients with apparent T4-toxicosis and normal total T3 may have an elevated free T3 index and thus physiologically elevated levels of both thyroid hormones. Calculation of the free T3 index might also make possible the diagnosis of T3-toxicosis in a patient with a normal free T4 index and normal total T3. Total T3 may be elevated without an elevated total T4 in women taking oral contraceptives; thus the free T3 index may prevent a misdiagnosis of T3-toxicosis. The free T3 index seems no better than total T3 in the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism, but it can confirm the diagnosis of T3-hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 637426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11211", "title": "High-fiber diets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Eight patients with insulin-requiring diabetes were given, in random order, a diet containing 3 g and one containing 20 g of crude fiber. Each diet was maintained for 10 days and was the same in calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Insulin dose was kept constant. Mean plasma glucose on the low-fiber diet was 169.4 +/- 11.7 mg/dl, significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than the value of 120.8 +/- 10.1 on the high-fiber diet. Hypoglycemic reactions were more common on the high-fiber diet. Weight remained essentially constant on both diets. Mean serum glucagon level on the high-fiber diet was significantly lower (P less than 0.001) than on the low-fiber diet, while serum free insulin levels were unchanged. These data indicate that substantial changes in fiber content of the diabetic diet may lead to marked changes in diabetic control and that increasing dietary fiber may be a useful means of lowering plasma glucose in some diabetic patients.", "contents": "High-fiber diets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Eight patients with insulin-requiring diabetes were given, in random order, a diet containing 3 g and one containing 20 g of crude fiber. Each diet was maintained for 10 days and was the same in calories, carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Insulin dose was kept constant. Mean plasma glucose on the low-fiber diet was 169.4 +/- 11.7 mg/dl, significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than the value of 120.8 +/- 10.1 on the high-fiber diet. Hypoglycemic reactions were more common on the high-fiber diet. Weight remained essentially constant on both diets. Mean serum glucagon level on the high-fiber diet was significantly lower (P less than 0.001) than on the low-fiber diet, while serum free insulin levels were unchanged. These data indicate that substantial changes in fiber content of the diabetic diet may lead to marked changes in diabetic control and that increasing dietary fiber may be a useful means of lowering plasma glucose in some diabetic patients.", "PMID": 637427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11212", "title": "Prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in Chile.", "content": "The prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was studied immediately postpartum in 869 women from three distant Chilean cities differing in climate and food supply. Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy was detected in 2.4% and pruritus gravidarum in 13.2%, without significant differences between the three cities. Every woman was then ethnically classified as predominantly Caucasoid, Araucanian Indian, or Aimara Indian. A significantly higher prevalence of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy (5.5%) and pruritus gravidarum (22.1%) was found in Araucanians than in Caucasoids (2.5% and 12.6% respectively) or in the Aimaras (0 and 11.8% respectively). The prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in Araucanians increased directly with the degree of \"ethnic purity.\" Recurrence of the disease in multiparous women was also greater in Araucanians (13.8%) than in Caucasoids (5.5%) or in the Aimaras (3.9%). We propose that an ethnic predisposition to develop intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is present in Araucanian women and that the high prevalence of the disease in Chile is mainly influenced by ethnic admixture with this South American Indian (ethnic) group.", "contents": "Prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in Chile. The prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy was studied immediately postpartum in 869 women from three distant Chilean cities differing in climate and food supply. Cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy was detected in 2.4% and pruritus gravidarum in 13.2%, without significant differences between the three cities. Every woman was then ethnically classified as predominantly Caucasoid, Araucanian Indian, or Aimara Indian. A significantly higher prevalence of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy (5.5%) and pruritus gravidarum (22.1%) was found in Araucanians than in Caucasoids (2.5% and 12.6% respectively) or in the Aimaras (0 and 11.8% respectively). The prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in Araucanians increased directly with the degree of \"ethnic purity.\" Recurrence of the disease in multiparous women was also greater in Araucanians (13.8%) than in Caucasoids (5.5%) or in the Aimaras (3.9%). We propose that an ethnic predisposition to develop intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is present in Araucanian women and that the high prevalence of the disease in Chile is mainly influenced by ethnic admixture with this South American Indian (ethnic) group.", "PMID": 637428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11213", "title": "Thalassemic osteoarthropathy.", "content": "Patients with beta thalassemia major may develop a specific osteoarthropathy as they approach the second and third decades of life. Twenty-five of 50 patients between the ages of 5 and 33 years had evidence of periarticular disease that consisted of dull-aching ankle pain exacerbated by weight bearing and relieved by rest. Involvement was symmetrical with mild swelling and pain on bone compression. Arthrocentesis showed no evidence of inflammation. Radiographic changes included osteopenia, widened medullary spaces, thin cortices with coarse trabeculations, and evidence of microfractures. Histologic studies confirmed the presence of microfractures and showed osteomalacia and an increase in osteoblastic and osteoclastic surface area with iron deposites at the calcification front and cement lines. The relative roles of iron overload, divalent cation metabolism, erythroid hyperplasia, or other factors in the pathogenesis of the syndrome remain unknown, and no specific therapy can be recommended at present.", "contents": "Thalassemic osteoarthropathy. Patients with beta thalassemia major may develop a specific osteoarthropathy as they approach the second and third decades of life. Twenty-five of 50 patients between the ages of 5 and 33 years had evidence of periarticular disease that consisted of dull-aching ankle pain exacerbated by weight bearing and relieved by rest. Involvement was symmetrical with mild swelling and pain on bone compression. Arthrocentesis showed no evidence of inflammation. Radiographic changes included osteopenia, widened medullary spaces, thin cortices with coarse trabeculations, and evidence of microfractures. Histologic studies confirmed the presence of microfractures and showed osteomalacia and an increase in osteoblastic and osteoclastic surface area with iron deposites at the calcification front and cement lines. The relative roles of iron overload, divalent cation metabolism, erythroid hyperplasia, or other factors in the pathogenesis of the syndrome remain unknown, and no specific therapy can be recommended at present.", "PMID": 637429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11214", "title": "Role of aluminum in dialysis dementia.", "content": "Between September 1972 and January 1976 an outbreak of dialysis dementia affected 20 patients maintained by long-term hemodialysis. The clinical picture was characterized by an insidious onset of altered behaviour, dementia, speech disturbance, myoclonus, and convulsions. Nineteen patients died, but one patient has survived for 16 months. It was later established that in June 1972 the city had altered its method of water purification and that this resulted in higher water aluminum levels. The temporal relation between periods of high water-aluminum content and the appearance of new cases supports the view that aluminum may play a role in the causation of dialysis dementia.", "contents": "Role of aluminum in dialysis dementia. Between September 1972 and January 1976 an outbreak of dialysis dementia affected 20 patients maintained by long-term hemodialysis. The clinical picture was characterized by an insidious onset of altered behaviour, dementia, speech disturbance, myoclonus, and convulsions. Nineteen patients died, but one patient has survived for 16 months. It was later established that in June 1972 the city had altered its method of water purification and that this resulted in higher water aluminum levels. The temporal relation between periods of high water-aluminum content and the appearance of new cases supports the view that aluminum may play a role in the causation of dialysis dementia.", "PMID": 637430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11215", "title": "Spinal fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis.", "content": "The ankylosed osteoporotic spines of patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis are prone to fracture. The spinal trauma is of a trivial nature in many patients and the diagnosis may be overlooked, unless neurologic damage occurs. The fractures most commonly occur in the cervical region and may be multiple. Because of spinal osteoporosis and deformity, radiographic visualization of the fracture site may be difficult. Tomography may be helpful in some patients. Management may be conservative or surgical and is complicated by increased instability of the fracture site, spinal osteoporosis, and deformity. Conservative management of cervical fractures is probably best accomplished by halo traction and body cast. Progression of the neurologic deficit is an indication for surgical intervention.", "contents": "Spinal fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis. The ankylosed osteoporotic spines of patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis are prone to fracture. The spinal trauma is of a trivial nature in many patients and the diagnosis may be overlooked, unless neurologic damage occurs. The fractures most commonly occur in the cervical region and may be multiple. Because of spinal osteoporosis and deformity, radiographic visualization of the fracture site may be difficult. Tomography may be helpful in some patients. Management may be conservative or surgical and is complicated by increased instability of the fracture site, spinal osteoporosis, and deformity. Conservative management of cervical fractures is probably best accomplished by halo traction and body cast. Progression of the neurologic deficit is an indication for surgical intervention.", "PMID": 637438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11216", "title": "Ombudsmen (medical-psychiatric) rounds. An approach to meeting patient-staff needs.", "content": "Ombudsmen rounds conducted jointly by a medical attending physician (ombudsman) and a psychiatrist bring the entire staff on each of the medical wards of Montefiore Hospital together weekly. An attempt is made to address both staff and patient needs on an inpatient medical service. Through group discussions and patient interviews, in which the patient has an opportunity to express his own feelings about his illness and his care, the staff becomes aware of the psychosocial issues that are universally evoked by illness and hospitalization. All staff members are also encouraged to relate their reactions to the patient and their interactions with each other. The ombudsmen-rounds concept maximizes the use of the internist and liaison psychiatrist, and makes psychosocial-medical teaching routine on the medical service in a contemporary teaching hospital where the practice of holistic medicine has been so difficult to implement.", "contents": "Ombudsmen (medical-psychiatric) rounds. An approach to meeting patient-staff needs. Ombudsmen rounds conducted jointly by a medical attending physician (ombudsman) and a psychiatrist bring the entire staff on each of the medical wards of Montefiore Hospital together weekly. An attempt is made to address both staff and patient needs on an inpatient medical service. Through group discussions and patient interviews, in which the patient has an opportunity to express his own feelings about his illness and his care, the staff becomes aware of the psychosocial issues that are universally evoked by illness and hospitalization. All staff members are also encouraged to relate their reactions to the patient and their interactions with each other. The ombudsmen-rounds concept maximizes the use of the internist and liaison psychiatrist, and makes psychosocial-medical teaching routine on the medical service in a contemporary teaching hospital where the practice of holistic medicine has been so difficult to implement.", "PMID": 637439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11217", "title": "Peripapillary disciform degeneration of the retina: diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "Peripapillary disciform detachments are infrequent disorders of the ocular fundus. They may occur in patients of all age groups and result from a number of different causes. It is important to suspect this potentially treatable diagnosis when a patient presents with visual loss and a rounded, oval, or tongue-like mass extending from the optic nervehead in any meridian. Accurate diagnosis depends on intravenous fluorescein angiography. The subretinal neovascular net extending from the optic nervehead peripherally can be demonstrated only with angiography. Treatment of peripapillary disciform macular degenerations with photocoagulation is often successful, but is difficult due to their location. With inadequate treatment, the subretinal neovascular membrane may continue to spread and proliferate, and with excessive treatment, there may be damage to the papillomacular nerve fiber bundle, with permanent loss of central vision. It is most important to carry out close postoperative patient follow-up and retreatment when indicated once treatment has been initiated.", "contents": "Peripapillary disciform degeneration of the retina: diagnosis and treatment. Peripapillary disciform detachments are infrequent disorders of the ocular fundus. They may occur in patients of all age groups and result from a number of different causes. It is important to suspect this potentially treatable diagnosis when a patient presents with visual loss and a rounded, oval, or tongue-like mass extending from the optic nervehead in any meridian. Accurate diagnosis depends on intravenous fluorescein angiography. The subretinal neovascular net extending from the optic nervehead peripherally can be demonstrated only with angiography. Treatment of peripapillary disciform macular degenerations with photocoagulation is often successful, but is difficult due to their location. With inadequate treatment, the subretinal neovascular membrane may continue to spread and proliferate, and with excessive treatment, there may be damage to the papillomacular nerve fiber bundle, with permanent loss of central vision. It is most important to carry out close postoperative patient follow-up and retreatment when indicated once treatment has been initiated.", "PMID": 637473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11218", "title": "Phacoemulsification and retinal detachment.", "content": "Retinal detachment is not eliminated nor decreased to a rare complication after phacoemulsification. There were 94 eyes examined with retinal detachments after phacoemulsification and the majority were operated upon. The fundus view might be hampered and some areas of the retina obscured by this form of lens extraction. There are, however, some cases where the small incision and relative clarity of the media, soon after cataract surgery, offer an advantage.", "contents": "Phacoemulsification and retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is not eliminated nor decreased to a rare complication after phacoemulsification. There were 94 eyes examined with retinal detachments after phacoemulsification and the majority were operated upon. The fundus view might be hampered and some areas of the retina obscured by this form of lens extraction. There are, however, some cases where the small incision and relative clarity of the media, soon after cataract surgery, offer an advantage.", "PMID": 637474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11219", "title": "Crystals in the aqueous humor of normal eye.", "content": "An unusual and extremely rare occurrence of the free floating crystals in the aqueous humor of a structurally healthy and functionally normal eye of a 15-year-old white girl is described. The exact nature of these crystals could not be determined but their iridescent nature suggests that they might be cholesterol. This observation leads one to believe, contrary to the current concept, in the very interesting possibility of the crystal formation (or synchysis scintillans) in an apparently healthy eye.", "contents": "Crystals in the aqueous humor of normal eye. An unusual and extremely rare occurrence of the free floating crystals in the aqueous humor of a structurally healthy and functionally normal eye of a 15-year-old white girl is described. The exact nature of these crystals could not be determined but their iridescent nature suggests that they might be cholesterol. This observation leads one to believe, contrary to the current concept, in the very interesting possibility of the crystal formation (or synchysis scintillans) in an apparently healthy eye.", "PMID": 637475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11220", "title": "Traumatic serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium.", "content": "Two cases of contusion injury to the anterior segment of the globe are reported which resulted in unusual fluorescein angiographic findings at the posterior pole of the eye. The posterior lesions seen in each case were difficult to interpret by conventional methods. It was thought that fluorescein angiography was of value in better delineating the nature of the clinical findings.", "contents": "Traumatic serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium. Two cases of contusion injury to the anterior segment of the globe are reported which resulted in unusual fluorescein angiographic findings at the posterior pole of the eye. The posterior lesions seen in each case were difficult to interpret by conventional methods. It was thought that fluorescein angiography was of value in better delineating the nature of the clinical findings.", "PMID": 637477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11221", "title": "Spontaneous lens rupture following pars plana vitrectomy.", "content": "This paper presenta a case of pars plana vitrectomy with spontaneous posterior lens capsule rupture 7 weeks after surgery and 1 week after discontinuation of cycloplegia. The diagnosis, treatment, sequelae, and etiology of this spontaneous lens rupture receive discussion. The accommodative mechanism in the postvitrectomy eye may explain the cause of lens rupture and suggest methods of prophylaxis.", "contents": "Spontaneous lens rupture following pars plana vitrectomy. This paper presenta a case of pars plana vitrectomy with spontaneous posterior lens capsule rupture 7 weeks after surgery and 1 week after discontinuation of cycloplegia. The diagnosis, treatment, sequelae, and etiology of this spontaneous lens rupture receive discussion. The accommodative mechanism in the postvitrectomy eye may explain the cause of lens rupture and suggest methods of prophylaxis.", "PMID": 637478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11222", "title": "A small pupil binocular indirect ophthalmoscope.", "content": "A description of a lightweight small pupil binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is presented. This instrument can be used with well dilated pupils and clear media as any stereoscopic indirect ophthalmoscope. However, the instrument can be simply and easily adjusted for usage in patients with small pupils or opacities of the media. The optical and mechanical principles employed are presented. The technique of utilization for small pupil viewing is outlined.", "contents": "A small pupil binocular indirect ophthalmoscope. A description of a lightweight small pupil binocular indirect ophthalmoscope is presented. This instrument can be used with well dilated pupils and clear media as any stereoscopic indirect ophthalmoscope. However, the instrument can be simply and easily adjusted for usage in patients with small pupils or opacities of the media. The optical and mechanical principles employed are presented. The technique of utilization for small pupil viewing is outlined.", "PMID": 637479} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11223", "title": "CT scan appearance of dysthyroid orbital disease.", "content": "Two cases of dysthyroid orbital diseases are presented which on CT scan had the characteristic appearance of intraorbital tumors. An operation was performed on one of these patients based on the CT scan appearance. This entity should not be confused with true intraorbital neoplasms. One must not rely exclusively on the CT scan in questionable cases as with any other ancillary diagnostic acid and one must bear in mind that dysthyroid disease in evolution may exactly mimic the CT scan appearance of an intraorbital tumor.", "contents": "CT scan appearance of dysthyroid orbital disease. Two cases of dysthyroid orbital diseases are presented which on CT scan had the characteristic appearance of intraorbital tumors. An operation was performed on one of these patients based on the CT scan appearance. This entity should not be confused with true intraorbital neoplasms. One must not rely exclusively on the CT scan in questionable cases as with any other ancillary diagnostic acid and one must bear in mind that dysthyroid disease in evolution may exactly mimic the CT scan appearance of an intraorbital tumor.", "PMID": 637481} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11224", "title": "Corneal edema with a ciliary body melanoma.", "content": "A 40-year-old woman is described with a ciliary body melanoma presenting with localized corneal edema and keratic precipitates. A ciliary body mass was visualized when the pupil was dilated. The mass was excised by corneoscleroiridocyclectomy and was a spindle B melanoma of the ciliary body. There has been no evidence of recurrence of the tumor, and the visual acuity has been stable at 20/25 for the past 3 years. This is the first case known to us of a ciliary body melanoma presenting with localized corneal edema and keratic precipitates.", "contents": "Corneal edema with a ciliary body melanoma. A 40-year-old woman is described with a ciliary body melanoma presenting with localized corneal edema and keratic precipitates. A ciliary body mass was visualized when the pupil was dilated. The mass was excised by corneoscleroiridocyclectomy and was a spindle B melanoma of the ciliary body. There has been no evidence of recurrence of the tumor, and the visual acuity has been stable at 20/25 for the past 3 years. This is the first case known to us of a ciliary body melanoma presenting with localized corneal edema and keratic precipitates.", "PMID": 637483} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11225", "title": "Ultrasonic fragmentation using the automatic suction aspiration pump.", "content": "This technique is a further modification of the original technique as introduced by Dr. Louis Girard thus making this procedure a one man operation instead of the three man operation as originally introduced by Dr. Girard.", "contents": "Ultrasonic fragmentation using the automatic suction aspiration pump. This technique is a further modification of the original technique as introduced by Dr. Louis Girard thus making this procedure a one man operation instead of the three man operation as originally introduced by Dr. Girard.", "PMID": 637485} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11226", "title": "Anterior segment necrosis following treatment of central retinal artery occlusion: a clinicopathologic case report.", "content": "A 45-year-old man with an internal carotid artery occlusion, cerebral hemispheric infarction, and an ipsilateral central retinal artery occlusion developed anterior segment necrosis after retrobulbar injection of lidocaine hydrochloride (Xylocaine) for treatment of an occlusion of the central retinal artery. Multiple embolic plaques in the retinal circulation with occlusion of the posterior ciliary arteries were found. The clinical and postmortem histopathologic findings are presented.", "contents": "Anterior segment necrosis following treatment of central retinal artery occlusion: a clinicopathologic case report. A 45-year-old man with an internal carotid artery occlusion, cerebral hemispheric infarction, and an ipsilateral central retinal artery occlusion developed anterior segment necrosis after retrobulbar injection of lidocaine hydrochloride (Xylocaine) for treatment of an occlusion of the central retinal artery. Multiple embolic plaques in the retinal circulation with occlusion of the posterior ciliary arteries were found. The clinical and postmortem histopathologic findings are presented.", "PMID": 637487} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11227", "title": "Superior oblique tenectomy in a pattern strabismus.", "content": "Nineteen patients with A pattern exotropia and 1 with A esotropia, all of whom had marked overacting superior oblique muscles bilaterally, were evaluated surgically. Nine with A exotropia and 20 prism diopters or less in the primary position were treated only with bilateral superior oblique tenectomy. Very little correction occurred in the primary position while an average correction of 35 prism diopters occurred in downgaze. Eleven patients with at least 25 prism diopters of deviation in the primary position were treated with bilateral superior oblique tenectomy in addition to horizontal rectus muscle surgery at the same sitting. A routine amount of horizontal surgery was performed with good results without regard for any effect which superior oblique tenectomy might cause in the primary position. This is a safe method for planning surgery in A patterns as abduction by the superior oblique muscles occurs mainly in downgaze.", "contents": "Superior oblique tenectomy in a pattern strabismus. Nineteen patients with A pattern exotropia and 1 with A esotropia, all of whom had marked overacting superior oblique muscles bilaterally, were evaluated surgically. Nine with A exotropia and 20 prism diopters or less in the primary position were treated only with bilateral superior oblique tenectomy. Very little correction occurred in the primary position while an average correction of 35 prism diopters occurred in downgaze. Eleven patients with at least 25 prism diopters of deviation in the primary position were treated with bilateral superior oblique tenectomy in addition to horizontal rectus muscle surgery at the same sitting. A routine amount of horizontal surgery was performed with good results without regard for any effect which superior oblique tenectomy might cause in the primary position. This is a safe method for planning surgery in A patterns as abduction by the superior oblique muscles occurs mainly in downgaze.", "PMID": 637489} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11228", "title": "The intraocular lens: preliminary results in southwestern Indians.", "content": "We implanted Copeland iris plane lenses in 15 Navajo and Pueblo Indians. Visual results were gratifying. Complications have been minimal to date due to adherence to certain technical points and the use of postoperative steroids. The technique using standard intracapsular extraction is relatively simple. It is easier than the extracapsular technique or tying sutures inside the anterior chamber. The implant is certainly valuable in our population who uniformly fail with contact lenses. The mediocre acceptance and tolerance of aphakic spectacles, which is more common in Indian patients, is likewise overcome by the implant. Patients who have advanced unilateral cataract can now be operated upon and visually rehabilitated. More observation time is needed to evaluate the potential problems of cystoid macular edema and poor pupil dilatation complicating retinal detachment surgery.", "contents": "The intraocular lens: preliminary results in southwestern Indians. We implanted Copeland iris plane lenses in 15 Navajo and Pueblo Indians. Visual results were gratifying. Complications have been minimal to date due to adherence to certain technical points and the use of postoperative steroids. The technique using standard intracapsular extraction is relatively simple. It is easier than the extracapsular technique or tying sutures inside the anterior chamber. The implant is certainly valuable in our population who uniformly fail with contact lenses. The mediocre acceptance and tolerance of aphakic spectacles, which is more common in Indian patients, is likewise overcome by the implant. Patients who have advanced unilateral cataract can now be operated upon and visually rehabilitated. More observation time is needed to evaluate the potential problems of cystoid macular edema and poor pupil dilatation complicating retinal detachment surgery.", "PMID": 637490} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11229", "title": "Corneal astigmatism following cataract surgery.", "content": "Seventy-seven cases of intracapsular cataract extraction were analyzed for immediate and long-term induced corneal astigmatic changes. Sutures used were predominantly interrupted, absorbable sutures buried under a limbus-based conjunctival flap. The average induced astigmatism in the first week after surgery was 3.87 diopters with-the-rule. The average induced astigmatism after six weeks was 0.79 diopters against-the-rule. The cause of the induced change is discussed.", "contents": "Corneal astigmatism following cataract surgery. Seventy-seven cases of intracapsular cataract extraction were analyzed for immediate and long-term induced corneal astigmatic changes. Sutures used were predominantly interrupted, absorbable sutures buried under a limbus-based conjunctival flap. The average induced astigmatism in the first week after surgery was 3.87 diopters with-the-rule. The average induced astigmatism after six weeks was 0.79 diopters against-the-rule. The cause of the induced change is discussed.", "PMID": 637491} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11230", "title": "Immune response and non-specific immunotherapy in melanoma.", "content": "Tumour-associated antigens and specific immune response to these antigens have been clearly demonstrated in patients with melanoma. Impaired cellular immune reactions are evident in patients with progressive and disseminated disease. Immunotherapy is used to heighten the host resistance and hence prevent recurrence and spread of the tumour. BCG vaccine has been used to produce nonspecific stimulation of the immune system. Preliminary evaluation of the effect of adjuvant systemic BCG therapy suggests that the treatment may have a beneficial effect on patients with early melanoma.", "contents": "Immune response and non-specific immunotherapy in melanoma. Tumour-associated antigens and specific immune response to these antigens have been clearly demonstrated in patients with melanoma. Impaired cellular immune reactions are evident in patients with progressive and disseminated disease. Immunotherapy is used to heighten the host resistance and hence prevent recurrence and spread of the tumour. BCG vaccine has been used to produce nonspecific stimulation of the immune system. Preliminary evaluation of the effect of adjuvant systemic BCG therapy suggests that the treatment may have a beneficial effect on patients with early melanoma.", "PMID": 637492} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11231", "title": "Incarcerated inguinal hernia in children.", "content": "A survey has been made of 110 children under 4 years of age who developed inguinal hernias. Of these, 61 became incarcerated at some time, the highest incidence being in the youngest infants; the bowel was not strangulated in any of these hernias. No untoward effects were seen to result from a short trial of conservative treatment in incarcerated hernia.", "contents": "Incarcerated inguinal hernia in children. A survey has been made of 110 children under 4 years of age who developed inguinal hernias. Of these, 61 became incarcerated at some time, the highest incidence being in the youngest infants; the bowel was not strangulated in any of these hernias. No untoward effects were seen to result from a short trial of conservative treatment in incarcerated hernia.", "PMID": 637493} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11232", "title": "Odontogenic cyst growth and prostaglandin-induced bone resorption.", "content": "Forty-six odontogenic cysts produced significant quantities of bone-resorbing prostaglandins (PGs) in tissue culture. The follicular and periapical cysts released a mixture of PGEs and PGFs, while the keratocysts released only PGE2. There were also quantitative differences between the cyst types. Follicular cysts produced small quantities, as did keratocysts when allowance was made for their thin walls, whereas periodontal cysts are capable of relatively high activity. This prostaglandin activity can be related to the clinical behaviour of these lesions.", "contents": "Odontogenic cyst growth and prostaglandin-induced bone resorption. Forty-six odontogenic cysts produced significant quantities of bone-resorbing prostaglandins (PGs) in tissue culture. The follicular and periapical cysts released a mixture of PGEs and PGFs, while the keratocysts released only PGE2. There were also quantitative differences between the cyst types. Follicular cysts produced small quantities, as did keratocysts when allowance was made for their thin walls, whereas periodontal cysts are capable of relatively high activity. This prostaglandin activity can be related to the clinical behaviour of these lesions.", "PMID": 637495} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11233", "title": "Life-threatening surgical infection: its development and prediction.", "content": "A number of clinical, investigational, immunological, and peroperative host factors are identified which will predispose the patient to a serious postoperative infection that may endanger his life. The degree of the risk and the severity of the infection can be predicted, but only fairly crudely at present. The future holds a more precise identification of these risk factors and thus greater accuracy in predicting operative risk. The methods of preventing life-threatening postoperative infections, both those currently used and those projected for the future, are discussed.", "contents": "Life-threatening surgical infection: its development and prediction. A number of clinical, investigational, immunological, and peroperative host factors are identified which will predispose the patient to a serious postoperative infection that may endanger his life. The degree of the risk and the severity of the infection can be predicted, but only fairly crudely at present. The future holds a more precise identification of these risk factors and thus greater accuracy in predicting operative risk. The methods of preventing life-threatening postoperative infections, both those currently used and those projected for the future, are discussed.", "PMID": 637496} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11234", "title": "A new approach to the treatment of renal failure.", "content": "There is an apparent need for an alternative form of treatment for renal failure. In this study, therefore, an attempt was made to determine the feasibility of dialysing across an isolated loop of colon and its possible application to augment failing renal function in patients with chronic uraemia.Colonic loops were isolated in sheep and studies performed to find an effective solution in terms of urea clearance. The best solution was then used (1) changing the speed of flow, (2) changing its temperature, and (3) with the addition of vasodilators. It was then used in animals subjected to bilateral nephrectomy and, compared with control animals, life was prolonged significantly (P<0.03). Dialysis was also carried out on sheep made temporarily uraemic by injecting them subcutaneously with ureaphil and also on sheep in which chronic uraemia had been induced by an immunological method. These animals also lived significantly longer than controls (P<0.05). Antibody titres in these sheep were estimated and found to be higher than in non-dialysed uraemic animals.Once it had been established that urea could be removed across the colonic mucosa this method of dialysis was used in patients with established isolated loops of colon. Even though they had normal blood levels urea was recovered in the dialysate. The results indicate that colonic dialysis, which is simple and inexpensive, may have a place as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chronic renal failure.", "contents": "A new approach to the treatment of renal failure. There is an apparent need for an alternative form of treatment for renal failure. In this study, therefore, an attempt was made to determine the feasibility of dialysing across an isolated loop of colon and its possible application to augment failing renal function in patients with chronic uraemia.Colonic loops were isolated in sheep and studies performed to find an effective solution in terms of urea clearance. The best solution was then used (1) changing the speed of flow, (2) changing its temperature, and (3) with the addition of vasodilators. It was then used in animals subjected to bilateral nephrectomy and, compared with control animals, life was prolonged significantly (P<0.03). Dialysis was also carried out on sheep made temporarily uraemic by injecting them subcutaneously with ureaphil and also on sheep in which chronic uraemia had been induced by an immunological method. These animals also lived significantly longer than controls (P<0.05). Antibody titres in these sheep were estimated and found to be higher than in non-dialysed uraemic animals.Once it had been established that urea could be removed across the colonic mucosa this method of dialysis was used in patients with established isolated loops of colon. Even though they had normal blood levels urea was recovered in the dialysate. The results indicate that colonic dialysis, which is simple and inexpensive, may have a place as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chronic renal failure.", "PMID": 637497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11235", "title": "Thyrotoxicosis and pregnancy. An analysis of 43 pregnancies in 42 thyrotoxic mothers.", "content": "During the period 1965-1976, 43 pregnancies in 42 thyrotoxic mothers were seen. Thirty-nine pregnancies in 38 patients were analyzed further. Twenty-six patients (27 pregnancies) were treated with antithyroid agents with (9) or without (17) supplemental thyroid hormone therapy and 5 were subjected to subtotal thyroidectomy. In these groups spontaneous abortion occurred in 4 patients (12.5%), prematurity in 3 (9.4%) and perinatal death in one whereas 25 pregnancies ended at term (78%). Two pairs of twins were born and the number of live children in these 32 pregnancies was 29. Hypothyroidism developed in one patient after operation. Thyroid crisis occurred at delivery in one patient in whom the antithyroid therapy was interrupted before labour. Seven patients were not treated with specific antithyroid therapy. In this group there was one twinbirth, one premature birth, one stillbirth and one child died shortly after birth. Thyroid crises developed at delivery in two mothers. The authors use subtotal thyroidectomy if usual indications for operation are present and antithyroid therapy when the thyroid gland is small and diffuse. Beta-receptor blocking agents are recommended only as adjuncts to the antithyroid therapy. A close surveillance of the patients and the free thyroid hormone level during therapy is important and after thyroidectomy treatment with thyroid hormone is recommended until after delivery.", "contents": "Thyrotoxicosis and pregnancy. An analysis of 43 pregnancies in 42 thyrotoxic mothers. During the period 1965-1976, 43 pregnancies in 42 thyrotoxic mothers were seen. Thirty-nine pregnancies in 38 patients were analyzed further. Twenty-six patients (27 pregnancies) were treated with antithyroid agents with (9) or without (17) supplemental thyroid hormone therapy and 5 were subjected to subtotal thyroidectomy. In these groups spontaneous abortion occurred in 4 patients (12.5%), prematurity in 3 (9.4%) and perinatal death in one whereas 25 pregnancies ended at term (78%). Two pairs of twins were born and the number of live children in these 32 pregnancies was 29. Hypothyroidism developed in one patient after operation. Thyroid crisis occurred at delivery in one patient in whom the antithyroid therapy was interrupted before labour. Seven patients were not treated with specific antithyroid therapy. In this group there was one twinbirth, one premature birth, one stillbirth and one child died shortly after birth. Thyroid crises developed at delivery in two mothers. The authors use subtotal thyroidectomy if usual indications for operation are present and antithyroid therapy when the thyroid gland is small and diffuse. Beta-receptor blocking agents are recommended only as adjuncts to the antithyroid therapy. A close surveillance of the patients and the free thyroid hormone level during therapy is important and after thyroidectomy treatment with thyroid hormone is recommended until after delivery.", "PMID": 637498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11236", "title": "Mechanical small bowel obstruction due to adhesions.", "content": "During the years 1971-1975, 103 patients were operated on for adhesive small bowel obstruction, giving an incidence of 80 per 1 million inhabitants per year. Previous laparotomy caused the obstruction-provoking adhesions in 90% of the cases. Appendicectomy, gynaecological operations, and operations on the intestine were the three most common surgical procedures performed prior to the obstruction. In 40 cases with clinically less severe symptoms and signs follow through radiological studies with contrast medium secured the diagnosis of obstruction. The mortality rate was 5.8% and increased with the duration of symptoms. Two patients died of complications caused by intestinal fistula following lysis of extensive, firm adhesions. Bypass or bowel resection might be safer procedures in those cases. Bowel resection did not affect the mortality rate. None of the 23 patients with strangulation died. This may be due to early operation since the mortality rate in the series as a whole doubled when symptoms had lasted for more than 24 hours. Recurrence rate after operation for adhesive small bowel obstruction was 27.8% and eight patients required relaparotomy.", "contents": "Mechanical small bowel obstruction due to adhesions. During the years 1971-1975, 103 patients were operated on for adhesive small bowel obstruction, giving an incidence of 80 per 1 million inhabitants per year. Previous laparotomy caused the obstruction-provoking adhesions in 90% of the cases. Appendicectomy, gynaecological operations, and operations on the intestine were the three most common surgical procedures performed prior to the obstruction. In 40 cases with clinically less severe symptoms and signs follow through radiological studies with contrast medium secured the diagnosis of obstruction. The mortality rate was 5.8% and increased with the duration of symptoms. Two patients died of complications caused by intestinal fistula following lysis of extensive, firm adhesions. Bypass or bowel resection might be safer procedures in those cases. Bowel resection did not affect the mortality rate. None of the 23 patients with strangulation died. This may be due to early operation since the mortality rate in the series as a whole doubled when symptoms had lasted for more than 24 hours. Recurrence rate after operation for adhesive small bowel obstruction was 27.8% and eight patients required relaparotomy.", "PMID": 637499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11237", "title": "Lipids in the pulmonary circulation after fatal trauma. A postmortem study.", "content": "Lipids in the pulmonary circulation were determined biochemically and histologically in seven patients (group A) who died following multiple blunt trauma and in five patients (group B) who died of some other traumatic or nontraumatic cause. Autopsy was performed on average 4.5 hours after death. Blood samples were collected from the right ventricle (RV) and the left atrium (LA). The vasculature of the left lung was perfused in a retrograde direction. The inferior lobe of the right non-perfused lung was examined histologically. Intravascular pulmonary fat was observed in 4/6 cases in group A and in 1/5 cases in group B. No intravascular fat was observed in the tissue samples of brain, liver or kidney. The concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) in blood from RV was higher than in blood from LA both in group A (P is less than 0.01) and in group B (P is less than 0.05). The considerable difference in concentrations of FFA between RV and LA and the low concentration of FFA in the lung perfusate may be due to some kind of \"fixation\" of FFA in the lung tissue, possibly connected with the aetiological factors of the fat embolism syndrome (FES).", "contents": "Lipids in the pulmonary circulation after fatal trauma. A postmortem study. Lipids in the pulmonary circulation were determined biochemically and histologically in seven patients (group A) who died following multiple blunt trauma and in five patients (group B) who died of some other traumatic or nontraumatic cause. Autopsy was performed on average 4.5 hours after death. Blood samples were collected from the right ventricle (RV) and the left atrium (LA). The vasculature of the left lung was perfused in a retrograde direction. The inferior lobe of the right non-perfused lung was examined histologically. Intravascular pulmonary fat was observed in 4/6 cases in group A and in 1/5 cases in group B. No intravascular fat was observed in the tissue samples of brain, liver or kidney. The concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) in blood from RV was higher than in blood from LA both in group A (P is less than 0.01) and in group B (P is less than 0.05). The considerable difference in concentrations of FFA between RV and LA and the low concentration of FFA in the lung perfusate may be due to some kind of \"fixation\" of FFA in the lung tissue, possibly connected with the aetiological factors of the fat embolism syndrome (FES).", "PMID": 637500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11238", "title": "Colitis cystica profunda. Report of a case.", "content": "Colitis cystica profunda is a non-neoplastic condition characterized by intramural mucus-containing cysts of the colon and rectum. The cysts are in most cases located as polypoid masses 5 to 12 cm from the anal margin. The diameter of the cysts varies from less than 0.1 cm to 3 cm. Since this rarely recognized condition undoubtedly is a benign lesion, it is important to identify it from other colorectal tumours and ulcerative colitis. Extensive colorectal surgery should be avoided.", "contents": "Colitis cystica profunda. Report of a case. Colitis cystica profunda is a non-neoplastic condition characterized by intramural mucus-containing cysts of the colon and rectum. The cysts are in most cases located as polypoid masses 5 to 12 cm from the anal margin. The diameter of the cysts varies from less than 0.1 cm to 3 cm. Since this rarely recognized condition undoubtedly is a benign lesion, it is important to identify it from other colorectal tumours and ulcerative colitis. Extensive colorectal surgery should be avoided.", "PMID": 637501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11239", "title": "Ectopic liver.", "content": "Abnormally positioned liver tissue is rare but can occasionally cause clinical symptoms. The four main types are: 1. Accessory liver lobe that can reach a considerable size and is attached to the liver by a stalk. 2. Small accessory liver lobe which is attached to the liver but is usually small, about 10-30 g in weight. 3. Ectopic liver which is situated outside the liver without any connection with it. It is usually attached to the gallbladder or intra-abdominal ligaments. 4. Microscopic ectopic liver which is found occasionally in the wall of the gallbladder. The literature is reviewed and two cases of ectopic liver are described.", "contents": "Ectopic liver. Abnormally positioned liver tissue is rare but can occasionally cause clinical symptoms. The four main types are: 1. Accessory liver lobe that can reach a considerable size and is attached to the liver by a stalk. 2. Small accessory liver lobe which is attached to the liver but is usually small, about 10-30 g in weight. 3. Ectopic liver which is situated outside the liver without any connection with it. It is usually attached to the gallbladder or intra-abdominal ligaments. 4. Microscopic ectopic liver which is found occasionally in the wall of the gallbladder. The literature is reviewed and two cases of ectopic liver are described.", "PMID": 637502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11240", "title": "Duplicated inferior vena cava in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.", "content": "The incidence of duplication of inferior vena cava ranges between 0.5 and 2.2% according to published reports. A patient with intermittent claudication and angiographic findings of a stenosis of the left common iliac artery was selected for operation. At exploration an aortic aneurysm below the renal arteries was diagnosed and a duplication of the inferior vena cava was found. Resection of the aortic aneurysm could be performed between the two branches of the inferior vena cava. The significance of the anomaly at exploration of the major abdominal vessels is here pointed out.", "contents": "Duplicated inferior vena cava in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The incidence of duplication of inferior vena cava ranges between 0.5 and 2.2% according to published reports. A patient with intermittent claudication and angiographic findings of a stenosis of the left common iliac artery was selected for operation. At exploration an aortic aneurysm below the renal arteries was diagnosed and a duplication of the inferior vena cava was found. Resection of the aortic aneurysm could be performed between the two branches of the inferior vena cava. The significance of the anomaly at exploration of the major abdominal vessels is here pointed out.", "PMID": 637503} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11241", "title": "Melorheostosis. A case report with special reference to bone mineral density, bone circulation and bone scan.", "content": "A new case of melorheostosis is presented. Bone mineral density, and bone circulation were determined and bone scan carried out in the patient. The bone mineral density measured by photon absorption in the region of the distal radius of the patient's left forearm was found to be within normal limits, the bone blood circulation determined by Xc-133 clearance method was better in the affected side, and an area of increased uptake of Tc99m was found by bone scanning in the affected extremity.", "contents": "Melorheostosis. A case report with special reference to bone mineral density, bone circulation and bone scan. A new case of melorheostosis is presented. Bone mineral density, and bone circulation were determined and bone scan carried out in the patient. The bone mineral density measured by photon absorption in the region of the distal radius of the patient's left forearm was found to be within normal limits, the bone blood circulation determined by Xc-133 clearance method was better in the affected side, and an area of increased uptake of Tc99m was found by bone scanning in the affected extremity.", "PMID": 637505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11242", "title": "Sexual dysfunction following proctocolectomy.", "content": "122 patients, 66 men and 56 women, operated upon by proctocolectomy were interviewed by means of a detailed questionaire regarding any significant change in sexual function. In the majority of the patients (70% of the men and 87% of the women) the sexual relationships were considered to be unchanged or even enhanced. Impaired function was reported by 19 men (29%) and seven women (12%). Male sexual dysfunction consisted of impotence and abolition of ejaculation. True impotence occurred in five men, all above 40 years of age, corresponding to an incidence of 25%. Loss of ejaculation occurred even in young people (about 7%) but was more common in elderly patients (15%). Female dysfunction consisted of dyspareunia and/or inability to achieve orgasm. On the basis of the present results it appears unlikely that impotence is caused by the operative trauma per se. On the other hand loss of ejaculation is probably due to injury of the presacral nerves. Postoperative impotence might probably be improved by medical information and encouragement. Particular precautions during operation might reduce ejaculatory disorders. Careful handling and proper treatment of the perineal wound might prevent scarring and stricture of the posterior aspect of the vulva, a condition that appears to be a common cause of dyspareunia.", "contents": "Sexual dysfunction following proctocolectomy. 122 patients, 66 men and 56 women, operated upon by proctocolectomy were interviewed by means of a detailed questionaire regarding any significant change in sexual function. In the majority of the patients (70% of the men and 87% of the women) the sexual relationships were considered to be unchanged or even enhanced. Impaired function was reported by 19 men (29%) and seven women (12%). Male sexual dysfunction consisted of impotence and abolition of ejaculation. True impotence occurred in five men, all above 40 years of age, corresponding to an incidence of 25%. Loss of ejaculation occurred even in young people (about 7%) but was more common in elderly patients (15%). Female dysfunction consisted of dyspareunia and/or inability to achieve orgasm. On the basis of the present results it appears unlikely that impotence is caused by the operative trauma per se. On the other hand loss of ejaculation is probably due to injury of the presacral nerves. Postoperative impotence might probably be improved by medical information and encouragement. Particular precautions during operation might reduce ejaculatory disorders. Careful handling and proper treatment of the perineal wound might prevent scarring and stricture of the posterior aspect of the vulva, a condition that appears to be a common cause of dyspareunia.", "PMID": 637506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11243", "title": "Measurement of serum ferritin by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "A direct radioimmunoassay for ferritin in serum is described in which Bolton and Hunter reagent is used to label ferritin. The detection limit of the assay is 150 pg; 95% reference ranges were found to be 12-200 microgram/l for men and 5-76 microgram/l for women. Ferritin concentrations in patients with iron deficiency anaemia were found to be uniformly low in subjects with uncomplicated iron deficiency but were normal or even raised in subjects with iron deficiency anaemia associated with malignant or inflammatory conditions.", "contents": "Measurement of serum ferritin by radioimmunoassay. A direct radioimmunoassay for ferritin in serum is described in which Bolton and Hunter reagent is used to label ferritin. The detection limit of the assay is 150 pg; 95% reference ranges were found to be 12-200 microgram/l for men and 5-76 microgram/l for women. Ferritin concentrations in patients with iron deficiency anaemia were found to be uniformly low in subjects with uncomplicated iron deficiency but were normal or even raised in subjects with iron deficiency anaemia associated with malignant or inflammatory conditions.", "PMID": 637507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11244", "title": "An improved automated method for the analysis of inorganic phosphate without dialysis.", "content": "A procedure is described for automating the analysis of inorganic phosphate in physiological media without dialysis. Sodium dodecyl sulphate is used to maintain protein solubility during the analysis. Sample analysis was measured at 60 and 90 samples an hour. The inorganic phosphate results obtained for a series of human plasma and for various internal control sera by non-dialysis and dialysis showed good agreement.", "contents": "An improved automated method for the analysis of inorganic phosphate without dialysis. A procedure is described for automating the analysis of inorganic phosphate in physiological media without dialysis. Sodium dodecyl sulphate is used to maintain protein solubility during the analysis. Sample analysis was measured at 60 and 90 samples an hour. The inorganic phosphate results obtained for a series of human plasma and for various internal control sera by non-dialysis and dialysis showed good agreement.", "PMID": 637508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11245", "title": "Identification of an unusual gamma counter fault using Trigg's technique for trend detection.", "content": "A simultaneous deterioration in performance of several radioimmunoassays suggested that equipment was malfunctioning. Replicate counts from an automated gamma counter showed unacceptable variation during a 24-hour period; this variation was detected using Trigg's technique, a sensitive method for trend analysis, and was not identified by the usual laboratory testing procedures. A defective capacitor was found in the voltage stabilisation unit in the gamma counter, which probably made it responsive to small variations in the power supply to the laboratory. It is suggested that the analysis of replicate counts using Trigg's technique is a valuable test of gamma counter function which should become routine.", "contents": "Identification of an unusual gamma counter fault using Trigg's technique for trend detection. A simultaneous deterioration in performance of several radioimmunoassays suggested that equipment was malfunctioning. Replicate counts from an automated gamma counter showed unacceptable variation during a 24-hour period; this variation was detected using Trigg's technique, a sensitive method for trend analysis, and was not identified by the usual laboratory testing procedures. A defective capacitor was found in the voltage stabilisation unit in the gamma counter, which probably made it responsive to small variations in the power supply to the laboratory. It is suggested that the analysis of replicate counts using Trigg's technique is a valuable test of gamma counter function which should become routine.", "PMID": 637510} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11246", "title": "Quantitative estimation of clinically important monosaccharides in plasma by rapid thin layer chromatography.", "content": "A method is described for the quantitative estimation of clinically important monosaccharides in plasma or whole blood by direct densitometry of chromatographically-separated zones on silica gel layers. Simple modifications of technique originally introduced to improve the reproducibility of paper chromatography have now been adapted for thin layers. The present method is based on peak height measurement with an internal marker correction. Galactose, fructose, D-xylose, and 3-O-methyl glucose can be estimated in addition to glucose, either singly or in combination, within three or four hours, using an initial sample volume of 0.5 ml. With reasonable experience and skill a coefficient of variation of 3 to 6%, depending on sugar concentration, can be achieved without replication, and the limit of sensitivity is about 0.05 mmol/l. When the performance was compared with an automated glucose oxidase/peroxidase system for glucose and the recovery for the other monosaccharides was calculated, the results were satisfactory.", "contents": "Quantitative estimation of clinically important monosaccharides in plasma by rapid thin layer chromatography. A method is described for the quantitative estimation of clinically important monosaccharides in plasma or whole blood by direct densitometry of chromatographically-separated zones on silica gel layers. Simple modifications of technique originally introduced to improve the reproducibility of paper chromatography have now been adapted for thin layers. The present method is based on peak height measurement with an internal marker correction. Galactose, fructose, D-xylose, and 3-O-methyl glucose can be estimated in addition to glucose, either singly or in combination, within three or four hours, using an initial sample volume of 0.5 ml. With reasonable experience and skill a coefficient of variation of 3 to 6%, depending on sugar concentration, can be achieved without replication, and the limit of sensitivity is about 0.05 mmol/l. When the performance was compared with an automated glucose oxidase/peroxidase system for glucose and the recovery for the other monosaccharides was calculated, the results were satisfactory.", "PMID": 637512} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11247", "title": "An evaluation of the Hyland laser nephelometer PDQ system for the measurement of immunoglobulins.", "content": "The Hyland laser nephelometer PDQ system for the assay of specific proteins is described. The results of evaluating the system to measure immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM are summarised. Within-batch and between-batch precision, accuracy, reliability, and safety are discussed. This instrument represents an important development in the immunochemical assay of proteins in clinical medicine. The speed, precision, and convenience of this new generation of discrete nephelometric analysers make such systems attractive to the clinical chemist.", "contents": "An evaluation of the Hyland laser nephelometer PDQ system for the measurement of immunoglobulins. The Hyland laser nephelometer PDQ system for the assay of specific proteins is described. The results of evaluating the system to measure immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM are summarised. Within-batch and between-batch precision, accuracy, reliability, and safety are discussed. This instrument represents an important development in the immunochemical assay of proteins in clinical medicine. The speed, precision, and convenience of this new generation of discrete nephelometric analysers make such systems attractive to the clinical chemist.", "PMID": 637513} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11248", "title": "Rapid semiautomated method for the differential determination of urinary catecholamines.", "content": "A semiautomated method is presented for the determination of adrenaline and noradrenaline by a combination of the trihydroxyindole procedure for total catecholamines and a new procedure for the specific direct determination of adrenaline without interference from noradrenaline at physiological levels. This new procedure involves the reaction of adrenaline with alkaline thiosemicarbazide to produce a fluorophor of acceptable stability for use in automated procedures. Its structure is as yet unknown. The within-batch standard deviation for the trihydroxyindole and alkaline thiosemicarbazide procedures respectively were 0.005 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.368 mumol/24h and 0.012 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.133 mumol/24h. The between-batch standard deviations of the two procedures were respectively 0.018 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.388 mumol/24h and 0.015 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.111 mumol/24h. Normal ranges for urine are presented for 24 healthy ambulant laboratory staff. The total catecholamine concentration (calculated as adrenaline) was 0.452 +/- 0.069 mumol/24/ (SD), range 0.349-0.616 mumol/24h. Using the alkaline thiosemicarbazide procedure, the normal range which was determined for adrenaline was 0.100 +/- 0.054 mumol/24h, range 0.022-0.207 mumol/24h. Noradrenaline calculated by difference was 0.355 +/- 0.081 mumol/24h, range 0.195-0.497 mumol/24h.", "contents": "Rapid semiautomated method for the differential determination of urinary catecholamines. A semiautomated method is presented for the determination of adrenaline and noradrenaline by a combination of the trihydroxyindole procedure for total catecholamines and a new procedure for the specific direct determination of adrenaline without interference from noradrenaline at physiological levels. This new procedure involves the reaction of adrenaline with alkaline thiosemicarbazide to produce a fluorophor of acceptable stability for use in automated procedures. Its structure is as yet unknown. The within-batch standard deviation for the trihydroxyindole and alkaline thiosemicarbazide procedures respectively were 0.005 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.368 mumol/24h and 0.012 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.133 mumol/24h. The between-batch standard deviations of the two procedures were respectively 0.018 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.388 mumol/24h and 0.015 mumol/24h at a concentration of 0.111 mumol/24h. Normal ranges for urine are presented for 24 healthy ambulant laboratory staff. The total catecholamine concentration (calculated as adrenaline) was 0.452 +/- 0.069 mumol/24/ (SD), range 0.349-0.616 mumol/24h. Using the alkaline thiosemicarbazide procedure, the normal range which was determined for adrenaline was 0.100 +/- 0.054 mumol/24h, range 0.022-0.207 mumol/24h. Noradrenaline calculated by difference was 0.355 +/- 0.081 mumol/24h, range 0.195-0.497 mumol/24h.", "PMID": 637514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11249", "title": "[Racial characteristics from the industrial anthropology aspect].", "content": "Often industrial-anthropological research cannot be limited to a particular population. Whenever export and/or migration brings people and conditions together which go beyond the usual area of a population characterized by a particular morphological trait, the question arises as to how technical conditions can best be adapted to humans. The automobile seat is used to illustrate to what extent race-specific size and body proportion differences effect technical practice. Since the safety of an automobile is in part dependent upon an efficient adaptation of the vehicle to the user, these investigations have considerable practical importance.", "contents": "[Racial characteristics from the industrial anthropology aspect]. Often industrial-anthropological research cannot be limited to a particular population. Whenever export and/or migration brings people and conditions together which go beyond the usual area of a population characterized by a particular morphological trait, the question arises as to how technical conditions can best be adapted to humans. The automobile seat is used to illustrate to what extent race-specific size and body proportion differences effect technical practice. Since the safety of an automobile is in part dependent upon an efficient adaptation of the vehicle to the user, these investigations have considerable practical importance.", "PMID": 637519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11250", "title": "[Body proportions and designing of the working sites].", "content": "The demands of practical ergonomics often require measurement not only of one body dimension, but a combination of several, since work-environments and consumer goods can often be developed only through a combination of different measurements. An empirical study of 8,000 males, in which 43 body proportions were measured, shows that unexpected disturbances occur in the extreme values of an otherwise symetrical distribution curve when more than two traits are combined. This build-up effect takes on added significance when seen in relation to accident protection.", "contents": "[Body proportions and designing of the working sites]. The demands of practical ergonomics often require measurement not only of one body dimension, but a combination of several, since work-environments and consumer goods can often be developed only through a combination of different measurements. An empirical study of 8,000 males, in which 43 body proportions were measured, shows that unexpected disturbances occur in the extreme values of an otherwise symetrical distribution curve when more than two traits are combined. This build-up effect takes on added significance when seen in relation to accident protection.", "PMID": 637520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11251", "title": "Colorimetric quantitation of albumin in microliter volumes of serum.", "content": "Various non-immunochemical approaches to the quantitation of albumin in serum are reviewed. Salt fractionation techniques are unreliable, with substantial errors in estimating hypoalbuminemic states. Electrophoresis displays biases owing to irregular dye-binding or to densitometric scanning of irregular globulin bands. Currently, the most reliable colorimetric procedure for albumin quantitation is the rapid reaction with bromcresol green. By measuring final absorbance within fifteen seconds of mixing serum with reagent, the interference of globulins is eliminated. A microscale (5 microliter serum) rapid reaction for albumin assay has been developed; it can be readily automated on kinetic or centrifugal analyzers.", "contents": "Colorimetric quantitation of albumin in microliter volumes of serum. Various non-immunochemical approaches to the quantitation of albumin in serum are reviewed. Salt fractionation techniques are unreliable, with substantial errors in estimating hypoalbuminemic states. Electrophoresis displays biases owing to irregular dye-binding or to densitometric scanning of irregular globulin bands. Currently, the most reliable colorimetric procedure for albumin quantitation is the rapid reaction with bromcresol green. By measuring final absorbance within fifteen seconds of mixing serum with reagent, the interference of globulins is eliminated. A microscale (5 microliter serum) rapid reaction for albumin assay has been developed; it can be readily automated on kinetic or centrifugal analyzers.", "PMID": 637516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11252", "title": "Differentiation of strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis biotypes 1 and 4 by aminopeptidase profiles.", "content": "Seven different strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and one strain of S. aureus were catagorized by their aminopeptidase activity. Eight different profiles were obtained: five profiles for S. epidermidis biotype 4 (each representing a different known serotype), two profiles for S. epidermidis biotype 1 (one for each strain used) and one for the strain of S. aureus used. Despite some similarities, distinct patterns of the hydrolysis of 22 different amino acid-beta-naphthylamides were evident for each individual strain. The evaluation of aminopeptidase profiles provides another means for distinguishing between strains of the same species and can, therefore, be used advantageously and in combination with serotyping as an epidemiological tool.", "contents": "Differentiation of strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis biotypes 1 and 4 by aminopeptidase profiles. Seven different strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and one strain of S. aureus were catagorized by their aminopeptidase activity. Eight different profiles were obtained: five profiles for S. epidermidis biotype 4 (each representing a different known serotype), two profiles for S. epidermidis biotype 1 (one for each strain used) and one for the strain of S. aureus used. Despite some similarities, distinct patterns of the hydrolysis of 22 different amino acid-beta-naphthylamides were evident for each individual strain. The evaluation of aminopeptidase profiles provides another means for distinguishing between strains of the same species and can, therefore, be used advantageously and in combination with serotyping as an epidemiological tool.", "PMID": 637515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11253", "title": "[Form of the hand and designing of the handle].", "content": "The usefulness of a handle is greatly dependent upon the correlation of grip circumference to the diameter of the hand. Since up to now, industry has produced handles primarily to fit men's hands, the question as to what extent women can use a normal hammer with a 20 to 30 mm shaft diameter without disadvantage, has remained open. The research results show that grip circumferences measured on a Herig cone show a much smaller sexual dimorphism than many other body measurements. Sexual differentiation is shown to be so small that it can be neglected in practice.", "contents": "[Form of the hand and designing of the handle]. The usefulness of a handle is greatly dependent upon the correlation of grip circumference to the diameter of the hand. Since up to now, industry has produced handles primarily to fit men's hands, the question as to what extent women can use a normal hammer with a 20 to 30 mm shaft diameter without disadvantage, has remained open. The research results show that grip circumferences measured on a Herig cone show a much smaller sexual dimorphism than many other body measurements. Sexual differentiation is shown to be so small that it can be neglected in practice.", "PMID": 637521} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11254", "title": "[Distribution of the seating pressure on unupholstered chairs].", "content": "A majority of the population in industrialized countries does its work while sitting. The necessity of morphologically and physiologically adapting body-supporting systems to the human body cannot be limited to the use of traditional body measurements and certain inclination angles. An investigation of the sitting-pressure distribution is also necessary. The instruments developed for this purpose, the pressure-measuring chair and the sitting pressure simulator, are presented, and their results illustrated by specific examples. As a result of these investigations, sitting-pressure distribution and sitting behaviour have become test-criteria for the suitability of sears, office chairs, etc.", "contents": "[Distribution of the seating pressure on unupholstered chairs]. A majority of the population in industrialized countries does its work while sitting. The necessity of morphologically and physiologically adapting body-supporting systems to the human body cannot be limited to the use of traditional body measurements and certain inclination angles. An investigation of the sitting-pressure distribution is also necessary. The instruments developed for this purpose, the pressure-measuring chair and the sitting pressure simulator, are presented, and their results illustrated by specific examples. As a result of these investigations, sitting-pressure distribution and sitting behaviour have become test-criteria for the suitability of sears, office chairs, etc.", "PMID": 637522} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11255", "title": "Serum proteins in hepatic disease.", "content": "The serum protein changes occurring in liver disease associated with parenchymal damage are characteristically decreased in serum albumin and increased in gamma globulin levels. Beta-gamma bridging in the electrophoretogram is highly characteristic of hepatic cirrhosis. Variation of alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta fractions is inconstant and is not of great diagnostic or prognostic value. The increase in gamma fraction is polyclonal in nature and is due first to increase in IgM fraction followed by an increase in IgG fraction. Elevation of IgA fraction is not as constant or prominent.", "contents": "Serum proteins in hepatic disease. The serum protein changes occurring in liver disease associated with parenchymal damage are characteristically decreased in serum albumin and increased in gamma globulin levels. Beta-gamma bridging in the electrophoretogram is highly characteristic of hepatic cirrhosis. Variation of alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta fractions is inconstant and is not of great diagnostic or prognostic value. The increase in gamma fraction is polyclonal in nature and is due first to increase in IgM fraction followed by an increase in IgG fraction. Elevation of IgA fraction is not as constant or prominent.", "PMID": 637517} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11256", "title": "[Standardization of anthropometric technics].", "content": "The problem of the unification of anthropometrical examination methods was solved for decades by Rudolf Martin in his standard work. The demands now placed on anthropometric examination techniques by industrial anthropology and legislators can no longer be met by Martin's system, and a demand for clearer and more exact measurement definitions and procedures has arisen. In year-long cooperation with industrial anthropologists the German Institute of Industrial Standards has established standards for body-measurements, measurement methods, and definitions in DIN 33 402. A reciprocal international standard (ISO) can be expected. The present paper presents the anthropometric part of the new standard which contains 56 body measurements.", "contents": "[Standardization of anthropometric technics]. The problem of the unification of anthropometrical examination methods was solved for decades by Rudolf Martin in his standard work. The demands now placed on anthropometric examination techniques by industrial anthropology and legislators can no longer be met by Martin's system, and a demand for clearer and more exact measurement definitions and procedures has arisen. In year-long cooperation with industrial anthropologists the German Institute of Industrial Standards has established standards for body-measurements, measurement methods, and definitions in DIN 33 402. A reciprocal international standard (ISO) can be expected. The present paper presents the anthropometric part of the new standard which contains 56 body measurements.", "PMID": 637523} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11257", "title": "Role of metallothioneins in disease.", "content": "Metallothioneins are small proteins (6,000 to 10,000 mw) with similar amino acid compositions, high content of sulfhydryl amino acids and no aromatic amino acids. Emax at 250 nm is due to cadmium mercaptide bond. Synthesis is induced by a number of metals including zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, bismuth, gold and silver. These proteins function as a mechanism of intracellular storage of some essential metals such as zinc and copper. Binding of potentially toxic metals like cadmium may be protective; but with saturation of protein by metal, toxicity may occur. Excessive cadmium-thionein may have a role in the pathogenesis of cadmium induced kidney disease. A more sensitive method for detection adn measurement of this protein will greatly enhance future studies, particularly the potential for clinical application.", "contents": "Role of metallothioneins in disease. Metallothioneins are small proteins (6,000 to 10,000 mw) with similar amino acid compositions, high content of sulfhydryl amino acids and no aromatic amino acids. Emax at 250 nm is due to cadmium mercaptide bond. Synthesis is induced by a number of metals including zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, bismuth, gold and silver. These proteins function as a mechanism of intracellular storage of some essential metals such as zinc and copper. Binding of potentially toxic metals like cadmium may be protective; but with saturation of protein by metal, toxicity may occur. Excessive cadmium-thionein may have a role in the pathogenesis of cadmium induced kidney disease. A more sensitive method for detection adn measurement of this protein will greatly enhance future studies, particularly the potential for clinical application.", "PMID": 637518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11258", "title": "A study of relationship between pulmonary tuberculosis and palmar dermatoglyphic traits.", "content": "Bilateral inked palmar impressions of 150 male tubercular patients and those of 150 normal controls (males) have been studied comparatively. Patients and controls show deviation from each other with respect to 1. biological concordance-disconcordance in line C and hypothenar patterns, 2. bilateral and left-homolateral (not right) differences in Plato's modal types of line C and 3. occurrence of hypothenar (R + L only) and III interdigital patterns (L-homolateral only). It is significant that tubercular patients do not show any difference with the normal controls in a reliable measure like main-line-index and by and large in occurrence of patterns also (with two exceptions only). Natural selection does not seem to be operative on palmar dermatoglyphic traits.", "contents": "A study of relationship between pulmonary tuberculosis and palmar dermatoglyphic traits. Bilateral inked palmar impressions of 150 male tubercular patients and those of 150 normal controls (males) have been studied comparatively. Patients and controls show deviation from each other with respect to 1. biological concordance-disconcordance in line C and hypothenar patterns, 2. bilateral and left-homolateral (not right) differences in Plato's modal types of line C and 3. occurrence of hypothenar (R + L only) and III interdigital patterns (L-homolateral only). It is significant that tubercular patients do not show any difference with the normal controls in a reliable measure like main-line-index and by and large in occurrence of patterns also (with two exceptions only). Natural selection does not seem to be operative on palmar dermatoglyphic traits.", "PMID": 637524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11259", "title": "[Dissociation of a Candida tropicalis culture and its capacity to stimulate levorin synthesis when cultured together with Actinomyces levoris].", "content": "Dissociation of the yeast-like fungi C. tropicalis used for mixed cultivation with the levorin-producing organism was studied. It was shown that colonies of 2 types were grown on wart-agar. They differed in the morphology and capacity for stimulation of the antiobiotic synthesis in mixed fermentation with 2 organisms. The colonies of the S-form increased the antibiotic production by 50--60 per cent, while the R-forms increased the antibiotic production only by 25--30 per cent. The strains of C. tropicalis differed in the ratio of the S- and R-forms in both the initial cultures and the cultures stored for prolonged periods of time. Addition of KH2PO4 to the agarized in the amount of 0.5 per cent promoted preservation of the S-forms in the population. Repeated subsequent transfers of the S-variants (10 generations) on wart-agar did not decrease the stimulating effect of C. tropicalis on the actinomycete. An increase in the amount of the inoculum of the yeast-like fungi promoted a decrease in the time of their preliminary cultivation.", "contents": "[Dissociation of a Candida tropicalis culture and its capacity to stimulate levorin synthesis when cultured together with Actinomyces levoris]. Dissociation of the yeast-like fungi C. tropicalis used for mixed cultivation with the levorin-producing organism was studied. It was shown that colonies of 2 types were grown on wart-agar. They differed in the morphology and capacity for stimulation of the antiobiotic synthesis in mixed fermentation with 2 organisms. The colonies of the S-form increased the antibiotic production by 50--60 per cent, while the R-forms increased the antibiotic production only by 25--30 per cent. The strains of C. tropicalis differed in the ratio of the S- and R-forms in both the initial cultures and the cultures stored for prolonged periods of time. Addition of KH2PO4 to the agarized in the amount of 0.5 per cent promoted preservation of the S-forms in the population. Repeated subsequent transfers of the S-variants (10 generations) on wart-agar did not decrease the stimulating effect of C. tropicalis on the actinomycete. An increase in the amount of the inoculum of the yeast-like fungi promoted a decrease in the time of their preliminary cultivation.", "PMID": 637525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11260", "title": "[Electron microscopic study of active and inactive variants of Proactinomyces (Nocardia) mediterranei, a producer of rifamycin B].", "content": "Four mutants of Proactinomyces (Nocardia) mediterranei, an organism producing rifamycin B were subjected to electron microscopic investigation. The mutants differed in the biosynthetic activity. The investigation showed correlation between the length of the hyphal fragments of the over-substrate mycelium and the level of the organism activity. The study of the fine structure of the mycelium revealed changes in the structure of the cell wall, character of the nuclear material and hyphae vacuolization.", "contents": "[Electron microscopic study of active and inactive variants of Proactinomyces (Nocardia) mediterranei, a producer of rifamycin B]. Four mutants of Proactinomyces (Nocardia) mediterranei, an organism producing rifamycin B were subjected to electron microscopic investigation. The mutants differed in the biosynthetic activity. The investigation showed correlation between the length of the hyphal fragments of the over-substrate mycelium and the level of the organism activity. The study of the fine structure of the mycelium revealed changes in the structure of the cell wall, character of the nuclear material and hyphae vacuolization.", "PMID": 637526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11261", "title": "[Spectrophotometric method of determining the oxacillin in oxacillin preparations].", "content": "The early described procedure for quantitative determination of oxacillin with the spectrophotometric method was used for the assay oxacillin tablets, capsules and injection preparations. It was shown that the excipients used in tablets and capsules did not interfere with oxacillin determination. The reproducibility of the method is +/- 1.5--2 per cent. The results of oxacillin determination with the new method and the currently used methods were compared.", "contents": "[Spectrophotometric method of determining the oxacillin in oxacillin preparations]. The early described procedure for quantitative determination of oxacillin with the spectrophotometric method was used for the assay oxacillin tablets, capsules and injection preparations. It was shown that the excipients used in tablets and capsules did not interfere with oxacillin determination. The reproducibility of the method is +/- 1.5--2 per cent. The results of oxacillin determination with the new method and the currently used methods were compared.", "PMID": 637527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11262", "title": "[Effect of auxiliary substances on the bioavailability of tetracycline hydrochloride capsules (an in vitro study)].", "content": "The rate of tetracycline hydrochloride transfer into solution from capsules containing different auxiliary substances was studied. It was shown that the dispersity level of tetracycline hydrochloride powder had no significant effect on the capsule disintegration and the rate of the antibiotic transfer into solution. The effect of the auxiliary substance composition on the capsule disintegration and the rate of the antibiotic dissolution was shown. The rate of tetracycline liberation from the capsules containing tetracycline hydrochloride without additives or the antibiotic in combination with 23 per cent of lactose was 4 to 6 times higher than that from the capsules with magnesium carbonate or calcium phosphate as the auxiliary substances.", "contents": "[Effect of auxiliary substances on the bioavailability of tetracycline hydrochloride capsules (an in vitro study)]. The rate of tetracycline hydrochloride transfer into solution from capsules containing different auxiliary substances was studied. It was shown that the dispersity level of tetracycline hydrochloride powder had no significant effect on the capsule disintegration and the rate of the antibiotic transfer into solution. The effect of the auxiliary substance composition on the capsule disintegration and the rate of the antibiotic dissolution was shown. The rate of tetracycline liberation from the capsules containing tetracycline hydrochloride without additives or the antibiotic in combination with 23 per cent of lactose was 4 to 6 times higher than that from the capsules with magnesium carbonate or calcium phosphate as the auxiliary substances.", "PMID": 637528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11263", "title": "[Effect of \"pasteurizing\" doses of ionizing radiations on the drug resistance of microorganisms isolated in pharmaceutical chemical manufacture].", "content": "Changes in the antibioticograms after a single irradiation of dry cultures of microorganisms isolated at a pharmaceutical factory were noted in 0.5 per cent of 686 microbial strains tested. Restoration of sensitivity to one or more often several antibiotics was found in the microbes with the changed antibioticograms. After a three-fold irradiation the value increased to 9 per cent. Development of the drug resistance in the microbes neither after the single nor after the three-fold irradiation was observed.", "contents": "[Effect of \"pasteurizing\" doses of ionizing radiations on the drug resistance of microorganisms isolated in pharmaceutical chemical manufacture]. Changes in the antibioticograms after a single irradiation of dry cultures of microorganisms isolated at a pharmaceutical factory were noted in 0.5 per cent of 686 microbial strains tested. Restoration of sensitivity to one or more often several antibiotics was found in the microbes with the changed antibioticograms. After a three-fold irradiation the value increased to 9 per cent. Development of the drug resistance in the microbes neither after the single nor after the three-fold irradiation was observed.", "PMID": 637529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11264", "title": "[Flora of the purulent foci of patients at an orthopedic traumatology clinic and its sensitivity to antibiotics].", "content": "A total of 4664 bacteriological analyses of the wound and purulent discharge from orthopedo-traumatological patients were performed within a 6-year period, i.e. from 1971 to 1976. Staphylococci were the dominating microbes of the purulent-inflammatory foci. Its part in the monoculture amounted to 64.5--82 per cent. The specific weight of the monocultures of various microbes decreased during the last 3 years, while the number of the microbial associations increased from 11.6 to 25.4 per cent Staph. aureus predominated in the inflammatory processes (65.8 to 86.5 per cent). Still, during the last 3 years the number of Staph. epidermidis increased from 16.8 to 26.2 per cent. The number of the so called \"intermediate\" or dissociated type of Staphylococcus, i.e. Staph. albus usually amounted to 7.5--8.1 per cent. In 1976 its number was 12.5 per cent. The pathogenic microbes of the coccal group were usually sensitive to erythromycin, monomycin, levomycetin and kanamycin. Among these microbes only staphylococci preserved their sensitivity to penicillin. The causative agents of purulent processes, i.e. Escherichia, Proteus, Pseudomonas were resistant to most of the antibiotics. Sensitivity to monomycin was preserved by 50 per cent only in Proteus. The microbial associations were mainly sensitive to monomycin and kanamycin.", "contents": "[Flora of the purulent foci of patients at an orthopedic traumatology clinic and its sensitivity to antibiotics]. A total of 4664 bacteriological analyses of the wound and purulent discharge from orthopedo-traumatological patients were performed within a 6-year period, i.e. from 1971 to 1976. Staphylococci were the dominating microbes of the purulent-inflammatory foci. Its part in the monoculture amounted to 64.5--82 per cent. The specific weight of the monocultures of various microbes decreased during the last 3 years, while the number of the microbial associations increased from 11.6 to 25.4 per cent Staph. aureus predominated in the inflammatory processes (65.8 to 86.5 per cent). Still, during the last 3 years the number of Staph. epidermidis increased from 16.8 to 26.2 per cent. The number of the so called \"intermediate\" or dissociated type of Staphylococcus, i.e. Staph. albus usually amounted to 7.5--8.1 per cent. In 1976 its number was 12.5 per cent. The pathogenic microbes of the coccal group were usually sensitive to erythromycin, monomycin, levomycetin and kanamycin. Among these microbes only staphylococci preserved their sensitivity to penicillin. The causative agents of purulent processes, i.e. Escherichia, Proteus, Pseudomonas were resistant to most of the antibiotics. Sensitivity to monomycin was preserved by 50 per cent only in Proteus. The microbial associations were mainly sensitive to monomycin and kanamycin.", "PMID": 637530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11265", "title": "[Tetracycline hydrochloride complex formation with collagen].", "content": "The quantitative indices and regularities of tetracycline hydrochloride binding with colelagen in the process of complex formation were studied in vitro. It was found that tetracycline-interacted with collagen. The amount of the antibiotic bound depended on its initial concentration in the mixture and the aggregate state of the protein: the amount of tetracycline hydrochloride absorbed by dissloved collagen was 10 times higher than that absorbed by polymerized collagen. The antibiotic bound with collagen did not lose its specific antibacterial activity.", "contents": "[Tetracycline hydrochloride complex formation with collagen]. The quantitative indices and regularities of tetracycline hydrochloride binding with colelagen in the process of complex formation were studied in vitro. It was found that tetracycline-interacted with collagen. The amount of the antibiotic bound depended on its initial concentration in the mixture and the aggregate state of the protein: the amount of tetracycline hydrochloride absorbed by dissloved collagen was 10 times higher than that absorbed by polymerized collagen. The antibiotic bound with collagen did not lose its specific antibacterial activity.", "PMID": 637531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11266", "title": "[Experimental study of a gentamycin ointment].", "content": "Technology of 0.1 per cent gentamicin ointment production was developed. The ointment base consisted of vaseline and parafin (95:5). Pharmacokinetics and innocuousness of the gentamicin ointment were studied. It was shown that the ointment provided gentamicin diffusion through the skin utegument during a long period of time. Histological studies showed no local irritating effect of the ointment on the skin in its local use.", "contents": "[Experimental study of a gentamycin ointment]. Technology of 0.1 per cent gentamicin ointment production was developed. The ointment base consisted of vaseline and parafin (95:5). Pharmacokinetics and innocuousness of the gentamicin ointment were studied. It was shown that the ointment provided gentamicin diffusion through the skin utegument during a long period of time. Histological studies showed no local irritating effect of the ointment on the skin in its local use.", "PMID": 637532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11267", "title": "[Increased streptomycin sensitivity and its associations with microbial allergy].", "content": "Regularities of streptomycin hypersensitivity development and its association with microbial allergy were studied on 75 guinea pigs. A model of retarded allergy was obtained by the animal sensitization with streptomycin in doses of 20 000 gamma per 1 kg of the body weight. Two procedures were used for the animal sensitization, i.e. with the use of the Freund adjuvant or without it. Positive skin-allergic tests to streptomycin (mainly 24-hour) were registered 2 weeks after discontinuation of the sensitization and persisted for the whole observation period (up to 6--8 weeks). The tests for the leucocyte migration were also positive and precipitating antibodies were found in the serum according to the Hoign\u00e9 method. Simultaneous sensitization with streptomycin and staphylococci resulted in some suppression of the development of retarded hypersensitivity to the microbial antigen. Subsequent sensitization at first with staphylococci and then with streptomycin favoured a mutual increase in the allergic reconstruction to both antigens. The histomorphological studies confirmed the data of the immunoallergological examination.", "contents": "[Increased streptomycin sensitivity and its associations with microbial allergy]. Regularities of streptomycin hypersensitivity development and its association with microbial allergy were studied on 75 guinea pigs. A model of retarded allergy was obtained by the animal sensitization with streptomycin in doses of 20 000 gamma per 1 kg of the body weight. Two procedures were used for the animal sensitization, i.e. with the use of the Freund adjuvant or without it. Positive skin-allergic tests to streptomycin (mainly 24-hour) were registered 2 weeks after discontinuation of the sensitization and persisted for the whole observation period (up to 6--8 weeks). The tests for the leucocyte migration were also positive and precipitating antibodies were found in the serum according to the Hoign\u00e9 method. Simultaneous sensitization with streptomycin and staphylococci resulted in some suppression of the development of retarded hypersensitivity to the microbial antigen. Subsequent sensitization at first with staphylococci and then with streptomycin favoured a mutual increase in the allergic reconstruction to both antigens. The histomorphological studies confirmed the data of the immunoallergological examination.", "PMID": 637533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11268", "title": "[Antibacterial therapy of liver abscesses of varying etiology].", "content": "The investigation of microbial flora and its sensitivity in 196 patients with the kidney abscesses of various etiology showed expediency of the use of aminoglycosides, ampicillin and lincomycin. The local use of colloid iodine promoted rapid inhibition of the microbial flora. The dynamic observations showed an increase in the number of gramnegative pathogens by the 7th--10th day of the treatment. Rational surgical intervention, the antibiotic use with control of the microbial flora sensitivity, specific chemotherapy provided a decrease in the lethality up to 6.7 per cent.", "contents": "[Antibacterial therapy of liver abscesses of varying etiology]. The investigation of microbial flora and its sensitivity in 196 patients with the kidney abscesses of various etiology showed expediency of the use of aminoglycosides, ampicillin and lincomycin. The local use of colloid iodine promoted rapid inhibition of the microbial flora. The dynamic observations showed an increase in the number of gramnegative pathogens by the 7th--10th day of the treatment. Rational surgical intervention, the antibiotic use with control of the microbial flora sensitivity, specific chemotherapy provided a decrease in the lethality up to 6.7 per cent.", "PMID": 637534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11269", "title": "Identification of enterotoxigenic staphylococci from sheep and sheep cheese.", "content": "The total of 127 Staphylococcus aureus strains obtained from sheep and sheep cheese were examined for their biochemical activities, biotypes, phage patterns, and ability to produce enterotoxins. Of the 83 staphylococcal strains isolated from animals 77 (93%) were classified as the C biotype. Of this group of sheep-adapted strains, 61 (79%) were sensitive to phage 78, and 46 (60%) produced enterotoxin C exclusively. The three isolated belonging to the A biotype produced enterotoxin D, and two of the three unclassifiable strains produced enterotoxin A. Of the 44 staphylococcal strains isolated from sheep cheese, there were 37 (84%) identified as the C biotype. From this series, 31 (84%) strains were lysed with phage 78, 6 (16%) strains produced enterotoxin C, and 1 strain produced enterotoxin A. One of the six strains determined as the A biotype produced enterotoxin D. C biotype strains, especially of ovine origin, are an exception among animal staphylococci, because a large number of them are enterotoixgenic. The C antigenic type is the most usual of the known enterotoxins in staphylococci of animal provenance.", "contents": "Identification of enterotoxigenic staphylococci from sheep and sheep cheese. The total of 127 Staphylococcus aureus strains obtained from sheep and sheep cheese were examined for their biochemical activities, biotypes, phage patterns, and ability to produce enterotoxins. Of the 83 staphylococcal strains isolated from animals 77 (93%) were classified as the C biotype. Of this group of sheep-adapted strains, 61 (79%) were sensitive to phage 78, and 46 (60%) produced enterotoxin C exclusively. The three isolated belonging to the A biotype produced enterotoxin D, and two of the three unclassifiable strains produced enterotoxin A. Of the 44 staphylococcal strains isolated from sheep cheese, there were 37 (84%) identified as the C biotype. From this series, 31 (84%) strains were lysed with phage 78, 6 (16%) strains produced enterotoxin C, and 1 strain produced enterotoxin A. One of the six strains determined as the A biotype produced enterotoxin D. C biotype strains, especially of ovine origin, are an exception among animal staphylococci, because a large number of them are enterotoixgenic. The C antigenic type is the most usual of the known enterotoxins in staphylococci of animal provenance.", "PMID": 637535} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11270", "title": "Isolation and properties of fecal proteins and fecal alkaline phosphatase from germfree and conventional rats.", "content": "Fecal proteins from germfree and conventional rats were isolated. The proteins from the two kinds of feces differed in molecular weight, judging from Sephadex gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The conventional feces contained a greater amount of high-molecular-weight and a lesser amount of low-molecular-weight proteins than did the germfree feces. The fecal proteins of both kinds contained carbohydrates. Both feces contained considerable enzyme activity. The germfree feces contained extremely high activity in alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase. Both feces showed the same level of trehalase activity. The conventional feces contained higher levels of activity of protease and acid phosphatase than did the germfree feces. Lactase activity was observed only in the conventional feces. The fecal alkaline phosphatase resembled the intestinal enzyme in response to L-phenylalanine inhibition and urea denaturation. From these results it was inferred that the germfree feces contained some of the intestinal proteins and that the conventional feces contained bacterial proteins in addition to intestinal proteins.", "contents": "Isolation and properties of fecal proteins and fecal alkaline phosphatase from germfree and conventional rats. Fecal proteins from germfree and conventional rats were isolated. The proteins from the two kinds of feces differed in molecular weight, judging from Sephadex gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The conventional feces contained a greater amount of high-molecular-weight and a lesser amount of low-molecular-weight proteins than did the germfree feces. The fecal proteins of both kinds contained carbohydrates. Both feces contained considerable enzyme activity. The germfree feces contained extremely high activity in alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase. Both feces showed the same level of trehalase activity. The conventional feces contained higher levels of activity of protease and acid phosphatase than did the germfree feces. Lactase activity was observed only in the conventional feces. The fecal alkaline phosphatase resembled the intestinal enzyme in response to L-phenylalanine inhibition and urea denaturation. From these results it was inferred that the germfree feces contained some of the intestinal proteins and that the conventional feces contained bacterial proteins in addition to intestinal proteins.", "PMID": 637536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11271", "title": "Cometabolism of DDT analogs by a Pseudomonas sp.", "content": "A Pseudomonas sp. capable of growth on several nonchlorinated and mono-p-chloro-substituted analogs of DDT as a sole carbon source degraded bis(p-chlorophenyl)methane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane only in the presence of diphenylethane. The products p-chlorophenylacetic acid and 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-propionic acid were not further metabolized by the bacterium. Other chlorinated analogs of DDT were found to be recalcitrant to cometabolic degradation with diphenylethane.", "contents": "Cometabolism of DDT analogs by a Pseudomonas sp. A Pseudomonas sp. capable of growth on several nonchlorinated and mono-p-chloro-substituted analogs of DDT as a sole carbon source degraded bis(p-chlorophenyl)methane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane only in the presence of diphenylethane. The products p-chlorophenylacetic acid and 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-propionic acid were not further metabolized by the bacterium. Other chlorinated analogs of DDT were found to be recalcitrant to cometabolic degradation with diphenylethane.", "PMID": 637537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11272", "title": "Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to some common physical and chemical agents.", "content": "Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to drying, low and high temperature, and two halogens was studied. Dying made trophozoites nonviable instantaneously and cysts nonviable in less than 5 min. Trophozoites degenerated in hours at temperatures below 10 degrees C and in minutes when frozen; cysts survived according to the equation th - t0/theta 1,440/1.122T (t0 is survival at 0 degrees C; Tis temperature between 0 and 10 degrees C), but 1.5 h at --10 degrees C to 1 h at --30 degrees C. At 51, 55, 58, 63, and 65 degrees C, trophozoites survived about 30, 10, 5, 1 and less than 0.5 min, respectively, cysts survived three to four times longer at 51 degrees C and six to seven times longer at 55 to 65 degrees C. Cyst destruction rates by heat indicated first-order kinetics with 25,400 cal/1 degree C for energy of activation. Cyst destruction rates by free chlorine and I2 also conformed to first-order kinetics. Concentration-contact time curves yielded concentration coefficient values of 1.05 for free chlorine and 1.4 for I2 and point to superchlorination as an effective means of destroying the cysts if free residuals are used as a guide and allowance is provided for low temperature and/or high pH waters.", "contents": "Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to some common physical and chemical agents. Resistance of pathogenic Naegleria to drying, low and high temperature, and two halogens was studied. Dying made trophozoites nonviable instantaneously and cysts nonviable in less than 5 min. Trophozoites degenerated in hours at temperatures below 10 degrees C and in minutes when frozen; cysts survived according to the equation th - t0/theta 1,440/1.122T (t0 is survival at 0 degrees C; Tis temperature between 0 and 10 degrees C), but 1.5 h at --10 degrees C to 1 h at --30 degrees C. At 51, 55, 58, 63, and 65 degrees C, trophozoites survived about 30, 10, 5, 1 and less than 0.5 min, respectively, cysts survived three to four times longer at 51 degrees C and six to seven times longer at 55 to 65 degrees C. Cyst destruction rates by heat indicated first-order kinetics with 25,400 cal/1 degree C for energy of activation. Cyst destruction rates by free chlorine and I2 also conformed to first-order kinetics. Concentration-contact time curves yielded concentration coefficient values of 1.05 for free chlorine and 1.4 for I2 and point to superchlorination as an effective means of destroying the cysts if free residuals are used as a guide and allowance is provided for low temperature and/or high pH waters.", "PMID": 637538} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11273", "title": "Significance of low-temperature growth associated with the fecal coliform response, indole production, and pectin liquefaction in Klebsiella.", "content": "In the genus Klebsiella, the growth respnse in nutient broth at 10 degrees C correlates inversely with the operational definition of a fecal coliform and not merely with the ability to grow at 44.5 degrees C. Of the fecal coliform-positive Klebsiella, 97% did not grow at 10 degrees C after 72 h of incubation. Conversely, 97% of the fecal coliform-negative isolates grew at 10 degrees C. The amount of growth at 10 degrees C varied among the fecal coliform-negative isolates and was found to correlate with indole production and pectin liquefaction. Low-temperature growth associated with specific biochemical tests can be used to differentiate several groups in the genus Klebsiella. Three main groups were discerned. Group I consists of indole-negative, pectin-nonliquefying, fecal coliform-positive isolates that do not grow at 10 degrees C. Group II isolates are differentiated from group I by a fecal-coliform-negative response and growth at 10 degrees C. Group III are indole-positive, pectin-liquefying, fecal coliform-negative isolates that grow at 10 degrees C. In our culture collection, isolates of group I are most frequently of human/animal clinical origins, whereas isolates of groups II and III are predominantly derived from the environment.", "contents": "Significance of low-temperature growth associated with the fecal coliform response, indole production, and pectin liquefaction in Klebsiella. In the genus Klebsiella, the growth respnse in nutient broth at 10 degrees C correlates inversely with the operational definition of a fecal coliform and not merely with the ability to grow at 44.5 degrees C. Of the fecal coliform-positive Klebsiella, 97% did not grow at 10 degrees C after 72 h of incubation. Conversely, 97% of the fecal coliform-negative isolates grew at 10 degrees C. The amount of growth at 10 degrees C varied among the fecal coliform-negative isolates and was found to correlate with indole production and pectin liquefaction. Low-temperature growth associated with specific biochemical tests can be used to differentiate several groups in the genus Klebsiella. Three main groups were discerned. Group I consists of indole-negative, pectin-nonliquefying, fecal coliform-positive isolates that do not grow at 10 degrees C. Group II isolates are differentiated from group I by a fecal-coliform-negative response and growth at 10 degrees C. Group III are indole-positive, pectin-liquefying, fecal coliform-negative isolates that grow at 10 degrees C. In our culture collection, isolates of group I are most frequently of human/animal clinical origins, whereas isolates of groups II and III are predominantly derived from the environment.", "PMID": 637539} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11274", "title": "Production of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in cells grown on artificial capillaries.", "content": "Primary cell cultures, a continuous cell line, and a diploid cell line were grown on an artificial capillary system. The cells were subsequently infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and viral replication was studied. Extracellular fluids harvested from this system contained high titers of virus and were relatively free of cell debris.", "contents": "Production of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in cells grown on artificial capillaries. Primary cell cultures, a continuous cell line, and a diploid cell line were grown on an artificial capillary system. The cells were subsequently infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and viral replication was studied. Extracellular fluids harvested from this system contained high titers of virus and were relatively free of cell debris.", "PMID": 637540} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11275", "title": "Colonial variation, capsule formation, and bacteriophage resistance in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.", "content": "A Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain segregated two unstable colonial variants at high frequency. There is a correlation between colony morphology, encapsulation, Giemsa staining, and bacteriophage resistance.", "contents": "Colonial variation, capsule formation, and bacteriophage resistance in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. A Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain segregated two unstable colonial variants at high frequency. There is a correlation between colony morphology, encapsulation, Giemsa staining, and bacteriophage resistance.", "PMID": 637541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11276", "title": "Spatial relationship of the genital microflora to the vaginal epithelium of femal rats: transmission electron microscopy.", "content": "Bacterial associations with vaginal epithelium were examined by transmission electron microscopy in castrate rats before and after estrogen treatment. Bacteria were associated with keratinized epithelium and appeared to be most abundant on exfoliated vaginal cells.", "contents": "Spatial relationship of the genital microflora to the vaginal epithelium of femal rats: transmission electron microscopy. Bacterial associations with vaginal epithelium were examined by transmission electron microscopy in castrate rats before and after estrogen treatment. Bacteria were associated with keratinized epithelium and appeared to be most abundant on exfoliated vaginal cells.", "PMID": 637542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11277", "title": "Tryptophan excretion by a bradytroph of Hansenula polymorpha growing in methanol.", "content": "The growth of a bradytrophic mutant isolated from the methanol-utilizing yeast Hansenula polymorpha was found to be stimulated by both tyrosine and phenylalanine. The mutant contained about half as much chorismate mutase activity as the wild-type strain. When grown in a medium containing 2% mehtanol as the major carbon and energy source, the bradytroph excreted a low but significant level (28 mg/liter) of L-tryptophan.", "contents": "Tryptophan excretion by a bradytroph of Hansenula polymorpha growing in methanol. The growth of a bradytrophic mutant isolated from the methanol-utilizing yeast Hansenula polymorpha was found to be stimulated by both tyrosine and phenylalanine. The mutant contained about half as much chorismate mutase activity as the wild-type strain. When grown in a medium containing 2% mehtanol as the major carbon and energy source, the bradytroph excreted a low but significant level (28 mg/liter) of L-tryptophan.", "PMID": 637543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11278", "title": "Adaptational change in proline and water content of Staphylococcus aureus after alteration of environmental salt concentration.", "content": "Adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to a change in salinity was studied by estimating the intracellular content of water and proline after alteration of the salt concentration of the culture medium. The intracellular water content of S. aureus cultured in normal broth was 1.70 g/g (dry weight). After transfer to 1.8 M NaCl-containing broth, the water content decreased to 0.80 g/g (dry weight) within 1 min. After changing the salt concentration of the medium, intracellular free proline (assumed to be one of the osmoregulators in S. aureus) increased gradually from 0 to 1,400 mumol/g (dry weight) during 30 min of incubation at 37 degrees C. The water content rose to 0.88 g/g (dry weight) in 30 min. Proline was not taken up at 0 to 4 degrees C, suggesting that the process was one of active transport. The salt tolerance of S. aureus, therefore, appears to occur initially by dehydration of the cell after transfer from a medium of low salinity to one of high salinity and then by accumulation of proline, which carries water into the cell with it.", "contents": "Adaptational change in proline and water content of Staphylococcus aureus after alteration of environmental salt concentration. Adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to a change in salinity was studied by estimating the intracellular content of water and proline after alteration of the salt concentration of the culture medium. The intracellular water content of S. aureus cultured in normal broth was 1.70 g/g (dry weight). After transfer to 1.8 M NaCl-containing broth, the water content decreased to 0.80 g/g (dry weight) within 1 min. After changing the salt concentration of the medium, intracellular free proline (assumed to be one of the osmoregulators in S. aureus) increased gradually from 0 to 1,400 mumol/g (dry weight) during 30 min of incubation at 37 degrees C. The water content rose to 0.88 g/g (dry weight) in 30 min. Proline was not taken up at 0 to 4 degrees C, suggesting that the process was one of active transport. The salt tolerance of S. aureus, therefore, appears to occur initially by dehydration of the cell after transfer from a medium of low salinity to one of high salinity and then by accumulation of proline, which carries water into the cell with it.", "PMID": 637544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11279", "title": "Rapid test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci.", "content": "A simple test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci is described, which is based on the quite different cell wall peptidoglycan structures of these two genera. Antisera to (pentaglycyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)20-albumin agglutinated without exception all staphylococci and gave no positive reaction with micrococci or other bacterial cells. To obtain a good reaction, it was necessary to extract the cells with hot trichloroacetic acid for 30 min. Antisera to (tri-L-alanyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)22-albumin reacted strongly with micrococci containing oligo-L-alanine bridges in their peptidoglycan, but did not agglutinate staphylococci or other bacteria lacking alanine interpeptide bridges.", "contents": "Rapid test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci. A simple test for the serological separation of staphylococci from micrococci is described, which is based on the quite different cell wall peptidoglycan structures of these two genera. Antisera to (pentaglycyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)20-albumin agglutinated without exception all staphylococci and gave no positive reaction with micrococci or other bacterial cells. To obtain a good reaction, it was necessary to extract the cells with hot trichloroacetic acid for 30 min. Antisera to (tri-L-alanyl-epsilon-amino-n-hexanoic acid)22-albumin reacted strongly with micrococci containing oligo-L-alanine bridges in their peptidoglycan, but did not agglutinate staphylococci or other bacteria lacking alanine interpeptide bridges.", "PMID": 637545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11280", "title": "Distribution of the genus Leptospira in soil and water.", "content": "The distribution of the aerobic spirochetes Leptospira in surface waters, soil, and aquatic animals was investigated. Isolates from water and soil exhibited physiological characteristics common to members of the \"biflexa complex,\" none were capable of infecting experimental animals, and leptospires could not be isolated from the eight genera of aquatic animals examined. The isolation frequencies from surface waters were: stream, 100%; lake, 65%; spring, 28%; bog lake, 5%; and marsh, 0%. With the exception of the stream, more isolations were obtained from the soil adjacent to the water than from the water. Leptospires were most frequently associated with soils of high moisture and organic matter content.", "contents": "Distribution of the genus Leptospira in soil and water. The distribution of the aerobic spirochetes Leptospira in surface waters, soil, and aquatic animals was investigated. Isolates from water and soil exhibited physiological characteristics common to members of the \"biflexa complex,\" none were capable of infecting experimental animals, and leptospires could not be isolated from the eight genera of aquatic animals examined. The isolation frequencies from surface waters were: stream, 100%; lake, 65%; spring, 28%; bog lake, 5%; and marsh, 0%. With the exception of the stream, more isolations were obtained from the soil adjacent to the water than from the water. Leptospires were most frequently associated with soils of high moisture and organic matter content.", "PMID": 637546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11281", "title": "Bacterial and spontaneous dehalogenation of organic compounds.", "content": "Only 3 of more than 500 soil enrichments contained organisms able to use 1,9-dichlorononane as a sole carbon source. One isolate, a strain of Pseudomonas, grew on the compound and released much of the halogen as chloride. Resting cells dehalogenated 1,9-dichlorononane aerobically but not anaerobically. Pseudomonas sp. grew on and resting cells dehalogenated 1,6-dichlorohexane, 1,5-dichloroheptane, 2-bromoheptanoate, and 1-chloro-, 1-bromo-, and 1-iodoheptane, but the bacterium cometabolized but did not grow on 3-chloropropionate. p-Methylbenzyl alcohol, chloride, and p-methylbenzoate were formed when resting cells were incubated with alpha-chloro-p-xylene; the first two products were also formed in the absence of the bacteria. Similarly, o- and m-methylbenzyl alcohols were generated from the corresponding chlorinated xylenes in the presence or absence of Pseudomonas sp. The formation of m- and p-chlorobenzoic acid from m- and p-chlorobenzyl chloride proceeded only in the presence of the cells, but p-chlorobenzyl alcohol was generated from p-chlorobenzyl chloride even in the absence of the bacterium. These results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of dehalogenation.", "contents": "Bacterial and spontaneous dehalogenation of organic compounds. Only 3 of more than 500 soil enrichments contained organisms able to use 1,9-dichlorononane as a sole carbon source. One isolate, a strain of Pseudomonas, grew on the compound and released much of the halogen as chloride. Resting cells dehalogenated 1,9-dichlorononane aerobically but not anaerobically. Pseudomonas sp. grew on and resting cells dehalogenated 1,6-dichlorohexane, 1,5-dichloroheptane, 2-bromoheptanoate, and 1-chloro-, 1-bromo-, and 1-iodoheptane, but the bacterium cometabolized but did not grow on 3-chloropropionate. p-Methylbenzyl alcohol, chloride, and p-methylbenzoate were formed when resting cells were incubated with alpha-chloro-p-xylene; the first two products were also formed in the absence of the bacteria. Similarly, o- and m-methylbenzyl alcohols were generated from the corresponding chlorinated xylenes in the presence or absence of Pseudomonas sp. The formation of m- and p-chlorobenzoic acid from m- and p-chlorobenzyl chloride proceeded only in the presence of the cells, but p-chlorobenzyl alcohol was generated from p-chlorobenzyl chloride even in the absence of the bacterium. These results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of dehalogenation.", "PMID": 637547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11282", "title": "Influence of water activity on the production of extracellular enzymes by Staphylococcus aureus.", "content": "Two enterotoxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus were examined for their ability to produce a number of extracellular enzymes at various water activity (alphaw) levels. Supernatant, dialyzed culture media were analyzed for total and relative levels of enzyme activity. With the exception of protease, enzyme activity was greatest in spent media obtained from cultures grown at 0.996 alphaw, the highest level tested. Enzyme activity in spent media from an enterotoxin B-producing strain was generally more sensitive to alphaw reduction than activity from an enterotoxin A-producing strain. Unlike the other enzymes assayed, acid and alkaline protease activities were greatest when the organism was grown at 0.94 alphaw.", "contents": "Influence of water activity on the production of extracellular enzymes by Staphylococcus aureus. Two enterotoxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus were examined for their ability to produce a number of extracellular enzymes at various water activity (alphaw) levels. Supernatant, dialyzed culture media were analyzed for total and relative levels of enzyme activity. With the exception of protease, enzyme activity was greatest in spent media obtained from cultures grown at 0.996 alphaw, the highest level tested. Enzyme activity in spent media from an enterotoxin B-producing strain was generally more sensitive to alphaw reduction than activity from an enterotoxin A-producing strain. Unlike the other enzymes assayed, acid and alkaline protease activities were greatest when the organism was grown at 0.94 alphaw.", "PMID": 637548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11283", "title": "Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents: oxidation of lapachol by Penicillium notatum.", "content": "The naphthoquinone lapachol (1) is readily metabolized by several fungi and streptomycetes. Preparative-scale fermentations with Penicillium notatum (UI 1602) provided a major polar metabolite (4), which was isolated and identified as an intermediate of the Hooker oxidation. The metabolite was synthesized by reacting lapachol with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.", "contents": "Microbial transformations of natural antitumor agents: oxidation of lapachol by Penicillium notatum. The naphthoquinone lapachol (1) is readily metabolized by several fungi and streptomycetes. Preparative-scale fermentations with Penicillium notatum (UI 1602) provided a major polar metabolite (4), which was isolated and identified as an intermediate of the Hooker oxidation. The metabolite was synthesized by reacting lapachol with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.", "PMID": 637549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11284", "title": "Biological dinitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated with Florida mangroves.", "content": "Biological dinitrogen fixation in mangrove communities of the Tampa Bay region of South Florida was investigated using the acetylene reduction technique. Low rates of acetylene reduction (0.01 to 1.84 nmol of C(2)H(4)/g [wet weight] per h) were associated with plant-free sediments, while plant-associated sediments gave rise to slightly higher rates. Activity in sediments increased greatly upon the addition of various carbon sources, indicating an energy limitation for nitrogenase (C(2)H(2)) activity. In situ determinations of dinitrogen fixation in sediments also indicated low rates and exhibited a similar response to glucose amendment. Litter from the green macroalga, Ulva spp., mangrove leaves, and sea grass also gave rise to significant rates of acetylene reduction. Higher rates of nitrogenase activity (15 to 53 nmol of C(2)H(4)/g [wet weight] per h were associated with washed excised roots of three Florida mangrove species [Rhizophora mangle L., Avicennia germinans (L) Stern, and Laguncularia racemosa Gaertn.] as well as with isolated root systems of intact plants (11 to 58 mug of N/g [dry weight] per h). Following a short lag period, root-associated activity was linear and did not exhibit a marked response to glucose amendment. It appears that dinitrogen-fixing bacteria in the mangrove rhizoplane are able to use root exudates and/or sloughed cell debris as energy sources for dinitrogen fixation.", "contents": "Biological dinitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated with Florida mangroves. Biological dinitrogen fixation in mangrove communities of the Tampa Bay region of South Florida was investigated using the acetylene reduction technique. Low rates of acetylene reduction (0.01 to 1.84 nmol of C(2)H(4)/g [wet weight] per h) were associated with plant-free sediments, while plant-associated sediments gave rise to slightly higher rates. Activity in sediments increased greatly upon the addition of various carbon sources, indicating an energy limitation for nitrogenase (C(2)H(2)) activity. In situ determinations of dinitrogen fixation in sediments also indicated low rates and exhibited a similar response to glucose amendment. Litter from the green macroalga, Ulva spp., mangrove leaves, and sea grass also gave rise to significant rates of acetylene reduction. Higher rates of nitrogenase activity (15 to 53 nmol of C(2)H(4)/g [wet weight] per h were associated with washed excised roots of three Florida mangrove species [Rhizophora mangle L., Avicennia germinans (L) Stern, and Laguncularia racemosa Gaertn.] as well as with isolated root systems of intact plants (11 to 58 mug of N/g [dry weight] per h). Following a short lag period, root-associated activity was linear and did not exhibit a marked response to glucose amendment. It appears that dinitrogen-fixing bacteria in the mangrove rhizoplane are able to use root exudates and/or sloughed cell debris as energy sources for dinitrogen fixation.", "PMID": 637550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11285", "title": "Bacteria associated with the gastric epithelium of neonatal pigs.", "content": "Light and electron microscopy showed lactobacilli and, to a lesser degree, streptococci to be closely associated with the squamous area of the pig stomach known as the pars esophagea. Several different types of extracellular layers were seen on bacteria attached to the epithelial surface. The total number of bacteria per square centimeter did not change with age up to 10 days, and there was no effect of weaning at 2 days. Lactobacillus fermentum, L. salivarius, and Streptococcus salivarius were isolated more frequently from sucking pigs than from those that were early weaned, whereas the reverse was true of L. acidophilus and S. bovis. All isolates recovered from washed macerated pars esophagea adhered to pig esophageal epithelial cells when tested in vitro.", "contents": "Bacteria associated with the gastric epithelium of neonatal pigs. Light and electron microscopy showed lactobacilli and, to a lesser degree, streptococci to be closely associated with the squamous area of the pig stomach known as the pars esophagea. Several different types of extracellular layers were seen on bacteria attached to the epithelial surface. The total number of bacteria per square centimeter did not change with age up to 10 days, and there was no effect of weaning at 2 days. Lactobacillus fermentum, L. salivarius, and Streptococcus salivarius were isolated more frequently from sucking pigs than from those that were early weaned, whereas the reverse was true of L. acidophilus and S. bovis. All isolates recovered from washed macerated pars esophagea adhered to pig esophageal epithelial cells when tested in vitro.", "PMID": 637551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11286", "title": "Evaluation of thermal disinfection procedures for hydrophilic contact lenses.", "content": "The kinetics and efficacy of moist heat disinfection for hydrophilic contact lenses were investigated by using representative microorganisms of ophthalmic concern and several heat-resistant species. In replicate challenges, 80 degrees C for 10 min and 75 degrees C for 5 min were proven efficacious for moist-heat disinfection.", "contents": "Evaluation of thermal disinfection procedures for hydrophilic contact lenses. The kinetics and efficacy of moist heat disinfection for hydrophilic contact lenses were investigated by using representative microorganisms of ophthalmic concern and several heat-resistant species. In replicate challenges, 80 degrees C for 10 min and 75 degrees C for 5 min were proven efficacious for moist-heat disinfection.", "PMID": 637552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11287", "title": "Simple procedure for disruption of fungal spores.", "content": "A simple, inexpensive method for disrupting dormant fungal spores is described.", "contents": "Simple procedure for disruption of fungal spores. A simple, inexpensive method for disrupting dormant fungal spores is described.", "PMID": 637553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11288", "title": "Dynamics of ultraviolet dermatitis as studied with the mouse tail technique.", "content": "Time course and dose-response relationships have been studied for medium-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVB) in the mouse by measuring the inflammatory oedema of tail tissue. The time course was shown to be dose dependent, larger doses peaking earlier than smaller ones. For intermediate doses the reaction culminated after 48 h. Dose-response curves were sigmoid-shaped with good linear correlation in the region of maximal slope. The dose-response curve was studied at varying intervals after irradiation and the relationship could be shown to be time dependent. UVB differs in some of these respects from phototoxic reactions to chlorpromazine and 8-methoxypsoralen.", "contents": "Dynamics of ultraviolet dermatitis as studied with the mouse tail technique. Time course and dose-response relationships have been studied for medium-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVB) in the mouse by measuring the inflammatory oedema of tail tissue. The time course was shown to be dose dependent, larger doses peaking earlier than smaller ones. For intermediate doses the reaction culminated after 48 h. Dose-response curves were sigmoid-shaped with good linear correlation in the region of maximal slope. The dose-response curve was studied at varying intervals after irradiation and the relationship could be shown to be time dependent. UVB differs in some of these respects from phototoxic reactions to chlorpromazine and 8-methoxypsoralen.", "PMID": 637571} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11289", "title": "On the influence of an external therapy with dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate on the amount of free fatty acids in the skin surface lipids.", "content": "A lipid-free preparation containing 0.076% dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate (corresponding to 0.05% dexamethasone) has been applied to the right side of the back and the same vehicle without the agent to the left side of the back of 16 male subjects without any skin diseases. The applications were made twice daily over a period of 26 days. Two days after the final application the skin surface lipids were analysed quantitatively by means of the direct extraction method and the paper absorption method. Thin layer chromatograpical analyses were also carried out. The sum of skin surface lipids is not altered by dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate. This agent does, however, induce a significant increase in the free fatty acids at the expense of the triglycerides. The importance of this result is discussed with reference to the pathogenesis of steroid acne.", "contents": "On the influence of an external therapy with dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate on the amount of free fatty acids in the skin surface lipids. A lipid-free preparation containing 0.076% dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate (corresponding to 0.05% dexamethasone) has been applied to the right side of the back and the same vehicle without the agent to the left side of the back of 16 male subjects without any skin diseases. The applications were made twice daily over a period of 26 days. Two days after the final application the skin surface lipids were analysed quantitatively by means of the direct extraction method and the paper absorption method. Thin layer chromatograpical analyses were also carried out. The sum of skin surface lipids is not altered by dexamethasone-21-sodium-m-sulfobenzoate. This agent does, however, induce a significant increase in the free fatty acids at the expense of the triglycerides. The importance of this result is discussed with reference to the pathogenesis of steroid acne.", "PMID": 637572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11290", "title": "[Comparison of the epidermodysplasia verruciformis Lewandowsky-Lutz with the other Papova virus acanthomas by light and electron microscopy (author's transl)].", "content": "Based on histology and electron microscopy, a series of Papova virus acanthomas consisting of 300 common warts and Condylomata acuminata as well as primary efflorescences of 7 typical and 7 questionable cases of Epidermodysplasia verruciformis have been classified. Four cytological types expressing different cytopathogenic viral actions were established. Typ 4 (\"basophilic foamy giant keratinocytes\") seems to be specific for Epidermodysplasia verruciformis which thus can be differentiated histologically against ordinary warts (type 1-3).", "contents": "[Comparison of the epidermodysplasia verruciformis Lewandowsky-Lutz with the other Papova virus acanthomas by light and electron microscopy (author's transl)]. Based on histology and electron microscopy, a series of Papova virus acanthomas consisting of 300 common warts and Condylomata acuminata as well as primary efflorescences of 7 typical and 7 questionable cases of Epidermodysplasia verruciformis have been classified. Four cytological types expressing different cytopathogenic viral actions were established. Typ 4 (\"basophilic foamy giant keratinocytes\") seems to be specific for Epidermodysplasia verruciformis which thus can be differentiated histologically against ordinary warts (type 1-3).", "PMID": 637573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11291", "title": "Collagen polymorphism in pathologic human scars.", "content": "The collagen type composition of normal and pathologic scars was examined in comparison with normal skin from the same individual. Particular care was taken to separate scar tissue from adjacent normal dermis. After urea extraction, the tissue specimens were cleaved with cyanogen bromide. The presence of the dermal collagen types I and III was deduced from the electrophoretic distribution patterns of the CNBr peptides in 12% SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The intensity of the type III specific peptide bands correlates with the type III content of the samples. Using this method, the presence of both type I and III collagen can be proved in normal as well as pathologic scars. The type III content in older normal scars is slightly increased, whereas the type III content of pathologic scars is significantly increased in comparison with the type III content of normal skin. The electrophoretic CNBr peptide distribution pattern of pathologic scar tissue is almost the same as that of fetal skin. Both are clearly different from the peptide pattern of normal adult skin.", "contents": "Collagen polymorphism in pathologic human scars. The collagen type composition of normal and pathologic scars was examined in comparison with normal skin from the same individual. Particular care was taken to separate scar tissue from adjacent normal dermis. After urea extraction, the tissue specimens were cleaved with cyanogen bromide. The presence of the dermal collagen types I and III was deduced from the electrophoretic distribution patterns of the CNBr peptides in 12% SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The intensity of the type III specific peptide bands correlates with the type III content of the samples. Using this method, the presence of both type I and III collagen can be proved in normal as well as pathologic scars. The type III content in older normal scars is slightly increased, whereas the type III content of pathologic scars is significantly increased in comparison with the type III content of normal skin. The electrophoretic CNBr peptide distribution pattern of pathologic scar tissue is almost the same as that of fetal skin. Both are clearly different from the peptide pattern of normal adult skin.", "PMID": 637574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11292", "title": "[Erythema elevatum diutinum. I. Electron microscopy of a case with extracellular cholesterosis (author's transl)].", "content": "1. A typical case of Erythema elevatum diutinum (E.e.d.) with extracellular cholesterosis is described clinically and histologically in a 48-year-old woman. The disease had a course of 15 years. 2. Electron microscopy confirmed the histological and immunfluorescent findings of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. In older lesions, histiocytes/macrophages predominate. Intra- and extracellular lipid depositions showed a variety of ultrastructural characteristics which differed from electron microscopical findings described in other disorders associated with lipid deposition. 3. The findings are in accordance with the hypothesis that the primary event in E.e.d. is a special type of chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Subsequently, the damage of the vessel walls and focal necrosis may lead to secondary lipid deposition.", "contents": "[Erythema elevatum diutinum. I. Electron microscopy of a case with extracellular cholesterosis (author's transl)]. 1. A typical case of Erythema elevatum diutinum (E.e.d.) with extracellular cholesterosis is described clinically and histologically in a 48-year-old woman. The disease had a course of 15 years. 2. Electron microscopy confirmed the histological and immunfluorescent findings of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. In older lesions, histiocytes/macrophages predominate. Intra- and extracellular lipid depositions showed a variety of ultrastructural characteristics which differed from electron microscopical findings described in other disorders associated with lipid deposition. 3. The findings are in accordance with the hypothesis that the primary event in E.e.d. is a special type of chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Subsequently, the damage of the vessel walls and focal necrosis may lead to secondary lipid deposition.", "PMID": 637575} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11293", "title": "An analysis of recurrent esophagitis following posterior gastropexy.", "content": "Surgical therapy for reflux esophagitis remains controversial. Sixty-five patients who underwent posterior gastropexy between November, 1970 and February, 1976 are presented. Indications for surgery were: esophagitis, 43 patients; esophagitis with stricture, 12 patients; paraesophageal hernia seven patients; incapacitating postfundoplication syndrome, three patients. The average follow-up was 15.6 months. Eighty-two per cent of the patients had a good to excellent result. Twenty-three per cent of the patients developed radiographically recurrent hiatus hernia; however, the incidence of recurrent esophagitis was only nine per cent. Two patients developed postoperative strictures (one de novo, one recurrent). Two patients ultimately required a fundoplication for control of their esophagitis; one patient required a Thal-Nissen procedure. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure on patients with satisfactory results increased from 6.3 +/- 1.3 cm H2O SEM preoperatively, to 17.4 +/- 3.0 cm H2O SEM postoperatively. This increase achieved a statistical significance of p less than 0.001. In patients who had an unsatisfactory result, postoperative sphincter pressures were unchanged from preoperative values. All unsatisfactory results were obtained in patients with complicated esophagitis, i.e., Barrett's ulcer or stricture, alkaline esophagitis, or previous hiatal surgery. Posterior gastropexy appears to constitute effective therapy in the treatment of uncomplicated reflux esophagitis and paraesophageal hiatus hernia without the distressing morbidity associated with the postfundoplication syndrome.", "contents": "An analysis of recurrent esophagitis following posterior gastropexy. Surgical therapy for reflux esophagitis remains controversial. Sixty-five patients who underwent posterior gastropexy between November, 1970 and February, 1976 are presented. Indications for surgery were: esophagitis, 43 patients; esophagitis with stricture, 12 patients; paraesophageal hernia seven patients; incapacitating postfundoplication syndrome, three patients. The average follow-up was 15.6 months. Eighty-two per cent of the patients had a good to excellent result. Twenty-three per cent of the patients developed radiographically recurrent hiatus hernia; however, the incidence of recurrent esophagitis was only nine per cent. Two patients developed postoperative strictures (one de novo, one recurrent). Two patients ultimately required a fundoplication for control of their esophagitis; one patient required a Thal-Nissen procedure. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure on patients with satisfactory results increased from 6.3 +/- 1.3 cm H2O SEM preoperatively, to 17.4 +/- 3.0 cm H2O SEM postoperatively. This increase achieved a statistical significance of p less than 0.001. In patients who had an unsatisfactory result, postoperative sphincter pressures were unchanged from preoperative values. All unsatisfactory results were obtained in patients with complicated esophagitis, i.e., Barrett's ulcer or stricture, alkaline esophagitis, or previous hiatal surgery. Posterior gastropexy appears to constitute effective therapy in the treatment of uncomplicated reflux esophagitis and paraesophageal hiatus hernia without the distressing morbidity associated with the postfundoplication syndrome.", "PMID": 637576} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11294", "title": "Splenic epidermoid cysts.", "content": "Four patients with splenic masses were operated upon and found to have epidermoid cysts of the spleen, a rare lesion comprising less than 10% of benign, nonparasitic splenic cysts. The patients were young and had vague, non-specific symptoms which were related to the size of the slowly enlarging splenic mass. Three patients had palpable masses. Contrast gastrointestinal studies and intravenous urography will help exclude mass lesions of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. Sonar scan may confirm the cystic nature of the lesion and localize it to the spleen. A review of 42,327 autopsy records at the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center revealed 32 benign splenic cysts found incidentally at autopsy. Hemorrhage, infection, rupture, and rarely, malignant change are complications of splenic cysts. Splenectomy is recommended to eliminate the symptoms produced by the cyst and prevent the potential complications.", "contents": "Splenic epidermoid cysts. Four patients with splenic masses were operated upon and found to have epidermoid cysts of the spleen, a rare lesion comprising less than 10% of benign, nonparasitic splenic cysts. The patients were young and had vague, non-specific symptoms which were related to the size of the slowly enlarging splenic mass. Three patients had palpable masses. Contrast gastrointestinal studies and intravenous urography will help exclude mass lesions of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. Sonar scan may confirm the cystic nature of the lesion and localize it to the spleen. A review of 42,327 autopsy records at the Los Angeles County--University of Southern California Medical Center revealed 32 benign splenic cysts found incidentally at autopsy. Hemorrhage, infection, rupture, and rarely, malignant change are complications of splenic cysts. Splenectomy is recommended to eliminate the symptoms produced by the cyst and prevent the potential complications.", "PMID": 637577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11295", "title": "Benign solitary lung lesions in patients with cancer.", "content": "The appearance of a lung opacity on a chest film of a patient with known cancer may present a diagnostic dilemma. From 1940 through 1975, over 800 patients with this problem underwent thoracotomy for confirmation of diagnosis. In some 500 of these patients, the lesion proved to be primary cancer of the lung; in 196 they were solitary metastases and in 11 patients the lesions were benign. There were six additional patients in whom multiple opacities were found which proved to be benign conditions. An approach to the investigation, diagnosis, and surgical management of such solitary pulmonary lesions is presented. It is emphasized that the appearance of a solitary pulmonary shadow in a patient with a history of cancer should not be assumed to be a metastasis. Appropriate investigations should be performed without delay in an effort to define the nature of the lesion by microscopic analysis permitting definitive therapy to be administered and a more accurate prognosis provided.", "contents": "Benign solitary lung lesions in patients with cancer. The appearance of a lung opacity on a chest film of a patient with known cancer may present a diagnostic dilemma. From 1940 through 1975, over 800 patients with this problem underwent thoracotomy for confirmation of diagnosis. In some 500 of these patients, the lesion proved to be primary cancer of the lung; in 196 they were solitary metastases and in 11 patients the lesions were benign. There were six additional patients in whom multiple opacities were found which proved to be benign conditions. An approach to the investigation, diagnosis, and surgical management of such solitary pulmonary lesions is presented. It is emphasized that the appearance of a solitary pulmonary shadow in a patient with a history of cancer should not be assumed to be a metastasis. Appropriate investigations should be performed without delay in an effort to define the nature of the lesion by microscopic analysis permitting definitive therapy to be administered and a more accurate prognosis provided.", "PMID": 637578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11296", "title": "Treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with hyperbaric oxygen.", "content": "The use of hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is reported. The pathophysiology, etiology and previous treatment reports are discussed, as are the advantages of hyperbaric oxygen therapy over normobaric oxygen therapy or surgery. The use of hyperbaric oxygen appears to represent a significant advance in the treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.", "contents": "Treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with hyperbaric oxygen. The use of hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is reported. The pathophysiology, etiology and previous treatment reports are discussed, as are the advantages of hyperbaric oxygen therapy over normobaric oxygen therapy or surgery. The use of hyperbaric oxygen appears to represent a significant advance in the treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.", "PMID": 637579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11297", "title": "Gastric carcinoma following operation for peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "Gastric carcinoma following operation for benign peptic ulcer disease has been considered rare but nine patients have been seen during the past five years. All were male patients, the average time interval from prior ulcer operation to development of cancer was 17 years, but was a short as ten years. The symptoms of cancer are vague and the diagnosis is often delayed. Fiberoptic endoscopy with biopsy of suspicious areas is the most accurate diagnostic approach. Resection of the tumor is indicated if feasible. The poor prognosis of this malignancy is documented. The evidence is reviewed that the creation of achlorhydria with bile reflux increases the risk of development of gastric carcinoma. All patients who undergo peptic ulcer operation require careful long-term follow-up. Vague gastrointestinal symptoms occurring ten years or more after peptic ulcer operation require full evaluation to exclude the presence of gastric cancer.", "contents": "Gastric carcinoma following operation for peptic ulcer disease. Gastric carcinoma following operation for benign peptic ulcer disease has been considered rare but nine patients have been seen during the past five years. All were male patients, the average time interval from prior ulcer operation to development of cancer was 17 years, but was a short as ten years. The symptoms of cancer are vague and the diagnosis is often delayed. Fiberoptic endoscopy with biopsy of suspicious areas is the most accurate diagnostic approach. Resection of the tumor is indicated if feasible. The poor prognosis of this malignancy is documented. The evidence is reviewed that the creation of achlorhydria with bile reflux increases the risk of development of gastric carcinoma. All patients who undergo peptic ulcer operation require careful long-term follow-up. Vague gastrointestinal symptoms occurring ten years or more after peptic ulcer operation require full evaluation to exclude the presence of gastric cancer.", "PMID": 637580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11298", "title": "Retroperitoneal liposarcoma.", "content": "A group of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma is presented and general guidelines of management reviewed. It is suggested that aggressive, radical total surgical excision followed by adjuvant postoperative irradiation be used as the treatment of choice. Although the management of recurrent disease may be discouraging in terms of ultimate cure, reasonable palliation and prolonged survival may result from aggressive therapy.", "contents": "Retroperitoneal liposarcoma. A group of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma is presented and general guidelines of management reviewed. It is suggested that aggressive, radical total surgical excision followed by adjuvant postoperative irradiation be used as the treatment of choice. Although the management of recurrent disease may be discouraging in terms of ultimate cure, reasonable palliation and prolonged survival may result from aggressive therapy.", "PMID": 637581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11299", "title": "Surgical management of massive hemoptysis. A ten-year experience.", "content": "Pulmonary bleeding was defined as massive when the collected blood was 600 ml or more in 24 hours. Hemoptysis of this magnitude carries more than 50% mortality when managed without surgical intervention, For this reason all patients admitted, bleeding massively, in the past ten years were considered candidates for surgical therapy. Localization of the bleeding was done by bronchoscopy. Pulmonary reserve was evaluated by clinical and radiological observation and, when feasible, by spirometry. Of the 75 patients seen with massive hemoptysis, 68 were operated. Seven patients were excluded for various reasons. Five of these patients died during the acute bleeding episode. Sixt-five resections were performed with 11 deaths (17%) and three cavernostomies with one death. Of 51 lobectomies, seven expired (14%). One segmentectomy survived. Other than the magnitude of the surgical resection, the mortality was related to the amount of bleeding in the 24 hours preceding the surgical procedure. Severe bleeding at the time of resection requiring one-lung ventilation also significantly influenced the mortality (33% against 7%). This experience shows that pulmonary resection is the treatment of choice in patients with massive hemoptysis.", "contents": "Surgical management of massive hemoptysis. A ten-year experience. Pulmonary bleeding was defined as massive when the collected blood was 600 ml or more in 24 hours. Hemoptysis of this magnitude carries more than 50% mortality when managed without surgical intervention, For this reason all patients admitted, bleeding massively, in the past ten years were considered candidates for surgical therapy. Localization of the bleeding was done by bronchoscopy. Pulmonary reserve was evaluated by clinical and radiological observation and, when feasible, by spirometry. Of the 75 patients seen with massive hemoptysis, 68 were operated. Seven patients were excluded for various reasons. Five of these patients died during the acute bleeding episode. Sixt-five resections were performed with 11 deaths (17%) and three cavernostomies with one death. Of 51 lobectomies, seven expired (14%). One segmentectomy survived. Other than the magnitude of the surgical resection, the mortality was related to the amount of bleeding in the 24 hours preceding the surgical procedure. Severe bleeding at the time of resection requiring one-lung ventilation also significantly influenced the mortality (33% against 7%). This experience shows that pulmonary resection is the treatment of choice in patients with massive hemoptysis.", "PMID": 637582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11300", "title": "Management of congenital choledochal cyst with intrahepatic involvement.", "content": "The clinical features and surgical treatment of 75 patients with choledochal cysts with intrahepatic involvement (Type IV-A) were evaluated. Seventeen were in this series and 58 were reviewed from the literature. It was of interest that the incidence of Type IV-A choledochal cysts was nearly 30%, considerably higher than had been previously assumed. This type is commonly found in older children and young adults. Abdominal pain and fever indicative of biliary tract infection are more frequent seen than in patients with Type I, and a mass is not commonly palpable. Surgical treatment of Type IV-A must achieve bile drainage from the intrahepatic cysts as well as from the choledochal cyst. For this reason, as well as the prevention of later development of cancer in the wall of the cyst, hepaticoenterostomy at the porta hepatis with partial resection of the wall of the intrahepatic cyst (or partial hepatectomy if possible) combined with excision of the intrahepatic cyst is recommended as the procedure of choice for type IV-A cysts.", "contents": "Management of congenital choledochal cyst with intrahepatic involvement. The clinical features and surgical treatment of 75 patients with choledochal cysts with intrahepatic involvement (Type IV-A) were evaluated. Seventeen were in this series and 58 were reviewed from the literature. It was of interest that the incidence of Type IV-A choledochal cysts was nearly 30%, considerably higher than had been previously assumed. This type is commonly found in older children and young adults. Abdominal pain and fever indicative of biliary tract infection are more frequent seen than in patients with Type I, and a mass is not commonly palpable. Surgical treatment of Type IV-A must achieve bile drainage from the intrahepatic cysts as well as from the choledochal cyst. For this reason, as well as the prevention of later development of cancer in the wall of the cyst, hepaticoenterostomy at the porta hepatis with partial resection of the wall of the intrahepatic cyst (or partial hepatectomy if possible) combined with excision of the intrahepatic cyst is recommended as the procedure of choice for type IV-A cysts.", "PMID": 637583} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11301", "title": "Hepatic--portal venous gas in adults: etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance.", "content": "The roentgenographic finding hepatic--portal venous gas (HPVG) has been reported extensively in the pediatric and radiology literature. The surgical implications and clinical significance have yet to be fully defined. This study reviews the 60 reported cases in the literature and adds four new cases. HPVG appears as a branching radiolucency extending to within 2 cm of the liver capsule. HPVG is associated with necrotic bowel (72%), ulcerative colitis (8%), intra abdominal abscess (6%), small bowel obstruction (3%), and gastric ulcer (3%). Mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis predispose to HPVG. The current mortality rate of 75% represents an improvement from previous experience. Analysis of survivors indicates that the finding of HPVG requires urgent surgical exploration except when it is observed in patients with stable ulcerative colitis.", "contents": "Hepatic--portal venous gas in adults: etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance. The roentgenographic finding hepatic--portal venous gas (HPVG) has been reported extensively in the pediatric and radiology literature. The surgical implications and clinical significance have yet to be fully defined. This study reviews the 60 reported cases in the literature and adds four new cases. HPVG appears as a branching radiolucency extending to within 2 cm of the liver capsule. HPVG is associated with necrotic bowel (72%), ulcerative colitis (8%), intra abdominal abscess (6%), small bowel obstruction (3%), and gastric ulcer (3%). Mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis predispose to HPVG. The current mortality rate of 75% represents an improvement from previous experience. Analysis of survivors indicates that the finding of HPVG requires urgent surgical exploration except when it is observed in patients with stable ulcerative colitis.", "PMID": 637584} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11302", "title": "Lung water changes after thermal burns. An observational study.", "content": "Pulmonary extravascular water has been measured as lung thermal volume (LTV) in a group of nine burned patients. Transducer-detectable indicators were used to permit frequent repetition and quick results. Concurrent recordings were made of cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the usual hemodynamic variables. Moderate elevation of LTV was seen in all, reaching a maximum value before peripheral edema formation was complete. Left heart filling pressures were low as plasma albumin concentration. Clinical pulmonary edema occurred in one patient treated mostly with crystalloid solution. In several, a secondary peak coincided with edema mobilization.", "contents": "Lung water changes after thermal burns. An observational study. Pulmonary extravascular water has been measured as lung thermal volume (LTV) in a group of nine burned patients. Transducer-detectable indicators were used to permit frequent repetition and quick results. Concurrent recordings were made of cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the usual hemodynamic variables. Moderate elevation of LTV was seen in all, reaching a maximum value before peripheral edema formation was complete. Left heart filling pressures were low as plasma albumin concentration. Clinical pulmonary edema occurred in one patient treated mostly with crystalloid solution. In several, a secondary peak coincided with edema mobilization.", "PMID": 637585} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11303", "title": "Heparin in the treatment of experimental peritonitis.", "content": "Two experiments were performed to determine the effect of heparin on experimental fibrinopurulent peritonitis in dogs. Peritonitis was induced by the creation of a 10 cm long isolated loop of terminal ileum. In a first experiment comprising 24 dogs the necrotic loop was removed 24 hours later without cleaning or irrigating the peritoneal cavity. All dogs showed fibrino-purulent peritonitis at that time. No antibiotics were given. All dogs received 500 ml of Ringer's lactate during surgery and were allowed p.o. fluids on the first postoperative day. At the time of excision the dogs were blindly randomized into a control group and two treatment groups receiving heparin 100 u/kg i.p. or s.c. respectively. Of the eight animals in the control group, five died of peritonitis and two showed residual intraperitoneal sepsis at the time of sacrifice 14 days after the initial surgery. Thus, only one dog cleared his peritoneal infection spontaneously. Of the heparin treated dogs six out of eight in the i.p. treated and seven out of eight in the s.c. treated group cleared their peritonitis spontaneously within 14 days (p </= 0.05 and 0.02 respectively). In a second experiment peritonitis was induced in 24 dogs as described above, but the necrotic loop was not removed. The dogs were blindly randomized to daily low dose heparin (50 u/kg s.c. b.i.d.) or no therapy. Only two out of 12 dogs of the control group survived the observation period of 14 days compared with eight out of 12 of the heparin treated group (p </= 0.05). However, in all dogs in this experiment residual i.p. sepsis was found. We conclude that heparin has a therapeutic effect in experimental canine peritonitis by preventing the additional apposition of fibrin and, thus, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.", "contents": "Heparin in the treatment of experimental peritonitis. Two experiments were performed to determine the effect of heparin on experimental fibrinopurulent peritonitis in dogs. Peritonitis was induced by the creation of a 10 cm long isolated loop of terminal ileum. In a first experiment comprising 24 dogs the necrotic loop was removed 24 hours later without cleaning or irrigating the peritoneal cavity. All dogs showed fibrino-purulent peritonitis at that time. No antibiotics were given. All dogs received 500 ml of Ringer's lactate during surgery and were allowed p.o. fluids on the first postoperative day. At the time of excision the dogs were blindly randomized into a control group and two treatment groups receiving heparin 100 u/kg i.p. or s.c. respectively. Of the eight animals in the control group, five died of peritonitis and two showed residual intraperitoneal sepsis at the time of sacrifice 14 days after the initial surgery. Thus, only one dog cleared his peritoneal infection spontaneously. Of the heparin treated dogs six out of eight in the i.p. treated and seven out of eight in the s.c. treated group cleared their peritonitis spontaneously within 14 days (p </= 0.05 and 0.02 respectively). In a second experiment peritonitis was induced in 24 dogs as described above, but the necrotic loop was not removed. The dogs were blindly randomized to daily low dose heparin (50 u/kg s.c. b.i.d.) or no therapy. Only two out of 12 dogs of the control group survived the observation period of 14 days compared with eight out of 12 of the heparin treated group (p </= 0.05). However, in all dogs in this experiment residual i.p. sepsis was found. We conclude that heparin has a therapeutic effect in experimental canine peritonitis by preventing the additional apposition of fibrin and, thus, rendering the bacteria more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.", "PMID": 637586} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11304", "title": "Hepatic blood flow measurement III. Total hepatic blood flow measured by ICG clearance and electromagnetic flowmeters in a canine septic shock model.", "content": "The validity of the ICG clearance method for the measurement of THBF in abnormal circulatory states remains questionable. In this study THBF measured by this method is compared with the electromagnetic flow technique in a canine spetic model. Good correlation is demonstrated between the two in normal control animals. However, in the septic animals the ICG underestimated the electromagnetic flow result by 20%. This is true in both the high and the low cardiac output septic shock pictures that emerge. In the septic animals, the total hepatic blood flow as measured by the ICG was almost equal to the portal vein flow alone measured by the electromagnetic flowmeters suggesting that this was the quantity it was measuring in this abnormal state. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain the discrepancy are given.", "contents": "Hepatic blood flow measurement III. Total hepatic blood flow measured by ICG clearance and electromagnetic flowmeters in a canine septic shock model. The validity of the ICG clearance method for the measurement of THBF in abnormal circulatory states remains questionable. In this study THBF measured by this method is compared with the electromagnetic flow technique in a canine spetic model. Good correlation is demonstrated between the two in normal control animals. However, in the septic animals the ICG underestimated the electromagnetic flow result by 20%. This is true in both the high and the low cardiac output septic shock pictures that emerge. In the septic animals, the total hepatic blood flow as measured by the ICG was almost equal to the portal vein flow alone measured by the electromagnetic flowmeters suggesting that this was the quantity it was measuring in this abnormal state. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain the discrepancy are given.", "PMID": 637587} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11305", "title": "The effect of fat on secretin release.", "content": "The effect of graded doses of intravenously infused secretin and intestinally perfused sodium oleate and HCl on pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma secretin was determined in cats and dogs prepared with pancreatic fistulas. The pancreatic dose--response curves for bicarbonate following duodenal perfusion of oleate and HCl in cats were almost identical and paralleled the response to exogenous secretin. Although the bicarbonate response to oleate in dogs was less pronounced than the response to HCl or secretin, the bicarbonate output was observed to increase relative to protein output with increasing doses of the intestinally perfused fat. These observations suggested that secretin or a substance with secretin-like activity may be released from the intestine on contact with fat. The inability to detect changes in secretin immunoreactivity in both cats and dogs with increasing doses of oleate suggests that if secretin is released, it is in amounts undetectable by our radioimmunoassay or that some other unknown substance with secretin-like activity may be released.", "contents": "The effect of fat on secretin release. The effect of graded doses of intravenously infused secretin and intestinally perfused sodium oleate and HCl on pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma secretin was determined in cats and dogs prepared with pancreatic fistulas. The pancreatic dose--response curves for bicarbonate following duodenal perfusion of oleate and HCl in cats were almost identical and paralleled the response to exogenous secretin. Although the bicarbonate response to oleate in dogs was less pronounced than the response to HCl or secretin, the bicarbonate output was observed to increase relative to protein output with increasing doses of the intestinally perfused fat. These observations suggested that secretin or a substance with secretin-like activity may be released from the intestine on contact with fat. The inability to detect changes in secretin immunoreactivity in both cats and dogs with increasing doses of oleate suggests that if secretin is released, it is in amounts undetectable by our radioimmunoassay or that some other unknown substance with secretin-like activity may be released.", "PMID": 637588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11306", "title": "The entrapped intestinal balloon: deflation by hyperbaric therapy.", "content": "The problem of an entrapped, distended intestinal tube balloon has been successfully resolved on four occasions by hyperbaric therapy. At four to five atmospheres absolute, the volume and diameter of the balloon in all four cases was reduced sufficiently to allow easy and safe extubation. The alternative approaches of forceful, traumatic extubation or laparotomy and enterotomy with their inherent dangers and problems were thus avoided.", "contents": "The entrapped intestinal balloon: deflation by hyperbaric therapy. The problem of an entrapped, distended intestinal tube balloon has been successfully resolved on four occasions by hyperbaric therapy. At four to five atmospheres absolute, the volume and diameter of the balloon in all four cases was reduced sufficiently to allow easy and safe extubation. The alternative approaches of forceful, traumatic extubation or laparotomy and enterotomy with their inherent dangers and problems were thus avoided.", "PMID": 637589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11307", "title": "Prospective evaluation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of periampullary cancers.", "content": "In a prospective study of 112 patients suspected of periampullary cancer endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was successfully performed in 87 patients (78%). Technical failures were due to gastric outlet obstruction in four patients and inability to cannulate the ampulla of Vater in 21 patients. Successfully performed ERCP had both a high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (90%) for periampullary cancer. The few errors in pancreatogram interpretation were due to juxta-ductal cancers and difficulty in differentiating duct changes of cancer from those of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic cytology, performed in 21 patients, was reliable, diagnosed two pancreatic cancers when the pancreatogram failed and, if used routinely, assists interpretation of the pancreatogram. Retrograde cholangiography provided a correct diagnosis in six jaundiced patients with normal pancreatograms. Three complications of ERCP occurred in this series.", "contents": "Prospective evaluation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of periampullary cancers. In a prospective study of 112 patients suspected of periampullary cancer endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was successfully performed in 87 patients (78%). Technical failures were due to gastric outlet obstruction in four patients and inability to cannulate the ampulla of Vater in 21 patients. Successfully performed ERCP had both a high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (90%) for periampullary cancer. The few errors in pancreatogram interpretation were due to juxta-ductal cancers and difficulty in differentiating duct changes of cancer from those of chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic cytology, performed in 21 patients, was reliable, diagnosed two pancreatic cancers when the pancreatogram failed and, if used routinely, assists interpretation of the pancreatogram. Retrograde cholangiography provided a correct diagnosis in six jaundiced patients with normal pancreatograms. Three complications of ERCP occurred in this series.", "PMID": 637590} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11308", "title": "The surgical treatment of chronic intestinal ischemia.", "content": "The mortality in acute intestinal ischemia is high, and 50% of such patients have previous attacks of abdominal angina due to chronic intestinal ischemia. Vascular reconstruction is remarkably successful in relieving the symptoms of chronic intesintal ischemia and for this reason angiographic examination is recommended in all patients in whom chronic intestinal ischemia is suspected. If the diagnosis is established by arteriography with appropriate supporting evidence, vascular reconstruction should be performed.", "contents": "The surgical treatment of chronic intestinal ischemia. The mortality in acute intestinal ischemia is high, and 50% of such patients have previous attacks of abdominal angina due to chronic intestinal ischemia. Vascular reconstruction is remarkably successful in relieving the symptoms of chronic intesintal ischemia and for this reason angiographic examination is recommended in all patients in whom chronic intestinal ischemia is suspected. If the diagnosis is established by arteriography with appropriate supporting evidence, vascular reconstruction should be performed.", "PMID": 637591} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11309", "title": "Abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into inferior vena cava associated with horseshoe kidney.", "content": "The first patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into the inferior vena cava associated with a horseshoe kidney is reported. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava with formation of an aortocaval fistula has been reported in 100 patients. Aortic aneurysm in combination with horseshoe kidneys has been described in 34 patients. The diagnosis was made by an abdominal aortogram. The patient's preoperative condition was characterized by circulatory and renal failure subsequent to the development of a large aortocaval fistula. Operative repair was performed by dividing and rotating the kidney, dividing a renal polar artery, incising the aneurysm, and over-sewing the fistula from within. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by renal failure and sepsis and he died two months later. It is essential to preserve renal function in patients with this combination of anomalies.", "contents": "Abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into inferior vena cava associated with horseshoe kidney. The first patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with rupture into the inferior vena cava associated with a horseshoe kidney is reported. Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava with formation of an aortocaval fistula has been reported in 100 patients. Aortic aneurysm in combination with horseshoe kidneys has been described in 34 patients. The diagnosis was made by an abdominal aortogram. The patient's preoperative condition was characterized by circulatory and renal failure subsequent to the development of a large aortocaval fistula. Operative repair was performed by dividing and rotating the kidney, dividing a renal polar artery, incising the aneurysm, and over-sewing the fistula from within. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by renal failure and sepsis and he died two months later. It is essential to preserve renal function in patients with this combination of anomalies.", "PMID": 637592} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11310", "title": "Comparison of regional versus systemic chemotherapy with adriamycin.", "content": "TO ACHIEVE THE HIGH DRUG CONCENTRATIONS IN A TARGET TISSUE (TUMOR) WITH MINIMAL DRUG LEVELS IN ORGANS NOT INVOLVED BY CANCER, THEREBY AVOIDING SERIOUS SYSTEMIC SIDE EFFECTS, THREE METHODS OF ADRIAMYCIN ADMINISTRATION: 1) Isolation perfusion, 2) Intra-arterial infusion, and 3) Intravenous infusion were studied in 22 dogs. Latter two methods were studied in several patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities. Isolation perfusion of the hind extremity was done through the femoral vessels; intra-arterial and intravenous infusions were done through the femoral artery and cephalic vein, respectively. Adriamycin levels in tissues of the hind extremity and blood were determined. The highest Adriamycin levels in tissues could safely be achieved by isolation perfusion. Drug concentrations in regional tissues were not significantly different after intra-arterial infusion as compared to those after intravenous infusion. Much of the drug went into systemic circulation after intra-arterial infusion and almost none after isolation perfusion. Hematologic and histologic evidence of lethal systemic toxicity was noted only in dogs receiving Adriamycin by infusions. Edema, patchy muscle necrosis, hemorrhages, and skin ulcerations were observed in the perfused extremities only. In human studies, drug levels in blood were comparable to those in animal study when Adriamycin was administered by the latter two methods.", "contents": "Comparison of regional versus systemic chemotherapy with adriamycin. TO ACHIEVE THE HIGH DRUG CONCENTRATIONS IN A TARGET TISSUE (TUMOR) WITH MINIMAL DRUG LEVELS IN ORGANS NOT INVOLVED BY CANCER, THEREBY AVOIDING SERIOUS SYSTEMIC SIDE EFFECTS, THREE METHODS OF ADRIAMYCIN ADMINISTRATION: 1) Isolation perfusion, 2) Intra-arterial infusion, and 3) Intravenous infusion were studied in 22 dogs. Latter two methods were studied in several patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities. Isolation perfusion of the hind extremity was done through the femoral vessels; intra-arterial and intravenous infusions were done through the femoral artery and cephalic vein, respectively. Adriamycin levels in tissues of the hind extremity and blood were determined. The highest Adriamycin levels in tissues could safely be achieved by isolation perfusion. Drug concentrations in regional tissues were not significantly different after intra-arterial infusion as compared to those after intravenous infusion. Much of the drug went into systemic circulation after intra-arterial infusion and almost none after isolation perfusion. Hematologic and histologic evidence of lethal systemic toxicity was noted only in dogs receiving Adriamycin by infusions. Edema, patchy muscle necrosis, hemorrhages, and skin ulcerations were observed in the perfused extremities only. In human studies, drug levels in blood were comparable to those in animal study when Adriamycin was administered by the latter two methods.", "PMID": 637593} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11311", "title": "Alterations in plasma and CSF amino acids, amines and metabolites in hepatic coma.", "content": "The dog with an end-to-side portacaval shunt (PCS) has been extensively used as a model to investigate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) as it demonstrates a plasma amino acid pattern similar to patients with chronic liver disease. In adult mongrel dogs, the effect of PCS on plasma and CSF amino acids, octopamine (OCT), phenylethanolamine (PEA) and CSF 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), were studied. Moreover, the effect of correction of plasma amino acids by infusional techniques was investigated.Tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine levels increased dramatically during the development of HE in plasma and CSF, while valine, leucine and isoleucine decreased in plasma only, but CSF levels remained stable. Plasma and CSF octopamine and phenylethanolamine and CSF 5-HIAA increased markedly as clinical features in the dogs' behavior, characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy occurred, including hypersalivation, ataxia, flapping tremor, somnolence and finally coma. Once in coma, the dogs were infused with an amino acid mixture (F080) calculated to normalize the plasma amino acid pattern. After one to eight hours, the dogs began to awake. Simultaneously, blood, and CSF aromatic amino acids returned to their control values, as did OCT, PEA and CSF 5-HIAA. If F080 infusion was stopped, biochemical alterations would appear within one week, again accompanied by clinical hepatic encephalopathy.The results indicate that the altered levels of aromatic and branched chain amino acids, octopamine and PEA in plasma and CSF correlate well with the development of HE and that correction of the plasma amino acid abnormalities improves encephalopathy simultaneously with correction of neurotransmitter derangements in CSF.", "contents": "Alterations in plasma and CSF amino acids, amines and metabolites in hepatic coma. The dog with an end-to-side portacaval shunt (PCS) has been extensively used as a model to investigate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) as it demonstrates a plasma amino acid pattern similar to patients with chronic liver disease. In adult mongrel dogs, the effect of PCS on plasma and CSF amino acids, octopamine (OCT), phenylethanolamine (PEA) and CSF 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), were studied. Moreover, the effect of correction of plasma amino acids by infusional techniques was investigated.Tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine levels increased dramatically during the development of HE in plasma and CSF, while valine, leucine and isoleucine decreased in plasma only, but CSF levels remained stable. Plasma and CSF octopamine and phenylethanolamine and CSF 5-HIAA increased markedly as clinical features in the dogs' behavior, characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy occurred, including hypersalivation, ataxia, flapping tremor, somnolence and finally coma. Once in coma, the dogs were infused with an amino acid mixture (F080) calculated to normalize the plasma amino acid pattern. After one to eight hours, the dogs began to awake. Simultaneously, blood, and CSF aromatic amino acids returned to their control values, as did OCT, PEA and CSF 5-HIAA. If F080 infusion was stopped, biochemical alterations would appear within one week, again accompanied by clinical hepatic encephalopathy.The results indicate that the altered levels of aromatic and branched chain amino acids, octopamine and PEA in plasma and CSF correlate well with the development of HE and that correction of the plasma amino acid abnormalities improves encephalopathy simultaneously with correction of neurotransmitter derangements in CSF.", "PMID": 637594} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11312", "title": "Bronchial atresia.", "content": "Bronchial atresia is a rare congenital anomaly usually producing an extrahilar mass and associated distal hyperinflation on chest roentogenogram. Bronchography reveals nonfilling of the atretic bronchus and displacement of neighboring normal bronchi. Characteristically, the patient is young and asymptomatic but has an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The only physical finding may be decreased breath sounds over the affected parenchyma. Treatment is surgical excision to prevent recurrent or persistent infection and encroachment on normal tissues by the hyperinflated lung. A case report and a review of 34 patients are presented.", "contents": "Bronchial atresia. Bronchial atresia is a rare congenital anomaly usually producing an extrahilar mass and associated distal hyperinflation on chest roentogenogram. Bronchography reveals nonfilling of the atretic bronchus and displacement of neighboring normal bronchi. Characteristically, the patient is young and asymptomatic but has an abnormal chest roentgenogram. The only physical finding may be decreased breath sounds over the affected parenchyma. Treatment is surgical excision to prevent recurrent or persistent infection and encroachment on normal tissues by the hyperinflated lung. A case report and a review of 34 patients are presented.", "PMID": 637596} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11313", "title": "Chest dimensions in young adults with spontaneous pneumothorax.", "content": "Chest dimensions measured from standard chest roentgenograms of 46 young adult patients with pneumothorax were compared with measurements from an age- and sex-matched control group. The ratio of men to women was 3:1. On the average, the male patients had longer chests and greater height-to-width ratios than the controls. The only significant difference between female groups was a diminished anteroposterior diameter in the patients with pneumothorax. The study suggests that the physical shape of the chest, probably because of stress distribution in the lungs, can play a major role in the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.", "contents": "Chest dimensions in young adults with spontaneous pneumothorax. Chest dimensions measured from standard chest roentgenograms of 46 young adult patients with pneumothorax were compared with measurements from an age- and sex-matched control group. The ratio of men to women was 3:1. On the average, the male patients had longer chests and greater height-to-width ratios than the controls. The only significant difference between female groups was a diminished anteroposterior diameter in the patients with pneumothorax. The study suggests that the physical shape of the chest, probably because of stress distribution in the lungs, can play a major role in the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.", "PMID": 637597} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11314", "title": "Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion for myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass.", "content": "The pathophysiology of retrograde coronary sinus perfusion was studied in a vented, nonworking heart in vitro. The fraction of nutritional blood flow, estimated with the trapping index of radioactive microspheres (15 +/- 5 mu), is approximately one-fifth of total flow. The funoff is primarily through the thebesian system and venovenous channels, as is shown with Microfil injection studies. These results suggest that retrograde coronary sinus perfusion would be of marginal value in revascularizing a working heart but would be effective in protecting a hypothermic, nonworking myocardium. Canine experiments indicate that retrograde coronary sinus perfusion can provide efficient core cooling of the myocardium during cardiopulmonary bypass even in the presence of complete coronary artery occlusion. It is technically simple, delivers cardioplegic solutions to the myocardium without the risk of coronary ostial injury, and can be employed in the presence of severe aortic insufficiency and open aortic root. Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion therefore appears to be a valuable alternative mode of myocardial protection during cardiac operations.", "contents": "Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion for myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass. The pathophysiology of retrograde coronary sinus perfusion was studied in a vented, nonworking heart in vitro. The fraction of nutritional blood flow, estimated with the trapping index of radioactive microspheres (15 +/- 5 mu), is approximately one-fifth of total flow. The funoff is primarily through the thebesian system and venovenous channels, as is shown with Microfil injection studies. These results suggest that retrograde coronary sinus perfusion would be of marginal value in revascularizing a working heart but would be effective in protecting a hypothermic, nonworking myocardium. Canine experiments indicate that retrograde coronary sinus perfusion can provide efficient core cooling of the myocardium during cardiopulmonary bypass even in the presence of complete coronary artery occlusion. It is technically simple, delivers cardioplegic solutions to the myocardium without the risk of coronary ostial injury, and can be employed in the presence of severe aortic insufficiency and open aortic root. Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion therefore appears to be a valuable alternative mode of myocardial protection during cardiac operations.", "PMID": 637598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11315", "title": "Transapical aortic perfusion with a double-barreled cannula.", "content": "The transapical aortic perfusion method is a new approach to cardipulmonary bypass and is performed with an infusion cannula placed in the ascending aorta through the left ventricular apex. The technique is applicable to almost all varieties of open-heart surgery, and is the most efficient method in infants and small children. A double-barreled forked cannula performs the two functions of aortic infusion and left ventricular decompression. With a Bakelite obturator, its cannulation to the aorta is very quick and easy. The transapical aortic perfusion method with a double-barreled cannula has been utilized in 156 open-heart operations with 17 perioperative fatalities and 1 late death. The 138 surviving patients have done well for periods up to four years. The perfusion method was developed from the left heart bypass and assisted circulation technique independently invented by Chardack's group and by us in 1966 and 1969, respectively.", "contents": "Transapical aortic perfusion with a double-barreled cannula. The transapical aortic perfusion method is a new approach to cardipulmonary bypass and is performed with an infusion cannula placed in the ascending aorta through the left ventricular apex. The technique is applicable to almost all varieties of open-heart surgery, and is the most efficient method in infants and small children. A double-barreled forked cannula performs the two functions of aortic infusion and left ventricular decompression. With a Bakelite obturator, its cannulation to the aorta is very quick and easy. The transapical aortic perfusion method with a double-barreled cannula has been utilized in 156 open-heart operations with 17 perioperative fatalities and 1 late death. The 138 surviving patients have done well for periods up to four years. The perfusion method was developed from the left heart bypass and assisted circulation technique independently invented by Chardack's group and by us in 1966 and 1969, respectively.", "PMID": 637599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11316", "title": "The Blalock-Taussig shunt in the neonate.", "content": "With improvements in the techniques of microvascular surgery, the Blalock-Taussig shunt has been applied to smaller infants. We report our experience in 17 neonates (mean age 9 days, mean weight 3.2 kg) who underwent emergency shung operations. The early mortality was 17.6% (3 of 17), with only 1 death (7%) from renal failure and sepsis, in the last 14 patients. Three shunts were patent but inadequate and required a secondary procedure, which was successful in all 3. There were 3 patients with late shunt failures at a mean of 15 months postoperatively, while 2 are still doing well at 15 and 18 months. No patients developed congestive cardiac failure. The late mortality was high (5 of 14), but was due to late shunt failure and was preventable in only 1 patient. These results are encouraging, and we continue to perform the Blalock-Taussig shung in neonates. It is hoped that improvements in technique will reduce the incidence of inadequate shunts.", "contents": "The Blalock-Taussig shunt in the neonate. With improvements in the techniques of microvascular surgery, the Blalock-Taussig shunt has been applied to smaller infants. We report our experience in 17 neonates (mean age 9 days, mean weight 3.2 kg) who underwent emergency shung operations. The early mortality was 17.6% (3 of 17), with only 1 death (7%) from renal failure and sepsis, in the last 14 patients. Three shunts were patent but inadequate and required a secondary procedure, which was successful in all 3. There were 3 patients with late shunt failures at a mean of 15 months postoperatively, while 2 are still doing well at 15 and 18 months. No patients developed congestive cardiac failure. The late mortality was high (5 of 14), but was due to late shunt failure and was preventable in only 1 patient. These results are encouraging, and we continue to perform the Blalock-Taussig shung in neonates. It is hoped that improvements in technique will reduce the incidence of inadequate shunts.", "PMID": 637600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11317", "title": "Growth after surgical repair of simple D-transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "The effect of the Mustard procedure on growth was assesed in 45 patients with simple D-transposition of the great arteries (DTGA) surviving for at least one year after operation. Growth failure (below the third percentile for height, weight, or both) was found in 25 of the 45 patients preoperatively and in 8 patients postoperatively. The principal factors associated with poor growth before repair were advancing age, increased pulmonary and systemic flow, and subpulmonic stenosis. In those patients without postoperative growth failure, growth had returned to the normal range within two years. All patients wit retarded growth after the Mustard procedure had had preoperative growth failure as well. In addition, all 8 patients with postoperative growth failure had one or more amjor residual hemodynamic abnormalities, whereas residual lesions were present in only 10 of 37 patients with normal postoperative growth.", "contents": "Growth after surgical repair of simple D-transposition of the great arteries. The effect of the Mustard procedure on growth was assesed in 45 patients with simple D-transposition of the great arteries (DTGA) surviving for at least one year after operation. Growth failure (below the third percentile for height, weight, or both) was found in 25 of the 45 patients preoperatively and in 8 patients postoperatively. The principal factors associated with poor growth before repair were advancing age, increased pulmonary and systemic flow, and subpulmonic stenosis. In those patients without postoperative growth failure, growth had returned to the normal range within two years. All patients wit retarded growth after the Mustard procedure had had preoperative growth failure as well. In addition, all 8 patients with postoperative growth failure had one or more amjor residual hemodynamic abnormalities, whereas residual lesions were present in only 10 of 37 patients with normal postoperative growth.", "PMID": 637601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11318", "title": "Tracheal compression by the aortic arch following right pneumonectomy in infancy.", "content": "Uneventful pneumonectomy was carrried out in a 10-month-old infant for hypoplastic right lung associated with esophageal origin of the right main bronchus. Eight months after operation, symptoms of tracheal compression began. This compression was due to the aortic arch, which was stretched across the lower trachea following the displacement of the heart to the posterior right chest after pneumonectomy. Successful relief of the airway obstruction was achieved by inserting a 20 mm woven Dacron graft between the ascending and the descending aorta, with division of the aortic arch between the left carotid and the left subclavian arteries. An aortogram performed two years after operation confirmed good patency of the graft and normal flow through the descending aorta. The child remains well two years after operation but continues to have mild residual tracheomalacia and limited exercise tolerance, compatible with the presence of only one lung.", "contents": "Tracheal compression by the aortic arch following right pneumonectomy in infancy. Uneventful pneumonectomy was carrried out in a 10-month-old infant for hypoplastic right lung associated with esophageal origin of the right main bronchus. Eight months after operation, symptoms of tracheal compression began. This compression was due to the aortic arch, which was stretched across the lower trachea following the displacement of the heart to the posterior right chest after pneumonectomy. Successful relief of the airway obstruction was achieved by inserting a 20 mm woven Dacron graft between the ascending and the descending aorta, with division of the aortic arch between the left carotid and the left subclavian arteries. An aortogram performed two years after operation confirmed good patency of the graft and normal flow through the descending aorta. The child remains well two years after operation but continues to have mild residual tracheomalacia and limited exercise tolerance, compatible with the presence of only one lung.", "PMID": 637602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11319", "title": "A simplified plastic repair for aortic dissections.", "content": "A simplified plastic repair for aortic dissection is described. The operation consists of noncircumferential resection of the aortic segment containing the intimal tear, leaving the posterior wall intact. The false lumen is obliterated by oversewing both lips of the aortic incision. Aortic continuity is restored either by primary closure or by the insertion of a diamond-shaped prosthetic patch. The simplified plastic procedure shortens cardiopulmonary bypass time and reduces bleeding from suture lines. The operation was employed in 2 patients with success.", "contents": "A simplified plastic repair for aortic dissections. A simplified plastic repair for aortic dissection is described. The operation consists of noncircumferential resection of the aortic segment containing the intimal tear, leaving the posterior wall intact. The false lumen is obliterated by oversewing both lips of the aortic incision. Aortic continuity is restored either by primary closure or by the insertion of a diamond-shaped prosthetic patch. The simplified plastic procedure shortens cardiopulmonary bypass time and reduces bleeding from suture lines. The operation was employed in 2 patients with success.", "PMID": 637603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11320", "title": "A new coronary perfusion cannula.", "content": "A flexible but rigid-walled nontraumatic cannula has been developed for perfusion of the coronary arteries or visceral branches of the aorta.", "contents": "A new coronary perfusion cannula. A flexible but rigid-walled nontraumatic cannula has been developed for perfusion of the coronary arteries or visceral branches of the aorta.", "PMID": 637604} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11321", "title": "Relationship between platelet count and cardiotomy suction return.", "content": "A simple, inexpensive, accurate method of measuring the amount of blood returned by the cardiotomy suction system was devised and calibrated. Preoperative and postoperative platelet counts were obtained in 76 patients with congenital heart disease in whom the amount of cardiotomy suction return was measured. The mean percentage of total perfusate returned by the cardiotomy suction system was 8.9%. Both postoperative platelet count and the percentage change between preoperative and postoperative platelet counts correlated with the amount of blood returned by the cardiotomy suction system, time on bypass, and the percentage of total perfusate aspirated by the system.", "contents": "Relationship between platelet count and cardiotomy suction return. A simple, inexpensive, accurate method of measuring the amount of blood returned by the cardiotomy suction system was devised and calibrated. Preoperative and postoperative platelet counts were obtained in 76 patients with congenital heart disease in whom the amount of cardiotomy suction return was measured. The mean percentage of total perfusate returned by the cardiotomy suction system was 8.9%. Both postoperative platelet count and the percentage change between preoperative and postoperative platelet counts correlated with the amount of blood returned by the cardiotomy suction system, time on bypass, and the percentage of total perfusate aspirated by the system.", "PMID": 637605} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11322", "title": "Postinfarction cardiac rupture: surgical success and review of the literature.", "content": "Cardiac rupture following myocardial infarction has been reported as the cause of 4 to 24% of all infarction deaths. The rupture may occur from a few hours to several days after the myocardial infarction and is not a true \"blowout\" but rather a necrotic hemorrhagic area in the center of the infarction that extravasates blood and leads to pericardial tamponade. The most common findings when rupture occurs are renewed chest pain, bradycardia, and shock. Two patients with postinfarction myocardial rupture who were operated on successfully are reported. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, more of these patients would survive long enough to undergo operation. With cardiopulmonary bypass the repair of these ruptures is not difficult.", "contents": "Postinfarction cardiac rupture: surgical success and review of the literature. Cardiac rupture following myocardial infarction has been reported as the cause of 4 to 24% of all infarction deaths. The rupture may occur from a few hours to several days after the myocardial infarction and is not a true \"blowout\" but rather a necrotic hemorrhagic area in the center of the infarction that extravasates blood and leads to pericardial tamponade. The most common findings when rupture occurs are renewed chest pain, bradycardia, and shock. Two patients with postinfarction myocardial rupture who were operated on successfully are reported. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, more of these patients would survive long enough to undergo operation. With cardiopulmonary bypass the repair of these ruptures is not difficult.", "PMID": 637606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11323", "title": "Restenosis of the mitral valve: surgical considerations and results of operation.", "content": "Our experience over an eight-year period with 63 consecutive patients with mitral restenosis who underwent operation forms the basis for this report. Striking clinical disability was a notable finding. A majority of the patients were less than 30 years old. Embolic phenomena were rare. Closed transventricular valvotomy offers excellent low-risk palliation and good long-term results. Follow-up showed excellent or good results in 90.5% of the patients and poor results in 9.5%. Hemodynamic study of 6 patients demonstrated a pronounced decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure. Open valvotomy was performed in 6 subjects. The presence of intracardiac calcification together with mild mitral incompetence in 2 patients made valve replacement mandatory. The problem of restenosis of the mitral valve is complex, and only after further long-term results are available will the superiority of any one method be demonstrated.", "contents": "Restenosis of the mitral valve: surgical considerations and results of operation. Our experience over an eight-year period with 63 consecutive patients with mitral restenosis who underwent operation forms the basis for this report. Striking clinical disability was a notable finding. A majority of the patients were less than 30 years old. Embolic phenomena were rare. Closed transventricular valvotomy offers excellent low-risk palliation and good long-term results. Follow-up showed excellent or good results in 90.5% of the patients and poor results in 9.5%. Hemodynamic study of 6 patients demonstrated a pronounced decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure. Open valvotomy was performed in 6 subjects. The presence of intracardiac calcification together with mild mitral incompetence in 2 patients made valve replacement mandatory. The problem of restenosis of the mitral valve is complex, and only after further long-term results are available will the superiority of any one method be demonstrated.", "PMID": 637607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11324", "title": "Evaluation of regional myocardial nutrient perfusion following selective retrograde arterialization of the coronary vein.", "content": "The effects of selective coronary vein occlusion (SCVO) and selective retrograde arterialization of the coronary vein (SRACV) on nutritional myocardial blood flow was evaluated in 10 dogs with radioactive microspheres. SRACV was performed with a shunt interposed between the aorta and the great cardiac vein (GCV). Following ligation of the GCV, measurements were performed before and after ligation of the middle portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and then after 15 and 30 minutes of SRACV. The myocardium was divided into three regions: circumflex coronary artery (served as control), high LAD (proximal to arterial occlusion; supplied by both SRACV and coronary flow), and low LAD (distal to arterial occlusion; supplied by SRACV alone). SCVO decreased mean myocardial blood flow with increased distribution to the endocardium. SRACV to normally perfused myocardium did not significantly change myocardial blood flow; however, SRACV to acutely ischemic myocardium restored less than 50% of the decrease in myocardial blood flow. SRACV does not appear to greatly enhance blood flow to ischemic areas of the myocardium and may significantly reduce flow on the basis of venous occlusion alone.", "contents": "Evaluation of regional myocardial nutrient perfusion following selective retrograde arterialization of the coronary vein. The effects of selective coronary vein occlusion (SCVO) and selective retrograde arterialization of the coronary vein (SRACV) on nutritional myocardial blood flow was evaluated in 10 dogs with radioactive microspheres. SRACV was performed with a shunt interposed between the aorta and the great cardiac vein (GCV). Following ligation of the GCV, measurements were performed before and after ligation of the middle portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and then after 15 and 30 minutes of SRACV. The myocardium was divided into three regions: circumflex coronary artery (served as control), high LAD (proximal to arterial occlusion; supplied by both SRACV and coronary flow), and low LAD (distal to arterial occlusion; supplied by SRACV alone). SCVO decreased mean myocardial blood flow with increased distribution to the endocardium. SRACV to normally perfused myocardium did not significantly change myocardial blood flow; however, SRACV to acutely ischemic myocardium restored less than 50% of the decrease in myocardial blood flow. SRACV does not appear to greatly enhance blood flow to ischemic areas of the myocardium and may significantly reduce flow on the basis of venous occlusion alone.", "PMID": 637609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11325", "title": "The effect of glucagon in animals on chronic propranolol therapy.", "content": "Eleven adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups. Group 1 animals served as controls and Group 2 received propranolol (6 mg/kg/day) orally in divided doses for 15 to 21 days. Prior to cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac output, first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), peak systolic pressure, heart rate, and central venous pressure were recorded. The animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia at the myocardial temperature of 32 degrees C. Following cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass the baseline studies were repeated. In Group 2 animals following the repeat studies, glucagon was administered at a rate of 0.13 microgram/kg/min. The cardiac index and dp/dt were decreased by 43.3% (p less than 0.001) and 40.5% (p less than 0.001) in comparison to Group 1 animals. In Group 2 dogs, after bypass and glucagon infusion, cardiac index increased by 38% (p less than 0.02), dp/dt rose by 78% (p less than 0.05), and peak systolic pressure increased by 24.8% (p less than 0.05). These studies show the benefit of glucagon in the treatment of low cardiac output in the presence of beta-adrenergic blockade.", "contents": "The effect of glucagon in animals on chronic propranolol therapy. Eleven adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups. Group 1 animals served as controls and Group 2 received propranolol (6 mg/kg/day) orally in divided doses for 15 to 21 days. Prior to cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac output, first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), peak systolic pressure, heart rate, and central venous pressure were recorded. The animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia at the myocardial temperature of 32 degrees C. Following cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass the baseline studies were repeated. In Group 2 animals following the repeat studies, glucagon was administered at a rate of 0.13 microgram/kg/min. The cardiac index and dp/dt were decreased by 43.3% (p less than 0.001) and 40.5% (p less than 0.001) in comparison to Group 1 animals. In Group 2 dogs, after bypass and glucagon infusion, cardiac index increased by 38% (p less than 0.02), dp/dt rose by 78% (p less than 0.05), and peak systolic pressure increased by 24.8% (p less than 0.05). These studies show the benefit of glucagon in the treatment of low cardiac output in the presence of beta-adrenergic blockade.", "PMID": 637610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11326", "title": "Ruptures and perforations of the esophagus: the case for conservative supportive management.", "content": "A series of 31 patients treated for ruptures and perforations of the intrathoracic esophagus is reviewed. Eighteen of these patients underwent major thoracotomy; 11 were treated with minor procedures. Two died before treatment could be implemented. Of the 18 undergoing major operations, 7 died; among the 11 managed conservatively there was only 1 death. Based on this experience, we conclude that major surgical repair for esophageal perforation is often unnecessary. It has the additional drawback of sometimes resulting in equally serious secondary procedures.", "contents": "Ruptures and perforations of the esophagus: the case for conservative supportive management. A series of 31 patients treated for ruptures and perforations of the intrathoracic esophagus is reviewed. Eighteen of these patients underwent major thoracotomy; 11 were treated with minor procedures. Two died before treatment could be implemented. Of the 18 undergoing major operations, 7 died; among the 11 managed conservatively there was only 1 death. Based on this experience, we conclude that major surgical repair for esophageal perforation is often unnecessary. It has the additional drawback of sometimes resulting in equally serious secondary procedures.", "PMID": 637611} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11327", "title": "A simple method of cold coronary perfusion.", "content": "Hypothermic coronary perfusion lengthens the safe duration of anoxic arrest. Intermittent selective hypothermic coronary perfusion provides extended myocardial protection. We describe a method of achieving profound myocardial hypothermia by selective deep hypothermic coronary perfusion using a cooling coil without a separate pump head.", "contents": "A simple method of cold coronary perfusion. Hypothermic coronary perfusion lengthens the safe duration of anoxic arrest. Intermittent selective hypothermic coronary perfusion provides extended myocardial protection. We describe a method of achieving profound myocardial hypothermia by selective deep hypothermic coronary perfusion using a cooling coil without a separate pump head.", "PMID": 637612} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11328", "title": "Intraoperative assessment of mitral valve function.", "content": "Clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and angiographic data can usually assess the preoperative status of the mitral valve quite accurately. However, there is need for an intraoperative method to observe the dynamic function of the mitral valve, particularly after an open commissurotomy, or to determine the efficacy of a valvoplasty. Our experience with more than 250 mitral annuloplasties has led to the development of a safe method for direct observation of the mitral closure mechanism using the left ventricular vent and a slight modification of the usual cardiopulmonary circuit.", "contents": "Intraoperative assessment of mitral valve function. Clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and angiographic data can usually assess the preoperative status of the mitral valve quite accurately. However, there is need for an intraoperative method to observe the dynamic function of the mitral valve, particularly after an open commissurotomy, or to determine the efficacy of a valvoplasty. Our experience with more than 250 mitral annuloplasties has led to the development of a safe method for direct observation of the mitral closure mechanism using the left ventricular vent and a slight modification of the usual cardiopulmonary circuit.", "PMID": 637613} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11329", "title": "Simplified insertion of left atrial pressure monitoring catheter.", "content": "A simplified, safe, and reliable technique is described for intraoperative insertion of a left atrial monitoring catheter using modified, currently marketed plastic intravenous catheters.", "contents": "Simplified insertion of left atrial pressure monitoring catheter. A simplified, safe, and reliable technique is described for intraoperative insertion of a left atrial monitoring catheter using modified, currently marketed plastic intravenous catheters.", "PMID": 637614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11330", "title": "Subclavian--coronary artery anastomosis in infancy for the Bland-White-Garland syndrome: a two-year angiographic follow-up.", "content": "A 6-month-old female infant with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery underwent an end-to-end anastomosis of the left subclavian artery to the left coronary artery. A cuff of the pulmonary artery was used for the anastomosis. The child continued to have mitral regurgitation but has done well with medical treatment over the last four years. Cardiac catheterization 26 months after operation confirmed a patent graft without narrowing, improved contractility of the left ventricle, normal end-diastolic pressure of the left ventricle, and persistent mitral regurgitation. This technique is applicable in infants regardless of the size of the left coronary artery.", "contents": "Subclavian--coronary artery anastomosis in infancy for the Bland-White-Garland syndrome: a two-year angiographic follow-up. A 6-month-old female infant with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery underwent an end-to-end anastomosis of the left subclavian artery to the left coronary artery. A cuff of the pulmonary artery was used for the anastomosis. The child continued to have mitral regurgitation but has done well with medical treatment over the last four years. Cardiac catheterization 26 months after operation confirmed a patent graft without narrowing, improved contractility of the left ventricle, normal end-diastolic pressure of the left ventricle, and persistent mitral regurgitation. This technique is applicable in infants regardless of the size of the left coronary artery.", "PMID": 637615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11331", "title": "Antiarrhythmic, electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of lorcainide.", "content": "Lorcainide hydrochloride or N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-[1-(1-methyl-ethyl)-4-piperidinyl]benzeneacetamide mono-hydrochloride (R 15889) is a new anti-arrhythmic drug. Studies in dogs show that lorcainide is effective against post-infarction and ouabain-induced ventricular arrhythmias, and abolishes acetylcholine and aconitine-induced atrial fibrillation; it elevates the threshold of electrically induced ventricular fibrillation. In isolated dog and cow Purkinje fibers, in dog ventricular and in guinea-pig auricular muscle preparations, lorcainide decreases the rate of rise of the transmembrane action potential, the conduction velocity and spontaneous activity. It prolongs the refractory period of isolated Purkpinje and ventricular muscle preparations, and the functional refractory period of the AV node in the guinea-pig heart. It has no effect on Ca mediated electrical activity. Isometric force measurements in isolated cat papillary muscles and hemodynamic studies in anaesthetized and unanaesthetized dogs indicate that lorcainide moderately decreases myocardial contractility. Side effects observed at large doses are of central origin and include salivation, tremor and vomiting. Intravenous injection induces transient peripheral vasodilatation. Lorcainide is an antiarrhythmic of the local anaesthetic type. It is characterized by a good oral absorption, a long duration of action and a large safety factor.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic, electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of lorcainide. Lorcainide hydrochloride or N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-[1-(1-methyl-ethyl)-4-piperidinyl]benzeneacetamide mono-hydrochloride (R 15889) is a new anti-arrhythmic drug. Studies in dogs show that lorcainide is effective against post-infarction and ouabain-induced ventricular arrhythmias, and abolishes acetylcholine and aconitine-induced atrial fibrillation; it elevates the threshold of electrically induced ventricular fibrillation. In isolated dog and cow Purkinje fibers, in dog ventricular and in guinea-pig auricular muscle preparations, lorcainide decreases the rate of rise of the transmembrane action potential, the conduction velocity and spontaneous activity. It prolongs the refractory period of isolated Purkpinje and ventricular muscle preparations, and the functional refractory period of the AV node in the guinea-pig heart. It has no effect on Ca mediated electrical activity. Isometric force measurements in isolated cat papillary muscles and hemodynamic studies in anaesthetized and unanaesthetized dogs indicate that lorcainide moderately decreases myocardial contractility. Side effects observed at large doses are of central origin and include salivation, tremor and vomiting. Intravenous injection induces transient peripheral vasodilatation. Lorcainide is an antiarrhythmic of the local anaesthetic type. It is characterized by a good oral absorption, a long duration of action and a large safety factor.", "PMID": 637616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11332", "title": "Influence of intraventricularly applied apomorphine on somato-vegetative reflexes in cats.", "content": "To obtain information about the dopaminergic neurotransmission processes taking part in the somatovegetative reflexes the effects of intraventricularly given apomorphine were studied in lightly anaesthetized cats. The level of blood pressure and the reflexogenic hypertension due to central sciatic nerve stimulation were not changed when apomorphine was applied into the lateral and third but was inhibited when given into the fourth ventricle. The nictitating membrane contractions elicited by sciatic nerve stimulation were inhibited by apomorphine when introduced into each part of the ventricular system. Thus the inhibitory dopaminergic synapses located in the structures lining the walls of the brain ventricular system reached by apomorphine appear to be involved in the central control of somato-vegetative reflexes.", "contents": "Influence of intraventricularly applied apomorphine on somato-vegetative reflexes in cats. To obtain information about the dopaminergic neurotransmission processes taking part in the somatovegetative reflexes the effects of intraventricularly given apomorphine were studied in lightly anaesthetized cats. The level of blood pressure and the reflexogenic hypertension due to central sciatic nerve stimulation were not changed when apomorphine was applied into the lateral and third but was inhibited when given into the fourth ventricle. The nictitating membrane contractions elicited by sciatic nerve stimulation were inhibited by apomorphine when introduced into each part of the ventricular system. Thus the inhibitory dopaminergic synapses located in the structures lining the walls of the brain ventricular system reached by apomorphine appear to be involved in the central control of somato-vegetative reflexes.", "PMID": 637617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11333", "title": "The effects of intraventricularly administered GABA and picrotoxin and their interactions on somato-vegetative reflexes in cats.", "content": "The effects of intraventricularly (third, fourth and lateral cerebral ventricles) applied GABA and picrotoxin on blood pressure and reflexogenic hypertension and nictitating membrane contractions after central sciatic nerve stimulation were studied in lightly anaesthetized cats. The interactions between both substances were also studied. It was shown that picrotoxin caused a strong elevation of blood pressure and a long lasting contraction of the nictitating membrane when infused into each part of the cerebral ventricular system. These effects of picrotoxin were antagonized by GABA. GABA inhibited the reflexogenic hypertension when given into the fourth ventricle and the reflexogenic nictitating membrane contractions given into the third and fourth ventricles. Picrotoxin antagonized the inhibitory effects of GABA on the reflexogenic nictitating membrane contractions. It is concluded that in the central regulation of some somato-vegetative reflexes the GABA-ergic transmitter system takes part.", "contents": "The effects of intraventricularly administered GABA and picrotoxin and their interactions on somato-vegetative reflexes in cats. The effects of intraventricularly (third, fourth and lateral cerebral ventricles) applied GABA and picrotoxin on blood pressure and reflexogenic hypertension and nictitating membrane contractions after central sciatic nerve stimulation were studied in lightly anaesthetized cats. The interactions between both substances were also studied. It was shown that picrotoxin caused a strong elevation of blood pressure and a long lasting contraction of the nictitating membrane when infused into each part of the cerebral ventricular system. These effects of picrotoxin were antagonized by GABA. GABA inhibited the reflexogenic hypertension when given into the fourth ventricle and the reflexogenic nictitating membrane contractions given into the third and fourth ventricles. Picrotoxin antagonized the inhibitory effects of GABA on the reflexogenic nictitating membrane contractions. It is concluded that in the central regulation of some somato-vegetative reflexes the GABA-ergic transmitter system takes part.", "PMID": 637618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11334", "title": "Effect of 1-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) on various physiological parameters in the conscious dog.", "content": "LAAM was administered intravenously to conscious dogs at doses of either 0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg. Cardiopulmonary responses were measured prior to drug administration, 0.5 hr post-drug and hourly thereafter. All doses produced a sleep-like state which was dose-related in duration (3-14 hr). Cardiac output, heart rate, respiratory rate and minute volume were decreased below mean pre-drug control values after drug administration in the two higher dosage groups; cardiac output in both groups failed to return to pre-drug control levels. Additionally, total peripheral resistance was elevated in these dosage groups although mean arterial pressure remained stable. Arterial pCO2 increased and arterial pH decreased as respiratory rate and minute volume decreased. Depression of rectal temperature occurred only in response to the highest dose.", "contents": "Effect of 1-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) on various physiological parameters in the conscious dog. LAAM was administered intravenously to conscious dogs at doses of either 0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg. Cardiopulmonary responses were measured prior to drug administration, 0.5 hr post-drug and hourly thereafter. All doses produced a sleep-like state which was dose-related in duration (3-14 hr). Cardiac output, heart rate, respiratory rate and minute volume were decreased below mean pre-drug control values after drug administration in the two higher dosage groups; cardiac output in both groups failed to return to pre-drug control levels. Additionally, total peripheral resistance was elevated in these dosage groups although mean arterial pressure remained stable. Arterial pCO2 increased and arterial pH decreased as respiratory rate and minute volume decreased. Depression of rectal temperature occurred only in response to the highest dose.", "PMID": 637619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11335", "title": "The protective effects of ethylestrenol against acute poisoning by organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors in rats.", "content": "Pretreatment of rats with 10 mg of ethylestrenol (17alpha-ethylestr-4-en-17beta-ol) by force feeding twice daily for three days and once on the fourth day decreased the severity of parathion (0,0-diethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) toxicity and caused a 150% increase in the parathion LD50 in male animals. It decreased by 51% cholinesterase inhibition in the brain caused by i.p. injection of 2 mg of parathion/kg body weight but not that of an equitoxic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of its active metabolite, paraoxon (0,0-diethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphate). It decreased by 29% cholinesterase inhibition in plasma following i.p. administration of parathion but caused only a 16% decrease in cholinesterase inhibition following administration of the equitoxic dose of paraoxon. It did not protect against brain cholinesterase inhibition by 4 mg/kg of parathion given i.v.; however, brain parathion levels were 16% lower in rats pretreated with ethylestrenol than in control rats. It increased the rate of inactivation of both parathion and paraoxon by liver microsomal enzyme preparations. Thus enzyme induction seems to account for the protection afforded by ethylestrenol to toxicity following poisoning by organophosphates.", "contents": "The protective effects of ethylestrenol against acute poisoning by organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitors in rats. Pretreatment of rats with 10 mg of ethylestrenol (17alpha-ethylestr-4-en-17beta-ol) by force feeding twice daily for three days and once on the fourth day decreased the severity of parathion (0,0-diethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) toxicity and caused a 150% increase in the parathion LD50 in male animals. It decreased by 51% cholinesterase inhibition in the brain caused by i.p. injection of 2 mg of parathion/kg body weight but not that of an equitoxic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of its active metabolite, paraoxon (0,0-diethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphate). It decreased by 29% cholinesterase inhibition in plasma following i.p. administration of parathion but caused only a 16% decrease in cholinesterase inhibition following administration of the equitoxic dose of paraoxon. It did not protect against brain cholinesterase inhibition by 4 mg/kg of parathion given i.v.; however, brain parathion levels were 16% lower in rats pretreated with ethylestrenol than in control rats. It increased the rate of inactivation of both parathion and paraoxon by liver microsomal enzyme preparations. Thus enzyme induction seems to account for the protection afforded by ethylestrenol to toxicity following poisoning by organophosphates.", "PMID": 637620} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11336", "title": "In vivo formation of dopamine from 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine in the rat.", "content": "Administered 1-C14-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine led to the excretion of about 2% of the urinary C14 as conjugated dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine metabolites, in tranylcypromine treated rats. The amine was not excreted unchanged. The major metabolites were identified as conjugates of methylenedioxyphenylacetic acid, homovanilic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The latter are derived by the further metabolism of conjugated methylenedioxyphenylacetic acid. Administered tranylcypromine doubled the excretion of conjugates of labeled dopamine and3-methoxytyramine. NADPH served as a cofactor for the microsomal demethylenation of the amine.", "contents": "In vivo formation of dopamine from 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine in the rat. Administered 1-C14-3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine led to the excretion of about 2% of the urinary C14 as conjugated dopamine and 3-methoxytyramine metabolites, in tranylcypromine treated rats. The amine was not excreted unchanged. The major metabolites were identified as conjugates of methylenedioxyphenylacetic acid, homovanilic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. The latter are derived by the further metabolism of conjugated methylenedioxyphenylacetic acid. Administered tranylcypromine doubled the excretion of conjugates of labeled dopamine and3-methoxytyramine. NADPH served as a cofactor for the microsomal demethylenation of the amine.", "PMID": 637621} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11337", "title": "Effect of prazosin on norepinephrine concentration and turnover in rat brain and heart.", "content": "Prazosin hydrochloride injected i.p. into rats markedly increased MOPEG sulfate (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethylene glycol sulfate) concentration in brain and the rate of MOPEG sulfate accumulation after probenecid. The increase in MOPEG sulfate was dose-related over a 5-40 mg/kg dose range. After a 20 mg/kg dose of prazosin, the increase in MOPEG sulfate was greater than after the same dose of phenoxybenzamine and persisted for up to 24 hr. The rate of metaraminol disappearance from rat brain after alpha-methyl-m-tyrosine injection and the decline in brain norepinephrine after inhibition of its synthesis by alpha-methyltyrosine injection were increased in rats pretreated with prazosin. These findings indicate that prazosin increased brain norepinephrine turnover, probably via compensation to central alpha adrenoceptor blockade. Prazosin increased sertonin and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid concentration and slightly decreased 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid in rat brain. Although prazosin had little effect on brain norepinephrine concentration, heart norepinephrine was depleted for up to 16 hr after a 20 mg/kg dose of prazosin, and the depletion at 4 hr was dose-related down to 2 mg/kg of prazosin. These biochemical changes may all result from prazosin's block of alpha adrenergic receptors.", "contents": "Effect of prazosin on norepinephrine concentration and turnover in rat brain and heart. Prazosin hydrochloride injected i.p. into rats markedly increased MOPEG sulfate (3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylethylene glycol sulfate) concentration in brain and the rate of MOPEG sulfate accumulation after probenecid. The increase in MOPEG sulfate was dose-related over a 5-40 mg/kg dose range. After a 20 mg/kg dose of prazosin, the increase in MOPEG sulfate was greater than after the same dose of phenoxybenzamine and persisted for up to 24 hr. The rate of metaraminol disappearance from rat brain after alpha-methyl-m-tyrosine injection and the decline in brain norepinephrine after inhibition of its synthesis by alpha-methyltyrosine injection were increased in rats pretreated with prazosin. These findings indicate that prazosin increased brain norepinephrine turnover, probably via compensation to central alpha adrenoceptor blockade. Prazosin increased sertonin and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid concentration and slightly decreased 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid in rat brain. Although prazosin had little effect on brain norepinephrine concentration, heart norepinephrine was depleted for up to 16 hr after a 20 mg/kg dose of prazosin, and the depletion at 4 hr was dose-related down to 2 mg/kg of prazosin. These biochemical changes may all result from prazosin's block of alpha adrenergic receptors.", "PMID": 637622} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11338", "title": "Calcium incorporation by canine aortic smooth muscle microsomes.", "content": "The accumulation of calcium (Ca2+) and factors influencing Ca2+ incorporation in vascular smooth muscle were examined in a microsomal fraction prepared from canine aortae. The accumulation of Ca2+ required the presence of ATP and increased over time. Furthermore, the incorporation of 45Ca into the microsomal preparation was stimulated both in the presence of oxalate and when the Ca2+ concentration of the bathing media was elevated from 20 micron to 40 micron. Calcium uptake (with oxalate) was temperature-dependent; uptake was unaffected by azide. Both lanthanum (La3+) and phosphatidyl serine (PS) inhibited ATP-dependent uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of ATP, calcium binding (without oxalate) was slightly inhibited by La3+, whereas PS had no effect under these conditions. When ATP was removed from the incubation medium, the presence of PS stimulated both the uptake and binding of 45Ca, whereas La3+ decreased both uptake and binding. These findings support the idea that La3+ binds on the surface of the vesicles and, in this manner, decreases available Ca2+ sites, whereas PS appears to increase the number of Ca2+ sites by either entering the membranes or adsorbing on it.", "contents": "Calcium incorporation by canine aortic smooth muscle microsomes. The accumulation of calcium (Ca2+) and factors influencing Ca2+ incorporation in vascular smooth muscle were examined in a microsomal fraction prepared from canine aortae. The accumulation of Ca2+ required the presence of ATP and increased over time. Furthermore, the incorporation of 45Ca into the microsomal preparation was stimulated both in the presence of oxalate and when the Ca2+ concentration of the bathing media was elevated from 20 micron to 40 micron. Calcium uptake (with oxalate) was temperature-dependent; uptake was unaffected by azide. Both lanthanum (La3+) and phosphatidyl serine (PS) inhibited ATP-dependent uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of ATP, calcium binding (without oxalate) was slightly inhibited by La3+, whereas PS had no effect under these conditions. When ATP was removed from the incubation medium, the presence of PS stimulated both the uptake and binding of 45Ca, whereas La3+ decreased both uptake and binding. These findings support the idea that La3+ binds on the surface of the vesicles and, in this manner, decreases available Ca2+ sites, whereas PS appears to increase the number of Ca2+ sites by either entering the membranes or adsorbing on it.", "PMID": 637623} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11339", "title": "Interactions of narcotics and their antagonists with human serum esterase. VII: Further studies on the affinity of drugs for the substrate-binding site of the enzyme.", "content": "Earlier studies on the competitive inhibition of human serum esterase by morphine and related compounds were continued. Very good correlation was found between the inhibitor constants of 57 compounds and an empirical function, the \"hydrophobic factor,\" which contains a positive contribution from the hydrophobic nature of a compound and negative contributions from its hydrophilic characteristics and from strain in its molecule. However, structural factors plainly also play a role in the affinity of each compound for the active site of the esterase because it was found necessary to include another positive term for a flexible hydrophobic group and because as a rule stereoisomers--even enantiomorphs--with identical hydrophobic factors differ in affinity; but no correlation could be found between the absolute configurations of the enantiomorphs and their affinities for the active site.", "contents": "Interactions of narcotics and their antagonists with human serum esterase. VII: Further studies on the affinity of drugs for the substrate-binding site of the enzyme. Earlier studies on the competitive inhibition of human serum esterase by morphine and related compounds were continued. Very good correlation was found between the inhibitor constants of 57 compounds and an empirical function, the \"hydrophobic factor,\" which contains a positive contribution from the hydrophobic nature of a compound and negative contributions from its hydrophilic characteristics and from strain in its molecule. However, structural factors plainly also play a role in the affinity of each compound for the active site of the esterase because it was found necessary to include another positive term for a flexible hydrophobic group and because as a rule stereoisomers--even enantiomorphs--with identical hydrophobic factors differ in affinity; but no correlation could be found between the absolute configurations of the enantiomorphs and their affinities for the active site.", "PMID": 637624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11340", "title": "delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: tolerance after noncontingent exposure in rats.", "content": "Rats pretreated daily with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC, 8 mg/kg) during 14 days showed tolerance to THC-induced hypothermia and depression of CAR acquisition in a shuttle-box. The noncontingent exposure of THC also produced tolerance to spontaneous (unlearned) behaviors as measured in a open-field test. The data suggest no essential role for learned tolerance in the sense that animals have to to learn to perform under the influence of THC for several of these behaviors.", "contents": "delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol: tolerance after noncontingent exposure in rats. Rats pretreated daily with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC, 8 mg/kg) during 14 days showed tolerance to THC-induced hypothermia and depression of CAR acquisition in a shuttle-box. The noncontingent exposure of THC also produced tolerance to spontaneous (unlearned) behaviors as measured in a open-field test. The data suggest no essential role for learned tolerance in the sense that animals have to to learn to perform under the influence of THC for several of these behaviors.", "PMID": 637625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11341", "title": "Effect of autonomic blocking agents on chronotropic actions of 1-alpha-acetylmethadol.", "content": "The objective of this investigation was to determine whether or not autonomic receptors are involved in the chronotropic responses to 1-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) and congeners (1-alpha-acetylnormethadol, norLAAM; 1-alpha-acetyldinormethadol, dinorLAAM). The effects of atropine were studied in vitro using isolated guinea-pig right atria and in vivo in anesthetized dogs. The effect of d,l-propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent was studied in vitro only. Atropine attenuated, but did not block completely, the negative chronotropic responses to the narcotic agonists. Propranolol blocked completely the positive chronotropic response to norLAAM and appeared to increase the negative chronotropic response to dinorLAAM. It is concluded that: 1) muscarinic cholinergic receptors play a role in the negative chronotropic response; 2) the positive chronotropic response to norLAAM involves activation of beta-adrenergic receptors.", "contents": "Effect of autonomic blocking agents on chronotropic actions of 1-alpha-acetylmethadol. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether or not autonomic receptors are involved in the chronotropic responses to 1-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) and congeners (1-alpha-acetylnormethadol, norLAAM; 1-alpha-acetyldinormethadol, dinorLAAM). The effects of atropine were studied in vitro using isolated guinea-pig right atria and in vivo in anesthetized dogs. The effect of d,l-propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent was studied in vitro only. Atropine attenuated, but did not block completely, the negative chronotropic responses to the narcotic agonists. Propranolol blocked completely the positive chronotropic response to norLAAM and appeared to increase the negative chronotropic response to dinorLAAM. It is concluded that: 1) muscarinic cholinergic receptors play a role in the negative chronotropic response; 2) the positive chronotropic response to norLAAM involves activation of beta-adrenergic receptors.", "PMID": 637626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11342", "title": "The action of prazosin in human vascular preparations.", "content": "To identify the mode of action of prazosin, its effects on isolated human vascular preparations were studied. Isometric tension was recorded from spiral strips of dorsal metacarpal veins, common palmar digital arteries and uterine, splenic and ileocolic arteries. Prazosin was a potent antagonist of noradrenaline, but not 5-hydroxytryptamine or barium chloride in the metacarpal veins. Higher concentrations of prazosin were necessary to antagonize noradrenaline in the visceral arteries. The digital arteries were resistant to its sympatholytic effect. It is concluded that prazosin acts as an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist of different potency in various vascular beds. It is postulated that the initial cardiovascular side effects of prazosin are due to venous pooling and that the long term antihypertensive effect is the result of reduced peripheral resistance because of interference with arterial sympathetic tone.", "contents": "The action of prazosin in human vascular preparations. To identify the mode of action of prazosin, its effects on isolated human vascular preparations were studied. Isometric tension was recorded from spiral strips of dorsal metacarpal veins, common palmar digital arteries and uterine, splenic and ileocolic arteries. Prazosin was a potent antagonist of noradrenaline, but not 5-hydroxytryptamine or barium chloride in the metacarpal veins. Higher concentrations of prazosin were necessary to antagonize noradrenaline in the visceral arteries. The digital arteries were resistant to its sympatholytic effect. It is concluded that prazosin acts as an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist of different potency in various vascular beds. It is postulated that the initial cardiovascular side effects of prazosin are due to venous pooling and that the long term antihypertensive effect is the result of reduced peripheral resistance because of interference with arterial sympathetic tone.", "PMID": 637627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11343", "title": "Effect of isoproterenol on myocardial creatine kinase activity in rats.", "content": "Isoproterenol (0.1-500 mg/kg) decreased the myocardial creatine kinase (CK) activity in rats. The maximum effect was already reached with 10 mg/kg, decreasing the enzyme activity to 58.5% of the control values. The beta-blocking agents propranolol and practolol, and also glucocorticosteroids inhibited the isoproterenol effect. The relative CK isoenzyme composition of the myocardium was not grossly altered by isoproterenol, as shown by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 macrocolumn chromatography. --Serum CK was increased significantly after the administration of the excessive dose of 500 mg isoproterenol/kg.", "contents": "Effect of isoproterenol on myocardial creatine kinase activity in rats. Isoproterenol (0.1-500 mg/kg) decreased the myocardial creatine kinase (CK) activity in rats. The maximum effect was already reached with 10 mg/kg, decreasing the enzyme activity to 58.5% of the control values. The beta-blocking agents propranolol and practolol, and also glucocorticosteroids inhibited the isoproterenol effect. The relative CK isoenzyme composition of the myocardium was not grossly altered by isoproterenol, as shown by DEAE-Sephadex A-50 macrocolumn chromatography. --Serum CK was increased significantly after the administration of the excessive dose of 500 mg isoproterenol/kg.", "PMID": 637628} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11344", "title": "Agranulocytosis secondary to pentazocine therapy.", "content": "Agranulocytosis developed in three patients after prolonged oral pentazocine hydrochloride therapy. Two of the patients had a recurrence of their agranulocytosis within three weeks of reinstitution of pentazocine. Culture techniques in one patient indicate a probable metabolic effect.", "contents": "Agranulocytosis secondary to pentazocine therapy. Agranulocytosis developed in three patients after prolonged oral pentazocine hydrochloride therapy. Two of the patients had a recurrence of their agranulocytosis within three weeks of reinstitution of pentazocine. Culture techniques in one patient indicate a probable metabolic effect.", "PMID": 637634} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11345", "title": "Fever, rash, and muscle tenderness. A distinctive clinical presentation of disseminated candidiasis.", "content": "Five patients had fatal, disseminated candidiasis. At the onset of candidemia, a remarkably similar and distinctive triad of high fever, papular erythematous skin lesions, and diffuse severe muscle tenderness developed in each patient. This previously unreported clinical syndrome is sufficiently unique to justify a presumptive diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis and the use of empiric antifungal therapy pending culture and biopsy results.", "contents": "Fever, rash, and muscle tenderness. A distinctive clinical presentation of disseminated candidiasis. Five patients had fatal, disseminated candidiasis. At the onset of candidemia, a remarkably similar and distinctive triad of high fever, papular erythematous skin lesions, and diffuse severe muscle tenderness developed in each patient. This previously unreported clinical syndrome is sufficiently unique to justify a presumptive diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis and the use of empiric antifungal therapy pending culture and biopsy results.", "PMID": 637635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11346", "title": "Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.", "content": "Two patients with underlying thromboembolic disorders developed severe thrombocytopenia while receiving heparin sodium; one of these patients developed recurrence of the thrombocytopenia and possible heparin-induced pulmonary emboli when heparin was restarted. In a prospective study of patients receiving heparin in a coronary care unit (CCU), nine of 37 patients developed transient mild thrombocytopenia (platelet counts ranging from 88,000 to 150,000/cu mm). Heparin added to citrated platelet-rich plasma caused platelet aggregation in the two original patients. In three of six CCU patients tested, and in 17 of 87 other subjects, with maximum aggregation at concentrations of heparin likely to be present in vivo during therapy. We herein discuss evidence that suggests that heparin may cause or aggravate thrombosis by causing platelet aggregation. The occurrence of severe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is well documented, and mild transient thrombocytopenia may be more common than has been recognized. Studies of heparin efficacy should take these responses into account.", "contents": "Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Two patients with underlying thromboembolic disorders developed severe thrombocytopenia while receiving heparin sodium; one of these patients developed recurrence of the thrombocytopenia and possible heparin-induced pulmonary emboli when heparin was restarted. In a prospective study of patients receiving heparin in a coronary care unit (CCU), nine of 37 patients developed transient mild thrombocytopenia (platelet counts ranging from 88,000 to 150,000/cu mm). Heparin added to citrated platelet-rich plasma caused platelet aggregation in the two original patients. In three of six CCU patients tested, and in 17 of 87 other subjects, with maximum aggregation at concentrations of heparin likely to be present in vivo during therapy. We herein discuss evidence that suggests that heparin may cause or aggravate thrombosis by causing platelet aggregation. The occurrence of severe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is well documented, and mild transient thrombocytopenia may be more common than has been recognized. Studies of heparin efficacy should take these responses into account.", "PMID": 637636} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11347", "title": "The multiple factors affecting plasma renin activity in essential hypertension.", "content": "Seventy-nine patients with essential hypertension were evaluated for peripheral renin activity in response to injection of 60 mg of furosemide and to upright posture. Age and supine diastolic blood pressure were found to be significant determinants of responsiveness, with contributions from sex and race. Patients with impaired responsiveness were predominantly older and female, while the group of hyperresponders was younger, male, and had significantly lower supine diastolic pressures. Aldosterone responses in relation to changes in peripheral renin activity were found to be nearly random with both furosemide and with posture. Thus, patients could be subdivided into renin subgroups, but not into parallel aldosterone subgroups. Data on four patients with primary hyperaldosteronism were discussed for comparison.", "contents": "The multiple factors affecting plasma renin activity in essential hypertension. Seventy-nine patients with essential hypertension were evaluated for peripheral renin activity in response to injection of 60 mg of furosemide and to upright posture. Age and supine diastolic blood pressure were found to be significant determinants of responsiveness, with contributions from sex and race. Patients with impaired responsiveness were predominantly older and female, while the group of hyperresponders was younger, male, and had significantly lower supine diastolic pressures. Aldosterone responses in relation to changes in peripheral renin activity were found to be nearly random with both furosemide and with posture. Thus, patients could be subdivided into renin subgroups, but not into parallel aldosterone subgroups. Data on four patients with primary hyperaldosteronism were discussed for comparison.", "PMID": 637637} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11348", "title": "Incidence of pituitary tumors following adrenalectomy. A long-term follow-up study of patients treated for Cushing's disease.", "content": "The long-term follow-up of 21 patients who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease has revealed eight definite and two suspected cases of pituitary tumors. The average time from adrenalectomy to the diagnosis of the pituitary tumor was 6 1/2 years, with a range of 1 1/2 to 12 years. The incidence of tumors in this study (38%) is higher than that reported by others and may reflect (1) that none of these patients received pituitary irradiation in addition to adrenalectomy, (2) the length of follow-up, and (3) the high index of suspicion and early diagnosis of pituitary tumors in recent years. These data raise the question of whether bilateral adrenalectomy alone is an acceptable form of therapy for Cushing's disease. For patients treated in this way, a life-long commitment should be made to undergo annual reexamination for the possible occurrence of a pituitary neoplasm.", "contents": "Incidence of pituitary tumors following adrenalectomy. A long-term follow-up study of patients treated for Cushing's disease. The long-term follow-up of 21 patients who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease has revealed eight definite and two suspected cases of pituitary tumors. The average time from adrenalectomy to the diagnosis of the pituitary tumor was 6 1/2 years, with a range of 1 1/2 to 12 years. The incidence of tumors in this study (38%) is higher than that reported by others and may reflect (1) that none of these patients received pituitary irradiation in addition to adrenalectomy, (2) the length of follow-up, and (3) the high index of suspicion and early diagnosis of pituitary tumors in recent years. These data raise the question of whether bilateral adrenalectomy alone is an acceptable form of therapy for Cushing's disease. For patients treated in this way, a life-long commitment should be made to undergo annual reexamination for the possible occurrence of a pituitary neoplasm.", "PMID": 637638} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11349", "title": "Myelofibrosis associated with multiple myeloma.", "content": "Two patients had both multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis. One, who had both conditions, had autopsy confirmation of diagnosis three months later. The typical picture of agnogenic myeloid metasplasia with myelofibrosis developed in the second patient almost four years after the onset of k light chain myeloma. At this time all evidence of multiple myeloma had disappeared perhaps related to cyclophosphamide therapy. We were able to find two similar cases described in the English language literature. The two conditions may be related.", "contents": "Myelofibrosis associated with multiple myeloma. Two patients had both multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis. One, who had both conditions, had autopsy confirmation of diagnosis three months later. The typical picture of agnogenic myeloid metasplasia with myelofibrosis developed in the second patient almost four years after the onset of k light chain myeloma. At this time all evidence of multiple myeloma had disappeared perhaps related to cyclophosphamide therapy. We were able to find two similar cases described in the English language literature. The two conditions may be related.", "PMID": 637639} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11350", "title": "Splenectomy for Felty's syndrome. Clinicopathological study of 27 patients.", "content": "The major clinical and pathological features and the long-term follow-up of 27 patients with Felty's syndrome who were treated with splenectomy for sever granulocytpenia and for acute, chronic, or recurrent infection were studied. Granulocyte counts rose within days in most patients, although slow responses and transient granulocytopenia did occur; only 12% of the patients had persistent or recurrent granulocytopenia. Infections resolved promptly in 77% of the patients, more slowly in the remainder, and only one patient had new problems of infection after aplenectomy. Splenic enlargement, present in all but one case, was attributable to expansion of the sinusoidal pulp. The most substantial pathological features of immune stimulation included germinal center hyperplasia and prominent clusters of plasma and preplasma cells within sinuses.", "contents": "Splenectomy for Felty's syndrome. Clinicopathological study of 27 patients. The major clinical and pathological features and the long-term follow-up of 27 patients with Felty's syndrome who were treated with splenectomy for sever granulocytpenia and for acute, chronic, or recurrent infection were studied. Granulocyte counts rose within days in most patients, although slow responses and transient granulocytopenia did occur; only 12% of the patients had persistent or recurrent granulocytopenia. Infections resolved promptly in 77% of the patients, more slowly in the remainder, and only one patient had new problems of infection after aplenectomy. Splenic enlargement, present in all but one case, was attributable to expansion of the sinusoidal pulp. The most substantial pathological features of immune stimulation included germinal center hyperplasia and prominent clusters of plasma and preplasma cells within sinuses.", "PMID": 637640} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11351", "title": "Familial hyperkalemia, hypertension, and hyporeninemia with normal aldosterone levels. A tubular defect in potassium handling.", "content": "A 52-year-old man had hypertension, persistent hyperkalemia, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis; renal and adrenal functions were normal. Four other members of the family have the same findings. The patient's plasma aldosterone (PA) level was within normal range, though plasma renin activity (PRA) was undetectable. The ability to conserve sodium with increased endogenous aldosterone levels, and the inability to increase potassium excretion while exogenous mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone acetate) was administered, indicated a distal tubular defect in potassium handling. Effective reduction of the hyperkalemia by K+ -Na+ exchange resin also corrected the acidosis and the hyperchloremia, suggesting that hyperkalemia may cause metabolic acidosis.", "contents": "Familial hyperkalemia, hypertension, and hyporeninemia with normal aldosterone levels. A tubular defect in potassium handling. A 52-year-old man had hypertension, persistent hyperkalemia, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis; renal and adrenal functions were normal. Four other members of the family have the same findings. The patient's plasma aldosterone (PA) level was within normal range, though plasma renin activity (PRA) was undetectable. The ability to conserve sodium with increased endogenous aldosterone levels, and the inability to increase potassium excretion while exogenous mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone acetate) was administered, indicated a distal tubular defect in potassium handling. Effective reduction of the hyperkalemia by K+ -Na+ exchange resin also corrected the acidosis and the hyperchloremia, suggesting that hyperkalemia may cause metabolic acidosis.", "PMID": 637641} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11352", "title": "A rapid method for the diagnosis of acute uric acid nephropathy.", "content": "Acute uric acid nephropathy is a reversible type of renal failure that results from the deposition of uric acid crystals in the collecting tubules. The present study has compared a number of laboratory tests in 5 patients with a clinical diagnosis of this disorder and 27 patients with acute renal failure of other causes. Neither the serum creatinine, BUN, serum urate concentrations, nor the ratio of serum urate:BUN differentiated between these two groups of patients. However, the ratio of uric acid to creatinine concentration on a random urine specimen did differentiate between these two patient populations. All patients with uric acid nephropathy had a ratio greater than 1.0, while all patients with other types of acute renal failure had ratios of less than 1.0.", "contents": "A rapid method for the diagnosis of acute uric acid nephropathy. Acute uric acid nephropathy is a reversible type of renal failure that results from the deposition of uric acid crystals in the collecting tubules. The present study has compared a number of laboratory tests in 5 patients with a clinical diagnosis of this disorder and 27 patients with acute renal failure of other causes. Neither the serum creatinine, BUN, serum urate concentrations, nor the ratio of serum urate:BUN differentiated between these two groups of patients. However, the ratio of uric acid to creatinine concentration on a random urine specimen did differentiate between these two patient populations. All patients with uric acid nephropathy had a ratio greater than 1.0, while all patients with other types of acute renal failure had ratios of less than 1.0.", "PMID": 637642} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11353", "title": "Echocardiographic interpretation of pericardial effusion.", "content": "Echocardiography has proved to be quite useful in the detection of pericardial effusion. As little as 15 ml of fluid within the pericardial space can be detected. Specific signs of pericardial effusion, such as electrical alternans and paradoxical pulse, have become better understood by echocardiographic study. Yet, with all the benefits of echocardiography, the detection of pericardial effusion still may be quite difficult if careful attention is not given to technique. False-positive diagnosis of anterior pericardial effusion can be seen with epicardial fat pad, pericardial cyst, or foramen of Morgagni hernia. False-positive posterior pericardial effusion can be seen in large left pleural effusion, calcified mitral anulus, or excessively medial transducer angulation. New \"switched-gain\" circuits have helped detection of pericardial effusion by enhancement of pericardial echoes.", "contents": "Echocardiographic interpretation of pericardial effusion. Echocardiography has proved to be quite useful in the detection of pericardial effusion. As little as 15 ml of fluid within the pericardial space can be detected. Specific signs of pericardial effusion, such as electrical alternans and paradoxical pulse, have become better understood by echocardiographic study. Yet, with all the benefits of echocardiography, the detection of pericardial effusion still may be quite difficult if careful attention is not given to technique. False-positive diagnosis of anterior pericardial effusion can be seen with epicardial fat pad, pericardial cyst, or foramen of Morgagni hernia. False-positive posterior pericardial effusion can be seen in large left pleural effusion, calcified mitral anulus, or excessively medial transducer angulation. New \"switched-gain\" circuits have helped detection of pericardial effusion by enhancement of pericardial echoes.", "PMID": 637645} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11354", "title": "Jejunoileal bypass surgery and granulomatous disease of the kidney and liver.", "content": "A 26-year-old woman, who had undergone jejunoileal bypass surgery six years previously for obesity, had symptoms of intermittent fever, myalgia, polyarthralgia, and aseptic joint swelling. These symptoms commenced one year after her surgery and gradually grew in intensity and frequency of occurrence. The patient, observed to have moderately decreased renal function, hyperoxaluria, and circulating cryoglobulins, underwent liver and renal biopsies. Both organ specimens demonstrated granulomatous involvement, but the kidneys exhibited no evidence of oxalate deposition. The findings of circulating cryoglobulins and suppression of symptoms with doxycycline, taken collectively with the circumstances surrounding this case, suggest that the observed granulomatous disease may be due to systematically adsorbed bacterial antigen(s).", "contents": "Jejunoileal bypass surgery and granulomatous disease of the kidney and liver. A 26-year-old woman, who had undergone jejunoileal bypass surgery six years previously for obesity, had symptoms of intermittent fever, myalgia, polyarthralgia, and aseptic joint swelling. These symptoms commenced one year after her surgery and gradually grew in intensity and frequency of occurrence. The patient, observed to have moderately decreased renal function, hyperoxaluria, and circulating cryoglobulins, underwent liver and renal biopsies. Both organ specimens demonstrated granulomatous involvement, but the kidneys exhibited no evidence of oxalate deposition. The findings of circulating cryoglobulins and suppression of symptoms with doxycycline, taken collectively with the circumstances surrounding this case, suggest that the observed granulomatous disease may be due to systematically adsorbed bacterial antigen(s).", "PMID": 637646} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11355", "title": "Considerations in diagnosing brain abscess with computerized axial tomography.", "content": "Four studies with computerized axial tomography (CT scan) were performed in a 20-year-old man in whom multiple brain abscesses developed while hospitalized for complications of regional enteritis. A large frontal lobe abscess appeared as a nonspecific region of decreased density on the initial CT scans. When iodine was used to enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of the CT scan, this areas was identifiable as an abscess. However, a 1-cm lesion in the right parietal area that extended into the choroid plexus was not delineated. Radionuclide scans detected both lesions, but did not allow pathological identification. We conclude that CT scans should be performed with iodine enhancement whenever brain abscesses are suspected, and that some abscesses that are undetected by CT scans even with iodine enhancment may be delineated but not identified by sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m imaging.", "contents": "Considerations in diagnosing brain abscess with computerized axial tomography. Four studies with computerized axial tomography (CT scan) were performed in a 20-year-old man in whom multiple brain abscesses developed while hospitalized for complications of regional enteritis. A large frontal lobe abscess appeared as a nonspecific region of decreased density on the initial CT scans. When iodine was used to enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of the CT scan, this areas was identifiable as an abscess. However, a 1-cm lesion in the right parietal area that extended into the choroid plexus was not delineated. Radionuclide scans detected both lesions, but did not allow pathological identification. We conclude that CT scans should be performed with iodine enhancement whenever brain abscesses are suspected, and that some abscesses that are undetected by CT scans even with iodine enhancment may be delineated but not identified by sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m imaging.", "PMID": 637647} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11356", "title": "Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome with pseudolymphoma 13 years after Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "A patient who had Hodgkin's disease at age 11 that was cured by radiation therapy, had nonspecific adenopathy at age 20. When he was 24 years old, the symptoms of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome developed, and this diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of the lip. The patient subsequently had dyspnea and a diffuse pulmonary infiltrate which, at open lung biopsy, was diagnosed as pseudolymphoma and has responded to cytotoxic chemotherapy. This is the first reported case of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and pseudolymphoma following the cure of a malignant lymphoma. The interrelationship between lymphoid malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and pseudolymphoma is herein discussed.", "contents": "Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome with pseudolymphoma 13 years after Hodgkin's disease. A patient who had Hodgkin's disease at age 11 that was cured by radiation therapy, had nonspecific adenopathy at age 20. When he was 24 years old, the symptoms of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome developed, and this diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of the lip. The patient subsequently had dyspnea and a diffuse pulmonary infiltrate which, at open lung biopsy, was diagnosed as pseudolymphoma and has responded to cytotoxic chemotherapy. This is the first reported case of Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome and pseudolymphoma following the cure of a malignant lymphoma. The interrelationship between lymphoid malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and pseudolymphoma is herein discussed.", "PMID": 637648} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11357", "title": "Unusual immunologic findings in familial Mediterranean fever.", "content": "Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited disease of unknown etiology. We report a case in which, during an acute febrile attack, rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulin levels rose, and the levels of complement components fell. The level of urinary fibrinogen degradation products also increased, and all results of tests returned to normal at the end of the acute attack. This suggests that an immunologic phenomenon may play a substantial role in the etiology of FMF.", "contents": "Unusual immunologic findings in familial Mediterranean fever. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited disease of unknown etiology. We report a case in which, during an acute febrile attack, rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulin levels rose, and the levels of complement components fell. The level of urinary fibrinogen degradation products also increased, and all results of tests returned to normal at the end of the acute attack. This suggests that an immunologic phenomenon may play a substantial role in the etiology of FMF.", "PMID": 637649} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11358", "title": "Creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme fractions in the serum of a patient struck by lightning.", "content": "Serial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme determinations were taken in an 8-year-old boy whose being struck by lightning resulted in prolonged cerebral anoxia, inferolateral myocardial infarction and death. All three isoenzyme levels (CPK-MM, CPK-MB, and CPK-BB) were elevated. The CPK-BB isoenzyme level increase was transient, being very high three hours postlightning strike and disappearing at approximately 24 hours.", "contents": "Creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme fractions in the serum of a patient struck by lightning. Serial creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme determinations were taken in an 8-year-old boy whose being struck by lightning resulted in prolonged cerebral anoxia, inferolateral myocardial infarction and death. All three isoenzyme levels (CPK-MM, CPK-MB, and CPK-BB) were elevated. The CPK-BB isoenzyme level increase was transient, being very high three hours postlightning strike and disappearing at approximately 24 hours.", "PMID": 637650} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11359", "title": "Trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins in certain edible leguminosae.", "content": "All raw legumes contain, in different proportion, several toxic substances that prevent consumption in their natural form. In this study the contents of the two main toxic products and their degree of destruction after thermic treatment similar to home cooking techniques were determined in 13 edible legumes. Proximate chemical analysis was made, and in vitro digestibility, contents of trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins in raw and cooked samples were studied. In the cooking treatment the legumes were boiled for two hours at boiling temperature under atmospheric pressure. Protein content in the samples was high, as in most legumes (20 per cent or more). Peas, lentils and broad beans had the lowest content of trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins. Cooking destroyed these substances, but did not improve in vitro digestibility, probably because of the reactions between their components when exposed to heat.", "contents": "Trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins in certain edible leguminosae. All raw legumes contain, in different proportion, several toxic substances that prevent consumption in their natural form. In this study the contents of the two main toxic products and their degree of destruction after thermic treatment similar to home cooking techniques were determined in 13 edible legumes. Proximate chemical analysis was made, and in vitro digestibility, contents of trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins in raw and cooked samples were studied. In the cooking treatment the legumes were boiled for two hours at boiling temperature under atmospheric pressure. Protein content in the samples was high, as in most legumes (20 per cent or more). Peas, lentils and broad beans had the lowest content of trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins. Cooking destroyed these substances, but did not improve in vitro digestibility, probably because of the reactions between their components when exposed to heat.", "PMID": 637653} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11360", "title": "Proteolytic enzymes marking of malignant lymphoblasts, study of the L5178Y murine lymphoma.", "content": "The bovine pancreatic inhibitor of trypsin (trasylol, Bayer) (T) and the soy bean trypsin inhibitor (SBI) were coupled with peroxidase (P). With each one of these coupling products (T and P and SBI and P) the cell distribution of proteolytic enzymes (PE) of ascitic cells of L5178Y murine lymphoma, was localized. The reactions were developed by means of Karnowsky's reaction with diaminobenzidine and H2O2. The preparations were observed under light and electronic microscopy. It was found that L5178Y cells contain intracellular PE in granules measuring 0.1 to 0.8 min diameter, and superficial PE that form a continuous layer of 80 to 120 nm over the cell surface. Superficial PE were not identified in 20 per cent of L5178Y cells, while in every case intracellular granules were found. Both the macrophages and the polimorphonuclear cells present in the ascitic fluid contained intracellular PE granules measuring 0.05 to 0.4 micron in diameter, and did not contain superficial PE.", "contents": "Proteolytic enzymes marking of malignant lymphoblasts, study of the L5178Y murine lymphoma. The bovine pancreatic inhibitor of trypsin (trasylol, Bayer) (T) and the soy bean trypsin inhibitor (SBI) were coupled with peroxidase (P). With each one of these coupling products (T and P and SBI and P) the cell distribution of proteolytic enzymes (PE) of ascitic cells of L5178Y murine lymphoma, was localized. The reactions were developed by means of Karnowsky's reaction with diaminobenzidine and H2O2. The preparations were observed under light and electronic microscopy. It was found that L5178Y cells contain intracellular PE in granules measuring 0.1 to 0.8 min diameter, and superficial PE that form a continuous layer of 80 to 120 nm over the cell surface. Superficial PE were not identified in 20 per cent of L5178Y cells, while in every case intracellular granules were found. Both the macrophages and the polimorphonuclear cells present in the ascitic fluid contained intracellular PE granules measuring 0.05 to 0.4 micron in diameter, and did not contain superficial PE.", "PMID": 637654} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11361", "title": "Autolysis induction of malignant lymphoblasts.", "content": "BALB/C mice were treated with epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), 0.1 to 3.2 mg/g body weight, subcutaneously every 24 hours for six days, starting on the second day after intraperitoneal transplantation of L5178Y lymphoma. Complete involution was observed in 20 to 90 per cent of the ascitic tumor and in 50 per cent of the solid tumor 72 hours after EACA was discontinued, tumoral involution and dosage were directly proportional. One hundred per cent of the non treated controls died 10 +/- 0.6 days after intraperitoneal lymphoma transplantation. During tumor involution malignant cells underwent autolysis and were attacked or phagocytized by activated macrophages. Since EACA is a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor, inhibition during treatment and activation of these enzymes after EACA was discontinued could have been the cause of autolysis of the L5178Y lymphoma cells.", "contents": "Autolysis induction of malignant lymphoblasts. BALB/C mice were treated with epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), 0.1 to 3.2 mg/g body weight, subcutaneously every 24 hours for six days, starting on the second day after intraperitoneal transplantation of L5178Y lymphoma. Complete involution was observed in 20 to 90 per cent of the ascitic tumor and in 50 per cent of the solid tumor 72 hours after EACA was discontinued, tumoral involution and dosage were directly proportional. One hundred per cent of the non treated controls died 10 +/- 0.6 days after intraperitoneal lymphoma transplantation. During tumor involution malignant cells underwent autolysis and were attacked or phagocytized by activated macrophages. Since EACA is a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor, inhibition during treatment and activation of these enzymes after EACA was discontinued could have been the cause of autolysis of the L5178Y lymphoma cells.", "PMID": 637655} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11362", "title": "Effects of administration of mannitol and furosemide in the renal hemodynamics of the dog.", "content": "The action site of mannitol and furosemide in the nephron level was studied in two groups of dogs which, alternatively, were given both diuretics. The furosemide preferential action site was confirmed in the ascending limb of Henle's loop. It is suggested that mannitol acts on the descending limb of this loop, and that the dilution effects of this diuretic on the ascending limb are due to contamination. Changes in urinary excretion of potassium were not observed during mannitol administration. This fact coincides with the action site suggested for this substance.", "contents": "Effects of administration of mannitol and furosemide in the renal hemodynamics of the dog. The action site of mannitol and furosemide in the nephron level was studied in two groups of dogs which, alternatively, were given both diuretics. The furosemide preferential action site was confirmed in the ascending limb of Henle's loop. It is suggested that mannitol acts on the descending limb of this loop, and that the dilution effects of this diuretic on the ascending limb are due to contamination. Changes in urinary excretion of potassium were not observed during mannitol administration. This fact coincides with the action site suggested for this substance.", "PMID": 637656} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11363", "title": "Effects of the environmental light conditions on the ultrastructure of the harderian gland in the newborn rat. biochemical correlation with the pineal gland.", "content": "Morphological changes at the levels of both light and electron microscopy were studied regarding the secretory elements of the Harderian glands of neonatal rats, induced by environmental lighting conditions. The results were correlated with biochemical determinations of serotonin levels and hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity in the pineal gland. Neonatal male albino rats were divided into three groups: 12 were exposed to a light period for seven days; 12 to a dark period, and 12 to diurnal lighting conditions (light, 12 hours; darkness, 12 hours), as controls. In each group some animals were killed at 1.00 pm. The Harderian gland of each animal was immediately fixed and processed for light and electron microscopy while the pineal gland was homogenized in a fixative for biochemical determination of serotonin levels and HIOMT activity. On the light period the acinar lumen was observed to be dilated with increased secretions from the acini and excretory ducts while on the dark period the acinar lumen narrowed with hardly any secretions. On the dark period there were no changes in the cyclic variations of serotonin levels and HIOMT activity in the pineal gland; while on the light period, these cycles disappeared. It is concluded that secretory activity of the Harderian gland is modified by environmental lighting conditions, and that secretions produced by this gland appear to be directly related to the control mechanism of melatonin production by the pineal gland in neonatal rats.", "contents": "Effects of the environmental light conditions on the ultrastructure of the harderian gland in the newborn rat. biochemical correlation with the pineal gland. Morphological changes at the levels of both light and electron microscopy were studied regarding the secretory elements of the Harderian glands of neonatal rats, induced by environmental lighting conditions. The results were correlated with biochemical determinations of serotonin levels and hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity in the pineal gland. Neonatal male albino rats were divided into three groups: 12 were exposed to a light period for seven days; 12 to a dark period, and 12 to diurnal lighting conditions (light, 12 hours; darkness, 12 hours), as controls. In each group some animals were killed at 1.00 pm. The Harderian gland of each animal was immediately fixed and processed for light and electron microscopy while the pineal gland was homogenized in a fixative for biochemical determination of serotonin levels and HIOMT activity. On the light period the acinar lumen was observed to be dilated with increased secretions from the acini and excretory ducts while on the dark period the acinar lumen narrowed with hardly any secretions. On the dark period there were no changes in the cyclic variations of serotonin levels and HIOMT activity in the pineal gland; while on the light period, these cycles disappeared. It is concluded that secretory activity of the Harderian gland is modified by environmental lighting conditions, and that secretions produced by this gland appear to be directly related to the control mechanism of melatonin production by the pineal gland in neonatal rats.", "PMID": 637657} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11364", "title": "Studies on growth inhibition by lectins of Penicillia and Aspergilli.", "content": "It has previously been shown in our laboratory that wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binds to Trichoderma viride and inhibits growth of this fungus. Here we report on the effect of WGA, soybean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) on Penicillia and Aspergilli. Binding of the lectins to the fungi was examined with the aid of their fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated derivatives. FITC-WGA bound to young hyphal walls of all species, in particular to the hyphal tips and septa, in agreement with the chitinous composition of the cell walls of the two genera. Hyphae of all species examined were labelled, though in different patterns, by FITC-SBA and FITC-PNA, suggesting the presence of galactose residues on their surfaces. Young conidiophores, metulae (of the Penicillia), vesicles (of the Aspergilli), sterigmata and young spores, were also labelled. The three lectins inhibited incorporation of [3H]acetate, N-acetyl-D-[3h]glucosamine and D-[14C]galactose into young hyphae of Aspergillus ochraceus, indicating interference with fungal growth. Inhibition of spore germination by the three lectins was also observed. Preincubation of the lectins with their specific saccharide inhibitors prevented binding and the inhibitory effects. We conclude that lectins are useful tools for the study of fungal cell surfaces, and may also serve as an important aid in fungal classification. The present findings also support the suggestion that one role of lectins in plants is protection against fungal pathogens.", "contents": "Studies on growth inhibition by lectins of Penicillia and Aspergilli. It has previously been shown in our laboratory that wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binds to Trichoderma viride and inhibits growth of this fungus. Here we report on the effect of WGA, soybean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) on Penicillia and Aspergilli. Binding of the lectins to the fungi was examined with the aid of their fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated derivatives. FITC-WGA bound to young hyphal walls of all species, in particular to the hyphal tips and septa, in agreement with the chitinous composition of the cell walls of the two genera. Hyphae of all species examined were labelled, though in different patterns, by FITC-SBA and FITC-PNA, suggesting the presence of galactose residues on their surfaces. Young conidiophores, metulae (of the Penicillia), vesicles (of the Aspergilli), sterigmata and young spores, were also labelled. The three lectins inhibited incorporation of [3H]acetate, N-acetyl-D-[3h]glucosamine and D-[14C]galactose into young hyphae of Aspergillus ochraceus, indicating interference with fungal growth. Inhibition of spore germination by the three lectins was also observed. Preincubation of the lectins with their specific saccharide inhibitors prevented binding and the inhibitory effects. We conclude that lectins are useful tools for the study of fungal cell surfaces, and may also serve as an important aid in fungal classification. The present findings also support the suggestion that one role of lectins in plants is protection against fungal pathogens.", "PMID": 637658} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11365", "title": "[Langer's type mesomelic dwarfism. Apropos of a case].", "content": "One case of Lnger's type mesomelic dwarfism is reported in a 7-day old newborn. Height retardation was severe and concerned essentially the middle segment of limbs. Cubituses and fibulae were hypoplastic. The inferior mandible was intact. No biological change was found. The genetic transmission could be either recessive autosomal (parents double-first cousins), or dominant autosomal with pleiotropic expression (the mother, and an aunt on the father's side presenting with dyschondrosteosis).", "contents": "[Langer's type mesomelic dwarfism. Apropos of a case]. One case of Lnger's type mesomelic dwarfism is reported in a 7-day old newborn. Height retardation was severe and concerned essentially the middle segment of limbs. Cubituses and fibulae were hypoplastic. The inferior mandible was intact. No biological change was found. The genetic transmission could be either recessive autosomal (parents double-first cousins), or dominant autosomal with pleiotropic expression (the mother, and an aunt on the father's side presenting with dyschondrosteosis).", "PMID": 637660} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11366", "title": "[Plasma creatinine, and clearance and urinary excretion of creatinine in children].", "content": "The 24 hour clearance of endogenous creatinine was compared with that of inulin in 112 children aged between 15 months and 17 years. The children had a variety of kidney disorders with renal function than ranged from normal to terminal renal failure. When the inulin clearance was less than 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 it was on average 75% of the value of the creatinine clearance. Between 10 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 the relationship of the inulin clearance to that of creatinine was similar (77%) but above 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 the ratio of the inulin clearance to that of creatinine was 1.05 with a wide scatter. With increasing degrees of renal failure the plasma creatinine increased less in the children under 2 years old than in those over this age so it is poor index of glomerular function in infants. In renal failure the urinary excretion of creatinine in 24 hours was reduced. When the clearance was less than 10 ml/min/1.73 m2, the urinary creatinine excretion for children under the age of 2 was 58% of the normal for the age and for children over 2, it was 86% of the expected mean.", "contents": "[Plasma creatinine, and clearance and urinary excretion of creatinine in children]. The 24 hour clearance of endogenous creatinine was compared with that of inulin in 112 children aged between 15 months and 17 years. The children had a variety of kidney disorders with renal function than ranged from normal to terminal renal failure. When the inulin clearance was less than 10 ml/min/1.73 m2 it was on average 75% of the value of the creatinine clearance. Between 10 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 the relationship of the inulin clearance to that of creatinine was similar (77%) but above 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 the ratio of the inulin clearance to that of creatinine was 1.05 with a wide scatter. With increasing degrees of renal failure the plasma creatinine increased less in the children under 2 years old than in those over this age so it is poor index of glomerular function in infants. In renal failure the urinary excretion of creatinine in 24 hours was reduced. When the clearance was less than 10 ml/min/1.73 m2, the urinary creatinine excretion for children under the age of 2 was 58% of the normal for the age and for children over 2, it was 86% of the expected mean.", "PMID": 637662} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11367", "title": "[Acrodermatitis enteropathica. Anatomo-clinical study of 2 familial cases treated with zinc sulfate].", "content": "Two familial cases of acrodermatitis enteropathica began at the time of weaning, with characteristic dermatologic lesions and digestive signs, resulting in lack of weight gain: at 13 months of age growth future was evident in the elder child. The anatomic lesions were those of an exophagitis and, in the duodenal mucosa, a dilation of the capillaries of the chorion in the absence of villous atrophy. The ultrastructural study showed inclusions in Paneth's cells, and changes in keratin cells, with intra-cytoplasmic vacuoles and abnormal melanin pigment in the skin. The administration of zinc sulphate induced a rapid recovery of cutaneous lesions and resumption of growth. The interruption of treatment resulted twice in a quite immediate relapse of cutaneous signs in the first patient, which was rapidly reversible with the reintroduction of zinc sulphate.", "contents": "[Acrodermatitis enteropathica. Anatomo-clinical study of 2 familial cases treated with zinc sulfate]. Two familial cases of acrodermatitis enteropathica began at the time of weaning, with characteristic dermatologic lesions and digestive signs, resulting in lack of weight gain: at 13 months of age growth future was evident in the elder child. The anatomic lesions were those of an exophagitis and, in the duodenal mucosa, a dilation of the capillaries of the chorion in the absence of villous atrophy. The ultrastructural study showed inclusions in Paneth's cells, and changes in keratin cells, with intra-cytoplasmic vacuoles and abnormal melanin pigment in the skin. The administration of zinc sulphate induced a rapid recovery of cutaneous lesions and resumption of growth. The interruption of treatment resulted twice in a quite immediate relapse of cutaneous signs in the first patient, which was rapidly reversible with the reintroduction of zinc sulphate.", "PMID": 637663} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11368", "title": "[Survey on the fate of newborn infants treated in pediatric intensive care units. II. Respiratory sequelae].", "content": "Five hundred sixty children treated at the neonatal period (between 1969 and 1972) were reexamined when they were 1 and/or 2 years old. At 2 years of age, the rate of anomalies considered as probable respiratory sequellae of the neonatal disease, was 10%. In this population, hyaline membrane disease was responsible for nearly 2/3 of the respiratory sequellae observed at 2 years of age, whereas it concerned less than 1/3 of the population under study. The overall prognosis of neonatal disorders for which treatment in an intensive care unit was required during the 4 years under consideration, is clearly improving, since the decrease of death-rate is not associated with an increase of respiratory sequellae among the survivors.", "contents": "[Survey on the fate of newborn infants treated in pediatric intensive care units. II. Respiratory sequelae]. Five hundred sixty children treated at the neonatal period (between 1969 and 1972) were reexamined when they were 1 and/or 2 years old. At 2 years of age, the rate of anomalies considered as probable respiratory sequellae of the neonatal disease, was 10%. In this population, hyaline membrane disease was responsible for nearly 2/3 of the respiratory sequellae observed at 2 years of age, whereas it concerned less than 1/3 of the population under study. The overall prognosis of neonatal disorders for which treatment in an intensive care unit was required during the 4 years under consideration, is clearly improving, since the decrease of death-rate is not associated with an increase of respiratory sequellae among the survivors.", "PMID": 637664} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11369", "title": "[Bronchial brushing in severe lung diseases in children].", "content": "A distal bronchial brushing was performed in 25 children having severe lung diseases. The age of the patients ranged from 7 days to 14 years. Seventeen children were immuno-depressed. Bacteria were isolated five times (2 Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Serratia marcenscens, 1 Acinetobacter lwoffi), viruses twice (cytomegalovirus, syncytial respiratory virus), Pneumocystis carinii, four times. Cytologic study revealed malignant cells, and cells with intranuclear inclusions, evoking a viral infection. This procedure appears to be harmless in children over 2 years of age. In younger children there is a risk of pneumothorax. the principal indication for distal bronchial brushing is lung disease in immuno-depressed children. It may, however, also be useful in prolonged, treatment-resistant, severe lung diseases.", "contents": "[Bronchial brushing in severe lung diseases in children]. A distal bronchial brushing was performed in 25 children having severe lung diseases. The age of the patients ranged from 7 days to 14 years. Seventeen children were immuno-depressed. Bacteria were isolated five times (2 Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Serratia marcenscens, 1 Acinetobacter lwoffi), viruses twice (cytomegalovirus, syncytial respiratory virus), Pneumocystis carinii, four times. Cytologic study revealed malignant cells, and cells with intranuclear inclusions, evoking a viral infection. This procedure appears to be harmless in children over 2 years of age. In younger children there is a risk of pneumothorax. the principal indication for distal bronchial brushing is lung disease in immuno-depressed children. It may, however, also be useful in prolonged, treatment-resistant, severe lung diseases.", "PMID": 637669} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11370", "title": "[Laron type familial dwarfism; genetic primary somatomedin deficiency].", "content": "Five children from 3 different families presented with severe dwarfism and the morphological and biological features described by Laron: familial occurrence, small stature, peculiar facies, high levels of plasma HGH and resistance to treatment by GH. This therapeutic inefficiency is expressed by an absence of physical growth and unchanged nitrogen balance, during a prolonged treatment. The plasma levels of somatomedine were very low (K. Hall's biological method) and not influenced by administration of exogenous HGH. These findings suggest that the fundamental disorder is not an abnormal structure of the molecules of GH. This hypothesis seems further confirmed by the structural analysis of plasma HGH, which gave the same results as those of the reference GH.", "contents": "[Laron type familial dwarfism; genetic primary somatomedin deficiency]. Five children from 3 different families presented with severe dwarfism and the morphological and biological features described by Laron: familial occurrence, small stature, peculiar facies, high levels of plasma HGH and resistance to treatment by GH. This therapeutic inefficiency is expressed by an absence of physical growth and unchanged nitrogen balance, during a prolonged treatment. The plasma levels of somatomedine were very low (K. Hall's biological method) and not influenced by administration of exogenous HGH. These findings suggest that the fundamental disorder is not an abnormal structure of the molecules of GH. This hypothesis seems further confirmed by the structural analysis of plasma HGH, which gave the same results as those of the reference GH.", "PMID": 637670} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11371", "title": "[Acceleration of postnatal development, hypertony, enlargement of the middle phalanges and of the distal metaphyses of the femur, peculiar facies: a case of Weaver's syndrome?].", "content": "A child is described with accelerated bone maturation, large dysplastic ears, and hypertelorism. These are features of both the Marshall-Smith and Weaver's syndrome. The child was mentally retarded and had enlargement of the middle phalanges, features only seen in Marshall-Smith syndrome. However, there was also enlargement of the metaphyses, a characteristic of Weaver's syndrome. The possiblity that these syndromes may represent different manifestations of the same entity is discussed.", "contents": "[Acceleration of postnatal development, hypertony, enlargement of the middle phalanges and of the distal metaphyses of the femur, peculiar facies: a case of Weaver's syndrome?]. A child is described with accelerated bone maturation, large dysplastic ears, and hypertelorism. These are features of both the Marshall-Smith and Weaver's syndrome. The child was mentally retarded and had enlargement of the middle phalanges, features only seen in Marshall-Smith syndrome. However, there was also enlargement of the metaphyses, a characteristic of Weaver's syndrome. The possiblity that these syndromes may represent different manifestations of the same entity is discussed.", "PMID": 637674} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11372", "title": "[Pharmacokinetic study of intravenous furosemide in nephrotic syndrome in children].", "content": "The pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effect of intravenous furosemide (F) (2 mg/kg body weight) were studied in 12 children with the nephrotic syndrome with or without renal failure (R.F.). The concentration of F in blood and urine was determined by a new spectrophotometric method. In the nephrotic syndrome alone, the rate of renal excretion was increased (increased slope of the pharmacokinetic curve, decreased t 1/2), which may be due to a decrease in the fraction bound to plasma albumin. In children with the nephrotic syndrome and renal failure, the decrease in the renal excretion of F was related to the degree of renal failure. In normal children the mean F clearance is 296. In patients with N.S. alone the clearance is greatly increased (X = 377) and in N.S. with R.F. it is reduced (0.17-90). The possible mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the results are discussed.", "contents": "[Pharmacokinetic study of intravenous furosemide in nephrotic syndrome in children]. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effect of intravenous furosemide (F) (2 mg/kg body weight) were studied in 12 children with the nephrotic syndrome with or without renal failure (R.F.). The concentration of F in blood and urine was determined by a new spectrophotometric method. In the nephrotic syndrome alone, the rate of renal excretion was increased (increased slope of the pharmacokinetic curve, decreased t 1/2), which may be due to a decrease in the fraction bound to plasma albumin. In children with the nephrotic syndrome and renal failure, the decrease in the renal excretion of F was related to the degree of renal failure. In normal children the mean F clearance is 296. In patients with N.S. alone the clearance is greatly increased (X = 377) and in N.S. with R.F. it is reduced (0.17-90). The possible mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the results are discussed.", "PMID": 637676} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11373", "title": "[Changes in the membrane proteins of blood cells in the course of embryonal megaloerythropoiesis in relation to hemoglobin maturation].", "content": "Membrane proteins in circulating blood cells were examined in chick embryos on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th incubation day, in chicks immediately after hatching, and in adult birds. Haemoglobin electrophoresis patterns were determined on cellulose acetate after solubilisation with urea, and in gradient of pH and concentration on acrylamide gels after solubilisation in SDS. Amino acids and other amino compounds were also determined after acid hydrolysis and resin chromatography. Haemoglobin patterns were similar to those displayed by the membrane proteins. The latter, however, changed more slowly.", "contents": "[Changes in the membrane proteins of blood cells in the course of embryonal megaloerythropoiesis in relation to hemoglobin maturation]. Membrane proteins in circulating blood cells were examined in chick embryos on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th incubation day, in chicks immediately after hatching, and in adult birds. Haemoglobin electrophoresis patterns were determined on cellulose acetate after solubilisation with urea, and in gradient of pH and concentration on acrylamide gels after solubilisation in SDS. Amino acids and other amino compounds were also determined after acid hydrolysis and resin chromatography. Haemoglobin patterns were similar to those displayed by the membrane proteins. The latter, however, changed more slowly.", "PMID": 637678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11374", "title": "Psychological adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual men: a cross-national replication.", "content": "The present investigation of British subjects replicated an investigation conducted in the United States. There was considerable agreement in the findings of the two studies. A multidimensional evaluation of adjustment, based on questionnaire data, indicated that the total sample of British homosexuals described themselves as less well adjusted than the heterosexuals on four factors, better adjusted on two factors, and not different on six factors. There was a significant difference on only one dimension, however, for selected groups of masculine homosexuals vs. heterosexuals. Homosexuals and heterosexuals low on feminity, in addition, tended to be better adjusted than homosexuals and heterosexuals high on femininity. The possible confusion between adjustment and masculinity-femininity, as well as the importance of using a multidimensional approach when considering adjustment, is discussed.", "contents": "Psychological adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual men: a cross-national replication. The present investigation of British subjects replicated an investigation conducted in the United States. There was considerable agreement in the findings of the two studies. A multidimensional evaluation of adjustment, based on questionnaire data, indicated that the total sample of British homosexuals described themselves as less well adjusted than the heterosexuals on four factors, better adjusted on two factors, and not different on six factors. There was a significant difference on only one dimension, however, for selected groups of masculine homosexuals vs. heterosexuals. Homosexuals and heterosexuals low on feminity, in addition, tended to be better adjusted than homosexuals and heterosexuals high on femininity. The possible confusion between adjustment and masculinity-femininity, as well as the importance of using a multidimensional approach when considering adjustment, is discussed.", "PMID": 637683} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11375", "title": "[Primary hyperaldosteronism. Diagnostic procedure useful in hospital routine].", "content": "Personal experience in the management of three cases of primary hyperaldosteronism, in which a cure was obtained by surgical removal of an adrenocortical adenoma, is was used in the elaboration of a diagnostic procedure requiring hospitalisation for 12 days. During 6 days, the patient is kept on a diet containing 100 mEq Na and K, and blood potassium values are repeatedly determined. Other causes of hypertension are ruled out. On the 6th day, baselines for blood renin and urinary aldosterone are calculated. Next, a hyposodic diet is given for 4 days, and a diuretic is administered on the last of these days, after which renin is determined \"in response to stimulation\". Lastly, two days of i.v. NaCl loading are followed by the determination of urinary aldosterone \"during inhibition\". If the picture is positive for hyperaldosteronism, the patient is discharged and followed during treatment with spironolactone, and eventually subjected to renal and adrenal arteriography to determine the site of the adenoma. Division of the procedure into increasingly complex steps enables the examination to be halted at any point when evidence in support of the suspected diagnosis fails to appear. This feature, coupled with the simplicity of the procedures adopted, enables all young subjects admitted for unexplained hypertension to be screened for hyperaldosteronism, with the assurance of obtaining certain diagnosis without an excessively long stay in hospital.", "contents": "[Primary hyperaldosteronism. Diagnostic procedure useful in hospital routine]. Personal experience in the management of three cases of primary hyperaldosteronism, in which a cure was obtained by surgical removal of an adrenocortical adenoma, is was used in the elaboration of a diagnostic procedure requiring hospitalisation for 12 days. During 6 days, the patient is kept on a diet containing 100 mEq Na and K, and blood potassium values are repeatedly determined. Other causes of hypertension are ruled out. On the 6th day, baselines for blood renin and urinary aldosterone are calculated. Next, a hyposodic diet is given for 4 days, and a diuretic is administered on the last of these days, after which renin is determined \"in response to stimulation\". Lastly, two days of i.v. NaCl loading are followed by the determination of urinary aldosterone \"during inhibition\". If the picture is positive for hyperaldosteronism, the patient is discharged and followed during treatment with spironolactone, and eventually subjected to renal and adrenal arteriography to determine the site of the adenoma. Division of the procedure into increasingly complex steps enables the examination to be halted at any point when evidence in support of the suspected diagnosis fails to appear. This feature, coupled with the simplicity of the procedures adopted, enables all young subjects admitted for unexplained hypertension to be screened for hyperaldosteronism, with the assurance of obtaining certain diagnosis without an excessively long stay in hospital.", "PMID": 637679} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11376", "title": "Early sexual experience as a factor in prostitution.", "content": "Using the literature of the early sexual histories of \"normal\" women and two recent studies on the sexual histories of prostitutes, this article examines the pattern of early sexual experience among prostitutes and how it differs from that common to nonprostitute women. Some significant differences found between the samples of prostitutes and the samples of \"normal\" women were that the prostitute samples, on the whole, learned less about sex from parents and more from personal experiences, as children experienced more sexual advances by elders, were more victimized by incest, generally initiated sexual activity at a younger age, more often had no further relationship with their first coital partner, and experienced a higher incidence of rape. The analysis of these data on early sexual history concentrates on abusive sexual experiences such as incest and rape. The authors believe that an abusive sexual self-identity relates to the development of an adult female pattern of occupational deviance such as prostitution.", "contents": "Early sexual experience as a factor in prostitution. Using the literature of the early sexual histories of \"normal\" women and two recent studies on the sexual histories of prostitutes, this article examines the pattern of early sexual experience among prostitutes and how it differs from that common to nonprostitute women. Some significant differences found between the samples of prostitutes and the samples of \"normal\" women were that the prostitute samples, on the whole, learned less about sex from parents and more from personal experiences, as children experienced more sexual advances by elders, were more victimized by incest, generally initiated sexual activity at a younger age, more often had no further relationship with their first coital partner, and experienced a higher incidence of rape. The analysis of these data on early sexual history concentrates on abusive sexual experiences such as incest and rape. The authors believe that an abusive sexual self-identity relates to the development of an adult female pattern of occupational deviance such as prostitution.", "PMID": 637685} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11377", "title": "[Changes in the level of erythrocyte phosphorylated compounds in patients with hepatic encephalopathy].", "content": "Automated ion exchange chromatography was used to compare red cell phosphorylates in clinically healthy subjects and 6 patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Significant changes in the distribution of these compounds were noted, including a marked increase in total acid-soluble content (particularly 2.3 DPG, R5P, 3MPG and G16DP) and a sharp fall in ATP. Increased 2.3 DPG explained the rightward shift of the haemoglobin dissociation curve seen in cirrhosis of the liver, but does not seem to fit in with enhanced blood ammonia. Deep-seated changes in red cell energy metabolism may have the same pathogenesis as the CNS metabolic change observed in hepatic encephalopathy.", "contents": "[Changes in the level of erythrocyte phosphorylated compounds in patients with hepatic encephalopathy]. Automated ion exchange chromatography was used to compare red cell phosphorylates in clinically healthy subjects and 6 patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Significant changes in the distribution of these compounds were noted, including a marked increase in total acid-soluble content (particularly 2.3 DPG, R5P, 3MPG and G16DP) and a sharp fall in ATP. Increased 2.3 DPG explained the rightward shift of the haemoglobin dissociation curve seen in cirrhosis of the liver, but does not seem to fit in with enhanced blood ammonia. Deep-seated changes in red cell energy metabolism may have the same pathogenesis as the CNS metabolic change observed in hepatic encephalopathy.", "PMID": 637681} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11378", "title": "Sexual behavior of Colombian female university students.", "content": "The results of a survey of sexual behavior conducted among 113 female students of Caldas University, Manizales, Colombia, are reported. Among other findings, cumulative incidence of masturbation was 68.1% and that of premarital coitus 33.6%. On the other hand, 56.4% of the nonvirgins professed to have had oral-genital contacts and 28.2% of them said that they had experienced anal coitus. While 96.5% of the students admitted contact with pornographic materials and 40.4% had been sexually aroused by these materials, 18% of those subjects who had been exposed to \"romantic\" (nonsexually explicit) materials professed to have been sexually aroused. As to contraceptive practices, many students never used any contraceptive methods, and 11.4% of the coitally experienced respondents admitted to having had an induced abortion. This study also shows a negative correlation between religiosity and the subjects' sexual behavior. Highly significant sex differences in sexual behavior among Colombian university students are also revealed when this study's findings are compared with data from male medical students.", "contents": "Sexual behavior of Colombian female university students. The results of a survey of sexual behavior conducted among 113 female students of Caldas University, Manizales, Colombia, are reported. Among other findings, cumulative incidence of masturbation was 68.1% and that of premarital coitus 33.6%. On the other hand, 56.4% of the nonvirgins professed to have had oral-genital contacts and 28.2% of them said that they had experienced anal coitus. While 96.5% of the students admitted contact with pornographic materials and 40.4% had been sexually aroused by these materials, 18% of those subjects who had been exposed to \"romantic\" (nonsexually explicit) materials professed to have been sexually aroused. As to contraceptive practices, many students never used any contraceptive methods, and 11.4% of the coitally experienced respondents admitted to having had an induced abortion. This study also shows a negative correlation between religiosity and the subjects' sexual behavior. Highly significant sex differences in sexual behavior among Colombian university students are also revealed when this study's findings are compared with data from male medical students.", "PMID": 637686} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11379", "title": "[The prognosis of fractures in hemophiliacs has improved].", "content": "A case of femoral fracture in diseased bone in an adult haemophiliac with relatively advanced arthropathy is referred to in discribing the principles underlying the relevant orthopaedic surgery, combined with suitable haematological preparation.", "contents": "[The prognosis of fractures in hemophiliacs has improved]. A case of femoral fracture in diseased bone in an adult haemophiliac with relatively advanced arthropathy is referred to in discribing the principles underlying the relevant orthopaedic surgery, combined with suitable haematological preparation.", "PMID": 637680} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11380", "title": "[Bencyclane in memory disorders. Treatment of memory disorders caused by electroshock in a group of depressed patients].", "content": "Subjects treated with electroshock and subjected simultaneously to bencyclan at a dose of 00 mg (2 ampoules) i.v. and 100 mg (1 pill) per os pro die did not present dysmnesia either during the intervals between one electroshock treatment and another, nor at the conclusion of treatment (on average 12 sessions in about 40 days), while a control group treated at the same rhythm and with the same number of sessions, but without bencyclan, presented considerable memory lapses which disappeared only after a lengthy period of this latter treatment. Memory disturbances have been evaluated with a memorization test to which all patients were subjected. This test belongs to the group of intellectual efficiency reactive tests used in the psychology laboratory of the Catholic University of Milan; it consists of a group of 12 figures of common objects which, once observed, have to be recalled exactly immediately and some time later by the patient, who has to indicate the name and position of the objects represented in the chart.", "contents": "[Bencyclane in memory disorders. Treatment of memory disorders caused by electroshock in a group of depressed patients]. Subjects treated with electroshock and subjected simultaneously to bencyclan at a dose of 00 mg (2 ampoules) i.v. and 100 mg (1 pill) per os pro die did not present dysmnesia either during the intervals between one electroshock treatment and another, nor at the conclusion of treatment (on average 12 sessions in about 40 days), while a control group treated at the same rhythm and with the same number of sessions, but without bencyclan, presented considerable memory lapses which disappeared only after a lengthy period of this latter treatment. Memory disturbances have been evaluated with a memorization test to which all patients were subjected. This test belongs to the group of intellectual efficiency reactive tests used in the psychology laboratory of the Catholic University of Milan; it consists of a group of 12 figures of common objects which, once observed, have to be recalled exactly immediately and some time later by the patient, who has to indicate the name and position of the objects represented in the chart.", "PMID": 637682} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11381", "title": "Diagnosis of occult familial medullary carcinoma of the thyroid using pentagastrin.", "content": "Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is unique in that it can often be diagnosed solely on the basis of abnormally high basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels. Two brothers described in this report were found to have normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels when examined after another family member died from metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Pentagastrin, a synthetic analog of gastrin, was subsequently administered to these two high-risk relatives and found to stimulate the release of thyrocalcitonin to abnormally high levels. They were found to have occult medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Eight other first-degree relatives of the deceased patient with normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels were screened with pentagastrin and found to have normal stimulated levels of thyrocalcitonin. This report reinforces the need to recognize that medullary carcinoma of the thyroid can be familial and that physicians are obligated to screen asymptomatic kin who are at high risk. We recommend that all susceptible relatives, even if they have normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels, undergo the provocative pentagastrin test with repeat annual testing if necessary. In addition, the provocative pentagastrin test can be used to follow up patients who have undergone thyroidectomy.", "contents": "Diagnosis of occult familial medullary carcinoma of the thyroid using pentagastrin. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is unique in that it can often be diagnosed solely on the basis of abnormally high basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels. Two brothers described in this report were found to have normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels when examined after another family member died from metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Pentagastrin, a synthetic analog of gastrin, was subsequently administered to these two high-risk relatives and found to stimulate the release of thyrocalcitonin to abnormally high levels. They were found to have occult medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Eight other first-degree relatives of the deceased patient with normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels were screened with pentagastrin and found to have normal stimulated levels of thyrocalcitonin. This report reinforces the need to recognize that medullary carcinoma of the thyroid can be familial and that physicians are obligated to screen asymptomatic kin who are at high risk. We recommend that all susceptible relatives, even if they have normal basal serum thyrocalcitonin levels, undergo the provocative pentagastrin test with repeat annual testing if necessary. In addition, the provocative pentagastrin test can be used to follow up patients who have undergone thyroidectomy.", "PMID": 637688} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11382", "title": "Dopamine-phenytoin interaction. A cause of hypotension in the critically ill.", "content": "Five critically ill patients received dopamine hydrochloride intravenously to support their blood pressure. When seizures developed, intravenous phenytoin sodium therapy was begun. Coincident with the infusion of phenytoin, the blood pressure, which was stable on the dopamine infusion, declined rapidly. Analysis of these cases led to a hypothesis that the interaction of dopamine and phenytoin produced the hypotension. When this hypothesis was tested in the normovolemic dog, intravenous dopamine produced no change in the blood pressure, and the addition of a phenytoin infusion had little effect. In animals rendered hypovolemic and hypotensive by bleeding, intravenous dopamine returned the blood pressure to the prebleeding level. At this point, an infusion of phenytoin produced a sustained decrease in the blood pressure. The mechanism of this action may be related to a combination of catecholamine depletion and myocardial depression.", "contents": "Dopamine-phenytoin interaction. A cause of hypotension in the critically ill. Five critically ill patients received dopamine hydrochloride intravenously to support their blood pressure. When seizures developed, intravenous phenytoin sodium therapy was begun. Coincident with the infusion of phenytoin, the blood pressure, which was stable on the dopamine infusion, declined rapidly. Analysis of these cases led to a hypothesis that the interaction of dopamine and phenytoin produced the hypotension. When this hypothesis was tested in the normovolemic dog, intravenous dopamine produced no change in the blood pressure, and the addition of a phenytoin infusion had little effect. In animals rendered hypovolemic and hypotensive by bleeding, intravenous dopamine returned the blood pressure to the prebleeding level. At this point, an infusion of phenytoin produced a sustained decrease in the blood pressure. The mechanism of this action may be related to a combination of catecholamine depletion and myocardial depression.", "PMID": 637689} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11383", "title": "Villous tumors of the stomach and small bowel.", "content": "Villous tumors of the stomach and small bowel are premalignant lesions with focal adenocarcinomatous change as high as 72%. They are frequently multiple and associated with other gastrointestinal neoplasms. Thirty percent of those in the stomach are associated with an independent gastric carcinoma. Villous tumors have morphological features that facilitate specific roentgenographic diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsy may confirm the diagnosis but may give false-negative results for malignant neoplasms and therefore should not delay treatment. After diagnosis, surgical resection is mandatory and subsequent radiological-endoscopic follow-up is essential.", "contents": "Villous tumors of the stomach and small bowel. Villous tumors of the stomach and small bowel are premalignant lesions with focal adenocarcinomatous change as high as 72%. They are frequently multiple and associated with other gastrointestinal neoplasms. Thirty percent of those in the stomach are associated with an independent gastric carcinoma. Villous tumors have morphological features that facilitate specific roentgenographic diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsy may confirm the diagnosis but may give false-negative results for malignant neoplasms and therefore should not delay treatment. After diagnosis, surgical resection is mandatory and subsequent radiological-endoscopic follow-up is essential.", "PMID": 637690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11384", "title": "Thoracic endoscopic sympathectomy in palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis.", "content": "An endoscopic technique is described for thoracic sympathectomy. After establishment of a pneumothorax, the thoracoscope is introduced into the pleural cavity. The telescope is equipped with a wire electrode, a grasping forceps, and a suction coagulation probe for endoscopic electroresection of the sympathetic trunk. In 63 patients, 124 endoscopic sympathectomies were performed. All patients were relieved of sweating in the hands; 18.6% still had some perspiration of the axilla. Side effects of thoracic sympathectomy were compensatory and gustatory sweating that, in four patients, were more embarrassing than the original form of hyperhidrosis. Fifty-five patients were highly satisfied with the result of endoscopic sympathectomy, which is considered the appropriate minor procedure for the treatment of upper limb hyperhidrosis, causing minimal discomfort to the patient and almost invisible scars.", "contents": "Thoracic endoscopic sympathectomy in palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. An endoscopic technique is described for thoracic sympathectomy. After establishment of a pneumothorax, the thoracoscope is introduced into the pleural cavity. The telescope is equipped with a wire electrode, a grasping forceps, and a suction coagulation probe for endoscopic electroresection of the sympathetic trunk. In 63 patients, 124 endoscopic sympathectomies were performed. All patients were relieved of sweating in the hands; 18.6% still had some perspiration of the axilla. Side effects of thoracic sympathectomy were compensatory and gustatory sweating that, in four patients, were more embarrassing than the original form of hyperhidrosis. Fifty-five patients were highly satisfied with the result of endoscopic sympathectomy, which is considered the appropriate minor procedure for the treatment of upper limb hyperhidrosis, causing minimal discomfort to the patient and almost invisible scars.", "PMID": 637691} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11385", "title": "Early restenosis after carotid endarterectomy.", "content": "Restenosis within 24 months of carotid endarterectomy was discovered in 3.6% of 361 operations. The patients in this group of restenosis tended to be younger than the overall group. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were also more frequent. Restenosis recurred within an average of 12.5 months of the first operation, with a range from five to 24 months. No surgical technical causes could be found. Restenosis is attributed to rapid, exuberant myointimal proliferation. This process is histologically distinct from the atherosclerotic plaque which is the cause of late restenosis. Reoperation on this group of patients with the fibrous myointimal proliferative type of lesion was difficult and was infrequently associated with improvement in the patients' signs and symptoms.", "contents": "Early restenosis after carotid endarterectomy. Restenosis within 24 months of carotid endarterectomy was discovered in 3.6% of 361 operations. The patients in this group of restenosis tended to be younger than the overall group. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were also more frequent. Restenosis recurred within an average of 12.5 months of the first operation, with a range from five to 24 months. No surgical technical causes could be found. Restenosis is attributed to rapid, exuberant myointimal proliferation. This process is histologically distinct from the atherosclerotic plaque which is the cause of late restenosis. Reoperation on this group of patients with the fibrous myointimal proliferative type of lesion was difficult and was infrequently associated with improvement in the patients' signs and symptoms.", "PMID": 637692} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11386", "title": "Coexistent parathyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinoma. Can radiation be blamed?", "content": "The coexistence of parathyroid adenomas and thyroid cancer in a substantial number of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism has led to speculation implicating ionizing radiation as a possible cause. Experience with a group of 40 individuals harboring both tumors was reviewed and evidence of roentgen ray exposure to the head and neck was found in only one of these patients. Association of parathyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinoma cannot be explained on the basis of prior irradiation to the neck.", "contents": "Coexistent parathyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinoma. Can radiation be blamed? The coexistence of parathyroid adenomas and thyroid cancer in a substantial number of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism has led to speculation implicating ionizing radiation as a possible cause. Experience with a group of 40 individuals harboring both tumors was reviewed and evidence of roentgen ray exposure to the head and neck was found in only one of these patients. Association of parathyroid adenomas and thyroid carcinoma cannot be explained on the basis of prior irradiation to the neck.", "PMID": 637693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11387", "title": "Construction of pancreaticocystogastrostomy using an automatic stapling device.", "content": "The difficulties in employing standard techniques in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts led to the development and evaluation of a new approach. The advent of surgical stapling instruments has allowed the anastomotic procedures to be done in a more expeditious manner. For that reason, it was decided to treat pancreatic pseudocysts in two patients by constructing a pancreaticocystogastrostomy with the use of an automatic stapling instrument. The performance of the technique and the uneventful postoperative course encourages its continued use in cysts that are adjacent to the posterior gastric wall.", "contents": "Construction of pancreaticocystogastrostomy using an automatic stapling device. The difficulties in employing standard techniques in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts led to the development and evaluation of a new approach. The advent of surgical stapling instruments has allowed the anastomotic procedures to be done in a more expeditious manner. For that reason, it was decided to treat pancreatic pseudocysts in two patients by constructing a pancreaticocystogastrostomy with the use of an automatic stapling instrument. The performance of the technique and the uneventful postoperative course encourages its continued use in cysts that are adjacent to the posterior gastric wall.", "PMID": 637694} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11388", "title": "Removal of a thrombotic plug from an occluded limb of an aortofemoral graft.", "content": "We describe a technique for removal of a thrombotic plug from an occluded aortofemoral bypass limb that only requires operative exposure of the involved graft limb and that utilizes a balloon-tipped catheter and a Cannon endarterectomy loop. This method assures pulsatile inflow and avoids extended reconstructive procedures.", "contents": "Removal of a thrombotic plug from an occluded limb of an aortofemoral graft. We describe a technique for removal of a thrombotic plug from an occluded aortofemoral bypass limb that only requires operative exposure of the involved graft limb and that utilizes a balloon-tipped catheter and a Cannon endarterectomy loop. This method assures pulsatile inflow and avoids extended reconstructive procedures.", "PMID": 637695} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11389", "title": "Detection of lymphaticocutaneous fistula by radionuclide lymphangiography.", "content": "The detection and evaluation of a postoperative lymphatic fistula using a simple and rapid method of dynamic radionuclide lymphangiography is described.", "contents": "Detection of lymphaticocutaneous fistula by radionuclide lymphangiography. The detection and evaluation of a postoperative lymphatic fistula using a simple and rapid method of dynamic radionuclide lymphangiography is described.", "PMID": 637696} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11390", "title": "Complete obstruction of the gastric antrum in children following acid ingestion.", "content": "We report on two children who experienced delayed complete obstruction of the gastric antrum following concentrated acid ingestion. Both patients required initial tube gastrostomy and subsequent antrectomy with intestinal reconstruction. Unlike the more common alkaline corrosives, ingested acids tend to spare the esophagus and gastric fundus. While gastric perforation and vascular collapse may occur immediately following overwhelming acid ingestion, the more common course is chronic gastric antral inflammation with subsequent fibrosis and, in some cases, complete stricture. Delayed surgical reconstruction is recommended to permit the acute inflammation and edema to subside.", "contents": "Complete obstruction of the gastric antrum in children following acid ingestion. We report on two children who experienced delayed complete obstruction of the gastric antrum following concentrated acid ingestion. Both patients required initial tube gastrostomy and subsequent antrectomy with intestinal reconstruction. Unlike the more common alkaline corrosives, ingested acids tend to spare the esophagus and gastric fundus. While gastric perforation and vascular collapse may occur immediately following overwhelming acid ingestion, the more common course is chronic gastric antral inflammation with subsequent fibrosis and, in some cases, complete stricture. Delayed surgical reconstruction is recommended to permit the acute inflammation and edema to subside.", "PMID": 637697} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11391", "title": "Preduodenal portal vein: Two cases with differing presentation.", "content": "Preduodenal or precholedochal veins are rare developmental anomalies of considerable surgical importance. Injury to these structures because of failure to recognize them during operations for unrelated diseases may result in thrombosis or hemorrhage. We recently encountered this anomaly twice, once in a newborn infant with duodenal obstruction and once in a 54-year-old woman undergoing cholecystectomy. The preduodenal vein was not the primary cause of obstruction in the infant, but injury to the previously unrecognized percholedochal vein in the woman resulted in a considerable loss of blood. Besides describing and illustrating these two cases, we also discuss the anatomy and the embryology of these structures and briefly review the patterns of 44 previously reported cases that we found.", "contents": "Preduodenal portal vein: Two cases with differing presentation. Preduodenal or precholedochal veins are rare developmental anomalies of considerable surgical importance. Injury to these structures because of failure to recognize them during operations for unrelated diseases may result in thrombosis or hemorrhage. We recently encountered this anomaly twice, once in a newborn infant with duodenal obstruction and once in a 54-year-old woman undergoing cholecystectomy. The preduodenal vein was not the primary cause of obstruction in the infant, but injury to the previously unrecognized percholedochal vein in the woman resulted in a considerable loss of blood. Besides describing and illustrating these two cases, we also discuss the anatomy and the embryology of these structures and briefly review the patterns of 44 previously reported cases that we found.", "PMID": 637698} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11392", "title": "Sigmoid volvulus in the young. A case following cesarean section.", "content": "Sigmoid volvulus occurs more frequently in the younger patient than is presently thought. It is not infrequent in females. It usually presents with \"colicky\" abdominal pain, long-standing constipation or obstipation, and increasing distention of several days' duration. A history of similar attacks strengthens the suspicion for this diagnosis. Abdominal x-ray films will usually reveal severe colonic dilation down to a low point in the sigmoid, without gas in the rectum. The classic \"horseshoe\" sign is seldom seen, but when present, strengthens the diagnosis. Surgical manipulation and pregnancy may be contributing factors. Treatment should be surgical unless contraindicated by specific circumstances.", "contents": "Sigmoid volvulus in the young. A case following cesarean section. Sigmoid volvulus occurs more frequently in the younger patient than is presently thought. It is not infrequent in females. It usually presents with \"colicky\" abdominal pain, long-standing constipation or obstipation, and increasing distention of several days' duration. A history of similar attacks strengthens the suspicion for this diagnosis. Abdominal x-ray films will usually reveal severe colonic dilation down to a low point in the sigmoid, without gas in the rectum. The classic \"horseshoe\" sign is seldom seen, but when present, strengthens the diagnosis. Surgical manipulation and pregnancy may be contributing factors. Treatment should be surgical unless contraindicated by specific circumstances.", "PMID": 637699} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11393", "title": "Oncocytoma of the parotid gland with malignant change.", "content": "We report on a patient with preinvasive malignant change in an oncocytoma of the right parotid gland. Histologic transition from benign morphology to malignant cellular atypia, to our knowledge described only once previously in the literature, was present. Satisfactory results from wide surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy in our patient serve as additional experience in the treatment of this rare malignancy.", "contents": "Oncocytoma of the parotid gland with malignant change. We report on a patient with preinvasive malignant change in an oncocytoma of the right parotid gland. Histologic transition from benign morphology to malignant cellular atypia, to our knowledge described only once previously in the literature, was present. Satisfactory results from wide surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy in our patient serve as additional experience in the treatment of this rare malignancy.", "PMID": 637700} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11394", "title": "Intermittent hydroephrosis. A cause of abdominal pain.", "content": "Intermittent hydronephrosis may appear as acute abdominal pain. Between episodes of pain, the patient may be asymptomatic, and the intravenous urogram usually will be normal. The condition is diagnosed from intravenous urograms taken either during an episode of pain or after hydronephrosis has been precipitated by hydration. There are many causes of intermittent hydronephrosis; however, the closed renal pelvis and nondistensible ureteropelvic junction are important factors in nearly all cases. Pyeloplasty is the best treatment and is usually curative.", "contents": "Intermittent hydroephrosis. A cause of abdominal pain. Intermittent hydronephrosis may appear as acute abdominal pain. Between episodes of pain, the patient may be asymptomatic, and the intravenous urogram usually will be normal. The condition is diagnosed from intravenous urograms taken either during an episode of pain or after hydronephrosis has been precipitated by hydration. There are many causes of intermittent hydronephrosis; however, the closed renal pelvis and nondistensible ureteropelvic junction are important factors in nearly all cases. Pyeloplasty is the best treatment and is usually curative.", "PMID": 637701} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11395", "title": "Treatment and prevention of Mobin-Uddin umbrella misplacement.", "content": "Interruption of the blood flow in the inferior vena cava by a Mobin-Uddin umbrella has become a popular method of preventing recurrent pulmonary emboli. Although infrequent, complications are significant. An umbrella device was inserted in the right renal vein of a patient; the management of this complication is discussed. Immediate operative removal of the device with renal vein repair is recommended. Postoperative intravenous pyelogram and frequent urinalyses should be obtained to document continued renal vein patency and adequate renal function. Occurrence of this complication can be minimized by using a preinsertion cavogram to define anomalies of the venous system. Also, recent availability of an applicator that permits venacavography at the time of umbrella insertion should be of great assistance.", "contents": "Treatment and prevention of Mobin-Uddin umbrella misplacement. Interruption of the blood flow in the inferior vena cava by a Mobin-Uddin umbrella has become a popular method of preventing recurrent pulmonary emboli. Although infrequent, complications are significant. An umbrella device was inserted in the right renal vein of a patient; the management of this complication is discussed. Immediate operative removal of the device with renal vein repair is recommended. Postoperative intravenous pyelogram and frequent urinalyses should be obtained to document continued renal vein patency and adequate renal function. Occurrence of this complication can be minimized by using a preinsertion cavogram to define anomalies of the venous system. Also, recent availability of an applicator that permits venacavography at the time of umbrella insertion should be of great assistance.", "PMID": 637702} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11396", "title": "Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tube. Successful treatment by tracheal resection and primary repair with four-year follow-up.", "content": "A tracheoesophageal fistula secondard to prolonged nasogastric intubation and ventilatory assistance via a cuffed tracheostomy tube developed in a 27-year-old woman who had sustained a traumatic injury. The fistula grew progressively larger despite removal of the tubes, thus demonstrating the inherent poor prognosis associated with the untreated lesion. Since the cuff necessarily damages the trachea circumferentially at the same level, closure of the fistula and circumferential excision and reconstruction of the damaged tracheal wall were performed with an excellent result up to four years after the repair. This would be the preferred procedure when the patient can be weaned off the respirator and when the general condition and the size of the fistula allow such a definitive one-stage approach.", "contents": "Tracheoesophageal fistula caused by cuffed tracheal tube. Successful treatment by tracheal resection and primary repair with four-year follow-up. A tracheoesophageal fistula secondard to prolonged nasogastric intubation and ventilatory assistance via a cuffed tracheostomy tube developed in a 27-year-old woman who had sustained a traumatic injury. The fistula grew progressively larger despite removal of the tubes, thus demonstrating the inherent poor prognosis associated with the untreated lesion. Since the cuff necessarily damages the trachea circumferentially at the same level, closure of the fistula and circumferential excision and reconstruction of the damaged tracheal wall were performed with an excellent result up to four years after the repair. This would be the preferred procedure when the patient can be weaned off the respirator and when the general condition and the size of the fistula allow such a definitive one-stage approach.", "PMID": 637703} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11397", "title": "Carcinoma of the breast. A clinical study.", "content": "An analysis of 1,686 surgically treated carcinomas of the breast in one community showed no statistically significant differences in five- and ten-year survival for simple, modified radical, or radical mastectomy. Further confirmation was obtained by computation of relative survival which in addition showed that older women more nearly approach normal life expectancy than younger ones. Bilaterality was found to be a decreasing function of age. Patients with medial and lateral tumors did not have significantly different rates of survival or sites of distant metastases.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the breast. A clinical study. An analysis of 1,686 surgically treated carcinomas of the breast in one community showed no statistically significant differences in five- and ten-year survival for simple, modified radical, or radical mastectomy. Further confirmation was obtained by computation of relative survival which in addition showed that older women more nearly approach normal life expectancy than younger ones. Bilaterality was found to be a decreasing function of age. Patients with medial and lateral tumors did not have significantly different rates of survival or sites of distant metastases.", "PMID": 637705} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11398", "title": "Management of occult medullary thyroid carcinoma: evidenced only by serum calcitonin level elevations after apparently adequate neck operations.", "content": "Following operation for medullary thyroid carcinoma, elevated serum calcitonin levels were present in 18 patients who had no clinically evident residual tumor. In eight of these patients, additional operations have been performed to achieve an appropriate thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection. In six of these eight, elevated serum calcitonin concentrations persist. Extensive clinical examinations failed to identify a metastatic focus of carcinoma. Serum calcitonin concentrations have remained relatively stable for up to six years (average, 3.9 years) of observations in 12 patients after initial or only operations performed from one to 13 years (average 7.3 years) previously. This suggests that microscopic metastases of this carcinoma can remain relatively dormant for years. The management of medullary thyroid carcinoma requires initially adequate cervical operations, periodic serum calcitonin measurements postoperatively, reoperation if adequate neck surgery has not been performed and if serum calcitonin levels remain elevated and only periodic reevaluation for other asymptomatic patients with persistently elevated concentrations of serum calcitonin.", "contents": "Management of occult medullary thyroid carcinoma: evidenced only by serum calcitonin level elevations after apparently adequate neck operations. Following operation for medullary thyroid carcinoma, elevated serum calcitonin levels were present in 18 patients who had no clinically evident residual tumor. In eight of these patients, additional operations have been performed to achieve an appropriate thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection. In six of these eight, elevated serum calcitonin concentrations persist. Extensive clinical examinations failed to identify a metastatic focus of carcinoma. Serum calcitonin concentrations have remained relatively stable for up to six years (average, 3.9 years) of observations in 12 patients after initial or only operations performed from one to 13 years (average 7.3 years) previously. This suggests that microscopic metastases of this carcinoma can remain relatively dormant for years. The management of medullary thyroid carcinoma requires initially adequate cervical operations, periodic serum calcitonin measurements postoperatively, reoperation if adequate neck surgery has not been performed and if serum calcitonin levels remain elevated and only periodic reevaluation for other asymptomatic patients with persistently elevated concentrations of serum calcitonin.", "PMID": 637706} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11399", "title": "Management of severe hypercalcemia caused by primary hyperparathyroidism.", "content": "Hypercalcemic crisis is a rare but often fatal complication of hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The reported mortality of 60% has been related to delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. During a 16-year period (1961 to 1977), 29 patients with severe symptomatic hypercalcemia caused by primary HPT were treated at the Surgical Service at the University of Michigan Hospital. This group represents 6% of the patients with primary HPT treated during this period. All but one patient had an exploration of the neck when the serum calcium level had been decreased to 12 mg/100 ml by intravenous hydration with saline, furosemide diuresis, and mithramycin when a hypocalcemic agent was required. One comatose patient died of irreversible shock. All of the 28 patients who had parathyroidectomies survived the early postoperative period. One patient died three weeks later of a myocardial infarction. This study demonstrates that emergent nonoperative care of parathyroid crisis, followed promptly by parathyroidectomy, can be successful in nearly all cases.", "contents": "Management of severe hypercalcemia caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. Hypercalcemic crisis is a rare but often fatal complication of hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The reported mortality of 60% has been related to delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. During a 16-year period (1961 to 1977), 29 patients with severe symptomatic hypercalcemia caused by primary HPT were treated at the Surgical Service at the University of Michigan Hospital. This group represents 6% of the patients with primary HPT treated during this period. All but one patient had an exploration of the neck when the serum calcium level had been decreased to 12 mg/100 ml by intravenous hydration with saline, furosemide diuresis, and mithramycin when a hypocalcemic agent was required. One comatose patient died of irreversible shock. All of the 28 patients who had parathyroidectomies survived the early postoperative period. One patient died three weeks later of a myocardial infarction. This study demonstrates that emergent nonoperative care of parathyroid crisis, followed promptly by parathyroidectomy, can be successful in nearly all cases.", "PMID": 637707} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11400", "title": "Primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "To determine whether primary hyperparathyroidism is related to peptic ulcer disease, we evaluated 46 cases of concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease. Among these patients, there was no sex preponderance. The pathologic findings at parathyroid surgery, as well as the features of peptic ulcer disease, were the same as in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism or with peptic ulcer disease alone. The ulcer symptoms of 58% of the patients with adequate follow up improved after parathyroidectomy. Sixty-six percent of the patients who had active peptic ulcer disease at surgery improved as compared with only 44% of the patients who had complicated peptic ulcer disease. None of the factors studied (age, sex, serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone levels, location, and duration of ulcer) had any effect on the peptic ulcer symptoms after parathyroidectomy. Our results and a critical review of the experimental and clinical literature suggest that the association between primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease is no more than coincidental.", "contents": "Primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease. To determine whether primary hyperparathyroidism is related to peptic ulcer disease, we evaluated 46 cases of concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease. Among these patients, there was no sex preponderance. The pathologic findings at parathyroid surgery, as well as the features of peptic ulcer disease, were the same as in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism or with peptic ulcer disease alone. The ulcer symptoms of 58% of the patients with adequate follow up improved after parathyroidectomy. Sixty-six percent of the patients who had active peptic ulcer disease at surgery improved as compared with only 44% of the patients who had complicated peptic ulcer disease. None of the factors studied (age, sex, serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone levels, location, and duration of ulcer) had any effect on the peptic ulcer symptoms after parathyroidectomy. Our results and a critical review of the experimental and clinical literature suggest that the association between primary hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer disease is no more than coincidental.", "PMID": 637708} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11401", "title": "Pulmonary effects of albumin resuscitation for severe hypovolemic shock.", "content": "The effect of albumin when added to the resuscitation regimen of patients in hypovolemic shock was studied in a randomized prospective manner in 52 injured patients who received an average of 15.3 transfusions, 9.6 liters of balanced electrolyte solution, and 980 ml of fresh frozen plasma. Before and during operation, 27 patients received an average of 25 gm of albumin and 150 gm/day for three to five days. Patients who received albumin had greater dependence on respiratory support, averaging eight days while receiving ventilatory support with volume ventilator compared with three days in patients not receiving albumin. Furthermore, patients receiving albumin had forced inspiratory oxygen/Pao2 ratios that were statistically and significantly higher than those of patients not receiving albumin during all phases of their hospital course. These effects were associated with increased plasma volumes caused by the oncotic effects of albumin and by its interference with saline diuresis. On the basis of this preliminary report, albumin seems to have a detrimental effect on respiratory function.", "contents": "Pulmonary effects of albumin resuscitation for severe hypovolemic shock. The effect of albumin when added to the resuscitation regimen of patients in hypovolemic shock was studied in a randomized prospective manner in 52 injured patients who received an average of 15.3 transfusions, 9.6 liters of balanced electrolyte solution, and 980 ml of fresh frozen plasma. Before and during operation, 27 patients received an average of 25 gm of albumin and 150 gm/day for three to five days. Patients who received albumin had greater dependence on respiratory support, averaging eight days while receiving ventilatory support with volume ventilator compared with three days in patients not receiving albumin. Furthermore, patients receiving albumin had forced inspiratory oxygen/Pao2 ratios that were statistically and significantly higher than those of patients not receiving albumin during all phases of their hospital course. These effects were associated with increased plasma volumes caused by the oncotic effects of albumin and by its interference with saline diuresis. On the basis of this preliminary report, albumin seems to have a detrimental effect on respiratory function.", "PMID": 637709} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11402", "title": "'Lethal' burns. A progress report.", "content": "Sixteen consecutive patients, nine of whom also had inhalation injury, had burns over 72% body surface area or more. The expected death rate was 94%. In fact, all of the eight patients still alive after 48 hours survived. The early deaths were primarily due to inhalation injury, the treatment of which remains an unsolved problem. A mixture of cerium nitrate and silver sulfadiazine was used for topical wound antisepsis. The wound flora was sparse: 447 of 814 wound-surface cultures were sterile; Gram-negative bacteria were recovered in 13%. This efficacious wound bacteriostasis appeared primarily responsible for the absence of late death.", "contents": "'Lethal' burns. A progress report. Sixteen consecutive patients, nine of whom also had inhalation injury, had burns over 72% body surface area or more. The expected death rate was 94%. In fact, all of the eight patients still alive after 48 hours survived. The early deaths were primarily due to inhalation injury, the treatment of which remains an unsolved problem. A mixture of cerium nitrate and silver sulfadiazine was used for topical wound antisepsis. The wound flora was sparse: 447 of 814 wound-surface cultures were sterile; Gram-negative bacteria were recovered in 13%. This efficacious wound bacteriostasis appeared primarily responsible for the absence of late death.", "PMID": 637710} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11403", "title": "Traumatic injuries of the inferior vena cava.", "content": "Three hundred and one patients with injury to the inferior vena cava have been treated over the past 30 years. Penetrating injuries predominated, with gunshot injury in 228 patients. The inferior vena cava was injured above the renal veins in 84 patients. One hundred and forty-eight patients had shock, 55 without palpable pulse or blood pressure. Vascular repair was accomplished in 234 patients. Ligation or packing was performed in 32 patients. Thirty-five patients died prior to vascular control or repair. Placement of intravascular shunts or occluding balloons was utilized in 25 patients. Mortality has decreased from a high of 100% in 1955 to 30% during the last six years of this experience. Reduction in mortality probably has resulted from shortened wounding to therapy intervals with more effective resuscitation and vascular control.", "contents": "Traumatic injuries of the inferior vena cava. Three hundred and one patients with injury to the inferior vena cava have been treated over the past 30 years. Penetrating injuries predominated, with gunshot injury in 228 patients. The inferior vena cava was injured above the renal veins in 84 patients. One hundred and forty-eight patients had shock, 55 without palpable pulse or blood pressure. Vascular repair was accomplished in 234 patients. Ligation or packing was performed in 32 patients. Thirty-five patients died prior to vascular control or repair. Placement of intravascular shunts or occluding balloons was utilized in 25 patients. Mortality has decreased from a high of 100% in 1955 to 30% during the last six years of this experience. Reduction in mortality probably has resulted from shortened wounding to therapy intervals with more effective resuscitation and vascular control.", "PMID": 637711} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11404", "title": "The validity of normal arteriography in penetrating trauma.", "content": "The detection of underlying arterial injury is a major problem in the management of penetrating trauma. Arteriovenous fistula and false aneurysm are late sequelae of unrepaired injuries. The diagnostic accuracy of arteriography in clinically occult injury has not been defined. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with 183 penetrating extremity wounds underwent arteriography followed by operative vessel exploration. Arteriogram/operation correlation demonstrated 36 true-positive, 132 true-negative, 14 false-positive, and one false-negative arteriogram. Arteriography is sufficiency sensitive to exclude the presence of arterial injury in patients with equivocal clinical signs of injury. The radiographic changes are often sublte and diagnostic accuracy demands attention to the details of technique and interpretation. Unequivocal clinical signs of arterial injury and any arteriographic abnormality are indications for operative exploration.", "contents": "The validity of normal arteriography in penetrating trauma. The detection of underlying arterial injury is a major problem in the management of penetrating trauma. Arteriovenous fistula and false aneurysm are late sequelae of unrepaired injuries. The diagnostic accuracy of arteriography in clinically occult injury has not been defined. One hundred and seventy-seven patients with 183 penetrating extremity wounds underwent arteriography followed by operative vessel exploration. Arteriogram/operation correlation demonstrated 36 true-positive, 132 true-negative, 14 false-positive, and one false-negative arteriogram. Arteriography is sufficiency sensitive to exclude the presence of arterial injury in patients with equivocal clinical signs of injury. The radiographic changes are often sublte and diagnostic accuracy demands attention to the details of technique and interpretation. Unequivocal clinical signs of arterial injury and any arteriographic abnormality are indications for operative exploration.", "PMID": 637712} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11405", "title": "Deep venous thrombosis and postsplenectomy thrombocytosis.", "content": "Eighty-six patients undergoing elective splenectomy have been investigated preoperatively and postoperatively by serial platelet counts and leg scanning using iodine 125-labeled fibrinogen. The presence of deep leg vein thromboses detected by labeled fibrinogen was confirmed by dye phlebography. In only five patients (6%) did deep venous thrombosis develop. In none of these five patients did an elevation in platelet count to 600,000/cu mm develop before or at the time of development of the thrombosis. None of 21 other patients who did have a rise in platelet count greater than 1,000,000/cu mm had evidenced of venous thrombosis. These data do not substantiate the need for routine prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients in whom postsplenectomy thrombocytosis develops.", "contents": "Deep venous thrombosis and postsplenectomy thrombocytosis. Eighty-six patients undergoing elective splenectomy have been investigated preoperatively and postoperatively by serial platelet counts and leg scanning using iodine 125-labeled fibrinogen. The presence of deep leg vein thromboses detected by labeled fibrinogen was confirmed by dye phlebography. In only five patients (6%) did deep venous thrombosis develop. In none of these five patients did an elevation in platelet count to 600,000/cu mm develop before or at the time of development of the thrombosis. None of 21 other patients who did have a rise in platelet count greater than 1,000,000/cu mm had evidenced of venous thrombosis. These data do not substantiate the need for routine prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients in whom postsplenectomy thrombocytosis develops.", "PMID": 637713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11406", "title": "Early decortication after thoracic trauma.", "content": "Twenty-three patients who sustained either blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma underwent early decortication after failure of chest tube drainage. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) ten with isolated chest injuries were compared with (2) 13 with chest trauma and other associated major injuries. Group 1 patients had earlier decortication (10.3 days), rapid recovery (home in 6.1 days), and little morbidity. Group 2 patients had later decortications (19.3 days), higher incidence of infected clot, yet were home in 9.8 days after thoracotomy. Early decortication is advocated as a safe and expedient means of dealing with the complications of traumatic pneumothorax and hemothorax.", "contents": "Early decortication after thoracic trauma. Twenty-three patients who sustained either blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma underwent early decortication after failure of chest tube drainage. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) ten with isolated chest injuries were compared with (2) 13 with chest trauma and other associated major injuries. Group 1 patients had earlier decortication (10.3 days), rapid recovery (home in 6.1 days), and little morbidity. Group 2 patients had later decortications (19.3 days), higher incidence of infected clot, yet were home in 9.8 days after thoracotomy. Early decortication is advocated as a safe and expedient means of dealing with the complications of traumatic pneumothorax and hemothorax.", "PMID": 637714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11407", "title": "Radiotherapy combined with curative surgery. Its use as therapy for carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum.", "content": "Local recurrence rates for colorectal carcinoma occur in the range from 20% to 35%. For this reason, postoperative radiotherapy was evaluated as a measure to achieve local disease control in the pelvis. Patients with tumors penetrating the entire bowel wall or with regionally involved lymph nodes received approximately 5,000 rads over a six-week period that commenced three to six weeks after surgery. Sixty-two patients treated by this method are compared with 168 patients treated without adjunctive radiotherapy. Five local recurrences occurred in the group receiving radiotherapy; a reduced incidence compared to the group managed by surgery alone. Complications attributable to radiotherapy included radiation enteritis and bowel obstruction. Measures to minimize complications with this combined approach have been identified. Surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy may be performed with an acceptable complication rate and this appears promising in reducing local recurrence of carcinomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum.", "contents": "Radiotherapy combined with curative surgery. Its use as therapy for carcinoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Local recurrence rates for colorectal carcinoma occur in the range from 20% to 35%. For this reason, postoperative radiotherapy was evaluated as a measure to achieve local disease control in the pelvis. Patients with tumors penetrating the entire bowel wall or with regionally involved lymph nodes received approximately 5,000 rads over a six-week period that commenced three to six weeks after surgery. Sixty-two patients treated by this method are compared with 168 patients treated without adjunctive radiotherapy. Five local recurrences occurred in the group receiving radiotherapy; a reduced incidence compared to the group managed by surgery alone. Complications attributable to radiotherapy included radiation enteritis and bowel obstruction. Measures to minimize complications with this combined approach have been identified. Surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy may be performed with an acceptable complication rate and this appears promising in reducing local recurrence of carcinomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum.", "PMID": 637715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11408", "title": "A critical evaluation of the Duhamel operation for Hirschsprung's disease.", "content": "Eighty-nine patients with Hirschsprung's disease were treated from 1972 to 1977. Of the patients, 70 were boys, 85 were the result of full-term pregnancy, and four had Down's syndrome. There were 23 children, 32 infants, and 34 neonates including seven (20%) with enterocolitis. Early mortality was 8.8% in neonates and 3% in infants. After initial diversion (colostomy or enterostomy), 66 patients had \"classic\" (ten), modified (52), or \"long\" (four) Duhamel pull-through procedures at age 1 year. Operative mortality was zero. Three late deaths occurred; two of them were mongols. Fecaloma occurred in eight of ten classic cases that required revision. Postoperative enterocolitis occurred in three of four long procedures done for total colonic aganglionosis. The modified Duhamel procedure was associated with a low complication rate and good function. There were no instances of anastomotic leak, anal stricture, or genitourinary problems. These data indicate that the modified Duhamel operation is a highly acceptable procedure in the management of Hirsch sprung's disease.", "contents": "A critical evaluation of the Duhamel operation for Hirschsprung's disease. Eighty-nine patients with Hirschsprung's disease were treated from 1972 to 1977. Of the patients, 70 were boys, 85 were the result of full-term pregnancy, and four had Down's syndrome. There were 23 children, 32 infants, and 34 neonates including seven (20%) with enterocolitis. Early mortality was 8.8% in neonates and 3% in infants. After initial diversion (colostomy or enterostomy), 66 patients had \"classic\" (ten), modified (52), or \"long\" (four) Duhamel pull-through procedures at age 1 year. Operative mortality was zero. Three late deaths occurred; two of them were mongols. Fecaloma occurred in eight of ten classic cases that required revision. Postoperative enterocolitis occurred in three of four long procedures done for total colonic aganglionosis. The modified Duhamel procedure was associated with a low complication rate and good function. There were no instances of anastomotic leak, anal stricture, or genitourinary problems. These data indicate that the modified Duhamel operation is a highly acceptable procedure in the management of Hirsch sprung's disease.", "PMID": 637716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11409", "title": "Intra-abdominal infection and acute renal failure.", "content": "The course of 76 consecutive patients with acute renal failure and severe intra-abdominal infection was reviewed to identify the microorganisms responsible, the factor precipitating reoperation, and prognostic indicators. Peritonitis occurred in 75 patients, 48 of whom had abscesses. Twenty-four patients (32%) survived. Anaerobes and fungi were commonly grown from blood. Gram-negative aerobic blood isolates were associated with the highest mortality. Leukocytosis, physical findings, and fever were factors that prompted reexploration whereas diagnostic procedures played an ancillary role. The finding of specifically correctable conditions at reoperation improved survival (P less than .05). Myocardial infarction and disseminated intravascular coagulation affected survival unfavorably whereas hyperalimentation had a favorable influence (P less than .05). Aggressive medical, nutritional, and surgical management results in improved survival rates in these patients.", "contents": "Intra-abdominal infection and acute renal failure. The course of 76 consecutive patients with acute renal failure and severe intra-abdominal infection was reviewed to identify the microorganisms responsible, the factor precipitating reoperation, and prognostic indicators. Peritonitis occurred in 75 patients, 48 of whom had abscesses. Twenty-four patients (32%) survived. Anaerobes and fungi were commonly grown from blood. Gram-negative aerobic blood isolates were associated with the highest mortality. Leukocytosis, physical findings, and fever were factors that prompted reexploration whereas diagnostic procedures played an ancillary role. The finding of specifically correctable conditions at reoperation improved survival (P less than .05). Myocardial infarction and disseminated intravascular coagulation affected survival unfavorably whereas hyperalimentation had a favorable influence (P less than .05). Aggressive medical, nutritional, and surgical management results in improved survival rates in these patients.", "PMID": 637717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11410", "title": "Endoscopic electrocoagulation: an alternative to operative therapy in bleeding peptic ulcer disease.", "content": "Twelve patients with severely bleeding peptic ulcers (six duodenal, five gastric, and one esophageal) who were considered to be at high operative risk were treated instead by endoscopic electrocoagulation of the bleeding point. Arrest of the bleeding was permanent in ten, one bled again two days later, and one patient died of nonulcer disease one day later. Although this method to control bleeding from peptic ulceration is new, it seems to offer promise especially when treating desperately ill people.", "contents": "Endoscopic electrocoagulation: an alternative to operative therapy in bleeding peptic ulcer disease. Twelve patients with severely bleeding peptic ulcers (six duodenal, five gastric, and one esophageal) who were considered to be at high operative risk were treated instead by endoscopic electrocoagulation of the bleeding point. Arrest of the bleeding was permanent in ten, one bled again two days later, and one patient died of nonulcer disease one day later. Although this method to control bleeding from peptic ulceration is new, it seems to offer promise especially when treating desperately ill people.", "PMID": 637718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11411", "title": "Proximal hepatic duct reconstruction. Repair using sutureless mucosal graft hepaticojejunostomy.", "content": "Six patients who had hepatic duct lesions, five who had strictures, and one who had a right hepatic duct transection underwent repair by sutureless mucosal graft hepaticojejunostomy. All patients had initial improvement, and five have maintained excellent biliary-intestinal continuity after an average 25-month follow-up. In one patient, recurrent symptoms developed and she died of cholangiocarcinoma. This technique is simple and fulfills the criteria for successful high hepatic duct reconstruction. The promising early results in these patients suggest that this procedure may provide a superior approach to this difficult problem.", "contents": "Proximal hepatic duct reconstruction. Repair using sutureless mucosal graft hepaticojejunostomy. Six patients who had hepatic duct lesions, five who had strictures, and one who had a right hepatic duct transection underwent repair by sutureless mucosal graft hepaticojejunostomy. All patients had initial improvement, and five have maintained excellent biliary-intestinal continuity after an average 25-month follow-up. In one patient, recurrent symptoms developed and she died of cholangiocarcinoma. This technique is simple and fulfills the criteria for successful high hepatic duct reconstruction. The promising early results in these patients suggest that this procedure may provide a superior approach to this difficult problem.", "PMID": 637719} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11412", "title": "Inframesocolic transduodenal approach to the distal biliary-pancreatic ductal system.", "content": "The usefulness of the inframesocolic transduodenal approach to the distal biliary system in patients in whom numerous previous procedures had been performed was evaluated. First, the feasibility of the technique was ascertained by anatomic study. Ten anatomic dissections were performed during routine postmortem examinations. This proved that the duodenum, ampulla of Vater, distal common duct, and head of the pancreas could be adequately exposed via the inframesocolic approach and that it was reasonable to use the procedure clinically. This approach has been used successfully in five cases. It was found that (1) the inframesocolic approach to the duodenum and distal biliary system is useful, particularly in those patients requiring second operations in the right upper quadrant; and (2) the approach allows ready access to the area through virgin territory and has distinct advantages in exposure, operative time, and information available.", "contents": "Inframesocolic transduodenal approach to the distal biliary-pancreatic ductal system. The usefulness of the inframesocolic transduodenal approach to the distal biliary system in patients in whom numerous previous procedures had been performed was evaluated. First, the feasibility of the technique was ascertained by anatomic study. Ten anatomic dissections were performed during routine postmortem examinations. This proved that the duodenum, ampulla of Vater, distal common duct, and head of the pancreas could be adequately exposed via the inframesocolic approach and that it was reasonable to use the procedure clinically. This approach has been used successfully in five cases. It was found that (1) the inframesocolic approach to the duodenum and distal biliary system is useful, particularly in those patients requiring second operations in the right upper quadrant; and (2) the approach allows ready access to the area through virgin territory and has distinct advantages in exposure, operative time, and information available.", "PMID": 637720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11413", "title": "Evaluation of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute and chronic biliary tract disease.", "content": "Oral cholecystography and intravenous cholangiography are the two studies most frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of biliary tract disease. Since it is not always practical to obtain these in acutely ill patients, gray scale sonography was evaluated to determine its accuracy. One hundred eight patients had sonography performed prior to operation. The sonogram was correct in 96 of the 108 patients (89%). There were four false-negatives (3.7%), one false-positive (0.9%), and seven patients (6.4%) in whom the study was nondiagnostic. Stones were seen in 88 patients and confirmed in 87 patients for an accuracy of 98.9% Sonography is a simple, noninvasive procedure by which cholelithiasis can be accurately detected. Because of the high correlation between sonography and operative findings, we suggest that cholecystosonography be used as the initial screening study in patients suspected of having biliary tract disease.", "contents": "Evaluation of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute and chronic biliary tract disease. Oral cholecystography and intravenous cholangiography are the two studies most frequently used to confirm the diagnosis of biliary tract disease. Since it is not always practical to obtain these in acutely ill patients, gray scale sonography was evaluated to determine its accuracy. One hundred eight patients had sonography performed prior to operation. The sonogram was correct in 96 of the 108 patients (89%). There were four false-negatives (3.7%), one false-positive (0.9%), and seven patients (6.4%) in whom the study was nondiagnostic. Stones were seen in 88 patients and confirmed in 87 patients for an accuracy of 98.9% Sonography is a simple, noninvasive procedure by which cholelithiasis can be accurately detected. Because of the high correlation between sonography and operative findings, we suggest that cholecystosonography be used as the initial screening study in patients suspected of having biliary tract disease.", "PMID": 637721} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11414", "title": "Pancreatic cystadenoma. A clinicopathologic study of 45 cases.", "content": "Forty-five patients with pancreatic cystadenoma were treated surgically at the Mayo Clinic between 1939 and 1975. Each lesion was classified as mucous or serous. The most frequent lesion site was the tail of the pancreas. The typical patient was a middle-aged woman with upper abdominal pain and a palpable mass on initial examination. Total extirpation of the cystadenoma was the treatment of choice; internal drainage or external drainage of these cysts should not be done. Occasionally, the nearness of the tumors to the mesenteric vessels precluded excision. The mucous type had malignant potential whereas the serous does not. None of the cystadenomas subsequently underwent malignant degeneration. Because of the slow-growing characteristics of the tumor, undue operative risks should not be taken.", "contents": "Pancreatic cystadenoma. A clinicopathologic study of 45 cases. Forty-five patients with pancreatic cystadenoma were treated surgically at the Mayo Clinic between 1939 and 1975. Each lesion was classified as mucous or serous. The most frequent lesion site was the tail of the pancreas. The typical patient was a middle-aged woman with upper abdominal pain and a palpable mass on initial examination. Total extirpation of the cystadenoma was the treatment of choice; internal drainage or external drainage of these cysts should not be done. Occasionally, the nearness of the tumors to the mesenteric vessels precluded excision. The mucous type had malignant potential whereas the serous does not. None of the cystadenomas subsequently underwent malignant degeneration. Because of the slow-growing characteristics of the tumor, undue operative risks should not be taken.", "PMID": 637722} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11415", "title": "[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 2. The course of 15 N labeling in the chyme, urine and blood].", "content": "Three female pigs provided with re-entrant canulas at the beginning and the end of the small intestine and catheterized for blood and urine collection were once fed a 15N-labelled mixed diet. Until 48 hours after feed intake chyme from the canulas and urine and blood were collected at varying intervals. All 15N-frequencies measured in the duodenal chyme were found to be below the labelling of the feed protein. Until 11 hours after intake of the labelled feed, the residue obtained by centrifugation of the intestinal contents revealed the highest 15N-labelling. Only slight differences were found in the frequencies of the other fractions (proteins, peptides, free amino acids). The almost constant labelling of all fractions in that period is indicative of a dilution with endogenous nitrogen being constant in comparison with food N. The 15N-frequencies of the chyme fractions observed at the end of the small intestine allowed to conclude that the breakdown of the food proteins is more complete than the disintegration of the endogenous proteins.", "contents": "[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 2. The course of 15 N labeling in the chyme, urine and blood]. Three female pigs provided with re-entrant canulas at the beginning and the end of the small intestine and catheterized for blood and urine collection were once fed a 15N-labelled mixed diet. Until 48 hours after feed intake chyme from the canulas and urine and blood were collected at varying intervals. All 15N-frequencies measured in the duodenal chyme were found to be below the labelling of the feed protein. Until 11 hours after intake of the labelled feed, the residue obtained by centrifugation of the intestinal contents revealed the highest 15N-labelling. Only slight differences were found in the frequencies of the other fractions (proteins, peptides, free amino acids). The almost constant labelling of all fractions in that period is indicative of a dilution with endogenous nitrogen being constant in comparison with food N. The 15N-frequencies of the chyme fractions observed at the end of the small intestine allowed to conclude that the breakdown of the food proteins is more complete than the disintegration of the endogenous proteins.", "PMID": 637723} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11416", "title": "[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 1. Passage of the chyme in the small intestine].", "content": "Three female pigs of about 50 kg liveweight were provided with re-entrant canulas in the upper and lower sections of the small intestine and were catheterized to collect urine and blood (vena jugularis). After feeding once the experimental diet containing 15N-labelled, fat extracted dry curd as protein component, it was possible to determine, on two days, the chyme passed through the canulas and to separate aliquote portions thereof for analysis. The cellulose contained in the food was used as indicator for the passage rate of the chyme in the small intestine. The passage rates in the small intestine calculated from the amounts of cellulose and chyme were found to agree fairly well. The passage rates in the upper part of the small intestine were characterized by strongly marked, short-time peaks, right after feed intake, and by periods of relatively even chyme flow some eight hours after feeding. At the end of the small intestine almost constant chyme passage rates were observed over the whole experimental period.", "contents": "[Studies on nitrogen and amino-acid absorption in the swine. Part 1. Passage of the chyme in the small intestine]. Three female pigs of about 50 kg liveweight were provided with re-entrant canulas in the upper and lower sections of the small intestine and were catheterized to collect urine and blood (vena jugularis). After feeding once the experimental diet containing 15N-labelled, fat extracted dry curd as protein component, it was possible to determine, on two days, the chyme passed through the canulas and to separate aliquote portions thereof for analysis. The cellulose contained in the food was used as indicator for the passage rate of the chyme in the small intestine. The passage rates in the small intestine calculated from the amounts of cellulose and chyme were found to agree fairly well. The passage rates in the upper part of the small intestine were characterized by strongly marked, short-time peaks, right after feed intake, and by periods of relatively even chyme flow some eight hours after feeding. At the end of the small intestine almost constant chyme passage rates were observed over the whole experimental period.", "PMID": 637724} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11417", "title": "[Studies on the performance-related lysine requirement in fattening pigs. 1. Influence of energy and aminoacid intake on fattening].", "content": "A total of 110 barrows fed varying levels of energy and amino acids in 8 treatments, were tested. The weight gains per fattening day and energy expenditure were found to be mainly determined by energy intake. Up to a liveweight of 100 kg both low and high levels of amino acid supply produced the same fattening performance results as amino acid supply to standard. In the 100-120 kg liveweight range, the animals fed higher levels of protein proved slightly superior. As to energy expenditure, animals subjected to restricted feeding up to 70 kg liveweight and fed full rations later, consumed 2.22 kEFs (2.22 kilo energetic feed equivalents/swine) per kg gain and proved significantly superior to those animals that were very intensively fed at the beginning and put to restricted feeding beyond 70 kg liveweight (2.53 kEFs per kg gain) as well as to those receiving high levels of energy all the time (2.39 kEFs/kg gain). In the latter case, 23 g of lysine were required per kg gain.", "contents": "[Studies on the performance-related lysine requirement in fattening pigs. 1. Influence of energy and aminoacid intake on fattening]. A total of 110 barrows fed varying levels of energy and amino acids in 8 treatments, were tested. The weight gains per fattening day and energy expenditure were found to be mainly determined by energy intake. Up to a liveweight of 100 kg both low and high levels of amino acid supply produced the same fattening performance results as amino acid supply to standard. In the 100-120 kg liveweight range, the animals fed higher levels of protein proved slightly superior. As to energy expenditure, animals subjected to restricted feeding up to 70 kg liveweight and fed full rations later, consumed 2.22 kEFs (2.22 kilo energetic feed equivalents/swine) per kg gain and proved significantly superior to those animals that were very intensively fed at the beginning and put to restricted feeding beyond 70 kg liveweight (2.53 kEFs per kg gain) as well as to those receiving high levels of energy all the time (2.39 kEFs/kg gain). In the latter case, 23 g of lysine were required per kg gain.", "PMID": 637725} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11418", "title": "[Influence of sex and live body mass on the true protein and amino-acid digestibility of various animal feeds in pigs. 1. Comparative studies between barrows and female pigs].", "content": "Growing barrows and female pigs of 3 liveweight ranges (20-30 kg, 50-60 kg, 80-90 kg) were used to study the true digestibility of protein and essential amino acids from 4 cereal species and 4 high-protein concentrate using the fecal analysis method and regression techniques. No significant differences were found between the females and the barrows in the true digestibility of the protein and most of the amino acids from the protein carriers under study. In the 3rd liveweight range, the true digestibility of some amino acids of the cereals proved somewhat lower in tendency with female animals. In comparison with the true digestibility of protein, in the cereals under study that of lysine gave significantly lower, and that of cystine, arginine, phenylalanine and histidine significantly higher values. The relative values (protein = 100%) were 85.0, 110.6, 106.8, 106.5 and 105.5 for lysine, cystine, arginine, phenylalanine and histidine, respectively. The true digestibility of the remaining amino acids is comparable to that of protein.", "contents": "[Influence of sex and live body mass on the true protein and amino-acid digestibility of various animal feeds in pigs. 1. Comparative studies between barrows and female pigs]. Growing barrows and female pigs of 3 liveweight ranges (20-30 kg, 50-60 kg, 80-90 kg) were used to study the true digestibility of protein and essential amino acids from 4 cereal species and 4 high-protein concentrate using the fecal analysis method and regression techniques. No significant differences were found between the females and the barrows in the true digestibility of the protein and most of the amino acids from the protein carriers under study. In the 3rd liveweight range, the true digestibility of some amino acids of the cereals proved somewhat lower in tendency with female animals. In comparison with the true digestibility of protein, in the cereals under study that of lysine gave significantly lower, and that of cystine, arginine, phenylalanine and histidine significantly higher values. The relative values (protein = 100%) were 85.0, 110.6, 106.8, 106.5 and 105.5 for lysine, cystine, arginine, phenylalanine and histidine, respectively. The true digestibility of the remaining amino acids is comparable to that of protein.", "PMID": 637726} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11419", "title": "[Studies on the vitamin requirement and vitamin supply in fattening turkeys. 2. Checking the vitamin supplements to state-approved mixed animal feed for fattening turkeys].", "content": "In turkey fattening experiments, the vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotine and choline chloride additions to mixed feeds for fattening turkeys were checked. The vitamin A requirement of the fattening turkey is met, in all stages of growth, by adding 3,000 I.U./kg feed. For vitamin D3 the necessary supplements are 1,000 and 500 I.U./kg for starter feed and fattening mixes, respectively. The requirements for vitamins B2, B6, B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotine of the fattening turkey are covered by the respective amounts contained in the ration components. To ensure adequate choline supply (optimum gain, small losses) during the starter period, the addition of 500 mg/kg feed proved necessary. On the basis of the results presented, recommendations are given for requirement norms and mixed feed supplementation that have been fully implemented in the meantime.", "contents": "[Studies on the vitamin requirement and vitamin supply in fattening turkeys. 2. Checking the vitamin supplements to state-approved mixed animal feed for fattening turkeys]. In turkey fattening experiments, the vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotine and choline chloride additions to mixed feeds for fattening turkeys were checked. The vitamin A requirement of the fattening turkey is met, in all stages of growth, by adding 3,000 I.U./kg feed. For vitamin D3 the necessary supplements are 1,000 and 500 I.U./kg for starter feed and fattening mixes, respectively. The requirements for vitamins B2, B6, B12, niacine, pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotine of the fattening turkey are covered by the respective amounts contained in the ration components. To ensure adequate choline supply (optimum gain, small losses) during the starter period, the addition of 500 mg/kg feed proved necessary. On the basis of the results presented, recommendations are given for requirement norms and mixed feed supplementation that have been fully implemented in the meantime.", "PMID": 637727} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11420", "title": "[Effect of the roughage sequence and concentrates in animal feed on carbohydrate digestion and bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen of dairy cows].", "content": "In experiments with dairy cows provided with rumen fistulas and duodenal re-entrant canulas, the order of feeding roughage (chopped forage and pellets) and concentrates (maize and barley) was found to influence carbohydrate digestion and bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen. Feeding the roughage 90 min. before the concentrate caused a wider C2:C3 ratio and a sustained course of the pH-value (greater than 6.5) than the ratio other way round. This favoured cellulose digestion in the rumen when feeding chopped roughage. When feeding roughage before concentrates, the nonbacterial N-proportion in the duodenal contents proved greater than in the reverse order and revealed the highest values for roughage fed in pelleted form. Feeding structured roughage as first component of the diet with concentrates given afterwards is, therefore, recommended for dairy cows.", "contents": "[Effect of the roughage sequence and concentrates in animal feed on carbohydrate digestion and bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen of dairy cows]. In experiments with dairy cows provided with rumen fistulas and duodenal re-entrant canulas, the order of feeding roughage (chopped forage and pellets) and concentrates (maize and barley) was found to influence carbohydrate digestion and bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen. Feeding the roughage 90 min. before the concentrate caused a wider C2:C3 ratio and a sustained course of the pH-value (greater than 6.5) than the ratio other way round. This favoured cellulose digestion in the rumen when feeding chopped roughage. When feeding roughage before concentrates, the nonbacterial N-proportion in the duodenal contents proved greater than in the reverse order and revealed the highest values for roughage fed in pelleted form. Feeding structured roughage as first component of the diet with concentrates given afterwards is, therefore, recommended for dairy cows.", "PMID": 637728} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11421", "title": "Characterization of the size and charge heterogeneities of human leukocyte interferon populations.", "content": "Human leukocyte interferons are separable into two size components by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and are separable into two charge-components by DEAE-BiGel A chromatography. However, each of the charge-components resolved by ion-exchange chromatography contained both size-components, when analysed by SDS-PAGE. Thus, there are more than two distinct molecular populations of human leukocyte interferons.", "contents": "Characterization of the size and charge heterogeneities of human leukocyte interferon populations. Human leukocyte interferons are separable into two size components by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and are separable into two charge-components by DEAE-BiGel A chromatography. However, each of the charge-components resolved by ion-exchange chromatography contained both size-components, when analysed by SDS-PAGE. Thus, there are more than two distinct molecular populations of human leukocyte interferons.", "PMID": 637729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11422", "title": "[Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. Evaluation of the results in 73 patients].", "content": "An evaluation of results obtained after 73 thymectomies is reported. A transthoracic approach was used on all of the patients. Thymomas were found in 9 out of the 73 patients with myasthenia. All of the 64 patients without thymomas suffered from generalized myasthenia gravis with predominance of severe forms. The results of the early, intermediate and late post-operative course were analysed. A comparative study of results as related to age, sex, duration of disease and presence or absence of thymomas was made. Statistical analysis failed to show any significant difference in the results of thymectomy between selected and randomly chosen patients without thymomas.", "contents": "[Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. Evaluation of the results in 73 patients]. An evaluation of results obtained after 73 thymectomies is reported. A transthoracic approach was used on all of the patients. Thymomas were found in 9 out of the 73 patients with myasthenia. All of the 64 patients without thymomas suffered from generalized myasthenia gravis with predominance of severe forms. The results of the early, intermediate and late post-operative course were analysed. A comparative study of results as related to age, sex, duration of disease and presence or absence of thymomas was made. Statistical analysis failed to show any significant difference in the results of thymectomy between selected and randomly chosen patients without thymomas.", "PMID": 637742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11423", "title": "[The basilar impression and the Arnold-Chiari malformation. Techno-surgical considerations apropos of 13 cases].", "content": "The surgical technic for decompression of the posterior fossa in cases of basilar impression and malformation of Arnold-Chiari mainly based in (1) endotracheal intubation without any flexion of the head, (2) position of the head without anterior flexion during the surgery, (3) plastic of the posterior fossa with dura-mater of cadaver conserved in glicerina, was emploied in 13 patients. The plastic was made to create space at the craniocervical joint in order to avoid cerebrospinal fluid fistula and to restore the integrity of the dura. Infection was not observed.", "contents": "[The basilar impression and the Arnold-Chiari malformation. Techno-surgical considerations apropos of 13 cases]. The surgical technic for decompression of the posterior fossa in cases of basilar impression and malformation of Arnold-Chiari mainly based in (1) endotracheal intubation without any flexion of the head, (2) position of the head without anterior flexion during the surgery, (3) plastic of the posterior fossa with dura-mater of cadaver conserved in glicerina, was emploied in 13 patients. The plastic was made to create space at the craniocervical joint in order to avoid cerebrospinal fluid fistula and to restore the integrity of the dura. Infection was not observed.", "PMID": 637743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11424", "title": "[Neurological and electroencephalographic outcome in children after purulent meningoencephalitis].", "content": "Twenty children with meningitis diagnosed in the Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeir\u00e3o Preto between 1963 and 1967 were available for prospective study; each was submitted to neurological and electroencephalographic examination, D.Q. (Gesell) and I.Q. (Raven) tests. Patients were followed from 6 months to 3 years after the acute phase of the disease. There is statistically significant difference between the D.Q. of post-meningetic children and the D.Q. of non meningitic controls of same social class and ages, when the onset of illness was before 30 months of age. No statistically significant correlation was found between the D.Q. and the patient's length of hospitalization or the first cerebrospinal fluid protein level. There is a possibility that significant correlation between the D.Q. and age at onset of illness may be observed by studying a larger number of patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the I.Q. of post-meningitic children and controls when the onset of illness was after age 4.", "contents": "[Neurological and electroencephalographic outcome in children after purulent meningoencephalitis]. Twenty children with meningitis diagnosed in the Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeir\u00e3o Preto between 1963 and 1967 were available for prospective study; each was submitted to neurological and electroencephalographic examination, D.Q. (Gesell) and I.Q. (Raven) tests. Patients were followed from 6 months to 3 years after the acute phase of the disease. There is statistically significant difference between the D.Q. of post-meningetic children and the D.Q. of non meningitic controls of same social class and ages, when the onset of illness was before 30 months of age. No statistically significant correlation was found between the D.Q. and the patient's length of hospitalization or the first cerebrospinal fluid protein level. There is a possibility that significant correlation between the D.Q. and age at onset of illness may be observed by studying a larger number of patients. No statistically significant difference was found between the I.Q. of post-meningitic children and controls when the onset of illness was after age 4.", "PMID": 637745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11425", "title": "[Schizophrenia and birth order].", "content": "With the possible most powerful goodness-of-fit test available until now, the Halperin's chi-square, a statistically significant association between schizophrenia and birth order in 1016 brazilian patients is reported. This association is with early and last born males, favoring theories which put emphasis on stressful experiences over children who are in the extremes of their sibships. There is a sex factor: females show no association. Factors which could introduce bias, as family size, social class and incomplete sibships were tentatively controlled. Since in Brazil no population data are available, the Greenwood-Yule method seems useful and valid for the purpose, with the aid provided by Halperin's chi square modification. A brief comment on results and earlier studies is made, together with suggestions for future research.", "contents": "[Schizophrenia and birth order]. With the possible most powerful goodness-of-fit test available until now, the Halperin's chi-square, a statistically significant association between schizophrenia and birth order in 1016 brazilian patients is reported. This association is with early and last born males, favoring theories which put emphasis on stressful experiences over children who are in the extremes of their sibships. There is a sex factor: females show no association. Factors which could introduce bias, as family size, social class and incomplete sibships were tentatively controlled. Since in Brazil no population data are available, the Greenwood-Yule method seems useful and valid for the purpose, with the aid provided by Halperin's chi square modification. A brief comment on results and earlier studies is made, together with suggestions for future research.", "PMID": 637746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11426", "title": "[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome: report of a case].", "content": "A case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome which had an ocular onset unilateral in the beginning and bilateral afterwards is reported. One month after the disease had appeared a psychiatric disturbance was detected characterized by mania and loss of the critical sense. The alterations detected in the eletroencephalograms and cerebrospinal fluid are discussed. After a three and a half years follow up, despite the corticotherapy the patient had a poor evolution on the ophtalmological aspect but the psychiatric recovery was total.", "contents": "[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome: report of a case]. A case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome which had an ocular onset unilateral in the beginning and bilateral afterwards is reported. One month after the disease had appeared a psychiatric disturbance was detected characterized by mania and loss of the critical sense. The alterations detected in the eletroencephalograms and cerebrospinal fluid are discussed. After a three and a half years follow up, despite the corticotherapy the patient had a poor evolution on the ophtalmological aspect but the psychiatric recovery was total.", "PMID": 637747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11427", "title": "[Thrombosis of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries as the 1st manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: report of a case].", "content": "The case of a young female patient with hemiplegia and aphasia of sudden onset as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus is reported. The arteriographic study showed occlusion of the proximal portion of the left anterior cerebral artery and of the trifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery. The neurological manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus may appear before there is any clinical evidence of involvement of others organs. The authors think that systemic lupus erythematosus should be suspected in every young female patient with acute cerebrovascular accident of unknown etiology.", "contents": "[Thrombosis of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries as the 1st manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: report of a case]. The case of a young female patient with hemiplegia and aphasia of sudden onset as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus is reported. The arteriographic study showed occlusion of the proximal portion of the left anterior cerebral artery and of the trifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery. The neurological manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus may appear before there is any clinical evidence of involvement of others organs. The authors think that systemic lupus erythematosus should be suspected in every young female patient with acute cerebrovascular accident of unknown etiology.", "PMID": 637748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11428", "title": "[Solitary intramedullary tuberculoma: report of a case].", "content": "A case of an isolated tuberculoma of the spinal cord is reported. The 22 years old male patient came to the hospital with paraplegia and had a laminetomy performed for a compression of the spinal cord by a tumor mass. The histopathological study showed the presence of the acid-fast bacili in the tissue. After specific treatment the patient recovered partially.", "contents": "[Solitary intramedullary tuberculoma: report of a case]. A case of an isolated tuberculoma of the spinal cord is reported. The 22 years old male patient came to the hospital with paraplegia and had a laminetomy performed for a compression of the spinal cord by a tumor mass. The histopathological study showed the presence of the acid-fast bacili in the tissue. After specific treatment the patient recovered partially.", "PMID": 637750} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11429", "title": "[Fibromyxosarcoma in a child; report of a case].", "content": "The case of a six-year old boy's with intracranial hypertension and cranial deformities is reported. Radiological examination showed signs of intracranial hypertension and a large osteolitic area in the left posterior parietal region. Cerebral cintilography showed many abnormal captation areas. Pneumoencephalography showed deformation of the ventricular system without dilatation. Angiographic study gave images of tumoral compression by meningitic processes. Craniotomy in the osteolytic area showed an infiltrating tumoration between dura and piamater, reaching frontal, temporal and bilateral parietal areas. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnostic of fibromixosarcoma.", "contents": "[Fibromyxosarcoma in a child; report of a case]. The case of a six-year old boy's with intracranial hypertension and cranial deformities is reported. Radiological examination showed signs of intracranial hypertension and a large osteolitic area in the left posterior parietal region. Cerebral cintilography showed many abnormal captation areas. Pneumoencephalography showed deformation of the ventricular system without dilatation. Angiographic study gave images of tumoral compression by meningitic processes. Craniotomy in the osteolytic area showed an infiltrating tumoration between dura and piamater, reaching frontal, temporal and bilateral parietal areas. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnostic of fibromixosarcoma.", "PMID": 637751} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11430", "title": "Malignant hyperthermia and central core disease in a child with congenital dislocating hips.", "content": "We describe a development of a malignant hyperthermia (MH) syndrome, partially aborted by therapy, in a child with central core disease and congenital dislocating hips. Patients with central core disease appear to be more susceptible to MH; possibly those with elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels, as in our patient, are especially susceptible. We review the clinical and pathologic aspects, possible pathogenesis, and treatment of the MH syndrome. An increased calcium level within the muscle fiber is suggested as the major cytodestructive factor, and that increase could be consequent to a plasmalemmal susceptibility to the provoking drugs hypothesized to be the basic defect in MH. Prevention of the full manifestations of MH is predicated on (1) a high index of suspicion in the search for history of anesthetic complications in the patient and his family, with or without evident neuromuscular disease, (2) recognition that there is a somewhat greater risk of MH developing in a patient who has certain \"musculoskeletal\" abnormalities or muscle weakness but that is not-except for central core disease-a classic clinicopathologically defined disease, (3) close monitoring of patients during anesthesia, and (4) if the syndrome develops, prompt therapeutic measures, including cessation of anesthesia.", "contents": "Malignant hyperthermia and central core disease in a child with congenital dislocating hips. We describe a development of a malignant hyperthermia (MH) syndrome, partially aborted by therapy, in a child with central core disease and congenital dislocating hips. Patients with central core disease appear to be more susceptible to MH; possibly those with elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels, as in our patient, are especially susceptible. We review the clinical and pathologic aspects, possible pathogenesis, and treatment of the MH syndrome. An increased calcium level within the muscle fiber is suggested as the major cytodestructive factor, and that increase could be consequent to a plasmalemmal susceptibility to the provoking drugs hypothesized to be the basic defect in MH. Prevention of the full manifestations of MH is predicated on (1) a high index of suspicion in the search for history of anesthetic complications in the patient and his family, with or without evident neuromuscular disease, (2) recognition that there is a somewhat greater risk of MH developing in a patient who has certain \"musculoskeletal\" abnormalities or muscle weakness but that is not-except for central core disease-a classic clinicopathologically defined disease, (3) close monitoring of patients during anesthesia, and (4) if the syndrome develops, prompt therapeutic measures, including cessation of anesthesia.", "PMID": 637752} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11431", "title": "The syndrome of 'continuous muscle fiber activity.'.", "content": "A 7-year-old boy who suffered from increasing stiffness and contractures of the extremities had distally pronounced atrophy and absent tendon reflexes. Electromyography showed continuous electrical activity during rest, sleep, after intravenous injection of diazepam, and after peripheral nerve block. The H reflex was elicitable; the silent period after the reflex was absent. Histopathological examination of the peroneus muscle disclosed a marked preponderance of type I fibers and slight atrophy of the type II fibers. Electron microscopic examination of the endplates demonstrated a marked atrophy of the postsynaptic regions and widened synaptic clefts. After one year's treatment with phenytoin, 200 mg daily, the patient showed an almost normal muscle tone. As not all of these electrophysiological phenomena can be fully explained by disturbances of the nerve terminals or the endplates, a further anomaly proximal from the peripheral nerve block seems to have been present.", "contents": "The syndrome of 'continuous muscle fiber activity.'. A 7-year-old boy who suffered from increasing stiffness and contractures of the extremities had distally pronounced atrophy and absent tendon reflexes. Electromyography showed continuous electrical activity during rest, sleep, after intravenous injection of diazepam, and after peripheral nerve block. The H reflex was elicitable; the silent period after the reflex was absent. Histopathological examination of the peroneus muscle disclosed a marked preponderance of type I fibers and slight atrophy of the type II fibers. Electron microscopic examination of the endplates demonstrated a marked atrophy of the postsynaptic regions and widened synaptic clefts. After one year's treatment with phenytoin, 200 mg daily, the patient showed an almost normal muscle tone. As not all of these electrophysiological phenomena can be fully explained by disturbances of the nerve terminals or the endplates, a further anomaly proximal from the peripheral nerve block seems to have been present.", "PMID": 637753} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11432", "title": "Prognostic factors in the survival of 1,484 stroke cases observed for 30 to 48 months. II. Clinical variables and laboratory measurements.", "content": "Using the life table method, 962 cases of infarction, 279 cases of hemorrhage, and 243 cases of undetermined type of stroke, occurring in Manitoba between Jan 1, 1970, and June 30, 1971, were analyzed for factors affecting survival. Survival until Dec 31, 1973, was found to be adversely affected by the presence of coma or unconsciousness and the absence of localizing signs and symptoms. Also, the prognosis was poor if the heart was enlarged on the x-ray film or the ECG was abnormal. On the other hand, the presence of individual clinical entities such as hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or diabetes did not affect the survival significantly. These findings will help in predicting the prognosis and in planning for management of stroke cases.", "contents": "Prognostic factors in the survival of 1,484 stroke cases observed for 30 to 48 months. II. Clinical variables and laboratory measurements. Using the life table method, 962 cases of infarction, 279 cases of hemorrhage, and 243 cases of undetermined type of stroke, occurring in Manitoba between Jan 1, 1970, and June 30, 1971, were analyzed for factors affecting survival. Survival until Dec 31, 1973, was found to be adversely affected by the presence of coma or unconsciousness and the absence of localizing signs and symptoms. Also, the prognosis was poor if the heart was enlarged on the x-ray film or the ECG was abnormal. On the other hand, the presence of individual clinical entities such as hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or diabetes did not affect the survival significantly. These findings will help in predicting the prognosis and in planning for management of stroke cases.", "PMID": 637754} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11433", "title": "Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Arteriographic evidence of improvement in carotid narrowing.", "content": "Diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome was made in a 25-year-old woman on the basis of unilateral third and sixth nerve paresis and possible involvement of the first branch of the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, accompanied by headaches and ocular pain, which responded promptly to corticosteroid administration. Irregular narrowing of the right carotid siphon and occlusion of the homolateral superior ophthalmic vein were observed. During steroid therapy this stenosis improved in association with almost complete clinical recovery, although the vein was not recanalized. Of ten reported cases with contrast radiographic abnormalities, including our own, only two showed pupillary involvement. We hypothesize that the third nerve paresis with pupillary sparing in this syndrome may be attributable to the same underlying mechanism as that of diabetic ophthalmoplegia.", "contents": "Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Arteriographic evidence of improvement in carotid narrowing. Diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome was made in a 25-year-old woman on the basis of unilateral third and sixth nerve paresis and possible involvement of the first branch of the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, accompanied by headaches and ocular pain, which responded promptly to corticosteroid administration. Irregular narrowing of the right carotid siphon and occlusion of the homolateral superior ophthalmic vein were observed. During steroid therapy this stenosis improved in association with almost complete clinical recovery, although the vein was not recanalized. Of ten reported cases with contrast radiographic abnormalities, including our own, only two showed pupillary involvement. We hypothesize that the third nerve paresis with pupillary sparing in this syndrome may be attributable to the same underlying mechanism as that of diabetic ophthalmoplegia.", "PMID": 637755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11434", "title": "Abnormal iris vasculature in myotonic dystrophy. An anterior segment angiographic study.", "content": "The microvasculature of the iris was studied in 35 patients with neuromuscular disease and 14 control subjects, using anterior segment fluorescein angiography. Myotonic muscular dystrophy, in which a variety of ocular changes have previously been reported, was found to be associated with both focal and generalized vascular abnormalities. Changes were seen in the fluorescein angiograms of all nine of the myotonic dystrophy patients in which the iris vessels could be seen. No evidence of a microcirculatory disorder was seen in patients with Duchenne's dystrophy, for which a vascular pathogenesis has been proposed. The angiograms of patients with limb-girdle dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, and Friedreich's ataxia were also normal.", "contents": "Abnormal iris vasculature in myotonic dystrophy. An anterior segment angiographic study. The microvasculature of the iris was studied in 35 patients with neuromuscular disease and 14 control subjects, using anterior segment fluorescein angiography. Myotonic muscular dystrophy, in which a variety of ocular changes have previously been reported, was found to be associated with both focal and generalized vascular abnormalities. Changes were seen in the fluorescein angiograms of all nine of the myotonic dystrophy patients in which the iris vessels could be seen. No evidence of a microcirculatory disorder was seen in patients with Duchenne's dystrophy, for which a vascular pathogenesis has been proposed. The angiograms of patients with limb-girdle dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, and Friedreich's ataxia were also normal.", "PMID": 637756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11435", "title": "Auditory nerve and brain stem responses. Comparison in awake and unconscious subjects.", "content": "The recording of auditory nerve and brain stem responses to click stimuli is being used for the diagnosis of several conditions such as suspected hearing loss and suspected neurological disorders. The responses obtained in the patient group (often infants and children) are compared with those obtained in normal subjects of similar age who, for ethical reasons, are not sedated. In this study, recordings were made in normal subjects while they were awake and when they were unconscious in drug-induced sleep (being prepared for dental surgery). No significant difference could be observed between the recordings obtained in the awake state and when unconscious in the same subjects. Therefore, one is justified in using recordings made in awake subjects as controls for recordings made in other unconscious patients.", "contents": "Auditory nerve and brain stem responses. Comparison in awake and unconscious subjects. The recording of auditory nerve and brain stem responses to click stimuli is being used for the diagnosis of several conditions such as suspected hearing loss and suspected neurological disorders. The responses obtained in the patient group (often infants and children) are compared with those obtained in normal subjects of similar age who, for ethical reasons, are not sedated. In this study, recordings were made in normal subjects while they were awake and when they were unconscious in drug-induced sleep (being prepared for dental surgery). No significant difference could be observed between the recordings obtained in the awake state and when unconscious in the same subjects. Therefore, one is justified in using recordings made in awake subjects as controls for recordings made in other unconscious patients.", "PMID": 637757} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11436", "title": "Prenuclear paresis of homolateral inferior rectus and contralateral superior oblique eye muscles.", "content": "In a case of left inferior rectus paresis, it is demonstrated that the lesion must be prenuclear. On downward gaze, the left eye, although it reached the required target with a rapid saccade, drifted back towards the midline immediately afterwards. During the drift, several corrective saccades appeared. A dissociated \"gaze paretic\" nystagmus resulted. Synchronously, the right eye showed an incyclorotary nystagmus. We suspect a lesion of \"tonic\" fibers supplying the nuclear region of the left inferior rectus and the right superior oblique muscle.", "contents": "Prenuclear paresis of homolateral inferior rectus and contralateral superior oblique eye muscles. In a case of left inferior rectus paresis, it is demonstrated that the lesion must be prenuclear. On downward gaze, the left eye, although it reached the required target with a rapid saccade, drifted back towards the midline immediately afterwards. During the drift, several corrective saccades appeared. A dissociated \"gaze paretic\" nystagmus resulted. Synchronously, the right eye showed an incyclorotary nystagmus. We suspect a lesion of \"tonic\" fibers supplying the nuclear region of the left inferior rectus and the right superior oblique muscle.", "PMID": 637758} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11437", "title": "Reversible effect of dantrolene sodium on twitch tension of rat skeletal muscle.", "content": "The effect of dantrolene sodium on twitch tension in skeletal muscle of the rat was studied in short- and long-term experiments. The twitch tension is reduced to 50% of the control values within 20 to 30 minutes of drug administration. The recovery phase is considerably slower than the effect observed on the addition of dantrolene sodium, having a half time of 10 hours. Twenty-four hours after the drug injection, the twitch tension in the treated muscles is indistinguishable from that in the controls. It is shown that the reduction in the magnitude of the twitch produced by dantrolene sodium is slowly and completely reversible.", "contents": "Reversible effect of dantrolene sodium on twitch tension of rat skeletal muscle. The effect of dantrolene sodium on twitch tension in skeletal muscle of the rat was studied in short- and long-term experiments. The twitch tension is reduced to 50% of the control values within 20 to 30 minutes of drug administration. The recovery phase is considerably slower than the effect observed on the addition of dantrolene sodium, having a half time of 10 hours. Twenty-four hours after the drug injection, the twitch tension in the treated muscles is indistinguishable from that in the controls. It is shown that the reduction in the magnitude of the twitch produced by dantrolene sodium is slowly and completely reversible.", "PMID": 637759} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11438", "title": "Axial myopia. A neglected cause of proptosis.", "content": "Ten patients who had unilateral proptosis ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 mm were found to have axial myopia confirmed by ultrasonography and, in one case, by computerized tomography. The historical features emphasized include an acquired painless bulging eye, amblyopia, and a stable visual acuity. Noteworthy features on ophthalmologic examination include a difference in visual acuity and refraction between the two eyes, a difference in the lenses on inspection of the patient's glasses, and an ipsillateral myopic fundus. Careful history taking, examination, ultrasonographic evaluation, and inspection of old photographs will separate this group of patients and avoid unnecessary endocrine studies, angiography, and costly neuroradiologic investigations. Finally, it must be recognized that coexisting disease must be evaluated as if the proptosis did not exist.", "contents": "Axial myopia. A neglected cause of proptosis. Ten patients who had unilateral proptosis ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 mm were found to have axial myopia confirmed by ultrasonography and, in one case, by computerized tomography. The historical features emphasized include an acquired painless bulging eye, amblyopia, and a stable visual acuity. Noteworthy features on ophthalmologic examination include a difference in visual acuity and refraction between the two eyes, a difference in the lenses on inspection of the patient's glasses, and an ipsillateral myopic fundus. Careful history taking, examination, ultrasonographic evaluation, and inspection of old photographs will separate this group of patients and avoid unnecessary endocrine studies, angiography, and costly neuroradiologic investigations. Finally, it must be recognized that coexisting disease must be evaluated as if the proptosis did not exist.", "PMID": 637760} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11439", "title": "Swine influenza vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis.", "content": "Swine influenza vaccination was tolerated well by 61 multiple sclerosis patients. A new neurologic symptom developed in one patient, one noticed the recurrence of previous symptoms, and two patients experienced systemic signs of toxicity.", "contents": "Swine influenza vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis. Swine influenza vaccination was tolerated well by 61 multiple sclerosis patients. A new neurologic symptom developed in one patient, one noticed the recurrence of previous symptoms, and two patients experienced systemic signs of toxicity.", "PMID": 637761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11440", "title": "Fatal massive intracerebral hemorrhage complicating cerebral amyloid angiopathy.", "content": "A 58-year-old normotensive woman died 24 hours after a stroke. Two months earlier, she had a transient neurological episode consistent with cerebrovascular insufficiency. Necropsy demonstrated a massive recent hemorrhage in the right occipital lobe associated with severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The cerebral cortex showed interstitial and perivascular neuritic plaques but no Alzheimer's tangles. There was no family history of CAA. A review of the literature indicated that only ten cases of such hemorrhage caused by nonfamilial CAA have been reported. Massive intracerebral hemorrhage seems to be more common in patients with familial Icelandic forms of CAA.", "contents": "Fatal massive intracerebral hemorrhage complicating cerebral amyloid angiopathy. A 58-year-old normotensive woman died 24 hours after a stroke. Two months earlier, she had a transient neurological episode consistent with cerebrovascular insufficiency. Necropsy demonstrated a massive recent hemorrhage in the right occipital lobe associated with severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The cerebral cortex showed interstitial and perivascular neuritic plaques but no Alzheimer's tangles. There was no family history of CAA. A review of the literature indicated that only ten cases of such hemorrhage caused by nonfamilial CAA have been reported. Massive intracerebral hemorrhage seems to be more common in patients with familial Icelandic forms of CAA.", "PMID": 637762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11441", "title": "The inverse Marcus Gunn phenomenon. An electromyographie contribution.", "content": "A patient with the inverse Marcus Gunn anomaly is presented. Electromyographic studies showed the salient fact that the closing of the involved eye on opposite motion of the lower jaw was not mediated by seventh nerve stimulation of the orbicularis oculi but by inhibition of the homolateral levator palpebrae superioris. As a consequence of this observation, a specific and effective operation could be planned.", "contents": "The inverse Marcus Gunn phenomenon. An electromyographie contribution. A patient with the inverse Marcus Gunn anomaly is presented. Electromyographic studies showed the salient fact that the closing of the involved eye on opposite motion of the lower jaw was not mediated by seventh nerve stimulation of the orbicularis oculi but by inhibition of the homolateral levator palpebrae superioris. As a consequence of this observation, a specific and effective operation could be planned.", "PMID": 637763} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11442", "title": "Spinal cysticercosis.", "content": "Myelopathy in a Cambodian patient proved to be due to cysticercosis. Spinal cysticercosis is rare, and Indochina is an unusual place to have acquired it.", "contents": "Spinal cysticercosis. Myelopathy in a Cambodian patient proved to be due to cysticercosis. Spinal cysticercosis is rare, and Indochina is an unusual place to have acquired it.", "PMID": 637764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11443", "title": "Speech arrest in a dextral with a right mesial frontal astrocytoma.", "content": "A right-handed man had clustered groups of seizures characterized by speech arrest over a period of eight years. Later, speech arrest was accompanied by head-turning to the left and altered tone of the left limbs. An astrocytoma, centered in the right supplementary motor region, was identified. This case confirms the experimental data of speech arrest emanating from the right paramedian cortex of a right handed man.", "contents": "Speech arrest in a dextral with a right mesial frontal astrocytoma. A right-handed man had clustered groups of seizures characterized by speech arrest over a period of eight years. Later, speech arrest was accompanied by head-turning to the left and altered tone of the left limbs. An astrocytoma, centered in the right supplementary motor region, was identified. This case confirms the experimental data of speech arrest emanating from the right paramedian cortex of a right handed man.", "PMID": 637765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11444", "title": "Simulation of injuries in disaster exercises.", "content": "It is essential that hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, helicopters, police, fire services and all others involved in major accidents or disasters should have adequate training in the assessment, management and transport of casualties by the means of regular disaster exercises. These practices, whether small or large, are much more realistic if casualties are properly made up to simulate the injury that they are supposed to represent, and if the 'patients' can act the part. The illustrations in this article show how real the make-up can be and how seriously the doctors, nurses, ambulance officers, fire and police officers and others take these exercises which often have between 100-200 'victims'.", "contents": "Simulation of injuries in disaster exercises. It is essential that hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, helicopters, police, fire services and all others involved in major accidents or disasters should have adequate training in the assessment, management and transport of casualties by the means of regular disaster exercises. These practices, whether small or large, are much more realistic if casualties are properly made up to simulate the injury that they are supposed to represent, and if the 'patients' can act the part. The illustrations in this article show how real the make-up can be and how seriously the doctors, nurses, ambulance officers, fire and police officers and others take these exercises which often have between 100-200 'victims'.", "PMID": 637769} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11445", "title": "Safety at disaster sites.", "content": "Safety at a disaster scene is a subject rarely considered by medical personnel when preparing for rescue work. As no one can predict accurately the nature of the hazards rescuers may have to face, a common attitude is to ignore the subject and trust to common sense and good judgment to cope with the situation when it arises.", "contents": "Safety at disaster sites. Safety at a disaster scene is a subject rarely considered by medical personnel when preparing for rescue work. As no one can predict accurately the nature of the hazards rescuers may have to face, a common attitude is to ignore the subject and trust to common sense and good judgment to cope with the situation when it arises.", "PMID": 637771} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11446", "title": "Crush syndrome.", "content": "The crush syndrome has been an accompaniment of crushing injuries following disaster situations. Recognition of the sequence of events and early institution of the appropriate therapy is essential, if life is to be saved in these critically injured persons. Treatment should be begun 'on site' and arrangement then made for transport to a major medical facility as rapidly as feasible.", "contents": "Crush syndrome. The crush syndrome has been an accompaniment of crushing injuries following disaster situations. Recognition of the sequence of events and early institution of the appropriate therapy is essential, if life is to be saved in these critically injured persons. Treatment should be begun 'on site' and arrangement then made for transport to a major medical facility as rapidly as feasible.", "PMID": 637772} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11447", "title": "Simple guidelines to disasters.", "content": "Good organization and communications are essential in the management of disasters and major accidents. A quick method of assessment of patients and simple guidelines to resuscitation, splinting and emergency care are given in this illustrated paper on the optimum procedures to be followed by doctors and other who may be asked to assist.", "contents": "Simple guidelines to disasters. Good organization and communications are essential in the management of disasters and major accidents. A quick method of assessment of patients and simple guidelines to resuscitation, splinting and emergency care are given in this illustrated paper on the optimum procedures to be followed by doctors and other who may be asked to assist.", "PMID": 637773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11448", "title": "\"Who cares?\" A comment on the Australian general practitioner.", "content": "The recent Australian publication \"Who cares?\" offers the family medicine student and the family physician: Affirmation of the preminence of the GP as the professional of first resort for a wide range of Australian families. A typology of families in terms of the way they relate to health care and its providers. A picture of the experience of health care offered to some Australian families, and its relevance to their condition. A typology of GPs in terms of their willingness to extend their role to include the family's total 'welfare'. Criticism of the GP in failing to refer patients to existing community services. Implications for medical education in terms of development of the GP's communication skills in relation to both patients and other health and welfare professionals.", "contents": "\"Who cares?\" A comment on the Australian general practitioner. The recent Australian publication \"Who cares?\" offers the family medicine student and the family physician: Affirmation of the preminence of the GP as the professional of first resort for a wide range of Australian families. A typology of families in terms of the way they relate to health care and its providers. A picture of the experience of health care offered to some Australian families, and its relevance to their condition. A typology of GPs in terms of their willingness to extend their role to include the family's total 'welfare'. Criticism of the GP in failing to refer patients to existing community services. Implications for medical education in terms of development of the GP's communication skills in relation to both patients and other health and welfare professionals.", "PMID": 637778} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11449", "title": "The elderly isolate.", "content": "Isolates do not differ from other elderly people in respect of their medical illnesses. They do differ in their ability to cope. When well, they cope better than do non-isolates. However, when incapacitated by sickness, they require supportive help services more often and if these are lacking, are more likely to be admitted to a nursing home. Loneliness, alcohol dependence and depression are more often problems of the isolate.", "contents": "The elderly isolate. Isolates do not differ from other elderly people in respect of their medical illnesses. They do differ in their ability to cope. When well, they cope better than do non-isolates. However, when incapacitated by sickness, they require supportive help services more often and if these are lacking, are more likely to be admitted to a nursing home. Loneliness, alcohol dependence and depression are more often problems of the isolate.", "PMID": 637780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11450", "title": "The assessment of need for support services as seen by general practitioners and a geriatric population.", "content": "The majority of doctors accepted the need for involvement in the management of patients with behavioural, family and welfare type problems. The health team concept was seen as desirable by a majority of respondents, though they appeared to feel that it made no great difference if the team members functioned from a health centre or were located in different sites. They were not so well informed as to the availability of supportive welfare services as they were of medical services. Of the elderly people interviewed, most had received medical care in the previous two months, and chiropody was the commonest supportive service used. About half were assessed as having at least one disability affecting their functional capacity, and a significant number were thought to be receiving inadequate care. There was an obvious need for home help services, which were in limited supply.", "contents": "The assessment of need for support services as seen by general practitioners and a geriatric population. The majority of doctors accepted the need for involvement in the management of patients with behavioural, family and welfare type problems. The health team concept was seen as desirable by a majority of respondents, though they appeared to feel that it made no great difference if the team members functioned from a health centre or were located in different sites. They were not so well informed as to the availability of supportive welfare services as they were of medical services. Of the elderly people interviewed, most had received medical care in the previous two months, and chiropody was the commonest supportive service used. About half were assessed as having at least one disability affecting their functional capacity, and a significant number were thought to be receiving inadequate care. There was an obvious need for home help services, which were in limited supply.", "PMID": 637785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11451", "title": "Relationship between CO2 levels and decompression sickness: implications for disease prevention.", "content": "Extensive data concerning the incidence of decompression sickness among workers participating in the deepest caisson operation in Japan to date have been collected and analyzed for the period April through August, 1976. When the bottom pressure was between 3.0 and 3.2 ATA, the incidence of decompression sickness was 3.05%; subsequently, the incidence was only 0.96% between 3.2 and 3.4 ATA. The man lock (i.e., decompression chamber) had never been ventilated during the former group of decompressions and the level of CO2 had ranged between 1.8 and 2.3% (v/v); in the latter group of decompressions, the CO2 level ranged between 0.3 and 0.8% with ventilation. All other conditions, including the decompression table used, were the same. Moreover, based upon the nature of the muscular activity required of the caisson workers just prior to decompression, their most common site of affliction was found to lie within the body region where the highest tissue tensions of CO2 would be expected during decompression.", "contents": "Relationship between CO2 levels and decompression sickness: implications for disease prevention. Extensive data concerning the incidence of decompression sickness among workers participating in the deepest caisson operation in Japan to date have been collected and analyzed for the period April through August, 1976. When the bottom pressure was between 3.0 and 3.2 ATA, the incidence of decompression sickness was 3.05%; subsequently, the incidence was only 0.96% between 3.2 and 3.4 ATA. The man lock (i.e., decompression chamber) had never been ventilated during the former group of decompressions and the level of CO2 had ranged between 1.8 and 2.3% (v/v); in the latter group of decompressions, the CO2 level ranged between 0.3 and 0.8% with ventilation. All other conditions, including the decompression table used, were the same. Moreover, based upon the nature of the muscular activity required of the caisson workers just prior to decompression, their most common site of affliction was found to lie within the body region where the highest tissue tensions of CO2 would be expected during decompression.", "PMID": 637787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11452", "title": "Effects of high altitude on plasma concentrations of testosterone and pituitary gonadotropins in man.", "content": "Ten healthy male volunteers were rapidly taken to the top of Pike's Peak, altitude 14,100 ft (4,300 m) where they remained at the research station for 6 d. There were no significant changes, compared to their values at sea-level, in the plasma concentrations of testosterone, FSH, and LH during this period. There was a highly significant direct correlation between individual changes in testosterone and the gonadotropins on Day 1. Our data provide no evidence for an acute effect of high-altitude per se on the secretion of testosterone and the pituitary gonadotropins.", "contents": "Effects of high altitude on plasma concentrations of testosterone and pituitary gonadotropins in man. Ten healthy male volunteers were rapidly taken to the top of Pike's Peak, altitude 14,100 ft (4,300 m) where they remained at the research station for 6 d. There were no significant changes, compared to their values at sea-level, in the plasma concentrations of testosterone, FSH, and LH during this period. There was a highly significant direct correlation between individual changes in testosterone and the gonadotropins on Day 1. Our data provide no evidence for an acute effect of high-altitude per se on the secretion of testosterone and the pituitary gonadotropins.", "PMID": 637788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11453", "title": "Improved method for studying the surface chemistry of bubble formation.", "content": "Bubble formation in agarose gels as a result of rapid decompression following saturation with either N2, CO2, or He has been studied. Bubble number was observed to vary predominantly as a function of decompression magnitude and was virtually independent of the particular gas used. The cavitation threshold (i.e., 1 bubble in 50% of trials) was found to fall between -3 and -4 psig ( approximately -0.25 atm) for all three gases. Modification of the ionic content of the agarose gel medium, either by lowering the pH or including polyvalent cations, had only slight effects, if any, on the number of bubbles produced by a given decompression. From these results, and the work of others briefly reviewed in the paper, it is concluded that the surfactant monolayer surrounding a gas cavitation nucleus is comprised almost exclusively of nonionic surface-active molecules.", "contents": "Improved method for studying the surface chemistry of bubble formation. Bubble formation in agarose gels as a result of rapid decompression following saturation with either N2, CO2, or He has been studied. Bubble number was observed to vary predominantly as a function of decompression magnitude and was virtually independent of the particular gas used. The cavitation threshold (i.e., 1 bubble in 50% of trials) was found to fall between -3 and -4 psig ( approximately -0.25 atm) for all three gases. Modification of the ionic content of the agarose gel medium, either by lowering the pH or including polyvalent cations, had only slight effects, if any, on the number of bubbles produced by a given decompression. From these results, and the work of others briefly reviewed in the paper, it is concluded that the surfactant monolayer surrounding a gas cavitation nucleus is comprised almost exclusively of nonionic surface-active molecules.", "PMID": 637789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11454", "title": "Effects of using long breathing hoses upon mask pressure.", "content": "Effects of using oxygen breathing hoses from 0.9 to 8.2 m (3 to 27 ft) long and mask fit upon mask pressure during 0.75 to 12-s decompressions from 2,438 m (8,000 ft) to either 6,096, 10,668, or 15,240 m (20,000, 35,000 or 50,000 ft) were determined. Peak mask pressures and duration of high mask pressure were related to mask fit, mask and hose stretch compliance, pressure differential, decompression rate, and other factors, with mask pressure increasing with hose length. Peak mask pressures frequently exceeded 80 mm Hg, a high pressure associated with increased incidence of pulmonary damage. Cargo-type aircraft, however, have sufficiently large volumes so that they will not decompress rapidly enough to have high mask pressure, even with an 8.2-m long hose. Long breathing hoses should not be used in smaller aircraft since small cabin volume will result in rapid decompression rates and high mask pressure. Above a flight altitude of 2,438 m, oxygen should always be breathed if hoses longer than 2.9 m (9 ft) are used. This would help prevent hypoxia, associated with the need to deplete air in the hose before oxygen is breathed, should cabin pressure be lost at a high altitude. The fastest decompression rates compatible with preventing mask pressures from exceding 80 mm Hg during decompressions to different altitudes with different length breathing hoses are given.", "contents": "Effects of using long breathing hoses upon mask pressure. Effects of using oxygen breathing hoses from 0.9 to 8.2 m (3 to 27 ft) long and mask fit upon mask pressure during 0.75 to 12-s decompressions from 2,438 m (8,000 ft) to either 6,096, 10,668, or 15,240 m (20,000, 35,000 or 50,000 ft) were determined. Peak mask pressures and duration of high mask pressure were related to mask fit, mask and hose stretch compliance, pressure differential, decompression rate, and other factors, with mask pressure increasing with hose length. Peak mask pressures frequently exceeded 80 mm Hg, a high pressure associated with increased incidence of pulmonary damage. Cargo-type aircraft, however, have sufficiently large volumes so that they will not decompress rapidly enough to have high mask pressure, even with an 8.2-m long hose. Long breathing hoses should not be used in smaller aircraft since small cabin volume will result in rapid decompression rates and high mask pressure. Above a flight altitude of 2,438 m, oxygen should always be breathed if hoses longer than 2.9 m (9 ft) are used. This would help prevent hypoxia, associated with the need to deplete air in the hose before oxygen is breathed, should cabin pressure be lost at a high altitude. The fastest decompression rates compatible with preventing mask pressures from exceding 80 mm Hg during decompressions to different altitudes with different length breathing hoses are given.", "PMID": 637791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11455", "title": "Incremental exposure facilitates adaptation to sensory rearrangement.", "content": "The rate of adaptation to unusual patterns of vestibular stimulation is enhanced if the final stimulus level is achieved gradually rather than in a single step (6,7). Measurements of adaptation to visual rearrangement elicited by stepwise and single-step exposure indicate that incremental exposure also facilitates adaptation to visual rearrangement; adaptation is diminished when the optical displacement is varied nonsystematically during exposure. Enhancement of adaptation to unusual patterns of sensory stimulation by incremental exposure may reflect a general principle of sensorimotor function.", "contents": "Incremental exposure facilitates adaptation to sensory rearrangement. The rate of adaptation to unusual patterns of vestibular stimulation is enhanced if the final stimulus level is achieved gradually rather than in a single step (6,7). Measurements of adaptation to visual rearrangement elicited by stepwise and single-step exposure indicate that incremental exposure also facilitates adaptation to visual rearrangement; adaptation is diminished when the optical displacement is varied nonsystematically during exposure. Enhancement of adaptation to unusual patterns of sensory stimulation by incremental exposure may reflect a general principle of sensorimotor function.", "PMID": 637790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11456", "title": "Effects of long-hose breathing.", "content": "The need for aircrew members to use long breathing hoses between regulator and mask arises in the design of new transport aircraft and in several cargo operations requiring an open rear door. In this study, induced work of breathing through long hoses, the resulting changes in oxygen consumption, and comfort were studied in relation to altitude, hose length, and exercise level. Conclusions were that, above 18,000 ft (5.5 km), a 30-ft (9.1-m) hose is acceptable for all reasonable work levels; for altitudes between 13,000 and 18,000 ft (4.0 and 5.5 km), the hose length should preferably be 18 ft (5.5m), and at altitudes below 13,000 ft (4.0 km), hose length should be limited to 12 ft (3.6). Moreover, at ground level, the hose length should be limited to 6 ft (1.8 m) for all but sedentary activity. Should the potential for rapid decompression exist, at any altitude, volume considerations limit hose length to 18 ft (5.5 m) since larger hoses possess excessive regulator-to-mask dead space.", "contents": "Effects of long-hose breathing. The need for aircrew members to use long breathing hoses between regulator and mask arises in the design of new transport aircraft and in several cargo operations requiring an open rear door. In this study, induced work of breathing through long hoses, the resulting changes in oxygen consumption, and comfort were studied in relation to altitude, hose length, and exercise level. Conclusions were that, above 18,000 ft (5.5 km), a 30-ft (9.1-m) hose is acceptable for all reasonable work levels; for altitudes between 13,000 and 18,000 ft (4.0 and 5.5 km), the hose length should preferably be 18 ft (5.5m), and at altitudes below 13,000 ft (4.0 km), hose length should be limited to 12 ft (3.6). Moreover, at ground level, the hose length should be limited to 6 ft (1.8 m) for all but sedentary activity. Should the potential for rapid decompression exist, at any altitude, volume considerations limit hose length to 18 ft (5.5 m) since larger hoses possess excessive regulator-to-mask dead space.", "PMID": 637792} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11457", "title": "Comparison of several G-tolerance measuring methods at various seatback angles.", "content": "The most commonly accepted endpoint indicative of impending \"blackout\" for subjects (Ss) exposed to +GZ on a centrifuge is peripheral light loss (PLL). A comparison was made using PLL and cessation of bloodflow in the temporal artery, as measured in eight Ss with an externally mounted ultrasonic flowmeter using the doppler effect. Each relaxed S was exposed to increasing G (onset rates of 0.1 and 0.3 G/s), while positioned at seatback angles of 15 degrees, 60 degrees, and 75 degrees. In addition to the flowmeter, arterial oxygen saturation was monitored with an ear oximeter, and respiration and ECG were recorded. Tolerance to G loads was slightly greater with the more rapid rate of G onset. While use of the flowmeter resulted in obtaining reliable G tolerance endpoints in all cases, in only about 75% of these cases was the same true for PLL. Responses obtained from the ear oximeter were variable and delayed, showing only slight decreases in arterial saturation, which became more pronounced as the G-load exposure duration increased.", "contents": "Comparison of several G-tolerance measuring methods at various seatback angles. The most commonly accepted endpoint indicative of impending \"blackout\" for subjects (Ss) exposed to +GZ on a centrifuge is peripheral light loss (PLL). A comparison was made using PLL and cessation of bloodflow in the temporal artery, as measured in eight Ss with an externally mounted ultrasonic flowmeter using the doppler effect. Each relaxed S was exposed to increasing G (onset rates of 0.1 and 0.3 G/s), while positioned at seatback angles of 15 degrees, 60 degrees, and 75 degrees. In addition to the flowmeter, arterial oxygen saturation was monitored with an ear oximeter, and respiration and ECG were recorded. Tolerance to G loads was slightly greater with the more rapid rate of G onset. While use of the flowmeter resulted in obtaining reliable G tolerance endpoints in all cases, in only about 75% of these cases was the same true for PLL. Responses obtained from the ear oximeter were variable and delayed, showing only slight decreases in arterial saturation, which became more pronounced as the G-load exposure duration increased.", "PMID": 637793} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11458", "title": "Survey of pilots' attitudes and opinions about drinking and flying.", "content": "A mailed questionnaire was used to obtain biographic, attitude, and reported behavioral data from pilots with regard to consumption of alcoholic beverages and flying. A 40.8% return of 835 mailings was obtained. Only 12 pilots reported having flown after drinking. Approximately 50% of the respondents indicated it would be safe to fly within 4 h after drinking some amount of alcoholic beverage. Based upon alcohol absorption and oxidation rates, it was estimated that 27-32% of the respondents considered flying after drinking, within a time period which would result in a 15mg% BAC or higher, to be safe behavior. Discriminant analysis showed liquor consumption and opinions regarding number of mixed drinks which could safely be consumed within 1 h before flying would correctly classify 67.5% of the respondents in terms of attitude toward drinking and flying.", "contents": "Survey of pilots' attitudes and opinions about drinking and flying. A mailed questionnaire was used to obtain biographic, attitude, and reported behavioral data from pilots with regard to consumption of alcoholic beverages and flying. A 40.8% return of 835 mailings was obtained. Only 12 pilots reported having flown after drinking. Approximately 50% of the respondents indicated it would be safe to fly within 4 h after drinking some amount of alcoholic beverage. Based upon alcohol absorption and oxidation rates, it was estimated that 27-32% of the respondents considered flying after drinking, within a time period which would result in a 15mg% BAC or higher, to be safe behavior. Discriminant analysis showed liquor consumption and opinions regarding number of mixed drinks which could safely be consumed within 1 h before flying would correctly classify 67.5% of the respondents in terms of attitude toward drinking and flying.", "PMID": 637794} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11459", "title": "Visual detection of commencement of aircraft takeoff runs.", "content": "Among other things, airport control towers should be sited so that controllers can readily detect whether an aircraft cleared for takeoff has commenced its takeoff run. The detection of movement is not well enough understood to enable confident prediction that a particular site for a tower will enable commencement of takeoff run to be easily observed. A field study was undertaken to establish detection times for commencement of takeoff run by groups of trained and trainee air traffic controllers and untrained observers. It was found that the mean response of observers occurs when the aircraft is displaced about 5' of arc, a value essentially independent of observer experience, observation distance, aircraft velocity, and the clarity with which the aircraft can be seen. Binoculars reduce the mean response time and response variability, although not as much as might be expected. Domains within which control towers can be located to enable detection of takeoff runs within 2 s and 4 s are defined.", "contents": "Visual detection of commencement of aircraft takeoff runs. Among other things, airport control towers should be sited so that controllers can readily detect whether an aircraft cleared for takeoff has commenced its takeoff run. The detection of movement is not well enough understood to enable confident prediction that a particular site for a tower will enable commencement of takeoff run to be easily observed. A field study was undertaken to establish detection times for commencement of takeoff run by groups of trained and trainee air traffic controllers and untrained observers. It was found that the mean response of observers occurs when the aircraft is displaced about 5' of arc, a value essentially independent of observer experience, observation distance, aircraft velocity, and the clarity with which the aircraft can be seen. Binoculars reduce the mean response time and response variability, although not as much as might be expected. Domains within which control towers can be located to enable detection of takeoff runs within 2 s and 4 s are defined.", "PMID": 637795} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11460", "title": "Effects of ground trainer use on the anxiety of students in private pilot training.", "content": "The self-reported anxiety levels of student pilot instruction entirely in an aircraft were compared to the anxiety levels of students who received a portion of their training in a ground trainer. It was found that experience in the trainer had little effect on student pilot anxiety. It was determined, however, that reported anxiety levels did vary as a function of the type of flight (solo, dual, or evaluation) undertaken.", "contents": "Effects of ground trainer use on the anxiety of students in private pilot training. The self-reported anxiety levels of student pilot instruction entirely in an aircraft were compared to the anxiety levels of students who received a portion of their training in a ground trainer. It was found that experience in the trainer had little effect on student pilot anxiety. It was determined, however, that reported anxiety levels did vary as a function of the type of flight (solo, dual, or evaluation) undertaken.", "PMID": 637796} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11461", "title": "Classification of sleep stage with period analysis features derived from the EEG.", "content": "This paper details our experience with the use of regression analysis and discriminant analyses, combined with a Bayes classifier, to evaluate the usefulness of a series of features derived in real time from a single channel of EEG. These features were 1) the number of zero crossings, 2) the number of zero crossings of the first derivative of the EEG, and 3) the number of zero crossings of the second derivative and five additional \"histogram\" measures. Each histogram measure represented the number of occurrences of a zero crossing interval falling within an arbitrarily selected range of values. The distributions of several measures conditioned on sleep stage are presented along with night-to-night and subject-to-subject variations in the measures. These details provide a basis for understanding effectiveness and limitations of zero crossing measures and the regression and discriminant analysis techniques. Our results permitted a range of 57-90% accurate classification with just zero crossing measures with the cross-correlation between computer- and hand-scored nightly sleep patterns ranging from 0.63-0.94. We consider these to be good and acceptable accuracies for this type of analysis.", "contents": "Classification of sleep stage with period analysis features derived from the EEG. This paper details our experience with the use of regression analysis and discriminant analyses, combined with a Bayes classifier, to evaluate the usefulness of a series of features derived in real time from a single channel of EEG. These features were 1) the number of zero crossings, 2) the number of zero crossings of the first derivative of the EEG, and 3) the number of zero crossings of the second derivative and five additional \"histogram\" measures. Each histogram measure represented the number of occurrences of a zero crossing interval falling within an arbitrarily selected range of values. The distributions of several measures conditioned on sleep stage are presented along with night-to-night and subject-to-subject variations in the measures. These details provide a basis for understanding effectiveness and limitations of zero crossing measures and the regression and discriminant analysis techniques. Our results permitted a range of 57-90% accurate classification with just zero crossing measures with the cross-correlation between computer- and hand-scored nightly sleep patterns ranging from 0.63-0.94. We consider these to be good and acceptable accuracies for this type of analysis.", "PMID": 637797} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11462", "title": "Comparison of exercise responses of males and females during acute exposure to hypobaria.", "content": "Seventeen male and 20 female college students were tested on a bicycle ergometer in a hypobaric chamber to determine whether both sexes had similar submax and max exercise responses to acute hypoxia. Initial testing was at a terrestrial altitude of 1576 m, to which the subjects were acclimated; subsequent tests were at simulated altitudes of 2743 m and 3962 m. Analysis of covariance showed that inspired V was the only variable during submaximal work (50% max) to exhibit a significant difference in altitude response between males and females; women had a smaller increase than men. During max work, V and O2 pulse increased less in women. At 2743 m, max VO2 decreased more in females whereas, at 3962 m, no difference was noted. It was concluded that during both submaximal and maximal work with acute altitude exposure, women would demonstrate smaller relative increases in ventilation than would men.", "contents": "Comparison of exercise responses of males and females during acute exposure to hypobaria. Seventeen male and 20 female college students were tested on a bicycle ergometer in a hypobaric chamber to determine whether both sexes had similar submax and max exercise responses to acute hypoxia. Initial testing was at a terrestrial altitude of 1576 m, to which the subjects were acclimated; subsequent tests were at simulated altitudes of 2743 m and 3962 m. Analysis of covariance showed that inspired V was the only variable during submaximal work (50% max) to exhibit a significant difference in altitude response between males and females; women had a smaller increase than men. During max work, V and O2 pulse increased less in women. At 2743 m, max VO2 decreased more in females whereas, at 3962 m, no difference was noted. It was concluded that during both submaximal and maximal work with acute altitude exposure, women would demonstrate smaller relative increases in ventilation than would men.", "PMID": 637798} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11463", "title": "The Concorde and cosmic rays.", "content": "In 1976, Air France's Concordes operated 2,642 h of flight time during 772 commercial flights to Rio de Janeiro, Caracas, and Washington. The cosmic radiation dose equivalent rate was measured during each of these flights. The average amount recorded was 0.99 mrems/h. A distinction must be made between the high latitudes (Washington route), on which an average dose equivalent rate of 1.49 mrem/h was recorded, and low latitudes (Rio de Janeiro and Caracas routes), on which the average dose equivalent rate was only 0.78 mrems/h. These figures show that 1976 Concorde passengers and crews were exposed to very low quantities of radiation--very much lower than the maximum value recommended for the general public, which is 500 mrems per year.", "contents": "The Concorde and cosmic rays. In 1976, Air France's Concordes operated 2,642 h of flight time during 772 commercial flights to Rio de Janeiro, Caracas, and Washington. The cosmic radiation dose equivalent rate was measured during each of these flights. The average amount recorded was 0.99 mrems/h. A distinction must be made between the high latitudes (Washington route), on which an average dose equivalent rate of 1.49 mrem/h was recorded, and low latitudes (Rio de Janeiro and Caracas routes), on which the average dose equivalent rate was only 0.78 mrems/h. These figures show that 1976 Concorde passengers and crews were exposed to very low quantities of radiation--very much lower than the maximum value recommended for the general public, which is 500 mrems per year.", "PMID": 637799} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11464", "title": "Workload and operational fatigue in helicopter pilots.", "content": "In light of the modern aetiopathogenic views, a brief review was made concerning possible causes of operational fatigue to which flying personnel in general are exposed in the exercise of flying activity. The author then describes and analyzes the meaning and importance of the various stressing factors that constitute the physical and psychic workload to which the helicopter pilot is subjected in performing his professional activities. Also analyzed are the influences exercised, both separately and jointly, on the genesis of flight fatigue in helicopter pilots by stressing and fatiguing effects of vibrations, noise, and psycho-emotional and psycho-sensorial factors related to the variety and danger of utilization of this modern aircraft. Such an analytical investigation enables the author to conclude that one must admit that helicopter piloting involves a psycho-physical workload certainly no less than that required by more powerful and faster aircraft.", "contents": "Workload and operational fatigue in helicopter pilots. In light of the modern aetiopathogenic views, a brief review was made concerning possible causes of operational fatigue to which flying personnel in general are exposed in the exercise of flying activity. The author then describes and analyzes the meaning and importance of the various stressing factors that constitute the physical and psychic workload to which the helicopter pilot is subjected in performing his professional activities. Also analyzed are the influences exercised, both separately and jointly, on the genesis of flight fatigue in helicopter pilots by stressing and fatiguing effects of vibrations, noise, and psycho-emotional and psycho-sensorial factors related to the variety and danger of utilization of this modern aircraft. Such an analytical investigation enables the author to conclude that one must admit that helicopter piloting involves a psycho-physical workload certainly no less than that required by more powerful and faster aircraft.", "PMID": 637801} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11465", "title": "Effect of exercise in the heat on plasma renin and aldosterone with either water or a potassium-rich electrolyte solution.", "content": "Information concerning the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system during physical exercise in the heat with adequate fluid and/or electrolyte supplement is lacking. The present study was intended to describe the changes in renin activity and serum aldosterone, serum sodium, and serum potassium in subjects receiving water or a potassium-rich electrolyte solution while exercising (50% VO2 max) for 120 min in a warm environment (32 degrees C, 50% relative humidity). This study shows that, in subjects receiving the electrolyte supplement, serum potassium is elevated slightly during the exercise period whereas serum sodium is unchanged from preexercise levels without the electrolyte supplement. Plasma renin and aldosterone levels were significantly reduced in the subjects receiving the electrolyte supplement compared to subjects receiving only water. The ingestion of the electrolyte supplement replaced 42% of the sodium and 100% of the potassium lost by way of sweat and urine while exercising in the heat.", "contents": "Effect of exercise in the heat on plasma renin and aldosterone with either water or a potassium-rich electrolyte solution. Information concerning the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system during physical exercise in the heat with adequate fluid and/or electrolyte supplement is lacking. The present study was intended to describe the changes in renin activity and serum aldosterone, serum sodium, and serum potassium in subjects receiving water or a potassium-rich electrolyte solution while exercising (50% VO2 max) for 120 min in a warm environment (32 degrees C, 50% relative humidity). This study shows that, in subjects receiving the electrolyte supplement, serum potassium is elevated slightly during the exercise period whereas serum sodium is unchanged from preexercise levels without the electrolyte supplement. Plasma renin and aldosterone levels were significantly reduced in the subjects receiving the electrolyte supplement compared to subjects receiving only water. The ingestion of the electrolyte supplement replaced 42% of the sodium and 100% of the potassium lost by way of sweat and urine while exercising in the heat.", "PMID": 637803} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11466", "title": "Speech intelligibility through communication headsets for general aviation.", "content": "Word discrimination was measured on eight general aviation pilots listening alternately through each of three communication headsets and an aircraft loudspeaker in the presence of light aircraft noise. Each subject listened at the speech intensity designated by him as yielding optimal intelligibility. Performance varied directly with the degree of attenuation provided by the headset. Mean intelligibility scores ranged from 73% through the loudspeaker to 92% through two of the headsets, although retesting through the loudspeaker at a higher signal level improved mean scores to 85%. Articulation functions obtained on four normally hearing listeners tested under the same conditions as the pilots revealed that, for situations when little or no attenuation was available (loudspeaker and one headset), greater signal-to-noise ratios were necessary to allow discrimination equivalent to that obtained under conditions of greater noise attenuation (two headsets). Although good intelligibility could be achieved through the loudspeaker given sufficient signal intensity (greater than 100 dB SPL) some pilots preferred lower levels even though discrimination was reduced.", "contents": "Speech intelligibility through communication headsets for general aviation. Word discrimination was measured on eight general aviation pilots listening alternately through each of three communication headsets and an aircraft loudspeaker in the presence of light aircraft noise. Each subject listened at the speech intensity designated by him as yielding optimal intelligibility. Performance varied directly with the degree of attenuation provided by the headset. Mean intelligibility scores ranged from 73% through the loudspeaker to 92% through two of the headsets, although retesting through the loudspeaker at a higher signal level improved mean scores to 85%. Articulation functions obtained on four normally hearing listeners tested under the same conditions as the pilots revealed that, for situations when little or no attenuation was available (loudspeaker and one headset), greater signal-to-noise ratios were necessary to allow discrimination equivalent to that obtained under conditions of greater noise attenuation (two headsets). Although good intelligibility could be achieved through the loudspeaker given sufficient signal intensity (greater than 100 dB SPL) some pilots preferred lower levels even though discrimination was reduced.", "PMID": 637804} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11467", "title": "Influence of hyperoxia (1 ATA) on mouse brain GABA, glutamate, and glutamine.", "content": "Breathing 100% oxygen at ambient pressure induces disorders in glutamate, GABA, and ammonia metabolism in the brain, beginning 30 min after exposure. The steep increase in glutamine content points to an enhanced metabolism of endogenous amino acids and a breakdown of protein, although the glutamate content is scarcely influenced during the first hours of exposure. The graph of glutamine increase proceeds nearly asymptotically after 24 h, which may be related to the permeability of blood brain barrier for glutamine. The initially fast increase in the GABA level attains a half-maximum augmentation after 2-4 h of exposure and a maximum value after 50 h, but then the graph of GABA slopes steeply downwards, and approximately linearly, until 74-76 h and finally, by 103 h, more gradually approaches control values. The increase in GABA level is discussed with regard to the physiological role of GABA as a homeostatic agent that connects oxidative metabolism with neuronal function. Glutamate, the precursor of glutamine as well as GABA, is affected by oxygen breathing with a \"loss\" of more than 6 micronmol/g wet wt. after 100 h of exposure. Functionally, this diminution may be correlated to the increase of GABA with respect to its anti-excitatory effect and a possible postsynaptic function of glutamine synthetase.", "contents": "Influence of hyperoxia (1 ATA) on mouse brain GABA, glutamate, and glutamine. Breathing 100% oxygen at ambient pressure induces disorders in glutamate, GABA, and ammonia metabolism in the brain, beginning 30 min after exposure. The steep increase in glutamine content points to an enhanced metabolism of endogenous amino acids and a breakdown of protein, although the glutamate content is scarcely influenced during the first hours of exposure. The graph of glutamine increase proceeds nearly asymptotically after 24 h, which may be related to the permeability of blood brain barrier for glutamine. The initially fast increase in the GABA level attains a half-maximum augmentation after 2-4 h of exposure and a maximum value after 50 h, but then the graph of GABA slopes steeply downwards, and approximately linearly, until 74-76 h and finally, by 103 h, more gradually approaches control values. The increase in GABA level is discussed with regard to the physiological role of GABA as a homeostatic agent that connects oxidative metabolism with neuronal function. Glutamate, the precursor of glutamine as well as GABA, is affected by oxygen breathing with a \"loss\" of more than 6 micronmol/g wet wt. after 100 h of exposure. Functionally, this diminution may be correlated to the increase of GABA with respect to its anti-excitatory effect and a possible postsynaptic function of glutamine synthetase.", "PMID": 637805} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11468", "title": "Blood gas tension and development of lung damage in mice exposed to oxygen at 1 ATA.", "content": "Oxygen and carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood were studied in mice breathing 100% oxygen at ambient pressure. The lungs were simultaneously investigated in order to relate the oxygen-induced pulmonary alterations to the altered pulmonary function. The development of an impairment in pulmonary diffusing capacity is initiated after 30 h of oxygen exposure, at which time the increase in lung weight is associated with beginning lung edema and beginning accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. Red spots or areas on the lung surface, which merged together to large streaks or areas after 20 h of exposure, preceded the measurable diffusing impairment noted at 30 h. Light microscope preparations revealed intraalveolar hemorrhagic exudation and proliferative changes in the alveolar walls. After 50 h, the development of severe pulmonary dysfunction is mainly due to an intense parenchymal reaction in the alveolo-capillary region with thickening in the alveolar walls, dystelectasis in the corresponding parenchyma, and further development of pulmonary edema. The resulting impairment in pulmonary diffusing capacity causes a steep decrease in oxygen tension and an accentuated increase in carbon dioxide accumulation. The present results are discussed in relation to the previous findings of oxygen-induced alterations in brain glutamate, GABA, and glutamine concentration.", "contents": "Blood gas tension and development of lung damage in mice exposed to oxygen at 1 ATA. Oxygen and carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood were studied in mice breathing 100% oxygen at ambient pressure. The lungs were simultaneously investigated in order to relate the oxygen-induced pulmonary alterations to the altered pulmonary function. The development of an impairment in pulmonary diffusing capacity is initiated after 30 h of oxygen exposure, at which time the increase in lung weight is associated with beginning lung edema and beginning accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. Red spots or areas on the lung surface, which merged together to large streaks or areas after 20 h of exposure, preceded the measurable diffusing impairment noted at 30 h. Light microscope preparations revealed intraalveolar hemorrhagic exudation and proliferative changes in the alveolar walls. After 50 h, the development of severe pulmonary dysfunction is mainly due to an intense parenchymal reaction in the alveolo-capillary region with thickening in the alveolar walls, dystelectasis in the corresponding parenchyma, and further development of pulmonary edema. The resulting impairment in pulmonary diffusing capacity causes a steep decrease in oxygen tension and an accentuated increase in carbon dioxide accumulation. The present results are discussed in relation to the previous findings of oxygen-induced alterations in brain glutamate, GABA, and glutamine concentration.", "PMID": 637806} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11469", "title": "Effect of clothing insulation beneath an immersion coverall on the rate of body cooling in cold water.", "content": "Deep body and skin temperatures were measured on nine subjects during a 1 h immersion in water at 2.5 degrees C whilst wearing an RAF Mark 10 immersion coverall. With no additional insulation, mean skin temperature fell 13.1 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.74 degrees C. When a full Acrilan pile suit was worn beneath the coverall mean skin temperature fell 8.3 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.33 degrees C. With insulation covering the trunk and upper limbs alone, mean skin temperature fell 9.9 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.45 degrees C. Conclusions are drawn concerning the effects on body cooling of changes in insulation of aircrew clothing assemblies designed to protect against immersion in cold water.", "contents": "Effect of clothing insulation beneath an immersion coverall on the rate of body cooling in cold water. Deep body and skin temperatures were measured on nine subjects during a 1 h immersion in water at 2.5 degrees C whilst wearing an RAF Mark 10 immersion coverall. With no additional insulation, mean skin temperature fell 13.1 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.74 degrees C. When a full Acrilan pile suit was worn beneath the coverall mean skin temperature fell 8.3 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.33 degrees C. With insulation covering the trunk and upper limbs alone, mean skin temperature fell 9.9 degrees C and deep body temperature 0.45 degrees C. Conclusions are drawn concerning the effects on body cooling of changes in insulation of aircrew clothing assemblies designed to protect against immersion in cold water.", "PMID": 637807} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11470", "title": "Postural illusions experienced during Z-axis recumbent rotation and their dependence upon somatosensory stimulation of the body surface.", "content": "A blindfolded recumbent subject experiences a variety of postural illusions when rotated about his Z axis. Initially, during the acceleratory phase of rotation turning about his Z axis is experienced; but, as rotary velocity increases, a spiraling of the body outward in the direction opposite to true rotation is experienced as well. Above 15-20 rpm, only orbital motion of the body is experienced, with the subject feeling that he is always facing in the same direction. One cycle of the apparent orbit is completed each time the subject actually rotates 360 degrees. The reverse sequence of illusory motion is experienced during deceleration. The illusory motion all subjects experience during Z-axis recumbent rotation is shown to depend upon the touch- and pressure-stimulation of the body surface generated by contact forces of support.", "contents": "Postural illusions experienced during Z-axis recumbent rotation and their dependence upon somatosensory stimulation of the body surface. A blindfolded recumbent subject experiences a variety of postural illusions when rotated about his Z axis. Initially, during the acceleratory phase of rotation turning about his Z axis is experienced; but, as rotary velocity increases, a spiraling of the body outward in the direction opposite to true rotation is experienced as well. Above 15-20 rpm, only orbital motion of the body is experienced, with the subject feeling that he is always facing in the same direction. One cycle of the apparent orbit is completed each time the subject actually rotates 360 degrees. The reverse sequence of illusory motion is experienced during deceleration. The illusory motion all subjects experience during Z-axis recumbent rotation is shown to depend upon the touch- and pressure-stimulation of the body surface generated by contact forces of support.", "PMID": 637808} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11471", "title": "Responses of articular and epiphyseal cartilage zones of developing avian radii to estrone treatment and a 2-G environment.", "content": "Female chicks at 2 weeks post-hatch were maintained for 2 weeks at earth gravity or 2 G with daily injections of 0.2 or 0.4 mg estrone. Animals were sacrificed following the last injection and radii were fixed in 10% NBF, decalcified in 3% Nitric acid, doubly embedded, sectioned at 4 to 5 micrometer, and routinely processed for histological measurements of the midcoronal height and width of the cartilage zones of the proximal and distal epiphyses. Estrone treatment increased the growth in height and width of the cartilage layers of the proximal epiphyses and inhibited the growth in height of the distal epiphyseal cartilage of earth gravity chicks. Animal exposure to 2 G without estrone treatment resulted in increased width of the cartilage layers of the proximal epiphyses and inhibition of both height and width growth of the cartilage layers of the distal epiphyses. Growth in height, but not width, of the cartilage layers of both proximal and distal epiphyses was inhibited by combined estrone treatment and animal exposure to the 2 G environment.", "contents": "Responses of articular and epiphyseal cartilage zones of developing avian radii to estrone treatment and a 2-G environment. Female chicks at 2 weeks post-hatch were maintained for 2 weeks at earth gravity or 2 G with daily injections of 0.2 or 0.4 mg estrone. Animals were sacrificed following the last injection and radii were fixed in 10% NBF, decalcified in 3% Nitric acid, doubly embedded, sectioned at 4 to 5 micrometer, and routinely processed for histological measurements of the midcoronal height and width of the cartilage zones of the proximal and distal epiphyses. Estrone treatment increased the growth in height and width of the cartilage layers of the proximal epiphyses and inhibited the growth in height of the distal epiphyseal cartilage of earth gravity chicks. Animal exposure to 2 G without estrone treatment resulted in increased width of the cartilage layers of the proximal epiphyses and inhibition of both height and width growth of the cartilage layers of the distal epiphyses. Growth in height, but not width, of the cartilage layers of both proximal and distal epiphyses was inhibited by combined estrone treatment and animal exposure to the 2 G environment.", "PMID": 637809} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11472", "title": "Prevention of hypoxia--acceptable compromises.", "content": "The acceptable degree of hypoxia is a most important factor in the design of pressure cabins and of aircrew oxygen breathing equipment. The studies of the effects of mild hypoxia upon human performance performed since 1960 are reviewed. It is concluded that the hypoxia induced by breathing air at altitudes up to 5000 ft is acceptable for both crew and passengers of combat and passenger aircraft. The magnitude and the effects of the hypoxia induced by rapid decompression are also considered. The results of the experimental investigations are correlated and it is deduced that the minimum acceptable alveolar oxygen tension on rapid decompression is 30 mm Hg.", "contents": "Prevention of hypoxia--acceptable compromises. The acceptable degree of hypoxia is a most important factor in the design of pressure cabins and of aircrew oxygen breathing equipment. The studies of the effects of mild hypoxia upon human performance performed since 1960 are reviewed. It is concluded that the hypoxia induced by breathing air at altitudes up to 5000 ft is acceptable for both crew and passengers of combat and passenger aircraft. The magnitude and the effects of the hypoxia induced by rapid decompression are also considered. The results of the experimental investigations are correlated and it is deduced that the minimum acceptable alveolar oxygen tension on rapid decompression is 30 mm Hg.", "PMID": 637810} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11473", "title": "Treatment of hypertension in aviators: a clinical trial with Aldactazide.", "content": "Thirty-two USAF aircrewmen with mild or moderate, uncomplicated essential hypertension were treated with Aldactazide (spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide). The study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of this drug combination in aircrew subject to the stress of flying high-performance aircraft. All patients were investigated in detail before, and again 6 weeks after, beginning Aldactazide treatment. Adequate blood pressure control was achieved in 94% of patients; 84% were able to return to flying duties. Treatment was associated with a moderate loss of weight and plasma volume, and a slight reduction in renal function. Tolerance to multiple stress tests was unimpaired after treatment. Symptoms attributable to treatment were minimal. We conclude that in the dose used, four tablets or less daily, Aldactazide is a safe and fairly effective secondline treatment for hypertensive aircrewmen.", "contents": "Treatment of hypertension in aviators: a clinical trial with Aldactazide. Thirty-two USAF aircrewmen with mild or moderate, uncomplicated essential hypertension were treated with Aldactazide (spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide). The study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of this drug combination in aircrew subject to the stress of flying high-performance aircraft. All patients were investigated in detail before, and again 6 weeks after, beginning Aldactazide treatment. Adequate blood pressure control was achieved in 94% of patients; 84% were able to return to flying duties. Treatment was associated with a moderate loss of weight and plasma volume, and a slight reduction in renal function. Tolerance to multiple stress tests was unimpaired after treatment. Symptoms attributable to treatment were minimal. We conclude that in the dose used, four tablets or less daily, Aldactazide is a safe and fairly effective secondline treatment for hypertensive aircrewmen.", "PMID": 637811} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11474", "title": "Effect of ozone variation on disease in Great Britain: I. Skin cancer.", "content": "Ozone levels were rising during the period 1951 to 1972 and resulted in decreased levels of solar ultraviolet radiation reaching sea level. Analysis of the records of skin cancers for Bristol and Oxford in England showed that during the first decade of this period incidence and mortality for the skin carcinomas, basal cell and squamous cell, fell in line with theory; but both incidence and mortality for melanoma inexplicably rose. Figures for the second decade show that the data were dominated by trends other than those possibly attributable to ozone change.", "contents": "Effect of ozone variation on disease in Great Britain: I. Skin cancer. Ozone levels were rising during the period 1951 to 1972 and resulted in decreased levels of solar ultraviolet radiation reaching sea level. Analysis of the records of skin cancers for Bristol and Oxford in England showed that during the first decade of this period incidence and mortality for the skin carcinomas, basal cell and squamous cell, fell in line with theory; but both incidence and mortality for melanoma inexplicably rose. Figures for the second decade show that the data were dominated by trends other than those possibly attributable to ozone change.", "PMID": 637812} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11475", "title": "Medical certification of pilots.", "content": "This paper reviews some of the problems encountered in administering satisfactory medical requirements for professional pilots. The role of these requirements in the context of flight safety is discussed. The control of risk by the imposition of strict requirements is contrasted with that achieved by training designed to contain the risk introduced by incapacitation. The fact that aviation safety is based on acceptable risk levels is pointed out and the role of physician in this regard is discussed. The need for a widely accepted minimum level of fitness required for aviation duties is brought out. Certain operational aspects are touched upon. Medical requirements based on the desire to avoid on-duty incapacitation are contrasted with those designed to ensure adequate performance. The present ICAO cardiovascular requirement is discussed with particular reference to permanent grounding following myocardial infarction. The significance of inflight crew incapacitation training is pointed out and a plea for close cooperation between licensing authorities, airline operators, and pilots is made.", "contents": "Medical certification of pilots. This paper reviews some of the problems encountered in administering satisfactory medical requirements for professional pilots. The role of these requirements in the context of flight safety is discussed. The control of risk by the imposition of strict requirements is contrasted with that achieved by training designed to contain the risk introduced by incapacitation. The fact that aviation safety is based on acceptable risk levels is pointed out and the role of physician in this regard is discussed. The need for a widely accepted minimum level of fitness required for aviation duties is brought out. Certain operational aspects are touched upon. Medical requirements based on the desire to avoid on-duty incapacitation are contrasted with those designed to ensure adequate performance. The present ICAO cardiovascular requirement is discussed with particular reference to permanent grounding following myocardial infarction. The significance of inflight crew incapacitation training is pointed out and a plea for close cooperation between licensing authorities, airline operators, and pilots is made.", "PMID": 637813} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11476", "title": "International biosatellite.", "content": "It is not the first time that Soviet satellites are orbited to carry out an international scientific programme. A new and convincing example of active international cooperation in space studies is the Cosmos-936 satellite which accommodates biological objects and scientific apparatus from the USSR, Czechoslovakia, the USA and France.", "contents": "International biosatellite. It is not the first time that Soviet satellites are orbited to carry out an international scientific programme. A new and convincing example of active international cooperation in space studies is the Cosmos-936 satellite which accommodates biological objects and scientific apparatus from the USSR, Czechoslovakia, the USA and France.", "PMID": 637815} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11477", "title": "Lack of effect of helium breathing on catecholamine levels in the adrenal vein blood of the rabbit.", "content": "Catecholamine levels were measured in the adrenal vein blood of the chloralose anesthetized rabbit during periods of helium-oxygen breathing (50% He-50% O2) and of air breathing. Blood samples were taken from the T-arm of a venous shunt made by cannulating the renal vein proximally to the orifice of the adrenal vein and connecting the distal end of the cannula to one in the femoral vein. Adrenal vein blood flow varied from 0.09-0.30 g/min in five animals, and catecholamine release from 10-92 ng/min. There were large differences between levels from animal to animal but no significant differences in any one animal between levels measured while breathing helium and levels measured while breathing air. The same held true for respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, and percent change in blood pressure during a simulated valsalva maneuver. Although there were changes seen in catecholamine release during some of these experiments, they could not be related to an effect of gases breathed. It is concluded that if there was an effect of helium breathing on catecholamine release in these anesthetized rabbits it was masked by other conditions with stronger action on the sympatho-adrenal system.", "contents": "Lack of effect of helium breathing on catecholamine levels in the adrenal vein blood of the rabbit. Catecholamine levels were measured in the adrenal vein blood of the chloralose anesthetized rabbit during periods of helium-oxygen breathing (50% He-50% O2) and of air breathing. Blood samples were taken from the T-arm of a venous shunt made by cannulating the renal vein proximally to the orifice of the adrenal vein and connecting the distal end of the cannula to one in the femoral vein. Adrenal vein blood flow varied from 0.09-0.30 g/min in five animals, and catecholamine release from 10-92 ng/min. There were large differences between levels from animal to animal but no significant differences in any one animal between levels measured while breathing helium and levels measured while breathing air. The same held true for respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, and percent change in blood pressure during a simulated valsalva maneuver. Although there were changes seen in catecholamine release during some of these experiments, they could not be related to an effect of gases breathed. It is concluded that if there was an effect of helium breathing on catecholamine release in these anesthetized rabbits it was masked by other conditions with stronger action on the sympatho-adrenal system.", "PMID": 637816} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11478", "title": "Effects of infrasound on cognitive performance.", "content": "The cognitive performance of 40 subjects was measured during exposure to infrasound and noise in three experiments. In the first experiment, 12 subjects were exposed for 15 min to each of four experimental conditions while performing a Serial Search Task. The conditions were: 65 dB ambient noise (AN), a low-frequency background noise (BN) at 110 dB, a 7-Hz tone at 125 dB + AN, and the 125 dB tone + BN. The second experiment was the same as the first except a Complex Counting Task was used and the exposure duration was increased from 15 min to 30 min. In the third experiment, the Complex Counting Task was used and the subjects were exposed for 15 min to each of the following four conditions: BN, 125 dB at 7 Hz plus BN, 132 dB at 7 Hz plus BN, and 142 dB at 7 Hz plus BN. No decrements in performance were obtained in any of the three experiments, and there were no subjective reports of dizziness or disorientation as suggested in some of the previous literature. The authors conclude that adverse effects of infrasound have been exaggerated and the current levels of infrasound components as produced by modern jet aircraft are not considered in themselves a practical problem.", "contents": "Effects of infrasound on cognitive performance. The cognitive performance of 40 subjects was measured during exposure to infrasound and noise in three experiments. In the first experiment, 12 subjects were exposed for 15 min to each of four experimental conditions while performing a Serial Search Task. The conditions were: 65 dB ambient noise (AN), a low-frequency background noise (BN) at 110 dB, a 7-Hz tone at 125 dB + AN, and the 125 dB tone + BN. The second experiment was the same as the first except a Complex Counting Task was used and the exposure duration was increased from 15 min to 30 min. In the third experiment, the Complex Counting Task was used and the subjects were exposed for 15 min to each of the following four conditions: BN, 125 dB at 7 Hz plus BN, 132 dB at 7 Hz plus BN, and 142 dB at 7 Hz plus BN. No decrements in performance were obtained in any of the three experiments, and there were no subjective reports of dizziness or disorientation as suggested in some of the previous literature. The authors conclude that adverse effects of infrasound have been exaggerated and the current levels of infrasound components as produced by modern jet aircraft are not considered in themselves a practical problem.", "PMID": 637817} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11479", "title": "Psychological states and aerobic fitness of male and female recruits before and after basic training.", "content": "Psychological states and aerobic fitness were measured using a battery of psychological tests and a bicycle ergometer work test. A group of approximately two hundred male and female subjects were tested at the beginning of a six week basic training cycle and another group of two hundred were tested at the completion of basic training. A difference in mood, anxiety, self confidence and physical fitness was evident in the groups of male recruits, but not in the female recruits after training. A significant difference existed between males and females in terms of physical work capacity. These differences in work capacity and psychological responses should be considered in the assignment and selection of personnel for high work intensity military occupations.", "contents": "Psychological states and aerobic fitness of male and female recruits before and after basic training. Psychological states and aerobic fitness were measured using a battery of psychological tests and a bicycle ergometer work test. A group of approximately two hundred male and female subjects were tested at the beginning of a six week basic training cycle and another group of two hundred were tested at the completion of basic training. A difference in mood, anxiety, self confidence and physical fitness was evident in the groups of male recruits, but not in the female recruits after training. A significant difference existed between males and females in terms of physical work capacity. These differences in work capacity and psychological responses should be considered in the assignment and selection of personnel for high work intensity military occupations.", "PMID": 637818} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11480", "title": "Ultrasonic effects on mammalian intestinal muscle membrane.", "content": "The effects of ultrasound on the bioelectric activities of rat intestinal muscle were studied. It was found that low level ultrasound of 1.5 W/cm2 inhibited action potentials of the intestinal smooth muscle. This biophysical action of ultrasound had accumulative effects. The presence of high Ca++ in the medium (3.4 mM or 2 x normal [Ca++]) prevented this action of ultrasound. These data suggested that ultrasound probably acted on the calcium influx mechanism of the cell membrane.", "contents": "Ultrasonic effects on mammalian intestinal muscle membrane. The effects of ultrasound on the bioelectric activities of rat intestinal muscle were studied. It was found that low level ultrasound of 1.5 W/cm2 inhibited action potentials of the intestinal smooth muscle. This biophysical action of ultrasound had accumulative effects. The presence of high Ca++ in the medium (3.4 mM or 2 x normal [Ca++]) prevented this action of ultrasound. These data suggested that ultrasound probably acted on the calcium influx mechanism of the cell membrane.", "PMID": 637819} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11481", "title": "Cosmic radiation exposure in subsonic air transport.", "content": "This FAA- and NASA-sponsored study of cosmic radiation doses recieved by United States residents flying in commercial jet aircraft is the most extensive to date and combines computer calculations with experimental data. Data derived from 1973 statistics on 2.99 million intercity flights carrying 468 million seats were included in the calculations, yielding a total of 581 billion seat-kilometer. The average flight was 1,084 km in length, was flown at an altitude of 9.47 km, and lasted 1.41 h. The average dose rate was 0.20 mrem/h, resulting in an average passenger dose of 2.82 mrem/year and an average crewmember dose of 160 mrem/year. The average radiation dose to the total U.S. population was 0.47 mrem/person/year. These results are in good agreement with data from several experiments performed by us and others in aircraft at various altitudes and latitudes. The significance of these doses to the population is discussed.", "contents": "Cosmic radiation exposure in subsonic air transport. This FAA- and NASA-sponsored study of cosmic radiation doses recieved by United States residents flying in commercial jet aircraft is the most extensive to date and combines computer calculations with experimental data. Data derived from 1973 statistics on 2.99 million intercity flights carrying 468 million seats were included in the calculations, yielding a total of 581 billion seat-kilometer. The average flight was 1,084 km in length, was flown at an altitude of 9.47 km, and lasted 1.41 h. The average dose rate was 0.20 mrem/h, resulting in an average passenger dose of 2.82 mrem/year and an average crewmember dose of 160 mrem/year. The average radiation dose to the total U.S. population was 0.47 mrem/person/year. These results are in good agreement with data from several experiments performed by us and others in aircraft at various altitudes and latitudes. The significance of these doses to the population is discussed.", "PMID": 637820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11482", "title": "Recurrent atrial fibrillation with nausea and vomiting.", "content": "Atrial fibrillation occurred twice during episodes of severe nausea and vomiting in a previously healthy 40-year-old male with new onset of Meniere's syndrome (tinnitus, vertigo, deafness). No organic cause was identified to explain the arrhythmia. Holter monitoring, maximal treadmill stress testing, and sinus node recovery times were normal. Intense vagal stimulation, subsequent bradycardia, and dispersion of atrial tissue refractory period is the likely explanation for this arrhythmia.", "contents": "Recurrent atrial fibrillation with nausea and vomiting. Atrial fibrillation occurred twice during episodes of severe nausea and vomiting in a previously healthy 40-year-old male with new onset of Meniere's syndrome (tinnitus, vertigo, deafness). No organic cause was identified to explain the arrhythmia. Holter monitoring, maximal treadmill stress testing, and sinus node recovery times were normal. Intense vagal stimulation, subsequent bradycardia, and dispersion of atrial tissue refractory period is the likely explanation for this arrhythmia.", "PMID": 637821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11483", "title": "Helicopter support of North Sea oil exploration.", "content": "Exploration for oil beneath the North Sea started in the early 1960's with the discovery of natural gas and oil in the southern part between the coasts of East Anglia and the Netherlands. Since then oil exploration has built up considerably, the main effort moving northwards between the Shetland Islands and the Norwegian coasts. The helicopter offered the most direct and rapid contact with off-shore oil rigs and since these early days and immense helicopter operation has been built up round the borders of the North Sea by all the nations involved. Flying conditions in this area, particularly in winter, are at times difficult if not to say hazardous. Nevertheless, a sophisticated helicopter support service has been built up using modern aircraft and equipment which is unique in aviation history. This paper attempts to trace the history of the service, the operational problems involved and the special needs such as survival equipment and clothing. In addition, a co-ordinated air/sea rescue service largely based on helicopters has been built up and provides not only rescue facilities for possible rig disasters but also for shipping emergencies in the area.", "contents": "Helicopter support of North Sea oil exploration. Exploration for oil beneath the North Sea started in the early 1960's with the discovery of natural gas and oil in the southern part between the coasts of East Anglia and the Netherlands. Since then oil exploration has built up considerably, the main effort moving northwards between the Shetland Islands and the Norwegian coasts. The helicopter offered the most direct and rapid contact with off-shore oil rigs and since these early days and immense helicopter operation has been built up round the borders of the North Sea by all the nations involved. Flying conditions in this area, particularly in winter, are at times difficult if not to say hazardous. Nevertheless, a sophisticated helicopter support service has been built up using modern aircraft and equipment which is unique in aviation history. This paper attempts to trace the history of the service, the operational problems involved and the special needs such as survival equipment and clothing. In addition, a co-ordinated air/sea rescue service largely based on helicopters has been built up and provides not only rescue facilities for possible rig disasters but also for shipping emergencies in the area.", "PMID": 637822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11484", "title": "Stress and workload in pilots.", "content": "Several studies have highlighted the increase in physiological activity which occurs in pilots during flight and especially during takeoffs and landings. For example, it has been clearly demonstrated that pilots' heart rates increase during the landing approach to reach a peak at or just before touchdown. These changes have been attributed to workload and to psychological or emotional stress. This paper examines a number of test pilots' heart rate responses recorded during various flight trials involving different types of aircraft. Examples include ramp takeoffs in a VTOL fighter, automatic landings in fog, supersonic flight through monsoon rain, and a sortie in which the pilot developed acute appendicitis. It is concluded that heart rate responses in experienced pilots are influenced almost entirely by workload-related factors and not by emotional stressors, such as risk and anxiety. Because of the emotional overtones of the word \"stress,\" it is suggested that the term workload should be used when referring to the reason for increased cardiovascular activity of pilots.", "contents": "Stress and workload in pilots. Several studies have highlighted the increase in physiological activity which occurs in pilots during flight and especially during takeoffs and landings. For example, it has been clearly demonstrated that pilots' heart rates increase during the landing approach to reach a peak at or just before touchdown. These changes have been attributed to workload and to psychological or emotional stress. This paper examines a number of test pilots' heart rate responses recorded during various flight trials involving different types of aircraft. Examples include ramp takeoffs in a VTOL fighter, automatic landings in fog, supersonic flight through monsoon rain, and a sortie in which the pilot developed acute appendicitis. It is concluded that heart rate responses in experienced pilots are influenced almost entirely by workload-related factors and not by emotional stressors, such as risk and anxiety. Because of the emotional overtones of the word \"stress,\" it is suggested that the term workload should be used when referring to the reason for increased cardiovascular activity of pilots.", "PMID": 637823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11485", "title": "Systems analysis of an aeromedical evacuation mission.", "content": "The author applies general systems theory to the analysis of a social system. Through an examination of information processing in an aeromedical evacuation mission, more meaningful levels of coordination evolve. Thus system analysis, as applied here, is an approach used to not only describe an organization but, more importantly, to clearly discern the interrelationships inherent in an activity of major significance such that change or improvement, if needed, may the more readily result.", "contents": "Systems analysis of an aeromedical evacuation mission. The author applies general systems theory to the analysis of a social system. Through an examination of information processing in an aeromedical evacuation mission, more meaningful levels of coordination evolve. Thus system analysis, as applied here, is an approach used to not only describe an organization but, more importantly, to clearly discern the interrelationships inherent in an activity of major significance such that change or improvement, if needed, may the more readily result.", "PMID": 637824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11486", "title": "Radio telemetry system for obtaining body temperature during simulated diving to 1000 FSW.", "content": "An implantable radio telemetry system for transmitting deep body temperatures from dogs subjected to hyperbaric conditions was designed and tested. The design was adapted from a transmitter described by J. L. Riley, and was successfully tested both in vitro and in vivo to a simulated depth of 1000 FSW. Circuit schematic, printed circuit layout, and component layout are given.", "contents": "Radio telemetry system for obtaining body temperature during simulated diving to 1000 FSW. An implantable radio telemetry system for transmitting deep body temperatures from dogs subjected to hyperbaric conditions was designed and tested. The design was adapted from a transmitter described by J. L. Riley, and was successfully tested both in vitro and in vivo to a simulated depth of 1000 FSW. Circuit schematic, printed circuit layout, and component layout are given.", "PMID": 637825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11487", "title": "In pursuit of the \"spatial gene\": a family study.", "content": "Members of 192 families in the Tel Aviv area were given a battery of eight cognitive tests focusing on spatial measures but sampling verbal, numerical, and perceptual speed domains as well. The patterns of parent-child and sibling correlations gave very weak evidence, if any, for the operation of the X-linked recessive gene postulated by Stafford and others to affect performance on tasks involving spatial visualization. An analysis of male and female score distributions provided results more favorable to the X-linkage hypothesis, at least for the child generation, although suggesting that X linkage does not explain the whole male-female difference in performance on spatial tasks.", "contents": "In pursuit of the \"spatial gene\": a family study. Members of 192 families in the Tel Aviv area were given a battery of eight cognitive tests focusing on spatial measures but sampling verbal, numerical, and perceptual speed domains as well. The patterns of parent-child and sibling correlations gave very weak evidence, if any, for the operation of the X-linked recessive gene postulated by Stafford and others to affect performance on tasks involving spatial visualization. An analysis of male and female score distributions provided results more favorable to the X-linkage hypothesis, at least for the child generation, although suggesting that X linkage does not explain the whole male-female difference in performance on spatial tasks.", "PMID": 637826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11488", "title": "Response to 30 generations of selection for open-field activity in laboratory mice.", "content": "High and low lines resulting from 30 generations of bidirectional selection for open-field activity have nonoverlapping distributions and more than a thirtyfold difference in mean activity. Open-field defecation scores of low-active lines are approximately 7 times higher than those of high-active lines, substantiating earlier reports of a large, negative genetic correlation between these characters. Since the selection experiment is replicated, other variables which are found to be reliably different among the high, control, and low lines are likely to be causally related to open-field activity; thus these selected lines of mice may be of use to other investigators.", "contents": "Response to 30 generations of selection for open-field activity in laboratory mice. High and low lines resulting from 30 generations of bidirectional selection for open-field activity have nonoverlapping distributions and more than a thirtyfold difference in mean activity. Open-field defecation scores of low-active lines are approximately 7 times higher than those of high-active lines, substantiating earlier reports of a large, negative genetic correlation between these characters. Since the selection experiment is replicated, other variables which are found to be reliably different among the high, control, and low lines are likely to be causally related to open-field activity; thus these selected lines of mice may be of use to other investigators.", "PMID": 637827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11489", "title": "Parent-offspring resemblance for specific cognitive abilities in Korea.", "content": "Regressions of offspring on midparent value for tests of specific cognitive abilities in Korea were considerably higher than those for Americans of Japanese ancestry or Americans of European ancestry tested in Hawaii. This greater parent-offspring resemblance in Korea may be due to the particular method of test administration or to an increased genetic variance resulting from assortative mating. The pattern of parent-child correlations for three relatively pure tests of spatial ability and for the spatial factor did not conform to that of a sex-linked recessive character.", "contents": "Parent-offspring resemblance for specific cognitive abilities in Korea. Regressions of offspring on midparent value for tests of specific cognitive abilities in Korea were considerably higher than those for Americans of Japanese ancestry or Americans of European ancestry tested in Hawaii. This greater parent-offspring resemblance in Korea may be due to the particular method of test administration or to an increased genetic variance resulting from assortative mating. The pattern of parent-child correlations for three relatively pure tests of spatial ability and for the spatial factor did not conform to that of a sex-linked recessive character.", "PMID": 637828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11490", "title": "Intrafamilial correlations and heritability estimates for spatial ability in a Minnesota sample.", "content": "Data collected by university students on their family members showed intrafamilial correlations and heritability estimates for spatial ability similar in magnitude to those reported in three larger samples in Hawaii and Korea.", "contents": "Intrafamilial correlations and heritability estimates for spatial ability in a Minnesota sample. Data collected by university students on their family members showed intrafamilial correlations and heritability estimates for spatial ability similar in magnitude to those reported in three larger samples in Hawaii and Korea.", "PMID": 637829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11491", "title": "The Burt controversy: a comparison of Burt's data on IQ with data from other studies.", "content": "A recent controversy has given reason to examine the place of Burt's data among other behavioral genetic data on IQ. Although Burt's kinship correlations are higher than the average of other studies, his results are generally consistent with other data.", "contents": "The Burt controversy: a comparison of Burt's data on IQ with data from other studies. A recent controversy has given reason to examine the place of Burt's data among other behavioral genetic data on IQ. Although Burt's kinship correlations are higher than the average of other studies, his results are generally consistent with other data.", "PMID": 637830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11492", "title": "Changes in the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern during differentiation of rabbit bone-marrow erythroid cells.", "content": "1. Differentiation and maturation of rabbit bone-marrow erythroid cells was accompanied by a 15-fold decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity from approx. 0.1pmol of NADH utilized/min per cell in basophilic cells to 0.007 pmol of NADH/min per cell in reticulocytes. 2. In early cells, cell division takes place with a corresponding decrease in cell volume, but the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase remains almost constant. 3. When cell division ceases, qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern become apparent and reticulocytes were found to contain almost exclusively the H4 isoenzyme, whereas early erythroblasts contained also the M4 and hybrid isoenzymes. 4. Extracts from a lysosome-enriched subcellular fraction of bone-marrow erythroid cells specifically degraded the M4 isoenzyme in vitro, but the H4 form was stable. It is suggested that lysosomal enzymes are involved in bringing about the observed changes in lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in vivo.", "contents": "Changes in the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern during differentiation of rabbit bone-marrow erythroid cells. 1. Differentiation and maturation of rabbit bone-marrow erythroid cells was accompanied by a 15-fold decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity from approx. 0.1pmol of NADH utilized/min per cell in basophilic cells to 0.007 pmol of NADH/min per cell in reticulocytes. 2. In early cells, cell division takes place with a corresponding decrease in cell volume, but the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase remains almost constant. 3. When cell division ceases, qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern become apparent and reticulocytes were found to contain almost exclusively the H4 isoenzyme, whereas early erythroblasts contained also the M4 and hybrid isoenzymes. 4. Extracts from a lysosome-enriched subcellular fraction of bone-marrow erythroid cells specifically degraded the M4 isoenzyme in vitro, but the H4 form was stable. It is suggested that lysosomal enzymes are involved in bringing about the observed changes in lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in vivo.", "PMID": 637836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11493", "title": "Androgenic regulation of elongation of polyribonucleotide chains on rat ventral-prostate chromatin.", "content": "The kinetics of polyribonucleotide-chain elongation by rat ventral-prostate RNA polymerase B with homologous chromatin as a template were investigated. Chain elongation was measured under conditions wherein all initiation had occurred, no reinitiation took place and the reaction rate was constant. The kinetic behaviour of prostate RNA polymerase B was consistent with a mathematical model formulated for the multisubstrate enzyme. The addition of each nucleoside triphosphate was independent of the other three. The overall rate of chain elongation was lower when prostate chromatin from castrated rats was used than with prostate chromatin from normal rats. The inclusion of dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes stimulated the rate of elongation. Androgenic effects did not appear to be directed towards the addition of individual nucleoside triphosphates, but probably towards one of the other major events in RNA-chain elongation, i.e., unwinding of DNA or movement of the enzyme along the template.", "contents": "Androgenic regulation of elongation of polyribonucleotide chains on rat ventral-prostate chromatin. The kinetics of polyribonucleotide-chain elongation by rat ventral-prostate RNA polymerase B with homologous chromatin as a template were investigated. Chain elongation was measured under conditions wherein all initiation had occurred, no reinitiation took place and the reaction rate was constant. The kinetic behaviour of prostate RNA polymerase B was consistent with a mathematical model formulated for the multisubstrate enzyme. The addition of each nucleoside triphosphate was independent of the other three. The overall rate of chain elongation was lower when prostate chromatin from castrated rats was used than with prostate chromatin from normal rats. The inclusion of dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes stimulated the rate of elongation. Androgenic effects did not appear to be directed towards the addition of individual nucleoside triphosphates, but probably towards one of the other major events in RNA-chain elongation, i.e., unwinding of DNA or movement of the enzyme along the template.", "PMID": 637837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11494", "title": "Induction of cadmium-thionein in isolated rat liver cells.", "content": "The uptake of cadmium by isolated liver cells was linearly related to the cadmium concentration to which the cells were exposed in the medium. Cadmium-treated cells synthesized proteins de novo with the characteristics of cadmium-thionein induced in the liver of cadmium-treated animals. Thionein from liver cells incorporated cadmium and [35S]cysteine, had a Ve/Vo (Sephadex G-50) of 1.8-1.9, and was separated into two subfractions by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D when added after a cadmium exposure prevented the synthesis of thionein. However, addition of actinomycin D after synthesis had started only decreased the total amount of thionein synthesized. The concentration of cadmium to which the cells were exposed affected the amount of cadmium-thionein synthesized in 6h. The maximum response occurred when cells were exposed to 0.5 microgram of cadmium/ml; at higher metal concentrations the total amount of cadmium-thionein synthesized declined. The system described in the present paper can be used to study the mode of metal toxicity and the mechanism of cadmium-thionein synthesis.", "contents": "Induction of cadmium-thionein in isolated rat liver cells. The uptake of cadmium by isolated liver cells was linearly related to the cadmium concentration to which the cells were exposed in the medium. Cadmium-treated cells synthesized proteins de novo with the characteristics of cadmium-thionein induced in the liver of cadmium-treated animals. Thionein from liver cells incorporated cadmium and [35S]cysteine, had a Ve/Vo (Sephadex G-50) of 1.8-1.9, and was separated into two subfractions by DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D when added after a cadmium exposure prevented the synthesis of thionein. However, addition of actinomycin D after synthesis had started only decreased the total amount of thionein synthesized. The concentration of cadmium to which the cells were exposed affected the amount of cadmium-thionein synthesized in 6h. The maximum response occurred when cells were exposed to 0.5 microgram of cadmium/ml; at higher metal concentrations the total amount of cadmium-thionein synthesized declined. The system described in the present paper can be used to study the mode of metal toxicity and the mechanism of cadmium-thionein synthesis.", "PMID": 637838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11495", "title": "Metabolic effects of pent-4-enoate in isolated perfused rat heart.", "content": "The metabolic effects of the hypoglycaemic agent pent-4-enoate were studied in isolated, beating or potassium-arrested rat hearts. The addition of 0.8mM-pent-4-enoate to the perfusion fluid increased O2 consumption by 76% in the arrested heart and by 14% in the beating heart; the concentration ratio of phosphocreatine/creatine increase concomitantly by 47% and 27% respectively. Perfusion of the heart with pent-4-enoate resulted in a 30-fold increase in the concentration of the pool of tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates in the tissue, about 90% of this increase being due to malate. The sum of the concentrations of the myocardial free amino acids remained virtually unchanged during the accumulation of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates. It was concluded that pent-4-enoate can be effectively metabolized in the myocardium and that its metabolism probably proceeds via propionyl-CoA, since pent-4-enoate reproduces many of the metabolic characteristics of propionate in the cardiac muscle. The accumulation of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates is probably due to carboxylation of propionyl-CoA. The response pattern of the metabolite concentrations in the cardiac muscle is quite different from that in the liver, in which decrease of the concentrations of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates has been observed previously [Williamson, Rostand & Peterson (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 3242-3251].", "contents": "Metabolic effects of pent-4-enoate in isolated perfused rat heart. The metabolic effects of the hypoglycaemic agent pent-4-enoate were studied in isolated, beating or potassium-arrested rat hearts. The addition of 0.8mM-pent-4-enoate to the perfusion fluid increased O2 consumption by 76% in the arrested heart and by 14% in the beating heart; the concentration ratio of phosphocreatine/creatine increase concomitantly by 47% and 27% respectively. Perfusion of the heart with pent-4-enoate resulted in a 30-fold increase in the concentration of the pool of tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates in the tissue, about 90% of this increase being due to malate. The sum of the concentrations of the myocardial free amino acids remained virtually unchanged during the accumulation of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates. It was concluded that pent-4-enoate can be effectively metabolized in the myocardium and that its metabolism probably proceeds via propionyl-CoA, since pent-4-enoate reproduces many of the metabolic characteristics of propionate in the cardiac muscle. The accumulation of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates is probably due to carboxylation of propionyl-CoA. The response pattern of the metabolite concentrations in the cardiac muscle is quite different from that in the liver, in which decrease of the concentrations of the tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates has been observed previously [Williamson, Rostand & Peterson (1970) J. Biol. Chem. 245, 3242-3251].", "PMID": 637839} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11496", "title": "Effect of potassium deficiency on mouse kidney lysosomal enzymes.", "content": "Mice of inbred strains A/J, C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige were kept on a K+-deficient diet for up to 40 days to determine the magnitude and mechanism of changes in tissue lysosomal enzymes. From days 10 to 40 glucuronidase activity increased 3-fold in kidney of K+-deficient mice, but there was little effect on beta-galactosidase or acid phosphatase activity. Similar increases in kidney glucuronidase activity occurred in inbred strains known to have genetically altered control of the synthesis (A/J) and secretion (C57BL/6J beige) of glucuronidase in kidney proximal-tubule cells. Deprivation of K+ did not affect glucuronidase activity in liver, spleen, lung and brain, but there was a 2-3-FOld increase in glucuronidase activity in heart in the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige strains. As shown by specific antibody titration, increased glucuronidase activity in kidney of K+-deficient mice was accompanied by accumulation of enzyme molecules. Likewise in kidney of deficient mice there was an increased rate of synthesis of glucuronidase as measured by incorporation of labelled leucine into immunoprecipitable glucuronidase. In kidney of K+-deficient mice the elevated glucuronidase activity was found in both collecting-tubule and interstitial cells of the medulla. It is probable therefore that a significant fraction of the increased kidney lysosomal synthesis and enzyme activity is due to infiltrating cells.", "contents": "Effect of potassium deficiency on mouse kidney lysosomal enzymes. Mice of inbred strains A/J, C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige were kept on a K+-deficient diet for up to 40 days to determine the magnitude and mechanism of changes in tissue lysosomal enzymes. From days 10 to 40 glucuronidase activity increased 3-fold in kidney of K+-deficient mice, but there was little effect on beta-galactosidase or acid phosphatase activity. Similar increases in kidney glucuronidase activity occurred in inbred strains known to have genetically altered control of the synthesis (A/J) and secretion (C57BL/6J beige) of glucuronidase in kidney proximal-tubule cells. Deprivation of K+ did not affect glucuronidase activity in liver, spleen, lung and brain, but there was a 2-3-FOld increase in glucuronidase activity in heart in the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6J beige strains. As shown by specific antibody titration, increased glucuronidase activity in kidney of K+-deficient mice was accompanied by accumulation of enzyme molecules. Likewise in kidney of deficient mice there was an increased rate of synthesis of glucuronidase as measured by incorporation of labelled leucine into immunoprecipitable glucuronidase. In kidney of K+-deficient mice the elevated glucuronidase activity was found in both collecting-tubule and interstitial cells of the medulla. It is probable therefore that a significant fraction of the increased kidney lysosomal synthesis and enzyme activity is due to infiltrating cells.", "PMID": 637840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11497", "title": "The metabolism of shikimate in the rat.", "content": "In the rat, shikimate was metabolized and excreted as hippurate, hexahydrohippurate, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrohippurate, t-3,t-4-dihydroxycyclohexane-r-1-carboxylate and c-3,t-4-dihydroxycyclophexane-r-1-carboxylate, conjugates of catechol and CO2. The metabolism was entirely dependent on various initial microbial transformations in the gut, metabolite formation being suppressed in animals pretreated with antibiotics. Shikimate was not metabolized by mammalian tissues, and products of microbial metabolism were excreted either unchanged or after further biotransformation in the animal tissues.", "contents": "The metabolism of shikimate in the rat. In the rat, shikimate was metabolized and excreted as hippurate, hexahydrohippurate, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrohippurate, t-3,t-4-dihydroxycyclohexane-r-1-carboxylate and c-3,t-4-dihydroxycyclophexane-r-1-carboxylate, conjugates of catechol and CO2. The metabolism was entirely dependent on various initial microbial transformations in the gut, metabolite formation being suppressed in animals pretreated with antibiotics. Shikimate was not metabolized by mammalian tissues, and products of microbial metabolism were excreted either unchanged or after further biotransformation in the animal tissues.", "PMID": 637841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11498", "title": "Uptake and metabolism of adenosine by pig aortic endothelial and smooth-muscle cells in culture.", "content": "1. Adenosine, a potent vasodilator, is transported very efficiently by pig aortic endothelium in monolayer culture (approx. 50pmol/min per 10(6) cells at 2 micrometer). Uptake proceeds by diffusion at high (millimolar) substrate concentrations, and by two discrete transport processes (Km approx. 3 micrometer and 250 micrometer) at lower concentrations. Over 90% of the adenosine taken up at 10 micrometer or 100 micrometer is rapidly converted into adenine nucleotides (mainly ATP). 2. The high-affinity process is selectively inhibited by dipyridamole and by nitrobenzylthioinosine. Adenine preferentially inhibits the lower-affinity process, papapaverine inhibits both transport processes, and inosine has no significant effect. 3. Pig aortic smooth-muscle cells in culture show no high-affinity transport system for adenosine; uptake is much slower at low concentrations than that by endothelium (approx. 5pmol/min per 10(6) cells at 2 micrometer). Over 80% of the incorporated adenosine at 10 micrometer or 100 micrometer is rapidly converted into adenine nucleotides. 4. The uptake of adenosine by smooth-muscle cells is powerfully inhibited by adenine, but dipyridamole is much less potent than in endothelium. 5. We conclude that endothelial cells are mainly responsible for the removal of circulating adenosine.", "contents": "Uptake and metabolism of adenosine by pig aortic endothelial and smooth-muscle cells in culture. 1. Adenosine, a potent vasodilator, is transported very efficiently by pig aortic endothelium in monolayer culture (approx. 50pmol/min per 10(6) cells at 2 micrometer). Uptake proceeds by diffusion at high (millimolar) substrate concentrations, and by two discrete transport processes (Km approx. 3 micrometer and 250 micrometer) at lower concentrations. Over 90% of the adenosine taken up at 10 micrometer or 100 micrometer is rapidly converted into adenine nucleotides (mainly ATP). 2. The high-affinity process is selectively inhibited by dipyridamole and by nitrobenzylthioinosine. Adenine preferentially inhibits the lower-affinity process, papapaverine inhibits both transport processes, and inosine has no significant effect. 3. Pig aortic smooth-muscle cells in culture show no high-affinity transport system for adenosine; uptake is much slower at low concentrations than that by endothelium (approx. 5pmol/min per 10(6) cells at 2 micrometer). Over 80% of the incorporated adenosine at 10 micrometer or 100 micrometer is rapidly converted into adenine nucleotides. 4. The uptake of adenosine by smooth-muscle cells is powerfully inhibited by adenine, but dipyridamole is much less potent than in endothelium. 5. We conclude that endothelial cells are mainly responsible for the removal of circulating adenosine.", "PMID": 637842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11499", "title": "Lipid oxidation by heart mitochondria from young adult and senescent rats.", "content": "1. State-3 (i.e. ADP-stimulated) rates of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine, palmitoyl-CoA plus carnitine, pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine and octanoate as respiratory substrate were all diminished in heart mitochondria isolated from senescent (24-month-old) rats compared with mitochondria from young adults (6 months old). By contrast, State-3 rates of O(2) uptake with pyruvate plus malate or glutamate plus malate were the same for mitochondria from each age group. 2. Measurements of enzyme activities in disrupted mitochondria showed a decline with senescence in the activity of acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.2 and 6.2.1.3), carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) and 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35), but no change in the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.21) or acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.3). 3. Measurement of dl-[(3)H]carnitine (in)/acetyl-l-carnitine (out) exchange in intact mitochondria showed decreased rates when the animals used were senescent. However, this followed from a decreased intramitochondrial pool of exchangeable carnitine, such that calculated first-order rate constants for exchange were identical in mitochondria from the two age groups. 4. The decline in acyl-CoA synthetase activity is thought to be the reason for the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with octanoate in senescence. The decline in carnitine acetyltransferase activity is considered to be the cause of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with acetylcarnitine or with pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine as substrate. The mechanism of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine in senescence is discussed.", "contents": "Lipid oxidation by heart mitochondria from young adult and senescent rats. 1. State-3 (i.e. ADP-stimulated) rates of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine, palmitoyl-CoA plus carnitine, pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine and octanoate as respiratory substrate were all diminished in heart mitochondria isolated from senescent (24-month-old) rats compared with mitochondria from young adults (6 months old). By contrast, State-3 rates of O(2) uptake with pyruvate plus malate or glutamate plus malate were the same for mitochondria from each age group. 2. Measurements of enzyme activities in disrupted mitochondria showed a decline with senescence in the activity of acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.2 and 6.2.1.3), carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) and 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35), but no change in the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.21) or acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.3). 3. Measurement of dl-[(3)H]carnitine (in)/acetyl-l-carnitine (out) exchange in intact mitochondria showed decreased rates when the animals used were senescent. However, this followed from a decreased intramitochondrial pool of exchangeable carnitine, such that calculated first-order rate constants for exchange were identical in mitochondria from the two age groups. 4. The decline in acyl-CoA synthetase activity is thought to be the reason for the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with octanoate in senescence. The decline in carnitine acetyltransferase activity is considered to be the cause of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with acetylcarnitine or with pyruvate plus malonate plus carnitine as substrate. The mechanism of the diminished rate of O(2) uptake with palmitoylcarnitine in senescence is discussed.", "PMID": 637843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11500", "title": "The mechanism of haem catabolism. Bilirubin formation in living rats by [18O]oxygen labelling.", "content": "1. The pathway of haem breakdown in living rats was studied by using 18O in the oxygen that the animals consumed. By cannulation of the common bile duct and collection of bile, labelled bilirubin was isolated and its mass spectrum determined. One set of results was obtained for a rat to which haemoglobin had been intravenously administered and another set obtained for a rat that was not given exogenous haem. Isomerization of bilirubin IXalpha to the XIIIalpha and IIIalpha isomers did not occur to any significant extent. The 18O-labelling pattern obtained in the bilirubin was consistent with a Two-Molecule Mechanism, whereby the terminal lactam oxygen atoms of bilirubin are derived from different oxygen molecules. The consequences of this mechanism are discussed in terms of the possible intermediates of the catabolic pathway. 2. 18O-labelled bilirubin appeared in the bile in less than 10 min after exposure of the animals to labelled oxygen. This result suggests that all of the chemical transformations involving production of biliverdin, reduction to bilirubin and conjugation of the bilirubin are fast processes. 3. The quantitative recovery of label obtained in the experiments suggests that there is little or no exchange of newly synthesized bilirubin with existing bilirubin pools in the animal.", "contents": "The mechanism of haem catabolism. Bilirubin formation in living rats by [18O]oxygen labelling. 1. The pathway of haem breakdown in living rats was studied by using 18O in the oxygen that the animals consumed. By cannulation of the common bile duct and collection of bile, labelled bilirubin was isolated and its mass spectrum determined. One set of results was obtained for a rat to which haemoglobin had been intravenously administered and another set obtained for a rat that was not given exogenous haem. Isomerization of bilirubin IXalpha to the XIIIalpha and IIIalpha isomers did not occur to any significant extent. The 18O-labelling pattern obtained in the bilirubin was consistent with a Two-Molecule Mechanism, whereby the terminal lactam oxygen atoms of bilirubin are derived from different oxygen molecules. The consequences of this mechanism are discussed in terms of the possible intermediates of the catabolic pathway. 2. 18O-labelled bilirubin appeared in the bile in less than 10 min after exposure of the animals to labelled oxygen. This result suggests that all of the chemical transformations involving production of biliverdin, reduction to bilirubin and conjugation of the bilirubin are fast processes. 3. The quantitative recovery of label obtained in the experiments suggests that there is little or no exchange of newly synthesized bilirubin with existing bilirubin pools in the animal.", "PMID": 637844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11501", "title": "Inter-organ relationships between glucose, lactate and amino acids in rats fed on high-carbohydrate or high-protein diets.", "content": "1. Inter-organ relationships between glucose, lactate and amino acids were studied by determination of plasma concentrations in different blood vessels of anaesthetized rats fed on either a high-carbohydrate diet [13% (w/w) casein, 79% (w/w) starch] or a high-protein diet [50% (w/w) casein, 42% (w/w) starch]. The period of food intake was limited (09:00-17:00h), and blood was collected 4h after the start of this period (13:00h). 2. Glucose absorption was considerable only in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet. Portal-vein-artery differences in plasma lactate concentration were higher in rats fed on this diet, but not proportional to glucose absorption. Aspartate, glutamate and glutamine were apparently converted into alanine, but when dietary protein intake was high, a net absorption of glutamine occurred. 3. The liver removed glucose from the blood in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet, but glucose was released into the blood in rats fed on the high-protein diet, probably as a result of gluconeogenesis. Lactate uptake was very low when amino acid availability was high. 4. In rats on a high-protein diet, increased uptake of amino acids, except for ornithine, was associated with a rise in portal-vein plasma concentrations, and in many cases with a decrease in hepatic concentrations. 5. Hepatic concentrations of pyruvate and 2-oxo-glutarate decreased without a concomitant change in the concentrations of lactate and malate in rats fed on the high-protein diet, in spite of an increased supply of pyruvate precursors (e.g. alanine, serine, glycine), suggesting increased pyruvate transport into mitochondria. 6. High postprandial concentrations of plasma glucose and lactate resulted in high uptakes of these metabolites in peripheral tissues of rats on both diets. Glutamine was released peripherally in both cases, whereas alanine was taken up in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet, but released when the amino acid supply increased. 7. It is concluded that: the small intestine is the main site of lactate production, and the peripheral tissues are the main site for lactate utilization; during increased ureogenesis in fed rats, lactate is poorly utilized by the liver; the gut is the main site of alanine production in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet and the liver utilizes most of the alanine introduced into the portal-vein plasma in both cases.", "contents": "Inter-organ relationships between glucose, lactate and amino acids in rats fed on high-carbohydrate or high-protein diets. 1. Inter-organ relationships between glucose, lactate and amino acids were studied by determination of plasma concentrations in different blood vessels of anaesthetized rats fed on either a high-carbohydrate diet [13% (w/w) casein, 79% (w/w) starch] or a high-protein diet [50% (w/w) casein, 42% (w/w) starch]. The period of food intake was limited (09:00-17:00h), and blood was collected 4h after the start of this period (13:00h). 2. Glucose absorption was considerable only in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet. Portal-vein-artery differences in plasma lactate concentration were higher in rats fed on this diet, but not proportional to glucose absorption. Aspartate, glutamate and glutamine were apparently converted into alanine, but when dietary protein intake was high, a net absorption of glutamine occurred. 3. The liver removed glucose from the blood in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet, but glucose was released into the blood in rats fed on the high-protein diet, probably as a result of gluconeogenesis. Lactate uptake was very low when amino acid availability was high. 4. In rats on a high-protein diet, increased uptake of amino acids, except for ornithine, was associated with a rise in portal-vein plasma concentrations, and in many cases with a decrease in hepatic concentrations. 5. Hepatic concentrations of pyruvate and 2-oxo-glutarate decreased without a concomitant change in the concentrations of lactate and malate in rats fed on the high-protein diet, in spite of an increased supply of pyruvate precursors (e.g. alanine, serine, glycine), suggesting increased pyruvate transport into mitochondria. 6. High postprandial concentrations of plasma glucose and lactate resulted in high uptakes of these metabolites in peripheral tissues of rats on both diets. Glutamine was released peripherally in both cases, whereas alanine was taken up in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet, but released when the amino acid supply increased. 7. It is concluded that: the small intestine is the main site of lactate production, and the peripheral tissues are the main site for lactate utilization; during increased ureogenesis in fed rats, lactate is poorly utilized by the liver; the gut is the main site of alanine production in rats fed on a high-carbohydrate diet and the liver utilizes most of the alanine introduced into the portal-vein plasma in both cases.", "PMID": 637846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11502", "title": "Studies on secretion and endocytosis of macromolecules by cultivated skin fibroblasts. Effects of anti-microtubular agents on secretion and endocytosis of lysosomal hydrolases and of sulphated glycosaminoglycans.", "content": "Fibroblasts were incubated in the presence of the anti-microtubular drugs colchicine, vinblastine and vincristine. In concentrations between 10nm and 1 mM these drugs stimulated the secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase, but not of beta-galactosidase. The endocytosis of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase and alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, but not of beta-glucuronidase, was inhibited at drug concentrations higher than 0.1 micrometer. Formation, secretion and association with the cell membrane of sulphated proteoglycans were not affected by anti-microtubular drugs. Endocytosis of sulphated proteoglycans and their subsequent degradation was inhibited by drug concentrations above 0.1 micrometer. The inhibition of intracellular glycosaminoglycan degradation led to a moderate storage of these compounds. These results suggest that microtubules participate in the control of secretion and endocytosis of lysosomal enzymes, and in the endocytosis and degradation of lysosomal substrates such as sulphated proteoglycans.", "contents": "Studies on secretion and endocytosis of macromolecules by cultivated skin fibroblasts. Effects of anti-microtubular agents on secretion and endocytosis of lysosomal hydrolases and of sulphated glycosaminoglycans. Fibroblasts were incubated in the presence of the anti-microtubular drugs colchicine, vinblastine and vincristine. In concentrations between 10nm and 1 mM these drugs stimulated the secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase, but not of beta-galactosidase. The endocytosis of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase and alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase, but not of beta-glucuronidase, was inhibited at drug concentrations higher than 0.1 micrometer. Formation, secretion and association with the cell membrane of sulphated proteoglycans were not affected by anti-microtubular drugs. Endocytosis of sulphated proteoglycans and their subsequent degradation was inhibited by drug concentrations above 0.1 micrometer. The inhibition of intracellular glycosaminoglycan degradation led to a moderate storage of these compounds. These results suggest that microtubules participate in the control of secretion and endocytosis of lysosomal enzymes, and in the endocytosis and degradation of lysosomal substrates such as sulphated proteoglycans.", "PMID": 637845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11503", "title": "Oestrogen induction of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks. Nature of the secretory protein.", "content": "The riboflavin-binding protein isolated from sera of oestrogen-treated male chicks as well as that synthesized and secreted in vitro by the chicken liver have the same molecular size as that of the egg-yolk protein. Functionally the serum and yolk proteins are similar. This is in contrast with the hormone-induced synthesis, secretion and deposition of phosvitin and lipovitellin in the ovary.", "contents": "Oestrogen induction of riboflavin-binding protein in immature chicks. Nature of the secretory protein. The riboflavin-binding protein isolated from sera of oestrogen-treated male chicks as well as that synthesized and secreted in vitro by the chicken liver have the same molecular size as that of the egg-yolk protein. Functionally the serum and yolk proteins are similar. This is in contrast with the hormone-induced synthesis, secretion and deposition of phosvitin and lipovitellin in the ovary.", "PMID": 637847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11504", "title": "The effects of hypoglycin on glucose metabolism in the rat. A kinetic study in vivo and [U-14C,2-3H]glucose.", "content": "1. The kinetics of glucose metabolism were evaluated in rats deprived of food 15-21 h after the administration of hypoglycaemic doses of hypoglycin (100 mg/kg body wt.) by following changes in the specific radioactivities of 14C and 3H in blood glucose after an intravenous dose of [U-14C,2-3H]glucose [Katz, Rostami & Dunn (1974) Biochem. J. 142, 161-170]. 2. During this time, recycling of glucose through the Cori cycle was virtually abolished, the rate of irreversible disposal of glucose and its total body mass were both decreased by about 70%, whereas there was little effect on the mean transit time for glucose. 3. It was concluded that hypoglycaemia is due to inhibition of gluconeogenesis.", "contents": "The effects of hypoglycin on glucose metabolism in the rat. A kinetic study in vivo and [U-14C,2-3H]glucose. 1. The kinetics of glucose metabolism were evaluated in rats deprived of food 15-21 h after the administration of hypoglycaemic doses of hypoglycin (100 mg/kg body wt.) by following changes in the specific radioactivities of 14C and 3H in blood glucose after an intravenous dose of [U-14C,2-3H]glucose [Katz, Rostami & Dunn (1974) Biochem. J. 142, 161-170]. 2. During this time, recycling of glucose through the Cori cycle was virtually abolished, the rate of irreversible disposal of glucose and its total body mass were both decreased by about 70%, whereas there was little effect on the mean transit time for glucose. 3. It was concluded that hypoglycaemia is due to inhibition of gluconeogenesis.", "PMID": 637848} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11505", "title": "Evidence from mycelial studies for differences in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi.", "content": "Phytophthora cinnamomi, a member of the Pythiacease, does not synthesize sterols. Small amounts of squalene, but no squalene epoxide or sterol, were isolated from the dried mycelium of this fungus after growth in sterol-free medium. The dried mycelium of Rhizoctonia solani, a sterol-synthesizing fungus grown under the same conditions, contained small amounts of squalene and squalene epoxide and large amounts of ergosterol. When the two organisms were grown in the presence of [14C]acetate, only labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene were recovered from the P. cinnamomi mycelium, whereas labelled geraniol, farnesol, squalene, squalene epoxide and ergosterol were recovered from the R. solani mycelium. Similar results were obtained when the organisms were incubated in the presence of [2(-14)C]mevalonate; in this case, labelled lanosterol was also detected in the R. solani mycelium. Both organisms, when incubated in the presence of unlabelled squalene, squalene epoxide or lanosterol, incorporated these compounds into their mycelia; however, only the R. solani mycelium was able to convert these substrates into products further along the sterol pathway. It appears that squalene is the terminal compound in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of P. cinnamomi.", "contents": "Evidence from mycelial studies for differences in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phytophthora cinnamomi, a member of the Pythiacease, does not synthesize sterols. Small amounts of squalene, but no squalene epoxide or sterol, were isolated from the dried mycelium of this fungus after growth in sterol-free medium. The dried mycelium of Rhizoctonia solani, a sterol-synthesizing fungus grown under the same conditions, contained small amounts of squalene and squalene epoxide and large amounts of ergosterol. When the two organisms were grown in the presence of [14C]acetate, only labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene were recovered from the P. cinnamomi mycelium, whereas labelled geraniol, farnesol, squalene, squalene epoxide and ergosterol were recovered from the R. solani mycelium. Similar results were obtained when the organisms were incubated in the presence of [2(-14)C]mevalonate; in this case, labelled lanosterol was also detected in the R. solani mycelium. Both organisms, when incubated in the presence of unlabelled squalene, squalene epoxide or lanosterol, incorporated these compounds into their mycelia; however, only the R. solani mycelium was able to convert these substrates into products further along the sterol pathway. It appears that squalene is the terminal compound in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of P. cinnamomi.", "PMID": 637849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11506", "title": "Evidence from cell-free systems for differences in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi.", "content": "Cell-free preparations of both Rhizoctonia solani, a sterol-synthesizing fungus, and Phytophthora cinnamomi, a non-sterol-synthesizing fungus, incubated in the presence of [2(-14)C]mevalonate and iodacetamide, converted the mevalonate into labelled mevalonate 5-phosphate, mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate. In the absence of iodoacetamide, but under anaerobic conditions, the same preparations converted the mevalonate into labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene, the first two compounds presumably as their pyrophosphates. When cell-free preparations of both organisms were incubated aerobically in the presence of [1(-14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate, only labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene were recovered from the P. cinnamomi reaction mixture, whereas labelled geraniol, farnesol, squalene, squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were present in the R. solani reaction mixture. When these same preparations were incubated in the presence of 14C-labelled squalene, labelled squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were recovered from the R. solani reaction mixture. In contrast, the P. cinnamomi preparation was unable to convert the squalene into products further along the sterol pathway; instead, a portion of the labelled squalene was converted into water-soluble products, indicating the possible existence of a squalene-degradation process in this organism. It appears that the block in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of P. cinnamomi occurs at the level of squalene epoxidation.", "contents": "Evidence from cell-free systems for differences in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Cell-free preparations of both Rhizoctonia solani, a sterol-synthesizing fungus, and Phytophthora cinnamomi, a non-sterol-synthesizing fungus, incubated in the presence of [2(-14)C]mevalonate and iodacetamide, converted the mevalonate into labelled mevalonate 5-phosphate, mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate. In the absence of iodoacetamide, but under anaerobic conditions, the same preparations converted the mevalonate into labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene, the first two compounds presumably as their pyrophosphates. When cell-free preparations of both organisms were incubated aerobically in the presence of [1(-14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate, only labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene were recovered from the P. cinnamomi reaction mixture, whereas labelled geraniol, farnesol, squalene, squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were present in the R. solani reaction mixture. When these same preparations were incubated in the presence of 14C-labelled squalene, labelled squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were recovered from the R. solani reaction mixture. In contrast, the P. cinnamomi preparation was unable to convert the squalene into products further along the sterol pathway; instead, a portion of the labelled squalene was converted into water-soluble products, indicating the possible existence of a squalene-degradation process in this organism. It appears that the block in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of P. cinnamomi occurs at the level of squalene epoxidation.", "PMID": 637850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11507", "title": "Interrelations between ureogenesis and gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes. The role of antion transport and the competition for energy.", "content": "1. Glucose synthesis from lactate plus pyruvate and from lactate plus alanine was measured in the presence or absence of 1mM-oleate or 2mM-octanoate at low (2mM) or high (8mM) concentrations of NH4Cl. 2. Both fatty acids alone or with 2mM-NH4Cl doubled glucose production from lactate plus pyruvate. Glucose synthesis from lactate plus alanine, in the presence of oleate, was decreased 16% by 2mM-NH4Cl. 3. In the presence of fatty acids, 8mM-NH4Cl decreased gluconeogenesis by 60-65% from both lactate plus pyruvate and lactate plus alanine. This inhibition was correlated with a high accumulation of aspartate and a drastic decrease in 2-oxoglutarate and malate in the cells. 4. In the presence of 2mM- or 8 mM-NH4Cl, oleate and glucogenic precursors, the addition of 2.5mM-ornithine stimulated urea synthesis. 5. This was paralleled by a decrease of 16% in glucose synthesis from lactate plus pyruvate in the presence of 2mM-NH4Cl and had no effect at 8mM-NH4Cl. In the system producing glucose from lactate plus alanine, ornithine completely reversed the inhibition caused by 2mM-NH4Cl and only partly that by 8mM-NH4Cl. 6. Gluconeogenesis from pyruvate was also inhibited by 2mM-NH4Cl in the presence of oleate or ethanol. This way due to the decrease of malate, which is the C4 precursor of glucose in this system. 7. The limitation of gluconeogenesis by 2-oxoglutarate and malate concentrations in the liver cell and the competition for energy between glucose and urea synthesis is discussed.", "contents": "Interrelations between ureogenesis and gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes. The role of antion transport and the competition for energy. 1. Glucose synthesis from lactate plus pyruvate and from lactate plus alanine was measured in the presence or absence of 1mM-oleate or 2mM-octanoate at low (2mM) or high (8mM) concentrations of NH4Cl. 2. Both fatty acids alone or with 2mM-NH4Cl doubled glucose production from lactate plus pyruvate. Glucose synthesis from lactate plus alanine, in the presence of oleate, was decreased 16% by 2mM-NH4Cl. 3. In the presence of fatty acids, 8mM-NH4Cl decreased gluconeogenesis by 60-65% from both lactate plus pyruvate and lactate plus alanine. This inhibition was correlated with a high accumulation of aspartate and a drastic decrease in 2-oxoglutarate and malate in the cells. 4. In the presence of 2mM- or 8 mM-NH4Cl, oleate and glucogenic precursors, the addition of 2.5mM-ornithine stimulated urea synthesis. 5. This was paralleled by a decrease of 16% in glucose synthesis from lactate plus pyruvate in the presence of 2mM-NH4Cl and had no effect at 8mM-NH4Cl. In the system producing glucose from lactate plus alanine, ornithine completely reversed the inhibition caused by 2mM-NH4Cl and only partly that by 8mM-NH4Cl. 6. Gluconeogenesis from pyruvate was also inhibited by 2mM-NH4Cl in the presence of oleate or ethanol. This way due to the decrease of malate, which is the C4 precursor of glucose in this system. 7. The limitation of gluconeogenesis by 2-oxoglutarate and malate concentrations in the liver cell and the competition for energy between glucose and urea synthesis is discussed.", "PMID": 637851} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11508", "title": "Synthesis of ophthalmic acid in liver and kidney in vivo.", "content": "The synthesis of ophthalmic acid, an analogue of glutathione, was studied in vivo in mouse liver and kidney after administration of either L-alpha-aminobutyrate or L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate as precursor. L-alpha-aminobutyrate accumulated to a much greater extent, and induced a much greater synthesis of ophthalmic acid in the liver than in the kidney. In contrast, L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate initiated a large and more rapid synthesis of ophthalmic acid in the kidney than in the liver. Experiments with L-gamma-[G(-14)C]glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate showed that, although part of the dipeptide is degraded to its constituent amino acids, a significant proportion is directly incorporated into kidney ophthalmic acid. In contrast L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate serves poorly as a direct precursor of liver ophthalmic acid. The present results show that kidney gamma-glutamyl tripeptide synthesis can proceed directly from an exogenous gamma-glutamyl dipeptide precursor.", "contents": "Synthesis of ophthalmic acid in liver and kidney in vivo. The synthesis of ophthalmic acid, an analogue of glutathione, was studied in vivo in mouse liver and kidney after administration of either L-alpha-aminobutyrate or L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate as precursor. L-alpha-aminobutyrate accumulated to a much greater extent, and induced a much greater synthesis of ophthalmic acid in the liver than in the kidney. In contrast, L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate initiated a large and more rapid synthesis of ophthalmic acid in the kidney than in the liver. Experiments with L-gamma-[G(-14)C]glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate showed that, although part of the dipeptide is degraded to its constituent amino acids, a significant proportion is directly incorporated into kidney ophthalmic acid. In contrast L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alpha-aminobutyrate serves poorly as a direct precursor of liver ophthalmic acid. The present results show that kidney gamma-glutamyl tripeptide synthesis can proceed directly from an exogenous gamma-glutamyl dipeptide precursor.", "PMID": 637852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11509", "title": "Transformation of arachidonate into 6-oxoprostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 by sheep lung microsomal fraction.", "content": "In the presence of haemoglobin and isoproterenol, the microsomal fraction of sheep lung catalysed the conversion of arachidonate predominantly into thromboxane B2 and to a lesser extent into 6-oxoprostaglandin F1alpha. Very little prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2alpha were formed. If reduced glutathione was added in combination with haemoglobin and isoproterenol, the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 was favoured over that of thromboxane B2 and 6-oxoprostaglandin F1alpha. The identities of these products were confirmed by t.l.c. and by combined g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. These results indicate that microsomal fraction of sheep lung possesses active prostaglandin synthase, prostacyclin synthase and thromboxane synthase activities.", "contents": "Transformation of arachidonate into 6-oxoprostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 by sheep lung microsomal fraction. In the presence of haemoglobin and isoproterenol, the microsomal fraction of sheep lung catalysed the conversion of arachidonate predominantly into thromboxane B2 and to a lesser extent into 6-oxoprostaglandin F1alpha. Very little prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2alpha were formed. If reduced glutathione was added in combination with haemoglobin and isoproterenol, the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 was favoured over that of thromboxane B2 and 6-oxoprostaglandin F1alpha. The identities of these products were confirmed by t.l.c. and by combined g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. These results indicate that microsomal fraction of sheep lung possesses active prostaglandin synthase, prostacyclin synthase and thromboxane synthase activities.", "PMID": 637853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11510", "title": "Calcitonin-mediated changes in plasma tryptophan and brain 5-hydroxytryptamine and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats.", "content": "After a single injection of calcitonin (20 M.R.C. units/kg body wt.) marked decreases in both Ca2+ and free tryptophan in plasma were observed, during the initial period of the treatment (up to 1 h). However, 5-hydrotryptamine contents of the whole brain and the cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity were greatly enhanced. The cerebellar acetylcholinesterase activity was not influenced by calcitonin.", "contents": "Calcitonin-mediated changes in plasma tryptophan and brain 5-hydroxytryptamine and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats. After a single injection of calcitonin (20 M.R.C. units/kg body wt.) marked decreases in both Ca2+ and free tryptophan in plasma were observed, during the initial period of the treatment (up to 1 h). However, 5-hydrotryptamine contents of the whole brain and the cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity were greatly enhanced. The cerebellar acetylcholinesterase activity was not influenced by calcitonin.", "PMID": 637854} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11511", "title": "Normal distribution of acetylation phenotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "Previous reports have indicated that idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), like drug-induced lupus, is more frequent in \"slow\" hepatic acetylators. Using dapsone acetylation rate to determine phenotypes, we found that of the 18 SLE patients studied, 9 were fast acetylators, 8 were slow, and 1 was indeterminate. This result (53% fast) is similar to acetylator phenotypes in our normal controls (50% fast) and in the population at large (52%).", "contents": "Normal distribution of acetylation phenotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus. Previous reports have indicated that idiopathic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), like drug-induced lupus, is more frequent in \"slow\" hepatic acetylators. Using dapsone acetylation rate to determine phenotypes, we found that of the 18 SLE patients studied, 9 were fast acetylators, 8 were slow, and 1 was indeterminate. This result (53% fast) is similar to acetylator phenotypes in our normal controls (50% fast) and in the population at large (52%).", "PMID": 637885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11512", "title": "Therapeutic studies in NZB/NZW mice. VI. Age-dependent effects of concanavalin A stimulated spleen cell supernate.", "content": "Spleen cells from normal mice were cultured with Concanavalin A to produce an immunosuppressive supernate. This supernate was used to treat the lupus-like autoimmune disease of NZB/NZW mice. Such treated mice lived significantly longer than did controls, but only if treatment was initiated early in the course of the illness.", "contents": "Therapeutic studies in NZB/NZW mice. VI. Age-dependent effects of concanavalin A stimulated spleen cell supernate. Spleen cells from normal mice were cultured with Concanavalin A to produce an immunosuppressive supernate. This supernate was used to treat the lupus-like autoimmune disease of NZB/NZW mice. Such treated mice lived significantly longer than did controls, but only if treatment was initiated early in the course of the illness.", "PMID": 637886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11513", "title": "Hand structure and function in an industrial setting.", "content": "The influence of patterns of usage on the structure and function of the hands was formally tested. Three groups of female textile workers, each employed in a distinct and defined, atraumatic, repetitive, stereotyped manual task for at least 20 years, were identified in a single rural mill. Replicate data were obtained for the following measures of structure and function: range of motion, a score for the degree of radiographic degenerative changes at each hand joint, malalignment at digital joints determined radiographically, and a quantitative measure of osteophyte formation. Significant and consistent differences in the right hand when compared to the left were detected. Furthermore, highly significant task-related differences were demonstrated. These task-related differences in the structure and function of the hands were consistent with the pattern of usage. Therefore these three patterns of usage influence hand structure and function in the population studied.", "contents": "Hand structure and function in an industrial setting. The influence of patterns of usage on the structure and function of the hands was formally tested. Three groups of female textile workers, each employed in a distinct and defined, atraumatic, repetitive, stereotyped manual task for at least 20 years, were identified in a single rural mill. Replicate data were obtained for the following measures of structure and function: range of motion, a score for the degree of radiographic degenerative changes at each hand joint, malalignment at digital joints determined radiographically, and a quantitative measure of osteophyte formation. Significant and consistent differences in the right hand when compared to the left were detected. Furthermore, highly significant task-related differences were demonstrated. These task-related differences in the structure and function of the hands were consistent with the pattern of usage. Therefore these three patterns of usage influence hand structure and function in the population studied.", "PMID": 637887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11514", "title": "Carpal tunnel syndrome with polymyalgia rheumatica.", "content": "Association of carpal tunnel syndrome with systemic diseases is well established. Carpal tunnel syndrome preceded or existed simultaneously in 5 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. It is probably related to tenosynovitis resulting in increase in the volume of the contents of the tunnel.", "contents": "Carpal tunnel syndrome with polymyalgia rheumatica. Association of carpal tunnel syndrome with systemic diseases is well established. Carpal tunnel syndrome preceded or existed simultaneously in 5 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. It is probably related to tenosynovitis resulting in increase in the volume of the contents of the tunnel.", "PMID": 637888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11515", "title": "Psychosocial factors in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.", "content": "A detailed survey of 88 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) was made in an attempt to elucidate characteristics that may participate in the etiologic mechanism. Data from a random pediatric population from the same geographic area were also included for comparisons. The most striking findings were psychosocial factors. Children whose parents were unmarried as a result of divorce, separation, or death comprised 28.4% of the JRA population, compared to 10.6% of the comparison group. In addition, adoption occurred three times more often in the JRA population. Fifty-one percent of these events (divorce, separation, death, or adoption) occurred near the date of onset of the disease.", "contents": "Psychosocial factors in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A detailed survey of 88 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) was made in an attempt to elucidate characteristics that may participate in the etiologic mechanism. Data from a random pediatric population from the same geographic area were also included for comparisons. The most striking findings were psychosocial factors. Children whose parents were unmarried as a result of divorce, separation, or death comprised 28.4% of the JRA population, compared to 10.6% of the comparison group. In addition, adoption occurred three times more often in the JRA population. Fifty-one percent of these events (divorce, separation, death, or adoption) occurred near the date of onset of the disease.", "PMID": 637889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11516", "title": "Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy in patients with Crohn's disease.", "content": "Sixty patients with Crohn's disease have been assessed radiologically and by quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy for evidence of sacroilitis and/or ankylosing spondylitis. The incidence of radiologic sacroiliitis (11%) and ankylosing spondylitis (5%) was no greater in our series than previously reported. However, the incidence of increased uptake of radiotracer at the sacroiliac joints was 52%. There was no correlation in the group as a whole between radiologic and/or scintigraphic evidence of sacroiliitis and the tissue antigen HLA-B27.", "contents": "Quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy in patients with Crohn's disease. Sixty patients with Crohn's disease have been assessed radiologically and by quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy for evidence of sacroilitis and/or ankylosing spondylitis. The incidence of radiologic sacroiliitis (11%) and ankylosing spondylitis (5%) was no greater in our series than previously reported. However, the incidence of increased uptake of radiotracer at the sacroiliac joints was 52%. There was no correlation in the group as a whole between radiologic and/or scintigraphic evidence of sacroiliitis and the tissue antigen HLA-B27.", "PMID": 637890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11517", "title": "Demonstration of anticollagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids by 14C-radioimmunoassay.", "content": "Twenty-seven synovial fluids from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 17 synovial fluids from controls were investigated in a new radioimmunoassay for anticollagen antibodies. In vitro labeled human 14C-collagen of type I in native or denatured state was used as antigen. Passive hemagglutination was used in comparison. Parameters for defining positive results in radioimmunoassay were evaluated on the basis of control synovial fluids. Synovial fluids from 20 RA patients (74%) showed antibodies to denatured collagen; synovial fluids from 8 RA patients (30%) also demonstrated antibodies to native collagen. Control fluids of posttraumatic effusions were negative; among the other controls synovial fluid from 1 psoriatic arthritis patient reacted positively. Inhibition experiments showed that antibodies to denatured collagen cross-reacted with native collagen. Inhibition with human denatured type III collagen displayed strong cross-reactivity of anti-type I collagen antibodies with type III collagen.", "contents": "Demonstration of anticollagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids by 14C-radioimmunoassay. Twenty-seven synovial fluids from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 17 synovial fluids from controls were investigated in a new radioimmunoassay for anticollagen antibodies. In vitro labeled human 14C-collagen of type I in native or denatured state was used as antigen. Passive hemagglutination was used in comparison. Parameters for defining positive results in radioimmunoassay were evaluated on the basis of control synovial fluids. Synovial fluids from 20 RA patients (74%) showed antibodies to denatured collagen; synovial fluids from 8 RA patients (30%) also demonstrated antibodies to native collagen. Control fluids of posttraumatic effusions were negative; among the other controls synovial fluid from 1 psoriatic arthritis patient reacted positively. Inhibition experiments showed that antibodies to denatured collagen cross-reacted with native collagen. Inhibition with human denatured type III collagen displayed strong cross-reactivity of anti-type I collagen antibodies with type III collagen.", "PMID": 637891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11518", "title": "Multiple myeloma complicating the course of seronegative systemic lupus erythematosus.", "content": "A patient with a 20-year history of clinical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who later developed multiple myeloma is described. SLE was diagnosed on the basis of a butterfly rash, photosensitivity, nondeforming arthritis, pleuropericarditis, and alopecia. However, the patient has never had LE cells, antinuclear antibody, or depressed complement. The patient was treated with intermittent courses of corticosteroids over a 20-year period with good results. Multiple myeloma, diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy, has responded favorably to therapy with L-phenylalanine mustard and prednisone.", "contents": "Multiple myeloma complicating the course of seronegative systemic lupus erythematosus. A patient with a 20-year history of clinical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who later developed multiple myeloma is described. SLE was diagnosed on the basis of a butterfly rash, photosensitivity, nondeforming arthritis, pleuropericarditis, and alopecia. However, the patient has never had LE cells, antinuclear antibody, or depressed complement. The patient was treated with intermittent courses of corticosteroids over a 20-year period with good results. Multiple myeloma, diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy, has responded favorably to therapy with L-phenylalanine mustard and prednisone.", "PMID": 637892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11519", "title": "Sensitization following Hymenoptera whole body extract therapy.", "content": "Treatment of an insect-sensitive patient with Hymenoptera whole body extracts (WBE) led, on five occasions, to a serum sickness--like syndrome which did not recur after therapy was stopped. The patient was found to be sensitive by skin test, histamine release, and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to both venom and WBE as well as to venomless bee body preparations. Subsequent therapy with honeybee and yellow jacket venoms was without sequelae, and after treatment the patient did not react to a sting. In order to assess the frequency of sensitivity to irrelevant body proteins in patients treated with WBE we carried out WBE RASTs on sera from 15 such patients and compared them with those from 15 nontreated insect-allergic patients who had similar venom-specific IgE antibody levels. None of the patients allergic to insects who had not been treated with WBE had detectable IgE anti-WBE antibodies, while about 50% of those treated with WBE had developed IgE antibodies against these proteins. It appears that sensitization to nonvenom WBE proteins in terms of the development of IgE antibody is a common result of this therapy, and, rarely, repeated challenge with this complex antigenic mixture can also lead to clinical illness.", "contents": "Sensitization following Hymenoptera whole body extract therapy. Treatment of an insect-sensitive patient with Hymenoptera whole body extracts (WBE) led, on five occasions, to a serum sickness--like syndrome which did not recur after therapy was stopped. The patient was found to be sensitive by skin test, histamine release, and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) to both venom and WBE as well as to venomless bee body preparations. Subsequent therapy with honeybee and yellow jacket venoms was without sequelae, and after treatment the patient did not react to a sting. In order to assess the frequency of sensitivity to irrelevant body proteins in patients treated with WBE we carried out WBE RASTs on sera from 15 such patients and compared them with those from 15 nontreated insect-allergic patients who had similar venom-specific IgE antibody levels. None of the patients allergic to insects who had not been treated with WBE had detectable IgE anti-WBE antibodies, while about 50% of those treated with WBE had developed IgE antibodies against these proteins. It appears that sensitization to nonvenom WBE proteins in terms of the development of IgE antibody is a common result of this therapy, and, rarely, repeated challenge with this complex antigenic mixture can also lead to clinical illness.", "PMID": 637904} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11520", "title": "Thymidine rescue of high-dose methotrexate in humans.", "content": "Thymidine rescue was administered following 63 courses of high-dose methotrexate in 20 patients. In the first part of this study, the methotrexate was given as a 24-hr infusion and the dose was escalated from 0.14 to 8.54 g/sq m; in the second part, methotrexate was infused to maintain a serum concentration of 15 micrometer for 30, 36, or 40 hr. Thymidine rescue was started immediately after the end of the methotrexate infusions, and consisted of 8 g/sq m/day for 3 days or until serum methotrexate was below a toxic level. Mucositis and myelosuppression were the major toxicities. Neither was dose related. Serum methotrexate levels were proportional to the logarithm of the methotrexate dose. There was a mean 6-fold increase in thymidine concentration during rescue. However, thymidine levels prior to and during rescue were not related to the incidence of subsequent toxicity. Recovery of DNA synthesis in bone marrow cells was evident by nucleoside precursor incorporation at 24 hr after the start of rescue. Two of 16 evaluable patients achieved partial responses. This study indicates that thymidine is an effective rescue agent for high-dose methotrexate in humans.", "contents": "Thymidine rescue of high-dose methotrexate in humans. Thymidine rescue was administered following 63 courses of high-dose methotrexate in 20 patients. In the first part of this study, the methotrexate was given as a 24-hr infusion and the dose was escalated from 0.14 to 8.54 g/sq m; in the second part, methotrexate was infused to maintain a serum concentration of 15 micrometer for 30, 36, or 40 hr. Thymidine rescue was started immediately after the end of the methotrexate infusions, and consisted of 8 g/sq m/day for 3 days or until serum methotrexate was below a toxic level. Mucositis and myelosuppression were the major toxicities. Neither was dose related. Serum methotrexate levels were proportional to the logarithm of the methotrexate dose. There was a mean 6-fold increase in thymidine concentration during rescue. However, thymidine levels prior to and during rescue were not related to the incidence of subsequent toxicity. Recovery of DNA synthesis in bone marrow cells was evident by nucleoside precursor incorporation at 24 hr after the start of rescue. Two of 16 evaluable patients achieved partial responses. This study indicates that thymidine is an effective rescue agent for high-dose methotrexate in humans.", "PMID": 637906} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11521", "title": "Hypersensitivity lung disease: early diagnosis.", "content": "The early diagnosis of hypersensitivity lung disease (HLD) is important because of its progressive morbidity. It is often difficult to establish the diagnosis in the early stages because of the absence of defined symptoms. Case histories of 2 patients with pigeon breeder's HLD are reported. Both patients presented with unusual manifestations of the disease: one patient was asymptomatic but had an abnormal chest radiograph; the other patient had a normal chest radiograph but experienced occasional symptoms of exertional dyspnea. Both patients had abnormal pulmonary function and precipitin bands against pigeon serum. Following inhalation challenge with pigeon serum both patients developed fever and leukocytosis, but no significant pulmonary function response was observed. In both patients pulmonary function tests returned to near normal levels after corticosteroid therapy. Early detection of HLD may prevent progressive irreversible pulmonary damage. This requires a high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate screening tests. Inhalation challenge procedures are useful in establishing the diagnosis.", "contents": "Hypersensitivity lung disease: early diagnosis. The early diagnosis of hypersensitivity lung disease (HLD) is important because of its progressive morbidity. It is often difficult to establish the diagnosis in the early stages because of the absence of defined symptoms. Case histories of 2 patients with pigeon breeder's HLD are reported. Both patients presented with unusual manifestations of the disease: one patient was asymptomatic but had an abnormal chest radiograph; the other patient had a normal chest radiograph but experienced occasional symptoms of exertional dyspnea. Both patients had abnormal pulmonary function and precipitin bands against pigeon serum. Following inhalation challenge with pigeon serum both patients developed fever and leukocytosis, but no significant pulmonary function response was observed. In both patients pulmonary function tests returned to near normal levels after corticosteroid therapy. Early detection of HLD may prevent progressive irreversible pulmonary damage. This requires a high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate screening tests. Inhalation challenge procedures are useful in establishing the diagnosis.", "PMID": 637907} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11522", "title": "Panic-fear in asthma: rehospitalization following intensive long-term treatment.", "content": "The panic-fear personality scale related to rehospitalization rates of asthmatics during two successive 6-month periods following intensive long-term treatment. High and Low Panic-Fear patients were nearly twice as likely as Moderates to be rehospitalized. Neither longitudinal pulmonary function measurements, physicians' judgments about the medical severity of the asthma during treatment, nor the presence or absence of maintenance oral corticosteroids at discharge were related to rehospitalization. The available information suggests that High Panic-Fear patients react to asthma with symptom exaggeration and helplessness, while Low Panic-Fear patients employ an equally maladaptive strategy best characterized as symptom minimization and denial. It is possible that both of these extreme response styles may affect adherence to prescribed medical regimens and are equally detrimental as indicated by rehospitalization following intensive long-term treatment.", "contents": "Panic-fear in asthma: rehospitalization following intensive long-term treatment. The panic-fear personality scale related to rehospitalization rates of asthmatics during two successive 6-month periods following intensive long-term treatment. High and Low Panic-Fear patients were nearly twice as likely as Moderates to be rehospitalized. Neither longitudinal pulmonary function measurements, physicians' judgments about the medical severity of the asthma during treatment, nor the presence or absence of maintenance oral corticosteroids at discharge were related to rehospitalization. The available information suggests that High Panic-Fear patients react to asthma with symptom exaggeration and helplessness, while Low Panic-Fear patients employ an equally maladaptive strategy best characterized as symptom minimization and denial. It is possible that both of these extreme response styles may affect adherence to prescribed medical regimens and are equally detrimental as indicated by rehospitalization following intensive long-term treatment.", "PMID": 637908} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11523", "title": "Bilateral optic system aplasia with relatively normal eyes.", "content": "An infant with extensive CNS malformations and aplasia of the optic system in association with grossly normal-appearing eyes was studied. The neural malformations included partial agenesis of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum and striking maldevelopment of the telencephalon and diencephalon, with lissencephaly, complete arrhinencephaly, and agenesis of the optic system. Because the optic vesicles are outgrowths from the diencephalon, the absence of some structures derived from them is not surprising.", "contents": "Bilateral optic system aplasia with relatively normal eyes. An infant with extensive CNS malformations and aplasia of the optic system in association with grossly normal-appearing eyes was studied. The neural malformations included partial agenesis of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum and striking maldevelopment of the telencephalon and diencephalon, with lissencephaly, complete arrhinencephaly, and agenesis of the optic system. Because the optic vesicles are outgrowths from the diencephalon, the absence of some structures derived from them is not surprising.", "PMID": 637910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11524", "title": "Amniotic fluid cell mosaicism for presumptive trisomy 20.", "content": "Trisomy for an F-like chromosome with banding characteristics of chromosome 20 was observed, respectively, in 25 and 8% of amniotic fluid cell clones in two cases of prenatal diagnosis for advanced maternal age. No such aneuploidy was found upon examination of fetal or postnatal tissues. In both instances there were no detectable malformation. It is suggested that propensity to nondisjunction for an F-like chromosome, not unlike tetraploidy, might be another characteristic of amniotic fluid cells in culture.", "contents": "Amniotic fluid cell mosaicism for presumptive trisomy 20. Trisomy for an F-like chromosome with banding characteristics of chromosome 20 was observed, respectively, in 25 and 8% of amniotic fluid cell clones in two cases of prenatal diagnosis for advanced maternal age. No such aneuploidy was found upon examination of fetal or postnatal tissues. In both instances there were no detectable malformation. It is suggested that propensity to nondisjunction for an F-like chromosome, not unlike tetraploidy, might be another characteristic of amniotic fluid cells in culture.", "PMID": 637912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11525", "title": "sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and its interaction with nitrate reductase in wild-type and hem mutant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.", "content": "Staphylococcus aureus has membrane-associated sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity that is strongly activated by detergents. The enzyme can be measured spectrophotometrically in intact cells in assay systems containing lauryldimethylamine oxide (Ammonyx LO). The dehydrogenase activity was located exclusively in the membrane fraction of cells grown with glycerol under aerobic conditions or under anaerobic conditions with the addition of nitrate; there was no evidence of multiple forms. Development of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was studied with suspensions of cells grown previously under semianaerobic conditions with glucose and nitrate. The wild-type strain rapidly formed the enzyme when incubated with glycerol under aerobic conditions or under semianaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate. Under similar conditions, suspensions of hem mutant H-14 required the addition of hemin. Induction of the enzyme was strongly repressed by glucose with both organisms. A procedure was established to obtain cells of mutant H-14 with sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase activities, but which could not link the systems unless supplemented with hemin. The coupled activity could also be reconstructed in vitro by the addition of hemin to the depleted membranes.", "contents": "sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and its interaction with nitrate reductase in wild-type and hem mutant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus has membrane-associated sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity that is strongly activated by detergents. The enzyme can be measured spectrophotometrically in intact cells in assay systems containing lauryldimethylamine oxide (Ammonyx LO). The dehydrogenase activity was located exclusively in the membrane fraction of cells grown with glycerol under aerobic conditions or under anaerobic conditions with the addition of nitrate; there was no evidence of multiple forms. Development of sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was studied with suspensions of cells grown previously under semianaerobic conditions with glucose and nitrate. The wild-type strain rapidly formed the enzyme when incubated with glycerol under aerobic conditions or under semianaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate. Under similar conditions, suspensions of hem mutant H-14 required the addition of hemin. Induction of the enzyme was strongly repressed by glucose with both organisms. A procedure was established to obtain cells of mutant H-14 with sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase activities, but which could not link the systems unless supplemented with hemin. The coupled activity could also be reconstructed in vitro by the addition of hemin to the depleted membranes.", "PMID": 637913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11526", "title": "Comparative studies of porphyrin production in Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum.", "content": "Porphyrin production by Propionibacterium acnes and that by Propionibacterium granulosum were compared. Porphyrin synthesized by both organisms was identified as coproporphyrin III on the bases of absorption and fluorescence spectra and behavior on paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Quantitative, rather than qualitative, differences in production were found between these organisms. In general, P. granulosum produced significantly greater amounts (P less than 0.001) of porphyrin than did P. acnes. delta-Aminolevulinic acid synthetase appeared to be the rate-limiting enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway in both organisms. The increased porphyrin production in P. granulosum is apparently associated with increased delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity.", "contents": "Comparative studies of porphyrin production in Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium granulosum. Porphyrin production by Propionibacterium acnes and that by Propionibacterium granulosum were compared. Porphyrin synthesized by both organisms was identified as coproporphyrin III on the bases of absorption and fluorescence spectra and behavior on paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Quantitative, rather than qualitative, differences in production were found between these organisms. In general, P. granulosum produced significantly greater amounts (P less than 0.001) of porphyrin than did P. acnes. delta-Aminolevulinic acid synthetase appeared to be the rate-limiting enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway in both organisms. The increased porphyrin production in P. granulosum is apparently associated with increased delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity.", "PMID": 637914} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11527", "title": "The role of memory in the age decline in digit-symbol substitution performance.", "content": "Adult age differences in the Digit Symbol Test were investigated in three separate experiments. All experiments incorporated a manipulation of the number of digit-symbol pairs in modified versions of the test forms to determine whether the age differences would be reduced with decreased memory requirements. The results of all three experiments indicated that, as the number of digit-symbol pairs was reduced, the age difference was reduced in absolute terms, but not in relative terms. Older subjects decreased their times by greater absolute amounts, but by the same relative amounts when the number of digit-symbol pairs was decreased from nine to one. Independent results supported the interpretation that memory factors play a very small role in contributing to the age decline in digit-symbol performance.", "contents": "The role of memory in the age decline in digit-symbol substitution performance. Adult age differences in the Digit Symbol Test were investigated in three separate experiments. All experiments incorporated a manipulation of the number of digit-symbol pairs in modified versions of the test forms to determine whether the age differences would be reduced with decreased memory requirements. The results of all three experiments indicated that, as the number of digit-symbol pairs was reduced, the age difference was reduced in absolute terms, but not in relative terms. Older subjects decreased their times by greater absolute amounts, but by the same relative amounts when the number of digit-symbol pairs was decreased from nine to one. Independent results supported the interpretation that memory factors play a very small role in contributing to the age decline in digit-symbol performance.", "PMID": 637915} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11528", "title": "Logical, epistemological and statistical aspects of nature-nurture data interpretation.", "content": "In this paper the nature of the reasoning processes applied to the nature-nurture question is discussed in general and with particular reference to mental and behavioral traits. The nature of data analysis and analysis of variance is discussed. Necessarily, the nature of causation is considered. The notion that mere data analysis can establish \"real\" causation is attacked. Logic of quantitative genetic theory is reviewed briefly. The idea that heritability is meaningful in the human mental and behavioral arena is attacked. The conclusion is that the heredity-IQ controversy has been a \"tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing\". To suppose that one can establish effects of an intervention process when it does not occur in the data is plainly ludicrous. Mere observational studies can easily lead to stupidities, and it is suggested that this has happened in the heredity-IQ arena. The idea that there are racial-genetic differences in mental abilities and behavioral traits of humans is, at best, no more than idle speculation.", "contents": "Logical, epistemological and statistical aspects of nature-nurture data interpretation. In this paper the nature of the reasoning processes applied to the nature-nurture question is discussed in general and with particular reference to mental and behavioral traits. The nature of data analysis and analysis of variance is discussed. Necessarily, the nature of causation is considered. The notion that mere data analysis can establish \"real\" causation is attacked. Logic of quantitative genetic theory is reviewed briefly. The idea that heritability is meaningful in the human mental and behavioral arena is attacked. The conclusion is that the heredity-IQ controversy has been a \"tale full of sound and fury, signifying nothing\". To suppose that one can establish effects of an intervention process when it does not occur in the data is plainly ludicrous. Mere observational studies can easily lead to stupidities, and it is suggested that this has happened in the heredity-IQ arena. The idea that there are racial-genetic differences in mental abilities and behavioral traits of humans is, at best, no more than idle speculation.", "PMID": 637918} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11529", "title": "Correction for loss of CO2 from blood during measurement of osmotic pressure.", "content": "During osmolality measurement by the vapor pressure method, exposure of the blood sample to air lowers the blood CO2 content and hence osmolality. A modification of the sample holder of a vapor pressure osmometer is described allowing exposure of the blood sample to a gas mixture with known concentration of CO2 and O2 while inside the closed sample chamber. This restores its CO2 content and hence osmolality. Data are presented comparing the unmodified and modified vapor pressure method with the freezing point depression method. A table was prepared for further correction of osmolality in case the blood's PCO2 differs from that of the gas mixture.", "contents": "Correction for loss of CO2 from blood during measurement of osmotic pressure. During osmolality measurement by the vapor pressure method, exposure of the blood sample to air lowers the blood CO2 content and hence osmolality. A modification of the sample holder of a vapor pressure osmometer is described allowing exposure of the blood sample to a gas mixture with known concentration of CO2 and O2 while inside the closed sample chamber. This restores its CO2 content and hence osmolality. Data are presented comparing the unmodified and modified vapor pressure method with the freezing point depression method. A table was prepared for further correction of osmolality in case the blood's PCO2 differs from that of the gas mixture.", "PMID": 637920} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11530", "title": "Clinical experience with trisomies 18 and 13.", "content": "The clinical, cytogenetic, dermatoglyphic, and postmortem observations of the 29 cases of trisomy 18 and 19 cases of trisomy 13 seen in the Department of Medical Genetics from 1963-76 are summarised. Chromosomes were studied in all and 30 were banded. One patient had tertiary trisomy 18 and 8 had translocations of chromosome 13. The features of these patients are described and the syndromes compared with each other and summaries found in the literature.", "contents": "Clinical experience with trisomies 18 and 13. The clinical, cytogenetic, dermatoglyphic, and postmortem observations of the 29 cases of trisomy 18 and 19 cases of trisomy 13 seen in the Department of Medical Genetics from 1963-76 are summarised. Chromosomes were studied in all and 30 were banded. One patient had tertiary trisomy 18 and 8 had translocations of chromosome 13. The features of these patients are described and the syndromes compared with each other and summaries found in the literature.", "PMID": 637922} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11531", "title": "Radionuclide imaging of metastases from renal-cell carcinoma by 131I-labeled antitumor antibody.", "content": "On immunofluorescence assay, goat antisera reacted with renal-cell carcinomas from 20 patients, but not with adult normal human tissues (including patient's normal kidney). After in travenous injection, the 131I-labeled antibody localized preferentially in metastatic renal carcinoma in 6 consecutive patients. Labeled antitumor antibodies may have the specificity for tumor imagining which current radiopharmaceuticals lack.", "contents": "Radionuclide imaging of metastases from renal-cell carcinoma by 131I-labeled antitumor antibody. On immunofluorescence assay, goat antisera reacted with renal-cell carcinomas from 20 patients, but not with adult normal human tissues (including patient's normal kidney). After in travenous injection, the 131I-labeled antibody localized preferentially in metastatic renal carcinoma in 6 consecutive patients. Labeled antitumor antibodies may have the specificity for tumor imagining which current radiopharmaceuticals lack.", "PMID": 637925} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11532", "title": "[Distribution of association fibers impinging upon the middle suprasylvian sulcus area (MSs area) in the cat (author's transl)].", "content": "Following lesions of various cortical areas of altogether 13 adult cats, the distribution of degenerating fibers in the cortical area surrounding the middle suprasylvian sulcus (MSs area) has been studied with the method of Fink and Heimer. Association fibers from the visual cortex mostly end in the vicinity of fundus of the medial wall of the MSs area and a fair number of fibers do in the fundus area of the posterior portion of its lateral wall. Most of the fibers terminate in layers III-V. Fibers from the auditory cortex terminante in the lip of the lateral wall, while few fibers end in the fundus and the medial wall. The fibers from the somatosensory cortex chiefly end in the vicinity of the fundus terminate in layers III-V. The \"association cortex\" sends a good amount of fibers to the lip region and the upper area of the media wall and lesser amount to the posterior part of the lateral wall of the MSs. The fibers terminant in layer III. From the present and the previous findings, it has become evident that inputs of different kinds of sensory modalities converge upon th elayers III-IV of the MSs area from the various cortical functional areas, and that the MSs area also sends fibers back to the sensory cortical areas. In addition, it has reciprocal connections with some thalamic nuclear groups, e.g., the \"pulvinar posterior\" system. Based upon the findings of neuronal connections, it can be suggested that the MSs area may play an important role with regard to the \"integration of sensory inputs\" in the cat cerebral cortex.", "contents": "[Distribution of association fibers impinging upon the middle suprasylvian sulcus area (MSs area) in the cat (author's transl)]. Following lesions of various cortical areas of altogether 13 adult cats, the distribution of degenerating fibers in the cortical area surrounding the middle suprasylvian sulcus (MSs area) has been studied with the method of Fink and Heimer. Association fibers from the visual cortex mostly end in the vicinity of fundus of the medial wall of the MSs area and a fair number of fibers do in the fundus area of the posterior portion of its lateral wall. Most of the fibers terminate in layers III-V. Fibers from the auditory cortex terminante in the lip of the lateral wall, while few fibers end in the fundus and the medial wall. The fibers from the somatosensory cortex chiefly end in the vicinity of the fundus terminate in layers III-V. The \"association cortex\" sends a good amount of fibers to the lip region and the upper area of the media wall and lesser amount to the posterior part of the lateral wall of the MSs. The fibers terminant in layer III. From the present and the previous findings, it has become evident that inputs of different kinds of sensory modalities converge upon th elayers III-IV of the MSs area from the various cortical functional areas, and that the MSs area also sends fibers back to the sensory cortical areas. In addition, it has reciprocal connections with some thalamic nuclear groups, e.g., the \"pulvinar posterior\" system. Based upon the findings of neuronal connections, it can be suggested that the MSs area may play an important role with regard to the \"integration of sensory inputs\" in the cat cerebral cortex.", "PMID": 637952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11533", "title": "[Metastatic breast carcinoma in the pituitary gland (author's transl)].", "content": "Metastatic carcinoma was found in 9 pituitary glands (24%) of 37 patients undergoing transphenoidal hypophysectomy for diffuselly metastatic breast carcinoma. In all cases the preoperative neurological examination was negative, as were neuroradiological studies, including skull X-ray, tomograms of the sells turcicabrain scan, and angiography. Diabetes insipidus, however, was seen more frequently in patients with pituitary metastasis preoperatively (3 of 9) and postoperatively (8 of 9). Four of the nine patients with pituitary metastasis developed severe diabetes insipidus, which continued more than one month, while similar severe disease was seen in three of twenty-seven cases with no pathological evidence of pituitary metastasis. The prognosis in patients with pituitary metastasis was poor, with seven of the nine dying with an average survival of eighteen months. Pathological studies disclosed metastatic lesions in the anterior lobe (78%), posterior lobe (44%), and stalk (11%). The study emphasized that pituitary metastases, usually considered to be rare, occurred in 24% of patients with diffusely metastatic breast carcinoma. Such metastases correlate with the development of severe diabetes insipidus and with poor prognosis.", "contents": "[Metastatic breast carcinoma in the pituitary gland (author's transl)]. Metastatic carcinoma was found in 9 pituitary glands (24%) of 37 patients undergoing transphenoidal hypophysectomy for diffuselly metastatic breast carcinoma. In all cases the preoperative neurological examination was negative, as were neuroradiological studies, including skull X-ray, tomograms of the sells turcicabrain scan, and angiography. Diabetes insipidus, however, was seen more frequently in patients with pituitary metastasis preoperatively (3 of 9) and postoperatively (8 of 9). Four of the nine patients with pituitary metastasis developed severe diabetes insipidus, which continued more than one month, while similar severe disease was seen in three of twenty-seven cases with no pathological evidence of pituitary metastasis. The prognosis in patients with pituitary metastasis was poor, with seven of the nine dying with an average survival of eighteen months. Pathological studies disclosed metastatic lesions in the anterior lobe (78%), posterior lobe (44%), and stalk (11%). The study emphasized that pituitary metastases, usually considered to be rare, occurred in 24% of patients with diffusely metastatic breast carcinoma. Such metastases correlate with the development of severe diabetes insipidus and with poor prognosis.", "PMID": 637955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11534", "title": "[Malignant choroid plexus papilloma. An autopsy case report (author's transl)].", "content": "Malignant choroid plexus papilloma is a rare disease. The autopsy case of malignant choroid plexus papilloma being suggestive of the youngest in Japan, was reported. This 8-months-old baby had normal delivery history, and the development and growth were not eventful. The patient admitted to the University hospital because of projecting vomiting and meningeal irritating signs at 7.5 months in age, and septic meningitis was most suspected. He died 2 weeks afte the admission. At autopsy, a large papillary tumor with marked necrosis and hemorrhage was seen in the right lateral ventricle. The right lateral ventricle was almost replaced by the tumor. The metastasis to the brain base and the sheeding to the subarachinoidal space of the cerebellum were noted.", "contents": "[Malignant choroid plexus papilloma. An autopsy case report (author's transl)]. Malignant choroid plexus papilloma is a rare disease. The autopsy case of malignant choroid plexus papilloma being suggestive of the youngest in Japan, was reported. This 8-months-old baby had normal delivery history, and the development and growth were not eventful. The patient admitted to the University hospital because of projecting vomiting and meningeal irritating signs at 7.5 months in age, and septic meningitis was most suspected. He died 2 weeks afte the admission. At autopsy, a large papillary tumor with marked necrosis and hemorrhage was seen in the right lateral ventricle. The right lateral ventricle was almost replaced by the tumor. The metastasis to the brain base and the sheeding to the subarachinoidal space of the cerebellum were noted.", "PMID": 637958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11535", "title": "Severe stenosis occurring in antibiotic sterilised homograft valves.", "content": "This paper describes 3 patients who developed late severe stenosis in fresh antibiotics sterilised homograft valves. Two were in the aortic position and one in the mitral. All 3 patients underwent successful reoperation. This complication has not been previously reported in valves prepared by this method.", "contents": "Severe stenosis occurring in antibiotic sterilised homograft valves. This paper describes 3 patients who developed late severe stenosis in fresh antibiotics sterilised homograft valves. Two were in the aortic position and one in the mitral. All 3 patients underwent successful reoperation. This complication has not been previously reported in valves prepared by this method.", "PMID": 637959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11536", "title": "Overdrive suppression of implanted pacemakers in patients with AV block.", "content": "Patients being permanently paced for symptomatic AV block were studied by overdrive suppression of the QRS-inhibited pacemaker, in order to observe the underlying heart rhythm. The chest wall stimulation method was used. In complete AV block the escape rhythm recovery time proved highly reproducible on repeated testing on the same day, and in many patients remained so over months or years. Occasionally, a doubling of the escape rhythm recovery time was seen, suggesting initial exit block of the escape focus. Resetting of the escape rhythm usually followed an exponential curve until stabilisation after about 3 minutes. An early escape rhythm with a recovery time of less than 4 seconds was found on every occasion in 21 of 58 patients with complete AV block, and inconstantly in 23 more; in 14 it was never observed. Accidental pacing failure was seen in 15 patients. The overdrive suppression test was helpful in selecting pacemaker dependent patients.", "contents": "Overdrive suppression of implanted pacemakers in patients with AV block. Patients being permanently paced for symptomatic AV block were studied by overdrive suppression of the QRS-inhibited pacemaker, in order to observe the underlying heart rhythm. The chest wall stimulation method was used. In complete AV block the escape rhythm recovery time proved highly reproducible on repeated testing on the same day, and in many patients remained so over months or years. Occasionally, a doubling of the escape rhythm recovery time was seen, suggesting initial exit block of the escape focus. Resetting of the escape rhythm usually followed an exponential curve until stabilisation after about 3 minutes. An early escape rhythm with a recovery time of less than 4 seconds was found on every occasion in 21 of 58 patients with complete AV block, and inconstantly in 23 more; in 14 it was never observed. Accidental pacing failure was seen in 15 patients. The overdrive suppression test was helpful in selecting pacemaker dependent patients.", "PMID": 637960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11537", "title": "Use of subclavian vein for permanent cardiac pacing.", "content": "The subclavian vein has been used to implant permanent pacing catheters in 40 patients with symptomatic heart block. Though the cephalic and external jugular veins are usually preferred for this purpose in Britain, the use of these veins has certain disadvantages. In this study subclavian venepuncture by the infraclavicular approach was performed without diffculty and found to be a safe procedure. Three months after implantation, 7.5 per cent of patients had developed catheter tip dislocation and 87.5 per cent of patients were entirely free of complications.", "contents": "Use of subclavian vein for permanent cardiac pacing. The subclavian vein has been used to implant permanent pacing catheters in 40 patients with symptomatic heart block. Though the cephalic and external jugular veins are usually preferred for this purpose in Britain, the use of these veins has certain disadvantages. In this study subclavian venepuncture by the infraclavicular approach was performed without diffculty and found to be a safe procedure. Three months after implantation, 7.5 per cent of patients had developed catheter tip dislocation and 87.5 per cent of patients were entirely free of complications.", "PMID": 637961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11538", "title": "Noninvasive assessment of pressure drop in mitral stenosis by Doppler ultrasound.", "content": "A noninvasive method is described for measuring the pressure drop across the mitral valve in mitral stensois by Doppler ultrasound. A maximum frequency estimator was used to record maximum velocity in the Doppler signal from the mitral jet. Provided the angle between the ultrasound beam and the maximum velocity is close to zero the pressure drop can be calculated directly. Good correlation was found between Doppler measurements and simultaneous pressure recordings during heart catheterisation in 10 patients. No false negative or false positive diagnoses of mitral stenosis were made among 55 patients (35 patients with mitral stenosis and 20 patients with other valve lesions). The measurements were easy to perform in most patients and the method seems well suited both to diagnose and to follow patients with mitral stenosis.", "contents": "Noninvasive assessment of pressure drop in mitral stenosis by Doppler ultrasound. A noninvasive method is described for measuring the pressure drop across the mitral valve in mitral stensois by Doppler ultrasound. A maximum frequency estimator was used to record maximum velocity in the Doppler signal from the mitral jet. Provided the angle between the ultrasound beam and the maximum velocity is close to zero the pressure drop can be calculated directly. Good correlation was found between Doppler measurements and simultaneous pressure recordings during heart catheterisation in 10 patients. No false negative or false positive diagnoses of mitral stenosis were made among 55 patients (35 patients with mitral stenosis and 20 patients with other valve lesions). The measurements were easy to perform in most patients and the method seems well suited both to diagnose and to follow patients with mitral stenosis.", "PMID": 637964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11539", "title": "Coronary thrombosis in pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction. Histopathological study of coronary arteries in 108 necropsied cases using serial section.", "content": "An extensive histopathological study was carried out on the hearts of 108 patients with electrocardiographically proven acute myocardial infarction dying after admission to a coronary care unit. The occluded or the narrowest segments of the coronary arteries were examined at intervals of 100 mu using serial sections. Serial sectioning is important in such a study because the pathology of the lumen can vary considerably within a 2 to 3 mm segment. A high incidence (80.3%) of thrombus formation corresponding to the site of infarction was observed. These thrombi occluded the vessel lumen, were usually found proximally in the coronary arteries, and were associated with a ruptured atheromatous plaque in 90.8 per cent of cases. It is postulated that an increase of intraplaque pressure resulting from a honeycomb-like accumulation of foam cells, cholesterol clefts, and blood infiltration through the injured endothelial cells is the cause of rupture of the atheromatous plaque. This rupture into the vessel lumen may precede, and be responsible for, formation of thrombus and the onset of acute myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Coronary thrombosis in pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction. Histopathological study of coronary arteries in 108 necropsied cases using serial section. An extensive histopathological study was carried out on the hearts of 108 patients with electrocardiographically proven acute myocardial infarction dying after admission to a coronary care unit. The occluded or the narrowest segments of the coronary arteries were examined at intervals of 100 mu using serial sections. Serial sectioning is important in such a study because the pathology of the lumen can vary considerably within a 2 to 3 mm segment. A high incidence (80.3%) of thrombus formation corresponding to the site of infarction was observed. These thrombi occluded the vessel lumen, were usually found proximally in the coronary arteries, and were associated with a ruptured atheromatous plaque in 90.8 per cent of cases. It is postulated that an increase of intraplaque pressure resulting from a honeycomb-like accumulation of foam cells, cholesterol clefts, and blood infiltration through the injured endothelial cells is the cause of rupture of the atheromatous plaque. This rupture into the vessel lumen may precede, and be responsible for, formation of thrombus and the onset of acute myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 637966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11540", "title": "A score for prescribing digoxin.", "content": "A simple method of selecting a maintenance dose of digoxin, suitable for an adult patient, was derived from data on 129 patients taking digoxin. Eight items of readily available information are required for entry into the prescribing aid: out/inpatient status, sex, age (less/not less than 70 years), weight (allocated to one of four ranges), whether or not chronically house/chair bound, cardiac rhythm (sinus/other), serum creatinine concentration (allocated to one of four ranges), and diuretic therapy (prescribed/not prescribed). The recommended dose is given in terms of size and number of tablets to be prescribed. Using this method 72.3 per cent of patients are expected to achieve mean steady state serum digoxin concentrations within the therapeutic range, 6.5 per cent above and 21.2 per cent below. This performance would be considerably better than that expected from the use of other prescribing aids. If available, routine measurement of the serum digoxin concentration during follow-up is recommended to detect those who might benefit from a change, usually an increase, in dose.", "contents": "A score for prescribing digoxin. A simple method of selecting a maintenance dose of digoxin, suitable for an adult patient, was derived from data on 129 patients taking digoxin. Eight items of readily available information are required for entry into the prescribing aid: out/inpatient status, sex, age (less/not less than 70 years), weight (allocated to one of four ranges), whether or not chronically house/chair bound, cardiac rhythm (sinus/other), serum creatinine concentration (allocated to one of four ranges), and diuretic therapy (prescribed/not prescribed). The recommended dose is given in terms of size and number of tablets to be prescribed. Using this method 72.3 per cent of patients are expected to achieve mean steady state serum digoxin concentrations within the therapeutic range, 6.5 per cent above and 21.2 per cent below. This performance would be considerably better than that expected from the use of other prescribing aids. If available, routine measurement of the serum digoxin concentration during follow-up is recommended to detect those who might benefit from a change, usually an increase, in dose.", "PMID": 637967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11541", "title": "Pericardial effusions in patients with end-stage renal disease.", "content": "Echocardiography has greatly increased the accurate recognition of pericardial effusion. Echocardiograms were performed prospectively on the total group of 35 stable asymptomatic patients on chronic haemodialysis to determine the incidence of pericardial effusion. Effusions were shown in 11 per cent (4/35); only 6 per cent (2/35) were estimated as greater than 100 ml. For comparison, records were reviewed retrospectively from 41 haemodialysis patients referred during a 27-month period for echocardiographic assessment of suspected pericardial effusion. These 41 patients came from a total group of 108 patients treated with chronic dialysis over this interval. Of 41 examined, 21 (51%) or 21 of 108 (19%) of the population at risk had an effusion. Of 21 with echocardiographic effusions, 15 (71%), or 15 of 41 (37%) of those with clinically suspected effusion, had more than 100 ml fluid. Gross (greater than 100 ml) pericardial effusions are infrequent in stable, asymptomatic patients with end-stage renal disease. When clinical findings suggest pericardial disease, the echocardiographic demonstration of over 100 ml pericardial fluid is indicative of new effusion, rather than coincidental pre-existing effusion.", "contents": "Pericardial effusions in patients with end-stage renal disease. Echocardiography has greatly increased the accurate recognition of pericardial effusion. Echocardiograms were performed prospectively on the total group of 35 stable asymptomatic patients on chronic haemodialysis to determine the incidence of pericardial effusion. Effusions were shown in 11 per cent (4/35); only 6 per cent (2/35) were estimated as greater than 100 ml. For comparison, records were reviewed retrospectively from 41 haemodialysis patients referred during a 27-month period for echocardiographic assessment of suspected pericardial effusion. These 41 patients came from a total group of 108 patients treated with chronic dialysis over this interval. Of 41 examined, 21 (51%) or 21 of 108 (19%) of the population at risk had an effusion. Of 21 with echocardiographic effusions, 15 (71%), or 15 of 41 (37%) of those with clinically suspected effusion, had more than 100 ml fluid. Gross (greater than 100 ml) pericardial effusions are infrequent in stable, asymptomatic patients with end-stage renal disease. When clinical findings suggest pericardial disease, the echocardiographic demonstration of over 100 ml pericardial fluid is indicative of new effusion, rather than coincidental pre-existing effusion.", "PMID": 637968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11542", "title": "Isolated acquired pulmonary valve regurgitation. Report of long-term follow-up.", "content": "A patient is reported with isolated pulmonary valvular regurgitation acquired probably as a result of endocarditis at age 22 years. The patents remained essentially asymptomatic with physical findings compatible with haemodynamically significant pulmonary regurgitation until death at age 85 years. A necropsy confirmed the presence of isolated severe pulmonary valvular destruction. This long-term follow-up lends further support to the concept that significant volume overload of the right ventricle from pulmonary regurgitation is well tolerated and usually does not require surgical intervention.", "contents": "Isolated acquired pulmonary valve regurgitation. Report of long-term follow-up. A patient is reported with isolated pulmonary valvular regurgitation acquired probably as a result of endocarditis at age 22 years. The patents remained essentially asymptomatic with physical findings compatible with haemodynamically significant pulmonary regurgitation until death at age 85 years. A necropsy confirmed the presence of isolated severe pulmonary valvular destruction. This long-term follow-up lends further support to the concept that significant volume overload of the right ventricle from pulmonary regurgitation is well tolerated and usually does not require surgical intervention.", "PMID": 637969} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11543", "title": "Right atrial myxoma: an echocardiographic study.", "content": "A case of right atrial myxoma is reported in a 29-year-old man. Though it was a large tumour, the diagnosis remained unsuspected for a long time. Multiple echo recordings strongly contributed to the diagnosis. After surgical removal, the post-operative course was uneventful.", "contents": "Right atrial myxoma: an echocardiographic study. A case of right atrial myxoma is reported in a 29-year-old man. Though it was a large tumour, the diagnosis remained unsuspected for a long time. Multiple echo recordings strongly contributed to the diagnosis. After surgical removal, the post-operative course was uneventful.", "PMID": 637970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11544", "title": "Transposition of the great arteries. New technique for anatomical correction.", "content": "We describe a new technique for the correction of transposition of the great arteries by \"detransposition\". An aortopulmonary window is created and a patch placed over this and the coronary ostia so that the coronary arteries arisen from the new aorta. Thus, direct surgery on the coronary arteries is avoided with all the complications which may result from this in neonates and infants. A 4.2 kg infant, with transposition and ventricular septal defect, was successfully operated on using this technique. We discuss the indications for this type of operation and conclude that, until we have more experience, it should be used only in children with a left ventricular pressure at least half systemic.", "contents": "Transposition of the great arteries. New technique for anatomical correction. We describe a new technique for the correction of transposition of the great arteries by \"detransposition\". An aortopulmonary window is created and a patch placed over this and the coronary ostia so that the coronary arteries arisen from the new aorta. Thus, direct surgery on the coronary arteries is avoided with all the complications which may result from this in neonates and infants. A 4.2 kg infant, with transposition and ventricular septal defect, was successfully operated on using this technique. We discuss the indications for this type of operation and conclude that, until we have more experience, it should be used only in children with a left ventricular pressure at least half systemic.", "PMID": 637971} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11545", "title": "Histopathology of the ductus arteriosus after prostaglandin E1 administration in ductus dependent cardiac anomalies.", "content": "The histology of the ductus arteriosus was studied after prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administration in 4 infants with ductus dependent cardiac malformations. Pronounced pathological changes were found in each instance. The changes consisted of oedema of the media with separation of medial components by clear spaces, pathological interruptions of the internal elastic lamina, and intimal lacerations, some of which extended into the media. The findings suggest that PGE1 administration has a profound weakening effect on the structure of the wall of the ductus arteriosus, rendering the vessel prone to laceration.", "contents": "Histopathology of the ductus arteriosus after prostaglandin E1 administration in ductus dependent cardiac anomalies. The histology of the ductus arteriosus was studied after prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) administration in 4 infants with ductus dependent cardiac malformations. Pronounced pathological changes were found in each instance. The changes consisted of oedema of the media with separation of medial components by clear spaces, pathological interruptions of the internal elastic lamina, and intimal lacerations, some of which extended into the media. The findings suggest that PGE1 administration has a profound weakening effect on the structure of the wall of the ductus arteriosus, rendering the vessel prone to laceration.", "PMID": 637973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11546", "title": "Treatment of patients with transposition of great arteries and pulmonary vascular obstructive disease.", "content": "Twenty-two patients with transposition of the great arteries with or without ventricular septal defect and one with double outlet right ventricle, d-malposition, and severe pulmonary vascular obstructive disease were treated surgically. All were cyanosed and had very limited exercise tolerance. Preoperatively, systemic arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) varied from 45 to 79% (mean 65), haemoglobin was 13 to 23 g/dl (mean 19). Pulmonary arteriolar resistance was 6.4 to 35 units m2 (mean 17). In the patients with a ventricular septal defect the Mustard operation was done without closure of the ventricular septal defect, and in the 3 patients with intact ventricular septum the Mustard operation was combined with creation of a ventricular septal defect. All patients survived the operation and improved. Postoperative SaO2 ranged from 75 to 96% (mean 89) and haemoglobin from 10.6 to 17.8 g/dl (mean 14.0). This improvement was significant (P less than 0.05). Five patients have had a postoperative cardiac catheterisation. The pulmonary arteriolar resistance remains high in all. Postoperative follow-up varies from 4 to 40 months (mean 14 months). So far there have been no late deaths and all patients remain improved.", "contents": "Treatment of patients with transposition of great arteries and pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. Twenty-two patients with transposition of the great arteries with or without ventricular septal defect and one with double outlet right ventricle, d-malposition, and severe pulmonary vascular obstructive disease were treated surgically. All were cyanosed and had very limited exercise tolerance. Preoperatively, systemic arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) varied from 45 to 79% (mean 65), haemoglobin was 13 to 23 g/dl (mean 19). Pulmonary arteriolar resistance was 6.4 to 35 units m2 (mean 17). In the patients with a ventricular septal defect the Mustard operation was done without closure of the ventricular septal defect, and in the 3 patients with intact ventricular septum the Mustard operation was combined with creation of a ventricular septal defect. All patients survived the operation and improved. Postoperative SaO2 ranged from 75 to 96% (mean 89) and haemoglobin from 10.6 to 17.8 g/dl (mean 14.0). This improvement was significant (P less than 0.05). Five patients have had a postoperative cardiac catheterisation. The pulmonary arteriolar resistance remains high in all. Postoperative follow-up varies from 4 to 40 months (mean 14 months). So far there have been no late deaths and all patients remain improved.", "PMID": 637974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11547", "title": "99mTc-imidodiphosphonate: a superior radio-pharmaceutical for in vivo positive myocardial infarct imaging. I: Experimental data.", "content": "99mTc-Imidodiphosphonate (99mTc-IDP) was investigated as an agent for nuclear medicine imaging of acute myocardial infarctions. For this purpose a suitable animal model was found. After coronary artery ligation reproducible myocardial infarcts were obtained with 80% of surviving animals. Scans of the myocardial infarcts were recorded with a high resolution gamma camera and good quality images were obtained. 99mTc-IDP ratios for normal and infarcted tissue were calculated and compared with similar data available from other 99mTc-labelled phosphates. With an infarct/normal ratio of 21:1, 99mTc-IDP is so far the best radiopharmaceutical for nuclear medicine imaging of necrosed heart muscle. Images of the myocardial infarcts have been recorded as early as 6 hours after infarction.", "contents": "99mTc-imidodiphosphonate: a superior radio-pharmaceutical for in vivo positive myocardial infarct imaging. I: Experimental data. 99mTc-Imidodiphosphonate (99mTc-IDP) was investigated as an agent for nuclear medicine imaging of acute myocardial infarctions. For this purpose a suitable animal model was found. After coronary artery ligation reproducible myocardial infarcts were obtained with 80% of surviving animals. Scans of the myocardial infarcts were recorded with a high resolution gamma camera and good quality images were obtained. 99mTc-IDP ratios for normal and infarcted tissue were calculated and compared with similar data available from other 99mTc-labelled phosphates. With an infarct/normal ratio of 21:1, 99mTc-IDP is so far the best radiopharmaceutical for nuclear medicine imaging of necrosed heart muscle. Images of the myocardial infarcts have been recorded as early as 6 hours after infarction.", "PMID": 637975} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11548", "title": "99mTc-imidodiphosphonate: a superior radio-pharmaceutical for in vivo positive myocardial infarct imaging. II: Clinical data.", "content": "99mTc-Imidodiphosphonate was investigated as a new myocardial infarct imaging agent. In the acute phase, 50 patients admitted to the coronary care unit were serially scanned over a period of 7 days. A mobile gamma camera linked on line to a remote data processor was used. Because of higher uptake in infarcted myocardium and faster blood clearance, superior images than those recorded with 99mTc-pyrophosphate were obtained. Its ease of preparation, low cost, and favourable dosimetry (because of its label with conventional 99mTc) transforms this agent into the present radiopharmaceutical of choice for acute infarct imaging in particular if sizing and follow-up is intended versus time and type of treatment. In this series, no false positive cases were seen. The sensitivity of the method in the detection of full thickness myocardial infarction was 95%. It dropped to 70% in the detection of subendocardial infarction. However, some of these apparent false negative cases may reflect severe ischaemia without infarction. It is postulated that this discrimination may not always be realistic.", "contents": "99mTc-imidodiphosphonate: a superior radio-pharmaceutical for in vivo positive myocardial infarct imaging. II: Clinical data. 99mTc-Imidodiphosphonate was investigated as a new myocardial infarct imaging agent. In the acute phase, 50 patients admitted to the coronary care unit were serially scanned over a period of 7 days. A mobile gamma camera linked on line to a remote data processor was used. Because of higher uptake in infarcted myocardium and faster blood clearance, superior images than those recorded with 99mTc-pyrophosphate were obtained. Its ease of preparation, low cost, and favourable dosimetry (because of its label with conventional 99mTc) transforms this agent into the present radiopharmaceutical of choice for acute infarct imaging in particular if sizing and follow-up is intended versus time and type of treatment. In this series, no false positive cases were seen. The sensitivity of the method in the detection of full thickness myocardial infarction was 95%. It dropped to 70% in the detection of subendocardial infarction. However, some of these apparent false negative cases may reflect severe ischaemia without infarction. It is postulated that this discrimination may not always be realistic.", "PMID": 637976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11549", "title": "Clinical assessment of calibrated jugular pulse recording.", "content": "Calibrated jugular pulse tracings and cardiac catheterisation were performed on 50 consecutive patients with organic heart disease. Twenty normal adults had calibrated jugular pulse tracings and served as controls. The height of the jugular 'A' and 'V' waves was quantified as a percentage of a known displacement, rendering measurements independent of the amplification used in recording technique. A close correlation existed between the size of the calibrated jugular 'A' and 'V' waves and the actual magnitude of the right intra-atrial pressure changes (A wave, r = 0.72; V wave, r = 0.80). Patients who were free of pulmonary hypertension or tricuspid disease had calibrated 'A' and 'V' waves similar in height to the control population. An enlarged 'A' wave was usually associated with conditions restricting flow into the right ventricle. An enlarged 'V' wave generally indicated tricuspid regurgitation. These changes are often subtle and are not apparent in conventional venous tracings or at the bedside. We conclude that the calibrated jugular pulse tracings can accurately separate normal from abnormal venous waves and expand the diagnostic potential of the jugular pulse.", "contents": "Clinical assessment of calibrated jugular pulse recording. Calibrated jugular pulse tracings and cardiac catheterisation were performed on 50 consecutive patients with organic heart disease. Twenty normal adults had calibrated jugular pulse tracings and served as controls. The height of the jugular 'A' and 'V' waves was quantified as a percentage of a known displacement, rendering measurements independent of the amplification used in recording technique. A close correlation existed between the size of the calibrated jugular 'A' and 'V' waves and the actual magnitude of the right intra-atrial pressure changes (A wave, r = 0.72; V wave, r = 0.80). Patients who were free of pulmonary hypertension or tricuspid disease had calibrated 'A' and 'V' waves similar in height to the control population. An enlarged 'A' wave was usually associated with conditions restricting flow into the right ventricle. An enlarged 'V' wave generally indicated tricuspid regurgitation. These changes are often subtle and are not apparent in conventional venous tracings or at the bedside. We conclude that the calibrated jugular pulse tracings can accurately separate normal from abnormal venous waves and expand the diagnostic potential of the jugular pulse.", "PMID": 637984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11550", "title": "Effects of atrial fibrillation on prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Nine hundred and sixty-nine coronary care patients with acute myocardial infarction were followed for one year. Atrial fibrillation was documented in 107 patients. Compared with patients without atrial fibrillation, those with this arrhythmia were older, had clinically more severe infarction, and had a higher frequency of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, and right bundle-branch block. They had similar past histories of ischaemic heart disease and coronary risk factors. Patients with atrial fibrillation had a higher total mortality at 3 months and 12 months. The presence of atrial fibrillation was not associated with any significant increase in mortality within any decade of age or within any subgroup of clinical severity of infarction. The frequency of atrial fibrillation was similar in anterior and inferior infarction. Multiple episodes of atrial fibrillation occurred in 52 patients and episodes usually lasted for over 1 hour. In 50% of patients with single episode of atrial fibrillation the initial ventricular rate was greater than 120 beats per minute.", "contents": "Effects of atrial fibrillation on prognosis of acute myocardial infarction. Nine hundred and sixty-nine coronary care patients with acute myocardial infarction were followed for one year. Atrial fibrillation was documented in 107 patients. Compared with patients without atrial fibrillation, those with this arrhythmia were older, had clinically more severe infarction, and had a higher frequency of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia, and right bundle-branch block. They had similar past histories of ischaemic heart disease and coronary risk factors. Patients with atrial fibrillation had a higher total mortality at 3 months and 12 months. The presence of atrial fibrillation was not associated with any significant increase in mortality within any decade of age or within any subgroup of clinical severity of infarction. The frequency of atrial fibrillation was similar in anterior and inferior infarction. Multiple episodes of atrial fibrillation occurred in 52 patients and episodes usually lasted for over 1 hour. In 50% of patients with single episode of atrial fibrillation the initial ventricular rate was greater than 120 beats per minute.", "PMID": 637985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11551", "title": "Secondary leiomyosarcoma of the right ventricle. A surgical report.", "content": "A 48-year-old woman developed symptoms related to a tumour attached to the outflow tract of the right ventricle. Eleven years earlier she had undergone hysterectomy for leiomyosarcoma, and 4 years later a retroperitoneal mass was removed. One year later a further retroperitoneal mass was removed, and after a further 4 years a cutaneous tumour was removed from her back. Histologically these three tumours were identical with the leiomyosarcoma removed with the uterus at the primary operation. A confident preoperative diagnosis of recurrent leiomyosarcoma within the pericardium was made, and it was possible to remove this tumour using cardiopulmonary bypass with relief of symptoms. The patient remains well 15 months after surgery.", "contents": "Secondary leiomyosarcoma of the right ventricle. A surgical report. A 48-year-old woman developed symptoms related to a tumour attached to the outflow tract of the right ventricle. Eleven years earlier she had undergone hysterectomy for leiomyosarcoma, and 4 years later a retroperitoneal mass was removed. One year later a further retroperitoneal mass was removed, and after a further 4 years a cutaneous tumour was removed from her back. Histologically these three tumours were identical with the leiomyosarcoma removed with the uterus at the primary operation. A confident preoperative diagnosis of recurrent leiomyosarcoma within the pericardium was made, and it was possible to remove this tumour using cardiopulmonary bypass with relief of symptoms. The patient remains well 15 months after surgery.", "PMID": 637988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11552", "title": "Intracardiac heterotopia--mesenchymal and endodermal.", "content": "A case is reported of an intracardiac 'epithelial heterotopia' with a predominant mesenchymal component. This is thought to have resulted from the differentiation of aberrant primitive cell(s) displaced into the heart during its development. Though microscopically resembling a myxoma, this lesion is clearly distinguished by the presence of glandular structures. The myxoid component exhibited a startling invasiveness which resulted in occlusion of the superior vena cava, causing symptoms very early in life and death at the age of 6 months.", "contents": "Intracardiac heterotopia--mesenchymal and endodermal. A case is reported of an intracardiac 'epithelial heterotopia' with a predominant mesenchymal component. This is thought to have resulted from the differentiation of aberrant primitive cell(s) displaced into the heart during its development. Though microscopically resembling a myxoma, this lesion is clearly distinguished by the presence of glandular structures. The myxoid component exhibited a startling invasiveness which resulted in occlusion of the superior vena cava, causing symptoms very early in life and death at the age of 6 months.", "PMID": 637987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11553", "title": "Effect of cyclopropane on pulmonary vascular resistance and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the isolated perfused cat lung.", "content": "Cyclopropane was found to produce no significant changes in pulmonary vascular resistance or the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to alveolar hypoxia in isolated cat lungs perfused at constant flow.", "contents": "Effect of cyclopropane on pulmonary vascular resistance and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the isolated perfused cat lung. Cyclopropane was found to produce no significant changes in pulmonary vascular resistance or the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to alveolar hypoxia in isolated cat lungs perfused at constant flow.", "PMID": 637992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11554", "title": "Cardiac performance during prolonged halothane anaesthesia in the cat. Isolated heart muscle study.", "content": "The contractile response of papillary muscles, isolated from normal cats, to prolonged administration of halothane at minimum alveolar anaesthetic concentration (MAC) was studied. Average values of maximal velocity of shortening (Vmax) and maximal developed force (Fm) obtained in 12 muscles during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd hour of exposure to halothane anaesthesia were significantly less than those obtained during the control period and after recovery from halothane. There were no significant differences in values over a 3-h period. When post-extra-systolic potentiation was induced by paired electric stimulation, average values of Vmax and Fm increased significantly. We conclude that prolonged administration of halothane at a constant concentration resulted in a sustained depression of myocardial contractility without tissue tolerance. The myocardium depressed by halothane, however, still retains the ability to respond to additional inotropic stimulation.", "contents": "Cardiac performance during prolonged halothane anaesthesia in the cat. Isolated heart muscle study. The contractile response of papillary muscles, isolated from normal cats, to prolonged administration of halothane at minimum alveolar anaesthetic concentration (MAC) was studied. Average values of maximal velocity of shortening (Vmax) and maximal developed force (Fm) obtained in 12 muscles during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd hour of exposure to halothane anaesthesia were significantly less than those obtained during the control period and after recovery from halothane. There were no significant differences in values over a 3-h period. When post-extra-systolic potentiation was induced by paired electric stimulation, average values of Vmax and Fm increased significantly. We conclude that prolonged administration of halothane at a constant concentration resulted in a sustained depression of myocardial contractility without tissue tolerance. The myocardium depressed by halothane, however, still retains the ability to respond to additional inotropic stimulation.", "PMID": 637993} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11555", "title": "Simultaneous trace analysis of nitrous oxide and halothane in air.", "content": "A gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of halothane and nitrous oxide in operating theatre atmospheres has been developed and evaluated. The flame ionization detector is suitable for the quantitative analysis of halothane in concentrations approaching one part per million. The frequency-modulated electron capture detector is highly sensitive to nitrous oxide but we have found it to be non-linear over the range 25--1000 p.p.m. The overall reproducibility of the gas chromatographic method based on the dynamic technique of standard preparation is approximately 4%. Effective exposure of personnel to pollutant anaesthetics is assessed by the analysis of end-expired gas.", "contents": "Simultaneous trace analysis of nitrous oxide and halothane in air. A gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis of halothane and nitrous oxide in operating theatre atmospheres has been developed and evaluated. The flame ionization detector is suitable for the quantitative analysis of halothane in concentrations approaching one part per million. The frequency-modulated electron capture detector is highly sensitive to nitrous oxide but we have found it to be non-linear over the range 25--1000 p.p.m. The overall reproducibility of the gas chromatographic method based on the dynamic technique of standard preparation is approximately 4%. Effective exposure of personnel to pollutant anaesthetics is assessed by the analysis of end-expired gas.", "PMID": 637994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11556", "title": "Failure to replicate negative effects of trace anaesthetics on mental performance.", "content": "Twenty-four male subjects individually undertook a selection of cognitive tasks during each of two different 2-h sessions in a climatic chamber. Twelve subjects breathed a mixture of air, nitrous oxide 1600 p.p.m. (v/v) and halothane 16 p.p.m. (v/v) during the first session, and air alone during the second session 1 week later. For the other 12 subjects the order was reversed. The tests comprised learning a list of word-number pairs, solving a set of anagram problems, recognizing words and numbers, recalling word-number pairs and performing a four-choice audiovisual reaction time task. Testing was commenced after 45 min of exposure to the atmospheric conditions. A strong learning effect both within and between sessions was observed on the audiovisual task. None of the tasks, however, reflected any adverse effect of the trace anaesthetics.", "contents": "Failure to replicate negative effects of trace anaesthetics on mental performance. Twenty-four male subjects individually undertook a selection of cognitive tasks during each of two different 2-h sessions in a climatic chamber. Twelve subjects breathed a mixture of air, nitrous oxide 1600 p.p.m. (v/v) and halothane 16 p.p.m. (v/v) during the first session, and air alone during the second session 1 week later. For the other 12 subjects the order was reversed. The tests comprised learning a list of word-number pairs, solving a set of anagram problems, recognizing words and numbers, recalling word-number pairs and performing a four-choice audiovisual reaction time task. Testing was commenced after 45 min of exposure to the atmospheric conditions. A strong learning effect both within and between sessions was observed on the audiovisual task. None of the tasks, however, reflected any adverse effect of the trace anaesthetics.", "PMID": 637995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11557", "title": "Plasma concentrations of pancuronium during predetermined intensities of neuromuscular blockade.", "content": "The plasma concentrations of pancuronium were monitored during i.v. infusions of the relaxant in dogs. Pancuronium was administered at rates which maintained the degree of neuromuscular blockade at three predetermined levels. The concentrations of the drug in the blood were consistent for any one animal but showed considerable overlap for the three levels of paralysis between animals. Concentrations obtained during infusion and which maintained the twitch response at 20% and 80% of control were compared, in the same dogs, with concentrations obtained during recovery from a bolus injection of pancuronium. When the infusion maintained the twitch response at 20% of the control value, the mean plasma concentration of pancuronium was 0.152 microgram ml-1. That measured after the bolus injection was 0.156 microgram ml-1. The concentrations at 80% of control were 0.094 microgram ml-1 and 0.083 microgram ml-1 respectively. The agreement between these results suggests a relationship between the plasma concentration of the relaxant and its effect during the termination of the action after a large bolus injection of the drug. As this occurs chiefly during the postdistribution equilibrium, the relatively slow decrease in plasma concentration would appear to become the rate-limiting factor in recovery from paralysis.", "contents": "Plasma concentrations of pancuronium during predetermined intensities of neuromuscular blockade. The plasma concentrations of pancuronium were monitored during i.v. infusions of the relaxant in dogs. Pancuronium was administered at rates which maintained the degree of neuromuscular blockade at three predetermined levels. The concentrations of the drug in the blood were consistent for any one animal but showed considerable overlap for the three levels of paralysis between animals. Concentrations obtained during infusion and which maintained the twitch response at 20% and 80% of control were compared, in the same dogs, with concentrations obtained during recovery from a bolus injection of pancuronium. When the infusion maintained the twitch response at 20% of the control value, the mean plasma concentration of pancuronium was 0.152 microgram ml-1. That measured after the bolus injection was 0.156 microgram ml-1. The concentrations at 80% of control were 0.094 microgram ml-1 and 0.083 microgram ml-1 respectively. The agreement between these results suggests a relationship between the plasma concentration of the relaxant and its effect during the termination of the action after a large bolus injection of the drug. As this occurs chiefly during the postdistribution equilibrium, the relatively slow decrease in plasma concentration would appear to become the rate-limiting factor in recovery from paralysis.", "PMID": 637996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11558", "title": "Porcine malignant hyperthermia. VI: the effects of bilateral adrenalectomy and pretreatment with bretylium on the halothane-induced response.", "content": "The effects of bilateral adrenalectomy, together with the i.v. administration of bretylium tosylate 20 mg kg-1 on halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia (MH), were investigated in six Pietrain pigs. All six animals survived the halothane challenge, and failed to show any signs of increased muscle metabolism. Bilateral adrenalectomy alone prevented halothane-induced MH in three out of four Pietrain pigs, whereas the i.v. administration of bretylium alone protected only one pig out of an additional four animals studied. The results show that complete adrenergic blockade inhibits the susceptibility of Pietrain skeletal muscle to halothane and that the adrenal medulla makes an important contribution to this response.", "contents": "Porcine malignant hyperthermia. VI: the effects of bilateral adrenalectomy and pretreatment with bretylium on the halothane-induced response. The effects of bilateral adrenalectomy, together with the i.v. administration of bretylium tosylate 20 mg kg-1 on halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia (MH), were investigated in six Pietrain pigs. All six animals survived the halothane challenge, and failed to show any signs of increased muscle metabolism. Bilateral adrenalectomy alone prevented halothane-induced MH in three out of four Pietrain pigs, whereas the i.v. administration of bretylium alone protected only one pig out of an additional four animals studied. The results show that complete adrenergic blockade inhibits the susceptibility of Pietrain skeletal muscle to halothane and that the adrenal medulla makes an important contribution to this response.", "PMID": 637997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11559", "title": "A low pass filter with amplifier for measurement of active and passive tensions of skeletal muscle in vitro.", "content": "When displaying and measuring passive and active twitch tensions developed by skeletal muscle in vitro, the problems of amplification may be resolved by recording two traces. One, recorded at relatively low gain, is used for measurements of twitch tension amplitude. The other, recorded simultaneously, is a modified version of the first trace, in which the voltage signals are passed through a suitably constructed low pass filter, amplified and displayed. This second trace, recorded at relatively high gain, is used for measurements of changes in passive tension and contracture responses of relatively small amplitude.", "contents": "A low pass filter with amplifier for measurement of active and passive tensions of skeletal muscle in vitro. When displaying and measuring passive and active twitch tensions developed by skeletal muscle in vitro, the problems of amplification may be resolved by recording two traces. One, recorded at relatively low gain, is used for measurements of twitch tension amplitude. The other, recorded simultaneously, is a modified version of the first trace, in which the voltage signals are passed through a suitably constructed low pass filter, amplified and displayed. This second trace, recorded at relatively high gain, is used for measurements of changes in passive tension and contracture responses of relatively small amplitude.", "PMID": 637998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11560", "title": "Impairment of oxygen transfer in the lung by increasing oxygen concentration during halothane and trichloroethylene anaesthesia.", "content": "Two groups of 10 patients were studied during artificial ventilation with a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and either halothane or trichloroethylene. Arterial blood and respiratory gas smapling was performed at FIO2 values of 0.33, 0.5 and 0.75. The efficiency of oxygen transfer, expressed as the difference between pulmonary end-capillary and arterial oxygen content, was found to decrease progressively in most patients as the alveolar partial pressure of oxygen increased. This pattern of response may be explained by the effect of oxygen on regulatory reflexes in the lung.", "contents": "Impairment of oxygen transfer in the lung by increasing oxygen concentration during halothane and trichloroethylene anaesthesia. Two groups of 10 patients were studied during artificial ventilation with a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and either halothane or trichloroethylene. Arterial blood and respiratory gas smapling was performed at FIO2 values of 0.33, 0.5 and 0.75. The efficiency of oxygen transfer, expressed as the difference between pulmonary end-capillary and arterial oxygen content, was found to decrease progressively in most patients as the alveolar partial pressure of oxygen increased. This pattern of response may be explained by the effect of oxygen on regulatory reflexes in the lung.", "PMID": 637999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11561", "title": "Placental blood flow during caesarean section under lumbar extradural analgesia.", "content": "The effect on intervillous blood flow of lumbar extradural analgesia for Caesarean section was studied in nine healthy women using xenon-133. Extradural anaesthesia was performed with lignocaine 1 1/2% 16--20 ml with adrenaline 5 microgram ml-1. Impairment of placental blood flow during the block was observed in seven patients, but the mean decrease (13% from the control value) was not statistically significant. The most notable decrease in intervillous blood flow occurred in two patients with simulateous arterial hypotension.", "contents": "Placental blood flow during caesarean section under lumbar extradural analgesia. The effect on intervillous blood flow of lumbar extradural analgesia for Caesarean section was studied in nine healthy women using xenon-133. Extradural anaesthesia was performed with lignocaine 1 1/2% 16--20 ml with adrenaline 5 microgram ml-1. Impairment of placental blood flow during the block was observed in seven patients, but the mean decrease (13% from the control value) was not statistically significant. The most notable decrease in intervillous blood flow occurred in two patients with simulateous arterial hypotension.", "PMID": 638000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11562", "title": "The action of commonly used antiemetics on the lower oesophageal sphincter.", "content": "The effects of five antiemetic drugs on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) were studied in five groups, each comprising eight healthy volunteers. Cyclizine, prochlorperazine and metoclopramide have a desirable functional effect on LOS, while promethazine and droperidol were associated with evidence of increased gastro-oesophageal reflux.", "contents": "The action of commonly used antiemetics on the lower oesophageal sphincter. The effects of five antiemetic drugs on the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) were studied in five groups, each comprising eight healthy volunteers. Cyclizine, prochlorperazine and metoclopramide have a desirable functional effect on LOS, while promethazine and droperidol were associated with evidence of increased gastro-oesophageal reflux.", "PMID": 638001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11563", "title": "Methaemoglobinaemia induced by mafenide acetate in children. A report of two cases.", "content": "The local application of mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon, Winthrop) applied to extensive burn areas resulted in acute methaemoglobinaemia.", "contents": "Methaemoglobinaemia induced by mafenide acetate in children. A report of two cases. The local application of mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon, Winthrop) applied to extensive burn areas resulted in acute methaemoglobinaemia.", "PMID": 638002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11564", "title": "Monocytes and macrophages in malignant melanoma. II. Lysis of antibody-coated human erythrocytes as an assay of monocyte function.", "content": "Peripheral blood mononuclear cells will lyse antibody-treated human erythrocytes. Using Group A red cells and a hyperimmune anti-A1 serum, we have devised a microassay for the cytolytic capacity of mononuclear cell suspensions. The effector cells responsible for red-cell lysis are mononuclear, adherent and phagocytic, and their activity is blocked by aggregated IgG. Their presence correlates well with non-specific esterase-containing cells and we conclude that they are monocytes. Dose-response curves of red-cell lysis plotted against numbers of monocytes were used to derive a simple parameter expressing the number of monocytes needed to lyse 15% of the 51Cr-labelled red cells. The assay was applied to a group of 27 normal controls and 36 patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of malignant melanoma. The results indicate that monocytes from patients show significantly greater lytic activity than those from the controls. These data suggest that monocytes from cancer patients are in some way activated, and that other defects in monocyte function which have been detected in cancer patients (defective chemotaxis and maturation) may be associated with monocyte \"activation\".", "contents": "Monocytes and macrophages in malignant melanoma. II. Lysis of antibody-coated human erythrocytes as an assay of monocyte function. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells will lyse antibody-treated human erythrocytes. Using Group A red cells and a hyperimmune anti-A1 serum, we have devised a microassay for the cytolytic capacity of mononuclear cell suspensions. The effector cells responsible for red-cell lysis are mononuclear, adherent and phagocytic, and their activity is blocked by aggregated IgG. Their presence correlates well with non-specific esterase-containing cells and we conclude that they are monocytes. Dose-response curves of red-cell lysis plotted against numbers of monocytes were used to derive a simple parameter expressing the number of monocytes needed to lyse 15% of the 51Cr-labelled red cells. The assay was applied to a group of 27 normal controls and 36 patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of malignant melanoma. The results indicate that monocytes from patients show significantly greater lytic activity than those from the controls. These data suggest that monocytes from cancer patients are in some way activated, and that other defects in monocyte function which have been detected in cancer patients (defective chemotaxis and maturation) may be associated with monocyte \"activation\".", "PMID": 638013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11565", "title": "Studies with a spontaneous mouse tumor. I. Growth in normal mice and response to Corynebacterium parvum.", "content": "Growth of isogeneic transplants of a spontaneous murine adenocarcinoma, which is virtually devoid of tumour-specific transplantation antigens, is inhibited by i.v. injection of C. parvum 3 days after tumour inoculation, or by mixing a small dose of C. parvum with the tumour inoculum. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of cyclophosphamide, followed by i.v. or i.p. injection of C. parvum 5 days later, on established transplants of the same tumour is greater than that of cyclophosphamide alone. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in both situations (i.e. before the appearance of a palpable tumour and after reduction of an established tumour transplant with cyclophosphamide) the effect of C. parvum is largely due to activation of macrophages or macrophage precursors. They have the important practical implication that adjuvant therapy with C. parvum may be of value, even with tumours which are devoid of TSTA.", "contents": "Studies with a spontaneous mouse tumor. I. Growth in normal mice and response to Corynebacterium parvum. Growth of isogeneic transplants of a spontaneous murine adenocarcinoma, which is virtually devoid of tumour-specific transplantation antigens, is inhibited by i.v. injection of C. parvum 3 days after tumour inoculation, or by mixing a small dose of C. parvum with the tumour inoculum. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of cyclophosphamide, followed by i.v. or i.p. injection of C. parvum 5 days later, on established transplants of the same tumour is greater than that of cyclophosphamide alone. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in both situations (i.e. before the appearance of a palpable tumour and after reduction of an established tumour transplant with cyclophosphamide) the effect of C. parvum is largely due to activation of macrophages or macrophage precursors. They have the important practical implication that adjuvant therapy with C. parvum may be of value, even with tumours which are devoid of TSTA.", "PMID": 638014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11566", "title": "Extrapulmonary colony formation after intravenous injection of tumour cells into heparin-treated animals.", "content": "Recent data on extrapulmonary colony formation after heparin administration are inconclusive. A systematic study of this topic was undertaken with 4 experimental tumour systems and 2 distinct periods of reduced clotting capacity in rats and mice. I.v. injection of various numbers of tumour cells into i.p. heparinized animals leads to: (1) Significant reduction in the number of lung colonies. The effect after 9 h anti-coagulation is equal to or probably greater than after 2 h. (2) The reduction in the number of lung colonies caused by heparin is independent of the number of cells injected. (3) The number of extrapulmonary extrathoracic colonies is significantly increased by heparin in 3 of the 4 tumour systems. (4) The number of extrapulmonary intrathoracic colonies is probably unaffected. (5) The increase in extrapulmonary extrathoracic colony formation is not related to the degree of reduction in lung colonies. These data lead to the conclusion that the capacity of the lung capillaries to trap tumour cells can be decreased by heparin-induced alterations in fibrin formation. This results in a lodgement of tumour cells throughout the body which is far more pronounced than in animals with normal clotting capacity.", "contents": "Extrapulmonary colony formation after intravenous injection of tumour cells into heparin-treated animals. Recent data on extrapulmonary colony formation after heparin administration are inconclusive. A systematic study of this topic was undertaken with 4 experimental tumour systems and 2 distinct periods of reduced clotting capacity in rats and mice. I.v. injection of various numbers of tumour cells into i.p. heparinized animals leads to: (1) Significant reduction in the number of lung colonies. The effect after 9 h anti-coagulation is equal to or probably greater than after 2 h. (2) The reduction in the number of lung colonies caused by heparin is independent of the number of cells injected. (3) The number of extrapulmonary extrathoracic colonies is significantly increased by heparin in 3 of the 4 tumour systems. (4) The number of extrapulmonary intrathoracic colonies is probably unaffected. (5) The increase in extrapulmonary extrathoracic colony formation is not related to the degree of reduction in lung colonies. These data lead to the conclusion that the capacity of the lung capillaries to trap tumour cells can be decreased by heparin-induced alterations in fibrin formation. This results in a lodgement of tumour cells throughout the body which is far more pronounced than in animals with normal clotting capacity.", "PMID": 638015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11567", "title": "Responses of proliferating and non-proliferating Chinese hamster cells to cytotoxic agents.", "content": "The effects of various cytotoxic chemicals, as measured by viable cell counts, colony-forming ability and proliferative capacity, have been studied using Chinese hamster cells in exponential and plateau (stationary) phases of growth. The proliferating cells were altogether more sensitive to the action of the drugs than non-proliferating cells. However, imuran (azathioprine) a purine antimetabolite, was more effective against the plateau-phase cells. The observed response of cells to imuran could be detected at a wide range of concentrations (1-100 microgram/ml). These findings are discussed in view of the possible ability of imuran to interfere with active metabolic processes in non-proliferating cells.", "contents": "Responses of proliferating and non-proliferating Chinese hamster cells to cytotoxic agents. The effects of various cytotoxic chemicals, as measured by viable cell counts, colony-forming ability and proliferative capacity, have been studied using Chinese hamster cells in exponential and plateau (stationary) phases of growth. The proliferating cells were altogether more sensitive to the action of the drugs than non-proliferating cells. However, imuran (azathioprine) a purine antimetabolite, was more effective against the plateau-phase cells. The observed response of cells to imuran could be detected at a wide range of concentrations (1-100 microgram/ml). These findings are discussed in view of the possible ability of imuran to interfere with active metabolic processes in non-proliferating cells.", "PMID": 638016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11568", "title": "Different esterase activities of exponential and plateau phases of EMT6 cells monitored by flow cytofluorimetry.", "content": "The reaction rates of enzymes hydrolysing fluorescein diacetate have been studied in populations of intact tissue-culture EMT6, cells using flow cytofluorimetric techniques. It was found that the activity of these enzymes increased in plateau phases and that this correlated inversely with plating efficiency. Highly abnormal substrate-dependent reaction velocity kinetics were found in 14-, 21-, 28- and 35-day cultures.", "contents": "Different esterase activities of exponential and plateau phases of EMT6 cells monitored by flow cytofluorimetry. The reaction rates of enzymes hydrolysing fluorescein diacetate have been studied in populations of intact tissue-culture EMT6, cells using flow cytofluorimetric techniques. It was found that the activity of these enzymes increased in plateau phases and that this correlated inversely with plating efficiency. Highly abnormal substrate-dependent reaction velocity kinetics were found in 14-, 21-, 28- and 35-day cultures.", "PMID": 638017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11569", "title": "Effect of interaction between methotrexate and dihydrofolate reductase on DNA synthesis in L1210 cells in vitro.", "content": "L1210 leukaemia cells were preloaded with [(3)H methotrexate] (MTX) to saturate high-affinity intracellular sites, and were then incubated with [(3)H]MTX to determine the steady-state intracellular MTX concentrations at extracellular concentrations ranging from 10 \u03bcM to zero. In addition, incubations to generate incomplete saturation of high-affinity intracellular MTX-binding sites were also carried out. Following determination of the total intracellular MTX, cells were pulsed with deoxyuridine (UdR) and its incorporation into DNA examined to assess the role of exchangeable and bound intracellular MTX on DNA synthesis. Further, cell pellets were disrupted and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity determined under each experimental condition. Extracellular MTX concentrations in excess of 1 \u03bcM depressed UdR incorporation to <2% of control, but incorporation rapidly recovered to 62% of control at the point of MTX-DHFR equivalence, and exceeded control values when all high-affinity sites were not saturated. DHFR activity was undetectable at extracellular MTX concentrations >0.50 \u03bcM, and never exceeded 6.09% of control at the \"equivalence point\" where all high-affinity sites were saturated. When less than 10% of potential inhibitor sites were occupied, enzyme activity increased rapidly, but never reached control. However, 5% of the DHFR activity was sufficient to permit UdR incorporation to continue at 50% of control levels, and UdR incorporation returned to control levels at 20% of the DHFR activity. The relationship between cellular MTX content and DNA synthesis or DHFR activity is sigmoid, suggesting a reversible interaction between enzyme and inhibitor. This lends support to the notion that \"free\" intracellular MTX is necessary for a maximal antitumour effect, and may explain its role in \"high-dose\" MTX therapy in man.", "contents": "Effect of interaction between methotrexate and dihydrofolate reductase on DNA synthesis in L1210 cells in vitro. L1210 leukaemia cells were preloaded with [(3)H methotrexate] (MTX) to saturate high-affinity intracellular sites, and were then incubated with [(3)H]MTX to determine the steady-state intracellular MTX concentrations at extracellular concentrations ranging from 10 \u03bcM to zero. In addition, incubations to generate incomplete saturation of high-affinity intracellular MTX-binding sites were also carried out. Following determination of the total intracellular MTX, cells were pulsed with deoxyuridine (UdR) and its incorporation into DNA examined to assess the role of exchangeable and bound intracellular MTX on DNA synthesis. Further, cell pellets were disrupted and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity determined under each experimental condition. Extracellular MTX concentrations in excess of 1 \u03bcM depressed UdR incorporation to <2% of control, but incorporation rapidly recovered to 62% of control at the point of MTX-DHFR equivalence, and exceeded control values when all high-affinity sites were not saturated. DHFR activity was undetectable at extracellular MTX concentrations >0.50 \u03bcM, and never exceeded 6.09% of control at the \"equivalence point\" where all high-affinity sites were saturated. When less than 10% of potential inhibitor sites were occupied, enzyme activity increased rapidly, but never reached control. However, 5% of the DHFR activity was sufficient to permit UdR incorporation to continue at 50% of control levels, and UdR incorporation returned to control levels at 20% of the DHFR activity. The relationship between cellular MTX content and DNA synthesis or DHFR activity is sigmoid, suggesting a reversible interaction between enzyme and inhibitor. This lends support to the notion that \"free\" intracellular MTX is necessary for a maximal antitumour effect, and may explain its role in \"high-dose\" MTX therapy in man.", "PMID": 638018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11570", "title": "Differences in metabolism of vinylidene chloride between mice and rats.", "content": "The present finding that mice metabolize a greater proportion of an oral dose (50 mg/kg) of vinylidence chloride. (1,1 - dichloroethylene, DCE) than rats implies (a) that the efficiency of DCE metabolism follows the known activity of cytochrome P-450 in the organs of these animals, and (b) that, in accordance with the LD(50) values, the real exposure (expressed as the amount of DCE metabolized) is relatively higher for orally dosed mice than rats, and (c) that DCE carcinogenicity would appear to be more likely in mice than rats.Mice metabolize DCE simiarly to rats (Jones and Hathway, 1977) but there are some differences. Thus, qualitatively, treated mice (but not rats) excrete a small amount of N-acetyl-S-(2carboxymethyl)cysteine. Quantitatively, (i) the relative proportions of the N-acetyl-S-(2-cysteinyl acetyl derivative that are formed in mice and rats parallel the activity of liver glutathione-S-epoxide transferase in these rodents, and (ii) there are marked differences in the proportions of DCE metabolites belonging to the chloroacetic acid branch of the metabolic pathway. Furthermore, the previously assumed \u03b2-thionase hydrolysis of thiodiglycollic acid (Jones and Hathway, 1977) is now established in vivo, and the possible biogenesis of the N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl acetyl derivative is verified by another tracer study. The conclusion is drawn that the DCE metabolites, 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide and chloroacetyl chloride, may be important to murine DCE carcinogenicity.", "contents": "Differences in metabolism of vinylidene chloride between mice and rats. The present finding that mice metabolize a greater proportion of an oral dose (50 mg/kg) of vinylidence chloride. (1,1 - dichloroethylene, DCE) than rats implies (a) that the efficiency of DCE metabolism follows the known activity of cytochrome P-450 in the organs of these animals, and (b) that, in accordance with the LD(50) values, the real exposure (expressed as the amount of DCE metabolized) is relatively higher for orally dosed mice than rats, and (c) that DCE carcinogenicity would appear to be more likely in mice than rats.Mice metabolize DCE simiarly to rats (Jones and Hathway, 1977) but there are some differences. Thus, qualitatively, treated mice (but not rats) excrete a small amount of N-acetyl-S-(2carboxymethyl)cysteine. Quantitatively, (i) the relative proportions of the N-acetyl-S-(2-cysteinyl acetyl derivative that are formed in mice and rats parallel the activity of liver glutathione-S-epoxide transferase in these rodents, and (ii) there are marked differences in the proportions of DCE metabolites belonging to the chloroacetic acid branch of the metabolic pathway. Furthermore, the previously assumed \u03b2-thionase hydrolysis of thiodiglycollic acid (Jones and Hathway, 1977) is now established in vivo, and the possible biogenesis of the N-acetyl-S-cysteinyl acetyl derivative is verified by another tracer study. The conclusion is drawn that the DCE metabolites, 1,1-dichloroethylene oxide and chloroacetyl chloride, may be important to murine DCE carcinogenicity.", "PMID": 638019} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11571", "title": "Long-term effects of phenobarbitone-Na on male Fischer rats.", "content": "Male inbred Fischer rats were fed phenobarbitone-Na at a level of 500 parts/10(6) in the diet for 1 week, followed by 1000 parts 10(6) for 103 weeks at which time the survivors were killed. Thirty-three treated rats survived to 80 weeks. Before 80 weeks, no animals showed hyperplastic lesions. Of the 33 rats surviving 80 weeks and more, 11 had foci of nodular hyperplasia. These foci were usually small, but one animal killed at 102 weeks had a lesion of 0.75 cm diameter, which compressed the surrounding liver. In one case was evidence of local invasion or metastasis found. All the livers had evidence of parenchymal cell damage. No evidence of nodular hyperplasia was found in the controls. It is concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that phenobarbitone-Na induced neoplasm in the liver of male Fischer rats.", "contents": "Long-term effects of phenobarbitone-Na on male Fischer rats. Male inbred Fischer rats were fed phenobarbitone-Na at a level of 500 parts/10(6) in the diet for 1 week, followed by 1000 parts 10(6) for 103 weeks at which time the survivors were killed. Thirty-three treated rats survived to 80 weeks. Before 80 weeks, no animals showed hyperplastic lesions. Of the 33 rats surviving 80 weeks and more, 11 had foci of nodular hyperplasia. These foci were usually small, but one animal killed at 102 weeks had a lesion of 0.75 cm diameter, which compressed the surrounding liver. In one case was evidence of local invasion or metastasis found. All the livers had evidence of parenchymal cell damage. No evidence of nodular hyperplasia was found in the controls. It is concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that phenobarbitone-Na induced neoplasm in the liver of male Fischer rats.", "PMID": 638020} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11572", "title": "Fibrinolytic activity of cultured cells derived during ethylnitrosourea-induced carcinogenesis of rat brain.", "content": "Using a fibrin-agarose-overlay technique, high levels of plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity have been demonstrated in cell lines derived from an ethylnitrosourea-induced glioma of the rat brain. Cell lines derived from normal adult rat brain showed only low levels of activity. The degree of lysis produced by a cell line was dependent on the average number of cells per colony, and a different pattern of response was observed for tumour and normal cell lines. A good positive correlation existed between the level of fibrinolytic activity, growth in agar and tumourigenicity of a cell line. Fibrinolytic activity was associated with cell lines derived at various times in the latent period, before the appearance of a visible tumour. Many cell lines derived from rat brains at 57-60 (E7), 90-91 (E8) and 111-112 (E6) days after transplacental exposure to ethylnitrosourea showed fibrinolytic activity, and in the latter group the close association with growth in agar and tumourigenicity was also demonstrated. Results from cell lines derived in the E7 and E8 experiments indicated that the possession of fibrinolytic activity preceded the ability of cells to form colonies in agar.", "contents": "Fibrinolytic activity of cultured cells derived during ethylnitrosourea-induced carcinogenesis of rat brain. Using a fibrin-agarose-overlay technique, high levels of plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity have been demonstrated in cell lines derived from an ethylnitrosourea-induced glioma of the rat brain. Cell lines derived from normal adult rat brain showed only low levels of activity. The degree of lysis produced by a cell line was dependent on the average number of cells per colony, and a different pattern of response was observed for tumour and normal cell lines. A good positive correlation existed between the level of fibrinolytic activity, growth in agar and tumourigenicity of a cell line. Fibrinolytic activity was associated with cell lines derived at various times in the latent period, before the appearance of a visible tumour. Many cell lines derived from rat brains at 57-60 (E7), 90-91 (E8) and 111-112 (E6) days after transplacental exposure to ethylnitrosourea showed fibrinolytic activity, and in the latter group the close association with growth in agar and tumourigenicity was also demonstrated. Results from cell lines derived in the E7 and E8 experiments indicated that the possession of fibrinolytic activity preceded the ability of cells to form colonies in agar.", "PMID": 638021} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11573", "title": "Management of trials in the development of cancer chemotherapy.", "content": "Potential anti-cancer agents have classically undergone clinical assessment in Phase I, II and III trials. This paper examines the role of these trials and pre-clinical studies in the light of improving cancer chemotherapy. Many patients must now be treated with standard therapy before investigational drugs can be ethically used. The introduction of combined modality trials will require a very prolonged follow-up to demonstrate improved survival and recognize late onset of chronic toxicity.", "contents": "Management of trials in the development of cancer chemotherapy. Potential anti-cancer agents have classically undergone clinical assessment in Phase I, II and III trials. This paper examines the role of these trials and pre-clinical studies in the light of improving cancer chemotherapy. Many patients must now be treated with standard therapy before investigational drugs can be ethically used. The introduction of combined modality trials will require a very prolonged follow-up to demonstrate improved survival and recognize late onset of chronic toxicity.", "PMID": 638022} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11574", "title": "Pre-cancers and liability to other diseases.", "content": "Data of 10,556 case-control pairs from the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers and related sources have shown that when cancers originate in the reticuloendothelial system (RES neoplasms) they are liable to cause loss of immunological competence before they are clinically recognizable. Since these early effects may have lethal consequences, the true prevalence of RES neoplasms is difficult to identify, especially in infection-sensitive age groups and populations with high death rates from infection. An inevitable consequence of a nuclear holocaust is a high infection death rate. Therefore, a population of A-bomb survivors is a totally unsuitable one for studying the precise nature of the association between ionizing radiation and human cancers.", "contents": "Pre-cancers and liability to other diseases. Data of 10,556 case-control pairs from the Oxford Survey of Childhood Cancers and related sources have shown that when cancers originate in the reticuloendothelial system (RES neoplasms) they are liable to cause loss of immunological competence before they are clinically recognizable. Since these early effects may have lethal consequences, the true prevalence of RES neoplasms is difficult to identify, especially in infection-sensitive age groups and populations with high death rates from infection. An inevitable consequence of a nuclear holocaust is a high infection death rate. Therefore, a population of A-bomb survivors is a totally unsuitable one for studying the precise nature of the association between ionizing radiation and human cancers.", "PMID": 638023} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11575", "title": "Biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins by mast cells.", "content": "Rat mast cells, isolated from peritoneal fluids, were found to release substantial amounts of immunoreactive E-type prostaglandin when stimulated in vitro by foetal calf serum or incubated in the presence of arachidonic acid. Extracellular accumulation of iPGE reflected synthesis, rather than release of preformed material, since it was abolished by indomethacin, a potent and relatively specific inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase. Hydrocortisone and Compound 48/80, in such experimental conditions, did not affect PGE release.", "contents": "Biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins by mast cells. Rat mast cells, isolated from peritoneal fluids, were found to release substantial amounts of immunoreactive E-type prostaglandin when stimulated in vitro by foetal calf serum or incubated in the presence of arachidonic acid. Extracellular accumulation of iPGE reflected synthesis, rather than release of preformed material, since it was abolished by indomethacin, a potent and relatively specific inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase. Hydrocortisone and Compound 48/80, in such experimental conditions, did not affect PGE release.", "PMID": 638026} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11576", "title": "Myocardial changes after infection with Coxsackie virus B3 in nude mice.", "content": "Athymic BALB/c-nu/nu (nu/nu) mice were inoculated i.p. with Coxsackie virus B3. The infected nu/nu mice were studied histopathologically, virologically and serologically in comparison with BALB/c-nu/+ (nu/+), BALB/c-+/+(+/+) and conventional ddY/S mice inoculated with the same virus. The virus titre in the hearts of nu/nu mice was roughly similar to that of nu/+ or +/+ and was higher than that of ddY/S. The neutralizing antibody titre in nu/nu mice was slightly lower than that of nu/+ or +/+ mice and somewhat lower than that of ddY/S mice. Histopathologically, there was a lack of mononuclear cells in myocarditis produced by Coxsackie virus B3 in athymic nu/nu mice. In contrast, myocarditis with mononuclear cell infiltrations were found in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. The lack of mononuclear cell reaction was a distinguishing difference in the myocardial changes of athymic nu/nu mice from those in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. The incidence in the myocardial lesions of nu/nu mice was about the same as those in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. However, the intensity of the myocardial changes of nu/nu mice was significantly less than that of other three groups. From the histopathological viewpoint, it is suggested that inflammatory response in the myocardium of mice infected with Coxsackie virus B3 is thymus-dependent.", "contents": "Myocardial changes after infection with Coxsackie virus B3 in nude mice. Athymic BALB/c-nu/nu (nu/nu) mice were inoculated i.p. with Coxsackie virus B3. The infected nu/nu mice were studied histopathologically, virologically and serologically in comparison with BALB/c-nu/+ (nu/+), BALB/c-+/+(+/+) and conventional ddY/S mice inoculated with the same virus. The virus titre in the hearts of nu/nu mice was roughly similar to that of nu/+ or +/+ and was higher than that of ddY/S. The neutralizing antibody titre in nu/nu mice was slightly lower than that of nu/+ or +/+ mice and somewhat lower than that of ddY/S mice. Histopathologically, there was a lack of mononuclear cells in myocarditis produced by Coxsackie virus B3 in athymic nu/nu mice. In contrast, myocarditis with mononuclear cell infiltrations were found in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. The lack of mononuclear cell reaction was a distinguishing difference in the myocardial changes of athymic nu/nu mice from those in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. The incidence in the myocardial lesions of nu/nu mice was about the same as those in nu/+, +/+ and ddY/S mice. However, the intensity of the myocardial changes of nu/nu mice was significantly less than that of other three groups. From the histopathological viewpoint, it is suggested that inflammatory response in the myocardium of mice infected with Coxsackie virus B3 is thymus-dependent.", "PMID": 638027} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11577", "title": "Specific immunity to influenza virus in ferret organ cultures.", "content": "Ferret tracheal organ cultures prepared from animals previously infected intranasally with influenza A virus required approximately 130 times more homologous virus (A/PR/8/34(HON1) or A/Port Chalmers/1/73 (H3N2)) to become infected in vitro than similar cultures from normal ferrets. Also, these cultures from convalescent ferrets required 9 times more heterologous virus (A/PR/8/34(HON1) or Sendai) to become infected in vitro than similar cultures from normal animals challenged in vitro with the hererologous virus. We conclude that these tracheal rings are specifically immune. Once tracheal rings are infected, they continue to shed viruses for at least 60 days, the longest period any cultures were kept. Virus sheeding in the intact ferret lasts normally 5-7 days. Thus recovery in the intact ferret seems to be dependent upon factors which are not present, or at least not functional, in the tracheal explant. This is consistent with the hypothesis that recovery is dependent upon systemic rather than local phenomena. Bladder tissue from normal and previously infected ferrets was also cultured and challenged with homologous and heterologous virus. The bladder from previously infected ferrets exhibited specific immunity, although the immunity was more varible.", "contents": "Specific immunity to influenza virus in ferret organ cultures. Ferret tracheal organ cultures prepared from animals previously infected intranasally with influenza A virus required approximately 130 times more homologous virus (A/PR/8/34(HON1) or A/Port Chalmers/1/73 (H3N2)) to become infected in vitro than similar cultures from normal ferrets. Also, these cultures from convalescent ferrets required 9 times more heterologous virus (A/PR/8/34(HON1) or Sendai) to become infected in vitro than similar cultures from normal animals challenged in vitro with the hererologous virus. We conclude that these tracheal rings are specifically immune. Once tracheal rings are infected, they continue to shed viruses for at least 60 days, the longest period any cultures were kept. Virus sheeding in the intact ferret lasts normally 5-7 days. Thus recovery in the intact ferret seems to be dependent upon factors which are not present, or at least not functional, in the tracheal explant. This is consistent with the hypothesis that recovery is dependent upon systemic rather than local phenomena. Bladder tissue from normal and previously infected ferrets was also cultured and challenged with homologous and heterologous virus. The bladder from previously infected ferrets exhibited specific immunity, although the immunity was more varible.", "PMID": 638028} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11578", "title": "Quantitative studies on the accumulation of serum albumin and erythrocytes in mouse paw oedema induced by bradykinin or thermal injury.", "content": "The accumulation of 125I-labelled serum albumin and 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes was measured in mouse paw oedema induced by bradykinin or by heating the paw at 46.5 degrees. The extravasating fluid in bradykinin oedema consistently contained 50% of the albumin concentration of plasma, whereas the extravasating fluid induced by thermal injury initially had a low albumin content, but it progressively increased over a period of 30-40 min to equal albumin levels in plasma. Thermal injury also caused the extravascular accumulation of erythrocytes. Errors involved in attempting to measure the albumin content of the additional extravascular fluid in inflammation are discussed. Adrenaline suppressed bradykinin oedema, but potentiated thermal injury. These results do not support the view that bradykinin is the inflammatory mediator in thermally-induced oedema.", "contents": "Quantitative studies on the accumulation of serum albumin and erythrocytes in mouse paw oedema induced by bradykinin or thermal injury. The accumulation of 125I-labelled serum albumin and 51Cr-labelled erythrocytes was measured in mouse paw oedema induced by bradykinin or by heating the paw at 46.5 degrees. The extravasating fluid in bradykinin oedema consistently contained 50% of the albumin concentration of plasma, whereas the extravasating fluid induced by thermal injury initially had a low albumin content, but it progressively increased over a period of 30-40 min to equal albumin levels in plasma. Thermal injury also caused the extravascular accumulation of erythrocytes. Errors involved in attempting to measure the albumin content of the additional extravascular fluid in inflammation are discussed. Adrenaline suppressed bradykinin oedema, but potentiated thermal injury. These results do not support the view that bradykinin is the inflammatory mediator in thermally-induced oedema.", "PMID": 638029} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11579", "title": "The significance of secondary gram-negative coliform infection of the lungs of mice with influenzal pneumonitis.", "content": "Influenza-virus-induced pneumonia of mice was consistently shown to be associated with secondary infection with coliform organisms. Treatment with gentamicin effectively sterilized the lungs of these mice but had no effect on either mortality or extent of the pneumonic process. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "contents": "The significance of secondary gram-negative coliform infection of the lungs of mice with influenzal pneumonitis. Influenza-virus-induced pneumonia of mice was consistently shown to be associated with secondary infection with coliform organisms. Treatment with gentamicin effectively sterilized the lungs of these mice but had no effect on either mortality or extent of the pneumonic process. The significance of these findings is discussed.", "PMID": 638030} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11580", "title": "Metyrapone-induced cardiovascular degenerative changes in non-arteriosclerotic and arteriosclerotic rats.", "content": "Virgin and breeder, male and female, Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and given 1% saline drinking water. Animals were injected i.p., twice daily, with a 10 mg/100 g body wt dose of the 11-beta hydroxylation inhibitor, Metyrapone. After 7 weeks of treatment, both the previously nonarteriosclerotic virgin rats and the breeder rats with pre-existing arteriosclerosis developed de nove, widely distributed, intimal hyalinization of their peripheral arteries along with myocardial fibrosis and hyalinization of their intramyocardial coronary arteries. The Metyrapone-treated animals developed severe hypertension with greatly elevated serum creatin phosphokinase, glucose, BUN and cholesterol levels. The adrenal glands, hearts, and kidneys were greatly hypertrophied, in keeping with Metyrapone-induced extra ACTH release and the hypertension-induced myocardial and renal histopathology. Uniparous, Metyrapone-treated, female rats manifested an unusually high incidence of saccular aneurysms of the aorta. It is suggested that the hypertension and the intimal hyalinization and other specific morphologic characteristics of the cardiovascular degenerative changes observed were directly related to excess production of mineralocorticoids, e.g., deoxycorticosterone.", "contents": "Metyrapone-induced cardiovascular degenerative changes in non-arteriosclerotic and arteriosclerotic rats. Virgin and breeder, male and female, Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and given 1% saline drinking water. Animals were injected i.p., twice daily, with a 10 mg/100 g body wt dose of the 11-beta hydroxylation inhibitor, Metyrapone. After 7 weeks of treatment, both the previously nonarteriosclerotic virgin rats and the breeder rats with pre-existing arteriosclerosis developed de nove, widely distributed, intimal hyalinization of their peripheral arteries along with myocardial fibrosis and hyalinization of their intramyocardial coronary arteries. The Metyrapone-treated animals developed severe hypertension with greatly elevated serum creatin phosphokinase, glucose, BUN and cholesterol levels. The adrenal glands, hearts, and kidneys were greatly hypertrophied, in keeping with Metyrapone-induced extra ACTH release and the hypertension-induced myocardial and renal histopathology. Uniparous, Metyrapone-treated, female rats manifested an unusually high incidence of saccular aneurysms of the aorta. It is suggested that the hypertension and the intimal hyalinization and other specific morphologic characteristics of the cardiovascular degenerative changes observed were directly related to excess production of mineralocorticoids, e.g., deoxycorticosterone.", "PMID": 638031} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11581", "title": "Effects of fever on host defense mechanisms after infection in the lizard Dipsosaurus dorsalis.", "content": "Fever has never been proven beneficial in mammals, although it enhances survival in the lizard D. dorsalis infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. We examined the course of the infection and the function of host defence in febrile (41 degrees) and afebrile (35 degrees or 38 degrees) animals using this model. Infected, febrile lizards had sterile blood cultures, and 1-2 logs fewer bacteria in body tissues 6-12 h after infection. Granulocytes appeared early and in large numbers at the site of inoculation in febrile, but not afebrile, animals. We were unable to demonstrate effects of this small range of temperatures on in vitro growth rates of bacteria, on lizard granulocyte chemotactic or phagocytic functions, or upon serum antibody levels. Our results suggest that fever enhances some aspect of the early inflammatory response, leading to increased leucocyte emigration at the local site and containment of the infection.", "contents": "Effects of fever on host defense mechanisms after infection in the lizard Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Fever has never been proven beneficial in mammals, although it enhances survival in the lizard D. dorsalis infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. We examined the course of the infection and the function of host defence in febrile (41 degrees) and afebrile (35 degrees or 38 degrees) animals using this model. Infected, febrile lizards had sterile blood cultures, and 1-2 logs fewer bacteria in body tissues 6-12 h after infection. Granulocytes appeared early and in large numbers at the site of inoculation in febrile, but not afebrile, animals. We were unable to demonstrate effects of this small range of temperatures on in vitro growth rates of bacteria, on lizard granulocyte chemotactic or phagocytic functions, or upon serum antibody levels. Our results suggest that fever enhances some aspect of the early inflammatory response, leading to increased leucocyte emigration at the local site and containment of the infection.", "PMID": 638032} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11582", "title": "Hepatic blood flow studies in the rat before and after portacaval transposition.", "content": "Portacaval transposition diverts portal blood from the liver and allows systemic venous blood from the caudal inferior vena cava to perfuse the portal bed. Measurement of hepatic tissue blood flow before and after portacaval transposition and its relationship to the liver atrophy seen after portacaval transposition is important. Sequential measurements of hepatic tissue blood flow carried out before and after portacaval transposition have been made using the clearance of the inert radioactive gas 85Krypton after injection into the portal bed. These measurements reveal that hepatic tissue blood flow is not diminished following the operation. The relative liver atrophy seen after portacaval transposition is therefore consequent on portal venous diversion but not on diminished hepatic perfusion.", "contents": "Hepatic blood flow studies in the rat before and after portacaval transposition. Portacaval transposition diverts portal blood from the liver and allows systemic venous blood from the caudal inferior vena cava to perfuse the portal bed. Measurement of hepatic tissue blood flow before and after portacaval transposition and its relationship to the liver atrophy seen after portacaval transposition is important. Sequential measurements of hepatic tissue blood flow carried out before and after portacaval transposition have been made using the clearance of the inert radioactive gas 85Krypton after injection into the portal bed. These measurements reveal that hepatic tissue blood flow is not diminished following the operation. The relative liver atrophy seen after portacaval transposition is therefore consequent on portal venous diversion but not on diminished hepatic perfusion.", "PMID": 638033} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11583", "title": "Cell degeneration and necrosis in experimental gliomas.", "content": "Cell degeneration and necrosis in ethylnitrosourea-induced gliomas of rats were examined using light and electron microscopy. Two types of cell loss were observed: massive necrosis and individual cell death. Massive necrosis was influenced by the size, malignancy and histological type of the gliomas: it occurred most frequently in large, malignant pleomorphic gliomas and epindymomas. Proliferation of endothelial cells, narrowing of vascular lumina and degenerative changes affecting vessel walls were thought to be the major factors causing necrosis. Individual cell death occurred throughout the neoplasms irrespective of their size. Progressive degenerative changes, involving both the nucleus and cytoplasm, preceded cell death. Macrophages (both microglial and monocytic in origin). reacting astrocytes and, to a lesser extent, neoplastic glial cells engulfed and digested the necrotic cells and their remnants.", "contents": "Cell degeneration and necrosis in experimental gliomas. Cell degeneration and necrosis in ethylnitrosourea-induced gliomas of rats were examined using light and electron microscopy. Two types of cell loss were observed: massive necrosis and individual cell death. Massive necrosis was influenced by the size, malignancy and histological type of the gliomas: it occurred most frequently in large, malignant pleomorphic gliomas and epindymomas. Proliferation of endothelial cells, narrowing of vascular lumina and degenerative changes affecting vessel walls were thought to be the major factors causing necrosis. Individual cell death occurred throughout the neoplasms irrespective of their size. Progressive degenerative changes, involving both the nucleus and cytoplasm, preceded cell death. Macrophages (both microglial and monocytic in origin). reacting astrocytes and, to a lesser extent, neoplastic glial cells engulfed and digested the necrotic cells and their remnants.", "PMID": 638034} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11584", "title": "A morphological assessment of the stimulatory effect of coumarin on macrophages.", "content": "In examining the migration of macrophages on to subcutaneously implanted coverslips in rats, it was found that coumarin (5-6 benzo-alpha-pyrone) and a preparation (Venalot) containing the former, very significantly increased the total macrophage number as well as the percentage of stimulation on the skin side of the coverslip. For the muscle side, Venalot increased the total numbers and the percentage stimulated while coumarin alone had no effect compared with the control. It remains to be seen whether these stimulated macrophages are also activated.", "contents": "A morphological assessment of the stimulatory effect of coumarin on macrophages. In examining the migration of macrophages on to subcutaneously implanted coverslips in rats, it was found that coumarin (5-6 benzo-alpha-pyrone) and a preparation (Venalot) containing the former, very significantly increased the total macrophage number as well as the percentage of stimulation on the skin side of the coverslip. For the muscle side, Venalot increased the total numbers and the percentage stimulated while coumarin alone had no effect compared with the control. It remains to be seen whether these stimulated macrophages are also activated.", "PMID": 638035} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11585", "title": "Host responses to cryoablation of normal kidney and liver tissue.", "content": "Following cryoablation of one kidney in Strain-2 guinea-pigs, the viable opposite kidney was assessed by functional, histological and immunopathological techniques for evidence of immunologically mediated damage. The autoantibody content of postoperative sera was also examined. Control operations involved ligation, surgical nephrectomy and the production of hepatic cryolesions. The results indicate that autoantibody production and glomerular deposition of immune complexes can occur and may cause abnormal passage of hippuran through the kidney. There is no evidence for autoallergy against highly tissue-specific determinants; the specificity, strength and time course of the reactions obtained was dependent on the site of the lesion, whether or not freezing was accompanied by ligation.", "contents": "Host responses to cryoablation of normal kidney and liver tissue. Following cryoablation of one kidney in Strain-2 guinea-pigs, the viable opposite kidney was assessed by functional, histological and immunopathological techniques for evidence of immunologically mediated damage. The autoantibody content of postoperative sera was also examined. Control operations involved ligation, surgical nephrectomy and the production of hepatic cryolesions. The results indicate that autoantibody production and glomerular deposition of immune complexes can occur and may cause abnormal passage of hippuran through the kidney. There is no evidence for autoallergy against highly tissue-specific determinants; the specificity, strength and time course of the reactions obtained was dependent on the site of the lesion, whether or not freezing was accompanied by ligation.", "PMID": 638036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11586", "title": "Cellular fine structure in the invasive nodules of different histogenetic types of malignant melanoma.", "content": "Ultrastructural studies were carried out on the invasive nodule of forty malignant melanomas. The findings support the concept that the fine structure of lentigo maligna melanoma is often characteristic, and differs from that of superficial spreading and nodular melanoma. The melanosomes in lentigo maligna melanoma are usually ellipsoidal and resemble those of normal melanocytes, whereas the melanosomes in superficial spreading and nodular melanoma are most often spheroidal and abnormal in appearance. Superficial spreading and nodular melanomas cannot be distinguished reliably by their ultrastructure. Melanosomal appearances could not be related to the presence of a pre-existing naevus or the depth of invasion of the tumour nodule.", "contents": "Cellular fine structure in the invasive nodules of different histogenetic types of malignant melanoma. Ultrastructural studies were carried out on the invasive nodule of forty malignant melanomas. The findings support the concept that the fine structure of lentigo maligna melanoma is often characteristic, and differs from that of superficial spreading and nodular melanoma. The melanosomes in lentigo maligna melanoma are usually ellipsoidal and resemble those of normal melanocytes, whereas the melanosomes in superficial spreading and nodular melanoma are most often spheroidal and abnormal in appearance. Superficial spreading and nodular melanomas cannot be distinguished reliably by their ultrastructure. Melanosomal appearances could not be related to the presence of a pre-existing naevus or the depth of invasion of the tumour nodule.", "PMID": 638037} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11587", "title": "A quantitative approach to epidermal wound healing: the effect of dexamethasone on regenerating epithelium.", "content": "The effect of dexamethasone on the regeneration of new epithelium over the base of an excised suction blister has been studied over a period of 9 days. It was found that dexamethasone did not significantly affect the migration of epidermis over the blister base but it did significantly reduce the number of cells in DNA synthesis and post wounding acanthosis of wound edge and regenerating epithelium.", "contents": "A quantitative approach to epidermal wound healing: the effect of dexamethasone on regenerating epithelium. The effect of dexamethasone on the regeneration of new epithelium over the base of an excised suction blister has been studied over a period of 9 days. It was found that dexamethasone did not significantly affect the migration of epidermis over the blister base but it did significantly reduce the number of cells in DNA synthesis and post wounding acanthosis of wound edge and regenerating epithelium.", "PMID": 638038} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11588", "title": "Antiserum to the cell surface of oral epithelial cells: relationship to pemphigus antiserum.", "content": "Antisera to human oral epithelial cells were produced in rabbits and found to be specific for epithelial type cells of man, guinea-pig and rabbit. Binding of the antisera to human oral epithelial cells was not affected by pre-incubation in concanavalin A, trypsin or neuraminidase, nor by pre-incubation of the antisera with fetuin. The antisera would appear to differ from pemphigus antiserum.", "contents": "Antiserum to the cell surface of oral epithelial cells: relationship to pemphigus antiserum. Antisera to human oral epithelial cells were produced in rabbits and found to be specific for epithelial type cells of man, guinea-pig and rabbit. Binding of the antisera to human oral epithelial cells was not affected by pre-incubation in concanavalin A, trypsin or neuraminidase, nor by pre-incubation of the antisera with fetuin. The antisera would appear to differ from pemphigus antiserum.", "PMID": 638039} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11589", "title": "The relationship between immunological parameters and response to therapy in resistant oral candidosis.", "content": "Eight patients with resistant oral candidal infection have undergone full immunological assessment. In four of these patients no significant abnormality of immune function was observed, and all responded to intensive antifungal therapy with nutritional supplements of iron and folic acids as required. The remaining four patients had abnormalities only of specific candida-related immune function and no detectable abnormality of general immune function. Surgical excision of affected areas of oral mucosa was found to be the most effective therapy in three of these four cases. The immunological findings in these cases are compared with those observed in five patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis in whom both specific candida-related and non-specific immune incompetence were present.", "contents": "The relationship between immunological parameters and response to therapy in resistant oral candidosis. Eight patients with resistant oral candidal infection have undergone full immunological assessment. In four of these patients no significant abnormality of immune function was observed, and all responded to intensive antifungal therapy with nutritional supplements of iron and folic acids as required. The remaining four patients had abnormalities only of specific candida-related immune function and no detectable abnormality of general immune function. Surgical excision of affected areas of oral mucosa was found to be the most effective therapy in three of these four cases. The immunological findings in these cases are compared with those observed in five patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidosis in whom both specific candida-related and non-specific immune incompetence were present.", "PMID": 638040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11590", "title": "Erythropoietic protoporphyria: hepatic cirrhosis.", "content": "Observations on liver pathology and function were made on 12 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Needle liver biopsies in 3 of 11 patients showed mild portal or periportal fibrosis without evidence of abnormal liver function. One patient (Case 12), died from hepatic cirrhosis and failure at the age of 11 years, the youngest yet reported. He was not suspected of pending liver disease until 3 months before death. The quantity of protoporphyrin present in his liver was approximately 5.75% of total liver weight. Fatal liver disease in EPP has occurred in 13 patients, 7 male and 6 female, in which the mean age of death was 38 years. The pathology of the liver in EPP is characteristic and is described.", "contents": "Erythropoietic protoporphyria: hepatic cirrhosis. Observations on liver pathology and function were made on 12 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Needle liver biopsies in 3 of 11 patients showed mild portal or periportal fibrosis without evidence of abnormal liver function. One patient (Case 12), died from hepatic cirrhosis and failure at the age of 11 years, the youngest yet reported. He was not suspected of pending liver disease until 3 months before death. The quantity of protoporphyrin present in his liver was approximately 5.75% of total liver weight. Fatal liver disease in EPP has occurred in 13 patients, 7 male and 6 female, in which the mean age of death was 38 years. The pathology of the liver in EPP is characteristic and is described.", "PMID": 638041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11591", "title": "The effects on epidermal DNA synthesis of the butyrate esters of clobetasone and clobetasol, and the propionate ester of clobetasol.", "content": "An animal model for evaluating the effects of drugs on epidermal DNA synthesis has been used to determine the time of onset, period of maximum activity and duration of effect of two topically applied proprietary glucocorticosteroids, clobetasone butyrate and clobetasol propionate. Both drugs produced maximum inhibition of epidermal DNA synthesis by 24 h after application. Clobetasol propionate exhibited a significantly earlier onset (4 1/2 h) and longer duration (36 h) of activity than clobetasone butyrate (6 and 24 h respectively). A systemic effect was not observed at any time after the application of clobetasone butyrate but was observed for up to 24 h after the application of clobetasol propionate. Clobetasol butyrate was also assayed in this system and was found to be as potent as clobetasol propionate. It is concluded that the alcoholic, as opposed to the ketonic, grouping in the 11 positions of the steroid ring profoundly alters the potentials of this molecule for systemic activity.", "contents": "The effects on epidermal DNA synthesis of the butyrate esters of clobetasone and clobetasol, and the propionate ester of clobetasol. An animal model for evaluating the effects of drugs on epidermal DNA synthesis has been used to determine the time of onset, period of maximum activity and duration of effect of two topically applied proprietary glucocorticosteroids, clobetasone butyrate and clobetasol propionate. Both drugs produced maximum inhibition of epidermal DNA synthesis by 24 h after application. Clobetasol propionate exhibited a significantly earlier onset (4 1/2 h) and longer duration (36 h) of activity than clobetasone butyrate (6 and 24 h respectively). A systemic effect was not observed at any time after the application of clobetasone butyrate but was observed for up to 24 h after the application of clobetasol propionate. Clobetasol butyrate was also assayed in this system and was found to be as potent as clobetasol propionate. It is concluded that the alcoholic, as opposed to the ketonic, grouping in the 11 positions of the steroid ring profoundly alters the potentials of this molecule for systemic activity.", "PMID": 638042} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11592", "title": "Spreading pigmented actinic keratoses.", "content": "The clinical and histological features of ten pigmented keratoses arising on the face are described. They were all greater than 1.5 cm in diameter and had been spreading centrifugally. They were variably pigmented and possessed either a smooth, verrucous or slightly scaly surface. Two lesions had progressed to become pigmented squamous cell carcinomas.", "contents": "Spreading pigmented actinic keratoses. The clinical and histological features of ten pigmented keratoses arising on the face are described. They were all greater than 1.5 cm in diameter and had been spreading centrifugally. They were variably pigmented and possessed either a smooth, verrucous or slightly scaly surface. Two lesions had progressed to become pigmented squamous cell carcinomas.", "PMID": 638043} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11593", "title": "Human malignant melanoma. Melanosomal polymorphism and the ultrastructural dopa reaction.", "content": "An ultrastructural dopa reaction, with glutaraldehyde--formaldehyde prefixation, was carried out on ten specimens of malignant melanoma showing a wide variation in melanosomal morphology. All tumours, but only a minority of tumour cells, contained reaction product. In all tumours the reaction product was distributed similarly in the Golgi apparatus and Golgi associated endoplasmic reticulum (GERL). However, differences were noted in its deposition in melanosomes. Whereas vacuolar and lamellar profiles sometimes contained reaction product, it was not seen in normal, granular and abortive melanosomes. Tumour cells without melanosomes were also seen to contain reaction product.", "contents": "Human malignant melanoma. Melanosomal polymorphism and the ultrastructural dopa reaction. An ultrastructural dopa reaction, with glutaraldehyde--formaldehyde prefixation, was carried out on ten specimens of malignant melanoma showing a wide variation in melanosomal morphology. All tumours, but only a minority of tumour cells, contained reaction product. In all tumours the reaction product was distributed similarly in the Golgi apparatus and Golgi associated endoplasmic reticulum (GERL). However, differences were noted in its deposition in melanosomes. Whereas vacuolar and lamellar profiles sometimes contained reaction product, it was not seen in normal, granular and abortive melanosomes. Tumour cells without melanosomes were also seen to contain reaction product.", "PMID": 638044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11594", "title": "Epidermal activity in the involved and uninvolved skin of patients with psoriasis.", "content": "A simple biochemical technique has been used to study the rate of incorporation of precursor materials in the involved and uninvolved skin of psoriatic subjects. Psoriatic plaques were found to incorporate tritaited thymidine twice as rapidly as skin from control subjects. The uninvolved skin of psoriatics showed a 48% increase in thymidine incorporation. Histidine and proline incorporations were also increased in psoriatic plaques but not in the uninvolved skin of psoriatics.", "contents": "Epidermal activity in the involved and uninvolved skin of patients with psoriasis. A simple biochemical technique has been used to study the rate of incorporation of precursor materials in the involved and uninvolved skin of psoriatic subjects. Psoriatic plaques were found to incorporate tritaited thymidine twice as rapidly as skin from control subjects. The uninvolved skin of psoriatics showed a 48% increase in thymidine incorporation. Histidine and proline incorporations were also increased in psoriatic plaques but not in the uninvolved skin of psoriatics.", "PMID": 638045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11595", "title": "The role of serum in the epithelial outgrowth of mouse skin explants.", "content": "An experimental system is described which facilitates the measurement of epithelial outgrowth in vitro. Using this sytem the properties of the serum component supporting epithelial spread have been studied. It has been found that appreciable epithelial outgrowth occurs in concentrations of cow serum greater than 0.5% and that maximal outgrowth occurs at concentrations of 1% or greater. Only minimal outgrowth is apparent during the first day of culture. The lack of epithelial outgrowth in the absence of serum is not due to reduced cell viability since replacing serum after 3 days leads to cellular outgrowth. Though this activity is found in several sera studied (cow, fetal calf, human, horse, mouse and chicken), there are considerable quantitative differences between species. Epithelial cell outgrowth does not occur in the presence of medium plus bovine fibrin, serum albumin or thrombin. The serum component is heat labile and non-dialysable. It appears to be needed continuously and does not require DNA synthesis for its effect.", "contents": "The role of serum in the epithelial outgrowth of mouse skin explants. An experimental system is described which facilitates the measurement of epithelial outgrowth in vitro. Using this sytem the properties of the serum component supporting epithelial spread have been studied. It has been found that appreciable epithelial outgrowth occurs in concentrations of cow serum greater than 0.5% and that maximal outgrowth occurs at concentrations of 1% or greater. Only minimal outgrowth is apparent during the first day of culture. The lack of epithelial outgrowth in the absence of serum is not due to reduced cell viability since replacing serum after 3 days leads to cellular outgrowth. Though this activity is found in several sera studied (cow, fetal calf, human, horse, mouse and chicken), there are considerable quantitative differences between species. Epithelial cell outgrowth does not occur in the presence of medium plus bovine fibrin, serum albumin or thrombin. The serum component is heat labile and non-dialysable. It appears to be needed continuously and does not require DNA synthesis for its effect.", "PMID": 638046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11596", "title": "Half-and-half cells in lichen planus. A possible clue to the origin and early formation of colloid bodies.", "content": "In the course of a study of wound healing in four patients with lichen planus, we found transformed keratinocytes with a hitherto undescribed ultrastructure in both wounded and undisturbed papules. We have called these epidermal cells half-and-half cells because they showed changes on the one hand of increased synthetic activity and, on the other hand, of fibrillar transformation closely resembling that seen in fully developed colloid bodies. We suggest that these half-and-half cells may provide a useful clue to the early changes occurring in colloid body formation.", "contents": "Half-and-half cells in lichen planus. A possible clue to the origin and early formation of colloid bodies. In the course of a study of wound healing in four patients with lichen planus, we found transformed keratinocytes with a hitherto undescribed ultrastructure in both wounded and undisturbed papules. We have called these epidermal cells half-and-half cells because they showed changes on the one hand of increased synthetic activity and, on the other hand, of fibrillar transformation closely resembling that seen in fully developed colloid bodies. We suggest that these half-and-half cells may provide a useful clue to the early changes occurring in colloid body formation.", "PMID": 638047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11597", "title": "Histocompatibility antigens in granuloma annulare. Comparative study of the generalized and localized types.", "content": "Thirteen patients with localized granuloma annulare and 19 with the generalized form of the disease were typed for HLA antigens. The control group consisted of 70 matched apparently healthy subjects. No significant difference in the frequencies of the 26 tested antigens was revealed between patients with localized granuloma annulare and controls. Patients with the generalized form of the disease showed a highly significant increase in the frequency of HLA-Bw35 as compared with both controls and patients with the localized form of the disorder (P = 0.001 and 0.01 respectively). The results seem suggestive of a possible different pathogenesis of the two forms of the disease.", "contents": "Histocompatibility antigens in granuloma annulare. Comparative study of the generalized and localized types. Thirteen patients with localized granuloma annulare and 19 with the generalized form of the disease were typed for HLA antigens. The control group consisted of 70 matched apparently healthy subjects. No significant difference in the frequencies of the 26 tested antigens was revealed between patients with localized granuloma annulare and controls. Patients with the generalized form of the disease showed a highly significant increase in the frequency of HLA-Bw35 as compared with both controls and patients with the localized form of the disorder (P = 0.001 and 0.01 respectively). The results seem suggestive of a possible different pathogenesis of the two forms of the disease.", "PMID": 638048} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11598", "title": "Updating the Goeckerman regimen for psoriasis.", "content": "Various components of the Goeckerman regimen were analysed. Although our findings are preliminary, they indicate several important observations: (1) Irradiation of tar treated patients with UVA compared to UVB showed the most efficacious wavelengths to be in the erythemic range (UVB). (2) A 1% concentration of crude coal tar was as effective as 5 and 25%.(3) Application of tar 2 h prior to irradiation was equivalent to overnight usage. (4) Little difference was noted between hydrophilic ointment and petrolatum as vehicles. (5) A tar gel was less beneficial than crude tar. The benefits of the Goeckerman therapy are derived from the intrinsic antipsoriatic effects of both tar and UVB. For some the combination is additive and necessary for clearing; for others either of the components may have great benefit alone. Our favourable results with UVB alone indicate that its effectiveness has been understated and poorly appreciated. Minimizing the time of tar application without loss of efficacy makes treatment adaptable to outpatient practice.", "contents": "Updating the Goeckerman regimen for psoriasis. Various components of the Goeckerman regimen were analysed. Although our findings are preliminary, they indicate several important observations: (1) Irradiation of tar treated patients with UVA compared to UVB showed the most efficacious wavelengths to be in the erythemic range (UVB). (2) A 1% concentration of crude coal tar was as effective as 5 and 25%.(3) Application of tar 2 h prior to irradiation was equivalent to overnight usage. (4) Little difference was noted between hydrophilic ointment and petrolatum as vehicles. (5) A tar gel was less beneficial than crude tar. The benefits of the Goeckerman therapy are derived from the intrinsic antipsoriatic effects of both tar and UVB. For some the combination is additive and necessary for clearing; for others either of the components may have great benefit alone. Our favourable results with UVB alone indicate that its effectiveness has been understated and poorly appreciated. Minimizing the time of tar application without loss of efficacy makes treatment adaptable to outpatient practice.", "PMID": 638049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11599", "title": "The decrease of hyaluronate synthesis by anti-inflammatory steroids in vitro.", "content": "The effect of anti-inflammatory steroids (prednisolone and derivatives of hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and betamethasone) on the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and sulphated glycosaminoglycans in human skin fibroblast culture was studied. The concentrations of steroids varied between 1 x 10(-10)M and 1 x 10(-6)M. All tested steroids decreased the synthesis of hyaluronic acid to the same final level which was about 40--50% of the controls, but the concentrations required varied between different steroids. The relative inhibitory potencies of the steroids were calculated based on concentrations needed to decrease the synthesis of hyaluronate. When the inhibitory potency of hydrocortisone was calculated as one, the values of the other steroids were: prednisolone 5, hydrocortisone 17- butyrate 20, betamethasone alcohol 30, dexamethasone alcohol 38, betamethasone 17-valerate 350--400, dexamethasone monosodium phosphate and betamethasone disodium phosphate over 400. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate was as potent an inhibitor of hyaluronate synthesis as hydrocortisone alcohol. None of the tested steroids affected the synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans at these concentrations. The changes ovbserved in glycosaminoglycans in the medium were in accordance with the changes in the cell layer. The possible significance of hyaluronate synthesis inhibition by anti-inflammatory steroids is discussed.", "contents": "The decrease of hyaluronate synthesis by anti-inflammatory steroids in vitro. The effect of anti-inflammatory steroids (prednisolone and derivatives of hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and betamethasone) on the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and sulphated glycosaminoglycans in human skin fibroblast culture was studied. The concentrations of steroids varied between 1 x 10(-10)M and 1 x 10(-6)M. All tested steroids decreased the synthesis of hyaluronic acid to the same final level which was about 40--50% of the controls, but the concentrations required varied between different steroids. The relative inhibitory potencies of the steroids were calculated based on concentrations needed to decrease the synthesis of hyaluronate. When the inhibitory potency of hydrocortisone was calculated as one, the values of the other steroids were: prednisolone 5, hydrocortisone 17- butyrate 20, betamethasone alcohol 30, dexamethasone alcohol 38, betamethasone 17-valerate 350--400, dexamethasone monosodium phosphate and betamethasone disodium phosphate over 400. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate was as potent an inhibitor of hyaluronate synthesis as hydrocortisone alcohol. None of the tested steroids affected the synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans at these concentrations. The changes ovbserved in glycosaminoglycans in the medium were in accordance with the changes in the cell layer. The possible significance of hyaluronate synthesis inhibition by anti-inflammatory steroids is discussed.", "PMID": 638050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11600", "title": "Immunotherapy of verrucae vulgares with dinitrochlorobenzene.", "content": "A study using daily topical applications of dinitrochlorobenzene on recalcitrant verrucae vulgares demonstrated this to be of practical value. Complete resolution of lesions occurred in 66% of 35 patients, with a complication rate of 24%. The results of other studies are reviewed and recommendations for use of this medication are given. DNCB therapy should, however, be reserved for use on recalcitrant lesions because of the complications associated with its usage.", "contents": "Immunotherapy of verrucae vulgares with dinitrochlorobenzene. A study using daily topical applications of dinitrochlorobenzene on recalcitrant verrucae vulgares demonstrated this to be of practical value. Complete resolution of lesions occurred in 66% of 35 patients, with a complication rate of 24%. The results of other studies are reviewed and recommendations for use of this medication are given. DNCB therapy should, however, be reserved for use on recalcitrant lesions because of the complications associated with its usage.", "PMID": 638051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11601", "title": "Successful treatment with pimozide of delusional parasitosis.", "content": "An introduction to the concept of delusional parasitosis is presented. The persistent and refractory nature of the condition is emphasized. A case history is described in which a 67-year-old spinster, with classical symptoms of this condition, responded extremely favourably to simply administered pharmacotherapy. The authors allude to five similar patients also treated successfully by the same method. It is suggested that dermatologists might profitably treat this condition without recourse to psychiatric referral, which can often be counter-productive.", "contents": "Successful treatment with pimozide of delusional parasitosis. An introduction to the concept of delusional parasitosis is presented. The persistent and refractory nature of the condition is emphasized. A case history is described in which a 67-year-old spinster, with classical symptoms of this condition, responded extremely favourably to simply administered pharmacotherapy. The authors allude to five similar patients also treated successfully by the same method. It is suggested that dermatologists might profitably treat this condition without recourse to psychiatric referral, which can often be counter-productive.", "PMID": 638052} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11602", "title": "Multiple disseminated pyogenic granuloma.", "content": "A 15-month-old baby girl with extensive skin burns developed within the burned areas multiple lesions with the clinical and histological characteristics of granuloma pyogenicum. These lesions seem to differ from those reported by others as pyogenic granuloma with multiple satellites.", "contents": "Multiple disseminated pyogenic granuloma. A 15-month-old baby girl with extensive skin burns developed within the burned areas multiple lesions with the clinical and histological characteristics of granuloma pyogenicum. These lesions seem to differ from those reported by others as pyogenic granuloma with multiple satellites.", "PMID": 638053} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11603", "title": "Erythema gyratum repens with pulmonary tuberculosis.", "content": "A 63-year-old man presented with erythema gyratum repens of 7 months' duration. A cavitating mass at the right lung apex was resected and proved to be tuberculous. Following the resection, the skin lesions cleared within a few days. Erythema gyratum repens has not previously been described in association with non-malignant visceral pathology. The pathogenesis remains obscure but cannot be related specifically to a response to tumour cells or their products in view of the association reported here. The condition bears no resemblance to any known tuberculide.", "contents": "Erythema gyratum repens with pulmonary tuberculosis. A 63-year-old man presented with erythema gyratum repens of 7 months' duration. A cavitating mass at the right lung apex was resected and proved to be tuberculous. Following the resection, the skin lesions cleared within a few days. Erythema gyratum repens has not previously been described in association with non-malignant visceral pathology. The pathogenesis remains obscure but cannot be related specifically to a response to tumour cells or their products in view of the association reported here. The condition bears no resemblance to any known tuberculide.", "PMID": 638054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11604", "title": "Pruritus and dermographism due to intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy.", "content": "A case report of intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy presenting with chronic severe pruritus is described. This presentation is compared with similar cases attending this unit. Intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy and the pathogenesis of puritus associated with cholestasis are briefly discussed.", "contents": "Pruritus and dermographism due to intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy. A case report of intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy presenting with chronic severe pruritus is described. This presentation is compared with similar cases attending this unit. Intrahepatic cholestasis of infancy and the pathogenesis of puritus associated with cholestasis are briefly discussed.", "PMID": 638055} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11605", "title": "Thrombin activation of factor VIII. II. A comparison of purified factor VIII and the low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant.", "content": "The current experiments examine the reaction between purified human alpha-thrombin and purified human factor VIII and compare this with the reaction between alpha-thrombin and the low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant activity obtained by high ionic strength dissociation. The reaction patterns of both procoagulants are similar, demonstrating in initial increase in factor VIII activity followed by a decay of procoagulant activity. The extent of activation which is observed in the initial phase decreases with lower temperatures and with lower thrombin concentrations. A pseudo-first order relationship is demonstrated for the activation phase. The labile factor VIII procoagulant activity produced by the initial action of thrombin appears to be intrinsically unstable, since the addition of hirudin or diisopropylfluorophosphate does not prevent the subsequent decay of the procoagulant activity. The similar activation and decay patterns of purified factor VIII and the dissociated low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant support the concept that the low molecular weight procoagulant itself represents the functional coagulant moiety of the factor VIII complex.", "contents": "Thrombin activation of factor VIII. II. A comparison of purified factor VIII and the low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant. The current experiments examine the reaction between purified human alpha-thrombin and purified human factor VIII and compare this with the reaction between alpha-thrombin and the low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant activity obtained by high ionic strength dissociation. The reaction patterns of both procoagulants are similar, demonstrating in initial increase in factor VIII activity followed by a decay of procoagulant activity. The extent of activation which is observed in the initial phase decreases with lower temperatures and with lower thrombin concentrations. A pseudo-first order relationship is demonstrated for the activation phase. The labile factor VIII procoagulant activity produced by the initial action of thrombin appears to be intrinsically unstable, since the addition of hirudin or diisopropylfluorophosphate does not prevent the subsequent decay of the procoagulant activity. The similar activation and decay patterns of purified factor VIII and the dissociated low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant support the concept that the low molecular weight procoagulant itself represents the functional coagulant moiety of the factor VIII complex.", "PMID": 638056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11606", "title": "Efficacy of platelets collected by semi-continuous flow centrifugation (Haemonetics Model 30).", "content": "The viability of both autologous and donor platelets collected by means of a semi-continuous flow centrifuge (Haemonetics Model 30) was measured. Radiochromium labelled pooled platelets harvested from six passes and reinfused into their normal donors showed recoveries and survivals of 58% +/- 8 and 9.6 d +/- 0.8 compared with normal values of 65% and 9.5 d +/- 0.6, respectively. When the viability in aplastic thrombocytopenic recipients of platelets collected from normal donors by the Haemonetics Model 30 was compared with that of platelets collected from the same donors by multiple bag plateletpheresis the results were very similar: recoveries of 82% +/- 18 and 80% +/- 25 and survivals of 3.9 d +/- 2.0 and 3.8 d +/- 1.3, respectively. The in vitro function of the collected platelets in response to aggregating agents was normal when measured within 60 min of collection at pH 7.4. The relationship between bleeding time and post-transfusion platelet count in aplastic, thrombocytopenic patients showed that in vivo function was maintained.", "contents": "Efficacy of platelets collected by semi-continuous flow centrifugation (Haemonetics Model 30). The viability of both autologous and donor platelets collected by means of a semi-continuous flow centrifuge (Haemonetics Model 30) was measured. Radiochromium labelled pooled platelets harvested from six passes and reinfused into their normal donors showed recoveries and survivals of 58% +/- 8 and 9.6 d +/- 0.8 compared with normal values of 65% and 9.5 d +/- 0.6, respectively. When the viability in aplastic thrombocytopenic recipients of platelets collected from normal donors by the Haemonetics Model 30 was compared with that of platelets collected from the same donors by multiple bag plateletpheresis the results were very similar: recoveries of 82% +/- 18 and 80% +/- 25 and survivals of 3.9 d +/- 2.0 and 3.8 d +/- 1.3, respectively. The in vitro function of the collected platelets in response to aggregating agents was normal when measured within 60 min of collection at pH 7.4. The relationship between bleeding time and post-transfusion platelet count in aplastic, thrombocytopenic patients showed that in vivo function was maintained.", "PMID": 638058} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11607", "title": "Variations in globin synthesis in delta-beta-thalassaemia.", "content": "Peripheral blood globin synthesis studies were done in 11 patients with delta beta-thalassaemia trait, Hb S-delta beta-thalassaemia or delta beta/betao-thalassaemia from two black and two Caucasian families. All patients had elevated Hb F and normal or decreased Hb A2 levels and 10 had family studies confirming the diagnosis. In addition, four unrelated non-thalassaemic patients with elevated Hb F levels also had peripheral blood globin synthesis studies. The beta/alpha specific activity globin synthesis ratios in the three blacks with delta beta-thalassaemia trait were 0.60--1.04. In the four Caucasians with delta beta-thalassaemia traint, the beta/alpha ratios were 0.58--1.02. These results demonstrate a wide range of ratios overlapping those of normal controls (0.99 +/- 0.06). The betas/alpha ratios in three blacks with Hb S-delta beta-thalassaemia ranged from 0.66 to 1.00, similar to those of patients with delta beta-thalassaemia trait. In the black patient with delta beta/betao-thalassaemia, the gamma/alpha ratio was 0.67. The beta/alpha peripheral blood ratios in the four non-thalassaemia patients with elevated Hb F ranged from 1.00 to 1.11, similar to those of normal controls. These studies indicate that a decreased beta/alpha ratio is not an invariable finding in delta beta-thalassaemia in blacks or Caucasian patients and that globin synthesis data alone is insufficient to diagnose definitively heterozygotes for delta beta-thalassaemia or to distinguish this trait from non-thalassaemic haematological disorders associated with a normal percentage of Hb A2 and an elevated level of Hb F.", "contents": "Variations in globin synthesis in delta-beta-thalassaemia. Peripheral blood globin synthesis studies were done in 11 patients with delta beta-thalassaemia trait, Hb S-delta beta-thalassaemia or delta beta/betao-thalassaemia from two black and two Caucasian families. All patients had elevated Hb F and normal or decreased Hb A2 levels and 10 had family studies confirming the diagnosis. In addition, four unrelated non-thalassaemic patients with elevated Hb F levels also had peripheral blood globin synthesis studies. The beta/alpha specific activity globin synthesis ratios in the three blacks with delta beta-thalassaemia trait were 0.60--1.04. In the four Caucasians with delta beta-thalassaemia traint, the beta/alpha ratios were 0.58--1.02. These results demonstrate a wide range of ratios overlapping those of normal controls (0.99 +/- 0.06). The betas/alpha ratios in three blacks with Hb S-delta beta-thalassaemia ranged from 0.66 to 1.00, similar to those of patients with delta beta-thalassaemia trait. In the black patient with delta beta/betao-thalassaemia, the gamma/alpha ratio was 0.67. The beta/alpha peripheral blood ratios in the four non-thalassaemia patients with elevated Hb F ranged from 1.00 to 1.11, similar to those of normal controls. These studies indicate that a decreased beta/alpha ratio is not an invariable finding in delta beta-thalassaemia in blacks or Caucasian patients and that globin synthesis data alone is insufficient to diagnose definitively heterozygotes for delta beta-thalassaemia or to distinguish this trait from non-thalassaemic haematological disorders associated with a normal percentage of Hb A2 and an elevated level of Hb F.", "PMID": 638060} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11608", "title": "Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type III: an electron microscopic study.", "content": "The morphological features of erythroblasts in congenital dyserthropoietic anaemia (CDA) type III were studied by electron microscopy. Typical findings included clefts and blebs within the nuclear region, autolytic areas within cytoplasm, iron-filled mitochondria and myelin figures. The findings resembled those reported in other dyserythropoietic anaemias particularly in CDA type I; the main morphologic features which distinguished the two types were lack of spongy appearance of the chromatin, lack of cytoplasmic organelles within the nuclear region and intact nuclear envelope in CDA type III.", "contents": "Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type III: an electron microscopic study. The morphological features of erythroblasts in congenital dyserthropoietic anaemia (CDA) type III were studied by electron microscopy. Typical findings included clefts and blebs within the nuclear region, autolytic areas within cytoplasm, iron-filled mitochondria and myelin figures. The findings resembled those reported in other dyserythropoietic anaemias particularly in CDA type I; the main morphologic features which distinguished the two types were lack of spongy appearance of the chromatin, lack of cytoplasmic organelles within the nuclear region and intact nuclear envelope in CDA type III.", "PMID": 638061} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11609", "title": "Autoimmune antibodies in chronic lymphatic leukaemia.", "content": "In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia a factor in patients' serum enhances the in vitro viability of the abnormal cells and this has been identified as an antibody. The activity of this factor can be removed by interaction with anti-immunoglobulin and by ammonium sulphate precipitation with a degree of saturation in excess of 46%. Cohn fractionation and chromatography with A-50 Sephadex show that the factor is not a complex but an immunoglobulin. No activity is removed after reaction of sera with 2-mercapto-ethanol and di-thiothreitol. The evidence therefore suggests that a gamma-G immunoglobulin is involved. Concentrated washings from the leukaemic cells behave in exactly the same way as patients' sera and activity is retained in the same fraction during precipitation and purification procedure. The extensive cross-reactivity of the sera suggests a common chronic lymphatic leukaemic antibody and it is considered that an active autoimmune response may be an integral part of the disease.", "contents": "Autoimmune antibodies in chronic lymphatic leukaemia. In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia a factor in patients' serum enhances the in vitro viability of the abnormal cells and this has been identified as an antibody. The activity of this factor can be removed by interaction with anti-immunoglobulin and by ammonium sulphate precipitation with a degree of saturation in excess of 46%. Cohn fractionation and chromatography with A-50 Sephadex show that the factor is not a complex but an immunoglobulin. No activity is removed after reaction of sera with 2-mercapto-ethanol and di-thiothreitol. The evidence therefore suggests that a gamma-G immunoglobulin is involved. Concentrated washings from the leukaemic cells behave in exactly the same way as patients' sera and activity is retained in the same fraction during precipitation and purification procedure. The extensive cross-reactivity of the sera suggests a common chronic lymphatic leukaemic antibody and it is considered that an active autoimmune response may be an integral part of the disease.", "PMID": 638064} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11610", "title": "Identification of the hairy cells of leukaemic reticuloendotheliosis by an esterase method.", "content": "A distinctive pattern of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase positivity was observed in all of a series of 14 patients with HCL. This pattern was not observed in a range of other haematological malignancies including nine cases of CLL, two cases of S\u00e9zary's syndrome, six cases of null cell ALL, two cases of Schilling-type monocytic leukaemia and one case of lymphosarcoma cell leukaemia. The potential diagnostic value of this simple cytochemical test is discussed in relation to existing methods.", "contents": "Identification of the hairy cells of leukaemic reticuloendotheliosis by an esterase method. A distinctive pattern of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase positivity was observed in all of a series of 14 patients with HCL. This pattern was not observed in a range of other haematological malignancies including nine cases of CLL, two cases of S\u00e9zary's syndrome, six cases of null cell ALL, two cases of Schilling-type monocytic leukaemia and one case of lymphosarcoma cell leukaemia. The potential diagnostic value of this simple cytochemical test is discussed in relation to existing methods.", "PMID": 638065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11611", "title": "High resolution autoradiographic studies of RNA, protein and DNA synthesis during human eosinophil granulocytopoiesis: evidence for the presence of RNA on or within eosinophil granules.", "content": "Human bone marrow cells which had been incubated with [3H]uridine or [3H]leucine for I h were studied using the technique of electron microscope-autoradiography. The autoradiographs revealed the presence of newly-synthesized RNA and protein molecules within or on a proportion of (I) the primary and secondary granules in all classes of eosinophil precursors and (2) the secondary granules in eosinophil granulocytes. It is suggested that the granule-associated RNA molecules may be concerned with the synthesis of at least some of the new protein molecules which were incorporated into the limiting membrane or substance of eosinophil granules long after the immature primary granule stage. Studies of eosinophil precursors which had been incubated with [3H]thymidine for I h showed that the eosinophil granules do not label with this DNA precursor.", "contents": "High resolution autoradiographic studies of RNA, protein and DNA synthesis during human eosinophil granulocytopoiesis: evidence for the presence of RNA on or within eosinophil granules. Human bone marrow cells which had been incubated with [3H]uridine or [3H]leucine for I h were studied using the technique of electron microscope-autoradiography. The autoradiographs revealed the presence of newly-synthesized RNA and protein molecules within or on a proportion of (I) the primary and secondary granules in all classes of eosinophil precursors and (2) the secondary granules in eosinophil granulocytes. It is suggested that the granule-associated RNA molecules may be concerned with the synthesis of at least some of the new protein molecules which were incorporated into the limiting membrane or substance of eosinophil granules long after the immature primary granule stage. Studies of eosinophil precursors which had been incubated with [3H]thymidine for I h showed that the eosinophil granules do not label with this DNA precursor.", "PMID": 638067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11612", "title": "Non-tropical 'idiopathic splenomegaly': a follow-up study of ten patients described in 1969.", "content": "The later history is described of four of 10 patients who were reported in 1969 as suffering from non-tropical 'idiopathic splenomegaly'. Two of the four patients developed malignant lymphomas 6 years and 2 years, respectively, after splenectomy but the two other patients have lived for 17 and 15 years, respectively, without developing any signs of a malignant tumour. Thus, four of the original 10 patients have developed malignant's lymphomas. The histology of the patients' spleens has been reviewed in the light of their clinical history, but no criteria have been found which are of clear prognostic value. However, with hindsight it was possible to recognize some cytological abnormality in the spleens in three out of the four patients who developed malignant lymphomas, and it appears that unless the cell population in both the red and white pulp is strictly normal, the patient is likely to develop a malignant lymphoma. The tumours which subsequently developed showed no special or characteristic features. The title 'idiopathic splenomegaly' is clearly unsatisfactory but the alternative 'chronic lymphocytic lymphoma with hypersplenism', although appropriate for the illness of the patients who developed malignant lymphomas, is inappropriate for those in which the pathological process seems not to be neoplastic.", "contents": "Non-tropical 'idiopathic splenomegaly': a follow-up study of ten patients described in 1969. The later history is described of four of 10 patients who were reported in 1969 as suffering from non-tropical 'idiopathic splenomegaly'. Two of the four patients developed malignant lymphomas 6 years and 2 years, respectively, after splenectomy but the two other patients have lived for 17 and 15 years, respectively, without developing any signs of a malignant tumour. Thus, four of the original 10 patients have developed malignant's lymphomas. The histology of the patients' spleens has been reviewed in the light of their clinical history, but no criteria have been found which are of clear prognostic value. However, with hindsight it was possible to recognize some cytological abnormality in the spleens in three out of the four patients who developed malignant lymphomas, and it appears that unless the cell population in both the red and white pulp is strictly normal, the patient is likely to develop a malignant lymphoma. The tumours which subsequently developed showed no special or characteristic features. The title 'idiopathic splenomegaly' is clearly unsatisfactory but the alternative 'chronic lymphocytic lymphoma with hypersplenism', although appropriate for the illness of the patients who developed malignant lymphomas, is inappropriate for those in which the pathological process seems not to be neoplastic.", "PMID": 638068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11613", "title": "The identification of the products of folate catabolism in the rat.", "content": "Further analysis of rat urine containing labelled catabolites derived from administered 3H- or 14C-labelled folic acid is described. The results support previously described studies, and show that folate catabolism in the rat takes place by cleavage of the C9-N10 bond, and not by excretion of inactive forms of the vitamin which still contain the intact folate skeleton.", "contents": "The identification of the products of folate catabolism in the rat. Further analysis of rat urine containing labelled catabolites derived from administered 3H- or 14C-labelled folic acid is described. The results support previously described studies, and show that folate catabolism in the rat takes place by cleavage of the C9-N10 bond, and not by excretion of inactive forms of the vitamin which still contain the intact folate skeleton.", "PMID": 638070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11614", "title": "Evidence that endotoxins enhance the factor X activator activity of washed human platelets.", "content": "The in vitro effect of several bacterial endotoxins on human platelets was determined. Nine different endotoxins failed to induce aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or of platelets washed by two different methods; four of them which we studied further failed to induce [14C]serotonin release in PRP. In contrast, using recently described test systems for platelet coagulant activity, all the endotoxins shortened the latent period occurring before aggregation of a mixture of washed platelets, normal serum, and CaCl2, and the clotting time of this mixture upon addition of fibrinogen. Washed platelets obtained from PRP preincubated with endotoxin had a higher platelet coagulant activity than platelets obtained from PRP preincubated with buffer. Washed platelets contribute to thrombin generation by providing factor V, a factor X activator and possibly phospholipid. Since the endotoxins did not influence the factor V activity of platelets or the platelet factor 3 activity, either in PRP or using platelets washed by albumin density gradient centrifugation, it is suggested that they enhance the factor-X activator activity of human platelets.", "contents": "Evidence that endotoxins enhance the factor X activator activity of washed human platelets. The in vitro effect of several bacterial endotoxins on human platelets was determined. Nine different endotoxins failed to induce aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or of platelets washed by two different methods; four of them which we studied further failed to induce [14C]serotonin release in PRP. In contrast, using recently described test systems for platelet coagulant activity, all the endotoxins shortened the latent period occurring before aggregation of a mixture of washed platelets, normal serum, and CaCl2, and the clotting time of this mixture upon addition of fibrinogen. Washed platelets obtained from PRP preincubated with endotoxin had a higher platelet coagulant activity than platelets obtained from PRP preincubated with buffer. Washed platelets contribute to thrombin generation by providing factor V, a factor X activator and possibly phospholipid. Since the endotoxins did not influence the factor V activity of platelets or the platelet factor 3 activity, either in PRP or using platelets washed by albumin density gradient centrifugation, it is suggested that they enhance the factor-X activator activity of human platelets.", "PMID": 638073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11615", "title": "Subunits A and S inheritance in four families with congenital factor XIII deficiency.", "content": "Previous studies of the inheritance of the two molecular subunits of fibrin stablizing factor (factor XIII) refer to isolated cases. The present work investigates the hereditary mode of transmission of subunits A and S, measured by the Laurell technique, in seven homozygotes and in 29 heterozygotes belonging to four families with factor XIII deficiency. The results indicate that the homozygotes were devoid of immunologically identifiable A subunit, whereas the heterozygotes could be identified by measuring this protein. The subunit S has been found to be decreased both in homozygous and in heterozygous patients, so that it seems that the two subunits, even if their synthesis is controlled by different genes, are genetically related. The mode of transmission of this disorder, supported by quantitative determinations of plasma subunit A, is autosomal recessive.", "contents": "Subunits A and S inheritance in four families with congenital factor XIII deficiency. Previous studies of the inheritance of the two molecular subunits of fibrin stablizing factor (factor XIII) refer to isolated cases. The present work investigates the hereditary mode of transmission of subunits A and S, measured by the Laurell technique, in seven homozygotes and in 29 heterozygotes belonging to four families with factor XIII deficiency. The results indicate that the homozygotes were devoid of immunologically identifiable A subunit, whereas the heterozygotes could be identified by measuring this protein. The subunit S has been found to be decreased both in homozygous and in heterozygous patients, so that it seems that the two subunits, even if their synthesis is controlled by different genes, are genetically related. The mode of transmission of this disorder, supported by quantitative determinations of plasma subunit A, is autosomal recessive.", "PMID": 638074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11616", "title": "Differential blood cell separation using a high gradient magnetic field.", "content": "A technique for the separation of erythrocytes from whole blood is described which exploits the magnetic property of haemoglobin in the reduced state. The technique is characterized by the use of a filter consisting of a cylinder, containing stainless steel wire mesh, placed between the jaws of an electro magnet. When activated, the electromagnet induces a magnetic field gradient in the vicinity of each of the constituent wires, sufficient to attract and trap erythrocytes in suspension. The number of erythrocytes captured varies with the applied field (0-1.4 Tesla in these experiments) and flow rate (1.9-12.9 x 10(-4) m s-1). The capture process does not cause haemolysis or observable surface damage to the erythrocytes and neither leucocytes nor platelets are retained by the filter.", "contents": "Differential blood cell separation using a high gradient magnetic field. A technique for the separation of erythrocytes from whole blood is described which exploits the magnetic property of haemoglobin in the reduced state. The technique is characterized by the use of a filter consisting of a cylinder, containing stainless steel wire mesh, placed between the jaws of an electro magnet. When activated, the electromagnet induces a magnetic field gradient in the vicinity of each of the constituent wires, sufficient to attract and trap erythrocytes in suspension. The number of erythrocytes captured varies with the applied field (0-1.4 Tesla in these experiments) and flow rate (1.9-12.9 x 10(-4) m s-1). The capture process does not cause haemolysis or observable surface damage to the erythrocytes and neither leucocytes nor platelets are retained by the filter.", "PMID": 638075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11617", "title": "The measurement of total and unsaturated iron-binding capacity in serum.", "content": "An inter-laboratory investigation into the assay of serum iron binding capacity by the magnesium carbonate adsorption method was undertaken. The source of MgCO3, storage temperature of whole serum, lyophilization and storage temperature of lyophilized serum were identified as sources of inter-laboratory variation. Protocols for the clinical assay of UIBC and TIBC are given which have achieved satisfactory inter-laboratory precision.", "contents": "The measurement of total and unsaturated iron-binding capacity in serum. An inter-laboratory investigation into the assay of serum iron binding capacity by the magnesium carbonate adsorption method was undertaken. The source of MgCO3, storage temperature of whole serum, lyophilization and storage temperature of lyophilized serum were identified as sources of inter-laboratory variation. Protocols for the clinical assay of UIBC and TIBC are given which have achieved satisfactory inter-laboratory precision.", "PMID": 638076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11618", "title": "Recommendations for measurement of serum iron in human blood.", "content": "The following method has been approved by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) Board for publication as an ICSH standard (EP7/1978).", "contents": "Recommendations for measurement of serum iron in human blood. The following method has been approved by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) Board for publication as an ICSH standard (EP7/1978).", "PMID": 638077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11619", "title": "Immunologic characterization and quantification of haemoglobin A1c.", "content": "Sheep antiserum developed against the human glycohaemoglobin, Hb A1c, distinguishes this fraction from the major component Hb A0. Partial cross reactivity is observed with Hb A1a and Hb A1b, as well as with analogous glycohaemoglobins from mouse and dog haemolysates. The reactivity of the haemoglobins with this specific antiserum is abolished by the reduction of the keto group of the sugar ligand. The immunological specificity displayed provides the basis of a quantitative assay for Hb A1c, suitable for studies of clinical and experimental diabetes.", "contents": "Immunologic characterization and quantification of haemoglobin A1c. Sheep antiserum developed against the human glycohaemoglobin, Hb A1c, distinguishes this fraction from the major component Hb A0. Partial cross reactivity is observed with Hb A1a and Hb A1b, as well as with analogous glycohaemoglobins from mouse and dog haemolysates. The reactivity of the haemoglobins with this specific antiserum is abolished by the reduction of the keto group of the sugar ligand. The immunological specificity displayed provides the basis of a quantitative assay for Hb A1c, suitable for studies of clinical and experimental diabetes.", "PMID": 638081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11620", "title": "Fetal haemoglobin in early malignant osteopetrosis.", "content": "The characteristics of the fetal haemoglobin (HbF) in two children with osteopetrosis and high levels of HbF have been studied. The structural analysis of the gamma chains demonstrated a fetal Ggamma/Agamma ratio. HbF was distributed inside only 30% of the peripheral red blood cells. In vitro globin chain synthesis studies showed that there was balanced globin chain production, despite the increased level of HbF.", "contents": "Fetal haemoglobin in early malignant osteopetrosis. The characteristics of the fetal haemoglobin (HbF) in two children with osteopetrosis and high levels of HbF have been studied. The structural analysis of the gamma chains demonstrated a fetal Ggamma/Agamma ratio. HbF was distributed inside only 30% of the peripheral red blood cells. In vitro globin chain synthesis studies showed that there was balanced globin chain production, despite the increased level of HbF.", "PMID": 638082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11621", "title": "Capacity of ringed sideroblasts to synthesize nucleic acids and protein in patients with primary acquired sideroblastic anaemia.", "content": "Bone marrow cells from two patients with primary acquired sideroblastic anaemia were studied using the technique of electron microscope autoradiography. Whereas a significant proportion of erythroblasts containing small to moderate quantities of intramitochondrial deposits incorporated [3H]thymidine into DNA, the majority of cells containing large quantities of intramitochondrial deposits did not. These results are consistent with the idea that several of the early polychromatic cells with large quantities of deposits become arrested in their progress through the cell cycle. The data also revealed that the accumulation of increasing quantities of iron-containing material within the mitochondria of an erythroblast was frequently (but not invariably) associated with and was possibly responsible for (I) a depression of RNA synthesis and (2) a more marked depression of protein synthesis. A small proportion of the erythroblasts showing a depression of protein synthesis also displayed various non-specific ultrastructural abnormalities indicative of cellular injury such as the presence of intranuclear clefts, nuclear membrane-associated myelin figures and lipid-laden intracytoplasmic vacuoles.", "contents": "Capacity of ringed sideroblasts to synthesize nucleic acids and protein in patients with primary acquired sideroblastic anaemia. Bone marrow cells from two patients with primary acquired sideroblastic anaemia were studied using the technique of electron microscope autoradiography. Whereas a significant proportion of erythroblasts containing small to moderate quantities of intramitochondrial deposits incorporated [3H]thymidine into DNA, the majority of cells containing large quantities of intramitochondrial deposits did not. These results are consistent with the idea that several of the early polychromatic cells with large quantities of deposits become arrested in their progress through the cell cycle. The data also revealed that the accumulation of increasing quantities of iron-containing material within the mitochondria of an erythroblast was frequently (but not invariably) associated with and was possibly responsible for (I) a depression of RNA synthesis and (2) a more marked depression of protein synthesis. A small proportion of the erythroblasts showing a depression of protein synthesis also displayed various non-specific ultrastructural abnormalities indicative of cellular injury such as the presence of intranuclear clefts, nuclear membrane-associated myelin figures and lipid-laden intracytoplasmic vacuoles.", "PMID": 638083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11622", "title": "Folate-dependent serine synthesis in lymphocytes from controls and patients with megaloblastic anaemia: the effect of therapy.", "content": "The utilization of [14C]formate for serine synthesis by lymphocytes was impaired in all the patients with pernicious anaemia and in 70% of other patients with megaloblastic anaemia. In pernicious anaemia this was corrected by vitamin B12 therapy in 48 h but not by folate therapy although patients given folate showed a satisfactory haematological response.", "contents": "Folate-dependent serine synthesis in lymphocytes from controls and patients with megaloblastic anaemia: the effect of therapy. The utilization of [14C]formate for serine synthesis by lymphocytes was impaired in all the patients with pernicious anaemia and in 70% of other patients with megaloblastic anaemia. In pernicious anaemia this was corrected by vitamin B12 therapy in 48 h but not by folate therapy although patients given folate showed a satisfactory haematological response.", "PMID": 638084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11623", "title": "A modified sedimentation method for counting platelets in blood.", "content": "A sedimentation method for counting human blood platelets is proposed which uses a fluid of sp.gr. i.057 at an osmolarity of 320 milliosmols. The fluid is a mixture of Lymphoprep and Isoton II. After centrifugation at about 200 platelets are counted on an electronic particle counter.", "contents": "A modified sedimentation method for counting platelets in blood. A sedimentation method for counting human blood platelets is proposed which uses a fluid of sp.gr. i.057 at an osmolarity of 320 milliosmols. The fluid is a mixture of Lymphoprep and Isoton II. After centrifugation at about 200 platelets are counted on an electronic particle counter.", "PMID": 638087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11624", "title": "A study of plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17beta, prolactin and LH levels, and of the luteal phase appearance of the ovaries in patients with endometriosis and infertility.", "content": "Thirty-four infertile patients with regular cycles and endometriosis were studied and compared to a control group of 28 women. The endometriosis was classified as mild (n = 16), moderate (n = 9) and severe (n = 9) according to Acosta et al (1973). The interval between the LH peak and the onset of subsequent menstruation was shorter (P = 0.024) in patients with endometriosis than in the control group. In mild endometriosis, oestradiol-17beta levels fell on the day after the LH peak, but this was not the case in moderate and severe endometriosis. In mild, moderate and severe endometriosis the plasma progesterone concentration did not rise on the first day following the LH peak, and at laparoscopy significantly (P less than 0.005) less ovulation stigmata were present. We conclude that endometriosis is associated with luteinization in situ and that this may explain the associated infertility.", "contents": "A study of plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17beta, prolactin and LH levels, and of the luteal phase appearance of the ovaries in patients with endometriosis and infertility. Thirty-four infertile patients with regular cycles and endometriosis were studied and compared to a control group of 28 women. The endometriosis was classified as mild (n = 16), moderate (n = 9) and severe (n = 9) according to Acosta et al (1973). The interval between the LH peak and the onset of subsequent menstruation was shorter (P = 0.024) in patients with endometriosis than in the control group. In mild endometriosis, oestradiol-17beta levels fell on the day after the LH peak, but this was not the case in moderate and severe endometriosis. In mild, moderate and severe endometriosis the plasma progesterone concentration did not rise on the first day following the LH peak, and at laparoscopy significantly (P less than 0.005) less ovulation stigmata were present. We conclude that endometriosis is associated with luteinization in situ and that this may explain the associated infertility.", "PMID": 638091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11625", "title": "The treatment of mild adrenal hyperplasia and associated infertility with prednisone.", "content": "Thirty patients with mild post-pubertal adrenal hyperplasia, characterized by raised urinary 17-oxosteroid levels and variable combinations of irregular menses, hirsuties, infertility, and spontaneous abortion, were treated with 2.5 to 10 mg of prednisone per day and all conceived (55 pregnancies). With this treatment, regular, ovulatory cycles occurred immediately in 25 patients, and after two to six months, in the rest. Treatment reduced raised 17-oxosteroid levels to normal and brought about some improvement in hirsuties and acne. Forty-seven pregnancies ended in the birth of liveborn infants; one of these died of prematurity and another had congenital emphysema. One pregnancy was terminated, two were of unknown outcome and five (9.4%) ended in abortion. Before treatment, 20 out of 22 pregnancies (91%) had ended in abortion.", "contents": "The treatment of mild adrenal hyperplasia and associated infertility with prednisone. Thirty patients with mild post-pubertal adrenal hyperplasia, characterized by raised urinary 17-oxosteroid levels and variable combinations of irregular menses, hirsuties, infertility, and spontaneous abortion, were treated with 2.5 to 10 mg of prednisone per day and all conceived (55 pregnancies). With this treatment, regular, ovulatory cycles occurred immediately in 25 patients, and after two to six months, in the rest. Treatment reduced raised 17-oxosteroid levels to normal and brought about some improvement in hirsuties and acne. Forty-seven pregnancies ended in the birth of liveborn infants; one of these died of prematurity and another had congenital emphysema. One pregnancy was terminated, two were of unknown outcome and five (9.4%) ended in abortion. Before treatment, 20 out of 22 pregnancies (91%) had ended in abortion.", "PMID": 638092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11626", "title": "Water relations of early embryogenesis.", "content": "Attention is drawn to the changes in maternal serum osmolality that accompany ovulation, fertilization and early embryogenesis, and the possible significance of those changes is discussed in relation to the sequence of development. From these considerations it is tentatively concluded that maternal hydration influences all stages of early development, and that transient derangement of maternal body fluid regulation could, therefore, be a significant factor in the aetiology of fetal malformations.", "contents": "Water relations of early embryogenesis. Attention is drawn to the changes in maternal serum osmolality that accompany ovulation, fertilization and early embryogenesis, and the possible significance of those changes is discussed in relation to the sequence of development. From these considerations it is tentatively concluded that maternal hydration influences all stages of early development, and that transient derangement of maternal body fluid regulation could, therefore, be a significant factor in the aetiology of fetal malformations.", "PMID": 638093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11627", "title": "Dyspnoea during normal pregnancy.", "content": "The incidence, severity and time-course of dyspnoea were assessed in 62 women on eight occasions throughout a normal pregnancy. Fifteen per cent of subjects noticed an increase in dyspnoea in the first trimester compared with the nonpregnant state and in almost half of them dyspnoea was experienced before 19 weeks gestation; 76% complained of this symptom by 31 weeks gestation. After this time, few subjects noticed any increase in their symptoms.", "contents": "Dyspnoea during normal pregnancy. The incidence, severity and time-course of dyspnoea were assessed in 62 women on eight occasions throughout a normal pregnancy. Fifteen per cent of subjects noticed an increase in dyspnoea in the first trimester compared with the nonpregnant state and in almost half of them dyspnoea was experienced before 19 weeks gestation; 76% complained of this symptom by 31 weeks gestation. After this time, few subjects noticed any increase in their symptoms.", "PMID": 638094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11628", "title": "Amoebiasis in pregnancy and the puerperium.", "content": "The overall incidence and mortality of amoebiasis in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania is briefly reviewed and seven patients with fatal amoebic colitis occurring during pregnancy and the puerperium are described. The possible causes of the fulminating course of the disease in pregnancy are considered and the management is discussed.", "contents": "Amoebiasis in pregnancy and the puerperium. The overall incidence and mortality of amoebiasis in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania is briefly reviewed and seven patients with fatal amoebic colitis occurring during pregnancy and the puerperium are described. The possible causes of the fulminating course of the disease in pregnancy are considered and the management is discussed.", "PMID": 638095} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11629", "title": "The relevance of antenatal and intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns to fetal outcome.", "content": "Antenatal fetal heart rate (FHR) as an indicator of fetal status was evaluated in two separate studies. The first attempted to determine, in 30 minutes of continuous recording from each of 50 antenatal patients, relationships between spontaneous FHR changes and fetal condition before and after birth. No significant association was found between observed FHR patterns and antenatal or neonatal fetal status. The second study used induction of labour as a stress test, because similar conditions to that required for oxytocin stress testing were present and there was the advantage of direct FHR recording. In 150 induced and monitored labours, FHR changes associated with the first six suitable contractions seldom related to Apgar scores at birth or development of fetal distress in active labour. Fetuses showing no response to contractions tended to have better Apgar scores than those which showed FHR decelerations. Results from these studies do not substantiate reports that FHR changes arising spontaneously, or in response to induced contractions, reflect satisfactorily the existing or subsequent fetal status.", "contents": "The relevance of antenatal and intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns to fetal outcome. Antenatal fetal heart rate (FHR) as an indicator of fetal status was evaluated in two separate studies. The first attempted to determine, in 30 minutes of continuous recording from each of 50 antenatal patients, relationships between spontaneous FHR changes and fetal condition before and after birth. No significant association was found between observed FHR patterns and antenatal or neonatal fetal status. The second study used induction of labour as a stress test, because similar conditions to that required for oxytocin stress testing were present and there was the advantage of direct FHR recording. In 150 induced and monitored labours, FHR changes associated with the first six suitable contractions seldom related to Apgar scores at birth or development of fetal distress in active labour. Fetuses showing no response to contractions tended to have better Apgar scores than those which showed FHR decelerations. Results from these studies do not substantiate reports that FHR changes arising spontaneously, or in response to induced contractions, reflect satisfactorily the existing or subsequent fetal status.", "PMID": 638096} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11630", "title": "Nitrous oxide transfer across the placenta and condition of the newborn at delivery.", "content": "Nitrous oxide transfer to the fetus was measured in 14 consecutive patients having a Caesarean section near term. Better babies, as assessed by birth weight and Apgar score at five minutes, were associated with better transfer of nitrous oxide. The correlation was probably attributable to differences in placental blood flow, although it is not possible to prove this.", "contents": "Nitrous oxide transfer across the placenta and condition of the newborn at delivery. Nitrous oxide transfer to the fetus was measured in 14 consecutive patients having a Caesarean section near term. Better babies, as assessed by birth weight and Apgar score at five minutes, were associated with better transfer of nitrous oxide. The correlation was probably attributable to differences in placental blood flow, although it is not possible to prove this.", "PMID": 638097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11631", "title": "Cord blood hypertriglyceridaemia as an index of fetal stress: use of a simple screening test and results of further biochemical analysis.", "content": "In this preliminary study, 120 cord blood samples were subjected to a simple on-the-ward triglyceride screening procedure and 15 were designated as being high and another 15 randomly selected as controls. All the samples were then subjected to detailed biochemical analysis for fatty acid profiles and/or concentrations of free fatty acids, triglycerides (TG), phospholipids, cholesterol esters and glycerol. Eleven of the samples designated 'high' were associated with one or more of the following clinical conditions: family history of ischaemic heart disease, maternal starvation, fetal distress, light-for-dates babies and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. There was an association between high TG levels and high glycerol levels. The fatty acid pattern of the TG was altered when at abnormally high concentration, in particular oleic acid was increased relative to the others, and this was associated with an increase in cholesterol ester oleic acid. The possible mechanisms resulting in cord hypertriglyceridaemia are discussed.", "contents": "Cord blood hypertriglyceridaemia as an index of fetal stress: use of a simple screening test and results of further biochemical analysis. In this preliminary study, 120 cord blood samples were subjected to a simple on-the-ward triglyceride screening procedure and 15 were designated as being high and another 15 randomly selected as controls. All the samples were then subjected to detailed biochemical analysis for fatty acid profiles and/or concentrations of free fatty acids, triglycerides (TG), phospholipids, cholesterol esters and glycerol. Eleven of the samples designated 'high' were associated with one or more of the following clinical conditions: family history of ischaemic heart disease, maternal starvation, fetal distress, light-for-dates babies and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. There was an association between high TG levels and high glycerol levels. The fatty acid pattern of the TG was altered when at abnormally high concentration, in particular oleic acid was increased relative to the others, and this was associated with an increase in cholesterol ester oleic acid. The possible mechanisms resulting in cord hypertriglyceridaemia are discussed.", "PMID": 638098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11632", "title": "Pregnancy and childbirth in a true hermaphrodite following reconstructive surgery.", "content": "An 18-year-old Tanzanian true hermaphrodite became pregnant one month after reconstructive vaginal surgery. Chromosomal analysis of the mother showed a 46 XX constitution; a chromosome 21 carried a large short arm which might have contained Y chromosome material.", "contents": "Pregnancy and childbirth in a true hermaphrodite following reconstructive surgery. An 18-year-old Tanzanian true hermaphrodite became pregnant one month after reconstructive vaginal surgery. Chromosomal analysis of the mother showed a 46 XX constitution; a chromosome 21 carried a large short arm which might have contained Y chromosome material.", "PMID": 638099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11633", "title": "Ocular antigens VIII: assay of delayed hypersensitivity to corneal epithelium in the rabbit.", "content": "Rabbits were sensitised with complete bovine corneal epithelium. The lymphocyte stimulation test was performed with the lymphocytes of these rabbits using the soluble and sonicated insoluble fraction of the corneal epithelium as the antigens. A striking difference existed in the optimal test conditions for these antigen fractions. By comparing the results of the lymphocyte stimulation test with other immunological parameters, namely, skin test reaction, antibody titre, and phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of the lymphocytes, we concluded that both antigen fractions stimulate predominantly the T-lymphocyte system, although boosting augmented the humoral immune response. Stimulation of the cultured lymphocytes by both the separate and mixed antigen fractions is evidence for the existence of crossreacting antigens between the soluble and insoluble epithelial fractions.", "contents": "Ocular antigens VIII: assay of delayed hypersensitivity to corneal epithelium in the rabbit. Rabbits were sensitised with complete bovine corneal epithelium. The lymphocyte stimulation test was performed with the lymphocytes of these rabbits using the soluble and sonicated insoluble fraction of the corneal epithelium as the antigens. A striking difference existed in the optimal test conditions for these antigen fractions. By comparing the results of the lymphocyte stimulation test with other immunological parameters, namely, skin test reaction, antibody titre, and phytohaemagglutinin stimulation of the lymphocytes, we concluded that both antigen fractions stimulate predominantly the T-lymphocyte system, although boosting augmented the humoral immune response. Stimulation of the cultured lymphocytes by both the separate and mixed antigen fractions is evidence for the existence of crossreacting antigens between the soluble and insoluble epithelial fractions.", "PMID": 638100} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11634", "title": "Visual fields in metastatic choroidal carcinoma.", "content": "A large choroidal metastasis was diagnosed in the right eye of a 44-year-old man referred for admission to hospital because of 'retinal detachment.' At the same time in the second, symptomless, eye a very small metastasis was observed. Close follow-up during the next month showed an extremely rapid deterioration of visual acuity and visual field in this eye. This is thought to be characteristic of such metastatic tumours in contrast to the slower progress of choroidal malignant melanoma. The application of local radiotherapy to the same eye led to an impressive improvement in the visual acuity and visual field. The source of these bilateral choroidal metastases, which was found only after the patient's death, proved to a bronchial carcinoma.", "contents": "Visual fields in metastatic choroidal carcinoma. A large choroidal metastasis was diagnosed in the right eye of a 44-year-old man referred for admission to hospital because of 'retinal detachment.' At the same time in the second, symptomless, eye a very small metastasis was observed. Close follow-up during the next month showed an extremely rapid deterioration of visual acuity and visual field in this eye. This is thought to be characteristic of such metastatic tumours in contrast to the slower progress of choroidal malignant melanoma. The application of local radiotherapy to the same eye led to an impressive improvement in the visual acuity and visual field. The source of these bilateral choroidal metastases, which was found only after the patient's death, proved to a bronchial carcinoma.", "PMID": 638101} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11635", "title": "Corneal toxicity from vinblastine solution.", "content": "The case is reported of a male physician who accidentally sprayed some vinblastine solution into his eyes. The resulting lesions are described.", "contents": "Corneal toxicity from vinblastine solution. The case is reported of a male physician who accidentally sprayed some vinblastine solution into his eyes. The resulting lesions are described.", "PMID": 638102} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11636", "title": "Effects of ultrasound on the corneal endothelium: I. The acute lesion.", "content": "The ultrasonic radiation utilised in phacoemulsification procedures for the removal of cataractous lenses results in the widespread production of discrete lesions in the corneal endothelium. The morphology of this induced damage has been examined in rabbit and man using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The illustrated results are related to both the duration of the ultrasonic exposure and to the mechanisms of damage.", "contents": "Effects of ultrasound on the corneal endothelium: I. The acute lesion. The ultrasonic radiation utilised in phacoemulsification procedures for the removal of cataractous lenses results in the widespread production of discrete lesions in the corneal endothelium. The morphology of this induced damage has been examined in rabbit and man using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The illustrated results are related to both the duration of the ultrasonic exposure and to the mechanisms of damage.", "PMID": 638104} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11637", "title": "Effects of ultrasound on the corneal endothelium: II. The endothelial repair process.", "content": "The responses of corneal endothelium to a 2-minute exposure of ultrasound from a clinical phacoemulsification device have been studied by specular microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscope. Healing of lesions occurred in two ways, and these were related to lesion size. Small lesions healed by a process of rosette formation, and large lesions were repaired by a process of endothelial dedifferentiation and migration. All damaged areas were re-covered with endothelial cells within 24 hours of exposure, and at this time corneal thickness had returned to control levels. The implications are discussed in relation to the phacoemulsification procedure.", "contents": "Effects of ultrasound on the corneal endothelium: II. The endothelial repair process. The responses of corneal endothelium to a 2-minute exposure of ultrasound from a clinical phacoemulsification device have been studied by specular microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscope. Healing of lesions occurred in two ways, and these were related to lesion size. Small lesions healed by a process of rosette formation, and large lesions were repaired by a process of endothelial dedifferentiation and migration. All damaged areas were re-covered with endothelial cells within 24 hours of exposure, and at this time corneal thickness had returned to control levels. The implications are discussed in relation to the phacoemulsification procedure.", "PMID": 638105} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11638", "title": "Intracorneal and sclerocorneal cysts.", "content": "Two cases of corneal cysts are reported, one sclerocorneal and the other intracorneal. The two conditions differ in pathogenesis, appearance, course, and management.", "contents": "Intracorneal and sclerocorneal cysts. Two cases of corneal cysts are reported, one sclerocorneal and the other intracorneal. The two conditions differ in pathogenesis, appearance, course, and management.", "PMID": 638106} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11639", "title": "Clinical aspects of corneal trachoma.", "content": "Classification of trachoma by site rather than density of opacities is better related to visual prognosis and helps in selection for graft surgery. The cases are divided into 3 groups: peripheral corneal opacities, central corneal opacities, and diffuse corneal opacities (ground-glass cornea). A central lesion has the poorest prognosis, especially in children.", "contents": "Clinical aspects of corneal trachoma. Classification of trachoma by site rather than density of opacities is better related to visual prognosis and helps in selection for graft surgery. The cases are divided into 3 groups: peripheral corneal opacities, central corneal opacities, and diffuse corneal opacities (ground-glass cornea). A central lesion has the poorest prognosis, especially in children.", "PMID": 638107} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11640", "title": "Refractive errors of retinitis pigmentosa patients.", "content": "A retinitis pigmentosa (RP) population (268 eyes) had predominantly myopic refractive errors. Whereas 12% of a normal population have myopic refractions, myopia was found in 75% of 268 eyes of RP patients and in 95% of 41 eyes of X-linked RP patients. The spherical errors describe a single-peaked, skewed distribution, with a mean of -1.86 dioptres that is significantly (P less than 0.001) more myopic, by -2.93 D, than that of a normal population. The X-linked genetic group has a spherical mean of -5.51 D that is significantly (P less than 0.01) more myopic than the non-X-linked RP population. This X-linked spherical error distribution may be composed of two separate subdistributions. Astigmatic refractive errors greater than 0.5 D are found in 47% of this RP population, considerably in excess of the 19% of a normal population with such astigmatic errors.", "contents": "Refractive errors of retinitis pigmentosa patients. A retinitis pigmentosa (RP) population (268 eyes) had predominantly myopic refractive errors. Whereas 12% of a normal population have myopic refractions, myopia was found in 75% of 268 eyes of RP patients and in 95% of 41 eyes of X-linked RP patients. The spherical errors describe a single-peaked, skewed distribution, with a mean of -1.86 dioptres that is significantly (P less than 0.001) more myopic, by -2.93 D, than that of a normal population. The X-linked genetic group has a spherical mean of -5.51 D that is significantly (P less than 0.01) more myopic than the non-X-linked RP population. This X-linked spherical error distribution may be composed of two separate subdistributions. Astigmatic refractive errors greater than 0.5 D are found in 47% of this RP population, considerably in excess of the 19% of a normal population with such astigmatic errors.", "PMID": 638108} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11641", "title": "Copper metabolism in American retinitis pigmentosa patients.", "content": "Serum copper, serum caeruloplasmin, and urinary copper excretion were measured in 38 American patients (and 15 family members) with recessive, dominant, and X-linked forms of retinitis pigmentosa. No abnormalities were found, in contrast to the findings of a recent study on Indian patients. Our data argue against a role for copper metabolism in ordinary retinitis pigmentosa.", "contents": "Copper metabolism in American retinitis pigmentosa patients. Serum copper, serum caeruloplasmin, and urinary copper excretion were measured in 38 American patients (and 15 family members) with recessive, dominant, and X-linked forms of retinitis pigmentosa. No abnormalities were found, in contrast to the findings of a recent study on Indian patients. Our data argue against a role for copper metabolism in ordinary retinitis pigmentosa.", "PMID": 638109} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11642", "title": "The incidence of HLA-SD antigens in recessive retinitis pigmentosa.", "content": "Eighteen patients with recessive retinitis pigmentosa were tissue typed for HLA-SD antigens. There was no evidence that a particular HLA-SD antigen was associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.", "contents": "The incidence of HLA-SD antigens in recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Eighteen patients with recessive retinitis pigmentosa were tissue typed for HLA-SD antigens. There was no evidence that a particular HLA-SD antigen was associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.", "PMID": 638110} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11643", "title": "Retinitis pigmentosa and retinal oedema.", "content": "Twenty-five patients with retinitis pigmentosa and retinal leakage were investigated. Oedema was present in dominant and X-linked inherited disease and is likely to be present in recessive disease as well. We suggest that this might be a general response seen in many types of tapeto-retinal degeneration to actively degenerating photoreceptors or pigment epithelium.", "contents": "Retinitis pigmentosa and retinal oedema. Twenty-five patients with retinitis pigmentosa and retinal leakage were investigated. Oedema was present in dominant and X-linked inherited disease and is likely to be present in recessive disease as well. We suggest that this might be a general response seen in many types of tapeto-retinal degeneration to actively degenerating photoreceptors or pigment epithelium.", "PMID": 638111} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11644", "title": "Immunological studies in retinitis pigmentosa associated with retinal vascular leakage.", "content": "Seventeen patients with retinitis pigmentosa and vascular leakage were studied for humoral immunological abnormalities. Apart from raised levels of IgM in 5 patients no other abnormalities were found.", "contents": "Immunological studies in retinitis pigmentosa associated with retinal vascular leakage. Seventeen patients with retinitis pigmentosa and vascular leakage were studied for humoral immunological abnormalities. Apart from raised levels of IgM in 5 patients no other abnormalities were found.", "PMID": 638112} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11645", "title": "Total body water in malnutrition: the possible role of energy intake.", "content": "1. Total body water (TBW) was measured using tritiated water in sixty-five children. The measurements were distributed throughout rehabilitation in order to define the effect of changing energy intakes. 2. Oedematous children had a high TBW which decreased to the normal range during loss of oedema providing they were not receiving more than maintenance amounts of energy during this period. 3. Marasmic children who had not received greater than maintenance amounts of energy had a normal TBW. 4. Treatment with a high-energy diet was associated with an initial increase in TBW. 5. The possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are discussed.", "contents": "Total body water in malnutrition: the possible role of energy intake. 1. Total body water (TBW) was measured using tritiated water in sixty-five children. The measurements were distributed throughout rehabilitation in order to define the effect of changing energy intakes. 2. Oedematous children had a high TBW which decreased to the normal range during loss of oedema providing they were not receiving more than maintenance amounts of energy during this period. 3. Marasmic children who had not received greater than maintenance amounts of energy had a normal TBW. 4. Treatment with a high-energy diet was associated with an initial increase in TBW. 5. The possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are discussed.", "PMID": 638113} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11646", "title": "Amino acid requirements of the breeding sow: the dietary lysine requirement during pregnancy.", "content": "1. Four pregnant sows were used to study lysine requirements by means of the interpretation of values for plasma amino acid and blood urea. Diets containing graded levels of dietary lysine were fed at the rate of 1.82 kg/d. 2. Plasma lysine remained at a low level up to 6.4 g dietary lysine/kg (dry matter basis) and then increased sharply with further increases in lysine intake. 3. Blood urea levels decreased when the dietary lysine content was increased to 6.4 g/kg and then increased at higher dietary lysine concentrations. 4. Both criteria of response indicated that the lysine requirement of the pregnant sow given 1.82 kg diet/d during the later stages of pregnancy does not exceed 10.00 g/d.", "contents": "Amino acid requirements of the breeding sow: the dietary lysine requirement during pregnancy. 1. Four pregnant sows were used to study lysine requirements by means of the interpretation of values for plasma amino acid and blood urea. Diets containing graded levels of dietary lysine were fed at the rate of 1.82 kg/d. 2. Plasma lysine remained at a low level up to 6.4 g dietary lysine/kg (dry matter basis) and then increased sharply with further increases in lysine intake. 3. Blood urea levels decreased when the dietary lysine content was increased to 6.4 g/kg and then increased at higher dietary lysine concentrations. 4. Both criteria of response indicated that the lysine requirement of the pregnant sow given 1.82 kg diet/d during the later stages of pregnancy does not exceed 10.00 g/d.", "PMID": 638116} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11647", "title": "Effects of liquid feeding of concentrate from a pail on growth and on the digestibility of the diet in young calves.", "content": "1. Studies were done on the effects of giving calves two types of concentrate diet, both in a liquid form from an open pail or in a dry pelleted form, on the closure of oesophageal groove, body-weight gains and the digestibility of rations. 2. Twenty-four Holstein calves were used in an experiment by dividing into two groups of twelve calves each. The 'dry-fed' group (DFG) was given a pelleted concentrate, F1, from 25 to 42 d of age, and then given another type of pelleted concentrate, F2, from 43 to 87 d of age, and again given F1 from 88 to 112 d of age. The 'liquid-fed' group (LFG) was given from a pail a liquid suspension of the equivalent amount of the same concentrates as those fed to DFG calves, for the same periods. F1 contained skim milk and glucose with lower levels of maize and soya-bean meal than F2 which did not contain skim milk or glucose; F1 and F2 were both supplemented with 10 g methionine/kg and also supplemented with lysine at 5 and 10 g/kg respectively. All calves were allowed free access to roughage, and digestibilities were measured at 12 and 16 weeks of age. 3. Wet weights of reticulo-rumen and abomasal tissues (% whole stomach weight) were respectively 69.8 and 17.6 in DFG, and 59.0 and 26.4 in LFG at 42 d of age; at 87 d of age, the corresponding values were 68.0 and 16.3 in DFG, and 52.8 and 36.6 in LFG, and further, LFG had significantly more developed caecums and large intestines as well as significantly less developed reticulo-rumens and omasums than DFG. 4. Free amino acid patterns in plasma did not vary in DFG, but varied in LFG in response to the change in diet from F1 to F2 and to the difference between diets in lysine supplementation. 5. Feeding F1 in a liquid form and F2 in a dry form significantly improved calf gains. The intake of roughage in DFG exceeded that in LFG especially when F2 was fed. 6. The digestibility of diethyl ether extracts did not vary with feeding procedures, but that of crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) was significantly higher in DFG independent of the type of diet. Digestibilities of dry matter and N-free extracts were significantly higher in LFG for F1, while higher in DFG for F2. The digestibility of acid-detergent fibre did not differ significantly between groups at 12 weeks of age, but was significantly higher in LFG at 16 weeks of age, suggesting a possible compensatory contribution of the large intestine to the digestion of fibre in LFG. 7. The efficiency of liquid feeding of a concentrate diet to ruminants compared with that of dry feeding is discussed.", "contents": "Effects of liquid feeding of concentrate from a pail on growth and on the digestibility of the diet in young calves. 1. Studies were done on the effects of giving calves two types of concentrate diet, both in a liquid form from an open pail or in a dry pelleted form, on the closure of oesophageal groove, body-weight gains and the digestibility of rations. 2. Twenty-four Holstein calves were used in an experiment by dividing into two groups of twelve calves each. The 'dry-fed' group (DFG) was given a pelleted concentrate, F1, from 25 to 42 d of age, and then given another type of pelleted concentrate, F2, from 43 to 87 d of age, and again given F1 from 88 to 112 d of age. The 'liquid-fed' group (LFG) was given from a pail a liquid suspension of the equivalent amount of the same concentrates as those fed to DFG calves, for the same periods. F1 contained skim milk and glucose with lower levels of maize and soya-bean meal than F2 which did not contain skim milk or glucose; F1 and F2 were both supplemented with 10 g methionine/kg and also supplemented with lysine at 5 and 10 g/kg respectively. All calves were allowed free access to roughage, and digestibilities were measured at 12 and 16 weeks of age. 3. Wet weights of reticulo-rumen and abomasal tissues (% whole stomach weight) were respectively 69.8 and 17.6 in DFG, and 59.0 and 26.4 in LFG at 42 d of age; at 87 d of age, the corresponding values were 68.0 and 16.3 in DFG, and 52.8 and 36.6 in LFG, and further, LFG had significantly more developed caecums and large intestines as well as significantly less developed reticulo-rumens and omasums than DFG. 4. Free amino acid patterns in plasma did not vary in DFG, but varied in LFG in response to the change in diet from F1 to F2 and to the difference between diets in lysine supplementation. 5. Feeding F1 in a liquid form and F2 in a dry form significantly improved calf gains. The intake of roughage in DFG exceeded that in LFG especially when F2 was fed. 6. The digestibility of diethyl ether extracts did not vary with feeding procedures, but that of crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) was significantly higher in DFG independent of the type of diet. Digestibilities of dry matter and N-free extracts were significantly higher in LFG for F1, while higher in DFG for F2. The digestibility of acid-detergent fibre did not differ significantly between groups at 12 weeks of age, but was significantly higher in LFG at 16 weeks of age, suggesting a possible compensatory contribution of the large intestine to the digestion of fibre in LFG. 7. The efficiency of liquid feeding of a concentrate diet to ruminants compared with that of dry feeding is discussed.", "PMID": 638117} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11648", "title": "Studies in iron supplementation of preschool children.", "content": "1. The effect of daily supplements of 20-30 mg inorganic iron as ferrous sulphate on the growth, activity and haematological status of preschool children was studied for 3.5, 7 and 12 months and compared to that of children who served as controls. All children were given their daily requirements of energy and protein. In addition, they received 5 microgram cyanocobalamin and 200 microgram folic acid. 2. Fe supplementation increased the haemoglobin, serum Fe and percentage saturation of transferrin and reduced the unsaturated Fe-binding capacity significantly compared to corresponding values for the controls. 3. Height and activity were unaffected by Fe supplements. 4. Of the children 45% had haemoglobin values below 110 g/l at the end of 7-12 months of Fe supplementation.", "contents": "Studies in iron supplementation of preschool children. 1. The effect of daily supplements of 20-30 mg inorganic iron as ferrous sulphate on the growth, activity and haematological status of preschool children was studied for 3.5, 7 and 12 months and compared to that of children who served as controls. All children were given their daily requirements of energy and protein. In addition, they received 5 microgram cyanocobalamin and 200 microgram folic acid. 2. Fe supplementation increased the haemoglobin, serum Fe and percentage saturation of transferrin and reduced the unsaturated Fe-binding capacity significantly compared to corresponding values for the controls. 3. Height and activity were unaffected by Fe supplements. 4. Of the children 45% had haemoglobin values below 110 g/l at the end of 7-12 months of Fe supplementation.", "PMID": 638119} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11649", "title": "Effects of vitamin B12 deficiency on lipid metabolism of the rat liver and nervous system.", "content": "1. Rats bred from vitamin B12-depleted dams were fed on a vitamin B12-deficient diet for 12-15 months and developed a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, as judged from methylmalonic acid excretion and tissue vitamin B12 levels at slaughter. Control rats were supplemented with vitamin B12 in the drinking-water. 2. Neurological signs were recorded after 7 months but the motor nerve conduction velocities remained normal. Neuropathological examination revealed mild changes in the peripheral nerves but no changes in the central nervous system. 3. The amounts of total lipids and phospholipids were normal, but in all examined tissues the proportions of pentadecanoate (C15 fatty acid) and heptadecanoate (C17 fatty acid) were considerably increased in vitamin B12 deficiency. 4. 3H2O was incorporated to the same extent into the fatty acids of nervous tissue from vitamin B12-deficient and control rats after 48 h. Less 3H was found in the liver fatty acids of the vitamin B12-deficient rats. 5. Neurological dysfunction can be demonstrated in the vitamin B12-deficient rat; the relation of the biochemical and neuropathological changes to the neurological signs needs further study.", "contents": "Effects of vitamin B12 deficiency on lipid metabolism of the rat liver and nervous system. 1. Rats bred from vitamin B12-depleted dams were fed on a vitamin B12-deficient diet for 12-15 months and developed a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, as judged from methylmalonic acid excretion and tissue vitamin B12 levels at slaughter. Control rats were supplemented with vitamin B12 in the drinking-water. 2. Neurological signs were recorded after 7 months but the motor nerve conduction velocities remained normal. Neuropathological examination revealed mild changes in the peripheral nerves but no changes in the central nervous system. 3. The amounts of total lipids and phospholipids were normal, but in all examined tissues the proportions of pentadecanoate (C15 fatty acid) and heptadecanoate (C17 fatty acid) were considerably increased in vitamin B12 deficiency. 4. 3H2O was incorporated to the same extent into the fatty acids of nervous tissue from vitamin B12-deficient and control rats after 48 h. Less 3H was found in the liver fatty acids of the vitamin B12-deficient rats. 5. Neurological dysfunction can be demonstrated in the vitamin B12-deficient rat; the relation of the biochemical and neuropathological changes to the neurological signs needs further study.", "PMID": 638120} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11650", "title": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 2. Measurements of the flow of dry matter, ash and water.", "content": "1. Digesta were collected from twenty-three pigs, initially of 30 kg live weight, and fitted with single Ash re-entrant cannulas in either the duodenum, jejunum or ileum. A further twenty-four pigs were used in a conventional digestibility trial. 2. The diets contained: barley, fine wheat offal, white fish meal, minerals and vitamins (diet BWF); starch, sucrose, maize oil, cellulose, minerals, vitamins and either groundnut (diet SSG) or casein (diet SSC). 3. The flow-rates of dry matter (DM), ash and water were measured hourly in the duodenum and jejunum, and every 6 h in the ileum during 24 h collection periods. Faeces were collected during 5 d periods. 4. Marked increases in the flow rates of each of the digesta components after feeding each diet were observed in the duodenum and jejunum, but not in the ileum. The total flow in 24 h periods was much lower in the ileum than at the other sites. 5. Values for the ratio, DM output: intake for DM outputs from the duodenal, jejunal or ileal cannulas, and in faeces, in 24 h periods were respectively 0.94, 0.81, 0.28 and 0.22 for diet BWF; 0.96, 0.76, 0.20 and 0.15 for diet SSG; 0.96, 0.73, 0.08 and 0.04 for diet SSC. The corresponding values for ash were: 1.47, 1.65, 0.74 and 0.53 for diet BWF; 1.28, 1.34, 0.59 and 0.51 for diet SSG; 1.63, 1.35, 0.50 and 0.26 for diet SSC. The corresponding values for water were: 3.49, 3.41, 0.88 and 0.18 for diet BWF, 2.75, 2.80, 0.80 and 0.08 for diet SSG and 2.61, 1.87, 0.23 and 0.01 for diet SSC.", "contents": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 2. Measurements of the flow of dry matter, ash and water. 1. Digesta were collected from twenty-three pigs, initially of 30 kg live weight, and fitted with single Ash re-entrant cannulas in either the duodenum, jejunum or ileum. A further twenty-four pigs were used in a conventional digestibility trial. 2. The diets contained: barley, fine wheat offal, white fish meal, minerals and vitamins (diet BWF); starch, sucrose, maize oil, cellulose, minerals, vitamins and either groundnut (diet SSG) or casein (diet SSC). 3. The flow-rates of dry matter (DM), ash and water were measured hourly in the duodenum and jejunum, and every 6 h in the ileum during 24 h collection periods. Faeces were collected during 5 d periods. 4. Marked increases in the flow rates of each of the digesta components after feeding each diet were observed in the duodenum and jejunum, but not in the ileum. The total flow in 24 h periods was much lower in the ileum than at the other sites. 5. Values for the ratio, DM output: intake for DM outputs from the duodenal, jejunal or ileal cannulas, and in faeces, in 24 h periods were respectively 0.94, 0.81, 0.28 and 0.22 for diet BWF; 0.96, 0.76, 0.20 and 0.15 for diet SSG; 0.96, 0.73, 0.08 and 0.04 for diet SSC. The corresponding values for ash were: 1.47, 1.65, 0.74 and 0.53 for diet BWF; 1.28, 1.34, 0.59 and 0.51 for diet SSG; 1.63, 1.35, 0.50 and 0.26 for diet SSC. The corresponding values for water were: 3.49, 3.41, 0.88 and 0.18 for diet BWF, 2.75, 2.80, 0.80 and 0.08 for diet SSG and 2.61, 1.87, 0.23 and 0.01 for diet SSC.", "PMID": 638121} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11651", "title": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 3. Net movements of mineral nutrients in the digestive tract.", "content": "1. Pigs growing from 20 to 60 kg live weight were given diets based on barley, weatings and fish meal, or starch, sucrose and groundnut meal or starch, sucrose and casein. Seventeen pigs were fitted with single re-entrant cannulas in the duodenum (posterior to entry of bile and pancreatic ducts), jejunum or terminal ileum and twenty-four non-cannulated pigs were used in a conventional digestibility trial. 2. The amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium passing through the re-entrant cannulas and amounts excreted in the faeces were measured. These values were used to calculate the direction and extent of net movements of the five elements through the walls of the four parts of the digestive tract anterior to the collection sites. 3. The small intestine was the principal site of Ca and P absorption but there were differences between the diets in the relative importance of the regions anterior and posterior to the mid-jejunum. 4. Secretion of small amounts of Mg occurred in the anterior small intestine; the ileum and large intestine were the principal sites of net absorption. 5. There was a large net secretion of Na anterior to the duodenal cannulas and further secretion into the anterior small intestine with each diet. There were marked differences between diets in the amounts secreted but the ileal Na concentration was the same in each instance. Absorption occurred in the ileum and large intestine. 6. Secretion of small amounts of K was evident anterior to the duodenal cannulas and net absorption occurred in both parts of the small intestine with each diet.", "contents": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 3. Net movements of mineral nutrients in the digestive tract. 1. Pigs growing from 20 to 60 kg live weight were given diets based on barley, weatings and fish meal, or starch, sucrose and groundnut meal or starch, sucrose and casein. Seventeen pigs were fitted with single re-entrant cannulas in the duodenum (posterior to entry of bile and pancreatic ducts), jejunum or terminal ileum and twenty-four non-cannulated pigs were used in a conventional digestibility trial. 2. The amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium passing through the re-entrant cannulas and amounts excreted in the faeces were measured. These values were used to calculate the direction and extent of net movements of the five elements through the walls of the four parts of the digestive tract anterior to the collection sites. 3. The small intestine was the principal site of Ca and P absorption but there were differences between the diets in the relative importance of the regions anterior and posterior to the mid-jejunum. 4. Secretion of small amounts of Mg occurred in the anterior small intestine; the ileum and large intestine were the principal sites of net absorption. 5. There was a large net secretion of Na anterior to the duodenal cannulas and further secretion into the anterior small intestine with each diet. There were marked differences between diets in the amounts secreted but the ileal Na concentration was the same in each instance. Absorption occurred in the ileum and large intestine. 6. Secretion of small amounts of K was evident anterior to the duodenal cannulas and net absorption occurred in both parts of the small intestine with each diet.", "PMID": 638122} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11652", "title": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 4. Effects of dietary cellulose and sodium levels on mineral absorption.", "content": "1. Seven pigs of 30 kg initial live weight were fitted with re-entrant cannulas in the terminal ileum. Each was fed, in succession, four purified diets having cellulose and sodium levels (g/kg) of 30 and 2.7, 30 and 0.9, 90 and 2.7 or 90 and 0.9, respectively. Collections of digesta (24 h) and 3 or 4 d collections of faeces were made. 2. There was a greater throughput of ileal digesta with the high-cellulose diets than with the low-cellulose diets, mainly due to increased water content, and there was a concomitant reduction in the net absorption of Na from the small intestine. The immediate response to reduced Na intake was increased secretion of Na into the gut lumen anterior to the terminal ileum; this was more pronounced with the high-cellulose diet. Na concentrations in ileal digesta were very similar for all four diets. 3. The apparent absorptions of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and zinc were reduced by the high-cellulose diets. In each instance this was due to reduced absorption posterior to the terminal ileum.", "contents": "Studies on digestion and absorption in the intestines of growing pigs. 4. Effects of dietary cellulose and sodium levels on mineral absorption. 1. Seven pigs of 30 kg initial live weight were fitted with re-entrant cannulas in the terminal ileum. Each was fed, in succession, four purified diets having cellulose and sodium levels (g/kg) of 30 and 2.7, 30 and 0.9, 90 and 2.7 or 90 and 0.9, respectively. Collections of digesta (24 h) and 3 or 4 d collections of faeces were made. 2. There was a greater throughput of ileal digesta with the high-cellulose diets than with the low-cellulose diets, mainly due to increased water content, and there was a concomitant reduction in the net absorption of Na from the small intestine. The immediate response to reduced Na intake was increased secretion of Na into the gut lumen anterior to the terminal ileum; this was more pronounced with the high-cellulose diet. Na concentrations in ileal digesta were very similar for all four diets. 3. The apparent absorptions of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and zinc were reduced by the high-cellulose diets. In each instance this was due to reduced absorption posterior to the terminal ileum.", "PMID": 638123} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11653", "title": "Blood pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) activity as a criterion of biotin status in chickens and turkeys.", "content": "1. Blood pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate-CO2 ligase (ADP-forming); EC 6.4.1.1; PC) activities in young chickens and turkeys given low-biotin diets supplemented with biotin at graded levels were studied in three experiments. 2. In both species PC activity was related positively to the supplemental biotin level. The relationship was sigmoid and maximum activity was attained with supplemental levels above those required to give maximal growth response. 3. Enzyme activity decreased between 2 and 4 weeks of age but remained almost constant thereafter. 4. Activity in chicks was not affected by alterations in the fat or protein content of the diet. 5. Changing poults from high to low and from low to high supplemental biotin levels resulted in reversals in the levels of enzyme activity. 6. It is concluded that blood PC activity is a promising new criterion for assessing the biotin status of young chickens and turkeys.", "contents": "Blood pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) activity as a criterion of biotin status in chickens and turkeys. 1. Blood pyruvate carboxylase (pyruvate-CO2 ligase (ADP-forming); EC 6.4.1.1; PC) activities in young chickens and turkeys given low-biotin diets supplemented with biotin at graded levels were studied in three experiments. 2. In both species PC activity was related positively to the supplemental biotin level. The relationship was sigmoid and maximum activity was attained with supplemental levels above those required to give maximal growth response. 3. Enzyme activity decreased between 2 and 4 weeks of age but remained almost constant thereafter. 4. Activity in chicks was not affected by alterations in the fat or protein content of the diet. 5. Changing poults from high to low and from low to high supplemental biotin levels resulted in reversals in the levels of enzyme activity. 6. It is concluded that blood PC activity is a promising new criterion for assessing the biotin status of young chickens and turkeys.", "PMID": 638124} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11654", "title": "A human calorimeter for the direct and indirect measurement of 24 h energy expenditure.", "content": "1. A calorimeter for the continuous measurement of heat production and heat loss in the human subject, for at least 24 h, is described. The calorimeter operated on the heat-sink principle for direct calorimetry and an open-circuit system for indirect calorimetry. 2. Sensible heat loss was measured using a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the temperature of water entering the heat exchanger was controlled to maintain a mean temperature gradient of zero across the chamber walls. 3. Evaporative heat loss was determined from ingoing and outgoing wet-and-dry bulb temperatures and air flow-rates. 4. Problems associated with the calculation of evapoative heat loss and the estimation of the volume of incoming air in open-circuit systems are considered. 5. The calibration, limits of accuracy, sources of error and experiments with subjects are discussed.", "contents": "A human calorimeter for the direct and indirect measurement of 24 h energy expenditure. 1. A calorimeter for the continuous measurement of heat production and heat loss in the human subject, for at least 24 h, is described. The calorimeter operated on the heat-sink principle for direct calorimetry and an open-circuit system for indirect calorimetry. 2. Sensible heat loss was measured using a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the temperature of water entering the heat exchanger was controlled to maintain a mean temperature gradient of zero across the chamber walls. 3. Evaporative heat loss was determined from ingoing and outgoing wet-and-dry bulb temperatures and air flow-rates. 4. Problems associated with the calculation of evapoative heat loss and the estimation of the volume of incoming air in open-circuit systems are considered. 5. The calibration, limits of accuracy, sources of error and experiments with subjects are discussed.", "PMID": 638125} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11655", "title": "On supplementing the selenium intake of New Zealanders. 1. Short experiments with large doses of selenite or selenomethionine.", "content": "1. Urinary and faecal excretion of single oral doses of 1 mg selenium or 0.1 mg Se as selenomethionine (Semet-Se) in solution were studied in two women. Most of the Se was absorbed and little was eliminated in the urine (0.05-0.22 dose). 2. The results have been compared with those from an earlier study (Thomson, 1974) on the same two women after similarly sized doses of sodium selenite (selenite-Se) in solution. Although selenite-Se was almost as well absorbed as Semet-Se more was excreted in the urine (0.41-0.85 dose). 3. Repeated dosing with 1 mg selenite-Se on five consecutive days in one of the women indicated that 1.1 mg had been retained. 4. Twenty patients with muscular complaints from Tapanui (South Otago, New Zealand), a low-Se soil area, ingested 0.5 mg selenite-Se daily for 20 d. Blood Se increased rapidly to almost twice the initial concentration but reached a plateau well below most values reported for residents outside New Zealand. No difference in blood Se concentration was found between those who did or did not report improvement. 5. Spasmodic medication with selenite-Se by some residents near Lincoln (Christchurch, New Zealand) for periods of up to 10 years or more had increased the blood Se somewhat.", "contents": "On supplementing the selenium intake of New Zealanders. 1. Short experiments with large doses of selenite or selenomethionine. 1. Urinary and faecal excretion of single oral doses of 1 mg selenium or 0.1 mg Se as selenomethionine (Semet-Se) in solution were studied in two women. Most of the Se was absorbed and little was eliminated in the urine (0.05-0.22 dose). 2. The results have been compared with those from an earlier study (Thomson, 1974) on the same two women after similarly sized doses of sodium selenite (selenite-Se) in solution. Although selenite-Se was almost as well absorbed as Semet-Se more was excreted in the urine (0.41-0.85 dose). 3. Repeated dosing with 1 mg selenite-Se on five consecutive days in one of the women indicated that 1.1 mg had been retained. 4. Twenty patients with muscular complaints from Tapanui (South Otago, New Zealand), a low-Se soil area, ingested 0.5 mg selenite-Se daily for 20 d. Blood Se increased rapidly to almost twice the initial concentration but reached a plateau well below most values reported for residents outside New Zealand. No difference in blood Se concentration was found between those who did or did not report improvement. 5. Spasmodic medication with selenite-Se by some residents near Lincoln (Christchurch, New Zealand) for periods of up to 10 years or more had increased the blood Se somewhat.", "PMID": 638126} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11656", "title": "A study of the protein and amino acid requirements of the growing New Zealand White rabbit with emphasis on lysine and the sulphur-containing amino acids.", "content": "1. New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were given, between 4 and 8 weeks of age, a range of diets, based on oats and fish meal, containing from 104 to 255 g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25; CP)/kg to establish the level of CP below which growth was retarded. 2. In three experiments each diet was fed to four animals and food intake, growth and N balance were measured over 4 weeks. Body analysis was also carried out after two of the experiments. 3. The rates of food intake and growth of animals increased with dietary CP concentration until a CP concentration of approximately 150 g/kg diet had been reached. Beyond this there was little further improvement. N balance studies showed that once this dietary concentration of CP had been reached, there was a reduced rate of N retention. 4. Good agreement was found between N retention measured by balance methods and by body analysis: body composition showed a tendency towards an increase 5. Microbial protein produced in the caecum and eaten during coprophagy, was found to supplement the dietary protein by approximately 2 g CP/d, or by only 0.1 of a normal dietary intake of CP. 6. In the second part of the study NZW rabbits were offered, between 5 and 8 weeks of age, diets based on oats containing 150 g CP/kg. The protein supplied by oats was supplemented with maize gluten, gelatin, groundnut meal, casein, soya-bean meal or fish meal. 7. Rabbits offered diets containing casein, soya-bean meal and fish meal gained 40-50 g/d similar, to animals given a well-balanced control diet, while those given diets containing maize gluten, gelatin or groundnut meal gained approximately 30 g/d. This indicated that amino acid balance in dietary protein was important to the growing rabbit. 8. In later experiments, diets based on cereals and groundnut meal supplemented with varying amounts of lysine and methionine were offered during a 3-week-post-weaning period in order to assess requirements for those limiting amino acids. 9. The addition of both lysine and methionine improved growth rates. The minimum requirements for normal growth were found to be 6.2 g methionine+cystine and 9.4 g lysine/kg diet.", "contents": "A study of the protein and amino acid requirements of the growing New Zealand White rabbit with emphasis on lysine and the sulphur-containing amino acids. 1. New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were given, between 4 and 8 weeks of age, a range of diets, based on oats and fish meal, containing from 104 to 255 g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25; CP)/kg to establish the level of CP below which growth was retarded. 2. In three experiments each diet was fed to four animals and food intake, growth and N balance were measured over 4 weeks. Body analysis was also carried out after two of the experiments. 3. The rates of food intake and growth of animals increased with dietary CP concentration until a CP concentration of approximately 150 g/kg diet had been reached. Beyond this there was little further improvement. N balance studies showed that once this dietary concentration of CP had been reached, there was a reduced rate of N retention. 4. Good agreement was found between N retention measured by balance methods and by body analysis: body composition showed a tendency towards an increase 5. Microbial protein produced in the caecum and eaten during coprophagy, was found to supplement the dietary protein by approximately 2 g CP/d, or by only 0.1 of a normal dietary intake of CP. 6. In the second part of the study NZW rabbits were offered, between 5 and 8 weeks of age, diets based on oats containing 150 g CP/kg. The protein supplied by oats was supplemented with maize gluten, gelatin, groundnut meal, casein, soya-bean meal or fish meal. 7. Rabbits offered diets containing casein, soya-bean meal and fish meal gained 40-50 g/d similar, to animals given a well-balanced control diet, while those given diets containing maize gluten, gelatin or groundnut meal gained approximately 30 g/d. This indicated that amino acid balance in dietary protein was important to the growing rabbit. 8. In later experiments, diets based on cereals and groundnut meal supplemented with varying amounts of lysine and methionine were offered during a 3-week-post-weaning period in order to assess requirements for those limiting amino acids. 9. The addition of both lysine and methionine improved growth rates. The minimum requirements for normal growth were found to be 6.2 g methionine+cystine and 9.4 g lysine/kg diet.", "PMID": 638127} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11657", "title": "Necessity of vitamin B12 for growth of rats fed on an odd- or even-carbon-number fat.", "content": "1. The effect of vitamin B12 on growth was studied in young male and female rats fed on diets sufficient (+B12) or deficient (-B12) in vitamin B12 containing 30% of the dietary energy as fat, either maize oil (CO) or triundecanoin (TUD). 2. Vitamin B12 deficiency severely depressed growth. After 6 weeks the weight gain of CO(-B12) rats was only 72% of that of CO(+B12) rats and the gain of TUD(-B12) rats was only 47% of TUD(+B12) rats. 3. After fasting 24 or 96 h TUD-fed rats, both +B12 and -B12, had greater glycogen reserves and higher plasma glucose levels than CO-fed rats. 4. It is concluded that vitamin B12 is required for the metabolism and utilization of both an odd-carbon-number medium-chain fat, TUD, and an even-C-number long-chain fat, CO, during growth in rats.", "contents": "Necessity of vitamin B12 for growth of rats fed on an odd- or even-carbon-number fat. 1. The effect of vitamin B12 on growth was studied in young male and female rats fed on diets sufficient (+B12) or deficient (-B12) in vitamin B12 containing 30% of the dietary energy as fat, either maize oil (CO) or triundecanoin (TUD). 2. Vitamin B12 deficiency severely depressed growth. After 6 weeks the weight gain of CO(-B12) rats was only 72% of that of CO(+B12) rats and the gain of TUD(-B12) rats was only 47% of TUD(+B12) rats. 3. After fasting 24 or 96 h TUD-fed rats, both +B12 and -B12, had greater glycogen reserves and higher plasma glucose levels than CO-fed rats. 4. It is concluded that vitamin B12 is required for the metabolism and utilization of both an odd-carbon-number medium-chain fat, TUD, and an even-C-number long-chain fat, CO, during growth in rats.", "PMID": 638128} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11658", "title": "The effect of iron status of Nigerien mothers on that of their infants at birth and 6 months, and on the concentration of Fe in breast milk.", "content": "1. Within the limits of this study, neither maternal iron deficiency nor Fe-overload as measured at term appeared to affect the complement of Fe received by the foetus. 2. Infants feeding entirely on breast milk appeared to have normal Fe status 6 months postpartum regardless of the Fe status of the mother. 3. No relationship could be demonstrated between the Fe content of breast milk and the Fe status of the mother.", "contents": "The effect of iron status of Nigerien mothers on that of their infants at birth and 6 months, and on the concentration of Fe in breast milk. 1. Within the limits of this study, neither maternal iron deficiency nor Fe-overload as measured at term appeared to affect the complement of Fe received by the foetus. 2. Infants feeding entirely on breast milk appeared to have normal Fe status 6 months postpartum regardless of the Fe status of the mother. 3. No relationship could be demonstrated between the Fe content of breast milk and the Fe status of the mother.", "PMID": 638129} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11659", "title": "Iron availability from meat.", "content": "1. The distribution of radioactive iron in 59Fe-labelled rat muscle extract was determined using gel filtration. This showed that most (approximately 70%) of the radioactivity was associated with the heamatin compounds; myoglobin and haemoglobin. 2. Raw beef and freeze-dried rat muscle were digested in vitro, under simulated physiological conditions, and after centrifugation the supernatants fractionated by gel filtration. The soluble products were haematin Fe complexes of molecular weight above 10,000 and non-haematin Fe compounds of molecular weight below 6000, the major products being the non-haematin Fe complexes. The soluble compounds were also separated by dialysis and, in rat muscle, it was found that the low-molecular-weight non-haematin compounds accounted for more than 80% of the total soluble iron. 3. In vivo absorption studies with rats showed the Fe in a digested muscle dialysate to be more readily absorbed than that from an aqueous muscle extract which itself was more readily absorbed than the Fe from whole blood. 4. It may not, therefore, be the haemoproteins per se which are responsible for the high availability of Fe in meat, but rather the nature of their degradation products, formed by digestion within the meat environment.", "contents": "Iron availability from meat. 1. The distribution of radioactive iron in 59Fe-labelled rat muscle extract was determined using gel filtration. This showed that most (approximately 70%) of the radioactivity was associated with the heamatin compounds; myoglobin and haemoglobin. 2. Raw beef and freeze-dried rat muscle were digested in vitro, under simulated physiological conditions, and after centrifugation the supernatants fractionated by gel filtration. The soluble products were haematin Fe complexes of molecular weight above 10,000 and non-haematin Fe compounds of molecular weight below 6000, the major products being the non-haematin Fe complexes. The soluble compounds were also separated by dialysis and, in rat muscle, it was found that the low-molecular-weight non-haematin compounds accounted for more than 80% of the total soluble iron. 3. In vivo absorption studies with rats showed the Fe in a digested muscle dialysate to be more readily absorbed than that from an aqueous muscle extract which itself was more readily absorbed than the Fe from whole blood. 4. It may not, therefore, be the haemoproteins per se which are responsible for the high availability of Fe in meat, but rather the nature of their degradation products, formed by digestion within the meat environment.", "PMID": 638130} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11660", "title": "Copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cadmium and lead in human foetal tissues.", "content": "1. Concentrations of copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cadmium and lead were measured in samples of liver, kidney, brain, heart, lung, skeletal muscle and vertebral bone from forty foetuses of 23-43 weeks gestation. 2. Cu concentrations in the liver were up to 100 times those in other tissues, but only those in the brain showed a significant increase with gestational age. 3. Mn concentrations were similar in all tissues; the over-all range was 0.35-9.27 microgram/g dry matter (DM). 4. Concentrations of Zn in the liver were much higher than in other tissues and decreased with gestational age, whereas levels in skeletal muscle increased. 5. In all tissues Ni concentrations were within the range 0.04-2.8 microgram/g DM and levels in kidney and muscle decreased significantly with age. 6. Cd was detected in most of the tissue samples and concentrations were within the range 0.01-0.58 microgram/g DM. 7. Concentrations of Pb, where it was detected, varied from 0.1 to 2.4 microgram/g DM in the soft tissues and from 0.4 to 4.3 microgram/g DM in the bone samples.", "contents": "Copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cadmium and lead in human foetal tissues. 1. Concentrations of copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, cadmium and lead were measured in samples of liver, kidney, brain, heart, lung, skeletal muscle and vertebral bone from forty foetuses of 23-43 weeks gestation. 2. Cu concentrations in the liver were up to 100 times those in other tissues, but only those in the brain showed a significant increase with gestational age. 3. Mn concentrations were similar in all tissues; the over-all range was 0.35-9.27 microgram/g dry matter (DM). 4. Concentrations of Zn in the liver were much higher than in other tissues and decreased with gestational age, whereas levels in skeletal muscle increased. 5. In all tissues Ni concentrations were within the range 0.04-2.8 microgram/g DM and levels in kidney and muscle decreased significantly with age. 6. Cd was detected in most of the tissue samples and concentrations were within the range 0.01-0.58 microgram/g DM. 7. Concentrations of Pb, where it was detected, varied from 0.1 to 2.4 microgram/g DM in the soft tissues and from 0.4 to 4.3 microgram/g DM in the bone samples.", "PMID": 638131} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11661", "title": "Comparison of the chemical and biochemical composition of thirteen muscles of the rat after dietary protein restriction.", "content": "1. The objective of this study was to determine whether the chemical and biochemical changes induced by muscle wasting caused by dietary protein restriction are different in various skeletal muscles. 2. Rats were fasted for 3 d and then fed on a 10 g protein/kg diet for 21 d. Thirteen muscles from the trunk, forelimb, and hind-limb regions were analysed for muscle weight, and the content of water, fat, cellular and extracellular protein, DNA and RNA. Results were compared to values for an 'initial' control group killed at the start of the experiment. 3. Weight loss was greatest in trunk muscles and least in the distal forelimb muscles. Water content decreased in most muscles, but increased in three forelimb muscles. A significant loss of lipid was found in the gastrocnemius, while the biceps brachii gained lipid. Changes in lipid content of the muscles did not form a distinctive pattern. 4. All muscles except the distal forelimb muscles lost a significant amount of cellular protein, while all muscles except the diaphragm gained extracellular protein. 5. DNA content was unchanged in all muscles. The value for cellular protein:DNA was significantly reduced in the rectus abdominis and the diaphragm. A significant loss of RNA was found in all muscles; the percentage change was greatest in trunk muscles and least in the distal forelimb muscles. The values for RNA:protein and RNA:DNA were significantly lower in all muscles except two distal forelimb muscles. 6. With the exception of the water and lipid content of the muscles, the directions of the changes in the experimental animals were the same for all muscles. The results suggested, however, that the magnitude of changes in certain chemical and biochemical indices of composition may depend to some extent on the anatomical location of the muscle: trunk muscles tended to show the greatest percentage change, while the distal forelimbs changed the least.", "contents": "Comparison of the chemical and biochemical composition of thirteen muscles of the rat after dietary protein restriction. 1. The objective of this study was to determine whether the chemical and biochemical changes induced by muscle wasting caused by dietary protein restriction are different in various skeletal muscles. 2. Rats were fasted for 3 d and then fed on a 10 g protein/kg diet for 21 d. Thirteen muscles from the trunk, forelimb, and hind-limb regions were analysed for muscle weight, and the content of water, fat, cellular and extracellular protein, DNA and RNA. Results were compared to values for an 'initial' control group killed at the start of the experiment. 3. Weight loss was greatest in trunk muscles and least in the distal forelimb muscles. Water content decreased in most muscles, but increased in three forelimb muscles. A significant loss of lipid was found in the gastrocnemius, while the biceps brachii gained lipid. Changes in lipid content of the muscles did not form a distinctive pattern. 4. All muscles except the distal forelimb muscles lost a significant amount of cellular protein, while all muscles except the diaphragm gained extracellular protein. 5. DNA content was unchanged in all muscles. The value for cellular protein:DNA was significantly reduced in the rectus abdominis and the diaphragm. A significant loss of RNA was found in all muscles; the percentage change was greatest in trunk muscles and least in the distal forelimb muscles. The values for RNA:protein and RNA:DNA were significantly lower in all muscles except two distal forelimb muscles. 6. With the exception of the water and lipid content of the muscles, the directions of the changes in the experimental animals were the same for all muscles. The results suggested, however, that the magnitude of changes in certain chemical and biochemical indices of composition may depend to some extent on the anatomical location of the muscle: trunk muscles tended to show the greatest percentage change, while the distal forelimbs changed the least.", "PMID": 638132} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11662", "title": "The effect of simulated altitude on the heat increment of feed in sheep.", "content": "1. Sheep given constant feed were exposed to environments in which the oxygen concentration in air was either 200 or 150 ml/l. There were no differences in daily heat production, methane production, urinary energy or faecal energy losses measured over periods of 4 d. 2. When the sheep were fasted there were no differences in heat production to be ascribed to the O2 concentration in air. The thermic response to feed was unaffected by the O2 concentration in the air.", "contents": "The effect of simulated altitude on the heat increment of feed in sheep. 1. Sheep given constant feed were exposed to environments in which the oxygen concentration in air was either 200 or 150 ml/l. There were no differences in daily heat production, methane production, urinary energy or faecal energy losses measured over periods of 4 d. 2. When the sheep were fasted there were no differences in heat production to be ascribed to the O2 concentration in air. The thermic response to feed was unaffected by the O2 concentration in the air.", "PMID": 638133} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11663", "title": "Mono ferrous acid citrate (FeC6O7H2O) as an iron fortificant.", "content": "1. Iron absorption from ferrous citrate (monoferrous acid citrate, FeC6H6O7H2O) was studied in normal healthy male and female volunteers using ferrous citrate labelled with radioactive Fe and whole-body counting. Ferrous citrate was either given alone or with a rice-based meal. 2. Fe absorption from ferrous citrate was satisfactory and was comparable to that from ferrous sulphate. 3. Fortification of crude cooking salt with ferrous citrate was not satisfactory due to colour development on storage. Ferrous citrate can, however, serve as an effective Fe fortificant with sugar or wheat flour.", "contents": "Mono ferrous acid citrate (FeC6O7H2O) as an iron fortificant. 1. Iron absorption from ferrous citrate (monoferrous acid citrate, FeC6H6O7H2O) was studied in normal healthy male and female volunteers using ferrous citrate labelled with radioactive Fe and whole-body counting. Ferrous citrate was either given alone or with a rice-based meal. 2. Fe absorption from ferrous citrate was satisfactory and was comparable to that from ferrous sulphate. 3. Fortification of crude cooking salt with ferrous citrate was not satisfactory due to colour development on storage. Ferrous citrate can, however, serve as an effective Fe fortificant with sugar or wheat flour.", "PMID": 638134} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11664", "title": "Competition between the 735 nm fluorescence and the photochemistry of Photosystem I in chloroplasts at low temperature.", "content": "Fluorescence emission spectra of chloroplasts, initially frozen to--196 degrees C, were measured at various temperatures as the sample was allowed to warm. The 735 nm emission band attributed to fluorescence from Photosystem I was approx. 10-fold greater at--196 degrees C than at--78 degrees C. The initial rate of photooxidation of P-700 was also measured at--196 degrees C and--78 degrees C and was found to be approximately twice as large at the higher temperature. It is proposed that the 735 nm emission band is fluorescence from a long wavelength form of chlorophyll, C-705, which acts as a trap for excitation energy in the antenna chlorophyl system of Photosystem I. Furthermore, it is proposed that C-705 only forms on cooling to low temperatures and that the temperature dependence of the 735 nm emission is the temperature dependence for the formation of C-705. C-705 and P-700 compete to trap the excitation energy in Photosystem I. It is estimated from the data that at--78 degrees C P-700 traps approx. 20 times more energy than C-705 while, at--196 degrees C, the two traps are approximately equally effective. By analogy, the 695 nm fluorescence which also appears on cooling to--196 degrees C is attributed to traps in Photosystem II which form only on cooling to temperatures near--196 degrees C.", "contents": "Competition between the 735 nm fluorescence and the photochemistry of Photosystem I in chloroplasts at low temperature. Fluorescence emission spectra of chloroplasts, initially frozen to--196 degrees C, were measured at various temperatures as the sample was allowed to warm. The 735 nm emission band attributed to fluorescence from Photosystem I was approx. 10-fold greater at--196 degrees C than at--78 degrees C. The initial rate of photooxidation of P-700 was also measured at--196 degrees C and--78 degrees C and was found to be approximately twice as large at the higher temperature. It is proposed that the 735 nm emission band is fluorescence from a long wavelength form of chlorophyll, C-705, which acts as a trap for excitation energy in the antenna chlorophyl system of Photosystem I. Furthermore, it is proposed that C-705 only forms on cooling to low temperatures and that the temperature dependence of the 735 nm emission is the temperature dependence for the formation of C-705. C-705 and P-700 compete to trap the excitation energy in Photosystem I. It is estimated from the data that at--78 degrees C P-700 traps approx. 20 times more energy than C-705 while, at--196 degrees C, the two traps are approximately equally effective. By analogy, the 695 nm fluorescence which also appears on cooling to--196 degrees C is attributed to traps in Photosystem II which form only on cooling to temperatures near--196 degrees C.", "PMID": 638135} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11665", "title": "Preparation and characterization of phospholipid-depleted chloroplasts.", "content": "Spinach class II chloroplasts were treated with snake venom phospholipase A2 in the presence of bovine serum albumin, and separated by sucrose-density centrifugation. The treatment yielded phospholipid-depleted chloroplasts which had lost 82.6% of the original phospholipids. About 20% of the phospholipids of chloroplasts were resistant to enzyme attack. These results suggest that phospholipids exist in two states in chloroplast membranes. In spite of considerable phospholipid depletion, the chloroplast preparations retained a large portion of their photoactivities, i.e. light-induced electron transport, light-induced H+ uptake, and light-induced shrinkage. However, cyclic photophosphorylation was significantly affected with the phospholipid removal.", "contents": "Preparation and characterization of phospholipid-depleted chloroplasts. Spinach class II chloroplasts were treated with snake venom phospholipase A2 in the presence of bovine serum albumin, and separated by sucrose-density centrifugation. The treatment yielded phospholipid-depleted chloroplasts which had lost 82.6% of the original phospholipids. About 20% of the phospholipids of chloroplasts were resistant to enzyme attack. These results suggest that phospholipids exist in two states in chloroplast membranes. In spite of considerable phospholipid depletion, the chloroplast preparations retained a large portion of their photoactivities, i.e. light-induced electron transport, light-induced H+ uptake, and light-induced shrinkage. However, cyclic photophosphorylation was significantly affected with the phospholipid removal.", "PMID": 638136} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11666", "title": "Duroquinol as an electron donor for chloroplast electron transfer reactions.", "content": "Duroquinol (tetramethylhydroquinone) was found to function as an electron donor in chloroplasts. Non-cyclic electron transfer from duroquinol to electron acceptors such as oxygen proceeded at high rates, was insensitive to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) but was sensitive to the plastoquinone antagonist 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBMIB). The electron transport from duroquinol was coupled to the synthesis of ATP. Spectroscopic studies of chloroplast electron carriers in the dark indicated the high-potential \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700 were all reduced by duroquinol. The dark reduction of the \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center and cytochrome f were inhibited by DBMIB but not by DCMU. These results have been interpreted in terms of a linear sequence of electron carriers in the non-cyclic electron transport chain which includes plastoquinone, the \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700.", "contents": "Duroquinol as an electron donor for chloroplast electron transfer reactions. Duroquinol (tetramethylhydroquinone) was found to function as an electron donor in chloroplasts. Non-cyclic electron transfer from duroquinol to electron acceptors such as oxygen proceeded at high rates, was insensitive to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) but was sensitive to the plastoquinone antagonist 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBMIB). The electron transport from duroquinol was coupled to the synthesis of ATP. Spectroscopic studies of chloroplast electron carriers in the dark indicated the high-potential \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700 were all reduced by duroquinol. The dark reduction of the \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center and cytochrome f were inhibited by DBMIB but not by DCMU. These results have been interpreted in terms of a linear sequence of electron carriers in the non-cyclic electron transport chain which includes plastoquinone, the \"Rieske\" iron-sulfur center, cytochrome f, plastocyanin and P-700.", "PMID": 638137} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11667", "title": "Heat-induced changes of chlorophyll fluorescence in isolated chloroplasts and related heat-damage at the pigment level.", "content": "The heat-induced changes of chlorophyll fluorescence excitation and emission properties were studied in isolated chloroplasts of Larrea divaricata Cav. An analysis of the temperature dependency of fluorescence, under Fo and Fmax conditions, of temperature-jump fluorescence induction kinetics, and of 77 degrees K emission spectra of preheated chloroplasts revealed two major components in the heat-induced fluorescence changes: (1) a fluorescence rise, reflecting the block of Photosystem II reaction centers; and (2) a fluorescence decrease, caused by the functional separation of light-harvesting pigment protein complex from the rest of the pigment system. Preferential excitation of chlorophyll a around 420 nm, produced a predominant fluorescence rise. Preferential excitation of chlorophyll b, at 480 nm, gives a predominant fluorescence decrease. It is proposed that the overlapping of the fluorescence decrease on the somewhat faster fluorescence rise, results in the biphasic fluorescence rise kinetics observed in isolated chloroplasts. Both the rise component and the decay component are affected by the thermal stability of the chloroplasts, acquired during growth of the plants in different thermal environments. Mg2+ enhances the stability against heat-damage expressed in the decrease component, but has no effect on the rise component. Heat pretreatment leads to a decrease of the variable fluorescence in the light-induced 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) rise curve, but no change in half-rise time is observed. It is concluded that the block of Photosystem II reaction centers precedes the loss of the light-harvesting pigment protein complex. However, the approximately antiparallel heat-induced Fmax decrease and Fo increase suggest a common cause for the two events. A heat-induced perturbation of the thylakoid membrane is discussed.", "contents": "Heat-induced changes of chlorophyll fluorescence in isolated chloroplasts and related heat-damage at the pigment level. The heat-induced changes of chlorophyll fluorescence excitation and emission properties were studied in isolated chloroplasts of Larrea divaricata Cav. An analysis of the temperature dependency of fluorescence, under Fo and Fmax conditions, of temperature-jump fluorescence induction kinetics, and of 77 degrees K emission spectra of preheated chloroplasts revealed two major components in the heat-induced fluorescence changes: (1) a fluorescence rise, reflecting the block of Photosystem II reaction centers; and (2) a fluorescence decrease, caused by the functional separation of light-harvesting pigment protein complex from the rest of the pigment system. Preferential excitation of chlorophyll a around 420 nm, produced a predominant fluorescence rise. Preferential excitation of chlorophyll b, at 480 nm, gives a predominant fluorescence decrease. It is proposed that the overlapping of the fluorescence decrease on the somewhat faster fluorescence rise, results in the biphasic fluorescence rise kinetics observed in isolated chloroplasts. Both the rise component and the decay component are affected by the thermal stability of the chloroplasts, acquired during growth of the plants in different thermal environments. Mg2+ enhances the stability against heat-damage expressed in the decrease component, but has no effect on the rise component. Heat pretreatment leads to a decrease of the variable fluorescence in the light-induced 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) rise curve, but no change in half-rise time is observed. It is concluded that the block of Photosystem II reaction centers precedes the loss of the light-harvesting pigment protein complex. However, the approximately antiparallel heat-induced Fmax decrease and Fo increase suggest a common cause for the two events. A heat-induced perturbation of the thylakoid membrane is discussed.", "PMID": 638138} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11668", "title": "The effects of coenzyme A and carnitine on steady-state ATP/ADP ratios and the rate of long-chain free fatty acid oxidation in liver mitochondria.", "content": "1. Conditions for the optimal coupled oxidation by rat liver mitochondria of long-chain free fatty acids were defined. The fatty acids studied were in the omega9 series: oleic (18 : 1), gondoic (20 : 1) and erucic (22 : 1) acids. Carnitine (about 0.1 mM) maximally stimulated State 3 respiration due to oleic and gondoic acids about three-fold (coenzyme A present), and coenzyme A (10--20 micrometer) stimulated about two-fold (carnitine present). When neither coenzyme A nor carnitine was added, respiration was very slow. 2. When respiration was limited by ADP, concentrations of added CoA only slightly in excess of that required for fatty acid oxidation very significantly decreased the ATP/ADP ratio maintained at a given rate of respiration imposed by externally added ATPase, and increased the level of membrane-associated acyl-CoA. This effect was most pronounced with oleic acid, and least with erucic acid. When excess ADP was present, higher concentrations of added coenzyme A (50--200 micrometer) inhibited to oxidation of oleic acid in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the oxidation of substrates other than fatty acids was essentially unaffected. 3. It is concluded that, in addition to its requirement for fatty acid oxidation, coenzyme A exerts two independent effects on mitochondrial metabolism as here determined in vitro: (a) under conditions mimicking those in the intact cell with respect to phosphorylation-dependent respiration (ADP limiting), acyl-CoA formed from added coenzyme A and fatty acid inhibits the adenine nucleotide translocase, resulting in a lowering in the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio obtained at any given rate of phosphorylation-limited respiration, and (b) under State 3 conditions (ADP in excess) coenzyme A ( less than 50--200 micrometer) specifically suppresses oxidation of long-chain fatty acids by limiting the rate of formation of intramitochondrial acyl-CoA.", "contents": "The effects of coenzyme A and carnitine on steady-state ATP/ADP ratios and the rate of long-chain free fatty acid oxidation in liver mitochondria. 1. Conditions for the optimal coupled oxidation by rat liver mitochondria of long-chain free fatty acids were defined. The fatty acids studied were in the omega9 series: oleic (18 : 1), gondoic (20 : 1) and erucic (22 : 1) acids. Carnitine (about 0.1 mM) maximally stimulated State 3 respiration due to oleic and gondoic acids about three-fold (coenzyme A present), and coenzyme A (10--20 micrometer) stimulated about two-fold (carnitine present). When neither coenzyme A nor carnitine was added, respiration was very slow. 2. When respiration was limited by ADP, concentrations of added CoA only slightly in excess of that required for fatty acid oxidation very significantly decreased the ATP/ADP ratio maintained at a given rate of respiration imposed by externally added ATPase, and increased the level of membrane-associated acyl-CoA. This effect was most pronounced with oleic acid, and least with erucic acid. When excess ADP was present, higher concentrations of added coenzyme A (50--200 micrometer) inhibited to oxidation of oleic acid in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the oxidation of substrates other than fatty acids was essentially unaffected. 3. It is concluded that, in addition to its requirement for fatty acid oxidation, coenzyme A exerts two independent effects on mitochondrial metabolism as here determined in vitro: (a) under conditions mimicking those in the intact cell with respect to phosphorylation-dependent respiration (ADP limiting), acyl-CoA formed from added coenzyme A and fatty acid inhibits the adenine nucleotide translocase, resulting in a lowering in the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP ratio obtained at any given rate of phosphorylation-limited respiration, and (b) under State 3 conditions (ADP in excess) coenzyme A ( less than 50--200 micrometer) specifically suppresses oxidation of long-chain fatty acids by limiting the rate of formation of intramitochondrial acyl-CoA.", "PMID": 638140} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11669", "title": "Isolation and characterization of a rubredoxin and an (8Fe-8S) ferredoxin from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans.", "content": "A two cluster (4Fe-4S) ferredoxin and a rubredoxin have been isolated from the sulfur-reducing bacterium Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. Their amino acid compositions are reported and compared to those of other iron-sulfur proteins. The ferredoxin contains 8 cysteine residues, 8 atoms of iron and 8 atoms of labile sulfur per molecule; its minimum molecular weight is 6163. The protein exhibits an abosrbance ratio of A385/A283 = 0.74. Storage results in a bleaching of the chromophore; the denatured ferredoxin is reconstitutable with iron and sulfide. The instability temperature is 52 degrees C. The rubredoxin does not differ markedly from rubredoxins from other anaerobic bacteria.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of a rubredoxin and an (8Fe-8S) ferredoxin from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. A two cluster (4Fe-4S) ferredoxin and a rubredoxin have been isolated from the sulfur-reducing bacterium Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. Their amino acid compositions are reported and compared to those of other iron-sulfur proteins. The ferredoxin contains 8 cysteine residues, 8 atoms of iron and 8 atoms of labile sulfur per molecule; its minimum molecular weight is 6163. The protein exhibits an abosrbance ratio of A385/A283 = 0.74. Storage results in a bleaching of the chromophore; the denatured ferredoxin is reconstitutable with iron and sulfide. The instability temperature is 52 degrees C. The rubredoxin does not differ markedly from rubredoxins from other anaerobic bacteria.", "PMID": 638141} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11670", "title": "The effects of cotyledon senescence on the composition and physical properties of membrane lipid.", "content": "The phospholipid content of rough and smooth microsomal fractions from cotyledons of germinating bean declines as the tissue becomes senescent. Both types of membrane contain comparable proportions of three major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, which collectively comprise about 90% of the total. This proportionality does not change appreciably during senescence. Only small quantities of lysophosphatides were noted at all stages of senescence. The unsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio for total extracted lipid declined only slightly in both membrane systems, but pronounced differences in this ratio were observed among the major phospholipids of the membranes. The most striking alteration in lipid composition with advancing senescence was an increase in the sterol:phospholipid ratio; this rose by about 50% for rough microsomes and 400% for smooth microsomes. For both types of membrane the patterns of change in this ratio correlated with previously reported changes in bulk lipid transition temperature, suggesting that the increase in sterol level may contribute to changes in phase behaviour of the membranes during senescence. Arrhenius plots of rotational correlation times for the electron spin label 2,2-dimethyl-5-dodecyl-5-methyloxazolidine-N-oxide (2N14) partitioned into the membrane lipid showed an increase in viscosity with advancing senescence and a corresponding increase in activation energy for both types of membrane. These changes in activation energy and viscosity correlated closely with the increase in sterol:phospholipid ratio. However, no phase transitions were detectable between temperatures of 2 and 55 degrees C despite the fact that transitions from a lipid-crystalline to gel state are detectable within this temperature range by wide angle X-ray diffraction.", "contents": "The effects of cotyledon senescence on the composition and physical properties of membrane lipid. The phospholipid content of rough and smooth microsomal fractions from cotyledons of germinating bean declines as the tissue becomes senescent. Both types of membrane contain comparable proportions of three major phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, which collectively comprise about 90% of the total. This proportionality does not change appreciably during senescence. Only small quantities of lysophosphatides were noted at all stages of senescence. The unsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio for total extracted lipid declined only slightly in both membrane systems, but pronounced differences in this ratio were observed among the major phospholipids of the membranes. The most striking alteration in lipid composition with advancing senescence was an increase in the sterol:phospholipid ratio; this rose by about 50% for rough microsomes and 400% for smooth microsomes. For both types of membrane the patterns of change in this ratio correlated with previously reported changes in bulk lipid transition temperature, suggesting that the increase in sterol level may contribute to changes in phase behaviour of the membranes during senescence. Arrhenius plots of rotational correlation times for the electron spin label 2,2-dimethyl-5-dodecyl-5-methyloxazolidine-N-oxide (2N14) partitioned into the membrane lipid showed an increase in viscosity with advancing senescence and a corresponding increase in activation energy for both types of membrane. These changes in activation energy and viscosity correlated closely with the increase in sterol:phospholipid ratio. However, no phase transitions were detectable between temperatures of 2 and 55 degrees C despite the fact that transitions from a lipid-crystalline to gel state are detectable within this temperature range by wide angle X-ray diffraction.", "PMID": 638142} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11671", "title": "Effect of concanavalin A and its succinylated derivative on the oxidative metabolism of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages.", "content": "The effect of concanavalin A and its succinylated derivative on the metabolic regulation of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages was observed. The binding of tetravalent concanavalin A to the surface glycoproteins of macrophages caused a marked increase in the rate of oxygen consumption due to the activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt. Divalent succinylated concanavalin A, also induced a similar change in the rate of oxygen metabolism. The metabolic change induced by these two types of lectin was reversibly inhibited by alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, a haptenic inhibitor of these lectins, and was temperature dependent (observed at above 15 degrees C). It is suggested that the binding of these lectins to the surface glycoproteins, and not their cross-linking into caps, is required for the activation of oxygen metabolism of macrophages, and that highly fluid state of the plasma membrane seems to be an essential requirement for the transduction of glycoprotein perturbation on the macrophage surface into cellular interior via transmembrane control mechanism.", "contents": "Effect of concanavalin A and its succinylated derivative on the oxidative metabolism of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages. The effect of concanavalin A and its succinylated derivative on the metabolic regulation of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages was observed. The binding of tetravalent concanavalin A to the surface glycoproteins of macrophages caused a marked increase in the rate of oxygen consumption due to the activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt. Divalent succinylated concanavalin A, also induced a similar change in the rate of oxygen metabolism. The metabolic change induced by these two types of lectin was reversibly inhibited by alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, a haptenic inhibitor of these lectins, and was temperature dependent (observed at above 15 degrees C). It is suggested that the binding of these lectins to the surface glycoproteins, and not their cross-linking into caps, is required for the activation of oxygen metabolism of macrophages, and that highly fluid state of the plasma membrane seems to be an essential requirement for the transduction of glycoprotein perturbation on the macrophage surface into cellular interior via transmembrane control mechanism.", "PMID": 638143} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11672", "title": "Potassium transport in dispersed mucosal cells from guinea pig stomach.", "content": "Dispersed mucosal cells (approx. 70% parietal cells) prepared from guinea pig stomach maintained their cellular concentration of potassium (65--80 nmol potassium/10(6) cells) for at least 5 h in vitro. Uptake of 42K by dispersed gastric mucosal cells depended on temperature, H+ concentration and oxidative metabolism. Carbachol and, in some instances, gastrin caused a 40--50% increase in cellular uptake of 42K as a consequence of the ability of these agents to increase 42K influx. Ouabain reduced uptake of 42K by 70% but did not alter the effect of carbachol. Cellular uptake of 42K was not altered by histamine, prostaglandin, E1, glucagon, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide or C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. Uptake of 42K was also increased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or dibutyryl cyclic GMP but not by cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP or their 8-bromo derivatives. Theophylline caused a small (10--15%) increase in 42K uptake and potentiated the increase caused by submaximal concentrations of carbachol. The increase in 42K uptake caused by either dibutyryl cyclic nucleotide and carbachol was additive.", "contents": "Potassium transport in dispersed mucosal cells from guinea pig stomach. Dispersed mucosal cells (approx. 70% parietal cells) prepared from guinea pig stomach maintained their cellular concentration of potassium (65--80 nmol potassium/10(6) cells) for at least 5 h in vitro. Uptake of 42K by dispersed gastric mucosal cells depended on temperature, H+ concentration and oxidative metabolism. Carbachol and, in some instances, gastrin caused a 40--50% increase in cellular uptake of 42K as a consequence of the ability of these agents to increase 42K influx. Ouabain reduced uptake of 42K by 70% but did not alter the effect of carbachol. Cellular uptake of 42K was not altered by histamine, prostaglandin, E1, glucagon, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide or C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. Uptake of 42K was also increased by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or dibutyryl cyclic GMP but not by cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP or their 8-bromo derivatives. Theophylline caused a small (10--15%) increase in 42K uptake and potentiated the increase caused by submaximal concentrations of carbachol. The increase in 42K uptake caused by either dibutyryl cyclic nucleotide and carbachol was additive.", "PMID": 638144} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11673", "title": "Identification of the Cl- transport site of human red blood cells by a kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects of a chemical probe.", "content": "H2DIDS, the dihydro analog of DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) can interact covalently with membrane sites, resulting in an irreversible inhibition of anion exchange. At low temperatures (0 degrees C) and for relatively short times, however, its interaction is largely reversible, so that a kinetic analysis of the nature of its inhibitory effect on Cl- self exchange can be performed. The effects of variations in the chloride concentration on the inhibitory potency of H2DIDS are consistent with the concept that Cl- and H2DIDS compete for the transport site of the anion exchange system. The value of Ki for H2DIDS is 0.046 micrometer, indicating that H2DIDS has a higher affinity for the transport system than any other inhibitor so far examined. If, as seems probable, the covalent labelling of H2DIDS occurs at the same site as the reversible binding, H2DIDS can be used as a covalent label for the transport site. The specific localization of H2DIDS in the band-3 protein thus indicates that this protein participates directly in anion exchange.", "contents": "Identification of the Cl- transport site of human red blood cells by a kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects of a chemical probe. H2DIDS, the dihydro analog of DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) can interact covalently with membrane sites, resulting in an irreversible inhibition of anion exchange. At low temperatures (0 degrees C) and for relatively short times, however, its interaction is largely reversible, so that a kinetic analysis of the nature of its inhibitory effect on Cl- self exchange can be performed. The effects of variations in the chloride concentration on the inhibitory potency of H2DIDS are consistent with the concept that Cl- and H2DIDS compete for the transport site of the anion exchange system. The value of Ki for H2DIDS is 0.046 micrometer, indicating that H2DIDS has a higher affinity for the transport system than any other inhibitor so far examined. If, as seems probable, the covalent labelling of H2DIDS occurs at the same site as the reversible binding, H2DIDS can be used as a covalent label for the transport site. The specific localization of H2DIDS in the band-3 protein thus indicates that this protein participates directly in anion exchange.", "PMID": 638145} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11674", "title": "The acidic amino acid transport system of the baby hamster kidney cell line BHK21-C13.", "content": "The uptake of L-glutamate into BHK21-C13 cells in culture has been studied. This amino acid appears to be transported via a relatively high affinity, low capacity, Na+-dependent transport system capable of the rapid accumulation of substrate amino acids. Kinetic studies of the inhibition of L-glutamate uptake has provided information as to the substrate and the molecular configuration required for transport via the glutamate transport system. This system exhibited marked substrate specificity and was only capable of transporting L-glutamate and aspartate and certain closely related acidic amino acid analogues.", "contents": "The acidic amino acid transport system of the baby hamster kidney cell line BHK21-C13. The uptake of L-glutamate into BHK21-C13 cells in culture has been studied. This amino acid appears to be transported via a relatively high affinity, low capacity, Na+-dependent transport system capable of the rapid accumulation of substrate amino acids. Kinetic studies of the inhibition of L-glutamate uptake has provided information as to the substrate and the molecular configuration required for transport via the glutamate transport system. This system exhibited marked substrate specificity and was only capable of transporting L-glutamate and aspartate and certain closely related acidic amino acid analogues.", "PMID": 638146} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11675", "title": "Transport of L-methionine in human diploid fibroblast strain WI38.", "content": "The transport of L-methionine in human diploid fibroblast strain WI38 was investigated. The uptake of L-methionine was measured in sparse cell cultures in a simple balanced salt solution buffered with either Tris.HCl of N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). Similar results were obtained with these two buffers. Cultures were allowed to equilibrate with the buffered saline before transport was measured. The presence of glucose in the buffered saline results in a slight reduction in the initial rate of transport for the first 2 h of equilibration in buffered saline. L-Methionine is actively transported in WI38 by saturable, chemicallly specific mechanisms which are temperature, pH and, in part Na+ dependent, and are reactive with both L- and D-stereoisomers. Kinetic analysis of initial rates of transport at substrate concentrations from 0.0005 to 100 mM indicated the presence of two saturable transport systems. System 1 has an apparent KM of 21.7 micrometer and an apparent V of 3.57 nmol/mg per min. System 2 has an apparent KM of 547 micrometer and an apparent V of 22.6 nmol/mg per min. Kinetic analysis of initial rates of transport in Na+-free media or after treatment with ouabain suggested that system 1 is Na+ independent and that system 2 is Na+ dependent. Preloading of cells with unlabeled L-methionine greatly increases the initial rate of uptake. Efflux of transported methionine is temperature dependent, and is greatly increased in the presence of unlabeled L- or D-methionine or L-phenylalanine, but not in the presence of L-arginine. L-Methionine transport is strongly inhibited by other neutral amino acids, and is very weakly inhibited by dibasic amino acids, dicarboxylic amino acids, proline or glycine.", "contents": "Transport of L-methionine in human diploid fibroblast strain WI38. The transport of L-methionine in human diploid fibroblast strain WI38 was investigated. The uptake of L-methionine was measured in sparse cell cultures in a simple balanced salt solution buffered with either Tris.HCl of N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). Similar results were obtained with these two buffers. Cultures were allowed to equilibrate with the buffered saline before transport was measured. The presence of glucose in the buffered saline results in a slight reduction in the initial rate of transport for the first 2 h of equilibration in buffered saline. L-Methionine is actively transported in WI38 by saturable, chemicallly specific mechanisms which are temperature, pH and, in part Na+ dependent, and are reactive with both L- and D-stereoisomers. Kinetic analysis of initial rates of transport at substrate concentrations from 0.0005 to 100 mM indicated the presence of two saturable transport systems. System 1 has an apparent KM of 21.7 micrometer and an apparent V of 3.57 nmol/mg per min. System 2 has an apparent KM of 547 micrometer and an apparent V of 22.6 nmol/mg per min. Kinetic analysis of initial rates of transport in Na+-free media or after treatment with ouabain suggested that system 1 is Na+ independent and that system 2 is Na+ dependent. Preloading of cells with unlabeled L-methionine greatly increases the initial rate of uptake. Efflux of transported methionine is temperature dependent, and is greatly increased in the presence of unlabeled L- or D-methionine or L-phenylalanine, but not in the presence of L-arginine. L-Methionine transport is strongly inhibited by other neutral amino acids, and is very weakly inhibited by dibasic amino acids, dicarboxylic amino acids, proline or glycine.", "PMID": 638147} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11676", "title": "Characteristics of proline transport into R3230AC mammary tumor cells.", "content": "Cells separated by enzyme treatment of the R3230AC mammary carcinoma were used to characterize the entry of proline. These cells showed minimal changes in cell viability and intracellular volume and were found to be suitable for transport studies, since the vi of proline was maintained for at least 4 h when cells were stored at 37 or 4 degrees C, or when transport was measured in the presence or absence of Na+. Proline was acitvely transported by these tumor cells, reaching a distribution ratio ([proline] intracellular/[proline] extracellular) of 20 after 2 h. Proline entry consisted of two processes, one saturable (carrier mediated) and the other, non-saturable. The carrier-mediated entry, Km - 0.83 mM and V = 151.10(-5) mumol/min per 5.10(6) cells, was Na+-dependent, sensitive to pH and metabolic inhibitors, and completely inhibited by alpha-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid (Ki = 0.34 mM). Proline entry in the absence of Na+ was 20% that in the presence of Na+ and was found to be due to a non-saturable process, since (a) vi of proline uptake in the absence of Na+ increases linearly with increasing proline concentration and (b) was not suppressed by either 20 mM alpha-(methyl-amino)-isobutyric acid, 50 mM glycine +20 mM phenylalanine, or 50 mM serine +20 mM phenylalanine when proline uptake was measured in the presence or absence of Na+. Therefore, under the conditions studied, we conclude that proline transport appears to be restricted to the A (alanine-preferring) system. Furthermore, these cells should provide a suitable model to study the effect of hormonal manipulations on the amino acid transport process.", "contents": "Characteristics of proline transport into R3230AC mammary tumor cells. Cells separated by enzyme treatment of the R3230AC mammary carcinoma were used to characterize the entry of proline. These cells showed minimal changes in cell viability and intracellular volume and were found to be suitable for transport studies, since the vi of proline was maintained for at least 4 h when cells were stored at 37 or 4 degrees C, or when transport was measured in the presence or absence of Na+. Proline was acitvely transported by these tumor cells, reaching a distribution ratio ([proline] intracellular/[proline] extracellular) of 20 after 2 h. Proline entry consisted of two processes, one saturable (carrier mediated) and the other, non-saturable. The carrier-mediated entry, Km - 0.83 mM and V = 151.10(-5) mumol/min per 5.10(6) cells, was Na+-dependent, sensitive to pH and metabolic inhibitors, and completely inhibited by alpha-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid (Ki = 0.34 mM). Proline entry in the absence of Na+ was 20% that in the presence of Na+ and was found to be due to a non-saturable process, since (a) vi of proline uptake in the absence of Na+ increases linearly with increasing proline concentration and (b) was not suppressed by either 20 mM alpha-(methyl-amino)-isobutyric acid, 50 mM glycine +20 mM phenylalanine, or 50 mM serine +20 mM phenylalanine when proline uptake was measured in the presence or absence of Na+. Therefore, under the conditions studied, we conclude that proline transport appears to be restricted to the A (alanine-preferring) system. Furthermore, these cells should provide a suitable model to study the effect of hormonal manipulations on the amino acid transport process.", "PMID": 638148} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11677", "title": "Induction of reverse flow of Na+ through the active transport pathway in toad urinary bladder.", "content": "When active Na+ transport across the toad urinary bladder was abolished by ouabain, a 'reversed' short circuit current could be induced by an Na+ concentration gradient. This reversed current was increased by vasopressin and inhibited by amiloride and appears to represent net Na+ movement 'backwards' through epithelial cells which normally participate in active Na+ transport across the bladder.", "contents": "Induction of reverse flow of Na+ through the active transport pathway in toad urinary bladder. When active Na+ transport across the toad urinary bladder was abolished by ouabain, a 'reversed' short circuit current could be induced by an Na+ concentration gradient. This reversed current was increased by vasopressin and inhibited by amiloride and appears to represent net Na+ movement 'backwards' through epithelial cells which normally participate in active Na+ transport across the bladder.", "PMID": 638149} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11678", "title": "Self-association of human erythrocyte glycophorin A. Appearance of low mobility bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels.", "content": "We have examined the self-association of glycophorin A, the major sialoglycoprotein of the human erythrocyte membrane, using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels and circular dichroism. Pure glycophorin A has a tendency to form multiple bands on SDS gels at positions of higher apparent molecular weight than the PAS 1 and PAS 2 bands previously seen. These high molecular weight bands do not have mobilities corresponding to integral polymers of PAS 1 and PAS 2. Circular dichroism spectra of solutions giving rise to these bands or to PAS 1 and PAS 2 bands alone, indicate that these species all have essentially the same peptide conformation.", "contents": "Self-association of human erythrocyte glycophorin A. Appearance of low mobility bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. We have examined the self-association of glycophorin A, the major sialoglycoprotein of the human erythrocyte membrane, using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels and circular dichroism. Pure glycophorin A has a tendency to form multiple bands on SDS gels at positions of higher apparent molecular weight than the PAS 1 and PAS 2 bands previously seen. These high molecular weight bands do not have mobilities corresponding to integral polymers of PAS 1 and PAS 2. Circular dichroism spectra of solutions giving rise to these bands or to PAS 1 and PAS 2 bands alone, indicate that these species all have essentially the same peptide conformation.", "PMID": 638150} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11679", "title": "The planar distributions of surface proteins and intramembrane particles in Acholeplasma laidlawii are differentially affected by the physical state of membrane lipids.", "content": "We have studied the influence of changes in lipid organization on the planar distribution of two classes of membrane proteins: integral proteins which have amino groups exposed to labelling at the membrane surface by the biotinavidin-ferritin procedure, and those proteins which penetrate the lipid bilayer sufficiently to be seen as intramembranous particles by freeze-fracture electron-microscopy. When the membranes are examined at temperatures below the lipid phase transition, the first class is dispersed and the second patched. At temperatures in the middle of the transition range, both classes are patched. At temperatures just above the phase transition the first class is dispersed and the second patched, and at temperatures well above the transition both classes are dispersed. Freeze-etch studies of avidin-ferritin-labeled membranes confirmed that the distribution seen by the labeling and the freeze-fracture techniques coexist in single membranes. Thus, there exist two distinct classes of membrane proteins with differential organizational responses to the lipid state.", "contents": "The planar distributions of surface proteins and intramembrane particles in Acholeplasma laidlawii are differentially affected by the physical state of membrane lipids. We have studied the influence of changes in lipid organization on the planar distribution of two classes of membrane proteins: integral proteins which have amino groups exposed to labelling at the membrane surface by the biotinavidin-ferritin procedure, and those proteins which penetrate the lipid bilayer sufficiently to be seen as intramembranous particles by freeze-fracture electron-microscopy. When the membranes are examined at temperatures below the lipid phase transition, the first class is dispersed and the second patched. At temperatures in the middle of the transition range, both classes are patched. At temperatures just above the phase transition the first class is dispersed and the second patched, and at temperatures well above the transition both classes are dispersed. Freeze-etch studies of avidin-ferritin-labeled membranes confirmed that the distribution seen by the labeling and the freeze-fracture techniques coexist in single membranes. Thus, there exist two distinct classes of membrane proteins with differential organizational responses to the lipid state.", "PMID": 638151} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11680", "title": "The conformation of the polar group of lysophosphatidylcholine in H2O: conformational changes induced by polyvalent cations.", "content": "The conformation of the polar group of egg lysophosphatidylcholine and 1-myristoyl-sn-glycer-3-phosphorylcholine present as micelles in aqueous solution has been studied using NMR methods. In the absence of polyvalent cations the preferred conformation derived from spin-spin coupling constants is similar, but not identical, to that of phosphatidylethanolamine in the crystal structure (cf. Hitchcock, P.B., Mason, R., Thomas, K.M. and Shipley, G.F. (1974) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 71, 3036--3040). The presence of lanthanides induces a conformational change involving primarily the phosphorylcholine group, e.g. torsion angle alpha5 changes from an all gauche to an approximate trans disposition. The gauche leads to trans transitions observed with torsion angles alpha3 and alpha5 produce a more extended orientation of the polar group (relative to the hydrocarbon chain axis). In the presence of lanthanides the conformation of lysophosphatidylcholine is very similar to that of the diacyl phosphatidylcholines observed in fully hydrated bilayers (cf. Hauser, H., Phillips, M.C., Levine, B.A. and Williams, R.J.P. (1976) Nature 261, 390--394) with the P-N vector at an angle of about 45 degrees to the bilayer.", "contents": "The conformation of the polar group of lysophosphatidylcholine in H2O: conformational changes induced by polyvalent cations. The conformation of the polar group of egg lysophosphatidylcholine and 1-myristoyl-sn-glycer-3-phosphorylcholine present as micelles in aqueous solution has been studied using NMR methods. In the absence of polyvalent cations the preferred conformation derived from spin-spin coupling constants is similar, but not identical, to that of phosphatidylethanolamine in the crystal structure (cf. Hitchcock, P.B., Mason, R., Thomas, K.M. and Shipley, G.F. (1974) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 71, 3036--3040). The presence of lanthanides induces a conformational change involving primarily the phosphorylcholine group, e.g. torsion angle alpha5 changes from an all gauche to an approximate trans disposition. The gauche leads to trans transitions observed with torsion angles alpha3 and alpha5 produce a more extended orientation of the polar group (relative to the hydrocarbon chain axis). In the presence of lanthanides the conformation of lysophosphatidylcholine is very similar to that of the diacyl phosphatidylcholines observed in fully hydrated bilayers (cf. Hauser, H., Phillips, M.C., Levine, B.A. and Williams, R.J.P. (1976) Nature 261, 390--394) with the P-N vector at an angle of about 45 degrees to the bilayer.", "PMID": 638152} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11681", "title": "Characterization of mixed micelles of phospholipids of various classes and a synthetic, homogeneous analogue of the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 containing nine oxyethylene groups.", "content": "The synthesis and high-pressure liquid chromatographic purification of the homogenous nonionic surfactant p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxynonaoxyethylene glycol (OPE-9) in quantities suitable for membrane solubilization studies is reported. Micelles of OPE-9 and mixed micelles of OPE-9 with dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine as well as phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and palmitic acid were characterized by column chromatography on 6% agarose. It was found that at 28 degrees C OPE-9 micelles have a Stokes' radius of 32 A, giving a molecular weight for a spherical micells of about half that of micelles of the polydisperse nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 under the same conditions. The micelle size is temperature dependent: at 40 degrees C the OPE-9 micelles have a Stokes' radius of 44 A, giving a molecular weight for a spherical micelle of about twice that of the OPE-9 micelles at 28 degrees C. The size of the mixed micelles varies linearly (as measured by Kav) with the mole fraction of phospholipid. The mixed micelle size was found to be relatively independent of the absolute concentration of surfactant over a four-fold range if the mole fraction of phospholipid is kept constant. The usefulness of the OPE-9/phospholipid mixed micelle system for lipolytic enzyme substrates and membrane-related studies is considered.", "contents": "Characterization of mixed micelles of phospholipids of various classes and a synthetic, homogeneous analogue of the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 containing nine oxyethylene groups. The synthesis and high-pressure liquid chromatographic purification of the homogenous nonionic surfactant p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxynonaoxyethylene glycol (OPE-9) in quantities suitable for membrane solubilization studies is reported. Micelles of OPE-9 and mixed micelles of OPE-9 with dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine as well as phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and palmitic acid were characterized by column chromatography on 6% agarose. It was found that at 28 degrees C OPE-9 micelles have a Stokes' radius of 32 A, giving a molecular weight for a spherical micells of about half that of micelles of the polydisperse nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 under the same conditions. The micelle size is temperature dependent: at 40 degrees C the OPE-9 micelles have a Stokes' radius of 44 A, giving a molecular weight for a spherical micelle of about twice that of the OPE-9 micelles at 28 degrees C. The size of the mixed micelles varies linearly (as measured by Kav) with the mole fraction of phospholipid. The mixed micelle size was found to be relatively independent of the absolute concentration of surfactant over a four-fold range if the mole fraction of phospholipid is kept constant. The usefulness of the OPE-9/phospholipid mixed micelle system for lipolytic enzyme substrates and membrane-related studies is considered.", "PMID": 638153} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11682", "title": "A study of intracellular transport of secretory glycoproteins in rat liver.", "content": "To study the transport of secretory glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver, the distribution of nascent glycoproteins in the membrane and luminal fraction of rough and smooth microsomes has been examined after a short-time incorporation of radioactive glucosamine in vivo. 50--60% of the radioactivity was associated with the membranes of rough and smooth microsomes, whereas about 10% of the serum albumin was found in the same fractions. The relative amount of radioactivity in the membranes was the same whether the luminal content of the microsomal vesicles was released by sonication, French press, Triton X-100, Brij 35 or sodium deoxycholate. The distribution of labeled glycoproteins between the membrane and luminal fraction of rough and smooth microsomes did not change during the time interval of 15--120 min after administration of the isotope. The similarity of the labeling patterns obtained after sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the same set of glycoproteins were located in the lumen and the membrane of rough and smooth microsomes. A specific precipitation of nascent glycoproteins from both the membrane and luminal fractions of rough and smooth microsomes were obtained with rabbit antiserum against rat serum. The nascent glycoproteins associated with the membranes were not released by high ionic strength or treatment with mercaptoethanol. A slow exchange between [14C]glucosamine-labeled glycoproteins in the lumen and membrane fraction was, however, found.", "contents": "A study of intracellular transport of secretory glycoproteins in rat liver. To study the transport of secretory glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver, the distribution of nascent glycoproteins in the membrane and luminal fraction of rough and smooth microsomes has been examined after a short-time incorporation of radioactive glucosamine in vivo. 50--60% of the radioactivity was associated with the membranes of rough and smooth microsomes, whereas about 10% of the serum albumin was found in the same fractions. The relative amount of radioactivity in the membranes was the same whether the luminal content of the microsomal vesicles was released by sonication, French press, Triton X-100, Brij 35 or sodium deoxycholate. The distribution of labeled glycoproteins between the membrane and luminal fraction of rough and smooth microsomes did not change during the time interval of 15--120 min after administration of the isotope. The similarity of the labeling patterns obtained after sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the same set of glycoproteins were located in the lumen and the membrane of rough and smooth microsomes. A specific precipitation of nascent glycoproteins from both the membrane and luminal fractions of rough and smooth microsomes were obtained with rabbit antiserum against rat serum. The nascent glycoproteins associated with the membranes were not released by high ionic strength or treatment with mercaptoethanol. A slow exchange between [14C]glucosamine-labeled glycoproteins in the lumen and membrane fraction was, however, found.", "PMID": 638154} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11683", "title": "Erythrocyte membrane proteins. Sequential accumulation in the membrane during reticulocyte maturation.", "content": "Reticulocytes of increasing maturity were separated by dextran gradient centrifugation. The accumulation in the membrane of the anion transport protein and other erythrocyte membrane proteins was studied during reticulocyte maturation by separating reticulocytes after incubation with [35S]-methionine. The incorporation of the reticulocyte membrane proteins was shown to be sequential, the anion transport protein being inserted at a very early stage in the cells' maturation.", "contents": "Erythrocyte membrane proteins. Sequential accumulation in the membrane during reticulocyte maturation. Reticulocytes of increasing maturity were separated by dextran gradient centrifugation. The accumulation in the membrane of the anion transport protein and other erythrocyte membrane proteins was studied during reticulocyte maturation by separating reticulocytes after incubation with [35S]-methionine. The incorporation of the reticulocyte membrane proteins was shown to be sequential, the anion transport protein being inserted at a very early stage in the cells' maturation.", "PMID": 638155} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11684", "title": "The effect of acylcarnitines on the oxidation of branched chain alpha-keto acids in mitochondria.", "content": "The oxidation of 14C-labelled branched-chain alpha-keto acids corresponding to the branched-chain amino acids valine, isoleucine and leucine has been studied in isolated mitochondria from heart, liver and skeletal muscle. 1. Heart and liver mitochondria have similar capacities to oxidize these alpha-keto acids based on protein content. Skeletal muscle mitochondria also show significant activity. 2. Half maximum rates are obtained with approximately 0.1 mM of the alpha-keto acids under optimal conditions. Added NAD and CoA had no effect on the oxidation rate, showing that endogenous mitochondrial NAD and CoA are required for the oxidation. 3. Addition of carnitine esters of fatty acids (C6--C16), succinate, pyruvate, or alpha-ketoglutarate inhibited the oxidation of the branched chain alpha-keto acids, especially in a high-energy state (no ADP added). In heart mitochondria the addition of AD (low-energy state) decreased the inhibitory effects of acylcarnitines of medium chain length or of pyruvate, and abolished the inhibitory effect of succinate. It is suggested that the oxidation rate is regulated mainly by the redox state of the mitochondria under the conditions used. 4. The results are discussed in relation to the regulation of branched-chain amino acid metabolism in the body.", "contents": "The effect of acylcarnitines on the oxidation of branched chain alpha-keto acids in mitochondria. The oxidation of 14C-labelled branched-chain alpha-keto acids corresponding to the branched-chain amino acids valine, isoleucine and leucine has been studied in isolated mitochondria from heart, liver and skeletal muscle. 1. Heart and liver mitochondria have similar capacities to oxidize these alpha-keto acids based on protein content. Skeletal muscle mitochondria also show significant activity. 2. Half maximum rates are obtained with approximately 0.1 mM of the alpha-keto acids under optimal conditions. Added NAD and CoA had no effect on the oxidation rate, showing that endogenous mitochondrial NAD and CoA are required for the oxidation. 3. Addition of carnitine esters of fatty acids (C6--C16), succinate, pyruvate, or alpha-ketoglutarate inhibited the oxidation of the branched chain alpha-keto acids, especially in a high-energy state (no ADP added). In heart mitochondria the addition of AD (low-energy state) decreased the inhibitory effects of acylcarnitines of medium chain length or of pyruvate, and abolished the inhibitory effect of succinate. It is suggested that the oxidation rate is regulated mainly by the redox state of the mitochondria under the conditions used. 4. The results are discussed in relation to the regulation of branched-chain amino acid metabolism in the body.", "PMID": 638156} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11685", "title": "Prostaglandin metabolism in rabbit kidney. Identification and properties of a novel prostaglandin 9-hydroxydehydrogenase.", "content": "Prostaglandin F2alpha is metabolized in 100 000 X g supernatants of rabbit kidney by a 15-hydroxydehydrogenase and a delta13-reductase to F-series metabolites, and byt a 9-hydroxydehydrogenase to E-series compounds. The reactions were measured by radiochemical and biological assays. The 15-hydroxydehydrogenase and 9-hydroxydehydrogenase are localised specifically in renal cortex, have optimal activity at alkaline ph and are effective over a wide range of substrate concentrations. The 9-hydroxydehydrogenase oxidises the 9-alpha hydroxyl group of prostaglandin F2alpha and F1alpha but not the 9-beta hydroxyl group of prostaglandin F2beta. This enzyme is also found in rabbit stomach and ileum, but not in 8 other organs examined; the 15-hydroxydehydrogenase has a wider distribution. Unlike other 9-hydroxydehydrogenase enzymes described to date, the enzyme prepared from rabbit kidney converts prostaglandin F2alpha directly to E2 in substantial amounts; this conversion may be of importance in renal homeostasis.", "contents": "Prostaglandin metabolism in rabbit kidney. Identification and properties of a novel prostaglandin 9-hydroxydehydrogenase. Prostaglandin F2alpha is metabolized in 100 000 X g supernatants of rabbit kidney by a 15-hydroxydehydrogenase and a delta13-reductase to F-series metabolites, and byt a 9-hydroxydehydrogenase to E-series compounds. The reactions were measured by radiochemical and biological assays. The 15-hydroxydehydrogenase and 9-hydroxydehydrogenase are localised specifically in renal cortex, have optimal activity at alkaline ph and are effective over a wide range of substrate concentrations. The 9-hydroxydehydrogenase oxidises the 9-alpha hydroxyl group of prostaglandin F2alpha and F1alpha but not the 9-beta hydroxyl group of prostaglandin F2beta. This enzyme is also found in rabbit stomach and ileum, but not in 8 other organs examined; the 15-hydroxydehydrogenase has a wider distribution. Unlike other 9-hydroxydehydrogenase enzymes described to date, the enzyme prepared from rabbit kidney converts prostaglandin F2alpha directly to E2 in substantial amounts; this conversion may be of importance in renal homeostasis.", "PMID": 638157} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11686", "title": "On the relationship between glycerophosphoglycolipids and lipoteichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria. I. The occurrence of phosphoglycolipids.", "content": "1. Gram-positive bacteria out of the families of Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae were investigated with respect to the occurrence and the concentration of phosphoglycolipids. 2. Phosphatidylglycolipids occur exclusively in group D Streptococci and in Streptococcus hemolyticus D-58. Phosphatidyl-alpha-kojibiosyldiacylglycerol, the prevalent species, accounts for up to 28% of the polar lipids. The related glycerophospho-phosphatidyl-alpha-kojibiosyldiacylglycerol is restricted to Streptococcus faecalis. 3. Glycerophosphoglycolipids, usually minor components, comprise thirteen compounds most of which have so far not been described. Except Micrococcus lysodeikticus all examined bacteria contained one or more glycerophosphoglycolipids. Their occurrence parallels, therefore, that of lipoteichoic acids, which supports the hypothesis of a metabolic relationship between these two membrane components.", "contents": "On the relationship between glycerophosphoglycolipids and lipoteichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria. I. The occurrence of phosphoglycolipids. 1. Gram-positive bacteria out of the families of Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae were investigated with respect to the occurrence and the concentration of phosphoglycolipids. 2. Phosphatidylglycolipids occur exclusively in group D Streptococci and in Streptococcus hemolyticus D-58. Phosphatidyl-alpha-kojibiosyldiacylglycerol, the prevalent species, accounts for up to 28% of the polar lipids. The related glycerophospho-phosphatidyl-alpha-kojibiosyldiacylglycerol is restricted to Streptococcus faecalis. 3. Glycerophosphoglycolipids, usually minor components, comprise thirteen compounds most of which have so far not been described. Except Micrococcus lysodeikticus all examined bacteria contained one or more glycerophosphoglycolipids. Their occurrence parallels, therefore, that of lipoteichoic acids, which supports the hypothesis of a metabolic relationship between these two membrane components.", "PMID": 638158} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11687", "title": "A phospholipid serine base exchange enzyme.", "content": "A membrane bound L-serine exchange enzyme which catalyzes the exchange reaction between L-serine and phospholipid-base was solubilized and separated from the ethanolamine-exchange enzyme by Sepharose 4B and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The separated fraction was purified approximately 37-fold with a yield of 2--5%. This fraction did not possess ethanolamine or choline exchange activity. The optimal pH was approx. 8.0, the incorporation rate of L-serine into phospholipid was linear up to 20 min incubation time and the activity was maximum at 10 mM CaCl2. The calculated Km value for L-serine was 0.4 mM. Ethanolamine phospholipid was the most effective acceptor for L-serine incorporation, particularly ethanolamine plasmalogen. The Km values obtained were: 0.25 mM for ethanolamine plasmalogen, 0.25mM for pig liver phosphatidylethanolamine and 0.66 mM for egg yolk phosphatidylethanolamine. These observations suggest that the hydrophobic moiety in ethanolamine phospholipid, as well as the base moiety, is important for the affinity of the L-serine exchange enzyme. Neither ethanolamine nor choline inhibited the L-serine exchange activity. There was no detectable conversion of phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidic acid by the partially purified enzyme.", "contents": "A phospholipid serine base exchange enzyme. A membrane bound L-serine exchange enzyme which catalyzes the exchange reaction between L-serine and phospholipid-base was solubilized and separated from the ethanolamine-exchange enzyme by Sepharose 4B and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The separated fraction was purified approximately 37-fold with a yield of 2--5%. This fraction did not possess ethanolamine or choline exchange activity. The optimal pH was approx. 8.0, the incorporation rate of L-serine into phospholipid was linear up to 20 min incubation time and the activity was maximum at 10 mM CaCl2. The calculated Km value for L-serine was 0.4 mM. Ethanolamine phospholipid was the most effective acceptor for L-serine incorporation, particularly ethanolamine plasmalogen. The Km values obtained were: 0.25 mM for ethanolamine plasmalogen, 0.25mM for pig liver phosphatidylethanolamine and 0.66 mM for egg yolk phosphatidylethanolamine. These observations suggest that the hydrophobic moiety in ethanolamine phospholipid, as well as the base moiety, is important for the affinity of the L-serine exchange enzyme. Neither ethanolamine nor choline inhibited the L-serine exchange activity. There was no detectable conversion of phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidic acid by the partially purified enzyme.", "PMID": 638159} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11688", "title": "Phospholipid-deacylating enzymes of rat stomach mucosa.", "content": "1. Rat stomach mucosa exhibited three distinguishable phospholipid-deacylating enzyme activities: lysophospholipase, phospholipase A1 and phospholipase A2. 2. The lysophospholipase hydrolyzed 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine to free fatty acid and glycerophosphorylcholine. This enzyme had an optimum pH of 8.0, was heat labile, did not require Ca2+ for maximum activity and was not inhibited by bile salts or buffers of high ionic strength. 3. Phospholipase A2 and phospholipase A1 deacylated dipalmitoyl phophatidylcholine to the corresponding lyso compound and free fatty acid. The specific activity of phospholipase A2 was 2--4-fold higher than that of phospholipase A1 under all the conditions tested. Both activities were enhanced 4--7.5-fold in the presence of bile salts at alkaline pH and 11-18-fold at acidic pH. 4. In the absence of bile salts, phospholipase A1 exhibited pH optima at 6.5 and 9.5 and phospholipase A2 at pH 6.5, 8.0 and 9.5. The pH optima for phospholipase A1 were shifted to pH 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 in presence of sodium taurocholate; the activity was detected only at a single pH of 9.5 in the presence of sodium deoxycholate and at pH 10.0 in the presence of sodium glycocholate. Phospholipase A2 optimum activity was displayed at pH 3.0, 6.0 and 8.0 in presence of taurocholage, pH 7.5 and 9.0, in presence of glycocholate and only at pH 9.0 in presence of deoxycholate. 5. Ca2+ was essential for optimum activity of phospholipases A1 and A2. But phospholipase A1 lost complete activity in presence of 0.5 mM ethyleneglycolbis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) at pH 6.0, whereas phospholipase A2 lost only 50%. 6. Phospholipases A1 and A2 retained about 50% of their activities by heating at 75 degrees for 10 min. At 100 degrees, phospholipase A1 retained 22% of its activity, whereas phospholipase A2 retained only 7%.", "contents": "Phospholipid-deacylating enzymes of rat stomach mucosa. 1. Rat stomach mucosa exhibited three distinguishable phospholipid-deacylating enzyme activities: lysophospholipase, phospholipase A1 and phospholipase A2. 2. The lysophospholipase hydrolyzed 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine to free fatty acid and glycerophosphorylcholine. This enzyme had an optimum pH of 8.0, was heat labile, did not require Ca2+ for maximum activity and was not inhibited by bile salts or buffers of high ionic strength. 3. Phospholipase A2 and phospholipase A1 deacylated dipalmitoyl phophatidylcholine to the corresponding lyso compound and free fatty acid. The specific activity of phospholipase A2 was 2--4-fold higher than that of phospholipase A1 under all the conditions tested. Both activities were enhanced 4--7.5-fold in the presence of bile salts at alkaline pH and 11-18-fold at acidic pH. 4. In the absence of bile salts, phospholipase A1 exhibited pH optima at 6.5 and 9.5 and phospholipase A2 at pH 6.5, 8.0 and 9.5. The pH optima for phospholipase A1 were shifted to pH 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 in presence of sodium taurocholate; the activity was detected only at a single pH of 9.5 in the presence of sodium deoxycholate and at pH 10.0 in the presence of sodium glycocholate. Phospholipase A2 optimum activity was displayed at pH 3.0, 6.0 and 8.0 in presence of taurocholage, pH 7.5 and 9.0, in presence of glycocholate and only at pH 9.0 in presence of deoxycholate. 5. Ca2+ was essential for optimum activity of phospholipases A1 and A2. But phospholipase A1 lost complete activity in presence of 0.5 mM ethyleneglycolbis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) at pH 6.0, whereas phospholipase A2 lost only 50%. 6. Phospholipases A1 and A2 retained about 50% of their activities by heating at 75 degrees for 10 min. At 100 degrees, phospholipase A1 retained 22% of its activity, whereas phospholipase A2 retained only 7%.", "PMID": 638160} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11689", "title": "Effect of exogenous fatty acids on the retention of phospholipid acyl groups by mouse L fibroblasts.", "content": "Exogenous oleic or linoleic acid, given at a high but nontoxic level (1 mg fatty acid/day for 20 . 10(6) cells in 50 ml medium), caused substantial redistribution of the otherwise permanently retained phospholipid acyls in mouse L fibroblasts. 18--40% of the preformed phospholipid acyls were shifted to triglycerides but most returned to phospholipids when the supply of exogenous fatty acid was removed. The phospholipid acyls could be reshuttled back to triglycerides again whenever an adequate amount of exogenous fatty acid was provided. Daily changes of medium containing oleic acid bound to bovine serum albumin caused a still greater total loss of phospholipid acyls into the medium. The removal of the prelabeled phospholipid acyls also occurred with phospholipid acyls which had been synthesized from [1-(14C)]acetate 3 days earlier. The results demonstrate the fact that the apparent permanently retained phospholipid acyl groups found in L-cells could in fact be displaced through experimental manipulations.", "contents": "Effect of exogenous fatty acids on the retention of phospholipid acyl groups by mouse L fibroblasts. Exogenous oleic or linoleic acid, given at a high but nontoxic level (1 mg fatty acid/day for 20 . 10(6) cells in 50 ml medium), caused substantial redistribution of the otherwise permanently retained phospholipid acyls in mouse L fibroblasts. 18--40% of the preformed phospholipid acyls were shifted to triglycerides but most returned to phospholipids when the supply of exogenous fatty acid was removed. The phospholipid acyls could be reshuttled back to triglycerides again whenever an adequate amount of exogenous fatty acid was provided. Daily changes of medium containing oleic acid bound to bovine serum albumin caused a still greater total loss of phospholipid acyls into the medium. The removal of the prelabeled phospholipid acyls also occurred with phospholipid acyls which had been synthesized from [1-(14C)]acetate 3 days earlier. The results demonstrate the fact that the apparent permanently retained phospholipid acyl groups found in L-cells could in fact be displaced through experimental manipulations.", "PMID": 638161} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11690", "title": "The importance of the lysophosphatidylcholine and choline moiety of bile phosphatidylcholine in lymphatic transport of fat.", "content": "A luminal supply of biliary phosphatidylcholine is important in the translocation of absorbed fat into lymph and in the amount and composition of phosphatidylcholine concurrently synthesized. This study was undertaken to determine whether the effect was due to absorbed lysophosphatidylcholine, to a specific (1-palmitoyl) biliary lysophosphatidylcholine or to extra choline supplied by lysophosphatidylcholine. Rats with bile fistulae and thoracic duct lymph fistulae were given test meals of oleic acid and monoolein (molar ratio 2 : 1) infused duodenally for 8 h. Addition of choline chloride to the test meal increased lymphatic output of triglyceride and phospholipid but not to values found previously in rats with supplements of bile phosphatidylcholine or with bile ducts intact. Addition of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine increased triglyceride and phospholipid output to values found in rats with intact bile ducts. Since dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine was as efficient as biliary phosphatidylcholine it was concluded that a luminal supply of 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine was not essential. It seemed likely from the smaller effect of supplemented choline and from the fatty acid composition of lymph phosphatidylcholine that the essential requirement was a supply of absorbed lysophosphatidylcholine for rapid reacylation to phosphatidylcholine.", "contents": "The importance of the lysophosphatidylcholine and choline moiety of bile phosphatidylcholine in lymphatic transport of fat. A luminal supply of biliary phosphatidylcholine is important in the translocation of absorbed fat into lymph and in the amount and composition of phosphatidylcholine concurrently synthesized. This study was undertaken to determine whether the effect was due to absorbed lysophosphatidylcholine, to a specific (1-palmitoyl) biliary lysophosphatidylcholine or to extra choline supplied by lysophosphatidylcholine. Rats with bile fistulae and thoracic duct lymph fistulae were given test meals of oleic acid and monoolein (molar ratio 2 : 1) infused duodenally for 8 h. Addition of choline chloride to the test meal increased lymphatic output of triglyceride and phospholipid but not to values found previously in rats with supplements of bile phosphatidylcholine or with bile ducts intact. Addition of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine increased triglyceride and phospholipid output to values found in rats with intact bile ducts. Since dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine was as efficient as biliary phosphatidylcholine it was concluded that a luminal supply of 1-palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine was not essential. It seemed likely from the smaller effect of supplemented choline and from the fatty acid composition of lymph phosphatidylcholine that the essential requirement was a supply of absorbed lysophosphatidylcholine for rapid reacylation to phosphatidylcholine.", "PMID": 638162} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11691", "title": "Changes in the structural and metabolic heterogeneity of phosphatidylcholines in the developing rat lung.", "content": "In the present study the developmental profiles of the structural and metabolic heterogeneity of rat lung phosphatidylcholine are presented. The individual molecular species of phosphatidylcholine at different stages of the developing rat lung were analyzed as diacylglycerol derivatives. The metabolic heterogeneity of rat lung phosphatidylcholine was also studied by incubation using lung slices with radioactive precursors. The results obtained were as follows: 1. A significant increase of lung phosphatidylcholine during perinatal development (up to 1 day after birth) was found to be largely due to the increase of dipalmitoyl species. The percentage of palmitoyl-palmitoleoyl species also increased from --4 to --1 day of gestation, while palmitoyl-oleoyl species were found to decrease during development. Other molecular species showed no significant changes. 2. The incorporation of [1-14C]palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine into saturated phosphatidylcholine was relatively low at the earlier stage of fetal development, but it increased significantly in the last stage and reached its maximum at one day prior to birth and one day prior to the marked accumulation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine occurring in the lung. In contrast, the incorporation of [3H]glycerol into saturated phosphatidylcholine remained, without showing a marked alteration during development. These results suggest that the lysophosphatidylcholine pathway which is mainly attributed to transacylation mechanism between 2 molecules of lysophosphatidylcholine may contribute to the marked production of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine in the lung in the last stage of gestation.", "contents": "Changes in the structural and metabolic heterogeneity of phosphatidylcholines in the developing rat lung. In the present study the developmental profiles of the structural and metabolic heterogeneity of rat lung phosphatidylcholine are presented. The individual molecular species of phosphatidylcholine at different stages of the developing rat lung were analyzed as diacylglycerol derivatives. The metabolic heterogeneity of rat lung phosphatidylcholine was also studied by incubation using lung slices with radioactive precursors. The results obtained were as follows: 1. A significant increase of lung phosphatidylcholine during perinatal development (up to 1 day after birth) was found to be largely due to the increase of dipalmitoyl species. The percentage of palmitoyl-palmitoleoyl species also increased from --4 to --1 day of gestation, while palmitoyl-oleoyl species were found to decrease during development. Other molecular species showed no significant changes. 2. The incorporation of [1-14C]palmitoyl lysophosphatidylcholine into saturated phosphatidylcholine was relatively low at the earlier stage of fetal development, but it increased significantly in the last stage and reached its maximum at one day prior to birth and one day prior to the marked accumulation of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine occurring in the lung. In contrast, the incorporation of [3H]glycerol into saturated phosphatidylcholine remained, without showing a marked alteration during development. These results suggest that the lysophosphatidylcholine pathway which is mainly attributed to transacylation mechanism between 2 molecules of lysophosphatidylcholine may contribute to the marked production of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine in the lung in the last stage of gestation.", "PMID": 638163} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11692", "title": "Comparison of molecular structure of glycerolipids in rat lung.", "content": "The major individual molecular species of glycerolipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and diacylglycerol of rat lung were determined quantitatively as diacylglycerol acetates. 1. In three glycerolipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diacylglycerol, the main molecular species was dipalmitoyl. The species was not detectable in phosphatidylethanolamine and was not of quantitative importance in phosphatidylinositol. 2. The oligoenoic molecular species in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol contained palmitoyl and stearoyl species in almost equal amounts, while those of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diacylglycerol were principally of the palmitoyl types. 3. Tetraenoic species of phosphatidylinositol and diacyl types of phosphatidylethanolamine were predominantly of stearoyl types. Tetraenoic diacylglycerol also contained significant amounts of stearoyl-arachidonyl species. The value was about 3-fold that of palmitoyl-arachidonyl species. However, palmitoyl types were rather higher in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. 4. The alkenyl-acyl types of lung phosphatidylethanolamine consisted predominantly of polyenoic species, namely, tetraenoic, pentaenoic and hexaenoic species. The pentaenoic and hexaenoic species of all glycerolipids examined consisted mainly of palmitoyl types.", "contents": "Comparison of molecular structure of glycerolipids in rat lung. The major individual molecular species of glycerolipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and diacylglycerol of rat lung were determined quantitatively as diacylglycerol acetates. 1. In three glycerolipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diacylglycerol, the main molecular species was dipalmitoyl. The species was not detectable in phosphatidylethanolamine and was not of quantitative importance in phosphatidylinositol. 2. The oligoenoic molecular species in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol contained palmitoyl and stearoyl species in almost equal amounts, while those of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diacylglycerol were principally of the palmitoyl types. 3. Tetraenoic species of phosphatidylinositol and diacyl types of phosphatidylethanolamine were predominantly of stearoyl types. Tetraenoic diacylglycerol also contained significant amounts of stearoyl-arachidonyl species. The value was about 3-fold that of palmitoyl-arachidonyl species. However, palmitoyl types were rather higher in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. 4. The alkenyl-acyl types of lung phosphatidylethanolamine consisted predominantly of polyenoic species, namely, tetraenoic, pentaenoic and hexaenoic species. The pentaenoic and hexaenoic species of all glycerolipids examined consisted mainly of palmitoyl types.", "PMID": 638164} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11693", "title": "Structure of neutral glycolipids in bovine thyroid tissue.", "content": "Four asialo glycolipid fractions have been isolated from bovine thyroid glands. The structures were elucidated by partial hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, permethylation analysis and sequential enzymatic degradation studies. The following structures were identified: GL-1a glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide; GL-1b galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide: GL-2 galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide: GL-3 galactosyl-alpha-(1 leads to 4)galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)-ceramide; GL-4 N-acetylgalactosaminyl-beta-(1 leads to 3)galactosyl-alpha-(1 leads to 4)galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-geta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide.", "contents": "Structure of neutral glycolipids in bovine thyroid tissue. Four asialo glycolipid fractions have been isolated from bovine thyroid glands. The structures were elucidated by partial hydrolysis, periodate oxidation, permethylation analysis and sequential enzymatic degradation studies. The following structures were identified: GL-1a glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide; GL-1b galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide: GL-2 galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide: GL-3 galactosyl-alpha-(1 leads to 4)galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 1)-ceramide; GL-4 N-acetylgalactosaminyl-beta-(1 leads to 3)galactosyl-alpha-(1 leads to 4)galactosyl-beta-(1 leads to 4)glucosyl-geta-(1 leads to 1)ceramide.", "PMID": 638165} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11694", "title": "Liquid crystals and cholesterol nucleation during equilibration in supersaturated bile analogs.", "content": "In recent work, apparent liquid crystal agglomeration to form typical solid cholesterol microcrystals was frequently observed photomicrographically in bile samples from prairie dogs fed a cholesterol-enriched diet, prior to solid crystal formation. We therefore have conducted a systematic study of time-course lipid compositional changes in the mesophase and micellar phase constituents of bile analog solutions while undergoing cholesterol nucleation during equilibration. On the basis of these studies, we conclude that the nucleation process for microcrystal formation most likely occurs within the mesophase component which is only the first of a two-step transition in a sequential series of physical ordering processes. We deduce that mesophase formation must have a lower kinetic energy requirement and that the second step (microcrystal formation) must be rate limiting. In keeping with theoretical considerations, structural evidence for increased hydration is demonstrable near the point of complete equilibration when the mesophase is dissolving.", "contents": "Liquid crystals and cholesterol nucleation during equilibration in supersaturated bile analogs. In recent work, apparent liquid crystal agglomeration to form typical solid cholesterol microcrystals was frequently observed photomicrographically in bile samples from prairie dogs fed a cholesterol-enriched diet, prior to solid crystal formation. We therefore have conducted a systematic study of time-course lipid compositional changes in the mesophase and micellar phase constituents of bile analog solutions while undergoing cholesterol nucleation during equilibration. On the basis of these studies, we conclude that the nucleation process for microcrystal formation most likely occurs within the mesophase component which is only the first of a two-step transition in a sequential series of physical ordering processes. We deduce that mesophase formation must have a lower kinetic energy requirement and that the second step (microcrystal formation) must be rate limiting. In keeping with theoretical considerations, structural evidence for increased hydration is demonstrable near the point of complete equilibration when the mesophase is dissolving.", "PMID": 638166} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11695", "title": "Lipoprotein lipase of cultured mesenchymal rat heart cells. I. Synthesis, secretion and releasability by heparin.", "content": "Cell suspensions prepared from rat hearts were separated by replating into F1, F2 and M cultures, and cultured for 3--11 days. Lipoprotein lipase activity was highest in the F1 cultures which consisted mainly of non-beating, mesenchymal cells. The enzyme activity was released into the medium only after addition of heparin. The release occurred by an initial rapid phase and a continuous slow phase. Both the rapid and the slow release of enzyme activity by heparin were inhibited by about 70% after a 4 h pretreatment with colchicine. Thus, it seems that the vesicular transport is responsible for the translocation of lipoprotein lipase to the cell surface also during the slow process of release. The residual activity in the colchicine treated cultures was higher than in the controls indicating that no inhibition of enzyme synthesis occurred. The slow phase of enzyme release continued also after removal of heparin from the medium but was reduced markedly when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Thus the increase in total enzyme activity encountered after exposure to heparin resulted from stimulation of new enzyme synthesis. The half-time of lipoprotein lipase in the F1 cultures was 35 min and full restoration of enzyme activity was found 60 min after complete removal of cycloheximide from the system. These data indicate that the culture system can be used to study regulation of new enzyme synthesis and its turnover.", "contents": "Lipoprotein lipase of cultured mesenchymal rat heart cells. I. Synthesis, secretion and releasability by heparin. Cell suspensions prepared from rat hearts were separated by replating into F1, F2 and M cultures, and cultured for 3--11 days. Lipoprotein lipase activity was highest in the F1 cultures which consisted mainly of non-beating, mesenchymal cells. The enzyme activity was released into the medium only after addition of heparin. The release occurred by an initial rapid phase and a continuous slow phase. Both the rapid and the slow release of enzyme activity by heparin were inhibited by about 70% after a 4 h pretreatment with colchicine. Thus, it seems that the vesicular transport is responsible for the translocation of lipoprotein lipase to the cell surface also during the slow process of release. The residual activity in the colchicine treated cultures was higher than in the controls indicating that no inhibition of enzyme synthesis occurred. The slow phase of enzyme release continued also after removal of heparin from the medium but was reduced markedly when protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Thus the increase in total enzyme activity encountered after exposure to heparin resulted from stimulation of new enzyme synthesis. The half-time of lipoprotein lipase in the F1 cultures was 35 min and full restoration of enzyme activity was found 60 min after complete removal of cycloheximide from the system. These data indicate that the culture system can be used to study regulation of new enzyme synthesis and its turnover.", "PMID": 638167} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11696", "title": "Distribution of radioactivity in myelin lipids following subcutaneous injection of [14C]stearate.", "content": "Blood fatty acids are an important parameter for the synthesis of brain myelin as exogenous stearic acid is needed: after subcutaneous injection to 18-day-old mice this labelled stearic acid is transported into brain myelin and incorporated into its lipids. However the acid is partly metabolized in the brain by elongation (thus providing very long chain fatty acids, mainly lignoceric acid) or by degradation to acetate units (utilized for synthesis of medium chain fatty acids as palmitic acid, and cholesterol). These metabolites are further incorporated into myelin lipids. The myelin lipid radioactivity increases up to 3 days; most of the activity is found in phospholipids; their fatty acids are labelled in saturated as well as in polyunsaturated homologues but sphingolipids, especially cerebrosides, contain also large amounts of radioactivity (which is mainly found in very long chain fatty acids, almost all in lignoceric acid). The occurrence of unesterified fatty acids must be pointed out, these molecules unlike other lipids, are found in constant amount (expressed in radioactivity per mg myelin lipid).", "contents": "Distribution of radioactivity in myelin lipids following subcutaneous injection of [14C]stearate. Blood fatty acids are an important parameter for the synthesis of brain myelin as exogenous stearic acid is needed: after subcutaneous injection to 18-day-old mice this labelled stearic acid is transported into brain myelin and incorporated into its lipids. However the acid is partly metabolized in the brain by elongation (thus providing very long chain fatty acids, mainly lignoceric acid) or by degradation to acetate units (utilized for synthesis of medium chain fatty acids as palmitic acid, and cholesterol). These metabolites are further incorporated into myelin lipids. The myelin lipid radioactivity increases up to 3 days; most of the activity is found in phospholipids; their fatty acids are labelled in saturated as well as in polyunsaturated homologues but sphingolipids, especially cerebrosides, contain also large amounts of radioactivity (which is mainly found in very long chain fatty acids, almost all in lignoceric acid). The occurrence of unesterified fatty acids must be pointed out, these molecules unlike other lipids, are found in constant amount (expressed in radioactivity per mg myelin lipid).", "PMID": 638170} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11697", "title": "Studies on the properties of the singlet oxygen-like factor produced during lipid peroxidation.", "content": "The singlet oxygen reaction product of various trapping agents is observed during enzymic and nonenzymic peroxidation of microsomes as well as during the peroxidation of pure lipids extracted from microsomes. We now wish to report that purified fatty acid hydroperoxide alone, as well as peroxidized microsomal lipid and cumene hydroperoxide also form the singlet oxygen reaction product with 2,5-diphenylfuran. The reaction product (cis-1,2-dibenzoylethylene) was observed to be formed in an anaerobic system, with or without EDTA. The data indicate that a reaction of hydroxyl radicals with 2,5-diphenylfuran cannot account for the formation of dibenzoylethylene in these systems. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that the singlet oxygen-like factor was formed from the lipid peroxides per se and, in addition, supports the possibility that either the peroxides can react directly with diphenylfuran to produce dibenzoylethylene or that the self-reaction of organic peroxides may form an intermediate product which can react directly with singlet oxygen-trapping agents to produce substances which are identical to a reaction of the trapping agents with singlets oxygen.", "contents": "Studies on the properties of the singlet oxygen-like factor produced during lipid peroxidation. The singlet oxygen reaction product of various trapping agents is observed during enzymic and nonenzymic peroxidation of microsomes as well as during the peroxidation of pure lipids extracted from microsomes. We now wish to report that purified fatty acid hydroperoxide alone, as well as peroxidized microsomal lipid and cumene hydroperoxide also form the singlet oxygen reaction product with 2,5-diphenylfuran. The reaction product (cis-1,2-dibenzoylethylene) was observed to be formed in an anaerobic system, with or without EDTA. The data indicate that a reaction of hydroxyl radicals with 2,5-diphenylfuran cannot account for the formation of dibenzoylethylene in these systems. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that the singlet oxygen-like factor was formed from the lipid peroxides per se and, in addition, supports the possibility that either the peroxides can react directly with diphenylfuran to produce dibenzoylethylene or that the self-reaction of organic peroxides may form an intermediate product which can react directly with singlet oxygen-trapping agents to produce substances which are identical to a reaction of the trapping agents with singlets oxygen.", "PMID": 638171} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11698", "title": "Transformation of arachidonic acid into thromboxane B2 by the homogenates of activated macrophages.", "content": "The homogenates of activated macrophages obtained from liquid paraffin-injected guinea pig peritoneum were incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid or with radioactive prostaglandin endoperoside [14C]prostaglandin H2. The major radioactive metabolite in both cases was thromboxane B2, which was identified by NaBH4 reduction, rechromatography and autoradiography.", "contents": "Transformation of arachidonic acid into thromboxane B2 by the homogenates of activated macrophages. The homogenates of activated macrophages obtained from liquid paraffin-injected guinea pig peritoneum were incubated with [14C]arachidonic acid or with radioactive prostaglandin endoperoside [14C]prostaglandin H2. The major radioactive metabolite in both cases was thromboxane B2, which was identified by NaBH4 reduction, rechromatography and autoradiography.", "PMID": 638172} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11699", "title": "Distribution of prostaglandin biosynthetic pathways in organs and tissues of the fetal lamb.", "content": "Five prostaglandins, i.e. prostaglandins E2, F2alpha and D2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha and thromboxane B2, were measured by mass spectrometry. Homogenates of fetal lamb brain, lung, liver, spleen and kidney and the ductus arteriosus, aorta and pulmonary artery formed different amounts of each product. Although the main prostaglandin in the fetal organs was prostaglandin E2, arterial tissue formed mostly 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha. These results demonstrate significant differences between organs and tissues in the relative direction of the 'prostaglandin synthetase' enzyme complex.", "contents": "Distribution of prostaglandin biosynthetic pathways in organs and tissues of the fetal lamb. Five prostaglandins, i.e. prostaglandins E2, F2alpha and D2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha and thromboxane B2, were measured by mass spectrometry. Homogenates of fetal lamb brain, lung, liver, spleen and kidney and the ductus arteriosus, aorta and pulmonary artery formed different amounts of each product. Although the main prostaglandin in the fetal organs was prostaglandin E2, arterial tissue formed mostly 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha. These results demonstrate significant differences between organs and tissues in the relative direction of the 'prostaglandin synthetase' enzyme complex.", "PMID": 638173} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11700", "title": "A simple and novel method for tritium labeling of gangliosides and other sphingolipids.", "content": "A very simple method for introducing tritium specifically into the ceramide portion of gangliosides, neutral glycosphingolipids and sphingomyelin has been developed using potassium boro [3H]hydride and palladium as catalyst. In this way six different gangliosides, five different neutral glycosphingolipids and sphinomyelin with high specific radioactivity were prepared for the first time. This simple procedure which does not require sophisticated apparatuses is suitable for large scale preparation of tritium-labeled sphingolipids as well as for nanogram quantities of individual sphingolipids so as to serve for analytical purposes. During the course of the labeling procedure no degradation of even the most labile trisialosyl-gangliotetraosylceramide has been observed. The yield of tritiated compounds is almost quantitative. The specific radioactivity depends on the unsaturation of the ceramide moiety and the specific activity of the boro[3H]hydride employed.", "contents": "A simple and novel method for tritium labeling of gangliosides and other sphingolipids. A very simple method for introducing tritium specifically into the ceramide portion of gangliosides, neutral glycosphingolipids and sphingomyelin has been developed using potassium boro [3H]hydride and palladium as catalyst. In this way six different gangliosides, five different neutral glycosphingolipids and sphinomyelin with high specific radioactivity were prepared for the first time. This simple procedure which does not require sophisticated apparatuses is suitable for large scale preparation of tritium-labeled sphingolipids as well as for nanogram quantities of individual sphingolipids so as to serve for analytical purposes. During the course of the labeling procedure no degradation of even the most labile trisialosyl-gangliotetraosylceramide has been observed. The yield of tritiated compounds is almost quantitative. The specific radioactivity depends on the unsaturation of the ceramide moiety and the specific activity of the boro[3H]hydride employed.", "PMID": 638174} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11701", "title": "Steroid-protein interactions. 40. The effect of fatty acids on progesterone binding to human serum albumin.", "content": "Human serum albumin was delipidated by solvent extraction or by treatment with charcoal. Progesterone complexes formed with these albumin preparations had higher association constants than those formed with the untreated samples. The charcoal method of delipidation resulted in somewhat higher affinity constants than extraction with chloroform/methanol. Addition of 5 mol lauric acid per mol albumin reduced the association constant of the progesterone complex by approx. 50%. Studies with lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid showed that the decrease of binding affinity for progesterone was proportional to the amount of fatty acid added to albumin, and to its chain length. These results confirm and extend our previous findings of inhibition of progesterone binding to human albumin by long-chain fatty acids.", "contents": "Steroid-protein interactions. 40. The effect of fatty acids on progesterone binding to human serum albumin. Human serum albumin was delipidated by solvent extraction or by treatment with charcoal. Progesterone complexes formed with these albumin preparations had higher association constants than those formed with the untreated samples. The charcoal method of delipidation resulted in somewhat higher affinity constants than extraction with chloroform/methanol. Addition of 5 mol lauric acid per mol albumin reduced the association constant of the progesterone complex by approx. 50%. Studies with lauric, myristic, and palmitic acid showed that the decrease of binding affinity for progesterone was proportional to the amount of fatty acid added to albumin, and to its chain length. These results confirm and extend our previous findings of inhibition of progesterone binding to human albumin by long-chain fatty acids.", "PMID": 638175} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11702", "title": "Transfer of phosphatidylcholine facilitated by a component of human plasma.", "content": "A constituent of lipoprotein-free (p greater than 1.21) human plasma from normolipemic donors facilitates the transfer of diacyl phosphatidylcholine from unilamellar egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes to liver mitochondria. The active component is heat labile, has a hydrated density greater than 1.25 and an apparent molecular weight of more than 100 000. The presence of this protein in plasma may facilitate movement of diacylphospholipids between the surfaces of lipid-containing particles such as lipoproteins and erythrocytes. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of this protein are important in designing methods of drug therapy based on encapsulation in biodegradable lipid vesicles.", "contents": "Transfer of phosphatidylcholine facilitated by a component of human plasma. A constituent of lipoprotein-free (p greater than 1.21) human plasma from normolipemic donors facilitates the transfer of diacyl phosphatidylcholine from unilamellar egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes to liver mitochondria. The active component is heat labile, has a hydrated density greater than 1.25 and an apparent molecular weight of more than 100 000. The presence of this protein in plasma may facilitate movement of diacylphospholipids between the surfaces of lipid-containing particles such as lipoproteins and erythrocytes. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of this protein are important in designing methods of drug therapy based on encapsulation in biodegradable lipid vesicles.", "PMID": 638176} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11703", "title": "Stereoconfiguration of phosphatidylglycerol in the membrane of bacteriophage PM2 and in its host, Pseudomonas BAL-31.", "content": "Turnover of the acylated and unacylated glycerol moieties of phosphatidylglycerol was examined during infection of Pseudomonas BAL-31 by bacteriophage PM2. No turnover of either glycerol moiety was observed in infected or inunfected cells. The stereochemical configuration of phosphatidylglycerol from both virus and host was determined and proved to be 3-sn-phosphatidyl-1'-sn-glycerol. These results exclude a mechanism of mobilizing lipids for the virus by acylation and deacylation of 3-sn-phosphatidyl-1'-sn-glycerol in the host membrane to form 1-sn-phosphatidyl-3'-sn-glycerol in the membrane of PM2.", "contents": "Stereoconfiguration of phosphatidylglycerol in the membrane of bacteriophage PM2 and in its host, Pseudomonas BAL-31. Turnover of the acylated and unacylated glycerol moieties of phosphatidylglycerol was examined during infection of Pseudomonas BAL-31 by bacteriophage PM2. No turnover of either glycerol moiety was observed in infected or inunfected cells. The stereochemical configuration of phosphatidylglycerol from both virus and host was determined and proved to be 3-sn-phosphatidyl-1'-sn-glycerol. These results exclude a mechanism of mobilizing lipids for the virus by acylation and deacylation of 3-sn-phosphatidyl-1'-sn-glycerol in the host membrane to form 1-sn-phosphatidyl-3'-sn-glycerol in the membrane of PM2.", "PMID": 638177} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11704", "title": "Serine ethanolamine phosphodiester: a major component in chicken semen.", "content": "The phosphodiester, serine ethanolamine phosphodiester, has been found by 31P NMR to be present in chicken semen and the structure was confirmed by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The presence of serine ethanolamine phosphodiester in chicken semen completes the analogy between the distribution of this compound in the tissues of the chicken and that of glycerol 3-phosphorylcholine in mammals.", "contents": "Serine ethanolamine phosphodiester: a major component in chicken semen. The phosphodiester, serine ethanolamine phosphodiester, has been found by 31P NMR to be present in chicken semen and the structure was confirmed by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The presence of serine ethanolamine phosphodiester in chicken semen completes the analogy between the distribution of this compound in the tissues of the chicken and that of glycerol 3-phosphorylcholine in mammals.", "PMID": 638178} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11705", "title": "Studies on a phospholipase B from Penicillium notatum. Substrate specificity.", "content": "1. The action of a highly purified phospholipase B from Penicillium notatum on 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-, 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-, 1,2-diacyl-, 1-acyl- and 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, monoacyl-, diacyl- and triacylglycerols, cholesteryl oleate and p-nitrophenyl acetate was studied. 2. The hydrolysis products of the monoethermonoacylglycerophospholipids were identified as fatty acids, 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The hydrolysis rates were in the following order: 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine greater than 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine greater than 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 3. 1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was hydrolyzed about 15 times faster than 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 4. Monoacylglycerols were hydrolyzed at the optimal pH 4.0, but diacyl- and triacylglycerols were not hydrolyzed at various pH values between 4.0 and 9.0. 5. Cholesteryl oleate and p-nitrophenyl acetate were not hydrolyzed.", "contents": "Studies on a phospholipase B from Penicillium notatum. Substrate specificity. 1. The action of a highly purified phospholipase B from Penicillium notatum on 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-, 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-, 1,2-diacyl-, 1-acyl- and 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, monoacyl-, diacyl- and triacylglycerols, cholesteryl oleate and p-nitrophenyl acetate was studied. 2. The hydrolysis products of the monoethermonoacylglycerophospholipids were identified as fatty acids, 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The hydrolysis rates were in the following order: 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine greater than 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine greater than 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 3. 1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was hydrolyzed about 15 times faster than 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. 4. Monoacylglycerols were hydrolyzed at the optimal pH 4.0, but diacyl- and triacylglycerols were not hydrolyzed at various pH values between 4.0 and 9.0. 5. Cholesteryl oleate and p-nitrophenyl acetate were not hydrolyzed.", "PMID": 638179} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11706", "title": "Galactolipid formation in chloroplast envelopes. I. Evidence for two mechanisms in galactosylation.", "content": "Two different enzymes for galactosylation occur in isolated chloroplast envelopes of spinach leaves, UDPgalactose-diglyceride galactosyltransferase and galactolipid-galactolipid galactosyltransferase. The first enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of monogalactosyldiglyceride, UDPgalactose being donor of the galactosyl moiety. The second enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of digalactosyldiglyceride and higher homologues. The optimum pH for monogalactosyldiglyceride synthesis was found to be 7.5, for digalactosyldiglyceride synthesis 6.5. After incubation at pH 7.4 a Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated two binding sites for UDPgalactose on the UDPgalactose-diglyceride galactosyltransferase with different affinities for UDPgalactose and different activities. Indirectly the galactolipid-galactolipid galactosyltransferase was shown to respond similarly to various UDPgalactose concentrations. However, the second reaction also proceeds in absence of UDPgalactose. It was concluded that the second enzyme does not require the presence of UDPgalactose, but that galactosyl transfer proceeds by direct exchange of galactosyl groups between molecules of galactolipids, or via unknown lipid intermediates, not detected in our system. Results of other investigations will be discussed in the light of the present data.", "contents": "Galactolipid formation in chloroplast envelopes. I. Evidence for two mechanisms in galactosylation. Two different enzymes for galactosylation occur in isolated chloroplast envelopes of spinach leaves, UDPgalactose-diglyceride galactosyltransferase and galactolipid-galactolipid galactosyltransferase. The first enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of monogalactosyldiglyceride, UDPgalactose being donor of the galactosyl moiety. The second enzyme is responsible for the biosynthesis of digalactosyldiglyceride and higher homologues. The optimum pH for monogalactosyldiglyceride synthesis was found to be 7.5, for digalactosyldiglyceride synthesis 6.5. After incubation at pH 7.4 a Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated two binding sites for UDPgalactose on the UDPgalactose-diglyceride galactosyltransferase with different affinities for UDPgalactose and different activities. Indirectly the galactolipid-galactolipid galactosyltransferase was shown to respond similarly to various UDPgalactose concentrations. However, the second reaction also proceeds in absence of UDPgalactose. It was concluded that the second enzyme does not require the presence of UDPgalactose, but that galactosyl transfer proceeds by direct exchange of galactosyl groups between molecules of galactolipids, or via unknown lipid intermediates, not detected in our system. Results of other investigations will be discussed in the light of the present data.", "PMID": 638180} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11707", "title": "Lipase-colipase interactions during gel filtration. High and low affinity binding situations.", "content": "The interaction of porcine pancreatic lipase and colipase was studied during gel filtration in columns eluted with a variety of buffers. High and low affinity binding situations were observed under different conditions. Low affinity binding could only be detected at the high lipase-colipase concentrations encountered during batch purification (10(-3)-10(-4) M). Even in this situation the rapid dissociation of the weak complex during filtration resulted in considerable separation of the two proteins. High affinity binding of lipase to colipase was observed at protein eluant concentrations as low as 10(-8) M on columns equilibrated with oleic acid-taurodeoxycholate mixed micelles. This binding did not take place on columns equilibrated with simple bile salt and mixed phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol-bile salt micelles. Colipase alone exhibited strong binding to phosphatidylcholine and fatty acid mixed bile salt micelles when applied together in a sample on columns eluted with pure bile salt micelles, lipase did not. The relevance of the high affinity complex to the lipase . colipase . substrate complex is discussed.", "contents": "Lipase-colipase interactions during gel filtration. High and low affinity binding situations. The interaction of porcine pancreatic lipase and colipase was studied during gel filtration in columns eluted with a variety of buffers. High and low affinity binding situations were observed under different conditions. Low affinity binding could only be detected at the high lipase-colipase concentrations encountered during batch purification (10(-3)-10(-4) M). Even in this situation the rapid dissociation of the weak complex during filtration resulted in considerable separation of the two proteins. High affinity binding of lipase to colipase was observed at protein eluant concentrations as low as 10(-8) M on columns equilibrated with oleic acid-taurodeoxycholate mixed micelles. This binding did not take place on columns equilibrated with simple bile salt and mixed phosphatidylcholine-cholesterol-bile salt micelles. Colipase alone exhibited strong binding to phosphatidylcholine and fatty acid mixed bile salt micelles when applied together in a sample on columns eluted with pure bile salt micelles, lipase did not. The relevance of the high affinity complex to the lipase . colipase . substrate complex is discussed.", "PMID": 638181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11708", "title": "Conformation of a stable intermediate on the folding pathway of Staphylococcus aureus penicillinase.", "content": "The partly unfolded intermediate (state H) of penicillinase from Staphylococcus aureus PC1 is stable in 0.8 M guanidinium chloride at pH 7.0. It has been characterized by measurements of intrinsic viscosity, sedimentation and diffusion coefficients, leading to an equivalent hydrodynamic volume of five times that of the native penicillinase molecule. Values of alpha-helix content calculated from circular dichroism were 27% for penicillinase and 16% for state H. A multi-domain model is proposed for penicillinase in which the domains can separate without appreciable change in secondary structure. This model is important in understanding the means by which the enzyme activity can be controlled, and corresponds to a kinetic pathway of folding.", "contents": "Conformation of a stable intermediate on the folding pathway of Staphylococcus aureus penicillinase. The partly unfolded intermediate (state H) of penicillinase from Staphylococcus aureus PC1 is stable in 0.8 M guanidinium chloride at pH 7.0. It has been characterized by measurements of intrinsic viscosity, sedimentation and diffusion coefficients, leading to an equivalent hydrodynamic volume of five times that of the native penicillinase molecule. Values of alpha-helix content calculated from circular dichroism were 27% for penicillinase and 16% for state H. A multi-domain model is proposed for penicillinase in which the domains can separate without appreciable change in secondary structure. This model is important in understanding the means by which the enzyme activity can be controlled, and corresponds to a kinetic pathway of folding.", "PMID": 638183} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11709", "title": "Studies on the reduction and reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha and beta subunits of human choriogonadotropin.", "content": "Reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin after their complete reduction yields a product which is indistinguishable from the native subunit in its electrophoretic pattern in polyacrylamide gel and in its ability to recombine with the beta subunit of bovine lutropin. The circular dichroism of reoxidized human choriogonadotropin-alpha is essentially identical to that of the native alpha-subunit, except for slightly more negative ellipticity in the region of 240 mm. Hybrid hormone preparations obtained by recombination of reoxidized or native human choriogonadotropin-alpha with native lutropin-beta exhibit identical electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels, elution profiles in gel filtration, receptor binding activities, and CD spectra. However, reoxidation of human choriogonadotropin-beta under the same conditions does not yield a product which resembles the native beta subunit in its electrophoretic pattern on gels, its CD spectrum or its ability to recombine with the alpha subunit.", "contents": "Studies on the reduction and reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha and beta subunits of human choriogonadotropin. Reoxidation of the disulfide bonds of the alpha-subunit of human choriogonadotropin after their complete reduction yields a product which is indistinguishable from the native subunit in its electrophoretic pattern in polyacrylamide gel and in its ability to recombine with the beta subunit of bovine lutropin. The circular dichroism of reoxidized human choriogonadotropin-alpha is essentially identical to that of the native alpha-subunit, except for slightly more negative ellipticity in the region of 240 mm. Hybrid hormone preparations obtained by recombination of reoxidized or native human choriogonadotropin-alpha with native lutropin-beta exhibit identical electrophoretic patterns in polyacrylamide gels, elution profiles in gel filtration, receptor binding activities, and CD spectra. However, reoxidation of human choriogonadotropin-beta under the same conditions does not yield a product which resembles the native beta subunit in its electrophoretic pattern on gels, its CD spectrum or its ability to recombine with the alpha subunit.", "PMID": 638185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11710", "title": "Fluorescence energy transfer between epsilon-ATP at the nucleotide binding site and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)-maleimide at Cys-373 of G-actin.", "content": "The method of fluorescence energy transfer is used to measure the distance from the nucleotide binding site to Cys-373 of G-actin. The fluorescent ATP analogue 1-N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-triphosphate was used as donor and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)-maleimide was used as acceptor. From the measurements of the efficiency of fluorescence energy transfer by both static and time resolved fluorometries, the distance between nucleotide binding site and Cys-373 residue of G-actin was calculated to be about 30 A.", "contents": "Fluorescence energy transfer between epsilon-ATP at the nucleotide binding site and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)-maleimide at Cys-373 of G-actin. The method of fluorescence energy transfer is used to measure the distance from the nucleotide binding site to Cys-373 of G-actin. The fluorescent ATP analogue 1-N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-triphosphate was used as donor and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)-maleimide was used as acceptor. From the measurements of the efficiency of fluorescence energy transfer by both static and time resolved fluorometries, the distance between nucleotide binding site and Cys-373 residue of G-actin was calculated to be about 30 A.", "PMID": 638187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11711", "title": "Similarity of antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin.", "content": "Antigelatin factor, a protein capable of complexing denatured collagen, was separated from human serum by adsorption onto immobilized collagen. Antiserum raised against the material binding to denatured collagen permitted the development of a radioassay for the determination of antigelatin factor in which the complex of antigelatin factor and denatured 125I-labeled collagen is precipitated with this antiserum. Further purification of antigelatin factor was achieved by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose yielding an electrophoretically homogeneous protein. Its migration rate in dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was identical with that of cold insoluble globulin (molecular weight approx. 440 000) prepared from human plasma by a published procedure amended by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Reduction of disulfide bonds yielded subunits of molecular weight approx. 220 000, indistinguishable from those of cold insoluble globulin. The amino acid composition of both proteins was very similar. Immunological identity of both proteins was demonstrated by gel diffusion against monospecific anti-cold insoluble globulin antiserum. Closely related binding curves were obtained if denatured 125I-labeled collagen was reacted with increasing amounts of either cold insoluble globulin or antigelatin factor and the complexes formed were precipitated with anti-cold insoluble globulin antiserum. In addition, antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin mediated the fixation of denatured 125I-labeled collagen to trypsinized macrophages in the same way. Therefore, it is concluded that antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin are identical or very closely related proteins.", "contents": "Similarity of antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin. Antigelatin factor, a protein capable of complexing denatured collagen, was separated from human serum by adsorption onto immobilized collagen. Antiserum raised against the material binding to denatured collagen permitted the development of a radioassay for the determination of antigelatin factor in which the complex of antigelatin factor and denatured 125I-labeled collagen is precipitated with this antiserum. Further purification of antigelatin factor was achieved by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose yielding an electrophoretically homogeneous protein. Its migration rate in dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was identical with that of cold insoluble globulin (molecular weight approx. 440 000) prepared from human plasma by a published procedure amended by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Reduction of disulfide bonds yielded subunits of molecular weight approx. 220 000, indistinguishable from those of cold insoluble globulin. The amino acid composition of both proteins was very similar. Immunological identity of both proteins was demonstrated by gel diffusion against monospecific anti-cold insoluble globulin antiserum. Closely related binding curves were obtained if denatured 125I-labeled collagen was reacted with increasing amounts of either cold insoluble globulin or antigelatin factor and the complexes formed were precipitated with anti-cold insoluble globulin antiserum. In addition, antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin mediated the fixation of denatured 125I-labeled collagen to trypsinized macrophages in the same way. Therefore, it is concluded that antigelatin factor and cold insoluble globulin are identical or very closely related proteins.", "PMID": 638188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11712", "title": "The effect of limited fragmentation of porcine 19 S IgM on agglutination and complement fixation. Evidence that at least two intact subunits are required for complement fixation by IgM antibody.antigen complexes.", "content": "Limited fragmentation of pig IgM anti-Salmonella with pepsin gave a 12 S product which agglutinated Salmonella almost as efficiently as the original IgM but the complement fixing ability of the complexes was substantially lowered. The 12 S product was shown to consist of molecular entities having intact Fc regions with an average of 3 or 4 intact Fab arms still attached. Our results appeared to show that removal of Fab arms by pepsin was a random process and on this basis a mathematical model was set up. From this model it was possible to calculate the frequencies of molecular entities which would give rise to the observed average of 3 or 4 Fab arms. The most likely explanation of our results is that complexes need to be formed by molecules having at least two intact subunits before efficient complement fixation takes place.", "contents": "The effect of limited fragmentation of porcine 19 S IgM on agglutination and complement fixation. Evidence that at least two intact subunits are required for complement fixation by IgM antibody.antigen complexes. Limited fragmentation of pig IgM anti-Salmonella with pepsin gave a 12 S product which agglutinated Salmonella almost as efficiently as the original IgM but the complement fixing ability of the complexes was substantially lowered. The 12 S product was shown to consist of molecular entities having intact Fc regions with an average of 3 or 4 intact Fab arms still attached. Our results appeared to show that removal of Fab arms by pepsin was a random process and on this basis a mathematical model was set up. From this model it was possible to calculate the frequencies of molecular entities which would give rise to the observed average of 3 or 4 Fab arms. The most likely explanation of our results is that complexes need to be formed by molecules having at least two intact subunits before efficient complement fixation takes place.", "PMID": 638189} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11713", "title": "Isolation of a granulocyte colony inhibitory factor derived from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.", "content": "An inhibitory factor obtained from mature human granulocytes which suppresses granulocyte and monocyte-macrophage colony formation by an action on the endogenous colony stimulating factor-producing cells has been partially purified and characterized. The methods for purification consisted of a combination of ultracentrifugation, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The material had a molecular weight range of 102--128 000 and an isoelectric point between pH 6.2 and 6.4. The inhibitory factor was found to be heat stable and glycoprotein in nature.", "contents": "Isolation of a granulocyte colony inhibitory factor derived from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. An inhibitory factor obtained from mature human granulocytes which suppresses granulocyte and monocyte-macrophage colony formation by an action on the endogenous colony stimulating factor-producing cells has been partially purified and characterized. The methods for purification consisted of a combination of ultracentrifugation, DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The material had a molecular weight range of 102--128 000 and an isoelectric point between pH 6.2 and 6.4. The inhibitory factor was found to be heat stable and glycoprotein in nature.", "PMID": 638190} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11714", "title": "Isolation and characterization of the 165 000 dalton protein component of the M-line of rabbit skeletal muscle and its interaction with creatine kinase.", "content": "The M-line protein component of molecular weight 165 000 was isolated and purified from rabbit skeletal muscle using ion exchange chromatography. Gel electrophoresis, in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, revealed the protein to be homogeneous. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies in 0.5 M KCl, 50 mM potassium phosphate gave a molecular weight of 165 000 suggesting the protein to be made up of a single polypeptide chain. Circular dichroism spectra revealed the presence of two negative dichroic bands located at 216 and 208 nm, indicative of the presence of some beta-structure. Ellipticity values at these two wavelengths were --6500 +/- 400 and --7500 +/- 400 deg . cm2 . dmol-1, respectively. Addition of 165 000 component lowered the enzymatic activity of creatine kinase M-line protein and the nature of the inhibition was found to be a competitive one. When the protein was mixed with creatine kinase in a 1 : 1 mole ratio in a medium consisting of 0.2 M KCl, 25 mM Tris, 1 mM dithiothreitol (pH 8.0), low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies gave a molecular weight of 260 000 +/- 10 000 for the complex, indicative of an interaction of the two components of the M-line.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of the 165 000 dalton protein component of the M-line of rabbit skeletal muscle and its interaction with creatine kinase. The M-line protein component of molecular weight 165 000 was isolated and purified from rabbit skeletal muscle using ion exchange chromatography. Gel electrophoresis, in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, revealed the protein to be homogeneous. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies in 0.5 M KCl, 50 mM potassium phosphate gave a molecular weight of 165 000 suggesting the protein to be made up of a single polypeptide chain. Circular dichroism spectra revealed the presence of two negative dichroic bands located at 216 and 208 nm, indicative of the presence of some beta-structure. Ellipticity values at these two wavelengths were --6500 +/- 400 and --7500 +/- 400 deg . cm2 . dmol-1, respectively. Addition of 165 000 component lowered the enzymatic activity of creatine kinase M-line protein and the nature of the inhibition was found to be a competitive one. When the protein was mixed with creatine kinase in a 1 : 1 mole ratio in a medium consisting of 0.2 M KCl, 25 mM Tris, 1 mM dithiothreitol (pH 8.0), low speed sedimentation equilibrium studies gave a molecular weight of 260 000 +/- 10 000 for the complex, indicative of an interaction of the two components of the M-line.", "PMID": 638191} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11715", "title": "Laser Raman investigations of intact single muscle fibers. Protein conformations.", "content": "Raman spectra, in the frequency region of the protein vibrations, of intact single muscle fibers of the giant barnacle are presented. Strong bands at 1521 and 1156 cm-1 in the spectra are attributed to resonance-enhanced Raman bands of membrane-bound beta-carotene. Many bands of the myofibrillar proteins are also observed, and at least three spectral features confirm that these proteins adopt a predominantly alpha-helical structure: (1) the amide I band at 1648 cm-1, (2) the weak scattering in the amide III region, and (3) a strong skeletal C-C stretching band at 939 cm-1. Deuterated fibers have also been examined in order to find the exact shape of the amide III band. The presence in the fibers of paramyosin, which is only found in catch muscles, is also apparent from the spectra.", "contents": "Laser Raman investigations of intact single muscle fibers. Protein conformations. Raman spectra, in the frequency region of the protein vibrations, of intact single muscle fibers of the giant barnacle are presented. Strong bands at 1521 and 1156 cm-1 in the spectra are attributed to resonance-enhanced Raman bands of membrane-bound beta-carotene. Many bands of the myofibrillar proteins are also observed, and at least three spectral features confirm that these proteins adopt a predominantly alpha-helical structure: (1) the amide I band at 1648 cm-1, (2) the weak scattering in the amide III region, and (3) a strong skeletal C-C stretching band at 939 cm-1. Deuterated fibers have also been examined in order to find the exact shape of the amide III band. The presence in the fibers of paramyosin, which is only found in catch muscles, is also apparent from the spectra.", "PMID": 638192} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11716", "title": "Histone H2B variants from the erythrocytes of an amphibian, a reptile and a bird.", "content": "Histones H2B have been isolated from the terminally differentiated diploid erythrocytes of three different classes, amphibia (Xenopus laevis), reptilia (Crocodilus niloticus) and aves (Gallus domesticus). Partial amino acid sequences revealed three regions of sequence variation, each variant involving a single amino acid substitution.", "contents": "Histone H2B variants from the erythrocytes of an amphibian, a reptile and a bird. Histones H2B have been isolated from the terminally differentiated diploid erythrocytes of three different classes, amphibia (Xenopus laevis), reptilia (Crocodilus niloticus) and aves (Gallus domesticus). Partial amino acid sequences revealed three regions of sequence variation, each variant involving a single amino acid substitution.", "PMID": 638193} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11717", "title": "Isolation and characterization of the predominant protein in nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles from rat liver.", "content": "The predominant protein of the nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles of rat liver was isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The polypeptide represented 35% to 40% of the total mass of the protein moiety. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 38 000 and its NH2-terminal residue was found to be threonine. The amino acid composition is unique in having a high content of glycyl residues (20%) and NG-dimethylarginine (14% of total arginyl residues).", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of the predominant protein in nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles from rat liver. The predominant protein of the nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles of rat liver was isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The polypeptide represented 35% to 40% of the total mass of the protein moiety. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 38 000 and its NH2-terminal residue was found to be threonine. The amino acid composition is unique in having a high content of glycyl residues (20%) and NG-dimethylarginine (14% of total arginyl residues).", "PMID": 638194} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11718", "title": "Primary structure of rat liver apoferritin. The amino end.", "content": "Rat liver apoferritin is known to have a blocked amino end. From a pronase digest of rat liver apoferritin we have isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography the blocked N-terminal tripeptide. Its sequence and the nature of the blocking group were shown to be Ser-Ser-Gln and an acetyl moiety, respectively. The N-terminal sequence of rat liver apoferritin is thus N-acetyl-Ser-Ser-Gln, which coincides with the N-terminal sequence of horse-spleen apoferritin, the only other apoferritin studied structurally at present.", "contents": "Primary structure of rat liver apoferritin. The amino end. Rat liver apoferritin is known to have a blocked amino end. From a pronase digest of rat liver apoferritin we have isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography the blocked N-terminal tripeptide. Its sequence and the nature of the blocking group were shown to be Ser-Ser-Gln and an acetyl moiety, respectively. The N-terminal sequence of rat liver apoferritin is thus N-acetyl-Ser-Ser-Gln, which coincides with the N-terminal sequence of horse-spleen apoferritin, the only other apoferritin studied structurally at present.", "PMID": 638195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11719", "title": "Influence of fatty acid and time of focusing on the isoelectric focusing of human plasma albumin.", "content": "In the isoelectric focusing of human plasma albumin, two major peaks of pI 4.8 and 5.6 are observed. As fatty acids are removed from the albumin either by defatting before the focusing experiment or gradually during the focusing experiment, the pI 4.8 peak diminishes and the pI 5.6 peak increases. The interpretation of this effect is confirmed by fatty acid analysis before and after focusing. Alkylation of the free sulfhydryl group changes the focusing position of the defatted peak to pI 5.7. Otherwise the isoelectric focusing pattern of human albumin is unaffected by the status of the free sulfhydryl group or by the ampholine concentration.", "contents": "Influence of fatty acid and time of focusing on the isoelectric focusing of human plasma albumin. In the isoelectric focusing of human plasma albumin, two major peaks of pI 4.8 and 5.6 are observed. As fatty acids are removed from the albumin either by defatting before the focusing experiment or gradually during the focusing experiment, the pI 4.8 peak diminishes and the pI 5.6 peak increases. The interpretation of this effect is confirmed by fatty acid analysis before and after focusing. Alkylation of the free sulfhydryl group changes the focusing position of the defatted peak to pI 5.7. Otherwise the isoelectric focusing pattern of human albumin is unaffected by the status of the free sulfhydryl group or by the ampholine concentration.", "PMID": 638196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11720", "title": "Four states of tyrosine residues in the fibrinogen molecule.", "content": "The ionization of tyrosine residues in fibrinogen was studied by a spectrophotometric method. The total of 100 tyrosine residues in the fibrinogen molecule was classified into four states: (1) 28 tyrosine residues with pK 10.1 (m = 1.0). (2) tyrosine residues with pK 11.5 (m = 1.0), (3) 20 tyrosine residues with pK 12.2 (m = 3.0) and (4) 10 tyrosine residues non-ionizable. When fibrinogen was treated with 4 M guanidine . HCl, all of the tyrosine residues became ionizable with the ionization characteristics of pK 10.1 (m = 1.0). The ionization characteristics of tyrosine residues in plasmin-digested fibrinogen were similar to those of fibrinogen, while in CNBr-treated fibrinogen they were fairly different. The value, m, stands for the number of hydroxyl ions involved in the ionization of a tyrosine residue.", "contents": "Four states of tyrosine residues in the fibrinogen molecule. The ionization of tyrosine residues in fibrinogen was studied by a spectrophotometric method. The total of 100 tyrosine residues in the fibrinogen molecule was classified into four states: (1) 28 tyrosine residues with pK 10.1 (m = 1.0). (2) tyrosine residues with pK 11.5 (m = 1.0), (3) 20 tyrosine residues with pK 12.2 (m = 3.0) and (4) 10 tyrosine residues non-ionizable. When fibrinogen was treated with 4 M guanidine . HCl, all of the tyrosine residues became ionizable with the ionization characteristics of pK 10.1 (m = 1.0). The ionization characteristics of tyrosine residues in plasmin-digested fibrinogen were similar to those of fibrinogen, while in CNBr-treated fibrinogen they were fairly different. The value, m, stands for the number of hydroxyl ions involved in the ionization of a tyrosine residue.", "PMID": 638197} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11721", "title": "Binding of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-ribopyranoside to beta-D-xylosidase from Bacillus pumilus.", "content": "The determination of the binding parameters of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-ribopyranoside, a fluorescent ligand of beta-D-xylosidase (exo-1,4-beta-xylosidase, EC 3.2.1.37) from Bacillus pumilus, is described. A single binding site per polypeptide chain (60 000 daltons) was found and the homogeneity of the binding sites in the dimeric or tetrameric forms of the enzyme were shown. The association constants, as a function of temperature and ionic strength, were obtained from equilibrium binding experiments and compared to the kinetically determined inhibition constants. The apparent discrepancies are attributed to a temperature, ionic strength and concentration dependent shift in the dimer-tetramer equilibrium of the enzyme and different affinities of the ligand for both oligomeric forms. Sedimentation velocity experiments seem to corroborate this hypothesis.", "contents": "Binding of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-ribopyranoside to beta-D-xylosidase from Bacillus pumilus. The determination of the binding parameters of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-ribopyranoside, a fluorescent ligand of beta-D-xylosidase (exo-1,4-beta-xylosidase, EC 3.2.1.37) from Bacillus pumilus, is described. A single binding site per polypeptide chain (60 000 daltons) was found and the homogeneity of the binding sites in the dimeric or tetrameric forms of the enzyme were shown. The association constants, as a function of temperature and ionic strength, were obtained from equilibrium binding experiments and compared to the kinetically determined inhibition constants. The apparent discrepancies are attributed to a temperature, ionic strength and concentration dependent shift in the dimer-tetramer equilibrium of the enzyme and different affinities of the ligand for both oligomeric forms. Sedimentation velocity experiments seem to corroborate this hypothesis.", "PMID": 638199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11722", "title": "Cell-free labeling in thyroid rough microsomes of lipid-linked and protein-linked oligosaccharides. I. Mannosylated units.", "content": "In order to evaluate the possibility in a pig thyroid rough microsomal system of a transfer of pre-assembled sugar cores from sugar-lipids to protein, we have examined after incubation with GDP-[14C]Man the compounds bearing labeled saccharides and have determined some properties of their released saccharide moieties. The [14C]Man material specifically soluble in CHCl3/CH3OH/H2O, 10:10:3, behaved on DEAE-cellulose and when treated with hot alkali and alkaline phosphatase as a lipid pyrophosphate (sometimes accompanied by some dolichol-P-[14C]Man). Its saccharide moiety, released by mild acid, exhibited properties (molecular size, sensitivity to alpha-mannosidase, affinity for concanavalin A and charge modification introduced by a strong reductive alkaline treatment) pointing to a polymannosylated N,N'-diacetylchitobiose containing an average of nine monosaccharide units (from six to twelve). The [14C]mannosylated glycoproteins have represented all the polymeric label remaining after lipid extraction. From the susceptibility of their pronase glycopeptides to a differential reductive alkaline hydrolysis, it was concluded that their label belonged mainly to N-glycosidically linked units. Released saccharides exhibited the same properties as those from lipids, a result substantiating the possibility raised from previous studies of a transfer of pre-assembled moieties.", "contents": "Cell-free labeling in thyroid rough microsomes of lipid-linked and protein-linked oligosaccharides. I. Mannosylated units. In order to evaluate the possibility in a pig thyroid rough microsomal system of a transfer of pre-assembled sugar cores from sugar-lipids to protein, we have examined after incubation with GDP-[14C]Man the compounds bearing labeled saccharides and have determined some properties of their released saccharide moieties. The [14C]Man material specifically soluble in CHCl3/CH3OH/H2O, 10:10:3, behaved on DEAE-cellulose and when treated with hot alkali and alkaline phosphatase as a lipid pyrophosphate (sometimes accompanied by some dolichol-P-[14C]Man). Its saccharide moiety, released by mild acid, exhibited properties (molecular size, sensitivity to alpha-mannosidase, affinity for concanavalin A and charge modification introduced by a strong reductive alkaline treatment) pointing to a polymannosylated N,N'-diacetylchitobiose containing an average of nine monosaccharide units (from six to twelve). The [14C]mannosylated glycoproteins have represented all the polymeric label remaining after lipid extraction. From the susceptibility of their pronase glycopeptides to a differential reductive alkaline hydrolysis, it was concluded that their label belonged mainly to N-glycosidically linked units. Released saccharides exhibited the same properties as those from lipids, a result substantiating the possibility raised from previous studies of a transfer of pre-assembled moieties.", "PMID": 638201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11723", "title": "Studies on lectins. XL. O-glycosyl derivatives of Spheron in affinity chromatography of lectins.", "content": "Free monosaccharides can be used for direct glycosylation of Spheron, a spherical macroporous hydroxyalkyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate copolymer, in a reaction that proceeds at room temperature in dioxane medium under catalysis of dry HCl or BF3. Derivatives of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine thus prepared from Spheron beads have been shown to be efficient affinity carriers in isolation of lectins from seeds of Canavalia ensiformis D.C. (concanavalin A), Dolichos biflorus L., Glycine soja (L.) Sieb. et Zucc., Lens esculenta Moench, Ricinus communis L., Ulex europaeus L. and from albumin glands of the garden snail Helix pomatia L.", "contents": "Studies on lectins. XL. O-glycosyl derivatives of Spheron in affinity chromatography of lectins. Free monosaccharides can be used for direct glycosylation of Spheron, a spherical macroporous hydroxyalkyl methacrylate-ethylene dimethacrylate copolymer, in a reaction that proceeds at room temperature in dioxane medium under catalysis of dry HCl or BF3. Derivatives of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine thus prepared from Spheron beads have been shown to be efficient affinity carriers in isolation of lectins from seeds of Canavalia ensiformis D.C. (concanavalin A), Dolichos biflorus L., Glycine soja (L.) Sieb. et Zucc., Lens esculenta Moench, Ricinus communis L., Ulex europaeus L. and from albumin glands of the garden snail Helix pomatia L.", "PMID": 638203} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11724", "title": "Effect of blood group determinants on binding of human salivary mucous glycoproteins to influenza virus.", "content": "We have demonstrated that the inhibitor of influenza B virus hemagglutination in human saliva is inactivated by neuraminidase and is associated with the mucous glycoprotein fraction (blood group substance) of this secretion. Inhibitory activity of saliva was found to be roughly proportional to its sialic acid content (r = 0.456). However, the minimal quantity of salivary sialic acid, neutral sugar, or blood group antigen required to inhibit virus hemagglutination was greater for secretors of A and B than for secretors of H and Lea blood group substances. Removal of terminal galactose from blood group B substance with alpha-galactosidase markedly decreased blood group B activity but increased blood group H and virus hemagglutination inhibitory activities of this glycoprotein. These data suggest that terminal alpha-linked galactose and, probably, N-acetyl-galactosamine interfere with access of influenza virus to binding sites on oligosaccharide chains of the mucous glycoprotein.", "contents": "Effect of blood group determinants on binding of human salivary mucous glycoproteins to influenza virus. We have demonstrated that the inhibitor of influenza B virus hemagglutination in human saliva is inactivated by neuraminidase and is associated with the mucous glycoprotein fraction (blood group substance) of this secretion. Inhibitory activity of saliva was found to be roughly proportional to its sialic acid content (r = 0.456). However, the minimal quantity of salivary sialic acid, neutral sugar, or blood group antigen required to inhibit virus hemagglutination was greater for secretors of A and B than for secretors of H and Lea blood group substances. Removal of terminal galactose from blood group B substance with alpha-galactosidase markedly decreased blood group B activity but increased blood group H and virus hemagglutination inhibitory activities of this glycoprotein. These data suggest that terminal alpha-linked galactose and, probably, N-acetyl-galactosamine interfere with access of influenza virus to binding sites on oligosaccharide chains of the mucous glycoprotein.", "PMID": 638205} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11725", "title": "Evidence for a membrane-bound fraction of chick intestinal calcium-binding protein.", "content": "After homogenization of intestinal mucosa from vitamin D-replete chicks and high speed centrifugation, the major proportion of the vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein is present in the supernatant fraction. However, the centrifugate, after repeated washing, contains significant amounts of bound calcium-binding protein that can be solubilized by Triton X-100. The bound calcium-binding protein is identical to soluble calcium-binding protein by the criteria of immunological identity, electrophoretic mobility, and molecular size, as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The bound calcium-binding protein is only partially released by sonication, osmotic shock or by ribonuclease treatment. Bound and soluble calcium-binding protein are not present in rachitic chick intestine. The addition of calcium-binding protein to rachitic mucosa prior to homogenization does not yield a Triton X-100 solubilizable form, indicating that bound calcium-binding protein in vitamin D-replete intestine is not due to adsorption or vesicular entrapment of soluble calcium-binding protein. The overall evidence suggests that part of the intestinal calcium-binding protein is membrane-bound.", "contents": "Evidence for a membrane-bound fraction of chick intestinal calcium-binding protein. After homogenization of intestinal mucosa from vitamin D-replete chicks and high speed centrifugation, the major proportion of the vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein is present in the supernatant fraction. However, the centrifugate, after repeated washing, contains significant amounts of bound calcium-binding protein that can be solubilized by Triton X-100. The bound calcium-binding protein is identical to soluble calcium-binding protein by the criteria of immunological identity, electrophoretic mobility, and molecular size, as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The bound calcium-binding protein is only partially released by sonication, osmotic shock or by ribonuclease treatment. Bound and soluble calcium-binding protein are not present in rachitic chick intestine. The addition of calcium-binding protein to rachitic mucosa prior to homogenization does not yield a Triton X-100 solubilizable form, indicating that bound calcium-binding protein in vitamin D-replete intestine is not due to adsorption or vesicular entrapment of soluble calcium-binding protein. The overall evidence suggests that part of the intestinal calcium-binding protein is membrane-bound.", "PMID": 638206} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11726", "title": "Isolation and structure determination of a new amino acid, alpha-amino-gamma, delta-dihydroxyadipic acid, from the hydrolysate of normal human urine.", "content": "A new acidic amino acid has been isolated from the hydrolysate of normal human urine. The chemical structure of the amino acid was determined to be alpha-amino-gamma, delta-dihydroxyadipic acid, based on its physical properties involving nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and mass spectrometry as well as chemical degradation and chemical synthesis.", "contents": "Isolation and structure determination of a new amino acid, alpha-amino-gamma, delta-dihydroxyadipic acid, from the hydrolysate of normal human urine. A new acidic amino acid has been isolated from the hydrolysate of normal human urine. The chemical structure of the amino acid was determined to be alpha-amino-gamma, delta-dihydroxyadipic acid, based on its physical properties involving nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and mass spectrometry as well as chemical degradation and chemical synthesis.", "PMID": 638208} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11727", "title": "Selenium proteins in ovine tissues: III. Distribution of selenium and glutathione peroxidases in tissue cytosols.", "content": "Three 6 week-old lambs were injected with carrier-free selenium-75 as sodium selenite initially and again after 6 days. One lamb received no further injections whereas the other two received injections of either vitamin E or unlabeled Na2SeO3 when the first selenium-75 injection was given. Selected tissues were removed at autopsy 10 days after the first injection. The cytosol from homogenates of these tissues was subjected to gel chromatography, and the elution profiles determined for radioactivity, protein content, and glutathione peroxidase activity using either hydrogen peroxide or cumene hydroperoxide as substrates. The selenium-75 was found to be distributed mainly between 2 different MW peaks. The larger MW seleno-peak (90,000) possessed both glutathione:hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, and glutathione:cumene hydroperoxide oxidoreductase activities, but the smaller MW seleno-peak (about 10,000) possessed no glutathione peroxidase activity. A peak of about 60,000 daltons containing only glutathione:cumene hydroperoxide oxidoreductase activity and no selenium-75 was found primarily in the liver and kidney. Vitamin E had no effect on the elution profiles. Selenium status of the animal had only a minor effect on the selenium-75 distribution in the cytosol, but had a marked effect on the absolute amount of the label taken up by tissues.", "contents": "Selenium proteins in ovine tissues: III. Distribution of selenium and glutathione peroxidases in tissue cytosols. Three 6 week-old lambs were injected with carrier-free selenium-75 as sodium selenite initially and again after 6 days. One lamb received no further injections whereas the other two received injections of either vitamin E or unlabeled Na2SeO3 when the first selenium-75 injection was given. Selected tissues were removed at autopsy 10 days after the first injection. The cytosol from homogenates of these tissues was subjected to gel chromatography, and the elution profiles determined for radioactivity, protein content, and glutathione peroxidase activity using either hydrogen peroxide or cumene hydroperoxide as substrates. The selenium-75 was found to be distributed mainly between 2 different MW peaks. The larger MW seleno-peak (90,000) possessed both glutathione:hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, and glutathione:cumene hydroperoxide oxidoreductase activities, but the smaller MW seleno-peak (about 10,000) possessed no glutathione peroxidase activity. A peak of about 60,000 daltons containing only glutathione:cumene hydroperoxide oxidoreductase activity and no selenium-75 was found primarily in the liver and kidney. Vitamin E had no effect on the elution profiles. Selenium status of the animal had only a minor effect on the selenium-75 distribution in the cytosol, but had a marked effect on the absolute amount of the label taken up by tissues.", "PMID": 638209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11728", "title": "The 1H-nmr spectra of mixed valence complexes of copper with derivatives of 1-amino-2,2-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethane.", "content": "Paramagnetic cluster ions of the type Cu(II)6Cu(I)8L12ClZ, where Z Is charge and L a derivative of 1-amino-2,2-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethane, have been shown to produce detectable 1H-nmr absorptions. Linewidths are narrow enough to permit the use of high resolution instruments. Downfield shifting of all detectable resonances is indicative of S leads to Cu2+ charge transfer, which results in a positive spin density at sulfur. Exchange measurements with 67Cu indicate relatively static structures.", "contents": "The 1H-nmr spectra of mixed valence complexes of copper with derivatives of 1-amino-2,2-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethane. Paramagnetic cluster ions of the type Cu(II)6Cu(I)8L12ClZ, where Z Is charge and L a derivative of 1-amino-2,2-dimethyl-2-mercaptoethane, have been shown to produce detectable 1H-nmr absorptions. Linewidths are narrow enough to permit the use of high resolution instruments. Downfield shifting of all detectable resonances is indicative of S leads to Cu2+ charge transfer, which results in a positive spin density at sulfur. Exchange measurements with 67Cu indicate relatively static structures.", "PMID": 638210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11729", "title": "The origin of the intense absorption in azurin.", "content": "The intense visible absorption band of native azurin and the corresponding transitions of the Ni(II) and the Co(II) derivatives were analyzed. The bands were shown to be analogous ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions and the optical electronegativity of the ligand involved is estimated to be 2.6. Comparisons with small molecule systems strongly indicate that the donor involved is cysteine sulfur.", "contents": "The origin of the intense absorption in azurin. The intense visible absorption band of native azurin and the corresponding transitions of the Ni(II) and the Co(II) derivatives were analyzed. The bands were shown to be analogous ligand-to-metal charge transfer transitions and the optical electronegativity of the ligand involved is estimated to be 2.6. Comparisons with small molecule systems strongly indicate that the donor involved is cysteine sulfur.", "PMID": 638211} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11730", "title": "Postinductive actinomycin D effects on the concentrations of cadmium thionein, zinc thionein, and copper chelatin in rat liver.", "content": "The time courses of induction in rat liver of copper chelatin by copper, cadmium thionein by cadmium, and zinc thionein by copper, cadmium, and zinc were monitorg metal were used in order to avoid toxic effects, being 5 mg zinc, 0.5 mg copper, and 0.25 mg cadmium per kg body weight. Peak times of induction and half times of decay observed were: copper chelatin (9 h, 8.6 h), cadmium thionein (18 h, 6.80 days), and zinc thionein (zinc rats, 18 h, 10.1 h; copper rats, 9 h, 18.2 h; cadmium rats, 24 h, 4.53 days). Administration of actinomycin D (1 mg per kg body weight) at the peak times of induction of the various proteins had no effect on the concentrations of chelatin or cadmium thionein observed up to 24 hours later, but in the case of zinc thionein, induced by zinc, copper, or cadmium, elevated concentrations were observed up to 23 h after administration of the drug. Such behavior is reminiscent of superinduction previously seen with other proteins and enzymes. We postulate that the intracellular concentration of free zinc in liver is of fundamental importance in the induction of zinc thionein, and this can be distributed by exogenous copper or cadmium resulting in the induction of synthesis of zinc thionein.", "contents": "Postinductive actinomycin D effects on the concentrations of cadmium thionein, zinc thionein, and copper chelatin in rat liver. The time courses of induction in rat liver of copper chelatin by copper, cadmium thionein by cadmium, and zinc thionein by copper, cadmium, and zinc were monitorg metal were used in order to avoid toxic effects, being 5 mg zinc, 0.5 mg copper, and 0.25 mg cadmium per kg body weight. Peak times of induction and half times of decay observed were: copper chelatin (9 h, 8.6 h), cadmium thionein (18 h, 6.80 days), and zinc thionein (zinc rats, 18 h, 10.1 h; copper rats, 9 h, 18.2 h; cadmium rats, 24 h, 4.53 days). Administration of actinomycin D (1 mg per kg body weight) at the peak times of induction of the various proteins had no effect on the concentrations of chelatin or cadmium thionein observed up to 24 hours later, but in the case of zinc thionein, induced by zinc, copper, or cadmium, elevated concentrations were observed up to 23 h after administration of the drug. Such behavior is reminiscent of superinduction previously seen with other proteins and enzymes. We postulate that the intracellular concentration of free zinc in liver is of fundamental importance in the induction of zinc thionein, and this can be distributed by exogenous copper or cadmium resulting in the induction of synthesis of zinc thionein.", "PMID": 638212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11731", "title": "A quantitative comparison of the time-course of sensitivity changes produced by calcium injection and light adaptation in Limulus ventral photoreceptors.", "content": "The time-course of light and dark adaptation was quantitatively compared with the time-course of the onset of and recovery from desensitization produced by intracellular calcium injection in Limulus ventral photoreceptors. The onset of light adaptation tended to be faster (by 60-90 s) than the onset of desensitization produced by intracellular Ca++ injection. The initial portion of the time-course of dark adaptation was faster (about 10-20 s) than the time-course of recovery from desensitization produced by intracellular Ca++ injection. The final portion of recovery from Ca++ injection had the same time-course as a comparable dark adaptation.", "contents": "A quantitative comparison of the time-course of sensitivity changes produced by calcium injection and light adaptation in Limulus ventral photoreceptors. The time-course of light and dark adaptation was quantitatively compared with the time-course of the onset of and recovery from desensitization produced by intracellular calcium injection in Limulus ventral photoreceptors. The onset of light adaptation tended to be faster (by 60-90 s) than the onset of desensitization produced by intracellular Ca++ injection. The initial portion of the time-course of dark adaptation was faster (about 10-20 s) than the time-course of recovery from desensitization produced by intracellular Ca++ injection. The final portion of recovery from Ca++ injection had the same time-course as a comparable dark adaptation.", "PMID": 638219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11732", "title": "Frequency domain analysis of asymmetry current in squid axon membrane.", "content": "The change in capacity of squid axon membrane during hyper- and depolarizations was investigated in the absence of ionic currents after the membrane was treated with pronase. In the presence of the inactivation process (h parameter), failure to observe the gating current in the frequency domain was attributed to the rapid attenuation of the possible capacity change during depolarizations, which is likely to be due to the sodium activation process. Elimination of the h process would therefore enable us to observe the gating current in the frequency domain as the change in the capacitance component of membrane admittance. However, even after the inactivation process was abolished by pronase, the capacity of the axon membrane remained constant when ionic currents were blocked by external tetrodotoxin and internal Cs+ ion. Actually capacity was observed to decrease slightly with depolarization, contrary to the prediction based on the magnitude of gating currents.", "contents": "Frequency domain analysis of asymmetry current in squid axon membrane. The change in capacity of squid axon membrane during hyper- and depolarizations was investigated in the absence of ionic currents after the membrane was treated with pronase. In the presence of the inactivation process (h parameter), failure to observe the gating current in the frequency domain was attributed to the rapid attenuation of the possible capacity change during depolarizations, which is likely to be due to the sodium activation process. Elimination of the h process would therefore enable us to observe the gating current in the frequency domain as the change in the capacitance component of membrane admittance. However, even after the inactivation process was abolished by pronase, the capacity of the axon membrane remained constant when ionic currents were blocked by external tetrodotoxin and internal Cs+ ion. Actually capacity was observed to decrease slightly with depolarization, contrary to the prediction based on the magnitude of gating currents.", "PMID": 638220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11733", "title": "Kinetics of the 580-nm ultrafast bacteriorhodopsin transient.", "content": "We have observed, by low-temperature picosecond spectroscopy, a photo-induced transient at 580 nm in light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin. The transient was characterized by bleaching in the 550-585-nm regions within 6 ps and recovery in approximately 20 ps. The spectral intensity of the transient is found to be enhanced at lower temperatures, and the lifetime slightly elongated.", "contents": "Kinetics of the 580-nm ultrafast bacteriorhodopsin transient. We have observed, by low-temperature picosecond spectroscopy, a photo-induced transient at 580 nm in light-adapted bacteriorhodopsin. The transient was characterized by bleaching in the 550-585-nm regions within 6 ps and recovery in approximately 20 ps. The spectral intensity of the transient is found to be enhanced at lower temperatures, and the lifetime slightly elongated.", "PMID": 638221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11734", "title": "Activation of electron transfer reactions of the blue proteins.", "content": "Thermal activation of electron transfer reactions of the blue proteins is considered in terms of vibronic coupling. Use of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectral distribution to obtain an estimate of the force constant for the relevant protein mode is proposed and demonstrated. This analysis leads to a model in which the configurations of the cupric and cuprous sites are displaced only a few degrees from each other, both being close to the configuration midway between planar and tetrahedral.", "contents": "Activation of electron transfer reactions of the blue proteins. Thermal activation of electron transfer reactions of the blue proteins is considered in terms of vibronic coupling. Use of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectral distribution to obtain an estimate of the force constant for the relevant protein mode is proposed and demonstrated. This analysis leads to a model in which the configurations of the cupric and cuprous sites are displaced only a few degrees from each other, both being close to the configuration midway between planar and tetrahedral.", "PMID": 638222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11735", "title": "Exponentiated exponential model (Gompertz kinetics) of Na+ and K+ conductance changes in squid giant axon.", "content": "The conductance changes, gK(t) and gNa(t), of squid giant axon under voltage clamp (Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952) may be modeled by exponentiated exponential functions (Gompertz kinetics) from any holding potential VO to any membrane clamp potential V. The equation constants are set by the membrane potential V, and include, for any voltage step in the case of gK, the initial conductance, gO, the asymptote conductance g, and rate constant k: gK = g exp(-be-kt) where b = 1n g/gO. Equations of similar form relate g and k to the voltage V, and govern the corresponding parameters of the gNa system. For the gNa, the fast phase y = y exp (-be-kt) is cut down in proportion to a slow process p = (1 - p)e-k't + p, and thus gNa = py. The expo-exponential functions involve fewer constants than the Hodgkin-Huxley model. In particular, the role of the n, m, h parameters appears to be filled largely by 1n (g/gO) in the case of gK and by 1n (y/yO) in the case of gNa. Membrane action potentials during current clamp may be computed from the conductances generated by use of the appropriate differential forms of the equations; diverse other membrane behaviors may be predicted.", "contents": "Exponentiated exponential model (Gompertz kinetics) of Na+ and K+ conductance changes in squid giant axon. The conductance changes, gK(t) and gNa(t), of squid giant axon under voltage clamp (Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952) may be modeled by exponentiated exponential functions (Gompertz kinetics) from any holding potential VO to any membrane clamp potential V. The equation constants are set by the membrane potential V, and include, for any voltage step in the case of gK, the initial conductance, gO, the asymptote conductance g, and rate constant k: gK = g exp(-be-kt) where b = 1n g/gO. Equations of similar form relate g and k to the voltage V, and govern the corresponding parameters of the gNa system. For the gNa, the fast phase y = y exp (-be-kt) is cut down in proportion to a slow process p = (1 - p)e-k't + p, and thus gNa = py. The expo-exponential functions involve fewer constants than the Hodgkin-Huxley model. In particular, the role of the n, m, h parameters appears to be filled largely by 1n (g/gO) in the case of gK and by 1n (y/yO) in the case of gNa. Membrane action potentials during current clamp may be computed from the conductances generated by use of the appropriate differential forms of the equations; diverse other membrane behaviors may be predicted.", "PMID": 638223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11736", "title": "Light-scatter analysis of microalgae. Correlation of scatter patterns from pure and mixed asynchronous cultures.", "content": "A method is described for the first time for rapid and accurate discrimination among several algal types by their light-scattering properties alone. Using a multiangle light-scattering flow system, we obtained light-scatter patterns for individual cells in asynchronous cultures of Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, and Anacystis. The patterns are consistent and distinct for each species. By these signatures, each algal type can be recognized within mixtures.", "contents": "Light-scatter analysis of microalgae. Correlation of scatter patterns from pure and mixed asynchronous cultures. A method is described for the first time for rapid and accurate discrimination among several algal types by their light-scattering properties alone. Using a multiangle light-scattering flow system, we obtained light-scatter patterns for individual cells in asynchronous cultures of Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, and Anacystis. The patterns are consistent and distinct for each species. By these signatures, each algal type can be recognized within mixtures.", "PMID": 638224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11737", "title": "Phase transitions in phosphatidylcholine dispersion observed with an interference refractometer.", "content": "An interferometer is used to measure the refractive index change accompanying the crystal-to-liquid-crystal phase transition in the dispersion of phosphatidylcholines. Two separate methods of obtaining the refractive index change are employed: the first method analyzes the intensity transmitted through a spatial filter and the second method utilizes a piezoeletric crystal-based electronic compensator. The results of the two methods agree well. The accuracy of the apparatus (6 X 10(-6)) permitted us to use a very dilute sample to detect the phase change. Only a fraction of a milligram of dry lecithin is needed to observe the change. The result confirms conclusively that the major reason for the turbidity change at the transition temperature is the alteration in the refractive index of the lipid membranes. The fractional change in the refractive index does not agree well with the fractional change in the density of lipid molecules in vesicles.", "contents": "Phase transitions in phosphatidylcholine dispersion observed with an interference refractometer. An interferometer is used to measure the refractive index change accompanying the crystal-to-liquid-crystal phase transition in the dispersion of phosphatidylcholines. Two separate methods of obtaining the refractive index change are employed: the first method analyzes the intensity transmitted through a spatial filter and the second method utilizes a piezoeletric crystal-based electronic compensator. The results of the two methods agree well. The accuracy of the apparatus (6 X 10(-6)) permitted us to use a very dilute sample to detect the phase change. Only a fraction of a milligram of dry lecithin is needed to observe the change. The result confirms conclusively that the major reason for the turbidity change at the transition temperature is the alteration in the refractive index of the lipid membranes. The fractional change in the refractive index does not agree well with the fractional change in the density of lipid molecules in vesicles.", "PMID": 638225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11738", "title": "Energy transfer in the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium.", "content": "The absorption spectrum of the primary photoproduct (the bathoproduct, or K) of the purple membrane protein (PM) at-196 degrees C has a maximum at 628 nm and an extinction coefficient of 87,000. Knowing the absorption spectrum allowed us to calculate the quantum efficiencies for PM to K and K to PM conversion at -196 degrees C. Direct measurements of these quantum yeilds at -196 degrees C gave 0.33 +/- 0.05 and 0.67 +/- 0.04, respectively. Determination of relative quantum efficiencies for PM to K and K to PM conversion by analysis of the absorption spectra of several photostationary-state mixtures of PM and K at -196 degrees C, however, gave wavelength-dependent quantum efficiencies that appear to be greater than 1. These anomolous results can be readily explained in terms of energy transfer from PM to K within the trimer clusters of pigment molecules which exist in the purple membrane. A model for such a transfer predicts an efficiency of energy transfer from PM to K of about 43%.", "contents": "Energy transfer in the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium. The absorption spectrum of the primary photoproduct (the bathoproduct, or K) of the purple membrane protein (PM) at-196 degrees C has a maximum at 628 nm and an extinction coefficient of 87,000. Knowing the absorption spectrum allowed us to calculate the quantum efficiencies for PM to K and K to PM conversion at -196 degrees C. Direct measurements of these quantum yeilds at -196 degrees C gave 0.33 +/- 0.05 and 0.67 +/- 0.04, respectively. Determination of relative quantum efficiencies for PM to K and K to PM conversion by analysis of the absorption spectra of several photostationary-state mixtures of PM and K at -196 degrees C, however, gave wavelength-dependent quantum efficiencies that appear to be greater than 1. These anomolous results can be readily explained in terms of energy transfer from PM to K within the trimer clusters of pigment molecules which exist in the purple membrane. A model for such a transfer predicts an efficiency of energy transfer from PM to K of about 43%.", "PMID": 638226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11739", "title": "The fluorescence from the chromophore of the purple membrane protein.", "content": "The fluorescence from the purple membrane protein (PM) of Halobacterium halobium and its relation to the primary photochemical events have been studied. The emission spectrum at 77 degrees K has structure, with peaks at 680, 710-715, and 730-735 nm. The excitation spectrum shows a single peak centered at 580 nm. This and a comparison of the fluorescence intensity at 77 degrees K under a variety of conditions with the amounts of the bathoproduct (or K, the only photoproduct seen at this temperature) formed suggest that the source of the fluorescence is the purple membrane itself, not the photoproduct. From the difference in several of their properties, we suggest that the fluorescing state of the pigment is different from the excited state which leads to photoconversion.", "contents": "The fluorescence from the chromophore of the purple membrane protein. The fluorescence from the purple membrane protein (PM) of Halobacterium halobium and its relation to the primary photochemical events have been studied. The emission spectrum at 77 degrees K has structure, with peaks at 680, 710-715, and 730-735 nm. The excitation spectrum shows a single peak centered at 580 nm. This and a comparison of the fluorescence intensity at 77 degrees K under a variety of conditions with the amounts of the bathoproduct (or K, the only photoproduct seen at this temperature) formed suggest that the source of the fluorescence is the purple membrane itself, not the photoproduct. From the difference in several of their properties, we suggest that the fluorescing state of the pigment is different from the excited state which leads to photoconversion.", "PMID": 638227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11740", "title": "Head rotation or dissociation? A study of exponential rate processes in chemically skinned rabbit muscle fibers when MgATP concentration is changed.", "content": "The mechanical response of fully activated muscle bundles (one to five fibers) to sinusoidal length perturbation ( approximately 0.4% L(0)) was studied as a function of MgATP concentration. The frequency response (0.25-167 Hz; corresponding to 1 ms time resolution) of chemically skinned rabbit muscle fibers was resolved into three exponential rate processes, (A), (B), and (C). At 20 degrees C, the apparent rate constants associated with the fast exponential lead (2pic = 388-588 s(-1)) and the oscillatory work (2pib = 59-116 s(-1)) both increase with increment of the MgATP concentration from 1 to 5 mM, and they both saturate for further increase. Over the whole range of MgATP concentrations the slow exponential lead (2pia = 9-7 s(-1)) remains constant. The effect of MgATP on processes (B) and (C) can be interpreted in the context of the biochemical evidence, in which MgATP enters the cross-bridge cycle after the desorption of the product, and the binding of MgATP to rigorlike cross-bridges promotes a rapid dissociation of actomyosin (Lymn and Taylor, 1971. Biochemistry.10:4617-4624.). The effect is not predicted by a model for force generation in which head rotation dominates the fast component (\"stage 2\" of Huxley and Simmons, 1971. Nature (Lond.).233:533-538. and 1973. Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol.37:669-680.), and head dissociation dominates the slow component (\"phase 4\" of Huxley, 1974. J. Physiol. (Lond.).243:1-43; Julian et al., 1974. Biophys. J.14: 546-562.).", "contents": "Head rotation or dissociation? A study of exponential rate processes in chemically skinned rabbit muscle fibers when MgATP concentration is changed. The mechanical response of fully activated muscle bundles (one to five fibers) to sinusoidal length perturbation ( approximately 0.4% L(0)) was studied as a function of MgATP concentration. The frequency response (0.25-167 Hz; corresponding to 1 ms time resolution) of chemically skinned rabbit muscle fibers was resolved into three exponential rate processes, (A), (B), and (C). At 20 degrees C, the apparent rate constants associated with the fast exponential lead (2pic = 388-588 s(-1)) and the oscillatory work (2pib = 59-116 s(-1)) both increase with increment of the MgATP concentration from 1 to 5 mM, and they both saturate for further increase. Over the whole range of MgATP concentrations the slow exponential lead (2pia = 9-7 s(-1)) remains constant. The effect of MgATP on processes (B) and (C) can be interpreted in the context of the biochemical evidence, in which MgATP enters the cross-bridge cycle after the desorption of the product, and the binding of MgATP to rigorlike cross-bridges promotes a rapid dissociation of actomyosin (Lymn and Taylor, 1971. Biochemistry.10:4617-4624.). The effect is not predicted by a model for force generation in which head rotation dominates the fast component (\"stage 2\" of Huxley and Simmons, 1971. Nature (Lond.).233:533-538. and 1973. Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol.37:669-680.), and head dissociation dominates the slow component (\"phase 4\" of Huxley, 1974. J. Physiol. (Lond.).243:1-43; Julian et al., 1974. Biophys. J.14: 546-562.).", "PMID": 638228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11741", "title": "Profiles in altered metabolism I--the organic acids accumulating in acute non-diabetic ketoacidosis associated with alcoholism.", "content": "Several organic acids, among them the acidic catabolites of the branched chain amino acids and tyrosine, have been found to be elevated in the sera of non-diabetic patients presenting acute ketoacidosis associated with alcohol abuse. These findings are interpreted in terms of insufficiency of dietary co-factors required for their further catabolism. Butane-2,3-diol is also found frequently elevated in the urine of these patients and suggests interception of hydroxyethyl thiamine pyrophosphate by circulating high levels of acetaldehyde.", "contents": "Profiles in altered metabolism I--the organic acids accumulating in acute non-diabetic ketoacidosis associated with alcoholism. Several organic acids, among them the acidic catabolites of the branched chain amino acids and tyrosine, have been found to be elevated in the sera of non-diabetic patients presenting acute ketoacidosis associated with alcohol abuse. These findings are interpreted in terms of insufficiency of dietary co-factors required for their further catabolism. Butane-2,3-diol is also found frequently elevated in the urine of these patients and suggests interception of hydroxyethyl thiamine pyrophosphate by circulating high levels of acetaldehyde.", "PMID": 638235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11742", "title": "Pharmacokinetics of nabilone, a psychotropically active 9-ketocannabinoid, in the dog. Utilization of quantitative selected ion monitoring and deuterium labeling.", "content": "Quantitative selected ion monitoring methods for the determination of plasma concentrations of nabilone, a psychotropically active 9-ketocannabinoid, and two carbinol metabolites using deuterium labeled internal standards are described. These specific methods have a lower limit of sensitivity of about 2 pmol ml-1 with a coefficient of variation of less than 4%. The utility of these methods was demonstrated by in vivo studies of single dose and steady state pharmacokinetics of nabilone and its carbinol metabolites in the dog.", "contents": "Pharmacokinetics of nabilone, a psychotropically active 9-ketocannabinoid, in the dog. Utilization of quantitative selected ion monitoring and deuterium labeling. Quantitative selected ion monitoring methods for the determination of plasma concentrations of nabilone, a psychotropically active 9-ketocannabinoid, and two carbinol metabolites using deuterium labeled internal standards are described. These specific methods have a lower limit of sensitivity of about 2 pmol ml-1 with a coefficient of variation of less than 4%. The utility of these methods was demonstrated by in vivo studies of single dose and steady state pharmacokinetics of nabilone and its carbinol metabolites in the dog.", "PMID": 638236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11743", "title": "Mass spectrometry of dimethylthiophosphinates of aromatic hydroxy compounds.", "content": "The mass spectra of 20 differently substituted dimethylthiophosphinic esters of aromatic hydroxy compounds are presented. Fragmentation routes were investigated using high resolution mass measurements, decoupled metastable determinations and deuterium labelling. All compounds exhibited abundant molecular ions and typical phosphorus-containing ions. Characteristic elimination processes strongly dependent upon the respective type of substitution were observed. Due to their high stability, their great ease of formation and their good gas chromatographic properties these new types of derivatives are of special interest for establishing gas chromatography mass spectrometry profiles of acidic catecholamine metabolites.", "contents": "Mass spectrometry of dimethylthiophosphinates of aromatic hydroxy compounds. The mass spectra of 20 differently substituted dimethylthiophosphinic esters of aromatic hydroxy compounds are presented. Fragmentation routes were investigated using high resolution mass measurements, decoupled metastable determinations and deuterium labelling. All compounds exhibited abundant molecular ions and typical phosphorus-containing ions. Characteristic elimination processes strongly dependent upon the respective type of substitution were observed. Due to their high stability, their great ease of formation and their good gas chromatographic properties these new types of derivatives are of special interest for establishing gas chromatography mass spectrometry profiles of acidic catecholamine metabolites.", "PMID": 638237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11744", "title": "Comparison of gas chromatography mass spectrometry methods for the determination of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in plasma.", "content": "A method for the identification of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol by gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been developed, and this method has been compared with other techniques, such as detection via thin-layer chromatography using tritium labeled delta9-tetrahydrocannibinol and a dual gas chromatographic method. The gas chromatographic mass spectrometric method was found to be equal or superior to other techniques and has the added advantage of being highly specific for the compound analyzed. An alternate approach using chemical ionization is also described; however, this procedure does not show significant advantages over the electron impact method. These methods show a practical lower detection limit of 500 pg ml-1 of plasma in clinical practice.", "contents": "Comparison of gas chromatography mass spectrometry methods for the determination of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in plasma. A method for the identification of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol by gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been developed, and this method has been compared with other techniques, such as detection via thin-layer chromatography using tritium labeled delta9-tetrahydrocannibinol and a dual gas chromatographic method. The gas chromatographic mass spectrometric method was found to be equal or superior to other techniques and has the added advantage of being highly specific for the compound analyzed. An alternate approach using chemical ionization is also described; however, this procedure does not show significant advantages over the electron impact method. These methods show a practical lower detection limit of 500 pg ml-1 of plasma in clinical practice.", "PMID": 638238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11745", "title": "A selective ion monitoring assay for probenecid.", "content": "A selective ion monitoring assay for probenecid (p-(dipropylsulfamyl)benzoic acid) using m-(di-isobutylsulfamyl)benzoic acid as an internal standard is described. The method has been applied to the determination of probenecid concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid and lends itself to incorporation into the selective ion monitoring procedures used to quantitate other acidic and neutral compounds in such samples.", "contents": "A selective ion monitoring assay for probenecid. A selective ion monitoring assay for probenecid (p-(dipropylsulfamyl)benzoic acid) using m-(di-isobutylsulfamyl)benzoic acid as an internal standard is described. The method has been applied to the determination of probenecid concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid and lends itself to incorporation into the selective ion monitoring procedures used to quantitate other acidic and neutral compounds in such samples.", "PMID": 638239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11746", "title": "Neutrophil transfusion: effect of storage and of collection method of neutrophil blood kinetics.", "content": "The kinetics in blood of autologous neutrophils collected by phlebotomy, filtration leukapheresis (FL), or intermittent-flow centrifugation (IFC), labeled with 32P-diisopropylfluorophosphate, and stored at 4 degrees C for up to 2 days were measured in 41 normal subjects. Mean initial recovery for unstored IFC cells was 34.0%, compared to 7.9% for unstored FL cells. Blood half-lives were 4.1 and 2.7 hr for unstored IFC and FL cells, respectively. With neutrophils collected by phlebotomy and stored in whole blood for 1-2 days, posttransfusion recoveries and blood half-times were significantly decreased. Storage of both IFC and FL preparations resulted in only moderate kinetic abnormalities in comparison to the unstored cells. These studies indicate that the ability of unstored IFC cells to circulate is basically normal, whereas that of unstored FL cells is significantly impaired. The data further suggest that these neutrophil concentrates might be stored for 1-2 days prior to transfusion.", "contents": "Neutrophil transfusion: effect of storage and of collection method of neutrophil blood kinetics. The kinetics in blood of autologous neutrophils collected by phlebotomy, filtration leukapheresis (FL), or intermittent-flow centrifugation (IFC), labeled with 32P-diisopropylfluorophosphate, and stored at 4 degrees C for up to 2 days were measured in 41 normal subjects. Mean initial recovery for unstored IFC cells was 34.0%, compared to 7.9% for unstored FL cells. Blood half-lives were 4.1 and 2.7 hr for unstored IFC and FL cells, respectively. With neutrophils collected by phlebotomy and stored in whole blood for 1-2 days, posttransfusion recoveries and blood half-times were significantly decreased. Storage of both IFC and FL preparations resulted in only moderate kinetic abnormalities in comparison to the unstored cells. These studies indicate that the ability of unstored IFC cells to circulate is basically normal, whereas that of unstored FL cells is significantly impaired. The data further suggest that these neutrophil concentrates might be stored for 1-2 days prior to transfusion.", "PMID": 638247} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11747", "title": "\"Concentration x time\" methotrexate via a subcutaneous reservoir: a less toxic regimen for intraventricular chemotherapy of central nervous system neoplasms.", "content": "Neurotoxicity associated with intrathecal methotrexate therapy has been shown to correlate with elevated concentrations of the drug in the cerebrospinal fluid as well as with the total cumulative dosage. In our study 19 patients with meningeal leukemia were randomized to receive courses of intraventricular methotrexate via an Ommaya reservoir consisting of either single injections of 12 mg/sq m/dose or a low-dose \"concentration x time\" (C x T) schedule of 1 mg every 12 hr for 3 days. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the rate of remission induction, the number of relapses, or the durations of remission. The mean (+/- 1 SD) cumulative methotrexate dose was 66 +/- 41 mg/sq m in the C x T group and 173 +/- 64 mg/sq m in the 12 mg/sq m/dose group (p less than 0.005). Neurologic toxicity occurred in one of the eight patients in the C x T group and in seven of ten patients in the 12 mg/sq m/dose group (p less than 0.05). These observations suggest that the C x T dosage schedule is less neurotoxic and equally effective in the treatment of central nervous system leukemia.", "contents": "\"Concentration x time\" methotrexate via a subcutaneous reservoir: a less toxic regimen for intraventricular chemotherapy of central nervous system neoplasms. Neurotoxicity associated with intrathecal methotrexate therapy has been shown to correlate with elevated concentrations of the drug in the cerebrospinal fluid as well as with the total cumulative dosage. In our study 19 patients with meningeal leukemia were randomized to receive courses of intraventricular methotrexate via an Ommaya reservoir consisting of either single injections of 12 mg/sq m/dose or a low-dose \"concentration x time\" (C x T) schedule of 1 mg every 12 hr for 3 days. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the rate of remission induction, the number of relapses, or the durations of remission. The mean (+/- 1 SD) cumulative methotrexate dose was 66 +/- 41 mg/sq m in the C x T group and 173 +/- 64 mg/sq m in the 12 mg/sq m/dose group (p less than 0.005). Neurologic toxicity occurred in one of the eight patients in the C x T group and in seven of ten patients in the 12 mg/sq m/dose group (p less than 0.05). These observations suggest that the C x T dosage schedule is less neurotoxic and equally effective in the treatment of central nervous system leukemia.", "PMID": 638249} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11748", "title": "Granulocyte modulation of endotoxin-stimulated colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production.", "content": "Incubation of human macrophages with endotoxin resulted in significantly enhanced colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production by these cells. Preincubation of endotoxin with mature granulocytes abolished this stimulatory effect. The stimulatory effect of endotoxin on macrophage CSA production was not abolished, however, by preincubation with NaF-treated granulocytes, granulocyte membranes, or nonphagocytic cells (lymphocytes or erythrocytes). These data suggest that mature granulocytes may play a role in the modulation of CSA production and granulopoiesis by inactivation of stimulatory materials such as endotoxin.", "contents": "Granulocyte modulation of endotoxin-stimulated colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production. Incubation of human macrophages with endotoxin resulted in significantly enhanced colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production by these cells. Preincubation of endotoxin with mature granulocytes abolished this stimulatory effect. The stimulatory effect of endotoxin on macrophage CSA production was not abolished, however, by preincubation with NaF-treated granulocytes, granulocyte membranes, or nonphagocytic cells (lymphocytes or erythrocytes). These data suggest that mature granulocytes may play a role in the modulation of CSA production and granulopoiesis by inactivation of stimulatory materials such as endotoxin.", "PMID": 638250} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11749", "title": "Inhibition in vivo of mouse granulopoiesis by cell-free activity derived from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.", "content": "Cell-free extracts from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) inhibited rebound granulopoiesis in the bone marrow and spleen of mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide to remove endogenous PMN. Absolute numbers of granulocytemonocyte progenitor cells (CFU-C) and net endogenous colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production were found to be increased 3 days after cyclophosphamide in the bone marrow and 6 days after in the spleen. Administration of PMN extract to the drug-treated mice prior to rebound granulopoiesis substantially decreased CSA production and CFU-C but not spleen B lymphocyte colony-forming cells. In addition, mice treated with PMN extract had decreased levels of CSA in serum and in conditioned medium of marrow-free bone, heart, and lung cultures. Inhibition was reversed by injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Extracts from PMN of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, inactive in vitro, had no effect in vivo. These results demonstrate that inhibitory activity derived from PMN can control granulopoiesis in vivo.", "contents": "Inhibition in vivo of mouse granulopoiesis by cell-free activity derived from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Cell-free extracts from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) inhibited rebound granulopoiesis in the bone marrow and spleen of mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide to remove endogenous PMN. Absolute numbers of granulocytemonocyte progenitor cells (CFU-C) and net endogenous colony-stimulating activity (CSA) production were found to be increased 3 days after cyclophosphamide in the bone marrow and 6 days after in the spleen. Administration of PMN extract to the drug-treated mice prior to rebound granulopoiesis substantially decreased CSA production and CFU-C but not spleen B lymphocyte colony-forming cells. In addition, mice treated with PMN extract had decreased levels of CSA in serum and in conditioned medium of marrow-free bone, heart, and lung cultures. Inhibition was reversed by injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Extracts from PMN of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, inactive in vitro, had no effect in vivo. These results demonstrate that inhibitory activity derived from PMN can control granulopoiesis in vivo.", "PMID": 638251} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11750", "title": "Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia and hexokinase deficiency.", "content": "An 11-yr-old child with mild chronic hemolytic anemia was found to have decreased red cell hexokinase activity in spite of the reduced mean age of her red cell population. Similar decreases in red cell hexokinase activity were documented in the patient's parents and in one sib. The red cells were morphologically normal. Red cell 2,3-DPG levels were normal and ATP and glucose-6-phosphate levels were diminished. The kinetic properties, electrophoretic mobility, and thermal stability of the residual red cell hexokinase were normal or nearly so. Glucose consumption of the hexokinase-deficient cells was not appreciably decreased, probably because less of the potent inhibitor glucose-6-phosphate was present in the erythrocytes. It is likely, although not certain, that in this patient nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia resulted from hexokinase deficiency.", "contents": "Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia and hexokinase deficiency. An 11-yr-old child with mild chronic hemolytic anemia was found to have decreased red cell hexokinase activity in spite of the reduced mean age of her red cell population. Similar decreases in red cell hexokinase activity were documented in the patient's parents and in one sib. The red cells were morphologically normal. Red cell 2,3-DPG levels were normal and ATP and glucose-6-phosphate levels were diminished. The kinetic properties, electrophoretic mobility, and thermal stability of the residual red cell hexokinase were normal or nearly so. Glucose consumption of the hexokinase-deficient cells was not appreciably decreased, probably because less of the potent inhibitor glucose-6-phosphate was present in the erythrocytes. It is likely, although not certain, that in this patient nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia resulted from hexokinase deficiency.", "PMID": 638252} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11751", "title": "Effects of actinomycin D in vivo on murine erythroid stem cells.", "content": "Low-dose actinomycin D (Acto) selectively suppresses murine erythropoiesis without decreasing erythropoietin (Ep) production. We used the plasma clot system to determine the stage of erythroid differentiation at which this inhibition occurs. Late erythroid precursors, CFU-E, and less differentiated committed erythroid stem cells, BFU-E, were assayed in CF1 mice given Acto 75-82 microgram/kg/day or saline subcutaneously for 5 days. We also assayed pluripotent (CFU-S) and committed granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-C) stem cells. Reticulocytes and marrow and spleen nucleated erythroid precursors were decreased by 99% in the Acto-treated mice; tibial marrow CFU-E were decreased by 97% and splenic CFU-E by 99%. Tibial BFU-E were not decreased by Acto, although there was a 66% diminution in splenic BFU-E. Acto increased tibial CFU-S, but splenic CFU-S and tibial and splenic CFU-C were unchanged. Thus Acto inhibits erythropoiesis by suppressing the ability of immediate committed erythroid precursors of CFU-E or CFU-E themselves to differentiate further in response to Ep. Acto does not affect survival or proliferation of the less differentiated cells--CFU-C, CFU-S, and marrow BFU-E. The suppression of splenic BFU-E in Acto-treated mice may indicate that marrow and splenic BFU-E are basically different stem cells. Alternatively, Acto treatment may impair migration of BFU-E from marrow to spleen.", "contents": "Effects of actinomycin D in vivo on murine erythroid stem cells. Low-dose actinomycin D (Acto) selectively suppresses murine erythropoiesis without decreasing erythropoietin (Ep) production. We used the plasma clot system to determine the stage of erythroid differentiation at which this inhibition occurs. Late erythroid precursors, CFU-E, and less differentiated committed erythroid stem cells, BFU-E, were assayed in CF1 mice given Acto 75-82 microgram/kg/day or saline subcutaneously for 5 days. We also assayed pluripotent (CFU-S) and committed granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-C) stem cells. Reticulocytes and marrow and spleen nucleated erythroid precursors were decreased by 99% in the Acto-treated mice; tibial marrow CFU-E were decreased by 97% and splenic CFU-E by 99%. Tibial BFU-E were not decreased by Acto, although there was a 66% diminution in splenic BFU-E. Acto increased tibial CFU-S, but splenic CFU-S and tibial and splenic CFU-C were unchanged. Thus Acto inhibits erythropoiesis by suppressing the ability of immediate committed erythroid precursors of CFU-E or CFU-E themselves to differentiate further in response to Ep. Acto does not affect survival or proliferation of the less differentiated cells--CFU-C, CFU-S, and marrow BFU-E. The suppression of splenic BFU-E in Acto-treated mice may indicate that marrow and splenic BFU-E are basically different stem cells. Alternatively, Acto treatment may impair migration of BFU-E from marrow to spleen.", "PMID": 638254} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11752", "title": "Isoelectric focusing of human hemoglobin: its application to screening, to the characterization of 70 variants, and to the study of modified fractions of normal hemoglobins.", "content": "Isoelectric focusing on slabs of acrylamide gel was adapted for the screening of abnormal hemoglobins, the characterization of 70 human variants, and the study of minor fractions of normal hemoglobin. The screening method was as fast and inexpensive as conventional techniques, allowed the simultaneous analysis of some 50 samples of whole blood, and yielded resolution superior to that obtained by other methods with hemolysates. Among the 70 variants, 31 mutants could not be separated from HbS by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The characterization technique of electrofocusing allowed us to distinguish between most variants. Only one mutant, Hb Galveston, could be confused with HbS. Hb K\u00f6ln, the most frequent unstable mutant, exhibited a special pattern. HbA1C was separated from HbA. Preliminary results indicate that quantitation of HbA1C by gel scanning is feasible.", "contents": "Isoelectric focusing of human hemoglobin: its application to screening, to the characterization of 70 variants, and to the study of modified fractions of normal hemoglobins. Isoelectric focusing on slabs of acrylamide gel was adapted for the screening of abnormal hemoglobins, the characterization of 70 human variants, and the study of minor fractions of normal hemoglobin. The screening method was as fast and inexpensive as conventional techniques, allowed the simultaneous analysis of some 50 samples of whole blood, and yielded resolution superior to that obtained by other methods with hemolysates. Among the 70 variants, 31 mutants could not be separated from HbS by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The characterization technique of electrofocusing allowed us to distinguish between most variants. Only one mutant, Hb Galveston, could be confused with HbS. Hb K\u00f6ln, the most frequent unstable mutant, exhibited a special pattern. HbA1C was separated from HbA. Preliminary results indicate that quantitation of HbA1C by gel scanning is feasible.", "PMID": 638255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11753", "title": "Cation permeability alterations during sickling: relationship to cation composition and cellular hydration of irreversibly sickled cells.", "content": "Sickle erythrocytes (RBC) incubated under 100% nitrogen for 4 hr manifested marked Na gain with an equivalent K loss. There were no changes in cell total cation or water content under these conditions, and no irreversible sickle cells (ISC) were formed. In contrast, sickle RBC incubated for 24 hr under 100% nitrogen in a glucose-free Na medium containing calcium manifested marked ISC formation. ISC formed under these conditions also had elevated Na content, although K content was much more reduced, and consequently ISC were cation depleted and dehydrated. When sickle RBC were incubated 24 hr under 100% nitrogen in a glucose-free K medium containing calcium no ISC formed and there were no major changes in cation or water content. These studies indicate that the Na+K content and dehydration of ISC was not directly related to the increased cation permeability associated with sickling. Rather, the ISC changes appear to reflect the well-known Gardos effect (K and water loss occurring in ATP-depleted RBC incubated with calcium). In addition, these studies suggest that ISC formation per se is related to K and water loss, since no ISC were formed when ATP-depleted sickle RBC were deoxygenated in calcium-containing high-K media that prevented K loss and dehydration.", "contents": "Cation permeability alterations during sickling: relationship to cation composition and cellular hydration of irreversibly sickled cells. Sickle erythrocytes (RBC) incubated under 100% nitrogen for 4 hr manifested marked Na gain with an equivalent K loss. There were no changes in cell total cation or water content under these conditions, and no irreversible sickle cells (ISC) were formed. In contrast, sickle RBC incubated for 24 hr under 100% nitrogen in a glucose-free Na medium containing calcium manifested marked ISC formation. ISC formed under these conditions also had elevated Na content, although K content was much more reduced, and consequently ISC were cation depleted and dehydrated. When sickle RBC were incubated 24 hr under 100% nitrogen in a glucose-free K medium containing calcium no ISC formed and there were no major changes in cation or water content. These studies indicate that the Na+K content and dehydration of ISC was not directly related to the increased cation permeability associated with sickling. Rather, the ISC changes appear to reflect the well-known Gardos effect (K and water loss occurring in ATP-depleted RBC incubated with calcium). In addition, these studies suggest that ISC formation per se is related to K and water loss, since no ISC were formed when ATP-depleted sickle RBC were deoxygenated in calcium-containing high-K media that prevented K loss and dehydration.", "PMID": 638256} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11754", "title": "Effect of cold storage on the sensitivity of and calcium influx into rat, rabbit and guinea pig portal veins.", "content": "After cold storage treatment (5-7 days at 2 degrees C) the sensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) was increased in rabbit portal vein, decreased in rat portal vein and not altered in guinea pig portal vein. Cold storage decreased the sensitivity to methoxamine (ME), Ba++ and Ca++ in rat and guinea pig veins but not in rabbit veins and failed to alter the sensitivity to K+ in all veins tested. Cold storage increased 45Ca-influx while it reduced the NE content and 3H-NE uptake of all portal veins examined. NE and ME-induced 45Ca-influx was greater in cold-stored veins that in fresh veins from rabbit and guinea pig. K+ decreased 45Ca-influx in all cold-stored veins. These results indicate that cold storage induces a prejunctional supersensitivity in rabbit portal vein but not in guinea pig and rat portal veins. However, cold storage increased 45Ca-influx in all three veins.", "contents": "Effect of cold storage on the sensitivity of and calcium influx into rat, rabbit and guinea pig portal veins. After cold storage treatment (5-7 days at 2 degrees C) the sensitivity to norepinephrine (NE) was increased in rabbit portal vein, decreased in rat portal vein and not altered in guinea pig portal vein. Cold storage decreased the sensitivity to methoxamine (ME), Ba++ and Ca++ in rat and guinea pig veins but not in rabbit veins and failed to alter the sensitivity to K+ in all veins tested. Cold storage increased 45Ca-influx while it reduced the NE content and 3H-NE uptake of all portal veins examined. NE and ME-induced 45Ca-influx was greater in cold-stored veins that in fresh veins from rabbit and guinea pig. K+ decreased 45Ca-influx in all cold-stored veins. These results indicate that cold storage induces a prejunctional supersensitivity in rabbit portal vein but not in guinea pig and rat portal veins. However, cold storage increased 45Ca-influx in all three veins.", "PMID": 638257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11755", "title": "Action of deoxycorticosterone acetate on the central artery of the rabbit ear.", "content": "An inhibitor of extraneuronal uptake, deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA), increased the sensitivities of the rabbit ear artery to extraluminal and to intraluminal epinephrine, each approximately threefold. The effect on extraluminal epinephrine was increased in cocaine-treated or chronic sympathetic denervated arteries. That the sensitising actions of DOCA were due to inhibition of extraneuronal uptake was suggested (1) by the relative magnitudes of its sensitising effects on the three amines [in decreasing order, epinephrine greater than isoprenaline (beta-stimulation) greater than norepinephrine] and (2) by its ability to prevent the potentiation of epinephrine by normetanephrine. That the uptake system was readily saturated was suggested by the observation that the sensitising actions of DOCA were decreased by procedures which decreased the potencies of epinephrine and isoprenaline, namely, phentolamine, and doses of isoprenaline eliciting constriction via alpha-stimulation, respectively.", "contents": "Action of deoxycorticosterone acetate on the central artery of the rabbit ear. An inhibitor of extraneuronal uptake, deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA), increased the sensitivities of the rabbit ear artery to extraluminal and to intraluminal epinephrine, each approximately threefold. The effect on extraluminal epinephrine was increased in cocaine-treated or chronic sympathetic denervated arteries. That the sensitising actions of DOCA were due to inhibition of extraneuronal uptake was suggested (1) by the relative magnitudes of its sensitising effects on the three amines [in decreasing order, epinephrine greater than isoprenaline (beta-stimulation) greater than norepinephrine] and (2) by its ability to prevent the potentiation of epinephrine by normetanephrine. That the uptake system was readily saturated was suggested by the observation that the sensitising actions of DOCA were decreased by procedures which decreased the potencies of epinephrine and isoprenaline, namely, phentolamine, and doses of isoprenaline eliciting constriction via alpha-stimulation, respectively.", "PMID": 638258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11756", "title": "Effect of hormones on the glycosaminoglycan content of canine renal arteries.", "content": "The effect of hypophysectomy and replacement therapy with individual hormones such as somatotropin, cortisone, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition of renal arteries was studied in young beagles. The renals from normal animals showed a uniformly low total GAG content of about two thirds of the value found for aorta and coronary arteries. Neither hypophysectomy nor hormone replacement altered the GAG content, with the exception of estradiol which showed a marked effect by raising the hyaluronic acid content to nearly double the normal value. These results by being at variance with those obtained for aorta and coronary arteries provide further evidence of the differential hormone sensitivity that exists in the various segments of the canine arterial tree with respect to GAG metabolism.", "contents": "Effect of hormones on the glycosaminoglycan content of canine renal arteries. The effect of hypophysectomy and replacement therapy with individual hormones such as somatotropin, cortisone, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition of renal arteries was studied in young beagles. The renals from normal animals showed a uniformly low total GAG content of about two thirds of the value found for aorta and coronary arteries. Neither hypophysectomy nor hormone replacement altered the GAG content, with the exception of estradiol which showed a marked effect by raising the hyaluronic acid content to nearly double the normal value. These results by being at variance with those obtained for aorta and coronary arteries provide further evidence of the differential hormone sensitivity that exists in the various segments of the canine arterial tree with respect to GAG metabolism.", "PMID": 638259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11757", "title": "Successful prevention of coumarin-induced hemorrhagic skin necrosis by timely administration of vitamin k1.", "content": "Successful prevention of the progression of incipient hemorrhagic skin necrosis by timely administration of vitamin K1 in a woman treated with phenprocoumon is presented. From a critical review of the literature strong evidence emerges that coumarin necrosis does only occur in cases with severe initial drug induced hypocoagulability. Non- recognition thusfar of its importance is due to insufficient knowledge of the biological activities of thromboplastin preparations presently used in the laboratory control of oral anticoagulation. All well documented cases with apparently adequate Quick values were monitored with Faktor VIII insensitive thromboplastin. Therefore, such preparations should no longer be used in anticoagulant control.", "contents": "Successful prevention of coumarin-induced hemorrhagic skin necrosis by timely administration of vitamin k1. Successful prevention of the progression of incipient hemorrhagic skin necrosis by timely administration of vitamin K1 in a woman treated with phenprocoumon is presented. From a critical review of the literature strong evidence emerges that coumarin necrosis does only occur in cases with severe initial drug induced hypocoagulability. Non- recognition thusfar of its importance is due to insufficient knowledge of the biological activities of thromboplastin preparations presently used in the laboratory control of oral anticoagulation. All well documented cases with apparently adequate Quick values were monitored with Faktor VIII insensitive thromboplastin. Therefore, such preparations should no longer be used in anticoagulant control.", "PMID": 638263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11758", "title": "[Current aspects on evaluation of assays of factor-VIII activity, factor-VIII associated protein and factor-VIII neutralizing antibody (author's transl)].", "content": "In evaluating factor-VIII activity it should be noted that regarding the remaining activity of deficient plasma a linear reference curve is achieved. In the standard population factor-VIII activity and factor-VIII associated protein are distributed approximately lognormally. Due to this distribution certain results have been gained for the optimal choice of localisation and dispersion measures. It is assumed that the proportions of neutralized factor-VIII activity in plasma are distributed according to Poisson. The applicability of the Poisson distribution was also proved for the free factor-VIII activity portion. Due to the Poisson distribution the antibody unit is clearly defined, thus eliminating a further discussion on the establishment of an arbitrary standardized antibody unit.", "contents": "[Current aspects on evaluation of assays of factor-VIII activity, factor-VIII associated protein and factor-VIII neutralizing antibody (author's transl)]. In evaluating factor-VIII activity it should be noted that regarding the remaining activity of deficient plasma a linear reference curve is achieved. In the standard population factor-VIII activity and factor-VIII associated protein are distributed approximately lognormally. Due to this distribution certain results have been gained for the optimal choice of localisation and dispersion measures. It is assumed that the proportions of neutralized factor-VIII activity in plasma are distributed according to Poisson. The applicability of the Poisson distribution was also proved for the free factor-VIII activity portion. Due to the Poisson distribution the antibody unit is clearly defined, thus eliminating a further discussion on the establishment of an arbitrary standardized antibody unit.", "PMID": 638264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11759", "title": "Abnormal binding of spectrin to the membrane of erythrocytes in some cases of hereditary spherocytosis.", "content": "In two cases of hereditary spherocytosis that we have examined, spectrin was bound abnormally tightly to the erythrocyte membrane, and could not be released by low ionic strength dialysis. This type of behaviour occurs in normal red cells only after heating above 50 degrees C. It appears that some cases of spherocytosis may be due to the presence of a protein which is abnormally temperature sensitive.", "contents": "Abnormal binding of spectrin to the membrane of erythrocytes in some cases of hereditary spherocytosis. In two cases of hereditary spherocytosis that we have examined, spectrin was bound abnormally tightly to the erythrocyte membrane, and could not be released by low ionic strength dialysis. This type of behaviour occurs in normal red cells only after heating above 50 degrees C. It appears that some cases of spherocytosis may be due to the presence of a protein which is abnormally temperature sensitive.", "PMID": 638266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11760", "title": "Platelet size distribution in mice following immunothrombopenia and vincristine administration.", "content": "In the present study platelet size distribution was investigated after induction of immunothrombocytopenia by rabbit-anti-mouse-platelet-serum (RAMPS) and after vincristine-induced thrombocytopenia. The platelet size distribution after a single dose of RAMPS showed a shift to larger volumes at day 1 and 2, and a decrease to slightly smaller volumes than normal at day 8. These differences, however, were not statistically significant. After vincristine administration, a dose-dependent increase of the platelet size distribution was demonstrated, which lasted from day 1-7. It is suggested that in immune-induced thrombocytopenia the young platelets released from bone marrow megakaryocytes are not exclusively large platelets. On the other hand the early appearance of large platelets after vincristine administration points to a toxic or segregating effect of vincristine on circulating platelets. Therefore, in our experiments, the platelet size is not suitable for the differentiation of young and old platelets.", "contents": "Platelet size distribution in mice following immunothrombopenia and vincristine administration. In the present study platelet size distribution was investigated after induction of immunothrombocytopenia by rabbit-anti-mouse-platelet-serum (RAMPS) and after vincristine-induced thrombocytopenia. The platelet size distribution after a single dose of RAMPS showed a shift to larger volumes at day 1 and 2, and a decrease to slightly smaller volumes than normal at day 8. These differences, however, were not statistically significant. After vincristine administration, a dose-dependent increase of the platelet size distribution was demonstrated, which lasted from day 1-7. It is suggested that in immune-induced thrombocytopenia the young platelets released from bone marrow megakaryocytes are not exclusively large platelets. On the other hand the early appearance of large platelets after vincristine administration points to a toxic or segregating effect of vincristine on circulating platelets. Therefore, in our experiments, the platelet size is not suitable for the differentiation of young and old platelets.", "PMID": 638267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11761", "title": "The influence of selenium on the level of mercury and metallothionein in rat kidneys in prolonged exposure to different mercury compounds.", "content": "Mercuric chloride, phenylmercuric chloride, ethylmercuric chloride /0,23 mg Hg/kg/ and methylmercurycyan guanidine /0,46 mg Hg/kg/ were orally administered to rats every second day for 14 weeks. The same doses of the above mentioned mercury compounds were administered alternately with sodium selenite /0,18 mg Se/kg/ to parallel groups of rats at the same time. The level of total and inorganic mercury and of metallothionein was determined. All mercury compounds increased the level of metallothionein in rat kidneys. In rats which received only selenium the level of metallothionein was twice lower in the kidneys in relation to the physiological level of this protein. Selenium eliminated the stimulation of biosynthesis of metallothionein by mercury.", "contents": "The influence of selenium on the level of mercury and metallothionein in rat kidneys in prolonged exposure to different mercury compounds. Mercuric chloride, phenylmercuric chloride, ethylmercuric chloride /0,23 mg Hg/kg/ and methylmercurycyan guanidine /0,46 mg Hg/kg/ were orally administered to rats every second day for 14 weeks. The same doses of the above mentioned mercury compounds were administered alternately with sodium selenite /0,18 mg Se/kg/ to parallel groups of rats at the same time. The level of total and inorganic mercury and of metallothionein was determined. All mercury compounds increased the level of metallothionein in rat kidneys. In rats which received only selenium the level of metallothionein was twice lower in the kidneys in relation to the physiological level of this protein. Selenium eliminated the stimulation of biosynthesis of metallothionein by mercury.", "PMID": 638276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11762", "title": "Fetal effects of cadmium in pregnant rats on normal and zinc deficient diets.", "content": "This investigation has shown that not only the extent of fetal resoprtion and malformation but also the types of malformation seen in rats depend upon the strain used and day of gestation. Furthermore, the effects of zinc deficiency and cadmium administration on the fetus can be at least additive, as was seen for malformations. For fetal resorption, zinc deficiency potentiated the action of cadmium.", "contents": "Fetal effects of cadmium in pregnant rats on normal and zinc deficient diets. This investigation has shown that not only the extent of fetal resoprtion and malformation but also the types of malformation seen in rats depend upon the strain used and day of gestation. Furthermore, the effects of zinc deficiency and cadmium administration on the fetus can be at least additive, as was seen for malformations. For fetal resorption, zinc deficiency potentiated the action of cadmium.", "PMID": 638277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11763", "title": "A search for the presence of 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in beef fat.", "content": "Specimens of fat taken from steers which had grazed on rangeland previously treated with 2,4,5-T herbicides were analyzed for the presence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A cleanup procedure resulting in a 500-fold concentration was followed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection technique. The limit of detection of TCDD (2.5 times peak to peak noise) was found to be in the 30-60 picogram range (3-6 ppt in beef fat using 10 gram samples). None of the sixteen samples comprising two of the three studies showed any response for TCDD. In the third study, in which the animals were confined to a fenced pasture sprayed in its entirety with a 2,4,5-T herbicide, samples from three of the seven animals gave a positive response at the extremely low level of 3 to 4 ppt TCDD, which is at the detection limit.", "contents": "A search for the presence of 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in beef fat. Specimens of fat taken from steers which had grazed on rangeland previously treated with 2,4,5-T herbicides were analyzed for the presence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A cleanup procedure resulting in a 500-fold concentration was followed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection technique. The limit of detection of TCDD (2.5 times peak to peak noise) was found to be in the 30-60 picogram range (3-6 ppt in beef fat using 10 gram samples). None of the sixteen samples comprising two of the three studies showed any response for TCDD. In the third study, in which the animals were confined to a fenced pasture sprayed in its entirety with a 2,4,5-T herbicide, samples from three of the seven animals gave a positive response at the extremely low level of 3 to 4 ppt TCDD, which is at the detection limit.", "PMID": 638279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11764", "title": "Acute toxicity of phosphate ester mixtures to invertebrates and fish.", "content": "The acute toxicity of three commercial phosphate ester mixtures (hydraulic fluids) was tested against two invertebrates and four fishes. Pydraul 50E was more toxic than Houghtosafe 1120 in static and flow-through tests; Pydraul 115E was the least toxic. In flow-through tests these phosphate esters were less acutely toxic than PCB's. However, sublethal reactions to the phosphates suggest a need for chronic toxicity studies.", "contents": "Acute toxicity of phosphate ester mixtures to invertebrates and fish. The acute toxicity of three commercial phosphate ester mixtures (hydraulic fluids) was tested against two invertebrates and four fishes. Pydraul 50E was more toxic than Houghtosafe 1120 in static and flow-through tests; Pydraul 115E was the least toxic. In flow-through tests these phosphate esters were less acutely toxic than PCB's. However, sublethal reactions to the phosphates suggest a need for chronic toxicity studies.", "PMID": 638281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11765", "title": "Resurfacing the sole: long-term follow-up and comparison of techniques.", "content": "It has been hoped that this study would determine the ideal solution to resurfacing the sole of the foot. Instead it showed that the problem is greater than expected and previously described, that no solution is ideal and that weight-bearing on all resurfaced areas will be avoided by the patient wherever possible.", "contents": "Resurfacing the sole: long-term follow-up and comparison of techniques. It has been hoped that this study would determine the ideal solution to resurfacing the sole of the foot. Instead it showed that the problem is greater than expected and previously described, that no solution is ideal and that weight-bearing on all resurfaced areas will be avoided by the patient wherever possible.", "PMID": 638300} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11766", "title": "The two-stage face lift.", "content": "Skin under tension with \"creep\", i.e. stretch. This probably accounts for the fact that by far the commonest postoperative complaint of face-lift patients is of inadequate lift. Creep occurs within a few hours of the operation but is at first masked by postoperative oedema. At the second stage half as much or more skin as was excised on the first occasion may be re-excised. The conservative face-lift incision which spares the sideburns is the most conventient for the 2-stage operation.", "contents": "The two-stage face lift. Skin under tension with \"creep\", i.e. stretch. This probably accounts for the fact that by far the commonest postoperative complaint of face-lift patients is of inadequate lift. Creep occurs within a few hours of the operation but is at first masked by postoperative oedema. At the second stage half as much or more skin as was excised on the first occasion may be re-excised. The conservative face-lift incision which spares the sideburns is the most conventient for the 2-stage operation.", "PMID": 638306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11767", "title": "A subcutaneous pedicled cheek flap for reconstruction of alar defects.", "content": "The anatomy of the blood supply around the alar region was studied and showed that a large flap of nasolabial skin would survive on a narrow subcutaneous pedicle containing sufficient arteries and veins to justify the term \"axial patterned flap\". The secondary defect is closed with another nasolabial flap. In many cases a definitive single stage repair may be achieved. In others, some secondary revision has been required.", "contents": "A subcutaneous pedicled cheek flap for reconstruction of alar defects. The anatomy of the blood supply around the alar region was studied and showed that a large flap of nasolabial skin would survive on a narrow subcutaneous pedicle containing sufficient arteries and veins to justify the term \"axial patterned flap\". The secondary defect is closed with another nasolabial flap. In many cases a definitive single stage repair may be achieved. In others, some secondary revision has been required.", "PMID": 638309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11768", "title": "Repeated exposure of rats to the convulsant agent flurothyl enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine- and dopamine-mediated behavioural responses.", "content": "1 Rats were convulsed once daily for 7 days by exposure to the inhalant convulsant agent, flurothyl (Indoklon, bis (2,2,2-trifluouroethyl)ether). Twenty four hours after the final convulsion the rats were injected with tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) followed 30 min later by L-DOPA (50 mg/kg), a procedure which increases brain dopamine concentrations. The flurothyl-treated rats showed a greater locomotor activity response than rats that had not been convulsed.2 This enhanced response appears to be due to increased postsynaptic dopamine receptor sensitivity since flurothyl-treated rats also showed enhanced locomotor responses to methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) and apomorphine (2 mg/kg).3 Enhanced 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced activity responses following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and L-tryptophan (50 mg/kg) were also seen 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions.4 The increased 5-hydroxytryptamine response also appears to be due to increased postsynaptic sensitivity since the flurothyl-treated rats showed increased hyperactivity following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and the suggested 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist, 5-methoxy N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2 mg/kg).5 No change in the brain concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, dopamine or noradrenaline was observed 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions, compared to untreated rats. The rate of 5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-tryptophan treatment and of dopamine and noradrenaline accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-DOPA treatment was similar in both groups.6 Repeated flurothyl convulsion has the same effects on these behavioural tests as repeated electroconvulsive shock. Since both treatments have been used successfully to treat depression, it is suggested that the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy may be by increasing postsynaptic responses to the monoamine neurotransmitters.", "contents": "Repeated exposure of rats to the convulsant agent flurothyl enhances 5-hydroxytryptamine- and dopamine-mediated behavioural responses. 1 Rats were convulsed once daily for 7 days by exposure to the inhalant convulsant agent, flurothyl (Indoklon, bis (2,2,2-trifluouroethyl)ether). Twenty four hours after the final convulsion the rats were injected with tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) followed 30 min later by L-DOPA (50 mg/kg), a procedure which increases brain dopamine concentrations. The flurothyl-treated rats showed a greater locomotor activity response than rats that had not been convulsed.2 This enhanced response appears to be due to increased postsynaptic dopamine receptor sensitivity since flurothyl-treated rats also showed enhanced locomotor responses to methamphetamine (2 mg/kg) and apomorphine (2 mg/kg).3 Enhanced 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced activity responses following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and L-tryptophan (50 mg/kg) were also seen 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions.4 The increased 5-hydroxytryptamine response also appears to be due to increased postsynaptic sensitivity since the flurothyl-treated rats showed increased hyperactivity following administration of tranylcypromine (20 mg/kg) and the suggested 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist, 5-methoxy N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2 mg/kg).5 No change in the brain concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, dopamine or noradrenaline was observed 24 h after the last of 10 daily flurothyl-induced convulsions, compared to untreated rats. The rate of 5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-tryptophan treatment and of dopamine and noradrenaline accumulation after tranylcypromine/L-DOPA treatment was similar in both groups.6 Repeated flurothyl convulsion has the same effects on these behavioural tests as repeated electroconvulsive shock. Since both treatments have been used successfully to treat depression, it is suggested that the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy may be by increasing postsynaptic responses to the monoamine neurotransmitters.", "PMID": 638311} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11769", "title": "H1- and H2-receptors in the smooth muscle of the ruminant stomach.", "content": "1 The effects of histamine on the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle from the rumen and reticulum of the bovine stomach have been analyzed by the use of H1- and H2-receptor antagonists. 2 Histamine caused three different types of response of the smooth muscle preparations: a contraction, contraction followed by relaxation, and a relaxation. These responses were resistant to the effect of tetrodotoxin, atropine, combined treatment with alpha- and beta- adrenoceptor blocking agents, hexamethonium and also to guanethidine. 3 Mepyramine antagonized the contractile responses and metiamide antagonized the relaxation responses in a highly selective and competitive manner. 4 It is concluded that histamine-induced excitatory and inhibitory responses of the smooth muscles from the bovine forestomach are mediated by histamine H1- and H2-receptors, respectively.", "contents": "H1- and H2-receptors in the smooth muscle of the ruminant stomach. 1 The effects of histamine on the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle from the rumen and reticulum of the bovine stomach have been analyzed by the use of H1- and H2-receptor antagonists. 2 Histamine caused three different types of response of the smooth muscle preparations: a contraction, contraction followed by relaxation, and a relaxation. These responses were resistant to the effect of tetrodotoxin, atropine, combined treatment with alpha- and beta- adrenoceptor blocking agents, hexamethonium and also to guanethidine. 3 Mepyramine antagonized the contractile responses and metiamide antagonized the relaxation responses in a highly selective and competitive manner. 4 It is concluded that histamine-induced excitatory and inhibitory responses of the smooth muscles from the bovine forestomach are mediated by histamine H1- and H2-receptors, respectively.", "PMID": 638312} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11770", "title": "Is acetylcholine involved in a dopamine receptor mediated hypothermia in mice and rats?", "content": "1 Apomorphine and oxotremorine caused a dose-related fall in core temperature in the mouse and a fall in core temperature preceded by an increase in tail-skin temperature in the rat.2 In both species the slope of the dose-response curve was greater for oxotremorine (8.2 +/- 0.6 mice, 0.9 +/- 0.1 rats) than it was for apomorphine (1.7 +/- 0.3 mice, 0.5 +/- 0.07 rats).3 The mouse was more sensitive than the rat to the effects of both agonists.4 Atropine (0.625 to 5 mg/kg) and hyoscine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) caused a dose-related rightward shift of the dose-response curve to oxotremorine in mice, but pimozide (0.25 to 1 mg/kg) was ineffective. Similar results were obtained in the rat.5 Pimozide (0.125 to 1 mg/kg) caused a dose-related rightward shift of the dose-response curve to apomorphine in mice, but atropine (1.25 to 1 mg/kg) and hyoscine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) were ineffective. Similar results were obtained in the rat.6 Intrahypothalamic injection of apomorphine (10 mug) and oxotremorine (1.25 mug) caused a fall in core temperature in rats. Pimozide (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) caused reversal of the effect of apomorphine but did not significantly change the response to oxotremorine. Atropine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) blocked the effect of oxotremorine, but not that of apomorphine.7 These results suggest that there are both central dopamine and central muscarinic acetylcholine receptors which mediate a fall in core temperature in rodents, but do not support the hypothesis that any connection exists between these two receptor populations.", "contents": "Is acetylcholine involved in a dopamine receptor mediated hypothermia in mice and rats? 1 Apomorphine and oxotremorine caused a dose-related fall in core temperature in the mouse and a fall in core temperature preceded by an increase in tail-skin temperature in the rat.2 In both species the slope of the dose-response curve was greater for oxotremorine (8.2 +/- 0.6 mice, 0.9 +/- 0.1 rats) than it was for apomorphine (1.7 +/- 0.3 mice, 0.5 +/- 0.07 rats).3 The mouse was more sensitive than the rat to the effects of both agonists.4 Atropine (0.625 to 5 mg/kg) and hyoscine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) caused a dose-related rightward shift of the dose-response curve to oxotremorine in mice, but pimozide (0.25 to 1 mg/kg) was ineffective. Similar results were obtained in the rat.5 Pimozide (0.125 to 1 mg/kg) caused a dose-related rightward shift of the dose-response curve to apomorphine in mice, but atropine (1.25 to 1 mg/kg) and hyoscine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) were ineffective. Similar results were obtained in the rat.6 Intrahypothalamic injection of apomorphine (10 mug) and oxotremorine (1.25 mug) caused a fall in core temperature in rats. Pimozide (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) caused reversal of the effect of apomorphine but did not significantly change the response to oxotremorine. Atropine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) blocked the effect of oxotremorine, but not that of apomorphine.7 These results suggest that there are both central dopamine and central muscarinic acetylcholine receptors which mediate a fall in core temperature in rodents, but do not support the hypothesis that any connection exists between these two receptor populations.", "PMID": 638313} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11771", "title": "Pharmacological evidence for the involvement of Na+ channels in the release of catecholamines from perfused adrenal glands.", "content": "Veratridine (0.1 mM) was found to be effective in producing an increase in the catecholamine output from perfused guinea-pig adrenal glands in the presence of high concentrations of hexamethonium (1.83 mM) and atropine (28.8 micrometer). The response to veratridine was abolished by removal of either Na+ or Ca2+ from perfusion media and by the addition of tetrodotoxin (0.1 micrometer). It is suggested that the response to veratridine may be due to an increase in the tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ permeability of chromaffin cell membranes.", "contents": "Pharmacological evidence for the involvement of Na+ channels in the release of catecholamines from perfused adrenal glands. Veratridine (0.1 mM) was found to be effective in producing an increase in the catecholamine output from perfused guinea-pig adrenal glands in the presence of high concentrations of hexamethonium (1.83 mM) and atropine (28.8 micrometer). The response to veratridine was abolished by removal of either Na+ or Ca2+ from perfusion media and by the addition of tetrodotoxin (0.1 micrometer). It is suggested that the response to veratridine may be due to an increase in the tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ permeability of chromaffin cell membranes.", "PMID": 638314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11772", "title": "Diminishing hypotensive effect of increasing doses of pindolol in DOCA/saline hypertensive rats.", "content": "In DOCA-saline hypertensive rats, pindolol (4, 20 or 50 mg/kg orally) produced a hypotensive effect which was inversely related to dose. Following adrenal demedullation, a hypotensive response to the highest dose of pindolol was unmasked and the magnitude of the responses to lower doses was increased. The results suggest that adrenal catecholamines moderate the hypotensive effects of high doses of pindolol.", "contents": "Diminishing hypotensive effect of increasing doses of pindolol in DOCA/saline hypertensive rats. In DOCA-saline hypertensive rats, pindolol (4, 20 or 50 mg/kg orally) produced a hypotensive effect which was inversely related to dose. Following adrenal demedullation, a hypotensive response to the highest dose of pindolol was unmasked and the magnitude of the responses to lower doses was increased. The results suggest that adrenal catecholamines moderate the hypotensive effects of high doses of pindolol.", "PMID": 638315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11773", "title": "Release of vasopressin by enkephalin.", "content": "Leu-enkephalin, its stable analogue [D-Ala2-D-Leu5]-enkephalin and the C-fragment of lipotropin (beta endorphin) injected intravenously in the rat produced antidiuretic responses which were inhibited reversibly by naloxone. It was shown for Leu-enkephalin that injection into the cerebral ventricles was at least ten times more effective than intravenous injection and for [D-Ala2-D-Leu5]-enkephalin that the antidiuretic response was associated with increased excretion of vaspressin in the urine.", "contents": "Release of vasopressin by enkephalin. Leu-enkephalin, its stable analogue [D-Ala2-D-Leu5]-enkephalin and the C-fragment of lipotropin (beta endorphin) injected intravenously in the rat produced antidiuretic responses which were inhibited reversibly by naloxone. It was shown for Leu-enkephalin that injection into the cerebral ventricles was at least ten times more effective than intravenous injection and for [D-Ala2-D-Leu5]-enkephalin that the antidiuretic response was associated with increased excretion of vaspressin in the urine.", "PMID": 638316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11774", "title": "Dichotic listening in psychotic patients.", "content": "Patients recently recovered from schizophrenic or manid-depressive psychoses showed larger ear difference scores than normal controls on a dichotic listening test, i.e. when asked to identify dissimilar words fed synchronously to the two ears. The possible significance of the finding is discussed, in relation both to hemispheric organization and to other aspects of cognitive activity which may underlie performance on the task.", "contents": "Dichotic listening in psychotic patients. Patients recently recovered from schizophrenic or manid-depressive psychoses showed larger ear difference scores than normal controls on a dichotic listening test, i.e. when asked to identify dissimilar words fed synchronously to the two ears. The possible significance of the finding is discussed, in relation both to hemispheric organization and to other aspects of cognitive activity which may underlie performance on the task.", "PMID": 638386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11775", "title": "Immunoglobulins and viral antibodies in psychiatric patients.", "content": "The serum and CSF of 66 patients with functional psychoses were tested for immunoglobulins and antibodies to measles, HSV-I, CMV, and rubella viruses. Ten surgical and 80 neurological patients were controls. There were no significant findings in the serum, consistent with most previous studied. In the CSF 6 of 17 multiple admission schizophrenic patients had definite elevations of IgG or measles antibody and differed significantly from the surgical controls. Immunologically this group resembled the seriously ill neurological patients. No previous study has been made of immunoglobulins or viral antibodies in the CSF of psychiatric patients. It is concluded that further work is warranted in a search for biological subgroups of schizophrenia.", "contents": "Immunoglobulins and viral antibodies in psychiatric patients. The serum and CSF of 66 patients with functional psychoses were tested for immunoglobulins and antibodies to measles, HSV-I, CMV, and rubella viruses. Ten surgical and 80 neurological patients were controls. There were no significant findings in the serum, consistent with most previous studied. In the CSF 6 of 17 multiple admission schizophrenic patients had definite elevations of IgG or measles antibody and differed significantly from the surgical controls. Immunologically this group resembled the seriously ill neurological patients. No previous study has been made of immunoglobulins or viral antibodies in the CSF of psychiatric patients. It is concluded that further work is warranted in a search for biological subgroups of schizophrenia.", "PMID": 638387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11776", "title": "A controlled evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of a psychiatric day centre for pre-school children.", "content": "The progress over one year of 25 children aged 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years attending a psychiatric day centre was compared with that of 25 similarly disturbed 3-year-old children identified in a total population study. There were few differences in outcome, and thost that were found did not particularly favour either group. Implications for the organization of treatment servides are discussed in terms of the need to lay down clear objectives and to pursue systematic controlled evaluation.", "contents": "A controlled evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of a psychiatric day centre for pre-school children. The progress over one year of 25 children aged 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years attending a psychiatric day centre was compared with that of 25 similarly disturbed 3-year-old children identified in a total population study. There were few differences in outcome, and thost that were found did not particularly favour either group. Implications for the organization of treatment servides are discussed in terms of the need to lay down clear objectives and to pursue systematic controlled evaluation.", "PMID": 638388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11777", "title": "Familial nature of reading disability.", "content": "An extensive psychometric test battery was administered to 125 children with a reading disability, to their parents and siblings, and to members of 125 matched control familes (N = 1,044). In addition to expected differences in spelling and reading, probands obtained significantly (P less than or equal to .01) lower scores than controls on tests of other cognitive abilities. Manifold deficits were also found in siblings and parents of probands, conclusively demonstrating the familial (genetic and/or common-family environmental) nature of the disorder.", "contents": "Familial nature of reading disability. An extensive psychometric test battery was administered to 125 children with a reading disability, to their parents and siblings, and to members of 125 matched control familes (N = 1,044). In addition to expected differences in spelling and reading, probands obtained significantly (P less than or equal to .01) lower scores than controls on tests of other cognitive abilities. Manifold deficits were also found in siblings and parents of probands, conclusively demonstrating the familial (genetic and/or common-family environmental) nature of the disorder.", "PMID": 638389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11778", "title": "The contingent negative variation in antisocial behaviour: a pilot study of Broadmoor patients.", "content": "Using a classical click/flash paradigm, the CNV was recorded from the following three groups of subjects at Broadmoor Hospital: (1) 14 'psychopathic' patients selected by use of the 4/9 MMPI profile and confirmed by independent clinical diagnosis; (2) 15 'non psychopathic' patients, all psychotic and mainly schizophrenic; (3) 14 healthy staff control subjects. All three groups were matched for age and sex; the two patients groups were also matched for length of stay. Two series of 32 paired stimuli were used, separated by an interval of 30 minutes. The mean CNV voltage was significantly lower in the 'non-psychopathic' patients. The amplitude of the 'psychopath's' CNV response did not differ significantly from that of the staff controls, but the response variability between the first and second series of trials was much greater in the 'psychopathic' patients than in the other two subject groups. The 'psychopathic' subjects tended to show more rapid initial development of the CNV.", "contents": "The contingent negative variation in antisocial behaviour: a pilot study of Broadmoor patients. Using a classical click/flash paradigm, the CNV was recorded from the following three groups of subjects at Broadmoor Hospital: (1) 14 'psychopathic' patients selected by use of the 4/9 MMPI profile and confirmed by independent clinical diagnosis; (2) 15 'non psychopathic' patients, all psychotic and mainly schizophrenic; (3) 14 healthy staff control subjects. All three groups were matched for age and sex; the two patients groups were also matched for length of stay. Two series of 32 paired stimuli were used, separated by an interval of 30 minutes. The mean CNV voltage was significantly lower in the 'non-psychopathic' patients. The amplitude of the 'psychopath's' CNV response did not differ significantly from that of the staff controls, but the response variability between the first and second series of trials was much greater in the 'psychopathic' patients than in the other two subject groups. The 'psychopathic' subjects tended to show more rapid initial development of the CNV.", "PMID": 638390} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11779", "title": "Resting levels of alpha and the Eysenck Personality Inventory.", "content": "The number of microvolt seconds of alpha rhythm emitted during a five-minute period were collected for 30 male and 30 female subjects. This measure of alpha abundance was then compared in subjects who scored high and in those who scored low on the E and N scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Subjects who scored low on the E scale tended to have a significantly greater number of microvolt seconds of alpha than did subjects who scored high on the scale. No differentiation on the basis of emitted alpha was possible for subjects scoring high and low on the N scale.", "contents": "Resting levels of alpha and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The number of microvolt seconds of alpha rhythm emitted during a five-minute period were collected for 30 male and 30 female subjects. This measure of alpha abundance was then compared in subjects who scored high and in those who scored low on the E and N scales of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Subjects who scored low on the E scale tended to have a significantly greater number of microvolt seconds of alpha than did subjects who scored high on the scale. No differentiation on the basis of emitted alpha was possible for subjects scoring high and low on the N scale.", "PMID": 638391} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11780", "title": "Validity of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale.", "content": "The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) correlated well (0.69) with the treating physician's global rating in 26 depressed out-patients during the six weeks of treatment with a tricyclic anti-depressant. In a larger sample of 41 patients, a high correlation was found between the ZSDS and the Hamilton Rating Scale. The sensitivity of the ZSDS was found to be adequate. The scale was able to differentiate, at the 0.05 level, four severity groups classified on the basis of the global rating. The importance of the direct relationship between the range of severity studied and the value of the correlation coefficient was discussed. Previous investigations and the results of this study indicate that the ZSDS is a valid and sensitive measure of clinical severity in depressed patients and support its continued use as a research instrument.", "contents": "Validity of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) correlated well (0.69) with the treating physician's global rating in 26 depressed out-patients during the six weeks of treatment with a tricyclic anti-depressant. In a larger sample of 41 patients, a high correlation was found between the ZSDS and the Hamilton Rating Scale. The sensitivity of the ZSDS was found to be adequate. The scale was able to differentiate, at the 0.05 level, four severity groups classified on the basis of the global rating. The importance of the direct relationship between the range of severity studied and the value of the correlation coefficient was discussed. Previous investigations and the results of this study indicate that the ZSDS is a valid and sensitive measure of clinical severity in depressed patients and support its continued use as a research instrument.", "PMID": 638392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11781", "title": "Glucose metabolism in unipolar depression.", "content": "Glucose utilization, serum insulin, human growth hormone, and free fatty acids were studied in 18 unipolar depressed patients and 14 normal controls, using the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Patients were kept drug-free for at least two weeks before testing, and physical activity and diet were carefully controlled. Previously described abnormalities in the balance between glucose and free fatty acids were not seen, but endogenous depression was associated with lowered glucose utilization rate with insulin resistance. Changes in kinetics of membrane transport in endogenous depression which could account for this finding are discussed.", "contents": "Glucose metabolism in unipolar depression. Glucose utilization, serum insulin, human growth hormone, and free fatty acids were studied in 18 unipolar depressed patients and 14 normal controls, using the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Patients were kept drug-free for at least two weeks before testing, and physical activity and diet were carefully controlled. Previously described abnormalities in the balance between glucose and free fatty acids were not seen, but endogenous depression was associated with lowered glucose utilization rate with insulin resistance. Changes in kinetics of membrane transport in endogenous depression which could account for this finding are discussed.", "PMID": 638393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11782", "title": "Teaching psychotherapy in mental hospitals.", "content": "This paper deals with the early results and problems of establishing and developing a regional training programme in psychotherapy, using peripatetic senior lecturers. The difficulties of a psycho-analytic approach to psychotherapy in mental hospitals are discussed, and a model of psychotherapy more suitable for general application in mental hospitals and district general hospital psychiatric units is proposed.", "contents": "Teaching psychotherapy in mental hospitals. This paper deals with the early results and problems of establishing and developing a regional training programme in psychotherapy, using peripatetic senior lecturers. The difficulties of a psycho-analytic approach to psychotherapy in mental hospitals are discussed, and a model of psychotherapy more suitable for general application in mental hospitals and district general hospital psychiatric units is proposed.", "PMID": 638394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11783", "title": "An unusual case of the Capgras syndrome.", "content": "A variant of the Capgras syndrome is described in a 43-year-old woman who had vitiligo and multinodular goitre. The unusual feature of the case was that the patient not only misidentified members of her own family but also claimed that she herself had been replaced by a double.", "contents": "An unusual case of the Capgras syndrome. A variant of the Capgras syndrome is described in a 43-year-old woman who had vitiligo and multinodular goitre. The unusual feature of the case was that the patient not only misidentified members of her own family but also claimed that she herself had been replaced by a double.", "PMID": 638395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11784", "title": "Late meningeal effects of myelographic contrast media with special reference to metrizamide.", "content": "Two hundred and fifty-six myelograms in 192 patients were following by repeat myelography using a water-soluble contrast medium. The films of these re-examinations were analysed for signs of meningeal changes. Adhesive arachnoiditis had developed in five of 46 cases after methiodal sodium, in 24 of 96 cases after iothalamate meglumine, in seven of 12 cases after iocarmate meglumine, in seven of ten cases after iodophendylate, but in none of 90 cases after metrizamide. Dose of contrast medium, observation time and protein concentration of the CSF were found to be factors of importance for the development of adhesive arachnoiditis.", "contents": "Late meningeal effects of myelographic contrast media with special reference to metrizamide. Two hundred and fifty-six myelograms in 192 patients were following by repeat myelography using a water-soluble contrast medium. The films of these re-examinations were analysed for signs of meningeal changes. Adhesive arachnoiditis had developed in five of 46 cases after methiodal sodium, in 24 of 96 cases after iothalamate meglumine, in seven of 12 cases after iocarmate meglumine, in seven of ten cases after iodophendylate, but in none of 90 cases after metrizamide. Dose of contrast medium, observation time and protein concentration of the CSF were found to be factors of importance for the development of adhesive arachnoiditis.", "PMID": 638401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11785", "title": "Osteonecrosis in Hodgkin's disease.", "content": "Four patients suffering from Hodgkin's disease developed osteonecrosis following therapy and both femoral heads were involved in each case. Retrospective review of abdominal radiographs taken for follow-up lymphography demonstrated that the earliest radiological changes in bone were evident between five and 18 months after treatment was started and between six and 21 months before the onset of symptoms. The clinical implications are discussed.", "contents": "Osteonecrosis in Hodgkin's disease. Four patients suffering from Hodgkin's disease developed osteonecrosis following therapy and both femoral heads were involved in each case. Retrospective review of abdominal radiographs taken for follow-up lymphography demonstrated that the earliest radiological changes in bone were evident between five and 18 months after treatment was started and between six and 21 months before the onset of symptoms. The clinical implications are discussed.", "PMID": 638402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11786", "title": "Needle aspiration/biopsy of the spine in suspected disc infection.", "content": "Closed needle aspiration/biopsy was performed in 19 patients with suspected spinal disc space infection. A precise diagnosis was made, from the material obtained in 13 (68%); the infecting organism was isolated in 11 and malignant tumour diagnosed histologically in two. There were no important complications. The procedure which is described in detail is simple to perform and can be carried out early in the course of a patient's stay in hospital, thereby enabling prompt treatment.", "contents": "Needle aspiration/biopsy of the spine in suspected disc infection. Closed needle aspiration/biopsy was performed in 19 patients with suspected spinal disc space infection. A precise diagnosis was made, from the material obtained in 13 (68%); the infecting organism was isolated in 11 and malignant tumour diagnosed histologically in two. There were no important complications. The procedure which is described in detail is simple to perform and can be carried out early in the course of a patient's stay in hospital, thereby enabling prompt treatment.", "PMID": 638403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11787", "title": "The metacarpal index in Jamaican children and adults.", "content": "The metacarpal index was measured in radiographs of the hands of 615 male and 667 female Jamaicans aged over two years. The index increased with age from two years to adulthood, and was greater in females than in males, and greater in the left hand than the right hand. Means and standard deviations of the index for the left hand are presented as standards. An index of 9.6 for males and 10.1 for females over the age of 13 years is suggested as the upper limit of normal (three standard deviations above the mean). These standards are higher than those previously reported, and are probably applicable to other black populations outside Jamaica.", "contents": "The metacarpal index in Jamaican children and adults. The metacarpal index was measured in radiographs of the hands of 615 male and 667 female Jamaicans aged over two years. The index increased with age from two years to adulthood, and was greater in females than in males, and greater in the left hand than the right hand. Means and standard deviations of the index for the left hand are presented as standards. An index of 9.6 for males and 10.1 for females over the age of 13 years is suggested as the upper limit of normal (three standard deviations above the mean). These standards are higher than those previously reported, and are probably applicable to other black populations outside Jamaica.", "PMID": 638404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11788", "title": "Tuberculous erosion of the sphenoid bone.", "content": "Sphenoidal erosions due to tuberculosis are reported in four young coloured children. The lytic destruction is emphasized for refence texts indicate that tuberculosis produces a sclerotic reaction when extending to the skull base. Tuberculous osteitis of the skull occurs particularly in coloured children and adolescents. It should be considered when destructive skull lesions are seen in these patients.", "contents": "Tuberculous erosion of the sphenoid bone. Sphenoidal erosions due to tuberculosis are reported in four young coloured children. The lytic destruction is emphasized for refence texts indicate that tuberculosis produces a sclerotic reaction when extending to the skull base. Tuberculous osteitis of the skull occurs particularly in coloured children and adolescents. It should be considered when destructive skull lesions are seen in these patients.", "PMID": 638405} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11789", "title": "Two regimes with the same TDF but differing morbidity used in the treatment of stage III carcinoma of the cervix.", "content": "As an alternative to five daily fractions per week, one large fraction per week has been used to treat patients with stage III carcinoma of the cervix. This regime was greatly appreciated by our village women who could attend for weekly treatment from their homes. The weekly dose was matched with our previously acceptable daily fractionation using NSD, TDF and CRE values. In 24 patients the early reactions and tumour response were acceptable. Late rectal complications commencing seven months after treatment have, however, developed in all surviving patients with the new regime. The complications have been far more severe than those of a matched group of 24 patients treated with daily fractions and the schedule using one fraction per week has been abandoned. \"Iso-effective\" doses for the two techniques were selected from the NSD, TDF and CRE tables. This study clearly indicates that for one fraction per week the doses predicted are not \"iso-effective\" as far as the normal tissues of the pelvis are concerned.", "contents": "Two regimes with the same TDF but differing morbidity used in the treatment of stage III carcinoma of the cervix. As an alternative to five daily fractions per week, one large fraction per week has been used to treat patients with stage III carcinoma of the cervix. This regime was greatly appreciated by our village women who could attend for weekly treatment from their homes. The weekly dose was matched with our previously acceptable daily fractionation using NSD, TDF and CRE values. In 24 patients the early reactions and tumour response were acceptable. Late rectal complications commencing seven months after treatment have, however, developed in all surviving patients with the new regime. The complications have been far more severe than those of a matched group of 24 patients treated with daily fractions and the schedule using one fraction per week has been abandoned. \"Iso-effective\" doses for the two techniques were selected from the NSD, TDF and CRE tables. This study clearly indicates that for one fraction per week the doses predicted are not \"iso-effective\" as far as the normal tissues of the pelvis are concerned.", "PMID": 638406} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11790", "title": "Further experience with radiotherapy by multiple daily sessions.", "content": "Since 1972 over 100 patients have been treated by frequent daily sessions of radiotherapy with a short overall time. Cobalt 60 teletherapy and 250 kV X-ray beams have been used with radical or palliative dosage. The tolerance to these regimes of the skin, breast, chest wall, neck, lung and pelvis is discussed and the tumour responses described. Radiotherapy by multiple daily sessions is clinically possible and often an advantage. Its therapeutic ratio is not inferior to comparable regimes using longer intervals.", "contents": "Further experience with radiotherapy by multiple daily sessions. Since 1972 over 100 patients have been treated by frequent daily sessions of radiotherapy with a short overall time. Cobalt 60 teletherapy and 250 kV X-ray beams have been used with radical or palliative dosage. The tolerance to these regimes of the skin, breast, chest wall, neck, lung and pelvis is discussed and the tumour responses described. Radiotherapy by multiple daily sessions is clinically possible and often an advantage. Its therapeutic ratio is not inferior to comparable regimes using longer intervals.", "PMID": 638407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11791", "title": "The complication probability factor: a method for selection of radiation treatment plans.", "content": "The problem of selecting the best radiation treatment plan from several that may offer subtle differences has been considered. A method is introduced in which the concept of a complication probability factor (CPF) can be used to quantify the relative merits of such treatment plans. The CPF is a variant of integral dose and consists of a weighted volume of irradiated normal tissue which may relate to radiation-related complications. Treatment plans for irradiation of a pelvic tumour volume using parallel opposed, 360 deg rotational and four-field techniques with X-ray beams of 4, 8, 22, and 45 MV have been analyzed to demonstrate the utility of the method. This analysis suggests that complex radiation delivery techniques may offer a substantial improvement in dose distribution characteristics, while higher beam energies are relatively less advantageous.", "contents": "The complication probability factor: a method for selection of radiation treatment plans. The problem of selecting the best radiation treatment plan from several that may offer subtle differences has been considered. A method is introduced in which the concept of a complication probability factor (CPF) can be used to quantify the relative merits of such treatment plans. The CPF is a variant of integral dose and consists of a weighted volume of irradiated normal tissue which may relate to radiation-related complications. Treatment plans for irradiation of a pelvic tumour volume using parallel opposed, 360 deg rotational and four-field techniques with X-ray beams of 4, 8, 22, and 45 MV have been analyzed to demonstrate the utility of the method. This analysis suggests that complex radiation delivery techniques may offer a substantial improvement in dose distribution characteristics, while higher beam energies are relatively less advantageous.", "PMID": 638408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11792", "title": "On the nature and significance of the radiation outside the beam in neutron therapy.", "content": "Measurements have been made of beam profiles at 10 cm deep for the neutron beam of mean energy 7.5 MeV produced by the MRC cyclotron at Hammersmith Hospital. Neutron and gamma-ray doses in water were measured with a tissue-equivalent chamber and a Geiger-M\u00fcller counter. Far outside the beam the radiation consists mostly of gamma rays penetrating the shielding. Perfect shielding would reduce this but the profile of biologically effective dose would still be worse than that from conventional X- and gamma-ray generators owing to the high RBE of small doses of neutrons. The main hazard to the patient is probably that of carcinogenesis. An approximate assessment is made of this hazard which is compared with that estimated in previous publications.", "contents": "On the nature and significance of the radiation outside the beam in neutron therapy. Measurements have been made of beam profiles at 10 cm deep for the neutron beam of mean energy 7.5 MeV produced by the MRC cyclotron at Hammersmith Hospital. Neutron and gamma-ray doses in water were measured with a tissue-equivalent chamber and a Geiger-M\u00fcller counter. Far outside the beam the radiation consists mostly of gamma rays penetrating the shielding. Perfect shielding would reduce this but the profile of biologically effective dose would still be worse than that from conventional X- and gamma-ray generators owing to the high RBE of small doses of neutrons. The main hazard to the patient is probably that of carcinogenesis. An approximate assessment is made of this hazard which is compared with that estimated in previous publications.", "PMID": 638409} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11793", "title": "The radiosensitizing effect of metronidazole and misonidazole (Ro-07-0582) on a human malignant melanoma grown in the athymic mutant nude mouse.", "content": "The radiosensitizing effect of two electron-affinic nitroimidazoles, metronidazole and misonidazole (Ro-07-0582), has been tested on a human malignant melanoma grown subcutaneously in the athymic mutant nude mouse. A 60Co therapy unit was used for local irradiation of the mice. Metronidazole in doses of 750 mg/kg and misonidazole in doses of 500 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to the animals 45 min before exposure to 1250 rad. The time necessary for the tumours to regrow to their original sizes was compared with that of tumours treated with 1250, 1875 and 2500 rad without drug. The enhancement ratios were found to be 1.2-1.3 and 1.4-1.5 for metronidazole and misonidazole respectively. It is concluded that misonidazole is a more efficient hypoxic cell radiosensitizer for this human malignant melanoma than metronidazole. The former may prove to be of value in human radiotherapy.", "contents": "The radiosensitizing effect of metronidazole and misonidazole (Ro-07-0582) on a human malignant melanoma grown in the athymic mutant nude mouse. The radiosensitizing effect of two electron-affinic nitroimidazoles, metronidazole and misonidazole (Ro-07-0582), has been tested on a human malignant melanoma grown subcutaneously in the athymic mutant nude mouse. A 60Co therapy unit was used for local irradiation of the mice. Metronidazole in doses of 750 mg/kg and misonidazole in doses of 500 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to the animals 45 min before exposure to 1250 rad. The time necessary for the tumours to regrow to their original sizes was compared with that of tumours treated with 1250, 1875 and 2500 rad without drug. The enhancement ratios were found to be 1.2-1.3 and 1.4-1.5 for metronidazole and misonidazole respectively. It is concluded that misonidazole is a more efficient hypoxic cell radiosensitizer for this human malignant melanoma than metronidazole. The former may prove to be of value in human radiotherapy.", "PMID": 638410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11794", "title": "Preparation of the patient for abdominal ultrasound scanning.", "content": "The value of dietary restriction and laxatives both separately and in combination for the reduction of bowel gas has been investigated and compared with unprepared patients. No significant difference was found between the results from prepared and un-prepared patients.", "contents": "Preparation of the patient for abdominal ultrasound scanning. The value of dietary restriction and laxatives both separately and in combination for the reduction of bowel gas has been investigated and compared with unprepared patients. No significant difference was found between the results from prepared and un-prepared patients.", "PMID": 638411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11795", "title": "Highly selective vagotomy using tantalum clips.", "content": "A technique is described for performing highly selective vagotomy in cases of duodenal ulcer. Tantalum clips are used instead of conventional ligatures for securing the nerves and blood vessels that pass to the lesser curve of the stomach. With this technique the author has found the operation of highly selective vagotomy quicker and easier to perform.", "contents": "Highly selective vagotomy using tantalum clips. A technique is described for performing highly selective vagotomy in cases of duodenal ulcer. Tantalum clips are used instead of conventional ligatures for securing the nerves and blood vessels that pass to the lesser curve of the stomach. With this technique the author has found the operation of highly selective vagotomy quicker and easier to perform.", "PMID": 638422} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11796", "title": "Peroperative grading of pyloric stenosis: a long term clinical and radiological follow-up of patients with severe pyloric stenosis treated by highly selective vagotomy and dilatation of the stricture.", "content": "Highly selective vagotomy (HSV) is now an accepted form of surgery for uncomplicated duodenal ulcer. Highly selective vagotomy and dilatation has been successfully used in some cases of pyloric stenosis, but many would regard severe pyloric stenosis as a contraindication to this procedure. Eleven patients with severe pyloric stenosis, measured objectively at operation, have been treated by HSV and dilatation of the stenosis and reviewed for periods of up to 3 years. The clinical results, immediate and long term, were good in all cases. Barium studies and histopathological findings were slower to return to normal. With intensive preoperative preparation to restore the tone of the dilated gastric muscle and gentle, controlled dilatation of the stricture, HSV in these patients should be as satisfactory as in those patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer.", "contents": "Peroperative grading of pyloric stenosis: a long term clinical and radiological follow-up of patients with severe pyloric stenosis treated by highly selective vagotomy and dilatation of the stricture. Highly selective vagotomy (HSV) is now an accepted form of surgery for uncomplicated duodenal ulcer. Highly selective vagotomy and dilatation has been successfully used in some cases of pyloric stenosis, but many would regard severe pyloric stenosis as a contraindication to this procedure. Eleven patients with severe pyloric stenosis, measured objectively at operation, have been treated by HSV and dilatation of the stenosis and reviewed for periods of up to 3 years. The clinical results, immediate and long term, were good in all cases. Barium studies and histopathological findings were slower to return to normal. With intensive preoperative preparation to restore the tone of the dilated gastric muscle and gentle, controlled dilatation of the stricture, HSV in these patients should be as satisfactory as in those patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer.", "PMID": 638423} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11797", "title": "Closure of gastrojejunostomy for the relief of post-vagotomy symptoms.", "content": "When dumping, diarrhoea or bile vomiting follows vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy, simple closure of the stoma, without alternative drainage, has been performed in 19 patients. Thirteen patients, 5 with truncal, 7 with selective and 1 with proximal gastric vagotomy, have been followed up for 1-6 years. Five were completely relieved of symptoms, 7 improved and there was only 1 complete failure. Bile vomiting was more often relieved than dumping or diarrhoea. The procedure is safe and significant gastric retention does not occur provided that at least one year is allowed to elaspse after the primary operation.", "contents": "Closure of gastrojejunostomy for the relief of post-vagotomy symptoms. When dumping, diarrhoea or bile vomiting follows vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy, simple closure of the stoma, without alternative drainage, has been performed in 19 patients. Thirteen patients, 5 with truncal, 7 with selective and 1 with proximal gastric vagotomy, have been followed up for 1-6 years. Five were completely relieved of symptoms, 7 improved and there was only 1 complete failure. Bile vomiting was more often relieved than dumping or diarrhoea. The procedure is safe and significant gastric retention does not occur provided that at least one year is allowed to elaspse after the primary operation.", "PMID": 638424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11798", "title": "The clinical significance of gallstones and their radiological investigation.", "content": "The symptoms of 122 patients with gallstones were correlated with the radiological findings. No specific indigestion was present which could be termed 'flatulent dyspepsia'. Sensitivity to fatty foods occurred in 69 per cent, heartburn in 42 per cent, regurgitation of of acidtasting or bitter fluid to the mouth in 31 per cent and increased passage of flatus from the stomach upwards in 38 per cent. If the gallbladder concentrated contrast medium or an oral cholecystogram but did not contract after a fatty meal, the patients suffered less heartburn than if the gall bladder functioned normally. However, since surgeons rarely perform a cholecystectomy for flatulent dyspepsia alone, knowlege of gallbladder function may be unnecessary.", "contents": "The clinical significance of gallstones and their radiological investigation. The symptoms of 122 patients with gallstones were correlated with the radiological findings. No specific indigestion was present which could be termed 'flatulent dyspepsia'. Sensitivity to fatty foods occurred in 69 per cent, heartburn in 42 per cent, regurgitation of of acidtasting or bitter fluid to the mouth in 31 per cent and increased passage of flatus from the stomach upwards in 38 per cent. If the gallbladder concentrated contrast medium or an oral cholecystogram but did not contract after a fatty meal, the patients suffered less heartburn than if the gall bladder functioned normally. However, since surgeons rarely perform a cholecystectomy for flatulent dyspepsia alone, knowlege of gallbladder function may be unnecessary.", "PMID": 638425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11799", "title": "Small bowel melaena: 2 cases diagnosed by angiography.", "content": "Two cases of small bowel tumour presenting with melaena are reported. Selective visceral arteriography was found to be invaluable in the management of these cases. The first case presented with intermittent bleeding causing anaemia. Conventional barium studies of the small and large bowel revealed no abnormality. Superior mesenteric angiography revealed a mass lesion in the jejunum, with features characteristic of a leiomyoma. The second case presented with massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Selective visceral angiography was performed initially and revealed a large, mainly avascular, mass lesion in the ileum. Pathological examination showed a leiomyoma which had undergone cystic degeneration. The value of selective angiography in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding is discussed..", "contents": "Small bowel melaena: 2 cases diagnosed by angiography. Two cases of small bowel tumour presenting with melaena are reported. Selective visceral arteriography was found to be invaluable in the management of these cases. The first case presented with intermittent bleeding causing anaemia. Conventional barium studies of the small and large bowel revealed no abnormality. Superior mesenteric angiography revealed a mass lesion in the jejunum, with features characteristic of a leiomyoma. The second case presented with massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Selective visceral angiography was performed initially and revealed a large, mainly avascular, mass lesion in the ileum. Pathological examination showed a leiomyoma which had undergone cystic degeneration. The value of selective angiography in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding is discussed..", "PMID": 638426} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11800", "title": "Vascular malformations of the parotid region.", "content": "Five adult patients with vascular malformations in the parotid region are described. Three of these patients had lumps in the parotid gland clinically indistinguishable from parotid tumours: one had a diffuse swelling of the check, and the fifth had a pulsatile tumour in the deep lobe of the gland. Two patients had a characteristic sign-the lump in the cheek became more obvious, both visually and on palpation, when the masseter muscle was tensed. In 3 of the patients calcified opacities, resembling phleboliths, were demonstrated on plain X-ray examination. This is only the third report of vascular malformations of the parotid region in the British literature; no other report of a pulsating tumour within the parotid gland has been found in a search of the world literature.", "contents": "Vascular malformations of the parotid region. Five adult patients with vascular malformations in the parotid region are described. Three of these patients had lumps in the parotid gland clinically indistinguishable from parotid tumours: one had a diffuse swelling of the check, and the fifth had a pulsatile tumour in the deep lobe of the gland. Two patients had a characteristic sign-the lump in the cheek became more obvious, both visually and on palpation, when the masseter muscle was tensed. In 3 of the patients calcified opacities, resembling phleboliths, were demonstrated on plain X-ray examination. This is only the third report of vascular malformations of the parotid region in the British literature; no other report of a pulsating tumour within the parotid gland has been found in a search of the world literature.", "PMID": 638427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11801", "title": "Transection of the trachea secondary to blunt trauma.", "content": "Tracheal injuries secondary to blunt trauma are not common and complete tracheal transection is even more unusual. Because the incidence of these treatable, but often lethal, injuries is increasing, more surgeons will encounter them. A report of the treatment of a case of tracheal transection due to blunt trauma with emphasis on avoiding unnecessary tracheostomy is presented, with a review of the literature.", "contents": "Transection of the trachea secondary to blunt trauma. Tracheal injuries secondary to blunt trauma are not common and complete tracheal transection is even more unusual. Because the incidence of these treatable, but often lethal, injuries is increasing, more surgeons will encounter them. A report of the treatment of a case of tracheal transection due to blunt trauma with emphasis on avoiding unnecessary tracheostomy is presented, with a review of the literature.", "PMID": 638428} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11802", "title": "Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve.", "content": "Two cases of a right non-recurrent nerve were encountered in 203 thyroidectomies. In its abnormal, non-recurrent course the nerve passes transversely from under the carotid sheath and takes a position which is at right-angles to the normal recurrent laryngeal nerve.", "contents": "Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve. Two cases of a right non-recurrent nerve were encountered in 203 thyroidectomies. In its abnormal, non-recurrent course the nerve passes transversely from under the carotid sheath and takes a position which is at right-angles to the normal recurrent laryngeal nerve.", "PMID": 638429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11803", "title": "An assessment of the accuracy of modern endoscopic diagnosis of oesophageal stricture.", "content": "The results of 135 fibreoptic endoscopic examinations of oesophageal strictures carried out in a district general hospital are reported. The endoscopic diagnosis was correct in 90 per cent, uncertain in 3 per cent and incorrect in 7 per cent of these cases. This study indicates that endoscopic examination should include tissue sampling; this not only allows a precise tissue diagnosis to be made but also is shown to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Tissue sampling should include cytological as well as histological material. Analysis of cases of stricture correctly diagnosed has shown that target biopsy and brush cytology each makes a significant contribution to diagnosis. The routine collection of cytological specimens in addition to the more commonly obtained histological specimens in addition to the more commonly obtained histological speciments is strongly advocated. The natural history of malignant oesophageal strictures in this study is reviewd. The mean survival in 58 cases was 6.9 months.", "contents": "An assessment of the accuracy of modern endoscopic diagnosis of oesophageal stricture. The results of 135 fibreoptic endoscopic examinations of oesophageal strictures carried out in a district general hospital are reported. The endoscopic diagnosis was correct in 90 per cent, uncertain in 3 per cent and incorrect in 7 per cent of these cases. This study indicates that endoscopic examination should include tissue sampling; this not only allows a precise tissue diagnosis to be made but also is shown to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Tissue sampling should include cytological as well as histological material. Analysis of cases of stricture correctly diagnosed has shown that target biopsy and brush cytology each makes a significant contribution to diagnosis. The routine collection of cytological specimens in addition to the more commonly obtained histological specimens in addition to the more commonly obtained histological speciments is strongly advocated. The natural history of malignant oesophageal strictures in this study is reviewd. The mean survival in 58 cases was 6.9 months.", "PMID": 638430} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11804", "title": "Tuberculous fistula between the 5th lumbar vertebra and the colon presenting as a left thigh abscess.", "content": "An abscess of the left thigh due to a fistula between a tuberculous 5th lumbar vertebra, the sigmoid colon and the muscles and subcutaneous tissues of the left thigh is described. This appears to be a unique occurrence and was only diagnosed at post-mortem. The treatment and diagnosis are discussed.", "contents": "Tuberculous fistula between the 5th lumbar vertebra and the colon presenting as a left thigh abscess. An abscess of the left thigh due to a fistula between a tuberculous 5th lumbar vertebra, the sigmoid colon and the muscles and subcutaneous tissues of the left thigh is described. This appears to be a unique occurrence and was only diagnosed at post-mortem. The treatment and diagnosis are discussed.", "PMID": 638431} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11805", "title": "Cell viability studies on the exfoliated colonic cancer cell.", "content": "Suspensions of desquamated colonic cancer cells were obtained from patients with cancer of the large bowel by colonic exfoliative cytology and from resected specimens of colonic cancer by an exfoliative technique. In addition, a tumor suspension was obtained from the resected specimens. Cell viability studies were performed on these cell suspensions. Whereas 23 of the 25 tumour homogenate cell suspensions were shown to exclude trypan blue, none of the exfoliated colonic cancer cell suspensions had viable cells. This finding would cast some doubt on the hypothesis that suture line recurrence following large bowel cancer surgery is due to the implantation of cells desquamated from the surface of the growth.", "contents": "Cell viability studies on the exfoliated colonic cancer cell. Suspensions of desquamated colonic cancer cells were obtained from patients with cancer of the large bowel by colonic exfoliative cytology and from resected specimens of colonic cancer by an exfoliative technique. In addition, a tumor suspension was obtained from the resected specimens. Cell viability studies were performed on these cell suspensions. Whereas 23 of the 25 tumour homogenate cell suspensions were shown to exclude trypan blue, none of the exfoliated colonic cancer cell suspensions had viable cells. This finding would cast some doubt on the hypothesis that suture line recurrence following large bowel cancer surgery is due to the implantation of cells desquamated from the surface of the growth.", "PMID": 638432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11806", "title": "The patient's opinion of day care vein surgery.", "content": "A questionnaire was sent to 181 patients whose varicose veins had been operated on as day cases. A good response was obtained that showed that day care was generally acceptable except in those cases requiring multiple incisions or stripping.", "contents": "The patient's opinion of day care vein surgery. A questionnaire was sent to 181 patients whose varicose veins had been operated on as day cases. A good response was obtained that showed that day care was generally acceptable except in those cases requiring multiple incisions or stripping.", "PMID": 638433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11807", "title": "The importance of plasma lipid, glucose, insulin and fibrinogen in femoropopliteal surgery.", "content": "Fasting blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose insulin and fibrinogen were measured preoperatively in 44 patients who had reconstructive operations for occlusive disease in the femoral and popliteal arteries. Comparison of these preoperative biochemical measurements with the results of surgery over a 4-year period indicated that failure was associated with significantly higher mean preoperative levels of both glucose (P less than 0.01) and fibrinogen (P less than 0.01). High fasting blood glucose was associated with early failure (occlusion between 3 and 12 months) and high plasma fibronogen was associated with late failure (occlusion between 1 and 4 years). The results of operation were not influenced significantly by preoperative blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride or insulin.", "contents": "The importance of plasma lipid, glucose, insulin and fibrinogen in femoropopliteal surgery. Fasting blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose insulin and fibrinogen were measured preoperatively in 44 patients who had reconstructive operations for occlusive disease in the femoral and popliteal arteries. Comparison of these preoperative biochemical measurements with the results of surgery over a 4-year period indicated that failure was associated with significantly higher mean preoperative levels of both glucose (P less than 0.01) and fibrinogen (P less than 0.01). High fasting blood glucose was associated with early failure (occlusion between 3 and 12 months) and high plasma fibronogen was associated with late failure (occlusion between 1 and 4 years). The results of operation were not influenced significantly by preoperative blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride or insulin.", "PMID": 638434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11808", "title": "The bruit-occlusion test: a clinical method for localizing arterial stenosis.", "content": "The bruit-occlusion test is accomplished by listening to a bruit whilst occluding and releasing an efferent artery, e.g. bruit in the groin, occluding the superficial femoral artery. If the bruit disappears, that efferent artery is stenosed. Changes in intensity of the bruit imply stenosis in the parent or alternate efferent vessels. The test is useful in the follow-up of aortofemoral and particularly femoropopliteal vein grafts. It can be applied in the abdomen and neck. This simple manoeuvre can be added to a vascular examination whenever a bruit is discovered. It often allows specific anatomical diagnosis and can be more reliable than arteriography.", "contents": "The bruit-occlusion test: a clinical method for localizing arterial stenosis. The bruit-occlusion test is accomplished by listening to a bruit whilst occluding and releasing an efferent artery, e.g. bruit in the groin, occluding the superficial femoral artery. If the bruit disappears, that efferent artery is stenosed. Changes in intensity of the bruit imply stenosis in the parent or alternate efferent vessels. The test is useful in the follow-up of aortofemoral and particularly femoropopliteal vein grafts. It can be applied in the abdomen and neck. This simple manoeuvre can be added to a vascular examination whenever a bruit is discovered. It often allows specific anatomical diagnosis and can be more reliable than arteriography.", "PMID": 638435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11809", "title": "The mechanism of calf claudication: studies of simultaneous clearance of 99Tcm from the calf and thigh.", "content": "Simultaneous clearance of 99Tcm from the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles has been studied in 74 limbs of 62 patients with claudication and in 20 normal limbs of 15 volunteers. The local decay curve for 10 min at rest and for 20 min after a 3-min treadmill walk at 4.5 km/h was recorded. The changes in blood flow which occurred after exercise were characteristic of the arteriographic lesions and they explain the haemodynamics of claudication.", "contents": "The mechanism of calf claudication: studies of simultaneous clearance of 99Tcm from the calf and thigh. Simultaneous clearance of 99Tcm from the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles has been studied in 74 limbs of 62 patients with claudication and in 20 normal limbs of 15 volunteers. The local decay curve for 10 min at rest and for 20 min after a 3-min treadmill walk at 4.5 km/h was recorded. The changes in blood flow which occurred after exercise were characteristic of the arteriographic lesions and they explain the haemodynamics of claudication.", "PMID": 638436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11810", "title": "Intermittent claudication in the foot and Buerger's disease.", "content": "The objective of this investigation was to study the pathogenesis of intermittent claudication in the foot and to determine whether it could be used as a diagnostic manifestation of Buerger's disease. In 30 limbs with foot claudication and 20 limbs without foot claudication, systolic pressures at various levels of the leg were measured by a photoelectric technique, and the significance of collateral circulation in the foot on the development of claudication was studied. Although there was a significant difference between blood pressures at the foot and toe, considerable overlapping was seen between the two groups. This finding might indicate that muscle circulatory insufficiency in limbs with foot claudication results from occlusion of the nutrient arteries supplying the plantar muscles as well as poor collateral circulation in the foot. Hospital records of 48 patients with foot claudication were reviewed and the question of whether these patients could be diagnosed as having Buerger's disease was discussed. On the basis of clinical findings and arteriographic appearances, the diagnosis of Buerger's disease was made in all patients except one with hypercholesteraemia. From the results obtained here, foot claudication could be considered to be almost specific to Buerger's disease and a useful guide in the clinical diagnosis of this disease.", "contents": "Intermittent claudication in the foot and Buerger's disease. The objective of this investigation was to study the pathogenesis of intermittent claudication in the foot and to determine whether it could be used as a diagnostic manifestation of Buerger's disease. In 30 limbs with foot claudication and 20 limbs without foot claudication, systolic pressures at various levels of the leg were measured by a photoelectric technique, and the significance of collateral circulation in the foot on the development of claudication was studied. Although there was a significant difference between blood pressures at the foot and toe, considerable overlapping was seen between the two groups. This finding might indicate that muscle circulatory insufficiency in limbs with foot claudication results from occlusion of the nutrient arteries supplying the plantar muscles as well as poor collateral circulation in the foot. Hospital records of 48 patients with foot claudication were reviewed and the question of whether these patients could be diagnosed as having Buerger's disease was discussed. On the basis of clinical findings and arteriographic appearances, the diagnosis of Buerger's disease was made in all patients except one with hypercholesteraemia. From the results obtained here, foot claudication could be considered to be almost specific to Buerger's disease and a useful guide in the clinical diagnosis of this disease.", "PMID": 638437} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11811", "title": "Two cases of giant intestinal gas cyst.", "content": "Large gas cysts of the colon are uncommon and only some 30 cases have been reported (Moss, 1975). They usually arise from the sigmoid colon and are always associated with diverticular disease (Schenken and Cochran, 1972). In view of their rarity, 2 further cases with different presenting factors are discussed.", "contents": "Two cases of giant intestinal gas cyst. Large gas cysts of the colon are uncommon and only some 30 cases have been reported (Moss, 1975). They usually arise from the sigmoid colon and are always associated with diverticular disease (Schenken and Cochran, 1972). In view of their rarity, 2 further cases with different presenting factors are discussed.", "PMID": 638438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11812", "title": "Meconium ileus equivalent an adult: a case report.", "content": "A case is described of meconium ileus equivalent presenting as a small bowel obstruction in an adult patient with cystic fibrosis. The importance of conservative management with acetylcysteine and intravenous fluids is emphasized.", "contents": "Meconium ileus equivalent an adult: a case report. A case is described of meconium ileus equivalent presenting as a small bowel obstruction in an adult patient with cystic fibrosis. The importance of conservative management with acetylcysteine and intravenous fluids is emphasized.", "PMID": 638439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11813", "title": "The nature of hypocalcaemia in acute pancreatitis.", "content": "A retrospective and prospective study was made of 82 attacks of acute pancreatitis occurring in 80 patients. Attacks were defined as mild (55) or severe (27) according to clinical criteria. Severe attacks were associated with significantly low levels of uncorrected calcium and calculated ionized calcium, both at the time of admission and 48 h later. Patients with severe attacks were found to have lower levels of parathyroid hormone than either those with mild attacks or other patients who had undergone an abdominal operation. These results indicate that severe pancreatitis is associated with true hypocalcaemia, and that deficiency of circulating parathyroid hormone may be a factor in its production.", "contents": "The nature of hypocalcaemia in acute pancreatitis. A retrospective and prospective study was made of 82 attacks of acute pancreatitis occurring in 80 patients. Attacks were defined as mild (55) or severe (27) according to clinical criteria. Severe attacks were associated with significantly low levels of uncorrected calcium and calculated ionized calcium, both at the time of admission and 48 h later. Patients with severe attacks were found to have lower levels of parathyroid hormone than either those with mild attacks or other patients who had undergone an abdominal operation. These results indicate that severe pancreatitis is associated with true hypocalcaemia, and that deficiency of circulating parathyroid hormone may be a factor in its production.", "PMID": 638440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11814", "title": "Cushing's syndrome: 20 years after adrenalectomy.", "content": "The long term results (over 20 years) of our first 13 patients treated by adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome are described. Twelve survived operation and 5 of these died within 5 years, but thereafter the expectation of life of the treated patients was similar to that of the general population. At 20 years 7 patients were alive and 6 were well. If modern therapeutic measures to control adrenocortical function before operation has been available 20 years ago, some of the early deaths might have been prevented.", "contents": "Cushing's syndrome: 20 years after adrenalectomy. The long term results (over 20 years) of our first 13 patients treated by adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome are described. Twelve survived operation and 5 of these died within 5 years, but thereafter the expectation of life of the treated patients was similar to that of the general population. At 20 years 7 patients were alive and 6 were well. If modern therapeutic measures to control adrenocortical function before operation has been available 20 years ago, some of the early deaths might have been prevented.", "PMID": 638441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11815", "title": "Inhibition of aldosterone response to surgery by saline administration.", "content": "The renin-angiotensin system, ACTH and hyperkalaemia are known to induce increased plasma levels of aldosterone. In order to assess the relative significance of these mechanisms during surgical stress, aldosterone, cortisol and electrolytes in plasma were measured in 12 otherwise healthy women during and after cholecystectomy. The patients received either isotonic sodium chloride or 5 per cent glucose in water during the experimental period of 22 h. The results showed that the pronounced increase of aldosterone and the concomitant decrease of sodium in plasma found in patients given glucose in water could almost be inhibited by the administration of saline. Cortisol and potassium concentrations were identical in the two groups of subjects. It is concluded that the aldosterone response to surgery is mainly mediated via the renin-angiotensin system. This response is probably due to a reduced sodium content or volume of extracellular fluid, since it could almost be inhibited by administration of sodium chloride. The rationale of saline restriction during and after surgery is questioned.", "contents": "Inhibition of aldosterone response to surgery by saline administration. The renin-angiotensin system, ACTH and hyperkalaemia are known to induce increased plasma levels of aldosterone. In order to assess the relative significance of these mechanisms during surgical stress, aldosterone, cortisol and electrolytes in plasma were measured in 12 otherwise healthy women during and after cholecystectomy. The patients received either isotonic sodium chloride or 5 per cent glucose in water during the experimental period of 22 h. The results showed that the pronounced increase of aldosterone and the concomitant decrease of sodium in plasma found in patients given glucose in water could almost be inhibited by the administration of saline. Cortisol and potassium concentrations were identical in the two groups of subjects. It is concluded that the aldosterone response to surgery is mainly mediated via the renin-angiotensin system. This response is probably due to a reduced sodium content or volume of extracellular fluid, since it could almost be inhibited by administration of sodium chloride. The rationale of saline restriction during and after surgery is questioned.", "PMID": 638442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11816", "title": "Anorexia nervosa and Crohn's disease.", "content": "Two cases of anorexia nervosa who were subsequently found to have Crohn's disease are presented. The difficulties in determining whether they had anorexia nervosa and Crohn's disease concomitantly or whether the Crohn's disease alone was responsible for their condition are discussed without definite conclusion. The importance of excluding occult organic disease before assuming a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is stressed.", "contents": "Anorexia nervosa and Crohn's disease. Two cases of anorexia nervosa who were subsequently found to have Crohn's disease are presented. The difficulties in determining whether they had anorexia nervosa and Crohn's disease concomitantly or whether the Crohn's disease alone was responsible for their condition are discussed without definite conclusion. The importance of excluding occult organic disease before assuming a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is stressed.", "PMID": 638443} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11817", "title": "Cure of intractable watery diarrhoea by excision of a vipoma.", "content": "A 56-year-old man suffered unexplained watery diarrhoea for 5 years which ultimately produced quadraparesis due to serve potassium depletion. All investigations were negative until demonstration of elevated plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) indicated the presence of a vipoma. Removal of the VIP-producing tumour tissue--an adrenal ganglioneuroma--resulted in complete cure. Plasma VIP measurement is thus a valuable diagnostic screen in such cases and can be used to predict prognosis and to guide further therapy.", "contents": "Cure of intractable watery diarrhoea by excision of a vipoma. A 56-year-old man suffered unexplained watery diarrhoea for 5 years which ultimately produced quadraparesis due to serve potassium depletion. All investigations were negative until demonstration of elevated plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) indicated the presence of a vipoma. Removal of the VIP-producing tumour tissue--an adrenal ganglioneuroma--resulted in complete cure. Plasma VIP measurement is thus a valuable diagnostic screen in such cases and can be used to predict prognosis and to guide further therapy.", "PMID": 638444} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11818", "title": "Postoperative recurrence of hydatid disease.", "content": "Since larval scolices of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus are capable of developing in vivo into mature hydatid cysts in the human intermediate host, operative spillage of cyst contents can lead to local regrowth of hydatid cysts after a suitable interval. The overall rate of postoperative recurrence of hydatid cysts of soft tissue organs in 106 patients, followed-up from 6 months to 3 years, was 11.3 per cent. Both host and parasite factors determine recurrence. Serosal and surgical wound surfaces, unlike mucosal surfaces, provide fertile ground for the development of implanted scolices into hydatid cysts. No correlation was found between the size of removed cysts and postoperative recurrence. The risk of recurrence and associated morbidity was highest in patients with multiple intra-abdominal cysts. Certain technical problems increase the chance of inadvertent operative rupture and spillage of cyst contents, with subsequent regrowth of cysts. Routine measures against operative spillage of hydatid fluid are mandatory, but the actual method of surgical treatment must be individualized for every case.", "contents": "Postoperative recurrence of hydatid disease. Since larval scolices of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus are capable of developing in vivo into mature hydatid cysts in the human intermediate host, operative spillage of cyst contents can lead to local regrowth of hydatid cysts after a suitable interval. The overall rate of postoperative recurrence of hydatid cysts of soft tissue organs in 106 patients, followed-up from 6 months to 3 years, was 11.3 per cent. Both host and parasite factors determine recurrence. Serosal and surgical wound surfaces, unlike mucosal surfaces, provide fertile ground for the development of implanted scolices into hydatid cysts. No correlation was found between the size of removed cysts and postoperative recurrence. The risk of recurrence and associated morbidity was highest in patients with multiple intra-abdominal cysts. Certain technical problems increase the chance of inadvertent operative rupture and spillage of cyst contents, with subsequent regrowth of cysts. Routine measures against operative spillage of hydatid fluid are mandatory, but the actual method of surgical treatment must be individualized for every case.", "PMID": 638445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11819", "title": "Acute non-calculous cholecystitis in burns.", "content": "Seven burned patients developed acute cholecystitis within 10-37 days of injury, associated with jaundice in 5. There were 6 males and 1 female, with 5 patients aged 28-40 years, the others being 56 and 69 years. Cholecystectomy was performed in all patients with 1 death. It is suggested that the cause of post-burn cholecystitis is traumatic and septic shock with consequent biliary stasis.", "contents": "Acute non-calculous cholecystitis in burns. Seven burned patients developed acute cholecystitis within 10-37 days of injury, associated with jaundice in 5. There were 6 males and 1 female, with 5 patients aged 28-40 years, the others being 56 and 69 years. Cholecystectomy was performed in all patients with 1 death. It is suggested that the cause of post-burn cholecystitis is traumatic and septic shock with consequent biliary stasis.", "PMID": 638446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11820", "title": "The selective use of combined supraduodenal and transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct.", "content": "The results of combined supraduodenal and transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct in 42 selected cases are presented. The indications for this operation were: the presence of multiple calculi in the common bile duct; stones impacted in the ampullary region; residual stones in the common bile duct following previous surgery on the biliary tract; stricture at the papilla and pancreatitis associated with cholelithiasis. After the procedure no patient had residual stones in the common bile duct. Serious complications were infrequent; there were no postoperative deaths and post-operative pancreatitis occurred in only one patient.", "contents": "The selective use of combined supraduodenal and transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct. The results of combined supraduodenal and transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct in 42 selected cases are presented. The indications for this operation were: the presence of multiple calculi in the common bile duct; stones impacted in the ampullary region; residual stones in the common bile duct following previous surgery on the biliary tract; stricture at the papilla and pancreatitis associated with cholelithiasis. After the procedure no patient had residual stones in the common bile duct. Serious complications were infrequent; there were no postoperative deaths and post-operative pancreatitis occurred in only one patient.", "PMID": 638447} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11821", "title": "The treatment of haemobilia.", "content": "This paper describes 4 cases of haemobilia. The use of hepatic arterial ligation in its management is discussed. Attention is drawn to the raised serum amylase level in the 2 patients in whom it was measured.", "contents": "The treatment of haemobilia. This paper describes 4 cases of haemobilia. The use of hepatic arterial ligation in its management is discussed. Attention is drawn to the raised serum amylase level in the 2 patients in whom it was measured.", "PMID": 638448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11822", "title": "The use of endoscopy in the surgical treatment of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome.", "content": "Fibreoptic endoscopy has provided a new dimension in the diagnosis and management of oesophageal and upper gastrointestinal disorders. Its value as an aid to surgery of the lower oesophagus is demonstrated in a case of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome.", "contents": "The use of endoscopy in the surgical treatment of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Fibreoptic endoscopy has provided a new dimension in the diagnosis and management of oesophageal and upper gastrointestinal disorders. Its value as an aid to surgery of the lower oesophagus is demonstrated in a case of the Mallory-Weiss syndrome.", "PMID": 638449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11823", "title": "Oesophageal resection with cervical oesophagogastrostomy for corrosive oesophageal stricture.", "content": "An 8-year experience of the surgical treatment of 28 patients with corrosive oesophageal stricture is reviewed. Eight patients underwent oesophageal bypass using colonic or jejunal graft with one death (12.5 per cent mortality). The single death (5 per cent mortality) among 20 patients undergoing oesophageal resection was not related to the technical difficulty of the operation. In 17 of these patients reconstruction was by cervical oesophagogastrostomy and in 2 by pharyngogastrostomy. One case of oesophageal carcinoma occurred among 5 cases of corrosive stricture exceeding 20 years in duration. Oesophageal resection for severe corrosive stricture is not a hazardous procedure as generally believed and is desirable in view of the pre-malignant nature of corrosive stricture. Reconstruction by cervical oesophagogastrostomy after oesophageal resection is advantageous because of its relative simplicity and safety.", "contents": "Oesophageal resection with cervical oesophagogastrostomy for corrosive oesophageal stricture. An 8-year experience of the surgical treatment of 28 patients with corrosive oesophageal stricture is reviewed. Eight patients underwent oesophageal bypass using colonic or jejunal graft with one death (12.5 per cent mortality). The single death (5 per cent mortality) among 20 patients undergoing oesophageal resection was not related to the technical difficulty of the operation. In 17 of these patients reconstruction was by cervical oesophagogastrostomy and in 2 by pharyngogastrostomy. One case of oesophageal carcinoma occurred among 5 cases of corrosive stricture exceeding 20 years in duration. Oesophageal resection for severe corrosive stricture is not a hazardous procedure as generally believed and is desirable in view of the pre-malignant nature of corrosive stricture. Reconstruction by cervical oesophagogastrostomy after oesophageal resection is advantageous because of its relative simplicity and safety.", "PMID": 638450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11824", "title": "Fibrinolytic activity in the vein wall after surgery.", "content": "The fibrinolytic system, including the fibrinolytic activator activity of vein wall and fibrinolytic activity in blood after venous occlusion, was analysed in 43 patients before and on the third day after operation. Twenty-two of the patients underwent abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum and 21 had a cholecystectomy. The incidence of postoperative thrombosis was asssessed by means of the isotope method and phlebography. The results indicate that a decrease in fibrinolytic activity of the vein wall and/or in the release of fibrinolytic activator from the vein wall is a regular postoperative phenomenon, especially after major surgery. Malignant tumour of the rectum did not have any depressing effect on the fibrinolytic activator. All the patients with thrombosis after operation had a postoperative fibrinolytic defect of the vein wall compared with about 60 per cent of the other patients. It is concluded that postoperative changes in the parameters studied might be of significance for the development of thrombosis after operation.", "contents": "Fibrinolytic activity in the vein wall after surgery. The fibrinolytic system, including the fibrinolytic activator activity of vein wall and fibrinolytic activity in blood after venous occlusion, was analysed in 43 patients before and on the third day after operation. Twenty-two of the patients underwent abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum and 21 had a cholecystectomy. The incidence of postoperative thrombosis was asssessed by means of the isotope method and phlebography. The results indicate that a decrease in fibrinolytic activity of the vein wall and/or in the release of fibrinolytic activator from the vein wall is a regular postoperative phenomenon, especially after major surgery. Malignant tumour of the rectum did not have any depressing effect on the fibrinolytic activator. All the patients with thrombosis after operation had a postoperative fibrinolytic defect of the vein wall compared with about 60 per cent of the other patients. It is concluded that postoperative changes in the parameters studied might be of significance for the development of thrombosis after operation.", "PMID": 638451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11825", "title": "The assessment of aorto-iliac disease by static isotope angiology.", "content": "In 48 patients with severe claudication isotope images of the aortofemoral arteries have been assessed for the severity of disease in 417 anatomical segments and compared with arteriography. An overall correlation of 80 per cent was found; 87 per cent of patent and 76 per cent of occluded segments were correctly identified, but only 68 and 54 per cent of segments with minor and major disease respectively. Underestimation of disease occurred in only 6 per cent.", "contents": "The assessment of aorto-iliac disease by static isotope angiology. In 48 patients with severe claudication isotope images of the aortofemoral arteries have been assessed for the severity of disease in 417 anatomical segments and compared with arteriography. An overall correlation of 80 per cent was found; 87 per cent of patent and 76 per cent of occluded segments were correctly identified, but only 68 and 54 per cent of segments with minor and major disease respectively. Underestimation of disease occurred in only 6 per cent.", "PMID": 638452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11826", "title": "The effect of smoking on the late patency of arterial reconstructions in the legs.", "content": "In a retrospective study of 217 patients, smoking habits were related to the late patency rates of arterial reconstructions performed for ischaemia of the legs. Patients who had stopped smoking or who smoked no more than 5 cigarettes per day after the operation had late patency rates of approximately 90 per cent for aortofemoral reconstructions and 80 per cent for femoropopliteal vein grafts. Patients who continued to smoke more than 5 cigarettes per day were approximately three times more likely to block an aortofemoral reconstruction and four times more likely to block a femoropopliteal vein graft. The results were similar for males and females, for various age groups, for claudicants and patients with severe ischaemia and for aortofemoral endarterectomy and Dacron grafts. The late patency rate was approximately inversely proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day after the operation. There was no such correlation with the number smoked per day before the operation.", "contents": "The effect of smoking on the late patency of arterial reconstructions in the legs. In a retrospective study of 217 patients, smoking habits were related to the late patency rates of arterial reconstructions performed for ischaemia of the legs. Patients who had stopped smoking or who smoked no more than 5 cigarettes per day after the operation had late patency rates of approximately 90 per cent for aortofemoral reconstructions and 80 per cent for femoropopliteal vein grafts. Patients who continued to smoke more than 5 cigarettes per day were approximately three times more likely to block an aortofemoral reconstruction and four times more likely to block a femoropopliteal vein graft. The results were similar for males and females, for various age groups, for claudicants and patients with severe ischaemia and for aortofemoral endarterectomy and Dacron grafts. The late patency rate was approximately inversely proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day after the operation. There was no such correlation with the number smoked per day before the operation.", "PMID": 638453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11827", "title": "Assessment of suture materials for intestinal use by an extramucosal implant technique and a quantitative histological evaluation.", "content": "Six suture materials, 5 of which are in common use for intestinal suture, were implanted in the small and large bowel of the rabbit, and thereafter the durability of their tensile strength and the histological reaction produced were assessed at standard times over 64 days. Absorbable sutures (catgut and polyglycolic acid) lose strength too rapidly to provide reliable sole support, though the synthetic absorbable produces only a slight reaction. Non-absorbables maintain their strength. Only minor differences exist between the reactions produced by different non-absorbables. Other considerations such as handling characteristics or the results of clinical work should be borne in mind in the selection of the optimum suture material.", "contents": "Assessment of suture materials for intestinal use by an extramucosal implant technique and a quantitative histological evaluation. Six suture materials, 5 of which are in common use for intestinal suture, were implanted in the small and large bowel of the rabbit, and thereafter the durability of their tensile strength and the histological reaction produced were assessed at standard times over 64 days. Absorbable sutures (catgut and polyglycolic acid) lose strength too rapidly to provide reliable sole support, though the synthetic absorbable produces only a slight reaction. Non-absorbables maintain their strength. Only minor differences exist between the reactions produced by different non-absorbables. Other considerations such as handling characteristics or the results of clinical work should be borne in mind in the selection of the optimum suture material.", "PMID": 638456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11828", "title": "Clinical course and outcome of pregnancies in amenorrhoeic women with hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary tumors.", "content": "Seventeen term pregnancies occurred in 14 amenorrhoeic women with hyperprolactinaemia and radiological evidence of pituitary tumour. The abortion rate was high (32%). All but one of the term pregnancies occurred after ovulation-inducing treatment with human gonadotrophins and bromocriptine (four and 12 pregnancies respectively). Two of the 14 women had visual complications during pregnancy, but neither had serious residual visual impairment. Two patients had possible pituitary enlargement during pregnancy.Bromocriptine may be the most suitable primary treatment for many infertile women with prolactin-secreting tumours. Tumour complications during pregnancy are a definite risk, but most pregnancies went uneventfully to term. Patients with pituitary tumour should be carefully evaluated before starting ovulation-inducing treatment with bromocriptine alone, and they should be told of the possible risks and of the advantages and disadvantages of pretreatment with irradiation or surgery. Patients should be carefully monitored during pregnancy and have their visual fields checked frequently. If visual complications due to tumour enlargement occur during a pregnancy, reinstituting bromocriptine may be the treatment of choice. If this fails, other forms of treatment such as induction of labour, high-dose corticosteroid treatment, pituitary implantation of yttrium-90, or surgery may be effective.", "contents": "Clinical course and outcome of pregnancies in amenorrhoeic women with hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary tumors. Seventeen term pregnancies occurred in 14 amenorrhoeic women with hyperprolactinaemia and radiological evidence of pituitary tumour. The abortion rate was high (32%). All but one of the term pregnancies occurred after ovulation-inducing treatment with human gonadotrophins and bromocriptine (four and 12 pregnancies respectively). Two of the 14 women had visual complications during pregnancy, but neither had serious residual visual impairment. Two patients had possible pituitary enlargement during pregnancy.Bromocriptine may be the most suitable primary treatment for many infertile women with prolactin-secreting tumours. Tumour complications during pregnancy are a definite risk, but most pregnancies went uneventfully to term. Patients with pituitary tumour should be carefully evaluated before starting ovulation-inducing treatment with bromocriptine alone, and they should be told of the possible risks and of the advantages and disadvantages of pretreatment with irradiation or surgery. Patients should be carefully monitored during pregnancy and have their visual fields checked frequently. If visual complications due to tumour enlargement occur during a pregnancy, reinstituting bromocriptine may be the treatment of choice. If this fails, other forms of treatment such as induction of labour, high-dose corticosteroid treatment, pituitary implantation of yttrium-90, or surgery may be effective.", "PMID": 638504} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11829", "title": "Interrelation of age, obesity, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure in hypertensive patients.", "content": "The relations between age, obesity, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure were investigated in 637 men and 835 women who had attended the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic with untreated hypertension. In contrast to results of population surveys of mainly normotensive people no relation was found between cigarette consumption and either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, contrary to results of epidemiological studies a relation between adiposity and blood pressure was found in only male non-smokers. Thus the relations established for largely normotensive populations do not apply to hypertensive patients.", "contents": "Interrelation of age, obesity, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The relations between age, obesity, cigarette smoking, and blood pressure were investigated in 637 men and 835 women who had attended the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic with untreated hypertension. In contrast to results of population surveys of mainly normotensive people no relation was found between cigarette consumption and either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, contrary to results of epidemiological studies a relation between adiposity and blood pressure was found in only male non-smokers. Thus the relations established for largely normotensive populations do not apply to hypertensive patients.", "PMID": 638505} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11830", "title": "Place of ultrasound and radiography in obstetrics.", "content": "In the two years after an ultrasound service was introduced at this hospital obstetric referrals for abdominal radiography decreased by over 55%. Most of these were for estimation of fetal maturity. Out of 349 such patients subjected to radiography in 1976, 176 had already been examined by ultrasound; in only four did radiography appear to influence management. We believe that if a satisfactory ultrasound scan is obtained before 30 weeks of gestation subsequent radiological estimation of fetal maturity is unjustified. Radiography may still be necessary, however, for diagnosing fetal abnormalities.", "contents": "Place of ultrasound and radiography in obstetrics. In the two years after an ultrasound service was introduced at this hospital obstetric referrals for abdominal radiography decreased by over 55%. Most of these were for estimation of fetal maturity. Out of 349 such patients subjected to radiography in 1976, 176 had already been examined by ultrasound; in only four did radiography appear to influence management. We believe that if a satisfactory ultrasound scan is obtained before 30 weeks of gestation subsequent radiological estimation of fetal maturity is unjustified. Radiography may still be necessary, however, for diagnosing fetal abnormalities.", "PMID": 638506} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11831", "title": "Lung function in asthmatic children after year or more without symptoms or treatment.", "content": "Lung function was examined in 24 children who for a year or more had not received treatment for asthma or had any asthmatic symptoms. Although clinical recovery from asthma was apparent, increased bronchial smooth-muscle tone remained present, which probably renders such children susceptible to obstructive lung disease in adult life. These children should be given guidance on treatment of their symptoms and instructed in preventive measures.", "contents": "Lung function in asthmatic children after year or more without symptoms or treatment. Lung function was examined in 24 children who for a year or more had not received treatment for asthma or had any asthmatic symptoms. Although clinical recovery from asthma was apparent, increased bronchial smooth-muscle tone remained present, which probably renders such children susceptible to obstructive lung disease in adult life. These children should be given guidance on treatment of their symptoms and instructed in preventive measures.", "PMID": 638507} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11832", "title": "Intellectual impairment in chronic renal failure.", "content": "In a dialysis centre with a high tap water aluminium content and a known high incidence of dialysis encephalopathy, 29 patients undertaking regular home dialysis, without clinical evidence of encephalopathy, were studied with a battery of psychological tests that have proved useful in detecting early organic intellectual deterioration in other conditions. Full-scale intelligence quotient, as measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, did not differ significantly from that of the normal population, but the patients showed significant deficiencies in three tests of performance--namely, digit symbol, block design, and picture arrangement. The ability to acquire new information in relation to performance was impaired and the abnormality increased with time on dialysis. Such tests should be useful in early detection of dialysis dementia at a reversible stage.", "contents": "Intellectual impairment in chronic renal failure. In a dialysis centre with a high tap water aluminium content and a known high incidence of dialysis encephalopathy, 29 patients undertaking regular home dialysis, without clinical evidence of encephalopathy, were studied with a battery of psychological tests that have proved useful in detecting early organic intellectual deterioration in other conditions. Full-scale intelligence quotient, as measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, did not differ significantly from that of the normal population, but the patients showed significant deficiencies in three tests of performance--namely, digit symbol, block design, and picture arrangement. The ability to acquire new information in relation to performance was impaired and the abnormality increased with time on dialysis. Such tests should be useful in early detection of dialysis dementia at a reversible stage.", "PMID": 638508} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11833", "title": "Endometrial assessment with Isaacs cell sampler.", "content": "The value of the Isaacs endometrial cell sampler in the cytologic assessment of the endometrium was studied in 121 unanaesthetised patients aged over 40. Satisfactory aspirates for cytological diagnosis of endometrial state were obtained in 111 patients (91%) whereas endometrial specimens for histological diagnosis were obtained in only 89 patients (79%). In only four out of 83 cases were there diagnostic discrepancies between the aspirates and the curettings. It is concluded that the technique is safe, quick, comfortable, and reliable for assessing endometrial state. It should therefore prove valuable for screening, particularly in the management of menopausal women requiring oestrogen treatment.", "contents": "Endometrial assessment with Isaacs cell sampler. The value of the Isaacs endometrial cell sampler in the cytologic assessment of the endometrium was studied in 121 unanaesthetised patients aged over 40. Satisfactory aspirates for cytological diagnosis of endometrial state were obtained in 111 patients (91%) whereas endometrial specimens for histological diagnosis were obtained in only 89 patients (79%). In only four out of 83 cases were there diagnostic discrepancies between the aspirates and the curettings. It is concluded that the technique is safe, quick, comfortable, and reliable for assessing endometrial state. It should therefore prove valuable for screening, particularly in the management of menopausal women requiring oestrogen treatment.", "PMID": 638543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11834", "title": "Transmission of HBsAg from mother to infant in four ethnic groups.", "content": "Antenatal screening in the West Midlands during a three-year period identified 297 mothers who were chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)--a prevalence of about 1 in 850. About half of their infants had HBsAg in the cord blood, but of 122 infants followed up for over three months (mean 8.5 months) only 17 (14%) were still positive for HBsAg. Cord-blood HBsAg-positivity was evenly distributed among different ethnic groups, but the transmission rate was highest among the Chinese, and no carriers were discovered among 39 European infants. Raised serum transaminase concentrations were found in some of the carrier infants who were otherwise healthy. The results suggest that adequate follow-up of HBsAg-positive infants may be achieved by tests at 4 months and 1 year of age, and that the role of breast-feeding in mother-to-infant transmission of HBsAg is unimportant. The Chinese community may be a suitable population in which to test the effectiveness of specific immunoglobulin administration at birth in preventing the development of the HBsAg carrier state.", "contents": "Transmission of HBsAg from mother to infant in four ethnic groups. Antenatal screening in the West Midlands during a three-year period identified 297 mothers who were chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)--a prevalence of about 1 in 850. About half of their infants had HBsAg in the cord blood, but of 122 infants followed up for over three months (mean 8.5 months) only 17 (14%) were still positive for HBsAg. Cord-blood HBsAg-positivity was evenly distributed among different ethnic groups, but the transmission rate was highest among the Chinese, and no carriers were discovered among 39 European infants. Raised serum transaminase concentrations were found in some of the carrier infants who were otherwise healthy. The results suggest that adequate follow-up of HBsAg-positive infants may be achieved by tests at 4 months and 1 year of age, and that the role of breast-feeding in mother-to-infant transmission of HBsAg is unimportant. The Chinese community may be a suitable population in which to test the effectiveness of specific immunoglobulin administration at birth in preventing the development of the HBsAg carrier state.", "PMID": 638544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11835", "title": "Dextran and intermittent pneumatic compression in prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis: multiunit trial.", "content": "Seven general surgical units co-operated in a clinical trial of dextran 70 and pneumatic calf compression alone and in combination in the preventing of 125I-fibrinogen-detectable deep vein thrombosis in 305 patients. Both dextran regimens were significantly more effective than pneumatic compression alone. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 14 patients, but there was no significant difference in incidence among the three treatment groups. In patients receiving dextran there was no greater median operative blood loss but there was a significantly greater incidence of postoperative bleeding complications.", "contents": "Dextran and intermittent pneumatic compression in prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis: multiunit trial. Seven general surgical units co-operated in a clinical trial of dextran 70 and pneumatic calf compression alone and in combination in the preventing of 125I-fibrinogen-detectable deep vein thrombosis in 305 patients. Both dextran regimens were significantly more effective than pneumatic compression alone. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 14 patients, but there was no significant difference in incidence among the three treatment groups. In patients receiving dextran there was no greater median operative blood loss but there was a significantly greater incidence of postoperative bleeding complications.", "PMID": 638545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11836", "title": "Effect of new dopamine-blocking agent (oxiperomide) on drug-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease and spontaneous dyskinesias.", "content": "Oxiperomide, a new dopamine-receptor antagonist, was found to decrease dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease receiving levodopa or other dopamine agonists without necessarily increasing Parkinsonian symptoms. Oxiperomide also decreased spontaneous dyskinesias in those with tics and chorea and to a less extent in those with torsion dystonia, without necessarily causing Parkinsonism. These results provide evidence that more than one population of dopamine receptors exist in the extra pyramidal system, and encourage the search for selective dopamine antagonists.", "contents": "Effect of new dopamine-blocking agent (oxiperomide) on drug-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease and spontaneous dyskinesias. Oxiperomide, a new dopamine-receptor antagonist, was found to decrease dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease receiving levodopa or other dopamine agonists without necessarily increasing Parkinsonian symptoms. Oxiperomide also decreased spontaneous dyskinesias in those with tics and chorea and to a less extent in those with torsion dystonia, without necessarily causing Parkinsonism. These results provide evidence that more than one population of dopamine receptors exist in the extra pyramidal system, and encourage the search for selective dopamine antagonists.", "PMID": 638546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11837", "title": "Viral infections in travellers from tropical Africa.", "content": "Examination of sera from 86 travellers to Britain from tropical Africa disclosed evidence of past infection with 10 identifiable viruses, of which the most important were O'nyong-nyong, dengue, chikungunya, and Ntaya. The findings indicate that infection with O'nyong-nyong may be acquired sporadically in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, where it has not previously been identified. Chikungunya infection had not been recorded in West Africa other than Nigeria and Senegal. Patients from Sierra Leone and contiguous Liberia had antibodies to this infection. An outbread of dengue fever in the Seychelles in early 1977 was confirmed. Ntaya virus, though known in Uganda, Cameroon, and Zaire, appears also to be transmitted in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Clinical studies indicated that chikungunya infection may present with alimentary features, possibly with jaundice. The clinical features of Ntaya infection may include kizarre neurological manifestations in addition to fever. The absence of Lassa antibodies among these travellers suggested that this infection is not a common hazard among such persons.", "contents": "Viral infections in travellers from tropical Africa. Examination of sera from 86 travellers to Britain from tropical Africa disclosed evidence of past infection with 10 identifiable viruses, of which the most important were O'nyong-nyong, dengue, chikungunya, and Ntaya. The findings indicate that infection with O'nyong-nyong may be acquired sporadically in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, where it has not previously been identified. Chikungunya infection had not been recorded in West Africa other than Nigeria and Senegal. Patients from Sierra Leone and contiguous Liberia had antibodies to this infection. An outbread of dengue fever in the Seychelles in early 1977 was confirmed. Ntaya virus, though known in Uganda, Cameroon, and Zaire, appears also to be transmitted in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia. Clinical studies indicated that chikungunya infection may present with alimentary features, possibly with jaundice. The clinical features of Ntaya infection may include kizarre neurological manifestations in addition to fever. The absence of Lassa antibodies among these travellers suggested that this infection is not a common hazard among such persons.", "PMID": 638547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11838", "title": "Assessment of patients with suspected viral haemorrhagic fever.", "content": "We reviewed our two-year (1967-7) experience of patients who might have had an African-derived haemorrhagic fever: only two out of 46 suspects had such infections, and these were successfully contained. Malaria was the most frequent diagnosis in these patients recently returned from Africa, especially if malarial prophylaxis had been inadequate. Altogether 26% of patients had become ill before travelling to Britain. It is impossible to ensure absolute safety even with draconian measures, but the degree of isolation recommended (based on epidemiological factors that included return from Africa within the previous three weeks, visiting country districts, exposure to possible cases, or infected material and illness despite adequate malarial prophylaxis) has proved effective and acceptable.", "contents": "Assessment of patients with suspected viral haemorrhagic fever. We reviewed our two-year (1967-7) experience of patients who might have had an African-derived haemorrhagic fever: only two out of 46 suspects had such infections, and these were successfully contained. Malaria was the most frequent diagnosis in these patients recently returned from Africa, especially if malarial prophylaxis had been inadequate. Altogether 26% of patients had become ill before travelling to Britain. It is impossible to ensure absolute safety even with draconian measures, but the degree of isolation recommended (based on epidemiological factors that included return from Africa within the previous three weeks, visiting country districts, exposure to possible cases, or infected material and illness despite adequate malarial prophylaxis) has proved effective and acceptable.", "PMID": 638553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11839", "title": "Intravenous infusion of salbutamol in severe acute asthma.", "content": "Out of 62 asthmatic patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of their disease, those whose symptoms had not sufficiently improved 15 minutes after an initial intensive regimen were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of either salbutamol 10 microgram/min (20 patients) or aminophylline 1 mg/min (19 patients). During the infusions, which lasted 36 hours, peak expiratory flow rates and spirometric values improved in both groups, but differences between the groups did not achieve statistical significance. Although salbutamol may be infused safely for a prolonged period to patients with acute asthma, it has no particular advantage over aminophylline. Furthermore, in patients who respond poorly to initial intensive treatment the subsequent infusion of a bronchodilator may not increase the rate of recovery from the rate that would occur naturally.", "contents": "Intravenous infusion of salbutamol in severe acute asthma. Out of 62 asthmatic patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of their disease, those whose symptoms had not sufficiently improved 15 minutes after an initial intensive regimen were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of either salbutamol 10 microgram/min (20 patients) or aminophylline 1 mg/min (19 patients). During the infusions, which lasted 36 hours, peak expiratory flow rates and spirometric values improved in both groups, but differences between the groups did not achieve statistical significance. Although salbutamol may be infused safely for a prolonged period to patients with acute asthma, it has no particular advantage over aminophylline. Furthermore, in patients who respond poorly to initial intensive treatment the subsequent infusion of a bronchodilator may not increase the rate of recovery from the rate that would occur naturally.", "PMID": 638577} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11840", "title": "Spontaneous abortion and fetal abnormality in subsequent pregnancy.", "content": "In a prospective survey neural tube defects and other congenital abnormalities were studied in the babies born to 510 mothers ascertained during pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups according to the outcome of their immediately preceding pregnancy. Those whose preceding pregnancy had resulted in a spontaneous abortion (256 women) formed the index cases; those in whom the outcome had been a normal baby (254 women) served as controls. There was a highly significant increased number of congenital abnormalities in the index cases. This may possibly be explained by the trophoblastic \"rest\" hypothesis and suggests that spontaneous abortions are more relevent to congenital abnormalities than has been thought.", "contents": "Spontaneous abortion and fetal abnormality in subsequent pregnancy. In a prospective survey neural tube defects and other congenital abnormalities were studied in the babies born to 510 mothers ascertained during pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups according to the outcome of their immediately preceding pregnancy. Those whose preceding pregnancy had resulted in a spontaneous abortion (256 women) formed the index cases; those in whom the outcome had been a normal baby (254 women) served as controls. There was a highly significant increased number of congenital abnormalities in the index cases. This may possibly be explained by the trophoblastic \"rest\" hypothesis and suggests that spontaneous abortions are more relevent to congenital abnormalities than has been thought.", "PMID": 638578} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11841", "title": "Creamatocrit: simple clinical technique for estimating fat concentration and energy value of human milk.", "content": "A simple micromethod has been devised for estimating the fat and energy content of human milk based on the centrifugation of milk in a haematocrit centrifuge. The percentage of cream, or \"creamatocrit,\" is read from the haematocrit capillary tube and is linearly related to the fat and energy content. The technique, which is rapid and cheap, may be used in clinical practice, in research, and in epidemiological studies.", "contents": "Creamatocrit: simple clinical technique for estimating fat concentration and energy value of human milk. A simple micromethod has been devised for estimating the fat and energy content of human milk based on the centrifugation of milk in a haematocrit centrifuge. The percentage of cream, or \"creamatocrit,\" is read from the haematocrit capillary tube and is linearly related to the fat and energy content. The technique, which is rapid and cheap, may be used in clinical practice, in research, and in epidemiological studies.", "PMID": 638579} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11842", "title": "After-exercise thermography for predicting postoperative deep vein thrombosis.", "content": "After-exercise thermography of the legs was carried out on 50 patients before undergoing major abdominal surgery (group 1) and on 59 patients before elective hip surgery (group 2). The incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)--diagnosed by the 125I-fibrinogen uptake test in group 1 and phlebography in group 2--was significantly higher in patients whose after-exercise thermogram (AET) had been abnormal. Out of 19 patients in group 1 and 30 in group 2 with a normal AET, two and nine repsectively developed postoperative DVT. Among patients with a unilaterally abnormal AET the incidences were 12 out of 19 patients in group 1 and five out of nine in group 2. The incidences among patients with a bilaterally abnormal AET rose to 11 out of 12 patients in group 1 and 15 out of 20 in group 2. Preoperative after-exercise thermography is a simple, objective test that identifies patients at high risk of developing postoperative thromboembolic disease.", "contents": "After-exercise thermography for predicting postoperative deep vein thrombosis. After-exercise thermography of the legs was carried out on 50 patients before undergoing major abdominal surgery (group 1) and on 59 patients before elective hip surgery (group 2). The incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT)--diagnosed by the 125I-fibrinogen uptake test in group 1 and phlebography in group 2--was significantly higher in patients whose after-exercise thermogram (AET) had been abnormal. Out of 19 patients in group 1 and 30 in group 2 with a normal AET, two and nine repsectively developed postoperative DVT. Among patients with a unilaterally abnormal AET the incidences were 12 out of 19 patients in group 1 and five out of nine in group 2. The incidences among patients with a bilaterally abnormal AET rose to 11 out of 12 patients in group 1 and 15 out of 20 in group 2. Preoperative after-exercise thermography is a simple, objective test that identifies patients at high risk of developing postoperative thromboembolic disease.", "PMID": 638580} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11843", "title": "Chlamydia trachomatis as possible cause of peritonitis and perihepatitis in young women.", "content": "Of 11 young women with acute peritonitis proved by laparoscopy, seven of whom also had perihepatitis, nine had serological evidence of recent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis; In five of these nine patients high antibody titres to chlamydiae were found without laboratory evidence of gonococcal infection, while the other four had evidence of simultaneous gonococcal infection. C trachomatis may play an important part in peritoneal inflammation previously attributed only to gonococci.", "contents": "Chlamydia trachomatis as possible cause of peritonitis and perihepatitis in young women. Of 11 young women with acute peritonitis proved by laparoscopy, seven of whom also had perihepatitis, nine had serological evidence of recent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis; In five of these nine patients high antibody titres to chlamydiae were found without laboratory evidence of gonococcal infection, while the other four had evidence of simultaneous gonococcal infection. C trachomatis may play an important part in peritoneal inflammation previously attributed only to gonococci.", "PMID": 638581} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11844", "title": "Contraceptive steroids and breast cancer.", "content": "The prognosis and pathological findings in 44 patients with breast cancer who had taken contraceptive steroids during the year before diagnosis were compared with those in 44 controls matched for age and parity. No significant differences between the two groups were found in the histological features of the tumour or extent of axillary lymph-node disease. In patients with axillary node disease the recurrence rate in the controls was significantly higher than in the study group and more of the control patients had died. It is concluded that oral contraceptives have no untoward effect on the prognosis of breast cancer.", "contents": "Contraceptive steroids and breast cancer. The prognosis and pathological findings in 44 patients with breast cancer who had taken contraceptive steroids during the year before diagnosis were compared with those in 44 controls matched for age and parity. No significant differences between the two groups were found in the histological features of the tumour or extent of axillary lymph-node disease. In patients with axillary node disease the recurrence rate in the controls was significantly higher than in the study group and more of the control patients had died. It is concluded that oral contraceptives have no untoward effect on the prognosis of breast cancer.", "PMID": 638582} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11845", "title": "Self-poisoning: management of patients in Nottingham, 1976.", "content": "Analysis of the management of a sample of patients with drug overdoses in Nottingham in 1976 showed that some 10% of the patients who arrived in the casualty department after an overdose were neither admitted nor seen by a psychiatrist. Of the patients who were admitted to medical wards for psychiatric evaluation, 31% were thought to need no further psychiatric action while the default-rate in those who were referred to a psychiatric outpatient clinic was 43%. Both these endpoints showed considerable variations among the 10 psychiatric teams, but of every 100 patients with drug overdose who arrived in the casualty department, 51 left hospital without continuing psychiatric or social action having been taken. As the recommendations of the Hill Committee are not being implemented we suggest that they should be critically re-examined and that the indication for, and value of, psychiatric intervention should be determined.", "contents": "Self-poisoning: management of patients in Nottingham, 1976. Analysis of the management of a sample of patients with drug overdoses in Nottingham in 1976 showed that some 10% of the patients who arrived in the casualty department after an overdose were neither admitted nor seen by a psychiatrist. Of the patients who were admitted to medical wards for psychiatric evaluation, 31% were thought to need no further psychiatric action while the default-rate in those who were referred to a psychiatric outpatient clinic was 43%. Both these endpoints showed considerable variations among the 10 psychiatric teams, but of every 100 patients with drug overdose who arrived in the casualty department, 51 left hospital without continuing psychiatric or social action having been taken. As the recommendations of the Hill Committee are not being implemented we suggest that they should be critically re-examined and that the indication for, and value of, psychiatric intervention should be determined.", "PMID": 638588} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11846", "title": "Tuberculosis among immigrants in Britain. Memorandum from the Joint Tuberculosis Committee.", "content": "Tuberculosis is much commoner among immigrants to Britain than among the native-born. In 1971, 5% of the population were immigrants yet they accounted for 32% of tuberculosis cases. The notification rate among immigrants is falling in some areas but rising in others, and many immigrants are still arriving in Britain. Most immigrants arrive at London Airport, and as many as possible are x=rayed there with the resources available; Many cases escape detection, however, and it is therefore important that accurate information about all immigrants is sent to the medical officer for environmental health at their destination. New arrivals should then be sought out, tuberculin-tested, and positive reactors x-rayed. All those who are tuberculin-negative should be vaccinated with BCG whatever their age. Positive reactors should undergo annual radiography and be encouraged to report symptoms early. For both new and established immigrants with strongly positive tuberculin reactions chemoprophylaxis is suggested. All children of immigrants should be given BCG at birth and tuberculin-tested when they start school so that omissions can be rectified. Implementation of these recommendations could contribute considerably to the control of tuberculosis in Britain.", "contents": "Tuberculosis among immigrants in Britain. Memorandum from the Joint Tuberculosis Committee. Tuberculosis is much commoner among immigrants to Britain than among the native-born. In 1971, 5% of the population were immigrants yet they accounted for 32% of tuberculosis cases. The notification rate among immigrants is falling in some areas but rising in others, and many immigrants are still arriving in Britain. Most immigrants arrive at London Airport, and as many as possible are x=rayed there with the resources available; Many cases escape detection, however, and it is therefore important that accurate information about all immigrants is sent to the medical officer for environmental health at their destination. New arrivals should then be sought out, tuberculin-tested, and positive reactors x-rayed. All those who are tuberculin-negative should be vaccinated with BCG whatever their age. Positive reactors should undergo annual radiography and be encouraged to report symptoms early. For both new and established immigrants with strongly positive tuberculin reactions chemoprophylaxis is suggested. All children of immigrants should be given BCG at birth and tuberculin-tested when they start school so that omissions can be rectified. Implementation of these recommendations could contribute considerably to the control of tuberculosis in Britain.", "PMID": 638589} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11847", "title": "Prolongation and enhancement of serum methotrexate concentrations by probenecid.", "content": "The disappearance of methotrexate (MTX) from the serum after an intravenous bolus injection and intravenous infusion was studied over 24 hours in eight and four patients respectively. Probenecid given at the same time as the bolus injection delayed the disappearance of MTX from the serum and resulted in enhanced concentrations throughout the 24 hours studied. At 24 hours the mean concentration was four times higher than in patients not given probenecid. Overall serum concentrations were even greater than those in patients who had received MTX by intravenous infusion. We suggest that smaller doses of MTX may be given and treatment costs thereby reduced if probenecid is given in addition.", "contents": "Prolongation and enhancement of serum methotrexate concentrations by probenecid. The disappearance of methotrexate (MTX) from the serum after an intravenous bolus injection and intravenous infusion was studied over 24 hours in eight and four patients respectively. Probenecid given at the same time as the bolus injection delayed the disappearance of MTX from the serum and resulted in enhanced concentrations throughout the 24 hours studied. At 24 hours the mean concentration was four times higher than in patients not given probenecid. Overall serum concentrations were even greater than those in patients who had received MTX by intravenous infusion. We suggest that smaller doses of MTX may be given and treatment costs thereby reduced if probenecid is given in addition.", "PMID": 638616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11848", "title": "Aluminium toxicity during regular haemodialysis.", "content": "In the west of Scotland the incidence of dialysis encephalopathy has been confined to three geographical areas where the concentration of aluminium in the water supply is greatly increased owing to the addition of aluminium sulphate. Eight patients with encephalopathy who dialysed at home in these areas had greatly increased serum aluminium concentrations, and a significant correlation was found between serum aluminium concentrations and the concentrations of aluminium in the water supply. This study provides further evidence that the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome is due to aluminium intoxication, the major source of aluminium being the water supply from which dialysis fluid prepared.", "contents": "Aluminium toxicity during regular haemodialysis. In the west of Scotland the incidence of dialysis encephalopathy has been confined to three geographical areas where the concentration of aluminium in the water supply is greatly increased owing to the addition of aluminium sulphate. Eight patients with encephalopathy who dialysed at home in these areas had greatly increased serum aluminium concentrations, and a significant correlation was found between serum aluminium concentrations and the concentrations of aluminium in the water supply. This study provides further evidence that the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome is due to aluminium intoxication, the major source of aluminium being the water supply from which dialysis fluid prepared.", "PMID": 638617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11849", "title": "Epidural analgesia improves postoperative nitrogen balance.", "content": "Postoperative nitrogen balance was monitored in twelve patients undergoing hysterectomy under either epidural analgesia or general anaesthesia. The mean cumulative five-day nitrogen losses were significantly lower after epidural analgesia than after general anaesthesia. Nitrogen sparing presumably results from inhibiting the stress-induced release of catabolic hormones, since epidural analgesia abolished postoperative hyperglycaemia and increase in plasma cortisol concentrations. No adverse effects of inhibiting the stress response were observed. Neurogenic stimuli thus play a crucial part in the catabolic response to surgery. Inhibiting the endocrine metabolic response to trauma by neurogenic blockade may reduce the morbidity precipitated in high-risk patients by the catabolic response to surgery.", "contents": "Epidural analgesia improves postoperative nitrogen balance. Postoperative nitrogen balance was monitored in twelve patients undergoing hysterectomy under either epidural analgesia or general anaesthesia. The mean cumulative five-day nitrogen losses were significantly lower after epidural analgesia than after general anaesthesia. Nitrogen sparing presumably results from inhibiting the stress-induced release of catabolic hormones, since epidural analgesia abolished postoperative hyperglycaemia and increase in plasma cortisol concentrations. No adverse effects of inhibiting the stress response were observed. Neurogenic stimuli thus play a crucial part in the catabolic response to surgery. Inhibiting the endocrine metabolic response to trauma by neurogenic blockade may reduce the morbidity precipitated in high-risk patients by the catabolic response to surgery.", "PMID": 638618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11850", "title": "The Brighton resuscitation ambulances: review of 40 consecutive survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.", "content": "In three years 40 patients were resuscitated by ambulancemen after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and survived to be discharged. Twenty-six of these had had circulatory arrest before an ambulance arrived and a further three had developed ventricular fibrillation before they were moved. Thirty-two patients were alive at the time of review six months to three and a half years later. Resuscitation by ambulancemen can be effective for patients with unheralded sudden cardiac arrest as well as for patients with recent myocardial infarction. Survivors of out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation may have a favourable long-term prognosis.", "contents": "The Brighton resuscitation ambulances: review of 40 consecutive survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In three years 40 patients were resuscitated by ambulancemen after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and survived to be discharged. Twenty-six of these had had circulatory arrest before an ambulance arrived and a further three had developed ventricular fibrillation before they were moved. Thirty-two patients were alive at the time of review six months to three and a half years later. Resuscitation by ambulancemen can be effective for patients with unheralded sudden cardiac arrest as well as for patients with recent myocardial infarction. Survivors of out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation may have a favourable long-term prognosis.", "PMID": 638626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11851", "title": "Randomised trial of a mobile coronary care unit for emergency calls.", "content": "A randomised trial was conducted to assess the value of sending a mobile coronary care unit (MCCU) to all emergency calls other than those for children or for patients injured in road-traffic accidents or brawls. Over 15 months 6223 calls for emergency ambulances were considered for the study, but a routine ambulance had to be dispatched on 2583 occasions because the MCCU was not available. A group of 1664 patients was randomly allocated to transport by the MCCU and 1676 patients to routine transport. In these groups the prehospital mortality among patients with heart attacks was 45% and 47%, and no patient survived resuscitation attempts long enough to leave hospital. During the same period general practitioners sent 190 patients with heart attacks to hospital in routine ambulances and none of them died during the interval between the call for the ambulance and arrival at hospital. Although it may be worth equipping all emergency ambulances with a defibrillator, MCCUs as at present envisaged will not appreciably affect mortality from heart attacks.", "contents": "Randomised trial of a mobile coronary care unit for emergency calls. A randomised trial was conducted to assess the value of sending a mobile coronary care unit (MCCU) to all emergency calls other than those for children or for patients injured in road-traffic accidents or brawls. Over 15 months 6223 calls for emergency ambulances were considered for the study, but a routine ambulance had to be dispatched on 2583 occasions because the MCCU was not available. A group of 1664 patients was randomly allocated to transport by the MCCU and 1676 patients to routine transport. In these groups the prehospital mortality among patients with heart attacks was 45% and 47%, and no patient survived resuscitation attempts long enough to leave hospital. During the same period general practitioners sent 190 patients with heart attacks to hospital in routine ambulances and none of them died during the interval between the call for the ambulance and arrival at hospital. Although it may be worth equipping all emergency ambulances with a defibrillator, MCCUs as at present envisaged will not appreciably affect mortality from heart attacks.", "PMID": 638627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11852", "title": "Reversal of clofibrate-induced cholesterol oversaturation of bile with chenodeoxycholic acid.", "content": "Giving clofibrate 2 g daily to seven patients significantly increased the biliary cholesterol concentration while the proportion of bile acids fell. Five patients on established clofibrate treatment were given 750 mg of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) daily for one month. Biliary lipid analysis after the CDCA treatment showed a significant fall in the proportion of cholesterol and a rise in that of bile acids. The serum lipid concentrations, which had already been reduced by diet and clofibrate, showed a further significant reduction after the introduction of CDCA. This study suggests that CDCA may be usefully combined with clofibrate to reverse the tendency towards cholesterol saturation of bile and enhance the effect of lowering serum lipid concentrations.", "contents": "Reversal of clofibrate-induced cholesterol oversaturation of bile with chenodeoxycholic acid. Giving clofibrate 2 g daily to seven patients significantly increased the biliary cholesterol concentration while the proportion of bile acids fell. Five patients on established clofibrate treatment were given 750 mg of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) daily for one month. Biliary lipid analysis after the CDCA treatment showed a significant fall in the proportion of cholesterol and a rise in that of bile acids. The serum lipid concentrations, which had already been reduced by diet and clofibrate, showed a further significant reduction after the introduction of CDCA. This study suggests that CDCA may be usefully combined with clofibrate to reverse the tendency towards cholesterol saturation of bile and enhance the effect of lowering serum lipid concentrations.", "PMID": 638677} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11853", "title": "Underlying immunopathology as a cause of adverse responses to two intravenous anaesthetic agents.", "content": "A patient who had shown some evidence of immunological sensitivity underwent several operations under general anaesthesia for otitis media without ill effect. On his second exposure to Althesin, however, he suffered a severe reaction. Facial angioneurotic oedema was accompanied by peripheral vasodilatation and sweating, and C3 conversion was observed in his plasma. Subsequent anaesthetics produced no reactions until four years later, when thiopentone and suxamethonium were given. This reaction was much milder, but C3 conversion again occurred. Although the clinical signs indicated an anaphylactoid reaction, the laboratory findings suggested that this patient had an underlying immunopathological condition involving complement activation, which could be triggered by any intravenous agent that activated complement. The judgment that a reaction to a particular drug is anaphylactic cannot be made on the basis of clinical signs alone. Simple laboratory analysis will show whether the reaction is due to an underlying immunopathological condition that may be triggered by any of several drugs.", "contents": "Underlying immunopathology as a cause of adverse responses to two intravenous anaesthetic agents. A patient who had shown some evidence of immunological sensitivity underwent several operations under general anaesthesia for otitis media without ill effect. On his second exposure to Althesin, however, he suffered a severe reaction. Facial angioneurotic oedema was accompanied by peripheral vasodilatation and sweating, and C3 conversion was observed in his plasma. Subsequent anaesthetics produced no reactions until four years later, when thiopentone and suxamethonium were given. This reaction was much milder, but C3 conversion again occurred. Although the clinical signs indicated an anaphylactoid reaction, the laboratory findings suggested that this patient had an underlying immunopathological condition involving complement activation, which could be triggered by any intravenous agent that activated complement. The judgment that a reaction to a particular drug is anaphylactic cannot be made on the basis of clinical signs alone. Simple laboratory analysis will show whether the reaction is due to an underlying immunopathological condition that may be triggered by any of several drugs.", "PMID": 638678} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11854", "title": "Seven-year follow-up of heroin addicts: drug use and outcome.", "content": "A representative sample of 128 of the patients who in 1969 attended London drug dependence clinics and received daily prescriptions for heroin was personally followed up seven years later. The mean age of the patients at follow-up was 32.7 years, and a mean of 12.8 years had elapsed since they first admitted to using heroin. Follow-up was successful in 124 cases (97%). Fifty-two people (41%) had stopped attending the clinics, 6 (5%) were in prison, 55 (43%) were still attending the clinics, and 15 (12%) had died. Abstinence from opiates had been achieved by at least 40 people, 33 having abstained for two years or more. Abstinence did not seem to have been replaced by dependence on other drugs, including alcohol. Sixty-two people (48%) were still using opiates; only 7 (5%) did so without attending clinics and obtaining legal prescriptions.", "contents": "Seven-year follow-up of heroin addicts: drug use and outcome. A representative sample of 128 of the patients who in 1969 attended London drug dependence clinics and received daily prescriptions for heroin was personally followed up seven years later. The mean age of the patients at follow-up was 32.7 years, and a mean of 12.8 years had elapsed since they first admitted to using heroin. Follow-up was successful in 124 cases (97%). Fifty-two people (41%) had stopped attending the clinics, 6 (5%) were in prison, 55 (43%) were still attending the clinics, and 15 (12%) had died. Abstinence from opiates had been achieved by at least 40 people, 33 having abstained for two years or more. Abstinence did not seem to have been replaced by dependence on other drugs, including alcohol. Sixty-two people (48%) were still using opiates; only 7 (5%) did so without attending clinics and obtaining legal prescriptions.", "PMID": 638690} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11855", "title": "Role of 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in a general hospital.", "content": "During 1976, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring was available to all physicians at this hospital, and 281 patients were investigated by 322 recordings. Cardiac arrhythmias requiring treatment were detected in 100 patients (36%). Some presented after symptoms such as faintness, giddiness, palpitations, collapse, or fits, but ominous arrhythmias were also found in asymptomatic patients. A demand pacemaker was implanted for episodic sinoatrial or atrioventricular conduction disorder in 30, while 70 patients (25%) required antiarrhythmic drug treatment for ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias. Facilities for ambulatory 24-hour ECG monitoring are necessary in any large hospital, and precise diagnosis in most of our patients studied could not have been achieved by any other investigation.", "contents": "Role of 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in a general hospital. During 1976, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring was available to all physicians at this hospital, and 281 patients were investigated by 322 recordings. Cardiac arrhythmias requiring treatment were detected in 100 patients (36%). Some presented after symptoms such as faintness, giddiness, palpitations, collapse, or fits, but ominous arrhythmias were also found in asymptomatic patients. A demand pacemaker was implanted for episodic sinoatrial or atrioventricular conduction disorder in 30, while 70 patients (25%) required antiarrhythmic drug treatment for ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias. Facilities for ambulatory 24-hour ECG monitoring are necessary in any large hospital, and precise diagnosis in most of our patients studied could not have been achieved by any other investigation.", "PMID": 638693} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11856", "title": "Diagnostic treatment and reporting criteria for gonorrhoea in sexually transmitted disease clinics in England and Wales. 2: treatment and reporting criteria.", "content": "The current methods of treatment and reporting are described. The most common form of treatment for gonorrhoea in men and women was a single dose of oral ampicillin, usually 2 g. In proportionately more of the clinics treating women, treatment was given over several days. The wide use of ampicillin represents a marked change in treatment practice during the last decade. Procaine penicillin was the most commonly used parenteral preparation. The two dosages used most often for men were 1.2 and 2.4 megaunits. In women the commonest regimen was 2.4 megaunits and again there was a tendency for treatment to be given over several days. Epidemiology treatment was used widely and in one-third of clinics this occurred without confirmation that the patient was a true contact. Consultants used varying diagnoses on the quarterly returns for patients treated epidemiologically in whom the smears and/or cultures were negative. Most clinics classified these cases as 'other conditions requiring treatment' (D2) but as many as 19% of clinics designated these cases as being 'true' gonorrhoea. It is suggested that this results in an overestimate of the number of cases of 'real' gonorrhoea treated in England and Wales.", "contents": "Diagnostic treatment and reporting criteria for gonorrhoea in sexually transmitted disease clinics in England and Wales. 2: treatment and reporting criteria. The current methods of treatment and reporting are described. The most common form of treatment for gonorrhoea in men and women was a single dose of oral ampicillin, usually 2 g. In proportionately more of the clinics treating women, treatment was given over several days. The wide use of ampicillin represents a marked change in treatment practice during the last decade. Procaine penicillin was the most commonly used parenteral preparation. The two dosages used most often for men were 1.2 and 2.4 megaunits. In women the commonest regimen was 2.4 megaunits and again there was a tendency for treatment to be given over several days. Epidemiology treatment was used widely and in one-third of clinics this occurred without confirmation that the patient was a true contact. Consultants used varying diagnoses on the quarterly returns for patients treated epidemiologically in whom the smears and/or cultures were negative. Most clinics classified these cases as 'other conditions requiring treatment' (D2) but as many as 19% of clinics designated these cases as being 'true' gonorrhoea. It is suggested that this results in an overestimate of the number of cases of 'real' gonorrhoea treated in England and Wales.", "PMID": 638713} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11857", "title": "Chlamydial infection of the urethra in men.", "content": "Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the uretha of 125 (52%) of 238 men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Repeat isolation attempts in 155 of these patients were successful in eight men in whom results had been negative on the initial visit, but they were unsuccessful in eight men who initially had had positive cultures. We must assume that with our present isolation techniques we are missing, at any single visit, at least 9% of chlamydial infections. C. trachomatis was also found in 32 (23%) of 139 men with gonorrhoea. Positive cultures were obtained from 15 (79%) of 19 men, who later developed post-gonococcal urethritis (PGU). Thiamphenicol, used for the treatment of gonorrhoea, was shown to have very little effect on C. trachomatis, which could still be recovered after treatment in 76% of the patients who initially had had a combined infection. The typing of 35 genital isolates by micro-immunofluorescence confirms the previously reported distribution of chlamydial serotypes. In this study a social profile is given of our patients with urethritis and a comparison is made of the duration of symptoms and the nature of discharge in men with gonococcal, chlamydial, and non-specific urethritis. We were able to show a clear difference in clinical symptoms in men with gonorrhoea and NGU, taken as a whole, but found only a slight difference between men with chlamydial and non-specific urethritis.", "contents": "Chlamydial infection of the urethra in men. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the uretha of 125 (52%) of 238 men with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Repeat isolation attempts in 155 of these patients were successful in eight men in whom results had been negative on the initial visit, but they were unsuccessful in eight men who initially had had positive cultures. We must assume that with our present isolation techniques we are missing, at any single visit, at least 9% of chlamydial infections. C. trachomatis was also found in 32 (23%) of 139 men with gonorrhoea. Positive cultures were obtained from 15 (79%) of 19 men, who later developed post-gonococcal urethritis (PGU). Thiamphenicol, used for the treatment of gonorrhoea, was shown to have very little effect on C. trachomatis, which could still be recovered after treatment in 76% of the patients who initially had had a combined infection. The typing of 35 genital isolates by micro-immunofluorescence confirms the previously reported distribution of chlamydial serotypes. In this study a social profile is given of our patients with urethritis and a comparison is made of the duration of symptoms and the nature of discharge in men with gonococcal, chlamydial, and non-specific urethritis. We were able to show a clear difference in clinical symptoms in men with gonorrhoea and NGU, taken as a whole, but found only a slight difference between men with chlamydial and non-specific urethritis.", "PMID": 638714} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11858", "title": "Circulating immune complexes in syphilitic nephropathy. A case report.", "content": "A case of transient nephrotic syndrome caused by secondary syphilis is described. A renal biopsy was performed revealing subepithelial hump-like electron-dense deposits and fusion of epithelial foot-processes. Complement C1q-binding-activity and anticomplementarity were demonstrated in the blood, indicating the presence of circulating immune complexes. This strongly suggests that circulating immune complexes are significant in the immunopathogenesis of syphilitic nephropathy.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes in syphilitic nephropathy. A case report. A case of transient nephrotic syndrome caused by secondary syphilis is described. A renal biopsy was performed revealing subepithelial hump-like electron-dense deposits and fusion of epithelial foot-processes. Complement C1q-binding-activity and anticomplementarity were demonstrated in the blood, indicating the presence of circulating immune complexes. This strongly suggests that circulating immune complexes are significant in the immunopathogenesis of syphilitic nephropathy.", "PMID": 638715} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11859", "title": "The antimicrobial susceptibility of Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture.", "content": "The action of 22 antimicrobial agents against the SA2f strain of Chlamydia trachomatis has been studied by the use of a simple cell culture technique. Tests for bactericidal activity were undertaken with some of the agents, and latency of infection was demonstrated. The susceptibilities of 10 clinical strains of C. trachomatis and of SA2f to oxytetracyline, erythromycin, and spectinomycin in cell culture were found to be identical.", "contents": "The antimicrobial susceptibility of Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture. The action of 22 antimicrobial agents against the SA2f strain of Chlamydia trachomatis has been studied by the use of a simple cell culture technique. Tests for bactericidal activity were undertaken with some of the agents, and latency of infection was demonstrated. The susceptibilities of 10 clinical strains of C. trachomatis and of SA2f to oxytetracyline, erythromycin, and spectinomycin in cell culture were found to be identical.", "PMID": 638716} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11860", "title": "Treatment and prognosis of non-specific genital infection.", "content": "In a comparative trial minocycline was the best oral tetracycline compound for twice-daily administration in the treatment of non-specific urethritis. A review six months later showed that 29% of patients had needed further treatment, 35% of these more than one month after initial treatment and 12% between three and six months later. The history revealed no evidence of predisposition to non-specific urethritis among patients in whom relapse occurred. Multiple relapses were in the groups of patients who relapsed earliest. These cases proved more resistant to subsequent treatment, but all patients were eventually cured. The records of female contacts showed that 29% were symptomatic, 44% had an abnormal appearance of the cervix, but only 11% had inflammatory changes detected on cytological smear. A previous report was confirmed that there was no apparent benefit from the empirical treatment of contacts; possible reasons for this are given.", "contents": "Treatment and prognosis of non-specific genital infection. In a comparative trial minocycline was the best oral tetracycline compound for twice-daily administration in the treatment of non-specific urethritis. A review six months later showed that 29% of patients had needed further treatment, 35% of these more than one month after initial treatment and 12% between three and six months later. The history revealed no evidence of predisposition to non-specific urethritis among patients in whom relapse occurred. Multiple relapses were in the groups of patients who relapsed earliest. These cases proved more resistant to subsequent treatment, but all patients were eventually cured. The records of female contacts showed that 29% were symptomatic, 44% had an abnormal appearance of the cervix, but only 11% had inflammatory changes detected on cytological smear. A previous report was confirmed that there was no apparent benefit from the empirical treatment of contacts; possible reasons for this are given.", "PMID": 638717} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11861", "title": "Current approaches to the diagnosis of herpes genitalis.", "content": "The current methods of diagnosing and treating herpes genitalis in clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in England and Wales are reported. Virus cultures were used as a diagnostic test in some or all patients in nearly two-thirds of clinics. Darkground examinations were performed on all or selected patients in most clinics, but fewer than half the clinics performed them on three or more separate occasions. In over 80% of clinics attempts were made to see some or all contacts of patients with herpes. The treatments prescribed varied, the commonest being saline washes, idoxuridine, and oral antibiotics. Serological tests were repeated after the disappearance of the lesions in 90% of clinics, while in 60% of clinics women with herpes genitalis were advised to have cytological examination at regular intervals in future. The importance of excluding syphilis in patients presenting with genital ulceration, the most appropriate treatments for herpes, and the possible association between the disease and cervical carcinoma are discussed.", "contents": "Current approaches to the diagnosis of herpes genitalis. The current methods of diagnosing and treating herpes genitalis in clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in England and Wales are reported. Virus cultures were used as a diagnostic test in some or all patients in nearly two-thirds of clinics. Darkground examinations were performed on all or selected patients in most clinics, but fewer than half the clinics performed them on three or more separate occasions. In over 80% of clinics attempts were made to see some or all contacts of patients with herpes. The treatments prescribed varied, the commonest being saline washes, idoxuridine, and oral antibiotics. Serological tests were repeated after the disappearance of the lesions in 90% of clinics, while in 60% of clinics women with herpes genitalis were advised to have cytological examination at regular intervals in future. The importance of excluding syphilis in patients presenting with genital ulceration, the most appropriate treatments for herpes, and the possible association between the disease and cervical carcinoma are discussed.", "PMID": 638718} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11862", "title": "Evaluation of the early morning smear investigation.", "content": "A retrospective study on early morning smears confirmed the value of this investigation for diagnosing urethritis in men. In 200 patients 108 new infections were diagnosed.", "contents": "Evaluation of the early morning smear investigation. A retrospective study on early morning smears confirmed the value of this investigation for diagnosing urethritis in men. In 200 patients 108 new infections were diagnosed.", "PMID": 638720} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11863", "title": "Tactile projections to granule cells in caudal vermis of the rat's cerebellum.", "content": "We discovered a small tactile area in a single a folium of the uvula of the cauday vermis of the rat's cerebellum. Gentle mechanical stimulation of relatively small cutaneous receptive fields (RFs) activated multiple units in the granule cell (GC) layer in a portion of a single folium in rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. The total size of this area on each side of the midline is about 1.5 mm2, yet micromapping within this tiny region using tungsten ball microelectrodes and a high puncture sampling density (about 75 punctures/mm2) revealed a highly differentiated pattern of cutaneous projections to the GC layer. All peripheral projections are ipsilateral; the two homologous areas from each side adjoining at the midline of folium 9a. The larger projection areas from cutaneous RFs are mostly from mystacial vibrissae and upper lip, but small projection sites from the remainder of the head, neck and forelimb also are present. The pattern of projections were patch-like, forming a fractured somatotopic pattern or mosaic, with some somatotopic and some nonsomatotopic features. Each RF activated units in a vertical column in the GC layer. This area has not been described in any mammal, and its functional role can now be studied.", "contents": "Tactile projections to granule cells in caudal vermis of the rat's cerebellum. We discovered a small tactile area in a single a folium of the uvula of the cauday vermis of the rat's cerebellum. Gentle mechanical stimulation of relatively small cutaneous receptive fields (RFs) activated multiple units in the granule cell (GC) layer in a portion of a single folium in rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. The total size of this area on each side of the midline is about 1.5 mm2, yet micromapping within this tiny region using tungsten ball microelectrodes and a high puncture sampling density (about 75 punctures/mm2) revealed a highly differentiated pattern of cutaneous projections to the GC layer. All peripheral projections are ipsilateral; the two homologous areas from each side adjoining at the midline of folium 9a. The larger projection areas from cutaneous RFs are mostly from mystacial vibrissae and upper lip, but small projection sites from the remainder of the head, neck and forelimb also are present. The pattern of projections were patch-like, forming a fractured somatotopic pattern or mosaic, with some somatotopic and some nonsomatotopic features. Each RF activated units in a vertical column in the GC layer. This area has not been described in any mammal, and its functional role can now be studied.", "PMID": 638729} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11864", "title": "Ipsilateral limb variation in cats during overground locomotion.", "content": "The timing interval between the onset of knee extensor EMG (vastus lateralis) and the onset of the ipsilateral elbow flexor EMG (brachialis) was studied in adult cats during overground walking, trotting and galloping. Concurrent finding of the animals in locomotion was used to relate the electrical activity of the muscles to the physical events in a step cycle. The observed variability in the interval between the onset of knee extensor EMG and the onset of elbow flexor EMG lead to the conclusion that it is not appropriate to postulate a rigid neural coupling mechanism for the control and coordination of ipsilateral limbs in locomotion.", "contents": "Ipsilateral limb variation in cats during overground locomotion. The timing interval between the onset of knee extensor EMG (vastus lateralis) and the onset of the ipsilateral elbow flexor EMG (brachialis) was studied in adult cats during overground walking, trotting and galloping. Concurrent finding of the animals in locomotion was used to relate the electrical activity of the muscles to the physical events in a step cycle. The observed variability in the interval between the onset of knee extensor EMG and the onset of elbow flexor EMG lead to the conclusion that it is not appropriate to postulate a rigid neural coupling mechanism for the control and coordination of ipsilateral limbs in locomotion.", "PMID": 638730} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11865", "title": "Intramembranous particles at the nodes of Ranvier of the cat spinal cord: a morphometric study.", "content": "Size and distribution of intramembranous particles at nodes of Ranvier of the cat spinal cord were investigated by the freeze-etching technique and compared with those at the internodal axon. The particles are larger (up to 20 nm) at the nodal than at the internodal segment (up to 13 nm), and these large particles are more densely packed in the nodal (400 per sq micrometer) than in the internodal E (external) face (4 per sq micrometer). The nodal E face reveals a much denser overall population (1200--1300 per sq micrometer) of particles than the internodal E face (100--200 per sq micrometer), while at the P (protoplasmic) face the particle density is similar in nodal and internodal segments (1200--1600 per sq micrometer). It is suggested that the large nodal particles may be related to the mechanism of nerve excitation.", "contents": "Intramembranous particles at the nodes of Ranvier of the cat spinal cord: a morphometric study. Size and distribution of intramembranous particles at nodes of Ranvier of the cat spinal cord were investigated by the freeze-etching technique and compared with those at the internodal axon. The particles are larger (up to 20 nm) at the nodal than at the internodal segment (up to 13 nm), and these large particles are more densely packed in the nodal (400 per sq micrometer) than in the internodal E (external) face (4 per sq micrometer). The nodal E face reveals a much denser overall population (1200--1300 per sq micrometer) of particles than the internodal E face (100--200 per sq micrometer), while at the P (protoplasmic) face the particle density is similar in nodal and internodal segments (1200--1600 per sq micrometer). It is suggested that the large nodal particles may be related to the mechanism of nerve excitation.", "PMID": 638742} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11866", "title": "A radioautographic study of retinal projections in type I and type II lizards.", "content": "The retinofugal projections of 5 species (Acanthodactylus boskianus, Scincus scincus, Tarentola mauritanica, Uromastix acanthinurus and Zonosaurus ornatus) belonging to 5 different families of Type I and Type II lizards have been examined by means of the radioautographic method. In the 5 species the retinal ganglion cells project to the contralateral hypothalamus (nucleus suprachiasmaticus), thalamus (nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars ventralis, nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars dorsalis), pretectum (nuclei lentiformis mesencephali, geniculatus pretectalis, postero-dorsalis griseus tectalis), tectum opticum (layer 2 to layer 6 of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale) and tegmentum mesencephali (nucleus opticus tegmenti). Ipsilateral optic fibers were never observed in Uromastix acanthinurus, whereas an uncrossed quota was visible in both nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars dorsalis and nucleus postero-dorsalis in the other species. An ipsilateral retinotectal projection was observed only in Tarentola mauritanica. With the exception of the nucleus griseus tectalis the contralateral optic centers identified in this material have to a large extent been observed in other reptiles belonging to the different orders. The presence in reptiles of a general pattern of contralateral visual projections indicates that these were established very clearly in the course of evolution. Similarities become apparent when this plan is compared with that observed in birds. In marked contrast the ipsilateral component in reptiles is unstable and mutable in nature. This ipsilateral retinotectal projections do not appear to be a feature restricted to Type I lizards. On the other hand, the presence of this optic component cannot be linked solely to nocturnal habits.", "contents": "A radioautographic study of retinal projections in type I and type II lizards. The retinofugal projections of 5 species (Acanthodactylus boskianus, Scincus scincus, Tarentola mauritanica, Uromastix acanthinurus and Zonosaurus ornatus) belonging to 5 different families of Type I and Type II lizards have been examined by means of the radioautographic method. In the 5 species the retinal ganglion cells project to the contralateral hypothalamus (nucleus suprachiasmaticus), thalamus (nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars ventralis, nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars dorsalis), pretectum (nuclei lentiformis mesencephali, geniculatus pretectalis, postero-dorsalis griseus tectalis), tectum opticum (layer 2 to layer 6 of the stratum griseum et fibrosum superficiale) and tegmentum mesencephali (nucleus opticus tegmenti). Ipsilateral optic fibers were never observed in Uromastix acanthinurus, whereas an uncrossed quota was visible in both nucleus geniculatus lateralis pars dorsalis and nucleus postero-dorsalis in the other species. An ipsilateral retinotectal projection was observed only in Tarentola mauritanica. With the exception of the nucleus griseus tectalis the contralateral optic centers identified in this material have to a large extent been observed in other reptiles belonging to the different orders. The presence in reptiles of a general pattern of contralateral visual projections indicates that these were established very clearly in the course of evolution. Similarities become apparent when this plan is compared with that observed in birds. In marked contrast the ipsilateral component in reptiles is unstable and mutable in nature. This ipsilateral retinotectal projections do not appear to be a feature restricted to Type I lizards. On the other hand, the presence of this optic component cannot be linked solely to nocturnal habits.", "PMID": 638743} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11867", "title": "Supraspinal regulation of spinal reflex discharge into cardiac sympathetic nerves.", "content": "(1) In chloralose anaesthetized cats, reflex responses were recorded in inferior cardiac nerves following stimulation of intercostal nerves and hind limb afferent nerves. (2) In 80% of cats, a long latency reflex response alone was recorded, whereas, in the others, a short and long latency response was present to intercostal nerve stimulation. (3) In cats displaying only a long latency somatocardiac reflex response, damage to the ventral quadrant of the ipsilateral cervical spinal cord, through which runs a bulbospinal inhibitory pathway, resulted in the appearance of shorter latency reflexes to intercostal nerve stimulation. Lesions elsewhere in the cervical cord did not do this. (4) The characteristics of the early responses indicated that they were somatosympathetic reflexes and not dorsal root reflexes. (5) The early reflexes remained and the late reflex disappeared on subsequent complete transection of the spinal cord. The early reflexes were therefore spinal reflexes, and suppressed in the animal with cord intact. (6) Lesions at C4, which included a contralateral hemisection and a section of dorsal columns extending into the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus, abolished the inhibition of a sympathetic reflex that followed stimulation of some somatic afferent nerve fibres. These sections did not release the spinal reflex. Therefore, this reflex inhibition was not responsible for the suppression of the spinal somatosympathetic reflex. (7) The descending inhibitory influence on the segmental reflex pathway was not antagonized by strychnine, bicuculline or picrotoxin. (8) The possibility is discussed that the spinal reflex pathway into cardiac sympathetic nerves is tonically inhibited by a bulbospinal pathway originating from the classical depressor region of the ventromedial reticular formation.", "contents": "Supraspinal regulation of spinal reflex discharge into cardiac sympathetic nerves. (1) In chloralose anaesthetized cats, reflex responses were recorded in inferior cardiac nerves following stimulation of intercostal nerves and hind limb afferent nerves. (2) In 80% of cats, a long latency reflex response alone was recorded, whereas, in the others, a short and long latency response was present to intercostal nerve stimulation. (3) In cats displaying only a long latency somatocardiac reflex response, damage to the ventral quadrant of the ipsilateral cervical spinal cord, through which runs a bulbospinal inhibitory pathway, resulted in the appearance of shorter latency reflexes to intercostal nerve stimulation. Lesions elsewhere in the cervical cord did not do this. (4) The characteristics of the early responses indicated that they were somatosympathetic reflexes and not dorsal root reflexes. (5) The early reflexes remained and the late reflex disappeared on subsequent complete transection of the spinal cord. The early reflexes were therefore spinal reflexes, and suppressed in the animal with cord intact. (6) Lesions at C4, which included a contralateral hemisection and a section of dorsal columns extending into the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus, abolished the inhibition of a sympathetic reflex that followed stimulation of some somatic afferent nerve fibres. These sections did not release the spinal reflex. Therefore, this reflex inhibition was not responsible for the suppression of the spinal somatosympathetic reflex. (7) The descending inhibitory influence on the segmental reflex pathway was not antagonized by strychnine, bicuculline or picrotoxin. (8) The possibility is discussed that the spinal reflex pathway into cardiac sympathetic nerves is tonically inhibited by a bulbospinal pathway originating from the classical depressor region of the ventromedial reticular formation.", "PMID": 638744} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11868", "title": "The role of action reflexes in the damping of mechanical oscillations.", "content": "Reflex responses measured during voluntary contraction of the muscle being stretched are known to differ markedly from reflex responses elicited from passive muscle. The term 'action tonic stretch reflex' or 'action TSR' has been used previously to describe a reflex response to continuous stretch, separated from voluntary activity by means of a cross-correlational and spectrographic analysis. In this paper it is proposed that the action TSR play a functional role during voluntary movement by damping the transient oscillations associated with the natural resonant frequencies of the limbs. It is suggested that oscillations excite an action TSR force response with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. This force response can be resolved into two force components, one of which has a 90 degree phase lead ahead of muscle stretch and behaves like a viscous friction reaction force causing damping of oscillations. Three experiments which support this proposition are described. (1) Analog computer model stimulation studies of a muscle supporting a mass-spring load reveal that damping only occurs when the force response has a phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. When the force response has a phage lag behind muscle stretch, the system is unstable and the amplitude of oscillation increases with time. (2) It is demonstrated that when a mass-spring load is supported as rigidly as possible by the human arm, reaction forces from the arm damp and mass-spring oscillations more rapidly than when the mass-spring is rigidly supported. Electromyogram (EMG) recordings reveal that mass-spring oscillations excite action TSR responses with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. (3) Recordings of elbow angle and biceps EMG during rapid forearm flexion or extension movements followed by sudden stops reveal critically damped oscillations in the elbow angle signal (i.e. no more than one or two small overshoots), which are accompanied by EMG action TSR responses with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch.", "contents": "The role of action reflexes in the damping of mechanical oscillations. Reflex responses measured during voluntary contraction of the muscle being stretched are known to differ markedly from reflex responses elicited from passive muscle. The term 'action tonic stretch reflex' or 'action TSR' has been used previously to describe a reflex response to continuous stretch, separated from voluntary activity by means of a cross-correlational and spectrographic analysis. In this paper it is proposed that the action TSR play a functional role during voluntary movement by damping the transient oscillations associated with the natural resonant frequencies of the limbs. It is suggested that oscillations excite an action TSR force response with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. This force response can be resolved into two force components, one of which has a 90 degree phase lead ahead of muscle stretch and behaves like a viscous friction reaction force causing damping of oscillations. Three experiments which support this proposition are described. (1) Analog computer model stimulation studies of a muscle supporting a mass-spring load reveal that damping only occurs when the force response has a phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. When the force response has a phage lag behind muscle stretch, the system is unstable and the amplitude of oscillation increases with time. (2) It is demonstrated that when a mass-spring load is supported as rigidly as possible by the human arm, reaction forces from the arm damp and mass-spring oscillations more rapidly than when the mass-spring is rigidly supported. Electromyogram (EMG) recordings reveal that mass-spring oscillations excite action TSR responses with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch. (3) Recordings of elbow angle and biceps EMG during rapid forearm flexion or extension movements followed by sudden stops reveal critically damped oscillations in the elbow angle signal (i.e. no more than one or two small overshoots), which are accompanied by EMG action TSR responses with phase lead ahead of muscle stretch.", "PMID": 638745} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11869", "title": "Development of the trochlear nerve: loss of axons during normal ontogen.", "content": "Development of the trochlear nerve from day 11 of incubation through hatching was studied in white Peking duck embryos. Counts of fibers from the electron micrograph montages indicate that initially there is an abundant collateral sprouting which roughly coincides with the time of neuromuscular contacts, suggesting some sort of interaction between the developing nerve and the periphery. The maximum number of trochlear cells and fibers is present on day 12. Average cell and fiber counts on this day are 2325 and 47,386 respectively. Assuming all cells send their axons into the nerve and that all cell bodies are present within the trochlear nucleus, the ration of cells to fibers is 1:20. Average cell and fiber counts at hatching are 1338 and 1506 respectively. Thus, losses of approximately half the trochlear cells and of 97% of the fibers occur during normal development. Degenerating cells and fibers are first observed on day 13. Degeneration involves both the myelinated and the unmyelinated axons. The actual number of degenerating fibers which were observed, however, was very small compared to the number of fibers lost during development; thus, it is suggested that, in the majority of cases, fiber loss is perhaps via retraction of axon collaterals. In general, cell death slightly precedes axon loss, which suggests that the direction of the degeneration is from cell body to the axon. A cell/fiber ratio of approximately 1:1 is first observed on day 18 and remains so thereafter. Indirect evidence is discussed, suggesting that at least some cells which die during normal devleopment had sent their axon into the nerve prior to their death. Whether these axons make meaningful connections with the muscle is uncertain.", "contents": "Development of the trochlear nerve: loss of axons during normal ontogen. Development of the trochlear nerve from day 11 of incubation through hatching was studied in white Peking duck embryos. Counts of fibers from the electron micrograph montages indicate that initially there is an abundant collateral sprouting which roughly coincides with the time of neuromuscular contacts, suggesting some sort of interaction between the developing nerve and the periphery. The maximum number of trochlear cells and fibers is present on day 12. Average cell and fiber counts on this day are 2325 and 47,386 respectively. Assuming all cells send their axons into the nerve and that all cell bodies are present within the trochlear nucleus, the ration of cells to fibers is 1:20. Average cell and fiber counts at hatching are 1338 and 1506 respectively. Thus, losses of approximately half the trochlear cells and of 97% of the fibers occur during normal development. Degenerating cells and fibers are first observed on day 13. Degeneration involves both the myelinated and the unmyelinated axons. The actual number of degenerating fibers which were observed, however, was very small compared to the number of fibers lost during development; thus, it is suggested that, in the majority of cases, fiber loss is perhaps via retraction of axon collaterals. In general, cell death slightly precedes axon loss, which suggests that the direction of the degeneration is from cell body to the axon. A cell/fiber ratio of approximately 1:1 is first observed on day 18 and remains so thereafter. Indirect evidence is discussed, suggesting that at least some cells which die during normal devleopment had sent their axon into the nerve prior to their death. Whether these axons make meaningful connections with the muscle is uncertain.", "PMID": 638746} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11870", "title": "Morphological and biochemical studies on isolated molecular and granular layers from bovine cerebellum.", "content": "Molecular layer, granular layer and white matter are dissected from bovine cerebellum under optical microscope and without freezing under conditions which preserve their main anatomical features. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate of the isolated layers reveal that the P400 protein characteristic of the Purkinje cells is found in the isolated molecular layer and in the molecular layer free from Purkinje cell soma, but not in the granular layer or white matter. The histones (F1, F2A1,2, F2B, F3) are abundant in the granular layer and myelin proteins in the white matter. The DNA content per wet weight is 10 times greater in the isolated granular layer than in the other layers and the RNA content twice as great in the granular layer than in any other layer. The specific activity of acetylcholinesterase is 4 times greater in the granular layer than in the other layers. Homogenates of the isolated layers take up labeled amino-acids and the velocity of glutamate incorporation is 9 times greater in the molecular layer than in the granular layer, while GABA incorporation is about twice as great in the granular layer than in the molecular layer. Homogenates of isolated molecular layer are centrifuged on discontinuous Ficoll gradient after incubation with L[3H]glutamate and [14C]GABA. The analysis of the distribution of glutamate and GABA after centrifugation reveals that the particles which incorporate glutamate can be separated from those which take up GABA.", "contents": "Morphological and biochemical studies on isolated molecular and granular layers from bovine cerebellum. Molecular layer, granular layer and white matter are dissected from bovine cerebellum under optical microscope and without freezing under conditions which preserve their main anatomical features. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate of the isolated layers reveal that the P400 protein characteristic of the Purkinje cells is found in the isolated molecular layer and in the molecular layer free from Purkinje cell soma, but not in the granular layer or white matter. The histones (F1, F2A1,2, F2B, F3) are abundant in the granular layer and myelin proteins in the white matter. The DNA content per wet weight is 10 times greater in the isolated granular layer than in the other layers and the RNA content twice as great in the granular layer than in any other layer. The specific activity of acetylcholinesterase is 4 times greater in the granular layer than in the other layers. Homogenates of the isolated layers take up labeled amino-acids and the velocity of glutamate incorporation is 9 times greater in the molecular layer than in the granular layer, while GABA incorporation is about twice as great in the granular layer than in the molecular layer. Homogenates of isolated molecular layer are centrifuged on discontinuous Ficoll gradient after incubation with L[3H]glutamate and [14C]GABA. The analysis of the distribution of glutamate and GABA after centrifugation reveals that the particles which incorporate glutamate can be separated from those which take up GABA.", "PMID": 638747} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11871", "title": "Light-evoked changes in extracellular potassium concentration in munpuppy retina.", "content": "Light-evoked changes in extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]0) and field potentials were recorded simultaneously in response to a wide variety of stimuli and at various depths within the retina of Necturus. At both light onset and offset, small diameter flashed stimuli elicit a large increase in [K+]0 in the proximal retina. The depth profile of this K+ increase is nearly identical to that of the proximal negative response (PNR), and both responses exhibit similar behavior to a number of other stimulus parameters. This suggests that the same neurons which generate the PNR may be the source of the observed K+ flux. Large diameter flashed stimuli elicit a slow decrease in [K+]0 in the distal retina and a small increase proximally. The K+ increase occurs at a depth where the b-wave of the electroretinogram is positive going, and where its current source lies. Increasing background light intensity decreases [K+]0 in the distal retina, and generally increases [K+]0 proximally.", "contents": "Light-evoked changes in extracellular potassium concentration in munpuppy retina. Light-evoked changes in extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]0) and field potentials were recorded simultaneously in response to a wide variety of stimuli and at various depths within the retina of Necturus. At both light onset and offset, small diameter flashed stimuli elicit a large increase in [K+]0 in the proximal retina. The depth profile of this K+ increase is nearly identical to that of the proximal negative response (PNR), and both responses exhibit similar behavior to a number of other stimulus parameters. This suggests that the same neurons which generate the PNR may be the source of the observed K+ flux. Large diameter flashed stimuli elicit a slow decrease in [K+]0 in the distal retina and a small increase proximally. The K+ increase occurs at a depth where the b-wave of the electroretinogram is positive going, and where its current source lies. Increasing background light intensity decreases [K+]0 in the distal retina, and generally increases [K+]0 proximally.", "PMID": 638748} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11872", "title": "Functional characteristics of unmyelinated fibres in the hippocampal cortex.", "content": "(1) In transverse hippocampal slices (350 micrometer thick), taken from guinea pigs initially anaesthetized with ether, intracortical afferent fibres were activated by small current pulses delivered through tungsten microelectrodes. Extracellular potentials were recorded from the zone of activated fibres in dendritic layers while intracellular recordings were made from the soma of CA1 pyramidal cells. (2) When recording was made from the same level as the stimulating cathode, the extracellular potential consisted of a diphasic deflection followed by a larger negative wave with a superimposed population spike. The negative wave corresponded to an intracellularly recorded EPSP, and is called an extracellular EPSP, whereas the initial diphasic deflection had no intracellular counterpart. (3) The initial diphasic deflection was linearly related to the size of both the intracellular and extracellular EPSP. It was not changed by removal of calcium ions from the bathing fluid, whereas all postsynaptic activity disappeared. The diphasic deflection was propagated along fibres lying parallel to the pyramidal layer with a velocity of 0.3 m/sec. It could follow short bursts of stimulation at 300 Hz. The absolute refractory period was 2.0 msec. (4) The initial diphasic deflection is interpreted as the compound action potential of the largely unmyelinated afferent fibres to the CA1 neurones.", "contents": "Functional characteristics of unmyelinated fibres in the hippocampal cortex. (1) In transverse hippocampal slices (350 micrometer thick), taken from guinea pigs initially anaesthetized with ether, intracortical afferent fibres were activated by small current pulses delivered through tungsten microelectrodes. Extracellular potentials were recorded from the zone of activated fibres in dendritic layers while intracellular recordings were made from the soma of CA1 pyramidal cells. (2) When recording was made from the same level as the stimulating cathode, the extracellular potential consisted of a diphasic deflection followed by a larger negative wave with a superimposed population spike. The negative wave corresponded to an intracellularly recorded EPSP, and is called an extracellular EPSP, whereas the initial diphasic deflection had no intracellular counterpart. (3) The initial diphasic deflection was linearly related to the size of both the intracellular and extracellular EPSP. It was not changed by removal of calcium ions from the bathing fluid, whereas all postsynaptic activity disappeared. The diphasic deflection was propagated along fibres lying parallel to the pyramidal layer with a velocity of 0.3 m/sec. It could follow short bursts of stimulation at 300 Hz. The absolute refractory period was 2.0 msec. (4) The initial diphasic deflection is interpreted as the compound action potential of the largely unmyelinated afferent fibres to the CA1 neurones.", "PMID": 638755} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11873", "title": "Eye-head coordination in labyrinthine-defective human beings.", "content": "(1) Eye-head coordination was studied in three human beings with absent labyrinthine function. Each subject adopted a unique pattern of adaptive responses to achieve optimal gaze stability. (2) One subject used saccades (even in darkness) to help stabilize gaze. In addition, during rotation of the body with the head stationary in darkness, he made slow and quick phases of nystagmus in the same direction. This subject apparently used quick phases to help stabilize gaze rather than to redirect the center of visual attention. (3) One subject, to help prevent gaze overshoot, showed a decrease in the saccadic amplitude-retinal error relationship selectively during active combined eye-head movements. (4) One subject showed a significant amount of preprogramming of compensatory slow phases independent of actual head motion. (5) In all subjects, the passively induced cervico-ocular reflex was moderately potentiated, accounting for about 25% of compensation for head motion during active target seeking. (6) In all subjects, 'effort of spatial localization', as shown by imagining targets in total darkness, increased the velocity of compensatory slow phases to near that of head movements during both active and passively induced head rotations. (7) In all subjects, gaze stability was enhanced during tracking of targets jumping in a predictable fashion. (8) The choice of strategies used by each subject may depend, in part, upon the latency of the cervico-ocular reflex during active head movements.", "contents": "Eye-head coordination in labyrinthine-defective human beings. (1) Eye-head coordination was studied in three human beings with absent labyrinthine function. Each subject adopted a unique pattern of adaptive responses to achieve optimal gaze stability. (2) One subject used saccades (even in darkness) to help stabilize gaze. In addition, during rotation of the body with the head stationary in darkness, he made slow and quick phases of nystagmus in the same direction. This subject apparently used quick phases to help stabilize gaze rather than to redirect the center of visual attention. (3) One subject, to help prevent gaze overshoot, showed a decrease in the saccadic amplitude-retinal error relationship selectively during active combined eye-head movements. (4) One subject showed a significant amount of preprogramming of compensatory slow phases independent of actual head motion. (5) In all subjects, the passively induced cervico-ocular reflex was moderately potentiated, accounting for about 25% of compensation for head motion during active target seeking. (6) In all subjects, 'effort of spatial localization', as shown by imagining targets in total darkness, increased the velocity of compensatory slow phases to near that of head movements during both active and passively induced head rotations. (7) In all subjects, gaze stability was enhanced during tracking of targets jumping in a predictable fashion. (8) The choice of strategies used by each subject may depend, in part, upon the latency of the cervico-ocular reflex during active head movements.", "PMID": 638756} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11874", "title": "Retinotopic organization of the guinea pig's visual cortex.", "content": "Under anaesthesia the right visual cortex of the guinea pig was investigated with 1.5 M potassium citrate-filled glass microelectrodes. Single unit and small unit cluster response showed an organized three-part representation of the contralateral visual field on the animal's visual cortex. The major central division (V1) had the representation of a nasotemporally elongated visual field. This visual field extended for about 110 degrees horizontally and for about 70 degrees vertically. The nasal visual field was represented laterally on the cortex and the lower visual field anteriorly. The visual field representation was not uniformly magnified in V1; the magnification of the nasal field was higher than the rest of the visual field. On either side of V1, the guinea pig's cortex had two additional visually responsive strips. The strip V2L, situated lateral to V1, had a condensed representation of about 40 degrees of the animal's nasal visual field and mirror-imaged the visual field representation of the adjacent V1. The strip V2M, situated medial to V1, had a similar representation of about 40 degrees of the animal's temporal visual field and mirror-imaged the visual field representation of the area V1 adjacent to it. A binocularly responsive zone of cortex was observed on either side of the boundary between the areas V1 and V2L, representing between 10 degrees and 15 degrees of the nasal visual field on each side of the boundary line. Investigation of the retinal ganglion cell distribution of the animal showed a nasotemporally oriented 'visual streak' with a high ganglion cell density per unit area of the retina, near the optic disc. Away from the 'visual streak' the density of the ganglion cells of the retina diminished progressively. The configuration of the 'visual streak' and the general pattern of the ganglion cell distribution in the rest of the retina coincided with the asymmetry in the magnification of representation of the animal's visual field on the cortex.", "contents": "Retinotopic organization of the guinea pig's visual cortex. Under anaesthesia the right visual cortex of the guinea pig was investigated with 1.5 M potassium citrate-filled glass microelectrodes. Single unit and small unit cluster response showed an organized three-part representation of the contralateral visual field on the animal's visual cortex. The major central division (V1) had the representation of a nasotemporally elongated visual field. This visual field extended for about 110 degrees horizontally and for about 70 degrees vertically. The nasal visual field was represented laterally on the cortex and the lower visual field anteriorly. The visual field representation was not uniformly magnified in V1; the magnification of the nasal field was higher than the rest of the visual field. On either side of V1, the guinea pig's cortex had two additional visually responsive strips. The strip V2L, situated lateral to V1, had a condensed representation of about 40 degrees of the animal's nasal visual field and mirror-imaged the visual field representation of the adjacent V1. The strip V2M, situated medial to V1, had a similar representation of about 40 degrees of the animal's temporal visual field and mirror-imaged the visual field representation of the area V1 adjacent to it. A binocularly responsive zone of cortex was observed on either side of the boundary between the areas V1 and V2L, representing between 10 degrees and 15 degrees of the nasal visual field on each side of the boundary line. Investigation of the retinal ganglion cell distribution of the animal showed a nasotemporally oriented 'visual streak' with a high ganglion cell density per unit area of the retina, near the optic disc. Away from the 'visual streak' the density of the ganglion cells of the retina diminished progressively. The configuration of the 'visual streak' and the general pattern of the ganglion cell distribution in the rest of the retina coincided with the asymmetry in the magnification of representation of the animal's visual field on the cortex.", "PMID": 638761} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11875", "title": "Studies on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from mouse brain: characterization of the interaction with antagonists.", "content": "The binding of tritium labeled N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate (4-NMPB) and scopolamine to the muscarinic receptor from mouse brain was investigated at 10, 25 and 37 degrees C. Approach to equilibrium experiments indicated that association involved a single population of binding sites. The formation of at least two types of ligand-receptor complexes had however to be assumed to explain the data obtained at 25 and 37 degrees C by equilibrium and dissociation experiments. In contradistinction, at 10 degrees C a single population of ligand-receptor complexes could be detected. The simplest model which fits the experimental findings consists of a fast binding step followed by a slow isomerization process of the receptor-ligand complex.", "contents": "Studies on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from mouse brain: characterization of the interaction with antagonists. The binding of tritium labeled N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate (4-NMPB) and scopolamine to the muscarinic receptor from mouse brain was investigated at 10, 25 and 37 degrees C. Approach to equilibrium experiments indicated that association involved a single population of binding sites. The formation of at least two types of ligand-receptor complexes had however to be assumed to explain the data obtained at 25 and 37 degrees C by equilibrium and dissociation experiments. In contradistinction, at 10 degrees C a single population of ligand-receptor complexes could be detected. The simplest model which fits the experimental findings consists of a fast binding step followed by a slow isomerization process of the receptor-ligand complex.", "PMID": 638762} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11876", "title": "Evaluation of the effects of nerve growth factor and anti-nerve growth factor on the development of central catecholamine-containing neurons.", "content": "Intracisternal NGF or anti-NGF has been found to produce no long-term major alterations in central norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine levels when administered to neonatal rats. While NGF and anti-NGF were found to produce significant changes in brain NE content within one week of treatment, changes in central NE were no longer detectable at 30 days of age. Modification of the growth response of the central adrenergic neurons following 6-OHDA treatment was also not affected by NGF or anti-NGF when evaluated 3 weeks after treatment. However, centrally administered anti-NGF did induce a loss of peripheral NE terminals, which was attributed to leakage of the anti-NGF from the central injection site.", "contents": "Evaluation of the effects of nerve growth factor and anti-nerve growth factor on the development of central catecholamine-containing neurons. Intracisternal NGF or anti-NGF has been found to produce no long-term major alterations in central norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine levels when administered to neonatal rats. While NGF and anti-NGF were found to produce significant changes in brain NE content within one week of treatment, changes in central NE were no longer detectable at 30 days of age. Modification of the growth response of the central adrenergic neurons following 6-OHDA treatment was also not affected by NGF or anti-NGF when evaluated 3 weeks after treatment. However, centrally administered anti-NGF did induce a loss of peripheral NE terminals, which was attributed to leakage of the anti-NGF from the central injection site.", "PMID": 638764} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11877", "title": "Preoptic-hypothalamic control of LH and prolactin release in male rats under pentobarbital anesthesia: differential responses to electrical stimulation.", "content": "In acute experiments under pentobarbital anesthesia, the brains of adult male rats were stimulated bilaterally with trains of monophasic pulses at different frequencies and current intensities through bipolar, concentric, stainless steel electrodes. Stimulation of the POA-SQ region at 3, 10 (200 muA) or 200 Hz (100 muA) increased plasma prolactin levels within 30 min of the onset of stimulation. Stimulus parameters fully effective when applied to the POA-SQ or ARC-MED. EM. regions were ineffective when applied to the ARC-VMH region. Maximal effects were obtained with 10 Hz (200 muA) stimuli applied to the POA-SQ region. LH levels were increased after stimulation of any of the three regions--POA-SQ, ARC-VMH or ARC-MED. EM. Conversely to the prolactin response, LH levels did not rise after 3 Hz stimulation of the POA-SQ region. In male rats under pentobarbital anesthesia, LH levels seemed to be affected maximally with a stimulus frequency rate of about 50 Hz applied to the POA-SQ region. The results suggest a potential physiological role of frequency discrimination in the functional segregation of LH and prolactin release controls.", "contents": "Preoptic-hypothalamic control of LH and prolactin release in male rats under pentobarbital anesthesia: differential responses to electrical stimulation. In acute experiments under pentobarbital anesthesia, the brains of adult male rats were stimulated bilaterally with trains of monophasic pulses at different frequencies and current intensities through bipolar, concentric, stainless steel electrodes. Stimulation of the POA-SQ region at 3, 10 (200 muA) or 200 Hz (100 muA) increased plasma prolactin levels within 30 min of the onset of stimulation. Stimulus parameters fully effective when applied to the POA-SQ or ARC-MED. EM. regions were ineffective when applied to the ARC-VMH region. Maximal effects were obtained with 10 Hz (200 muA) stimuli applied to the POA-SQ region. LH levels were increased after stimulation of any of the three regions--POA-SQ, ARC-VMH or ARC-MED. EM. Conversely to the prolactin response, LH levels did not rise after 3 Hz stimulation of the POA-SQ region. In male rats under pentobarbital anesthesia, LH levels seemed to be affected maximally with a stimulus frequency rate of about 50 Hz applied to the POA-SQ region. The results suggest a potential physiological role of frequency discrimination in the functional segregation of LH and prolactin release controls.", "PMID": 638765} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11878", "title": "Hyperthermia evoked by the intracerebral injection of morphine sulphate in the rat: the effect of restraint.", "content": "Morphine sulphate (M) was microinjected intracerebrally into 26 sites in the free-moving and 11 sites in the restrained rat. The injections were made into the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic (POAH) region as core temperature (Tc) was measured. A marked increase in Tc was evoked from the free-moving rat following doses of M of 1 (n = 10); 10 (n = 19); 20 (n = 7); or 50 microgram (n = 6). On the other hand, no increase in Tc significantly above the control level was observed in the restrained rat following the intracerebral administration of M in doses of 10 (n = 8), 20 (n = 9), 50 (n = 10), or 70 microgram (n = 4). The control injection of the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (5-ion), used as the drug vehicle, caused a mild hyperthermia about 1.0 degrees C above the baseline level in both the free-moving and restrained rat. We conclude that morphine evokes a hyperthermia by its action on POAH neurons, but the M-induced hyperthermia can be attenuated by restraining the rat.", "contents": "Hyperthermia evoked by the intracerebral injection of morphine sulphate in the rat: the effect of restraint. Morphine sulphate (M) was microinjected intracerebrally into 26 sites in the free-moving and 11 sites in the restrained rat. The injections were made into the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic (POAH) region as core temperature (Tc) was measured. A marked increase in Tc was evoked from the free-moving rat following doses of M of 1 (n = 10); 10 (n = 19); 20 (n = 7); or 50 microgram (n = 6). On the other hand, no increase in Tc significantly above the control level was observed in the restrained rat following the intracerebral administration of M in doses of 10 (n = 8), 20 (n = 9), 50 (n = 10), or 70 microgram (n = 4). The control injection of the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (5-ion), used as the drug vehicle, caused a mild hyperthermia about 1.0 degrees C above the baseline level in both the free-moving and restrained rat. We conclude that morphine evokes a hyperthermia by its action on POAH neurons, but the M-induced hyperthermia can be attenuated by restraining the rat.", "PMID": 638773} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11879", "title": "Effect of substantia nigra stimulation on identified neurons in the VL-VA thalamic complex: comparison between intact and chronically decorticated cats.", "content": "The effects of substantia nigra (SN) stimulation on the activity of the nucleus ventralis lateralis of the thalamus (VL) have been studied. The VL cells were identified as relay or non-relay cells among the cerebellothalamocortical pathway on the basis of orthodromical activation from the cerebellum and antidromical activation from the cortex. Certain experiments were performed after wide pericruciate decortication in order to eliminate the response due to unavoidable activation of corticofugal fibers. These results show that nigrothalamic neurons exert an inhibitory effect on VL cells. This inhibition was observed on the relay as well as on non-relay cells and was strong enought to suppress the cerebellar monosynaptic excitatory input. Thus the SN can modulate the information running along the cerebellothalamocortical pathway. The topographic localization of inhibited cells suggests that the SN controls the activity of the thalamic neurons which interfere with axial and proximal musculature.", "contents": "Effect of substantia nigra stimulation on identified neurons in the VL-VA thalamic complex: comparison between intact and chronically decorticated cats. The effects of substantia nigra (SN) stimulation on the activity of the nucleus ventralis lateralis of the thalamus (VL) have been studied. The VL cells were identified as relay or non-relay cells among the cerebellothalamocortical pathway on the basis of orthodromical activation from the cerebellum and antidromical activation from the cortex. Certain experiments were performed after wide pericruciate decortication in order to eliminate the response due to unavoidable activation of corticofugal fibers. These results show that nigrothalamic neurons exert an inhibitory effect on VL cells. This inhibition was observed on the relay as well as on non-relay cells and was strong enought to suppress the cerebellar monosynaptic excitatory input. Thus the SN can modulate the information running along the cerebellothalamocortical pathway. The topographic localization of inhibited cells suggests that the SN controls the activity of the thalamic neurons which interfere with axial and proximal musculature.", "PMID": 638780} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11880", "title": "Tolerance to amphetamine's facilitation of self-stimulation responding: anatomical specificity.", "content": "Further work on the phenomenon reported by Leith and Barrett, wherein tolerance was shown to develop to the well-known D-amphetamine-induced facilitation of self-stimulation, clearly indicates that the development of such tolerance is dependent on the location of the stimulating electrode. Thirty-seven Fisher or Harlan rats were trained to bar press for hypothalamic stimulation (60 Hz, AC). Following several sessions during which small doses of D-amphetamine were administered to demonstrate facilitation, the subjects were placed on a 4-day D-amphetamine regimen. During this time they were given three daily injections of continuously increasing doses of D-amphetamine (total 78 mg/kg). Subsequent tolerance was shown for electrodes stimulating dorsal or medial hypothalamic structures (H2 field of Forel, dorsal medial forebrain bundle, medial hypothalamic nuclei), but did not develop with ventral or lateral hypothalamic stimulation sites (fornix, ventral medial forebrain bundle).", "contents": "Tolerance to amphetamine's facilitation of self-stimulation responding: anatomical specificity. Further work on the phenomenon reported by Leith and Barrett, wherein tolerance was shown to develop to the well-known D-amphetamine-induced facilitation of self-stimulation, clearly indicates that the development of such tolerance is dependent on the location of the stimulating electrode. Thirty-seven Fisher or Harlan rats were trained to bar press for hypothalamic stimulation (60 Hz, AC). Following several sessions during which small doses of D-amphetamine were administered to demonstrate facilitation, the subjects were placed on a 4-day D-amphetamine regimen. During this time they were given three daily injections of continuously increasing doses of D-amphetamine (total 78 mg/kg). Subsequent tolerance was shown for electrodes stimulating dorsal or medial hypothalamic structures (H2 field of Forel, dorsal medial forebrain bundle, medial hypothalamic nuclei), but did not develop with ventral or lateral hypothalamic stimulation sites (fornix, ventral medial forebrain bundle).", "PMID": 638781} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11881", "title": "Neuron specific protein (NSP) in neuroblastoma cells: relation to differentiation.", "content": "The spectrum of enolase enzyme forms has been examined in several lines of neuroblastoma cells and compared to those present in whole brain. The neuron specific enolase (NSP) is greatly decreased in the cultured cells as judged by activity profiles and radioimmunoassay. The synthesis of neuronal enolase appears to be extensively depressed in these cells while the total enolase activity is not affected. The non-neuron form of enolase (NNE) apparently compensates for the lack of the neuronal forms in the cultured cells. The preponderance of NNE in cultured neurons suggests that this enzyme is present in immature neurons, and that neuroblastoma cells are not fully differentiated with respect to the enolase function. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate treatment does increase NSP levels in mouse neuroblastoma cells, but not to the levels expected for fully differentiated neurons. The results indicate that NSP is a molecular correlate of fully differentiated neurons.", "contents": "Neuron specific protein (NSP) in neuroblastoma cells: relation to differentiation. The spectrum of enolase enzyme forms has been examined in several lines of neuroblastoma cells and compared to those present in whole brain. The neuron specific enolase (NSP) is greatly decreased in the cultured cells as judged by activity profiles and radioimmunoassay. The synthesis of neuronal enolase appears to be extensively depressed in these cells while the total enolase activity is not affected. The non-neuron form of enolase (NNE) apparently compensates for the lack of the neuronal forms in the cultured cells. The preponderance of NNE in cultured neurons suggests that this enzyme is present in immature neurons, and that neuroblastoma cells are not fully differentiated with respect to the enolase function. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate treatment does increase NSP levels in mouse neuroblastoma cells, but not to the levels expected for fully differentiated neurons. The results indicate that NSP is a molecular correlate of fully differentiated neurons.", "PMID": 638782} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11882", "title": "Rapid decarboxylation of carbon-11 labelled DL-DOPA in the brain: a potential approach for external detection of nervous structures.", "content": "The cerebral distribution of the positron-emitting agent [1-11C]beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-D,L-alpha-alanine ([11C]DOPA) was studied after intravenous injection in rats pretreated with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa. Within 15 min of injection the accumulation of carbon-11 was almost twice as high in cortical areas and cerebellum as in the striatum and the brain stem. After destruction of catecholamine-containing nerve endings with 6-hydroxydopamine, the level of carbon-11 in the striatum was higher than in rats not treated with this neurotoxin. Pretreatment of rats with haloperidol or L-DOPA did not change the distribution pattern of carbon-11. Without pretreatment with carbidopa a uniform distribution of the label in the brain was observed. We suggest that [11C]DOPA is a potentially useful agent for external detection with positron imaging systems in patients and large animals of brain regions rich in the enzyme dopa-decarboxylase. (EC 4.1.1.26).", "contents": "Rapid decarboxylation of carbon-11 labelled DL-DOPA in the brain: a potential approach for external detection of nervous structures. The cerebral distribution of the positron-emitting agent [1-11C]beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-D,L-alpha-alanine ([11C]DOPA) was studied after intravenous injection in rats pretreated with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa. Within 15 min of injection the accumulation of carbon-11 was almost twice as high in cortical areas and cerebellum as in the striatum and the brain stem. After destruction of catecholamine-containing nerve endings with 6-hydroxydopamine, the level of carbon-11 in the striatum was higher than in rats not treated with this neurotoxin. Pretreatment of rats with haloperidol or L-DOPA did not change the distribution pattern of carbon-11. Without pretreatment with carbidopa a uniform distribution of the label in the brain was observed. We suggest that [11C]DOPA is a potentially useful agent for external detection with positron imaging systems in patients and large animals of brain regions rich in the enzyme dopa-decarboxylase. (EC 4.1.1.26).", "PMID": 638783} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11883", "title": "Release of dopamine evoked by electrical stimulation of the motor and visual areas of the cerebral cortex in both caudate nuclei and in the substantia nigra in the cat.", "content": "The effects of unilateral stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex and of the visual cortical area on the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons were examined in halothane-anesthetized cats. For this purpose, one push-pull cannula was inserted in each caudate nuclei and another one in the substantia nigra ipsilateral to the stimulated side. In all cases, the release of [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) continuously formed from L-[3,5-3H]tyrosine was estimated in superfusates. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex (area 4) induced a long-lasting and similar activation of [3H]DA release in both caudate nuclei. The activation of [3H]DA release in the contralateral side was selectively abolished after acute transection of the rostral part of the corpus callosum. This transection also suppressed the flexion of the contralateral forelimb induced by the stimulation. The activation of [3H]DA release could be related to the stimulation of corticostriatal neurons which may interact directly or indirectly with dopaminergic terminals in both caudate nuclei. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the visual cortex (areas 18 and 19) markedly stimulated the release of [3H]DA in the ipsilateral caudate nucleus. A slight effect was seen in the contralateral structure 20 min after the stimulation. These results are consistent with the existence of a main ipsilateral pathway originating from the visual cortex and projecting directly to the striatum. Both types of electrical stimulation immediately activated the release of [3H]DA in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. These effects were still seen 20 min after the stimulations. The activation of the dendritic release of [3H]DA could be related to the stimulation of a corticonigral projection. These results further indicate that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons may be involved in sensory motor integration.", "contents": "Release of dopamine evoked by electrical stimulation of the motor and visual areas of the cerebral cortex in both caudate nuclei and in the substantia nigra in the cat. The effects of unilateral stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex and of the visual cortical area on the activity of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons were examined in halothane-anesthetized cats. For this purpose, one push-pull cannula was inserted in each caudate nuclei and another one in the substantia nigra ipsilateral to the stimulated side. In all cases, the release of [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) continuously formed from L-[3,5-3H]tyrosine was estimated in superfusates. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the cerebral motor cortex (area 4) induced a long-lasting and similar activation of [3H]DA release in both caudate nuclei. The activation of [3H]DA release in the contralateral side was selectively abolished after acute transection of the rostral part of the corpus callosum. This transection also suppressed the flexion of the contralateral forelimb induced by the stimulation. The activation of [3H]DA release could be related to the stimulation of corticostriatal neurons which may interact directly or indirectly with dopaminergic terminals in both caudate nuclei. Unilateral electrical stimulation of the visual cortex (areas 18 and 19) markedly stimulated the release of [3H]DA in the ipsilateral caudate nucleus. A slight effect was seen in the contralateral structure 20 min after the stimulation. These results are consistent with the existence of a main ipsilateral pathway originating from the visual cortex and projecting directly to the striatum. Both types of electrical stimulation immediately activated the release of [3H]DA in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. These effects were still seen 20 min after the stimulations. The activation of the dendritic release of [3H]DA could be related to the stimulation of a corticonigral projection. These results further indicate that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons may be involved in sensory motor integration.", "PMID": 638784} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11884", "title": "Effect of electric organ discharge on ampullary receptors in a mormyrid.", "content": "(1) Afferents from ampullary receptors were shown to be strongly affected by the electric organ discharge (EOD) in the mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii. (2) Over a broad range of resistivities (4-60 komegacm) the response to the EOD was similar to the response to a brief (50-200 microsec) outside positive pulse, i.e. an initial acceleration of the discharge rate followed by a deceleration. (3) Brief biphasic positive-negative or negative-positive pulses where both phases were of equal amplitude and duration had no effect on ampullary afferents. Each phase had an effect, however, when given in isolation. These results suggest that a DC component in the EOD may cause the response in the ampullary afferent. (4) The response of ampullary afferents decreased sharply as resistivity was lowered below 10komegacm. Responses to the EOD in mormyromast afferents also decreased. These effects were probably due to loading of the EOD at low resistivities and to a more rapid spatial decay of EOD voltage. (5) Responses of ampullary afferents to the EOD were much less affected by external non-conducting objects than were the responses of mormyromasts. These observations plus other considerations indicate that mormyromasts must still be held to play the major role in active electrolocation. Unresponsiveness of ampullary afferents to the EOD can not be taken as a reason for this, however.", "contents": "Effect of electric organ discharge on ampullary receptors in a mormyrid. (1) Afferents from ampullary receptors were shown to be strongly affected by the electric organ discharge (EOD) in the mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii. (2) Over a broad range of resistivities (4-60 komegacm) the response to the EOD was similar to the response to a brief (50-200 microsec) outside positive pulse, i.e. an initial acceleration of the discharge rate followed by a deceleration. (3) Brief biphasic positive-negative or negative-positive pulses where both phases were of equal amplitude and duration had no effect on ampullary afferents. Each phase had an effect, however, when given in isolation. These results suggest that a DC component in the EOD may cause the response in the ampullary afferent. (4) The response of ampullary afferents decreased sharply as resistivity was lowered below 10komegacm. Responses to the EOD in mormyromast afferents also decreased. These effects were probably due to loading of the EOD at low resistivities and to a more rapid spatial decay of EOD voltage. (5) Responses of ampullary afferents to the EOD were much less affected by external non-conducting objects than were the responses of mormyromasts. These observations plus other considerations indicate that mormyromasts must still be held to play the major role in active electrolocation. Unresponsiveness of ampullary afferents to the EOD can not be taken as a reason for this, however.", "PMID": 638785} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11885", "title": "Afferent projections to the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the rat.", "content": "The afferent projections to the inferior colliculus of the rat were studied using the method of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Following large injections of HRP into the central nucleus, cells within the cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex and auditory cortex were stained. Within the contralateral dorsal cochlear nucleus, fusiform cells were heavily labeled. Giant cells were also labeled in deeper layers. In the contralateral ventral cochlear nucleus, virtually all major cell types were labeled, with some types being labeled in greater numbers than others. Octopus cells of posteroventral division of ventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) were never labeled. HRP-positive cells were found in ipsilateral and contralateral lateral superior olivary nucleus (LSO), ipsilateral medial superior olivary nucleus (MSO), ipsilateral and contralateral lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body (LTB), ipsilateral ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VTB), and ipsilateral superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN). Pyramidal cells of layer V of auditory cortex were heavily labeled. Small injections of HRP into the central nucleus resulted in labeled cells within restricted regions of the cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex and auditory cortex. Injections into dorsal regions of the central nucleus resulted in cells labeled in ventral regions of the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei, and in lateral regions of LSO. These regions contain neurons which are considered to have low best frequencies. Injections placed in more ventral regions of the central nucleus led to labeling of cells in more dorsal regions of the cochlear nuclei and more medial regions of LSO in agreement with the tonotopical progressions within these structures.", "contents": "Afferent projections to the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the rat. The afferent projections to the inferior colliculus of the rat were studied using the method of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Following large injections of HRP into the central nucleus, cells within the cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex and auditory cortex were stained. Within the contralateral dorsal cochlear nucleus, fusiform cells were heavily labeled. Giant cells were also labeled in deeper layers. In the contralateral ventral cochlear nucleus, virtually all major cell types were labeled, with some types being labeled in greater numbers than others. Octopus cells of posteroventral division of ventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) were never labeled. HRP-positive cells were found in ipsilateral and contralateral lateral superior olivary nucleus (LSO), ipsilateral medial superior olivary nucleus (MSO), ipsilateral and contralateral lateral nucleus of the trapezoid body (LTB), ipsilateral ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body (VTB), and ipsilateral superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN). Pyramidal cells of layer V of auditory cortex were heavily labeled. Small injections of HRP into the central nucleus resulted in labeled cells within restricted regions of the cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex and auditory cortex. Injections into dorsal regions of the central nucleus resulted in cells labeled in ventral regions of the dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei, and in lateral regions of LSO. These regions contain neurons which are considered to have low best frequencies. Injections placed in more ventral regions of the central nucleus led to labeling of cells in more dorsal regions of the cochlear nuclei and more medial regions of LSO in agreement with the tonotopical progressions within these structures.", "PMID": 638786} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11886", "title": "Observations on the afferent and efferent connections of the avian isthmo-optic nucleus.", "content": "The efferent and afferent connections of the avian isthmo-optic nucleus (ION) were studied using light microscopic techniques. Injections of [3H]proline into the nucleus resulted in labeling of centrifugal endings in the retina at the junction of the inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer, but produced no other transported label to any thalamic or mesencephalic nucleus. The origin of the tectal afferents to the ION was demonstrated by means of injections of [3H]proline into the most superficial layers of the optic tectum and by stereotaxic injections of horseradish peroxidase into the ION. The tectal efferent cell bodies were located in lamin h of the optic tectum and at the junction of laminae h and i.", "contents": "Observations on the afferent and efferent connections of the avian isthmo-optic nucleus. The efferent and afferent connections of the avian isthmo-optic nucleus (ION) were studied using light microscopic techniques. Injections of [3H]proline into the nucleus resulted in labeling of centrifugal endings in the retina at the junction of the inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer, but produced no other transported label to any thalamic or mesencephalic nucleus. The origin of the tectal afferents to the ION was demonstrated by means of injections of [3H]proline into the most superficial layers of the optic tectum and by stereotaxic injections of horseradish peroxidase into the ION. The tectal efferent cell bodies were located in lamin h of the optic tectum and at the junction of laminae h and i.", "PMID": 638787} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11887", "title": "Entry of [3H]norepinephrine, [125I]albumin and Evans blue from blood into brain following unilateral osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier.", "content": "The blood-brain barrier in adult rats was opened unilaterally by infusing 1.58 M L (+)-arabinose in 0.9% NaCl solution into the internal carotid artery, via a catheter in the external carotid. The common carotid remained patent during the procedure. Osmotic barrier opening allowed entry into the brain of three intravascularly administered tracers--a visual tracer Evans blue (pulsely injected) and radioactive tracers [3H]norepinephrine (continuously infused) and [125I]albumin (pulsely injected). In osmotically perfused brain tissue, uptake of both 3H and 125I from blood was increased 2-5-fold above control, with maximal increases observed in the caudate nucleus, hippocampus and thalamus. In control brain regions, Evans blue and albumin remained intravascular, whereas norepinephrine was taken up, possibly by sympathetic nerve endings in cerebral vessels, as a function of blood plasma concentration and duration of exposure. The barrier closed within 4 h after intracarotid arabinose infusion, and barrier opening was not associated with edema as measured two days after infusion.", "contents": "Entry of [3H]norepinephrine, [125I]albumin and Evans blue from blood into brain following unilateral osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier in adult rats was opened unilaterally by infusing 1.58 M L (+)-arabinose in 0.9% NaCl solution into the internal carotid artery, via a catheter in the external carotid. The common carotid remained patent during the procedure. Osmotic barrier opening allowed entry into the brain of three intravascularly administered tracers--a visual tracer Evans blue (pulsely injected) and radioactive tracers [3H]norepinephrine (continuously infused) and [125I]albumin (pulsely injected). In osmotically perfused brain tissue, uptake of both 3H and 125I from blood was increased 2-5-fold above control, with maximal increases observed in the caudate nucleus, hippocampus and thalamus. In control brain regions, Evans blue and albumin remained intravascular, whereas norepinephrine was taken up, possibly by sympathetic nerve endings in cerebral vessels, as a function of blood plasma concentration and duration of exposure. The barrier closed within 4 h after intracarotid arabinose infusion, and barrier opening was not associated with edema as measured two days after infusion.", "PMID": 638788} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11888", "title": "Differential excitatory and inhibitory effects of opiates on non-nociceptive and nociceptive neurones in the spinal cord of the cat.", "content": "Morphine, levorphanol, dextrorphan and naloxone were applied microelectrophoretically to cells identified as either having nociceptive inputs or non-nociceptive inputs in the dorsal horn of the cat. Morphine excited non-nociceptive cells and depressed nociceptive cells. Naloxone reversed morphine excitations on non-nociceptive cells, but only reversed about one-third of morphine depressions on nociceptive cells. Levorphanol depressed nociceptive cells, whilst dextrophan ejected with similar currents caused less depression or had no effect. It is concluded that excitation of non-nociceptive cells may constitute a spinal action relevant to the analgesic action of opiates, acting synergistically with a depressant effect on nociceptive neurones.", "contents": "Differential excitatory and inhibitory effects of opiates on non-nociceptive and nociceptive neurones in the spinal cord of the cat. Morphine, levorphanol, dextrorphan and naloxone were applied microelectrophoretically to cells identified as either having nociceptive inputs or non-nociceptive inputs in the dorsal horn of the cat. Morphine excited non-nociceptive cells and depressed nociceptive cells. Naloxone reversed morphine excitations on non-nociceptive cells, but only reversed about one-third of morphine depressions on nociceptive cells. Levorphanol depressed nociceptive cells, whilst dextrophan ejected with similar currents caused less depression or had no effect. It is concluded that excitation of non-nociceptive cells may constitute a spinal action relevant to the analgesic action of opiates, acting synergistically with a depressant effect on nociceptive neurones.", "PMID": 638789} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11889", "title": "Auditory cortex lesions and discrimination of spatial location by the rat.", "content": "Five normal rats and four rats with bilateral lesions of auditory cortex were tested by the conditioned suppression procedure to determine their abilities to discriminate between spatially separated sound sources. The discrimination involved detection of a change in location of a train of clicks from a speaker on the animals' left to a speaker on the right. The separation between speakers was varied from 180 degrees to 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 22 degrees, 12 degrees, 6 degrees, and psychophysical functions were obtained using a method of descending limits. Both normal and brain-damaged animals were capable of discriminating left from right clicks and psychophysical curves were similar for the two groups. Histological analysis indicated that the lesions in each of the four brain-damaged rats destroyed primary auditory cortex as well as surrounding belt areas. Therefore, for the rat, auditory cortex was not found to be essential for discrimination of the spatial locations of auditory stimuli. The results are discussed in light of impairments in sound localization following lesions of auditory cortex in other mammalian species.", "contents": "Auditory cortex lesions and discrimination of spatial location by the rat. Five normal rats and four rats with bilateral lesions of auditory cortex were tested by the conditioned suppression procedure to determine their abilities to discriminate between spatially separated sound sources. The discrimination involved detection of a change in location of a train of clicks from a speaker on the animals' left to a speaker on the right. The separation between speakers was varied from 180 degrees to 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 22 degrees, 12 degrees, 6 degrees, and psychophysical functions were obtained using a method of descending limits. Both normal and brain-damaged animals were capable of discriminating left from right clicks and psychophysical curves were similar for the two groups. Histological analysis indicated that the lesions in each of the four brain-damaged rats destroyed primary auditory cortex as well as surrounding belt areas. Therefore, for the rat, auditory cortex was not found to be essential for discrimination of the spatial locations of auditory stimuli. The results are discussed in light of impairments in sound localization following lesions of auditory cortex in other mammalian species.", "PMID": 638790} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11890", "title": "Neuronal plasticity in the limbic system during classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response. I. The hippocampus.", "content": "Hippocampal unit responses were recorded throughout classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response to a tone conditioned stimulus (CS) using a corneal air-puff unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Multiple unit analysis revealed that a rapidly developing increase in cell discharges (relative to spontaneous activity) occurs within the first block of paired trials and continues to increment with subsequent training, initially in the UCS period and then in the CS period. The pattern of hippocampal activity within paired trials closely parallels the amplitude-time course of the behavioral response and precedes it temporally. Identical recordsings from animals given unpaired CS-alone and UCS-alone presentations showed no such changes. These control results and additional lines of evidence point to the critical necessity of the learning paradigm for the development of the hippocampal response seen in conditioning animals. A single unit analysis indicates that not all hippocampal neurons exhibit the described conditioned discharge pattern. Hippocampal long-term potentiation is considered as a possible mechanism for mediating this early and rapid neuronal plasticity dependent on specific 'contingent' patterns of stimulation.", "contents": "Neuronal plasticity in the limbic system during classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response. I. The hippocampus. Hippocampal unit responses were recorded throughout classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response to a tone conditioned stimulus (CS) using a corneal air-puff unconditioned stimulus (UCS). Multiple unit analysis revealed that a rapidly developing increase in cell discharges (relative to spontaneous activity) occurs within the first block of paired trials and continues to increment with subsequent training, initially in the UCS period and then in the CS period. The pattern of hippocampal activity within paired trials closely parallels the amplitude-time course of the behavioral response and precedes it temporally. Identical recordsings from animals given unpaired CS-alone and UCS-alone presentations showed no such changes. These control results and additional lines of evidence point to the critical necessity of the learning paradigm for the development of the hippocampal response seen in conditioning animals. A single unit analysis indicates that not all hippocampal neurons exhibit the described conditioned discharge pattern. Hippocampal long-term potentiation is considered as a possible mechanism for mediating this early and rapid neuronal plasticity dependent on specific 'contingent' patterns of stimulation.", "PMID": 638791} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11891", "title": "Influence of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance on the relationship between central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occluded pressure following cardiopulmonary bypass.", "content": "This study has demonstrated that CVP measurement is an unreliable index of left ventricular filling pressure in unselected patients undergoing A-C bypass procedures. The influence of altered PVR on the disparity between right and left ventricular filling pressures is not of prime importance. The inconsistent relationship between CVP and PAo is primarily a result of ventricular dysfunction and not altered PVR. This suggests that following A-C bypass surgery patients cannot be grouped with respect to altered PVR as the variable which determines whether CVP will be a reliable guide to changes in left atrial pressure. Routine use of Swan-Ganz catheters would improve the precision of monitoring and fluid administration in all patients following CPB. However, it would also increase the cost and complexity of routine care and add a very low incidence of complications to all patients having cardiac surgery. At present, we monitor high risk patients from the time of surgery and advocate early insertion of Swan-Ganz catheters in low risk patients if they are not responding to appropriate management.", "contents": "Influence of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance on the relationship between central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occluded pressure following cardiopulmonary bypass. This study has demonstrated that CVP measurement is an unreliable index of left ventricular filling pressure in unselected patients undergoing A-C bypass procedures. The influence of altered PVR on the disparity between right and left ventricular filling pressures is not of prime importance. The inconsistent relationship between CVP and PAo is primarily a result of ventricular dysfunction and not altered PVR. This suggests that following A-C bypass surgery patients cannot be grouped with respect to altered PVR as the variable which determines whether CVP will be a reliable guide to changes in left atrial pressure. Routine use of Swan-Ganz catheters would improve the precision of monitoring and fluid administration in all patients following CPB. However, it would also increase the cost and complexity of routine care and add a very low incidence of complications to all patients having cardiac surgery. At present, we monitor high risk patients from the time of surgery and advocate early insertion of Swan-Ganz catheters in low risk patients if they are not responding to appropriate management.", "PMID": 638820} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11892", "title": "Cardiovascular haemodynamics during enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia in patients with valvular heart disease.", "content": "The effects of enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia on cardiovascular haemodynamics were studied before operation in six patients with valvular heart disease. A ten per cent decline in cardiac index and a 20 per cent decline in stroke volume were the only changes observed. Mean arterial, pulmonary arterial, contral venous, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were unaffected, as were systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance. The authors therefore conclude that enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia causes only minimal cardiovascular depression in patients with valvular heart disease.", "contents": "Cardiovascular haemodynamics during enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia in patients with valvular heart disease. The effects of enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia on cardiovascular haemodynamics were studied before operation in six patients with valvular heart disease. A ten per cent decline in cardiac index and a 20 per cent decline in stroke volume were the only changes observed. Mean arterial, pulmonary arterial, contral venous, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were unaffected, as were systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance. The authors therefore conclude that enflurane-pancuronium anaesthesia causes only minimal cardiovascular depression in patients with valvular heart disease.", "PMID": 638821} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11893", "title": "How rebreathing anaesthetic systems control PaCO2: studies with a mechanical and a mathematical model.", "content": "Results from a proposed equation for rebreathing systems, (formula: see text), were compared with results from a mechanical model \"lung\" ventilated either with a Bain Breathing Circuit, or a circle system (Eger-Ethans type A) without soda lime. When values for carbon dioxide excretion (VCO2), dead spacetidal volume ratio (VD/VT), minute volume ventilation (VE), and fresh gas flow (VF) were varied over a wide range, the model and the equation yielded identical values of PaCO2. When VCO2 = 2.25 ml/kg, VD/VT = 0.5, and VE = 140 ml/kg, then fresh gas flows (VF) with both the equation and the model produced values of PaCO2 which were very close to those found by Bain and Spoerel in anaesthetized, artificially ventilated humans. It is concluded that the equation is an accurate mathematical representation of how rebreathing anaesthetic systems control PaCO2. It is expected that the equation will be useful in the clinical application of rebreathing anaesthetic systems, allowing the selection of minute volumes and fresh gas flows which will yield predictable PaCO2 values.", "contents": "How rebreathing anaesthetic systems control PaCO2: studies with a mechanical and a mathematical model. Results from a proposed equation for rebreathing systems, (formula: see text), were compared with results from a mechanical model \"lung\" ventilated either with a Bain Breathing Circuit, or a circle system (Eger-Ethans type A) without soda lime. When values for carbon dioxide excretion (VCO2), dead spacetidal volume ratio (VD/VT), minute volume ventilation (VE), and fresh gas flow (VF) were varied over a wide range, the model and the equation yielded identical values of PaCO2. When VCO2 = 2.25 ml/kg, VD/VT = 0.5, and VE = 140 ml/kg, then fresh gas flows (VF) with both the equation and the model produced values of PaCO2 which were very close to those found by Bain and Spoerel in anaesthetized, artificially ventilated humans. It is concluded that the equation is an accurate mathematical representation of how rebreathing anaesthetic systems control PaCO2. It is expected that the equation will be useful in the clinical application of rebreathing anaesthetic systems, allowing the selection of minute volumes and fresh gas flows which will yield predictable PaCO2 values.", "PMID": 638822} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11894", "title": "A comparison between the Bain and Magill anaesthetic systems during spontaneous breathing.", "content": "The efficiency of the Bain system has been compared with that of the Magill system in ten conscious subjects breathing spontaneously. Air was supplied at fresh flow rates of 150 ml/kg and decreased stepwise at four-minute intervals until a flow of 50 ml/kg was attained. Expired minute volume and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations were measured. No rebreathing could be demonstrated with the Magill stystem at flow rates above approximately 70 ml/kg. In contrast, rebreathing was evident at all flow rates with the Bain system. It is concluded that acceptable carbon dioxide levels during spontaneous breathing with the Bain circuit can only be maintained by considerable active hyperventilation when using flow rates of 150 ml/kg and less.", "contents": "A comparison between the Bain and Magill anaesthetic systems during spontaneous breathing. The efficiency of the Bain system has been compared with that of the Magill system in ten conscious subjects breathing spontaneously. Air was supplied at fresh flow rates of 150 ml/kg and decreased stepwise at four-minute intervals until a flow of 50 ml/kg was attained. Expired minute volume and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations were measured. No rebreathing could be demonstrated with the Magill stystem at flow rates above approximately 70 ml/kg. In contrast, rebreathing was evident at all flow rates with the Bain system. It is concluded that acceptable carbon dioxide levels during spontaneous breathing with the Bain circuit can only be maintained by considerable active hyperventilation when using flow rates of 150 ml/kg and less.", "PMID": 638823} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11895", "title": "A comparative assessment of alfathesin for use in outpatient anaesthesia.", "content": "Alfathesin and thiopentone were compared in a double blind study where each drug was given by intravenous infusion supplemented with fentanyl and nitrous oxide, in 54 healthy female patients under-going therapeutic abortion. The two drugs were similar in terms of changes in cardiorespiratory variables, side effects, clinical efficacy, and patient acceptability. Alfathesin produced a significantly more rapid recovery from anaesthesia, without the high incidence of dreams found with thiopentone in this study. Alfathesin would seem to be the preferable drug for use in outpatients undergoing minor surgical operations.", "contents": "A comparative assessment of alfathesin for use in outpatient anaesthesia. Alfathesin and thiopentone were compared in a double blind study where each drug was given by intravenous infusion supplemented with fentanyl and nitrous oxide, in 54 healthy female patients under-going therapeutic abortion. The two drugs were similar in terms of changes in cardiorespiratory variables, side effects, clinical efficacy, and patient acceptability. Alfathesin produced a significantly more rapid recovery from anaesthesia, without the high incidence of dreams found with thiopentone in this study. Alfathesin would seem to be the preferable drug for use in outpatients undergoing minor surgical operations.", "PMID": 638824} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11896", "title": "Further experience with etomidate.", "content": "We report our further anaesthetic experience with Etomidate in 100 patients. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems were not significantly affected but intraocular pressure was reduced. The occurrence of pain during injection of Etomidate was unaffected by analgesic premedication but was reduced by using a solution buffered to a higher pH and by choosing a big vein for injection. The myoclonic movements often seen with Etomidate anaesthesia were transient and have so far not created any major problem; they were reduced by a slower speed of injection but unaffected by diazepam premedication or pretreatment with low dose of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant (pancuronium). Etomidate is a satisfactory alternative to thiopentone in situations where depression of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are undersirable or where barbiturates are otherwise contraindicated and is a usefull addition to the induction agents in our anaesthetic practice.", "contents": "Further experience with etomidate. We report our further anaesthetic experience with Etomidate in 100 patients. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems were not significantly affected but intraocular pressure was reduced. The occurrence of pain during injection of Etomidate was unaffected by analgesic premedication but was reduced by using a solution buffered to a higher pH and by choosing a big vein for injection. The myoclonic movements often seen with Etomidate anaesthesia were transient and have so far not created any major problem; they were reduced by a slower speed of injection but unaffected by diazepam premedication or pretreatment with low dose of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant (pancuronium). Etomidate is a satisfactory alternative to thiopentone in situations where depression of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are undersirable or where barbiturates are otherwise contraindicated and is a usefull addition to the induction agents in our anaesthetic practice.", "PMID": 638825} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11897", "title": "Sequence of return of neurological function and criteria for safe ambulation following subarachnoid block (spinal anaesthetic).", "content": "Twenty-three adult men were studied during and after subarachnoid block anaesthesia for elective surgery. Measurements were obtained of mean arterial pressure and pulse, both supine and after standing for five minutes, core body (tympanic) and peripheral skin (toe) temperatures and blood flow in the leg. Time of measurements included one hour after the injection of tetracaine and after regression of the block. Results obtained indicate that the sequence of return of neurological activity following tetracaine subarachnoid block is sympathetic nervous system activity, pinprick sensation, somatic motor function followed by proprioception in the feet. This progression provides the basis for recommended criteria which indicate when it is safe for patients who have been subarachnoid block anaesthesia to become ambulatory. These criteria include: (1) return of pinprick sensation in the peri-anal area (sacral 4--5); (2) plantar flexion of the foot (while supine) at pre-anaesthetic levels of strength; and (3) return of proprioception in the big toe, always provided that the patient is not hypovolaemic or sedated.", "contents": "Sequence of return of neurological function and criteria for safe ambulation following subarachnoid block (spinal anaesthetic). Twenty-three adult men were studied during and after subarachnoid block anaesthesia for elective surgery. Measurements were obtained of mean arterial pressure and pulse, both supine and after standing for five minutes, core body (tympanic) and peripheral skin (toe) temperatures and blood flow in the leg. Time of measurements included one hour after the injection of tetracaine and after regression of the block. Results obtained indicate that the sequence of return of neurological activity following tetracaine subarachnoid block is sympathetic nervous system activity, pinprick sensation, somatic motor function followed by proprioception in the feet. This progression provides the basis for recommended criteria which indicate when it is safe for patients who have been subarachnoid block anaesthesia to become ambulatory. These criteria include: (1) return of pinprick sensation in the peri-anal area (sacral 4--5); (2) plantar flexion of the foot (while supine) at pre-anaesthetic levels of strength; and (3) return of proprioception in the big toe, always provided that the patient is not hypovolaemic or sedated.", "PMID": 638826} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11898", "title": "Late complications of prolonged tracheal intubation.", "content": "Questionnaires were sent to patients who had tracheal intubation for periods longer than three days in a large multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit. The information sought was of complaints related to talking, breathing, coughing, swallowing and chest infection. Of patients who had been intubated for seven days or less, 63 per cent of the 52 patients responding had no complications while only one of the remainder had a major complication requiring surgical removal of a granuloma. Forty-eight per cent of patients intubated for more than seven days had no complaints and the rest of the patients had minor complaints which did not persist. Most complained of hoarseness. Of patients who had a tracheostomy following prolonged intubation, only 23 per cent were free of complications. From this it is concluded that tracheal tubes can be left in place for seven days and at this time direct laryngoscopy should be done. If no significant laryngeal pathology is seen at this examination, tracheal intubation may be continued.", "contents": "Late complications of prolonged tracheal intubation. Questionnaires were sent to patients who had tracheal intubation for periods longer than three days in a large multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit. The information sought was of complaints related to talking, breathing, coughing, swallowing and chest infection. Of patients who had been intubated for seven days or less, 63 per cent of the 52 patients responding had no complications while only one of the remainder had a major complication requiring surgical removal of a granuloma. Forty-eight per cent of patients intubated for more than seven days had no complaints and the rest of the patients had minor complaints which did not persist. Most complained of hoarseness. Of patients who had a tracheostomy following prolonged intubation, only 23 per cent were free of complications. From this it is concluded that tracheal tubes can be left in place for seven days and at this time direct laryngoscopy should be done. If no significant laryngeal pathology is seen at this examination, tracheal intubation may be continued.", "PMID": 638827} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11899", "title": "The effect of glycopyrrolate (Robinul) on the lower oesophageal sphincter.", "content": "Regurgitation and inhalation of acid gastric content, with resultant chemical pneumonitis, remains a common cause of death during anaesthesia. The effects of intravenous glycopyrrolate 0.3 mg on the lower oesophageal sphincter tone was studied in normal human subjects. Glycopyrrolate decreased lower oesophageal sphincter pressure by 0.88 kPa (p less than 0.005). This finding is of clinical importance in the pre-operative preparation of patients presenting for emergency surgery. A drug which decreases lower oesophageal sphincter tone would presumably increase the hazard of gastro-oesophageal reflux and pulmonary aspiration of acid gastric content.", "contents": "The effect of glycopyrrolate (Robinul) on the lower oesophageal sphincter. Regurgitation and inhalation of acid gastric content, with resultant chemical pneumonitis, remains a common cause of death during anaesthesia. The effects of intravenous glycopyrrolate 0.3 mg on the lower oesophageal sphincter tone was studied in normal human subjects. Glycopyrrolate decreased lower oesophageal sphincter pressure by 0.88 kPa (p less than 0.005). This finding is of clinical importance in the pre-operative preparation of patients presenting for emergency surgery. A drug which decreases lower oesophageal sphincter tone would presumably increase the hazard of gastro-oesophageal reflux and pulmonary aspiration of acid gastric content.", "PMID": 638828} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11900", "title": "Asymptomatic diaphragmatic defect--a post-operative problem.", "content": "A three-hour operation on the maxilla of a woman with an unrecognized large left diaphragmatic defect using narcotic-supplemented nitrous oxide anaesthesia resulted in near-complete compression of her left lung. The condition remained asymptomatic until post-operative shivering increased the patient's metabolic requirements, leading to signs of air hunger. Aspiration of large amounts of gas from the stomach promptly relieved all symptoms in spite of significant residual X-ray findings. It is important to keep in mind that the early post-operative period is usually one of intense metabolic activity rather than of rest. Patients who are unlikely to cope with such demand should be identified pre-operatively and supported prophylactically by ventilatory assistance, ample supply of metabolic substrates and judicious sedation.", "contents": "Asymptomatic diaphragmatic defect--a post-operative problem. A three-hour operation on the maxilla of a woman with an unrecognized large left diaphragmatic defect using narcotic-supplemented nitrous oxide anaesthesia resulted in near-complete compression of her left lung. The condition remained asymptomatic until post-operative shivering increased the patient's metabolic requirements, leading to signs of air hunger. Aspiration of large amounts of gas from the stomach promptly relieved all symptoms in spite of significant residual X-ray findings. It is important to keep in mind that the early post-operative period is usually one of intense metabolic activity rather than of rest. Patients who are unlikely to cope with such demand should be identified pre-operatively and supported prophylactically by ventilatory assistance, ample supply of metabolic substrates and judicious sedation.", "PMID": 638829} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11901", "title": "Post-operative apnoea caused by breath-holding spells.", "content": "After recovery from anaesthesia for a urological procedure a two-and-a-half-year-old child with a history of breath-holding spells became apnoeic and cyanotic in the immediate post-operative period. The pathophysiology of breath-holding as the cause of the apnoea is discussed. Management includes ventilation with oxygen and avoidance of inappropriate treatment with drugs to reverse muscle relaxants or narcotic anesthetics.", "contents": "Post-operative apnoea caused by breath-holding spells. After recovery from anaesthesia for a urological procedure a two-and-a-half-year-old child with a history of breath-holding spells became apnoeic and cyanotic in the immediate post-operative period. The pathophysiology of breath-holding as the cause of the apnoea is discussed. Management includes ventilation with oxygen and avoidance of inappropriate treatment with drugs to reverse muscle relaxants or narcotic anesthetics.", "PMID": 638830} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11902", "title": "A flexible stilette for replacing damaged tracheal tubes.", "content": "A simple method to facilitate exchange of a damaged tracheal tube is described. The technique entails the passage of a flexible stilette 4 mm in diameter through a damaged tracheal tube, which is then removed and replaced with a new sterile one passed over the stilette. The technique can be used in conscious or unconscious patients. A case report is included to illustrate application of the technique.", "contents": "A flexible stilette for replacing damaged tracheal tubes. A simple method to facilitate exchange of a damaged tracheal tube is described. The technique entails the passage of a flexible stilette 4 mm in diameter through a damaged tracheal tube, which is then removed and replaced with a new sterile one passed over the stilette. The technique can be used in conscious or unconscious patients. A case report is included to illustrate application of the technique.", "PMID": 638831} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11903", "title": "Acute epiglottitis: current management and review.", "content": "Forty-seven patients treated for acute epiglottitis by nasotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia following a preset protocol are presented. The results are compared with 61 cases treated by tracheostomy following induction of general anaesthesia and intubation in the same institution. Both groups were followed clinically, and 13 of the children treated by nasotracheal intubation alone had a follow-up endoscopic examination of the larynx. There was no mortality in either group, but the morbidity was significantly higher in the children who had tracheostomy. Details of the management protocol are presented. Only inhalation anaesthetic agents are recommended and it is concluded that children with acute epiglottitis should always have an artificial airway inserted. Nasotracheal intubation seems to be associated with less morbidity than tracheostomy in experienced hands.", "contents": "Acute epiglottitis: current management and review. Forty-seven patients treated for acute epiglottitis by nasotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia following a preset protocol are presented. The results are compared with 61 cases treated by tracheostomy following induction of general anaesthesia and intubation in the same institution. Both groups were followed clinically, and 13 of the children treated by nasotracheal intubation alone had a follow-up endoscopic examination of the larynx. There was no mortality in either group, but the morbidity was significantly higher in the children who had tracheostomy. Details of the management protocol are presented. Only inhalation anaesthetic agents are recommended and it is concluded that children with acute epiglottitis should always have an artificial airway inserted. Nasotracheal intubation seems to be associated with less morbidity than tracheostomy in experienced hands.", "PMID": 638834} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11904", "title": "Nitroprusside, its metabolites and red cell function.", "content": "The effects on metabolism and red cell function of blood levels of thiocyanate (SCN-) and cyanide (CN-) were studied in 42 patients undergoing surgery under controlled hypotension (CH) induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The mean dosage of SNP administered was 21.38 mg (SD = 12). The durating of perfusion was 121 minutes (SD = 11). All operations were performed under neuroleptanalgesia without complications. No tachyphylaxis was encountered. Under SNP a slight increase of blood SCN- (from 13.9 mg/l +/- 1.1 to 23 mg/l +/- 2.6) was found. Blood levels of CN- are increased mostly in the red cell, the mean value being 0.300 mg/l +/- 0.10 for whole blood after two hours of perfusion. This value decreased when perfusion was stopped. All blood samples were negative for methaemoglobin and cyanmethaemoglobin. Carbonic anhydrase activity was not modified, CN- toxicity levels for this enzyme being 50 times higher than those found during our study. 2,3-DPG levels did not vary. Blood gases, acid-base balance and Davo2 did not change significantly, although a slight increase in blood lactate was measured. As shown by this study, appreciable amounts of CN- are detected in blood during SNP perfusion while SCN- stays at relatively low levels. Fortunately most of the CN- released from SNP moves into the red cell and does not alter its functions at clinical concentrations. The low plasma concentration of CN- is not sufficient to cause important metabolic disturbances. However, dosages of SNP higher than those administered during this study could increase the blood and tissue CN- to toxic levels. A toxicity study shows that, during a relatively short period of time, SNP dosage should not exceed 1.16 mg/kg or a maximum of 10 microgram/kg/min for a period of two hours.", "contents": "Nitroprusside, its metabolites and red cell function. The effects on metabolism and red cell function of blood levels of thiocyanate (SCN-) and cyanide (CN-) were studied in 42 patients undergoing surgery under controlled hypotension (CH) induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The mean dosage of SNP administered was 21.38 mg (SD = 12). The durating of perfusion was 121 minutes (SD = 11). All operations were performed under neuroleptanalgesia without complications. No tachyphylaxis was encountered. Under SNP a slight increase of blood SCN- (from 13.9 mg/l +/- 1.1 to 23 mg/l +/- 2.6) was found. Blood levels of CN- are increased mostly in the red cell, the mean value being 0.300 mg/l +/- 0.10 for whole blood after two hours of perfusion. This value decreased when perfusion was stopped. All blood samples were negative for methaemoglobin and cyanmethaemoglobin. Carbonic anhydrase activity was not modified, CN- toxicity levels for this enzyme being 50 times higher than those found during our study. 2,3-DPG levels did not vary. Blood gases, acid-base balance and Davo2 did not change significantly, although a slight increase in blood lactate was measured. As shown by this study, appreciable amounts of CN- are detected in blood during SNP perfusion while SCN- stays at relatively low levels. Fortunately most of the CN- released from SNP moves into the red cell and does not alter its functions at clinical concentrations. The low plasma concentration of CN- is not sufficient to cause important metabolic disturbances. However, dosages of SNP higher than those administered during this study could increase the blood and tissue CN- to toxic levels. A toxicity study shows that, during a relatively short period of time, SNP dosage should not exceed 1.16 mg/kg or a maximum of 10 microgram/kg/min for a period of two hours.", "PMID": 638835} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11905", "title": "Reductive N,N-dimethylation of amino acid and peptide derivatives using methanol as the carbonyl source.", "content": "Formaldehyde is readily formed from methanol in the presence of palladium-on-charcoal and air. The use of this methanolic formaldehyde solution for the reductive methylation of amino groups in amino acid and peptide derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation has been studied and found to be superior to the use of aqueous formaldehyde because no contaminating paraformaldehyde is present. Some data on N-isopropylation are given.", "contents": "Reductive N,N-dimethylation of amino acid and peptide derivatives using methanol as the carbonyl source. Formaldehyde is readily formed from methanol in the presence of palladium-on-charcoal and air. The use of this methanolic formaldehyde solution for the reductive methylation of amino groups in amino acid and peptide derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation has been studied and found to be superior to the use of aqueous formaldehyde because no contaminating paraformaldehyde is present. Some data on N-isopropylation are given.", "PMID": 638836} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11906", "title": "Synthesis of and allergic contact dermatitis to bicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptyl-alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones derived from norbornene and camphene.", "content": "Three new lactones, 2-oxo-3-methylene-4,7-methanobenzofuran and two alpha-methylene spirolactones, 3',3'-dimethylspiro(2-oxo-3-methylenefuran-5,2'-norbornane), were synthesized and their skin activity was tested on one human volunteer and on guinea pigs. The man, sensitized to Frullania, was found sensitive to the above lactones and also reacted to frullanolide and alantolactone. The guinea pigs, experimentally sensitized to alantolactone, cross-reacted to 2-oxo-3-methylene-4,7-methanobenzofuran and the two alpha-methylene spirolactones, and also to isolantolactone and frullanolide.", "contents": "Synthesis of and allergic contact dermatitis to bicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptyl-alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones derived from norbornene and camphene. Three new lactones, 2-oxo-3-methylene-4,7-methanobenzofuran and two alpha-methylene spirolactones, 3',3'-dimethylspiro(2-oxo-3-methylenefuran-5,2'-norbornane), were synthesized and their skin activity was tested on one human volunteer and on guinea pigs. The man, sensitized to Frullania, was found sensitive to the above lactones and also reacted to frullanolide and alantolactone. The guinea pigs, experimentally sensitized to alantolactone, cross-reacted to 2-oxo-3-methylene-4,7-methanobenzofuran and the two alpha-methylene spirolactones, and also to isolantolactone and frullanolide.", "PMID": 638837} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11907", "title": "Vectorial transport of proteins by membrane-bound ribosomes of nongrowing and growing Jerusalem artichoke tuber cells.", "content": "Both nongrowing (water-incubated) and growing (hormonally stimulated) Jerusalem artichoke tuber cells contain membrane-bound (mb) ribosomes. Using a rapid flotation procedure, a membrane fraction was prepared from both types of cells. This fraction was enriched in mb ribosomes, contained NADH cytochrome c reductase activity, had RNA:phospholipid and RNA:protein ratios similar to those reported for rough microsomes from animal tissues, and supported synthesis of preinitiated proteins in vitro. Using puromycin and detergent release, vectorial transport of labelled polypeptides was measured in the in vitro system. Of proteins made by mb ribosomes from nongrowing cells, on 12% remained associated with microsome membranes following chain termination. The comparable figure for proteins from mb ribosomes of growing tissue was 42%. The membrane-associated proteins were preferentially protected from protease digestion. Some possible reasons are suggested for the correlation between cell growth and the association of newly synthesized proteins with microsomes. The role of proteins synthesized by mb ribosomes but not vectorially transported, in both growing and nongrowing cells, is unknown.", "contents": "Vectorial transport of proteins by membrane-bound ribosomes of nongrowing and growing Jerusalem artichoke tuber cells. Both nongrowing (water-incubated) and growing (hormonally stimulated) Jerusalem artichoke tuber cells contain membrane-bound (mb) ribosomes. Using a rapid flotation procedure, a membrane fraction was prepared from both types of cells. This fraction was enriched in mb ribosomes, contained NADH cytochrome c reductase activity, had RNA:phospholipid and RNA:protein ratios similar to those reported for rough microsomes from animal tissues, and supported synthesis of preinitiated proteins in vitro. Using puromycin and detergent release, vectorial transport of labelled polypeptides was measured in the in vitro system. Of proteins made by mb ribosomes from nongrowing cells, on 12% remained associated with microsome membranes following chain termination. The comparable figure for proteins from mb ribosomes of growing tissue was 42%. The membrane-associated proteins were preferentially protected from protease digestion. Some possible reasons are suggested for the correlation between cell growth and the association of newly synthesized proteins with microsomes. The role of proteins synthesized by mb ribosomes but not vectorially transported, in both growing and nongrowing cells, is unknown.", "PMID": 638838} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11908", "title": "Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of [4-14C]estradiol.", "content": "The conversion of [4-14C]estradiol to water-soluble products by lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) in the presence of added or generated H2O2 was studied using albumin or tyrosine as acceptor. The enzyme was able to catalyze the oxidation and binding of estradiol to albumin even in the absence of 2,4-dichlorophenol at very low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Other systems in which H2O2 was replaced by oxygen and Mn2+, light-sensitized riboflavin or glutathione was also shown to be active in the conversion of estradiol to water-soluble products and the effect of inhibitors on these reactions was investigated. Possible mechanisms for the peroxidase-catalyzed formation of these estradio metabolites are discussed.", "contents": "Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of [4-14C]estradiol. The conversion of [4-14C]estradiol to water-soluble products by lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) in the presence of added or generated H2O2 was studied using albumin or tyrosine as acceptor. The enzyme was able to catalyze the oxidation and binding of estradiol to albumin even in the absence of 2,4-dichlorophenol at very low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Other systems in which H2O2 was replaced by oxygen and Mn2+, light-sensitized riboflavin or glutathione was also shown to be active in the conversion of estradiol to water-soluble products and the effect of inhibitors on these reactions was investigated. Possible mechanisms for the peroxidase-catalyzed formation of these estradio metabolites are discussed.", "PMID": 638840} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11909", "title": "Factors in adjustment to blindness.", "content": "We wished to explore the relationship between certain blinding eye diseases, residual vision and psychosocial adjustment, including acceptance of blindness. One hundred and fourteen patients were grouped according to level of vision, age, type of disease, general physical health and duration of blindness. Psychological symptoms were measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (M.M.P.I.) and social function by an adaptation to blindness of the Gunzberg Progress Chart of Social Function. Social adjustment was best and psychological morbidity least in those with non-diabetic retinal disorders, those who had the best vision and those who accepted their blindness. Non-acceptance of blindness was associated with the most psychological distress and the lowest scores in social adjustment. People with glaucoma and diabetic retinal disorders seemed more poorly adjusted. An attempt should be made to identify those most prone to maladjustment so as to assist them in rehabilitation.", "contents": "Factors in adjustment to blindness. We wished to explore the relationship between certain blinding eye diseases, residual vision and psychosocial adjustment, including acceptance of blindness. One hundred and fourteen patients were grouped according to level of vision, age, type of disease, general physical health and duration of blindness. Psychological symptoms were measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (M.M.P.I.) and social function by an adaptation to blindness of the Gunzberg Progress Chart of Social Function. Social adjustment was best and psychological morbidity least in those with non-diabetic retinal disorders, those who had the best vision and those who accepted their blindness. Non-acceptance of blindness was associated with the most psychological distress and the lowest scores in social adjustment. People with glaucoma and diabetic retinal disorders seemed more poorly adjusted. An attempt should be made to identify those most prone to maladjustment so as to assist them in rehabilitation.", "PMID": 638841} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11910", "title": "The effect of cigarette smoke on the human tear film.", "content": "We used a corneal microscope to measure the break up time of the tear film (BUT) in 14 young volunteers; four were men and all were non-smokers. Values under controlled conditions and after ten minutes of exposure to filtered air or to cigarette smoke in a room of 14.6 m3 were determined. Exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with a substantial (35--40%) and statistically significant (P less than 0.001) reduction of BUT. This may reflect an alteration in the relative proportions of the three constituents of the tear film. The chemical responsible, and the way in which it increases the flow of watery constituents and suppresses mucus and lipid secretion demand further research.", "contents": "The effect of cigarette smoke on the human tear film. We used a corneal microscope to measure the break up time of the tear film (BUT) in 14 young volunteers; four were men and all were non-smokers. Values under controlled conditions and after ten minutes of exposure to filtered air or to cigarette smoke in a room of 14.6 m3 were determined. Exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with a substantial (35--40%) and statistically significant (P less than 0.001) reduction of BUT. This may reflect an alteration in the relative proportions of the three constituents of the tear film. The chemical responsible, and the way in which it increases the flow of watery constituents and suppresses mucus and lipid secretion demand further research.", "PMID": 638842} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11911", "title": "Can steroid reduce endothelial damage in stored corneas? Effect on cell viability and ultrastructure.", "content": "We studied the effect of steroid on the viability and integrity of the endothelium of variously stored corneas of different species of animals and man. Paired corneas of rodents and humans were used,--one cornea (experimental) being treated with steroid and the other (control) not. Rat and guinea pig corneas were kept at 37 degrees C for one hour in phosphate buffered saline with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). Human corneas were kept at 4 degrees C for 4 days in M-K medium with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). The viability of the endothelia (rat and guinea pig) was tested with para Nitro Blue Tetrazolium and trypan blue dye exclusion tests. The ultrastructural changes in the control and experimental endothelial (guinea pig and human) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Viable cells P less than 0.001) were more numerous and ultrastructural alteration less in the endothelia of the steroid treated corneas compared to the controls.", "contents": "Can steroid reduce endothelial damage in stored corneas? Effect on cell viability and ultrastructure. We studied the effect of steroid on the viability and integrity of the endothelium of variously stored corneas of different species of animals and man. Paired corneas of rodents and humans were used,--one cornea (experimental) being treated with steroid and the other (control) not. Rat and guinea pig corneas were kept at 37 degrees C for one hour in phosphate buffered saline with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). Human corneas were kept at 4 degrees C for 4 days in M-K medium with or without hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate (10-6M). The viability of the endothelia (rat and guinea pig) was tested with para Nitro Blue Tetrazolium and trypan blue dye exclusion tests. The ultrastructural changes in the control and experimental endothelial (guinea pig and human) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Viable cells P less than 0.001) were more numerous and ultrastructural alteration less in the endothelia of the steroid treated corneas compared to the controls.", "PMID": 638843} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11912", "title": "Staphylococcal infection superimposed on guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis.", "content": "We have studied the effect of superimposed staphylococcal infection on guinea pigs who had inclusion conjunctivitis. Although the acute phase of the inclusion disease was slightly more intense in the superinfected group, the course and duration were unaltered. We did not find any reactivation of the inclusion disease from the subconjunctival injection of glucocorticoid.", "contents": "Staphylococcal infection superimposed on guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis. We have studied the effect of superimposed staphylococcal infection on guinea pigs who had inclusion conjunctivitis. Although the acute phase of the inclusion disease was slightly more intense in the superinfected group, the course and duration were unaltered. We did not find any reactivation of the inclusion disease from the subconjunctival injection of glucocorticoid.", "PMID": 638844} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11913", "title": "Endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes.", "content": "We treated a man who developed endopthalmitis six weeks after a seemingly minor injury. Cultures were positive for Propionibacterium acnes, an anerobic, Gram-positive rod that is a normal inhabitant of the conjunctiva but is rarely a cause of endophthalmitis. The patient underwent vitrectomy and lensectomy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics followed by systemic cephalothin and prednisone. Clinical and visual improvement was rapid.", "contents": "Endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes. We treated a man who developed endopthalmitis six weeks after a seemingly minor injury. Cultures were positive for Propionibacterium acnes, an anerobic, Gram-positive rod that is a normal inhabitant of the conjunctiva but is rarely a cause of endophthalmitis. The patient underwent vitrectomy and lensectomy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics followed by systemic cephalothin and prednisone. Clinical and visual improvement was rapid.", "PMID": 638845} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11914", "title": "[Diplopia in monocular aphakia].", "content": "In monocular aphakia, diplopia results from disparities between the two retinal images in form, size, outline, luminous intensity and colour. If one wishes to give the best binocular vision possible to a monocular aphake, it is important to recognize the different factors which may give rise to diplopia.", "contents": "[Diplopia in monocular aphakia]. In monocular aphakia, diplopia results from disparities between the two retinal images in form, size, outline, luminous intensity and colour. If one wishes to give the best binocular vision possible to a monocular aphake, it is important to recognize the different factors which may give rise to diplopia.", "PMID": 638846} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11915", "title": "Effect of glucagon on canine exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by a test meal.", "content": "The effect of glucagon on exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by a test meal was studied in three dogs with a chronic gastric fistula and a modified Thomas duodenal fistula which allows easier collection of pure pancreatic juice after a meal. Glucagon was given by continuous intravenous infusion in doses of 5, 10, 15, or 30 microgram/kg per hour, before and during a test meal. At each dose level glucagon significantly reduced the water and electrolyte secretion of the pancreas. At 15 and 30 microgram/kg per hour glucagon inhibited protein output; this effect was absent at lower doses. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent inhibition by glucagon of the pancreatic bicarbonate and protein response to a meal. Inhibition of bicarbonate output was more sensitive to glucagon than that of protein output.", "contents": "Effect of glucagon on canine exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by a test meal. The effect of glucagon on exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by a test meal was studied in three dogs with a chronic gastric fistula and a modified Thomas duodenal fistula which allows easier collection of pure pancreatic juice after a meal. Glucagon was given by continuous intravenous infusion in doses of 5, 10, 15, or 30 microgram/kg per hour, before and during a test meal. At each dose level glucagon significantly reduced the water and electrolyte secretion of the pancreas. At 15 and 30 microgram/kg per hour glucagon inhibited protein output; this effect was absent at lower doses. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent inhibition by glucagon of the pancreatic bicarbonate and protein response to a meal. Inhibition of bicarbonate output was more sensitive to glucagon than that of protein output.", "PMID": 638847} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11916", "title": "The correlation of ethanol-induced depression of glucose and water transport with morphological changes in the hamster jejunum in vivo.", "content": "Glucose and water transport is depressed in the hamster jejunum in vivo by ethanol (4.8%) which also produced fluid-filled blebs at the tips of the villi. The epithelial cells over the blebs appeared stretched and cuboidal, the lateral intercellular spaces (LIS) were no longer recognizable, and the lacteals were closed. Forty-five minutes after discontinuation of the ethanol, water transport returned to normal while glucose transport remained depressed. At this time the villus structure had returned to normal. The blebs had disappeared, the LIS were again recognizable, and their appearance and number were similar to those in the control animals. Thus, the depression of water transport correlated with the obvious structural changes caused by ethanol; however, the depression of glucose absorption is associated with some effect of ethanol not evident by routine light microscopy.", "contents": "The correlation of ethanol-induced depression of glucose and water transport with morphological changes in the hamster jejunum in vivo. Glucose and water transport is depressed in the hamster jejunum in vivo by ethanol (4.8%) which also produced fluid-filled blebs at the tips of the villi. The epithelial cells over the blebs appeared stretched and cuboidal, the lateral intercellular spaces (LIS) were no longer recognizable, and the lacteals were closed. Forty-five minutes after discontinuation of the ethanol, water transport returned to normal while glucose transport remained depressed. At this time the villus structure had returned to normal. The blebs had disappeared, the LIS were again recognizable, and their appearance and number were similar to those in the control animals. Thus, the depression of water transport correlated with the obvious structural changes caused by ethanol; however, the depression of glucose absorption is associated with some effect of ethanol not evident by routine light microscopy.", "PMID": 638849} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11917", "title": "The electrophysiological effects of disopyramide phosphate on canine ventricular muscle and Purkinje fibers in normal and low potassium.", "content": "We studied the effect of lowering the extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) on the electrophysiological actions of disopyramide phosphate, a new antiarrhythmic drug. At low [K+]o, therapeutic concentrations of disopyramide phosphate caused significantly less depression of action potential amplitude and maximum upstroke velocity of both Purkinje fiber and ventricular muscle action potentials. The drug shifted the membrane responsiveness curve along the voltage axis to more negative membrane potentials regardless of [K+]o. However, a greater shift occurred when [K+]o was normal. Disopyramide phosphate prolonged both action potential duration and effective refractory period in all fibers but there was consistently greater prolongation of these parameters at low [K+]o. More importantly, disopyramide phosphate altered repolarization time course of action potentials in such a way that action potentials with dissimilar durations throughout the ventricular conducting system became more equal. The drug was less effective in decreasing this disparity in action potential durations throughout the ventricles in the presence of low [K+]o. These modifications of the electrophysiological actions of disopyramide by low [K+]o suggest that a therapeutic concentration of disopyramide might have less of an antiarrhythmic effect in the presence of hypokalemia.", "contents": "The electrophysiological effects of disopyramide phosphate on canine ventricular muscle and Purkinje fibers in normal and low potassium. We studied the effect of lowering the extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) on the electrophysiological actions of disopyramide phosphate, a new antiarrhythmic drug. At low [K+]o, therapeutic concentrations of disopyramide phosphate caused significantly less depression of action potential amplitude and maximum upstroke velocity of both Purkinje fiber and ventricular muscle action potentials. The drug shifted the membrane responsiveness curve along the voltage axis to more negative membrane potentials regardless of [K+]o. However, a greater shift occurred when [K+]o was normal. Disopyramide phosphate prolonged both action potential duration and effective refractory period in all fibers but there was consistently greater prolongation of these parameters at low [K+]o. More importantly, disopyramide phosphate altered repolarization time course of action potentials in such a way that action potentials with dissimilar durations throughout the ventricular conducting system became more equal. The drug was less effective in decreasing this disparity in action potential durations throughout the ventricles in the presence of low [K+]o. These modifications of the electrophysiological actions of disopyramide by low [K+]o suggest that a therapeutic concentration of disopyramide might have less of an antiarrhythmic effect in the presence of hypokalemia.", "PMID": 638850} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11918", "title": "Primary afferent depolarization of C fibres in the spinal cord of the cat.", "content": "The excitability of primary afferent terminals of cutaneous C fibres was tested in the spinal cord of decerebrated cats. C fibre terminal excitability was decreased in the spinal state, and increased by conditioning volleys that activated only A fibres of another cutaneous nerve and by stimulating hair mechanically. It is suggested that C fibre input and therefore nociceptive information to the central nervous system is susceptible to presynaptic control by segmental and suprasegmental mechanisms.", "contents": "Primary afferent depolarization of C fibres in the spinal cord of the cat. The excitability of primary afferent terminals of cutaneous C fibres was tested in the spinal cord of decerebrated cats. C fibre terminal excitability was decreased in the spinal state, and increased by conditioning volleys that activated only A fibres of another cutaneous nerve and by stimulating hair mechanically. It is suggested that C fibre input and therefore nociceptive information to the central nervous system is susceptible to presynaptic control by segmental and suprasegmental mechanisms.", "PMID": 638852} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11919", "title": "The influence of a visual cue on muscle stretch reflexes.", "content": "Evidence has recently been presented indicating that muscle stretch reflexes have a large supraspinal component. The finding introduces the possibility that stretch reflex parameters may be modifiable by stimuli involving other modalities besides stretch. In this investigation, the effects of a visual cue on the reflex portions of the EMG activity following a sudden muscle stretch were examined. The results, obtained from the flexor carpi radialis muscles of six normal awake subjects, failed to show any significant change in the EMG parameters as a result of visual cues occurring at the instant of onset of muscle stretch. This was interpreted as indicating that visual inputs do not reach the areas of brain involved in the supraspinal reflex in sufficient time to modify the reflex.", "contents": "The influence of a visual cue on muscle stretch reflexes. Evidence has recently been presented indicating that muscle stretch reflexes have a large supraspinal component. The finding introduces the possibility that stretch reflex parameters may be modifiable by stimuli involving other modalities besides stretch. In this investigation, the effects of a visual cue on the reflex portions of the EMG activity following a sudden muscle stretch were examined. The results, obtained from the flexor carpi radialis muscles of six normal awake subjects, failed to show any significant change in the EMG parameters as a result of visual cues occurring at the instant of onset of muscle stretch. This was interpreted as indicating that visual inputs do not reach the areas of brain involved in the supraspinal reflex in sufficient time to modify the reflex.", "PMID": 638853} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11920", "title": "Characteristics of a somatostatin-binding protein.", "content": "The concentrations of a somatostatin-binding protein, found in the cytosol of a number of rat tissues, are similar in both sexes, and hypophysectomy has little or no effect on the level of binding protein in tissue extracts. On the other hand, streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus causes a modest decrease. The somatostatin-binding proteins obtained from extracts of several rat tissues are not only similar in molecular weight but also exhibit a similar isoelectric point and electrophoretic mobility. Agents that block thiol groups or prevent the formation of disulfide bridges markedly decrease the binding of somatostatin to the cytoplasmic protein. Studies using thiol reagents and gel filtration suggest that free thiol groups in somatostatin-binding protein are important for the binding of somatostatin.", "contents": "Characteristics of a somatostatin-binding protein. The concentrations of a somatostatin-binding protein, found in the cytosol of a number of rat tissues, are similar in both sexes, and hypophysectomy has little or no effect on the level of binding protein in tissue extracts. On the other hand, streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus causes a modest decrease. The somatostatin-binding proteins obtained from extracts of several rat tissues are not only similar in molecular weight but also exhibit a similar isoelectric point and electrophoretic mobility. Agents that block thiol groups or prevent the formation of disulfide bridges markedly decrease the binding of somatostatin to the cytoplasmic protein. Studies using thiol reagents and gel filtration suggest that free thiol groups in somatostatin-binding protein are important for the binding of somatostatin.", "PMID": 638856} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11921", "title": "Effect of L-cycloserine on brain GABA metabolism.", "content": "The administration of L-cycloserine to mice resulted in a dramatic decrease in the activities of 4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GABA-T) and L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (ALA-T) in both brain and liver. L-Aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase was inhibited only slightly, and brain glutamic acid decarboxylase not at all. Liver ALA-T activity returned to near normal levels within 24 h of L-cycloserine administration whereas liver GABA-T and brain ALA-T activities had returned only halfway to normal levels in the same time period. The recovery in the activity of brain GABA-T was even slower. A consequence of the inhibition of brain GABA-T activity was an elevation in the GABA content of the tissue which was maximal 3 h after L-cycloserine administration and which was still noticeable 8 h after the drug treatment. L-Cycloserine was also a potent in vitro inhibitor of brain GABA-T activity. The inhibition was competitive with respect to GABA, the Ki value being 3.1 X 10(-5) M. The prior administration of L-cycloserine to mice significantly delayed the onset of isonicotinic acid hydrazide induced convulsions.", "contents": "Effect of L-cycloserine on brain GABA metabolism. The administration of L-cycloserine to mice resulted in a dramatic decrease in the activities of 4-aminobutyrate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GABA-T) and L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (ALA-T) in both brain and liver. L-Aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase was inhibited only slightly, and brain glutamic acid decarboxylase not at all. Liver ALA-T activity returned to near normal levels within 24 h of L-cycloserine administration whereas liver GABA-T and brain ALA-T activities had returned only halfway to normal levels in the same time period. The recovery in the activity of brain GABA-T was even slower. A consequence of the inhibition of brain GABA-T activity was an elevation in the GABA content of the tissue which was maximal 3 h after L-cycloserine administration and which was still noticeable 8 h after the drug treatment. L-Cycloserine was also a potent in vitro inhibitor of brain GABA-T activity. The inhibition was competitive with respect to GABA, the Ki value being 3.1 X 10(-5) M. The prior administration of L-cycloserine to mice significantly delayed the onset of isonicotinic acid hydrazide induced convulsions.", "PMID": 638858} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11922", "title": "Fiberoptic ear densitometer for measurement of cardiac output.", "content": "This study presents theory, operation, and evaluation of a new earpiece method for measurement of cardiac output using the multichannel fiberoptic system recently described. The system includes an earpiece of simple design and small size suitable for applications in all subjects regardless of their age or size. The method requires no withdrawal and analysis of blood samples for calibration. Compared with earlier techniques the present method, based on measurements in three distinct absorption bands in the infrared, provides an increase in accuracy of the estimations. This accuracy was tested in children undergoing routine cardiac catheterization. Comparisons were made in 39 instances (25 subjects) between simultaneously carried out determinations by the earpiece and cuvette densitometer methods. The agreement was good (r = 0.97, p less than 0.001), with a standard deviation of the differences of 0.479 litre/min, or 10.2% of the mean values derived from the cuvette curves. The regression equation describing the values derived from ear curves in terms of values from the cuvette curves differed only slightly from unity (Y = 0.167 + 0.985X). The usefulness of the fiberoptic earpiece technique both in clinical investigations and cardiovascular diagnosis was demonstrated.", "contents": "Fiberoptic ear densitometer for measurement of cardiac output. This study presents theory, operation, and evaluation of a new earpiece method for measurement of cardiac output using the multichannel fiberoptic system recently described. The system includes an earpiece of simple design and small size suitable for applications in all subjects regardless of their age or size. The method requires no withdrawal and analysis of blood samples for calibration. Compared with earlier techniques the present method, based on measurements in three distinct absorption bands in the infrared, provides an increase in accuracy of the estimations. This accuracy was tested in children undergoing routine cardiac catheterization. Comparisons were made in 39 instances (25 subjects) between simultaneously carried out determinations by the earpiece and cuvette densitometer methods. The agreement was good (r = 0.97, p less than 0.001), with a standard deviation of the differences of 0.479 litre/min, or 10.2% of the mean values derived from the cuvette curves. The regression equation describing the values derived from ear curves in terms of values from the cuvette curves differed only slightly from unity (Y = 0.167 + 0.985X). The usefulness of the fiberoptic earpiece technique both in clinical investigations and cardiovascular diagnosis was demonstrated.", "PMID": 638859} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11923", "title": "Absorption and distribution of sodium [2-14C]barbital in tissues of normal and dystrophic mice.", "content": "The absorption and distribution of [2-14C]barbital after oral administration was studied in various tissues, including skeletal muscle, of normal and dystrophic mice. There appeared to be a more rapid gastric emptying in the mutant homozygote as reflected in lower levels of the drug recuperated from the gastrointestinal tract. This resulted in initially higher plasma and tissue concentrations of barbital in the dystrophic mice. Two hours after oral administration, this kinetic profile was reversed so that less barbital remained in the tissues of the dystrophic mouse. The tissue:plasma concentration ratios were consistently, but not significantly, higher in all tissues of the dystrophic animals. Analysis of the half-life of the drug in both groups suggests that there is an increase in the distribution volume of barbital in the dystrophic mice. The phenomenon of more rapid absorption of the barbiturate seems to be more consistent as the symptoms of the disease progress. The altered absorption and disposition of barbital in various tissues of the dystrophic mouse support the concept that a generalized multisystemic disorder may be crucial to the pathogenesis of murine muscular dystrophy, in contradistinction to a purely myogenic origin.", "contents": "Absorption and distribution of sodium [2-14C]barbital in tissues of normal and dystrophic mice. The absorption and distribution of [2-14C]barbital after oral administration was studied in various tissues, including skeletal muscle, of normal and dystrophic mice. There appeared to be a more rapid gastric emptying in the mutant homozygote as reflected in lower levels of the drug recuperated from the gastrointestinal tract. This resulted in initially higher plasma and tissue concentrations of barbital in the dystrophic mice. Two hours after oral administration, this kinetic profile was reversed so that less barbital remained in the tissues of the dystrophic mouse. The tissue:plasma concentration ratios were consistently, but not significantly, higher in all tissues of the dystrophic animals. Analysis of the half-life of the drug in both groups suggests that there is an increase in the distribution volume of barbital in the dystrophic mice. The phenomenon of more rapid absorption of the barbiturate seems to be more consistent as the symptoms of the disease progress. The altered absorption and disposition of barbital in various tissues of the dystrophic mouse support the concept that a generalized multisystemic disorder may be crucial to the pathogenesis of murine muscular dystrophy, in contradistinction to a purely myogenic origin.", "PMID": 638861} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11924", "title": "A free-running endogenous rhythm of the resting heart rate in man.", "content": "A sine-wave oscillating rhythm of the heart rate is reported in 24 out of 31 resting healthy subjects. Identification of these free-running cycles was by spectral analysis of minute-by-minute recordings of electrocardiograms, and in a few cases by inspection of cardiotachometer records. The periodicity of this rhythm was circa 10 min and was intermediate in frequency between the rapid fluctuations with frequencies of 15, 30, and 60 s and those of a frequency recurrent every 90 min already described in the literature. Our cycles were independent of age and sex.", "contents": "A free-running endogenous rhythm of the resting heart rate in man. A sine-wave oscillating rhythm of the heart rate is reported in 24 out of 31 resting healthy subjects. Identification of these free-running cycles was by spectral analysis of minute-by-minute recordings of electrocardiograms, and in a few cases by inspection of cardiotachometer records. The periodicity of this rhythm was circa 10 min and was intermediate in frequency between the rapid fluctuations with frequencies of 15, 30, and 60 s and those of a frequency recurrent every 90 min already described in the literature. Our cycles were independent of age and sex.", "PMID": 638862} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11925", "title": "Comparison of microspheres and 86Rb+ as tracers of the distribution of cardiac output in rats indicates invalidity of 86Rb+-based measurements.", "content": "The technique of using gamma-labeled plastic microspheres (15 +/- 5 micrometer) to measure cardiac output (CO) and its fractional distribution (FD) to individual tissues and organs was judged by various criteria to give valid data when applied to barbital-sedated warm-acclimated or cold-acclimated (CA) white rats, which were either resting or responding calorigenically to infused noradrenaline (NA). The FD of CO to each of 16 tissues or organs of CA rats at rest or responding to NA was then estimated both with 86Rb+ and with microspheres, the two tracers being injected simultaneously. For only seven of the tissues examined in resting rats and only one in NA-infused rats was the FD of CO estimated with 86Rb+ not significantly different from that estimated with microspheres. 86Rb+ to microsphere ratios of the FD of CO to individual tissues ranged from 3.5 and 3.0 for liver and skeletal muscle, respectively, down to 0.09 and 0.07 for brown adipose tissue (BAT) and brain. Since microsphere-based estimates of blood flow to the interscapular BAT of CA rats responding to NA were corroborated by direct measurements of venous efflux from the tissue, it is unequivocal that the 86Rb+-based estimate of the fraction of CO directed to interscapular BAT was highly erroneous. When considered along with data from the literature, the present findings support a conclusion that the uptake of 86Rb+ by a tissue frequently does not provide a valid measure of the FD of CO to the tissue. Some of the factors that are likely responsible for this situation are discussed, and it is suggested that only by a fortuitous combination of circumstances does the uptake of 86Rb+ by a tissue sometimes match the FD of CO to the tissue.", "contents": "Comparison of microspheres and 86Rb+ as tracers of the distribution of cardiac output in rats indicates invalidity of 86Rb+-based measurements. The technique of using gamma-labeled plastic microspheres (15 +/- 5 micrometer) to measure cardiac output (CO) and its fractional distribution (FD) to individual tissues and organs was judged by various criteria to give valid data when applied to barbital-sedated warm-acclimated or cold-acclimated (CA) white rats, which were either resting or responding calorigenically to infused noradrenaline (NA). The FD of CO to each of 16 tissues or organs of CA rats at rest or responding to NA was then estimated both with 86Rb+ and with microspheres, the two tracers being injected simultaneously. For only seven of the tissues examined in resting rats and only one in NA-infused rats was the FD of CO estimated with 86Rb+ not significantly different from that estimated with microspheres. 86Rb+ to microsphere ratios of the FD of CO to individual tissues ranged from 3.5 and 3.0 for liver and skeletal muscle, respectively, down to 0.09 and 0.07 for brown adipose tissue (BAT) and brain. Since microsphere-based estimates of blood flow to the interscapular BAT of CA rats responding to NA were corroborated by direct measurements of venous efflux from the tissue, it is unequivocal that the 86Rb+-based estimate of the fraction of CO directed to interscapular BAT was highly erroneous. When considered along with data from the literature, the present findings support a conclusion that the uptake of 86Rb+ by a tissue frequently does not provide a valid measure of the FD of CO to the tissue. Some of the factors that are likely responsible for this situation are discussed, and it is suggested that only by a fortuitous combination of circumstances does the uptake of 86Rb+ by a tissue sometimes match the FD of CO to the tissue.", "PMID": 638864} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11926", "title": "Effect of bile salts on the biliary excretion of glycodihydrofusidate in the rat.", "content": "The biliary elimination of glycodihydrofusidate (GDHF), a structural analogue of bile salts, was studied in bile fistula rats. GDHF was excreted in bile with a maximal excretory rate (Tm = 0.80 mumol min-1 kg-1) which is much lower than bile salts Tm. The effects of dehydrocholate and taurocholate on GDHF biliary secretion suggest a stimulatory effect of bile salts on canalicular excretion of the drug. (a) When a bolus intravenous injection of 3 mumol of GDHF was followed after 2 min by a continuous dehydrocholate perfusion (10 mumol min-1 kg-1), biliary excretion of GDHF was increased in comparison with control rats. (b) Upon attaining the biliary Tm by continuous perfusion of GDHF at a rate of 1.35 mumol min-1 kg-1, infusion with either taurocholate or dehydrocholate increased its Tm to a similar degree. These results are similar to those previously obtained with the effects of bile salt infusions on the Tm of bromosulfophthalein. They suggest therefore that hepatic transport of GDHF and bile salts occurs by routes which are distinct for canalicular transport in spite of the striking structural similarities between GDHF and bile salts.", "contents": "Effect of bile salts on the biliary excretion of glycodihydrofusidate in the rat. The biliary elimination of glycodihydrofusidate (GDHF), a structural analogue of bile salts, was studied in bile fistula rats. GDHF was excreted in bile with a maximal excretory rate (Tm = 0.80 mumol min-1 kg-1) which is much lower than bile salts Tm. The effects of dehydrocholate and taurocholate on GDHF biliary secretion suggest a stimulatory effect of bile salts on canalicular excretion of the drug. (a) When a bolus intravenous injection of 3 mumol of GDHF was followed after 2 min by a continuous dehydrocholate perfusion (10 mumol min-1 kg-1), biliary excretion of GDHF was increased in comparison with control rats. (b) Upon attaining the biliary Tm by continuous perfusion of GDHF at a rate of 1.35 mumol min-1 kg-1, infusion with either taurocholate or dehydrocholate increased its Tm to a similar degree. These results are similar to those previously obtained with the effects of bile salt infusions on the Tm of bromosulfophthalein. They suggest therefore that hepatic transport of GDHF and bile salts occurs by routes which are distinct for canalicular transport in spite of the striking structural similarities between GDHF and bile salts.", "PMID": 638865} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11927", "title": "Effects of lidocaine in rabbit atria.", "content": "Standard microelectrode recordings were obtained from rabbit right and left atria. Lidocaine (1 X 10(-5) M) had no effect on these, but 5 X 10(-5) M lidocaine significantly slowed rate and Vmax. This concentration had no effect on the duration of the action potential, a result clearly different from the effect of this drug in Purkinje tissue. Lidocaine had much less effect on the 'steady-state' relation of membrane potential to Vmax of phase 0 of the action potential than on the 'membrane responsiveness curve' obtained by the extra stimulus technique. We have demonstrated time-related recovery from sodium inactivation in rabbit left atria and have shown that lidocaine slows recovery in this tissue as it does in Purkinje fibres.", "contents": "Effects of lidocaine in rabbit atria. Standard microelectrode recordings were obtained from rabbit right and left atria. Lidocaine (1 X 10(-5) M) had no effect on these, but 5 X 10(-5) M lidocaine significantly slowed rate and Vmax. This concentration had no effect on the duration of the action potential, a result clearly different from the effect of this drug in Purkinje tissue. Lidocaine had much less effect on the 'steady-state' relation of membrane potential to Vmax of phase 0 of the action potential than on the 'membrane responsiveness curve' obtained by the extra stimulus technique. We have demonstrated time-related recovery from sodium inactivation in rabbit left atria and have shown that lidocaine slows recovery in this tissue as it does in Purkinje fibres.", "PMID": 638867} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11928", "title": "Effects of prolactin, progesterone, and 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one on squalene production by the preputial gland of the immature female rat.", "content": "To examine further the previously demonstrated synergism between prolactin and progesterone on preputial glands of hypophysectomized, ovariectomized, immature rats, their effects on squalene production were determined and compared with the ability of 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT) and prolactin to increase the amount of squalene in the preputial glands. Glands from progesterone-treated rats incubated in vitro with [14C]mevalonic acid incorporated radioactivity into squalene (identified by chromatographic mobility) more rapidly than glands from controls or prolactin-treated rats. Using the same in vitro system, glands from prolactin-treated rats incorporated more [14C]acetate into squalene than those from progesterone-treated animals. In addition, results showed that prolactin and DHT increased nonradioactive squalene (identified by mass spectral analysis) content in the gland while progesterone had no effect. It is proposed that prolactin increases preputial gland squalene content by enhancing synthesis of mevalonic acid, while progesterone increases incorporation of mevalonic acid into squalene.", "contents": "Effects of prolactin, progesterone, and 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one on squalene production by the preputial gland of the immature female rat. To examine further the previously demonstrated synergism between prolactin and progesterone on preputial glands of hypophysectomized, ovariectomized, immature rats, their effects on squalene production were determined and compared with the ability of 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT) and prolactin to increase the amount of squalene in the preputial glands. Glands from progesterone-treated rats incubated in vitro with [14C]mevalonic acid incorporated radioactivity into squalene (identified by chromatographic mobility) more rapidly than glands from controls or prolactin-treated rats. Using the same in vitro system, glands from prolactin-treated rats incorporated more [14C]acetate into squalene than those from progesterone-treated animals. In addition, results showed that prolactin and DHT increased nonradioactive squalene (identified by mass spectral analysis) content in the gland while progesterone had no effect. It is proposed that prolactin increases preputial gland squalene content by enhancing synthesis of mevalonic acid, while progesterone increases incorporation of mevalonic acid into squalene.", "PMID": 638868} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11929", "title": "Redistribution in left ventricular regional flow following acute right ventricular pressure overload.", "content": "The left ventricular dysfunction following acute pulmowary hypertension remains unexplained. We wondered if acute pulmonary hypertension could alter the transmural flow distribution within the left ventricular myocardium, independent of coronary flow and perfusion pressure. We used a canine preparation in which the left coronary system was perfused at constant flow and induced a two- to three-fold increase in pulmonary artery pressure by banding the pulmonary artery. Regional myocardial blood flow of the left coronary system was measured using radioactive microspheres, injected into the left coronary system before and after 10-30 min of banding of the pulmonary artery. The left ventricular subendocardial:epicardial ratio fell by 12 and 31% (p less than 0.05) of control value, 10 and 30 min, respectively, after banding of the pulmonary artery, the total flow to the left coronary system being kept constant. Left atrial mean pressure increased from 2.9 +/- 2.4 to 3.6 +/- 1.9 and 6.0 +/- 2.1 (p less than 0.05) following banding. The mechanism of the redistribution of coronary flow may relate to inappropriate vasodilation of the right septal myocardium with consequent relative left ventricular subendocardial hypoperfusion which might aggravate left ventricular ischemia in the presence of hypotension and hypoxia.", "contents": "Redistribution in left ventricular regional flow following acute right ventricular pressure overload. The left ventricular dysfunction following acute pulmowary hypertension remains unexplained. We wondered if acute pulmonary hypertension could alter the transmural flow distribution within the left ventricular myocardium, independent of coronary flow and perfusion pressure. We used a canine preparation in which the left coronary system was perfused at constant flow and induced a two- to three-fold increase in pulmonary artery pressure by banding the pulmonary artery. Regional myocardial blood flow of the left coronary system was measured using radioactive microspheres, injected into the left coronary system before and after 10-30 min of banding of the pulmonary artery. The left ventricular subendocardial:epicardial ratio fell by 12 and 31% (p less than 0.05) of control value, 10 and 30 min, respectively, after banding of the pulmonary artery, the total flow to the left coronary system being kept constant. Left atrial mean pressure increased from 2.9 +/- 2.4 to 3.6 +/- 1.9 and 6.0 +/- 2.1 (p less than 0.05) following banding. The mechanism of the redistribution of coronary flow may relate to inappropriate vasodilation of the right septal myocardium with consequent relative left ventricular subendocardial hypoperfusion which might aggravate left ventricular ischemia in the presence of hypotension and hypoxia.", "PMID": 638869} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11930", "title": "Calcium influx and spontaneous phasic contractions of portal veins after treatment with reserpine, 6-hydroxydopamine, and cocaine.", "content": "Reserpine treatment increased the amplitude of the spontaneous phasic contraction (SPC) of portal veins obtained from rabbit and guinea pig but did not alter that of rat. The amplitude of the SPC of portal veins from these animals was increased after 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) but was not changed after cocaine treatment. Reserpine- and 6-OHDA-induced changes in portal vein SPC amplitude were accompanied by an increase in 45Ca influx. These results indicate that the elevation in SPC amplitude is accompanied by an increase in calcium influx.", "contents": "Calcium influx and spontaneous phasic contractions of portal veins after treatment with reserpine, 6-hydroxydopamine, and cocaine. Reserpine treatment increased the amplitude of the spontaneous phasic contraction (SPC) of portal veins obtained from rabbit and guinea pig but did not alter that of rat. The amplitude of the SPC of portal veins from these animals was increased after 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) but was not changed after cocaine treatment. Reserpine- and 6-OHDA-induced changes in portal vein SPC amplitude were accompanied by an increase in 45Ca influx. These results indicate that the elevation in SPC amplitude is accompanied by an increase in calcium influx.", "PMID": 638871} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11931", "title": "The metabolic pattern of spontaneously released [3H]norepinephrine in the presence of uptake inhibitors.", "content": "The effect of uptake inhibitors on the spontaneous release of [3H]norepinephrine was studied using rat isolated vas deferens. Cocaine, desmethylimipramine, phenoxybenzamine, and guanethidine caused an increase in the spontaneous outflow of tritium, but did not alter the metabolic pattern of released [3H]norepinephrine. Bretylium caused an increase of both total tritium outflow and norepinephrine content. It is suggested that these drugs caused release of norepinephrine from storage sites and that norepinephrine was metabolized within the nerve terminals before reaching the biophase.", "contents": "The metabolic pattern of spontaneously released [3H]norepinephrine in the presence of uptake inhibitors. The effect of uptake inhibitors on the spontaneous release of [3H]norepinephrine was studied using rat isolated vas deferens. Cocaine, desmethylimipramine, phenoxybenzamine, and guanethidine caused an increase in the spontaneous outflow of tritium, but did not alter the metabolic pattern of released [3H]norepinephrine. Bretylium caused an increase of both total tritium outflow and norepinephrine content. It is suggested that these drugs caused release of norepinephrine from storage sites and that norepinephrine was metabolized within the nerve terminals before reaching the biophase.", "PMID": 638872} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11932", "title": "Enkephalin and substance P effects related to trigeminal pain.", "content": "Iontophoretic applications of enkephalin (20-150 nA) reduced the spontaneous firing frequency of nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis of decerebrated cats. The response evoked by noxious stimulation (tooth pulp) was gradually inhibited during the 1st minute of application of the opioid and generally remained depressed for 5 min after the current was turned off. These effects of enkephalin were blocked by intravenously or iontophoretically administered naloxone. Nonnociceptive neurons or nociceptive neurons responding to nonnoxious inputs were less frequently inhibited by enkephalin. When tested on nonnociceptive cells, similar applications of substance P usually had little effect. Nociceptive neurons, however, were strongly excited by substance P. This action was not constant and was interrupted by periods of inactivation. Both types of peptide action were similar in temporal aspects. The results suggest a functional interrelationship between enkephalin and substance P in a trigeminal system mediating nociception.", "contents": "Enkephalin and substance P effects related to trigeminal pain. Iontophoretic applications of enkephalin (20-150 nA) reduced the spontaneous firing frequency of nociceptive neurons in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis of decerebrated cats. The response evoked by noxious stimulation (tooth pulp) was gradually inhibited during the 1st minute of application of the opioid and generally remained depressed for 5 min after the current was turned off. These effects of enkephalin were blocked by intravenously or iontophoretically administered naloxone. Nonnociceptive neurons or nociceptive neurons responding to nonnoxious inputs were less frequently inhibited by enkephalin. When tested on nonnociceptive cells, similar applications of substance P usually had little effect. Nociceptive neurons, however, were strongly excited by substance P. This action was not constant and was interrupted by periods of inactivation. Both types of peptide action were similar in temporal aspects. The results suggest a functional interrelationship between enkephalin and substance P in a trigeminal system mediating nociception.", "PMID": 638874} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11933", "title": "Opiate-like naloxone-reversible actions of somatostatin given intracerebrally.", "content": "The latency to tail-flick response in the rat was significantly prolonged by cerebroventricular infusion of 1.0 microgram of somatostatin (SRIF) and more so with 10.0 microgram. The D-tryptophan analog was less effective than native SRIF. Pretreatment with naloxone eliminated analgesia but not seizures induced by SRIF. Recording of the EEG activity enabled determination of the specific state of the sleep-waking cycle in which the repeated tail-flick responses were tested: latency was generally longer in both control and test animals when tail immersion was performed during the state of sleep or drowsiness rather than during the awake state. Although animals receiving SRIF were less likely to fall asleep between subsequent test trails, the average latency was actually longer than after control saline infusion when the animals slept more. SRIF, unlike other releasing factors and peptides tested, showed significant activity in an opiate radioreceptor assay. The blockade of SRIF action by naloxone pretreatment, along with binding of SRIF to opiate receptors in vitro, suggest opiate receptors to be involved in the mediation of analgesia observed in present study.", "contents": "Opiate-like naloxone-reversible actions of somatostatin given intracerebrally. The latency to tail-flick response in the rat was significantly prolonged by cerebroventricular infusion of 1.0 microgram of somatostatin (SRIF) and more so with 10.0 microgram. The D-tryptophan analog was less effective than native SRIF. Pretreatment with naloxone eliminated analgesia but not seizures induced by SRIF. Recording of the EEG activity enabled determination of the specific state of the sleep-waking cycle in which the repeated tail-flick responses were tested: latency was generally longer in both control and test animals when tail immersion was performed during the state of sleep or drowsiness rather than during the awake state. Although animals receiving SRIF were less likely to fall asleep between subsequent test trails, the average latency was actually longer than after control saline infusion when the animals slept more. SRIF, unlike other releasing factors and peptides tested, showed significant activity in an opiate radioreceptor assay. The blockade of SRIF action by naloxone pretreatment, along with binding of SRIF to opiate receptors in vitro, suggest opiate receptors to be involved in the mediation of analgesia observed in present study.", "PMID": 638875} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11934", "title": "Effect of acute blood volume expansion on cardiac output, plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase, and renal function in rats with chronic constriction of the ascending aorta.", "content": "To examine the effect of raised left atrial pressure (AP) on the relationship of cardiac output to renal function, we constricted the ascending aorta in rats (AC) and 1-6 months later tested their response to acute volume expansion (VE) with blood (2% body weight, iv). Sham-operated (SH) rats were controls. In AC rats heart weight increased 38%, but cardiac output was 47% lower. Statistically significant differences in the initial clearance periods were (AC vs. SH): venous pressure (VP) 8 +/- 2 vs. 3+/- 1 cm H2O; inulin clearance (CIN) 0.61 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.04 ml/min; sodium excretion (UNAV) 1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 muequiv./min. Filtration fraction, fractional UNaV, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were the same in both groups. After VE, cardiac output increased proportionately more in AC (69% vs. 27%); however, the absolute increases were not different. UNaV increased proportionately more in AC rats, but the absolute increase was less (5.1 vs. 7.5 muequiv./min). Multiple variable regression analysis showed that UNaV correlated with CIN, MAP, and VP, with no difference between AC and SH animals. Cardiovascular-renal relationships were indistinguishable from previous descriptions of dogs and rats with chronic vena caval constriction. Modulation of renal function by left AP was not apparent. In both groups after the peak response to VE, UNaV decreased in association with decreased cardiac output and increased sympathetic nervous activity as indicated by raised DBH levels. After VE, VP remained high in AC but not in SH animals.", "contents": "Effect of acute blood volume expansion on cardiac output, plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase, and renal function in rats with chronic constriction of the ascending aorta. To examine the effect of raised left atrial pressure (AP) on the relationship of cardiac output to renal function, we constricted the ascending aorta in rats (AC) and 1-6 months later tested their response to acute volume expansion (VE) with blood (2% body weight, iv). Sham-operated (SH) rats were controls. In AC rats heart weight increased 38%, but cardiac output was 47% lower. Statistically significant differences in the initial clearance periods were (AC vs. SH): venous pressure (VP) 8 +/- 2 vs. 3+/- 1 cm H2O; inulin clearance (CIN) 0.61 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.04 ml/min; sodium excretion (UNAV) 1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 muequiv./min. Filtration fraction, fractional UNaV, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) were the same in both groups. After VE, cardiac output increased proportionately more in AC (69% vs. 27%); however, the absolute increases were not different. UNaV increased proportionately more in AC rats, but the absolute increase was less (5.1 vs. 7.5 muequiv./min). Multiple variable regression analysis showed that UNaV correlated with CIN, MAP, and VP, with no difference between AC and SH animals. Cardiovascular-renal relationships were indistinguishable from previous descriptions of dogs and rats with chronic vena caval constriction. Modulation of renal function by left AP was not apparent. In both groups after the peak response to VE, UNaV decreased in association with decreased cardiac output and increased sympathetic nervous activity as indicated by raised DBH levels. After VE, VP remained high in AC but not in SH animals.", "PMID": 638876} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11935", "title": "Effects of anesthetics on diphenylhydantoin metabolism in the rat: possible inhibition by diethyl ether.", "content": "The effects of diethyl ether and urethane on the elimination of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) in the rat were compared. The apparent half-life of DPH following a dose of 10 mg/kg, iv, under continuous ether anesthesia was 284 +/- 47 min, while the half-life under urethane anesthesia was 25.5 +/- 6.3 min. The latter was in agreement with the literature value for DPH half-life without anesthesia. The effects of both anesthetic agents on bile flow and indocyanine green clearance were not different. Following intravenous administration of DPH (1 mg/kg), DPH metabolites excreted in bile at 2 h were 75.3 +/- 4.8% of the dose with urethane anesthesia and 25.0 +/- 5.0% of the dose with continuous ether anesthesia. The data suggest that ether may inhibit the DPH metabolism in vivo, most likely at the hydroxylation step, while urethane does not.", "contents": "Effects of anesthetics on diphenylhydantoin metabolism in the rat: possible inhibition by diethyl ether. The effects of diethyl ether and urethane on the elimination of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) in the rat were compared. The apparent half-life of DPH following a dose of 10 mg/kg, iv, under continuous ether anesthesia was 284 +/- 47 min, while the half-life under urethane anesthesia was 25.5 +/- 6.3 min. The latter was in agreement with the literature value for DPH half-life without anesthesia. The effects of both anesthetic agents on bile flow and indocyanine green clearance were not different. Following intravenous administration of DPH (1 mg/kg), DPH metabolites excreted in bile at 2 h were 75.3 +/- 4.8% of the dose with urethane anesthesia and 25.0 +/- 5.0% of the dose with continuous ether anesthesia. The data suggest that ether may inhibit the DPH metabolism in vivo, most likely at the hydroxylation step, while urethane does not.", "PMID": 638877} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11936", "title": "Alteration of the erythrocyte ultrastructure and blood viscosity by morphine.", "content": "The effects of acute morphine administration on intact erythrocytes and on their flow properties were studied by measuring the mean cell volume, cell geometry, and whole blood and plasma viscosities. Morphine caused a small (2-7%) increase in mean cell volume. Changes in cell geometry were found to be time dependent and most pronounced in concave portions of the red cells. Whole body viscosity was found to decrease upon morphine treatment; this may be due in part to a concurrent decrease in plasma viscosity.", "contents": "Alteration of the erythrocyte ultrastructure and blood viscosity by morphine. The effects of acute morphine administration on intact erythrocytes and on their flow properties were studied by measuring the mean cell volume, cell geometry, and whole blood and plasma viscosities. Morphine caused a small (2-7%) increase in mean cell volume. Changes in cell geometry were found to be time dependent and most pronounced in concave portions of the red cells. Whole body viscosity was found to decrease upon morphine treatment; this may be due in part to a concurrent decrease in plasma viscosity.", "PMID": 638878} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11937", "title": "Sodium intake following destruction of the anterior hypothalamus in the rat.", "content": "Sodium intake and sodium output were measured in rats before and after lesioning of the anterior hypothalamus. Both parameters were lower than control rats following the lesioning procedure. When an amount of sodium was given orally to these lesioned rats to make up the deficit in sodium intake, no difference was found in sodium intake or output between the rats with lesions and normal rats. Rats with anterior hypothalamic lesions were able to increase their sodium intake following a period of sodium deprivation or adrenalectomy. When presented with concentrations of sodium chloride ranging between 0.9 and 2.5% rats with lesions decreased their intake of sodium in a manner similar to control rats except that the level of intake in the lesioned rats was lower for all concentrations. Control rats and those with lesions were not different in their intakes of KC1 solutions. These findings suggest that the anterior hypothalamus is important in setting the absolute intakes of sodium but does not interfere with the control mechanisms regulating the sodium intake.", "contents": "Sodium intake following destruction of the anterior hypothalamus in the rat. Sodium intake and sodium output were measured in rats before and after lesioning of the anterior hypothalamus. Both parameters were lower than control rats following the lesioning procedure. When an amount of sodium was given orally to these lesioned rats to make up the deficit in sodium intake, no difference was found in sodium intake or output between the rats with lesions and normal rats. Rats with anterior hypothalamic lesions were able to increase their sodium intake following a period of sodium deprivation or adrenalectomy. When presented with concentrations of sodium chloride ranging between 0.9 and 2.5% rats with lesions decreased their intake of sodium in a manner similar to control rats except that the level of intake in the lesioned rats was lower for all concentrations. Control rats and those with lesions were not different in their intakes of KC1 solutions. These findings suggest that the anterior hypothalamus is important in setting the absolute intakes of sodium but does not interfere with the control mechanisms regulating the sodium intake.", "PMID": 638879} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11938", "title": "Effects of clofibrate on plasma tryptophan, growth hormone, and prolactin and on brain tryptophan and serotonin in prepubertal rats.", "content": "The effects of clofibrate administration (200 mg/kg, po) on somatic growth, plasma levels of lipids, tryptophan, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as on brain concentrations of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were studied in prepubertal male rats. The drug did not significantly alter ponderal growth, but an appreciable reduction of tail length was observed in rats treated for 30 days. Triglyceride concentrations in plasma showed a 43% diminution after 30 days of treatment, whereas free fatty acid (FFA) levels were not modified. Clofibrate administration for 7, 15, or 30 days caused a fall in total tryptophan and a significant increase of the free fraction in plasma with no change in brain tryptophan levels. Brain 5-HT was generally unaffected but a marked elevation of this parameter was noted in rats treated for 15 days. Plasma GH and PRL concentrations remained unaltered. It may be concluded from these findings that the slight reduction of somatic growth, the diminution of triglycerides, and the increase of free tryptophan in plasma, induced by chronic clofibrate treatment, are not associated with variations in brain tryptophan and 5-HT levels or with modifications of plasma GH and PRL titers.", "contents": "Effects of clofibrate on plasma tryptophan, growth hormone, and prolactin and on brain tryptophan and serotonin in prepubertal rats. The effects of clofibrate administration (200 mg/kg, po) on somatic growth, plasma levels of lipids, tryptophan, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as on brain concentrations of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were studied in prepubertal male rats. The drug did not significantly alter ponderal growth, but an appreciable reduction of tail length was observed in rats treated for 30 days. Triglyceride concentrations in plasma showed a 43% diminution after 30 days of treatment, whereas free fatty acid (FFA) levels were not modified. Clofibrate administration for 7, 15, or 30 days caused a fall in total tryptophan and a significant increase of the free fraction in plasma with no change in brain tryptophan levels. Brain 5-HT was generally unaffected but a marked elevation of this parameter was noted in rats treated for 15 days. Plasma GH and PRL concentrations remained unaltered. It may be concluded from these findings that the slight reduction of somatic growth, the diminution of triglycerides, and the increase of free tryptophan in plasma, induced by chronic clofibrate treatment, are not associated with variations in brain tryptophan and 5-HT levels or with modifications of plasma GH and PRL titers.", "PMID": 638880} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11939", "title": "45Ca displacement related to pharmacologically induced prolonged action potentials in Nitella flexilis.", "content": "Nitella cells were loaded with 45Ca2+ to an activity of 2 X 10(5) cpm. Insertion of two glass-capillary electrodes into each of six cells released varying amounts of Ca2+ in the order of 1 mumol per cell, but hyperpolarizing and depolarizing pulses up to 500 ms in duration caused no measurable loss (less than 57 pmol) of Ca2+ even when the latter elicited action potentials. Addition of 10 mumol of Ba2+ or tetraethylammonium (TEA) caused losses up to 1200 pmol of Ca2+ from the cells and prolonged the action potentials by a factor of three or more. Subsequent addition of Ba2+ or TEA to treated cells caused no further losses of Ca. Because prolonged action potentials can apparently only be elicited after the chelation or displacement of Ca2+, we propose that, as in many animal cells, the K+ channels responsible for the normal brief repolarizing phase of the action potential are controlled by Ca2+ in these electrically excitable plant cells.", "contents": "45Ca displacement related to pharmacologically induced prolonged action potentials in Nitella flexilis. Nitella cells were loaded with 45Ca2+ to an activity of 2 X 10(5) cpm. Insertion of two glass-capillary electrodes into each of six cells released varying amounts of Ca2+ in the order of 1 mumol per cell, but hyperpolarizing and depolarizing pulses up to 500 ms in duration caused no measurable loss (less than 57 pmol) of Ca2+ even when the latter elicited action potentials. Addition of 10 mumol of Ba2+ or tetraethylammonium (TEA) caused losses up to 1200 pmol of Ca2+ from the cells and prolonged the action potentials by a factor of three or more. Subsequent addition of Ba2+ or TEA to treated cells caused no further losses of Ca. Because prolonged action potentials can apparently only be elicited after the chelation or displacement of Ca2+, we propose that, as in many animal cells, the K+ channels responsible for the normal brief repolarizing phase of the action potential are controlled by Ca2+ in these electrically excitable plant cells.", "PMID": 638882} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11940", "title": "Hypothalamic catecholaminergic effects on prolactin release in vitro.", "content": "Hypothalamic catecholaminergic influences on prolactin release were investigated in vitro. Both dopamine and norepinephrine caused long lasting inhibition of prolactin release from either an isolated hemipituitary or a hemipituitary coincubated with a hypothalamus. Epinephrine also inhibited prolactin release. L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) inhibited prolactin release from pituitaries in the presence of a hypothalamus but not in isolated pituitaries. DL-Threodihydroxyphenylserine (threodops), serotonin, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), tyramine, octopamine, synephrine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), and somatostatin all failed to alter prolactin release. Results confirm that dopamine and norepinephrine directly inhibit prolactin release from pituitary and suggest that the hypothalamic mechanism inhibiting prolactin involves dopamine but not norepinephrine.", "contents": "Hypothalamic catecholaminergic effects on prolactin release in vitro. Hypothalamic catecholaminergic influences on prolactin release were investigated in vitro. Both dopamine and norepinephrine caused long lasting inhibition of prolactin release from either an isolated hemipituitary or a hemipituitary coincubated with a hypothalamus. Epinephrine also inhibited prolactin release. L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) inhibited prolactin release from pituitaries in the presence of a hypothalamus but not in isolated pituitaries. DL-Threodihydroxyphenylserine (threodops), serotonin, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), tyramine, octopamine, synephrine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH), and somatostatin all failed to alter prolactin release. Results confirm that dopamine and norepinephrine directly inhibit prolactin release from pituitary and suggest that the hypothalamic mechanism inhibiting prolactin involves dopamine but not norepinephrine.", "PMID": 638883} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11941", "title": "Epileptiform seizures in domestic fowl. VII. Plasma phenytoin concentrations and anticonvulsant activity.", "content": "Acute dose-response studies with phenytoin were conducted to determine the relationship between plasma levels and anticonvulsant effect in epileptic chickens. Phenytoin produced statistically significant reductions in both the incidence and severity of seizures in photosensitive epileptic chickens when the plasma concentrations exceeded 8.15 +/- 0.89 microgram/ml. A high correlation exists between plasma phenytoin concentrations and both the reduction in incidence or severity of seizures. However, the appearance of plasma concentration dependent neurological toxicities resulted in a failure to achieve complete protection against intermittent photic stimulation induced seizures.", "contents": "Epileptiform seizures in domestic fowl. VII. Plasma phenytoin concentrations and anticonvulsant activity. Acute dose-response studies with phenytoin were conducted to determine the relationship between plasma levels and anticonvulsant effect in epileptic chickens. Phenytoin produced statistically significant reductions in both the incidence and severity of seizures in photosensitive epileptic chickens when the plasma concentrations exceeded 8.15 +/- 0.89 microgram/ml. A high correlation exists between plasma phenytoin concentrations and both the reduction in incidence or severity of seizures. However, the appearance of plasma concentration dependent neurological toxicities resulted in a failure to achieve complete protection against intermittent photic stimulation induced seizures.", "PMID": 638884} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11942", "title": "Hemostatic changes induced by exercise during oral contraceptive use.", "content": "Exercise-induced changes in hemostatic measurements were studied in 25 women. Twelve of the subjects were not using oral contraceptives and the remainder were using Demulen (ethynodiol diacetate (1 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (0.05 mg)). Exercise on a treadmill induced similar changes in both groups, but during the use of Demulen the levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen were higher, antithrombin level was lower, and the recalcified clotting and dilute whole blood lysis times were shorter in group 2 than in the corresponding samples obtained from the nonpill users.", "contents": "Hemostatic changes induced by exercise during oral contraceptive use. Exercise-induced changes in hemostatic measurements were studied in 25 women. Twelve of the subjects were not using oral contraceptives and the remainder were using Demulen (ethynodiol diacetate (1 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (0.05 mg)). Exercise on a treadmill induced similar changes in both groups, but during the use of Demulen the levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen were higher, antithrombin level was lower, and the recalcified clotting and dilute whole blood lysis times were shorter in group 2 than in the corresponding samples obtained from the nonpill users.", "PMID": 638885} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11943", "title": "Stimulating actions of various prostaglandins and noradrenaline in strips of rabbit renal artery.", "content": "The myotropic effects of prostaglandins E1, E2, F2alpha, A1, and noradrenaline were evaluated in spirally cut strips of rabbit renal arteries suspended in a physiological salt solution maintained at 37 degrees C. The four prostaglandins as well as noradrenaline elicited contractions of the isolated rabbit renal artery. At concentrations higher than 1.0 X 10(-7) g ml-1 the contracting effect of prostaglandin E1 diminished. The vasoconstrictor actions of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha were potentiated by cocaine and inhibited by phentolamine. On the other hand, phentolamine did not inhibit the vasoconstrictor effect of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on strips of rabbit renal arteries removed from rabbits pretreated with reserpine. These results were taken as an indication that part of the contractile effects of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on the isolated rabbit renal artery may be due to the release of noradrenaline from adrenergic nerve terminals.", "contents": "Stimulating actions of various prostaglandins and noradrenaline in strips of rabbit renal artery. The myotropic effects of prostaglandins E1, E2, F2alpha, A1, and noradrenaline were evaluated in spirally cut strips of rabbit renal arteries suspended in a physiological salt solution maintained at 37 degrees C. The four prostaglandins as well as noradrenaline elicited contractions of the isolated rabbit renal artery. At concentrations higher than 1.0 X 10(-7) g ml-1 the contracting effect of prostaglandin E1 diminished. The vasoconstrictor actions of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha were potentiated by cocaine and inhibited by phentolamine. On the other hand, phentolamine did not inhibit the vasoconstrictor effect of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on strips of rabbit renal arteries removed from rabbits pretreated with reserpine. These results were taken as an indication that part of the contractile effects of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on the isolated rabbit renal artery may be due to the release of noradrenaline from adrenergic nerve terminals.", "PMID": 638886} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11944", "title": "Effect of the external concentrations of potassium and sodium on the release of (--)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens.", "content": "The effect of the external concentrations of sodium and potassium on the nerve-induced release of (--)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens has been investigated. Increasing the external potassium concentration above 5 mM decreased the amount of noradrenaline released, while reducing the external potassium concentration below 5 mM had no significant effect on the induced release of noradrenaline. Decreasing the external sodium concentration below 75 mM progressively decreased the release of noradrenaline. It is concluded that the amplitude of the action potential is optimum for release at the normal resting membrane potential, and only decreasing the amplitude of the action potential alters the amount of transmitter released per nerve impulse.", "contents": "Effect of the external concentrations of potassium and sodium on the release of (--)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens. The effect of the external concentrations of sodium and potassium on the nerve-induced release of (--)-[3H]noradrenaline from the adrenergic nerves of the rat vas deferens has been investigated. Increasing the external potassium concentration above 5 mM decreased the amount of noradrenaline released, while reducing the external potassium concentration below 5 mM had no significant effect on the induced release of noradrenaline. Decreasing the external sodium concentration below 75 mM progressively decreased the release of noradrenaline. It is concluded that the amplitude of the action potential is optimum for release at the normal resting membrane potential, and only decreasing the amplitude of the action potential alters the amount of transmitter released per nerve impulse.", "PMID": 638887} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11945", "title": "Disopyramide phosphate: is it just another quinidine.", "content": "We compared the effects of a therapeutic concentration of disopyramide with those of quinidine and lidocaine on the action potential characteristics and on the steady-state relationship between membrane potential and the maximum rate of rise of the action potential in the same normal Purkinje fiber in which constant impalement was maintained for more than 7 h. All the drugs depressed the steady-state upstroke velocity in the following order of magnitude: quinidine greater than disopyramide greater than lidocaine. Both lidocaine and disopyramide shifted the normalized steady-state curve to more negative membrane potentials indicating a greater depression of upstroke velocity at lower membrane potentials. Quinidine did not shift this curve. Lidocaine abbreviated all phases of repolarization while both disopyramide and quinidine shortened the plateau phase and lengthened the terminal phase of the action potential. The results suggest that the actions of disopyramide on upstroke velocity resemble those of lidocaine, while its effects on action potential duration resemble those of quinidine. The actions of this drug are therefore more complex than previously assumed.", "contents": "Disopyramide phosphate: is it just another quinidine. We compared the effects of a therapeutic concentration of disopyramide with those of quinidine and lidocaine on the action potential characteristics and on the steady-state relationship between membrane potential and the maximum rate of rise of the action potential in the same normal Purkinje fiber in which constant impalement was maintained for more than 7 h. All the drugs depressed the steady-state upstroke velocity in the following order of magnitude: quinidine greater than disopyramide greater than lidocaine. Both lidocaine and disopyramide shifted the normalized steady-state curve to more negative membrane potentials indicating a greater depression of upstroke velocity at lower membrane potentials. Quinidine did not shift this curve. Lidocaine abbreviated all phases of repolarization while both disopyramide and quinidine shortened the plateau phase and lengthened the terminal phase of the action potential. The results suggest that the actions of disopyramide on upstroke velocity resemble those of lidocaine, while its effects on action potential duration resemble those of quinidine. The actions of this drug are therefore more complex than previously assumed.", "PMID": 638888} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11946", "title": "Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids in rats.", "content": "The effect of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) upon brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids has been studied in rats subjected to increasing doses of the drug. Time dependent effects after injection have also been studied. Systemically injected 6-OHDA significantly, acutely reduced brain adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), total catecholamines (TC), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamic acid (Glu); concomitantly brain ammonia (NH3) increased. In blood, NA and TC were reduced and A and NH3 increased. The changes in brain monoamines are surprising since it has been reported that 6-OHDA does not cross the blood-brain barrier. We have proposed that these changes result from a general stress response or a reflex peripheral sympathetic response to falling blood pressure which in some manner communicates to the central nervous system. As the dose of 6-OHDA increased, brain NH3 increased and Glu decreased. A similar effect was seen from a single dose as the time after injection for sampling brain and blood constituents increased. Blood ammonia increases without change in Glu, glutamine, or asparagine. The source of NH3 may be from deamination of adenine nucleotide or catechols released from nerve terminals under the abnormal stimulus of 6-OHDA.", "contents": "Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids in rats. The effect of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) upon brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids has been studied in rats subjected to increasing doses of the drug. Time dependent effects after injection have also been studied. Systemically injected 6-OHDA significantly, acutely reduced brain adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), total catecholamines (TC), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamic acid (Glu); concomitantly brain ammonia (NH3) increased. In blood, NA and TC were reduced and A and NH3 increased. The changes in brain monoamines are surprising since it has been reported that 6-OHDA does not cross the blood-brain barrier. We have proposed that these changes result from a general stress response or a reflex peripheral sympathetic response to falling blood pressure which in some manner communicates to the central nervous system. As the dose of 6-OHDA increased, brain NH3 increased and Glu decreased. A similar effect was seen from a single dose as the time after injection for sampling brain and blood constituents increased. Blood ammonia increases without change in Glu, glutamine, or asparagine. The source of NH3 may be from deamination of adenine nucleotide or catechols released from nerve terminals under the abnormal stimulus of 6-OHDA.", "PMID": 638889} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11947", "title": "Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamine, ammonia, and amino acid metabolism in rats subjected to high pressure oxygen induced convulsions.", "content": "Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on rat brain and blood adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), ammonia (NH3), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and amino acid metabolism prior to and after high pressure oxygen (OHP) induced convulsions have been studied. 6-OHDA reduces GABA and glutamate (Glu) rior to OHP exposure in rat brain so that the concentration is even equal to that seen in nondrugged animals after convulsion. Concomitantly, 6-OHDA reduces the latency of OHP-induced convulsion significantly, and increases brain NH3, glutamine, and asparagine significantly. Although 6-OHDA, in increasing dosage, elevates blood A concentration, convulsion produces a significant further increase in A. Blood NA was not significantly changed in drugged, convulsed animals and was much less than blood NA concentrations in nondrugged convulsed animals. Increasing doses of 6-OHDA also increase NH3 in the blood significantly and convulsion increases its concentration further. Latency of convulsion seems to be related to certain monoamine levels since in some drugged animals where A and total catecholamines are still reduced 96 h after the first of two doses of 6-OHDA, NA concentrations are recovered to relatively normal and the convulsion latency time is also increased although it remains significantly abbreviated from undrugged animals' convulsion time. Low brain GABA levels seem to be a prime effector of convulsive activity.", "contents": "Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamine, ammonia, and amino acid metabolism in rats subjected to high pressure oxygen induced convulsions. Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on rat brain and blood adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), ammonia (NH3), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and amino acid metabolism prior to and after high pressure oxygen (OHP) induced convulsions have been studied. 6-OHDA reduces GABA and glutamate (Glu) rior to OHP exposure in rat brain so that the concentration is even equal to that seen in nondrugged animals after convulsion. Concomitantly, 6-OHDA reduces the latency of OHP-induced convulsion significantly, and increases brain NH3, glutamine, and asparagine significantly. Although 6-OHDA, in increasing dosage, elevates blood A concentration, convulsion produces a significant further increase in A. Blood NA was not significantly changed in drugged, convulsed animals and was much less than blood NA concentrations in nondrugged convulsed animals. Increasing doses of 6-OHDA also increase NH3 in the blood significantly and convulsion increases its concentration further. Latency of convulsion seems to be related to certain monoamine levels since in some drugged animals where A and total catecholamines are still reduced 96 h after the first of two doses of 6-OHDA, NA concentrations are recovered to relatively normal and the convulsion latency time is also increased although it remains significantly abbreviated from undrugged animals' convulsion time. Low brain GABA levels seem to be a prime effector of convulsive activity.", "PMID": 638890} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11948", "title": "Glycogen metabolism in the genus Neisseria: synthesis from sucrose by amylosucrase.", "content": "Eight strains (seven species) of Neisseria were found to possess intracellular amylosucrases capable of synthesizing glycogen directly from sucrose. All eight systems were stimulated by primer glycogen, possessed similar kinetic parameters, and were competitively inhibited to similar degrees by fructose. The enzymes bound tightly to their polysaccharide products but these complexes could be readily dissociated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some of the enzyme-product complexes appeared to be virutally free of contaminating proteins.", "contents": "Glycogen metabolism in the genus Neisseria: synthesis from sucrose by amylosucrase. Eight strains (seven species) of Neisseria were found to possess intracellular amylosucrases capable of synthesizing glycogen directly from sucrose. All eight systems were stimulated by primer glycogen, possessed similar kinetic parameters, and were competitively inhibited to similar degrees by fructose. The enzymes bound tightly to their polysaccharide products but these complexes could be readily dissociated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some of the enzyme-product complexes appeared to be virutally free of contaminating proteins.", "PMID": 638891} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11949", "title": "Increased extracellular production of a cholinesterase-solubilising factor by Cytophaga NCMB 1314 during magnesium starvation.", "content": "A Cytophaga sp. with the property of liberating a cholinesterase which is found in body muscle of plaice was studied. The liberation was caused by a factor of which more than 90% was found outside the bacterial cell and might possibly be associated within the slime material surrounding the bacteria. Magnesium limitation during growth of Cytophaga sp. in batch cultures resulted in an about 10-fold increase in extracellular factor activity. The increase could be immediately stopped by addition of magnesium ions or chloramphenicol to the medium. The effect of the latter might indicate that the increase in factor activity is dependent on protein synthesis under magnesium-limiting conditions.", "contents": "Increased extracellular production of a cholinesterase-solubilising factor by Cytophaga NCMB 1314 during magnesium starvation. A Cytophaga sp. with the property of liberating a cholinesterase which is found in body muscle of plaice was studied. The liberation was caused by a factor of which more than 90% was found outside the bacterial cell and might possibly be associated within the slime material surrounding the bacteria. Magnesium limitation during growth of Cytophaga sp. in batch cultures resulted in an about 10-fold increase in extracellular factor activity. The increase could be immediately stopped by addition of magnesium ions or chloramphenicol to the medium. The effect of the latter might indicate that the increase in factor activity is dependent on protein synthesis under magnesium-limiting conditions.", "PMID": 638892} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11950", "title": "Characteristics of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) aerial spore rodlet mosaic.", "content": "Cytochemical analysis of Streptomyces coelicolor (A3(2) indicated that the aerial growth rodlet mosaic is a polysaccharide. Statistical analysis of frequency distributions of individual rodlet lengths from control and ether-reoriented spore mosaics indicated that the rodlet fibrillar image is the result of individual particulates, rather than evaginations in a continuous sheet of material. A model of the mature sport envelope was developed from freeze-etch-replicated, thin-sectioned, and critical point dried S. coelicolor A3(2) mature spores. The rodlet mosaic was situated between the outer spore wall and an external granuloma matrix. Mixture spore envelope layers from the inner surface to the external surface are plasma membrane, inner spore wall, outer spore wall, rodlet mosaic, an undefined granular matrix, and the sheath. The granular matrix had an uneven thickness and much of the matrix was frequently absent from the interspore spaces of mature spore chains. Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) mosaic rodlets were isolated by acetic acid refluxing, then ethanol precipitation. Complete acid hydrolysis of rodlets released on sugar which cochromatographed with D-glucosamine-HCl and released acetic acid at 139% of the expected level. Cell associated rodlet mosaics and isolated mosaic rodlets were hydrolyzed with chitinase. Infrared spectra of isolated rodlets were similar to crab chitin spectra.", "contents": "Characteristics of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) aerial spore rodlet mosaic. Cytochemical analysis of Streptomyces coelicolor (A3(2) indicated that the aerial growth rodlet mosaic is a polysaccharide. Statistical analysis of frequency distributions of individual rodlet lengths from control and ether-reoriented spore mosaics indicated that the rodlet fibrillar image is the result of individual particulates, rather than evaginations in a continuous sheet of material. A model of the mature sport envelope was developed from freeze-etch-replicated, thin-sectioned, and critical point dried S. coelicolor A3(2) mature spores. The rodlet mosaic was situated between the outer spore wall and an external granuloma matrix. Mixture spore envelope layers from the inner surface to the external surface are plasma membrane, inner spore wall, outer spore wall, rodlet mosaic, an undefined granular matrix, and the sheath. The granular matrix had an uneven thickness and much of the matrix was frequently absent from the interspore spaces of mature spore chains. Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) mosaic rodlets were isolated by acetic acid refluxing, then ethanol precipitation. Complete acid hydrolysis of rodlets released on sugar which cochromatographed with D-glucosamine-HCl and released acetic acid at 139% of the expected level. Cell associated rodlet mosaics and isolated mosaic rodlets were hydrolyzed with chitinase. Infrared spectra of isolated rodlets were similar to crab chitin spectra.", "PMID": 638893} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11951", "title": "Microbiological titration of proteins and of single amino acid content in biological materials without purification and hydrolysis.", "content": "A method is described for the microbiological determination of the protein content of biological materials. This method can also be adopted to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid in the protein and has the following advantages: (1) titration can be done without purification and hydrolysis of proteins; (2) the titration graph is a straight line between 25 and 800 microgram/ml; (3) protein values agree with those obtained using the Kjeldhal method; and (4) each mutant requiring one amino acid may be used to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid of the protein. The leucine content of various kinds of flour was measured with this system.", "contents": "Microbiological titration of proteins and of single amino acid content in biological materials without purification and hydrolysis. A method is described for the microbiological determination of the protein content of biological materials. This method can also be adopted to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid in the protein and has the following advantages: (1) titration can be done without purification and hydrolysis of proteins; (2) the titration graph is a straight line between 25 and 800 microgram/ml; (3) protein values agree with those obtained using the Kjeldhal method; and (4) each mutant requiring one amino acid may be used to titrate the concentration of a single amino acid of the protein. The leucine content of various kinds of flour was measured with this system.", "PMID": 638894} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11952", "title": "New Minto virus: a new rhabdovirus from ticks in Alaska.", "content": "Three strains of a virus were isolated from Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris (Packard) ticks removed from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben) in east central Alaska. We suggest that the virus be named New Minto for the location in which the ticks were collected. Prototype New Minto virus is sensitive to the action of sodium deoxycholate and kills suckling mice by the intracerebral but not intraperitoneal route; weaned mice do not die after intracerebral, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous inoculation. The virus produces plaque in serially propagated Vero but not in primary Pekin duck embryo cells. By complement-fixation and neutralization tests New Minto is related to Sawgrass Virus, a hitherto ungrouped virus from Florida. The establishment of a Sawgrass group is suggested. In addition, Sawgrass virus was found by electron microscopy to belong to the Family Rhabdoviridae.", "contents": "New Minto virus: a new rhabdovirus from ticks in Alaska. Three strains of a virus were isolated from Haemaphysalis leporis-palustris (Packard) ticks removed from snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben) in east central Alaska. We suggest that the virus be named New Minto for the location in which the ticks were collected. Prototype New Minto virus is sensitive to the action of sodium deoxycholate and kills suckling mice by the intracerebral but not intraperitoneal route; weaned mice do not die after intracerebral, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous inoculation. The virus produces plaque in serially propagated Vero but not in primary Pekin duck embryo cells. By complement-fixation and neutralization tests New Minto is related to Sawgrass Virus, a hitherto ungrouped virus from Florida. The establishment of a Sawgrass group is suggested. In addition, Sawgrass virus was found by electron microscopy to belong to the Family Rhabdoviridae.", "PMID": 638895} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11953", "title": "Double-antibody radioimmunoassay for staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B.", "content": "A sensitive double-antibody radioimmunoassay for staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B is described. The separation of the primary antigen-antibody complex of enterotoxin A and B was achieved with an anti-rabbit gamma globulin from goats. Radioiodinated aggregate fractions of staphylococcal enterotoxins exhibited reduced immunological activity and showed little competition with non-radioactive exterotoxin. The radioimmunoassay was successfully applied for the quantitation of enterotoxins in food.", "contents": "Double-antibody radioimmunoassay for staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B. A sensitive double-antibody radioimmunoassay for staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B is described. The separation of the primary antigen-antibody complex of enterotoxin A and B was achieved with an anti-rabbit gamma globulin from goats. Radioiodinated aggregate fractions of staphylococcal enterotoxins exhibited reduced immunological activity and showed little competition with non-radioactive exterotoxin. The radioimmunoassay was successfully applied for the quantitation of enterotoxins in food.", "PMID": 638896} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11954", "title": "Isolation and characterization of Hfr strains of Erwinia amylovora.", "content": "Hfr strains (Hfr 159 and its derivatives, Hfr 160 and Hfr 161) were constructed from Erwinia amylovora ICPB EA178 by introducing an Escherichia coli F'his+ plasmid and then selecting for integration of F'his+ after treatment with acridine orange. The Hfr strains were relatively stable upon repeated transfers on nonselective media. Interrupted mating experiments and analyses of inheritance of unselected markers showed that his+ is transferred by Hfr 159 as the proximal marker at a relatively high frequency (about 5 x 10(-4) recombinants per input donor cell), followed by ilv+, orn+, arg+, pro+, rbs+, met+, trp+, leu+, ser+, and thr+ (not necessarily in that precise order). The donor strains, previously constructed in E. amylovora by integration of F'lac+ from E. coli transfer cys+ as the proximal marker followed by ser+. Further analysis of one of those earlier donor strains, Hfr99, showed that ser+ is followed by arg+, orn+, met+, pro+, leu+, ilv+, rbs+, his+, trp+, and thr+ (not necessarily in that precise order). Thus, the Hfr strains constructed by integration of F'his+ are different, in terms of origin and direction of transfer, from those derived from integration of F'lac+. The applicability of these Hfr strains to mapping the genes on the E. amylovora chromosome is indicated.", "contents": "Isolation and characterization of Hfr strains of Erwinia amylovora. Hfr strains (Hfr 159 and its derivatives, Hfr 160 and Hfr 161) were constructed from Erwinia amylovora ICPB EA178 by introducing an Escherichia coli F'his+ plasmid and then selecting for integration of F'his+ after treatment with acridine orange. The Hfr strains were relatively stable upon repeated transfers on nonselective media. Interrupted mating experiments and analyses of inheritance of unselected markers showed that his+ is transferred by Hfr 159 as the proximal marker at a relatively high frequency (about 5 x 10(-4) recombinants per input donor cell), followed by ilv+, orn+, arg+, pro+, rbs+, met+, trp+, leu+, ser+, and thr+ (not necessarily in that precise order). The donor strains, previously constructed in E. amylovora by integration of F'lac+ from E. coli transfer cys+ as the proximal marker followed by ser+. Further analysis of one of those earlier donor strains, Hfr99, showed that ser+ is followed by arg+, orn+, met+, pro+, leu+, ilv+, rbs+, his+, trp+, and thr+ (not necessarily in that precise order). Thus, the Hfr strains constructed by integration of F'his+ are different, in terms of origin and direction of transfer, from those derived from integration of F'lac+. The applicability of these Hfr strains to mapping the genes on the E. amylovora chromosome is indicated.", "PMID": 638897} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11955", "title": "[The GC content of a group of H2S- enterobacterial related to the genus Citrobacter].", "content": "The deoxyribonculeic acid (DNA) of 106 strains of Enterobacteria was analysed for the guanine + cytosine (GC) content. These strains, whose origin and principal characters are described in the text, belong to the genera Citrobacter (C. freundii H2S-) and Levinea (L. malonatica and L. amalonatica). Four other groups or classes named C.D.E. and F. could not be classified on the base of the usual phenotypic criteria. DNA from the strains of Levinea has a GC% of 50.3 to 53.3, while DNA from the strains of C. freundii H2S- has a GC% of 48.6 to 51.7. The representative values from the new classes are C, 50.9%; D, 54%; E, 52.7%; F, 49.5%. For the latter a genomic heterogeneity was shown, expressing itself as two subpopulations whose average GC% are 51.7 and 48.6 respectively. Statistical analysis of the averages give a significant individuality to these new classes.", "contents": "[The GC content of a group of H2S- enterobacterial related to the genus Citrobacter]. The deoxyribonculeic acid (DNA) of 106 strains of Enterobacteria was analysed for the guanine + cytosine (GC) content. These strains, whose origin and principal characters are described in the text, belong to the genera Citrobacter (C. freundii H2S-) and Levinea (L. malonatica and L. amalonatica). Four other groups or classes named C.D.E. and F. could not be classified on the base of the usual phenotypic criteria. DNA from the strains of Levinea has a GC% of 50.3 to 53.3, while DNA from the strains of C. freundii H2S- has a GC% of 48.6 to 51.7. The representative values from the new classes are C, 50.9%; D, 54%; E, 52.7%; F, 49.5%. For the latter a genomic heterogeneity was shown, expressing itself as two subpopulations whose average GC% are 51.7 and 48.6 respectively. Statistical analysis of the averages give a significant individuality to these new classes.", "PMID": 638898} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11956", "title": "Diagnosis of penicillin allergy by skin testing: the Manitoba experience.", "content": "The reliability of skin testing in the diagnosis of penicillin allergy was studied in 86 adults and 167 children with a history of possible hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin. Skin testing was done with the major antigenic determinant of benzylpenicillin and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, methicillin and cephalothin. The overall frequency of positive skin reactions was 11.5%. Among the patients with positive skin reactions about half had a history of immediate or accelerated reactions to penicillins, but 2 of 11 adults and 50% of the children in this group had a history of maculopapular rash of delayed onset. There was a low frequency of positive skin reactions when there was a long interval between the times of clinical reaction and skin testing. Of 169 patients reacting negatively to skin testing who received a specific drug challenge only 2 manifested mild urticaria; this indicates the reliability of the skin tests in predicting penicillin allergy. The major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin were the most useful reagents. One fifth of the patients with penicillin hypersensitivity would have been missed if the major determinant of benzylpenicillin alone had been used for skin testing. The additional use of the minor determinants of other penicillin derivatives, however, did not increase substantially the clinical reliability of the skin testing procedure.", "contents": "Diagnosis of penicillin allergy by skin testing: the Manitoba experience. The reliability of skin testing in the diagnosis of penicillin allergy was studied in 86 adults and 167 children with a history of possible hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin. Skin testing was done with the major antigenic determinant of benzylpenicillin and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, methicillin and cephalothin. The overall frequency of positive skin reactions was 11.5%. Among the patients with positive skin reactions about half had a history of immediate or accelerated reactions to penicillins, but 2 of 11 adults and 50% of the children in this group had a history of maculopapular rash of delayed onset. There was a low frequency of positive skin reactions when there was a long interval between the times of clinical reaction and skin testing. Of 169 patients reacting negatively to skin testing who received a specific drug challenge only 2 manifested mild urticaria; this indicates the reliability of the skin tests in predicting penicillin allergy. The major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin were the most useful reagents. One fifth of the patients with penicillin hypersensitivity would have been missed if the major determinant of benzylpenicillin alone had been used for skin testing. The additional use of the minor determinants of other penicillin derivatives, however, did not increase substantially the clinical reliability of the skin testing procedure.", "PMID": 638909} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11957", "title": "Effect of hydrochlorothiazide on urine saturation with brushite, in vitro collagen calcification by urine, and urinary inhibitors of collagen calcification.", "content": "To clarify further the beneficial effect of thiazide diuretics on recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis, the effect of short-term hydrochlorothiazide therapy on urine saturation with brushite (CaHPO(4).2H(2)O), in vitro collagen calcification by urine, and urinary inhibitors of calcification was studied.In 22 patients with idiopathic calcium oxalate/phosphate stones the urine calcium excretion decreased, the urine magnesium excretion increased and the urine magnesium/calcium ratio increased significantly (P < 0.001) during hydrochlorothiazide therapy. Supersaturation of the urine with brushite, which was present in 19 of the 22 patients, was reduced significantly (P < 0.001) in all during thiazide therapy, and to the undersaturated range in 16. The ability of urine to calcify collagen in vitro also decreased significantly (P < 0.001) during thiazide therapy, a change that correlated significantly (r = 0.4513, P < 0.05) with the decrease in brushite saturation. The concentration of urinary inhibitors of calcification, as determined with an in vitro collagen calcification system, was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) by thiazide therapy.It was concluded that, in addition to decreasing urine calcium excretion and increasing urine magnesium excretion, thiazide diuretics decrease the urinary brushite saturation and thus may prevent spontaneous nucleation or crystal growth, or both, of calcium phosphate. The ability of thiazides to decrease collagen calcification in vitro suggests that they may also prevent crystal growth on a nidus of organic matrix. Thiazides do not appear to act by increasing the excretion of urinary inhibitors of calcification.", "contents": "Effect of hydrochlorothiazide on urine saturation with brushite, in vitro collagen calcification by urine, and urinary inhibitors of collagen calcification. To clarify further the beneficial effect of thiazide diuretics on recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis, the effect of short-term hydrochlorothiazide therapy on urine saturation with brushite (CaHPO(4).2H(2)O), in vitro collagen calcification by urine, and urinary inhibitors of calcification was studied.In 22 patients with idiopathic calcium oxalate/phosphate stones the urine calcium excretion decreased, the urine magnesium excretion increased and the urine magnesium/calcium ratio increased significantly (P < 0.001) during hydrochlorothiazide therapy. Supersaturation of the urine with brushite, which was present in 19 of the 22 patients, was reduced significantly (P < 0.001) in all during thiazide therapy, and to the undersaturated range in 16. The ability of urine to calcify collagen in vitro also decreased significantly (P < 0.001) during thiazide therapy, a change that correlated significantly (r = 0.4513, P < 0.05) with the decrease in brushite saturation. The concentration of urinary inhibitors of calcification, as determined with an in vitro collagen calcification system, was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) by thiazide therapy.It was concluded that, in addition to decreasing urine calcium excretion and increasing urine magnesium excretion, thiazide diuretics decrease the urinary brushite saturation and thus may prevent spontaneous nucleation or crystal growth, or both, of calcium phosphate. The ability of thiazides to decrease collagen calcification in vitro suggests that they may also prevent crystal growth on a nidus of organic matrix. Thiazides do not appear to act by increasing the excretion of urinary inhibitors of calcification.", "PMID": 638910} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11958", "title": "Carbon monoxide poisoning from Sterno.", "content": "A high school student became ill and later unconscious while working over a heating table set over three cans of burning Sterno. Measurements of 1000 to 3000 parts per million of carbon monoxide were obtained around and above the apparatus. Although the room was well ventilated there was incomplete combustion of the canned heating fuel because the apparatus was surrounded by aluminum foil, which resulted in poor oxygenation of the flame area. This case demonstrates the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning from incompletely burned Sterno.", "contents": "Carbon monoxide poisoning from Sterno. A high school student became ill and later unconscious while working over a heating table set over three cans of burning Sterno. Measurements of 1000 to 3000 parts per million of carbon monoxide were obtained around and above the apparatus. Although the room was well ventilated there was incomplete combustion of the canned heating fuel because the apparatus was surrounded by aluminum foil, which resulted in poor oxygenation of the flame area. This case demonstrates the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning from incompletely burned Sterno.", "PMID": 638911} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11959", "title": "The nonspecific nature of fibrin thrombi in ischemic bowel disease.", "content": "Twenty cases of ischemic bowel disease were analysed to determine the frequency and significance of fibrin thrombi in this condition. Fibrin thrombi were present in all 10 patients with occlusive ischemic bowel disease and in 7 of the 10 patients with nonocclusive ischemic bowel disease. In addition, fibrin thrombi were noted in a wide variety of specific and nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases and in acute appendicitis. We conclude that fibrin thrombi are a nonspecific feature of tissue necrosis and that their mere presence in the bowel should not be regarded as an expression of disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "contents": "The nonspecific nature of fibrin thrombi in ischemic bowel disease. Twenty cases of ischemic bowel disease were analysed to determine the frequency and significance of fibrin thrombi in this condition. Fibrin thrombi were present in all 10 patients with occlusive ischemic bowel disease and in 7 of the 10 patients with nonocclusive ischemic bowel disease. In addition, fibrin thrombi were noted in a wide variety of specific and nonspecific inflammatory bowel diseases and in acute appendicitis. We conclude that fibrin thrombi are a nonspecific feature of tissue necrosis and that their mere presence in the bowel should not be regarded as an expression of disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "PMID": 638912} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11960", "title": "Swelling of olecranon bursa in uremic patients receiving hemodialysis.", "content": "Three patients with chronic renal failure who received therapy with hemodialysis through arteriovenous fistulas in the forearm had fluctuating swelling over the elbow on the same side as the fistula used for the dialysis. The clinical findings in each case were compatible with olecranon bursitis with effusion. The aspirate obtained from the swellings contained lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and histiocytes, a finding similar to that in cases of uremic pericardial and pleural effusion. Biopsy of the bursa in one case showed hyalinized collagenous tissue with infiltration by histiocytes and lymphocytes, reflecting underlying chronic inflammation. Uremia was believed to be the causative factor. Bursitis with effusion is considered to be one of the clinical aspects of uremic polyserositis.", "contents": "Swelling of olecranon bursa in uremic patients receiving hemodialysis. Three patients with chronic renal failure who received therapy with hemodialysis through arteriovenous fistulas in the forearm had fluctuating swelling over the elbow on the same side as the fistula used for the dialysis. The clinical findings in each case were compatible with olecranon bursitis with effusion. The aspirate obtained from the swellings contained lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and histiocytes, a finding similar to that in cases of uremic pericardial and pleural effusion. Biopsy of the bursa in one case showed hyalinized collagenous tissue with infiltration by histiocytes and lymphocytes, reflecting underlying chronic inflammation. Uremia was believed to be the causative factor. Bursitis with effusion is considered to be one of the clinical aspects of uremic polyserositis.", "PMID": 638913} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11961", "title": "Indian people and community psychiatry in Saskatchewan.", "content": "A discrepancy is identified between the increase in inpatient admissions and of outpatient contacts of Treaty Indians in Saskatchewan from 1967 to 1976. This is the reverse of the trend in the non-Treaty Indian population, and represents a contradictory effect to the intention of the Community Psychiatry Program of the province's government. No major diagnostic differences were at statistically significant levels, which might have accounted for the higher inpatient admission rates and the relatively lower outpatient contact rates of Treaty Indians. This is an interesting example of the use of governmental statistics and a promising one for the identification and solution of problems in health care delivery.", "contents": "Indian people and community psychiatry in Saskatchewan. A discrepancy is identified between the increase in inpatient admissions and of outpatient contacts of Treaty Indians in Saskatchewan from 1967 to 1976. This is the reverse of the trend in the non-Treaty Indian population, and represents a contradictory effect to the intention of the Community Psychiatry Program of the province's government. No major diagnostic differences were at statistically significant levels, which might have accounted for the higher inpatient admission rates and the relatively lower outpatient contact rates of Treaty Indians. This is an interesting example of the use of governmental statistics and a promising one for the identification and solution of problems in health care delivery.", "PMID": 638926} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11962", "title": "The diagnosis of personality disorders: a pilot study.", "content": "A pilot study was carried out to see what levels of agreement on the diagnosis of the different types of personality disorder, described by Schneider, could be obtained by observers with different amounts of clinical experience. Audio-recordings of eight patients were examined by 10 raters, who represented three levels of experience. Two patients had the same diagnosis made by 80 percent of the raters and these cases seemed best described as \"typical\". In all the cases agreement was increased when a second choice diagnosis was permitted. Significantly greater agreement was recorded by clinical clerks than by psychiatrists or psychiatric residents, though this was probably due to their making use of fewer of the types. It seemed probable that some types were less likely than others to be used for a first choice diagnosis. It is recommended that the most typical patients be employed in research in the field of the personality disorders if high diagnostic reliability is required.", "contents": "The diagnosis of personality disorders: a pilot study. A pilot study was carried out to see what levels of agreement on the diagnosis of the different types of personality disorder, described by Schneider, could be obtained by observers with different amounts of clinical experience. Audio-recordings of eight patients were examined by 10 raters, who represented three levels of experience. Two patients had the same diagnosis made by 80 percent of the raters and these cases seemed best described as \"typical\". In all the cases agreement was increased when a second choice diagnosis was permitted. Significantly greater agreement was recorded by clinical clerks than by psychiatrists or psychiatric residents, though this was probably due to their making use of fewer of the types. It seemed probable that some types were less likely than others to be used for a first choice diagnosis. It is recommended that the most typical patients be employed in research in the field of the personality disorders if high diagnostic reliability is required.", "PMID": 638927} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11963", "title": "Insanity defense in Canada.", "content": "The author has reviewed in this paper the difficulties in developing a more generally accepted test of criminal responsibility. Such difficulties are more clearly seen when studying the applicability of the criminal responsibility test in Canadian law, Section 16, which the author describes as a disguised M'Naghten rule. Finally it is agrued that, because of the strictures encountered in the application of M'Naghten, some alternative routes have been developed at the courtroom level, notably Section 215 of the Criminal Code which deals with provocation. Section 215 gives legal footing to emotional conditions, producing an impairment in an accused's ability to form intent.", "contents": "Insanity defense in Canada. The author has reviewed in this paper the difficulties in developing a more generally accepted test of criminal responsibility. Such difficulties are more clearly seen when studying the applicability of the criminal responsibility test in Canadian law, Section 16, which the author describes as a disguised M'Naghten rule. Finally it is agrued that, because of the strictures encountered in the application of M'Naghten, some alternative routes have been developed at the courtroom level, notably Section 215 of the Criminal Code which deals with provocation. Section 215 gives legal footing to emotional conditions, producing an impairment in an accused's ability to form intent.", "PMID": 638928} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11964", "title": "The use of electroconvulsive therapy.", "content": "Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment procedure in psychiatry which has frequently come under considerable critical scrutiny. This paper describes its use mainly in a postgraduate institute of psychiatry and, for comparative purposes, two other types of psychiatric facilities in Toronto. The treatment is given conservatively, varying to hospital, and is prescribed for 11 percent of patients at a postgraduate institute. However, it is used largely for those with depressive disorders as recommended in standard textbooks. Diagnosis and age are the key variables affecting ECT prescription. It is suggested that ECT practice is effective by and large and now efforts should concentrate on making it efficient.", "contents": "The use of electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment procedure in psychiatry which has frequently come under considerable critical scrutiny. This paper describes its use mainly in a postgraduate institute of psychiatry and, for comparative purposes, two other types of psychiatric facilities in Toronto. The treatment is given conservatively, varying to hospital, and is prescribed for 11 percent of patients at a postgraduate institute. However, it is used largely for those with depressive disorders as recommended in standard textbooks. Diagnosis and age are the key variables affecting ECT prescription. It is suggested that ECT practice is effective by and large and now efforts should concentrate on making it efficient.", "PMID": 638929} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11965", "title": "Diazepam addiction: a case report.", "content": "A case of addiction to Diazepam is reported. Severe withdrawal symptoms such as tremulousness, irritability, increased psychomotor activity, generalized muscle cramps, photophobia, retro-orbital pains and insomnia are described. Visual hallucinations, illusions, and paranoid features are also present in this case. Detoxification and management were accomplished by gradual withdrawal and the addition of another tranquilizer, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant. The author reviews other such reports of abuse and addiction in the literature which call for wide recognition of the addictive properties of Diazepam and for restrictions on its indiscriminate prescription by physicians.", "contents": "Diazepam addiction: a case report. A case of addiction to Diazepam is reported. Severe withdrawal symptoms such as tremulousness, irritability, increased psychomotor activity, generalized muscle cramps, photophobia, retro-orbital pains and insomnia are described. Visual hallucinations, illusions, and paranoid features are also present in this case. Detoxification and management were accomplished by gradual withdrawal and the addition of another tranquilizer, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant. The author reviews other such reports of abuse and addiction in the literature which call for wide recognition of the addictive properties of Diazepam and for restrictions on its indiscriminate prescription by physicians.", "PMID": 638930} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11966", "title": "I. Formulation.", "content": "The authors describe a systematic approach to the process of formulation. Four interlocking phases are considered. The longitudinal data collection evaluate the patient's developmental journey. The cross-sectional evaluation includes careful consideration of phenomenological and dynamic factors. The integrative evaluation of these factors permits the construction of both a dynamic and a phenomenological diagnosis. Finally, in hypothesizing a tentative prognosis, we attemt to predict the capacity and quality of a person's potential change and readjustment.", "contents": "I. Formulation. The authors describe a systematic approach to the process of formulation. Four interlocking phases are considered. The longitudinal data collection evaluate the patient's developmental journey. The cross-sectional evaluation includes careful consideration of phenomenological and dynamic factors. The integrative evaluation of these factors permits the construction of both a dynamic and a phenomenological diagnosis. Finally, in hypothesizing a tentative prognosis, we attemt to predict the capacity and quality of a person's potential change and readjustment.", "PMID": 638931} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11967", "title": "II. A method of reporting formulation.", "content": "The authors present a method of reporting and evaluating a formulation. The reporting of a formulation includes a summary introduction, biological considerations, psychosocial considerations and hypothesis construction. Three sample formulations are scrutinized and specific critical evaluations offered. The subsequent reformulations are presented.", "contents": "II. A method of reporting formulation. The authors present a method of reporting and evaluating a formulation. The reporting of a formulation includes a summary introduction, biological considerations, psychosocial considerations and hypothesis construction. Three sample formulations are scrutinized and specific critical evaluations offered. The subsequent reformulations are presented.", "PMID": 638932} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11968", "title": "Family therapy and schizophrenia.", "content": "The early concepts of family influences in the development of schizophrenic illness have been reviewed. The empirical research which these concepts generated has failed in large measure to confirm many of these hypotheses, but has demonstrated reliable and valid differences between families of schizophrenics and those of patient and non-patient controls. However, these empirical findings have had little impact to date on family therapy as it is practised, and the failure to confirm theoretical concepts from psychoanalysis, systems, and communication theories has not led to a re-examination of family therapy and its theoretical basis. The author suggests that the empirical research on family influences in schizophrenia and particularly those factors which precipitate and perpetuate schizophrenic symptomatology can be applied to evaluation of schizophrenics and their families, specific family therapy with families of schizophrenics, and particularly suggest that evaluative research on the effectiveness of family therapy in schizophrenia will be necessary for family therapy to become more than a highly fascinating and experimental technique in the total management of schizophrenic patients.", "contents": "Family therapy and schizophrenia. The early concepts of family influences in the development of schizophrenic illness have been reviewed. The empirical research which these concepts generated has failed in large measure to confirm many of these hypotheses, but has demonstrated reliable and valid differences between families of schizophrenics and those of patient and non-patient controls. However, these empirical findings have had little impact to date on family therapy as it is practised, and the failure to confirm theoretical concepts from psychoanalysis, systems, and communication theories has not led to a re-examination of family therapy and its theoretical basis. The author suggests that the empirical research on family influences in schizophrenia and particularly those factors which precipitate and perpetuate schizophrenic symptomatology can be applied to evaluation of schizophrenics and their families, specific family therapy with families of schizophrenics, and particularly suggest that evaluative research on the effectiveness of family therapy in schizophrenia will be necessary for family therapy to become more than a highly fascinating and experimental technique in the total management of schizophrenic patients.", "PMID": 638933} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11969", "title": "Stresses associated with career success for women.", "content": "In recent years, more women have pursued careers in business and the traditionally male professions. Those that have succeeded live with a high degree of environmental stress. Since some of them are now consulting psychiatrists it is important that the psychiatrist be able to differentiate difficulties which have a cultural basis from those stemming from individual psychodynamics. Cultural stresses have been reviewed under three headings: inaccurate stereotypes; inadequate cultural supports; and role overload. It has been suggested that contact with her peer group is extremely important for this type of woman patient. The peer group provides both support and a frame of reference within which individual problems may be understood.", "contents": "Stresses associated with career success for women. In recent years, more women have pursued careers in business and the traditionally male professions. Those that have succeeded live with a high degree of environmental stress. Since some of them are now consulting psychiatrists it is important that the psychiatrist be able to differentiate difficulties which have a cultural basis from those stemming from individual psychodynamics. Cultural stresses have been reviewed under three headings: inaccurate stereotypes; inadequate cultural supports; and role overload. It has been suggested that contact with her peer group is extremely important for this type of woman patient. The peer group provides both support and a frame of reference within which individual problems may be understood.", "PMID": 638936} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11970", "title": "Carcinoma of the pyriform sinus. An analysis of treatment results and patterns of failure.", "content": "A retrospective review of 169 patients with carcinoma of the pyriform sinus was accomplished for a ten-year-period from 1964 to 1974. Of the 169, 80 (47%) were treated with low dose preoperative radiation and partial laryngopharyngectomy (PLP), 57 (34%) were treated with radiation and total laryngectomy-partial pharyngectomy (TLP), and 32 (19%) were treated with palliative radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. Act,arial five-year-survival was 31% for all cases, 59% for the PLP group, 21% for the TLP group and 4% for the palliation group. Eighty to 90% of the relapses occurred within two years. The primary and/or nodal failure rates were 23, 37 and 78%, respectively for the PLP, TLP and palliation groups while the distant metastasis rates were 15, 37 and 34% for the three groups. Sites of failure differed for the three groups with a relatively high rate of contralateral neck metastases (23%) in the TLP group and an overwhelming number of primary and ipsilateral failures (78%) in the palliation group. Retreatment of failures resulted in few salvages (15%) and a significant number of fatal complications (26%). The cause of death was tumor related in most cases.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the pyriform sinus. An analysis of treatment results and patterns of failure. A retrospective review of 169 patients with carcinoma of the pyriform sinus was accomplished for a ten-year-period from 1964 to 1974. Of the 169, 80 (47%) were treated with low dose preoperative radiation and partial laryngopharyngectomy (PLP), 57 (34%) were treated with radiation and total laryngectomy-partial pharyngectomy (TLP), and 32 (19%) were treated with palliative radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. Act,arial five-year-survival was 31% for all cases, 59% for the PLP group, 21% for the TLP group and 4% for the palliation group. Eighty to 90% of the relapses occurred within two years. The primary and/or nodal failure rates were 23, 37 and 78%, respectively for the PLP, TLP and palliation groups while the distant metastasis rates were 15, 37 and 34% for the three groups. Sites of failure differed for the three groups with a relatively high rate of contralateral neck metastases (23%) in the TLP group and an overwhelming number of primary and ipsilateral failures (78%) in the palliation group. Retreatment of failures resulted in few salvages (15%) and a significant number of fatal complications (26%). The cause of death was tumor related in most cases.", "PMID": 638941} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11971", "title": "The management of clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma.", "content": "A retrospective analyses of 307 cases with clinical Stage I endometrial carcinoma was done in an attempt to determine the role of radiation therapy in the optimal treatment of this disease. A review of the modern literature with over 9000 cases served as a useful tool to corroborate inferences and conclusions. The present series has 155 patients (51%) treated with preoperative megavoltage external pelvic radiation with a variation in doses of less than 6%. Five-year survival estimates (79%-83%) in clinical Stage I endometrial carcinoma are similar among the several main treatment combination that are employed; they become a useless parameter for any comparison. The pelvic failure rate constitutes a more useful guideline in assessing the most adequate therapy. The pathologic grade of the tumor is the main prognosticator in endometrial carcinoma. Intimately related to the tumor grade is the depth of myometrial invasion of the carcinoma. The size of the uterus and/or its cavity carry less prognostic significance than traditionally thought. For grade I lesions, there is little error in diagnosis, few pelvic failures and excellent survival (96%); they could be approached with initial surgery and postoperative radiation reserved for selected patients. For grade 2 tumors, the error in diagnosis and the failure rate increases with an overall survival of 87%. For grade 3 tumors, the error in diagnosis and failure rates are quite high with a 5 year survival of only 70%. Preoperative radiation, especially external beam therapy, is suggested for grades 2 and 3 Stage I tumors. The use of this treatment modality yields only 3% pelvic failure and an overall 5 year survival of almost 90%.", "contents": "The management of clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma. A retrospective analyses of 307 cases with clinical Stage I endometrial carcinoma was done in an attempt to determine the role of radiation therapy in the optimal treatment of this disease. A review of the modern literature with over 9000 cases served as a useful tool to corroborate inferences and conclusions. The present series has 155 patients (51%) treated with preoperative megavoltage external pelvic radiation with a variation in doses of less than 6%. Five-year survival estimates (79%-83%) in clinical Stage I endometrial carcinoma are similar among the several main treatment combination that are employed; they become a useless parameter for any comparison. The pelvic failure rate constitutes a more useful guideline in assessing the most adequate therapy. The pathologic grade of the tumor is the main prognosticator in endometrial carcinoma. Intimately related to the tumor grade is the depth of myometrial invasion of the carcinoma. The size of the uterus and/or its cavity carry less prognostic significance than traditionally thought. For grade I lesions, there is little error in diagnosis, few pelvic failures and excellent survival (96%); they could be approached with initial surgery and postoperative radiation reserved for selected patients. For grade 2 tumors, the error in diagnosis and the failure rate increases with an overall survival of 87%. For grade 3 tumors, the error in diagnosis and failure rates are quite high with a 5 year survival of only 70%. Preoperative radiation, especially external beam therapy, is suggested for grades 2 and 3 Stage I tumors. The use of this treatment modality yields only 3% pelvic failure and an overall 5 year survival of almost 90%.", "PMID": 638942} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11972", "title": "Effect of radiation on cell-mediated cytotoxicity and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ovarian carcinoma.", "content": "Lymphocyte subpopulations and cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMI) were studied during radiation therapy in 16 patients with ovarian carcinoma. The total lymphocyte count became depressed in all patients. The depression was more marked among T cells, while the proportion of B cells remained unaffected. In patients with Stage I and II ovarian cancer, CMI was depressed significantly by radiotherapy after 7 days of treatment, remained low at 14 days but recovered despite continuation of radiation. This depression of CMI occurred at a delivered dose of 1,000 rads with subsequent recovery. Patients with Stage III ovarian cancer given pelvic and abdominal radiation were found to have no consistent depression of CMI, a finding similar to that in Stage III ovarian carcinoma patients given chemotherapy.", "contents": "Effect of radiation on cell-mediated cytotoxicity and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Lymphocyte subpopulations and cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMI) were studied during radiation therapy in 16 patients with ovarian carcinoma. The total lymphocyte count became depressed in all patients. The depression was more marked among T cells, while the proportion of B cells remained unaffected. In patients with Stage I and II ovarian cancer, CMI was depressed significantly by radiotherapy after 7 days of treatment, remained low at 14 days but recovered despite continuation of radiation. This depression of CMI occurred at a delivered dose of 1,000 rads with subsequent recovery. Patients with Stage III ovarian cancer given pelvic and abdominal radiation were found to have no consistent depression of CMI, a finding similar to that in Stage III ovarian carcinoma patients given chemotherapy.", "PMID": 638944} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11973", "title": "An analysis of factors in the successful management of cancer of tonsillar region.", "content": "A total of 117 consecutive primary cancers of the tonsillar region was irradiated at the University of Illinois Hospitals from 1955 to 1973. Results with 94 patients treated with radiotherapy alone and 23 with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy were analyzed. The modalities of radiation used were electron beam, 22 meV photons and Cobalt-60. Lymph node metastases were noted in 70% of the patients at the initial examination. In patients treated with radiation alone the determinant 5-year survivals were 42% without and 20% with nodal involvement. In the absence of node disease, survivals were 100% in T1, 60% in T2, 37.5% in T3 and 25% in T4 lesions. The significance of age, sex, histological differentiation, extent of the tumor, modality of treatment and the incidence of second primary were analyzed. Time dose relationships and factors influencing the prognosis are discussed and the literature is reviewed.", "contents": "An analysis of factors in the successful management of cancer of tonsillar region. A total of 117 consecutive primary cancers of the tonsillar region was irradiated at the University of Illinois Hospitals from 1955 to 1973. Results with 94 patients treated with radiotherapy alone and 23 with a combination of surgery and radiotherapy were analyzed. The modalities of radiation used were electron beam, 22 meV photons and Cobalt-60. Lymph node metastases were noted in 70% of the patients at the initial examination. In patients treated with radiation alone the determinant 5-year survivals were 42% without and 20% with nodal involvement. In the absence of node disease, survivals were 100% in T1, 60% in T2, 37.5% in T3 and 25% in T4 lesions. The significance of age, sex, histological differentiation, extent of the tumor, modality of treatment and the incidence of second primary were analyzed. Time dose relationships and factors influencing the prognosis are discussed and the literature is reviewed.", "PMID": 638946} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11974", "title": "Intensive postoperative chemoimmunotherapy for patients with stage II and stage III breast cancer.", "content": "For the past 34 months, a combination of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and BCG (FAC-BCG) was evaluated as adjuvant treatment in stage II and III breast cancer patients with positive axillary nodes. In the group of 131 patients receiving FAC-BCG, the estimated proportion remaining disease-free at 2 years from surgery was 91% compared to an estimated 69% in a group of 151 historical control patients (p less than .01). This advantage was statistically significant in all subgroups except for patients with primary tumor less than 3 cm and for patients with less than 4 positive nodes. Estimated 2-year survival rates were 9,6% for FAC-BCG patients and 86% for control (p = .02). Treatment was well tolerated. Adjuvant FAC-BCG seems effective in prolonging disease-free interval and early survival in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. Its long term efficacy will require longer follow-ups.", "contents": "Intensive postoperative chemoimmunotherapy for patients with stage II and stage III breast cancer. For the past 34 months, a combination of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and BCG (FAC-BCG) was evaluated as adjuvant treatment in stage II and III breast cancer patients with positive axillary nodes. In the group of 131 patients receiving FAC-BCG, the estimated proportion remaining disease-free at 2 years from surgery was 91% compared to an estimated 69% in a group of 151 historical control patients (p less than .01). This advantage was statistically significant in all subgroups except for patients with primary tumor less than 3 cm and for patients with less than 4 positive nodes. Estimated 2-year survival rates were 9,6% for FAC-BCG patients and 86% for control (p = .02). Treatment was well tolerated. Adjuvant FAC-BCG seems effective in prolonging disease-free interval and early survival in patients with stage II and III breast cancer. Its long term efficacy will require longer follow-ups.", "PMID": 638948} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11975", "title": "Prolonged complete remission following high dose chemotherapy of Burkitt's lymphoma in relapse.", "content": "Fourteen patients with American Burkitt's lymphoma resistant to conventional chemotherapy were treated with high-dose combination chemotherapy and intensive supportive care. Four patients died shortly after chemotherapy, 3 of an acute carditis. All ten remaining patients demonstrated tumor regression and 3 remain in prolonged complete unmaintained remission 29+, 19+, and 9+ months after treatment. These findings demonstrate that high-dose chemotherapy will benefit some patients with Burkitt's lymphoma unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy, but the medullary and extramedullary toxicity of this treatment strategy remains a formidable obstacle.", "contents": "Prolonged complete remission following high dose chemotherapy of Burkitt's lymphoma in relapse. Fourteen patients with American Burkitt's lymphoma resistant to conventional chemotherapy were treated with high-dose combination chemotherapy and intensive supportive care. Four patients died shortly after chemotherapy, 3 of an acute carditis. All ten remaining patients demonstrated tumor regression and 3 remain in prolonged complete unmaintained remission 29+, 19+, and 9+ months after treatment. These findings demonstrate that high-dose chemotherapy will benefit some patients with Burkitt's lymphoma unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy, but the medullary and extramedullary toxicity of this treatment strategy remains a formidable obstacle.", "PMID": 638947} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11976", "title": "Changes in cell-mediated immunity in patients undergoing radiotherapy.", "content": "The cell-mediated immune status of 147 patients who received radiotherapy was evaluated using in vitro tests (PHA, E-rosette and spontaneous blastogenesis) both before and 6 weeks after the end of radiation. All patients had verified malignancies, involving the bronchus in 29 cases, breast in 28, female genital system in 26, head and neck in 20 and bladder in 15. Patients suffering from bronchogenic carcinomas or malignancies of the head and neck showed a relative high degree of immune suppression. Our findings indicate a trend towards some improvement in PHA reactivity, as well as in as the percentage of E-rosette-forming cells after treatment, which is more noticeable in patients with pelvic or breast tumors. A relationship seems to exist between the tumor load and the immune status, which reverts to a normal pattern when the former is extinguished. Moreover, patients with poor clinical response display a profoundly depressed level of immune status without any improvement after treatment.", "contents": "Changes in cell-mediated immunity in patients undergoing radiotherapy. The cell-mediated immune status of 147 patients who received radiotherapy was evaluated using in vitro tests (PHA, E-rosette and spontaneous blastogenesis) both before and 6 weeks after the end of radiation. All patients had verified malignancies, involving the bronchus in 29 cases, breast in 28, female genital system in 26, head and neck in 20 and bladder in 15. Patients suffering from bronchogenic carcinomas or malignancies of the head and neck showed a relative high degree of immune suppression. Our findings indicate a trend towards some improvement in PHA reactivity, as well as in as the percentage of E-rosette-forming cells after treatment, which is more noticeable in patients with pelvic or breast tumors. A relationship seems to exist between the tumor load and the immune status, which reverts to a normal pattern when the former is extinguished. Moreover, patients with poor clinical response display a profoundly depressed level of immune status without any improvement after treatment.", "PMID": 638949} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11977", "title": "Pancreatic carcinoma treated with high-dose, small-volume irradiation.", "content": "Eighteen patients with unresectable ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas received definitive, high-dose, small-volume radiation therapy. All patients had at least one laparotomy, at which time a biopsy was obtained, radio-opaque clips were placed to define the extent of the gross tumor, and usually some form of bypass procedure was performed. External-beam irradiation was delivered from a 45-MV betatron to an area encompassing the clipped tumor volume plus a 1 to 2 cm margin. A three-field technique, employing opposed lateral 45-MV photon beams and an anterior \"mixed beam\" (50% 45-MV photons and 50% 15- to 35-MeV electrons), was used to treat 13 of the patients. The choice of electron energy used for these patients was based on the depth of the posterior margin of the target volume. Five patients were treated by either four-field \"box\" or three-field, 45-MV photon techniques. Minimum tumor dose was 6300-6700 rads delivered in 180-rad fractions in 7-9 weeks. With the three-field technique, all fields were treated daily; with the four-field technique, two fields were treated daily. The projected survival rate 12 months post idagnosis is 59%, with the median length of survival, 11.8 months. Seven patients are alive 11.5 to 57 months after diagnosis, all clinically free of disease. Treatment has been generally well tolerated, and there have been no severe late radiation complications. This therapeutic modality appears capable of producing improved palliation, if not offering definitive radiotherapeutic management of localized unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas.", "contents": "Pancreatic carcinoma treated with high-dose, small-volume irradiation. Eighteen patients with unresectable ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas received definitive, high-dose, small-volume radiation therapy. All patients had at least one laparotomy, at which time a biopsy was obtained, radio-opaque clips were placed to define the extent of the gross tumor, and usually some form of bypass procedure was performed. External-beam irradiation was delivered from a 45-MV betatron to an area encompassing the clipped tumor volume plus a 1 to 2 cm margin. A three-field technique, employing opposed lateral 45-MV photon beams and an anterior \"mixed beam\" (50% 45-MV photons and 50% 15- to 35-MeV electrons), was used to treat 13 of the patients. The choice of electron energy used for these patients was based on the depth of the posterior margin of the target volume. Five patients were treated by either four-field \"box\" or three-field, 45-MV photon techniques. Minimum tumor dose was 6300-6700 rads delivered in 180-rad fractions in 7-9 weeks. With the three-field technique, all fields were treated daily; with the four-field technique, two fields were treated daily. The projected survival rate 12 months post idagnosis is 59%, with the median length of survival, 11.8 months. Seven patients are alive 11.5 to 57 months after diagnosis, all clinically free of disease. Treatment has been generally well tolerated, and there have been no severe late radiation complications. This therapeutic modality appears capable of producing improved palliation, if not offering definitive radiotherapeutic management of localized unresectable carcinoma of the pancreas.", "PMID": 638950} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11978", "title": "Mammographic parenchymal patterns as a risk indicator for prevalent and incident cancer.", "content": "Different mammographic parenchymal patterns have been found to be associated with significantly different rates for the development of breast cancer in a screening program of self-referred women. These differences are qualitatively similar but of lesser magnitude than those in previous reports by Wolfe which were based on symptomatic women who had had a previous negative mammogram. In addition, this report indicates a small difference in the rate of breast cancer at first mammographic examination, using the same parenchymal classifications. These findings, coupled with other risk factors, may permit the concentration of mammographic screening on a smaller segment of the population at risk, thus improving the benefit to risk ratio.", "contents": "Mammographic parenchymal patterns as a risk indicator for prevalent and incident cancer. Different mammographic parenchymal patterns have been found to be associated with significantly different rates for the development of breast cancer in a screening program of self-referred women. These differences are qualitatively similar but of lesser magnitude than those in previous reports by Wolfe which were based on symptomatic women who had had a previous negative mammogram. In addition, this report indicates a small difference in the rate of breast cancer at first mammographic examination, using the same parenchymal classifications. These findings, coupled with other risk factors, may permit the concentration of mammographic screening on a smaller segment of the population at risk, thus improving the benefit to risk ratio.", "PMID": 638951} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11979", "title": "Patterns of human thyroid parenchymal reaction following low-dose childhood irradiation.", "content": "Microscopic changes in the thyroids of 68 patients who had received low-dose childhood irradiation to the head and neck and who presented with palpable thyroid abnormalities culminating in surgery are compared to 34 control thyroids obtained from age- and sex-matched autopsy cases. Eighty-eight percent of irradiated thyroids showed moderate to severe focal hyperplasia, 51% contained single or multiple adenomas or adenomatous hyperplastic nodules, 68% exhibited chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, 51% revealed colloid nodules, 42% presented with oxyphile change, 25% had mild fibrosis and 59% contained well-differentiated papillary, follicular or mixed thyroid carcinoma averaging 1.6 cm in diameter. Three small carcinomas were of the sclerosing type. The non irradiated thyroids showed 32% colloid nodule formation, 17% focal hyperplasia, 6% adenomatous hyperplasia and no identifiable carcinomas. Several nonspecific histologic abnormalities are now recognized as following low-dose radiation to the thyroid, the most important being focal hyperplasia, which may represent a pre-malignant change in thyroid parenchyma.", "contents": "Patterns of human thyroid parenchymal reaction following low-dose childhood irradiation. Microscopic changes in the thyroids of 68 patients who had received low-dose childhood irradiation to the head and neck and who presented with palpable thyroid abnormalities culminating in surgery are compared to 34 control thyroids obtained from age- and sex-matched autopsy cases. Eighty-eight percent of irradiated thyroids showed moderate to severe focal hyperplasia, 51% contained single or multiple adenomas or adenomatous hyperplastic nodules, 68% exhibited chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, 51% revealed colloid nodules, 42% presented with oxyphile change, 25% had mild fibrosis and 59% contained well-differentiated papillary, follicular or mixed thyroid carcinoma averaging 1.6 cm in diameter. Three small carcinomas were of the sclerosing type. The non irradiated thyroids showed 32% colloid nodule formation, 17% focal hyperplasia, 6% adenomatous hyperplasia and no identifiable carcinomas. Several nonspecific histologic abnormalities are now recognized as following low-dose radiation to the thyroid, the most important being focal hyperplasia, which may represent a pre-malignant change in thyroid parenchyma.", "PMID": 638952} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11980", "title": "Production of several substances by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.", "content": "Two patients with the typical morphology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid are reported. Biochemical analysis of the tumor tissue demonstrated the presence of calcitonin, ACTH and MSH, although symptoms referable to these hormones were hardly manifested. Serum CEA levels were elevated and CEA immunofluorescences in the tumor cells were positive. Moreover, in one patient, serotonin concentration was raised in the tumor tissue, and gastrin level was also elevated in the peripheral blood. These results suggest that the tumors may produce several substances.", "contents": "Production of several substances by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Two patients with the typical morphology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid are reported. Biochemical analysis of the tumor tissue demonstrated the presence of calcitonin, ACTH and MSH, although symptoms referable to these hormones were hardly manifested. Serum CEA levels were elevated and CEA immunofluorescences in the tumor cells were positive. Moreover, in one patient, serotonin concentration was raised in the tumor tissue, and gastrin level was also elevated in the peripheral blood. These results suggest that the tumors may produce several substances.", "PMID": 638953} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11981", "title": "Fibrinogen kinetics in patients with neoplastic disease.", "content": "Fibrinogen half-life was determined in 30 patients with active or inactive malignancies by monitoring survival of administered 125I-labeled autologous fibrinogen. Six patients had no evidence of active disease and served as controls having fibrinogen levels and half-lives within the normal range reported in the literature. Twenty-six studies were conducted on 24 patients with various active malignancies. Significantly shorter fibrinogen half-lives were found in patients with active malignancies. The fractional catabolic rates calculated from both the plasma data and the urinary isotope excretion were significantly increased in patients in this group. Although there is some evidence that exposure to intensive chemotherapy may further shorten fibrinogen survival, there is no significant difference between treated and untreated or responding and nonresponding groups. The major determinant of fibrinogen survival appears to be the presence of active malignant disease, in addition to the specific type of malignancy involved.", "contents": "Fibrinogen kinetics in patients with neoplastic disease. Fibrinogen half-life was determined in 30 patients with active or inactive malignancies by monitoring survival of administered 125I-labeled autologous fibrinogen. Six patients had no evidence of active disease and served as controls having fibrinogen levels and half-lives within the normal range reported in the literature. Twenty-six studies were conducted on 24 patients with various active malignancies. Significantly shorter fibrinogen half-lives were found in patients with active malignancies. The fractional catabolic rates calculated from both the plasma data and the urinary isotope excretion were significantly increased in patients in this group. Although there is some evidence that exposure to intensive chemotherapy may further shorten fibrinogen survival, there is no significant difference between treated and untreated or responding and nonresponding groups. The major determinant of fibrinogen survival appears to be the presence of active malignant disease, in addition to the specific type of malignancy involved.", "PMID": 638954} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11982", "title": "Cancer of the nasopharynx in children.", "content": "The authors present 15 children with cancer of the nasopharynx. Of seven patients with primary epidermoid carcinomas, only two are alive and well. Only one of four patients with a primary soft tissue sarcoma is alive and well. Two of four patients with lymphoma of the nasopharynx are alive and well. All deaths were due to uncontrolled distant metastases. Only one patient (rhabdomyosarcoma) died with uncontrolled local disease. Radiotherapy to the primary and neck is recommended for all children with primary malignancy of the nasopharynx. Adjuvant chemotherapy may also be of value for all patients regardless of histopathology.", "contents": "Cancer of the nasopharynx in children. The authors present 15 children with cancer of the nasopharynx. Of seven patients with primary epidermoid carcinomas, only two are alive and well. Only one of four patients with a primary soft tissue sarcoma is alive and well. Two of four patients with lymphoma of the nasopharynx are alive and well. All deaths were due to uncontrolled distant metastases. Only one patient (rhabdomyosarcoma) died with uncontrolled local disease. Radiotherapy to the primary and neck is recommended for all children with primary malignancy of the nasopharynx. Adjuvant chemotherapy may also be of value for all patients regardless of histopathology.", "PMID": 638955} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11983", "title": "Panhypopituitarism resulting from Hodgkin's disease of the nasopharynx.", "content": "Nasopharyngeal involvement by Hodgkin's Disease is rare and may result in deafness, headaches, nasal obstructions and other symptoms. Compression of the pituitary gland with resultant panhypopituitarism has not been reported in nasopharyngeal Hodgkin's Disease. This paper documents a patient in whom Hodgkin's Disease of the nasopharynx eroded the bony sella turcica and compressed the pituitary gland causing anterior pituitary insufficiency. The patient presented with a skull x-ray and history compatible with a pituitary neoplasm. The diagnosis was established only by surgical exploration.", "contents": "Panhypopituitarism resulting from Hodgkin's disease of the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal involvement by Hodgkin's Disease is rare and may result in deafness, headaches, nasal obstructions and other symptoms. Compression of the pituitary gland with resultant panhypopituitarism has not been reported in nasopharyngeal Hodgkin's Disease. This paper documents a patient in whom Hodgkin's Disease of the nasopharynx eroded the bony sella turcica and compressed the pituitary gland causing anterior pituitary insufficiency. The patient presented with a skull x-ray and history compatible with a pituitary neoplasm. The diagnosis was established only by surgical exploration.", "PMID": 638956} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11984", "title": "The prevention of invasive cancer of the rectum.", "content": "The results of the 25+ year Cancer Detection Center study, including 20,000 participants and 100,000+ patient-years experience, demonstrate the obviation of appearance of most lower bowel cancers associated with a program of proctosigmoidoscopy and adenomatous polyp removal. Once on a schedule of periodic examinations, study participants developed only a fraction of the anticipated number of rectal cancers; most of the cancers which did develop were detected while at an early stage and with involvement of only the mucosa. Not a single death from lower bowel cancer has occurred among active study participants or for 7+ years following the most recent examination at the Center.", "contents": "The prevention of invasive cancer of the rectum. The results of the 25+ year Cancer Detection Center study, including 20,000 participants and 100,000+ patient-years experience, demonstrate the obviation of appearance of most lower bowel cancers associated with a program of proctosigmoidoscopy and adenomatous polyp removal. Once on a schedule of periodic examinations, study participants developed only a fraction of the anticipated number of rectal cancers; most of the cancers which did develop were detected while at an early stage and with involvement of only the mucosa. Not a single death from lower bowel cancer has occurred among active study participants or for 7+ years following the most recent examination at the Center.", "PMID": 638957} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11985", "title": "Plasma cell neoplasm involving the thyroid.", "content": "Involvement of the thyroid gland by plasma cell neoplasms is very rare. On review of 248 cases, we found 4 cases in which pathological evidence of plasma cell neoplasm in the thyroid was verified. This was a heterogeneous group of patients; the thyroid involvement was clinically recognized as a site of extramedullary plasma cell neoplasm in one patient and as a part of generalized disease in two patients. In another patient with generalized disease, the thyroid involvement was discovered at autopsy.", "contents": "Plasma cell neoplasm involving the thyroid. Involvement of the thyroid gland by plasma cell neoplasms is very rare. On review of 248 cases, we found 4 cases in which pathological evidence of plasma cell neoplasm in the thyroid was verified. This was a heterogeneous group of patients; the thyroid involvement was clinically recognized as a site of extramedullary plasma cell neoplasm in one patient and as a part of generalized disease in two patients. In another patient with generalized disease, the thyroid involvement was discovered at autopsy.", "PMID": 638958} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11986", "title": "Clinicopathologic correlations and significance of clinically occult mammary lesions.", "content": "Experience with 189 clinically occult, i.e., nonpalpable breast lesions is presented. The described technique of localization and excision all but guarantees removal of even the smallest radiographically suspicious findings with an inconspicuous incision and minimal breast deformity. The incidence of carcinoma encountered in these 189 biopsies is 27.5%. Axillary node metastases were present in less than 25% of the invasive nonpalpable cancers, approximately half of what might have been expected if the lesions had been discovered in the usual manner. There were no patients with axillary node metastases among those with in situ ductal or microinvasive ductal carcinomas. This implies a better prognosis and lower death rate from breast cancer in these patients. Screening programs employing mammography, designed to detect breast cancers in this pre-palpable stage, are encountered as a means of uncovering a higher proportion of such cancers at an earlier stage in their natural histories.", "contents": "Clinicopathologic correlations and significance of clinically occult mammary lesions. Experience with 189 clinically occult, i.e., nonpalpable breast lesions is presented. The described technique of localization and excision all but guarantees removal of even the smallest radiographically suspicious findings with an inconspicuous incision and minimal breast deformity. The incidence of carcinoma encountered in these 189 biopsies is 27.5%. Axillary node metastases were present in less than 25% of the invasive nonpalpable cancers, approximately half of what might have been expected if the lesions had been discovered in the usual manner. There were no patients with axillary node metastases among those with in situ ductal or microinvasive ductal carcinomas. This implies a better prognosis and lower death rate from breast cancer in these patients. Screening programs employing mammography, designed to detect breast cancers in this pre-palpable stage, are encountered as a means of uncovering a higher proportion of such cancers at an earlier stage in their natural histories.", "PMID": 638959} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11987", "title": "Lack of prognostic significance of the pretreatment labeling and mitotic indices of marrow blasts in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL).", "content": "The prognostic significance of the pretreatment growth characteristics of marrow blasts was examined in 37 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) treated with a similar therapeutic regimen. Initial mitotic index (MI) and in vitro 3H-thymidine labeling index (LI) were broadly distributed showing no correlation to other initial variables, such as age or absolute blast count. No relationship whatsoever was observed between the pretreatment LI, MI and either the likelihood of achieving a complete remission or the remission and survival length. We conclude that the initial growth characteristics of marrow blasts do not play a significant role in predicting the therapeutic response in ANLL; age, modality of therapy and, possibly, the dynamic perturbations of the proliferative activity of the blast cells induced by treatment should be regarded as more reliable prognostic indicators in ANLL.", "contents": "Lack of prognostic significance of the pretreatment labeling and mitotic indices of marrow blasts in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). The prognostic significance of the pretreatment growth characteristics of marrow blasts was examined in 37 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) treated with a similar therapeutic regimen. Initial mitotic index (MI) and in vitro 3H-thymidine labeling index (LI) were broadly distributed showing no correlation to other initial variables, such as age or absolute blast count. No relationship whatsoever was observed between the pretreatment LI, MI and either the likelihood of achieving a complete remission or the remission and survival length. We conclude that the initial growth characteristics of marrow blasts do not play a significant role in predicting the therapeutic response in ANLL; age, modality of therapy and, possibly, the dynamic perturbations of the proliferative activity of the blast cells induced by treatment should be regarded as more reliable prognostic indicators in ANLL.", "PMID": 638960} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11988", "title": "Patterns of relapse and survival following radical mastectomy. Analysis of 716 consecutive patients.", "content": "The records of 716 consecutive patients with breast cancer randomized from January 1964 to January 1968 between radical and extended radical mastectomy not followed by postoperative radiation therapy were reviewed. Relapse and survival rates were related to different patterns with the intent to define, on clinical basis, the high-risk groups in whom systemic adjuvant treatment can be attempted. The 10-year relapse rate was 52.9% for the whole series. In patients with negative axillary nodes (N-) this finding was 27.9% compared to 75.5% for patients with positive nodes (N+ 1-3: 66.5%, N+ greater than 3: 83.6%). The relapse rate was also affected by concomitant involvement of internal mammary nodes (IMN): N- IMN+: 60%, N+ IMN+: 96.7%. The corresponding 10-year survival rates were as follows: 59.7% (total), 81.9% (N-), 39.6% (N+), 53.7% (1-3), 25.6% (greater than 3), 45.8% (N- IMN+), 20.5% (N+ IMN+). In N+ patients relapse and survival rates were directly proportional to the size of primary tumor, while this trend was not present in N- patients. Location of primary tumor as well as menopausal status showed no direct effect on relapse and survival. In both nodal groups the sites of first relapse were documented to occur preferentially in distant organs and tissues.", "contents": "Patterns of relapse and survival following radical mastectomy. Analysis of 716 consecutive patients. The records of 716 consecutive patients with breast cancer randomized from January 1964 to January 1968 between radical and extended radical mastectomy not followed by postoperative radiation therapy were reviewed. Relapse and survival rates were related to different patterns with the intent to define, on clinical basis, the high-risk groups in whom systemic adjuvant treatment can be attempted. The 10-year relapse rate was 52.9% for the whole series. In patients with negative axillary nodes (N-) this finding was 27.9% compared to 75.5% for patients with positive nodes (N+ 1-3: 66.5%, N+ greater than 3: 83.6%). The relapse rate was also affected by concomitant involvement of internal mammary nodes (IMN): N- IMN+: 60%, N+ IMN+: 96.7%. The corresponding 10-year survival rates were as follows: 59.7% (total), 81.9% (N-), 39.6% (N+), 53.7% (1-3), 25.6% (greater than 3), 45.8% (N- IMN+), 20.5% (N+ IMN+). In N+ patients relapse and survival rates were directly proportional to the size of primary tumor, while this trend was not present in N- patients. Location of primary tumor as well as menopausal status showed no direct effect on relapse and survival. In both nodal groups the sites of first relapse were documented to occur preferentially in distant organs and tissues.", "PMID": 638961} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11989", "title": "Myelopoietic abnormalities in patients with metastatic carcinoma.", "content": "Myelopoiesis was assessed in 41 untreated patients with widespread cancer without evidence of infection. None of these patients had neutropenia, although leukopenia due to decreased concentrations of blood lymphocytes was observed in two. Sixteen patients (39%) had neutrophilia and 12 patients (29%), 5 of them with neutrophilia, had decreased marrow granulocyte reserve. Neither the blood neutrophil counts nor the marrow granulocyte reserve correlated significantly with the marrow myeloid mitotic indices, myeloid to erythroid ratio or the number of marrow colony-forming cells. There was no difference in the duration of the disease, the extent of systemic metastasis and the degree of malnutrition between patients with or without myelopoietic abnormalities. Our findings suggest that decreased marrow granulocyte reserve and neutrophilia are common in untreated patients with disseminated carcinoma.", "contents": "Myelopoietic abnormalities in patients with metastatic carcinoma. Myelopoiesis was assessed in 41 untreated patients with widespread cancer without evidence of infection. None of these patients had neutropenia, although leukopenia due to decreased concentrations of blood lymphocytes was observed in two. Sixteen patients (39%) had neutrophilia and 12 patients (29%), 5 of them with neutrophilia, had decreased marrow granulocyte reserve. Neither the blood neutrophil counts nor the marrow granulocyte reserve correlated significantly with the marrow myeloid mitotic indices, myeloid to erythroid ratio or the number of marrow colony-forming cells. There was no difference in the duration of the disease, the extent of systemic metastasis and the degree of malnutrition between patients with or without myelopoietic abnormalities. Our findings suggest that decreased marrow granulocyte reserve and neutrophilia are common in untreated patients with disseminated carcinoma.", "PMID": 638962} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11990", "title": "Implications from SEER data on breast cancer management.", "content": "From the SEER files of the NCI, 8,587 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 1975 were analyzed. Of these cases, 5.3% were noninvasive. Of the invasive cancers under 0.5 cm in diameter, 17.2% had positive axillary lymph nodes. Where the physician recorded no palpable axillary lymph nodes, 34.5% were found to be positive.", "contents": "Implications from SEER data on breast cancer management. From the SEER files of the NCI, 8,587 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 1975 were analyzed. Of these cases, 5.3% were noninvasive. Of the invasive cancers under 0.5 cm in diameter, 17.2% had positive axillary lymph nodes. Where the physician recorded no palpable axillary lymph nodes, 34.5% were found to be positive.", "PMID": 638964} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11991", "title": "The use of antiestrogens tamoxifen and nafoxidine in the treatment of human breast cancer in correlation with estrogen receptor values. A phase II study.", "content": "Twenty-five patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer and assays for estrogen receptor (ER) were studied. Of the 16 ER positive patients on anti-estrogen therapy, one had complete disappearance of all tumor for seven months and seven patients had more than 50% reduction in their measurable tumor for an average duration of 8.8 months. Seven other ER positive patients had stabilization of their tumors for an average interval of 8.4 months. Only one of the 16 ER positive patients progressed promptly. Conversely there was only one partial response in the nine ER negative patients and only two ER negative patients had stabilization of disease. Six out of nine ER negative patients progressed promptly. Correlation existed between the duration of response and absolute estrogen receptor level of the tumor. There may be a positive correlation between the response to antiestrogen therapy and response to endocrine ablation but prospective studies must be done to further define the role of antiestrogens in this regard.", "contents": "The use of antiestrogens tamoxifen and nafoxidine in the treatment of human breast cancer in correlation with estrogen receptor values. A phase II study. Twenty-five patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer and assays for estrogen receptor (ER) were studied. Of the 16 ER positive patients on anti-estrogen therapy, one had complete disappearance of all tumor for seven months and seven patients had more than 50% reduction in their measurable tumor for an average duration of 8.8 months. Seven other ER positive patients had stabilization of their tumors for an average interval of 8.4 months. Only one of the 16 ER positive patients progressed promptly. Conversely there was only one partial response in the nine ER negative patients and only two ER negative patients had stabilization of disease. Six out of nine ER negative patients progressed promptly. Correlation existed between the duration of response and absolute estrogen receptor level of the tumor. There may be a positive correlation between the response to antiestrogen therapy and response to endocrine ablation but prospective studies must be done to further define the role of antiestrogens in this regard.", "PMID": 638966} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11992", "title": "Keratocysts of the jaw. Clinicopathologic study of 79 patients.", "content": "A study of 79 patients with keratocysts of the jaws revealed that 72% of the cysts were in the mandible, predominantly in the ramus. The most common symptom was a painful swelling in the jaw. Enucleation was used in 69.2% of the cases. The recurrence rate was 39%. Total removal of the lining of the keratocyst is essential to prevent recurrence.", "contents": "Keratocysts of the jaw. Clinicopathologic study of 79 patients. A study of 79 patients with keratocysts of the jaws revealed that 72% of the cysts were in the mandible, predominantly in the ramus. The most common symptom was a painful swelling in the jaw. Enucleation was used in 69.2% of the cases. The recurrence rate was 39%. Total removal of the lining of the keratocyst is essential to prevent recurrence.", "PMID": 638967} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11993", "title": "Effect of adriamycin and high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy on in vivo and in vitro cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients.", "content": "Adjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin (ADR) and high-dose methotrexate (HDM) with citrovorum rescue appears to hold promise for preventing recurrence of sarcomas following surgery. However, the effect of prolonged treatment with these agents on both in vivo and in vitro cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is unknown. To assess in vitro CMI, cryopreserved lymphocytes from 18 patients, collected before and at monthly intervals following initiation of biweekly ADR and HDM therapy, were tested simultaneously for stimulation to phytohemagglutinin, poke-weed mitogen, Concanavalin A, and pooled allogeneic lymphocytes by a micro-test technique. In vivo CMI was determined by serial skin-testing with 2,4,-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). No significant overall change was noted for any of the in vitro lymphocyte function tests. DNCB skin test ratings, peripheral leukocyte counts and absolute lymphocyte counts did not change significantly during the study. Lymphocytes from a second group of patients were tested before, at 24 and 48 hours after HDM therapy. In vitro lymphocyte function tests were significantly depressed 24 hours following treatment, but returned to pretreatment levels at 48 hours. Long-term adjuvant ADR and HDM therapy does not appear to alter in vivo and in vitro CMI, although transient depressions were noted. The preservation of intact CMI may account in part, for the effectiveness of these agents as surgical adjuvants.", "contents": "Effect of adriamycin and high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy on in vivo and in vitro cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin (ADR) and high-dose methotrexate (HDM) with citrovorum rescue appears to hold promise for preventing recurrence of sarcomas following surgery. However, the effect of prolonged treatment with these agents on both in vivo and in vitro cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is unknown. To assess in vitro CMI, cryopreserved lymphocytes from 18 patients, collected before and at monthly intervals following initiation of biweekly ADR and HDM therapy, were tested simultaneously for stimulation to phytohemagglutinin, poke-weed mitogen, Concanavalin A, and pooled allogeneic lymphocytes by a micro-test technique. In vivo CMI was determined by serial skin-testing with 2,4,-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). No significant overall change was noted for any of the in vitro lymphocyte function tests. DNCB skin test ratings, peripheral leukocyte counts and absolute lymphocyte counts did not change significantly during the study. Lymphocytes from a second group of patients were tested before, at 24 and 48 hours after HDM therapy. In vitro lymphocyte function tests were significantly depressed 24 hours following treatment, but returned to pretreatment levels at 48 hours. Long-term adjuvant ADR and HDM therapy does not appear to alter in vivo and in vitro CMI, although transient depressions were noted. The preservation of intact CMI may account in part, for the effectiveness of these agents as surgical adjuvants.", "PMID": 638968} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11994", "title": "Halothane, surgery, immunosuppression and artificial pulmonary metastases.", "content": "C57B1/6 mice were given intravenous tumor cells on day O. Mice were then given either a brief exposure to halothane anesthesia or given halothane and then underwent a hind limb amputation. Immune testing was done at varying time intervals and correlated with the development of artificial pulmonary metastases. The effects of a single 15 minute exposure to halothane on the immune system are probably short-lived and no effect on cell-mediated cytotoxicity was seen on day 7, nor was an increase in pulmonary metastases observed. However, when anesthesia was combined with surgery, cell-mediated cytotoxicity was impaired and an increase in pulmonary metastases was seen. The use of thiabendazole (TBZ), an nonspecific immunopotentiator, in the perioperative period restored the cell-mediated cytotoxic response and resulted in a significant decrease in pulmonary metastases.", "contents": "Halothane, surgery, immunosuppression and artificial pulmonary metastases. C57B1/6 mice were given intravenous tumor cells on day O. Mice were then given either a brief exposure to halothane anesthesia or given halothane and then underwent a hind limb amputation. Immune testing was done at varying time intervals and correlated with the development of artificial pulmonary metastases. The effects of a single 15 minute exposure to halothane on the immune system are probably short-lived and no effect on cell-mediated cytotoxicity was seen on day 7, nor was an increase in pulmonary metastases observed. However, when anesthesia was combined with surgery, cell-mediated cytotoxicity was impaired and an increase in pulmonary metastases was seen. The use of thiabendazole (TBZ), an nonspecific immunopotentiator, in the perioperative period restored the cell-mediated cytotoxic response and resulted in a significant decrease in pulmonary metastases.", "PMID": 638970} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11995", "title": "The contribution of surgery to the management of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases.", "content": "The presence of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases is a common clinical problem viewed by many physicians as beyond the realm of definitive surgical considerations. However, a number of patients dying with pulmonary metastases will have the totality of their disease confined to the lungs. In this select population, there is some potential for long term control or effective palliation through aggressive surgical management. This study quantitatively assesses the value of surgery in this setting and examines the prognostic effect of several important clinical variables. A single set of criteria were adhered to in the selection of patients. Cases were stratified in accordance with the intent of surgery, namely, 1) complete control and ablation of all known disease, or 2) reduction of total tumor burden to examine the possibilities for enhanced control by adjunctive therapeutic modalities.", "contents": "The contribution of surgery to the management of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases. The presence of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases is a common clinical problem viewed by many physicians as beyond the realm of definitive surgical considerations. However, a number of patients dying with pulmonary metastases will have the totality of their disease confined to the lungs. In this select population, there is some potential for long term control or effective palliation through aggressive surgical management. This study quantitatively assesses the value of surgery in this setting and examines the prognostic effect of several important clinical variables. A single set of criteria were adhered to in the selection of patients. Cases were stratified in accordance with the intent of surgery, namely, 1) complete control and ablation of all known disease, or 2) reduction of total tumor burden to examine the possibilities for enhanced control by adjunctive therapeutic modalities.", "PMID": 638972} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11996", "title": "Results of combined chemo-surgical therapy for pulmonary metastases from testicular carcinoma.", "content": "Between 1966 and 1976, 34 patients had 42 thoracotomies for resection of recurrent or residual metastatic germinal cell carcinoma primary in the testes in addition to chemotherapy. Of the 34, 18 (53%) are alive and well free of evidence of disease from 4 months to 104 months. Systemic chemotherapy of this group of tumors has improved markedly and many patients are now rendered free of disease and are potentially cured. In some however, an occasional pulmonary nodule did not completely respond or recurred after complete disappearance. The surgery was done to remove the last evidence of disease, and to establish the histology of the metastases.", "contents": "Results of combined chemo-surgical therapy for pulmonary metastases from testicular carcinoma. Between 1966 and 1976, 34 patients had 42 thoracotomies for resection of recurrent or residual metastatic germinal cell carcinoma primary in the testes in addition to chemotherapy. Of the 34, 18 (53%) are alive and well free of evidence of disease from 4 months to 104 months. Systemic chemotherapy of this group of tumors has improved markedly and many patients are now rendered free of disease and are potentially cured. In some however, an occasional pulmonary nodule did not completely respond or recurred after complete disappearance. The surgery was done to remove the last evidence of disease, and to establish the histology of the metastases.", "PMID": 638973} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11997", "title": "The value of diagnostic aids in detecting pancreas cancer.", "content": "By contract with the National Cancer Institute, the accuracy of diagnostic techniques was assessed in 184 patients suspected of having pancreas cancer. Of 138 patients who were operated upon, 89 were found to have pancreas duct cancer, 30 had cancer of a different site of origin in the head of the pancreas region and in 19 there was no evidence of cancer at operation. All of the 46 patients who were not operated upon, 13 proven to have cancer and 33 patients discharged as free of cancer, were followed in our clinic. The majority of our patients presented with signs and symptoms of biliary obstruction. Computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) gave a \"correct\" diagnosis in 31 of 33 patients (94%) with proven cancer, there were 2 patients with a false negative report and a false positive diagnosis occurred in 8 of 20 patients (40%) without cancer. Celiac angiography (CA) gave a correct diagnosis in 78 of 94 patients (83%) with cancer, a false negative in 17%, and a false positive in 32%. 76Selenomethionine pancreas scan correctly diagnosed 27 of 36 patients (75%) with cancer, gave a false negative in 25% and a false positive in 31%. Ultrasonography gave a correct diagnosis in 18 of 27 patients with cancer (67%), a false negative in 33% and a false positive in 28%. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnosed correctly 8 of 11 cases (73%) of cancer, there were false negative diagnoses in 3 cases (27%) and false positives in 3 of 14 patients (21%). Duodenal aspiration techniques gave a very low percentage of correct diagnoses. Chronic pancreatitis most commonly gave rise to a false positive diagnosis. Serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 82% of patients, gave 18% false negatives and 33% false positives. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was elevated (greater than 2.5 ng/ml) in most of the pancreas cancer patients but also in patients with other cancers and with non-cancerous diseases. In our hands, CTT, CA, alkaline phosphatase, 75Se-methionine and ultrasonography, in descending order, have given the highest percentage of correct diagnoses but false positive and false negative diagnoses prevented any single test from being conclusive.", "contents": "The value of diagnostic aids in detecting pancreas cancer. By contract with the National Cancer Institute, the accuracy of diagnostic techniques was assessed in 184 patients suspected of having pancreas cancer. Of 138 patients who were operated upon, 89 were found to have pancreas duct cancer, 30 had cancer of a different site of origin in the head of the pancreas region and in 19 there was no evidence of cancer at operation. All of the 46 patients who were not operated upon, 13 proven to have cancer and 33 patients discharged as free of cancer, were followed in our clinic. The majority of our patients presented with signs and symptoms of biliary obstruction. Computerized transaxial tomography (CTT) gave a \"correct\" diagnosis in 31 of 33 patients (94%) with proven cancer, there were 2 patients with a false negative report and a false positive diagnosis occurred in 8 of 20 patients (40%) without cancer. Celiac angiography (CA) gave a correct diagnosis in 78 of 94 patients (83%) with cancer, a false negative in 17%, and a false positive in 32%. 76Selenomethionine pancreas scan correctly diagnosed 27 of 36 patients (75%) with cancer, gave a false negative in 25% and a false positive in 31%. Ultrasonography gave a correct diagnosis in 18 of 27 patients with cancer (67%), a false negative in 33% and a false positive in 28%. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnosed correctly 8 of 11 cases (73%) of cancer, there were false negative diagnoses in 3 cases (27%) and false positives in 3 of 14 patients (21%). Duodenal aspiration techniques gave a very low percentage of correct diagnoses. Chronic pancreatitis most commonly gave rise to a false positive diagnosis. Serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 82% of patients, gave 18% false negatives and 33% false positives. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was elevated (greater than 2.5 ng/ml) in most of the pancreas cancer patients but also in patients with other cancers and with non-cancerous diseases. In our hands, CTT, CA, alkaline phosphatase, 75Se-methionine and ultrasonography, in descending order, have given the highest percentage of correct diagnoses but false positive and false negative diagnoses prevented any single test from being conclusive.", "PMID": 638974} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11998", "title": "Curability of Ewing's sarcoma and considerations for future therapeutic trials.", "content": "Twenty previously untreated children with primary Ewing's sarcoma and 8 children with primary tumor and metastatic disease were treated with surgery or radiation therapy (6,000-7,000 rads) for their primary tumor and T-2 chemotherapy. Of the 20 children with primary Ewing's sarcoma treated with T-2 \"adjuvant\" chemotherapy, 15 had no evidence of recurrent disease for from 31+-82+ months (median 46+ months) from the start of treatment. The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival rate for this group of patients was 75%. Eight patients presenting with metastatic disease had complete responses to T-2 chemotherapy, but 7/8 with metastatic disease eventually had tumor recurrence. Examination of the treatment failures, both those patients relapsing after adjuvant chemotherapy for primary Ewing's sarcoma (5), and those relapsing after having a complete response of metastatic disease (7) to T-2 chemotherapy, revealed that all relapses occurred at the end of the second year of T-2 chemotherapy or after chemotherapy was stopped. In addition, of 23 patients receiving \"curative\" radiation therapy to their primary tumor, 5 had local recurrence (22%) and 6 (26%) had severe functional debility secondary to combined radiation therapy and T-2 chemotherapy. The conclusions drawn from this experience have led us to consider a new approach to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma, namely: 1) more aggressive initial or \"induction\" chemotherapy with subsequent T-2 \"maintenance\" chemotherapy to eradicate more completely all metastatic microfoci of disease presumed to be present in patients with primary tumor at the time of diagnosis, and ostensively present in patients with metastatic disease; 2) the use of surgery alone or in combination with moderate doses of radiation therapy in those patients in whom we can predict a high frequency of local recurrence (pelvic lesions) or a high percentage of \"functional failures\" (young children with lower extremity lesions). Preliminary results with this latter approach are encouraging with 11/13 patients with primary Ewing's sarcoma free of disease at 12+-26+ months. A longer follow-up of this more aggressive treatment is needed to determine the superiority of this approach for both increased survival and improved late physical rehabilitation.", "contents": "Curability of Ewing's sarcoma and considerations for future therapeutic trials. Twenty previously untreated children with primary Ewing's sarcoma and 8 children with primary tumor and metastatic disease were treated with surgery or radiation therapy (6,000-7,000 rads) for their primary tumor and T-2 chemotherapy. Of the 20 children with primary Ewing's sarcoma treated with T-2 \"adjuvant\" chemotherapy, 15 had no evidence of recurrent disease for from 31+-82+ months (median 46+ months) from the start of treatment. The actuarial 5-year disease-free survival rate for this group of patients was 75%. Eight patients presenting with metastatic disease had complete responses to T-2 chemotherapy, but 7/8 with metastatic disease eventually had tumor recurrence. Examination of the treatment failures, both those patients relapsing after adjuvant chemotherapy for primary Ewing's sarcoma (5), and those relapsing after having a complete response of metastatic disease (7) to T-2 chemotherapy, revealed that all relapses occurred at the end of the second year of T-2 chemotherapy or after chemotherapy was stopped. In addition, of 23 patients receiving \"curative\" radiation therapy to their primary tumor, 5 had local recurrence (22%) and 6 (26%) had severe functional debility secondary to combined radiation therapy and T-2 chemotherapy. The conclusions drawn from this experience have led us to consider a new approach to the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma, namely: 1) more aggressive initial or \"induction\" chemotherapy with subsequent T-2 \"maintenance\" chemotherapy to eradicate more completely all metastatic microfoci of disease presumed to be present in patients with primary tumor at the time of diagnosis, and ostensively present in patients with metastatic disease; 2) the use of surgery alone or in combination with moderate doses of radiation therapy in those patients in whom we can predict a high frequency of local recurrence (pelvic lesions) or a high percentage of \"functional failures\" (young children with lower extremity lesions). Preliminary results with this latter approach are encouraging with 11/13 patients with primary Ewing's sarcoma free of disease at 12+-26+ months. A longer follow-up of this more aggressive treatment is needed to determine the superiority of this approach for both increased survival and improved late physical rehabilitation.", "PMID": 638976} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_11999", "title": "Inguinal node metastases.", "content": "Twenty-two hundred and thirty-two patients with inguinal node metastases were reviewed. The primary site of malignancy was determined in 2210 (99%) of these patients and was, in order of frequency, skin of the lower extremities, cervix, vulva, skin of the trunk, rectum and anus, ovary and penis. The determinant three-year survival rate for the remaining 22 patients with metastatic disease from an unknown primary site was 50%. The source of the primary (stomach) was discovered in only one of the 22 patients; however, the treatment of choice was superficial groin dissection, and if surgical excision was adequate, radiation therapy did not appear to be necessary to obtain local control.", "contents": "Inguinal node metastases. Twenty-two hundred and thirty-two patients with inguinal node metastases were reviewed. The primary site of malignancy was determined in 2210 (99%) of these patients and was, in order of frequency, skin of the lower extremities, cervix, vulva, skin of the trunk, rectum and anus, ovary and penis. The determinant three-year survival rate for the remaining 22 patients with metastatic disease from an unknown primary site was 50%. The source of the primary (stomach) was discovered in only one of the 22 patients; however, the treatment of choice was superficial groin dissection, and if surgical excision was adequate, radiation therapy did not appear to be necessary to obtain local control.", "PMID": 638977} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12000", "title": "Acinic cell carcinoma of salivary origin. A clinicopathologic study of 67 cases.", "content": "This study reviews a 30 year experience with acinic cell carcinoma. The tumor arose in the parotid gland in 64 patients, the submaxillary gland in one and minor salivary glands in two. In untreated patients with small tumors, clinical findings usually suggested a benign mixed tumor and a subtotal parotidectomy which spared the facial nerve was highly effective therapy. In contrast, local recurrence and death was the rule in those few who had locally extensive disease, regardless of how radical an operation was performed. Determine \"cure\" rates for the entire group were 76, 63 and 55% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in 16% of the patients, and distant metastasis in 12%. Survival was most directly influenced by the clinical extent of the primary tumor, and also correlated with certain histologic features which are described.", "contents": "Acinic cell carcinoma of salivary origin. A clinicopathologic study of 67 cases. This study reviews a 30 year experience with acinic cell carcinoma. The tumor arose in the parotid gland in 64 patients, the submaxillary gland in one and minor salivary glands in two. In untreated patients with small tumors, clinical findings usually suggested a benign mixed tumor and a subtotal parotidectomy which spared the facial nerve was highly effective therapy. In contrast, local recurrence and death was the rule in those few who had locally extensive disease, regardless of how radical an operation was performed. Determine \"cure\" rates for the entire group were 76, 63 and 55% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in 16% of the patients, and distant metastasis in 12%. Survival was most directly influenced by the clinical extent of the primary tumor, and also correlated with certain histologic features which are described.", "PMID": 638978} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12001", "title": "Adjuvant chemotherapy.", "content": "In this brief presentation, an attempt was made to illustrate why it is not possible to carry over chemotherapeutic trial results from one animal cancer to another or one human cancer to another without corrections for differences in (a) staging, (b) dose response, and (c) tumor regrowth rates. Interrelation of quantitative information on these same three variables has provided useful guidance in the planning and interpretation of experimental therapeutic trials. For example, such integration analyses show that selection and overgrowth of specifically and permanently drug-resistant tumor cells is a major cause of chemotherapeutic failure in cancers that initia-ly respond. Surgery followed by optimum chemotherapy improves the \"cure rate\" of all metastatic solid animal cancers that have been studied to date. However, surgery followed by chemotherapy fails in those animals in which the residual tumor cell burden (after surgery) is too large for the chemotherapy now available.", "contents": "Adjuvant chemotherapy. In this brief presentation, an attempt was made to illustrate why it is not possible to carry over chemotherapeutic trial results from one animal cancer to another or one human cancer to another without corrections for differences in (a) staging, (b) dose response, and (c) tumor regrowth rates. Interrelation of quantitative information on these same three variables has provided useful guidance in the planning and interpretation of experimental therapeutic trials. For example, such integration analyses show that selection and overgrowth of specifically and permanently drug-resistant tumor cells is a major cause of chemotherapeutic failure in cancers that initia-ly respond. Surgery followed by optimum chemotherapy improves the \"cure rate\" of all metastatic solid animal cancers that have been studied to date. However, surgery followed by chemotherapy fails in those animals in which the residual tumor cell burden (after surgery) is too large for the chemotherapy now available.", "PMID": 638979} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12002", "title": "Adenocarcinoma of the stomach: review of 1,497 cases.", "content": "The records of 1,497 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the stomach were reviewed from Charity Hospital over the 25-year period, 1948 to 1973. The operability rate was 82% and the resectability rate was 48%. In this series gastric carcinoma predominated in males and Negroes. Necropsy studies indicate a similar frequency of involvement of various organs in patients not operated upon as well as those subjected to a prior operation, which suggests the need for some therapeutic endeavors aimed at a wider base than the primary organ. The five-year survival rate, 7.4 overall, varied from 2.0% after esophagogastrectomy to 22.1% after radical subtotal gastrectomy, and to 30.3% for those with localized disease. One hundred one patients survived five years or more, and 5.4% survived ten years or more after the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Radical subtotal gastrectomy gave the best results in this series, whether measured in terms of median survival, five-year survival, or operative mortality. Esophagogastrectomy and by-pass procedures had high mortality and low survival rates, and should be reserved for special conditions.", "contents": "Adenocarcinoma of the stomach: review of 1,497 cases. The records of 1,497 patients with histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the stomach were reviewed from Charity Hospital over the 25-year period, 1948 to 1973. The operability rate was 82% and the resectability rate was 48%. In this series gastric carcinoma predominated in males and Negroes. Necropsy studies indicate a similar frequency of involvement of various organs in patients not operated upon as well as those subjected to a prior operation, which suggests the need for some therapeutic endeavors aimed at a wider base than the primary organ. The five-year survival rate, 7.4 overall, varied from 2.0% after esophagogastrectomy to 22.1% after radical subtotal gastrectomy, and to 30.3% for those with localized disease. One hundred one patients survived five years or more, and 5.4% survived ten years or more after the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Radical subtotal gastrectomy gave the best results in this series, whether measured in terms of median survival, five-year survival, or operative mortality. Esophagogastrectomy and by-pass procedures had high mortality and low survival rates, and should be reserved for special conditions.", "PMID": 638980} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12003", "title": "A prospective randomized study of the efficacy of routine elective lymphadenectomy in management of malignant melanoma. Preliminary results.", "content": "To determine whether immediate or delayed lymphadenectomy is more beneficial than none in cases of localized (stage I) melanoma, we undertook in 1972 a prospective randomized study. Patients with midline trunk lesions were excluded as well as patients with lesions situated directly over the node-bearing area. In addition, because of the low risk of metastasis, the protocol was changed to exclude level 2 lesions. Of the 173 patients studied, 63 were randomized to no lymphadenectomy, 56 to delayed (3 months) lymphadenectomy, and 54 to immediate lymphadenectomy. None of these regimens differed significantly from the others in its effect on length of survival or interval to metastasis. And of the 110 patients who underwent elective lymphadenectomy, 103 were without nodal involvement. Our preliminary conclusion is that elective node dissection is not beneficial in management of melanoma. However, disease progression was advanced significantly by age of the patient (greater than 60 years) and by invasiveness (level 4 or 5) and thickness (greater than 1.5 mm) of the melanoma.", "contents": "A prospective randomized study of the efficacy of routine elective lymphadenectomy in management of malignant melanoma. Preliminary results. To determine whether immediate or delayed lymphadenectomy is more beneficial than none in cases of localized (stage I) melanoma, we undertook in 1972 a prospective randomized study. Patients with midline trunk lesions were excluded as well as patients with lesions situated directly over the node-bearing area. In addition, because of the low risk of metastasis, the protocol was changed to exclude level 2 lesions. Of the 173 patients studied, 63 were randomized to no lymphadenectomy, 56 to delayed (3 months) lymphadenectomy, and 54 to immediate lymphadenectomy. None of these regimens differed significantly from the others in its effect on length of survival or interval to metastasis. And of the 110 patients who underwent elective lymphadenectomy, 103 were without nodal involvement. Our preliminary conclusion is that elective node dissection is not beneficial in management of melanoma. However, disease progression was advanced significantly by age of the patient (greater than 60 years) and by invasiveness (level 4 or 5) and thickness (greater than 1.5 mm) of the melanoma.", "PMID": 638981} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12004", "title": "Cryosurgery in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone. A report of 52 consecutive cases.", "content": "Cryosurgery combined with routine \"second look\" biopsy has been previously reported in our initial series of 25 cases and has been demonstrated to be a promising modality in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone. Further refinement of this surgical technique by more careful preliminary curettage has now significantly improved the rate of local tumor control and has markedly reduced the incidence of associated complications. While the problems of infection, fracture, delayed bone healing and local tumor recurrence have not been completely eliminated, our experience with 27 additional cases shows that it has been possible to develop a highly reliable procedure for the eradication of tumor while usually preserving joint motion and avoiding arthrodesis or amputation. The 1.9% malignancy rate is much lower than the previously reported papers by Hutter and Jaffe.", "contents": "Cryosurgery in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone. A report of 52 consecutive cases. Cryosurgery combined with routine \"second look\" biopsy has been previously reported in our initial series of 25 cases and has been demonstrated to be a promising modality in the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone. Further refinement of this surgical technique by more careful preliminary curettage has now significantly improved the rate of local tumor control and has markedly reduced the incidence of associated complications. While the problems of infection, fracture, delayed bone healing and local tumor recurrence have not been completely eliminated, our experience with 27 additional cases shows that it has been possible to develop a highly reliable procedure for the eradication of tumor while usually preserving joint motion and avoiding arthrodesis or amputation. The 1.9% malignancy rate is much lower than the previously reported papers by Hutter and Jaffe.", "PMID": 638982} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12005", "title": "Results of treatment of early stage I carcinoma of the uterine cervix with intracavitary radium alone.", "content": "A total of 151 patients with Stage I carcinoma of the uterine cervix received treatment with intracavitary irradiation alone between 1948 and 1971. All patients had a minimum follow-up of five years. There were no local failures. No patient with microinvasive carcinoma (Stage IA) had a regional failure. A maximum of 4% (4/93) of patients with invasive cancer less than 1 cm in diameter (Stage IB-Small Volume) had regional failures. The five year determinate survival rates for patients with Stage IA and IB (Small Volume) lesions were 100% and 96% respectively. The incidence of severe complications was low, with a fistula developing in only one patient. Treatment with intracavitary radium alone is sufficient for patients with invasive cancer less than 1 cm in diameter who have adequate anatomy that allows effective irradiation of the primary lesion and paracervical lymphatics.", "contents": "Results of treatment of early stage I carcinoma of the uterine cervix with intracavitary radium alone. A total of 151 patients with Stage I carcinoma of the uterine cervix received treatment with intracavitary irradiation alone between 1948 and 1971. All patients had a minimum follow-up of five years. There were no local failures. No patient with microinvasive carcinoma (Stage IA) had a regional failure. A maximum of 4% (4/93) of patients with invasive cancer less than 1 cm in diameter (Stage IB-Small Volume) had regional failures. The five year determinate survival rates for patients with Stage IA and IB (Small Volume) lesions were 100% and 96% respectively. The incidence of severe complications was low, with a fistula developing in only one patient. Treatment with intracavitary radium alone is sufficient for patients with invasive cancer less than 1 cm in diameter who have adequate anatomy that allows effective irradiation of the primary lesion and paracervical lymphatics.", "PMID": 638984} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12006", "title": "The treatment for dysgerminoma of the ovary.", "content": "Thirty-six patients with pure dysgerminoma of the ovary were treated at the University of Texas System Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute between 1947 and 1974. Twenty-six of these patients had their initial surgery at the M.D. Anderson Hospital or were referred to the M.D. Anderson Hospital shortly after surgery at another hospital. The remaining 10 were referred after developing a recurrence of their tumor. Five of the 26 patients who were treated initially at the M.D. Anderson Hospital had only a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and are alive and well at the present time. The remaining 31 patients have received postoperative radiotherapy. Ninety-two percent of the patients receiving initial treatment at M.D. Anderson Hospital, and seventy percent of those referred for treatment after recurrence, are surviving at the present time without evidence of disease. The selection of treatment for the individual patient is discussed.", "contents": "The treatment for dysgerminoma of the ovary. Thirty-six patients with pure dysgerminoma of the ovary were treated at the University of Texas System Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute between 1947 and 1974. Twenty-six of these patients had their initial surgery at the M.D. Anderson Hospital or were referred to the M.D. Anderson Hospital shortly after surgery at another hospital. The remaining 10 were referred after developing a recurrence of their tumor. Five of the 26 patients who were treated initially at the M.D. Anderson Hospital had only a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and are alive and well at the present time. The remaining 31 patients have received postoperative radiotherapy. Ninety-two percent of the patients receiving initial treatment at M.D. Anderson Hospital, and seventy percent of those referred for treatment after recurrence, are surviving at the present time without evidence of disease. The selection of treatment for the individual patient is discussed.", "PMID": 638985} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12007", "title": "The use of electron beams in treating local recurrence of breast cancer in previously irradiated fields.", "content": "A retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy of using electron beam therapy to treat locally recurrent breast cancer in previously-irradiated fields. In a group of patients who received postmastectomy nodal and chest wall megavoltage photon therapy to doses of 4000-5000 rads, an additional 4000-5000 rads were delivered to chest wall recurrences with 7-10 MeV electrons. Good tumor responses were obtained without unacceptable concomitant normal tissue damage. With a follow-up time of 9 months to 5 years, 62% (8 of 13) are alive and clinically free of disease in the irradiated volume. Two patients died at respective times of 5 and 6 months after retreatment, with only one showing evidence of chest wall recurrence. One patient showed no response to therapy and the remaining two patients recurred in the treated volume at 10 and 59 months. Morbidity was limited to dry and/or moist desquamation with no evidence of soft tissue necrosis. These results demonstrate that the first course of irradiation did not select for a subset of radioresistant tumor cells, and indicate that a second course of radiation therapy may have much to offer in controlling locally recurrent breast cancer.", "contents": "The use of electron beams in treating local recurrence of breast cancer in previously irradiated fields. A retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy of using electron beam therapy to treat locally recurrent breast cancer in previously-irradiated fields. In a group of patients who received postmastectomy nodal and chest wall megavoltage photon therapy to doses of 4000-5000 rads, an additional 4000-5000 rads were delivered to chest wall recurrences with 7-10 MeV electrons. Good tumor responses were obtained without unacceptable concomitant normal tissue damage. With a follow-up time of 9 months to 5 years, 62% (8 of 13) are alive and clinically free of disease in the irradiated volume. Two patients died at respective times of 5 and 6 months after retreatment, with only one showing evidence of chest wall recurrence. One patient showed no response to therapy and the remaining two patients recurred in the treated volume at 10 and 59 months. Morbidity was limited to dry and/or moist desquamation with no evidence of soft tissue necrosis. These results demonstrate that the first course of irradiation did not select for a subset of radioresistant tumor cells, and indicate that a second course of radiation therapy may have much to offer in controlling locally recurrent breast cancer.", "PMID": 638986} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12008", "title": "Carcinoma of the endometrium: effect of stage and grade on survival.", "content": "Of 523 patients with endometrial carcinoma, 324 were FIGO stage Ia, 85 stage Ib, 24 stage II, 44 stage III, and 46 stage IV. High-grade lesions were present in 7.1% with stage Ia, 18.8% with stage Ib, 37.5% with stage II, 29.6% with stage III, and 55.3% with stage IV. There was no significant difference from expected survival at 5, 10, and 15 years for patients with IaG1 or IbG1 disease. Patients with IaG2 and IbG2 disease showed similar survival, as did patients with IaG3 and IbG3 disease. Thus, uterine size seemed to make no difference in patient survival at comparable grades of disease. Deaths due to cancer at 5 years increased from 63% for stage Ia disease to 100% for stage IV disease. By absolute measurement of penetration, with increasing stage of disease there was greater penetration whether the disease was low or high in grade. Also, as the grade increased within a given stage, so did penetration of the myometrium.", "contents": "Carcinoma of the endometrium: effect of stage and grade on survival. Of 523 patients with endometrial carcinoma, 324 were FIGO stage Ia, 85 stage Ib, 24 stage II, 44 stage III, and 46 stage IV. High-grade lesions were present in 7.1% with stage Ia, 18.8% with stage Ib, 37.5% with stage II, 29.6% with stage III, and 55.3% with stage IV. There was no significant difference from expected survival at 5, 10, and 15 years for patients with IaG1 or IbG1 disease. Patients with IaG2 and IbG2 disease showed similar survival, as did patients with IaG3 and IbG3 disease. Thus, uterine size seemed to make no difference in patient survival at comparable grades of disease. Deaths due to cancer at 5 years increased from 63% for stage Ia disease to 100% for stage IV disease. By absolute measurement of penetration, with increasing stage of disease there was greater penetration whether the disease was low or high in grade. Also, as the grade increased within a given stage, so did penetration of the myometrium.", "PMID": 638987} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12009", "title": "Synergistic action of high-dose hydroxyurea when used with cyclophosphamide and certain new organoplatinum complexes in treatment of advanced L1210 leukemia.", "content": "Seven new organoplatinum (Pt) compounds, cyclophosphamide (CY), and hydroxyurea (HU) were used singly and in combination in treatment of advanced L1210 leukemia in C57BL/6 X DBA/2 mice. In each experiment the Pt + CY combination was supra-additive, as has been shown with other Pt compounds when used with CY. HU at the dose used (1000 mg/kg) was only minimally effective when used alone. However, six of the seven Pt + CY + HU combination regiments enhanced markedly the increased life span of treated mice when compared with the corresponding dual Pt + CY combination. The triple drug regimen yielded cure rates (760-day survival) up to 70% in individual experiments. Collectively, the cure rate was 11% with the various Pt + CY combinations, and was increased to 53% upon inclusion of HU in the regimen. It is suggested that HU may inhibit a process whereby potentially lethal DNA damage produced by Pt + CY would otherwise be repaired. A reduced efficacy of HU when used at a single, high-dose level was also noted, and a possible mechanism and potential significance of this observation are discussed.", "contents": "Synergistic action of high-dose hydroxyurea when used with cyclophosphamide and certain new organoplatinum complexes in treatment of advanced L1210 leukemia. Seven new organoplatinum (Pt) compounds, cyclophosphamide (CY), and hydroxyurea (HU) were used singly and in combination in treatment of advanced L1210 leukemia in C57BL/6 X DBA/2 mice. In each experiment the Pt + CY combination was supra-additive, as has been shown with other Pt compounds when used with CY. HU at the dose used (1000 mg/kg) was only minimally effective when used alone. However, six of the seven Pt + CY + HU combination regiments enhanced markedly the increased life span of treated mice when compared with the corresponding dual Pt + CY combination. The triple drug regimen yielded cure rates (760-day survival) up to 70% in individual experiments. Collectively, the cure rate was 11% with the various Pt + CY combinations, and was increased to 53% upon inclusion of HU in the regimen. It is suggested that HU may inhibit a process whereby potentially lethal DNA damage produced by Pt + CY would otherwise be repaired. A reduced efficacy of HU when used at a single, high-dose level was also noted, and a possible mechanism and potential significance of this observation are discussed.", "PMID": 638988} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12010", "title": "Adriamycin and 1-(2-chlorethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.", "content": "Adriamycin every three weeks and CCNU every six weeks were given to thirty patients with metastatic breast carcinoma. Most patients had received prior chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 40%, with three patients obtaining complete remission. Survival was significantly prolonged in responders versus nonresponders. Three patients developed CNS metastasis while on treatment. Prior chemotherapy was a major factor in determining response rate; all patients without prior chemotherapy responded. The combination appears to be inferior to adriamycin alone in patients who have received prior chemotherapy.", "contents": "Adriamycin and 1-(2-chlorethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Adriamycin every three weeks and CCNU every six weeks were given to thirty patients with metastatic breast carcinoma. Most patients had received prior chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 40%, with three patients obtaining complete remission. Survival was significantly prolonged in responders versus nonresponders. Three patients developed CNS metastasis while on treatment. Prior chemotherapy was a major factor in determining response rate; all patients without prior chemotherapy responded. The combination appears to be inferior to adriamycin alone in patients who have received prior chemotherapy.", "PMID": 638989} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12011", "title": "Hemorrhagic cystitis with MOPP therapy.", "content": "After 12 cycles of MOPP therapy for Hodgkin's Disease, an adolescent black male developed hemorrhagic cystitis, which clinically and histologically was similar to that induced by cyclophosphamide. At that time he had a normal platelet count and had never been irradiated below the diaphram. The markedly contracted bladder returned to normal approximately one month following cessation of therapy.", "contents": "Hemorrhagic cystitis with MOPP therapy. After 12 cycles of MOPP therapy for Hodgkin's Disease, an adolescent black male developed hemorrhagic cystitis, which clinically and histologically was similar to that induced by cyclophosphamide. At that time he had a normal platelet count and had never been irradiated below the diaphram. The markedly contracted bladder returned to normal approximately one month following cessation of therapy.", "PMID": 638990} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12012", "title": "Long term effect of cis-diamminedichloride platinum (CDDP) on renal function and structure in man.", "content": "To examine CDDP induced nephrotoxicity in patients with testicular carcinoma, we measured renal function prior to therapy and at six month intervals for twelve months in fifteen patients and twenty-four months in seven patients. CDDP was given iv at 20 mg/M2 per day for five days at three week intervals. Eight patients received three courses, four received four courses and three received more than four courses. The mean creatinine clearance +/- SD prior to treatment was 112 +/- 12 ml/min. By six months, it had decreased to 68.5 +/- ml/min (p less than 0.01) and it remained at that level. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased significantly. Subjects receiving other potential nephrotoxins in addition to CDDP developed a greater decrease in creatinine clearance (p less than 0.05). Proteinuria and functional tubular disturbances were not observed. Microscopic features were characterized by hydropic degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium, thickened tubular basement membranes and mild interstitial fibrosis. Electron microscopy revealed phagolysosomes filled with flocculent material. CDDP resulted in a permanant, nonspecific renal injury in our patients. Although the renal injury has remained subclinical, future courses of CDDP may lead to clinically important chronic renal failure.", "contents": "Long term effect of cis-diamminedichloride platinum (CDDP) on renal function and structure in man. To examine CDDP induced nephrotoxicity in patients with testicular carcinoma, we measured renal function prior to therapy and at six month intervals for twelve months in fifteen patients and twenty-four months in seven patients. CDDP was given iv at 20 mg/M2 per day for five days at three week intervals. Eight patients received three courses, four received four courses and three received more than four courses. The mean creatinine clearance +/- SD prior to treatment was 112 +/- 12 ml/min. By six months, it had decreased to 68.5 +/- ml/min (p less than 0.01) and it remained at that level. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased significantly. Subjects receiving other potential nephrotoxins in addition to CDDP developed a greater decrease in creatinine clearance (p less than 0.05). Proteinuria and functional tubular disturbances were not observed. Microscopic features were characterized by hydropic degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium, thickened tubular basement membranes and mild interstitial fibrosis. Electron microscopy revealed phagolysosomes filled with flocculent material. CDDP resulted in a permanant, nonspecific renal injury in our patients. Although the renal injury has remained subclinical, future courses of CDDP may lead to clinically important chronic renal failure.", "PMID": 638991} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12013", "title": "Immunochemotherapy in advanced neuroblastoma.", "content": "Twenty-two children with advanced (Stage III and IV) neuroblastoma have been treated in a nonrandomized fashion, half with a three-drug regimen consisting of vincristine, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, and half with this same drug combination plus the nonspecific immunostimulatory agent, MER/BCG. The addition of MER to the three-drug combination appeared to improve the duration of survival in this pilot study. The median duration of response was less than one year in the combination chemotherapy alone arm. The median duration of complete remission in children treated with the addition of MER has yet to be reached at 24 months.", "contents": "Immunochemotherapy in advanced neuroblastoma. Twenty-two children with advanced (Stage III and IV) neuroblastoma have been treated in a nonrandomized fashion, half with a three-drug regimen consisting of vincristine, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide, and half with this same drug combination plus the nonspecific immunostimulatory agent, MER/BCG. The addition of MER to the three-drug combination appeared to improve the duration of survival in this pilot study. The median duration of response was less than one year in the combination chemotherapy alone arm. The median duration of complete remission in children treated with the addition of MER has yet to be reached at 24 months.", "PMID": 638992} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12014", "title": "Phase I studies of C. parvum given intravenously: effects of dexamethasone on its biologic and toxic properties.", "content": "Three biologic effects were clearly associated with C. parvum infusions: a) granulocytosis with lymphomonocytopenia, b) increase in responsiveness to phytohemmagglutinin and c) increase of specific antibodies to C. parvum antigens. Addition of dexamethasone moderately altered the kinetics of leukocyte changes without affecting other properties. Side effects after intravenous administration of C. parvum (2.5 mg/m2) consisted primarily of chills and fever which lasted for periods of 6-24 hours. Side effects occurred in 77% of the infusions. Addition of dexamethasone (4 mg IVP) reduced significantly the frequency (only 22% of patients) and intensity (fever 102 F and chills for only 30-60 minutes) of side effects. Clearly, dexamethasone of the dosage employed did not abrogate C. parvum effects while reducing significantly its toxic properties.", "contents": "Phase I studies of C. parvum given intravenously: effects of dexamethasone on its biologic and toxic properties. Three biologic effects were clearly associated with C. parvum infusions: a) granulocytosis with lymphomonocytopenia, b) increase in responsiveness to phytohemmagglutinin and c) increase of specific antibodies to C. parvum antigens. Addition of dexamethasone moderately altered the kinetics of leukocyte changes without affecting other properties. Side effects after intravenous administration of C. parvum (2.5 mg/m2) consisted primarily of chills and fever which lasted for periods of 6-24 hours. Side effects occurred in 77% of the infusions. Addition of dexamethasone (4 mg IVP) reduced significantly the frequency (only 22% of patients) and intensity (fever 102 F and chills for only 30-60 minutes) of side effects. Clearly, dexamethasone of the dosage employed did not abrogate C. parvum effects while reducing significantly its toxic properties.", "PMID": 638994} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12015", "title": "Radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the male urethra.", "content": "Carcinoma of the male urethra is an uncommon tumor. Four patients are reported in this investigation. All the patients belonged to the middle age group under the age of 45 years. None of them suffered from preivous urethral structure. The most unusual presentation was impotence due to the involvement of the corpus spongiosum of the penis. Urethrogram and urethroscopy with biopsy are the most useful aids in the diagnosis. All of them had epidermoid carcinoma nad were treated with external radiation therapy. Two patients with distal urethral lesions without metastases responded well with a 4 and 5 years survival and disappearence of the tumor. Two patients with extensive bulbomembranous lesions had palliation with relief of pain and partial regression of the tumor. Radiation therapy in a properly selected patient with an early lesion gives gratifying result.", "contents": "Radiotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the male urethra. Carcinoma of the male urethra is an uncommon tumor. Four patients are reported in this investigation. All the patients belonged to the middle age group under the age of 45 years. None of them suffered from preivous urethral structure. The most unusual presentation was impotence due to the involvement of the corpus spongiosum of the penis. Urethrogram and urethroscopy with biopsy are the most useful aids in the diagnosis. All of them had epidermoid carcinoma nad were treated with external radiation therapy. Two patients with distal urethral lesions without metastases responded well with a 4 and 5 years survival and disappearence of the tumor. Two patients with extensive bulbomembranous lesions had palliation with relief of pain and partial regression of the tumor. Radiation therapy in a properly selected patient with an early lesion gives gratifying result.", "PMID": 638995} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12016", "title": "Selective uptake of 75Se-selenomethionine by thymoma with pre red cell aplasia.", "content": "Red cell aplasia and an enlarging anterior mediastinal mass developed in a patient being followed for thyroid carcinoma. Differential diagnosis included thymoma and metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Preoperative scanning demonstrated significant uptake of 75Se-selenomethionine whereas 67Ga-galiium citrate failed to visualize the mass. Subsequent thoracotomy revealed a lymphocytic thymoma which was resected, resulting in reversal of the red cell aplasia. The use of 75Se-selenomethionine scanning maybe a useful adjunct in the preoperative evaluation of suspected thymomas.", "contents": "Selective uptake of 75Se-selenomethionine by thymoma with pre red cell aplasia. Red cell aplasia and an enlarging anterior mediastinal mass developed in a patient being followed for thyroid carcinoma. Differential diagnosis included thymoma and metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Preoperative scanning demonstrated significant uptake of 75Se-selenomethionine whereas 67Ga-galiium citrate failed to visualize the mass. Subsequent thoracotomy revealed a lymphocytic thymoma which was resected, resulting in reversal of the red cell aplasia. The use of 75Se-selenomethionine scanning maybe a useful adjunct in the preoperative evaluation of suspected thymomas.", "PMID": 638996} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12017", "title": "Gray scale echography of the lung and pleural space: current applications of oncologic interest.", "content": "B mode gray scale echography is not useful in evaluation of the normal lung and pleural space. The presence of abnormal fluid collections in the chest change the acoustic properties of the thorax and pleural fluid collections may be detected and localized with precision. Lesions abutting the chest wall may be characterized as cystic or solid. Echography can be used to assess the motion and morphology of the diaphragms. Sonographic examination of the thorax is particularly useful in determining whether a large area of radiographic opacification such as an opaque hemithorax is due to fluid, tumor, or intrinsic pulmonary disease such as atelectasis or consolidation.", "contents": "Gray scale echography of the lung and pleural space: current applications of oncologic interest. B mode gray scale echography is not useful in evaluation of the normal lung and pleural space. The presence of abnormal fluid collections in the chest change the acoustic properties of the thorax and pleural fluid collections may be detected and localized with precision. Lesions abutting the chest wall may be characterized as cystic or solid. Echography can be used to assess the motion and morphology of the diaphragms. Sonographic examination of the thorax is particularly useful in determining whether a large area of radiographic opacification such as an opaque hemithorax is due to fluid, tumor, or intrinsic pulmonary disease such as atelectasis or consolidation.", "PMID": 638997} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12018", "title": "Chromosome abnormalities in patients with hairy cell leukemia.", "content": "We evaluated chromosomes from 20 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) to ascertain the frequency and type of consistent chromosomal abnormalities. Samples from 17 patients were obtained from peripheral blood cultures grown 24 and 48 hours without phytohemagglutinin, or from bone marrow samples. Two male patients had similar, consistent abnormalities; one patient's karyotype was 46,X,+12; that of the second was 46,X,+C marker. In the latter case, the distal long arm of the C marker most closely resembled chromosome No. 12 from band q14 to q terminal, but the short arm and proximal long arm were of undetermined origin. Both karyotypes lacked the Y chromosome. A third patient had, in one sample, a single abnormal cell with an extra No. 3 and an extra No. 12 (48,XY,+3,+12), and in a later sample, a second cell of poor morphology which also could have been trisomic for no. 12. The two patients with consistent chromosome abnormalities had rapidly progressive disease and a relatively short clinical course from the time of diagnosis (5 and 7 months, respectively). Further data are needed, but the results thus far suggest that patients with consistent chromosome abnormalities could be considered as candidates for aggressive combination chemotherapy.", "contents": "Chromosome abnormalities in patients with hairy cell leukemia. We evaluated chromosomes from 20 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) to ascertain the frequency and type of consistent chromosomal abnormalities. Samples from 17 patients were obtained from peripheral blood cultures grown 24 and 48 hours without phytohemagglutinin, or from bone marrow samples. Two male patients had similar, consistent abnormalities; one patient's karyotype was 46,X,+12; that of the second was 46,X,+C marker. In the latter case, the distal long arm of the C marker most closely resembled chromosome No. 12 from band q14 to q terminal, but the short arm and proximal long arm were of undetermined origin. Both karyotypes lacked the Y chromosome. A third patient had, in one sample, a single abnormal cell with an extra No. 3 and an extra No. 12 (48,XY,+3,+12), and in a later sample, a second cell of poor morphology which also could have been trisomic for no. 12. The two patients with consistent chromosome abnormalities had rapidly progressive disease and a relatively short clinical course from the time of diagnosis (5 and 7 months, respectively). Further data are needed, but the results thus far suggest that patients with consistent chromosome abnormalities could be considered as candidates for aggressive combination chemotherapy.", "PMID": 638998} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12019", "title": "Clear cell sarcoma with melanogenesis.", "content": "An example of clear cell sarcoma, from the great toe of a young woman having an otherwise classic history and appearance is described, and a malignant giant cell component is reported for the first time. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies clearly demonstrate melanogenesis. The controversy over tissue of origin of this uncommon neoplasm is discussed and evidence in support of neurectodermal derivation is presented.", "contents": "Clear cell sarcoma with melanogenesis. An example of clear cell sarcoma, from the great toe of a young woman having an otherwise classic history and appearance is described, and a malignant giant cell component is reported for the first time. Histochemical and electron microscopic studies clearly demonstrate melanogenesis. The controversy over tissue of origin of this uncommon neoplasm is discussed and evidence in support of neurectodermal derivation is presented.", "PMID": 638999} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12020", "title": "Primary yolk-sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate.", "content": "A primary yolk-sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate occurring in a 51-year-old man is described, and the difficulties associated with classification of this tumor are discussed. Yolk-sac tumors have been reported to arise in several extragonadal sites, but to our knowledge this is the first documented case of a germinal cell tumor occurring the the prostate. This tumor in extragonadal sites carries a grave prognosis. Despite radical surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, this patient died 10 months after the tumor was diagnosed.", "contents": "Primary yolk-sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate. A primary yolk-sac (endodermal sinus) tumor of the prostate occurring in a 51-year-old man is described, and the difficulties associated with classification of this tumor are discussed. Yolk-sac tumors have been reported to arise in several extragonadal sites, but to our knowledge this is the first documented case of a germinal cell tumor occurring the the prostate. This tumor in extragonadal sites carries a grave prognosis. Despite radical surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, this patient died 10 months after the tumor was diagnosed.", "PMID": 639000} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12021", "title": "Intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix in the teenager.", "content": "One hundred and seventeen teenagers with abnormal cervical cytology were evaluated using colposcopy and directed biopsies. Eighty-eight cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were discovered including 24 cases of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. Erradication of these lesions is essential as a preventative measure. The importance of routine cytologic screening and early evaluation of abnormal Papanicolaou smears in the teenager is emphasized.", "contents": "Intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix in the teenager. One hundred and seventeen teenagers with abnormal cervical cytology were evaluated using colposcopy and directed biopsies. Eighty-eight cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were discovered including 24 cases of severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. Erradication of these lesions is essential as a preventative measure. The importance of routine cytologic screening and early evaluation of abnormal Papanicolaou smears in the teenager is emphasized.", "PMID": 639001} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12022", "title": "Glycogen-containing neuroblastoma with clinical and histopathologic features of Ewing's sarcoma.", "content": "The differential diagnosis is difficult in cases of metastatic neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, the common so-called small round cell tumors of childhood. The distinction between Ewing's sarcoma and neuroblastoma in bone with no soft tissue mass in the adolescent is especially difficult. Ewing's tumor is usually characterized by its content of glycogen, neuroblastoma by its absence. A case of glycogen-containing neuroblastoma initially misdiagnosed as Ewing's tumor is presented. Diagnostic implications, including the role of electron microscopy in diagnosis, are discussed. Glycogen alone is unreliable as a diagnostic aid due to 1) its presence in several tumors other than Ewing's including neuroblastoma, and 2) its absence in some cases of Ewing's sarcoma.", "contents": "Glycogen-containing neuroblastoma with clinical and histopathologic features of Ewing's sarcoma. The differential diagnosis is difficult in cases of metastatic neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, the common so-called small round cell tumors of childhood. The distinction between Ewing's sarcoma and neuroblastoma in bone with no soft tissue mass in the adolescent is especially difficult. Ewing's tumor is usually characterized by its content of glycogen, neuroblastoma by its absence. A case of glycogen-containing neuroblastoma initially misdiagnosed as Ewing's tumor is presented. Diagnostic implications, including the role of electron microscopy in diagnosis, are discussed. Glycogen alone is unreliable as a diagnostic aid due to 1) its presence in several tumors other than Ewing's including neuroblastoma, and 2) its absence in some cases of Ewing's sarcoma.", "PMID": 639002} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12023", "title": "Lack of usefulness of bone marrow enzymes and calcium in staging patients with prostatic cancer.", "content": "Bone marrow acid phosphatase has been reported to be a sensitive indicator of early bony metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the prostate. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we measured bone marrow acid and alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, and calcium levels in a group of 84 patients with a variety of problems, including 18 with cancer of the prostate. We found that the bone marrow acid and alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase were elevated and calcium was depressed in most patients. Among patients with prostate cancer, bone marrow acid phosphatase was not significantly different between those with or without bone metastases. In addition, the patients with prostatic cancer did not have higher levels of bone marrow acid phosphatase than subjects with other malignant and nonmalignant conditions. The level of acid and alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and calcium varied predictably with the aspiration technique used and was independent of sex, disease state or method of chemical determination. Due to this variation, we believe that bone marrow enzyme and calcium levels are of no value in the detection of metastases in patients with prostate cancer.", "contents": "Lack of usefulness of bone marrow enzymes and calcium in staging patients with prostatic cancer. Bone marrow acid phosphatase has been reported to be a sensitive indicator of early bony metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the prostate. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we measured bone marrow acid and alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, and calcium levels in a group of 84 patients with a variety of problems, including 18 with cancer of the prostate. We found that the bone marrow acid and alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase were elevated and calcium was depressed in most patients. Among patients with prostate cancer, bone marrow acid phosphatase was not significantly different between those with or without bone metastases. In addition, the patients with prostatic cancer did not have higher levels of bone marrow acid phosphatase than subjects with other malignant and nonmalignant conditions. The level of acid and alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and calcium varied predictably with the aspiration technique used and was independent of sex, disease state or method of chemical determination. Due to this variation, we believe that bone marrow enzyme and calcium levels are of no value in the detection of metastases in patients with prostate cancer.", "PMID": 639003} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12024", "title": "Serum selenium and reticuloendothelial tumors.", "content": "Serum selenium levels were determined by neutron activation analysis on 59 patients with a variety of reticuloendothelial neoplasms. Correlations were attempted between the widely variable range in the serum concentrations of the trace element with the parameters employed in this study. Therapy, particularly less than six weeks initiation, produced elevations in the serum selenium levels.", "contents": "Serum selenium and reticuloendothelial tumors. Serum selenium levels were determined by neutron activation analysis on 59 patients with a variety of reticuloendothelial neoplasms. Correlations were attempted between the widely variable range in the serum concentrations of the trace element with the parameters employed in this study. Therapy, particularly less than six weeks initiation, produced elevations in the serum selenium levels.", "PMID": 639004} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12025", "title": "Epithelioid sarcoma: an analysis of 22 cases indicating the prognostic significance of vascular invasion and regional lymph node metastasis.", "content": "Twenty-two cases of epithelioid sarcoma seen and/or treated at Memorial Hospital are presented. With the exception of one tumor which occurred in the neck, all the sarcomas arose in the upper (15 cases) or lower extremities (6 cases). Ten originated in the hand. At the time of initial treatment, 14/22 patients were between 20 and 40 years of age. The tumor most commonly presented as a nodular lesion and involved dermis, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and tendons, and when it recurred (13 cases) it tended to grow proximally along tendons and fascial planes. Of special interest was the finding of vascular invasion in surgical specimens removed from 5 patients. Four of these represented recurrent tumor, and in two cases the vascular invasion was massive. Two of these patients also demonstrated tumor emboli in pulmonary vessels and cardiac involvement at autopsy. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes occurred in eight cases (42%). Follow-up ranging from 2 to 34 years (average of 8 years) was obtained for 19 cases (86%). Eleven patients are alive with disease or died as a result of their sarcoma (58% of the follow-up group). Adverse prognostic factors included recurrence after initial local excision, vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. All of the patients with intravenous extension of tumor and 6 of 8 patients with lymph node involvement died with pulmonary metastases. Our data suggest that cure may best be achieved by amputation or by an exceptionally wide en bloc excision as early as possible, depending upon the location and extent of the original tumor.", "contents": "Epithelioid sarcoma: an analysis of 22 cases indicating the prognostic significance of vascular invasion and regional lymph node metastasis. Twenty-two cases of epithelioid sarcoma seen and/or treated at Memorial Hospital are presented. With the exception of one tumor which occurred in the neck, all the sarcomas arose in the upper (15 cases) or lower extremities (6 cases). Ten originated in the hand. At the time of initial treatment, 14/22 patients were between 20 and 40 years of age. The tumor most commonly presented as a nodular lesion and involved dermis, subcutaneous tissue, fascia and tendons, and when it recurred (13 cases) it tended to grow proximally along tendons and fascial planes. Of special interest was the finding of vascular invasion in surgical specimens removed from 5 patients. Four of these represented recurrent tumor, and in two cases the vascular invasion was massive. Two of these patients also demonstrated tumor emboli in pulmonary vessels and cardiac involvement at autopsy. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes occurred in eight cases (42%). Follow-up ranging from 2 to 34 years (average of 8 years) was obtained for 19 cases (86%). Eleven patients are alive with disease or died as a result of their sarcoma (58% of the follow-up group). Adverse prognostic factors included recurrence after initial local excision, vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. All of the patients with intravenous extension of tumor and 6 of 8 patients with lymph node involvement died with pulmonary metastases. Our data suggest that cure may best be achieved by amputation or by an exceptionally wide en bloc excision as early as possible, depending upon the location and extent of the original tumor.", "PMID": 639005} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12026", "title": "Serum sialic acid elevations in malignant melanoma patients.", "content": "Elevated membrane sialic acid (n-acetyl neuraminic acid) concentration may be a general phenomenon associated with malignant or transformed cells. In this study, sera from 30 normal persons and 25 melanoma patients were examined to determine first, if serum sialic acid elevations were associated with malignant melanoma, and second, if there was a relationship between tumor burden and serum sialic acid level. Significantly elevated sialic acid concentrations were found in the melanoma patients (p less than 0.005), and levels tended to be greater in those with a large tumor burden (p less than 0.05). Thus, increased serum sialic acid could prove to be a valuable clinical monitor of change in tumor burden as a result of therapy or change due to recurrence of disease following treatment.", "contents": "Serum sialic acid elevations in malignant melanoma patients. Elevated membrane sialic acid (n-acetyl neuraminic acid) concentration may be a general phenomenon associated with malignant or transformed cells. In this study, sera from 30 normal persons and 25 melanoma patients were examined to determine first, if serum sialic acid elevations were associated with malignant melanoma, and second, if there was a relationship between tumor burden and serum sialic acid level. Significantly elevated sialic acid concentrations were found in the melanoma patients (p less than 0.005), and levels tended to be greater in those with a large tumor burden (p less than 0.05). Thus, increased serum sialic acid could prove to be a valuable clinical monitor of change in tumor burden as a result of therapy or change due to recurrence of disease following treatment.", "PMID": 639006} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12027", "title": "Cytomorphological grading and Feulgen DNA-analysis of metaplastic and neoplastic bronchial cells.", "content": "Quantitative determinations of nuclear DNA were made on squamous metaplastic and neoplastic cells from sputum cytology specimens. The cellular material was processed by destaining diagnostic smears, restaining by the Feulgen method and relocating the cells for measurement. Adventitious leucocytes were used as internal controls. There was good correlation between increasing degree of aneuploidy as judged from DNA values, and increasing degree of morphologic nuclear atypia. The data indicate a progressive aberration from normality of nuclear DNA content in squamous metaplastic and neoplastic cells exhibiting a progressive degree of atypia. This implies that squamous bronchial carcinoma is preceded by sequential changes of the cellular composition which may be recorded by both quantitative DNA analysis and cytology.", "contents": "Cytomorphological grading and Feulgen DNA-analysis of metaplastic and neoplastic bronchial cells. Quantitative determinations of nuclear DNA were made on squamous metaplastic and neoplastic cells from sputum cytology specimens. The cellular material was processed by destaining diagnostic smears, restaining by the Feulgen method and relocating the cells for measurement. Adventitious leucocytes were used as internal controls. There was good correlation between increasing degree of aneuploidy as judged from DNA values, and increasing degree of morphologic nuclear atypia. The data indicate a progressive aberration from normality of nuclear DNA content in squamous metaplastic and neoplastic cells exhibiting a progressive degree of atypia. This implies that squamous bronchial carcinoma is preceded by sequential changes of the cellular composition which may be recorded by both quantitative DNA analysis and cytology.", "PMID": 639007} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12028", "title": "Ectopic production of salivary type amylase by a pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung.", "content": "A pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung which appeared to be ectopically secreting large quantities of salivary (S) type amylase is described. This unusual variant of adenocarcinoma may mimic a mesothelioma, but is distinguished from mesothelioma by its histiological and histochemical features.", "contents": "Ectopic production of salivary type amylase by a pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung. A pseudomesotheliomatous carcinoma of the lung which appeared to be ectopically secreting large quantities of salivary (S) type amylase is described. This unusual variant of adenocarcinoma may mimic a mesothelioma, but is distinguished from mesothelioma by its histiological and histochemical features.", "PMID": 639008} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12029", "title": "Mucinous cystadenoma, serous cystadenoma and benign cystic teratoma of the ovary: clinico-pathologic differences observed in a Malaysian hospital.", "content": "A study of 207 benign ovarian tumors seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1968 and 1975 was made to evaluate the clinical features that might be useful in the preoperative differentiation of mucinous cystadenoma, serous cystadenoma, and cystic teratoma of the ovary. This study indicated that the pertinent information included the mean age of the patient, the marital and menstrual status, and the estimated tumor size. The racial background was an additional factor in serous cystadenoma. Features like parity, the location of the tumor, and ABO blood group pattern were of no value in the preoperative differentiation.", "contents": "Mucinous cystadenoma, serous cystadenoma and benign cystic teratoma of the ovary: clinico-pathologic differences observed in a Malaysian hospital. A study of 207 benign ovarian tumors seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1968 and 1975 was made to evaluate the clinical features that might be useful in the preoperative differentiation of mucinous cystadenoma, serous cystadenoma, and cystic teratoma of the ovary. This study indicated that the pertinent information included the mean age of the patient, the marital and menstrual status, and the estimated tumor size. The racial background was an additional factor in serous cystadenoma. Features like parity, the location of the tumor, and ABO blood group pattern were of no value in the preoperative differentiation.", "PMID": 639009} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12030", "title": "An analysis of the benefits of serial screening for breast cancer based upon a mathematical model of the disease.", "content": "A model of breast cancer is developed that consists of hypotheses about the age-specific incidence of the disease, the rate of disease progression, the tendency of the disease to be detected without benefit of regularly scheduled screening examinations, and prognosis related to the extent of disease at treatment. Parameters for the model are estimated from published data. The model is validated by comparing model predictions to data not used in parameterization. The model, under a variety of assumptions, is then used to analyze questions of interest about breast cancer screening strategies. These include the following: the benefits from screening with mammography and clinical examination as a function of the frequency and starting age of screening, the effect of different assumptions about radiation risks on the benefits of screening, the benefits from screening with mammography if yearly clinical examinations are performed, and the benefits from screening with mammography and clinical examination if self-examinations are performed.", "contents": "An analysis of the benefits of serial screening for breast cancer based upon a mathematical model of the disease. A model of breast cancer is developed that consists of hypotheses about the age-specific incidence of the disease, the rate of disease progression, the tendency of the disease to be detected without benefit of regularly scheduled screening examinations, and prognosis related to the extent of disease at treatment. Parameters for the model are estimated from published data. The model is validated by comparing model predictions to data not used in parameterization. The model, under a variety of assumptions, is then used to analyze questions of interest about breast cancer screening strategies. These include the following: the benefits from screening with mammography and clinical examination as a function of the frequency and starting age of screening, the effect of different assumptions about radiation risks on the benefits of screening, the benefits from screening with mammography if yearly clinical examinations are performed, and the benefits from screening with mammography and clinical examination if self-examinations are performed.", "PMID": 639011} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12031", "title": "Rupture of a renal cell carcinoma in a child: five-year tumor-free survival and literature review.", "content": "The third case of presumably spontaneous rupture of a hypernephroma in a child is reported. This patient remains free of disease more than 5 years following radical nephrectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. Although renal adenocarcinoma in children remains a rare disease, more than 80 cases have appeared in the literature, making it necessary now to consider this tumor in the differential diagnosis of all childhood abdominal masses. Equally significant is the observation that presentation as an acute abdominal crisis in a child can occur, making it important that diagnostic considerations in such situations include hypernephroma, as well as Wilms' tumor. Review of the literature shows that occasional cures from spontaneous retroperitoneal rupture of hypernephromas have been reported in adults, but not in children, although this child has survived in spite of tumor spillage in the free peritoneal cavity.", "contents": "Rupture of a renal cell carcinoma in a child: five-year tumor-free survival and literature review. The third case of presumably spontaneous rupture of a hypernephroma in a child is reported. This patient remains free of disease more than 5 years following radical nephrectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. Although renal adenocarcinoma in children remains a rare disease, more than 80 cases have appeared in the literature, making it necessary now to consider this tumor in the differential diagnosis of all childhood abdominal masses. Equally significant is the observation that presentation as an acute abdominal crisis in a child can occur, making it important that diagnostic considerations in such situations include hypernephroma, as well as Wilms' tumor. Review of the literature shows that occasional cures from spontaneous retroperitoneal rupture of hypernephromas have been reported in adults, but not in children, although this child has survived in spite of tumor spillage in the free peritoneal cavity.", "PMID": 639012} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12032", "title": "Survivorship from large bowel cancer among Caucasians and Japanese in Hawaii.", "content": "From 1960 through 1973, the Hawaii Tumor Registry identified 781 Caucasian and 1073 Japanese cases of large bowel cancer. Survivorship analysis revealed that Japanese patients had a 32% higher 5-year relative survival rate than Caucasians. Further analyses showed that colon cancer cases did better than rectal cases, and patients diagnosed before 65 years of age fared better than cases diagnosed at an older age. As expected, patients with localized disease lived much longer than those who had more advanced disease. Men and women were similar in their survival from large bowel cancer. Histologic grade of the lesion, socioeconomic variables, behavioral practices and other factors which may affect survivorship by race could not be included in this study. Until such factors are also incoporated in the analyses, the observed results are only suggestive of a racial difference in survivorship.", "contents": "Survivorship from large bowel cancer among Caucasians and Japanese in Hawaii. From 1960 through 1973, the Hawaii Tumor Registry identified 781 Caucasian and 1073 Japanese cases of large bowel cancer. Survivorship analysis revealed that Japanese patients had a 32% higher 5-year relative survival rate than Caucasians. Further analyses showed that colon cancer cases did better than rectal cases, and patients diagnosed before 65 years of age fared better than cases diagnosed at an older age. As expected, patients with localized disease lived much longer than those who had more advanced disease. Men and women were similar in their survival from large bowel cancer. Histologic grade of the lesion, socioeconomic variables, behavioral practices and other factors which may affect survivorship by race could not be included in this study. Until such factors are also incoporated in the analyses, the observed results are only suggestive of a racial difference in survivorship.", "PMID": 639013} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12033", "title": "The association of body weight with recurrent cancer of the breast.", "content": "Recurrence of carcinoma of the breast after radical mastectomy was associated with preoperative body weight among patients observed for up to 24 years. Patients who had no axillary lymph node metastases and who weighed 130 pounds or less had an accumulative recurrence free survival superior to that of heavier patients. The advantage was unassociated with significant differences in menopausal status, clinical stage, or tumor size. High fat diet and large body mass have been linked epidemiologically with high risk for breast cancer; whatever biologic mechanisms are involved may also promote growth of residual tumor after potentially curative surgery. Diet and weight reduction may represent empirical means for improving the prognosis of heavy individuals with early stages of breast cancer.", "contents": "The association of body weight with recurrent cancer of the breast. Recurrence of carcinoma of the breast after radical mastectomy was associated with preoperative body weight among patients observed for up to 24 years. Patients who had no axillary lymph node metastases and who weighed 130 pounds or less had an accumulative recurrence free survival superior to that of heavier patients. The advantage was unassociated with significant differences in menopausal status, clinical stage, or tumor size. High fat diet and large body mass have been linked epidemiologically with high risk for breast cancer; whatever biologic mechanisms are involved may also promote growth of residual tumor after potentially curative surgery. Diet and weight reduction may represent empirical means for improving the prognosis of heavy individuals with early stages of breast cancer.", "PMID": 639014} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12034", "title": "Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast.", "content": "Fifty-eight patients with clinical inflammatory breast carcinoma and 15 patients with \"occult\" inflammatory cancer (dermal lymphatic carcinomatosis without clinical inflammation) are grouped and reviewed to determine whether diagnosis is pathologic or clinical. All cases represent a retrospective study of records from the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital, Columbia, Missouri. Lesions of clinically apparent and occult inflammatory carcinoma demonstrate similar gross and microscopic growth patterns, histologic types, axillary involvement and early widespread metastases. Regardless of pathologic evidence of dermal lymphatic tumor, patients with clinical inflammation had rapid deterioration. Cases with only a pathological diagnosis were slightly less fulminant in progression. Either clinical or pathologic criteria justify use of the term \"inflammatory breast carcinoma\" to indicate short-term prognosis despite available treatment.", "contents": "Inflammatory carcinoma of the breast. Fifty-eight patients with clinical inflammatory breast carcinoma and 15 patients with \"occult\" inflammatory cancer (dermal lymphatic carcinomatosis without clinical inflammation) are grouped and reviewed to determine whether diagnosis is pathologic or clinical. All cases represent a retrospective study of records from the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital, Columbia, Missouri. Lesions of clinically apparent and occult inflammatory carcinoma demonstrate similar gross and microscopic growth patterns, histologic types, axillary involvement and early widespread metastases. Regardless of pathologic evidence of dermal lymphatic tumor, patients with clinical inflammation had rapid deterioration. Cases with only a pathological diagnosis were slightly less fulminant in progression. Either clinical or pathologic criteria justify use of the term \"inflammatory breast carcinoma\" to indicate short-term prognosis despite available treatment.", "PMID": 639015} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12035", "title": "Malignant mediastinal teratoma in a 15-year-old girl.", "content": "A well-differentiated anterior mediastinal teratoma was removed from the right hemithorax of a 15-year-old girl presenting initially with ascites. Death followed a precipitous clinical deterioration from widespread sarcomatous metastatic disease. The true malignant nature of this tumor was not apparent on initial resection and evaded detection until shortly before death. These unique features prompted a review of the pertinent literature on malignant mediastinal teratoma in children. A similar case had not been reported previously.", "contents": "Malignant mediastinal teratoma in a 15-year-old girl. A well-differentiated anterior mediastinal teratoma was removed from the right hemithorax of a 15-year-old girl presenting initially with ascites. Death followed a precipitous clinical deterioration from widespread sarcomatous metastatic disease. The true malignant nature of this tumor was not apparent on initial resection and evaded detection until shortly before death. These unique features prompted a review of the pertinent literature on malignant mediastinal teratoma in children. A similar case had not been reported previously.", "PMID": 639016} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12036", "title": "Endodermal sinus tumor: the Stanford experience and the first reported case arising in the vulva.", "content": "A review of the histology, clinical findings and results of therapy in 9 females with endodermal sinus tumor (EST) is presented. Five patients had histologically pure EST; 4 had EST mixed with other germ cell components. The site of primary tumor was the ovary in 8 of the 9 females; the remaining patient with an extraovarian primary represents the first reported case of EST arising in the vulva. The addition of combination chemotherapy has prolonged survival over historical controls treated with surgery or surgery plus irradiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy appears warranted as treatment for occult metastatic disease; postoperative radiation therapy appears useful in providing local control of primary disease. There is a suggestion of increased sensitivity of EST to combination chemotherapy as compared to other germ cell histologies with which it is commonly admixed.", "contents": "Endodermal sinus tumor: the Stanford experience and the first reported case arising in the vulva. A review of the histology, clinical findings and results of therapy in 9 females with endodermal sinus tumor (EST) is presented. Five patients had histologically pure EST; 4 had EST mixed with other germ cell components. The site of primary tumor was the ovary in 8 of the 9 females; the remaining patient with an extraovarian primary represents the first reported case of EST arising in the vulva. The addition of combination chemotherapy has prolonged survival over historical controls treated with surgery or surgery plus irradiation. Adjuvant chemotherapy appears warranted as treatment for occult metastatic disease; postoperative radiation therapy appears useful in providing local control of primary disease. There is a suggestion of increased sensitivity of EST to combination chemotherapy as compared to other germ cell histologies with which it is commonly admixed.", "PMID": 639017} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12037", "title": "Preparation for disseminated intravascular coagulation by Yoshida sarcoma in rats.", "content": "Five days following implantation of a Yoshida sarcoma, female rats developed an increase in plasma fibrinogen concentration and a decrease in the number of platelets. The endotoxin induced fibrinisation of the microcirculation, as measured in percent involvement of glomerula, was found to be five to ten times higher than in control animals. A single injection of endotoxin without infusion was sufficient in tumor bearing animals to induce glomerular capillary thrombosis. The Yoshida sarcoma induced pathophysiological changes with a \"preparative\" effect on the endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "contents": "Preparation for disseminated intravascular coagulation by Yoshida sarcoma in rats. Five days following implantation of a Yoshida sarcoma, female rats developed an increase in plasma fibrinogen concentration and a decrease in the number of platelets. The endotoxin induced fibrinisation of the microcirculation, as measured in percent involvement of glomerula, was found to be five to ten times higher than in control animals. A single injection of endotoxin without infusion was sufficient in tumor bearing animals to induce glomerular capillary thrombosis. The Yoshida sarcoma induced pathophysiological changes with a \"preparative\" effect on the endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation.", "PMID": 639018} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12038", "title": "Acceleration of myeloid recovery from cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia by pretreatment with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin.", "content": "Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin i.p. 8 days prior to the induction of leukopenia by cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg i.p.) significantly (p less than 0.002) increased peripheral granulocyte counts on each day during the recovery from leukopenia. The recovery of lymphocyte counts was unaffected by Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin treatment. Further experiments indicated that the accelerated granulocyte recovery was the result of an earlier initiation of the recovery process rather than of the release of stored granulocytes. Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin may have clinical value as a stimulator of myelopoiesis in patients rendered leukopenic by antineoplastic chemotherapy.", "contents": "Acceleration of myeloid recovery from cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia by pretreatment with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin i.p. 8 days prior to the induction of leukopenia by cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg i.p.) significantly (p less than 0.002) increased peripheral granulocyte counts on each day during the recovery from leukopenia. The recovery of lymphocyte counts was unaffected by Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin treatment. Further experiments indicated that the accelerated granulocyte recovery was the result of an earlier initiation of the recovery process rather than of the release of stored granulocytes. Bacillus Calmette-Gu\u00e9rin may have clinical value as a stimulator of myelopoiesis in patients rendered leukopenic by antineoplastic chemotherapy.", "PMID": 639036} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12039", "title": "Serial sacrifice study of pathogenesis of 210Po-induced lung tumors in Syrian golden hamsters.", "content": "The pathogenesis of 210Po-induced tumors in the peripheral lung of Syrian golden hamsters has been studied in a serial sacrifice experiment utilizing both plastic (glycol methacrylate) and routine paraffin embedding procedures for lung sections. A rapid progression from hyperplasia of bronchiolar-type cells that appear in the alveolar region to malignant tumors was documented. Tumors began appearing as early as 15 weeks after the first intratracheal instillation of 210Po.", "contents": "Serial sacrifice study of pathogenesis of 210Po-induced lung tumors in Syrian golden hamsters. The pathogenesis of 210Po-induced tumors in the peripheral lung of Syrian golden hamsters has been studied in a serial sacrifice experiment utilizing both plastic (glycol methacrylate) and routine paraffin embedding procedures for lung sections. A rapid progression from hyperplasia of bronchiolar-type cells that appear in the alveolar region to malignant tumors was documented. Tumors began appearing as early as 15 weeks after the first intratracheal instillation of 210Po.", "PMID": 639040} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12040", "title": "Defective and enhanced postreplication repair in classical and variant xeroderma pigmentosum cells treated with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene.", "content": "Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells proficient in the excision repair of pyrimidine dimers (XP variants) were also found to be proficient in the excision repair of N-2-acetoxyacetylaminofluorene (AAAF)-induced lesions in their DNA, as assayed by the photolysis of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporated during repair. However, the time in which the small segments of newly synthesized DNA, made immediately after treatment of cells with AAAF, were joined together to form DNA of parental size by a process called postreplication repair was long in the XP variant and classical cells. Although increasing doses of AAAF increased the time for making daughter DNA of parental size for variant and classical XP cells, AAAF did not appear to affect this process in normal human cells. Treatment of variant and classical XP cells with a relatively small dose (2.5 micron) of AAAF or 2.5 J/sq m of UV radiation several hr before a 2- to 3-fold-larger dose decreased the time for the pulse-labeled DNA to appear as parental size.", "contents": "Defective and enhanced postreplication repair in classical and variant xeroderma pigmentosum cells treated with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) cells proficient in the excision repair of pyrimidine dimers (XP variants) were also found to be proficient in the excision repair of N-2-acetoxyacetylaminofluorene (AAAF)-induced lesions in their DNA, as assayed by the photolysis of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporated during repair. However, the time in which the small segments of newly synthesized DNA, made immediately after treatment of cells with AAAF, were joined together to form DNA of parental size by a process called postreplication repair was long in the XP variant and classical cells. Although increasing doses of AAAF increased the time for making daughter DNA of parental size for variant and classical XP cells, AAAF did not appear to affect this process in normal human cells. Treatment of variant and classical XP cells with a relatively small dose (2.5 micron) of AAAF or 2.5 J/sq m of UV radiation several hr before a 2- to 3-fold-larger dose decreased the time for the pulse-labeled DNA to appear as parental size.", "PMID": 639041} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12041", "title": "Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to oxazolone in mice with tumors.", "content": "A murine model of immune responsiveness had been adapted to study anergic conditions associated with neoplasia. Marked anergy observed in mice bearing L1210 leukemia and P-388 lymphoma is contrasted to the minimal immune depression associated with B-16 melanotic melanoma and Sarcoma 180J. The ability of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea chemotherapy to reduce tumor burden without prolonged suppression of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity is compared to the profound suppression of the cutaneous response observed with Adriamycin cytoreductive therapy. The applications of our model are discussed in relation to tumor-associated anergy, new approaches to the evaluation of pharmaceuticals, and studies of combined chemoimmunotherapy regimens.", "contents": "Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to oxazolone in mice with tumors. A murine model of immune responsiveness had been adapted to study anergic conditions associated with neoplasia. Marked anergy observed in mice bearing L1210 leukemia and P-388 lymphoma is contrasted to the minimal immune depression associated with B-16 melanotic melanoma and Sarcoma 180J. The ability of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea chemotherapy to reduce tumor burden without prolonged suppression of delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity is compared to the profound suppression of the cutaneous response observed with Adriamycin cytoreductive therapy. The applications of our model are discussed in relation to tumor-associated anergy, new approaches to the evaluation of pharmaceuticals, and studies of combined chemoimmunotherapy regimens.", "PMID": 639044} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12042", "title": "Influence of interferon preparations on the proliferative capacity of human and mouse bone marrow cells in vitro.", "content": "The toxicity of interferon to bone marrow was studied by the use of in vitro colony forming assays for hemopoietic cells. In the same study the relative inhibitory effects of two clinically common interferon preparations, leukocyte and fibroblast interferons, were compared with regard to their effect on both myeloid [colony-forming unit, culture (CFUc)] and erythroid [colony-forming unit, erythroid (CFUe)] progenitor cells. CFUe formation in human bone marrow cells in vitro appeared to be fairly resistant to both interferons. Only high doses of both interferons gave a marked inhibition of CFUe. However, the toxicity of leukocyte and fibroblast interferon was divergent for CFUe in human bone marrow. Leukocyte interferon appeared to be considerably more inhibitory for CFUe than was fibroblast interferon. The effects of mouse interferon, induced in L929 cells, on the growth of CFUc and CFUe in murine bone marrow cells were comparable with those of fibroblast interferon on human cells. The toxicity of human and murine interferon was species specific. Except for the toxicity of leukocyte interferon to CFUc in human bone marrow, the toxicity of interferon was marked only with concentrations on interferon far exceeding the amount necessary to produce an antiviral state in vitro.", "contents": "Influence of interferon preparations on the proliferative capacity of human and mouse bone marrow cells in vitro. The toxicity of interferon to bone marrow was studied by the use of in vitro colony forming assays for hemopoietic cells. In the same study the relative inhibitory effects of two clinically common interferon preparations, leukocyte and fibroblast interferons, were compared with regard to their effect on both myeloid [colony-forming unit, culture (CFUc)] and erythroid [colony-forming unit, erythroid (CFUe)] progenitor cells. CFUe formation in human bone marrow cells in vitro appeared to be fairly resistant to both interferons. Only high doses of both interferons gave a marked inhibition of CFUe. However, the toxicity of leukocyte and fibroblast interferon was divergent for CFUe in human bone marrow. Leukocyte interferon appeared to be considerably more inhibitory for CFUe than was fibroblast interferon. The effects of mouse interferon, induced in L929 cells, on the growth of CFUc and CFUe in murine bone marrow cells were comparable with those of fibroblast interferon on human cells. The toxicity of human and murine interferon was species specific. Except for the toxicity of leukocyte interferon to CFUc in human bone marrow, the toxicity of interferon was marked only with concentrations on interferon far exceeding the amount necessary to produce an antiviral state in vitro.", "PMID": 639045} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12043", "title": "Tumor-promoting activity of 2,3-dihydrophorbol myristate acetate and phorbolol myristate acetate in mouse skin.", "content": "Phorbolol myristate acetate (PHMA) had been previously prepared from the potent mouse skin tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) by sodium borohydride reduction of the C-5 carbonyl group in PMA to a secondary alcohol. PHMA was shown to have an inflammatory effect in mouse skin equal to that of PMA. 2,3-Dihydrophorbol myristate acetate (DPMA), a new compound, was prepared from the 3-aldehyde of PMA by catalytic hydrogenation. DPMA exhibited no detectable inflammatory effect in mouse skin. Both DPMA and PHMA were tested on the dorsal skins of female ICR/Ha Swiss mice (30/group) for 433 and 380 days, respectively, in separate experiments. The tumor-promoting activity of both compounds was reduced significantly, compared with that of equimolar doses of PMA. For each treatment the number of mice with tumors per total number of tumors was: DPMA, 9/17; PMA, 29/553 at 10 microgram/mouse; PMA, 30/317; PHMA, 24/69 at 2.5 microgram/mouse. The results suggest that specific binding requirements influence the tumor-promoting and hyperplastic activity of PMA and its closely related derivatives in mouse skin.", "contents": "Tumor-promoting activity of 2,3-dihydrophorbol myristate acetate and phorbolol myristate acetate in mouse skin. Phorbolol myristate acetate (PHMA) had been previously prepared from the potent mouse skin tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) by sodium borohydride reduction of the C-5 carbonyl group in PMA to a secondary alcohol. PHMA was shown to have an inflammatory effect in mouse skin equal to that of PMA. 2,3-Dihydrophorbol myristate acetate (DPMA), a new compound, was prepared from the 3-aldehyde of PMA by catalytic hydrogenation. DPMA exhibited no detectable inflammatory effect in mouse skin. Both DPMA and PHMA were tested on the dorsal skins of female ICR/Ha Swiss mice (30/group) for 433 and 380 days, respectively, in separate experiments. The tumor-promoting activity of both compounds was reduced significantly, compared with that of equimolar doses of PMA. For each treatment the number of mice with tumors per total number of tumors was: DPMA, 9/17; PMA, 29/553 at 10 microgram/mouse; PMA, 30/317; PHMA, 24/69 at 2.5 microgram/mouse. The results suggest that specific binding requirements influence the tumor-promoting and hyperplastic activity of PMA and its closely related derivatives in mouse skin.", "PMID": 639046} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12044", "title": "Arrest of synthesis of specific proteins at the onset of mammary tumor regression.", "content": "MTW9 mammary carcinoma regressing after removal of mammotropin stimulation was used as a model to test the hypothesis that the augmented activity of lysosomal enzymes observed during regression may be triggered by a modification of the protein composition of the cytoplasm. In support of the hypothesis, we observed that: (a) the pattern of leucine incorporation into cytosol proteins differs between growing and regressing tumors; (b) the difference is localized in three bands of the electrophoretic pattern; and (c) the change in pattern appears within 6 hr after hormone removal, about 4 hr after prolactin levels in blood were below the concentration needed by MTW9 to grow. These observations are in line with our previous finding of an increased susceptibility of cytosol proteins to proteolytic digesion during MTW9 regression.", "contents": "Arrest of synthesis of specific proteins at the onset of mammary tumor regression. MTW9 mammary carcinoma regressing after removal of mammotropin stimulation was used as a model to test the hypothesis that the augmented activity of lysosomal enzymes observed during regression may be triggered by a modification of the protein composition of the cytoplasm. In support of the hypothesis, we observed that: (a) the pattern of leucine incorporation into cytosol proteins differs between growing and regressing tumors; (b) the difference is localized in three bands of the electrophoretic pattern; and (c) the change in pattern appears within 6 hr after hormone removal, about 4 hr after prolactin levels in blood were below the concentration needed by MTW9 to grow. These observations are in line with our previous finding of an increased susceptibility of cytosol proteins to proteolytic digesion during MTW9 regression.", "PMID": 639047} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12045", "title": "Familial aggregation of urinary system tumors in a region with endemic nephropathy.", "content": "In hyperendemic villages in the Vratza district of Bulgaria, 193 patients with urinary system tumors (UST) were diagnosed during 1965 to 1976. A tendency towards familial aggregation was revealed when the patients were compared with two groups of controls, namely, patients with tumors other than UST and healthy persons. Each control group consisted of 193 persons matched by sex, age, and place of birth. This tendency was observed in all relatives who lived together as well as in those related by blood. The probability of having relatives with UST was 2.5 times higher than could be expected as chance occurrence among UST patients than among the controls. The UST cases also had significantly more relatives with endemic nephropathy than did the controls. The familial clustering of both UST and nephropathy in the endemic region is considered another clue to their common etiology.", "contents": "Familial aggregation of urinary system tumors in a region with endemic nephropathy. In hyperendemic villages in the Vratza district of Bulgaria, 193 patients with urinary system tumors (UST) were diagnosed during 1965 to 1976. A tendency towards familial aggregation was revealed when the patients were compared with two groups of controls, namely, patients with tumors other than UST and healthy persons. Each control group consisted of 193 persons matched by sex, age, and place of birth. This tendency was observed in all relatives who lived together as well as in those related by blood. The probability of having relatives with UST was 2.5 times higher than could be expected as chance occurrence among UST patients than among the controls. The UST cases also had significantly more relatives with endemic nephropathy than did the controls. The familial clustering of both UST and nephropathy in the endemic region is considered another clue to their common etiology.", "PMID": 639049} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12046", "title": "Solubilization and developmental distribution of embryonic antigen of the chick red blood cell plasma membrane.", "content": "An antigen(s) on the surface of embryonic and newly hatched chick red blood cells was studied with antiserum absorbed with adult red blood cells. Because of the reappearance of the antigen or some cross-reactive antigen during myeloblastosis, attempts at solubilization and characterization of the antigen were pursued. Antigen was solubilized from whole red blood cell lysates or from red blood cell ghosts with 0.01 M Tris:0.1% Nonidet P40, pH 8.0. Antigen was assayed with an enhancement of agglutination assay. Enhancement apparently occurs because of available specific receptors for the antigen on newly hatched chick red blood cells. Antigen was also found to be present in plasma, and both the membrane-derived antigen and the plasma antigen were excluded from Sephadex G-100. Isoelectric focusing of the antigen extract indicated the presence of more than one molecular species with antigenic activity.", "contents": "Solubilization and developmental distribution of embryonic antigen of the chick red blood cell plasma membrane. An antigen(s) on the surface of embryonic and newly hatched chick red blood cells was studied with antiserum absorbed with adult red blood cells. Because of the reappearance of the antigen or some cross-reactive antigen during myeloblastosis, attempts at solubilization and characterization of the antigen were pursued. Antigen was solubilized from whole red blood cell lysates or from red blood cell ghosts with 0.01 M Tris:0.1% Nonidet P40, pH 8.0. Antigen was assayed with an enhancement of agglutination assay. Enhancement apparently occurs because of available specific receptors for the antigen on newly hatched chick red blood cells. Antigen was also found to be present in plasma, and both the membrane-derived antigen and the plasma antigen were excluded from Sephadex G-100. Isoelectric focusing of the antigen extract indicated the presence of more than one molecular species with antigenic activity.", "PMID": 639050} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12047", "title": "In vitro metabolism of aflatoxin B2 by animal and human liver.", "content": "The metabolism of aflatoxin B2 by postmitochondrial supernatant fractions of duck, rat, mouse, and human livers was studied in an in vitro system. Duck liver had a much higher level of activity than had tissues from other species. Postmitochondrial supernatant equivalent to 0.2 g whole liver metabolized 40 to 80% of the initial substrate in 30 min, compared to less than 6% for the other species. Among several metabolites formed by duck liver, aflatoxin B1 was produced in amounts equivalent to 2 to 8% of the initial substrate, and metabolites having chromatographic properties postualted for aflatoxicols 1 and 2 and aflatoxins M1 and M2 were also formed in small amounts. In contrast, rat, mouse, and human liver preparations produced no detectable aflatoxin B1 and only small amounts of compounds thought to be aflatoxins Q2 and P2. The greater susceptibility of duck liver to the toxicity of aflatoxin B2 may be attributable to its ability to form aflatoxin B2 may be attributable to its ability to form aflatoxin B1, which could then be activated through further metabolism.", "contents": "In vitro metabolism of aflatoxin B2 by animal and human liver. The metabolism of aflatoxin B2 by postmitochondrial supernatant fractions of duck, rat, mouse, and human livers was studied in an in vitro system. Duck liver had a much higher level of activity than had tissues from other species. Postmitochondrial supernatant equivalent to 0.2 g whole liver metabolized 40 to 80% of the initial substrate in 30 min, compared to less than 6% for the other species. Among several metabolites formed by duck liver, aflatoxin B1 was produced in amounts equivalent to 2 to 8% of the initial substrate, and metabolites having chromatographic properties postualted for aflatoxicols 1 and 2 and aflatoxins M1 and M2 were also formed in small amounts. In contrast, rat, mouse, and human liver preparations produced no detectable aflatoxin B1 and only small amounts of compounds thought to be aflatoxins Q2 and P2. The greater susceptibility of duck liver to the toxicity of aflatoxin B2 may be attributable to its ability to form aflatoxin B2 may be attributable to its ability to form aflatoxin B1, which could then be activated through further metabolism.", "PMID": 639051} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12048", "title": "67Ga and 59Fe uptakes by cultured human lymphoblasts and lymphocytes.", "content": "Studies with spontaneously proliferating human lymphoblastoid cells have shown that cellular uptake of both 67Ga and 59Fe3+ (as citrates) become appreciably increased with small additions of purified human transferrin to the cultures. In many respects, their uptake responses were broadly similar to those previously reported for cultured mouse lymphoid tumor cells. Studies were also undertaken with cultured human lymphocytes, but transferrin promotion of tracer uptakes could not be detected for these cells. In addition, cellular uptakes for phytochemagglutinin-stimulated cultures were not significantly increased over their unstimulated controls.", "contents": "67Ga and 59Fe uptakes by cultured human lymphoblasts and lymphocytes. Studies with spontaneously proliferating human lymphoblastoid cells have shown that cellular uptake of both 67Ga and 59Fe3+ (as citrates) become appreciably increased with small additions of purified human transferrin to the cultures. In many respects, their uptake responses were broadly similar to those previously reported for cultured mouse lymphoid tumor cells. Studies were also undertaken with cultured human lymphocytes, but transferrin promotion of tracer uptakes could not be detected for these cells. In addition, cellular uptakes for phytochemagglutinin-stimulated cultures were not significantly increased over their unstimulated controls.", "PMID": 639054} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12049", "title": "In vivo monitoring of the death rate of artificial murine pulmonary micrometastases.", "content": "A system is described for direct monitoring of the death rate of artificial murine pulmonary microscopic metastases in vivo. Metastatic fibrosarcoma cells or benign connective tissue cells labeled with [125I]iododeoxyuridine were injected i.v. Comparison of the long-term radioactive decay rate of these two cell types in the lung permitted identification of the portion of the decay curve reflecting the initial period of micrometastasis development and growth. About 5% of the injected tumor cells were retained in the lung in micrometastasis, and their average death rate could be monitored by loss of radioactivity from the lung. Systemic methotrexate (75.0 mg/kg) was administered as a single dose 80 hr after injection of tumor cells at a time when micrometastases had not yet become vascularized. This treatment killed about 60% of the micrometases and suppressed the appearance of gross metastases at 14 days.", "contents": "In vivo monitoring of the death rate of artificial murine pulmonary micrometastases. A system is described for direct monitoring of the death rate of artificial murine pulmonary microscopic metastases in vivo. Metastatic fibrosarcoma cells or benign connective tissue cells labeled with [125I]iododeoxyuridine were injected i.v. Comparison of the long-term radioactive decay rate of these two cell types in the lung permitted identification of the portion of the decay curve reflecting the initial period of micrometastasis development and growth. About 5% of the injected tumor cells were retained in the lung in micrometastasis, and their average death rate could be monitored by loss of radioactivity from the lung. Systemic methotrexate (75.0 mg/kg) was administered as a single dose 80 hr after injection of tumor cells at a time when micrometastases had not yet become vascularized. This treatment killed about 60% of the micrometases and suppressed the appearance of gross metastases at 14 days.", "PMID": 639056} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12050", "title": "Decrease in 5'-nucleotidase activity in malignant transformed and normal stimulated cells.", "content": "Analysis of six different cell types of normal and transformed fibroblasts grown in vitro and of four different cell types of normal and leukemic lymphocytes grown in vivo have shown a marked decrease of 3- to 30-fold in the specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the malignant cells as compared to their normal parental cells. The results have also indicated that a serum stimulation of untransformed or normal fibroblasts and a stimulation of normal lymphocytes by concanavalin A resulted in a significant decrease in the specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase of the stimulated cultures as compared to the resting cells. In both the malignant cells and the stimulated normal cells, the decrease in 5'-nucleotidase activity was not accompanied by a similar decrease in the specific activity of acid phosphatase, indicating a specific enzyme alteration in the surface membranes of the transformed and the normal stimulated cells.", "contents": "Decrease in 5'-nucleotidase activity in malignant transformed and normal stimulated cells. Analysis of six different cell types of normal and transformed fibroblasts grown in vitro and of four different cell types of normal and leukemic lymphocytes grown in vivo have shown a marked decrease of 3- to 30-fold in the specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase in the malignant cells as compared to their normal parental cells. The results have also indicated that a serum stimulation of untransformed or normal fibroblasts and a stimulation of normal lymphocytes by concanavalin A resulted in a significant decrease in the specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase of the stimulated cultures as compared to the resting cells. In both the malignant cells and the stimulated normal cells, the decrease in 5'-nucleotidase activity was not accompanied by a similar decrease in the specific activity of acid phosphatase, indicating a specific enzyme alteration in the surface membranes of the transformed and the normal stimulated cells.", "PMID": 639059} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12051", "title": "Antitumor activity of amidoximes (hydroxyurea analogs) in murine tumor systems.", "content": "A series of amidoximes was prepared and evaluated for possible antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia. Three of the most active compounds in the L1210 system, formamidoxime, acetamidoxime, and 2-aminoacetamidoxime hydrochloride, were also active against P388 leukemia. Acetamidoxime was marginally active against Lewis lung carcinoma. The active amidoximes showed best activity against L1210 leukemia when given two times daily, 5 hours apart, for 8 days. Most of the amidoximes produced excessive central nervous system stimulation.", "contents": "Antitumor activity of amidoximes (hydroxyurea analogs) in murine tumor systems. A series of amidoximes was prepared and evaluated for possible antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia. Three of the most active compounds in the L1210 system, formamidoxime, acetamidoxime, and 2-aminoacetamidoxime hydrochloride, were also active against P388 leukemia. Acetamidoxime was marginally active against Lewis lung carcinoma. The active amidoximes showed best activity against L1210 leukemia when given two times daily, 5 hours apart, for 8 days. Most of the amidoximes produced excessive central nervous system stimulation.", "PMID": 639062} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12052", "title": "Ceruloplasmin as a marker of neoplastic activity in rabbits bearing the VX-2 carcinoma.", "content": "The establishment of an experimental model with rabbits in which VX-2 carcinoma was implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle and subsequently successfully cured by a second tumor cell inoculation has been reported previously. Tumor growth and regression could be followed by manula palpation. The changes in serum ceruloplasmin (CP, EC 1.10.3.2) levels of individual rabbits during tumor development and regression were followed. CP levels increased 4- to 8-fold of normal during the progression of the malignant process, often before tumors could be detected by palpation. With tumor regression CP levels returned to normal. When metastasis developed, the CP levels remained high. This phenomenon seems to be related to the VX-2 carcinoma, since CP levels in rabbits challenged with various antigens and suffering from induced multiple s.c. abscesses did not change significantly, while in pregnant rabbits CP levels increased up to at most 3-fold. It is concluded that serum CP level can serve as a reliable biochemical marker of the activity of this malignant process. The practical application of this finding lies in the follow-up of malignant processes in humans and is now under investigation.", "contents": "Ceruloplasmin as a marker of neoplastic activity in rabbits bearing the VX-2 carcinoma. The establishment of an experimental model with rabbits in which VX-2 carcinoma was implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle and subsequently successfully cured by a second tumor cell inoculation has been reported previously. Tumor growth and regression could be followed by manula palpation. The changes in serum ceruloplasmin (CP, EC 1.10.3.2) levels of individual rabbits during tumor development and regression were followed. CP levels increased 4- to 8-fold of normal during the progression of the malignant process, often before tumors could be detected by palpation. With tumor regression CP levels returned to normal. When metastasis developed, the CP levels remained high. This phenomenon seems to be related to the VX-2 carcinoma, since CP levels in rabbits challenged with various antigens and suffering from induced multiple s.c. abscesses did not change significantly, while in pregnant rabbits CP levels increased up to at most 3-fold. It is concluded that serum CP level can serve as a reliable biochemical marker of the activity of this malignant process. The practical application of this finding lies in the follow-up of malignant processes in humans and is now under investigation.", "PMID": 639063} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12053", "title": "Modulatory effect of the sympathetic nervous system on neuroblastoma tumor growth.", "content": "Growth of C-1300 neuroblastoma was markedly suppressed in mice chemically sympathectomized at birth with 6-hydroxydopamine. Growth of A-10 adenocarcinoma was also somewhat reduced. In newborn mice pretreated with nerve growth factor to induce sympathetic nervous system neuronal hypertrophy, neuronal maturation, and peripheral hyperinnervation, the growth of neuroblastoma was augmented.", "contents": "Modulatory effect of the sympathetic nervous system on neuroblastoma tumor growth. Growth of C-1300 neuroblastoma was markedly suppressed in mice chemically sympathectomized at birth with 6-hydroxydopamine. Growth of A-10 adenocarcinoma was also somewhat reduced. In newborn mice pretreated with nerve growth factor to induce sympathetic nervous system neuronal hypertrophy, neuronal maturation, and peripheral hyperinnervation, the growth of neuroblastoma was augmented.", "PMID": 639065} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12054", "title": "Effects of dietary constituents on ultraviolet light-mediated carcinogenesis.", "content": "The effects of several dietary supplements of antioxidants and enzyme inducers on ultraviolet light-mediated carcinogenesis were investigated. Glutathione (reduced) was without effect, but butylated hydroxytoluene, phenobarbital, and disulfiram all significantly suppressed the initiation and development of actinic lesions and tumors. On the basis of the present study and related previous ones, tumor inhibition appears to be due not to an umbrageous effect but rather to the induction of systemic physiological responses.", "contents": "Effects of dietary constituents on ultraviolet light-mediated carcinogenesis. The effects of several dietary supplements of antioxidants and enzyme inducers on ultraviolet light-mediated carcinogenesis were investigated. Glutathione (reduced) was without effect, but butylated hydroxytoluene, phenobarbital, and disulfiram all significantly suppressed the initiation and development of actinic lesions and tumors. On the basis of the present study and related previous ones, tumor inhibition appears to be due not to an umbrageous effect but rather to the induction of systemic physiological responses.", "PMID": 639066} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12055", "title": "Effect of p-hydroxyacetanilide, sodium sulfate, and L-methionine on the leukemogenicity of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide.", "content": "Dietary administration of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide to mice for 14 weeks followed by 16 weeks of control diet resulted in a high incidence of lymphocytic leukemia and a low incidence of forestomach squamous cell papillomas. The coadministration of p-hydroxyacetanilide at a dose of 1.0% with either 250 or 500 ppm of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide resulted in inhibition of leukemogenesis, whereas when p-hydroxyacetanilide was coadministered with 1000 ppm of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide the leukemia incidence was not significantly reduced, but the latent period was prolonged. When sodium sulfate was administered with p-hydroxyacetanilide and N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide, leukemogenesis was partially restored. L-Methionine, fed in place of sodium sulfate, unblocked leukemogenicity inhibition by p-hydroxyacetanilide. None of these chemicals, p-hydroxyacetanilide, sodium sulfate, or L-methionine, significantly affected the incidence of forestomach papillomas induced by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide, although tumor incidences in all groups were low. p-Hydroxyacetanilide and sodium sulfate had no significant effect on the high incidence of stomach tumors induced by formic acid 2-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]hydrazide or bladder tumors induced by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide.", "contents": "Effect of p-hydroxyacetanilide, sodium sulfate, and L-methionine on the leukemogenicity of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide. Dietary administration of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide to mice for 14 weeks followed by 16 weeks of control diet resulted in a high incidence of lymphocytic leukemia and a low incidence of forestomach squamous cell papillomas. The coadministration of p-hydroxyacetanilide at a dose of 1.0% with either 250 or 500 ppm of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide resulted in inhibition of leukemogenesis, whereas when p-hydroxyacetanilide was coadministered with 1000 ppm of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide the leukemia incidence was not significantly reduced, but the latent period was prolonged. When sodium sulfate was administered with p-hydroxyacetanilide and N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide, leukemogenesis was partially restored. L-Methionine, fed in place of sodium sulfate, unblocked leukemogenicity inhibition by p-hydroxyacetanilide. None of these chemicals, p-hydroxyacetanilide, sodium sulfate, or L-methionine, significantly affected the incidence of forestomach papillomas induced by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide, although tumor incidences in all groups were low. p-Hydroxyacetanilide and sodium sulfate had no significant effect on the high incidence of stomach tumors induced by formic acid 2-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]hydrazide or bladder tumors induced by N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide.", "PMID": 639067} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12056", "title": "Effect of glucan, a macrophage activator, on murine hemopoietic cell proliferation in diffusion chambers in mice.", "content": "Pretreatment of mice with glucan, a potent macrophage activator, resulted in enhanced myeloid cluster and colony formation by bone marrow cells in diffusion chambers implanted into the peritoneal cavity. Simultaneously, erythroid colony formation was also augmented. In some experiments the plasma clots formed inside the chambers were dissolved, and the number of hematopoietic cells was determined. An increased yield of early proliferative cells, granulocytes, and macrophages was found in glucan-treated hosts. Concomitantly, higher leukocyte counts were noted in the peripheral blood of treated animals. These results suggest that glucan has a strong stimulatory effect on hematopoiesis. This stimulation is probably mediated by humoral factors of host animal origin rather than by direct interaction with proliferating hematopoietic precursors enclosed within the chambers.", "contents": "Effect of glucan, a macrophage activator, on murine hemopoietic cell proliferation in diffusion chambers in mice. Pretreatment of mice with glucan, a potent macrophage activator, resulted in enhanced myeloid cluster and colony formation by bone marrow cells in diffusion chambers implanted into the peritoneal cavity. Simultaneously, erythroid colony formation was also augmented. In some experiments the plasma clots formed inside the chambers were dissolved, and the number of hematopoietic cells was determined. An increased yield of early proliferative cells, granulocytes, and macrophages was found in glucan-treated hosts. Concomitantly, higher leukocyte counts were noted in the peripheral blood of treated animals. These results suggest that glucan has a strong stimulatory effect on hematopoiesis. This stimulation is probably mediated by humoral factors of host animal origin rather than by direct interaction with proliferating hematopoietic precursors enclosed within the chambers.", "PMID": 639068} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12057", "title": "Induction of plasminogen activator in cultured cells by macrocyclic plant diterpene esters and other agents related to tumor promotion.", "content": "In vitro systems that are responsive to tumor-promoting agents may facilitate the identification of such agents and the analysis of their mode of action. We have previously reported that the potent tumor promoter phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate induces the synthesis of the enzyme plasminogen activator in cultured chick embryo fibroblasts. We have, therefore, tested various compounds for their ability to induce plasminogen activator in chicken embryo fibroblasts. Among these, phorbol esters and other macrocyclic diterpene esters isolated from species of the families Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae were potent inducers of plasminogen activator. These compounds maximally induced enzyme to the same levels, although they differed in their relative molar potencies. Structural requirements for in vitro activity paralleled the requirements for activity in vivo. These results indicate that induction of plasminogen activator is a useful marker for the biologically active macrocyclic diterpene esters. On the other hand, tumor-promoting agents such as anthralin, cantharidin, Tween 60, and tobacco leaf extract failed to induce plasminogen activator.", "contents": "Induction of plasminogen activator in cultured cells by macrocyclic plant diterpene esters and other agents related to tumor promotion. In vitro systems that are responsive to tumor-promoting agents may facilitate the identification of such agents and the analysis of their mode of action. We have previously reported that the potent tumor promoter phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate induces the synthesis of the enzyme plasminogen activator in cultured chick embryo fibroblasts. We have, therefore, tested various compounds for their ability to induce plasminogen activator in chicken embryo fibroblasts. Among these, phorbol esters and other macrocyclic diterpene esters isolated from species of the families Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae were potent inducers of plasminogen activator. These compounds maximally induced enzyme to the same levels, although they differed in their relative molar potencies. Structural requirements for in vitro activity paralleled the requirements for activity in vivo. These results indicate that induction of plasminogen activator is a useful marker for the biologically active macrocyclic diterpene esters. On the other hand, tumor-promoting agents such as anthralin, cantharidin, Tween 60, and tobacco leaf extract failed to induce plasminogen activator.", "PMID": 639070} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12058", "title": "Mammary tumors induced in rats by adriamycin and daunomycin.", "content": "The two anthracycline antitumor antibiotics, Adriamycin and daunomycin (DM), induced a high incidence of mammary tumors, both fibroadenomas and adenocarcinomas, in female rats that received a single i.v. dose, thus confirming previous results. The incidence of DM-induced adenocarcinomas increased with the dose of the drug, whereas the incidence of Adriamycin-induced adenocarcinomas showed a plateau at 5 mg/kg and above. Adriamycin- and DM-induced fibroadenomas showed a peak at lower doses (about 5 to 6 mg/kg). With the highest DM dose (12.5 mg/kg) used, there was a slight prevalence of adenocarcinomas over fibroadenomas.", "contents": "Mammary tumors induced in rats by adriamycin and daunomycin. The two anthracycline antitumor antibiotics, Adriamycin and daunomycin (DM), induced a high incidence of mammary tumors, both fibroadenomas and adenocarcinomas, in female rats that received a single i.v. dose, thus confirming previous results. The incidence of DM-induced adenocarcinomas increased with the dose of the drug, whereas the incidence of Adriamycin-induced adenocarcinomas showed a plateau at 5 mg/kg and above. Adriamycin- and DM-induced fibroadenomas showed a peak at lower doses (about 5 to 6 mg/kg). With the highest DM dose (12.5 mg/kg) used, there was a slight prevalence of adenocarcinomas over fibroadenomas.", "PMID": 639071} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12059", "title": "Apex-carotis diagram as related to systolic and diastolic time intervals in myocardial infarction.", "content": "Simultaneous recordings of the electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram carotid pulse tracing and left apex cardiogram were obtained in 32 patients with myocardial infarction and 62 normal subjects. This allowed to measure systolic and diastolic time intervals and to construct the apex-carotis diagram (ACD), a new mechanocardiographic method which integrates the carotid pulse tracing and the apexcardiogram in an orthogonal coordinate system. In myocardial infarction, the ACD showed a decrease of the field of ventricular filling, a decrease of the field of ventricular ejection and an increase of the diastolic subsegment. A. The measurement of time intervals showed statistically significant information in those which were directly related to the deformation of the ACD in patients with myocardial infarction.", "contents": "Apex-carotis diagram as related to systolic and diastolic time intervals in myocardial infarction. Simultaneous recordings of the electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram carotid pulse tracing and left apex cardiogram were obtained in 32 patients with myocardial infarction and 62 normal subjects. This allowed to measure systolic and diastolic time intervals and to construct the apex-carotis diagram (ACD), a new mechanocardiographic method which integrates the carotid pulse tracing and the apexcardiogram in an orthogonal coordinate system. In myocardial infarction, the ACD showed a decrease of the field of ventricular filling, a decrease of the field of ventricular ejection and an increase of the diastolic subsegment. A. The measurement of time intervals showed statistically significant information in those which were directly related to the deformation of the ACD in patients with myocardial infarction.", "PMID": 639072} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12060", "title": "Pathogenesis of isoproterenol-induced myocardial lesions: its reation to human 'coagulative myocytolysis'.", "content": "Animals develop 'infarct-like' lesions when injected with isoproterenol (ISP), a potent synthetic catecholamine. These lesions are morphologically similar to those of 'coagulative myocytolysis' (COAM) or myofibrillar degeneration, one of the findings described in acute myocardial infarction and sudden death in man. Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: some were injected with 10 mg/kg ISP i.p. plus 5 muCi of tritiated ISP, while others served as control. Animals were sacrified at 5 and 30 min and 24 and 72 h. The ISP-induced lesions were studied by means of light microscopy, histochemistry, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Myofibrillar degeneration, positive tests for ischemia, increase of succinic dehydrogenase enzymes, hypercontraction and widening of Z bands of sarcomers were correlated with the rapid distribution of ISP. These lesions were minimized by prenylamine, a drug which inhibits catecholamine effects by slowing down Ca transport. It is concluded that myocardial necrosis induced by ISP is probably due to a primary act on the sarcolemmal membrane, followed by stimulation of adenylate cyclase, activation of Ca and Na channels, exaggreated Ca inflow, excess of excitation-contraction coupling mechanism, energy consumption and cellular death. The close resemblance of human COAM to ISP-induced lesions suggests that similar mechanisms may be involved.", "contents": "Pathogenesis of isoproterenol-induced myocardial lesions: its reation to human 'coagulative myocytolysis'. Animals develop 'infarct-like' lesions when injected with isoproterenol (ISP), a potent synthetic catecholamine. These lesions are morphologically similar to those of 'coagulative myocytolysis' (COAM) or myofibrillar degeneration, one of the findings described in acute myocardial infarction and sudden death in man. Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: some were injected with 10 mg/kg ISP i.p. plus 5 muCi of tritiated ISP, while others served as control. Animals were sacrified at 5 and 30 min and 24 and 72 h. The ISP-induced lesions were studied by means of light microscopy, histochemistry, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Myofibrillar degeneration, positive tests for ischemia, increase of succinic dehydrogenase enzymes, hypercontraction and widening of Z bands of sarcomers were correlated with the rapid distribution of ISP. These lesions were minimized by prenylamine, a drug which inhibits catecholamine effects by slowing down Ca transport. It is concluded that myocardial necrosis induced by ISP is probably due to a primary act on the sarcolemmal membrane, followed by stimulation of adenylate cyclase, activation of Ca and Na channels, exaggreated Ca inflow, excess of excitation-contraction coupling mechanism, energy consumption and cellular death. The close resemblance of human COAM to ISP-induced lesions suggests that similar mechanisms may be involved.", "PMID": 639073} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12061", "title": "Myocardial infarction with patent coronary arteries.", "content": "A 62-year-old patient suffered an acute anterior wall infarction as documented by clinical, electrocardiographic and enzymatic evidence. His ECG returned to a near normal pattern on the 5th day. The next day the patient died suddenly. Post mortem examination revealed a transmural anterior infarction with a mural thrombus, and a fresh thrombus in the left renal artery, but the coronary arteries were patient with only slight arteriosclerotic changes. We assume that a coronary thrombus might have been the cause of the infarction, with subsequent lysis. Such early lysis (6 days after the infarction) has not yet been demonstrated in earlier reports.", "contents": "Myocardial infarction with patent coronary arteries. A 62-year-old patient suffered an acute anterior wall infarction as documented by clinical, electrocardiographic and enzymatic evidence. His ECG returned to a near normal pattern on the 5th day. The next day the patient died suddenly. Post mortem examination revealed a transmural anterior infarction with a mural thrombus, and a fresh thrombus in the left renal artery, but the coronary arteries were patient with only slight arteriosclerotic changes. We assume that a coronary thrombus might have been the cause of the infarction, with subsequent lysis. Such early lysis (6 days after the infarction) has not yet been demonstrated in earlier reports.", "PMID": 639074} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12062", "title": "Hemodynamic changes during hemodialysis.", "content": "35 patients with chronic renal failure were examined during the first 2 h of hemodialysis by invasive and non-invasive methods. The cardiac output was determined by the dye dilution technique in 11 of these patients and by Swan-Ganz catheterization in 5. In the patients without severe myocardial damage, the cardiac output during hemodialysis showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05), accompanied by a significant decrease of both mean blood pressure (p less than 0.05) and total peripheral resistance (p less than 0.05). Mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure were reduced in all cases during hemodialysis. The increase in cardiac output during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure may be attributed to the decrease in afterload.", "contents": "Hemodynamic changes during hemodialysis. 35 patients with chronic renal failure were examined during the first 2 h of hemodialysis by invasive and non-invasive methods. The cardiac output was determined by the dye dilution technique in 11 of these patients and by Swan-Ganz catheterization in 5. In the patients without severe myocardial damage, the cardiac output during hemodialysis showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05), accompanied by a significant decrease of both mean blood pressure (p less than 0.05) and total peripheral resistance (p less than 0.05). Mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure were reduced in all cases during hemodialysis. The increase in cardiac output during hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure may be attributed to the decrease in afterload.", "PMID": 639075} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12063", "title": "Postmyocardial infarction syndrome. Unusual mode of presentation.", "content": "The postmyocardial infarction syndrome usually presents weeks after acute myocardial infarction as pericarditis associated with fever, leukocytosis, high sedimentation rate and pulmonary infiltrations. The unusual feature of the case discussed here was severe left shoulder pain resembling subdeltoid bursitis. Subsequently signs of pleuritis appeared prior to the classical picture of Dressler's syndrome. There was a dramatic response of steroid therapy.", "contents": "Postmyocardial infarction syndrome. Unusual mode of presentation. The postmyocardial infarction syndrome usually presents weeks after acute myocardial infarction as pericarditis associated with fever, leukocytosis, high sedimentation rate and pulmonary infiltrations. The unusual feature of the case discussed here was severe left shoulder pain resembling subdeltoid bursitis. Subsequently signs of pleuritis appeared prior to the classical picture of Dressler's syndrome. There was a dramatic response of steroid therapy.", "PMID": 639076} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12064", "title": "Haemodynamic effects of supraventricular tachycardias and their alterations by electrically and verapamil induced termination.", "content": "The haemodynamic effects of electrically initiated supraventricular tachycardias were studied in 10 otherwise healthy patients. With the beginning of the dysrhythmia there was a sharp decrease of systemic arterial and left ventricular systolic pressure, dP/dtmax, cardiac index, and stroke volume. Then, these parameters except stroke volume exhibited an increase, but were statistically different from control until the tachycardia was electrically stopped at the tenth minute. Mean pulmonary artery pressure rose steadily and remained on an elevated level which was reached between the third and fifth minute. After cessation there was a short augmentation of systemic arterial and left ventricular systolic pressure as well as of dP/dtmax and cardiac index. Mean pulmonary artery pressure steadily decreased and for all parameters control values were reached at about the third minute. When the tachycardia was terminated at about the same time by an i.v. injection of 10 mg of verapamil the 'post-tachycardial potentiation' was less marked or even absent. Mean arterial and left ventricular pressure was lower and mean pulmonary artery pressure remained elevated as compared with the values observed after electrical termination. Cardiac index and dP/dtmax showed no significant differences. It can be concluded that verapamil in a dosage sufficient to terminate the arrhythmia did not exhibit additional negative inotropic effects.", "contents": "Haemodynamic effects of supraventricular tachycardias and their alterations by electrically and verapamil induced termination. The haemodynamic effects of electrically initiated supraventricular tachycardias were studied in 10 otherwise healthy patients. With the beginning of the dysrhythmia there was a sharp decrease of systemic arterial and left ventricular systolic pressure, dP/dtmax, cardiac index, and stroke volume. Then, these parameters except stroke volume exhibited an increase, but were statistically different from control until the tachycardia was electrically stopped at the tenth minute. Mean pulmonary artery pressure rose steadily and remained on an elevated level which was reached between the third and fifth minute. After cessation there was a short augmentation of systemic arterial and left ventricular systolic pressure as well as of dP/dtmax and cardiac index. Mean pulmonary artery pressure steadily decreased and for all parameters control values were reached at about the third minute. When the tachycardia was terminated at about the same time by an i.v. injection of 10 mg of verapamil the 'post-tachycardial potentiation' was less marked or even absent. Mean arterial and left ventricular pressure was lower and mean pulmonary artery pressure remained elevated as compared with the values observed after electrical termination. Cardiac index and dP/dtmax showed no significant differences. It can be concluded that verapamil in a dosage sufficient to terminate the arrhythmia did not exhibit additional negative inotropic effects.", "PMID": 639077} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12065", "title": "Influence of alterations in sinus rate on determination of drug-induced changes in ventricular automaticity.", "content": "The interrelationship between drug-induced changes in heart rate and drug-induced alterations in ventricular automaticity was studied in dogs with intact conduction systems and dogs with surgically-induced complete heart block. The effects of epinephrine (0.5 microgram-kg-1-min-1) and propranolol (1.0 mg-kg-1) on ventricular automaticity were shown to be partially concealed by heart rate changes produced by these agents. Partial concealment of ventricular automaticity changes was shown to result from an alteration in the degree of overdrive suppression secondary to rate changes. Changes in the degree of overdrive suppression have a masking effect on drug-induced alterations in ventricular automaticity and only when the degree of suppression was held constant could the full extent of drug effects on ventricular automaticity be determined. Following vagal stimulation or rapid pacing, the rate of recovery from overdrive suppression as measured by the number of ventricular beats in 30 s was shown to be a dependable index of ventricular automaticity. It was concluded that determinations of drug effects on ventricular automaticity should take into account changes in heart rate produced by the drug. A method for determining ventricular automaticity is described which matches overdrive suppression during the control period to that during drug action in order to cancel out the influence of changes in heart rate on ventricular automaticity.", "contents": "Influence of alterations in sinus rate on determination of drug-induced changes in ventricular automaticity. The interrelationship between drug-induced changes in heart rate and drug-induced alterations in ventricular automaticity was studied in dogs with intact conduction systems and dogs with surgically-induced complete heart block. The effects of epinephrine (0.5 microgram-kg-1-min-1) and propranolol (1.0 mg-kg-1) on ventricular automaticity were shown to be partially concealed by heart rate changes produced by these agents. Partial concealment of ventricular automaticity changes was shown to result from an alteration in the degree of overdrive suppression secondary to rate changes. Changes in the degree of overdrive suppression have a masking effect on drug-induced alterations in ventricular automaticity and only when the degree of suppression was held constant could the full extent of drug effects on ventricular automaticity be determined. Following vagal stimulation or rapid pacing, the rate of recovery from overdrive suppression as measured by the number of ventricular beats in 30 s was shown to be a dependable index of ventricular automaticity. It was concluded that determinations of drug effects on ventricular automaticity should take into account changes in heart rate produced by the drug. A method for determining ventricular automaticity is described which matches overdrive suppression during the control period to that during drug action in order to cancel out the influence of changes in heart rate on ventricular automaticity.", "PMID": 639078} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12066", "title": "Vasodilator mechanism of the intracerebral (non-sympathetic) adrenergic pathway.", "content": "Stimulation of the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway causes a vasodilatation in the hypothalamus. We have investigated whether this vasodilatation is caused by a direct vascular innervation or whether it is secondary to an activation of hypothalamic neurons. Non-specific neuronal activation using glutamate increased the mean hypothalamic blood flow. Depression of neuronal activity using barbiturate reduced hypothalamic blood flow and blocked the glutamate and the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway-induced vasodilatation. These results suggest that stimulation of the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway increases hypothalamic neuronal activity which indirectly causes a vasodilatation.", "contents": "Vasodilator mechanism of the intracerebral (non-sympathetic) adrenergic pathway. Stimulation of the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway causes a vasodilatation in the hypothalamus. We have investigated whether this vasodilatation is caused by a direct vascular innervation or whether it is secondary to an activation of hypothalamic neurons. Non-specific neuronal activation using glutamate increased the mean hypothalamic blood flow. Depression of neuronal activity using barbiturate reduced hypothalamic blood flow and blocked the glutamate and the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway-induced vasodilatation. These results suggest that stimulation of the intracerebral noradrenergic pathway increases hypothalamic neuronal activity which indirectly causes a vasodilatation.", "PMID": 639079} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12067", "title": "Growth related changes in the content of heparin and 5-hydroxytryptamine of mast cells.", "content": "Heparin and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were quantitated cytofluorometrically in individual mast cells from rats of various ages and body weights. Mast cells were studied in animals 35-200 days of age (150-575 g) representing a period of major body growth and about a quarter of the life span of the rat. Mast cell numbers as well as the content of both heparin and 5-HT in the mast cells was found to be strongly related to body weight and age of the animals. The number of mast cells increased about 3.5 times, the content of heparin in mast cells was doubled and the content of 5-HT increased at least three times during the growth period studied. There were great variations in the content of heparin and 5-HT within the cell populations of both young and old animals. The heparin content in the mast cell populations appeared to be either approximately normally distributed or slightly positively skewed. The skewness was not as marked as in a log-normal distribution. The 5-HT distribution profiles, on the other hand, were more strongly positively skewed. Except in the youngest age group, the 5-HT content appeared to be log-normally distributed within the mast cell population. A strong positive correlation was found between the median values of 5-HT and heparin content in the mast cell populations of growing rats.", "contents": "Growth related changes in the content of heparin and 5-hydroxytryptamine of mast cells. Heparin and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were quantitated cytofluorometrically in individual mast cells from rats of various ages and body weights. Mast cells were studied in animals 35-200 days of age (150-575 g) representing a period of major body growth and about a quarter of the life span of the rat. Mast cell numbers as well as the content of both heparin and 5-HT in the mast cells was found to be strongly related to body weight and age of the animals. The number of mast cells increased about 3.5 times, the content of heparin in mast cells was doubled and the content of 5-HT increased at least three times during the growth period studied. There were great variations in the content of heparin and 5-HT within the cell populations of both young and old animals. The heparin content in the mast cell populations appeared to be either approximately normally distributed or slightly positively skewed. The skewness was not as marked as in a log-normal distribution. The 5-HT distribution profiles, on the other hand, were more strongly positively skewed. Except in the youngest age group, the 5-HT content appeared to be log-normally distributed within the mast cell population. A strong positive correlation was found between the median values of 5-HT and heparin content in the mast cell populations of growing rats.", "PMID": 639081} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12068", "title": "Cytochemistry and x-ray microprobe analysis of the midgut of Tomocerus minor lubbock (insecta, collembola) with special reference to the physiological significance of the mineral concretions.", "content": "Histochemical and cytochemical analyses have been made on the mineral concretions within the midgut cells of Tomocerus minor. The classical histochemical methods are not specific and precise enough and have been supplemented with cytochemical techniques on ultrathin sections. The most interesting of these was the K-pyroantimonate technique combined with glutaraldehyde-osmium fixation. This technique shows the distribution of cations such as Ca++, K+, Mg++ and Na+ on the concentric layers of the concretions. Chloride ions can be detected by means of the silver lactate technique. The action of calcium chelators such as E.D.T.A. shows an important distribution of calcium ions in the concretions. The spectra obtained by electron probe microanalysis from areas of fresh, dried and carbon coated midguts as well as from carbon coated semithin or ultrathin sections reveal the presence of Ca, K, Mg, S, Cl and P principally. Other elements such as aluminium, silicon and manganese have also been detected. Iron is not always present. The chemical and X-ray analytical investigations indicate that the midgut concretions are mainly built up of calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium phosphates, perhaps associated with chlorides and carbonates. An organic matrix formed by polysaccharides seems to join the different mineral layers. These concretions may be formed within the vesicles of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The midgut cells are highly differentiated and very active in transport. Extensive basal infoldings and apical microvilli as well as lateral membranes are a site of small cationic deposits. The possible pathway of ion transport in the cell and the physiological significance of the concretions are discussed. The principal function of these concretions seems to be the maintenance of the mineral balance and to trap foreign and excess ions.", "contents": "Cytochemistry and x-ray microprobe analysis of the midgut of Tomocerus minor lubbock (insecta, collembola) with special reference to the physiological significance of the mineral concretions. Histochemical and cytochemical analyses have been made on the mineral concretions within the midgut cells of Tomocerus minor. The classical histochemical methods are not specific and precise enough and have been supplemented with cytochemical techniques on ultrathin sections. The most interesting of these was the K-pyroantimonate technique combined with glutaraldehyde-osmium fixation. This technique shows the distribution of cations such as Ca++, K+, Mg++ and Na+ on the concentric layers of the concretions. Chloride ions can be detected by means of the silver lactate technique. The action of calcium chelators such as E.D.T.A. shows an important distribution of calcium ions in the concretions. The spectra obtained by electron probe microanalysis from areas of fresh, dried and carbon coated midguts as well as from carbon coated semithin or ultrathin sections reveal the presence of Ca, K, Mg, S, Cl and P principally. Other elements such as aluminium, silicon and manganese have also been detected. Iron is not always present. The chemical and X-ray analytical investigations indicate that the midgut concretions are mainly built up of calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium phosphates, perhaps associated with chlorides and carbonates. An organic matrix formed by polysaccharides seems to join the different mineral layers. These concretions may be formed within the vesicles of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The midgut cells are highly differentiated and very active in transport. Extensive basal infoldings and apical microvilli as well as lateral membranes are a site of small cationic deposits. The possible pathway of ion transport in the cell and the physiological significance of the concretions are discussed. The principal function of these concretions seems to be the maintenance of the mineral balance and to trap foreign and excess ions.", "PMID": 639082} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12069", "title": "An insect retina without microvilli in the male scale insect, Eriococcus sp. (eriococcidae, homoptera).", "content": "Male scale insects of an undescribed Australian species of Eriococcus have no compound eyes but show an extraordinary arrangement of three pairs of ocelli: One pair is positioned dorsolaterally where most insects have their compound eyes. Another pair looks ventrally and is placed where insects usually have their mouthparts, and there are two small lateral ocelli. Corneal nipples and a spherical lens with an estimated F-number only 0.55 are structural adaptations considered to increase the overall light sensitivity in order to compensate for the poor quantum capture of the shallow retina whose rhabdomes are only 3 micrometer long. The outer segment of each receptor cell consists of a central core of cytoplasm containing mitochondria and a peripheral cylinder of about 16 \"rhabdomeres\". There is no optical separation between neighbouring outer segments. Uniquely in arthropod eyes, the light sensitive structures are not composed of cylindrical microvilli, but consist of membrane stacks whose configuration is analogous to the stacked plates of vertebrate cones. At present no conclusive answer can be given as to why the photoreceptors have plates instead of microvilli. Comparative calculations show that they do not contain more photosensitive membrane per unit volume than rhabdomeres of fly ocelli.", "contents": "An insect retina without microvilli in the male scale insect, Eriococcus sp. (eriococcidae, homoptera). Male scale insects of an undescribed Australian species of Eriococcus have no compound eyes but show an extraordinary arrangement of three pairs of ocelli: One pair is positioned dorsolaterally where most insects have their compound eyes. Another pair looks ventrally and is placed where insects usually have their mouthparts, and there are two small lateral ocelli. Corneal nipples and a spherical lens with an estimated F-number only 0.55 are structural adaptations considered to increase the overall light sensitivity in order to compensate for the poor quantum capture of the shallow retina whose rhabdomes are only 3 micrometer long. The outer segment of each receptor cell consists of a central core of cytoplasm containing mitochondria and a peripheral cylinder of about 16 \"rhabdomeres\". There is no optical separation between neighbouring outer segments. Uniquely in arthropod eyes, the light sensitive structures are not composed of cylindrical microvilli, but consist of membrane stacks whose configuration is analogous to the stacked plates of vertebrate cones. At present no conclusive answer can be given as to why the photoreceptors have plates instead of microvilli. Comparative calculations show that they do not contain more photosensitive membrane per unit volume than rhabdomeres of fly ocelli.", "PMID": 639083} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12070", "title": "The junctional connections between the cells of the urinary bladder in the rat.", "content": "The junctional connections between the cells of the urinary bladder epithelium in rat have been studied by freeze-fracturing. Tight junctions and desmosomes are known as structural features of the epithelium. In addition, gap junctions (nexus) have been found to connect the epithelial cells in an irregular distribution pattern. The junction size ranges from few assembled particles up to plaques with irregular forms. This may indicate that the gap junctions are mobile structures. The functional significance of the junctions in comparison with electrophysiological data is discussed.", "contents": "The junctional connections between the cells of the urinary bladder in the rat. The junctional connections between the cells of the urinary bladder epithelium in rat have been studied by freeze-fracturing. Tight junctions and desmosomes are known as structural features of the epithelium. In addition, gap junctions (nexus) have been found to connect the epithelial cells in an irregular distribution pattern. The junction size ranges from few assembled particles up to plaques with irregular forms. This may indicate that the gap junctions are mobile structures. The functional significance of the junctions in comparison with electrophysiological data is discussed.", "PMID": 639084} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12071", "title": "Localization of glyoxylic acid-induced histofluorescence in surgically isolated medial basal hypothalamus of the rat.", "content": "Examination of glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine histofluorescence in the hypothalamic median eminence of adult male rats revealed a linear pattern of fine varicosities coursing through the ependymal and fibrous zones, suggestive of juxtaposition to tanycytes. In order to determine the origin of these terminals, adult rats were subjected to complete isolation of the medial basal hypothalamus, using a small Halasz-Pupp knife. As rapidly as 24h after this \"deafferentation\" degenerative axon profiles were observed dorsal, as well as anterior and lateral, to the knife track. Occasionally at three days postoperatively, and routinely by seven days after surgery, fine-sized new fibres were seen passing through the knife wound. The linear profiles of varicosities observed in the normal median eminence remained traceable in the experimental preparations; the site of origin for these terminals therefore appears to be neurons of the arcuate (A12) and rostral periventricular (A14) regions. The results also indicate that fibres innervating the isolated area are capable of morphologically demonstrable new growth. The observations bear functional implications in assessing endocrine regulation following MBH isolation of the type used in this study.", "contents": "Localization of glyoxylic acid-induced histofluorescence in surgically isolated medial basal hypothalamus of the rat. Examination of glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine histofluorescence in the hypothalamic median eminence of adult male rats revealed a linear pattern of fine varicosities coursing through the ependymal and fibrous zones, suggestive of juxtaposition to tanycytes. In order to determine the origin of these terminals, adult rats were subjected to complete isolation of the medial basal hypothalamus, using a small Halasz-Pupp knife. As rapidly as 24h after this \"deafferentation\" degenerative axon profiles were observed dorsal, as well as anterior and lateral, to the knife track. Occasionally at three days postoperatively, and routinely by seven days after surgery, fine-sized new fibres were seen passing through the knife wound. The linear profiles of varicosities observed in the normal median eminence remained traceable in the experimental preparations; the site of origin for these terminals therefore appears to be neurons of the arcuate (A12) and rostral periventricular (A14) regions. The results also indicate that fibres innervating the isolated area are capable of morphologically demonstrable new growth. The observations bear functional implications in assessing endocrine regulation following MBH isolation of the type used in this study.", "PMID": 639085} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12072", "title": "Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localization of thyroglobulin in the thyroid gland of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., during its upstream migration.", "content": "Antibodies made against thyroglobulin (TG) were used in an immunocytochemical study for the light and electron microscopic localization of TG in the thyroid gland of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, during its upstream migration. TG was found in the follicular lumen and in some colloid droplets within the follicular cells. Except for an immunoreactive product observed in a small portion of the interstitial connective tissue, the location of TG in the lamprey was similar to that in the thyroid of the rat.", "contents": "Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical localization of thyroglobulin in the thyroid gland of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., during its upstream migration. Antibodies made against thyroglobulin (TG) were used in an immunocytochemical study for the light and electron microscopic localization of TG in the thyroid gland of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, during its upstream migration. TG was found in the follicular lumen and in some colloid droplets within the follicular cells. Except for an immunoreactive product observed in a small portion of the interstitial connective tissue, the location of TG in the lamprey was similar to that in the thyroid of the rat.", "PMID": 639086} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12073", "title": "The paramedial neurosecretory cells of the suboesophageal ganglion of the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (walk.).", "content": "Ovariectomy, performed immediately after the final hatch, caused a reduction of stainable (neurosecretory?) MATERIAL IN THE PARAMEDIAL NEUROSECREtory cells (PNC) (A-type) of the suboesophageal ganglion in 10 day-old females of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.). A concomitant increase in nuclear volume and in the incorporation of 35S-cysteine indicates increased synthesis of neurosecretory material. From these findings it is concluded that more stainable material is secreted in the cerebral neurohaemal organ after ovariectomy. A functional relationship between the PNC and the ovaries is suggested.", "contents": "The paramedial neurosecretory cells of the suboesophageal ganglion of the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (walk.). Ovariectomy, performed immediately after the final hatch, caused a reduction of stainable (neurosecretory?) MATERIAL IN THE PARAMEDIAL NEUROSECREtory cells (PNC) (A-type) of the suboesophageal ganglion in 10 day-old females of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.). A concomitant increase in nuclear volume and in the incorporation of 35S-cysteine indicates increased synthesis of neurosecretory material. From these findings it is concluded that more stainable material is secreted in the cerebral neurohaemal organ after ovariectomy. A functional relationship between the PNC and the ovaries is suggested.", "PMID": 639087} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12074", "title": "The paramedial neurosecretory cells of the suboesophageal ganglion in the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (walk.). II. Electron microscopic studies in normal and ovariectomized females.", "content": "The paramedian neurosecretory cells (PNC) (A-type) in the suboesophageal ganglion of the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.), have been studied by electron microscopy. In control animals (10 day-old virgin females) three different cell stages could be distinguished: Stage 1 shows a variable content of elementary granules and characteristics of actively synthesising cells. Stage 2 is characterised by the presence of numerous fusion bodies, which are formed by the coalescence of elementary granules, presumably for storage purposes. In stage 3 granules are degraded in lysosomes (?). While the production of material rich in cysteine increases after ovariectomy (D\u00fcrnberger et al., 1978), the fine structure of the cells is essentially unchanged. The only noted differences are an increased lysosomal synthetic activity and the existence of stages intermediate between 2 and 3, which were never found in control animals. The functional significance of the different stages is discussed.", "contents": "The paramedial neurosecretory cells of the suboesophageal ganglion in the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (walk.). II. Electron microscopic studies in normal and ovariectomized females. The paramedian neurosecretory cells (PNC) (A-type) in the suboesophageal ganglion of the cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.), have been studied by electron microscopy. In control animals (10 day-old virgin females) three different cell stages could be distinguished: Stage 1 shows a variable content of elementary granules and characteristics of actively synthesising cells. Stage 2 is characterised by the presence of numerous fusion bodies, which are formed by the coalescence of elementary granules, presumably for storage purposes. In stage 3 granules are degraded in lysosomes (?). While the production of material rich in cysteine increases after ovariectomy (D\u00fcrnberger et al., 1978), the fine structure of the cells is essentially unchanged. The only noted differences are an increased lysosomal synthetic activity and the existence of stages intermediate between 2 and 3, which were never found in control animals. The functional significance of the different stages is discussed.", "PMID": 639088} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12075", "title": "Steroid transport through the surface of the prothoracic gland cells in Galleria mellonella L.", "content": "Steroid transport through the cell surface of the giant polyploid prothoracic gland cells of Galleria mellonella L. was studied by an ultracytochemical method. The alkaloid digitonin, known to form a complex with all sterols having a free-OH radical in position 3, proved to be suitable for studying the interiorisation of moulting hormone precursors and the release of synthesized hormones. The results suggest that cholesterol uptake in the last larval instar occurs by macropinocytosis during the feeding period, while the release of the steroids produced by the gland occurs by reverse micropinocytosis mostly on days 5-7 of the instar. The two processes are not simultaneous. The intracytoplasmic localisation of the reaction product confirms the steroidogenic role of the prothoracic gland.", "contents": "Steroid transport through the surface of the prothoracic gland cells in Galleria mellonella L. Steroid transport through the cell surface of the giant polyploid prothoracic gland cells of Galleria mellonella L. was studied by an ultracytochemical method. The alkaloid digitonin, known to form a complex with all sterols having a free-OH radical in position 3, proved to be suitable for studying the interiorisation of moulting hormone precursors and the release of synthesized hormones. The results suggest that cholesterol uptake in the last larval instar occurs by macropinocytosis during the feeding period, while the release of the steroids produced by the gland occurs by reverse micropinocytosis mostly on days 5-7 of the instar. The two processes are not simultaneous. The intracytoplasmic localisation of the reaction product confirms the steroidogenic role of the prothoracic gland.", "PMID": 639089} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12076", "title": "An ultrastructural study of the dermal papulae of the starfish, Asterias rubens, with special reference to innervation of the muscles.", "content": "The ultrastructure of the dermal papulae of a starfish (Asterias rubens) is consistent with a respiratory function. The present study has shown no regions specialized for excretory mechanisms. The papulae consist of an outer ectodermal epithelium of sensory, support and gland cells and a small basiepithelial nerve plexus. A true basement membrane lies underneath the epithelium and regularly arranged longitudinal muscle bundles lie within the connective tissue. The coelomic cavity of the papulae is lined with ciliated endothelial cells, which overlie an irregular layer of circular muscles. A system of canals that are not lined by cells occurs at the base of the papulae with the circular muscles. The longitudinal and circular muscles show a different gross morphological arrangement and innervation. This paper proposes that there are \"skeletal\" and \"visceral\" types of smooth muscle in echinoderms and discusses this proposal at length.", "contents": "An ultrastructural study of the dermal papulae of the starfish, Asterias rubens, with special reference to innervation of the muscles. The ultrastructure of the dermal papulae of a starfish (Asterias rubens) is consistent with a respiratory function. The present study has shown no regions specialized for excretory mechanisms. The papulae consist of an outer ectodermal epithelium of sensory, support and gland cells and a small basiepithelial nerve plexus. A true basement membrane lies underneath the epithelium and regularly arranged longitudinal muscle bundles lie within the connective tissue. The coelomic cavity of the papulae is lined with ciliated endothelial cells, which overlie an irregular layer of circular muscles. A system of canals that are not lined by cells occurs at the base of the papulae with the circular muscles. The longitudinal and circular muscles show a different gross morphological arrangement and innervation. This paper proposes that there are \"skeletal\" and \"visceral\" types of smooth muscle in echinoderms and discusses this proposal at length.", "PMID": 639090} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12077", "title": "The salivary glands of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier). A study of its innervation by light and scanning electron microscopy.", "content": "The innervation of the salivary gland of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier) has been investigated with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy of methylene blue stained glands reveals the presence of a dual innervation arising from the ventral nerve cord and the stomodeal nervous system; the principal innervation is that from the ventral nerve cord which passes to the gland via the reservoir ducts. Branches of these nerves form a plexus on the acinar surface, the axons of which exhibit swelling at irregular intervals. The presence of this surface plexus and the axonal swellings was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy both in normal glands and in those in which the basal lamina had been removed by means of an HCl-collagenase digestion method. No acinar plexus was seen to be formed by branches of the stomatogastric nerve that were associated with the gland. However, other branches of this nerve were clearly connected with a complex network of multipolar neurones on the surfaces of the anterior regions of both salivary reservoirs.", "contents": "The salivary glands of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier). A study of its innervation by light and scanning electron microscopy. The innervation of the salivary gland of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Olivier) has been investigated with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy of methylene blue stained glands reveals the presence of a dual innervation arising from the ventral nerve cord and the stomodeal nervous system; the principal innervation is that from the ventral nerve cord which passes to the gland via the reservoir ducts. Branches of these nerves form a plexus on the acinar surface, the axons of which exhibit swelling at irregular intervals. The presence of this surface plexus and the axonal swellings was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy both in normal glands and in those in which the basal lamina had been removed by means of an HCl-collagenase digestion method. No acinar plexus was seen to be formed by branches of the stomatogastric nerve that were associated with the gland. However, other branches of this nerve were clearly connected with a complex network of multipolar neurones on the surfaces of the anterior regions of both salivary reservoirs.", "PMID": 639091} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12078", "title": "Responses of lysosomes in the digestive cells of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis, to sex steroids and cortisol.", "content": "Estradiol-17beta and progesterone at physiological concentrations in vivo induced a reduction in lysosomal stability in the digestive cells of Mytilus edulis. Estradiol-17beta (10(-8) M) also reduced lysosomal stability within 15 min in vitro. Lysosomal stability was determined cytochemically as the labilisation period for latent N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and this was shown to be inversely related to microdensitometric measurements of staining intensity for this enzyme. Estradiol-17beta did not appear to induce complete labilisation or cytochemical activation of lysosomal hexosaminidase and a second, much longer labilisation period could be determined for this hormone. The effects of estradiol-17beta were partially counteracted by cortisol (10(-2) M). There was an increase in PAS staining of secondary lysosomes and an increase in alcian blue staining of residual bodies in digestive cells of animals exposed to estradiol-17beta, while no changes could be observed in basophil cells. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of the physiological role of digestive cells and their possible function as target cells for estradiol-17beta and progesterone.", "contents": "Responses of lysosomes in the digestive cells of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis, to sex steroids and cortisol. Estradiol-17beta and progesterone at physiological concentrations in vivo induced a reduction in lysosomal stability in the digestive cells of Mytilus edulis. Estradiol-17beta (10(-8) M) also reduced lysosomal stability within 15 min in vitro. Lysosomal stability was determined cytochemically as the labilisation period for latent N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase and this was shown to be inversely related to microdensitometric measurements of staining intensity for this enzyme. Estradiol-17beta did not appear to induce complete labilisation or cytochemical activation of lysosomal hexosaminidase and a second, much longer labilisation period could be determined for this hormone. The effects of estradiol-17beta were partially counteracted by cortisol (10(-2) M). There was an increase in PAS staining of secondary lysosomes and an increase in alcian blue staining of residual bodies in digestive cells of animals exposed to estradiol-17beta, while no changes could be observed in basophil cells. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of the physiological role of digestive cells and their possible function as target cells for estradiol-17beta and progesterone.", "PMID": 639092} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12079", "title": "Nerve-Purkinje fiber relationship in the moderator band of bovine and caprine heart.", "content": "The moderator band in the heart of the ox and goat contains bundles of Purkinje fibers and nerve fibers separated by connective tissue. The axons are mostly unmyelinated and embedded in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells. Small bundles of axons run close to the Purkinje fibers. The axons dilate into varicosities 0.5 to 1.6mu in diameter (mean 0.95mu), containing three types of vesicles: 1)agranular vesicles with a diameter of 400-500 A, 2) large dense-cored vesicles with a diameter of 800-1200 A, 3) small dense-cored vesicles with a diameter of 500 A. Most varicosities contain agranular vesicles together with a few large dense-cored vesicles. The gap between the varicosities and the nearest Purkinje fiber is unusually wide and normally varies between 0.3mu and 0.8mu. No intimate nerve-Purkinje fiber contacts, with a cleft of 200 A, were observed.", "contents": "Nerve-Purkinje fiber relationship in the moderator band of bovine and caprine heart. The moderator band in the heart of the ox and goat contains bundles of Purkinje fibers and nerve fibers separated by connective tissue. The axons are mostly unmyelinated and embedded in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells. Small bundles of axons run close to the Purkinje fibers. The axons dilate into varicosities 0.5 to 1.6mu in diameter (mean 0.95mu), containing three types of vesicles: 1)agranular vesicles with a diameter of 400-500 A, 2) large dense-cored vesicles with a diameter of 800-1200 A, 3) small dense-cored vesicles with a diameter of 500 A. Most varicosities contain agranular vesicles together with a few large dense-cored vesicles. The gap between the varicosities and the nearest Purkinje fiber is unusually wide and normally varies between 0.3mu and 0.8mu. No intimate nerve-Purkinje fiber contacts, with a cleft of 200 A, were observed.", "PMID": 639093} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12080", "title": "Influence of gonadotropic hormones on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes.", "content": "The influence of gonadotropic hormones on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes was studied. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as well as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) caused a marked activation of pinealocytes. It is characterised by a conspicuous proliferation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus as well as an increase in number of dense core vesicles, mitochondria, dense bodies, subsurface cisternae and vesicles in the terminal buds of pinealocyte processes. The changes after HCG administration were more pronounced than after PMSG.", "contents": "Influence of gonadotropic hormones on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes. The influence of gonadotropic hormones on the ultrastructure of rat pinealocytes was studied. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as well as pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) caused a marked activation of pinealocytes. It is characterised by a conspicuous proliferation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus as well as an increase in number of dense core vesicles, mitochondria, dense bodies, subsurface cisternae and vesicles in the terminal buds of pinealocyte processes. The changes after HCG administration were more pronounced than after PMSG.", "PMID": 639094} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12081", "title": "Uptake of horseradish peroxydase by the testis of locusta migratoria during the last larval instar; relation with variations of ecdysteroid levels in haemolymph.", "content": "By using horseradish peroxydase (HRP) as a tracer, it is shown that the gonial region of the locust testis is an \"open\" compartment which is almost always freely penetrated by the tracer. During the last larval instar, however, the penetration of HRP decreases and ceases at the time when high levels of ecdysteroids are detected in the haemolymph by radioimmunoassay. A cause and effect relationship between tracer uptake and hormonal level could not be demonstrated by the experiments carried out up to now. From ultrastructural observations of the testis, it is concluded that the temporary isolation of the gonial compartment is not based upon any morphological structure which could act as a barrier. Penetration of the macromolecule is considered as the expression of an active uptake by the testis and the short period of nonpenetrability as a state of inertia whose significance remains to be discovered.", "contents": "Uptake of horseradish peroxydase by the testis of locusta migratoria during the last larval instar; relation with variations of ecdysteroid levels in haemolymph. By using horseradish peroxydase (HRP) as a tracer, it is shown that the gonial region of the locust testis is an \"open\" compartment which is almost always freely penetrated by the tracer. During the last larval instar, however, the penetration of HRP decreases and ceases at the time when high levels of ecdysteroids are detected in the haemolymph by radioimmunoassay. A cause and effect relationship between tracer uptake and hormonal level could not be demonstrated by the experiments carried out up to now. From ultrastructural observations of the testis, it is concluded that the temporary isolation of the gonial compartment is not based upon any morphological structure which could act as a barrier. Penetration of the macromolecule is considered as the expression of an active uptake by the testis and the short period of nonpenetrability as a state of inertia whose significance remains to be discovered.", "PMID": 639097} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12082", "title": "Local degenerative changes in the drum muscles of piranhas (serrasalminae, characidae).", "content": "In the posterior drum muscle of the piranha structural alterations are frequently observed. Electron microscopic studies revealed a disordering of the myofibrils in these regions, accompanied by conspicuous changes in the mitochondria. As the degree of disorder increases, the mitochondrial cristae initially swell to form vesicles. Eventually the mitochondria become filled with myelin-like lamellar structures, which in many cases coalesce to form a dense outer wall. A striking concentration of lysosomes into localized masses was also characteristic of these regions.", "contents": "Local degenerative changes in the drum muscles of piranhas (serrasalminae, characidae). In the posterior drum muscle of the piranha structural alterations are frequently observed. Electron microscopic studies revealed a disordering of the myofibrils in these regions, accompanied by conspicuous changes in the mitochondria. As the degree of disorder increases, the mitochondrial cristae initially swell to form vesicles. Eventually the mitochondria become filled with myelin-like lamellar structures, which in many cases coalesce to form a dense outer wall. A striking concentration of lysosomes into localized masses was also characteristic of these regions.", "PMID": 639098} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12083", "title": "Observations on the cytolemma of the olfactory receptor cell in the newt. 1. Freeze replica analysis.", "content": "The fine structure of the cytolemma of olfactory receptor cells in the newt was studied by the freeze-fracture replica method. Two kinds of receptor cells were recognized, namely ciliated cells (ciliary type) and non-ciliated cells (microvilli type). The cytolemma of olfactory knobs as well as their processes from both types of receptor cells showed an abundance of large membrane particles 80 approximately 110 A in diameter. The large square aggregation of membrane particles, 0.1 x 0.1 micron to 0.2 x 0.3 micron in size, consisting of 50 approximately 100 cuboidal subunits, were found in the cytolemma of the dendrite. A structural model of aggregation is presented. The soma of the receptor cell revealed large pitted membrane particles about 140 A in diameter. These particles are possibly the morphologic counterpart to ionophores which have been proposed by electrophysiological studies.", "contents": "Observations on the cytolemma of the olfactory receptor cell in the newt. 1. Freeze replica analysis. The fine structure of the cytolemma of olfactory receptor cells in the newt was studied by the freeze-fracture replica method. Two kinds of receptor cells were recognized, namely ciliated cells (ciliary type) and non-ciliated cells (microvilli type). The cytolemma of olfactory knobs as well as their processes from both types of receptor cells showed an abundance of large membrane particles 80 approximately 110 A in diameter. The large square aggregation of membrane particles, 0.1 x 0.1 micron to 0.2 x 0.3 micron in size, consisting of 50 approximately 100 cuboidal subunits, were found in the cytolemma of the dendrite. A structural model of aggregation is presented. The soma of the receptor cell revealed large pitted membrane particles about 140 A in diameter. These particles are possibly the morphologic counterpart to ionophores which have been proposed by electrophysiological studies.", "PMID": 639099} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12084", "title": "Morphometry of the small pulmonary arteries in man.", "content": "From a resin cast of a normal pulmonary arterial tree, the diameter, length, and number of branches in each order were determined for arteries from 25 to 300 micrometer in diameter. Histological sections 120-micrometer thick were cut from a normal human lung in which the pulmonary artery had been injected with a mixture of ink and gelatin. Similar measurements were made on arteries from 10 to 70 micrometer in diameter, and the mode of origin of the capillaries was studied. The data thus obtained were found to correspond reasonably well to values previously estimated by extrapolation from data for arteries of 100 micrometer or more in diameter. The branching rules apply down to arteries of about 10-15 micrometer in diameter, the estimated number of which is 73 million. Distal to these vessels, capillaries arise either directly from small arteries or indirectly via precapillaries which are given off in great numbers and diverse patterns from the small arteries", "contents": "Morphometry of the small pulmonary arteries in man. From a resin cast of a normal pulmonary arterial tree, the diameter, length, and number of branches in each order were determined for arteries from 25 to 300 micrometer in diameter. Histological sections 120-micrometer thick were cut from a normal human lung in which the pulmonary artery had been injected with a mixture of ink and gelatin. Similar measurements were made on arteries from 10 to 70 micrometer in diameter, and the mode of origin of the capillaries was studied. The data thus obtained were found to correspond reasonably well to values previously estimated by extrapolation from data for arteries of 100 micrometer or more in diameter. The branching rules apply down to arteries of about 10-15 micrometer in diameter, the estimated number of which is 73 million. Distal to these vessels, capillaries arise either directly from small arteries or indirectly via precapillaries which are given off in great numbers and diverse patterns from the small arteries", "PMID": 639181} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12085", "title": "Age-related changes in the concentration of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in two groups of rats with inherited widely different levels of spontaneous physical activity.", "content": "The plasma concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides was determined in two groups of rats with inherited widely different levels of spontaneous physical activity. Active as well as passive rats of each sex were divided into two subgroups, one with free access to wheel running activity (exercising group), and another for which admittance to the drum was closed (nonexercising group). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were followed from the age of 3-8 months in females and 3 months to 1 year in males. A pronounced increase with age in the plasma concentration of these lipids was observed in the active male rats. In the passive male rats and in all females, there were no major changes in plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Corresponding groups of exercising and nonexercising rats had similar plasma levels of these components. The data for male rats show a positive association between the inherited tendency to perform spontaneously a high level of physical activity and an age-related increase in plasma lipids. However, running activity per se does not seem to have any influence on the level of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in these rats.", "contents": "Age-related changes in the concentration of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in two groups of rats with inherited widely different levels of spontaneous physical activity. The plasma concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides was determined in two groups of rats with inherited widely different levels of spontaneous physical activity. Active as well as passive rats of each sex were divided into two subgroups, one with free access to wheel running activity (exercising group), and another for which admittance to the drum was closed (nonexercising group). Plasma concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were followed from the age of 3-8 months in females and 3 months to 1 year in males. A pronounced increase with age in the plasma concentration of these lipids was observed in the active male rats. In the passive male rats and in all females, there were no major changes in plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Corresponding groups of exercising and nonexercising rats had similar plasma levels of these components. The data for male rats show a positive association between the inherited tendency to perform spontaneously a high level of physical activity and an age-related increase in plasma lipids. However, running activity per se does not seem to have any influence on the level of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides in these rats.", "PMID": 639182} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12086", "title": "The effect of an increase in inotropic state and end-diastolic volume on the pumping ability of the feline left heart.", "content": "In isolated ejecting cat hearts, the pumping ability of the left heart was described quantitatively by the relationship between mean left ventricular pressure and mean left ventricular output. This relationship was determined by making the heart eject against a series of different loads on a beat-to-beat basis. Left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationships of control and potentiated beats (at the same end-diastolic pressure) have a common intercept on the output axis but diverge toward the pressure axis. When the mean pressure values of the potentiated beats in a given experiment are multiplied by a single factor, superposition of the two relationships is obtained. A change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure caused a more parallel shift of the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship. Here, superposition could be obtained by using one multiplication factor for the mean pressure data and one for the mean output data of the relationship found after the change in end-diastolic pressure. We concluded that, using the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship, changes in cardiac pumping ability caused by given changes in inotropic state and ventricular end-diastolic volume can be quantified by one or two multiplication factors, respectively.", "contents": "The effect of an increase in inotropic state and end-diastolic volume on the pumping ability of the feline left heart. In isolated ejecting cat hearts, the pumping ability of the left heart was described quantitatively by the relationship between mean left ventricular pressure and mean left ventricular output. This relationship was determined by making the heart eject against a series of different loads on a beat-to-beat basis. Left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationships of control and potentiated beats (at the same end-diastolic pressure) have a common intercept on the output axis but diverge toward the pressure axis. When the mean pressure values of the potentiated beats in a given experiment are multiplied by a single factor, superposition of the two relationships is obtained. A change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure caused a more parallel shift of the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship. Here, superposition could be obtained by using one multiplication factor for the mean pressure data and one for the mean output data of the relationship found after the change in end-diastolic pressure. We concluded that, using the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship, changes in cardiac pumping ability caused by given changes in inotropic state and ventricular end-diastolic volume can be quantified by one or two multiplication factors, respectively.", "PMID": 639185} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12087", "title": "Nuclear proteins in the heart of the cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster. Phosphorylation of phenol-soluble nonhistone proteins.", "content": "We examined incorporation of 32P into phenol-soluble nonhistone nuclear acidic proteins (NHNP) obtained from myolytic, hypertrophic, and failing phases of hamster cardiomyopathy. NHNP from these dystrophic hamster hearts were phosphorylated much less than their controls, despite a 9-fold increase in uptake of 32P into their nuclei. After fractionation of NHNP by isoelectrofocusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two major fractions focusing from pH 6.0 to 6.2 and 6.6 to 6.8 were highly phosphorylated in both the control and dystrophic hearts. The latter fraction was much more phosphorylated in the control. Two fractions of NHNP focusing at pH 4.9 and 5.1 were more highly phosphorylated in the dystrophic hearts than in the controls. Autoradiographs obtained from the two-dimensional polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis showed that two proteins (pH 4.9 and 5.1; mol wt 25,000 and 60,000, respectively) were highly phosphorylated in the dystrophic heart. There was no detectable phosphorylation of these proteins in the controls. These changes in the phosphorylation of cardiac NHNP may be important in determining the alteration of gene expression in hamster cardiomyopathy.", "contents": "Nuclear proteins in the heart of the cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster. Phosphorylation of phenol-soluble nonhistone proteins. We examined incorporation of 32P into phenol-soluble nonhistone nuclear acidic proteins (NHNP) obtained from myolytic, hypertrophic, and failing phases of hamster cardiomyopathy. NHNP from these dystrophic hamster hearts were phosphorylated much less than their controls, despite a 9-fold increase in uptake of 32P into their nuclei. After fractionation of NHNP by isoelectrofocusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two major fractions focusing from pH 6.0 to 6.2 and 6.6 to 6.8 were highly phosphorylated in both the control and dystrophic hearts. The latter fraction was much more phosphorylated in the control. Two fractions of NHNP focusing at pH 4.9 and 5.1 were more highly phosphorylated in the dystrophic hearts than in the controls. Autoradiographs obtained from the two-dimensional polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis showed that two proteins (pH 4.9 and 5.1; mol wt 25,000 and 60,000, respectively) were highly phosphorylated in the dystrophic heart. There was no detectable phosphorylation of these proteins in the controls. These changes in the phosphorylation of cardiac NHNP may be important in determining the alteration of gene expression in hamster cardiomyopathy.", "PMID": 639187} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12088", "title": "The influence of the pituitary on arterial intimal proliferation in the rat.", "content": "The formation of arteriosclerotic fibromusculoelastic intimal thickening following arterial de-endothelialization is well documented. Recent findings, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that platelets are a major participant in the pathogenesis of this lesion by releasing a mitogen to medial smooth muscle cells (SMC). This mitogen results in SMC migration to and proliferation within the intima. A similar mitogen has been described as originating in brain and pituitary tissue. We now report that, in hypophysectomized rats with normal platelet counts, intimal hyperplasia is markedly delayed; pair-fed intact controls normally develop lesions. It therefore appears that the pituitary gland plays a significant role in the experimental arteriosclerotic response.", "contents": "The influence of the pituitary on arterial intimal proliferation in the rat. The formation of arteriosclerotic fibromusculoelastic intimal thickening following arterial de-endothelialization is well documented. Recent findings, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that platelets are a major participant in the pathogenesis of this lesion by releasing a mitogen to medial smooth muscle cells (SMC). This mitogen results in SMC migration to and proliferation within the intima. A similar mitogen has been described as originating in brain and pituitary tissue. We now report that, in hypophysectomized rats with normal platelet counts, intimal hyperplasia is markedly delayed; pair-fed intact controls normally develop lesions. It therefore appears that the pituitary gland plays a significant role in the experimental arteriosclerotic response.", "PMID": 639188} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12089", "title": "Renal function of conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats.", "content": "Renal clearance studies were performed in conscious 13-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) before and during volume expansion by intravenous infusion of isotonic saline. Mean arterial pressure and filtration fraction were greater in SHR, whereas fractional and absolute excretion of sodium and water, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow in SHR and WKY were not statistically different. This was the case during hydropenia and volume expansion. We did not observe as exaggerated natriuresis after intravenous loading when unanesthetized SHR were compared with the response of WKY. These observations suggest that the kidneys of genetically hypertensive rats of the Okamoto-Aoki strain have adapted to an elevated renal perfusion pressure or that hypertension is required to normalize renal function so that excretion is appropriately matched with intake.", "contents": "Renal function of conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats. Renal clearance studies were performed in conscious 13-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) before and during volume expansion by intravenous infusion of isotonic saline. Mean arterial pressure and filtration fraction were greater in SHR, whereas fractional and absolute excretion of sodium and water, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow in SHR and WKY were not statistically different. This was the case during hydropenia and volume expansion. We did not observe as exaggerated natriuresis after intravenous loading when unanesthetized SHR were compared with the response of WKY. These observations suggest that the kidneys of genetically hypertensive rats of the Okamoto-Aoki strain have adapted to an elevated renal perfusion pressure or that hypertension is required to normalize renal function so that excretion is appropriately matched with intake.", "PMID": 639195} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12090", "title": "Urinary kallikrein in rats bred for their susceptibility and resistance to the hypertensive effect of salt. A new radioimmunoassay for its direct determination.", "content": "Urinary kallikrein was measured in rats bred to be susceptible (S) or resistant (R) to the hypertensive effect of salt. To determine kallikrein, three different methods were used: (1) a new direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the enzymic protein: (2) a method based on the capability of kallikrein, when incubated with kininogen, to generate kinins which were then measured by RIA (kininogenase activity); and (3) a method based on the capability of kallikrein to break the ester bond of p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (HCl (TAMe). A significant correlation ( r = 0.90) was found between the direct RIA and the kininogenase method. It was found that urinary kallikrein was significantly decreased in the S as compared to the R rats by the use of these three methods. Urinary kallikrein in the S rats was much lower when measured by the kininogenase method than by direct RIA or esterolytic assay. This difference could be due to excretion of pre-kallikrein and/or kallikrein bound to an inhibitor (inactive kallikrein). It is suggested that the decrease of urinary kallikrein excretion (active and inactive) in the S rats could be a consequence of a genetic defect that may affect the development of hypertension perhaps through the alteration of sodium and water excretion by the kidney.", "contents": "Urinary kallikrein in rats bred for their susceptibility and resistance to the hypertensive effect of salt. A new radioimmunoassay for its direct determination. Urinary kallikrein was measured in rats bred to be susceptible (S) or resistant (R) to the hypertensive effect of salt. To determine kallikrein, three different methods were used: (1) a new direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the enzymic protein: (2) a method based on the capability of kallikrein, when incubated with kininogen, to generate kinins which were then measured by RIA (kininogenase activity); and (3) a method based on the capability of kallikrein to break the ester bond of p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (HCl (TAMe). A significant correlation ( r = 0.90) was found between the direct RIA and the kininogenase method. It was found that urinary kallikrein was significantly decreased in the S as compared to the R rats by the use of these three methods. Urinary kallikrein in the S rats was much lower when measured by the kininogenase method than by direct RIA or esterolytic assay. This difference could be due to excretion of pre-kallikrein and/or kallikrein bound to an inhibitor (inactive kallikrein). It is suggested that the decrease of urinary kallikrein excretion (active and inactive) in the S rats could be a consequence of a genetic defect that may affect the development of hypertension perhaps through the alteration of sodium and water excretion by the kidney.", "PMID": 639196} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12091", "title": "The effects of short-term venous congestion on forearm venous volume and reactive hyperemia blood flow in human subjects.", "content": "Congestive heart failure is associated with a reduction in limb venous volume at an effective venous pressure of 30 mm Hg (VV[30]). Further, an attenuated arteriolar dilation in response to a metabolic stimulus has been demonstrated. It was the purpose of this study to determine to what extent the chronic elevation in venous pressure seen in heart failure might explain these abnormalities of the limb circulation. Ten normal human volunteers were subjected to venous congestion of one arm for three hours at 70 mm Hg. A mercury-in-rubber strain gauge plethysmograph was used to measure forearm VV [30] and forearm blood flow at rest after release of five minutes of arterial occlusion (the reactive hyperemia response). Congestion reduced VV [30] 22%, resting forearm blood flow 49% and peak reactive hyperemia blood flow 25%. Thus, chronic venous congestion per se may significantly reduce limb venous volume as well as resting and reactive hyperemia blood flow.", "contents": "The effects of short-term venous congestion on forearm venous volume and reactive hyperemia blood flow in human subjects. Congestive heart failure is associated with a reduction in limb venous volume at an effective venous pressure of 30 mm Hg (VV[30]). Further, an attenuated arteriolar dilation in response to a metabolic stimulus has been demonstrated. It was the purpose of this study to determine to what extent the chronic elevation in venous pressure seen in heart failure might explain these abnormalities of the limb circulation. Ten normal human volunteers were subjected to venous congestion of one arm for three hours at 70 mm Hg. A mercury-in-rubber strain gauge plethysmograph was used to measure forearm VV [30] and forearm blood flow at rest after release of five minutes of arterial occlusion (the reactive hyperemia response). Congestion reduced VV [30] 22%, resting forearm blood flow 49% and peak reactive hyperemia blood flow 25%. Thus, chronic venous congestion per se may significantly reduce limb venous volume as well as resting and reactive hyperemia blood flow.", "PMID": 639198} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12092", "title": "Anticoagulant therapy and central nervous system complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis.", "content": "Among 52 cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis, adequate anticoagulant therapy was administered in 38 and discontinued or given in subtherapeutic dosage in 14. Our data suggest that anticoagulant therapy does not appreciably increase morbidity or mortality in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. On the contrary, in our patients the incidence of major clinical CNS (central nervous system) complications was increased and the mortality was higher if anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. CNS complications occurred in 10 of the 14 patients without adequate anticoagulant therapy and in three of the 38 with adequate anticoagulant therapy. Mortality was 57% among those treated without adequate anticoagulation and 47% among those with adequate anticoagulation. At autopsy, CNS complications were thought to be the primary cause of five of the eight deaths in cases without adequate anticoagulation.", "contents": "Anticoagulant therapy and central nervous system complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Among 52 cases of prosthetic valve endocarditis, adequate anticoagulant therapy was administered in 38 and discontinued or given in subtherapeutic dosage in 14. Our data suggest that anticoagulant therapy does not appreciably increase morbidity or mortality in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. On the contrary, in our patients the incidence of major clinical CNS (central nervous system) complications was increased and the mortality was higher if anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. CNS complications occurred in 10 of the 14 patients without adequate anticoagulant therapy and in three of the 38 with adequate anticoagulant therapy. Mortality was 57% among those treated without adequate anticoagulation and 47% among those with adequate anticoagulation. At autopsy, CNS complications were thought to be the primary cause of five of the eight deaths in cases without adequate anticoagulation.", "PMID": 639199} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12093", "title": "Long-term tocainide therapy for ventricular arrhythmias.", "content": "Long-term tocainide therapy has been evaluated in 17 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation was recurrent and sustained in nine patients, and symptomatic but unsustained in three others. Five patients had frequent but only mildly symptomatic ventricular irritability. In all patients, arrhythmias could not be managed with quinidine, procainamide or propranolol. Tocainide doses ranged from 300 to 700 mg every 8 hours (mean steady-state plasma concentrations ranged from 5.75 to 12.18 microgram/ml). Tocainide therapy was unsuccessful in eight patients; three died during therapy and five had no antiarrhythmic response. The data suggest that evaluation of long-term drug efficacy, using the criterion of reduction of asymptomatic arrhythmias, is best documented by multiple sequential ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings, both on and off the drug. Tocainide controlled arrhythmias in nine patients (53%), with criteria of success being continued reduction of ectopic beats and/or control of symptomatic recurrences. Seven patients remain on therapy. Side effects generally have been minor and well-tolerated.", "contents": "Long-term tocainide therapy for ventricular arrhythmias. Long-term tocainide therapy has been evaluated in 17 patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation was recurrent and sustained in nine patients, and symptomatic but unsustained in three others. Five patients had frequent but only mildly symptomatic ventricular irritability. In all patients, arrhythmias could not be managed with quinidine, procainamide or propranolol. Tocainide doses ranged from 300 to 700 mg every 8 hours (mean steady-state plasma concentrations ranged from 5.75 to 12.18 microgram/ml). Tocainide therapy was unsuccessful in eight patients; three died during therapy and five had no antiarrhythmic response. The data suggest that evaluation of long-term drug efficacy, using the criterion of reduction of asymptomatic arrhythmias, is best documented by multiple sequential ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings, both on and off the drug. Tocainide controlled arrhythmias in nine patients (53%), with criteria of success being continued reduction of ectopic beats and/or control of symptomatic recurrences. Seven patients remain on therapy. Side effects generally have been minor and well-tolerated.", "PMID": 639200} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12094", "title": "Dissecting aortic aneurysm associated with congenital bicuspid aortic valve.", "content": "Among 119 cases of fatal dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, exclusive of those iatrogenically caused or associated with arachnodactyly or aortic stenosis, there were observed 11 cases of congenital bicuspid aortic valve (9%). The ages ranged from 17 to 69 years, five of the patients being 29 years old or younger. Among the latter, three had coarctation of the aorta and one had Turner's syndrome without coarctation. In one of the older patients, aortic insufficiency was present. Hypertension was either established or inferred from cardiac weight in 73% of the cases. In each case, cystic medial necrosis of the aorta was present. Prolapse of valves other than the aortic was observed in 45% of the cases with bicuspid aortic valve. Compared to an estimated incidence of bicuspid aortic valve of about 1 to 2% in the population, the high incidence among subjects with dissecting aneurysm suggests a causative relationship between bicuspid aortic valve and aortic dissecting aneurysm.", "contents": "Dissecting aortic aneurysm associated with congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Among 119 cases of fatal dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, exclusive of those iatrogenically caused or associated with arachnodactyly or aortic stenosis, there were observed 11 cases of congenital bicuspid aortic valve (9%). The ages ranged from 17 to 69 years, five of the patients being 29 years old or younger. Among the latter, three had coarctation of the aorta and one had Turner's syndrome without coarctation. In one of the older patients, aortic insufficiency was present. Hypertension was either established or inferred from cardiac weight in 73% of the cases. In each case, cystic medial necrosis of the aorta was present. Prolapse of valves other than the aortic was observed in 45% of the cases with bicuspid aortic valve. Compared to an estimated incidence of bicuspid aortic valve of about 1 to 2% in the population, the high incidence among subjects with dissecting aneurysm suggests a causative relationship between bicuspid aortic valve and aortic dissecting aneurysm.", "PMID": 639201} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12095", "title": "Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery with ventricular septal defect.", "content": "Only two cases have been reported previously of the association of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (ALCA) arising from the pulmonary artery. The purpose of this paper is to present two additional cases, to describe the pathophysiology, and to emphasize how the clinical course of this combination of defects differs from that of isolated ALCA. Patients with both of these anomalies present in infancy with manifestations only of a large left-right ventricular shunt and pulmonary hypertension. Initially the ALCA is well perfused from the high pressure in the pulmonary artery. In these instances in which the pulmonary artery pressure subsequently decreased because of spontaneous reduction in size of the VSD, the left coronary arterial system became less well perfused. Because of this decreased perfusion in association with the left ventricular myocardial stress initially caused by volume overload, myocardial ischemia and ultimately infarction occurred. Early identification and repair of the anatomic abnormality could prevent irreversible myocardial damage.", "contents": "Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery with ventricular septal defect. Only two cases have been reported previously of the association of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (ALCA) arising from the pulmonary artery. The purpose of this paper is to present two additional cases, to describe the pathophysiology, and to emphasize how the clinical course of this combination of defects differs from that of isolated ALCA. Patients with both of these anomalies present in infancy with manifestations only of a large left-right ventricular shunt and pulmonary hypertension. Initially the ALCA is well perfused from the high pressure in the pulmonary artery. In these instances in which the pulmonary artery pressure subsequently decreased because of spontaneous reduction in size of the VSD, the left coronary arterial system became less well perfused. Because of this decreased perfusion in association with the left ventricular myocardial stress initially caused by volume overload, myocardial ischemia and ultimately infarction occurred. Early identification and repair of the anatomic abnormality could prevent irreversible myocardial damage.", "PMID": 639202} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12096", "title": "The anatomical substrates of wolff-parkinson-white syndrome. A clinicopathologic correlation in seven patients.", "content": "Clinicopathological correlations were made on the hearts from seven patients known to have exhibited electrocardiographic evidence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In each case, clinical and pathological investigations were conducted independently, neither group of investigators having knowledge of the other's results. In all seven hearts, the entire atrioventricular junctions were serially sectioned. Accessory atrioventricular connections were predicted in all seven cases following electrocardiographic investigation. Connections were identified histopathologically in four hearts in the predicted site. In another case two connections were identified, one being considered responsible for the pre-excitation. In the sixth case a right lateral connection was anticipated, but only accessory nodo-ventricular fibers were identified following histopathologic studies. In the final case, a posterior septal connection was predicted but the entire septum had fibrosed following previous operation. These findings are discussed in the light of the investigative techniques used, the theories of pre-excitation and the embryogenetic mechanisms producing accessory atrioventricular connections.", "contents": "The anatomical substrates of wolff-parkinson-white syndrome. A clinicopathologic correlation in seven patients. Clinicopathological correlations were made on the hearts from seven patients known to have exhibited electrocardiographic evidence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In each case, clinical and pathological investigations were conducted independently, neither group of investigators having knowledge of the other's results. In all seven hearts, the entire atrioventricular junctions were serially sectioned. Accessory atrioventricular connections were predicted in all seven cases following electrocardiographic investigation. Connections were identified histopathologically in four hearts in the predicted site. In another case two connections were identified, one being considered responsible for the pre-excitation. In the sixth case a right lateral connection was anticipated, but only accessory nodo-ventricular fibers were identified following histopathologic studies. In the final case, a posterior septal connection was predicted but the entire septum had fibrosed following previous operation. These findings are discussed in the light of the investigative techniques used, the theories of pre-excitation and the embryogenetic mechanisms producing accessory atrioventricular connections.", "PMID": 639209} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12097", "title": "Junctional pacemakers in man. Response to overdrive suppression with and without parasympathetic blockade.", "content": "This study analyzes the response to overdrive suppression of junctional pacemakers (JP) and correlates it with symptoms in 21 patients. Junctional rhythm (JR) was seen in 5 patients with intact A-V conduction, and in 16 with complete heart block, the JPs were located proximal to or within the His bundle (BH). Junctional recovery time (JRT) was measured following atrial or ventricular pacing during control and after atropine (2-2.5 mg). Control cycle length of the JR ranged from 835-2100 msec (mean 1402) and the corrected JRT (CJRT) ranged from 75 to greater than or equal to 7510 msec (mean 2966). Following atropine, the cycle length ranged from 660 to 2000 msec (mean 1115) and the CJRT ranged from 90 to greater than 6000 msec (mean 2050). All symptomatic patients were treated with permanent ventricular demand pacemakers and followed clinically from 6-72 months (mean = 35). Symptomatic patients could not be differentiated from asymptomatic patients on the basis of control heart rates, chronotropic response to atropine, and/or the site of origin of the JP as determined with BH recordings. However, presence or absence of symptoms of syncope and dizziness were well correlated with a CJRT greater than or less than 200 msec, respectively, either following atropine or during control. The determination of CJRT both before and after parasympathetic blockade provides a simpler and more reliable method for the therapeutic evaluation of patients.", "contents": "Junctional pacemakers in man. Response to overdrive suppression with and without parasympathetic blockade. This study analyzes the response to overdrive suppression of junctional pacemakers (JP) and correlates it with symptoms in 21 patients. Junctional rhythm (JR) was seen in 5 patients with intact A-V conduction, and in 16 with complete heart block, the JPs were located proximal to or within the His bundle (BH). Junctional recovery time (JRT) was measured following atrial or ventricular pacing during control and after atropine (2-2.5 mg). Control cycle length of the JR ranged from 835-2100 msec (mean 1402) and the corrected JRT (CJRT) ranged from 75 to greater than or equal to 7510 msec (mean 2966). Following atropine, the cycle length ranged from 660 to 2000 msec (mean 1115) and the CJRT ranged from 90 to greater than 6000 msec (mean 2050). All symptomatic patients were treated with permanent ventricular demand pacemakers and followed clinically from 6-72 months (mean = 35). Symptomatic patients could not be differentiated from asymptomatic patients on the basis of control heart rates, chronotropic response to atropine, and/or the site of origin of the JP as determined with BH recordings. However, presence or absence of symptoms of syncope and dizziness were well correlated with a CJRT greater than or less than 200 msec, respectively, either following atropine or during control. The determination of CJRT both before and after parasympathetic blockade provides a simpler and more reliable method for the therapeutic evaluation of patients.", "PMID": 639210} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12098", "title": "Evaluation of R wave amplitude changes versus ST-segment depression in stress testing.", "content": "Exercise ECGs and coronary angiograms were reviewed in 266 patients (81 normals and 185 with significant coronary artery disease). Thirty-three false positive and 96 false negative ST responses to stress testing were purposely chosen to determine if the R wave could reduce the number of false ST responses. R wave amplitude changes were measured in the control and in the immediate postexercise period. An increase or no change in R wave was taken as evidence of an abnormal response, while a decrease in the R wave was a normal response. The sensitivity by ST segment was 48% and the specificity was 59%. These values were low because of the large number of false positive and negative ST responses in the study. It was our purpose to determine if these lowered values could be significantly improved by the R wave. Using R wave criteria, the sensitivity was 63% (P is less than 0.01) while the specificity was 79% (P is less than 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of stress testing can be significantly improved using R wave changes.", "contents": "Evaluation of R wave amplitude changes versus ST-segment depression in stress testing. Exercise ECGs and coronary angiograms were reviewed in 266 patients (81 normals and 185 with significant coronary artery disease). Thirty-three false positive and 96 false negative ST responses to stress testing were purposely chosen to determine if the R wave could reduce the number of false ST responses. R wave amplitude changes were measured in the control and in the immediate postexercise period. An increase or no change in R wave was taken as evidence of an abnormal response, while a decrease in the R wave was a normal response. The sensitivity by ST segment was 48% and the specificity was 59%. These values were low because of the large number of false positive and negative ST responses in the study. It was our purpose to determine if these lowered values could be significantly improved by the R wave. Using R wave criteria, the sensitivity was 63% (P is less than 0.01) while the specificity was 79% (P is less than 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of stress testing can be significantly improved using R wave changes.", "PMID": 639212} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12099", "title": "Cardiovascular complications during exercise training of cardiac patients.", "content": "The occurrence of major cardiovascular complications during exercise training of cardiac patients in 30 cardiac rehabilitation programs in North America was determined by questionnaire. These programs conducted medically supervised cardiac exercise classes in 103 locations and reported information on 13,570 participants who accumulated a total of 1,629,634 patient hours of supervised exercise. Cardiovascular complications were reported as nonfatal or fatal and included cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and other. A total of 50 cardiac arrests were observed during exercise, 42 of which were successfully resuscitated while eight were fatal. Seven myocardial infarctions were reported; five were nonfatal and two were fatal. Four other fatalities were reported due to acute cardiopulmonary disorders. The average complication rate for all programs was one nonfatal and one fatal event every 34,673 and 116,402 patient hours of participation, respectively. Complication rates are lower in programs which continuously monitor the electrocardiogram during exercise and are lower when only the experience since 1970 is evaluated. These data support the recommendation that medically prescribed and supervised exercise can be performed reasonably safely by medically selected cardiac patients.", "contents": "Cardiovascular complications during exercise training of cardiac patients. The occurrence of major cardiovascular complications during exercise training of cardiac patients in 30 cardiac rehabilitation programs in North America was determined by questionnaire. These programs conducted medically supervised cardiac exercise classes in 103 locations and reported information on 13,570 participants who accumulated a total of 1,629,634 patient hours of supervised exercise. Cardiovascular complications were reported as nonfatal or fatal and included cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and other. A total of 50 cardiac arrests were observed during exercise, 42 of which were successfully resuscitated while eight were fatal. Seven myocardial infarctions were reported; five were nonfatal and two were fatal. Four other fatalities were reported due to acute cardiopulmonary disorders. The average complication rate for all programs was one nonfatal and one fatal event every 34,673 and 116,402 patient hours of participation, respectively. Complication rates are lower in programs which continuously monitor the electrocardiogram during exercise and are lower when only the experience since 1970 is evaluated. These data support the recommendation that medically prescribed and supervised exercise can be performed reasonably safely by medically selected cardiac patients.", "PMID": 639213} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12100", "title": "An ultrasound system for combined cardiac imaging and Doppler blood flow measurement in man.", "content": "An ultrasound instrument has been developed that combines a real-time cross-sectional imaging system and a spectrum analyzer-based Doppler velocimeter. This combination allows the Doppler sample volume to be superimposed on the cross-sectional image of the heart so that the sample volume can be located accurately. The same 2.2 MHz transducer utilized for cross-sectional imaging is stopped mechanically and quickly switched to transmit and receive the Doppler ultrasound signal. Preliminary experience in 20 young and adult normal subjects indicates that it is possible to place the Doppler sample volume in the proximal main pulmonary artery at a point where the sound beam and blood flow stream are parallel. Measurement of the distance from transducer to the sample volume and the peak blood flow velocities in the main pulmonary artery of normal subjects indicates that these quantities are within the measurement capabilities of the system. The ultimate goal of this device is to make measurements of volume blood flow in man noninvasively.", "contents": "An ultrasound system for combined cardiac imaging and Doppler blood flow measurement in man. An ultrasound instrument has been developed that combines a real-time cross-sectional imaging system and a spectrum analyzer-based Doppler velocimeter. This combination allows the Doppler sample volume to be superimposed on the cross-sectional image of the heart so that the sample volume can be located accurately. The same 2.2 MHz transducer utilized for cross-sectional imaging is stopped mechanically and quickly switched to transmit and receive the Doppler ultrasound signal. Preliminary experience in 20 young and adult normal subjects indicates that it is possible to place the Doppler sample volume in the proximal main pulmonary artery at a point where the sound beam and blood flow stream are parallel. Measurement of the distance from transducer to the sample volume and the peak blood flow velocities in the main pulmonary artery of normal subjects indicates that these quantities are within the measurement capabilities of the system. The ultimate goal of this device is to make measurements of volume blood flow in man noninvasively.", "PMID": 639214} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12101", "title": "Transcutaneous doppler jugular venous flow velocity recording.", "content": "Transcutaneous bidirectional Doppler jugular venous flow velocity patterns were classified and correlated in 82 patients with right heart hemodynamics. The normal forward flow pattern was biphasic with systolic flow (Sf) greater than the diastolic flow (Df). With rare exceptions, flow patterns of Sf = Df, Sf is less than Df and Df alone indicated abnormal right heart hemodynamics. Abnormal flow patterns (Sf = Df and Sf is less than Df) seen in post cardiac surgery states, and in some rare patients with severe mitral regurgitation despite normal right-sided pressures, were probably secondary to postoperative change in right atrial compliance in the former and to a Bernheim effect in the latter. The most common cause of retrograde systolic flow in the absence of atrioventricular dissociation was tricuspid regurgitation. Persistent retrograde end-diastolic flow with normal forward flow was associated with high right atrial \"a\" wave pressures, indicating significant decrease in right ventricular compliance with a vigorous atrial contraction. The study clearly established that the jugular venous flow velocity pattern truly reflected derangements in the right heart hemodynamics, irrespective of the underlying etiology. The applicability to bedside evaluation of the jugular venous pulse and the right heart hemodynamics is emphasized.", "contents": "Transcutaneous doppler jugular venous flow velocity recording. Transcutaneous bidirectional Doppler jugular venous flow velocity patterns were classified and correlated in 82 patients with right heart hemodynamics. The normal forward flow pattern was biphasic with systolic flow (Sf) greater than the diastolic flow (Df). With rare exceptions, flow patterns of Sf = Df, Sf is less than Df and Df alone indicated abnormal right heart hemodynamics. Abnormal flow patterns (Sf = Df and Sf is less than Df) seen in post cardiac surgery states, and in some rare patients with severe mitral regurgitation despite normal right-sided pressures, were probably secondary to postoperative change in right atrial compliance in the former and to a Bernheim effect in the latter. The most common cause of retrograde systolic flow in the absence of atrioventricular dissociation was tricuspid regurgitation. Persistent retrograde end-diastolic flow with normal forward flow was associated with high right atrial \"a\" wave pressures, indicating significant decrease in right ventricular compliance with a vigorous atrial contraction. The study clearly established that the jugular venous flow velocity pattern truly reflected derangements in the right heart hemodynamics, irrespective of the underlying etiology. The applicability to bedside evaluation of the jugular venous pulse and the right heart hemodynamics is emphasized.", "PMID": 639215} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12102", "title": "The prognostic spectrum of left main stenosis.", "content": "Three-year survival for 163 consecutive medically treated patients with 50% or greater left main stenosis was 50%. Survival was significantly higher for patients with 50 to 70% left main stenosis (one and three-year survivals of 91% and 66%) than for patients with 70% or greater left main stenosis (one and three-year survivals of 72% and 41%). In fact, left main lesions of less than 70% were not associated with the increased risk usually attributed to patients with left main stenosis. A number of noninvasive and catheterization characteristics were significant predictors of survival for patients with 70% or greater left main stenosis. Noninvasive descriptors defined a low risk subgroup (one and three-year survivals of 97% and 74%) and a high risk subgroup (one- and three-year survivals of 59% and 25%). These observations have important implications both in assessing therapeutic interventions and in managing individual patients.", "contents": "The prognostic spectrum of left main stenosis. Three-year survival for 163 consecutive medically treated patients with 50% or greater left main stenosis was 50%. Survival was significantly higher for patients with 50 to 70% left main stenosis (one and three-year survivals of 91% and 66%) than for patients with 70% or greater left main stenosis (one and three-year survivals of 72% and 41%). In fact, left main lesions of less than 70% were not associated with the increased risk usually attributed to patients with left main stenosis. A number of noninvasive and catheterization characteristics were significant predictors of survival for patients with 70% or greater left main stenosis. Noninvasive descriptors defined a low risk subgroup (one and three-year survivals of 97% and 74%) and a high risk subgroup (one- and three-year survivals of 59% and 25%). These observations have important implications both in assessing therapeutic interventions and in managing individual patients.", "PMID": 639216} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12103", "title": "Exercise-induced reduction in myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion in the rat.", "content": "Chronic exercise (E) has been thought to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system by increasing energy production and utilization, improving myocardial contractility and increasing myocardial vascularity; whether or not any of these effects are beneficial to ischemic myocardium is uncertain. In this study, rats were forced to swim one hr/day, 5 days/wk for 5 weeks. They were sacrificed and the myocardial capillary bed was perfused with carbon black. Using a calibrated eyepiece grid, histologic sections of heart were examined to determine capillary/fiber ratios (C/F) and myocardial fiber diameter. C/F was increased by 30% in E rats [0.87 +/- 0.06 (mean +/- SE) (N = 4 rats)] when compared with sedentary controls (C) [0.67 +/- 0.04 (N = 4 rats), P is less than 0.05]. This training effect occurred in the absence of hypertrophy since there were no differences in ventricular weight (1.21 +/- 0.04 mg in E rats vs 1.16 +/- 0.03 mg in C rats) or in fiber diameter (13.0 +/- 0.2 mu in E rats vs 13.1 +/- 0.2 mu in C rats) in the two groups. An additional 27 E rats and 25 C rats underwent left coronary artery occlusion and were sacrificed 48 hr later. Myocardial infarct size was measured by planimetry of histologic sections of serial slices of left ventricle (LV). In the 27 E rats, 21.5 +/- 1.9% of the LV was infarcted compared with 31.3 +/- 2.6% in the 25 C rats (P is less than 0.005). Thus, infarct size was reduced by 30% in E rats. In the rat, exercise results in a reduction of myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion which, at least in part, may be related to increased myocardial vascularity.", "contents": "Exercise-induced reduction in myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion in the rat. Chronic exercise (E) has been thought to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system by increasing energy production and utilization, improving myocardial contractility and increasing myocardial vascularity; whether or not any of these effects are beneficial to ischemic myocardium is uncertain. In this study, rats were forced to swim one hr/day, 5 days/wk for 5 weeks. They were sacrificed and the myocardial capillary bed was perfused with carbon black. Using a calibrated eyepiece grid, histologic sections of heart were examined to determine capillary/fiber ratios (C/F) and myocardial fiber diameter. C/F was increased by 30% in E rats [0.87 +/- 0.06 (mean +/- SE) (N = 4 rats)] when compared with sedentary controls (C) [0.67 +/- 0.04 (N = 4 rats), P is less than 0.05]. This training effect occurred in the absence of hypertrophy since there were no differences in ventricular weight (1.21 +/- 0.04 mg in E rats vs 1.16 +/- 0.03 mg in C rats) or in fiber diameter (13.0 +/- 0.2 mu in E rats vs 13.1 +/- 0.2 mu in C rats) in the two groups. An additional 27 E rats and 25 C rats underwent left coronary artery occlusion and were sacrificed 48 hr later. Myocardial infarct size was measured by planimetry of histologic sections of serial slices of left ventricle (LV). In the 27 E rats, 21.5 +/- 1.9% of the LV was infarcted compared with 31.3 +/- 2.6% in the 25 C rats (P is less than 0.005). Thus, infarct size was reduced by 30% in E rats. In the rat, exercise results in a reduction of myocardial infarct size after coronary artery occlusion which, at least in part, may be related to increased myocardial vascularity.", "PMID": 639217} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12104", "title": "The bruit of carotid stenosis versus radiated basal heart murmurs. Differentiation by phonoangiography.", "content": "Phonoangiography, quantitative analysis of arterial bruits, has been shown to provide accurate noninvasive diagnosis of uncomplicated carotid arterial stenosis, but had not been tested where cervical bruits from other sources were present. In this study, 27 carotid bruits in 15 consecutive patients with carotid bruits and basal heart murmurs were analyzed by phonoangiography. Tape recordings were made over the base of the heart and along the course of the carotid arteries in the neck; spectral analysis was performed as previously described. The spectral shape of the basal heart murmurs was recognizable and amplitude decreased with distance from the heart, althouth a secondary, lower amplitude, maximum often occurred over the carotid bifurcation. Intrinsic carotid bruits, by contrast, were always maximal over the bifurcation, and although they radiated both proximally and distally, were not detectable over the chest wall. In quantitative terms, the correct diagnosis as to the presence and extent of carotid stenosis was made in 25 of 27 cases (92%) despite the presence of a radiated murmur. Phonoangiography is capable of accurate differentiation of radiated murmurs from intrinsic carotid bruits and of quantitation of the latter even in the presence of radiated sounds.", "contents": "The bruit of carotid stenosis versus radiated basal heart murmurs. Differentiation by phonoangiography. Phonoangiography, quantitative analysis of arterial bruits, has been shown to provide accurate noninvasive diagnosis of uncomplicated carotid arterial stenosis, but had not been tested where cervical bruits from other sources were present. In this study, 27 carotid bruits in 15 consecutive patients with carotid bruits and basal heart murmurs were analyzed by phonoangiography. Tape recordings were made over the base of the heart and along the course of the carotid arteries in the neck; spectral analysis was performed as previously described. The spectral shape of the basal heart murmurs was recognizable and amplitude decreased with distance from the heart, althouth a secondary, lower amplitude, maximum often occurred over the carotid bifurcation. Intrinsic carotid bruits, by contrast, were always maximal over the bifurcation, and although they radiated both proximally and distally, were not detectable over the chest wall. In quantitative terms, the correct diagnosis as to the presence and extent of carotid stenosis was made in 25 of 27 cases (92%) despite the presence of a radiated murmur. Phonoangiography is capable of accurate differentiation of radiated murmurs from intrinsic carotid bruits and of quantitation of the latter even in the presence of radiated sounds.", "PMID": 639219} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12105", "title": "Long-term mitral valve replacement in young children. Influence of somatic growth on prosthetic valve adequacy.", "content": "Long-term clinical and laboratory findings in three children who required mitral valve replacement below age four years are reported. In each instance a second valve replacement was necessary approximately 8 1/2 years after the initial one, following a two and one-half fold increase in body weight. Inadequate mitral valve orifice size was found in each instance, producing a hemodynamic picture equivalent to mitral stenosis: congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation. A second valve was placed without mortality in each instance and relieved the mitral valve obstruction. Pulmonary vascular resistance increased postoperatively in two patients and failed to decrease in the third. Pulmonary arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy persisted as long as 13 to 37 months after the second valve placement in all patients. The consequences of increasing body size and the long-term interposition of a rigid prosthesis in a growing heart introduce additional complications to mitral valve replacement in childhood. Frequent hemodynamic observations and the use of a prosthesis other than the ball-cage variety is recommended for improved management.", "contents": "Long-term mitral valve replacement in young children. Influence of somatic growth on prosthetic valve adequacy. Long-term clinical and laboratory findings in three children who required mitral valve replacement below age four years are reported. In each instance a second valve replacement was necessary approximately 8 1/2 years after the initial one, following a two and one-half fold increase in body weight. Inadequate mitral valve orifice size was found in each instance, producing a hemodynamic picture equivalent to mitral stenosis: congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation. A second valve was placed without mortality in each instance and relieved the mitral valve obstruction. Pulmonary vascular resistance increased postoperatively in two patients and failed to decrease in the third. Pulmonary arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy persisted as long as 13 to 37 months after the second valve placement in all patients. The consequences of increasing body size and the long-term interposition of a rigid prosthesis in a growing heart introduce additional complications to mitral valve replacement in childhood. Frequent hemodynamic observations and the use of a prosthesis other than the ball-cage variety is recommended for improved management.", "PMID": 639220} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12106", "title": "The murmur of pulmonic regurgitation in tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonic valve.", "content": "Absent pulmonic valve (APV) in tetralogy of Fallot produces a pulmonic regurgitation murmur (PRM) which is usually late in onset after A2, low pitched, and of crescendo-decrescendo character. We have seen three adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot with APV and have done intracardiac sound and pressure studies in two. The PRM was loudest in the RV outflow tract (RVOT), where the onset was earlier than the murmur recorded on the chest wall. The crescendo portion of the PRM occurred during an abnormally slow decline in the RVOT pressure pulse after the crossover of PA and RVOT pressures. The RVOT pressure reached its minimum 30 msec after the RV body pressure, resulting in a pressure gradient between the two. The PRM peaked 30 msec later in the RV body than in the RVOT. The delayed precordial onset of the PRM after A2 is likely due to failure of transmission of early vibrations through the chest wall. The morphology of the PRM in tetralogy of Fallot with APV may be related to delayed relaxation with altered diastolic compliance of the RVOT which is subjected to a large regurgitant volume from the massively dilated pulmonary arteries.", "contents": "The murmur of pulmonic regurgitation in tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonic valve. Absent pulmonic valve (APV) in tetralogy of Fallot produces a pulmonic regurgitation murmur (PRM) which is usually late in onset after A2, low pitched, and of crescendo-decrescendo character. We have seen three adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot with APV and have done intracardiac sound and pressure studies in two. The PRM was loudest in the RV outflow tract (RVOT), where the onset was earlier than the murmur recorded on the chest wall. The crescendo portion of the PRM occurred during an abnormally slow decline in the RVOT pressure pulse after the crossover of PA and RVOT pressures. The RVOT pressure reached its minimum 30 msec after the RV body pressure, resulting in a pressure gradient between the two. The PRM peaked 30 msec later in the RV body than in the RVOT. The delayed precordial onset of the PRM after A2 is likely due to failure of transmission of early vibrations through the chest wall. The morphology of the PRM in tetralogy of Fallot with APV may be related to delayed relaxation with altered diastolic compliance of the RVOT which is subjected to a large regurgitant volume from the massively dilated pulmonary arteries.", "PMID": 639221} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12107", "title": "Right and left ventricular volume characteristics in common atrioventricular canal.", "content": "Right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular volume characteristics were determined from biplane cineangiography in 29 patients with atrioventricular canal (AVC). The patients were classified into two groups: group I (N = 19), uncomplicated AVC; group II (N = 10), AVC associated with RV obstruction. In group I, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) [177 +/- 9 (SEM)% of normal] and RVEDV (125 +/- 9%) both were greater than normal (P is less than 0.001 and less than 0.01, respectively). LV ejection fraction (EF) was decreased (0.59 +/- 0.02, P is less than 0.001) but RVEF was normal (0.58 +/- 0.03). LV stroke volume index (SVI) was increased (48 +/- 3 ml/m2, P is less than 0.005), and RVSVI was normal (34 +/- 3 ml/m2). One patient had a markedly small RVEDV (45%). In group II, LVEDV and RVEDV were not different from normal (119 +/- 11% and 97 +/- 15%, respectively). LVEF was depressed (0.52 +/- 0.04, P is less than 0.001) and RVEF was normal (0.55 +/- 0.05). LVSVI was normal (38 +/- 5 ml/m2) and RVSVI was slightly decreased (29 +/- 4 ml/m2, P is less than 0.025). Two patients had a markedly small RVEDV (31%, 55%). EDV correlated with the pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (LV, r = 0.71; RV, r = 0.68). The data show that in most patients with AVC, LV and RV are enlarged in the uncomplicated form but not in the form with RV obstruction. LV function is more compromised than RV in both groups. RV hypoplasia is rare but was documented in both uncomplicated forms and forms with RV obstruction.", "contents": "Right and left ventricular volume characteristics in common atrioventricular canal. Right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular volume characteristics were determined from biplane cineangiography in 29 patients with atrioventricular canal (AVC). The patients were classified into two groups: group I (N = 19), uncomplicated AVC; group II (N = 10), AVC associated with RV obstruction. In group I, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) [177 +/- 9 (SEM)% of normal] and RVEDV (125 +/- 9%) both were greater than normal (P is less than 0.001 and less than 0.01, respectively). LV ejection fraction (EF) was decreased (0.59 +/- 0.02, P is less than 0.001) but RVEF was normal (0.58 +/- 0.03). LV stroke volume index (SVI) was increased (48 +/- 3 ml/m2, P is less than 0.005), and RVSVI was normal (34 +/- 3 ml/m2). One patient had a markedly small RVEDV (45%). In group II, LVEDV and RVEDV were not different from normal (119 +/- 11% and 97 +/- 15%, respectively). LVEF was depressed (0.52 +/- 0.04, P is less than 0.001) and RVEF was normal (0.55 +/- 0.05). LVSVI was normal (38 +/- 5 ml/m2) and RVSVI was slightly decreased (29 +/- 4 ml/m2, P is less than 0.025). Two patients had a markedly small RVEDV (31%, 55%). EDV correlated with the pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (LV, r = 0.71; RV, r = 0.68). The data show that in most patients with AVC, LV and RV are enlarged in the uncomplicated form but not in the form with RV obstruction. LV function is more compromised than RV in both groups. RV hypoplasia is rare but was documented in both uncomplicated forms and forms with RV obstruction.", "PMID": 639222} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12108", "title": "Total effective compliance, cardiac output and fluid volumes in essential hypertension.", "content": "Total effective compliance, hemodynamic parameters, extracellular fluid volume, cardiopulmonary (CPBV) and total blood (TBV) volumes were determined in 32 men, including 14 normotensive controls and 18 sustained essential hypertensive patients. The effective compliance was calculated from the changes in central venous pressure recorded simultaneously with the changes in blood volume obtained after a rapid Dextran infusion. In normotensive controls, compliance was 2.08 +/- 0.09 ml/mm Hg/kg and was positively correlated with plasma (r = 0.79) and extracellular fluid (r = 0.84) volumes. In hypertensives, compliance was significantly reduced (1.49 +/- 0.06 ml/mm Hg/kg; P is less than 0.001) and was correlated negatively with the CPBV/TBV ratio (r = -0.75) and positively with the plasma volume/interstitial fluid volume ratio (r = 0.84). These results suggest that in normotensives, there is a regulatory mechanism between volume and compliance and that this contributes to maintaining filling pressure and cardiac output within normal ranges. In hypertensives, the reduced compliance could participate in the maintenance of normal values of cardiac output and extracellular fluid volume by influencing the partition of intravascular and extracellular fluid volumes.", "contents": "Total effective compliance, cardiac output and fluid volumes in essential hypertension. Total effective compliance, hemodynamic parameters, extracellular fluid volume, cardiopulmonary (CPBV) and total blood (TBV) volumes were determined in 32 men, including 14 normotensive controls and 18 sustained essential hypertensive patients. The effective compliance was calculated from the changes in central venous pressure recorded simultaneously with the changes in blood volume obtained after a rapid Dextran infusion. In normotensive controls, compliance was 2.08 +/- 0.09 ml/mm Hg/kg and was positively correlated with plasma (r = 0.79) and extracellular fluid (r = 0.84) volumes. In hypertensives, compliance was significantly reduced (1.49 +/- 0.06 ml/mm Hg/kg; P is less than 0.001) and was correlated negatively with the CPBV/TBV ratio (r = -0.75) and positively with the plasma volume/interstitial fluid volume ratio (r = 0.84). These results suggest that in normotensives, there is a regulatory mechanism between volume and compliance and that this contributes to maintaining filling pressure and cardiac output within normal ranges. In hypertensives, the reduced compliance could participate in the maintenance of normal values of cardiac output and extracellular fluid volume by influencing the partition of intravascular and extracellular fluid volumes.", "PMID": 639223} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12109", "title": "Lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme determination in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "Lactic dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes were determined by a rapid, simple technique and their utility in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was evaluated. LD isoenzymes were separated by ion-exchange column chromatography using DEAE-Sephadex. The cardiac fractions (LD-1 and LD-2) were measured separately on an Abbott ABA-100 analyzer and ratio of LD isoenzyme 1 to LD isoenzyme 2 (LD1:2) calculated. Daily serum samples were obtained from 100 patients selected only for a history of chest pain of abrupt onset. In 47 patients whose diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction (AMI), confirmed by typical clinical presentation and typical rise in cardiac-specific creatine kinase isoenzyme (MB(, peak LD1:2 ranged from 0.77 to 2.26. In 44 patients without AMI, peak LD1:2 ranged from 0.25 to 0.76. In two patients with electrocardiographic changes chest pain occurred two and five days previously; there was no rise in MB, but LD1:2 was elevated. Four patients with small AMI had no rise in LD1:2. Three more patients (one with active hemolysis) had false positive results. Thus, there was a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 97% when the cut-off point was LD1:2 = 0.76. LD1:2 is not quite as sensitive or specific as MD, but the ratio allows for the diagnosis of infarction in cases where MB has already returned to normal.", "contents": "Lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme determination in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Lactic dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes were determined by a rapid, simple technique and their utility in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was evaluated. LD isoenzymes were separated by ion-exchange column chromatography using DEAE-Sephadex. The cardiac fractions (LD-1 and LD-2) were measured separately on an Abbott ABA-100 analyzer and ratio of LD isoenzyme 1 to LD isoenzyme 2 (LD1:2) calculated. Daily serum samples were obtained from 100 patients selected only for a history of chest pain of abrupt onset. In 47 patients whose diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction (AMI), confirmed by typical clinical presentation and typical rise in cardiac-specific creatine kinase isoenzyme (MB(, peak LD1:2 ranged from 0.77 to 2.26. In 44 patients without AMI, peak LD1:2 ranged from 0.25 to 0.76. In two patients with electrocardiographic changes chest pain occurred two and five days previously; there was no rise in MB, but LD1:2 was elevated. Four patients with small AMI had no rise in LD1:2. Three more patients (one with active hemolysis) had false positive results. Thus, there was a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 97% when the cut-off point was LD1:2 = 0.76. LD1:2 is not quite as sensitive or specific as MD, but the ratio allows for the diagnosis of infarction in cases where MB has already returned to normal.", "PMID": 639224} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12110", "title": "Nonuniform cardiac sympathetic nerve discharge: mechanism for coronary occlusion and digitalis-induced arrhythmia.", "content": "This study examined nonuniform postganglionic cardiac sympathetic neural discharge as a possible mechanism involved in the production of coronary occlusion or ouabain-induced arrhythmias. After acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 12 cats, anesthetized with alpha-chloralose and pretreated with atropine, arrhythmia occurred within 3 min in eight animals; three of these died in ventricular fibrillation. In recordings from 15 nerves in the eight animals with arrhythmia, spontaneous discharge increased in nine nerves, decreased in five nerves, and showed no change in one nerve. This nonuniform neural discharge was associated with the development of arrhythmia after occlusion. In four of the cats, neural discharge did not change within the first 3 min after coronary artery occlusion and arrhythmia did not occur. Development of ouabain-induced arrhythmia was accompanied by a nonuniform pattern in the neural discharge (13 cats). This discharge may alter ventricular excitation and conduction to produce arrhythmia.", "contents": "Nonuniform cardiac sympathetic nerve discharge: mechanism for coronary occlusion and digitalis-induced arrhythmia. This study examined nonuniform postganglionic cardiac sympathetic neural discharge as a possible mechanism involved in the production of coronary occlusion or ouabain-induced arrhythmias. After acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 12 cats, anesthetized with alpha-chloralose and pretreated with atropine, arrhythmia occurred within 3 min in eight animals; three of these died in ventricular fibrillation. In recordings from 15 nerves in the eight animals with arrhythmia, spontaneous discharge increased in nine nerves, decreased in five nerves, and showed no change in one nerve. This nonuniform neural discharge was associated with the development of arrhythmia after occlusion. In four of the cats, neural discharge did not change within the first 3 min after coronary artery occlusion and arrhythmia did not occur. Development of ouabain-induced arrhythmia was accompanied by a nonuniform pattern in the neural discharge (13 cats). This discharge may alter ventricular excitation and conduction to produce arrhythmia.", "PMID": 639225} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12111", "title": "Comparison of the electrocardiographic changes induced by maximam exercise testing with treadmill and cycle ergometer.", "content": "Maximum exercise testing using treadmill walking and cycle ergometry was compared in 40 male patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction in the preceeding twelve months. Maximum oxygen uptake was on average 17% greater in the treadmill than the cycle test and maximum heart rate was also higher, but the rate pressure product (RPP) was a similar due to a higher blood pressure in the cycle ergometer test. Eleven subjects showe ST-segment depression greater than 1 min and eight subjects showed ST-segment elevation greater than 1 mm. There was a close relationship (r2 = 0.96) between the magnitude of ST-segment changes in the two tests. Four subjects showing ST depression of 1 mm in the treadmill test showed depression during the cycle ergometer test which was less than this conventionally \"positive\" value. In these subjects RPP was lower during cycling than in treadmill walking. With both tests maximum ST-segment changes were measured immediately on stopping exercise: resolution of ST depression was more rapid than ST elevation. The two exercise testing modes are closely comparable in their ability to reveal changes of myocardial ischemia.", "contents": "Comparison of the electrocardiographic changes induced by maximam exercise testing with treadmill and cycle ergometer. Maximum exercise testing using treadmill walking and cycle ergometry was compared in 40 male patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction in the preceeding twelve months. Maximum oxygen uptake was on average 17% greater in the treadmill than the cycle test and maximum heart rate was also higher, but the rate pressure product (RPP) was a similar due to a higher blood pressure in the cycle ergometer test. Eleven subjects showe ST-segment depression greater than 1 min and eight subjects showed ST-segment elevation greater than 1 mm. There was a close relationship (r2 = 0.96) between the magnitude of ST-segment changes in the two tests. Four subjects showing ST depression of 1 mm in the treadmill test showed depression during the cycle ergometer test which was less than this conventionally \"positive\" value. In these subjects RPP was lower during cycling than in treadmill walking. With both tests maximum ST-segment changes were measured immediately on stopping exercise: resolution of ST depression was more rapid than ST elevation. The two exercise testing modes are closely comparable in their ability to reveal changes of myocardial ischemia.", "PMID": 639226} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12112", "title": "QT interval prolongation as predictor of sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction.", "content": "Fifty-five patients with recent myocardial infarction and 55 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, race, height, weight, education and job, had an electrocardiogram taken every two months for seven years. Twenty-eight patients and one control had a sudden cardiac death. The QTc (mean of all values recorded) was found prolonged in one control (2%), five of 27 surviving patients (18%) and in 16 of 28 patients who had sudden death (57%). The difference between surviving and sudden death patients is significant (P less than 0.01). It is interesting that the only control with a long QT was the one when died suddenly of myocardial infarction. Among patients with previous myocardial infarction a prolonged QTc constitutes a 2.16 times greater risk for sudden death. We conclude that a constant prolongation of QTc in patients with myocardial infarction may help, with other risk factors, in defining a subgroup at higher risk for sudden death.", "contents": "QT interval prolongation as predictor of sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction. Fifty-five patients with recent myocardial infarction and 55 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, race, height, weight, education and job, had an electrocardiogram taken every two months for seven years. Twenty-eight patients and one control had a sudden cardiac death. The QTc (mean of all values recorded) was found prolonged in one control (2%), five of 27 surviving patients (18%) and in 16 of 28 patients who had sudden death (57%). The difference between surviving and sudden death patients is significant (P less than 0.01). It is interesting that the only control with a long QT was the one when died suddenly of myocardial infarction. Among patients with previous myocardial infarction a prolonged QTc constitutes a 2.16 times greater risk for sudden death. We conclude that a constant prolongation of QTc in patients with myocardial infarction may help, with other risk factors, in defining a subgroup at higher risk for sudden death.", "PMID": 639227} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12113", "title": "Right ventricular ejection fraction in patients with acute anterior and inferior myocardial infarction assessed by radionuclide angiography.", "content": "We measured right and left ventricular ejection fracttion (EF) from high frequency time-activity curves obtained during the initial passage of an intravenous bolus of 99mTc (Sn) pyrophosphate. In 22 normal controls right ventricular EF averaged 0.52 +/- 0.04 (SD). In 24 acute anterior or lateral infarction patients right ventricular EF was normal (0.56 +/- 0.10), while left ventricular EF was reduced (0.45 +/- 0.10, P less than 0.001 vs controls). In 19 acute inferior infarction patients left ventricular EF also was depressed (0.51 +/- 0.09, P less than 0.001 vs controls). Among 7 of 19 inferior infarction patients with right ventricular by scintigraphy, right ventricular EF was reduced (0.39 +/- 0.05; P less than 0.001 vs normals; P less than 0.01 vs inferior infarction patients without right ventricular involvement). In the latter group right ventricular EF averaged 0.51 +/- 0.10 (NS vs normals). We conclude 1) a single injection of 99mTc (Sn) pyrophosphate can identify right and left ventricular dysfunction and infarct location in acute myocardial infarction, 2) right ventricular EF is well-preserved except when inferior infarction involves the right ventricle.", "contents": "Right ventricular ejection fraction in patients with acute anterior and inferior myocardial infarction assessed by radionuclide angiography. We measured right and left ventricular ejection fracttion (EF) from high frequency time-activity curves obtained during the initial passage of an intravenous bolus of 99mTc (Sn) pyrophosphate. In 22 normal controls right ventricular EF averaged 0.52 +/- 0.04 (SD). In 24 acute anterior or lateral infarction patients right ventricular EF was normal (0.56 +/- 0.10), while left ventricular EF was reduced (0.45 +/- 0.10, P less than 0.001 vs controls). In 19 acute inferior infarction patients left ventricular EF also was depressed (0.51 +/- 0.09, P less than 0.001 vs controls). Among 7 of 19 inferior infarction patients with right ventricular by scintigraphy, right ventricular EF was reduced (0.39 +/- 0.05; P less than 0.001 vs normals; P less than 0.01 vs inferior infarction patients without right ventricular involvement). In the latter group right ventricular EF averaged 0.51 +/- 0.10 (NS vs normals). We conclude 1) a single injection of 99mTc (Sn) pyrophosphate can identify right and left ventricular dysfunction and infarct location in acute myocardial infarction, 2) right ventricular EF is well-preserved except when inferior infarction involves the right ventricle.", "PMID": 639228} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12114", "title": "Reduction of enzyme levels by propranolol after acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "The effect of propranolol (0.1 mg/kg intravenously followed by 320 mg given over 27 hour orally) on serum levels of creatine kinase enzyme was studied in a randomized trial involving 95 patients seen within 12 hours of onset of symptoms of uncomplicated myocardial infarction. In 15 patients who were treated with propranolol within 4 hours of onset, and who eventually developed pathological Q waves, peak measured enzyme levels were 27% (P less than 0.0125) lower than in 19 control patients who were also seen within 4 hours of the onset but had no specific treatment. Total calculated enzyme appearance was also lower in the treated patients (reduced 25%, P less than 0.05) as was the calculated rate of the appearance (33%, P less than 0.005). No significant difference was found for treated compared with control patients entering the trial more than 4 hours after the onset of chest pain. This evidence suggests that propranolol may reduce the size of uncomplicated infarctions if it is given intravenously within 4 hours of the onset.", "contents": "Reduction of enzyme levels by propranolol after acute myocardial infarction. The effect of propranolol (0.1 mg/kg intravenously followed by 320 mg given over 27 hour orally) on serum levels of creatine kinase enzyme was studied in a randomized trial involving 95 patients seen within 12 hours of onset of symptoms of uncomplicated myocardial infarction. In 15 patients who were treated with propranolol within 4 hours of onset, and who eventually developed pathological Q waves, peak measured enzyme levels were 27% (P less than 0.0125) lower than in 19 control patients who were also seen within 4 hours of the onset but had no specific treatment. Total calculated enzyme appearance was also lower in the treated patients (reduced 25%, P less than 0.05) as was the calculated rate of the appearance (33%, P less than 0.005). No significant difference was found for treated compared with control patients entering the trial more than 4 hours after the onset of chest pain. This evidence suggests that propranolol may reduce the size of uncomplicated infarctions if it is given intravenously within 4 hours of the onset.", "PMID": 639229} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12115", "title": "Variability, reproducibility, and applications of precordial ST-segment mapping following acute myocardial infarction.", "content": "In 58 patients with uncomplicated acute anterior myocardial infarction, a mean decline in the sum of ST segments (sigmaST) of 34% was observed when comparing sigmaST values recorded at 3-6 hours with those recorded at 6-9 hours after the onset of symptoms (P less than 0.05). The mean absolute difference between 19 paired readings 1-2 hours apart was 2.9 +/- 3.0 mm and between 29 readings 2-4 hours apart 3.0 +/- 3.0 mm. However, the mean absolute difference between 38 paired readings 4-8 hours apart was 12.2 +/- 11.8 mm with a wide range of differences. Left ventricular failure and pericarditis were also associated with significantly higher sigmaST values. We conclude that there is a complex relationship between ST-segment elevation and a number of clinical factors during the first 48 hours after infarction. Nevertheless, precordial mapping remains a useful method for the evaluation of short-term (less than 4 hours) therapeutic interventions, if other relevant variables are unaltered and if carefully matched control groups are employed.", "contents": "Variability, reproducibility, and applications of precordial ST-segment mapping following acute myocardial infarction. In 58 patients with uncomplicated acute anterior myocardial infarction, a mean decline in the sum of ST segments (sigmaST) of 34% was observed when comparing sigmaST values recorded at 3-6 hours with those recorded at 6-9 hours after the onset of symptoms (P less than 0.05). The mean absolute difference between 19 paired readings 1-2 hours apart was 2.9 +/- 3.0 mm and between 29 readings 2-4 hours apart 3.0 +/- 3.0 mm. However, the mean absolute difference between 38 paired readings 4-8 hours apart was 12.2 +/- 11.8 mm with a wide range of differences. Left ventricular failure and pericarditis were also associated with significantly higher sigmaST values. We conclude that there is a complex relationship between ST-segment elevation and a number of clinical factors during the first 48 hours after infarction. Nevertheless, precordial mapping remains a useful method for the evaluation of short-term (less than 4 hours) therapeutic interventions, if other relevant variables are unaltered and if carefully matched control groups are employed.", "PMID": 639230} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12116", "title": "Antiarrhythmic drug effect mimicked by spontaneous variability of ventricular ectopy.", "content": "Twenty patients with frequent ventricular ectopic beats had a 5 1/2 hour ECG rhythm strip recorded. Individual patients showed a marked spontaneous variability from one half-hour to the next in the total number of ectopic beats (-99% to +1100%) and the occurrence of pairs or salvos. Although no patient received antiarrhythmic drugs, some patients showed a spontaneous change in arrhythmia which mimicked either drug suppression or drug-induced worsening of arrhythmias. If an antiarrhythmic drug had been given to these patients after the first half-hour, 65% would have been termed \"drug responders,\" using the criteria of 50% reduction in ectopic beats and elimination of pairs or salvos during any half-hour period in the subsequent three hours. Spontaneous variability in ventricular ectopic beats causes serious problems when using ECG monitoring to evaluate antiarrhythmic drug response in individual patients. The arrhythmias averaged for the entire group remained stable during the recording period. Evaluating antiarrhythmic drugs by examining group response rather than individual patient response minimizes the effect of spontaneous variability.", "contents": "Antiarrhythmic drug effect mimicked by spontaneous variability of ventricular ectopy. Twenty patients with frequent ventricular ectopic beats had a 5 1/2 hour ECG rhythm strip recorded. Individual patients showed a marked spontaneous variability from one half-hour to the next in the total number of ectopic beats (-99% to +1100%) and the occurrence of pairs or salvos. Although no patient received antiarrhythmic drugs, some patients showed a spontaneous change in arrhythmia which mimicked either drug suppression or drug-induced worsening of arrhythmias. If an antiarrhythmic drug had been given to these patients after the first half-hour, 65% would have been termed \"drug responders,\" using the criteria of 50% reduction in ectopic beats and elimination of pairs or salvos during any half-hour period in the subsequent three hours. Spontaneous variability in ventricular ectopic beats causes serious problems when using ECG monitoring to evaluate antiarrhythmic drug response in individual patients. The arrhythmias averaged for the entire group remained stable during the recording period. Evaluating antiarrhythmic drugs by examining group response rather than individual patient response minimizes the effect of spontaneous variability.", "PMID": 639231} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12117", "title": "An ultrastructural basis for electrocardiographic alterations associated with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy.", "content": "Electrocardiographic abnormalities were identified in 63 (84%) of 75 patients with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy. A tall R wave over V1 with an abnormal R/S ratio was seen in 64% of the patients, a deep and narrow Q wave greater than 4 mm over leads I, V5, and V6 in 44%, sinus tachycardia in 32% and right axis deviation in 16%. Other ECG abnormalities included an abnormal PV1 index in 14% of patients and a short P-R interval in 6%. Ultrastructural characteristics of the heart were determined for two patients with characteristic electrocardiographic abnormalities. Common to both hearts was a total loss of thick as well as thin myofilaments, which gave a \"moth-eaten\" appearance to the myofiber. This feature, combined with preservation of the transverse tubular system, formed the most characteristic ultrastructural finding and was seen most consistently in the posterobasal area of the left ventricle. Alterations of Z-band material; accumulation of mitochondria, occasionally containing electron-dense bodies and showing loss or discontinuity of cristae; dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum with striking ectasia of cisternae; depletion of glycogen particles; a paucity of lipoid or lipochrome granules; and the absence of virus-like particles were other consistent ultrastructural features. Comparison of skeletal and cardiac muscle disclosed identical subcellular changes. These observations support the contention that the distinctive ECG pattern associated with Duchenne's dystrophy results from multifocal degenerative changes involving myocardium, predominantly the posterobasal region of the left ventricle and the posterior papillary muscle.", "contents": "An ultrastructural basis for electrocardiographic alterations associated with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were identified in 63 (84%) of 75 patients with Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy. A tall R wave over V1 with an abnormal R/S ratio was seen in 64% of the patients, a deep and narrow Q wave greater than 4 mm over leads I, V5, and V6 in 44%, sinus tachycardia in 32% and right axis deviation in 16%. Other ECG abnormalities included an abnormal PV1 index in 14% of patients and a short P-R interval in 6%. Ultrastructural characteristics of the heart were determined for two patients with characteristic electrocardiographic abnormalities. Common to both hearts was a total loss of thick as well as thin myofilaments, which gave a \"moth-eaten\" appearance to the myofiber. This feature, combined with preservation of the transverse tubular system, formed the most characteristic ultrastructural finding and was seen most consistently in the posterobasal area of the left ventricle. Alterations of Z-band material; accumulation of mitochondria, occasionally containing electron-dense bodies and showing loss or discontinuity of cristae; dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum with striking ectasia of cisternae; depletion of glycogen particles; a paucity of lipoid or lipochrome granules; and the absence of virus-like particles were other consistent ultrastructural features. Comparison of skeletal and cardiac muscle disclosed identical subcellular changes. These observations support the contention that the distinctive ECG pattern associated with Duchenne's dystrophy results from multifocal degenerative changes involving myocardium, predominantly the posterobasal region of the left ventricle and the posterior papillary muscle.", "PMID": 639232} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12118", "title": "The posterior left atrial echocardiogram of mitral regurgitation.", "content": "The motion of the posterior wall of the normal left atrium has not been studied systematically. The superoposterior portion of the left atrium is adynamic throughout the cardiac cycle, whereas the inferoposterior portion is displaced posteriorly with left atrial filling during ventricular systole. In the present study, the left atrial diameter (LAD), the left atrial systolic motion (LASM) and the left atrial systolic velocity (LASV), were determined in the following groups of patients: 34 normals; eight patients with either coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis; six patients with aortic insufficiency; and three patients with ventricular septal defect. The results obtained were compared to 15 patients with angiographically documented mitral regurgitation. In the last group, the LAD (4.2 +/- .19 cm) and LASV (12.3 +/- 1.23 cm) and LASM (1.2 +/- 0.4 cm) were significantly greater reflecting the early accentuated filling of the left atrium induced by mitral regurgitation. As well, the product of these three parameters was greater in the mitral regurgitation group (63.2 +/- 7.34 cm3/sec) than in the other groups and patients with mild to moderate regurgitation had a significantly lower value than those with moderate to severe regurgitation (45.7 +/- 4.1 vs 78.5 +/- 10.9, P less than 0.02). The left atrial echocardiogram, therefore, is an aid in the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and provides a rough index of the severity of the lesion.", "contents": "The posterior left atrial echocardiogram of mitral regurgitation. The motion of the posterior wall of the normal left atrium has not been studied systematically. The superoposterior portion of the left atrium is adynamic throughout the cardiac cycle, whereas the inferoposterior portion is displaced posteriorly with left atrial filling during ventricular systole. In the present study, the left atrial diameter (LAD), the left atrial systolic motion (LASM) and the left atrial systolic velocity (LASV), were determined in the following groups of patients: 34 normals; eight patients with either coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis; six patients with aortic insufficiency; and three patients with ventricular septal defect. The results obtained were compared to 15 patients with angiographically documented mitral regurgitation. In the last group, the LAD (4.2 +/- .19 cm) and LASV (12.3 +/- 1.23 cm) and LASM (1.2 +/- 0.4 cm) were significantly greater reflecting the early accentuated filling of the left atrium induced by mitral regurgitation. As well, the product of these three parameters was greater in the mitral regurgitation group (63.2 +/- 7.34 cm3/sec) than in the other groups and patients with mild to moderate regurgitation had a significantly lower value than those with moderate to severe regurgitation (45.7 +/- 4.1 vs 78.5 +/- 10.9, P less than 0.02). The left atrial echocardiogram, therefore, is an aid in the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and provides a rough index of the severity of the lesion.", "PMID": 639234} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12119", "title": "Echocardiographic differentiation of partial and complete atrioventricular canal.", "content": "Retrospective examination of echocardiograms was performed in 34 patients with persistent atrioventricular (A-V) canal who had undergone cardiac catheterization. Characteristic findings in 16 patients with partial A-V canal were lack of continuity of mitral and tricuspid valves, paradoxical interventricular septal motion, definite E and A waves of the mitral valve anterior leaflet (MVAL) echoes and late systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Eighteen patients with persistent A-V canal had an interventricular communication and were classified as having the complete form. They characteristically had continuous mitral and tricuspid valves, normal interventricular septal motion, disorganized MVAL echoes, and normal systolic mitral valve motion. Combining these findings allowed differentiation of 31 of the 34 patients (91%) as having partial or complete A-V canal. Determining the presence of a VSD from loss of interventricular septal echoes was unsatisfactory. The severity of mitral insufficiency could not be estimated from echocardiograms of our patients with partial A-V canal.", "contents": "Echocardiographic differentiation of partial and complete atrioventricular canal. Retrospective examination of echocardiograms was performed in 34 patients with persistent atrioventricular (A-V) canal who had undergone cardiac catheterization. Characteristic findings in 16 patients with partial A-V canal were lack of continuity of mitral and tricuspid valves, paradoxical interventricular septal motion, definite E and A waves of the mitral valve anterior leaflet (MVAL) echoes and late systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Eighteen patients with persistent A-V canal had an interventricular communication and were classified as having the complete form. They characteristically had continuous mitral and tricuspid valves, normal interventricular septal motion, disorganized MVAL echoes, and normal systolic mitral valve motion. Combining these findings allowed differentiation of 31 of the 34 patients (91%) as having partial or complete A-V canal. Determining the presence of a VSD from loss of interventricular septal echoes was unsatisfactory. The severity of mitral insufficiency could not be estimated from echocardiograms of our patients with partial A-V canal.", "PMID": 639235} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12120", "title": "Echocardiographic estimation of pulmonary artery pressure in transposition of the great arteries.", "content": "To determine their usefulness in estimating pulmonary artery pressure, left ventricular systolic time intervals (STI) were determined by echocardiography in 65 patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (TGA). The STI were measured from recordings of pulmonary valve motion at 100 mm/sec paper speed. The pre-ejection period (PEP) and the ratio of PEP to left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) were directly related to pulmonary artery pressure. The strongest correlations were that between PEP/LVET and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (r = 0.70) and that between PEP/LVET and the ratio of mean pulmonary pressure to mean systemic pressure (r = 0.71). A value of PEP/LVET of less than 0.26 was consistently associated with pulmonary artery diastolic pressures of less than 20 mm Hg and, in 28 of 31 patients, pulmonary artery pressure less than one-third of mean systemic arterial pressure. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 18 of 22 patients with PEP/LVET of 0.30 or greater; elevated PEP/LVET was also present in four patients with abnormalities of cardiac rhythm or conduction, two of whom also had angiographic evidence of myocardial dysfunction.", "contents": "Echocardiographic estimation of pulmonary artery pressure in transposition of the great arteries. To determine their usefulness in estimating pulmonary artery pressure, left ventricular systolic time intervals (STI) were determined by echocardiography in 65 patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries (TGA). The STI were measured from recordings of pulmonary valve motion at 100 mm/sec paper speed. The pre-ejection period (PEP) and the ratio of PEP to left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) were directly related to pulmonary artery pressure. The strongest correlations were that between PEP/LVET and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (r = 0.70) and that between PEP/LVET and the ratio of mean pulmonary pressure to mean systemic pressure (r = 0.71). A value of PEP/LVET of less than 0.26 was consistently associated with pulmonary artery diastolic pressures of less than 20 mm Hg and, in 28 of 31 patients, pulmonary artery pressure less than one-third of mean systemic arterial pressure. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 18 of 22 patients with PEP/LVET of 0.30 or greater; elevated PEP/LVET was also present in four patients with abnormalities of cardiac rhythm or conduction, two of whom also had angiographic evidence of myocardial dysfunction.", "PMID": 639236} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12121", "title": "Echocardiographic features of the interventricular septum in chronic constrictive pericarditis.", "content": "Echocardiographic characteristics of the interventricular septum (IVS) have been studied in eight patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP). Values of septal thickening (ST) were clearly below normal in all cases. Interventricular septal systolic motion (IVSSM) was normal in four cases, hypokinetic in three and paradoxical in one. In seven out of the eight patients, an early interventricular septal diastolic motion (IVSDM) consisting of a sudden anterior displacement followed by a brisk posterior rebound was recorded. The beginning of this anomalous movement was coincident with the pericardial knock in the phonocardiogram and its peak was coincident with the simultaneously recorded deep \"y\" trough in the jugular pulse tracing. The tendency toward normality of IVSDM observed after pericardiectomy in six out of seven patients suggests that this peculiar interventricular septal systolic motion may be a frequent and probably specific echocardiographic finding in constrictive pericarditis.", "contents": "Echocardiographic features of the interventricular septum in chronic constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiographic characteristics of the interventricular septum (IVS) have been studied in eight patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP). Values of septal thickening (ST) were clearly below normal in all cases. Interventricular septal systolic motion (IVSSM) was normal in four cases, hypokinetic in three and paradoxical in one. In seven out of the eight patients, an early interventricular septal diastolic motion (IVSDM) consisting of a sudden anterior displacement followed by a brisk posterior rebound was recorded. The beginning of this anomalous movement was coincident with the pericardial knock in the phonocardiogram and its peak was coincident with the simultaneously recorded deep \"y\" trough in the jugular pulse tracing. The tendency toward normality of IVSDM observed after pericardiectomy in six out of seven patients suggests that this peculiar interventricular septal systolic motion may be a frequent and probably specific echocardiographic finding in constrictive pericarditis.", "PMID": 639237} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12122", "title": "Short-term intramuscular therapy with procaine penicillin plus streptomycin for infective endocarditis due to viridans streptococci.", "content": "Thirty-three patients with viridans streptococcal infective endocarditis were treated for two weeks with intramuscular procaine pencillin, 1.2 million units every 6 hours, plus streptomycin, 500 mg intramuscularly every 12 hours. Nine patients (27%) had infections with relatively penicillin-resistant microorganisms (MIC greater than 0.1 microgram/ml or MBC greater than or equal 3.12 microgram/ml). Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 3.5 years. There were no relapses; Mild vestibular toxicity developed in one patient. One patient died two months after completion of antimicrobial therapy from sudden onset of severe congestive heart failure; Seven patients required cardiac valve replacement after completion of antimicrobial therapy. None died. We believe that this therapeutic regimen is effective antimicrobial therapy for infective endocarditis caused by viridans streptococci, irrespective of in vitro microbiologic data.", "contents": "Short-term intramuscular therapy with procaine penicillin plus streptomycin for infective endocarditis due to viridans streptococci. Thirty-three patients with viridans streptococcal infective endocarditis were treated for two weeks with intramuscular procaine pencillin, 1.2 million units every 6 hours, plus streptomycin, 500 mg intramuscularly every 12 hours. Nine patients (27%) had infections with relatively penicillin-resistant microorganisms (MIC greater than 0.1 microgram/ml or MBC greater than or equal 3.12 microgram/ml). Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 3.5 years. There were no relapses; Mild vestibular toxicity developed in one patient. One patient died two months after completion of antimicrobial therapy from sudden onset of severe congestive heart failure; Seven patients required cardiac valve replacement after completion of antimicrobial therapy. None died. We believe that this therapeutic regimen is effective antimicrobial therapy for infective endocarditis caused by viridans streptococci, irrespective of in vitro microbiologic data.", "PMID": 639238} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12123", "title": "Impairment of antipyrine clearance in humans by propranolol.", "content": "The effect of propranolol on antipyrine clearance in humans was evaluated in six healthy volunteers who received single 1.4 to 1.5 g doses of intravenous antipyrine on two occasions. The first (control) antipyrine trial was without concurrent drug administration; the second trial was done during treatment with therapeutic doses of propranolol (40 mg every 4 to 6 hours). Antipyrine elimination half-life (t1/2), volume of distribution (Vd), and total clearance were determined after each trial. In all subjects isoproterenol sensitivity decreased markedly during propranolol treatment, indicating a high degree of beta blockade produced by the drug. Mean antipyrine t1/2 during the propranolol treatment period was significantly prolonged, and total clearance significantly reduced, over the control values. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of 4-hydroxyantipyrine, the major metabolite of antipyrine, likewise was reduced from 23.6% of the dose on the control trial to 14.8% of the dose during propranolol coadministration (0.1 less than P less than 0.2). Vd however, was nearly identical during both trials (0.62 L/kg). Thus propranolol prolongs the half-life and reduces the clearance or biotransformation rate of antipyrine, a drug whose clearance is independent of hepatic blood flow. Propranolol may influence the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes responsible for drug hydroxylation.", "contents": "Impairment of antipyrine clearance in humans by propranolol. The effect of propranolol on antipyrine clearance in humans was evaluated in six healthy volunteers who received single 1.4 to 1.5 g doses of intravenous antipyrine on two occasions. The first (control) antipyrine trial was without concurrent drug administration; the second trial was done during treatment with therapeutic doses of propranolol (40 mg every 4 to 6 hours). Antipyrine elimination half-life (t1/2), volume of distribution (Vd), and total clearance were determined after each trial. In all subjects isoproterenol sensitivity decreased markedly during propranolol treatment, indicating a high degree of beta blockade produced by the drug. Mean antipyrine t1/2 during the propranolol treatment period was significantly prolonged, and total clearance significantly reduced, over the control values. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of 4-hydroxyantipyrine, the major metabolite of antipyrine, likewise was reduced from 23.6% of the dose on the control trial to 14.8% of the dose during propranolol coadministration (0.1 less than P less than 0.2). Vd however, was nearly identical during both trials (0.62 L/kg). Thus propranolol prolongs the half-life and reduces the clearance or biotransformation rate of antipyrine, a drug whose clearance is independent of hepatic blood flow. Propranolol may influence the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymes responsible for drug hydroxylation.", "PMID": 639239} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12124", "title": "Pressor response to saralasin (1-sar-8-ala-angiotensin II) bolus injection in hypertensive patients.", "content": "A 10 mg bolus of the angiotensin blocker saralasin was injected 113 times in 68 subjects with essential or renovascular hypertension. Ninety percent of injections caused a transient increase in blood pressure, which correlated with plasma renin activity (PRA) (r = -0.54); Mean increase at 2 minutes was 21/13.4 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and was independent of pre-injection control blood pressure, with a rapid decrease to or below control values thereafter. Thirty-seven subjects were studied on successive days before and after furosemide-induced sodium depletion (152 +/- 26 mEq [SE] sodium loss). In the low renin group, sodium depletion did not change PRA or the magnitude of the pressor response to saralasin, but significantly decreased control MAP by 13 mm Hg (P less than 0.01). In normal and high renin patients, MAP was unchanged after diuresis, but PRA increased significantly and the pressor response was attenuated. The net effect of sodium depletion was to reduce the pressor response to saralasin in all renin subgroups by 9 to 12 mm Hg. Saralasin bolus injection, unlike infusion, saturates available vascular receptors only briefly, eliminating prolonged pressor responses.", "contents": "Pressor response to saralasin (1-sar-8-ala-angiotensin II) bolus injection in hypertensive patients. A 10 mg bolus of the angiotensin blocker saralasin was injected 113 times in 68 subjects with essential or renovascular hypertension. Ninety percent of injections caused a transient increase in blood pressure, which correlated with plasma renin activity (PRA) (r = -0.54); Mean increase at 2 minutes was 21/13.4 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and was independent of pre-injection control blood pressure, with a rapid decrease to or below control values thereafter. Thirty-seven subjects were studied on successive days before and after furosemide-induced sodium depletion (152 +/- 26 mEq [SE] sodium loss). In the low renin group, sodium depletion did not change PRA or the magnitude of the pressor response to saralasin, but significantly decreased control MAP by 13 mm Hg (P less than 0.01). In normal and high renin patients, MAP was unchanged after diuresis, but PRA increased significantly and the pressor response was attenuated. The net effect of sodium depletion was to reduce the pressor response to saralasin in all renin subgroups by 9 to 12 mm Hg. Saralasin bolus injection, unlike infusion, saturates available vascular receptors only briefly, eliminating prolonged pressor responses.", "PMID": 639240} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12125", "title": "Pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function in hypertension.", "content": "Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in 16 hypertensive subjects (group I) with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (ECG and echo criteria) and in 17 hypertensive subjects with ECG signs of LV strain (group II), were compared with those in 14 normal individuals. An augmented pulmonary arteriolar resistance (PAR) in group I and to a larger extent in group II accounted for the pulmonary pressure elevation in both groups. Increase in PAR was unrelated to pulmonary blood flow and volume, pleural pressure, arterial PO2, PCO2 and pH, and could not be explained entirely by the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure changes. In group I, left (L.MSEJR) and right (R;MSEJR) mean systolic ejection rate, stroke index (SI) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) were enhanced in spite of the heightened pressure load on both sides of the heart. In group II, a large reduction of SI, L.MS.EJR, R.MSEJR and VCF, as well as the relationship between ventricular filling pressures and SI, documented a compromised performance of both ventricles, Findings indicate that: systemic hypertension is associated with elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and of PAR which is not necessarily a consequence of impairment in LV function; LV hypertrophy is associated with enhanced performance of either ventricle; in coincidence with development of ECG signs of LV strain, the performance of both sides of the heart deteriorates. A functional interdependence of the two ventricles is suggested.", "contents": "Pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function in hypertension. Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in 16 hypertensive subjects (group I) with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (ECG and echo criteria) and in 17 hypertensive subjects with ECG signs of LV strain (group II), were compared with those in 14 normal individuals. An augmented pulmonary arteriolar resistance (PAR) in group I and to a larger extent in group II accounted for the pulmonary pressure elevation in both groups. Increase in PAR was unrelated to pulmonary blood flow and volume, pleural pressure, arterial PO2, PCO2 and pH, and could not be explained entirely by the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure changes. In group I, left (L.MSEJR) and right (R;MSEJR) mean systolic ejection rate, stroke index (SI) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) were enhanced in spite of the heightened pressure load on both sides of the heart. In group II, a large reduction of SI, L.MS.EJR, R.MSEJR and VCF, as well as the relationship between ventricular filling pressures and SI, documented a compromised performance of both ventricles, Findings indicate that: systemic hypertension is associated with elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and of PAR which is not necessarily a consequence of impairment in LV function; LV hypertrophy is associated with enhanced performance of either ventricle; in coincidence with development of ECG signs of LV strain, the performance of both sides of the heart deteriorates. A functional interdependence of the two ventricles is suggested.", "PMID": 639242} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12126", "title": "Alteration of the left ventricular diastolic pressure-segment length relation produced by the pericardium. Effects of cardiac distension and afterload reduction in conscious dogs.", "content": "Left ventricular pressure and segment length were measured in seven conscious chronically instrumented dogs with the pericardium intact and 3-9 days after pericardiectomy. Diastolic pressure-length plots were obtained under control conditions and after acute volume loading followed by sodium nitroprusside infusion. In all dogs with intact pericardium, volume loading displaced the entire diastolic pressure-length curve upwards and sodium nitroprusside shifted it toward control. After pericardiectomy the pressure-segment length data during control, volume loading and sodium nitroprusside fell on a single curve (intercepts and slopes not statistically different); After dextran infusion, intrapericardial pressure rose from control 1.5 +/- 0.7 mm Hg to 8.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, and it fell to 4.8 +/- 0.1 mm Hg after nitroprusside. Therefore, in acute cardiac dilatation the pericardium contributed significantly to the increased left ventricular diastolic pressure and to the fall during sodium nitroprusside infusion and appeared responsible for shifts in the diastolic pressure-segment length relation.", "contents": "Alteration of the left ventricular diastolic pressure-segment length relation produced by the pericardium. Effects of cardiac distension and afterload reduction in conscious dogs. Left ventricular pressure and segment length were measured in seven conscious chronically instrumented dogs with the pericardium intact and 3-9 days after pericardiectomy. Diastolic pressure-length plots were obtained under control conditions and after acute volume loading followed by sodium nitroprusside infusion. In all dogs with intact pericardium, volume loading displaced the entire diastolic pressure-length curve upwards and sodium nitroprusside shifted it toward control. After pericardiectomy the pressure-segment length data during control, volume loading and sodium nitroprusside fell on a single curve (intercepts and slopes not statistically different); After dextran infusion, intrapericardial pressure rose from control 1.5 +/- 0.7 mm Hg to 8.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, and it fell to 4.8 +/- 0.1 mm Hg after nitroprusside. Therefore, in acute cardiac dilatation the pericardium contributed significantly to the increased left ventricular diastolic pressure and to the fall during sodium nitroprusside infusion and appeared responsible for shifts in the diastolic pressure-segment length relation.", "PMID": 639243} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12127", "title": "Cardiac function in the normal newborn: additional information by computer analysis of the M-mode echocardiogram.", "content": "Computer analysis of the M-mode echocardiogram in 50 normal newborns provided measurements of wall thicknesses and chamber size and, in addition, assessment of right and left ventricular wall, septal, and cavity dynamics throughout the cardiac cycle. Data obtained with this new technique indicated that (1) right and left ventricular cavity functions are similar in the normal newborn, (2) right and left ventricular cavity filling and emptying vary directly with peak rates of septal and ventricular wall thinning and thickening, respectively, and (3) there is a close time relationship among maximum left atrial dimension, minimum left ventricular dimension, and mitral valve opening. This analysis, which is the first complete analysis of the echocardiogram in the newborn, provides a normal range of septal and ventricular wall dynamics as well as right and left ventricular and left atrial function and has clinical implications in that it may allow early recognition of both congenital and perinatal myocardial disease.", "contents": "Cardiac function in the normal newborn: additional information by computer analysis of the M-mode echocardiogram. Computer analysis of the M-mode echocardiogram in 50 normal newborns provided measurements of wall thicknesses and chamber size and, in addition, assessment of right and left ventricular wall, septal, and cavity dynamics throughout the cardiac cycle. Data obtained with this new technique indicated that (1) right and left ventricular cavity functions are similar in the normal newborn, (2) right and left ventricular cavity filling and emptying vary directly with peak rates of septal and ventricular wall thinning and thickening, respectively, and (3) there is a close time relationship among maximum left atrial dimension, minimum left ventricular dimension, and mitral valve opening. This analysis, which is the first complete analysis of the echocardiogram in the newborn, provides a normal range of septal and ventricular wall dynamics as well as right and left ventricular and left atrial function and has clinical implications in that it may allow early recognition of both congenital and perinatal myocardial disease.", "PMID": 639244} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12128", "title": "Clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic assessment of late results after Mustard operation.", "content": "Since 1974, late results of the Mustard procedure for correcting complete transposition of the great arteries have been evaluated by cardiac catheterization, electrocardiography, roentgenography, history, and physical examination of 48 Mayo Clinic patients. Of these, 15 were studied 1 month to 2 years postoperatively because of clinical deterioration. The other 33 had been asymptomatic but were asked to return for hemodynamic reevaluation one-half to 11 years postoperatively. Of the asymptomatic group, 19 underwent exercise electrocardiography prior to catheterization and eight performed supine exercise during catheterization. Cardiac catheterization proved the most effective mode of study. Significant cardiovascular abnormalities (caval obstruction, residual pulmonary stenosis, etc.) were found in 35 of the 47 patients--including 20 of the 33 who were asymptomatic. Eight of the symptomatic group and three of the others have died since this restudy. These poor results warrant renewed effort to devise better methods for correcting complete transposition,", "contents": "Clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic assessment of late results after Mustard operation. Since 1974, late results of the Mustard procedure for correcting complete transposition of the great arteries have been evaluated by cardiac catheterization, electrocardiography, roentgenography, history, and physical examination of 48 Mayo Clinic patients. Of these, 15 were studied 1 month to 2 years postoperatively because of clinical deterioration. The other 33 had been asymptomatic but were asked to return for hemodynamic reevaluation one-half to 11 years postoperatively. Of the asymptomatic group, 19 underwent exercise electrocardiography prior to catheterization and eight performed supine exercise during catheterization. Cardiac catheterization proved the most effective mode of study. Significant cardiovascular abnormalities (caval obstruction, residual pulmonary stenosis, etc.) were found in 35 of the 47 patients--including 20 of the 33 who were asymptomatic. Eight of the symptomatic group and three of the others have died since this restudy. These poor results warrant renewed effort to devise better methods for correcting complete transposition,", "PMID": 639245} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12129", "title": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXX. Observations on the pathophysiology of the long QT syndromes with special reference to the neuropathology of the heart.", "content": "Eight patients (different families) with syncopal attacks and a long QT interval in the ECG died suddenly. Five heard normally and three were born deaf. At postmortem examination of all eight hearts the single consistent abnormality was focal neuritis and neural degeneration within the sinus node, A-V node, His bundle and ventricular myocardium. Although the etiology of this intracardiac neural disease is uncertain, a chronic viral infection or some noninfectious degenerative process are among the plausible causes discussed. If intracardiac neuritis and neural degeneration prove to be a prevalent finding among other victims dying from the long QT syndromes, further consideration should be given to whether there is any genuine hereditary component in the pathogenesis. Because of the asymmetrical and focal distribution of the cardioneural lesions, the response to present forms of medical or surgical treatment of the lung QT syndromes may vary from benefit to harm. Until more is known of the true etiology of the neural disease, treatment will probably remain empirical in nature and should be conducted with cautious clinical observation.", "contents": "De subitaneis mortibus. XXX. Observations on the pathophysiology of the long QT syndromes with special reference to the neuropathology of the heart. Eight patients (different families) with syncopal attacks and a long QT interval in the ECG died suddenly. Five heard normally and three were born deaf. At postmortem examination of all eight hearts the single consistent abnormality was focal neuritis and neural degeneration within the sinus node, A-V node, His bundle and ventricular myocardium. Although the etiology of this intracardiac neural disease is uncertain, a chronic viral infection or some noninfectious degenerative process are among the plausible causes discussed. If intracardiac neuritis and neural degeneration prove to be a prevalent finding among other victims dying from the long QT syndromes, further consideration should be given to whether there is any genuine hereditary component in the pathogenesis. Because of the asymmetrical and focal distribution of the cardioneural lesions, the response to present forms of medical or surgical treatment of the lung QT syndromes may vary from benefit to harm. Until more is known of the true etiology of the neural disease, treatment will probably remain empirical in nature and should be conducted with cautious clinical observation.", "PMID": 639246} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12130", "title": "Method-specific variations in the calibration of a new immunoglobulin standard suitable for use in nephelometric techniques.", "content": "The putative International Federation of Clinical Chemistry immunoglobulin standard, IFCC 74/1, was calibrated against the World Health Organization (WHO) immunoglobulin standard 67/99 by three different methods: automated immunoprecipitation, Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis, and radial immunodiffusion. The same antisera were used in all the assays, which were performed in five expert laboratories. With the aid of linearizing transformations for the dilution curves of both materials and use of a carefully weighted statistical evaluation, values in International Units for IgG, IgA, and IgM were ascribed to IFCC 74/1. The values achieved by the three different methods were not statistically different, except in the case of IgA. IgM assays by automated immunoprecipitation were excluded owing to a high degree of imprecision.", "contents": "Method-specific variations in the calibration of a new immunoglobulin standard suitable for use in nephelometric techniques. The putative International Federation of Clinical Chemistry immunoglobulin standard, IFCC 74/1, was calibrated against the World Health Organization (WHO) immunoglobulin standard 67/99 by three different methods: automated immunoprecipitation, Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis, and radial immunodiffusion. The same antisera were used in all the assays, which were performed in five expert laboratories. With the aid of linearizing transformations for the dilution curves of both materials and use of a carefully weighted statistical evaluation, values in International Units for IgG, IgA, and IgM were ascribed to IFCC 74/1. The values achieved by the three different methods were not statistically different, except in the case of IgA. IgM assays by automated immunoprecipitation were excluded owing to a high degree of imprecision.", "PMID": 639255} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12131", "title": "Gas-chromatographic determination of polyol profiles in cerebrospinal fluid.", "content": "We describe a simple method for collectively determining polyols in the cerebrospinal fluid. The method consists of protein removal, sample derivatization, and gas chromatography of the trimethylsilylated polyols, with use of glass capillary columns. Nine major polyol constituents, the structures of which were verified by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, can be simultaneously assayed. The presence of three polyols in the cerebrospinal fluid is reported here for the first time.", "contents": "Gas-chromatographic determination of polyol profiles in cerebrospinal fluid. We describe a simple method for collectively determining polyols in the cerebrospinal fluid. The method consists of protein removal, sample derivatization, and gas chromatography of the trimethylsilylated polyols, with use of glass capillary columns. Nine major polyol constituents, the structures of which were verified by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, can be simultaneously assayed. The presence of three polyols in the cerebrospinal fluid is reported here for the first time.", "PMID": 639257} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12132", "title": "A radioimmunoassay for nortriptyline (and other tricyclic antidepressants) in plasma.", "content": "The radioimmunoassay for nortriptyline described here can detect as little 1 microgram/liter of plasma. Within-day precision and day-to-day precision (CV) were +/- 6 and +/- 11%, respectively, over the concentration range 100-200 microgram/liter. The major metabolite hydroxy-nortriptyline, does not cross react with the antiserum. Results so obtained correlate closely with results by a double-isotope derivative dilution technique. The major advantages of this technique over currently available methods are its sensitivity, convenience (many samples can be processed in one day), simplicity, and cost. Further, prior extraction of plasma samples is not required. Cross-reactivity studies have been carried out with all other available tricyclic antidepressants. The antiserum has the ability to bind these drugs, thus radioimmunoassay for all the tricyclic antidepressant drugs can be set up because concurrent use of more than one of these drugs is rare.", "contents": "A radioimmunoassay for nortriptyline (and other tricyclic antidepressants) in plasma. The radioimmunoassay for nortriptyline described here can detect as little 1 microgram/liter of plasma. Within-day precision and day-to-day precision (CV) were +/- 6 and +/- 11%, respectively, over the concentration range 100-200 microgram/liter. The major metabolite hydroxy-nortriptyline, does not cross react with the antiserum. Results so obtained correlate closely with results by a double-isotope derivative dilution technique. The major advantages of this technique over currently available methods are its sensitivity, convenience (many samples can be processed in one day), simplicity, and cost. Further, prior extraction of plasma samples is not required. Cross-reactivity studies have been carried out with all other available tricyclic antidepressants. The antiserum has the ability to bind these drugs, thus radioimmunoassay for all the tricyclic antidepressant drugs can be set up because concurrent use of more than one of these drugs is rare.", "PMID": 639258} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12133", "title": "New ultraviolet (340 nm) method for assay of uric acid in serum or plasma.", "content": "We propose a novel enzymatic method for assay of uric acid at 340 nm, which eliminates several disadvantages of both the colorimetric and enzymatic methods now in common use. Here, uric acid is catalytically oxidized to allantoin and hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide is reacted with ethanol in the presence of catalase to form acetaldehyde and water, and the acetaldehyde is reduced by NADH in the presence of alcohol dehydrogenase to ethanol. The decrease in absorbance at 340 nm caused by oxidation of NADH is directly proportional to the concentration of uric acid in the sample. Measurement of the change in absorbance between 20 and 200 s eliminates the need for a serum blank measurement. Absorbance and concentration are linearly related to 120 mg of uric acid per liter. The new method was compared with the uricase method in which decomposition of uric acid at 293 nm is directly measured. The results for the 47 patients' sera so examined can be expressed by the linear equation y340 = 1.0078x293 + 0.122 (r = 0.9984).", "contents": "New ultraviolet (340 nm) method for assay of uric acid in serum or plasma. We propose a novel enzymatic method for assay of uric acid at 340 nm, which eliminates several disadvantages of both the colorimetric and enzymatic methods now in common use. Here, uric acid is catalytically oxidized to allantoin and hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide is reacted with ethanol in the presence of catalase to form acetaldehyde and water, and the acetaldehyde is reduced by NADH in the presence of alcohol dehydrogenase to ethanol. The decrease in absorbance at 340 nm caused by oxidation of NADH is directly proportional to the concentration of uric acid in the sample. Measurement of the change in absorbance between 20 and 200 s eliminates the need for a serum blank measurement. Absorbance and concentration are linearly related to 120 mg of uric acid per liter. The new method was compared with the uricase method in which decomposition of uric acid at 293 nm is directly measured. The results for the 47 patients' sera so examined can be expressed by the linear equation y340 = 1.0078x293 + 0.122 (r = 0.9984).", "PMID": 639259} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12134", "title": "Comparison of double- and single-isotope enzymatic derivative methods for measuring catecholamines in human plasma.", "content": "We directly compared the reliability of a single-isotope enzymatic derivative technique for measurement of plasma catecholamines with that of the well-established double-isotope method. A significant (p less than 0.001) correlation was observed between measurements (n = 52) in the two assays, both for norepinephrine (r = 0.97) and epinephrine (r = 0.80). Means and coefficients of variation for the two analytes in a pooled specimen of plasma, measured repeatedly during six months, were virtually identical by each assay method. Basal plasma catecholamine concentrations in two different groups of apparently healthy subjects were also similar by each method. Dopamine concentrations in plasma were consistently below the limits measurable by either technique. The single-isotope assay requires half the assay time and 1/200th the sample as the double-isotope method. We conclude that this assay is just as reliable as the double-isotope technique and gives virtually identical values for norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in the physiological range.", "contents": "Comparison of double- and single-isotope enzymatic derivative methods for measuring catecholamines in human plasma. We directly compared the reliability of a single-isotope enzymatic derivative technique for measurement of plasma catecholamines with that of the well-established double-isotope method. A significant (p less than 0.001) correlation was observed between measurements (n = 52) in the two assays, both for norepinephrine (r = 0.97) and epinephrine (r = 0.80). Means and coefficients of variation for the two analytes in a pooled specimen of plasma, measured repeatedly during six months, were virtually identical by each assay method. Basal plasma catecholamine concentrations in two different groups of apparently healthy subjects were also similar by each method. Dopamine concentrations in plasma were consistently below the limits measurable by either technique. The single-isotope assay requires half the assay time and 1/200th the sample as the double-isotope method. We conclude that this assay is just as reliable as the double-isotope technique and gives virtually identical values for norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations in the physiological range.", "PMID": 639260} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12135", "title": "The \"Southmead System,\" a simple, fully-automated, continuous-flow system for immunoassays [Appendix: application to serum thyroxine radioimmunoassay].", "content": "A simple, fully-automated, continuous-flow system suitable for radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay, and fluoro-immunoassay is described. The system is versatile, inexpensive, and requires only equipment and skills that already are available in most clinical chemistry laboratories. In this system, the antibody is covalently linked to solid-phase, porous particles of agarose (Sepharose, size 40-70 micrometer in the dry form). After sampling and mixing the assay reactants, the assay \"cocktail\" containing the solid-phase-bound antigen and the unbound fraction is directed to the separation block. Separation is achieved by use of a highly porous membrane (pore size, about 10 micrometer) and by controlling the volume of inflow and outflow a fixed and precise amount of fluid is filtered through the membrane containing only the free (unbound fraction), which can then be quantitated. The percentage of unbound fraction misclassified is negligible (less than 1.0%). Application of these principles to the assay of serum thyroxine is described in an appendix.", "contents": "The \"Southmead System,\" a simple, fully-automated, continuous-flow system for immunoassays [Appendix: application to serum thyroxine radioimmunoassay]. A simple, fully-automated, continuous-flow system suitable for radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay, and fluoro-immunoassay is described. The system is versatile, inexpensive, and requires only equipment and skills that already are available in most clinical chemistry laboratories. In this system, the antibody is covalently linked to solid-phase, porous particles of agarose (Sepharose, size 40-70 micrometer in the dry form). After sampling and mixing the assay reactants, the assay \"cocktail\" containing the solid-phase-bound antigen and the unbound fraction is directed to the separation block. Separation is achieved by use of a highly porous membrane (pore size, about 10 micrometer) and by controlling the volume of inflow and outflow a fixed and precise amount of fluid is filtered through the membrane containing only the free (unbound fraction), which can then be quantitated. The percentage of unbound fraction misclassified is negligible (less than 1.0%). Application of these principles to the assay of serum thyroxine is described in an appendix.", "PMID": 639261} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12136", "title": "Measurement of sodium in albumin solutions with ion-selective electrodes.", "content": "We have investigated the variations in the potentials of sodium-selective glass-membrane electrodes in various concentrations of albumin. These protein solutions serve as a simple model for measurements of electrolytes in whole blood, plasma, or serum with such an electrode. The results indicate that albumin-sodium binding and variations in liquid-junction potentials are of negligible importance. Mostly, the effect of albumin on the sodium glass-electrode potential is attributable to variations in the activity of sodium, determined by the water content of the solutions. We have calculated apparent fractional protein volumes in albumin solutions from measurements of sodium glass-electrode potential and find they compare well with the classical McLean-Hastings formulation. Our results indicate the need to correct experimentally determined potentiometric electrolyte concentrations for protein volumes.", "contents": "Measurement of sodium in albumin solutions with ion-selective electrodes. We have investigated the variations in the potentials of sodium-selective glass-membrane electrodes in various concentrations of albumin. These protein solutions serve as a simple model for measurements of electrolytes in whole blood, plasma, or serum with such an electrode. The results indicate that albumin-sodium binding and variations in liquid-junction potentials are of negligible importance. Mostly, the effect of albumin on the sodium glass-electrode potential is attributable to variations in the activity of sodium, determined by the water content of the solutions. We have calculated apparent fractional protein volumes in albumin solutions from measurements of sodium glass-electrode potential and find they compare well with the classical McLean-Hastings formulation. Our results indicate the need to correct experimentally determined potentiometric electrolyte concentrations for protein volumes.", "PMID": 639262} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12137", "title": "Determination of serum alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) by high-performance liquid chromatography.", "content": "We report a fast, simple high-performance liquid-chromatographic assay for serum alpha-tocopherol, with use of a reversed-phase column and tocol as internal standard. Only 200 microliter of serum is required. Isocratic elution of the n-hexane extract is done within 6 min; total analysis time is less than 1 h. Within-day precision (CV) was 2.3% for 24 samples of a normal plasma pool (mean concn, 10.1 mg/liter). Day-to-day precision (CV) was 3.2%, measured for 20 days for a specimen with a concentration of 10.8 mg/liter. Analytical recovery of alpha-tocopherol from fortified serum was 89 to 100%. The lower detection limit of alpha-tocopherol is estimated to be 0.6 mg/liter. The specificity of the procedure was verified by spectrophotometry, gas-liquid chromatography, and combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of an eluate collected from the column.", "contents": "Determination of serum alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) by high-performance liquid chromatography. We report a fast, simple high-performance liquid-chromatographic assay for serum alpha-tocopherol, with use of a reversed-phase column and tocol as internal standard. Only 200 microliter of serum is required. Isocratic elution of the n-hexane extract is done within 6 min; total analysis time is less than 1 h. Within-day precision (CV) was 2.3% for 24 samples of a normal plasma pool (mean concn, 10.1 mg/liter). Day-to-day precision (CV) was 3.2%, measured for 20 days for a specimen with a concentration of 10.8 mg/liter. Analytical recovery of alpha-tocopherol from fortified serum was 89 to 100%. The lower detection limit of alpha-tocopherol is estimated to be 0.6 mg/liter. The specificity of the procedure was verified by spectrophotometry, gas-liquid chromatography, and combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of an eluate collected from the column.", "PMID": 639263} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12138", "title": "Micromethod for estimating adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper.", "content": "We describe a fluorometric micromethod for measuring adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper. Earlier methods require venipuncture and preparation of washed erythrocytes; in the present method, whole capillary blood, spotted on filter paper and mailed (dried) to a central laboratory, is used. The stability of the enzyme in dried blood on filter paper was assessed. The results were compared with those of a spectrophotometric method. The presence of serum appears not to affect the estimation of the activity and the method may be useful in early detection of severe combined immunodeficiency disease and hereditary hemolytic anemia.", "contents": "Micromethod for estimating adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper. We describe a fluorometric micromethod for measuring adenosine deaminase activity in dried blood spots on filter paper. Earlier methods require venipuncture and preparation of washed erythrocytes; in the present method, whole capillary blood, spotted on filter paper and mailed (dried) to a central laboratory, is used. The stability of the enzyme in dried blood on filter paper was assessed. The results were compared with those of a spectrophotometric method. The presence of serum appears not to affect the estimation of the activity and the method may be useful in early detection of severe combined immunodeficiency disease and hereditary hemolytic anemia.", "PMID": 639264} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12139", "title": "Characteristics of statistical parameters used to interpret least-squares results.", "content": "This paper discusses properties of several statistical parameters that are useful in judging the quality of least-squares fits of experimental data and in interpreting least-squares results. The presentation includes simplified equations that emphasize similarities and dissimilarities among the standard error of estimate, the standard deviations of slopes and intercepts, the correlation coefficient, and the degree of correlation between the least-squares slope and intercept. The equations are used to illustrate dependencies of these parameters upon experimentally controlled variables such as the number of data points and the range and average value of the independent variable. Results are interpreted in terms of which parameters are most useful for different kinds of applications. The paper also includes a discussion of joint confidence intervals that should be used when slopes and intercepts are highly correlated and presents equations that can be used to judge the degree of correlation between these coefficients and to compute the elliptical joint confidence intervals. The parabolic confidence intervals for calibration cures are also discussed briefly.", "contents": "Characteristics of statistical parameters used to interpret least-squares results. This paper discusses properties of several statistical parameters that are useful in judging the quality of least-squares fits of experimental data and in interpreting least-squares results. The presentation includes simplified equations that emphasize similarities and dissimilarities among the standard error of estimate, the standard deviations of slopes and intercepts, the correlation coefficient, and the degree of correlation between the least-squares slope and intercept. The equations are used to illustrate dependencies of these parameters upon experimentally controlled variables such as the number of data points and the range and average value of the independent variable. Results are interpreted in terms of which parameters are most useful for different kinds of applications. The paper also includes a discussion of joint confidence intervals that should be used when slopes and intercepts are highly correlated and presents equations that can be used to judge the degree of correlation between these coefficients and to compute the elliptical joint confidence intervals. The parabolic confidence intervals for calibration cures are also discussed briefly.", "PMID": 639266} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12140", "title": "Serum estradiol-17 beta as determined by mass fragmentography and by radioimmunoassay.", "content": "We describe the preparation of [2,4,16,16-2H4]estradiol-17 beta. The method for quantitative determination of subpicomole amounts of estradiol-17 beta (trimethylsilyl ether derivatives) by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with multiple ion detector and with [2H4]estradiol-17 beta as the carrier is presented and characterized. Values for serum samples, as measured by radioimmunoassay and by mass fragmentography, agreed well.", "contents": "Serum estradiol-17 beta as determined by mass fragmentography and by radioimmunoassay. We describe the preparation of [2,4,16,16-2H4]estradiol-17 beta. The method for quantitative determination of subpicomole amounts of estradiol-17 beta (trimethylsilyl ether derivatives) by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with multiple ion detector and with [2H4]estradiol-17 beta as the carrier is presented and characterized. Values for serum samples, as measured by radioimmunoassay and by mass fragmentography, agreed well.", "PMID": 639267} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12141", "title": "Evaluation of an aqueous fluorometric continuous-flow method for measurement of total urinary estrogens.", "content": "Measurement of urinary estrogen excretion is used extensively to monitor fetal welfare in utero, allowing the fetus at risk to be identified. We evaluated a direct all-aqueous fluorometric method adapted to a continous-flow (AutoAnalyzer I) system, using a spectrofluorophotometer for detection. In this method, which is based on a modified Kober reaction, NaBH4 is used to eliminate the known negative interference of glucose. The mean analytical recovery was 98%. Urines from 15 men showed no blank fluorescence. Comparison studies of the fluorometric method (x) and a manual method based on the Kober/Ittrich reaction (y) yielded the equation y = 1.53x + 4.38 (r = 0.9235). The incomplete correlation can be explained by erratic extraction in the manual Kober/Ittrich procedure (mean recoveries were 57%). A day-to-day precision (CV) of 5.2% can be achieved with the automated method. Samples are analyzed at a rate of 20 per hour, but this rate can be doubled, if necessary, without significant carryover problems. We conclude that the automated fluorometric method is accurate, precise, and inexpensive and therefore the method of choice for measuring urinary estrogens.", "contents": "Evaluation of an aqueous fluorometric continuous-flow method for measurement of total urinary estrogens. Measurement of urinary estrogen excretion is used extensively to monitor fetal welfare in utero, allowing the fetus at risk to be identified. We evaluated a direct all-aqueous fluorometric method adapted to a continous-flow (AutoAnalyzer I) system, using a spectrofluorophotometer for detection. In this method, which is based on a modified Kober reaction, NaBH4 is used to eliminate the known negative interference of glucose. The mean analytical recovery was 98%. Urines from 15 men showed no blank fluorescence. Comparison studies of the fluorometric method (x) and a manual method based on the Kober/Ittrich reaction (y) yielded the equation y = 1.53x + 4.38 (r = 0.9235). The incomplete correlation can be explained by erratic extraction in the manual Kober/Ittrich procedure (mean recoveries were 57%). A day-to-day precision (CV) of 5.2% can be achieved with the automated method. Samples are analyzed at a rate of 20 per hour, but this rate can be doubled, if necessary, without significant carryover problems. We conclude that the automated fluorometric method is accurate, precise, and inexpensive and therefore the method of choice for measuring urinary estrogens.", "PMID": 639268} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12142", "title": "Analysis for potassium in human erythrocytes by use of a standard-additions method and an ion-selective electrode.", "content": "A method based on standard additions to the sample was used to measure potassium (K+) in human erythocytes with an ion-selective electrode. A computer program was developed for rapid analysis of data obtained with the electrode. The analysis takes into account factors such as temperature that may affect electrode behavior. Results obtained by the method agree with those obtained by flame-emission spectroscopy. The coefficient of correlation between the two methods is 0.96. Our method is simple and rapid. The computer program is applicable to other analyses with ion-selective electrodes.", "contents": "Analysis for potassium in human erythrocytes by use of a standard-additions method and an ion-selective electrode. A method based on standard additions to the sample was used to measure potassium (K+) in human erythocytes with an ion-selective electrode. A computer program was developed for rapid analysis of data obtained with the electrode. The analysis takes into account factors such as temperature that may affect electrode behavior. Results obtained by the method agree with those obtained by flame-emission spectroscopy. The coefficient of correlation between the two methods is 0.96. Our method is simple and rapid. The computer program is applicable to other analyses with ion-selective electrodes.", "PMID": 639269} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12143", "title": "A technique for determining the probability of abnormality.", "content": "Histograms of the results of quantitative clinical laboratory analyses are usually broadly skewed because some of the patients have normal values with respect to the analyte being measured while values for others are below or above normal. We describe a technique for calculating the maximum possible number of individuals in a patient population who will give normal values and, by difference, the minimum possible number of those who will give below-normal and above-normal values. The technique permits estimation of the probability that any given result represents a member of a particular subpopulation, as well as selection of decision limits for patient classification, and estimates the degree of change required for a subject with a normal value to start giving below- or above-normal values.", "contents": "A technique for determining the probability of abnormality. Histograms of the results of quantitative clinical laboratory analyses are usually broadly skewed because some of the patients have normal values with respect to the analyte being measured while values for others are below or above normal. We describe a technique for calculating the maximum possible number of individuals in a patient population who will give normal values and, by difference, the minimum possible number of those who will give below-normal and above-normal values. The technique permits estimation of the probability that any given result represents a member of a particular subpopulation, as well as selection of decision limits for patient classification, and estimates the degree of change required for a subject with a normal value to start giving below- or above-normal values.", "PMID": 639270} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12144", "title": "Free thyroxine in serum as estimated by polyacrylamide gel filtration.", "content": "In this new method for estimating free thyroxine concentration in serum by use of polyacrylamide gel filtration, the prolonged incubation that is characteristic of equilibrium dialysis is obviated. Although the values so obtained for the percentage of free thyroxine are severalfold higher than those obtained by dialysis, the results of the two procedures correlate well over a wide range of thyroid states. In addition, the precision of the polyacrylamide method compares well with that for equilibrium dialysis. The method is convenient for use in clinical laboratories and values for free thyroxine in serum of patients with metabolic thyroid disorders are diagnostically discriminatory.", "contents": "Free thyroxine in serum as estimated by polyacrylamide gel filtration. In this new method for estimating free thyroxine concentration in serum by use of polyacrylamide gel filtration, the prolonged incubation that is characteristic of equilibrium dialysis is obviated. Although the values so obtained for the percentage of free thyroxine are severalfold higher than those obtained by dialysis, the results of the two procedures correlate well over a wide range of thyroid states. In addition, the precision of the polyacrylamide method compares well with that for equilibrium dialysis. The method is convenient for use in clinical laboratories and values for free thyroxine in serum of patients with metabolic thyroid disorders are diagnostically discriminatory.", "PMID": 639271} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12145", "title": "Effect of storage on the apparent concentration of folate in erythrocytes, as measured by competitive protein binding radioassay.", "content": "The folate concentration in erythrocytes changes during incubation. Using whole blood samples and washed erythrocytes, I find greatly increasing concentrations of folate in washed samples at 37 degrees C, decreasing concentrations in whole-blood samples. This difference in behavior depends on a thermostable, ultrafiltrable factor in plasma. Exclusion of glucose or addition of fluoride did not affect these results. Decreasing concentrations of folate were found when iodoacetate or acetylphenylhydrazine was present. At 4 degrees C the concentrations of folate were stable for 72 h. I discuss possible explanations for the observed changes and their practical significance.", "contents": "Effect of storage on the apparent concentration of folate in erythrocytes, as measured by competitive protein binding radioassay. The folate concentration in erythrocytes changes during incubation. Using whole blood samples and washed erythrocytes, I find greatly increasing concentrations of folate in washed samples at 37 degrees C, decreasing concentrations in whole-blood samples. This difference in behavior depends on a thermostable, ultrafiltrable factor in plasma. Exclusion of glucose or addition of fluoride did not affect these results. Decreasing concentrations of folate were found when iodoacetate or acetylphenylhydrazine was present. At 4 degrees C the concentrations of folate were stable for 72 h. I discuss possible explanations for the observed changes and their practical significance.", "PMID": 639272} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12146", "title": "Screening for urinary oligosaccharides: a quantitative procedure.", "content": "A method for screening urine for abnormalities in glycoconjugate excretion is presented. An oligosaccharide-containing fraction is isolated from urine by gel chromatography and the carbohydrate-containing components in this fraction are degraded to monosaccharides, suitable derivatives of which are analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. A pattern which characterizes the monosaccharides originating in complex carbohydrates in urine is thus obtained. Data obtained by applying this method to normal subjects in various age groups are presented and the applicability of the method and its limitations are illustrated by the use of examples from patients with previously diagnosed disorders of glycoconjugate metabolism.", "contents": "Screening for urinary oligosaccharides: a quantitative procedure. A method for screening urine for abnormalities in glycoconjugate excretion is presented. An oligosaccharide-containing fraction is isolated from urine by gel chromatography and the carbohydrate-containing components in this fraction are degraded to monosaccharides, suitable derivatives of which are analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. A pattern which characterizes the monosaccharides originating in complex carbohydrates in urine is thus obtained. Data obtained by applying this method to normal subjects in various age groups are presented and the applicability of the method and its limitations are illustrated by the use of examples from patients with previously diagnosed disorders of glycoconjugate metabolism.", "PMID": 639273} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12147", "title": "Detection and elimination of contaminations interfering with the determination of zinc in plasma.", "content": "We undertook detailed examination of the practices and procedures involved in the analysis of serum for zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, to identify possible sources of zinc contamination. Some degree of contamination was found in almost all steps of the procedure. These findings are presented and alternative materials and procedures are described that significantly decrease or eliminate contamination from extraneous zinc. The plasma of 76 normal adults was analyzed by the revised procedure, and a lower mean value was obtained than has been previously reported.", "contents": "Detection and elimination of contaminations interfering with the determination of zinc in plasma. We undertook detailed examination of the practices and procedures involved in the analysis of serum for zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, to identify possible sources of zinc contamination. Some degree of contamination was found in almost all steps of the procedure. These findings are presented and alternative materials and procedures are described that significantly decrease or eliminate contamination from extraneous zinc. The plasma of 76 normal adults was analyzed by the revised procedure, and a lower mean value was obtained than has been previously reported.", "PMID": 639274} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12148", "title": "Determination of cadmium in urine by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy.", "content": "A simple procedure for graphite-furnace atomic absorption analysis of cadmium in urine, based on the use of a temperature-controlled heating unit, is described. The temperature of the carbon rod is measured by resistance and controlled by electronic feedback. We studied the influence of various heating times and temperatures of ashing and atomization, as well as suitable diluents. Urine samples were diluted with an equal volume of 0.3 mol/liter HNO3, and 1 to 5 microliter of the mixture was analyzed, with background correction. Signals were evaluated electronically, giving values for integrated peaks as well as for peak heights. The detection limit was 1.2 nmol/liter. The method appears to be accurate and reproducible. The CV averaged 8% for concentrations in the range 20 to 100 nmol/liter. Correlations with a chelation-extraction method was 0.994.", "contents": "Determination of cadmium in urine by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. A simple procedure for graphite-furnace atomic absorption analysis of cadmium in urine, based on the use of a temperature-controlled heating unit, is described. The temperature of the carbon rod is measured by resistance and controlled by electronic feedback. We studied the influence of various heating times and temperatures of ashing and atomization, as well as suitable diluents. Urine samples were diluted with an equal volume of 0.3 mol/liter HNO3, and 1 to 5 microliter of the mixture was analyzed, with background correction. Signals were evaluated electronically, giving values for integrated peaks as well as for peak heights. The detection limit was 1.2 nmol/liter. The method appears to be accurate and reproducible. The CV averaged 8% for concentrations in the range 20 to 100 nmol/liter. Correlations with a chelation-extraction method was 0.994.", "PMID": 639275} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12149", "title": "Time--concentration studies by high-performance liquid chromatography of metabolites removed during hemodialysis.", "content": "Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used to study the efficiency of hemodialysis. The method, previously used to study uremic hemodialysate, was also found useful for analyzing other uremic biofluids, such as serum and urine. Samples of blood (centrifuged to obtain cell-free serum) and hemodialysate were simultaneously collected from selected patients at regular intervals during the entire 6-hour hemodialysis treatment. These samples were filtered through membranes to remove particulates and proteins and were then analyzed by use of a 60-cm muBondapak-C18 column, an aqueous sodium acetate/methanol gradient, and detection at 254 nm. The identification of components in the eluate was based on retention times, ultraviolet absorption spectra, and mass spectra. From the amounts of several metabolites in the various physiological fluid pools during hemodialysis, we concluded that they mostly originate from tissue fluids. We also observed that the concentrations of most components in serum and hemodialysate fluctuated regularly with time.", "contents": "Time--concentration studies by high-performance liquid chromatography of metabolites removed during hemodialysis. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used to study the efficiency of hemodialysis. The method, previously used to study uremic hemodialysate, was also found useful for analyzing other uremic biofluids, such as serum and urine. Samples of blood (centrifuged to obtain cell-free serum) and hemodialysate were simultaneously collected from selected patients at regular intervals during the entire 6-hour hemodialysis treatment. These samples were filtered through membranes to remove particulates and proteins and were then analyzed by use of a 60-cm muBondapak-C18 column, an aqueous sodium acetate/methanol gradient, and detection at 254 nm. The identification of components in the eluate was based on retention times, ultraviolet absorption spectra, and mass spectra. From the amounts of several metabolites in the various physiological fluid pools during hemodialysis, we concluded that they mostly originate from tissue fluids. We also observed that the concentrations of most components in serum and hemodialysate fluctuated regularly with time.", "PMID": 639276} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12150", "title": "Gas-chromatographic determination of nanogram amounts of enantiomers of nortilidine, a main metabolite of tilidine, in biological specimens.", "content": "We report a specific and sensitive method for determination of the individual optical isomers of nortilidine, a main metabolite of tilidine, with the aid of a nitrogen-sensitive detector. With N-trifluoroacetyl-L-leucyl chloride as chiral reagent, the diastereomeric derivatives of the nortilidine enantiomers could be separated and quantified in the nanogram range. Under these conditions, the enantiomers of bisnortilidine, another main metabolite of tilidine, were also separated. Investigations in rats with the enantiomers of tilidine and nortilidine indicated that no racemization occurs during N-demethylation in the organism. After oral and intravenous administration of 50 mg of tilidine.HCI to a human volunteer, identical concentrations of nortilidine enantiomers were found in the plasma.", "contents": "Gas-chromatographic determination of nanogram amounts of enantiomers of nortilidine, a main metabolite of tilidine, in biological specimens. We report a specific and sensitive method for determination of the individual optical isomers of nortilidine, a main metabolite of tilidine, with the aid of a nitrogen-sensitive detector. With N-trifluoroacetyl-L-leucyl chloride as chiral reagent, the diastereomeric derivatives of the nortilidine enantiomers could be separated and quantified in the nanogram range. Under these conditions, the enantiomers of bisnortilidine, another main metabolite of tilidine, were also separated. Investigations in rats with the enantiomers of tilidine and nortilidine indicated that no racemization occurs during N-demethylation in the organism. After oral and intravenous administration of 50 mg of tilidine.HCI to a human volunteer, identical concentrations of nortilidine enantiomers were found in the plasma.", "PMID": 639277} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12151", "title": "Improved technique for developing creatine kinase isoenzyme bands by using a substrate in gelatin matrix.", "content": "We describe a simple technique for reacting CK isoenzymes with a substrate in gelatin to make them visible after they have been separated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The electrophoresed strip requires only 5 min of contact with the substrate in gelatin and about 12 min of drying in an oven at 55 degrees C. The developed isoenzyme bands are discrete, intense, and rectangular in shape. The technique has a sensitivity of 2 to 5 U/liter, and results for isoenzyme MB can be reported about 30 min from the time a specimen is received.", "contents": "Improved technique for developing creatine kinase isoenzyme bands by using a substrate in gelatin matrix. We describe a simple technique for reacting CK isoenzymes with a substrate in gelatin to make them visible after they have been separated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The electrophoresed strip requires only 5 min of contact with the substrate in gelatin and about 12 min of drying in an oven at 55 degrees C. The developed isoenzyme bands are discrete, intense, and rectangular in shape. The technique has a sensitivity of 2 to 5 U/liter, and results for isoenzyme MB can be reported about 30 min from the time a specimen is received.", "PMID": 639278} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12152", "title": "Carotenoids in the leukocytes of carotenemic and non-carotenemic individuals.", "content": "Leukocytes and leukocyte membranes isolated from the blood of carotenemic (serum carotene, 4.0 mg/liter) and non-carotenemic individuals were found to contain small amounts of carotenoid pigments. The principal pigment isolated from the leukocyte membranes of carotenemic individuals was beta-carotene. Traces of beta-carotene and other carotenoids were found in the leukocytes and leukocyte membranes of the non-carotenemic individuals.", "contents": "Carotenoids in the leukocytes of carotenemic and non-carotenemic individuals. Leukocytes and leukocyte membranes isolated from the blood of carotenemic (serum carotene, 4.0 mg/liter) and non-carotenemic individuals were found to contain small amounts of carotenoid pigments. The principal pigment isolated from the leukocyte membranes of carotenemic individuals was beta-carotene. Traces of beta-carotene and other carotenoids were found in the leukocytes and leukocyte membranes of the non-carotenemic individuals.", "PMID": 639279} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12153", "title": "Cross reactivity of digitoxin and spironolactone in two radioimmunoassays for serum digoxin.", "content": "We measured the cross reactivity of two medications--digitoxin and spironolactone--in two digoxin radioimmunoassay (liquid and solid-phase) kit procedures. Both tests showed similar average percentages of cross reactivity with digitoxin (7.2 and 8.9% for intravenous, and 11.9 and 10.9% for oral administration), but no cross reactivity with spironolactone or its metabolites after equal intravenous or oral doses.", "contents": "Cross reactivity of digitoxin and spironolactone in two radioimmunoassays for serum digoxin. We measured the cross reactivity of two medications--digitoxin and spironolactone--in two digoxin radioimmunoassay (liquid and solid-phase) kit procedures. Both tests showed similar average percentages of cross reactivity with digitoxin (7.2 and 8.9% for intravenous, and 11.9 and 10.9% for oral administration), but no cross reactivity with spironolactone or its metabolites after equal intravenous or oral doses.", "PMID": 639280} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12154", "title": "Screening for urinary oligosaccharides: application to a mentally handicapped population and to patients with some other diseases.", "content": "The method for screening urinary oligosaccharides described in the accompanying paper [Clin. Chem. 24, 669 (1978)] has been applied to a large group of mentally handicapped patients as well as to patients with cystic fibrosis, malignant disease, and schizophrenia. The cause of the mental handicap was unknown in most cases. The primary object of the study was to investigate a possible link between some diseases and urinary complex carbohydrates. Our results show that abnormalities that are detectable in this way do not contribute significantly to the overall incidence of mental handicap, nor are they expressed in the other diseases studied.", "contents": "Screening for urinary oligosaccharides: application to a mentally handicapped population and to patients with some other diseases. The method for screening urinary oligosaccharides described in the accompanying paper [Clin. Chem. 24, 669 (1978)] has been applied to a large group of mentally handicapped patients as well as to patients with cystic fibrosis, malignant disease, and schizophrenia. The cause of the mental handicap was unknown in most cases. The primary object of the study was to investigate a possible link between some diseases and urinary complex carbohydrates. Our results show that abnormalities that are detectable in this way do not contribute significantly to the overall incidence of mental handicap, nor are they expressed in the other diseases studied.", "PMID": 639281} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12155", "title": "Studies on lipoperoxide of normal pregnant women and of patients with toxemia of pregnancy.", "content": "1. Serum lipoperoxide was determined by the method of Yagi et al. (Yagi, K., Nishigaki, I. and Ohama, H. (1968) Jap. J. Vitamin 37, 105) for 22 cases of non-pregnant women, 24 cases of 1st trimester of pregnancy (1-12 weeks), 39 cases of 2nd trimester of pregnancy (13-26 weeks), 58 cases of 3rd trimester of pregnancy (27-40 weeks), and 30 cases of toxemia of pregnancy (27-40 weeks). Remarkable increases of lipoperoxide were observed at 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women, and the increase in toxemia of pregnancy was more remarkable than that at 3rd trimester of pregnancy. In umbilical cord blood a higher level of lipoperoxide was observed in patients with toxemia of pregnancy than in normal pregnant women. 2. The total TBA value determined by extracting the serum-lipids with chloroform and methanol solution showed a similar tendency to the above. 3. Those showing TBA-reaction by the analysis of lipids with thin-layer chromatography were the fractions of cholesterol ester, triglyceride and phospholipid. While triglyceride fraction showed a marked increase of TBA value during pregnancy and in toxemia of pregnancy.", "contents": "Studies on lipoperoxide of normal pregnant women and of patients with toxemia of pregnancy. 1. Serum lipoperoxide was determined by the method of Yagi et al. (Yagi, K., Nishigaki, I. and Ohama, H. (1968) Jap. J. Vitamin 37, 105) for 22 cases of non-pregnant women, 24 cases of 1st trimester of pregnancy (1-12 weeks), 39 cases of 2nd trimester of pregnancy (13-26 weeks), 58 cases of 3rd trimester of pregnancy (27-40 weeks), and 30 cases of toxemia of pregnancy (27-40 weeks). Remarkable increases of lipoperoxide were observed at 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women, and the increase in toxemia of pregnancy was more remarkable than that at 3rd trimester of pregnancy. In umbilical cord blood a higher level of lipoperoxide was observed in patients with toxemia of pregnancy than in normal pregnant women. 2. The total TBA value determined by extracting the serum-lipids with chloroform and methanol solution showed a similar tendency to the above. 3. Those showing TBA-reaction by the analysis of lipids with thin-layer chromatography were the fractions of cholesterol ester, triglyceride and phospholipid. While triglyceride fraction showed a marked increase of TBA value during pregnancy and in toxemia of pregnancy.", "PMID": 639291} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12156", "title": "The measurement of pregnancy specific beta1-glycoprotein by electroimmunodiffusion.", "content": "A method is described for measuring the concentration of a specific glycoprotein secreted by the placenta into the maternal circulation, by electrophoresis, in antibody-containing agarose (\"rocket\" technique). The concentration of the protein can be measured from 10 weeks of pregnancy to term.", "contents": "The measurement of pregnancy specific beta1-glycoprotein by electroimmunodiffusion. A method is described for measuring the concentration of a specific glycoprotein secreted by the placenta into the maternal circulation, by electrophoresis, in antibody-containing agarose (\"rocket\" technique). The concentration of the protein can be measured from 10 weeks of pregnancy to term.", "PMID": 639292} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12157", "title": "Organic acids in amniotic fluid.", "content": "The organic acids of human amniotic fluid were studied by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. About 30 acids were identified. A \"normal\" metabolic profile of acids was established which can provide the basis for the identification of abnormal patterns.", "contents": "Organic acids in amniotic fluid. The organic acids of human amniotic fluid were studied by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. About 30 acids were identified. A \"normal\" metabolic profile of acids was established which can provide the basis for the identification of abnormal patterns.", "PMID": 639293} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12158", "title": "Studies of beta-glucuronidase in first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole.", "content": "The specific activity and isoenzyme pattern of beta-glucuronidase (beta-D-glucuronide glucurononosohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) from first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole were compared. Enzyme activity is highest in term placenta and lowest in hydatidiform mole, reflecting the steroid conjugation requirements of the tissues. The difference in enzyme activity is due to variation in the level of one isoenzyme form (isoenzyme B) of beta-glucuronidase, which is absent in molar tissue. The possible cause for the changing isoenzyme pattern is discussed.", "contents": "Studies of beta-glucuronidase in first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole. The specific activity and isoenzyme pattern of beta-glucuronidase (beta-D-glucuronide glucurononosohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) from first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole were compared. Enzyme activity is highest in term placenta and lowest in hydatidiform mole, reflecting the steroid conjugation requirements of the tissues. The difference in enzyme activity is due to variation in the level of one isoenzyme form (isoenzyme B) of beta-glucuronidase, which is absent in molar tissue. The possible cause for the changing isoenzyme pattern is discussed.", "PMID": 639294} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12159", "title": "Modification of the alkaline picrate assay for creatinine to prevent spuriously elevated values by keto acids.", "content": "Acetoacetate and pyruvate, sometimes present in patients' serum in abnormal amounts, interfere, like other keto acids, with the determination by some usual procedures of creatinine. Acetoacetate can be responsible for overestimation of \"creatinine\" in the order of 400 mumol/l in sera of ketotic diabetics, fasting subjects and other patients with ketosis. The pseudocreatinine reaction of acetoacetate increases with increasing concentration of NaOH and picrate. Pyruvate causes falsely elevated values, especially at high picrate concentrations. The effect of acetoacetate at 25 degrees C has ceased 90 sec after the start of the reaction. We propose a continuous flow method with relatively low concentrations of NaOH and picrate, and a kinetic method at 25 degrees C with a measuring time of between 90 and 270 sec after mixing sample and reagents. In this way the interference by acetoacetate and pyruvate is eliminated or reduced. We found excellent correlation between the proposed method for a centrifugal analyzer and a manual reference method, based on the adsorption of creatinine to fuller's earth.", "contents": "Modification of the alkaline picrate assay for creatinine to prevent spuriously elevated values by keto acids. Acetoacetate and pyruvate, sometimes present in patients' serum in abnormal amounts, interfere, like other keto acids, with the determination by some usual procedures of creatinine. Acetoacetate can be responsible for overestimation of \"creatinine\" in the order of 400 mumol/l in sera of ketotic diabetics, fasting subjects and other patients with ketosis. The pseudocreatinine reaction of acetoacetate increases with increasing concentration of NaOH and picrate. Pyruvate causes falsely elevated values, especially at high picrate concentrations. The effect of acetoacetate at 25 degrees C has ceased 90 sec after the start of the reaction. We propose a continuous flow method with relatively low concentrations of NaOH and picrate, and a kinetic method at 25 degrees C with a measuring time of between 90 and 270 sec after mixing sample and reagents. In this way the interference by acetoacetate and pyruvate is eliminated or reduced. We found excellent correlation between the proposed method for a centrifugal analyzer and a manual reference method, based on the adsorption of creatinine to fuller's earth.", "PMID": 639295} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12160", "title": "Blood lead determination by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy.", "content": "A simple procedure for flameless atomic absorption analysis of lead in blood is described. It is based on the use of a temperature-controlled heating unit, which, with a photodiode, measures and, by electronic feedback, controls the temperature of the carbon rod. Examination of the influence of various heating has been made. Blood samples with heparin were diluted with Triton X-100, HNO3 added, and 2 microliter of the mixture analysed. Automatic background correction was used. Signals were evaluated by an electronic facility which gives integrated as well as peak height values. The method appears to be accurate and reproducible. The C.V. was, on average, 4%.", "contents": "Blood lead determination by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. A simple procedure for flameless atomic absorption analysis of lead in blood is described. It is based on the use of a temperature-controlled heating unit, which, with a photodiode, measures and, by electronic feedback, controls the temperature of the carbon rod. Examination of the influence of various heating has been made. Blood samples with heparin were diluted with Triton X-100, HNO3 added, and 2 microliter of the mixture analysed. Automatic background correction was used. Signals were evaluated by an electronic facility which gives integrated as well as peak height values. The method appears to be accurate and reproducible. The C.V. was, on average, 4%.", "PMID": 639296} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12161", "title": "A rapid and specific method for the estimation of glucose using and oxygen electrode and simple differentiating circuit.", "content": "A simple differentiating circuit is described which, together with an oxygen electrode assembly, provides a rapid (20 sec) and cheap system for the estimation of glucose in body fluids using a sample volume of 20 microliter. Response was linear over the range 0-22 mmol/l. The complete system has been evaluated using plasma and whole blood. \"Within-day\" precision on control plasmas over the concentration range 2.73-8.33 mmol/l lies between 2.0 and 3.3% (C.V., n = 23); \"day-to-day\" precision was 4.6% (C.V., n = 23). On whole blood, to which nitrate had been added, precision was 4.5% (C.V., n = 15); precision using standard glucose solutions was never greater than 3.3% (C.V., n = 15) over the concentration range 1.1-22.2 mmol/l. Recoveries of added glucose to plasma and whole blood were greater than 90%. Good correlation between glucose values obtained by the oxygen electrode system described here and an automated system were obtained for plasma (r = 0.9902, n = 35) and whole blood (r = 0.9610, n = 35), although whole blood gave values on average 27% lower than plasma. The use of the system for the measurement of plasma cholesterol is also demonstrated.", "contents": "A rapid and specific method for the estimation of glucose using and oxygen electrode and simple differentiating circuit. A simple differentiating circuit is described which, together with an oxygen electrode assembly, provides a rapid (20 sec) and cheap system for the estimation of glucose in body fluids using a sample volume of 20 microliter. Response was linear over the range 0-22 mmol/l. The complete system has been evaluated using plasma and whole blood. \"Within-day\" precision on control plasmas over the concentration range 2.73-8.33 mmol/l lies between 2.0 and 3.3% (C.V., n = 23); \"day-to-day\" precision was 4.6% (C.V., n = 23). On whole blood, to which nitrate had been added, precision was 4.5% (C.V., n = 15); precision using standard glucose solutions was never greater than 3.3% (C.V., n = 15) over the concentration range 1.1-22.2 mmol/l. Recoveries of added glucose to plasma and whole blood were greater than 90%. Good correlation between glucose values obtained by the oxygen electrode system described here and an automated system were obtained for plasma (r = 0.9902, n = 35) and whole blood (r = 0.9610, n = 35), although whole blood gave values on average 27% lower than plasma. The use of the system for the measurement of plasma cholesterol is also demonstrated.", "PMID": 639297} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12162", "title": "A new cause of increased serum aspartate aminotransferase activity.", "content": "Two healthy young women had an unexplained persistent elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity. In both cases electrophoresis of serum ASAT isoenzymes displayed an abnormally moving fraction that comprised the whole serum activity, while liver and muscle revealed the normal cytoplasmic and mitochondrial isoenzymes. In the first case serum ASAT was found to be bound by serum IgG, in the second case the binding protein remained unidentified.", "contents": "A new cause of increased serum aspartate aminotransferase activity. Two healthy young women had an unexplained persistent elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) activity. In both cases electrophoresis of serum ASAT isoenzymes displayed an abnormally moving fraction that comprised the whole serum activity, while liver and muscle revealed the normal cytoplasmic and mitochondrial isoenzymes. In the first case serum ASAT was found to be bound by serum IgG, in the second case the binding protein remained unidentified.", "PMID": 639298} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12163", "title": "Biochemical abnormalities in Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome.", "content": "In continuation of previous studies, which showed a catabolic defect in proteoglycan metabolism, enzymes which degrade the proteoglycan macromolecules, e.g. proteinases (cathepsin D, elastase, and cathepsin G) and glycoisidases (arabinosidase and xylosidase) have been assayed in leucocytes of DMC patients. The regulator of lysosomal proteinases, cyclic AMP and serum antiproteinases, e.g. alpha1-AT and alpha2-M, have also been assayed. The proteinases assayed were normal in DMC patients. Arabinosidase activity in leucocytes of the patients was found to be decreased three fold, while xylosidase activity was increased three fold. A four-fold increased concentration of cyclic AMP in leucocytes of the patients and an increased serum concentration of alpha2-M associated with its abnormal pattern in crossed immunoelectrophoresis have been found. The abnormality in serum alpha2-M of DMC patients may be explained by a complex formation of alpha2-M with collagenase released from the lysosomes. Finally, an abnormal peptidoglycan has been demonstrated in DMC urine.", "contents": "Biochemical abnormalities in Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome. In continuation of previous studies, which showed a catabolic defect in proteoglycan metabolism, enzymes which degrade the proteoglycan macromolecules, e.g. proteinases (cathepsin D, elastase, and cathepsin G) and glycoisidases (arabinosidase and xylosidase) have been assayed in leucocytes of DMC patients. The regulator of lysosomal proteinases, cyclic AMP and serum antiproteinases, e.g. alpha1-AT and alpha2-M, have also been assayed. The proteinases assayed were normal in DMC patients. Arabinosidase activity in leucocytes of the patients was found to be decreased three fold, while xylosidase activity was increased three fold. A four-fold increased concentration of cyclic AMP in leucocytes of the patients and an increased serum concentration of alpha2-M associated with its abnormal pattern in crossed immunoelectrophoresis have been found. The abnormality in serum alpha2-M of DMC patients may be explained by a complex formation of alpha2-M with collagenase released from the lysosomes. Finally, an abnormal peptidoglycan has been demonstrated in DMC urine.", "PMID": 639301} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12164", "title": "Identification of fatty acid methyl esters in kidneys and livers of two patients with Reye's syndrome.", "content": "An unusual lipid, having an Rf value between that of cholesterol ester and of triglyceride on thin-layer chromatography, was clearly demonstrated in lipids from kidneys and livers of two Japenese children with Reye's syndrome. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the unusual lipid from viscera of the patients was a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters. Whether the occurrence of fatty acid methyl ester is the result of an inborn error of metabolism common to both patients, who were the progeny of consanguineous marriages, or whether it is a common biochemical feature in Reye's syndrome remains the subject of future studies.", "contents": "Identification of fatty acid methyl esters in kidneys and livers of two patients with Reye's syndrome. An unusual lipid, having an Rf value between that of cholesterol ester and of triglyceride on thin-layer chromatography, was clearly demonstrated in lipids from kidneys and livers of two Japenese children with Reye's syndrome. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the unusual lipid from viscera of the patients was a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters. Whether the occurrence of fatty acid methyl ester is the result of an inborn error of metabolism common to both patients, who were the progeny of consanguineous marriages, or whether it is a common biochemical feature in Reye's syndrome remains the subject of future studies.", "PMID": 639302} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12165", "title": "Determination of disaccharides in feces by permethylation and gas chromatography: rapid screening for carbohydrate intolerance in children.", "content": "Disaccharides can be identified and determined quantitatively in fecal specimens by permethylation of the components in crude supernatants followed by isothermal gas chromatographic separation on OV-17 columns. The method provides a rapid screening procedure for detecting patients suspected of having a carbohydrate intolerance secondary to intestinal disaccharidase deficiency.", "contents": "Determination of disaccharides in feces by permethylation and gas chromatography: rapid screening for carbohydrate intolerance in children. Disaccharides can be identified and determined quantitatively in fecal specimens by permethylation of the components in crude supernatants followed by isothermal gas chromatographic separation on OV-17 columns. The method provides a rapid screening procedure for detecting patients suspected of having a carbohydrate intolerance secondary to intestinal disaccharidase deficiency.", "PMID": 639303} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12166", "title": "The changes in activation of intracellular aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate after cell death.", "content": "Aspartate aminotransferase activity was measured in plasma, in liver and in heart mitochondrial and cytoplasmic preparations from rats immediately after death and after a post-mortem interval of 15 h. No significant stimulation of activity on addition of pyridoxal 5-phosphate to the assay medium could be demonstrated in any preparations obtained immediately after death. Significant stimulation occurred in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial preparations of liver and myocardium after a 15-h post-mortem interval, but not in plasma stored for the same period. It appears, therefore, that variations in the intracellular saturation of apoenzyme with coenzyme cannot account for the observed differences in activation of aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate in sera from patients with myocardial infarction and liver disease. Changes in degree of saturation of apoenzyme seem to occur intracellularly after cell death or injury and before release into the circulation.", "contents": "The changes in activation of intracellular aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate after cell death. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was measured in plasma, in liver and in heart mitochondrial and cytoplasmic preparations from rats immediately after death and after a post-mortem interval of 15 h. No significant stimulation of activity on addition of pyridoxal 5-phosphate to the assay medium could be demonstrated in any preparations obtained immediately after death. Significant stimulation occurred in both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial preparations of liver and myocardium after a 15-h post-mortem interval, but not in plasma stored for the same period. It appears, therefore, that variations in the intracellular saturation of apoenzyme with coenzyme cannot account for the observed differences in activation of aspartate aminotransferase by pyridoxal 5-phosphate in sera from patients with myocardial infarction and liver disease. Changes in degree of saturation of apoenzyme seem to occur intracellularly after cell death or injury and before release into the circulation.", "PMID": 639304} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12167", "title": "Adsorption of heparin on sodium acid urate.", "content": "The adsorption of heparin on sodium acid urate powder suspended in aqueous solution was found to be dependent upon the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+. It was concluded that heparin adsoprtion on sodium acid urate powder can occur in urine. Speculations are made about the relevance of these observations to calcium oxalate urolithiasis.", "contents": "Adsorption of heparin on sodium acid urate. The adsorption of heparin on sodium acid urate powder suspended in aqueous solution was found to be dependent upon the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+. It was concluded that heparin adsoprtion on sodium acid urate powder can occur in urine. Speculations are made about the relevance of these observations to calcium oxalate urolithiasis.", "PMID": 639305} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12168", "title": "Hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase in postheparin plasma in liver disease. relations to plasma proteins.", "content": "Hepatic lipase (HL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in postheparin plasma have been studied in patients with different liver disorders and in a reference group. The dose of heparin (100 I.U./kg body weight) used intravenously to get maximal release of both HL and LPL was the same in patients and in healthy individuals. The release of HL was maximal in healthy controls after 2-5 min, but in patients with liver disease the maximum was not reached until 15 min after heparin administration. The time course of the release of LPL showed the same pattern in patients and controls. The activity of HL was below the lowest observation in the reference group in 8 out of 20 patients with liver diseases, and was not measurable in 3 of them (2 with chronic active hepatitis and 1 with alcoholic cirrhosis). The activity of hepatic lipase was positively correlated with the levels of coagulation factors and with the concentration of prealbumin in the total patient material. The results indicate that low activity of hepatic lipase is a sign of liver parenchymatous injury, and out study gives indirect evidence of the hepatic origin of this enzyme in man.", "contents": "Hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase in postheparin plasma in liver disease. relations to plasma proteins. Hepatic lipase (HL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in postheparin plasma have been studied in patients with different liver disorders and in a reference group. The dose of heparin (100 I.U./kg body weight) used intravenously to get maximal release of both HL and LPL was the same in patients and in healthy individuals. The release of HL was maximal in healthy controls after 2-5 min, but in patients with liver disease the maximum was not reached until 15 min after heparin administration. The time course of the release of LPL showed the same pattern in patients and controls. The activity of HL was below the lowest observation in the reference group in 8 out of 20 patients with liver diseases, and was not measurable in 3 of them (2 with chronic active hepatitis and 1 with alcoholic cirrhosis). The activity of hepatic lipase was positively correlated with the levels of coagulation factors and with the concentration of prealbumin in the total patient material. The results indicate that low activity of hepatic lipase is a sign of liver parenchymatous injury, and out study gives indirect evidence of the hepatic origin of this enzyme in man.", "PMID": 639306} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12169", "title": "A survey of weighing performance in clinical biochemistry laboratories.", "content": "Results of a survey of accuracy and precision of weighing in a sample of clinical biochemistry laboratories in the U.K. are reported. 101 laboratories each carried out eight weighings. 94% of weighings were subject to errors of not more than 1.7 mg at the 2 g level and not more than 1.0 mg at the 100 mg level. However, 9% of the laboratories produced results which were consistently subject to larger errors.", "contents": "A survey of weighing performance in clinical biochemistry laboratories. Results of a survey of accuracy and precision of weighing in a sample of clinical biochemistry laboratories in the U.K. are reported. 101 laboratories each carried out eight weighings. 94% of weighings were subject to errors of not more than 1.7 mg at the 2 g level and not more than 1.0 mg at the 100 mg level. However, 9% of the laboratories produced results which were consistently subject to larger errors.", "PMID": 639307} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12170", "title": "Plasma calcium and magnesium fractions in liver disease.", "content": "Plasma calcium and magnesium fractions were measured in 51 patients with either hepatocellular or biliary disease. The fractions were found to be only minimally deranged. Plasma albumin correlated with total calcium and with the protein bound and ionized fractions. Abnormalities of plasma calcium or magnesium fractions are unlikely to play a role in the pathogenesis of the osteomalacia seen in chronic biliary disease.", "contents": "Plasma calcium and magnesium fractions in liver disease. Plasma calcium and magnesium fractions were measured in 51 patients with either hepatocellular or biliary disease. The fractions were found to be only minimally deranged. Plasma albumin correlated with total calcium and with the protein bound and ionized fractions. Abnormalities of plasma calcium or magnesium fractions are unlikely to play a role in the pathogenesis of the osteomalacia seen in chronic biliary disease.", "PMID": 639308} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12171", "title": "The lower levels of erythrocyte surface electric charge in diabetes mellitus.", "content": "Lower levels of surface electric charge and membrane N-acetylneuraminic acid of erythrocytes were found in patients with diabetes mellitus. These findings appear to be related to microvascular involvement.", "contents": "The lower levels of erythrocyte surface electric charge in diabetes mellitus. Lower levels of surface electric charge and membrane N-acetylneuraminic acid of erythrocytes were found in patients with diabetes mellitus. These findings appear to be related to microvascular involvement.", "PMID": 639309} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12172", "title": "A solubility problem in the preparation of uric acid standards.", "content": "Consistently high (13-16%) uric acid values for quality control sera were found when using freshly-prepared working uric acid standards on the Autoanalyser II system. After investigation several conclusions are made, with the recommendation that working uric acid standards are best diluted with pH 9.5 glycine buffer (0.007 M).", "contents": "A solubility problem in the preparation of uric acid standards. Consistently high (13-16%) uric acid values for quality control sera were found when using freshly-prepared working uric acid standards on the Autoanalyser II system. After investigation several conclusions are made, with the recommendation that working uric acid standards are best diluted with pH 9.5 glycine buffer (0.007 M).", "PMID": 639314} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12173", "title": "Stability of the long chain non-esterified fatty acid pattern in plasma and blood during different storage conditions.", "content": "A study has been carried out to determine the conditions under which plasma and blood can be stored without significant changes in the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) pattern and in the total NEFA concentration. From the results obtained it appears that: (1) blood can be stored for 2 h at room temperature and for 48 h at 4 degrees C. (2) plasma can be stored for 6 h at room temperature, 48 h at 4 degrees C and for at least 10 days at -20 degrees C under nitrogen without significant changes in the NEFA pattern and in the total NEFA concentration. The possible influence of heparin, used as anticoagulant, has been investigated. The results obtained are compared with those of other investigators.", "contents": "Stability of the long chain non-esterified fatty acid pattern in plasma and blood during different storage conditions. A study has been carried out to determine the conditions under which plasma and blood can be stored without significant changes in the non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) pattern and in the total NEFA concentration. From the results obtained it appears that: (1) blood can be stored for 2 h at room temperature and for 48 h at 4 degrees C. (2) plasma can be stored for 6 h at room temperature, 48 h at 4 degrees C and for at least 10 days at -20 degrees C under nitrogen without significant changes in the NEFA pattern and in the total NEFA concentration. The possible influence of heparin, used as anticoagulant, has been investigated. The results obtained are compared with those of other investigators.", "PMID": 639315} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12174", "title": "5-Hydroxytryptophol in human cerebrospinal fluid: quantitative determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a deuterated internal standard.", "content": "Procedures for the quantification of 5-hydroxyindole-3-ethanol, or 5-hydroxy-tryptophol (5-HTOL), in human cerebrospinal fluid are described. 5-HTOL was determined as its di-pentafluorpropionyl derivative. Deuterium labelled 5-hydroxyindole-3-ethanol-a,a,b,b-d4 (5-HTOL-d4) was used as internal standard. Mass fragmentography was performed by double ion monitoring each for 5-HTOL and 5-HTOL-d4 and their ratios were determined for specificity. Assay sensitivities of 0.15 ng/ml were achieved using 2.0 ml of cerebrospinal fluid. Free 5-HTOL concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid were determined to be 0.73 +/- 0.44 ng/ml (mean +/- S.D.) (range 0.33-2.11 ng/ml) from 15 patients with various neurological disorders, and 0.85 +/- 0.30 ng/ml (range 0.48-1.32 ng/ml) from 9 subjects who complained of low back pain but did not show signs of neurological illnesses.", "contents": "5-Hydroxytryptophol in human cerebrospinal fluid: quantitative determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a deuterated internal standard. Procedures for the quantification of 5-hydroxyindole-3-ethanol, or 5-hydroxy-tryptophol (5-HTOL), in human cerebrospinal fluid are described. 5-HTOL was determined as its di-pentafluorpropionyl derivative. Deuterium labelled 5-hydroxyindole-3-ethanol-a,a,b,b-d4 (5-HTOL-d4) was used as internal standard. Mass fragmentography was performed by double ion monitoring each for 5-HTOL and 5-HTOL-d4 and their ratios were determined for specificity. Assay sensitivities of 0.15 ng/ml were achieved using 2.0 ml of cerebrospinal fluid. Free 5-HTOL concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid were determined to be 0.73 +/- 0.44 ng/ml (mean +/- S.D.) (range 0.33-2.11 ng/ml) from 15 patients with various neurological disorders, and 0.85 +/- 0.30 ng/ml (range 0.48-1.32 ng/ml) from 9 subjects who complained of low back pain but did not show signs of neurological illnesses.", "PMID": 639316} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12175", "title": "Gas chromatography of 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole in human urine.", "content": "Electron capture gas chromatography was used to estimate the urinary 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole in epileptic patients and normal controls. The urine was filtered, concentrated in vacuo, extracted into benzene-ethanol and passed through a silica gel column. The dried eluate was dissolved in acetonitrile, tri-fluoroacetylated and estimated by gas chromatography as di-trifluoroacetylated 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole. This structure was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 5-Hydroxy-3-methylindole was excreted at high concentrations in some epileptics and at low concentrations in normal control subjects.", "contents": "Gas chromatography of 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole in human urine. Electron capture gas chromatography was used to estimate the urinary 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole in epileptic patients and normal controls. The urine was filtered, concentrated in vacuo, extracted into benzene-ethanol and passed through a silica gel column. The dried eluate was dissolved in acetonitrile, tri-fluoroacetylated and estimated by gas chromatography as di-trifluoroacetylated 5-hydroxy-3-methylindole. This structure was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 5-Hydroxy-3-methylindole was excreted at high concentrations in some epileptics and at low concentrations in normal control subjects.", "PMID": 639317} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12176", "title": "Immune and non-immune T4 radioassays utilizing albumin magnetic microparticles.", "content": "Albumin magnetic microparticles reversibly adsorb thyroxine. They quickly establish equilibrium allowing time and temperature independent measurements in T4 radioassays. We used these particles to compare the efficiency of NaOH, HCl, pepsin, sodium trichloroacetate, and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid to release 125I-T4 from serum, T4-free serum and human serum albumin. We found that the efficiency of the reagents to extract 125I-T4 depended on the concentration and type of proteins to which the labelled hormone was bound. Pepsin was the most effective reagent and we utilized it for a T4 radioimmunoassay, in which albumin magnetic microparticles were used to separate free from bound hormone. We also utilized the particles in a T4 non-immune radioassay. Both assays accurately measured total serum T4, however the radioimmunoassay was simpler, less dependent on protein content of serum, required a smaller serum sample and provided slightly higher T4 values. We describe a magnetic rack which allows simultaneous handling of fifty individual tubes with an intra-assay C.V. of 2.1% for the radioimmunoassay and 2.3% for the non-immune assay and an inter-assay C.V. of 3.1%, respectively.", "contents": "Immune and non-immune T4 radioassays utilizing albumin magnetic microparticles. Albumin magnetic microparticles reversibly adsorb thyroxine. They quickly establish equilibrium allowing time and temperature independent measurements in T4 radioassays. We used these particles to compare the efficiency of NaOH, HCl, pepsin, sodium trichloroacetate, and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid to release 125I-T4 from serum, T4-free serum and human serum albumin. We found that the efficiency of the reagents to extract 125I-T4 depended on the concentration and type of proteins to which the labelled hormone was bound. Pepsin was the most effective reagent and we utilized it for a T4 radioimmunoassay, in which albumin magnetic microparticles were used to separate free from bound hormone. We also utilized the particles in a T4 non-immune radioassay. Both assays accurately measured total serum T4, however the radioimmunoassay was simpler, less dependent on protein content of serum, required a smaller serum sample and provided slightly higher T4 values. We describe a magnetic rack which allows simultaneous handling of fifty individual tubes with an intra-assay C.V. of 2.1% for the radioimmunoassay and 2.3% for the non-immune assay and an inter-assay C.V. of 3.1%, respectively.", "PMID": 639318} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12177", "title": "A novel fluorometric ultramicro determination of serum leucine aminopeptidase using a coumarine derivative.", "content": "A simple and rapid rate assay of serum leucine aminopeptidase is described, using a novel fluorogenic substrate, 7-L-leucyl-4-methylcoumarinylamide. The reaction is initiated by adding 10 microliter of serum, and the fluorescence development for 1 min due to the 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin liberated at 37 degrees C is followed directly on a recorder. The proposed method is proved to be free from error due to the adsorption of the substrate dye to serum albumin and to be applicable to hyperbilirubinemic sera by simple correction. The values obtained by this method showed good correlation with those obtained by the conventional method of Goldbarg and Rutenberg (Goldbarg, J.A. and Rutenberg, A.M. (1958) Cancer 11, 283-291).", "contents": "A novel fluorometric ultramicro determination of serum leucine aminopeptidase using a coumarine derivative. A simple and rapid rate assay of serum leucine aminopeptidase is described, using a novel fluorogenic substrate, 7-L-leucyl-4-methylcoumarinylamide. The reaction is initiated by adding 10 microliter of serum, and the fluorescence development for 1 min due to the 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin liberated at 37 degrees C is followed directly on a recorder. The proposed method is proved to be free from error due to the adsorption of the substrate dye to serum albumin and to be applicable to hyperbilirubinemic sera by simple correction. The values obtained by this method showed good correlation with those obtained by the conventional method of Goldbarg and Rutenberg (Goldbarg, J.A. and Rutenberg, A.M. (1958) Cancer 11, 283-291).", "PMID": 639319} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12178", "title": "On standardizing the determination of the plasma renin activity.", "content": "Basically, the determination of the plasma renin activity (PRA) consists of the in vitro generation of angiotensin I and the radioimmunological determination of angiotensin I. Since both steps can be performed in several ways, the results from different laboratories can hardly be compared. In this paper we have described the results of our attempts to standardize both steps of the PRA determination currently in use in our laboratory, against Research Standard A for Angiotensin I and the International Reference Preparation of Human Renin, both obtained from the Medical Research Council.", "contents": "On standardizing the determination of the plasma renin activity. Basically, the determination of the plasma renin activity (PRA) consists of the in vitro generation of angiotensin I and the radioimmunological determination of angiotensin I. Since both steps can be performed in several ways, the results from different laboratories can hardly be compared. In this paper we have described the results of our attempts to standardize both steps of the PRA determination currently in use in our laboratory, against Research Standard A for Angiotensin I and the International Reference Preparation of Human Renin, both obtained from the Medical Research Council.", "PMID": 639320} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12179", "title": "[Autonomic determination of proteins from urine by centrifugal and continuous flow analyses (author's transl)].", "content": "A precipitating reagent comprising partially neutralized trichloroacetic acid with magnesium sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and polyethylene glycol is used for automatic determination of proteins from urine by centrifugal analysis and continuous flow analysis. We compare and discuss the results of both methods, their limits of validity and incorporation in an automated laboratory.", "contents": "[Autonomic determination of proteins from urine by centrifugal and continuous flow analyses (author's transl)]. A precipitating reagent comprising partially neutralized trichloroacetic acid with magnesium sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate and polyethylene glycol is used for automatic determination of proteins from urine by centrifugal analysis and continuous flow analysis. We compare and discuss the results of both methods, their limits of validity and incorporation in an automated laboratory.", "PMID": 639321} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12180", "title": "Direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone in normal subjects.", "content": "A direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone concentration using an antibody of high specificity is described and compared to a previous chromatographic radioimmunoassay. A significant correlation was found between the plasma aldosterone concentration determined by this direct radioimmunoassay and by a radioimmunoassay including paper chromatography in 38 plasma samples obtained from patients with hypertension of various etiology. This direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone concentration is simpler and less time-consuming. A significant and similar correlation between plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity (active renin) and renin concentration (total renin) was found in normal subjects on a regular and a low sodium intake. Plasma aldosterone concentration in normal subjects was significantly and negatively related to age and to the 24-h urinary sodium excretion.", "contents": "Direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone in normal subjects. A direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone concentration using an antibody of high specificity is described and compared to a previous chromatographic radioimmunoassay. A significant correlation was found between the plasma aldosterone concentration determined by this direct radioimmunoassay and by a radioimmunoassay including paper chromatography in 38 plasma samples obtained from patients with hypertension of various etiology. This direct radioimmunoassay of plasma aldosterone concentration is simpler and less time-consuming. A significant and similar correlation between plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity (active renin) and renin concentration (total renin) was found in normal subjects on a regular and a low sodium intake. Plasma aldosterone concentration in normal subjects was significantly and negatively related to age and to the 24-h urinary sodium excretion.", "PMID": 639322} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12181", "title": "[Fast and accurate method for theophylline analysis in preterm babies using gas chromatography and nitrogen selective detector (NFID) (author's transl)].", "content": "The combined utilization of (a) a weak polar OV-1 phase, (b) an on-column methylation using a methylating agent commercially available, (c) a nitrogen selective detector (NFID) and (d) a small volume of sample, allows the development of a fast (less than 20 min) and accurate method for theophylline analysis in preterm babies. With 50 microliter of capillary whole blood sample, its limit of sensitivity was 0.5 microgram/ml of theophylline. This method is most desirable for theophylline monitoring in treating apnea of premature infants.", "contents": "[Fast and accurate method for theophylline analysis in preterm babies using gas chromatography and nitrogen selective detector (NFID) (author's transl)]. The combined utilization of (a) a weak polar OV-1 phase, (b) an on-column methylation using a methylating agent commercially available, (c) a nitrogen selective detector (NFID) and (d) a small volume of sample, allows the development of a fast (less than 20 min) and accurate method for theophylline analysis in preterm babies. With 50 microliter of capillary whole blood sample, its limit of sensitivity was 0.5 microgram/ml of theophylline. This method is most desirable for theophylline monitoring in treating apnea of premature infants.", "PMID": 639323} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12182", "title": "Simultaneous quantitation of catecholamines and metabolites in urine.", "content": "A semi-automated fluorimetric method for the quantitation of urinary catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) combined with manual methods for the quantitation of their metabolites (homovanillic acid, normetanephrine, metanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid) is described. It provides a sensitive and reproducible analytical technique for routine use. Values obtained in healthy adults are given.", "contents": "Simultaneous quantitation of catecholamines and metabolites in urine. A semi-automated fluorimetric method for the quantitation of urinary catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline) combined with manual methods for the quantitation of their metabolites (homovanillic acid, normetanephrine, metanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid) is described. It provides a sensitive and reproducible analytical technique for routine use. Values obtained in healthy adults are given.", "PMID": 639324} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12183", "title": "Infrequency of urinary excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid by healthy humans.", "content": "Urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIB) levels were measured by modified ion-exchange chromatography. Daily BAIB levels are reported for a group of apparently healthy individuals, a subject with infective hepatitis and two human genetic variants who were high \"excretors\" of BAIB. The frequency of high \"excretors\" of BAIB was found using low-voltage paper electrophoresis. The frequency among 403 male European subjects was 5 (1.2%) and lower than previous estimates in the United Kingdom. The percentage recovery of fed BAIB suggests that Oriental \"excretors\" may have a different type of genetic lesion from non-Oriental \"excretors\". The clinical usefulness of urinary BAIB assays and qualitative screening is reviewed.", "contents": "Infrequency of urinary excretion of beta-aminoisobutyric acid by healthy humans. Urinary beta-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIB) levels were measured by modified ion-exchange chromatography. Daily BAIB levels are reported for a group of apparently healthy individuals, a subject with infective hepatitis and two human genetic variants who were high \"excretors\" of BAIB. The frequency of high \"excretors\" of BAIB was found using low-voltage paper electrophoresis. The frequency among 403 male European subjects was 5 (1.2%) and lower than previous estimates in the United Kingdom. The percentage recovery of fed BAIB suggests that Oriental \"excretors\" may have a different type of genetic lesion from non-Oriental \"excretors\". The clinical usefulness of urinary BAIB assays and qualitative screening is reviewed.", "PMID": 639325} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12184", "title": "Platelet phospholipid in stroke.", "content": "A study of platelet phospholipids in patients with stroke has been undertaken comparatively with patients without predisposition to thrombosis. An increase in the phospholipid/protein ratio in platelets was observed in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident. A significant increase of palmitoleic acid is observed in platelet phospholipids of these patients; it is accompanied by a decrease of linoleic acid. These modifications are reflected in plasma where linoleic acid is greatly diminished but where an important increase of palmitic acid is noted besides palmitoleic acid. A possible relation between higher clotting activity of platelets and those modifications in their phospholipids is discussed.", "contents": "Platelet phospholipid in stroke. A study of platelet phospholipids in patients with stroke has been undertaken comparatively with patients without predisposition to thrombosis. An increase in the phospholipid/protein ratio in platelets was observed in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident. A significant increase of palmitoleic acid is observed in platelet phospholipids of these patients; it is accompanied by a decrease of linoleic acid. These modifications are reflected in plasma where linoleic acid is greatly diminished but where an important increase of palmitic acid is noted besides palmitoleic acid. A possible relation between higher clotting activity of platelets and those modifications in their phospholipids is discussed.", "PMID": 639326} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12185", "title": "Use of patient data in the control of urea, creatinine and electrolyte estimations.", "content": "Analysis of urea, creatinine and electrolyte results from patients in two distric general hospitals is considered as a means of comparing and evaluating laboratory performance in these tests. The raw patient data, consisting of partially overlapping normal and abnormal subpopulations, is analysed by a procedure for resolving overlapping Gaussian distributions. This method permits determination of reference values from hospital populations and in a modified form can also be used to provide a regular indication of the precision of the biochemical estimations. The information derived from such a mathematical treatment of patient results is compared to that obtained from participation in a national quality control scheme.", "contents": "Use of patient data in the control of urea, creatinine and electrolyte estimations. Analysis of urea, creatinine and electrolyte results from patients in two distric general hospitals is considered as a means of comparing and evaluating laboratory performance in these tests. The raw patient data, consisting of partially overlapping normal and abnormal subpopulations, is analysed by a procedure for resolving overlapping Gaussian distributions. This method permits determination of reference values from hospital populations and in a modified form can also be used to provide a regular indication of the precision of the biochemical estimations. The information derived from such a mathematical treatment of patient results is compared to that obtained from participation in a national quality control scheme.", "PMID": 639327} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12186", "title": "The effect of age, sex and other factors on blood chemistry in health.", "content": "Quantitative data is presented concerning the influence that age, sex, the menopause, oral contraception, blood group and time of blood collection have on 19 commonly-determined blood chemistry values. The data were derived from 1000 healthy blood donors in whom blood sampling conditions were standardised to conform with those applying to hospital out-patients. Statistical techniques were used to allow for the effects of analytical variation and to enable the effects of the various factors and their interactions to be expressed in a practically useful manner. Age and sex effects are shown to be the rule and to interact in many instances. Creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, potassium and globulin show a tendency to increase in concentration with age, while total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphate and iron levels tend to fall progressively. Evidence is given to suggest that many of the changes occurring in women at about 50 years should be attributed to hormonal changes. In all instances when the menopause has a significant influence there is a rise in the concentration of the constituent concerned. It is proposed that other laboratories should assemble age and sex stratified reference ranges from (a) figures given for the mean values for defined age and sex groups, adjusted if necessary to allow for different analytical bias, (b) figures given for nonsystematic biological variation, and (c) their own measurements of analytical precision. Details of the necessary procedure are given, allowance being made for logarithmic transformation of the results where necessary.", "contents": "The effect of age, sex and other factors on blood chemistry in health. Quantitative data is presented concerning the influence that age, sex, the menopause, oral contraception, blood group and time of blood collection have on 19 commonly-determined blood chemistry values. The data were derived from 1000 healthy blood donors in whom blood sampling conditions were standardised to conform with those applying to hospital out-patients. Statistical techniques were used to allow for the effects of analytical variation and to enable the effects of the various factors and their interactions to be expressed in a practically useful manner. Age and sex effects are shown to be the rule and to interact in many instances. Creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, potassium and globulin show a tendency to increase in concentration with age, while total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphate and iron levels tend to fall progressively. Evidence is given to suggest that many of the changes occurring in women at about 50 years should be attributed to hormonal changes. In all instances when the menopause has a significant influence there is a rise in the concentration of the constituent concerned. It is proposed that other laboratories should assemble age and sex stratified reference ranges from (a) figures given for the mean values for defined age and sex groups, adjusted if necessary to allow for different analytical bias, (b) figures given for nonsystematic biological variation, and (c) their own measurements of analytical precision. Details of the necessary procedure are given, allowance being made for logarithmic transformation of the results where necessary.", "PMID": 639328} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12187", "title": "The sulpiride test in panhypopituitarism.", "content": "The results obtained with a new test of prolactin (PRL) release in six panhypopituitary patients as compared to fourteen normal subjects (eight females and six males) are presented. The test consists of the i.m. administration of 100 mg of sulpiride and the measurement of plasma PRL by a double antibody radioimmunoassay techniques at--15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min. Mean baseline PRL values were not significantly different in the three groups. After sulpiride a 800-4200% increment of prolactin over control values was noted in the females and 1200-3500% increment in the males. The peak values were obtained at 15 or 30 min (6030+/-670 mu/l +/-SEM in the females and 5550+/-870 mu/l in the males). The mean values were not significantly different in the two sexes until the sixtieth minute but were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the female thereafter. In the hypopituitary patients a complete failure of response was noted. These results show that the sulpiride test possesses a considerable potential as a screening procedure in the diagnosis of pituitary insufficiency.", "contents": "The sulpiride test in panhypopituitarism. The results obtained with a new test of prolactin (PRL) release in six panhypopituitary patients as compared to fourteen normal subjects (eight females and six males) are presented. The test consists of the i.m. administration of 100 mg of sulpiride and the measurement of plasma PRL by a double antibody radioimmunoassay techniques at--15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min. Mean baseline PRL values were not significantly different in the three groups. After sulpiride a 800-4200% increment of prolactin over control values was noted in the females and 1200-3500% increment in the males. The peak values were obtained at 15 or 30 min (6030+/-670 mu/l +/-SEM in the females and 5550+/-870 mu/l in the males). The mean values were not significantly different in the two sexes until the sixtieth minute but were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the female thereafter. In the hypopituitary patients a complete failure of response was noted. These results show that the sulpiride test possesses a considerable potential as a screening procedure in the diagnosis of pituitary insufficiency.", "PMID": 639330} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12188", "title": "Assessment of prolactin release in pituitary dwarfism with the sulpiride test.", "content": "We report here the results obtained with a new test of prolactin (PRL) release in six normal pre-pubertal boys, eleven children with short stature of non-pituitary origin and in thirteen pituitary dwarfs. The test consists of the administration of 100 mg of sulpiride i.m. and the measurement of PRL in serum samples up to 120 min after injection. Baseline PRL concentrations were not clearly different in the three groups. After sulpiride a marked increase (3--10 times over control values) in PRL was noted in all normal and short children without pituitary disease. A complete failure of response was observed in ten of the thirteen pituitary dwarfs. It is concluded that sulpiride has considerable potential in the differential diagnosis of children with stunted growth.", "contents": "Assessment of prolactin release in pituitary dwarfism with the sulpiride test. We report here the results obtained with a new test of prolactin (PRL) release in six normal pre-pubertal boys, eleven children with short stature of non-pituitary origin and in thirteen pituitary dwarfs. The test consists of the administration of 100 mg of sulpiride i.m. and the measurement of PRL in serum samples up to 120 min after injection. Baseline PRL concentrations were not clearly different in the three groups. After sulpiride a marked increase (3--10 times over control values) in PRL was noted in all normal and short children without pituitary disease. A complete failure of response was observed in ten of the thirteen pituitary dwarfs. It is concluded that sulpiride has considerable potential in the differential diagnosis of children with stunted growth.", "PMID": 639331} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12189", "title": "Behaviour of plasma renin activity and aldosterone during the first 72 h of life.", "content": "Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) were determined in fifty normal newborns during the first 72 h of life. PRA was elevated in all cases and tends to increase from the first (6.79 +/- 0.69SE ng/ml/h) to the third day of life (8.24 +/- 0.96SE ng/ml/h). PAC was also elevated and rose from 24.06 +/- 3.23SE ng/dl on the first day to 39.20 +/- 4.25SE ng/dl on the third day. No significant correlation was observed between PRA and PAC. Serum sodium was within the normal range, whereas serum potassium was slightly elevated during the first 48 h of life. The physiological significance of the high levels of PRA and PAC in newborns is not clear at present. Many factors may be involved in the increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: low blood pressure, hypersensitivity of the macula densa to catecholamines, relative insensitivity of the immature kidney to aldosterone, hyperkalaemia and other control mechanisms for aldosterone secretion all of which probably operate simultaneously during the first days of life.", "contents": "Behaviour of plasma renin activity and aldosterone during the first 72 h of life. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) were determined in fifty normal newborns during the first 72 h of life. PRA was elevated in all cases and tends to increase from the first (6.79 +/- 0.69SE ng/ml/h) to the third day of life (8.24 +/- 0.96SE ng/ml/h). PAC was also elevated and rose from 24.06 +/- 3.23SE ng/dl on the first day to 39.20 +/- 4.25SE ng/dl on the third day. No significant correlation was observed between PRA and PAC. Serum sodium was within the normal range, whereas serum potassium was slightly elevated during the first 48 h of life. The physiological significance of the high levels of PRA and PAC in newborns is not clear at present. Many factors may be involved in the increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: low blood pressure, hypersensitivity of the macula densa to catecholamines, relative insensitivity of the immature kidney to aldosterone, hyperkalaemia and other control mechanisms for aldosterone secretion all of which probably operate simultaneously during the first days of life.", "PMID": 639332} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12190", "title": "Effects of iodides on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in neurological endemic cretinism: evidence for compensated thyroidal failure in adult life.", "content": "Thyroid function studies, performed after iodide administration to five patients with neurological endemic cretinism, were indicative of hypothyroidism. All five subjects had either a low serum thyroxine (T4) or a high basal thyrotrophin (TSH) level and a clearly exaggerated TSH response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH). These findings are in sharp contrast with those we have previously described in goitrous patients without cretinism from the same geographical area. One interpretation of our observations is that there is an underlying mild defect in thyroid hormone synthesis in endemic cretinism predisposing to iodine induced hypothyroidism.", "contents": "Effects of iodides on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in neurological endemic cretinism: evidence for compensated thyroidal failure in adult life. Thyroid function studies, performed after iodide administration to five patients with neurological endemic cretinism, were indicative of hypothyroidism. All five subjects had either a low serum thyroxine (T4) or a high basal thyrotrophin (TSH) level and a clearly exaggerated TSH response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH). These findings are in sharp contrast with those we have previously described in goitrous patients without cretinism from the same geographical area. One interpretation of our observations is that there is an underlying mild defect in thyroid hormone synthesis in endemic cretinism predisposing to iodine induced hypothyroidism.", "PMID": 639333} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12191", "title": "Plasma steroid and gonadotrophin profiles in ovulatory but infertile women.", "content": "A group of twelve patients with a history of infertility lasting at least 2 years despite evidence of regular ovulatory cycles, were selected from an Infertility Clinic after thorough investigation had revealed no other obvious cause for their infertility. Daily plasma gonadotrophin and steroid concentrations were measured in twenty cycles from these women and the results compared with the hormonal profiles obtained from a group of eleven control 'normal' women. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of LH, FSH or oestradiol although plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly lower in the infertile women, particularly during the first half of the luteal phase. In the absence of any other demonstrable defect, it was assumed that the decreased progesterone secretion was directly or indirectly implicated in the pathogenesis of their infertility, and a number of therapeutic regimes (progesterone supplementation of the luteal phase or additional stimulation by either anti-oestrogens or exogenous gonadotrophins) were assessed for their efficacy in correcting this defect. Although plasma progesterone concentrations after most of these regimes were significantly increased, none of the patients in this series conceived.", "contents": "Plasma steroid and gonadotrophin profiles in ovulatory but infertile women. A group of twelve patients with a history of infertility lasting at least 2 years despite evidence of regular ovulatory cycles, were selected from an Infertility Clinic after thorough investigation had revealed no other obvious cause for their infertility. Daily plasma gonadotrophin and steroid concentrations were measured in twenty cycles from these women and the results compared with the hormonal profiles obtained from a group of eleven control 'normal' women. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of LH, FSH or oestradiol although plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly lower in the infertile women, particularly during the first half of the luteal phase. In the absence of any other demonstrable defect, it was assumed that the decreased progesterone secretion was directly or indirectly implicated in the pathogenesis of their infertility, and a number of therapeutic regimes (progesterone supplementation of the luteal phase or additional stimulation by either anti-oestrogens or exogenous gonadotrophins) were assessed for their efficacy in correcting this defect. Although plasma progesterone concentrations after most of these regimes were significantly increased, none of the patients in this series conceived.", "PMID": 639334} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12192", "title": "Double heterozygosis for hemoglobin C-beta thalassemia: description of a Spanish family. Hemoglobin C-beta thalassemia in a Spanish family.", "content": "A spanish family is described with two abnormal genes: 1) hemoglobin C in heterozygosis with normal hemoglobin, introduced by the subject's mother, and 2) heterozygotic betathalassemia for which the father is a carrier. In the subject and his sister, both abnormal genes coincide with the presence of hemoglobin C and hemoglobin F, simulating homozygosis for hemoglobin C. The clinical condition shows medium intensity chronic hemolysis. In the subject's brother, mother and grandmother, simple heterozygosis of hemoglobins A-C is seen, with no apparent clinical manifestations. The father shows subjaundice with some acute hemolytic episodes. Hypotheses are discussed which might explain the presence of these hemoglobins in Spain.", "contents": "Double heterozygosis for hemoglobin C-beta thalassemia: description of a Spanish family. Hemoglobin C-beta thalassemia in a Spanish family. A spanish family is described with two abnormal genes: 1) hemoglobin C in heterozygosis with normal hemoglobin, introduced by the subject's mother, and 2) heterozygotic betathalassemia for which the father is a carrier. In the subject and his sister, both abnormal genes coincide with the presence of hemoglobin C and hemoglobin F, simulating homozygosis for hemoglobin C. The clinical condition shows medium intensity chronic hemolysis. In the subject's brother, mother and grandmother, simple heterozygosis of hemoglobins A-C is seen, with no apparent clinical manifestations. The father shows subjaundice with some acute hemolytic episodes. Hypotheses are discussed which might explain the presence of these hemoglobins in Spain.", "PMID": 639336} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12193", "title": "Phenotypic and genetic analysis of the silver-Russell syndrome.", "content": "A family is reported in which two half-siblings present clinical findings suggestive of the Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). The available published literature on SRS is reviewed and the variable expression of the syndrome demonstrated. A review of published pedigrees of the syndrome suggests that in a small percentage of cases, SRS has a genetic etiology.", "contents": "Phenotypic and genetic analysis of the silver-Russell syndrome. A family is reported in which two half-siblings present clinical findings suggestive of the Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). The available published literature on SRS is reviewed and the variable expression of the syndrome demonstrated. A review of published pedigrees of the syndrome suggests that in a small percentage of cases, SRS has a genetic etiology.", "PMID": 639337} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12194", "title": "Serum IgM in retinitis pigmentosa: a genetic study.", "content": "Because of a published report that serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) was elevated in some cases of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic study was undertaken to determine if a particular pattern of inheritance was associated with elevated IgM. Seventy-five RP patients in 37 families were ascertained and classified by pattern of inheritance into six groups. Serum IgM was quantitated by the radial immunodiffusion technique. Fifty-one controls were also studied. Methods of adjusting the IgM values for sex, age, and race were derived, but only a sex adjustment was used, since no effect of age on IgM was found in this sample, and there were few data on race. There was no signifcant difference in mean IgM levels between RP patients and controls. The variance of the RP group was slightly greater than that of the controls. One-way analysis of variance of the six genetic categories of RP and controls was performed on the raw data and on the data after log transformation. The F-ratio was not significant, indicating that there was no difference in serum IgM levels among the seven groups. Possible reasons for the discrepancy in results between this study and the previous report are presented.", "contents": "Serum IgM in retinitis pigmentosa: a genetic study. Because of a published report that serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) was elevated in some cases of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic study was undertaken to determine if a particular pattern of inheritance was associated with elevated IgM. Seventy-five RP patients in 37 families were ascertained and classified by pattern of inheritance into six groups. Serum IgM was quantitated by the radial immunodiffusion technique. Fifty-one controls were also studied. Methods of adjusting the IgM values for sex, age, and race were derived, but only a sex adjustment was used, since no effect of age on IgM was found in this sample, and there were few data on race. There was no signifcant difference in mean IgM levels between RP patients and controls. The variance of the RP group was slightly greater than that of the controls. One-way analysis of variance of the six genetic categories of RP and controls was performed on the raw data and on the data after log transformation. The F-ratio was not significant, indicating that there was no difference in serum IgM levels among the seven groups. Possible reasons for the discrepancy in results between this study and the previous report are presented.", "PMID": 639338} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12195", "title": "Familial reinclusion of permanent molars.", "content": "Reinclusion of permanent molars was found in 55 individuals from 9 families. Inheritance is clearly autosomal dominant with complete penetrance. The provisional assignment of its gene locus to the same linkage group as the gene locus of blood group P (Bosker & Nijenhuis 1975) could not be confirmed.", "contents": "Familial reinclusion of permanent molars. Reinclusion of permanent molars was found in 55 individuals from 9 families. Inheritance is clearly autosomal dominant with complete penetrance. The provisional assignment of its gene locus to the same linkage group as the gene locus of blood group P (Bosker & Nijenhuis 1975) could not be confirmed.", "PMID": 639339} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12196", "title": "The micro-sperm immobilization test: the use of only motile spermatozoa and studies of complement.", "content": "A technique is described which shows how to obtain a suspension of only progressively motile spermatozoa, from semen, by active penetration into an overlying buffer layer. About 60% of the number of motile spermatozoa in the original semen sample can be obtained as an output in the removed buffer layer. With this method many more semen samples, in particular those with less than 70% motile spermatozoa, can be used than otherwise would have been possible. Moreover, with such a suspension of only motile spermatozoa the sensitivity of the micro-immobilization test is substantially improved, due to the absence of non-specific clumping, the minimization of specific tail-to-tail agglutination and an optimal end-point reading because of the absence of background immotility. As the complement source, a 1:8 dilution of rabbit or guinea-pig serum in human AB serum was found to be most suitable. The 1 microliter sperm suspension is initially mixed with 2 microliter of serum and incubated for 30 min, and then a further 2 microliter volume of complement is added, which is incubated for 2 hr with the serum-sperm mixture, and the test is read under an inverted microscope.", "contents": "The micro-sperm immobilization test: the use of only motile spermatozoa and studies of complement. A technique is described which shows how to obtain a suspension of only progressively motile spermatozoa, from semen, by active penetration into an overlying buffer layer. About 60% of the number of motile spermatozoa in the original semen sample can be obtained as an output in the removed buffer layer. With this method many more semen samples, in particular those with less than 70% motile spermatozoa, can be used than otherwise would have been possible. Moreover, with such a suspension of only motile spermatozoa the sensitivity of the micro-immobilization test is substantially improved, due to the absence of non-specific clumping, the minimization of specific tail-to-tail agglutination and an optimal end-point reading because of the absence of background immotility. As the complement source, a 1:8 dilution of rabbit or guinea-pig serum in human AB serum was found to be most suitable. The 1 microliter sperm suspension is initially mixed with 2 microliter of serum and incubated for 30 min, and then a further 2 microliter volume of complement is added, which is incubated for 2 hr with the serum-sperm mixture, and the test is read under an inverted microscope.", "PMID": 639340} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12197", "title": "IgG rheumatoid factor in subacute bacterial endocarditis: relationship to IgM rheumatoid factor and circulating immune complexes.", "content": "With recently developed radioimmunoassays, we have been able to study the levels and properties of IgG rheumatoid factor (IgG RF) and IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) in patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE), as well as the relationship of these autoantibodies to circulating immune complexes. We found significantly elevated amounts of IgG RF and IgM RF in SBE sera. The IgG RF chromatographed on Sepharose 6B as an intermediate complex, indistinguishable from the pattern seen in rheumatoid arthritis. RF levels peaked later in the course of SBE than did levels of circulating immune complexes. With antibiotic treatment RF levels declined, although not as fast nor as completely as circulating immune complexes. These results suggest that both IgG RF and IgM RF in SBE may be part of a polyvalent antibody response to elevated levels of circulating immune complexes which do not themselves contain RF.", "contents": "IgG rheumatoid factor in subacute bacterial endocarditis: relationship to IgM rheumatoid factor and circulating immune complexes. With recently developed radioimmunoassays, we have been able to study the levels and properties of IgG rheumatoid factor (IgG RF) and IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) in patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE), as well as the relationship of these autoantibodies to circulating immune complexes. We found significantly elevated amounts of IgG RF and IgM RF in SBE sera. The IgG RF chromatographed on Sepharose 6B as an intermediate complex, indistinguishable from the pattern seen in rheumatoid arthritis. RF levels peaked later in the course of SBE than did levels of circulating immune complexes. With antibiotic treatment RF levels declined, although not as fast nor as completely as circulating immune complexes. These results suggest that both IgG RF and IgM RF in SBE may be part of a polyvalent antibody response to elevated levels of circulating immune complexes which do not themselves contain RF.", "PMID": 639341} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12198", "title": "The in vitro effect of thymic humoral factor and levamisole on peripheral blood lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.", "content": "The in vitro effect of thymic humoral factor (THF) and levamisole on E rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood of seventeen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied. Patients with active disease showed a low number of E rosette-forming cells. A significant rise in the number of E rosettes was obtained after incubation with both THF and levamisole. No such effect was observed on lymphocytes from patients with inactive disease and normal controls. In seven patients, three with active disease and four with well-controlled disease, short-term cultures were performed. The effect of THF on E rosettes was found to be the same before and after the short-term cultures. Possible mechanisms, by which THF (on the one hand) and levamisole (on the other) may increase the number of E rosettes in vitro, are discussed.", "contents": "The in vitro effect of thymic humoral factor and levamisole on peripheral blood lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The in vitro effect of thymic humoral factor (THF) and levamisole on E rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood of seventeen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied. Patients with active disease showed a low number of E rosette-forming cells. A significant rise in the number of E rosettes was obtained after incubation with both THF and levamisole. No such effect was observed on lymphocytes from patients with inactive disease and normal controls. In seven patients, three with active disease and four with well-controlled disease, short-term cultures were performed. The effect of THF on E rosettes was found to be the same before and after the short-term cultures. Possible mechanisms, by which THF (on the one hand) and levamisole (on the other) may increase the number of E rosettes in vitro, are discussed.", "PMID": 639342} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12199", "title": "Immune sperm agglutination: are only motile spermatozoa involved?", "content": "Human sperm-agglutinating sera was examined using the tray agglutination technique (TAT) with whole diluted semen, and also with a suspension of only progressively motile spermatozoa-obtained from the same semen sample by the penetration of motile spermatozoa in an overlying medium layer. The titres of tail-to-tail (T) agglutinating sera were considerably lower with the latter sperm suspension, but head-to-head (H) agglutinating sera gave similar titres with the two types of sperm suspensions. Attempts to increase titres of T-agglutinating sera with only progressively motile spermatozoa were made by reducing the progression rate of the spermatozoa, and by increasing the concentration of the sperm cells. However, significant titre differences remained. Moreover, the agglutinates obtained were very small, and difficult to observe with the routinely employed magnification of x40. The lower titres still remained where seminal plasma was used as the penetration medium, indicating that a loss of coating antigen(s) was not the cause of lower titres. It seems likely that spermatozoa are attached to each other only weakly in T agglutination, much more weakly than in H agglutination. It is considered that immotile sperm cells that are present in whole diluted semen reinforce the T agglutination process, producing the higher titres.", "contents": "Immune sperm agglutination: are only motile spermatozoa involved? Human sperm-agglutinating sera was examined using the tray agglutination technique (TAT) with whole diluted semen, and also with a suspension of only progressively motile spermatozoa-obtained from the same semen sample by the penetration of motile spermatozoa in an overlying medium layer. The titres of tail-to-tail (T) agglutinating sera were considerably lower with the latter sperm suspension, but head-to-head (H) agglutinating sera gave similar titres with the two types of sperm suspensions. Attempts to increase titres of T-agglutinating sera with only progressively motile spermatozoa were made by reducing the progression rate of the spermatozoa, and by increasing the concentration of the sperm cells. However, significant titre differences remained. Moreover, the agglutinates obtained were very small, and difficult to observe with the routinely employed magnification of x40. The lower titres still remained where seminal plasma was used as the penetration medium, indicating that a loss of coating antigen(s) was not the cause of lower titres. It seems likely that spermatozoa are attached to each other only weakly in T agglutination, much more weakly than in H agglutination. It is considered that immotile sperm cells that are present in whole diluted semen reinforce the T agglutination process, producing the higher titres.", "PMID": 639344} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12200", "title": "Cryoimmunoglobulinaemia in patients with primary renal disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. I. IgG- and DNA-binding assessed by co-precipitation.", "content": "Sera were tested for cryoglobulin precipitates from 206 consecutive patients with renal disease, ninety-eight normals and sixteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without evident renal disease. Cryoprecipitates were detected in 17% of test subjects overall and 2% of normals; the incidence was highest in patients with SLE, regardless of detectable renal disease. Cryoprecipitates usually were comprised of IgG and IgM or IgG, IgM, and IgA in thirty-six out of forty-two instances, although a single immunoglobulin class was detected in five patients. Co-precipitation experiments showed IgG-binding by virtually all sera forming cryoprecipitates; isolated cryoprecipitates bound radiolabelled homologous IgG, and Fc fragment and sometimes IgG subclass proteins preferentially. Freshly forming cryoprecipitates sometimes co-precipitated DNA, whereas all isolated cryoprecipitates co-precipitated DNA from dilute solutions. The data are compatible with the current hypothesis that cryoimmunoprecipitates are immune complexes that are insoluble in vitro in the cold, that they usually comprise mixed immunoglobulins with anti-IgG activity, and may contain a mixture of antigens and antibodies.", "contents": "Cryoimmunoglobulinaemia in patients with primary renal disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. I. IgG- and DNA-binding assessed by co-precipitation. Sera were tested for cryoglobulin precipitates from 206 consecutive patients with renal disease, ninety-eight normals and sixteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without evident renal disease. Cryoprecipitates were detected in 17% of test subjects overall and 2% of normals; the incidence was highest in patients with SLE, regardless of detectable renal disease. Cryoprecipitates usually were comprised of IgG and IgM or IgG, IgM, and IgA in thirty-six out of forty-two instances, although a single immunoglobulin class was detected in five patients. Co-precipitation experiments showed IgG-binding by virtually all sera forming cryoprecipitates; isolated cryoprecipitates bound radiolabelled homologous IgG, and Fc fragment and sometimes IgG subclass proteins preferentially. Freshly forming cryoprecipitates sometimes co-precipitated DNA, whereas all isolated cryoprecipitates co-precipitated DNA from dilute solutions. The data are compatible with the current hypothesis that cryoimmunoprecipitates are immune complexes that are insoluble in vitro in the cold, that they usually comprise mixed immunoglobulins with anti-IgG activity, and may contain a mixture of antigens and antibodies.", "PMID": 639345} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12201", "title": "Changes of serum anti-thyroid antibodies during and after pregnancy in autoimmune thyroid diseases.", "content": "Changes of serum anti-thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) and anti-thyroid microsomal haemagglutination antibodies (MCHA) were observed during pregnancy and after delivery in Graves' disease and autoimmune thyroiditis. Both TGHA and MCHA decreased as pregnancy progressed, and sometimes they became negative in late pregnancy. Transient increases of TGHA and MCHA were observed after delivery and the antibody titres reached peaks about 3-4 months post-partum in more than halft the patients. In some patients, antibodies developed after delivery. Similar transient increases of antibodies were observed after spontaneous and therapeutic abortion. These changes seem to be induced by physiological and immunological changes occurring during pregnancy and after delivery.", "contents": "Changes of serum anti-thyroid antibodies during and after pregnancy in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Changes of serum anti-thyroglobulin haemagglutination antibodies (TGHA) and anti-thyroid microsomal haemagglutination antibodies (MCHA) were observed during pregnancy and after delivery in Graves' disease and autoimmune thyroiditis. Both TGHA and MCHA decreased as pregnancy progressed, and sometimes they became negative in late pregnancy. Transient increases of TGHA and MCHA were observed after delivery and the antibody titres reached peaks about 3-4 months post-partum in more than halft the patients. In some patients, antibodies developed after delivery. Similar transient increases of antibodies were observed after spontaneous and therapeutic abortion. These changes seem to be induced by physiological and immunological changes occurring during pregnancy and after delivery.", "PMID": 639347} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12202", "title": "Rubella serology by solid-phase radioimmunoassay: its potential for screening programmes.", "content": "Sera from 269 adult females who had experienced naturally acquired or vaccine-induced infection by rubella virus, including immune persons challenged intranasally with rubella vaccine (RA27/3) as well as sera from 100 patients attending antenatal clinics, were tested for rubella antibodies by the conventional haemagglutination inhibition tests (HAI), as well as a newly developed solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for rubella immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Following both naturally acquired and vaccine-induced infection, titres by RIA were approximately ten-fold higher than by HAI. The RIA test was particularly useful in assessing the true immune status of those with apparently low levels of HAI antibody and has the added advantage that pre-treatment of sera to remove inhibitors of haemagglutination and red cell agglutinins is unnecessary. The RIA test has potential for the large-scale screening programmes which need to be carried out if the Department of Health and Social Security recommendation, that women attending antenatal and family planning clinics be screened for rubella antibodies, is to be effectively met.", "contents": "Rubella serology by solid-phase radioimmunoassay: its potential for screening programmes. Sera from 269 adult females who had experienced naturally acquired or vaccine-induced infection by rubella virus, including immune persons challenged intranasally with rubella vaccine (RA27/3) as well as sera from 100 patients attending antenatal clinics, were tested for rubella antibodies by the conventional haemagglutination inhibition tests (HAI), as well as a newly developed solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for rubella immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Following both naturally acquired and vaccine-induced infection, titres by RIA were approximately ten-fold higher than by HAI. The RIA test was particularly useful in assessing the true immune status of those with apparently low levels of HAI antibody and has the added advantage that pre-treatment of sera to remove inhibitors of haemagglutination and red cell agglutinins is unnecessary. The RIA test has potential for the large-scale screening programmes which need to be carried out if the Department of Health and Social Security recommendation, that women attending antenatal and family planning clinics be screened for rubella antibodies, is to be effectively met.", "PMID": 639348} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12203", "title": "Cryoglobulinaemia and circulating immune complexes in tropical splenomegaly syndrome.", "content": "Large amounts of cryoglobulins and soluble immune complexes were detected in the sera of thirteen patients with tropical spenomegaly syndrome (TSS). Complexes were detected by three different methods: radiobioassay, a modified rheumatoid factor-binding activity method and a modified Clq-binding assay. Protein precipitable by 4% polyethylene glycol (PEG) was also measured. The cryoglobulins contained IgM, IgG and in some cases, C3. It is likely that in TSS, marked immune complex formation is associated with hypergammaglobulinaemia and that continuous engulfment of these complexes by cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) is the cause of the hepatosplenomegaly.", "contents": "Cryoglobulinaemia and circulating immune complexes in tropical splenomegaly syndrome. Large amounts of cryoglobulins and soluble immune complexes were detected in the sera of thirteen patients with tropical spenomegaly syndrome (TSS). Complexes were detected by three different methods: radiobioassay, a modified rheumatoid factor-binding activity method and a modified Clq-binding assay. Protein precipitable by 4% polyethylene glycol (PEG) was also measured. The cryoglobulins contained IgM, IgG and in some cases, C3. It is likely that in TSS, marked immune complex formation is associated with hypergammaglobulinaemia and that continuous engulfment of these complexes by cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) is the cause of the hepatosplenomegaly.", "PMID": 639349} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12204", "title": "Production of leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) in infectious mononucleosis. Spontaneous release and lack of response to concanavalin A.", "content": "The spontaneous release of LIF from blood lymphocytes was studied in patients with infectious mononucleosis. Mononuclear cells were separated from the blood and cultured for 22 hr, and LIF activity in the supernatant was determined. Supernatants depleted of LIF activity by means of anti-LIF antibodies or by treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min were employed as controls; these two methods gave essentially similar results. In nine out of eighteen patients, spontaneous LIF production was demonstrated during the acute stage of the illness; this was not seen in any of the normal persons studied. 6 weeks later, spontaneous LIF production had ceased in most patients. Concanavalin A stimulated all normal lymphocytes to LIF production, but in sixteen out of seventeen patients with infectious mononucleosis this response was absent or diminished. At the follow-up study 6 weeks later, the lymphocyte response to concanavalin A was still suppressed.", "contents": "Production of leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF) in infectious mononucleosis. Spontaneous release and lack of response to concanavalin A. The spontaneous release of LIF from blood lymphocytes was studied in patients with infectious mononucleosis. Mononuclear cells were separated from the blood and cultured for 22 hr, and LIF activity in the supernatant was determined. Supernatants depleted of LIF activity by means of anti-LIF antibodies or by treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min were employed as controls; these two methods gave essentially similar results. In nine out of eighteen patients, spontaneous LIF production was demonstrated during the acute stage of the illness; this was not seen in any of the normal persons studied. 6 weeks later, spontaneous LIF production had ceased in most patients. Concanavalin A stimulated all normal lymphocytes to LIF production, but in sixteen out of seventeen patients with infectious mononucleosis this response was absent or diminished. At the follow-up study 6 weeks later, the lymphocyte response to concanavalin A was still suppressed.", "PMID": 639351} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12205", "title": "Circulating immune complexes in ulcerative colitis.--II. Correlation with serum protein concentrations and complement conversion products.", "content": "Several serum proteins were quantified in twenty-two patients with active ulcerative colitis, and the findings were related to disease activity and occurrence of circulating immune complexes (IC). Conversion of C3 was significantly more frequent in the IC-positive group (eight patients) as compared to the IC-negative group (fourteen patients). Factor B was demonstrable in fifteen out of the twenty-two patients and seven out of the eight IC-positive patients had detectable levels of factor B. There was no difference between the IC-positive and the IC-negative group as regards serum concentrations of the complement factors C3, C4 and factor B, or serum orosomucoid, albumin, IgM and IgG. In contrast, the serum IgA levels tended to be reduced in the IC-positive group. C3 and factor B were significantly elevated in four patients with severe disease activity. In addition, C3, factor B and C4 concentrations showed a positive correlation to the serum orosomucoid levels. The serum concentrations of orosomucoid and albumin were inversely correlated to each other.", "contents": "Circulating immune complexes in ulcerative colitis.--II. Correlation with serum protein concentrations and complement conversion products. Several serum proteins were quantified in twenty-two patients with active ulcerative colitis, and the findings were related to disease activity and occurrence of circulating immune complexes (IC). Conversion of C3 was significantly more frequent in the IC-positive group (eight patients) as compared to the IC-negative group (fourteen patients). Factor B was demonstrable in fifteen out of the twenty-two patients and seven out of the eight IC-positive patients had detectable levels of factor B. There was no difference between the IC-positive and the IC-negative group as regards serum concentrations of the complement factors C3, C4 and factor B, or serum orosomucoid, albumin, IgM and IgG. In contrast, the serum IgA levels tended to be reduced in the IC-positive group. C3 and factor B were significantly elevated in four patients with severe disease activity. In addition, C3, factor B and C4 concentrations showed a positive correlation to the serum orosomucoid levels. The serum concentrations of orosomucoid and albumin were inversely correlated to each other.", "PMID": 639352} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12206", "title": "An in vivo investigation of the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid in the rat.", "content": "1. Experimental obstructive jaundice in the Wistar rat causes a significant decrease in heart rate. 2. Intravenous administration of cholic acid in vivo elicits a dose-dependent negative chronotropic effect. 3. Atropine or vagotomy significantly reduces, but does not abolish, the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid. 4. Ganglion blockade and decerebration diminishes the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid, but to a lesser extent than atropine or vagotomy. 5. Sympathetic depletion by reserpine slightly potentiates the response to cholic acid. 6. The effect of cholic acid injected cranially into the common carotid artery is less than when administered into the jugular vein. 7. The haemolysis caused by cholic acid does not appear to be involved in the negative chronotropic effect. 8. It is concluded that cholic acid causes both a direct as well as a vagally mediated negative chronotropic effect in the Wistar rat.", "contents": "An in vivo investigation of the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid in the rat. 1. Experimental obstructive jaundice in the Wistar rat causes a significant decrease in heart rate. 2. Intravenous administration of cholic acid in vivo elicits a dose-dependent negative chronotropic effect. 3. Atropine or vagotomy significantly reduces, but does not abolish, the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid. 4. Ganglion blockade and decerebration diminishes the negative chronotropic effect of cholic acid, but to a lesser extent than atropine or vagotomy. 5. Sympathetic depletion by reserpine slightly potentiates the response to cholic acid. 6. The effect of cholic acid injected cranially into the common carotid artery is less than when administered into the jugular vein. 7. The haemolysis caused by cholic acid does not appear to be involved in the negative chronotropic effect. 8. It is concluded that cholic acid causes both a direct as well as a vagally mediated negative chronotropic effect in the Wistar rat.", "PMID": 639354} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12207", "title": "Comparative studies on the pharmacological actions of antiarrhythmic drugs in isolated rate papillary muscle.", "content": "1. The effects of ajmaline, cocaine, phenytoin, lignocaine, procainamide, propranolol, quinidine and trimetazidine on the contractility and the refractory period of isolated rat papillary muscles were compared. 2. At the higher concentrations used, all drugs suppressed the contractile tension of the rat papillary muscles. 3. The effects of these drugs on the refractory period were compared at concentrations at which the contractile tension was suppressed by 30% of the control. At this point, lignocaine, procainamide, ajmaline and quinidine prolonged the refractory period more than two-fold while the effects of propranolol and phenytoin were slight, cocaine and trimetazidine had little or no effect.", "contents": "Comparative studies on the pharmacological actions of antiarrhythmic drugs in isolated rate papillary muscle. 1. The effects of ajmaline, cocaine, phenytoin, lignocaine, procainamide, propranolol, quinidine and trimetazidine on the contractility and the refractory period of isolated rat papillary muscles were compared. 2. At the higher concentrations used, all drugs suppressed the contractile tension of the rat papillary muscles. 3. The effects of these drugs on the refractory period were compared at concentrations at which the contractile tension was suppressed by 30% of the control. At this point, lignocaine, procainamide, ajmaline and quinidine prolonged the refractory period more than two-fold while the effects of propranolol and phenytoin were slight, cocaine and trimetazidine had little or no effect.", "PMID": 639355} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12208", "title": "Comparative study of chronotropic and inotropic effects of dopamine and seven derivatives on the isolated, blood-perfused dog atrium.", "content": "1. The effects of seven dopamine amino acid conjugated derivatives were compared with those of dopamine on sinus rate and contractile force using the isolated, blood-perfused dog atrium preparation. 2. Each of these dopamine derivatives induced dose-related positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. 3. The positive chronotropic and inotropic effects were obtained with the same rank order of potency for each effect with six of the dopamine derivatives. Their rank order and relative potency (dopamine = 1000) were: N-Ileu-dopamine (3) greater than N-Glu-Pro-dopamine (1) = N-Ala-Glu-dopamine (1) greater than N-Gly-Gly-dopamine (0.3) = N-gamma-Glu-dopamine (0.3) greater than N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine (0.1) greater than N-Gly-Gly-Pro-dopamine (0.01). 4. In doses producing equal positive inotropic effects, the positive chronotropic effect of N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine was much less than with the other derivatives tested. Its potency compared to dopamine (= 1000) was 0.3 for the inotropic and 0.1 for the chronotropic effect. 5. The duration of action of doses of the derivatives producing approximately equal positive inotropic responses was in the order N-Ileu-dopamine = N-gamma-Glu-dopamine = N-Gly-Pro-dopamine = N-Ala-Glu-dopamine greater than N-Gly-Gly-dopamine = N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine = N-Gly-Gly-Pro-dopamine greater than dopamine.", "contents": "Comparative study of chronotropic and inotropic effects of dopamine and seven derivatives on the isolated, blood-perfused dog atrium. 1. The effects of seven dopamine amino acid conjugated derivatives were compared with those of dopamine on sinus rate and contractile force using the isolated, blood-perfused dog atrium preparation. 2. Each of these dopamine derivatives induced dose-related positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. 3. The positive chronotropic and inotropic effects were obtained with the same rank order of potency for each effect with six of the dopamine derivatives. Their rank order and relative potency (dopamine = 1000) were: N-Ileu-dopamine (3) greater than N-Glu-Pro-dopamine (1) = N-Ala-Glu-dopamine (1) greater than N-Gly-Gly-dopamine (0.3) = N-gamma-Glu-dopamine (0.3) greater than N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine (0.1) greater than N-Gly-Gly-Pro-dopamine (0.01). 4. In doses producing equal positive inotropic effects, the positive chronotropic effect of N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine was much less than with the other derivatives tested. Its potency compared to dopamine (= 1000) was 0.3 for the inotropic and 0.1 for the chronotropic effect. 5. The duration of action of doses of the derivatives producing approximately equal positive inotropic responses was in the order N-Ileu-dopamine = N-gamma-Glu-dopamine = N-Gly-Pro-dopamine = N-Ala-Glu-dopamine greater than N-Gly-Gly-dopamine = N-Gly-Gly-Leu-dopamine = N-Gly-Gly-Pro-dopamine greater than dopamine.", "PMID": 639356} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12209", "title": "Effects of monosodium glutamate-induced obesity in mice on carbohydrate metabolism in insulin secretion.", "content": "1. The syndrome of obesity induced by neonatal injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been further studied in mice. In confirmation of previous studies stunting and decreased pituitary and gonadal weights were observed. 2. After weaning food intake was consistently less in MSG-treated than control mice. Body lipid stores were significantly elevated in MSG-treated mice by 2 weeks of age and increased progressively up to 4 months. 3. Plasma glucose was comparable between MSG-treated and control mice in the fed state whereas after an overnight fast MSG-treated mice exhibited relative hypoglycaemia. 4. Obese MSG-treated mice did not exhibit resistance to exogenous insulin and disposed of an intravenous glucose load more rapidly than control mice. 5. Hyperinsulinaemia was present inconsistently in both fed and fasted mice and in response to administered glucose. 6. Neonatal administration of MSG provides a useful additional model for studying the role of the hypothalamus in obesity.", "contents": "Effects of monosodium glutamate-induced obesity in mice on carbohydrate metabolism in insulin secretion. 1. The syndrome of obesity induced by neonatal injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been further studied in mice. In confirmation of previous studies stunting and decreased pituitary and gonadal weights were observed. 2. After weaning food intake was consistently less in MSG-treated than control mice. Body lipid stores were significantly elevated in MSG-treated mice by 2 weeks of age and increased progressively up to 4 months. 3. Plasma glucose was comparable between MSG-treated and control mice in the fed state whereas after an overnight fast MSG-treated mice exhibited relative hypoglycaemia. 4. Obese MSG-treated mice did not exhibit resistance to exogenous insulin and disposed of an intravenous glucose load more rapidly than control mice. 5. Hyperinsulinaemia was present inconsistently in both fed and fasted mice and in response to administered glucose. 6. Neonatal administration of MSG provides a useful additional model for studying the role of the hypothalamus in obesity.", "PMID": 639358} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12210", "title": "Effects of thiopentone sodium, methoxyflurane and halothane on haematological parameters in sheep during prolonged anaesthesia.", "content": "1. Satisfactory surgical anaesthesia in sheep was achieved by i.v. injection of thiopentone sodium per se (20 mg/kg); and also with thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthetics (2--3% and 1.5--2%, respectively). 2. Cardiac arrhythmias were not observed during thiopentone sodium, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia. However, during thiopentone anaesthesia, one sheep displayed a high degree of sinus tachycardia followed with ventricular tachycardia. 3. Pneumograms recorded during thiopentone sodium and thiopentone/methoxyflurane anaesthesia showed no irregularity, but in thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia, 30% of the sheep developed Cheyne-Stokes periodic respiration. 4. Packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) were significantly decreased in thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone anaesthetized sheep, but not in animals anaesthetized by thiopentone/halothane. 5. White blood cell count (WBC) was significantly decreased only in thiopentone/methoxyflurane anaesthetized sheep, but was not remarkable in thiopentone and thiopentone/halothane anaesthetized animals. 6. A significant lymphocytopenia occurred in thiopentone/methoxyflurane and in thiopentone/halothane anaesthetized sheep, but not in the thiopentone anaesthetized animals. This was accompanied with an increase in neutrophils. 7. Clotting time fell, but the extent and time course was different in thiopentone, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia. 8. From these data, it is suggested that thiopentone sodium, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane have different effects on different blood parameters during prolonged anaesthesia, and may be clinically significant.", "contents": "Effects of thiopentone sodium, methoxyflurane and halothane on haematological parameters in sheep during prolonged anaesthesia. 1. Satisfactory surgical anaesthesia in sheep was achieved by i.v. injection of thiopentone sodium per se (20 mg/kg); and also with thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthetics (2--3% and 1.5--2%, respectively). 2. Cardiac arrhythmias were not observed during thiopentone sodium, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia. However, during thiopentone anaesthesia, one sheep displayed a high degree of sinus tachycardia followed with ventricular tachycardia. 3. Pneumograms recorded during thiopentone sodium and thiopentone/methoxyflurane anaesthesia showed no irregularity, but in thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia, 30% of the sheep developed Cheyne-Stokes periodic respiration. 4. Packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) were significantly decreased in thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone anaesthetized sheep, but not in animals anaesthetized by thiopentone/halothane. 5. White blood cell count (WBC) was significantly decreased only in thiopentone/methoxyflurane anaesthetized sheep, but was not remarkable in thiopentone and thiopentone/halothane anaesthetized animals. 6. A significant lymphocytopenia occurred in thiopentone/methoxyflurane and in thiopentone/halothane anaesthetized sheep, but not in the thiopentone anaesthetized animals. This was accompanied with an increase in neutrophils. 7. Clotting time fell, but the extent and time course was different in thiopentone, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia. 8. From these data, it is suggested that thiopentone sodium, thiopentone/methoxyflurane and thiopentone/halothane have different effects on different blood parameters during prolonged anaesthesia, and may be clinically significant.", "PMID": 639357} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12211", "title": "Prevention of acute gastric ulceration in the rat by cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist.", "content": "1. Intraperitoneal injections of cimetidine into rats markedly reduced gastric acid production. When given at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, rate of acid production fell from a mean of 2.73 mumol/min (s.d. = 0.32) to a lowest level of 0.81 (s.d. = 0.28): the difference was highly significant (P less than 0.005). When given in a dose of 100 mg/kg, the rate of acid production further fell to 0.18 mumol/min (s.d. = 0.12;P less than 0.001). 2. Treatment with cimetidine in doses of 100 mg/kg 8-hourly during a 24 h period of restraint prevented the development of acute gastric ulceration in the rat. Pretreatment with cimetidine also protected against the ulcerogenic effects of intragastrically administered bile or lysolecithin. 3. The marked sustained reduction of acid production most probably accounts for the protective effects of cimetidine against ulcer production in the rat stomach.", "contents": "Prevention of acute gastric ulceration in the rat by cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. 1. Intraperitoneal injections of cimetidine into rats markedly reduced gastric acid production. When given at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, rate of acid production fell from a mean of 2.73 mumol/min (s.d. = 0.32) to a lowest level of 0.81 (s.d. = 0.28): the difference was highly significant (P less than 0.005). When given in a dose of 100 mg/kg, the rate of acid production further fell to 0.18 mumol/min (s.d. = 0.12;P less than 0.001). 2. Treatment with cimetidine in doses of 100 mg/kg 8-hourly during a 24 h period of restraint prevented the development of acute gastric ulceration in the rat. Pretreatment with cimetidine also protected against the ulcerogenic effects of intragastrically administered bile or lysolecithin. 3. The marked sustained reduction of acid production most probably accounts for the protective effects of cimetidine against ulcer production in the rat stomach.", "PMID": 639359} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12212", "title": "The natural history of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with and without mesangial hypercellularity in children.", "content": "The clinical courses and biopsy findings of twenty-four children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) were reviewed retrospectively to determine whether the presence of significant mesangial accentuation and proliferation (MAP) has prognostic implications. At the latest assessment, 10 of 13 patients with significant mesangial involveme,t (MAP [+]) had glomerular filtration rates less than or equal to 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, with four in renal failure. In contrast, all of eleven children with no significant mesangial involvement (MAP [-]) maintain glomerular filtration rates greater than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, (P less than 0.001). Of no prognostic importance were: age at onset of disease, type of onset, or presence or absence of hematuria. The preponderance of males in the MAP (+) group was a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.001). The two groups did not differ in regard to either the type of clinical course or the length of the period of observation, and there was no obvious effect of therapy in either group of patients. Immunofluorescence data were of no value in differentiating between the two groups. Our results imply that FSG with significant mesangial accentuation and proliferation is a unique glomerular disease of childhood, with a clinical course characterized by rapid progression to renal insufficiency. FSG without mesangial involvement, on the other hand, appears to have an excellent prognosis over long periods of time. At present, these two diseases can be differentiated only by renal biopsy.", "contents": "The natural history of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with and without mesangial hypercellularity in children. The clinical courses and biopsy findings of twenty-four children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) were reviewed retrospectively to determine whether the presence of significant mesangial accentuation and proliferation (MAP) has prognostic implications. At the latest assessment, 10 of 13 patients with significant mesangial involveme,t (MAP [+]) had glomerular filtration rates less than or equal to 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, with four in renal failure. In contrast, all of eleven children with no significant mesangial involvement (MAP [-]) maintain glomerular filtration rates greater than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, (P less than 0.001). Of no prognostic importance were: age at onset of disease, type of onset, or presence or absence of hematuria. The preponderance of males in the MAP (+) group was a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.001). The two groups did not differ in regard to either the type of clinical course or the length of the period of observation, and there was no obvious effect of therapy in either group of patients. Immunofluorescence data were of no value in differentiating between the two groups. Our results imply that FSG with significant mesangial accentuation and proliferation is a unique glomerular disease of childhood, with a clinical course characterized by rapid progression to renal insufficiency. FSG without mesangial involvement, on the other hand, appears to have an excellent prognosis over long periods of time. At present, these two diseases can be differentiated only by renal biopsy.", "PMID": 639366} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12213", "title": "Interactions between prazosin, clonidine and direct vasodilators in the anaesthetized rat.", "content": "1. Prazosin, clonidine, hydrallazine and diazoxide were administered intravenously, alone or in various combinations, to anaesthetized rats. 2. Prazosin and clonidine were equipotent. Their combined hypotensive effects in no instance exceeded the maximum effect attainable with either agent alone. The hypotensive effects of hydrallazine or diazoxide were, in contrast, additive to those of either prazosin or clonidine. 3. Pressor responses to clonidine were antagonized by prazosin. Prazosin may prove useful in hypertensive crises provoked by clonidine.", "contents": "Interactions between prazosin, clonidine and direct vasodilators in the anaesthetized rat. 1. Prazosin, clonidine, hydrallazine and diazoxide were administered intravenously, alone or in various combinations, to anaesthetized rats. 2. Prazosin and clonidine were equipotent. Their combined hypotensive effects in no instance exceeded the maximum effect attainable with either agent alone. The hypotensive effects of hydrallazine or diazoxide were, in contrast, additive to those of either prazosin or clonidine. 3. Pressor responses to clonidine were antagonized by prazosin. Prazosin may prove useful in hypertensive crises provoked by clonidine.", "PMID": 639362} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12214", "title": "Clinical, pathological and genetic aspects of a form of cystic disease of the renal medulla: familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN).", "content": "A combined clinical, pathological and genetic study of 13 cases of FJN is reported. The clinical features are conistent with those described in the literature, except that short stature is not a feature in this group. Hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus has been seen in 5 of 9 cases where histology was done. The genetic studies support the view that FJN is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease. Because their patterns of inheritance differ, FJN and medullary cystic disease (MCD) are separate entities. We suggest simplification of the nomenclature to: medullary cystic disease of childhood type, formerly FJN and medullary cystic disease of adult type, formerly MCD.", "contents": "Clinical, pathological and genetic aspects of a form of cystic disease of the renal medulla: familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN). A combined clinical, pathological and genetic study of 13 cases of FJN is reported. The clinical features are conistent with those described in the literature, except that short stature is not a feature in this group. Hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus has been seen in 5 of 9 cases where histology was done. The genetic studies support the view that FJN is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease. Because their patterns of inheritance differ, FJN and medullary cystic disease (MCD) are separate entities. We suggest simplification of the nomenclature to: medullary cystic disease of childhood type, formerly FJN and medullary cystic disease of adult type, formerly MCD.", "PMID": 639367} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12215", "title": "The effect of an angiotensin antagonist (saralasin) on arterial pressure and plasma aldosterone in hemodialysis-resistant hypertensive patients.", "content": "The effect of an angiotensin II antagonist (saralasin) on arterial pressure, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was assessed in seven dialysis-resistant hypertensive patients. During saralasin infusion performed before hemodialysis, mean arterial pressure fell by 8 to 18.3% in six out of the seven subjects; arterial pressure was normalized in three of them. After hemodialysis (6 subjects), a normal arterial pressure was achieved in five patients. One patient was resistant to saralasin before and after dialysis. A negative correlation (r = 0.62) was obtained between pre-infusion PRA and the change in mean arterial pressure induced by saralasin. Post-infusion PRA increased in saralasin responsive patients, the change in PRA being correlated (r = 0.82) with the pre-infusion PRA. Plasma aldosterone concentration was variably affected by saralasin; a negative correlation between pre-infusion PAC and the absolute change in PAC during saralasin was obtained (r = 0.72). The role of angiotensin II in the maintenance of a high arterial pressure in chronic dialysis patients was demonstrated. In saralasin-resistant patients, more vigorous ultrafiltration is proposed.", "contents": "The effect of an angiotensin antagonist (saralasin) on arterial pressure and plasma aldosterone in hemodialysis-resistant hypertensive patients. The effect of an angiotensin II antagonist (saralasin) on arterial pressure, plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was assessed in seven dialysis-resistant hypertensive patients. During saralasin infusion performed before hemodialysis, mean arterial pressure fell by 8 to 18.3% in six out of the seven subjects; arterial pressure was normalized in three of them. After hemodialysis (6 subjects), a normal arterial pressure was achieved in five patients. One patient was resistant to saralasin before and after dialysis. A negative correlation (r = 0.62) was obtained between pre-infusion PRA and the change in mean arterial pressure induced by saralasin. Post-infusion PRA increased in saralasin responsive patients, the change in PRA being correlated (r = 0.82) with the pre-infusion PRA. Plasma aldosterone concentration was variably affected by saralasin; a negative correlation between pre-infusion PAC and the absolute change in PAC during saralasin was obtained (r = 0.72). The role of angiotensin II in the maintenance of a high arterial pressure in chronic dialysis patients was demonstrated. In saralasin-resistant patients, more vigorous ultrafiltration is proposed.", "PMID": 639368} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12216", "title": "Glomerulonephritis associated with Hemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis.", "content": "A 65 year old man developed endocarditis and septicemia due to Hemophilus aphrophilus, a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Renal rather than cardiac failure was the principal feature of his illness and renal biopsy was compatible with glomerulonephritis secondary to septicemia. Rapid recovery of renal function and improvement of the glomerular lesion followed antibiotic treatment of the septicemia. This case illustrates the renal damage that can occur in association with septicemia due to rarer infectious agents. As with more common organisms, specific antimicrobial therapy leads to rapid improvement of the nephropathy.", "contents": "Glomerulonephritis associated with Hemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis. A 65 year old man developed endocarditis and septicemia due to Hemophilus aphrophilus, a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Renal rather than cardiac failure was the principal feature of his illness and renal biopsy was compatible with glomerulonephritis secondary to septicemia. Rapid recovery of renal function and improvement of the glomerular lesion followed antibiotic treatment of the septicemia. This case illustrates the renal damage that can occur in association with septicemia due to rarer infectious agents. As with more common organisms, specific antimicrobial therapy leads to rapid improvement of the nephropathy.", "PMID": 639369} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12217", "title": "Cholic acid and the heart: in vitro studies of the effect on heart rate and myocardial contractility in the rat.", "content": "1. Cholic acid has a dose-dependent negative chronotropic effect on isolated atria of Wistar rats. 2. The positive inotropic effect of cholic acid is the result of a negative chronotropic effect and can be eliminated by electrical pacing. 3. Cholic acid does not appear to exert its negative chronotropic effect through cholinoceptors and alterations in bath concentrations of calcium and potassium does not influence this effect significantly. 4. Cholic acid is a functional antagonist of isoprenaline. 5. It is suggested that cholic acid exerts its negative chronotropic effect by forming a monolayer on the surface of the cell membrane, thereby mechanically interfering with membrane function.", "contents": "Cholic acid and the heart: in vitro studies of the effect on heart rate and myocardial contractility in the rat. 1. Cholic acid has a dose-dependent negative chronotropic effect on isolated atria of Wistar rats. 2. The positive inotropic effect of cholic acid is the result of a negative chronotropic effect and can be eliminated by electrical pacing. 3. Cholic acid does not appear to exert its negative chronotropic effect through cholinoceptors and alterations in bath concentrations of calcium and potassium does not influence this effect significantly. 4. Cholic acid is a functional antagonist of isoprenaline. 5. It is suggested that cholic acid exerts its negative chronotropic effect by forming a monolayer on the surface of the cell membrane, thereby mechanically interfering with membrane function.", "PMID": 639363} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12218", "title": "The effects of amphotericin B therapy on the intrarenal vasculature and renal tubules in man. A study of biopsies by light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy.", "content": "Renal morphology was studied by light and electron microscopy in 10 patients after 25 mg/kg body weight of amphotericin B as part of a controlled study designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of mannitol against the nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B. Five patients received amphotericin B 1 mg/kg body weight every other day and five received amphotericin B and mannitol 1 g/kg body weight in the infusion. Small arterial and arteriolar changes were present in all biopsies and were characterized by focal vacuolization of medial smooth muscle cells. Electron microscopy suggested formation of these vacuoles by fusion of dilated endoplasmic reticulum. A few small vacuoles were also seen in renal biopsies of age matched patients who did not receive amphotericin B. Vacuoles in biopsies of the amphotericin treated patients were considerably larger (P less than 0.001) and much more numerous (P less than 0.001) than in controls. It is hypothesized that the vacuoles in the amphotericin B treated group represent the morphologic effect of intrarenal vasoconstriction caused by amphotericin B therapy. Nephrocalcinosis was observed in all biopsies and appeared to originate by precipitation of calcium salts in tubular casts.", "contents": "The effects of amphotericin B therapy on the intrarenal vasculature and renal tubules in man. A study of biopsies by light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. Renal morphology was studied by light and electron microscopy in 10 patients after 25 mg/kg body weight of amphotericin B as part of a controlled study designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of mannitol against the nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B. Five patients received amphotericin B 1 mg/kg body weight every other day and five received amphotericin B and mannitol 1 g/kg body weight in the infusion. Small arterial and arteriolar changes were present in all biopsies and were characterized by focal vacuolization of medial smooth muscle cells. Electron microscopy suggested formation of these vacuoles by fusion of dilated endoplasmic reticulum. A few small vacuoles were also seen in renal biopsies of age matched patients who did not receive amphotericin B. Vacuoles in biopsies of the amphotericin treated patients were considerably larger (P less than 0.001) and much more numerous (P less than 0.001) than in controls. It is hypothesized that the vacuoles in the amphotericin B treated group represent the morphologic effect of intrarenal vasoconstriction caused by amphotericin B therapy. Nephrocalcinosis was observed in all biopsies and appeared to originate by precipitation of calcium salts in tubular casts.", "PMID": 639370} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12219", "title": "Modification of brain biogenic amines by met5-enkephalin amide in the rat.", "content": "1. Gross changes in behaviour and whole brain levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were examined in rats for 3 min following intracerebral injections of met5-enkephalin amide or morphine. 2. Both the enkephalin and morphine depressed respiration and induced a cataleptic-like state, but only the enkephalin produced wet-shake responses. 3. All doses of met5-enkephalin amide (150,200 and 600 microgram) and morphine (134 and 200 microgram) increased the brain levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, whereas only the large doses modified the levels of noradrenaline and serotonin. 4. The similarity of the effects of these two compounds indicates that morphine may act through an enkephalin-like mechanism.", "contents": "Modification of brain biogenic amines by met5-enkephalin amide in the rat. 1. Gross changes in behaviour and whole brain levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were examined in rats for 3 min following intracerebral injections of met5-enkephalin amide or morphine. 2. Both the enkephalin and morphine depressed respiration and induced a cataleptic-like state, but only the enkephalin produced wet-shake responses. 3. All doses of met5-enkephalin amide (150,200 and 600 microgram) and morphine (134 and 200 microgram) increased the brain levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, whereas only the large doses modified the levels of noradrenaline and serotonin. 4. The similarity of the effects of these two compounds indicates that morphine may act through an enkephalin-like mechanism.", "PMID": 639364} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12220", "title": "Simultaneous hemofiltration/hemodialysis: an effective alternative to hemofiltration and conventional hemodialysis in the treatment of uremic patients.", "content": "Hemofiltration and hemodialysis were performed simultaneously with the Polyacrylnitrile membrane in a single pass dialyzate flow system. Due to the combination of convective mass transfer and diffusion, the clearances of both small and large molecules were significantly higher than during hemofiltration or hemodialysis alone. The removal of excess water was better tolerated than during hemodialysis. Six patients have been treated by this technique for 6 months 3 X 3 hr/week without side effects, and the new procedure appears to be the method of choice to shorten dialysis time.", "contents": "Simultaneous hemofiltration/hemodialysis: an effective alternative to hemofiltration and conventional hemodialysis in the treatment of uremic patients. Hemofiltration and hemodialysis were performed simultaneously with the Polyacrylnitrile membrane in a single pass dialyzate flow system. Due to the combination of convective mass transfer and diffusion, the clearances of both small and large molecules were significantly higher than during hemofiltration or hemodialysis alone. The removal of excess water was better tolerated than during hemodialysis. Six patients have been treated by this technique for 6 months 3 X 3 hr/week without side effects, and the new procedure appears to be the method of choice to shorten dialysis time.", "PMID": 639371} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12221", "title": "Concentration of guanidines in normal human plasma.", "content": "1. The concentration of methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid has been measured in normal human plasma and discrepancies between various published methods for measuring methylguanidine have been resolved. Previous methods have been modified to allow these guanidines, together with guanidinoacetic acid and creatine, to be measured on the same serum sample. 2. Mean values in six normal subjects were as follows: methylguanidine 1.62 mumol/1 (s.d. = 1.3); guanidinosuccinic acid 0.66 mumol/1 (s.d. = 0.22); guanidinoacetic acid 7.06 mumol/1 (s.d. = 1.29); creatine 80.9 mumol/1 (s.d. = 37.9).", "contents": "Concentration of guanidines in normal human plasma. 1. The concentration of methylguanidine and guanidinosuccinic acid has been measured in normal human plasma and discrepancies between various published methods for measuring methylguanidine have been resolved. Previous methods have been modified to allow these guanidines, together with guanidinoacetic acid and creatine, to be measured on the same serum sample. 2. Mean values in six normal subjects were as follows: methylguanidine 1.62 mumol/1 (s.d. = 1.3); guanidinosuccinic acid 0.66 mumol/1 (s.d. = 0.22); guanidinoacetic acid 7.06 mumol/1 (s.d. = 1.29); creatine 80.9 mumol/1 (s.d. = 37.9).", "PMID": 639360} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12222", "title": "Intrarenal mechanism for renal vasoconstriction resulting from stimulation of the ureter in the dog.", "content": "1. The mechanism responsible for ipsilateral renal vasoconstriction resulting from mechanical stimulation of the ureter was examined using the pharmacological antagonists saralasin, SQ20881, indomethacin, atropine and phentolamine. 2. A segment of PE tubing was implanted in the left ureter, patency being well maintained. Three to four days later renal blood flow was measured bilaterally and antagonists administered intravenously. 3. The mechanism responsible for vasoconstriction could not be attributed to either increased intrarenal noradrenaline or angiotensin, nor to a decreased activity of prostaglandins, kinins or acetylcholine. 4. Histological and bacteriological examination also proved negative. 5. Thus, additional evidence of an unidentified intrarenal mechanism causing vasoconstriction is presented.", "contents": "Intrarenal mechanism for renal vasoconstriction resulting from stimulation of the ureter in the dog. 1. The mechanism responsible for ipsilateral renal vasoconstriction resulting from mechanical stimulation of the ureter was examined using the pharmacological antagonists saralasin, SQ20881, indomethacin, atropine and phentolamine. 2. A segment of PE tubing was implanted in the left ureter, patency being well maintained. Three to four days later renal blood flow was measured bilaterally and antagonists administered intravenously. 3. The mechanism responsible for vasoconstriction could not be attributed to either increased intrarenal noradrenaline or angiotensin, nor to a decreased activity of prostaglandins, kinins or acetylcholine. 4. Histological and bacteriological examination also proved negative. 5. Thus, additional evidence of an unidentified intrarenal mechanism causing vasoconstriction is presented.", "PMID": 639361} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12223", "title": "Shunt nephritis.", "content": "A case of nephritis occurring in a 40-year old patient with a ventriculojugular shung infected with staphylococcus albus is described. Circulating antistaphylococcal antibodies could be demonstrated. Renal manifestations disappeared after treatment with systemic antibiotics and surgical removal of the shunt.", "contents": "Shunt nephritis. A case of nephritis occurring in a 40-year old patient with a ventriculojugular shung infected with staphylococcus albus is described. Circulating antistaphylococcal antibodies could be demonstrated. Renal manifestations disappeared after treatment with systemic antibiotics and surgical removal of the shunt.", "PMID": 639372} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12224", "title": "Scintigraphy in the diagnosis of osteonecrosis.", "content": "Scintigraphy, using 99mTc diphosphonate, has the potential for diagnosing osteonecrosis before irreversible changes are visible in routine roentgenograms. If obtained within weeks of an avascular insult, a cold area will appear on scintiscan. However, months later, the revascularization and reparative processes of the dead bone produce a hot area on scintiscan.", "contents": "Scintigraphy in the diagnosis of osteonecrosis. Scintigraphy, using 99mTc diphosphonate, has the potential for diagnosing osteonecrosis before irreversible changes are visible in routine roentgenograms. If obtained within weeks of an avascular insult, a cold area will appear on scintiscan. However, months later, the revascularization and reparative processes of the dead bone produce a hot area on scintiscan.", "PMID": 639385} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12225", "title": "Alcoholism associated ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Early diagnosis and treatment.", "content": "Thirty-eight hips in 26 patients with alcoholism associated ischemic necrosis of the femoral head (INFH) have been evaluated by measurement of intraosseous pressure, (IOP) pressure response to a 5 ml saline load injected intraosseously and intraosseous venography. All stages of INFH were characterized by elevated IOP and/or an increased pressure response to the saline load compared to normal controls. Intraosseous venography in INFH was characterized by poor or absent visualization of the main efferent veins draining the proximal femur, diaphyseal reflux and delayed evacuation of dye from the bone. It has been possible to identify both a preradiologic and even preclinical stage of INFH. Core decompression, the removal of an 11 mm plug of bone from the head and neck of the femur, has been carried out on all hips in the study. All patients had pain prior to surgery. Eight patients in Stage I (preradiologic stage) are symptom free and without radiologic progression at follow-up, average 24 months. Only one of 5 patients in Stage II (no collapse of the femoral head) has shown X-ray progression while all remain asymptomatic. In Stage III (collapse, without acetabular involvement), core decompression offers relief of symptoms but does not appear to prevent further head collapse.", "contents": "Alcoholism associated ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Early diagnosis and treatment. Thirty-eight hips in 26 patients with alcoholism associated ischemic necrosis of the femoral head (INFH) have been evaluated by measurement of intraosseous pressure, (IOP) pressure response to a 5 ml saline load injected intraosseously and intraosseous venography. All stages of INFH were characterized by elevated IOP and/or an increased pressure response to the saline load compared to normal controls. Intraosseous venography in INFH was characterized by poor or absent visualization of the main efferent veins draining the proximal femur, diaphyseal reflux and delayed evacuation of dye from the bone. It has been possible to identify both a preradiologic and even preclinical stage of INFH. Core decompression, the removal of an 11 mm plug of bone from the head and neck of the femur, has been carried out on all hips in the study. All patients had pain prior to surgery. Eight patients in Stage I (preradiologic stage) are symptom free and without radiologic progression at follow-up, average 24 months. Only one of 5 patients in Stage II (no collapse of the femoral head) has shown X-ray progression while all remain asymptomatic. In Stage III (collapse, without acetabular involvement), core decompression offers relief of symptoms but does not appear to prevent further head collapse.", "PMID": 639386} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12226", "title": "Radiographic findings in commercial divers.", "content": "The primary method of detecting and recording the changes of dysbaric osteonecrosis is bone and joint radiographic survey. This is not the routine medical and orthopedic roentgen technique, but is a special purpose examination with special technical requirements. The findings indicate selective sites of damage and each should have meticulous study. Fine detail and heavily penetrated radiographs produce needed bony, especially trabecular, and detail and allow the film reviewers to exlude simulating lesions. The incidence of osteonecrosis in American commercial divers has been found to be quite low and considerably less than in other types of compressed gas workers and shell divers. The major radiographic observation is an area of sclerosis, but other changes occur. Juxta-articular lesions can lead to joint damage and are, therefore, potentially disabling. The immediate significance of a lesion in the shaft of a long bone is in its value as a basis for disqualification of an individual for further work in dysbaric environments.", "contents": "Radiographic findings in commercial divers. The primary method of detecting and recording the changes of dysbaric osteonecrosis is bone and joint radiographic survey. This is not the routine medical and orthopedic roentgen technique, but is a special purpose examination with special technical requirements. The findings indicate selective sites of damage and each should have meticulous study. Fine detail and heavily penetrated radiographs produce needed bony, especially trabecular, and detail and allow the film reviewers to exlude simulating lesions. The incidence of osteonecrosis in American commercial divers has been found to be quite low and considerably less than in other types of compressed gas workers and shell divers. The major radiographic observation is an area of sclerosis, but other changes occur. Juxta-articular lesions can lead to joint damage and are, therefore, potentially disabling. The immediate significance of a lesion in the shaft of a long bone is in its value as a basis for disqualification of an individual for further work in dysbaric environments.", "PMID": 639384} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12227", "title": "Orthopedic aspects of sickle cell anemia and allied hemoglobinopathies.", "content": "The study of 23 cases of hemoglobinopathies in Nigeria using electrophoresis, showed that 16 cases were HB-SS, 5 cases HB-SC, and 2 cases HB-S Th. There were infarcts of long bones, which were usually multiple in the diaphyses in 17 cases, septic arthritis of big joints in 4 patients and aseptic necrosis of the hip in one, and in the hip and knee in one. Infection was proved by culture in only the 4 joints and 7 of the affected long bones, 8 of the causative organisms were Salmonella and 3 were Staphylococci. Only 2 of the infected cases needed sequestrectomy and the other 9 responded to simpler methods like aspiration and incision of abscess U.L.A. without resulting in a sinus formation. The aseptic necrosis in the hip may simulate Perthe's disease and dysbaric osteonecrosis, the massive periosteal reaction may simulate Caffey's disease and hypervitaminosis A, and give rise to difficulties in diagnosis when hemoglobinopathies are not suspected.", "contents": "Orthopedic aspects of sickle cell anemia and allied hemoglobinopathies. The study of 23 cases of hemoglobinopathies in Nigeria using electrophoresis, showed that 16 cases were HB-SS, 5 cases HB-SC, and 2 cases HB-S Th. There were infarcts of long bones, which were usually multiple in the diaphyses in 17 cases, septic arthritis of big joints in 4 patients and aseptic necrosis of the hip in one, and in the hip and knee in one. Infection was proved by culture in only the 4 joints and 7 of the affected long bones, 8 of the causative organisms were Salmonella and 3 were Staphylococci. Only 2 of the infected cases needed sequestrectomy and the other 9 responded to simpler methods like aspiration and incision of abscess U.L.A. without resulting in a sinus formation. The aseptic necrosis in the hip may simulate Perthe's disease and dysbaric osteonecrosis, the massive periosteal reaction may simulate Caffey's disease and hypervitaminosis A, and give rise to difficulties in diagnosis when hemoglobinopathies are not suspected.", "PMID": 639387} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12228", "title": "Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy of the femoral head in the treatment of osteonecrosis affecting the hip: a new osteotomy operation.", "content": "\"Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy of the femoral head\" is a new approach to the treatment of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The results of 41 hips with a follow-up suggest that the procedure prevents the progression of the collapse of the femoral head and preserves joint surfaces. Cases with extensive lesions and with bilateral involvement require long-term follow-up investigations in a large series of cases. This method does not preclude prosthetic replacement at a later date. The method is also applicable to the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, partial defects of the femoral head in weight-bearing area due to trauma and tumor and osteoarthritis of the hip with localized changes in weight-bearing area.", "contents": "Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy of the femoral head in the treatment of osteonecrosis affecting the hip: a new osteotomy operation. \"Transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy of the femoral head\" is a new approach to the treatment of idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The results of 41 hips with a follow-up suggest that the procedure prevents the progression of the collapse of the femoral head and preserves joint surfaces. Cases with extensive lesions and with bilateral involvement require long-term follow-up investigations in a large series of cases. This method does not preclude prosthetic replacement at a later date. The method is also applicable to the treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, partial defects of the femoral head in weight-bearing area due to trauma and tumor and osteoarthritis of the hip with localized changes in weight-bearing area.", "PMID": 639389} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12229", "title": "Management of osteonecrosis in sickle-cell anemia and its genetic variants.", "content": "Osteonecrosis secondary to sickling disorders differs from most other forms of osteonecrosis, because vaso-occlusive episodes generally involve many other organs. For this reason optimum management and care of these patients requires a team approach. The spectrum of clinical symptoms and bone involvement varies widely from one patient to another, even among patients with the same abnormal hemoglobin patterns. Although the efficacy of conservative therapeutic measures has not been definitely established, these may be all that can be offered because of the patient's other problems. Before contemplating surgery, the surgical and anesthetic risks should be evaluated and measures taken to prevent complications. The varus osteotomy, Chiari pelvic osteotomy, prosthetic or total hip replacement, and the Neer shoulder prosthesis may benefit a limited number of carefully selected patients.", "contents": "Management of osteonecrosis in sickle-cell anemia and its genetic variants. Osteonecrosis secondary to sickling disorders differs from most other forms of osteonecrosis, because vaso-occlusive episodes generally involve many other organs. For this reason optimum management and care of these patients requires a team approach. The spectrum of clinical symptoms and bone involvement varies widely from one patient to another, even among patients with the same abnormal hemoglobin patterns. Although the efficacy of conservative therapeutic measures has not been definitely established, these may be all that can be offered because of the patient's other problems. Before contemplating surgery, the surgical and anesthetic risks should be evaluated and measures taken to prevent complications. The varus osteotomy, Chiari pelvic osteotomy, prosthetic or total hip replacement, and the Neer shoulder prosthesis may benefit a limited number of carefully selected patients.", "PMID": 639388} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12230", "title": "The forgotten popliteus muscle. Its usefulness in correction of anteromedial rotatory instability of the knee. A preliminary report.", "content": "The popliteus muscle is an important factor in stability of the knee. Advancement of the popliteus muscle and tendon complex was useful for surgical correction of anterior and anteromedial instability in 8 cases.", "contents": "The forgotten popliteus muscle. Its usefulness in correction of anteromedial rotatory instability of the knee. A preliminary report. The popliteus muscle is an important factor in stability of the knee. Advancement of the popliteus muscle and tendon complex was useful for surgical correction of anterior and anteromedial instability in 8 cases.", "PMID": 639392} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12231", "title": "Chondrocalcinosis following osteochondritis dissecans in the femur condyles.", "content": "Chondrocalcinosis, defined as radiopaque deposits in the joint cartilages and in semilunar cartilages of the knee joint, develops frequently in patients in whom osteochondritis dissecans is diagnosed after the epiphyseal line of the distal end of the femur is closed. Chondrocalcinosis occurred in 2/3 of the cases surgically treated for osteochondritis. The incidence was greater than in knees treated by arthrotomy for ruptured semilunar cartilages. However, the latter show chondrocalcinosis much more frequently in patients without history of injury or arthrotomy. Osteochondritis patients with chondrocalcinosis more often may have joint effusion than patients with other conditions. The chondrocalcinosis is not confined to that part of the joint which was the site of the osteochondritis lesion. The presence of chondrocalcinosis can be correlated with a poor prognosis of the knee including severe gonarthrosis.", "contents": "Chondrocalcinosis following osteochondritis dissecans in the femur condyles. Chondrocalcinosis, defined as radiopaque deposits in the joint cartilages and in semilunar cartilages of the knee joint, develops frequently in patients in whom osteochondritis dissecans is diagnosed after the epiphyseal line of the distal end of the femur is closed. Chondrocalcinosis occurred in 2/3 of the cases surgically treated for osteochondritis. The incidence was greater than in knees treated by arthrotomy for ruptured semilunar cartilages. However, the latter show chondrocalcinosis much more frequently in patients without history of injury or arthrotomy. Osteochondritis patients with chondrocalcinosis more often may have joint effusion than patients with other conditions. The chondrocalcinosis is not confined to that part of the joint which was the site of the osteochondritis lesion. The presence of chondrocalcinosis can be correlated with a poor prognosis of the knee including severe gonarthrosis.", "PMID": 639393} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12232", "title": "Body type and rotational laxity of the knee.", "content": "Forty young adult males were somatotyped according to the Health-Carter Modified Method and were separated into 2 groups. One group was a meso-endomorphic body type (5-6-1) and the other was ectomorphic body type (3-2-4). Measurement of rotational laxity of the knee in 90 degrees flexion showed a statistically significant increase (p less than .001) in external rotation and total rotation in ectomorphs compared to meso-endomorphs. Rotational laxity of the knee is associated with body type. Lateral radiographs were used to measure patellae alta in each group. No statistical difference was found, and patellae alta does not appear to be associated with body type.", "contents": "Body type and rotational laxity of the knee. Forty young adult males were somatotyped according to the Health-Carter Modified Method and were separated into 2 groups. One group was a meso-endomorphic body type (5-6-1) and the other was ectomorphic body type (3-2-4). Measurement of rotational laxity of the knee in 90 degrees flexion showed a statistically significant increase (p less than .001) in external rotation and total rotation in ectomorphs compared to meso-endomorphs. Rotational laxity of the knee is associated with body type. Lateral radiographs were used to measure patellae alta in each group. No statistical difference was found, and patellae alta does not appear to be associated with body type.", "PMID": 639394} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12233", "title": "A theoretical analysis of cast wedging with practical applications.", "content": "Cast wedging using vector and geometrical analysis demonstrated that the open wedge produces distraction of the fracture, the closing wedge shortening, and that the opening--closing wedge can perfectly correct skeletal deformity. The level of wedging should lie at the axis intersection, i.e., at the intersection of the long axes of the 2 major fracture fragments. An open wedge at the axis intersection is recommended for tibial shaft fractures immobilized with long leg casts; an opening--closing wedge at the axis intersection, for fractures immobilized with \"pins and plaster\".", "contents": "A theoretical analysis of cast wedging with practical applications. Cast wedging using vector and geometrical analysis demonstrated that the open wedge produces distraction of the fracture, the closing wedge shortening, and that the opening--closing wedge can perfectly correct skeletal deformity. The level of wedging should lie at the axis intersection, i.e., at the intersection of the long axes of the 2 major fracture fragments. An open wedge at the axis intersection is recommended for tibial shaft fractures immobilized with long leg casts; an opening--closing wedge at the axis intersection, for fractures immobilized with \"pins and plaster\".", "PMID": 639396} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12234", "title": "Computed tomography of orthopedic tumors of the pelvis and lower extremities.", "content": "An analysis of 6 representative cases of tumors of the pelvis and lower extremities demonstrates the clinical usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) in preoperative evaluation. CT provides information regarding precise size of the mass, its location and relationship to muscle bundles and fascial planes, definition of the margins of the mass, relation to neural, vascular and bony structures not previously available by plain film and angiography. This information is of particular value to the orthopedic surgeon in evaluating the feasibility of en bloc resections of tumors and in planning reconstructive procedures.", "contents": "Computed tomography of orthopedic tumors of the pelvis and lower extremities. An analysis of 6 representative cases of tumors of the pelvis and lower extremities demonstrates the clinical usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) in preoperative evaluation. CT provides information regarding precise size of the mass, its location and relationship to muscle bundles and fascial planes, definition of the margins of the mass, relation to neural, vascular and bony structures not previously available by plain film and angiography. This information is of particular value to the orthopedic surgeon in evaluating the feasibility of en bloc resections of tumors and in planning reconstructive procedures.", "PMID": 639397} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12235", "title": "Persistence or recurrence of pain: a sign of surgical failure is osteoid-osteoma.", "content": "Excision of an osteoid-osteoma brings prompt and permanent relief from symptoms. Recurrence of pain indicates persistence or failure to totally remove the nidus (9 of 73 patients), and only rarely a true recurrence. Long symptom-free intervals may follow partial excision of the lesion.", "contents": "Persistence or recurrence of pain: a sign of surgical failure is osteoid-osteoma. Excision of an osteoid-osteoma brings prompt and permanent relief from symptoms. Recurrence of pain indicates persistence or failure to totally remove the nidus (9 of 73 patients), and only rarely a true recurrence. Long symptom-free intervals may follow partial excision of the lesion.", "PMID": 639399} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12236", "title": "Intracortical and subperiosteal lesion of unknown etiology.", "content": "A painful intracortical and subperiosteal lesion of the fibula with a 14 year follow-up is reported to regress to a painfree state. Infection is favored in the differential diagnosis. Biopsy with histological and radiographical correlation are essential for exclusion of: osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, periostitis, glomus tumor, eosinophilic granuloma, enostosis, hemangioma of bone, giant cell tumor, simple cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, non-ossifying fibroma, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, localized area of avascular necrosis, stress fracture and even metastatic disease.", "contents": "Intracortical and subperiosteal lesion of unknown etiology. A painful intracortical and subperiosteal lesion of the fibula with a 14 year follow-up is reported to regress to a painfree state. Infection is favored in the differential diagnosis. Biopsy with histological and radiographical correlation are essential for exclusion of: osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, periostitis, glomus tumor, eosinophilic granuloma, enostosis, hemangioma of bone, giant cell tumor, simple cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, non-ossifying fibroma, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, hyperparathyroidism, Paget's disease, localized area of avascular necrosis, stress fracture and even metastatic disease.", "PMID": 639398} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12237", "title": "Traumatic hip dislocation with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures.", "content": "A traumatic dislocation of the hip joint associated with an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture is a rare injury resulting from severe trauma. Initially the dislocated hip joint is often unrecognized and consequently reduction is delayed. Early diagnosis and reduction of the hip joint improves the functional prognosis. The maximum functional recovery is possible only with greater awareness of this combined injury. Examination of the hip joints by clinical roentgenography in the critically injured patient, especially those with head injuries, or physical signs masked by extremity swelling, should be a routine procedure.", "contents": "Traumatic hip dislocation with ipsilateral femoral shaft fractures. A traumatic dislocation of the hip joint associated with an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture is a rare injury resulting from severe trauma. Initially the dislocated hip joint is often unrecognized and consequently reduction is delayed. Early diagnosis and reduction of the hip joint improves the functional prognosis. The maximum functional recovery is possible only with greater awareness of this combined injury. Examination of the hip joints by clinical roentgenography in the critically injured patient, especially those with head injuries, or physical signs masked by extremity swelling, should be a routine procedure.", "PMID": 639395} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12238", "title": "An electron microscopic study of the origin of osteoblasts in implants of demineralized bone matrix.", "content": "Correlated light microscope and ultrastructural observations of allogeneic intramuscular implants of rat demineralized bone matrix demonstrate the interrelationships between various osteogenetic and non-osteogenetic cell types and suggest that the bone morphogenetic response is evoked from cells of a common origin. Endothelial cells may play a prominent, essential, as well as primary role in the bone morphogenetic response.", "contents": "An electron microscopic study of the origin of osteoblasts in implants of demineralized bone matrix. Correlated light microscope and ultrastructural observations of allogeneic intramuscular implants of rat demineralized bone matrix demonstrate the interrelationships between various osteogenetic and non-osteogenetic cell types and suggest that the bone morphogenetic response is evoked from cells of a common origin. Endothelial cells may play a prominent, essential, as well as primary role in the bone morphogenetic response.", "PMID": 639401} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12239", "title": "Biomechanics and comparison of two operative methods of treatment of complete acromioclavicular separation.", "content": "Sixty-three complete acromioclavicular separations were treated by 2 operative methods. Acromioclavicular wiring gave 73% acceptable results while wire or Dacron coracoclavicular loop gave 94% acceptable results. Complications, especially broken, bent, or backed-out wires were common with acromioclavicular wiring. Of 44 patients treated by acromioclavicular wiring, 5 required late distal clavicle resection and 4 of these had retained menisci. Loop fixation is mechanically superior since the loop is in the direction of the tensile forces. In acromioclavicular wiring, however, the fixation Kirschner wires are subjected to high bending moments. Loop fixation avoids violation of the acromioclavicular joint but does not restrict rotation of the clavicle. The operation is simple to perform and postoperative immobilization is minimal. Woven Dacron may be superior to surgical wire for loop fixation in that unlike wire it does not require removal by a second operation. Woven Dacron may also stimulate coracoclavicular ligament reconstitution.", "contents": "Biomechanics and comparison of two operative methods of treatment of complete acromioclavicular separation. Sixty-three complete acromioclavicular separations were treated by 2 operative methods. Acromioclavicular wiring gave 73% acceptable results while wire or Dacron coracoclavicular loop gave 94% acceptable results. Complications, especially broken, bent, or backed-out wires were common with acromioclavicular wiring. Of 44 patients treated by acromioclavicular wiring, 5 required late distal clavicle resection and 4 of these had retained menisci. Loop fixation is mechanically superior since the loop is in the direction of the tensile forces. In acromioclavicular wiring, however, the fixation Kirschner wires are subjected to high bending moments. Loop fixation avoids violation of the acromioclavicular joint but does not restrict rotation of the clavicle. The operation is simple to perform and postoperative immobilization is minimal. Woven Dacron may be superior to surgical wire for loop fixation in that unlike wire it does not require removal by a second operation. Woven Dacron may also stimulate coracoclavicular ligament reconstitution.", "PMID": 639400} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12240", "title": "Microradioscopic quantitation of periosteal resorption in secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure.", "content": "The feasibility of expressing periosteal resorption (PR) in hand bones quantitatively as a measure of skeletal involvement of hyperparathyroidism, was tested by measuring the length of surface irregularities in medial and lateral surfaces of the middle phlanges of digits II--IV in one hand. Measurements were made to 0.1 mm by microradioscopy of fine detail radiographs using a X 6 measuring magnifier. Randomly numbered unidentified radiographs from 60 normal subjects and 61 chronic renal failure patients were measured by Reader 1 twice at 4 weeks interval and by Reader 2 once. There was no significant systematic difference between the readers, or for Reader 1 over the 4 weeks interval. The intraobserver precision was estimated to be +/- 3.8 mm. Relative to the normal ranges (0--9 mm, mean 2.54) such precision is sufficient for diagnostic purposes and for comparison of groups. Diagnostically, this method was found to be more sensitive than the currently used gradient of PR (0 to 3+): definite abnormalities were detected in 30 of 61 patients by quantitative microradioscopy, and in 22 by the grading method. A further advantage is that the numerical expression is better suited for statistical analysis of data than the results by grading.", "contents": "Microradioscopic quantitation of periosteal resorption in secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure. The feasibility of expressing periosteal resorption (PR) in hand bones quantitatively as a measure of skeletal involvement of hyperparathyroidism, was tested by measuring the length of surface irregularities in medial and lateral surfaces of the middle phlanges of digits II--IV in one hand. Measurements were made to 0.1 mm by microradioscopy of fine detail radiographs using a X 6 measuring magnifier. Randomly numbered unidentified radiographs from 60 normal subjects and 61 chronic renal failure patients were measured by Reader 1 twice at 4 weeks interval and by Reader 2 once. There was no significant systematic difference between the readers, or for Reader 1 over the 4 weeks interval. The intraobserver precision was estimated to be +/- 3.8 mm. Relative to the normal ranges (0--9 mm, mean 2.54) such precision is sufficient for diagnostic purposes and for comparison of groups. Diagnostically, this method was found to be more sensitive than the currently used gradient of PR (0 to 3+): definite abnormalities were detected in 30 of 61 patients by quantitative microradioscopy, and in 22 by the grading method. A further advantage is that the numerical expression is better suited for statistical analysis of data than the results by grading.", "PMID": 639404} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12241", "title": "Epidemiology of traumatic and nontraumatic osteonecrosis.", "content": "In reviewing the epidemiology of traumatic and nontraumatic osteonecrosis the only common denominator appears to be that of circulatory compromise. Causative mechanisms seem to be quite distinct. A number of factors may predispose to postfracture hip necrosis, i.e. the type of fracture, the quality of reduction and union of the fracture. For postdislocation necrosis, causative factors include the type of dislocation as well as the timing and nature of the reduction. For nontraumatic osteonecrosis, an array of consistently associated systemic disorders appears to be largely linked by frequent lipid elevations. Alcoholism and corticosteroid use account for the bulk of cases and there is consistent predisposition to males and bilateral involvement. Multifocal lesions attest to the systemic basis for this form of necrosis.", "contents": "Epidemiology of traumatic and nontraumatic osteonecrosis. In reviewing the epidemiology of traumatic and nontraumatic osteonecrosis the only common denominator appears to be that of circulatory compromise. Causative mechanisms seem to be quite distinct. A number of factors may predispose to postfracture hip necrosis, i.e. the type of fracture, the quality of reduction and union of the fracture. For postdislocation necrosis, causative factors include the type of dislocation as well as the timing and nature of the reduction. For nontraumatic osteonecrosis, an array of consistently associated systemic disorders appears to be largely linked by frequent lipid elevations. Alcoholism and corticosteroid use account for the bulk of cases and there is consistent predisposition to males and bilateral involvement. Multifocal lesions attest to the systemic basis for this form of necrosis.", "PMID": 639407} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12242", "title": "Effect of vitamin D in fluoride-treated rats.", "content": "Fluoridated drinking water (30 mg and 100 mg F per liter) was used to induce rachitic changes in rats fed a vitamin D free diet containing calcium and phosphorus in a ratio of 1 : 1. Supplements of vitamin D3 (70 IU of cholecalciferol per week) completely prevented the rachitogenic effects of fluoride. This protective effect occurred despite evidence that vitamin D enhanced the intestinal absorption of fluoride.", "contents": "Effect of vitamin D in fluoride-treated rats. Fluoridated drinking water (30 mg and 100 mg F per liter) was used to induce rachitic changes in rats fed a vitamin D free diet containing calcium and phosphorus in a ratio of 1 : 1. Supplements of vitamin D3 (70 IU of cholecalciferol per week) completely prevented the rachitogenic effects of fluoride. This protective effect occurred despite evidence that vitamin D enhanced the intestinal absorption of fluoride.", "PMID": 639403} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12243", "title": "Epiphyseal transplant in amputations. Effects on overgrowth in a rabbit model.", "content": "Bony overgrowth of the stump is a recognized complication of amputated limbs in children. Transplantation of an epiphysis inhibits bony overgrowth in rabbits. The mechanism of inhibition as well as its applicability to other species warrants further investigation.", "contents": "Epiphyseal transplant in amputations. Effects on overgrowth in a rabbit model. Bony overgrowth of the stump is a recognized complication of amputated limbs in children. Transplantation of an epiphysis inhibits bony overgrowth in rabbits. The mechanism of inhibition as well as its applicability to other species warrants further investigation.", "PMID": 639402} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12244", "title": "The role of fat embolism in the etiology of corticosteroid-induced avascular necrosis: clinical and experimental results.", "content": "Case reports since 1957 implicate corticosteroids in excess of physiologic requirements as a cause of nontraumatic osteonecrosis. Both laboratory and clinical studies demonstrate marked alterations in lipid metabolism with hyperlipemia, fatty liver and systemic fat embolism. Intra-arterial infusion of fat produces embolic vascular obstruction, focal marrow necrosis and osteocytic death in the femoral head of the rabbit. Induced hypercortisonism in rabbits produces severe hyperlipemia, fatty liver, systemic fat emboli, terminal vascular obstruction in bone and associated areas of osteocytic death representing avascular necrosis. Osteoporosis develops without fracture. Histologic evidence of vasculitis, thrombosis, or microfracture is lacking. The specific biochemical pathway of corticosteroid lipid alterations is unknown.", "contents": "The role of fat embolism in the etiology of corticosteroid-induced avascular necrosis: clinical and experimental results. Case reports since 1957 implicate corticosteroids in excess of physiologic requirements as a cause of nontraumatic osteonecrosis. Both laboratory and clinical studies demonstrate marked alterations in lipid metabolism with hyperlipemia, fatty liver and systemic fat embolism. Intra-arterial infusion of fat produces embolic vascular obstruction, focal marrow necrosis and osteocytic death in the femoral head of the rabbit. Induced hypercortisonism in rabbits produces severe hyperlipemia, fatty liver, systemic fat emboli, terminal vascular obstruction in bone and associated areas of osteocytic death representing avascular necrosis. Osteoporosis develops without fracture. Histologic evidence of vasculitis, thrombosis, or microfracture is lacking. The specific biochemical pathway of corticosteroid lipid alterations is unknown.", "PMID": 639408} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12245", "title": "Cortisone induced bone changes and its response to lipid clearing agents.", "content": "Thirty-two rabbits were used experimentally to study the effect of cortisone in bone, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Cortisone does induce abnormal increases in the serum cholesterol, fatty metamorphosis of the liver and the fatty emboli of the subchondral vessels of the femoral heads. Clofibrate therapy appeared to modify the cortisone induced changes as evidenced by a lower serum cholesterol level, prevention or lessening of the increase in the marrow fat cell size. This might significantly improve microcirculation of the femoral head.", "contents": "Cortisone induced bone changes and its response to lipid clearing agents. Thirty-two rabbits were used experimentally to study the effect of cortisone in bone, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Cortisone does induce abnormal increases in the serum cholesterol, fatty metamorphosis of the liver and the fatty emboli of the subchondral vessels of the femoral heads. Clofibrate therapy appeared to modify the cortisone induced changes as evidenced by a lower serum cholesterol level, prevention or lessening of the increase in the marrow fat cell size. This might significantly improve microcirculation of the femoral head.", "PMID": 639410} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12246", "title": "Suppression of renal excretion of digoxin in hypokalemic patients.", "content": "Inulin and digoxin clearances were simultaneously measured in 19 normokalemic and 4 hypokalemic patients. In normokalemia the renal digoxin clearance exceeded the inulin clearance, indicating both glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion of digoxin. The tubular secretion increased with increasing plasma digoxin concentration. In hypokalemia, however, the tubular secretion of digoxin was significantly reduced but increased after the plasma potassium level was raised to normal.", "contents": "Suppression of renal excretion of digoxin in hypokalemic patients. Inulin and digoxin clearances were simultaneously measured in 19 normokalemic and 4 hypokalemic patients. In normokalemia the renal digoxin clearance exceeded the inulin clearance, indicating both glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion of digoxin. The tubular secretion increased with increasing plasma digoxin concentration. In hypokalemia, however, the tubular secretion of digoxin was significantly reduced but increased after the plasma potassium level was raised to normal.", "PMID": 639424} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12247", "title": "Experience with steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the shoulder and etiologic considerations regarding osteonecrosis of the hip.", "content": "Nineteen of 97 patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis had a lesion involving the head of the humerus, on one or both sides. The lesion usually began as a subchondral osteolytic area which often progresses to collapse. Articular cartilage separated from subchondral bone, either becoming detached as a free cap or at a later stage reattaching. Present evidence suggests that osteonecrosis of the femoral or humeral head should properly be classified as either traumatic (macrovascular injury) or embolic (microvascular injury) in nature. In 14 patients conservative treatment resulted in satisfactory function with only intermittent symptoms, and including pendulum exercises and avoidance of abduction, particularly against resistance. Five patients required replacement of 6 humeral head replacement arthroplasties with Neer's prosthesis.", "contents": "Experience with steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the shoulder and etiologic considerations regarding osteonecrosis of the hip. Nineteen of 97 patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis had a lesion involving the head of the humerus, on one or both sides. The lesion usually began as a subchondral osteolytic area which often progresses to collapse. Articular cartilage separated from subchondral bone, either becoming detached as a free cap or at a later stage reattaching. Present evidence suggests that osteonecrosis of the femoral or humeral head should properly be classified as either traumatic (macrovascular injury) or embolic (microvascular injury) in nature. In 14 patients conservative treatment resulted in satisfactory function with only intermittent symptoms, and including pendulum exercises and avoidance of abduction, particularly against resistance. Five patients required replacement of 6 humeral head replacement arthroplasties with Neer's prosthesis.", "PMID": 639411} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12248", "title": "Dysbaric osteonecrosis. Etiological and pathogenetic concepts.", "content": "Dysbaric osteonecrosis appears to be independent of decompression sickness. The 2 conditions, however, may share etiologic and pathogenetic factors. The incidence of osteonecrosis is influenced by the number of hyperbaric exposures, extent of pressure, decompression profile and possibly by the rate of compression and degree of obesity. Though etiology and pathogenesis are unclear, osteonecrosis is probably due to ischemia, with gas bubbles causing direct or indirect circulatory impairment. In vitro experiments, as well as human and animal studies, suggest multiple pathogenetic mechanisms: intraosseous vessel compression by extravascular bubbles; vessel obstruction by bubbles, fibrin thrombi, platelet aggregates, clumped erythrocytes or coalesced lipids; and narrowing of arterial lumina by bubble-induced myointimal thickening. Obstructing materials, whether autochthonous or embolic, may result from blood-bubble interface reactions. Rheologic changes and blood flow redistribution could play contributing roles. It seems likely that multiple pathogenetic factors act in concert or sequentially. Proposed nonischemic changes, such as hyperoxic injury gas-induced osmosis, or autoimmunity, lack sufficient supporting evidence. The peculiar vulnerability of bone may be related to gas supersaturation of the fatty marrow; sensitivity to extravascular gas pressure because of tissue rigidity; poor vascularization; and the presence of uranium 238 which promotes nucleation and subsequent gas bubble formation.", "contents": "Dysbaric osteonecrosis. Etiological and pathogenetic concepts. Dysbaric osteonecrosis appears to be independent of decompression sickness. The 2 conditions, however, may share etiologic and pathogenetic factors. The incidence of osteonecrosis is influenced by the number of hyperbaric exposures, extent of pressure, decompression profile and possibly by the rate of compression and degree of obesity. Though etiology and pathogenesis are unclear, osteonecrosis is probably due to ischemia, with gas bubbles causing direct or indirect circulatory impairment. In vitro experiments, as well as human and animal studies, suggest multiple pathogenetic mechanisms: intraosseous vessel compression by extravascular bubbles; vessel obstruction by bubbles, fibrin thrombi, platelet aggregates, clumped erythrocytes or coalesced lipids; and narrowing of arterial lumina by bubble-induced myointimal thickening. Obstructing materials, whether autochthonous or embolic, may result from blood-bubble interface reactions. Rheologic changes and blood flow redistribution could play contributing roles. It seems likely that multiple pathogenetic factors act in concert or sequentially. Proposed nonischemic changes, such as hyperoxic injury gas-induced osmosis, or autoimmunity, lack sufficient supporting evidence. The peculiar vulnerability of bone may be related to gas supersaturation of the fatty marrow; sensitivity to extravascular gas pressure because of tissue rigidity; poor vascularization; and the presence of uranium 238 which promotes nucleation and subsequent gas bubble formation.", "PMID": 639412} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12249", "title": "Urinary excretion of beta-aminopropionitrile and cyanoacetic acid.", "content": "Human serum did not convert beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) to the deaminated, nonlathyrogenic metabolite, cyanoacetic acid (CAA). Instead, its enzymic activity for oxidizing benzylamine was inhibited by BAPN (I50 = 2 X 10(-3) M). BAPN was found in the urine within one hour of oral administration. Oral 250 mg BAPN at 6-hr intervals each day for 21 days resulted in urinary BAPN recoveries approximating 16% of the total dose. BAPN was not detected in urine in specimens collected later than 7 hr after cessation of BAPN dosage. Urinary CAA appeared more slowly than BAPN and increased gradually to approximately three times that of urinary BAPN. After BAPN was discontinued, there was prolonged urinary excretion of BAPN-derived CAA. These along with earlier findings in experimental animals suggest that unexcreted BAPN is sequestered in tissues where it is metabolized to CAA before slowly released.", "contents": "Urinary excretion of beta-aminopropionitrile and cyanoacetic acid. Human serum did not convert beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) to the deaminated, nonlathyrogenic metabolite, cyanoacetic acid (CAA). Instead, its enzymic activity for oxidizing benzylamine was inhibited by BAPN (I50 = 2 X 10(-3) M). BAPN was found in the urine within one hour of oral administration. Oral 250 mg BAPN at 6-hr intervals each day for 21 days resulted in urinary BAPN recoveries approximating 16% of the total dose. BAPN was not detected in urine in specimens collected later than 7 hr after cessation of BAPN dosage. Urinary CAA appeared more slowly than BAPN and increased gradually to approximately three times that of urinary BAPN. After BAPN was discontinued, there was prolonged urinary excretion of BAPN-derived CAA. These along with earlier findings in experimental animals suggest that unexcreted BAPN is sequestered in tissues where it is metabolized to CAA before slowly released.", "PMID": 639425} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12250", "title": "Absorption of oral intramuscular chlordiazepoxide by alcoholics.", "content": "The effect of chronic alcoholism on oral and intramuscular plasma levels of chlordiazepoxide (CDX) was assessed. A 50-mg oral dose of CDX resulted in significantly higher plasma levels in the 2 hr following CDX than a 50-mg intramuscular dose administered to acute withdrawing alcoholic subjects. The same CDX dose was administered 7 days later and the same differences were observed between the mean oral and intramuscular plasma levels during the first 2 hr after administration of CDX. Peak concentration occurred significantly sooner after the oral than intramuscular dose of CDX in both the initial dose and the dose given a week later. It was also observed that the areas under the curve for CDX were significantly greater initially than 1 wk later. It is suggested this effect may be at least partially the result of the longer CDX half-lives initially than a week later. The active metabolite, N-desmethylchlordiazepoxide, peaked significantly earlier with the oral dose than with the intramuscular dose after the patient was alcohol free for a week.", "contents": "Absorption of oral intramuscular chlordiazepoxide by alcoholics. The effect of chronic alcoholism on oral and intramuscular plasma levels of chlordiazepoxide (CDX) was assessed. A 50-mg oral dose of CDX resulted in significantly higher plasma levels in the 2 hr following CDX than a 50-mg intramuscular dose administered to acute withdrawing alcoholic subjects. The same CDX dose was administered 7 days later and the same differences were observed between the mean oral and intramuscular plasma levels during the first 2 hr after administration of CDX. Peak concentration occurred significantly sooner after the oral than intramuscular dose of CDX in both the initial dose and the dose given a week later. It was also observed that the areas under the curve for CDX were significantly greater initially than 1 wk later. It is suggested this effect may be at least partially the result of the longer CDX half-lives initially than a week later. The active metabolite, N-desmethylchlordiazepoxide, peaked significantly earlier with the oral dose than with the intramuscular dose after the patient was alcohol free for a week.", "PMID": 639427} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12251", "title": "Metabolism of cocaine in man.", "content": "Following ingestion of [N-14CH3]cocaine (10 mg, 2.3 muCi) by 2 healthy subjects, breath, saliva, serum, and urine samples were collected serially. Labeled CO2 production was monitored as a measure of N-demethylation of cocaine. The cumulative excretion of 14CO2 in 5 hr was 2.4% and 6.2% of the administered dose with half-lives of 2.3 and 1.4 hr, respectively. The greater N-demethylation was found in a subject with lower plasma cholinesterase activity. Radioactivity excreted in 0 to 28 hr urine reached 65% to 75% of the dose. Ecgonine methyl ester, a product of cocaine hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase, was identified as a major metabolite in the urine of both subjects and accounted for 32% to 49% of the urinary metabolites.", "contents": "Metabolism of cocaine in man. Following ingestion of [N-14CH3]cocaine (10 mg, 2.3 muCi) by 2 healthy subjects, breath, saliva, serum, and urine samples were collected serially. Labeled CO2 production was monitored as a measure of N-demethylation of cocaine. The cumulative excretion of 14CO2 in 5 hr was 2.4% and 6.2% of the administered dose with half-lives of 2.3 and 1.4 hr, respectively. The greater N-demethylation was found in a subject with lower plasma cholinesterase activity. Radioactivity excreted in 0 to 28 hr urine reached 65% to 75% of the dose. Ecgonine methyl ester, a product of cocaine hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase, was identified as a major metabolite in the urine of both subjects and accounted for 32% to 49% of the urinary metabolites.", "PMID": 639429} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12252", "title": "Doxepin kinetics.", "content": "The kinetics of doxepin (DOX) hydrochloride were studied in 7 volunteers after the oral administration of 75 mg. Peak plasma concentrations of DOX ranged from 8.8 to 45.8 ng/ml and were reached within 4 hr. The disappearance of DOX was biphasic and followed first-order kinetics. The mean DOX half life (t1/2) was 16.8 hr and in individuals ranged from 8.2 to 24.5 hr. The mean apparent volume of distribution was 20.2 L/kg and ranged from 9.1 to 33.3 L/kg. The estimated first-pass metabolism of DOX ranged from 55% to 87% of the oral dose assuming complete absorption. Significant quantities of the metabolite desmethyldoxepin (DMD) were produced. Peak levels of DMD ranged from 4.8 to 14.5 ng/ml and were reached between 2 and 10 hr after administration. The mean t1/2 of DMD was 51.3 hr and in individuals ranged from 33.2 to 80.7 hr. There was no correlation between the DOX and DMD t1/2s. The amount of DMD produced correlated with the plasma concentration of DOX and appears to explain the correlation between the steady-state concentrations of DOX and DMD in patients given DOX.", "contents": "Doxepin kinetics. The kinetics of doxepin (DOX) hydrochloride were studied in 7 volunteers after the oral administration of 75 mg. Peak plasma concentrations of DOX ranged from 8.8 to 45.8 ng/ml and were reached within 4 hr. The disappearance of DOX was biphasic and followed first-order kinetics. The mean DOX half life (t1/2) was 16.8 hr and in individuals ranged from 8.2 to 24.5 hr. The mean apparent volume of distribution was 20.2 L/kg and ranged from 9.1 to 33.3 L/kg. The estimated first-pass metabolism of DOX ranged from 55% to 87% of the oral dose assuming complete absorption. Significant quantities of the metabolite desmethyldoxepin (DMD) were produced. Peak levels of DMD ranged from 4.8 to 14.5 ng/ml and were reached between 2 and 10 hr after administration. The mean t1/2 of DMD was 51.3 hr and in individuals ranged from 33.2 to 80.7 hr. There was no correlation between the DOX and DMD t1/2s. The amount of DMD produced correlated with the plasma concentration of DOX and appears to explain the correlation between the steady-state concentrations of DOX and DMD in patients given DOX.", "PMID": 639432} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12253", "title": "Protriptyline kinetics.", "content": "The kinetics of protriptyline were examined in 8 subjects after a single oral dose of 30 mg protriptyline hydrochloride. Peak protriptyline levels ranged from 10.4 to 22.3 ng/ml and were reached 6 to 12 hr after the oral dose. The mean protriptyline half-life (t1/2) was 74.3 hr and ranged from 53.6 to 91.7 hr in individual subjects, confirming the long t1/2 of protriptyline reported by Moody and associates. The estimated first-pass metabolism of protriptyline was relatively small, ranging from 10% to 25% of the oral dose, assuming complete absorption. The mean volume of distribution was 22.5 L/kg and ranged from 15.0 to 31.2 L/kg. No relationship was found between the kinetics of protriptyline and those of doxepin studied previously in 7 of the 8 subjects.", "contents": "Protriptyline kinetics. The kinetics of protriptyline were examined in 8 subjects after a single oral dose of 30 mg protriptyline hydrochloride. Peak protriptyline levels ranged from 10.4 to 22.3 ng/ml and were reached 6 to 12 hr after the oral dose. The mean protriptyline half-life (t1/2) was 74.3 hr and ranged from 53.6 to 91.7 hr in individual subjects, confirming the long t1/2 of protriptyline reported by Moody and associates. The estimated first-pass metabolism of protriptyline was relatively small, ranging from 10% to 25% of the oral dose, assuming complete absorption. The mean volume of distribution was 22.5 L/kg and ranged from 15.0 to 31.2 L/kg. No relationship was found between the kinetics of protriptyline and those of doxepin studied previously in 7 of the 8 subjects.", "PMID": 639433} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12254", "title": "Kinetics of netilmicin and gentamicin.", "content": "The kinetic parameters of netilmicin were studied in normal human subjects. In the intravenous study a steady-state was obtained in 4 subjects by the constant infusion of 2 mg/kg of netilmicin during the first hour followed by 0.5 mg/kg/hr for each of three successive hours. Creatinine clearance was greater than the simultaneous serum and renal clearance of netilmicin. In the intramuscular study 6 subjects received a single injection of 1 mg/kg of netilmicin followed by the same dose of gentamicin 1 wk later. A mean peak serum levels of 3.9 microgram/ml was found for both antibiotics, but the mean serum half-life of netilmicin was shorter than that of gentamicin. Doubling the intramuscular dose of netilmicin approximately doubled the peak serum level. In both studies 75% to 90% of the netilmicin was recovered in the urine within the first 24 hr. Netilmicin appears to be primarily excreted by glomerular filtration. The apparent volume of distribution was similar to that reported for other related aminoglycosides. Netilmicin and gentamicin have similar kinetic parameters. There were wide individual differences among normal subjects with both drugs.", "contents": "Kinetics of netilmicin and gentamicin. The kinetic parameters of netilmicin were studied in normal human subjects. In the intravenous study a steady-state was obtained in 4 subjects by the constant infusion of 2 mg/kg of netilmicin during the first hour followed by 0.5 mg/kg/hr for each of three successive hours. Creatinine clearance was greater than the simultaneous serum and renal clearance of netilmicin. In the intramuscular study 6 subjects received a single injection of 1 mg/kg of netilmicin followed by the same dose of gentamicin 1 wk later. A mean peak serum levels of 3.9 microgram/ml was found for both antibiotics, but the mean serum half-life of netilmicin was shorter than that of gentamicin. Doubling the intramuscular dose of netilmicin approximately doubled the peak serum level. In both studies 75% to 90% of the netilmicin was recovered in the urine within the first 24 hr. Netilmicin appears to be primarily excreted by glomerular filtration. The apparent volume of distribution was similar to that reported for other related aminoglycosides. Netilmicin and gentamicin have similar kinetic parameters. There were wide individual differences among normal subjects with both drugs.", "PMID": 639434} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12255", "title": "Allopurinol kinetics.", "content": "A spectrophotometric assay for measuring allopurinol and oxipurinol has been developed which can detect as little as 5 X 10(-8) M of each in serum and urine. With this assay, serum disappearance characteristics of intravenous and orally administered allopurinol have been investigated in man. Serum concentrations of both allopurinol and oxipurinol reach levels above 1 X 10(-5) M within minutes of intravenous administration and within 1 or 2 hr of oral administration of 300 mg allopurinol. Patients receiving 300 mg allopurinol daily show a mean serum concentration of 3 X 10(-5) M oxipurinol (range, 0.9 to 9 X 10(-5) M). Serum half-lives of allopurinol and oxipurinol were 39 +/- 11 min and 13.6 +/- 2.8 hr, respectively. Estimates of renal clearance were 13.6 and 18.9 ml/min for allopurinol and 23.2 and 30.6 ml/min for oxipurinol in 2 patients studied. The metabolic conversion of allopurinol to oxipurinol in man does not appear to be altered by long-term therapy with allopurinol, which suggests that this conversion takes place by way of an enzymatic reaction not strongly inhibited by either substrate or product. These results suggest the possibility of a nonxanthine oxidase enzymatic pathway for this conversion.", "contents": "Allopurinol kinetics. A spectrophotometric assay for measuring allopurinol and oxipurinol has been developed which can detect as little as 5 X 10(-8) M of each in serum and urine. With this assay, serum disappearance characteristics of intravenous and orally administered allopurinol have been investigated in man. Serum concentrations of both allopurinol and oxipurinol reach levels above 1 X 10(-5) M within minutes of intravenous administration and within 1 or 2 hr of oral administration of 300 mg allopurinol. Patients receiving 300 mg allopurinol daily show a mean serum concentration of 3 X 10(-5) M oxipurinol (range, 0.9 to 9 X 10(-5) M). Serum half-lives of allopurinol and oxipurinol were 39 +/- 11 min and 13.6 +/- 2.8 hr, respectively. Estimates of renal clearance were 13.6 and 18.9 ml/min for allopurinol and 23.2 and 30.6 ml/min for oxipurinol in 2 patients studied. The metabolic conversion of allopurinol to oxipurinol in man does not appear to be altered by long-term therapy with allopurinol, which suggests that this conversion takes place by way of an enzymatic reaction not strongly inhibited by either substrate or product. These results suggest the possibility of a nonxanthine oxidase enzymatic pathway for this conversion.", "PMID": 639435} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12256", "title": "Timolol kinetics in chronic renal insufficiency.", "content": "A single-dose kinetic study of oral timolol, 20 mg, was undertaken in 3 groups of volunteers with varying degrees of renal function--(1) 10 normal subjects (N); (2) 9 patients with moderate chronic renal insufficiency (MCRI; C cr, 20 to 50 ml/min); (3) 4 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)--to assess the need for dosage modification as renal function diminishes. There were borderline statistical differences in absorption between groups. The mean peak concentration (C max) was 84.3 +/- 44.8 ng/ml at 0.8 +/- 0.4 hr for N and 87.1 +/- 22.8 ng/ml at 1.7 +/- 1.2 hr (p, NS) for MCRI. N and MCRI mean half-lives (5.2 +/- 2.6 hr and 4.0 +/- 1.2 hr) were not statistically different. Salivary levels correlated with plasma levels in 3 N and 1 MCRI patient. Group differences in blood pressure and pulse response to timolol seems to reflect differences present at baseline with percent change from baseline identical for the two groups except at 12 to 24 hr. Administration of timolol on an interdialysis day revealed similar kinetic and physiologic response in the normal and the MCRI group. During dialysis, timolol, 20 mg, induced significant hypotension and bradycardia.", "contents": "Timolol kinetics in chronic renal insufficiency. A single-dose kinetic study of oral timolol, 20 mg, was undertaken in 3 groups of volunteers with varying degrees of renal function--(1) 10 normal subjects (N); (2) 9 patients with moderate chronic renal insufficiency (MCRI; C cr, 20 to 50 ml/min); (3) 4 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)--to assess the need for dosage modification as renal function diminishes. There were borderline statistical differences in absorption between groups. The mean peak concentration (C max) was 84.3 +/- 44.8 ng/ml at 0.8 +/- 0.4 hr for N and 87.1 +/- 22.8 ng/ml at 1.7 +/- 1.2 hr (p, NS) for MCRI. N and MCRI mean half-lives (5.2 +/- 2.6 hr and 4.0 +/- 1.2 hr) were not statistically different. Salivary levels correlated with plasma levels in 3 N and 1 MCRI patient. Group differences in blood pressure and pulse response to timolol seems to reflect differences present at baseline with percent change from baseline identical for the two groups except at 12 to 24 hr. Administration of timolol on an interdialysis day revealed similar kinetic and physiologic response in the normal and the MCRI group. During dialysis, timolol, 20 mg, induced significant hypotension and bradycardia.", "PMID": 639436} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12257", "title": "Complications of rhytidectomy.", "content": "A review of the more common and/or more serious complications which may follow rhytidectomy has been presented. The surgeon who performs face lift surgery must be aware of these complications, their incidence, their management, and, in many instances, how they can be prevented, as prevention is the best treatment for postrhytidectomy problems.", "contents": "Complications of rhytidectomy. A review of the more common and/or more serious complications which may follow rhytidectomy has been presented. The surgeon who performs face lift surgery must be aware of these complications, their incidence, their management, and, in many instances, how they can be prevented, as prevention is the best treatment for postrhytidectomy problems.", "PMID": 639438} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12258", "title": "Blepharoplasty.", "content": "In summary, the author has presented a brief historical review of the various operations under the general heading of blepharoplasty for the removal of redundant and \"baggy\" eyelid skin. The various conditions encountered which contribute to the aging eyelid and periocular area have been described as they relate to examination of the prospective candidate for this surgery. The need for individualizing the surgical procedure to correct the defects present has been stressed. The author's preoperative care, the surgical technique employed, and the postoperative treatment needs are discussed. Selected cases are presented as examples of the variety of conditions encountered and the methods of management.", "contents": "Blepharoplasty. In summary, the author has presented a brief historical review of the various operations under the general heading of blepharoplasty for the removal of redundant and \"baggy\" eyelid skin. The various conditions encountered which contribute to the aging eyelid and periocular area have been described as they relate to examination of the prospective candidate for this surgery. The need for individualizing the surgical procedure to correct the defects present has been stressed. The author's preoperative care, the surgical technique employed, and the postoperative treatment needs are discussed. Selected cases are presented as examples of the variety of conditions encountered and the methods of management.", "PMID": 639439} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12259", "title": "Eyebrow, face, and neck lifts for males.", "content": "Alternate locations to skin excisions adjacent to the eyebrows for correction of eyebrow ptosis have been presented. Excisions in the upper forehead or in the scalp permit flexibility in width and length of skin or scalp to be excised and may be extended laterally to produce a temporal lift which not only improves the lateral canthal area of sagging skin but also may improve the lower eyelid surgical correction results (Figs. 1 and 3). By use of adequate lipectomy and full-width platysma muscle flaps to support the new neck contour, better and longer lasting results have been accomplished. The currently used techniques for eyebrow, face, and neck lifts for males produce better and longer lasting results than could have been accomplished with previously used techniques. The continued search for improvement in techniques by many surgeons in different areas of the world has enabled these longer lasting and better results to be accomplished.", "contents": "Eyebrow, face, and neck lifts for males. Alternate locations to skin excisions adjacent to the eyebrows for correction of eyebrow ptosis have been presented. Excisions in the upper forehead or in the scalp permit flexibility in width and length of skin or scalp to be excised and may be extended laterally to produce a temporal lift which not only improves the lateral canthal area of sagging skin but also may improve the lower eyelid surgical correction results (Figs. 1 and 3). By use of adequate lipectomy and full-width platysma muscle flaps to support the new neck contour, better and longer lasting results have been accomplished. The currently used techniques for eyebrow, face, and neck lifts for males produce better and longer lasting results than could have been accomplished with previously used techniques. The continued search for improvement in techniques by many surgeons in different areas of the world has enabled these longer lasting and better results to be accomplished.", "PMID": 639441} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12260", "title": "Complications in blepharoplasty.", "content": "I believe that if one follows the precautions outlined, including a time-tested surgical technique and thorough clinical history and physical examination, the operation of blepharoplasty should prove to be one of the most gratifying aesthetic operations.", "contents": "Complications in blepharoplasty. I believe that if one follows the precautions outlined, including a time-tested surgical technique and thorough clinical history and physical examination, the operation of blepharoplasty should prove to be one of the most gratifying aesthetic operations.", "PMID": 639440} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12261", "title": "The coronal incision in rhytidectomy--the brow lift.", "content": "Rhytidectomy is not a routine procedure applicalbe to all patients. Variations of technique must be chosen for each individual case. Integral correction of the face is important and brow-lifting must often be done. Our criteria for selecting the coronal incision for the brow-lift are discussed and the surgical techniques are described in detail. Results are analyzed and a simple method for evaluation is presented.", "contents": "The coronal incision in rhytidectomy--the brow lift. Rhytidectomy is not a routine procedure applicalbe to all patients. Variations of technique must be chosen for each individual case. Integral correction of the face is important and brow-lifting must often be done. Our criteria for selecting the coronal incision for the brow-lift are discussed and the surgical techniques are described in detail. Results are analyzed and a simple method for evaluation is presented.", "PMID": 639442} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12262", "title": "Postoperative make-up techniques.", "content": "Guiding the postoperative patient to a happy self-acceptance is the common endeavor of the make-up artist and the cosmetic surgeon. It is my hope that this article will somehow help the patient bridge the gap which so many are unable to cross unassisted.", "contents": "Postoperative make-up techniques. Guiding the postoperative patient to a happy self-acceptance is the common endeavor of the make-up artist and the cosmetic surgeon. It is my hope that this article will somehow help the patient bridge the gap which so many are unable to cross unassisted.", "PMID": 639445} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12263", "title": "Chemical peel.", "content": "Chemical face peeling as described in this article produces gross and microscopic changes in the skin which are permanent. The most important aspect in assuring the success of this procedure is the proper selection of patients. The primary use of this procedure is for the purpose of eliminating wrinkles, whether as the primary or ancillary procedure, such as regional peeling. Chemical peeling of the face is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of the aging face and can produce some rather dramatic results with the careful selection of patients and meticulous attention to detail in carrying out the peel, as well as the exact adherence to the post peel instructions by the patient.", "contents": "Chemical peel. Chemical face peeling as described in this article produces gross and microscopic changes in the skin which are permanent. The most important aspect in assuring the success of this procedure is the proper selection of patients. The primary use of this procedure is for the purpose of eliminating wrinkles, whether as the primary or ancillary procedure, such as regional peeling. Chemical peeling of the face is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of the aging face and can produce some rather dramatic results with the careful selection of patients and meticulous attention to detail in carrying out the peel, as well as the exact adherence to the post peel instructions by the patient.", "PMID": 639446} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12264", "title": "Radiological evaluation of the cardiac apex in Jamaican children.", "content": "The position of the clinical apex beat projected on chest radiographs was compared to different points on the cardiac outline which have been regarded as the radiological apex. Good correlation was found between the clinical apex and the most lateral point of the left cardiac border, but not with the cardiophrenic angle or the lower end of the long diameter of the heart. The mid-clavicular line cannot be used to define the upper limit of the normal sized heart on radiographs as in clinical practice, because in many of the subjects the heart extended outside the mid-clavicular line.", "contents": "Radiological evaluation of the cardiac apex in Jamaican children. The position of the clinical apex beat projected on chest radiographs was compared to different points on the cardiac outline which have been regarded as the radiological apex. Good correlation was found between the clinical apex and the most lateral point of the left cardiac border, but not with the cardiophrenic angle or the lower end of the long diameter of the heart. The mid-clavicular line cannot be used to define the upper limit of the normal sized heart on radiographs as in clinical practice, because in many of the subjects the heart extended outside the mid-clavicular line.", "PMID": 639448} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12265", "title": "The hypertransradiant hemithorax: the importance of lateral decentring, and the explanation for its appearance due to rotation.", "content": "Experimental evidence is presented indicating that 80% of the increase in unilateral film blackening on the chest radiograph resulting from rotation of the patient is due to asymmetrical absorption of the X-ray beam. Scatter contributes 20% to this increase in blackening. The effect on the radiograph of lateral decentring is also described. In the rotated patient, the hypertransradiant hemithorax always occurs on the side to which the patient is rotated, and is independent of the projection. If this rule is broken, then decentring or a thoracic abnormality is present.", "contents": "The hypertransradiant hemithorax: the importance of lateral decentring, and the explanation for its appearance due to rotation. Experimental evidence is presented indicating that 80% of the increase in unilateral film blackening on the chest radiograph resulting from rotation of the patient is due to asymmetrical absorption of the X-ray beam. Scatter contributes 20% to this increase in blackening. The effect on the radiograph of lateral decentring is also described. In the rotated patient, the hypertransradiant hemithorax always occurs on the side to which the patient is rotated, and is independent of the projection. If this rule is broken, then decentring or a thoracic abnormality is present.", "PMID": 639449} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12266", "title": "Radiographic aspects of occult pulmonary haemorrhage.", "content": "Patients with leukaemia, on anticoagulant therapy, or with disseminated intravascular coagulation may develop occult pulmonary haemorrhage; it will mimic pulmonary oedema, pulmonary hemosiderosis or opportunistic infections. It can be diagnosed by bronchopulmonary lavage. The radiographic changes are described and the differential diagnosis discussed in a series of 12 such patients.", "contents": "Radiographic aspects of occult pulmonary haemorrhage. Patients with leukaemia, on anticoagulant therapy, or with disseminated intravascular coagulation may develop occult pulmonary haemorrhage; it will mimic pulmonary oedema, pulmonary hemosiderosis or opportunistic infections. It can be diagnosed by bronchopulmonary lavage. The radiographic changes are described and the differential diagnosis discussed in a series of 12 such patients.", "PMID": 639450} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12267", "title": "The radiological appearances of plasma cell granuloma of the lung.", "content": "The clinical, radiological and pathological features of plasma cell granuloma in 4 patients are presented. The natural history of the condition is benign. 30% of cases occur in children. The radiological appearances are not specific and consist of an intrapulmonary mass which is not accompanied by pleural effusion. Tomography is helpful in demonstrating calcification and cavitation, but these features are unusual. Successful treatment requires surgical removal.", "contents": "The radiological appearances of plasma cell granuloma of the lung. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of plasma cell granuloma in 4 patients are presented. The natural history of the condition is benign. 30% of cases occur in children. The radiological appearances are not specific and consist of an intrapulmonary mass which is not accompanied by pleural effusion. Tomography is helpful in demonstrating calcification and cavitation, but these features are unusual. Successful treatment requires surgical removal.", "PMID": 639451} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12268", "title": "Traumatic lung cysts following minor blunt chest trauma.", "content": "Relatively minor chest trauma may cause lung cysts. The authors illustrate two patients in whom lung cysts were seen on chest radiographs taken within hours of injury. The condition may thus mimic rupture of the diaphragm with herniation of the bowel.", "contents": "Traumatic lung cysts following minor blunt chest trauma. Relatively minor chest trauma may cause lung cysts. The authors illustrate two patients in whom lung cysts were seen on chest radiographs taken within hours of injury. The condition may thus mimic rupture of the diaphragm with herniation of the bowel.", "PMID": 639452} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12269", "title": "Inspiration chest radiography by lateral recumbency.", "content": "In lateral recumbency the uppermost lung is in a state of relative inspiratory apnoae. This physiological phenomenon may be exploited to obtain inspiratory chest films in children and uncooperative adults and as an improvement on the sitting film of patients unable to stand. It also tests to some extent the pulmonary compliance and the mobility of the diaphragm.", "contents": "Inspiration chest radiography by lateral recumbency. In lateral recumbency the uppermost lung is in a state of relative inspiratory apnoae. This physiological phenomenon may be exploited to obtain inspiratory chest films in children and uncooperative adults and as an improvement on the sitting film of patients unable to stand. It also tests to some extent the pulmonary compliance and the mobility of the diaphragm.", "PMID": 639453} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12270", "title": "CT scanning in middle fossa arachnoid malformations.", "content": "The typical appearances of middle foss arachnoid malformations as seen by computed tomography, are presented in six cases out of 3700 unselected CT scans performed in the last two years. These lesions have well-defined borders, the anterior border often conforming to the configuration of the greater sphenoid wing, and the posterior border merging into the Sylvian fissure medially. They exhibit the same attenuation coefficients as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in the range of 0 to +8 EMI units. Their size is variable. They produce less mass effect than might be expected, even when their size is considerable. Their appearance does not change after infusion of contrast material. Although arachnoid malformations occur in many intracranial sites, the site of predilection appears to be the middle cranial fossa. The clinical presentation and subsequent management of the six cases is briefly described. The pathogenesis and common clincial presentation associated with these lesions is discussed.", "contents": "CT scanning in middle fossa arachnoid malformations. The typical appearances of middle foss arachnoid malformations as seen by computed tomography, are presented in six cases out of 3700 unselected CT scans performed in the last two years. These lesions have well-defined borders, the anterior border often conforming to the configuration of the greater sphenoid wing, and the posterior border merging into the Sylvian fissure medially. They exhibit the same attenuation coefficients as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in the range of 0 to +8 EMI units. Their size is variable. They produce less mass effect than might be expected, even when their size is considerable. Their appearance does not change after infusion of contrast material. Although arachnoid malformations occur in many intracranial sites, the site of predilection appears to be the middle cranial fossa. The clinical presentation and subsequent management of the six cases is briefly described. The pathogenesis and common clincial presentation associated with these lesions is discussed.", "PMID": 639454} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12271", "title": "Ultrasonic examination of the gallbladder: a review.", "content": "Ultrasonography is a helpful, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive adjuvant to oral cholecystography for evaluating the gallbladder and its diseases. This method can be highly accurate in detecting gallstones and is specially useful when there is non-visualisation in radiographic contrast studies. Various ultrasound patterns of gallstones are described. All these patterns should demonstrate a sonic shadow in association with an intraluminal defect. Sonography is particularly useful in demonstrating cholelithiasis and organ dilatation in suspected acute cholecystitis. In addition to gallbladder disease, this technique simultaneously offers pertinent anatomical information about the porta hepatis. This information would otherwise require additional diagnostic investigation. Because, in many instances, sonography is non-specific, or blind to certain gallbladder non-calculous filling defects, and because of present lack of uniform standard quality control methods for performing this procedure, it should be considered only as a complementary, imaging procedure to oral cholecystography.", "contents": "Ultrasonic examination of the gallbladder: a review. Ultrasonography is a helpful, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive adjuvant to oral cholecystography for evaluating the gallbladder and its diseases. This method can be highly accurate in detecting gallstones and is specially useful when there is non-visualisation in radiographic contrast studies. Various ultrasound patterns of gallstones are described. All these patterns should demonstrate a sonic shadow in association with an intraluminal defect. Sonography is particularly useful in demonstrating cholelithiasis and organ dilatation in suspected acute cholecystitis. In addition to gallbladder disease, this technique simultaneously offers pertinent anatomical information about the porta hepatis. This information would otherwise require additional diagnostic investigation. Because, in many instances, sonography is non-specific, or blind to certain gallbladder non-calculous filling defects, and because of present lack of uniform standard quality control methods for performing this procedure, it should be considered only as a complementary, imaging procedure to oral cholecystography.", "PMID": 639455} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12272", "title": "The retrorectal space.", "content": "Ninety-nine adults with an enlarged retrorectal space on barium enema examination have been evaluated. Measurements were based on previously described methods using the lateral view of the barium filled rectum. In 38.4% of the cases there was no lesion (normal variations). The rest were classified as inflammatory conditions, tumours, and miscellaneous lesions. It is concluded that an increased width of the presacral space per se does not necessarily connote a lesion. Pathological widening of the space is usually associated with changes of the contour of the rectum, abnormalities of the sacrum, or other alterations of the presacral soft tissues.", "contents": "The retrorectal space. Ninety-nine adults with an enlarged retrorectal space on barium enema examination have been evaluated. Measurements were based on previously described methods using the lateral view of the barium filled rectum. In 38.4% of the cases there was no lesion (normal variations). The rest were classified as inflammatory conditions, tumours, and miscellaneous lesions. It is concluded that an increased width of the presacral space per se does not necessarily connote a lesion. Pathological widening of the space is usually associated with changes of the contour of the rectum, abnormalities of the sacrum, or other alterations of the presacral soft tissues.", "PMID": 639456} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12273", "title": "The radiological assessment of gastric acid output in chronic renal failure.", "content": "The presence of hypertrophied gastric and duodenal mucosa as seen in the barium meal examination has been widely accepted as indicating an increase in gastric acid content. The present study of 31 uraemic patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis suggests that in the uraemic patient this is not the case. Nineteen showed hypertrophy of the gastric mucosa radiologically but only eight had an abnormal pattern of gastric secretion. Of the 12 patients with a normal gastric and duodenal mucosal pattern, four showed an increase in the acid output of the stomach. It is concluded that the radiologist should beware of equating hypertrophy of the gastric and duodenal mucosa with a high gastric acid output in the chronically uraemic patient.", "contents": "The radiological assessment of gastric acid output in chronic renal failure. The presence of hypertrophied gastric and duodenal mucosa as seen in the barium meal examination has been widely accepted as indicating an increase in gastric acid content. The present study of 31 uraemic patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis suggests that in the uraemic patient this is not the case. Nineteen showed hypertrophy of the gastric mucosa radiologically but only eight had an abnormal pattern of gastric secretion. Of the 12 patients with a normal gastric and duodenal mucosal pattern, four showed an increase in the acid output of the stomach. It is concluded that the radiologist should beware of equating hypertrophy of the gastric and duodenal mucosa with a high gastric acid output in the chronically uraemic patient.", "PMID": 639457} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12274", "title": "Gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis: a study of 102 cases including 55 hemicolectomies.", "content": "Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem in India. Our experience of 102 cases of gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis is presented. Eighty-one of these patients experienced obstructive symptoms, 62 had radiographic evidence of intestinal obstruction, and four had bowel perforation. Lymphadenopathy was present in 16 patients and pulmonary tuberculosis in 28. The commonest sites of bowel involvement were ileo-caecal, ileum and ascending colon. Duodenal lesions were seen in three cases and in another three there was isolated appendicular involvement. Right hemicolectomy was necessary in 55 of the 74 patients who had surgical exploration. Histopathological reports were available in 88 subjects. The various radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis of the bowel are discussed. Radiologically and sometimes even on histopathology, differentiation of ileo-caecal tuberculosis from Crohn's ileo-colitis may prove impossible.", "contents": "Gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis: a study of 102 cases including 55 hemicolectomies. Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem in India. Our experience of 102 cases of gastrointestinal tract tuberculosis is presented. Eighty-one of these patients experienced obstructive symptoms, 62 had radiographic evidence of intestinal obstruction, and four had bowel perforation. Lymphadenopathy was present in 16 patients and pulmonary tuberculosis in 28. The commonest sites of bowel involvement were ileo-caecal, ileum and ascending colon. Duodenal lesions were seen in three cases and in another three there was isolated appendicular involvement. Right hemicolectomy was necessary in 55 of the 74 patients who had surgical exploration. Histopathological reports were available in 88 subjects. The various radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis of the bowel are discussed. Radiologically and sometimes even on histopathology, differentiation of ileo-caecal tuberculosis from Crohn's ileo-colitis may prove impossible.", "PMID": 639458} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12275", "title": "The double contrast barium enema: improvements to lateral decubitus views including the use of a wedge filter.", "content": "The prognostic importance of early detection of colonic carcinoma is emphasised and the contribution of an accurate barium enema technique is stressed. Horizontal beam lateral decubitus films are routine in double contrast barium enemas, and it is still common practice in many departments to support the cassette for these views either in the bucky tray or with sandbags. The lateral decubitus views of 100 patients using these methods of cassette support were reviewed. A large number of the films (67%) were technically so unsatisfactory due to unilateral under- or over-penetration that they did not provide acceptable visualisation of the colon. The cause of these technical faults, and the methods by which they may be overcome, are described. In addition, a wedge filter was designed to reduce the absorption by dependent soft tissues in obese patients.", "contents": "The double contrast barium enema: improvements to lateral decubitus views including the use of a wedge filter. The prognostic importance of early detection of colonic carcinoma is emphasised and the contribution of an accurate barium enema technique is stressed. Horizontal beam lateral decubitus films are routine in double contrast barium enemas, and it is still common practice in many departments to support the cassette for these views either in the bucky tray or with sandbags. The lateral decubitus views of 100 patients using these methods of cassette support were reviewed. A large number of the films (67%) were technically so unsatisfactory due to unilateral under- or over-penetration that they did not provide acceptable visualisation of the colon. The cause of these technical faults, and the methods by which they may be overcome, are described. In addition, a wedge filter was designed to reduce the absorption by dependent soft tissues in obese patients.", "PMID": 639459} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12276", "title": "The reasons for failure of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in patients with jaundice.", "content": "The results of 100 attempts at endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) performed in patients with jaundice have been reviewed. The examination provided a diagnosis in 75% of cases. The reason for failure to cannulate the correct duct was obstruction at the lower end of the common bile duct in 15 patients and distortion of the duodenum in seven. There was no cause for the failure in only two patients. Even with a perfect technique it will not always be possible to obtain an endoscopic cholangiogram. However, as the commonest cause of failure is obstruction, transhepatic cholangiography should usually succeed when ERCP fails.", "contents": "The reasons for failure of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography in patients with jaundice. The results of 100 attempts at endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) performed in patients with jaundice have been reviewed. The examination provided a diagnosis in 75% of cases. The reason for failure to cannulate the correct duct was obstruction at the lower end of the common bile duct in 15 patients and distortion of the duodenum in seven. There was no cause for the failure in only two patients. Even with a perfect technique it will not always be possible to obtain an endoscopic cholangiogram. However, as the commonest cause of failure is obstruction, transhepatic cholangiography should usually succeed when ERCP fails.", "PMID": 639460} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12277", "title": "Duplication of the colon.", "content": "Colonic duplication is a rare congenital abnormality that can present diagnostic difficulties to the radiologist. Three new cases are reported to illustrate the different types of this anomaly. A classification is presented in which the condition is divided into two types: in type I lesions the duplication is limited to the colon and in type II lesions there are associated duplications of the genito-urinary tract. The wide spectrum of possible pathological, clinical and radiological features are reviewed.", "contents": "Duplication of the colon. Colonic duplication is a rare congenital abnormality that can present diagnostic difficulties to the radiologist. Three new cases are reported to illustrate the different types of this anomaly. A classification is presented in which the condition is divided into two types: in type I lesions the duplication is limited to the colon and in type II lesions there are associated duplications of the genito-urinary tract. The wide spectrum of possible pathological, clinical and radiological features are reviewed.", "PMID": 639461} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12278", "title": "The radiology of ileosigmoid knot.", "content": "The findings on the radiographs of 14 cases of ileosigmoid knot are presented and analysed. The clinical features and pathology of the condition are briefly described. The key radiological features consist of a dilated loop of pelvic colon, evidence of small intestinal obstruction and retention of faeces in an undistended proximal colon. The dilated loop usually lies in the right side of the abdomen and the limbs taper inferiorly into the right lower quadrant. Medial deviation of the distal descending colon is an inconsistant but highly specific finding. The radiographs readily permit distinction from primary volvulus of the small intestine and from non-obstructive surgical emergencies such as perforated viscus and ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The combination of radiographic findings may however be simulated by volvulus of the right colon, closed loop small intestinal obstruction and by volvulus of the pelvic colon complicated by peritonitis. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the value of sigmoidoscopy, rather than barium enema, emphasised.", "contents": "The radiology of ileosigmoid knot. The findings on the radiographs of 14 cases of ileosigmoid knot are presented and analysed. The clinical features and pathology of the condition are briefly described. The key radiological features consist of a dilated loop of pelvic colon, evidence of small intestinal obstruction and retention of faeces in an undistended proximal colon. The dilated loop usually lies in the right side of the abdomen and the limbs taper inferiorly into the right lower quadrant. Medial deviation of the distal descending colon is an inconsistant but highly specific finding. The radiographs readily permit distinction from primary volvulus of the small intestine and from non-obstructive surgical emergencies such as perforated viscus and ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The combination of radiographic findings may however be simulated by volvulus of the right colon, closed loop small intestinal obstruction and by volvulus of the pelvic colon complicated by peritonitis. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the value of sigmoidoscopy, rather than barium enema, emphasised.", "PMID": 639462} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12279", "title": "Symptomatic gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma.", "content": "Gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma are relatively uncommon and most are found incidentally at autopsy examination in patients with advanced or widely disseminated lung cancer. Occasionally gastrointestinal metastases occurr relatively early in the course of the disease and give rise to a variety of clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities. Recognition of these abnormalities is important in order that appropriate palliative therapy may be undertaken. The clinical. radiological and pathological findings in 12 patients with symptomatic gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma were reviewed. Clinical symptoms varied according to the site of metastatic involvement and included dysphagia, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, anaemia and signs of intestinal obstruction or perforation. The sites of metastatic involvement were: oesphagogastric junction (2 cases); stomach (2 cases); duodenum (1 case): jejunum (3 cases); ileum (2 cases), colon (2 cases). The radiological findings are discussed and illustrated.", "contents": "Symptomatic gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma. Gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma are relatively uncommon and most are found incidentally at autopsy examination in patients with advanced or widely disseminated lung cancer. Occasionally gastrointestinal metastases occurr relatively early in the course of the disease and give rise to a variety of clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities. Recognition of these abnormalities is important in order that appropriate palliative therapy may be undertaken. The clinical. radiological and pathological findings in 12 patients with symptomatic gastrointestinal metastases secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma were reviewed. Clinical symptoms varied according to the site of metastatic involvement and included dysphagia, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, anaemia and signs of intestinal obstruction or perforation. The sites of metastatic involvement were: oesphagogastric junction (2 cases); stomach (2 cases); duodenum (1 case): jejunum (3 cases); ileum (2 cases), colon (2 cases). The radiological findings are discussed and illustrated.", "PMID": 639463} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12280", "title": "Residual Patopaque in renal cysts: an addition to the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal heavy-metal densities.", "content": "Single or multiple heave-metal densities seen on abdominal radiographs give rise to several diagnostic possibilities. These include pills or foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, barium in colonic diverticula, and bullets or shrapnel. This communication describes two patients in whom heave-metal densities observed on abdominal radiographs were caused by residual Pantopaque from prior renal cyst puncture.", "contents": "Residual Patopaque in renal cysts: an addition to the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal heavy-metal densities. Single or multiple heave-metal densities seen on abdominal radiographs give rise to several diagnostic possibilities. These include pills or foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, barium in colonic diverticula, and bullets or shrapnel. This communication describes two patients in whom heave-metal densities observed on abdominal radiographs were caused by residual Pantopaque from prior renal cyst puncture.", "PMID": 639464} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12281", "title": "Parathyroid hormone-like biological activity in urine.", "content": "1. The parathyroid hormone-like biological activity of concentrated urine was measured by the increase of plasma calcium concentration after intravenous injection of the sample into chickens. 2. Urine was tested in hypoparathyroid patients, normal volunteer subjects, primary hyperparathyroid patients before and after surgery and patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. 3. In primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism the biological activity was significantly higher than in urine from normal subjects, which was in turn significantly higher than the activity in the urine of hypoparathyroid patients. This bioactivity diminished after surgical removal of a hyperparathyroid adenoma. 4. Decreased activity after trypsinization indicated the peptidic nature of the hypercalcaemic substance.", "contents": "Parathyroid hormone-like biological activity in urine. 1. The parathyroid hormone-like biological activity of concentrated urine was measured by the increase of plasma calcium concentration after intravenous injection of the sample into chickens. 2. Urine was tested in hypoparathyroid patients, normal volunteer subjects, primary hyperparathyroid patients before and after surgery and patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. 3. In primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism the biological activity was significantly higher than in urine from normal subjects, which was in turn significantly higher than the activity in the urine of hypoparathyroid patients. This bioactivity diminished after surgical removal of a hyperparathyroid adenoma. 4. Decreased activity after trypsinization indicated the peptidic nature of the hypercalcaemic substance.", "PMID": 639465} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12282", "title": "The occurrence of folate-derived pteridines in rat liver.", "content": "1. It has previously been shown that folate polyglutamates in the rat are catabolized almost exclusively via cleavage of the C-9--N-10 bond, resulting in the formation of pteridines and p-aminobenzoylglutamate. The latter catabolite is rapidly excreted, appearing in the urine as acetamidobenzoylglutamate and is undetectable in rat liver. 2. The pteridines catabolites on the other hand are retained to a much greater extent by the liver, forming an ever-increasing proportion of the retained radioactive tracer. 3. A possible role for these pteridines as cofactors in brain metabolism is discussed.", "contents": "The occurrence of folate-derived pteridines in rat liver. 1. It has previously been shown that folate polyglutamates in the rat are catabolized almost exclusively via cleavage of the C-9--N-10 bond, resulting in the formation of pteridines and p-aminobenzoylglutamate. The latter catabolite is rapidly excreted, appearing in the urine as acetamidobenzoylglutamate and is undetectable in rat liver. 2. The pteridines catabolites on the other hand are retained to a much greater extent by the liver, forming an ever-increasing proportion of the retained radioactive tracer. 3. A possible role for these pteridines as cofactors in brain metabolism is discussed.", "PMID": 639466} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12283", "title": "The mechanism of renomedullary antihypertensive action: haemodynamic studies in hydronephrotic rats with one-kidney renal-clip hypertension.", "content": "1. The protective action of the renal medulla was studied in one-kidney renal-clip hypertension in rats with unilateral hereditary hydronephrosis and almost complete atrophy of the medulla of the affected kidney. 2. Rats were unilaterally nephrectomized. The first group had a normal kidney remaining, and the animals from the second and third groups were left with a hydronephrotic kidney and received renomedullary and renocortical autotransplants respectively. Two weeks later all rats were made hypertensive by placing a silver clip (0.2 mm) on the renal artery. 3. From the fourth day after clipping until the end of the experiment blood pressure was found to be significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in rats with medullary transplants than in the other groups. No differences in renal excretory function, plasma volume and plasma renin activity were found between the groups either before or during development of hypertension (5 and 21 days after clipping). Early in the course of hypertension (5 days) cardiac output was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the rats with medullary transplants than in the other groups, although an increase in plasma volume was noted in all three groups. At that time no difference in total peripheral resistance was found between the groups. 4. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the renomedullary antihypertensive substance(s) mitigates hypertension by preventing a hypertensive haemodynamic response to sodium/volume overload.", "contents": "The mechanism of renomedullary antihypertensive action: haemodynamic studies in hydronephrotic rats with one-kidney renal-clip hypertension. 1. The protective action of the renal medulla was studied in one-kidney renal-clip hypertension in rats with unilateral hereditary hydronephrosis and almost complete atrophy of the medulla of the affected kidney. 2. Rats were unilaterally nephrectomized. The first group had a normal kidney remaining, and the animals from the second and third groups were left with a hydronephrotic kidney and received renomedullary and renocortical autotransplants respectively. Two weeks later all rats were made hypertensive by placing a silver clip (0.2 mm) on the renal artery. 3. From the fourth day after clipping until the end of the experiment blood pressure was found to be significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in rats with medullary transplants than in the other groups. No differences in renal excretory function, plasma volume and plasma renin activity were found between the groups either before or during development of hypertension (5 and 21 days after clipping). Early in the course of hypertension (5 days) cardiac output was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the rats with medullary transplants than in the other groups, although an increase in plasma volume was noted in all three groups. At that time no difference in total peripheral resistance was found between the groups. 4. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the renomedullary antihypertensive substance(s) mitigates hypertension by preventing a hypertensive haemodynamic response to sodium/volume overload.", "PMID": 639467} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12284", "title": "Excretion of conjugated bilirubin in the isolated perfused rat kidney.", "content": "1. Renal mechanisms of conjugated bilirubin excretion have been studied in isolated rat kidneys perfused with a protein-free dextran medium, containing conjugated bilirubin isolated from human bile. 2. In nine perfused kidneys with a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (less than 0.5 ml/min) and depressed tubular function, there was a significant linear correlation between conjugated bilirubin clearance and GFR (r = 0.97). 3. In contrast, nine kidneys with a normal GFR (greater than 0.8 ml/min) and good tubular function exhibited substantial tubular reabsorption of filtered conjugated bilirubin (mean 74%). Reabsorption was proportional to the filtered conjugated bilirubin load and a tubular transport maximum was not observed even at high concentrations (144 mumol/1). 4. The fractional reabsorption of bilirubin was unchanged by the addition of sodium aminohippurate to the medium. Perfusion with an albumin medium (10 g/1) resulted in a tenfold reduction in conjugated bilirubin clearance. 5. These observations indicate that non-protein-bound conjugated bilirubin is freely filtered by the glomeruli and then largely reabsorbed in the tubules. Evidence of tubular secretion was not obtained. 6. Chromatographic separation of bilirubin conjugates showed that the proportion of di- to mono-conjugates in the urine was greater than in the perfusate. Whether this incicated further conjugation by the kidney of the monoconjugates or differential clearance of the conjugates was not established.", "contents": "Excretion of conjugated bilirubin in the isolated perfused rat kidney. 1. Renal mechanisms of conjugated bilirubin excretion have been studied in isolated rat kidneys perfused with a protein-free dextran medium, containing conjugated bilirubin isolated from human bile. 2. In nine perfused kidneys with a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (less than 0.5 ml/min) and depressed tubular function, there was a significant linear correlation between conjugated bilirubin clearance and GFR (r = 0.97). 3. In contrast, nine kidneys with a normal GFR (greater than 0.8 ml/min) and good tubular function exhibited substantial tubular reabsorption of filtered conjugated bilirubin (mean 74%). Reabsorption was proportional to the filtered conjugated bilirubin load and a tubular transport maximum was not observed even at high concentrations (144 mumol/1). 4. The fractional reabsorption of bilirubin was unchanged by the addition of sodium aminohippurate to the medium. Perfusion with an albumin medium (10 g/1) resulted in a tenfold reduction in conjugated bilirubin clearance. 5. These observations indicate that non-protein-bound conjugated bilirubin is freely filtered by the glomeruli and then largely reabsorbed in the tubules. Evidence of tubular secretion was not obtained. 6. Chromatographic separation of bilirubin conjugates showed that the proportion of di- to mono-conjugates in the urine was greater than in the perfusate. Whether this incicated further conjugation by the kidney of the monoconjugates or differential clearance of the conjugates was not established.", "PMID": 639468} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12285", "title": "Thyroid function and blood pressure in two new strains of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.", "content": "1. The influence of thryoid function on the development of hypertension was studied in strains of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normotensive rats. 2. Surgical thyroidectomy decreased systolic blood pressure more markedly in SH rats than in normotensive rats. The effects of oral administration of 5 and 100 micrograms of thyroxine 24 h-1 100 g-1 were studied in the thyroidectomized animals. In the two strains the blood pressure returned to control levels only after administration of the larger dose. 3. The evolution of body weight, total plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations were followed as a function of age in SH rats and normotensive rats from 5 to 21 weeks. At each age, SH rats showed significantly larger body weight and decreased T4 concentrations. Plasma T3 in SH rats was lower than in normotensive rats until 15 weeks of age, after which the difference was not significant. At 11 weeks, plasms free T3 and T4 concentrations were slightly lower in SH rats than in normotensive rats. 4. The more marked hypotensive effects of surgical thyroidectomy in SH rats cannot be related to increased thyroid function.", "contents": "Thyroid function and blood pressure in two new strains of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats. 1. The influence of thryoid function on the development of hypertension was studied in strains of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normotensive rats. 2. Surgical thyroidectomy decreased systolic blood pressure more markedly in SH rats than in normotensive rats. The effects of oral administration of 5 and 100 micrograms of thyroxine 24 h-1 100 g-1 were studied in the thyroidectomized animals. In the two strains the blood pressure returned to control levels only after administration of the larger dose. 3. The evolution of body weight, total plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations were followed as a function of age in SH rats and normotensive rats from 5 to 21 weeks. At each age, SH rats showed significantly larger body weight and decreased T4 concentrations. Plasma T3 in SH rats was lower than in normotensive rats until 15 weeks of age, after which the difference was not significant. At 11 weeks, plasms free T3 and T4 concentrations were slightly lower in SH rats than in normotensive rats. 4. The more marked hypotensive effects of surgical thyroidectomy in SH rats cannot be related to increased thyroid function.", "PMID": 639469} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12286", "title": "The causation of splenomegaly in schistosomiasis in mice.", "content": "1. Mice were infected with fertile bisexual Schistosoma mansoni and compared with similar animals infected with unisexual worms or sterile bisexual worms. 2. A significant increase in splenic weight occurred in all infected animals. 3. Administration of well-tolerated doses of 6-mercaptopurine abolished the increase in relative splenic weight in animals infected with ordinary S. mansoni. 4. In splenectomized uninfected mice leucocytosis but no other haematological changes developed. 5. In splenectomized mice lower values for packed cell volume were observed 8 weeks after, but not 12 weeks after, infection with S. mansoni. 6. Slight prolongation of the life-span of erythrocytes occurred in splenectomized infected mice. 7. It is concluded that anaemia in schistosomiasis depends to a significant extent on immunity developed to adult schistosomal worms and can develop in the absense of schistosomal ova. 8. The anaemia resulting from such an immune response may be suppressed by administration of 6-mercaptopurine. 9. Such anaemia occurs even in splenectomized mice; thus hypersplenism is not necessary for its development although splenectomy slightly prolongs the erythrocyte life-span.", "contents": "The causation of splenomegaly in schistosomiasis in mice. 1. Mice were infected with fertile bisexual Schistosoma mansoni and compared with similar animals infected with unisexual worms or sterile bisexual worms. 2. A significant increase in splenic weight occurred in all infected animals. 3. Administration of well-tolerated doses of 6-mercaptopurine abolished the increase in relative splenic weight in animals infected with ordinary S. mansoni. 4. In splenectomized uninfected mice leucocytosis but no other haematological changes developed. 5. In splenectomized mice lower values for packed cell volume were observed 8 weeks after, but not 12 weeks after, infection with S. mansoni. 6. Slight prolongation of the life-span of erythrocytes occurred in splenectomized infected mice. 7. It is concluded that anaemia in schistosomiasis depends to a significant extent on immunity developed to adult schistosomal worms and can develop in the absense of schistosomal ova. 8. The anaemia resulting from such an immune response may be suppressed by administration of 6-mercaptopurine. 9. Such anaemia occurs even in splenectomized mice; thus hypersplenism is not necessary for its development although splenectomy slightly prolongs the erythrocyte life-span.", "PMID": 639470} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12287", "title": "Changes in absorptive and peptide hydrolase activities in rat small intestine after administration of 5-fluorouracil.", "content": "1. Glucose absorption, water absorption and dipeptide hydrolase activities have been determined in isolated rat small intestine at 1, 3, 5 and 21 days after a single intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil. 2. Absorption rates and enzyme activities were elevated 1 day after treatment, but were reduced to 40% of control values at 3 and 5 days. Changes were seen regardless of whether absorption was expressed per unit length or per unit dry weight of intestine. 3. There were highly significant positive correlations between glucose or water absorption rates and peptidase activities, especially in proximal jejunum. The most significant correlation was observed between water absorption rate and jejunal L-Leu-Gly hydrolase activity. 4. Malabsorption may account for some of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with treatment with 5-fluorouracil. Enzyme measurements may be useful as an index of intestinal function.", "contents": "Changes in absorptive and peptide hydrolase activities in rat small intestine after administration of 5-fluorouracil. 1. Glucose absorption, water absorption and dipeptide hydrolase activities have been determined in isolated rat small intestine at 1, 3, 5 and 21 days after a single intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil. 2. Absorption rates and enzyme activities were elevated 1 day after treatment, but were reduced to 40% of control values at 3 and 5 days. Changes were seen regardless of whether absorption was expressed per unit length or per unit dry weight of intestine. 3. There were highly significant positive correlations between glucose or water absorption rates and peptidase activities, especially in proximal jejunum. The most significant correlation was observed between water absorption rate and jejunal L-Leu-Gly hydrolase activity. 4. Malabsorption may account for some of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with treatment with 5-fluorouracil. Enzyme measurements may be useful as an index of intestinal function.", "PMID": 639472} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12288", "title": "Effect of carbamazepine on plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin.", "content": "1. Five normal subjects were studied before and during treatment with carbamazepine. 2. Plasma sodium, plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin and urine osmolality were measured during a day of water deprivation, before and during drug treatment. 3. During treatment with carbamazepine plasma sodium increased wheras plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin and urine osmolality decreased. Plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin were signifi\"antly correlated with urine osmolality. However, carbamazepine did not affect the osmolality of urine produced by the kidney, in response to endogenous arginine-vasopressin. 4. Plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin were significantly correlated with plasma sodium on both control and drug-treatment days, but the relationships of plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin to plasma sodium were different during carbamazepine treatment, as compared with the control period. 5. It is suggested that the threshold of the hypothalamic osmoreceptors for release of arginine-vasopressin is modified by carbamazepine, and that this may be either a direct action or secondary to another action of the drug.", "contents": "Effect of carbamazepine on plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin. 1. Five normal subjects were studied before and during treatment with carbamazepine. 2. Plasma sodium, plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin and urine osmolality were measured during a day of water deprivation, before and during drug treatment. 3. During treatment with carbamazepine plasma sodium increased wheras plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin and urine osmolality decreased. Plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin were signifi\"antly correlated with urine osmolality. However, carbamazepine did not affect the osmolality of urine produced by the kidney, in response to endogenous arginine-vasopressin. 4. Plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin were significantly correlated with plasma sodium on both control and drug-treatment days, but the relationships of plasma and urine arginine-vasopressin to plasma sodium were different during carbamazepine treatment, as compared with the control period. 5. It is suggested that the threshold of the hypothalamic osmoreceptors for release of arginine-vasopressin is modified by carbamazepine, and that this may be either a direct action or secondary to another action of the drug.", "PMID": 639473} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12289", "title": "A new technique for measuring protein turnover in the gut, liver and kidneys of lean and obese mice with [3H] glutamic acid.", "content": "1. We have measured the incorporation of an intraperitoneal injection of [3H] glutamate into the protein of the gut, liver and kidney of lean and obese siblings of the genetically obese mouse. 2. Recycling of the 3H was minimized by using glutamate labelled at the C-2 position. Loss of label from the amino acid pool by transamination and deamination was rapid, with a half-life of 4 h. 3. In tissue protein the amino acid showing the highest 3H radioactivity was glutamate. 4. The half-lives for protein synthesis and catabolism were calculated from the decay curves of both specific and total radioactivity of [3H] glutamate in tissue protein. No significant differences were found between kidney, liver and gut in lean and obese mice.", "contents": "A new technique for measuring protein turnover in the gut, liver and kidneys of lean and obese mice with [3H] glutamic acid. 1. We have measured the incorporation of an intraperitoneal injection of [3H] glutamate into the protein of the gut, liver and kidney of lean and obese siblings of the genetically obese mouse. 2. Recycling of the 3H was minimized by using glutamate labelled at the C-2 position. Loss of label from the amino acid pool by transamination and deamination was rapid, with a half-life of 4 h. 3. In tissue protein the amino acid showing the highest 3H radioactivity was glutamate. 4. The half-lives for protein synthesis and catabolism were calculated from the decay curves of both specific and total radioactivity of [3H] glutamate in tissue protein. No significant differences were found between kidney, liver and gut in lean and obese mice.", "PMID": 639474} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12290", "title": "Effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on the local and general responses to injury in the rat.", "content": "1. The effects of streptozotocin-diabetes on the local and general responses to a 4 h period of bilateral hind-limb ischaemia in the rat have been investigated. The rats were injured 48 h after the intravenous injection of the streptozotocin. 2. Less fluid was lost from the circulation into the injured limbs after injury in the diabetic rats and this was directly related to the severity of the diabetes, but could not be explained by dehydration. However, when the diabetic and nondiabetic injured rats were considered together there was significant negative correlation between either plasma osmolality or plasma glucose concentration and water content in the injured hind limb. 3. The relationship between plasma glucose concentration and plasma osmolality was changed by injury such that, particularly in the injured diabetic rats, plasma osmolality at a given glucose concentration was higher than that predicted from the relationship betweeen these variables in the uninjured rat.", "contents": "Effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on the local and general responses to injury in the rat. 1. The effects of streptozotocin-diabetes on the local and general responses to a 4 h period of bilateral hind-limb ischaemia in the rat have been investigated. The rats were injured 48 h after the intravenous injection of the streptozotocin. 2. Less fluid was lost from the circulation into the injured limbs after injury in the diabetic rats and this was directly related to the severity of the diabetes, but could not be explained by dehydration. However, when the diabetic and nondiabetic injured rats were considered together there was significant negative correlation between either plasma osmolality or plasma glucose concentration and water content in the injured hind limb. 3. The relationship between plasma glucose concentration and plasma osmolality was changed by injury such that, particularly in the injured diabetic rats, plasma osmolality at a given glucose concentration was higher than that predicted from the relationship betweeen these variables in the uninjured rat.", "PMID": 639475} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12291", "title": "Effect of oophorectomy and calcium deprivation on bone mass in the rat.", "content": "1. The effects of a low calcium diet and of oophorectomy, separately and together, on cortical and trabecular bone mass, have been examined in mature female rats. 2. Calcium deprivation caused a significant decrease of weight, cortical cross-sectional area and ratio of cortical to total area in the femur, it significantly reduced the volume of trabecular bone and increased the percentage of osteoid surface in the tail vertebrae, and in addition increased the urinary excretion of phosphate and, initially, of hydroxyproline. 3. Oophorectomy caused similar though smaller changes in trabecular bone and urine, whereas the effects of oophorectomy on cortical bone were greater on a low calcium intake than on a normal intake. 4. The ash weight of the femora, expressed as a percentage of the total dry weight, was unaffected by calcium deprivation or oophorectomy alone but was significantly reduced when the two occurred together. 5. The percentage of resorption surfaces in the vertebrae tended to increase on the low calcium diet and after oophorectomy on the normal diet but decreased after oophorectomy on a low calcium diet. 6. It is concluded that oophorectomy and calcium deficiency each reduce bone mass in the adult rat but the greatest effect is seen when they are combined.", "contents": "Effect of oophorectomy and calcium deprivation on bone mass in the rat. 1. The effects of a low calcium diet and of oophorectomy, separately and together, on cortical and trabecular bone mass, have been examined in mature female rats. 2. Calcium deprivation caused a significant decrease of weight, cortical cross-sectional area and ratio of cortical to total area in the femur, it significantly reduced the volume of trabecular bone and increased the percentage of osteoid surface in the tail vertebrae, and in addition increased the urinary excretion of phosphate and, initially, of hydroxyproline. 3. Oophorectomy caused similar though smaller changes in trabecular bone and urine, whereas the effects of oophorectomy on cortical bone were greater on a low calcium intake than on a normal intake. 4. The ash weight of the femora, expressed as a percentage of the total dry weight, was unaffected by calcium deprivation or oophorectomy alone but was significantly reduced when the two occurred together. 5. The percentage of resorption surfaces in the vertebrae tended to increase on the low calcium diet and after oophorectomy on the normal diet but decreased after oophorectomy on a low calcium diet. 6. It is concluded that oophorectomy and calcium deficiency each reduce bone mass in the adult rat but the greatest effect is seen when they are combined.", "PMID": 639476} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12292", "title": "Circadian rhythmicity of delayed hypersensitivity to oxazolone in the rat.", "content": "1. A marked circadian rhythm was detected in the ear swelling of rats immunized and then challenged with oxazolone. 2. The peak response observed at 10.00 hours was over eight times the minimum at 16.00 hours. 3. As related tests are used frequently in man greater attention to clock time is necessary in clinical immunology.", "contents": "Circadian rhythmicity of delayed hypersensitivity to oxazolone in the rat. 1. A marked circadian rhythm was detected in the ear swelling of rats immunized and then challenged with oxazolone. 2. The peak response observed at 10.00 hours was over eight times the minimum at 16.00 hours. 3. As related tests are used frequently in man greater attention to clock time is necessary in clinical immunology.", "PMID": 639477} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12293", "title": "Effect of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum and biliary lipids in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia.", "content": "1. In order to study the effects of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum and biliary lipids in hyperlipoproteinaemia, chenodeoxycholic acid was administered to seven type IIa, eight type IIb and eight type IV patients in a daily dose of 750 mg (1.9 mmol) for 3 months. 2. The serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were determined at 4-week intervals: cholesterol remained unchanged whereas triglycerides decreased 15--20%. 3. In 17 patients, biliary lipids were studied. The proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in the bile increased to about 70%; lithocholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid increased significantly. 4. Bile saturation with cholesterol decreased and correlated negatively with the proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in biliary bile acids but positively with serum triglycerides. 5. It is concluded that chenodeoxycholic acid treatment in hyperlipoproteinaemia is associated with parallel fall in serum triglycerides and biliary cholesterol and thus may prove to be a useful adjunct in hypolipidaemic treatment.", "contents": "Effect of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum and biliary lipids in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia. 1. In order to study the effects of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum and biliary lipids in hyperlipoproteinaemia, chenodeoxycholic acid was administered to seven type IIa, eight type IIb and eight type IV patients in a daily dose of 750 mg (1.9 mmol) for 3 months. 2. The serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were determined at 4-week intervals: cholesterol remained unchanged whereas triglycerides decreased 15--20%. 3. In 17 patients, biliary lipids were studied. The proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in the bile increased to about 70%; lithocholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid increased significantly. 4. Bile saturation with cholesterol decreased and correlated negatively with the proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid in biliary bile acids but positively with serum triglycerides. 5. It is concluded that chenodeoxycholic acid treatment in hyperlipoproteinaemia is associated with parallel fall in serum triglycerides and biliary cholesterol and thus may prove to be a useful adjunct in hypolipidaemic treatment.", "PMID": 639478} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12294", "title": "A computer program for parenthood diagnosis within a family.", "content": "The knowledge of human polymorphism provides an efficient tool for parenthood diagnosis. This paper describes an algorithm to diagnose fatherhood within a family. In genetic research, the validation of human families is useful since at least 7% of the families have to be rejected from such studies. First, the algorithm verifies whether the phenotype of the presumed father is compatible with the genotypes of all children under the assumption of assured motherhood. An original index coding allows us to write simple algorithms: automatic creation of genetic elements, search of compatible genotypes of parentes and children. Finally, the algorithm calculates several indices used to estimate the likehood of the paternity of non-excluded man.", "contents": "A computer program for parenthood diagnosis within a family. The knowledge of human polymorphism provides an efficient tool for parenthood diagnosis. This paper describes an algorithm to diagnose fatherhood within a family. In genetic research, the validation of human families is useful since at least 7% of the families have to be rejected from such studies. First, the algorithm verifies whether the phenotype of the presumed father is compatible with the genotypes of all children under the assumption of assured motherhood. An original index coding allows us to write simple algorithms: automatic creation of genetic elements, search of compatible genotypes of parentes and children. Finally, the algorithm calculates several indices used to estimate the likehood of the paternity of non-excluded man.", "PMID": 639497} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12295", "title": "An approach for physiological signal processing by laboratory minicomputer.", "content": "Physiological signal-processing instrumentation including the digital oscilloscope is becoming more dependent upon the microprocessor. Minicomputer software has been developed which demonstrates data-processing approaches that should be considered for incorporation into the firmware of digital oscilloscopes. This core-resident software called DATAC operates in an interpretive mode and provides such features as digital signal editing, filtering, and basic processing including differentiation and integration.", "contents": "An approach for physiological signal processing by laboratory minicomputer. Physiological signal-processing instrumentation including the digital oscilloscope is becoming more dependent upon the microprocessor. Minicomputer software has been developed which demonstrates data-processing approaches that should be considered for incorporation into the firmware of digital oscilloscopes. This core-resident software called DATAC operates in an interpretive mode and provides such features as digital signal editing, filtering, and basic processing including differentiation and integration.", "PMID": 639498} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12296", "title": "Computer analysis of rapid eye movements.", "content": "Simulation of the saccadic eye movement mechanism and, more recently, diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders associated with saccades rely on accurate recording and analysis of saccade characteristics. Traditionally, eye movements are monitored objectively by registering a transduced voltage correlate of eye position on a pen or cathode ray oscillograph. Analysis of the record obtained is tedious and often inaccurate. The advent of small digital computers with analog-to-digital capability permits more efficient recording. However, computer programs reviewed are limited to the analysis of specific saccade parameters or partly depend on manual operations. The computer program described stores the entire saccadic event of each eye between pre-defined limits including the pre- and post-saccade intervals. Preliminary operations including artifact identification, location of onset, elimination of RC decay, DC offset and amplitude scaling prepare the data for display and subsequent analysis. The program also includes a subroutine to derive the mean and standard deviation of successive saccades.", "contents": "Computer analysis of rapid eye movements. Simulation of the saccadic eye movement mechanism and, more recently, diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders associated with saccades rely on accurate recording and analysis of saccade characteristics. Traditionally, eye movements are monitored objectively by registering a transduced voltage correlate of eye position on a pen or cathode ray oscillograph. Analysis of the record obtained is tedious and often inaccurate. The advent of small digital computers with analog-to-digital capability permits more efficient recording. However, computer programs reviewed are limited to the analysis of specific saccade parameters or partly depend on manual operations. The computer program described stores the entire saccadic event of each eye between pre-defined limits including the pre- and post-saccade intervals. Preliminary operations including artifact identification, location of onset, elimination of RC decay, DC offset and amplitude scaling prepare the data for display and subsequent analysis. The program also includes a subroutine to derive the mean and standard deviation of successive saccades.", "PMID": 639499} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12297", "title": "A program to simulate drug elimination interactions: warfarin and BSP - an illustrative example.", "content": "The kinetics of drug elimination of interactive drug systems is stimulated by a set of differential equations based on mass balances, the mass of organs and blood flow rates. Experimentally determined concentration profiles of the drugs in the plasma and bile are used to evaluate clearance rate parameters. An example is shown in which the clearance of the anticoagulant warfarin is reduced to less than 50% of its normal rate due to the interference by BSP.", "contents": "A program to simulate drug elimination interactions: warfarin and BSP - an illustrative example. The kinetics of drug elimination of interactive drug systems is stimulated by a set of differential equations based on mass balances, the mass of organs and blood flow rates. Experimentally determined concentration profiles of the drugs in the plasma and bile are used to evaluate clearance rate parameters. An example is shown in which the clearance of the anticoagulant warfarin is reduced to less than 50% of its normal rate due to the interference by BSP.", "PMID": 639500} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12298", "title": "Clinical application of a single compartment model to urea and creatinine kinetics in dialysis therapy.", "content": "A single compartment mathematical model has been shown to accurately described changing serum concentrations of low molecular weight solutes (urea and creatinine) during dialysis. Clinical application of the model permits prediction of serum concentrations in response to changes in prescription of dialysis therapy. The programs presented here can be used to predict the effect of changes in treatment time and dialyzer clearance on serum concentrations. Sequential pre- and end-dialysis solute concentrations are displayed on a programmable pocket calculator. Dialyzer clearance during any individual dialysis can be calculated. These programs permit an evaluation of the efficacy of prescribed dialysis treatment schedules in advance of therapeutic trials.", "contents": "Clinical application of a single compartment model to urea and creatinine kinetics in dialysis therapy. A single compartment mathematical model has been shown to accurately described changing serum concentrations of low molecular weight solutes (urea and creatinine) during dialysis. Clinical application of the model permits prediction of serum concentrations in response to changes in prescription of dialysis therapy. The programs presented here can be used to predict the effect of changes in treatment time and dialyzer clearance on serum concentrations. Sequential pre- and end-dialysis solute concentrations are displayed on a programmable pocket calculator. Dialyzer clearance during any individual dialysis can be calculated. These programs permit an evaluation of the efficacy of prescribed dialysis treatment schedules in advance of therapeutic trials.", "PMID": 639501} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12299", "title": "NEW: an interactive data management system for monitoring ambulatory patients.", "content": "Biobehavioral monitoring is a method of gathering daily biological and behavioral measurements from ambulatory patients so that hospital-based care can be extended to the home. Such data can also serve many other purposes such as peer review and assesing the outcome of treatment. To assist in handling the increased information about patients, NEW, a system of three interactive APL Plus computer program packages, has been developed. The program packages, NEWDATA, EVALUATION, and WARNINGS, form an interactive data management system to provide: a rapid means of entering and verifying each patient's data from either a single day or a group of days; a flexible and simple means of retrieving and analyzing the data for an individual patient or for groups of patients; and a means of reviewing, detecting, and signaling trends in the data that deviate from present clinical criteria.", "contents": "NEW: an interactive data management system for monitoring ambulatory patients. Biobehavioral monitoring is a method of gathering daily biological and behavioral measurements from ambulatory patients so that hospital-based care can be extended to the home. Such data can also serve many other purposes such as peer review and assesing the outcome of treatment. To assist in handling the increased information about patients, NEW, a system of three interactive APL Plus computer program packages, has been developed. The program packages, NEWDATA, EVALUATION, and WARNINGS, form an interactive data management system to provide: a rapid means of entering and verifying each patient's data from either a single day or a group of days; a flexible and simple means of retrieving and analyzing the data for an individual patient or for groups of patients; and a means of reviewing, detecting, and signaling trends in the data that deviate from present clinical criteria.", "PMID": 639502} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12300", "title": "Demodex canis: redescription and reevaluation.", "content": "A brief review of the taxonomy of Demodex canis is followed by a complete redescription. Demodex canis is diagnosed with D. odocoilei of the white-tailed deer. In view of the continued speculation that dogs and man share the same demodicid, simple morphological characters are noted which distinguish D. canis from D. folliculorum and D. brevis in all stages of their life cycles.", "contents": "Demodex canis: redescription and reevaluation. A brief review of the taxonomy of Demodex canis is followed by a complete redescription. Demodex canis is diagnosed with D. odocoilei of the white-tailed deer. In view of the continued speculation that dogs and man share the same demodicid, simple morphological characters are noted which distinguish D. canis from D. folliculorum and D. brevis in all stages of their life cycles.", "PMID": 639514} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12301", "title": "Treatment of cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle.", "content": "Fourty-four Holstein Friesian cows diagnosed as having ovarian follicular cysts from rectal palpation of the ovaries and observation of estrous behavior were used for the present experiments. Of the 16 cows injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with 110 mg of depot-progestins containing 100 mg of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 10 mg of progesterone in oil, 8 cows responded with conception with 103 +/- 53 days in average after the treatment. The 8 cows not responding to depot-progestins were injected i.m. with 6,000 MU of HCG on the 10th day after the treatment. As a result, 2 cows of them conceived within 72 days in average after the initial treatment. Of the other 16 cows injected i.m. with 100 mg of progesteron in oil, 3 cows conceived. Interval between the treatment and conception was 36 +/- 9 days in average. In the 11 cows which failed to respond to progesterone treatment, an intramuscular injection of 6,000 MU of HCG on the 5th day after treatment resulted in conception of 7 cows within 42 +/- 10 days in average after the first treatment. Of the remaining 12 cows which received an i.m. injection with 10,000 MU of HCG, 4 cows responded with conception with 64 +/- 51 days in average after treatment. No remarkable rise in serum progesterone levels was observed either 10 days after depot-progestins injection or 5 days after progesterone treatment. Serum progesteron levels increased distinctly after HCG injections. The combined treatment with 100 mg of progesterone and 6,000 MU of HCG at 5 days interval gave the most successful results and this treatment was effective even when performed long after calving. Thus this method of treatment of cystic ovarian disease may be recommended for practical application.", "contents": "Treatment of cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle. Fourty-four Holstein Friesian cows diagnosed as having ovarian follicular cysts from rectal palpation of the ovaries and observation of estrous behavior were used for the present experiments. Of the 16 cows injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with 110 mg of depot-progestins containing 100 mg of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 10 mg of progesterone in oil, 8 cows responded with conception with 103 +/- 53 days in average after the treatment. The 8 cows not responding to depot-progestins were injected i.m. with 6,000 MU of HCG on the 10th day after the treatment. As a result, 2 cows of them conceived within 72 days in average after the initial treatment. Of the other 16 cows injected i.m. with 100 mg of progesteron in oil, 3 cows conceived. Interval between the treatment and conception was 36 +/- 9 days in average. In the 11 cows which failed to respond to progesterone treatment, an intramuscular injection of 6,000 MU of HCG on the 5th day after treatment resulted in conception of 7 cows within 42 +/- 10 days in average after the first treatment. Of the remaining 12 cows which received an i.m. injection with 10,000 MU of HCG, 4 cows responded with conception with 64 +/- 51 days in average after treatment. No remarkable rise in serum progesterone levels was observed either 10 days after depot-progestins injection or 5 days after progesterone treatment. Serum progesteron levels increased distinctly after HCG injections. The combined treatment with 100 mg of progesterone and 6,000 MU of HCG at 5 days interval gave the most successful results and this treatment was effective even when performed long after calving. Thus this method of treatment of cystic ovarian disease may be recommended for practical application.", "PMID": 639515} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12302", "title": "Gastrict carcinoma with pseudohyperparathyroidism in a horse.", "content": "Pseudohyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in a mature stallion presented for anorexia, weight loss, pollakiuria and constipation. Laboratory findings included hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, anemia and isosthenuria. Thoracocentesis indicated an exfoliating squamous cell carcinoma. At necropsy, a squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach with metastases to the abdominal and thoracic cavities was diagnosed. No osseous metastases were found. No gross or microscopic renal lesions were noted. Bone tissue showed arrested resorption, and the parathyroid gland was atrophic.", "contents": "Gastrict carcinoma with pseudohyperparathyroidism in a horse. Pseudohyperparathyroidism was diagnosed in a mature stallion presented for anorexia, weight loss, pollakiuria and constipation. Laboratory findings included hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, anemia and isosthenuria. Thoracocentesis indicated an exfoliating squamous cell carcinoma. At necropsy, a squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach with metastases to the abdominal and thoracic cavities was diagnosed. No osseous metastases were found. No gross or microscopic renal lesions were noted. Bone tissue showed arrested resorption, and the parathyroid gland was atrophic.", "PMID": 639516} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12303", "title": "Right ventricular heart failure of Montana cattle.", "content": "Congestive right ventricular heart failure of Montana cattle is characterized clinically by an accumulation of edematous fluid in the brisket region and ventral portions of the body but not of the legs. A well developed jugular pulse is first observed followed by a watery diarrhea and usually by the accumulation of excessive fluid in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. As the case develops over a period of two to three weeks, the ventral edema becomes more marked (Fig. 1) and straw-colored fluid may accumulate in the body cavities until the abdomen is distended and breathing labored. Death may occur as a result of respiratory failure due to the large volume of pleural fluid or from general debilitation as a result of the right ventricular failure. The incidence of this type of heart failure in Montana cattle is highest on moist mountain valleys. Eighty-one of 113 cases observed over a seven year period occurred in cattle that were maintained at altitudes of 1525 m or below. This paper describes the conditions under which the disease occurs in Montana and compares the hemograms of clinically ill and healthy cattle.", "contents": "Right ventricular heart failure of Montana cattle. Congestive right ventricular heart failure of Montana cattle is characterized clinically by an accumulation of edematous fluid in the brisket region and ventral portions of the body but not of the legs. A well developed jugular pulse is first observed followed by a watery diarrhea and usually by the accumulation of excessive fluid in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. As the case develops over a period of two to three weeks, the ventral edema becomes more marked (Fig. 1) and straw-colored fluid may accumulate in the body cavities until the abdomen is distended and breathing labored. Death may occur as a result of respiratory failure due to the large volume of pleural fluid or from general debilitation as a result of the right ventricular failure. The incidence of this type of heart failure in Montana cattle is highest on moist mountain valleys. Eighty-one of 113 cases observed over a seven year period occurred in cattle that were maintained at altitudes of 1525 m or below. This paper describes the conditions under which the disease occurs in Montana and compares the hemograms of clinically ill and healthy cattle.", "PMID": 639518} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12304", "title": "A serologic method for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections in horses.", "content": "A serologic technique useful for detecting antibodies formed in horses in response to infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is described. The test relies on the ability of C. pseudotuberculosis toxin to produce a wide zone of hemolysis when applied to erythrocytes previously treated with a sterile filtrate of Corynebacterium equi broth culture. The synergistic hemolytic activity can be neutralized by anti-C. pseudotuberculosis serum. This test was used to analyze sera from 616 horses for the presence of C. pseudotuberculosis antitoxin. Of 177 animals (see Table 2) found positive, there were 34 horses with bacteriologically confirmed, active infections and 18 with active but unconfirmed infections. In addition, 13 animals had a history of having had the disease and 112 had no history or evidence of having had the infection. The other 439 horses had negative titers. Statistical treatments confirmed the value of the test as an epidemiological tool but precluded using only titers for the diagnosis of active clinical disease.", "contents": "A serologic method for the detection of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections in horses. A serologic technique useful for detecting antibodies formed in horses in response to infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is described. The test relies on the ability of C. pseudotuberculosis toxin to produce a wide zone of hemolysis when applied to erythrocytes previously treated with a sterile filtrate of Corynebacterium equi broth culture. The synergistic hemolytic activity can be neutralized by anti-C. pseudotuberculosis serum. This test was used to analyze sera from 616 horses for the presence of C. pseudotuberculosis antitoxin. Of 177 animals (see Table 2) found positive, there were 34 horses with bacteriologically confirmed, active infections and 18 with active but unconfirmed infections. In addition, 13 animals had a history of having had the disease and 112 had no history or evidence of having had the infection. The other 439 horses had negative titers. Statistical treatments confirmed the value of the test as an epidemiological tool but precluded using only titers for the diagnosis of active clinical disease.", "PMID": 639519} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12305", "title": "Neurologic signs and neuropathology associated with a case of equine infectious anemia.", "content": "Neurologic signs and neuropathologic lesions associated with a case of equine infectious anemia in a 7 year old Quarter-horse mare were studied. Clinical signs included depression, disorientation, circling, knuckling at the fetlock and hypermetria. The neuropathologic lesions were characterized by a granulomatous ependymitis, subependymal encephalitis, choroiditis and hydrocephalus. These lesions were associated with signs of neurologic dysfunction which were the cause of the prominent clinical features.", "contents": "Neurologic signs and neuropathology associated with a case of equine infectious anemia. Neurologic signs and neuropathologic lesions associated with a case of equine infectious anemia in a 7 year old Quarter-horse mare were studied. Clinical signs included depression, disorientation, circling, knuckling at the fetlock and hypermetria. The neuropathologic lesions were characterized by a granulomatous ependymitis, subependymal encephalitis, choroiditis and hydrocephalus. These lesions were associated with signs of neurologic dysfunction which were the cause of the prominent clinical features.", "PMID": 639520} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12306", "title": "Effect of tolazoline on persistent hypoxemia in neonatal respiratory distress.", "content": "Twenty-seven infants with respiratory distress and hypoxemia of noncardiac etiology were treated with tolazoline. Thirteen infants had hyaline membrane disease and 14 had respiratory distress attributable to causes other than hyaline membrane disease. An immediate response to tolazoline, a rise in PaO2 of 15 torr or more within 15 min, was seen in 11 infants in the hyaline membrane disease group and in eight infants of the other group. Six infants in the hyaline membrane disease group and 11 infants in the second group survived. Tolazoline should be considered as a therapeutic adjunct in the management of hypoxemia which persists after optimal homeostatic and ventilatory support.", "contents": "Effect of tolazoline on persistent hypoxemia in neonatal respiratory distress. Twenty-seven infants with respiratory distress and hypoxemia of noncardiac etiology were treated with tolazoline. Thirteen infants had hyaline membrane disease and 14 had respiratory distress attributable to causes other than hyaline membrane disease. An immediate response to tolazoline, a rise in PaO2 of 15 torr or more within 15 min, was seen in 11 infants in the hyaline membrane disease group and in eight infants of the other group. Six infants in the hyaline membrane disease group and 11 infants in the second group survived. Tolazoline should be considered as a therapeutic adjunct in the management of hypoxemia which persists after optimal homeostatic and ventilatory support.", "PMID": 639525} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12307", "title": "Pentobarbital therapy for intracranial hypertension in metabolic coma. Reye's syndrome.", "content": "In severe Reye's syndrome, with nonspecific intensive supportive therapy, the mortality rate approaches 75%. In many instances, death is due to uncontrolled cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure. (ICP). Pentobarbital therapy, sufficient to maintain a blood barbiturate level between 2.5 mg% and 4.0 mg%, was used to control ICP in seven patients with metabolic coma complicated by intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure greater than 30 mm Hg for 30 min). The nadir of their neurological function was characterized by no response to deep pain, absent or abnormal oculocephalic responses, bilaterally dilated, unreactive pupils, and markedly irregular or absent respirations. Before barbiturate administration hyperventilation, steroids, mannitol, and other supportive therapies commonly used in Reye's syndrome were begun. After institution of pentobarbital therapy, the daily mannitol dose required to maintain the intracranial pressure below 20 mm Hg was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001), from 3.7 +/- 0.3 to 0.5 +/- 0.2 g/kg/day. All the patients survived, and six have no obvious neurological sequelae. Pentobarbital is a useful adjunct for intracranial pressure control in advanced metabolic coma.", "contents": "Pentobarbital therapy for intracranial hypertension in metabolic coma. Reye's syndrome. In severe Reye's syndrome, with nonspecific intensive supportive therapy, the mortality rate approaches 75%. In many instances, death is due to uncontrolled cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure. (ICP). Pentobarbital therapy, sufficient to maintain a blood barbiturate level between 2.5 mg% and 4.0 mg%, was used to control ICP in seven patients with metabolic coma complicated by intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure greater than 30 mm Hg for 30 min). The nadir of their neurological function was characterized by no response to deep pain, absent or abnormal oculocephalic responses, bilaterally dilated, unreactive pupils, and markedly irregular or absent respirations. Before barbiturate administration hyperventilation, steroids, mannitol, and other supportive therapies commonly used in Reye's syndrome were begun. After institution of pentobarbital therapy, the daily mannitol dose required to maintain the intracranial pressure below 20 mm Hg was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001), from 3.7 +/- 0.3 to 0.5 +/- 0.2 g/kg/day. All the patients survived, and six have no obvious neurological sequelae. Pentobarbital is a useful adjunct for intracranial pressure control in advanced metabolic coma.", "PMID": 639524} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12308", "title": "Membrane oxygenators: what role (if any) in acute ventilatory insufficiency?", "content": "Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been suggested as an alternative means of support for the patient who is critically ill with acute ventilatory insufficiency. The determination of which patients should receive this therapy has not been clarified to date. Clinical data have revealed overall survival of 10 to 13%. Comparison of therapeutic results with those in which \"conventional\" therapy is employed has yielded little useful information. At present the overall impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in reducing death from ventilatory insufficiency appears to be minimal. The technique requires major commitments of manpower, equipment, and money, and appears to be limited to a relatively small number of major institutions. A truly objective study, which defines patient entry criteria, specific therapy to be used, and end-points to be achieved has yet to be developed or implemented.", "contents": "Membrane oxygenators: what role (if any) in acute ventilatory insufficiency? Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been suggested as an alternative means of support for the patient who is critically ill with acute ventilatory insufficiency. The determination of which patients should receive this therapy has not been clarified to date. Clinical data have revealed overall survival of 10 to 13%. Comparison of therapeutic results with those in which \"conventional\" therapy is employed has yielded little useful information. At present the overall impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in reducing death from ventilatory insufficiency appears to be minimal. The technique requires major commitments of manpower, equipment, and money, and appears to be limited to a relatively small number of major institutions. A truly objective study, which defines patient entry criteria, specific therapy to be used, and end-points to be achieved has yet to be developed or implemented.", "PMID": 639526} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12309", "title": "Hemodynamic pressure variables and stroke index.", "content": "The relationships between right atrial mean, pulmonary artery diastolic, mean, and wedge pressures, and stroke index were studied in 100 patients. The various pressures correlated fairly well with one another, but poorly with stroke index. However, this correlation improved when the values of individual patients were analyzed. Infusion of calcium chloride modified the correlation of the various pressures with the stroke index over a short period of time. During anesthesia, when pulmonary vascular resistances, systemic resistances and myocardial contractility were stable, both pulmonary artery mean and wedge pressure correlated significantly with the stroke index.", "contents": "Hemodynamic pressure variables and stroke index. The relationships between right atrial mean, pulmonary artery diastolic, mean, and wedge pressures, and stroke index were studied in 100 patients. The various pressures correlated fairly well with one another, but poorly with stroke index. However, this correlation improved when the values of individual patients were analyzed. Infusion of calcium chloride modified the correlation of the various pressures with the stroke index over a short period of time. During anesthesia, when pulmonary vascular resistances, systemic resistances and myocardial contractility were stable, both pulmonary artery mean and wedge pressure correlated significantly with the stroke index.", "PMID": 639527} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12310", "title": "Acquired right-to-left intracardiac shunts and severe hypoxemia.", "content": "Critically ill hypoxemic patients without significant radiological changes on the chest x-ray present a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Three patients with patent foramen ovale and a patient with a spontaneously closed congenital ventricular septal defect which reopened due to ischemic changes in the ventricular septum are presented. In reviewing the literature, we could not find this type of presentation. Their hypoxemia was associated with right-to-left intracardiac shunts demonstrated by dye dilution cardiac output curves. Because of the risk of systemic embolism associated with a right-to-left intracardiac shunt, air bubbles and particulate material in the intravenous infusion should be avoided. Use of anticoagulants may be beneficial. High inspired oxygen concentration may not correct the associated hypoxemia. The detection of these shunts is easily done at the bedside.", "contents": "Acquired right-to-left intracardiac shunts and severe hypoxemia. Critically ill hypoxemic patients without significant radiological changes on the chest x-ray present a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Three patients with patent foramen ovale and a patient with a spontaneously closed congenital ventricular septal defect which reopened due to ischemic changes in the ventricular septum are presented. In reviewing the literature, we could not find this type of presentation. Their hypoxemia was associated with right-to-left intracardiac shunts demonstrated by dye dilution cardiac output curves. Because of the risk of systemic embolism associated with a right-to-left intracardiac shunt, air bubbles and particulate material in the intravenous infusion should be avoided. Use of anticoagulants may be beneficial. High inspired oxygen concentration may not correct the associated hypoxemia. The detection of these shunts is easily done at the bedside.", "PMID": 639528} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12311", "title": "Persistent left superior vena cava complicating hemodynamic monitoring catheterization.", "content": "Two cases of flow-directed, balloon-tipped catheterizations of the right heart via a persistent left superior vena cava are presented. In both cases, the monitoring catheters assumed similar, atypical configurations on plain chest roentgenograms. Recognition of the characteristic configuration of the course of transvenous catheters through the persistent left superior vena cava allows for plain film diagnosis of this anomaly.", "contents": "Persistent left superior vena cava complicating hemodynamic monitoring catheterization. Two cases of flow-directed, balloon-tipped catheterizations of the right heart via a persistent left superior vena cava are presented. In both cases, the monitoring catheters assumed similar, atypical configurations on plain chest roentgenograms. Recognition of the characteristic configuration of the course of transvenous catheters through the persistent left superior vena cava allows for plain film diagnosis of this anomaly.", "PMID": 639529} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12312", "title": "Psychological reactions to acute medical illness and critical care.", "content": "The psychological stresses evoked by acute critical illness and intensive care in both patient and physician are examined and certain approaches proposed which, in our experience, can alleviate these stresses. Admittedly, these psychological concepts may appear inconsequential at first glance. We have found, however, that such intervention may facilitate the physician's efforts to provide appropriate care for his critically ill patients, including those who must die, without experiencing the psychological reactions--the guilt, shame, anguish, and despair--these patients typically arouse.", "contents": "Psychological reactions to acute medical illness and critical care. The psychological stresses evoked by acute critical illness and intensive care in both patient and physician are examined and certain approaches proposed which, in our experience, can alleviate these stresses. Admittedly, these psychological concepts may appear inconsequential at first glance. We have found, however, that such intervention may facilitate the physician's efforts to provide appropriate care for his critically ill patients, including those who must die, without experiencing the psychological reactions--the guilt, shame, anguish, and despair--these patients typically arouse.", "PMID": 639531} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12313", "title": "Use of Doppler ultrasound in dissecting aortic aneurysm.", "content": "Immediate intensive therapy is of major importance in the initial management of patients with dissecting aortic aneurysm. The Doppler ultrasound stethoscope is a noninvasive tool which may be used in the diagnosis and management of this disease. A case is presented in which this instrument was used to diagnose and follow the progress of a patient with acute aortic dissection. Further use of this device for similar disorders can be expected.", "contents": "Use of Doppler ultrasound in dissecting aortic aneurysm. Immediate intensive therapy is of major importance in the initial management of patients with dissecting aortic aneurysm. The Doppler ultrasound stethoscope is a noninvasive tool which may be used in the diagnosis and management of this disease. A case is presented in which this instrument was used to diagnose and follow the progress of a patient with acute aortic dissection. Further use of this device for similar disorders can be expected.", "PMID": 639532} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12314", "title": "Artifacts in the measurement of pulmonary artery wedge pressure.", "content": "Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) will only reflect left atrial pressure (LAP) if continuity of fluid exists from the catheter tip to the left atrium. Either increased airway pressure or decreased hydrostatic pressure may lead to discontinuity of the fluid column and midinterpretation of PAWP. Simultaneous measurements of PAWP and LAP were made in 19 anesthetized dogs. Placement of the pulmonary artery wedge catheter above the left atrium (West Zone I) in combination with the incremental addition of 5 cm H2O of PEEP caused a 5 mm Hg gradient between PAWP and LAP in the normovolemic animal. Augmenting PEEP further or hypovolemia (i.e., decrease in LAP) increased the gradient. Hypervolemia (increase in LAP) diminished the gradient. Fluid continuity between the PAW catheter and LA is a prerequisite for monitoring LAP with the Swan-Ganz catheter. Increases in PEEP, placement of the catheter above the left atrium and hypovolemia may occlude the fluid column and cause artifacts in the PAWP obtained.", "contents": "Artifacts in the measurement of pulmonary artery wedge pressure. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) will only reflect left atrial pressure (LAP) if continuity of fluid exists from the catheter tip to the left atrium. Either increased airway pressure or decreased hydrostatic pressure may lead to discontinuity of the fluid column and midinterpretation of PAWP. Simultaneous measurements of PAWP and LAP were made in 19 anesthetized dogs. Placement of the pulmonary artery wedge catheter above the left atrium (West Zone I) in combination with the incremental addition of 5 cm H2O of PEEP caused a 5 mm Hg gradient between PAWP and LAP in the normovolemic animal. Augmenting PEEP further or hypovolemia (i.e., decrease in LAP) increased the gradient. Hypervolemia (increase in LAP) diminished the gradient. Fluid continuity between the PAW catheter and LA is a prerequisite for monitoring LAP with the Swan-Ganz catheter. Increases in PEEP, placement of the catheter above the left atrium and hypovolemia may occlude the fluid column and cause artifacts in the PAWP obtained.", "PMID": 639530} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12315", "title": "Fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon occlusion and reexpansion of refractory unilateral atelectasis.", "content": "A new method using the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is described for the reexpansion of refractory unilateral lung or lobar atelectasis. The technique is well adapted for the critically ill ICU patient.", "contents": "Fiberoptic bronchoscopic balloon occlusion and reexpansion of refractory unilateral atelectasis. A new method using the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is described for the reexpansion of refractory unilateral lung or lobar atelectasis. The technique is well adapted for the critically ill ICU patient.", "PMID": 639533} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12316", "title": "The risk of positive cultures for Candida in the critically ill patient.", "content": "It is frequently stated that a positive fungal culture is of little clinical significance unless the culture is obtained on repetitive blood specimens. We analyzed the mortality associated with a positive culture for Candida species in ICU patients from several locations over a 3-month period. Criteria for inclusion in this study were: (1) residence in the ICU for at least 4 days, (2) no GI tract alimentation during this period, and (3) administration of at least one antibiotic during this period. Forty-four patients fit these criteria; 23 had positive Candida cultures from at least one site and 12 (52%) died. Four of 21 patients (19%) who did not grow Candida died. Cultures of urine and sputum were most likely to be positive. Positive cultures from the urine, sputum, or wound were associated with at least a 50% mortality. This suggests that routine sputum and urine cultures may be of substantial clinical therapeutic and prognostic significance. Two patients had positive blood cultures and both died. No single class of antibiotics, surgical complications or underlying disease predisposed to these results. It is concluded that the presence of a single positive culture for Candida from any site in the critically ill surgical patient kept without GI alimentation and on any antibiotic is a grave prognostic sign which requires further attention.", "contents": "The risk of positive cultures for Candida in the critically ill patient. It is frequently stated that a positive fungal culture is of little clinical significance unless the culture is obtained on repetitive blood specimens. We analyzed the mortality associated with a positive culture for Candida species in ICU patients from several locations over a 3-month period. Criteria for inclusion in this study were: (1) residence in the ICU for at least 4 days, (2) no GI tract alimentation during this period, and (3) administration of at least one antibiotic during this period. Forty-four patients fit these criteria; 23 had positive Candida cultures from at least one site and 12 (52%) died. Four of 21 patients (19%) who did not grow Candida died. Cultures of urine and sputum were most likely to be positive. Positive cultures from the urine, sputum, or wound were associated with at least a 50% mortality. This suggests that routine sputum and urine cultures may be of substantial clinical therapeutic and prognostic significance. Two patients had positive blood cultures and both died. No single class of antibiotics, surgical complications or underlying disease predisposed to these results. It is concluded that the presence of a single positive culture for Candida from any site in the critically ill surgical patient kept without GI alimentation and on any antibiotic is a grave prognostic sign which requires further attention.", "PMID": 639536} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12317", "title": "Decay-induced incorporation of tritium into nucleosides in aqueous solutions.", "content": "In view of environmental and biological implications, the decay-induced incorporation of tritium from T2 into nucleosides in aqueous solutions has been studied by chromatographic methods. It could be shown that at T2 concentrations of about 1 to 2 mCi/ml, labeling of thymidine or deoxyuridine mainly occurs via the 3HeT+ decay ion rather than via beta--radiolysis. In a saturated solution of thymidine, the number of thymidine molecules labeled per tritium decay (L-value) is only 8 X 10(-4), concomitantly 0.6 HTO molecules are also formed, together with CH3T (L = 0.2) and an unidentified organic product (L = 10(-3). Compared to identical concentrations of HT and HTO in aqueous deoxyuridine solutions, the labeling efficiency of T2 is an order of magnitude higher.", "contents": "Decay-induced incorporation of tritium into nucleosides in aqueous solutions. In view of environmental and biological implications, the decay-induced incorporation of tritium from T2 into nucleosides in aqueous solutions has been studied by chromatographic methods. It could be shown that at T2 concentrations of about 1 to 2 mCi/ml, labeling of thymidine or deoxyuridine mainly occurs via the 3HeT+ decay ion rather than via beta--radiolysis. In a saturated solution of thymidine, the number of thymidine molecules labeled per tritium decay (L-value) is only 8 X 10(-4), concomitantly 0.6 HTO molecules are also formed, together with CH3T (L = 0.2) and an unidentified organic product (L = 10(-3). Compared to identical concentrations of HT and HTO in aqueous deoxyuridine solutions, the labeling efficiency of T2 is an order of magnitude higher.", "PMID": 639541} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12318", "title": "Red cell sodium concentration as an indicator of cellular injury in clinical shock.", "content": "Red cell sodium concentration has been found to be elevated in shock. The significance of this change relative to survival and the possible sources for this increase were examined. Twenty patients in shock had red cell sodium levels compared to shock-related variables and to conditions known to increase red cell sodium levels in vitro. There was no difference noted in red cell sodium elevations between survivors and nonsurvivors. There was a highly significant correlation with transfusions of banked blood and a significant correlation with the administration of digitalis. There was no correlation with the type, duration, or severity of shock. Changes in the sodium gradients across red cell membranes in clinical shock are not good indicators of the general cellular injury of shock.", "contents": "Red cell sodium concentration as an indicator of cellular injury in clinical shock. Red cell sodium concentration has been found to be elevated in shock. The significance of this change relative to survival and the possible sources for this increase were examined. Twenty patients in shock had red cell sodium levels compared to shock-related variables and to conditions known to increase red cell sodium levels in vitro. There was no difference noted in red cell sodium elevations between survivors and nonsurvivors. There was a highly significant correlation with transfusions of banked blood and a significant correlation with the administration of digitalis. There was no correlation with the type, duration, or severity of shock. Changes in the sodium gradients across red cell membranes in clinical shock are not good indicators of the general cellular injury of shock.", "PMID": 639537} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12319", "title": "Study of the distribution and biological effects of 3H in the algae Acetabularia, Chlamydomonas and Porphyra.", "content": "Freshwater and marine algae are particularly useful for studying the radioactive contamination of aquatic systems. Acetabularia, Chlamydomonas and Porphyra were used to investigate the uptake and eventual biological effects of tritium. When the Acetabularia are grown in the presence of tritiated water, a significant amount of 3H is incorporated in the total nucleic acids and protein fraction. Chloroplasts of Acetabularia were isolated from whole cells and their DNA purified by the agarose procedure, before radioactivity analysis: a significant amount of 3H was incorporated into the chloroplast genome. Chlamydomonas was grown on minimal medium containing increasing concentrations of tritiated water. The increase in cell number was checked by microscope counting. The generation time was 9.6 h and seemed not affected even by the highest 3H concentration. Parallel experiments have shown that an appreciable amount of 3H was incorporated into the total organic matter of the plants. In the case of Porphyra, it was found that a very low level of 3H was incorporated into the total DNA of the plant.", "contents": "Study of the distribution and biological effects of 3H in the algae Acetabularia, Chlamydomonas and Porphyra. Freshwater and marine algae are particularly useful for studying the radioactive contamination of aquatic systems. Acetabularia, Chlamydomonas and Porphyra were used to investigate the uptake and eventual biological effects of tritium. When the Acetabularia are grown in the presence of tritiated water, a significant amount of 3H is incorporated in the total nucleic acids and protein fraction. Chloroplasts of Acetabularia were isolated from whole cells and their DNA purified by the agarose procedure, before radioactivity analysis: a significant amount of 3H was incorporated into the chloroplast genome. Chlamydomonas was grown on minimal medium containing increasing concentrations of tritiated water. The increase in cell number was checked by microscope counting. The generation time was 9.6 h and seemed not affected even by the highest 3H concentration. Parallel experiments have shown that an appreciable amount of 3H was incorporated into the total organic matter of the plants. In the case of Porphyra, it was found that a very low level of 3H was incorporated into the total DNA of the plant.", "PMID": 639542} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12320", "title": "Local distribution of energy deposition in and around the follicles of a 125I contaminated thyroid.", "content": "Iodine-125, which is used for the clinical diagnosis of the thyroid gland, has a high probability of decay by K-capture followed by the emission of low-energy electrons having ranges of up to 23 micrometer. Thus one has high local concentrations of energy deposition comparable in size to that of the smaller follicles. In this paper the local distribution of energy deposition inside and outside the follicles of the human thyroid gland is calculated for follicle sizes of 20--400 micrometer. Also the local dose rate at the position of the nuclei of the follicle cells is determined as a function of the follicle size. Possible dosimetric approaches to the problem of radiobiological effectiveness are discussed, at first in general and then for the example of the inactivation of follicle cells due to the incorporation of 125I.", "contents": "Local distribution of energy deposition in and around the follicles of a 125I contaminated thyroid. Iodine-125, which is used for the clinical diagnosis of the thyroid gland, has a high probability of decay by K-capture followed by the emission of low-energy electrons having ranges of up to 23 micrometer. Thus one has high local concentrations of energy deposition comparable in size to that of the smaller follicles. In this paper the local distribution of energy deposition inside and outside the follicles of the human thyroid gland is calculated for follicle sizes of 20--400 micrometer. Also the local dose rate at the position of the nuclei of the follicle cells is determined as a function of the follicle size. Possible dosimetric approaches to the problem of radiobiological effectiveness are discussed, at first in general and then for the example of the inactivation of follicle cells due to the incorporation of 125I.", "PMID": 639543} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12321", "title": "Long-term radial artery cannulation: effects on subsequent vessel function.", "content": "Radial artery function was studied in 114 consecutive patients by arteriography, Doppler ultrasound flow detection, and physical examination following prolonged (1-10 days) percutaneous cannulation with a single type of 20-gauge catheter. Cannulations lasting 1-3 days produced 11% arterial occlusion, whereas those lasting 4-10 days induced 29% incidence of occlusion (p less than 0.05). In addition, a significantly higher incidence of cannula dysfunction (38% versus 18%, p less than 0.05) and thrombus formation (0-3+ scale) was also observed in the group cannulated 4-10 days as compared with the group of shorter duration. The risk of vascular complications arising from percutaneous radial artery cannulation with 20-gauge catheters increases markedly after 3 days.", "contents": "Long-term radial artery cannulation: effects on subsequent vessel function. Radial artery function was studied in 114 consecutive patients by arteriography, Doppler ultrasound flow detection, and physical examination following prolonged (1-10 days) percutaneous cannulation with a single type of 20-gauge catheter. Cannulations lasting 1-3 days produced 11% arterial occlusion, whereas those lasting 4-10 days induced 29% incidence of occlusion (p less than 0.05). In addition, a significantly higher incidence of cannula dysfunction (38% versus 18%, p less than 0.05) and thrombus formation (0-3+ scale) was also observed in the group cannulated 4-10 days as compared with the group of shorter duration. The risk of vascular complications arising from percutaneous radial artery cannulation with 20-gauge catheters increases markedly after 3 days.", "PMID": 639534} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12322", "title": "Biokinetic aspects of tissue-bound tritium in algae.", "content": "For the estimate of the radiation exposure of man and for the calculation of the risk of artificial tritium from nuclear power plants, organic tissue-bound tritium is of decisive importance. In model experiments, a tritium incorporation of 61 to 71% was found from tritiated water (HTO) into organic matter of planctonic algae under under reproducible conditions and this was related to the theoretical value. In further experiments the tritium release from these high tritiated algae was of interest. Kept in darkness in tritium-free, non-sterile river water, so that autolytic processes and bacterial decomposition could occur, the concentration of HTO was measured over a period of three weeks. A relatively long half-life of tissue-bound tritium was found under various temperature conditions. Therefore it must be considered that a significant retention of tritium in biological matter has to be taken into account in a natural ecosystem. In streams into which the cooling water of a nuclear reactor is released all conditions are found already for a long turnover and cycling of artificial tritium in living organisms as well as the conditions for a favourable transport of tritium by food chains to man.", "contents": "Biokinetic aspects of tissue-bound tritium in algae. For the estimate of the radiation exposure of man and for the calculation of the risk of artificial tritium from nuclear power plants, organic tissue-bound tritium is of decisive importance. In model experiments, a tritium incorporation of 61 to 71% was found from tritiated water (HTO) into organic matter of planctonic algae under under reproducible conditions and this was related to the theoretical value. In further experiments the tritium release from these high tritiated algae was of interest. Kept in darkness in tritium-free, non-sterile river water, so that autolytic processes and bacterial decomposition could occur, the concentration of HTO was measured over a period of three weeks. A relatively long half-life of tissue-bound tritium was found under various temperature conditions. Therefore it must be considered that a significant retention of tritium in biological matter has to be taken into account in a natural ecosystem. In streams into which the cooling water of a nuclear reactor is released all conditions are found already for a long turnover and cycling of artificial tritium in living organisms as well as the conditions for a favourable transport of tritium by food chains to man.", "PMID": 639544} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12323", "title": "Chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to tritiated water in vitro.", "content": "The induction of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by tritiated water or 180 kV X-rays in vitro was studied. Lymphocytes were exposed to various concentrations of HTO for 2 h or for 53 h. Chromosome and chromatid type aberrations were scored during the first mitotic division after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. For the analysis of the dose-response relationship the data were fitted by the method of least-squares to different models. After acute exposure to tritium beta-rays and X-rays, the dicentrics + centric rings and terminal + interstitial deletions gave the best fit to the linear-quadratic function. However, data for these types of aberrations after 53 h exposure to HTO gave equally good fit to the linear and linear-quadratic functions. The best description of the dose-response relationship for chromatid aberrations is given by the linear model. In the system studied the RBE of tritium beta-rays as compared to 180 KV X-rays was 1.17 +/- 0.02.", "contents": "Chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to tritiated water in vitro. The induction of chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by tritiated water or 180 kV X-rays in vitro was studied. Lymphocytes were exposed to various concentrations of HTO for 2 h or for 53 h. Chromosome and chromatid type aberrations were scored during the first mitotic division after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin. For the analysis of the dose-response relationship the data were fitted by the method of least-squares to different models. After acute exposure to tritium beta-rays and X-rays, the dicentrics + centric rings and terminal + interstitial deletions gave the best fit to the linear-quadratic function. However, data for these types of aberrations after 53 h exposure to HTO gave equally good fit to the linear and linear-quadratic functions. The best description of the dose-response relationship for chromatid aberrations is given by the linear model. In the system studied the RBE of tritium beta-rays as compared to 180 KV X-rays was 1.17 +/- 0.02.", "PMID": 639545} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12324", "title": "Comparative effects of tritiated water and thymidine on the preimplanted mouse embryo in vitro.", "content": "Preimplanted mouse embryos were cultured in an in vitro-system from the two cell stage to blastocysts. In the control cultures about 92% of the incubated embryos developed to blastocysts. When tritiated compounds like tritiated water or tritiated thymidine were present in the incubation medium the number of blastocysts decreased with increased medium tritiated thymidine was about one thousand times more effective than tritiated water. Tritiated thymidine caused a more pronounced division delay than tritiated water which had a strong effect on the blastulation process. Further studies showed that the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the DNA lead to high concentrations of tritium in the cell nucleus. Dose calculations are performed for the cell nucleus in the case of incubation with tritiated thymidine as well as with tritiated water. The different action of the tritiated compounds can apparently be explained by the specific incorporation of thymidine into the DNA.", "contents": "Comparative effects of tritiated water and thymidine on the preimplanted mouse embryo in vitro. Preimplanted mouse embryos were cultured in an in vitro-system from the two cell stage to blastocysts. In the control cultures about 92% of the incubated embryos developed to blastocysts. When tritiated compounds like tritiated water or tritiated thymidine were present in the incubation medium the number of blastocysts decreased with increased medium tritiated thymidine was about one thousand times more effective than tritiated water. Tritiated thymidine caused a more pronounced division delay than tritiated water which had a strong effect on the blastulation process. Further studies showed that the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the DNA lead to high concentrations of tritium in the cell nucleus. Dose calculations are performed for the cell nucleus in the case of incubation with tritiated thymidine as well as with tritiated water. The different action of the tritiated compounds can apparently be explained by the specific incorporation of thymidine into the DNA.", "PMID": 639546} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12325", "title": "Some effects of irradiation of mice in utero with tritiated compounds.", "content": "Mice have been exposed continuously, in utero, to tritiated water (via the maternal drinking water) or to tritiated thymidine (infused continuously into the mother). In both cases the patterns of labeling and subsequent loss of tritium over an extended period have been studied. The technique of infusion in unrestrained mice and its application in the production of fully tritium-labeled offspring is described in some detail. These fully labeled mice are being used to study a number of early and late effects, in particular, gonad cell effects and carcinogenesis, following this form of internal irradiation. Some preliminary results are presented. Similar results produced a homogeneous irradiation from tritiated water are also reported.", "contents": "Some effects of irradiation of mice in utero with tritiated compounds. Mice have been exposed continuously, in utero, to tritiated water (via the maternal drinking water) or to tritiated thymidine (infused continuously into the mother). In both cases the patterns of labeling and subsequent loss of tritium over an extended period have been studied. The technique of infusion in unrestrained mice and its application in the production of fully tritium-labeled offspring is described in some detail. These fully labeled mice are being used to study a number of early and late effects, in particular, gonad cell effects and carcinogenesis, following this form of internal irradiation. Some preliminary results are presented. Similar results produced a homogeneous irradiation from tritiated water are also reported.", "PMID": 639547} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12326", "title": "The genetic and late somatic effects of chronic tritium ingestion in mice.", "content": "The long term somatic and genetic effects of chronic tritium (3H) ingestion have been measured in mice. Second generation animals, who with their parents were maintained on drinking water containing 3 muCi/ml of HTO, have been bred and the number of dominant lethal mutations measured. The increase in dominant lethal mutations in treated animals as compared to tap water controls is significant at the 1% level. The stem cell content of the bone marrow has been measured throughout the lifetime of the animals. A slight reduction in colony forming units in the bone marrow of treated animals is evident beginning after approximately 12 weeks, increasing in severity throughout the lifetime of the animals. The distribution of tritium in tissue water protein fractions was determined, and the relative contribution to tissue dose calculated. The differential incorporation into protein fractions was not found to be significant.", "contents": "The genetic and late somatic effects of chronic tritium ingestion in mice. The long term somatic and genetic effects of chronic tritium (3H) ingestion have been measured in mice. Second generation animals, who with their parents were maintained on drinking water containing 3 muCi/ml of HTO, have been bred and the number of dominant lethal mutations measured. The increase in dominant lethal mutations in treated animals as compared to tap water controls is significant at the 1% level. The stem cell content of the bone marrow has been measured throughout the lifetime of the animals. A slight reduction in colony forming units in the bone marrow of treated animals is evident beginning after approximately 12 weeks, increasing in severity throughout the lifetime of the animals. The distribution of tritium in tissue water protein fractions was determined, and the relative contribution to tissue dose calculated. The differential incorporation into protein fractions was not found to be significant.", "PMID": 639548} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12327", "title": "Comparative incorporation of tritium from tritiated water versus tritiated thymidine, uridine or leucine.", "content": "Whereas the radiotoxicity of tritium has been extensively studied, comparatively little information exists on its long-term effects as a potential environmental pollutant, particularly at small dosage. This investigation was primarily aimed at assessing comparatively a possible carcinogenic potency of tritiated water versus radioactive precursors of DNA, RNA and proteins, namely tritiated thymidine, uridine and leucine in C57 Black mice. Tritium is largely released in the environment in the form of tritiated water. There are many uncertainties, however, as to how tritium is incorporated from tritiated water into cell constituents quantitively and qualitatively. In 1965, we reported on the carcinogenic effect of tritium in the form of tritiated thymidine on newborn C57 BL mice in the dose range of 0.3--1.5 muCi/g [Mewissen. 1965]. Hence the selection of tritiated water, and of tritiated precursors, in an attempt to evaluate their respective role in the tritium transfer process and to correlate their possible late effects with their specific patterns or sites of incorporation. This study deals with tritium incorporation from tritiated water and various precursors at the 1 or 10 muCi level. RSA values, i.e., the ratio of organically bound tritium per hydrogen content of dry tissue over aqueous tritium per hydrogen content of water, were estimated for newborn, juvenile and adult mice, at various time intervals (1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days) following single administration of tritiated water, tritiated thymidine, uridine or leucine. The data available at this time show that administration of tritiated water (or precursors) result in a complex time dependent and age dependent residual activity dynamics both in the organic component and in the aqueous fraction of tissue. A few preliminary conclusions can be made. Following a single acute or brief exposure to tritiated water, values of activity become exceedingly small after a relatively short time period. In a steady state equilibrium, resulting from chronic exposure to tritiated drinking water, RSA values tend to stabilize. However, wide variations between various organs are to be expected, as suggested by their respective RSA values following a single exposure. In view of these observations, it would seem that a realistic estimate of the internal dose to the radiosensitive nucleus must take into consideration the age dependent incorporation of tritium from tritiated water, as well as the variation between organs. The carcinogenic risk has often been estimated from a uniform dose dependency model. The influence of time and space microdistribution of dose within tissues and more particularly at specific sites (such as DNA, RNA or protein) has received, as yet, little attention, as well as the relative contributions of the time sequence of dose absorption during the usually long latency period. Such factors, among others, may be critical in carcinogenesis from internal irradiation...", "contents": "Comparative incorporation of tritium from tritiated water versus tritiated thymidine, uridine or leucine. Whereas the radiotoxicity of tritium has been extensively studied, comparatively little information exists on its long-term effects as a potential environmental pollutant, particularly at small dosage. This investigation was primarily aimed at assessing comparatively a possible carcinogenic potency of tritiated water versus radioactive precursors of DNA, RNA and proteins, namely tritiated thymidine, uridine and leucine in C57 Black mice. Tritium is largely released in the environment in the form of tritiated water. There are many uncertainties, however, as to how tritium is incorporated from tritiated water into cell constituents quantitively and qualitatively. In 1965, we reported on the carcinogenic effect of tritium in the form of tritiated thymidine on newborn C57 BL mice in the dose range of 0.3--1.5 muCi/g [Mewissen. 1965]. Hence the selection of tritiated water, and of tritiated precursors, in an attempt to evaluate their respective role in the tritium transfer process and to correlate their possible late effects with their specific patterns or sites of incorporation. This study deals with tritium incorporation from tritiated water and various precursors at the 1 or 10 muCi level. RSA values, i.e., the ratio of organically bound tritium per hydrogen content of dry tissue over aqueous tritium per hydrogen content of water, were estimated for newborn, juvenile and adult mice, at various time intervals (1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days) following single administration of tritiated water, tritiated thymidine, uridine or leucine. The data available at this time show that administration of tritiated water (or precursors) result in a complex time dependent and age dependent residual activity dynamics both in the organic component and in the aqueous fraction of tissue. A few preliminary conclusions can be made. Following a single acute or brief exposure to tritiated water, values of activity become exceedingly small after a relatively short time period. In a steady state equilibrium, resulting from chronic exposure to tritiated drinking water, RSA values tend to stabilize. However, wide variations between various organs are to be expected, as suggested by their respective RSA values following a single exposure. In view of these observations, it would seem that a realistic estimate of the internal dose to the radiosensitive nucleus must take into consideration the age dependent incorporation of tritium from tritiated water, as well as the variation between organs. The carcinogenic risk has often been estimated from a uniform dose dependency model. The influence of time and space microdistribution of dose within tissues and more particularly at specific sites (such as DNA, RNA or protein) has received, as yet, little attention, as well as the relative contributions of the time sequence of dose absorption during the usually long latency period. Such factors, among others, may be critical in carcinogenesis from internal irradiation...", "PMID": 639549} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12328", "title": "Distribution of tritiated compounds (tritiated thymidine and tritiated water) in the mother-fetus system and its consequences for the radiotoxic effect of tritium.", "content": "The incorporation and distribution of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) and tritiated water (HTO) have been measured in newborn rats exposed to various levels of tritium by continuous infusion into pregnant rats from day 9 until term. In the animals exposed to HTO, the tritium activity was homogeneously distributed, while 3H-TdR led to accumulation of DNA-bound and homogeneously distributed tritium. The incorporated activity and the specific activity of DNA from ovaries which showed a reduction of total oocyte number by approximately 50% were used to estimate the dose absorbed by the ovarian cell nuclei in both systems. From the absorbed dose, a factor of 3.7 was calculated for the \"internal relative biological effectiveness\" of DNA-bound tritium as compared to homogeneously distributed 3H under the restrictive assumption that the static description of the system at birth reflects the situation during the time of dynamic development of the ovaries when the toxic effect occurs. The influence of these dynamic factors of changing nuclear size and tritium incorporation during the sensitive period is weighed against the possibility that the continuous 3H-TdR infusion during pregnancy might represent a model in which DNA-bound tritium shows a higher effectiveness than homogeneously distributed tritium.", "contents": "Distribution of tritiated compounds (tritiated thymidine and tritiated water) in the mother-fetus system and its consequences for the radiotoxic effect of tritium. The incorporation and distribution of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) and tritiated water (HTO) have been measured in newborn rats exposed to various levels of tritium by continuous infusion into pregnant rats from day 9 until term. In the animals exposed to HTO, the tritium activity was homogeneously distributed, while 3H-TdR led to accumulation of DNA-bound and homogeneously distributed tritium. The incorporated activity and the specific activity of DNA from ovaries which showed a reduction of total oocyte number by approximately 50% were used to estimate the dose absorbed by the ovarian cell nuclei in both systems. From the absorbed dose, a factor of 3.7 was calculated for the \"internal relative biological effectiveness\" of DNA-bound tritium as compared to homogeneously distributed 3H under the restrictive assumption that the static description of the system at birth reflects the situation during the time of dynamic development of the ovaries when the toxic effect occurs. The influence of these dynamic factors of changing nuclear size and tritium incorporation during the sensitive period is weighed against the possibility that the continuous 3H-TdR infusion during pregnancy might represent a model in which DNA-bound tritium shows a higher effectiveness than homogeneously distributed tritium.", "PMID": 639550} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12329", "title": "Tritium retention in rat after administration of various doses of tritiated water.", "content": "Hooded inbred rats were given subcutaneously HTO doses ranging from 1.8 muCi/g b.w. to 115 muCi/g b.w. Samples of liver, lung, kidney, skin muscle, small and large intestine were taken at 1, 3, and 5 days intervals within 21 days of the experiment. The concentrations of tritium in free water and bound in particular tissues have been determined, and the biological half-lifes (Tb) of tritium were calculated by means of least squares. The biological half-life of free-water tritium varied from 3.6 days in kidney to 4.8 days in muscle for the control group being slightly lower in the groups with higher HTO doses. The retention of tissue-bound tritium varied in each group of animals. Tb values varied from 10.3 days in the large intestine to 85.0 days in the muscle of the control group and were significantly lower at higher HTO doses. This result is opposite to the effect observed after external X-ray irradiation for the same radiation dose level.", "contents": "Tritium retention in rat after administration of various doses of tritiated water. Hooded inbred rats were given subcutaneously HTO doses ranging from 1.8 muCi/g b.w. to 115 muCi/g b.w. Samples of liver, lung, kidney, skin muscle, small and large intestine were taken at 1, 3, and 5 days intervals within 21 days of the experiment. The concentrations of tritium in free water and bound in particular tissues have been determined, and the biological half-lifes (Tb) of tritium were calculated by means of least squares. The biological half-life of free-water tritium varied from 3.6 days in kidney to 4.8 days in muscle for the control group being slightly lower in the groups with higher HTO doses. The retention of tissue-bound tritium varied in each group of animals. Tb values varied from 10.3 days in the large intestine to 85.0 days in the muscle of the control group and were significantly lower at higher HTO doses. This result is opposite to the effect observed after external X-ray irradiation for the same radiation dose level.", "PMID": 639551} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12330", "title": "The Auger cascade and therapeutic applications of 125I.", "content": "The Auger cascade consists of low-energy electrons which are emitted instead of characteristic X-rays when a vacancy in an inner electronic shell is filled. Such atomic vacancies are produced by orbital electron capture, internal conversion, and the photoelectric absorption of photons. The relative abundance of Auger electrons and their decrease with increasing atomic charge (Z) is explained. For iodine (Z = 53), about 30% of the energy is carried by Auger electrons and thus is dissipated locally. As the concept of average dose cannot always be applied to electron capture decay in cellular components, microdosimetric parameters, applied separately to each of the distinct types of low energy radiations involved, seem more appropriate. The development and applications of the relevant microdosimetric concepts are reviewed briefly. The approach explains the high biological effectiveness of 125I in different and unrelated systems, such as DNA molecules and the thyroid gland. The effects of 125I on thyroids of humans and experimental animals were compared to those produced by 131I by the Glasgow and the Beilinson groups. The experience of these teams in applying therapeutic doses of 125I in order to control thyrotoxic patients is evaluated.", "contents": "The Auger cascade and therapeutic applications of 125I. The Auger cascade consists of low-energy electrons which are emitted instead of characteristic X-rays when a vacancy in an inner electronic shell is filled. Such atomic vacancies are produced by orbital electron capture, internal conversion, and the photoelectric absorption of photons. The relative abundance of Auger electrons and their decrease with increasing atomic charge (Z) is explained. For iodine (Z = 53), about 30% of the energy is carried by Auger electrons and thus is dissipated locally. As the concept of average dose cannot always be applied to electron capture decay in cellular components, microdosimetric parameters, applied separately to each of the distinct types of low energy radiations involved, seem more appropriate. The development and applications of the relevant microdosimetric concepts are reviewed briefly. The approach explains the high biological effectiveness of 125I in different and unrelated systems, such as DNA molecules and the thyroid gland. The effects of 125I on thyroids of humans and experimental animals were compared to those produced by 131I by the Glasgow and the Beilinson groups. The experience of these teams in applying therapeutic doses of 125I in order to control thyrotoxic patients is evaluated.", "PMID": 639553} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12331", "title": "Distribution of tritium in the different organs of calves and pigs after ingestion of various tritiated feeds.", "content": "A research programme on the transfer of tritium in the food chain has been in progress for several years on the experimental farm of the Nuclear Energy Research Center at Mol. The studies reported here are related to the distribution of tritium in the organs of farm animals contaminated in various ways. Two young male calves ingested tritiated milk; the daily intake of 3H-organic form was about 15 muCi for each calf and the total activity ingested until the sacrifice was 482 muCi. Three male pigs from the same litter and about 7 weeks old were used for each experiment on the administration of tritium under different forms: (a) single intraperitoneal injection of 39.3 mCi HTO (P2, P3, P4). (b) daily ingestion of 28.4 muCi HTO. The total activity ingested was respectively 569 muCi (P5) and 766.8 muCi (P6). (c) ingestion of tritiated potatoes. The total activity ingested was respectively 21 muCi (P8), 40.3 muCi (P9) and 48.1 muCi (P10). (d) ingestion of tritiated milk powder. The total activity ingested was respectively 60.6 muCi (P13), 110.4 muCi (P11) and 154.5 muCi (P12). After slaughtering of each animal various organs were removed and analyzed for the 3H content in the tissue water and in the organic matter. We could verify that the chemical form of 3H present in the food is of great importance for the incorporation of 3H in the organic matter of the animal organs. The total incorporation increases by a factor 5.6 when 3H is ingested as tritiated milkpowder by pigs as compared to HTO and with a factor 15 for calves. When tritiated potatoes were ingested by pigs a factor 15.6 was found. The transfer of 3H from HTO and milk feed ingested in the organic fraction of organs is lower for pig than for calf. When we consider the 3H in the tissue water of organs the specific activity (SA) is a little lower than the SA of ingested HTO and after ingestion of tritiated milk feed the activity is very low and no difference due to the species is found. After fractionation of liver and spleen tissue following the technique of Schmidt--Thannhauser radioactivity was found in all liver and spleen constituent lipids--RNA--DNA and proteins, but after isolation and purification of DNA following the original methods, we have not been able to demonstrate that tritium is really incorporated into DNA molecules of a non-dividing organ such as the liver nor of an actively dividing organ such as the spleen.", "contents": "Distribution of tritium in the different organs of calves and pigs after ingestion of various tritiated feeds. A research programme on the transfer of tritium in the food chain has been in progress for several years on the experimental farm of the Nuclear Energy Research Center at Mol. The studies reported here are related to the distribution of tritium in the organs of farm animals contaminated in various ways. Two young male calves ingested tritiated milk; the daily intake of 3H-organic form was about 15 muCi for each calf and the total activity ingested until the sacrifice was 482 muCi. Three male pigs from the same litter and about 7 weeks old were used for each experiment on the administration of tritium under different forms: (a) single intraperitoneal injection of 39.3 mCi HTO (P2, P3, P4). (b) daily ingestion of 28.4 muCi HTO. The total activity ingested was respectively 569 muCi (P5) and 766.8 muCi (P6). (c) ingestion of tritiated potatoes. The total activity ingested was respectively 21 muCi (P8), 40.3 muCi (P9) and 48.1 muCi (P10). (d) ingestion of tritiated milk powder. The total activity ingested was respectively 60.6 muCi (P13), 110.4 muCi (P11) and 154.5 muCi (P12). After slaughtering of each animal various organs were removed and analyzed for the 3H content in the tissue water and in the organic matter. We could verify that the chemical form of 3H present in the food is of great importance for the incorporation of 3H in the organic matter of the animal organs. The total incorporation increases by a factor 5.6 when 3H is ingested as tritiated milkpowder by pigs as compared to HTO and with a factor 15 for calves. When tritiated potatoes were ingested by pigs a factor 15.6 was found. The transfer of 3H from HTO and milk feed ingested in the organic fraction of organs is lower for pig than for calf. When we consider the 3H in the tissue water of organs the specific activity (SA) is a little lower than the SA of ingested HTO and after ingestion of tritiated milk feed the activity is very low and no difference due to the species is found. After fractionation of liver and spleen tissue following the technique of Schmidt--Thannhauser radioactivity was found in all liver and spleen constituent lipids--RNA--DNA and proteins, but after isolation and purification of DNA following the original methods, we have not been able to demonstrate that tritium is really incorporated into DNA molecules of a non-dividing organ such as the liver nor of an actively dividing organ such as the spleen.", "PMID": 639552} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12332", "title": "Investigation of tritium incorporation of tritium incorporation by means of excreted metabolites.", "content": "The commonly accepted urine analysis by liquid scintillation method was applied for whole body dose estimating. After the separation of metabolite fractions the organically bound tritium in urine could be measured. Urine samples from workers repeatedly exposed to tritium incorporation during the chemical processing of various labeled compounds have been collected and analyzed. The time dependence of tritium activity in certain metabolites was found to be characteristic, significantly differing from the 3H concentration curve of the native or treated urine sample.", "contents": "Investigation of tritium incorporation of tritium incorporation by means of excreted metabolites. The commonly accepted urine analysis by liquid scintillation method was applied for whole body dose estimating. After the separation of metabolite fractions the organically bound tritium in urine could be measured. Urine samples from workers repeatedly exposed to tritium incorporation during the chemical processing of various labeled compounds have been collected and analyzed. The time dependence of tritium activity in certain metabolites was found to be characteristic, significantly differing from the 3H concentration curve of the native or treated urine sample.", "PMID": 639554} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12333", "title": "Microlocalization of artificial radionuclides in radiological protection of the environment.", "content": "Though environmental biological equilibrium seems to be safeguarded as long as the radiological protection of man is assumed, a number of problems raised by environmental protection are not fully solved. In particular, there occur both macroscopic processes of concentration at some levels of the biological chains, and microlocalization at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels. The long-term consequences of the non-uniform distribution of the radionuclides should therefore be assessed even if the contamination levels of the physical environment are very low. These aspects are of particular significance with alpha-emitters (plutonium and transplutonium elements), beta-emitters (chiefly tritium) and activation products, some of which are radioisotopes of biologically significant elements. The incidence of these processes is discussed in the light of recent and future developments in nuclear energy. This approach might open new avenues for investigations in environmental radiological protection. The concept of a concentration factor between the environment and the total organism must be supplemented by the concept of a localization and concentration factor at the subcellular level. The significance of the physico-chemical forms of the radionuclides and the parameters likely to modify the characteristics of membranes should be emphasized. Finally, an indication is given on priority measures in the area of investigations of the long-term consequences of low doses on environmental organisms.", "contents": "Microlocalization of artificial radionuclides in radiological protection of the environment. Though environmental biological equilibrium seems to be safeguarded as long as the radiological protection of man is assumed, a number of problems raised by environmental protection are not fully solved. In particular, there occur both macroscopic processes of concentration at some levels of the biological chains, and microlocalization at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels. The long-term consequences of the non-uniform distribution of the radionuclides should therefore be assessed even if the contamination levels of the physical environment are very low. These aspects are of particular significance with alpha-emitters (plutonium and transplutonium elements), beta-emitters (chiefly tritium) and activation products, some of which are radioisotopes of biologically significant elements. The incidence of these processes is discussed in the light of recent and future developments in nuclear energy. This approach might open new avenues for investigations in environmental radiological protection. The concept of a concentration factor between the environment and the total organism must be supplemented by the concept of a localization and concentration factor at the subcellular level. The significance of the physico-chemical forms of the radionuclides and the parameters likely to modify the characteristics of membranes should be emphasized. Finally, an indication is given on priority measures in the area of investigations of the long-term consequences of low doses on environmental organisms.", "PMID": 639555} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12334", "title": "Biological toxicity of Auger emitters: molecular fragmentation versus electron irradiation.", "content": "Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain the extreme biological toxicity of DNA associated 125I: (a) high local concentrations of radiation energy from low energy Auger electron; (b) charge-induced molecular fragmentations in the DNA. To distinguish between these two hypotheses an attempt was made to evaluate the molecular events associated with electron capture decay, to calculate the microdistribution of radiation energy after 125I decay, and to relate the microdosimetry data to the biological toxicity of 125I and 3H. The cellular damage produced by the two radionuclides was evaluated on synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) labeled with various doses of 3H-thymidine or 125I-iododeoxyuridine. As expected, 125I (LD50: 45 rad; D0: 74 rad) proved much more toxic to CHO cells than either 3H (LD50: 380 rad; D0: 250 rad) or external X-irradiation (LD50: 330 rad; D0: 230 rad). To evaluate the molecular mechanism of 125I toxicity, iododeoxyuridine labeled with both 125I and 14C was synthesized and the effect of 125I decay on the molecular structure of iododeoxyuridine was studied by monitoring the fate of 14C activity after 125I decay. The results of this experiment indicate that 125I decay does not cause molecular fragmentation in iododeoxyuridine, only deiodination. Moreover, microdosimetry calculations show that at least in small target spheres more radiation energy is deposited on the average by decaying 125I than by a high LET alpha-particle traversing a sphere of equal diameter. These findings greatly strengthen the hypothesis that the high LET-type damage produced by Auger emitters results from high local concentrations of radiation energy rather than from charge-induced fragmentation of the DNA.", "contents": "Biological toxicity of Auger emitters: molecular fragmentation versus electron irradiation. Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain the extreme biological toxicity of DNA associated 125I: (a) high local concentrations of radiation energy from low energy Auger electron; (b) charge-induced molecular fragmentations in the DNA. To distinguish between these two hypotheses an attempt was made to evaluate the molecular events associated with electron capture decay, to calculate the microdistribution of radiation energy after 125I decay, and to relate the microdosimetry data to the biological toxicity of 125I and 3H. The cellular damage produced by the two radionuclides was evaluated on synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) labeled with various doses of 3H-thymidine or 125I-iododeoxyuridine. As expected, 125I (LD50: 45 rad; D0: 74 rad) proved much more toxic to CHO cells than either 3H (LD50: 380 rad; D0: 250 rad) or external X-irradiation (LD50: 330 rad; D0: 230 rad). To evaluate the molecular mechanism of 125I toxicity, iododeoxyuridine labeled with both 125I and 14C was synthesized and the effect of 125I decay on the molecular structure of iododeoxyuridine was studied by monitoring the fate of 14C activity after 125I decay. The results of this experiment indicate that 125I decay does not cause molecular fragmentation in iododeoxyuridine, only deiodination. Moreover, microdosimetry calculations show that at least in small target spheres more radiation energy is deposited on the average by decaying 125I than by a high LET alpha-particle traversing a sphere of equal diameter. These findings greatly strengthen the hypothesis that the high LET-type damage produced by Auger emitters results from high local concentrations of radiation energy rather than from charge-induced fragmentation of the DNA.", "PMID": 639556} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12335", "title": "Repair of the double-strand breaks produced by 125I disintegrations in the DNA of Micrococcus radiodurans.", "content": "Wild-type M. radiodurans and two radiosensitive mutants were used to study the lethal effects of 125I disintegrations in their DNA. The relative sensitivities of these three strains to inactivation by gamma-radiation were reflected in their relative sensitivities to inactivation by 125I decay. The number of double-strand (ds) breaks in the DNA appeared to be similar at levels of gamma-radiation and of 125I decay that reduced survival to 10%. All three strains of M. radiodurans rapidly repaired ds breaks produced in their DNA by either gamma-radiation or 125I disintegrations. If one ds break per is a lethal event [Kirsch et al., 1975], cells of the three strains tested would die only when they had left unrepaired one ds break out of an initial 45,600 or 1800 ds breaks per single cell.", "contents": "Repair of the double-strand breaks produced by 125I disintegrations in the DNA of Micrococcus radiodurans. Wild-type M. radiodurans and two radiosensitive mutants were used to study the lethal effects of 125I disintegrations in their DNA. The relative sensitivities of these three strains to inactivation by gamma-radiation were reflected in their relative sensitivities to inactivation by 125I decay. The number of double-strand (ds) breaks in the DNA appeared to be similar at levels of gamma-radiation and of 125I decay that reduced survival to 10%. All three strains of M. radiodurans rapidly repaired ds breaks produced in their DNA by either gamma-radiation or 125I disintegrations. If one ds break per is a lethal event [Kirsch et al., 1975], cells of the three strains tested would die only when they had left unrepaired one ds break out of an initial 45,600 or 1800 ds breaks per single cell.", "PMID": 639557} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12336", "title": "DNA strand breakage and repair in human kidney cells after exposure to incorporated iodine-125 and cobalt-60 gamma-rays.", "content": "Biological effects of 125I incorporated into DNA exceed those to be expected from the absorbed radiation dose by a factor 3--30. The reason for this discrepancy suggests special mechanisms introduced by 125I transmutation, decays by K-capture leading to the emission of an average of 6 low energy electrons including Auger electrons and to a highly positively charged daughter nuclide. The effect of 125I decay on DNA strand breakage and subsequent repair was studied. Human kidney cells T in the deep frozen state (-196 degrees C) were exposed to incorporated 125I and 60Co gamma-rays. The number of DNA single strand breaks (ssb) was determined by DNA centrifugation in alkaline sucrose gradients. DNA repair was studied by incubating the cells after thawing at 37 degrees C. For 125I decay in frozen cells which were kept with or without dimethyl-sulfoxide, 4 and 6 ssb were measured per decay. The gamma-rays produced 1ssb per 26 eV absorbed energy. Most of this damage was repaired 30 to 40 min after onset of incubation. No repair of the damage caused by 125I was observed. The high efficiency of 125I decays for the production of unreparable ssb provides evidence for the high radiotoxicity of this isotope. The observed lack of repair may in part be due to the high numbers of at least 2,000 125I decays per cell nucleus necessary for the assay system. Damage from many 125I decays may interfere with enzymatic repair processes.", "contents": "DNA strand breakage and repair in human kidney cells after exposure to incorporated iodine-125 and cobalt-60 gamma-rays. Biological effects of 125I incorporated into DNA exceed those to be expected from the absorbed radiation dose by a factor 3--30. The reason for this discrepancy suggests special mechanisms introduced by 125I transmutation, decays by K-capture leading to the emission of an average of 6 low energy electrons including Auger electrons and to a highly positively charged daughter nuclide. The effect of 125I decay on DNA strand breakage and subsequent repair was studied. Human kidney cells T in the deep frozen state (-196 degrees C) were exposed to incorporated 125I and 60Co gamma-rays. The number of DNA single strand breaks (ssb) was determined by DNA centrifugation in alkaline sucrose gradients. DNA repair was studied by incubating the cells after thawing at 37 degrees C. For 125I decay in frozen cells which were kept with or without dimethyl-sulfoxide, 4 and 6 ssb were measured per decay. The gamma-rays produced 1ssb per 26 eV absorbed energy. Most of this damage was repaired 30 to 40 min after onset of incubation. No repair of the damage caused by 125I was observed. The high efficiency of 125I decays for the production of unreparable ssb provides evidence for the high radiotoxicity of this isotope. The observed lack of repair may in part be due to the high numbers of at least 2,000 125I decays per cell nucleus necessary for the assay system. Damage from many 125I decays may interfere with enzymatic repair processes.", "PMID": 639558} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12337", "title": "The tritium RBE at low-level exposure--variation with dose, dose rate, and exposure duration.", "content": "Differing values have been reported for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 3H beta-radiation compared with X- and gamma-rays; but the significance of these differences has not been adequately clarified. Because large quantities of tritium are involved in nuclear energy operations, it is essential to have precise knowledge of its effectiveness compared with a \"standard\" radiation such as gamma-rays. This is especially true for chronic, low-level exposure since available information on protracted irradiation derives mostly from gamma-ray studies. We have approached this problem experimentally by measuring effects of low-level exposures to HTO and gamma-rays on a very sensitive mammalian system. Microscopic enumeration of oocytes in ovaries of exposed and control mice provided measurements of in vivo cell killing by constant HTO levels in body water and, for comparison, by continuous 60Co gamma-irradiation. For protracted exposure from conception to 14 days after birth, the RBE was found to be greater than 1 and to vary inversely with exposure level. At effective gamma-ray doses of 50 rad, delivered at 3.5 rad/day, the RBE was 1.6. But for 25 rad, at 1.8 rad/day, it increased to 1.9. It continued to rise as dose decreased, reaching a value of 2.5. Corrected for scattered radiation, the RBE was 2.8, close to 2.9 reported previously, but below the maximum value of 3.75 predicted by microdosimetric measurements and the theory of dual radiation action. An RBE close to 3 at low doses was not suprising. But decrease at higher doses, due to downward curvilinearity of the gamma-ray dose-response curve, was unexpected for protracted exposure. It suggested that primary oocytes in the prepubertal mouse (the cells used in this study) have limited capacity for recovery. Survival-curves for constant gamma-ray dose rates of 1 rad/min and 0.002 rad/min were therefore determined. Curvilinearity was seen in both, with greater steepness for the higher dose rate, indicating that oocytes do have some ability to recover, but that even with a dose rate only 3.2 rad/day recovery is incomplete. This in turn suggests that the observed gradient in RBE is due partly to a dose-rate effect and partly to inverse variation with dose itself, as predicted by the theory of dual radiation action for acute exposure (or incomplete recovery). Comparing protracted and shorter, 5-day exposures revealed further contrasts. At 30 rad of gamma-rays the RBE in short exposures was only 1.4, while it was 2 for protracted ones. This could be due at least in part to dose rate; it may to some degree, however, reflect difference in microdistribution of tritium atoms, greater radiobiological effect in protracted exposures resulting from 3H incorporation into especially effective sites. These systematic variations of RBE with dose, dose rate, and exposure duration help to explain some of the existing lack of agreement regarding tritium's RBE and provide a more secure basis for hazard evaluation of chronic, low-level exposure.", "contents": "The tritium RBE at low-level exposure--variation with dose, dose rate, and exposure duration. Differing values have been reported for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 3H beta-radiation compared with X- and gamma-rays; but the significance of these differences has not been adequately clarified. Because large quantities of tritium are involved in nuclear energy operations, it is essential to have precise knowledge of its effectiveness compared with a \"standard\" radiation such as gamma-rays. This is especially true for chronic, low-level exposure since available information on protracted irradiation derives mostly from gamma-ray studies. We have approached this problem experimentally by measuring effects of low-level exposures to HTO and gamma-rays on a very sensitive mammalian system. Microscopic enumeration of oocytes in ovaries of exposed and control mice provided measurements of in vivo cell killing by constant HTO levels in body water and, for comparison, by continuous 60Co gamma-irradiation. For protracted exposure from conception to 14 days after birth, the RBE was found to be greater than 1 and to vary inversely with exposure level. At effective gamma-ray doses of 50 rad, delivered at 3.5 rad/day, the RBE was 1.6. But for 25 rad, at 1.8 rad/day, it increased to 1.9. It continued to rise as dose decreased, reaching a value of 2.5. Corrected for scattered radiation, the RBE was 2.8, close to 2.9 reported previously, but below the maximum value of 3.75 predicted by microdosimetric measurements and the theory of dual radiation action. An RBE close to 3 at low doses was not suprising. But decrease at higher doses, due to downward curvilinearity of the gamma-ray dose-response curve, was unexpected for protracted exposure. It suggested that primary oocytes in the prepubertal mouse (the cells used in this study) have limited capacity for recovery. Survival-curves for constant gamma-ray dose rates of 1 rad/min and 0.002 rad/min were therefore determined. Curvilinearity was seen in both, with greater steepness for the higher dose rate, indicating that oocytes do have some ability to recover, but that even with a dose rate only 3.2 rad/day recovery is incomplete. This in turn suggests that the observed gradient in RBE is due partly to a dose-rate effect and partly to inverse variation with dose itself, as predicted by the theory of dual radiation action for acute exposure (or incomplete recovery). Comparing protracted and shorter, 5-day exposures revealed further contrasts. At 30 rad of gamma-rays the RBE in short exposures was only 1.4, while it was 2 for protracted ones. This could be due at least in part to dose rate; it may to some degree, however, reflect difference in microdistribution of tritium atoms, greater radiobiological effect in protracted exposures resulting from 3H incorporation into especially effective sites. These systematic variations of RBE with dose, dose rate, and exposure duration help to explain some of the existing lack of agreement regarding tritium's RBE and provide a more secure basis for hazard evaluation of chronic, low-level exposure.", "PMID": 639559} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12338", "title": "Variation of hepatic mitochondrial nucleotides in rats contaminated with plutonium-239.", "content": "Rats were given 239Pu citrate i.v. and the mitochondria of hepatocytes were studied. A reduction of oxygen consumption per mg protein with time was seen. We have investigated the nucleotides involved in nuclear phosphorylation. After mitochondrial extraction according to Schneider and Hogeboom, [1950], a new method was used for estimating CMP, NAD, 5' AMP, NADP, ADP and GTP. Flavine mononucleotide was not determined. The plutonium content was followed from day 0 to day 65 post injection. Mitochondrial nucleotides were studied on days 5 and 11. On day 5, all nucleotide levels were reduced by 20 to 70% except AMP which increased and GTP which remained constant. On day 11, all nucleotides had decreased by 70 to 100% except NAD which increased by 20 to 30%. The results suggest that plutonium citrate given intravenously has a time dependent effect on the energy metabolism of the liver.", "contents": "Variation of hepatic mitochondrial nucleotides in rats contaminated with plutonium-239. Rats were given 239Pu citrate i.v. and the mitochondria of hepatocytes were studied. A reduction of oxygen consumption per mg protein with time was seen. We have investigated the nucleotides involved in nuclear phosphorylation. After mitochondrial extraction according to Schneider and Hogeboom, [1950], a new method was used for estimating CMP, NAD, 5' AMP, NADP, ADP and GTP. Flavine mononucleotide was not determined. The plutonium content was followed from day 0 to day 65 post injection. Mitochondrial nucleotides were studied on days 5 and 11. On day 5, all nucleotide levels were reduced by 20 to 70% except AMP which increased and GTP which remained constant. On day 11, all nucleotides had decreased by 70 to 100% except NAD which increased by 20 to 30%. The results suggest that plutonium citrate given intravenously has a time dependent effect on the energy metabolism of the liver.", "PMID": 639560} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12339", "title": "Therapeutic application of iodine-125 labeled iododeoxyuridine in an early ascites tumour model.", "content": "In its decay, iodine-125 emits cascades of Auger electrons with subcellular ranges and leaves a highly charged tellurium-125 product. When iodine-125 is incorporated into DNA as the thymidine analog 125I-UdR, the localized deposition of such energy has been shown to be extremely radiotoxic. This report presents the results of quantitative investigations into the therapeutic efficacy of 125I-UdR in an early ascites murine tumour model. An ovarian embryonal cell carcinoma has been maintained by serial intraperitoneal transplantation. Challenge doses of 10(4)-10(6) cells were used. Four divided doses of 125I-UdR were administered starting 24 h after tumour cell inoculation; the interval between doses was 4 or 12 h. Therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated by prolonged median and increased absolute survivals of treated animals. Divided doses were more effective than single doses, and antineoplastic activity was related to fractionation. The degree of cell killing with a given fractionation scheme was constant over the range of 10(4)-10(6) cells, and total doses of 50-100 muCi resulted in a 2-3 log killing of tumour cells (1-0.1% cell survival). Therapy with 125I-UdR affords a promising new approach to the treatment of cancer. The therapeutic potential of iodine-125 and other radionuclides whose decay results in a highly localized deposition of energy merits further investigation.", "contents": "Therapeutic application of iodine-125 labeled iododeoxyuridine in an early ascites tumour model. In its decay, iodine-125 emits cascades of Auger electrons with subcellular ranges and leaves a highly charged tellurium-125 product. When iodine-125 is incorporated into DNA as the thymidine analog 125I-UdR, the localized deposition of such energy has been shown to be extremely radiotoxic. This report presents the results of quantitative investigations into the therapeutic efficacy of 125I-UdR in an early ascites murine tumour model. An ovarian embryonal cell carcinoma has been maintained by serial intraperitoneal transplantation. Challenge doses of 10(4)-10(6) cells were used. Four divided doses of 125I-UdR were administered starting 24 h after tumour cell inoculation; the interval between doses was 4 or 12 h. Therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated by prolonged median and increased absolute survivals of treated animals. Divided doses were more effective than single doses, and antineoplastic activity was related to fractionation. The degree of cell killing with a given fractionation scheme was constant over the range of 10(4)-10(6) cells, and total doses of 50-100 muCi resulted in a 2-3 log killing of tumour cells (1-0.1% cell survival). Therapy with 125I-UdR affords a promising new approach to the treatment of cancer. The therapeutic potential of iodine-125 and other radionuclides whose decay results in a highly localized deposition of energy merits further investigation.", "PMID": 639561} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12340", "title": "The form and interpretation of clearance curves for injected radioisotopes based on negative power laws, especially for 47Ca and estimating bone accretion rate.", "content": "Many hundreds of clearance curves for plasma and urine after a single injection of tracer are well fitted by y = sigmari = Ai exp(-Bit), r = 2 or 3, based on models with homogeneous compartments. Reanalyzing such sums as in a plot of log y versus log t shows that many of the original curves would fit y = At-alpha or At-alpha exp(-betat) over wide ranges of time and specific acitivity. Results of such reanalyses for a complete published series for serum albumin 131I are given, and an outline of those for various compounds in the human body labeled by 3H. For radiocalcium two such power laws can be fitted in one curve, with a transition between about 1 and 3 days, so that much of the log y versus log t plot consists of two straight lines. These lines are used for starting a numerical analysis that splits the curve into 2 non-linear components, plus a third one that is neglibible after 5 min from injection. An outline of the iteration method is given. The components are interpreted physiologically and used to predict total bone activities by (de)convolution, and these are compared with observed ankle activities and with excretion rates. The bone accretion rate is obtained mainly from the middle component and comes to 2 to 3 g Ca/day, while return of 47Ca from bone to plasma begins at about 1/2 day. These results seem imcompatible with any based on compartments. The concept of biological half-life then needs to be reconsidered.", "contents": "The form and interpretation of clearance curves for injected radioisotopes based on negative power laws, especially for 47Ca and estimating bone accretion rate. Many hundreds of clearance curves for plasma and urine after a single injection of tracer are well fitted by y = sigmari = Ai exp(-Bit), r = 2 or 3, based on models with homogeneous compartments. Reanalyzing such sums as in a plot of log y versus log t shows that many of the original curves would fit y = At-alpha or At-alpha exp(-betat) over wide ranges of time and specific acitivity. Results of such reanalyses for a complete published series for serum albumin 131I are given, and an outline of those for various compounds in the human body labeled by 3H. For radiocalcium two such power laws can be fitted in one curve, with a transition between about 1 and 3 days, so that much of the log y versus log t plot consists of two straight lines. These lines are used for starting a numerical analysis that splits the curve into 2 non-linear components, plus a third one that is neglibible after 5 min from injection. An outline of the iteration method is given. The components are interpreted physiologically and used to predict total bone activities by (de)convolution, and these are compared with observed ankle activities and with excretion rates. The bone accretion rate is obtained mainly from the middle component and comes to 2 to 3 g Ca/day, while return of 47Ca from bone to plasma begins at about 1/2 day. These results seem imcompatible with any based on compartments. The concept of biological half-life then needs to be reconsidered.", "PMID": 639563} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12341", "title": "The bromine enhancement ratio in mammalian cells in vitro and experimental mouse tumours.", "content": "Human kidney cells in culture and cells of mouse sarcoma-180 were allowed to incorporate bromine into their DNA. Cultured cells with and without incorporated BUdR were irradiated with electromagnetic radiations ranging in energy from 12 keV X-rays to 60Co gamma-rays to find out whether or not there exists any energy dependence of the bromine dose enhancement ratio BER. Such a dependence should show in the immediate neighbourhood of the K-absorption edge of bromine (13.5 keV). Any influence of the Auger effect triggered in bromine by external irradiation should show by a significant increase of the BER for energies rising from slightly below to slightly above the bromine K-edge. Values of D37, D0 and the extrapolation numbers of the cell survival curves served as biological endpoints. Measured values of BER ranged from 1.12-2.00 without any significant dependence energy. A weakly pronounced peak was found for 50 kV X-rays of 26 keV mean energy. Sarcoma-180 were irradiated with 14 kEV X-rays and 60C gamma-rays. BUdR was administered i.v., i.p. and directly into the tumours in quantities of up to 1 ml of a 10(-3) M solution. Tumour regression caused by the irradiations served as a measure of the radiation effects with and without incorporated BUdR. No significant dose enhancement effect of bromine was observed in this case. Within error limits, the combination of BUdR with 14 keV X-rays proved more effective than BUdR combined with 60Co gamma-rays.", "contents": "The bromine enhancement ratio in mammalian cells in vitro and experimental mouse tumours. Human kidney cells in culture and cells of mouse sarcoma-180 were allowed to incorporate bromine into their DNA. Cultured cells with and without incorporated BUdR were irradiated with electromagnetic radiations ranging in energy from 12 keV X-rays to 60Co gamma-rays to find out whether or not there exists any energy dependence of the bromine dose enhancement ratio BER. Such a dependence should show in the immediate neighbourhood of the K-absorption edge of bromine (13.5 keV). Any influence of the Auger effect triggered in bromine by external irradiation should show by a significant increase of the BER for energies rising from slightly below to slightly above the bromine K-edge. Values of D37, D0 and the extrapolation numbers of the cell survival curves served as biological endpoints. Measured values of BER ranged from 1.12-2.00 without any significant dependence energy. A weakly pronounced peak was found for 50 kV X-rays of 26 keV mean energy. Sarcoma-180 were irradiated with 14 kEV X-rays and 60C gamma-rays. BUdR was administered i.v., i.p. and directly into the tumours in quantities of up to 1 ml of a 10(-3) M solution. Tumour regression caused by the irradiations served as a measure of the radiation effects with and without incorporated BUdR. No significant dose enhancement effect of bromine was observed in this case. Within error limits, the combination of BUdR with 14 keV X-rays proved more effective than BUdR combined with 60Co gamma-rays.", "PMID": 639562} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12342", "title": "Mohs' chemosurgery for the treatment of cutaneous gangrene.", "content": "Mohs' chemosurgery provides a promising alternative to more conventional methods in the treatment of cutaneous gangrene. The method has low mortality and morbidity, and it may allow a more conservative removal of tissues, resulting in less permanent disability for the patient.", "contents": "Mohs' chemosurgery for the treatment of cutaneous gangrene. Mohs' chemosurgery provides a promising alternative to more conventional methods in the treatment of cutaneous gangrene. The method has low mortality and morbidity, and it may allow a more conservative removal of tissues, resulting in less permanent disability for the patient.", "PMID": 639566} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12343", "title": "Topical therapy of leg ulcers with 20 percent benzoyl peroxide lotion.", "content": "Preliminary clinical observations suggest that benzoyl peroxide lotion (20%) may be a useful topical treatment for various types of leg ulcers. Further studies utilizing patients as their own controls (treating half of the ulcer surface with 20% benzoyl peroxide) are now underway.", "contents": "Topical therapy of leg ulcers with 20 percent benzoyl peroxide lotion. Preliminary clinical observations suggest that benzoyl peroxide lotion (20%) may be a useful topical treatment for various types of leg ulcers. Further studies utilizing patients as their own controls (treating half of the ulcer surface with 20% benzoyl peroxide) are now underway.", "PMID": 639567} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12344", "title": "Pyoderma gangrenosum responsive to minocycline hydrochloride.", "content": "Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a characteristic ulcerative condition of unknown etiology. Four cases are reported of patients with PG who responded to minocycline hydrochloride therapy. Possible mechanisms for this apparently efficacious modality are discussed.", "contents": "Pyoderma gangrenosum responsive to minocycline hydrochloride. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a characteristic ulcerative condition of unknown etiology. Four cases are reported of patients with PG who responded to minocycline hydrochloride therapy. Possible mechanisms for this apparently efficacious modality are discussed.", "PMID": 639572} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12345", "title": "Telogen effluvium: a clinically useful concept, with traction alopecia as an example.", "content": "Telogen effluvium is the excessive loss of normal club hairs. It can be diagnosed simply by microscopic examination of the hairs that are being shed. These hairs have uniform shaft diameter and normally shaped bulbs that contain no pigment. The causes of telogen effluvium are well known and easily distinguishable. They include parturition, febrile illness, surgical operations and anesthesia, anticoagulant drugs, psychi stress, crash diets, and traction. Traction alopecia often produces recognizable patterns of hair loss and can be diagnosed in many cases with reasonable certainty. It is usually not accompanied by inflammatory changes and the prognosis is excellent provided the causative styling practices-braids, rollers, ponytails, etc-are discontinued. Telogen conversion may be caused by interference with papillary blood flow. Since traction alopecia would seem to be reproducible, it may serve as a model for the study of telogen conversion.", "contents": "Telogen effluvium: a clinically useful concept, with traction alopecia as an example. Telogen effluvium is the excessive loss of normal club hairs. It can be diagnosed simply by microscopic examination of the hairs that are being shed. These hairs have uniform shaft diameter and normally shaped bulbs that contain no pigment. The causes of telogen effluvium are well known and easily distinguishable. They include parturition, febrile illness, surgical operations and anesthesia, anticoagulant drugs, psychi stress, crash diets, and traction. Traction alopecia often produces recognizable patterns of hair loss and can be diagnosed in many cases with reasonable certainty. It is usually not accompanied by inflammatory changes and the prognosis is excellent provided the causative styling practices-braids, rollers, ponytails, etc-are discontinued. Telogen conversion may be caused by interference with papillary blood flow. Since traction alopecia would seem to be reproducible, it may serve as a model for the study of telogen conversion.", "PMID": 639573} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12346", "title": "Treatment of actinically damaged skin with a keratolytic gel.", "content": "Rough-textured, actinically damaged skin of the extremities was treated with a keratolytic gel to restore the surface to a more normal appearance. The excellent improvement observed suggests that an abnormality of cell attachment may be the defect in some so-called dry skin states.", "contents": "Treatment of actinically damaged skin with a keratolytic gel. Rough-textured, actinically damaged skin of the extremities was treated with a keratolytic gel to restore the surface to a more normal appearance. The excellent improvement observed suggests that an abnormality of cell attachment may be the defect in some so-called dry skin states.", "PMID": 639574} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12347", "title": "Interhemispheric subdural empyema: neuroradiological diagnosis.", "content": "A case of subdural empyema situated in the interhemispheric subdural space is described. CT scan is useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of intracranial inflammatory pathology. Selective angiography was helpful in the compartmental localization of the abscess in the interhemispheric subdural space, adjacent to the falx and tentorium by virtue of the hypertrophied tentorial meningeal arteries and vascular displacement. CT scans are also useful in follow-up of cerebral abscess after micropaque barium has been injected into the cavity as in this patient.", "contents": "Interhemispheric subdural empyema: neuroradiological diagnosis. A case of subdural empyema situated in the interhemispheric subdural space is described. CT scan is useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of intracranial inflammatory pathology. Selective angiography was helpful in the compartmental localization of the abscess in the interhemispheric subdural space, adjacent to the falx and tentorium by virtue of the hypertrophied tentorial meningeal arteries and vascular displacement. CT scans are also useful in follow-up of cerebral abscess after micropaque barium has been injected into the cavity as in this patient.", "PMID": 639598} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12348", "title": "Intraventricular chloramphenicol.", "content": "Very high intraventricular chloramphenicol levels can be obtained if the standard systemic dose is supplemented with a small intraventricular dose. Chloramphenicol sodium succinate can be hydrolyzed to the microbiologically active chloramphenicol in the ventricular fluid. Daily injections are ordinarily adequate to maintain a high concentration of antibiotic. Initial dosage should vary with ventricular volume. The brain does not tolerate repeated needle puncture and the use of a ventriculostomy reservoir is recommended.", "contents": "Intraventricular chloramphenicol. Very high intraventricular chloramphenicol levels can be obtained if the standard systemic dose is supplemented with a small intraventricular dose. Chloramphenicol sodium succinate can be hydrolyzed to the microbiologically active chloramphenicol in the ventricular fluid. Daily injections are ordinarily adequate to maintain a high concentration of antibiotic. Initial dosage should vary with ventricular volume. The brain does not tolerate repeated needle puncture and the use of a ventriculostomy reservoir is recommended.", "PMID": 639599} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12349", "title": "Anterior cervical fusion after traumatic dislocation of the cervical spine in childhood and adolescence.", "content": "5 patients aged 11-16 years with traumatic lesions of the cervical spine are reported. 4 patients were treated by operative ventral fusion with good results. Regarding the preoperative history of these 4 patients and the history of another 1 treated by conservative means, the authors tend to relatively early operative ventral fusion.", "contents": "Anterior cervical fusion after traumatic dislocation of the cervical spine in childhood and adolescence. 5 patients aged 11-16 years with traumatic lesions of the cervical spine are reported. 4 patients were treated by operative ventral fusion with good results. Regarding the preoperative history of these 4 patients and the history of another 1 treated by conservative means, the authors tend to relatively early operative ventral fusion.", "PMID": 639600} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12350", "title": "Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation in childhood.", "content": "Six patients with myelomeningocele and the Arnold-Chiari malformation developed cricopharyngeal achalasia and lower cranial nerve deficits. Diagnosis is established by cine-esophagram. Distortion of the brain stem or cranial nerves secondary to the Arnold-Chiari malformation may produce the autonomic imbalance necessary for cricopharyngeal achalasia. Treatment is supportive and includes verification of cerebral spinal fluid shunt function. Suboccipital craniectomy may reverse progressive lower cranial nerve deficits and reduce cricopharyngeus spasm. Cricopharyngeal myotomy may be considered when the cranial nerve deficits and cricopharyngeal achalasia are fixed, irreversible, and continue to cause disability.", "contents": "Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation in childhood. Six patients with myelomeningocele and the Arnold-Chiari malformation developed cricopharyngeal achalasia and lower cranial nerve deficits. Diagnosis is established by cine-esophagram. Distortion of the brain stem or cranial nerves secondary to the Arnold-Chiari malformation may produce the autonomic imbalance necessary for cricopharyngeal achalasia. Treatment is supportive and includes verification of cerebral spinal fluid shunt function. Suboccipital craniectomy may reverse progressive lower cranial nerve deficits and reduce cricopharyngeus spasm. Cricopharyngeal myotomy may be considered when the cranial nerve deficits and cricopharyngeal achalasia are fixed, irreversible, and continue to cause disability.", "PMID": 639601} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12351", "title": "Cerebrospinal fluid antibiotic concentrations in ventricular shunt infections.", "content": "The concentration of antibiotic in cerebrospinal fluid was measured during treatment of seven children with infected ventricular shunts. Antibiotics were administered via the ventricular shunt or through an external ventricular drain. 53 CSF samples were obtained 7-19 h after antibiotic administration. Wide variation in cerebrospinal fluid antibiotic concentration occurred from patient to patient following either route of administration. For optimal management of shunt infections, we recommend periodic assessment of antibiotic concentration or activity in ventricular fluid and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotic required for each pathogen.", "contents": "Cerebrospinal fluid antibiotic concentrations in ventricular shunt infections. The concentration of antibiotic in cerebrospinal fluid was measured during treatment of seven children with infected ventricular shunts. Antibiotics were administered via the ventricular shunt or through an external ventricular drain. 53 CSF samples were obtained 7-19 h after antibiotic administration. Wide variation in cerebrospinal fluid antibiotic concentration occurred from patient to patient following either route of administration. For optimal management of shunt infections, we recommend periodic assessment of antibiotic concentration or activity in ventricular fluid and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotic required for each pathogen.", "PMID": 639602} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12352", "title": "Recurrent headaches in 100 children. Electroencephalographic abnormalities and response to phenytoin (Dilantin).", "content": "The causes of chronic, recurrent headaches, the electroencephalographic findings and the response to phenytoin (Dilantin) and other medications have been evaluated in 100 children. A history of head injury was reported in 41% and convulsions had occurred in 15%. Electroencephalographic dysrhythmias were severe in 18 and moderate in 27%. Migraine was diagnosed in 42% and tension headaches in 18%; psychogenic factors complicated learning disabilities and minimal brain dysfunction in 21%. Phenytoin controlled migraine in 77% and headaches diagnosed as seizure equivalents in 40%; the response was unrelated to the degree of electroencephalographic abnormality. An abnormal electroencephalogram and response to phenytoin are insufficient criteria for a diagnosis of epilepsy in children with recurrent headaches.", "contents": "Recurrent headaches in 100 children. Electroencephalographic abnormalities and response to phenytoin (Dilantin). The causes of chronic, recurrent headaches, the electroencephalographic findings and the response to phenytoin (Dilantin) and other medications have been evaluated in 100 children. A history of head injury was reported in 41% and convulsions had occurred in 15%. Electroencephalographic dysrhythmias were severe in 18 and moderate in 27%. Migraine was diagnosed in 42% and tension headaches in 18%; psychogenic factors complicated learning disabilities and minimal brain dysfunction in 21%. Phenytoin controlled migraine in 77% and headaches diagnosed as seizure equivalents in 40%; the response was unrelated to the degree of electroencephalographic abnormality. An abnormal electroencephalogram and response to phenytoin are insufficient criteria for a diagnosis of epilepsy in children with recurrent headaches.", "PMID": 639603} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12353", "title": "[Total duodenopancreatectomy as a standard operation in pancreatic cancer].", "content": "Total pancreatectomy is recommended to improve the poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer. Several factors support the use of this method as the best chance of cure: no cancer is left behind at the line of pancreatic resection, radical operation in case of multicentric or diffuse pancreatic carcinoma, more radical lymphadenectomy, no complications relative to the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, and, primarily, longer survival rates. Operative treatment must be individual and depend on tumor stage. In case of localized operable pancreatic carcinoma, total pancreatectomy seems the best way of achieving more cures.", "contents": "[Total duodenopancreatectomy as a standard operation in pancreatic cancer]. Total pancreatectomy is recommended to improve the poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer. Several factors support the use of this method as the best chance of cure: no cancer is left behind at the line of pancreatic resection, radical operation in case of multicentric or diffuse pancreatic carcinoma, more radical lymphadenectomy, no complications relative to the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, and, primarily, longer survival rates. Operative treatment must be individual and depend on tumor stage. In case of localized operable pancreatic carcinoma, total pancreatectomy seems the best way of achieving more cures.", "PMID": 639606} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12354", "title": "[Heatobiliary sequential scintigraphy. Value of this nuclear-medicine-diagnostic technic in the pre- and postoperative stages following hepato-biliary-tract injuries].", "content": "The increase in accidental abdominal trauma with liver injury and the wide spread of invasive gastroenterologic/radiologic procedures with the risk of liver or biliary tract damage necessitate diagnostic methods for detection and postoperative control of such lesions. Diagnostic procedures in acute liver damage are discussed. Hepato-biliary sequential scintigraphy proves reliable in detection of bile leakage into the peritoneal cavity. Because of the sensitivity, the method should be used before radiologic investigations, e.g., in diagnosis of postoperative biliary structures and in the examination of functional behavior of biliodigestive anastomoses. Intrahepatic bile stasis is recognized as the forerunner of cholangitis.", "contents": "[Heatobiliary sequential scintigraphy. Value of this nuclear-medicine-diagnostic technic in the pre- and postoperative stages following hepato-biliary-tract injuries]. The increase in accidental abdominal trauma with liver injury and the wide spread of invasive gastroenterologic/radiologic procedures with the risk of liver or biliary tract damage necessitate diagnostic methods for detection and postoperative control of such lesions. Diagnostic procedures in acute liver damage are discussed. Hepato-biliary sequential scintigraphy proves reliable in detection of bile leakage into the peritoneal cavity. Because of the sensitivity, the method should be used before radiologic investigations, e.g., in diagnosis of postoperative biliary structures and in the examination of functional behavior of biliodigestive anastomoses. Intrahepatic bile stasis is recognized as the forerunner of cholangitis.", "PMID": 639607} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12355", "title": "[Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and oral contraceptives].", "content": "Three cases of benign liver tumors in young women are reported in addition to 58 cases in the literature. Uncharacteristic pains in the upper abdomen and general weakness were the main symptoms. The most valuable diagnostic examination is selective angiography. Liver resection was successful in these cases. Elective surgery is advocated because massive bleeding with high lethality may occur. Histologically focal nodular hyperplasia was found and all three had taken oral contraceptives.", "contents": "[Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and oral contraceptives]. Three cases of benign liver tumors in young women are reported in addition to 58 cases in the literature. Uncharacteristic pains in the upper abdomen and general weakness were the main symptoms. The most valuable diagnostic examination is selective angiography. Liver resection was successful in these cases. Elective surgery is advocated because massive bleeding with high lethality may occur. Histologically focal nodular hyperplasia was found and all three had taken oral contraceptives.", "PMID": 639608} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12356", "title": "[Causes of vascular injuries in alloplastic hip replacement].", "content": "Vascular injuries were treated in 8 cases of total hip replacement. Acute and subacute arterial thrombosis, an AV fistula, and local thrombosis of pelvic veins were observed. These vascular complications of total hip replacement must be avoided by an effective local operative technique. Contact of bone cement with the vascular loge must also be avoided in order to prevent toxic or thermic irritation of arteries or veins.", "contents": "[Causes of vascular injuries in alloplastic hip replacement]. Vascular injuries were treated in 8 cases of total hip replacement. Acute and subacute arterial thrombosis, an AV fistula, and local thrombosis of pelvic veins were observed. These vascular complications of total hip replacement must be avoided by an effective local operative technique. Contact of bone cement with the vascular loge must also be avoided in order to prevent toxic or thermic irritation of arteries or veins.", "PMID": 639609} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12357", "title": "[The typical wrist ganglion].", "content": "Occurrence of ganglion on the wrist in the scaphoid region in connection with protuberance of the scaphoid bone is statistically of high significance. As ganglions result from mucoid degeneration of connective tissue following microtraumata, the scaphoid protuberance may cause ganglion to appear most frequently at a localization above the scaphoid bone on the wrist. We suggest that this localization be called 'loco typico'.", "contents": "[The typical wrist ganglion]. Occurrence of ganglion on the wrist in the scaphoid region in connection with protuberance of the scaphoid bone is statistically of high significance. As ganglions result from mucoid degeneration of connective tissue following microtraumata, the scaphoid protuberance may cause ganglion to appear most frequently at a localization above the scaphoid bone on the wrist. We suggest that this localization be called 'loco typico'.", "PMID": 639610} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12358", "title": "[Dilatation or sphincterotomy as the treatment of primary-chronic fissure in ano. Results of a random, clinical study after 2-3 years].", "content": "In a randomized clinical trial, 66 patients were treated for primary chronic fissure-in-ano by anal dilatation or sphincterotomy. Of the 64 patients still living, 57 (89.0%) could be submitted to a follow-up examination 26.7 +/- 4.6 months after the operation; 63 of them were surveyed on the basis of a questionnaire. Six patients who had reported functional lesions after operation at a six-month follow-up were reexamined: in two cases improvements were recorded, in the case of three patients the symptoms remained unchanged, and in one case a complete reduction was achieved. Though no significant difference (p less than 0.1) was noted with a recurrence rate of 20.5% (n = 7) after the dilatation versus 3.1% (n = 1) after the sphincterotomy, a definite trend was obvious. These findings support the sphincterotomy as being a definitive therapy for primary chronic fissure-in-ano.", "contents": "[Dilatation or sphincterotomy as the treatment of primary-chronic fissure in ano. Results of a random, clinical study after 2-3 years]. In a randomized clinical trial, 66 patients were treated for primary chronic fissure-in-ano by anal dilatation or sphincterotomy. Of the 64 patients still living, 57 (89.0%) could be submitted to a follow-up examination 26.7 +/- 4.6 months after the operation; 63 of them were surveyed on the basis of a questionnaire. Six patients who had reported functional lesions after operation at a six-month follow-up were reexamined: in two cases improvements were recorded, in the case of three patients the symptoms remained unchanged, and in one case a complete reduction was achieved. Though no significant difference (p less than 0.1) was noted with a recurrence rate of 20.5% (n = 7) after the dilatation versus 3.1% (n = 1) after the sphincterotomy, a definite trend was obvious. These findings support the sphincterotomy as being a definitive therapy for primary chronic fissure-in-ano.", "PMID": 639614} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12359", "title": "[Modified bridle-plasty in recurrent luxation of the patella].", "content": "For local operative correction of slipping patella, we recommend a modified plasty of the patellar retinaculum apparatus. This simple operation can even be performed on adolescents with still open epiphyseal cartilages. The technique of our operation is described. The early results during the last 30 months are very good. None of our 20 patients noted a reluxation, and all have resumed their sports.", "contents": "[Modified bridle-plasty in recurrent luxation of the patella]. For local operative correction of slipping patella, we recommend a modified plasty of the patellar retinaculum apparatus. This simple operation can even be performed on adolescents with still open epiphyseal cartilages. The technique of our operation is described. The early results during the last 30 months are very good. None of our 20 patients noted a reluxation, and all have resumed their sports.", "PMID": 639615} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12360", "title": "[Amputation of the knee joint in vascular diseases].", "content": "Reported are 97 extensive amputations in 87 patients from 1975 to 1977. Postoperative early mortality was 47% and depended on the disease and the various factors that made amputation necessary. Amputations in chronic occlusive vascular disease without septicemia had a far lower mortality, 10%. Amputations in patients with septicemia resulted in a mortality of 90%. According to Burgess, amputations of the lower leg, exarticulation in the knee joint, and myeloplastic and open amputation of the thigh should be considered in that order. Exarticulation in the knee joint is only feasible in the presence of an open, deep, femoral artery.", "contents": "[Amputation of the knee joint in vascular diseases]. Reported are 97 extensive amputations in 87 patients from 1975 to 1977. Postoperative early mortality was 47% and depended on the disease and the various factors that made amputation necessary. Amputations in chronic occlusive vascular disease without septicemia had a far lower mortality, 10%. Amputations in patients with septicemia resulted in a mortality of 90%. According to Burgess, amputations of the lower leg, exarticulation in the knee joint, and myeloplastic and open amputation of the thigh should be considered in that order. Exarticulation in the knee joint is only feasible in the presence of an open, deep, femoral artery.", "PMID": 639616} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12361", "title": "[Artificial embolization before septic amputation].", "content": "By artificial embolization before extensive septic amputation arrosion bleedings that are otherwise noncontrollable can be prevented. Resorbable gelatine (Gelforam) is suitable for embolization. For safety one can leave a balloon catheter above the embolized vessel segment for several days.", "contents": "[Artificial embolization before septic amputation]. By artificial embolization before extensive septic amputation arrosion bleedings that are otherwise noncontrollable can be prevented. Resorbable gelatine (Gelforam) is suitable for embolization. For safety one can leave a balloon catheter above the embolized vessel segment for several days.", "PMID": 639617} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12362", "title": "[Fibrin glue. A new treatment technic in persistent recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax].", "content": "The treatment of choice in idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax is continuous suction drainage by chest tube for 8--10 days. If this method is not successful, i.e., in patients with a persistent or recurrent pneumothorax, an attempt can be made to produce local pleural adhesions by means of a special fibrin glue, especially in patients with poor general condition. This fibrin glue pleurodesis was performed successfully in seven patients, four of them having a persistent, two a recurrent, and one an iatrogenic pneumothorax. Six of them are now, 3--10 months after therapy, without a recurrence and free of discomfort. One patient died 6 days after treatment from a cerebral stroke. Autopsy showed fibrinous adhesions in the area of the upper lobe. Good tissue compatibility was confirmed histologically.", "contents": "[Fibrin glue. A new treatment technic in persistent recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax]. The treatment of choice in idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax is continuous suction drainage by chest tube for 8--10 days. If this method is not successful, i.e., in patients with a persistent or recurrent pneumothorax, an attempt can be made to produce local pleural adhesions by means of a special fibrin glue, especially in patients with poor general condition. This fibrin glue pleurodesis was performed successfully in seven patients, four of them having a persistent, two a recurrent, and one an iatrogenic pneumothorax. Six of them are now, 3--10 months after therapy, without a recurrence and free of discomfort. One patient died 6 days after treatment from a cerebral stroke. Autopsy showed fibrinous adhesions in the area of the upper lobe. Good tissue compatibility was confirmed histologically.", "PMID": 639618} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12363", "title": "[Modification of postoperative glucose-tolerance disorders using bradykinin].", "content": "Glucose tolerance after abdominal operation was studied with and without infusion of bradykinin. With bradykinin a normalization of the postoperative decreased assimilation of glucose was found.", "contents": "[Modification of postoperative glucose-tolerance disorders using bradykinin]. Glucose tolerance after abdominal operation was studied with and without infusion of bradykinin. With bradykinin a normalization of the postoperative decreased assimilation of glucose was found.", "PMID": 639619} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12364", "title": "Complex and simple sequences in human repeated DNAs.", "content": "Highly repeated human DNA sequences were isolated by isopycnic centrifugation, or were eluted from gels after restriction enzyme cleavage. High molecular weight DNA peaks separable from the bulk of the DNA in a variety of gradients were shown to consist of very simple sequences characteristic of simple satellite DNAs; DNA fingerprint studies indicated each of these peaks could consist of tandem repeats of a specific oligonucleotide sequence as low as 10 base pairs (bp) long. All the gradient peaks could be assigned to one of two sequence groups and several \"different\" buoyant density peaks revealed the same sequence.--Restriction fragment multimers did not share common sequences with the satellite DNAs as judged by hybridization data. They could not be separated by isopycnic centrifugation. Furthermore these highly repeated DNAs were more complex in sequence and more variable than the satellites. Even the smallest (50 bp) fragments by depurination and other direct sequencing methods were shown to be more complex than the high molecular weight satellite peaks.--The idea that subsets of repeated DNAs may be defined by sequence complexity, possibly with discrete or separable functions, is proposed.", "contents": "Complex and simple sequences in human repeated DNAs. Highly repeated human DNA sequences were isolated by isopycnic centrifugation, or were eluted from gels after restriction enzyme cleavage. High molecular weight DNA peaks separable from the bulk of the DNA in a variety of gradients were shown to consist of very simple sequences characteristic of simple satellite DNAs; DNA fingerprint studies indicated each of these peaks could consist of tandem repeats of a specific oligonucleotide sequence as low as 10 base pairs (bp) long. All the gradient peaks could be assigned to one of two sequence groups and several \"different\" buoyant density peaks revealed the same sequence.--Restriction fragment multimers did not share common sequences with the satellite DNAs as judged by hybridization data. They could not be separated by isopycnic centrifugation. Furthermore these highly repeated DNAs were more complex in sequence and more variable than the satellites. Even the smallest (50 bp) fragments by depurination and other direct sequencing methods were shown to be more complex than the high molecular weight satellite peaks.--The idea that subsets of repeated DNAs may be defined by sequence complexity, possibly with discrete or separable functions, is proposed.", "PMID": 639624} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12365", "title": "Chromosomal localization of complex and simple repeated human DNAs.", "content": "Complex repeating restriction multimers and a simple AT rich satellite isolated with Hoechst 33258 ( less than or equal to 0.5% of the human genome) were localized by in situ hybridization to human chromosomes. The complex repeats were clustered at the centromeres, consonant with their integration in tandem arrays at these loci; these sequences were very prominent on chromosomes 7, 10 and 19, sites not previously identified with any specific human repeated sequence. The Hoechst simple satellite labelled predominantly the long arms of the Y chromosome. Although this simple satellite and the complex restriction multimers did not hybridize with each other, and did not contain detectable ribosomal sequences, both isolates additionally labelled the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) of acrocentric chromosomes.--The possible relationship of complex and simple repeated DNAs, and their assignment to specific chromosomal domains, is discussed.", "contents": "Chromosomal localization of complex and simple repeated human DNAs. Complex repeating restriction multimers and a simple AT rich satellite isolated with Hoechst 33258 ( less than or equal to 0.5% of the human genome) were localized by in situ hybridization to human chromosomes. The complex repeats were clustered at the centromeres, consonant with their integration in tandem arrays at these loci; these sequences were very prominent on chromosomes 7, 10 and 19, sites not previously identified with any specific human repeated sequence. The Hoechst simple satellite labelled predominantly the long arms of the Y chromosome. Although this simple satellite and the complex restriction multimers did not hybridize with each other, and did not contain detectable ribosomal sequences, both isolates additionally labelled the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) of acrocentric chromosomes.--The possible relationship of complex and simple repeated DNAs, and their assignment to specific chromosomal domains, is discussed.", "PMID": 639625} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12366", "title": "The products of the \"heat-shock\" loci of Drosophila hydei. Correlation between locus 2-36A and the 70,000 MW \"heat-shock\" peptide.", "content": "Antibody was raised against total Drosophila hydei embryonic cellular protein with a molecular weight between 65,000 and 70,000 dalton. This antiserum reacted with the 70,000 MW \"heat-shock\" peptide found in \"S labelled cell extracts of \"heat-shocked\" D. hydei tissue culture cells or salivary glands.--The antibody was coupled to Sepharose 4B and this material was used to absorb polysomes obtained from tissue culture cells incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of tritiated RNA precursors. The relative concentrations of various RNA species complementary to the \"heat-shock\" loci 2-32A, 2-36A, and 2-48C in either bound, non-bound, or total polysomal material was then determined by in situ hybridization. The RNA species complementary to locus 2-36A was found to be enriched in the bound polysomal material.", "contents": "The products of the \"heat-shock\" loci of Drosophila hydei. Correlation between locus 2-36A and the 70,000 MW \"heat-shock\" peptide. Antibody was raised against total Drosophila hydei embryonic cellular protein with a molecular weight between 65,000 and 70,000 dalton. This antiserum reacted with the 70,000 MW \"heat-shock\" peptide found in \"S labelled cell extracts of \"heat-shocked\" D. hydei tissue culture cells or salivary glands.--The antibody was coupled to Sepharose 4B and this material was used to absorb polysomes obtained from tissue culture cells incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of tritiated RNA precursors. The relative concentrations of various RNA species complementary to the \"heat-shock\" loci 2-32A, 2-36A, and 2-48C in either bound, non-bound, or total polysomal material was then determined by in situ hybridization. The RNA species complementary to locus 2-36A was found to be enriched in the bound polysomal material.", "PMID": 639626} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12367", "title": "Co-replication of satellite DNA of Chironomus melanotus with mainband DNA during polytenization.", "content": "The DNAs of five Chironomus species, C. plumosus, C. nuditarsis, C. thummi thummi, C. melanotus, and Camptochironomus pallidivittatus, were investigated in analytical neutral isopycnic CsCl density gradients. DNA was isolated both from larval brains (\"diploid-DNA\") and salivary glands (\"polytene-DNA\"). The buoyant densities of mainband DNAs were 1.692 g/cm3, with the exception of C. melanotus whose mainband had a density of 1.693 g/cm3. The densities correspond to a calculated GC content of 33% and 34% respectively. Only in C. melanotus was the DNA clearly resolved into mainband DNA and two distinct satellite shoulders: Satellite I, with a buoyant density of 1.684 g/cm3 (25% GC, calculated) and satellite II of 1.679 g/cm3 (19% GC, calculated). The two satellites comprise 15% of the total DNA in the \"diploid-DNA\"' and they also occur in the \"polytene-DNA\", where they make up 11%. The results are discussed in the general context of under- and overreplication in polyploid and polytene cells.", "contents": "Co-replication of satellite DNA of Chironomus melanotus with mainband DNA during polytenization. The DNAs of five Chironomus species, C. plumosus, C. nuditarsis, C. thummi thummi, C. melanotus, and Camptochironomus pallidivittatus, were investigated in analytical neutral isopycnic CsCl density gradients. DNA was isolated both from larval brains (\"diploid-DNA\") and salivary glands (\"polytene-DNA\"). The buoyant densities of mainband DNAs were 1.692 g/cm3, with the exception of C. melanotus whose mainband had a density of 1.693 g/cm3. The densities correspond to a calculated GC content of 33% and 34% respectively. Only in C. melanotus was the DNA clearly resolved into mainband DNA and two distinct satellite shoulders: Satellite I, with a buoyant density of 1.684 g/cm3 (25% GC, calculated) and satellite II of 1.679 g/cm3 (19% GC, calculated). The two satellites comprise 15% of the total DNA in the \"diploid-DNA\"' and they also occur in the \"polytene-DNA\", where they make up 11%. The results are discussed in the general context of under- and overreplication in polyploid and polytene cells.", "PMID": 639627} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12368", "title": "Adenocarcinoma of the prostate involving the rectum.", "content": "Five cases of prostatic carcinoma invading the rectum were found on reviewing 161 prostatic carcinomas over a five-year period. A summary of the clinical and laboratory findings of these cases is given. A review of previous reports in the literature and discussion of the modality of presentation and methods of diagnosis of this entity are presented. The importance of differentiating a primary rectal carcinoma from a prostatic carcinoma involving the rectum is emphasized.", "contents": "Adenocarcinoma of the prostate involving the rectum. Five cases of prostatic carcinoma invading the rectum were found on reviewing 161 prostatic carcinomas over a five-year period. A summary of the clinical and laboratory findings of these cases is given. A review of previous reports in the literature and discussion of the modality of presentation and methods of diagnosis of this entity are presented. The importance of differentiating a primary rectal carcinoma from a prostatic carcinoma involving the rectum is emphasized.", "PMID": 639632} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12369", "title": "Synchronous primary adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum.", "content": "In a series of 1,002 cases of primary colorectal adenocarcinomas diagnosed during a ten-year period there were 62 (6.2%) patients who had two or more primary colorectal adenocarcinomas. Most of the tumors were more than 5 cm away from each other: 27 carcinomas were separated by 6-10 cm, 16 were separated by 11-20 cm, and 12 were separated by more than 20 cm. It is concluded that the incidence of synchronous carcinomas of the colon is sufficiently high to warrant a search by both surgeon and endoscopist for additional tumors some distance from the initial lesion.", "contents": "Synchronous primary adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum. In a series of 1,002 cases of primary colorectal adenocarcinomas diagnosed during a ten-year period there were 62 (6.2%) patients who had two or more primary colorectal adenocarcinomas. Most of the tumors were more than 5 cm away from each other: 27 carcinomas were separated by 6-10 cm, 16 were separated by 11-20 cm, and 12 were separated by more than 20 cm. It is concluded that the incidence of synchronous carcinomas of the colon is sufficiently high to warrant a search by both surgeon and endoscopist for additional tumors some distance from the initial lesion.", "PMID": 639631} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12370", "title": "Mental disorders in ulcerative colitis: suicide, divorce, psychosis, hospitalization for mental disease, alcoholism, and consumption of psychotropic drugs in 178 patients subjected to colectomy.", "content": "The population in the Nordic countries is relatively homogenous. In 178 Norwegian patients subjected to colectomy for ulcerative colitis the frequencies of suicide, divorce, psychosis, and hospitalization for mental disorders, and consumption of psychotropic drugs, did not differ significantly from corresponding frequencies in the general population.", "contents": "Mental disorders in ulcerative colitis: suicide, divorce, psychosis, hospitalization for mental disease, alcoholism, and consumption of psychotropic drugs in 178 patients subjected to colectomy. The population in the Nordic countries is relatively homogenous. In 178 Norwegian patients subjected to colectomy for ulcerative colitis the frequencies of suicide, divorce, psychosis, and hospitalization for mental disorders, and consumption of psychotropic drugs, did not differ significantly from corresponding frequencies in the general population.", "PMID": 639635} {"id": "pubmed23n0021_12371", "title": "Tumor-host relationships in colorectal carcinoma.", "content": "Eighty-seven colorectal carcinomas were studied histologically with special reference to grade of tumor, reactions of stromal tissue, and the morphology of regional lymph nodes. A special search was focused on the morphologic manifestations of possible host factors. The most interesting findings were: 1) nuclear grade of the tumor correlated with five-year survival; 2) the content of tumor-derived mucus was not a prognostic determinant; 3) the intensities of stromal lymphocyte and mast-cell reactions correlated with survival; 4) an active lymph-node paracortical area was almost incompatible with the appearance of nodal metastases.", "contents": "Tumor-host relationships in colorectal carcinoma. Eighty-seven colorectal carcinomas were studied histologically with special reference to grade of tumor, reactions of stromal tissue, and the morphology of regional lymph nodes. A special search was focused on the morphologic manifestations of possible host factors. The most interesting findings were: 1) nuclear grade of the tumor correlated with five-year survival; 2) the content of tumor-derived mucus was not a prognostic determinant; 3) the intensities of stromal lymphocyte and mast-cell reactions correlated with survival; 4) an active lymph-node paracortical area was almost incompatible with the appearance of nodal metastases.", "PMID": 639634}